Hong Kong: 5 imported COVID-19 cases identified

The Centre for Health Protection today said it is investigating five additional imported COVID-19 cases.

The patients arrived in Hong Kong from Thailand, South Korea, Switzerland and Singapore.

A total of 40 cases were reported in Hong Kong in the past 14 days, one of which is a local case with an unknown infection source while the rest are imported.

The centre reminded specified people linked to Tower 6, Harbour Place in Hung Hom, Bohemian House in Sai Ying Pun and Sea View Mansion in Sheung Wan to undergo compulsory testing tomorrow in accordance with the compulsory testing notice.

For information and health advice on COVID-19, visit the Governments dedicated webpage.

This story has been published on: 2021-08-12. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
South Africa: SA, Kenya cement bonds

While South Africa and Kenya enjoy strong bilateral relations, the two countries will work together to address hindrances to bilateral cooperation.

The two countries held a two-day South Africa-Kenya Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC), attended by South Africas Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, and her counterpart, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kenya, Ambassador Raychelle Omamo.

The session was held in Nairobi, Kenya.

Pandor, who led a South African delegation to the session, did so at the invitation of Ambassador Omamo. This was pursuant to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Establishment of a Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC), which took place on 2 October 2007.

In a joint communique issued following the inaugural session of the JCC on Wednesday, the two Ministers reviewed and exchanged views on the status of bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction with the progress achieved in various areas of cooperation since its signing.

They hailed the robust, broad and friendly relations that exist between the two countries and emphasised the need to continue working jointly towards enhancing political, economic and defence cooperation.

Both Ministers reaffirmed the close friendship, common interests and values that are the foundation of the strong relationship between the two countries.

The two Ministers further exchanged views on possible areas of cooperation and collaboration and committed to, among others things, address all the impediments that hinder bilateral cooperation. These areas include trade and investment; agriculture, livestock and fisheries; education and human resource development; Art, Culture and sports; defence and police matter; health; science and technology; energy; maritime and air transport; Housing and human settlement and infrastructure development within the Lamu Port, South Sudan [and] Ethiopia (Lapsset) Corridor.

Wanting to further strengthen and elevate the status of bilateral relations, the two Ministers welcomed negotiations of Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding under six areas of mutual interest, namely, correctional services; political consultations; migration; tourism; return of nationals refused entry and illegal entrants, and diplomatic training.

Both parties further exchanged views on regional and continental developments as well as multilateral co-operation.

At the multilateral level, the Ministers underscored the need to mutually develop a structure that supports the A3 to advance the common African Union agenda at the United Nations Security Council. They further noted the progress made in the implementation of the United Nations Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.

The two Ministers are looking forward to the forthcoming State Visit by President Uhuru Kenyatta to South Africa, at the invitation of President Cyril Ramaphosa. - SAnews.gov.za

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Hong Kong: Hospital visits further extended

The Hospital Authority today announced that the special visiting arrangement will be extended to 12 acute and specialist hospitals from August 18.

The authority explained that visitors to acute and specialist hospitals are required to have completed a two-dose COVID-19 vaccination for more than 14 days, a requirement different from the special visiting arrangements to hospitals and wards with non-acute settings.

Amid the huge volume of service and people movement in acute hospitals, the vaccination requirement aims to minimise the infection risks of patients and staff in the hospitals.

With due consideration to the usually shorter length of stay of acute hospital patients, the special visiting arrangement is only applicable to patients admitted for more than one week.

Family members are not required to contact the wards for booking as ward staff will call them to schedule the visits in the next few days.

One to two visits will be arranged for a family member in a designated time slot each week.

Visitors can scan the Hospital Visit QR code found on the authoritys webpage and the mobile app HA Go to fill in the health declaration form within 24 hours before the visit and show the QR code to the ward staff.

The authority said it hopes the community can understand that visiting arrangements can only be made with certain restrictions under the current epidemic situation, noting that its hospitals will continue to facilitate compassionate and video visiting as far as practicable.

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South Africa: Women take the lead in COVID-19 fight

The Coega Development Corporation (CDC) has paid tribute to two women who have been at the forefront of organisations efforts in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This comes as South Africa commemorates Womens Month under the theme, The Year of Charlotte Mannya Maxeke: Realising Womens Rights, in recognition of the 150th birthday anniversary of Mme Charlotte Makgomo Mannya Maxeke.

Leading the charge at the CDC is a women duo comprising the CDC Unit Head for Human Resources and Chair of the COVID-19 Task Team, Zola Ngoma and CDC Unit Head for Safety, Health, Environment and Quality, and leader of the COVID-19 Vaccination Drive, Viwe Biyana.

Our work in earnest started a little over a year ago, following the lockdown announcements and regulations by the South African government.

The CDCs COVID-19 Task Team has aptly provided strategic and operational guidance to the organisation and continues during the varying lockdown alert levels to effectively curb the spread of the pandemic within the CDC and ensure that the organisation creates a safe and healthy workplace, and complies with the published government regulations, Ngoma said.

With the CDC having a strategic operational footprint in South Africa and on the continent, the organisation has had to cope with and rapidly adjust to the new normal, a feat that Ngoma admitted has not been easy.

The CDC has implemented vital operational measures for business continuity.

Key amongst these has been providing employees with tools of trade to remain productive, engaged and effective, while working from home during the lockdown period.

The CDC has been conducting most of its business through online systems, holding online meetings with local and international clients, investors and stakeholders alike to increase the investment pipeline and attract foreign direct investment (FDI) into the Coega Special Economic Zone (SEZ).

It has also extended its Health and Safety Wellness Primary Healthcare services to include the testing for the pandemic by a qualified Occupational Medicine Practitioner and registered nurses at the CDC Wellness Centre.

Part of the CDCs phase 2 response to the pandemic is the recent certification of the CDC Wellness Centre in Zone 4 of the Coega (SEZ) as a COVID-19 public vaccination site, following approval by the Department of Health (DOH), Biyana said.

Working for communities

Crucial to the CDC servicing investors is a dual responsibility of ensuring that the organisation positively impacts communities surrounding the SEZ.

This is in line with the CDCs ongoing commitment to build healthy communities and to be a leading catalyst for championing socio-economic development, and contributing to the important national effort of defeating the pandemic.

The process of applying to become a vaccination site has been long and arduous. The CDC started on this journey around April 2021, followed by numerous inspections from the DOH [Department of Health] to the Coega Wellness Centre Clinic, culminating in the approval coming into effect on 29 July 2021, Biyana said.

The objective of the Coega Wellness Centre Clinic in becoming a vaccination site is to contribute to the countrys enjoined responsibility of reaching a set target of 67% herd immunity and limiting the risk of severe or terminal illness upon contracting the virus.

Having to implement the rollout of a vaccination campaign during a pandemic has certainly proven to be one of the most fulfilling and challenging things Ive had to do in my career.

Appreciating the importance of vaccinations, and what they seek to achieve, juxtaposed with being a parent myself and wanting to be there for my family. I have used it as a source of courage, hope and inspiration, Biyana said.

Ngoma said she never thought she would be leading a team during a pandemic.

I am reminded of the number of people and great talent that has succumbed to this virus in our country and worldwide. This has a chilling effect on many of us and personally, it humbles and compels me daily to contribute. It also reminds us of the responsibility we have to both our employer and families, and why we should consistently adhere to the COVID-19 protocols and never let our guard down, she said.  SAnews.gov.za

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South Africa: Committee condemns murder of female correctional officer

This story has been published on: 2021-08-12. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.

While South Africa and Kenya enjoy strong bilateral relations, the two countries will work together to address hindrances to bilateral cooperation. The two countries held a two-day South Africa-Kenya Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC), attended by South Africas Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, ... See more
South Africa: Call for comments on 2021 draft tax bills

The National Treasury and the South African Revenue Service (SARS) have invited the public to comment on the second batch of the 2021 Draft Taxation Laws Amendment Bill and 2021 Draft Tax Administration Laws Amendment Bill (TALAB).

The publication of these bills follows the announcement by the Minister of Finance on 28 July 2021 on the emergency tax measures as part of the fiscal package outlined by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 25 July 2021. This was in response to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic and recent unrest in the country that resulted in the destruction of businesses.

The second batch of draft tax bills contains emergency tax measures taking effect on 1 August 2021 and seek to make amendments in the Disaster Management Tax Relief Act, 2020 and Disaster Management Tax Relief Administration Act, 2020.

These measures are over and above the tax proposals made in the 2021 Budget on 24 February 2021, which were included in the initial batch of the 2021 draft tax bills, published for public comment on 28 July 2021, Treasury said on Thursday.

The two sets of amendments will be combined to form the 2021 Taxation Laws Amendment Bill and 2021 Tax Administration Laws Amendment Bill that will be tabled in Parliament during the 2021 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement.

The measures are:

The introduction of a tax subsidy of up to R750 per month for 4 months for those private sector employees earning below R6 500; this subsidy will be provided under the current Employment Tax Incentive.

SARS will accelerate the payment of Employment Tax Incentive reimbursements from twice a year to monthly to get cash into the hands of compliant employers as soon as possible.

Tax compliant businesses with a turnover of less than R100 million will be allowed to delay 35% of their Pay As You Earn liabilities over 3 months without penalties or interest.

Tax compliant businesses in the alcohol sector can apply to SARS to obtain deferrals of up to three months for excise duty payments, after setting out the circumstances justifying a deferral. This measure does not require a legislative amendment as the customs and excise rules that SARS administers were amended in 2020 to provide for deferrals of excise in cases of temporary financial constraint.

The public has been encouraged to forward written comments to the National Treasurys tax policy depository at 2020AnnexCProp@treasury.gov.za and SARS at acollins@sars.gov.za by close of business on 28 August 2021.

The second batch of the 2021 draft tax bills and the draft explanatory notes can be found on the National Treasury (www.treasury.gov.za) and SARS (www.sars.gov.za) websites. SAnews.gov.za

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South Africa: Access to financial services remains a challenge for female farmers

Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Minister, Thoko Didiza, says access to financial services and knowing where to go to apply is a challenge that persists for women in the agricultural sector.

The majority of [women in the industry] will tell you how they struggle for production credit at our development financial institutions, as well as our commercial banks.

In addition to available funding mechanisms such as the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP), Ilima Letsema, Land Development Support, the Minister said the department has developed a blended finance instrument working with the departments development finance institutions and private banks.

Didiza made the remarks during a webinar on the role of women in agriculture on Thursday hosted by the department in partnership with the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS).

She said the issue of access to the market is another area of concern that the majority of women raise as a constraint, as well as extension and advisory services, which are not enough to support the many farmers that the country has, particularly smallholder farmers.

Government has agreed to add 10 000 extension officers in our agricultural system within a three-year period, Didiza said.

The Minister announced that the department is rolling out a smallholder empowerment approach, a program which enables farmers to understand the market and how it operates.

The program also helps farmers understand what is needed by the market in products, quality and volume.

SHEP (Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion) also changed the mindset of farmers to plant for the market instead of planting or producing and then thinking about the market later. Through SHEP, farmers and buyers are brought together on a platform where they can interact, Didiza said.

In order to respond to the growing demands of diverse types of foods by consumers, the Minister stressed the importance of technology transfer, noting that through the Agricultural Research Council, the department assists farmers with new knowledge and new plant varieties.

Technology is also critical in mitigating against climate change. Currently we are developing climate smart agriculture seeds and farming systems, she said.

Agro-processing and Agribusiness Program

Didiza said the department has started a Women in Agro-processing and Agribusiness program, to expand womens knowledge and entry into the agri-business sector.

The department is doing this in order to ensure that support mechanisms for women in the agri-business sector are available.

The majority of us believe that entry into agriculture is through ownership and access to land. Yes, when it comes to primary production that is true. But entry into the industry as a whole can be achieved through our participation at various levels, for instance, we can source commodities from those who produce for processing, the Minister said.

The department is this year piloting a programme with 100 women who have already entered the agro-processing space. The intention is to incubate the women enterprises so they can become sustainable and grow.

This pilot will ensure that we learn from our interventions as well as from the women themselves. At the end of the pilot we can then roll out at scale, Didiza said.

Logistics and transport system

The Minister noted that the movement of goods from farm to the market, both locally and abroad, is another market entry point which women need to look at.

It doesnt mean that if you want to be in the agricultural sector, you only need to be a farmer, but you can be in the logistics industry. You can be in the distribution centres, and you can also participate in the cold storage and grain storage facilities, the Minister said.

These are the areas the department wants to entice women to participate in.

We are currently working on the Agriculture and Agribusiness Master Plan and we want to make sure that the issue of gender parity is engrained in the master plan, because we know that women are part and parcel of our society, economies and entire livelihoods, and if we live women behind, our society will not progress, Didiza said.  SAnews.gov.za

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Hong Kong: Ink painting master expo set

The Museum of Art will showcase 41 paintings by Hong Kong ink painting master Lui Shou-kwan from its collection from August 13 to April 10 charting the artistic journey of the modern ink art forerunner.



There will also be 11 exhibits by the late artist on loan from the Chinese University of Hong Kong Art Museum.

The pioneer of the New Ink Art Movement in Hong Kong, Mr Lui starred in the local art scene in the 1960s, and had a profound influence on modern ink art development.

He traced the great outlines of Chinese art history and Western modern art theories, and developed a unique painting style through a vast range of emulating Chinese and Western classics, landscape sketching and experimentation with brush and ink as well as composition.

Visitors can walk through Mr Lui's artistic journey in the three sections at the When Form Matters: Following the Path of Lui Shou-kwan to Zen Painting exhibition, namely Discovering Forms in Nature, Understanding Forms from Old to New and Enlightening Forms through Zen.

The expo will also feature works of Mr Luis contemporaries and students, paying tribute to the major contribution he made to art education and the development of modern ink art.

The gallery will play a selection of clippings from valuable audio recordings of Mr Luis class teachings in the 1960s. Visitors can also explore the forms in his paintings through an interactive augmented reality device.

Call 2721 0116 for enquiries.

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RTHK: Israel to okay 2,000 new settler homes in West Bank

Israel is to approve 2,000 new homes for Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank, defence sources said on Thursday, despite opposition from dovish members of the governing coalition.

The Palestinians swiftly condemned the latest settlement expansion plans, the first of Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's administration.

A security source said the permits for Jewish settlements would come alongside approvals for hundreds of Palestinian homes in the large swathe of the West Bank known as Area C, where Israel exercises military and planning control.

"There is an expectation to approve about 1,000 housing units for Palestinians in Area C next week and 2,000 housing units in the Jewish communities," the source said on condition of anonymity.

The office of Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas expressed its "strong rejection and condemnation" of the new settler homes, saying they contradicted "the clear American position" President Joe Biden expressed in a call with Abbas.

Biden is reportedly to meet with Bennett in the near future, although his office did not specify a date.

Bennett, a former director of the Yesha Council settler lobby, faced criticism from dovish partners in his coalition, as well as from Israeli settler advocates in the opposition.

Israel seized the West Bank and east Jerusalem from Jordan in 1967. Since then, nearly 700,000 Israelis have moved into settlements that most of the international community regards as illegal.

Palestinians hope the territories will become part of a future state.

The Yesha Council on Thursday deplored the fact that building permits for Israelis were being presented as linked to housing for Palestinians.

"Strengthening the Jewish presence in the heart of the homeland should not depend on building permits for the Arab population," Yossi Dagan, one of the group's leaders, said in a statement.

Seven lawmakers from the dovish Meretz party, three of them ministers, wrote to Defence Minister Benny Gantz opposing the approval of more homes for settlers.

"Settlements are immoral, settlements are illegal, they endanger our relations with Palestinians and the world," Meretz lawmaker Mossi Raz told public radio.

However, he stopped short of threatening to quit the ruling coalition.

Opposition lawmaker Bezalel Smotrich of the nationalist Religious Zionism bloc said on Twitter that approving homes in Palestinian towns was "harming Israeli communities".

According to an analysis by settlement watchdog Peace Now, the Higher Planning Council of the Civil Administration intends to approve about 860 homes for Palestinian villages, and just shy of 2,000 units in settlements.

Peace Now said the approvals for Palestinians came after years of rejection from uncooperative Israeli authorities.

"It is a very small expansion of the Palestinian villages and a drop in the ocean in terms of real Palestinian development needs," the group said. (AFP)

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Red Cross launches campaign to support COVID-19-hit residents

The Vietnam Red Cross Society (VRC)s Central Committee has launched a campaign to assist disadvantaged people who are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and frontline forces in the fight against the COVID-19.













The Gia Lam District Red Cross Society present gifts to disadvantaged people and the frontline force of Bat Trang commune. (Photo: VNA)

The campaign, entitled Connecting the community  overcoming challenges, will be carried out from August to November 2021 with its peak time from mid-August to mid-September.



To implement the campaign, the VRC Central Committee will use VND 4.3 billion (nearly US$190,000) from the reserve fund to support 20 localities, focusing on three main activities including providing "Red Cross family bags", each worth VND 500,000 (US$22), in 20 provinces and cities, providing meals for patients with difficult circumstances being treated in hospitals in Hanoi and cash support for migrant workers in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi who lost their jobs and are living in difficulties.



The campaign aims to connect activities to help people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic of provinces and cities, improve the effectiveness of support and make positive contributions to the prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic in localities.
Ho Chi Minh City proposes to allow paid Covid-19 vaccine services

HCM City has proposed to the Ministry of Health to consider allowing private firms to import Covid-19 vaccine for paid vaccination services.















Ho Chi Minh City to buy five million Moderna Covid-19 vaccine doses







Vice-chairman of HCM City People's Committee Duong Anh Duc on August 11 sent an urgent official document to the Ministry of Health to ask for some regulations on the purchase of Covid-19 vaccines.



In the document, Duc said that they had introduced some local firms to negotiate with Moderna Vaccine producers on the purchase of five million Moderna doses following PM Minister Vu Duc Dam's approval.



"Negotiations are under way and one of the firms has signed a contract with Moderna producers on the supply of the five million doses," the document said. "They asked Moderna to send at least two million doses to Vietnam by October. Some other firms have also joined in the negotiation and set a target to purchase at least 10 million more doses in the second quarter of 2022."



Besides proposing to the ministry to allow the joining of private firms in the purchase of Covid-19 vaccines, Ho Chi Minh City also urged for the issuing of instructions on the pricing of paid vaccination services.



Vietnam is now offering free Covid-19 vaccination to its citizens. The vaccination is managed by the Ministry of Health at a rather low rate. As of Thursday morning, the country conducted over 12.10 million Covid-19 vaccine shots, with over one million people having received two doses.



The epicentre of Ho Chi Minh City has so far received over 4.1 million Covid-19 vaccine doses out of 19 million available in Vietnam, and has administered 3.4 million doses. The city is carrying out vaccination day and night and is predicted to finish the allocated vaccines by August 12.



On Wednesday, the ministry allowed Ho Chi Minh City to use the batch of one million doses of Sinopharm's Covid-19 vaccine Vero Cell for its current vaccination campaign. The city aims to vaccinate 70 percent of its residents aged 18 and above within this month.
Body of Vietnamese victim in Japan to be repatriated

Japans Osaka police have handed over the body of a Vietnamese man to Hoa Lac Pagoda in Kobe city of Hyogo Prefecture after he was been beaten to death and kicked into a river.





A requiem has been held for the Vietnamese victim at Hoa Lac Pagoda in Japan. (Photo: Hoa Lac pagoda)







Receiving the body, the pagoda held a requiem at Minami Osaka Funeral Parlour on August 11 and held a funeral on August 12.



Following the cremation, the ashes of the victim will subsequently be sent back to Vietnam on August 15.



Earlier local police released details of the incident, stating that the 22 year-old victim was killed at around 8 p.m. on August 2 at a pedestrian area close to Ebisu Bridge in Osaka. An emergency medical unit tried to save him, but were ultimately unsuccessful.



According to Vietnam News Agency, a man wanted in connection with the Vietnamese mans death was arrested by Japanese police on August 5.



The suspects first name was later released as Alberto, a 26-year-old man from the Dominican Republic.



The report stated that Alberto is currently unemployed and has no permanent residence in Japan.


France offers 670,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses to Vietnam

French President Emmanuel Macron unveiled that France is poised to share a total of 670,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses with Vietnam through the COVAX Facility.













France says it will provide Vietnam with 670,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses through COVAX Facility (Photo: Reuters).



Macron made announcement on his Twitter account on August 12. He underlined the importance of countries worldwide gaining access to the COVID-19 vaccine in an equal manner in order to ultimately win the battle against the pandemic.



As COVID-19 vaccines are in short supply worldwide, Vietnam is fortunate to receive enthusiastic support from partners, neighbours, and international friends who have committed to providing approximately 150 million vaccine doses through various sources.



In a statement made to extend thanks to international friends in July, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam revealed that foreign partners have fully committed to providing vaccines for Vietnam via the COVAX Facility in the near future.



Meanwhile, India, the UK, Australia, Cuba, and Germany have also pledged to provide further funding and to co-operate in the transfer of vaccine production technology.



Moving into the third quarter of the year, Pfizer has also committed to deliver 3.5 million vaccine doses, an increase of 500,000 doses compared to the previous schedule.



Pfizer has pledged to deliver 51 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine to Vietnam this year, including 20 million to be administered to children aged between 12 and 18.



In addition, Japan, China, Russia, Romania, and Australia have donated three million doses, 500,000 doses, 1,000 doses, 100,000 doses, and 1.5 million doses to Vietnam, respectively.



In terms of medical equipment, Vietnam has also received significant support from UNICEF, Laos, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, Germany, Cambodia, and Saudi Arabia.
Bangladesh approves purchase of a batch of COVID-19 vaccines from China

Xinhua) 08:50, August 12, 2021

DHAKA, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Bangladeshi government has approved the purchase of a batch of COVID-19 vaccines from China.

Bangladesh's Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase (CCGP) Affairs at a meeting approved the purchase on Wednesday.

Shamsul Arefin, a senior Cabinet Division official, told journalists after the meeting that Bangladesh will buy the vaccines from China National Pharmaceutical Group (Sinopharm).

The Bangladeshi government has recently launched countrywide a mass vaccination drive following the surging COVID-19 positivity rate in parts of Bangladesh since June.

Bangladesh reported 10,420 new COVID-19 cases and 237 more deaths on Wednesday, making the case tally at 13,86,742 and death toll at 23,398, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
Biden urged to help confront global spread of COVID-19 with immediate export of stockpiled vaccines

Xinhua) 08:59, August 12, 2021

U.S. President Joe Biden returns to the White House after spending the weekend in Camp David, in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Aug. 2, 2021. (Photo by Ting Shen/Xinhua)

While ensuring that the country's own vaccine dose stockpile remains in size, the U.S. administration should "begin immediate export of vaccine doses -- within one week -- to COVAX or through other international distribution mechanisms -- of at least 10 million doses per week," U.S. experts and scientists wrote in a letter to the White House.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- More than 175 U.S. public health experts, scientists and activists have urged President Joe Biden's administration to take urgent steps to confront the global spread of COVID-19, including immediate export of vaccine doses the country has stockpiled.

"We urge you to act now," they wrote in a joint letter sent to senior White House officials on Tuesday, the full text of which was made public Wednesday in a report by The Washington Post.

"The emergence of the Delta variant is resulting in a surge in increasing infection rates in Africa, Latin America and Asia, where vaccines are least available," they wrote.

"The United States currently has over 55 million doses of mRNA vaccines in storage, while only vaccinating approximately 900,000 people per day. At this rate, it would take over two months to administer just the vaccine doses currently stored," they noted.

"Despite this, mRNA vaccine manufacturers are delivering over 17 million new doses each week to jurisdictions across the U.S.," they noted.

While ensuring that the country's own vaccine dose stockpile remains in size, the U.S. administration should "begin immediate export of vaccine doses -- within one week -- to COVAX or through other international distribution mechanisms -- of at least 10 million doses per week," they wrote.

A health care worker prepares a dose of COVID-19 vaccine at a new vaccination site in the California Polytechnic State University in Pomona, Los Angeles County, California, the United States, Feb. 5, 2021. (Xinhua)

The experts suggested that the White House should also announce a plan within a month for "establishing 8 billion doses per year of mRNA vaccine capacity within six months using existing federal resources."

"Simultaneously, the U.S. government should develop and implement training and technology transfer for the development and manufacture of mRNA and other vaccines in hubs around the world," they wrote.

Besides, it should "compel originators to transfer technology and, in collaboration with other governments, provide financing for vaccine manufacturing around the world," they added.

The letter's signatories include Tom Frieden, who led the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention during former President Barack Obama's administration, five deans of leading public health, nursing and medical schools, faculty from 20 universities, including Harvard University, Yale University and University of Washington, and other leaders in global health and infectious disease. More than 50 organizations also co-signed the letter.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
Lao PM says China taking concrete actions to deepen global anti-epidemic cooperation

Xinhua) 12:59, August 12, 2021

VIENTIANE, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- Lao Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh has said that China is taking concrete actions to deepen the global anti-epidemic cooperation and contribute to the building of a global community of health for all.

Phankham made the remarks when addressing the handover ceremony for the fifth batch of China-donated COVID-19 vaccines on Wednesday.

Chinese Ambassador to Laos Jiang Zaidong officially handed over the newly-arrived vaccines to the Lao prime minister at the ceremony held here in Lao health ministry.

Jiang said China has always given priority to the cooperation with the Lao side in the fight against the COVID-19, adding that China has donated over 2.9 million doses of vaccines to Laos, and will soon provide more vaccines and medical supplies.

Phankham said the current global epidemic situation is still grave, and people are suffering huge loss of life and property.

China has acted as a major responsible country, provided the international community with reliable, safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines and anti-epidemic medical supplies, offered material, medical experts and intellectual support to developing countries including Laos, promoted the deepening of the global anti-epidemic cooperation with concrete actions, and contributed to the building of a global community of health for all, which the Lao side highly appreciates and sincerely admires, said Phankham.

The fifth batch of China-donated COVID-19 vaccine arrived in the Lao capital Vientiane on Aug. 7.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
FM spokesperson urges relevant countries to respect China's judicial sovereignty

Xinhua) 13:11, August 12, 2021

BEIJING, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- A foreign ministry spokesperson on Thursday urged relevant countries to uphold the rule of law, respect China's judicial sovereignty, and stop making irresponsible remarks.

Spokesperson Hua Chunying's remarks came after Canada accused China's verdicts of Canadian national Michael Spavor's 11-year jail sentence for espionage and Robert Lloyd Schellenberg's death sentence for drug smuggling. The European Union and Britain voiced their support for Canada.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
Mother with COVID-19 gives birth to triplets in China

Xinhua) 14:45, August 12, 2021

(Photo/ yn.people.cn)

KUNMING, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- A pregnant woman with COVID-19 Wednesday morning gave birth to triplets in the quarantine area of a designated hospital in southwest China's border city of Ruili, the Yunnan provincial health commission said on Thursday. It is the first case of its kind in China.

The newborns' first nucleic acid tests -- performed on samples taken from amniotic fluid, throat swabs and gastric juice -- were all negative.

The woman, 29, was just 28 weeks pregnant when she was hospitalized as a confirmed COVID-19 case on July 9 in southwest China's Yunnan Province.

"Our previous experience shows that the condition of COVID-19 patients in the third trimester of pregnancy is very complicated, especially if they are infected with the Delta variant. So it is urgent to ensure that the mother and babies receive timely, accurate and effective treatment," said Bai Song, deputy director of the Yunnan provincial health commission.

A medical team consisting of 32 leading doctors from the state, provincial and municipal levels were rushed to Ruili and customized a treatment plan for her while preventing premature birth. Doctors and nurses were on duty 24 hours to closely monitor her condition.

The mother's condition deteriorated and she was categorized as a severe case on July 12. But thanks to the care of the medics, her symptoms and risk of premature birth gradually diminished, and her gestational age was extended to 32 weeks.

On the morning of Aug. 11, doctors in hazmat suits and full-cover respirators performed a cesarean section, and at 10:08 a.m., the babies were born.

"The infants are in stable condition and are being cared for in the special care unit," said Duan Jiang, a pediatrician with the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University and member of the treatment team.

Duan added that they are drafting a feeding plan for the triplets to help them maintain stable breathing and promote their growth and development.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
Anti-vaxxers, anti-maskers and conspiracists: U.S. has become a melting pot for anti-science viruses

15:18, August 12, 2021 By Qing Ming ( People's Daily Online

Illustration/People's Daily Online

America seems to have a magic way of counting numbers. At the Olympic arena, it deploys a unique algorithm to place Team USA atop the medal tally; in a COVID-19 resilience list , it manages to crown itself as one of the safest places to be in the world. But by any counting methodology, the country is slipping into a fourth wave of COVID-19 and has gotten stuck in a losing streak during its dreadful battle against the virus.

And this time, it has no more excuses. It cant blame the latest setbacks on a lack of information, PPE, or vaccines, which the nation has an enviable supply to lavish . It cant pass the buck onto another political party, as the two back-to-back administrations have made mistakes all alikealthough one by inaction and the other through failed attempts. Nor should the unbudging public take the blame, because the nations politicians and health officials, together with the media, have continued to spew forth confusing and conflicting messages mixed up with conspiracy theories.

Unlike previous outbreaks, the recent resurgence isnt simply a repeated defeat or an offset of hard-won gains in fighting the virus, it also signals a much more worrisome trenda whole-society in disarray amid long-haul public health emergencies and all-level government malfunction in guiding and aiding the public out of the woods in accordance with science. It shows that, even with an abundant stockpile of vaccines and better knowledge about the virus, the US government has still failed to convince its own people to guard against the much more transmissible and deadly Delta variant , meanwhile being unable to contain the spread of the anti-science viruses that surround mask-wearing, vaccination and SARS-CoV-2 itself.

A medical worker prepares a dose of COVID-19 vaccine at the Universal Studios Hollywood in Los Angeles, California, the United States, June 18, 2021. (Photo by Zeng Hui/Xinhua)

Us vs. them

The rift between the vaxxers and the unvaccinated pretty much exemplifies and magnifies the long-standing us vs. them mentality in American society, and the division over vaccines has come with two facets.

On the one hand, the haves-and-have-nots dilemma has been manifested in the drive for vaccine distribution. According to a study published on August 4 by the Kaiser Family Foundation, an NGO, Black and Hispanic people in the country remain less likely than their White counterparts to have received a vaccine. In the 40 states surveyed, the percent of White people who have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose (49%) was roughly 1.3 times higher than the rate for Black people (38%) and 1.1 times higher than the rate for Hispanic people (43%) as of August 2, 2021, the research has found.

But the root cause of the problem isnt really the uneven vaccination distribution but the mass resistance to getting the jab in the first place, as a majority of the unvaccinated are anti-vaxxers.

I dont want to put something unauthorized by the FDA into my body. Im doing perfectly well without vaccines. No, thanks. Those fully vaccinated can still get infected with the Delta variant. Why bother?  The anti-vaxxers may have a thousand reasons to say no, but they are often categorized into the same basket by media: adamant anti-science Trump supporters.

The classification isnt entirely misplaced, given that since the very beginning of the pandemic the Trump administration did nothing but promote absurdity and propagate hatred: retailing disinfectant and hydroxychloroquine, slamming the pandemic as a democratic hoax, and calling the SARS-CoV-2 the China virus, etc. Even after his falling from grace, his legacy has been carried forward by his allies and loyalists in the countrys red states.

An ongoing research study conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation has found that anti-vaccine sentiments are especially popular among Republicans: among unvaccinated adults, 51% are Republicans while 23% are Democrats. The study has also concluded that over half (58%) of those who fall under the category of definitely not getting the vaccine are self-identified as Republican or Republican-leaning.

Political leaders in the red states arent being helpful either, if they havent stood completely in the way of the vaccination drive altogther. Ron DeSantis, governor of Florida, is trying his best to make his state plagued again. Under his watch, Florida registered a record of 23,903 daily cases on August 6, one day after the governor objected to vaccine mandates at Florida hospitals.

People walk on Lincoln Road in Miami-Dade County, Florida, the United States, Aug. 6, 2021. (Photo by Monica McGivern/Xinhua)

The most dangerous part of this cul-de-sac isnt the counterproductive efforts made by Republican politicians, but the fact that neither Republicans nor Democrats are willing to budge a bit: the anti-vaxxers are still going to resist and their liberal compatriots will continue to curse. By pointing fingers at each other ceaselessly, they risk reducing the nation into a state of public health anarchy, at a time when unity and togetherness are needed the most.

Instead of encouraging the anti-vaxxers to get their shots by addressing their concerns, many of which are a result of misinformation, some of the vaccinated are stepping onto a moral high ground to denounce their counterparts as unscientific, unreasonable and even abhorrent, regardless of whether the unvaccinated, and not only the anti-vaxxers but also marginalized groups, are also a part of the same society and who breathe the same air as them.

Thats why anti-vaccination sentiment has evolved into a whole-of-society issue and a nationwide headache, because no one could possibly stay immune. And the intensified and incessant partisan quarrels over vaccines can never encourage the public to get vaccinated, pretty much like all-day-long fights between parents wont persuade their child into eating healthy. When anti-vaxxers are unwilling to change their minds and unable to change their tunes, the rest of the divided nation is bound to suffer.

People visit the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., the United States, Aug. 6, 2021. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

Schrodingers masks

To wear or not to wear a mask, that is the question for millions of Americans. And who on earth should the public listen to? this also sounds like a hypothetical question.

Thats because health experts and politiciansranging from Dr. Anthony Fauci and Rochelle Walensky, head of the CDC, to Joe Biden, Donald Trump, and even Barack Obamahave kept sending clashing and inconsistent messages to a baffled public that have long been emotionally worn out by the pandemic.

If Anthony Faucis comment made on April 3, 2020, that theres no reason to be walking around with a mask was yet another miscalculation and underestimate of the severity of the outbreak, then more than one and a half years into the pandemic, experts and politicians should have learned better by now. They should have understood that wearing a mask is the easiest and one of the most effective ways to protect wearers and others from the virus. Alas, they havent.

Despite the simple fact that numerous studies have validated the effectiveness of masks in slowing the spread of the viruseswearing a cloth mask alone can reduce transmission of exhaled droplets from infected wearers into the air by around 50% to 70%, according to a research study published by the Journal of the American Medical AssociationAmerican health experts and politicians alike have failed to send a strong signal that a mask is a must in public spaces.

In misleading and confusing the public on mask-wearing, however, Democrats and Republicans have at least reached a consensus.

On May 13, Joe Biden proudly announced that there was no need for the fully vaccinated to wear a mask. That premature message, which came as the vaccination rate in the U.S. fell short of Bidens target, hadnt been aired very long before the CDC decided to reverse course, saying fully vaccinated people should still wear masks indoors. Even as Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the CDCs director explained that the rare breakthrough infectionscases in which the fully vaccinated still get infectedwere behind the U-turn, the public wasnt suddenly moved to become more vigilant, having already become frustrated and skeptical enough.

Aggravating the CDCs roller coaster mask guidelines is the persistent contempt for mask mandates in some COVID-stricken states as led by Republican politicians. On August 9, in the wake of record-setting cases in his state, the Florida governor ordered that Floridas board of education withhold pay from superintendents and school board members who mandate face masks in schools, sending a strong signal that, even with skyrocketing cases and hospitalizations, his state wont mandate mask-wearing in schools, one of the most vulnerable places for spreading the virus. On the same day, Republican senators Ted Cruz and Kevin Cramer proposed a series of bills aimed at banning mask and vaccine mandates, after Senator Rand Paul, who was suspended from YouTube on August 11 for claiming that masks are ineffective in fighting the COVID-19, introduced legislation to prohibit federal mask mandates on public transportation last month.

US Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) speaks during the largely virtual 2020 Republican National Convention broadcast from Washington, August 25, 2020. 2020. [Photo Provided to China Daily]

Some media outlets, like Fox News, in particular, have also spared no efforts to add fuel to the fire. They dont seem to report vital issues like mask mandates from the standpoint of a fact-checker or a disseminator of scientific information; instead, they are all out to stoke public fears and anger that caters only to expanding their audience. In Fox News coverage on such issues, for instance, the mask mandate is often labeled as a practice of meddling, and titles like Kids mask use should not be forced, study authors argue, School board meeting gets heated as parents demand mask policy be dropped, and Betsy DeVos on escalating mask debate: Leave these decisions to parents, etc., have kept popping up in the headlines.

Politicians, voters, and the mediathey have already formed into a vicious circle, in which politicians vow to nullify mask mandates to play up to their voters; voters applauding the TV hosts who slam health experts for infringing on their freedoms, and the media cherry-pick a squad of political figures who chant the mantra of no more masks. A review of past and ongoing crises in the U.S. will often lead us to similar toxic circles, e.g., gun violence, immigration, health care, abortion, etc. But on the issue of mask-wearing, the bargaining is too trivial and the cost is too heavy. Red herrings like masks could hinder kids ability to engage with each other are often used as an excuse to object to school mask mandates, while anti-maskers often purposefully ignore the fact that school children, who are ineligible to get COVID-19 vaccines, might also pass the viruses to their classmates, friends and family membersthe liberty and freedom the anti-maskers are wielding as weapons could result in other peoples confinement to the hospital bed.

If public attitudes mutate too, the public body will have already developed its own resistance to the hard sell of masks and vaccines. Bombarded by three waves of outbreaks, American society should have, at least, thought thrice on their masking and vaccination strategies and concentrated instead on reversing the status quo. Instead, the U.S. has chosen to invest more of its energies into spreading conspiracy theories, such as the idea that the coronavirus was man-made and leaked from a Wuhan lab, in a bid to divert public attention away from the governments own Waterloo in containing the domestic epidemic.

People walk on a street in New York, the United States, July 20, 2021. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)

Political viruses

Back in May, the Wall Street Journal released a series of hypothetical articles rehashing the hackneyed yarn that the SARS-CoV-2 was linked to a Wuhan lab, from which, it claimed, the virus could later escape. By citing a weak report held up by unsubstantiated claims and quoting from officials whose personal views pointed to the exact same conspiracy theories, those pieces have effectively blurred the lines between facts and opinions, between truth and misinformation, and between accusations and convictions.

Similar conspiracy-based stories have since resurfaced, as right-wing media outlets like FOX News have somehow become emboldened by their foresight in circulating such theories early on. Fox News has criticized CNN and NYT for their previous dismissal of the lab leak idea while pressing for Anthony Faucis immediate firing or resignation due to his about-face on the conspiracy theories and a lack of resolution on the federal mask guidance.

US media outlets, and those like Fox News in particular, should know best what conspiracy theories have brought America. The country is still haunted by the January capitol riot that was incited by Trumps claim that the election was stolen; the former presidents reference to SARS-CoV-2 as the China Virus also ignited spiraling and continuing hate crimes targeting the Asian American community

But sadly, the needed lessons have never been learned. A close review of the medias conspiracy-based stories in the U.S. will lead us to the unchanging pattern of fake news masquerading as facts. All the relevant pieces are based on one unconvincing report and multiple well-selected bigoted allegations, and worse still, they are quoting each other as sources.

When baseless allegations meet more baseless allegations, when a flawed report is compounded by another flawed report, it sends a deceptive signal to readers that the theory could or must be plausible. Although the media doesnt fire bullets, they have pointed their muzzles at the presupposed target and loaded their sugar-coated bullets, only waiting for readers to themselves pull the trigger.

The new low of Americas misinformation campaign happened not on the day when U.S. media decided to rehash the baseless and farcical lab leak conspiracies, not on the day when Senator Rand Paul confronted Dr. Anthony Fauci, suggesting that the National Institutes of Health was funding gain of function research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, a claim Fauci vigorously denied, but on the day when Joe Biden, the president of the U.S., ordered American intelligence agencies to redouble efforts to investigate the origins of COVID-19 in Wuhan.

By doing so, he handed down the death sentence for the last traces of truth and facts regarding the origin of COVID-19. He has allowed American intelligence agencies, which were responsible for concocting the Weapons of Mass Destruction hoax in Iraq, to speak for science, stealing the spotlight from scientists, while weaponizing and politicizing a matter best left to rational and scientific inquiry.

Its not hard to find similarities and a convergence among the anti-vaxxers, anti-maskers, and conspiracists in American societythey are the inevitable products of the American melting pot, in which all anti-science noises can buzz about, so loud that they cover up the voices of truth and fact and make the drive to save lives irrelevant. As long as the anti-vaxxers, anti-maskers, and conspiracists dont stop stealing the spotlight and continue their campaign to pump out lies and distractions, the U.S. will continue to remain trapped in an endless loop of coronavirus and political viruses, infecting the whole world all the while.

Tourists are seen near the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, July 26, 2021. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

(Web editor: Meng Bin, Liang Jun)
'Wuhan lab leak' frame China being bottled by the US

Chinadaily.com.cn) 15:54, August 12, 2021

Illustration/ Chinadaily.com.cn

Biden ordered intelligence agencies on May 26 to report on the origins of COVID-19 in 90 days. Before the deadline, US media, politicians and other involved parties are working together to manufacture evidence for a "lab leak theory" that blames China for the outbreak.

The trick to frame China will never be widely echoed by the international community. Washington's hopes to deal China a heavy blow using lies will never succeed.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
China to issue commemorative coins for 70th anniversary of Tibets peaceful liberation

People's Daily Online) 16:07, August 12, 2021

Photo shows the front side of the 8-gram gold coin. (Photo/website of the Peoples Bank of China)

The Peoples Bank of China, the countrys central bank, is set to issue a set of commemorative coins on Aug. 16 to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the peaceful liberation of Tibet, the bank announced via its website.

The set will consist of one gold coin and one silver coin, the bank said, adding that both will be legal tender.

Both coins will feature Chinas national emblem, along with the countrys official name and the year of issuance on the front side, and will be inscribed with Chinese and Tibetan characters reading the 70th anniversary of the peaceful liberation of Tibet on the reverse side.

The gold coin, with a diameter of 22 millimeters, contains eight grams of pure gold and has a face value of 100 yuan (about $15.4); while the silver coin, which is 40 millimeters in diameter, contains 30 grams of pure silver and has a denomination of 10 yuan.

A total of 10,000 gold coins and 20,000 silver coins will be made available for purchase, the bank said.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Turtles released back into sea in Hainan

People's Daily Online) 16:15, August 12, 2021

Staff members from the department of agriculture and rural affairs in south Chinas Hainan province and the China Sea Turtle Conservation Alliance release a sea turtle back into the sea in the provinces Lingshui Li autonomous county. (Photo/Liu Sunmou)

Eleven sea turtles, which were either rescued or confiscated by law enforcement, were recently released back into the sea at Lingshui Li autonomous county, south Chinas Hainan province.

These turtles are able to forage in the ocean and fend for themselves after undergoing professional rewilding training. Staff members from the provinces department of agriculture and rural affairs and the China Sea Turtle Conservation Alliance attached satellite trackers to some of the turtles and placed two unique identification tags on each of them for future research purposes and with an aim to protecting the turtle species.

To better protect the species, China readjusted its list of key protected wild animals earlier this year, raising the protection level for the reptile to its strictest class at level I.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Children learn a dance with a volunteer at a school in Xunxian county of Hebi city, Central China's Henan province, July 29, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua] Natural resource depletion, job prospects drive migration to coastal, regional hubs China's population grew modestly over the past decade, but nearly half its major cities lost residents due to a variety of factors, data from the latest national census showed. Of China's 330-plus prefecture-level cities, 149or 44.7 percenthad smaller populations last year than in 2010, according to the once-a-decade census, which was conducted last year. The cities with shrinking populations were scattered across 23 of the 31 provincial-level regions on the Chinese mainland, with most of them in northeastern, central and western China. "Migration played a major role in the contractions because the total population has not shrunk yet," said Jiang Quanbao, a demographer in Xi'an, in northwestern China's Shaanxi province, which saw populations shrink in seven of its 10 major cities. People moving to other provinces to seek better-paid jobs or marriage opportunities were major reasons for population declines, along with falling birthrates. The nationwide trend was most noticeable in the three northeastern provincesLiaoning, Jilin and Heilongjiang. More than 30 cities in the region saw their populations fall. Heilongjiang's 13 major cities all recorded contractions, losing nearly 6.5 million people, about 17 percent of their residents, over the past decade, the census data showed. Only three cities in the northeast gained residents. They were Shenyang, Liaoning's provincial capital, Changchun, the capital of Jilin province, and Dalian, a port city in Liaoning. The region has long battled an exodus of younger people for reasons that include the depletion of natural resources and a relative lack of opportunities. That has created a slew of challenges, ranging from shrinking pension funds to slowing economic growth. The northeast was previously acclaimed as the "People's Republic of China's eldest son" because of its crucial role in the national economy as a base for heavy industry in the 1950s. The coal-producing province of Shanxi in North China faces the same problem. It lost almost 800,000 residents between 2010 and 2020, with contractions recorded in nine of its 11 major cities. Experts said that's partly because its coal mining industry has been impacted by the authorities' embrace of a greener development path. Population loss has also been seen in the central provinces of Hubei, Hunan and Henan, and the eastern province of Anhui. Ten of Anhui's 16 major cities have seen their populations decrease, along with eight cities in Hunan and another eight in Hubei. Appeal of regional hubs The latest census data showed about 376 million, or one in every four people in the Chinese mainland, were classified as migrants living outside their hometowns in prefecture-level cities or regions, up 70 percent from a decade ago. Ding Changfa, an associate professor of economics at Xiamen University in Fujian province, said the capital cities of the central provinces had absorbed large numbers of migrants due to their roles as regional economic hubs. For example, Changsha, capital of Hunan, had gained more than 3 million people to now have a population of more than 10 million. Xi'an, Shaanxi's provincial capital, gained almost 3.9 million people. Jiang Quanbao, a professor at Xi'an Jiaotong University, said provincial capitals appeal to migrants because they offer more opportunities and have introduced policies designed to attract talent. "With transportation within the provinces getting better in recent years, the appeal will become stronger," he said. The flip side of the population outflows has seen another 184 cities expand and boom. Some have even moved to limit new arrivals because of concerns about so-called big city problems such as congestion and water shortages. The eastern province of Zhejiang, a stronghold of private businesses and the seat of e-commerce giant Alibaba, reported population increases in all its cities. Population growth has also been recorded in places including the Tibet autonomous region and Guizhou province in Southwest China. However, experts say that's mainly because of higher fertility rates. Not long ago, the two regions were home to some of China's most entrenched poverty. They managed to end widespread impoverishment through mass relocation programs and infrastructure development projects. Jiang said the migration patternfrom inland to coastal regions, from smaller cities to provincial capitals and from rural to urban regionsrequires policymakers to plan in advance to avoid "useless "investment. "We used to invest greatly in rural education, but some of the investment later turned out to be a waste of money as many such schools were idled because there are no students," he said. He said that retaining all the people in the countryside is not the only path to vitalize rural areas, and that some villages could, instead, serve as industrial bases. Yang Yifan, deputy head of the National Interdisciplinary Institute on Aging affiliated with Southwest Jiaotong University in Chengdu, Sichuan province, said people congregating in bigger cities helps improve efficiency and reduce the cost of public services, but the marginal returns diminish as cities grow too large. "Local governments need to take active, and wiser, measures to perfect the city's layout and retain talent," he said.
China strongly opposes the repeated provocative acts by the U.S. and urges the U.S. to stop using Tibet-related issues to interfere in China's internal affairs, Chinese Embassy in India spokesperson Wang Xiaojian said on Thursday.

Wang said that any form of contact between the U.S. side and the Dalai clique is a violation of the U.S.' commitment to acknowledging Tibet as being part of China, to not supporting "Tibetan independence," and to not supporting attempts to split China.

The U.S. should honor its commitment, stop meddling in China's internal affairs under the pretext of Tibetan affairs, and offer no support to the "Tibetan independence" forces to engage in anti-China separatist activities, Wang stressed.
Xinhua file photos of Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu (L) and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin

The officials exchanged views on issues of global and regional security.

MOSCOW, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin discussed results of recent bilateral consultations on strategic stability during a phone call on Wednesday.

The officials also exchanged views on issues of global and regional security, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a brief statement.

U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed at their first summit in Geneva in June to launch a Strategic Stability Dialogue to lay the groundwork for future arms control and risk reduction measures.

The first round of such dialogue was held in Geneva on July 28, when both sides discussed approaches to maintaining strategic stability, the prospects for arms control and measures to reduce risks.
By Wang Jin

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said on social media on August 11 that the Taliban had seized Pul-e Khumri, the capital of Baghlan Province, and Faizabad, the capital of Badakhshan Province in northern Afghanistan. Since the US troops began to withdraw from Afghanistan on May 1, the Taliban have announced to have seized nine out of a total of 34 provincial capital cities. In response to the Taliban's offensive in the northern provinces, Afghan president Ashraf Ghani rushed to Mazar-i-Sharif, capital of the northern Balkh Province on August 11 and hosted a security meeting to discuss and coordinate government forces and local armed forces to resist the Taliban.

The change in the battlefield situation in Afghanistan is rooted in the irresponsible "flee-style" withdrawal of the US. The US sent troops to Afghanistan in the name of anti-terrorism in 2001, which in fact further aggravated the original political disputes in Afghanistan. After realizing that it could not rely on the battlefield to solve the anti-terrorism issue, the US set aside the Afghan government, held peace talks and reached agreements with the Afghan Taliban, which harmed the prestige of the current government in Afghanistan and strengthened the political legitimacy of the Taliban both domestically and internationally. After the Biden administration took office, the US accelerated its withdrawal from Afghanistan. In some key areas, it withdrew without even coordinating with the Afghan security forces. The "security vacuum" left by the US has created extreme uncertainty under the current situation in Afghanistan.

US media reported that Afghanistan may fall under the control of the Taliban to a large extent within two to three years after the withdrawal of international forces. In fact, in just two months after the US withdrawal, areas under the Taliban's control have doubled, surpassing that of the Afghan government. In the recent period, the Afghan Taliban have attacked several provincial capitals and key border towns, most of which are located on the eastern and northern borders of Afghanistan. This situation shows that the Afghan Taliban's current strategy of "North first and then South" and "Border first and then Central" is significantly different from the strategy of "South first and then North" and "Central first and then Border" that swept Afghanistan in the mid to late 1990s.

In the 1990s, the Afghan Taliban was based in the southern Kandahar province and expanded to the north. After defeating various warlords, they seized the opportunity to capture the capital Kabul and then continued to compress the space of the opposition military forces to the north. They reached the border areas with neighboring Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. The main reason for adopting this strategy is that the Afghan Taliban was a political and military force dominated by Pashtuns in the south, and there was a competitive relationship with Uzbeks, Tajiks and Hazaras in the north at that time. Rising from the south and then advancing to the north was a more reasonable choice given the situation at that time.

However, in the recent offensive, the Afghan Taliban's strategy is to attack the north first. For example, Kunduz is a city with the majority of Tajiks and Uzbeks in Afghanistan. This shows that the Afghan Taliban has broken through the traditional regional ethnic restrictions, and its political advantage has extended to many areas of Afghanistan. In addition, the Afghan Taliban mostly dominated the rural and remote mountainous areas in the past, but the recent battles were mostly concentrated in the major provincial capitals. The scale of the forces assembled has become larger, showing that the focus of military fighting has gradually shifted from the rural and remote mountainous areas to big cities.

In the face of criticism from the international community for its withdrawal, the US launched an airstrike against the Afghan Taliban's military forces on the grounds that the Afghan Taliban had failed to comply with the peace agreement. However, with no more troops stationed in Afghanistan, it is unlikely that the US will change the situation on the battlefield with only airstrikes by airpower mobilized from the outside. It is more like a posture to deal with the international community. The White House claimed on August 10 that Afghanistan government forces must " fight for themselves, fight for their nation ," which is just another explicit performance of "US-style blame-shifting".

Situation changes in Afghanistan affect the security of the surrounding areas. On the one hand, the domestic conflict in Afghanistan is likely to "overflow" to neighboring countries, and neighboring countries have to pay close attention to the situation in Afghanistan and strengthen the deployment of troops in border areas. On the other hand, the regional chaos brought about by the war in Afghanistan is very likely to become a breeding ground for extreme forces. In this regard, neighboring countries must work together to respond to possible threats of terrorism and extremism.

(The author is from the Institute of Middle Eastern Studies of Northwestern University )
Hongqiao Overseas Talents Services Center improves living environment for foreigners

By:Zhao Chunyuan, Fu Yifei | From:english.eastday.com | 2021-08-12 17:42

In recent years, Hongqiao sub-street has built an international talent community together with the Hongqiao Overseas Talents Services Center of the Gubei Citizen Center, focusing on all aspects of the work, life and career development of foreign talents to create an open and inclusive environment so that talents from all over the world can live and work well in Shanghai. We can deal with foreigners' work permits and residence permits for Class-A work permits in 7 working days, said the personnel in GCC.

Yang Xing, an HR staff member in a foreign-funded enterprise in Hongqiao community, said it used to take her at least 2 hours to go from her company to the Hongqiao overseas talent one-stop service center to complete talent business handling, with at least two visits required. However, after the establishment of Hongqiao GCC, she can do it on foot in only 10 minutes. In addition, the two permits of work and residence can be applied for together here in one visit.

Hongqiao sub-district is home to Hongqiao Development Zone and Gubei New Area, with 22,800 overseas personnel from more than 50 countries and regions working in more than 700 foreign-funded enterprises and more than 2,600 private enterprises. In view of the characteristics of overseas personnel gathering, Hongqiao sub-district recently has been committed to setting up a door-to-door service for foreign enterprises and residents. Building a foreign affairs service platform covering the whole chain, including an overseas personnel service station, immigration service station, the Hongqiao Overseas Talent Services Center, a bilingual counter for tax services and the Gubei one-stop citizen center, enables foreigners to apply for permits within walking distance of their houses. It provides 756 domestic businesses for people at home and abroad living and working in Hongqiao, including 62 for handling, 99 for inquiry and 595 for printing.

In September last year, Hongqiao GCC joined hands with nearly 100 national (regional) chambers of commerce, multinational and local companies and institutions to hold an exchange seminar of employment, entrepreneurship and development, which attracted nearly 1,000 candidates to participate in it. The seminar aims to provide more secure employment opportunities for people at home and abroad living and working in Hongqiao, as well as more convenient entrepreneurship policy services and more intersecting industrial development opportunities. In addition to the employment of overseas talents, Hongqiao GCC also actively focuses on constructing a multi-field, multi-level and multi-channel life service alliance, including providing childrens schooling, housing security, health care, housekeeping services, learning and training opportunities, tourism consulting and other services.

Besides, in order to help overseas talents feel the warmth and happiness when they are far away from their hometown, Hongqiao GCC has customized the community plan for them to integrate by regularly carrying out five kinds of traditional culture classes, including study of intangible cultural heritages, the quintessence of Chinese culture, Chinese classic books and folk handicrafts. It also holds activities for the integration of Chinese and foreign cultures. Using culture as the medium to guide foreigners to understand China, and participate in public welfare services and community governance, these activities give foreigners a sense of belonging.
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ANALYSIS/OPINION:

Imagine the uproar if Donald Trump or George W. Bush had appointed an NRA lobbyist to head the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). Liberals, Democrats, and the media would have gone nuts. Former New York Mayor Michel Bloomberg would have thrown a fit, and the nominee would have been excoriated in the media, pilloried during the confirmation process, and accused of every conceivable sin. He would never have been confirmed.

During the uproar, presidential advisors and friendly members of Congress would have advised the White House that appointing a committed activist had been a mistake. They would claim the Bureau entrusted with regulating the firearms industry and private gun-owners cannot be a sworn enemy or a loyal friend, but only an honest enforcer of existing laws and regulations regardless of the swirling and never-ending debates over whether those laws and regulations are too lax or too strict.

Knowing this, Second Amendment advocates would not have presumed to advise a friendly President to turn the ATF over to one of their own.

The anti-gun forces have no such qualms. No one apparently offered any such advice to President Joe Biden, who threw prudence and good judgment to the winds. Shortly after moving into the Oval Office, Mr. Biden appointed David Chipman, a paid lobbyist for a leading anti-Second Amendment group and a public advocate of firearms restrictions that would never pass Congress or stand up to Constitutional scrutiny. Mr. Chipman is the dream nominee of the gun control crowd allowing them to "go after" gun dealers, owners, and manufacturers, regardless of the letter or spirit of existing law or the prudent judgment one ordinarily seeks in regulatory appointees.

Mr. Chipman worked at ATF for some years before signing on as an anti-gun lobbyist but was even then more a gun control activist than an objective law enforcement official. .....
'SUPORTA, HINDI AYUDA': GORDON ASSERTS HEALTH CARE WORKERS MUST GET HAZARD PAY, SPECIAL RISK ALLOWANCE

Senator Richard J. Gordon stressed that healthcare workers in the country must be provided with apt benefits such as active hazard duty pay (AHDP) and special risk allowance (SRA) that the government has promised them.

"There should be no distinction between government healthcare workers and those working in private hospitals. Ibigay dapat sa inyo ang para sa inyo. Nasa batas iyan na dapat mayroon kayong justified support, hindi ayuda," he said during the healthcare workers' dialogue with some of the country's legislators on Thursday.

Gordon pointed out that despite the resurgent threat of COVID-19, Filipino healthcare workers are imperiling their health to keep the public safe, continue to provide life-saving support to the people and help those who are infected with the virus recover faster.

Hence, the government must protect and support them as they are at the forefront of the nation's battle against the pandemic.

"Hindi lang naman kayo exposed kundi pati ang pamilya ninyo. Mahirap magtrabaho kung hindi naman kayo pinagmamalasakitan. Common sense na lang. Kung mawawala kayo, sino na ang mag-aalaga sa mga Pilipino?" Gordon pointed out.

Under Republic Act. No. 11494 or the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act, qualified medical workers shall receive COVID-19 hazard pay and SRA.

Last June, the Department of Health (DOH) announced that the P9 billion fund for the new tranche of SRA for health workers has been released to the agency's regional offices.

However, various groups of health care workers echoed their complaints as several of them have not yet received the benefits that they are entitled to.

"Dapat lang ibigay sa inyo iyan. You deserve it, we believe in you, we love your service, we salute your concern to our people," Gordon told the healthcare workers participated in the dialogue.
Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid paid a two-day visit to Morocco this Aug.11-12 during which he conferred with his Moroccan peer Nasser Bourita on a series of bilateral and regional issues of common interest.

The talks highlighted by the signing of three framework agreements that covered political consultation between the ministries; cooperation in culture, youth, and sports; and air service between the two countries.

The new cooperation agreements, signed Wednesday in Rabat between Morocco and Israel, will bring innovation and mutually beneficial opportunities for both countries and for generations to come, Yair Lapid said.

Today we are not just good politicians, but good parents. Today we are working for a safer world for our children. We are teaching them the power of hope, Lapid said at the signing of the agreements.

Expressing his gratitude to King Mohammed VI, whose vision and courage have enabled us to meet here today, the Israeli official stressed the imperative of cultivating hope to transcend the hatreds inherited from the past.

He stressed that his visit to Morocco, the birthplace of a vibrant Jewish community whose origins date back to the 2nd century B.C., is part of a vision for the future based on the virtues of friendship and cooperation, particularly in the fields of tourism, the economy, trade and cultural exchanges.

He stressed: The only wars we should be fighting are not those against our neighbors, or against peoples who pray differently from us. The only wars that make sense are those against poverty, ignorance, pandemics and disease.

Believing that nations and peoples are measured by their ability to truly consider the suffering of others, their hopes and aspirations for change, he said that the world has become much smaller as a result of new communication technologies, which are now changing our way of thinking.

As a result, he explained, two types of countries are emerging: those that favor collaborations and alliances, and those that are more inclined to go it alone. There are those who know how to adapt and compete and those who try to isolate themselves. They will find that they are lagging behind, he said.

On Thursday, the Israeli Foreign Minister and Moroccan Junior Foreign Minister Mohcine Jazouli inaugurated Israels Liaison Office in Rabat, following last years agreement to reestablish ties between the two countries.

At the ceremony, limited by COVID-19 restrictions, Lapid was accompanied by the members of his delegation, namely Welfare Minister Meir Cohen, a native of Morocco, and chairman of Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Ram Ben Barak as well as by the Charge daffaires David Govrin.

After the inauguration of the Liaison Office, the foreign minister was due to spend time in Casablanca with the local Jewish community and pray at the Beth-El Synagogue there before returning back home Thursday night.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has welcomed the visit by the Israeli Foreign Minister in Morocco as the two countries built on the normalization agreement signed last year under a US-brokered deal.

Blinken in a statement called the visit, along with the reopening of the Israeli liaison office in Rabat, significant for Israel, Morocco, and the broader region.

The United States will continue to work with Israel and Morocco to strengthen all aspects of our partnerships and create a more peaceful, secure, and prosperous future for all the people of the Middle East, Blinken said.

At his daily press briefing Wednesday, the State Department Spokesman Ned Price on his part described the visit, as another important step in strengthening relations between Morocco and Israel.

We are convinced that normalized relations between Israel and its Arab neighbors create new opportunities for peace and prosperity to flourish in the region, Price said.

The relationship between Morocco and Israel has already led to real benefits for both countries, including direct commercial flights, economic cooperation and the opening of liaison offices, added the spokesman.
[August 12, 2021] Bell 5G powers Tiny Mile food delivery robots in downtown Toronto Canadian AI tech start-up leveraging Bell 5G to deliver food to downtown residents MONTREAL, Aug. 12, 2021 /CNW Telbec/ - Bell today announced a collaboration with Tiny Mile to provide 5G connectivity for the Canadian AI start-up's growing fleet of food delivery robots in downtown Toronto. Collectively named "Geoffrey," Tiny Mile's remotely operated pink robots rely on built-in cameras and GPS to navigate the busy streets of Toronto. Connecting Geoffrey to Bell's 5G network enables high definition video telematics data capabilities, improving real-time decisions and enhancing safety and response times. "Bell is thrilled to work with the Canadian entrepreneurs at Tiny Mile to leverage the incredible speed and response time of Bell 5G and enable this innovative and timely food delivery option for their customers with mobile edge computing (MEC)," said Nauby Jacob, Senior Vice President, Products and Services at Bell Mobility. In the first phase of Tiny Mile autonomous delivery on Bell 5G, remote tele-operators will be able to pilot the robots more easily with 5G's faster sensor and video feed data response time. Tiny Mile will later implement Bell 5G and MEC service, moving computational power to the edge, providing ultra-low latency response and automating services like collision avoidance. Streaming data from multiple cameras and sensors on each robot will transmit to the edge with near instantaneous processing to guide the robot around pedestrians, moving objects or obstructions like potholes or poles. "The Bell 5G network will enable our remote controlled robots to transmit large amounts of dat with incredibly fast speeds  an important milestone in advancing the development of our autonomous delivery model  which is a perfect fit for us," said Ignacio Tartavull, CEO of Tiny Mile. "This will help to optimize our business delivery model with an improved solution to help our team do what they do best  deliver fresh restaurant meals to our customers." Bell announced the launch of Canada's fastest 5G network last year, and last month announced a partnership with AWS to provide Wavelength Zones on Bell 5G for fast and efficient 5G multi-access edge computing (MEC). With Bell 5G, Tiny Mile and other edge innovators are able to access an unparalleled portfolio of services to build applications that require ultra-low-latency connectivity and improve operations. About Bell

Bell is Canada's largest communications company, providing advanced broadband wireless, TV, Internet media and business communication services throughout the country. Founded in Montreal in 1880, Bell is wholly owned by BCE Inc. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca or BCE.ca. Through Bell for Better, we are investing to create a better today and a better tomorrow by supporting the social and economic prosperity of our communities with a commitment to the highest environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards. This includes the Bell Let's Talk initiative, which promotes Canadian mental health with national awareness and anti-stigma campaigns like Bell Let's Talk Day and significant Bell funding of community care and access, research and workplace leadership initiatives throughout the country. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk. Media Inquiries

Bell

Nathan Gibson

905-614-9596

nathan.gibson@bell.ca

@Bell_News Tiny Mile

Ignacio Tartavull

647-554-2458

contact@tinymile.ai

www.tinymile.ai Investor inquiries

Bell

Thane Fotopoulos

514-870-4619

thane.fotopoulos@bell.ca SOURCE Bell Canada

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[August 12, 2021] Bell welcomes Federal Court decision against illicit set-top box providers MONTREAL, Aug. 12, 2021 /CNW Telbec/ - Bell today welcomed a ruling by the Federal Court of Canada that orders a group of set-top box retailers to shut down operations and pay close to $30 million in damages and costs for making content available without authorization and inducing Canadians to access that content illegally. "Bell invests hundreds of millions of dollars every year to develop, produce, acquire and deliver great Canadian and international content over multiple platforms, but content piracy continues to undermine the entire media industry, including the work of many Canadians," said Wade Oosterman, President Bell Media and Vice Chair, BCE and Bell. "By imposing stiff financial penalties on companies that enable and promote unauthorized access to content online and via set-top box add-ons, the Federal Court has sent a clear message." In its ruling, the Federal Court found that three set-top box retailers and one individual (a director with one of the retailers) had distributed, offered for sale, sold, operated and possessed equipment used or intended to enable unauthorized and illegal access to content. Noting that "the growth of the illicit pre-loaded set-top box industry underscores the need to deter infringement", the Court granted permanent injunctions against the retailers and ordered them to pay statutory damages totalling $29.3 million plus punitive damages and other costs. The Federal Court's decision released on August 10, 2021, is the direct result of legal action initiated by the media and distribution business unit of Bell and other media companies in Canada. The negative financial impact of TV piracy on Canadian broadcasters and distributors is in the range of$500 million to $650 million per year, affecting thousands of jobs across the industry. Added to this, an estimated 1 in 3 piracy websites contain malware that can put personal information  for example, passwords and credit card information  and other data on shared networks and devices at risk. This judgment sends a clear signal that other entities who enable illegal and unauthorized access to content will face stiff legal repercussions. To address the harms caused by the availability of illegal content, Bell supports a comprehensive approach that would include additional measures by the federal government and the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to curb content piracy, such as facilitating the removal of stolen content from online platforms and the disabling of access to websites distributing illegal content. About Bell

Bell is Canada's largest communications company, providing advanced broadband wireless, TV, Internet media and business communication services throughout the country. Founded in Montreal in 1880, Bell is wholly owned by BCE Inc. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca or BCE.ca. Through Bell for Better, we are investing to create a better today and a better tomorrow by supporting the social and economic prosperity of our communities with a commitment to the highest environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards. This includes the Bell Let's Talk initiative, which promotes Canadian mental health with national awareness and anti-stigma campaigns like Bell Let's Talk Day and significant Bell funding of community care and access, research and workplace leadership initiatives throughout the country. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk. Media Inquiries

Bell

Nathan Gibson

905-614-9596

nathan.gibson@bell.ca

@Bell_News Investor inquiries

Bell

Thane Fotopoulos

514-870-4619

thane.fotopoulos@bell.ca SOURCE Bell Canada

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North Ossetia officials detained on $2.5 mln embezzlement allegations

 RAPSI, Natalia Vaneyeva

10:57 12/08/2021

MOSCOW, August 12 (RAPSI)  Moscows Basmanny District Court has placed ex-chairman of the North Ossetia government Sergey Takoyev and the republican Tourism Minister Alan Diambekov, who are charged with embezzling 180 million rubles (about $2.5 million) of budget funds, in detention until October 10, the courts press service has told RAPSI.

The court also detained for this term one more defendant, CEO of OZATE company Aida Gabarayeva.

According to investigators, in 2014, the defendants and their unidentified accomplices ensured conclusion of a state contract and provided the purchase of the OZATE property ownership on behalf of the republic at an overprice.




Federal Security Service seeks detention of scientist arrested on treason allegations

 RAPSI

16:18 12/08/2021

MOSCOW, August 12 (RAPSI)  The Federal Security Service (FSB) on Thursday filed a motion to detain CEO and Chief Structural Engineer of the Scientific Research Institute of Hypersonic Systems Alexander Kuranov in a treason case, RAPSI was told in the press service of Moscow's Lefortovsky District Court.

Kuranov was arrested on Thursday.

The scientist is working at physics and plasma chemistry. He is the author of more than 120 research papers.




Seguin, TX (78155)

Today

Some clouds this morning will give way to generally sunny skies for the afternoon. High 97F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

A few passing clouds. Low 76F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying's Remarks on Wanton Comments by Canada on China's Lawful Handling of Cases Involving Canadian Citizens in China

2021/08/12

Q: On August 10 and 11, the Liaoning Higher People's Court and the Dandong Intermediate People's Court pronounced the judgments in public on the cases of Canadian citizens Robert Schellenberg and Michael Spavor respectively. The Canadian side issued statements to accuse China of the verdicts on these two people and said that China arbitrarily detained Michael Spavor and arbitrarily sentenced Robert Schellenberg. Canada will continue to seek Spavor's release and clemency for Schellenberg. The EU, the UK and others have voiced support for Canada. Do you have any comment?

A: Canada is ganging up with a handful of countries to confuse right with wrong in disregard of facts. They point fingers at relevant courts' lawful handling of cases involving Canadian citizens in China, which has gravely interfered in China's judicial sovereignty and severely violated the spirit of the rule of law. China strongly condemns this.

Canadian citizen Robert Schellenberg was involved in organized international drug trafficking and smuggled 222.035 kilograms of methamphetamine with others, and the amount is especially huge. Michael Spavor was prosecuted for suspected crimes undermining China's national security, and the case was heard in March this year in accordance with law. Relevant Chinese courts have pronounced the judgments in public in accordance with law after hearing the cases and ascertaining the criminal facts. All legal rights of these two individuals have been fully guaranteed.

China is a country with rule of law. Judicial authorities treat all the criminals as equals and handle all cases in strict accordance with law, regardless of the criminals' nationality. No foreign identity can be the amulet. Canada, on the one hand, claims to be a champion of the "rule of law" and "judicial independence", but on the other hand, openly interferes in the handling of cases by China's judicial authorities independently in accordance with law, and brazenly tramples on the spirit of the rule of law that everyone is equal before the law. It fully exposes Canada's hypocrisy of "double standard" and the true intention of politicizing legal issues.

A word for the Canadian side: the attempt to conduct "megaphone diplomacy" and gang up on China failed in the past, and will never have its way in the future. We urge relevant countries to follow the spirit of the rule of law, respect China's judicial sovereignty, and stop making any irresponsible remarks.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying's Remarks on the US Senate's Approval of a Bill concerning Taiwan's Participation in the World Health Organization

2021/08/12

Q: On August 6, the US Senate passed a bill to direct the Secretary of State to develop a strategy to regain observer status for Taiwan in the World Health Organization by unanimous consent, with only a few senators present. This bill requires the US Secretary of State to describe changes and improvements to the State Department's plan to support Taiwan's observer status at the World Health Assembly. Does China have any comment?

A: The US Senates approval of relevant bill is totally a political manipulation by a handful of anti-China politicians. This bill gravely violates the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques, severely runs counter to international law and the basic norms governing international relations, and grossly interferes in Chinas internal affairs. China deplores and firmly rejects the US Senates move, and has lodged solemn representations with the US side.

According to relevant resolutions of the UN General Assembly and the World Health Assembly, the participation of China's Taiwan region in WHO events must be handled following the one-China principle. The Chinese Central Government attaches great importance to the health and well-being of our compatriots in the Taiwan region. Under the precondition of abiding by the one-China principle, we have made appropriate arrangements for the Taiwan region's participation in global health affairs.

We urge the US Congress to fully recognize the highly sensitive nature of the Taiwan question, abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques, observe international law and basic norms governing international relations, refrain from helping the Taiwan region expand so-called "international space" and sending any wrong signal to the Taiwan independence forces.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying's Remarks on the Pakistani Government's Release of the Progress in the Investigation of the Dasu Terrorist Attack

2021/08/13

Q: On August 12, the Pakistani government offered updates on the investigation into the case of the Dasu terrorist attack at amedia briefing. They said that the planning for the terrorist attack was done in Afghanistan and the attack was executed by the Swat chapter of TTP. The attacker was trained in Afghanistan and the vehicle used in the attack was brought from Afghanistan to Pakistan. Some of those involved in the attack have been arrested in Pakistan, while others are at large in Afghanistan. The terrorist network the attacker is associated with has received support from Indian and Afghan intelligence agencies. Do you have any comment?

A: The Pakistani sides investigation into the terrorist attack has seen major progress within a short period of time. China pays great attention to this and expresses appreciation to Pakistans active efforts. Further investigation by Pakistan is still ongoing at the moment. China and Pakistan will follow the important consensus reached by the leaders on both sides, ascertain all the facts and truth, and hold the culprits accountable and bring them to justice. In the meanwhile, both countries will keep strengthening security cooperation mechanisms to ensure the safety of Chinese projects, people and institutions in Pakistan.

Terrorism is the common enemy of all mankind. China firmly opposes any force using terrorism to seek geopolitical gains and calls on countries in the region to collaborate in eradicating all terrorist organizations so as to uphold common security and development interests of all countries.
The shipping container holding NASAs Lucy spacecraft is unloaded from an Air Force C-17 cargo plane on the runway of the Launch and Landing Facility at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on July 30, 2021. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

NASA's Lucy spacecraft is now in Florida - its final Earth-bound destination - before embarking on a mission to study the Jupiter Trojan asteroids.

A United States Air Force C-17 cargo plane from Charleston Air Force Base in South Carolina, flew to Buckley Space Force Base in Aurora, Colorado, to pick up the spacecraft. The aircraft, with Lucy safely inside, then touched down at the Launch and Landing Facility runway at NASA's Kennedy Space Center on July 30, 2021. From there, the spacecraft was transported to an Astrotech Space Operations processing facility in nearby Titusville to undergo final preparations before liftoff.

Named after a fossilized human ancestor whose skeleton provided discoverers insight into humanity's evolution, the Lucy mission will do much of the same, providing scientists and researchers a look into the origins of our solar system.

The Trojan asteroids orbit the Sun in two groups: one group lies ahead of Jupiter while the other trails behind. Stabilized by both the Sun and Jupiter, those swarms of asteroids are thought to be remnants of the initial material that formed the planets within the solar system. Throughout the duration of the mission, Lucy will visit eight different asteroids over the span of 12 years, unlocking new information about the primitive bodies that created our early solar system.

Lucy is scheduled to launch on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Oct. 16. The launch is being managed by the NASA's Launch Services Program based at Kennedy, America's multi-user spaceport. The mission will be the first to study the Trojans.



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The Egyptian economy could face daily losses of more than EGP31 million ($1.97 million) if it stays on the UKs travel red list, according to research conducted by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).



Based on 2019 levels, Egypts status as a UKs red list country will pose a significant threat to the nations struggling travel & tourism sector and overall economy warns WTTC.



According to pre-pandemic figures, UK visitors represented five per cent of all international inbound arrivals in 2019. The UK was also the third biggest source market for Egypt, only just behind Germany and Saudi Arabia. However, WTTC research shows that red list restrictions are deterring UK travellers from visiting Egypt.



The global tourism body says this is due to fears over the additional costs incurred on expensive hotel quarantine for 10 days on arrival back in the UK, and expensive COVID-19 tests.



Egypts economy could face a drain of more than EGP237 million each week, equating to more than EGP1 billion every month.



Virginia Messina, Senior Vice President and Acting CEO WTTC, said: Every day Egypt stays on the UKs red list, the countrys economy faces losing millions just from the lack of UK visitors alone. This policy is incredibly restrictive and damaging as travellers from Egypt also face mandatory hotel quarantine at a huge cost.



The UKs government decision to add Egypt to its red list has a massive impact not only on the nations economy, but also the many thousands of ordinary Egyptians who rely upon a thriving Travel & Tourism sector for their livelihoods.



The UKs vaccine rollout has proved incredibly successful with more than three quarters of the adult population double jabbed, and 59% of the total population fully vaccinated. The likelihood is that anyone travelling to Egypt would be fully inoculated and therefore pose minor risk.



Our data shows just how important Travel & Tourism is to the country, and how critical it is for the Egyptian government to ramp up the vaccination rollout if it is to have any chance of recovering this vital sector, which is fundamental to the countrys economic recovery, Messina added.



WTTC research shows the dramatic impact Covid-19 has had on the Egyptian Travel & Tourism sector, with its contribution to the national GDP falling from EGP505 billion (8.8%) in 2019, to just EGP227.5 billion (3.8%) in 2020.



The report also shows in 2020, as the pandemic ripped through the heart of the sector, 844,000 travel & tourism jobs were lost across the country.  TradeArabia News Service
Mubadala Capital has announced a significant investment into its Private Equity business led by BlackRocks Secondaries and Liquidity Solutions group (BlackRock) and a consortium of global institutional investors.

The BlackRock-led consortiums investment was made into a portfolio of assets currently managed by Mubadala Capital, in addition to a $400 million commitment into Mubadala Capitals third private equity fund (Fund III), a WAM report said.

Fund III recently exceeded its fundraising target and held its final close at $1.6 billion.

The partnership between Mubadala Capital and BlackRock was formed in parallel with the successful final close of BlackRocks $3 billion Secondaries and Liquidity Solutions (SLS) strategy, which is among the largest fund raising for an inaugural private equity secondaries strategy globally to date.

BlackRocks SLS strategy aims to lead and invest opportunistically in mid-sized secondary transactions, and SLS led this transaction with significant interest and involvement from various strategic partners and co-investors. BlackRocks team developed conviction around Mubadala Capital and the underlying portfolio, which BlackRock believes will be a key and core investment in its SLS strategy.

Adib Martin Mattar, Head of Private Equity at Mubadala Capital, said: "BlackRocks institutional approach to underwriting and partnership-orientation has helped create what we expect to be a landmark transaction, especially in a highly uncertain market environment. We are looking forward to a long-term partnership with BlackRock SLS and all participating investors."

Veena Isaac, Managing Director of the BlackRock Secondaries and Liquidity Solutions team, said: "Completing this investment was highly collaborative between BlackRock, our partners and Mubadala Capital. We look forward to being a Limited Partner and continuing to explore further ways to collaborate with Mubadala Capital in what is clearly a highly differentiated investment platform that has demonstrated an ability to leverage its sovereign access and network for the benefit of its investors."

Mubadala Capital manages $9 billion of assets in third-party managed funds across its private equity, public equities, venture capital and Brazil businesses, and is the first sovereign wealth fund to manage third-party capital on behalf of other institutional investors.

The growth of Mubadala Capital as a global asset management firm with headquarters in Abu Dhabi and a focus on international investment activities is a further testament of Mubadalas entrepreneurial approach to business building and a continued diversification away from a reliance on natural resources.

In addition to successful exits in EMI Music Publishing and Restaurant Brands International, Mubadala Capital has a strong track record of strategically leveraging the secondary market to seek attractive returns for its existing investors and to forge new relationships with leading firms such as BlackRock.

-- TradeArabia News Service
The Dubai Health Authority in collaboration with Dubai Ambulance and the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, has expanded its home vaccination drive to include more social segments.



The move is part of Dubais ongoing efforts to restore full normalcy and ensure high levels of protection for the community from Covid-19.



The categories eligible for the service include people of determination, Emiratis aged 50 and above and elderly Dubai residents who are 60 and older. DHA said it will begin administering the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to eligible community members in collaboration with its strategic partners.



Dr Farida Al Khaja, CEO of DHAs Clinical Support Services and Nursing Sector and Chairperson of the Covid-19 Vaccination Steering Committee, said that expanding the vaccination drive is aimed at helping seniors unable to visit medical centres take the vaccine from the comfort of their homes. The campaign will support DHAs mission of safeguarding the community and ensuring the highest standards of health and safety, she added.



Dr Al Khaja said the Authority, together with its strategic partners, has made several arrangements for reaching the groups targeted in the drive. Mobile buses and a dedicated team of health professionals have been allocated for the home vaccination service in accordance with international protocols and prevention and safety guidelines.



Community members can book the service by calling DHAs toll-free number 800 342. Those who provide proof of residence in Dubai, regardless of the Emirate in which their residency visa was issued, will be able to receive the vaccine under this initiative. The vaccination will be provided within 48 hours of requesting the service.



Dr Al Khaja encouraged elderly members of the community to benefit from the home vaccination service, which will be available every day from 8am to 8pm.



Dr Al Khaja also said facilitating easy access to the Covid-19 vaccine by increasing vaccination centres and introducing the home service support DHAs goal of vaccinating 100% of the eligible population in Dubai by the end of 2021.  TradeArabia News Service
Ajman Free Zone recorded a significant growth of 35 per cent in the number of new registered companies during the first half of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020.

The record shows 867 newly registered companies in the zone, compared to 567 companies in the same period last year. This is a testament of the increasing trust and confidence of the business and investment community to venture in the Emirate of Ajman.

Ajman Free Zone succeeded in maintaining position as a leader in providing an attractive business environment for major medical companies and health institutions. An 84 per cent growth in new companies registered within the health sector was recorded during the first half of the year. This is attributed to the competitive advantages offered by AFZ such as the strategic location, advanced infrastructures and modern facilities.

The technology sector within the free zone achieved a rate of 26 per cent during the first half of this year compared to the same period last year. This sustained growth in the sector reaffirms the innovations and keenness of the free zone to contribute to technological advancements in the Emirate of Ajman. AFZ remains a key contributor in the tech upgrade and advancements in line with the UAEs vision for the Next 50 Years.

Ajman Free Zone provides necessary and world-class facilities for companies operating in the food and beverage sector as a testament, in supporting national efforts to enhance food security. This sector achieved 11 per cent growth and proved the willingness of investors to take advantage of the opportunities available in the emirate, which represents an ideal gateway for expansion and entry for new markets.

Ajman Free Zone recorded a remarkable growth of 70 per cent in the Chinese retail market. This includes a total of 1,100 registered companies operating in China Mall, with more than 3,000 individuals. These numbers are manifestations of the successful and strategic partnership between the Emirate of Ajman and the Chinese Gulf Company, as well as the increasing confidence from Chinese companies.

In line with its goal to provide and offer support to investors, companies and the business community, Ajman Free Zone enhanced its value-added services and expanded new strategic partnerships with both private and government stakeholders. Committed to address the various needs of investors, companies, and employees, AFZ was able increase the number of its key partners to 48, including value-added services providers. These strategic partnerships and expanded services are cost-efficient and increase the business attractiveness in the free zone.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of Ajman Free Zone, said that the success of the free zone as seen in the growth rates is supported by a comprehensive package of services alongside innovative technological solutions. These factors will also be key drivers in ensuring business continuity while meeting the needs of local and global business community.

He added: The first half of the year marked an important milestone for the health, technology, food and beverage sectors, which topped the list in terms of growth rate. As we continue our efforts in diversifying our economy, we will continue to provide opportunities and support to vital economic sectors to empower them as effective partners in achieving sustainable development in line with the Ajman Vision 2021.

Al Nuaimi concluded: We look forward with confidence to the second half of this year as we continue to align our vision with those of the government. We renew our commitment to attract more foreign direct investments, create prospects and opportunities in the business sector, and expand our services and scope to drive further economic growth. Ajman Free Zone offers advanced infrastructure, seamless legislations and regulations, as well as competitive products and services, tailored to various economic needs and aimed to establish Ajman as a business-friendly community. Sustainability and excellence are at the core of our values, and we strive to fulfill our vision of transforming Ajman Free Zone as a global business hub.

For his part, Eng Ali AlSuwaidi, Director General of Ajman Free Zone, said: Ajman Free Zone follows a five-year strategy in creating an attractive business environment in terms of updated policies and regulations. This is positively reflected in the recorded numbers of new companies and investors. We will launch additional initiatives covering a wider range of sectors which will bring about significant impact on the free zone as an attractive business destination. I would like to thank the business community and investors for their sustained trust and confidence as reflected in these positive indicators. I would also like to extend my appreciation for the efforts made by the team members to support the leadership and vision of Ajman Free Zone.

The achievements of the free zone during the first half of this year also include the development of new products tailored to its target markets as well as the completion of the environmentally friendly warehouses project. The additional units and spaces include showrooms, warehouses, and sustainable industrial facilities.

The free zones consolidated efforts led to a five-star rating in the Star System Project launched by the Department of Digital Ajman, and the ISO Business Continuity Certificate (ISO 22301: 2019).

The 5 per cent satisfaction rate of business partners is also an indicator of successful strategic partnerships and a result of how these collaborations provided a distinct customer experience.

-- TradeArabia News Service
The inaugural World Defence Show, Saudi Arabias international security and defence exhibition founded by the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), is set to take place in Riyadh from March 6-9, 2022.



To be held under the patronage of Saudi Arabias King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the event reinforces national commitment to the growth and success of the show  set to be one of the worlds leading defence events as well as the global hub for business and defence innovation, reported Saudi Press Agency (SPA).



Ahmad Al-Ohali, Governor of GAMI, said: On behalf of GAMI and World Defence Shows Organizing Committee, we are honoured and blessed with the continued support of the Kingdoms leadership to strengthen the Kingdoms position at the centre of a more collaborative global defence industry.



The Royal Patronage is an extension of the leaderships unwavering support to localizing 50% of military expenditure in line with the Kingdoms Vision 2030, he added.



World Defence Show will be a global platform for defence experts, industry leaders and manufacturers, enabling massive collaboration opportunities between international and local players, and allowing wider access to Saudi Arabias evolving defence and security industries.



The show will take place every two years at a purpose-built venue in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It will feature interoperable defence solutions in the presence of Saudis key leadership, international delegations and prominent industry decision-makers from around the world. The show will host more than 30,000 visitors including the worlds top industry experts, who will participate in thought leadership sessions focusing on the future of the industry across air, land, sea, space and security.



The founder of World Defence Show, Saudi Arabias General Authority for Military Industries, is the regulator, enabler and licensor for the kingdoms military industry. GAMI is responsible for domestic defence sector development in line with KSAs commitment to Vision 2030 and to localize 50% of military manufacturing by 2030.
Rotana, one of the leading hotel management companies with hotels across the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe and Turkey, has signed new management agreements with Al Marasem Development and Marina Way Lagoon.

The agreement includes the management of two new properties  Lake Residence, serviced apartments in New Cairo which will also mark Rotanas debut in the capital city and Marina Bay, Hotel Apartments in Alamein, North Coast.

Al Marasem Development and Marina Way Lagoon partnered with Rotana to manage and operate the hotel projects, capitalising on the brands legacy and its experience in operating hospitality brands in the region.

Rotana Chairman Nasser Al Nowais said: We are delighted to partner with Al Marasem Development and Marina Way Lagoon, one of the largest players in Egypts real estate sector.

"Egypt has always been a strategic market for Rotana as it is one of the worlds leading tourism destinations. These projects allow us to bring the world-class services and amenities of the Rotana brand to Egypt and provide us with the opportunity to strengthen our presence in the market," Al Nowais added.

"The two new projects are a testament to Rotanas continued commitment to reinforcing the hospitality sector with diverse offerings and immersive experiences," a Rotana spokesperson said.

"Egypt is witnessing unprecedented progress in various economic and development sectors, with the Egyptian government adopting a clear vision to stimulate economic growth and attract Arab and foreign investments, especially within the real estate development sector," the spokesperson added.

The first contracted project, Lake Residence under Al Marasem development is located within the Fifth Square project in New Cairo. The second project is Marina Way Lagoons 'Marina Bay' which extends over an area of 14,120 metres within the Marina El Alamein tourism hub on the North Coast.-TradeArabia News Service
Omans Ministry of Heritage and Tourism has opened a tourism representation office for the Sultanate in China. The year-long contract lasts from August 1, 2021 to July 31, 2022 and it is renewable.



The step comes within the context of a comprehensive system to develop and renew marketing plans and programmes being conducted by the Ministry to promote the Sultanates tourism attractions through its offices abroad, reported Oman News Agency (ONA).



The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism deemed it necessary to expand its activities in the Chinese market after the number of tourists from China increased by 141% in 2018 and 2019 to 219,717.



In particular, the office in China will serve as a link connecting visitors of Expo Dubai 2020 to tourism packages that include visiting the Sultanate during the Expos period.



The tourism representation office will play a role in raising the awareness of target Chinese visitors through campaigns aimed at promoting the Sultanate as a key tourism destination.



The office will also cement ties between local sector partners (companies and hotels) and their Chinese counterparts. It seeks to generate maximum benefits from the tourism sector. The office will establish long range business relations that benefit both sides.
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, a UAE national airline, has announced two new destinations as part of its flight network. The new destinations of Tirana in Albania and Sarajevo in Bosnia & Herzegovina bring Wizz Air Abu Dhabi to a total of 31 routes since launching earlier this year. The flights to each destination will commence on September 11 and October 3 respectively.

The flight to Tirana will operate twice a week on Tuesday and Saturday, while flights to Sarajevo will operate twice a week on Wednesday and Sunday. Tickets are on sale on wizzair.com and the airlines mobile app (also available in Arabic), with fares starting as low as AED179 ($48.73).

The vibrant capital of Albania, Tirana enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate nestled next to vast and beautiful mountains. A city with a stormy past now exudes culture, history and architecture set to dazzle visitors. Sarajevo in Bosnia & Herzegovina is a resilient city steeped in culture and historical significance, and has naturally become a melting pot of religion and cuisine. Visitors can soak up the citys atmosphere by exploring the many lanes and markets throughout.

Kees Van Schaick, Managing Director of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi said: We continue to add a diverse and eclectic mix of destinations to our network to ensure that there is an appealing travel option for all. Tirana and Sarajevo are fascinating destinations, rich in culture and both set amid impressive mountainous backdrops.

When we launched at the start of 2021, we committed to rapid expansion of our network as well as providing viable and ultra-low fare travel for UAE residents and inbound tourists. With 31 routes now on our roster, we continue to deliver on this promise and look forward to welcoming even more travellers onboard our aircraft.

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi has the youngest fleet composed of four brand new state-of-the-art Airbus A321neo aircraft, offering the lowest fuel burn, emissions, and noise footprint.

The airline has also introduced a new era of sanitised travel across its network, with enhanced hygiene measures to ensure the health and safety of passengers and crew. Click here to view Wizz Airs new health and safety video. Everyone on board of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi flights will have been tested prior to boarding and approved to travel in line with Abu Dhabi Airport guidelines.

For ultimate peace of mind during this uncertain time, passengers can book tickets with confidence, thanks to WIZZ Flex. With WIZZ Flex, passengers can cancel their flight up to three hours before departure without any fee and receive 100% of the fare immediately reimbursed in airline credit.

-- TradeArabia News Service
Help India!



During the briefing, eminent activists and lawyers raised awareness about the draconian laws India uses to imprison and intimidate civilians.

WASHINGTON, D.C.  In a Congressional Briefing Thursday, the Indian American Muslim Council and several other human rights organizations hosted a panel of several esteemed activists and lawyers, who raised awareness on the growing number of prisoners of conscience in India under Modis regime. Included on this panel were Vrinda Grover, a Senior Advocate in the Supreme Court of India, researcher, and human rights activist; Dr Waris Husain, a human rights attorney and adjunct professor at the Howard University School of Law; Suchitra Vijayan, Executive Director of the Polis Project; and Rashmi Singh, an advocate and lawyer practising primarily in the Supreme Court of India.

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Amnesty International defines a prisoner of conscience as someone who has not used or advocated violence or hatred, but is imprisoned because of who they are, or what they believe (religious, political or other conscientiously held beliefs). In India today, a growing number of human rights defenders are being arrested for alarmingly frivolous charges, including for giving speeches encouraging peaceful dissent and putting up posters critical of the government. Even more alarmingly, several activists in India have been detained under false or planted evidence.

Dr Husain touched upon this issue, In some instances, the unauthorized and illegal monitoring of phones is used to collect sensitive private information that could be used to blackmail or publicly malign the character of human rights defenders.

Once an individual is charged with a crime, often under Indias sweeping anti-terrorism laws, it is of little consequence whether or not the person is innocent. As Ms Grover stated, Very often now in India, we hear the phrase the process is the punishment. This is a sentence that [people] have suffered without due process or trial. In a country where the Modi regime enjoys a brute majority in parliament, the opposition today is provided by civil society. So targeting them should be understood in that context.

Dr Husain added, Whenever someone speaks against this current ruling administration, they are likely to face social pressure to quiet them and attack their dignity. When it comes to human rights defenders working for the Muslim community, they will be called terrorists; when it comes to defenders working to assist workers or students, they will be called drug addicts And the prisoner is not the only target: the government is creating a chilling factor for any young person or student to refrain from human rights advocacy lest they be subject to the same Orwellian justice  or rather, injustice  system.

Ms Singh remarked, Draconian laws such as the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Act, 2019 and the NSA are used rampantly by authorities to lock up people who express their dissent and question the policy or laws framed by the government.

Ms Vijayan summarized the state of affairs in India: A state that sees its citizens as an existential threat is not a democracy. We must name the beast to fight the beast.

The Indian American Muslim Council has reiterated its call for the US State Department to declare India as a country of particular concern where religious freedom is severely at risk and has called on people of conscience around the world to speak out against the rapidly escalating situation concerning human rights abuses in India.
Carolinas Aviation Museum, a Smithsonian affiliate that has served as a hub of community engagement for aviation history and STEM education in the Charlotte region for nearly three decades, today is announcing a $1.5 million gift from Charlotte-based Honeywell, catalyzing the launch of the public phase of the museums largest fundraising effort to date  The Lift Off Campaign.

The gift from Honeywell, a Fortune 100 technology company that, among other industry-specific solutions, produces aerospace products and services found on virtually every commercial, defense and space aircraft, brings the Lift Off Campaigns quiet phase funding total to $10 million, including $3.5 million in additional private contributions from unnamed donors. The $10 million also includes an expected $5 million from Charlotte Douglas International Airport for site development.

The goal of The Lift-Off Campaign is to raise $22 million in cash investments  plus several million dollars of in-kind support  toward the creation of a state-of-the-art STEM innovation center on airport property, with construction expected to begin in early 2022 and a planned opening in 2023.

Honeywell is proud to partner with the Carolinas Aviation Museum on its campaign to bring a world-class, STEM-focused community asset to the west side of Charlotte and the grounds of Charlotte Douglas International Airport, said Honeywell Chairman and CEO Darius Adamczyk. The new museum will provide students with invaluable educational experiences that help open the door to careers in STEM fields, including aviation.

The reimagined Carolinas Aviation Museum, which will be developed in partnership with Charlotte Douglas International Airport, will house dozens of aircraft and include exhibits such as interactive cockpits, flight simulators, and historic artifacts that chronicle the regions indelible connection to the wonder of flight and aviation innovation. The new facility will be located at the site of Charlotte Douglas International Airports historic WPA/Douglas Airport Hangar, which will be restored as part of the museum project.





We are extremely grateful for the support from the Airport, the City of Charlotte, and the generous investment from Honeywell, and we are ready to lift off on our next phase to create an exciting new facility that matches the innovation we seek to inspire, said Carolinas Aviation Museum President Stephen Saucier. We are looking forward to once again connecting in person with the region, contributing to Charlottes cultural tourism and economic growth, and providing impactful hands-on learning opportunities in STEM that will help address economic mobility.

Honeywell will sponsor three key areas in the new museum. The first is a themed exhibition zone in the new Main Gallery known as Innovation Nation that presents the history of aviation as a testament to humankinds capacity for creativity and imagination of possibilities beyond the known. US Airways Flight 1549, the Miracle on the Hudson plane, will be on display in Innovation Nation. Honeywells 131-9A auxiliary power unit, or APU, played a critical role in enabling the Airbus aircraft to touch down safely in the Hudson River in New York City on January 15, 2009. Honeywell is also sponsoring the museums Maker Space, in which youth can learn about aviation via interactive, hands-on activities, and a Career Center, which will serve as a vital resource to help students and area adults connect to careers in STEM-based industries.

Honeywells support over the last several years helped Carolinas Aviation Museum deliver classroom and virtual STEM education programming to more than 9,000 students throughout the Charlotte region.

As a result of the campaign, Carolinas Aviation Museum hopes to welcome more than 100,000 visitors annually and connect more than 15,000 students to STEM programming and career development labs.

Carolinas Aviation Museum, a private nonprofit, was founded in 1991 by Floyd Swinton Wilson and his wife Lois and has operated as a museum without walls offering virtual exhibitions and community STEM programs funded by Honeywell since vacating its original location in 2019. Now, the new museum will seek to celebrate North Carolina as the birthplace of aviation and immerse visitors in the history of flight.

From First in Flight to now housing one of the top 10 busiest airports in the world, the Carolinas have played an integral role in aviation history, said Haley Gentry, aviation director of Charlotte Douglas International Airport. As Charlotte Douglas continues to advance our mission to connect people and places, we are proud to support Carolinas Aviation Museum and its vision to connect our regions celebrated past to its bright future.

The new Carolinas Aviation Museum will be a dynamic cultural attraction that will connect visitors to the Carolinas storied aviation past and elevates educational opportunities and experiences for people of all backgrounds, said museum board chair Marc Oken, who is chairing the capital campaign. We are humbled that donors will be able to see their dollars come to life in an immersive space that ignites creativity and inspires the next generation of aviation engineers, educators, and experts.

About Carolinas Aviation Museum

Carolinas Aviation Museum is Charlottes most uplifting destination, a place where visitors can be inspired by the everyday heroism of flight, learn about the science of aviation and its importance to our region, and experience the living history of flying through a wide variety of artifacts and aircraft. Carolinas Aviation Museum is a recipient of support from the Infusion Fund, a partnership between the City of Charlotte, Foundation For The Carolinas, and generous donors to support the arts and cultural sector. For more information, visit www.carolinasaviation.org.
Back in late September 2019, we reported on the then-recent first flight of a 1970s-vintage Aermacchi MB-326KZ military jet trainer. This was an unusual situation in that this specific airframe had never flown before since the original construction contract (for the Zairean military) ended up getting canceled before Aermacchi could complete its manufacture. With the contracts cancellation, the partially assembled aircraft went into covered storage, with the hopes that another customer would pay for its completion. This never materialized until the advent of the jet warbird movement in Italy, which saw Renzo Catellanis Volafenice flying collection purchase and complete the tandem-seat light attack aircraft, powered by a Rolls-Royce (Armstrong Siddeley) Viper Mk.600 turbojet. The red tape surrounding warbird operation in Italy is complex, as one might expect, and the bureaucratic process required that the aircrafts certification move from experimental (test aircraft) to the standard category. Presently, the airworthiness certificate is not standard but rather a flight permit for a replica airplane  since this aircraft never left the original manufacture as a certified, flying aircraft, but rather as a partially completed shell.

Obviously, the COVID-19 pandemic complicated the entire flight test and certification process too, but Volafenice finally received the aircrafts flight permit on December 31, 2020. Once the permit was issued, the problem then transitioned to determining who would be allowed to fly the aircraft (youve gotta love Italian bureaucracy!). As it happened, Volafenice did have a test pilot qualified to fly the MB-326, but only with the change of type (from experimental/test airplane to standard category). Therefore Maurizio Lodovisi, MB-326K test pilot, had to produce countless reams of paperwork to obtain permission to fly the airplane under its new registration type. Maurizio Ludovisi is a retired Italian Air Force General with thousands of flight hours on a variety of aircraft types, including the MB-326K, which he flew as a Test Pilot when serving with the Reparto Sperimentale Volo, the Italian Air Forces flight test unit. Ludovisi  finally  received his civilian type rating in the spring of 2021, but then another bureaucratic hurdle materialized the need for an instructor check pilot to both train and certify other pilots!





Therefore, as soon as the Italian aviation authority ENAC (Ente Nazionale Aviazione Civile) certified Ludovisi as a flight instructor in the type, Volafanice started the certification process for the other pilots in their stable: Sergio Comitini, ex-Italian Air Force test pilot (with MB-326K time) and current Alitalia airline captain, Volafenices founder Renzo Catellani, and Francesco Dante. As soon ENAC gave the thumbs up, Volafenices team organized a training program for July 27/28 2021, which successfully culminated in these three additional pilots receiving their MB-326K type ratings.

Regarding his impressions on flying the more powerful ground-attack variant of the MB-326, Renzo Catellani said: The MB-326K is a much more powerful airplane compared to the trainer version; the K produces 4,000lbs of thrust vs the 2,400 of the E trainer model. The K model, although very similar in its design to the E trainer, presents a lot of similarities with the Aermacchi MB-339. In fact, the K model has the same vertical and horizontal stabilizers, the same wing design, and hydraulic flight controls.

Coming from the dual-seat trainer like the MB-326E, what really produced strong feelings and emotions is the fact of climbing into a single-seat aircraft. The lack of the ECS panel (environmental control system) gives you the first hint that you are alone in the cockpit. Its a strange feeling because I have flown several times the E model alone, but having a back seat, although empty, gave you the false illusion to have a spiritual instructor pilot always with you thus giving you a false feeling of safety. The configuration and location of instruments in the cockpit are different compared to the E model. The first indication that you are not flying a trainer happens during the take-off roll. The K model with its performing weight-thrust ratio gives you a kick after full power is applied. This kick is more so evident when applying power during the different phases of flight and maneuvers, it does require a higher level of fast thinking to avoid the airplane gets away from you. The aerodynamic and stall characteristics are very similar due to the same fuselage and wings of the E model thus giving me a sense of comfort. Event the landing parameters are exactly the same as the E model. 

I cannot deny that it was an emotional flight, even more, if I think that to date we are pretty sure that I am the first civilian pilot without a military background to fly in a military jet in Italy.





As noted in our previous articles, Volafenice also owns and operates a former Italian Air Force trainer variant of this aircraft, MB-326E MM54168, which the museum restored to flight over a six-year period. She took to the skies again in 2012. You can read our online article about this restoration HERE or see Luigino Caliaros article inside Warbird Digest Magazines issue #50 (click HERE).

So Renzo Catellani has much to celebrate, as he and his team at Volafenice bring a new shape and sound to civilian flying in Italian skies. We wish them much success in spreading their wings and encouraging the growth of vintage aviation flights in Italy and elsewhere!
Turkey Releases ISIS Terrorists Who Kidnapped Yazidi Child and Attempted to Sell Her Online

Three members of the Islamic State (ISIS), who kidnapped a Yazidi child, transported her from Iraq to Turkey and attempted to sell her online, were released in Turkey's capital, Ankara, where they currently reside.

In the indictment accepted on March 8 and prepared by Ankara's prosecutor's office, the three men are charged with "membership in the ISIS terrorist organization" and "taking part in its senior management."

Journalist Hale Gonultas broke the news on August 6 in a special report for the Turkish news website, Duvar.

After being listed for sale on the deep web, the 7-year-old Yazidi girl was rescued in an operation carried out by Turkish police and intelligence teams against an ISIS cell house in Ankara on February 27. Officials announced the raid and the child's rescue through a press release and video footage.

Yazidis are an indigenous and persecuted non-Muslim community in the Middle East. They were exposed to genocide by ISIS in their ancient homeland of Sinjar (Iraq) in 2014. At least 2,800 Yazidi children and women are estimated to remain captives at the hands of ISIS.

Following the police raid, three Iraqi citizens, Anas V., Nasr H.R. and Sabah A.H.O, were interrogated based on the charges of abducting and holding a Yazidi girl hostage in the ISIS cell house. Anas and Nasr were released pending trial on the condition of judicial control on February 27 -- on the day of their detention -- following their interrogations. Sabah, however, was arrested and imprisoned in Ankara.

During the first hearing held on June 10, Sabah gave a statement to the court from prison through the Audio and Visual Information System. He was then released pending trial under similar judiciary control measures. The other two defendants, Anas and Nasr, also participated in the hearing.

All three ISIS members are currently on probation in Ankara. They are supposed to daily go to a police station closest to their residences and sign a document showing that they have not left Turkey. Their next hearing is slated for October 5.

The indictment concerning the ISIS terrorists stated that Anas and Nasr had illegally entered Turkey from Iraq. The two ISIS members claimed that they did not know about the kidnapping, that they had no knowledge of each other previously, and that they only had met while in police custody.

The indictment also stated that Anas and Nasir worked under Jabbar Salman Ali Farhan al-Issawi, who is known to have been the closest person to the killed leader of ISIS, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Al-Issawi was also killed in an airstrike by Iraqi and US forces on January 28. The indictment included the information that Anas and Nazir were in charge of the "Council of Prisoners" in Fallujah in Iraq.

During his interrogation, Sabah shared the names of ISIS's top leaders in Syria and Iraq with Turkish authorities, so that those authorities would be able to capitalize on Turkey's Effective Remorse Act. These names were also included in the indictment.

Sabah claimed that the Yazidi girl was brought to their home in Iraq by his brother, Sabbar H.O., in 2014 when she was either two or two and a half years old. Sabah went on to claim that upon bringing the child to their house, his brother said: "This child is Yazidi. I bought it from ISIS for 500 dollars. She will now grow up in this house."

According to the indictment, ISIS member Sabbar H.O. went to the Ankara Provincial Immigration Administration with his brother's wife and applied for an identity card for the Yazidi girl in 2018. He said that they were late in issuing an ID for the child. The child was named "Aise Sabbar A.O." and an identity card was issued for her.

Sabah, however, denied any involvement in the child's purchase: "I am not responsible for bringing the child to our home in Iraq. She was brought there by my brother, Sabbar. It was also my brother who named her Aise. My brother later died in a bombing. I do not know about the sales market of Yazidi women and children. I have not kidnapped or bought children."

Sabah also stated that he joined ISIS during its establishment upon the call of Abu Abdullah, one of the top figures of ISIS in Iraq, and that he followed Abdullah's orders and instructions. Sabah went on to claim that ISIS gave him a salary. His duties within the organization included being on guard duty in villages and reporting the developments to the management of the organization. He also stated that he used weapons and took part in military conflicts.

Sabah was arrested by Iraqi security forces in early 2017 for his ISIS membership and activities. According to his testimony, he was tortured during his six-month detention in an Iraqi prison. After his release, he entered Turkey via Syria with a fake passport issued under the name "Said Ahmet Muhammed." He said that he sent his wife, children, his brother's wife and the Yazidi girl to the house of the second wife of his father who lived in Ankara and that he also settled with his family there.

Meanwhile, the rescued Yazidi girl is still under state protection in Ankara. Joint efforts by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Iraqi government to find her family have failed. A diplomat from the Iraqi Embassy in Ankara told the newspaper Duvar that the girl's family has not been found. "We think her entire family was killed in the massacre by ISIS in Sinjar," the diplomat said. The child is receiving psychological support through a rehabilitation program at a hospital, according to Duvar.

This is not the first case of a Yazidi child kidnapped and put on sale in Turkey. Another Yazidi child was sold in Ankara in 2018, and then freed through the mediation efforts of Yazidi and humanitarian-aid organizations. This was another crime exposed by the same courageous journalist, Hale Gonultas. On July 30, three days after Gonultas's article appeared, she received a death threat on her mobile phone from a Turkish-speaking man, who told her that he knew her home address, and then shouted, "Jihad will come to this land. Watch your step!"

Gonultas has been threatened for writing about ISIS atrocities other times, as well. In May 2017, for instance, she received similar telephone threats after posting two articles: "200,000 children in ISIS camps," and "ISIS holds 600 children from Turkey."

In addition, a video of Turkish-speaking children receiving military training from ISIS was sent to her email address. In the video, in which one of them is seen cutting off someone's head with a knife, the children are saying, "We are here for jihad."

As Turkey releases ISIS terrorists who have committed many crimes against humanity (including genocide), the same Turkish government is now the second largest jailer of journalists who criticize government policies. Thousands of suspected opponents of the government -- including Muslim dissidents, Kurds, leftists, human rights and women's rights activists -- have been branded as "terrorists," prosecuted and imprisoned. Some are missing. The government announced in 2020 that authorities had opened legal proceedings against 597,783 individuals, detained 282,790, and arrested 94,975.

Dunja Mijatovic, the Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights, states that Turkey's judicial process displays "unprecedented levels of disregard for even the most basic principles of law, such as presumption of innocence, no punishment without crime and non-retroactivity of offences, or not being judged for the same facts again."

Looking at the actions of the Turkish government, one can't help but wonder: Why is the Turkish government so tolerant of ISIS members and their crimes while it is completely hostile to the non-violent critics of the government? Perhaps, the answer is that the Turkish government is ideologically closer to, and more allied with, ISIS than it is to its own peaceful citizens who request a democratic and lawful governance.
Now 90, the former head of state under the Khmer Rouge was given a life sentence for complicity in the genocide of two million Cambodians. Only three members of the old communist regime have been convicted so far. Cambodias current Prime Minister, Hun Sen, does not want any more trials.

Phnom Penh (AsiaNews/Agencies)  Cambodias last surviving Khmer Rouge leader will know his fate once his appeal against his life sentence is heard starting next Monday.

In his initial trial, the Cambodia Tribunal found Khieu Samphan guilty of genocide. As head of state, the 90-year-old played a crucial role in the death of some two million Cambodians by the Communist regime of Pol Pot (known as Brother Number One) between 1975 and 1979 as a result of starvation, forced labour and mass executions.

In 2018, the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC), a mixed Cambodian and international tribunal commonly known as the Cambodia Tribunal or the Khmer Rouge Tribunal, convicted Samphan in connection with the massacre of Vietnamese-Cambodians and other crimes such as rape and forced marriages, along with Nuon Chea (Brother Number Two).

In 2014, the UN-backed court handed down life sentences on the two Khmer Rouge leaders for the forced evacuation of Phnom Penh in April 1975, when the citys population was forced to move into the countryside.

Nuon Chea died in 2018. Pol Pot, the head of the Khmer Rouge regime, died in 1998 without going to trial. Under them and others, the regime they founded tried to turn Buddhist Cambodia into an agrarian socialist utopia.

Established in 2006, the ECCC have convicted only three Khmer Rouge leaders at a cost of more than US$ 300 million.

Cambodians current Prime Minister, Hun Sen (a former Red Khmer), does not want any more indictments. According to the countrys strongman, they will create further instability in the country.
The Standing Committee of Chinas National Peoples Congress will discuss the measure next week. Hong Kong authorities would prefer not to have it imposed like the national security law. Local banks could be caught between Western sanctions and Chinese countersanctions. Singapore and Tokyo might benefit. For pro-Beijing groups, the law is a deterrent.

Hong Kong (AsiaNews)  China is ready to impose its "anti-sanctions" law on Hong Kong, raising concerns among local and foreign companies.

Approved on 10 June by the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress (NPC), the law is a response to the punitive measures imposed on China by the United States and its allies.

It allows Chinese companies and entities to go before Chinese courts for protection from foreign sanctions.

With this law, the Chinese government could also take action against companies and foreign investors present in China that align themselves with the bans introduced by Western governments.

Beijing's reprisals can include visa denial, expulsion from the country, and seizure of assets.

The passage of the law accelerated after the United States, Europe, Canada and Great Britain imposed economic and financial restrictions on Chinese officials, entities and state bodies involved in the repression of Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in Xinjiang.

Beijing is also taking aim at Western sanctions over its Hong Kong policies.

According to Chinese state media, the PNC Standing Committee will meet next week to determine how to extend the anti-sanctions law to Hong Kong (and Macau).

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam confirmed the adoption of the new legislation. However, she indicated that she would rather see the anti-sanction law incorporated into Hong Kongs Basic Law through local legislation.

Chinas central authorities could in fact decide to impose it directly like they did in June 2020 with the national security law designed to crush the citys pro-democracy movement.

As reported by RTHK, Hong Kongs public broadcaster, many companies in the former British colony would like to see the law adopted through the local legislature, so that they can express their opinion on the matter before its approval.

The biggest problem is for local banks, which could become victims of Western sanctions and Chinese countersanctions, undermining their role as financial intermediaries between the West and China.

Pro-Beijing officials in Hong Kong argue that the new law will not make foreign investors flee the city (to Singapore or Tokyo for example). Instead, it will serve as a deterrent, forcing foreign governments to think twice before sanctioning Chinese officials and entities.
by Nirmala Carvalho

The State Home Affairs Minister makes such a claim while reporting on state-wide femicides and rapes. According to the Global Council of Indian Christians, police make such accusations against Muslims. Meanwhile, tribal Christians continue to be discriminated.

Bhopal (AsiaNews)  Madhya Pradesh Home Affairs Minister Narottam Mishra told the State Legislative Assembly that at least 28 cases of forced conversions were reported since the new anti-conversion law was approved in March. Some 37 people have been arrested on charges related to forced conversions.

On 8 March, the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly approved a law that penalises religious conversion through marriage or any other "fraudulent" means with a penalty of up to 10 years.

According to Minister Mishras report, in 2017 there were 26,708 cases of rape, 2,663 femicides and 27,827 cases of kidnapping of underage girls in the state.

Mishra, who belongs to the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Hindu nationalist party of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, noted that more than 1,000 people have not yet been arrested for these crimes.

For Sajan K George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC), "The Freedom of Religion Act has become a tool for suppressing religious minorities under the guise of conversion.

Police slap charges of kidnapping, rape, obscene acts and intimidation against Muslims, or accuse them of practicing the 'love jihad', George explained.

Police often act under pressure from politicians. Far-right groups break into homes, then go to the police station and force officers to write a First Information Report.

In Madhya Pradesh, districts where tribals live, extremists regularly beat Christians accusing them of converting people in exchange for money.

Hindu radicals use such false accusations to target the most vulnerable Christians, the GCIC president added.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad, a right-wing Hindu organisation, claims to have a list of 56 missionaries who actively practice illegal conversions in the districts of Jhabua and Alirajpur.

Christians, George laments, are arrested just for attending birthday parties or other social events. The social fabric of the country is gradually eroding.
For the pontiff, the law is the pedagogue toward Christ. [. . .] Those who seek life need to look to the promise and to its fulfillment in Christ. Francis saddened by the murder of Fr Olivier Maire in France.

Vatican City (AsiaNews)  Pope Francis centred his catechesis in todays General Audience on the Letter to the Galatians. In it, he said that the faithful must go along the path of the commandments but looking toward Jesus.

The meeting gave the Pope the opportunity to express "sorrow" for the murder, in France, of Father Olivier Maire. I send my condolences to the Monfortian religious community in Saint-Laurent-sur-Sevre, Vendee, to his family and to all the Catholics of France. I assure you of my participation and spiritual closeness, he said addressing French-speaking pilgrims.

Previously, the pontiff continued the cycle of catechises before the approximately 4,000 people present in the Paul VI Hall, speaking about the Letter to the Galatians, on the theme: The Law of Moses (Reading: Gal 3:19, 21-22).

The topic stems from the fact that those who nostalgic for times gone by, of the times before Jesus Christ believed that the Galatians should have followed the Mosaic Law in order to be saved.

The Apostle is not at all in agreement. These were not the terms he had agreed on with the other Apostles in Jerusalem. He remembers very well Peters words when he said: Why do you make trial of God by putting a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? (Acts 15:10).

The dispositions that had emerged in that first council  the first ecumenical council was the one that took place in Jerusalem  and the dispositions that emerged were very clear. They said: For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us [the apostles] to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols [that is, idolatry] and from blood and from what is strangled and from unchastity (Acts 15:28-29).

For Francis, the observance of the Law guaranteed to the people the benefits of the Covenant. In fact, In making the Covenant with Israel, God offered them the Torah, the Law, so they could understand his will and live in justice. We have to think that at that time, a Law like this was necessary, it was a tremendous gift that God gave his people. Why? Because at that time paganism was everywhere.

Several times, especially in the prophetic books, it is noted that not observing the precepts of the Law constituted a real betrayal of the Covenant, provoking Gods wrath as a consequence. The connection between the Covenant and the Law was so close that the two realities were inseparable. The Law is the way a person, a people express that they are in covenant with God.

So, in light of all this, it is easy to understand how well those missionaries who had infiltrated the Galatians found such fair game by sustaining that adhering to the Covenant also included observing the Mosaic Law as it was done at that time.

Saint Paul noted that, in reality, the Covenant and the Law are not linked indissolubly  the Covenant with God and the Mosaic Law. The first element he relies on is that the Covenant established by God with Abraham was based on faith in the fulfillment of the promise and not on the observance of the Law that did not yet exist.

Such an argument disqualifies all those who sustain that the Mosaic Law was a constitutive part of the Covenant. No, the Covenant comes first, and the call came to Abraham. The Torah, the Law, in fact, was not included in the promise made to Abraham.

Having said this, one should not think, however, that Saint Paul was opposed to the Mosaic Law. No, he observed it. Several times in his Letters, he defends its divine origin and says that it possesses a well-defined role in the history of salvation. The Law, however, does not give life, it does not offer the fulfillment of the promise because it is not capable of being able to fulfill it.

The Law is a journey, a journey that leads toward an encounter. Paul uses a word, I do not know if it is in the text, a very important word: the law is the pedagogue toward Christ, the pedagogue toward faith in Christ, that is, the teacher that leads you by the hand toward the encounter (cf. Gal 3:24). Those who seek life need to look to the promise and to its fulfillment in Christ.

This word is very important. The people of God, we Christians, we journey through life looking toward a promise, the promise is what attracts us, it attracts us to move forward toward the encounter with the Lord.
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Located on Magnificent Mile, the hotel has 535 rooms and 220 feet of retail frontage along North Michigan Avenue. It has welcomed figures such as Princess Diana, Walt Disney and Charles Lindbergh, among others, since it first opened in 1920.
Since the Town Hall, weve heard from many of you that you would feel more comfortable returning to the office if you had more certainty your colleagues were vaccinated, Capozzi said in the note. We are also being asked by state and local governments to require vaccinations for corporate employees because getting more of the population vaccinated reduces our own chances of being infected and contributes to community protection.
Though children are less likely to suffer serious health effects as compared with the elderly, the latest COVID wave hammering Florida is also fueling an enormous increase in cases among children, many of whom are sicker than doctors have seen previously, the chief medical officer at one of the states top childrens hospitals said Wednesday. Leaders of other medical systems in virus hotspots like Louisiana say a similar situation is occurring in their pediatric hospitals.
State public health data, however, indicates many COVID-19 cases fall through the cracks when it comes to contact tracing. Of about 240,000 Chicago cases, contact tracing was attempted for 42% of cases and interviews occurred in about 20% of cases, according to Illinois Department of Public Health statistics. Of nearly 84,000 close contacts of those cases  anyone who was within 6 feet of an individual who tested positive for at least 15 minutes starting from two days before illness onset or the test was taken  tracers attempted contact with 78% and interviewed about a third of them.
Others may be waiting for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to fully approve the Pfizer vaccine, she said. Now, the vaccines are allowed under emergency use authorizations but have not yet gained full approval. Legally, employers dont have to wait until the vaccines are fully approved to require them, but some employers may think that optically it will be easier and better for morale if they wait until that occurs, ODonnell said.
She doesnt recommend eating indoors for people who are immunocompromised or living with someone who is. She also said its not safe to dine indoors if you are unvaccinated. This includes all children under 12, because currently there are no COVID-19 vaccines approved for the age group. Children under 12 should not be eating indoors, Landon said. Especially when cases are high, they shouldnt be unmasked indoors. Landon said its much safer for children to eat outdoors on patios.
The 36th Printers Row Lit Fest will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 11-12, rain or shine, at Dearborn Street and Polk. All festival programs are free and open to the public. The festival is presented by the nonprofit Near South Planning Board; the Chicago Tribune was a past presenter. According to the announcement of the festival Thursday, the event will follow city health guidelines, with all necessary safety precautions in place.
Once upon a fantasy world, when characters poked their heads into strange doors, they tumbled into enchanted lands and mystical realms, and now they stand up, brush off and find themselves at home, only the furniture is rearranged and someone left on the TV on. That TV might be showing Palm Springs, last years poignant Andy Samberg comedy about a man forced to revisit the same day again and again, with alterations each time. Or if they flip through streaming services: theres Russian Doll, and Stranger Things, and Parallel, and Counterpart, and the animated Rick and Morty  each with a familiar world running parallel to the usual, modified in ways large and small. Which is not a bad description of watching the recent Olympics in Tokyo: It was like watching the Olympics, only set in a universe where the stands were empty and none of the competitors seemed to want to be there very much. Not that you need a TV for alternate universes. Last year when the University of Chicago shut down for the pandemic, to foster community, a group of Hyde Park scholars created A Labyrinth, a kind of role-playing game that integrated social media, email and phone calls (for starters) to craft an alt-reality. At the Art Institute of Chicago, among the pleasures of Cosmoscapes (though Sept. 20), artist Tai Xiangzhous exhibit of Song Dynasty-esque paintings, is Parallel Universes, a nine-panel series offering multiverses resting side by side.
The redistricting fight arrives amid one of the most protracted assaults on voting access since the Voting Rights Act was passed in 1965, an effort that has made the right to vote among the most divisive issues in American politics. And redistricting will take place this fall without critical guardrails that the Voting Rights Act had erected: a process known as preclearance that ensured oversight of states with a history of discrimination. The Supreme Court effectively neutered that provision in a 2013 ruling, meaning that it could take lawsuits  and years  to force the redrawing of districts that dilute the voting power of minority communities.
As you mend our broken hearts back together, knit us as a community, she said in prayer. Let this be a time when we can grieve and grow from this tragedy. Let officer Frenchs life not be taken in vain, but that we may all be better from her light, and her service.
Atkins three nephews  ages 2, 5 and 6  were outside when the shooting began Wednesday afternoon. The two older boys fell on top of the 2-year-old to protect him. Soon after, her 18-year-old niece, who was also in the home, went outside and grabbed the 2-year-old to get him to safety. Atkins said the three young boys are too young to really comprehend what happened. They were not injured.
What and who defines when something has been co-opted? ... Its a matter of opinion and public perception, Hoefert said. I also believe that original intent is very important ... as such I support keeping the police patch as I believe its intended and its true meaning affixed to our police officers to honor the fallen is still as valid and important today as it was when it was originally designed.
Despite this, Latinos suffer from a disproportionate underrepresentation in city leadership that has real-life consequences. Latinos have borne the brunt of COVID-19, with our community making up almost half of the cases in the city during the height of the pandemic and more cases than any other racial or ethnic group for most days since April 2020. Our communities experience violence at high rates and have fewer resources to prevent crime. We also face unique barriers to supporting our undocumented community who give so much to the citys economy, yet live in fear.
Obviously African Americans are a protected class, and were going to try to hold onto as much political power as we can, South Side Ald. Pat Dowell, 3rd, said. I think the positive thing is the city is growing. I think that bodes well for the city. Obviously, theres some work that needs to be done in communities of color, especially African American communities, to attract people back to the city.
When I got the call from Dana, I couldnt believe somebody actually wanted to admit that we have a problem, Kusman said. Nobodys ever said, We know its a problem, how do we deal with it? If we can sit down and figure out little steps to get there, Ill be happy. Eliminating poverty is a really hard thing to do, I think.
You are here: Arts

Turkey detained at least 78 suspects in a large-scale operation against an international network of artifact smuggling, semi-official Anadolu Agency reported on Tuesday.

The chief prosecutor's office of Turkish southern Adana province launched the operation across 30 cities, issuing arrest warrants for 93 suspects, the report said, adding the police seized at least 9,276 artifacts that had been excavated illegally.

The experts of the Turkish culture ministry determined that 52 historical artifacts were put in catalogs for sale in nine auction halls of the United States and Europe.

A total of 4,122 artifacts were seized in separate raids carried out in Bulgaria, Croatia and Serbia, as part of the operation whose investigation process lasted nearly two years.
The 42-year-old designer Cheng Hao fell in love with the Miao people's wax dyeing the first time he saw it.

In 2017, he visited Danzhai county in Guizhou province, home to ethnic Miao wax dyeing. He applied the craft to his fashion designs, which he has showed at a series of runways, including Beijing International Fashion Week and London Fashion Week.

"Wax dyeing has breathed new life into my works. I want to let more people know about this heritage of the Miao people," Cheng said.
Prominent Chinese writer and Nobel laureate Mo Yan opened a new social media account Monday, with the aim of "talking to young people."

Writer Mo Yan talks at an event in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, 2016. [File photo/VCG]

He recorded a short video on the WeChat social media platform, introducing himself and explaining his expectations for the account. The WeChat public accounts platform, which is extremely popular in China, provides individuals, businesses and organizations with a space to publish blog posts, news and information.

"I want to learn from young people and communicate with them more," Mo Yan said as to why he opened the personal account. When replying to a reader's comment, he later called himself a "66-year-old young man."

The prolific novelist is known for works including "Red Sorghum," "Frog" and "Big Breasts and Wide Hips." Several of his books have been translated into foreign languages to reach a wider audience, and he was awarded the Nobel Prize in literature in 2012.

In the video, the writer described himself as someone who "eats a lot, sleeps little and has a lot of energy." In response to what he most wants to do with his time, he said: "To write novels of course."

He added that he didn't have any retirement plans when it comes to writing, and shared that he used to smoke while writing, but now prefers to enjoy a tipple.

In his debut post, Mo Yan announced he would publish two articles every Monday at 10 p.m., one featuring his writing and the other as an audio blog.

Within hours of announcing the launch of his WeChat account, his articles had been viewed more than 100,000 times. In other articles  including two uploaded on Aug. 2 without announcement  he stated his belief that literature's most significant functions are that it "refines people's emotions and enriches their emotional lives" and "makes people noble, interesting and able to get along better with others."

The writer, whose real name is Guan Moye, born in 1955 in Gaomi, Shandong province, also shared why he chose the pen name "Mo Yan," which means "don't speak." He stated that it was because he talked too much when he was young, even talking to animals and trees, which upset his parents. "But I still couldn't help talking, and later I offended many people in literature circles, because what I loved most was to speak the truth."

"But as I've grown older, I talk less and less," he wrote. "My mother must be relieved up in heaven."
The Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport, a new airport in east China's Shandong Province, officially went into operation Thursday, the Qingdao Airport Group said.



The airport is ranked as 4F, the highest in China's airport class capable of handling large aircraft, including the Airbus A380, the world's largest passenger airliner, the group said.

Meanwhile, the Qingdao Liuting International Airport was closed as the new airport went into operation.

The completed first phase of the new airport covers 16.25 square km, with a total investment of nearly 36.04 billion yuan (about 5.56 billion U.S. dollars).

According to plan, the airport is expected to be able to handle an annual passenger throughput of 35 million, a cargo throughput of 500,000 tonnes, and 300,000 aircraft takeoffs and landings by 2025.

The airport will connect Qingdao with about 130 domestic destinations, including most major Chinese cities and regions. International and regional air routes will link Qingdao with about 50 major overseas cities, including 17 in Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK).

As a major comprehensive transportation hub, the airport offers passengers access to the metro and high-speed rail services.

It will be more convenient for business people, especially in the foreign trade sector, to visit their clients from across the world after the airport opens, said Seol Kyu Jong, a ROK businessman based in Qingdao.

The expanded logistics network benefiting from the new airport will also significantly cut transportation costs, according to the ROK businessman.

The airport's second-phase project also kicked off Thursday. Upon completion of the project, Jiaodong airport will be able to handle an annual passenger throughput of 55 million, a cargo throughput of 1 million tonnes, and 452,000 aircraft takeoffs and landings by 2045.
Deputy headmaster Song Yugang fills in a form for a student on July 28. [Photo by Liu Jianing/China.org.cn]

After graduating from university 24 years ago, Song Yugang became a teacher at Central Primary School of Rutog township in Maizhokunggar county, Lhasa, where the average altitude is over 4,300 meters.

Song is the only teacher from the Han ethnic group in the school. When Song first arrived, he couldn't speak Tibetan and so struggled to communicate with the students and their parents. By learning from his students, it took him three years to become fluent in Tibetan, and he is now able to speak like a native.

Remote education

In 2003, Song introduced remote education into the school. Thanks to his efforts and an education-promoting program, the students have all achieved a solid grasp of computers. Teachers online provide the students with better educational resources, and enable them to study a wider range of subjects.

Song has also designed a series of classes in the school to help preserve local Tibetan culture, such as the traditional local guozhuang dance.

Value of education

Song Yugang talks in Tibetan with a parent in his office, July 29. [Photo by Liu Jianing/China.org.cn]

The conditions in the school now are a far cry from what Song first encountered 24 years ago. He still remembers how the ceilings of the earth-made classrooms would leak whenever it rained, and on snowy days, the teachers had to sweep snow off the roof. Now they have tall teaching buildings with clean, well-equipped classrooms and modern equipment.

However, the most remarkable change has been the local people's attitudes toward education. In the past, parents would simply take their children to school, but now they encourage them to study hard.

Phunstog Tashi, head of Rutog township, believes that families there put greater value in education than ever before. For Tashi, this is thanks to the policy that provides Tibetan students with free school-based accommodation, meals and education, as well as efforts by the government to raise people's awareness in schooling, and residents seeing how education can improve people's lives.
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China urges the Lithuanian side to earnestly honor its commitment to the one-China principle, and create conditions for the sound and steady development of China-Lithuania relations, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying said Wednesday.



In response to Lithuania and the European Union's comments on China's decision, Hua said the definition of the one-China principle is not to be distorted, adding that the Chinese people will never allow the act of flagrantly engaging in official interactions with the Taiwan authorities and even endorsing those seeking "Taiwan independence" while paying lip service to the one-China principle.

It must be pointed out that, ever since the two countries established diplomatic relations, China has never done anything detrimental to Lithuania's national interests. On the contrary, China has always respected Lithuania's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, Hua noted.

But Lithuania's decision to allow the Taiwan authorities to open a "representative office" under the name of "Taiwan" has seriously infringed upon China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and severely contravenes the one-China principle, the spokesperson said. "To this, China has the right to and should make legitimate and reasonable responses."

"Once again, we urge the Lithuanian side not to misjudge China's firm resolve and strong will to defend our national sovereignty and territorial integrity, earnestly honor its commitment to the one-China principle, and create conditions for the sound and steady development of China-Lithuania relations," Hua said.
You are here: World

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Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin discussed results of recent bilateral consultations on strategic stability during a phone call on Wednesday.

The officials also exchanged views on issues of global and regional security, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a brief statement.

U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed at their first summit in Geneva in June to launch a Strategic Stability Dialogue to lay the groundwork for future arms control and risk reduction measures.

The first round of such dialogue was held in Geneva on July 28, when both sides discussed approaches to maintaining strategic stability, the prospects for arms control and measures to reduce risks.
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Nurse Han Miaomiao takes a swab sample from a resident for COVID-19 nucleic acid testing in Wuhan, central China's Hubei province, Aug. 4, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua]

The move to politicize COVID-19 origin tracing will achieve nothing but jeopardize anti-pandemic cooperation and cost more lives in the face of resurgent and frequent mutations of the virus, cautioned Chinese ambassador to Nepal.

"The irresponsible and unscientific act of politicizing this issue is the most dangerous political virus, which will only severely hinder global cooperation in the study of origins, jeopardize anti-pandemic cooperation, and cost more lives," Hou Yanqi said in a signed article published Monday on the English edition of Onlinekhabar.com, a news portal in Nepal.

"We believe that only if all the parties of the international community unite and cooperate in the spirit of science to find the true origin of the virus which endangers human life, we can effectively deal with and defeat this virus and create enabling conditions for protecting the common safety and health of humankind and promoting economic recovery," Hou said.

China has taken the lead in cooperating with the World Health Organization (WHO) in an "open, transparent and responsible" manner, invited twice the WHO expert group to China for origin study, released the joint WHO-China study report in March and made "important contributions" to international cooperation on origin-tracing, she said.

"This effort should be continued in unity with other actors as it is the only way to defeat the virus," she wrote.

The attempt by some countries and individuals "to scapegoat China in order to shift responsibility for its poor COVID-19 response and achieve the political motive of smearing and suppressing China" has met opposition from people of vision, nearly 70 countries as well as over 300 political parties, organizations and think tanks from over 100 countries and regions, Hou wrote.

"It must be pointed out that the virus origin-tracing is a complex scientific issue and should be studied by scientists in the spirit of science," she said.

"All the countries in the world should also actively participate in global cooperation on origin-tracing with an open-minded attitude and jointly study the source of the coronavirus in order to provide support to the global fight against the pandemic," she wrote.
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Travel bans are to be introduced for visitors from the Philippines, Pakistan, Kenya and Bangladesh, the British Department of Transport (DfT) said Friday.

The four countries have been added to England's so-called "red list" amid concerns about new COVID-19 variants, such as those first identified in South Africa and Brazil.

From 4:00 a.m. (0300 GMT) on April 9, international visitors who have departed from or transited through the Philippines, Pakistan, Kenya and Bangladesh in the previous 10 days will be refused entry into England.

The DfT said only British and Irish citizens, or those with residence rights in Britain, including long-term visa holders, will be allowed to enter and they must stay in a government-approved quarantine facility for 10 days.

No direct flight bans from the countries will be put in place but passengers are being advised to check their travel plans before departing for England.

During their stay, passengers will be required to take a coronavirus test on or before day two and on or after day eight, and they will not be allowed to shorten their quarantine period on receipt of a negative test result.

They will also not be able to end their managed quarantine early through the Test to Release scheme.

The latest restrictions take the total number of countries on England's "red list" to 39.

Countries will be graded either green, amber or red, according to how well they are coping with the pandemic, it has been reported, according to the Evening Standard newspaper.

Scientific experts have repeatedly said summer staycations should be encouraged over foreign holidays this year.

Earlier this month, Mauritius and Portugal were removed from the "red list" while Oman, Ethiopia, Qatar and Somalia were added.

"The government has made it consistently clear it will take decisive action if necessary to contain the virus and has added these destinations to the red list to protect public health," said the DfT in a statement.

"The government continues to work with the hospitality sector to ensure it is ready to meet any increased demand," the statement said.

British nationals currently in the countries on the "red list" should make use of the commercial options available if they wish to return to England. Commercial routes that will enable British and Irish nationals and residents to return to England continue to operate, said the DfT.

Overseas holidays are currently banned due to Britain's coronavirus lockdown measures, but British Prime Minister Boris Johnson plans to make an announcement on Easter Monday about lifting restrictions in England.

It comes as foreign getaway destinations are expected to be ranked under a traffic light system, with fewer restrictions for countries with low rates of infections and high vaccination take-up.

To bring life back to normal, countries such as Britain, China, Russia, the United States as well as the European Union have been racing against time to roll out coronavirus vaccines.
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A foreign ministry spokesperson on Thursday urged relevant countries to uphold the rule of law, respect China's judicial sovereignty, and cease making irresponsible remarks.

Spokesperson Hua Chunying's remarks came after Canada launched accusations against China's verdicts in the cases of two Canadian nationals. Michael Spavor was handed an 11-year jail sentence for espionage, and Robert Lloyd Schellenberg was handed a death sentence for drug smuggling. The European Union and Britain have voiced their support for Canada.

Canada is ganging up with a handful of countries to confuse right and wrong, with no regard for facts. They are pointing fingers at relevant courts' lawful handling of cases involving Canadian citizens in China, which has gravely interfered in China's judicial sovereignty and severely violated the spirit of the rule of law. China strongly condemns this, Hua said.

Schellenberg was involved in organized international drug trafficking and the smuggling of over 222 kilograms of methamphetamine. The amount of drugs involved in this case is particularly large, Hua said.

Michael Spavor was prosecuted on suspicion of committing crimes undermining China's national security, and his case was heard in March this year in accordance with the law.

Relevant Chinese courts have pronounced their judgments in public in accordance with the law on the basis of the trial and investigation of the crimes. All legal rights of the two individuals have been fully guaranteed, Hua said.

No foreign identity can act as a "talisman," she said, adding that China is a country under the rule of law, and judicial authorities treat all criminals as equals and handle all cases in strict accordance with the law, regardless of nationality.

On one hand, Canada claims to be a champion of the rule of law and judicial independence, but on the other hand, it openly interferes in the independent handling of cases by China's judicial authorities in accordance with the law, she said.

Canada brazenly tramples on the principle that everyone should be equal before the law, fully exposing its hypocrisy of double standards and its true intention of politicizing legal issues, Hua said.

"Attempts to conduct 'megaphone diplomacy' and gang up on China have failed in the past, and will never have their way in the future," she said.
'Eleven Commandments--Not Just Ten,' Says Author of New Book 'The Eleventh Commandment'

NEWS PROVIDED BY

Manchild Publishing

Aug. 12, 2021

NORWOOD, Mo., Aug. 12, 2021 /Christian Newswire/ -- Midwest author Kenneth Wayne Hancock said that Christ added one more Commandment that has been hiding in plain sight for centuries. "A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another as I have loved you," (John 13:34).

"How do we do that? Love like He loved? It seems impossible. We've been taught that nobody can be like Christ and love like He did. Yet now He commands us to do just that. It is a frustrating enigma. This book answers these questions," Hancock said. "To help us, He has given us a series of smaller, more doable commands."

Hancock said that one of them is Forgive. "When we forgive, divine love flows through us. Forgiving is a facet of Christ's love. This book explains how to obey a dozen of these commands, which when done, helps us to love like He loved," said Hancock.

Hancock is launching his latest book, "The Eleventh Commandment." To celebrate its release, free promotional copies (with free shipping) are available to the public. To receive your copy, send your name and mailing address to wayneman5@hotmail.com.

After serving in Vietnam, Hancock worked as a missionary for 14 years in Mexico, Ecuador and Turkey. There he explored Mount Ararat in search of Noah's Ark. He then taught 30 years at both the college and secondary levels. He is the founder of the non-profit Manchild Publishing. He is the author of "The Royal Destiny of God's Elect" and "The Unveiling of the Sons of God" among others.

SOURCE Manchild Publishing

CONTACT: Kenneth Wayne Hancock, 417-693-1714, wayneman5@hotmail.com

Website:

Related Links

https://www.immortalityroad.wordpress.com
The global silicon carbide ceramics market was valued at USD 4,860.0 million in 2016 and is predicted to grow at flourishing CAGR of 6.45% to reach USD 7,474.1 million by the end of 2023. Silicon carbide ceramics exhibit excellent properties such as low thermal expansion, high hardness, elastic modulus, thermal shock resistance, and high thermal conductivity. They altogether have availed its consumption in several industrial uses. The application of Sic ceramics covered electronics & electrical, automotive, machine manufacturing, metal mining, aerospace & defense, metallurgic, industrial and others. Ballistic, energy, sporting goods, and jewelry are considered as the niche markets, wherein demand is gradually increasing year by year. Nevertheless, the growth in this market is anticipated due to the massive steel production noted in the Asia Pacific.

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Segment Analysis

The global silicon carbide ceramics market is segmented into type, application, and region. Based on the type, the market is segmented into pressure sintered; reaction bonded and recrystallized silicon carbide. Pressure sintered silicon carbide ceramics accounted for the largest market share of 55.23% in 2016. The ability of pressure sintered silicon carbides to work in extreme conditions and at high temperatures led to their adoption in wide industrial applications. Thus, the segment has registered most promising growth among other types and growing at a CAGR of 7.75% as of 2016. Following pressure sintered, reaction bonded is the second largest segment expanding at a CAGR of 5.11%.

Furthermore, on the basis of the application, the global market is segmented into electronics & electrical, automotive, machine manufacturing, metal mining, aerospace & defense, metallurgic, industrial and others. Other application of silicon carbide ceramics includes jewelry, ballistic, energy, and sporting goods, which are probably the niche markets. Electronics & electrical industry dominated the global market, as Sic ceramics have suitable properties required to produce electrical goods and devices. This industry has acquired a 28% share of the Sic ceramics market, followed by automotive accounted for 22% share in 2016. Sic ceramics are used to produce durable automotive parts owing to hardness associated with them. Automotive production was on the rise, specifically in the Asia Pacific which is complementing the global demand, expanding at 8.98% CAGR. As per the industry experts, machine manufacturing would be the lucrative application segment in the coming years for silicon carbide ceramics. Rising number of country-level political alliances have proved fuel for the industrial growth, therefore, the machine manufacturing application segment anticipated to play an important role.

Regional Analysis

The global silicon carbide ceramics market is spanned across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. According to the MRFR analysis, Asia Pacific was the most promising region both in terms of consumption as well as market value as of 2016 and is accounted for 39% share of the global market followed by North America at 26%. The region is anticipated to grow both in terms of value and volume at a CAGR of 6.45% and 5.65% respectively during the forecast period. The growth of this region is highly attributed high automotive base in China and the largest electronics & electrical production in Japan.

The study was conducted using an objective combination of primary and secondary information including inputs from key participants in the industry. The report contains a comprehensive market and vendor landscape analysis of key vendors.

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This research report provides the insights, on various levels of analyzes such industry analysis, market share analysis leading market players and their profiles. This report also helps in studying the target segments by providing views on emerging & high-growth segments and market conclusion. Together the market data comprise and discuss with the basic assessments on the competitive scenarios & strategies, of the Global Silicon Carbide Ceramics, including the high-growth regions and their political, economic and technological environments. Furthermore, the project report also provides the views over the historical market values as well as, pricing and cost analysis of the same.
COVID-19 Vaccine Packaging And Delivery Devices Market Growth & Trends

The global COVID-19 vaccine packaging and delivery devices market size is anticipated to reach USD 3.6 billion by 2028, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 5.4% from 2022 to 2028. High demand for immunization for the ongoing pandemic and manufacturer's initiatives to expand their production capacities are the factors expected to boost the demand for packaging materials.

The hurtling vaccine inoculation rate and growing public trust in COVID-19 vaccines are anticipated to fuel the growth of the market. According to the global attitude towards the COVID-19 vaccine survey, the share of people going for immunization has increased significantly in 2021. The increasing public willingness to get vaccinated early is expected to drive the manufacturing and distribution process, propelling market growth over the forecast period.

The increasing funding and investments in R&D activities specific to the development of an innovative vaccine, packaging material, and delivery devices are anticipated to fuel the growth of the market during the forecast period. For instance, the federal government of the U.S. invested USD 143 million to develop plastic alternatives to conventional glass vials for the storage of biological liquids.

Scientists around the world are investigating the scope of needles free delivery that would eliminate the need for vials and syringes hindering the market growth in the extended run. For instance, scientists at the University of Texas developed a film-based peelable inexpensive COVID-19 vaccine delivery device. On the other side, Bharath Biotech develops an innovative nasal vaccine to battle COVID-19.

Request a free sample copy or view report summary: COVID-19 Vaccine Packaging And Delivery Devices Market Report

COVID-19 Vaccine Packaging And Delivery Devices Market Report Highlights

Based on the product, syringes held the largest proportion of the market share in 2021

Prefilled syringesare expected to grow at the fastest rate owing to their advantages such as usage simplicity, low cost, and ease of distribution

The plastic vials segment is anticipated to register a lucrative CAGR during the forecast period

The glass vials segment accounted for a major proportion of the market share in 2021

The empty syringes segment is expected to grow at a healthy rate due to the speeding COVID-19 vaccination rates globally

North America holds the largest share in this market. The U.S. is one of the major suppliers globally

In Asia Pacific, the market is expected to grow at the fastest rate over the forecast period due to building people trust in the approved vaccines and the public readiness to get vaccinated

Access Press Release@ https://www.grandviewresearch.com/press-release/global-covid-19-vaccine-packaging-delivery-device-market

COVID-19 Vaccine Packaging And Delivery Devices Market Segmentation

Grand View Research has segmented the global COVID-19 vaccine packaging and delivery devices market on the basis of product and region:

COVID-19 Vaccine Packaging & Delivery Device Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2020 - 2028)

Vials Glass Plastic

Syringes Empty Prefilled



COVID-19 Vaccine Packaging & Delivery Device Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2020 - 2028)

North America US. Canada

Europe UK. Germany France Italy Spain

Asia Pacific China Japan India Thailand South Korea Australia

Latin America Brazil Mexico Argentina

Middle East & Africa South Africa Saudi Arabia UAE



List of Key Players of COVID-19 Vaccine Packaging And Delivery Devices Market

BD

Braun Melsungen AG

Hindustan Syringes & Medical Devices Ltd.

Terumo

NIPRO Medical Corporation

SCHOTT AG

Gerresheimer AG

Cardinal Health

About Grand View Research

Grand View Research, Inc. is a U.S. based market research and consulting company, registered in the State of California and headquartered in San Francisco. The company provides syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. To help clients make informed business decisions, we offer market intelligence studies ensuring relevant and fact-based research across a range of industries, from technology to chemicals, materials and healthcare.
Bone marrow aspiration and trephine biopsy are usually performed on the back of the hipbone, or posterior iliac crest. An aspirate can also be obtained from the sternum (breastbone). For the sternal aspirate, the patient lies on their back, with a pillow under the shoulder to raise the chest. A trephine biopsy should never be performed on the sternum, due to the risk of injury to blood vessels, lungs or the heart.

The need to selectively isolate and concentrate selective cells, such as mononuclear cells, allogeneic cancer cells, T cells and others, is driving the market. Over 30,000 bone marrow transplants occur every year. The explosive growth of stem cells therapies represents the largest growth opportunity for bone marrow processing systems.

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Europe and North America spearheaded the market as of 2018, by contributing over 74.0% to the overall revenue. Majority of stem cell transplants are conducted in Europe, and it is one of the major factors contributing to the lucrative share in the cell harvesting system market.

In 2018, North America dominated the research landscape as more than 54.0% of stem cell clinical trials were conducted in this region. The region also accounts for the second largest number of stem cell transplantation, which is further driving the demand for harvesting in the region.

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Asia Pacific is anticipated to witness lucrative growth over the forecast period, owing to rising incidence of chronic diseases and increasing demand for stem cell transplantation along with stem cell-based therapy. Japan and China are the biggest markets for harvesting systems in Asia Pacific. Emerging countries such as Mexico, South Korea, and South Africa are also expected to report lucrative growth over the forecast period. Growing investment by government bodies on stem cell-based research and increase in aging population can be attributed to the increasing demand for these therapies in these countries.

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Major players operating in the global bone marrow processing systems market are ThermoGenesis (Cesca Therapeutics inc.), RegenMed Systems Inc., MK Alliance Inc., Fresenius Kabi AG, Harvest Technologies (Terumo BCT), Arthrex, Inc. and others.
Kadapa: Thousands of people from Andhra Pradesh, who returned from Kuwait because of corona, are now unable to return and they are facing problems of unemployment.

The Kuwaiti government has not yet relaxed restrictions on the entry of Indians. About 30 lakh workers from the two Telugu states were employed in Gulf countries. They were employed as masons, maids, drivers and other professions. About 14,000 people from Kadapa district were working in those countries and more than half of them returned to the state last year. They are unable to stay in employment or residential colonies. They have been staying at home for the past year and in the absence of employment, they are subject to a lot of difficulties here. Even though corona has declined somewhat, the countries still do not allow returning Indians. Some countries said that they will allow conditional entry for those who have completed two doses of vaccination, although guidelines to that extent have yet been issued.

Mudam Nagabhushanam of Rajampet, who runs Alshifa Ahilya home medical care centre with 30 workers in Kuwait, came here last November to attend a marriage. Since then he has been stranded here. The centre is being looked after by 23 workers. "We look forward to allowing those who have completed two doses of vaccination to enter Kuwait. Permits will begin in the third week of this month and continue till the first week of September," he hoped.

Parveen Bibi from Kadapa, who works as a maid in a house in Kuwait, said, "I lost my job during corona. All house-owners discarded the services of maids. If I go back now, there are no flights to that country."

Divakar Oleti, who has an electronic gadgets shop in Kuwait, told Deccan Chronicle that his family members have been stranded in India, for over na year now. He said he hoped the Kuwaiti government would soon ease corona sanctions and allow Indians.

Venkat Koduri, convener, United Telugu Forum in Kuwait speaking to Deccan Chronicle said that they are in regular touch with Indian embassy officials and all the information regarding travel restrictions are passed on to our friends and relatives in India.
Union home minister Amit Shah and his wife Sonal Shah at the Srisailam Brhamaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy temple on Thursday. (Photo:Twitter@AmitShah)

KURNOOL: Union home minister Amit Shah and his wife Sonal Shah were accorded a grand welcome with full temple honours  Purna Kumbha Swagath  at the Srisailam Brhamaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy temple on Thursday.

The Shah couple arrived by a special helicopter from Hyderabad, landed near Sunnipenta and drove by car to the abode of Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy atop Srigiri hills.

The Union home minister appeared relaxed and was at ease during his visit to the temple town. He held chats with the temple authorities and said this was his first visit to Srisailam.

I have been getting attracted to Srisailam for quite some time and now got the opportunity to come and take Lord Shiva's blessings," Shah told them.

The couple was alone when they offered Abhisekham and Kumkumarchana at Mallikarjuna Swamy temple. The two were given Sparsha Darshan at the sanctum sanctorum.

Later they went to the adjoining temple of Goddess Brhamaramba and offered Kumkuma Archana there. The couple was given a souvenir, shesa vastrams and prasadams befitting the temple traditions.

During the time Shah spent in the temple complex, he reminisced the Somnath temple and savoured the grandeur of the Srisailam temple. Underlining the importance to protect and develop temples of national importance, Shah told the temple authorities that special funds would be provided for this purpose by the central government.

The home minister planted Arjuna saplings in the southern Mada Veedhi. He had a glimpse of the copper plates that had been unearthed recently at Srisailam during the renovation of the Ghanta Matham. After completing temple pujas, the Shah couple left for the Chatrapathi Shivaji Maharaja Spurthi Kendra and spent some time there.

The Shah visit came soon after the Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die a day ago. State BJP leaders were not present during his visit but Kurnool district leaders and former ministers Adinarayana Reddy and Ravela Kishore were seen around the HM.

Shah spoke to Kurnool party leaders and told them, "We shall one day gain power in AP too if you work well. BJP district president Hareesh said Shah asked the district party leaders to work closely with booth-level leaders and ensure that BJPs message reached every nook and corner.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi along with other opposition parties' leaders talks to the media at a protest march against the curtailment of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, in New Delhi, Thursday, Aug 12, 2021. (PTI/Kamal Kishore)

New Delhi: Opposition leaders on Thursday took out a protest march against the government on several issues, including Pegasus and alleged manhandling of their MPs in Rajya Sabha. Speaking with reporters at Vijay Chowk, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that the voice of people was "crushed" in the House, and added that the voice of 60 per cent of Indians was silenced as the Opposition was not allowed to speak and termed it as a murder of democracy.

As far as 60 per cent of the country is concerned, there has been no Parliament session. The voice of 60 per cent of this country has been crushed, humiliated and yesterday in the Rajya Sabha, physically beaten. This is murder of democracy. He also added that this is the first time that MPs were beaten up in the House and outsiders were dressed as marshals. We wanted the government to debate Pegasus but the government refused. So we are raising all the issues outside, he added.

Top leaders of several Opposition parties met in the chamber of Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and then walked in protest from Parliament House to Vijay Chowk. Those who attended the meeting included Rahul Gandhi, Sharad Pawar, Sanjay Raut and Manoj Jha.

The protest comes a day after the passage of bills in Rajya Sabha amid charges of manhandling of Opposition leaders.

The protesting MPs carried placards and banners against the government that read, "Stop murder of democracy" and "We demand repeal of anti-farmers laws". Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena MP in Rajya Sabha, said that the Opposition didn't get a chance to present their views in Parliament. "Yesterday's incident against women MPs was against democracy. It felt like we were standing at the Pakistan border," he said.

The Opposition leaders met Rajya Sabha chairman M Venkaiah Naidu to apprise him of the happenings in the house on Wednesday. Mr Sharad Pawar was also part of the Opposition delegation.

A delegation of Opposition parties met Honorable Vice President Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu today to raise concerns over yesterday's ruckus in the Rajya Sabha. The delegation unanimously condemned the Union government's undemocratic behaviour during this meeting, he tweeted.

The joint statement issued by the Opposition said, Without any provocation... outsiders, who were not part of Parliament security, were brought in to manhandle Opposition leaders and members, including women MPs who were only protesting the government's conduct, highhandedness and muzzling of their voice." The statement slammed the government for its "authoritarian attitude and undemocratic actions", and accused it of "deliberately derailing" the monsoon session despite the Opposition having "unanimously conveyed (the need) to discuss important national issues".

On Wednesday there were unruly scenes in the Rajya Sabha, as the government passed an amendment relating to insurance bill. Several women MPs alleged they were physically bullied by male marshals as they were protesting in the Well of the House.
August 9, 2021 Open letter Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal, Binnenhof 1a, P.O.Box 20018, 2500 EA Den Haag; griffieib@tweedekamer.nl Eerste Kamer der Staten-Generaal, Binnenhof 22, P.O. Box 20017, 2500 EA Den Haag; griffier@eerstekamer.nl We, the undersigned members of Rwandan political and civil society organisations in exile acknowledge with profound gratitude that the Dutch Government welcomed Rwandan refugees and asylum seekers. However, we are shocked and scandalised that a government with a good reputation of promoting human rights and rule of law would deliver Rwandan political refugees to a state that has proved to be a killing machine (Oomen, 2005: 907).1 As Prof Reyntjens, one of the leading experts on the Great Lakes points out, the complacent attitude of the  international community has incrementally, step by step, contributed to a situation that may well be irreversible and that contains seeds for massive new violence in the medium or long run 2. Sadly, it is quite clear that the Dutch government is not only showing a complacent attitude but is fully involved in abetting and aiding Rwanda in what Freedom House calls transnational repression and Human Rights Watch consider repression across borders. In so doing the Dutch government is taking an enormous risk and assuming a grave responsibility for assisting in creating the very conditions that led to war and genocide in Rwanda. In November 2016, the Dutch government handed over to the Rwandan government, two people Mugimba and Iyamuremye suspected of having committing genocide. They were held in jail, first in The Netherlands since 2012, then in Rwanda since November 2016, until March 2021 they were not tried yet. In Jean Baptiste Mugimba case, it became clear last year that witnesses had lied. During one of the hearings, a witness from the prosecution who was expected to testify against him, did the opposite, clearing him of all blame.3 In spring 2021 it became known that the judges asked for a reopening of his trial in May 2021, because they wanted to hear more witnesses. Highly unusual as the prosecutor and the defence lawyers had all held their final speech. Another alleged suspect, Mr Venant Rutunga was deported on July 26, 2021. We have just learnt that another refugee Jean Baptiste Nyabusore is awaiting delivery to the Rwandan repressive regime. While we do not contest the arrest and trial of all those who are suspected to have been involved in acts of genocide, however it is an open secret that the current regime cynically accuses its critics or influential people who do not openly support the government of committing genocide, harbouring genocide ideology, denying genocide, minimising genocide, revisionism etc. Even tutsi survivors of genocide who criticise the government e.g Aimable Karasira, Ms Idamange are accused of denying and minimising genocide. In this regard we recommend that the suspect be tried by independent courts in the countries of asylum especially because it is well known that Rwanda practices torture on detainees to obtain confessions or to punish those who resist conversion to RPF political cult.

It is widely documented, even by key allies, that the Rwandan regime is one of the most repressive regimes in Africa. In its human rights country report 2017 the US government accuses Rwanda of: arbitrary or unlawful killings; torture (violation of international law); harassment, arrest, and abuse of political opponents, human rights advocates, and individuals perceived to pose a threat to government control and social order; security forces disregard for the rule of law; and restrictions on civil liberties; restrictions on the registration and operation of opposition parties, hence denying citizens the ability to change their government through free and fair elections4. The situation of civil and political rights has deteriorated since then coming down from 24% in 2017 to 21% in 2020 according to Freedom House. A former minister of justice, judges and former judges, former prosecutors, and lawyers all recounted cases of interference with the judicial system that they had experienced or knew of in some detail. A former official well- acquainted with such practices said that judges in important cases were rarely bought off but were subject to pressure from the executive as well as from powerful persons outside the government. He said that judges "would know what to do." Or, if there was any doubt about the decision, they would receive a call to tell them "this is what is expected." 5 Mrs Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza was arrested in 2010 and in a political trial that ensued she was sentenced to fifteen years imprisonment. She went to African Court for Human and Peoples rights (AfCHPR). In November 2017, the court found that Rwanda had indeed violated Victoire Ingabire Umuhozas right to freedom of opinion and expression, as well as her right to an adequate defence. The Rwandan government was ordered to pay reparations but up until today the Rwandan regime ignores this ruling6. In 2019 the Rwandan government launched an operation called cleaning the west7 to target the Rwandan opposition in the West. According to the Freedom House report (2021): The government usually targets individuals who challenge it through criticism or active resistance, or who question its version of Rwandan history. Authorities take an extremely broad view of what constitutes dissent and seek to exert control over the totality of the diaspora, including through its embassies and official diaspora organizations. Even communicating with fellow Rwandans who have run afoul of the government poses a risk8. Speaking about the opposition outside Rwanda to young genocide-survivors in November 2019, General James Kabarebe, the Rwandan former minister of Defense and President Kagame Senior advisor on security matters, said: Do we allow them to reach a level where they become a threat, or should we keep them in a position where they are useless and dont pose a threat to us? 9

It is shocking and indeed scandalous that a democratic country reputed to champion human rights and member of the European Union readily delivers on a silver plate suspects to a government that has kidnapped a european citizen Paul Rusesabagina, a crime that has been condemned by the European Parliament.

We appeal to Dutch Parliament that represents the people to stop this scandalous behaviour of its government and restore the Dutch dignity as a civilise nation that respects human rights and international law that prohibits governments from sending someone to a country that is known to practice torture.

1 Andy Storey Structural Violence and the Struggle for State Power in Rwanda: Why Conflict Resolution and Other External Interventions Have Made Things Worse Paper for presentation at the PSAI Annual Conference, 8-10 October 2010, Dublin Institute of Technology

2 Prof. F. Reyntjens African Affairs, Vol. 103, No. 411, April 2004, pp. 208-9

3 https:/ /w w w.radiyoyacuvoa.com/a/4764022.html https:/ /w w w.topafricanews.com/2019/01/31/umutangabuhamya-wubushinjacyaha-yashinjuye-mugimba/

4 https://www.state.gov/documents/organization/252929.pdf

5 https:/ /w w w.hrw.org/report/2008/07/25/law-and-reality/progress-judicial-reform-rwanda

6 https:/ /w w w.victoire-ingabire.com/Eng/12th-april-2012-stop-intimidation-of-defense-witnesses-in-ingabires-trial/

Application 003/2014 judgment 24 November 2017

https://ijrcenter.org/2017/12/12/african-court-holds-rwanda-violated-victoire-ingabires-freedom-of-expression/ http://www.african-court.org/en/images/Cases/Judgment/003-2014- Ingabire%20Victoire%20Umuhoza%20V%20Rwanda%20-%20Judgement%2024%20November%202017.pdf https:// www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-8-2016-1065_EN.html https:/ /w w w.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2012/10/rwanda-ensure-appeal-after-unfair-ingabire-trial/

7 http://www.therwandan.com/operation-cleaning-the-west-kagame-new-operation-to-shut-down-the-opposition-based-in- the-west/

8 https://freedomhouse.org/report/transnational-repression/rwanda

9 https:/ /w w w.youtube.com/watch?v=SEYYboG8iRw

Signatories :
Indonesia's Komodo Dragon tourism project plan will be established even after UNESCO warned them of its effects. One of these hindrances is that it will endanger the local dragon population if they do not reassess it.

The island is home to the largest population of komodo dragons, the largest lizard in the world, hence the name.

The project, heavily called a "Jurassic Park" in social media, will go on as planned, said the country's tourism ministry last Thursday.

UNESCO raises concern over Komodo National Park project

Similarly, people were against the fictional park established. It is nearly the same on the Komodo island, and the only difference is the real 10-foot dragons living there. Bringing them into close interaction with humans may not be the wisest choice.

The statement came as UNESCO had raised concerns about the project's potentially negative environmental impact but pushed for a further environmental assessment.

Development is being built with the Komodo National Park, an acknowledged UNESCO World Heritage site that started last year. But it raised concern over the impact on the local reptile population, raised by locals and activists, reported the Independent UK.

Komodo island is named after the largest living lizards that grow more than 10-feet long and have sharp meat cleaving teeth. They like to hunt huge water buffalo as prey.

On the three Indonesian islands are 3,000 Komodos have lived in the area and evolved for a million years or more. Indonesia is planning several developments on the islands for the Komodo Dragon tourism project.

Read Also: Alleged Lizard Captured by Curiosity Rover, Theorist Claims Its a Sign of Life on Mars

People against the plan say the human impact on the Komodos will be immeasurable, as it will upend the balance in the local habitat.

Local people say they have gotten used to living with the cold-blooded predators and said there might be grave consequences for the project. It might affect the lizards once people take over their areas.

According to Rima Melani Bilaut of the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (WALHI), the government must develop tourism based on people's needs, especially those who live there, noted by Reuters.

However, the Indonesian government said the project would change how national parks are seen worldwide and is being carried out carefully.

Komodo Dragon Project will push through despite warnings

The Indonesian government responded by saying it will showcase how to run national parks all over the globe. Others are not so confident of the statement.

Despite warnings, the head of the Komodo National Park, Kita Awan Nistyantara, stated in news channel Al Jazeera that nothing will go wrong and noted that last year that "the construction is being done very carefully and that the contractors took not a single tree down.

A month ago, Unesco officials told the World Heritage Committee conference that a new environmental inquiry would be ordered. The focus will be illegal fishing and the sensitive home of the enormous reptiles.

Environment official Inung Wiratno, a senior officer, said that the 'controversial project would be going ahead, last Thursday because of no proven impact. The focus of the development is Rinca island which has the second most plentiful number of dragons from alleged accounts. When the new tourist hub is done, it will be a top draw for many visitors.

Last December, a worker had been attacked by a komodo dragon during his construction of a 4.8 million resort at Rinca. This had happened not long after the beginning of the establishment of the park. Like the dinos in Jurassic Park, the dragons drew first blood.

Related Article: Indonesian Markets Selling Live Animals or Meat of Slaughtered Bats, Canines, Rats Despite COVID-19 Risk

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A steel pole impaled an Indian man's brain after it fell 20-floors down and speared through his head, but he was still alive in an impossible accident to survive. Living through the horrific accident and even surviving a terrific head trauma is a one in million chance.

The 24-year-old, unnamed man whose head was impaled with a steel bar from one end to the other was brought to the hospital amazingly alive.He is one of the lucky ones.

Amazingly, an accident like this with a 20-foot pole ran through the skull, and dropping 20-floors down, should have been impossible to survive. But, he was still alive when he was rushed to the hospital despite the horrific trauma suffered to the brain.

Doctors say victim has a high chance of survival

Fellow workers warned the 24-year-old Indian that a metal rod was hurtling toward him by shouting at him to get away, in a worksite located in Ghaziabad, New Delhi, reported the Daily Mail. Instead of moving, he looked up until it was too late to avoid getting impaled as the rod pierce the front of the head to the back.

Medical experts at the Flores Hospital did a four-hour surgery to take out the remaining rod lodged in the head. They said he has a high chance to live after the accident even if the rod damaged his brain, causing paralysis of the left side of his body.

Other construction workers had to cut short the 20-foot rod before rushing the man to the hospital. X-rays portray a gruesome picture of the accident.

Senior neurosurgeon Dr. Abhinav Gupta, who did the emergency surgery, took large sections of the skull out to lessen the damage to the brain. The man was still alive after the rod was removed from the brain, long enough to be treated.

Read Also: Hippopotamus Assault Leaves Man Covered in Blood After Biting Its Arms, Shoulder and Torso

During the operation, Gupta took parts of the 24-year old's shattered skull and placed them underneath the abdomen's sub-cutaneous pouch. This process keeps the skull fragments usable to be attached back and keeps swelling of the brain under control which eases blood flow going to the brain.

According to the doctor, the construction worker will need more surgery in two months to put the skull parts back in place.

He told the Times of India that the results are favourable for the patient. However, he will be paralyzed on the left side of the body caused by the rod destroying the right side of the brain.

After the accident on July 31, the medical expert claimed he had a 90% chance to live after the drastic surgery. The patient can breathe on his own now, and he can open his eyes, but they still have to observe if comprehension is possible.

Dr. Gupta remarked there would be more time for healing after the accident, with therapy and rehab done in the future.

Another survives being fatally impaled

Another accident that took the headlines was an Idaho Man impaled with a 40-pound spear in his abdomen.

Justin Firth was working on a fence, and a hay bale spear dropped from the loader, then the attachment fell. It pierced from his back to the front, going through his abdomen, but he lived by a miracle.

East Idaho News noted that he fell down and was hit by the rod, finally realizing he had been impaled by it. Rescuers had to cut the metal rod attached to a machine to free the man.

While stuck on the rod, Firth was afraid and confused by his predicament, knowing he was impaled but alive! Medical experts had to be careful and slow in removing the rod from the victim, one error would be deadly, but he somehow survived the ordeal.

Both experiences were fatal and posed a slim chance of survival, but sometimes miracles happen for the victims to survived being fatally impaled.

Related Article: Teen Boy Lost Sight at 5 via Brain Tumor, Very Positive and Has Good Vibes

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As the resurgent militants made further gains throughout Afghanistan, a U.S. military source quoted US intelligence as predicting that Taliban fighters might isolate Afghanistan's capital in 30 days and potentially take it over in 90.

Taliban Gains Control of Vast Parts of Afghanistan

Since beginning a series of offenses in May to coincide with the commencement of the final departure of US-led foreign troops after a 20-year presence, the Taliban has already seized large swaths of rural Afghanistan, as reported in a recently published article in ALJAZEERA.

According to a top EU source, Islamists currently control 65 percent of Afghanistan and have seized or threatened to take 11 provincial capitals. Faizabad, in the northeastern province of Badakhshan, became the Taliban's 9th provincial capital on Wednesday.

The revised estimate of how long Kabul can hold out came as a consequence of the Taliban's fast advances as US-led foreign troops depart, according to the official, who spoke to a news outlet on condition of anonymity on Wednesday. The source went on to say that by putting up greater resistance, Afghan security forces might turn the tide, according to a published article in Reuters.

Read Also: US Military Aircraft Hits Afghanistan Ground as Taliban Makes Rapid Advances

Capitals of Provinces Fall Under the Control of Taliban

Even though it lost a significant base in Kunduz, the loss of the capitals of Badakhshan, Baghlan, and Farah provinces increased pressure on the country's central authority to halt the advance. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani hurried to Balkh province, which is already encircled by Taliban-held territory, to enlist the assistance of warlords; many of whom have been accused of massacres and corruption. His army chief of staff was also removed.

While the Afghan capital of Kabul has not been directly threatened by the onslaught, the astonishing pace of the assault raises concerns about how long the Afghan government will be able to retain control of the remaining slivers of the nation. The government may be compelled to retreat to protect the capital and a few other cities, according to a published article in the Associated Press.

Moreover, the Taliban offenses' success raises doubts about whether they will ever return to Qatar for long-stalled peace negotiations aimed at bringing Afghanistan closer to an inclusive interim government as the West anticipated. Instead, the Taliban might seize control by force, or the nation could fracture into factions like it did when the Soviets left in 1989.

Death Rates Spike up in the Past Months

The government and its supporters have been taken aback by the Taliban's rapid progress. The organization, which ruled much of Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001 until being deposed for harboring al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden after the September 11 attacks, seeks to depose the US-backed government and restore strict Islamic law.

In a recently published article in BBC News, more than 1,000 civilians have been murdered in the last month, according to the United Nations while the International Committee of the Red Cross reports that 4,042 injured individuals have been treated at 15 health institutions since August 1.

However, the Taliban denied that civilians were being targeted or killed; and they demanded an impartial inquiry. According to spokesman Suhail Shaheen, the organization has not targeted any people or their houses in any area and that the operations have been carried out with great accuracy and care.

Related Article: Taliban Fighters Claim Capture of Two Other Provincial Capitals, Conduct Assassination Campaign of Government Officials in Kabul



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German authorities are investigating a resident nurse who is accused of replacing coronavirus vaccines with a saline solution which were used to inject up to 8,600 people scheduled to receive the treatment.

Peter Beer, a police investigator, said that based on witness testimony, there was a "reasonable suspicion" that the medical professional replaced the COVID-19 vaccines with a placebo. Sven Ambrosy, a local councilor, said he was appalled by the nurse's alleged act of misconduct, noting it had potentially occured in March and April in Friesland located in northern Germany.

Using False COVID-19 Vaccines

Authorities said that suspect was a Red Cross nurse and that the motive for the false shots was still unknown. However, they noted that there have been previous cases of the individual sharing anti-vax views on social media platforms.

While officials said that saline injections posed no direct threat to the lives of the affected individuals, they may have disproportionately involved elderly people. These people are at greater risk due to being more likely to transmit the coronavirus vaccine, Fox News reported.

German authorities are now urging thousands of residents to get a second shot in order to prevent casualties from the false infections. In a Tuesday post on Facebook, Ambrosy said that the district of Friesland would do everything in its power to ensure the safety of the affected people and that they get the protection they need as soon as possible.

Read Also: Marburg Virus Threatens to Spread from Guinea, WHO Warns the Ebola-Like Virus Could Be Contagious

The nurse confessed to replacing at least six COVID-19 vaccines with the saline solution, and authorities believe she may have done the same to other patients throughout the pandemic. The suspect reportedly worked in a small German inoculation center for seven weeks, where she inoculated thousands of patients.

During a Tuesday news conference, Heiger Scholz, the leader of the Lower Saxony coronavirus task force, said the nurses' act was "diabolical." Police authorities also revealed that the suspect shared posts online where she criticized the government for its pandemic response programs, the New York Times reported.

Responsibility of Preparation

Officials did not reveal whether or not they would be charging the nurse with any crimes related to her act. One lawyer who is representing the nurse said during an interview that the suspect had only switched one vial of COVID-19 vaccine with saline.

As authorities were unsure which vials were changed with saline during the April inoculations, they invited 117 people for antibody tests. Officials also offered additional vaccine shots to 80 more people who previously went to the vaccination center for second doses.

Lower Saxony health authorities said the suspect was able to exchange the vaccines for saline because she had the responsibility of preparing vaccines and syringes during work hours. In a Thursday statement, Matthias Pulz, president of the Lower Saxony State Health Office, said it was crucial that the region provide those who could have received false vaccine shots another opportunity to get protection from the coronavirus. He said that this was the only sure way to keep the people's safety amid the pandemic, CNN reported.

Related Article: Melioidosis Kills One in Georgia; US Health Officials Investigate Rare Fatal Tropical Disease Found in 4 States

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University of Queensland paleontologists have found remains of dragon-like flying reptiles. It's been dubbed the "closest thing to a dragon" that can be found on the planet.

A team from the University of Queensland examined a jaw fossil discovered in Queensland's northeastern region over ten years ago. What they discovered was the skull of a pterosaur, Australia's biggest flying reptile at the time. On Monday, the research was published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.

How big is the real-life dragon fossil?

The dinosaur had a 3-foot-long skull and about 40 sharp teeth, excellent for catching fish and small dinosaurs to eat, as well as a wingspan as big as a school bus. The species is said to have inhabited the region in an area that was previously covered by the ancient Eromanga Sea, USA Today reported.

The fossil was then analyzed by PhD candidate Tim Richards; he found that the creature's fossils are unusual because pterosaur bones were thin, hollow, and brittle. It is the third pterosaur species to be discovered in Australia. The name Thapunngaka shawi is made up of syllables from the Wanamara Nation's now-extinct language, which is one of the country's Indigenous First Peoples communities. According to Steve Salisbury, the study's co-author, the phrases "thapun" and "ngaka" are Wanamara words for "spear" and "mouth."

Per Daily Mail, the new species was a member of the anhanguerians, a genus of pterosaurs that lived on every continent during the Age of Dinosaurs. Pterosaurs possessed thin-walled, hollow bones that were well fitted to powered flight. Their fossils are uncommon and poorly preserved due to their adaptations.

Only the third species of anhanguerian pterosaur has been discovered in Australia, and all three are found in western Queensland. The huge size of the bony crest on the lower jaw of this new species of anhanguerian was particularly impressive, according to Dr. Steve Salisbury, co-author of the study and Richard's PhD supervisor.

It would have had a similar crest on its upper jaw, but it isn't present in the fossil record utilized to examine this species, according to Dr. Salisbury. Len Shaw, a local fossicker who has been scratching around in the region for decades, discovered the fossil in a quarry just northwest of Richmond in June 2011.

Read Also: Melioidosis Kills One in Georgia; US Health Officials Investigate Rare Fatal Tropical Disease Found in 4 States

What is the name of the newly discovered species?

The new species' name is a tribute to the First Nations peoples of the Richmond region, where the fossil was discovered. The name is made up of terms from the Wanamara Nation's extinct language. The Thapunngaka shawi fossil is on exhibit at Richmond's Kronosaurus Korner.

Shaw recognized the new species and notified the experts at Richmond so that the fossil could be safely recovered. A team of experts from the University of Queensland's Dinosaur Lab examined the complete bone structure. The findings of the research were then reported in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.

According to the report, the Thapunngaka shawi, a huge bird-like creature, flew across the sky over the now-extinct Eromanga Sea. It primarily ate fish and other marine creatures. "It's the closest thing we have to a real-life dragon," Tim remarked of the new species." Richard went on to describe the creature as "savage." He added that it would have thrown a long shadow over some trembling tiny dinosaur who wouldn't have seen it until it was too late.

The pterosaur was a successful group of reptiles with a wide range of species. Richard said that its adaptability and distinctiveness stemmed from the fact that it was the first backboned creature to achieve powered flight. These bird-like animals, on the other hand, have hollow bones to ensure a light bodyweight and smooth glide. Bones are extremely improbable to exist given these adaptations, as per Republic World.

Related Article: Archeologists Discover Ancient Pompeii Snack Bar That Served Food to Tourists 2,000 Years Ago



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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration considers approving COVID-19 vaccination booster injections for certain immunocompromised individuals.

Moderna and Pfizer's COVID-19 Vaccines Might Get EAU for Third Shot

In a recently published article in CBS News, on Thursday, the FDA plans to modify the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine emergency use authorization orders to enable the third dosage for some immunocompromised individuals who may not have received sufficient protection from only two doses.

FDA spokesperson told a news outlet that data from trials giving an extra dosage of the approved COVID-19 vaccinations to immunocompromised people are being carefully monitored by the FDA. Additionally, the U.S. FDA is examining possible solutions to this problem, together with the CDC, and will provide information in the near future.

The FDA must provide permission for the vaccinations to be used in new ways not previously permitted. The FDA has granted emergency use permission to all three COVID-19 vaccines now in use in the United States although complete approval for Pfizer's vaccine is still pending, according to CNN News.

Read Also: COVID-19 Booster Shots: Is This Necessary? When Will It Be Available?

Anthony Fauci Stressed the Importance of Third Shot

A small percentage of people in the United States, fewer than 3 percent, is thought to have weakened immune systems, requiring extra doses of other vaccinations to provide adequate protection against viruses, according to a published article in MSN News.

Meanwhile, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the president's chief medical adviser, said he thinks that certain immunocompromised individuals should receive a booster shot as soon as possible. When it comes to immune-impaired individuals, he says that those with cancer, those on chemotherapy for a variety of illnesses and those who have immunological depression of some kind generally never had a strong immune response.

According to a meeting schedule issued by the CDC on Monday, vaccine experts will meet on Friday to consider booster doses of COVID-19 vaccinations and extra doses for certain immunocompromised individuals.

Experts' Views on Booster Shots

Furthermore, a number of pharmaceutical firms and academic institutions, including the National Institutes of Health, are also doing studies on third dosages in immunocompromised individuals. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently admitted that some Americans have resorted to searching out extra dosages before federal officials approved it.

In a published article in WTOP News, a new study by Johns Hopkins researchers found out that immunocompromised individuals who have been vaccinated are 485 times more likely to end up in the hospital or die from COVID-19 than the general population.

According to the CDC, about 9 million Americans are immunocompromised, either as a result of illnesses or the medicines they take. For months, it has been recognized that COVID-19 vaccinations may not be effective in this population. The aim was that the overall vaccination rates would be so high that they would be protected by the "herd."

Needless to say, the Biden administration is likely to announce a COVID-19 vaccination booster plan for all Americans who have been vaccinated in September. Dr. Vivek Murthy, the U.S. Surgeon General, said Wednesday that the government is currently evaluating who needs boosters the most and when, and that details on the agency's measures to safeguard immunocompromised individuals from COVID-19 would be released "very soon."

Related Article: Pfizer Developing COVID-19 Booster Shot Against Delta Variant; Delta Variant Expected to Cause Surge in Cases in Fall



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The IRS is poised to send out another stimulus payment to many Americans. Those funds should hit bank accounts and mailboxes on Friday.

More Cash Expected to Be Received this Week

In a recently published article in BGR, with the receipt of the second stimulus payment from the IRS, more money from the federal government is expected to appear in millions of families' mailboxes and bank accounts as soon as Friday.

This will be the second of six checks that the IRS will give out before the end of the year. That is, there are six checks that are all basically linked together. This is part of the increased federal child tax credit made available by the $1.9 trillion stimulus bill approved by Congress in March.

If you are qualified for the next stimulus payment, which should be in bank accounts on Friday but may take a few days longer to arrive in the mail if you get a physical check, you should have received the first of these six payments last month, according to a published article in Komo News. On July 15, a sequence of payments began.

Read Also: $1,000 Retention Bonuses are Now Distributed to Employees; Will You Get One?

Unclaimed Cash You Can Get from the Government

State law generally requires a company or government agency to make an effort to contact the rightful owner of money or property it has. They must submit the unclaimed item to a state-run unclaimed property office if they are unable to identify the rightful owner within a certain length of time. The property may have been "escheated" in certain states, which means it has been handed to the state. These goods will be held at the state office until their owner reclaims them.

A forgotten checking or savings bank account, a dividend, stocks, bonds, a credit balance, a refund or cash settlement, a utility deposit, an uncashed cashier's check, a money order, insurance benefits, wages, or the contents of an abandoned safe deposit box, including jewelry or coins, could all be held by the government, according to a published article in CNET.

Moreover, unclaimed property is not kept hidden by the states. In reality, there is now $17 billion in unclaimed property in New York. California reported $10.2 billion in unclaimed assets on National Unclaimed Property Day earlier this year. You may receive additional money from unclaimed assets in approximately three months, which would be a pleasant surprise for savings or purchasing necessities.

How to Check Online Assets?

The National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators provides connections to official websites where you may search for unclaimed property by state, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the United States Virgin Islands.

The Missing Money website, which is approved by NAUPA, allows you to search across 39 states at once. However, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Kansas, Oregon, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Washington, and Wyoming are all absent from the search feature.

Another site, FindMyFunds, allows you to search throughout 25 states and the District of Columbia at once, with direct connections to official unclaimed property websites for states it does not cover.

If your search results reveal that a state has your money or property, you may file a claim to reclaim it. Each state handles claims uniquely. Some will let you file your claim online while others will need you to send supporting documents.

Related Article: $300 Weekly Unemployment Benefit: Judge Orders to Resume Federal Financial Aids



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A 19-month-old toddler was mauled to death by a family dog this week, and police officials said on Wednesday that the father of the victim would be charged with manslaughter in relation to the crime.

Officials revealed that the horrific incident occurred at about 10:45 p.m., on Tuesday inside an East 17th Street apartment in Flatbush. The father reportedly left the residence and left the toddler, who was only identified as Ryan, alone with his two brothers, 11-year-old Jayden and 9-year-old Tale.

Toddler Mauled to Death by a Dog

Chief Michael Kemper said they believe that the father left the children unattended with the family dog while he was out working. Kemper is the commanding officer of patrol borough Brooklyn South.

The New York Police Department coordinated with the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office in filing criminal charges against the suspect. Kemper noted that the parents of the children were separated, and the kids were left with their father, the New York Post reported.

When police received the report about the attack, responding officers discovered a bloody young boy on the floor. They said they found bite marks on his neck and shoulder after investigating the body.

The victim and another person were quickly transported to the Maimonides Hospital where the toddler was pronounced dead, the New York Fire Department said. While it was unclear who the other person was, the victim's brothers were reportedly unharmed.

Read Also: Pennsylvania Grandfather Burns Himself, His Son, and Grandchildren to Death in Their Apartment While Victims Sleep

The mother of the children, Susan Hyre, said that the kids' father, Vernon Foster, did not have full custody of their children and was supposed to stay with them at an apartment on Green Avenue. However, the suspect allegedly took the children to the apartment where the incident occurred. The residence belonged to the father's parents who were away at a wedding in Antigua when the tragic event happened, NBC New York reported.

Brutal Attack

Foster's mother called her son's ex-wife to tell her that Ryan had been bitten by their dog, which was identified as a rottweiler, inside their apartment. During a discussion with police inside an interrogation room, Hyre learned that her son died from his injuries. Hyre met with the Administration for Children's Services after her two other children were returned to her on Wednesday.

Authorities said the dog was contained inside a room in the apartment before officers arrived at the residence. The animal was placed under the care of Animal Care and Control, which has not revealed its plans for the creature.

In a similar incident earlier this month, a police dog trained to sniff out drugs attacked a five-year-old boy at a South Pasadena event. The occasion aimed to foster relationships between police and the community.

The victim, identified as Sebastian Forbes, was stitched after receiving injuries from the unprovoked attack. The dog reportedly bit the boy on the left side of his face, near his eye, and on his ear. The victim also received bruises on his neck and shoulder, Josh Forbes, the boy's father, said during an interview, Pasadena Star News reported.

Related Article: China, Russia Hold Large-Scale Joint Military Drills, Sparking Fears of WW3 as They Send Chilling Warning to the West

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The Solar System's most hazardous asteroid is more harmful than what NASA believed, but it is still a long shot to strike Earth.

Asteroid Bennu

In a recently published article in MSN News, according to fresh statistics released by the space agency, asteroid Bennu has a 1 in 1,750 probability of colliding with Earth between now and 2300. This is an increase from the prior estimate of one in 2,700.

Bennu is thought to be a relic from the beginning of the Solar System, according to NASA. The asteroid is tied with another asteroid (29075) 1950 DA for being the most dangerous object in the Solar System. NASA has been closely studying the tiny asteroid since 2018. Bennu is not a solid asteroid; it's a collection of things bound together by gravity that add up to a mass, which could be comparable to the size of the Empire State Building.

NASA has a better picture of Bennu's probable course over the next 300 years as a result of its observations. The closest approach to Earth is expected in 2135 while the most probable impact date is Sept. 24, 2182, according to a published article in NPR News.

Read Also: Asteroid Alert: NASA Detects Four Asteroid Passing Earth's Orbit With One Closer Than Others

Asteroid Bennu Will Not Destroy Life

Davide Farnocchia at the Center for Near Earth Object Studies at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California said that the probability of impact has increased a little bit but it has no significant changes. He claims that there is a 99.94 percent chance that Bennu will not collide with Earth.

If Bennu collides with Earth, it will not kill life as we know it, but it will leave a 10-mile-wide crater and a 1,000-mile-wide destruction zone. NASA, on the other hand, is not concerned or getting panic, according to a published article in National Geographic.

Furthermore, Bennu is a "rubble-pile asteroid" that is broader than the Empire State Building and is shaped like a spinning top. Bennu was found in 1999 and has been monitored by telescopes ever since; NASA believes Bennu and another asteroid known as 1950 DA are the two most dangerous asteroids in our solar system.

Astronomers Tracked the Asteroids

Since Bennu's discovery in September 1999, scientists have used ground-based telescopes to monitor the asteroid's orbit, including Puerto Rico's now-defunct Arecibo Observatory. Astronomers have been able to fairly estimate Bennu's projected position over the next century using this data.

Bennu is categorized as a "possibly dangerous asteroid," which means it is larger than 460 feet or 140 meters in diameter and could conceivably approach Earth at a distance of 4.65 million miles. According to a 2014 analysis, the asteroid has a 0.037 percent probability of hitting Earth between the years 2175 and 2199.

However, models have ran into problems beyond September 2135 till today. Bennu will travel between 75,000 to 330,000 miles of Earth in 2135, potentially bringing the asteroid closer to Earth than the moon, according to previous estimates. Bennu has almost little probability of colliding with Earth at that time; but depending on when and where Bennu makes its near approach, our planet's gravity may alter the asteroid's orbit sufficiently to place it on a collision path in the future.

Meanwhile, Bennu would have to travel through tiny areas of space to set up a future impact, according to computer models. The main issue is whether Bennu's actual path in 2135 will pass through any of these "keyholes," which vary in size from a few hundred feet to a few miles.

Related Article: Potentially Hazardous Asteroid Hitting Earth: Will It Erase Mankind Like the Dinosaurs?



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Facebook on Tuesday announced it has removed hundreds of accounts from its platform that it said was part of a Russian disinformation campaign about COVID-19 vaccines.

Investigators for Facebook said the disinformation accounts were traced to Fazze, a marketing firm operating from Russia. The tech company revealed that they found over 65 Facebook accounts and 243 Instagram accounts associated with the firm that was being used to spread misinformation about the vaccines.

Russian Disinformation Campaign

In November and December 2020, several accounts linked to the Fazze campaign claimed that the AstraZeneca vaccine was dangerous because it could turn people into chimpanzees. At the time, the Indian government was discussing the emergency use authorization of the AstraZeneca shot.

The account also posted the same misleading information on other sites, including Change.org, Medium and Reddit. The accounts, which paired the posts with misleading hashtags, also asked health and well-being influencers to join their campaign, according to CNET.

In May of this year, the Fazze campaign posted another round of misinformation campaigns. The posts claimed that the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer-BioNTech had a higher casualty rate than other shots.

The disinformation campaign largely targeted audiences in India, Latin America and the United States, according to a report published by Facebook.

In July, Fazze attempted to recruit influencers, including those on YouTube, to help them spread disinformation about the vaccines. Several French bloggers said they received emails from an alleged Fazze employee where they were offered pay in exchange for making videos that criticized vaccines made by Pfizer and BioNTech.

One blogger said he was offered around $2,500 for a single video, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.

Read Also: FDA Plans to Allow Third Dose of Some COVID-19 Vaccines for Immunocompromised Persons

"Data the influencers were asked to share had actually been cobbled together from different sources and taken out of context," news outlet BBC noted.

That effort triggered French counterintelligence authorities to launch an investigation into the potential involvement of the Russian government in the misinformation campaign.

Dmitry Peskov, Russian's spokesman, had previously denied claims of Russian vaccine disinformation.

Denying the Allegations

"Russia is not misinforming anyone, Russia proudly talks about its successes and Russia shares its successes regarding the first-ever registered vaccine in the world," he said, as reported by The Washington Post.

Several social media platforms have begun suspending or removing accounts that promote misinformation about COVID-19.

On Tuesday, Twitter suspended the account of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-GA, for seven days after she claimed that the vaccines were failing, noting that this was the reason why the U.S. Food and Drug Administration would not give the shots full approval.

That tweet earned Greene her fourth "strike"," which means she can be permanently barred from the platform should she violate the policy again. She earned her third strike last month after she argued that novel coronavirus only poses a danger to people who were obese or over the age of 65. She also argued that this means vaccines should not be required, according to The New York Times.

However, the Delta variant has been on the rise across the U.S., accounting for more than 90% of all new cases in the country.



Related Article: Toddler Mauled to Death by Family Dog; Father Charged with Manslaughter

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After a worker was infected with COVID-19, China partially shut down the world's third-busiest container port, threatening to severely disrupt global commerce.

Worker Tested Positive for COVID-19

In a recently published article in MSN News, the administration of the eastern Chinese city stated in a WeChat statement that a container terminal worker at the port had tested positive for coronavirus. As the holiday shopping season approaches, the already weak supply chains and global commerce are at risk of more harm.

According to a statement released by Ningbo City, all of the sick worker's close connections have been identified and are being held in isolation. When contacted on Thursday, a port spokesperson who did not want to be identified stated there was no fresh information about the recent COVID-19 report for the meantime.

The discovery of a port worker who tested positive for COVID-19 shows that virus-prevention measures in Ningbo City still have gaps, according to a statement posted on the local government's website on Thursday. The statement urged officials to implement quarantines, disinfection, and the closure of affected areas to stop the virus from spreading, according to a published report in The Straits Times.

Read Also: US Slams China for Not Cooperating in COVID-19 Origin Probe, Reminds Its Shortcomings in Early Days

Effect of Partial Closure of Port

The worry is that such interruptions would put a burden on international transportation and supply chains, which are already being strained by the pandemic's impact on manufacturers. A prolonged closure in Ningbo may be particularly harmful to the global economy since trade typically picks up at the end of the year as firms ship Christmas and holiday goods.

Josh Brazil, vice-president of marketing at project44 said "There may be far-reaching downstream consequences going into Black Friday and holiday shopping seasons. One of the few givens in 2021 is endemic delays and the fact that conditions can change almost overnight," according to Bloomberg.

Additionally, according to security expert GardaWorld, the shuttered terminal accounts for approximately 25 percent of container goods passing through the port, and the suspension may have a significant effect on cargo handling and shipping. There will be a delay in sailings, according to Hapag-Lloyd AG of Germany.

Moreover, containers destined for other terminals will most likely slow down. According to a statement from shipping and logistics company CMA CGM, the port will now only accept containers within two days of a ship's anticipated arrival time.

Yantian Port Shut Down on May

In a published article in South China Morning Post, according to a port employee who refused to be named because they are not authorized to talk to the media, all goods departing Yantian Port in China would need reservations. When asked whether boats coming at the port might be disrupted, the employee stated the port's COVID-19 testing procedure for imports and cargoes entering China had been tightened.

According to a notification posted on WeChat on Friday, Yantian Port in Shenzhen, China's export and industrial center, has temporarily halted accepting containers for shipment until Sunday. In May, the port's container yard was partially closed due to an epidemic of COVID-19 among port employees and the general public.

Related Article: Chinese COVID-19 Vaccine Fails to Suppress Coronavirus Outbreaks in Other Countries



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Accenture, a global consulting company, revealed on Wednesday that it had been the victim of a cyberattack, the latest in a series of companies attacked in recent months.

LockBit Cybercriminal Group Attacked Accenture

In a recently published article in The Hill, the business had been the victim of a ransomware assault by the LockBit cybercriminal gang, according to a news source; and the hackers would disclose encrypted Accenture data if the ransom was not paid by the end of the day Wednesday.

According to images of the website examined by CNN Business and Emsisoft, a cybersecurity firm, LockBit, stated that unless Accenture (ACN) pays the ransom, the company's encrypted data would be released on the dark web on Wednesday.

Stacey Jones, an Accenture spokesperson, said "Through our security controls and protocols, we identified irregular activity in one of our environments. We immediately contained the matter and isolated the affected servers. We fully restored our affected systems from back up. There was no impact on Accenture's operations, or on our clients' systems," according to CNN news.

The LockBit gang is identical to its RaaS brothers DarkSide and REvil, according to Cybereason's Tony Bradley in a Wednesday post. LockBit rents out its ransomware platform via an affiliate arrangement, receiving a share of any ransom payments.

Read Also: US Colonial Pipeline Ransomware Cyber Attack Feared to Cause Gas Shortage, Price Hikes

Previous Attacks of LockBit

According to an Emsisoft description of the LockBit ransomware gang, it first appeared in September 2019. LockBit, like many other ransomware groups, licenses its harmful software to third-party criminal associates in return for a share of the payment.

Interpol issued a warning the following year about an increase in assaults using the LockBit dangerous software. According to Emsisoft, the group's major victims include Merseyrail, a UK rail network, and the Press Trust of India, an Indian journalistic company.

Following a series of assaults against corporate and infrastructure targets, the U.S. government has declared ransomware to be a serious danger to national and economic security. Colonial Pipeline was forced to shut down its fuel distribution business earlier this year due to an assault by the organization DarkSide, resulting in national gasoline shortages, according to Threat Post.

Other Cyber Attacks in the U.S.

JBS Foods, one of the world's biggest meat suppliers, was targeted by the criminal group REvil. A second assault by the same gang, which targeted the IT software provider Kaseya, infected an estimated 1,500 small companies worldwide.

Former members of the REvil ransomware gang may have linked themselves with LockBit after REvil's abrupt departure after the Kaseya assault, according to Brett Callow, a security analyst at Emsisoft.

Meanwhile, the assault follows an uptick in ransomware and other cyberattacks on American businesses. In May, attacks on Colonial Pipeline, which supplies 45 percent of the East Coast's gasoline, and meat manufacturer JBS USA by two different Russian-linked ransomware gangs crippled key supply lines.

Ransomware assaults have become more common in hospitals, schools, and government institutions since hackers perceive these organizations as weak and more likely to pay.

Related Article: Meatpacking Giant JBS Believes Russia Behind Cyber Attack; Price Hike, Shortages in Beef Feared



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Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) chief Jeong Eun-bo, center, heads to FSS headquarters on Aug. 6 when he was appointed as the chief of the financial watchdog. Yonhap



By Anna J. Park



Jeong Eun-bo, new chief of the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS), aims to conduct a massive personnel reshuffle in an effort to shift the policy direction implemented under his predecessor.



Upon taking the top position at the FSS, Jeong asked all 14 executives of the FSS to submit their resignations, creating a stir among staff members, FSS sources said Thursday.



"The matter will be dealt with in the direction of the development of the financial industry and financial market, as well as the protection of financial customers," Jeong told reporters on his way to work on Thursday, acknowledging his order asking the executives to leave their current posts.



Jeong stressed that the core of financial supervision lies in supporting the industry, not regulating it, making clear that he will use his position to pursue a different approach from that of the previous chief, who instead put more importance on strong regulations.



Jeong also said that he would focus more on the FSS performing a preventive supervisory role, rather than issuing subsequent remedial follow-up sanctions. This focus is almost the opposite direction of the FSS's formal stance in which it imposed heavy sanctions on the heads of financial companies in response to a string of financial incidents, such as the Lime fund fiasco and the mis-selling of Optimus funds.



That's why Jeong asking the high-level staff members to resign is interpreted by observers as showing his strong willingness to reform the institution's previous course. Jeong is expected to continue sending a strong message about the FSS's new roles, as he implements the personnel reshuffle.



Some market insiders also believe that Jeong's stance reflects his aspiration to resolve long-standing conflicts with the Financial Services Commission (FSC), the country's top financial policy regulator, which holds authority over the FSS. The two key financial institutions are often at odds with each other over which has the authority to impose sanctions on financial companies.



Despite his call for all executives to submit their resignations, it is expected that only those whose official terms are almost over will actually be subject to the personnel reshuffle.



Market watchers say that if Jeong actually forces out all members, it could stir up more controversy and conflict within the FSS, rather than bringing in fresh changes, as the executive members' three-year terms are legally protected. Yoon Seok-hun, the previous FSS chief, also asked for the resignation of all key high-level members, but ended up reshuffling only those whose terms were almost over.



Now the market is closely watching the new FSS chief to see whether his focus on improving communication with financial companies, rather than imposing sanctions on them, will bring actual benefits to financial customers. Jeong's predecessor incurred criticism from financial companies for his strong sanctions, but some point out that the sanctions are what enabled the victims to receive compensation from the financial companies that mis-sold them problematic products.


By Andrew Hammond





Tensions are mounting between Iran and the West amid multiple maritime incidents in the most sensitive transportation choke point for global energy supplies.



On July 30, an oil tanker operated by an Israeli-owned company was attacked by a drone off Oman, killing a U.K. and Romanian national. The United States, United Kingdom and Israel have blamed Iran for the attack, a claim it strongly denies.



Add to this combustible mix what appears to be a Panama-flagged ship hijacked by armed men Aug. 3 in the Gulf of Oman. The vessel was seized off the coast of the United Arab Emirates as it neared the Straits of Hormuz through which one fifth of the world's oil, a quarter of liquefied natural gas and half a trillion dollars of trade pass.



Given the recent maritime mayhem in the region, further such incidents cannot be ruled out soon. To this end, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operation advised shipping in the Gulf of Oman to exercise extreme caution in the coming days.



The rise in tensions between Tehran and the West, as the clock runs down on nuclear deal negotiations in Vienna between the two sets of powers, is far from the first time in recent years that Iran has tested the resolve of Western allies.



In summer 2019, for instance, with a transition of prime ministerial power underway in London, Iran seized a U.K.-flagged tanker as it headed to Dubai from the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas. The raid came after authorities in Gibraltar seized an Iranian tanker carrying $130 million in crude oil on suspicion it was breaking EU sanctions by taking the oil to Syria.



With the global economy continuing to be lubricated by oil, despite a growing shift toward cleaner energies, the 2019 attack on the U.K.-flagged ship saw the Brent crude price spike straight after. To be sure, tankers guided by satellite can be redirected to replace ships in distress, but the oil and wider energy industry are nonetheless worried by the threat hanging over the busy Middle Eastern shipping lanes and the valuable commodity cargo that travels through it.



Even before the hijacking, Western powers were considering their response to July 30's drone attack. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that an "appropriate response" would follow, while Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett warned that we "know how to send a message to Iran in our own way."



What exactly these responses will look like is not yet clear, however, it is quite likely that talks are already underway in the West about how best to protect maritime traffic in the region in coming weeks. In 2019, then-outgoing U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May initially decided that the best step was to put together a European-maritime protection mission to support safe passage of crew and cargo in the Strait of Hormuz. Within this diplomatic-speak lay an important U.K. decision in favor of Europe's continued support for the Iran nuclear deal in the face of then-U.S. President Donald Trump's opposition.



Atlanticist supporters of then-incoming Prime Minister Boris Johnson pushed for U.S. involvement in the plans. Ultimately, Johnson included the United Kingdom in a U.S.-led naval operation to protect commercial shipping which included Saudi Arabia and Australia. However, most European governments declined to participate, fearful of critically undermining the 2015 nuclear accord with Tehran which was destabilized by U.S. withdrawal under Trump.



A key, growing challenge for Europe here, now that Trump has left office, is that Iran has indicated its own weakening commitment to the 2015 agreement too, despite some reported progress in Vienna talks. While Iran's new President Ebrahim Raisi has long voiced skepticism of the accord, even his predecessor Hassan Rouhani, who initially backed it, said Tehran would not reverse its decision to increase uranium enrichment beyond the limits set by the deal.



One of the other broader issues in play following the recent maritime mayhem is the growing alliance between Iran, China and Russia. These three powers have in recent years conducted unprecedented trilateral naval drills in key waterways, including the north Indian Ocean and Sea of Oman.



Russia and China, also signatories to the 2015 Iran deal and who favor its continuation, have previously pushed for the creation of a new collective security and cooperation organization in the Persian Gulf, including proposals for establishing demilitarized zones in the region, rejecting the permanent deployment of non-regional states. And this at the same time that the presence of Russian and Chinese naval vessels in Iranian ports has reportedly increased significantly from time to time.



Taken together, the recent maritime mayhem in the Middle East therefore has potentially much wider economic and geopolitical ramifications. While the full scope of Western responses to recent incidents is not yet clear, expect enhanced protection of these commercial waterways to be high on the agenda of diplomatic discussions in the days to come.





Andrew Hammond (andrewkorea@outlook.com) is an associate at LSE IDEAS at the London School of Economics.


People wait for the metro on their way to work at Sindorim Station, Seoul, Thursday, amid mounting concerns over the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Yonhap



Gov't reviewing additional antivirus measures in face of 4th wave of pandemic



By Jun Ji-hye



Medical experts are calling on the government to overhaul its social distancing scheme to impose tougher antivirus measures in preparation for a more serious shortage of hospital beds for COVID-19 patients, as the ongoing fourth wave of the pandemic has been worsening day by day.



The government has held in place the toughest level of its four-tier distancing system  Level 4  in the Seoul metropolitan area for about five weeks, with Level 3 in other parts of the nation, but so far there has been little effect in containing the spread of infections.



Experts said that the current distancing scheme, which was introduced on July 1 in order to give individuals greater autonomy compared to the previous system, has appeared to be insufficient in slowing down the pandemic, as the current wave has been led by the highly contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus, and the current scheme was designed before the spread of this variant.



They noted that the government should consider tougher rules, such as expanding the work-from-home policy and the types of facilities subject to reduced or suspended operation.



According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), Thursday, the country added 1,987 COVID-19 cases for Wednesday, including 1,947 local infections.



The latest figure was down 236 from 2,223 tallied on Tuesday, the largest since the outbreak of the pandemic here in January last year, with the country's daily caseload having stayed above 1,000 for about 40 days.



"The increase in infections was not a huge surprise," said Kim Woo-joo, an infectious disease specialist at Korea University Guro Hospital. "The government said that the Level 4 rules were tough measures, but these measures have mostly focused on restricting private gatherings and have imposed little restrictions on the use of facilities."



The previous distancing system that was imposed from December to January, when the nation was hit by the third wave infections, allowed cafes to serve only takeout and deliveries, and limited business hours to 9 p.m.



On the other hand, the current system allows cafes to offer dine-in service and expand their business hours to 10 p.m. even under the toughest Level 4 measures.





Medical workers guide a person at a temporary COVID-19 testing center in front of Seoul Station, Thursday. Yonhap




South Korea's top national security officials stressed Thursday that North Korea should refrain from taking actions to escalate tensions on the peninsula, according to Cheong Wa Dae.







They analyzed North Korea's move in connection with the upcoming joint military exercise with the United States and checked plans for response under various scenarios during a weekly meeting of the standing committee of the National Security Council (NSC).







Its members reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace and stability in Korea.







Senior North Korean officials have publicly warned of a "serious" security crisis, criticizing the allies' plan to kick off annual drills next week as scheduled.







In apparent protest, Pyongyang has been unresponsive to Seoul's daily hotline calls that were restored last month.







In the NSC session, presided over by Suh Hoon, director of national security at the presidential office, attendees "closely analyzed North Korea's move linked with the South Korea-U.S. combined training as well as South-North Korea, North Korea-U.S. and North Korea-China relations," Cheong Wa Dae said.







They also checked the response posture of South Korea's related authorities and agreed on the need for cooperation with the other countries concerned for the early resumption of dialogue with North Korea, it added. (Yonhap)






First Vice Minister Choi Jong-kun will visit Morocco, Senegal and Nigeria next week for high-level talks on bilateral relations and other issues, the foreign ministry said Thursday.







His weeklong trip, slated for Aug. 14-21, is intended to diversify South Korea's diplomacy portfolio by deepening cooperation with the African countries in areas including health, education, infrastructure and manufacturing, the ministry said in a release.







During the visit, Choi is expected to discuss cooperation to help South Korean exporters continue their businesses in the region amid the coronavirus pandemic.







Morocco is known as a key gateway for exports to North America and Europe, as well as a manufacturing hub, while Senegal has worked with South Korea in deep-sea fishing, according to the ministry. Many South Korean companies are involved in large construction projects in Nigeria.







Cooperation in maritime security will also be a key agenda item in talks with Nigerian officials, the ministry said, given the instability in the sea due to the continued pirate attacks on commercial vessels.







In Senegal, Choi plans to request its foreign minister's attendance at the upcoming South Korea-Africa forum that Seoul is pushing to host in December. Senegal is next up as the rotating chair of the Africa Union (AU)  the largest regional bloc  starting 2022. (Yonhap)






President Moon Jae-in makes a hand heart gesture during an event on promoting improvements in national health insurance scheme at Cheong Wa Dae, Thursday. Yonhap



By Nam Hyun-woo



When Korea's daily COVID-19 cases reached a new high of 2,223, Tuesday, President Moon Jae-in said the recent surge was "in line with the global spread of the Delta variant" and "Korea is still maintaining a better situation compared to other countries."



These comments cast doubt on Moon's awareness of his responsibility for the spread of the coronavirus here, and there is growing criticism that the President is trying to avoid blame for the recent setbacks in quarantine enforcement and the supply of vaccines.



The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said Monday that U.S. vaccine maker Moderna would only be supplying half of the 8.5 million doses it had promised to deliver this month, due to production-related problems. This was the fourth time the government has been found wanting in its promises regarding the supply of the Moderna vaccine.



In December, Cheong Wa Dae stated that Moderna would start supplying 40 million doses of its vaccine to Korea from the second quarter of 2021, showing Moon in a videoconference with company CEO Stephen Bancel and crediting the President for ensuring an adequate supply.



However, this has had repeated setbacks  only 112,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine arrived in Korea in late June, and the amount expected in mid-July was delayed to later in the month, and then to August, casting serious concerns on the company's production capacity.



Despite these continued setbacks, Moon said Monday, "There is no way we can control the vaccine supply because we have to rely on a handful of foreign vaccine makers." But he reiterated his promise to have more than 36 million Koreans, or 70 percent of the population, vaccinated by the Chuseok holiday period, which starts Sept. 20. However, he did not mention any alternative ways to secure more vaccines.



It became the health minister's duty to apologize to the public, who are striving to make reservations for leftover vaccines through apps and websites.



"As the head of government's vaccine taskforce, I apologize to the public for the supply setback," Minister of Health and Welfare Kwon Deok-cheol said upon announcing Moderna's latest supply setback, Monday.



Criticism even grew as Moon held an event Thursday touting the improvements made in the country's national health insurance plan during his tenure.



Describing his policies as "Moon Jae-in care," he noted the country's health insurance coverage has significantly expanded in the past four years, enabling 37 million Koreans to save 9.2 trillion won ($7.94 billion) in medical expenses.



"Thanks to the policies, we could successfully cope with COVID-19 prevention, diagnosis and treatment, and all other areas related to infectious diseases," Moon said. "The health insurance system has played the role of final defense in the country's battle against the pandemic."



The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) denounced this event. "The Moon government is behaving nonsensically by complimenting itself in this severe situation," PPP floor leader Kim Gi-hyeon said, Thursday. "The President should explain the situation and apologize to the public."



A presidential apology requires extra caution, given their stature as the country's chief executive and the political aftermath that could come afterward. Thus, previous presidents oftentimes resorted to vague phrases such as "feeling regret," giving the impression that they were looking on at the situation as an observer.



With his tenure heading toward its final stages, Moon appears to be increasingly following in the footsteps of his predecessors. When the Cheonghae naval unit returned home from an overseas mission due to a COVID-19 infection among its members, the President said "the government cannot avoid criticism," triggering criticisms for trying to dodge his responsibility.



Though only nine months are left for Moon as President, it seems to be time for him to recall what he promised to the public when he was sworn in May 2017: "I will not dare do something impossible. Instead, I will honestly apologize for any mistakes. I will not ignore public opinion."




It's getting harder to achieve herd immunity



The health authorities need to overhaul their response to COVID-19 as they have yet to bring the fourth wave of infections here under control. Experts are calling for a paradigm shift in how to deal with the resurging coronavirus. Consensus is growing that the country will have to map out a new strategy to enable people to coexist with the virus, instead of struggling too hard to defeat it.



The major reason for the uphill battle against COVID-19 is the fast spread of the more contagious Delta variant. An increasing number of travelers during the summer holiday season and a shortage of vaccines have also prompted an upsurge in mass infections. The number of new daily infections hit an all-time high of 2,223 Wednesday, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). This is casting a dark cloud over the Moon Jae-in government's efforts to win its fight against the pandemic.



The coronavirus is showing no signs of receding, although the authorities have been enforcing the highest Level 4 social distancing rules in Seoul and its surrounding region for over a month. The Moon administration's inability to secure sufficient vaccines has also dealt a blow to its plan to achieve herd immunity by fully vaccinating 70 percent of the country's 51 million population by November. More seriously, the Delta variant has now become the dominant strain of the coronavirus, even infecting fully vaccinated people.



Against this backdrop, medical experts both here and abroad are raising concerns that it could be almost impossible to attain herd immunity through inoculations. No one can rule out the possible emergence of much more highly infectious COVID-19 strains which can neutralize the effects of vaccines. This, of course, does not mean that we should give up on the inoculation program. Rather, the country should speed up the vaccination process which could lower the risk of death or serious symptoms.



As such, there are growing calls for the health authorities to focus on the vaccination and treatment of the elderly and other high-risk groups, a shift from their current efforts to curb the increase of new infections. The government has already started to discuss such a shift in order to better cope with the pandemic by using limited policy options and resources more efficiently. So it is necessary for us to "live with" COVID-19 because the virus is highly likely to evolve into an endemic-like influenza.



South Korea has responded to the coronavirus relatively well. Yet, the Moon administration has often drawn criticism for taking belated or inappropriate action. The pandemic is entering a new phase, and so it is urgent to formulate a new approach and policies to protect people's lives and ensure their health.




Samsung Electronics' labor unions and management signed their first collective agreement at the company's Kiheung campus in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, Thursday. From left are Samsung Electronics' Head of Device Solutions HR Choi Wan-woo, President Kim Hyun-suk, Federation of Korean Trade Unions' Head of Metal Craftsmanship Kim Man-jae and Samsung Electronics' Office Workers' Union Head Kim Hang-yeol. Courtesy of Samsung Electronics



By Kim Bo-eun



Samsung Electronics on Thursday signed a collective agreement with its four labor unions for better working conditions, a day before the conglomerate's leader, Lee Jae-yong, is to be released from prison. The main electronics company of Samsung Group signed the agreement with its unions at its Kiheung Campus in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. Samsung Electronics' President & CEO Kim Hyun-suk attended the event, with representatives of the company's four unions.



"We hope that emplyees and management will create a future of development based on mutually sincere communication and cooperation," Samsung CEO Kim was quoted as saying, in a press release, following the agreement's signing ceremony.



This agreement is the first between Samsung Electronics' management and labor to be signed since leader Lee vowed to abolish Samsung's long-time "no-union policy" in May of last year.



The policies in the agreement between labor and management take priority over individual labor contracts or general guidelines under labor laws.



The agreement that has been signed has 95 clauses, which include: ensuring union's right to activity, processes on addressing industrial accidents and improving human resources management systems. Samsung said that it has agreed to provide an office for the union and to ensure pay for time spent on union activities. Other affiliates  Samsung Display and Samsung SDI  have also signed such agreements prior to Samsung Electronics doing so.



Samsung is now under greater scrutiny to abide by the law. Its leader, Lee, was handed down a prison term for a bribery scandal involving himself and impeached former President Park Geun-hye. The justice ministry approved Lee's release from prison on parole after he served 60 percent of his prison term, with anticipation of Samsung playing a major role in helping the local economy amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Conglomerates including Samsung have in the past been excused from irregularities on the basis of their contributions to the economy.



Samsung now faces greater expectations to serve as an exemplary company, by protecting its workers' rights and providing more business opportunities to smaller firms. Samsung has established a compliance committee, following a court order, to ensure better compliance with the law. The committee is set to hold its next regular meeting on Aug. 17.



On a related note, Samsung decided to open its in-house cafeteria business to smaller firms outside of its company. Samsung has had its food business unit assume its cafeteria operations up until now. The anti-trust regulator took issue with this practice, and Samsung is now in the process of opening its in-house cafeteria operations to outside firms.






People wait in line to get COVID-19 vaccine shots at a hospital in Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap



Ruling DPK wants Samsung leader Lee to address Moderna vaccine shortage issue



By Baek Byung-yeul



Despite the country experiencing a shortage of COVID-19 vaccines, there is an evasive atmosphere over having an AstraZeneca shot that is intensifying due to concerns that it may cause blood clots as a rare side effect.



Due to such concerns, some local hospitals have been discarding the AstraZeneca vaccine.



In July, the government limited the use of this vaccine to people over 50 years old  from those over 30  because of concerns over the potential side effect, and as a result people want to be inoculated with Pfizer or Moderna vaccines that were developed using mRNA (mRNA) technology rather than traditional methods.



Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are also known to have a higher efficacy rate than the traditionally produced vaccines.








AI/ML - Recruiting Manager (Sourcing Team) Santa Clara Valley (Cupertino) , California , United States Corporate Functions Summary

Posted: Aug 9, 2021 Weekly Hours: 40 Role Number: 200270063 Do you genuinely believe that talent is the greatest asset of any company? The main focus of Apple's Recruiting Team is to search the world for unique talent to maintain Apple as the most innovative company in the world. We strive to make Apple the most diverse - open to all people, all backgrounds, and all perspectives. Join the team and help build the extraordinary talent it takes to make extraordinary products. We're seeking a Technical Sourcing Manager to join the Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) Recruiting team based in Cupertino, CA or Seattle, WA. In this role you'll have the opportunity to lead an amazing and agile team responsible for finding best-in-class talent. As part of the larger People organization, Recruiting acts as the gatekeepers of Apple culture by providing an extraordinary experience to both our internal business partners and candidates. Apple Sourcers are strategic partners to the businesses they partner with, and compelling ambassadors of Apple. Key Qualifications 5 years of experience managing a team of Technical Sourcers

5-7+ years of experience as a Senior Technical Sourcer prescreening an average of 20 people per week

Proven ability to inspire, mentor, and scale a top notch sourcing team

Effective communication with recruiting/engineering leaders to deeply understand the requirements for all hires and their impact on the company

Experience with data analysis: working with spreadsheets of data and ability to extrapolate key themes

Ability to use data to influence and find solutions by providing several channels of diverse talent

Collaboration skills to partner with several teams to influence action

Strong project management and program management experience Description The AI/ML Recruiting Team is looking for an experienced Sourcing Manager to lead 8-15 Technical Sourcers. You will manage the day-to-day operations of a Sourcing Team that recruits for Software Engineers, ML Engineers, ML Researchers, Data Scientists and other key roles commonly found in a software organization. You will set the vision of the team, create a strategy to provide top diverse talent, pull together metrics and analyze data to determine gaps, load balancing, and forecasting. Ultimately, you will provide the different channels of diverse talent at the top of funnel to help the AI/ML organization achieve its goals. Other responsibilities include but are not limited to: * Conducting 1:1's with each member on the team * Onboarding and training new Technical Sourcers * Providing mentorship, guidance and career development to members of the team * Ensuring Sourcers are managing to milestones and metrics * Providing innovative, scalable solutions to drive our hiring to meet business objectives * Partnering closely with Recruiting Managers and Leadership to ensure we are aligned on allocation of resources, sourcing strategy and meeting our hiring goals Education & Experience Minimum BS/BA or equivalent experience Additional Requirements * Effective public speaker and presenter to large groups of people

* Expertise in Excel, Numbers, or any database where you have to build pivot tables

* Expertise in building content using PowerPoint or Keynote








AI/ML - Machine Learning Engineer, Siri Seattle , Washington , United States Machine Learning and AI Summary

Posted: Aug 5, 2021 Weekly Hours: 40 Role Number: 200226802 Play a part in the next revolution in human-computer interaction. Contribute to a product that is redefining mobile computing. Create groundbreaking technology for large scale systems, spoken language, big data, and artificial intelligence. And work with the people who created the intelligent assistant that helps millions of people get things done - just by asking. Join the Siri Understanding team at Apple. The Siri Understanding team is looking for an exceptional Machine Learning Engineer to personalize the Siri experience for millions of Apple users worldwide while preserving data privacy. Key Qualifications Strong understanding of machine learning (ML) fundamentals.

Experience in deploying ML/deep-learning solutions to real world problems.

Experience with deep learning toolkits like Keras/TensorFlow, PyTorch etc.

Proficiency in Objective-C/C++ and Python.

Strong analytical and data visualization skills

Excellent problem solving, critical thinking and communication skills. Description As a Machine Learning Engineer in the Siri Understanding team you will work on improving Siri's Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) accuracy by training state-of-art language models (LMs) on massive text corpora. You will explore novel techniques and enhance existing algorithms for language modeling - focusing on privacy preserving ML approaches to train and adapt LMs on-device under the constraints of memory, compute and power. You will develop efficient on-device modeling pipelines for natural language processing. You will work on model optimization techniques (including but not limited to model compression, quantization etc.) to enable efficient on-device learning. You will collaborate with other research scientists and engineers in a fast-paced team environment. Open to considering candidates in Seattle or Boston. Education & Experience Master's or PhD in Machine Learning, Computer Science or a related field. Academic or industry experience in ASR or NLP. Additional Requirements Preferred Qualifications:

Any of the following qualifications is considered a plus.

Familiarity with n-gram and neural network algorithms and techniques used in language modeling (smoothing, pruning, interpolation, word embeddings, recurrent neural networks, transformers etc.).

Experience in large scale distributed privacy-preserving ML and federated learning.

2+ years of software development experience, preferably in a ML field.

Experience in on-device modeling, in a limited resource setup.

Experience with large scale data processing using MapReduce/Hadoop/Spark.

Experience with training language models for ASR systems and working with standard toolkits (such as Kaldi, SRILM, OpenFST or equivalent proprietary systems)








AI/ML - ML Researcher, Machine Intelligence Santa Clara Valley (Cupertino) , California , United States Machine Learning and AI Summary

Posted: Feb 22, 2021 Weekly Hours: 40 Role Number: 200222809 Play a part in building the next revolution of machine learning technology. In this role you'll have the ability to build groundbreaking technology that will change the way we create machine learning solutions at Apple. The Machine Intelligence team is looking for a passionate Sr Machine Learning Researcher to develop the next generation of machine learning introspection technologies with particular attention to fairness and bias in AI. As a member of the Machine Intelligence team you will work on some of the most challenging technical problems, collaborate with world-class machine learning engineers and researchers, develop new ML solutions that will impact future Apple products, publish in international conferences, and collaborate with the best product teams to integrate your ideas into products. The ideal candidate also understands the importance of empowering others to innovate. This includes technical mentorship/guidance, paper publication and conference talks. Key Qualifications Demonstrated expertise in machine learning with a passion for fairness and bias in AI.

Publication record in relevant conferences (e.g., NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, CVPR, ICCV, ECCV, SIGGRAPH, KDD, ACL).

Good programming skills in Python.

Hands-on experience working with deep learning toolkits such as Tensorflow, PyTorch, or Keras.

Proven experience or education in linear algebra statistics

Ability to formulate a research problem, design, experiment and implement solutions.

Ability to work in a collaborative environment. Description You should be passionate about building extraordinary products in collaboration with broader teams across Apple, and be inspired by a fast-paced environment, to execute on the required tasks, meet production deadlines and, at the same time, explore new innovative ideas in machine learning that can improve and transform the product experience of Apple customers. You will help to identify gaps in the research field, define a research agenda, and develop innovative ML strategies for challenging problems that will affect future Apple products. You will provide technical mentorship and guidance, prepare technical reports and papers for publication and conference talks. You have the ability to work both independently and collaboratively to help partner teams meet predefined objectives. You will be responsible for delivering ML technologies aligned with the core values of Apple, ensuring the highest standards of quality, scientific rigor, innovation, and respect for user privacy. Education & Experience PhD, or equivalent practical experience, in Computer Science, or related technical field


Description -

We are looking for a safety conscious CDL Driver to join the team at our location in Chambersburg, PA.

In this position you will be operating a garbage truck on a specified route.

This is a very physical job working outside in all weather conditions.

Monday-Friday day shift with occasional Saturdays.

What We Offer -

Good pay, family benefits, 401k, vacation and a great management team.

Garbage is very stable and we work year round!

Job Requirements -

Valid Class B CDL with air brakes endorsement as a minimum.

Clean Driving Record.

Ability to lift at least 50lbs repeatedly.

Ability to work outside in all weather conditions.

Apply today and Connect with Your Future!

We offer excellent benefits including: medical, dental, vision, flexible spending account, long term disability, life insurance, 401K retirement.

Waste Connections is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer (Minorities/Female/Disabled/Veterans)
We are the Communities we serve!

This account is part of the SodexoMAGIC portfolio of business.

Use your passion for service to create a positive impact and make a difference in the communities we serve! SodexoMAGIC is a joint Sodexo/ Magic Johnson venture and we are thrilled to be celebrating our 10-year anniversary together this year! SodexoMAGIC promises to empower the communities we serve by offering best-in-class food & facilities management solutions, which create a positive impact and make a difference in the lives of our clients and customers. SodexoMAGIC offers our dedicated service via the following Sodexo segments: Corporate Services, Hospitals, K-12 Schools, Universities

We are currently seeking Planners/Schedulers to join our office located in Rahway, NJ. This position is on a client account within pharmaceutical industry.





Are You the One?

Our clients depend on your expertise to help them to optimize their business. If you are a Strategic Electrical Maintenance Planner / Scheduler with the ability to develop innovative technical solutions while successfully managing key performance indicators to drive strong business results, this may be the opportunity for you!

Key Responsibilities:

Review and prioritize requests for work

Determine activities required for completion of a work order (W/O)

Visit job sites for work order clarification.

Confer/communicate with work order requesters

Estimate the labor resources required for completion of a W/O, estimates and reviews work order bill of materials, non-stock material purchase requisitions and external resources required for completion of W/O

Determine and arrange any operational safety requirements for the completion of a W/O

Coordinate and conduct scheduling meeting with maintenance teams and customers for scheduling planned maintenance activities

Determine dates and duration to complete W/O

Work with Maintenance managers and individuals or groups of individuals as required to complete the work

Coordinate the teamwork schedule to ensure the most effective use of team resources and timely completion of all pre-planned and corrective work

Coordinate with client representatives to understand their needs and to ensure the work schedule takes account of the downtime windows negotiated with clients, where necessary

Create and publish weekly, monthly and work schedules and makes them available to team members and client representatives

Maintain records of all required maintenance planning and scheduling activities, asset history, and program documentation utilizing site's Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) system.

Develop, implement and maintain preventive and predictive maintenance programs as appropriate

Is this opportunity right for you? We are looking for candidates who have:

Technical / Vocational high school diploma/equivalent required; Associate Degree in a relevant engineering discipline is preferred

7-10 years' experience in maintenance/operations of facilities or utilities with applicable skilled trade requirements

5 years' experience implementing repair activities in a process and building services environment in the pharmaceutical industry

Familiarity with Millwright / rigging and machinist work

Experience with planning and scheduling of maintenance activities

Experience as a journeyman engineer level with strong skills in instrumentation, electrical and mechanical maintenance

Learn more about Sodexo's Benefits

Not the job for you?

At Sodexo, we offer Facilities Management positions in Corporate, Schools, Universities, Energy and Resources, Government and Agencies, Health Care and Senior Living locations across the United States. Continue your search for Facilities Management jobs.

Working for Sodexo:

How far will your ambition, talent and dedication take you? Sodexo fosters a culture committed to the growth of individuals through continuous learning, mentoring and career growth opportunities.

Make an Immediate Impact.

Sodexo is the North American leader for Quality of Life Services. More than 150,000 Sodexo employees work to improve the quality of daily life for our 13,000 client sites in North America. Sodexo partners with clients to help them attain their strategic vision by developing Facility Management service solutions that increase the effectiveness of their people, enhance their business processes and optimize their infrastructure, which deliver tangible outcomes.

Our client portfolio spans multiple markets across the nation including education, corporate services, health care and government services, which means we can offer a career full of variety, challenge and tremendous growth opportunities.
From July 27  29, 2021, the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) hosted the 13th U.S.-Africa Business Summit . The Summit is CCAs flagship event viewed as essential by those doing business in Africa. The 2021 Summit featured a stellar line up of African and U.S. government and private sector leaders as part of the program. CCA was delighted to provide more than 1200 participants with the access, connections, and insights on critical issues and policies impacting the U.S.-Africa economic partnership  the Summit theme.

The Summit  held virtually  included 5 plenaries and 12 panel sessions highlighting key economic recovery strategies and focused on a range of sectors and issues, including health and vaccine access, trade, digital transformation, infrastructure, financing, SMEs, tourism, womens leadership, and investment opportunities in various African countries.

CCA was honored to host six African leaders at the 2021 Summit, including H.E. Felix Tshisekedi, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and AU Chairman, H.E. Filipe Nyusi, President of the Republic of Mozambique and SADC Chairman, Hon. Pravind Jugnauth, Prime Minister of the Republic of Mauritius, H.E. Mokgweetsi Masisi, President of the Republic of Botswana, H.E. Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda, and H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya. In his remarks during the opening plenary session, Mauritian Prime Minister Jugnauth captured a sentiment expressed by the leaders when he stated that he fully subscribe(s) to an integrated and prosperous Africa entering a mutually beneficial and strategic partnership with the U.S. CCA was humbled when Rwandan President Paul Kagame noted in his statement that the Corporate Council on Africa has been the voice of private sector engagement between the United States and Africa for a quarter century.

In addition to African Heads of States, a host of African Ministers of trade, energy, agriculture, investment, ICT, and infrastructure from more than ten countries across the continent also participated in various Summit sessions.

Also at the Summit, were honored U.S. Cabinet officials  Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai, and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas Greenfield. They were joined by other senior officials in the new Biden-Harris Administration representing nearly a dozen U.S. government agencies that play a role in implementing U.S. policies and initiatives impacting the U.S. economic relationship with African nations. Among the highlights, Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo noted that now is the time to strengthen U.S.-Africa economic relations and Dana Banks, White House Senior Director for Africa, announced the Administrations request for $80 million in additional funding to jumpstart the Prosper Africa Build Together Campaign that will drive billions of dollars of investment in Africa, build new markets for American products and create thousands of jobs for African and American workers.

There were five dynamic sessions focused on health which addressed the COVID 19 pandemic and recovering from its economic impact. Building on CCAs ongoing U.S.-Africa Health Security and Resilience Initiative, which includes a pillar on disease management and response, a high-level Summit plenary session focused on equitable COVID vaccine access and distribution. During that session, Pfizer Biopharmaceutical Group President Angela Hwang, announced its partnership with the South African Biovac Insitute to manufacture and distribute the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine within the African Union  the first such arrangement for African production of the mRNA COVID vaccine. Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the WTO, also announced the three roles WTO can play to help end the COVID-19 pandemic including, monitoring export restrictions and prohibitions to ensure goods move from one place to the other; working with the private sector to increase investments in manufacturing in emerging markets and developing countries; and supporting technology transfer and know-how.

Another highlight of the Summit was two invitation only special sessions  the first was on the future of energy and climate/clean energy in Africa. U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, John Kerry, was joined by other senior USG officials, Ministers and senior African officials from key oil and gas producing nations, and CEOS and other top executives from U.S. and African oil, gas and power companies and major investors in the sector. A lively dialogue covered important topics such as Africas energy poverty, the need for energy access on the continent, calls for countries to work together to promote public-private partnerships to address climate change, and for fair treatment in the development and financing of Africas energy transition. The second invitation only session brought together select business leaders with key Members of Congress, including Rep. Karen Bass and Rep. Chris Smith of the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa to discuss U.S.-Africa trade policy. This high-level dialogue focused on legislation such as the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) and explored what U.S. legislation and policies are needed to promote greater U.S.-Africa trade and investment.

CCA was pleased to sign an MOU with the COMESA Business Council (CBC) to promote greater two-way trade and business partnerships between U.S. companies and those operating in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) region which covers nineteen countries.

At the Summit closing plenary session, CCA Board of Director Vice Chairs Diane Wilkens, Founder and CEO of Development Finance International, Inc. and General William Ward, Inaugural Commander Africa Command, noted the critical issues discussed during the Summit included equitable vaccine access, improving energy and transportation infrastructure, addressing climate change and food security, digitizing trade and maximizing U.S.-Africa trade and investment relying on initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Prosper Africa Build Together campaign. Their message: now is not the time to retreat from Africa, now is the time to invest and find new partners on the continent. CCA plans to support this through their ongoing programs and is looking forward to hosting the 2022 U.S.-Africa Business Summit in Morocco. Florie Liser, CCA President and CEO, thanked all who attended the Summit, expressed appreciation to the CCA Board of Directors and the CCA team without whom the Summit could not have happened, and noted that CCA is here to support its Members and all those doing business in Africa.

The 2021 U.S.-Africa Business Summit was proudly sponsored by leading global businesses and organizations including Abbott, Acrow Bridge, All Africa Global Media, Caterpillar, Chevron, Citi, Computer Frontiers Inc., Covington & Burling, Creative Associates International, Development Finance International (DFI), Inc., ExxonMobil Corporation, Fayus Inc., Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC, Flutterwave Inc., General William and Joyce Ward, Gilead Sciences, Google, Kosmos Energy, Jean Boulle Group, Jeune Afrique, Pfizer Inc., Prosper Africa, P&G, Rabin Martin, Sun Africa, Trade and Development Bank, Visa, and Vulcan.
The Ministry of Health and Wellness inform the public that vaccination sessions for the administration of 1st dose AstraZeneca Vaccine or Janssen Vaccine (single dose) will be carried out on Thursday 12, Friday 13 and Saturday 14 August 2021.

The vaccination programme will be opened to all Mauritian citizens aged 18 and above.

All those persons wishing to get vaccinated are kindly requested to bring their National Identity Card along with them.

Communique from Thursday 12 August


Credit Access Remain Near Pandemic Prompted Lows

Mortgage credit access rose slightly in July but remains in the nether regions to which it dropped last fall in the wake of the pandemic. The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) says its Mortgage Credit Availability Index (MCAI) gained 0.3 percent to 119.1 in July. The index was at 181.9 in January of 2020 and had fallen to 118.6 by the following September. An increase in the MCAI indicates that lending standards are loosening while a lower number indicates tightening. The index was benchmarked at 100 in March 2012.

The MCAI has four components. In September, the Conventional MCAI increased 0.8 percent, while the Government MCAI was unchanged. Of the component indices of the Conventional MCAI, the Jumbo MCAI rose 3.8 percent, and the Conforming MCAI fell by 3.2 percent.

"Credit availability slightly increased in July, driven by an increase in jumbo loan programs. The overall gain was despite another month of pullbacks in high-LTV refinance programs due to GSE policy changes," said Joel Kan, MBA's Associate Vice President of Economic and Industry Forecasting. "The elimination of more high-LTV refinance loans drove most of the 3 percent drop in the conforming index, but that was somewhat offset by lenders adding new refinance loan programs to help qualified, lower-income GSE borrowers. The bounce back in jumbo credit availability followed a sharp drop in June, as some investors renewed their interest in jumbo ARM loans for cash-out refinances and investment homes."

Added Kan, "Even as the economic recovery is underway, overall credit supply has remained close to its lowest levels since 2014. Some borrowers are still in pandemic-related forbearance status, and servicers continue to work through possible resolutions for these borrowers."

The MCAI and each of its components are calculated using several factors related to borrower eligibility (credit score, loan type, loan-to-value ratio, etc.). These metrics and underwriting criteria for over 95 lenders/investors are combined by MBA using data made available via a proprietary product from Ellie Mae. The resulting calculations are summary measures which indicate the availability of mortgage credit at a point in time. Base period and values for total index is March 31, 2012=100; Conventional March 31, 2012=73.5; Government March 31, 2012=183.5.
Baysider Old Home Week kicks off Aug. 13

ALTON  The Alton Old Home Week committee is pleased to announce the return of a more traditional Old Home Week this year, with activities and events scheduled throughout the week.



The festivities will kick off with the family block party at 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 13 at B&M Railroad Park and will continue through the Old Home Week Car Show on Sunday, Aug. 22. A full schedule of events can be found on the Alton town website or in the Old Home Week booklets distributed to various businesses around town.



The schedule of events includes:



Aug. 1-15: VIRTUAL 5K Course of your Choice Alton Parks and Rec is organizing a VIRTUAL 5K this year! Race against the times of others on your own schedule.



Aug. 13-22: Book Sale at Gilman Library Sponsored by the Friends of the Gilman Library. All proceeds to benefit future reading programs and library needs.



Friday, Aug. 13: Family Block B&M Railroad Park Party Sponsored by the Alton Old Home Week Committee. Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Chips, Cold Drinks, Face Painting, Music, and more! There will be activities and events for kids of all ages. Bake sale with lots of goodies provided by the Church ladies. The Alton Centennial Rotary will be working the grill. 5-8 p.m.



Saturday, Aug. 14: Antique Boat Alton Bay Public Docks Show Sponsored by the New Hampshire Boat Museum. 9 a.m.-noon



Saturday, Aug. 14: parade Alton Village to Alton Bay Sponsored by the Alton Business Association. Rain time will be noon same day. 10 a.m. Rain time for the Parade is at noon



Saturday, Aug. 14: Concert: Alton Bay Bandstand Chippy & the YaYas Sponsored by Alton Parks & Rec 7-9 p.m.



Saturday, Aug. 14: fireworks Alton Bay Sponsored by the Town of Alton. 9PM. Rain date Sunday, Aug. 15



Sunday, Aug. 15: Softball Game: Alton police dept vs Alton fire dept Alton Central School Sponsored by Alton Old Home Week Committee. Noon



Sunday, Aug. 15: Concert: Alton Bay Bandstand Blacklight Band Sponsored by Alton Parks & Rec. 4  6 p.m.



Monday, Aug. 16: Family Karaoke Alton Bay Bandstand Kowboys Karaoke & DJing, Richard Rook. 6  9 p.m.



Monday, Aug. 16: chili cook-off Bayside Diner Sponsored by the Bayside Diner 6 p.m.



Tuesday, Aug. 17: silent movie Alton Bay 1920s silent movie comedy film with live musical accompaniment by New Hampshire composer and performer, Jeff Rapsis. Sponsored by the Alton Old Home Week Committee. 8:30 p.m.



Wednesday, Aug. 18: paint your town art Alton Bay contest Sponsored by the Alton Centennial Rotary Club. Paint an iconic landmark or quintessential scene from your hometown in this fun walk-able art contest. 4 p.m.



Wednesday, Aug. 18: Spaghetti Supper Community Church of Alton (20 Church St.) Sponsored by the Community Church of Alton. Suggested donation: $7 per person 5  7 p.m.



Wednesday, Aug. 18: hymn sing Community Church of Alton (20 Church St) Sponsored by the Community Church of Alton. 7 p.m.



Wednesday, Aug. 18: kids' movie in the Alton Bay park Sponsored by the Alton Business Association, Christine O'Brien Real Estate & Alton Bay Christian Conference Center. *Join us at dusk for this free event, with water & popcorn provided. 8 p.m.



Thursday, Aug. 19: dog show Alton Bay Bandstand Sponsored by the Alton Old Home Week Committee. Prizes & goodie bags donated by K-9 Creations by the Bay and Lakeside Grooming. Dog show to include costume contest, demonstrations of agility, obedience, and personality. Parade to follow. 6 p.m.



Thursday, Aug. 19: ice cream social Alton Bay Bandstand Sponsored by Pop's Clam Shell, Shibley's Ice Cream and Stillwell's Ice Cream. Sample flavors from your local favorites! 7 p.m.



Friday, Aug. 20: Concert: Thursday Alton Bay Afternoon Band (concert on Water Bandstand, watch from the land or water) Sponsored by the Water Bandstand Committee 6  8 p.m.



Friday, Aug. 20: The Mobile Stuffed Animal Factory Family Fun Event Alton Bay Bandstand Sponsored by Cuddly Creations, LLC. This is an event where children can create their very own stuffed animal utilizing the amazing Vortex stuffing machine. (Prices varies on selection and upgrades.) Visit



Saturday, Aug. 21: Waterski Show Alton Bay Sponsored by the Water Bandstand Committee 3 p.m. Rain date Sunday, Aug. 22



Saturday, Aug. 21: Chicken BBQ Alton Central Fire Station Takeout only. 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.



Saturday, Aug. 21: Concert: Alton Bay Bandstand Bittersweet Sponsored by Alton Parks & Rec 7-9 p.m.



Sunday, Aug. 22: Car show Alton Town Center Sponsored in part by Maxfield Real Estate. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. ALTON  The Alton Old Home Week committee is pleased to announce the return of a more traditional Old Home Week this year, with activities and events scheduled throughout the week.The festivities will kick off with the family block party at 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 13 at B&M Railroad Park and will continue through the Old Home Week Car Show on Sunday, Aug. 22. A full schedule of events can be found on the Alton town website or in the Old Home Week booklets distributed to various businesses around town.The schedule of events includes:Aug. 1-15: VIRTUAL 5K Course of your Choice Alton Parks and Rec is organizing a VIRTUAL 5K this year! Race against the times of others on your own schedule.Aug. 13-22: Book Sale at Gilman Library Sponsored by the Friends of the Gilman Library. All proceeds to benefit future reading programs and library needs.Friday, Aug. 13: Family Block B&M Railroad Park Party Sponsored by the Alton Old Home Week Committee. Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Chips, Cold Drinks, Face Painting, Music, and more! There will be activities and events for kids of all ages. Bake sale with lots of goodies provided by the Church ladies. The Alton Centennial Rotary will be working the grill. 5-8 p.m.Saturday, Aug. 14: Antique Boat Alton Bay Public Docks Show Sponsored by the New Hampshire Boat Museum. 9 a.m.-noonSaturday, Aug. 14: parade Alton Village to Alton Bay Sponsored by the Alton Business Association. Rain time will be noon same day. 10 a.m. Rain time for the Parade is at noonSaturday, Aug. 14: Concert: Alton Bay Bandstand Chippy & the YaYas Sponsored by Alton Parks & Rec 7-9 p.m.Saturday, Aug. 14: fireworks Alton Bay Sponsored by the Town of Alton. 9PM. Rain date Sunday, Aug. 15Sunday, Aug. 15: Softball Game: Alton police dept vs Alton fire dept Alton Central School Sponsored by Alton Old Home Week Committee. NoonSunday, Aug. 15: Concert: Alton Bay Bandstand Blacklight Band Sponsored by Alton Parks & Rec. 4  6 p.m.Monday, Aug. 16: Family Karaoke Alton Bay Bandstand Kowboys Karaoke & DJing, Richard Rook. 6  9 p.m.Monday, Aug. 16: chili cook-off Bayside Diner Sponsored by the Bayside Diner 6 p.m.Tuesday, Aug. 17: silent movie Alton Bay 1920s silent movie comedy film with live musical accompaniment by New Hampshire composer and performer, Jeff Rapsis. Sponsored by the Alton Old Home Week Committee. 8:30 p.m.Wednesday, Aug. 18: paint your town art Alton Bay contest Sponsored by the Alton Centennial Rotary Club. Paint an iconic landmark or quintessential scene from your hometown in this fun walk-able art contest. 4 p.m.Wednesday, Aug. 18: Spaghetti Supper Community Church of Alton (20 Church St.) Sponsored by the Community Church of Alton. Suggested donation: $7 per person 5  7 p.m.Wednesday, Aug. 18: hymn sing Community Church of Alton (20 Church St) Sponsored by the Community Church of Alton. 7 p.m.Wednesday, Aug. 18: kids' movie in the Alton Bay park Sponsored by the Alton Business Association, Christine O'Brien Real Estate & Alton Bay Christian Conference Center. *Join us at dusk for this free event, with water & popcorn provided. 8 p.m.Thursday, Aug. 19: dog show Alton Bay Bandstand Sponsored by the Alton Old Home Week Committee. Prizes & goodie bags donated by K-9 Creations by the Bay and Lakeside Grooming. Dog show to include costume contest, demonstrations of agility, obedience, and personality. Parade to follow. 6 p.m.Thursday, Aug. 19: ice cream social Alton Bay Bandstand Sponsored by Pop's Clam Shell, Shibley's Ice Cream and Stillwell's Ice Cream. Sample flavors from your local favorites! 7 p.m.Friday, Aug. 20: Concert: Thursday Alton Bay Afternoon Band (concert on Water Bandstand, watch from the land or water) Sponsored by the Water Bandstand Committee 6  8 p.m.Friday, Aug. 20: The Mobile Stuffed Animal Factory Family Fun Event Alton Bay Bandstand Sponsored by Cuddly Creations, LLC. This is an event where children can create their very own stuffed animal utilizing the amazing Vortex stuffing machine. (Prices varies on selection and upgrades.) Visit www.cuddlycreationsnh.com to learn more before the event. 5  7 p.m.Saturday, Aug. 21: Waterski Show Alton Bay Sponsored by the Water Bandstand Committee 3 p.m. Rain date Sunday, Aug. 22Saturday, Aug. 21: Chicken BBQ Alton Central Fire Station Takeout only. 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.Saturday, Aug. 21: Concert: Alton Bay Bandstand Bittersweet Sponsored by Alton Parks & Rec 7-9 p.m.Sunday, Aug. 22: Car show Alton Town Center Sponsored in part by Maxfield Real Estate. 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Baysider New Durham Library to host storytelling program Gunstock Mountain Resort to host Bronco Off-Roadeo Thanks for visiting SalmonPress.com
Coos County Democrat Missing woman's car discovered 43 years after disappearance

by Tara Giles

Sports reporter - Coos County Democrat and Berlin Reporter Sports reporter - Coos County Democrat and Berlin Reporter write the author

Dive teams from NH Fish and Game were on scene near the Mt. Orne Bridge, after the discovery of a submerged vehicle, now confirmed to be that of Alberta Leeman, who was reported missing on July 26, 1978. (Photo by Tara Giles) (click for larger version) LANCASTER  The remains of a Gorham woman, Alberta Leeman, who had been missing since 1978, were discovered last week in the Connecticut River near the Mt. Orne Bridge that connects Lancaster and Lunenburg, Vt. Leeman was 63 at the time of her disappearance.



The scene Friday was overwhelming and heartbreaking, as the family of Leeman sat perched upon a guard rail watching as the dive team investigated. Leeman's daughter, Nancy McLain, who is now in her 80's, sat staring, with her hands folded and relaxed, hoping that her mother's remains would be discovered. At this point in the search, the license plate on the Pontiac LeMans, confirmed, the vehicle was in fact Leemans.



McLain was joined by her three children on the side of the river. The sun was blistering and bright, as officials passing by, offering water and words of comfort to the family. A conversation ensued with the family as the dive team worked dilligently in the background.



"I'm still in shock. This has been a long time, of just not knowing," said McLain.



Leeman's granddaughter Stacey Carri was visiting the area from Florida during the time of the disappearance. She was one of the last who spoke with Leeman.



"What was odd was, the car went missing too," she explained.



"I remember that it was an extremely rainy day, and back then, there were no guardrails right here," she added.



Right now, no one knows exactly what happened, however it appears Leeman was on her way to visit her family, who lived just three miles from the scene.



Lastly, Carri said, "If they find bones, we at least know where she is. It was hard not to think something suspicious happened all those years ago."



At Leeman's home, her purse and a cup of coffee sat on her kitchen table.



The family said a search of the Androscoggin River took place years back, and stated they never thought she was anywhere near the area currently being searched. Over the years, there were glimmers of hope as sightings were reported, however as the years passed on, the family began to simply want answers.



Still processing what was happening, with the possibility of closure, the family was fairly quiet, heavy with thoughts of 43 years worth of grief.



Leeman, was described as happy go lucky, kind and very religious, according to then Coos County Democrat reporter Charlie Jordan. Jordan had written a chapter about the disappearance in his book Tales Told in the Shadows of the White Mountains.



Jordan, thinking back, said, "I was working for the Democrat at the time, and at that point, John (Harrigan) and I were trying to expand the coverage into Berlin and Gorham. So I would go over there once a week and stop in at the police station for news."



Jordan went on to tell the story: "I got to talking with the Chief over there, and one day he told me it would be good if I mentioned something in the paper about this cold case that needed to be solved."



During that same conversation, the Chief told Jordan of a theory he had that Leeman may have been heading over to Gilman to visit family.



Jordan then decided to do an update on the story in 1998 and spoke with family members, stating "I talked to the husband of one of the daughters, and at that point they were still hoping to find her alive. They did say she was quite depressed about losing her husband a year prior to her disappearance. There was also concern that she had given her money to a religious group and run off, however police checked on the churches she gave money too and found nothing."



While on scene this past Friday, Fish and Game Officer Robert Mancini explained how Conservation Officer Joe Canfield, who leads NH Fish and Game's Remotely Operated Vehicle, Sonar Team began searching three years ago for Leeman. Canfield would conduct training sessions in the areas he thought she might be.



The vehicle was found on it's roof submerged 14 feet down, with the window on the driver's side rolled halfway down. Throughout the search, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department worked with Detectives from the New Hampshire State Police Major Crime Unit and Troop F to process this challenging scene. The Lancaster Police Department, Lancaster Fire Department, Gorham Police Department, Vermont State Police and Essex County Sheriff's Office (Vermont) also assisted with the incident.



The vehicle has not been extracted yet due to extreme deterioration and the amount of silt inside. LANCASTER  The remains of a Gorham woman, Alberta Leeman, who had been missing since 1978, were discovered last week in the Connecticut River near the Mt. Orne Bridge that connects Lancaster and Lunenburg, Vt. Leeman was 63 at the time of her disappearance.The scene Friday was overwhelming and heartbreaking, as the family of Leeman sat perched upon a guard rail watching as the dive team investigated. Leeman's daughter, Nancy McLain, who is now in her 80's, sat staring, with her hands folded and relaxed, hoping that her mother's remains would be discovered. At this point in the search, the license plate on the Pontiac LeMans, confirmed, the vehicle was in fact Leemans.McLain was joined by her three children on the side of the river. The sun was blistering and bright, as officials passing by, offering water and words of comfort to the family. A conversation ensued with the family as the dive team worked dilligently in the background."I'm still in shock. This has been a long time, of just not knowing," said McLain.Leeman's granddaughter Stacey Carri was visiting the area from Florida during the time of the disappearance. She was one of the last who spoke with Leeman."What was odd was, the car went missing too," she explained."I remember that it was an extremely rainy day, and back then, there were no guardrails right here," she added.Right now, no one knows exactly what happened, however it appears Leeman was on her way to visit her family, who lived just three miles from the scene.Lastly, Carri said, "If they find bones, we at least know where she is. It was hard not to think something suspicious happened all those years ago."At Leeman's home, her purse and a cup of coffee sat on her kitchen table.The family said a search of the Androscoggin River took place years back, and stated they never thought she was anywhere near the area currently being searched. Over the years, there were glimmers of hope as sightings were reported, however as the years passed on, the family began to simply want answers.Still processing what was happening, with the possibility of closure, the family was fairly quiet, heavy with thoughts of 43 years worth of grief.Leeman, was described as happy go lucky, kind and very religious, according to then Coos County Democrat reporter Charlie Jordan. Jordan had written a chapter about the disappearance in his book Tales Told in the Shadows of the White Mountains.Jordan, thinking back, said, "I was working for the Democrat at the time, and at that point, John (Harrigan) and I were trying to expand the coverage into Berlin and Gorham. So I would go over there once a week and stop in at the police station for news."Jordan went on to tell the story: "I got to talking with the Chief over there, and one day he told me it would be good if I mentioned something in the paper about this cold case that needed to be solved."During that same conversation, the Chief told Jordan of a theory he had that Leeman may have been heading over to Gilman to visit family.Jordan then decided to do an update on the story in 1998 and spoke with family members, stating "I talked to the husband of one of the daughters, and at that point they were still hoping to find her alive. They did say she was quite depressed about losing her husband a year prior to her disappearance. There was also concern that she had given her money to a religious group and run off, however police checked on the churches she gave money too and found nothing."While on scene this past Friday, Fish and Game Officer Robert Mancini explained how Conservation Officer Joe Canfield, who leads NH Fish and Game's Remotely Operated Vehicle, Sonar Team began searching three years ago for Leeman. Canfield would conduct training sessions in the areas he thought she might be.The vehicle was found on it's roof submerged 14 feet down, with the window on the driver's side rolled halfway down. Throughout the search, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department worked with Detectives from the New Hampshire State Police Major Crime Unit and Troop F to process this challenging scene. The Lancaster Police Department, Lancaster Fire Department, Gorham Police Department, Vermont State Police and Essex County Sheriff's Office (Vermont) also assisted with the incident.The vehicle has not been extracted yet due to extreme deterioration and the amount of silt inside.

Coos County Democrat Local health officials urge vigilance against Delta variant Solar Eclipse Day slated for April 8, 2024 Recent Tara Giles City Council discusses National Guard Armory building

2021-Aug-18 Local health officials urge vigilance against Delta variant

2021-Aug-18 Solar Eclipse Day slated for April 8, 2024

2021-Aug-18 Missing woman's car discovered 43 years after disappearance

2021-Aug-12 Lancaster's Percey completes tenth 31 Miles for 31 Heroes fundraise

2021-Aug-12 More... Thanks for visiting SalmonPress.com
Coos County Democrat Lancaster's Percey completes tenth 31 Miles for 31 Heroes fundraise

by Tara Giles

Sports reporter - Coos County Democrat and Berlin Reporter Sports reporter - Coos County Democrat and Berlin Reporter write the author

John Percey of Lancaster is pictured here during a his 31 Miles for Heroes fundraising event on Saturday, Aug. 7. His two sons Eli and Jude joined, along with family friend John Randall. (Courtesy Photo) (click for larger version) LANCASTER  31 Miles for 31 Heroes is a 31 mile ruck through the night to honor the lives of the Heroes of Extortion 17. During the summer of 2011, America lost 30 military service members when a CH-47 helicopter was downed in Afghanistan. Lancaster resident and Air Force Veteran, John Percey completed his tenth year, raising more than $2,000.



Since the tragedy occurred, a fundraising WOD (workout of the day) was hosted at more than 400 gyms nationwide, raising $300,000 to support the families affected. This inspired organizers to do more, to help more families.



As described in their non-profit mission statement, "We assist athletes and event organizers around the country with tools and resources to continue the legacy of selflessness and camaraderie of August 6, 2011. Through strategic alliances with other organizations we can ensure that all proceeds directly fund programs that support service members and their families, including the Navy SEAL community."



Since 2011, more than $1.5 million has been given back to the nations heroes. Four years later, 31 Heroes began working to support those affected by PTSD and traumatic brain injuries.



On Aug 7, Percey and a group began the 31 mile walk at Schillings in Littleton.



"I chose the flattest of the options," joked Percey.



The route turned from Littleton onto Wing Road, then onto River Road and ended at the State Police Barracks in Twin Mountain.



He added, "We completed another successful event. I was joined for the first eleven miles by my wife, Cassandra and Paula Bystrzycki. Paula did the entire distance with me last year, but had prior commitments so she had to leave early."



Percey's sons Eli and Jude along with their friend John Randall joined for the last eight miles.



"Dave from Littleton VFW Post 816 provided logistics support in their van," added Percey.



Currently the fundraising total is at $2003. There is still time to donate since the main event in Washington, D.C. is being held Saturday, Aug. 14 this year. Donations are still being accepted and can be done so by visiting LANCASTER  31 Miles for 31 Heroes is a 31 mile ruck through the night to honor the lives of the Heroes of Extortion 17. During the summer of 2011, America lost 30 military service members when a CH-47 helicopter was downed in Afghanistan. Lancaster resident and Air Force Veteran, John Percey completed his tenth year, raising more than $2,000.Since the tragedy occurred, a fundraising WOD (workout of the day) was hosted at more than 400 gyms nationwide, raising $300,000 to support the families affected. This inspired organizers to do more, to help more families.As described in their non-profit mission statement, "We assist athletes and event organizers around the country with tools and resources to continue the legacy of selflessness and camaraderie of August 6, 2011. Through strategic alliances with other organizations we can ensure that all proceeds directly fund programs that support service members and their families, including the Navy SEAL community."Since 2011, more than $1.5 million has been given back to the nations heroes. Four years later, 31 Heroes began working to support those affected by PTSD and traumatic brain injuries.On Aug 7, Percey and a group began the 31 mile walk at Schillings in Littleton."I chose the flattest of the options," joked Percey.The route turned from Littleton onto Wing Road, then onto River Road and ended at the State Police Barracks in Twin Mountain.He added, "We completed another successful event. I was joined for the first eleven miles by my wife, Cassandra and Paula Bystrzycki. Paula did the entire distance with me last year, but had prior commitments so she had to leave early."Percey's sons Eli and Jude along with their friend John Randall joined for the last eight miles."Dave from Littleton VFW Post 816 provided logistics support in their van," added Percey.Currently the fundraising total is at $2003. There is still time to donate since the main event in Washington, D.C. is being held Saturday, Aug. 14 this year. Donations are still being accepted and can be done so by visiting www.classy.org/fundraiser/2779596


Coos County Democrat Jefferson's Chris Laurent releases first novel

by Tara Giles

Sports reporter - Coos County Democrat and Berlin Reporter Sports reporter - Coos County Democrat and Berlin Reporter write the author JEFFERSON  A well known face about the area, Christopher Laurent has released his first published novel. The book, titled "The Gospel of the Baptist," was a four-year project, that Laurent would work on in what little free time he had.



Laurent is a nurse practitioner known to many in the region. A 26-year veteran of the Navy, the health care provider has many sides to him, including a stint at Seminary. He received an honorary Doctorate of Divinity and Ministry as well and retired as a Navy Captain.



After retiring, Laurent, who grew up in the south, wanted to use his medical skills in an area that was in need. Having visited the White Mountains in his youth, Laurent landed in New Hampshire.



As described by his Publisher, Red Penguin, "The Gospel of the Baptist" (historical fiction) is a story of two professors of Ancient Hebrew and their students searching to support their theory that the entire trial and crucifixion of Jesus is simply a legend, thus invalidating the entire basis for Christianity.



Laurent said of his characters, "Their theory is based on the precept that the trial of Jesus before Herod could not possibly have taken place in three days. The Gospel of the Baptist provides a detailed analysis of the prophecies of the Old Testament and their fulfillment in the New Testament combined with a collection of theories based in research regarding the life of John the Baptist prior to his appearance in the New Testament and his imprisonment by Herod."



Prior to his first published book, Laurent has written for professional medical journals, and does have another book waiting in the wings. During his time serving in the military, he was often called to speak publicly regarding dynamic employer, employee relationships and was a keynote speaker for several events.



As far as his interest in spirituality, Laurent explained, "Spirituality has always been a big deal for me, and I feel like man has corrupted the message of scripture. The scripture is love and compassion for everything. That's it. It's not complicated."



In writing his book, Laurent did extensive research, which was fueled by a passion for the historical elements of the scriptures as well.



The idea for the story came to the author, five years ago.



"I was reading about John the Baptist and I thought, all of these significant people in biblical history, wrote about their experiences and I thought, why isn't there something written by John the Baptist. I did research and there's nothing. I thought that might be an interesting story. What about writing the Gospel according to John the Baptist and so that's where it started," he explained.



In discussing the process of getting a book published, Laurent explained that it is quite difficult to do, commenting "You have to have an agent, and the fantasy books, religious books and historical religious novels are a very finite genre. Big publishing companies want big bucks. So you have to find a niche publisher, because it's a niche type of writing."



He added, "It's a long process, and you get many, many, many rejection letters, many more than you'd think."



Laurent went on to say, "Because my book was finished, it made things a bit easier. The agent sent the manuscript to the Editor at Red Penguin, and they said 'Yes, we need to publish this'!"



On the upcoming release, Laurent said, "It's exciting and I'm hopeful that it enlightens people that read it. If it can educate people, a little bit, then I'm happy."



The book is available on Amazon and an audible version will be released in the near future. JEFFERSON  A well known face about the area, Christopher Laurent has released his first published novel. The book, titled "The Gospel of the Baptist," was a four-year project, that Laurent would work on in what little free time he had.Laurent is a nurse practitioner known to many in the region. A 26-year veteran of the Navy, the health care provider has many sides to him, including a stint at Seminary. He received an honorary Doctorate of Divinity and Ministry as well and retired as a Navy Captain.After retiring, Laurent, who grew up in the south, wanted to use his medical skills in an area that was in need. Having visited the White Mountains in his youth, Laurent landed in New Hampshire.As described by his Publisher, Red Penguin, "The Gospel of the Baptist" (historical fiction) is a story of two professors of Ancient Hebrew and their students searching to support their theory that the entire trial and crucifixion of Jesus is simply a legend, thus invalidating the entire basis for Christianity.Laurent said of his characters, "Their theory is based on the precept that the trial of Jesus before Herod could not possibly have taken place in three days. The Gospel of the Baptist provides a detailed analysis of the prophecies of the Old Testament and their fulfillment in the New Testament combined with a collection of theories based in research regarding the life of John the Baptist prior to his appearance in the New Testament and his imprisonment by Herod."Prior to his first published book, Laurent has written for professional medical journals, and does have another book waiting in the wings. During his time serving in the military, he was often called to speak publicly regarding dynamic employer, employee relationships and was a keynote speaker for several events.As far as his interest in spirituality, Laurent explained, "Spirituality has always been a big deal for me, and I feel like man has corrupted the message of scripture. The scripture is love and compassion for everything. That's it. It's not complicated."In writing his book, Laurent did extensive research, which was fueled by a passion for the historical elements of the scriptures as well.The idea for the story came to the author, five years ago."I was reading about John the Baptist and I thought, all of these significant people in biblical history, wrote about their experiences and I thought, why isn't there something written by John the Baptist. I did research and there's nothing. I thought that might be an interesting story. What about writing the Gospel according to John the Baptist and so that's where it started," he explained.In discussing the process of getting a book published, Laurent explained that it is quite difficult to do, commenting "You have to have an agent, and the fantasy books, religious books and historical religious novels are a very finite genre. Big publishing companies want big bucks. So you have to find a niche publisher, because it's a niche type of writing."He added, "It's a long process, and you get many, many, many rejection letters, many more than you'd think."Laurent went on to say, "Because my book was finished, it made things a bit easier. The agent sent the manuscript to the Editor at Red Penguin, and they said 'Yes, we need to publish this'!"On the upcoming release, Laurent said, "It's exciting and I'm hopeful that it enlightens people that read it. If it can educate people, a little bit, then I'm happy."The book is available on Amazon and an audible version will be released in the near future.


Granite State News Huggins Hospital working to increase percentage of vaccinated staff

by Elissa Paquette WOLFEBORO  New Hampshire has moved back into the "substantial community transmission of Covd-19" category. As new variants of the virus have shown to be more dangerous and transmissible, the New Hampshire Hospital Association has voiced support of vaccine mandates for every New Hampshire hospital.



Jeremy Roberge, President and CEO of Huggins Hospital, recently notified staff that just as other vaccines are required for employment, such as the MMR vaccine to protect against measles, mumps and rubella, the idea of a mandate is not something new to healthcare.



State data shows that since the beginning of February, unvaccinated individuals have accounted for 99 percent of New Hampshire's Covid-19 cases and 98 percent of deaths.



"With new outbreaks  mostly among the unvaccinated  it is imperative for us to do all we can to achieve the highest percentage of vaccinated staff as possible," said Roberge. While "proud that the majority of our employees have chosen to be vaccinated...we plan to increase our percentage of vaccinated staff...and continue leading the way through this pandemic," he added.



The process will begin with a policy requiring regular testing for unvaccinated employees and a requirement that all new hires be vaccinated. Huggins is currently working through the specifics, said Roberge, keeping in mind protection of the health of its patients, community and each other. WOLFEBORO  New Hampshire has moved back into the "substantial community transmission of Covd-19" category. As new variants of the virus have shown to be more dangerous and transmissible, the New Hampshire Hospital Association has voiced support of vaccine mandates for every New Hampshire hospital.Jeremy Roberge, President and CEO of Huggins Hospital, recently notified staff that just as other vaccines are required for employment, such as the MMR vaccine to protect against measles, mumps and rubella, the idea of a mandate is not something new to healthcare.State data shows that since the beginning of February, unvaccinated individuals have accounted for 99 percent of New Hampshire's Covid-19 cases and 98 percent of deaths."With new outbreaks  mostly among the unvaccinated  it is imperative for us to do all we can to achieve the highest percentage of vaccinated staff as possible," said Roberge. While "proud that the majority of our employees have chosen to be vaccinated...we plan to increase our percentage of vaccinated staff...and continue leading the way through this pandemic," he added.The process will begin with a policy requiring regular testing for unvaccinated employees and a requirement that all new hires be vaccinated. Huggins is currently working through the specifics, said Roberge, keeping in mind protection of the health of its patients, community and each other.


Meredith News Kids' Fishing Derby returns to Old Home Week

by Erin Plummer

Gibson McIlvain casts his line a few hours after catching a nine-inch bass. (Photo by Erin Plummer) (click for larger version) SANDWICH  Kids were back at Little Pond casting their lines with friends and family for the return of the Kids Fishing Derby, an Old Home Week tradition.



Kids 12 and younger gathered on the shore of Little Pond on Monday morning through afternoon to try to catch some fish for some special prizes and bragging rights. Many also learned some basic fishing skills from their peers and some teen volunteers.



For the first year the derby was organized by the Parks and Recreation Department. Parks and Recreation director Ole Anderson said Jennifer Wright from the selectmen's office would typically work with the Sandwich Police and Fire Departments and other town hall departments. When Wright retired, Parks and Rec took over the event with a lot of help for other departments.



Anderson said this was a great help and a lot of supplies and refreshments were put together beforehand. He said it was nice having the help especially considering he's not an angler himself.



"I was going to take it over last year, but there was no derby last year," Anderson said.



The derby was canceled due to COVID-19 last year, but was back this year.



Anderson said the tournament had steady turnout throughout the afternoon, saying it was a good outcome to not have a big group crowding the shore.



Kids had the chance to win gift certificates as prizes in three different categories: biggest fish, most fish caught, and one to the kid who caught their first fish.



"We like to spread them out amongst different participants," Anderson said.



With an hour left of the tournament, the biggest fish of the event was a nine-inch small mouth bass caught by 10-year-old Gibson McIlvain. Gibson came up from Hanover, Penn., to stay with relatives on Sandwich. His cousins Clauson Smith and Tiller Smith were taking part in the tournament too.



Gibson said he thinks of himself as bad at fishing, but seeing that fish come up gave him some new confidence.



"I felt really good when I saw it come out of the water," Gibson said. "I got this burst of joy or something because it's the first fish I've caught in two years."



He said he also likes that he's around friends and family members at this derby.



Clauson Smith from Maryland, 11, has been taking part in the Kids Derby since he was 7.



"It's not very competitive, but it's still fun," Clauson said.



Mira Alcott of Tamworth brought her three children to the derby for their second year.



"It's great fun to see other kids fish and to get help from the younger kids who're experienced," Alcott said. "It's definitely relaxing, except for getting tangled."



A few teens who have taken part in the derby for a number of years as participants were now volunteers helping the younger kids with their fishing skills.



Tiller Smith, 15, was volunteering for the first time after doing the tournament as a younger kid for a few years.



"It's fun, it's definitely nice but it's a different perspective," Tiller said. "It's a lot more work than it looks like."



Tiller said it was fun helping younger kids learn to cast and other fishing skills. He also liked seeing them understand what he was teaching and put it to use.



Drake Dearborn, 15, fished in the tournament for six years and was now helping the younger kids.



"It's fun. I get to weigh the fish and help when someone casts into a tree," Drake said. SANDWICH  Kids were back at Little Pond casting their lines with friends and family for the return of the Kids Fishing Derby, an Old Home Week tradition.Kids 12 and younger gathered on the shore of Little Pond on Monday morning through afternoon to try to catch some fish for some special prizes and bragging rights. Many also learned some basic fishing skills from their peers and some teen volunteers.For the first year the derby was organized by the Parks and Recreation Department. Parks and Recreation director Ole Anderson said Jennifer Wright from the selectmen's office would typically work with the Sandwich Police and Fire Departments and other town hall departments. When Wright retired, Parks and Rec took over the event with a lot of help for other departments.Anderson said this was a great help and a lot of supplies and refreshments were put together beforehand. He said it was nice having the help especially considering he's not an angler himself."I was going to take it over last year, but there was no derby last year," Anderson said.The derby was canceled due to COVID-19 last year, but was back this year.Anderson said the tournament had steady turnout throughout the afternoon, saying it was a good outcome to not have a big group crowding the shore.Kids had the chance to win gift certificates as prizes in three different categories: biggest fish, most fish caught, and one to the kid who caught their first fish."We like to spread them out amongst different participants," Anderson said.With an hour left of the tournament, the biggest fish of the event was a nine-inch small mouth bass caught by 10-year-old Gibson McIlvain. Gibson came up from Hanover, Penn., to stay with relatives on Sandwich. His cousins Clauson Smith and Tiller Smith were taking part in the tournament too.Gibson said he thinks of himself as bad at fishing, but seeing that fish come up gave him some new confidence."I felt really good when I saw it come out of the water," Gibson said. "I got this burst of joy or something because it's the first fish I've caught in two years."He said he also likes that he's around friends and family members at this derby.Clauson Smith from Maryland, 11, has been taking part in the Kids Derby since he was 7."It's not very competitive, but it's still fun," Clauson said.Mira Alcott of Tamworth brought her three children to the derby for their second year."It's great fun to see other kids fish and to get help from the younger kids who're experienced," Alcott said. "It's definitely relaxing, except for getting tangled."A few teens who have taken part in the derby for a number of years as participants were now volunteers helping the younger kids with their fishing skills.Tiller Smith, 15, was volunteering for the first time after doing the tournament as a younger kid for a few years."It's fun, it's definitely nice but it's a different perspective," Tiller said. "It's a lot more work than it looks like."Tiller said it was fun helping younger kids learn to cast and other fishing skills. He also liked seeing them understand what he was teaching and put it to use.Drake Dearborn, 15, fished in the tournament for six years and was now helping the younger kids."It's fun. I get to weigh the fish and help when someone casts into a tree," Drake said.

Meredith News Hermit Woods places 4th in USA Today's Top Ten Tasting Rooms in America Open House planned at Meredith Historical Society Thanks for visiting SalmonPress.com
Newfound Landing Freese Brothers Big Band to play in Bristol Aug. 26

BRISTOL  The Freese Brothers Big Band will be playing in Bristol on Thursday, Aug. 26 from 6:30  8 p.m. in the Concert Pavilion in Kelly Park.



The Freese Brothers Big Band is in its 40th year of keeping the sounds of swing and classic Big Band music alive -- entertaining audiences throughout the region and raising scholarship funds for a new generation of talented musicians.



Formed in 1982 by Jack, Bill, George and Courtland Freese, the band has performed on scenic bandstands from Wolfeboro to New Boston; in elegant theaters in Concord, Claremont, Rochester and Manchester; and even at New Hampshire's grand White Mountain hotels.



The four Freese brothers began playing music in a family troupe in the 1930s. Their musical enthusiasm and community spirit continue to be the band's driving force. Members volunteer their time and talent and donate band performance fees to the Freese Brothers Big Band Memorial Scholarship Fund. The fund has awarded more than $70,000 in scholarships to enable talented young musicians to enhance their musical ability.



The 20-member band offers a lively program that incorporates the classic sounds of Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Frank Sinatra, the Dorsey Brothers and Glenn Miller, with more contemporary tunes specially arranged for Big Band performances.



The Bristol Community Events Committee would like to thank the following local businesses who are helping to sponsor the 2021 Concert Series: Franklin Savings Bank, Granite Group Realty, TD Bank and West Shore Marine.



These free Summer Concerts bring people of all ages together on Thursday nights in July and August to enjoy and celebrate some great local music. Held in Kelley Park, the concerts are bring your own chair, and may be cancelled for inclement weather.



For information on concerts, Old Home Day and more you can contact the Tapply Thompson Community Center at 744-2713, or the Town of Bristol at 744-3354, ext. 136. Up to date concert and event info is posted on the Town of Bristol web site at BRISTOL  The Freese Brothers Big Band will be playing in Bristol on Thursday, Aug. 26 from 6:30  8 p.m. in the Concert Pavilion in Kelly Park.The Freese Brothers Big Band is in its 40th year of keeping the sounds of swing and classic Big Band music alive -- entertaining audiences throughout the region and raising scholarship funds for a new generation of talented musicians.Formed in 1982 by Jack, Bill, George and Courtland Freese, the band has performed on scenic bandstands from Wolfeboro to New Boston; in elegant theaters in Concord, Claremont, Rochester and Manchester; and even at New Hampshire's grand White Mountain hotels.The four Freese brothers began playing music in a family troupe in the 1930s. Their musical enthusiasm and community spirit continue to be the band's driving force. Members volunteer their time and talent and donate band performance fees to the Freese Brothers Big Band Memorial Scholarship Fund. The fund has awarded more than $70,000 in scholarships to enable talented young musicians to enhance their musical ability.The 20-member band offers a lively program that incorporates the classic sounds of Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Frank Sinatra, the Dorsey Brothers and Glenn Miller, with more contemporary tunes specially arranged for Big Band performances.The Bristol Community Events Committee would like to thank the following local businesses who are helping to sponsor the 2021 Concert Series: Franklin Savings Bank, Granite Group Realty, TD Bank and West Shore Marine.These free Summer Concerts bring people of all ages together on Thursday nights in July and August to enjoy and celebrate some great local music. Held in Kelley Park, the concerts are bring your own chair, and may be cancelled for inclement weather.For information on concerts, Old Home Day and more you can contact the Tapply Thompson Community Center at 744-2713, or the Town of Bristol at 744-3354, ext. 136. Up to date concert and event info is posted on the Town of Bristol web site at www.townofbristolnh.org , on local Bristol TV and on the TTCC Web site at www.ttccrec.org . You can also follow the Committee on Facebook.com/Bristol Community Events.

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Plymouth Record Enterprise Ashland School Board discusses reopening plans

by David Ruell ASHLAND  At their Aug. 4 meeting, the Ashland School Board discussed the reopening of the school, learned of school activities and voted on a number of revised and new policies.



The School Board approved a plan for re-opening the school in June. Superintendent Mary Moriarty reported that the school's Covid committee will begin meeting on Aug. 13 to consider what to do for the coming school year. Board member Sandra Coleman pointed out that Covid cases are again on the rise, and was pleased that the Covid



committee would be meeting weekly. The Superintendent noted that state health officials are recommending that schools consider local (by town) Covid data, both the number of infections and of vaccinations, as well as the county data that was previously used, as an individual town can differ greatly from the surrounding region. The Covid



committee can adjust to the evolving Covid situation, changing, for example, mask use and social distancing standards as needed. Ashland teachers will no longer be offering remote learning in addition to in person classroom teaching. But, parents who do not wish to send their children back to school can enroll in VLAC remote learning. A new



staff member will help those students with their remote learning.



Principal Kelly Avery reported on school activities. As of Aug. 3, 171 students were enrolled in the school. Kindergarten registration, which is online, has seen 18 new students signed up. Summer Blast, the summer school, has finished, with an average daily attendance of 22 students. The maintenance crew has been working



diligently preparing the buildings and grounds for the coming school year. The Title I book giveaway has been popular, with some parents picking up the books, some being given out at the summer school and the Parks & Recreation summer camp, and the principal delivering some as well. Planning is underway for the back to school teacher workshops and for the cookout-open house that will probably be held on Thursday,



Sept. 2. (School will begin for students on Monday, Aug. 30.) The school is still looking for paraprofessionals to hire for the new school year.



The Policy Review Committee has been hard at work and presented no less than ten new or amended policies to the School Board for approval. Normally, policy changes go through three readings at three different Board meetings. But, the board agreed to hold just the first reading and vote immediately on adopting two amended policies, so they



could be included in the student handbook for the new school year. They then approved those amended policies on Use and Possession of Tobacco Products Banned In/on School Facilities and Grounds and on Notification of Rights Under FERPA. The first readings were then held on eight policies, five amended policies on Authorized Signatures, on Fixed Assets Management, on Video and Audio Recording in School and Classrooms, on Data/Records Retention and on Drug-Free Workplace and



three new policies on Payments, Checks and Manifests, on Video and Audio Surveillance on School Property, and on Electronic /Digital Records and Signatures. The School Board also voted to rescind two existing policies, on Review of Manifests and on Business Record Retention, as those policies will be superseded by newer policies. The Policy Review Committee also reported that they had reviewed five



other policies, but had no changes to propose to them.



The School Board ended its meeting with a non-public session. When they meet again on Sept. 7, the new school year will be underway. ASHLAND  At their Aug. 4 meeting, the Ashland School Board discussed the reopening of the school, learned of school activities and voted on a number of revised and new policies.The School Board approved a plan for re-opening the school in June. Superintendent Mary Moriarty reported that the school's Covid committee will begin meeting on Aug. 13 to consider what to do for the coming school year. Board member Sandra Coleman pointed out that Covid cases are again on the rise, and was pleased that the Covidcommittee would be meeting weekly. The Superintendent noted that state health officials are recommending that schools consider local (by town) Covid data, both the number of infections and of vaccinations, as well as the county data that was previously used, as an individual town can differ greatly from the surrounding region. The Covidcommittee can adjust to the evolving Covid situation, changing, for example, mask use and social distancing standards as needed. Ashland teachers will no longer be offering remote learning in addition to in person classroom teaching. But, parents who do not wish to send their children back to school can enroll in VLAC remote learning. A newstaff member will help those students with their remote learning.Principal Kelly Avery reported on school activities. As of Aug. 3, 171 students were enrolled in the school. Kindergarten registration, which is online, has seen 18 new students signed up. Summer Blast, the summer school, has finished, with an average daily attendance of 22 students. The maintenance crew has been workingdiligently preparing the buildings and grounds for the coming school year. The Title I book giveaway has been popular, with some parents picking up the books, some being given out at the summer school and the Parks & Recreation summer camp, and the principal delivering some as well. Planning is underway for the back to school teacher workshops and for the cookout-open house that will probably be held on Thursday,Sept. 2. (School will begin for students on Monday, Aug. 30.) The school is still looking for paraprofessionals to hire for the new school year.The Policy Review Committee has been hard at work and presented no less than ten new or amended policies to the School Board for approval. Normally, policy changes go through three readings at three different Board meetings. But, the board agreed to hold just the first reading and vote immediately on adopting two amended policies, so theycould be included in the student handbook for the new school year. They then approved those amended policies on Use and Possession of Tobacco Products Banned In/on School Facilities and Grounds and on Notification of Rights Under FERPA. The first readings were then held on eight policies, five amended policies on Authorized Signatures, on Fixed Assets Management, on Video and Audio Recording in School and Classrooms, on Data/Records Retention and on Drug-Free Workplace andthree new policies on Payments, Checks and Manifests, on Video and Audio Surveillance on School Property, and on Electronic /Digital Records and Signatures. The School Board also voted to rescind two existing policies, on Review of Manifests and on Business Record Retention, as those policies will be superseded by newer policies. The Policy Review Committee also reported that they had reviewed fiveother policies, but had no changes to propose to them.The School Board ended its meeting with a non-public session. When they meet again on Sept. 7, the new school year will be underway.

Plymouth Record Enterprise Liz Brochu receives Union Leader's 40 Under 40 Award Broadband Committee selects bid winner for fiber optic backbo Thanks for visiting SalmonPress.com
Winnisquam Echo Franklin Savings buys tax credits for Gale School



Left, Ron Magoon, President & CEO of Franklin Savings Bank; Right, Carmen Lorentz, Executive Director of Lakes Region Community Developers standing in front of the Gale School in its new location at 60 Concord St., Belmont. (Courtesy Photo) (click for larger version) BELMONT  Franklin Savings Bank purchased $50,000 in New Hampshire business tax credits from Lakes Region Community Developers (LRCD) to support the redevelopment of the Gale School in Belmont. The project will transform the dilapidated historic building into a vibrant community facility hosting a child care center operated by the Boys & Girls Club of Central NH and a program center operated by Lakes Region Community Services (LRCS).



Construction could begin as early as next year if fundraising is successful. LRCD must sell $574,000 more in tax credits to move ahead with construction.



"We are thrilled to support the redevelopment of the Gale School," said Ron Magoon, President of Franklin Savings Bank. "The family supports that will be offered in the renovated space are critical to the health of our local economy. We also love the collaboration between these three long-standing organizations that serve our region so well."



"This project is very exciting," said Carmen Lorentz, LRCD's Executive Director. "We are so grateful to Franklin Savings Bank for their support. Lots of people have worked incredibly hard over decades to save the Gale School and bring it back to life to serve the community again. It's humbling to be part of this effort."



The Gale School was built in 1894, and was used by the Belmont school district until the mid-1980s. The building has been mostly vacant since then, and years of neglect have taken their toll. The Gale School was named to the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places in 2018, and was selected as one of New Hampshire's Seven to Save in 2017.



In July 2020, the building was successfully moved by the local Save Our Gale School Committee (SOGS) to a new location at 60 Concord Street in Belmont Village. LRCD agreed to partner with SOGS to redevelop the building.



The tax credits are administered by New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA). Any business with operations in New Hampshire that contributes to a CDFA tax credit project receives a New Hampshire state tax credit worth 75 percent of their contribution. The credit can be used over a period of five years to reduce the business' state tax liability (business profits, business enterprise or insurance premium taxes). The tax credit program allows New Hampshire businesses to redirect a significant portion of their state tax dollars to support local projects that they care about.



CDFA reviews many project applications each year and awards tax credits to those they determine are feasible and will make the biggest impact on economic development in the state. LRCD was awarded $750,000 in credits for the Gale School project, and has sold $176,000 to date.



Businesses interested in supporting the Gale School project by purchasing tax credits should contact Carmen Lorentz at 524-0747, ext. 110.



Lakes Region Community Developers helps the Lakes Region thrive by developing healthy homes, creating vibrant community assets and engaging residents. Founded in 1988 as the Laconia Area Community Land Trust, LRCD operates 366 rental homes in Ashland, Gilford, Laconia, Meredith, Tilton, and Wolfeboro. In 2017, LRCD expanded its mission to include new types of real estate development, such as affordable commercial space for local non-profits who provide critical services. For more information, visit lrcommunitydevelopers.org.



Established in 1869, Franklin Savings Bank is an independent, mutually-owned community bank, offering a full array of commercial lending, personal banking and investment services. Headquartered in Franklin, the Bank has offices in Bristol, Boscawen, Tilton, Gilford, Merrimack and Goffstown. Through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Independence Financial Advisors, Franklin Savings Bank also offers investment, insurance and financial planning services. To learn more, visit BELMONT  Franklin Savings Bank purchased $50,000 in New Hampshire business tax credits from Lakes Region Community Developers (LRCD) to support the redevelopment of the Gale School in Belmont. The project will transform the dilapidated historic building into a vibrant community facility hosting a child care center operated by the Boys & Girls Club of Central NH and a program center operated by Lakes Region Community Services (LRCS).Construction could begin as early as next year if fundraising is successful. LRCD must sell $574,000 more in tax credits to move ahead with construction."We are thrilled to support the redevelopment of the Gale School," said Ron Magoon, President of Franklin Savings Bank. "The family supports that will be offered in the renovated space are critical to the health of our local economy. We also love the collaboration between these three long-standing organizations that serve our region so well.""This project is very exciting," said Carmen Lorentz, LRCD's Executive Director. "We are so grateful to Franklin Savings Bank for their support. Lots of people have worked incredibly hard over decades to save the Gale School and bring it back to life to serve the community again. It's humbling to be part of this effort."The Gale School was built in 1894, and was used by the Belmont school district until the mid-1980s. The building has been mostly vacant since then, and years of neglect have taken their toll. The Gale School was named to the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places in 2018, and was selected as one of New Hampshire's Seven to Save in 2017.In July 2020, the building was successfully moved by the local Save Our Gale School Committee (SOGS) to a new location at 60 Concord Street in Belmont Village. LRCD agreed to partner with SOGS to redevelop the building.The tax credits are administered by New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA). Any business with operations in New Hampshire that contributes to a CDFA tax credit project receives a New Hampshire state tax credit worth 75 percent of their contribution. The credit can be used over a period of five years to reduce the business' state tax liability (business profits, business enterprise or insurance premium taxes). The tax credit program allows New Hampshire businesses to redirect a significant portion of their state tax dollars to support local projects that they care about.CDFA reviews many project applications each year and awards tax credits to those they determine are feasible and will make the biggest impact on economic development in the state. LRCD was awarded $750,000 in credits for the Gale School project, and has sold $176,000 to date.Businesses interested in supporting the Gale School project by purchasing tax credits should contact Carmen Lorentz at 524-0747, ext. 110.Lakes Region Community Developers helps the Lakes Region thrive by developing healthy homes, creating vibrant community assets and engaging residents. Founded in 1988 as the Laconia Area Community Land Trust, LRCD operates 366 rental homes in Ashland, Gilford, Laconia, Meredith, Tilton, and Wolfeboro. In 2017, LRCD expanded its mission to include new types of real estate development, such as affordable commercial space for local non-profits who provide critical services. For more information, visit lrcommunitydevelopers.org.Established in 1869, Franklin Savings Bank is an independent, mutually-owned community bank, offering a full array of commercial lending, personal banking and investment services. Headquartered in Franklin, the Bank has offices in Bristol, Boscawen, Tilton, Gilford, Merrimack and Goffstown. Through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Independence Financial Advisors, Franklin Savings Bank also offers investment, insurance and financial planning services. To learn more, visit www.fsbnh.bank

Winnisquam Echo Belmont Old Home Day celebration proves We're Better Together Music transcends generations at Tilton Senior Center Thanks for visiting SalmonPress.com
A LEADER of the Apostolic Movement Advent Mission Church yesterday appeared in court on allegations of illegally possessing unmarked ivory worth $102 816, which he intended to trade in Harares high density suburb of Glen Norah B.

Ranganai Kande of Budiriro 2, Harare, appeared at the Harare Magistrates Court charged with acquiring and trading in unmarked ivory without a licence.

He jointly appeared with Tatenda Marufu, who is employed at Tobacco Processing Zimbabwe and Judah Madamombe, a Continental Millers employee.

The trio were not asked to plead to the charges when they appeared before magistrate Mrs Tafadzwa Miti, who remanded them in custody to August 26. Mrs Miti also advised them to approach the High Court for bail application.

The State led by Ms Anesu Matorofa alleges that on Heroes Day at around 8am detectives from Minerals Flora and Fauna unnit, were told that three men were in possession of unmarked ivory at Glen Norah B Shopping Centre. The detectives were also told that the trio were scouting for buyers and were reachable on Madamombes phone.

Upon arrival at Glen Norah B shops, one of the detectives posed as a potential buyer lured Madamombe to Glen Norah High 1 School.

Madamombe is alleged to have led the detectives to new stands near the Tabernacle Church where they met Kande. The State alleges that the detectives negotiated to buy the ivory for US$14 000 and the trio agreed.

After the agreement, Madamombe called Marufu to take the ivory from a nearby bush. It is said that Marufu took the ivory, which was in a sack, to the detectives. The court heard that the detectives identified themselves and asked the trio to produce authority to trade in ivory.

It is alleged that the trio failed to produce the licence leading to their arrest. Herald
A TOP cop has appeared in court after he was allegedly involved in an accident while driving an exhibit vehicle.

Chief Superintendent Kirisipen Mutsengi (55), who is officer commanding Vehicle Theft Squad in Harare, yesterday appeared before magistrate Stanford Mambanje facing a criminal abuse of office charge.

He was remanded on $10 000 bail to September 30. Mutsengi was represented by Norman Mugiya.

It is the States case that on March 24 this year, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) received an anonymous report pertaining to abuse of recovered exhibit motor vehicles at the Central Investigation Department (CID) Vehicle Theft Squad, Southerton, Harare.

Mutsengi allegedly took one of the vehicles, a Mazda BT50 Club Cab, from the Southerton exhibition yard for personal use.

Following the tip off, on June 7 Zacc launched an investigation and the vehicle in question was recovered at a garage at corner Main and Soutter Road, New Ardbennie in Harare, where it was being repaired under Mutsengis instructions.

Further investigations revealed that on January 14, 2020, detectives at the CID Vehicle Theft Squad in Southerton recovered a vehicle which was allegedly stolen from a Mozambican national, Promise Sabawu Waize, who was crossing into Zimbabwe at Nyamapanda Border Post. It was also established through Interpol that the vehicle belonged to a South African national, Domian-Lee Kockolt, who was robbed at gunpoint in Durban, South Africa.

The vehicle was driven to CID Vehicle Theft Squad, Southerton where it was secured under exhibit number 11/20 and enquiry report number 04/20.

Further investigations also established that on February 24 last year at around 0530hrs and at corner Glenara and Samora Machel Avenue in Harare, Mutsengi was involved in an accident driving the exhibit motor vehicle, where it was extensively damaged.

Mutsengi misrepresented to the police officer who attended the scene that the vehicle belonged to the force and was registered as such. The State alleges that Mutsengi acted contrary to and inconsistent with his duties by showing favour to himself when he used an exhibit vehicle for personal gain. It is alleged that Mutsengi used the vehicle from January 14 to February 24 2020.

The value of the car is US$15 000. Newsday


Zambians are voting in a tense election that the president and his main rival have said is a test of the southern African countrys reputation as a stable democracy.

Polling began at more than 12,000 polling stations, including in prisons. More than seven million people, or over 83% of eligible voters, have registered to vote, according to the Electoral Commission of Zambia.

President Edgar Lungu is counting winning votes on his record of infrastructure developments, mainly Chinese-funded, and the distribution of agricultural inputs such as seeds and fertilisers to millions of farmers.

However, his chances could be hurt by a debilitating economic tailspin. "I am hopeful that I will be the winner so that I hand over the instruments of power to myself," said President of Zambia, Edgar Lungu

Mr Lungu, who came to power in 2015 remains optimistic. I am hopeful that I will be the winner so that I hand over the instruments of power to myself, the 64-year old who practised law before joining politics said.

His main rival is 59-year old Hakainde Hichilema and this will be a sixth shot at the presidency in the country of 18 million people.





He touts his background as a businessman, saying he will be able to attract investment, better manage the stuttering economy and eradicate alleged corruption.

The elections should result in a change of government, he told reporters on the eve of the elections.

He is hoping that hardships brought by the sharp slide of the countrys once-growing economy will push Zambians to vote for change.

Poverty is written everywhere. Everybody is hurting. Zambia is at a crossroads, he said. Analysts say like previous contests between the two men in 2015 and 2016, this vote will be closely fought.
Abuja, Nigeria (PANA) -The Federal Government of Nigeria said here Wednesday it would lift the ban it placed on the Twitter social media platform after reaching agreement with it on most areas of misunderstanding
Abuja, Nigeria (PANA)  The government of the United Kingdom (UK) and the Kano State government in Northwest Nigeria have signed a Mutual Accountability Framework (MAF) and to hold strategic dialogue focused on Health, Education, Social Protection, Good Governance, and Sustainable Economic Transformation
PARLAMENTUL REPUBLICII MOLDOVA

 2010

The Moldovan Parliaments website design was supported by the Democracy Support Programme in Moldova"  an initiative financed by the European Union and implemented by the Council of Europe
"The 81.2mln in cash, cash equivalents, and term deposits as of June 30, 2021 positions us well to advance our proprietary technology platform."

Silence Therapeutics PLC (AIM:SLN) said the first half of 2021 was a period marked by strong execution by the group.

Revenue surged to 5.85mln in the six months to the end of June from 1.15mln the year before.

The specialist in short interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) therapeutics for the treatment of diseases with significant unmet medical need ramped up the research & development (R&D) in the first half of the year, with spending on R&D rising to 15.6mln from 10.2mln the year before, largely as a result of investment in experienced personnel and clinical trial expenses related to the advancement of its proprietary programmes, SLN360 (developed to combat bad cholesterol) and SLN124 (a treatment for anaemia).

The increase in activity also saw an increase in administrative expenses to 9.1mln from 5.2mln the previous year, resulting in a wider post-tax loss of 20.0mln compared to 11.0mln in the first half of 2020.

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of June stood at 71.2mln, up from 10.3mln a year earlier, after the company received strong support for a share placing in the US that raised 30.8mln.

The progress we made across both our proprietary and partnered pipelines underscores our firm commitment to maximise the substantial opportunity of our mRNAi GOLD platform and enable 2-3 INDs [investigational new drugs] per year beginning in 2023, said Mark Rothera, the president and chief executive officer of Silence Therapeutics.

"Looking ahead, we have now fully enrolled four cohorts of the APOLLO study of SLN360 in healthy individuals living with high levels of Lp(a) and we anticipate top-line data in the first quarter of 2022. We look forward to discussing the progress of our SLN360 and SLN124 programmes as well as our broader pipeline in more detail during our R&D Day on Thursday, October 21st in New York City, he added.

Shares in Silence were down 0.8% at 703p in the first hour of trading.
Alien also has extensive silver interests in Australia and Mexico

Were not just drilling holes and doing geology, says ( ) ( ) chief executive Bill Brodie Good, taking time out from his holiday to explain the latest progress at the Hancock iron ore projects in Australia.

Were driving it forward.

That much is also clear from the title of the most recent press release, which states Hancock firming up as a standalone DSO operation.

For the uninitiated, DSO stands for direct shipping ore, and is a term applied to ore thats rich enough in iron to be shipped straight to port and on to a customer without any need for prior processing.

It can be a very lucrative business, especially if the ore is at or near surface, as it is at the Sirius Extension part of Hancock.

Here, Alien has been encountering grades consistently above 60% iron from surface or at depths of just one or two metres.

The plan now, as Brodie Good says, is to drive the project on towards establishing a formal resource, and then to move it rapidly towards production.

How long will this process take overall?

Thats hard to say, given that many operations in Australia are hamstrung by the coronavirus at the moment. But its worth noting that peers of Aliens working similar operations in a similar environment typically take about 20 months from establishing a resource to digging up first ore.

What is sure is that in mining terms getting Hancock up and running as a producer isnt going to cost much at all.

First up, theres the matter of the grade and the proximity of the ore to surface. A typical DSO ore will run at upwards of 55%, and since Aliens appears to be running significantly higher than that, the economics ought to look after themselves.

After all, at Hancock theres no need for the company to build expensive rail spurs or port infrastructure.

Its all truckable by road, says Brodie Good.

We can take the ore to an existing port infrastructure that accommodates such projects.

So, its about as simple a mining operation as you can get. Dig up ore at surface, and truck it out by road to port. No processing required, no major building works of any kind, and all the engineering to be focussed on the pit itself.

It must be conceded, of course, that although rich, the project isnt exactly vast, and wont be squaring up to any of the famous Australian iron ore operations run by ( ) or Rio Tinto. Nevertheless, for a junior company, size isnt everything. What counts is cashflow.

And at this stage, it looks as though Hancock is going to be very useful on that score. A reasonable scenario to consider, albeit before the official resource numbers are in, is that Hancock will produce around 1-1.5mln tonnes of ore a year over a 15-year mine life.

It may do better. Somewhere in the order of 60% or 70% of the tenement hasnt yet been explored, and may hold a lot more material. And beneath the DSO, there may be lower grade ore that could become part of a longer-term operation, funded in part by the cashflow from the DSO.

But these are imponderables that can be addressed in due course.

In the meantime, Alien is moving rapidly towards establishing a viable DSO project, with all the upside that that entails.
Results from the drill holes include 15m at 2.42 g/t gold, including 10m at 3.21 g/t gold, and 8m at 1.69 g/t gold

The Makosa gold system is on the Douta gold property, which covers 58 square kilometres within the Kenieba inlier, eastern Senegal

( , , , ) released a new round of drill results from its Makosa North prospect in Senegal that revealed more about the Douta gold projects potential.

In a statement, Thor told investors that wide-spaced exploratory drill sections around 1,300 metres (m) north of the last line of drilling indicate that the gold mineralization continues to the north.

Thor added that the mineralization remains open-ended.

Results from the drill holes include 15m at 2.42 grams per ton (g/t) gold, including 10m at 3.21 g/t gold, and 8m at 1.69 g/t gold.

Other highlights were 9m at 2.93 g/t gold, including 7m at 3.56 g/t gold, and 10m at 1.42 g/t gold.

Thor CEO Segun Lawson called the results particularly exciting as they suggest that the Makosa gold system continues further to the north than originally expected.

(Several) higher-grade intersections were received that may suggest an increase in grade to the north, Lawson said. In addition, the last section drilled on hole DTRC311 intersected 10 metres at 1.42g/t gold suggesting that the mineralisation is open-ended to the north."

The Makosa gold system is on the Douta gold property, which covers 58 square kilometres within the Kenieba inlier, eastern Senegal and very near to the Sabadola-Massawa project owned by Teranga Gold Corporation.

Thor, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, African Star Resources Incorporated, has a 70% economic interest in partnership with the permit holder, International Mining Company SARL. has a 30% free carried interest in its development until the announcement by Thor of a probable reserve.

Contact Angela at angela@proactiveinvestors.com

Follow her on Twitter @AHarmantas
Diversified Energy ( ) CEO Rusty Hutson joins Proactive London's Katie Pilbeam to go through some of the key themes from their first half of 2021.



Hutson also explains the pre-tax loss as a result of non-cash impairment caused by their hedging positions, a common occurrence for all energy companies that hedge.



With three material acquisitions giving the firm a foothold in a new region, Hutson details the significance of this new region entry (Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas) and how they plan to maximise value from all these operations.



DEC is hosting a Capital Markets Day, in October, which will provide further details about the companys short and longer-term ESG efforts.
A spurious claim was filed against the company's current directors at the High Court

As if Hurricane Energy PLC did not have enough problems, it now has people passing themselves as directors.

The company said it has been contacted by certain entities and individuals, who claim falsely to have authority to act on behalf of the company and who have, without legal basis, purported to appoint a Mr Rizwan Hussain and other entities as directors of the company.

These mysterious parties, which include Hussain, FVS Investment Limited and Saret Holdings, filed a spurious claim against Hurricanes (real) directors at the High Court, Hurricane told investors today, but the claim was thrown out.

Hussain, FVS Investment Limited and Saret Holdings have been ordered to immediately and permanently cease to take any steps to purportedly appoint or remove (or cause or encourage anyone else to purportedly appoint or remove) anyone as a director, officer or adviser of any of the company or its subsidiaries.

Hussain also contacted the company's registrar purporting to call an extraordinary general meeting (EGM). Hurricane said Hussain has no legal right to call an EGM.
Danakali Ltd (ASX:DNK) is focused on the development of the Colluli Sulphate of Potash Project in Eritrea, East Africa.

The company is evaluating renewable options of solar, wind and geothermal energy for becoming a zero-carbon company in the production of sulphate of potash (SOP) at its Colluli Project.

Its vision is to bring Colluli into production using the principles of risk management, resource utilisation and modularity as a growth platform to develop the resource to its full potential.
Andromeda Metals Ltd (ASX:ADN) is an emerging industrial minerals company based in Adelaide, South Australia, with a vision of becoming the worlds leading supplier of high-grade halloysite-kaolin.

The companys primary focus is directed towards the final evaluation and development of the world-class Great White Kaolin Project into production in early 2022, which is a joint venture between Andromeda and Minotaur Exploration Ltd (ASX:MEP) in which Andromeda has a 75% interest.

The development of the Great White Kaolin Deposit remains the focus for Andromeda, with Mount Hope Project offering excellent potential for future growth opportunities for the company.
Vanadium is a strategic and critical metal for many countries, due to its use in steel and potential for battery storage.

Feed for pilot leach test-work was generated in a pyrometallurgy pilot campaign in 2020-2021.

( ) has its sights set on becoming a major global producer of vanadium, a critical metal used mainly in steel that could also be the next key ingredient in battery storage.

AVL plans to produce about 11,000 tonnes of vanadium pentoxide - V2O5 - per year from its flagship Australian Vanadium Project, which managing director Vincent Algar says could account for about 5% of the worlds supply.

Thats a big number for one company, particularly when you consider that there are zero existing vanadium mines in the US or Europe - China produces the vast majority of the worlds supply at 60%, followed by Russia (17%) and South Africa (7%).

Australias finest vanadium producer

And Algar tells Proactive the company is tantalisingly close to production.

We have spent the past six years developing and strengthening the resource base and weve undertaken a number of studies, he says.

Our plan is to ship the ore from our high-quality vanadium titanium magnetite deposit near Meekatharra, take it down by road to near Geraldton to a processing plant that can purify it, use local people in the region to reduce our costs and then produce about 11,000 tonnes of V2O5 every year.

Looking at the current supply environment, and excluding growth areas, that would account for about 4% to 5% of global production.

The 411 on vanadium

Vanadium is a hard, silvery-grey metal that is relatively rare on its own in nature but occurs naturally in about 65 different minerals, including magnetite.

Currently, the vast majority of vanadium produced is used as an iron alloy or a steel additive; the addition of vanadium to steel significantly increases its strength.

Its use in steel is critical in the aerospace industry, with vanadium-steel and vanadium-titanium alloys used in virtually every jet aircraft, from engine components to high-speed airframes.

Vanadium compounds are used extensively in chemistry as catalysts, and vanadium dioxide is used in glass coatings and ceramics.

It is also being seen as perhaps the next critical battery metal; about 2% of vanadium consumption is currently used in emerging energy storage markets, namely vanadium redox flow batteries, and in the cathode of lithium-ion batteries.

The vanadium redox flow battery market has the potential for huge growth, Algar says. It has much lower degradation rates and also a much higher safety rating.

This is just one area in which vanadium can have a significant environmental impact; by using vanadium-steel alloys you end up using less cement in construction, which can reduce your carbon footprint.

Australian Vanadium Project in detail

AVL released a technical and financial update to its pre-feasibility study in December last year, reflecting robust economics, revised layout and location, updated process design and a new extended ore reserve for the project.

The project now has a mine life of 25 years (up 47% on previous estimates), an ore reserve of 32.2 million tonnes at 1.05% V2O5 (up 77%) and a pre-tax net present value of A$909 million (up an astonishing 184%).

The company is now working on a bankable feasibility study, which is one of the final steps in developing a producing mine ahead of a final investment decision.

Other highlights regarding the potential for AVLs project include:

Internal rate of return of 17.5%;

Project payback of 6.6 years;

Operating cost of US$3.66/lb V2O5, competitive with global primary vanadium producers;

Annual EBITDA average of A$144 million over 25 years; and

Forecast vanadium ore recovery to concentrate of 74.8% over 25 years

Promising test-work

The forecast vanadium ore recovery is supported by ongoing pilot test-work that is proving exceedingly promising.

Pilot-scale test-work performed on samples designed to be indicative of average early years and life of mine process feed has verified AVLs process flowsheets and its capability to deliver high-quality vanadium products, as well as an improvement in vanadium recovery at industry competitive low operating cost.

The phenomenal work by the AVL team and its consultants has outlined a robust processing environment for this exceptional vanadium orebody, able to generate significant cash flows. We have achieved our objective of outlining a low-cost globally competitive operation, able to operate over a long life under all market conditions, Algar says.

We have many opportunities to outperform our objectives, as we drive towards funding and project construction, aiming at maximising the value of vanadium in its role as both a critical steel material and a battery metal.

Algar also told Proactive that the companys vanadium expertise would insulate it from mistakes made by previous would-be producers.

Weve taken great caution around other mistakes with regards to processing, he says. This is a common problem that happens disturbingly often in the mining industry, and not just vanadium, when projects and test-work havent been properly piloted.

Our pilot-scale test-work has been focused on representative material from the ground, and average vanadium recovery through the vanadium processing plant is forecast at 88%.

This is based on demonstrated pilot plant performance through a pelletised alkaline roast and leach circuit and either bench-scale test-work results or experience in similar operations for the downstream unit processes.

We have designed a very specific and efficient process, and by locating the processing plant closer to a port, human resources and existing gas infrastructure in WAs Mid-West, we have significantly de-risked the project over several years.

AVLs board is also stacked with experts in vanadium, including technical director Daniel Harris and chief operating officer Todd Richardson, who have several decades of vanadium industry experience behind them.

The vanadium outlook

Vanadium comes in three forms - flake, powder and granules. Its value is most often assessed by looking at the rate for 98% vanadium pentoxide flake.

On Tuesday, the price was sitting at US$9.80 per pound, a two-year high.

Worldsteel, an international steel industry association, predicts steel demand to rise by 2.7% in 2022 to more than 1.9 billion tonnes, while respected market analysts GlobalData predict the global energy storage market to reach $11.04 billion in 2025.

Our timing with the Australian Vanadium Project is good with the prices on a long-term uptrend, Algar says.

We plan to cement a spot in the marketplace by first finalising our BFS, securing offtake agreements and funding and engaging a builder to get into production.

We have an economically robust case, it is low-risk with significant upside.

On the steel side, there is natural growth there, as is the greening of steel, particularly as the world slowly comes back from the pandemic.

Were also working hard on the battery opportunity, which will be a combination of efforts between companies, vendors, government and researchers.

By combining our supply chains together, we can make the vanadium redox flow battery sector work, and it has huge potential.

- Daniel Paproth
The mineral exploration company is exploring for intrusion-related gold system mineralisation and high-grade silver-zinc-gold-lead-copper volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits in Alaska's prolific Tintina Gold Belt.

( , ) has identified copper-rich massive sulphides at the Kiwi prospect, a target that falls on the newly identified Keevy volcanic massive sulphide (VMS) trend within the Red Mountain Project in Alaska.

The mineral exploration company says the massive sulphide float lies near an anomalous base metal soil trend at Red Mountain.

Electrical ground geophysics is underway at the Kiwi prospect and will serve as a prelude to drill test planning at the multi-element Alaskan asset.

Meanwhile, at the Dry Creek VMS Deposit, drilling activity has intersected four broad zones of sulphide mineralisation, indicating that the mineralised system does extend to depth in this position.

Evidence of high-grade massive sulphide

White Rock Minerals technical advisor Dr Quinton Hennigh said: White Rocks exploration field crews continue to find evidence of high-grade massive sulphide mineralisation at surface in new areas of their very large district-scale tenement block not yet drill tested.

It is exciting to continue to drill test new targets, any one of which could be a game-changing discovery.

Drilling continues at the Dry Creek deposit with the aim of encountering thick, high-grade massive sulphide that we know exists in this deposit.

It is very encouraging that recent drilling demonstrates the mineralised horizon persists at depth.

VMS deposits are typically lenticular in that they are known to pinch and swell in size.

We hope that continued drilling on aggressive 200-metre step-outs will find significant sulphide thicknesses in areas down-dip and along strike.

New VMS targets at Red Mountain

In addition to searching VMS mineralisation at the Kiwi prospect, White Rock is undertaking exploration at two other prospective targets.

Recently, the ASX-lister completed the first drill hole at Red Mountains Jack Frost prospect, which, like Kiwi, also lies along the newfound Keevy VMS trend.

Drilling targeted 75 metres down dip-of massive sulphide float that was believed to be near its source and coincident with a trend of exhalite-type altered rock float and base metal soil anomalism.

This maiden hole intersected a weak zone of pyritesphalerite-galena, but no massive sulphide mineralisation was intersected.

Surface electrical geophysics and downhole EM data has since been acquired and is being processed, while White Rock will review and interpret all data before planning any additional drilling.

Meanwhile, at the Easy Ivan prospect, the first drill hole is ready to commence.

Once a suitable drilling contractor is organised, a drill rig is likely to move to site later this month to start drilling the highest priority new VMS targets at Red Mountain.

This activity will take place over the remainder of the field season, which could extend into late September.

Dry Creek VMS Deposit

In addition to work over these Red Mountain prospects, White Rock is also testing for depth extensions at the Dry Creek VMS Deposit.

The explorer is drilling 200-metre step outs along the targets strike extent, where the third drill hole has hit a series of broad zones of sulphide mineralisation.

There are four zones interpreted to correlate with the Upper Fosters, Fosters, Copper Zone and Discovery lenses within the main Dry Creek VMS deposit, although no significant massive sulphide mineralisation has been intersected.

In the meantime, assays for the first Dry Creek hole in this seasons campaign remain pending, so White Rock is now utilising a second laboratory in an attempt to speed up the results turnaround to a four- to six-week period.

Samples from the critical third drill hole will be submitted this week.

Moving ahead, the drill rig has moved to the fourth hole at Dry Creek and will drill another 500 metres down to target a 200-metre down-dip extension of the Fosters and Discovery lenses in the centre of the deposit.

Outside the Red Mountain VMS camp, White Rock has opted to demobilise a drill rig at the Last Chance gold region after one of the first drill holes was abandoned.

No further drilling is planned at the Last Chance gold target or any new Last Chance VMS targets for the remainder of the 2021 season.

White Rock and AuStar step closer to merger

In other news today, the schemes for merger between White Rock and ( ) became effective.

AUL lodged a copy of the Federal Courts orders, approving a proposed share scheme of arrangement and options scheme that would underpin a merger, with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.

AuStar will now apply for its shares and listed options to be suspended from trading on the ASX at the close of trading today.

Under a revised merger implementation deed, White Rock intends to acquire 100% of AuStars issued share capital under a share scheme of arrangement.

As consideration for the deal, AUL shareholders will receive 0.78 WRM shares for every AUL share they hold, resulting in an implied consideration equal to 40 cents per AUL share based on each parties closing price at the time.

Under a separate options scheme, AuStar Gold option holders will receive one new White Rock option for every AUL option they hold, with an exercise price set at 77 cents.

If the option scheme is implemented, all of the AuStar listed options will be cancelled in exchange for the issue of new White Rock options.

Its anticipated the schemes will come into effect and White Rock will issue the share scheme consideration on Monday, August 23.

The new WRM shares and option should commence trade the following day.

Technical advisor to depart

Today, the White Rock team also announced that its technical advisor has joined the advisory board of a global asset management firm and one of the company's biggest shareholders.

Dr Quinton Hennigh has been appointed as Crescat Capital's full-time executive geologic and technical advisor, effective from next week.

Because of the new, formal relationship with Crescat, Dr Hennigh has opted to step down from his position at WRM, although he will still be able to provide expertise on the company's exploration and development strategy, as well as other technical matters.

Dr Hennigh said: "With my new role at Crescat, we look forward to continuing our strong relationship with White Rock.

"White Rock's Red Mountain VMS and IRGS project in central Alaska is of keen interest to myself and Crescat and we continue to support White Rock in its endeavours there.

"We are also excited about what may be achieved by WHite Rock once the merger with Victorian gold explorer and small-scale producer AuStar gold is consummated later this month, given that Crescat is also a major shareholder of AuStar.

"I look forward to continuing to work with the management team at White Rock as they continue their search for their next gold and silver-rich zinc-lead-gold VMS discoveries."
It will have the opportunity to earn up to 80% interest in the joint venture tenements through the sole funding expenditure of $2.75 million over six years.

The four exploration licence applications has halloysite-kaolin targets similar to those found at the Great White and Mount Hope Projects

( ) has executed a binding heads of agreement (HOA) with private entity Peninsula Exploration Pty Ltd to form the Eyre Kaolin Project Joint Venture (EKJV) comprising four tenements near the Great White Kaolin Project on the western Eyre Peninsula of South Australia.

Peninsulas owns the four exploration licence applications covering 2,799 square kilometres, which has halloysite-kaolin targets similar to those found at the Great White and Mount Hope Projects with recorded occurrences of kaolin clay.

Following the joint venture, the company will have the opportunity to earn up to 80% interest in the joint venture tenements through the sole funding expenditure of $2.75 million over six years.

Understanding of halloysite-kaolin geology

The tenements owned Peninsula have recorded occurrences of kaolin and existing data suggest that the tenement package has the potential to host halloysite with the physical properties sought by Andromeda.

Andromedas geology team has acquired a significant understanding of halloysite-kaolin geology over the last three years of intensive studies, which led to the identification of this ground and the new joint venture.

The company considers this ground to be very prospective for halloysite.

Key terms of the joint venture

The key terms of the farm-in and joint venture heads of the agreement include:

The company will make an initial payment to Peninsula of $20,000 upon execution of the HOA;

A minimum expenditure requirement of $140,000 to be spent by Andromeda on the project tenements within 12 months of commencement of the joint venture;

Stage 1 expenditure obligation by Andromeda of $750,000 within three years of starting to earn a 51% interest in the EKJV;

Andromeda can elect to sole fund an additional $2 million over a further three years on meeting Stage 1 to earn an additional 29% interest, taking its overall interest in the EKJV to 80%;

If a JORC 2012 compliant measured and indicated resource of at least 50 million tonnes calculated over the EKJV tenements, the company will issue $500,000 worth of its shares to Peninsula; and

Peninsula has the option to convert its remaining 20% interest into a 1.5% net profit royalty following a decision to mine.

Notification of proposed exploration licence terms

The South Australian Department for Energy and Mining has given notification of proposed exploration licence terms and conditions for all four exploration licence applications and these will be granted for an initial period of six years on acceptance of conditions and payment of licence fees.
Over the next month, the company will undertake field programs and airborne surveys targeting gold and rare earth elements at the Tanami Project.

The current work program aims to refine and extend the existing target at Watts Rise.

( ) will this month begin ground-based exploration activities following a decade of absence at Tanami Gold Project on the border of Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

A ground-based program will begin at the Watts Rise prospect testing for surface gold and pathfinders along the Watts Trend and further afield .

The company also aims to complete detailed geophysical coverage of the project with a 16,000-line kilometre airborne survey to start on August 20, 2021.

Importantly, PVWs interpretation of airborne geophysics will focus on defining new regional drill targets and refining existing targets in preparation for drilling later this year.

Lack of detailed interpretation

PVW executive director George Bauk said: It is hard to believe that the last hole drilled at the project, which intersected highly significant mineralisation, has not been followed up in nearly a decade.

Drilling at the Watts Rise prospect has intersected multiple gold horizons but there has been a lack of detailed geological interpretation undertaken by previous explorers.

We are now on the ground and about to commence the next chapter of exploration. Over the past decade, we have seen Northern Star develop a significant landholding in the Tanami Region and most recently Encounter Resources has announced its intent to spin out its Tanami project into a new company focused on the region.

Previous drilling results

The gold mineralisation discovered in the last decade provides a drill-ready target at Watts Rise.

Drilling by previous tenement holders at Watts Rise intersected gold mineralisation, open along strike to the northwest-southeast and down-dip, including:

16 metres at 2.48 g/t gold from 60 metres;

12 metres at 2.94 g/t from surface;

16 metres at 0.88 g/t from 52 metres, including 8 metres at 1.55 g/t from 52 metres; and

12 metres at 1.5 g/t from 44 metres.

Bauk adds: The potential of the region is highlighted by the world-class Callie deposit, which is owned and operated by Newmont Gold, the worlds largest gold company.

Only a handful of companies hold significant land positions in the region, and we are 100% holders of over 1,000 square kilometres of contiguous tenements with outstanding drill intersections to work with.

Our team is employing a structured approach to the exploration activities with the completion of detailed airborne geophysical coverage and on-ground activities prior to the companys maiden Tanami drilling program planned for the end of the year.

Results and interpretations will assist in planning substantial exploration drilling campaigns for 2021- 2022.

Potential for structurally controlled mineralisation

Structurally controlled gold mineralisation in the Tanami is well known and with the Coyote Gold deposit on its doorstep, this style of mineralisation will be a focus for PVWs geophysical interpretation and on-ground field campaigns.

The Watts Rise mineralisation demonstrates structural controls, increased foliation in mineralised drill intersections and is overall sub-parallel to regional shear zones.

Exploration while initially for gold and rare earth elements (REE), will consider evaluation for other commodities during geophysical interpretation, targeting and on-ground activities.

Bauk adds: The project is well serviced with the Tanami Road intersecting the southern part of our tenement holding and the Coyote Gold Mine Camp provides a convenient and close base to operate from.

We have expertise in our team on a number of fronts including a long history of exploring in the area for multiple commodities, gold exploration expertise globally and operational experience in the immediate region.

The journey is now beginning for PVW in the Tanami and we look forward to the outcomes of our efforts in the coming quarters and years.

Forward plan

PVWs field program will focus on visiting historical drill areas, conducting a ground-based review of outcrops, testing samples on the ground with XRF, systematically soil sampling suitable areas along strike and assessing other areas with orientation soil sampling to validate the ultrafine technique over the covered area.

Over the next month, the company will complete an airborne survey for targeting gold and REE which, following interpretation, will provide the exploration team with invaluable information required to plan regional drilling for 2021-2022.

- Ephrems Joseph
The Sagay copper-gold asset is in the northern tip of Negros with a total area of 4,594.24 hectares, where occurrences of large porphyry copper mineralisation potential have been confirmed.

TMCI's Peter Hume and Sarmiento with MGB officials Wilfredo Moncano and Danilo Delena at the signing of the Exploration Permit for Sagay

( ) Resources Ltds Philippine subsidiary Tambuli Mining Company Inc (TMCI) has been granted a two-year extension of the Sagay Exploration Permit (EP) No 000003VI in support of the National Governments economic recovery program.

The Sagay Copper-Gold Project is at the northern tip of Negros with a total area of 4,594.24 hectares, where occurrences of large porphyry copper mineralisation potential have been confirmed.

A key condition to the permit extension is the filing of the declaration of the mining project feasibility (DMPF) within the prescribed final two-year extension period.

The company plans to undertake definition drilling to support the declaration of a maiden JORC resource and testing the broader extents of the large-scale porphyry copper mineralisation, which is likely to begin in the third quarter of 2021.

Meaningful action and genuine support

( ) executive director Blair Sergeant said: It is very pleasing to see the Philippines Governments recent commitment to reinvigorate the countrys mining industry translating into meaningful action and genuine support of our Philippine subsidiaries activities.

I look forward to the drilling program at Sagay commencing as soon as practically possible and providing the results thereof as and when they come to hand.

The Sagay exploration permit extension underwent a full evaluation of the proposed exploration, environmental and social work programs and provided a basis for the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) to approve the permit extension, with a number of key conditions attached.

TMCI president Atty. Julito R. Sarmiento added: This is an important step in developing another of the assets within the companys copper-gold portfolio, and re-confirms the renewed commitment of the Philippine National Government to support the mining industry and the countrys path to economic recovery.

Our in-country team is now preparing to advance the Sagay Project with a substantial drilling program, despite the challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic."

The company looks forward to working closely with local landowners, stakeholders and the relevant government agencies to advance the project, in adherence to global environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles.

Permit issuance and drilling commencement

The extension of the Sagay Exploration Permit, valid for a final period of two years, takes effect upon registration at the regional MGB office on August 11, 2021.

The registration process included complying with certain regulatory requirements, including:

 Posting of a performance surety bond equivalent to the expenditure requirement of the approved WPs with a validity consistent to the EP term;

 Payment of occupation fees per fraction to the municipalities and province/s where the Sagay tenement is located; and

 Securing land use agreements with a majority of landowners within the permit area before entry or conduct of exploration activities therein.

The proposed drilling program is anticipated to commence in mid-September 2021.

The definition drilling with a coring metreage of 4,800 metres is comprised of eight drill holes, of which two are deep holes and six are shallow holes.

Fitting of the vibrating wire piezometer for groundwater readings and sampling preparations for metallurgical test work along with other technical studies will support the necessary documentation for the DMPF submission before the end of the two-year period.

The proposed definition drilling is designed to confirm continuity of the copper-gold mineralisation identified in the historical drilling

The conclusion of the proposed drilling program and associated work streams should enable the company to declare maiden JORC compliant mineral resources.

The Sagay Copper-Gold Project

Negros Island is part of the central group of Islands in the Philippines commonly referred to as 'the Visayas'.

The Sagay Project appears to contain a very large-scale porphyry copper mineralisation at depth as defined by the numerous thick drill hole intersections as seen in the historical drilling conducted by TMCI between 2008 and 2017.

Previous drilling has identified several relatively high-grade shallow copper mineralisation occurrences, in addition to a very large body of copper mineralisation with true widths interpreted to exceed 500 metres in places.

The large-scale copper mineralisation at depth is still open in multiple directions.
Theta Gold Mines Ltd (ASX:TGM) controls 5.8 million ounces of gold in South Africa and is on schedule to complete a Feasibility Study at its first open-cut Theta Hill mine located next to its CIL plant.

Theta Gold Mines has busy work program to drive TGME Underground Project to gold production

Theta Gold Mines Ltd (ASX:TGM) has set in motion a work program to drive gold production at its TGME Underground Project in South Africa.

The work program largely comprises the upgrading of the maiden underground pre-feasibility study (PFS) to a definitive feasibility study (DFS) and commencement of trial mining.

Definitive feasibility studies are expected to be completed for Beta, Frankfort, CDM and Rietfontein underground mines by the second quarter of 2022.



"New discoveries"

Theta Chairman Bill Guy said: "Recently I had an exciting trip to South Africa. I've spent many hours with the team onsite and in Johannesburg working on future strategies and mine developments.

"On-site, we walked many kilometers through underground workings at the TGME underground mines, including new accessible areas such as Beta Mine South, which is not yet in our Resource Statement.

"The team was very keen to share new discoveries, closed-concreted portals that can be used to access the Frankfurt Mine reefs and upper levels of Peach Tree and Iota reef systems.

"While I was on-site, new power lines were been installed by the government (Eskom) passing close to the Northern sections of our mining permits and not far from the Frankfurt Mine, this will allow easy access to electricity across our entire Northern tenement package (Frankfurt and Vaalhoek mines).

"The planned work for the next three quarters should deliver another resource upgrade and increasing mining reserves. The current phase 1 underground project PFS will be converted into a DFS, and the environmental studies and designs will continue as per project plan."
Construction and practical completion of the Lake Way process plant have been finalised with GR Engineering Services handing over the plant in late June.

Shareholders have given the green light for the directors to participate.

( , , , ) board of directors have demonstrated faith in the companys potash strategy through participation in a placement after receiving shareholder approval.

The company received funds from its recent A$28 million placement, as well as debt funds from the final US$33 million tranche of its US$138 million senior debt facility on June 10.

Salt Lake's A$18 million guarantee facility with Sequoia has also been executed.

Change of director's interests

On August 10, chairman Ian Middlemas acquired 2.5 million shares worth a total of $875,000 in an indirect interest, increasing the number of securities held after the change to 22.5 million.

Managing director and CEO Tony Swiericzuk acquired 250,000 shares worth $87,500, increasing his number of securities held to 5.45 million in direct and indirect interests.

Non-executive director Peter Thomas purchased 55,000 shares in a direct interest valued at $19,250, increasing his number of securities in that interest to 300,000.

Moving towards first SOP delivery

The company has been moving towards its first SOP delivery as it works through Stage-4 of its load commissioning process for the Lake Way process plant near Wiluna in Western Australia.

Its operations team, together with consultants from the plant designer and component manufacturers have been systematically working through the plant to ensure each unit is working within design parameters and the plant chemistry is established.

The company has also announced plans to implement a revised ramp-up strategy to enable more salts to precipitate before commencing continuous harvesting activities.

There is no anticipated impact on production levels in FY23 and beyond, with full production run-rate from primary salts still anticipated in the June 2022 quarter.

Revised ramp-up strategy

The revised ramp-up strategy involves suspending the initial plant feed program following the processing of the first 90,000-110,000 tonnes of harvest salts, to enable more salts to precipitate before commencing continuous harvesting activities.

As such, forecasted SOP production for the financial year 2022 has been reduced and the company will require further funding.

Discussions have commenced to address the issue and the market will be updated once the talks are completed and agreed.
TRACON said it has sufficient funds to sustain its operations into 2023

TRACON noted its cash balance doesnt include proceeds from its $15 million underwritten public offering in July

( ) reported that it ended its second-quarter 2021 with cash and equivalents of $25.6 million as of June 30, 2021, which doesnt include proceeds from its $15 million underwritten public offering in July.

The company noted it now has sufficient funds to sustain its operations into 2023.

We remain on track to announce interim efficacy data from the pivotal ENVASARC trial by the end of this year and final data in 2022, ( ) CEO Charles Theuer said in a statement.

Last week the IDMC recommended the study proceed as planned following review of interim safety data and we will continue to focus our efforts on enrolling this pivotal trial, Theuer added.

TRACON also noted other expected key upcoming company milestones, including:

Request US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) breakthrough therapy designation or fast track designation for envafolimab by end of 2021, assuming positive interim efficacy data

Decision on the envafolimab New Drug Application in MSI-H/dMMR cancer that is under priority review by the Chinese National Medical Products Administration

The company added its general and administrative expenses for 2Q increased to $6.1 million from $2.1 million a year earlier, due primarily to one-time legal costs, and said it expects this past quarters expenses to be the high point for this year.

( ) has positioned itself as a collaboration partner that leads the regulatory filings, clinical trials, as well as US commercialization of best-in-class drug candidates, as an alternative to expensive contract research organization-based development.

Contact Sean at sean@proactiveinvestors.com
"Times is hard" for Pret and the staff, most of whom are on minimum wage, are seeing a cut in their benefits.

Sandwich bar chain Pret a Manger is making permanent what were expected to be temporary pay cuts for staff.

During the pandemic, the company told staff, most of whom are already on minimum wage, that they would not be paid during rest breaks while a service bonus of 1 an hour was also axed before being reinstated in April but at only 50p an hour.

Now, despite lockdown restrictions affecting the company being eased, management has indicated these changes will become permanent, prompting staff to consider strike action.

Pret said the changes were necessary because changes brought about by the pandemic, presumably including the shift towards working from home, had had a big impact on our business.

Shareholders have shared some of the pain with the chain suspending dividend payments, while in April it said there were material uncertainties over whether the business could remain viable.

The chain closed 77 branches in the UK last year and 22 in the US, while shareholders lobbed in an additional 185mln of funding in February, the Retail Gazette reports.

The business is still trading significantly below pre-pandemic levels, but we continue to review our benefits. This is in no way a reflection of the hard work of our teams, and were incredibly grateful for their dedication and commitment. Its important to us that we always communicate openly and honestly with our team members, which well continue to do over the coming months, Pret said.
The assays reconfirm the polymetallic nature of the deposit, with the companys primary focus being Platinum Group Metals

The company CEO went on to outline some of the upcoming work for the Escape Lake portion of the property

( , , ) has unveiled its recently completed results from an ongoing drill program at its flagship asset, the Thunder Bay North project in Ontario.

The assays reconfirm the polymetallic nature of the deposit, with the companys primary focus being ( ) Group Metals (PGM).

Hole CL21-004 from the Current Lake Deposit infill program was especially promising, the hole intersected 13 meters (m) grading at 2.9 grams per tonne (g/t) palladium equivalent (PdEq) and was composed of 0.96 g/t palladium, 1.03 g/t ( ), 0.30% copper and 0.25% nickel from 168m  181m downhole.

Additionally, Hole CL21-004 also returned 3m grading 4.9 g/t PdEq composed of 1.96g/t palladium, 2.21g/t platinum, 0.51% copper and 0.26% nickel from 158m  161m downhole.

At the Escape Lake deposit portion of the property, Hole ELR21-070 intercepted 8m grading 3.3g/t palladium equivalent composed of 1.25 g/t palladium, 1.15/t platinum, 0.43% copper, 0.20% nickel from 318m-326m downhole.

According to Clean Air Metals, the Escape Lake Deposit has an overall indicated mineral resource of 505,369 ounces at 3.67g/t palladium equivalent in 4,286,220 tonnes and is geologically open along trend.

While the adjacent Current Lake Deposit has an Indicated mineral resource of 1,328,789 ounces (oz) palladium equivalent at an average grade of 3.44 g/t palladium equivalent in 11,999,177 tonnes.

"Initial assay results from the Current Lake deposit infill drilling (CL holes) are ongoing and will supplement the understanding of resource continuity and mine slope planning for the upcoming preliminary economic assessment (PEA). The company is looking forward to publication of a PEA in 4Q/21 solely on the Current Lake Deposit, Abraham Drost, CEO of Clean Air Metals said in a statement.

The PEA will be based on a ramp-access underground mine model constraining the existing mineral resource.

The company CEO went on to outline some of the upcoming work for the Escape Lake portion of the property.

The present round of assay results is also being added to the Escape Lake deposit database (ELR holes) which will result in a revised resource estimate in Q1/22, he said. The future potential to add scale to the Thunder Bay North Project with feed from the Escape Lake Deposit is potentially accretive to overall project economics."

Clean Air Metals has also enlisted Blue Coast Research of British Columbia to conduct Metallurgical optimization studies. The results of the studies and independent analysis of smelter recoveries and smelter payables are expected to input directly into the PEA mine model planned for publication in early Q4/2021.

Contact the writer at georgia@proactiveinvestors.com

Follow her on Twitter @MissInformd
A glance at some of the day's highlights from the Proactive Investors US and Canada newswires

( ) Inc posted second-quarter results that saw pre-tax income of $11.9 million and year-over-year revenue gains driven by sales of the companys Logix Smart COVID-19 Test. For the period ended June 30, 2021, the Salt Lake City, Utah-based molecular diagnostics company reported revenue of $27.4 million, up 13.8% from the second quarter in 2020. The companys gross profit for its 2Q increased 37.6% to $24.9 million, representing 90.8% of consolidated revenue due to reduced production costs and improved product mix. Co-Diagnostics reported net income of $9.8 million, or $0.33 per fully diluted share for the 2Q, compared to net income of $15 million, or $0.51 per fully diluted share in the same period in 2020.

PyroGenesis Canada Inc has finalized its strategic acquisition of AirScience Technologies Inc (AST) and its subsidiaries for an amended total cash purchase price of about $4.4 million. In a statement, PyroGenesis said the purchase price will be paid upon various contract and business-related milestones. Should any of the milestones not be reached within the next three years, the purchase price will be adjusted downward. AST, a Montreal-based company, offers technologies, equipment, and expertise in the area of biogas upgrading, as well as air pollution controls.

, an equity research firm using innovative tools to communicate and educate investors issued an updated note on Capstone Green Energy, following the latters fiscal 1Q 2022 revenue increase. In its 1Q22 earnings results, the company reported a 13.3% revenue bump, despite ongoing [coronavirus] COVID-19 and supply chain challenges. The provider of customized microgrid solutions and on-site energy technology systems designed to help customers meet their carbon reduction, energy savings and resiliency goals, also announced its plans to launch a 30% hydrogen product during the fiscal 2022 year.

( ) Corp said it has signed a definitive merger agreement with Creation Technologies Inc, that will see the latter acquire all outstanding shares of IEC. Creation has agreed to pay $15.35 per share in cash, which represents a fully diluted equity value of approximately $173.8 million and an aggregate enterprise value of $242.3 million, based upon net debt of $68.6 million. Additionally, IEC also released its fiscal 3Q results for the period ending July 2, 2021. The company reported revenues of $49.4 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2021, an increase of 4.2% compared to revenues of $47.4 million for the same quarter last year.

( ) Technologies Corp has acquired Stratum Health Solutions LLC from RTAE Holdings LLC. Stratum operates HealthCheck, an encrypted wellness tracking and analytics tool with 1,000-plus current customers, including over 50,000 users within Atlanta Public Schools across 91 learning sites. HealthCheck is a secure, cloud-based platform that allows organizations of all sizes to track and evaluate employee and student health as well as coronavirus (COVID-19) related symptoms in real-time through an app.

( , ) Ltd, and its subsidiary companies doing business as Luckbox, said it has partnered with Bambora to add its PaymentIQ gateway to the Luckbox platform. Real Luck noted the agreement is designed to drive revenue by delivering Luckbox players frictionless deposit options.

( ) saw its total revenue increase to US$14.3 million during its second-quarter as its royalty portfolio continued to improve. The 2Q figure was up from the $11 million it delivered in the same quarter in 2020, a 30.4% increase. The firm posted net income of US$3.7 million or $0.03 per share, also higher than the $3 million figure ($0.03 per share) it saw in the same period a year earlier.

( ) announced that a new patent has been filed for its proprietary process of manufacturing silicon (Si) anode active materials. The company said the patent will extend the protection related to the Si nanocoating process by the single-step, one-pot solution process, which was originally developed by NEO. This applied patent joins a family of related patents already issued and applied for the unique and cost-effective process by NEO's one-pot process. To date, the company retains five patents on the Si nanocoating process.

Phoenix Gold Fund Limited has acquired an aggregate of 11,500,000 common shares at an average price of $0.13 and 5,750,000 common share purchase warrants of Unigold Inc on August 10, 2021 pursuant to a non-brokered private placement. Phoenix acquired the common shares at a price of C$0.13 per share for a total purchase price of C$1,495,000. As a result of the acquisition, Phoenix now owns 12,502,500 common shares and 5,750,000 common share purchase warrants of Unigold, representing approximately 8.02% of all issued and outstanding shares of the company on an undiluted basis.

The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) heralded a new milestone in its corporate listings growth, which continues to lead all Canada-based stock exchanges as it announced its market statistics for the month of July 2021. The CSE said there were 18 new listings in the month, bringing total listed securities on the exchange to 696 as of July 31, 2021. The aggregate market value of CSE issuers was $59.4billion as of July 31, 2021, compared to $42.1 billion at year-end 2020. Trading volume of CSE-listed securities in July totaled 2.3 billion shares and the trading value of CSE-listed securities was $1.7 billion.

( ) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to acquire Antics Gaming LLC, a Las Vegas-based developer of skill-based games for Android and iOS platforms. In a statement, Royal Wins said the acquisition of Antics is the first in a series of expected acquisitions to build and grow its business model and will be a significant building block in the company's global development strategy. Also, the company anticipates that the purchase of Antics will include intellectual property, patent and trademark assets, and the assumption by Royal Wins of Antics' ongoing working relationships with Samsung, ( ), and Skillz Inc.

( , ). said it has signed an online distribution agreement with Walmart.com and will be expanding into Walmarts eCommerce marketplace by Q4, 2021 with its Plant-Based Complete Nutrition products for Toddlers. Entering Walmart.com is a highly significant milestone for the Company, said Hamutal Yitzhak, CEO and co-Founder of Else Nutrition in a statement. The sheer size of Walmart.com will allow us to reach thousands of new families and enable us to scale significantly over the next 3 years, she added. According to eMarketer, Walmarts US eCommerce sales prior to the pandemic were $30 billion and are projected to hit over $64 billion by the end of 2021.

Zoglo's Incredible Food Corp. said it has appointed award-winning chef Pino Di Cerbo as its chief culinary officer. In a statement, the company said Chef Pino will guide the development of quality plant-based food products, design recipes, and enhance consumer engagement. Inspired by his mother's homemade Italian cooking, Chef Pino rose to prominence in 2014, placing 6th in CTV's MasterChef Canada's inaugural season, establishing himself as a fan favourite and went on to win the subsequent MasterChef Canada Holiday and All-Star: Family Edition specials.

( ) has announced plans to tie-in the 3-26 well in West Pepper, Alberta, which has the potential to produce natural gas. The Calgary-based company said it is beginning the process to tie-in the behind-pipe natural gas from the exploration well after a February 2021 independent engineering report estimated an initial production rate of 5.5 million standard cubic feet per day (scf/d) from the well. Other findings from the preliminary report, which was not prepared in accordance with NI 51-101 reserve reporting requirements, include estimated onstream costs of around C$1.3 million and rapid payback of the tie-in costs and positive cash flow, according to Arrow.

( ) Vehicles Corp, a Canadian electric vehicle designer and manufacturer, posted second-quarter results that demonstrated that it is well capitalized and in a strong financial position with over $250 million on its balance sheet to forge ahead with the buildout of its US Assembly and Engineering Technical Center in Mesa, Arizona. For the period ended June 30, 2021, the carmaker had cash, equivalents and short-term deposits totaling $250 million, compared to $129.5 million as of December 31, 2020. During the quarter, the companys net cash decreased by $10.3 million, which was a result of net cash used in operating activities of $9.4 million and net cash used in investing activities of $1.4 million, offset by net cash provided by financing activities of $456,000.

( ) Limited reports that it ended its second quarter with a strong balance sheet with about $27.9 million in cash and cash equivalents. The epigenetics company, which had a balance sheet of $19.4 million as of December 31, 2020, said it continued to manage expenditures carefully with a cash burn rate of about $2 million per month. It added that it raised $900,000 during the quarter ended June 30, 2021, in an at-the-market equity distribution program.

( , , , ) (TSX-V:THX, AIM:THX, OTC:THXPF, ) released a new round of drill results from its Makosa North prospect in Senegal that revealed more about the Douta gold projects potential. In a statement, Thor told investors that wide-spaced exploratory drill sections around 1,300 metres (m) north of the last line of drilling indicate that the gold mineralization continues to the north. Thor added that the mineralization remains open-ended.

Empress Royalty Corp said it has received its first revenue from the Sierra Antapite gold mine in Peru. The revenue is part of a US$10 million gold stream agreement with Sierra Sun Group, signed on July 28, 2021, on the payable gold production from the Sierra Antapite mine at 20% of the gold spot price.

( , ) Inc. has granted incentive stock options authorizing the purchase of 585,600 common shares to officers, directors and consultants of the company. The options are exercisable at $0.37 per share for a period of three years from the date of grant. The options have been granted under and are governed by the terms of the company's incentive stock option plan and are subject to TSX Venture Exchange acceptance.

( , , ) has unveiled its recently completed results from an ongoing drill program at its flagship asset, the Thunder Bay North project in Ontario. The assays reconfirm the polymetallic nature of the deposit, with the companys primary focus being ( ) Group Metals (PGM). Hole CL21-004 from the Current Lake Deposit infill program was especially promising, the hole intersected 13 meters (m) grading at 2.9 grams per tonne (g/t) palladium equivalent (PdEq) and was composed of 0.96 g/t palladium, 1.03 g/t ( ), 0.30% copper and 0.25% nickel from 168m  181m downhole.

( ) ( ) applauded the US Senate for passing the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act which includes a heavy emphasis on electric vehicle and green energy industry investments. The company, which is in the process of changing its name to American Battery Technology Company (ABTC) praised the $1 trillion cash infusion that will revitalize, fortify and strengthen the nation's infrastructure. In the budget which passed through Senate on Tuesday, $7.5 billion has been earmarked to build a national framework of charging networks for electric vehicles.

Alkaline Fuel Cell Power Corp, which is focused on the design, development and commercialization of alkaline fuel cell heat and power systems, said it is exceptionally well-positioned to target the residential and small to medium-sized power markets in Europe and around the world. Our hydrogen-powered alkaline fuel cell technology is being positioned to offer all of Europe an energy source that generates zero CO2 emissions with pure water as the only by-product, said Alkaline Fuel Cell Power CEO Jef Spaepen in a statement. With technology originally derived from the European Space Agency, Alkaline Fuel Cell Power has been able to develop a fuel cell that is smaller in size and scalable because of fewer operating inputs and the absence of noble metals, which include high-value, high-cost ( )-group metals.

Mandalay Resources Corporation has reported second-quarter 2021 revenue of US$51.4 million, the companys second-highest quarterly sales results since 2Q 2016 and a 21% increase from the same period last year. Mandalay also realized US$11.5 million, or $0.13 per share, in adjusted net income during the quarter, its sixth consecutive quarter of profitability. Mandalay Resources is pleased to deliver strong financial results for the second quarter of 2021, as the company continues to execute against our operational strategy and is on track to attain our 2021 production and cost guidance, Mandalay Resources CEO Dominic Duffy said in a statement.

NexTech AR Solutions Corp. has reported its financial and operating results for the second quarter of 2021 which showed the company had cash on hand of $15.4 million as of June 30, 2021. The company reported revenue of $6.1 million for the three months to June 30, 2021, an increase of over 73% compared to $3.5 million posted for the same period in 2020, while gross profit was $2.3 million, an increase of over 6% compared to the $2.2 million reported for the same period in 2020. For the six months ended June 30, 2021, Nextech's revenue increased by 130% to $13.8 million compared to the same six months period in 2020, while gross profit increased by 59% to $5.6 million over the same period in 2020.

( , ) has revealed that its MiQLab System is the first point-of-need instrument that can be configured to perform polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests using either probe-based chemistry, or SYBR Green chemistry coupled with melt curve analysis. In a statement, Dr Nathan Walsh, VP of Applications and Informatics at LexaGene, said: Traditional real-time PCR uses expensive hydrolysis probes that have long lead times for manufacturing, whereas SYBR Green-based PCR uses inexpensive primers that have much shorter lead times. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has caused massive delays in the manufacturing and delivery of the PCR probes used in diagnostic testing. In many cases, these delays were sometimes greater than 8 weeks, which created shortages that prevented the running of some testing platforms.

MedX Health Corporation has announced the appointment of Sylvain Desjeans as the companys president and chief executive officer with immediate effect. With more than 30 years of healthcare and pharmaceutical industry experience, Desjeans has served in successively senior roles at organizations such as ( ) Canada, Accucaps Industries Limited and Biovail Pharmaceuticals. He has a long track record of successfully executing large-scale growth plans and global product licensing initiatives. Desjeans joined MedX on May 5, 2021, as chief revenue officer, and has been working on the companys market opportunities, including the application of the MedX Dermsecure platforms artificial intelligence features, as well as initiatives focussed on revenue generation.

( , , ). has announced that its management is not aware of any undisclosed material information relating to the company that may be contributing to the recent increase in its trading activity.

MedX Health Corp said the TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing the company's proposal to issue 360,000 common shares at a deemed value of 20 cents per to settle outstanding debt for $72,000 with one creditor

( , ) said the TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation with respect to its non-brokered private placement which will see the issue of 4.35 million shares at a purchase price of 20 cents per share, together with 4.35 million share purchase warrants with an exercise price of 30 cents for a one-year period with 36 placees.

Midwest Energy Emissions Corp. - ( ) - has announced that its management will present at the Q3 Virtual Investor Summit, taking place August 17-18, 2021. The company said Richard MacPherson, its president and chief executive officer is scheduled to participate in one-on-one meetings with investors throughout the event and will host a virtual presentation on Wednesday, August 18, 2021, at 9.30am Eastern time via the following registration webcast link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_gBk7hdw1R0i175M1yx6MAA. Registration is mandatory for conference participation.

( ) has announced that it will present at the Q3 Virtual Investor Summit, hosted by the Investor Summit Group, on August 18, 2021. Michael Mo, KULR chief executive officer is scheduled to present on Wednesday, August 18, 2021, at 1.15pm Eastern time and will participate in one-on-one meetings with investors throughout the event. The presentation will be webcast live and an archived webcast of the presentation will be made available at www.investorsummitgroup.com and on KULR's website at https://kulrtechnology.com/category/presentations. Registration is mandatory for conference participation.

( ), Inc. has announced that its chief executive officer, Saiid Zarrabian, will present at the Investor Summit Conference being held August 17-18, 2021. The company said Zarrabian will deliver his corporate presentation on August 17, 2021 at 12.30pm ET. Investors can also request a one-on-one meeting with Zarrabian to be arranged following the conclusion of the conference. Investors can register for the conference via the following link: https://www.meetmax.com/sched/event_74699/investor_reg_new.html?attendee_role_id=ISG_INVESTOR

( ). has announced that the company's CEO, Omri Brill will be presenting at the Q3 Virtual Investor Summit on August 18, 2021, at 08.45am ET. To register for the summit, investors can use the following link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_QJIpRplsTECy321jVufg3Q

( ) has announced that ( ), a Canadian focused company with a pipeline of projects in various stages of development, has qualified to trade on the OTCQX Best Market and has today upgraded from the OTC Pink market. Upgrading to the OTCQX Market is an important step for companies seeking to provide transparent trading for their US investors. For companies listed on a qualified international exchange, streamlined market standards enable them to utilize their home market reporting to make their information available in the US To qualify for OTCQX, companies must meet high financial standards, follow best practice corporate governance and demonstrate compliance with applicable securities laws. Duncan Middlemiss, president and CEO commented: "We are pleased to have achieved this milestone and to commence trading on OTCQX. Joining the market is expected to enhance our liquidity and visibility in the US market and provide access to a broader set of investors."
Canada Silver Cobalt Works President and COO Matt Halliday joined Steve Darling from Proactive to bring news the company has found two new high-grade silver veins at Castle East. This now brings the total to 8, the number of high-grade silver veins located. These will be included in the Q1 2022 resource estimate update.

Halliday talks about that and he also shares with Proactive information about a new acquisition of a gold property very close to Kirkland Lake's very high-grade Macassa Mine.
Mirasol Resources President Timothy Heenan joined Steve Darling from Proactive to share news the company is releasing results from their recently completed 2,814-metre drill program at the Sascha Marcelina project in Argentina.

Heenan telling Proactive the Pellegrini trend returned a broad zone of gold and silver mineralization He also discussed drilling from the Igloo and Estancia trends as well.
If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this





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Moscow court detains scientist in treason case for two months

 RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov

17:19 12/08/2021

MOSCOW, August 12 (RAPSI)  Moscows Lefortovsky District Court on Thursday ordered detention of Alexander Kuranov, CEO and Chief Structural Engineer of the Scientific Research Institute of Hypersonic, until October 9 as part of a treason case, the courts press service told RAPSI.

Earlier, the Federal Security Service conducting investigation sought to detain the man.

Kuranov was arrested on Thursday.

The scientist is working at physics and plasma chemistry. He is the author of more than 120 research papers.
Russian Supreme Court upholds own decision to keep e-learning in effect

 AGN Moskva, Denis Grishkin

18:57 12/08/2021

MOSCOW, August 12 (RAPSI)  The Russian Supreme Court has upheld its decision of April 28, 2021, to dismiss a claim of State Duma Communist MP Valery Rashkin challenging the experiment to introduce digital educational environment in certain regions of the country, RAPSI learns in court.

The claimant petitioned to invalidate the provisions of the document saying that the experiment is to be in carried out in the period from December 10, 2020 through December 31, 2022.

Rashkin indicated that the contested provision violates his rights and legitimate interests as a person whose grandchildren are deprived of the right to get affordable and free education. The applicant also complained about the lack of any research on the impact on the physical and mental health of children in e-learning conditions.

Obviously, distance learning involves additional costs for expensive computer equipment, which fall entirely on the shoulders of parents, whereas not all families can afford to purchase a separate personal computer for a child with Internet access and a web camera, Rashkin explained in the first instance court.

In turn, the Ministry of Education said that the contested act was adopted in accordance with the law on education, which allows experimental and innovative activities in the educational sphere in order to modernize and develop the education system.

Earlier, the State Duma has explained that goal of the project was to make the Russian education system competitive and education in Russia accessible to everyone.
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
Reacting to the ongoing tussle between Congress and social media platform Twitter, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who is also the chairman of standing committee on Information Technology, said on Thursday that locking accounts stifles the freedom of expression.

In a series of tweets, Tharoor said, "Automatically locking accounts is an extreme step that stifles the freedom of expression of Indian citizens."

He said, "I understand @Twitter's position that it has no choice but block accounts that violate Indian law & Twitter policy. While the law is what it is, policy can be reviewed."

He said that the the outrage of the rape, murder and hasty cremation of a 9-yr-old Dalit girl in Delhi has shocked the nation's conscience. It demands expeditious action, not against Rahul Gandhi for a technical violation of law, but against those who were complicit in this human tragedy.

"The perception of double standards makes matters worse. When a BJP national spokesman posted a picture of the Hathras rape victim (violating Section 228A of the Indian Penal Code) @Twitter did not lock his account. SC Commission posted a pic of the victim's family on Aug 2, no action." Tharoor tweeted

He said that the Twitter's action taken against a prominent opposition leader raises obvious concerns of selectivity and bias. I urge @Twitter to restore @RahulGandhi's account, review the policy of automatic suspensions & show more sensitivity to public concerns. Focus on what happened to the girl, not a pic!"

The Congress party on Thursday claimed that after blocking their former president Rahul Gandhi's social media account, Twitter has now "locked" the party's official handle @INCIndia.

Congress social media head Rohan Gupta said the official Twitter account of the Congress has been locked. "Cong official twitter account locked," Gupta tweeted and told IANS that 5,000 of their party workers and leaders' accounts have also been blocked.

IYC national president Srinivas B.V. tweeted: First Rahul Gandhiji's account, Then Congress workers' account, Then Congress Leaders account, & Now official account of @INCIndia...Twitter is openly batting as a frontal organization of the BJP. Are we still living in India or North Korea?"

The micro-blogging platform a day ago also blocked Congress General Secretary Ajay Maken's handle, Maken said that Twitter blocked him for supporting Rahul Gandhi.
Terrorists opened fire on a BSF convoy on the National Highway in South Kashmir's Kulgam district on Thursday, however no loss was reported, officials said.

The area has been cordoned off and additional forces have reached the spot.

Police said the terrorists involved in firing have been trapped and an operation has been started by the police and security forces.
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday met World Health Organisation (WHO) Chief Scientist Saumya Swaminathan here to discuss the WHO's approval for Bharat Biotech's Covaxin.

During the meeting, Swaminathan also discussed the various aspects of the current Covid-19 pandemic among other issues.

Covaxin is developed by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech in collaboration with ICMR and National Institute of Virology, Pune.

All documents required for Emergency Use Listing (EUL) have been submitted by Bharat Biotech for Covaxin to the World Health Organization (WHO) as of July 9 and the review process by the global health body has commenced, said the Minister of State for Health Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar last month in Rajya Sabha.

Earlier, the Covaxin got a certificate of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) compliance from the Hungarian authorities. This approval for the vaccine is considered as a step forward in meeting the global standards.

Swaminathan also met Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Jitendra Singh and discussed issues related to the pandemic.

The Minister told her that with the personal intervention and day-to-day personal monitoring by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has undertaken the fastest and the largest vaccination drive against Covid-19.

Emphasising on the importance of mass vaccination through easy availability and accessibility, Swaminathan said even though the vaccine may not be able to provide absolute protection against different variants of virus, it can certainly reduce the risk of death and complications.

Appreciating India's comprehensive and cohesive war against Covid-19, Swaminathan said there will be a need to stand on guard in the months to come as well.

The domestically developed Covaxin is effective against the Delta plus variant of Covid-19, claimed the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in its study last week.

For clarifications/queries, please contact IANS NEWS DESK


An organisation representing the Indian diaspora in the US has said it will hoist the biggest tricolour at the iconic Times Square in New York on August 15 on the 75th anniversary of India's Independence Day. The 6 feet by 10 feet tricolour places on a 25 feet pole will be unfurled by the consul general of India in New York, Randhir Jaiswal, according to the Federation of Indian Association (FIA). The unfurling of the tricolour at Times Square is part of the day-long celebrations to be organised by FIA on August 15, according to the association. The first India Day billboard at Times Square will be displayed for 24 hours, the Empire State Building will be lit in the colours of the Indian tricolour and the day will end with a gala cruise on the Hudson River to be attended by top government officials, special guests and members of the Indian American community. An Independence Day message will also be displayed on the largest Jumbotron at Times Square for 24 hours.




On August 6, adviser to the Russian President and Executive Secretary of the Eastern Economic Forum Organizing Committee Anton Kobyakov held a meeting in Moscow with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of India to the Russian Federation D. B. Venkatesh Varma during which they discussed possible formats for Indias participation in the EEF 2021 and SPIEF 2022, the members of the Indian delegation, business programme events, and agreements that the countries may sign, a press release from Russian Embassy said.

The traditionally friendly Russian-Indian ties have steadily strengthened over the last few decades. In recent years, they have attained the level of a particularly privileged strategic partnership that represents a unique format of interstate interaction. We consider it very important to expand cooperation in the Eurasian Economic Community space and also continue the dialogue on the North-South international transport corridor project whose implementation will significantly expand our trade opportunities, Kobyakov said.

He also pointed out that the 6th Eastern Economic Forum will be the second major international event held after SPIEF in 2021 and that it will be held in a hybrid format. Kobyakov said this will not affect the productivity of the event since it is expected to be attended by prominent guests and feature fruitful discussions given the importance of the themes in the business programme. In addition, he said ensuring sanitary and epidemiological safety during the Forum is a top priority.

The Indian delegation is ready to contribute to the business programme of the Eastern Economic Forum. We are interested in organizing a RussiaIndiaJapan trilateral meeting as well as meetings at the level of the federal ministers of Russia and India. We also look forward to expanding Russian-Indian business contacts at the regional level. For example, business representatives of the state of Gujarat WEF were invited to the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) as part of the EEF to secure agreements in the diamond industry and pharmaceuticals that were reached at the Forum in 2019. Given the closed borders, participation in the EEF opens a window of opportunity for the realization of joint business interests, D. B. Venkatesh Varma said.

During the meeting, the two officials discussed the members of the Indian delegation in the EEF 2021. They noted that Indian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sushma Swaraj took part in the Forum in 2017. Indias official delegation was led by Indian Minister of Industry and Trade Suresh Prabhu in 2018. In 2019, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the main guest of the Forum.

In addition, they discussed the RussiaIndia business dialogue that is part of the Forums business programme. The event is scheduled to be held in person, but

a hybrid format may also be used with the help of an organized studio in New Delhi.

The officials discussed prolonging a cooperation agreement at the EEF 2021 with one of Russias key partners in India  the Invest India National Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agency.

The Eastern Economic Forum is held annually with the objective of facilitating the accelerated development of the Russian Far Easts economy and expanding international cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. The 2021 Eastern Economic Forum will be held in Vladivostok from 24 September.
Anchorage, AK -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/12/2021 -- Crowson Law Group is pretty much a household name in Alaska regarding personal injury and property damage lawsuits. Headed by James Crowson, the firm has represented hundreds of clients seeking compensation after surviving personal injury cases. It has also very recently settled several property damage cases in Anchorage and Alaska. The firm opens its doors to everyone regardless of the magnitude of the case. Whether trivial or comprehensive, Crowson Law Group guarantees representation. Clients can also expect to have their cases handled with the utmost professionalism by experienced, skilled, and competent attorneys working with Crowson Law Group.



Speaking about Crowson Law Group's stellar reputation in Alaska, the firm's spokesperson said, "For a long time, getting a competent Alaska Personal Injury Attorney hasn't been easy. It wasn't until we opened Crowson Law Group that people began to appreciate what working with a reputable law firm is all about. We're now proud to say that we've made a mark in Alaska. We're certain that with the values we uphold, such as professionalism, the future looks bright for us and anyone who needs our services."



Crowson Law Group isn't an instant success. The firm's history is one of resilience, commitment, and deep belief in great values. Before setting up Crowson Law Group, John Crowson worked closely with healthcare service providers and insurance firms. He mostly defended negligence suits and won several cases solely because of his competence and work ethic. Before long, he realized representing corporations against ordinary citizens, some of whom were struggling to make, always left him with experiences that conflicted with his personal views. He quit his practice, found other like-minded attorneys, and set up Crowson Law Group, a success story.



The firm's spokesperson went on to say, "We know how it feels like to surrender against a corporation simply because you don't have an attorney you can afford. This is an injustice in itself because it means perpetrators get away with impunity. It is exactly why we made our legal services affordable. We don't charge legal fees until we get a settlement. This approach has always worked well for our clients because it sets us off on the right foot. We also involve our clients well in all decisions we make that affect their cases. If you're looking for an accident attorney in Alaska, give us a shout."



Apart from personal injury cases, Crowson Law Group has specialized in property damage protection. The firm has represented several homeowners in both Alaska and Wasilla. While many of the firms handle go for a full hearing, some end up with impressive out-of-court settlements. Either way, Crowson Law Group guarantees proper client involvement as well as unrivaled competence.



About Crowson Law Group

Lawson Law Group is one of Alaska's most sought-after law firms. For clients who need Auto Accident Attorney In Alaska, general accident attorneys or property damage attorneys, Crowson Law Group is always ready to offer representation. The firm has also set up another office at Wasilla.



Contact Details



Crowson Law Group

637 A Street

Anchorage, AK 99501

Phone: (907) 885-6139

Email: info@crowsonlaw.com
New research shows that Machu Picchu, an ancient Incan citadel set high in the Andes Mountains in Peru, was occupied from about 1420 to 1532 CE, with activity beginning two decades earlier than suggested by the textual sources.

Machu Picchu, located about 80 km (50 miles) from Cusco, Peru, is one of the most famous archaeological sites in South America.

The precise dating of the monumental complex, however, relies largely on documentary sources.

Since its scientific discovery in 1911, this Inca country palace has become widely recognized and is now probably the best-known archaeological site in South America, said Yale University Professor Richard Burger and colleagues.

In 1983, Machu Picchu was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was visited by over a million travelers each year.

Historical sources dating from the Spanish invasion of the Inca Empire indicate that Inca Emperor Pachacuti seized power in 1438 and subsequently conquered the lower Urubamba Valley where Machu Picchu is located.

Based on those records, scholars have estimated that the site was built after 1440, and perhaps as late as 1450, depending on how long it took Pachacuti to subdue the region and construct the stone palace.

The researchers used accelerator mass spectrometry, an advanced form of radiocarbon dating, to analyze human samples from 26 individuals recovered from burial contexts at Machu Picchu.

The bones and teeth used in the analysis likely belonged to retainers, or attendants, who were assigned to the royal estate.

The remains show little evidence of involvement in heavy physical labor, such as construction, meaning that they likely were from the period when the site functioned as a country palace, not when it was being built, the scientists said.

The findings reveal that Machu Picchu was in use from about 1420 to 1530  ending around the time of the Spanish conquest  making the site at least 20 years older than the accepted historical record suggests and raising questions about our understanding of Inca chronology.

Until now, estimates of Machu Picchus antiquity and the length of its occupation were based on contradictory historical accounts written by Spaniards in the period following the Spanish conquest, Professor Burger said.

This is the first study based on scientific evidence to provide an estimate for the founding of Machu Picchu and the length of its occupation, giving us a clearer picture of the sites origins and history.

The findings also suggest that Pachacuti, whose reign set the Inca on the path to becoming pre-Columbian Americas largest and most powerful empire, gained power and began his conquests decades earlier than textual sources indicate.

As such, it has implications for peoples wider understanding of Inca history, Professor Burger said.

The results suggest that the discussion of the development of the Inca empire based primarily on colonial records needs revision.

Modern radiocarbon methods provide a better foundation than the historical records for understanding Inca chronology.

The results were published in the journal Antiquity.

_____

Richard L. Burger et al. New AMS dates for Machu Picchu: results and implications. Antiquity, published online August 4, 2021; doi: 10.15184/aqy.2021.99
New research led by Uppsala University scientists suggests that there were multiple archaic human species that inhabited the Philippines prior to the arrival of anatomically modern Homo sapiens and that these archaic groups may have been genetically related.

Since their exit out of Africa, anatomically modern humans have overlapped and interbred with archaic hominins across time and space.

Interactions with Neanderthals, Denisovans, and possibly other archaic hominins, have left an indelible genetic trace in the genomes of present-day populations.

All Eurasians possess uniform levels of Neanderthal ancestry, whereas Australasians uniquely have elevated levels of Denisovan ancestry relative to any other population.

Some present-day populations of the Philippines, who self-identify as Negritos and who are genetically related to Australopapuans, display significant levels of Denisovan ancestry.

In the new study, Dr. Maximilian Larena, a researcher in the Department of Organismal Biology at Uppsala University, and his colleagues aimed to establish the demographic history of the Philippines.

They comprehensively investigated the archaic ancestry of 1,107 individuals from 118 distinct ethnic groups of the Philippines, including 25 diverse self-identified Negrito populations, along with high-coverage genomes of Australopapuans and Ayta Magbukon Negritos.

The results show that Ayta Magbukon possess the highest level of Denisovan ancestry in the world, consistent with an independent admixture event into Negritos from Denisovans.

We made this observation despite the fact that Philippine Negritos were recently admixed with East Asian-related groups  who carry little Denisovan ancestry, and which consequently diluted their levels of Denisovan ancestry, Dr. Larena said.

If we account for and masked away the East Asian-related ancestry in Philippine Negritos, their Denisovan ancestry can be up to 46% greater than that of Australians and Papuans.

Together with the recent discovery of Homo luzonensis, the data suggest that there were multiple archaic species that inhabited the Philippines prior to the arrival of modern humans.

The admixture led to variable levels of Denisovan ancestry in the genomes of Philippine Negritos and Papuans, said Dr. Mattias Jakobsson, a researcher in the Department of Organismal Biology at Uppsala University and the Palaeo-Research Institute at the University of Johannesburg.

In Island Southeast Asia, Philippine Negritos later admixed with East Asian migrants who possess little Denisovan ancestry, which subsequently diluted their archaic ancestry.

Some groups, though, such as the Ayta Magbukon, minimally admixed with the more recent incoming migrants.

For this reason, the Ayta Magbukon retained most of their inherited archaic tracts and were left with the highest level of Denisovan ancestry in the world.

The findings were published in the journal Current Biology.

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Maximilian Larena et al. Philippine Ayta possess the highest level of Denisovan ancestry in the world. Current Biology, published online August 12, 2021; doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.07.022
Alaskan Parks On The Air activation

DeWayne/W4FDT and Doug/N4DJR will be flying up to Alaska on August 11th, to meet up with Jeramy/KL7EC and Eric/KL5BO for an 800 mile interior Alaska POTA (Parks On The Air) activation.

They have a list of around 25 parks that they are going to attempt to activate.

However, the team suspects that they won't be able to activate all POTAs, but they will be able to activate a good majority of them, and will be focusing on those that haven't been activated before.

Their callsigns that will be used are KL7EC, KL5BO, W4FDT/KL7 and N4DJR/KL7. Operators will be spotting themselves on the POTA spotting page at (http://pota.app), and will be using JS8 call and WinLink E-mail to get their spots out to the page.

Operations will take place between August 13-15th. If you are a park hunter, this will be your time to get some parks in the log that may not ever be activated again or if you just need Alaska for your WAS, then they are going to be available for you also.

OPDX
Tuckerton Historical Society presents Eilvese Ham Radio Club celebration

The fourth history lecture presentation from the Tuckerton Historical Society ( in Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey) this year will feature THS President Donald O. Casellis delve into the history of the German side of the Tuckerton Wireless.

The Tuckerton Wireless was an 800-foot-tall radio tower located in what is now the Mystic Island section of Little Egg Harbor Township, the site of the first trans-Atlantic radio transmission to a similar receiving tower in Eilvese, Germany. Caselli will dwell on the German celebration of the Eilvese Ham Radio Clubs 100th anniversary of the wireless transmission, held in 2013.

The program will be held Saturday, Aug. 14 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the historic Little Egg Harbor Society of Friends Meeting House, Main Street, Tuckerton. All are welcome; a $5 donation by nonmembers is requested.

Source: The SandPaper

https://www.thesandpaper.net/articles/tuckerton-historical-society-presents-eilvese-ham-radio-club-celebration/
WBZ 100th anniversary commemorative special event operation

Radio station WBZ in Boston is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2021. It is the oldest broadcast station in New England, and one of the oldest stations in the United States.

The Billerica Amateur Radio Society, along with the Hampden County Radio Association in Springfield, will be commemorating this anniversary by conducting a special operating event starting at 1300z/9:00 AM EDT September 17 and ending at 0359z September 20/11:59 PM EDT September 19

WBZ began operations on September 15, 1921 at the Westinghouse Works building on Page Boulevard in East Springfield, Massachusetts broadcasting with just 100 watts. In 1931, Westinghouse moved the station to Boston; its 15,000-watt transmitter was moved to Millis. By 1933, Westinghouse increased WBZs power to 50,000 watts. In 1940, the transmitter was moved to Hull. The station was made famous with its slogan, The Spirit of New England.

After WWI, wireless radio grew with an increase in ham radio operators. Amateurs greatly contributed to the advance of the radio arts. One of their contributions was the development of voice modulated radio signals, which used Amplitude Modulation (AM). WBZ first broadcast using AM 100 years ago. For their efforts, amateurs were granted permanent privileges for frequencies in the 80-, 40-, 20-, and 10-meter shortwave bands by the International Treaty in 1927. The partnership of commercial broadcasting and amateur radio hobbyists was very beneficial to all.

Read more at

https://nediv.arrl.org/wbz100/
The Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (Aemps) has authorised the first human trial of a coronavirus vaccine developed in Spain.

The Ministry of Health body has given the green light to the clinical trial of the PHH-1V Covid-19 vaccine, developed by the Hipra company.

The phase I / IIa trial, where the Hipra formula or another authorised vaccine is administered masked (to prevent its identification by both the patient and the research team), will primarily study the safety and tolerance of the vaccine, as well as its efficiency.

For this, several dozen volunteers will be recruited from hospitals, who meet the criteria for the tests.

In the study, volunteers will be divided into age groups (cohorts) and the lowest dose will be administered to the first cohort. After evaluation by an independent safety surveillance committee the participants will then be escalated to higher doses if no safety problems have been detected. The Ministry of Health explains that this practice is "common in this type of trial", and is aimed at evaluating the optimal dose of vaccine. Each participant will receive two vaccinations 21 days apart.

Throughout the trial, close monitoring of all volunteers will allow for the identification of any cases of adverse effects or SARS-CoV-2 infections.

These clinical trials are part of the requirements that all vaccines must undergo to demonstrate their quality, safety and efficacy. After being evaluated - and if it complies with regulatory standards - only then will it be authorised for commercialisation", added the Ministry of Health.

The company hopes, if clinical trials are successfully completed, to start production in October of this year, with the aim of launching its sale by the end of 2021, subject to obtaining the appropriate authorisations.

According to Hipra projections, 400 million doses could be produced in 2022. By 2023, a total of 1,200 million doses could be reached. The vaccine will need to be stored between 2 and 8 degrees, which will facilitate its logistics and distribution.
MATSAPHA  A senior police officer, who investigated the suspected bullet hole in the car that was driven by the late Thabani Nkomonye, allegedly submitted a report that was tampered with.

Detective Inspector Vincent Mbingo, who joined the police force on April 6, 1992 (29 years ago) and had been in the Ballistic Department for 17 years (since 2004), is witness 17 in the ongoing inquest into the death of Thabani. He appeared before the Coroner, Senior Magistrate Nonhlanhla Dlamini, yesterday. After delivering his evidence, Mbingo was cross-examined by Lawyer Mangaliso Nkomondze, who is one of the legal experts representing the Nkomonye family in the matter. The lawyer asked the witness to read the conclusion of his report and he did. I therefore conclude that the hole in the rear bumper of the car, a Mazda Demio, black in colour, is not a bullet hole. This hole was created by a bolt that is fixed inside the bumper of the car. The hole shows that it was from inside-out. There can never be a possibility that a bullet can be fired from inside the car to an outwards direction, the witness said as he read the conclusion.

Conclusion

Thereafter, the lawyer asked him if he had read the whole conclusion and the witness responded to the positive. The lawyer asked him to read it again and after the witness had done so, Nkomondze verified if that was where the conclusion ended and again he responded to the affirmative. The lawyer then gave him a copy of his report and told the coroner that he wanted the witness to read it as it seemed to be different. In response, the coroner stated that she had also underlined a line in her copy as she noticed something was different. Likewise, the prosecutor agreed that she was carrying a copy that seemed to be similar to that of the coroner and lawyer.

When reading the copy for the lawyer, he said; I therefore conclude that the hole in the rear bumper of the car, a Mazda Demio, black in colour, is not a bullet hole. This hole was created by a bolt that is fixed inside the bumper of the car. The hole shows that it was from inside-out. The bumper fibres that are on the bolt also confirm that there was contact between the bolt and the bumper. There can never be a possibility that a bullet can be fired from inside the car to an outwards direction. Thereafter, Nkomondze asked the witness if he could confirm that the two conclusions were not the same. In response, the officer submitted that he could not say the conclusions were not the same because they had a same explanation, but different wording.

Experience

The lawyer then reminded him that he had about 30 years of experience as a police officer and said he should know the importance of his statement which he swore for. He then asked him to cooperate. Do you agree that the two statements are not the same? the lawyer asked again. They are not worded the same, the witness responded and the lawyer accepted his response. Thereafter, Lawyer Nkomondze asked Mbingo if he was aware that on the day when he investigated the car (May 14, 2021), it was a day after Thabanis body was discovered. The officer claimed that he was not aware and the lawyer said he found it unbelievable because the matter made news headlines on that day. He then said as an officer with 30 years of experience and an expert, what was he concealing. The witness maintained that he was not aware as he had not read the newspapers.

Again, the lawyer said it was also unbelievable that the witness and the officer who showed him the car (Junior Dlamini from Manzini Serious Crime Unit (Lukhozi), did not discuss the background about the car on that day. He said he was saying so because on that day (May 14, 2021) the matter was a burning issue within the police service. He then asked the witness if he wanted the coroner to believe that he did not know the matter. In response, he said the only information he had was the one he was given by Crime Desk Officer Superintendent Mlangeni, who called and told him to attend a car that was allegedly involved in a shooting. Once more, the lawyer said this was unbelievable because as workmates, he believed they discussed cases they were working on. He also asked if on this day, he did not find it important to know the context and background about the exhibit (car) he was investigating, especially because the allegations were that it was involved in a shooting.

The witness submitted that he did not find it more important than what he was told by Superintendent Mlangeni. However, the lawyer told him that he made him conclude that he was allegedly concealing something, but in response the witness submitted that he was not concealing something. Instead he alleged that if he asked officer Junior Dlamini, he was supposedly going to tell him what he got from Mlangeni. It was then that the lawyer told him that he was allegedly concealing something because he had also submitted an edited report and he denied that he reconstructed it. He also asked Mbingo why the coroner would believe that he was not concealing anything.

Reconstructed

The lawyer added that the reason why he (witness) had a report that was different from that of the rest of the team was that he allegedly reconstructed it. He asked if he was wrong. In response, the witness submitted he was wrong because the only difference was the size of the photos. However, the lawyer reminded him that he read the conclusions of the two statements and confirmed that it was not the same. In response, the witness submitted that the wording could be different, but it meant the same thing.

Thereafter, Nkomondze said there was an important sentence that was not in the witnesss report, which was inserted in the other statements. He noted that both statements were signed at the Attorney Generals (AGs) Office on the same day. He said the sentence in question reads; The bumper fibres that are on the bolt also confirm that there was contact between the bolt and the bumper.

The lawyer then asked him if he agreed with him and he responded to the positive. Again, the lawyer wanted to know if the witness would confirm that the report was allegedly reconstructed and again, Mbingo responded to the affirmative. After that, Nkomondze told the witness that the reason he reconstructed the report by inserting the sentence was because he allegedly wanted to try to prove beyond reasonable doubt that there was no bullet hole in the car. However, the witness did not agree with the legal eagle. The lawyer asked him why he inserted the sentence and he claimed that after seeing the pictures in the report, which he had signed at the AGs Office, were small and not clear, he decided to go to his computer to enlarge them.

In the process, he claimed that he also re-read the report and discovered that his findings were not articulated clear, thus he allegedly inserted the sentence.

Nkomondze said his take was that the witness inserted the sentence allegedly in a bid to try to prove beyond reasonable doubt that there was no bullet hole in the car and Mbingo responded to the positive. The lawyer classified this as tempering with the report. Again, the lawyer said trying to convince that there was no bullet hole in the car, allegedly did not start there. He claimed that the witness allegedly also reconstructed the bullet hole in the car. However, Mbingo alleged that he did not touch the hole, instead he only measured it.
MBABANE  Local political parties say despite this new movement called Mangololo Eswatini, they are not going to stop calling for democratic dispensation in Eswatini.

The Peoples United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO)s Secretary General, Wandile Dludlu, said their stance was that they wanted multiparty democracy where all emaSwati would be free to elect their own government. He said if there were those who were in favour of the Monarch, it was not their business. He said if people had grouped themselves, that was their choice because after all, everyone had a right of assembly.

Unban

Ngwane National Liberatory Congress (NNLC) President Sibongile Mazibuko said the King should unban political parties because she believed that this new movement or committee called Mangololo Eswatini was more like the Imbokodvo National Movement. Imbokodvo National Movement (INM) was a political party that existed from 1964 until 1973 when political parties were banned. The party was formed by the Swazi National Council, which was the advisory body to King Sobhuza II. It won the first democratic election in Swaziland held in 1967. The party also won the second parliamentary election in 1972. The INM effectively ceased to exist after the banning of political parties in 1973 after the annulment on the Constitution and the introduction of a decree in the country.

Compete

Mazibuko said if her assumptions were right, the King should then unban all the other political parties and allow them to compete in a fair space. She said after that, people should be allowed to choose for themselves which party they wanted to join or support. She said all parties should then be allowed to use the national radio and television stations to campaign and market themselves. She added that the authorities should also stop security forces from harassing and intimidating them during those campaigns. She claimed that the Mangololo Eswatini movement might be financed through the taxpayers money, which could be unfair to the people. Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Swaziland President Nombulelo Motsa said her party was against anything that had to do with the current regime. She said for that reason, she did not agree with such movements like Mangololo Eswatini because that would be taking them back while they wanted a change in the system of governance in the country.
MBABANE - Some businesspeople are pleading with those behind the circulating poster about a possible shutdown in the country on August 15, to not bully them.

The poster started circulating on Monday just after news broke that incarcerated Members of Parliament (MPs) Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube had their bail application dismissed. Even though those in the forefront of the proposed shutdown remain unknown, the poster has seemingly caused nothing but fear of the unknown among some emaSwati as witnessed in their reactions. The shutdown is under the hashtag Kungahlwa Kwenile Civil War. The term kugahlwa kwenile was the buzzword during the protests which culminated in vandalism, looting and loss of life at the end of June.

Poster

Content contained in the poster is to the effect that beginning on August 15, which falls on Sunday, there would be a total shutdown in the country. It is said that all businesses should to close and those operating would hugely suffer together with those who would be caught going to work. All those going to work will be disciplined, any vehicle going to work will be charged E50, reads part of the circulating poster. However, Government Spokesperson Sabelo Dlamini said government would leave no stone unturned to make sure that the people of Eswatini were safe. Some interviewed businesspeople said they had seen the poster and were pleading with the activists to not bully them or their businesses.

I was hugely affected the last time and now there are rumours of another unrest. Can we not be part of that; we are already dealing with COVID-19 and now this, said a businessman in the Mbabane city. Another vocal business owner, Navid Malar Mohammed, who owns a number of shops around the city, said they were being bullied. Mohammed said they were obviously threatened by the circulating poster and that it was a wait and see situation between them and the said activists. They are now bullying us and we have no means to help ourselves. We incurred losses from the previous unrest and now we have to deal with another one, said Mohammed during the interview.

Clarified

Meanwhile, some interviewed political activist and union leaders have further clarified that they did not condone violence and bullying of businesspeople. They further added that they did not know the author of the circulating poster. Sibongile Mazibuko, the President of the Ngwane National Liberatory Congress (NNLC), said government was the determining factor on such issues. Mazibuko said although they were not for violence or loss of life, the situation was already bad. Mazibuko said the reason people had decided to take to the streets again was because government did not want to hear them out. Government is adamant on not hearing us out, they do not want us to have a dialogue or a genuine roundtable conversation, said Mazibuko. The president further said all they wanted for now was for the two incarcerated MPs to be released.

Mazibuko said their intentions were not to harm businesses and lose lives again but they wanted change and a peaceful dialogue. We have been asking and pleading with government for a peaceful dialogue but they do not want to hear us. Taking to the streets now is the only way to be heard, said Mazibuko. Echoing her sentiments was Swaziland National Union of Students (SNUS) President Xolani Maseko, who said it was a point of no return.

Worse

Things will only get worse from here and for as long as the government does not want to hear us out, we will continue making the right noise and if it calls for the shutdown, then so be it, said Maseko. Maseko further said the people had no choice but to resort to violence again because government did not want to listen to them. He distanced the union from the poster and said they were not linked to the circulating poster. It is a fact that during the political unrest which was experienced in June, many businesses were vandalised, looted while some structures were torched. In an interview, Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati said they had a way of dealing with people and social media users who were inciting violence. Vilakati, however, said they could not divulge how they would deal or identify people inciting violence, especially on social media. We have our way and we have seen the circulating posters. We cannot reveal our plan because it may compromise our security details, said Vilakati.
MBABANE  A new movement called Mangololo Eswatini, which is against multiparty organisations, has been formed.

This was highlighted by the Spokesperson of the movement, Gcina Dlamini, during a press briefing held in Manzini yesterday. Dlamini said the recently experienced political unrest had brought fear among some emaSwati because they no longer knew who they were, and in the midst of the call for multiparty democracy, they had lost their identity. He said they were against the idea of multiparties and the formation of their movement was premised on the ideology to oppose such. Most Africans have a difficulty going to some countries, which is why they then steal our citizenship, not because they want to commit a crime but because they seek greener pastures and a better life than they had where they are originally from, Dlamini said. He said emaSwati did not face any difficulties when trying to visit other countries because the kingdom had always been known as a respectful and trusted nation.

Peace

Dlamini added that Eswatini had always been known for peace, but the unrest would make the country look bad and taint the kingdoms image internationally. He went on to state that the vandalism and burning of buildings would make emaSwati look bad to the world and make the country unacceptable elsewhere. We decided to stand up and correct this demon that has befallen our country. The elders will eventually pass away and the country will be left for us to manage, then what? he questioned rhetorically.

Dlamini emphasised that they wanted to leave the country in peace as well for their children when they eventually passed on. Dlamini, when explaining further the mission of Mangololo Eswatini, first mourned with all emaSwati who lost their relatives, investment through the vandalised and burnt businesses and those who also lost their jobs. Some people will never recover from what they lost. It is important that we acknowledge this fact, which is the saddest part of this whole situation, he said.

He further spoke against the negativity that was shared on social media about the countrys authorities, stating that nobody could stand for such. He said, contrary, the authorities had never said anything that was harsh. We feel that emaSwati need to correct these mistakes before things turn for the worst. In our view, all of these actions are very foreign to emaSwati, added Dlamini. According to the spokesperson, the burning of buildings and blocking of roads using rocks and burning tyres, was something that was not in the nature of emaSwati. EmaSwati have left the country to get educated but also came back with bad habits at the same time, he opined. He pleaded with emaSwati to look into the situation with an analytic eye and figure out if this was the right direction that they were taking and if this would guarantee a better future.

We plead with the nation that we should call each other to order. We also believe that the Tinkhundla System promotes the setup of family; when there is a problem we go back home to our elders for guidance, he said. He said anyone who was against the current system came from somewhere in the rural areas where they got guidance which should not be lost. He emphasised that respect might not be forgotten. We need to remember how we resolved arguments or disagreements as emaSwati. We do not resolve disagreements over the phone but we go home and have a discussion until the issue is resolved, he said.

Pleased

He said they were pleased that the authorities announced recently that as soon as the pandemic was manageable, the nation would meet again for a dialogue. We ask emaSwati to be patient as we wait for the time when we will be able to have a dialogue, Dlamini added. He said a Constitution was established, which everyone thought was complete as all emaSwati made contributions. He noted that various committees were involved and all emaSwati were involved, even the people who did not believe in some of the ideas were welcome to raise their concerns. It took some time for the Constitution to be completed, which is why we are puzzled as to where the panic to change it comes from. If you want to change something that involves others, you need to also ask the next person if they agree with the change or, Dlamini said.

He said the people who were advocating for change on social media kept saying they were sent by emaSwati but the question he asked himself was who were those emaSwati they were referring to. Dlamini further said the system that emaSwati currently used allowed each person in whichever position to be chosen by their community or their family (to represent them in Parliament). The people who are talking negatively and causing all the turmoil are not sent by emaSwati, he further claimed. We ask that even the people who are out of the country should come back home so we can have a dialogue together and resolve all the issues that are draining our kingdom. Nobody should convince people to do the wrong thing in hiding, he said.

Dlamini said social media had made the country look bad, claiming that there was no freedom of speech and many people were being abused, but as Mangololo, they were of the view that this was not the case. We are shocked that it is our country that they are talking about in such a negative way. There are other people who will soon join us who are in support of this movement we are talking about today, he added. Dlamini said an official launch would soon be held where the vision and mission of the movement would be elaborated upon, alongside their plans moving forward. He said they were yet to launch an official social media page, which would help tell the truth about Eswatini and avoid tainting the countrys image.

Reasons

We want the world to know the truth about Eswatini unlike the people who we do not know or understand their reasons for rushing to change our way of life which has been peaceful all along, he added. He added that there was no leader or Member of Parliament (MPs) whom we should be forced to follow, stating that most MPs were chosen by the people to represent them. Petitions were also seen as the reason that some of the riots started in the country. We have a concern about the petitions in that some of these were delivered by people who were even less than 30 in number, Dlamini explained. He said in some constituencies, there were people who randomly delivered petitions, some of which were not even known in those areas. It is a major concern to us as to what is really happening and whether there is someone financing them to destroy Eswatini. We wonder where are they planning to go to after destroying their own country, he said. Dlamini reiterated that they would disseminate more information about the movement and their plans going forward. He did not wish to be drawn on how many people had joined the movement, save to state that there were others who had shown interest in joining it.
Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of Abu Dhabis Etihad Aviation Group, has reclaimed 90 per cent of its pre-Covid destinations and recorded a 20% increase in tonnage compared to the same period in 2019.

The award-winning UAE carrier, which is looking to facilitate a global trade recovery and restore distribution confidence in international markets, currently services 72 network destinations across the Middle East, Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Its active fleet of 65 aircraft operate 430 weekly rotations, in addition to charter flights which service demand across non-network destinations.

Etihad Cargo has maintained network operations throughout the pandemic and provided appropriate capacity to cater for demand on key routes, which has resulted in a significant increase in tonnage being carried across the global network, explained Martin Drew, Senior Vice President Sales & Cargo, Etihad Aviation Group.

The commitment to expanding operations and provision of additional support to customers where there have been capacity shortages has seen Etihad Cargo carrying more on fewer routes than pre-pandemic. During the coming months, capacity growth is expected to continue, supported by the reintroduction of Etihad Airways passenger flights.

In the past month, Etihad Airways introduced flights to Malaga, Mykonos, Santorini, Phuket and Vienna, providing additional belly-hold capacity between Europe and Asia.

Charter operations and a cabin loading initiative  which saw the carrier modify five of its Boeing 777 aircraft by removing seats to provide additional capacity on key routes such as Dhaka and Ho Chi Minh City  have enabled the Abu Dhabi-based carrier to service increased Asian demand.

Record loads have recently been achieved on a number of Asian flights, including more than 58,000 kg from Dhaka and 52,000 kg from Ho Chi Minh, added Drew. These loads, with increased capacity enabled by cabin loading, were bound for Middle Eastern and European destinations via Etihad Cargos Abu Dhabi hub  a clear demonstration of the carriers determination to continue facilitating a global trade recovery.

Year-to-date, Etihad Cargo has operated over 200 charter flights to 30 destinations not serviced through its network, 20 per cent of which were on behalf of the UAE Government. Since January 2021, Etihad Cargo has operated charter services to countries including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Comoros, Equatorial Guinea, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, Senegal, and others across Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas.-- TradeArabia News Service
Centre fields 7 ministers to counter opposition, demands apology for unruly scenes

New Delhi, Aug 12 (UNI) The Centre on Thursday fielded seven ministers to counter Opposition's allegation that ''outsiders'' were brought to Rajya Sabha for ''manhandling'' MPs on Wednesday, saying only Parliament security was present, and demanded an apology for unruly scenes during the Monsoon session.

The government's move comes after former Congress president Rahul Gandhi and several other Opposition leaders marched from Parliament to Vijay Chowk to protest on issues such as the Pegasus snooping row, farm laws and ''manhandling'' of MPs.

The Opposition behaviour in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday was a ''new low of parliamentary democracy'', Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha Piyush Goyal said addressing a press conference.
New Delhi, Aug 11 (UNI) A Delhi court on Wednesday granted bail to Supreme Court lawyer and former BJP spokesperson Ashwini Upadhyay in connection with the alleged inflammatory slogans raised at Jantar Mantar here on Sunday.

Yesterday, Upadhyay, a Delhi BJP leader. and five other accused were arrested by Delhi Police in connection with the matter.

A metropolitan magistrate granted Upadhyay the bail on a bond of Rs 50,000. The lawyer was sent to a two-day judicial custody yesterday by another city court.

Last Sunday, he organised a protest against 'colonial laws' at Jantar Mantar where inflammatory slogans were allegedly raised. Videos of the incident on social media showing people shouting slogans went viral.

Upadhyay, however, had claimed that he had nothing to do with the video and his protest was focused on abolishing British laws.

Besides Upadhyay, Deepak Singh Hindu, president of Hindu Force, Vineet Kranti, Preet Singh, director of Save India Foundation and Vinod Sharma, who is the head of Sudarshan Vahini, were arrested in connection with the case.

An FIR was filed by Delhi Police after a video went viral purportedly showing a group of protesters raising communal slogans.

According to Delhi Police, the event did not have permission.

UNI GK SC
Kabul, Aug 12 (UNI) The Taliban have taken over Ghazni province, making it the 10th province to fall in the past week as it continued its rapid advance capturing more territories across Afghanistan.

The Taliban have entered all government facilities in Ghazni in southeastern Afghanistan.

They allowed the provincial governor along with the head of national police to leave for Kabul, media reports said.
Islamabad, Aug 12 (UNI) Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said that the Afghan Taliban had conveyed to him that they will not negotiate with Kabul as long as Ashraf Ghani remains the president of Afghanistan.

Geo News in a report said that Imran Khan said this while speaking to foreign journalists, recalling his meeting with a Taliban delegation that arrived in Pakistan a few months ago.

Imran Khan said he had then tried to persuade the Taliban for peace. He also admitted that a political settlement was looking difficult under the current circumstances, with the Taliban making rapid advances in Afghanistan.

"The condition is that as long as Ashraf Ghani is there, we (Taliban) are not going to talk to the Afghan government," Khan said, quoting what the Taliban delegation told him.

He said that he felt that the Afghan government was now trying to ensure the US government intervenes on its behalf.

"They've been here for 20 years... what will they do now that they did not do for 20 years?" he asked.

Khan said Pakistan had "made it very clear" that it does not want any American military bases on its soil after US forces exit Afghanistan.

UNI RN JW1414
UWs IMPACT 307 to Host New Lunch and Learn Series Webinar Aug. 25

IMPACT 307, a University of Wyoming program, will host Intellectual Property Considerations for Startups, a new Lunch and Learn series webinar event Wednesday, Aug. 25, from noon-1 p.m.

Antoinette Tease, a registered patent attorney in Montana, will present the webinar. To register for the webinar, go to https://uwyo.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_wz17XV2RQDeFOQMiWE9IBQ.

Entrepreneurs and small-business owners will learn one of their most valuable business assets is their intellectual property, which includes trademark, patent, copyright and trade secrets. During this session, new businesses will learn it is imperative to understand what these protections are; how to avoid intellectual property mistakes; and when to hire an intellectual property attorney.

Tease practices in the areas of intellectual property and technology law. She heads Antoinette M. Tease PLLC, Montanas first full-service intellectual property law firm, which helps clients protect and defend their intellectual assets. Before forming her own firm in 2003, she was general counsel for Rocky Mountain Technology Group Inc., a software development company with its worldwide headquarters in Billings, Mont.

The IMPACT 307 Lunch and Learn series is designed to introduce new and existing entrepreneurs to a wide range of business topics. These hourlong educational sessions are held once a month and presented via Zoom.

IMPACT 307, with locations in Casper, Laramie and Sheridan, is a statewide network of innovation-driven business incubators committed to growing and strengthening Wyomings entrepreneurial community by providing resources and support for founders to thrive.

For more information on IMPACT 307s services, call (307) 766-6395 or go to www.IMPACT307.org.


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GCSE Results 2021

Students received their GCSE/Level 2 results today at the Gibraltar College, Bayside and Westside Schools. Like the A Level/Level 3 results issued on Tuesday, the results were issued electronically.

Despite the challenges that this academic year has provided for our students and teachers, they have once again risen to the occasion with a remarkable total of 286 grades at level 9 (the top grade attainable at GCSE) being obtained, 104 at Bayside and 182 at Westside. When compared to last academic year, this represents an increase in the number of top grades being awarded to students in our 2 secondary schools.

Equally impressive are the 2672 grades 9-1 obtained by students out of a maximum of 2685 grades awarded, representing a 9-1 pass rate of 99.5%.

Also important to highlight is the fact that this year, for the first time, a cohort of students have obtained a qualification in a vocational Level 2 Hair and Beauty course delivered in our secondary schools.

As all families in our community will be aware, our GCSE/Level 2 students have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Apart from the interruptions to in-school learning that the GCSE/Level 2 students have contended with, as they worked towards completing their courses, they also found themselves having the summer examination session cancelled. In order to be able to issue results and award qualifications, the UK examination boards asked centres to assess students using a range of tools, to enable teachers to award students with teacher assessed grades. Our schools devised a series of assessments in order to ensure teachers could assess students performance accurately and provide examination boards with collated evidence which justified the teacher assessment grades awarded.

Our teachers worked diligently, firstly to establish an appropriate internal series of assessments, and subsequently to assess and moderate students performance, so as to provide these teacher assessed grades for all students. These teacher assessed grades were then passed onto the UK in order to enable the examination boards to issue results. The results the students have received today have been awarded by the UK examination boards on the basis of what our teachers submitted to the boards.

As in previous years, the Department of Education will be reporting the 9-1 pass rates as opposed to the traditional A*- C pass rates that individuals might be accustomed to see.

'It is important for students, parents, prospective employers and members of the public to recognise that every grade is valuable in the context of each student's education. Every grade attained by our students during this process represents a milestone in their learning journey and it is important that we celebrate the successes of all of our students and see the value in all of their grades.'

'It is also important to recognise the achievements of those students who have attended the Gibraltar College. Year on year, the Gibraltar College offers students an opportunity to build on their educational experiences and add value to their academic portfolio after leaving our secondary schools. This year, students at the Gibraltar College have received 89 pass grades out of a possible 91, representing a 98% 9-1 pass rate. Additionally, a total of 64 pass grades out of a possible 73 were achieved by students following vocational or vocationally assessed courses. This year, for the first time, a cohort of students have had the opportunity to obtain a qualification in a Technical Award in Hairdressing, a course which builds on the basic skills developed in the course being offered at our secondary schools.'

The Director of Education Jackie Mason commented, We would like to congratulate our students, staff and parents on todays amazing GCSE results. Our students have adapted and overcome challenges during the past two years leading to the culmination of these results. Every single educational journey needs to be celebrated today and our dedicated staff will be at hand to advise students on the next step in their journey.

Minister for Education Dr John Cortes said, I am extremely proud that the efforts of our students and the time that our teachers invest in supporting them has been recognised in the GCSE results published today. I am delighted to see the first results from our vocational programmes at our secondary schools and our College and am looking forward to seeing the scope of these subjects increase over the next few academic years. It has been an incredibly challenging year for our students, their parents and their teachers, and these grades are not just the culmination of two years worth of education, but of a journey throughout our education system, starting when these students walked into our reception classes in our primary schools. Each and every one of these grades represents a learning journey that our students have experienced in our education system. I wish all of our students the very best for their future endeavours.
Lourdes Announces Changes to Visitor Policy

By West Kentucky Star Staff

PADUCAH - Mercy Health - Lourdes Hospital announced changes to its visitor policy on Thursday.Visitation on non-COVID-19 units at the hospital will be limited to one person, preferably an essential caregiver for emotional well-being and care. However, there are some exceptions.Mothers in labor are allowed two designated visitors. Once the mother and child are in the post-partum area, moms will be allowed one visitor.If a patient in Surgery or the Ambulatory Surgery Center is a child, the child may be accompanied by two essential caregivers.Critical Care Units and Hospice may have special restrictions in place. Anyone visiting is asked to call beforehand.Overnight stays for inpatient visitors will be considered on an individual basis and must be approved by the charge nurse.No visitors will be allowed in the Emergency Department, COVID units, Urgent Care, or Behavioral Health. Some exceptions will be considered for the Emergency Department and COVID units. Within Urgent Care, patients cannot enter the waiting area until called by the staff.Any visitors must wear a mask at all times, perform hand hygiene frequently, be at least 15-years-old, and agree not to visit if experiencing any symptoms. Visitors wishing to see a patient who already has one visitor must wait in their vehicle.The hospital recommends that anyone at high risk for illness, such as older adults or those with underlying severe conditions, not visit at this time.You can see more information by clicking here.
Paducah Man Convicted on Federal Gun Charge

By West Kentucky Star Staff

PADUCAH - On Tuesday a jury convicted a Paducah man on federal weapons charges.The US Attorney's Office for the Western District of Kentucky said 41-year-old Jermaine Tyrone Jones was found guilty of possessing a handgun after being previously convicted of a felony offense.A Paducah police officer reportedly found the gun in Jones clothing in 2017, after Jones previous conviction of fourth-degree assault and domestic violence.Sentencing in the case is set for Dec. 9. Jones faces a maximum of 10 years in prison.
Items seized as evidence during the arrest of Ronnie Joe Waggoner of Graves County. PHOTO:Graves County Sheriff's Office

Graves Man Arrested on Warrants, Drug Charges

By West Kentucky Star Staff

MAYFIELD - A Graves County man was arrested Wednesday on drug charges.Graves County Sheriff's detectives went to a home on Highway 1241 north of Mayfield. A search reportedly led to discovery of methamphetamine, syringes containing meth and drug paraphernalia.Forty-five-year-old Ronnie Joe Waggoner was arrested on two Graves County bench warrants, and on possession charges.
Man Leads Trigg Deputies on High-Speed Pursuit

By West Kentucky Star Staff

TRIGG COUNTY - A man was arrested after a high-speed police pursuit that began in Trigg County and ended in Christian County Thursday morning.According to WKDZ, 38-year-old Gregory Shemwell fled from sheriff's deputies when they tried to stop him on US 68 at Industrial Drive for not having a registration tag.Deputies said Shemwell fled into Christian County at over 100 mph before he pulled into a driveway and hit a fence.Shemwell went into his ex-wifes home where he was arrested. Charges included fleeing or evading police, resisting arrest, second-degree burglary, and possession of meth and marijuana.Shemwell also had three active warrants for his arrest out of Christian County.
Multiple Crews Fight Fire in Murray

By West Kentucky Star Staff

MURRAY - A fire in a residential neighborhood in Murray required multiple agencies to respond on Thursday afternoon.Calloway County Fire Department and Murray Fire Department were on the scene of a reported house fire on Bridlewood Drive, in the Saratoga Farms subdivision just west of downtown Murray.Scanner traffic indicated that all available off-duty firefighters were called to help fight the blaze at a large two-story house.Firefighters were still on the scene Thursday evening.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-12 06:57:18|Editor: huaxia

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LOS ANGELES, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- California Governor Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday the most populous state in the United States will implement first-in-the-nation measure to require all teachers and school staff to get vaccinated as schools return from summer break amid COVID-19 delta variant spread.

Newsom noted in a news conference at a Northern California school that "this is the right thing to do."

"We think this is a sustainable way to keeping our schools open, and to address the number one anxiety that parents like myself have for young children," said the governor, adding that "schools are doing everything in their power to keep our kids safe, to keep our kids healthy."

Newsom said an impressive 124 billion U.S. dollars is being invested in California's public education system this year to implement various school initiatives, including supports for physical and mental health as well as the social-emotional and academic needs of students.

According to the new public health order issued by the California Department of Public Health, all school staff are required to either show proof of full vaccination or be tested at least once per week. The new policy will take effect Thursday and schools must be in full compliance by Oct. 15.

"There's no substitute for in-person instruction, and California will continue to lead the nation in keeping students and staff safe while ensuring fully open classrooms," said Tomas J. Aragon, director of the California Department of Public Health and the State Public Health Office in a news release.

"Today's order will help the state's continued efforts to increase vaccinations, similar to the orders encouraging state and health care workers and businesses to get vaccinated," he added.

The state's two major teachers unions - the California Teachers Association and the California Federation of Teachers - applauded Newsom's decision.

"Educators want to be in classrooms with their students, and the best way to make sure that happens is for everyone who is medically eligible to be vaccinated, with robust testing and multi-tiered safety measures," said California Teachers Association President E. Toby Boyd, adding that Newsom's announcement is "an appropriate next step to ensure the safety of our school communities and to protect our youngest learners under 12 who are not yet vaccine eligible from this highly contagious Delta variant."

California Federation of Teachers President Jeff Freitas also noted the policy with mitigation measures like masking, hand washing, and good ventilation "will ensure we are doing everything possible to keep schools safe for in-person learning."

California State Parent Teacher Association (PTA) President Carol Green echoed their opinions, "We want to do everything possible to protect our most vulnerable children and ensure that all children can return to school as safely as possible."

"We stand by our position that educators are essential workers and support the safe opening of schools to in person instruction," Green said.

There are around 6 million children and young adults in more than 10,000 schools with 300,000 teachers in the state's public school system, according to the California Department of Education.

State data showed that 63 percent of Californians 12 years of age and older are fully vaccinated with an additional 10 percent partially vaccinated.

Less than 41 percent of Californians 12 to 17 years old were fully vaccinated as of Tuesday. Children under the age of 12 are not currently eligible for any authorized vaccines, according to the California Department of Public Health.

The department noted in a Wednesday's release that California is currently experiencing the fastest increase in COVID-19 cases during the entire pandemic with 22.7 new cases per 100,000 people per day, with case rates increasing ten-fold since early June. Officials said that the Delta variant, which is two times more contagious than the original virus, is currently the most common variant causing new infections in California.

Although vaccination mandate against COVID-19 is generating controversy and the pushback in some U.S. states, California officials insist vaccination is the most effective means of preventing infection with the COVID-19 virus.

Once the epicenter of the pandemic in the country, California reopened its economy in June. The state saw a rapid rise in new cases and hospitalizations in summer, but it's still lower than the national average. California, home to around 40 million residents, has 3,969,722 confirmed cases of COVID-19, resulting in 63,976 deaths, to date. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-12 16:24:32|Editor: huaxia

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Photo taken on Aug. 12, 2021, shows packages of China's Sinovac COVID-19 vaccines arriving at the Phnom Penh International Airport in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. (Photo by Phearum/Xinhua)



Cambodia has so far received about 25 million vaccine doses, mostly from China.

PHNOM PENH, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- A new batch of 3 million doses of China's Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia on Thursday, giving another boost to the kingdom's vaccination drive.

Speaking to reporters while receiving the vaccines at the airport, health ministry's secretary of state Yok Sambath said the vaccines were purchased from Chinese biopharmaceutical firm Sinovac Biotech.

She expressed gratitude to China for providing vaccines to Cambodia, saying that the Southeast Asian nation now has enough vaccines to sustain the immunization campaign.

"As we see, in either donated or purchased vaccines, the Chinese government always does what it says," she said. "With the coordination of the two countries' embassies, we have worked together well and smoothly."

According to Sambath, Cambodia has so far received about 25 million vaccine doses, mostly from China.

The country launched an anti-COVID-19 vaccination drive on Feb. 10, targeting to vaccinate 12 million people, or 75 percent of its 16-million population by November.

To date, 8.51 million people, or 53.2 percent of the total population, have received at least one dose, and 6.63 million of them have completed the two-dose inoculation, according to the health ministry.

The kingdom reported 455 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, pushing the national caseload to 83,839, the health ministry said, adding that 20 more fatalities were recorded, taking the death toll to 1,634.

On Wednesday, China donated a new batch of anti-COVID-19 materials to Phnom Penh, the Chinese embassy in Cambodia said on its Facebook page.

Photo taken on Aug. 11, 2021, shows the handover ceremony in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. (Photo courtesy: the Chinese embassy in Cambodia)

Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian handed over the donated items to Phnom Penh governor Khoung Sreng.

The anti-virus materials included oxygen concentrators and traditional medicines Lianhua Qingwen capsules and Huashi Baidu Keli, among others.

Wang said the donation reflected the profound friendship of the Chinese people with the Cambodian people, and expressed his hope that the donation would help Phnom Penh fight the pandemic more effectively.

Meanwhile, Sreng said that the effective control of the pandemic in Phnom Penh was attributed to the timely supplies of COVID-19 vaccines from China.

"My colleagues and I work on the frontline in the fight against the pandemic, but we have never been infected. This is due to the effective protection from the Chinese vaccines," he said. 
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-12 16:25:13|Editor: huaxia

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LANZHOU, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- Seeing his faded sofa being loaded onto a neatly packed truck, Hu Wucheng felt slightly lost. This was the 40-year-old's last night in Hujialiang Village where he was born and raised.

A family member came over and nudged him out of the daze. "Time to go. We don't have to live in fear once we leave here."

With an altitude of around 2,100 meters, Hujialiang is situated on a narrow, stiff mountain ridge in Zhouqu County, a geologically fragile area in northwest China's Gansu Province.

Over the past decade or so, Zhouqu has witnessed a number of severe natural disasters. In August 2010, a horrendous mudslide swept across part of the county, killing over 1,000 people.

In recent years, the geological situation in Hujialiang has been deteriorating. Every rainy season had left new scars on Hu's house, a property gained through years of hard work far away from home as well as borrowing money.

Last summer, a rainstorm-triggered landslide in Hujialiang was the last straw. Hu's courtyard was basically ruined and his gate was washed away, while some of his neighbors' houses sank several meters. All those affected were forced to move into temporary tents for shelter.

Earlier this year, experts in geology were sent to Hujialiang for hazard assessment, which led to the conclusion that the village was no longer habitable.

"The experts said the body of the mountain was severely unstable, and moving away was the only solution," said Dou Jianglong, village Party chief of Hujialiang.

The provincial government has been mulling over relocating some of Zhouqu's population to safer regions for years. In June, the first phase of the relocation project was kicked off, prioritizing those living in the most dangerous areas.

Several trips were organized beforehand for villagers to see their future homes located around 500 km away in a newly developed district adjacent to the provincial capital Lanzhou.

"Our neighbors who came back from the tour were impressed by the environment and convenience there, such as transportation, job opportunities, and children's education," said Hu. "But for me, the most important thing was staying away from disasters."

Hu was among the first batch of migrants. On Aug. 7, an eight-hour bus ride brought his family of six and all belongings to their new home. "I cried a little on the bus," Hu recalled. "But generally speaking, I was in a good mood and full of hope."

Around a week into his new life, Hu began feeling better. The house is big and has a courtyard, in addition to an allocation of 8,000 square meters of farmland.

"I've had sound sleep every night since I came here," he said. "It takes just 30 minutes on public transportation to get downtown, and our home is a five-minute walk to a fancy supermarket."

The whole moving process cost Hu nothing. Moreover, the provincial government offers a subsidy of 100,000 yuan (about 15,440 U.S. dollars) and a loan of 50,000 yuan at discounted interest per household. Free job training is also available for the new dwellers to start over from scratch.

Taking advantage of all these favorable policies, Hu has decided to run a small retail business at his doorstep. Having spent many years as a migrant worker, he now just wants to be a father who could pick up his kids from school.

According to the relocation plan, the first phase will see over 12,400 people move into their new homes in three years, and a second phase is expected to complete the project with another some 30,000 people.

Compared with active responders like Hu, many older villagers in Hujialiang were originally against the project and were much more reluctant to leave their hometown, a mentality prevailing in rural China.

"We've been living here for generations. Moving away feels like being cut off from our roots," said 68-year-old Han Yongzhong.

Village officials persuaded Han face-to-face and through phone calls, repeatedly stressing the growing risks of disasters in the village, which eventually changed Han's mind.

"After careful consideration, my wife and I agreed that safety is more important than anything else," he explained.

Han said he felt relieved after knowing that all villagers of Hujialiang will move to the same area. "As long as we stay together, I'll be okay. We are bringing our roots to the new hometown with us," added Han. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-12 16:37:33|Editor: huaxia

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XINING, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of Tibetan antelopes are returning to their natural habitats after giving birth in the heart of northwest China's Hoh Xil nature reserve, according to the reserve's management bureau.

Every year, pregnant Tibetan antelopes migrate to Zonag Lake in Hoh Xil between May and July to give birth and leave with their offspring around August.

During lake patrols this year, rangers spotted over 10,000 Tibetan antelopes give birth on the hillsides near the water body. No poaching or illegal traversing was reported.

The management bureau has put in place measures such as temporary traffic control, prohibition on honking and patrolling along the antelopes' migration routes to ensure the animals reach their breeding spots undisturbed.

"Since mid-July, rangers have spotted over 1,500 Tibetan antelopes cross the Qinghai-Tibet highway," said Phutso Tsering, head of a protection station of the bureau.

The status of Tibetan antelopes in China has been downgraded from "endangered" to "near threatened" amid the country's anti-poaching and biodiversity protection efforts, said the National Forestry and Grassland Administration.

The population of the species has grown from less than 70,000 during the 1980s-1990s to around 300,000, the administration added.

The species, mostly found in Tibet Autonomous Region, Qinghai Province and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is under first-class state protection in China. It plays a key role in maintaining ecological balance on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-12 16:52:06|Editor: huaxia

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KABUL, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- Taliban militants overran four provincial capitals in north and west of Afghanistan on Monday and Tuesday, bringing to nine the number of Afghan provincial capitals captured by Taliban.

Afghanistan has 34 provinces. And clashes have been continuing in nearly half the provinces within the recent months.

On Monday, Taliban militants claimed that the insurgents took control over Aybak city, the capital of northern Samangan province.

At the same time, the Afghan government said that the national forces repelled a militants' attack on Aybak city Sunday night, killing 20 Taliban militants and injuring eight others.

On Tuesday, the Taliban outfit seized three more cities in north and west of Afghanistan -- Farah city, the capital of Afghanistan's western Farah province, Faizabad, the center of northern Badakhshan, and Pul-e-Khumri, the capital of Baghlan province.

Earlier on Wednesday, Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani traveled to Mazar-i-Sharif, the capital of northern Balkh province. A security meeting was underway in the city. Taliban militants have a presence around the city, trying to capture Mazar-i-Sharif.

The security situation in the war-torn country has deteriorated as Taliban militants continue heavy fighting against government forces and gain ground since the drawdown of U.S. troops from May 1.

In Afghanistan's capital Kabul, thousands of displaced families arrived from the northern region, living in open grounds and public parks.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-12 17:07:09|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- China on Thursday voiced strong dissatisfaction and firm rejection to the U.S. Senate's recent approval of a bill concerning Taiwan's participation in the World Health Organization (WHO), according to a statement by the foreign ministry.

On Aug. 6, the U.S. Senate passed a bill to "direct the Secretary of State to develop a strategy to regain observer status for Taiwan in the WHO" by "unanimous consent," with only a few senators present. This bill requires the U.S. Secretary of State to describe changes and improvements to the State Department's plan to support Taiwan's observer status at the World Health Assembly (WHA).

Calling the relevant bill a complete political manipulation by a handful of anti-China politicians, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying said the bill gravely violates the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, runs counter to international law and the basic norms governing international relations, and grossly interferes in China's internal affairs.

"China deplores and firmly rejects the U.S. Senate's move, and has lodged solemn representations with the U.S. side," said Hua.

She pointed out that according to relevant resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly and the WHA, the participation of China's Taiwan region in WHO events must be handled following the one-China principle.

The spokesperson added that the Chinese central government attaches great importance to the health and well-being of Taiwan compatriots. "Under the precondition of abiding by the one-China principle, we have made appropriate arrangements for the Taiwan region's participation in global health affairs."

Hua urged the U.S. Congress to fully recognize the highly sensitive nature of the Taiwan question, abide by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, obey international law and basic norms governing international relations, refrain from helping the Taiwan region expand so-called "international space" and cease sending any wrong signal to the "Taiwan independence" forces. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-12 17:41:04|Editor: huaxia

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VIENTIANE, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- Lao Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh said donated COVID-19 vaccines from China and other countries would enable more free vaccinations to be offered and speed up progress towards immunization targets.

Vaccinations have already been given in target areas, including places where cases have been identified, at-risk areas such as provinces bordering on virus outbreak countries, and provinces with large populations, local daily Vientiane Times reported on Thursday.

The fifth shipment of China's Sinopharm vaccine arrived in Lao capital Vientiane on Saturday, which will be given to people aged 18 to 60.

Speaking at an official handover of the vaccine on Wednesday, Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh said the new shipment would move the country closer to meeting the target to vaccinate 50 percent of the population by the end of 2021.

By the end of next year, it is hoped that 70 percent of the population will be inoculated, with more people to be vaccinated in the following years.

The prime minister expressed his gratitude to China and the Chinese people for assisting Laos in its fight against the coronavirus.

"This assistance is critical for the Lao government, as well as the Lao people, and motivates them to combat the virus. These vaccines will assist Laos in more effectively dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic," he said.

So far, some 1.38 million people have received their first jabs, while more than 1.23 million people have two doses, according to the National Taskforce Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-12 17:49:48|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- A foreign ministry spokesperson on Thursday urged relevant countries to uphold the rule of law, respect China's judicial sovereignty, and cease making irresponsible remarks.

Spokesperson Hua Chunying's remarks came after Canada launched accusations against China's verdicts in the cases of two Canadian nationals. Michael Spavor was handed an 11-year jail sentence for espionage, and Robert Lloyd Schellenberg was handed a death sentence for drug smuggling. The European Union and Britain have voiced their support for Canada.

Canada is ganging up with a handful of countries to confuse right and wrong, with no regard for facts. They are pointing fingers at relevant courts' lawful handling of cases involving Canadian citizens in China, which has gravely interfered in China's judicial sovereignty and severely violated the spirit of the rule of law. China strongly condemns this, Hua said.

Schellenberg was involved in organized international drug trafficking and the smuggling of over 222 kilograms of methamphetamine. The amount of drugs involved in this case is particularly large, Hua said.

Michael Spavor was prosecuted on suspicion of committing crimes undermining China's national security, and his case was heard in March this year in accordance with the law.

Relevant Chinese courts have pronounced their judgments in public in accordance with the law on the basis of the trial and investigation of the crimes. All legal rights of the two individuals have been fully guaranteed, Hua said.

No foreign identity can act as a "talisman," she said, adding that China is a country under the rule of law, and judicial authorities treat all criminals as equals and handle all cases in strict accordance with the law, regardless of nationality.

On one hand, Canada claims to be a champion of the rule of law and judicial independence, but on the other hand, it openly interferes in the independent handling of cases by China's judicial authorities in accordance with the law, she said.

Canada brazenly tramples on the principle that everyone should be equal before the law, fully exposing its hypocrisy of double standards and its true intention of politicizing legal issues, Hua said.

"Attempts to conduct 'megaphone diplomacy' and gang up on China have failed in the past, and will never have their way in the future," she said. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-12 17:51:40|Editor: huaxia

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NAIROBI, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) said Thursday it has partnered with Action Marketing Plus, a 360-marketing agency to showcase Nairobi's attractions through running as part of efforts to promote the country as a tourist destination.

Betty Radier, CEO of KTB, said Nairobi has unknown experiences and attractions for weekend get-away team building family and group excursions.

Radier said the virtual event dubbed "Nairobi Run" which will be launched over the weekend is aimed at celebrating the city's existing experiences and products.

Younes Iraki, CEO of the Action Marketing Plus, said the event has attracted over 500 runners participating in the run happening in different locations within Nairobi city.

"This is not a competitive run but fun run open to everyone and it will also feature runners' groups of the city such as Team Jasho, Fitness with David, Tipwa Tipwa, Urban Swaras, Nairobi Hash House Harriers, and many more," Iraki said in a joint statement issued in Nairobi.

She said the run will give an opportunity to the participants to rediscover the beauty of Nairobi, explore its vibrant running routes and share their exhilarating experiences with the world.

The event is supported by well-known runners such as Douglas Wakiihuri as well as several other running clubs, gyms as well as artists and celebrities including Frasha from P-Unit.

"People across the world have come to realize the importance of wellness and a healthy lifestyle along with a newfound gratitude for the outdoors, and NairobiRun is the first among a series of other runs that we will be organizing across the country," said Iraki.

To participate in the event, one will need to register and run in a favorite route at a time of one choice and finally share captured run moments with the community to qualify for the medal.

Radier said the routes add to the showcases of other attractions such as waterfalls, caves, birding besides contributing to the wellness of the participants. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-12 18:08:57|Editor: huaxia

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SEOUL -- Foreign funds flowed out of the South Korean stock market last month on worry about the COVID-19 resurgence here, central bank data showed Thursday.

Foreigners sold a net 3.06 trillion U.S. dollars worth of domestic stocks in July, according to the Bank of Korea. (S. Korea-Foreign Funds-Outflow)

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WASHINGTON -- The U.S. budget deficit rose to 2.54 trillion U.S. dollars for the first 10 months of fiscal year 2021, the Treasury Department reported.

Federal revenue for the 10-month period till July rose to 3.3 trillion dollars, while total outlays rose to nearly 5.9 trillion dollars, according to the Monthly Treasury Statement released Wednesday. (US-Budget-2021)

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TOKYO -- Japan's wholesale prices in July surged 5.6 percent from the previous year, the fastest pace of increase in nearly 13 years, amid growing prices of energy and commodity as economic activity improves, Bank of Japan data showed Thursday.

The prices of goods traded between companies increased for the fifth straight month and sharp year-on-year rises have shown in recent months -- 5.0 percent in June and 5.1 percent in May. The latest number revealed the steepest gain since September 2008, according to the central bank. (Japan-Wholesale Prices)

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WELLINGTON -- Median prices for residential property across New Zealand increased by 25.2 percent from 659,500 New Zealand dollars (464,181 U.S. dollars) in July 2020 to a record 826,000 New Zealand dollars in July 2021, according to the latest data from the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand.

The median house price for New Zealand excluding Auckland increased by 23.3 percent from 557,500 New Zealand dollars in July last year to a new record of 687,500 New Zealand dollars in July 2021. (New Zealand-Housing Price) Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-12 18:26:04|Editor: huaxia

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TOKYO -- Japan's wholesale prices in July surged 5.6 percent from the previous year, the fastest pace of increase in nearly 13 years, amid growing prices of energy and commodity as economic activity improves, Bank of Japan (BOJ) data showed Thursday.

The prices of goods traded between companies increased for the fifth straight month and sharp year-on-year rises have shown in recent months -- 5.0 percent in June and 5.1 percent in May. The latest number revealed the steepest gain since September 2008, according to the central bank. (Japan-Wholesale Prices)

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LUSAKA -- Voting in Zambia's tightly-contested general elections began on Thursday with long queues in polling stations in the capital Lusaka.

Incumbent President Edgar Lungu was the first voter at Andrew Mwenya Polling Station at Crawford School in the sprawling Chawama Shanty Compound in Lusaka, who urged people to maintain peace as they exercise their right to vote. (Zambia-Elections)

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GHAZNI, Afghanistan -- Taliban militants Thursday overran Afghanistan's eastern Ghazni province's capital city Ghazni, 150 km from the national capital Kabul, provincial council member Hasan Reza Yusufi said.

"Ghazni city fell to the Taliban today morning and the militants are seen in all parts of the city including the police headquarters, governor office and the provincial officials have evacuated the city and left for Kabul," Yusufi told Xinhua. (Afghanistan-Ghazni-Taliban)

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ISTANBUL -- At least four people were killed, and one went missing after floods hit Turkey's Black Sea region, authorities announced on Thursday.

The Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) said heavy rainfall, which gripped the region the previous day, wreaked havoc in Bartin, Kastamonu, and Sinop provinces, triggering flash floods. (Turkey-Black Sea-Flood) Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-12 18:26:35|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- The following are the updates on the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

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TOKYO -- Japan confirmed 17,196 COVID-19 infections as of 5:20 p.m. local time on Thursday, with 4,989 cases in Tokyo, as the number of severely ill patients strike a record high for the capital, local media reported.

Among the new cases in Tokyo, 1,490 cases are in their 20s, accounting for the largest group, followed by 1,031 in their 30s and 865 in their 40s. The number for those aged 65 or older was 161, obviously lower compared to younger generations thanks to a higher rate of vaccination.

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VIENTIANE -- Laos' National Taskforce Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control on Thursday reported 202 COVID-19 cases and one new death over the past 24 hours, bringing the national tally to 9,363 cases and nine deaths.

Deputy Director General of the Department of Communicable Diseases Control under the Lao Ministry of Health, Sisavath Soutthaniraxay, told a press conference in Lao capital Vientiane on Thursday that the new death involved a 28-year-old woman living in Champasak province.

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MANILA -- The Philippines' Department of Health (DOH) reported 12,439 new COVID-19 infections on Thursday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the Southeast Asian country to 1,700,363.

The death toll climbed to 29,539 after 165 more patients died from the viral disease, the DOH added.

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KUALA LUMPUR -- The Malaysian government has ordered an additional batch of COVID-19 vaccines from Chinese pharmaceutical company Sinovac, Malaysian pharmaceutical company Pharmaniaga said on Thursday.

Pharmaniaga's wholly-owned subsidiary Pharmaniaga LifeScience Sdn Bhd (PLS) had secured an acceptance letter from the health ministry for the additional doses of Sinovac CoronaVac vaccines, the company said in a statement.

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BANGKOK -- Thailand on Thursday reported a record 22,782 new COVID-19 cases and 147 more fatalities over the past 24 hours, according to the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).

The new infections and deaths have brought the country's total number of infections to 839,771 and the death toll to 6,942, according to the CCSA. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-12 18:55:27|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- More overseas youths are welcome to China for exchanges, Chinese President Xi Jinping said Tuesday, expressing his hope that young people at home and abroad will enhance mutual understanding, develop friendship and achieve mutual success, thus contribute to the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

Xi made the remarks in his reply letter to 36 representatives of young foreign participants from 28 countries at Global Young Leaders Dialogue, hailing them for their active efforts to visit various parts of China and deepen their understanding of the country.

Xi has been, on various bilateral and multilateral occasions, encouraging youths from different countries to strengthen exchanges, mutual understanding and friendship to bridge cultural gaps.

The following are some highlights of his previous remarks in this regard.

May 17, 2020

Xi extended welcome to excellent youth from all countries in the world to study in China in his reply to a letter from all Pakistani students studying in the University of Science and Technology Beijing.

In his letter, Xi encouraged the students to communicate more with their Chinese peers and join hands with youth from all countries to contribute to promoting people-to-people connectivity and building a community with a shared future for humanity.

"A friend in need is a friend indeed," he said, adding that China will continue providing various help to all foreign students studying in the country.

March 17, 2019

In a response letter to President Paolo M. Reale and eight students of Rome Convitto Nazionale Vittorio Emanuele II, an Italian boarding school, Xi encouraged students to be cultural ambassadors between the two countries.

"I hope you will become modern-day Marco Polos, as cultural ambassadors between Italy and China in this new era," Xi said.

"You are welcome to study and work in China, and I hope China will be the place where your dreams come true," he added.

Aug. 28, 2018

Xi said young people are the future of a nation, and young people from China and Africa represent the future of China-Africa friendship, when replying to a letter from participants of the International Youth Forum on Creativity and Heritage along the Silk Road.

He urged them to engage in more cultural exchanges, continue actively participating the building of the Belt and Road, and carry on traditional friendship between China and African countries.

He also encouraged them to play their own part in jointly building an even stronger community with a shared future for China and Africa and a community with a shared future for mankind.

Oct. 26, 2015

"The future of the world is in the hands of the younger generation. When young people around the world pursue their ideals and fulfill their responsibilities, mankind will have a more promising future, and there will be an inexhaustible source of strength to support the lofty cause of peace and development," Xi said in a congratulatory message to the opening ceremony of the 9th United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Youth Forum.

"I hope that young people of all countries could see the world with appreciation and in a spirit of sharing and mutual learning, promote exchanges and harmony among different cultures, and contribute to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind," he added.

June 24, 2014

"Sound relations between states lie in amity between peoples. The key to amity between peoples lies in the bilateral exchanges between the youth," Xi said when he met with a delegation of teachers and students from Nazarbayev University of Kazakhstan.

"I hope that by this visit, you can know a real China and have a good memory of it. I believe that you will become builders of the China-Kazakhstan friendship in the future," he said. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-12 19:13:24|Editor: huaxia

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HONG KONG, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong's Center for Health Protection (CHP) reported five new imported cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, taking the tally of total confirmed cases to 12,025.

A total of 40 cases have been reported in the past 14 days, including an untraceable local infection, with the rest imported, the CHP said in a statement.

Hong Kong's vaccination drive continued to make steady progress.

Since the launch of the government inoculation program in late February, around 3.6 million people, or 52.9 percent of the eligible population, have taken at least one shot of the vaccine, including around 2.78 million fully vaccinated. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-12 19:19:03|Editor: huaxia

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NANNING, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- SAIC-GM-Wuling (SGMW), a major Chinese automobile manufacturer, reported strong vehicle export growth in the first seven months of this year, the company said.

SGMW, located in Liuzhou, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, exported 87,401 vehicles during the period, up by 98 percent year on year, exceeding its total export volume of last year.

Its total sales revenue in overseas markets in the period reached about 4.35 billion yuan (nearly 672 million U.S. dollars), up by 56 percent compared with the same period last year.

A total of 24,214 units of the SGMW's compact crossover SUV model Baojun 530 were exported between January and July, surging by 170 percent year on year. The exports of the Baojun 510, another SUV company brand, reached 8,364 units.

Following the countries of Chile, Peru, El Salvador, and Costa Rica, at the end of June, 1,000 units of its brand Hongguang V were exported to Mexico for the first time, the company said. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-12 19:56:09|Editor: huaxia

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CARACAS -- Imposing unilateral sanctions against Venezuela and other countries is "a crime against humanity" that the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court must investigate, Venezuelan Foreign Affairs Minister Jorge Arreaza said Wednesday.

"UN (United Nations) human rights experts describe the sanctions adopted against Venezuela and other countries as a 'punishment' against the 'innocent population,'" he tweeted, citing a release by the United Nations Human Rights Council denouncing unilateral sanctions.

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TRIPOLI -- The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Wednesday said it will support Libya's newly-launched "exceptional" vaccination campaign against COVID-19.

"To ensure safe and quality vaccines through the provision of required supplies, UNICEF will support the campaign through the provision of cold chain equipment which includes cold boxes and vaccine carriers, quality monitoring devices, first aid kits and personal protective equipment," UNICEF said in a statement.

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GHAZNI, Afghanistan -- Taliban militants Thursday overran Afghanistan's eastern Ghazni province's capital city Ghazni, 150 km from the national capital Kabul, provincial council member Hasan Reza Yusufi said.

"Ghazni city fell to the Taliban today morning and the militants are seen in all parts of the city including the police headquarters, governor office and the provincial officials have evacuated the city and left for Kabul," Yusufi told Xinhua.

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WASHINGTON -- A former U.S. federal health official spoke out Wednesday against former President Donald Trump's administration's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, saying thousands of lives could have been saved if Washington acted differently at the outset.

"Hundreds of thousands of lives in the United States and around the world would be saved, people would still be alive today if our government had listened to the science, had been honest and truthful with Americans from the beginning, had told Americans the real risk of this virus and put tools and information and clear messaging out to help people save their lives and protect themselves from getting this virus," said Rick Bright, former director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority under the Trump administration. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-12 20:05:55|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Emergency Management has sent a team to the central Hubei Province to facilitate rescue since rainstorms from Wednesday night to Thursday noon caused blackouts, disrupted communication, and stranded people in parts of the province.

The most severely hit regions include Suizhou, Xiangyang, and Xiaogan in Hubei, the ministry said.

The province's fire and rescue department has dispatched 173 professional members and 13 boats to aid the regions, the ministry said.

Heavy downpours have affected more than 100,000 residents since Aug. 8. As of 10 a.m. Thursday, the latest spell of torrential rains had triggered multiple natural disasters such as flooding and hailstorms.

Torrential rains are expected to persist until Friday and may cause flooding and other geological disasters, forecasts from the Hubei Meteorological Service said. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-12 20:14:17|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese regulator has issued a guideline to improve data security of intelligent connected vehicles, highlighting that personal information and important data collected and generated during operations within the territory of China shall be stored in the country.

If the data needs to be provided overseas, it shall pass the data exit security assessment, says the guideline issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

Automobile production enterprises shall establish and improve the data safety management system, as well as data security protection technological measures to ensure the data will be under effective protection and legal use, it says.

On network security, enterprises shall establish the management system of automobile network security and have technological measures to ensure that the electronic and electrical systems, components and functions of the vehicles are protected from network threats, it adds.

It also demands efforts to strengthen the safety management of products with combined driving assistance functions and automated driving functions to ensure the safe operation of vehicles. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-12 20:33:27|Editor: huaxia

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-- By eliminating extreme poverty China has won the biggest and toughest battle against poverty in human history.

-- Putting the people's interests first, China has adopted rigorous COVID-19 prevention and control measures, and turned the tide in the battle against the virus.

-- China has taken protecting the rights to subsistence and development as the primary task and has been promoting human rights through development.

BEIJING, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- China has hit another milestone in human rights as all-round moderate prosperity is achieved in the country with a population about one-fifth of the world's total, a white paper said Thursday.

China's realization of all-round moderate prosperity, as declared in July, represents comprehensive progress in ensuring universal human rights in China, and a new contribution to the world's human rights cause, the document issued by the State Council Information Office said.

Under the Communist Party of China (CPC) leadership, the Chinese people "completed the historic transformation from poverty to secure access to food and clothing, to a decent life, and finally to moderate prosperity," read the white paper titled "Moderate Prosperity in All Respects: Another Milestone Achieved in China's Human Rights."

The goal of achieving moderate prosperity, articulated by China as it started reform and opening up some four decades ago, demonstrated the country's concern for improving the people's wellbeing and commitment to promoting human rights, it said.

Moderate prosperity in China, according to the document, is evident in all respects: a buoyant economy, political democracy, a flourishing culture, social equity, and healthy ecosystems; balanced development between urban and rural areas to the benefit of all the people; and high respect for and comprehensive protection of human rights.

"China's approach and experience have provided a distinctive path forward for human progress," read the white paper.

It explored the topics by examining the facts and figures in various aspects, including ending extreme poverty and securing the people's right to an adequate standard of living, putting life above all else in fighting COVID-19, ensuring equitable and accessible health services, improving the environment, protecting civil and political rights, and promoting social equity.



Workers weld components at a workshop of an automobile manufacturing enterprise in Qingzhou City, east China's Shandong Province, Feb. 28, 2021. (Photo by Wang Jilin/Xinhua)

HIGHLIGHTS

"Poverty is the biggest obstacle to human rights," said the white paper.

By eliminating extreme poverty China has won the biggest and toughest battle against poverty in human history, to the benefit of the largest number of people.

The document noted that by the end of 2020, by China's current poverty threshold, all of the 99 million rural poor, had emerged from poverty.

On COVID-19, it highlighted that China has put the people's interests first, adopted thorough, rigorous and effective prevention and control measures, and turned the tide in the battle against the virus.

"China did everything possible to treat all patients," read the white paper.

Across central China's Hubei Province, more than 3,000 COVID-19 patients over the age of 80, including seven centenarians, were cured, with many of them brought back to life from the verge of death, it noted.

Medical workers take swab samples from residents for COVID-19 nucleic acid testing in Zhangjiajie, central China's Hunan Province, Aug. 4, 2021. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)

Other key figures and facts laid out in the white paper concerning China's progress in advancing human rights are as follows:

-- The number of medical and health institutions in China increased from 170,000 in 1978 to over 1 million in 2020.

-- The average life expectancy in China rose from 67.8 years in 1981 to 77.3 years in 2019.

-- Maternal mortality dropped from 43.2 per 100,000 in 2002 to 16.9 per 100,000 in 2020.

-- From 1978 to 2020, the country's per capita GDP increased from 385 yuan to 72,000 yuan. In 2020, the average per capita disposable income was 32,189 yuan.

-- China's forest coverage rose from 12.7 percent in the early 1970s to 23 percent in 2020.

-- The proportion of female students in junior colleges and universities rose from 24.1 percent in 1978 to 51.7 percent in 2019.

Aerial photo taken on July 14, 2021 shows a lake at Arxan National Forest Park in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

CONTRIBUTIONS

The route to all-round moderate prosperity coincides with comprehensive progress in human rights in China, according to the white paper.

"The right to subsistence comes first among all human rights," it said, calling visible progress in securing basic needs and remarkable improvements in living standards the natural results of realizing all-round moderate prosperity.

"All-round moderate prosperity means all the people enjoy human rights," the white paper added.

In the process of creating this society, China has built a system guaranteeing social equity with equal opportunities, equal rules and equal rights, in which all can participate in, contribute to, and enjoy development, it said.

In summing up China's experience in promoting human rights in the process, the document highlighted that China has applied the principle of universality of human rights in China's context, and taken a people-centered approach to human rights.

China has taken protecting the rights to subsistence and development as the primary task and has been promoting human rights through development, with a happy life for the people as the ultimate goal, it said.

"There is no end to improving human rights. Moderate prosperity is a new starting point on China's quest for human rights," the white paper said, vowing that China will make a greater contribution to global human rights. 
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-12 20:42:30|Editor: huaxia

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LAGOS, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- Flood triggered by a severe downpour on Tuesday in northeast Nigeria's Bauchi state killed five people and damaged 1,567 houses, an official said on Thursday.

According to Samaila Jarma, council chairman of Jama'are town in Bauchi, the flood from a local river was triggered by several hours of heavy rain on Tuesday, which damaged houses, farmlands and crops in seven villages of the area.

"We recovered five corpses from the water in submerged areas," he told reporters in a press briefing in Jama'are area, adding the bodies were buried in accordance with local tradition following a thorough investigation to establish their identity.

Jarma said the town council has also formed a committee to examine the damage and recommend appropriate measures to the state government.

Nigerian authorities had in May issued an alert to 28 out of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory in the country, warning of severe flooding this year. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-12 21:30:34|Editor: huaxia

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RAMALLAH, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- Palestine on Thursday said it rejects and condemns the Israeli government's recent plan to build 2,200 new settlement units in the West Bank.

"The move is in violation of all international legitimacy resolutions, mainly the UN Security Council Resolution 2334, which clearly affirms the illegality of building settlements in all the Palestinian territories," according to a statement by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' office.

The statement said the Israeli plan contradicts the Oslo peace accords signed between Israel and Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in 1993.

"Any Israeli settlement construction in the occupied Palestinian territory will not be allowed or be legalized," it added.

The statement also called on the U.S. and the international community "to work seriously and immediately to stop the Israeli persistence, which, if it continues, will increase tension and instability."

On Wednesday, Israel radio reported that the Israeli civil administration's higher planning and building council will convene next week for the first time in seven months to approve a new plan to build 2,200 new settlement units in the West Bank.

Israel captured territories in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, which are claimed by the Palestinians, in the 1967 Middle East war and has controlled them ever since. The Jewish settlements are considered a violation of international law by most of the international community.

Official Palestinian figures said that more than 600,000 Jews live in about 140 settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-12 21:39:29|Editor: huaxia

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XINGTAI, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- Cao Shengge, 31, is obsessed with the idae of making sculptures with used tires.

Cao returned to his home in Tancun Village of Xingtai in north China's Hebei Province after granduation from college in 2014 and later came up with an idea of turning the waste tires into handicrafts.

He learned all the steps needed in the creation of tire sculptures and after years of engagement, Cao gained the artistic proficiency necessary to create vivid artworks ranging from the Monkey King to the legendary Chinese dragon.

It usually takes Cao more than a month to complete a tire sculpture. Besides artistic creation, Cao also makes homeware from used tires.

Since 2015, Cao Shengge has recycled more than 50 tonnes of used tires to make tire sculptures.

Children watch tire sculptures made by Cao Shengge in Tancun Village of Xingtai, north China's Hebei Province, Aug. 10, 2021. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)

Photo taken on Aug. 10, 2021 shows Cao Shengge making tire sculptures in Tancun Village of Xingtai, north China's Hebei Province. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)

Aerial photo taken on Aug. 10, 2021 shows Cao Shengge picking materials for making tire sculptures in a pile of used tires in Tancun Village of Xingtai, north China's Hebei Province. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)

Photo taken on Aug. 10, 2021 shows Cao Shengge cutting used tires in Tancun Village of Xingtai, north China's Hebei Province. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-12 22:13:12|Editor: huaxia

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KABUL, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- Fighting in Afghanistan has further intensified as the Taliban fighters captured Ghazni city, the capital of eastern Ghazni province on Thursday, bringing the number of provincial capitals captured by the armed group to 10 since last Friday.

"Ghazni city fell to the Taliban today morning and the militants are seen in all parts of the city including the police headquarters, governor office and the provincial officials have evacuated the city and left for Kabul," a member of provincial council Hasan Reza Yusufi said.

Confirming the fall of Ghazni city 125 km south of Kabul, an eyewitness Sayed Ali told Xinhua that "Ghazni city fell to the Taliban at around 9:00 a.m. local time" and the officials fled the area.

Police have yet to make comment.

The fleeing Ghazni's provincial Governor Mohammad Daud Laghmani, according to media report, has been arrested by authorities in the neighboring Wardak province.

Taliban fighters have captured Zaranj city the capital of western Nimroz, Shiberghan city the capital of northern Jawzjan, Sari Pul city the capital Sari Pul province, Kunduz city the capital of Kunduz province, Taluqan the capital of northern Takhar, Aybak the capital of Samangan, Faizabad the capital of Badakhshan, Pul-e-Khumri the capital of Baghlan and Farah the capital of western Farah province.

The Taliban fighters have been fighting tooth and nail to overrun the Lashkar Gah and Kandahar, the two key cities in the southern region of Afghanistan.

Taliban fighters, according to spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, have totally captured Ghazni city on Thursday and also are in control of major parts of Lashkar Gah and Kandahar cities.

However, Police spokesman in Kandahar rejected Taliban claim as groundless, saying that fighting has been continuing in PD 3, 5, 6 and 15 and the Taliban militants have suffered casualties.

Defense Ministry spokesman Fawad Aman also rejected Taliban claim and said the Taliban have suffered casualties elsewhere in the country including Helmand's provincial capital Lashkar Gah and 217 insurgents have been killed and 107 others injured over the past 24 hours. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-12 22:16:28|Editor: huaxia

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TEHRAN, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- Iranian officials criticized a photo of British and Russian ambassadors posted on Wednesday by the Russian embassy in Tehran, slamming it "disrespectful" as it reminds people of the Anglo-Soviet military invasion of Iran during World War II.

"I saw an extremely inappropriate picture today. Need I remind all that August 2021 is neither August 1941 nor December 1943," Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif wrote on Twitter late on Wednesday.

Early on Thursday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf also condemned the post, which he described in Persian as "far from diplomatic etiquette and inappropriate."

"Both ambassadors must formally apologize immediately, otherwise a decisive diplomatic response will be necessary," he added.

Russian embassy's Twitter post showed the Russian and British ambassadors Levan Dzhagaryan and Simon Shercliff sitting on the historical chairs where former Soviet leader Joseph Stalin and former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill sat during the 1943 Tehran Conference.

The post has been criticized on social media by a number of public figures, including former Iranian senior Presidential Advisor Hesamoddin Ashna, former Vice-President Shahindokht Molaverdi, and former parliament representatives.

On Thursday morning, the Russian embassy's official Twitter account stressed that the photo does not have "any anti-Iranian context," and did not aim to offend the feelings of "the friendly Iranian people."

The image, the embassy said in another tweet, was a "tribute to the joint efforts of the allied states against Nazism during the World War II." Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-12 22:55:11|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- The following are the updates on the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

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BEIJING -- The inactivated vaccine developed by the China National Biotec Group (CNBG) affiliated with Sinopharm has been proved safe and effective in three-shot vaccination clinical trials among people aged three and above.

The CNBG said in a post on Weibo that data from phase I and phase II clinical trials done by it shows the three-shot vaccination plan produced more robust immune responses among volunteers than the two-dose plan, especially among people over 18 years of age.

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JERUSALEM -- Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on Thursday instructed health maintenance organizations (HMOs) to prepare to offer a third coronavirus vaccine booster for some age groups under 60 next week, according to a statement from Bennett's office.

Bennett and Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz were briefed by CEOs of Israel's four HMOs on their vaccination efforts. The prime minister told the HMOs' directors that they need to "prepare to expand the range of ages for the third inoculation next week."

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DHAKA -- China's contributions through the COVAX Facility have reflected Beijing's commitment to global anti-COVID-19 fight, Bangladesh health experts said.

They expressed appreciation of China's contributions after Bangladesh Tuesday night received 1.7 million Chinese COVID-19 vaccine doses shipped via the COVAX Facility.

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MOSCOW -- Russia confirmed 21,932 new COVID-19 cases over the past 24 hours, taking the nationwide tally to 6,534,791, the official monitoring and response center said Thursday.

Meanwhile, a record high of 808 deaths were reported, bringing the nationwide death toll to 168,049.

The number of recoveries increased by 20,195 to 5,828,972, the center said.

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KUALA LUMPUR -- Malaysia reported 21,668 new COVID-19 infections in the highest daily spike since the outbreak, bringing the national total to 1,342,215, the Health Ministry said Thursday.

Health Ministry Director-General Noor Hisham Abdullah said in a press statement that 58 of the new cases are imported and 21,610 are local transmissions.

Another 318 deaths have been reported, pushing the death toll to 11,691.

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TOKYO -- Japan confirmed 17,196 COVID-19 infections as of 5:20 p.m. local time on Thursday, with 4,989 cases in Tokyo, as the number of severely ill patients strike a record high for the capital, local media reported.

Among the new cases in Tokyo, 1,490 cases are in their 20s, accounting for the largest group, followed by 1,031 in their 30s and 865 in their 40s. The number for those aged 65 or older was 161, obviously lower compared to younger generations thanks to a higher rate of vaccination. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-12 23:37:10|Editor: huaxia

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KUNMING, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- China will take a slew of measures to further promote the protection of Asian elephants, an official with the National Forestry and Grassland Administration (NFGA) said on Thursday.

Zhang Zhizhong made the comments at a themed event in Mojiang County, in southwest China's Yunnan Province, to celebrate World Elephant Day and call for greater protection of Asian elephants.

The NFGA official said that China will strengthen the protection and restoration of the Asian elephant's habitat and soothe human-elephant conflict by indemnifying villagers against wildlife-related damage and setting up an alert system.

Moreover, the country will establish a stable gene pool for artificial breeding, while conducting international cooperation and exchanges to boost the protection of Asian elephants, Zhang added.

Asian elephants are under first-class state protection in China. There are currently 300 wild Asian elephants in Yunnan and the population continues to grow.

World Elephant Day falls on Aug. 12 every year. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-12 23:52:25|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- China has rolled out new measures to strengthen the protection of the country's intangible cultural heritage (ICH).

Efforts should be made to bolster the ICH census and recording system, said a guideline released by the General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council.

To this end, the country plans to carry out a nationwide census, accelerate archives digitalization, and apply modern technologies to ICH recording.

China also aims to improve the system of ICH inheritors, according to the guideline. Evaluation and dynamic management are emphasized.

The guideline supports a rational utilization of ICH. It encourages the integration of ICH into tourism on the premise of effective preservation.

Efforts to spread and popularize intangible cultural heritage should be stepped up, according to the guideline.

Efforts to promote ICH exchanges and cooperation with other countries and Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan are encouraged, according to the guideline.

The guideline also has stipulations about financial support to ICH protection. Governments at and above the county level are asked to include funds for ICH preservation in their budgets. Other measures include targeted subsidies, interest discounts for loans, and tax incentives. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-13 00:02:20|Editor: huaxia

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KABUL -- Fighting in Afghanistan has further intensified as the Taliban fighters captured Ghazni city, the capital of eastern Ghazni province on Thursday, bringing the number of provincial capitals captured by the armed group to 10 since last Friday.

"Ghazni city fell to the Taliban today morning and the militants are seen in all parts of the city including the police headquarters, governor office and the provincial officials have evacuated the city and left for Kabul," a member of provincial council Hasan Reza Yusufi said. (Afghanistan-Fighting)

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ISLAMABAD -- Three employees were killed and two others injured when an explosion took place inside a defense industrial complex in Rawalpindi district of Pakistan's east Punjab province on Thursday evening, an army statement said.

The accident happened due to a technical fault in one of the plants of Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) in Wah Cantt town of the district, located some 37 km northwest of Islamabad. (Pakistan-Blast)

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MANILA -- China delivered an additional batch of Sinovac CoronaVac vaccines to the Philippines on Thursday to support the Southeast Asian country's inoculation campaign against the COVID-19 pandemic.

China was the first to deliver coronavirus vaccines to the Philippines. It donated the first batch of CoronaVac to Manila on Feb. 28, allowing the country to kick off its vaccination drive on March 1. (Philippines-China-Vaccines)

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DHAKA -- China's contributions through the COVAX Facility have reflected Beijing's commitment to global anti-COVID-19 fight, Bangladesh health experts said.

They expressed appreciation of China's contributions after Bangladesh Tuesday night received 1.7 million Chinese COVID-19 vaccine doses shipped via the COVAX Facility. (Bangladesh-China-Experts) Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-13 00:10:27|Editor: huaxia

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URUMQI, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- Officials and scholars in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Thursday lambasted the United States for its practice of "long-arm jurisdiction" and trampling on the international order.

Xu Guixiang, a spokesperson for the regional government, said at a press conference that the "long-arm jurisdiction" has become a hegemonic tool for the United States to suppress foreign entities, interfere in other countries' internal affairs and even subvert foreign governments.

"The United States is always pointing a flashlight at others, but never at itself," Xu said in response to some U.S. politicians' attempts to push forward legislation on Xinjiang.

Liu Weidong, a U.S. affairs expert at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said the United States treats its own Muslims as distrusted outsiders, who have long faced discrimination, suppression and poor protection of their basic rights.

"The United States, while persecuting Muslims and carrying out de-Islamization, is hurling accusations at China's de-radicalization efforts in Xinjiang," Liu said.

"They have no respect for Islam and they do not really care about Muslims. Instead, they are exploiting the religious feelings of Muslims to stoke instability," he said.

Zulhayat Ismayil, a professor at Xinjiang University, pointed out the U.S. poor racial record, including ethnic cleansing of native Indians, discrimination and brutality against African Americans and bullying of Asian Americans.

"With such serious issues at home, what right does the United States have to make irresponsible remarks about other countries' ethnic policies?" she said. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-13 00:10:58|Editor: huaxia

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SKOPJE, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- North Macedonia has administered more than one million COVID-19 vaccine doses, the country's Health Ministry said Thursday.

The Health Ministry said in a press release that the total number of vaccine doses administered so far in the country had reached 1,016,700 on Wednesday, including 454,700 second doses.

Nationwide vaccination is going smoothly, according to health authorities.

"All vaccines are safe, and only with the vaccination of the population will we preserve collective health," Health Minister Venko Filipce said via a Facebook post on Thursday.

He urged the citizens to find time and go to the nearest vaccination site to get vaccinated.

On Wednesday, the Health Ministry reported 500 new COVID-19 cases and eight deaths in the last 24 hours, raising the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 159,269, with 150,613 recoveries and 5,521 fatalities.

The government has decided to introduce a mandatory vaccination certificate starting from Aug. 16 in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-13 00:37:02|Editor: huaxia

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Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong (R) and Special Assistant to the Pakistani Prime Minister on Health Faisal Sultan (C) attend a handover ceremony of Chinese Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines shipped via the COVAX facility in Islamabad, capital of Pakistan, Aug. 12, 2021. The first batch of COVID-19 vaccine that China provided to the COVAX facility was officially handed over to Pakistan during a ceremony held here on Thursday. Early Wednesday morning, a batch of over 970,000 doses of Chinese Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine arrived at Islamabad International Airport. (Xinhua/Ahmad Kamal)

ISLAMABAD, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- The first batch of COVID-19 vaccine that China provided to the COVAX facility was officially handed over to Pakistan during a ceremony held here on Thursday.

Early Wednesday morning, a batch of over 970,000 doses of Chinese Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine arrived at Islamabad International Airport.

Speaking at the event, Special Assistant to the Pakistani Prime Minister on Health Faisal Sultan thanked China for providing COVID-19 vaccine to Pakistan through the COVAX facility.

He said that the newly-arrived doses highlight China's concrete actions in fulfilling its promise of making Chinese COVID-19 vaccines a global public good and the special and deep relationship between the two countries.

Sultan said that Chinese COVID-19 vaccines including Sinopharm vaccine are safe and efficient, which enjoy "great acceptability" among the Pakistani people, adding that Pakistan has recently achieved its target of administering over 1 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines in a day and the newly-arrived consignment will further promote Pakistan's vaccination drive.

On the occasion, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong said that China will send more vaccines to Pakistan through the COVAX facility in the future.

China has made Pakistan a priority for COVID-19 vaccine aid and exports, Nong said, adding that "China and Pakistan have worked hand in hand to help each other to fight against COVID-19, setting a good example for global cooperation against the pandemic."

"In the face of the COVID-19, China has announced a series of major initiatives to support the global fight against the pandemic, promoting the building of a global community of health for all with practical actions." He said.

Underlining the need for international cooperation and solidarity to fight against the pandemic, he said that this common enemy for mankind can be defeated in an earliest possible way if the international community work together, "do away with 'vaccine nationalism' and jointly oppose politicization of origin-tracing of the coronavirus...promote fair and equitable distribution of vaccines worldwide." Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-13 00:41:36|Editor: huaxia

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ACCRA, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- Pupils and teachers in some primary schools in the Ghanaian capital had raised over 15,000 Ghana cedis (about 2,494 U.S. dollars) to help a school girl diagnosed with a congenital heart defect.

The Ga East educational directorate presented the amount to Joyce Owusu, a 15-year old pupil who was diagnosed with the condition three years ago.

"After her diagnosis, her parents came to ask for assistance for her treatment. We, therefore, appealed to pupils and teachers in the municipality and managed to raise 15,094 cedis through that," Seth Anyomi, the spokesman for the education directorate, told Xinhua after the presentation.

He said that the hospital demanded a total of 6,000 dollars for the treatment.

"So what we have mobilized is below half of the amount. The hospital is awaiting the final payment to conduct the surgery to save the girl's life so she can return to school," he added.

The official, therefore, appealed to benevolent individuals and organizations to come to the aid of the school girl so she could undergo the life-saving surgery at the Korle Bu Teaching hospital and get back to her normal life. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-13 00:56:51|Editor: huaxia

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RABAT, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- Morocco announced on Thursday 10,828 new COVID-19 cases, taking the tally of infections in the North African country to 731,084.

The total number of recoveries from COVID-19 in Morocco increased by 7,778 to 639,534.

The death toll rose to 10,711 with 104 new fatalities, while 1,895 people are in intensive care units.

Meanwhile, a total of 16,034,986 people have received their first vaccine shots against COVID-19 in the country, while 11,299,174 have taken two doses.

The North African country launched a nationwide vaccination campaign on Jan. 28 after the arrival of the first shipment of China's Sinopharm vaccine. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-13 00:59:24|Editor: huaxia

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JUBA, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan's rival opposition factions on Thursday agreed to cease hostilities following deadly clashes last week that left 34 soldiers dead on both sides near the Sudan border.

Puok Both Baluang, director of Information and Public Relations for Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army-In-Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) led by First Vice President Riek Machar that clashed with the breakaway faction led by Simon Gatwech Dual, said both sides have agreed to cease hostilities.

The move follows clashes last week at Magenis near the Sudan border between troops loyal to Machar and his former chief of staff Dual that left 34 soldiers dead.

The fighting followed the recent declaration by senior officers of SPLA-IO led by Dual deposing Machar from the leadership of SPLM/A-IO while accusing him of nepotism and lacking strong leadership. The breakaway faction also blamed Machar for weakening the hand of the former rebel movement in the coalition government.

"The breakaway group from the SPLA-IO calling themselves Kitguang declaration called Machar twice; they held two phone call discussions, Gen. Johnson Olony is the one who initiated it; he informed Machar about his group's acceptance for a ceasefire," said Baluang in Juba, capital of South Sudan. "The discussion was conducted in an amicable atmosphere, Machar told Olony that there is a need to resolve the differences on the incident (clashes) that happened in Magenis in Upper Nile state in a peaceful manner."

He disclosed that Machar and Olony also agreed to immediately send the Commissioner of Panyikang County to the County headquarters to assume his duties, adding that SPLM/A-IO is ready to resolve the matter in a peaceful manner.

"The two agreed to send Mustafa Gai, the Commissioner of Panyikang County to his headquarters so that he can assure the people that peace is there, they say they will maintain the communication," said Baluang. "As SPLM/A-IO, we believe discussion in a peaceful manner is the only way to address our differences."

The SPLM/A-IO waged more than six years of rebellion since December 2013 against President Salva Kiir before signing the 2018 revitalized peace deal in Ethiopia to end the conflict.

Years of conflict in the youngest nation killed tens of thousands and displaced more than 2 million people both internally and externally. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-13 01:13:37|Editor: huaxia

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STOCKHOLM, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Swedish government is set to extend legislation allowing it to introduce restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19, Prime Minister Stefan Lofven announced on Thursday.

"Sweden must be well-prepared in the event of a deteriorating situation or new outbreaks," Lofven said in a joint press conference with the Public Health Agency, adding that the spread of infection "is no longer at low levels."

The so-called "pandemic law" was introduced on Jan. 10 and was supposed to end on Sept. 30. It is now expected to be extended to Jan. 31, 2022.

Under the pandemic law, the government can limit opening times of bars and restaurants, as well as the number of people allowed at public events, in shops, and on long-distance bus and train journeys.

The prime minister's announcement was welcomed by the Public Health Agency. "We have seen that the situation can change quickly, which leads to more aggressive variants taking over," said the agency's Director-General Johan Carlson.

The government has also tasked the agency with analyzing the risk of COVID-19 outbreaks during autumn and winter.

However, although the situation has worsened since restrictions were lifted at the start of the summer holidays, no new restrictions were announced at the press conference.

From July 26 to Aug. 1, 3,451 new infections were confirmed in Sweden, according to the statistics from the Public Health Agency. This is an increase of 30 percent from the previous week.

The agency's statistics also show that by Thursday, 80.7 percent of the adult population aged 18 or older had received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, while 57.6 percent had been fully vaccinated. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-13 01:22:57|Editor: huaxia

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by Keren Setton

JERUSALEM, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) chief William Burns visited Israel and the Palestinian territories this week amid heightened regional tensions. Recent traction with Iran and the negotiations on the nuclear agreement led the agenda, while the Palestinian issue was also discussed, said Israeli analysts.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Burns vowed to "tighten intelligence and security cooperation," stating that the Iranian issue was at the top of the agenda, according to a statement released by the Prime Minister's Office.

Burns also discussed with head of Israel's Mossad intelligence agency David Barnea about "the Iranian nuclear issue and additional regional challenges, about which the organizations intend to cooperate," it added.

"There is deep intelligence cooperation between the two countries. I believe the meetings Burns had were good and productive," said Eran Lerman, vice president of the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security.

Ronni Shaked, coordinator of the Middle East Unit at the Truman Institute at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, said "the visit comes at a very critical time for both Israel and the Palestinians. Israel is in the midst of a maritime war with Iran and the Palestinians are in the midst of a political crisis."

The meetings come as nuclear talks appear to be stalled. World powers have been engaged in talks with Iran to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Considering Iran its arch-rival, Israel had strongly opposed the deal.

Israel has vowed to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. In recent years, it is reported that "Israel has been behind attacks targeting Iranian nuclear plants and weapon convoys throughout the Middle East." Furthermore, the assassinations of senior members of the Iranian nuclear program have also been attributed to Israel.

The new Israeli government is hoping to influence U.S. President Joe Biden as much as possible.

The swearing-in of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi last week could derail the nuclear talks. Defense officials in Israel have been quoted as saying they believe chances for a deal have now significantly decreased.

Burns also brought up issues related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with Israeli officials. During the U.S. former President Donald Trump administration, ties between the U.S. and the Palestinians hit an all-time low. Burns, as an envoy for the Biden administration, is looking to change that, who met with Palestinian officials, including President Mahmoud Abbas.

Israeli media reported that hundreds of plans for the building of Palestinian homes in the territories in the West Bank would be approved by Israel in the near future. It is a controversial move within Israel that sparked immediate denunciation from right-wing elements.

For Bennett, the move could be seen as an attempt to pacify the Americans in order to gain concessions on other issues, perhaps even on Iran. Bennett is expected to make his first official trip to the U.S. in the coming weeks, according to Israeli media report.

Along with the building plans for Palestinians, thousands of plans are expected to be approved for Israeli homes across the West Bank. Israel captured the territories during the 1967 Mideast War. Palestinians see the territories as part of their future state and the international community views Jewish settlements as a violation of international law.

"We discussed the need to strengthen the Palestinian Authority (PA)," read a statement by Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz after meeting Burns.

Lerman told Xinhua that "there is some progress in the economic cooperation between Israel and the PA, and there is continued and close security cooperation between Israel, the PA and the CIA."

"The Palestinians are eager for economic aid," said Shaked, noting "the Americans understand that Israel is not going to make any major concessions and that there is no chance for change at the moment." Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-13 01:29:23|Editor: huaxia

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KAMPALA, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- Uganda Airlines on Thursday flew one of its A330-800neo aircraft on a demonstration flight to South Africa ahead of securing an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) for long-haul flights, said corporate sources.

The national carrier in a statement issued here said the demonstration flight to Johannesburg is a step toward attaining the AOC.

Uganda early this year received two new A330-800neo aircraft, which it hopes to use for long-haul flights to Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

In March, the national carrier announced that it had got landing approvals for Heathrow Airport in London and Dubai International Airport of United Arab Emirates as it is set to resume long-haul flights.

The country began flight operations in August 2019 with the four Bombardiers CRJ900 for regional flights. South Africa is one of the destinations. The older Uganda Airlines collapsed in 2001 after it faced financial difficulties, and was liquidated after years of making losses.

Government is optimistic that the revival of the national flag carrier will boost the country's economic growth and tourism. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-13 01:46:21|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- China expresses appreciation of the active efforts made by Pakistan in investigating the Dasu terrorist attack, according to a foreign ministry spokesperson Thursday.

Spokesperson Hua Chunying made the remarks after the Pakistani government offered updates on the investigation into the case of the Dasu terrorist attack at a media briefing Thursday.

Hua said that the Pakistani side's investigation into the terrorist attack has seen major progress within a short period of time. "China pays great attention to this and expresses appreciation to Pakistan's active efforts."

Further investigation by Pakistan is still ongoing, Hua said.

China and Pakistan will follow the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, ascertain all the facts and truth, and hold the culprits accountable and bring them to justice, Hua said.

In the meanwhile, both countries will keep strengthening security cooperation mechanisms to ensure the safety of Chinese projects, people and institutions in Pakistan, she added.

Hua said terrorism is the common enemy of all mankind. "China firmly opposes any force using terrorism to seek geopolitical gains and calls on countries in the region to collaborate in eradicating all terrorist organizations so as to uphold common security and development interests of all countries." Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-13 02:27:51|Editor: huaxia

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JUBA, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan's minister of mining in the coalition government has resigned to join a breakaway faction of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army-in opposition (SPLM/A-IO) led by renegade general Simon Gatwech Dual.

Henry Dilah Odwar, who formerly deputized First Vice President Riek Machar in the SPLM/A-IO, on Wednesday tendered his resignation to President Salva Kiir without providing reasons for his move.

Puok Both Baluang, SPLM/A-IO director of information and public relations, confirmed this in Juba, capital of South Sudan, Thursday.

Odwar becomes the second official to resign from the transitional unity government formed in February 2020 after Mabior Garang Demabior, former deputy minister of interior resigned earlier from his post. He was appointed as minister of mining in March last year.

His resignation comes in the aftermath of clashes last week at Magenis near the Sudan border between troops loyal to First Vice President Riek Machar and those loyal to Dual that left 34 soldiers dead.

The fighting followed the recent declaration by senior officers of SPLA-IO led by Dual deposing Machar from the leadership of SPLM/A-IO while accusing him of nepotism and lacking strong leadership.

The three renegade generals who met at Magenis also blamed the First Vice President Machar in the transitional unity government formed in February last year for weakening the hand of the former rebel movement in the coalition government.

The SPLM/A-IO waged more than six years of rebellion since December 2013 against President Salva Kiir before signing the 2018 revitalized peace deal in Ethiopia to end the conflict. Years of conflict in the youngest nation have left tens of thousands of people killed and more than 2 million people displaced both internally and externally. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-13 02:49:13|Editor: huaxia

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JERUSALEM, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- Israeli military said on Thursday that its troops have intercepted a Hezbollah drone which entered the Israeli airspace after crossing the border from Lebanon.

The incident occurred on Wednesday, an Israeli army spokesperson said in a statement.

"The drone was monitored by the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) throughout the incident," the spokesperson added.

The incident came amid escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, an Iran-backed armed group and party in Lebanon.

On Sunday, four days after Hezbollah fired about 19 rockets at northern Israel, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said the Lebanese government "should take responsibility" to prevent the rocket attacks at Israel.

Hezbollah said the rockets were fired in retaliation for the Israeli airstrikes on the targets in southern Lebanon a few days earlier. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-13 03:30:49|Editor: huaxia

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Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia James Swan briefs a Security Council meeting on the situation in Somalia at the UN headquarters in New York, Aug. 12, 2021. The top UN envoy in Somalia, James Swan, on Thursday told the Security Council that significant progress has been made in the political situation in the Horn of Africa country. (Manuel Elias/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)

UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- The top UN envoy in Somalia, James Swan, on Thursday told the Security Council that significant progress has been made in the political situation in the Horn of Africa country.

"I am pleased to report that significant progress has been made" since the signing of the May 27 Electoral Implementation Agreement between Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble and leaders of the federal member states, Swan told the Council meeting on the situation in Somalia.

"The prime minister has demonstrated strong leadership and initiative in moving the process forward. The National Consultative Council, which includes the prime minister and the federal member state leaders, has held regular meetings and dialogue on key issues related to the implementation of the agreement," the envoy said.

"Further, election management bodies at federal and state levels have been established, and the elections for seats in the Upper House of Parliament have begun in four of the federal member states," he added.

However, Swan said that more progress is needed in the areas of electoral security due to the continuing threat posed by Al-Shabaab.

He stressed that the United Nations is "continuing to work closely with the Prime Minister and the committees on election preparations."

Somalia's federal government and regional state leaders finally signed an agreement on May 27, ending an impasse that has delayed the holding of both presidential and parliamentary elections in the country.

Roble and leaders of five federal member states alongside the governor of Banadir Regional Administration pledged to conduct free and fair elections within 60 days. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-13 04:12:55|Editor: huaxia

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BAGHDAD, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- Three Katyusha rockets on Thursday landed near a Turkish military base in Iraq's northern province of Nineveh, a security source said.

The attack took place in the evening when the rockets landed about 3 km away from the Turkish base near the town of Bashiqa in the northeast of Nineveh's provincial capital Mosul, Montaser al-Taie from the Iraqi army told Xinhua.

Al-Taie said that the rockets did not explode and caused no damage to the base, while the Iraqi forces launched a search campaign for the attackers.

No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack on the base, where hundreds of Turkish soldiers have been deployed since 2015.

The presence of the Turkish troops in Bashiqa base led to a dispute between Iraq and Turkey, as Baghdad repeatedly said Turkish forces violated Iraq's sovereignty by entering the country without permission.

However, Ankara said that Turkish soldiers were sent to Bashiqa at the request of former Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and that their presence was aimed at training both Kurdish Peshmerga fighters and local tribal volunteers to combat militants of the extremist Islamic State (IS) group in Mosul, which was liberated from IS militants in July 2017.

After the defeat of IS, the Turkish troops continued their presence on Iraqi soil to combat the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militants in northern Iraq, especially in the Qandil mountain range where the main PKK bases are stationed. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-13 04:17:20|Editor: huaxia

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MONTEVIDEO, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- Uruguay will surpass the goal of fully vaccinating 70 percent of its population against COVID-19 next week, Public Health Minister Daniel Salinas has said.

"Next week we will be crossing that goal of what's called herd immunity with 70 percent (fully vaccinated)," Salinas told local television on Wednesday night.

"We aim to reach 75 percent (of the population) with two doses," he said, warning that those without immunization "are more defenseless" against the Delta variant of novel coronavirus.

Salinas said the current pandemic situation is under "control and permanent alert," adding that 2.6 million Uruguayans have been vaccinated.

Currently 66 percent of the population has been inoculated with two doses and 73 percent with at least one, according to health authorities.

The South American country has so far accumulated 382,873 COVID-19 cases and 5,991 deaths from the disease. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-13 04:22:26|Editor: huaxia

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ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan speaks at a press conference in Khartoum, Sudan, on Aug. 12, 2021. The Sudanese government and International Criminal Court (ICC) on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on provision of information and realization of justice for the victims of the conflict in Sudan's Darfur region. (Xinhua/Mohamed Khidir)

KHARTOUM, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Sudanese government and International Criminal Court (ICC) on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on provision of information and realization of justice for the victims of the conflict in Sudan's Darfur region.

Sudan's Justice Minister Nasredeen Abdelbari signed the deal with ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan.

"The MoU helps in providing the requested information and continuing work with the victims, the survivors and the civil society," said Khan at a press conference in Khartoum.

Khan said the visiting ICC delegation and the Sudanese government failed to agree on a specific date for handing over the ousted Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and other suspects to the court, adding that the ICC would open a permanent office in Khartoum.

He also did not exclude the possibility of trying al-Bashir and other suspects in Sudan under the supervision of the ICC.

"The seat of the court is in The Hague, but if the judges see the possibility of holding the trial in any other place, it's up to them," noted Khan.

The ICC court demands Sudan hand over al-Bashir and two of his senior aides to the court for trial, accusing them of allegedly committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur region.

On Aug. 3, the Sudanese cabinet approved a draft law to join the ICC Rome Statute, but this law will not be effective until it is approved by the interim parliament.

During 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2012, the ICC issued arrest warrants against al-Bashir, former Defense Minister Abdul-Rahim Mohamed Hussein, former Interior Minister Ahmed Mohamed Haroun and around 21 other government officials for allegedly committing genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in Darfur.

The transitional authorities in Sudan, which were established after the ouster of al-Bashir in April 2019, have earlier expressed readiness to cooperate with the ICC regarding the trial of the suspects accused of committing crimes in Darfur.

Khartoum is considering three options to try the suspects, including establishing a special court, creating a hybrid court of the government and the ICC, or handing them to the ICC. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-13 05:36:51|Editor: huaxia

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ANKARA -- Turkey on Thursday registered 22,261 new COVID-19 cases, leading its tally of infections to cross the 6-million mark.

The tally of coronavirus infections in Turkey climbed to 6,018,485, the Turkish Health Ministry said. (Turkey-COVID19)

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JERUSALEM -- Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on Thursday instructed health maintenance organizations (HMOs) to prepare to offer a third coronavirus vaccine booster for some age groups under 60 next week, according to a statement from Bennett's office.

Bennett and Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz were briefed by CEOs of Israel's four HMOs on their vaccination efforts. The prime minister told the HMOs' directors that they need to "prepare to expand the range of ages for the third inoculation next week." (Israel-COVID19-Booster Shots)

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BEIRUT -- The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and China launched on Thursday the partnership to support COVID-19 socio-economic recovery of women and youth in Lebanon, a statement by the UNDP reported.

The UNDP said that China will provide financial assistance to improve the livelihoods of women and youth engaged in productive sectors in Lebanon, build the capacity of Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) and cooperatives in business management and e-commerce, strengthen Business Development Services institutions, expand access to markets through an e-commerce platform, and facilitate access to the Chinese market. (China-UNDP-Lebanon)

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ISTANBUL -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday announced that 17 people were killed in the country's flood-struck Black Sea region.

Erdogan said in a written message that rescue operations continued in the region with the participation of a total of 4,644 personnel, 19 helicopters, and 24 boats. (Turkey-Black Sea-Floods) Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-13 05:47:13|Editor: huaxia

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WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Ambassador to the United States Qin Gang met with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy R. Sherman on Thursday.

Sherman expressed welcome to Qin for assuming office and stated that the Department of State will provide convenience and support for the ambassador's performance of duties in the United States.

Qin thanked the U.S. side for providing support and assistance for him. He pointed out that the China-U.S. relationship is at a new crossroads. He will follow the spirit of the telephone conversation between President Xi Jinping and President Joe Biden on the eve of Chinese New Year, enhance communication and dialogue with the U.S. side, and work to promote a rational, stable, manageable and constructive China-U.S. relationship.

The two sides exchanged views on issues of mutual interest and agreed to maintain close dialogue and communication. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-12 14:22:32|Editor: huaxia

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Staff members check the register information of voters in Lusaka, Zambia, Aug. 12, 2021. Voting in Zambia's tightly-contested general elections began on Thursday with long queues in polling stations in the capital Lusaka. (Photo by Martin Mbangweta/Xinhua)

LUSAKA, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- Voting in Zambia's tightly-contested general elections began on Thursday with long queues in polling stations in the capital Lusaka.

Incumbent President Edgar Lungu was the first voter at Andrew Mwenya Polling Station at Crawford School in the sprawling Chawama Shanty Compound in Lusaka, who urged people to maintain peace as they exercise their right to vote.

Polling stations in the country are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time. But voters started queuing at various polling stations as early as 4 a.m. and waited to cast their votes in an election that has attracted 16 presidential candidates, among them Lungu.

Joseph Phiri, who was found at the queue, said he has never seen such huge crowds turning up to vote since the 1991 elections.

"It is a sign that people are eager to vote and we don't expect voter apathy in this election," he said.

About 7 million voters are voting for a president, lawmakers, city mayors and councilors in the elections.

Police officers kept vigil at a distance to ensure security following a spate of violence witnessed in some parts of the country in the run-up to the elections. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-12 17:08:21|Editor: huaxia

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LUANDA, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- A national action plan for the eradication of child labor in Angola, PANETI 2021-2025, was approved here by the country's Council of Ministers on Wednesday.

According to a press release, the plan contains effective, immediate and integrated measures, with a view to guiding the work of the different agents dedicated to the practical application of the rights of the child, to eradicate child labor.

The Council of Ministers also considered a proposal for the creation of a multisectoral commission for the prevention and eradication of child labor.

The referred multisectoral commission will be entitled to implement, execute, and monitor strategies to combat child labor in the southern African country.

Speaking to the press on the occasion, the Minister of State for the Social Affair, Carolina Cerqueira, referred to the implementation of the plan, saying "we are going to involve the different ministerial departments to disseminate the plan as much as possible."

"We are also going to work with communities in order to make parents who put their children to work in the fields, according to cultural habits, to understand that children need to go to school," the official added. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-12 17:22:11|Editor: huaxia

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TRIPOLI, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Wednesday said it held a training session on promotion and protection of breastfeeding for Libyan healthcare workers and other stakeholders in Libya.

Echoing the World Breastfeeding Week campaign titled "Protect Breastfeeding: A Shared Responsibility" this year, UNICEF kick-started the two-day workshop, UNICEF said in a statement.

The participants included healthcare workers, UNICEF partners, and other stakeholders, it said.

In addition to protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding, the event developed better breastfeeding counselling programs and guidance on complementary feeding, among others, it said.

The World Breastfeeding Week is marked annually on Aug. 1-7 to highlight the critical importance of breastfeeding for children across the globe. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-12 17:29:21|Editor: huaxia

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NAIROBI, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- The majority of African youth have not been able to tap into technologies and innovations required to facilitate their plunge into agribusinesses, says a report that was launched on Thursday in Nairobi during the International Youth Day.

The report titled "The Future of Africa's Agriculture: An Assessment of the Role of Youth and Technology", that was compiled by Heifer International, a global development charity said that tackling the technology access gap is key to incentivize the continent's youth to take up farming as a full-time vocation.

Based on a survey of 30,000 youth in eleven African countries, the report says that eliminating technological, financing and capacity bottlenecks will ensure this demographic is part of agricultural transformation in the continent.

"The best way to engage youth in agriculture in Africa is through technological innovation," says the report, adding that access to land and training will stimulate the growth of youth-owned agricultural enterprises in the continent.

According to the report, only 23 percent of African youth who are engaged in farming are using any form of technology geared towards improving productivity. However, the youth who were surveyed in the report said they were ready to engage in farming as a business subject to the availability of capital and digital tools that predict weather while improving market linkages.

The report says African youth have defied many hurdles to harness emerging technologies like drones, artificial intelligence, remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) in their quest to transform farming systems.

Adesuwa Ifedi, senior vice-president for Africa Programs at Heifer International said that access to digital tools will ensure the continent's youth are an integral part of an agrarian revolution that promises food security and rural growth.

"Youth engagement in agriculture will be essential to recovering from the economic impacts of the pandemic, both to rejuvenate the continent's agri-food systems and develop economic opportunities for young Africans," said Ifedi. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-12 22:11:29|Editor: huaxia

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ABUJA, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- Nigeria recorded on Wednesday one death and 790 new cases of COVID-19, the highest daily figure recorded in the country in about six months, according to official data released on early Thursday.

This brings the total number of the caseload in Africa's most populous country to 179,908 and the fatality toll to 2,195, according to the data from the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC).

The new cases on Wednesday were recorded in 13 states across the country, including the federal capital territory, the NCDC said in the daily update on Thursday.

Nigeria has been grappling with the more deadly Delta strain of the Coronavirus discovered in the country since early July.

Amid an ongoing industrial action by resident doctors in the country, Health Minister Osagie Ehanire said at a press conference on Monday that local authorities were making effort to intensify surveillance, as well as "avoid a situation whereby the health system will be overwhelmed."

Ehanire said the government is engaging resident doctors with a view to quickly resolving the issues.

The country is currently expanding vaccine sources in order to meet the target of vaccinating 70 percent of its population by 2022.

Nigeria received in early March the first batch of near 4 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine through the COVAX facility. On August 2, the country took delivery of 4 million doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine donated by the United States through the COVAX facility.

The country expects to receive up to 40 million doses of vaccine by the end of the year, said Ehanire at a press conference in early August.

The NCDC data show that 166,203 cases have been discharged since the onset of the pandemic in Nigeria in early 2020. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-12 22:33:45|Editor: huaxia

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YAOUNDE, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- Troops have been deployed to Cameroon's Far North region after the killing of 12 people on Tuesday in inter-communal violence, the region's governor Midjiyawa Bakari told Xinhua on Thursday.

At least 48 people were also seriously injured and more than 100 houses torched when dispute over water source and land between members of the fishing community of Mousgoum and Arabchoas who are cattle breeders in the town of Kousseri erupted on Tuesday.

"The situation is calm and stable but the tension is still very high. (Military) reinforcement has been mobilised and they (soldiers) are moving there progressively," Bakari told Xinhua on phone. "We have been instructed to do everything possible to restore peace."

State officials, security and local community leaders have agreed to form an investigation committee and visit the communities to defuse tension and reach reconciliation, according to Bakari.

The area which is located in the Logone and Chari division of the region has witnessed several bloody clashes between tribes in the last five years, but Tuesday's violence was the deadliest, according to security reports. Enditem.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-13 02:02:16|Editor: huaxia

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by Gretinah Machingura

HARARE, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- The COVID-19 pandemic has affected Zimbabwe's primary source of funding for the conservation of elephants and other wildlife, resulting in a surge in incidents of human-wildlife conflict.

Incidents involving elephants killing people or destroying their crops have accounted for the bulk of cases of human-wildlife conflict reported in Zimbabwe so far this year, as the country continues to grapple with an overpopulation of the jumbos, according to the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZIMPARKS).

Every year on Aug. 12, the World Elephant Day is observed across the world. The day aims to spread awareness about the plight of elephants and identify their importance in the ecosystem.

ZIMPARKS spokesperson Tinashe Farawo said in an interview Wednesday that his organization relies heavily on income from tourism to conserve and manage elephants but tourism had been badly affected by the pandemic.

The organization had received over 1,000 distress calls from affected members of the community since the start of the year, and over the last five years, nearly 400 people have been killed in incidents of human-wildlife conflict. Of the 400 deaths, about 50 percent are due to conflict with elephants, Farawo said.

"We have had to revise our budget in some cases by up to 80 percent. We rely on tourism for funding and tourism is as good as dead. We do require funding to fight poaching, for law enforcement and research," Farawo said.

He said Zimbabwe's success story in wildlife conservation is inadvertently posing serious challenges, as cases of human-wildlife conflict increase.

Currently, Zimbabwe has a population of over 100,000 elephants against an ecological carrying capacity of 45,000.

The jumbos are located in four main ecological zones, and two of the zones suffer from overpopulation.

The four zones are northwest Matabeleland where the country's biggest game park Hwange is located, southeast Lowveld where the second biggest park Gonarezhou is based, the Sebungwe region and mid-Zambezi in the northern part of the country.

Of the four, northwest Matabeleland and southeast Lowveld have an overpopulation of elephants.

Hwange National Park, which is 14,650 square kilometers in geographical size, is a habitat to around 51,000 elephants against a carrying capacity of 15,000 elephants. Gonarezhou has an ecological carrying capacity of 5,000 elephants but is currently accommodating around 13,000 jumbos, Farawo said.

He said faced with an ever-growing population against the background of restrictions in culling, depopulation by moving animals to where they are less concentrated is the only medium to a long-term solution to managing the elephant population in the country.

In 2018, ZIMPARKS moved 100 elephants from the southeast Lowveld to mid-Zambezi and plans to relocate 600 more last year were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Farawo said.

"Our area of focus is to make sure that we depopulate where we have more concentration of animals to areas where there is less concentration. But that process is expensive. We don't have money. We survive on tourism-related receipts but for the past two years there is no travel because of the COVID-19 pandemic," said Farawo, who argued that the elephants must pay for their upkeep through commercial exploitation, including lawful hunting.

This, however, had not been effective in reducing the elephant numbers, he said, noting that since 1990, Zimbabwe had not managed to exhaust its yearly quota of 500 elephants.

"We have never hunted 500 elephants in one season even at our best. The highest we did was 250 elephants in one hunting season," Farawo said.

Zimbabwe had also not done any culling of the elephants since 1988, after having culled nearly 50,000 between 1965 and 1988.

He said for wildlife to thrive, there must be good habitat, good security, continuous research and abundant water and these required huge funding.

Farawo decried the loss of habitat in some of the elephant holding areas caused by the elephants themselves, leading to increased human-wildlife conflict as people and animals compete for food and water.

"In Hwange the destruction (of vegetation) is unbelievable. These animals are slowly becoming a danger unto themselves because they are destroying their own habitat and that of other animals."

In 2019, Zimbabwe lost about 100 elephants due to starvation as a result of drought.

Farawo said it was regrettable that some Western-funded non-governmental organizations make unnecessary noise when Zimbabwe tries to commercially exploit its abundant elephant population, even though they do not contribute to the conservation of the animals.

Zimbabwe has the second-largest elephant population after Botswana and the fourth largest rhino population in Africa.

"We are the best to teach people on how to manage wildlife and how to manage elephants. We have done something good that people can emulate and what we deserve is a pat on the back. We don't deserve some of the noises that come from London, New York and Copenhagen," Farawo said.

For continued success in wildlife conservation, Farawo emphasized the need for continued collaboration with local people adjacent to game parks.

"We try to work with the communities for them to understand the value of the animals and for them to appreciate the value, they must benefit from the wildlife," Farawo said. "We also use chili guns and beehives in some areas to scare away the elephants to try and reduce human-wildlife conflict." Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-10 08:48:21|Editor: huaxia

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ISLAMABAD, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Monday said that irresponsible withdrawal of the U.S. and NATO forces from Afghanistan may give benefit to militants and lead to unrest in the country.

Addressing a press conference here, the official called for a responsible and orderly withdrawal of the troops without leaving a vacuum for the militant element to play havoc and create a chaotic situation for the region.

He also expressed concern over the rising cases of violence in Afghanistan during the withdrawal process of U.S. and NATO forces.

Qureshi noted that the Afghan peace process is at a critical stage, and there is a dire need to find a broad-based and inclusive settlement through an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned process.

Underlining the sacrifices made by his country due to unrest in Afghanistan, the Pakistani official said that Pakistan has been a victim of the war in the neighboring country.

"The price that we have paid has to be understood. We have had close to 80,000 casualties, we have suffered huge economic losses. The world should not be oblivious to that."

The foreign minister said that Pakistan had played its role in the Afghan peace and reconciliation process, and now, it was up to the Afghan leadership to move the intra-Afghan dialogue process further.

Talking about his country's efforts for the Afghan peace process, Qureshi said that Pakistan "played an instrumental role in bringing the Afghan Taliban to the negotiating table in 2019. Pakistan facilitated the conclusion of the U.S.-Taliban peace agreement in February 2020 in Doha."

Stressing upon the international community to play its role to bring peace in Afghanistan, Qureshi said that the world should realize "peace and stability in Afghanistan is a shared responsibility and the international community cannot shy away from it and should play its role."

He briefed the media that his country is making sure to check on people coming in and going out from Pakistan through the Afghan border while it has completed 98 percent of border fencing. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-12 04:51:58|Editor: huaxia

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JAKARTA, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- The jolts of a 7.1 magnitude quake that hit the Philippines on Thursday were strongly felt in Talaud district of North Sulawesi province in central parts of Indonesia, triggering panic among residents, according to the weather agency and a resident.

The tremors were felt at IV MMI (Modified Mercalli Intensity) in the district, Priyo Budi, an official in charge at the meteorology and geophysics agency, told Xinhua via phone.

The jolts were also felt at II to III MMI in Kepulauan Sangihe district and Bitung city of the province, the official said.

The agency did not issue a warning for a tsunami as the tremors did not potentially trigger giant waves, according to him.

In Talaud district, the tremors forced many residents to rush outside their houses, said Habel Salombe, a resident in the district.

"The shakes were felt strong here, many people were panic and immediately left their houses for safety," Salombe, who is also a former head of disaster management agency in the district, told Xinhua via phone.

"But, I have not got any information about houses or buildings damaged, or those injured," he said.

The quake struck at 00: 46 a.m. Jakarta time Thursday (1746 GMT Wednesday) with the epicenter at 267 km northeast Melonguane, capital city of Talaud district and the depth at 51 km under the sea bed, the official of the meteorology and geophysics agency said. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-12 14:56:33|Editor: huaxia

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TOKYO, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- The number of foreign students in Japan as of May 2020 declined 10.4 percent from the previous year to 279,597, as such students were forced to cancel or put off their study plans due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a survey showed Thursday.

The drop came after the number of foreign students, enrolled at universities, Japanese language schools and other educational institutions in the country, totaled 312,214 in May 2019, logging a record-high level and the seventh straight year of growth.

By country and region, the number of students from the Chinese mainland reached 121,845 as of May 1, 2020, down 2.1 percent from the same date of the previous year, according to the Japan Student Services Organization.

Vietnam ranked second at 62,233, down 15.2 percent, followed by Nepal at 24,002, down 8.8 percent, the survey found.

The number of students from South Korea fell 13.9 percent to 15,785, while those from China's Taiwan went down 26.0 percent at 7,088.

Since the data included students attending online classes from their home countries, the true declines were supposed larger than reported, said a staffer at a Japanese language school.

In December last year, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga's government imposed a temporary ban on all new entries of foreigners as part of measures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19.

Of the educational institutions, Japanese language schools suffered the largest decline in foreign student numbers in the reporting year, falling 27.4 percent at 60,814, according to the survey.

The number of foreign students at universities slipped 10.9 percent to 79,826, while those at graduate schools dropped 0.1 percent at 53,056.

Vocational schools, however, saw a rise of 1.0 percent to 79,598.

The number of foreign students in Kai Japanese Language School, which is in Tokyo's Shin-Okubo area, has reduced more than half from its usual capacity of around 200 during normal times.

"I suspect it will take time for Japan to bring back those students," School President Hiroko Yamamoto said. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-12 15:52:23|Editor: huaxia

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NEW DELHI, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- Five people were killed and one injured Thursday after a car they were travelling in rammed into a stationary container truck in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.

The accident took place on a national highway in Basti district, about 205 km east of Lucknow, the capital city of Uttar Pradesh.

"Today morning on the Lucknow-Gorakhpur highway, a car rammed into a stationary container truck resulting in the killing of five members of a family. One member of the family survived the crash and miraculously doesn't have any injuries," a police official told Xinhua. "The driver of the car was critically injured and he has been shifted to the hospital."

Eyewitnesses said the car was completely mangled by the impact of the accident.

According to the police, rescuers had to use a crane to take out the car from underneath the container truck, and then use cutters to cut metal sheets of the car to take the bodies out.

Police said the family was going to attend the funeral of their relative in Jharkhand. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-12 17:29:00|Editor: huaxia

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VIENTIANE, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- Laos' National Taskforce Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control on Thursday reported 202 COVID-19 cases and one new death over the past 24 hours, bringing the national tally to 9,363 cases and nine deaths.

Deputy Director General of the Department of Communicable Diseases Control under the Lao Ministry of Health, Sisavath Soutthaniraxay, told a press conference in Lao capital Vientiane on Thursday that the new death involved a 28-year-old woman living in Champasak province.

The National Taskforce Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control reported 190 imported COVID-19 cases and 12 new locally transmitted cases, Sisavath said.

As of Thursday, a total of 5,267 COVID-19 patients have recovered and been discharged from hospitals. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-12 19:00:55|Editor: huaxia

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ULAN BATOR, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- Officials from Mongolian Customs General Administration and the National Police Agency seized a large amount of narcotic drugs on Wednesday, local media reported on Thursday.

The seized methamphetamine, with an estimated street value of 1.1 million U.S. dollars, was sent by post from an African country to a Mongolian citizen.

This is the largest drug seizure in Mongolia over the past 10 years, according to the police agency. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-12 20:04:01|Editor: huaxia

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HONG KONG, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- The COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread in Asia-Pacific countries as Japan logged an all-time high of 17,196 new cases on Thursday and Thailand reported its record high daily cases.

India's COVID-19 tally rose to 32,077,706, as 41,195 new cases were registered during the past 24 hours across the country, showed the federal health ministry's latest data.

Besides, as many as 490 deaths due to the pandemic since Wednesday morning took the total death toll to 429,669.

There are still 387,987 active cases in the country with an increase of 1,636 during the past 24 hours.

Thailand reported a record 22,782 new COVID-19 cases and 147 more fatalities over the past 24 hours, according to the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).

The new infections and deaths have brought the country's total number of infections to 839,771 and the death toll to 6,942, according to the CCSA.

Over the past 24 hours, 23,649 COVID-19 patients were discharged from hospitals, the highest daily recoveries in a single day since the pandemic hit Thailand.

The situation in Bangkok remained worrisome with 4,854 new cases and 70 fatalities reported.

Japan confirmed 17,196 COVID-19 infections as of 5:20 p.m. local time, with 4,989 cases in Tokyo, as the number of severely ill patients strike a record high for the capital, local media reported.

Among the new cases in Tokyo, 1,490 cases are in their 20s, accounting for the largest group, followed by 1,031 in their 30s and 865 in their 40s. The number for those aged 65 or older was 161, obviously lower compared to younger generations thanks to a higher rate of vaccination.

The number of COVID-19 patients with severe symptoms under the metropolitan government's standards increased to another record high of 218, up from 197 on Wednesday. Tokyo has secured 392 beds for seriously ill patients.

The Philippines' Department of Health (DOH) reported 12,439 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the Southeast Asian country to 1,700,363.

The death toll climbed to 29,539 after 165 more patients died from the viral disease, the DOH added.

The DOH confirmed detecting 177 new Delta variant cases, bringing the total to 627, including 11 deaths.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has placed Metro Manila and some areas under two-week hard lockdown since Aug. 6 to curb the Delta variant's spread and prevent crowding in hospitals.

Pakistan on Wednesday confirmed 4,934 new COVID-19 cases and 102 more deaths, the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) said on Thursday.

The NCOC, a department leading Pakistan's campaign against the pandemic, said that the country's total cases have risen to 1,085,294, including 975,474 recoveries.

The number of active cases has risen to 85,633, including 4,584 critical patients.

According to the NCOC, the pandemic killed 102 people on Wednesday, increasing the overall death toll to 24,187.

South Korea reported 1,987 more cases of the COVID-19 as of midnight Wednesday compared to 24 hours ago, raising the total number of infections to 218,192.

The daily caseload was down from 2,222 in the previous day, but it hovered above 1,000 for 37 straight days. The daily average tally for the past week was 1,785.

Three more deaths were confirmed, leaving the death toll at 2,138. The total fatality rate stood at 0.98 percent.

Authorities of the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) announced three more local government areas (LGA) as "areas of concern" with tougher restrictions to be imposed.

The decision came after NSW recorded 345 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases on Thursday, among which the source of infection for 217 cases is still under investigation. The state also recorded two deaths, two men in their 90s.

The three LGAs, namely Strathfield, Bayside and Burwood locating in southwest and south Sydney, will join the nine LGAs that were deemed "areas of concern."

Laos' National Taskforce Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control reported 202 COVID-19 cases and one new death over the past 24 hours, bringing the national tally to 9,363 cases and nine deaths.

The National Taskforce Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control reported 190 imported COVID-19 cases and 12 new locally transmitted cases, Sisavath said.

As of Thursday, a total of 5,267 COVID-19 patients have recovered and been discharged from hospitals. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-12 20:51:53|Editor: huaxia

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People watch the Chinese blockbuster Cliff Walkers at Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra, Australia, Aug.11, 2021. (Photo by Chu Chen/Xinhua)

DHAKA, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- China's contributions through the COVAX Facility have reflected Beijing's commitment to global anti-COVID-19 fight, Bangladesh health experts said.

They expressed appreciation of China's contributions after Bangladesh Tuesday night received 1.7 million Chinese COVID-19 vaccine doses shipped via the COVAX Facility.

This is the first among three consignments that are scheduled to arrive in Bangladesh from China this week.

With their remarks, the Bangladeshi experts joined the distinguished persons around the world who had expressed admiration to the Chinese leadership's efforts in promoting international cooperation in the fight against COVID-19 and making vaccines a global public good.

China has recently pledged to provide 2 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses to the world throughout this year and offer 100 million U.S. dollars to COVAX.

Muzaherul Huq, former Southeast Asia Region adviser at the World Health Organization (WHO), said Wednesday this is a great initiative and will be much appreciated by the people of poverty-stricken countries who can not afford to purchase the vaccine for their people.

"The COVAX participation of China with its 2 vaccines will be a great contribution," said the expert.

Also, he said China has already supplied vaccines to people of many countries and regions around the world.

While some rich countries are playing vaccine diplomacy in a period when the world is in a crisis, "China is proving that they want to help poorer countries in this crisis to save human lives," said the expert.

M Mushtuq Husain, adviser to the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) under Bangladesh's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, said Chinese vaccine contributions would surely boost Bangladeshi efforts in the country's nationwide ongoing mass inoculation drive.

"Every vaccine is very important for us. We're very happy that China sent many vaccine doses for Bangladesh through COVAX Facility," he said.

The Bangladeshi health official said people across Bangladesh are gladly receiving the Chinese COVID-19 vaccine doses. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-12 21:54:43|Editor: huaxia

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NEW DELHI, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- India's Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar participated in the 6th meeting of Agriculture Ministers of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member countries on Thursday.

At the meeting, Tomar said that India's agriculture sector performed well even during the severe COVID-19 pandemic, as food production and exports registered significant growth, contributing to global food security.

Tomar further stated that the Indian government had been taking several steps to develop innovative technologies and boost the dissemination of those technologies "from Lab to Land" to empower rural youth and farmers.

The SCO agriculture ministers' meeting was organized virtually in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

Speaking on the occasion, Tomar mentioned that the Indian government was determined to attain sustainable development goal to end hunger, achieve food security and nutrition.

He also stated that to double the farmers' incomes by next year, the federal government has launched several programs to enhance optimal utilization of water resources, create new infrastructure for irrigation, conserve soil fertility with balanced use of fertilizers, provide connectivity from farm to market, and organic farming etc. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-12 03:23:28|Editor: huaxia

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DUBLIN, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- The number of passengers traveling through the main airports in Ireland in June was up nearly 230 percent year on year, but still far below the pre-pandemic level, said the country's Central Statistics Office (CSO) on Wednesday.

In June, the five main airports in Ireland, which, according to Irish aviation authorities, account for around 99 percent of the country's annual airport passenger traffic and handled a total of 309,879 passengers, up 229.3 percent when compared with the same month of last year, said the CSO in a transport bulletin.

However, the June passenger traffic number of the five airports was still 92 percent lower than the same month in 2019 when more than 3.77 million passengers were handled between them, said the CSO, adding that the COVID-19 pandemic continued to have a major impact on the country's airports.

Of all the airport passengers handled in June, 283,883 people or nearly 92 percent were handled by Dublin Airport, up 219 percent year on year but still 91 percent lower than June 2019, the CSO figures showed.

Dublin Airport said in a press release Tuesday that it handled almost 658,000 passengers in July, up 72.7 percent compared to July 2020 but still 81 percent lower than the pre-pandemic level in July 2019.

In the first half of this year, the five main airports in Ireland handled slightly over one million passengers, down 83.35 compared with the same period of last year, according to the CSO.

The Irish airports did not feel the impact of the pandemic until March 2020. In the first two months of 2020 alone, the five main airports in the country handled more than 4.7 million passengers. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-12 14:19:17|Editor: huaxia

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SARAJEVO, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Sarajevo Film Festival (SFF) expects further cooperation with the Chinese movie industry, a senior organizer has said ahead of the 27th edition of the SFF.

The festival has developed into a major cultural event in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and South-East Europe, Jovan Marjanovic, on behalf of Mirsad Purivatra, the SFF's founder and director, told Xinhua in a recent interview.

"After last-year's lockdown and our online edition, this is the first live edition during the pandemic," said Marjanovic, adding that COVID-19 has narrowed the SFF's focus.

No Chinese movies were presented this year as the pandemic has made it more difficult for the SFF to select movies, Marjanovic said.

"We have a long history of showing Chinese movies, including some of the most recognized authors such as Jia Zhangke, who was a guest in our 'Tribute to' section in 2009. His movies were played in our largest open-air cinema Metalac," the organizer said.

Furthermore, Marjanovic said that the SFF is very interested in further advancing its cooperation with the Chinese movie industry and Chinese authors.

"Some twenty years ago we established our CineLink Industry Days platform, aiming to help all movie professionals to find partners for the production and distribution of their movies," said Marjanovic.

The platform has helped regional films be presented to Chinese audience, and promote more Chinese films to the world, he added.

"Due to the growth of the Chinese market for artistic films, I believe there is a growing interest on both sides to strengthen the cooperation between the Chinese film industry and film industries in this region," he said.

The Sarajevo Film Festival, founded in 1995 during the Bosnian War, has become the largest event of its kind in the Balkans region. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-12 16:14:16|Editor: huaxia

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ISTANBUL, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- At least four people were killed, and one went missing after floods hit Turkey's Black Sea region, authorities announced on Thursday.

The Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) said heavy rainfall, which gripped the region the previous day, wreaked havoc in Bartin, Kastamonu, and Sinop provinces, triggering flash floods.

"Due to the flood, four citizens lost their lives in Kastamonu, and the rescue and search operation continues for one person who went missing in Bartin," it added.

A video released by the AFAD showed the evacuation process of those trapped in their homes, while aerial footage displayed many collapsed buildings and heavily damaged roads in the region.

Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu warned people that the height of the water reaches three to four meters in some places, urging them not to leave safe zones. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-12 23:28:37|Editor: huaxia

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ROME, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- At least three people died in Italy due to extensive wildfires raging in the country's several southern regions, authorities and local media said on Thursday.

A man aged 77 died while trying to save his cattle, after his home was ravaged by a blaze near the town of Grotteria in the Calabria region, according to the municipality.

The town's mayor in cooperation with local emergency services issued an alert requiring residents not to leave home but for compelling reasons, due to the vast fire front engulfing most of the borough.

Two other wildfires were threatening vast swathes of Calabria's Aspromonte National Park since early Wednesday including the renowned Santa Maria di Polsi sanctuary, cutting off the main road leading to the facility and forcing pilgrims and residents to flee, Ansa news agency reported.

Three Canadair water-dropping planes plus a helicopter and five firefighter squads were deployed in that area, according to the national Civil Protection Department.

A second man aged 79 also died in the province of Reggio Calabria on Wednesday, while a 30-year-old farmer lost his life near Catania, Sicily, after being crushed by his own tractor while trying to extinguish the fire threatening his farm, according to Ansa.

The Civil Protection sent some 70 volunteers to Calabria and 150 to Sicily to help local firefighters.

In its latest update released after an emergency meeting late on Wednesday, the Civil Protection said they were asked to launch 32 operations in one day with Canadair planes in southern Calabria, Sicily, Sardinia, Basilicata, Apulia, and Campania regions as well as central Lazio region.

Firefighters have been deployed in 528 operations against bushfires across the country over the last 12 hours, the Fire Corp said on Thursday.

The wildfire emergency combined with a severe heatwave hitting Italy since early this week, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in several areas.

The Civil Protection had issued a severe alert for the entire territory earlier this week, warning the worst situation could concern the major islands of Sicily and Sardinia, where "maximum temperatures could near 45 degrees Celsius in some inland areas."

A record temperature of 48.8 degrees was registered in the Sicilian province of Siracuse on Wednesday, according to the daily data gathered by the regional meteorological agency (SIAS).

The alert will last throughout the week, which was forecast as the hottest of the whole summer. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-12 12:44:59|Editor: huaxia

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WASHINGTON, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- According to a report recently released by three Chinese think tanks, the United States is a "failed country," a "country where the virus spreads," and a "suspected source of the outbreak" -- a completely different picture than that painted by some U.S. media, the U.S. website Inside has said on Tuesday.

Inside cited a report titled "'America Ranked First?!': The Truth about America's fight against COVID-19." It was released on Monday and contained contributions by the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at the Renmin University of China, Taihe Institute, and Intellisia Institute.

The Chinese reports tended to reveal facts about the U.S. government's COVID-19 response and rebut Bloomberg's latest global anti-epidemic ranking, which ranked the United States the "first in the world" in its COVID Resilience Index in June.

Rating the United States as the "world's first" in its response to the pandemic is "ignoring the basic fact that the U.S. is number one in the world in terms of the number of cases and deaths from the pandemic," the report's authors said at the releasing conference.

The Chinese report referenced facts and data published by multiple U.S. media, including The New York Times, Washington Post and CNN, in its analysis of the country's response to the pandemic.

Besides worsening wealth disparity, systemic racism, and failures in gun control, the United States had in fact failed in its pandemic response in many ways. Furthermore, the "virus origin-tracing terrorism" that emerged in the country should be investigated as this is an attempt to manipulate "global public opinion," the authors said.

The report also mentioned the suspicious biological defense research center in Fort Detrick, Maryland, which was closed in August 2019 over safety concerns.

The worldwide call to look into the relations between the origin of the coronavirus and the U.S. Fort Detrick biological laboratory has gained momentum. Recently in the Philippines, an online petition to investigate the Fort Detrick biolab has obtained nearly 500 signatures. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-12 14:55:11|Editor: huaxia

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WASHINGTON, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. budget deficit rose to 2.54 trillion U.S. dollars for the first 10 months of fiscal year 2021, the Treasury Department reported.

Federal revenue for the 10-month period till July rose to 3.3 trillion dollars, while total outlays rose to nearly 5.9 trillion dollars, according to the Monthly Treasury Statement released Wednesday.

The report came a day after the U.S. Senate approved a 1.2-trillion-dollar infrastructure bill, with 550 billion dollars in new federal spending for roads, bridges, drinking water and other projects.

The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the bill would add 256 billion dollars to the federal budget deficit over 10 years, with just more than half of the new infrastructure spending to be offset by pay-fors.

Meanwhile, Democrats are pushing a 3.5-trillion-dollar budget plan through the Congress without Republican support, in an attempt to enact most of President Joe Biden's social-spending agenda, which would boost investment in childcare, education, health care and climate policy.

Democratic senator Joe Manchin, a moderate from West Virginia, said Wednesday that he had "serious concerns" about his party's big budget plan, which could push the national debt to record highs.

According to a recent estimation by the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, a budget watchdog group, the two spending plans will, in reality, require nearly 1 trillion dollars of direct borrowing and set the stage for roughly 2.9 trillion dollars of total borrowing over the next decade.

This cost would lift debt to 115 percent of gross domestic product -- as opposed to 106 percent -- by 2031, the group noted.

"It is commendable that policymakers have called for fully offsetting new spending and tax breaks," the group said. "But rather than rely on gimmicks and a sleight of hand to achieve this, they should either scale back the proposals, identify the necessary tax increases and spending reductions to cover the full costs of their proposals, or both." Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-13 01:57:32|Editor: huaxia

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WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Embassy in Kabul on Thursday urged Americans to leave Afghanistan immediately as the security situation in the country continues to deteriorate.

"The U.S. Embassy urges U.S. citizens to leave Afghanistan immediately using available commercial flight options," the embassy said in a statement.

"Given the security conditions and reduced staffing, the Embassy's ability to assist U.S. citizens in Afghanistan is extremely limited even within Kabul," it added.

The security alert came days after a similar notice issued by the embassy on Saturday. It also came as Taliban militants captured Ghazni city, the capital of eastern Ghazni province earlier in the day, bringing the number of provincial capitals captured by the insurgent group to 10 in less than a week.

The security situation in the war-torn country has been deteriorating since the withdrawal of U.S.-led troops starting on May 1. Many Afghan cities and about half of the country's 34 provinces in recent weeks have seen heavy battles and street fighting between Afghan forces and Taliban militants.

President Joe Biden ordered the U.S. military to end its mission in Afghanistan by the end of this month. The U.S. Central Command said over 95 percent of the drawdown had been completed.

Biden said on Tuesday that the United States would continue to provide air support and military equipment to Afghanistan while noting Afghan forces must "fight for themselves, fight for their nation." Enditem
Forsyth assumed that responsibility in his capacity as Permanent Representative of the South American country to the hemispheric institution.





"It is Peru's turn to take up the challenge, preside over the Permanent Council and meanwhile become Chair of OAS' highest body; this is an honor, it has nothing to do with me, I take it as a tribute to Peru," he pointed out.





Likewise, the diplomat indicated it is a rotating chairmanship. Nonetheless, he said it is meaningful that this occurs during the first ordinary meeting after Pedro Castillo officially assumed the Presidency of the Republic on July 28.





"I hope Peru will be up to the challenge, as it always has been," he told Exitosa radio station.





Forsyth also indicated there is the possibility of President Castillo participating in OAS' General Assembly in New York this September. Yet he said that it is up to the Government to make the best decision.









(END) FHG/CVC/MVB
Palabras del Representante Permanente de #Peru, Embajador Harold Forsyth, al asumir la presidencia del Consejo Permanente de la #OEA pic.twitter.com/G7k4fWO5rY
YEREVAN, AUGUST 12, ARMENPRESS. Staffers and employees of public administration bodies, local self-governing bodies, restaurants and a number of organizations, as well as school teachers and university lecturers will have to present a PCR test result twice a month to their employer in case of refusing to take the coronavirus vaccine, health minister Anahit Avanesyan told reporters.

Avanesyan said they are taking the measure given the rising daily cases. If we look at whats happening in the region, we must be vigilant and do everything to protect our citizens, the health minister said.

Avanesyan added that they expect a rise in infections due to the start of the academic year.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan
YEREVAN, AUGUST 12, ARMENPRESS. After more than a decade hiatus, Lufthansa is returning to the Armenian aviation market and starting August 13 Lufthansa Group will conduct 16 flights per week in the summer to Yerevan.

Lufthansa Groups presence in Armenia has rather broad meaning; it will enable Armenian citizens to travel to 280 destinations in 100 countries. Currently none of the airlines conducting flights in Armenia offers such opportunities. This combination will allow Lufthansa Group to transport more than 100 million passengers every year, said Marcelo Wende, the CEO of Armenia International Airports. He added that this will boost tourism in Armenia.

Lufthansa will offer daily flights from Yerevan to Vienna, 3 flights per week from Yerevan to Frankfurt, 5 times per week from Yerevan to Brussels and once per week from Yerevan to Cologne.

Peter Pullem, Head of Sales at Lufthansa Group for central, eastern and southeastern Europe said that Lufthansa Group includes Austrian, Brussels Airlines, SWISS, Eurowings and Lufthansa itself. Eurowings already launched Armenia flights last week.

Photos by Hayk Manukyan

Pullem said the high growth of customers demand allowed them to expand their flights schedule. We are now making new investments in technologies in the aircraft, weve improved infrastructures, and we are able to reduce carbon emissions, which allows to protect the environment, he said.

Rene Koinzack, Lufthansa Groups Head of Sales for Ukraine, Belarus, Turkmenistan and South Caucasus said that they have rather big experience in terms of flights to Armenia.

The Austrian airlines is flying to Armenia for already 20 years. This is an important day for us because Lufthansa airline is returning to Armenia. It was in Armenia for the first time in 1988 December, when it supplied 108 tons of aid, Koinzack said, referring to the humanitarian aid brought during the aftermath of the Spitak earthquake.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan
YEREVAN, 12 AUGUST, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 12 August, USD exchange rate up by 0.68 drams to 491.75 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 2.22 drams to 577.31 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.06 drams to 6.69 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 3.35 drams to 681.71 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price up by 357.83 drams to 27566.54 drams. Silver price up by 0.90 drams to 370.19 drams. Platinum price up by 385.17 drams to 15936.61 drams.
The former building of Stepanakert school number 6 will be re-profiled as a residential building. It will be provided to 30 families displaced from Shushi and Hadrut.

August 12, 2021, 11:29 Apartments for displaced people are being built in Stepanakert

STEPANAKERT, AUGUST 12, ARTSAKHPRESS: Martha Danielyan, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Urban Planning of the Republic of Artsakh, informed "Artsakhpress.

"Reconstruction works of the residential building are in progress. According to the plan, it will be consisted of 2 subsidiary buildings with 30 apartments, of which 22 will be 2-room and 8 will be 3-room.

The buildings will have 2 above-ground and 1 underground floors. The process is funded by the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund. The contractor is" Shinver Plus "LLC," said M. Danielyan.

In an interview with us, the chief engineer of the contractor company, Kamo Hakobyan, said that the apartments will be handed over to the beneficiaries in September 2022.
Pediatric neurologists Anaida Arsenyan and Mane Tadevosyan who arrived in Artsakh from Armenia, will conduct free examinations and consultations at Arevik Children's Medical Association from August 9-13.

August 12, 2021, 16:16 Pediatric neurologists from Armenia conduct free examinations and consultations in Stepanakert

STEPANAKERT, AUGUST 12, ARTSAKHPRESS: Anaida Arsenyan, a pediatric neurologist, who is originally from Artsakh, visited Artsakh within the framework of the "Artsakh is waiting for us" program, trying to be as helpful to her compatriots as possible.

"Since August 9, we have examined 110 children.

We also had visitors from the regions of Artsakh," she said.

As a part of this program, Mane Tadevosyan is in Artsakh for the second time.

"At the moment, there is no permanent pediatric neurologist in the local hospital. We are trying to fill that gap with our visits.

The parent whose child has a neurological problem should first of all be patient, take care of the child, and follow the doctor's instructions, trying to integrate the child into the society as much as possible.
Azerbaijani military units attempted to breach the line of contact into Artsakh from the western direction during the night of August 12, the Ministry of Defense of Artsakh said.

August 12, 2021, 16:09 Azerbaijani armed forces attempt to breach Artsakh line of contact

STEPANAKERT, AUGUST 12, ARTSAKHPRESS: As a result of the counteractions of the Defense Army, however, this attempt was prevented and the adversary was driven back to its initial positions.

There are no losses from the Armenian side.

The command of the Russian military contingent carrying out a peacekeeping mission in Artsakh was immediately informed about this Azerbaijani provocation.
After returning in 2019 only to take a year off in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Fillmore Days and its traditional bathtub races will once again return to Moravia this weekend.

Organized by the Friends of Fillmore Glen, this year's Fillmore Days will take place Thursday through Saturday, Aug. 12 through Aug. 14, at Fillmore Glen State Park, 1686 Route 38, Moravia.

Beginning the event at 6 p.m. Thursday will be the Forge the Gorgeous trail run, a 3.5- or 7-mile loop through the park.

From 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, band Purple Valley will perform a mix of dancing blues, swing and country at the park. Food and beverage vendors will be available during the show.

Then, beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, Fillmore Days will return to the park with bathtub races, including several categories and prizes.

A reference to the hoax that Moravia native and 13th President Millard Fillmore installed the first bathtub in the White House, the races feature drivers speeding down Main Street in specially rigged bathtubs, steering them with plungers. They took place for several years until about 2000, when a pedestrian was struck by a bathtub, before returning in 2019.
The general manager of the Days Inn in Auburn has been accused of refusing a room to a Filipino customer in July, and using racist language related to the COVID-19 pandemic while doing so.

Benito Dingle, of Las Vegas, reserved a room for three nights at the downtown Auburn hotel beginning July 28, he told The Citizen. He made the reservation using travel service Priceline in June.

When Dingle went to check into the hotel July 28, however, a male staff member at the desk abruptly told him that there were no clean rooms at the hotel and that he should leave.

Dingle said the staff member told him, "Expedia is China," seemingly under the impression Dingle used that service to reserve his room.

Dingle came to the area to attend a family reunion. With him at the Days Inn was his sister, who lives in Auburn and is also Filipino. She tried to resolve the situation but was met with the same response, she told The Citizen on the condition of anonymity. The staff member mentioned the government and COVID-19, she said, and threw his keys at her, asking if she wanted to buy the hotel.

During the incident, she and Dingle said, a white couple without a reservation approached the desk for a room. The staff member immediately provided them one.
Two years later, Cuomo asked Hochul to be his running mate. The ticket won the 2014 gubernatorial election.

Hochul faced a primary challenge in 2018. Jumaane Williams, who is now the New York City public advocate, sought the Democratic nod for lieutenant governor. It was a competitive primary, but Hochul defeated Williams to secure the nomination.

Cuomo and Hochul went on to win reelection that year.

There are a handful of Republicans who are running for governor, including presumptive nominee Lee Zeldin, a Suffolk County congressman. Rob Astorino, who was the GOP gubernatorial nominee in 2014, and Andrew Giuliani, the son of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, are also seeking the Republican nomination.

For now, Hochul's focus is on the leadership of the state. With COVID-19 cases rising and a lack of guidance for schools, that will be a priority when she is sworn in as governor. She said Wednesday that she will outline her vision for the state at a later date  after she takes office as New York's first female governor.

One thing she plans to continue to do as governor: visit New York's 62 counties.

"I will travel the state to meet New Yorkers, to listen to them, to assure them that I've got their backs and I will take their concerns and bring them back to our state Capitol and work with our partners at every level of government to come to solutions," Hochul said.

Politics reporter Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @robertharding.

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Some of the people who fled the fire Tuesday initially sought shelter in Lame Deer, only to be displaced again when the fire got within several miles.

The town of about 2,000 people is home to the tribal headquarters and several subdivisions and is surrounded by rugged, forested terrain. By late Wednesday a second fire was closing in on Lame Deer from the west, while the Richard Spring fire raged to the east.

Also ordered to leave were about 600 people in and around Ashland, a small town just outside the reservation with a knot of businesses along its main street and surrounded by grasslands and patchy forest.

The flames were within several miles of town and came right up to a subdivision outside it.

Local, state and federal firefighters were joined by ranchers using their own heavy equipment to carve out fire lines around houses.

Heat waves and historic drought tied to climate change have made wildfires harder to fight in the American West.

Scientists have said climate change has made the region much warmer and drier in the past 30 years and will continue to make the weather more extreme and wildfires more frequent and destructive. The fires across the West come as parts of Europe are also enduring large blazes spurred by tinder-dry conditions.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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Applying factors that the high court set out, Mehta wrote that the House was entitled to a more limited cross-section of Trump's financial records.

Rep. Carolyn Maloney, a New York Democrat and the committee's chairwoman, said in a statement, Todays district court opinion recognized that the Oversight Committee is entitled to a broad set of President Trumps financial records as part of our critical investigation aimed at preventing presidential conflicts of interest, self-dealing, and constitutional violations.

She said she was pleased the judge had found that the committee was entitled to eight years of financial information about the government's lease agreement with the Trump Organization for the Old Post Office Building, the location of the Trump International Hotel, as well as a broader set of information from the first two years of Mr. Trumps presidency.

Maloney added, "While it is disappointing that the Court, despite finding that the entire subpoena served valid legislative purposes, narrowed the subpoena in some respects, the Committee is actively considering next steps.
It said Cuomo and/or his senior staff took retaliatory actions against at least one former employee for going public. It said his executive chamber fostered a "toxic" workplace that created a hostile work environment. It said multiple state and federal laws, and internal policies were broken or violated by his actions and those of the Executive Chamber.

Cuomo's defenses made me squirm for another reason. I had enormous respect for his late father, Mario Cuomo, whom I used to cover as a reporter for the Albany Knickerbocker News. My late husband, Rob Borsellino, covered him for the Albany Times Union. He and the late Cuomo were on friendlier terms, and the governor used to jab at Rob at news conferences with retorts like, "That's a dumb question even for you, Borsellino." They'd both laugh and then Mario Cuomo wrote a nice introduction to a section of Rob's book. I've been wondering what Mario Cuomo  in my view, an ethical politician fiercely loyal to his family  would have had to say about this.

When Andrew Cuomo said he was used to touching state troopers when he walked past them as a way of signaling he saw them, I was thinking his father might have done that innocently. But if you read the report on his son, it was less innocent.
NIO to tap mass market by launching all-new brand

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- NIO, a high-profile Chinese EV startup, has moved faster on its preparations to make mass-market products under an fire new brand, William Bin Lin, NIO's founder, chairman, and CEO, said at the earnings call after the company's Q2 financial results were published on Wednesday.



We are going to tap the mass market through an all-new brand. Currently, we have built a core team, marking an important step towards the final product launch, Li added.

Photo credit: NIO

Li also noted the relationship between NIO brand and the yet-to-be-launched brand will be similar to that of Audi-Volkswagen and Lexus-Toyota. The new brand will not compete with the Wuling Hongguang MINIEV, a hotter-selling all-electric mini car of SAIC-GM-Wuling. Through the mass-market brand, NIO expects to provide users with better products and services at prices lowered than Tesla's.

NIO plans to deliver three new models next year, which include its first sedan model, the ET7, while exclude the refreshed versions of the existing model for sale. Notably, one of them will be priced at the lowest-ever level under NIO brand.

With regard to autonomous driving business, Li revealed that the development of the company's new-generation autonomous driving system NAD (NIO Autonomous Driving) is being well underway. Currently, NIO has around 500 staff members working for its autonomous driving business, and the number will be increased to 800 by the end of this year. The take-rate of NIO Pilot, NIO's advanced driver assistance system, has already exceeded 80%. As of July 2021, the vehicles powered by NIO Pilot drove over 200 million kilometers.



In respect to R&D efforts, NIO assembled a team for the R&D of perception algorithm over the past year and also launched several new R&D projects this year. According to Li, NIO will remarkably increase its R&D expenses from the third quarter of this year. The company expects its 2021s full-year R&D outlay to reach around 5 billion yuan ($772.046 million) and its R&D team size to double at the end of this year compared to early 2021.

In terms of overseas market, Li said NIO is methodically pushing ahead with the works for entry into Norway. The first batch of ES8s for Norwegian users was shipped from Shanghai on July 20 and is scheduled to arrive at Norway in mid-August. The preorder and delivery will commence in September.

The sales contributed by Norwegian market won't be too high this year. We have a long-term thinking for global market expansion and we hope investors stay patient with us, added Li.
China urges ICV developers to step up management of data safety, cybersecurity

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- The Chinese government has required greater efforts to reinforce the management of data security, cybersecurity, software upgrade, and functional safety related to intelligent-connected vehicles (ICVs), according to a document issued by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).

Photo credit: SAIC Motor



In this document, the ministry puts forward suggestions for companies improving their capabilities in data security management and cybersecurity assurance. It advises enterprises to build sound systems for the management of automotive data security and fulfill their data security protection obligations in accordance with laws, establish data assets management ledgers, implement data classification management, and strengthen the protection over personal information and other important data.

The MIIT also urges companies to adopt technical measures for data security protection to make sure data are consistently protected and used, implement the data security risk assessments, and report data security incidents according to laws.

Moreover, companies are urged to build the systems for automotive cybersecurity management, carry out cybersecurity grading protection and real-name registration of IoV (Internet of Vehicles) card. They are also required to have the technical measures that prevent automotive electrical/electronic systems, modules and functions from being threatened by network troubles, and possess the technical conditions for discovering and handling cybersecurity defects and vulnerabilities.
Gasgoo Daily: BYD denies to be Teslas battery supplier

With Gasgoo Daily, we will offer important automotive news in China. For those we have reported, the title of the piece will include a hyperlink, which will provide detailed information.

BYD denies to be Teslas battery supplier

BYD claimed that it had not said to media outlets that it would supply blade batteries to Tesla.

Joyson Electronics to produce domain controllers for AVs in 2023

Joyson Electronics are expected to start mass production of domain controllers for L2+ or L3 autonomous vehicles from 2023. It may work with an automaker to conduct joint development for certain model.

Changan release pictures of first sedan from UNI family

Changan Auto released some pictures of the first sedan from UNI series. As the third model of the series, the new model will be unveiled later this year.

Photo credit: Changan

PATEO finishes new financing round

Chinas connected car company PATEO announced it has completed a new financing round, led by FAW Group. It has raised a total of RMB1.8 billion with two financing rounds.

Mazda China sales down 23.99% YoY in July

Mazda sold 13,492 new vehicles in China in July, representing a year-on-year decrease of 23.99% and a month-on-month decrease of 20.6%. By the end of July, the automaker sold a total of 110,362 new vehicles this year in China, down 4.1% year on year.

XPeng adds 11 experience centers in July

XPeng added 11 experience centers and 3 service centers in July. Currently, the company has a total of 284 sales and service centers.

XPeng sets up new unit

XPeng set up a new company in Changsha with a registered capital of RMB 5 million. The new companys business includes sales of new energy vehicles and sales of vehicle battery.

GWM transfers part of investment in India

Great Wall Motor will transfer part of the planned 1 billion dollars for India to Brazil, three sources familiar with the matter said.

Evergrande Group plans to sell partial interests in Evergrande Auto

Evergrande Group is in talks with several independent third-party investors about selling its partial assets, including part of its interests in China Evergrande New Energy Vehicle Group Limited (Evergrande Auto) and Evergrande Property Services Group Limited, the group said in an announcement on Tuesday.



China auto sales down 11.9% in July

Chinas monthly vehicle sales and production volume have decreased for three consecutive months by the end of July, according to data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM). But monthly sales and production of new energy vehicles (NEVs) continued to set up new records with the cumulative sales and production of the first seven months surpassing the total volumes of last year.



New XPeng P7 caught in patent images

Patent images of the XPeng P7's refreshed version have been released online by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). The automaker has not yet revealed when the new model will hit the market.


CHATSWORTH, Calif.Free Speech Coalition on August 24 will host a special panel discussion to help sex workers navigate the world of online dating, the second in FSC INSPIREs five-part Life as a Sex Worker series sponsored by Chaturbate. FSC Industry Relations Advocate Lotus Lain will moderate Online Dating Without Losing Your Sanity, an hour-long panel featuring four sex workers currently active on online dating platforms, with a half-hour set aside for audience discussion afterwards.

Lola Jean, Mistress Shayla, Samuel Parrish and Ashley Lane will join Lotus to share their experiences and strategies for datinghook-ups and disclosures, favorite apps and fan interactions, as well as avoiding harassment and bans.

Online dating is difficult for everyone, but sex workers face additional hurdles, Lain said. Were going to talk about everything from how to protect privacy and manage expectations to when to disclose your work and how to avoid violating a platforms terms of service. Our Life as a Sex Worker series was designed to help our community deal with issues off-set that dont always get talked about.

FSCs first panel, Life as a Sex Worker: Parenting is now available on the FSC YouTube channel. Future panels this fall will address topics like coming out, career longevity and things sex workers wished theyd known when they started in the industry.

The "Online Dating Without Losing Your Sanity" panel takes place Tuesday, August 24 at 11 a.m. PT/2 p.m. ET. To RSVP, click here.
BATH/BERLIN  WOW Tech Group and Lovehoney on Thursday announced they have joined forces.

Together with Swiss brand Amoranaacquired by Lovehoney in 2020the pair of global market leaders in sexual wellness now form the Lovehoney Group (LHG).



The transaction combines Lovehoneys leading international operations and brandsincluding Fifty Shades of Greywith WOW Techs powerhouse Womanizer, We-Vibe, Romp and Arcwave family of brands. The combined group will be led by WOW Tech CEO Johannes Plettenberg. Lovehoney and WOW Tech will continue to be run by their current management teams.



The group said it's focus will be on "delivering exceptional B2B customer service, including creative and demand-driving marketing across all touchpoints, as well as buzz-worthy PR campaigns to raise awareness and keep the brands at the forefront of consumers' minds."

Additionally, LHGs strategy will continue to be focused on enforcing its extensive patent portfolio, which will be pursued with full force to protect the B2B partners commitment to the strong brand portfolio.



LHG is now home to more than 730 highly trained professionals from over 25 nations, located in 10 offices across the world with a broad spectrum of talents across engineering, industrial design, sales, and marketing.

LHGs lead investor is Telemos Capital, the majority owner of Lovehoney since 2018. CDH Investments, which holds a significant stake in WOW Tech, stays on board as a minority investor as do the co-founders of Lovehoney Neal Slateford and Richard Longhurst.



Johannes Plettenberg, CEO of the Lovehoney Group commented: "We are excited about this transaction and partnership. Amorana, Lovehoney, and WOW Tech share the same mission to destigmatise sexuality, empower people to enjoy a fulfilling love life, and experience sexual happiness. Combined, we will be even better placed to contribute to bringing sexual happiness to the centre of society. This will benefit our entire industry. We are looking forward to continuing to work with our teams to create even more value for all our B2B partners and their customer base. By partnering even more closely together, I am certain we can all achieve our common goals.

Established in Bath in 2002 by Richard Longhurst and Neal Slateford, Lovehoney received the Queen's Award for Enterprise in 2016 and again in 2021 for outstanding continuous growth in overseas sales. In 2018 Telemos Capital became the majority owner of Lovehoney.

WOW Tech Group's primary focus lies in the research and development of new innovative products. CEO Johannes Plettenberg laid the foundation for WOW Tech as early as 2017 when he, together with investors led by Munich Rigeto, took over the German company Womanizer. The following year Womanizer merged with the Canadian sex toy manufacturer We-Vibe, and WOW Tech Group was born. In early 2020 CDH Investments became the majority owner of Wow Tech Group.



Telemos comprises a team of highly experienced investment professionals that combine the best of private equity and permanent growth capital. Founded in 2017, Telemos identifies and supports exceptional management teams in consumer goods, healthcare services, and business services to help them realise their long-term objectives.



Founded in 2002, CDH is one of the most well-established alternative assets management firms in Asia, with offices in Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing. CDH has partnered with more than 150 companies, most of them leaders in a range of consumer and healthcare industries.
More photos available in the original article. See Breathtaking new exhibit at Houston Museum hails Egypt's greatest pharoah.

Iconic, innovative, and visionary, Ramses II is arguably the most heralded pharaoh of all ancient Egypt. Known historically and in pop culture as Ramses the Great, the deified and legendary leader reclaimed lost lands, expanded his nations borders, brokered the first peace treaty in human history, and spearheaded the building of cities, temples, and monuments  to name a few of his myriad accomplishments.

Perhaps Egypts greatest figurehead will be celebrated in a new exhibit at the Houston Museum of Natural Science this fall. Ramses the Great and the Gold of the Pharaohs is set to open November 20 as part of a world premiere engagement and 10-city global tour. Tickets are $27 and are on sale online now.

At the immersive, state-of-the-art exhibit, visitors can walk among real colossal statues and witness a multimedia recreation of Ramses triumph at the Battle of Kadesh, widely considered the largest chariot battle ever fought, per a press release.

An expertly preserved collection of said artifacts, including sarcophagi, animal mummies, magnificent jewelry, intricate royal masks, opulent amulets, and ornate golden treasures of the tomb, will be on display, showcasing the skilled workmanship of Egyptian artists.

The journey begins via a 120-degree curved HD projection screen, which offers a sweeping panoramic view of Egypt and a backstory on Ramses the Great. Surround-sound audio choreographed with programmed lighting follows, with more on the life of Ramses  including the 19th-century surprise discovery of his mummified remains.

Next up in an immersive virtual reality experience with fast-paced highlights of the pharoahs greatest moments, the temples of Abu Simbel and Nefertaris Tomb. A ghostly apparition of Nefertari, Rameses wife, attempts to rejoin her husband.

The spectre of Nefertari takes visitors through Ramsess transformation of Egypt as a valiant and fearless general, civil architect, and stalwart custodian of the ancient Egyptian religion, press materials note. While sitting in cinematic motion chairs, viewers will fly through temples, sandstorms, and eventually come face-to-face with Ramses mummy.

That mummy encounter is significant: Famously, the pharaohs tomb was ransacked by robbers, leaving historians and the world believing that his mummy and corresponding treasures buried with him were lost  forever. However, in 1881, Ramses the Greats mummy cache was dramatically re-discovered along with other long-lost royal mummies.

Ramses II is considered to be the greatest king to ever rule Egypt said former Egyptian minister of antiquities and notable Egyptian archaeologist Dr. Zahi Hawass, in a statement. Many of the structures and artifacts that weve used to trace the history of Egypt were created as a result of Ramses the Great. This exhibition will illuminate the pivotal moments that earned the great pharaoh his place in history while bringing visitors face-to-face with beautiful Egyptian artifacts.

Ramses the Great and the Gold of the Pharaohs at Houston Museum of Natural Science; 5555 Hermann Park Dr. For tickets and information, visit hmns.org.
The Chinese Communist Partys National Security Laws outlaws any action that qualifies as dangerous to the security of China or as an attempt of secession. The NSL extended its reach from the Chinese Communist regime to the former British colony, Hong Kong, when it went into effect there in June 2020. Since then, Hong Kong citizens freedoms have been smothered by CCPs insatiable quest for absolute control. []

Hong Kong, once a haven for those seeking to escape the Chinese Communist Partys iron fist, has seen a rapid deterioration of freedom in recent months. Media and business mogul Jimmy Lais arrest and the breakup of his pro-democracy newspaper, Apple Daily, are just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the CCPs forceful decimation of free speech and silencing dissent.

Former President Donald Trump was very critical of Communist China. Now, the Biden administration has also spoken out publicly on this human rights crisis. On Aug. 5, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, under President Biden, offered a safe haven to Hong Kong citizens residing in the U.S. due to the ever-restrictive National Security Laws, or NSLs, enforced by China in Hong Kong.

Biden urged the Department of Homeland Security to implement a deferral of movement for up to 18 months for some Hong Kongese due to what the president described as foreign policy reasons.

The vast majority of Hong Kongese residing in the United States would qualify for the offer, with the administrations push for refuge falling under the Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) program; one that can be renewed indefinitely by a sitting U.S. president.

By unilaterally imposing on Hong Kong the Law of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) on safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the PRC has undermined the enjoyment of rights and freedoms in Hong Kong, the White House said in Thursdays press release.

To further ensure Hong Kong residents well-being, especially while living in the U.S., Biden directed the Department of Homeland Security to take appropriate measures to authorize employment for non-citizens whose removal has been deferred.

Bidens announcement comes after Hong Kongs recent crackdown on assembly and speech due to legislation under the countrys NSLs. Over 100 Hong Kong politicians, protesters, and pro-democracy advocates have been taken into custody on NSL-related charges.

The CCPs NSL outlaws any action that qualifies as dangerous to the security of China or as an attempt of secession. The NSL extended its reach from the Chinese Communist regime to the former British colony, Hong Kong, when it went into effect there in June 2020. Since then, Hong Kong citizens freedoms have been smothered by CCPs insatiable quest for absolute control.

The White House said the safe haven decision shows the United States will not stand idly by as the PRC breaks its promises to Hong Kong and the international community. The Biden administration stressed that the PRC continually erodes the rule of law in Hong Kong.

After the U.S. imposed sanctions on Chinese officials, China retaliated with sanctions of their own  against U.S. citizens.

According to the South China Post, Chinese spokeswoman Hua Chunying commented: The so-called memorandum blatantly defames and attacks the law of China on safe-guarding National Security in Hong Kong and Chinas Hong Kong policy, saying that the White Houses actions are an example of vile behavior.

Republican Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska offered bipartisan support for actions combating Hong Kongs increasing inhumane treatment of its citizens. It is a step in the right direction, Sasse remarked. However, he added that the U.S should go further  that Washington should offer full asylum to Hong Kongers who flee Chairman Xis brutal oppression.

In an article released on Friday, The Wall Street Journal suggested that President Biden should also urge Beijing to release such Hong Kongers as publisher Jimmy Lai and others who have been imprisoned merely for supporting freedom and democracy.

Its an important point: If the United States does not publicly stand behind courageous activists who sacrifice their life as a visible sign of supporting the ideals of a free society, then who will?

While the U.S. finally opens its doors to Hong Kongers, allowing an 18-month deferment on deportation, Hong Kong entrepreneur and pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai is spending 14 months in prison for participating in a pro-democracy protest. In April 2021, Lai was charged with colluding with foreign forces under the NSL.

As the CCP expedited control and promulgated strict adherence to government rule, Jimmy Lai had multiple opportunities to flee Hong Kong and find safety in Great Britain. He could have very well found a safe haven in another country, like most Hong Kongers are fortunately experiencing now in the U.S.

But Lai remained in Hong Kong.

He has no regrets, and accepted his fate as a sacrifice for the sake of democracy in his country, in which he found his financial success.

Lai was ready, saying he was prepared for prison, upon his arrest.

In the CCPs government and media, Lai is a traitor and a troublemaker. In the eyes of those Hong Kong citizens who courageously promote democracy and a free society, Lai is a hero.

The CCP tries to make examples out of the protestors they arrest. Lai and other pro-democracy advocates use their arrest and imprisonment as a stage to showcase that truth and freedom are worth fighting for.

The United States is the latest nation to offer a safe haven to those fleeing Communist regimes, but the inherent virtuousness of a democratic society founded on liberty will soon be forgotten lest we forget those who voluntarily stay behind, offering their lives in the fight for a better future for their home and for future generations to come.
Justice and charity are the duty of all  and are intimately related  but a redefinition of philanthropy that collapses the distinction between them serves neither. []

The Ford Foundation gives over $500 million dollars annually, mostly in grants, to nonprofit organizations around the world. Foundation President Darren Walker came from humble beginnings in rural Texas and now oversees the Foundations $15 billion endowment. In his recent and wide-ranging 60 Minutes interview with Lesley Stahl he makes the case for reimaging philanthropy as not primarily about giving aid but rendering justice. Justice and charity are the duty of all  and are intimately related  but a redefinition of philanthropy that collapses the distinction between them serves neither.

Walker begins to make his case in an idiosyncratic manner. He distinguishes between generosity and justice, not as goods or virtues in themselves, but in the emotional and intellectual states of donors:

Generosity actually is more about the donor, right? So when you give money to help a homeless person, you feel good. Justice is a deeper engagement where you are actually asking, What are the systemic reasons that put people out onto the streets? Generosity makes the donor feel good. Justice implicates the donor.

There is some truth in this, as St. Paul illustrates in 2 Corinthians 9:7: Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. A true gift is freely given  a result of individual conscience and agency, and the joyful giver is beloved of God. However, Jesus admonishes us that the gift must ultimately not be centered on our own joy, to be trumpeted before men: But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6:3-4)

Walker defines justice as something fundamentally different. Whereas generosity does not have an intellectual component, justice seeks causes and roots of problems. In seeking justice, the donor locates the causes in themselves and so experiences themselves as implicated in the need. This is not succinctly explained or expounded upon in the interview itself, but the Ford Foundations conception of justice, summarized in the tagline featured prominently on its homepage, reads: Justice begins where inequality ends.

While Walker states in the interview, I am a capitalist. I believe there is no better way to organize an economy than capitalism, he also believes the donor class  those who process what he believes to be a disproportionate amount of the nations wealth  are in some sense responsible for the immiserating of the working class. This sort of zero-sum thinking about the creation of wealth obscures the problem of poverty. It is also intensely parochial as global wealth inequality has been falling and wealth inequality is increasingly a first world problem. This is not to say that issues of income inequality in the first world are not serious or that institutional and economic factors which fuel it should be ignored but rather that inequalitys eradication cannot be all there is to justice. There was grave injustice in the world prior to the emergence of both greater wealth and inequality which has characterized human civilization since the 18th Century.

St. Thomas, writing in a time of both much greater material poverty and equality, gives us a broader definition:

And if anyone would reduce it to the proper form of a definition, he might say that justice is a habit whereby a man renders to each one his due by a constant and perpetual will: and this is about the same definition as that given by the Philosopher (Ethic. v, 5) who says that justice is a habit whereby a man is said to be capable of doing just actions in accordance with his choice.

This traditional definition, in addition to its wider applicability and greater explanatory power, makes us all capable of both rendering justice and receiving justice according to our own circumstances and vocation.

Generosity is then a virtue intimately connected to justice, pertaining to the good use of the material goods we are entrusted to steward in this world. The gift of the poor widow is thus more generous than the gifts of the donor class, For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she lived on. (Mark 12:44).

The nature of justice and generosity are not to be found in the psychological state of wealthly donors but by the habits of daily living of persons great and small rendering to their neighbors what they are due informed by their conscience and context. Justice is not merely something the common man waits upon the ultra-wealthy to deliver or deny. Both justice and generosity are everyones business  and the Ford Foundations language is an obstacle, not an aid, to persons everywhere taking that responsibility seriously.
Who knows what was going through a Japanese mayor's head when he decided to snack on a softball player's Olympic gold medal? But that's what he did (video below)  after making a crude remark to the athlete  and now, in the middle of a shame storm, he is apologizing.

"I'm really sorry that I hurt the treasure of the gold medalist," Kawamura said Thursday.

The heedless chomp occurred on August 4, according to The Washington Post, when pitcher Miu Goto visited mayor Takashi Kawamura at Nagoya's city hall. After he eyed the medal like a salivating pup, Goto allowed the mayor to try it on. Not only did he place the medal around his neck, he also pulled down his mask and placed the gold disc squarely in his mouth. She nervously laughed. He thought good times were had by all. And then all hell broke loose for the mayor.

From The Washington Post:

The scene broadcast on television prompted thousands of complaints to city hall. Some Olympians said they treat their medals as treasures and that it was outrageous for Kawamura to bite one. "I would cry if that happened to me," Naohisa Takato, who won gold for Japan in judo, said in a tweet. "I handle my own gold medal so gently not to scratch it." Yuki Ota, a silver-medal winning fencer, said the mayor's action was disrespectful to athletes and was a bad idea for COVID-19 measures. Goto reportedly considered keeping the original but eventually accepted the IOC offer of a replacement.

It didn't help that the mayor also made inappropriate remarks moments before the incident.

From Kyodo News:
"Long Covid," as many folks are calling it, is one of parts of this pandemic that I find most terrifying. Sure, some people who get COVID-19 just have to deal with a "bad cold." But others find themselves suffering from long-term debilitation, with a variety of wild symptoms, and no clear consistency in how or why these lasting effects come about.

Of course, the longer we deal with this, the more data we have to go on. And recently, several studies have pointed to the serious long-term effects of COVID-caused erectile dysfunction. From the Why-Axis Newsletter:

A study published in May demonstrated "the presence of the COVID-19 virus in the penis long after the initial infection in humans." More to the point, the penile tissue of the Covid patients examined in the study showed evidence of vascular damage  perhaps not a surprise, given the disease's well-documented effects on the vascular system elsewhere in the body. [] Another paper, published in March, finds some very preliminary evidence that impotence is much more widespread among male Covid survivors than among men with no Covid history. The study examined self-reported responses to a survey administered in Italy in April 2020. The respondents included 25 sexually active men who reported receiving a positive Covid test. The authors compared that cohort to a group of 75 non-patients who were otherwise similar in terms of sexual activity, age, BMI, and mental and physical health. Among the healthy controls just 9 percent reported erectile problems. But the rate among Covid patients was roughly three times as high, with over a quarter saying they had trouble getting and/or keeping it up.

Why-Axis is written by Christopher Ingraham, who used to be a data visualization expert at places like the Brookings Institute and the Washington Post. So, as a graphic designer, Ingraham came up with this absolutely brilliant chart to help drive the point home that seriously you should get vaccinated:

Truly a work of art.

Covid and impotence: the evidence firms up [Christopher Ingraham / The Why Axis]
If anyone asks why Jen Psaki has cultivated a cult following that is unprecedented for a White House press secretary, this video from yesterday's press briefing can serve as a perfect example.

The way Psaki cut through the BS of a reporter's loaded question, which was intended to bait her into getting into a mud fight over Governor Ron DeSantis, perfectly encapsulates her adept ability to swiftly snip the fishing line, clean the blades, and sail on.

Using a tabloid headline as his source, the "reporter" asked: "A headline from the New York Post, from I believe two days ago, [says] 'Team Biden's War on DeSantis Is All About Kneecapping a Successful GOP Governor.' Can you address that?"

To which Psaki wrapped up in 10 seconds flat: "Our war is not on DeSantis, it's on the virus, which we're trying to kneecap, and he does not want to participate on that effort to kneecap the virus. Hence our concern."

Psaki then points to another reporter in the room. "Go ahead."
Former Suffolk County District Attorney Tom Spota (79) was sentenced to five years in prison for "covering up the brutal police assault of a handcuffed prisoner who was accused of stealing a bag of sex toys from a car belonging to the chief of police," reports Law & Crime.

Spota's troubles began in Dec. 2012, when Suffolk County Chief of Police James BurkeSpota's onetime protegediscovered that someone had broken into his car and stolen a duffel bag containing his gun belt, sex toys, pornography, Viagra, and cigars. A few hours later, officers arrested a known heroin user who had the bag in his possession and handcuffed him to the floor in the station's interrogation room. When the suspect learned who Burke was, he allegedly taunted the chief, calling him a "pervert," which reportedly caused him to fly off the handle. "For a few minutes, prosecutors said, Mr. Burke assaulted the suspect, screaming and threatening to kill him until a detective in the room finally said, 'Boss, that's enough,'" according to a report from The New York Times.

District Attorney Spota stepped in to cover up the assault. At Spota's trial, a police officer told the court that he attended a meeting in District Attorney Spota's office, where Spota talked about how to deal with a federal probe looking into Burke's assault. Spota told the officer to find out any officers had "flipped" on Burke.

Burke was sentenced to 4 years. When Spota received his sentence he told the court, '"I hope not to die in prison alone  My family will forever be marked by my disgrace."
Once youre in the door, theres plenty of advice floating around about style, project management, budget and all the restbut how do you actually get the job in the first place? Were asking designers to peel back the curtain and walk us through how they landed a project, step by step. Here, Australian designer Blainey North explains how she was tapped to imagine a $21 million model apartment on the 66th floor of the Central Park Tower in New York.

Blainey North Courtesy Blainey North

Whats the backstory of this project?

It was actually just a random phone call. They asked me to sign a confidentiality agreement, which quite often happens, and then revealed what the project was and asked if wed be interested. A lot of our work is luxury residential, so I think that Extell [Development Company] had seen some of our work, or we won quite a lot of international competitions over the last couple of years. The brief was that they wanted the interiors to feel like a luxury home rather than a display apartment. Our approach is usually turnkey, in that were doing the interior architecture, the interiors, the furniture, and custom-designing all the bits and pieces, curating art. They liked that.

What and where are your typical projects?

We work everywhere in the world. Weve done projects in London, in the Maldives, Fiji, of course Australia, Aspen, Los Angeles. Weve got quite a lot of projects in New York at the moment. Ive had the business for 20 years now; we started in very, very high-luxury hotel interiors doing six-star hotels and specializing in presidential suites and villas. And then have gone into super-luxury homesso super-yachts and those kinds of things. One of the homes we worked on in Australia was an apartment that just sold for AU$60 million [$44 million]. We do a lot of homes upwards of AU$30 million.

The grand salon of the 66th-floor apartment Blainey North designed for Central Park Tower Evan Joseph

So how did you make the space feel like a real home, not a display apartment?

We thought about this idea of the sound of New York. Im always struck when I come to New York from anywhere else in the worldtheres this noise and hum. Central Park is the only moment of quiet you can actually get in the city, so we wanted these apartments to feel like a pause in the sound: so that when you sat in the room, everything slows down because of your relationship to the park, but the walls and the edges of the space are almost embedded with the idea of the sound of New York.

We looked at how music and rhythm could be translated into any interior, and we worked with an artist in London called Nadia-Anne Ricketts, who has developed this amazing program to digitize music into a visual representation and then weave it into textiles. So the walls of the grand salon have Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds. Then we worked with a rug company to develop designs [where] we looked at Mondrians work for New York and his Broadway Boogie Woogie, representing the rhythm of Manhattan, which felt very much relative to the sound. Weve included a ceramic artist called Daniel Schneider, whos from L.A. and does a lot of brutalist ceramic work; the way the work moves feels a bit like rhythm and sound. These are all just examples.

The pattern of this fabric by artist Nadia-Anne Ricketts is a visual representation of the Beatles song Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds. Jason Schmidt

Whats your favorite room in the apartment?

The grand salon. The columns and walls that sit next to the view are clad in mirrored wallpaper and have fluted tubes of glass all around. It creates this beautiful reflection of the view, so the view merges into the apartment, if you will. It also makes these walls and the columns at the edges of the room disappear.

What was it like to do all of this between New York and Australia during the pandemic? Was it just one zillion Zooms?

Im lucky to have an amazing team in New York, and we worked on this project for two years. I think I left New York the day they announced that there were 50 cases. We do work all around the world, so we have great systems in place to manage projects. We work a lot in 3D to present to the clients, and we also work in virtual reality. They put on a headset, and I put on a headset. That technology, we started to develop here in Australia with our vendors and was really great over the pandemic. The only thing that was harder was the suppliers; a lot of suppliers were affected by the pandemic and it meant that we needed to consider different suppliers in some instances and be really dynamic to make sure that all of the bits and pieces could get in on time.

What is your typical first interaction with a client?

Its always meeting them in person or on Zoom and asking them how they want their space to feel. Often, people might have an idea of what they want in a brief, but I find when you ask, What is it that you want this space to feel like when you walk in? usually people are able to tell you really succinctly exactly what they want. And that really helps us, because it means that we can tailor the concept to work around that feeling.

Fluted glass around the apartments column reflects the park views, bringing the outside in. Evan Joseph

What do you typically wear when youre meeting a client for the first time?

Im a great lover of fashion. As my daughter would say, Mom, youre so fancy. I find that really interesting, to see people representing who they are inside on the outside. I love getting dressed in the morning and putting [together] my outfit by however Im feeling on that particular day.

Quite often, we use fashion images to portray [design] concepts because there might be a similar concept coming from fashion or there might be a beautiful color palette that you can see in clothes. I find fashion a really great tool of communicating texture, color or ideas.

How do you present the design concept to clients?

We usually present in a concept deck. For Central Park Tower, we had images of the different music in New York and the way that sound travels, and then we looked at how sound had been represented in interiors over time. All of those images were in the initial part, and then there was a feel of what each area would look like. After wed done that initial presentation, we worked through every single room, quite often now in three dimensions. You cant really tell the difference between a photograph and these renders, where we model up the whole space and look at the furniture and the fabric.

We are really excited about doing this virtual reality as well, because it means that someone can stand in the room and zoom to the corners and zoom into the table and the fabrics. Thats as close as weve ever been to experiencing what the space would be like before its built. Its really great for a client, and its also an amazing tool for the builders, because they can see what theyre about to build. Communicating with the stone contractor, you can show this thing and say, This is how were imagining were going to tile the bathroom, and this is what the stone looks like, and this is how it meets the doorframe. Everyone has a vision of where theyre headed.

What do you bring to a site visit?

A measuring tape, my site boots and PPE. Ive always got a notebook and pen because I like writing physically. And, of course, the drawings.

A bedroom gets incredible views of the Hudson River and New Jersey beyond. Jason Schmidt

How do you turn down a client whos not a great fit?

Well, we do have quite a big wait list, and we only take on as many projects as my team can take on. Ive got 25 staff worldwide, and I love that size; it means that I have communication with all of them every day and that Im involved in every project in a very real way. Im very invested emotionally in each project, and I have a very close relationship with my clients. I like the fact that one of my clients can call me and say, Hey, whats the tap in the powder room? and I can say, Oh, its the blah blah blah, and just know the answer. We only take on as many projects as we can take on to allow that to work. That does mean that we do turn away quite a lot of projects, but I feel really lucky that Im at a point in my life where I can do that.

Homepage photo: A view of the grand salon with its musical wallcovering | Jason Schmidt
Michael B. Jordan has always been heart-achingly fine. And now, fans will finally have the pleasure of seeing their favorite Black Hollywood darling giving what theyve been asking for: a romantic leading role. Jordan is starring in the upcoming drama A Journal For Jordan, directed by Denzel Washington, and the butterfly-inducing trailer dropped Wednesday.

In the film, MBJ stars alongside Chante Adams (Roxanne Roxanne) as a soldier who is deployed to Iraq and keeps a journal of love and advice for their infant son.

The chemistry between the two leads is palpable in the films trailer, thanks in large part to Adams herself, who has a magnetic on-screen presence. The rising queen of Black love is also known for delivering a scene-stealing performance in Stella Meghies The Photograph as a woman struggling to reckon with her own feelings, and what it means to chase your dreams.

For Jordan, this new project is a departure from his usual roles in action films like Black Panther, Without Remorse and the Creed franchise. Ive done a lot of physical roles, because thats been my appetite. Im 34; the last seven years has been (about) physically developing into your sweet spot, he told USA TODAY. I felt safe to be able to go into this, to explore these characters, and to be vulnerable in that type of way.

A Journal for Jordan is a true story based on the bestselling 2008 memoir of the same name by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Dana Canedy. The memoir is focused on the love story between Canedy and her late partner, Sgt. Charles Monroe King, and the life lessons King left behind for their newborn son Jordan while he was deployed overseas. King was eventually killed in Iraq in 2006 when Jordan was just seven months old.

Working with Washington, whose directorial oeuvre includes intense dramas like the Oscar-nominated 2016 adaptation of the August Wilson play Fences, was a dream come true for Jordan and the director delivered a master class of character development and directing, Jordan said.

Story continues

Everybody wants to work with him, and hes a very selective guy, Jordan said. So the fact that he wanted to work with me was a huge deal for me.

Cadney, whose son is now 16, not only approved of the film, but also shared her stories with the filmmaking team as the production progressed. The story would not be happening if it wasnt for (the familys) approval and sign off on everything, said Jordan.

Over the last few months, fans have gotten to see a much more openly romantic side to Jordan himself, as he and his current girlfriend Lori Harvey continue to gush over each other on social media. So, although we may not have seen it publicly before, MBJ clearly has a deeply intimate and vulnerable side.

I consider myself a romantic. I like love. Ive had an amazing example of what love looks like growing up, he said. And apparently one of his love languages is performing acts of service. Theres a certain level of catering to that I enjoy.

Jordan is also a producer on A Journal For Jordan , which comes out exclusively in theatres this December.

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 12)  President Rodrigo Duterte has approved additional funding of over 3 billion for cash assistance to qualified residents in the National Capital Region, Laguna, and Bataan, which are all under enhanced community quarantine, according to various officials.

Budget Officer-in-Charge and Undersecretary Tina Canda told CNN Philippines' New Day that an additional 278 million in financial assistance for NCR will likely be released on Thursday or Friday.

"Yesterday, we received a copy of the approval from the Office of the President approving the amount of 278 million for NCR," she said. "We expect that by today or tomorrow we will be releasing the amount hopefully to the local government units concerned."

Metro Manila mayors earlier lamented the insufficient funds for ayuda, or financial assistance, that they received when the rollout started on Wednesday. The Department of Budget and Management earlier released 10.89 billion worth of cash aid for NCR.

Meanwhile, Malacanang and the Department of Interior and Local Government also confirmed that cash aid for Laguna and Bataan had been also approved.

Yung pinangako natin na ayuda para sa Laguna at sa Bataan ay nai-release na rin po, said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque in a press briefing.

[Translation: The cash aid we promised for Laguna and Bataan has been already released.]

Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya told CNN Philippines that 2.715 billion and 700 million will be given to Laguna and Bataan, respectively.

Canda said the distribution of cash aid in these provinces will likely start on Thursday or Friday.

Meanwhile, there is no allocation yet for Tuguegarao, which is under a 10-day lockdown, she added. The other cities that have an approved budget for cash aid are Iloilo, Gingoog, and Cagayan de Oro.

Canda also said the DBM will "definitely will find sources" of financial assistance for all areas under ECQ, especially if the implementation of the strictest quarantine measure will be extended.

The cash aid is 1,000 for each eligible resident or a maximum of 4,000 per family during the ECQ period.

READ: Metro Manila LGUs struggle with insufficient 'ayuda'
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 12)  Will a "partnership" between Vice President Leni Robredo and Sen. Richard Gordon soon come to fruition?

Gordon told CNN Philippines' The Source on Thursday that he was happy with how his dialogue with Robredo went, just days after the Vice President herself confirmed that talks with possible 2022 aspirants are ongoing in an effort to forge a "broader alliance" in the upcoming polls.

"I will wait for her because may pinag-usapan kami and I cannot say it. As a gentleman, and as I personally respect the Vice President, ayokong sabihin yung pinag-usapan namin (I don't want to divulge what we talked about)," Gordon said.

"May sinabi siya sa aking napakaganda. Natuwa ako, pero ayokong uunahan siya (She said something that was really good. I liked it, but I don't want to preempt what she might announce)," the senator added.

Gordon has previously expressed interest in gunning for the presidency but has not yet made a formal declaration. He said, however, that he is "not afraid" about deciding for the future.

Gordon also stressed the importance of changing the status quo in the 2022 elections, by not just relying on survey-toppers and popular contenders.

RELATED: Robredo 'way past numbers, personal convenience' in 2022 plans

Robredo, who is also being floated as the standard bearer of the Liberal Party, earlier bared that aside from Gordon and the tandem of Sen. Ping Lacson and Senate President Tito Sotto, she also talked to Sen. Manny Pacquiao, who is also reported to be eyeing the highest post in the land.

So far, Davao City mayor and presidential daughter Sara Duterte has been dominating opinion polls on presidential preference over the past months.

The filing of certificates of candidacy for the 2022 elections is scheduled on October 1 to 8.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 12) Manila Mayor Isko Moreno was elected as the new party president of Aksyon Demokratiko.

In a statement on Thursday, the political party confirmed that Moreno was elected during a general membership meeting on Tuesday night, which was attended by incumbent officers including co-founder Sonia Roco and Aksyon Executive Vice President and Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto.

Prior to his membership and eventual election as party president, Aksyon Demokratiko and Mayor Isko had a meeting of minds and hearts in many aspects, the party noted.

We saw in Yorme someone with a clean track record, tangible accomplishments, and a vision that the party shares," it said.

"We are confident that he will be able to help lead the party in its thrust to be a unifying force in an atmosphere of heavy political polarization, it added.

Moreno, for his part, said it was an honor to be elected as the partys leader.

Nagkaroon kami ng maraming pagpupulong bago nila ako tinanggap at masaya ako na maraming alignments sa nais naming isulong sa Asenso Manileno, ang aking napapabilangang lokal na partido, Moreno said.

[Translation: We had many meetings before they accepted me and Im happy that there are many alignments in our goals with Asenso Manileno, the local party I belong to.]

Earlier this month, Moreno moved to Aksyon Demokratiko  a party founded by the late senator Raul Roco  following his resignation from the National Unity Party where he served as vice chairman for political affairs.

While Moreno has yet to announce his plans for next years elections, Aksyon Demokratiko earlier told CNN Philippines that the party will support the Manila mayor should he pursue a presidential bid.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 12)  The Senate is gearing up for an inquiry into the Department of Health's management of its over 67-billion pandemic response funds.

In separate statements on Thursday, senators lamented the Commission on Audit's 2020 report on the alleged "deficiencies" in DOH's management of the fund due to non-compliance with pertinent laws.

READ: COA flags DOH for 'deficiencies' in management of over 67-B pandemic funds

Senate President Tito Sotto said a panel will handle the matter when session resumes.

Sen. Richard Gordon told CNN Philippines' The Source on Thursday that the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee is open to leading the inquiry to also tackle the delayed release of the special risk allowance of health workers based on the 9-billion fund that the DOH received from the Department of Budget and Management.

READ: House probe eyed on health workers' risk allowance amid 9B fund 'discrepancies'

Sen. Grace Poe said the "deficiencies prove to be counter-beneficial to the government's efforts to curb the spread of the disease at a crucial time. Instead of being utilized to support and boost the country's pandemic response, the funds remained idle or were not properly and immediately used where they should go."

For Sen. Risa Hontiveros, the 67 billion could have been used to properly compensate health workers and provide more medical supplies, free health services and even cash aid for those most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, Sen. Ping Lacson said lawmakers could question the DOH when the Senate starts the deliberations on the budget of government agencies for 2022. He also criticized Health Secretary Francisco Duque III once again for failing to address controversies.

"He only cares about his boss, the President who  for reasons only they probably know  cannot and will not remove him from office in spite of repeated calls from the majority of senators and other sectors. Sadly, he doesn't care about the health concerns of the people that he is supposed to serve," Lacson said.

President Rodrigo Duterte repeatedly defended Duque despite calls from senators to fire him.

He even called Duque a "hero" of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking to CNN Philippines' The Final Word, Bayan Muna Party-list Rep. Ferdinand Gaite said Duque should be held accountable for the "deficiencies" reported under his department.

"When we say corruption, pati iyong (even) competence, inefficiencies we can deem that as corruption because hindi nga nagagamit ang funds (are not used) for the purpose it was appropriated. Kaya managot talaga dapat si (That is why) Secretary Duque (should really be held accountable)," he said.

The congressman also said public officials in the country should "emulate the other countries' ethical standards" by immediately resigning from office once their inefficiencies are exposed, instead of defending themselves by saying the President still has confidence in their leadership.

"To supposedly save the President, some officials would have opted to resign to save the President doon sa kahihiyan (from shame)," Gaite said.

The Makabayan bloc at the House of Representatives is planning to file a resolution to look into the Health Department's "deficiencies" as reported by COA, Gaite added.

In a briefing on Thursday, Malacanang announced that Duterte instructed the DOH to answer the COA report.

The President is reportedly withholding judgment until a final report about the matter is released.

READ: Duterte: PH 'doing good' on COVID-19 response compared with other countries
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 12)  Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr on Thursday said those who received Sputnik V as their first dose can be inoculated with AstraZeneca for their second shot, but only under certain circumstances.

The delivery of the Sputnik V coronavirus vaccines made by Russian manufacturer Gamaleya has encountered several delays due to supply and logistical issues.

Galvez said the shipment of 15,000 doses for second component is set to arrive on Friday. If it faces another setback, there is a back-up plan for those already scheduled to receive their second dose.

The vaccine czar said experts in the country have approved the use of AstraZeneca as the second dose if the shipment is delayed and if the Food and Drug Administration has not yet approved the emergency use authorization for Sputnik Light, the single-dose version of Sputnik V.

"If the 42 days lapses already, it has been approved by the Vaccine Experts Panel and EXECOM (executive committee) of DOH, AstraZeneca can be given as second dose after 42 days," he said in an event.

Under the FDA guidelines, the two required doses of Sputnik V must be given within 42 days. Sputnik V and AstraZeneca are both adenoviral vector vaccines.

Meanwhile, the FDA on Monday said it is still reviewing the application for Sputnik Light. Once approved, it will be the second single-dose COVID-19 vaccine approved in the country after Johnson & Johnson's Janssen vaccine.

Galvez said one shot of Sputnik V is similar to the protection offered by Sputnik Light, which showed 79.4% efficacy.

The Philippines has not yet authorized mixing different vaccine brands despite the unstable supply in the country.
(CNN) -- For his two-dose Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine, Ted Rall crossed state lines back in February and March. Appointments in New York City were impossible to come by, but his friend told him about a federal facility in New Jersey with no residency requirements and so he drove there twice.

The Covid-19 shot Rall had at the end of July -- his third -- was a lot easier to get his hands on and far more convenient, he says, even though the US Food and Drug Administration and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention don't currently recommend Covid-19 vaccine boosters for anyone.

Rall, 57, simply walked into a CVS pharmacy in Manhattan, no appointment needed, and told the pharmacist he wanted to get a Covid-19 vaccine. He pretended it was his first dose.

Rall, a political cartoonist and writer, says he has asthma and a history of serious respiratory disease including swine flu and pneumonia. He suspects he had Covid-19 early in the pandemic, though his antibody tests were negative. He isn't interested in taking any chances now that the more transmissible Delta variant is ravaging the country and more than 98% of the US population lives in counties considered to have "high" or "substantial" Covid-19 transmission, according to the CDC.

"I want to stay protected, you know, and I think it's also pretty obvious that this is going to be the norm, and it might just be like in a month or two," Rall told CNN. "Everyone's going to be doing it, so why wait until it's hard to get appointments again?"

Rall could be right about the timeline. A Biden administration official told CNN last week that internal discussions at the FDA are looking at early September to lay out a strategy on Covid-19 booster shots. A decision for those who are immunocompromised and face greater risk from the virus is expected sooner, the official said.

Vaccine advisers to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will meet Friday to discuss boosters and additional doses for immunocompromised people.

And the FDA is already considering full approval of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine, a decision that some say could occur in a matter of weeks. All of the Covid-19 vaccines are currently available in the US under emergency use authorization. Full approval could mean that the fully vaccinated could get an additional vaccine -- well before any recommendation for boosters -- if a doctor thinks it's warranted.

The available vaccines provide strong protection for most people, but studies have shown that people who are immocompromised don't build up sufficient protection from the standard doses of Covid-19 vaccines. Recent research also suggests that some protection from mRNA vaccines wanes for everyone over time.

Dr. Eric Topol, a cardiologist and professor of molecular medicine at Scripps Research, told CNN he predicts that an FDA approval, plus a direct message that boosting is necessary -- even if it's strictly for immunocompromised people and the elderly -- will create a sort of "booster mania" in the US.

He said an FDA approval "opens up everything for people who are concerned to get a doctor's prescription. So that just adds to the chaos."

'We're not there yet' on boosters

Rall's own decision to seek out a booster was driven by all of the research he's read about, including data from the Israeli Health Ministry released last month that suggests that overall efficacy of the Pfizer vaccine against all Covid-19 infections has dropped to just 39% in those who were vaccinated earlier in the year, although their data show the vaccine is still 91.4% effective in preventing severe disease.

Other data released by both Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna suggest that both vaccines see waning levels of antibodies over time.

But that doesn't mean protection ends, and boosters aren't yet recommended for anyone.

On Sunday, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told CNN's Fareed Zakaria that there's still limited data on how long vaccine durability lasts.

"The bottom line of it all is that we are following very carefully the durability of protection," Fauci said. "And when you follow it, you look and see what is the percentage of protection that you get as you go month for month."

When data shows protection goes below a certain threshold, he said, health officials will recommend boosters for the general population.

Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children's Hospital of Pennsylvania, said Tuesday during a conversation hosted by Brown University that he thinks "we will cross the line, where we know we need a booster dose, when people who are vaccinated, fully vaccinated, nonetheless, are hospitalized or in the ICU or dying.

"We're not there yet."

So far, the vaccines are working: A CNN analysis of CDC data suggests more than 99.9% of fully vaccinated people have not had a severe breakthrough infection.

It's also not clear what risks could come with an additional shot. Topol says it's best to sit it out a few more weeks and he cautions that people who just want to go out for a booster should consider the potential side effects.

"We don't know the boosters are going to protect. These boosters are directed against the original strain, the same problem we have with a vaccine," Topol says. "They're going to raise neutralizing antibodies in people over weeks and they will help to some extent, but we don't know how much, because they're not directed to Delta."

Rall, who recently wrote for the Wall Street Journal about his experience getting a booster shot, says he wasn't worried about the potential risks at all.

"If you told me this vaccine would kill me in 10 years, I would go and take it right now because it's that or this horrible Delta variant going around, and I don't think I would survive that," he said.

And it wasn't hard for him to get a booster -- Rall says the pharmacy didn't ask him a single question, nor did it look up his immunization records.

When asked how CVS determines whether someone who comes to one of the pharmacies or MinuteClinics to get a Covid-19 vaccine hasn't been vaccinated already, a spokesperson for the company said that "patients who have been fully vaccinated at a CVS Pharmacy, or who inform us that they were fully vaccinated by another provider, will not receive another vaccine under the current CDC guidelines. In certain cases, pharmacists may also be able to check a patient's vaccination status with a state's vaccine registry."

CVS wouldn't have been able to figure out Rall had already been fully vaccinated in New Jersey because immunization registries are managed by the state and he got his third shot in New York.

Rebecca Coyle, executive director of the American Immunization Registry Association, said states are currently backlogged with larger-than-normal amounts of immunization information -- and it's up to states to make agreements to share immunization data with each other.

"Not to point out a loophole, but we do not have good data exchange across state lines at this point," she said.

Booster plans in progress

While some individuals are seeking out boosters, some places are making plans to boost vaccines for certain people.

The city of San Francisco is accommodating people who received the one-shot Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine and would like to receive a supplemental dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. Officials in the city's Department of Public Health said last week that the department is making an "accommodation" for those who have consulted with a physician, and it is not recommending extra doses or a policy change.

In an email to CNN, Dr. Peter Hotez, dean of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, said he believes the US will move to third mRNA and possibly second J&J shots relatively soon for people having immunosuppressive therapy, especially solid organ transplant recipients, and the next question will be what other immunocompromised conditions will also be included. After, the next question will be if the US wants to add boosters for people over age 60 -- as Israel has just announced it plans to do.

Germany, the United Kingdom and France also announced booster programs for their most vulnerable populations, even though the World Health Organization last week called for a moratorium on booster shots through at least September until vaccines can be distributed more equitably worldwide.

That's a great irony to Rall, who says that he wouldn't have considered seeking out a third shot if it weren't clear that a lot are going unused by vaccine hesitant populations, particularly in the South.

"But even locally here in New York when I talked to local physicians and pharmacists, they all have lots of unused vaccines, and I thought, well this is ridiculous."

Rall says since sharing his experience with others he's heard from physicians that say they have quietly used vaccine doses as boosters that were set to expire on themselves and for their family members, and that they've been doing so for months. "There's an underground there, there's a lot of doctors who have access to these doses, and they're using them rather than throwing them away."

Those close to Rall weren't all that surprised by his decision to get a booster shot. "Friends kind of know that I'm an independent thinker, I kind of don't really care about or have much respect for sort of one's 'official conclusions' coming from policymakers because. I know that the policymakers are trying to save as many people as possible, as low cost as possible. That's their job."

"I, first and foremost, care about me, so I have a different calculus."

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Ahead of official vaccine guidance, some Americans are already caught up in 'booster mania'"
(CNN)  The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its recommendation for pregnant people to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Previously, the public health agency was vague in its recommendation. "If you are pregnant, you can receive a Covid-19 vaccine," previous guidance read. Now, the CDC is strengthening its guidance, recommending that pregnant women should be vaccinated against Covid-19, based on new data about the safety of the vaccines.

"COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for all people 12 years and older, including people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or might become pregnant in the future," the new guidance reads.

"Evidence about the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy has been growing. These data suggest that the benefits of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine outweigh any known or potential risks of vaccination during pregnancy," the CDC adds in the updated guidance on its website.

"We are not seeing a signal of safety concerns of the vaccine in pregnancy," Sascha Ellington, team lead for emergency preparedness and response in the CDC's Division of Reproductive Health, told CNN on Wednesday.

Pregnant women are at an increased risk of getting severely ill from Covid-19 and "adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as preterm birth," Ellington said. "This vaccine can prevent Covid-19, and so that's the primary benefit."

The agency said Wednesday that a new analysis of information from its V-SAFE database, used to track vaccine side effects and safety, found no increased risk for miscarriage among people who received either the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna coronavirus vaccines before 20 weeks of pregnancy. There were also no safety concerns among people who were vaccinated late in pregnancy -- for themselves or for their babies.

The rate of miscarriage among vaccinated pregnant women was about 13%, which is consistent with the rate that would be expected among unvaccinated pregnant women, Ellington said. In response to the myth that the vaccine could cause fertility issues, she said, "There are no data to indicate that the vaccine has any effect on fertility."

The website reflects this, also. "There is currently no evidence that any vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, cause fertility problems in women or men," it says.

The CDC says that it recommends Covid-19 vaccination for everyone ages 12 and older, including those who may be pregnant, breastfeeding, or who are trying to get pregnant.

As of July 31, only around 23% of pregnant women in the United States have received at least one dose of coronavirus vaccine, Ellington said. "The vaccine coverage of 23% does give us an indication that it is below where we want it to be," she added.

In late July, two leading organizations that represent obstetricians and gynecologists recommended that anyone who is pregnant should be vaccinated against Covid-19. The groups had previously said Covid-19 vaccines "should not be withheld" from someone because they are pregnant, but did not specifically recommend they get one.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) said their recommendations were based on safety evidence from thousands of pregnant women.

The associations also cite the country's low vaccination rate and the recent increase in cases.

The two groups urge their members to "enthusiastically recommend vaccination" to their patients.
(CNN)  A nurse is being investigated by police in Germany for allegedly replacing COVID-19 vaccines with saline solution.

The nurse replaced the vaccines between March and April this year at Roffhausen immunization center in Friesland, northwest Germany, the Friesland district administrator, Sven Ambrosy, said on Facebook Tuesday.

"Today I had the sad duty to inform around 8,600 people who may have been affected that it cannot be ruled out they may have received a saline solution instead of their vaccination at their vaccination appointment. For peace of mind we would recommend people get an additional vaccination," Ambrosy said.

The nurse was able to replace the vials because she was "responsible for the preparation of vaccines and the preparation of syringes during her working hours in the vaccination center," health authorities in Lower Saxony said.

Local authorities and the Lower Saxony State Health Office have called on all Germans who received their Covid-19 vaccines at the Roffhausen center between March 5 and April 20, to come forward and get another dose.

"In this situation, it is important that all those who may be affected are offered catch-up vaccinations...This is the only way to ensure complete vaccination protection. Even if persons have already been correctly vaccinated twice," Matthias Pulz, president of the Lower Saxony State Health Office, said in a statement Tuesday.

Police found the nurse involved was "motivated to oppose the vaccination," the Lower Saxony government's coronavirus crisis team, which is overseeing the case, told journalists on Tuesday.

"The investigations of the police have shown the person (involved) was motivated to oppose the vaccination...since she remains silent with police, we do not know whether and to what extent she was manipulated during this period," said Claudia Schroder, the deputy head of the Lower Saxony coronavirus team.

"We do not know many people were specifically affected, and we are talking here about a period of seven weeks, so it is also a large number of people who come into consideration," Schroder added. Saline solution is not considered dangerous for humans.

On Tuesday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged Germans to get vaccinated, adding that Germany is seeing a rise in Covid-19 infections due to the Delta variant despite progress on the vaccine rollout.

Merkel said she hopes for "clearly over 70, better 80%" of the German population to get vaccinated. Health Minister Jens Spahn said in a tweet that 55.1% of Germany is fully vaccinated.

From September, elderly and immunocompromised people will be eligible for a third, "booster" shot with an mRNA vaccine, according to the German health ministry.
(CNN)  For young children, the pandemic comes at a crucial time for developing skills important for empathy, safety and more  a phase that some parents worry will be impaired by mask-wearing.

"There are sensitive periods in early childhood development in which language development and emotional development are really rapidly developing for the first few years of life," said Ashley Ruba, a postdoctoral researcher in the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Child Emotion Lab.

Being able to use others' verbal or facial cues to figure out how someone is feeling or pick up on safe or dangerous aspects of environments and people is a critical task for young kids, Ruba added.

Concerns that wearing masks might interfere with these natural learning experiences and communication skills have been studied before the pandemic.

When children ages 3 to 8 viewed faces covered with face masks, they didn't show any impairment in classifying the expressions, according to a 2012 study published in the journal Cognition. This suggested that children under 9 preferred studying the eyes area even when they could see full faces, the researchers wrote.

During the pandemic, Ruba, too, has studied whether masks affected children's abilities to understand facial expressions.

Ruba and her coauthor showed more than 80 children ages 7 to 13 photos of faces that were unobstructed, covered by a surgical mask or wearing sunglasses. The faces displayed sadness, anger or fear.

When asked to assign one of six emotions to each face, the children were correct about uncovered faces 66% of the time, the researchers found. When faces were covered by masks, the children had trouble but were able to correctly identify sadness roughly 28% of the time, anger 27% and fear 18%, which was more than the odds (about 17%) of correctly guessing one emotion from the six labels.

Given these findings and children's innate flexibility in adapting to challenges or catching up, some experts aren't suspecting any long-term effects of mask-wearing on children's development.

"I think once masks are gone or almost gone, whatever impact it has, we'll quickly recover," said Dr. Hugh Bases, a clinical associate professor of pediatrics at Hassenfeld Children's Hospital at NYU Langone Health.

If children's "social and language development is a little bit slower, which it could be, balancing that with the risk of someone dying of the coronavirus -- when all the evidence we have indicates that they will catch up and they will be OK -- just doesn't seem worth it to me," said Amy Learmonth, a professor of psychology at William Paterson University in New Jersey.

"I look at the numbers of people who have died in this country, and it's horrifying."

Differences among ages and learning styles

From birth, babies learn how to communicate by observing their loved ones' faces, mouths and voices and trying to respond, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

"What your 6-year-old is learning is about things like sarcasm and meaning. What your 1-year-old is learning is, like, that thing with four legs that runs around the house is called 'dog,' " Learmonth said.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention hasn't recommended that children younger than 2 wear masks. For children younger than 18 months, learning how to communicate through visual cues is "probably more important because learning a new word when you don't have any is complicated," Learmonth added.

If you're worried about your child's lingual and social development during the pandemic, just ensure you set aside time to talk with your child face-to-face when you're at home and not wearing a mask, Learmonth suggested.

"For most of our kids, as long as they're getting interaction with their parents in the morning and in the evening, they're going to be OK." These interactions could be during baths, playtime or meals.

Additionally, "conversation often is more than just the actual verbal content," Bases said.

Other elements such as vocal inflection or physical gestures not obscured by masks can add to the context that helps children develop communication skills. Young children, including those who are visually impaired, will use other clues or senses to understand and learn language, according to AAP.

One concern, however, is for kids whose lingual or social development is atypical, Learmonth said.

"Anyone who is just a little behind in language development or a little behind in understanding social cues -- what concerns me is that they will fall further behind," she added.

"Because unlike a typically developing child who is probably all right with only four or five hours of full-face interaction a day, a child who's struggling is going to need all they can get and more," Learmonth said.

When parents can help

To better communicate with a child while wearing a mask, the AAP recommends adults get the child's attention before speaking, face the child directly with no physical or noise barriers in the way and speak slowly and louder, but not shouting, if needed.

You can add contextual information to your words by using your hands, body language and tone of voice. Depending on the response, ask whether your child understood and repeat yourself if necessary.

If you have concerns about your child's language development skills now or later, seek evaluation from certified speech-language pathologists. Some of them are still practicing in-person while wearing clear masks or virtually, according to the AAP.

"As speech-language pathologists working with children with communication disorders, our transition to the new normal of communicating with face masks was quick and smooth," wrote India-based speech-language pathologists Divya Swaminathan and Shoba Meera in an October 2020 article.

The "greater good" of protecting one another, teachers and families "far outweighs the potential theoretical issue that might come up as a result of wearing face masks," Bases said.

"Kids adjust, they adapt, and when they don't have to wear them, they'll adapt again. ... It's a very fluid, dynamic kind of learning. And development is obviously not linear. There's ups and downs, even in days before face masks."

Another encouragement is that children living in cultures where face coverings are the norm still learn to communicate, Learmonth said. "There are lots of ways across the world to speak to small children, and they all work."
(CNN) -- Students heading back to the classroom for the new school year will be contending with one of the most dangerous times in the pandemic for children. And officials will have to consider many measures to keep them safe from Covid-19, a US expert said.

"We have the more contagious Delta variant, we have surges and we have so many adults letting down their guard, not wearing masks, not getting vaccinated," Dr. Leana Wen told CNN's Wolf Blitzer on Tuesday. "That's contributing to this really dangerous environment for children."

The good news is vaccination rates are up in the US. About 500,000 people on average are initiating their vaccinations each day, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Health experts say that the vaccines are an important step for slowing or stopping the spread of the virus, and the more transmissible Delta variant.

But children under 12 are still not eligible for vaccines, and for those newly vaccinated, it takes about six weeks from the first dose to take full effect, many children could still be vulnerable when they start the new school year.

"My concerns are deep and I'm very concerned," President Joe Biden said when asked about school-aged children returning to the classroom and whether schools might not be able to stay open.

"I also understand that the reason children are becoming infected is because, in most cases, they live in low-vaccination rate states and communities and they're getting it from unvaccinated adults. That's what's happening. And so my plea is that for those not vaccinated, think about it."

It's possible that a Covid-19 vaccine will be available for children under the age of 12 before the end of 2021, US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy said Wednesday.

"Make no mistake, the FDA will move quickly on this because they recognize what's at stake. It's the health of our children, and there's really nothing more important than that," Murthy told CNN's Wolf Blitzer.

Before the FDA can evaluate a vaccine for children under 12, Murthy said, companies must complete their trials, collect the data and submit applications to the agency.

Whereas the elderly were once considered the population most vulnerable to the virus, the age constraints around vaccinations have left children most at risk now, CNN medical analyst Dr. Jonathan Reiner told CNN's Don Lemon.

Wen said that it's clear what's required to make school safe for children -- layers of protection.

When one layer is removed, like when social distancing is foregone so students can gather in a classroom, the other layers of virus protection become even more crucial, she said. Those layers include at least a three-ply surgical mask, improved ventilation, vaccination and testing.

"Putting all that together is how we can get kids back in school safely," Wen said.

The clock is ticking to authorize vaccines for children, expert says

Currently, Covid-19 vaccines are only authorized for people 12 and older, but many experts and officials have called for the efforts to approve vaccines for younger children to be expedited before more children are infected.

"I think the clock is ticking. As we move to late fall and early winter, you want a vaccine for young children," Dr. Paul Offit, a vaccine adviser to the US Food and Drug Administration, told CNN's Erica Hill. "I certainly hope we have one in place by then, because children need this."

The FDA understands the public health impact of having a vaccine for young children but wants to see the necessary data before deciding, said Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

In the meantime, Offit noted that children who are still too young to receive the vaccine are relying on the eligible adults and adolescents around them to help protect them by getting vaccinated -- which many have yet to do.

"I think as adults, we've really let our children down here," said Offit.

Mandates debates as students return to classrooms

Until vaccines can be administered to younger kids, some officials are hoping that masks will help decrease the spread of the virus.

A majority of parents say they are opposed to schools requiring their children be vaccinated against Covid-19, but are much more accepting of mask mandates, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation Vaccine Monitor poll published Wednesday.

Of the parents of school-aged children in the US, 63% said that their child's school should require unvaccinated students and staff wear masks, according to the poll. Some 36% of the parents said schools should not have a mask requirement for the unvaccinated.

In Oklahoma, Santa Fe South Schools announced that it will require masks at school beginning Thursday, defying a law the state Legislature passed last year.

"Exemptions will be made only for those who have a physician's documentation stating that wearing of a mask is not recommended for that individual," Superintendent Chris Brewster said in a letter posted on the district website.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced Tuesday that masks will be required in K-12 schools, pre-K and child care facilities.

"We are to the point where we cannot allow our kids to go into these buildings unprotected, unvaccinated and face this Delta variant," Beshear said. "So, I'm going to have the courage to do what I know is right to protect our children."

In Illinois, Gov. J.B. Pritzker compared enforcing mask mandates to schools enforcing a dress code.

Asked about what schools should do when students don't wear masks, Pritzker said, "Well, school districts have been enforcing dress codes for many, many years and so they're expected simply to do the same thing they've been doing literally for decades."

In Florida, Orange County Public Schools received about 8,200 mask opt-out notes on the first day of school, according to school district spokesperson Sara Au. The requests represents roughly 4% of the student population, she said.

The school district kicked off the school year Tuesday with a mask mandate that allows students to opt out of the requirement.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order last month prohibiting school districts from requiring mask use, a move former White House Covid-19 adviser Andy Slavitt said is dangerous.

"When school districts try to do the right thing, and he overrules them, he's both overruling conservative principles of local control, but more importantly, he's putting kids at real risk," Slavitt told CNN.

Leon County Public Schools in Tallahassee started the school year Wednesday with a parent opt-out in its mask mandate for K-12 students, changing course from a requirement it announced last week.

Superintendent Rocky Hanna said the district will no longer require a doctor's signature but will require parents to sign opt-out paperwork. The requirement is temporary with plans to reevaluate it just before Labor Day.

Hanna said the district also plans to seek legal counsel and "if we see that things change one iota, then we then have the clearance to step in as a local board exercising home rule and enact more of a mandate immediately."

At a meeting Tuesday night, Hanna and school board members expressed concerns about being replaced by DeSantis if they did not follow the law. According to the district, the governor could use statutory authority.

DeSantis, in a statement, welcomed the decision by Leon County, saying the state will monitor all districts closely "to ensure that students are not separated or treated differently due to their parents' decision to have them wear a mask or not."

In the northeastern part of the state, Duval County Public Schools reported that the district received about 8,200 mask "opt out" submissions, or about 6% of the total student enrollment of 131,825, according to district spokesperson Sonya Duke-Bolden.

Florida is already is suffering under surging Covid-19 cases. In recent days, the federal government has sent 200 of ventilators to Florida as the state sees some of the highest hospitalization rates per capita in the nation, a health administration official confirmed.

Effects felt in hospitals across the country

The effects of the spread of the variant can be seen in hospitals around the US.

In West Virginia, there were more than 100 Covid-19 patients in hospital ICUs for the first time since February 8, according to Gov. Jim Justice.

"Buckle up just a little bit West Virginia," Justice told reporters Wednesday.

There were 275 people with Covid-19 hospitalized and 114 Covid-19 patients in the ICU, according to Justice.

At Children's Hospital New Orleans, 18 children are hospitalized with Covid-19 and six are in the pediatric ICU. The number of children fighting the disease is unlike anything the hospital has seen at any other time in the pandemic, nurse Kendal Jaffe told CNN's Nick Valencia.

"Over the last year, we hadn't seen as many kids get acute Covid lung disease as much as we are seeing now," she said. "The Delta variant is definitely hitting them a lot harder, a lot faster than we'd seen in the past."

One patient, Nelson, 17, is struggling to breathe and his parents thought he was going to die when they brought him in. Elsewhere in the hospital, a girl who hasn't even celebrated her second birthday is in the ICU.

Health care professionals treating adults are feeling the pressure as well.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services on Tuesday announced that the state had experienced its largest single-day jump in ICU admissions since the beginning of the pandemic, and that weekly Covid-19 hospitalizations among residents ages 20 to 49 are now at an all-time high.

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Tuesday that the state's hospitals are under stress.

"I keep looking for a breaking point where we might start going down again, and even though there's been some national predictions on that, we just don't see it in the data yet. You can see that we continue to increase, week after week, in our cases," he said.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story used the incorrect state when referring to Orange County Public Schools. That school district is in Florida.

This story was first published on CNN.com "Here's why now is one of the most dangerous times of the pandemic for children, expert says".
Source: Adobe/Nuthawut

Two of Japans biggest crypto business groups have launched a joint bid to persuade the government to revise its crypto tax laws. Japanese law currently stipulates that crypto traders must pay levies of up to 55% on their profits.

However, a number of players in the sector  as some opposition MPs  have directly challenged the government to reform the rate of tax, usually drawing relatively evasive responses from the finance ministry.

But the new effort from the Japan Cryptoasset Business Association (JCBA) and the Japan Virtual and Crypto Asset Exchange Association (JVCEA  formerly the Japan Virtual Currency Trading Association), is attempting to change that. The parties have created a Tax Review Subcommittee, which they say will push for tax reform by 2022.

The organizations, per a press release, stopped short of calling for an outright reduction in tax rates, but instead argued for fairness of taxes and consistency within the system, ensuring competitiveness with overseas markets.

Japanese crypto tax law classifies crypto earnings as other or miscellaneous income  no matter whether tokens are accrued from trading, mining or lending. Rather than using a flax tax rate, other income is subject to a sliding tax rate that can rise up to 55% in the case of the highest tax band earners.

In many other nations, such as the UK and the USA, crypto tax mainly takes the form of capital gains levies of crypto converted to fiat.

The two organizations spoke of the need to compare Japans system with the tax systems of other countries, and claimed surveys showed that there was popular support for the idea of creating a system that is not inferior to other nations.

They wrote that under the current tax system, profits from cryptoassets are not taxed at a uniform tax rate, and loss carryforward from a previous year is not permitted  factors that hinders the promotion of proper and proactive filing patterns among the Japanese crypto community.

In addition to some of the countrys largest crypto trading platforms, including TaoTao, bitFlyer, BitBank, Rakuten Wallet, Coincheck the Line crypto subsidiary LVC and Huobi Japan, a number of powerful non-crypto firms have also put their names behind the movement, including Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu and a number of legal and auditing firms. The latter group includes PwC Aarata.

The organizations stated that their mission would be proposing concrete proposals for tax reform requests.

____

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WHO director predicts 100 million additional coronavirus cases worldwide

Jeenah Moon/Bloomberg Meisha Porter, chancellor of the New York City Department of Education, center left, and Danny Stephens, deputy commissioner for family and child health at the New York City Health Department, speak about the Vax to School campaign at a high school in New Yorks Staten Island on Tuesday.

World Health Organization Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus suggested Wednesday that unless things change, the world could see 100 million more cases of COVID-19 by the early months of next year.

At the current trajectory, we could pass 300 million cases early next year, he said during a media briefing. But we can change that. We are all in this together, but the world is not acting like it.

The number of recorded COVID-19 cases had reached 200 million last week, just six months after the world passed 100 million cases, Tedros noted, and we know that the real number of cases is much higher.

At the briefing, WHO officials emphasized that more research was being done on treatment for COVID-19 in an unprecedented multicountry trial called Solidarity Plus, which will look at the effectiveness of three new drugs in 52 countries.

Officials also said the spread of virulent variants such as delta would change assumptions about herd immunity and vaccination targets.

Theres no specific number or magic number that needs to be achieved. Its really related to how transmissible the virus is, said Katherine OBrien, director of the WHOs immunization department.

Whats been happening with coronavirus ... is that as variants are emerging and are more transmissible, it does mean that a higher fraction of people need to be vaccinated to likely achieve some level of herd immunity, OBrien said.

With the delta variant continuing to drive up cases in the United States, some state and local officials weighed mask mandates as President Joe Biden met at the White House Wednesday with business leaders who have actively encouraged vaccinations among their workers.

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, a Democrat, is expected Wednesday to put in place a statewide indoor mask mandate and to require vaccines for state employees, citing concerns over growing coronavirus cases due to the more transmissible delta variant.

The indoor mask mandate will make Oregon the third state  following Louisiana and Hawaii  to apply the measures to both vaccinated and unvaccinated people, as bans on mask and vaccine mandates play out in a number of Republican-run states such as Texas and Florida. Washington, D.C., also requires people to wear masks inside public places, regardless of vaccination status. Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak, a Democrat, last month mandated that face coverings be worn indoors in public settings in counties with substantial or high transmission.

There are two keys to saving lives, Brown said in a statement. Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and your family against severe illness, hospitalization, and death. And, by wearing masks, all of us  vaccinated and unvaccinated  can help ensure that a hospital bed staffed by health professionals is available for our loved ones in their time of need.

Brown also said stricter measures would ensure the return of children to classrooms with minimal disruptions in a few weeks and avoid a repeat of the darkest days of our winter surge.

Her decision comes as schools and political leaders battle over masks elsewhere. Floridas second-largest school system is now threatening legal action to challenge the ban on mask mandates by Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, and voted Tuesday to keep its own requirements in place for students and staff.

The Broward County School Board  which voted 8-1 on Tuesday to uphold its mask mandate despite DeSantis move to curb such restrictions and subsequent threat to stop paying superintendents and school board members who defy his orders  said in an evening news conference that it told its legal counsel to prepare a challenge.

We feel that we took an oath to protect and serve the people of Broward County, said Rosalind Osgood, chair of the school board. Our decision today to make masks mandatory is our way of doing that.

Political tensions with the federal government are heating up, too: The Biden administration is looking into whether it can direct unused stimulus funds to support educators in Florida who may defy the governors order against mask mandates in schools.

DeSantis recently threatened financial consequences for district-level officials who implement mask mandates despite his order banning them. Florida has become a national hot spot for coronavirus cases. The federal government has sent hundreds of ventilators to help Florida respond to the crisis, NBC News reported, citing officials at the Department of Health and Human Services.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki described Bidens meeting as a way of lifting up private-sector companies who are taking steps  through carrots and sticks, through incentives, and through mandates in some cases.

The session included leaders of United Airlines, Kaiser Permanente, Howard University and DESA Inc., a professional services firm based in Columbia, S.C. Administration officials said they hoped to spur other companies to follow their lead in prodding employees to get vaccinated.

I wouldnt say it was meant to be a decision meeting, as much as a discussion about best practices, Psaki said. And hopefully they can be a model for others.

Asked if Biden believes all companies should impose vaccine mandates on their workers, Psaki demurred.

The presidents position is that every company should take a look at how to protect their workforces, and there are going to be different carrots and sticks that can be used by different private sector entities, she said.

Also in D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat, announced Tuesday that all city employees and contractors will be required to be vaccinated or undergo weekly testing for the coronavirus, with vaccination required for new employees.

And the nations top infectious-disease expert, Anthony Fauci, threw his weight behind vaccine mandates for teachers.

We are in a critical situation now, Fauci said on MSNBCs Morning Joe on Tuesday when asked if teachers should be required to get vaccinated against the coronavirus. Acknowledging the polarization, Fauci replied, Im going to upset some people on this, but I think we should.

Some schools are already following his advice. The San Francisco Unified School District announced Tuesday it would require vaccinations for all its approximately 10,000 staff, starting Sept. 7. Employees who are unvaccinated will be required to get tested weekly for the virus.

Given that we are in the midst of rising cases and new variants in our community, a vaccine requirement is a necessary step to keeping our students, staff and families safe, Superintendent Vincent Matthews said in a statement.

But about half of parents nationally are holding off on coronavirus vaccinations for their children, taking a wait-and-see attitude or, for many, opposing the shots outright, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation poll released Wednesday.

There was also significant opposition to schools mandating the vaccines for children ages 12 to 17  a group now eligible for the shots under emergency Food and Drug Administration authorization. Nearly 6 in 10 parents oppose a vaccine mandate to attend in-person classes, the poll found.
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Students during break time at a school in the northern Bac Giang Province, January 19, 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Duong Tam.

As the ongoing Covid-19 wave grows ever complex, many localities have decided to have students start their new academic year later than usual.

Vietnamese schools normally welcome back students in mid-August after a three-month summer break, before an official ceremony is held on September 5.

By Thursday, only 19 out of 63 localities in Vietnam had issued plans to start the new school year of 2021-2022.

Among them is Binh Duong Province that borders Ho Chi Minh City.

Currently the second-worst hit locality after the southern metropolis, Binh Duong has decided to have students of all grades start their new school year on Sept. 1.

However, the province said students might have to study online for the first two months as for now, some schools are still used as Covid-19 centralized quarantine facilities.

An Giang Province in Mekong Delta will have first graders start school on Aug. 30 and the rest on Sept. 1.

For now, the delta with 13 localities is also severely affected by the ongoing wave.

The remaining 17 localities with plans for the upcoming school year are the northern provinces of Son La, Phu Tho, Bac Giang, Ninh Binh, Yen Bai, Tuyen Quang, Bac Kan, Hung Yen, Hoa Binh, Lao Cai, Ha Nam and Dien Bien; central provinces of Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh and Gia Lai; and Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province that borders HCMC.

Son La is the one that will have students end their summer break the earliest.

Starting Aug. 16, all students in the province will return to school except for kindergarteners, who will go to school on Sept. 1.

Others on the list will have their students go to school on Sept. 1, although some will have first graders start school on Aug. 23 or 25.

Currently, many localities, especially those imposing the strictest social distancing measures in line with Directive 16, which does not allow gatherings of more than two people in public and requires people to only leave home for essential purposes, including HCMC and Hanoi, have yet to come up with plans for the new school year.

The Ministry of Education and Training on Aug. 4 issued a framework for the 2021-2022 school year for provinces and cities to build their own appropriate plans.

Students at all levels will return to school on Sept. 1 at the earliest, with the timeline being Aug. 23 for first graders.

The head of the People's Committee in each locality would decide the time for students to resume schooling, though the date should differ no more than 15 days from the ministry's.
Da Nang is considering banning people from leaving their homes for a week amid rising coronavirus infections.

Nguyen Van Quang, secretary of Da Nang's Party Committee, on Thursday said Covid-19 is making steady progress across the city. Within just one month, from July 10 to Aug. 11, Da Nang has recorded 1,473 coronavirus cases with 13 deaths, he said.

With around 60-80 new cases being recorded daily on average this month and no sign of decrease, the municipal Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control on Wednesday held a meeting to discuss a potential order to make people "stay where they are" should the situation fail to improve in four days.

The hypothetical order would essentially mean people would not be allowed to leave their homes, Quang said. Companies, factories and construction sites would only operate if staff were to remain at work for seven days without leaving.

During the week-long order, authorities would perform mass Covid-19 testing throughout the city to detect and isolate coronavirus cases.

"It is a measure that the city hopes not to apply. If it does happen, people should not panic and hoard goods to prevent large crowds," Quang said, adding authorities should ensure food supplies and other necessities.

Da Nang, home to more than 1.1 million people, has applied a series of social distancing measures since early May in response to the new coronavirus wave, such as banning people from going to the beach or suspending activities involving large crowds. Starting July 31, the city has also undergone a strict social distancing order where people could only go out for "essential reasons" and must carry approval documents.

The central Vietnam city, the epicenter of the coronavirus wave in July and August last year, has recorded 1,723 local Covid-19 cases ever since the fourth wave hit Vietnam in late April.
France said Thursday it would send 670,000 Covid-19 vaccine doses to Vietnam under global access mechanism Covax while Hungary has pledged to send 100,000 doses.

"To win against the pandemic, vaccine access needs to be global and equitable. That is why France has just shared 670,000 vaccine doses with Vietnam as part of the Covax program," French president Emmanuel Macron tweeted.

Hungary government on Wednesday announced to gift Vietnam 100,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine and 100,000 Covid-19 rapid test kits, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

The support adds to similar assistance provided by several countries and international organizations, including the U.S. and the WHO.

Since the fourth wave hit on April 27, Vietnam has recorded 242,552 infections in 62 cities and provinces.

The country has vaccinated over 12 million people with at least one Covid-19 vaccine shot. Over one million have been fully vaccinated.

Vietnam aims to cover 70 percent of its 96 million population with around 150 million vaccine doses by next year.
A healthcare worker holds a vial of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine at a pop-up vaccination site operated by SOMOS Community Care during the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic in Manhattan in New York City, New York, U.S., January 29, 2021. Photo by Reuters/Mike Segar.

HCMC is in negotiations to buy five million doses of the Moderna vaccine from an authorized distributor and is hoping to get two million doses delivered by October.

Duong Anh Duc, deputy chairman of the municipal People's Committee, said Wednesday that negotiations were ongoing with Zuellig Pharma Vietnam Co. Ltd, which represents U.S. pharmaceutical firm Moderna in Vietnam.

Zuellig Pharma had told the Health Ministry in May that it could provide five million Moderna vaccine doses for Vietnam. At that time, the ministry had said it supported HCMC purchasing it.

On Wednesday morning, the HCMC administration said that it has assigned Saigon Pharmaceutical Company Limited (Sapharco) and VinaCapital Ventures to negotiate the deal.

Sapharco has said it is waiting for Moderna representatives to move forward with negotiations and contracts to purchase the vaccines. If everything goes well, the vaccine doses should reach the city either in the last quarter of this year or the first quarter of the next.

Both VinaCapital and Sapharco have requested that at least two million Moderna doses are delivered this October, and are negotiating to have at least 10 million additional doses by the second quarter of next year as booster shots.

Ho Chi Minh City has also requested the health ministry to evaluate localities' demands for the Moderna vaccine to order more doses if needed.

Vietnam has vaccinated around 11.3 million people with at least one shot of Covid-19 vaccines. Over a million people have been fully vaccinated.

The country aims to achieve herd immunity by next year through vaccinating 70 percent of its 96 million population.
Da Nang closed central Vietnam's largest wholesale market Thursday after detecting the novel coronavirus in some vendors and shoppers.

After the Hoa Cuong wholesale market in Hai Chau District ended its morning session at 6 a.m., over 1,300 vendors inside were tested for Covid-19 and all goods taken out of the area before the market suspended operations.

"When exactly the market will reopen depends on the coronavirus test results, from which authorities will draw conclusions about risks at the market," said Diep Hoang Thong Anh, head of the market management board.

This is the first time the market has been closed since the novel coronavirus first appeared in Vietnam early last year.

Starting 3 p.m., trucks and other vehicles that carry goods to the market were instructed to gather at the Da Nang Center Expo on Cach Mang Thang Tam Street so the goods could be distributed, ensuring unbroken food supply chains.

Hoa Cuong is Da Nang's main wholsesale market with over 1,400 vendors. It provides the city with around 300-330 tons of fruits and vegetables each day, and is the largest agriculture produce wholesale market in all of central Vietnam. Most of the goods come from the Central Highlands and the south central provinces.

On Wednesday and Thursday, six coronavirus cases were detected at the market among vendors and shoppers, according to the Da Nang Department of Health.

On Thursday alone, Da Nang recorded 78 new local Covid-19 cases, including 16 community transmissions. The city has recorded 1,801 Covid-19 cases since the fourth wave hit Vietnam in late April.

More cases are expected in the coming days, despite the fact that the city has already gone through 12 days of social distancing.

The city planned to impose a strict seven-day lockdown, under which people will not be allowed to leave their homes, if the situation does not improve in the coming days.
A beach on Phu Quoc Island is seen from above, January 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh.

The southern province of Kien Giang has facilitated the return of six French students stuck on Phu Quoc Island by expediting procedures and enabling passage through Covid-19 checkpoints.

Phu Quoc officials said the students left the island to the mainland town of Ha Tien by ferry on Wednesday. From there, they were taken to HCMC by car, local media reported. They were scheduled to board a flight from HCMC to return to France at 3:50 p.m. Thursday.

Before leaving Phu Quoc, all of them tested negative for Covid-19.

Earlier, the French Consulate General in HCMC had sent a diplomatic note to Kien Giang authorities, asking them to facilitate completion of procedures and help the stranded French students pass through Covid checkpoints so that they could get to HCMC in time for their repatriation flight.

The students had entered Vietnam on April 24 and stayed in Hanoi. They had traveled to Phu Quoc Island on July 15 as tourists and got stuck there after Kien Giang Province and other southern localities imposed strict social distancing orders on July 19.

Currently, there are about 400 foreigners in Phu Quoc, working on investment projects or for high-class resorts.

Phu Quoc, Vietnam's largest island, has become a top tourist destination after the government rolled out a 30-day visa-free policy for foreigners in 2014.

In 2019, before the onset of the pandemic, it received over five million visitors, including 541,600 foreigners.

Vietnam closed its borders and canceled all international flights in March last year. Only Vietnamese repatriates, foreign experts, diplomats, investors, highly-skilled workers and students have been allowed in since with stringent quarantine requirements.
" " An Amazon Kindle e-reader is seen in a bookstore in 2019 in Qingdao, Shandong Province of China. Visual China Group via Getty Images

In 2007, the internet commerce company Amazon introduced a $399 electronic book (e-book) reader called the Kindle. The Kindle wasn't the first dedicated e-book reader device, but it didn't really have much competition  there wasn't a huge demand in the market for e-book readers before the Kindle's launch.

The Kindle took off because it had one big advantage over other e-book readers: Amazon itself. The Kindle enjoys a seamless integration with the retail giant's online store, which hosts millions of titles in electronic format.

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Because Kindles are wireless, you can access the store without connecting the device to a computer. You can buy a book or subscribe to an electronic version of a newspaper on Amazon and download it directly to the Kindle. Amazon also has a large customer base, which means a big audience for e-books  and lots of publishers and self-published authors wanting to jump into that market. These factors give the Kindle a leg up on the competition.

Why would you want to use an e-book reader in the first place? One reason is that a single e-book reader can hold many titles. The $90 Kindle, Amazon's base model, comes with 8GB of storage. Although there's no standard size for e-books, it's safe to say that that 8GB is enough memory to hold thousands of titles. The original Kindle had a port that allowed users to save titles to a memory card, extending the device's capacity, but then again it only had 250MB of RAM built in. Today's models do not have card slots, but you can get the Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Oasis configured with up to 32GB storage. Amazon offers free online storage for all of its content, so you may have a backup plan if you somehow run out of space.

That memory capacity also makes Kindle readers very convenient for travelers. With a Kindle, you don't have to worry about packing heavy books in your luggage to keep you occupied for your whole trip. A single Kindle can hold more than enough titles to tide you over. And if you decide you want something completely different midway through your travels (as long as you're traveling in the United States or a country in which Amazon offers service for its international Kindle), you can always use the Kindle to access Amazon's store and buy a new book.

The Kindle also has several functions that you may find helpful while reading. You can bookmark a page, highlight a selection of text, type notes or look up words in the dictionary as you read.

Interestingly, the biggest users of Kindles are baby boomers and older people who like the ability to make their book print larger. Millennials and member of Gen Z seem to prefer paperbound books when they decide to read. However, a report from the National Endowment for the Arts said that 44.5 percent of adults in its survey said they read or listened to books in digital formats. Only 25.1 percent said that they read only print books.
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- IRS sends out $15 billion in the second round of Child Tax Credit payments

- Child Tax Credit roll-out linked to drop in food insufficiency, says US Census Bureau report

- Households with children experience 3% drop in food insufficiency following first Child Tax Credit payment

- Prospect of fourth fourth stimulus check could be affected by July jobs data (Full story)

- Nearly 3m signatures now accrued in petition for recurring stimulus checks (Full story)

Useful information / links

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Have a read of some of our related news articles:
Source: ADB

The satellite clinics are expected to decongest patient load at the National Referral Hospital and streamline the referral pathway.



The satellite clinics will aid in narrowing the gap in terms of improving access to health care and outreach services in urban pockets of the capital, said Health Minister Lyonpo Dasho Dechen Wangmo, who graced the event.



The construction of the satellite clinic at Babena and four other clinics will contribute to improved primary health care services in underserved areas. Specifically, the clinics in Thimphu are expected to decongest the patient flow at the national referral hospital, said Officer-in-Charge of ADBs Bhutan Resident Mission Ricardo Carlos Barba.



The project aims to improve equity, efficiency, and sustainability of Bhutans health system by augmenting access to primary health care services and improving the existing health information system. It supports the key result areas of Bhutans Twelfth Five-Year Plan, 20182023 in creating a healthier nation through free, equitable, and quality health care for every Bhutanese./.
MOSCOW, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin discussed results of recent bilateral consultations on strategic stability during a phone call on Wednesday.

The officials also exchanged views on issues of global and regional security, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a brief statement.

U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed at their first summit in Geneva in June to launch a Strategic Stability Dialogue to lay the groundwork for future arms control and risk reduction measures.

The first round of such dialogue was held in Geneva on July 28, when both sides discussed approaches to maintaining strategic stability, the prospects for arms control and measures to reduce risks.

Editor: Zhang Zhou
TEHRAN, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday urged for "decisive" measures to deal with the recent surges in the cases and deaths of COVID-19 in the country, according to the leader's official website.

"The loss of more than 500 lives in one day and the grief of their families, as well as the infection of tens of thousands of people with their diseases and their medical problems, are really very painful ... so we have duties to deal with it," said Khamenei in his televised message.

He lauded the Iranian president's one-week deadline to making decisions about the issue of coronavirus resurgence, saying that "necessary action should be decided and acted upon decisively."

Khamenei also stressed the need to expand diagnostic tests and asked the government and insurance companies to make diagnostic tests available to all people free of charge.

Moreover, vaccines, whether imported or domestically-produced, should be provided earnestly and made available to all people, he stressed.

The armed forces also should do their best to help the people in dealing with the disease control, he said, advising people "to follow the (health) directives completely so that their own lives and the health of others are not endangered."

On Wednesday, Iran registered 42,541 COVID-19 cases, taking the country's total infections to 4,281,217.

According to Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education, the pandemic has so far claimed 95,647 lives in the country, after 536 new deaths were registered in the past 24 hours.

A total of 3,618,224 people have recovered from the disease or been discharged from hospitals across the country, while 6,932 remain in intensive care units, the ministry said.

By Wednesday, 13,893,310 people have received the first dose of coronavirus vaccine in the country, while 3,401,487 have taken two doses.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Wednesday asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to activate measures for the increase in imports of the coronavirus vaccine.

The government and all the institutions of the establishment, including the armed forces, must work with all their capacity to tackle the immediate issue of the COVID-19, said Raisi in the cabinet meeting, according to official IRNA news agency.

The Iranian health authorities have warned of an alarming situation in the country amid the resurgence of a new variant of the disease, if new controlling measures have not been imposed and vaccination does not speed up.

Editor: Zhang Zhou
A team of state concern Ukroboronprom visited the United States, where it held a number of working meetings and bilateral negotiations with leading U.S. defense companies.

According to the state concern's press service, the trip took place in preparation for the visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the United States and with the support of the Ukrainian Embassy in the United States in conjunction with the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council.

"The adoption of bill No. 3822 and the reform of the defense industry industry open up new opportunities for military and technical cooperation with our strategic partners. Raising investments, technology transfer and joint ventures to strengthen the Ukrainian defense industry, as well as strengthening joint positions in the global arms market are the steps that we are offering to our colleagues in the United States," Ukroboronprom CEO Yuriy Husev said.

The concern also believes the visit of the President of Ukraine to Washington on August 30 will open up new opportunities and allow moving to a higher level of cooperation between countries, in particular in the defense sector.
The government of Ukraine is dealing with the problem of a solar power plant of Ekotekhnik Nikopol LLC belonged to the Canadian investor TIU Canada disconnected from the grid and proposes to solve it by connecting the solar power plant to another point, First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy Oleksiy Liubchenko has said.

"Supposedly, everything should be formally resolved at the judicial level, but we posed the question in a different way: to find an opportunity to connect to another point. Specialists are now working it out," he said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

According to Liubchenko, the rules of the National Energy and Utilities Regulatory Commission of Ukraine (NEURC) and other regulations should be configured in such a way that "no one would even have a thought to violate them."

"And a private owner will cope better than the state. But the state can also take responsibility for the regional power suppliers' work as an owner, especially when it comes to threats to national security," he said.

As reported, the 10.5 MW power plant of TIU Canada was disconnected by the Nikopol Ferroalloy Plant (NFP) from the power grid of on March 2, 2020. TIU Canada said that NFP took advantage of the fact that the plant was connected to a substation located on its territory, and explained the need for shutdown by repair work. The shutdown caused the company in excess of EUR 1.5 million in losses, which continue to grow. TIU Canada challenged these actions in courts, but lost the lower court hearings, and the legal dispute dragged on.
Ukraine has every opportunity to become one of the ten largest world exporters of weapons in the near future, Director General of the Ukroboronprom State Concern Yuriy Husev has said.

"Now Ukraine is one of the twenty largest world arms exporters, and we have all the tendencies to enter the top ten in the near future. And Ukroboronprom this year returned to the top hundred of the world's largest defense industrial companies," Husev said during International Defense Investment Forum on Thursday in Kyiv.

The head of Ukroboronprom also said that Ukraine, based on limited spending on security and defense, needs today to focus on creating weapons for asymmetric deterring possible aggression.

"Three main of them include the missile program of Ukraine, high-precision weapons and anti-ship missile systems [the first]. And we, together with the government, on behalf of the president, are already working on this issue; radar systems, reconnaissance systems, cyber security and cyber defense systems, air defense systems, the latest technical means for forces of special operations. And third  unmanned aerial, land and sea vehicles," the head of the state concern said.
Over the past day, Russian-occupation forces carried out eight attacks in Donbas, as a result of which a civilian was killed and a Ukrainian soldier was wounded. Since the beginning of the current day, no ceasefire violations have been recorded, the press center of the Joint Force Operation (JFO) headquarters said.

"Over the past day, on August 11, in the area of the Joint Force Operation, the Russian armed formations violated the ceasefire eight times [...]. As a result of the shelling of Novoselivka 2, a local resident of 1935 died and the private houses of residents and adjacent households were damaged [...] one soldier received firearms Shrapnel wounds. The soldier is in a medical facility, his health is satisfactory," the JFO said in the morning report on the headquarters Facebook page on Thursday.

The enemy carried out shelling using artillery systems of 122-mm caliber, automatic heavy anti-tank, hand-held anti-tank grenade launchers, large-caliber machine guns and small arms.

The headquarters saidd that as a result of the shelling of Novomykhailivka, the territory of the farm and the power line were damaged, which led to a blackout in the settlements of Taramchuk, Slavne, Sladke, Novomykhailivka. In addition, the settlement of Novomykhailivka was left without water supply.

"As of 07:00 on August 12, no ceasefire violations were recorded," the headquarters said.
On August 11, the court completed the examination of evidence in the case against two persons accused of complicity in the premeditated murder of former deputy of the Russian State Duma Denis Voronenkov, and proceeded to debate, Kyiv city prosecutor's office said on Facebook.

"During the debate, the prosecutor asked the court to find the accused guilty of complicity in the commission of the premeditated murder of Denis Voronenkov out of mercenary motives by a group of persons, committed to order (Part 5 of Article 27, clause 6, 11, 12, Part 2 of Article 115 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine) and in addition, to find one of the accused also guilty of illegal possession of weapons, sentencing the latter to three years in prison (Part 1 of Article 263 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine)," the prosecutor's office said.

At the next session, the court plans to hear the defense.

As reported, Voronenkov was killed in the center of Kyiv on March 23, 2017. The killer Pavel Parshov was wounded by the former deputy's bodyguard and subsequently died in the hospital. The murderer Voronenkov had an accomplice, Yaroslav Levenets, since 2012 wanted for economic crimes. Yaroslav Tarasenko is also suspected of complicity in the murder; he was arrested on July 16. Another detainee, Aleksandr Los, was a co-organizer of the crime together with Levenets, namely, he organized two drivers and a killer. Tarasenko was the driver of the Lanos in which the killer arrived.
Kuleba on Lavrov's arrival in Crimea: Rain pours down against Russian invaders, and a hail storm is on it's way

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, commenting on the visit of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to the temporarily occupied Crimea, said that even a downpour is against the Russian invaders, but the Crimea Platform summit will take place rain or shine.

"Even rain pours down on the Russian invaders, and the hail storm hasn't yet arrived. The Crimea Platform summit [in Kyiv] will take place rain or shine," Kuleba said on Twitter, commenting on media reports about Lavrov's arrival in Crimea, where he meets with the participants of the Tavrida youth forum in Sudak.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Oleh Nikolenko called a comment by the Russian Foreign Ministry about the concern over the situation in Donbas as an attempt to "lay the blame on somebody else" and expressed the hope that Russia "will inevitably abandon the logic of war."

"The Russian Federation is desperately trying to shift the blame. The conscientious fulfillment of the peace obligations it has undertaken is increasingly being replaced by loud political statements. The Russian Federation has an opportunity, not in words, but in deeds, to prove its political will to end its armed conflict with Ukraine: to issue an order to the armed groups under its control in Donbas to adhere to the ceasefire regime, to stop sabotaging the work of the Trilateral Contact Group, and to unblock the implementation of decisions of the Normandy format leaders," Nikolenko said in a commentary to Interfax-Ukraine on Thursday.

The Foreign Ministry stressed that residents of the temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories "need an alternative to the destructive policy of the 'Russian world,'" and Moscow must "finally realize that it is impossible to build peace on Russian tanks."

"Together with partners, Ukraine will continue to work on neutralizing joint security threats, improving the well-being of the affected population on both sides of the contact line, and returning to the active agenda of the Crimea problem. And in the future we are determined to achieve progress within political and diplomatic settlement of the Russian-Ukrainian armed conflict. We hope that the logic of war will inevitably be abandoned by Russia as well," the ministry said.

Earlier on the website of the Russian Foreign Ministry there was the comment about "concerns" in the east of Ukraine.

"In the political sphere, instead of settling the conflict in Donbas, the Ukrainian authorities continue to take steps that only complicate the already deadlock situation in the negotiation process," the message says.

Also, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that "the concern is caused by the policy of Ukraine to inculcate the ideology of national intolerance, primarily in relation to the Russians."
The Turkish manufacturer of drones Baykar is developing an investment project to build a research center for advanced technologies in aerospace engineering and a production center for drone assembly in Ukraine, Deputy Director General for Investments Natalya Ozden has said.

"Baykar intends to invest in Ukraine, and is currently developing a corresponding investment project," she said during the International Defense Investment Forum in Kyiv.

According to her, the project provides for 100% investment by Baykar in the creation of a new research and development center, the creation of production facilities and drone assembly, as well as maintenance and repair shops with accompanying services.

At the same time, according to Ozden, there is a need for discussion about the incentives existing in Ukraine to support investors, in particular, those provided for by the laws on supporting projects with significant investments (the law on investment nannies) and on industrial parks.

"Investors want to come to Ukraine, and there are laws on supporting projects with significant investments, on industrial parks. But they do not work yet, we expect mechanisms for their implementation, and if we compare these projects, we see that the law on industrial parks provides more advantages than the law on investment projects," she said.

She recalled that the law on investment nannies provides up to 30% of assistance from the state, but stressed that a foreign investor, when choosing a country for investment, compares several countries and opportunities, and chooses the most appropriate incentives for him.

Baykar was founded more than 30 years ago, and during this time has gone from a manufacturer of car parts to the world's leading manufacturer of drones with 1,600 employees.
Some 29% of Ukrainians never visit Kharkiv, but every third would like to live there  poll

KYIV. Aug 12 (Interfax-Ukraine)  Some 29% of Ukrainians have never been to Kharkiv, with 7% visiting the city frequently, 18% occasionally and 46% rarely, according to a sociological survey conducted by sociologists at Karazin Kharkiv National University together with New Image Marketing Group from May 19 to May 27 and presented at the Interfax-Ukraine press center on Thursday.

At the same time, 19% of Kyiv residents often visit Kharkiv and only 15% of the capital's residents have never been to this city. Some 25% of residents of eastern Ukraine have never been to Kharkiv and only 7% go there often. Most often they come to Kharkiv to see friends (42%), for tourist purposes (38%) or for work (33%).

Some 65% of Kharkiv residents and 33% of residents of other regions note that they like the city very much, and 18% and 32% of respondents from relevant groups rather like it.

Some 33% of residents of all Ukraine said that they would like to live in Kharkiv, 40% would not want to, the rest found it difficult to answer. Among Kyiv residents, 28% of respondents would like to live in Kharkiv, 36% would not want to, and among residents of eastern regions of the country  41% and 33%, respectively.

Some 11% of Kharkiv residents noted that they do not feel safe in their district of the city, 65% of the surveyed residents of Kharkiv called their district safe (including 14%  completely safe). At the same time, 30% of Kharkiv residents noted that there are dangerous places in their district, which they avoid visiting and do not recommend that others appear there, and 56%  that there are no such places.

Some 79% of Ukrainians consider Kharkiv a tourist attractive city, 10%  a tourist unattractive destination, the rest found it difficult to answer. Among Kharkiv residents, 81% and 13%, respectively, hold this opinion, among Kyiv residents  80% and 13%, and among residents of eastern regions  85% and 6%.

Some 83% would like to visit Kharkiv as a tourist, and 11% would not. Among Kyiv residents, 81% and 10%, respectively, among residents of eastern regions  93% and 4%, and among residents of western regions  79% and 12%.

The survey was conducted online on the Lemur platform, the sample is 201 residents of the city of Kharkiv and 465 residents of other regions of Ukraine.
International European University cooperates with the best medical institutions in the world

International European University cooperates with the Anadolu International Medical Center (Turkey).

Anadolu is a contemporary multi-discipline clinic located in Istanbul. It treats a wide range of diseases using cutting-edge medical technologies and a professional team of specialists educated in Europe and the USA.

Centers special feature is its affiliation with a globally renowned research medical center called Johns Hopkins Medicine in the USA.

It allows Anadolu to work with the high US standards and be on a level with worlds leading medical institutions.

International European University is an official representative of Anadolu Medical Center.

Therefore, citizens of Ukraine can obtain a free consultation of the best doctors of the medical center. Besides, patients receive assistance in organizing the trip, full support during arrival, treatment and after coming back home.

It is implemented as follows: Patients should contact the international department of the university and provide documents (medical conclusion, analyses, etc.). University staff members send the documents to the clinic and receive the plan of actions.

If patients are fine with the details, our employees give the case to a supervisor of the medical center in Turkey and assist in trip organization if necessary.

Anadolu Medical Center has its own International department consisting of 65 workers, which is responsible for patient care from abroad. They help foreign patients to understand the diagnosis, organize the trip and undergo treatment at the clinic in Turkey, as well as keep in touch with doctors after coming back home.

Besides, students, interns and doctors have a unique opportunity to undertake an internship at one of the worlds best clinics  Anadolu Medical Center!
The Delta variant of the coronavirus has not appeared in Egypt so far, but the emergence of mutations to the virus is expected, Presidential Health Advisor Mohamed Awad Tag El-Din told Sky News Arabia on Wednesday evening.

The central laboratories of the [Egyptian] Ministry of Health have been conducting a genetic analysis of samples collected from a number of people infected with the coronavirus over the last period, and it has not been proven that the samples are different from the ones analysed in previous months, he added.

The Delta variant appeared in around 127 countries around the world, and the prospect of it appearing in Egypt in the future is still present, Tag El-Din pointed out.

[Scientifically], all viruses have the ability to mutate, and the Delta variant is the fourth mutation of the coronavirus since it surfaced in late 2019; there is also another variant named Delta Plus [that has been found recently]. Thus, there are dozens of mutant viruses, he explained.

The emergence of this mutation is expected two years after the outbreak of the original virus.

He assured that most of the approved vaccines are effective in facing the original and mutated strains of COVID-19.

Egypts single-day toll of infections and deaths has been on a downward curve since early June, as the country has passed the peak of the third wave. However, the country is seeing a slight increase in cases recently.

The latest increase, according to the presidential advisor, is a result of the Eid gatherings and crowding at beaches and parks.

Egypt has recorded a total of 284,966 coronavirus infections, with 16,597 deaths and 233,517 recoveries.

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The government of Egypt has distributed the recently arrived Johnson & Johnson shots to the vaccination centres designated for those travelling to destinations that require full coronavirus immunisation and wish to avoid days of quarantining abroad.

In a meeting with senior ministry officials on Thursday, Health Minister Hala Zayed said shots of the Sinopharm, Sinovac, AstraZeneca, Sputnik V, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are available at all vaccination centres nationwide.

The country received on Sunday a shipment of 261,600 shots of the single-dose vaccine  currently reserved for travellers  which was then tested by the Egyptian Drug Authority.

Up to 126 centres across Egypt are dedicated to giving jabs to travellers and providing vaccination certificates with QR codes  a requirement for arrivals to most countries nowadays.

Minister Zayed, during the meeting, urged citizens to register on the vaccination website to be inoculated with the shots as soon as possible, as the country is receiving further shipments of the vaccines soon, a health ministry statement said.

She directed the ministry's officials to set up makeshift vaccination centres at industrial zones, government workplaces, banks, schools, and universities across the country to help workers register their data and receive the vaccine.

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Israel's new government is set to grant its first major approval of West Bank settlement construction, but will also include a rare authorization of construction for Palestinian areas as well in the upcoming announcement, according to an Israeli security official.

The mixed messages appear to be aimed at bolstering the Palestinian Authority while also trying to blunt international opposition to Israeli settlement construction on occupied lands.

The official said that Israel next week is expected to formally authorize the construction of some 1,000 homes for Palestinians.

The bulk of those homes will be near Jenin, a city in the northern West Bank, he said. He spoke on condition of anonymity pending formal approval.

The construction is to take place in ``Area C,'' the parts of the occupied West Bank placed under full Israeli control under past peace accords. Palestinians in those areas have long said it is virtually impossible to get construction permits from Israeli authorities.

At the same time, Israel plans to authorize construction of 2,000 new settlement homes next week, the official said.

Israel captured the West Bank, along with east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, in the 1967 Mideast war. The Palestinians want east Jerusalem to be the capital of their future state.

The international community overwhelmingly considers Israeli settlements illegal and obstacles to peace. Israel has also come under heavy international criticism for stifling Palestinian development in Area C.

Israel's new coalition government includes a number of hardline parties that support the settlements, and Prime Minister Naftali Bennett himself is a former leader of the settlement movement.

But Israel has come under American pressure to improve conditions for the Palestinians and to shore up the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority, which administers semi-autonomous areas in the West Bank.

The announcement came as CIA Director William Burns was in Israel for talks with top officials. There was no immediate U.S. or Palestinian reaction.

*This story was edited by Ahram Online.

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When Wahab disappeared from his home in Afghanistan to sign on for jihad, it was in neighboring Pakistan that he got his training.

The 20-year-old was recruited by childhood friends and was taken to a militant outpost in Parachinar, on Pakistans rugged mountainous border with Afghanistan. There, he underwent training, preparing to fight alongside the Afghan Taliban, a relative told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because of fear of reprisals from militants and government security agents.

As the Taliban swiftly capture territory in Afghanistan, many Afghans blame Pakistan for the insurgents success, pointing to their use of Pakistani territory in multiple ways. Pressure is mounting on Islamabad, which initially brought the Taliban to the negotiating table, to get them to stop the onslaught and go back to talks.

While analysts say Pakistans leverage is often overstated, it does permit the Taliban leadership on its territory and its wounded warriors receive treatment in Pakistani hospitals. Their children are in school in Pakistan and some among them own property. Some among Pakistans politicians have rebranded the insurgents as the new, civilized Taliban.

Ismail Khan, a powerful U.S.-allied warlord, who is trying to defend his territory of Herat in western Afghanistan from a Taliban onslaught, told local media recently the war raging in his homeland was the fault of Pakistan.

I can say openly to Afghans that this war, it isnt between Taliban and the Afghan Government. It is Pakistans war against the Afghan nation, he said. The Taliban are their resource and are working as a servant.

Pakistan has tried unsuccessfully to convince Afghans they dont want a Taliban government back in Afghanistan. They say the days of Pakistan seeing Afghanistan as a client state, to provide so-called strategic depth against its hostile neighbor India, is a thing of the past.

Pakistans Prime Minister Imran Khan has told every public and private forum that Pakistan wants peace in Afghanistan, has no favorites in the battle and is deeply opposed to a military takeover by the Taliban.

The countrys powerful army chief has twice walked out of meetings with the Taliban, frustrated at their intransigence and infuriated by what he sees as the Talibans determination to return to full power in Afghanistan, according to senior security officials familiar with the meetings. The officials spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they had no authority to discuss the meetings.

Still, Afghans are unconvinced. Even the international community is skeptical. The United Nations last week rebuffed Pakistans request to address a special meeting on Afghanistan to again give its side.

The criticism is fueled by images of slain Taliban fighters being buried in Pakistan at funerals attended by hundreds, waving the groups flags. Last year, Prime Minister Khan called Osama bin Laden a martyr in a speech to Parliament, seen as a nod to militants.

When the Taliban were battling Afghan security forces in an assault on the Afghan border town Spin Boldak, wounded insurgents were treated at Pakistani hospitals in Chaman. The Taliban took the town and still hold it.

A doctor in Chaman told the AP he treated dozens of wounded Taliban. Several were transferred to hospitals in the Pakistani city of Quetta for further treatment, he said. Quetta is also where several in the Taliban leadership reportedly live, as well as in the Arabian Sea port city of Karachi. The doctor spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject.

In thousands of madrassas, or religious schools, around Pakistan, some students are inspired to jihad in Afghanistan, according to analysts as well as Pakistani and international rights groups.

Their recruitment largely goes on unhindered, interrupted occasionally when a local news story reports bodies of fighters returning from Afghanistan. Last month, Pakistani authorities sealed the Darul-Aloom-Ahya-ul Islam madrassa outside Peshawar after the body of the clerics nephew returned home to a heros burial. The madrassa had operated freely for decades, even as the cleric admitted he sent his students to fight in Afghanistan.

One of Wahabs cousins, Salman, went from a madrassa in Pakistan to join the Pakistani Taliban several years ago. Wahab was inspired to join the militants by propaganda videos purporting to show atrocities against Muslims by foreign troops. He ran away from his home in Afghanistans border regions earlier this year, but his family was able to track him down in Pakistan and bring him home before he became a fighter, his relative said.

In mosques and on the streets in Pakistans northwest Khyber Pukhtunkhwa province, militants preach jihad and raise money, the relative said, though they are less aggressive in recruiting because of Pakistani military operations in the area in recent years.

Still, Amir Rana, executive director of the independent Pakistan Institute of Peace Studies, said that unless Pakistani authorities adopt a zero tolerance for jihadis, the country will forever face international criticism and suspicion. Justifying it has to stop, he said.

In response to APs request for comment, a senior security official acknowledged that sympathies for extremists exist in conservative Pakistan. He said it began with a U.S.-backed program to motivate Afghans to fight the Soviets in the 1980s, which glorified jihad and portrayed the occupying troops as godless communists. He said Pakistan is firm it doesnt want a Taliban-only government in Kabul, saying it would fan extremism.

Two security officials denied that jihadi groups in the border region receive any official help. They said a nearly completed fence being built by Pakistan along the long border with Afghanistan will stop the smuggling of fighters across. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment.

Pakistan has its own concerns, accusing Afghanistan of harboring militants opposed to the Islamabad government. Pakistani security officials say their countrys rival India is allowed by Kabuls intelligence agency to stage covert attacks against Pakistan using militants in Afghanistan. In the last six months, they say more than 200 Pakistani military personnel have been killed by insurgents crossing the border,

The border, known as the Durand Line, speaks to the deeply troubled relationship between the two neighbors. To this day, Afghan leaders do not recognize the Durand Line and claim some Pakistani areas dominated by ethnic Pashtuns as Afghan territory, Pashtuns on both sides of the border share tribal links, and Afghan Pashtuns form the backbone of the Taliban.

Analysts say Islamabad has fueled extremist sentiment and worked with militants when it was in its interests. It was during the long fight against the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan that Pakistans powerful intelligence agency developed deep ties with many of the most radical of Afghans, including the notorious Haqqani group, arguably the strongest faction among the Afghan Taliban.

Islamabad does wield extensive leverage over the Taliban, said Michael Kugelman, deputy director of the Asia Program at the Washington-based Wilson Center. But the Taliban, which is fighting a war it believes its winning, has the luxury of resisting Pakistani entreaties to ease violence and commit to talks.

For the Taliban, the calculus is simple: Why quit when youre ahead?

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Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Thursday that the devastating wildfires that burned across the country for more than a week were the greatest ecological catastrophe Greece had seen in decades.

The fires broke out as the country roasted during the most intense and protracted heat wave experienced in around 30 years. Hundreds of wildfires broke out across the country, stretching Greece's firefighting capabilities to the limit and leading the government to appeal for help from abroad. Hundreds of firefighters, along with planes, helicopters and vehicles, arrived from 24 European and Middle Eastern countries to assist.

``We managed to save lives, but we lost forests and property,'' Mitsotakis said, describing the wildfires as ``the greatest ecological catastrophe of the last few decades.''

Mitsotakis, speaking during a news conference in Athens, his first since the fires broke out, said authorities had faced around 100 active blazes each day. By Thursday, the situation was much improved, with most large wildfires on the wane.

But the prime minister warned the danger of more blazes was still present.

``We are in the middle of August and it's clear we will have difficult days ahead of us'' until the main season during which fires break out is over.

``The climate crisis _ I'd like to use this term, and not climate change _ the climate crisis is here,'' he said, adding he was ready to make the ``bold changes'' needed to tackle the changing climate.

``This is a common crisis for all of us,'' he said, noting that climate change is a global issue.

The largest fire broke out on Greece's second-largest island of Evia on Aug. 3 and was still smoldering on Thursday, after having destroyed most of the island's north.

More than 50,900 hectares were damaged in northern Evia, according to mapping from the European Union's Copernicus Emergency Management Service. Entire mountains of mainly pine forest have been reduced to bare, blackened stumps, while olive and fig tree plantations and vineyards were also destroyed.

The government prioritized protecting lives in its fire response, issuing dozens of evacuation orders for villages in the path of the flames. In that respect, the policy appears to have worked. One volunteer firefighter died while working in an area north of Athens hit by a major fire, after suffering a head injury from a falling electricity pole. Four volunteer firefighters have been hospitalized with burns, including two in critical condition in intensive care.

Greek authorities had been anxious to avoid a repetition of what had happened in the summer of 2018, when a fast-moving wildfire engulfed a seaside settlement near Athens, leaving more than 100 people dead, including some who drowned trying to escape the flames and smoke by sea.

But the current tactic of issuing evacuation orders has come under criticism by many residents and local officials in the areas affected by this year's fires, who have argued the orders were premature. They point to those who ignored the evacuation messages, staying behind to fight the flames and managing to save their homes.

The government has also come under criticism for not deploying enough firefighting planes and helicopters, and not sending them soon enough, particularly to Evia. Authorities have countered that the aircraft were flying wherever was possible, but that it is impossible to keep the entire firefighting fleet in the air at the same time, as some need to land for essential servicing.

Asked about the cause of the fires, and whether an organized campaign of arson was suspected, Mitsotakis said it was ``certain that some of the fires in the last few days were the result of arson.`` Several people have been arrested over the past few days on suspicion of attempting to start fires, including some who are accused of doing so deliberately.

However, he added it was unclear whether this was a result of an organized plan, and noted that the hot, dry conditions had aided the spread of wildfires.

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Stifling heat kept its grip on much of Southern Europe on Thursday, driving people indoors at midday, spoiling crops, triggering drinking water restrictions, turning public libraries into cooling ``climate shelters'' and complicating the already difficult challenge firefighters faced battling wildfires.

In many places, forecasters said worse was expected to come.

In Italy, 15 cities received warnings from the health ministry about high temperatures and humidity with peaks predicted for Friday. The cities included Rome, Florence and Palermo, but also Bolzano, which is usually a refreshing hot-weather escape in the Alps,

The local National Health Service offices in Rome and Bologna telephoned older residents who live alone to see if they needed groceries or medicines delivered so they wouldn't venture out in the searing heat.

The Italian air force, which oversees the national weather service, said the interior parts of the islands of Sardinia and Sicily could expect to see temperatures upwards of 40 degrees Celsius (104 F) by Friday. By early afternoon on Thursday in Rome, the city famous for its ornamental as well as strategically placed sidewalk drinking fountains sizzled in 38 C (100 F) heat.

Beyond Italy, the spell of hot, dry weather prompted four municipalities in central Serbia to declare an emergency after Rzav River levels plummeted, endangering water supplies. Authorities imposed drinking water restrictions affecting some 250,000 people, while the Serbian army brought in water tanks for public use.

``We have a period of severe drought, we cannot take any more water from the river,'' Zoran Barac, the head of a local water supply utility company, told Serbian state broadcaster RTS.

In Spain, the national weather service warned temperatures could hit 44 C (111 F) in some areas in coming days. Parts of the northeastern Catalonia region were forecast to reach 42 C (107.6 F) on Thursday.

Authorities in Barcelona, the Catalan capital, designated 162 museums, libraries, schools and other public places around the city as ``climate shelters.'' The sites offered an escape from the heat, cool drinking water and staff trained in dealing with heatstroke.

The surge in temperatures, due to a mass of hot, dry air from Africa, was expected to ease starting on Monday on the Iberian peninsula.

While Southern Europe is known for sunny, hot summers, climate scientists say there's little doubt climate change from the burning of coal, oil and natural gas is driving extreme events such as heat waves, droughts and wildfires, which they say are likely to happen more frequently as Earth warms.

As in past years, Croatia's Adriatic Sea resorts were hosting hundreds of thousands of tourists. But those stepping out of the sea sweltered as temperatures reached 39 C (102 F) on the coast on Wednesday.

Crops suffered, too.

The Italian agriculture lobby Coldiretti said Thursday that 20% of the tomato crop in Italy's south was lost due to torrid heat and humidity. Italy exports nearly 2 billion euros ($2.4 billion) worth of tomatoes and tomato products like canned or bottled sauce throughout the world.

While much attention has focused on southern Europe's heat crisis, it was even hotter on the North African shore of the Mediterranean Sea. Temperatures hit 50 C (122 F) in Tunisia, a record high for the country. The last previous high was 48.2 C (nearly 119 F) in 1968.

In Algeria, most of the regions of the north of the country have been placed on alert for heat waves. Fires ravaging mountain forests and villages in Algeria's Berber region have killed at least 65 people, including 28 soldiers.

Blazes also continued to devour forest and brush areas in Greece.

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31 October marks the global day for the cancellation of Egypt's debt, to be marked in Cairo and a number of other cities around the world.

Independent activists and a number of civil society organisations will be organising various actions in London, Berlin, Paris and Cairo in parallel, calling on their respective governments to drop the debt accumulated by the Mubarak regime.

The dictators regime resorted to external borrowing to finance its budget deficits and political projects. But the Egyptian people never had a say in decisions regarding external loans nor spending priorities.

If not dropped, the accumulated debt will remain a burden on the Egyptian people for generations.

Members of the Popular Campaign to Drop Egypts Debt are mainly focused on achieving social justice in Egypt. According to the founding statement of the campaign, "The economic policies that were applied by the ousted Mubarak regime have left us with enormous internal and external debts.

"The regime borrowed extensively in order to pay off its debt premiums and interest. Real solutions would have entailed searching for alternative mechanisms to finance government expenditure  such as income and wealth taxes  towards the goal of creating a more just economy.

"To avoid the perpetuation of the current economic regime, which resorts to internal and external borrowing as the first and easiest strategy to address the complex questions of economic planning, the campaign will be starting a popular movement to rally all those concerned with pressuring for the cancellation of Egypts debts both domestically and internationally in creditor countries and by creditor institutions."

The campaign also rejects the shackling of Egypt to debt conditionalities.

Philip Rizk, a film-maker, explained his reasons for joining the campaign: There is a lot of discussion about social justice in Egyptian society. I believe this campaign is good way to speak directly about the economy in Egypt and to change economics from a realm restricted to 'experts' to a subject that every Egyptian can discuss."

Rizk has released a number of short films about the debt problem in Egypt and why it constitutes a burden that Egyptians should refuse to carry.

"I am not a specialist in economics, but I believe that individuals should be involved in how the country is run, says Wael Khalil, an activist and blogger and member of the campaign.

The Egyptian government is spending LE106 billion ($18 billion) this year on total internal and external debt services. This exceeds annual amounts allocated for education, health and all other public investments.

In aggregate, the taxpayer pays 40 piasters for each Egyptian pound in payment of debt services. Internal and external debt service payments are one the largest budget expenditures, therefore depriving vast groups of Egyptians from their basic right to a dignified life, explains Wael Gamal, an economic journalist and member of the campaign.

On 31 October, the global day for dropping Egypt's debts, Jubilee Debt Campaign UK, an organisation fighting for the cancellation of Third World debts, is organising in coordination with Egyptian campaign members based in London a meeting with British Members of Parliament to deliver petitions demanding that Egyptian debts be dropped.

The meeting will be followed by a demonstration at the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills. Dina Makram-Ebeid, a member of the campaign and a PhD researcher at the London School of Economics, said We have been coordinating this event for more than two months, after meeting in Egypt and London with some of our Egyptian colleagues living in England.

On the same evening of 31 October, the campaign will hold a conference at the Journalists' Syndicate in Cairo under the title: The impact of external debts on Egyptians. The panelists for the conference will include economist Ahmed El-Naggar, Fathi El-Chamkhy from the Tunisian Debt Audit Campaign, economic journalist Wael Gamal, as well as Khaled Ali, director of the Egyptian Centre for Economic and Social Rights.

Workers, popular committee members, activists and public figures supporting the campaign will all be present. The conference will mark the launch of the campaign in Egypt and will include an open call for new members to join the campaign.

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On 27 July the House of Representatives announced it would adjourn for a two-month summer recess following six and a half months of plenary meetings.



Speaker Hanafi Gibali said of the Houses first legislative season that despite the pandemic MPs had been keen to spare no effort in discussing Egypts political, economic, and social problems. In its first legislative season, said Gibali, the House held constructive debates over the states budget and socio-economic development plans.



Gibali commended MPs for using all the supervisory tools at their disposal and for giving voice to the opinions of their constituents.



The Houses committees also produced a significant report on new legislation, said Gibali. The House discussed laws on treasury bills, Islamic bonds (sukuk), bankruptcy measures, notarisation and documentation fees, and the use of irrigation water, said the report. In terms of social protection and health care, the House also passed legislation toughening penalties for female genital mutilation and establishing a fund for medical emergencies.



In the area of national defence and security the report focused on the fact that the House had amended the Civil Service Law to permit the dismissal of state employees who espouse radical ideologies or are members of the banned Muslim Brotherhood.



The House had also passed a law toughening penalties for sexual harassment, and approved three extensions of the emergency law.



The report also noted that MPs had used the first weeks of the parliamentary session to summon 29 cabinet ministers to deliver policy statements.



In a workshop held on 4 August, Ashraf Rashad, deputy chairman of Mostaqbal Watan (Future of the Homeland) Party, said the 13 political parties represented in parliament had exercised their role freely and effectively.



Essam Hilal, assistant secretary-general of Mostaqbal Watan, said MPs were keen to reject laws that imposed new burdens on citizens. He cited the fact that a majority of MPs teamed up to postpone the implementation of the notarisation and documentation law because of the hefty fees it was going to impose on citizens.



MPs also acted on public opinion in toughening penalties for sexual harassment and female genital mutilation.



With regards to Egypts second chamber, Senate Speaker Abdel-Wahab Abdel-Razek said senators had acted to boost democracy in Egypt, taking into account constitutional developments and the hopes and aspirations of citizens.



The Senate was also involved in discussing a raft of social and economic laws. We were keen to discuss these laws in depth and ensure they reflected social and economic realities, said Abdel-Razek.



He noted that there had been close cooperation between the Senate and the government of Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouli and that cabinet ministers were keen to come to the Senate and its committees to explain their policies and answer questions.



A report said the Senate had held 21 sessions over 38 working hours.



According to Hilal, once the Senates internal bylaws were passed in April the Senate got down to work and took a very big step by rejecting draft amendments to the Thanawiya Amma [High School] law, forcing the minister of education to redraft the legislation.



Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Alaa Fouad said the Senate had done a great job in its first legislative season, even though it was short. The Senates discussion of laws, particularly the Thanawiya Amma law, made an important contribution to parliamentary life, said Fouad. He said he expected the next legislative season, scheduled to begin in October, would see the government referring new legislation on insurance, competition protection, and the regulation of public notary offices to the second chamber.



Rashad said the House of Representatives is expected to move to the New Administrative Capital by the end of this year and would be followed by the Senate once construction of its new headquarters is completed.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 12 August, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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Land allocated for rice cultivation was slightly reduced this year to 1.074 million feddans, down from 1.084 million feddans in recent years. Rice, a summer crop cultivated between April and October, is one of the highest water-consuming crops, which is why the government is regulating its cultivation.



This year, rice cultivation will be limited to nine governorates, Alexandria, Beheira, Gharbiya, Kafr Al-Sheikh, Damietta, Sharqiya, Ismailia, and Port Said.



Some four million tons of rice are expected to be harvested, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. Additional land may also be cultivated with rice in violation of ministry regulations. This land is estimated to range between 500,000 and 750,000 feddans.



Such factors drove the US Department of Agriculture to estimate a drop in Egypts rice production to its lowest level since 2018, or by 550,000 tons. While it did not specify the quantity of this years production, the department said consumption was estimated to stand at 3.9 million tons.



In March, Egypts parliament approved a new law regulating irrigation to eliminate the illegal cultivation of rice by toughening up penalties on violators who could face fines of between LE3,000 and LE10,000 on each illegally cultivated feddan of land or imprisonment for no more than six months.



However, a delay in issuing the executive regulations of the law has put off its activation for this year.



According to a statement by Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouli in March, the decision aims to engage farmers in the responsibility of reducing water consumption, rather than collect revenues for the government.



Head of the Farmers Syndicate Hussein Abu Saddam commended the system applied in the new law, which reduces the fines the earlier they are paid. Farmers receive a 60 per cent discount on fines if they are paid before 30 June and a 40 per cent reduction if they are paid prior to September.



Land in violation of the law is calculated by irrigation engineers and via satellite imaging, said a spokesman for the Ministry of Irrigation. Last year, the government allocated 724,000 feddans for irrigation by Nile water, 150,000 feddans with treated agricultural waste water, and 200 feddans to be cultivated with dry rice which does not consume much water.



Figures released by the Central Agency for Public Mobilisation and Statistics (CAPMAS) in February put the land cultivated with rice at 1.3 million feddans in 2018-19, up from 0.9 million feddans the year before.



Some 4.8 million tons of rice were produced in 2018-19, up from 3.1 million tons in 2017-18, an increase of around 54 per cent.



Mustafa Al-Naggari, a member of the Agriculture Export Council, said Egyptian consumption habits had changed over the past two years, reducing consumption of the staple rice crop and allowing the state to stock up on rice for local consumption for the next nine months.



He lauded the states decision to stock up on strategic goods for six months, instead of three months. The prices of locally produced crops such as wheat, rice, and sugar were stable, he said, adding that goods that had witnessed an increase in price were those that depend on fodder, such as meat, due to a global rise in fodder prices.



Ragab Shehata, head of the Rice Division at the Egyptian Federation of Industry, attributed the stability of the price of rice to the strategy drawn up by the Ministry of Supply, ensuring a continuous supply all year round.



He explained that the ministry would be receiving last years rice until the end of September and that the supply of the new harvest would begin in the second half of August and end by December 2022.



The Ministry of Supply is the only body that has been buying rice since 2008. Egypt had only needed to import rice in 2018 due to the smaller harvest, Shehata said, adding that the country was not expected to import rice this or next year as last years production has not been completely consumed.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 12 August, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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KYODO NEWS - Aug 12, 2021 - 19:21 | World, All, Japan

The Japan Coast Guard this year issued exclusion orders to a total of 80 Chinese fishing vessels suspected of illegally operating in Japanese territorial waters in the East China Sea, a source familiar with the matter said Thursday.

Japan has told China that foreign fishing ships are not allowed to operate "without permission" in the waters around the Senkaku Islands, controlled by Tokyo but claimed by Beijing, the source said.

The uninhabited islets, called Diaoyu in China, have long been at the center of conflict between the Asian countries, as Beijing has ratcheted up pressure on Tokyo by constantly sending its vessels into or near the Japanese territorial waters to challenge the status quo.

A Chinese-set suspension of fishing in the East China Sea is scheduled to end Monday, sparking concern that Beijing may send an inordinate number of government and fishing ships into or near the Senkaku Islands.

In August 2016, a group of China Coast Guard vessels and as many as 300 fishing boats crowded around the islets. Some of them repeatedly intruded into Japanese waters despite a flurry of high-level protests from Tokyo.

The coast guard's exclusion orders target foreign fishing ships engaging in illegal operations or trying to do so in Japan's territorial waters, the source said, adding its patrol boats urge them to move out by using radio or an electric bulletin board.

All the orders this year were issued for four months through April, the source said. The Japan Coast Guard warned 138 Chinese fishing vessels in 2020, 147 in 2019, 76 in 2018 and 10 in 2017.

In February, meanwhile, China enforced a controversial law enabling its coast guard to use weapons when foreign ships involved in illegal activities in waters it claims do not obey orders, making Sino-Japanese relations more fragile over maritime security.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has recently justified the nation's sending of official ships to the area, saying "unknown Japanese fishing vessels" entered the waters of the islands.

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KYODO NEWS - Aug 12, 2021 - 12:54 | All, Japan

Japan fell by one place to a record-low 10th in a ranking of highly cited scientific papers between 2017 and 2019, as China topped the global list for the first time by surpassing the United States, according to a government institute report.

Japanese researchers published on average 3,787 highly cited papers a year in the three-year period, but were overtaken by India, which came in ninth with 4,082 papers, the National Institute of Science and Technology Policy said Tuesday. The previous ranking covered the period between 2016 and 2018.

China topped the latest ranking with 40,219 papers, followed by the United States at 37,124 and Britain at 8,687, according to the Science and Technology Indicators 2021 report.

Between 1997 and 1999, Japan came in fourth with 4,336 papers.

Japanese papers were most cited in the fields of physics, clinical medicine and chemistry, according to the report.

U.S. papers were strong in the sectors of clinical medicine, basic life sciences and physics, while Chinese papers were cited most in the fields of material science, chemistry, engineering as well as computer science and mathematics.

Papers written by researchers from multiple countries were allocated to nations based on the contributions of the authors.

Japan's decline in the rankings over recent years reflects stagnant growth in the number of researchers, with the annual figure of those newly acquiring a doctoral degree falling since 2006 to some 15,000.

The United States and China, meanwhile, have seen steady rises in the annual number of new doctoral degree holders, totaling around 90,000 and roughly 60,000, respectively, according to the latest data collected by the institute.

Analysts also attribute Japan's low standing in the ranking to a lack of funding for researchers at many universities.
KYODO NEWS - Aug 12, 2021 - 17:05 | World, All, Japan

A Japanese woman convicted for espionage in China has been released after serving a six-year prison sentence in Shanghai, a source privy to bilateral relations said Thursday.

The woman, who is of Chinese origin, was detained in Shanghai in June 2015. The then executive of a Tokyo-based Japanese language school was indicted in July the following year. The source, however, said the specifics of what she did remain unknown.

The Shanghai Intermediate People's Court sentenced her to six years in prison for spying in December 2018.

Since 2015, more than 10 Japanese citizens were detained in China on various charges, including espionage. She is the third Japanese since that time to be released after being convicted.

China has been stepping up its scrutiny of foreign organizations and individuals in the name of protecting national security since President Xi Jinping came to power in 2013.

Not only Japanese but a number of other foreign nationals have been held in China, particularly after a counterespionage law took effect in 2014 and a national security law in 2015.

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KYODO NEWS - Aug 12, 2021 - 23:30 | All, Japan, Coronavirus

Infectious disease experts on Thursday called for foot traffic in Tokyo to be cut by half from the level in early July, prior to the current state of emergency in the capital, to stem the alarming rise in coronavirus infections.

The experts on a government subcommittee on the COVID-19 response also urged, in their draft proposal, strengthening measures to reduce crowds in situations where infection risk is high including underground food sections at department stores and shopping malls.

With patients in need of medical attention rising, the experts stressed the need to seek cooperation from health institutions that have previously not been involved in coronavirus response and promote coordination with prefectural governments over the hospitalization of patients.

The number of new COVID-19 cases nationwide totaled over 18,000 on Thursday, topping the previous record of 15,812 reported a day earlier, according to a Kyodo News tally.

Tokyo reported 4,989 new coronavirus cases the same day, the second-highest figure after the 5,042 infections logged a week ago. The number of patients with severe symptoms also hit a record high of 218, surpassing 200 for the first time.

The capital's seven-day rolling average of new infections was 3,976 per day, up 9 percent from a week earlier.

"At this rate, we will no longer be able to save lives that could be saved. That is already starting to happen," Shigeru Omi, Japan's top coronavirus adviser, warned at a press conference.

Experts at Thursday's metropolitan government meeting on monitoring COVID-19 described the coronavirus situation in the capital, currently under a fourth state of emergency, as "a disaster-level emergency situation that is out of control."

As new daily infections in Tokyo have ranged from around 2,000 to 5,000 in recent weeks, they also warned that the medical system is becoming dysfunctional, including in terms of paramedic response and conducting surgery.

They also cautioned that the seven-day rolling average of new infections on Aug. 25 would hit 5,113, if the current trend continues.

"The medical system cannot be maintained if the current infection situation continues," Masataka Inokuchi, a vice chairman of the Tokyo Medical Association, told the meeting.

Inokuchi noted it has not only become difficult for hospitals to admit coronavirus patients whose symptoms have deteriorated while recuperating at home but also patients in need of emergency care due to injuries and other illnesses.

The number of people recuperating at home increased by over 3,800 in the week through Thursday to 20,726.

Infections in 15 of Japan's 47 prefectures had exceeded their maximum daily estimates as of Thursday, according to sources close to the matter.

The maximum numbers, compiled by the health ministry, indicate how many hospital beds each prefecture has secured for an emergency.
KYODO NEWS - Aug 12, 2021 - 19:33 | World, All

Taiwan aims to attend a summit of the leaders of the world's democracies to be convened by U.S. President Joe Biden as part of his administration's efforts to defend against authoritarian governments such as China, the island's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.

Regine Chen, deputy director general of the ministry's Department of North American Affairs, told a virtual news briefing that the Taiwan government will continue negotiating with the Biden administration to participate in the summit, scheduled in December.

The White House said Wednesday that Biden will bring together leaders from a diverse group of the world's democracies at the "Summit for Democracy," followed by a second, in-person summit in roughly a year.

The themes of the summit, to be held virtually from Dec. 9, will be defending against authoritarianism, fighting corruption and promoting respect for human rights, according to the U.S. government.

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New Delhi:

The multi-city raids at the residences of several civil rights activists and Left intellectuals by the Maharashtra police and subsequent arrests over alleged Maoist links have triggered a massive outrage across the country.

Several prominent lawyers, academics, authors, human rights defenders and opposition leaders condemned the police action and termed it a 'virtual declaration of emergency' in the run-up to 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Amnesty International and several other groups, including People's Union for Civil Liberties, said that the arrests of the activists was a concerted attempt to silence voices of dissent and crush human rights interventions.

The Maharashtra police on Tuesday conducted raids at the residences of several activists and arrested them in connection with the Bhima Koregoan violence that broke out on January 1. The police arrested five noted activists, including Varvara Rao, Arun Pereira, Gautam Navlakha, Varnan Gonsalves and Sudha Bhardwaj, for their alleged Maoist links.

Read More | Maoist ideologue Varavara Rao arrested for allegedly plotting PM Modis assassination



Reactions from noted authors and intellectuals on raids and arrests of activists

Author and historian Ramachandra Guha called the action "absolutely chilling" and demanded the Supreme Court's intervention to stop this "persecution and harassment" of independent voices.

"Sudha Bharadwaj is as far from violence and illegality as Amit Shah is close to those things," Guha tweeted, adding that if Mahatma Gandhi was alive, he would have defended her.

"In the run-up to elections, it is an attempted coup against the Indian Constitution and all the freedoms that we cherish," said another noted author and activists Arundhati Roy.

Roy said that it was as close to the declaration of an emergency as it can get. Another activist Kavita Krishnan also described the action as "undeclared emergency".

Also Read | Bhima Koregaon Violence: Raids at homes of prominent activists across India; several held

JNU student leader Shehla Rashid alleged it was an attempt to "instil fear among those who are vocal about issues" and "to manufacture a narrative and a sense of false enemy to misguide people ahead of the 2019 elections".

(With inputs from agencies)

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New Delhi:

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has released the before and after images showing the scale of devastation due to the centurys worst flood in Kerala. The US space agency has rendered the images in false-colour to depict flood waters in dark-blue and the vegetation in bright green.

While the first image taken from the Landsat 8 satellites operational land imager on February 6 shows the area before the floods, the second photograph taken by the European Space Agencys Sentinel-2 satellite on August 22 gives a glimpse of several rivers overflowing following the heavy downpour.

@NASA has released the before and after images showing the scale of devastation due to the centurys worst flood in Kerala. pic.twitter.com/M5D9YqGsMf  News Nation (@NewsNationTV) August 28, 2018

The after-flooding satellite image shows water from Karuvannur River and Periyar River spilling through its banks. The flooding in the rivers killed hundreds and rendered lakhs homeless.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan estimated that the flooding, which was the worst since 1924, had caused a damage worth over Rs 20,000 crore to the state.

For all the Latest Science News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

As Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra is set to retire on October 2, the Law Ministry has asked him to recommend the name of his successor. Sources in the Law Ministry said that Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has recently written to CJI Misra asking him to suggest the name of the judge who will replace him.

Justice Ranjan Gogoi is the senior-most judge of the top court after the CJI and Misra is likely to recommend his name as the Memorandum of Procedure (MoP) which governs the appointment of members of the higher judiciary, says that the appointment to the office of the Chief Justice of India should be of the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court considered fit to hold the office.

The MoP stipulates that the Law Minister would, at an appropriate time, seek the recommendation of the outgoing Chief Justice of India for the appointment of the next CJI. After the recommendations of the CJI, the Law Minister puts it before the Prime Minister, who then advises the President in the matter of appointment.

Read More | Maoist ideologue Varavara Rao arrested for allegedly plotting PM Modis assassination

Whenever there is any doubt about the fitness of the senior-most Judge to hold the office of the Chief Justice of India, consultation with other Judges...would be made for the appointment of the next Chief Justice of India, the document states.

Recently, while responding to a question at the Law Ministrys annual press conference on whether the government would follow the laid-down conventions and procedures to appoint Justice Ranjan Gogoi as the next Chief Justice, Prasad had said that the governments intention on the appointment of the next Chief Justice of India should not be questioned.

He had made it clear that when the sitting chief justice will recommend the name of the senior-most judge of the top court as his successor, the executives will take a call on it.

Also Read | Bhima Koregaon Violence: Raids at homes of prominent activists across India; several held

The speculations over Justice Gogois appointment as the next CJI emerged following an unprecedented press conference by four senior-most judges, including Justice Gogoi, in January 2017 when they had criticised Justice Misra over various issues, especially the manner of allocation of cases to certain benches.

(With inputs from PTI)

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Panaji:

Opposition Congress on Wednesday demanded that Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar should hand over the charge to someone as the states administration is in doldrums.

Parrikar (62), who was admitted to Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai for a review health check-up on August 23, is supposed to fly to the United States for medical treatment on Wednesday night.

The state is in self-imposed emergency situation with no one to man the affairs of the state. High time the charge of CM is handed over to someone or let this alliance quit the government as they have failed to run the government for last six months, Goa Congress chief Girish Chodankar said.

Also Read | Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar admitted to Mumbai hospital

The chief ministers office should disclose the facts about Parrikars health and should put out a detailed health bulletin, he demanded.

With uncertainty about Parrikars health and his absence from the state, there has been complete constitutional failure as well as administration failure in the state, Chodankar claimed.

Many portfolios are still not filled, and as Parrikar is unwell since February and has remained out of Goa frequently (for treatment), he should hand over the charge to some other minister, the Congress leader demanded.

Read More | In Kerala, Rahul Gandhi continues from where he left off in Germany and UK on two ideas of India

The BJP is not willing to hand over the charge to somebody else due to dearth of people with leadership quality and the fear that there would be a rebellion in the party, he claimed.

Majority of portfolios are handled by the chief minister, he pointed out.

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New Delhi:

The opposition Congress on Thursday started a protest march towards PM Narendra Modi's house over the alleged Rafale scam, claimed by party president Rahul Gandhi. The Congress leaders have announced a gherao of PM Modis residence in Delhi over the same. The protest came a day after Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in an exclusive interview to ANI rubbished Gandhi's allegations over Rafale deal, terming it a Kindergarten debate.

To clear the air on controversies surrounding Rafale deal, Jaitley said, "What was negotiated from 2015 to 2016 and finally executed in 2016, with the escalations and the currency variations, the basic aircraft price turns out to be 9% cheaper. Is the Congress party aware of this?".

Quantum in defence is always large. Therefore, quantum doesnt mean anything. Please produce a shred of evidence that Government of India has anything to do with any of the offset suppliers for any contract, whether under UPA or NDA the finance minister explained.

Launching a series of fresh salvo on the Congress president, Jaitley further stated, "I have, at least twice, repeated this sentence, how much does he know and when will he know? Can you compare a basic aircrafts pricing with a loaded aircraft? Can you compare simple aircraft with a weaponized aircraft?

Congress must remember that it cant fool people all the time. This is a government to government arrangement. Offset has nothing to do with this contract. The government will purchase 36 fully-loaded aircraft from France, no private party involved. Governments role ends, FM Jaitley lambasted. Read Full Story Here.

Read | Rafale Deal: Congress begins series of events to expose alleged corruption



Meanwhile, in what could be a big reason of embarrassment for Rahul Gandhi, Reliance owner Anil Ambani broke his silence over the much talked about Rafale deal, saying that Rahul Gandhi is uninformed and unaware.

Terming Gandhi's allegations "baseless, ill-informed and unfortunate," Ambani further said, "truth alone will prevail" as the charges are driven by "malicious vested interests and corporate rivals."

Ambani, the multi-millionaire business tycoon was addressing the media and was asked why he chose to exclude the Congress president in the Rs 5,000-crore defamation case filed by his company on the Rafale deal.

"I have personally written to Gandhi stating that the Congress has been misinformed, misdirected and misled on the Rafale deal by malicious vested interest and corporate rivals," the Reliance chief said while interacting with reporters on the sidelines of RInfra's power business sale to the Adani group in Mumbai.

Gandhi too did not take long to launch a scathing attack and took to Twitter to announce a 24-hour challenge in response to Jaitley's accusation of "peddling untruth" on the Rafale fighter jet deal.

Read | Why Rafale deal cant become a scam

"Mr Jaitley, thanks for bringing the nations attention back to the GREAT RAFALE ROBBERY! How about a Joint Parliamentary Committee to sort it out? Problem is, your Supreme Leader is protecting his friend, so this may be inconvenient. Do check and revert in 24 hrs. Were waiting!".

Mr Jaitley, thanks for bringing the nations attention back to the GREAT #RAFALE ROBBERY! How about a Joint Parliamentary Committee to sort it out? Problem is, your Supreme Leader is protecting his friend, so this may be inconvenient. Do check & revert in 24 hrs. Were waiting!  Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 29, 2018

Thursday too, the Congress president posted a tart reminder to the finance minister, saying "Dear Mr Jaitley, Less than 6 hrs left for your deadline on the #Rafale JPC to run out. Young India is waiting. I hope you're busy convincing Modi Ji and Anil Ambani Ji about why they should listen to you & approve this! @ArunJaitley".

Dear Mr Jaitley,



Less than 6 hrs left for your deadline on the #Rafale JPC to run out.



Young India is waiting. I hope you're busy convincing Modi Ji and Anil Ambani Ji about why they should listen to you & approve this! @ArunJaitley  Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 30, 2018

Read | Congress to organise 'Rafale deal morcha' on July 30

The Congress has announced 'PM House Gherao' at a time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a two-day visit to Nepal to take part at BIMSTEC Summit in capital city Kathmandu.

Modi will leave for India later on Friday.

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Kabul: The Taliban, a terror group in Afghanistan, have captured several provinces of the country with their own strength. According to media reports, the Taliban has now demolished Kandahar jail and freed several political prisoners. The video of the entire case is also going viral on social media. The Taliban had attacked the jail last month too, but it did not succeed in releasing the prisoners.

He again attacked Kandahar jail with full force on Wednesday. Such attacks, it is directly challenging the Afghan government. Taliban militants have also captured the Afghan army headquarters in Kunduz province. The Taliban had taken control of Faizabad, the capital of north-eastern Badakhshan province, on Tuesday. In the last five days, the Taliban have captured nine provincial capitals.

The Taliban has also captured the MI-24 fighter helicopter gifted by India to the Afghan army in 2019. It was captured by the Taliban during the occupation of Kudunj airport on Wednesday. According to reports, the terror group has released drug traffickers, including more than 1,000 criminals, from at least six cities in recent days after the Taliban captured the main cities.

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A tribute to Soraya Correa, DHS' procurement icon

Supporting the mission.

Innovation.

Communication between industry and government.

These are the central themes of efforts to improve our procurement system since the 1990s. And Soraya Correa, who has just stepped down from a 40-year career in government contracting, most recently as Chief Procurement Officer at the Department of Homeland Security, spontaneously describes these as the central themes of her own amazing procurement career. I have been lucky enough to know Correa for over a decade, and I recently sat down to talk with her to look back.

Correas grandparents came to the U.S. from Puerto Rico and settled in New York City, where many Puerto Ricans came. (She speaks fluent Spanish.) I was amazed to learn in our conversation that her dad was actually a career federal contracting officer, at GSA and the Small Business Administration in New York and Washington.

Out of high school (she graduated in 1982), Correa herself started working part time and taking some college classes. But I really wanted to work on a full-time basis, she said. And so my father suggested, Well, why don't you come into the federal government? It's a good job. You'll get a good pay and then you can decide what you really want to do when you grow up. (She finally got a BA in business administration many years later, in 2002.)

Correas first government job was as a GS-4 clerk-typist (this is incidentally how Dee Lee, who eventually became the senior procurement executive at NASA, also started). She took a night course in procurement and grants management, and based on that became a GS-5 contract specialist at the Naval Sea Systems command, which has produced a number of procurement legends over the years -- Elaine Duke, who later became undersecretary for management at DHS and for a time served as acting secretary, and the Defense Departments Eleanor Spector, among others.

Interestingly, in Correas first contracting job she worked for a program manager, not, as most do, for a procurement shop. This is an arrangement some, such as me, favor because it promotes commitment by contracting folks to the mission.

It was there  as a GS-5  I developed my passion, my commitment, and my understanding of mission, Correa said. Because everything we did there revolved around mission. And it was about making sure that we had all the right assets at the right place to get the job done. And so I really do credit that position with kind of instilling in me the sense of purpose I've never forgotten.

The next 25 years were a series of telephone calls recruiting Correa for a slew of always-higher jobs at different agencies, including NASA, the Environmental Protection Agency, and Citizenship and Immigration Services at DHS. Some of her jobs were in IT. In 2014 she was a few months from retirement eligibility, but then a phone call came asking her to be the chief procurement officer at DHS.

I took that job because I really wanted to make a difference, she said. I've always been the person that questions why we do things the way we do, why can't we change the dynamic? Why can't we talk to industry differently? Why do we, you know, do the things the same way we've always done them? And so I saw it really as a great opportunity to come in as the chief procurement officer. I knew this department. I knew the organization and the organizational structure of the CPO, and I knew where our strengths and weaknesses were. And I really, really did want to make a difference.

Correa describes her philosophy as follows: Yes, we have to comply with laws and regulations. That is our job. Our job is to make sure that we get compliance right. But we're here to support a mission. We're here to make sure that a mission gets executed and that it's done right. And we can balance those two things. We can make those two things happen.

So when I came into the position of chief procurement officer, when I sat down with my team, the first thing that I made clear  is that we're here to support a mission, she said. The procurement function doesn't exist just to exist. We buy things in support of the missions that we serve. We're here to enable the mission.

We're not going to write policy for policy sake. Every policy, every process, every procedure that we are going to write or we are going to look at it, or we're going to refine, we are going to seek the advice and input of the operational contracting organizations. We're going to go sit and talk to them, make sure that they can execute.

I didn't want to do procurement for them, she explained. I wanted them to do it because it's their idea. But let's guide them through the process and let's collect feedback along the way so that we can course correct that we need to, but more importantly, so we can teach others. And I wasn't trying to force innovation. I resisted those who wanted me to dictate innovation because there are people out there said, well, we should legislate this. And I'm like, no, innovation is not legislated or dictated, and it doesn't fit everybody. Some people are very comfortable being creative and trying new things and others are not. We're not going to force it. We're going to take the people that are willing to be creative and innovative.

There are several achievements I associate with Correa. One is her signature initiative, started soon after she became chief procurement officer, the Procurement Innovation Lab, which I blogged about a while ago.

The lab was stood up to be my voice to the procurement community, to say, come on and bring me your ideas and let us help you cultivate those ideas, she explained. And the only requirements that I imposed was, contracting officer or program manager, you guys have to bring not only yourselves, the CO, the PM, but you got to bring your legal counsel as well.

The second was her origination of the brilliant idea to use vendor tech demos in source selection, where bidders actually worked on a project in real time rather than having everything based on voluminous written proposals. The third was, when she experimented for the first time with tech demos and the project went south because there were too many bidders and the efforts couldnt be evaluated properly.

At a meeting with the media announcing the cancellation, Correa recalled, They said, What went wrong? And I stood up and I said, I went wrong. That's what went wrong. What went wrong is on me as the chief procurement officer of this department, we needed to do things a little bit differently. And that's my responsibility. And people were like in awe and I think a lot of people thought, I guess, that my head was going to get lopped off, you know. And I went, Look, it's still attached.

I had to go to the Hill and talk to staffers and explain to them what happened, she said. But here's what people figured out. It died down pretty quickly. The world didn't stop revolving and companies, you know, didn't march in front of my building. And I didn't get tarred and feathered, you know. In other words, we survived.  We made a mistake and we survived. And what I said was, Folks, when you take when you take chances, but you explain to people what's the chance you're taking, what it is you're trying to do and how you're going to do it, and you keep people informed about what you're doing, you're probably going to be OK.

Also, I shouldnt forget to add that Correa also ran what is arguably the most successful strategic sourcing program in the government  an area sadly dominated by paper compliance rather than accomplishment. She established commodity councils with DHS components that consolidated purchases, lowered prices, and got better service for stuff such as bullets and sidearms.

In my next blog about Correa, I will discuss her work to improve communications between government and industry.
(Adds quotes)

By Susan Heavey and Andrea Shalal

WASHINGTON, Aug 12 (Reuters) - Vice President Kamala Harris underscored the importance of affordable childcare for improving U.S. competitiveness during a meeting with top executives of seven companies including Microsoft Corp and Etsy on Thursday.

Harris - seeking to build support for a $3.5 trillion measure that tackles childcare, climate, healthcare and other Biden administration priorities - said the business leaders had shown that providing child care and paid leave boosted productivity and aided their recruiting efforts.

The meeting, which included the heads of AirBnB Inc , Gap Inc, Chobani, Seventh Generation and Patagonia, is part of the Biden administration's push to ensure passage of the new legislation, whose mammoth size has already caused divisions among even some Democrats.

Affordable child care "when we prioritize it as a nation, contributes to our ability to be competitive globally," Harris said, adding it also had a direct impact on recruitment, retention, worker productivity, and corporate profits.

The White House said the companies participating in the meeting supported child care and paid leave policies.

Harris said Build Back Better, Biden's agenda for the U.S. economy's post-pandemic recovery, was aimed at lowering costs for families, helping businesses and strengthening the economy, while addressing longstanding "fissures and failures" in American society.

Economists estimate that lack of access to family-friendly policies, such as child care and paid parental leave, explains nearly a third of the decline in U.S. womens labor force participation relative to other OECD countries.

Nearly 2 million women left the labor force during the COVID-19 pandemic to care for children and elderly relatives, and many have not yet returned to work.

On Wednesday, Biden met with business and education leaders including the heads of United Airlines and healthcare provider Kaiser Permanente to discuss efforts to address ways to get more people vaccinated against COVID-19.

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The coronavirus has upended the economy and killed more than 617,000 people nationwide.

Businesses have in general struggled to hire workers during the pandemic for various reasons, though unemployment has fallen after spiking last year amid widespread shutdowns.

After passing a $1.9 trillion coronavirus-related rescue plan into law in March, Democrats are now pushing the $3.5 trillion measure, which includes $726 billion for universal preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds and child care for working families, and aids caregivers of the elderly and disabled.

"When workers dont have adequate care for their families, that can translate to lower productivity, increased absenteeism, and higher turnover  all hurting the bottom line for businesses," a White House official said, adding that a separate coalition of more than 275 businesses had backed the child care proposal. (Reporting by Susan Heavey, Andrea Shalal and Trevor Hunnicutt; Editing by Lisa Lambert, Hugh Lawson, John Stonestreet and Jonathan Oatis)
Amazon, Facebook, and Google are Among Recognizable Brands Funding Piracy Websites and Apps

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Online criminals who offer stolen movies, TV shows, games, and live events through websites and apps are reaping $1.34 billion in annual advertising revenues  including from some of the most iconic global companies, according to new research from the Digital Citizens Alliance and White Bullet.

Logo for the Digital Citizens Alliance. Digital Citizens is a consumer-oriented coalition focused on educating the public and policy makers on the threats that consumers face on the Internet and the importance for Internet stakeholders - individuals, government and industry - to make the Web a safer place. (PRNewsFoto/Digital Citizens Alliance) (PRNewsFoto/DIGITAL CITIZENS ALLIANCE)

The report  Breaking (B)ads: How Advertiser-Supported Piracy Helps Fuel a Booming Multi-Billion Dollar Illegal Market  details a year-long investigation into how brands and advertising intermediaries help support the operators of illegal piracy websites and apps through the placement of ads. Amazon, Facebook, and Google are among the most prominent companies found to fund piracy operators, even as these criminals offer risky advertising that exposes consumers to fraud and malware.

The combination of piracy, malware, and fraud poses significant risks to Internet safety. Consumers that say they visit pirate websites and apps are two- to three-times more likely to report an issue with malware than those that don't visit these illicit websites and apps, according to a new research survey.

"For too long, online piracy has been treated as a nuisance and not the multi-billion dollar industry that baits consumers to expose them to fraud and malware, hurts the reputation of brands and the overall advertising ecosystem, harms creators, and poses new challenges for law enforcement," said Tom Galvin, executive director of Digital Citizens. "It is time for Fortune 100 companies and the legitimate advertising industry to stop funneling tens of millions of dollars to criminals."

The research found that ads for Amazon, Facebook, and Google accounted for 73 percent of all major brands advertising that appeared frequently on piracy apps during the year investigation. However, there is a recent significant decline in Amazon ads showing up on piracy websites and apps. This demonstrates that the issue can be addressed when a brand makes it a priority.

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"This report confirms the simple fact that digital advertising funds piracy," said Peter Szyszko, founder and CEO of White Bullet. "Despite the alarming scale of the problem, today we are fully armed with AI technologies that can both track illegal activity and advance solutions. That underlying data is the evidence needed to drive action and change. We have already stopped millions in ad spend from funding piracy, reducing the profit of Intellectual Property crime, but clearly more has to be done. By connecting rights owners and the advertising industry with real-time data about piracy risk, all parties can take action."

The report details a lucrative and broad illicit ad-supported piracy industry that also poses malware and fraud risks to consumers, businesses and organizations - as well as the major brands themselves:

The top websites that offer stolen content generate $1.08 billion in global annual ad revenue. For the major players, it's big business: the investigation found that the top five of these websites made an average of $18.3 million in revenue from advertising. Many of these websites are in a constant state of churn, meaning they are changing domains and redirecting to avoid enforcement and bypass advertising blocklists.

The top apps that offer stolen content generate $259 million in global annual ad revenue. Just as with websites, piracy apps and advertising can be quite lucrative: the top five of these apps made an average of $27.6 million in ad revenue. These apps remain a smaller piece of the piracy pie than websites, but they are growing at a more rapid pace.

The brands that place the most digital ads overall, which include many of the Fortune 500 companies ("Major Brands"), are among the key revenue sources for pirate operators. Due in large part to the proliferation of advertising on piracy apps, these Major Brands paid pirate operators roughly $100 million in the last year to advertise on their platforms. One in four ads on piracy apps is from well-known companies.

The risks that piracy websites and apps pose to Internet users, businesses and organizations was reinforced by the research. White Bullet reviewed 664 billion ad impressions and found that roughly one in three piracy websites and apps have risky advertising that exposes consumers to fraud and malware.

A follow-up research survey also reveals that recognizable companies face reputational risks with piracy. Two out of five Americans reported that they think less of these companies when they see brand advertising appear on piracy websites and apps, according to a July survey of 2,126 respondents. The research also found that Internet users reported that brand advertising make pirate websites and apps seem more credible. The survey was conducted 7/28-7/29, 2021.

The full report can be found at:

https://www.digitalcitizensalliance.org/clientuploads/directory/Reports/Breaking-Bads-Report.pdf

For more information, contact:

Josh Zecher, josh@vrge.us, 703.930.4941

Kasey Long, Kasey@thedigitalvoice.co.uk

About Digital Citizens Alliance

The Digital Citizens Alliance is a nonprofit, 501(c)(6) organization that is a consumer - oriented coalition focused on educating the public and policymakers on the threats that consumers face on the Internet. Digital Citizens wants to create a dialogue on the importance for Internet stakeholders individuals, government, and industryto make the Web a safer place. Based in Washington, DC, the Digital Citizens Alliance counts among its supporters: private citizens, the health, pharmaceutical, and creative industries as well as online safety experts and other communities focused on Internet safety. Visit us at www.digitalcitizensalliance.org.

About White Bullet Solutions

Founded in 2013 by a leadership team of experienced Intellectual Property lawyers from the media and advertising industries, White Bullet offers companies piracy risk data and protection, brand safety solutions, and full transparency on their advertising placement and digital supply chains.

White Bullet works collaboratively with brands, policymakers, and the advertising industry to safeguard advertising spend and prevent ad placements from appearing on IP Infringing domains and apps. White Bullet is a certified anti-piracy solutions provider under the advertising industry regulator TAG and is a stakeholder to the EU Commission Memorandum of Understanding on Advertising and IPR.

White Bullet comprises IP experts and dedicated technical engineers who specialize in AI, big data models, and predictive machine learning. The team includes highly skilled investigators and data analysts experienced in tackling the funding and distribution of pirated content. With offices in London, New York, and Los Angeles, White Bullet advises policymakers and government bodies on regulatory and compliance programs globally.

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SOURCE Digital Citizens Alliance
NEW YORK, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Technavio forecasts the airport handling services market to grow by USD 43.06 bn at over 5% during 2020-2024 in its latest market research report. The report entails comprehensive analysis on dominant and strong players including Celebi Hava Servisi AS (Turkey), Delta Air Lines Inc.(US), Fraport Group (Germany), Signature Aviation plc (UK), Swissport International AG (Switzerland), TAV AIRPORTS HOLDING (Turkey), The Carlyle Group Inc. (US), The Emirates Group (UAE), Universal Weather and Aviation Inc. (US), and Worldwide Flight Services Bangkok Air Ground Handling Co. Ltd. (Thailand).

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Airport Handling Services Market by Service and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2020-2024

The airport handling services market report covers insights on major trends, key growth drivers, and challenges impacting the overall growth of the market. The report identifies the growing demand for outsourced ground handling services as one of the major factors driving the growth of the market. In addition, increasing adoption of technology and rising infrastructure developments in the aviation industry will eventually lead the market to witness considerable growth during the forecast period. However, accidents and aircraft damages at airports due to human error are anticipated to hinder the growth of the market in the long run.

View our exclusive report on Market scenarios, Estimates, Lockdown Impact, and Customer Behavior.

Download FREE Sample Report!

The airport handling services market covers the following areas:

Airport Handling Services Market Sizing

Airport Handling Services Market Forecast

Airport Handling Services Market Analysis

The airport handling services market report presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources by an analysis of key parameters. Technavio analyzes the market by Service (GSHS and CHS) and Geography (APAC, North America, Europe, MEA, and South America). The Ground handling services segment led the market share in 2019 and is anticipated to continue its dominance in the market over the forecast period. In addition, by geography, 52% of the market's growth will originate from APAC during the forecast period owing to the increasing preference for air travel particularly in advanced and emerging economies including China.

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Related Reports:



Airport Ground Support Equipment Market by Type and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025

Airport Smart Baggage Handling Solutions Market by Product and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025

1. Executive Summary

2. Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

Exhibit 01: Parent market

Exhibit 02: Market characteristics

2.2 Value chain analysis

Exhibit 03: Value chain analysis: Airport services market

2.2.1 Inputs

2.2.2 Operations

2.2.3 Marketing and sales

3. Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

Exhibit 04: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 05: Market segments

3.3 Market size 2019

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2019 - 2024

Exhibit 06: Global - Market size and forecast 2019 - 2024 ($ billion)

Exhibit 07: Global airport handling services market 2019-2024 ($ billion), exclusive of COVID-19 impact

Exhibit 08: Global market: Year-over-year growth 2019 - 2024 (%)

4. Five Forces Analysis

4.1 Five Forces Summary

Exhibit 09: Five forces analysis 2019 & 2024

4.2 Bargaining power of buyers

4.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

4.4 Threat of new entrants

4.5 Threat of substitutes

4.6 Threat of rivalry

4.7 Market condition

Market condition - Five forces 2020

5. Market Segmentation by Service

Throughout the forecast period, the hospital segment will be the leading segment of the market. The high inclination of patients toward hospitals is due to the scale at which they operate, the rules and regulations followed, and the importance given to maintain health records.

Buy the airport handling services market forecast report for exhaustive analytical data on the segmentations.

5.1 Market segments

Exhibit 16: Service - Market share 2019-2024 (%)

5.2 Comparison by Service

5.3 GSHS - Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Exhibit 18: GSHS - Market size and forecast 2019-2024 ($ billion)

Exhibit 19: Global GSHS market 2019-2024 ($ billion), exclusive of COVID-19 impact

Exhibit 20: GSHS - Year-over-year growth 2019-2024 (%)

5.4 CHS - Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Exhibit 21: CHS - Market size and forecast 2019-2024 ($ billion)

Exhibit 22: Global CHS market 2019-2024 ($ billion), exclusive of COVID-19 impact

Exhibit 23: CHS - Year-over-year growth 2019-2024 (%)

5.5 Market opportunity by Service

Exhibit 24: Market opportunity by Service

6. Customer landscape

Technavio's customer landscape matrix comparing Drivers or price sensitivity, Adoption lifecycle, importance in customer price basket, Adoption rate and Key purchase criteria

Exhibit 25: Customer landscape

Customer landscape analysis

7. Geographic Landscape

APAC contributed 41% to the overall market in 2019 and would increase its contribution to 43% of the global airport handling services market in 2024.

Buy the report now to obtain meticulously researched actionable insights on the emerging and potential regional markets.

7.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 26: Market share by geography 2019-2024 (%)

7.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 27: Geographic comparison

7.3 APAC - Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Exhibit 28: APAC - Market size and forecast 2019-2024 ($ billion)

Exhibit 29: Airport services market in APAC 2019-2024 ($ billion), exclusive of COVID-19 impact

Exhibit 30: APAC - Year-over-year growth 2019-2024 (%)

7.4 North America - Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Exhibit 31: North America - Market size and forecast 2019-2024 ($ billion)

Exhibit 32: Airport services market in North America 2019-2024 ($ billion), exclusive of COVID-19 impact

Exhibit 33: North America - Year-over-year growth 2019-2024 (%)

7.5 Europe - Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Exhibit 34: Europe - Market size and forecast 2019-2024 ($ billion)

Exhibit 35: Airport services market in Europe 2019-2024 ($ billion), exclusive of COVID-19 impact

Exhibit 36: Busiest and fastest-growing airports in EU 2018

Exhibit 37: Europe - Year-over-year growth 2019-2024 (%)

7.6 MEA - Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Exhibit 38: MEA - Market size and forecast 2019-2024 ($ billion)

Exhibit 39: Airport services market in MEA 2019-2024 ($ billion), exclusive of COVID-19 impact

Exhibit 40: Key airport expansion projects in the Middle East

Exhibit 41: MEA - Year-over-year growth 2019-2024 (%)

7.7 South America - Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Exhibit 42: South America - Market size and forecast 2019-2024 ($ billion)

7.8 Key leading countries

Exhibit 42: Key leading countries

7.9 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 43: Market opportunity by geography ($ billion)

8. Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

8.1 Volume drivers  Demand led growth

8.1.1 Increasing infrastructure developments in the aviation industry

8.1.2 Growing demand for outsourced ground handling services

8.1.3 Rise in the number of airline passengers

8.2 Market challenges

8.2.1 Accidents and aircraft damages at airports due to human error

8.2.2 High market intensity leading to price cuts

8.2.3 Increasing number of HSR projects

8.2 Market challenges

8.3.1 Collective pooling of airside equipment

8.3.2 Growing market consolidations

8.3.3 Increasing adoption of technology

9. Vendor Landscape

9.1 Overview

9.2 Vendor landscape

9.3 Landscape disruption

Analysis of Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation

Competitive scenario

9.4 Landscape disruption

Technavio's Analysis on the impact of Disruption Threats by comparing Disruptive sources and Factors driving disruption

Industry risks

10. Vendor Analysis

10.1 Vendors covered

10.2 Market positioning of vendors

10.3 Celebi Hava Servisi AS

Overview

Business Segments

Key Offering

Segment Focus

10.4 Delta Air Lines Inc.

Overview

Business Segments

Key Offering

Segment Focus

10.5 Fraport Group

Overview

Business Segments

Key Offering

Segment Focus

10.6 Signature Aviation plc

Overview

Business Segments

Key Offering

Segment Focus

10.7 Swissport International AG

Overview

Business Segments

Key Offering

Segment Focus

10.8 TAV AIRPORTS HOLDING

Overview

Business Segments

Key Offering

Segment Focus

10.9 The Carlyle Group Inc.

Overview

Business Segments

Key Offering

Segment Focus

10.10 The Emirates Group

Overview

Business Segments

Key Offering

Segment Focus

10.11 Universal Weather and Aviation Inc.

Overview

Business Segments

Key Offering

Segment Focus

10.12 Worldwide Flight Services Bangkok Air Ground Handling Co. Ltd.

Overview

Business Segments

Key Offering

Segment Focus

11. Appendix

11.1 Scope of the report

11.1.1 Market definition

11.1.2 Objectives

11.1.3 Notes and Caveats

11.2 Currency conversion rates for US$

11.3 Research methodology

11.4 List of abbreviations

Technavio suggests three forecast scenarios (optimistic, probable, and pessimistic) considering the impact of COVID-19. Technavio's in-depth research has direct and indirect COVID-19 impacted market research reports.

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Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

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Technavio (PRNewsfoto/Technavio)

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SOURCE Technavio
OTTAWA, ON, Aug. 12, 2021 /CNW/ - The Tokyo 2020 Canadian Paralympic Team will be heading to the Paralympic Games this month with added health and safety support, thanks to travel insurance coverage for COVID-19 provided by Allianz Global Assistance Canada.

Canadian Paralympic Committee (CNW Group/Canadian Paralympic Committee (Sponsorships))

Allianz is sponsoring travel insurance coverage for emergency medical treatment and costs related to COVID-19, which will protect all Canadian team members heading to Tokyo for the Paralympic Games.

"Keeping our athletes, coaches, and support staff safe is the number-one priority for us at the Paralympic Games," said Karen O'Neill, CEO, Canadian Paralympic Committee. "Thank you to Allianz Global Assistance Canada for their support in protecting our entire team."

"We are grateful for the opportunity to play a part in keeping our Canadian Paralympians safe while attending the Paralympic Games in Tokyo," said Lisa Callaghan, Chief Product & Underwriting Officer for Allianz Global Assistance Canada. "We are so proud of the work and dedication demonstrated by these athletes as they prepare to represent Canada on the world stage. We hope this protection for COVID-19 related medical emergencies provides team members with added peace of mind so they can focus on the joy of competition and the experience of making their dreams come true."

The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games will take place August 24  September 5, 2021.

About the Canadian Paralympic Committee: Paralympic.ca

About Allianz Global Assistance (Canada):

For over 30 years, Allianz Global Assistance has supported travelling Canadians when they need it most with value-added travel insurance and assistance services. Our teams support long-term partnerships with some of the best-known brands in the travel and financial services markets. Allianz Global Assistance also serves as an outsource provider for in-bound call centre services and claims administration for health insurers, property and casualty insurers and credit card companies. Allianz Global Assistance is a specialist brand of Allianz Partners for assistance and travel insurance, and is a registered business name of AZGA Service Canada Inc. and AZGA Insurance Agency Canada Ltd. For more information, visit the Allianz Global Assistance Canada website.

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SOURCE Canadian Paralympic Committee (Sponsorships)

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ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Bohemia Interactive Simulations (BISim), a global developer of advanced military simulation and training software, has been subcontracted by Cole Engineering Service Inc. (CESI) to deliver significant components of the U.S. Army's next generation of collective training technology. CESI recently announced it had been awarded the Training Simulation Software/Training Management Tools (TSS/TMT) contract and plans to utilize all three of BISim's primary products (VBS4, VBS Blue IG and VBS World Server) as part of the overall TSS/TMT solution.

Bohemia Interactive Simulations (BISim), a global developer of advanced military simulation and training software, has been subcontracted by Cole Engineering Service Inc. (CESI) to deliver significant components of the U.S. Armys next generation of collective training technology.

BISim's whole-earth virtual and constructive VBS simulation capabilities will be tightly integrated with TSS/TMT

The U.S. Army's Synthetic Training Environment (STE), of which TSS/TMT supplies the central software capabilities, will allow units and leaders to conduct realistic, multi-echelon and multi-domain combined arms maneuver and mission command, live, collective training anywhere in the world. TSS/TMT will also converge live, virtual and constructive capabilities in a single, easy-to-use interface. Military leaders and instructors will be able to set up complex virtual battles, coordinating with thousands of AI-powered allies, and fighting against artificially intelligent or instructor-controlled adversaries, with realistic AI behaviors and at theater-wide scale. Soldiers will be able to repeat these training missions many times over, facing new challenges that will help them to better prepare for live training and enhance their readiness for operations.

Terrain data will draw from STE's One World Terrain data and soldiers will interact either through PC-based soldier stations or through STE's Reconfigurable Virtual Collective Trainers. The STE will facilitate quick set up, comprehensive after action review of exercises and an intelligent tutor capability, and will lead to more realistic, more targeted and ultimately more impactful training and mission rehearsal. The delivered system will be the most advanced and most comprehensive training capability in the military world, encapsulating the ambitious vision of the U.S. Army's STE Cross Functional Team and combining the talents and software of a number of cutting-edge military-focused companies including CESI and BISim.

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BISim's easy-to-use, whole-earth virtual and constructive VBS simulation capabilities will be tightly integrated with TSS/TMT. BISim's World Server technology will be utilized in the Army's TSS/TMT to ingest OWT format into the TSS/TMT environment, providing soldiers the ability to train and rehearse on realistic virtual terrains anywhere in the world. VBS Blue IG, BISim's high-performance, 3D whole-earth image generator (IG), is already providing high-fidelity visuals for RVCTs and usage of BISim's IG will be expanded to STE through TSS/TMT.

BISim first began working with the U.S. Army on the STE-related programs in 2016 and, as prime contractor working with Cole Engineering Services (CESI) and 4C, developed a prototype for a cloud-enabled, virtual world training capability under the OTA1 contract in 2018. BISim's VBS Blue IG product has been used to support the STE's RVCT Air and Ground efforts and BISim's world server technology is the core of the cloud-enabled STE World Server (STEWS) middleware used in the Army's One World Terrain (OWT) project. We are humbled and proud that BISim's involvement with STE has been substantial and ongoing, with the TSS/TMT subcontract being BISim's 9th STE-related contract award.

"BISim has invested tens of millions of dollars in upgrading and modularizing our technology in anticipation of STE-type requirements, and VBS4 already supports all of the Army's Games for Training capabilities, representing over one hundred U.S. Army-specific training uses," said BISim CEO Arthur Alexion. "We are excited to bring BISim's products and technical expertise in support of prime contractor CESI to jointly deliver the U.S. Army's next generation of virtual combat training technology in 2025."

About Bohemia Interactive Simulations

Founded in 2001, Bohemia Interactive Simulations (BISim) is a global software company at the forefront of simulation and training solutions for defense and civilian organizations. BISim utilizes the latest game-based technology and a 200-strong, in-house team of engineers to develop high-fidelity, cost-effective training and simulation software products and components for defense applications.

Globally, more than 500,000 military personnel are trained every year using VBS software products. More than 60 NATO and NATO-friendly countries and over 300 integrators/prime contractors use VBS technology, many making significant funding commitments to extend VBS product capabilities. Customers include the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, Australian Defence Force, Swedish Armed Forces, French MoD and UK MoD and most major integrators. VBS products have become, by far, the world's most widely used COTS product range in the military-simulation sector, supporting hundreds of military use cases and vastly greater military exploitation than any comparable products.

CONTACT: Abby Lewis, abby@blastmedia.com

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SOURCE BISim
COBOURG, ON, Aug. 12, 2021 /CNW/ - Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. Thanks to investments made by the Government of Canada, residents of Cobourg will now have access to more stable rental housing options.

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) logo (CNW Group/Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation)

Today, Adam Vaughan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), announced a $15 million insured loan to help construct a new residential building located at 311  325 University Avenue West in Cobourg.

The project, developed by Balder Corporation, is a 4-storey residential building that will provide Cobourg with 71 new units of much needed rental housing close to public transit, schools and services for families.

The project received funding through CMHC's Rental Construction Financing initiative (RCFi), a National Housing Strategy program that supports rental housing construction projects to encourage a stable supply of rental housing for middle-class families in expensive housing markets.

Quotes:

"Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. That is why our government is taking action to increase the supply of rental housing through projects like the one we are announcing today in Cobourg. This new rental housing will provide families better access to jobs, services and the amenities they need. This is the National Housing Strategy at work."  The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)

"By providing financing for new housing builds like we have for this project at 311-325 University Avenue West, our government is taking action to not only increase the supply of new rental developments, but to also provide housing options that are closer to jobs, services and amenities for middle-class families here in Cobourg, the surrounding regions and across Canada."  Adam Vaughan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

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"We believe that addressing the housing crisis in our communities requires commitment from all stakeholders. It's been a privilege to take part in the federal government's housing initiative that brings together federal funding with private sector investment and support from municipalities and other community stakeholders. If it were not for this initiative, projects such as ours would simply not be possible in the current housing market."  Babak Akbari of Balder Corporation

Quick facts:

Through the RCFi, the Government of Canada is encouraging the construction of more than 71,000 new rental housing units.

A stable supply of rental housing is critical to ensure that more Canadians have access to housing that meet their need and that they can afford. This is a great option for middle class Canadians who are experiencing affordability pressure in many markets with high home prices and lack of rental supply.

Launched in April 2017, the RCFi has generated significant interest in the industry, which has led to an expansion of the program. Through Budget 2019, the Government of Canada increased the total amount available in loans to $13.75 billion.

Given the high demand for the program, the Government again expanded the RCFi in the 2020 Fall Economic Statement by adding an additional $12 billion over 7 years, starting in 2021-22. The program now totals $25.75 billion in low-cost loans.

Budget 2021 proposes that $300 million over two years (2021-22 and 2022-23) from the RCFi be allocated to support the conversion of vacant commercial property into 800 units of market-based rental housing. As the demand for retail and office space has changed due to COVID, some landlords, particularly in major urban cores, are facing higher vacancies. This is an opportunity for property owners and communities to explore converting excess space into rental housing, enhancing the livability and affordability of urban communities.

Canada's National Housing Strategy (NHS) is a 10-year, $70+ billion plan that will give more Canadians a place to call homethis includes more than $13 billion committed through the 2020 Fall Economic Statement.

To help Canadians find affordable housing, Budget 2021 proposes to provide an additional $2.5 billion over seven years in new funding and a reallocation of $1.3 billion in previously announced funding to speed up the construction, repair, and support over 35,000 additional housing units.

Associated links:

As Canada's authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. For more information, please visit cmhc.ca or follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.





To find out more about the National Housing Strategy, visit www.placetocallhome.ca.

Government of Canada logo (CNW Group/Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation)

SOURCE Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

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Nuclear consortium announces three-year funding commitment to local business incubator to support economic development in Eastern Manitoba

CNEA Donates $240,000 to North Forge East

Joe McBrearty, President and CEO of Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, presents Shane Li, President of North Forge East, with a cheque for $240,000 on behalf of the Canadian National Energy Alliance. Pictured left to right are Blair Skinner, Mayor of Pinawa; Joe McBrearty; Shane Li; and John Gilbert, Head of the Whiteshell Closure Project.

Joe McBrearty, President and CEO of Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, presents Shane Li, President of North Forge East, with a cheque for $240,000 on behalf of the Canadian National Energy Alliance. Pictured left to right are Blair Skinner, Mayor of Pinawa; Joe McBrearty; Shane Li; and John Gilbert, Head of the Whiteshell Closure Project.

CHALK RIVER, Ontario, Aug. 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canadian National Energy Alliance (CNEA), a consortium of leading nuclear engineering and management firms that operates Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), is pleased to announce that it is donating $240,000 to North Forge East (NFE) to support economic development in Eastern Manitoba. The donation raises the total CNEA contributions made to NFE in recent years to nearly $650,000, funding that is being used to encourage entrepreneurship, business innovation, and commercialization in the region.



Joe McBrearty, CNLs President and CEO, was joined by Blair Skinner, Mayor of Pinawa, John Gilbert, Head of the Whiteshell Closure Project, and Shane Li, President of North Forge East, for a cheque presentation ceremony to celebrate the donation. The funding will be allocated to NFE in the form of annual $80,000 payments delivered over the next three years.

CNEA is excited to continue to support NFE programs and services, which have already made a meaningful difference in the lives of many local residents here in Pinawa and the surrounding communities, commented Joe McBrearty on behalf of the CNEA Board of Directors. As the decommissioning of Whiteshell Laboratories progresses, CNEA has a responsibility to help bring economic opportunity to the region. NFE not only helps local residents start their own new businesses, but it also helps these companies grow and penetrate new markets, all of which can stimulate the local economy. Were proud to be a partner in that work.

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North Forge is a non-profit organization that supports new business start-ups in the Province of Manitoba, and the NFE division was created to help incubate new businesses in the Pinawa region due to the Whiteshell closure project. According to NFE, the new funding will be used to support ongoing operational costs and to continue to help encourage economic growth and opportunity for the local economy by supporting local entrepreneurs who are working to establish and grow sustainable businesses.

Over the past five years, CNEA has invested $400,000 towards NFE programs, which has helped to support 43 new start-up proposals, 30 of which continue to make strong progress with their business plans, commented Jack Craig Jr., Chair of the CNEA Board of Directors. And some of these start-ups are moving directly to Pinawa to launch their new companies, which creates employment and helps grow the local economy, just as the program was designed to do. We hope to build on this success with this new three-year funding commitment.

To date, participation in NFEs programs have far surpassed the organizations original estimates, and the incubator recognizes the important role that CNEAs funding has played in that progress.

Blair Skinner, Mayor of the Local Government District of Pinawa and Board Member of NFE is also very appreciative of the ongoing support from CNEA and CNL. CNEA has provided funding for North Forge East since its inception in 2016, which has enabled the NFE team to exceed our forecast for attracting entrepreneurs and encouraging people to move to Pinawa to start their businesses, explained Skinner. In addition, NFE President Shane Li has established a provincial pipeline for international entrepreneurs through the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program, and a federal pathway through the Start Up Visa program. NFE is also a member of the National Angel Capital Organization and recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Futurpreneur Canada, which has already led to the referral of new clients to the region.

All of these opportunities were made possible by CNEA donations, and the community of Pinawa is very grateful for another three-year funding commitment to maintain the momentum of this very important project, which helps to diversify the economy of Pinawa and our neighbouring municipalities, added Skinner.

Despite the many challenges caused by the pandemic over the past two years, NFE continues to support and guide entrepreneurs in the growth, digital transformation and trade of their products and services. Among the assistance currently available to local communities, NFE delivers mentorship, networking workshops, grant assistance, market intelligence and rapid prototyping, all of which is led by experienced mentors and subject matter experts. Past funding from CNEA has been used by NFE to deliver these services to residents in Pinawa and neighbouring municipalities.

In 1998, the Government of Canada announced the closure of the Whiteshell Laboratories and decommissioning activities have been underway since then. CNL manages the site on behalf of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL), and is currently decommissioning the campus, which is scheduled to close by 2027.

If youd like to learn more about North Forge East, please visit www.northforgeeast.ca. For more information on CNEA, please visit www.cnea.co.

About CNEA

The Canadian National Energy Alliance (CNEA) brings together the proven leadership and management approaches from SNC-Lavalin, Jacobs, and Fluor  the world's leading engineering and technology companies. CNEA was formed to respond to the Government of Canadas procurement for the management and operation of Atomic Energy of Canada Limiteds (AECL) nuclear laboratories. The procurement addresses three key objectives for the Government of Canada, including the management of Canadas radioactive waste and decommissioning responsibilities, ensuring that Canada's world-class nuclear science and technology capabilities and knowledge continue to support the federal government in its nuclear roles and responsibilities, and providing industry with access to nuclear science and technology expertise. CNEA was formed to safely transform Canadian Nuclear Laboratories and secure Canada's role in the global nuclear marketplace.

Media Contacts:

Canadian National Energy Alliance

Lou Riccoboni, Vice-President

613-723-8700

lou.riccoboni@CNEA.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1850a966-c8ac-40ec-b51d-423116dc8974




(Bloomberg) -- Chinas banking and insurance watchdog is stepping up scrutiny of the nations insurance technology platforms, widening a regulatory dragnet that has roiled global investors.

The regulator has ordered companies and local agencies to curb improper marketing and pricing practices, and step up user privacy protection, according to a notice seen by Bloomberg News. It encouraged companies to address these issues voluntarily and said those that failed to comply would face severe punishment.

The sweeping order goes beyond the targeted action thats hit a few listed online platforms including Waterdrop Inc. and operations backed by Ping An Insurance Group Co. in the months since China began a broad crackdown on its fintech sector this year. It has also moved to rein in some of its biggest technology companies, as well as edtech, ride-hailing and short video platforms.

The latest move will stymie growth in an industry that had been expected to grow to 2.5 trillion yuan ($385 billion) in a decade. The China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission didnt immediately respond to a request seeking comment.

In recent years, online insurance has moved into a fast lane. At the same time, transgressions have been rampant, according to the notice, which cited offenses including some internet platforms illegally operating in insurance, mispricing risks or illicitly using client information. It called for immediate rectification and regulation.

U.S.-listed insurance platform Huize Holding Ltd. fell 5%, the most in two weeks, after Bloomberg reported the notice. Insurance agency and platform Fanhua Inc. dropped nearly 6%. Ride-hailing service Didi Global Inc., which operates a fledgling financial services business, declined 3.7%. Shares of ZhongAn Online P&C Insurance Co. slid 11.5% in Hong Kong.

Regulatory Overhang

Investors across Chinas online space will need to brace for further ructions after a year in which technology darlings from Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. to Tencent Holdings Ltd. and Didi have been hit by a blizzard of regulatory action. The State Council on Wednesday warned of more legislation to come in areas including national security, technological innovation as well as anti-monopoly.

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Just a year ago, insurance seemed ripe for disruption as startups vowed to transform traditional practices with technology. Regulators have since moved to shutter some operations including mutual aid healthcare platforms operated by Waterdrop and Ant Group Co. A draft circular in January may potentially bar companies from selling certain insurance products if enacted.

The overhang presents multiple challenges for Waterdrop, which was one of a few Chinese fintechs to have pulled off an initial public offering this year. The company has warned it may not be able to achieve or maintain profitability or positive cash flow in the future after incurring net losses and negative cash flow each year since its inception in 2016. It lost $101 million last year after generating operating revenue of $464 million.

Investors and companies have poured an estimated 45 billion yuan ($7 billion) into insurance technology, according to estimates from online consultant iResearch.

What Bloomberg Intelligence Says

Chinas crackdown on marketing, pricing and fees for online insurance products should be good for industry leaders such as ZhongAn in the long term we believe. Better consumer protection supports more-sustainable industry development and competition on service quality and product innovation rather than via pricing and misleading ads.

- Steven Lam, analyst

Click here for the research

By the end of 2020, more than 140 insurance companies in China had started online insurance businesses, with total premiums of 298 billion yuan for the year, or 6% of the industry total, a CBIRC official said in a speech in May.

(Updates with comment from Bloomberg Intelligence, share prices)

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Simple energy efficiency tips for renters and homeowners can cut energy use 10% or more over the summer season

ATLANTA, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- With Georgia experiencing temperatures well above 90 degrees in spots this week, Georgia Power urges customers to act to minimize the impact of higher temperatures and increased energy use on electric bills. The company is committed to providing information and choices that give customers the options they need to reduce energy use and save money every day, whether customers rent or own their homes.

Georgia Power logo. (PRNewsFoto/Georgia Power)

Tips, Tools & Resources

Georgia Power offers efficiency tips and tools that can help all customers save money and energy throughout the year. Hundreds of easy energy tips are available at www.GeorgiaPower.com/EnergyEfficiency. The website also includes access to a free online energy checkup and a variety of rebates and incentives for both homes and businesses.

Simple summer tips to save money and energy include:

Think Thermostat  Heating and cooling costs make up nearly half of your average power bill. Set manual thermostats to 78F in the summer for peak efficiency and make the most of programmable thermostats, which help decrease energy use based on your lifestyle. Each degree cooler can increase your bill by 4%.

Use your Fans  A ceiling fan costs only about $1.50 a month to run and will help you feel cooler without having to adjust your thermostat.

Have your HVAC Serviced  Even if you don't lower your thermostat, your unit must work harder as the outside temperature rises. Inefficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems can add to the cost and amount to hundreds of dollars in additional energy costs every year.

Air Vents  To maintain consistent temperatures throughout your home, keep air vents and registers clear of obstructions such as furniture, curtains and rugs.

Trim Plants and Change Filters  To ensure your unit receives proper air flow, change any filters inside and trim plants around your outside unit.

Food Storage  Set your refrigerator thermostat between 35F and 38F, and your freezer to 0F to run at peak efficiency - but be careful not to over fill. Removing food to allow air to circulate, can reduce energy consumption.

Keep your Fridge Clean  Proper cleaning and maintenance of the refrigerator, such as carefully dusting or vacuuming the dirt from refrigerator coils can improve efficiency and save money.

Heat in the Kitchen  Reduce the temperature inside your home by cooking food in the microwave or stove top instead of the oven when possible. Match pots and pans to the burner size to minimize heat loss. Use lids on pots to keep in heat.

Additionally, Georgia Power's My Power Usage program, a free service connected to many Georgia Power online accounts, allows customers to track their daily energy use online, project their monthly bill and stay within a set energy budget.

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Flexible Rate Options To Fit Customers' Budgets And Lifestyles

Georgia Power reminds customers that as the seasons change, now is a great time to review your current rate plan and ensure that you are on the best rate to fit your budget and lifestyle. Ensuring that you are on the most economical rate plan for your use is one of the most effective ways to keep your energy costs low. Customers can explore details of seven Georgia Power rate plans at www.GeorgiaPower.com/Pricing, including plans tailored for those wanting the assurance of a bill that stays the same year round, customers who want to pre-pay and avoid a deposit, EV drivers and others who want to take advantage of low-cost power after hours.

Bill Payment Assistance

Georgia Power also offers bill payment assistance. The company works with customers to coordinate payment arrangements and discounts such as the Income-Qualified Senior Citizen Discount and can connect them with community organizations that may be able to help them pay their bill including The Salvation Army's Project SHARE program. Additional information is available at www.GeorgiaPower.com/Assistance or via phone at 888-660-5890.

About Georgia Power

Georgia Power is the largest electric subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), America's premier energy company. Value, Reliability, Customer Service and Stewardship are the cornerstones of the company's promise to 2.6 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties. Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy at rates below the national average, Georgia Power maintains a diverse, innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, coal and natural gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and wind. Georgia Power focuses on delivering world-class service to its customers every day and the company is recognized by J.D. Power as an industry leader in customer satisfaction. For more information, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower), Twitter (Twitter.com/GeorgiaPower) and Instagram (Instagram.com/ga_power).

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SOURCE Georgia Power
The volume of house hunter inquiries has started shrinking, following a reduction in the amount of stamp duty savings to be made, surveyors have reported (Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA) (PA Archive)

The volume of house hunter inquiries has started shrinking after a reduction in the amount of stamp duty savings to be made, surveyors have reported.

An overall net balance of 9% of property professionals reported new buyer inquiries falling rather than rising in July, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) said.

This brought to an end a four-month positive streak for the UK market on this measure.

In June, a balance of 10% of surveyors reported buyer inquiries increasing rather than decreasing.

A stamp duty holiday in England and Northern Ireland has been tapered from July and the nil rate band will revert to normal levels from October.

The overall tone to the market remains firm

Simon Rubinsohn, Rics

This means many buyers agreeing deals now are likely to miss out on stamp duty savings.

Sales volumes have slowed most notably in Yorkshire and the Humber, the East Midlands and East Anglia the report said.

However, a lack of housing supply is still underpinning price growth, Rics added.

A net balance of 46% of professionals saw a fall in new listings in July, marking the weakest reading for new instructions since the early days of the coronavirus lockdown in April 2020.

Growth in prices was noted across the UK, with the North of England, Wales and East Anglia recording particularly strong growth and London seeing more moderate feedback.

A net balance of 66% of professionals predict that house prices will be higher in a year, up from 56% in June.

Demand from tenants looking to rent new homes remained strong in July, Rics said.

With new instructions from landlords remaining in decline, rents are expected to rise over the next three months.

Rental expectations in London have seen a particular turnaround, with a net balance of 47% of professionals expecting rents to increase.

Simon Rubinsohn, Rics chief economist, said: Although the tapering in stamp duty is beginning to have some impact on Rics activity indicators, the overall tone to the market remains firm with the metrics capturing price expectations showing few signs of wavering.

Significantly, a strong message from survey respondents is that buyers are continuing to place a premium on space, with the prospect of a hybrid model of work being adopted by many organisations, providing the opportunity for greater flexibility around location.
Figure 1

Northern NSW Project  Exploration License and Application map

Northern NSW Project  Exploration License and Application map

Figure 2

Aeromagnetic (Reduced to pole) map of the Duck Creek principal target area of interest  High amplitude curvilinear magnetic patterns are interpreted to represent a kilometre-scale intrusive complex

Aeromagnetic (Reduced to pole) map of the Duck Creek principal target area of interest  High amplitude curvilinear magnetic patterns are interpreted to represent a kilometre-scale intrusive complex

Figure 3

Ginghet North (ELA6314) & Walgett East (ELA6315) Exploration License Applications. Total magnetic intensity, RTP airborne magnetic (left), residual gravity (right) data.

Ginghet North (ELA6314) & Walgett East (ELA6315) Exploration License Applications. Total magnetic intensity, RTP airborne magnetic (left), residual gravity (right) data.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Inflection Resources Ltd. (CSE: AUCU) (FSE: 5VJ) (OTCQB: AUCUF) (the "Company" or "Inflection") is pleased to announce it has identified a number of new, priority copper-gold exploration targets in Northern New South Wales, Australia. The Company has been granted two and applied for an additional three exploration licenses to cover these five new priority target areas.



Summary Highlights

Five new target areas: Duck Creek, Bogan West, Mundadoo North, Ginghet North and Walgett East have been identified, all claimed and 100% owned by the Company. The Company considers these new targets significant additions to the existing pipeline of drill targets;





Targets generated using regional aeromagnetic and gravity data in the northern covered extensions of the Macquarie Arc and are primarily considered prospective for alkalic porphyry-related copper-gold mineralisation; and,





The Company plans to systematically drill test these new targets as part of its ongoing Northern New South Wales drill program with the goal of discovering a large, concealed copper-gold deposit.



Exploration Update

The Company has identified and acquired five new copper-gold exploration targets in Northern New South Wales, two of which it has covered with fully granted Exploration Licenses and three with Exploration License Applications.

As the Company continues to drill test the covered, northern extension of the Macquarie Arc as part of its ongoing exploration program, the evolving geological interpretation and understanding of the belt has been greatly enhanced and highlighted several additional priority areas of interest. The new targets have primarily been generated using aeromagnetic and gravity data with a principal focus on magnetic anomalies that coincide with broad, multi-kilometre scale gravity lows. None of the new targets, all located under a sequence of unmineralized post-mineral cover, have previously been drill tested.

Story continues

Inflections district-scale land position now comprises twenty-three Exploration Licenses and Applications extending over 8,730 km, all 100% owned by the Company. This highly strategic, district-scale land position principally covers large intrusive volcanic complexes interpreted to be part of the Macquarie Arc, a highly prospective geologic terrane for a variety of deposit types including alkalic porphyry-related copper-gold mineralisation.

Alistair Waddell, Inflections President and CEO, states: As our New South Wales drill program progresses, our geological understanding of the covered northern extension of the Macquarie Arc has greatly improved through the collection of new, primary, proprietary data which is constantly being applied to tweak our geological models and exploration strategy. This proprietary knowledge has given the Company a significant competitive advantage over the selection of prospective ground and targets. This greater geological understanding of the covered basement geology, geochronology and the post-mineral sedimentary cover sequence has highlighted these additional areas of interest which the Company considers highly prospective for large porphyry-related copper-gold systems.

Figure 1: Northern NSW Project  Exploration License and Application map -

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8c6d088f-24fd-4166-b7d3-c0468148b6f0

Target Geological Details

Inflection has been granted two and applied for an additional three exploration licences that significantly enhance the prospectivity of its Northern NSW portfolio of copper-gold projects.

Duck Creek - EL 8965 (Granted Exploration License)

Duck Creek is a large exploration licence (60,102 hectares) acquired to cover a target area the Company considers prospective for alkalic porphyry-related copper-gold style mineralisation.

The target area covers favourable magnetic and gravity features identified by airborne geophysical surveys which the Company interprets to be part of the prospective Macquarie Arc volcanic sequence. The broad target area comprises a large gravity low embayment within a large regional magnetic high, of which the Company considers the geological setting analogous to the Northparkes mine located to the south. Specifically, the Company has identified high amplitude, complex, curvilinear magnetic patterns very similar to those typical of the intrusion-related signatures of the Macquarie Arc mineralized districts. Furthermore, the target area is marked by a distinct 10 x 15-kilometre gravity low similar to the signature which marks the extent of the Northparkes intrusion complex. More than ten drill sites have been identified in the Duck Creek area for initial drill testing, none of which have previously been drill tested. The initial, first-pass drill holes are fully permitted for drilling.

Figure 2: Aeromagnetic (Reduced to pole) map of the Duck Creek principal target area of interest  High amplitude curvilinear magnetic patterns are interpreted to represent a kilometre-scale intrusive complex. -

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7f1bb9b8-e6ba-477f-a5a5-b7c37172afe0

Mundadoo North - ELA 6293 (Exploration License Application)

This recent exploration licence application is located directly north of Inflections Mundadoo target which previously returned encouraging results (Inflection news release dated May 27, 2021) and is along strike of the regional trends in the aeromagnetic and gravity data. The area covers a large gravity low within a strong gravity ridge associated with a pronounced magnetic high. Detailed interpretation of the magnetic and gravity data is currently being undertaken to identify specific targets to be drill tested.

Bogan West - EL 9177 (Granted Exploration License)

Analysis of the aeromagnetic and gravity data has identified two targets with potential to host copper-gold mineralisation located approximately fifteen kilometres apart. Both areas are associated with a strong northwest-trending structural corridor comprised of interpreted contractional faults and associated shorter splay faults. The post-mineral sedimentary cover sequence here is interpreted to be shallow, allowing for rapid and cost-effective assessment.

Ginghet North - ELA 6314 & Walgett East - ELA 6315 (Exploration License Applications)

Two large areas, which total 319,604 hectares, have been applied for east and northeast of the Companys Waratah Exploration License (EL8720). The area comprises a large segment of possible Macquarie Arc volcanics and intrusions which are manifest by several regionally significant gravity lows, and zones of complex magnetite highs and lows which the Company considers highly prospective for copper and gold. The Company intends to undertake detailed targeting over these two areas to identify specific areas to be drill tested. The Company considers these target areas particularly exciting not only from the magnetic and gravity anomalies but also because this is a new exploration terrain with no previously recorded exploration activity.

Figure 3: Ginghet North (ELA6314) & Walgett East (ELA6315) Exploration License Applications. Total magnetic intensity, RTP airborne magnetic (left), residual gravity (right) data. -

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b04370cd-b135-4de2-9541-04c7b9b0bc69

Northern NSW - Exploration Strategy

Inflection is systematically drill testing a large portfolio of copper-gold and gold targets within the interpreted northern extension of the Macquarie Arc, part of the Lachlan Fold Belt in New South Wales. The Company is using cost-effective mud-rotary drilling to cut through the unmineralized post-mineral sedimentary cover. Once basement is reached, the rig transitions to diamond core drilling. It is well documented that mineralized bodies elsewhere in the belt, in particular porphyry and intrusive related systems, have large district-scale alteration and geochemical halos or footprints surrounding them. The Company is completing a series of short diamond drill holes into bedrock rather than just one or two deep and more expensive diamond drill holes. Multiple data points gained from alteration and mineral geochemistry is then used to vector additional deeper holes. This is a proven exploration strategy in the covered segments of the Macquarie Arc, having been directly responsible for the discovery of the Northparkes and Cowal deposits.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Carl Swensson (FAusIMM), Inflections VP Exploration, and a Qualified Person (QP) as defined in National Instrument 43- 101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About Inflection Resources Ltd. Inflection is a technically driven copper-gold and gold focused mineral exploration company listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol AUCU and on the OTCQB under the symbol AUCUF with projects in Australia. The Company is systematically drill testing a large portfolio of projects in New South Wales and in Queensland. The Company is exploring for large copper-gold and gold deposits in the northern interpreted extension of the Macquarie Arc, part of the Lachlan Fold Belt in New South Wales. The Macquarie Arc is Australias premier porphyry gold-copper province being host to Newcrest Minings Cadia deposits, the CMOC Northparkes deposits and Evolution Minings Cowal deposits plus numerous exploration prospects including Boda, the recent discovery made by Alkane Resources.

For more information, please visit the Companys website at www.inflectionresources.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Alistair Waddell

President and CEO

For further information, please contact:

Brennan Zerb

Investor Relations Manager

+1 (778) 867-5016

bzerb@inflectionresources.com

Forward-Looking Statements: This news release includes certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements regarding future capital expenditures, anticipated content, commencement, and cost of exploration programs in respect of the Company's projects and mineral properties, and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Often, but not always, forward looking information can be identified by words such as "pro forma", "plans", "expects", "may", "should", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "potential" or variations of such words including negative variations thereof, and phrases that refer to certain actions, events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, statements as to the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, including the Company's exploration plans. the proposed expenditures for exploration work thereon, the ability of the Company to obtain sufficient financing to fund its business activities and plans, delays in obtaining governmental and regulatory approvals (including of the Canadian Securities Exchange), permits or financing, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations, the Company's limited operating history, currency fluctuations, title disputes or claims, environmental issues and liabilities, as well as those factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's prospectus dated June 12, 2020 and other filings of the Company with the Canadian Securities Authorities, copies of which can be found under the Company's profile on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements, except as otherwise required by law.








TORONTO, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --

WHAT: The ADP Research Institute will issue the July 2021 ADP Canada National Employment Report, on Thursday, August 19, 2021 .

Broadly distributed to the public each month, free of charge, the ADP Canada National Employment Report is produced by the ADP Research Institute. The report, which is derived from actual ADP payroll data, measures the change in total nonfarm payroll employment each month on a seasonally-adjusted basis.

WHEN: Thursday, August 19, 2021, 8:30a.m. ET

About the ADP Canada National Employment Report

The ADP Canada National Employment Report is a monthly measure of the change in total Canadian nonfarm payroll employment derived from actual, anonymous payroll data of client companies served by ADP Canada. The report, which measures more than two million workers in Canada, is produced by the ADP Research Institute, a specialized group within the company that provides insights around employment trends and workforce strategy.

Each month, the ADP Research Institute issues the ADP Canada National Employment Report as part of the company's commitment to adding deeper insights into the labour market in Canada and providing businesses, governments and others with a new source of credible and valuable information. The ADP Canada National Employment Report is broadly distributed to the public each month, free of charge.

For a description of the underlying data and the statistical model used to create this report, please see "ADP Canada National Employment Report: Development Methodology".

About ADP (NASDAQ: ADP)

Designing better ways to work through cutting-edge products, premium services and exceptional experiences that enable people to reach their full potential. HR, Talent, Benefits and Payroll. Informed by data and designed for people. Learn more at ADP.com.

For more information about ADP Canada, visit ADP.ca.

ADP, the ADP logo and the ADP Research Institute are registered trademarks of ADP, Inc. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. Copyright  2021 ADP, Inc. All rights reserved.

SOURCE ADP, Inc.
File: Microsoft has sought to expand its footprint in the cloud computing space and has emerged as a significant competitor for Amazon (AFP via Getty Images)

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has bagged a $10 billion cloud computing contract with the US National Security Agency (NSA), drawing formal protest from its rival, software giant Microsoft.

The current move by Microsoft comes after Amazon spent years contesting the software company being awarded the Pentagons Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure (JEDI) contract.

Based on the decision, we are filing an administrative protest via the Government Accountability Office (GAO). We are exercising our legal rights and will do so carefully and responsibly, a Microsoft spokesperson told tech website Nextgov.

Microsoft filed its protest on 21 July with the GAO, claiming the NSA did not conduct a proper evaluation before awarding the contract for its project, code named WildandStormy, tech news website Washington Technology first reported. The GAOs decision is due on 29 October.

An NSA spokesperson confirmed the protest in a statement to Nextgov. The agency will respond to the protest in accordance with appropriate federal regulations, the statement said.

The NSA reportedly decided to switch from storing intelligence data locally to using a cloud service. Amazon could gain an upper hand in the fast-growing cloud service market if the US GAO rules in its favour.

Intelligence officials in the NSA have sought to meet the challenging demands of exponential growth of data and massive requirements for processing and analytics by moving the data from its own servers to those operated by a commercial cloud provider in an effort called the Hybrid Compute Initiative.

AWS holds numerous government cloud contracts, such as the $600 million cloud contract with the CIA called C2S and its multi-billion follow-on C2E contract. The JEDI project, however, revealed Microsoft to be a significant competitor on the cloud services front.

The software giant has sought to expand its cloud capabilities catered for the US government with its Azure Government Secret cloud project and another service for customers having top secret classified data, called the Azure Government Top Secret project that was announced last year.

The broad range of services will meet the demand for greater agility in the classified space, including the need to gain deeper insights from data sourced from any location as well as the need to enable the rapid expansion of remote work, the company noted in a December blog post.
- Continued execution of multiple ongoing clinical studies for the treatment of highly resistant tumors and viruses -

- Key clinical and regulatory milestones throughout next 18 months including topline results from the ongoing Phase 1/2 study of Annamycin for treatment of AML and interim data from U.S. Phase 1b/2 study of Annamycin for the treatment of soft tissue sarcoma (STS) lung metastases -

HOUSTON, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Moleculin Biotech, Inc., (Nasdaq: MBRX) (Moleculin or the Company), a clinical stage pharmaceutical company with a broad portfolio of drug candidates targeting highly resistant tumors and viruses, today announced its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2021. The Company also provided an update on its portfolio of oncology drug candidates for the treatment of highly resistant tumors and viruses.

Moleculin Biotech, Inc. is a clinical stage pharmaceutical company focused on the development of a broad portfolio of oncology drug candidates for the treatment of highly resistant tumors. (PRNewsfoto/Moleculin Biotech, Inc.)

"I am pleased with the progress made over the course of the past quarter, of particular note, in the clinical development program for Annamycin, our next-generation anthracycline. We are committed to advancing our three core technologies to meet the needs in a number of oncology and viral indications. We believe the next 18 months hold a number of key inflection points and value drivers for the Company. We believe Moleculin is well-positioned to continue building momentum and drive shareholder value in the near- and long-term," commented Walter Klemp, Chairman and CEO of Moleculin.

Recent Highlights

Received approval to extend dose escalation in Phase 1/2 European clinical trial evaluating Annamycin for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Commenced enrollment and dosed the first subject in its U.S. Phase 1b/2 clinical trial evaluating Annamycin for the treatment of soft tissue sarcoma (STS) lung metastases.

Held further meetings with the MHRA in the UK regarding a healthy volunteer trial with WP1122 for the treatment of COVID-19.

Programs Update

Next Generation Anthracycline - Annamycin

Story continues

Annamycin, the Company's next-generation anthracycline was designed to be noncardiotoxic (unlike all currently approved anthracyclines) and has demonstrated its lack of cardiotoxicity in recently conducted human clinical trials for the treatment of AML. The Company believes that, because of this unique improvement in safety, the use of Annamycin may not face the same usage limitations imposed on doxorubicin. Additionally, Annamycin has been shown in animal models to accumulate in the lungs at up to 30-fold the level of doxorubicin. Annamycin is currently in development for the treatment of AML and STS lung metastases. For more information about the Phase 1b/2 study evaluating Annamycin for the treatment of STS lung metastases, please visit clinicaltrials.gov and reference identifier NCT04887298.

Upcoming Milestones Expectations

H2 2021: Report cohort topline results from the ongoing Phase 1/2 study for treatment of AML and report the study's topline results.

H2 2021: Commence Phase 1/2 study in Europe for the treatment of AML evaluating combination therapy of Annamycin + AraC.

H2 2021: Commencement of an investigator-funded, second Phase 1b/2 clinical trial of Annamycin in sarcoma lung metastases in Europe

First-in-class p-STAT3 Inhibitors - WP1066 and WP1220

WP1066 is one of several Immune/Transcription Modulators, designed to stimulate the immune response to tumors by inhibiting the errant activity of Regulatory T-Cells (TRegs) while also inhibiting key oncogenic transcription factors, including p-STAT3 (phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3), c-Myc (a cellular signal transducer named after a homologous avian virus called Myelocytomatosis) and HIF-1 (hypoxia inducible factor 1). These transcription factors are widely sought targets that are believed to contribute to an increase in cell survival and proliferation, and the angiogenesis (coopting vasculature for blood supply), invasion, metastasis and inflammation associated with tumors. They may also play a role in the inability of immune checkpoint inhibitors to affect more resistant tumors. WP1220 is a close analog to WP1066 that the Company has developed as a potential topical therapy for skin-related diseases.

WP1220 was evaluated for the treatment of Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (CTCL) and, based on those results, we are seeking collaborators for future development. WP1066 is currently being evaluated for the treatment of pediatric brain tumors, including Diffuse Interstitial Pontine Glioma (DIPG). Additionally, WP1066 + radiation is being evaluated, pre-clinically, in the treatment of Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM).

Upcoming Milestones Expectations

H2 2021: File a US Investigative New Drug application (IND) for the treatment of certain adult cancer(s) with WP1066 and identify an institution to commence an associated investigator-funded Phase 1a/1B study.

H2 2021: Continue support of the physician-sponsored pediatric brain tumor clinical trial

H1 2022: Facilitate launch of physician-sponsored Phase 2 study of WP1066 for the treatment of pediatric brain tumors including DIPG.

Actively seek collaboration with a strategic partner in the near term for external funding for the continued development of WP1220 in a Phase 2 clinical trial as a topical therapy for CTCL.

Infectious Disease and Metabolism/Glycosylation Inhibitors- WP1122, WP1096 and WP1097 Portfolio

Moleculin has new compounds designed to target the roles of glycolysis and glycosylation in both cancer and viral diseases. The Company's lead Metabolism/Glycosylation Inhibitor, WP1122, is a prodrug of 2-DG that appears to improve the drug-like properties of 2-DG by increasing its circulation time and improving tissue/organ distribution. Recent published research has identified that 2-DG has antiviral potential against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro and, based on publicly available information, a recently completed Phase 2 clinical trial by an unrelated company in India has reported efficacy in COVID-19 patients, resulting in the Emergency Use Authorization of 2-DG by the Drugs Controller General of India. Moleculin believes WP1122 has the potential to become an important drug to potentiate existing therapies, including checkpoint inhibitors. The Company recently engaged in discussions with the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the United Kingdom (UK) regarding the potential for beginning clinical trials of WP1122 without the need for additional preclinical animal efficacy models. Based on their initial discussions with the MHRA, the Company believes that a COVID-19 animal model will not be required in order to submit a clinical trial application (CTA) for a Phase 1 clinical trial beginning with healthy volunteers in that country, although no final determination has been made by the MHRA. During the second quarter these discussions continued. Additionally, the Company is in the process of identifying countries where potential future Phase 2 clinical studies could occur. The Company is also engaged in preclinical development of additional antimetabolites (WP1096 and WP1097) targeting glycolysis and glycosylation.

Upcoming Milestones Expectations

H2 2021: Seek to initiate Phase 1a/1b study of WP1122 for the treatment of COVID-19 in the UK.

H2 2021: Potential to launch Phase 2 pivotal study of WP1122 for the treatment of COVID-19 outside the U.S.

H2 2021: File an IND in the U.S. for the treatment of certain cancers such as GBM and pancreatic cancer, with WP1122.

Ongoing preclinical development work in anti-viral indications such as HIV, Zika, and Dengue. IND targeted for 2022.

Summary of Financial Results for Second Quarter 2021

Research and development (R&D) expense was $3.0 million and $3.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The decrease of $0.3 million is mainly related to the timing of costs incurred in 2020 of producing additional drug product for Annamycin clinical trials.

General and administrative expense was $2.4 million and $1.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The increase of $0.7 million is mainly related to an increase in consulting and advisory fees and an increase in the Company's corporate insurance.

For the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, the Company incurred net losses of $8.7 million and $11.3 million, respectively, and had net cash flows used in operating activities of $10.4 million and $9.3 million, respectively.

The Company ended the quarter with approximately $79.5 million of cash. The Company believes that this cash is sufficient to meet its projected operating requirements, which include a forecasted increase over its current R&D rate of expenditures, into 2024.

About Moleculin Biotech, Inc.

Moleculin Biotech, Inc. is a clinical stage pharmaceutical company focused on the development of a broad portfolio of drug candidates for the treatment of highly resistant tumors and viruses. The Company's lead program, Annamycin is a next-generation anthracycline designed to be noncardiotoxic and to avoid multidrug resistance mechanisms. In addition, Annamycin has been shown in animal models to reach higher concentration levels than doxorubicin (a leading anthracycline) in certain key organs, such as the lungs, liver and pancreas considered to be difficult-to-reach "sanctuary sites" for tumors. Annamycin is currently in development for the treatment of relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and soft tissue sarcoma (STS) lung metastases.

Additionally, the Company is developing WP1066, an Immune/Transcription Modulator capable of inhibiting p-STAT3 and other oncogenic transcription factors while also stimulating a natural immune response, targeting brain tumors, pancreatic and other cancers, and WP1220, an analog to WP1066, for the topical treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Moleculin is also engaged in the development of a portfolio of antimetabolites, including WP1122 for the potential treatment of COVID-19 and other viruses, as well as cancer indications including brain tumors, pancreatic and other cancers.

For more information about the Company, please visit www.moleculin.com and connect on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the statements in this release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation, the ability of Moleculin to meet each of the milestones set forth above on the timeline estimated, if at all. Although Moleculin believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date made, expectations may prove to have been materially different from the results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Moleculin has attempted to identify forward-looking statements by terminology including ''believes,'' ''estimates,'' ''anticipates,'' ''expects,'' ''plans,'' ''projects,'' ''intends,'' ''potential,'' ''may,'' ''could,'' ''might,'' ''will,'' ''should,'' ''approximately'' or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, including those discussed under Item 1A. "Risk Factors" in our most recently filed Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and updated from time to time in our Form 10-Q filings and in our other public filings with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements contained in this release speak only as of its date. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release to reflect events or circumstances occurring after its date or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Investor Contact:

JTC Team, LLC

Jenene Thomas

(833) 475-8247

MBRX@jtcir.com

-- Financial Tables Follow--

Moleculin Biotech, Inc.















Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets















(in thousands)

June 30, 2021



December 31, 2020

Current assets:















Cash and cash equivalents

$ 79,506



$ 15,173

Prepaid expenses and other current assets



2,330





2,025

Total current assets



81,836





17,198

Furniture and equipment, net



395





483

Intangible assets



11,148





11,148

Operating lease right-of-use asset



155





202

Total assets

$ 93,534



$ 29,031



















Current liabilities:















Accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities

$ 3,350



$ 2,920

Total current liabilities



3,350





2,920

Operating lease liability - long-term, net of current portion



94





159

Warrant liability - long term



5,390





8,192

Total liabilities



8,834





11,271

Total stockholders' equity



84,700





17,760

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$ 93,534



$ 29,031



Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations



































Three Months Ended June 30,



Six Months Ended June, 30

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

2021



2020



2021



2020

Revenues

$ 



$ 



$ 



$ 

Operating expenses:































Research and development



3,039





3,329





7,145





6,535

General and administrative and depreciation



2,478





1,705





4,461





3,561

Total operating expenses



5,517





5,034





11,606





10,096

Loss from operations



(5,517)





(5,034)





(11,606)





(10,096)

Other income (loss):































Gain (loss) from change in fair value of warrant liability



1,173





(5,099)





2,750





(1,254)

Other income, net



8





17





18





22

Interest income, net



92





4





149





7

Net loss

$ (4,244)



$ (10,112)



$ (8,689)



$ (11,321)

Net loss per common share - basic and diluted

$ (0.15)



$ (1.02)



$ (0.35)



$ (1.24)

Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted



28,451,532





9,913,878





25,148,399





9,117,856



Cision

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SOURCE Moleculin Biotech, Inc.
(Bloomberg) -- Poland risks undermining relations with the U.S. and further antagonizing the European Union after the ruling party pushed through a controversial media law in 24 hours of political drama.

Parliaments lower chamber voted 228-216 late on Wednesday to approve the legislation, which ostensibly is designed to protect broadcasters from non-European takeovers. Yet it targets Discovery Inc., the American owner of Polands largest private television network, and would force it to sell. The bill now goes to the Senate.

The move has been criticized by U.S. senators, the State Department and the EU as an attempt to muzzle independent media. Before the vote, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki fired his deputy, Jaroslaw Gowin, the leader of a smaller party in the governing coalition and an increasingly vocal opponent of the Law & Justice leadership.

Discovery appealed to Polands Senate and President Andrzej Duda, a ruling party loyalist, to stop the law. The company said it was discriminatory and called it an attack on freedom of speech. The outcome should also be deeply concerning to any enterprise investing in Poland, it said.

Morawiecki on Thursday called criticism of the media law misguided since the rule didnt aim to clamp down on any specific TV channel. Meanwhile, Vera Jourova, the European Commission vice president in charge of values, chided Poland for taking steps toward reining in media pluralism and diversity of opinions.

The episode puts Poland at another critical juncture as the now minority government may have to rely on more radical nationalist forces for support. Along with Hungary, the EUs biggest eastern state has been in conflict with Brussels in recent years over the independence of judges and the media, yet Law & Justice played up close ties with its NATO allies in Washington.

Morawiecki has said the legislation is vital for the country to prevent Russian or Chinese media taking over a Polish broadcaster. It also showed Poland was finally standing up for its rights after decades of passively accepting the international order, he said.

Story continues

What the Law & Justice is doing lacks any sense and shows its a party of ideologues, focused entirely on domestic politics where strategic concern plays a secondary role, said Marcin Zaborowski, policy director at GlobSec think-tank in Warsaw.

The vote was delayed after opposition parties won a motion to adjourn the sitting of parliament until next month. That was then annulled by the speaker on the basis that she had made a mistake when announcing the motion, triggering an outcry from the opposition, which accused the ruling party of breaking parliamentary protocol.

U.S. Relations

Separately, lawmakers approved another contentious bill that would make it more difficult for Holocaust survivors to recover property seized by the Nazis on Polish soil. The move drew condemnation from Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid. The U.S. urged Polands president not to sign the law.

These moves dont bode well for Polands international relations or, potentially, investment in the country. The zloty was little changed against the euro.

Under President Joe Biden ties have cooled, with American officials speaking out on the erosion of Polands democratic system, its approach to LGBTQ+ rights and, most recently, the unclear fate of investments in the ex-communist country.

Read More: Polands Battle With U.S. Media Giant Raises Alarm for Investors

State Department spokesman Ned Price said before the vote that the U.S. was closely following the events in Warsaw and called on authorities there to respect common values.

The transatlantic alliance is based not only on mutual interests when it comes to our shared security but also mutual commitments to shared democratic values, Price said. We have urged the government of Poland to demonstrate its commitment to these principles.

European Money

The exit of Gowin, the pro-business deputy prime minister, meanwhile raises the profile of far-right lawmakers who have questioned the merits of EU membership.

Law & Justices remaining partner in the coalition is a small group allied with hardline Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro, who wanted Poland to veto the EUs virus recovery package last year and has broached the topic of the country leaving the 27-nation bloc.

Gowins dismissal could radicalize the government, said Barbara Brodzinska-Mirowska, a political scientist from Torun University.

Poland has been the biggest net recipient of EU money, getting more than 130 billion euros ($152 billion) since it joined in 2004 that transformed the economy. Yet concern over the erosion of rule of law in Poland and Hungary have led to threats of delay payouts from the regions pandemic stimulus fund.

The EUs executive arm has held up approval of Polands Covid recovery plan, putting 23.9 billion euros of stimulus grants earmarked for Warsaw at risk. Money from the blocs massive 800 billion-euro recovery package has already started flowing.

Election Question

During the media law vote, several fringe parliamentarians backed the government, while an anti-EU party abstained. While Law & Justice garnered enough support behind the law, the prospect of a minority government longer term has raised the question of early elections.

Law & Justice leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski -- the most powerful politician in the country -- said in April, though, that he doesnt predict a new ballot before the scheduled vote in late 2023. A lot may depend on how he assesses the revival of the opposition under Donald Tusk, the former EU president who returned to the front line of Polish politics this year.

(Updates with comments from the EU, premier in fifth paragraph.)

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com

Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.

2021 Bloomberg L.P.
Social connection, promotion opportunities and work/life boundaries are the most cited benefits of on-site work, yet the experience of remote work comes with advantages and preferences

ROSELAND, N.J., Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The COVID-19 pandemic turned the workplace upside down, forcing 35% of the U.S. workforce to become temporarily remote1, nearly triple2 (13%) the percentage of workers who reported working remotely prior to the pandemic. More than a year later, companies face important decisions on when and how to address work locations as they continue to navigate the challenges of a pandemic. As companies evaluate their next steps, ADP Research Institute's latest study offers employers insights into where and how employees felt they worked best, along with the opportunities and challenges that come with on-site work and remote work in, "On-site, Remote or Hybrid: Employee Sentiment On The Workplace." The study reveals that employees working on-site enjoy crucial advantages over their remote counterparts, particularly in terms of perceived amount of social interaction, work boundaries and career opportunities, yet, the experience of remote working reveals its own set of advantages according to employees. However, it was hybrid workers that prevailed, specifically citing stronger connections and a more positive outlook compared to exclusively on-site workers and remote workers.

ADP Research Institute Study Reveals Employee Perspectives on Work Location as Employers Evaluate Workforce Plans

ADP Research Institute surveyed more than 9,000 full-time U.S. workers who work on a team and have not switched employers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The report compares the experience of U.S. employees who either worked remotely or on-site at workplace locations during the pandemic and details the comparison of experiences with unique insight into the benefits and challenges of each work arrangement, and how those experiences vary by industry.

"While the pandemic quickly forced many changes in the world of work, employers now have an opportunity to reflect on lessons learned over the past year, and utilize them to identify the right approach that will meet the specific needs of their business and their employees especially as they continue to navigate the ongoing impact of the pandemic," said Nela Richardson, chief economist, ADP. "For our latest study, we set out to understand employees' perspectives of on-site, remote and hybrid work so employers can decide how to move forward. Though there are perceived opportunities and challenges for both remote work and on-site work, the strongest findings reveal the answer lies somewhere in the middle, with a hybrid arrangement."

Story continues

On-site, Remote or Hybrid: Employee Sentiment On The Workplace

The following are key takeaways from the report, including actionable insights that can be derived from the study:

Returning to on-site work may mean a more social work life with better work boundaries

Factors organizations can consider as they determine work arrangements include:

Working on-site sets employees up for job success and professional growth  whether real or perceived

Factors organizations can consider as they determine work arrangements include:

Employees working remotely report a stronger team dynamic and more opportunity for innovation

Factors organizations can consider as they determine work arrangements include:

"Hybrid" working may help ease the transition from the pandemic work environment

Factors organizations can consider as they determine work arrangements include:

"As organizations carefully plan their next steps with the safety of their employees in mind, there is an opportunity for companies to weave these perks and preferences into their approach to create the most ideal scenario for employees and the organization," said Richardson.

For a more detailed look and to download ADP Research Institute's report, "On-site, Remote or Hybrid: Employee Sentiment On The Workplace," visit ADPRI.org.

About the ADP Research Institute

The mission of the ADP Research Institute is to generate data-driven discoveries about the world of work, and to derive reliable economic indicators from these insights. We offer these findings to the world at large as our unique contribution to making the world of work better and more productive, and to bring greater awareness to the economy at large.

About ADP (NASDAQ: ADP)

Designing better ways to work through cutting-edge products, premium services and exceptional experiences that enable people to reach their full potential. HR, Talent, Time Management, Benefits and Payroll. Informed by data and designed for people. Learn more at ADP.com.

ADP, the ADP logo, Always Designing for People and ADP Research Institute are trademarks of ADP, Inc.

Copyright  2021 ADP, Inc. All rights reserved.

1 BLS (2020), "Supplemental data measuring the effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on the labor market", https://www.bls.gov/cps/effects-of-the-coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic.htm#data

2 US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) (2020), "Ability to work from home: evidence from two surveys and implications for the labor market in the COVID-19 pandemic", Monthly Labor Review, June 2020, https://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2020/article/ability-to-work-from-home.htm#_ednref6

ADP Research Institute, logo (PRNewsfoto/ADP, Inc.)

Cision

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SOURCE ADP, Inc.
Saudi Arabia Telecom ICT Infrastructure Market, By Component (Hardware, Software, Services), By Deployment Mode (On-Premises v/s Cloud), By Network Type (Wireless v/s Fixed), By End User (Telecom Service Providers, Government, Enterprises, Others), By Region, Competition Forecast & Opportunities, 2016-2030F

New York, Aug. 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Saudi Arabia Telecom ICT Infrastructure Market, By Component, By Deployment Mode, By Network Type, By End User, By Region, Competition Forecast & Opportunities, 2016-2030F" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p05916814/?utm_source=GNW



Saudi Arabia Telecom ICT Infrastructure Market stood at USD1542.32 million in 2020 and is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 9.01% until 2030. Growth in the Saudi Arabia Telecom ICT Infrastructure Market is driven by increasing spending in the telecom and ICT industry by the Saudi government. Telecom ICT Infrastructure includes all the information and communication technology infrastructure and systems that are used in an organization, such as software, hardware, firmware, networks, and the company websites. The growing Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) trend is also resulting in increased demand for improving telecom connectivity across various enterprises. It offers flexibility for employees in working from home, client location or in transit thereby propelling the market during the forecast period. The supportive government initiatives for commercialization of 5G network are propelling the market. Furthermore, upgradation of existing telecom infrastructure by the telecom service providers in the country is further spurring the market growth. The telecom service providers are extending their network coverage and are offering more efficient and cost-effective services. Also, increasing cellular internet penetration coupled with the growing adoption of cloud is anticipated to fuel the market growth through 2030. However, increasing rate of cybercrime over the wireless telecom network can hamper the growth of market during forecast period.



The Saudi Arabia Telecom ICT infrastructure market is segmented based on component, deployment mode, network type, end user, company and region.Based on component, the market can be categorized into hardware, software and services.



The services component can be further bifurcated into professional and managed.The professional services component segment is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period since these are the most preferred type of services which form the backbone of the telecom infrastructure.



Professional services are project-based and usually address a specific problem or challenge. Professional Services help businesses overcome specific challenges through a dedicated project, such as a cloud migration or the deployment of new hardware.

On the basis of deployment mode, the market can be categorized into cloud and on-premises.Cloud segment is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period owing to the expanding cloud computing industry in the country.



The supportive government policies such as Saudi Vision 2030 and National Digital Transformation are expected to boost the Saudi Arabia Telecom ICT infrastructure Market. Additionally, Cloud First Policy stimulated public sector migration from traditional IT solutions to cloud-based models, which will boost the cloud deployment in Saudi Arabia Telecom ICT Infrastructure Market.



Major players operating in the Saudi Arabia telecom ICT infrastructure market include ZTE Corporation, Ciena Corporation, Cisco Systems, Inc, CommScope, Inc, Fortinet, Inc, Fujitsu Ltd, Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd, Juniper Networks Inc and others. The companies are developing advanced technologies and launching new services in order to stay competitive in the market. Other competitive strategies include mergers & acquisitions and new service developments.



Years considered for this report:



Historical Years: 2016-2019

Base Year: 2020

Estimated Year: 2021

Forecast Period: 2022-2030



Objective of the Study:



 To analyze the historical growth in the market size of Saudi Arabia Telecom ICT Infrastructure Market from 2016 to 2020.

 To estimate and forecast the market size of the Saudi Arabia Telecom ICT Infrastructure Market from 2021 to 2030 and growth rate until 2030.

 To classify and forecast Saudi Arabia Telecom ICT Infrastructure Market based on component, deployment mode, network type, end user, region and company.

 To identify the dominant region or segment in the Saudi Arabia Telecom ICT Infrastructure Market.

 To identify drivers and challenges for Saudi Arabia Telecom ICT Infrastructure Market.

 To identify and analyze the profile of leading players operating in the Saudi Arabia Telecom ICT Infrastructure Market.

 To identify key sustainable strategies adopted by market players in the Saudi Arabia Telecom ICT Infrastructure Market.

The analyst performed both primary as well as exhaustive secondary research for this study.Initially, the analyst sourced a list of manufacturers and service providers across the country.



Subsequently, the analyst conducted primary research surveys with the identified companies.While interviewing, the respondents were also enquired about their competitors.



Through this technique, the analyst was able to include the service providers which could not be identified due to the limitations of secondary research. The analyst examined the service providers, distribution channels and presence of all major players across the country.

The analyst calculated the market size of Saudi Arabia Telecom ICT Infrastructure Market using a bottom-up approach, wherein data for various end-user segments was recorded and forecast for the future years. The analyst sourced these values from the industry experts and company representatives and externally validated through analyzing historical data of these product and service types for getting an appropriate, overall market size.



Various secondary sources such as company websites, news articles, press releases, company annual reports, investor presentations and financial reports were also studied by the analyst.



Key Target Audience:



 Telecom infrastructure service providers and other stakeholders

 Maintenance and deployment companies

 Organizations, forums and alliances related to Telecom ICT Infrastructure

 Government bodies such as regulating authorities and policy makers

 Market research and consulting firms

The study is useful in providing answers to several critical questions that are important for the industry stakeholders such as manufacturers, service providers, end users, etc., besides allowing them in strategizing investments and capitalizing on market opportunities.



Report Scope:



In this report, the Saudi Arabia Telecom ICT Infrastructure Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:



 Saudi Arabia Telecom ICT Infrastructure Market, By Component:

o Hardware

Networking Equipment

Transmitting Device

End Point Device

o Software

Operations Support Software

Business Support Software

Network Management Software

Others

o Services

Professional

Managed

 Saudi Arabia Telecom ICT Infrastructure Market, By Deployment Mode:

o On-Premises

o Cloud

 Saudi Arabia Telecom ICT Infrastructure Market, By Network Type:

o Wireless

o Fixed

 Saudi Arabia Telecom ICT Infrastructure Market, By End User:

o Telecom Service Providers

o Government

o Enterprises

o Others

 Saudi Arabia Telecom ICT Infrastructure Market, By Region:

o Central

o Western

o Eastern

o Rest of Saudi Arabia



Competitive Landscape

:



Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Saudi Arabia Telecom ICT Infrastructure Market.



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CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001




NEW YORK, Aug. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Reata Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Reata" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: RETA). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at newaction@pomlaw.com or 888-476-6529, ext. 7980.

Fighting for victims of securities fraud for more than 85 years (PRNewsfoto/Pomerantz LLP)

The investigation concerns whether Reata and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On August 9, 2021, Reata issued a press release announcing the Company's financial and operating results for the second quarter of 2021. Among other news, Reata disclosed that it "recently completed a mid-cycle communication meeting with the" U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") regarding the Company's New Drug Application for bardoxolone for the treatment of patients with chronic kidney disease caused by Alport syndrome, and that "in the preliminary agenda for, and during, the meeting, the FDA identified four significant clinical and statistical review issues for [the Company] to address."

On this news, Reata's stock price fell $22.13 per share, or 18.12%, to close at $100.00 per share on August 10, 2011.

The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Paris is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 80 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com.

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CONTACT:

Robert S. Willoughby

Pomerantz LLP

rswilloughby@pomlaw.com

888-476-6529 ext. 7980

Cision

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SOURCE Pomerantz LLP
SAN DIEGO, CA and BEIJING, CHINA / ACCESSWIRE / August 12, 2021 / Shareholder rights law firm Robbins LLP reminds investors that a class action has been filed on behalf of all purchasers of Kanzhun Limited (NASDAQ:BZ) American Depository Shares ("ADSs") between June 11, 2021 and July 2, 2021, for violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Kanzhun operates an online recruitment platform, BOSS Zhipin, a mobile-native product that promotes instant direct chats between employers and job seekers, which is powered by proprietary artificial intelligence algorithms and big data insights.

If you suffered a loss due to Kanzhun Limited's misconduct, click here.

Kanzhun Limited (BZ) Misled the Investing Public Regarding Its Cybersecurity Risks

According to the complaint, on July 5, 2021, Kanzhun announced that it was "subject to cybersecurity review by" the Cyberspace Administration of China ("CAC"). During the review period, its Boss Zhipin app is required to suspend new user registration. On this news, shares of Kanzhun's ADSs fell $5.79, or 15%, to close at $30.52 per ADS on July 6, 2021.

The complaint alleges that the offering documents filed by Kanzhun in support of its June 2021 initial public offering failed to disclose that: (i) Kanzhun would face an imminent cybersecurity review by the "CAC"; (ii) the CAC would require Kanzhun to suspend new user registration of its Boss Zhipin app; (iii) Kanzhun needed to "conduct a comprehensive examination of cybersecurity risks"; (iv) Kanzhun needed to "enhance its cybersecurity awareness and technology capabilities"; and (v) as a result, defendants' statements about its business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading.

If you purchased shares ofKanzhun Limited (BZ) between June 11, 2021 and July 2, 2021, you have until September 10, 2021, to ask the court to appoint you lead plaintiff for the class.

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All representation is on a contingency fee basis. Shareholders pay no fees or expenses.

Contact us to learn more:

Lauren Levi

(800) 350-6003

llevi@robbinsllp.com

Shareholder Information Form

Robbins LLP is a nationally recognized leader in shareholder rights law. To be notified if a class action against Kanzhun Limited settles or to receive free alerts when corporate executives engage in wrongdoing, sign up for Stock Watch today.

Attorney Advertising. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact:

Lauren Levi

Robbins LLP

5040 Shoreham Place

San Diego, CA 92122

llevi@robbinsllp.com

(800) 350-6003

www.robbinsllp.com

SOURCE: Robbins LLP





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TORRANCE, Calif., Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Shimadzu Medical Systems USA announces the first North American installation of the RADspeed Pro style edition with GLIDE Technology* at Benefis Orthopedic in Helena, MT, and installed by Shimadzu's Northwest Branch in Kenmore, WA. This brand-new power assist technology was developed for our high-end radiographic system allowing it to operate smoothly and more comfortably while improving radiographic examination environments at healthcare facilities nationally.

RADspeed Pro Style with Glide Technology at Benefis

In general radiography, the radiological technologist must maneuver an X-ray tube support assembly suspended from ceiling rails to position it to the target exposure area. As general radiography is typically the first choice for diagnostic imaging involving many disorders found in the head, chest, abdomen, extremities and other areas, these daily procedures are used for an extremely large number of examinations.

Operating the X-ray tube support involves moving the assembly along ceiling rails but due to the operator's risk of shoulder or lower back pain, there is a need to reduce the burden on operators. Reducing operating loads and enabling a smoother workflow would also shorten the time that patients must maintain a particular body position during examinations.

The newly developed power assist reflects Shimadzu's extensive technology and experience cultivated over many years. The technology named POWER GLIDE, makes the X-ray tube positioning extremely light and smooth as if gliding in air. The forces applied to the handle during operation vary from person to person. The amount of power assist that each operator feels for optimal operations, such as for large movements or detailed positioning adjustments, differs as well. Furthermore, general radiography examinations require fine operability as in positioning the X-ray exposure area to within a few millimeters by operating the X-ray tube support assembly from large distances.

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To satisfy those high operability requirements, POWER GLIDE power assist technology instantaneously senses the amount of force applied by an operator during each operation, calculates the amount of assist-force required, and activates the motors accordingly to provide optimal operating assistance smoothly in real time. This extremely high responsiveness of POWER GLIDE ensures the system can be comfortably and quickly positioned as intended in any situation.

"POWER GLIDE is a much-appreciated feature by the imaging department at Benefis Orthopedic Center of Montana," states Charles Cassudakis, Business Director for RAD & RF Products for Shimazu Medical Systems USA. Cassudakis goes on to say, "the RADspeed Pro system with POWE GLIDE has become the favored room due to the effortless positioning of the overhead X-ray tubes and the auto-positioning for programmed exams. Additionally, stitching is straight forward, easy to use and maneuver with the lightweight stand."

* About GLIDE Technologies, Shimadzu also offers GLIDE VIEW technology in mobile X-ray systems and GLIDE ASSIST technology in patient-side R/F systems. Collectively, Shimadzu has named them GLIDE Technologies

About SHIMADZU

Shimadzu Corporation, founded in 1875 in Kyoto, Japan, and the parent of Shimadzu Medical Systems USA (SMS), is a global provider of medical diagnostic equipment including conventional, interventional, and digital X-ray systems. Shimadzu Medical Systems USA is headquartered in Torrance, California, with sales and service offices located throughout the United States, the Caribbean and Canada. Its sales and marketing office is in Cleveland, Ohio, and has direct operations in Dallas, Texas and Kenmore, Washington. Visit Shimadzu Medical Systems USA at www.shimadzu-usa.com or call: (800) 228-1429.

To learn more about Shimadzu's advanced X-ray imaging systems and innovative technologies, please register for access to our new virtual Healthcare Center: https://www.shimadzuhealthcaresolutions.com/dollhouse-view/

About Benefis Orthopedic Center of Montana

Benefis Health System is a leader in quality healthcare in Montana. Benefis Health System serves about 230,000 residents in a vast, 14-county region. Their providers offer expertise in more than 40 specialties to give you the care you need to get back to doing the things you enjoy most.

To learn more about Benefis Orthopedic Center of Montana, please visit

www.benefis.org

For more information, contact:

Frank Serrao, Marketing Manager

serrao@shimadzu-usa.com

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SOURCE Shimadzu Medical Systems USA
Chancellor Rishi Sunak said he was confident in the strength of the UK economy. Photo: PA

The FTSE 100 (^FTSE) headed lower on Thursday afternoon in London, even as the latest GDP figures from the Office for National Statistics showed the economy had surged 4.8% in the quarter from April to June.

This growth reversed the declines of 1.6% during the lockdowns in the first quarter.

The index had climbed to an 18-month high at the close on Wednesday as investors took confidence in further steps to unlock the country, the $1tn infrastructure bill in the US and positive news on the vaccine rollout.

In June alone, the UK economy lifted by 1.0%, as the reopening of hospitality and leisure venues spurred growth.

The UK's GDP is now 4.4% below where it was pre-coronavirus at Quarter 4 (October to December) 2019.

The ONS said there have been increases in services, production and construction output over the quarter. The largest contributors to this increase were from wholesale and retail trade, accommodation and food service activities, and education  sectors that had seen a particular hit during lockdowns.

UK GDP since 2008. Chart: ONS

I know there are still challenges to overcome, but I feel confident in the strength of the UK economy and the resilience of the British people," said chancellor Rishi Sunak.

With the fastest quarterly growth rate among the G7 economies we have exceeded expectations, and Im pleased to see the UK bouncing back.

By the closing bell, the FTSE was 0.4% lower.

Elsewhere in Europe, Germany's DAX (^GDAXI) and the CAC (^FCHI) were higher by 0.7% and 0.4% respectively.

US stocks made mixed moves. The S&P 500 (^GSPC) was flat. The Dow (^DJI) was down 0.3%. The Nasdaq (^IXIC) moved 0.2%, following earlier losses.

New data showed that new weekly jobless claims took another step lower last week, with the labour market's recovery still making headway despite the lingering threat of the Delta variant.

There have been jitters about runaway inflation in the US in recent weeks as the economy opens up. However, some are now turning their attention to liquidity.

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Read more: Demand for new UK homes cools but price hike shows 'few signs of wavering'

"The debate regarding inflation is the wrong one as it is all within Fed expectations. Yes, wage pressure is a permanent one but that is the point. Yes, the old economy will take it partly poorly but they are taken as a casualty," said Sebastien Galy, senior macro strategist at Nordea.

"What matters is what happens once liquidity starts to shrink for a while under tapering and that is both frightening and an opportunity. Our narrative on long-term growth particularly in the growth style is not a sustainable in the long term."

Overnight in Asia indexes headed broadly lower, after days of gains. The Hang Seng (^HSI) was down 0.7%, the SSE Composite (000001.SS) fell 0.2% and Japan's Nikkei (^N225) declined 0.2%.

Investors are still digesting how regulatory changes will affect markets in the long run.

Watch: What is inflation and why is it important?
By Byron Kaye

SYDNEY (Reuters) -Three Australian publishers of lifestyle content say Facebook Inc used their articles on its just-launched news service after refusing to negotiate licensing deals, and that the country's tough new internet law has failed to protect them.

Australia this year passed a law that pressured Facebook and Alphabet Inc's Google to sign deals with some of the country's biggest news companies by threatening government intervention.

The dispute highlights possible shortcomings in the controversial law. While most of Australia's main media firms have signed deals, some smaller outlets say the law has not stopped their content generating clicks and advertising revenue for Facebook without compensation.

Broadsheet Media, Urban List and Concrete Playground, websites which publish entertainment news, reviews and listings, say that after the law was passed in February they approached the social media giant about payment for their content.

Facebook knocked them back, calling their content unsuitable for its Facebook News platform and recommending they apply for grants it was offering from a A$15 million ($11 million) fund for Australian regional and digital newsrooms, the three companies told Reuters in a joint call.

"They told me that, 'oh well, you're not going to be included in News tab and that's what we're paying for'," said Nick Shelton, founder of Broadsheet Media.

"To our surprise, we woke one morning last week and all of our content was there."

Facebook News went live in Australia on Aug. 4.

Facebook declined to comment directly on the three companies but said it created value for publishers by sending viewers to their sites.

Under the law, Facebook and Google must negotiate payment deals with outlets or a government-appointed arbitrator will do it for them, but a publisher must first prove its primary purpose is producing news and that it has been unfairly disqualified.

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The three publishers said they want Facebook to come to the table to talk but if it declined they may seek government intervention.

"If at the end of the day we don't get included in a commercial agreement, then absolutely they need a stick," said Shelton. "We are three prime examples of publishers and media businesses which should be included as part of this framework."

To be covered by the law, publishers must register as a news provider with the Australian Communications and Media Authority "based on criteria including the levels of 'core news' (essentially public interest journalism) that they produce", the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), which drafted the law, said in an email.

Urban List has registered on the list. Broadsheet and Concrete Playground have yet to register, saying they want to hold out for a private deal.

Tama Leaver, a professor of internet studies at Australia's Curtin University, said that while Facebook had not broken the law as the matter was not yet before arbitration, its apparent treatment of the three publishers was "extremely poor practice, disingenuous and further disadvantages the smaller players in the news business arena".

In a separate dispute, the ACCC has said it would look into a claim https://www.reuters.com/technology/exclusive-facebook-rejects-talks-with-australia-publisher-testing-worlds-2021-06-25 by The Conversation, which publishes current affairs commentary by academics, that Facebook has refused to negotiate a licensing deal. The Conversation has secured a deal with Google.

($1 = 1.3572 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Byron Kaye; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)
HOUSTON, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The University of Houston Law Center's Pre-Law Pipeline program has now completed seven years of its multi-faceted approach to diversifying the legal profession. Because of ongoing concerns related to COVID-19, the Summer 2021 class marked the second online-only instruction in the program's history.

University of Houston Law Center Dean Leonard M. Baynes and Associate Dean for Alumni & Community Relations Sondra Tennessee chat with students between classes.

Since it began in 2015, the pipeline program has established a strong track record of success. Eighty-one scholars have been accepted to law school and have received $5,434,229 in scholarship funds. A total of 69 undergraduate schools have also been represented throughout the lifespan of the program.

The program was started by Dean Leonard M. Baynes, the Law Center's first dean of African-American descent, and Program Director Kristen Guiseppi. Professor Meredith J. Duncan, the first assistant dean of diversity, inclusion and metropolitan programs in the school's history, oversees the program. It welcomes students who are first-generation, low-income, or members of groups underrepresented in the legal profession with a genuine interest in attending law school and pursuing a legal career. Students who participate in the program see their LSAT score increase by an average of 11-13 points.

"I'm very proud of the work that the University of Houston Law Center and its faculty, staff, alumni, and students have done to move the ball forward on diversity, equity and inclusion," Baynes said. "The Law Center is blessed with terrific students from diverse and first-generation backgrounds and faculty who care about their success. Together we plan to make a difference in this space."

"For the past few years, the UHLC Pre-Law Pipeline program has nurtured and developed the talent of aspiring lawyers from underserved and underrepresented populations in an effort to create a new generation of diverse legal professionals representative of our communities," Guiseppi said. "It has been an honor and privilege to provide a space where pre-law students can learn more about the law, develop lifelong connections, and grow as young professionals. We are proud of our scholars' accomplishments and very thankful for the continued support of our partners and sponsors."

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The program has expanded over the years to include five tracks that include freshmen and sophomore undergraduate students, upperclassmen undergraduate students, UH students and working professionals.

Numerous organizations and publications have honored the Law Center's Pre-Law Pipeline program including the American Bar Association, the Law School Admission Council and the AccessLex Institute.

"Our pre-law pipeline program helps students who would otherwise not have the understanding or know-how to achieve their dreams of entering the legal profession," Duncan said. "UHLC's pipeline program has been very successful in increasing the number of qualified diverse law school applicants. We are changing lives while at the same time diversifying the legal profession, and doing so is very satisfying."

The program has also played a pivotal role in the Law Center being recognized with Insight Into Diversity Magazine's Higher Education and Excellence in Diversity (HEED) award for five years in a row from 2015-2020. HEED Award recipients are selected through an extensive application, detailing demographics of the faculty and student body, recruitment practices, mentoring and resource programs, community outreach and other efforts designed to increase diversity.

The Pre-Law Pipeline program is one of numerous initiatives at the Law Center that promotes diversity, civil rights and social justice.

In 2016, the UH Law Center established the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. The committee is tasked with building on the Law Center's strengths as a diverse and inclusive environment and educating the UHLC community about diversity and inclusion best practices. The committee is co-chaired by Duncan and Clinical Professor Geoffrey Hoffman, director of the Immigration Clinic. Other Law Center administrators, faculty members and students serve as members on the committee.

"It is important that lawyers reflect and appreciate the wide-ranging diversity of the clients we represent," Duncan said. "In educating future lawyers, the law faculty and the UHLC community must be deliberate in developing lawyers fully equipped to serve the needs of their varied clientele. The work of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee is geared toward cultivating future lawyers best equipped to represent well a multifaceted community."

"It has been my distinct honor to be co-chair of this important committee that recognizes and fosters social justice, diversity, equity and inclusion," Hoffman said. "The dean's initiative shows that this school's energies are focused on changing society for the good. Law schools should not just be about teaching students to represent individual clients, but about how to work for whole communities."

The committee keeps a pulse on the needs of the community through the combined contributions of its faculty, staff, and student committee members. As part of its engagement and educational programming, the committee offers a diversity and inclusion-focused speaker series, a book club, and other resources and support systems to further dialogue on related issues. Some of the events hosted by the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee include:

Additionally, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee has hosted various trainings on allyship to the LGBTQ+ community.

In 2018, the Law Center established its Diversity, Racial Justice and Human Rights Initiative, which serves as a platform encompassing the various institutes, programs, centers, clinics, and courses at the Law Center that relate to race, social justice, immigration, diversity, inclusion, equality, and related issues. This initiative has, as one goal, facilitating the connection of its affiliates with other UH-wide programs; community, local, and statewide organizations; and other nationwide and international outreaches sharing a similar focus.

In August of 2020, faculty and staff unanimously endorsed a plan to rename Calhoun Rd. that traverses the UH campus to Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., in an official petition and request to the city of Houston that was authored by the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. Part of the request stated, "renaming the referenced portion of Calhoun Rd. to 'Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.' would allow the University of Houston community to honor the legacy of Dr. King, who fought to end racial inequality and systematic oppression in our country." The plan is under consideration by the City of Houston.

After Houston native George Floyd's tragic death in Minneapolis in May 2020, the Law Center's faculty and staff unanimously approved a resolution committing to fight racism and to be antiracist, and adopted a statement on the Black Lives Matter movement. In January, Law Center faculty members collaborated on an intersession course that examined societal circumstances that led to Floyd's death.

In October 2020, the UH Law Center led the historic day-long conference: "Black Lawyers Matter, Strategies to Enhance Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion," with the SMU Dedman School of Law serving as a co-convenor. More than 1,000 people attended the virtual event which featured elected officials, judges, law professors and attorneys across a wide spectrum of practice areas. Along with the LSAC, the Law Center will co-convene the second-annual Black Lawyers Matter Conference on Oct. 15, 2021.

Earlier this year, Professor Dave Fagundes and Professor Lonny Hoffman arranged the UHLC Spring Workshop Series: "Race, Social Change, and the Law." The colloquium creates a cooperative scholarly enterprise in which students and visiting faculty from 10 other law schools work collaboratively.

In June, the dean's office and Associate Professor Tony Chase hosted a Diversity Equity and Inclusion Leadership Forum & Conversation that highlighted the impact scholarships have had on students from underrepresented backgrounds, and the need for a diverse legal profession.

Continuing its commitment to racial justice and human rights, on Feb. 25, 2022, the Law Center will co-host a virtual colloquium on Race, Racism and American Media with the Georgetown University Law Center. Applications are now being accepted for participants.

Since joining the Law Center, Baynes has been recognized with numerous accolades centered on equality. In 2019 he accepted the American Bar Association Alexander Award on behalf of the Pre-Law Pipeline program, was the recipient of the Council on Legal Education Opportunity, Inc.'s (CLEO) EDGE Award, the John Mercer Legal Education Leadership Award from the National Black Pre-Law Conference and Law Fair and was named a Diversity Champion by the National Diversity Council. In 2020, Baynes was named to the Lawyers of Color Power List by the Lawyers of Color Foundation. During his deanship, he was named one of the nation's top 100 most influential lawyers of color, and he was awarded the Houston Lawyer Association's Robert L. King Excellence in Education Award.

In 2018, CLEO awarded then-Associate Dean for Student Affairs Sondra Tennessee with a CLEO Edge award, acknowledging a commitment to education, diversity and greater equality throughout the legal community.

In February, the Law Center's Institute for Intellectual Property & Information Law (IPIL) was the recipient of the inaugural 2021 Houston Intellectual Property Law Association's Excellence in Diversity Award. HIPLA created two inaugural awards, one for institutional efforts towards diversity and inclusion, and another to recognize an individual for their efforts in these areas. The institutional award was presented virtually to Associate Dean Greg Vetter, the HIPLA College Professor of Law.

The UHLC provides several courses of instruction on diversity, race, and social justice including Race and the Law, Gender, Power, Law & Leadership, Sexual Orientation & the Law, Immigration Law, Employment Law, and Antidiscrimination, Juvenile Law, and Juvenile Representation.

The Law Center also provides legal representation to diverse and vulnerable communities through numerous clinical programs which include:

Civil Practice Clinic - Representing low-income families in areas of law such as bankruptcy, guardianships, divorce, child custody, probate/ wills and estate administration.

Consumer Law Clinic - One of the few of its kind in the country, law students learn the law by a mixture of theory and hands-on experience representing low-income clients in justice court, county court, and district court. Cases include claims under the Deceptive Trade Practices Act, as well as credit and debt collection problems, landlord/tenant complaints, and natural disaster issues.

Criminal Defense Clinic  Working on misdemeanor cases with a high probability of going to trial, such as assaults, thefts, driving while intoxicated and drug possession.

Entrepreneurship and Community Development Clinic - Students assist small businesses and non-profit corporations with legal matters encountered daily, including negotiating lease agreements, selecting proper organizational structure, and developing employment policies. The Entrepreneurship and Community Development Clinic has worked in conjunction with the C.T. Bauer College of Business' SURE Program (Stimulating Urban Renewal through Entrepreneurship) to help revitalize the historic Third Ward neighborhood. The program is designed to support efforts in education, arts, health and economic development with the purpose of empowering the community to transform itself.

Immigration Clinic - Specializing in representing adult and juvenile immigrants from all parts of the world; asylum, human trafficking, SIJ/Unaccompanied Minors, victims of crimes and domestic violence victims.

Mediation Clinic - Provides trained student mediators to the civil justice courts in Harris County, the BBB, the Harris County Dispute Resolution Center, and the EEOC. Students mediate consumer issues, landlord/tenant disputes, breach of contract cases, and Hague Convention (International Kidnapping) cases.

Military Justice Clinic  Students are assigned to defense teams in military criminal justice cases pending adverse administrative board hearings and felony-level courts-martial. Student involvement, once assigned to a defense team, will begin with client intake and end upon adjudication of the case at administrative board, trial, or agreed upon alternate disposition with the government.

Other practical opportunities for students include the Juvenile and Children's Advocacy Project (JCAP), the Texas Innocence Network (TIN) and the Street Law Program.

JCAP's mission is to reduce juvenile crime and delinquency and improve the long-term educational success rates and life outcomes for socially and economically disadvantaged juveniles. One of JCAP's components is its Record-Sealing and Expunction program, which is the only program in Texas providing sealing of juvenile delinquency records at no cost. Law students learn to practice in three different court systemsjuvenile, criminal and civiland receive training in three different procedures: juvenile records sealing, expunctions of adult criminal records, and nondisclosure orders for adult criminal records.

The Texas Innocence Network, established in 2000, is the oldest innocence program in Texas. The Texas Innocence Network has two divisions - the Capital Division, which represented death-sentenced inmates at every stage of their state and federal habeas appeals, and the Non-Capital Division which works to exonerate inmates who were wrongfully convicted.

The Street Law Program, established in 2016, allows Law Center students to gain teaching experience, while also working on their lawyering skills. Each Law Center student in the course is assigned to a high school class and responsible for developing and administering tests for a semester. They also are tasked with teaching high school students the skills to participate in a mock trial. The program was started by the Law Center's Center for Children, Law & Policy which focuses on youth of color in the school system.

The Law Center's Career Development Office participates in Diversity & Inclusion Recruiting, and encourages all students to apply to legal recruiting programs focusing on diversity and inclusion.

For more information on UH Law Center's diversity, racial justice and human rights efforts, please visit https://www.law.uh.edu/rjhr/.

UHLC media contacts: Carrie Anna Criado, UH Law Center Assistant Dean of Communications and Marketing, 713-743-2184, cacriado@central.uh.edu ; Elena Hawthorne, Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing, 713-743-1125, ehawthor@central.uh.edu ; and John Brannen, Media Relations Rep, 713-743-3055, jtbranne@central.uh.edu .

About the University of Houston Law Center

The University of Houston Law Center (UHLC) is a dynamic, top tier law school located in the nation's 4th largest city. UHLC's Health Law, Intellectual Property Law rank in the U.S. News Top 10. It awards Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) and Master of Laws (LL.M.) degrees, through its academic branch, the College of Law. The Law Center is more than just a law school. It is a powerful hub of intellectual activity with more than 11 centers and institutes which fuel its educational mission and national reputation. UHLC is fully accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools.

About the University of Houston

The University of Houston is a Carnegie-designated Tier One public research university recognized with a Phi Beta Kappa chapter for excellence in undergraduate education. UH serves the globally competitive Houston and Gulf Coast Region by providing world-class faculty, experiential learning and strategic industry partnerships. Located in the nation's fourth-largest city and one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse regions in the country, UH is a federally designated Hispanic- and Asian-American-Serving institution with enrollment of more than 47,000 students.

University of Houston Law Center Logo. (PRNewsFoto/University of Houston Law Center) (PRNewsFoto/University of Houston Law Center) (PRNewsfoto/University of Houston Law Center)

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SOURCE University of Houston Law Center
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The Taliban on August 12 took control of parts of Herat, Afghanistan's third-largest city, and captured Ghazni, the 10th provincial capital to fall, as the insurgent groups lightning offensive brings them closer to the capital, Kabul.

The fall of Herat in western Afghanistan would be a devastating blow to the government in Kabul, which now controls a scattered archipelago of contested cities and around only one-third of the countryside.

Videos showed Taliban fighters in central Herat as gunfire echoed through the streets after the group breached the citys defenses.

A Taliban spokesman said fighters had captured the city, including the provincial building, police headquarters, and other buildings. He said government soldiers were surrendering and military vehicles, weapons, and ammunition had been captured.

The city has been under siege for weeks, aided in defense by government-allied warlord Ismail Khan.

Although Taliban forces are in Herat, the governor's spokesman told RFE/RL that it did not mean the city had fallen.

A security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed to RFE/RL that the Taliban had seized key facilities in Herat, including the governor's office and police headquarters.

But the source said fighting with the Taliban was still going on in some areas amid reports that Herat's governor and several security officials had retreated to a military base on the outskirts of the city.

Earlier, the Taliban captured Ghazni, the 10th Afghan provincial capital to fall to the militants over the past week, and security forces arrested the provinces governor after he fled the city.

Afghan officials told RFE/RL that Governor Dawod Laghmani was being held in Kabul for investigation. They did not give further details.

Videos posted on social media showed Laghmanis convoy of vehicles heading to Kabul from Taliban-controlled areas after the fall of Ghazni, in the latest instance of government officials fleeing without resistance.

Ghazni is located 150 kilometers southwest of Kabul and holds strategic importance as it lies along the major Kabul-Kandahar highway that connects the capital to the south.

The Taliban now controls almost one-third of the country's 34 provincial capitals.

A U.S. defense official cited intelligence as saying this week that Taliban fighters could isolate Afghanistan's capital in 30 days and possibly take it over within 90.

Heavy fighting was also reported in the cities of Lashkar Gah, Kandahar, and Qala-e Naw, the capital of the northwestern province of Badghis.

In Lashkar Gah, the capital of southern Helmand Province, the Taliban on August 12 captured a police headquarters as fighting raged in the city of 200,000 -- one of Afghanistan's largest.

Fighting has also been intense in the southern city of Kandahar, once the stronghold of the militant group.

The Taliban said it overran the heavily fortified jail in Kandahar and released "hundreds of prisoners.

The Taliban frequently targets prisons to release fighters that rejoin its ranks.

The fall of Kandahar would be a huge tactical success for the militants and a serious blow to the morale of government troops.

On August 11, the Taliban captured Kunduz airport when most government forces there surrendered, making it more difficult to reinforce government soldiers.

President Ashraf Ghani, who is trying to rally a counteroffensive relying on his country's special forces, the militias of allied warlords, and U.S. airpower, fired the army chief of staff on August 11

Ghani also and traveled to Mazar-e Sharif, the capital of Balkh Province and a key regional hub, to rally local defenses in the north.

The Taliban offensive has gained momentum across Afghanistan since early May, when the United States and its allies officially began a pullout slated for completion by the end of this month.

Meanwhile, a third and final day of talks between the Taliban and the Kabul government was under way on August 12 in Qatar.

Envoys from the United States, China, Russia, and Pakistan met in Doha with Taliban and Afghan government negotiators in a bid reinvigorate stalled negotiations to find a political solution to the conflict.

The Afghan delegation sent to Doha, led by Abdullah Abdullah, the head of the government's reconciliation council, has demanded the Taliban immediately end attacks on cities and begin a dialogue to find a political solution, Afghan Foreign Minister Mohammad Hanif Atmar told RFE/RL.

"The people of Afghanistan, the region, and the world have consensus that the issue of Afghanistan should be resolved not through war but through peace negotiations and reaching a peace agreement, Atmar said. Now if the Taliban dont accept this and dont act faithfully and honestly in this regard, they stand against the global consensus, not just against the will of the Afghan people.

Abdullah said the day before that the Taliban had not taken peace talks seriously in recent months and that no progress had been made.

The United States and European powers also warned the Taliban that it will become isolated if it attempts to seize power by force.

"Attempts to monopolize power through violence, fear, and war will only lead to international isolation," the charge d'affaires at the U.S. Embassy, Ross Wilson, said on Twitter.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said Berlin would not provide financial support to Afghanistan if the Taliban takes over and introduces Shari'a religious law.

This story includes reporting by Radio Azadi correspondents on the ground in Afghanistan. Their names are being withheld for their protection.

With reporting by Reuters, AFP, and TASS
The United States is sending additional troops to Kabuls international airport to help evacuate some diplomatic staff from Afghanistan as the Taliban makes striking battlefield gains that could threaten the capital.

"We are further reducing our civilian footprint in Kabul in light of the evolving security situation," State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters on August 12, confirming earlier media reports.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said about 3,000 additional troops will join more than 650 personnel already in Kabul who have remained in the country to maintain diplomatic security.

Price said the additional military personnel would help in the reduction of diplomatic staff in the coming weeks, but he said there is not a full evacuation and that the embassy would remain open at its current location.

However, he did not deny reports that diplomatic work could be moved to the airport.

Right now, the embassy remains open. We will continue to have a diplomatic presence on the ground," Price said.

The U.S. Embassy in Kabul also urged all U.S. citizens to leave Afghanistan immediately using commercial flight options.

Separately, the British government said it was also sending more troops to Afghanistan to help its embassy staff leave the country and support the relocation of Afghan staff who worked with them.

The fast-paced developments come as U.S. defense officials said this week that Taliban fighters could isolate Afghanistan's capital in 30 days and possibly take it over within 90.

The Taliban has carried out a blistering offensive since May, capturing two-thirds of the country and seizing 11 provincial capitals in just the last week.

On August 12, the Taliban took control of parts of Herat, Afghanistan's third-largest city, and captured Ghazni, about 120 kilometers from Kabul and strategically located on a road connecting the capital to the south.

Earlier this week, Taliban fighters took control of several key towns connecting the capital to the north of the country, which alongside the south and west has been almost entirely overrun by the insurgency.

With reporting by AFP, AP, dpa, and Reuters
China has used its massive economic clout in Pakistan to gain Islamabads cooperation in its transnational campaign targeting Uyghurs, a model that Beijing wants to export across Asia and the Middle East, a new report finds.

Pakistan was the first country to actively collaborate with Beijing in monitoring and extraditing Uyghurs to China, deporting 14 Uyghurs accused of being terrorists in 1997. They were all summarily executed.

Since then, China has deepened its historically strong ties with Islamabad with an estimated $60 billion worth of energy and infrastructure projects under the guise of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which is part of Beijings worldwide Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

The report, compiled by the Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs and the Uyghur Human Rights Project, asserts that this is part of a deliberate Chinese strategy centered upon offering extravagant development projects while deepening security ties, which has been effective in influencing the Pakistani government to help target the countrys Uyghur community.

Beijing relies on the cooperation of neighboring governments in order to target and track Uyghurs abroad, the report notes, and China is now trying to use its relationship with Pakistan as a template for other countries that have Uyghur populations.

We can see that Pakistan is a precursor to the trends that are unfolding in the Middle East and Central Asia, Bradley Jardine, the director of research at the Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs and one of the reports authors, told RFE/RL. The agreements and arrangements reached between Beijing and Islamabad present a model that China is now trying to export across the region.

Beijings crackdown on its northwestern Xinjiang Province -- where more than 1 million Uyghurs, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, and other Muslim minorities have been detained in a vast internment camp network, according to UN estimates -- has coincided with an accelerated push to monitor and target Uyghurs living outside of China.

Uyghurs who live in Chinas neighboring countries are having their communications monitored, their movement limited, their businesses shut down, and they are being detained and extradited to China, Robert Evans, an expert at the American Enterprise Institute and one of the reports authors, told RFE/RL.

An Eye On Pakistan

Beijing has denied all accusations about abuses in Xinjiang and said that its system of so-called reeducation camps is necessary to provide vocational training and to fight against religious extremism.

An estimated 1 million to 1.6 million Uyghurs live abroad, according to the World Uyghur Congress, with the largest populations in Central Asia and Turkey.

Chinas campaign against Uyghurs abroad has received support from large swathes of Pakistans elite, including Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has defended Beijings stance on Xinjiang on numerous occasions.

During a recent interview with Chinese state media, Khan went on to defend Chinas official position over the camps in Xinjiang, where in addition to interning Uyghurs and other groups, Beijing has built a vast internal surveillance system to monitor the provinces residents.

Because we have a very strong relationship with China and because we have a relationship based on trust, we actually accept the Chinese version, Khan said during a July 1 interview with Chinese media. What they say about the programs in Xinjiang, we accept it.

The report also focuses on the situation in Afghanistan, which is home to a small Uyghur diaspora, and where the Taliban is making steady territorial gains and has also recently held talks with Chinese officials.

Islamabad is the groups main political patron and China has recently accelerated its diplomatic outreach in order to gain the Talibans cooperation in targeting Uyghur militants in the country, a move that could have far-reaching implications.

There is growing anxiety among Uyghurs in Afghanistan now, especially as China and Pakistan plan to expand the CPEC into the country, said Evans.

In addition to its giant economic footprint, Beijings increased heft across Central and South Asia has expanded through the use of multilateral organizations like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) -- a Eurasian security bloc that contains India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

The SCOs focus is to combat what the organization calls the three evils of terrorism, extremism, and separatism, which are vaguely defined by the members states and, as the report notes, has allowed SCO countries to take advantage of these loose definitions to pursue political opponents abroad.

This cooperation with China has also expanded to Tajikistan, where Beijing operates a series of military outposts along the Afghan border used to monitor and potentially detain Uyghur militants in the area.

An Expanding Template

The report highlights the growing risk posed by digital surveillance against the countrys Uyghur community in Pakistan, where China has deployed its spyware programs with the consent of local security services.

In June 2020, the digital security company Lookout published a report documenting how Chinese sources had been installing spyware on Pakistani phones.

According to the study, the spyware had mainly found its way onto phones owned by ethnic Uyghurs in the country through third-party apps found on websites and ads. Once installed on the device, personal information from the phone, including location data, text and audio conversations, and contact information were all collected and stored.

What we are seeing is the spread of Xinjiangs own internal model being exported and adopted across the surrounding region, increasingly in Pakistan, said Jardine.

The CPEC has also provided the foundation for the expansion of Chinese surveillance programs in Pakistan, according to a leaked document obtained by the Pakistani newspaper Dawn in 2017.

The document outlined new types of electronic surveillance and new border systems that Jardine says could be used to single out Uyghurs and be more widely implemented across the region.

As a whole, Central Asia has the largest Uyghur diaspora in the world, said Jardine. The spread of this technology puts the community at risk, whether its by direct monitoring or by restricting freedom of movement.

Beijing's safe cities program, which includes video surveillance, facial-recognition cameras, and the storage of vast amounts of data, is already expanding across Central Asia.

Kazakhstan has been conducting a test version of the program in partnership with Hikvision, a Chinese tech company that is currently under U.S. sanctions and has developed racial-profiling technology to identify the faces of Uyghurs in crowds.

Similarly, the China National Electronics Import and Export Corporation, another Chinese company under U.S. sanctions, has provided free facial-recognition software to Kyrgyzstans police force through a Chinese program to expand the smart cities framework in Bishkek.

The smart cities are part of this Chinese template, said Jardine. Its part of a larger top-down security structure that is increasingly targeting Uyghurs, but could be expanded to target other groups as well.
France and Switzerland have joined other European countries in announcing a suspension of deportations to Afghanistan due to the deteriorating security situation in the country as the Taliban presses its offensive across Afghanistan.

The French Interior Ministry told news agencies on August 12 that the policy has been in place since early July.

"We are watching the situation closely alongside our European partners," AFP quoted the ministry as saying.

Afghans last year accounted for the most asylum requests in France, with nearly 8,900 applications.

Switzerland also announced late on August 11 that the expulsion of rejected asylum seekers was suspended until further notice due to the changed situation in the country.

Photo Gallery: Fleeing Fighting, Afghans Flood Into Kabul And Gather At Pakistan Border Tens of thousands of people have been flooding into the Afghan capital, Kabul, and gathering at the Pakistan border to escape the escalating fighting between Taliban militants and government forces. As more provincial capitals fell to the Taliban, Afghanistan's Refugees and Repatriations Ministry said that more than 35,000 families had arrived in the capital over the last week and that officials are struggling to provide them food and shelter. Share on Facebook

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"Preparations for repatriation will only be continued in the case of persons who have committed a criminal offence, the State Secretariat for Migration tweeted.

Earlier this week, Germany and the Netherlands announced that they would also no longer deport rejected asylum seekers to Afghanistan, reversing their previous position on the controversial issue.

Officials in the two countries had joined several other EU members as early as last week in saying they should be allowed to continue expulsions of Afghan migrants if their asylum bids fail.

The European Union on August 10 said that it was considering more support for countries neighboring Afghanistan in anticipation of potentially hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing to neighboring countries.

There are growing concerns in Europe of a repeat of the migrant crisis in 2015 when well over 1 million migrants, including many from war-torn Syria, arrived in the EU and sparked ongoing political divisions in the bloc.

In a letter dated August 5 and disclosed only this week, the interior ministers of Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece, and the Netherlands urged the EUs executive arm to intensify talks with the Afghan government after Kabul said it was suspending "nonvoluntary returns" of Afghans fleeing the violence for three months.

We would like to highlight the urgent need to perform returns, both voluntary and nonvoluntary, to Afghanistan, the ministers wrote to the European Commission, which confirmed receipt of the letter.

Stopping returns sends the wrong signal and is likely to motivate even more Afghan citizens to leave their home for the EU.

The Taliban has captured 10 of Afghanistans 34 provincial capitals in the past week and now controls about two-thirds of the country.

A U.S. defense official cited intelligence as saying this week that Taliban fighters could isolate Afghanistan's capital in 30 days and possibly take it over within 90.

The Talibans lightning offensive began in May when U.S.-led international forces began the final stage of a troop withdrawal due to end later this month following a 20-year presence.

With reporting by AFP, dpa, and Reuters
PANJSHIR VALLEY, Afghanistan -- With its soaring cliffs and steep gorges, this famed region has never been conquered by invading forces during more than 40 years of war.

It was a bastion of resistance to occupying Soviet troops in the 1980s and later the Taliban, until that fundamentalist group's brutal regime was toppled by the U.S.-led invasion in 2001.

Now, residents of the Panjshir Valley, which spills from the Hindu Kush Mountains to within about 150 kilometers of Kabul to the south, are gearing up for a new fight against their old nemesis.

The Taliban has captured around half of Afghanistans roughly 400 districts and 10 of the countrys 34 provincial capitals in a blistering offensive since the final pullout of foreign forces began on May 1.

The insurgents have seized control of large swaths of territory bordering Panjshir, including nearly all of the northern provinces of Badakhshan, Takhar, and Baghlan, and parts of the eastern province of Laghman.

With the Taliban threatening outside their gates, hundreds of residents have taken up arms to help government forces repel the militants. Former combatants are also training a new generation of fighters.

Defend Their Homeland

We have started to give combat training to our young men, says Abdul Ahad Mujahid, one of the instructors.

The 58-year-old is a former member of the mujahedin, the U.S.-backed Islamist guerrilla fighters who battled Soviet forces during Moscows 1979-89 occupation. He later joined the Northern Alliance, a coalition of anti-Taliban groups that resisted Taliban rule from 1996-2001.

We train them for five weeks during which they learn to handle weapons and land mines, Mujahid says. Then they are ready to defend their homeland.

Photo Gallery: Fleeing Fighting, Afghans Flood Into Kabul And Gather At Pakistan Border Tens of thousands of people have been flooding into the Afghan capital, Kabul, and gathering at the Pakistan border to escape the escalating fighting between Taliban militants and government forces. As more provincial capitals fell to the Taliban, Afghanistan's Refugees and Repatriations Ministry said that more than 35,000 families had arrived in the capital over the last week and that officials are struggling to provide them food and shelter. Share on Facebook

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Among the young men receiving training is Yusef Ahmadi.

"We are being trained so we have the skills that we need to fight the enemy. We have done physical fitness and drills. We are currently learning how to handle Kalashnikovs, he says in reference to the Soviet-designed AK-47 assault rifle, the weapon of choice for guerrillas and militants around the world.

The Panjshir Valley, located in the province of the same name, has so far been largely shielded from Taliban attacks. But recently, the militants have encroached on the valley.

Taliban militants attacked government forces in Panjshirs Abshar district on August 8, sparking clashes.

Nearly a year ago, the insurgents attacked the same district in an attempt to seize the government headquarters before they were pushed back. Police said 20 villagers were taken hostage by the Taliban but later released.

Abdul Basit, a 26-year-old, says scores of young men from his home district of Rokha are receiving military training.

"We dont want to go to war without knowing anything, he says. We are getting valuable lessons from our instructors. They have experience of fighting the Soviets and the Taliban.

When their training is completed, the young men will be tasked with defending their villages and districts alongside troops from the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police.

Second Resistance

The trained fighters are part of the Second Resistance, a civilian militia led by the son of Ahmad Shah Masud, the legendary guerrilla commander who was killed by Al-Qaeda militants posing as journalists just days before the September 11 attacks nearly 10,000 kilometers away in the United States.

The militia headed by the younger Ahmad Masud, a 32-year-old who received his military education in Britain, numbers several thousand men. His fighters have vowed to protect Panjshir and have already been deployed to districts in neighboring provinces to fight alongside government troops.

The Second Resistance is among dozens of loosely formed pro-government militias known collectively as the Public Uprising Forces (PUF).

Kabul has hailed the creation of the militias as a bulwark against advancing Taliban militants. But many of them are loyal to powerful former warlords who hold significant sway in the provinces.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, a Western-educated technocrat who has been in office since 2014, has spent years sidelining the countrys key power brokers, many of them ex-warlords who view Kabul with suspicion and resentment.

Regional strongmen have been remobilizing their old militias lately in anticipation of what many expect to be a bloody new chapter in a decades-old conflict.

Armed groups loyal to regional and local warlords have rearmed and reappeared in the countrys northern, western, and central regions.

Their resurgence coincides with waning confidence in the weak Afghan government and beleaguered Afghan security forces ahead of the complete withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan by August 31.

There are fears that the return of the private militias -- many organized along ethnic lines -- could further undermine support for the central government and drag Afghanistan back into the chaos of the 1990s.

During its brutal civil war from 1992-96, Afghanistan descended into lawlessness as warlords and the Taliban essentially carved up the country into fiefdoms. Rival ethnic militias fought pitched battles for control of Kabul, killing some 100,000 people and leaving the capital in tatters.

More than two decades later, it is unclear what the Taliban's new push toward Kabul -- and its defense by a second generation of "lions" like those mobilizing to meet the Taliban threat in Panjshir -- means for a population still desperate for an end to the fighting.

Written by Frud Bezhan in Prague based on reporting by RFE/RLs Radio Azadi correspondents in Afghanistan. Their names are being withheld for their protection.
Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Choose from more than 300 tea varieties and participate in a Chinese tea ceremony at Yellow Mountain Tea House in Old Colorado City. While the tea is made in front of you, youll learn the best way to brew and steep tea. yellow-mountain-organic-tea.com  Carlotta Olson
If you go

What: "Where Did We Sit on the Bus?" by Brian Quijada

When: Opens 8 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays, runs through Aug. 22; Aug. 20-22 is sold out

Where: Outdoor stage at Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College, 30 W. Dale St.

Price: $25; 634-5583, fac.coloradocollege.edu
The U.S. Census Bureau has released the official 2020 census data, providing a detailed snapshot of today's United States population, and revealing how the nation has changed since the last full census 10 years ago.

The new data, which our reporters are currently analyzing, provide numbers of people and households, along with race and ethnicity data, down to small neighborhood units, giving the most granular look at the population in 10 years. It also provides data for the political reapportionment and redistricting that happens every 10 years, and give Congress an accurate count of the population to be used for congressional funding allocations.

Here are some highlights:

- Click here for five takeaways from the census Bureau report.

- Population growth from 2010 to 2020 was 7.4%, marking the slowest growth since the 1930s. Read more here.

- Colorado grew faster than most states, with about 15% growth.

- Most of the state's growth was concentrated in the urban Front Range corridor, with the three-quarters of the new Colorado residents moving into the area between El Paso County and the Wyoming border.

- Like the rest of the nation, Colorado became a more diverse state in the past ten years. The white portion of the state's population dwindled from 72% to 69%, while minority communities increased their share of the population. Some of the biggest growth in non-white populations happened in already-diverse areas, that became even less white. One notable contrast is the faster than normal growth of the white population, which had the effect of making the city more white and less diverse.

- Redistricting season officially kicked off Thursday with the release of detailed population data from the U.S. Census Bureau that will be used to redraw voting districts nationwide  potentially helping determine control of the U.S. House in the 2022 elections and providing an electoral edge for the next decade. Read more here.

- The figures show continued migration to the South and Southwest and population losses in the Mississippi Delta and Appalachia. The numbers also indicate that the white population is aging and has fallen to its smallest share of the total population on record. Read more here.
Crews continuing work on the widening of Interstate 25 between Monument and Castle Rock will close the County Line Road interchange, including the bridge over the freeway, both intersections and the I-25 on- and off-ramps, for four days, Aug. 17 through Aug. 21, 2021.
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Work continues on the I-25 Gap project between Colorado Springs and Castle Rock. The 18-mile corridor is Colorados longest construction zone.
Denver Mayor Michael Hancock announces in May that Denver would be lifting its COVID-19 restrictions and would be following the states new masking guidance, which recommends masks only for those who remain unvaccinated.
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Wisconsin clears UI backlog with cloud-based AI

Cloud technology has helped the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) clear its 2020 backlog of unemployment insurance (UI) claims while also speeding response time to new ones.

So far, the state has distributed $2 billion in unemployment benefits and processes an average of 157,000 claims each week, releasing payment to residents within two to three business days. That process used to take weeks or months, Brent Mitchell, director of state and local government within Google Cloud Public Sector, wrote in an Aug. 11 blog post.

Like many workforce development agencies nationwide, last year, DWD experienced a deluge of claims filed in response to the COVID-19 economic fallout, Mitchell said. DWDs legacy UI infrastructure -- largely written in the COBOL computing language and hosted on a mainframe server -- was no match for the volume and complexity of cases. Wisconsins multiple technology systems required a large amount of manual processing, with staff using spreadsheets to manually calculate benefit adjustments. As a result, the state just couldnt keep up with the surge of claims, and it needed to pivot quickly to a new solution to keep up with demand.

Between March and December 2020, the department hired, contracted or reassigned 1,300 individuals to help with the backlog. GCN reported in October that nearly 81,000 people were waiting for claims to be approved or denied. Two months later, DWD announced it had cleared its backlog and would resume its prepandemic goal of addressing claim issues within 21 days.

Mitchell attributed that success to modernizing existing technology with Google Clouds DocAI solution and its artificial intelligence and machine learning products. The former allows state workers to make faster decisions by extracting critical data from documents, removing manual processes and saving time.

Through a combination of design thinking, deep partnership with state officials and modern technology, DWDs solutions are tailored to maximize benefits to the constituents theyre designed to serve, he said.

AI and ML allow the state to create predictive analytics based on historical data to shorten the adjudication decision-making for claims and release payments to eligible residents quicker. Additionally, they help DWD identify where in the process a claimant was stuck.

We were also successful in screening out fraudulent claims so that the UI program could be administered -- with integrity -- to Wisconsinites who needed financial assistance, he added.

New York is also using Google Cloud for a redesigned unemployment insurance application that integrated the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance process, and West Virginia signed on with Google Cloud last October to give full access to enterprise-level Google Workspace capabilities to all 22,000 state employees. In March, Rhode Island announced that it had partnered with Google Cloud to launch a Virtual Career Center, part of the states Back to Work RI initiative.
Lately, a few number of Afrin IDPs returned home after receiving fake promises made by mercenary groups of non-exposure in return for sums of money reaching in some cases to thousands of USD but those returnees were abducted.

Figures in the Kurdish National Council most notable Abdul Hakim Bashar encouraged IDPs to return home refusing crimes being committed in Afrin since Afrin fell to occupation by Turkish forces and mercenary groups on 18 March 2018.

War circles in Turkey as well are playing a prominent role in promoting such campaigns alleging that life in Afrin goes normally.

In this relation, Spokesperson for the Human Rights Organization-Afrin-Syria, Ibrahim Sheikho told ANHA ''more than 300 thousand citizens were displaced forcibly into the Shahba Canton as 400 thousands from different Syrian territories were settled in their places of which Turkomen and Palestinians''. Sheikh noted that prior to occupation Kurds were making up 95 of Afrin population but now they do not exceed 23 per cent.

On the number of abductees Sheikho said: at least 7740 citizens were abducted by the Turkish occupation intelligence services and the terrorist mercenary groups, of whom 1000 women held at detentions centers in Azaa, Ra'I, Mar'I, Bab and Afrin and even in Turkish territories. Mercenary groups and Turkish occupation took possessions of thousands of houses in Afrin and districts for commerce, just in 2020 250 houses belonged by IDPs living in Shahba were taken possession of''.

Sheikh added that nearly 70 rape cases were registered in Afrin all committed by Turkish occupation troops and mercenaries in addition to five suicide cases as they reject these breaches. In relation to archaeological sites Sheikho said 75 hills were destroyed of which 18 sites registered in UNCESCO's World Heritage List indicating that all these crimes are documented by a Fact-Finding Committee, Amnesty International as well as international human rights all fell under war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Sheikh went on to say that some Kurds working under the banner of the Turkish occupation forces neglect crimes committed by Turkey in Afrin as dubbed isolated actions. '' members of ENKES that call, themselves Afrin Free Gathering and Independent Kurds Society in addition to Fu'ad Eliko and Ebdul Hakim Bashar all deny crimes committed by Turkey in Afrin'', Sheikho said, ''if so why not they are now in Afrin'', he wondered.

At the end, Sheikho stressed that they are not against home return as all their resistance discharge into this but not under Turkish occupation control '' if there is a return let it be a collective one and under international guarantees with no Turkish occupation. A special war is adopted by ENKSE members that are living in Germany, Southern Kurdistan and Turkey calling on Afrin IDPs in Shaba to return home but as soon as they arrive they are capture by intelligence confirming that 35 Kurdish families are detained inside Kimar School in Sherawa and others paid heavily just to return home as their whereabouts is unknown.

In turn, Co-chair of the Legislative Council in Afrin Sulaiman Cefer both warned Afrin IDPs of returning '' some Kurdish National Council members exploit IDPs and calling them to return to Afrin under Turkish occupation forces.

Cefer said '' we were calling for return to Afrin but how? Indicating that for 58 days Turkish occupation forces used to target them vi every highly advanced and internationally outlawed weapons and eventually we were displaced forcibly how could occupation receive us' Cefer wondered.

Cefer called on Afrin IDPs living in the Shahba Canton not to be pushed into mirages made by enemy that call IDPs to return home under Turkish occupation.

Cefer said at the end, if there is a return let it be a collective one with no presence by Turkish occupation forces or any mercenary groups''.

L.A

ANHA
Killeen, TX (76540)

Today

Some clouds this morning will give way to generally sunny skies for the afternoon. High around 95F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Clear skies. Low around 75F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph.
1. Yes. It already exists for Fort Hood campuses. The mask policy should be uniform.

2. Yes. Other districts are defying the ban. KISD should put kids first and follow suit.

3. No. Whether a mask mandate is a good idea doesnt matter. Dont break the law.

4. No. Students shouldnt be forced to wear a mask. The governors order is correct.

5. Unsure. Its hard to say. There could be serious consequences either way.

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This article appears in the August 13, 2021 issue of Executive Intelligence Review.

AFGHANISTAN CONFERENCE

Circulate a Common Interest Development Program for Afghanistan Right Away

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July 31Today the Schiller Institute brought together, in a five-hour intense discussion at an international virtual conference, diplomats, and experts from many nations, including Afghanistan, Russia, China, Pakistan, the United States, Italy, South Africa, Mexico, and others, on the theme: Afghanistan: A Turning Point in History After the Failed Regime-Change Era.

Helga Zepp-LaRouche (Germany), Founder and Chairman of the Schiller Institute, who has been leading a process of institutional and informal dialogue for the past 18 months, said at the conclusion of todays event, that we now have a perspective of where to go. The priority is to put development on the table, which will be difficult to refuse by anyone, and to give all the support possible to make it happen. The last speaker of the day, Hussein Askary (Sweden/Iraq), Southwest Asia Coordinator for the Schiller Institute, forcefully put forth that we must make development the first item in any talks, not the last. He warned, Keep the warlords and the British out! Askarys presentation, which covered concrete aspects of development, was titled, Put Afghanistan on the Belt and Road to Peace.

The event was opened by Moderator Dennis Speed (USA), who said that the deliberations would change the usual conception of war or peace, to partake of the diplomacy of formulating policies for mutual understanding and development. He included a video excerpt from a 1985 speech by the late statesman-economist Lyndon LaRouche making the point, with reference to President Abraham Lincolns record, that the power of infrastructure transforms an economy. Zepp-LaRouches opening remarks stressed that we are at a special moment in history, where geopolitical confrontation must be ended, and a new paradigm begunnot only for Eurasian integration and prosperity, but for universal history. She showed a beautiful Golden Mask artifact in making a point of the 5,000-year history of the Central Asian region.

Playing a lead role in the discussion from beginning to end was Professor Pino Arlacchi (Italy), who participated from Italy. Currently a Sociology Professor at the University of Sassari, he was Executive Director of the UN Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention (1997-2002) and former European Parliament Rapporteur on Afghanistan. His subject was, Eradicate Opium in Afghanistan, Develop Modern Agriculture, Build the Nation, Now, describing his original plan, which by 2001 had nearly eliminated opium poppy growing in Afghanistan, but which then was reversed under the ensuing years from 2001 of U.S. and NATO military operations.

Arlacchi again proposed a plan in 2010, which was thwarted by the EU, Britain, and the United States. Today, Afghanistan is the source of over 80% of the worlds opium. Arlacchi laid out what can and must be done today. The needed approach uses alternative agriculturesupporting farmers to switch to other crops, and similar realistic methods. Arlacchi stressed how relatively inexpensive this is, given the huge leverage by the drug cartels. Farmers in Afghanistan might get $300 to 350 million for their opium crop, which then is worth $20 billion to organized crime in Europe. There are many alternative crops of great use and value, for example saffron.

The diplomats presented a sweeping picture of the present situation. Ambassador Hassan Shoroosh, Afghanistans ambassador to Canada, spoke from Ottawa, saying that there is a new chapter of partnership ahead, which must be worked out. His talk was, The Way Forward for Afghanistan. He said that his country is positioned to serve as a land-bridge in Eurasia, and reviewed in detail various transportation corridors, from the Lapis Lazuli Corridor to the Five Nations Railway Corridor.

Ambassador Anna Evstigneeva (Russia) spoke from New York City, where she is Deputy Permanent Representative at the Mission of the Russian Federation to the UN. Her presentation was titled, Russias Outlook for Afghanistan and Eurasia. She stressed that the goal is stability, and that there is no military solution. There are important frameworks among the neighbors in the region, including the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), as well as bilateral relations. There is a special role for the extended troika, which has been in place for many years. There are meetings coming up in the near future. Transport and other infrastructure are of great significance, she emphasized.

Dr. Wang Jin (China), Fellow at The Charhar Institute, spoke on the topic, Afghanistan and the Belt and Road Initiative. He presented four key aspects of Chinas concerns: (1) that there be no spillover impacts of instability; (2) that there is a future of advancement for Afghanistan; (3) that extremism and terrorism do not gain ground; and (4) that China and Afghanistan have positive ties.

From Pakistan, Mr. Hassan Daud Butt, the CEO of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Board of Investment & Trade, spoke. He pointed out that Afghanistan is one of the least integrated economically in the Central and South Asian region, after these decades of strife. He talked about the great economic spillover that will ensue, with Pakistan leveraging its position and resources to become a logistical hub and extending benefits to Afghanistan through the Belt and Road flagship project, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and through the BRI. We must have the spirit of the ancient Silk Road again, he said, calling for more seminars on this, involving scholars, chambers of commerce and others.

From the United States, Ray McGovern spoke. He is a former analyst at the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, and co-founder of the Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity (VIPS). Addressing the topic, The Real Interest of the United States in Asia, he made many strong points, including that there must be accountability for the string of commanders who lied about what the U.S. was doing in Afghanistan, also in Iraq and elsewhere. He dramatically pointed out that there werent even competent situation estimates that should have been done, about terrain, weather, LOCS (lines of communications and supplies), and other standard assessments of what the U.S. is doing in places. In 2010, U.S. Navy logistics was paying $400 a gallon to put gas in the tanks of military vehicles in Afghanistan! He hit hard at the racism involved in presuming you can do anything, anywhere; he quoted Rudyard Kipling.

Many others were involved in the two question and answer discussions, with important exchanges over key topics. For example, Earl Rasmussen, Vice President of the Eurasian Society, raised the point of the necessity to build trust. Dr. Stephen Fischer, an American physician, reported on a year he spent in public health in Afghanistan, working with a provincial reconstruction team. Zepp-LaRouche stressed many times that in the context of the prolonged pandemic, it is imperative that we move in Afghanistan, and everywhere, for public health and modern medical care infrastructure. Dr. Walter Faggett and Maj. Gen. Peter Clegg (ret.), both with the Committee for the Coincidence of Opposites, were able to join the first Q&A discussion. Alaha Ahrar, CEO of the Kindness Sharing Project, called in from Virginia to ask what would happen to the gains women had made in Afghanistan, if the Taliban should take power.

Ambassador Anna Evstigneeva made a concluding point, that it is important to rise above geopolitics. She said that in Russia, at all levels, including President Putin, we are ready for cooperation. Helga Zepp-LaRouche called on the panelists, and anyone in the viewing audience, to contribute to the development program perspective under discussion, and mobilize. Professor Arlacchi, who has a new book out, Against Fear: Violence Is Diminishing: The True Threats to World Peace (in Italian), gave parting words that, peace is stronger than war. Lets be more courageous. Not a victim of huge deceptions. The full conference is archived for viewing (a partial transcript appears in this issue). Now is the time to join the Schiller Institute.

The entire conference can be watched here.
This transcript appears in the August 13, 2021 issue of Executive Intelligence Review.

[Print version of this transcript]

Schiller Institute International Conference

Saturday, July 31, 2021 Afghanistan:

A Turning Point in History

After the Failed Regime-Change Era

Opening Remarks: A Mobilization Not for War

The conference was opened by the Schiller Institutes Dennis Speed, who included a video excerpt from a speech by Lyndon LaRouche in 1985, to help set the tone of the conference. This is an edited transcript. The full video of the conference is available here.

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Schiller Institute Dennis Speed

Dennis Speed: Good day to all around the world who are participating in this event. Todays event marks, we hope, a particular inflection point not only for Afghanistan, but for cooperation among nations throughout the world.

The Schiller Institute has been working for about a year to establish a new method, which is really a way of re-establishing an old method of dialogue, and we hope therefore diplomacy, among nations. Its a method that was pioneered in the Fifteenth Century by Cardinal Nicholas of Cusa, called the Coincidence of Opposites. It always seeks a higher resolution among persons, as well as nations, that may have been defined in the past as adversaries. Because theres always a higher generalized self-interest, a common good that can, in fact, be identified, apprehended, and then produced for all.

We welcome in that spirit all of the various persons who are participating today from around the world, some of whom you are about to meet, and we note here that we have been informed that the idea of the peaceful development of Afghanistan is supported by the CGTN Think Tank in the context of this conference.

We are going to begin today by interjecting something about the United States, a different view of the United States military, and a different view about the actual power of the United States. This is a view that was expressed in December of 1985 at another Schiller Institute conference, by Lyndon LaRouche, economist and statesman, who passed away in February of 2019.

Lyndon LaRouche: (1985 video excerpt) The United States, in the 1860s, in the course of the Civil War, had emerged as the most powerful economy and greatest military force on this planet.

This transformation had been accomplished not by the means of war, which are inherently destructive; it had been accomplished by the form of mobilization of our republic by Lincoln, who himself was a profound thinker, contrary to the schoolbooks of today, who was guided by the principles of republicanism in the deepest and purest sense; who organized a mobilization of industry, agriculture, and institutions, and infrastructure-building, to transform this nation and its potentialities into the most powerful economy and military capability on the face of this planet.

Speed: Not by means of war, which is inherently destructive, but through the power of the economy, which Abraham Lincoln in particular had done a great deal to begin, himself, to create. Now, its this message that we hope will be heard all over the world, of course, but also specifically in the United States. There is a need in the world, particularly in a world with thermonuclear weapons.

The idea of diplomacy should not be prevarication, dissembling, misrepresentation, or downright lying. The idea of diplomacy should be that there be an actual policy for economic development and the cultural exchanges and participations that require a kind of mutual understanding of the other person, of the other persons culture, the other persons nation.

In the case of Afghanistan, from which the United States has now militarily removed itself, nonetheless, the United States is still there; was there for 20 years, and the issue is now that there is a new point of inflection, if you will: Can there be a cooperation established among all of the nations, in a kind of equality of intervention, but that intervention from some higher principle? And what would that higher principle be?

To discuss that, and to give guidance to how that principle can be thought about by all, its my honor to introduceas it always isthe Chairman and Founder of the Schiller Institute, Helga Zepp-LaRouche.
As Schools Reopen, Gov. Newsom Invests $123.9 Billion to Address Financial and Safety Concerns

On Aug. 3 in Perris, California  a Riverside County city located about 70 miles east of Los Angeles  Lincoln Cooper and Fortunate Hove Cooper handed out free backpacks full of school supplies and hand sanitizers to struggling families during a triple-digit heat wave. They were joined by a handful of volunteers that included representatives from the Moreno Valley School District.

This is the biggest back to school event weve ever had, said Lincoln Cooper, president and founder of the community outreach organization the Concerned Family (TCF). Weve had a lot of support and were really thankful and grateful that we were able to help the community.

The faith-based, Black-lead community outreach organization, founded in 1993 and run out of an old fire station in Perris, has organized back-to school events in the past; but none quite on this scale, the groups leaders say. According to Lincoln, they received over 750 backpacks filled to the brim with useful supplies.

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What we had planned, initially, was not the backpacks. The plan was to remember those who lost their relatives in the COVID-19 pandemic and have a memorial for them and then assure the kids that theyre still being heard, and we are not just passing them by while they are grieving, said TCF Co-Founder Fortunate Hove Cooper.

The Coopers are not alone in their concern for struggling Black families with children returning to school this fall as uncertainty about the coronavirus and its new variants lingers.

For many Black California families, especially lower-income ones, having their children resume in-person classes amidst an ongoing pandemic remains both a financial and public health challenge. But during a visit to Juanita B. Jones Elementary School in San Bernardino on Aug. 6, Gov. Gavin Newsom laid out a roadmap for the states safe return to in-person instruction.

During the press conference, Newsom spoke about the California Comeback Plan, a COVID-19 recovery budget that includes $123.9 billion in investments in education. He was joined by Assembly Majority Leader Eloise Gomez Reyes (D-San Bernardino), Assemblymember James Ramos (D-Highland), Superintendent of Education Tony Thurmond, Gwendolyn Dowdy-Rodgers, a San Bernardino County education advocate and school board member, among others.

Our school year started Monday and weve had a great week, Dr. Gwen Dowdy-Rogers, the San Bernardino City Unified School District school board president, said at the beginning of the press conference.

Families sent 95% of all students back to our campuses for the first time in over a year for in-person instruction, she continued.

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Newsom addressed some of the pandemic related financial issues students and families like those at the Concerned Family back to school event face.

By the way, $650 million went into this unprecedented first of the nation effort to provide free nutritious meals for our kids, Newsom said.

Supervisor Baca would be upset with me if I didnt remind everybody about all the support that were providing these kids, he continued.

The governor also reassured that this full reopening of schools during a pandemic will be safe.

However, Lincoln and Fortunate are still concerned about COVID-19 safety for Pre-K and K-12 students.

Theres so much going on with the pandemic and even young kids are dying. Initially it was older people. Lincoln said.

So, Id advise them to make sure theyre wearing their face masks and be cautious, he continued.

Newsom claimed that many of the problems surrounding pandemic safety in schools could be solved by following safety protocols and getting vaccinated.

He also addressed the inequities in education and healthcare in the state and what he plans to do to tackle that issue.

We continue to disproportionately focus on partnerships with community-based organizations in the African American community and in the Latino community to do more, to get more people vaccinated and address the concerns and anxieties that persist in terms of vaccine hesitancy, Newsom said.

And thats profoundly important, the health of our diverse communities. And I want folks to know that we have doubled down 480 community-based organizations working with barber shops, faith-based communities, the Black press, ethnic media, crossing the spectrum to provide additional outreach, he continued.

Newsom says that the California Comeback Plan is a comprehensive one that took healthcare into consideration.

A big part of our community school strategy is to integrate and to reimagine a whole person care framework as it relates to not only quality public education but to address the health needs as well as the nutrition needs of our public kids, Newsom said.

California Black Medias coverage of COVID-19 is supported by the California Health Care Foundation.
California Women Go to WAR in Support of Gov. Newsom

A broad coalition of California women are banding together to support Gov. Gavin Newsom as he fights to fend off a recall effort by the Republicans that could mar his legacy and throw him out of office in a little over a month.

Members of the group, dubbing itself, Women Against the Recall (WAR), say they are not going to allow Gov. Gavin Newsom to be overthrown in the special election scheduled for Sept. 14. California U.S. Congresswomen Karen Bass (D-CA-13) and Barbara Lee (D-CA-37), who are both supporting WAR, joined a press conference on Aug. 9 to make the case for Newsom.

Aimee Allison, founder of She the People, an Oakland-based political advocacy group, hosted the briefing.

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We are all against the Republican-led recall because we know that the health of our children, neighbors, and communities depend on Gov. Newsoms continued leadership, Lee said at the onset of the virtual event hosted by WAR. Congresswoman Bass and I decided that any successful, political event must have women on the front lines, especially women of color.

The women of WAR come from diverse backgrounds and bring their support for Newsom from different regions of the state. But, organizers say, they remain united by a common goal: to mobilize a statewide grassroots movement that defeats the recall effort.

Read More on the Recall:

More than 1,000 women, representing themselves or different organizations across the state, signed a letter composed by WAR opposing the recall. Over the next few weeks, WARs leaders say their group will focus on providing voter education and conducting get-out-the-vote campaigns.

Newsom, who participated in the WAR event, said that he was humbled by the support from the 70 different groups that signed on to the letter. He told attendees that our values and the things we hold dear are at stake in the recall election.

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The one thing that sticks out in particular as a list of grievances who inspired this, was our support (Democratic Party) for diverse communities, Newsom said. Our support for immigrants, our support for doing more and being better. Its about each and every one of us.

WAR volunteers say, in their upcoming messaging campaigns, they will explain to Californians what recall election is and why, in their opinion, there is a movement to recall Gov. Newsom two years after he was elected to the highest office in the state.

Many Democrats are blaming Republicans for the attempt to recall Newsom, citing the states progressive politics and trailblazing steps it has taken to foster inclusion and address longstanding inequalities suffered by ethnic and racial minorities.

Republican candidates vying to unseat Newsom include former Olympian, Caitlyn Jenner, former San Diego Mayor, Kevin Faulconer, conservative talk radio host Larry Elder, Assemblymember Kevin Kiley (R-Rocklin), former United States Congressman Doug Ose, and the 2018 GOP gubernatorial nominee John Cox.

Lacking any crimes or accusations of impropriety, (the members of the Republican party) are trying to punish the Governor for following the advice of scientists to promote mask-wearing and social distancing, WAR said in a written statement.

WAR continued, (But) lets be honest, though, this recall campaign is not about the Governors handling of COVID, its about an anti-democratic, political attack launched by the Republican Party who is exploiting the fear and pain of the COVID pandemic to claw back power after being rejected by the American people in the 2020 election.

The California election will determine Newsoms fate in less than 35 days and could potentially select a new governor on the same day from a list of 46 candidates.

Those who think this thing is not close, Id hate to disabuse you  it is, Newsom said during the virtual function lasting about two hours.

During a news conference last week, California Secretary of State Shirley Weber said the ballot will ask two questions: Do the voters want to recall Newsom, and if so, who do they want to replace the governor.

If 50% or more of the ballots are no votes, Weber said, Newsom stays on as governor. If 50% or more say yes, then he is recalled.

WAR fears a lot is at stake. The groups leaders say they dread what could happen if the next governor of the state is a Republican.

Although we began as a nationwide Secure the Seat effort to build partners and allies to support increased representation of Black women in the US Senate, we quickly realized this would not be possible without ensuring we have a Democratic governor in California, WAR pointed out in a statement to the media. If we lose California, we could potentially lose our majority in the Senate if anything happened to either of our Senators.
COMMAND LA BUILDS THE NEXT GENERATION OF FIRE FIGHTERS

After 36 years on the job, Los Angeles Fire Department Assistant Chief Antoine McKnight is looking forward to retiring in 2023. One of only a handful of African American fire fighters currently in the department to rise to the rank of Assistant Chief in LAFDs 135 year history, McKnight is working hard to ensure the next generation of minority and female fire fighters are in the pipeline, trained, prepared and ready for the rigorous career.

McKnight said that when he joined the force in 1986, Blacks made up about 13 percent of LAPD. Currently, he estimates the number of Black fire fighters is closer to eight percent.

Theres going to be a lot of [African American] retirements in the next two years, said McKnight. We just want to make sure this career opportunity is made available to people of color, especially Blacks. We want to do everything we can do to make that happen.

McKnight is a member of the Los Angeles City Stentorians, an association of African American fire fighters founded in 1954, dedicated to recruitment and promotion of diversity within the LAFD. On July 12, the Stentorians, in partnership with Children Youth and Family Collaborative Los Angeles (CYFCLA), launched Command LA Youth Fire Academy, an initiative developed to recruit, motivate, inspire and train individuals from marginalized or underrepresented communities into the field of fire service.

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Command LA was supported by Hire LAs Youth, a citywide summer jobs initiative that equips young adults 14 -24 with soft skills such as resume writing and entrepreneurship training. Individuals in Hire LAs Youth must go through twenty hours of soft skill job training and complete an application to be eligible for placement in programs around the city such as Command LA and receive compensation upon completion of 120 hours of work.

Command LA cadets, ranging in age from 15  22, were recommended by nonprofit organizations, CYFCLA, Community Build, Urban League and Brotherhood Crusade. Using the principles of fire safety as a foundation, LA Command participants learned discipline, teamwork and leadership. Each day of the 4-week program started promptly at 8:00 a.m. and ended at 4:00 p.m.

Ebony Williams heard about LA Command through Community Build, Inc., a nonprofit organization based in South Los Angeles. Williams was part of Community Builds Gang Reduction and Youth Development program (GRYD). The 22-year old West LA College graduate wasnt one hundred percent sure about joining the fire department, but she wanted to check it out.

Williams leadership skills earned her the top spot as a Command LA team leader and captain. Although not a member of a gang, Williams admitted to hanging out with gang members and being knocked unconscious and having panic attacks. Speaking to an audience of her peers, family members and academy organizers, during the graduation ceremony on August 7, Williams said she was humbled by her experience at the academy.

Im glad to be in this community with these wonderful people. I could be hanging around the no-gooders right now, said Williams. [but] Instead of hanging around the people who make the bullet wounds, Im hanging around the people who help the bullet wounds, who patch them up. Thats what its about.

During the graduation ceremony, Robert Sausedo, president of Command LA partner agency Community Build, acknowledged that growing up as an Afro-Latino in South Los Angeles in the 1980s, options like LA Command were not available to him. He encouraged the graduating class to take advantage of the discipline and leadership skills they learned during the 4-week academy and stay focused. No matter what happens in life, keep your focus and your purpose. From time to time, your purpose will change or shift, but no matter what stay focused on your purpose.

McKnight hopes some of Command LA participants will eventually join the LAFD, but he says the main goal of the academy is to help the young participants succeed in life. We all come from varying circumstances in life, varying obstacles that we have to overcome, but my goal is to equip these young people with the tools to help them overcome those obstacles, said McKnight. They can succeed at whatever they put their mind to and heart to. Thats my best dream for them.

For more information on LA Command Youth Fire Academy visit lacitystentorians.org.
Community Still Devastated Over the Murder of Michelle Avan

Family and friends vow to seek justice for her death and are determined to continue her legacy of community service

We want justice for my mother and to continue her legacy of uplifting her village, Trevon Avan, stated Trevon Avan, the son of Michelle Avan, the Bank of America executive who was tragically murdered in her home last week. Her death sent shock waves throughout the community and her family and friends have vowed to continue her legacy of good deeds for the betterment of the community and those less fortunate.

People close to her say Michelle Annette Avan was a loving mother, grandmother and friend to all who knew her. She was recently promoted to senior vice president, Head of Global Womens and Under-represented Talent Strategy and served on the Global Human Resources leadership team (see Sentinel article on 6/24/2021), and was dedicated personally in her role with the bank in developing talent and uplifting those in the community, supporting them in reaching their highest levels of achievement.

The consensus echoes a similar praise of Avan; she was much more than just a rising star in the banking industry, this determined leader utilized her role and the resources within the bank to uplift an entire community, helping break down the barriers that have traditionally been denied to women and people of color. Avan was a woman of service and had recently been nominated to serve on the board of the Los Angeles Urban League. She previously served as a board member for the USC Black Alumni Association, as well as the Centre Theater Group, and the International Black Womens Public Policy Institute (IBWPPI).

According to Tracy Mitchell, every year, without fail, Avan spearheaded her team of employees at Bank of America to purchase backpacks and fill them with school supplies out of their own pockets for the annual Mothers In Actions Annual Back to School Healthfair & Supply Giveaway. This year was no different. Special thanks to Michelle Avan and the employees at Bank of America. May her beautiful, giving soul rest in peace. Her living was not in vain. She spread her love, kindness and infectious smiles with everyone she met. Prayers of peace and comfort for her family, friends and co-workers, said Mitchell, president of Mothers in Action.

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Im Ready  I love you, were Michelles last words to me on Monday, July 26, the day before I left for Ghana, Africa. We ended the 90-minute call with such joy. It was different from our previous call a few weeks before when she was grieving the death of her beloved father. She was ready for her fresh start, her new way forward. I believed her. I had come to know her over the eight years of our working together and being in service together. We were thinking partners. Michelle never missed an opportunity to tell the world about our special relationship. Now, it is my turn. Keeping her legacy and dreams alive has moved to the top of my list, stated Barbara Perkins, co-founder and president of IBWPPI.

On Monday August 9, 2021, Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon filed first degree murder and residential burglary charges against Anthony Duwayne Turner. District Attorney Gascon said in a statement, Ms. Avan was a leader in our community and this senseless act of violence has resulted in a significant loss to us all.

Turner, also a Bank of America executive, was arrested as a suspect in connection with the slaying Avan, a prominent executive at Bank of America who was a champion in helping people of color seek careers in the financial services industry.

Family members became concerned of Avans welfare when she could not be reached over a lengthy period. A family member found Avan (48) dead and brutally beaten on Thursday morning at her home and immediately contacted authorities.

LAPD detectives arrested Anthony Duane Turner on Thursday afternoon, within hours of Avan being found dead near his home in Westchester on suspicion of murdering her.

Turner was booked and was being held at LAPDs Valley Jail Section according to booking records and bail has been set at $2,000,000. Turner pleaded Not Guilty at his arraignment hearing on Monday.

With well over 50 friends and family members in attendance, including her son and daughter at Mondays hearing, family members were outraged when Turners attorney described him as a pillar of the community and deserved to be released on bail. As of Sentinel press time, Turner is still in police custody.

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We are devastated, Bank of America said in a statement. Michelle was a valued member of our company for more than 20 years and will be greatly missed. We extend our deepest sympathies to her family.

Keisha Nix, who started her career along with Avan over twenty years ago at Merrill Lynch and who was one of her closest friends stated, Michelle was a bright light. She was one of the most humble C-Suite executives we have ever seen. She didnt ask you or expect you to do anything she wasnt willing to do herself. She led by example. Her legacy will live on through her family and all of the seeds she planted in our community.

In 2019, Avan was the recipient of the Los Angeles Sentinels Corporate Leadership Award as one of the most Powerful and Influential Black Women Leaders in Los Angeles. The award recognized her for her leadership and commitment to the community as well as her work to mentor youth, particularly Black women and girls.

The Avan family has not released information regarding her Celebration of Life event but did confirm that the family is planning to host a celebration in Los Angeles, but is also planning to host a celebration in Miami, Florida, where Avan was born and still has a large contingency of family, friends and loved ones.

Further information will be posted to www.lasentinel.net as more information becomes available.

Sentinel Contributing Writer Betti Halsell contributed to this report.

The story has been updated from the original published version.
Despite CDC Short-Term Rental Eviction Reprieve, No Permanent Solution Found

On August 4, an estimated 11 million American consumers facing imminent evictions gained a short-term reprieve, thanks to an eviction moratorium extension ordered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Effective August 3 through October 3, counties experiencing substantial and high levels of COVID-19 levels, many of which are driven by the surging delta variant are eligible for 75% of the approved $46 billion still available. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has an online Rental Assistance Finder at www.consumerfinance.gov/renthelp, designed to connect renters and landlords with state and local programs distributing federal emergency rental assistance (ERA) nationwide.

It is critical for states and localities to turn their attention to distributing ERA funds more quickly. Program administrators can and should utilize the flexibilities the Treasury Department provided, and ensure that programs barriers  like burdensome documentation requirements  are minimized.

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According to CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky, The emergence of the delta variant has led to a rapid acceleration of community transmission in the United States, putting more Americans at increased risk, especially if they are unvaccinated. This moratorium is the right thing to do to keep people in their homes and out of congregate settings where COVID-19 spreads.

The action came on the heels of a sleep-in protest on the steps of the Capitol, led by freshman legislator Rep. Cori Bush. Representing St. Louis and adjoining areas, Ms. Bush herself was once a homeless single mother, and vowed that the peaceful protest would continue until actions were taken to protect renters. She is also a registered nurse, ordained pastor, and the Deputy Whip for the Congressional Progressive Caucus. Her activism first gained public attention following the death of Michael Brown, Jr. in Ferguson, MO.

Upon learning of the CDC moratorium extension, Rep. Bush said, Over the last five days, our movement has received support from many of our House and Senate colleagues. Especially as a formerly unhoused person, I am grateful to each and every one of them for recognizing and working to end this eviction emergency and for amplifying the call to extend the eviction moratorium. It will take all of us working together to get this done. Each day that passes without a federal moratorium is another day of evictions, uncertainty, and instability for millions of people who are at risk of being removed from their homes.

Only a few days earlier on July 27, the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, led by South Carolina Congressman Jim Clyburn, heard from another single mother, Katrina Chism of metro Atlanta, who testified to her lengthy and ongoing struggle to keep a roof over her familys head.

The fear of homelessness became a reality for me, testified Ms.Chism. I had never faced this type of stress before and I had no idea what I was going to be able to do with little income and no home. In May, I ended up moving to another county further outside Atlanta, where I felt forced into a lease where my rent increased by several hundred dollars per month. I went from paying $1245 to $1600. It was really expensive to move. I had to pay for (movers, a U-Haul junk remover, a large deposit, application fees, etc.).

Read More:President Biden Signs Bipartisan Bill to Curb Predatory Lending

Her testimony went on to recount details of the personal ordeal she endured that began with an August 2020 job layoff. During the two months it took to secure alternative work, she fell two months behind on her rent. On February 12 of this year, she applied for rental assistance  the first day that the Tenant-Landlord Assistance Coalition in DeKalb County began accepting applications. Her approved application was sent to Atlanta Legal Aid to help negotiate a resolution with her landlord using rental assistance through the county.

A month later in March, Ms. Chism again lost her job. Her legal aid attorney tried to negotiate repayments with the landlord over several weeks, including an updated proposal with higher numbers when another months rent was due. But by mid-April, the landlord rejected the proposal and issued notice that the lease set to expire in mid-May would not be renewed. The alternative housing for herself and her son prevented the family from becoming homeless; but the rent charged with the new landlord rose by $355 each month.

I felt expendable, and they showed me I was, testified Ms. Chism. I was not given any consideration as a long-term tenant with no evictions on my record ever. I felt as if I had broken the law somehow while we were in the middle of a pandemic. There are so many people in this situation, and it is unfair. There is assistance out there to help relieve everyone of financial burden, but when corporations are greedy, they ignore the everyday person doing everything they can to survive.

According to a related Aspen Institute report. Currently, 22% of Black renters and 17% of Latinx renters are in debt to their landlords, compared to 15% overall and 11% of White renters. Rental debt is also challenging for renters with children, with 19% unable to make payments.

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Even so, in early June four private real estate entities joined with the Alabama and Georgia Associations of Realtors in an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court for an emergency ruling to end the nationwide moratorium on evictions and foreclosures.

Suing the Department of Health and Human Services, the CDC, and the U.S. Department of Justice, the plaintiffs said in part that the CDC shifted the pandemics financial burdens from the nations 30 to 40 million renters to its 10 to 11 million landlords most of whom, like applicants, are individuals and small businessesresulting in over $13 billion in unpaid rent per month. The lawsuit also claimed that the total effect of the CDCs overreach may reach up to $200 billion if it remains in effect for a year.

In reality, the eviction moratorium has become an instrument of economic policy rather than of disease control, stated the appeal. And even if that were debatable, the same cannot be said for the lack of any public interest in prolonging unlawful Executive Branch action.

In response, on June 29 the Court denied the realtors application, leaving the moratorium in place through the end of July. In a concurring one-page opinion written by Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote, Because the CDC plans to end the moratorium in only a few weeks, on July 31, and because those few weeks will allow for additional and more orderly distribution of the congressionally appropriated rental assistance funds, I vote at this time to deny the application to vacate the District Courts stay of its order, wrote the Associate Justice.

In my view, clear and specific congressional authorization (via new legislation) would be necessary for the CDC to extend the moratorium past July 31, concluded Kavanaugh.

This opinion drove White House and lawmaker debates over whether the CDC had the legal authority to extend the eviction moratorium. It also explains President Bidens remarks on the better-late-than-never order.

Whether that option will pass constitutional measure with this administration, I cant tell you. I dont know, said President Biden. There are a few scholars who say it will, and others who say its not likely to. But, at a minimum, by the time it gets litigated it will probably give some additional time while were getting that $45 billion out to people who are in fact behind in the rent and dont have the money.

But neither the extension, nor CDC remarks explain why emergency rental assistance sent to state and local jurisdictions is taking so long to reach consumers who desperately needed help.

Two weeks earlier on July 15, the National Council of State Housing Agencies (NCHSA) issued an open letter to landlords, urging swift actions to access available emergency rental assistance (ERA). By the end of June, state programs had processed more than 500,000 renters, roughly $3 billion in funds was projected to be dedicated by the end of July  leaving over $40 billion in approved funding untouched.

In other testimony at the July 27 Capitol Hill hearing, Diane Yentel, President and CEO of the National Low-Income Housing Coalition, addressed other reasons for rental assistance delays.

The ability of states and localities to distribute critical ERA funds was hindered early on by harmful guidance released by the Trump Administration on its last day in office, January 19, 2021.  The Department of Treasury rescinded the Trump Administrations harmful FAQ [frequently asked questions] and released a new one in February 2021 that directly addressed the significant flaws in the previous administrations guidance, testified Yentel.

With no end in sight for the global pandemic, Congress and the White House still bear the onus of developing more permanent solutions to the nations housing crisis.

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Charlene Crowell is a senior fellow with the Center for Responsible Lending. She can be reached at [email protected].
Family Centered Model: A Way to Address Implicit Bias

As an industry, we need to address systemic racism in child welfare. Agencies, firms, and universities develop training models to educate social workers on systemic racism, implicit bias, and other topics. These courses attempt to improve how social workers provide services to diverse populations and especially communities of color. However, regardless of how many times a social worker takes these courses or their effectiveness, systemic racism is present in the child welfare system. And in addition to systemic problems, implicit bias affects the child welfare system at the ground level.

The ground level is where we, as an industry, can focus our efforts in a practical way to address how we collectively treat communities of color.

In this example a Masters in Social Work (MSW) intern is raised in an upper-middle-class family on the northwest coast of the United States. The student selects an internship at a school in a predominately Black and Latino, South Los Angeles community. The intern has a meeting with the Black parent of a student receiving mental health services. The parent becomes animated in front of the intern. They expressly declare the school disciplines their child unfairly. And at this moment, despite receiving no threats or physical contact, the intern feels that their life is in danger.

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This reaction is a microcosm of a ground-level issue in child welfare. Social workers graduate from their MSW programs and step into low-income communities of color without any prior experience in that community. Consequently, this affects the families that inexperienced social workers serve. In addition, since this profession serves at-risk communities, we need a practical way to address any bias about low-income families or families of color; while encouraging social workers to become more engaged with the families they serve. In short, they need to become the familys advocate. The way the child welfare industry can approach this is through family-centered services.

At SHIELDS for Families, we focus on family-centered services. For example, SHIELDS utilizes a family-centered model for our perinatal substance use disorder (SUD) treatment program for women called Genesis. At Genesis, participants work in group and individual sessions and with SUD counselors during the day. Meanwhile, their babies are cared for in our child development center next door. In addition to the child development center, our Heroes and Sheroes program provides afterschool programming for the participants school-aged youth. And to not forget the fathers, we have our Fatherhood program, which offers parenting classes, groups, and family-centered events to help nurture the men we work with into the fathers they wish to become.

At our agency, we often collaborate between programs serving members of the same family. During special events, say a Fatherhood or Christmas event, all family members are welcome. At the same time, case managers, therapists, and other staff that work with their respective family members join in the event. Consequently, we create lasting bonds with families in the community. In this sense, we serve the family, not the individual. And as we collaborate between programs and members of the family, we create our community. This community helps our team transcend the original definition of a social worker. We are extended family, advocates, and coworkers. We are with these families through multiple generations, loss, struggles, triumphs, graduations, new jobs, and more.

When you commit to the family-centered model, you begin to develop this type of culture. Too often, we see child welfare workers callously handle cases in community of color, removing children from homes, and contributing to the grave problem we have, often due to systemic racism. The family-centered model benefits the families we work with by offering a comprehensive continuum of services to the whole family. And in this approach, we as an industry can improve how social workers treat communities of color, indigenous communities, and other communities far too often maltreated and misunderstood by child welfare agencies and social workers.

For more information regarding the Family-Centered Model, please email: [email protected] or visit www.shieldsforfamilies.org
First Black Woman to Train for FBI SWAT Team

While growing up, Tai recalled the life-altering event of watching U.S. Marshals deputies serving a warrant in her neighborhood.

One of the deputies stood out for Tai  a Black female.

Tai hadnt previously seen a Black female deputy, so she approached and questioned the officer who provided the stunned young African American with her business card so they could remain in contact.

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For Tai, now a 32-year-old FBI special agent who typically investigates public corruption cases on the U.S. Island territory, the encounter has led to a historic moment.

Shes the first Black woman to train for an FBI Special Weapons and Tactics Team  or SWAT.

Im one of those people where I have a task at hand, and I just focus on that task, said Tai, whose last name the FBI has withheld.

I dont really think about people looking at me.

According to a news release, Tai also counts as a soldier in the U.S. Army Reserve.

She joined the FBI four years ago and has spent her career in Puerto Rico working on corruption cases involving non-elected officials.

Before joining the FBI, she served as a deputy in Orlando, Floridas Orange County Sheriffs Office for five years.

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The release noted that Tai was drawn to the FBI after seeing the Bureaus response to a mass shooting in 2016 at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, where 49 people were killed.

The amount of assets and the professional attitude of agents, Tai recounted.

They were organized, and they got stuff done.

FBI officials noted that one of Tais fellow Army Reserve officers suggested that shed make a good FBI agent.

She applied, went through new agent training, and the Bureau assigned her to the San Juan Field Office in 2017.

Almost four years later, Tai and four other agents were sweating under the heat of a tropical sun, tactical vests, and the exacting scrutiny of field-hardened instructors training up a new cadre of SWAT operators.

Its not for everybody, stated Special Agent Owen Reese, a SWAT operator leading the training course.

The FBIs news release noted that the 10-week course prepares SWAT selectees for operations.

The training crucible makes them more proficient at firearms, body movement, and critical thinking in stressful situations, Bureau officials wrote.

If Tai and her colleagues pass, they join their field offices SWAT team as probationary members  meaning they can do everything except entering houses.

Probation may last six to 18 months as the new operators gain experience. They are then sent to SWAT Basic at the FBI Training Academy in Virginia, where new operators from all the FBIs field offices go through three weeks of training to get officially certified by the body that oversees FBI SWAT operations, the Critical Incident Response Group.

Hopefully, somebody will see that I was able to do it, Tai said during a short break between close-quarters battle training and firearms practice. Im not the biggest person. Im not as strong as some of these guys. But as long as you have perseverance  because it does get really tough  you push through it and keep going.
Jimmie Woods-Gray Elected President of L.A. Fire Commission

Jimmie Woods-Gray, a veteran educator and community activist, is the new president of the City of Los Angeles Fire Commission and she faces some pressing issues in her new assignment.

Recent headlines about L.A. Fire Department reveal an agency charged with racism, favoritism and sexism. Another complaint is the lack of promotional opportunities for people of color.

Confronting these grievances could turn a less courageous person away, but not Woods-Gray. Throughout her career, she boldly tackled challenges to find solutions to problems and she aims to apply that strategy in this leadership role.

I definitely like to look at what the issue is and then work from there because the issue is bigger than any one person. Its not about a person, its about a group culture or concept, so we need to look at the real issue and figure out ways we can solve them. Im convinced that there are ways to solve issues, said Woods-Gray, who has served as a member of the commission since 2013.

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My goal is to work with groups in our department like the Stentorians (African American firefighters group), Women in Fire Service, Los Bomberos (Latino firefighter group), and the union to build a relationship. What we all want is to have the best department in the world, so there is no time to fight about different little issues that are not a part of the big picture, she explained.

I want to bring everybody in under that big picture tent so that everybody has a part to play. Ive met so many firefighters who are just excellent public servants. They never complain, they just keep moving and just do the job. I always found that a fascinating thing and I look forward to working with them.

Also, Woods-Gray plans to focus on improving inclusivity and diversity in LAFD by recruiting more African Americans, women and people of color to the ranks. The numbers have definitely improved from 1974 when 97% of the department was Caucasian males.

Today, half of the staff is comprised of minorities. Hispanics make up 31.4%, African Americans are 11.3%, Asians are 5.8% and Native Americans are 2.4%. Women are 3.4 %, but the departments goal is 5% and the new president wants to help the agency reach that level.

This is a great profession for women, but we have to work on making it inviting and helping them to stay in the program. Its the same thing with African Americans. We need to recruit, retain and we just help them get promoted. We dont want them to work as firefighters only, we want to see firefighters in leadership as well, she insisted.

As for accusations that the department is racist towards minorities and sexist regarding women, Woods-Gray said she takes those claims seriously and will work with Fire Chief Ralph M. Terrazas, along with her fellow commissioners, to address the concerns.

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She added that the agency would be conducting a survey among employees to ascertain impressions and information about job satisfaction, workplace culture and upward mobility. Using the results of the report, LAFD executive management will develop strategies to enhance the work environment to benefit all staff.

I find that the chief is open and he does sit and listen and talk with me about issues. Weve done this many times in the past. So, Im looking forward to working with him and learn what employees are thinking, how they feel about who they work with, where they work to do their jobs and exactly what department staff is thinking about different issues, she said.

Working closely with staff is familiar ground for Woods-Gray, who amassed an abundance of experience in that area through her union background. As an educator for more than 30 years, she was active with United Teachers Los Angeles serving as the organizations chapter chair, in the UTLA House of Representatives, on the California Teachers Association State Council and the National Education Associations Board of Directors.

She received additional exposure as a delegate for the California Federation of Teachers and the American Federation of Teachers/American Federation of Labor/Congress of Industrial Organizations conventions as well as a delegate to the L.A. County Federation of Labor board. Most recently, she was a member of the NEA Standing Committee on Legislation and chaired the UTLA Political Action Council of Educators for six years.

In the community arena, Woods-Gray has been just as busy. Shes been elected multiple times to serve on the Los Angeles County Democratic Party, the California State Democratic Central Committee and the California Democratic Party Executive Committee. She was the first person of color and only the second woman to be elected chair of the L.A. County Democratic Central Committee.

Mayor James K. Hahn appointed Woods-Gray to the Neighborhood Empowerment Commission in 2001 where she served five years. In 2011, then-Council President Eric Garcetti named her to the LAUSD Redistricting Commission.

Anticipating her tenure as president, Woods-Gray said, Im excited. Its a real challenge because theres a lot of work, but Ive always loved to volunteer for positions where there was a lot of work. Im also excited that Mayor Eric Garcetti supported me for this position and just excited to try to work from a different perspective because I have a different background than some of the others whove been president before.

The need for inclusivity and diversity is so important. I hope that having leadership thats diverse has an impact on future recruits and the community, noted Woods-Gray, who shared that Dr. Jimmy Hara, a Japanese-American and professor at Charles Drew University and UCLA, is vice-chair of the L.A. Fire Commission.

For the immediate future, she said her agenda will be concentrated on working on recruitment, the issues with the different constituency groups, and building a unity that I hope will transcend into developing greater policy and greater activities and a comfort level for all firefighters that the department belongs to them and its not just some people who get access. Everybody will have access to the benefits of LAFD, said Woods-Gray.

Also, she encouraged young people to consider joining LAFD. You only need a high school diploma to become a firefighter in Los Angeles and we need firefighters of every ethnic group. Theres room for everybody in our fire department.

In addition, Woods-Gray urged the public to share their concerns and their compliments about the fire department with her. We have a 106 fire stations and so I invite the community to communicate with me if they have a need or question about anything by emailing [email protected], she said.
Journalism and Justice: Jasmyne Cannicks Work Led to Ed Buck Conviction in L.A. Black Men Deaths

Reporters are expected to remain neutral as they uncover the facts of a story even when their biases or details they discover pull them in particular directions.

Jasmyne Cannick, who is an activist, journalist, and political strategist in Los Angeles, says getting the criminal justice system to investigate the mysterious deaths of two Black men in the home of an influential White Democratic Party donor required a bitter fight and balancing act. She had to rely on her uncompromising sense of right and wrong, her unbending commitment to social justice, particularly for Black people, as well as investigative reporting instincts she has acquired over the years.

In July 2017, Cannick received a tip from then-LA Weekly writer Dennis Romero about a story he was covering. Gemmell Moore, 26, had been found dead from a crystal meth overdose in the West Hollywood home of businessman and political activist Ed Buck, who was 63 at the time.

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Moores death had been ruled an accidental overdose and the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department did not investigate.

Beyond the journalism, there was going to need to be some serious activism and strategy around getting a homicide investigation going, said Cannick. Getting these politicians to return their money, getting the DA to prosecute, all of that was a strategy I developed beyond the journalism to make happen.

Combing through the details of the case, Cannick says she was aware of how the complex interplay of race, class, sexuality, and politics can influence how authorities approach a case. Moore was a Black, gay man who spent time homeless on the streets of Los Angeles where Buck began to pursue him.

As journalists, there are those stories that will really get to you. You want to do more about it because you realize that there is a profound wrong being done, said Cannick.

Cannick, who has over 20 years of experience in journalism, got her start in broadcasting. She says she prides herself on having gained the trust of the community she serves.

I built a name around talking about issues that were hard. Whether it was homophobia in the Black community, racism or politics, I just wanted to have real, honest conversations without being fake. You have to earn peoples trust. You have to be consistent as well.

Cannick forged a connection with Moores parents and later published pages from a journal describing his relationship with Buck. The entries described how Buck forced him to take drugs. Moore also shared accounts of sexual abuse.

News of the journal prompted other men to step forward and share similar encounters with Buck involving drugs and abuse.

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After Moores journal was published and news of it generated national media, Los Angeles County launched an official homicide investigation into the case.

Once I realized that this was a pattern of behavior, he was not going to stop until he was stopped, Cannick said. The man was basking in his White privilege. He knew that nobody was going to question him over the word of survival sex workers, homeless men, and meth addicts. Thats also a part of the problem, too. When victims tell you what happened to them, you need to believe them. Believe them like they were some white women.

Despite the testimony of the more victims, Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey declined to pursue criminal charges against Buck.

Cannick said, for a while, it seemed like Bucks privilege and connections to powerful people were going to save him. Then came a turning point in the case.

On Jan. 7, 2019, 55-year-old Timothy Dean was found dead in what appeared to be an overdose in Bucks residence, where Moore was found dead nearly a-year-and-a-half earlier. The public outrage in reaction to Deans death reignited Cannick and other advocates in their effort to bring Buck to justice. Despite the pressure from both families of his victims, their supporters and an ongoing investigation of the second death in his home, Buck continued his predatory behavior.

A third drug overdose involving a young Black man, 37-year-old Joe Doe occurred in his home. But Doe survived and was able to report the incident to authorities.

On September 17, 2019, Buck was arrested and charged with operating a drug house and providing methamphetamine to Doe. The following month, Buck was indicted by a federal grand jury on offenses, including the distribution of narcotics and the deaths of Moore and Dean.

After a series of delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, on July 27, Buck was found guilty on nine charges and is currently awaiting sentencing. He faces 20 years to life in prison.

Cannick says the journey to Bucks conviction was arduous and emotionally taxing but she never lost faith that justice would be served.

Over four years a lot happened. My grandmother died, my best friend died, another friend died from COVID and I got dumped. A lot of life things happened to me, said Cannick. Were all doing this work as a passion of love. This isnt work that pays our bills or anything. We all had stuff to do, but we still kept doing it despite all of the things that were happening in our lives. Im so happy that I never fell off.

After taking some time to decompress, Cannick says she plans to write a book about the Buck ordeal. Her goal is to provide her perspective of the proceedings and that of Bucks victims  shared with more depth and authenticity.

One of the things that is really important to me is that White people dont steal this story from us, Cannick said. They have a really bad habit of doing those type of things. There are already three films in the works out there. I am determined for that not to happen. Nobody is going to tell my story but me.
Prominent Physicians Speak to Black Media in We Can Do This Vaccine Push

According to a recent Kaiser Family Foundation Vaccine Monitor report, COVID-19 vaccine uptake among Black/African American populations continues to lag in at least 40 states.

Officials said the need to address this trend remains crucial because of the recent rapid rise in COVID-19 infections and deaths, a sharp decline in vaccinations, the emergence of the more contagious Delta variant, and the misinformation and myths that persist about the virus.

During a call with members of the African American media, health officials held a briefing to discuss vaccinations and the We Can Do This campaign.

The delta variant has become a major factor in what were dealing with. Its almost a new pandemic, said Dr. Cameron Webb, the senior policy advisor for Equity on the White House COVID-19 Response Team.

People are getting sicker, and its become the dominant variant in the United States. Its well above 93 percent of the cases, so it is the reason we see these upticks in cases, Dr. Webb stated.

Hospitalizations and more spread among the unvaccinated, including younger individuals, are getting sick because of the variant.

The vaccinations do seem to be effective against this variant, and thats the good news, Dr. Webb added, noting that the efficacy rate in the Pfizer vaccine dropped from 95 percent to 88 percent when put against the delta variant.

Its such a critical moment in the Black community and all over this country when it comes to the vaccine, he concluded.

The discussion counted as part of the Department of Health and Human Services We Can Do This campaign, a national initiative to increase public confidence in and uptake of COVID-19 vaccines while reinforcing basic prevention measures like mask-wearing and social distancing.

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The latest figures from the Department of Health reveal that African Americans comprise 11.6 percent of all COVID cases, despite making up just 12.5 percent of the U.S. population.

Latinos make up about 28 percent of all cases, Dr. Webb noted.

For Black people, it is an improvement to some extent. Its an improvement, but any life lost from COVID is preventable at this time because we have these effective vaccines, Dr. Webb insisted, noting that about 13.8 percent of deaths from COVID occur in the Black community. Complacency, confidence, and convenience are the three cs that have prevented more African Americans from getting vaccinated, Dr. Webb offered.

We hear a lot of people say, Im young, Im healthy, I take care of myself, and I havent seen a lot of people get sick, Dr. Webb recounted.

Then you have the confidence factor, where people distrust the health system. Finally, there is the convenience factor. While vaccines are everywhere at this point, across communities, there are a lot of barriers to access, and thats what has to change.

Georgeta Dragoiu, a White House Presidential Innovation Fellow on the COVID-19 Public Education Campaign, Dr. Rachel Villanueva, Clinical Assistant Professor of Obstetrics/Gynecology at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine and President of the National Medical Association, and Dr. Michele Benoit-Wilson, WakeMed Health, Raleigh, North Carolina, also took part in the media briefing.

I had to convince my own mother to get the vaccine, Dr. Villanueva revealed. The National Medical Association is proudly joining the We Can Do This campaign to increase public confidence in the uptake of the vaccine while reinforcing mitigation strategies in vulnerable populations. We are using facts and sciences and support informed decision-making about the vaccines. We want to protect our family and friends and protect those who cant take the vaccine, such as children under 12. We want all eligible Black Americans to have their questions answered and to get vaccinated. Together, we can, we absolutely must, and we will do this.
In a continuing effort to assist unsheltered individuals, the Los Angeles City Council launched the Citywide Street Engagement Strategy to help people transition from outside encampments to indoor housing options.

Councilmember Mark Ridley-Thomas, the architect of L.A. citys Right to Housing framework and possibly the regions most ardent proponent of initiatives to aid the homeless, was one of the sponsors of the motion to develop a targeted approach to move unhoused people to interim or permanent homes.

The Council is pushing hard for housing options for the homeless. It is all grounded in the context of the right to housing. The city is establishing itself to address homelessness in a strategic, thoughtful, compassionate manner that gets to results of people being housed and having the appropriate safety net, which the county is responsible for, said the councilmember.

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On July 28, the office of the City Administrative Officer (CAO) issued a report detailing their proposed recommendations to implement the street engagement strategy as a pilot program. According to Ridley-Thomas, the plan is an attempt to put something in place  that is uniform, substantial and sustainable.

In a statement, he explained, The strategy would ensure standardized assessment of encampments, an adequate period of dedicated street engagement at all sites where unsheltered people reside, and a transparent and accountable process by which street engagement teams work collaboratively to help unsheltered individuals transition indoors to moreappropriate and dignified housing options with services attached.

Seeking to educate the public and gain input from the community, the councilmember hosted a panel discussion on the Citys strategy on August 5 via Facebook Live that featured experts who are highly knowledgeable about the areas homeless crisis, currently involved in engagement procedures and well-informed about the Citys funding capabilities.

The panelists were Libby Boyce, senior director of programs for L.A. County Dept. of Health Services Housing for Health; Veronica Lewis, director of Homeless Outreach Program Integrated Care System (HOPICS); and Yolanda Chavez, an assistant city administrative officer for the City of L.A.

Introducing the forum, Ridley-Thomas said that as the representative for Council District 10 and chair of the City Councils Homelessness and Poverty Committee, his goal was to help bring dignity to those who are homeless, and to correct the assumption of some that engagement means enforcement. Calling on Chavez, he asked her to explain the strategy from the CAOs perspective.

The street engagement strategy as proposed really tries to outline the framework that has been used by our city/county/nonprofit outreach teams and best practices providing targeted outreach to people experiencing homelessness. At the core of that outreach is assessing peoples needs and being able to connect them to services and housing. The goal is to connect people to a suitable shelter or interim housing or permanent housing, Chavez said.

The program also works closely with L.A. County, which contracts with service providers that directly interact with homeless individuals and strive to meet immediate needs, whether physical, medical or mental, through the use of 50 multi-disciplinary teams, explained Boyce.

Each multi-disciplinary team has a health, mental health, substance abuse and lived experience providers and a case manager, who all oversee street-based engagement from a clinical perspective and all have a territory that they are responsible for throughout L.A. County. Their job is to know the homeless in the area and begin engaging them, to move them from engagement to connection to services and ultimately, to bring them inside, said Boyce, the countys first homeless coordinator who has served in the position since 2004.

She noted that the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) also operates engagement teams, partially funded by the City of Los Angeles, which include professionals with lived experience, mental health expertise and case management skills. Another interesting fact Boyce shared is that the County divides service areas into eight sections and designates a lead agency in each area. For the South L.A. section, HOPICS serves as the lead and Lewis outlined the nonprofits focus.

HOPICS has been working with these [engagement] teams ever since they started. What works is recognizing that we [are] going to serve human beings and taking our support to those folks in a way that we meet them where they are. Its not a force thing because all of us are adults and we know what we want. So, [we work to] build a rapport, meet their basic triage needs, whether thats food or medical, and have people to speak with them that have been in their shoes, said Lewis.

The bottom line is nobody wants to live outside. Our goal is to get them off the street. In the last year, weve moved over 350 people off the street into permanent housing. So, its possible to do this and make a significant impact;we just need additional support. We know what works and we want to offer people clean spaces where any of us would want to live, she declared.

All of the panelists cited various challenges unique to the homeless crisis. Boyce frankly stated, For every one person we get off the street, two more come in. You have to have services to connect them to and have permanent housing opportunities. Also, people dont want to leave the community where they are homeless. They dont want to go to Antelope Valley or Long Beach. We have to honor that.

Chavez highlighted the importance of allotting an adequate period to address the distinctive needs and situation of each individual in an encampment. Time is needed to really provide a proper needs assessment and also an assessment of services and housing options available. That is critical because it takes time to develop trust, she said.

Agreeing with that outlook, Lewis stressed, We also need time to engage people. This is their community too, they just happen to live outdoors. Often, the homeless person went to school or grew up in the area where they are encamped. Also, some people are traumatized or dont have the identification and documents to move in order for any landlord to rent space to them and that takes time to assemble.

It is difficult to come inside after youve lived outdoors a long time. Critically important beyond the housing subsidies are the services to help people sustain or move to more appropriate housing. We need housing more than anything, she said.

Concluding the hour-long session, Ridley-Thomas emphasized the intricacies surrounding the homeless crisis and the difficulties individuals encounter  both the unhoused and those seeking to assist them  when attempting to find resolutions.

The major point we want to make is that it is complicated, deeply involved. There are not easy or simple solutions, but we are obliged to stay at it. The longer we work at it, the better we will become because we will design systems that make sense, said Ridley-Thomas.

Every element we put forth will push us closer to restoring dignity and purpose to the lives of people, who in many instances are homeless through no fault of their own and the impact is on the housed as well. So, we need to put this together in a real way.

To learn more about initiatives to relieve the homeless crisis, visit [email protected]/issues/homelessness. To view the full event, visit markridley-thomas.lacity.org/articles/facebook-live-citywide-street-engagement-strategy .



Yolanda Chavez (Courtesy photo)
Sec. of State Weber Launches Voter Registration Ballot Bowl for Cal College Students

Last week, California Secretary of State Shirley Weber launched the 2021 Ballot Bowl: Registration Rumble, an inter-collegiate competition organized to drive voter registration among students attending all of Californias major institutions of higher learning.

The competition, which began Aug. 2 and ends Sept. 14, is intended to incentivize campuses to adopt policies and practices that boost civic engagement, to inspire students to get involved in voter registration campaigns, and to acknowledge those who are leading the way on civic engagement at Californias colleges and universities, according to the Secretary of States office.

Weber says it is important that all Californians, including students, exercise their right to vote and they should prepare to participate in the gubernatorial recall election set to take place on Sept. 14.

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As an educator, I understand the great potential of Californias students to lead, to be active and to be engaged, said Weber. It is incumbent on public servants to ensure that student voices are heard when decisions are made and to foster a culture of civic engagement in Californias youth. I look forward to honoring the winners and champion of the 2021 Ballot Bowl competition.

The Ballot Bowl has had a positive impact on student voter registration since it began in 2018. According to the Secretary of State, nearly 11,000 students registered to vote that year. The success of the competition continued in 2020 with 82,000 newly registered student voters. Approximately 234 schools are eligible to compete across the California Community College (CCC), California State University (CSU), University of California (UC), and Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU) campuses.

During the competition, college campuses across the state compete against one another for most students registered to vote and highest percentage of the student body registered to vote. There will be a total of 9 winners. One overall winner that registers the most students to vote and one winner from each category across the CCC, CSU, UC, and AICCU schools.

Students are encouraged to leverage various groups across their campuses to extend the reach of registration to potential new voters. This would allow groups to come together to determine the most impactful way to educate their peers on the importance of voting and civic engagement.

Across the United States, voter turnout is historically low among 18 to 25-year-olds when compared to other developed countries, according to the Comparative Study of Electoral Systems.

Toni Molle, CSU Director of Strategic Communications and Public Affairs, says the university system educates approximately 486,000 students each year with African Americans making up about 4.0% of the student body.

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In addition to receiving a quality education, students also learn the importance of ethical leadership and civic engagement said Molle. The Ballot Bowl is an opportunity to help boost students awareness of issues facing their respective communities.
Senate Democrats Pass $3.5 Trillion Budget Plan  The Most Significant Piece of Legislation in Decades

Shortly after the U.S. Senate passed President Joe Bidens most ambitious pieces of legislation, a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package, Democrats acted again by pushing through an equally enterprising $3.5 trillion budget proposal. The bill would make childcare more accessible, create universal pre-K, expand paid family and medical leave, and make community college free for the first two years.

Household tax credits would see an enhancement. The age for Medicare likely would reduce, and Americans would realize reductions in healthcare costs while receiving expanded access to dental, vision, and hearing coverage. The big-budget plan also would expand green energy and curb climate change through business tax breaks, consumer rebates, and fees assessed to polluters.

The Democratic budget will bring a generational transformation to how our economy works for average Americans, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) remarked. The budget resolution passed 50-49, with each Democrat voting for the measure and every Republican against it.

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It also passed following nearly 15 hours of amendment votes and the passage of the infrastructure plan. While theres optimism for ultimate passage in both chambers of Congress because Democrats are using the reconciliation process for the budget, Sen. Schumer and others in his party know there remains a battle ahead.

West Virginia Democrat  and Republican-leaning  Sen. Joe Manchin already has raised the possibility that he might ultimately vote against his party on the budget bill.

Im concerned about the grave consequences [for the nations debt] as well as the ability to respond to other crises, Sen. Manchin stated. Given the current state of the economic recovery, it is simply irresponsible to continue spending at levels more suited to respond to a Great Depression or Great Recession  not an economy that is on the verge of overheating, the Senator continued.

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Arizona) also expressed concern about the cost of the bill. In the evenly divided, Democrats need each of its members to vote in favor of the measure.

In a 50-50 tie, Vice President Kamala Harris would cast the deciding ballot. The budget bill would accomplish a significant goal of the Biden-Harris administration, installing the first federally paid family leave program.

Funds also are earmarked for home health care, housing, job training, child nutrition, and to reduce the cost of health insurance and medication. Investments would go toward green and sustainable housing, production and housing affordability, and workforce development.

Also, millions of immigrant workers and families would gain a path to citizenship, and the government would make the largest one-time investment in Native American infrastructure projects, a White House official stated. The Internal Revenue would see more money, enabling the agency to add resources to collect unpaid taxes. We still have a ways to go, but weve taken a giant step forward to transform America, Sen. Schumer concluded. This is the most significant piece of legislation thats been considered in decades.


There Is Cash in Californias Comeback Plan for Your Small Business

Just in case Black businesses in the state are not aware, the California legislature recently passed the $100 billion California Comeback Plan. It is the biggest economic recovery package in California history.

And in it, there are billions of dollars in cash relief for small businesses.

State Treasurer Fiona Ma and Small Business Majority, an advocacy organization founded by and for small business owners, are hosting a webinar to share information about the new entrepreneurship programs included in the California Comeback Plan. It will be held at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 25.

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As California businesses emerge from survival mode and embark on various stages of re-opening, now is the time to develop strategies that can help companies get the jumpstart they need and grow in innovative ways, said Ma when she first announced the webinar series.

During the upcoming briefing, the leaders will also share information about how CalSavers, a free individual retirement account (IRA) for small business employers, can help small business owners rehire employees laid off due to the pandemic.

They will also talk about the Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grants reopening. That program, valued at more than $2 billion, has been providing grants of up to $25,000 to small businesses sand non-profits across the state.

California is home to 4.1 million small businesses, representing over 99% of all businesses in the state and employing nearly half of the states total workforce. About 1.2 million of them (29%) are minority-owned.

In June, Gov. Gavin Newsom visited two Black-owned small businesses in Oakland to spread the gospel about the California Comeback Plan, which Ma intends to also do during the webinar.

This isnt all about dollars and cents. This is about magical moments. This is about communities, Newsom said, speaking of supporting Black businesses while he was standing in front of Graffiti Pizza in Oakland. Small businesses are about communities.

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According to the June 2020 report by ZIPPIA, titled the Most Supportive States for Black Businesses, California ranked No. 4 before the onset of the pandemic. But those numbers fell in the first half 2020 after being impacted by a sluggish economy that is now looking to rebound more than a year later.

Topics up for discussion during the webinar will include the Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program and when to apply; the Microbusiness COVID-19 Relief Grant Program and the California Venues Grant Program (both new); and CalSavers, a free workplace-based retirement program.

A question-and-answer session will follow the discussions.

The California Comeback Plan was designed to provide support for small businesses to recover from the pandemic. The plan invests an additional $1.5 billion in COVID-19 relief grants  bringing the total to $4 billion. That amount represents the largest small business grant program in the country.

Earlier this year, Gov.Newsom delivered immediate relief to small businesses, including a historic $6.2 billion tax cut for businesses  the largest state small business tax cut in the history of the United States, according to the governors office.

When you talk about California roaring back you cant come roaring about unless small businesses are fully back, Newsom said during his Oakland visit.

For information and the webinar hosted by Small Business Majority, visit https://smallbusinessmajority.org/events
Vernon Jordan On Whitney M. Young, Jr.: One Visionary Warrior Pays Tribute To Another

This Saturday, July 31st, we remember and celebrate Whitney Moore Young, Jr., on the centennial of his birth. Young served at the helm of the National Urban League during the turbulent decade from 1961 to 1971, overseeing the greatest expansion of scope and mission our organization has seen in more than a century. As the activism of the Civil Rights Movement expanded from the courts to mass-action non-violent demonstrations in the streets of both southern and northern communities, Young forcefully and publicly projected the Leagues tenets of social work and civil rights as never before.



During our Equal Opportunity Dinner in November of 2019, the National Urban League honored three other former leaders  Vernon Jordan, John Jacob and Hugh Price  with the Visionary Warriors award for their years of unwavering leadership. Vernon Jordan, due to illness, was unable to attend, but shared prepared remarks in which he paid tribute to Whitney Young. We lost Jordan in March of this year. In honor of these giants of civil rights, we commemorate Youngs centennial year by sharing Jordans tribute.

Good evening. It is an honor to be here, to be alongside two great leaders of the Urban League, my successor John Jacob, and his successor, Hugh Price.



Of course, I, too, was a successor. And so tonight Id like to thank my predecessor, the great Whitney Young, for this award  and dedicate it to him.

You see, I would not be here without Whitney. He was my mentor and guardian, my inspiration and dear friend. And for about as long as I knew him, he was trying to recruit me for the Urban League. I remember many years ago, in 1966, he gave me a ride from LaGuardia Airport and asked me to come work for him. But I was not ready to leave the South.



A few years later, in 1969, he asked me about becoming his deputy  and then rescinded the offer! He said I was more suited to a different job  one he was not ready to vacate anytime soon.



And not long after that, when I was offered the job as the Executive Director of the United Negro College Fund, I sought out his wise counsel. And he encouraged me to accept. So I moved to Manhattan, into the office just below his, and soon he became my greatest advisor and ally in this city, showing me the way forward as only he could. I learned so much from him.



His loss was tragic, and his impact was tremendous.



Of course, his impact was not limited to me alone. In his near decade of leadership, he transformed the Urban League and had a profound impact. He was the original Visionary for this institution  imagining what it would be and could become for Black people in this country. And he pushed that vision closer to reality.



He also was an original Warrior, a soldier in the army for civil rights  alongside so many whom we still celebrate and others we have nearly forgotten. And he set the standard for what it means to combine the two  to be a voice for the voiceless, and to fight tirelessly towards a vision of equality.



Indeed, 48 years ago, almost to the day, at my first Equal Opportunity Day Dinner, as the designated Executive Director, I reflected on the incredible impact of Whitney Young. And I will say tonight what I said then, because it remains true, almost half a century later: Whitney has left us the instrumentality for change, an agency with a proven record of effectiveness, a vehicle with the blueprint for getting the job done. Thus, we have a charge to keep, a constituency to serve, a people to lead.



I am grateful to John and Hugh and Marc for being such stewards of the Urban League of this living legacy of Whitney Young. And today, its work would not be more vital  for families and communities across the country. We still have our charge to keep, our constituency to serve, our people to lead.



And we must continue to live by Whitneys example.

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So, before I go, perhaps even more than this award, I want to thank Whitney for the honor of a lifetime  the best job Ive ever had. It has been an honor to be a soldier in Whitneys army, a warrior for a vision we must all keep fighting for.



Thank you.



Marc H. Morial is President and CEO of the National Urban League, the nations largest historic civil rights and urban advocacy organization. In a distinguished professional career that has spanned 25 years, Marc Morial is one of the most accomplished servant-leaders in the nation.
Words of the Week  Survive to Thrive!

King Hezekiah was the 13th king of Judah and reigned twenty-nine years (726 B.C.  697 B.C.). Born the son of Ahaz, Hezekiah became known as Judahs reformer king. Change is not easy. There is always rebellion against reform, but those who survive will thrive.

Hezekiah could conform, like his father Ahaz, to sin, ungodliness, idolatry, and hypocrisy; but upon his accession to the throne, Hezekiah decisively and courageously initiated religious reforms. Hezekiahs reformation included the cleansing of the land. High places, high offices, images, and pagan altars were reformed or destroyed. The bronze serpent that Moses had made in the wilderness centuries earlier was destroyed. The land had never undergone such a thorough reform.

Even in the church, change is not easy. There is always rebellion against reform, but those who survive will thrive. The rebellion is not against the pastor, choir director, the board, but against God. I have three survival points and the first is Distrust leads to distress.

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The Bible says, 2 Kings 19:29, This will be the sign for you, O Hezekiah: This year you will eat what grows by itself, and the second year what springs from that. But in the third year sow and reap, plant vineyards and eat their fruit.

The Assyrians had taken possession of Judah, pillaged the land and taken the fortified cities, and now they were besieging Jerusalem. Hezekiah was dealing in a context of distrust and distress within and without the Jerusalem. How long could we survive if the food and money run out? How long will we survive in recessionary times? How long will we have to endure change?

And even if Jerusalem did survive, how long would it take to restore the land? When we distrust God, we can expect distress!

There is always someone who capitalizes from people who fail to trust God. There is always someone who says a word to cause us to tremble. Its because they want you to fear them more than you trust God. Distrust leads to distress.

The second survival point to remember is that, We are Planted to Prosper. The Bible says, 2 Kings 19: 30, Once more a remnant of the house of Judah will take root below and bear fruit above.

God promised that He would deliver His remnant from their enemies and they would take root and become fruitful again. Sennacherib bragged about defeating other nations, about all he had done and how smart he was.

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Have ever met a person who takes up all the air in the room or causes more problems than praise? Have ever met a person who is the most important person in the world?

God will make yours and Gods enemies your foot stool. Not only would Sennacherib the King of Assyria never enter the city, but he wouldnt even shoot an arrow to attack Jerusalem. In one night, Gods angel killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers and that put an end to the siege of Jerusalem.

We have to make a decision to plant to prosper.

The third survival point is Strive to Thrive.

2 Kings 19:31 says, For out of Jerusalem will come a remnant, and out of Mount Zion.

The spiritual meaning of Zion is the church of God, the heavenly Jerusalem. A remnant humiliated the Assyrians, but the event brought great glory to the Lord and honor to Hezekiah.

Why does God deliver Gods people? For the glory of His own name. 2 Kings 19:34 says, I will defend this city and save it, for my sake and for the sake of David my servant.

Jesus could have rebelled against reform. He could have gotten off the cross, but He didnt. He died so the world would be reformed. It is time for us to strive to thrive.

The Rev. Dr. Mark Whitlock is the senior pastor of Reid Temple AME Church in Glen Dale, Maryland. Previously, he served 20 years as the pastor of Christ Our Redeemer A.M.E. Church in Irvine, California. This message originally appeared in the February 12, 2010 issue of the L.A. Sentinel Religion section.


The coastal town of Mendocino in California is experiencing a severe drought. Thousands of people were coming to visit the town when coronavirus restrictions eased. But the visitors are seeing signs asking them to save water.

About 1,000 people live in Mendocino which is 240 kilometers north of San Francisco. The town is known for its houses from the 1800s and its fog. But two years of very little rain has emptied wells that the local people depend on.

Mendocinos water problems grew after the city of Fort Bragg, a few kilometers to the north, informed officials that it also had very little water. That is because the nearby Noyo River reached its lowest level in many years.

Ryan Rhoades is head of the Mendocino City Community Services District. His office helps supervise the towns underground water supply. He said, This is a real emergency.

Eric Hillesland and his wife normally would not need to buy extra water until July or August to supply their hotel, the Alegria Oceanfront Inn. But the propertys well added little water earlier this year and by February the Hilleslands were ordering 13,250 liters a week.

Hillesland said he is asking guests to keep the water shortage in mind. He and his wife also are finding ways to save water such as using bed coverings made of a special cloth that needs less water to wash.

Mendocino depends on groundwater in a system of about 400 privately owned wells. Many of them were dug by hand when the town was established in the 1850s. Locals keep their water in tanks.

Mendocinos economy depends on visitors

The towns economy depends on the 2,000 tourists who come each day between May and October each year, Rhoades said.

Businesses have traditionally brought in extra water in the fall. But after a second dry winter, many have had to order more, much earlier than before.

With more tourists this year, locals have had to find drinking water from places that are farther away. This has increased the price. In February, Hillesland said he was paying $300 to bring in 13,250 liters of water. Now it costs $600. Some restaurants are cutting back their hours to reduce costs.

Hillesland said if the lack of water gets worse he will have to start closing rooms. If that happens, the two will have a situation like they had at the beginning of the pandemic: no money coming in but bills to pay.

People in the town are considering ways to deal with the problem. They include bringing in water by boat, airplane or train. They also could add community tanks that can hold up to 1.9 million liters of water.

People in the town are considering asking the federal government to set up a center to turn saltwater into fresh water and even a system to turn fog into water. Rhoades said all of these ideas would be costly and the town would need the support of the state and federal governments.

A company that developed new technology to capture water in fog proposed setting up a test center in Mendocino at no cost. It would then sell the water to the community. But Rhoades said it would affect the town's beautiful views and getting a permit would be difficult. A saltwater treatment center would require government permits and environment studies.

Rhoades said transporting drinking water from inland might be the faster answer although it is costly.

Robert Pinoli is the president of a local train company, Mendocino Railway. He said he is ready to help. He could transport 747,000 liters with each trip to Mendocino from the nearby town of Fort Bragg. But that idea too has a problem. Officials in the town of Willits, which would have to supply the water, decided against selling it.

For now, Mendocino locals are depending on people like Brian Clark who has been selling water from his well outside of town and transporting it by truck. Clark said he cannot keep up with the demand.

He said, Im really hiding from the phone, because Im getting way more calls than I have water, and Im hearing from people Ive never met, never heard of, and I cant help them.

Clark has lived in Mendocino for many years. He said he has not had such water problems since the 1970s when California faced the most severe drought on record.

Officials are now waiving permits for tanks that can hold up to 18,900 liters and identifying wells with extra water near Mendocino. Rhoades said officials are asking the state to help pay for the bigger private tanks.

He said, I want residents to be able to store more water now, while their wells are still somewhat productive, to make it through the next four months. He said if you have to buy water, you can get the most for your money.

Im Gregory Stachel.

Olga R. Rodriguez and Haven Daley reported this story for The Associated Press. Gregory Stachel adapted it for VOA Learning English. Mario Ritter, Jr. was the editor.

______________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

drought  n. a long period of time during which there is very little or no rain

view  n. the things that can be seen from a particular place

waive  v. to officially say that you will not use or require something that you are allowed to have or that is usually required

resident  n. someone who lives in a particular place


Some large American companies, including Google, Facebook, and Twitter, are experimenting with cutting pay for employees working from home in less costly areas.

The experiment at the technology companies could set a direction for other large American employers after the pandemic.

A Google pay calculator, seen by Reuters, shows that Google employees could see changes in their pay if they go from working in the office to working from home permanently. Those who move farther away from the office could be hit harder.

Facebook and Twitter have also cut pay for work-from-home, or remote, employees who move to less costly areas.

Google offers employees a pay calculator - a device or program that permits them to see the effects of a move. But some remote employees, especially those who commute from long distances, could experience pay cuts without changing their address.

A Google spokesperson told Reuters that pay will differ from city to city and state to state, adding that Google always pay(s) at the top of the local market based on where an employee works from."

One Google employee, who asked not to be identified for fear of punishment, travels to the Seattle office from a nearby area. The employee was considering remote work but decided to keep going to the office - despite the two-hour trip.

The employee would likely see their pay cut by about 10 percent by working from home full-time. That is the estimate based on Googles Work Location Tool.

"It's as high of a pay cut as I got for my most recent promotion. I didn't do all that hard work to get promoted to then take a pay cut," they said. Promote means to change the position of someone to a higher or more important one.

Jake Rosenfeld of Washington University in St. Louis researches pay structures. Rosenfeld said Google's pay structure worries employees about the effects on their families.

"What's clear is that Google doesn't have to do this," Rosenfeld said. "It's not like they can't afford to pay their workers who choose to work remotely the same that they are used to receiving."

Images of Google's pay calculator seen by Reuters show that an employee living in Stamford, Connecticut - an hour from New York City by train - would be paid 15 percent less if he or she worked from home. A worker from the same office living in New York City would see no cut from working from home. Images showed 5 percent and 10 percent differences in the Seattle, Boston and San Francisco areas.

Discussions with Google employees suggest pay cuts as high as 25 percent for remote work if they left San Francisco for another area of California such as Lake Tahoe.

A Google spokesperson told Reuters that the company will not change an employee's pay based on them going from office work to being fully remote in the city where the office is located. For example, employees working in the New York City office will be paid the same as those working remotely from another New York City location.

Im John Russell.

Danielle Kaye reported on this story for Reuters. John Russell adapted it for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor.

_______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

remote -- adj. far away : distant

location -- n. a place or position

afford -- v. to be able to pay for (something)


The day before he left for the United States was a busy one for Victor Cal. He went around to family members homes to collect money so he could buy food during the long trip north.

His mother pleaded with him not to leave.

But Cal, who is 26, felt he had no choice. After a deadly mudslide, the town where he lived had only hunger and death. It seemed going to the United States was the only way out.

Eleven men from his town have gone north this year. American officials say they have stopped more than 150,000 Guatemalans at the border in 2021. That is four times the number in 2020.

Many were like Victor Cal. They could not find work in Guatemala City.

Cal is an Indigenous Mayan who speaks Pocomchi. When the pandemic hit, he was one of thousands who left the capital to return to their farming towns in the mountains.

His fathers land is in Queja. With its coffee, corn, cardamom and beans, it sounded like a safe place. At least there would be food, he thought.

But he was wrong.

Hurricane Eta and the resulting mudslides had destroyed everything -- homes, land and the town. Cal and others became dependent on international aid organizations. They lived in a temporary settlement called Nuevo (new) Queja.

The old Queja was not a wealthy place. But there had been hard-earned growth over the years. The community had colorful homes with large windows and electricity. But all of that was lost to the disaster.

Esma Cal is one of the survivors. (Many of the people of Queja share the last name of Cal, though it is not clear how some might be related.) Esma is an energetic 28-year-old and a great communicator. She became a local leader.

By January of this year, Esma Cal, Erwin Cal, Gregorio Ti and others had organized a local rebuilding council. By February, they had founded a temporary settlement on a third of their farmland.

That is how Nuevo Queja was born. The town is home to about 1,000 survivors.

We know how to work, said Gregorio Ti, 36. He lost his pregnant wife, two young sons and his mother in the mudslide. His daughters, 11 and 14 years old, survived.

The work never ends and is backbreaking. All day long, men, women and children cut and transport wood and clear land with their tools.

The temporary shelters have holes in their tops that let rainwater pour inside.

Esma Cals 37-year-old uncle, German Cal, is trying to bring electricity to Nuevo Queja.

But because the town does not officially exist, it cannot get electric poles or road repairs or cleaner water. The Guatemalan government has never been much help to this community. And after the mudslide, it declared the new settlement unlivable.

The townspeople have gotten some help from aid organizations.

For example, UNICEF donated a new school to the community. But the school has been closed for about five months because UNICEF gave the key to a teacher who left.

So instead, classes took place in the shelter next door. The structure leaks, and the floor is often flooded and muddy. The school serves 250 children and the materials are in Spanish. The students speak only Pocomchi.

In addition, the children have begun suffering from poor nutrition.

Cesar Chiquin is the head nurse in charge of the area. He said before the hurricane, the children were healthier. Today, it is rare for a child to have the correct weight and height, Chiquin said.

The people of Nuevo Queja are unable to grow and raise enough food. Part of the issue is timing. After losing last years crops to the hurricanes, We arrived in Nuevo Queja too late for planting properly, Esma Cal said.

They also have much less land than they did before the storms. And a lot of the fertile soil was washed away by the rains.

The rebuilding council says the town needs about 30 hectares more land. But the council has no money to buy it. Someday, the community could be awarded land by the government. But Guatemalan law says the land does not have to be close by. And the community does not want to move far from their Indigenous lands.

We need a permanent solution. This place is not fit to live in, said Esma Cal. We, as a farming community, need land.

The people of Nuevo Queja also need wood for their stoves. So they cut down trees on the mountainside. They understand this puts them at risk for mudslides as the rainy season comes.

We know we cant be here, Julio Cal said. The government has to relocate us on permanent land.

But until then, people are dying in this settlement, one by one.

Moving to Guatemala City was not possible for Victor Cal. There were no jobs in the pandemic, and Mayans like him do not speak Spanish.

Most of them say the only thing that prevents them from emigrating is the cost.

Victor Cal was able to get a $13,000 loan from a family member in Miami to buy coyote services. A coyote in this situation is someone who brings immigrants across the U.S. border secretly.

It was four in the morning when Victor wrote down two telephone numbers: his and that of his coyote. He put the paper on the table for his parents.

After he left, he said, If I had a choice, I wouldnt go. I will be back as soon as possible.

Im Alice Bryant. And I'm Dan Friedell.



The Associated Press reported this story. Alice Bryant adapted it for Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor.

________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

mudslide  n. a large mass of wet earth that suddenly and quickly moves down the side of a mountain or hill

Indigenous  adj. of the people who are native to a place

council  n. a group of people who are chosen to make rules, laws, or decisions about something

key  n. a device that is used to open a lock or start an automobile

nurse  n. a person who is trained to care for sick or injured people and who usually works in a hospital or doctor's office

relocate  v. to move to a new place
The surgical room in Israel where one of the kidney transplants took place. Credit: Courtesy Itai Ashlagi

An historic kidney transplant exchange recently took place in the Middle East, but it might never have transpired without an algorithm developed at Stanford by Itai Ashlagi, a Stanford associate professor of management science and engineering, and his graduate student Sukolsak Sakshuwong. In all, three ailing recipients received life-sustaining transplants while three healthy donors gave kidneys. In kidney transplant lingo, such complex transactions are known as a cyclic exchange.

In this particular cycle, an Israeli woman donated one of her healthy kidneys to an ailing recipient in Abu Dhabi. Meanwhile, the daughter of the Emirati recipient donated one of her healthy kidneys to a different Israeli woman in need of a transplant whose healthy husband proved to be a match for the first Israeli donor's mother, who also needed a transplant.

This exchange was historic not for its complexity, but for transcending what is perhaps the most complex challenge of allpolitics. This was the first such exchange between Israel and an Arab nation, a transaction that was only made possible only by the Abraham Accords, the historic peace agreement signed in August 2020.

Without the peace treaty and Ashlagi's collaboration with the Alliance for Paired Kidney Donation and Israel Transplant, the Israelis and the Emiratis likely would never have known about each other and the complex matching would have been a longshot, at best.

Ashlagi works in a field of engineering focused on optimization. It is common, if not expected, that much of an engineer's effort goes into optimizing systems and processesa kilogram shaved here, an extra volt eked out there, a millisecond trimmed over here. As optimization challenges go, however, none may be so weighty as that of matching kidney transplant donors and recipients. The consequences are, literally, life-altering.

"In the U.S. there are some 100,000 patients awaiting kidney transplants and recipients can wait years for a donation," said Ashlagi, who is an expert in marketplace design and game theory.

Many patients on the waiting lists have a healthy friend or a relative who is willing to be a living kidney donor, but the donor and would-be recipient are often biologically incompatible. But such a pair can potentially be part of an exchange with other incompatible pairs so that each of the patients receives a live donor kidney.

Ashlagi helps bring these people together with an algorithm that helps doctors and hospitals make these complex exchanges. Often, in the past, they had to be done by hand, on paper. It's no easy thing. In addition to the complex biology of blood typing and tissue matching, which includes factors like blood type, antibodies and even the patient's age and proximity to one another, the team must also wrestle with data-related challenges to permit the various hospitals in an exchange to share information easily and with confidence.

At the most basic level, Ashlagi and others in his field view kidney exchanges as a marketplace. Not in the crude monetary sense, like an auction or stock exchange. Ashlagi, in fact, offers his algorithm for free and receives no royalties or other compensation for its use. But it is a market nonetheless in the sense that it matches supply and demand. The currency in Ashlagi's market, however, is measured not in dollars and cents but in years of life restored to people with serious illnesses.

"One of the nice things in the software we developed is the user interface. We collect all the relevant patient data, but then we let the user play with the various thresholds that determine successful matches to see what works for them," Ashlagi said as he explained the team's game-like approach to matching. The software acts as a platform and allows different organizations to easily collaborate and create more possibilities for exchanges. "Just a few days ago, I was looking for matches and found an unexpected exchange between pairs from Israel and other European countries. Hopefully, this will lead to new collaborations."

"I rewrote the application from the ground up making the user interface intuitive and consistent so hospitals can use it without assistance from us," said Sakshuwong, who worked with Ashlagi on the program's unique interface and made it extremely simple to use. Ashlagi acknowledged Sakshuwong's important role: "I was fortunate to meet him, and he took the work to a new level I hadn't anticipated."

Sakshuwong also added key features like tools to help visualize the networks of patients and donors and the inclusion of brief explanations why certain matches might be more compatible than others.

"Research has shown that this work results not only in more matches but also better matches," Sakshuwong said.

Finding a set of optimal chains is computationally challenging.

"Limiting exchanges to include just three or four pairs can actually be computationally harder than imposing no limit at all. Our algorithms can find optimal combinations within seconds," Ashlagi explained.

"Itai's software was used on both sides of that historic exchange between Abu Dhabi and Israel," said Alvin Roth, Nobel Laureate and Ashlagi's mentor and frequent collaborator, who was in Abu Dhabi in connection with the exchange.

Roth says Ashlagi exemplifies the concept of scientist-engineer and is now a driving force in contemporary kidney exchange through both his deep understanding of the immunological issues of matching kidneys to patients and his intimate appreciation of the needs of transplant centers.

"He's turned those practical theoretical insights into widely deployed digital tools with the power to change lives," Roth added. "Having the chance to collaborate with him has been among the best experiences of my intellectual career."

The software and algorithms are now used in numerous leading exchange programs in several countries, including the Methodist Hospital in San Antonio, the largest single-center program (which has facilitated more than 500 transplants), and the Alliance for Paired Kidney Donation, a national program with about 30 hospitals.

Explore further How to better enable kidney exchanges to save lives and money
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Australia's capital Canberra was ordered into a seven-day lockdown Thursday, after a single COVID-19 case was detected in the city that has largely avoided virus restrictions.

About 400,000 people in the nation's political hub will be under stay-at-home orders from 5:00 pm local time, joining millions more already under lockdown in Australia's southeast.

"This is the most serious public health risk that we are faced in the territory this year. Really, since the beginning of the pandemic," Australian Capital Territory chief minister Andrew Barr said.

He added that the COVID-positive person had been in the community while infectious.

Authorities also appealed to residents to avoid panic buying, as stores began to fill with maskless shoppers shortly after the announcement.

"There is no need for panic buying. And our key message to people is please be patient, be kind with one another, and be thoughtful," said the capital's health minister Rachel Stephens-Smith.

Canberra has not been in lockdown since a nationwide shutdown in the early stages of the pandemic in 2020.

After months of pursuing a "COVID zero" strategy, Australia is struggling to contain multiple outbreaks of the highly transmissible Delta variant.

More than 10 million people in the country's biggest cities, Melbourne and Sydney, are currently in lockdown as authorities try to bring case numbers down.

Much of western New South Wales state was also placed under lockdown late Wednesday, amid concerns for a sizeable Indigenous population feared more vulnerable to coronavirus.

"I ask all our Aboriginal community as well to please stay at home, come forward for a test if you have symptoms and of course please get vaccinated with any available vaccine as soon as you can," New South Wales Health's Marianne Gale said.

In Sydney, the epicentre of the outbreak, almost 6,500 cases and 36 deaths have been recorded since a cluster emerged in mid-June.

The city is expected to spend at least nine weeks under stay-at-home orders, with several hotspot suburbs placed under harsher restrictions Thursday.

Australia won global praise for its successful coronavirus response in the early stages of the pandemic, and most of the country was enjoying few restrictions by late 2020.

But a glacial vaccination rollout has been no match for the Delta variant, leaving cities and towns reliant on repeated lockdowns as they attempt to stamp out the virus.

The nation has recorded more than 37,500 cases of COVID-19 and 946 related deaths to date in a population of 25 million.

 2021 AFP
Authorities in China have suspended operations at a terminal in the world's third busiest cargo port after a worker was infected with the coronavirus.

The closure of a key terminal at the Ningbo-Zhoushan port on the east coast, which handled almost 1.2 billion tons in 2020, reflects China's determination to squash its worst coronavirus outbreak in months no matter the economic costs.

The worker at the port's Meishan terminal tested positive for coronavirus Wednesday, Ningbo city officials said.

The company "immediately stopped production work and closed the port area," as soon as the infection was detected, Jiang Yipeng, the CEO of Meidong Container Terminal, which operates the Meishan zone, said.

The worker had been fully vaccinated and it remains unclear how they became infected.

Meishan terminal is a newly built area of the expanded port and is its second mega-terminal, with capacity for 10 million containers, state media reported.

Almost 2,000 front-line workers at Ningbo-Zhoushan port have been placed under "closed management"effectively unable to leave the portas a result of the infection, Chinese media reported.

Chinese port workers are routinely tested for COVID.

The latest closure threatens further disruption to the stretched global shipping network, which worsened after a typhoon hit China's east coast last month.

The global shipping network is facing its biggest stress test in memory, as soaring demand for goods from Western consumers amid the pandemic puts pressure on Chinese exporters facing strict domestic virus controls.

In May, a worker at Yantian port in the southern trade hub of Shenzhen tested positive for the virus, halting port operations for one month in a move which caused huge shipping delays.

After keeping the coronavirus largely under control since mid-2020, China is now battling its worst outbreak in months, driven by the Delta variant.

China reported 81 new cases Thursday, of which 38 were local transmissions.

Domestic transmissions surpassed 100 on Tuesdaythe first time since January.

Officials have said many of those infected had already been vaccinated.

Explore further South China airport cancels flights after COVID case

 2021 AFP
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

One day in kindergarten, Alex Pieraccini sat and watched her peers pass around spices, sniffing them up as a sensory exercise.

Pieraccini, now 30, couldn't smell anything.

"I was like, 'Nothing is happening,'" said Pieraccini, a psychologist living in Baltimore. "I remember telling adults and not being believed for a long time."

Pieraccini has congenital anosmia, the chronic inability to smell. It is a rare conditionapproximately 1 in 10,000 people had it according to 2016 figures from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.

But now, millions more lost their smell as the preeminent symptom of COVID-19, and many haven't regained all of it.

The increased attention afforded to smell loss as a chronic condition has prompted new studies, piquing the interest of olfactory researchers bent on understanding more about the coronavirus. Meanwhile, scientists have not yet found conclusive treatments for smell loss.

At a minimum, the pandemic has highlighted the everyday struggles of people living with what some have termed an "invisible disability," one that makes life more difficult but might not be easily detected. It could also prompt breakthroughs for scientists and researchers in the field.

"I was made to feel invisible because people don't understand, so a little part of me has had a lot of validating experiences" during the pandemic, Pieraccini said. "Another part of me is like, 'Why did it take this long for it to be a visible thing?'"

A spike in recognition

According to Google Trends, Google searches for the term "loss of smell" in the United States jumped from an interest value of 3 to 100, the maximum, the week of March 22, 2020. Searches hit another high in the last week of December, as the nation approached a peak in average new cases per week.

Dr. Andrew Lane, the director of the Johns Hopkins Sinus Center, said the virus appears to specifically target olfactory cell tissue, which is necessary for the development of odor-sensing cells. This is why smell loss is a common symptom of COVID-19.

"People may not even know it, because people aren't that in tune to their sense of smell," Lane said. "If you test people formally, you would probably find even more of it."

Pamela Dalton, an olfactory researcher at the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia, said the pandemic may have caused people to pay attention to the long-term effects of anosmia. The center has been busy fielding frantic calls for help, she said.

The rush in attention has caused some resentment among people who have dealt with loss of smell in the long term, Dalton said.

"Not surprisingly, people are like, 'I've had this for 20 years and I've coped with it.' They're resentful that there wasn't more attention paid to it before," Dalton said.

Lane hopes the added attention will lead to more treatment options for all kinds of smell loss.

"This will potentially be a boon to people who've lost their sense of smell for other reasons, because all this attention and research will potentially lead to some better understanding," Lane said.

Ken Halstead, 38, says he is cautious now about disclosing his long-term inability to smell because of its association with COVID-19. Around Christmas, he was in a liquor store when a woman recommended he check out new peppermint Smirnoff bottles with scratch-and-sniff labels.

"I said, 'Oh, I have no sense of smell," said Halstead, an information technology specialist living in Alexandria, Virginia. "She nearly dropped the bottle," thinking he had COVID.

Dana Pair, who works in international development, contracted COVID-19 a few days before Christmas when traveling from her home in Upper Fells Point to visit family. She couldn't smell or taste anything at Christmas dinner. Pair, 27, hadn't known much about chronic smell loss before losing her own. She's regained some of her smell, but still experiences intense smell distortion.

"There really isn't a way for other people to fully understand it, especially if they haven't experienced anything similar themselves," said Pair, who has since moved to Knoxville, Tennessee.

It's a lonely condition, Pair said. She tries not to dwell on it, though.

"In the grand scheme of things, a sense of smell versus being alive are two very different things," Pair said. "You don't want to be considered ungrateful and the complainer."

A condition with varying types and causes

There are several different types of anosmia, or smell loss disorders, ranging from temporary and partial to chronic and permanent. Some people grow up without the ability to smell, while others acquire the condition through traumatic brain injuries, severe burns or viruses. Some people, especially those recovering from COVID, experience parosmia, or smell distortion.

Some people lose some of their ability to smell due to age. And there are environmental and occupational factors that can erode the sense over time, Dalton said, such as air pollution or toxic fumes. She has worked closely with firefighters who responded to the 9/11 attacks, for example.

COVID-19 attacks cells and causes inflammation, including in the areas around the receptors in a person's nose. The inflammation can last days or weeks, even months. But unlike other viruses that can affect a person's ability to smell or taste, such as the common cold, the coronavirus is not typically accompanied by congestion, Dalton said, making it more unusual.

"The way it shuts down the system is like a light switch," Dalton said. "People go to sleep or they have breakfast and all of a sudden everything's changed. It's really dramatic."

A study published in January looked at 2,581 patients from 18 European hospitals and found that almost 86% of people with mild COVID-19 develop anosmia. Ninety-five percent of them regained their sense of smell after six months. But for some, symptoms that included anosmia persistedan occurrence known as long-haul COVID.

Dalton said it's not clear why some people lost their sense of smell as a symptom of the disease while others didn't, though there may be an underlying biological reason.

Christine Creed, 51, said it was frustrating to see friends who'd contracted COVID recover their smell after only two weeks. Creed, who lives in Dundalk, caught the virus in November and couldn't smell for about a month or so.

Now, she's still experiencing smell distortion. Some days, she'll smell nonexistent cigarette smoke. Vegetables have no taste, beef tastes rancid and peanut butter is a "no-go."

"You just never know from day to day what you can eat, you don't ever get that real hunger feeling," Creed said. "I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy."

While there are no life-threatening side effects to losing the ability to smell, Dalton said "strong evidence" points to smell loss causing depression, especially among those who lost it suddenly.

There are also safety implications, as people can't smell dangers like smoke, natural gas and rotten food. It can also cause weight loss.

Treatment options, or lack thereof

Treatment depends on the cause of the loss of smell, said Lane, of the Hopkins Sinus Center. He'll treat patients with sinus problems with anti-inflammatory steroids or, if the case is severe, surgery. Unfortunately, there's not much doctors can do for congenital, viral or trauma-related anosmia

Younger people stand a better chance of recovering their sense of smell, Dalton said, though nothing is guaranteed. Recovery may be linked to the passage of time, she said, since the olfactory tissue can regenerate.

Smell retraining therapy is one method people use to try to rehabilitate the sense. Dalton said people who enroll in olfactory training or smell retraining sessions earlier tend to report more thorough recoveries. The treatment doesn't work, however, for people who could never smell.

Creed has used a smell training kit with scents like orange, tea tree oil and peppermint, though she hasn't had much success. She can remember what each is supposed to smell like but the scents still emerge distorted.

Halstead has made some casual attempts to find the cause of his anosmia. Ultimately, though, he feels he doesn't need treatment. His anosmia isn't as emotionally distressing compared to those who acquired ithe hasn't lost anything.

"To me, it's not life-altering," Halstead said. "It's just a quirk."

The Monell Center has developed a smell test to screen for COVID, which tends to be a better predictor for the virus than taking temperatures or testing for respiratory symptoms. More people are reaching out to be included in research trials, Dalton said.

In the meantime, with no effective treatment in sight, Canton's Pieraccini has found it helpful to ask friends or loved ones to help her fill in the gaps when she's afraid of missing something.

"Having people you can trustwho will be there to help you out and understand and believe you when you say you're having this difficultyis really important," she said.

2021 The Baltimore Sun.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Barretts ossiphageous is a common cell change in the lower oesophagus or gullet which increases the risk for cancer. Several theories exist about which cells this condition comes from. Nowicki-Osuch and Zhuang et al took advantage of advances in technology to interrogate thousands of single cells to test all the possibilities. Their study included the submucosal gland which is a structure underneath the normal oesophageal lining that has not been isolated before. The results showed that Barretts comes from stomach cells which have been reprogrammed  by turning on a switch in genes called HNF4A and C-MYC. They also showed that Barretts oesophagus is the path that leads to all oesophageal cancers, of the type called adenocarcinoma, even when Barretts is not seen at the time of diagnosis. It is hoped that this work will help clarify the debate running over many decades and underline the importance of detecting Barretts oesophagus to prevent progression to cancer. Credit: Lizhe Zhuang and Karol Nowicki-Osuch

Abnormal cells that go on develop into oesophageal cancercancer that affects the tube connecting the mouth and stomachstart life as cells of the stomach, according to scientists at the University of Cambridge.

The study, published today in Science, found that a particular subtype of oesophageal cancer known as oesophageal adenocarcinoma is always preceded by Barrett's oesophagusabnormal cells of the oesophaguseven if these cells are no longer visible at the time of cancer diagnosis. This confirms that screening for Barrett's is an important approach to oesophageal cancer control.

Cancer of the oesophagus is the sixth most deadly cancer, and oesophageal adenocarcinoma is on the rise in western countries. Scientists and doctors have known for some time that the development of this cancer is linked with Barrett's oesophagus, which shows up in endoscopy as a pink 'patch' in the surface of oesophagus and affects around one out of every 100 to 200 people in the United Kingdomand between 3 and 13 people out of 100 with this condition will go on to develop oesophageal adenocarcinoma in their lifetime. However, the question of where these abnormal cells come from has been a mystery that has baffled scientists for decades.

A multidisciplinary group of scientists led by Professor Rebecca Fitzgerald at the Medical Research Council Cancer Unit, University of Cambridge, today provides the most comprehensive explanation to date.

Dr. Lizhe Zhuang, joint first author of the study, said: "It's intriguing that, although Barrett's oesophagus predominately occurs in the lower part of oesophagus close to stomach, it has so-called 'goblet cells' resembling a much more distant organ, the small intestine. Over the past twenty years there have been at least six different hypotheses about the origin of Barrett's oesophagus. Using the latest techniques, we believe we have arrived at an answer to this mystery."

The research team analysed tissue samples from patients with Barrett's oesophagus and from organ donors who have never had the condition. The samples were collected as part of the Cambridge Biorepository for Translational Medicine at Addenbrooke's Hospital, part of Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Lead authors Dr. Karol Nowicki-Osuch and Dr. Lizhe Zhuang established a detailed 'atlas' of human cells and tissues from all possible origins of Barrett's oesophagus, including oesophageal submucosal glands, an elusive tissue structure that acts in a similar way to saliva glands and has never before been isolated from fresh human tissue.

The researchers then compared the maps of cells from healthy tissues, Barrett's oesophagus and oesophageal adenocarcinoma using a number of state-of-the-art molecular technologies. These included single cell RNA sequencing, a powerful technology that enables researchers to investigate the functions of a large number of individual cells. They also looked at methylation profiles chemical modifications to the DNA of cells in the tissueand at genetic linage to trace back where a particular cell type originated.

The results showed a striking similarity between stomach cells and Barrett's oesophagus, suggesting that the cells at the very top of the stomach can be reprogrammed to adopt a new tissue identity, becoming more like intestine cells, and replace the oesophageal cells. Furthermore, in this new study the team showed that two genes, MYC and HNF4A, are the keys that switch the tissue identity from stomach to intestinal cells.

Dr. Karol Nowicki-Osuch, joint first author of the study, said: "The techniques we used have shown us the internal processes that happen in the stomach cells when they become Barrett's. The big question now is: what triggers these genes? It's likely to be a complex combination of factors that include bile acid reflux (often felt as heartburn) and other risk factors, such as obesity, age, male sex and Caucasian ethnicity."

Importantly, the researchers found that all oesophageal adenocarcinoma cells begin as stomach cells before transforming into Barrett's cells and then into cancer cells.

Professor Fitzgerald added: "Even if the pre-cancerous Barrett's is not visible at the time of cancer diagnosis, our data suggests the cancer cells will have been through this stage. This has been debated for some time, but our conclusion is important as it means that screening for Barrett's is an important approach to controlling oesophageal cancer."

Michelle Mitchell, Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK, said, "Today's insights into the origin of oesophageal adenocarcinoma could help inform future research efforts into how to diagnose this type of cancer earlywhich is key for improving patient outcomes.

"This research goes hand in hand with other recent successes in early detection such as Cytosponge, the sponge-on a-string test, which we funded to detect Barrett's in patients with heartburn symptoms."

Explore further New research reveals devastating impact of COVID-19 on the diagnosis of oesophageal and stomach cancer

More information: Molecular phenotyping reveals the identity of Barrett's esophagus and its malignant transition, Science (2021). Journal information: Science Molecular phenotyping reveals the identity of Barrett's esophagus and its malignant transition,(2021). science.sciencemag.org/lookup/  1126/science.abd1449
This transmission electron microscope image shows SARS-CoV-2 -- also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus that causes COVID-19 -- isolated from a patient in the US. Virus particles are shown emerging from the surface of cells cultured in the lab. The spikes on the outer edge of the virus particles give coronaviruses their name, crown-like. Credit: NIAID-RML

The idea that the coronavirus pandemic originated accidentally via Chinese laboratory workers has surfaced again, this time in a documentary aired by Danish TV on Thursday.

China has reacted furiously to any suggestions that the pandemic, which has killed at least 4.3 million people since emerging in the city of Wuhan in December 2019, was caused by malpractice involving one of its laboratories.

But this is part of the "probable" assumptions, according to the head of the World Health Organization mission to investigate the origins of the pandemic.

"An employee (of a laboratory) infected in the field taking samples falls under one of the likely hypotheses. This is where the virus passes directly from bats to humans," Peter Embarek told the Danish public channel TV2.

In a documentary broadcast on Thursday, the head of the delegation of international scientists sent by the WHO to Wuhan is very critical of China.

The first phase of the WHO study, conducted at the start of the year, concluded on March 29 that the hypothesis of a laboratory incident remained "extremely unlikely".

However, Embarek said it had been difficult for his team to discuss this theory with Chinese scientists.

Just 48 hours before the end of the mission, they had still not agreed to mention the laboratory thesis in the report, he said in the documentary.

It was after these exchanges that the WHO delegation won permission to visit two laboratories where research is carried out on bats, he said.

During these visits, "we had the right to make a presentation, then we were able to speak and ask the questions that we wanted to ask, but we did not have the opportunity to consult any documentation", Embarek said.

The scientist also pointed out that none of the type of bats suspected to have been the reservoir for the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 live in the wild in the Wuhan region.

The only people likely to have approached these types of bats are employees of the city laboratories, he said.

The WHO on Thursday urged China to share raw data from the earliest COVID-19 cases to assist the pandemic origins probeand release data to address the lab leak theory.

The global health agency also urged all countries to depoliticise the search for the origins of the pandemic.

Explore further WHO urges China to share raw data on early COVID cases

 2021 AFP
(HealthDay)The U.S. Food and Drug Administration plans on Thursday to authorize a third "booster" shot of coronavirus vaccine for people with weakened immune systems, as the highly contagious Delta variant surges across the country.

Expanding the emergency use of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines should help protect those patients who are considered most vulnerable to COVID-19 infection and most likely to benefit from an additional shot. That includes people who have had solid organ transplants and those whose immune systems are compromised, an official familiar with the plan told The New York Times.

Once the booster dose is approved, doctors will be able recommend additional shots for those patients. About 3 percent of Americans have weakened immune systems for numerous reasons, from a history of cancer to the use of certain medications such as steroids, the Times reported.

Many scientists argue that the immunocompromised population is too diverse to uniformly recommend additional shots of coronavirus vaccine, the Times reported.

But studies suggest that patients such as organ transplant recipients often show little immune response to the standard vaccine dosing schedule, and so they could benefit from a third shot. One recent study by Canadian researchers found that a third dose of the Moderna vaccine improved the immune response of people in that group, the Times reported.

Dr. Dorry Segev, from Johns Hopkins' Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, has said about half of transplant patients have no antibody response to the currently authorized vaccine dosage, the Times reported. His team studied 30 transplant patients who were vaccinated but had negative or low-positive antibody [blood] titers, which pointed to a poor response by their immune systems to the shots. After an additional shot, 14 of them had higher antibody titers.

The FDA's decision to authorize a third shot for vulnerable Americans will be considered on Friday by an advisory committee to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Although the FDA's action is independent of the committee's recommendation, most doctors wait to act until the CDC weighs in, the Times said.

If the CDC committee votes to endorse the shots, the CDC could issue a formal recommendation the same day.

Although the vast majority of Americans who have been vaccinated got Pfizer or Moderna shots, it is not yet clear how those with immune deficiencies who received Johnson & Johnson shots were to proceed, the Times said.

The FDA decided not to broaden emergency use of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, since health officials want to see J & J's trial data on the safety and efficacy of two doses first, one official told the Times. The company is expected to release the results of its two-dose study this month.

Dr. Dan Barouch, a virologist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston who worked with Johnson & Johnson as it developed its vaccine, said the FDA's move to make third shots available to some with weakened immune systems made sense.

He added there was a also long and successful history of mixing and matching different vaccines for other viruses, and that could hold true for COVID vaccines. There is no data yet to determine whether protection against the virus is enhanced by such an approach, Barouch acknowledged. But researchers at the U.S. National Institutes of Health have a study underway that is expected to deliver some answers by early fall.

Experts Demand That Biden Do More to Distribute COVID Vaccines Globally

More than 175 public health experts, scientists and activists this week called for President Joe Biden to do more to help fight the global spread of the coronavirus, warning that newer, more dangerous variants are likely to emerge if nothing is done.

"We urge you to act now," the experts wrote in a joint letter to senior White House officials Tuesday, the Washington Post reported. "Announcing within the next 30 days an ambitious global vaccine manufacturing program is the only way to control this pandemic, protect the precious gains made to date, and build vaccine infrastructure for the future."

A separate letter was sent directly to Biden that noted the Delta variant is fueling a surge of infections in Africa, Latin America and Asia, where many residents have yet to receive a single dose, the Post reported. Meanwhile, the United States has stockpiled more than 55 million doses of mRNA vaccines but is administering fewer than 900,000 shots per day, the letter said.

"At this rate, it would take over two months to administer just the vaccine doses currently stored," the authors added.

The letters' co-signers include Tom Frieden, who led the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention during the Obama administration; Linda Fried, the dean of Columbia University's public health school; Paul Farmer, co-founder of Partners in Health, a nonprofit group focused on the developing world; and other leaders in global health and infectious disease. More than 50 organizations also co-signed the letter.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Post.

Several signers said they have personally appealed to senior Biden administration officials, including Dr. Anthony Fauci and top pandemic adviser David Kessler, but were now frustrated with the slow pace of movement on global vaccinations. Fewer than 4 percent of Africans and about 30 percent of Asians have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, compared with nearly 60 percent of Americans, according to the University of Oxford's Our World in Data project.

"We've been pushing Fauci and Kessler hard on this for months, and they, in turn, have been pushing those above them. But the world has nothing to show for it," said Peter Staley, a co-founder of PrEP4All Collaboration, an HIV/AIDS advocacy organization that has pivoted to coronavirus activism.

"Pharma took years before letting the rest of the world access their AIDS drugs," he told the Post. "We won't let that happen with COVID vaccines."

The Biden administration has defended its global response, with officials announcing last week that the United States has sent more than 110 million doses of vaccine to dozens of nations. The United States also plans to share 500 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine with nearly 100 low- and middle-income nations, the Post reported.

But activists say Biden needs to do more. Some of their frustration has been focused on Moderna, a company that they say has received more than $1.3 billion in federal funding for its vaccine but has done too little to share its expertise with others.

"This administration has been playing footsies with Moderna instead of leading on this issue," Staley added. "Do you think Roosevelt asked Henry Ford if he could start building tanks, but only on the company's timetable?"

A spokesperson for Moderna did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The experts demanded that the administration be able to produce 8 billion doses annually of mRNA vaccines by the end of the year, exporting at least 40 million doses per month and helping set up vaccine manufacturing hubs around the globe.

"People are really frantic right now," Yale University public health researcher Gregg Gonsalves, who co-signed the letter, told the Post. "I think you're going to see an escalation from our side over the next few weeks. No one seems to have gotten the message that the world is burningand the status quo is unacceptable."

Explore further Experts demand that Biden do more to distribute COVID vaccines globally

More information: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on COVID-19

Copyright  2021 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

As Indonesia failed to contain COVID-19 and is now one of the pandemic's epicenters, it's taking a huge toll on Indonesia's medical profession. Over 600 physicians have died. More than 500 nurses, 300 midwives and dozens of pharmacists, dentists and laboratory workers have died. Health workers work very long hours while being sleep-deprived and exhausted.

Amid this mounting challenge, professors at the Medical School at the University of Indonesia last month called on all health professionals, the government and the general public to unite to fight the COVID emergency.

I'm a historian of science and have been studying the history of medicine in the Dutch East Indies. The professors' appeal reminded me of the language used by Indonesian physicians and medical students during the colonial era.

Today's physicians and other health professionals' dedication to fight COVID-19 and protect the nation's health reflects the commitments of Indonesian physicians and medical students in colonial times.

Fighting COVID-19 against all odds

Indonesia's health system is overwhelmed and in many places beyond breaking point. Oxygen and personal protective equipment are in short supply. For some time now, trainee physicians and recent graduates have been recruited to work at the front lines, initially without pay.

Many people isolating at home receive no medical attention. Some die in solitude.

By now, we are all familiar with the images that appear almost daily in the newspapers: improvised cemeteries where deceased individuals are hastily buried, overcrowded hospitals enlarged with tents to provide more beds, and overworked, tired and burnt-out health workers. The number of individual tragedies is endless. An unending stream of death notices appears on social media.

Against all odds, Indonesian physicians and medical students show commitment and dedication to the health of the nation.

They do this despite insufficient supplies of protective gear, medications and medical equipment from the government.

They also have to operate amid the swirling of rumors and hoaxes that create public fear, anxiety, mistrust and suspicion. Several social media posts claim that people are infected with COVID-19 in hospitals. Health workers are regularly chased out of villages. People are afraid that their sick family members are taken away and that they will not be allowed to conduct customary rituals when they die.

Indonesian physicians have not always been held in high esteem. People who can afford it prefer to receive medical care in Singapore or Malaysia. Indonesians often complain about the high cost of medical care, the high fees physicians in private practice charge, and the lack of respect they have received in public hospitals.

But through their dedication and commitment, Indonesian doctors today display the same spirit of devotion that motivated their colleagues during colonial times.

It is said Indonesia's national awakening started with the founding of the youth association Budi Utomo on May 20 1908. Since then, physicians and medical students have participated in the Indonesian nationalist movement, often occupying leadership positions. They played a significant role in bringing about independence.

Legacy of Indonesian physicians

In my book Nurturing Indonesia: Medicine and Decolonisation in the Dutch East Indies, I argue that Indonesian physicians and medical students were motivated by a desire to care for the nation, apart from their dedication to care for their patients.

The founders of Budi Utomo believed that medical care would lead to improvements, as would education and a rising standard of living. They urged Indonesian students and educated Indonesians (a tiny group at the time) to unite irrespective of ethnic differences to improve everyday life for all Indonesians.

Several Indonesian physicians and medical students joined the Indonesian nationalist movement between 1908 and 1942. The movement had various goals, from providing disaster relief and establishing schools and clinics to forming political parties and advocating independence. The participants in the Indonesian nationalist movement realized they needed to unite to achieve them.

All need to come on board

According to World Health Organization data, Indonesia has only 4.65 doctors per 10,000 people. As a comparison, in Australia this number is 37.6.

But as Ova Emilia, dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing at Gadjah Mada University, has argued, the low number of physicians is not the main problem to overcome in winning the fight against COVID-19. A crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic needs to be countered by a determined and co-operative approach that includes governments (local and central), educational institutions, infrastructure, logistics and local communities. The political, economic and cultural sectors all need to come on board.

Today, leading Indonesian physicians are calling on all Indonesians to be part of a universal movement. During this COVID emergency, health must become a national priority.

Explore further Indonesia surpasses 100,000 deaths amid new virus wave

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

An international study, led by researchers from Queen Mary University of London and St Bartholomew's Hospital, has found a unique pair of gene variants that causes sudden onset high blood pressure in pregnant women.

The research in the UK was funded by the National Institute of Health Research, their EME program in partnership with the Medical Research Council, the British Heart Foundation and Barts Charity.

Hypertension (high blood pressure) affects 30% of adults. Most cases are caused by a combination of inherited and acquired factors that require long-term treatment to prevent the complications of stroke and heart attacks.

For one in ten people with hypertension, a specific cause can be found and removed. The most common cause is a tiny benign nodule in one of the adrenals. These are glands near the kidneys that produce steroid hormones. The hormone aldosterone stimulates the kidneys to retain salt and hence increase blood pressure. As a result the condition known as primary aldosteronism typically leads to a type of hypertension which is resistant to conventional drugs, and is linked to an increased risk of stroke and heart attacks compared to other patients with hypertension.

Over the years, a research team at Queen Mary University of London and St Bartholomew's Hospital has found a number of gene variants which cause the production of high levels of aldosterone from small adrenal nodules. Their latest study, published today in the journal Nature Genetics, is the discovery of a new type of primary aldosteronism caused by the coincidence of a unique pair of new variants which always occur together. The patients are predominantly women, who present with sudden onset of high blood pressure and low blood potassium in the early months of a pregnancy.

In partnership with Professor Christina Zennaro, Inserm Research Director at the Paris Cardiovascular Research Center, and colleagues in Paris, it emerged that the new variants switch on a receptor molecule in the adrenal cells which recognizes the pregnancy hormone Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG), the same as is measured in routine pregnancy testingand that the receptor molecule triggers a surge of aldosterone production.

Professor Morris Brown, Professor of Endocrine Hypertension at Queen Mary University of London said: "What was particularly satisfying is that recognition of the cause of hypertension in these women enabled them to complete a successful pregnancy, and that afterwards they were completely cured of hypertension by a procedure to remove the adrenal nodule, and were able to stop all their drugs."

Explore further Few patients at risk for common high blood pressure disorder receive screening

More information: Somatic mutations of GNA11 and GNAQ in CTNNB1-mutant aldosterone-producing adenomas presenting in puberty, pregnancy or menopause, Nature Genetics (2021). www.nature.com/articles/s41588-021-00906-y Journal information: Nature Genetics Somatic mutations of GNA11 and GNAQ in CTNNB1-mutant aldosterone-producing adenomas presenting in puberty, pregnancy or menopause,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41588-021-00906-y
Credit: Southern Methodist University

Researchers at SMU have found a way to make chemotherapy drugs more lethal to HPV-infected cervical cancer cells without collateral damage to normal cells, a study suggests.

Decreasing the amount of a protein called TIGAR in cervical cancer cells was found to make those cancer cells more responsive to commonly-used chemotherapy drugs at a very low dose. Yet normal cells were not similarly affected, according to a study recently published in the Journal of Antivirals & Antiretrovirals.

As a result, developing a drug to target the TIGAR protein could be an effective way to lower chemotherapy doses for cervical cancer patients, bringing fewer side-effects while still killing cancer cells. Chemotherapy drugs can have severe side effects, including liver and kidney toxicities, because these drugs may harm normal cells as well as cancer cells.

"Our study has demonstrated that inhibiting TIGAR functions in HPV-infected cervical cancer cells not only sensitizes these cells to anti-cancer chemotherapeutic agents, but does so at extremely low, or sub-inhibitory, doses of these drugs," said Robert Harrod, an Associate Professor in SMU's Department of Biological Sciences and the senior author of the study.

Regulating TIGAR functions may also prove beneficial for other types of cancer. TIGAR is known to be highly expressed in many types of cancer that tend to have poor clinical outcomes, including leukemia, colon cancer and lung cancer. The protein's role in HPV-induced cervical cancers was not fully understood, however, until this recent study.

Harrod's research laboratory was awarded a three-year grant from the National Cancer Institute to identify molecular targets like TIGAR that play pivotal roles in the development and/or progression of human cancers. Determining the mechanics of how cancer cells evade therapies enables scientists to find chemical keys that can block that target's function and prevent the negative biological effects that cause diseasethe fundamental basis of new anti-cancer treatments.

The first author of the study was Lacin Yapindi, a Ph.D. graduate student in Molecular and Cellular Biology at SMU (Southern Methodist University) who works in Harrod's lab. She was also the recipient of a 2021-2022 Moody Ph.D. Dissertation Fellowship.

TIGAR plays an essential protective role in cancer cells

TIGAR, an acronym for TP53-Induced Glycolysis and Apoptosis Regulator, is a stress-inducible antioxidant protein that all of the cells in our body have. Its primary function is to eliminate the toxic effects of what are known as reactive oxygen species (ROS), various types of unstable molecules that contain oxygen and easily react with other molecules within a cell. These unstable molecules play an important role in normal cellular processes, but their overproduction in rapidly dividing cells can cause damage to DNA, RNA and proteins.

Because cancer cells grow at a faster pace than normal non-cancerous cells, they tend to produce more toxic ROS by-products.

"To overcome this problem, cancer cells elevate the levels of the TIGAR protein, so they can continue to proliferate and grow much faster than normal cells but are not negatively affected by the damaging ROS," Yapindi said. "In other words, TIGAR acts as a protective element for cancer cells."

"In this study, we found that depleting TIGAR took that protective element away and resulted in high levels of cellular toxicity in cancer cells formed by human papillomaviruses or HPVs. This toxicity was further increased by the chemotherapy drugs we tested and led to cell death," Yapindi explained.

These findings demonstrate that HPV-induced cervical cancer cells are highly dependent upon the antioxidant functions of TIGAR, Harrod said. The SMU researchers further showed that non-cancerous cells do not contain elevated levels of TIGAR and were not as dependent on this factor as cancer cells.

These SMU researchers conducted several in vitro experiments to prove and validate their findings.

First, the team demonstrated that TIGAR protein levels were elevated in primary high-risk HPV16+ cervical cancer cells as compared to non-cancerous cells. They did this using a specific antibody that is known to recognize the TIGAR protein and also used another antibody tagged with a fluorescent dye that could be visualized using a laser confocal fluorescence-microscope. The study co-author, Dr. Brenda Y. Hernandez from the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, provided the primary HPV16+ clinical biopsy samples that were used to analyze TIGAR levels in these cancers.

The SMU researchers next examined what would happen if they decreased TIGAR protein levels in in vitro cultured HPV+ cervical cancer cells by exposing these cells to what's known as small interfering RNA (siRNA) in a cell culture dish. siRNA molecules block with the expression of specific target genes by degrading their mRNAs soon after transcription. The siRNA used by SMU researchers was generated specifically to target the mRNA-expressing TIGAR, which allowed them to significantly decrease levels of the TIGAR protein in HPV+ cervical cancer cells.

The researchers then measured how effective different types of commonly used chemotherapy drugs were at killing cells: normal cells versus cancer cells that had TIGAR inhibited with the siRNA. Four different chemotherapy drugs, such as cisplatin and doxorubicin, were tested on these cells at low doses.

"When cells go through apoptosis, which is a controlled cell death event, a component of the cellular membrane called phosphatidylserine flips from the inner side of the membrane to the outer side to mark the cell as apoptotic," Yapindi said.

As a cell dies and the cellular membrane that makes up the boundary of that cell disintegrates, the DNA that was inside that cell also becomes exposed.

So the researchers used fluorescent dyes, including Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate and propidium iodide, to be able to see phosphatidylserine and exposed DNA, allowing them to confirm that cell death had occurred.

They discovered that inhibiting TIGAR expression resulted in significantly enhanced cancer cell death for all of the chemotherapy drugs they studied.

For example, the siRNA-TIGAR combination with the lowest concentration of a chemotherapy drug called cisplatin (0.01 micromolar) resulted in approximately 48 percent of cancer cells showing signs of cell death, as compared to 6 percent with the drug alone at a concentration of 0.01 micromolar without the siRNA.

Normal human cells were not affected by the drug at these low concentrations with or without the siRNA to inhibit TIGAR, which underscores the dependence of cancer cells on the pro-survival functions of the TIGAR protein.

Harrod's lab is working to develop a therapeutic inhibitor of TIGAR that could eventually be translated for clinical use, as there is currently no treatment yet available to target TIGAR's antioxidant functions in human cancers.

"Our proposed novel therapy approach has shown promising results to make highly drug-resistant cancer cells more susceptible to these drug treatments," Yapindi said.

Explore further Obesity, infertility and oxidative stress in mouse egg cells

More information: Lacin Yapindi et al, siRNA-Inhibition of TIGAR Hypersensitizes Human Papillomavirus-Transformed Cells to Apoptosis Induced by Chemotherapy Drugs that Cause Oxidative Stress. J Antivir Antiretrovir. 13:223. Lacin Yapindi et al, siRNA-Inhibition of TIGAR Hypersensitizes Human Papillomavirus-Transformed Cells to Apoptosis Induced by Chemotherapy Drugs that Cause Oxidative Stress.. 13:223. www.longdom.org/open-access/si  -that-cau-76983.html
Credit: Lancaster University

Young women in Malawi who reported difficulties conceiving and/or carrying a child to term turned to traditional healers, churches and mosques, as well as medical clinics, for help says new research from Lancaster University.

The paper looks at women's own assessments of their ability to conceive and carry a pregnancy to termthat is, self-identified infertilityin Malawi. It considers both the characteristics of young women who report infertility and, among these women, what kind of help-seeking strategies they employ.

Dr. Jasmine Fledderjohann's research, "Self-reported Fertility Impairments and Help-Seeking Strategies Among Young Women in Malawi," is published today in Global Public Health.

"This study is innovative because it focuses on women's own perceptions of fertility impairments, rather than measures based on women's fertility histories," says Dr. Fledderjohann.

"This is important because women's own assessments of their ability to conceive and carry a pregnancy to term often don't align with what measures based on fertility histories would suggest. People act based on their perceptions, and it's essential to consider women's own views of their bodies."

She explains that because it is a population-based samplerather than a clinic-based sampleit also includes womenoften less privileged womenwho may not access clinical spaces.

"And the results are also innovative because they indicate that use of multiple help-seeking strategies is commonan insight that is not possible using facility-based samples that only focus on one kind of help-seeking," adds Dr. Fledderjohann.

The paper analyzes survey data for 1,349 Malawian women aged 16-26 to explore the prevalence and predictors of self-reported difficulties conceiving and/or carrying a pregnancy to term and help-seeking strategies.

Although it is a fairly young sample, nearly 13% of those who had ever tried to conceive reported experiencing a fertility impairment. Some women as young as 16 reported a fertility impairment.

The older a woman was, the more likely she was to report a fertility impairment. On the other hand, more highly educated women and those with more living children were less likely to report an impairment.

Of women who reported an impairment, 85.5% sought help. Nearly half of these (47.9%) sought help from a hospital or clinic, and a large fraction (44.4%) went to a traditional healer.

A further quarter (24.8%) reported praying or visiting a church or mosque to seek help conceiving or carrying a pregnancy to term. There is overlap in these figures because more than one-quarter employed multiple help-seeking strategies.

"Much of the existing literature looks at only one form of help-seeking at a time, but these findings highlight that a large minority of women use multiple help-seeking strategies, not just one," says Dr. Fledderjohann.

Infertility is commonly defined in clinical settings as the inability to conceive or maintain a pregnancy after 12+ months of regular intercourse. However, having too few children is itself defined as infertility in some sociocultural settings, while having more children may reduce the social pressure to conceive again.

One-in-four couples in the Global South experience infertility, with some of the highest rates of infertility in the world found in sub-Saharan Africa.

Infertility can have devastating psychosocial and economic effects, including elevated levels of depression, anxiety, grief, stigmatization, domestic violence, marital discord, poverty, lower quality of life and well-being, poorer health, and low self-esteem.

"Making treatment and support available to individuals who struggle to conceive is therefore vital not only for securing reproductive health, but also for improving health and well-being more broadly," explains Dr. Fledderjohann.

Yet evidence on help-seeking strategies of individuals in sub-Saharan Africa who self-identify as having difficulties conceiving is rare.

The availability and quality of biomedical tests and treatments for infertility has been growing in SSA, and both men and women are increasingly using clinical services for fertility impairments. However, infertility remains a neglected public health issue.

"Examining help-seeking strategies in isolation (for example, using clinic-based samples and focusing on biomedical responses) provides an incomplete picture of the range of strategies with which women who perceive an impairment may engage," concludes Dr. Fledderjohann.

Explore further Research shows infertility tied to relationship disruption in Ghana

More information: Jasmine Fledderjohann, Self-reported fertility impairments and help-seeking strategies among young women in Malawi, Global Public Health (2021). Jasmine Fledderjohann, Self-reported fertility impairments and help-seeking strategies among young women in Malawi,(2021). DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2021.1965179
(HealthDay)The results of an interim analysis suggest that two doses of the Moderna mRNA-1273 vaccine safely induce protective levels of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 among adolescents, according to a study published online Aug. 11 in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Kashif Ali, M.D., from Kool Kids Pediatrics in Houston, and colleagues randomly assigned 3,732 healthy adolescents aged 12 to 17 years in a 2:1 ratio to receive two injections of the mRNA-1273 vaccine or placebo (2,489 and 1,243, respectively) 28 days apart, as part of an ongoing phase 2/3 trial.

The researchers found that the most common solicited adverse reactions after the first and second injections were injection-site pain (93.1 and 92.4 percent, respectively), headache (44.6 and 70.2 percent, respectively), and fatigue (47.9 and 67.8 percent, respectively) in the mRNA-1273 group and injection-site pain (34.8 and 30.3 percent, respectively) headache (38.5 and 30.2 percent, respectively), and fatigue (36.6 and 28.9 percent, respectively) in the placebo group. There were no serious adverse events related to the mRNA-1273 vaccine or placebo reported. Relative to young adults (age 18 to 25 years), the geometric mean titer ratio of pseudovirus neutralizing antibody titers in adolescents was 1.08 (95 percent confidence interval, 0.94 to 1.24) and the absolute difference in serologic response was 0.2 percentage points (95 percent confidence interval, 1.8 to 2.4), meeting noninferiority criterion. In the mRNA-1273 vaccine group, there were no reported cases of COVID-19 within 14 days after the second injection compared with four cases in the placebo group.

"In this interim analysis of the ongoing trial, the overall benefit-risk profile of mRNA-1273 was favorable in adolescents," the authors write.

Several authors are employees of Moderna, which funded the study.

Explore further Third COVID-19 vaccine dose may prompt response in transplant recipients

Copyright  2021 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
A new analysis of publicly reported financial information of the pharmaceutical industry finds reducing drug prices could have no impact to future drug approvals.

The research from Bentley University's Center for Integration of Science and Industry in partnership with the nonprofit, nonpartisan organization West Health Policy Center analyzed the financial practices of more than 1,300 public biopharmaceutical companies and their contributions to new drug development over the past two decades. Researchers modeled a scenario similar to what the industry would experience if Medicare was empowered to negotiate drug prices as proposed under the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3). The findings, released today by West Health and its Council for Informed Drug Spending Analysis (CIDSA), are described in a white paper titled Will Reducing Drug Prices Slow Innovation?

The analysis builds upon research previously released by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), and provides lawmakers and the CBO with a new point of reference to consider when further evaluating and scoring the true impact of H.R. 3 and other drug spending policies on the industry. Especially, given that the research currently available on industry profitability and innovation tends to be older in nature and skewed with some pharmaceutical influence.

"Drug makers have hidden behind the unproven notion that skyrocketing drug prices are necessary to sustain innovation," said Tim Lash, President, West Health Policy Center. "This research debunks that mythconfirming policymakers do not need to make a false choice between lowering costs now and bringing new products to market in the future."

This research examined the historical relationship between revenue changes and research and development (R&D) spending by public biopharmaceutical companies from 2000-2018. The industry was divided into two categorieslarge companies defined as having a market capitalization of greater than $7 billion, and small companies with market capitalization under $7 billion. For the 78 large companies, changes in revenue were associated with proportional changes in R&D. However, for the overwhelming majority of companies evaluated there was no association found between changes in revenue and R&D for 1,300 small biopharmaceutical companies. These smaller companies currently sponsor approximately 60% of all clinical trials of new drugs and in the past five years have been responsible for 40% of all new drug approvals.

Using a model that recognizes the contributions of both large and small companies to the pipeline of new drugs, the research showed how any negative impact of reduced R&D spending could be mitigated by strategic allocation of cost reductions in large companies to different phases of clinical development. The model strictly focused on the proportion of revenue invested in R&D and did not assume that industry would make changes to their current corporate practices or policy.

"Our model suggests that the industry's best practices are sufficiently robust to accommodate the decrease in drug prices anticipated by H.R. 3 without decreasing the number of new drugs coming to market" said Dr. Fred Ledley, director of the Center for Integration of Science and Industry at Bentley University, a former biotechnology entrepreneur and CEO, and senior author on this study. "Importantly, we believe this can be achieved without fundamental changes to the industry's financial, management or marketing practices or their priorities."

"Americans are not buying pharma's claim that drug prices are justified by innovation. In recent public opinion research, we conducted with Gallup, an overwhelming majority of Americans are more concerned with lowering costs than harming innovation," said Sean Dickson, director of health policy at West Health Policy Center and project lead for the analysis. "These findings affirm the concerns of the American public and make clear that drug manufacturers can sustain reductions in drug spending under recent legislative proposals without impacting innovation."

Previous research from West Health and John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that the pharmaceutical industry could sustain a $1 trillion reduction in revenue, maintain current levels of R&D, and still retain its position as the most profitable industry in the country.

Explore further Most Americans support Medicare negotiation despite claims it would hurt innovation

Provided by West Health Institute
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Limits on public gatherings will be tightened in the Finnish capital as the country's infection rates hit a new daily high, health chiefs said on Thursday.

Despite enjoying some of Europe's lowest incidence rates during much of the pandemic, cases in Finland have been surging in recent weeks, with a record 1,024 new infections on Wednesday, public health agency THL said.

The Nordic nation of 5.5 million has so far recorded over 115,000 infections and 995 COVID-related deaths, with the Delta variant behind 90 percent of new infections, THL said.

"In a situation where vaccine coverage is still incomplete and many people have only had one dose or none at all, the risk of serious infection is still there," health ministry official Pasi Pohjola told a press conference.

"That is why restrictions are continuing."

As of 20 August, indoor events will be limited to 25 people and outdoor gatherings to 50 in Helsinki and the surrounding areas, southern Finland's regional administrative agency announced on Thursday.

Finland's vaccination drive currently lags behind many other EU states, with only 40 percent of the population fully vaccinated, in part because officials decided on a longer, three-month gap between doses to prioritise giving a first jab to as many as possible.

New cases were overwhelmingly among younger, unvaccinated people, the THL said, and added that although hospitalisations are down compared to previous waves, "the burden on healthcare services remains difficult."

Explore further Israel tightens coronavirus restrictions as new cases surge

 2021 AFP
In this June 3, 2021 file photo California Gov. Gavin Newsom walks with San Francisco Mayor London Breed on Geary Street to a news conference outside Tommy's Mexican Restaurant in San Francisco. San Francisco will require proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 for a number of indoor activities such as visiting restaurants, bars and gyms. A city supervisor confirmed the new mandate shortly before Breed was scheduled to hold a news conference Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021. Credit: AP Photo/Eric Risberg,File

Worried that the highly contagious delta variant of the coronavirus could derail San Francisco's economic rebound, Mayor London Breed announced Thursday that the city will require proof of full vaccination at indoor restaurants, bars, gyms and entertainment venues to help keep businesses open.

"This is to protect kids, is to protect those who can't get vaccinated, is to make sure that we don't go backwards, is to make sure that I never have to get up in front of you and say, 'I'm sorry, I know we just reopened and now the city is closed again because we are seeing too many people die,' " Breed said.

The mandate will be more stringent than the one announced by New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio last week. San Francisco will require proof of full COVID-19 vaccination for all customers and staff, while New York mandated proof of at least one dose for indoor activities.

It will take effect Aug. 20, but businesses will have two more months to verify employees' vaccination status "to preserve jobs while giving time for compliance." The mandate does not apply to people ineligible for vaccines, including children under 12.

The Chase Center, home to the Golden State Warriors basketball team, reacted to the news by asking ticket holders to a Sept. 15 rock concert to show proof of vaccination. AEG Presents, the giant concert and live event promoter, also announced Thursday it will require proof of vaccination for COVID-19 to attend its shows and festivals starting Oct. 1.

In addition to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention paper cards that people get when they are vaccinated, California has established an online record with a bar code that vaccinated people can use to prove their status. Breed said a photo of the CDC card will suffice, and that it will be up to businesses to enforce the requirement. Proof of vaccination issued by foreign governments is also acceptable.

In this Nov. 12, 2020, file photo, diners Mitchell Bryant, left, and Darla Scott eat inside at the Buena Vista Cafe amid the coronavirus outbreak in San Francisco. San Francisco will require proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 for a number of indoor activities such as visiting restaurants, bars and gyms. A city supervisor confirmed the new mandate shortly before Mayor London Breed was scheduled to hold a news conference Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021.Credit: AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File

The goal is to raise the vaccination rate in a city where 78% of the eligible population already is fully vaccinated, she said. San Francisco was among the first to ban large gatherings and close schools at the beginning of the pandemic and has been at the forefront of other COVID-19 restrictions, including requiring all city employees to be vaccinated without the option of testing regularly.

Los Angeles is considering a similar vaccine requirement, with people needing at least one dose before going to indoor restaurants, bars, gyms, movie theaters and other venues. Leaders there voted Wednesday to direct city attorneys to work out the details.

Also Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom said all employees at public and private schools in California will have to show proof of vaccination or face weekly testing.

Breed announced the mandate Thursday at the historic Vesuvio Cafe in North Beach, a favorite haunt of the beat poets. The cafe is among many San Francisco businesses that have already been requiring proof of vaccination indoors.

"Most people were really happy that we had started the policy. It took patience on everyone's part. So, the people who were impatient or didn't like the policy would just leave," Vesuvio co-owner Janet Clyde said.

"Having the weight of the government behind you, the science, the health department" makes it easier to enforce, she said.

In this Nov. 24, 2020, file photo, people wear masks while working out in social distancing spaces in an indoor class at a Hit Fit SF gym amid the coronavirus outbreak in San Francisco. San Francisco will require proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 for a number of indoor activities such as visiting restaurants, bars and gyms. A city supervisor confirmed the new mandate shortly before Mayor London Breed was scheduled to hold a news conference Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021. Credit: AP Photo/Jeff Chiu,File

Bar owners, already struggling to find enough staff, want to protect their employees and stay open, said Ben Bleiman, president of the San Francisco Bar Owner Alliance.

He said he was forced to close his bar one night after the bartender got infected at another job.

A group representing nearly 100 fitness studios said the mandate would help avoid the capacity limits or another potential shutdown that hurt their businesses last year.

"We support the city's vaccine requirement for indoor fitness as it provides our clients with one more level of assurance that they can experience the mental and physical benefits of fitness in a safe, healthy environment," said Dave Karraker, a board member of the San Francisco Independent Fitness Studio Coalition.

Thursday's order also extends the vaccination requirement for certain health care providers, including employees at adult day care centers, residential care facilities, dental offices, home health aides and pharmacists, who are not included in the state health order on vaccinations.

Explore further NYC will require vaccination proof for indoor dining, gyms

 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Fibroblasts of C9-HRE carriers show unaltered C9orf72 levels, express RNA foci, but do not display DPR proteins. a TaqMan assay from fibroblast RNA for C9orf72 all variants. b TaqMan assay from fibroblast RNA for isoform A specific transcript levels. For (a) and (b), data are shown as mean of data points in one biological replicate  SEM. One-way ANOVA followed by Sidaks multiple comparison test was performed. Only p values that were significant in the post hoc test are indicated in the graph. c A representative Western blot of the total protein lysates of fibroblasts from a control subject (Con), FTLD patient without the C9-HRE (C9), and FTLD patient with the C9-HRE (C9+). Cells were treated with 10 M lactacystin (Lact.) overnight to block protein degradation through UPS. Poly-ubiquitinated proteins (poly-ub. proteins) accumulated similarly in all the fibroblast lines treated with lactacystin. DMSO was used as a vehicle. d Quantification of the C9orf72 levels from the Western blot images. Data are shown as the mean of three biological replicates  SEM. Data were transformed to achieve normality and two-way ANOVA followed by Tukeys multiple comparison test was performed. *p  0.05, **p  0.01. Only p values that were significant in the post hoc test are indicated in the graph. e A Representative image of RNA foci (red) in the fibroblasts of a C9-HRE carrier (lower images). A C9-HRE non-carrier does not show any RNA foci (upper images). DAPI (blue) was used to stain the nuclei. f Dot blot images of the total protein lysates of fibroblasts from controls, FTLD patients without the C9-HRE (C9 13), and FTLD patients with the C9-HRE (C9+ 13). Lysates from N2a cells transfected with 2R plasmid were used as negative control and lysates from N2a cells transfected with 66R plasmid (positive control for Poly-GP) or plasmids encoding the individual 100 DPR proteins (positive control for poly-GA, poly-GR, poly-PR, and poly-PA) were used as positive controls. Credit: DOI: 10.1007/s12035-021-02475-x

A new study from the University of Eastern Finland suggests that skin fibroblasts from frontotemporal dementia patients may be useful in investigating underlying disease mechanisms as well as in biomarker and drug research.

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is the second most common cause of dementia in the working age population. The most common genetic cause of FTD is the C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeat expansion. This expansion is exceptionally common in Finnish FTD patients. Currently, there are no efficient therapies for FTD, it is challenging to diagnose, and the disease mechanisms remain largely unclear.

The new study explored whether skin cells from FTD patients, obtained through skin biopsy performed at Kuopio University Hospital, show specific cell pathological hallmarks or functional alterations compared to healthy individuals, which could promote better understanding of molecular mechanisms of FTD and be useful in the discovery of novel biomarkers or in testing drug effects. Both C9orf72 repeat expansion carriers and patients with sporadic FTD, for whom the underlying cause of disease is unknown, were included in the study.

Cell pathological changes related to the C9orf72 repeat expansion have not been widely described in other cells than neurons so far. In the present study, skin fibroblasts of FTD patients carrying the C9orf72 expansion were found to contain pathological RNA foci in the nuclei, which were derived from the expanded repeat sequence. These findings indicate that skin fibroblasts of carriers of the C9orf72 expansion partially show similar pathological changes to those found in the brain. Thus, patient skin cell cultures may possess potential, for example, as platforms for testing drug effects when screening compounds that could prevent formation of the abnormal RNA foci and the subsequent pathological dipeptide repeat (DPR) proteins derived from these abnormal RNAs.

The brains of FTD patients typically also show other pathological protein inclusions. The present study showed that in the skin fibroblasts of both sporadic and C9orf72 expansion-carrying FTD patients, there were substantially more and larger p62 protein-containing vesicles than in the healthy control fibroblasts. Accumulation of p62 could be a sign of defective ability of the cells to degrade proteins, but defects in the function of the main cellular protein degradation routes, the proteasomes or autophagosomes, were not detected in this study. On the other hand, the present findings raise the question whether the increased number and size of p62 vesicles in skin fibroblasts could be utilized as disease biomarkers in the diagnostics of FTD.

The current study also revealed that skin fibroblasts from both sporadic and C9orf72 expansion-carrying FTD patients displayed a significantly weaker energy metabolism. These changes were detected in assays where the basal respiration and ATP-mediated energy production by the cells' power plants, the mitochondria, were measured. Because the defective energy metabolism and the changes in p62 vesicles were detected in both sporadic and C9orf72 expansion-carrying patients, these pathological alterations may represent common pathological changes in FTD patients regardless of their genetic background.

The changes observed in the skin fibroblasts are partially similar to those observed in the brain of FTD patients.

"Because brain cells can rarely be obtained from the brains of living patients, other patient-derived cells, such as skin fibroblasts, are extremely useful in research. Their use enables clarifying disease mechanisms at the cellular and molecular level, and may prove useful in biomarker or drug research, even at the individual level. In addition, patient-derived skin cells may be utilized as sources to produce induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which in turn can be further differentiated in the laboratory to different types of brain cells and used as human disease models in research," explains Research Director Annakaisa Haapasalo, in whose laboratory at the A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences at the University of Eastern Finland the study was conducted.

In the Haapasalo Lab, FTD patient-derived skin cells have also been utilized to generate iPSCs and further differentiated to different types of brain cells, such as neurons and microglia. Examination of these cells is currently ongoing.

"It will be interesting to find out if similar cell pathological and energy metabolism changes can be detected in the iPSC-derived neurons or microglia produced from these skin fibroblasts," says Postdoctoral Fellow Dorit Hoffmann from the Haapasalo Lab, who is co-first author of the newly published study.

Explore further RNA quality control system goes awry in frontotemporal lobar degeneration

More information: Stina Leskela et al, FTLD PatientDerived Fibroblasts Show Defective Mitochondrial Function and Accumulation of p62, Molecular Neurobiology (2021). Stina Leskela et al, FTLD PatientDerived Fibroblasts Show Defective Mitochondrial Function and Accumulation of p62,(2021). DOI: 10.1007/s12035-021-02475-x
Campus supervisor Yolanda Fierros directs Valentin Quintero III to his kindergarten class on the first day of instruction at Roosevelt Elementary School in Anaheim, Calif., on Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021. Credit: Jeff Gritchen/The Orange County Register via AP

The COVID-19 surge that is sending hospitalizations to all-time highs in parts of the South is also clobbering states like Hawaii and Oregon that were once seen as pandemic success stories.

After months in which they kept cases and hospitalizations at manageable levels, they are watching progress slip away as record numbers of patients overwhelm bone-tired health care workers.

Oregonlike Florida, Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana in recent dayshas more people in the hospital with COVID-19 than at any other point in the pandemic. Hawaii is about to reach that mark, too.

This, despite both states having vaccination levels higher than the national average as of last week. Arkansas and Louisiana were significantly below average, while Florida was about even. Mississippi, meanwhile, ranks at the very bottom for vaccination rates.

"It's heartbreaking. People are exhausted. You can see it in their eyes," said Dr. Jason Kuhl, chief medical officer at Oregon's Providence Medford Medical Center, where patients are left on gurneys in hallways, their monitoring machines beeping away. Others needing treatment for cancer or heart disease are being turned away.

In other developments, the Food and Drug Administration is expected to authorize a third COVID-19 shot for certain people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients and organ transplant recipients, to give them an extra dose of protection.

The U.S. is seeing the virus storming back, driven by a combination of the highly contagious delta variant and lagging vaccination rates, especially in the South and other rural and conservative parts of the country.

New cases nationwide are averaging about 123,000 per day, a level last seen in early February, and deaths are running at over 500 a day, turning the clock back to May.

For the most part during the pandemic, Hawaii enjoyed one of the lowest infection and death rates in the nation. In recent days, though, it reported record highs of more than 600 new virus cases daily.

In this May 21, 2021 file photo, a sign reminds customers to wear their masks at a bakery in Lake Oswego, Ore. Oregon Gov. Kate Brown on Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021 announced a statewide indoor mask requirement due to the spike in COVID-19 hospitalizations and cases, warning that the state's health care system could be overwhelmed. Credit: AP Photo/Gillian Flaccus, File

On its worst day in 2020, Hawaii had 291 patients hospitalized with the coronavirus. Officials expect to hit 300 by the end of this week.

Despite the promising demand for COVID-19 shots early on, it took three weeksmuch longer than expectedto get from 50% to 60% of the vaccine-eligible population fully vaccinated. Vaccinations have since plateaued. Nationally, the rate is about 59%.

The biggest hospital on Hawaii's Big Island is feeling the pressure. Out of 128 acute beds, 116 were taken Wednesday at Hilo Medical Center, and the hospital's 11 intensive care unit beds are almost always full these days, spokeswoman Elena Cabatu said.

"If someone out there has a heart attack or a sepsis or gets into a bad accident that requires intensive care, we will have to hold that person in the emergency department," Cabatu said.

"I'm surprised we landed here," she lamented. "The hope during the mass vax clinics was just so high."

Hilton Raethel, president and CEO of the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, disputed any notion that the rebound in tourism in Hawaii is largely to blame.

"The tourists have been a source for infection, but they've never been the predominant source of infection," Raethel said. "There's a lot more concern about people from Hawaii, residents who go to the South, go to Vegas, to other places, and they come back and spread it."

In Oregon, a record number of COVID-19 hospitalizations670was reported for a third straight day Thursday. ICU beds across the state remain about 90% full with COVID-19 patients occupying 177 of them, the Oregon Health Authority said. The previous peak of 622 hospitalizations came during a November surge.

"Our doctors and nurses are exhausted and rightfully frustrated because this crisis is avoidable. It is like watching a train wreck coming and knowing that there's an opportunity to switch tracks, yet we feel helpless while we watch unnecessary loss of life," said David Zonies, associate chief medical officer at Portland's Oregon Health & Science University.

A registered nurse, right, closes the door as staff treat patients in the COVID ward at Ochsner Medical Center in Jefferson, La., on Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021. Louisiana's top health officer says the peak of the state's latest coronavirus surge may be weeks away. Dr. Joseph Kanter said that could be a "catastrophic" scenario for hospitals already overrun with COVID-19 patients. Credit: Chris Granger /The Advocate via AP

Public health officials in the southern part of the state said they fear the situation will only get worse as the delta variant spreads through a region where fewer than half the residents have been fully vaccinated.

"I'm fearful that the darkest days of this pandemic may still be ahead of us," said Chris Pizzi, CEO of Providence Medical Center in Medford.

In a renewed effort to stop the spread, Gov. Kate Brown announced this week that nearly everyone will have to wear masks again in indoor public spaces, regardless of their vaccination status.

Throughout the pandemic, health officials have described Oregon as a success story, largely because of its tight restrictions, which were lifted at the end of June.

California, which is below the national vaccination rate, is also seeing alarming spikes in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Los Angeles County, the nation's largest county, faced 1,573 hospitalizations as of Wednesdaythe highest since the end of February. The city of Los Angeles is working out a possible vaccine requirement to enter indoor spaces.

Meanwhile, White House coronavirus coordinator Jeff Zients said more people are getting vaccinated in states with the highest infection rates, including Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi.

"We're getting more shots in the arms in the places that need them in the most. That's what it's going to take to end this pandemic," he said.

Mississippi broke its single-day records of COVID-19 hospitalizations, intensive-care use and new coronavirus cases. The state Health Department said 1,490 people were hospitalized Wednesday and 388 were in the ICU because of COVID-19. It also confirmed 4,412 new cases. The state health officer, Dr. Thomas Dobbs, said a majority of the cases are in the unvaccinated.

In Florida, where Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has steadfastly blocked mandatory mask-wearing, some emergency rooms are so overcrowded that doctors are sending patients home with oxygen and small, portable oxygen-monitoring devices to free up beds for sicker patients.

 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
A Covid-19 test in administered on August 11 at a residental area in Wuhan, in China's central Hubei province.

The WHO on Thursday urged China to share raw data from the earliest COVID-19 cases to revive the pandemic origins probeand release information to address the controversial lab leak theory.

The World Health Organization stressed it was "vitally important" to uncover the origins of the worst pandemic in a century, which has killed at least 4.3 million people and battered the global economy since the virus was first detected in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019.

In the face of pushback from Beijing, the UN health agency called for the provision of "all data and access required so that the next series of studies can be commenced as soon as possible".

After much delay, a WHO team of international experts went to Wuhan in January 2021 to produce a first phase report, which was written in conjunction with their Chinese counterparts.

Their March report drew no firm conclusions, instead ranking four hypotheses.

It said the virus jumping from bats to humans via an intermediate animal was the most probable scenario, while a leak from the Wuhan virology labs was "extremely unlikely".

However, the investigation faced criticism for lacking transparency and access, and for not evaluating the lab-leak theory more deeplywith the United States upping the pressure ever since.

A WHO call last month for the investigation's second stage to include audits of the Wuhan labs infuriated Beijing, with vice health minister Zeng Yixin saying the plan showed "disrespect for common sense and arrogance towards science".

Data access critical: WHO

In a statement on advancing phase two of the studies, the WHO insisted the search was not "an exercise in attributing blame" or political point-scoring.

"The next series of studies would include a further examination of the raw data from the earliest cases and sera from potential early cases in 2019," the UN agency said.

"Access to data is critically important for evolving our understanding of science."

The WHO said it was working with several countries that reported detection of SARS-CoV-2 in samples from 2019 stored biological specimens.

For example, it said, in Italy, it had facilitated an independent evaluation by international laboratories, which included the blind retesting of pre-pandemic blood samples.

"Sharing raw data and giving permission for the retesting of samples in labs outside of Italy reflects scientific solidarity at its best and is no different from what we encourage all countries, including China, to support so that we can advance the studies of the origins quickly and effectively," the WHO said.

Lab leak theory

After reading the phase one report, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus concluded that the probe into Wuhan's virology labs had not gone far enough.

Long derided as a right-wing conspiracy theory and vehemently rejected by Beijing, the hypothesis has been gaining momentum.

It was a favourite under former US president Donald Trump, but his successor Joe Biden is also keen to see this line of enquiry pursued.

"China and a number of other member states have written to WHO regarding the basis for further studies of the SARS-CoV-2 'lab hypothesis'," the WHO said.

"They have also suggested the origins study has been politicised, or that WHO has acted due to political pressure.

"In order to address the 'lab hypothesis', it is important to have access to all data and consider scientific best practice and look at the mechanisms WHO already has in place."

Row on report

It added that analysing and improving lab safety and protocols "including in China, is important for our collective biosafety and security".

Meanwhile Danish scientist Peter Ben Embarek, who led the international mission to Wuhan, said a lab employee infected while taking samples in the field falls under one of the likely hypotheses as to how the virus passed from bats to humans.

He told the Danish public channel TV2 that the suspect bats were not from the Wuhan region and the only people likely to have approached them were workers from the Wuhan labs.

He also revealed that up until 48 hours before the end of the mission, the international and Chinese scientists still could not even agree on mentioning the lab theory in the report.

Explore further WHO eyes China lab audits next in COVID origin probe

 2021 AFP
Researchers at Binghamton University scanned students' brains before and after eight weeks of meditation training. Credit: Binghamton University

Millions of people around the world seek mental clarity through meditation, most of them following or inspired by the centuries-old practices of Buddhism.

Anecdotally, those who meditate say it helps to calm their minds, recenter their thoughts and cut through the "noise" to show what really matters. Scientifically, though, showing the effects of meditation on the human brain have proved to be tricky.

A new study from Binghamton University's Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science tracked how practicing meditation for just a couple of months changed the brain patterns of 10 students in the University's Scholars Program.

The seed for the research came from a casual chat between Assistant Professor Weiying Dai and lecturer George Weinschenk, MA '01, Ph.D. '07, both from the Department of Computer Science.

Weinschenk is a longtime meditation practitioner whose wife worked as an administrator at the Namgyal Monastery in Ithaca, which is the North American seat of the Dalai Lama's personal monastery.

"I developed very close friendships with several of the monks," he said. "We would hang out together, and I even received instruction from some of the Dalai Lama's teachers. I took classes there, I read a lot and I earned a three-year certificate in Buddhist studies."

Dai has studied brain mapping and biomedical image processing, and while earning her Ph.D. at the University of Pittsburgh, she tracked Alzheimer's disease patients using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans.

"I'm interested in brain research to see how our brains are really functioning and how all different kinds of disease affect our brain," she said. "I really have zero medical training, but I pick up all this knowledge or background from reading the literature and talking with the experts."

The two faculty members had neighboring offices and shared a conversation one day about their backgrounds. Weinschenk mentioned that he had been asked to teach a semester-long class for the Scholars Program on meditation.

"I told Weiying, 'Yeah, meditation really can have a transformative effect on the brain,'" Weinschenk said. "She was a little skeptical, especially about whether such a short amount of time spent learning how to meditate, whether that would make any difference. She suggested we might be able to quantify such a thing with modern technology."

For the fall 2017 semester, Dai secured grant funding, and their collaboration began. Near the beginning of the semester, she took the participants to Cornell University for MRI scans of their brains. Weinschenk taught students how to meditate, told them to practice five times a week for 10 or 15 minutes, and asked them to keep a journal record of their practice. (The syllabus also included other lessons about the cultural transmissions of meditation and its applications for wellness.)

"Binghamton University Scholars are high achievers who want to do the things they are assigned and do well on them, so they didn't require much prompting to maintain a regular meditation routine," he said. "To guarantee objective reporting, they would relate their experiences directly to Weiying about how frequently they practiced."

The results, recently published in the journal Scientific Reports, show that meditation training led to faster switching between the brain's two general states of consciousness.

One is called the default mode network, which is active when the brain is at wakeful rest and not focused on the outside world, such as during daydreaming and mind-wandering. The other is the dorsal attention network, which engages for attention-demanding tasks.

The findings of the study demonstrate that meditation can enhance the brain connection among and within these two brain networks, indicating the effect of meditation on fast switching between the mind wandering and focusing its attention as well as maintaining attention once in the attentive state.

"Tibetans have a term for that ease of switching between statesthey call it mental pliancy, an ability that allows you to shape and mold your mind," Weinschenk said. "They also consider the goal of concentration one of the fundamental principles of self-growth."

Dai and Weinschenk are still parsing through the data taken from the 2017 MRI scans, so they have yet to test other Scholars Program students. Because Alzheimer's disease and autism could be caused by problems with the dorsal attention network, Dai is making plans for future research that could use meditation to mitigate those problems.

"I'm thinking about an elderly study, because this population was young students," she said. "I want to get a healthy elderly group, and then another group with early Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment. I want to see whether the changes in the brain from meditation can enhance cognitive performance. I'm writing the proposal and trying to attract the funds in that direction."

Though once skeptical about the subject, "I'm pretty convinced about the scientific basis of meditation after doing this study," she added. "Maybe I'll just go to George's class when he teaches it so that I can benefit, too!"

Explore further Meditation based on mental silence can strengthen brain networks of attention and executive control

More information: Zhang, Z. et al, Longitudinal effects of meditation on brain resting-state functional connectivity. Sci Rep (2021). Journal information: Scientific Reports Zhang, Z. et al, Longitudinal effects of meditation on brain resting-state functional connectivity.(2021). doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-90729-y
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

A recent study has linked weight fluctuationsor body mass index variabilityto higher risks of cardiovascular-related problems and early death in adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The findings appear in an upcoming issue of JASN.

Body mass index variability is associated with higher risks of developing heart conditions in the general population. Because cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in individuals with CKD, a team led by Dong Ki Kim, MD, Ph.D., Sehoon Park, MD, and Kyungdo Han, Ph.D. examined whether BMI variability may affect the prognosis of patients with kidney dysfunction.

The study included 84,636 patients with CKD who were listed in a national health screening database in South Korea. During a median follow-up of 4 years, 6% of individuals died, 4% needed kidney replacement therapy such as dialysis, 2% suffered a heart attack, and 3% suffered a stroke.

Compared with individuals with the lowest body mass index variability, those with the highest body mass index variability faced a 66% higher risk of dying, a 20% higher risk of needing kidney replacement therapy, a 19% higher risk of experiencing a heart attack, and a 19% higher risk of experiencing a stroke.

"This study showed that people who had kidney function impairment with recent fluctuating body mass index had a higher risk of cardiovascular disease or death, regardless of their current body mass index," said Dr. Kim, of Seoul National University Hospital. "This result suggests that people with kidney function impairment should pay attention to their fluctuating weight status, and those with fluctuating weight may benefit from receiving appropriate screening and risk factor management to prevent cardiovascular disease or progression of their kidney dysfunction."

The results were similar in the subgroups divided according to positive/negative trends in BMI during the exposure assessment period. In addition, variabilities in certain metabolic syndrome components were also significantly associated with the prognosis of predialysis CKD patients. Furthermore, those with a higher number of metabolic syndrome components with high variability had a worse prognosis.

Explore further Study links metabolic syndrome to poor health outcomes in adults with kidney disease

More information: "The Prognostic Significance of Body Mass Index and Metabolic Parameter Variabilities in Predialysis Chronic Kidney Disease: A Nationwide Observational Cohort Study," Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, 2021. Journal information: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology "The Prognostic Significance of Body Mass Index and Metabolic Parameter Variabilities in Predialysis Chronic Kidney Disease: A Nationwide Observational Cohort Study,", 2021.
Microscopic image of an HIV-infected T cell. Credit: NIAID

States with low initial use of HIV-prevention drugs are continuing to fall behind in usage among people at risk for the disease, a new study finds.

Researchers, clinicians and advocates had hoped that late-adopting states would see a surge in HIV prevention uptake once those states joined the prevention effort, but that's largely not the case, the new research shows. Instead, there are worsening disparities between states that backed the drugs early on and those that did not.

"The low PrEP uptake that we found is concerning because it means that people are not benefiting from an HIV-prevention medication that has been approved and available for almost a decade," said researcher Kathleen McManus, MD, of the University of Virginia School of Medicine. "The United States needs innovative interventions at the federal, state and clinic level in order to get PrEP to people who are at high risk of getting HIV."

Ending the HIV Epidemic

The federal government has set a goal of preventing 250,000 HIV infections over 10 years as part its "Plan to End the HIV Epidemic." Key to that are state and county-level partnerships to encourage use of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP. These drugs can prevent HIV infection among people at higher risk for HIV, such as people who have condomless sex and people who inject drugs.

PrEP has been available for nearly a decadethe federal Food and Drug Administration approved it in 2012. Yet usage remains low. Fewer than 20% of people who would benefit from it are taking it, public health officials estimate.

To better understand the progress of PrEP uptake, McManus and her colleagues at UVA Health compared the number of people with PrEP prescriptions in each state with the number of individuals who would benefit from the HIV-prevention drugs.

UVA researchers led by Kathleen McManus, MD, found that states with low initial use of HIV-prevention drugs are continuing to fall behind in usage among people at risk for the disease. Credit: Dan Addison/University of Virginia

They found the greatest jump in PrEP use between 2014 and 2018 was in the early-adopting Northeast, which saw an increase of 16.6%. That was followed by the Midwest (9.2%), the West (7.1%) and, finally, the South (7.0%). "Across all years, higher prevalence of PrEP use was significantly associated with greater increase in PrEP uptake in the following year," the researchers report in a new scientific paper.

"On average, every 5% of baseline usage was related to a 1.2% increase in uptake in the following year. This means that early adopters are having big gains and underperforming states are not catching up," said McManus, of UVA's Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health.

State-level uptake in 2014 ranged from Wyoming's 0.4% to Massachusetts' 8.3%, with a median uptake of 1.9%. Uptake in 2018 ranged from Wyoming's 2.4% to New York's 29.7%, with a median uptake of 9.6%. Massachusetts, New York and Connecticut were among the top five all years, while Idaho, Montana and Wyoming were among the lowest all years.

Virginia's PrEP uptake went from 1.8% in 2014 (putting it 32nd in the country) to 7.3% (43rd) in 2018.

The researchers acknowledge that there are many factors that contribute to PrEP uptake, and that those circumstances may vary by state. But they are encouraging late-adopting states to look at the policies implemented by states that have had successful roll-outs. For example, Iowa (an outlier among Midwestern states in its early adoption) has offered a telehealth program that could be useful in many rural localities, the researchers say. They also call for states to ensure there are not financial barriers or other obstacles impeding progress. (The researchers previously found that Affordable Care Act Qualified Health Plans in the South were almost 16 times more likely to require special authorization for PrEP compared with plans in the Northeast.)

"To End the HIV Epidemic, federal and state governments must close gaps by translating successful policies from early adopting states to late adopting states. Some considerations include facilitating local and state-level policy environments that reduce barriers to PrEP, expanding Medicaid in all states, Tele-PrEP programs and PrEP drug assistance programs modeled after AIDS Drug Assistance Programs. Clinicians can advocate for these changes to federal and state government," McManus said. "For the individual clinician, the take-home message is that all clinicians need to be looking for more opportunities to discuss PrEP with patients."

The researchers have published their findings in Open Forum Infectious Diseases.

Explore further State laws key to HIV prevention efforts

More information: Samuel D Powers et al, Worsening Disparities in State-Level Uptake of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Preexposure Prophylaxis, 20142018, Open Forum Infectious Diseases (2021). Samuel D Powers et al, Worsening Disparities in State-Level Uptake of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Preexposure Prophylaxis, 20142018,(2021). DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofab293
71% of actions due for delivery in first half of 2021 achieved

Progress on plan to build a justice system that works for everyone will be reported at year end, and plan will be updated for 2022

Justice Plan 2021 is making Ireland a safer and fairer place to live, work, visit and do business

August 12 2021

The Minister for Justice, Heather Humphreys, T.D., has today published the mid-year progress report on Justice Plan 2021.

Justice Plan 2021, which contains more than 230 actions, is the first in a series of annual plans setting out actions to build a justice system that works for everyone.

It also details how the Department of Justices goals and ambitions as set out in its Statement of Strategy for the years 2021-2023, A safe, fair and inclusive Ireland, will be achieved.

Commenting on the publication of the report today, Minister Humphreys said:

We are moving at pace on our ambition to build a justice system that works for everyone, and deliver on our strategic goals and ambitions. I look forward to seeing and feeling the impact of this transformative work on the justice sector and the people who interact with it.

I am pleased to report that of the 132 actions examined, 71% or 93 are achieved. 2021 has not been without its challenges, and it has been necessary to readjust the timelines for some actions but I am confident these will be delivered soon.

Significant achievements have been made to date across the cross-cutting areas of priority under the Justice Plan. The Department has:

Commenced Cocos Law to criminalise the distribution of intimate images without consent

Continued implementation of Supporting a Victims Journey: A plan to help victims and vulnerable witnesses in sexual violence cases

Published the landmark General Scheme of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill, which provides for wide-ranging and coherent reform of policing by improving the performance and accountability of policing and security services, and supporting the human rights of all people throughout Ireland to be and to feel safe in their communities. This is supporting implementation of A Policing Service for the Future to reform policing in Ireland

to reform policing in Ireland Driven community and cross-agency participation in a new approach to make communities safer. We have established pilot community safety partnerships in Dublin, Longford and Waterford

Agreed to set up a Community Safety Innovation Fund to support communities. It will reflect the success of An Garda Siochana and the Criminal Assets Bureau in seizing the proceeds of crime and will fund projects communities themselves know will help in improving their safety.

Published the Drogheda Implementation Plan, outlining 70 actions to improve community safety and wellbeing in Drogheda through greater co-operation by State agencies and others.

Introduced strong measures to tackle the cost of insurance, including bringing into operation new personal injuries guidelines and enacting and commencing the Criminal Justice (Perjury and Related Offences) Act 2021 to establish a statutory criminal offence for perjury and related offences.

Commenced the development of a scheme to regularise the immigration status of thousands of long-term undocumented people and their dependents. The Scheme is expected to open for applications before the end of the year.

Continued to work on drafting the new Family Law Bill to overhaul and modernise family law and the courts to ensure disputes can be settled in a less adversarial way, more sensitive to the needs of families.

Established the Parole Board on an independent statutory footing to take better account of the concerns of victims and survivors. Life-sentence prisoners must now serve 12 years before being considered for parole, compared to the previous 7 years

Enacted the Personal Insolvency (Amendment) Act 2021 and commencement of its main provisions. The Act makes urgent changes to the Personal Insolvency Act 2012 to help people who are struggling to pay their debts to have more effective access to personal insolvency processes and solutions, in particular in light of the COVID-19 pandemic

Published draft laws to introduce new, specific hate aggravated offences for crimes motivated by prejudice against protected characteristics

Published an independent audit conducted on how responsibility for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is segmented across different government departments and agencies.

Commenced a temporary system that enables applicants to complete their naturalisation process by signing a statutory declaration of loyalty to the State, thereby offering applicants the opportunity to complete their citizenship through the statutory declaration process while in person Citizenship Ceremonies are cancelled due to public health restrictions.

The Mid-Year Progress Report published provides an overview of the progress made in the first half of this year on the cross-cutting areas set out in the Justice Plan. Of the 132 actions and sub-actions examined and reported on in this progress report, over two thirds (71%, 93 actions) are achieved as of the end of Q2. 6 of the actions are categorised as ongoing  that is to say that while these actions are on track and no issues are arising, the nature of the action is that work will continue throughout the year to ensure its successful delivery. The remaining 25% (33) of actions are categorised as not yet achieved.

The plan, which adopts a digital first agenda, commits to:

Supporting and protecting victims of crime, and strengthening community safety

Supporting An Garda Siochana in completing its transformation to a world-class policing service as recommended by the Commission on the Future of Policing

Providing an equitable and accessible path to justice, including through a new family law system

Driving down costs of insurance and reducing legal fees to benefit businesses, consumers and communities

Delivering a fair and efficient immigration system for a digital age.

Implementing climate change action policies, in line with our national and international obligations and commitments.

Minister Humphreys continued

I commend the enthusiasm and dedication of the Departments leadership and staff in delivering on this ambitious programme of work which has met many Programme for Government commitments to date.

This work is making Ireland a safer and fairer place to live, work, visit and do business.

Justice Plan 2021 is incredibly ambitious and showcases the breadth and complexity of issues my Department is responsible for. We committed to publishing bi-annual progress reports and Government noted this one at its last meeting, which is useful to ensure our work is transparent, measurable and accountable

A further progress report will be published at the end of the year.

ENDS

Note to editors:

The full mid-year progress report on Justice Plan 2021 can be read at Department of Justice Action Plan 2021 Mid-Year Progress Report

Justice Plan 2021 can be found at http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Department_of_Justice_Action_Plan_2021.pdf/Files/Department_of_Justice_Action_Plan_2021.pdf

Other achievements to date:
THE PHILIPPINES has extended the travel ban on travelers from India and nine other countries until August 15 to prevent the further spread...
File: Three Amur leopard cubs in Nesles, southeastern Paris (AFP via Getty Images)

A rare Amur leopard cub was born at the Santa Barbara Zoo in California on 6 August, giving conservationists cause for celebration.

Amur leopards have been deemed one of the most endangered in the world by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Santa Barbara zoo officials say that they have been trying to breed these leopards for several years as part of their conservation efforts.

An Amur leopard named Ajax gave birth to her first cub at 4am, according to zoo officials. This is the first Amur cub born at the zoo in over 20 years.

The cub, named Marta, weighed 1.1 lbs at the time of its birth, said Dr Julie Barnes, vice president of the Santa Barbara zoo.

Based on video monitoring, the cub appeared strong and active after birth, Dr Barnes said.

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Ajax seems to be settling into motherhood well and is exhibiting good maternal behaviour so far, she was quoted by KSBY as saying.

She said the first week was a critical period for the cubs survival. The officials were worried initially as Marta didnt start nursing within the first 12 hours of her birth. But zoo officials now confirm that things are going well.

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On their Facebook page, the zoo announced that the Amur cub was named Marta by her premier foster feeder sponsors  Marta Holsman Babson and Henrietta Holsman Fore.

It also said that the birth of the cub was great news for the Amur leopard Species Survival Plan, which the zoo described as a programme to maintain the genetic diversity of threatened and endangered species in human care.

There are just under 100 Amur leopards remaining in the wild, in parts of Russia and China, with about 200 in human care.

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Dr Barnes said the mother and cub will remain behind the scenes for several months as they strengthen their bond.

After this period, Ajax and Marta will be in rotation with Kasha, the father, in spending time at their exhibit habitat, the zoo said in its Facebook post.

Zoo officials also said since Ajax is the most genetically valuable female Amur leopard in North America, this first cub will contribute valuable genetics to the population.

Story continues

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Editor

Zaldy Dandan is the recipient of the Best Editorial Writer Award of the Society of Professional Journalists, and the CNMI Humanities Award for Outstanding Contributions to Journalism. His three books are available on amazon.com
Recipients may access one site only to receive food once a month and must sign a form certifying that they are low-income. Monthly income limits are: one person, $2,445.96; two people, $3,311.54; three people, $4,177.13; and four people, $5,024.71.

Brown Bag Program: For seniors 60 years of age and older, Napa County residents, and low income. Please visit canv.org or contact the Food Bank at (707) 253-6128 for an application or information.

Food pantry locations: There are emergency food pantry locations throughout Napa County. Please call Napa Valley Food at (707) 253-6128 for locations and times or visit canv.org.

Food donations: Currently we are only accepting fresh produce donations. We are located at 1766 Industrial Way, Napa, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. 2:30 p.m.


BUENOS AIRES, Argentina  Argentina says it has begun to produce and distribute the Russian-developed Sputnik V vaccine.

Chief Cabinet Minister Santiago Cafeiro says more than 1 million doses of the vaccine will be produced by the local Laboratorios Richmond, calling it a reason for pride.

Argentina was the first country to authorize Sputnik V in December 2020 and the first to enter full production, although Mexico produced a pilot lot of the vaccine last month.

More than 6 million Argentines, most over 60, have received at least the first dose of Sputnik V. The government recently said those who had received a first shot of Sputnik V could use a different vaccine, from AstraZeneca or Moderna, as the second dose.

The large majority of the shots initially produced in Argentina will be of the first dose.

The government says 26.4 million of Argentinas nearly 45 million people have received a first dose of a vaccine, although only 10 million have received both.



WASHINGTON  The Biden administration is applauding the efforts of private employers, state governments and universities to require vaccination against COVID-19.
One of his first edicts from the governor's office was the fact he was not going to enforce the death penalty. The use of the death penalty has been affirmed by the voters of this state on more than one occasion. Obviously he has no problem ignoring the will of the people.

Since we are one of the highest taxed states in the nation with the highest tax on gasoline, why are we driving on roads that feel like we are on dirt roads with big chuck holes? Just ask those who are having to replace windshields from stones thrown up from deteriorating pavement. Where is this tax money going that is supposed to fix our roads?

Has crime increased in California? Yes, on a daily basis. Just follow Newsom's decision to give early release to felons from the state prisons so they don't get exposed to COVID. He didn't want those criminals to get COVID, so they were turned loose to victimize law-abiding citizens. So why weren't they kept in prison and told to wear masks like the rest of us? Oh, I forgot, Mr. Newsom and his pals at the party in Yountville were exempt from wearing masks. I still wonder if the taxpayers paid for that party. Perhaps the NVR could investigate that issue.
Grgich Hills forms a partnership with Morimoto

Grgich Hills Estate has released a new Cabernet Sauvignon label, Morimoto Dream, created in partnership with Chef Masaharu Morimoto, whose restaurant empire includes one in downtown Napa.

Violet Grgich, president of Grgich, said, My father, Mike Grgich, always told me to Every day do your best, learn something new, and make a friend. Our friendship with Chef Morimoto is based on mutual respect, both personally and professionally, and we are thrilled to combine our passions into this wonderful wine. Chef Morimoto was inspired to create the original artwork which graces the label and gives it such a personal touch.

Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help. Subscribe today! Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Napa Valley Register. Special offer: $1 for your first 6 months!

Miljenko Mike Grgich, a native of Croatia, immigrated to Napa Valley in the 1950s. In addition to crafting the winning Chardonnay of the Paris Tasting of 1976, his style and winemaking expertise established him as the King of Chardonnay. Now 98 years old, he continues to visit the winery and sign bottles for his fans.

Hiroshima-born Chef Morimoto began his culinary career at the age of 24 in Japan before moving to America five years later to pursue his vision of blending Japanese and Western ingredients. His cutting-edge style has gained him international praise.
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Desperate Afghans are trying to invade airport and seize empty buildings of embassies

Turkey evacuates top officials of defeated government of Afghanistan

Zakharova: Russia, Hungary FMs will discuss situation in Karabakh

Opposition vice-speaker of Armenia parliament: Issue of enclaves, Meghri corridor being discussed?

Dollar continues losing value in Armenia

Armenia government transfers about $1,163,600 to National Security Service

Armenia PM attends Eurasian Intergovernmental Council meeting in narrow format (PHOTOS)

Missing soldiers families on meeting with Armenia Security Service chief: We cant be satisfied until there are results

Armenia defense minister briefs ombudsman on situation related to finding 3 soldiers dead

14 million people in Afghanistan face severe hunger

Karabakh FM: Azerbaijan is attempting to rewrite history of Shushi

Armenia, Kyrgyzstan to intensify economic ties (PHOTOS)

Relative of Armenian missing soldier: Ask relatives which official has asked about their condition

Armenia PM paying working visit to Kyrgyzstan (PHOTOS)

Missing soldiers relatives meeting with Armenia National Security Service director

Armenia MOD asks not to disseminate false information about causes of incident of killed soldiers

559 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

12 killed at Kabul airport since Sunday

Russia peacekeepers in Artsakh provide drinking water to more than 200 families

Missing servicemens families protesting outside Armenia National Security Service building

Armenia MOD on reports about sabotage at military outpost: What happened has nothing to do with adversary

Shots fired in Yerevan, one injured (PHOTOS)

Armenia 1st deputy FM is appointed Security Council chief

Armenia parliament ex-speaker is appointed FM

Armenia MOD: 3 soldiers found dead at military outpost

Biden says chaos was inevitable in Kabul

Newspaper: There is mess within Armenia authorities

Deserter Afghanistan president's daughter enjoys bohemian lifestyle in New York

Yerevan police carry out intensified control nearby Constitutional Court

Singapore court sentences UK man to prison for refusing to wear face mask in public

Myanmar security forces kill more than 1,000 people

Russia's Putin discusses situation in Afghanistan with his Iranian counterpart
Russian peacekeepers ensured security during construction of a water pipeline in Nagorno-Karabakh, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reports.

A day before drilling and installation of a pumping station and tubes, servicemen of the humanitarian demining unit of the peacekeeping contingent demined the area and cleared it of hazardous objects.

We are currently clearing the area near the well so that we can ensure anti-fire safety. The transit water pipeline will ensure supply of water to the Karmir Shuka and Taghavard settlements. Nearly a thousand people will be provided with drinking water in Taghavard alone, and there are almost as many residents in Karmir Shuka, said Mkhitar Babayan, who is participating in the activities. Babayan added that there will be water next week and thanked the peacekeepers for ensuring occupational safety.

After the end of engineering works for construction of a water pipeline, drinking water will be provided to nearly 5,000 residents in the 10 settlements near Stepanakert.
Azerbaijan fired shots near the village of Arav in the Askeran region of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), about ten days ago. The village mayor, Andranik Ghazaryan, on Thursday told about this to Armenian News-NEWS.am.

The media write that on the early morning hours on Thursday, Azerbaijan opened fire at the Artsakh Defense Army positions near Arav village.

The village head said that no shots were heard in recent days. "The adversary fired about ten days ago. There were no [shots fired] yesterday, specifically. Shots were fired for five days. Those shots were heard at night, around 11pm," he said.

Andranik Ghazaryan added that there were no damages and affected as a result of these shootings.
YEREVAN.  Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Gnel Sanosyan received Asset Assavbayev, Secretary General of the Intergovernmental Commission of the Transport Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia (TRACECA) program, who is on a working visit to Armenia, the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

Sanosyan expressed a conviction that there are good opportunities for further development of regional transport communication within the framework of the TRACECA program, and stressed Armenia's readiness to implement them.

Assavbayev, in turn, presented the priorities of the TRACECA program, as well as the current and planned respective projects.

Also, the Armenian minister of territorial administration and infrastructure and the TRACECA Intergovernmental Commission chief discussed the avenues for deepening regional economic cooperation in the context of the development of transport communication between Armenia and regional countries within the framework of the TRACECA program.
YEREVAN.  As of Thursday morning, 399 new cases of the coronavirus were confirmed in Armenia, and the total number of these cases has reached 233,400 in the country, the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

Also, five more deaths from COVID-19 were registered, making the respective total 4,669 cases.

Two more cases of coronavirus patients dying from some other illnesses were recorded in Armenia in the past one day, and the corresponding overall death toll in the country is 1,131 now.

The number of people who have recovered over the past one day is 190, the total respective number so far is 221,919, and the number of people currently being treated is 5,681.

And 6,447 COVID-19 tests were conducted in Armenia over the past one day, while 1,415,538 such tests have been performed to date.
The call of the [OSCE Minsk Group] co-chairs to refrain from provocative actions and statements is also unequivocally acceptable to us. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated this at Thursdays regular Cabinet meeting of the government of the Republic of Armenia (RA).

"At the government session on July 29, I outlined the vision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia on the steps of de-escalation of the situation, establishing long-term stability and peace in our region, as well as stressed the readiness of the Republic of Armenia to work in this regard with international partners. On July 29, the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs also issued a statement, the key message of which was to take steps aimed at reducing tensions along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, and to call on Azerbaijan and Armenia to refrain from provocative steps and statements. On July 30, the RA Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement welcoming the statement of the Co-Chairs, thus expressing the commitment of the Republic of Armenia to resume peace talks under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs. The call of the co-chairs to refrain from provocative actions and statements is also unequivocally acceptable to us. It is obvious that the observance of this condition is of key importance for creating a favorable negotiating atmosphere and environment. If the issue of traceability of provocative statements is not a big problem, the issue of the party initiating provocative actions and ceasefire violations always gives rise to debates," Pashinyan said.

According to him, the identification of the party initiating the ceasefire violations and the targeted condemnation of those provocative actions are essential for the further de-escalation and stabilization of the situation. "It is difficult to imagine without launching an international monitoring mechanism. I have said that I believe this should be a CSTO observation mission, if it is not acceptable for the CSTO, the alternative remains the observation mission of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship," Pashinyan said.

Returning to the call of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs to resume peace talks with Azerbaijan, Pashinyan stressed that Armenia is ready to be involved in the negotiation processat both the high and the highest levels. "We are waiting for concrete proposals. The mandate received from our people to open an era of peaceful development for Armenia, Artsakh [(Nagorno-Karabakh)], and the region puts a special responsibility on the government. To solve this problem we must be as active and flexible as possible. Our mood and disposition should be the following: to do the utmost to solve the problems on the agenda. Of course, there are issues that can be resolved faster. There are issues that need a longer time to resolve. One of such issues, which I believe can be solved quite quickly, is the opening of regional communications, the regional unblocking agenda. I believe we should start as soon as possible the work in the trilateral format of the [Armenian, Russian, and Azerbaijani] deputy prime ministers, be more active and proactive in terms of implementing new communication and economic opportunities in the region, he said.

Nikol Pashinyan said that their position on the demarcation and delimitation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border is unchanged. "We believe that the work in that regard should also be intensified," he added.

The Armenian PM noted that further deepening of the atmosphere of hostility and enmity in the region is inadmissible. "It is a threat not only to our region, but also to international security. We saw the manifestations of the deepening of the atmosphere of hostility in the example of the park that opened in [the Azerbaijani capital] Baku, which is an insult to our region and regional civilization. Deepening or normalizing relations with neighboring countries will be one of the important directions of the [Armenian] government's foreign policy. Sadly, some forces are trying to present Armenia's intentions in the wrong light, saying that the RA has declared the reform of the armed forces a priority in the context of pursuing an aggressive policy towards bordering countries. The Republic of Armenia, like any peace-loving state, will develop and transform its armed forces not to aggression, but to defend itself from possible aggression. We have no intention to conquer territories, our intention is to defend our sovereignty and territorial integrity," Nikol Pashinyan concluded.
YEREVAN.  The Minister of Economy of Armenia, Vahan Kerobyan, on Wednesday received a group of representatives of Lufthansa airline of Germany, the Ministry of Economy informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

During the meeting the prospects and avenues for cooperation with Lufthansa were discussed, and the priorities of the tourism sector for Armenia were emphasized.

Highlighting the intensification of Armenia-Germany business ties, Kerobyan noted that there are great opportunities and prospects for the development of cooperation between the two countries in the tourism sector.

The Lufthansa representatives, in their turn, noted that Armenia is a preferred tourism destination for German tourists, and therefore they are interested in using the opportunity to bring tourists to Armenia and are ready to cooperate in organizing and conducting respective marketing campaigns.

During the meeting, the issue of establishing a Lufthansa hub in Gyumrithe second-largest city in Armeniaand the possibility of carrying out Lufthansa flights from the Gyumri international airport was discussed, too.
YEREVAN.  We cannot have an unblocking without the construction of infrastructure because we have sections where the previous railway network does not exist, a new one must be built. Gnel Sanosyan, the Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of Armenia, told this to reporters after Thursdays government session.

"If it is decided that a railway shall be operated, it will pass through Nakhichevan, Meghri. Demarcation and delimitation [of borders] is quite a long process. For some reason, we [Armenia] are constantly talking about concessions, but we are not talking about the fact that in case of that phenomenon, some of our territories may be conceded to us. First, I would talk about Artsvashen [village]. Why do you think we can constantly talk about Tigranashen [village], but not about Artsvashen? If we look [at them] geographically, they are quite similar," he said, referring to the possible delimitation.

According to Sanosyan, he has received a very good legacy from ex-Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Suren Papikyan, who now serves as Deputy Prime Minister. "The government could have made much bigger projects if our construction companies had the capacity. Now we are going to start big construction works, and we are afraid that the [insufficient] capacity of [Armenias] construction companies may cause a problem," the minister said, recalling Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's proposal to involve international construction companies in construction works in Armenia.

Regarding the of Amulsar gold mine project, Gnel Sanosyan noted that there are issues that need to be reviewed, but they need to use the natural resources, taking into account the environmental issues, too.
The German world-famous Lufthansa airline is entering the civil aviation market of Armenia.

As "Armenia" International Airports" CJSC CEO Marcelo Wende told reporters, this cooperation with one of the most prestigious and reliable airlines in the world will create new opportunities for the people of Armenia; in particular, they can travel to 280 destinations in 100 countries.

According to him, also thanks to this cooperation, more tourists will come to Armenia. The number of tourists coming to the country from the US and the EU countries has been growing every year since 2012.

Moreover, this cooperation will have a positive impact on Armenias economy, too.

For his part, Peter Pullem, Head of Sales in Central, Eastern Europe, Russia, CIS and Israel at Lufthansa Group, said the latter now operates 534 of its 700 aircrafts and flies to 275 destinations.

In turn, Rene Koinzack, General Manager of Sales in Ukraine, Belarus, Turkmenistan and the South Caucasus at Lufthansa Group, said that several Lufthansa Group airlines already operate flights to and from Armenia. In particular, a few days ago it was reported that Eurowings will conduct direct flights to and from Armenia, giving its passengers the opportunity to fly from Cologne and Bonn to the Armenian capital Yerevan for the first time.

According to Koinzack, various Lufthansa Group airlines are expected to operate 16 flights a week to and from Yerevan.

Initially, Lufthansa intends to operate three flights a week between Frankfurt and Yerevan. Later, new flights will be operated between Yerevan, Vienna, Brussels, Cologne, and Frankfurt.
STEPANAKERT.  In the early morning hours on Thursday, units of the Azerbaijani armed forces tried to cross the line of contact between the Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) and Azerbaijani opposing forces in the western part of Artsakh, the latters Defense Army informed in a statement.

As a result of the counteractions of the Defense Army, however, this attempt was prevented and the adversary was driven back to its initial positions.

There are no losses from the Armenian side.

The command of the Russian military contingent carrying out a peacekeeping mission in Artsakh was immediately informed about this Azerbaijani provocation.
Yesterday the Investigative Committee of Armenia submitted a petition to the Court of General Jurisdiction of Armavir Province in the city of Armavir asking the Court to render a decision on choosing two-month custody as a pre-trial measure against 35-year-old citizen of Spain Arman M.

According to shamshyan.com, after holding a closed-door court hearing and returning from the consultation room, Judge Adrine Ghukasyan granted the investigators motion and chose arrest as a pre-trial measure against Arman M.

Arman M. was transported from the courtroom to Armavir Penitentiary Institution of the Penitentiary Service of the Ministry of Justice of Armenia.

On August 8, a murder took place in Armavir Province. At around 6:50 a.m. Vagharshapat Medical Center called the local police station in Etchmiadzin and reported that two citizens had been transferred to the medical center with bodily injuries.

Police and investigators found out that the injured persons were citizens of Etchmiadzin Shoghakat Grigoryan, 72, and Sargis Minasyan, 64.

The alleged suspect who, as a lessee, was residing in the house of the citizens, is 35-year-old Arman M., who is a citizen of Spain and had returned to Armenia months ago.
YEREVAN.  Zhoghovurd newspaper of the Republic of Armenia (RA) writes: According to the Zhoghovurd dailys information, the NSS [(National Security Service)] has questioned Judge Davit Harutyunyan of Yerevan city. He was questioned in the case of Judge Davit Grigoryan's decision of May 18, 2019 to commute the pretrial detention of RA second President Robert Kocharyan and apply personal bond.

The thing is that Facebook user Artak Galstyan () had made a post that this decision was [actually] written by Judges Mkhitar Papoyan, Vazgen Rshtuni and Arshak Vardanyan instead of Davit Grigoryan.

Mkhitar Papoyan had submitted a report on his being defamed, on the basis of which a criminal case was initiated in the NSS under Article 344, Section 2 of the RA Criminal Code; that is, defamation of a judge. As a result, this case has become the basis for wiretapping Davit Harutyunyan.

However, it should be noted that the court has recorded that Judge Davit Harutyunyan was wiretapped illegally, and the information received as a result of the transcript of the judge's telephone conversations as a result of the wiretapping was declared inadmissible and deleted. And here, Judge Davit Harutyunyan has been questioned twice by the NSS in the framework of this case.

In a conversation with Zhoghovurd daily, Judge Davit Harutyunyan said: "They did not call [me] for questioning directly, but according to the requirements of the Judicial Code, as in all cases the SJC [(Supreme Judicial Council)] was informed as a formality, and we agreed on the place and time of the questioning with the investigator. I was questionedfirst as a witnessand finally, weeks agoas an injured party."
Story Highlights 16% say they have smoked any cigarettes in past week, near record-low 15%

6% say they have vaped in past week, including 17% of 18- to 29-year-olds

72% of smokers would like to give up smoking

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The percentage of Americans who smoke cigarettes remains steady near its lowest point. The 16% of U.S. adults who currently say they have smoked any cigarettes in the past week is statistically the same as the 15% record low in 2019.

Line graph. Percentage of Americans who say they have smoked any cigarettes in the past week, trend since 1944. Currently, in 2021, 16% of U.S. adults say they have smoked cigarettes in the past week. The previous reading, in 2019, was 15%, the lowest on record. The reading has not been over 19% since 2015.

Gallup has tracked Americans' cigarette use since 1944, including annual measures in most years since 1985. Between 1944 and 1974, at least 40% of U.S. adults said they had smoked any cigarettes within the past week, including a high of 45% in 1954. However, by the late 1970s, television smoking ads had been banned and antismoking campaigns and nonsmokers' rights groups became more prevalent, likely contributing to a decline in smoking.

By 1977, Americans' self-reports of smoking had fallen below 40%, and they remained there through 1988. After that, smoking rates dropped to between 20% and 29% for more than two decades. During this period, there was increased government regulation of the "Big Tobacco" companies and many lawsuits against them. Since 2015, the U.S. smoking rate has been consistently below 20%.

In addition to the 16% of U.S. adults who currently smoke cigarettes, another 23% say they previously smoked cigarettes on a regular basis. The combined 39% of Americans who have ever regularly smoked cigarettes is down from 53% in 1994, the first year Gallup measured prior smoking behavior.

Just as the percentage of Americans who smoke has fallen over the past three decades, so too have the number of cigarettes that U.S. smokers say they smoke each day. Since 1999, majorities of smokers have reported they smoke less than one pack a day. Currently, 67% say they smoke less than one pack of cigarettes per day. This is lower than the last reading, 74%, in 2019, which tied the record high.

Line graph. Americans' self-reported daily use of cigarettes, trend since 1944. Currently, 67% of U.S. adults who have smoked cigarettes in the past week say they smoke less than one pack of cigarettes, 25% smoke one pack and 6% smoke more than one pack. The percentage who say they smoke less than one pack per day has been rising since the late 1990s.

Another Gallup trend among smokers finds that broad majorities (ranging from 58% to 82%) since 1977 have said they would like to give up smoking. Currently, 72% of U.S. adults who smoke want to kick the habit.

While there are numerous smoking cessation methods, some people have substituted vaping, which is the use of e-cigarettes, for conventional cigarettes. This method of quitting smoking is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Gallup previously measured Americans' use of e-cigarettes in 2019. The latest reading finds 6% of U.S. adults saying they have vaped in the past week, which is roughly the same as the 8% who said so in 2019.

Greatest Differences in Smoking, Vaping Behaviors by Age, Income, Education

Although vaping is much less common than conventional cigarette smoking, Americans who smoke or vape are more likely to have lower annual household incomes (below $40,000) and lower educational attainment (high school or less). Twenty-eight percent of both lower-income adults and those with a high school education or less smoke cigarettes, and 10% of each group vapes.

Vaping is most popular with young adults aged 18-29, while conventional smoking is most popular with those aged 30-64. Young Americans are slightly more likely to say they vape (17%) than smoke conventional cigarettes (14%), while those in all other major demographic groups are more likely to smoke cigarettes than vape.

Americans' Smoking Behavior, by Subgroup % Who have smoked in the past week Smoked any cigarettes Smoked e-cigarettes (vaped) % % U.S. adults 16 6 Gender Male 17 7 Female 15 5 Age group 18-29 14 17 30-49 20 5 50-64 19 2 65+ 10 * Annual household income Less than $40,000 28 10 $40,000-$99,999 12 4 $100,000 or more 8 3 Education High school or less 28 10 Some college 13 5 College graduate 6 4 Postgraduate 5 1 * Less than 0.5% GALLUP, July 6-21, 2021

Bottom Line

Americans' self-reported use of cigarettes has fallen sharply over the past two decades and remains near its lowest point on record. Fewer Americans smoke; an increasing number have never smoked; and most of those who do smoke use less than one pack of cigarettes a day. Furthermore, the broad majority of smokers would like to quit smoking, and recent Gallup trends indicate that about one-quarter of U.S. adults are former smokers who have successfully quit.

Still, smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S., and it kills more than 480,000 Americans per year.

Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that vaping is less harmful than cigarette smoking, it is still not considered one of the safest ways to quit smoking. The appeal of vaping to young Americans is particularly concerning, given that it can still cause serious negative health effects.

To stay up to date with the latest Gallup News insights and updates, follow us on Twitter.

Learn more about how the Gallup Poll Social Series works.

View complete question responses and trends (PDF download).
Judges blast DOJ for allowing 'manifest injustice'

The Court of Appeal says the authorities must address various issues arising from the case to avoid future miscarriages of justice. Photo: RTHK

Jimmy Choi reports

Three Court of Appeal judges have launched a scathing attack on the Department of Justice (DOJ) for the manifest injustice it allowed in a drugs trafficking case that saw a man wrongly convicted and jailed.



Ma Ka-kin was 20 years old in 2016 when he allowed a former colleague to use his home address to receive a parcel from Brazil. Ma never even saw the package which contained around a kilogramme of cocaine, merely handing a delivery collection card to another person as instructed.



But in 2019, a jury found him guilty of trafficking dangerous drugs and he was jailed for 23 years. After spending five years behind bars  including time on remand  the court has now quashed Ma's conviction.



In a written judgement, Justices Andrew Macrae, Derek Pang and Kevin Zervos noted that Ma had at first indicated he would plead guilty to the charge. But this was only after he had received "legal advice" from a law firm clerk who it turned out had a string of convictions of his own  including for rape, attempted rape, robbery, burglary, blackmail and escape from lawful custody.



Ma had been referred to the law firm in question by the brother of the ex-colleague who roped him into the affair, Hung Chi-him.



Hung was initially a co-defendant in the case, but the prosecution decided to drop all charges against him.



Justices Macrae, Pang and Zervos noted that the trial judge, Andrew Chan, had spoken of his "unease and discomfort" with the case and its "dubious" factual background. A conviction would be absurd, Chan had gone as far as saying at one point.



The three judges asked how someone with a criminal record as long as the law firm clerk did was able to visit, let alone advise, somebody in custody.



They also criticised the prosecution for the manifest injustice they had allowed to take place.



"The prosecution appears to have traded the opportunity to pursue a case which it could and should have followed up against the organiser of the offence, for a conviction of someone who was minimally involved and may have been innocent," the judges wrote.



Hung was clearly more involved in the offences than Ma who was of good character, they said.



Yet the prosecution seems to have been far more interested in getting a plea of guilty, wherever it came from, and whatever the respective culpability of those involved."



The judges also called on the authorities to address various issues to avoid future miscarriages of justice, including whether the trial judges concerns about the propriety of the prosecution were properly and fully conveyed to senior officials in the DOJ, and why the case against Hung was dropped.



Hong Kong University legal scholar Eric Cheung  who helped Ma with his appeal  said it is very rare for the courts to overturn a conviction in this manner.



Cheung said the government does offer compensation for people who are wrongly imprisoned, but successful applications are also very rare.



In response to the judgement, the Law Society said lawyers are not allowed to hire or pay anyone convicted of dishonesty offences for their legal services without the permission of the society.



The society added that it regularly publishes non-exhaustive lists of such convicted persons bound by the relevant laws to its members, and law firms should carry out background checks on job candidates.



It stressed that lawyers alleged to have breached the relevant provisions will be investigated in accordance with established procedures, and cases will be transferred to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal if necessary.
A 17-year-old has died after being shot Wednesday near the intersection of East Main and South Elm streets in Durham, police said Thursday.

Officers responded to a shooting in the 900 block of East Main Street shortly after 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, the Durham Police Department said in a news release.

They found the teenager, whose name has not been released, in the parking lot of a convenience store. He was taken to a hospital where he was later pronounced dead, police said.

Police have not identified a suspect, and no charges have been filed.

The location of the shooting is about a quarter of a mile east of Durham Police Department Headquarters.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Investigator Brinkley at 919-560-4440, ext. 29322, or CrimeStoppers at 919-683-1200.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Thousands of people are living in makeshift camps in Kabul after fleeing the Taliban insurgency

The Taliban seized the cities of Ghazni and Herat on Thursday, in the most dramatic string of captures since launching their offensive.

Taking the strategically important Ghazni increases the likelihood the Taliban could take the capital Kabul.

There is also heavy fighting in the second largest city, Kandahar.

The insurgents have moved at speed, seizing new territories almost daily, as US and other foreign troops withdraw after 20 years of military operations.

The city of Qala-I-Naw also fell to the Taliban, who now control about a third of the country's regional cities and most of northern Afghanistan. The group's rapid advance has dealt a crushing blow to government security forces.

Sources have told the BBC that Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand province, is also now in the hands of the Taliban, though this has not been confirmed.

Thousands of civilians have been displaced, fleeing to Kabul to try and escape the fighting.

Taking Ghazni is a significant gain due to its location - it is 150km (93 miles) from Kabul, and is on the major Kabul-Kandahar motorway, linking militant strongholds in the south to Kabul.

A provincial council member in the city told the BBC that the Taliban had taken most of the centre, with only a police base on the outskirts controlled by the Afghan security forces.

Herat, which has been under siege for weeks, is also a major win for the militants. It is Afghanistan's third largest city, lies on significant ancient trade routes and is seen as the gateway to Iran.

On Thursday, video on social media showed the insurgents running through a central Herat street firing their weapons, and the Taliban flag was seen flying over the police headquarters. A regional council member confirmed to the BBC that the city had fallen to the militants.

Meanwhile in Kandahar, once the Taliban's stronghold, heavy fighting was reported and the militants claimed to have taken over its prison and released all of the inmates, although this has not been confirmed.

Story continues

If Kandahar falls into militant hands, it will be the biggest loss yet for Afghan security forces.

"Life as we know it is getting harder day by day," a woman in Kandahar told the BBC, adding "both sides are just using us as pawns in their own power-hungry games".

The US embassy in Kabul said it was hearing reports that the Taliban was executing Afghan troops who were surrendering, saying it was "deeply disturbing and could constitute war crimes."

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The US said it was sending 3,000 troops to the airport in Kabul to help evacuate a "significant" amount of embassy staff on special flights.

The UK later said it was deploying about 600 troops on a short-term basis to provide support to British nationals leaving the country. The number of staff working at the British embassy in Kabul has abeen reduced to a core team.

More than 1,000 civilians have been killed in Afghanistan in the past month, according to the UN.

Just this week thousands of people from northern provinces have become internally displaced, travelling to Kabul to seek safety. An estimated 72,000 children arrived in the capital in recent days and are mostly sleeping on the streets, according to Save the Children.

Makeshift camps have been established on scrubland on the outskirts of the capital, while many others have reportedly been sleeping on the streets or in abandoned warehouses.

"We have no money to buy bread, or get some medicine for my child," a 35-year-old street vendor who fled Kunduz province after the Taliban set fire to his home told the BBC.

In response to the insurgency, the German government has threatened to end its annual financial support of $500m (360m) to Afghanistan if the Taliban gains complete control of the country.

Germany has also suspended the forced repatriation of Afghan citizens whose asylum applications have failed. The French and Danish governments said they would follow the same policy.

Map showing who is control of districts in Afghanistan

On Wednesday, Afghanistan replaced its army chief, General Wali Mohammad Ahmadzai, who had only been in the post since June.

Also on Wednesday, President Ashraf Ghani flew to the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif - traditionally an anti-Taliban bastion - to try to rally pro-government forces there.

Mazar-i-Sharif lies close to the borders with Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, and its loss would mark the complete collapse of government control over northern Afghanistan.

President Ghani held crisis talks in Mazar-i-Sharif with ethnic Uzbek warlord Abdul Rashid Dostum and prominent ethnic Tajik leader Atta Mohammad Noor about defending the city.

Mr Dostum, a veteran commander, was quoted as saying: "The Taliban have come to the north several times but they were always trapped."

For years, Mr Ghani tried to sideline the warlords in an attempt to boost the Afghan National Army, and now he is turning to them in his hour of need, the BBC's Ethirajan Anbarasan says. Earlier this week, the president also agreed to arm pro-government militia.

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PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP)  When Wahab disappeared from his home in Afghanistan to sign on for jihad, it was in neighboring Pakistan that he got his training.

The 20-year-old was recruited by childhood friends and was taken to a militant outpost in Parachinar, on Pakistans rugged mountainous border with Afghanistan. There, he underwent training, preparing to fight alongside the Afghan Taliban, a relative told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because of fear of reprisals from militants and government security agents.

As the Taliban swiftly capture territory in Afghanistan, many Afghans blame Pakistan for the insurgents success, pointing to their use of Pakistani territory in multiple ways. Pressure is mounting on Islamabad, which initially brought the Taliban to the negotiating table, to get them to stop the onslaught and go back to talks.

While analysts say Pakistans leverage is often overstated, it does permit the Taliban leadership on its territory and its wounded warriors receive treatment in Pakistani hospitals. Their children are in school in Pakistan and some among them own property. Some among Pakistans politicians have rebranded the insurgents as the new, civilized Taliban.

Ismail Khan, a powerful U.S.-allied warlord, who is trying to defend his territory of Herat in western Afghanistan from a Taliban onslaught, told local media recently the war raging in his homeland was the fault of Pakistan.

I can say openly to Afghans that this war, it isnt between Taliban and the Afghan Government. It is Pakistans war against the Afghan nation, he said. The Taliban are their resource and are working as a servant.

Pakistan has tried unsuccessfully to convince Afghans they dont want a Taliban government back in Afghanistan. They say the days of Pakistan seeing Afghanistan as a client state, to provide so-called "strategic depth against its hostile neighbor India, is a thing of the past.

Pakistans Prime Minister Imran Khan has told every public and private forum that Pakistan wants peace in Afghanistan, has no favorites in the battle and is deeply opposed to a military takeover by the Taliban.

Story continues

The countrys powerful army chief has twice walked out of meetings with the Taliban, frustrated at their intransigence and infuriated by what he sees as the Taliban's determination to return to full power in Afghanistan, according to senior security officials familiar with the meetings. The officials spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they had no authority to discuss the meetings.

Still, Afghans are unconvinced. Even the international community is skeptical. The United Nations last week rebuffed Pakistans request to address a special meeting on Afghanistan to again give its side.

The criticism is fueled by images of slain Taliban fighters being buried in Pakistan at funerals attended by hundreds, waving the groups flags. Last year, Prime Minister Khan called Osama bin Laden a martyr in a speech to Parliament, seen as a nod to militants.

When the Taliban were battling Afghan security forces in an assault on the Afghan border town Spin Boldak, wounded insurgents were treated at Pakistani hospitals in Chaman. The Taliban took the town and still hold it.

A doctor in Chaman told the AP he treated dozens of wounded Taliban. Several were transferred to hospitals in the Pakistani city of Quetta for further treatment, he said. Quetta is also where several in the Taliban leadership reportedly live, as well as in the Arabian Sea port city of Karachi. The doctor spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject.

In thousands of madrassas, or religious schools, around Pakistan, some students are inspired to jihad in Afghanistan, according to analysts as well as Pakistani and international rights groups.

Their recruitment largely goes on unhindered, interrupted occasionally when a local news story reports bodies of fighters returning from Afghanistan. Last month, Pakistani authorities sealed the Darul-Aloom-Ahya-ul Islam madrassa outside Peshawar after the body of the clerics nephew returned home to a heros burial. The madrassa had operated freely for decades, even as the cleric admitted he sent his students to fight in Afghanistan.

One of Wahabs cousins, Salman, went from a madrassa in Pakistan to join the Pakistani Taliban several years ago. Wahab was inspired to join the militants by propaganda videos purporting to show atrocities against Muslims by foreign troops. He ran away from his home in Afghanistans border regions earlier this year, but his family was able to track him down in Pakistan and bring him home before he became a fighter, his relative said.

In mosques and on the streets in Pakistans northwest Khyber Pukhtunkhwa province, militants preach jihad and raise money, the relative said, though they are less aggressive in recruiting because of Pakistani military operations in the area in recent years.

Still, Amir Rana, executive director of the independent Pakistan Institute of Peace Studies, said that unless Pakistani authorities adopt a zero tolerance for jihadis, the country will forever face international criticism and suspicion. Justifying it has to stop, he said.

In response to AP's request for comment, a senior security official acknowledged that sympathies for extremists exist in conservative Pakistan. He said it began with a U.S.-backed program to motivate Afghans to fight the Soviets in the 1980s, which glorified jihad and portrayed the occupying troops as godless communists." He said Pakistan is firm it doesn't want a Taliban-only government in Kabul, saying it would fan extremism.

Two security officials denied that jihadi groups in the border region receive any official help. They said a nearly completed fence being built by Pakistan along the long border with Afghanistan will stop the smuggling of fighters across. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment.

Pakistan has its own concerns, accusing Afghanistan of harboring militants opposed to the Islamabad government. Pakistani security officials say their country's rival India is allowed by Kabul's intelligence agency to stage covert attacks against Pakistan using militants in Afghanistan. In the last six months, they say more than 200 Pakistani military personnel have been killed by insurgents crossing the border,

The border, known as the Durand Line, speaks to the deeply troubled relationship between the two neighbors. To this day, Afghan leaders do not recognize the Durand Line and claim some Pakistani areas dominated by ethnic Pashtuns as Afghan territory, Pashtuns on both sides of the border share tribal links, and Afghan Pashtuns form the backbone of the Taliban.

Analysts say Islamabad has fueled extremist sentiment and worked with militants when it was in its interests. It was during the long fight against the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan that Pakistan's powerful intelligence agency developed deep ties with many of the most radical of Afghans, including the notorious Haqqani group, arguably the strongest faction among the Afghan Taliban.

Islamabad does wield extensive leverage over the Taliban, said Michael Kugelman, deputy director of the Asia Program at the Washington-based Wilson Center. But the Taliban, which is fighting a war it believes its winning, has the luxury of resisting Pakistani entreaties to ease violence and commit to talks.

For the Taliban, the calculus is simple: Why quit when youre ahead?
Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett denied an opportunity to a group of students who asked the high court to block Indiana University's COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

Barrett, longtime Indiana resident and a Trump appointee, issued no explanation Thursday in declining to refer the students' emergency application for an injunction against the mandate to the full court for review.

The eight applicants appealed their suit seeking to stop the university's vaccine mandate to the high court after losing in the federal district and appellate court.

SAN FRANCISCO TO REQUIRE PROOF OF FULL COVID-19 VACCINATION FOR INDOOR RESTAURANTS, BARS, AND GYMS

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The mandate, announced on May 21, requires all students, faculty, and staff to get the vaccine. Students who fail to comply would face "strong consequences," including the cancellation of their class registration, termination of university ID cards, and restrictions on participation in school activities, according to court documents.

The students argued the mandate runs contrary to the conditions of the vaccines' authorizations under emergency use and insisted their objections were "based on legitimate concerns including underlying medical conditions, having natural antibodies, and the risks associated with the vaccine."

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Numerous university systems around the country have mandated that students, faculty, and staff be vaccinated, with some announcing requirements for the shots well before the surge in infections attributed to the delta variant of COVID-19.

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Tags: News, Supreme Court, Amy Coney Barrett, Vaccination, Indiana, Coronavirus, Law

Original Author: Jeremy Beaman

Original Location: Amy Coney Barrett declines request for Supreme Court to block Indiana University vaccine mandate
An animation artist created a video satire of Disney's "It's a Small World" ride, called "It's a Woke World After All," showing the world overrun with left-wing rioters and anti-white propaganda.

The video is shot from the perspective of someone on the classic Disney ride, but instead of cheerful international children singing and dancing, the video shows a dark, "woke" future.

"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, welcome to 'It's a Woke World,'" an announcer says over a speaker before the boat enters the ride.

TRUMP WANTS TO REPLACE OLYMPIC 'WOKESTERS' WITH 'PATRIOTS'

The "It's a Small World" tune begins to play, but with much different lyrics.

"It's a world of privilege, in boats that are cramped. Welcome to Disneys reeducation camp. So if your skin is white, it is time youre contrite  it's a woke world after all," the song goes, as the rider passes Chinese Communist Party propaganda and children sitting in a classroom with "All Whites Are Racist" written on a chalkboard.

A miniature Disney park entrance is seen with "equitable" ticket prices based on the race of the guests entering. Next, viewers see the "Oppression Hall of Fame," featuring LeBron James and Collin Kaepernick.

The ride travels into a Communist China area, showing sweatshops, a graveyard for the "millions" of victims of the CCP's genocide, and Uyghurs marching through a concentration camp.

The Wuhan Institute of Virology also makes an appearance, with scientists playing volleyball with a cell of the coronavirus.

"There is a land where you once lived free as a capitalist pig of the bourgeoisie. We could eat til were fat and would vote Democrat if we just get past that wall," the song continues. "Were all Marxists after all. It's a woke world after all."

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The ride passes illegal immigrants wearing "Biden please let us in" shirts climbing over the southern border wall. The ride concludes showing antifa militants burning down a city with Molotov cocktails along with Black Lives Matter graffiti painted on a wall.

The creator of the animation, a Twitter user named PolitiZoid, tweeted a statement along with the video: "Walt [Disney] was a patriot. He would be appalled at the current state of his once great company. Its time for the regular folks to stand up to corporatism."

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Original Author: Matthew Miller

Original Location: Animator creates 'It's a Woke World After All' Disney spoof
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez revelo en una entrevista con CNN que temia ser violada durante los disturbios en el Capitolio. (CNN)

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has spoken out against Rand Paul and other congressional members who have bought and sold stocks while in politics.

It is absolutely wild that members of Congress are still allowed to buy and sell individual stock. It shouldnt be legal, she said in a tweet on Thursday.

Weve introduced legislation to end the practice, but as one can imagine its a very uphill battle to pass, the New York congresswoman added. This shouldnt even be controversial though!

The statement came after Senator Rand Paul, a Republican of Kentucky, revealed that his wife bought stock in a company that makes a drug to treat Covid-19 back in February 2020. But Mr Paul waited more than a year to disclose that information to the public.

Mr Paul made a mandatory filing to the Senate that showed his wife purchased between $1,000 to $15,000 of stock in Gilead on 26 February, 2020.

Gilead makes the antiviral drug Remdesivir, which became the first to receive emergency use authorisation from the Food and Drug Administration in May 2020 to help treat those with Covid.

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The STOCK Act, which was enacted in 2012 to address congressional insider trading, requires members of Congress to disclose their trades within 45 days. Mr Paul submitted his disclosure 16 months past that deadline.

A spokesperson for the congressman told CNN he waited to disclose the investment because the initial filing wasnt properly transmitted.

Last year Dr Paul completed the reporting form for an investment made by his wife using her own earnings, an investment which she has lost money on. This was done in the appropriate reporting time window, spokesperson Kelsey Cooper said.

In the process of preparing to file his annual financial disclosure for last year, he learned that the form was not transmitted and promptly alerted the filing office and requested their guidance. In accordance with that guidance he filed both reports today.

The news of the filing has spared swift backlash for the senator, both among his congressional colleagues and with the public.

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The senator ought to have an explanation for the trade and, more importantly, why it took him almost a year and a half to discover it from his wife, James Cox, a law professor at Duke University, told The Washington Post, which first reported on Pauls disclosure.

Already the coronavirus pandemic has put a spotlight on congressional members and their stock portfolios.

The Justice Department investigated several members of Congress who sold off their stocks in January and February 2020 ahead of the stock market falling over the pandemic. Those probes have since been closed.
Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis at the annual Breakthrough Prize ceremony in 2017. Peter Barreras/Invision/AP

Ashton Kutcher posted a video of himself and Mila Kunis bathing their children.

In the video, the pair mock the ongoing debate about celebrity hygiene habits.

"You're putting water on the children! Are you trying to melt them?" Kutcher said in the video.

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Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis have re-entered the controversial debate they started surrounding celebrity hygiene.

On Wednesday, Kutcher posted a clip on Instagram of himself and Kunis during bath time with their children alongside the caption, "This bathing thing is out of hand. #KutcherBathroomTalks." And in the video, the pair appeared to mock the ongoing debate that was started by their admission earlier this month that they only wash their children when they "see the dirt on them."

"You're putting water on the children! Are you trying to melt them?" Kutcher said in the video as he laughed along with Kunis. "This is ridiculous! What's going on?"

Kunis satirically responded: "We're bathing our children."

"That's like the fourth time this week," Kutcher said in response.

"It's too much," Kunis agreed, to which Kutcher concluded: "Their body oils are gonna be destroyed! What are you trying to do?"

Kutcher and Kunis initially revealed that they do not bathe their children every day, and limit soap for themselves during an episode of Dax Shepard's "Armchair Expert" podcast. During the episode, Kutcher said: "Now, here's the thing: If you can see the dirt on them, clean them. Otherwise, there's no point."

Kunis added: "I don't wash my body with soap every day. But I wash pits and tits and holes and soles."

Kutcher said he washed only his "armpits and crotch daily and nothing else ever."

"I have a tendency to throw some water on my face after a workout just to get all the salts and the whatever out," he said, adding: "I got a bar of Lever 2000 that just delivers every time. Nothing else."

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Jake Gyllenhaal joined the debate saying he finds bathing to be "less necessary." Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images/Jesse Grant/Getty Images

Ever since that podcast episode made headlines, a host of celebrities have voluntarily shared their own bathing habits.

During an appearance on The View with her husband Dax Shepard, "The Good Place" actor Kristen Bell said that she is a "big fan of waiting for the stink" when it comes to washing her children.

"Once you catch a whiff, that's biology's way of letting you know you need to clean it up. There's a red flag," she said. "Honestly, it's just bacteria; once you get bacteria you gotta be like: 'Get in the tub or the shower.' So I don't hate what [Kutcher and Kunis] are doing. I wait for the stink."

The pair continued to say "Sometimes five, six days go along" where they "forget" to wash their children.

A few days later, actor Jake Gyllenhaal told Vanity Fair that he has become increasingly disillusioned with showering and he believes not bathing could help with "skin maintenance."

"More and more I find bathing to be less necessary, at times," the 40-year-old actor told the publication.

"There's a whole world of not bathing that is also really helpful for skin maintenance, and we naturally clean ourselves," he continued.

Daniel Ganjian, a pediatrician at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, California, recently told Kelly Burch for Insider that celebrities who have spoken about not bathing their kids every day could be on to something.

"Our body makes natural oils to protect our hair and skin," he said. "It's good to keep those natural oils going."

The American Academy of Dermatology's guidelines currently recommends that children aged 6 to 11 should bathe at least once or twice a week. Some geneticists have also said young children require some exposure to dirt and small doses of infections to develop their immune systems.

The academy's guidelines say that teens, however, should shower or bathe daily.

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The Biden administration is intensely scrutinizing coronavirus vaccines' effectiveness over time, facing the daunting task of timing booster shots right while still convincing the unvaccinated that getting the jab is worthwhile.

The bottom line: The vaccines still work incredibly well at protecting against severe disease and death, meaning the benefits of getting vaccinated are immense. But it's less clear how well they're working at preventing infection, which has huge public health implications with so many Americans still unvaccinated.

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I think everybody believes this wanes over time, the question is to what extent, a senior Biden official said. Nobody wants to be behind the eight-ball here. We want to catch it before theres an issue, and thats why there is very intense scrutiny.

But getting the timing right won't be easy, especially without better data than we have now.

By the time we have the data that efficacy is declining, were already behind, said a person close to the administration. A public health decision can be made on imperfect data. So are you waiting for a ton of breakthrough cases and a ton of death and disease before you boost everyone? Thats not a good idea.

Where it stands: All of the vaccines continue to offer almost 100% protection against death, and extremely strong protection against serious illness. Those findings have stayed consistent across the whole world.

But a growing body of research shows that the vaccines are losing some potency against milder infections.

At an individual level, thats not a huge deal. But on a population level, it has tremendous consequences, as the data also suggests that people with breakthrough cases can effectively transmit the virus.

More transmission means more disease among the unvaccinated, and more disease among the unvaccinated means  as were seeing play out in the South  increasingly overwhelmed health systems.

And, ultimately, the more the virus spreads, the more likely it is that new variants emerge.

Details: Specific numbers vary from study to study and country to country, but directionally, there seems to be a clear trend:

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Preliminary findings from the Mayo Clinic, which have not yet been peer-reviewed, show that the Pfizer vaccine is preventing significantly fewer infections now than it was before the Delta variant became dominant in the U.S. The same study found a smaller drop in the Moderna vaccines efficacy.

The study has raised alarm bells within the Biden administration, as Axios reported yesterday.

Pfizer itself has said it believes its vaccines are losing around six percentage points of efficacy every two months.

And research from Israel and the U.K. reached similar conclusions, and Moderna has also said it believes boosters will be necessary.

The big question: If the vaccines are losing some of their punch against mild infections now, will they eventually become less effective against severe disease?

"Theres very intense scrutiny on whether there is waning against hospitalization," the senior Biden official said.

That hasnt happened yet  every study continues to show that vaccinated people have near-total protection from death and hospitalization.

But neither the administration nor vaccine manufacturers want to take any chances.

There is decreased efficacy against asymptomatic infection. While there's uncertainty, with Delta, it appears to be more important, the source said.

Whats next: Theres a relatively simple solution to this problem  booster shots. Pfizer and Moderna are already working on them, and Israel has had good results after beginning to offer additional doses to older citizens.

Third doses will be expensive, and critics say the U.S. shouldnt be buying up third doses while so much of the world is waiting for its first.

Between the lines: The mounting evidence of waning efficacy adds new urgency to the debate in the U.S. about boosters, but that debate is hamstrung by a severe lack of clear data from the CDC.

Experts trying to parse how well the vaccines are performing are relying heavily on data from other countries, in part, because the CDC has released very little formal data about the U.S. experience in the months since Delta became dominant.

Even top administration officials cant get the information they want, making it harder to assess when boosters will be needed, and for whom.

The bottom line: "The vaccines are still having a positive impact. But we're painting this train as it goes 180 miles an hour," said Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy.

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A Boise man is seeking $4.5 million in compensation after Boise police officers arrested him for refusing to wear a mask inside a Costco store.

Peter Hearn, 51, said police arrested him in December after he refused to wear a mask inside the Costco at 2051 S. Cole Road, according to a tort claim filed with the city. Hearn said he argued for 10 minutes with store employees who implored him to wear a mask inside the store.

(Hearn) informed them all that they were unlawfully harassing, trapping, assaulting, imprisoning, arresting, abusing and violating him, the tort claim said.

In their incident report, police said they arrested Hearn after he refused to show them identification and was later taken to Ada County Jail due to a previous trespassing incident.

Eventually, employees let him shop in the store without a mask before contacting police, according to the tort claim. Police arrived and arrested Hearn, with Hearn noting that other shoppers were cheering as police took him away.

Mayor Lauren McLean issued a mask mandate in July 2020 for all indoor and outdoor spaces; she eventually lifted the requirement in May, citing a decrease in cases.

Eight months later, Hearn wrote that the incident continues to affect his emotional and financial well-being.

The stress and pressures from the threats and coercion has caused Peter to be physically sick, unable to sleep at night and to be as unhealthy and frightened as he ever has been in his life, the tort claim said.

Among the wrongdoings described by Hearn are that police officers kidnapped him and deprived him of his rights.

In the tort claim, Hearn said hes seeking $500,000 each in compensation from multiple Boise police officers, Ada County sheriff s deputies, Boise City Attorney Jayme Sullivan and Assistant City Attorney Laura Keys.

It wasnt the first time Hearn has faced legal trouble for his views on masks. In November, he faced arrest for organizing a group of people planning to enter local businesses without masks in defiance of local health orders, according to the Idaho Press.

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A tort claim is not a lawsuit but puts a government agency on notice of an alleged wrong. Idaho law requires a tort claim before a claimant can sue an agency for violating state law. The agency has 90 days to notify the claimant that it accepts or denies the claim. If the claim is denied, the claimant can sue.

Reached for comment, Mayor Lauren McLeans office said in a Thursday email the office does not comment on pending litigation.

Hearn declined to comment when reached by phone Thursday.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced Thursday that border patrol agents apprehended over 212,000 undocumented migrants in July, breaking the 200,000 threshold for the first time in 21 years, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection data.

During a stop at the border in Texas, Mayorkas commented that 212,672 migrants were encountered in July, a 13 percent increase over the influx of 188,000 migrants encountered in June. He acknowledged that the rapidly deteriorating situation at the border constitutes a crisis, calling it one of the toughest challenges we face.

He added that 95,788 of those detainees, mostly single adults rather than families, were expelled under Trump-era Title 42 authorizing border officials to deport migrants suspected of positive COVID infection who could pose a public health risk. This, however, represented a 10,000 person decrease in the number of migrants who removed under that measure in June.

While conceding that the statistics are daunting, Mayorkas offered that the border emergency is not a black and white issue, adding, It is complicated, changing and involves vulnerable people at a time of a global pandemic.

The administration previously predicted that the number of migrant encounters would drop off during the hot summer months, as is typical.

The secretary confirmed that the crisis has particularly escalated in recent months, with skyrocketing border apprehensions over the summer. While he suggested that the upticks in border crossings originated under former President Trumps leadership, starting in April 2020, he recognized that the increase is most certainly sharper over the last several months and greater than in June.

Mayorkas statement lends credence to the assertions of many Republican lawmakers that Bidens negligence on border enforcement and revocation of rules implemented under Trump have created an unprecedented border disaster.

Much like the rhetoric of Vice President Kamala Harris, who Biden tapped to manage the border crisis months ago, Mayorkas said the administration is still prioritizing addressing the root causes of migration, namely poverty, corruption and violence in Central America.

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Despite the worsening, spiraling crisis, Mayorkas indicated that the administration does not intend to modify its border strategy. We have a plan, we are executing our plan and that takes time, he affirmed.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has repeatedly lambasted Biden for encouraging migrants to overwhelm the border via its policies, often bringing loads of illegal narcotics into the Texas interior. Despite resistance from Biden, Abbott has tried to take matters into his own hands to curb immigration. He recently signed an executive order prohibiting the transportation of migrants into Texas. However, Bidens Department of Justice sued Texas shortly after and the legal dispute is ongoing.

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The Wrap

Larry David recently ran into former Trump attorney Alan Dershowitz at the grocery store, and he didnt hold back from criticizing the Harvard Law professor. In a heated exchange that was witnessed by a Page Six source, Dershowitz and David bumped into each other at Chilmark General Store in Marthas Vineyard. Dershowitz confirmed the exchange he had with David to Page Six and said it started when he saw David and tried to say hi, but the comedian walked away from him. Dershowitz then said, We
LONDON (Reuters) - Britain will deploy hundreds of military personnel to Afghanistan to help British nationals and local translators get out of the country, defence secretary Ben Wallace said on Thursday as the security situation there worsens.

The British embassy in Kabul will be moved to a more secure location and will remain manned by only a core staff.

The deployment of protection forces and logistical support has been triggered by rising violence as Taliban fighters capture cities across Afghanistan after U.S. and allied troops withdrew.

"I have authorised the deployment of additional military personnel to support the diplomatic presence in Kabul, assist British nationals to leave the country and support the relocation of former Afghan staff who risked their lives serving alongside us," Wallace said in a statement.

"It is a long planned process and it was important with the current situation on the ground in Afghanistan to make the decision to move to that phase," he told a separate briefing.

The British ambassador Laurie Bristow will be among those staying in Kabul. Last week Britain advised all its nationals in Afghanistan to leave.

The first troops are expected to arrive by the end of the week, and the number could eventually rise to 600. They will include medics and specialist planners to help manage the withdrawal.

The several thousand being helped out of the country include Afghan interpreters and other local personnel eligible for relocation to Britain as well as others who hold British passports. They will take commercial flights.

British forces were first deployed to Afghanistan in 2001 following the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States and played a major role in combat operations until 2014. A total of 457 British soldiers were killed in the country.

The speed and violence of the Taliban advance has caused recriminations among many Afghans over U.S. President Joe Biden's decision to withdraw U.S. troops and leave the Afghan government to fight alone.

Britain also withdrew its troops as part of a coordinated move between NATO and the United States.

(Reporting by William James; Editing by Angus MacSwan)
A US army veteran who converted to Islam was found guilty of plotting to bomb a white supremacist rally in California and could be sentenced to life in prison, the Justice Department said Thursday.

Mark Steven Domingo, 28, intended to explode two home-made bombs packed with long nails at the planned rally in Long Beach in April 2019.

He was detected early on by the FBI and, prior to his arrest, undercover officers made sure that the bombs would not function as planned, the department said.

On Wednesday, Domingo was found guilty in a jury trial of providing material support to terrorism and attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction. The charges carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

Domingo, who served in Afghanistan between September 2012 and January 2013, apparently began mulling carrying out a terror attack at the beginning of 2019. He decided to move forward after the March 15 mass shootings at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, that left 50 people dead.

In postings to a private online group he said the United States "needs" another mass shooting "that would give them the taste of terror they gladly spread all over the world."

"There were mosque shootings in New Zealand. There must be retribution," Domingo wrote in one posting.

He weighed attacks on Jewish people, churches and police officers, before settling on the white supremacist rally, according to the Justice Department.

Domingo is expected to be sentenced in November.

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A California woman was convicted of murder Wednesday in the 2011 death of her 7-month-old son, according to reports.

The defendant, Sonia Hermosillo, 41, of La Habra, had pleaded not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity, the reports said.

Authorities said Hermosillo had tossed the infant from the fourth floor of a parking garage at Childrens Hospital of Orange County, the Orange County Register reported.

"He was sick and his mother didnt want him," Orange County Deputy District Attorney Mena Guirguis told jurors, according to the newspaper. "She made a cold-hearted decision to kill her child."

Hermosillo had fled with the boy while her husband was in the shower, and driven 30 minutes to the hospital, the Register reported. She wasn't supposed to be alone with the baby because of her mental health issues, the husband later told police, KTLA of Los Angeles reported.

FLORIDA POLICE SOLVE 35-YEAR-OLD MURDER COLD CASE WITH ADVANCES IN DNA TECHNOLOGY

After dropping the infant to his death, Hermosillo drove off, stopping to validate her parking, the report said.

She had removed a protective helmet the child had been wearing because of developmental issues, according to the report.

Now that Hermosillo has been convicted, the trial will enter a second phase that will determine Hermosillos sanity at the time of the crime.

The same jury from the murder trial will hear the sanity phase, KTLA reported.

Some witnesses had testified during the trial that Hermosillo had struggled with mental health issues after the boy was born, the Register reported.

After her arrest, detectives reported that she seemed to show feelings of "hate, resentment and anger" toward the child "because hes sick."

Hermosillos defense attorney, Jacqueline Goodman, claimed her client was delusional and suffered a "psychotic break" around the time of the childs death.

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Goodman claimed that comments Hermosillo made to police about being angry with the dead boy were indications of "mental illness," not a murder confession, the Register reported.

The sanity phase of the trial is set to begin Aug. 24, with Hermosillo facing 25-years-to-life in prison if found to be sane, the report said.

She was being held without bail pending further legal action, according to KTLA.
The California Secretary of States Office has made downloading mail ballots from home possible for the recall election of Gov. Gavin Newsom. The state legislature also passed a measure to send out mail ballots to every registered voter regardless if they asked for one or not.

The methods being employed by the state add to concerns already raised by a group that brought up potential voter fraud issues during the 2020 general election.

Downloading mail ballots from home is made possible through technology used during the 2020 election, the Secretary of States Office reports.

The system includes two options, one for the entire state and one for Los Angeles County. The statewide system is called, Remote Accessible Vote-By-Mail (RAVBM), which enables voters to fill out ballots online, print them out themselves, and either put in the mail or drop off at a polling location.

According to the Secretary of States office, there were four certified RAVBM systems for the November 2020 vote: Five Cedars Group Alternate Format Ballot v5.2.1, Democracy Live Secure Select 1.2.2, Dominion Voting Systems Dominion ImageCast Remote 5.10A, and Los Angeles County Voting Solution for All People Interactive Sample Ballot 2.5.

Even though RAVBM was created to be used by voters with disabilities, any voter could request to use it in 2020.

The Los Angeles County option, the Interactive Sample Ballot (ISB), enables voters to fill out a sample ballot online, which generates a poll pass. The pass can be printed out or voters can download a QR code and then vote using a Ballot Marking Device at a polling location.

L.A. County produced instructional videos explaining how to use RAVBM and ISB. It also sent voters a sample ballot stating the ISB system was designed to simplify voting because of the large number of candidates [43, other than the governor himself] appearing on the ballot in the recall election.

The Election Integrity Project California (EIPCa), a nonpartisan nonprofit organization advocating for the right of every eligible citizen to vote in California, purchased VoteCal voter registration and voting history files and after auditing them raised concerns about Californias election system. The group published a list of questionable mail ballots sent out during the 2020 general election to deceased Californians and those no longer living in California. It also learned that 13 California counties have more registered voters than eligible citizens.

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The group sent a letter to the Secretary of States Office last year raising concerns about the number of registered voters compared to the number who voted in the 2020 election. It found that California had 1.8 million more registered voters than eligible citizens in the last election, and that nearly 124,000 more votes were counted in Californias 2020 general election than voters recorded as voting in the election.

According to EIPCas evaluation, Los Angeles County has 206,728 registrants who have not voted or updated their registrations since November 2008 who are listed as active voters and could receive mail ballots in the mail.

EIPCa says it uses precise methods that err on the side of caution and that its findings likely underestimate the states election problem.

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Tags: States, News, California, Recalls, Gavin Newsom, Elections

Original Author: Bethany Blankley, The Center Square

Original Location: California voters to be able to download ballots at home for recall election, sparking security concerns
The United States experienced unprecedented multiracial population growth and a decline in the white population for the first time in the nations history, according to U.S. Census officials, who released data Thursday revealing the most sweeping picture of Americas racial and ethnic makeup in a decade.

These changes reveal that the US population is much more multiracial, and more racially and ethnically diverse, than what we measured in the past, said Nicholas Jones, the director of race, ethnicity, research and outreach for the Census Bureau's population division.

The white, non-Hispanic population, without another race, decreased by 8.6% since 2010, according to the new data from the 2020 census. The U.S. is now 57.8% white, 18.7% Hispanic, 12.4% Black and 6% Asian.

Some of those changes, Jones said, can be attributed to improvements to the survey. The white, non-Hispanic population is still the largest racial group in the U.S.

Nevertheless, the release bolstered expert predictions that the United States is becoming a more diverse nation, with continued expansion of the Hispanic, Black and Asian American populations and growing numbers of multiracial residents  only a fraction in past surveys.

The diversity that we're seeing in this country is going to be much more pronounced, said William Frey, senior fellow at the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program.

Race and ethnicity in America

In 2020, 33.8 million people reported being more than one race, more than a threefold increase from 2010, when 9 million people, or 2.9% of the population, identified that way. A fraction of residents reported being multiracial in 2000 (6.8 million, 2.4%), the first year respondents had the option.

At the national level, there was a 61.1% chance that two people chosen at random in a given area would be of different racial or ethnic groups. That same probability  called a diversity index by census officials  was 54.9 % in 2010.

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The states with the highest diversity index scores in 2020 were in the west, with Hawaii at 76%, California with 69.7% and Nevada at 68.8%.

The results released Thursday present more comprehensive data on race and ancestry than in earlier surveys.

The 2020 Census used two separate questions to calculate race and ethnicity. One question focused on Hispanic or Latino origin. The other question focused specifically on race.

The questionnaire included write-in boxes for Black or African American respondents for the first time, allowing them to list whether they are Haitian or Jamaican or Somali, for example. The surveys included similar boxes for white residents, allowing them to write in Lebanese or Egyptian or Italian.

The improvements and changes enable a more thorough and accurate depiction of how people self-identify, yielding a more accurate portrait of how people report their Hispanic origin and race within the context of a two-question format, said Jones.

While the white population remained the most prevalent race or ethnic group in most counties, the most prevalent groups in certain areas were non-white, continuing growth trends of past years.

Black or African American populations were dominant in parts of the South, while Hispanic or Latino residents were most prevalent in the Southwest and West. Native Americans were predominant in places where there are tribal lands in parts of Alaska, the Southwest, and Midwest.

The presence of the Hispanic or Latino population as the second-most prevalent group spanned the entire continental United States, with large numbers of counties in every region, census officials said in a release.

Yvette Roubideaux, vice president for research at the National Congress of American Indians, welcomed the results.

Today's news is great news, she said. America is more diverse than ever, and that diversity is a strength, not a weakness. We are excited to see that the data confirms that what we already see in our communities or schools, workplaces and with friends and families.

She and other advocates said they are now turning their focus to ensuring political representation fairly reflect the population shifts in the data.

More: New Census numbers paint picture of race and ethnicity in U.S. But how are those defined?

Population growth continues to slow

The countrys overall population grew by only 7.4% between 2010 and 2020, among the most sluggish on record. The 1930s was the only other decade that had slower growth.

Population decline was widespread this decade, said Marc Perry, senior demographer at the Census Bureau, who noted the slowdown was even more pronounced at the county level.

Fifty-two percent of all counties had smaller counties in 2020 than in 2010, he said.

Perry said smaller counties generally lost population while large ones gained. Growth was almost entirely in metro areas, he said, adding that all 10 of the countrys most populous cities grew.

More: Big counties get bigger as large metro areas lead population growth in 2020 census

What is the census?

The census is mandated by Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution. Every ten years, the U.S. Census Bureau conducts a count of the American population, including key demographic details such as race and gender. These data, in turn, are used to draw up congressional districts, as well as in a host of other ways.

Compared with the results from 2010 and earlier surveys, the data show Americans how the population has grown and changed and moved, as well as who our neighbors and communities are  in some sense what it means to be American today.

The results from the 2020 census, taken amid the pandemic and partisan sniping about the politicization of the process, are meant to be a snapshot of the population as of April 1, 2020. States use the census data to determine legislative and congressional districts  and the Electoral College votes that come with them.

The statistics gleaned from the decennial census reverberate through American life, and are used directly and indirectly to hand out hundreds of billions annually in federal funding and for everything from drawing school district boundaries to measuring the diversity of police forces and corporate boards.

It's sort of like the denominator for a whole lot of stuff, said John Logan, a sociology professor at Brown University and population studies researcher. He likened it to a definitive yard stick Americans will use for years to come.

Undercount of marginalized communities

The coronavirus pandemic could mean thousands of Black and Latino communities were undercounted in the census. Advocates point out President Donald Trumps attempt to include a citizenship question on the census  a departure from census questioning over several decades  as another factor increasing the undercount of people of color.

In general, undercounting is not new to the census. Data collections have generally undercounted hard-to-reach communities.

We know there is an undercount, said Clarissa Martinez-de-Castro, deputy vice president of UnidosUS, a Latino civil rights group. But theres no way to know by how much until statisticians dig deeper into the data.

After the 2010 census, the bureau released a survey that showed it undercounted 2.1% of the Black population that year and undercounted 1.8% of the Black population in 2000. In 2010, the bureau undercounted 1.5% of the Hispanic population, and in 2000, the estimated undercount of the Hispanic population was 0.7%  not statistically different from zero.

Ron Jarmin, acting director of the U.S. Census Bureau, said Thursday that COVID significantly delayed the release of the data, which had been expected in March.

According to research at George Washington University, more than 300 federal programs in 2017 relied on data derived from the census to help guide the distribution of $1.5 trillion to state and local governments, nonprofit groups, businesses and households, including certain USDA programs that are available only in rural areas.

And the census data will let communities know if they're eligible or not, said Andrew Reamer, the professor who led the research. Conversely, for certain HUD (Housing and Urban Development) programs, you (a community) have to be big enough to be eligible."

Terry Ao Minnis, senior director of census and voting for Asian Americans Advancing Justice, said its critical for communities of color to be accurately counted during the census because of the funding opportunities via congressional representation.

If our communities do not have a voice with their elected official, then their needs will not be addressed, Ao Minnis said. And this harm is amplified by the fact that these lines will be in place for the entire decade.

Democracy Docket, a site founded by Democratic lawyer Marc Elias, is tracking redistricting lawsuits in Alabama, Illinois, Louisiana, Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, Oregon and Pennsylvania.

Cases in Pennsylvania, Minnesota and Louisiana claim the census data released in April shows population shifts that render districts instantly unconstitutional.

Democracy Docket alleges Republican lawmakers often pass unfair and unconstitutional maps, and some of the best protection voters have against disenfranchisement is through the courts.

The National Republican Redistricting Trust, which coordinates GOP efforts on a national redistricting strategy, says on its site that Democrats plan to use redistricting to gerrymander their way into permanent majorities, so they can enact their radical left-wing agenda unchecked.

Supreme Court says federal judges cant block gerrymandering

In 2019, the Supreme Courts Rucho vs. Common Cause ruling blocked federal judges from intervening in partisan election maps, essentially allowing gerrymandering.

The high courts ruling really set the stage for a very ominous redistricting cycle, especially for communities of color in the South, where redistricting once again will be controlled largely by one party, said Michael Li, senior counsel for the nonpartisan Brennan Center for Justice's Democracy Program.

More: Supreme Court says federal courts cannot strike down partisan gerrymandering

Redistricting is the once-in-a-decade process of redrawing congressional districts to better reflect shifts in the populations. Redistricting is controlled by individual states.

Because of residential segregation, its easier to break apart or pack together communities of color into districts in order to make the map more Republican, Li said.

The National Black Justice Coalition partnered with the Census Bureau to increase participation of Black LGBTQIA+ individuals in filling out the census forms.

As we think about state legislatures who will aggressively use this data to redraw congressional districts and boundaries and contribute to voter suppression, I worry greatly about what this will mean for democracy and attempts to weaponize data to chip away at democracy, said David Johns, the executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition.

Politics 101: What is gerrymandering? Redistricting means new winners and losers

Voto Latino CEO and President Maria Teresa Kumar is concerned that census data could be used to disenfranchise Latino voters.

Kumar pointed out that three years after the 2010 census, the Supreme Court ruled in Shelby County v. Eric Holder to free states with a history of racial discrimination from having to clear voting procedure changes with the federal government.

It turned out that Shelby County had had the second-largest population growth of Latinos in the country. They had experienced a 297% increase in the Latino population, Kumar said.

Republican strategist Karl Rove declared in 2010 that he who controls redistricting, can control Congress. The Republican Party went on to win state legislative and gubernatorial races across the country.

According to the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, Republicans control the redistricting process in 17 states, Democrats in seven. The power is split between the parties in a half dozen states. Fourteen have independent commissions, mostly appointed by legislative leaders. Six states do not need to divvy up districts because they have only one seat in the House.

Cook Political Report analyst Dave Wasserman noted this year that Republicans have to pick up only five seats to win back control of the House of Representatives. He estimated Republicans are positioned to pick up the equivalent of 3 seats from Democrats through the redistricting process alone.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: US Census Bureau releases 2020 census: How to understand the data
school

Loudon County Schools in northern Virginia has approved a trans-inclusive policy that has caused tension and incidents at several of its previous board meetings.

A Tuesday evening school board meeting saw over a hundred people give public comments on a proposed policy to require teachers and staff to go by the names and pronouns of trans students. One teacher from the district even quit in protest of the policy.

Due to the number of comments, the board made a motion to vote on the policy on Wednesday. The policy protecting trans kids passed on a 7-2 vote, reported The Washington Post.

While the policy is supposed to help trans students, some board members fear what the controversy around the policy may have done.

The entire approach of this policy was to help the transgender kids, yet it put a big target on their backs, board member Harris Mahedavi told The Post. We are responsible for that, and making our community divided.

Conservative board member Jeff Morse called the policy anti-family, anti-privacy, anti-teacher. He added that the policy was not needed due to the policies already in place against bullying.

Board member Ian Serotkin responded to Morse, saying, You seem to imply that bullying and harassment of our LGBTQ students is a thing of the past.

I dont know how you can say that with a straight face, Im sorry, Serotkin said.

A teacher, Laura Morris told the board I quit on Tuesday. Morris said she had been teaching in the district for five years.

I quit your policies, I quit your trainings, and I quit being a cog in a machine that tells me to push highly politicized agendas on our most vulnerable constituents  the children, she said. I will find employment elsewhere.

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In June, a man was arrested and another ticketed for trespassing as a school board meeting turned into chaos between the groups of parents for and against the policy.

The now-adopted policy includes statements such as, Staff or students who intentionally and persistently refuse to respect a students gender identity by using the wrong name and gender pronoun are in violation of this policy, according to TV station WRC-TV.

Atoosa Reaser, vice-chair of the board wrote on Twitter, The best interest of every child is what guides my every vote. Tonight, the School Board adopted a policy to protect our transgender students [because] feeling safe [and] welcome is a first step to learning.
Aug. 12The controversial Chattanooga shelter housing unaccompanied migrant children for eight months placed 17 children in Tennessee, including one in Chattanooga and one in Cleveland, according to Sen. Todd Gardenhire, R-Chattanooga.

Gardenhire presented the figures to Tennessee Department of Children's Services Commissioner Jennifer Nichols during a Thursday afternoon hearing of the state's special committee investigating migrants and refugees. Nichols could not confirm the data at the time.

The state senator said the level of public outcry over the shelter exceeded the number of children placed in Tennessee through the Chattanooga shelter operated by the Baptiste Group. The state suspended the organization's child care license July 1 over safety concerns.

"That's hardly enough to move the needle on something," Gardenhire said. "That's just my opinion."

In a seven-minute back and forth, Gardenhire asked representatives from the Department of Children's Services four times when the state first learned about possible child abuse at the facility. Court documents released from a closed-door hearing in July about the suspension showed the state declined to investigate a child abuse complaint against an employee at the shelter weeks before it acknowledged alleged abuse at the facility and a month before Chattanooga police charged that employee with sexual battery.

The state said the abuse complaint, which later became central to its argument for shutting down the shelter, did not meet its criteria for an investigation.

"I'm asking you now, today, when was the first time an incident was reported to DCS concerning the Baptiste Group home in Highland Park in Chattanooga, Tennessee?" Gardenhire asked the Department of Children's Services officials, in his fourth attempt at the question. "Was it June 3, the first time? Or was it May 21, the first time?"

Helen Rodgers, assistant general counsel for the Department of Children's Services, responded by saying the state was barred from answering the question in public.

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"All the department can say in a public forum is whether or not a child abuse investigation was commenced or not," Rodgers said. "That is the current statute."

Gardenhire noted much of the current immigration system, which includes the system for housing unaccompanied minors, was passed under former President George W. Bush and Republican leaders.

The state has two choices, Gardenhire said, between being able to provide education and medical treatment, as well as place the children with a vetted sponsor, or those children could come into Tennessee communities without any such oversight or guidance.

"We need to decide what we're truly trying to accomplish here," he said. "Are we trying to run out a business in Chattanooga, in my district, that employs over 110 people, U.S. citizens, and I'll repeat that again. One hundred and ten people, in my district, that are now unemployed until this thing is settled, that are U.S. citizens. Most of us in this room would kill for a company that would hire 110 people in their district."

Last month, the Baptiste Group sued Tennessee over its decision to revoke the organization's residential child care license, arguing the state's decision was discriminatory and it was treating the migrant shelter differently than similar Tennessee agencies dealing with children and youth.

The only residential child care license the Department of Children's Services has suspended since 2016 was that of the Baptiste Group.

The state formed a special committee to investigate immigration in May after news broke that unaccompanied children were being flown into Chattanooga and housed in a shelter in Highland Park before being placed with sponsors. The state had approved a license for the facility in May 2020 and children began arriving in November 2020, but a video of children getting off a plane in Chattanooga in May sparked outrage and calls for an investigation.

Contact Wyatt Massey at wmassey@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6249. Follow him on Twitter @news4mass.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot says questions over her hospital visit were offensive and insulting (Chi.Gov)

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has slammed coverage of her ongoing feud with the citys police department days after a group of officers mourning the death of a colleague turned their backs on her.

Mayor Lightfoot visited University of Chicago Medical Center on Saturday night after a shooting left 29-year-old officer Ella French dead and another officer fighting for his life.

Brothers Emonte and Eric Morgan have been charged with the murder of Officer French.

In photos posted to Facebook, officers were shown turning away from Ms Lightfoot as she went to speak to them at the hospital.

Addressing the incident at a press conference, Ms Lightfoot acknowledged tensions are high.

CPD officer Ella French was shot and killed during a traffic stop Saturday night (Chicago Police Department)

She said the larger question than officers turning their backs on her was the nasty, vicious talk by some in the press and on social media.

The mayor said that we were living in a moment where people feel like it is their right to spew hatred at everyone that they dont agree with, often via anonymous social media accounts.

She said while the press played a very important role in our democracy, she says coverage often becomes a race to the bottom and its all about the fight and its all about the conflict.

Ms Lightfoot was also asked about reports that the Chicago Police Departments second-in-command had called off a traditional honour guard and bagpipe salute as Ms Frenchs body was entering the Cook County Medical Examiners office.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported First Deputy Superintendent Eric Carter said we dont have 20 minutes for this s*** and ordered the ambulance carrying Ms Frenchs body into the hospital without delay.

She said Mr Carter had simply been following the medical examiners Covid protocols. However, the medical examiners officer told Chicago media it hadnt imposed any new rules around Covid.

I support what he did, Ms Lightfoot said. And Im horrified that in this moment, people are trying to savage him for whatever agenda or purpose. I would just caution you all. Be careful. Be careful.

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Mayor Lightfoot also lashed out at a question that she had visited the hospital against the wishes of the family of the injured officer, saying it was offensive and insulting.

Im not gonna to respond to that. I dont force my way anywhere. And thats offensive, frankly, that you would ask me that question, Ms Lightfoot said.

In a statement released before the press conference on Monday, Ms Lightfoot tried to ease the tension between her office and the CPD rank-and-file that had been visible at the hospital.

There were hundreds of officers who were there and I met and talked to many of them, she said.

And there was a lot of emotion from a range of the spectrum from total despair, to anger and rage and kind of everything in between - and thats to be expected. So its a really hard loss.

Read More

Two brothers charged in Chicago shooting that killed police officer Ella French and wounded another

Chicago reels as at least three mass shootings reported within six hours

Chicago City Council approves new layer of police oversight
BEIJING (Reuters) - China's Ningbo airport has suspended inbound and outbound flights to the capital Beijing from August 11 due to a "public health incident", state television reported on Thursday.

The eastern city where Ningbo Zhoushan port, China's second-largest container port by handling volume, is located has suspended services at a subsidiary Meidong port after an employee at Meidong port tested positive for COVID-19.

(Reporting by Colin Qian, Judy Hua and Ryan Woo; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
Colorado's top elections official prohibited Mesa County from using 41 pieces of voting equipment in future elections after sensitive password information associated with the machines was published online.

Secretary of State Jena Griswold ordered the devices to be taken out of commission on Thursday after a preliminary investigation by her office was unable to verify the security of the voting systems.

Griswold, a Democrat, announced her investigation on Monday, ordering Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters to provide surveillance video and other documentation to help investigators determine whether the voting devices' passwords, posted on social media site Telegram on Aug. 2, were exposed due to a breach in security protocol.

JUDGE DENIES EFFORTS BY POWELL, LINDELL, AND GIULIANI TO DISMISS DOMINION LAWSUITS

The secretary's order said it was "clear" the information was "collected during the limited access trusted build installation of the Democracy Suite version 5.13 in Mesa County on May 25, 2021." Democracy Suite is used in Dominion Voting Systems machines.

The order Griswold issued Thursday decommissioning the equipment revealed multiple findings, including that Mesa County allowed a nonemployee to attend the voting system security installation and misrepresented to state elections officials that the individual was an employee.

Video surveillance of the voting systems was also turned off before May 25 and not turned back on until August, according to Griswold's order, which prevented investigators from using footage to confirm the equipment's chain of custody. The order also implicated Peters, saying the evidence suggests her office directed surveillance cameras to be turned off.

The totality of circumstances led to Griswold's prohibiting future use of the equipment, her order said.

"The department finds that it cannot establish a verifiable chain of custody for any of the voting systems components in Mesa County and cannot establish confidence in the integrity or security of these components," the order read.

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Griswold's order did not speculate about what might have led Peters, who has publicly bolstered election fraud theories by asserting that it is simple to over-tabulate votes in favor of a given candidate fraudulently, or her office to disengage surveillance equipment.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Griswold did say Thursday that Mesa County must pay to replace the now-prohibited election equipment, which must be certified by Aug. 30, or else officials will have to count ballots by hand in the next election.

The Washington Examiner contacted Peters for comment on Griswold's order.

Washington Examiner Videos

Tags: News, Colorado, Voting, Voting Machines , Election

Original Author: Jeremy Beaman

Original Location: Colorado secretary of state orders county to stop using voting equipment after security breach
Prince Andrew (left), and Virginia Roberts Giuffre (right). Christopher Furlong - WPA Pool/Getty Images, Emily Michot/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

Virginia Roberts Giuffre filed a lawsuit against Prince Andrew on Monday.

In the lawsuit, Roberts Giuffre accused the royal of sexual assault at Jeffrey Epstein's home when she was 17.

Roberts Giuffre first publicly accused Andrew in 2015 court documents that were unsealed in 2019.

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April 2015: During a defamation case against Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, Virginia Roberts Giuffre alleged that Epstein forced her to have sex with Prince Andrew when she was 17. The allegation was thrown out and struck from court record at the time.

Prince Andrew (left) and Virginia Roberts Giuffre (right), then known as Virginia Roberts, along with Ghislaine Maxwell (far right). Florida Southern District Court

In 2015, Virginia Roberts Giuffre brought a defamation case against Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, alleging that the pair had sex-trafficked her from 2000.

Roberts Giuffre alleged that Epstein forced her to have sex with Prince Andrew in his New York mansion, in London, and on Epstein's private island in the US Virgin Islands in 2001 when she was 17.

However, the allegation was thrown out and struck from the record by a judge, who said it was "immaterial and impertinent to the central claim" in the case at the time.

August 2019: Court documents from the 2015 case were unsealed, and Roberts Giuffre's allegations were made public. Buckingham Palace denied Andrew's alleged involvement with Roberts Giuffre in a statement.

Prince Andrew, Duke of York. Chris Jackson/Pool via Reuters

Further details about Roberts Giuffre's allegations against Andrew were made public in 2019 after documents from the 2015 defamation case were unsealed (you can read the documents here).

In the documents related to sex-trafficking charges against Epstein, witness Johanna Sjoberg told investigators about a sexual incident that she said happened, and involved herself, Maxwell, Andrew, Roberts Giuffre, and a puppet of the prince.

"Andrew and Virginia sat on the couch, and they put the puppet ... on her lap," Sjoberg was quoted saying in the documents. "I sat on Andrew's lap, I believe on my own volition, and they took the puppet's hands and put it on Virginia's breast, and so Andrew put his on mine."

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Buckingham Palace defended Andrew in a statement at the time, denying that he had any involvement with Roberts Giuffre.

"It is emphatically denied that The Duke of York had any form of sexual contact or relationship with Virginia Roberts," the palace's statement read. "Any claim to the contrary is false and without foundation."

August 2019: Roberts Giuffre said Andrew "knows exactly what he's done" after the royal denied involvement in Epstein's sex-trafficking scheme.

Prince Andrew (left), and Jeffrey Epstein (right). AP/Sang Tan, Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Prince Andrew made a statement after Epstein was found dead in his Manhattan jail cell on August 10, 2019, saying he sympathized "with everyone who has been affected and wants some form of closure."

In his statement, Andrew added that during the time he knew Epstein, he did not witness or "suspect any behavior of the sort that subsequently led to his arrest and conviction."

Roberts Giuffre responded with a statement of her own. Speaking to reporters outside a Manhattan court at the time, she said the prince "knows exactly what he's done, and I hope he comes clean about it."

November 2019: The prince stepped down from his royal duties days after a disastrous BBC "Newsnight" interview.

The Duke of York was interviewed by Emily Maitlis for the BBC's "Newsnight." BBC News/YouTube

Discussing the allegations in a BBC "Newsnight" interview with host Emily Maitlis on November 16, Andrew suggested that a photo that appears to show him with his hand around the waist of Roberts Giuffre was fake.

He also said during the interview that on the night Roberts Giuffre alleged they had dinner, partied at a club in London called Tramp, and later had sex, that he was at home with his daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie.

The interview was perceived negatively and labeled a "car crash" by much of the British media.

Following the interview, a string of charities, businesses, and universities cut ties with Andrew, and, on November 20, the duke announced he would drop his royal duties.

"It has become clear to me over the last few days that the circumstances relating to my former association with Jeffrey Epstein has become a major distruption to my family's work and the valuable work going on in the many organisations and charities that I am proud to support," Andrew said in a statement.

After saying that the Queen had given him her permission to step back from his duties, Andrew said he continues "to unequivocally regret my ill-judged association with Jeffrey Epstein."

He added that he would be "willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency with their investigations, if required."

December 2019: Roberts Giuffre asked the British public to stand behind her during a BBC "Panorama" interview.

Virginia Roberts Guiffre holds a photo of herself as a teenager, when she says Jeffrey Epstein began abusing her sexually. Emily Michot/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

"I implore the people in the UK to stand up beside me, to help me fight this fight, to not accept this as being OK," Roberts Giuffre told the BBC.

"This is not some sordid sex story," she added. "This is a story of being trafficked. This is a story of abuse, and this is a story of your guys' royalty."

March 2020: Prince Harry distanced himself from Andrew when asked about his uncle during a phone call with Russian pranksters impersonating Greta Thunberg.

Prince Andrew and Prince Harry pictured at Prince Phillip's funeral in April 2021. GARETH FULLER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Despite Andrew's ex-wife Sarah Ferguson showing her support for Andrew in 2019  saying in an Instagram post that she was "with him every step of the way"  Prince Harry seemingly distanced himself from his uncle during a secretly recorded phone call with Russian pranksters who pretended to be Greta Thunberg and her father.

According to The Sun and the Daily Mail, which obtained an audio recording of the prank call, Harry said: "Whatever he has done or hasn't done, is completely separate from me and my wife."

August 2021: Roberts Giuffre filed a lawsuit against Andrew accusing him of sexual assault.

Virginia Roberts Giuffre at a press conference in 2019. Associated Press

In a complaint filed at a New York federal court on Monday, Roberts Giuffre said Andrew was aware of her age and that she was a victim of sex trafficking when she was forced to have sex with him in 2001.

"I am holding Prince Andrew accountable for what he did to me. The powerful and the rich are not exempt from being held responsible for their actions," Giuffre said, via her lawyers, in a statement to ABC.

Representatives for Prince Andrew and Buckingham Palace did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Read the original article on Insider
His murder is the 25th homicide this year in Hartford

Teenage rapper YNT Juan was fatally shot over the weekend in Hartford, Connecticut.

The 17-year-old artist, born Juan Bautista Garcia, was shot dead in a parked car at 258 Martin St. just after 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, police officials confirmed to NBC Connecticut and Fox 61.

(Credit: Twitter)

The rapper had over 25,000 Instagram followers and recently promoted his new remix to Kanye Wests Power, which was shared with his 4,000 YouTube subscribers on Aug. 3.

He was only 17-years-old, a childhood friend of Garcia told HipHopDX. He never went live on his Instagram to talk about drama, he only went on there to support his friends or promote his music. [He] didnt even get to graduate school yet.

Hartford Police major crime and crime scene divisions are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.

YNT Juans murder is the 25th homicide this year in Hartford. He is among the unsettling list of rappers who have been killed following Chicago rapper King Vons murder in Nov. 2020.

Last month, Zerail Dijon Rivera, a rapper in the Los Angeles area, was talking with a friend on Instagram Live when he was ambushed in front of viewers and his murder broadcast over the social media network.

Rivera, who performed under the name Indian Red Boy, was killed late July in Hawthorne, theGRIO reported. In a press release, the Hawthorne Police Department said they responded to a shooting call at a multi-level gated apartment complex on South Chadron Avenue to find a 21-year-old male slumped in the front seat of a vehicle parked in the carport to the rear of the building.

He appeared to be suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, officials added. Los Angeles County Fire Rescue responded to the location where the male was pronounced deceased.

Chicago rapper KTS Dre was also fatally shot last month after reportedly being ambushed by multiple gunmen following his release from the Cook County Jail.

theGRIO reported that the 31-year-old artist, born Londre Sylvester, suffered as many as 64 bullet wounds to his head and other parts of his body, police said, per NBC Chicago.

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He had just been released from jail and was walking to a vehicle when several suspects exited two separate vehicles and all began to shoot in Sylvesters direction, striking him numerous times, the police report said.

Police believe the local rap star was targeted, per Fox 32. KTS Dre was transported to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

A 60-year-old woman who was walking with him at the time of the attack took a bullet to the knee. She was treated at Stroger Hospital. A 30-year-old woman who was walking by as shots rang out suffered a graze wound to her mouth, and was treated at Mount Sinai Hospital, per the report.

This story contains additional reporting from theGRIOs Biba Adams.

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The post Connecticut rapper YNT Juan fatally shot at age 17 appeared first on TheGrio.
People seeking civil claims from Purdue Pharma have criticized its bankruptcy filing as a way for the Sackler family to avoid responsibility for contributing to the opioid crisis. (Douglas Healy, AP)

A bankruptcy judge on Thursday will begin considering a settlement plan for Purdue Pharma.

People trying to settle claims against the opioid manufacturer wrote deeply personal letters to the judge, NPR reported.

A disabled veteran facing high medical costs linked to Purdue Pharma drugs begged the judge not to allow the settlement.

Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

A disabled veteran who says he faces thousands of dollars a week in medical costs after taking drugs made by Purdue Pharma wrote a letter begging a judge not to let the opioid manufacturer settle in bankruptcy court.

Micheal Normile wrote to federal judge Judge Robert Drain in May and said that the company had destroyed his family and his health.

"Your honor sir, I beg you, PLEASE, do not allow the certification of this chapter 11 filing," he wrote.

Purdue Pharma has faced criticism as a contributor to America's opioid epidemic. On Thursday, Drain will begin considering a proposed settlement that would resolve all civil action against its owners, the Sackler family, and prevent future lawsuits from being brought against them.

As NPR has reported, many of the people trying to settle claims against Purdue Pharma wrote deeply personal letters to the judge explaining the toll opioids have taken on their and their loved one's lives. These letters submitted by claimants have little bearing on the settlement outcome.

Normile, who is seeking a claim from Purdue Pharma, argued in his letter that a settlement would allow people filing claims to receive at most $48,000. That is nowhere near enough to cover his medical costs, he wrote.

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The 54-year-old wrote that he started taking opioid pain killers 16 years ago after suffering an injury on a Navy aircraft carrier. The injury left him with trigeminal neuralgia, a type of nerve damage in the brain that causes the "most excruciating pain known to humanity," according to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons.

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He wrote that he has now developed non-alcoholic liver failure and kidney failure as a result of taking opioid pain relievers made by Purdue Pharma for many years.

Normile wrote that his doctors have "directly linked" his liver and kidney failure to added chemicals in the opioids he was taking. Now, Normile wrote that he gets a different prescription without the added chemicals, but his medical assistance through the Department of Veteran Affairs won't pay for the new pain relievers.

Normile estimates that he pays around $3,200 per month for his pain medication and around $7,000 per week for paracentesis, a painful procedure that removes excess fluid from the abdomen that the liver can no longer filter independently.

The settlement plan would allow the Sackler family to reorganize Purdue Pharma, so that they are no longer owners, and pay $4.325 billion in total to the people seeking settlement claims against them, according to court documents.

While a seemingly large payout, Forbes estimates the family's net worth at $10.8 billion.

Read the original article on Insider
A woman filed a lawsuit against Whataburger on Thursday after she says she was targeted by her white managers because she wore a Black Lives Matter mask to work at a Fort Worth restaurant.

Last August, MaKiya Congious said she was forced out of her job at the Texas-based fast food chain for wearing the BLM face mask to work in east Fort Worth.

In the suit filed in Dallas County, Congious, who is Black, said she faced racial discrimination by Whataburger management. She wore the mask multiple times, and her supervisors and district manager did not say anything about her not being allowed to wear the face covering, she said. That changed after a customer complained about the mask on Aug. 4, 2020, the lawsuit says.

A drive-thru customer asked Congious for the customer service phone number to complain about her wearing the BLM mask. Congious told her supervisor and district manager about the complaint that same day, and managers reprimanded her for wearing the mask and ordered her to take it off, the suit says.

Whataburgers actions send the message that they dont think Black Lives Matter, Congious said in a statement. Black Lives Matter is just a statement of fact after years and years of blacks being treated like they didnt matter in this country. Its sad that this corporation is threatened by that simple statement. Would you feel safe working at a place that had the attitude that your life didnt matter?

Congious filed a discrimination complaint against Whataburger in September 2020 with the Texas Workforce Commission-Civil Rights Division. The agency issued a Right to Sue Letter to Congious, who is represented by Fort Worth attorney Jason C.N. Smith.

In a statement, Smith said it is against the law for Whataburger to discriminate against employees because of their race and color in the terms and conditions of employment.

Whataburger singled out a Black employee for wearing a Black Lives Matter mask while allowing other non-Black employees to wear all sorts of masks that had nothing to do with burgers and fries, he said. Other employees throughout the company were allowed to wear the mask of their choosing such as a Mexican flag mask. I mean, they called the police on a 19-year-old mom in response to her request for an explanation.

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Congious told the Star-Telegram in a previous interview that she asked the managers about the procedure for putting in her two weeks notice, and a manager responded by telling her, You want to put your two weeks notice in? We accept it and you dont have to come back at all.

Congious said in the suit she had not made up her mind about putting in her two weeks notice and was only asking about her options. After she pressed managers about what their response meant, they called the police, according to the suit.

When police arrived, Congious told them she only wanted the corporate number for Whataburger so she could file a complaint. She then left the restaurant without incident, she said.

The lawsuit says Congious was discriminated against specifically because she was wearing a Black Lives Matter mask. Other employees wore masks depicting the Mexican flag, a Gucci logo and a UFC emblem without issue.

The companys mask policy, which was previously shared with the Star-Telegram, makes no mention of political statements. A section regarding personal face-covering procedures reads, plain or work-appropriate patterned bandanas or other cloth material may be used to cover your nose and mouth.

Were just hamburgers and fries

Congious audio recorded her interaction with a manager as she told her to take off the mask.

Whataburger wants you to wear a mask that has no opinions whatsoever on them, the manager says in the voice recording. Youre entitled to your personal opinions, thats fine. But at Whataburger we dont want to portray them because some people may be offended. I mean, this is a big business. ... Whataburger doesnt want to get into anything political because were just hamburgers and fries.

The manager said employees should wear masks that do not have anything on them; no writing, no symbols, nothing.

Were human beings, it doesnt matter what color we are, the manager says in the voice recording.

If it doesnt matter what color we are, then why does it matter about the mask, Congious asks.

At a press conference in September 2020, Congious said the situation made her feel discriminated against and she wants her story to create change for Black people in the workforce. For her, Black Lives Matter is not a political statement.

I do have a 5-month-old baby and as he comes up in the world, I dont want him to experience anything like this at all, Congious said.

In a statement previously given to the Star-Telegram, a Whataburger spokesperson said the restaurant accepted Congious resignation and she would be paid for two weeks she was scheduled to work. The police were called, the spokesperson said, because the employee began to make threats to our restaurant management.

Whataburger supports racial equality, the statement read. This is simply a matter of enforcing our uniform policy. Whataburger employees are provided company-issued masks that comply with our policy and adhere to CDC and local government guidance.
By Idrees Ali and Jonathan Landay

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Faced with unexpectedly rapid military gains https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taliban-battle-government-forces-us-fears-kabul-could-fall-90-days-2021-08-12 by the Taliban, the United States decided on Thursday to dramatically scale down its embassy in Kabul and send about 3,000 troops temporarily to aid the evacuation of staff.

News of the drawdown, which was first reported by Reuters, underscored Washington's rapidly deteriorating hopes that diplomacy will halt the Taliban's advance and keep the capital in the Afghan government's hands. The Taliban could isolate Kabul within 30 days and take it over in 90, U.S. intelligence assessments concluded this week.

"We've been evaluating the security situation every day to determine how best to keep those serving at the embassy safe," said State Department spokesman Ned Price.

"We expect to draw down to a core diplomatic presence in Afghanistan in the coming weeks," he said, adding the embassy was not closed. A person familiar with the matter said there were no guarantees the embassy would remain open.

The State Department said Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Thursday and told him the United States "remains invested in the security and stability of Afghanistan" in the face of Taliban violence.

They said Washington was reducing its "civilian footprint" in Kabul given the "evolving security situation" and would increase the tempo of Special Immigration Visa flights for Afghans who helped the U.S. effort in the country, a State Department statement said.

The officials also said Washington remained committed to maintaining a strong diplomatic and security relationship with the Afghan government and "Secretary Blinken affirmed that the United States remained committed to support a political solution to the conflict," it added.

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President Joe Biden ordered the embassy drawdown during a meeting on Thursday with top security advisers and accepted their recommendation to do so, according to a source familiar with the situation.

A decision to stay in the country might have required the commitment of many more U.S. troops there to fight a civil war, the source said, as the United States looks to end its 20-year presence prompted by the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

Still, the decision cast new doubt on Washington's strategy to influence Afghanistan's peace process by maintaining aid and diplomatic personnel even after the troop withdrawal.

Administration officials did not adjust that timetable even as Biden ordered additional troops to Afghanistan to help secure the exit of civilian personnel. The first deployment to the airport in Kabul is expected within 24 to 48 hours, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said.

About 3,500 additional U.S. troops would be sent to the region from Fort Bragg in North Carolina to be on standby if the situation worsened, as well as 1,000 personnel to help process Afghans going through a special immigration process. It is common for the U.S. military to send in troops to evacuate personnel in combat zones.

"I don't know that we have many choices left," said Ronald Neumann, U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan from 2005 to 2007, about the decision to downsize the embassy. "What's left between Kabul and the Taliban?"

STAFF REDUCTION TO BE 'SIGNIFICANT'

Some Republican lawmakers who opposed Biden's decision to withdraw troops said they thought it was a good idea to add them now to support the embassy drawdown.

"The Biden administration must move as swiftly as possible to get both American civilians and Afghans who have aided us out of the country as quickly as possible," said Senator Jim Inhofe, the top Republican on the Armed Services Committee.

There are thought to be about 1,400 staff remaining at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul. Officials said the reduction in staff would be "significant."

The military mission in Afghanistan is set to end on Aug. 31, with roughly 650 troops remaining in the country to protect the airport and embassy.

Washington is not counting on a power-sharing agreement being reached between the Kabul government and the Taliban but is seeking one to halt the fighting, according to one source. The United States has told the Taliban directly that they will face consequences if Americans are not safe, the source said.

"While the security situation in Afghanistan is deteriorating, our strategy in the region must continue to evolve," said Representative Adam Smith, a Democrat who is chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. "The safety and security of United States personnel must always come first."

(Reporting by Idrees Ali and Jonathan Landay; Additional reporting by Patricia Zengerle, Humeyra Pamuk, Arshad Mohammed, Simon Lewis, Steve Holland Trevor Hunnicutt, David Brunnstrom and Mohammad Zhargham; Editing by Mary Milliken and Peter Cooney)
By Paul Sandle

LONDON (Reuters) -British satellite operator Inmarsat said it would launch a major upgrade to its L-band services to offer faster speeds and smaller low-cost terminals for its air, land and sea customers, and open up new opportunities in the Internet of Things (IOT).

Called ELERA, the narrowband network will use spectrum management technology to boost speeds up to 1.7Mbps, the company said on Thursday, up to four times existing levels and beating rival global L-band networks.

Inmarsat had a clear roadmap to "reinvigorate" L-band, the backbone of its low bandwidth communications and safety services for shipping, aviation and government, Chief Executive Rajeev Suri told Reuters.

The investment will boost Inmarsat's core maritime market, he said. "For Inmarsat to grow, maritime needs to return to growth," he said. "This year we will have market-leading growth and maritime should be starting to grow as well."

It will be supported by the two new I-6 satellites, ordered from Airbus in 2015, with the first scheduled to launch at the end of this year and both in commercial service in the second quarter of 2023.

The upgrade follows Inmarsat's announcement of a new constellation of low earth orbit satellites last month, which it will combine with 5G mobile and its GEO satellites in a network to increase capacity in high-demand areas.

In recent years it has focused on developing its Global Xpress high throughput broadband service, which uses the Ka band, and its European Aviation Network.

Suri said the reliability and ubiquity of L-band made it particularly useful for IOT.

It opens up a lot of new sectors, "and we are repositioning our enterprise business for growth," he told Reuters. "Our focus has been on mining, oil and gas, but now it is increasingly on utilities, railways and agriculture."

Previously listed in London, Inmarsat was sold in 2019 to a consortium of UK-based Apax Partners, U.S.-based Warburg Pincus, Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board for $3.4 billion.

Inmarsat's competitors include U.S. company Iridium Communications.

(Reporting by Paul Sandle; editing by Guy Faulconbridge and Susan Fenton)
The claim: Image shows Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis with a T-shirt that critiques masks, Biden

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and President Joe Biden have been at odds with each other over how to handle the coronavirus pandemic. One of the issues: mask mandates.

Recently, DeSantis signed an executive order to make face masks optional in Florida schools, leaving it up to parents to choose for their kids.

But a viral image that hints at this conflict has been modified.

The image in an Aug. 8 post purports to show DeSantis holding an orange T-shirt that reads, "Your mask is as useless as Joe Biden."

The post accumulated more than 6,000 interactions in the first week after it was posted.

Similar versions have been circulating since July, but the image is from 2019 and has been doctored.

USA TODAY reached out to the user for comment.

Fact check: No evidence of 8 million 'excess' Biden votes from 2020 election

Message on T-shirt has been altered

The original image was posted Sept. 27, 2019, on DeSantis' Twitter account and has a different message. The governor was visiting a Popeyes restaurant to try a new chicken sandwich, which made the news that year. He got a shirt that reads, "I went to Popeyes for the new chicken sandwich and all I got was this lousy t-shirt."

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The governor's schedule shows he was visiting the Miami office of Restaurant Brands International, the owner of Popeyes, on Sept. 27, 2019. That was before the first case of coronavirus was detected, which according to WHO was in late 2019.

Fact check: COVID-19 vaccine mandates don't violate Nuremberg Code

The governor's political committee, Friends of Ron DeSantis, is selling merchandise with slogans such as "Dont Fauci My Florida," but none of them match the shirt in question.

Our rating: Altered

We rate the image that shows the Florida governor with a T-shirt that mocks mask-wearing and Biden ALTERED, based on our research. The original image is from 2019, and the orange T-shirt read, "I went to Popeyes for the new chicken sandwich and all I got was this lousy t-shirt."

Story continues

Our fact-check sources:

Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or electronic newspaper replica here.

Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fact Check: DeSantis photo with anti-mask T-shirt was altered
(Bloomberg) -- Fired in 2014 from an ICAP Plc job that he says was paying him more than $2 million a year, swaps broker Bruce Reid was eager to hit back with a wrongful termination claim.

Years later though, Reid still hadnt had his day in court. At first his lawyer said a hearing date in New York was moved because it had been mistakenly scheduled on a Jewish holiday. Months later, the lack of progress was attributed to a discovery dispute. Then the lawyer claimed that he had begun settlement talks.

None of it was true, including the existence of the suit itself. Reid finally found out in February 2020 that the lawyer, Michael Mui, had never filed it at all.

By then, the damage had been done, Reid said in an actual lawsuit filed last year against Mui and the law firm where he works, New Yorks Sack & Sack. According to Reid, the statute of limitations now barred claims he could have asserted against his former employer.

Last week, the suit that never was resulted in the six-month suspension of Muis New York law license, with the lawyer admitting his misconduct in a state disciplinary proceeding. In recommending suspension, the disciplinary committee said it had taken into account Muis anxiety and stress at the time of his actions and his genuine remorse for his unethical choices.

Pretty Bad Behavior

Mui didnt respond to email and phone messages seeking comment. Mark Anesh and Jamie Wozman, the lawyers who represented Mui in the disciplinary proceeding and are also defending him and Sack & Sack against Reids legal malpractice suit, declined to comment.

Reid didnt respond to emails and calls seeking comment. His current lawyer, Lee Shalov, provided details about his clients claims but didnt respond to requests for comment on Muis suspension.

Stephen Gillers, a legal ethics professor at New York University, said a six-month suspension seemed incredibly lenient for a lawyer who lied to his client to the extent Mui did.

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This is pretty bad behavior, said Gillers.

Reid says in his suit that he joined ICAPs medium-term swaps desk in Jersey City in 2007 and was illegally fired in October 2014 because he cooperated with a Justice Department and Commodity Futures Trading Commission probe of the firms trading practices. Shalov said the investigation concerned alleged manipulation of the ISDAfix interest-rate derivative benchmark. The firm in 2018 agreed to pay $50 million to resolve the matter.

Imaginary Dispute

In his suit, Reid says he earned an average of $2.2 million in each of his last five years at ICAP. He says he got a new job but that it only paid him an average of $742,000 per year between 2015 and 2018. He believes his damages in terms of lost income from his wrongful termination total around $8 million with interest.

According to the suspension order, Reid retained Sack & Sack in 2015 to pursue litigation against his former employer. On its website, the four-lawyer firm says it focuses on employment law cases on behalf of senior executives. Mui was removed from the site on Thursday but was previously described as a former prosecutor with the Bronx district attorneys office and the protege of firm head Jonathan Sack, who is also named in Reids lawsuit. Sack on Thursday declined to comment.

Mui admitted to the disciplinary committee that, throughout 2016, he repeatedly told his client he had filed to initiate an arbitration proceeding with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, even though he didnt actually submit the filing until July 2017.

In late 2017, Mui told Reid the FINRA case was not progressing and suggested filing a lawsuit, the disciplinary investigation found. Over the next two years, the lawyer spun elaborate tales to his client about proceedings and filings that didnt actually happen, adopting an exasperated tone in discussing the imaginary discovery dispute with ICAP.

Im going to ask the judge to allow me to file a motion for sanctions against them, Mui told Reid in an email cited in the disciplinary proceeding. They have not cooperated at all in discovery.

Mui told Reid the case was before Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Debra James, according to the suspension order. The suits non-existence was revealed when a lawyer friend of Reids sought information on the cases status from the judges clerk.

Settlement in Principle

Gillers said Muis admissions in the disciplinary proceeding could be used against him and the firm in the legal malpractice suit. But the professor said any damages could be reduced if Reid can still go after his former employer.

Reid may have had some recent success on that front. Hes been pursuing his now seven-year-old claims against ICAP via private arbitration, which Shalov said was not barred by the statute of limitations. In an Aug. 2 letter to the court, Wozman said that a settlement in principle had been reached in the arbitration and that the parties had agreed to extend discovery deadlines in the legal malpractice case.

In defendants view, plaintiffs recovery in the arbitration will impact the damages he is seeking to recover from the defendants in the instant suit, Wozman wrote. Shalov declined to comment on a possible settlement.

Its not entirely clear with whom Reid may have settled, as the firm for which he once worked no longer exists in the same form. ICAP founder Michael Spencer sold parts of the business to what is now TP ICAP Group Plc in 2016 and others to CME Group Inc. in 2018. Both were named in Reids arbitration, and theyve been fighting in a New Jersey court over which is the proper defendant.

Lawyers for CME and TP ICAP both declined to comment on the matter.

The legal malpractice case is Reid v. Sack, 20-cv-01817, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York (Manhattan).

(Updates with removal of Michael Mui from Sack & Sack website, Jonathan Sack declining to comment.)

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Benzinga

The humongous Dixie fire in Northern California is still burning out of control as firefighters battle uncooperative weather conditions. Related: Dixie fire spreading, now second biggest in California history As of late Wednesday evening, the Dixie fire had burned more than 660,000 acres, about three times the size of Manhattan. The wildfire led to a new round of evacuation orders as gusty winds helped spread the fire within about 8 miles of Susanville, California, which has an estimated populat
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis responds to a question at a press conference in Melbourne, Florida, on March 22, 2021. Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Last month, as Florida's COVID-19 cases began to skyrocket for a third time, Gov. Ron DeSantis' campaign team started selling merchandise with messages repudiating public-health guidance. Beer koozies read, "Don't Fauci My Florida" or quoted the governor's catchphrase, "How the hell am I going to be able to drink a beer with a mask on?"

In recent weeks, DeSantis has doubled down on his opposition to masks and lockdowns, blamed the spread of coronavirus variants on immigration, and poked fun at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's latest guidance.

All the while, Florida's COVID-19 cases have climbed to unprecedented highs: The state's daily cases rose six-fold in the last month, from around 3,400 to more than 21,000, on average. That makes the current outbreak Florida's largest yet. The state recorded nearly 25,000 cases on Tuesday alone - its all-time record.

The total number of people currently hospitalized with COVID-19, meanwhile, reached a record of around 15,000 on Tuesday. Deaths have climbed almost five-fold in the last month.

DeSantis "does not seem to want to participate" in the fight against the virus, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said during a press briefing on Wednesday. Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz used stronger language: "death by DeSantis."

A timeline of DeSantis' last month shows how he has disavowed or ignored the strategies most likely to save lives while Florida's COVID-19 cases spiralled out of control. DeSantis' office did not respond to Insider's request for comment.

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The governor banned school mask mandates in July

Students at Hillsborough High School wait in line to have their temperature checked before entering the building in Tampa on August 31, 2020. Octavio Jones/Getty Images

DeSantis signed an executive order on July 30 that prohibited schools from requiring students to wear masks. By then, the state's cases had risen nine-fold since July 1. The order falsely stated that masking guidance for students "lacks a well-grounded scientific justification." In reality, several peer-reviewed studies have indicated that masks lower transmission in schools.

At a press conference in Fort Pierce, DeSantis said it wasn't "healthy" for kids "to be muzzled and have their breathing obstructed every day in school."

At the American Legislative Exchange Council's annual meeting in Utah, he told the crowd: "It's very important that we say, unequivocally: No to lockdowns, no to school closures, no to restrictions, and no mandates."

Since then, more than 800 physicians have signed an open letter asking DeSantis to repeal his anti-mask order.

DeSantis cited 'media hysteria' as Florida ICUs neared capacity

A nurse checks in on a COVID-19 patient at Tampa General Hospital on August 19, 2020. Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post/Getty Images

At a press conference in Everglades National Park last week, DeSantis said COVID-19 patients represented "a fraction of the overall hospital beds."

"I don't want to see a repeat because of some of the media hysteria where people who have heart problems or stroke are not going in to get care," he added.

At the time, more than 11,5000 people in Florida were in the hospital with COVID-19 - a higher number than at any prior moment in the pandemic. The Florida Hospital Association reported that the state's ICUs were at 87% capacity.

The governor sparred with the White House as cases approached record highs

President Joe Biden speaks as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis listens during a briefing with first responders and local officials in Miami Beach, Florida, on July 1, 2021. AP Photo/Susan Walsh

Biden told governors in a speech last week that if they aren't willing to implement mask mandates or vaccine requirements, they should "at least get out of the way of the people who are trying to do the right thing."

DeSantis referenced Biden's remarks the following day, as Florida recorded 17,000 new daily cases and 140 deaths.

In a fundraising email, he called Biden a "power-hungry tyrant" who was trying to "commandeer the rights and freedoms of Floridians."

"Let me tell you this: If you are coming after the rights of parents in Florida, I'm standing in your way," DeSantis said at a news conference in Panama City. "I'm not gonna let you get away with it."

He also claimed, falsely, that Biden was "importing more virus from around the world" by allowing unlawful immigration.

"Whatever variants are around the world, they're coming across that southern border," DeSantis said. "He's not shutting down the virus, he's helping to facilitate it."

On Monday, DeSantis threatened to withhold funding for schools that require masks

DeSantis places his mask on after a press conference on January 6, 2021. Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Some Florida school districts have defied DeSantis' ban on mask rules. In a statement to CBS Miami on Monday, DeSantis' office said it would consider withholding the salaries of district superintendents or school board members in those counties.

But the superintendent for Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Alberto Carvalho, said he would continue to listen to public-health experts.

"At no point shall I allow my decision to be influenced by a threat to my paycheck; a small price to pay considering the gravity of this issue and the potential impact to the health and well-being of our students and dedicated employees," Carvalho told CBS Miami.

DeSantis appealed a ruling that allows cruises to require vaccinations

Royal Caribbean' Empress of the Seas cruise ship leaving Miami Beach, Florida in 2016. Lynne Sladky/AP Photo

DeSantis signed a law banning businesses, schools, and government entities from requiring proof of vaccination in May, and the policy went into effect July 1. At that time, 46% Floridians were fully vaccinated, and the Delta variant was already dominant in the US.

On Monday, however, a federal judge ruled that Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings could ignore the law and require Florida passengers to show proof of vaccination on its cruises.

DeSantis' office filed a notice of appeal in response to the decision.

His office also sued the CDC in April over the agency's guidance for cruise ships. One of DeSantis' main concerns was a CDC recommendation to require 95% of crew and passengers to be fully vaccinated. A federal appeals court ruled in July that the CDC couldn't enforce the cruise-ship rules in Florida.

DeSantis questioned whether the Biden administration had sent ventilators to Florida

Ambulances and medical workers are seen at Broward Health Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on July 17, 2020. mpi04/MediaPunch /IPX via AP Photo

An official from the Department of Health and Human Services told CNN that it sent 200 ventilators and 100 oxygen supply kits from the national stockpile to Florida earlier this week.

"I would honestly doubt that that's true, but I'll look," DeSantis said of the report on Tuesday, adding, "I've not had any requests across my desk. I have not been notified of that."

The HHS official told CNN that the federal government only sends out ventilators upon request from states.

On Tuesday, Florida's Brevard County reported that all three of its hospital systems were over capacity. Several Florida hospitals told WFTS-TV that there were up to two-hour waits for ambulances to transfer patients to hospitals, and some beds were spilling over into hallways.

"Never in my entire career have I ever seen anything like this," Andrew Wilson, chief medical officer at Morton Plant North Bay Hospital, said. "My particular ER has 28 beds and a small fast-track area. We may have upwards of 40 or 50 patients in that department at a time, because we're so busy."

Read the original article on Business Insider
The Wrap

CNNs Clarissa Ward and her crew were rushed at by Taliban fighters in a new video released Thursday. One fighter moved to strike a crew member, but backed off after being told that the CNN journalists had permission to report from the scene. You can see that some of these Taliban fighters  theyre just hopped up on adrenaline or I-dont-know-what, she said as she and her crew walked behind a fighter who, she said, had removed the safety from his AK-47 before running into the crowd. Its a v
Associated Press

The former school resource officer accused of hiding during a South Florida school shooting that left 17 people dead said after a hearing Wednesday that he never would have sat idle if he had known people were being killed. Former Broward County Deputy Scot Peterson, 58, appeared in court, where his attorney argued to dismiss child negligence charges against him, the Sun Sentinel reported. After the hearing, Peterson lost his composure and fought back tears as he described how his life has changed after the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.
PARIS (Reuters) -A group of around 40 migrants was rescued on Thursday after the dinghy in which they set out to reach Britain began to sink, French authorities and one of the fishermen who saved them said.

Record numbers of migrants are crossing the Channel between France and Britain, often on overloaded rubber dinghies that barely stay afloat. The currents are strong and commercial ship traffic is heavy.

One person, who was unconscious and suffered heart failure, was airlifted to a hospital in Calais, French authorities said.

All the others on board, rescued by two fishing boats and French and Belgian sea and air units, were safely brought to the French port of Dunkirk, its prefecture said in a statement, adding that other rescue operations were still under way.

Nicolas Margolle, captain of the Nicolas Jeremy trawler, said his crew rescued four Eritrean men who had fallen into the cold sea. "The dinghy was sinking," Margolle told Reuters. "The shipwrecked men were in hypothermia and very weak, they said they had been in the water for over three hours."

His crew gave them warm clothes, water and food. They stayed onboard for about an hour before being brought back to Dunkirk by the French navy.

"The Nicolas Jeremy crew was proud to have helped them but also in shock. Many of these people have travelled thousands of kilometres and are willing to risk their lives to go to England," he said.

After being taken to safety and receiving medical treatment, the migrants were expected to be set free and offered shelter.

Britain says it wants to make the country less attractive to asylum seekers. Under proposed legislation, those trying to enter illegally would face up to four years in prison.

In July, the French and British governments announced they planned to intensify efforts to intercept vessels and stop boats making the perilous voyage.

(Reporting by Pascal Rossignol and Matthieu Protard with additional reporting by Caroline PailliezWriting by Ingrid MelanderEditing by GV De Clercq and Mark Heinrich)
As the federal investigation into Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz continues into the summer, sources tell ABC News that Gaetz's one-time wingman has been steadily providing information and handing over potential evidence that could implicate the Florida congressman and others in the sprawling probe.

Former Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg, as part of his ongoing cooperation with prosecutors, has provided investigators with years of Venmo and Cash App transactions and thousands of photos and videos, as well as access to personal social media accounts, sources said.

Private messages exclusively reviewed by ABC News potentially shed new light on the process by which Greenberg allegedly met women online who were paid for sex, and introduced them to the Florida congressman and other associates.

Greenberg pleaded guilty in May to multiple federal crimes, including sex trafficking of a minor and introducing her to other "adult men" who also had sex with her when she was underage. Greenberg agreed to provide "substantial assistance" to prosecutors as part of their ongoing investigation.

Gaetz, who currently sits at the center of the ongoing federal sex trafficking investigation into allegations that he had sex with a minor who he also met through Greenberg, has vehemently denied any wrongdoing and has not been charged with any crime.

MORE: Gaetz campaign paying former Epstein lawyer amid sex trafficking investigation

ABC News has reviewed Google Voice text messages from September 2018 that appear to show Greenberg texting with a woman he met online. In the texts, Greenberg appears to discuss payment options and asks the woman if she would take drugs; he then sets up a get-together with himself, Gaetz, the woman, and one of her friends.

"I have a friend flying in and we are trying to make plans for tonight. What are your plans for later," Greenberg wrote to the woman, whose identity ABC News is withholding for privacy purposes. "And how much of an allowance will you be requiring :)" Greenberg added.

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The woman responded by telling Greenberg she has "a friend who introduced me to the website that I could bring" and said she "usually" requires "$400 per meet."

Greenberg then sent the woman a photo of Gaetz taking a selfie with students at Pea Ridge Elementary from a 2017 visit, and wrote, "My friend," indicating that Gaetz would be the friend joining him.

"Oooh my friend thinks he's really cute!" the woman responded.

PHOTO: Rep. Matt Gaetz addresses supporters at a Matt Gaetz Florida Man Freedom Tour event at the Hilton Melbourne Beach, July 31, 2021, in Indialantic, Fla. (Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images, FILE)

Greenberg then replied that Gaetz was "down here only for the day," adding "we work hard and play hard," before asking, "Have you ever tried molly," referring to the drug MDMA, or Ecstasy.

As Greenberg was discussing payment for the get-together, the woman asked if Gaetz used the same website Greenberg had used to meet her. Greenberg replied, in part, "He knows the deal :)," referring to the Florida congressman. The former tax collector then said he would book a "suite Downtown" for the gathering.

Asked about the allegations reported in this article, Harlan Hill, a spokesperson for Gaetz, told ABC News, "After months of media coverage, not one woman has come forward to accuse Rep. Gaetz of wrongdoing. Not even President Biden can say that. That others might invite people unbeknownst to a U.S. Congressman to functions he may or may not attend is the everyday life of a political figure. Your story references people the congressman doesn't know, things he hasn't done and messages he neither sent nor received."

"Rep. Gaetz addressed the debunked allegations against him -- and their origin in an extortion plot -- during his Firebrand podcast episode last week," Hill added. "People should download and watch."

Gaetz himself has also forcefully pushed back against reports of the investigation. After the self-described "sugar daddy" website Seeking.com released a statement claiming to have "no knowledge of Mr. Gaetz ever having an account on the website," Gaetz said on Twitter that "we are seeing the collapse of the Fake News media's lies."

However, The New York Times reported in April that investigators believe it was Greenberg who initially met women through online sugar daddy websites -- which connect people who go on dates in exchange for gifts and allowances -- and then "introduced the women to Mr. Gaetz, who also had sex with them."

MORE: As Gaetz investigation ramps up, feds mount sweeping probe into Central Florida political scene: Sources

Additional Facebook messages reviewed by ABC News paint a similar picture, showing Greenberg appearing to organize a gathering in July 2018 that included Gaetz and women the former tax collector had allegedly been paying for sex, at the home of Jason Pirozzolo, a Florida hand doctor who founded a medical marijuana advocacy group and, according to reports, allegedly accompanied Gaetz on a 2018 trip to the Bahamas that investigators are scrutinizing.

The Facebook messages also appear to show Greenberg offering to introduce a Florida media entrepreneur at the meet-up at Pirozzolo's home, which Greenberg described as "our safe place."

"You should come meet the group," Greenberg wrote to the entrepreneur, according to the messages. He then mentioned the names of two girls repeatedly featured on the former tax collector's Venmo transactions, which ABC News has reviewed.

"I think it would be a wise investment of time. You might already know Jason Pirrazolo ... but I'd like for you to meet Congressman Matt Gaetz," Greenberg wrote. "Gaetz is a wild man, but great dude."

Greenberg said in the message that the party would have "6-7 chicks" and "just 3-4 guys." He then provided directions to Pirrazolo's house, adding, "It's our safe place, all things considered."

PHOTO: Former Seminole County Tax Collector Joel Greenberg talks to the Orlando Sentinel in September 2019, during an interview at his office in Lake Mary, Fla. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel/TNS/Newscom, FILE)

A few days after the date of the July gathering, the entrepreneur posted a photo on Instagram that appeared to come from a separate get-together and includes the two young women Greenberg had mentioned in his private messages. ABC News is withholding the names of the two women for privacy purposes.

It's not immediately certain if the gatherings Greenberg was working to arrange in July and September of 2018, over the private messages reviewed by ABC News, ultimately took place around those specific dates. Greenberg had arranged similar gatherings at hotels in the Central Florida area and at friends' houses, including Pirozzolo's, with the congressman in attendance, multiple sources who attended the gatherings in the past told ABC News.

Contacted by ABC News, Greenberg's attorney, Fritz Scheller, said, "The only comment I can make is Joel Greenberg has executed a plea agreement with the government and will continue to honor his obligations pursuant to that agreement."

Pirozzolo's attorney, David Haas, declined to comment when reached by ABC News, citing the ongoing investigation.

Last month, a judge granted a request by Greenberg to delay his sentencing for three months, citing the breadth of his continued cooperation with federal prosecutors.

MORE: Feds looking at alleged payments Rep. Matt Gaetz made to women and online solicitation: Sources

"Mr. Greenberg has been cooperating with the Government and has participated in a series of proffers," Scheller wrote in a filing requesting the delay. "Said cooperation, which could impact his ultimate sentence, cannot be completed prior to the time of his sentencing."

Prosecutors did not oppose the delay and a judge approved it a day later.

While Gaetz has appeared to distance himself from Greenberg since news broke regarding the investigation, he previously described Greenberg to acquaintances as his "wingman" and also publicly floated the former tax collector as a potential congressional candidate.

"Joel Greenberg has gone into the Seminole County Tax Collector's Office, he's taken it by storm," Gaetz said in a radio interview on WFLA in June 2017, in which he pushed Greenberg to run for Florida's 7th congressional district.

"He's been a disrupter," Gaetz said of Greenberg. "And if you look at what people want in the country right now, they want that disrupter. And they want someone who is not going to adhere to the dogma that has strangled progress in Washington, D.C., for a generation."

Gaetz associate providing feds intel, documents as probe into congressman continues: Sources originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Google has banned SafeGraph, a company that captured and sold Android users' location data, Motherboard reports. Android developers who used the company's software development kit (SDK) were given seven days to remove SafeGraph's location gathering tools from their apps or face possible ejection from the Play Store.

Some of the data SafeGraph obtained was from apps that harnessed the SDK. The apps were able to track user locations, though many people many not be aware how companies use their data.

Google brought the hammer down on SafeGraph in early June. It's not clear if any apps are still using the SDK or if Google has taken action against developers who haven't removed SafeGuard's plug-ins. Engadget has contacted Google for comment.

With context, it's possible to find out details about individuals using location data, even when it's supposedly anonymized. Data Motherboard bought from SafeGraph showed the movement of users between points of interest. The company also sells secondary information from other companies to augment the location data, according to the report. Other datasets are said to include the names of people who own property in the US, which could reveal details about individual users.

SafeGraph reportedly sells its location data to almost anyone willing to pay for it. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is said to be among SafeGraph's customers, while The New York Times used SafeGraph data for a project that showed where people were gathering after COVID-19 lockdown restrictions were loosened. The publication told Motherboard that it aggregated the location data.

In February, Google took a similar action against Predicio, which is linked to a company named Venntel. Public contracts that emerged last year showed that US Customs and Border Protection bought data from Venntel, reportedly for warrantless phone tracking. Google and Apple both banned X-Mode, another location data broker, last December. Location data brokers sometimes pay app developers to use their tracking code so they can sell the information, which violates Google's rules.
Anton Lazzaro and President Donald Trump. Anton Lazzaro

A GOP strategist was charged with 10 counts of sex trafficking, conspiracy, and obstruction of justice.

The strategist, Anton Lazzaro, has appeared as a guest on Fox News, Fox radio, and RT, among others.

The DOJ accused him of soliciting sex from six minors last year and seized 38 electronic devices.

See more stories on Insider's business page.

A Republican strategist was arrested Thursday on ten counts of sex trafficking, conspiracy, and obstruction of justice.

The Daily Beast first reported the news, and the FBI confirmed Anton Lazzaro's arrest in Minneapolis on Thursday morning. A 10-count indictment against him was unsealed in federal court in the afternoon.

The indictment said Lazzaro had been charged with one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors, five counts of sex trafficking of minors, one count of attempted sex trafficking of a minor, and three counts of obstruction of justice. Another person was also listed in the indictment, but their name was redacted in the filing.

The Justice Department said that Lazzaro "conspired with others to recruit and solicit six minor victims to engage in commercial sex acts" from May 2020 through December. The indictment said Lazzaro also "knowingly and intentionally" obstructed justice from July 2020 through March of this year in connection with his alleged sex trafficking of minors.

The charging document said the 10 counts against Lazzaro require him to forfeit his apartment in downtown Minneapolis, his Ferrari, more than $370,000 that was seized from his apartment, and 38 electronic devices, including smartphones, laptops, tablets, thumb drives, and a GPS tracker.

Lazzaro made an initial appearance in court before Magistrate Judge Becky Thorson and will remain in custody pending a formal detention hearing on August 16, the DOJ said.

Lazzaro's attorney, Zachary Newland, released a statement saying: "It is always unfortunate when the federal government abuses its power. Especially when such abuse is utilized against the innocent. Mr. Lazzaro has been charged with horrible crimes. But they are crimes which he did not commit."

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The statement continued: "So, not only has Mr. Lazzaro been falsely accused, but, because of the seriousness of the charges and the overreaching by the government, he, an innocent man, could potentially spend the rest of his life behind bars if convicted on even one count, and each count comes with a 10-year mandatory minimum. Mr. Lazzaro looks forward to clearing his good name and continuing to work for the betterment of his community. Until then, Mr. Lazzaro asks that the public withhold judgment so that the truth can come out."

Lazzaro's LinkedIn said he's the CEO of Gold River Group, a consulting firm in Minneapolis. He is heavily involved in Minnesota Republican politics and founded Big Tent Republicans, a political action committee that describes itself as being "dedicated to broadening the base and appeal of the Republican Party to a new and diverse generation of Americans."

Lazzaro's website said he's appeared on Fox News, Fox radio, the far-right network Newsmax, the Russian state-sponsored outlet RT, and a number of local television and radio networks.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Photo Illustration by Elizabeth Brockway/The Daily Beast/Getty/Twitter

Anton Lazzaro, a young Republican strategist and former congressional campaign manager in Minnesota, was arrested on underage sex trafficking charges Thursday morning, according to federal law enforcement.

Lazzaro, an occasional Fox News guest who flaunted his wealthy lifestyle on social media, was indicted on five counts of sex trafficking of a minor, one count of attempting to do so, and three counts of obstruction of justice. The FBI confirmed its agents had arrested Lazzaro in Minneapolis this morning. And the indictment was unsealed in federal court Thursday afternoon during his initial appearance in federal court in St. Paul, Minnesota, which took place over a video conference.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Becky R. Thorson ordered that Lazzaro remain jailed until a court hearing next week, after prosecutors claimed six victims had asked for additional protection from Lazzaro.

Its their strong wish that the United States proceed with a recommendation of detention, Thorson said of the alleged victims.

The indictment accuses Lazzaro of having recruited at least five underage victims for paid sex between May and December last year, and trying to entice a sixth. It also says he knowingly and intentionally interfered with the investigation as it closed in on him.

The feds have yet to arrest a second person under investigation, who is mentioned as a co-conspirator in the indictment but not identified.

The FBI raided Lazzaros luxury condo in mid-December last year, and agents had sought evidence concerning whom he had brought home into the Hotel Ivy residences in downtown Minneapolis, according to three sources who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Law enforcement served the condo buildings management company with a search warrant seeking Lazzaros bank records and video surveillance footage a week before the raid, according to a person with direct knowledge. The search warrant appears in federal court records but remains sealed. The prosecutors working on this case did not return phone calls seeking further detail.

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When asked about the investigation last month, the U.S. Attorneys Office declined to provide any information about the matter. The FBI at the time would only confirm that it had conducted court-authorized law enforcement activity at that location this past December.

In a phone conversation with this reporter last month, Lazzaro confirmed that his apartment had been searched in December but did not acknowledge the nature of the investigation, simply claiming that someone made a false accusation against me.

There's no charges, no case, nothing political, he said, adding that the matter was regarding a totally unrelated incident that's now almost resolved, essentially.

Bombshell Letter: Gaetz Paid for Sex With Minor, Wingman Says

Lazzaro claimed that his defense attorney in this case had subcontracted the prominent lawyer Alan Dershowitz, a one-time Harvard Law School professor who has advised former President Donald Trump and ex-New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. However, Dershowitz denied that to The Daily Beast.

It's just not true, Dershowitz said.

The 30-year-old entrepreneur served as the campaign manager for GOP candidate Lacy Johnson, who ran an unsuccessful bid in 2020 to unseat Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar.

Johnson told The Daily Beast that his former campaign manager never told him about the raid or the investigation. Johnson said Lazzaro never discussed his personal dating life.

I dont know that side of Tony. Hes young, hes got money, and that tends to attract females, Johnson said.

Gaetz Paid Accused Sex Trafficker, Who Then Venmod Teen

Johnson expressed dismay that he first heard details about the criminal probe from a journalist, as opposed to his trusted adviser.

Johnson described first meeting Lazzaro at a statewide GOP caucus. He later launched his campaign with the younger political operative at his side in 2019. Federal election records list Lazzaros own political action committee, Big Tent Republicans PAC, as an affiliated organization of Johnsons campaign.

Lazzaros PAC has funneled more than $22,000 to political committees in California, Minnesota, Michigan, and New Mexico, according to federal election records. Nearly half of the relatively small PAC is funded by Lazzaro himself, whom associates describe as a young investor with a particular interest in the digital currency Bitcoin.

Lazzaro has cast himself as a next-generation Republican with more modernized views, as he told Minnesotas Star Tribune last year. On his website, Lazzaro says his PAC looks to redefine the Republican Party specifically to minority, LGBT, and women who he acknowledges have been neglected by his own party.

via AntonLazzaro.com

He has donated to Republicans for nearly a decade, but his contributions have ramped up sharply since 2016.

His personal website shows him alongside Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, as well as multiple television appearances on Fox News. On social media, Lazzaro shows himself sitting on private jets, waving stacks of cash, and driving shirtless in his red Ferrari.

Last year, he was on the shortlist of Minnesotas presidential electors for the Republican Party as an alternate who could substitute for any missing delegates, according to state election records.

In a brief interview in July, Lazzaro claimed The Daily Beast had intercepted information about the case it should not have received and threatened to sue this reporter. Lazzaro revealed that he secretly recorded the phone call and asserted that he would buy the domain name JosePaglieryNews.com to release audio of the call. After the interview, Lazzaro sent an email with a screenshot indicating he had already purchased six similar domains with that intent.

There's nothing to this case. It's not some Matt Gaetz or whatever you think this is, he said.

via AntonLazzaro.com

His Dallas-area defense attorney, Zachary L. Newland, declined to provide details about the alleged sex crime being investigated or the ongoing discussions with federal prosecutors. In mid-July, he told The Daily Beast that his legal team is still in the dark because it had yet to receive copies of law enforcement paperwork explaining what agents have found.

Newland did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Thursday. But in an earlier interview, he had said, We look forward to clearing Mr. Lazzaro's name I think he's innocent. They don't have a provable case here.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Hamas's indiscriminate rocket fire aimed at Israel this spring amounted to a war crime because they targeted civilian areas, Human Rights Watch announced on Thursday.

Hamas, the Gaza-based U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization, launched thousands of rockets at Israel during a flare-up of tension in May that lasted about two weeks. While a significant majority of the rockets aimed at Israel were intercepted by the Iron Dome, their missile rocket-intercepting system, Israel launched their own strikes, targeting Hamas but also killing civilians nonetheless.

TALIBAN CAPTURE THREE MORE PROVINCIAL CAPITALS AS OFFICIALS WARN OF PREMATURE COLLAPSE

Palestinian armed groups during the May fighting flagrantly violated the laws-of-war prohibition on indiscriminate attacks by launching thousands of unguided rockets towards Israeli cities, Eric Goldstein, acting Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch, said.

The failure of both Hamas authorities and the Israeli government to provide accountability for alleged war crimes by their forces highlights the essential role of the International Criminal Court, he added.

The group previously announced their belief that Israel also committed unlawful acts. In particular, HRW investigated three Israeli strikes that killed 62 Palestinian civilians, and the group found no evident military targets in the vicinity.

Israeli forces carried out attacks in Gaza in May that devastated entire families without any apparent military target nearby, said Gerry Simpson, associate crisis and conflict director at Human Rights Watch. Israeli authorities consistent unwillingness to seriously investigate alleged war crimes, as well as Palestinian forces rocket attacks toward Israeli population centers, underscores the importance of the International Criminal Courts inquiry.

Under international humanity law, warring parties can only target military objectives, and deliberate attacks on either civilians or civilian objects are prohibited, as are indiscriminate attacks.

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CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Hamas began firing rockets after Israeli officials took aggressive actions, including the forced eviction of Palestinian families from an east Jerusalem community.

During the exchange of aerial attacks, the Israeli military killed 260 Palestinians, including at least 129 civilians and 66 were children, according to HRW, while Israeli authorities said Hamass aerial attacks resulted in the deaths of a dozen civilians, including two children. The rocket fire ended after a ceasefire was negotiated by Egypt.

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Tags: News, Israel, Palestine, War Crimes, Hamas

Original Author: Mike Brest

Original Location: Hamas rocket fire at Israel in May was a war crime, Human Rights Watch says
NEW YORK (AP)  Oakland filmmaker Peter Nicks had already made two well-regarded documentaries capturing the flawed institutions of his city and their role in shaping local lives: 2012s The Waiting Room, about a public hospital, and 2017s The Force, about the Oakland Police Department during a wave of shootings and protests.

To complete his Oakland trilogy, Nicks turned to Oakland High, a public school with a diverse student body of mostly Asian American, Black and Latino children. Nicks interest wasnt just in rounding out his city-surveying series. It was personal. His teenage daughter, Karina, had been going through a difficult time. In making a movie about the hardships of growing up as a teenager of color in Oakland, he was, in a way, making a movie about her.

A lot of films have explored the inner-city high school experience. I was more interested in something akin to The Breakfast Club but for kids of color, Nicks said in an interview. A lot of that was driven not just to complete the trilogy, but we had really been struggling with our daughter and were a family with resources. Navigating the mental health system was very difficult, and I started thinking: Whats it like for families without resources?

Just as Nicks was beginning filming in September 2019, Karina died suddenly at the age of 16. He decided to keep going with the film, even though that meant immersing himself in the lives of kids a lot like his daughter. The movie, Homeroom, is dedicated to her.

It was hard. The essence of it is holding your grief and holding the beauty that these kids represented and why we were there and what we were trying to capture. Having those two things coexist simultaneously was just something I had to get used to, says Nicks. The one thing I do carry and hold very dearly is that this is a film that honors her spirit. She was really like these kids in the film. In whatever way shes doing it, shes been pushing us along because its a miracle the film ever got finished.

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Yet Homeroom" got made, through personal tragedy and pandemic. The movie, which debuted Thursday on Hulu, won an editing prize at the Sundance Film Festival and is executive produced by Black Panther filmmaker Ryan Coogler. It follows a class of students through a school year that, for a while, bears no sign of the cataclysm to come. Figuring he had some time, Nicks was just narrowing down to the kids that would be the film's central characters when the pandemic hit the Bay Area. One student is seen disinfecting a bag of Cheetos. Soon, the students are sent home.

I had the name picked out years ago. The fact that the kids ended up in home at the end was kind of serendipitous, Nicks says of Homeroom. Shortly after that it was like: What are we going to do? How are we going to possibly finish this movie? Are we going to do it over Zoom? That was a shock, but it forced us to look at what we had captured.

Nicks and his crew discovered a rich thread. Since the beginning of the school year, some students had been working to have police removed from the school campus. Their presence, they argued, was an impediment to a good learning environment, and potentially triggering to those who lived with the threat of police brutality.

Nicks dug into the footage that had once seemed a more minor plot line. When many of the students took to the protests that followed the police murder of George Floyd, Homeroom became a portrait of 2020 in microcosm: A year interrupted, then a galvanizing sense of purpose.

Homeroom takes a verite approach -- Wiseman with words, Nicks calls his style, referencing the pioneering nonfiction filmmaker Frederick Wiseman -- predicated on intimacy. He wanted to stick rigorously to the perspective of the kids: No adult voices at all, he says. Zero. Like Peanuts: Wah wah wah wah.

Most of the students as seen in Homeroom arent headed to Ivy League colleges, and their intelligence isnt likely to register chart-topping SAT scores. But by patiently observing them, Homeroom shows the smarts, social-media savvy and strength of a multiracial generation in the midst of finding its voice.

We have a distorted sense of how we judge potential in our society, says Nicks. These young people arent going to Harvard and Yale for the most part and theyre not getting perfect scores on their SATs, and yet theyre in possession of these remarkable skills and resilience that will serve them extremely well in life.

Nicks plans to continue to focus on Bay Area stories  including a just-announced documentary on Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry  with his production company Open'hood and Proximity Media, a company he co-founded with Coogler. In a statement, the fellow Oakland filmmaker calls Nicks a master filmmaker with an uncanny ability to bring us closer to subjects that are important to our social fabric but so often overlooked.

On Hulu, Homeroon will sit alongside both "The Waiting Room" and The Force. But Nicks' wife, Vanna Sivilay, and son, Paolo, haven't seen it yet. It's too difficult.

What the kids did in that movie, those are things my daughter will never have the opportunity to do, says Nicks, remembering Karina marching as a young girl in 2014 after the deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner. These kids leave you a lot to be hopeful for.

___

This article has been updated to correct the spelling of Nicks on a second reference.

___

Follow AP Film Writer Jake Coyle on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/jakecoyleAP
DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran summoned the Russian and British ambassadors on Thursday after a photograph was posted on the Russian embassy's Twitter account recalling the 1943 Tehran Conference, when Iran was occupied by the Allied powers, Iranian state media reported.

The picture, which outgoing foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called "extremely inappropriate", has drawn criticism in Iran, with many saying on Twitter that the aim appeared to be to remind them of a time when their country was under foreign occupation.

It showed the Russian envoy, Levan Dzhagaryan, and Britain's ambassador, Simon Shercliff, sitting where U.S. president Franklin D. Roosevelt, British prime minister Winston Churchill and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin sat together at the Russian embassy during the 1943 strategy meeting.

Foreign minister-designate Hossein Amirabdollahian said it "showed disregard for diplomatic etiquette and the national pride of the Iranian people".

"During the meeting, the Russian ambassador stated that his intention to publish this photo was merely a reminder of Russia's alliance with Britain against the Nazi army during World War Two," Iran's foreign ministry said in a statement.

"There was no anti-Iranian motive behind the photo," the statement added, according to state TV.

While emphasising friendly relations between Iran and Russia, an Iranian foreign ministry official made clear that publication of the photograph "was not acceptable", the statement said.

The Russian embassy said it had no wish to cause offence.

"Taking into account the ambiguous reaction to our photo, we would like to note that it does not have any anti-Iranian context. We were not going to offend the feelings of the friendly Iranian people," it tweeted.

"The only meaning that this photo has to pay tribute to the joint efforts of the allied states against Nazism during the Second World War. Iran is our friend and neighbor, and we will continue to strengthen relations based on mutual respect" the Russian embassy added.

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Shercliff retweeted the comments.

The semi-official Tasnim news agency said the British envoy "regretted the misunderstanding" over the picture and said that "there was no bad intention behind it".

Iranian authorities say they see Moscow as a "strategic partner" in talks between Tehran and six powers to revive a 2015 nuclear deal that Washington abandoned three years ago.

Tensions between Iran and Britain have risen over an attack last month on a tanker in which a Briton died. Britain blamed Tehran, which denied involvement.

(Writing by Parisa Hafezi; Editing by Giles Elgood)
CASABLANCA, Morocco  Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid said in a press conference on Thursday that Israel and Morocco will move toward full diplomatic normalization by upgrading their diplomatic liaison offices in Tel Aviv and Rabat to full embassies within two months.

The big picture: Morocco and Israel reestablished diplomatic relations last December as part of a three-way deal with the U.S., in which the Trump administration reversed decades of U.S. policy by recognizing Moroccan sovereignty over disputed Western Sahara.

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The Moroccans stopped short of fully normalizing diplomatic relations with Israel at that time, preferring to open diplomatic liaison offices in lieu of embassies and potentially retain bargaining chips should the next administration consider rolling back the Western Sahara decision.

Behind the scenes: Secretary of State Tony Blinken told Moroccan foreign minister Nasser Bourita in April that the U.S. was not rolling back Trump's move, as I reported at the time.

That gave a sense of stability to the deal and convinced Morocco to conclude the normalization process. The announcement was negotiated between the Moroccans and Israelis in the weeks leading up to Lapid's visit.

Meanwhile, direct flights have started between Tel Aviv and Casablanca, Moroccan troops participated in an exercise in Israel for the first time in two decades, and the countries announced a cooperation agreement on cyber defense.

Driving the news: Lapid's visit was the first by an Israeli foreign minister to Morocco since 2003.

He said in a press conference at its conclusion that Bourita would be traveling to Israel on the first direct Air Morocco flight, planned for October.

During this visit, Bourita is expected to inaugurate the Moroccan Embassy in Tel Aviv.

Worth noting: Lapid also said he'd be traveling to Bahrain in September to inaugurate the Israeli Embassy there. That will be the first official visit by an Israeli foreign minister to the Gulf kingdom.

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JERUSALEM (Reuters) -The Israeli military said on Thursday it downed a drone belonging to the Lebanese Hezbollah group that crossed into Israeli airspace from Lebanon.

In a brief statement, it said the incident occurred on Wednesday.

"Our troops monitored and successfully downed the drone," the military said. "We will continue to operate in order to prevent any attempt to violate Israeli sovereignty."

The statement gave no technical details about the drone, but Israeli media reports said it was unarmed and likely on a reconnaissance mission.

Tensions flared along the Israeli-Lebanese border last week, with Hezbollah launching rocket attacks that drew Israeli air strikes and artillery fire.

But both sides targeted open ground, suggesting neither was interested in wider conflict. Israel and Hezbollah last fought a war in 2006.

Last week's flareup coincided with wider regional tensions with Iran, which has denied U.S., Israeli and British allegations it was behind a July 29 attack on an Israeli-managed oil tanker in the Gulf in which two crew members, a Briton and a Romanian, were killed.

(Reporting by Jeffrey Heller and Ahmed TolbaEditing by Chris Reese and Grant McCool)
Aug. 12A Muskogee County judge denied public access for a second day to a preliminary hearing for a man who faces six first-degree murder charges filed in connection with the deaths of his brother and five children.

District Judge Bret Smith rejected arguments made on behalf of the Muskogee Phoenix and the public that access to court proceedings is a First Amendment right guaranteed by U.S. Constitution. He said the interests of the children in a deprived-child matter, which Smith chose to hear concurrently with Jarron Dejaun Pridgeon's preliminary hearing, outweighed the public's right to attend the criminal hearing.

KatieBeth Gardner, a Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press lawyer representing the Phoenix, said she plans to file a writ with the Oklahoma Criminal Court of Appeals seeking an order to open the hearing. Gardner's representation of the Phoenix, made possible by RCFP's Local Legal Initiative, facilitated the release the audio of a 911 call made after the mass shooting and police bodycam video, open records that prosecutors attempted to seal.

"Absolutely, we can get started on it this afternoon," Gardner said about the appeal of Smith's decision. "I can't promise that's going to get us into the courtroom by the end of the week, but absolutely we would ask for transcripts to be prepared of the hearing at their expense and made available to the public."

Gardner said Smith, who prohibited access to journalists while she argued on their behalf, expressed the need to protect the children's interest, which he prioritized over public access to Pridgeon's preliminary hearing. In a motion to intervene filed Monday after journalists were removed from Smith's courtroom, Gardner cited U.S. Supreme Court and Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals cases that recognized the presumptive openness of criminal proceedings and the values served by openness."

"This presumptive right of public access is rooted in the 'centuries-old history of open trials' and implicit in the First Amendment's 'core purpose' of assuring freedom of public discussion," Gardner argues in her motion. "That right can be overcome only by 'an overriding interest based on findings that closure is essential to preserve higher values and is narrowly tailored to serve that interest.'"

Gardner said the absence of any written order providing notice of the two hearings being conducted simultaneously and restricting public access subverts First Amendment principles that support public policies for the need of a free press. She said closing the preliminary hearing can be done only if the court deems it "essential to preserve higher values, narrowly tailored to serve those interests," and the decision is "supported by specific, on-the-record factual findings."

Gardner hopes to secure the release of a transcript "of the portion of that criminal proceeding that was improperly closed to the media and the public."
That dream vacation to the French Caribbean is going to have to wait.

The French government is tightening coronavirus restrictions in Martinique and Guadeloupe  two popular Caribbean vacation destinations  to counter rising infection rates that are overwhelming local hospitals.

On Tuesday, Martinique entered a three-week lockdown and advised tourists to leave the island, Reuters reported. The island's beaches and nonessential shops have been ordered closed.

Anyone remaining in Martinique will be prohibited from traveling more than a half mile from home, the Associated Press reported.

On Wednesday, French President Emmanuel Macron described the situation in the French Caribbean as "cruel proof" that vaccinations are working, the news service AFP reported. Vaccination rates remain low in Martinique and Guadeloupe, with far fewer eligible people being fully vaccinated in the French territories than in France.

This picture taken on August 11, 2021, shows the almost empty beach of the Bakoua hotel during a strict lockdown in Trois-Ilets in the French Caribbean island of Martinique.

LIONEL CHAMOISEAU/AFP via Getty Image France's government warned on August 10 of an "extremely serious" Covid-19 crisis in the country's overseas territories, especially in the Caribbean, saying that infection rates had climbed to levels unprecedented on the mainland. Martinique tightened a lockdown and told tourists to leave, a huge blow to the Caribbean islands at the height of the summer season.

In France, more than half the population has been fully vaccinated, according to Reuters. That figure is thanks in part to a new requirement that patrons of restaurants, bars, and more present a digital health pass for entry.

In Martinique, less than 20% of the population has been vaccinated and the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has been climbing, according to data from the World Health Organization. And at least 184 residents of Martinique have been killed by the coronavirus.

Meanwhile in Guadeloupe, less than 15% of the local population has been fully vaccinated. Guadeloupe has reported nearly 9,000 new COVID-19 cases in the past month  about one-third the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases it has reported during the entire pandemic, WHO data shows.

Local officials in Guadeloupe describe the island's hospital system as severely strained, with 10 COVID-19 patients being put into intensive care on a single day last week.

Meena Thiruvengadam is a Travel + Leisure contributor who has visited 50 countries on six continents and 47 U.S. states. She loves historic plaques, wandering new streets and walking on beaches. Find her on Facebook and Instagram.
The upcoming romantic drama film based on a true story stars Michael B. Jordan alongside newcomer Chante Adams, and will hit theaters this Christmas

Michael B. Jordan fans, get ready! The actor stars in a new trailer for Denzel Washingtons A Journal for Jordan, a romantic drama film based on a true story.

From Black Panther, Creed, and the rumored Superman series for HBO Max, Jordan is truly one of Hollywoods most in-demand actors. In the trailer for his latest film, the actor stars alongside newcomer Chante Adams in a story directed by none other than acclaimed Washington. With a script by Virgil Williams (Mudbound), the film is based on a true story.

Michael B. Jordan attends the 51st NAACP Image Awards, Presented by BET, at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on February 22, 2020 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)

Based on a true story, its follow Sgt. Charles Monroe King (Jordan), a soldier deployed to Iraq who begins to keep a journal of love and advice for his infant son. But the horrors of war take their toll. Back at home, senior New York Times editor Dana Canedy (Adams) revisits the story of her unlikely, life-altering relationship with King and his enduring devotion to her and their child, per Deadlines official synopsis of the film.

Washington and Jordan are producers on the film, as are Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, and Steve Tisch.

The trailer features plenty of heartfelt moments for fans to look forward to. King tells his son through the journal in the trailer, Just take one look at your mother, that will tell you what I think beautiful islove is a choice, Jordan, and real love means you have to sacrifice. But pain is temporary, real love lasts forever.

Jordan took to Instagram to share his excitement surrounding the film, including working with his idol, Denzel.

He wrote in the caption of his post, A once-in-a-lifetime love. Its not often you get a chance to be directed by one of your idols, in Denzel Washington. @chantee__ I think we got one! @ajournalforjordan hittin theaters this Christmas.

Denzel Washington attends the 47th AFI Life Achievement Award honoring Denzel Washington at Dolby Theatre on June 06, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images)

Adams also took to her Instagram account to share the exciting news, writing that she is honored to tell the story.

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She shared with her followers, A Journal for JordanI am so honored to tell a once in a lifetime love story along side @michaelbjordan & to be directed by the master himself, Denzel Washington. See you all this Christmas   @ajournalforjordan.

A Journal for Jordan is set to exclusively hit theaters on December 25, 2021.

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The post Michael B. Jordan stars in new trailer for Denzel Washingtons A Journal for Jordan appeared first on TheGrio.
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A German middle school teacher was accused in court on Tuesday of murdering, dismembering, and eating a man he met on a gay dating website last year.

The accused, identified only as Stefan R., allegedly lured Stefan Trogisch, a 44-year-old electrical construction worker, to his apartment in Berlin last year on September 5 for the purpose of killing and eating him, according to a report in the Daily Mail. Trogish was reported missing by his flatmates a short time later after he failed to return home.

Pieces of Trogischs fleshless skeletal remains were found in various locations throughout the greater Berlin area later that fall. After a leg bone was discovered by a passerby in a park last November 8, police used specially trained dogs which led police from the area where the body parts were found to the apartment of Stefan R. There, police found a bloody bone saw and chemicals that are used to dissolve flesh. Stefan R. was not immediately arrested, but was taken into custody a short time later after forensic analysis of the evidence discovered in his apartment indicated that he was responsible for the murder and dismemberment of Trogisch. Police alleged they found bite marks on at least one of the bones.

At court on Tuesday, Stefan R. hid his face behind a folder as the prosecutors laid out their case against the 41-year-old middle school math and chemistry teacher. The main charge against him is sexual murder with a base motive.

The accused killed the victim because he sought sexual satisfaction through the killing and wanted to eat parts of the corpse, the prosecution said during the trial.

Prosecutors reported Stefan R. had participated in online cannibal forums using the name Masterbutcher79 and had made multiple searches online on the subject. Bild reported he once searched to determine if a man could survive having his penis cut off. They also have messages between the two men showing they agreed to meet, but prosecutors said they have no reason to believe Trogish was a willing participant in his murder and the later cannibalism of his body.

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The case is reminiscent of Armin Meiwis, known as the Master Butcher of Rotenburg and the Cannibal of Rotenburg, who had killed and cannibalized Bernd Juergen Brandes in 2001. The victim, in that case, had posted an ad asking for someone to obliterate his life and leave no trace. Meiwis was initially convicted of manslaughter, but that verdict was rejected by the courts and he was later convicted of murder at a second trial.

Last year, Chance Seneca, a 19-year-old Jeffrey Dahmer fan in Louisiana, allegedly drugged then tried to amputate the hands of Holden White, 19, who he met on Grindr. The attack left White partially paralyzed and emotionally traumatized. He described a harrowing experience, waking up naked in Senecas bathtub, bleeding from multiple stab wounds to his neck as the young sadist was trying to saw off Whites hand at the wrist.

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The water is running, and it's cold, White recalled last year from the hospital. He is in the process of doing my left wrist. He was slicing it like this and was very, very hard. It was to the point that he was basically trying to cut off my hands.

In Berlin yesterday, the New York Post reported that a lawyer for the family said they simply want to know what happened to their son and that they dont expect Stefan R. to justify himself or try to apologize.

The trial was halted yesterday after defense lawyers claimed they had not been given full access to the evidence against their client.

RELATED | Elderly Man Tortured with Taser, Electric Drill by Grindr Date
By Lisa Barrington

DUBAI (Reuters) - Philippine national Maya and her husband lost their low-paying jobs in the United Arab Emirates early in the coronavirus pandemic, and with it their work visas and health insurance.

Now they say they face a mounting bill of daily immigration fines because their one-year-old child remains undocumented, as the hospital where it was born withholds the birth notification required to get a certificate until the couple settles a 14,000 dirham ($3,800) bill.

Dozens of women have told the Do Bold non-profit organisation, which promotes migrant workers' rights, that they had not obtained birth certificates in the UAE as of late 2020.

The group said the issue came to light when it was approached by migrant workers who had lost jobs in the pandemic or could not travel home to give birth.

Without the documentation, children in the UAE are unable to get passports, visas or Emirates identification, or to access healthcare and education.

Do Bold said 166 women who filled out a survey did not have birth certificates at the end of last year, of which 63 cited unpaid hospital bills as the cause. Other reasons included being unable to provide valid marriage certificates or visas.

"We want hospitals to provide birth certificates regardless of immigration status, regardless of civil status, and regardless of economic status - whether they can or cannot afford to pay a hospital bill," said the head of Do Bold, Ekaterina Porras Sivolobova.

The UAE health ministry, which oversees health in the federation of seven emirates, did not respond to requests for comment on the issue.

Immediate birth registration is a fundamental human right recognised in the Convention on the Rights of the Child and in a 2016 UAE law.

Each emirate also imposes its own regulations on health and other sectors.

Abu Dhabi was the only emirate that responded to a request for comment. Its health ministry said a 2018 regulation prohibits licensed obstetrics facilities from refusing to provide a stamped birth notification and certificate "for any reason".

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'NO ONE HAS MONEY'

Maya, who declined to give her full name because of the sensitivity of her situation, said she was discharged by a government hospital in Ras Al Khaimah emirate after paying 1,800 dirhams of the 14,000-dirham bill.

For the birth certificate, she said, it asked her to sign an agreement to pay the full amount within three months.

She refused. "If I am not able to pay the full balance they can make a legal case against us," said the 33-year-old, whose monthly salary working at an office had been less than 3,500 dirhams.

Outstanding debt and bounced cheques can lead to jail, fines and travel bans in the UAE.

Ras Al Khaimah's media office did not respond to a request for comment.

Maya's was one of three families Reuters spoke to who said they could not certify births because of outstanding hospital fees.

A private birth document services agency in the UAE said it was common for hospitals, especially private ones, not to release birth notifications - required to get a certificate - if bills were not paid.

In June, Imram, a Sri Lankan national, got his wife discharged from a private Dubai hospital by leaving her passport there. He said he was told they would receive the birth notification once he paid the 11,600 dirham bill.

Having lost his hospitality job and health insurance a year ago, Imram paid only a small amount. "I am trying to get money, but in this pandemic no one has money, none of my friends either," he said.

Dubai's media office did not respond to a request for comment.

Health insurance is mandatory in Dubai and Abu Dhabi but insurance quality varies and can end soon after an employment visa terminates.

The other five emirates do not require employers to provide health insurance, according to websites of the UAE government and private insurance companies.

The UAE last year repealed criminalisation of premarital sex, but barriers remain for unmarried women in accessing health insurance for pregnancies and obtaining birth certificates, which requires a court process.

(Reporting by Lisa Barrington; Editing by Mike Collett-White)
NEWLAND, N.C. (AP)  A woman whose body was found buried in concrete in the basement of her western North Carolina home had fired her caretaker in June, but neighbors said the former caretaker was still living in the womans home until late July, according to court documents.

Search warrants state Elizabeth Carserino, 53, of Goose Creek, South Carolina, was hired by family to be Lynn Keenes live-in caretaker earlier this year after the 70-year-old fell and suffered a traumatic brain injury, WSOC-TV reported.

Relatives reported Keene missing in July from her home in Linville Falls, which is located in the mountains about 110 miles (177 kilometers) northwest of Charlotte, North Carolina. They said they had last spoken to Keene on June 14.

Keenes home was secured and her car was missing when Avery County detectives first checked there. Cherokee police later reported the car was found there. Investigators traced Carserinos cellphone to the area where the car was found, according to court documents.

When detectives searched Keenes home, they found blood evidence on the walls, ceiling and floor of a bathroom as well as Keenes remains entombed in concrete in the basement.

Court documents state Keene was strangled with a belt and struck in the head. Investigators have not said when Keene died.

On Sunday, Avery County Sheriff Kevin Frye announced Carserino was taken into custody and charged with murder, identity theft, larceny of motor vehicle and financial card theft. Carserino was held at Avery County jail on secured bond of more than $1.6 million, the sheriff said.
The North Carolina House gave preliminary approval to its state budget bill Wednesday night after hours of debate. The vote was 72-41. A final vote will be taken Thursday.

The Republican-majority chambers budget spends $25.7 billion in taxpayer money over the next two years. The massive package includes tax cuts, teacher and other state employees raises, bonuses using federal funds, capital projects, infrastructure and broadband expansion. It also includes provisions that dont have to do with money, including requiring the states public school teachers to post their lesson plans online.

Rep. Dean Arp, a Monroe Republican and one of the budget writers, called it a smart and fiscally sound budget. Rep. John Szoka, a Fayetteville Republican, called it a balance of sound fiscal policy and spending. House Speaker Tim Moore touted investment in capital projects at universities and spending money without having to borrow it. Plans for a bond were scrapped because of North Carolinas sunny economic forecast and surplus.

In the House budget, the personal income tax rate would be reduced from 5.25% to 4.99% along with an increase in the standard deduction. The House budget also reduces the corporate income tax rate but does not phase it out completely like the Senate plan.

The Houses raises for teachers and other state employees are much more generous than the Senates plan, and the final result will end up somewhere in between. Teachers would get an average of 5.5% raises and most other state employees would get 5% raises over the next two years.

The Republican-written House budget has some education priorities that have been at the center of past teacher marches downtown and Democratic goals of increased teacher raises, restoring masters degree pay and raising the minimum wage for non-certified school employees like custodians and cafeteria workers to $15 an hour. It also gives teachers who are new mothers eight weeks of paid parental leave.

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North Carolina Association of Educators President Tamika Walker Kelly said in a statement Wednesday that investments in school counselors, school construction, and veteran educator pay parity were a priority of the North Carolina Association of Educators and do show a tentative good faith commitment to the well-being of our educators, students and their families.

However, Walker Kelly said the budget does not fully fund the Leandro court decision about education spending.

House Democrats held a news conference earlier in the day, repeatedly saying that the budget, which is written by the Republican budget chairs, fell short.

Democratic leader Rep. Robert Reives, of Chatham County, and other Democrats said the budget should have included Medicaid expansion and more funding for education.

During the floor debate, Reives said: For good and for bad reasons, weve got a lot of money available right now and weve got opportunity.

The state has a budget surplus and billions in federal American Rescue Plan Act coronavirus relief money to allocate, too. Reives called the raises great, but wants more to make up for loss over the past years when some state employees did not get raises.

He also said on the floor that the budget should have real inclusion in the writing process from Democrats, not just the Republican majority.

N.C. House Democratic leader Rep. Robert Reives and other House Democrats talked about the state budget during a press conference Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021.

2019 House budget drama

This budget process, the House budget has several things that Democrats like better than the last time. In 2019, the Republican-majority House override Gov. Roy Coopers veto of the budget in dramatic fashion the morning of Sept. 11. Only a few Democrats were at the session, thinking it was a non-voting session. But many Republicans were there, and they successfully had the supermajority needed for the override. Rep. Deb Butler, a New Hanover County Democrat, called out House Speaker Tim Moore for taking the surprise vote in a video that went viral, shouting I will not yield as her microphone was cut.

On Wednesday, nearly two years later, Butler told reporters that whenever the chamber is open, she is there 15 minutes early. There are many sessions in both chambers that regularly do not have votes, and so only a smattering of lawmakers usually attend. That worked to the Republicans advantage for the 2019 budget veto override. Even so, the Senate did not override Coopers veto, and in the end there was no new comprehensive state budget  only piecemeal budget bills passed later, along with the states continuing resolution that allows funding levels from the previous budget to roll over if a new one does not become law.

That gives more pressure for this years budget process to result in a new budget becoming law, and the governor and legislative leadership have said they hope that will happen.

I am encouraged by the dialogue, Butler said about discussions, adding that she wants a budget negotiated between the parties.

But we are not going to settle for scraps. North Carolina deserves better. I will be in the chamber to defend that, she said. I certainly hope we will not have to have that kind of antics again.

Reives told reporters that no one issue would stop the budget from going forward, but we need to negotiate in good faith.

Republican leaders have said that Coopers office has been involved in the budget process and will be more so during the next step: the conference budget.

Whats next

The House is expected to take its third and final vote on the budget Thursday. Then the Senate will likely vote on the Houses version on Monday night, and reject it. Then the budget will go into conference, which is the days- or weeks-long negotiations between the chambers before they reveal, vote and pass a compromise budget to send to Cooper. Cooper has indicated he likes the House version better than the Senate version, but neither mirror his proposed budget that he announced in March.
As a resurging pandemic shut down most of the Mecklenburg County Courthouse this week, the homicide trial of Diontray Adams pushed ahead toward a verdict.

Prosecutors believed that the family of Adams victim, slain Charlotte Uber driver Marlo Johnis Medina-Chevez, had waited long enough.

Late Wednesday afternoon, the wait ended.

Four years and three months after Medina-Chevez disappearance, a Mecklenburg jury took less than an hour to convict Adams of first-degree murder and robbery with a dangerous weapon. Superior Court Judge Lou Trosch then sentenced the 29-year-old Charlotte man to the mandatory life in prison without parole.

Man pleads guilty to second-degree murder in Uber drivers death

Medina-Chevez wife and daughter spoke to the judge before the convicted killers punishment was handed down.

The murder of the 44-year-old Uber driver shocked the city with its random violence. Medina-Chevez left home on the night of May 20, 2017, in his blue Nissan Pathfinder to pick up customers and never returned.

Investigators with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department found that the victims debit card had been used in Maryland.

Two days later, the blue Pathfinder was seen near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. When Maryland authorities stopped the vehicle, Adams and companion James Aaron Stevens were among the occupants.

An FBI phone analysis revealed that the pair had been in Rock Hill around the time of the drivers disappearance. A police dog located Medina-Chevez body in a field along Mount Gallant Road. His hands and legs had been bound with duct tape. His throat had been cut.

When accused killer of Uber driver came to court, victims friends, family were waiting

More than four years later, the final days of Adams three-week trial unfolded against the backdrop of a billowing pandemic. Much of the courthouses activity was shut down this week after a growing number of workers in the clerk of courts office tested positive for COVID-19 or were ordered to quarantine.

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With all but closing arguments and the jury deliberations remaining, Adams trial pushed on. A delay would have forced Trosch to throw out more than two weeks of testimony and begin the trial anew.

Stevens, who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and robbery with a dangerous weapon in July 2018, was the prosecutions key witness. He told the jury how he and Adams planned to rob an Uber driver on the night Medina-Chevez disappeared.

He turned out to be that driver.

Well into the ride the night of May 20, according to Stevens testimony, Adams pulled a BB pistol that resembled a real handgun. When Medina-Chevez grabbed the gun and fought back, Adams dragged the driver into the backseat and cut his throat with a utility knife.

Stevens will be sentenced later.

On Thursday, Mecklenburg County District Attorney Spencer Merriweather thanked courthouse officials  as well as guidance from the county health department  for allowing the trial to reach its conclusion, despite the viral outbreak at the courtrooms doors.

... All parties believed a trial of this significance already in progress could be allowed to resume safely for its final stages, he said in a statement to the Observer.

While our communitys court system continues to grapple with this pandemic, we are happy to see that the painful wait for justice for Mr. Medina-Chevezs family has finally come to an end.
A dangerous heat wave is affecting nearly 200 million Americans this week as some regions deal with record-breaking heat across the country. There are 35 states under heat advisories and some health officials are warning residents to stay inside to stay safe from the scorching hot temperatures.

Residents in the Pacific Northwest will likely face triple-digit temperatures this week following a deadly heat wave that was blamed for 63 deaths in June, according to the National Weather Service. In Washington state, there were more than 1,300 hospitalizations caused by the heat at the time, officials said.

"Yes, it's summer, but this type of heat can kill. Avoid strenuous activity during the midday, and bring along extra hydration, even if just going about normal business," the weather service tweeted Wednesday.

The Northeast is expected to set records for high temperatures in cities like Washington, D.C., Pittsburgh and New York City. Forecasters say added humidity could make the red-hot temperatures even more dangerous. Here's an overview of the cities facing the devastating heat across the country.

Oregon

The city of Portland is under an excessive heat warning until Saturday with "dangerously hot temperatures" between 95 and 105 degrees expected, according to the weather service. This is the state's second heat wave in three months, following June's high temperatures that left 45 people dead in Multnomah County.

This week, Governor Kate Brown declared a state of emergency and directed state agencies to coordinate in order to protect critical infrastructure and prevent price gouging on life-saving resources like bottled water.

"Oregon is facing yet another extreme heat wave, and it is critical that every level of government has the resources they need to help keep Oregonians safe and healthy," Brown said in a statement.

Winds have also brought large amounts of smoke from fires currently burning in British Columbia, the weather service said. Forecasters believe northwest Oregon will experience poor air quality, which will move to the Columbia River Gorge and Portland metro area late Thursday, marking one of Portland's haziest nights of the summer.

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Northwest Oregon is expected to face 100-degree heat, and officials there cautioned residents to seek out local cooling centers. They also urged residents not to leave children or pets unattended in their vehicles.

Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare's street outreach team loads water and other cooling supplies before visiting homeless camps on August 12, 2021, in Portland. / Credit: Nathan Howard / AP

Washington state

In Seattle, heat warnings will remain in effect until Saturday night, with temperatures remaining around 90 degrees near the metro area. The city is on track to break several daily high records. Forecasters said the hottest temperatures will occur over the Southwest Interior, Cascade foothills and Cascade Valleys, with highs near 105 degrees.

The extreme temperatures have also increased dry conditions in large parts of Washington. To prevent fire danger, residents are encouraged to refrain from outdoor burning near dry brush, parking in grass, mowing the lawn at the height of the day and disposing of charcoal before it's completely cool.

There will be little relief overnight through Sunday. Temperatures will remain as high as 70 degrees overnight across the Eastern Puget Sound, Cascades and Seattle metro area, the weather service said.

New York

The New York metropolitan area is expected to see high heat and humidity beginning Thursday and continuing into the weekend, the weather service said. A "hot and humid air mass" will cause temperatures to rise to 110 in warning areas, with temperatures staying in the 70s at night. It could be the hottest day since 2016 for the NY metro area.

An excessive heat warning is in effect for the entire tri-state area, with only Suffolk and New London counties under a normal heat advisory. Residents are urged to be careful, as the high temperatures combined with the oppressive humidity can make the heat even more dangerous for at-risk groups or those who stay outside for "prolonged activity."

Power company Con Edison has warned New York residents that the extreme heat wave could cause power outages and blackouts in some areas. Over 2,300 have already had service restored since the beginning of the week. Con Ed customers have been encouraged to limit the use of large air conditioners to prevent larger blackouts in the city.

For those exposed to the heat, city officials have also opened cooling stations throughout all five boroughs for those unable to access air conditioning or "experiencing physical discomfort" due to the heat. A full list of centers can be found here.

Two women stand in the fountain in Washington Square Park to cool off on August 11, 2021, in New York City. / Credit: Alexi Rosenfeld / Getty

Pennsylvania

The city of Pittsburgh is expected to see temperatures reach 91, with real-feel temperatures of about 100 to 105 degrees on Thursday. The city is on its fourth day of extreme heat, and in the middle of its fourth driest stretch in history.

Thursday has the potential to be "the hottest day of the year region-wide," according to CBS Pittsburgh. Heat advisories are still in place for the towns of Indiana, Cambridge, Butler, New Castle and Washington.

Later this week, forecasters are hoping severe thunderstorms will do their best at cooling down temperatures but warned they could bring damaging winds with them.

Washington, D.C

Kids cool down in the water at Yards Park in Washington, D.C., on August 12, 2021. / Credit: OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty

The Baltimore-Washington, D.C., metro area is on a high-temperature alert, with officials warning that cities could see record-breaking temperatures the next three days.

Forecasters said the nation's capital will see a high of 106 degrees on Thursday, while Baltimore could reach 109. These dangerous temperatures will extend into surrounding counties, with portions of Maryland, Virginia and eastern West Virginia experiencing heat index values between 105 and 110.

Heat waves can cause extremely dangerous conditions for the elderly, young and those who are outside for too long, the weather service said Thursday.

"Extreme heat and humidity will significantly increase the potential for heat-related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities," it added.

Residents are encouraged to prepare for the high heat by drinking plenty of fluids, staying out of the sun, reducing work outside and watching for signs of heat exhaustion.

David Parkinson contributed reporting.

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Ontario reported 513 new COVID-19 cases, the first time the daily case count has been over 500 since June.

Of these new cases, we know that 360 are unvaccinated individuals, 56 are partially vaccinated and 88 people are fully vaccinated.

There are 44 unvaccinated people in Ontario hospitals, excluding ICU, seven partially vaccinated, and 10 fully vaccinated.

There are also 44 unvaccinated people in Ontario ICUs, five partially vaccinated and two fully vaccinated.

Earlier this week, Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario's chief medical officer of health, attributed a rise in COVID-19 cases in Ontario to a combination of loosened restrictions in the province and more social connections over the long weekend.

"Were now having a slow and steady rise in cases, absolutely expected for a virus that prefers low humidity and colder temperatures," Dr. Moore said on Tuesday. "As he head indoors and the temperatures go down...the virus will tend to want to take off."

"Given the vast majority of our elderly individuals are protected, we anticipate that the admissions to hospital and the burden of illness that will require hospitalization will be in younger age groups. We saw that in wave three, where...people under 60 [were] actually requiring to come into hospital to get extra oxygen and/or to be ventilated. That is the age group where we anticipate the fourth rise in cases, the fourth wave."

At this point, 72.25 per cent of Ontario's population has received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 63.62 per cent of the province'e population is fully vaccinated.
Starting on Friday, Oregonians ages five and up will have to wear masks indoors at almost all times, Gov. Kate Brown has announced.

Those conditions are part of two new health mandates issued by the governor on Wednesday, including new masking rules and required vaccinations for state executive branch staff.

Riding public transit will also have everyone ages two and older mask up, Brown clarified during a virtual Wednesday news briefing. Crowded outdoor settings will not require face masks, but they would be strongly encouraged to mask up nevertheless. Swimming, eating, drinking, singing or other activities which must be performed without a mask are all exceptions to the new rules.

On Wednesday, the governors office said that Oregon OSHA would be enforcing the rules in due time while businesses hang the appropriate signage and make other arrangements.

Brown did not say how long the new rules will last, saying once again that the pandemic will set the timeline.

We continue to work to reach Oregonians with information and a vaccine, but its clear the current situation requires immediate action to stop the Delta variant from spreading further, Brown said. Thats why, moving forward for the immediate future, masks will be required in all indoor public settings.

The new rules follow a steady surge in new cases and hospitalizations statewide as COVID-19 and its more infectious delta variant spread among primarily unvaccinated individuals. On Wednesday, Oregon filled more hospital beds with COVID patients than at any prior time during the pandemic665 peopleor 30 more than on Tuesday.

State Rep. Lisa Reynolds, D-Portland, called Browns new order what leadership looks like on Twitter. Others disagreed.

[Its] not leadership when you have to be dragged kicking and screaming to act, said Naomi Kaufman Price, a former Oregon Patient Safety Commission member. It took this. A travesty.

The Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association, while not criticizing the need for the new rules, called on the governor to avoid issuing any further health orders that could strain the states limping hospitality sector further.

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We cant overstate how exhausted the hospitality industry is from an unthinkable health crisis spanning 18 months and counting, said ORLA CEO Jason Brandt. The industry is nowhere near recovery and has a long road ahead after all statewide restrictions were officially lifted 42 days ago.

ORLA and the Restaurant Law Center previously sued Brown to end a two-week shutdown last fall. The governor has not voiced any intention of issuing another stay-at-home order. Additionally, She hasnt expressed interest in mandating vaccinations for teachers and school staff approved for priority shots in February ahead of seniors living on their own.

Oregon Republicans said on Wednesday railed against Browns new mandates on the grounds they were not based on any clear standards or were likely to change any minds in their districts or beyond.

Forcing vaccinations on anybody is a total violation of Oregonians individual rights, said Oregon Senate Minority Leader Fred Girod, R-Lyons. It wont lead to a large uptick in vaccination, but instead segregate society by medical status.

The vast majority of Oregon Republicans in the state legislature have declined to disclose their vaccination status. At least one state lawmaker, state Sen. Dallas Heard, R-Myrtle Creek, contracted COVID this year. The Oregon GOP chair has rallied against mandatory vaccinations on the capitol mall.

Many, including Republican lawmakers, have voiced concern about the impact that side effects could have on workers who may not have the needed days off from work to recuperate.

If Democrats want to mandate vaccines, they must take financial responsibility and liability for the consequences, Girod said.

Washington Examiner Videos

Tags: States, News, Oregon, Coronavirus

Original Author: Tim Gruver, The Center Square

Original Location: Oregon governor lays out new face mask rules as critics debate consequences
An Oregon school board voted to ban pride flags and Black Lives Matter flags from classrooms.

The decision was made with a 4-3 vote, taking effect in the Newberg School District, which has roughly 5,000 children.

School Board Director Brian Shannon urged his colleagues to do away with political references in the classroom so they "can focus on the already difficult task of educating our students in the core subjects."

Not all faculty were on board with the decision, with some saying the Black Lives Matter and pride flags were symbols of "love and support."

ARIZONA AUDITORS COMPLETE THIRD BALLOT RECOUNT AND SHIP MATERIALS BACK TO MARICOPA COUNTY

"They are messages of love and support," said teacher Stacey Dalton. "White and or heteronormative students, the majority, see their own validation consistently in the curriculum Newberg school districts have adopted and therefore do not need extra messages of support."

"Research shows an affirming school environment improves behavioral, academic, and mental health outcomes for all students," said Caitlin Collins, a wife of a teacher.

The school board will establish a three-member policy committee that will determine what is considered a political symbol.

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Lawyers will need to review the decision before it is enforced, Superintendent Joe Morelock said. State legislators appealed to the school board to allow the flags in schools.

"As a BIPOC caucus, we're keeping a very close eye on this," said Oregon state Rep. Ricki Ruiz.

Washington Examiner Videos

Tags: News, Critical Race Theory, Oregon, Black Lives Matter

Original Author: Matthew Miller

Original Location: Oregon school board votes to ban pride and Black Lives Matter flags
By Gul Yousafzai

QUETTA, Pakistan (Reuters) - Pakistani forces clashed on Thursday with hundreds of Afghans stranded on Pakistan's side of a commercially vital border crossing with Afghanistan after its closure by Taliban insurgents, Pakistani security officials said.

The disturbances broke out after a 56-year-old Afghan traveller died of a heart attack as he waited in the dusty heat to enter Afghanistan via the Chaman-Spin Boldak crossing, Arif Kakar, a Pakistani official on the scene, told Reuters.

Protesters carried his body to a local Pakistani government office demanding the border be reopened. Some began throwing stones at security forces, who responded by firing tear gas and charging the protesters with batons to disperse them. No injuries were reported.

The Chaman-Spin Boldak crossing is landlocked Afghanistan's second busiest entry point and main commercial artery to the Pakistani seacoast.

The Taliban, who captured the crossing last month as part of a major advance across Afghanistan as U.S.-led foreign forces withdraw, announced its closure on Aug. 6 in protest at a Pakistani decision to end visa-free travel for Afghans.

The hardline Islamist Taliban are demanding Pakistan allow Afghans to cross the frontier with either an Afghan ID card or a Pakistani-issued refugee registration card.

Taliban fighters have rapidly taken territory from the Kabul government in recent weeks, including important border crossings with Iran and Central Asian countries that now provide significant customs revenue for the group.

Some 900 trucks went through the Chaman-Spin Boldak crossing daily before the Taliban seized it.

Opening the border with Pakistan for visa-free travel would not only help the Taliban curry favour from ordinary Afghans but also shore up a route to areas of Pakistan that have housed Taliban fighters and some commanders.

Pakistan and the Taliban long maintained good relations though Islamabad says this ended after the 2001 U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan that ousted the radical Islamists from power for having sheltered al Qaeda militants who carried out the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States.

Western capitals and the Kabul government say Pakistani support to the Taliban continues and many of its leaders enjoy safe haven in the country, something Islamabad denies.

(Writing by Umar Farooq; Editing by Mark Heinrich)
By Elida Moreno

PANAMA CITY (Reuters) - Panama and Colombia agreed on Wednesday to receive up to 650 migrants each day, amid a humanitarian crisis at their shared border, where thousands of migrants are stranded in northern Colombia, waiting to continue north toward the United States.

Thousands of migrants - most of them Haitian but also from Cuba and various African countries - are stuck in Necocli, a remote resort on the Caribbean coast of Colombia, waiting for scarce boat transport toward Panama's dangerous Darien Gap region, which many will cross on foot.

Many migrants were held back by COVID-19 border closures and have recently overwhelmed re-opened crossing points.

Panamanian Foreign Minister Erika Mouynes said the daily figure of 650 would be progressively reduced downward as the crisis abates.

"A staggered number was established downward, first, to address the crisis, from 650, and progressively towards 500 with specific days within which they can enter," Mouynes told a news conference after a virtual meeting with officials from nine countries, including Colombia, the United States and Canada.

The agreement will be approved with Costa Rica, which also shares a border with Panama and through which migrants will cross as they head through Central America en route to the United States.

Mouynes said less than 1% of migrants who pass through Panama request asylum on the isthmus. Most of the migrants are Haitians and Cubans, but there are also Africans and Asians.

Colombia's Migration Director Juan Francisco Espinosa said that the number of migrants in Necocli dropped to 3,000 on Tuesday from a high of 12,000 last week.

So far this year, a record of more than 42,000 migrants have arrived to Panama through Darien, with authorities expecting the figure will continue to rise as the borders reopen worldwide.

(Reporting by Elida Moreno in Panama City, writing by Laura Gottesdiener; Editing by Michael Perry)
When someone mentioned to me that Xiaomi was launching its own robot dog, my mind immediately went to Sonys Aibo. And honestly, it would have been difficult to be more wrong. Now that the news has been out for a few days, the companys heard all of your bad Black Mirror jokes, dont worry.

And, honestly, the Chinese hardware maker didnt do itself any favors with the design here. Boston Dynamics has done a lot to imbue its quadrupedal robots with personality, through design language and viral videos of Spot and company busting a move to the Dirty Dancing soundtrack.

With Cyberdog, however, Xiaomis design team clearly just leaned in and went full-on Robocop (and the Bladerunner pastiche doesn't help) . I receive a deluge of Metalhead gifs every time I post something about Boston Dynamics -- seriously, Im using Cyberdog as the lead image on this post, just so you can see what I mean. Go check the replies on Twitter. Ill wait.

Image Credits: Xiaomi

Xiaomi is, of course, far from the first company to release a Spot-like quadrupedal robot. There are a number of companies competing in that space, including ANYmal and Ghost Robotics. For its part, Xiaomi is looking to put a developer spin on the category. Per the Mi blog:

CyberDog is Xiaomis first foray into quadruped robotics for the open source community and developers worldwide. Robotics enthusiasts interested in CyberDog can compete or co-create with other like-minded Xiaomi Fans, together propelling the development and potential of quadruped robots.

Image Credits: Xiaomi

The robot is powered by Nvidias Jetson Xavier NX platform, coupled with 11-built in sensors, including cameras, touch, GPS and more. The company will be release 1,000 of the robots, price at roughly $1,540 -- a fraction of the cost of the advanced Spot system. The robot is also a fraction of the size of Boston Dynamics' quadruped. And while there are superficial similarities the project really couldn't be more different.

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Xiaomi's entry into robotics is more about building hardware for Nvidia's platform. It's a (relatively) inexpensive way for people to get a hang of programming and, perhaps, protoyping robotics. The likely limited functionality -- and availability -- are pretty clear indications that that the company's not trying to put a Cyberdog in every home just yet.

Bear Flag Robotics

A sizable acquisition this week, John Deere announced plans to buy Bear Flag Robotics for $250 million. Weve been following Bear Flag since it was a member of the YC cohort. The deal seems like a good outcome for both parties. Bear Flag gets a lot of resources from an agricultural giant like John Deere and Deere gets to step another foot into the world of cutting-edge tech with an autonomous tractor startup.

Says co-founder and CEO Igino Cafiero:

One of the biggest challenges farmers face today is the availability of skilled labor to execute time-sensitive operations that impact farming outcomes. Autonomy offers a safe and productive alternative to address that challenge head on. Bear Flags mission to increase global food production and reduce the cost of growing food through machine automation is aligned with Deeres and were excited to join the Deere team to bring autonomy to more farms.

Image Credits: Kiwibot

Another startup weve been following since its early days, Kiwibot is seeing expansion to a significant number of campuses. In spite of campus shutdowns last year, the Berkeley-based company is actually seeing something of a boom due to the pandemic. COO Diego Varela Prada tells TechCrunch:

We have a procedure to disinfect the bots between orders. If youre a student and you dont want to mix into large crowds, I think its much safer to order food through Kiwibot and have it delivered to the library or your dorm.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQh0PAkxubM?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent&w=640&h=360]

Weve written about Lidar company Aeva a few times over the years, including last November, when it announced plans to go public via SPAC. This week, the company announced a deal with Nikon that takes it beyond its existing automotive applications. The company says there are a slew of potential applications, though the chip is still about four years away from production. Fields include, consumer electronics, consumer health, industrial robotics, and security.

A whole bunch of robots are making their way to Florida late next year, courtesy of Amazon. The company announced this week that it has chosen Tallahassee (birthplace of T-Pain and objectively the best Mountain Goats album) as the home of its next fulfillment center. The company plans to add to its massive arm of warehouse robots for the 630,000-square-foot space, along with 1,000 human jobs.

Image Credits: Berkshire Grey

FedEx, meanwhile, has implemented Berkshire Grey robotics at a shipping facility in Queens (the best borough). The systems will identity, pick, sort, collected and containerize primarily small packages like polybags, tubes and padded mailers. The systems are set to roll out to additional locations, including Las Vegas and Columbus, Ohio. Says B.G.,

This technology has been developed and installed as a direct response to the exponential growth of e-commerce, which has accelerated the demand for reliable automated solutions throughout all stages of the supply chain. FedEx Ground believes that continued innovation and automation will improve safety, efficiency, and productivity for its team members as they continue to keep the e-commerce supply chain moving.

Image Credits: Hyphen

Heres a new company in the food space worth keeping an eye on. Formerly known as Ono Food Co. (then a food truck company), SF-based Hyphen has come out of stealth with the announcement of its Makeline automated meal platform. The company says the system is able to create up to 350 meals an hour, with the aid of a single staff member.

[W]e really see ourselves like Shopify, CEO Stephen Klein said in a release, but instead of enabling merchants to compete with the likes of Amazon, were enabling restaurants to compete with the likes of DoorDash as well as other services and ghost kitchens that have decided to compete with their own customers by offering their own food brands.

The platform is set to start rolling out this winter with plans for 300 locations in New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle and Phoenix.
An Afghan security force personnel stands guard along the roadside in Herat on August 12, 2021. (AFP via Getty Images)

The Pentagon is moving thousands of Marines into position to prepare for a possible evacuation of the US embassy in Afghanistan as the Taliban make rapid gains across the country.

The Department of Defence is preparing to possibly evacuate the US embassy and US citizens in the capital of Kabul as the Biden administration considers the possibility that capital could fall within 30 days, administration and military officials have said, according to The New York Times.

The Talibans unexpectedly fast gains have led to the Defence Department speeding up its plans to get Americans out of Afghanistan.

Officials say a possible evacuation would involve the forceful use of US military force to protect people as theyre taken to Hamid Karzai International Airport where military transport planes would be waiting.

Two US officials told The New York Times that American negotiators are trying to get assurances from the Taliban that they wouldnt attack the US embassy if they take over Kabul.

On Thursday, the embassy sent several alerts telling US citizens in the country to leave Afghanistan immediately using available commercial flight options.

Both administration and military officials say the fall of the capital can be prevented if the Afghan security forces can find the resolve to put up more of a fight. Afghan commandos have continued to fight in some areas, but several northern provincial capitals have mostly been left to be taken by the Taliban.

More follows...

Read More

The Afghan people need our help  many are at risk from the Taliban

Taliban take control of another provincial capital

The Taliban are storming prisons holding thousands of militants
Piers Morgan caught COVID in July. (Getty)

Piers Morgan has revealed he is having a problem with his eye weeks after battling COVID.

The former Good Morning Britain presenter tested positive for the coronavirus in July and has said he believes he caught it at Wembley during the Euros 2020 final.

The star has previously warned people not to underestimate the effects of long COVID, and in a new post on Twitter said he is currently dealing with an eye issue that has left him seeing "weird ghostly cobwebs".

Read more: Piers Morgan tells Boris Johnson: 'You're prime minister, not Worzel Gummidge'

28-day COVID update: a new treat - aside from ongoing tedious fatigue & inability to taste wine, all the coughing's caused a 'posterior vitreous detachment' in my left eye, he tweeted.

So, I'm now seeing weird ghostly cobwebs swimming around.

"It really is the virus that keeps on giving.

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Discussing his ongoing problems with taste, he said: "It's so strange... I can only taste either very spicy or very sweet food & alcohol.

"Nothing in between.

"Getting bored of Vindaloo & Pina Colada dinners."

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Morgan, 56, later updated his Twitter followers on the schedule of his day, which included blood and lung tests.

I need a drink (that I won't be able to taste), he added.

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Last month the star revealed in the Mail on Sunday that he began to feel ill two days after England's defeat in the Euros and then tested positive for COVID.

Read more: Dan Walker misses 'back and forth' with former TV rival Piers Morgan

He said at the time that his symptoms included cold sweats, coughing, a fever and "alarming" chest pains.

The star has spoken about the effects of COVID. (Getty Images for Bafta LA)

"This is definitely the roughest I've felt from any illness in my adult life, BUT, as I slowly come out the other side, coughing and spluttering, I'm still here  unlike so many millions around the world who've lost their lives to COVID in this pandemic, Morgan added.

Watch: Piers Morgan warns of the effects of long COVID
Two weeks ago, I co-piloted a certified jet that bills itself as the safest ever built. How do you know it's one of the safest private jets in the friendly skies? I wasn't actually co-piloting the aircraft  artificial intelligence was. At the helm of the Cirrus SF50 Vision Jet was Verijet CEO Richard Kane. And with the assist: AI technology that's trained to correct any mistake a pilot could make.

Verijet planes flying

Courtesy of Verijet

Verijet showed up to disrupt the private aviation scene in November 2020. While the PJ life guarantees the ease of private hangars, helping passengers circumvent the commercial airport terminal hustle, Verijet takes things a step further. Its system finds the closest hangar to your starting point and your destination. And because its carbon fiber jets are economically sized, it can fly out of almost any hangar in the U.S.

Verijet's recent expansion to the West Coast puts 5,400 American airports in play, which is unprecedented, even in the realm of private travel.

Related: Why Buying a Private Jet Membership During the Pandemic Was Worth It, According to Someone Who Did It

Verijet planes in a hanger

Courtesy of Verijet

Verijet's main line of business right now is short private flights under 800 nautical miles (think: the Hamptons to Florida) and its model makes it so you don't have to haul to JFK or Miami International. Instead, you can depart from a Montauk airport right by your hotel and fly to an airport five minutes from your Palm Beach house. As Kane tells me, while he pilots us from LA to Napa at 31,000 feet, most people don't even realize there's a private airport just a few minutes from their house.

Related: These New Private Jet Trips Show You the Best of Mexico, Iceland, and the West Coast Wine Regions

However, the company's ethos is rooted in exploration, which is why these jets aren't just for the luxurious hops from Miami to the Bahamas. It can also take passengers up to 31,000 feet to see some of the most anticipated celestial events in the universe. Verijet is currently taking passengers up to see the ongoing Perseid meteor shower. It'll also track the Northern Lights and bring private charters to see  or be enveloped within  aurora borealis above the clouds.

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Migrating Polar Bears, Manitoba, Canada

Larry Williams/Getty Images

As it expands its offerings, not only to include an impressive amount of hangars across the country, Verijet is already planning jet safaris to show passengers once-in-a-lifetime sights, like the polar bear migration in the Arctic Circle. Its sights are set on European expansion in the coming years as well, but for now, Verijet is focused on setting unheard of standards with completely private flights at $3,000 an hour  sans repositioning fees.
PORTSMOUTH, R.I. (AP)  A group of activists blocked the entrance to a Raytheon plant in Rhode Island on Thursday morning to protest what they allege is the company's role in the killing of civilians" and other human rights abuses."

Some members of a group called the Fang Collective chained themselves to two vehicles next to the guard shack at the entrance to the Portsmouth plant at about 6 a.m.

Law enforcement, firefighters and tow trucks had also responded to the scene.

Two protesters were later arrested, the group said in a post on social media.

The men had attached themselves to concrete blocks within and underneath the vehicles, Portsmouth police said in an emailed statement. The fire department was called in to free them.

They are charged with trespassing, conspiracy, disorderly conduct, and obstruction of a police officer.

The group in an emailed statement said it was protesting the Waltham, Massachusetts-based defense contractor's weapon sales to Saudi Arabia and Israel, and their involvement in enforcing the U.S.- Mexican border."

Raytheon profits from the killing of civilians, families and children in Palestine, Yemen and elsewhere," the group said.

Raytheon's Missiles & Defense plant in Portsmouth focuses on what it calls seapower capability  sensors, combat management systems, radar and sonar. About 1,000 people work at the facility.

We respect the right to lawful and peaceful protest, the company said in a brief emailed statement.

___

This story has been updated to correct the name of the Portsmouth plant to Raytheon Missiles & Defense, not Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems.
A serial carjacker who commandeered a van taking several people from JFK Airport to a hotel during a wild car chase faces nine years in prison after pleading guilty to robbery charges, prosecutors said Wednesday.

Rayon Gounga, 22, waged a five-month reign of terror across Queens  jacking luxury cars after scheduling test drives from which he never returned, and robbing food delivery workers at gunpoint, prosecutors said.

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz compared his spree to a real-life, and really dangerous, version of the video game Grand Theft Auto.

Gounga used Facebook to set up a test drive with an Audi sedan on Sept. 28, 2019, only to drive off and never return the vehicle, prosecutors said. He pulled the same stunt twice the next month, stealing two BMWs, prosecutors said.

That December, he also robbed two Chinese food delivery workers at gunpoint, and carjacked a Chevrolet Suburban at gunpoint on Dec. 29, 2019.

The crime wave ended Jan. 10, 2020, when police found him dozing in the stolen Chevy. He woke up and led cops on a high-speed chase, crashed on the Nassau Expressway, then jumped a fence to get into a cargo area at JFK.

There, he carjacked the van for airport commuters, driving it to a gas station, where he got out and carjacked a Honda  which he promptly crashed at 135th St. and 109th Ave., prosecutors said. After running from the wreck, police found him hiding under a van parked in a nearby driveway.

Gounga is slated for sentencing before Queens Supreme Court Justice Michelle Johnson on Sept. 27. The judge has signaled shell sentence him to nine years, prosecutors said.

His lawyer declined to comment Wednesday.
A fast-growing YouTube rival popular with conservative influencers has a new strategy to expand its online audience: Paying hundreds of thousands of dollars to well-known media personalities it says work to "challenge the status quo."

The Toronto-based upstart Rumble said Thursday that it has struck deals with former U.S. congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, the journalist firebrand Glenn Greenwald and others who had committed to posting their videos first to the site.

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Rumble has emerged over the last year as one of the most prominent video sites for right-wing viewers and provocateurs, and it is seeking to bolster its image as a new online home for those who claim they've been censored by Big Tech.

The site bans racism and hate speech but has contrasted itself with the Google-owned YouTube by refusing to remove "medical misinformation," including those casting doubt on vaccines during a pandemic that is surging in many states and has killed more than 4 million people around the world.

Rumble has grown from 1 million active users last summer to roughly 30 million, said the site's chief executive Chris Pavlovski, a Canadian tech entrepreneur who worked a brief internship at Microsoft and founded a viral-joke website before launching Rumble in 2013. And its traffic has exploded: According to data shared with The Washington Post by the analytics firm Similarweb, visits in the United States to the site grew from about 200,000 in the last week of July 2020 to nearly 19 million last week - a 9,000% increase.

Rumble's move highlights how a growing group of online influencers have amassed lucrative followings while discussing their alleged suppression in books, videos, social media posts, podcasts, newsletters, promotional sponsorships, speaking events and other marketing opportunities.

Gabbard and Greenwald have expanded their fan bases in recent months by criticizing what they call overly aggressive media censorship in appearances on Fox News and Twitter, where each has more than 1 million followers.

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Greenwald said in an interview he sees Rumble as a way "of liberating ourselves from the control and oppression of Big Tech monopolies' censorship and tyranny."

"I'm not uncomfortable if people are on there saying things I disagree with. . . . This is a very recent phenomenon online: We expect our platforms to be cleansed of people we dislike," he said.

"Unlike YouTube, Facebook and Twitter, which began wildly expanding how the rules are applied for broader society to remove so-called 'disinformation,' Rumble just stayed true to the original mission," he added. "You can't go on there and say racist stuff, but they don't monitor for what's true or false. They really believe in true debate."

Rumble, Greenwald said, reached out to him two months ago, offering a deal to produce high-quality videos that would help show Rumble can be "a hospitable place for non-MAGA people," a term for supporters of former president Donald Trump and his "Make America Great Again" catchphrase.

The company declined to provide financial details but Greenwald said the top creators' year-long contracts will pay in the "midrange six figures."

Greenwald said he is building out a professional video studio in his home in Rio de Janeiro, and that he intends to regularly record and air hour-long videos and live question-and-answer sessions.

On his Substack newsletter last week, he alluded to the new Rumble deal in a YouTube video, describing an "ample funding package" to pay for a "highly professionalized form of video" in a space "where people can be truly free and independent." His videos, he said, would spotlight the "repression and censorship on the part of Big Tech monopolies in conjunction with the liberal sector of the corporate media and the establishment wing of the Democratic Party."

The Rumble-funded creators will be free to post their videos elsewhere, including YouTube, after a two-hour Rumble-exclusive window. They will also be able to make money through video advertisements and other monetization features Rumble is now building, similar to those found on YouTube and Twitch, including allowing viewers to pay extra to make their live-chat comments bigger.

Rumble's traffic has dramatically outpaced other social networks popular among conservative users. Between the last weeks of July in 2020 and 2021, website visits jumped nearly 300% for MeWe, to nearly 1.5 million visits, and 400% for Gab, with nearly 3 million visits, the Similarweb analysis shows. Parler, a site where many users posted videos of the Jan. 6 riots that have since been cited in criminal investigations, has seen its traffic cut in half, falling to roughly 200,000 visits.

Rumble still draws only a tiny fraction of YouTube's audience, with desktop and mobile visits that reached only about 1% of YouTube's 1.5 billion visits last week, the Similarweb analysis shows. And unlike the mainstream sites, Rumble's traffic fluctuates wildly from day-to-day, a hint that its popularity is heavily dependent on trending events.

Rumble was launched in 2013 and for years served as a mostly unremarkable collection of cute videos about babies and household pets.

But as YouTube and other sites began more aggressively adding disclaimers and deleting videos promoting false claims about the pandemic, many creators began urging their followers to save and re-upload the videos to backup sites such as BitChute and Rumble, where they could be viewed and shared.

Such copycat sites have gotten a boost from conservative influencers' arguments that their followers must stick by them in the face of Big Tech "deplatforming" and "shadowbans," said Renee DiResta, a research manager at the Stanford Internet Observatory. But many of the sites, she added, have faced a plateauing of viewer interest as the niche sites' novelty fades.

"With every new conservative platform, there's this spike and then there's marked decline, because they can't keep up that engagement, that activity, that draw," DiResta said.

"Part of that may be that these people are not actually censored on the mainstream platforms, so they keep posting there," she added. "They still want to engage and argue and share things on those platforms with all of the existing network effects, those relationships, that center of gravity where they already are."

YouTube's "medical misinformation" policy since last May has banned videos about the coronavirus that could pose a "serious risk of egregious harm." The site remains a popular refuge for coronavirus falsehoods, though the company said its moderators work to remove videos claiming, for instance, that the coronavirus does not exist (it does) or that vaccines contain tracking devices (they don't).

Rumble has avoided those debates by allowing such videos to remain on the site unmoderated. Pavlovski said the company employs 40 content moderators to police the site - slightly more than one moderator for every million users.

"We're like your dinner table. You can have a conversation. You can have disagreements. And you can try to prove someone wrong," Pavlovski said. "If it violates our terms and conditions, which ban antisemitism, hate speech, defamation, etc., it will be removed. But we don't move the goal posts and expand our terms and conditions to be more than that. If you want to believe in UFOs, you're free to believe in UFOs."

Searching for "vaccine" on YouTube returns mostly videos from news organizations, doctors and fact-checking organizations. The same search on Rumble returns videos falsely suggesting it "causes the virus to be more dangerous" and has "poor durability."

Rumble lacks the more modern trappings of newer video sites such as TikTok and Twitch, including algorithmic recommendations for what a user should watch next, which Pavloski said prevents the site from amplifying videos in an improper way.

The site's top videos on its "Battle Leaderboard" come almost entirely from big conservative influencers such as Dinesh D'Souza, Donald Trump Jr., Sean Hannity and Dan Bongino, who this week slammed Fox News for editing out Trump's falsehoods about a "fake election" in an interview the network posted to its YouTube account.

Most prominent Republican lawmakers have Rumble accounts, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, who said this week that YouTube's removal of a video in which he said most masks wouldn't prevent coronavirus spread was a "badge of honor."

Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Florida Republican now under investigation for possible sex trafficking of a minor, said in a tweet this week that Rumble is his "new fav social media app" and "the best way" to watch his new video podcast.

Rumble also has a verified account for the former president, who was removed from most major social networks after the Jan. 6 riot. The account, with 500,000 subscribers, has been used solely to repost Trump's speeches at rallies and appearances on Fox News.

Rumble said Thursday that comedian Bridget Phetasy, journalist Zaid Jilani and other "nationally recognized thought leaders" who believe "tech monopolies should not dictate discourse" would also join the site.

The company said in May it had received a significant investment from Narya Capital, a fund co-founded by "Hillbilly Elegy" author J.D. Vance, and the billionaire venture capitalist Peter Thiel, an early investor in Facebook and a co-founder of the government-contracting giant Palantir Technologies.

The company runs or leases all of its servers, which Pavlovski said will help shield it from the rules of the cloud-computing giants that run much of the web. Amazon Web Services stopped providing web-hosting services to Parler after the Capitol riot, citing concerns that the site had not done enough to remove violent threats.

Rumble has also worked to align itself with broader concerns about Big Tech's power, including from antitrust regulators in Washington now scrutinizing whether Silicon Valley's biggest names should be broken up. The company sued Google earlier this year, alleging the search engine unfairly promoted YouTube in its results. Google has said the ongoing lawsuit is baseless.

Rumble is joined by a growing cadre of similar sites, such as Gettr, a "cancel free" Twitter clone led by Trump's former spokesman Jason Miller. The company boasts "cutting-edge A.I. technology" it says helps moderate content, but viewers have noted that Gettr has also been used to share uncensored pornography and Islamic State propaganda.

Some researchers expect that Rumble's lax rules for moderating content will force it down the same path of previous "free speech" start-ups, fueling an echo chamber that further entrenches the most extreme corners of its user base while also limiting its ability to win mainstream viewers.

Ciaran O'Connor, an analyst with the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, a counter-extremism think tank in London that has worked with Google on a European fund targeting online hate speech, said that during the pandemic, Rumble has "become one of the main platforms for conspiracy communities and far-right communities in the U.S. and around the world."

He said he has seen videos removed from mainstream sites reappear and multiply across Rumble, and he worries that the site's growing prominence will give people a bigger megaphone to spread misinformation about the effectiveness or risks of vaccines.

"When a prominent public figure or incumbent politician gives air to conspiracies, or to spaces where conspiracies thrive, it adds an air of legitimacy and validates these spaces," he said.

"It's one thing to let people post UFO content about crop circles in Arkansas," O'Connor added. "It's another to allow your platform to be used by someone claiming vaccines are actively harmful and that people should not take them based on conspiracies and misinformation. There's a duty of care and responsibility as your platform grows and scales up."

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MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian prosecutors have asked a court to put restrictions on Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny's spokesperson Kira Yarmysh, who is currently held under house arrest pending trial, for two years, her Twitter account said on Thursday.

Russia has cracked down on the opposition ahead of parliamentary elections in September. Most of Navalny's prominent allies have either left Russia or are facing prosecution.

"The prosecutor's office requests that Kira be granted with 2 years of restricted freedom ... and that she remains under house arrest until the sentence enters into force," a post in Yarmysh's Twitter account said on Thursday.

The Russian Prosecutor General's office did not immediately reply to a Reuters' request for comment.

The court's verdict is expected on August 16, another post in Yarmysh's Twitter account said.

Veronika Polyakova, Yarmysh's lawyer, said on Twitter that the prosecutors want to prohibit Yarmysh of leaving home between 22:00 and 06:00, leaving Moscow and changing the place of residence.

Yarmysh has been under house arrest since February accused of breaching COVID-19 safety regulations at what the authorities said was an unauthorised protest in support of Navalny, a charge she says is politically-motivated.

The 31-year-old has been Navalny's spokesperson since 2014.

Navalny, a critic of President Vladimir Putin, is himself serving a 2-1/2 year jail term for parole violations related to an embezzlement conviction he says was trumped up

(Reporting by Anton Zverev; writing by Polina Devitt; Editing by Alistair Bell)
Some travelers may have to rethink their adventures abroad as the delta variant drives a surge in COVID-19 cases worldwide.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning against travel to seven more countries that land very high on its COVID-19 travel risk list. The 4-level Travel Health Notice system is used to alert travelers to health and safety threats across the world and ranks destinations based on reported coronavirus data.

Nations that fall into the Level 4: Very high level of COVID-19 should be avoided unless absolutely necessary, the public health agency advises. Travelers are also encouraged to get fully vaccinated before traveling to these destinations.

The CDC added seven additional nations to the list Aug. 9. They are:

Aruba  changing from Level 3 to Level 4

Eswatini (formerly Swaziland)  changing from Level 3 to Level 4

France  changing from Level 3 to Level 4

French Polynesia  changing from Level 3 to Level 4

Iceland  changing from Level 3 to Level 4

Israel  changing from Level 3 to Level 4

Thailand  changing from Level 3 to Level 4

CDC uses COVID-19 data reported by the World Health Organization and other official sources to make determinations about [Travel Health Notice] levels, according to the CDCs website. If a destination does not provide data, their THN level is designated as unknown and travelers are advised to follow THN Level 4 recommendations.

Countries with a very high coronavirus risk have reported more than 500 new cases over the last 28 days per 100,000 population, according to travel health notice thresholds. Iceland was previously listed as a Level 1 country, with an incidence rate of fewer than 50 cases in 28 days.

Other popular, low-risk destinations include Anguilla, Australia and Nigeria, according to the CDCs updated list.

Changes to the CDCs travel health notices list will be updated weekly.

While abroad, travelers are encouraged to continue wearing a mask and social distancing to help curb the spread of COVID-19. All travelers returning to the U.S. are also required to show proof of a negative coronavirus test before boarding a flight back home.

Story continues

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Woman forcibly removed from American flight after refusing to wear mask, officials say
After discovering a slew of issues with Starliners propulsion system valves, Boeing has postponed the upcoming Orbital Flight Test-2 mission until the end of August.

Boeing was scheduled to launch its long-awaited second flight testa week-long mission to the International Space Station (ISS)of the companys Starliner vehicle on July 30.

The first attempt to send the uncrewed capsule failed in 2019 after a software issue kept it from reaching the proper orbit.

Boeings Starliner spacecraft has faced one set back after another.

After engineers discovered a series of issues with more than a dozen valves in the vehicles propulsion system during a prelaunch systems check last week, Boeing says the much-delayed flight of its Starliner vehicle may not take place until the end of the month.

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The company said in a statement on August 9 that it has not yet discovered the cause of the problem, which prevented 13 valves in the vehicles propulsion system to open when prompted. (A statement before that suggested a series of electrical storms that passed over the launchpad may be to blame.) After a weekend of inspections, tinkering and testing, Boeing says its teams were able to regain control of seven of the faulty valves.

The aerospace company was set to kick off its second uncrewed Orbital Flight Test (OFT-2) from Floridas Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on August 4. Instead, the spacecraft and launch vehicle were rolled back into the hulking, nearby Vertical Integration Facility for inspection.



Boeing and NASA initially scheduled the long-awaited OFT-2 mission for Friday, July 30, but pushed the launch after thrusters on Russias new Nauka space station module fired unexpectedly, causing the ISS to tilt erratically.

During its week-long mission (whenever that may be), the capsule will dock with the ISS, delivering more than 400 pounds worth of supplies to eager astronauts and provide valuable data about how the vehicle operates before eventually returning back to Earth. A mannequin dubbed Rosie the Rocketeer will also gather data about the flight and its potential impact on future passengers. If all goes according to plan, the capsule should touch down in the New Mexico desert a week after it launches.

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Photo credit: Bill Ingalls - Getty Images

The stakes are high for this launchits been a long journey for Boeing's CST-100 Starliner vehicle.

Boeing and SpaceX developed their respective Starliner and Crew Dragon vehicles as part of NASAs Commercial Crew Program, which was designed to ferry astronauts to the ISS on a U.S.-built spacecraft. In May 2020, SpaceX reached this goal first, launching a crew of two astronauts to the space station. Since that first demonstration, SpaceX Crew Dragon capsules have delivered 10 astronauts to the ISS.

The first attempt to send Starliner to the space station failed in 2019 after a software problem prevented the capsule from reaching the proper orbit. While the capsule survived the mission, and crews on the ground managed to gather a significant amount of data, the flub set the companys timeline back significantly.

If successful, a second demonstration will pave the way for the Starliners first crewed flight, dubbed Crew Flight Test. NASA astronauts Barry Wilmore, Michael Fincke, and Nicole Mann are set to conduct the test flight, a months-long journey to the ISS, later this year or early next.

But the clock is ticking.

Later this month, NASA plans to send a supply mission to the ISS using SpaceXs CRS-23 Cargo Dragon capsule. Because of the limited number of available docking ports on the ISS, Boeing, NASA and United Launch Alliance (ULA) will have to work doubly hard to ensure Starliner launches in time to conduct its mission before CRS-23 arrives. Whats more, NASAs LUCY mission, which is scheduled to launch later this fall also atop an Atlas V rocket, could pose a scheduling problem for ULA if OFT-2 doesn't get off the ground in August.



If Boeing isnt able to fix the issues with Starliner soon, the flight could be delayed indefinitely.

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SANTO DOMINGO/HAVANA (Reuters) - Thousands of people in the Dominican Republic were left without electricity or running water on Thursday in the wake of Tropical Storm Fred, which weakened to a depression as it grazed the northern coast of Cuba on track to Florida.

High winds downed power lines and rain flooded parts of the southern coast, forcing shut parts of the aqueduct, which supplies water across the island. This, along with rubble on the roads, has cut off 41 communities, the Dominican National Emergency Operations Center said.

It was not immediately apparent when running water and power would be returned. No victims have yet been reported, authorities said.

The capital Santo Domingo and five other provinces of the southern coast remained on high alert given forecasts of heavy rain for another day in the wake of Fred, the sixth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season.

Residents of Santo Domingo suburbs bordering the swollen Ozama and Isabela rivers used mops and buckets to remove water from their homes.

Cuba's meteorology institute said on Thursday afternoon the depression was advancing in a northwest direction just off the island's northeast coast with maximum sustained winds of 55 km (34 miles). More rain and storm surges are forecast for the eastern and central regions of Cuba, it said.

Cuba and the eastern Bahamas could expect 1-3 inches (2.5-7.6 cm) of rainfall, the National Hurricane Center (NHC)in Miami said in its 1700 ET forecast.

Fred is expected to move along or just north of eastern and central Cuba tonight and Friday, regaining tropical storm strength as it nears the Florida Keys and southern Florida on Saturday, the NHC said.

There, it would dump 3 to 6 inches of rain, with isolated maximum totals of 8 inches.

Fred is the first named storm in a month in the Atlantic. In early July, Hurricane Elsa killed at least three people and damaged infrastructure and agriculture in Caribbean island nations east of Cuba.

(Reporting by Ezequiel Abiu Lopez in Santo Domingo and Sarah Marsh in Havana; Editing by Karishma Singh)
While some progressive Democrats continue to push the president to cancel student loan debt, there's a bipartisan effort underway to overhaul the student loan system in another way: by making bankruptcy discharges more accessible for student debtors.

Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) announced a new bill called the "FRESH START Through Bankruptcy Act of 2021" last week to better enable borrowers to seek a student loan discharge in bankruptcy.

"Student loan debt follows you to your grave," Durbin stated. "Our bipartisan bill finally gives student borrowers  some who were misled into taking out costly loans by predatory for-profit colleges  a chance to get back on their feet when they have no other realistic path to repay their loans."

If passed, the bill would allow federal student loans to become eligible for discharge in bankruptcy proceedings 10 years after the borrower's first loan payment comes due. (Borrowers with loans less than 10 years old would have to go through the current process.)

A graduate jumps in the air in the fountain at Washington Square Park on May 19, 2021 in New York. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP)

Jason Iuliano, associate professor of law at the University of Utah and an expert on student loan bankruptcy law, told Yahoo Finance that the bill's 10-year waiting period was noteworthy.

"First, it would ensure that people who have struggled to repay their student loans for at least a decade can benefit from bankruptcys fresh start and get their lives back on track," Iuliano said. "And second, it would ensure that the student loan credit market continues to function."

The bill also proposes to increase "institutional accountability" by making colleges that receive federal loans from more than a third of their students "partially reimburse" the Department of Education (ED) if student loans are later discharged in bankruptcy or "if the colleges had consistently high default rates and low repayment rates."

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"This is an excellent proposal that would help align schools incentives with their students incentives," Iuliano explained. "Instead of engaging in an ever-increasing tuition arms race, underperforming schools would be forced to cut tuition or improve employment prospects for their students."

Roughly 45 million Americans hold more than $1.7 trillion in federally-backed student loan debt.

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Student loan bankruptcy discharge

Discharging student loans through bankruptcy, while difficult, is not impossible.

That said, there was an era when it was a much easier process.

"Before 1976, student loans were treated like other types of unsecured debt bankruptcy. If you were facing financial ruin, you could get relief," Durbin explained. "But then Congress got the idea that student borrowers were running to bankruptcy court, right after graduation. This notion was based on more anecdote than data. Congress started passing laws to make it harder."

Over time, the bankruptcy code became more restrictive for all student debtors.

In most personal bankruptcy cases involving student debt, a judge now applies the Brunner test  a three-pronged test applied to student loan borrowers who filed adversary proceedings seeking to discharge educational debt  to determine if specific student loans caused a borrower to suffer undue hardship.

Source: Duke Law Journal/DECEMBER 2020/ "THE STUDENT LOAN BANKRUPTCY GAP" by JASON IULIANO

"Starting with the 1987 case called Brunner, courts have interpreted the phrase to set an impossibly high bar for relief," Durbin said. "To pass the Brunner test of undue hardship, you have to convince a bankruptcy judge that its hopeless that youd ever repay, while the Department of Education or its guaranty agencies are on the other side arguing against you."

While Durbin went on to stress that "proving undue hardship is nearly impossible," Iuliano disagreed.

The impossibility of proving undue hardship specifically "is not the case," Iuliano said. Based on his research of bankruptcy cases, an estimated "60% of people who attempt to discharge their student loans in bankruptcy are successful."

'This is the first time its been bipartisan'

Forced to choose between student loan forgiveness  favored by some prominent Democrats but taboo to most Republicans  and bankruptcy reform, many Republicans opted for the latter during the hearing.

"While I don't support cancellation of all student debt... I can't think of very many good reasons to keep students with massive amounts of debts as lifelong serfs of banks and lifelong serfs of universities by not allowing them to discharge a bankruptcy of their debt under appropriate circumstances," Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) said during the hearing, adding that the bipartisan bill was "a very sensible approach."

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), a leading proponent of student loan cancellation, previously told Yahoo Finance that the U.S. bankruptcy system is "fundamentally wrong" on student debt discharges.

"Ive been introducing student loan bankruptcy [bills] for a long time," Durbin said during the hearing. "This is the first time its been bipartisan. With this bill, we see a growing bipartisan consensus that the status quo isnt working, and that we need student loan bankruptcy reform.

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One appealing aspect of the bill, according to Iuliano, is that the legislation addresses the fundamental issue of tuition inflation by making schools reimburse the federal government when students discharge their loans via bankruptcy.

"Schools are... selling a product for a price, and that price needs to match what these students get out of it," said Cornyn, one of the co-sponsors. "That's why the second part of the [bill] creates a limited risk-sharing framework for schools but enough students default on their loans, and fail to continue to repay them."

Coryn added that some schools have "taken advantage of the American taxpayer for too long, and the students are the ones harmed by their excess, so I'm glad to see this bill introduced today."



Aarthi is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. She can be reached at aarthi@yahoofinance.com. Follow her on Twitter @aarthiswami.

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CAIRO (AP)  Sudan signed an agreement with the International Criminal Court on Thursday to move forward in the cases against those accused of atrocities in the Darfur region, including the countrys former President Omar al-Bashir, a top ICC prosecutor said.

Prosecutor Karim Khan said at a press conference that he would also be deploying a full-time team from his office to Sudan. The developments come as Sudans government continues to hold al-Bashir in prison. The ICC issued a warrant for al-Bashir on war crimes charges more than a decade ago, while he was in office.

The agreement further raises the possibility of al-Bashir being tried in The Hague, where the ICC is based, an issue that remains controversial in Sudan.

Khan landed in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum earlier this week and held meetings with the president of Sudans transitional council, Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok, judiciary officials and civil society representatives.

This agreement provides a basis for cooperation and exchange of information in relation to all cases where there are warrants, he said, adding that such cooperation will help the ICC build strong cases.

Al-Bashir has been in jail in Khartoum since his ouster in April 2019 amid a public uprising against his nearly three-decade autocratic rule. The ICC has charged him with crimes against humanity and war crimes in the Darfur conflict.

Though he did not discuss dates for a handover of al-Bashir, Khan said he welcomed the Sudanese Cabinet's recent approval of a draft bill allowing the East African country to join the courts founding treaty, known as the Rome Statute. The decision was a step forward in the long-waited trial of those wanted by the ICC. Khan said that the ratification of that bill is expected to be discussed next week at a joint meeting of Sudans ruling Sovereign Council and Cabinet, which together serve as an interim parliament.

When asked whether Bashir could be tried outside the Hague, Khan said the Rome Statue says that the ICC may convene away from the seat  a matter the court's presidency and judges can decide on.

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The conflict in Sudans Darfur region broke out when rebels from the territorys ethnic central and sub-Saharan African community launched an insurgency in 2003, complaining of oppression by the Arab-dominated government in Khartoum. Al-Bashirs government responded with a campaign of aerial bombings and raids by militias known as janjaweed. The militias stand accused of mass killings and rapes. Up to 300,000 people were killed and 2.7 million were driven from their homes.

We cannot march from the darkness into the light without dealing with some of the crimes and injustices of the past, Khan said.

He also said Sudanese authorities welcomed his decision to deploy a full-time team of ICC lawyers to Khartoum for better first-hand knowledge of the undercurrents and the complexities" of the dynamics in Sudan.

Also indicted by the court are two other senior figures from al-Bashirs rule: Abdel-Rahim Muhammad Hussein, interior and defense minister during much of the conflict, and Ahmed Haroun, a senior security chief at the time and later the leader of al-Bashirs ruling party. Both have been under arrest in Khartoum since the Sudanese military, under pressure from protesters, ousted al-Bashir.

The court has also indicted rebel leader Abdulla Banda, whose whereabouts are unknown, and janjaweed leader Ali Kushayb, who was charged in May with crimes against humanity and war crimes.

I have high hopes of Sudan and her people and the place that you want to hold in the world, which means closing this dark chapter, said Khan. Whether we like it or not, the ICC is part of that story and the dark chapter will not and cannot close until we have finished our work.
WASHINGTON  The Supreme Court refused Thursday to block Indiana University's requirement that students be vaccinated against Covid-19 to attend classes in the fall semester.

It was the first legal test of a Covid vaccination mandate to come before the justices. A challenge to the policy was directed to Amy Coney Barrett, the justice in charge of that region of the country, who denied it. There were no noted dissents from other justices.

Eight students asked the court for an emergency order, arguing that the risks associated with the vaccines outweighed the potential benefits for the population in their age group. "Protection of others does not relieve our society from the central canon of medical ethics requiring voluntary and informed consent," they told the justices, seeking an emergency order to block the vaccination requirement.

A federal judge ruled last month that the school had a right to pursue "a reasonable and due process of vaccination in the legitimate interest of public health for its students, faculty, and staff." The students have many options, the judge said, such as applying for exemptions, taking the semester off, viewing classes online or attending other universities.

The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, based in Chicago, agreed. It noted that the Supreme Court ruled in 1905 that a state can require all members of the public to be vaccinated against smallpox. Indiana's requirement is less demanding, the court said, allowing exemptions for students who object on the basis of medical conditions or religious beliefs.

Similar lawsuits brought by students are pending in federal courts challenging the Covid vaccination requirements imposed by the universities of Connecticut and Massachusetts and the sprawling California State University system.

According to a tally maintained by The Chronicle of Higher Education, more than 670 of the country's colleges and universities require students to be vaccinated. They include such public institutions as UCLA, Michigan State University and the universities of Maryland and Colorado. Private schools with vaccination mandates include Stanford, Harvard, Duke and Notre Dame.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) and Attorney General Ken Paxton announced the filing of a petition Wednesday to strike down an emergency order mandating masks in schools, businesses and county buildings in Dallas County.

Why it matters: Their statement threatens that "any school district, public university or local government official that decides to defy the order will be taken to court."

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State of play: Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins earlier Wednesday signed an emergency order that would apply to child care centers, preschool through 12th grade schools, businesses and Dallas County facilities.

Abbott and Paxton argue that Jenkins' actions violated Abbott's statewide ban on mask and vaccine mandates, which he claimed "supersedes local rules and regulations."

Worth noting: A Texas judge temporarily voided Abbott's ban on Tuesday night to prevent it from being enforced.

What they're saying: The path forward relies on personal responsibility  not government mandates," Abbott said.

Attention-grabbing judges and mayors have defied executive orders before, when the pandemic first started, and the courts ruled on our side  the law."

"Im confident the outcomes to any suits will side with liberty and individual choice, not mandates and government overreach."

Any school district, public university, or local government official that decides to defy GA-38which prohibits gov't... Posted by Greg Abbott on Wednesday, August 11, 2021

Editor's note: This a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

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Yordi Barthelemy is being held without bond, charged with capital murder and assault family violence.

A Texas man has been charged with capital murder in the deaths of three women at a condo on South Padre Island.

The fatal shootings rocked the small island community last weekend when the three women, members of the same family, were killed at a home in the resort community.

South Padre Island police officers responded to a family disturbance on Saturday night and found the women  who have been identified as Odalys Hernandez, 46; Zulema Hernandez-Napoles, 47; and Sandra Napoles, 65  all deceased from gunshot wounds. According to reports, the ladies were Houston natives.

The man, Yordi Barthelemy, is being held without bond.

Yordi Barthelemy (above) has been arrested for the murders of three related women, Odalys Hernandez, Zulema Hernandez-Napoles and Sandra Napoles, on South Padre Island. (South Padre Island Police Dept.)

Authorities told KSAT, a news outlet from San Antonio, that Barthelemy is from Kerens, which is an hours drive southeast of Dallas and more than 500 miles north of the resort town. The motive for the murders has not been disclosed.

KSAT reported that police said the suspect fled the scene of the shooting but later turned himself in and was arrested in the neighboring community of Port Isabel, which is five miles away from South Padre Island.

Barthelemy is 23 years old.

South Padre Island is located off the southern coast of Texas near the Mexican border. It is known for its beaches, warm Gulf waters for fishing and boating, as well as for its shopping.

In June, Texas Republican governor, Greg Abbott, signed its long-sought permitless carry bill, House Bill 1927, into law. Handguns are now legal within the state under Texas constitutional carry laws, which means that anyone over the age of 21 can carry a gun without a license or weapons training. However, that does not include felons, people convicted of domestic assault or those under protective orders.

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Additionally, schools, polling places, courts, secured areas of airports, hospitals and other sites may be exempt from the law.

Tiffany Phillips, a program attorney for the U.S. Texas Law Shield, told The Texarkana Gazette on Monday that while the law is a constitutional guarantee in the state, as with all laws, there is grey area, not black and white.

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I still advise those who wish to exercise their right to carry to obtain a license to carry or keep it if they already have it, she said. Dont just rush out and get that new gun. Get trained, educated, and protect yourself. And keep in mind, the law does not go into effect until Sept. 1.

Police have not disclosed details in the South Padre Island shooting, including whether or not Barthelemy was legally armed.

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The post Texas man accused of killing 3 women at resort island appeared first on TheGrio.
The Texas Senate approved a Republican-backed bill that contains new voting restrictions on Thursday after a Democratic senator filibustered for 15 hours in an effort to stop the measure, AP reports.

Why it matters: While the vote brings Texas a step closer to enacting the bill, the measure continues to face trouble in the state House, where Democrats have prevented quorum by staying away in a weeks-long standoff.

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Catch up quick: The Texas House speaker late Tuesday signed civil arrest warrants for 52 Democratic lawmakers who fled the state last month to block the GOP effort to pass the voting restrictions.

The Democrats, however, remain defiant, per AP.

The bill would make it harder to vote in a state that already has one of the most restrictive voting laws in the country. Democrats highlight that the restrictions will disproportionately affect people of color.

Republicans maintain the new legislation is meant to make it easier to vote and harder to cheat," per the Washington Post.

What she's saying: My friends, voter suppression anywhere is a threat to democracy everywhere, Senate Democratic Caucus Chair Carol Alvarado said during her filibuster, per the Post.

"As we draw this discussion to an end, it is my sincere hope that civil acts by everyday Texans  from the Senate floor to the ballot box  can help shed the light.

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Two children were hurt when the rollercoaster came of its tracks. (SWNS)

Two children have been hurt after a rollercoaster came off its track at a Scottish theme park.

The accident happened on Thursday morning at Landmark Adventure Park in Carrbridge.

Locals heard a loud bang and it's understood that some passengers had to be lifted off the ride.

The rest of the park remains open. (SWNS)

Police confirmed that two children had been left with minor injuries as a result of a mechanical failure with the ride.

An ambulance and fire engine attended the scene.

A spokesperson from Landmark Forest Adventure Park said: "We can confirm that there was an incident on the Runaway Timber Train today (12/08/21), which resulted in the train coming to a halt at ground level.

(SWNS)

"All passengers were safely and immediately evacuated, but emergency services were deployed as a precautionary measure.

"No serious injuries have been reported and, as far as were aware, nobody has been taken to hospital.

"The rollercoaster will remain closed while a thorough investigation into the incident is carried out.

"The rest of the park remains open as normal."

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "We were alerted at 11.37am on Thursday, August 12 to support a multi-agency response at the Landmark Adventure Park, Carrbridge.

(SWNS)

Read more: Fed-up homeowners use rubbish bags to form barrier around car

"Operations Control mobilised a number of specialist resources to assist emergency service partners following reports of a rollercoaster derailment.

Crews left the scene at 12.14pm.

Read more: Seaside villagers in Cornwall 'at wits' end' over stench of raw sewage

A spokesman for Police Scotland said: "Around 11.30 am this morning, police and emergency services were called to a report that a carriage from a rollercoaster has suffered a mechanical failure an adventure park in Carrbridge, Aviemore.

"Two children sustained minor injuries and were treated at the scene.

"Police are still at scene and enquiries are continuing."

Watch: Who can keep a straight face on a rollercoaster challenge
Markovia Durham poses with his son. Mr Durham was killed when his toddler mistook a real gun for a toy and shot him in the back. (National Gun Violence Memorial)

A 2-year-old boy accidentally shot and killed his father in North Carolina.

The shooting occurred Sunday, according to WNCT 9, a local news broadcaster.

Markovia Durham, 29, was found dead by police officers on Sunday after suffering multiple gunshot wounds.

The man's great-grandmother, Phyllis Holland, described the scene.

The daddy was sitting on the couch, she said. And the baby got up on the couch and picked the gun up from behind the daddy. Picked the gun up not knowing it was a real gun, and put it to the daddys back and pulled the trigger thinking the gun was a toy.

Ms Holland claimed that Mr Durham was usually more responsible with his gun.

"He keeps the gun away," she said. "He kept the gun away from him. At that moment, he just wasn't thinking."

She said Mr Durham had recently purchased the gun.

A neighbor lamented that the child would have to grow up with the trauma from the incident.

"I just hate it for that child because his life is messed up because, you know, it was his daddy," Tasha Phillips said. "And if he did that, that little boy is going to go through something for the rest of his life and it just hurts me because I have grandkids of my own."

According to the family, the toddler is not fully aware of what happened. Ms Holland said that they have been trying to help the child - who has been asking for his father - to understand what happened.

"He want his dada," she said. "He's only a 2-year-old. He don't understand."

No charges have been filed related to the incident, though that is subject to change. On Monday, Department of Social Services workers visited the family and conducted interviews with those staying in the home.
Brownsville, Texas  Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Thursday strongly defended the Biden administration's strategy for dealing with migration to the U.S.-Mexico border, where inderdictions of migrants and asylum-seekers have reached levels not seen in over two decades.

Standing in front of Border Patrol vehicles in south Texas, Mayorkas said the administration is expanding enforcement efforts to deter economic migrants from attempting to enter the U.S. without permission, while gradually expanding access to the U.S. asylum system for those fleeing violence.

"It is critical that intending migrants understand clearly that they will be turned back if they enter the United States illegally and do not have a basis for relief under our laws," Mayorkas told reporters, acknowledging that the "unprecedented number" of border crossings poses a "serious challenge."

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) carried out 212,000 migrant apprehensions in July, a 21-year high, according to data released Thursday. More than 110,000 single adult migrants were taken into custody, the majority of whom were expelled to Mexico under a public health authority first invoked under the Trump administration.

However, nearly 88% of the more than 83,000 migrant parents and children taken into custody as families in July were processed under U.S. immigration law and allowed to seek asylum. U.S. border officials also encountered an all-time high 19,000 unaccompanied children, whom the Biden administration has categorically shielded from the expulsion policy, known as Title 42.

"It is a big number," Raul Ortiz, the incoming chief of U.S. Border Patrol, told CBS News during an interview Tuesday. "I have a huge flow of migrants coming across here in south Texas. I have the same thing two or three hundred miles up the river in Del Rio, Texas. And then I have the same thing occurring in Yuma, Arizona. It really has forced us to rethink how we do business."

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Mayorkas attributed the rise in migration to violence, poverty and corruption in Central America, problems that he said the Biden administration is seeking to mitigate through foreign aid.

"Young boys whose lives are threatened if they decline to join a gang," Mayorkas said, providing examples of would-be migrants. "Young women who are vulnerable to rape while they walk to school."

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas attends a news conference along with incoming Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz, in Brownsville, Texas, on August 12, 2021. / Credit: Nicole Sganga / CBS News

But Mayorkas said the spike in border apprehensions was also fueled by the resurgent U.S. economy and the Biden administration's reversal of several Trump-era policies, such as the practice of requiring asylum applicants to wait in Mexico, often in dangerous and squalid conditions, for their U.S. court hearings.

"Another reason is the end of the cruel policies of the past administration and the restoration of the rule of laws of this country that Congress has passed, including our asylum laws that provide humanitarian relief," Mayorkas said.

In response to the surge in migrant encounters and concerns about the spread of the Delta variant of the coronavirus across U.S. communities, the Biden administration has been ramping up deportations and prosecutions of border-crossers, including families traveling with children.

"Now, of course, the Delta variant makes the situation more difficult. Our capacity to test, isolate and quarantine the vulnerable population  those that make legal claims for asylum  is stretched," Mayorkas said, adding that DHS is "building new capacity" to mitigate health risks to migrants and neighboring communities along the Southwest border.

The secretary acknowledged an "increase in the positivity rate among the migrant population" in recent weeks, but pointed out that the positivity rate among the migrant community is equal to or lower than that of border communities.

Since last month, some Central American families have been subjected to a fast-track deportation policy known as "expedited removal," which allows U.S. border agents to repatriate migrants without allowing them to appear before an immigration judge.

Last week, U.S. authorities also started flying Central American migrants to southern Mexico under the Title 42 public health edict, which bars them from applying for asylum. Ortiz said "hundreds" of border-crossers have been placed on these expulsion flights so far, including 250 migrants who departed south Texas on Tuesday.

Mayorkas said the expulsion flights are designed to curb repeat border crossing attempts, which he noted made up 27% of the migrant apprehensions in July.

"[We are] certainly taking an opportunity to leverage Title 42 to fly people back into Mexico. We repatriate people across the port of entry, but certainly have an ability to transport them even further south, closer to their home country," Ortiz said. "I think it is a benefit for them as well as a benefit for us, because then we don't have the overcrowding that exists at some of our facilities and [it] allowed us to ease some of that pressure."

The expulsion flights and the fast-track deportation program for families have alarmed advocates for asylum-seekers, including the United Nations refugee agency, which said the practice of flying Central Americans to southern Mexico could strain the "humanitarian response capacity" in the region.

"These expulsion flights of non-Mexicans to the deep interior of Mexico constitute a troubling new dimension in enforcement of the COVID-related public health order known as Title 42," the refugee agency said in a statement Wednesday.

Kennji Kizuka, a researcher at Human Rights First, traveled to the Mexican border cities of Nuevo Laredo and Reynosa this week to interview asylum-seekers affected by U.S. policy. He said he spoke with migrants from Central America, Cuba, Haiti and other countries who expressed fear of being victimized in these Mexican cities, which are located in a state the U.S. government warns Americans not to visit because of rampant crime, including kidnappings.

"People are really confused and worried that there's not going to be any opportunity to request asylum at ports of entry," Kizuka told CBS News. "People are really scared. They are scared to even go outside and buy food at a local supermarket."

Kizuka's group has compiled a list of more than 3,200 reports of kidnappings, rapes and assaults against migrants stranded in Mexico as a result of the Title 42 rule since January.

While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) extended the Title 42 expulsions indefinitely earlier this month, Biden administration officials have acknowledged that they will not always have that emergency authority at their disposal.

After holding talks with the Biden administration for six months, the American Civil Liberties Union last week revived its lawsuit against the Title 42 expulsions. U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan, who has previously ruled that Title 42 does not authorize expulsions or override U.S. immigration law, could issue a decision soon that could block the expulsions of families with children.

"We certainly are concerned that at some point Title 42 may not be an opportunity for us to repatriate migrants back to Mexico or into their home country," Ortiz said. "So we always have to plan in case of an emergency situation."

Mireya Villarreal contributed to this report.

Senator Rand Paul failed to disclose wife's purchase of COVID drug company stock

Census Bureau releases 2020 data on nation's population shifts

Pentagon sending 3,000 troops to Kabul to help evacuate U.S. embassy
By Michelle Nichols

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The United Nations said on Thursday it is particularly concerned about a shift in fighting in Afghanistan to urban areas, warning that if a Taliban offensive reaches the capital Kabul it would have a "catastrophic impact on civilians."

The Taliban claimed control over the third largest city, Herat, on Thursday and appeared close to capturing Kandahar, the second largest city and the spiritual home of the Taliban, which now control about two-thirds of Afghanistan.

"It is clear that urban fighting in the city of the size of Kabul would have catastrophic impact on civilians and we very much hope that this does not happen," U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters.

Dujarric also said any investigation into civilian deaths would have to be impartial and independent from the warring parties. The United Nations said more than 1,000 civilians had been killed in the past month. In a statement on Wednesday the Taliban denied killing civilians and suggested a U.N. team, accompanied by them, conduct an inquiry.

The Islamist militants proposed that a team made up of the United Nations, Red Cross and other international aid groups accompany Taliban representatives "to conduct an impartial and independent investigation into the latest events."

The Taliban has stepped up its campaign to defeat the U.S.-backed government since April as foreign forces complete their withdrawal after 20 years.

In the first six months of 2021, the United Nations said 5,183 civilians had been killed or injured, blaming the Taliban for 39% - 699 deaths and 1,345 wounded - and Afghan government forces for 23% - 378 deaths and 828 wounded.

Peace talks between the Afghan government and Taliban negotiators started last year in the Qatari capital of Doha, but have not made any substantive progress.

"We are continuing to believe that there is a political solution that can be had. This doesn't mean that we are also blind to what is going on in the on the ground," Dujarric said.

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols; editing by Grant McCool)
Aug. 12Local Republican members of the Ohio General Assembly joined U.S. Rep. Mike Turner, R  Dayton, on Wednesday to coordinate policy on federal funding and economic development.

State Rep. Tom Young, R  Washington Twp.; state Sen. Bob Hackett, R  London; and state Sen. Bob Peterson, R  Fayette County, joined Turner in talking about facilitating development and job creation in the communities surrounding Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

Great effort has already gone into developing facilities on the base itself, Turner said. Now the focus is shifting to improving the adjacent communities for the thousands of people whose jobs depend on the base.

Peterson said legislators must ensure the region remains military friendly to attract and retain contractors and functions at the base. He cited such moves as the 2020 authorization for military spouses to temporarily transfer their professional certifications or licenses from other states when their serving spouse is assigned to duty in Ohio.

Hackett said he appreciated Turner's initiative in creating the Wright-Patterson Regional Council of Governments to coordinate efforts. The counties Hackett represents  Clark, Greene and Madison  are not the area's largest in population, so they must work together to get things accomplished, he said.

Environmental concerns

Turner also touted his efforts to renew the Brownfields Redevelopment Tax Incentive.

Brownfields are former industrial and commercial sites that are difficult to redevelop due to some level of environmental contamination. The redevelopment tax incentive, created in 1997, allowed taxpayers to deduct environmental cleanup costs if the property would be used for trade, business or producing income. It expired in 2012.

Turner wants the tax incentive to be available for developers to redevelop urban areas, he said. He sought its renewal in 2019, and is trying again this year in collaboration with U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-N.J.

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Following a series of major water main breaks since 2019, Turner formed a 13-member panel of local leaders to study regional water quality concerns. A report from consulting firm LimnoTech is due this fall.

"Of course, one of those concerns is the 'forever chemicals' issue," Turner said. Forever chemicals are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, which have been found in low levels in some local drinking water systems, including Dayton and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

Infrastructure spending

Turner and state legislators said they want to monitor spending of federal COVID-19 relief and infrastructure funding to make sure it provides long-term benefits for the area. But they denounced one feature of the $1.2 trillion infrastructure package which the U.S. Senate approved Tuesday in a bipartisan vote. The infrastructure bill now heads to U.S. House.

The infrastructure bill currently includes $125 million for a pilot program testing a by-the-mile tax on drivers to fund road repair and construction.

"That's a privacy breach beyond anything we can even imagine at this point," Young said.

Tracking drivers' mileage raises the specter of privacy invasion and even future travel restrictions, Turner said. Such a tax would have a disproportionate effect on rural drivers who often have much longer commutes than city dwellers, he said.

It's not clear whether that Vehicle Miles Traveled, or VMT, tax would replace or supplement current gasoline taxes, which are expected to decline as use of electric vehicles grows.

A VMT tax has been discussed for years and some states have experimented with it. Self-reporting of mileage, regular data deletion and third-party data collection have been proposed to deal with privacy concerns.
Ukraine has sent more than 38 tonnes of barbed wire to Lithuania as "humanitarian aid" as the EU country struggles to stem an influx of illegal migrants from neighbouring Belarus, authorities said on Thursday.

In July, Lithuania's military started to put up barbed wire on the Belarus border to deter asylum seekers, most of whom are from the Middle East and Africa.

Lithuania, which has offered support to the Belarusian opposition, has accused the country's strongman leader Alexander Lukashenko of deliberately encouraging unauthorised arrivals of migrants in retaliation for sanctions against his regime.

"Ukraine has sent humanitarian aid to the Republic of Lithuania for security needs," the emergencies service said in a statement.

The service released pictures of razor wire coils being loaded onto a truck, saying it was the first such shipment and more were expected to be sent in September.

Last week Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree on the provision of aid to Lithuania in the form of barbed wire to strengthen the border with Belarus.

Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said last month that Kiev's assistance was needed because Lithuania was "facing an unprecedented migration crisis" but did not have enough barbed wire.

Last week border guards in Lithuania said they had begun to push back migrants trying to enter illegally from Belarus.

Lithuania's parliament on Tuesday passed a law giving the green light to the construction of a fence along its border with Belarus.

Lukashenko has been cracking down on any form of dissent since mass protests erupted following last year's elections, deemed unfair by the West.

A number of countries including Lithuania and Ukraine have become destinations for the Belarusians fleeing repression in their home country.

dg/as/dl
During a meeting with President Biden Wednesday to discuss national vaccination efforts, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby suggested that he believes vaccine mandates for companies and organizations will become more normalized in the coming weeks as the COVID wave triggered by the delta variant escalates.

A few weeks from now, this is going to be something thats widespread across the country because its really just a basic safety issue, Kirby told CNN after the meeting concluded.

Leaders from other industries and institutions, such as Howard University President Wayne Frederick and Kaiser Permanente Chief Executive Gregory Adams, also attended the meeting to share their strategies for increasing vaccination rates within their workforces and among their customers, Reuters reported. Kirby said Biden asked those participants about the efforts theyre taking and to persuade more-hesitant business leaders to follow in their footsteps.

Biden has applauded companies and localities that have required verification of vaccination from employees and has set the example himself by mandating vaccination for all federal staff. He endorsed the action taken by Democratic New York mayor Bill de Blasio to force private recreational establishments and enterprises, such as restaurants, gyms, and theaters, to ask for proof of inoculation at the door as a condition of entry.

I will have their backs and the backs of other private- and public-sector leaders if they take such steps, Biden remarked last week.

United Airlines recently announced it will require its staff to get the shot to maintain their employment. For the airline industry, United Airlines has departed from the standard set by competitors American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Southwest Airlines, which are encouraging and even monetarily incentivizing vaccination for employees but not requiring it. Beyond employees, Kirby seemed to acknowledge at the meeting that mandating vaccines for customers could be difficult to implement as well as unpopular.

Story continues

However, SouthWest Airlines said Wednesday that earnings performance has slumped because of the spread of the delta variant, which has decreased demand for travel. The major airlines are facing greater pressure from the Biden administration to accelerate their vaccination drives to curb the spread of COVID.

More from National Review
As the fall semester inches closer for thousands of colleges across the U.S., some schools have imposed vaccine and mask mandates to avoid COVID-19 outbreaks on campus.

"What we're relying on is common sense," Michael Crow, president of Arizona State University (ASU), which is recommending but not requiring vaccination, told Yahoo Finance Live (video above). "People are signing up, people are getting vaccinated. We've got masking highly recommended. We're going to do masking in certain spaces where people can't socially distance."

The highly contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus, which has led to a surge of cases and hospitalizations in certain parts of the country, seems to be spreading among younger populations more than the original version of the virus that began circulating last year.

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While stopping short of requiring vaccination on campus, Crow stressed that "we're going to be using every tool that we've got. We've got most of our people vaccinated, many more getting vaccinated. And so, we're going to move ahead and make this work."

Crow's comments are at odds with official mask bans elsewhere but also seems to comply with Arizona Governor Doug Ducey's recent executive order banning "vaccine passports" that would require residents to potentially provide their COVID-19 vaccination status to receive service or enter an area.

The residents of our state should not be required by the government to share their private medical information, Gov. Ducey said in a press release. While we strongly recommend all Arizonans get the COVID-19 vaccine, its not mandated in our state  and it never will be. Vaccination is up to each individual, not the government"

Crow noted that the "vast majority of our students are vaccinated, and we're offering vaccinations along the way" while also conducting random testing to offer a "pathway for people to make the right decisions, the right choices, and to move forward."

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Arizona State Sun Devils students cheer during a college football game on October 18, 2018, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, AZ. (Photo by Jacob Snow/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

While other schools are offering perks for students to get vaccinated  such as campus credits or parking spots  the ASU leader said that there was one incentive that was much more prized.

"Basically the incentive is learn to be a part of a community, learn to care about someone other than just yourself," Crow said. "We really push that. ... the incentive is to learn, to be a part of a community, and then see what happens on the positive side."



Aarthi is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. She can be reached at aarthi@yahoofinance.com. Follow her on Twitter @aarthiswami.

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HANOI (Reuters) - Vietnam's government on Thursday said it was facing a tense situation over rising coronavirus cases and a shortage of vaccines, as the country saw another day of near-record cases from its longest and most severe outbreak yet.

Most of the 9,667 new infections were in the epicentre Ho Chi Minh City and its neighbouring industrial provinces of Binh Duong and Dong Nai. The health ministry said there were 326 new COVID-19 deaths on Thursday, taking overall fatalities to 4,813.

"The disease situation is very tense, and we face a vaccine shortage nationwide," said deputy prime minister Vu Duc Dam, who heads Vietnam's coronavirus taskforce.

Dam said deals and commitments had been secured for hundreds of millions of vaccines but delivery was slow. Vietnamese leaders have over the past months made around 20 phone calls to foreign counterparts to try to secure more.

Vietnam until recently has had one of Asia's best coronavirus containment records, but the situation has deteriorated lately, with infection numbers on a typical day exceeding those recorded over the whole of last year.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at a cabinet meeting on Thursday urged domestic production of Vietnam's homegrown coronavirus vaccines to be brought forward.

Fewer than 1.1 million of Vietnam's 98 million people have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to official data, one of Asia's lowest rates of immunisation. It has received around 18 million doses so far.

The country has recorded more than 246,500 infections, the overwhelming majority of those since late April.

(Editing by Martin Petty)
Thousands of Cubans took to the streets across the island around mid-July 2021 in a rare mass expression of dissent in a country known for repressive crackdowns. The government has cracked down by arresting hundreds of dissidents and clamped down on the internet, prompting new sanctions from the U.S.

One of the main drivers of the protests is an economic crisis caused by a mixture of factors, including the pandemic. We asked Jorge Salazar-Carrillo, an economist at Florida International University who worked in the Cuban governments Finance Ministry in the early days following the 1959 revolution, to provide some background on Cubas socialist economy and the current crisis.

The answers have been edited for clarity and length.

1. Whats causing Cubas economic crisis?

Cubas economy relies largely on tourism and raw exports such as rum, tobacco, sugar and minerals. Before the pandemic, tourism made up the biggest share of the countrys gross domestic product, or about 40% to 50%, and contributed significantly to the Cuban governments foreign exchange reserves.

In addition, Cuba imports more than half of the fuel, food, medicine and other goods people consume.

All of that is now in crisis. Tourism had already collapsed because of pandemic-related domestic restrictions on travel, as well as Trump-era efforts to curtail American visits to the island. Both exports and imports have plunged, in part due to other recent U.S. sanctions, resulting in food and power shortages and long lines for fuel. The Trump administrations November 2020 ban on using Western Union to send remittances from the U.S. to Cuba  a policy so far kept in place by President Joe Biden  resulted in a large drop in the amount of money being sent home by Cuban Americans. I estimate remittances fell about a tenth from levels they were at a few years ago.

To top it off, however, the Cuban government launched a calamitous monetary reform in January 2021 that led to high inflation and a plunge in the black market value of the peso.

Story continues

2. What did the monetary reform do exactly?

Cuba has for decades used two official currencies: the Cuban peso and the convertible Cuban peso. The convertible peso was pegged to the U.S. dollar, which itself is accepted almost everywhere on the island for purchases.

In January, the government eliminated the covertible peso, forcing Cubans to exchange them for regular pesos by the end of June 2021. The long-planned reform  adopted by the government a decade ago to tighten links with the international economy  had the effect of devaluing the Cuban peso.

While the peso, officially, can be exchanged for a dollar at a rate of 24 to 1, the rate is almost triple that on the black market  which is a more accurate reflection of its real worth for most Cubans.

The government increased salaries to state employees to try to compensate for the pesos dropping worth, but private workers who havent seen their wages rise saw the real value of their pay plunge.

At the same time, prices on most goods, especially foreign imports like oil and medicines, have soared. Some economists predict inflation in Cuba will exceed 400% this year.

This has made it much harder for most people to purchase basic necessities such as food and medicine  if they can find them.

3. What can the government do to address the crisis?

Before cracking down on the protesters in the days after the July 11 uprising, President Miguel Diaz-Canel first tried to placate them by acknowledging the Cuban government bore some blame for the economic crisis. And he made it a little easier to physically bring goods into the country from abroad.

But the economic problems afflicting Cuba run much deeper. For perspective, consider that Cubas income per capita back in the 1950s was one of the highest in the Western Hemisphere. Today it has one of the lowest.

In large part, that is the result of decades of failed policies and promised reforms that never materialized. While many analysts and activists  and the Cuban government  argue that this is due to American sanctions on Cuban goods, the embargo is not the main reason Cubans are in dire straits now.

From the start, the revolutionary government of Cuba chose to run the economy unsustainably. I was an early supporter of the revolution while studying economics in Miami. I returned to Cuba in 1959 to be the director of a newly created economic department at the Ministry of Finance. I recommended that the government adopt a balanced budget to control inflation and keep the currency stable. Instead, it chose to spend beyond its means  double its revenues  and then raise taxes. This created inflation, caused the real value of the peso to plunge and eventually forced Cuba to adopt foreign exchange controls. Weve seen this same story play out again and again.

[Over 100,000 readers rely on The Conversations newsletter to understand the world. Sign up today.]

Feeling that the new finance minister distrusted me, in 1960 I fled with my American wife back to Miami.

For many years Cuba didnt have to balance its books, because the Soviet Union or Venezuela subsidized its spending. And now the reforms come too late and at a high cost for the Cuban people.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. It was written by: Jorge Salazar-Carrillo, Florida International University.

Read more:



Jorge Salazar-Carrillo does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
A weather front is bringing more downpours to Japan's southwestern region of Kyushu, which has been drenched by torrential rain in recent days.

In the town of Yamato, Kumamoto Prefecture, 51 millimeters of intense rain fell during the hour until 8 a.m. on Monday.

The Meteorological Agency says a lingering rain front brought intense precipitation to much of eastern and western Japan intermittently through Sunday. Rivers overflowed and mudslides struck some locations.

Mudslide alerts remain in place in some parts of Saga and Kumamoto prefectures in Kyushu.

Weather officials forecast extremely heavy rainfall with thunder for Kyushu on Monday, and for wide areas from western to northern Japan on Tuesday.

Kyushu may receive up to 250 millimeters of rain and the Shikoku region may get up to 120 millimeters for the 24-hour period through Tuesday morning.

The front is predicted to stay over or near Japan through Friday.

The Meteorological Agency is urging people to remain vigilant against the possibility of more mudslides, flooding from rivers, and inundation of low-lying areas. - NHK
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DUBLIN, August 12, 2021--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The "Enzymes Global Market Report 2021: COVID-19 Growth and Change to 2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global enzymes market is expected to grow from $7.81 billion in 2020 to $8.9 billion in 2021 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14%. The market is expected to reach $15.25 billion in 2025 at a CAGR of 14%.

Major players in the enzymes market are Sanofi, AbbVie Inc., Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc, Horizon Pharma, Allergan plc, Pfizer Inc., Vivus, Digestive Care, Leadiant Biosciences, and Roche Holdings AG

The enzymes market consists of sales of enzymes to treat diseases. An enzyme is a protein or RNA formed by living cells that are extremely specific to its substrates and highly catalytic. Enzymes constitute a very significant class of biological macromolecular catalysts.

Enzymes that are used in medical applications in their isolated or conjugated form with other drugs or therapies are known as therapeutic enzymes. Therapeutic enzymes are used in the treatment of various diseases including cancer, inflammatory disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and pain management.

The enzymes market covered in this report is segmented by product type into asparginase; lipase; protease; nattokinase; chitinase; serratiopeptidase; collagenase; ligase; others and by application into leukemia; stomach disorders; antitumor; skin ulcers; gaucher disease; fabry disease; others.

The COVID-19 outbreak hindered the growth of the enzymes market. During the COVID-19 pandemic, most companies involved in the manufacture of enzymes are currently focusing on manufacturing sanitizers to counter COVID-19. This led to a significant decline in global enzyme consumption, globally.

For instance, in April 2020, BASF, the largest manufacturer of enzymes, started manufacturing hand sanitizers in New York and New Jersey to help the battle against COVID-19. Therefore, the COVID-19 outbreak limits the growth of the enzymes market.

Story continues

The development of new approaches to treat cancer using enzymes is a key trend gaining popularity in the enzymes market. Major universities and companies are investing in researches focusing on evolving new solutions in enzyme therapies for cancer treatment.

For example, in August 2018, Kyn Therapeutics, a US-based company that focuses on improving outcomes for cancer patients along with Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and the American Cancer Society funded the research, introducing a new approach to cancer care using enzyme therapy to boost the immune system and fight back. The enzyme, PEG-KYNase, does not destroy cancer cells specifically but rather enables the immune system itself to remove unwanted cells. PEG-KYNase is designed to degrade metabolite produced by numerous tumors known as kynurenine, which suppresses the immune system.

In May 2020, AbbVie Inc., an America based biopharmaceutical company acquired Allergan plc for $63 billion. This acquisition significantly expands and diversifies AbbVie's revenue base and complements existing leadership positions in Immunology, with Humira and recently launched Skyrizi and Rinvoq, and Hematologic Oncology, with Imbruvica and Venclexta. Allergan plc, an Ireland-based pharmaceutical company engaged in the research, development, and manufacture of pharmaceutical and enzymes-based therapeutic products.

The growing prevalence of cancer requiring drug-metabolising enzymes (DMEs) for chemotherapy is expected to drive the growth of the enzymes market in the coming years. The activation of enzymes in a human body help destroy the cancer cells and breaks down the tumor.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Executive Summary

2. Enzymes Market Characteristics

3. Enzymes Market Trends And Strategies

4. Impact Of COVID-19 On Enzymes

5. Enzymes Market Size And Growth

5.1. Global Enzymes Historic Market, 2015-2020, $ Billion

5.1.1. Drivers Of The Market

5.1.2. Restraints On The Market

5.2. Global Enzymes Forecast Market, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion

5.2.1. Drivers Of The Market

5.2.2. Restraints On the Market

6. Enzymes Market Segmentation

6.1. Global Enzymes Market, Segmentation By Product Type, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion

Asparginase

Lipase

Protease

Nattokinase

Chitinase

Serratiopeptidase

Collagenase

Ligase

Others

6.2. Global Enzymes Market, Segmentation By Application, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion

Leukemia

Stomach Disorders

Antitumor

Skin Ulcers

Gaucher Disease

Fabry Disease

Others

6.3. Global Enzymes Market, Segmentation By End User, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion

Drug Manufacturers

Hospitals

Private Clinics

Research Laboratories

7. Enzymes Market Regional And Country Analysis

7.1. Global Enzymes Market, Split By Region, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion

7.2. Global Enzymes Market, Split By Country, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion

Companies Mentioned

Sanofi

AbbVie Inc.

Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc

Horizon Pharma

Allergan plc

Pfizer Inc.

Vivus

Digestive Care

Leadiant Biosciences

Roche Holdings AG

Codexis Inc

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/4kt5wy

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210812005337/en/

Contacts

ResearchAndMarkets.com

Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com



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100% agree with him. The only reason I even watched Loki was because of how everyone was hyping it up as ~bi representation~ but it wasn't that at all. He just happens to fall in love with the version of himself that is conveniently a woman? Straight nonsense.



I'm glad I watched it though, it's far and away the best of the marvel disney+ shows and I had no idea Tom Hiddleston was that good of an actor.

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He's not wrong (how many "first gay Disney characters" have we had to go through ...) but I also don't want to hear it from him specifically lmao



Edited at 2021-08-12 12:46 am (UTC)

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The entertainment industry stays doling out the tiniest of crumbs and expecting us to celebrate them for it.



Edited at 2021-08-12 12:00 am (UTC)

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He's right and he should say it.

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Think about how traumatic the lives of gay people are that so many stories include tragedy. I know it's a shit trope but it's also reality for alot of us. Society hasn't progressed as much as people think. RTD isn't my favorite writer but what he writes is fairly authentic.



Also Disney is annoying but so are it's twitter fans. Y'all lapping up trash representation. Go support queer tv shows. I swear if Young Royals gets cancelled I'll riot.



Edited at 2021-08-12 12:08 am (UTC)

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Young royals was surprisingly so good! I hope it gets at least another season.

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He's absolutely right and Loki falling in love with Sylvie was an absolute joke. He just HAPPENS to fall in love with the version of himself who HAPPENS to be the SINGLE, CIS FEMALE variant in the sea of cis male variants who are so SHOCKED that Loki can be *gasp* a WOMAN?!? Even tho one of the TVA files listed Loki as "fluid" so why is a female Loki that shocking in the first place?



Not only did this show majorly drop the ball on bi rep AND trans rep (Lady Loki is simply the expression of Loki's genderfluidity, she's not a separate cis character!), but it was also so bad that it left me wary of LGBTQ rep in the MCU going forward. I just don't trust them to do Young Avengers right. And the whole "oh one of the heroes in The Eternals kisses his unimportant husband in a scene and everyone cried on set" story isn't helping either.

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Don't forget that sunset though!

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i will never be over all the bad choices made wrt to sylvie and how fucking baffling they are. like why is she a loki variant instead of just herself, an enchantress?? and why did they use her instead of amora???? not one person was checking for sylvie, why the actual fuck lmfao. if they really wanted to pair loki up with a woman, he has canon love interests as well including a canon wife and mistress, why not just use one of them??? where are his children?!?!?!??!?! WHERE'S AMORA

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Because someone in the writers room had this idea that this should be about ~self-love~ in the most weird way and everything from then on was them hammering a square peg into a round hole.

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Yeah everything about the "rep" was terrible in the show. I see people saying its affirming for gender fluid people, but he isn't even really gender fluid. Some alternative universe version of himself happens to be a woman and everyone acted more shocked about it than an alligator Loki. Then, he just so happens to fall in love with the cis woman Loki, rather than the tons of men in the show, though everyone screams about its amazing bisexual rep. It also kinda bothers me in general though that they centered a lot of the story on them falling in love. Like, a weird reassertion of heteronormativity with an awkward romance rather than just like...not having him fall in love with anyone.



But yeah, I think Marvel will always be a disappointment in that respect. They are decades behind on rep that other companies have been doing for years now. If they haven't accomplished even one decent lgbtqia character by now, I'm not sure why I would trust them to do it in the future without some major change.

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RTD? talking about bisexuals like they exist??? and arent portrayed as the bad guys or cheaters???



fuck lokis "bi rep" but fuck RTD to hes a POS

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Hm he aint wrong tho

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Young Avengers is going to be a hot mess. Wiccan and Hulking are already ruined especially going by the script auditions. Also whitewashing. But it's so obvious we aren't getting anything other than an easily edited kiss. It is a given. Thanks China and Bob Iger and the stupid new CEO who goes back on his deals with actresses.



Tbh they haven't done anything with Loki's bisexuality in the comics either.



And was it QaF or SATC that had a very poorly done bisexual storyline?

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I'm pretty sure I remember one on SATC but I'm going to guess both.

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What's this about the script auditions?

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The script said something about thievery iirc

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Tommy gets to be a racist stereotype (saying that stealing is "who I am") without even being Romani. Just like his mother!

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The conservative country in question is America. It's always easy to blame Disney's homophobia as something influenced by those hurr durr scray yellow people, but this is just in line with the fascist history of Disney. Walt is a piece of shit.

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I fully expect it to be a mess, but critics and everyone will still eat it up because Marvel can do no wrong apparently.

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How do you know Teddy and Billy are ruined when the audition was for Tommy?

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fair

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he's right and he should say it

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I haven't watched much of RTD's work other than his seasons of Doctor Who, but he's absolutely right. It's embarrassing.



They managed to make it worse than I expected, actually, because the line about Sylvie and Loki being bisexual was more or less what I was prepared for. But the worst part was definitely just giving one single female Loki variant and then having all the other Lokis act like it was so interesting and shocking for her to exist. That's tiresome to see for any character, but Loki? Are you kidding me?

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I can't identify a single lie here. Also, by the end of the series, I just find Sylvie to be so fucking impetuous and annoying. I know those tweets about her being a Karen trying to take down a black-owned business were joking, but this was definitely my vibe by the last episode lol

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Thank you for putting my exact thoughts into words.

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this, exactly lol

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edit: was it this article

https://defendernetwork.com/entertainment/movies-tv/loki-season-finale-set-black-twitter-on-fire-with-jonathan-majors-cameo/



Edited at 2021-08-12 09:01 pm (UTC) omg can i have a link to these tweetsedit: was it this article

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yes lmao

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Hes not wrong but its not just Loki, or Disney even. Its so many damn things.



Its beyond old to say a character is bi and you never see them with a same sex relationship. It does feel like wanting community brownie points without actually showing representation. Not that I think most shippers in fandom gaf about the community. Too many just dont want to view any women, even fictional ones, as competition.



Ffs Supernatural did this. Oh by the way when everyone is dead, in the afterlife, Dean and Cas are together but we dont show you! Lulz.



You dont have to make a character gay or bisexual. I never got the idea Dean was anything other than a poon hound from the show. Ok. Fine. But to cave to some fans and yet not show it, last episode! thats kinda fucked up.



We got a Bat fam who is bi? Ok but are you going to show it?



Rusty is big on tragic gays and lets not, and cant write women for shit but hes not wrong that its toothless and some kind of check box with heavy projection over substance.



And ffs stop ignoring bi women, and lesbians. The representation isnt great but I feel like we see way more men as bi or gay on TV than we do women and its annoying me. And even with that Batman shit a few days ago, hello poison ivy is confirmed bi. But its a man so it counts. I mean a ~hero~

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Batwoman being a lesbian was a much bigger story in the media when it happened than Robin being bi is now.

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Ffs Supernatural did this. Oh by the way when everyone is dead, in the afterlife, Dean and Cas are together but we dont show you! Lulz.

SPN never said this lmao



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Spice Girls - Say You'll Be There

Mya - Case of the Ex

One Direction - Steal My Girl

Ariana Grande - Into You

Beyonce - Run the World (Girls)

Britney Spears - I'm Not A Girl, Not Yet A Woman

Rihanna - Hard (Feat. Jeezy)

Shania Twain - That Don't Impress Me Much

S Club 7 - S Club Party

Billie Eilish - Bellyache

Ke$ha - Your Love Is My Drug

Other Music Videos Starring the Desert:

There is a sister post with the same theme but with K-Pop videos over on Omona. Pop stars, they're just like us! They eat, they sleep, they frequently get lost in the desert where they dance and sing and brood! I've decided to make a series on Music Video tropes - some common and relatively normal, some less frequent but incredibly bizarre. I've started with a common and understandable trope to kick things off - the nondescript desert location (sometimes featuring a gas station, or a diner, and frequently featuring a sick overhead shot of a car driving - usually down a lone highway that seems to stretch on forever).Below I've compiled a short list of music videos featuring pop stars that, for some reason or another, are in the middle of the desert:What is the plot of this? Are the girls alien action stars waiting for male prey in the desert? I have no idea, but we've got dancing, iconic fashion, and the obligatory overhead shot of a car cruisin' (which represents FREEDOM! in these music videos, also so does the desert, it's all very symbolic).A dance battle in the desert! Where else would they do it!? They had to go all the way out there to get away from "her" - they broke up in '96 but she's still a problem!The boys apparently materialize in the desert (why are they so confused coming out of that trailer?) and then proceed to shoot a music video with the icon, the LEGEND, Danny DeVito.Poor Louis found himself stuck in a desert again when he filmed his solo music video for his song "Walls" Still Ariana's best song - ohhh that highway, ohhh that motorcycle, ohhh those...unharmonious shots of Ariana unhappy at a fancy party with a narcissistic man in an attempt to give us a plot. It's a desert video - we don't need a plot, we just need rocks and cute looks!Beyonce running a very dystopian looking desert world from an underpass!also sort of Spirit (although it makes way more sense and is visually stunning) and to a lesser extent, Sweet Dreams (which is visually bleak and she's only in the desert for a minute before she's trapped by another music video trope - "the room").How'd she get up there? She probably had to Work Bitch! Rihanna in haute couture training her Navy in the desert while Jeezy sits on some scrap metal.Name a more iconic desert music video. I'll wait!A pop group gets lost in the desert, time travel, and have to dance their way back to the present.Just a girl and her wagon full of cash taking a stroll down the highway that cuts through - *checks notes* - a desert.Ke$ha's $teez is gonna be affected by that dry de$ert air!+ 6 hundred million othersSources: Spice Girls
I'm sorry but the way they treated Frigga was straight up bullshit. Her scene in Endgame was beautiful but come on.....

Also why haven't we gotten Enchantress?......

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From what I can tell, the Loki show basically had Sylvie as the Enchantress without calling her that and it was a hot mess.

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They keep taking so many liberties with their characters lol. Taskmaster (unpopular opinion but I didn't mind it), Ghost, Mandarin, Enchantress, Whiplash, Yellowjacket, Agatha Harkness, Flag Smasher, Iron Maiden, etc

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My friend is convinced they're going to reveal that she's always been enchantress all along and was never a Loki variant. They should, but they won't.

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ilu jerri. you'll get out of that shelter some day and get revenge on all who wronged you

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Damn poor guy. :(

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Was the criticism over Thor or Terminator? Or both? The write-up is a bit confusing.

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Both.

He made Thor first and then did Terminator.

He was talking about the negative responses back to back.

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Yeah it seems like from what people have said from this that studio interference really screwed the movie up. I don't think The Dark World is the worst entry in the MCU (especially since Iron Man 2 and Doctor Strange exist) but it definitely felt like there was so much more to what the movie was showing us and they just didn't.

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Yeah, Iron Man 2 is def a lot worse. Can't speak on Doctor Strange bc I still haven't seen it, lol.

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i remember enjoying dr strange but i think it was pretty much because it was trippy. i can't remember a single detail of it. both iron man sequels are awful

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Was it Spidey 2 or 3 that was the cringefest w/ Tobey?

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3, but that is a Sony movie

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Doctor Strange is AWFUL

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Didn't Emilia Clarke imply that working with him on Terminator Genisys was awful?

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Clarke looked back on the chaotic production of Terminator Genisys in an interview with Vanity Fair and admitted that no one had a good time making the sequel. The film was directed by Alan Taylor, who Clarke knew well from Game of Thrones. Taylor directed seven Thrones episodes across the shows seven seasons, including the famous Baelor and the first and second season finales. Clarke said Taylor got eaten and chewed up on the Terminator set. He was not the director I remember, Clarke said. He didnt have a good time. No one had a good time.



I vaguely remember this interview b/c she says Fantastic Four was filming nearby and crew members there wore "at least we're not on terminator" jackets lol



https://www.indiewire.com/2018/05/emilia-clarke-termiantor-sequel-hates-genisys-1201967812/ I was curious so I looked it up:Clarke looked back on the chaotic production of Terminator Genisys in an interview with Vanity Fair and admitted that no one had a good time making the sequel. The film was directed by Alan Taylor, who Clarke knew well from Game of Thrones. Taylor directed seven Thrones episodes across the shows seven seasons, including the famous Baelor and the first and second season finales. Clarke said Taylor got eaten and chewed up on the Terminator set. He was not the director I remember, Clarke said. He didnt have a good time. No one had a good time.I vaguely remember this interview b/c she says Fantastic Four was filming nearby and crew members there wore "at least we're not on terminator" jackets lol

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Wow that sounds awful. :(

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hahah omg the jackets. From Fanfourstic that is quite a roast.

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the fantastic four crew should have just sat there and ate their food.

At least Genisys had a sequel but Fantastic Four literally fucking ended their franchise in one movie. Sit down lol. (not you obviously, I'm ranting at them)

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omg the jackets, lol

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Yes, he was a mess on Terminator.

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I really enjoyed The Dark World, but I haven't seen it in a while, so I don't actually remember much. It's on my to-rewatch list.

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The Dark World is not a great movie but it's certainly not that bad. Yeah I mean the Dark Elves needed a lot more development but I'm not even a Loki fangirl and emo Dark World Loki is one of my favorite MCU versions of a character.

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That's my thoughts exactly - there was a lot of potential and good stuff (the Thor/Loki dynamic was great) that studio interference quashed.

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Yeah, I'm not a Loki fan by any means but his characterisation was pretty good in TDW. Unlike in Ragnarok

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I didn't think The Dark World was that bad.



Alan Taylor has directed some really classic episodes of television, so maybe film directing is just not his forte.

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He directed "The Many Saints of Newark," the Sopranos prequel.



He probably had an easier time filming this since he directed a few Sopranos episodes and worked with David Chase before.

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The Dark World was not the worst Marvel movie by any stretch; I quite liked it. It had some great Thor/Loki moments.

His Terminator, however, was a boring mess

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Dark World was a mess but at least I could still find what I liked about Thor and Loki in it, they just got drowned in empty humor and flashy colors in everything that's come out since

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I cannot in good conscience hate on TDW when it gave me my all time fav Thor look

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The Dark World!Thor was peak Thor hotness.

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Why say this without posting photos 

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not when second part of Ragnarok Thor exists.

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Ugh, he was so gorgeous in TDW, I think Chris growing out his hair instead of wearing a wig somehow made him extra sexy to me?

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Thor TDW is actually one of my favorite Marvel movies lol. There is a lot of good character development for Thor and Loki. It just sucks that they killed Frigga.

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I looked at IMDB and it's strange how he was given two huge productions after almost exclusively doing TV work throughout his career, but maybe that's the trajectory in the industry/not just a white man thing lol. I really hope The Many Saints of Newark isn't a hot mess too b/c I was really looking forward to that

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Thor is my least favorite character/movie out of the MCU (NOT counting Hawkeye) but I didn't think this movie was THAT bad.



I liked the Loki movie until the point where he fell in love with his variant. It was the stupidest thing they could have pulled up and they did.

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The variant love was one of the most bullshit decisions the MCU has put out.

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yeah, as soon as I knew that was gonna happen it completely put me off the rest of the Loki series. they had zero chemistry.

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Definitely seems like something her character on will and grace wouldve believed too smh





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You ever just feel like going feral after hearing something stupid?

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Violence is not the answer, but like sometimes it is.

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I think about that scene in Billy Madson, where the game show host goes on about the stupid answer & how everyone is dumber for having heard it.

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lmao there's an electronic song out there where that's the bridge. like the big drop or whatever (I don't know anything about EDM) comes right after he finishes saying it

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regularly

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This is giving that one FB comment:



"I got my vaccination 2000 years ago, its called Jesus Christ!"

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wait did someone actually say that? loll

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Jesus gets you time travel? Shit, I'm going to be a Christian!

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same thing but I saw a bumper sticker:



"Jesus is my vaccine"



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That makes no sense. Just because you believe in organized religion doesn't mean you are guaranteed to survive a deadly virus. Try again, bitch.

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Do these dumbasses also not seek medical attention in general?

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I wonder what she would say if her dentist or surgeon refused to wear a mask while working on her.

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Isn't it just so weird how dentists and surgeons are able to breath for hours while working on us? But everyone else apparently has a hard time breathing. It's fucking wild how it works out like that!

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Didnt you know that surgeons are a different breed of people who breathe out of their pores??? Of course THEY can tolerate the Masked Agenda!

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yeah, but it's not as though dentists and surgeons have to use their brains like disney channel bit actors do

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My aunt tried to tell me they practice and learn breathing in a mask during their schooling and it takes eight years to be able to continually wear a mask.



Needless to say, I don't talk to her much.

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I know, I'm still alive after spending 10 hours in an N95 and PPE because I had to sit in my confused patient's room because he wouldn't keep his high flow oxygen on (and would actually die without it).



According to my fitbit my heart rate didn't even go up by much.

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Back when COVID was first starting, a man at the grocery tried making small talk with me while in line all MAN THESE MASKS SUCK I CAN'T BREATHE IN THEM CAN YOU BREATHE IN THEM and I just said "I'm a nurse in the operating room. I have worn them day in and day out for ten years." He turned around and didn't bother me again.

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a dumb coworker of mine said it wasn't as difficult on drs, dentists, nurses etc because they are used to it unlike the average person.

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And have been doing it for almost 100 years.



There's a world-wide coverup on all the medical field employees who have died from lack of oxygen while wearing a mask! /s

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I was told by an antivaxxer that they take breaks to switch them out lmao

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homeschool is a thing. you can teach them all about the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights and the Federalist Papers. Also, the bible. You can teach your children all sorts of things and shield them from scary things like science.

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Never encourage these kind of people to homeschool

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You're not wrong! But she has such a big brain and knows all the science and the federalist papers!! She read all about it from a FB link her upline from her small Young Living business posted!!!



What if you put a bunch of essential oils on your mask? Would a dash of peppermint and lavender help make breathing with a mask on easier?

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Homeschooling is part of the problem

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I find it funny how all of the anti-government folks rely on public schools to educate their children yet get mad about it all of the time.

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I had to attend a school board meeting this week. The parents there were upset about masks, of course (they are only required on buses), but guess what they also were upset by? They don't want the directional arrows and space markers in the hallway. They're triggered by the school telling their kids how to walk, jfc. How do they handle roads?



It was so stupid and embarrassing. One of them was a teacher.

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hope they never go to ikea!

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Omg I actually want to see how they will function at an Ikea lmao    



It'll be epic  

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they will REFUSE to bow to that EUROPEAN SOCIALISM!!!1!1!

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I dont care if it says my sleigh bed and futon are in aisle B12 I demand they be delivered to me right here in this aisle F69

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people just want to be oppressed people just want to be oppressed

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They do realize their kids are told what to do all damn day at school right?

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They were offended by that???



They really need to find a fucking hobby because this is bullshit

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honestly, teach the kids young this little bit of hallway/sidewalk etiquette.

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Lol we actually used to have that at my old elementary school had nothing to do with social distancing, idk I guess the teachers thought the hallways were chaos.

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Anyway, the real part of the clown show is that you all think that you actually have the authority to mandate this, Baker said. Because there are these books that I have, and I have them as a gift for you: the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights and the Federalist Papers. Also, the Bible. And these guarantee my freedom and yours and our children's to breathe oxygen.





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Oh my goooood. I dont even know where to start.

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There are so many things to unpack and honestly the juice ain't worth the squeeze. Stupid is as stupid does.



Edited at 2021-08-12 07:41 pm (UTC)

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"And these guarantee my freedom and yours and our children's to breathe oxygen"



lol as opposed to breathing what? It's if you get Covid that you risk not being able to breathe that precious oxygen, lady.

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She should join that cult Michelle Pfeiffer was in circa 1980s

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'also, the bible' is the funniest fucking sentence

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Excuse you, she is a California refugee!!!1!

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What they don't teach you in school is that the Founding Fathers were a group of time travelers who knew that the COVID-19 pandemic would happen and therefore included in teeny tiny print at the very bottom of the Constitution that you have the freedom to breathe oxygen without being impeded by a mask.



George Washington found it really difficult not to tell Martha about ipads and the internet and all of the things that she would never get to experience.



[/s]

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I had no idea the constitution, bill of rights, and Declaration of Independence were books. Who knew.

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the bible told her to be this stupid? :O

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terrible mother. take her kids away from her.

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How Very

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My district you can opt out of masks with a signed note, but most people in my kids school and neighboring schools are wearing them by choice.



My daughter even said her whole class on them.

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My children are 9 & 11 yrs. They've been attending in-person summer school & its gone ok, but they have had small outbreaks in their school (and every other summer school) so far. Thankfully, theirs didnt affect their classrooms or bus.



That said, a public charter school where we live that falls under our public school district just sent the ENTIRE 4th GRADE home for a 2 week quarantine due to 4 cases. Theyre 6 days into their school year.



Many parents are getting spooked & word on the parents FB groups is that theyre inquiring about pivoting to virtual for the fall vs in person but are being told that deadline to opt-in to virtual back in June when everything was looking so much more hopeful has passed & there is no late opting-in at this point.



My nerves have been a wreck this entire week. Were 3 weeks out from the start of the fall semester. Thankfully our school district at least has a mask mandate in place & is looking to vote in a vaccine mandate for teachers/staff at their school board meeting next week.

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I read somewhere in my panic news scrolling that perhaps the 5-11 yr old would be cleared to receive vaccines by mid-September? I will be there with my children day 1 if so. Were always early to get their flu shots (& $5 Target gift cards!) at the start of their school year so were not trying to fuck around.

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I got an entire free turkey from Publix when I got vaccinated for the flu in November. huzzah



Im really sorry you are going through this, I can't imagine the anxiety you parents are facing during this.

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It might actually be a bit longer than that. I think what you read was what they plan to submit by end of September, but it will still take time for the FDA to go through it.



Laurel Bristow, kinggutterbaby on insta (she's an infection disease specialist that works on covid trials), did an FAQ recently (it's saved in her stories) and said the ETA for vaccines for kids under 12 is mid-winter right now. It's taking longer because for emergency use authorization they want at least 4 to 6 months of safety data whereas they only wanted 2 months for adults.

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JSYK, the CDC recommends not getting the flu shot too early (like july/early august), because of concerns of waning immunity at the end of the season. (Not sure if that's what you meant by early, or just late August before the school year starts, which I think should be fine?)



I was just talking to my pharmacist friend about this, haha.

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Wow what a way to announce youre a clown





And I may be a wrong here (and a clown myself) but arent the federalists papers and the us constitution apposing !!





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federalist papers were written to promote the ratification of the Constitution. Long ass fan boy letters of how we should be a republic and support the Constitution.

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Ooh I have it backwards

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Insane. I am going insane.

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I love the people that preach about famous American documents never really read them. Furthermore, the 1st Amendment, protects you from government suppressing your rights of speech, petition, etc, not your right to infect people with deadly diseases. The founding fathers would probably beat these people's asses for being so fucking stupid not praise them for standing up for "freedom"

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They really seem to think the 1st Amendment is akin to a "free for all" right.

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1000000% but it really isn't. Like you have the right to protest, but you also need to understand that there is local laws for that to keep people safe from said protesting. Or just because you have the freedom of speech doesn't mean you can make accusations on someone and not expect to have any repercussions like getting fired or even have legal action taken against you etc. Constitution humpers are beyond skewed. You could recite something from it and they won't even know it.

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Nah. "Their body, their choice" applies only to vaccinations, not to other people choosing abortions. Freedom of religion doesn't apply to non-Christians or people who say "happy holidays" etc etc etc.

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didn't george washington famously order the inoculation of the continental army against smallpox?

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After being rocked by a harsh 2020 where the March 2020 oil price collapse and the coronavirus pandemic sharply impacted operations Colombias economically vital petroleum industry is struggling to recover.

Even attempts by the national government in Bogota to reactivate the economy and crucial parts of the economy, including the hydrocarbon sector, are failing to gain traction primarily because of elevated political turmoil and a long-running security crisis. First-quarter 2021 gross domestic product (Spanish), despite climbing 1.1% year over year, was a worrying 9% lower than the previous quarter when Colombias economy was still impacted by various measures aimed at controlling the pandemic.

That came on the back of a disastrous 2020 for Colombia with GDP shrinking by almost 7% because of the severe fallout from the pandemic. The failure of President Duques administration to fully reopen the oil industry will have a marked impact on Colombias already fragile economy, where petroleum accounted for a third of all export earnings during the first half of 2020.

Crude oil is also a major earner of fiscal income for a cash-strapped Bogota, which is facing a 2021 budget deficit of nearly 9% of GDP. To close the fiscal gap, in late April 2021, President Duque tabled a tax reform bill that would have hiked taxes for almost all Colombians and most businesses including the hydrocarbon sector. That triggered nationwide anti-government protests that lasted roughly six weeks and led to the deaths of 45 protestors at the hands of authority.

The roadblocks and various community blockades which emerged in response to the Duque administrations heavy-handed tactics forced onshore drillers to shutter operations in many parts of Colombia impacting the Andean countrys oil production. By the start of June 2021, Colombias crude oil output had fallen to a multi-year low of 650,884 barrels per day because of the blockades. That was well below the one million barrels per day which Bogota has long held as an ideal production level and was only achieved during 2013 and again in 2015.

Since then, Colombias hydrocarbon production has been in decline which along with sharply weaker Brent pricing since the late-2014 oil price crash has weighed on the crisis-riven countrys economic performance and government income. June 2021 production data (Spanish) from the Ministry of Mines and Energy shows that the economically crucial hydrocarbon sector is struggling to reactivate despite the recent oil price rally which sees Brent up by nearly 5% since the start of 2021. Colombia pumped on average 694,151 barrels of crude oil daily during June, which was 1.33% less than a month earlier, 4.9% lower year over year, and the lowest petroleum output in over a decade. Natural gas production, on the other hand, rose 9.75% month over month to 1.065 million cubic feet per day although that was 2.83% less than the same period a year earlier.

Source: Colombia Ministry of Mines and Energy, U.S. EIA.

Colombias total hydrocarbon output for the month was on average 877,751 barrels of oil equivalent per day, which was 1.33% lower than May 2021 and 4.47% less than a year earlier.

Importantly, the number of operational rigs continues to slowly edge upwards. The Baker Hughes international rig count shows 19 active drill rigs at the end of July 2021, which is one greater than a month earlier and nearly four times the five active rigs for the same period a year earlier.

Source: Baker Hughes and U.S. EIA.

The rising rig count bodes well for higher oil production if the security environment does not deteriorate further, and anti-government protests re-emerge.

The latest production numbers indicate that Colombias economically vital hydrocarbon sector is struggling to reopen despite significantly higher oil prices since the pandemic. The poor performance during June 2021 can be attributed to onshore petroleum producers being forced to shutter operations in response to anti-government protests and blockades. Diminished oil production will weigh heavily on an already fragile economy, where GDP shrank 6.8% during 2020, and likely see the economy not perform a strongly as Colombias central bank anticipates. The bank recently hiked its forecast from GDP growth of 6.5% to 7.5% for 2021 anticipating a faster economic recovery from the nationwide anti-government protests because of falling unemployment and improved business confidence. That will depend on whether the Duque administration can rein in violence with 2021 set to be the most violent year in Colombia in a decade, reduce the social tensions which manifested as nationwide protests and attract foreign investment.

Investment from foreign energy companies is key to driving greater petroleum production and increased exploration activity to bolster meager oil reserves. Heightened political turmoil, the threat of more anti-government protests, high breakeven prices, which average around $45 per barrel, and an ongoing security crisis are all sharply impacting the confidence of foreign energy investors. The concern triggered by those issues is being magnified by polls showing leftist former guerilla Gustavo Petro who is a senator and ran for Colombias presidency against Duque in 2018 will win the next presidential election. Petro during the 2018 vote campaigned on an anti-oil industry platform where he sought to reduce Colombias economic reliance upon petroleum and prevent the introduction of hydraulic fracturing to Colombia.

By Matthew Smith for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Uganda is set to be a key focus of African Energy Week (AEW) in Cape Town this November, as its flourishing oil industry looks set to boom in the coming years. Ugandas government has been working hard to encourage more foreign investment recently as the country aims to develop its oil and gas industry significantly over the next decade.

AEW 2021 has placed Uganda as a top priority in Cape Town. The countrys significant resources, political will, and active local business sector will position the country as a regional leader, warranting an increase in foreign investment and associated developments, stated NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.

At present, Uganda holds an estimated 6.5 billion barrels of crude oil, far less than African oil leaders Libya and Nigeria but a significant amount in terms of the regional average. This could put it in fifth place regionally for oil reserves if proven, and encourage greater development in the sector. At present, 1.4 billion of these barrels are thought to be economically recoverable. Uganda also hopes to boost its production levels to a peak of 230,000 bpd when fully operational.

In 2020, Tullow Oil, which had been investing in Ugandan oil since 2004, sold its assets to Total, for $575 million, with the French giant set to work in collaboration with Chinas CNOOC to further develop the Tilenga and Kingfisher oil fields, alongside Ugandas national oil company UNOC.

Uganda has been fast-developing the industry since Totals takeover, commissioning the worlds longest electrically heated pipeline, at a length of 1440km and costing around $3.5 billion. The export pipeline will run from western Uganda to the Indian Ocean port of Tanga in Tanzania, building greater international links for Ugandan oil.

Related: How Can Emerging Markets Capitalize On Geothermal Energys Potential?

Development on the pipeline is expected to start in the second half of 2022 and the holding company for the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) is expected to be ready to start developing the project from September. EACOP general manager Martin Tiffen explained, "First and foremost, 'up and running' implies having the new company, with its management, staff, offices, IT systems, bank accounts, etc, everything that the EACOP project needs in order to function. That's one key part of the puzzle."

At present, UNOC holds a 15 percent stake in the holding company, Total holds the majority at 62 percent and CNOOC holds an 8 percent stake.

But the development of the pipeline is not without its challenges as many have criticized the proposed route of the pipeline and the need to uproot many from their land, potentially damaging farmland and ecosystems as well as forcing several to leave.

Oxfam estimates around 14,000 households have lost land, forcing hundreds to resettle. Sebikari of the Petroleum Authority of Uganda stated, Land acquisition is a delicate issue because it roots people from familiar places, explaining that the government has begun paying compensation but not everyone is expected to be happy.

One of the main criticisms is that the government does not seem to be making plans for the reinvestment of its new-found oil income into clean energy alternatives for the future. As the country develops its oil industry, there will be calls on the government to invest wisely for when oil demand eventually wanes.

But for now, Uganda is looking to build upon its estimated reserves with concrete evidence to help promote the country as a key African player, approving four new firms in its second oil exploration tender ever this summer.TotalEnergies, Australian DGR Global, Nigerian PetrolAfrik Energy Resources, and Ugandas UNOC will be developing five oil blocks along Ugandas border with Congo.

While criticism remains strong, Ugandas oil industry looks set to pick up over the coming decade, with the potential for new discoveries, greater exportation opportunities, and room for greater foreign investment in the region.

By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com

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The pandemic, social unrest, and substantial fiscal pressures in Buenos Aires are all weighing heavily on Argentinas petroleum industry and the burgeoning oil boom underway in the Vaca Muerta shale play.

Those factors along with general concerns over Peronist President Alberto Fernandezs management of the economy and hydrocarbon sector sparked considerable concern among energy industry participants. Fernandez assumed the top office in Latin Americas third-largest economy in December after beating business-friendly center-right reformist Mauricio Macri in Argentinas October 2019 presidential election.

Peronist politicians including Fernandezs vice-president former president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, who nationalized YPF by seizing a majority share from Spanish energy major Repsol, have a long history of meddling with the Latin American countrys oil industry. Those concerns were magnified by Buenos Aires defaulting on its sovereign debt during May 2020 at the height of the pandemic, the ninth time in Argentinas history. That along with the pandemic causing the economy to contract by 10%, one of the worst declines in South America outside of Venezuela, makes it more important than ever for Buenos Aires to successfully exploit the vast hydrocarbon wealth of the Vaca Muerta. The 8.6-million-acre shale formation, which is regularly compared to the prolific U.S. Eagle Ford shale play, is estimated to hold technically recoverable light tight oil resources of 20 billion barrels and 350 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. Those numbers underscore why successive Argentine national governments, since the de Kirchner administration have viewed it as a silver bullet for the countrys deep-seated economic woes.

The successful exploitation of the Vaca Muerta will make Argentina a leading regional hydrocarbon producer. That will significantly reduce the countrys dependence on Bolivian natural gas and the risks posed by that Andean nations declining production. Industry consultancy Rystad Energy believes Bolivias declining natural gas production coupled with growing domestic demand will lead to a supply shortfall in Argentina by 2025. That will force Latin Americas third-largest economy to find alternative natural gas supplies, particularly as domestic consumption keeps expanding at a solid clip. The successful development of the Vaca Muerta will also ease the pressure on Argentinas fragile economy by not only reducing energy imports but bolstering oil export earnings and GDP.

Related: Peak Gasoline Demand Forecasts Aren't Scaring Big Oil



National oil company YPF, which is the driving force behind the exploitation of the shale formation, narrowly avoided a hard debt default earlier this year when $413 million of note fell due in March. That set alarm bells ringing in a cash-strapped Buenos Aires, where because of a lack of U.S. dollars it was unable to fund YPFs note redemptions threatening the national oil companys 2021 drilling campaign in the Vaca Muerta. Nevertheless, YPF was able to avert the liquidity crisis by renegotiating its bonds with creditors generating $630 million of debt relief, thereby freeing up capital to fund its exploration and development operations in the Vaca Muerta. YPF has committed to spending $2.7 billion during 2021 with $1.3 billion earmarked for drilling 180 exploratory wells in the Vaca Muerta and another $800 million budgeted for well development, notably through implementing secondary and tertiary recovery methods. That will significantly boost oil and natural gas reserves as well as production. The tempo of activity in the Vaca Muerta continues to rise. The July 2021 Baker Hughes Rig Count shows there were 46 active rigs at the end of the month, which was one more than the prior period and four times greater than July 2020.

Source: Baker Hughes and U.S. EIA.

When that is coupled with brisk fracking activity during June 2021, where 985 shale fracturing processes were executed, it bodes well for further reserves and production growth.

Related: Chinese Oil Demand To Crash By 1 Million Bpd On Covid Surge



Government data (Spanish), disappointingly, shows June 2021 crude oil output declined 3.64% compared to a month prior to 485,773 barrels, although this was still 2.89% higher year over year. Natural gas production, nonetheless, continued climbing reaching an average of 772,944 barrels of oil equivalent daily which was 1.35% higher month over month and nearly 1% than for the same period a year earlier. As a result, Argentinas total June 2021 hydrocarbon output of nearly 1.26 million barrels of oil equivalent per day was 0.64% less than May but 1.58% greater than a year earlier.

Source: Argentina Ministry of Economy and U.S. EIA.

The province of Neuquen, where the Vaca Muerta is located, was responsible during June 2021 for 37% of Argentinas crude oil output and 59% of natural gas production. That along with the rising tempo of drilling and fracturing activity along with other operations in the Vaca Muerta indicates that Argentinas hydrocarbon production will continue climbing.

This will also occur because higher oil prices make developing projects in the Vaca Muerta more appealing for foreign energy investors, particularly when the formations high breakeven prices for new developments are estimated to be well over $50 per barrel. The Vaca Muertas average breakeven price is forecast to fall as further infrastructure is put in place and drilling expertise, as well as technology, improve. YPFs senior management believes it could fall to below $30 per barrel, which would make it a highly profitable shale oil play in a world where Brent is selling for $70 or more per barrel.

The crude oil produced in the Vaca Muerta possesses characteristics that make it popular in a world where the push to decarbonize the global economy is gaining substantial momentum and big oil is striving to become carbon neutral. The oil produced in the Vaca Muerta is light and sweet with it blended to create Argentinas Medanito crude oil variety. This crude oil variety, which is Argentinas key export grade, has an API gravity of around 34 to 35 degrees and 0.43% sulfur content, making it less carbon-intensive and costly to refine into high-quality low emissions fuels. Those lighter sweeter crude oil grades are growing in popularity among refiners because of a growing focus on cost reduction and the push to significantly reduce carbon as well as other emissions in a post-Paris Agreement world. It is expected that as light, tight oil production expands in the Vaca Muerta the API gravity of the oil produced will increase with sulfur content falling lower, making it even more popular among refiners, leading to higher exports.

By Matthew Smith for Oilprice.com

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Conflicts and major disagreements within OPEC usually go unnoticed as member states use consultation and decision-making mechanisms that prevent a public mess. The UAEs recent decision to do the unexpected was therefore a shock to the international oil market. Although a production deal has been struck, the recent conflict could be a sign that more instability can be expected in the near future. The most recent disagreement over an increase of the baseline production rights, pits the UAE and Saudi Arabia, OPECs de-facto leader and the Emirates most important ally, against each other. Though the interests of the two Arab states have been diverging for a while that can be seen in the economic and geopolitical spheres.

The UAE took a gamble by deciding to increase the stakes and publicly challenge OPEC and Saudi Arabia over their reluctance to increase the baseline. The Emirates have invested billions to increase their production to 5 mbpd by 2030 while currently producing 3.16 mbpd. The compromise allows the UAE to grow its baseline to 3.5 mbpd while Russia and Saudi Arabia also get higher quotas. For the latter two, however, it is merely political face-saving as neither can produce at those levels.

The UAE's proposal received support from other members which shocked Saudi Arabia and was one of the reasons to settle the matter with a compromise. Other OPEC members have voiced dissatisfaction with the OPEC+ agreements as smaller producers have less influence and are forced to exert the accords.

For years, the UAE-Saudi relations have been viewed as extremely stable and close as the countries share many interests. Cultural, linguistic, and religious similarities further strengthen ties. The UAEs recent success in economic diversification and military build-up has allowed it to come out of the shadow of its larger neighbor.

The efficient use of their energy wealth towards diversification has decreased the share of oil and gas to 30 percent of GDP in 2019. Trade between the UAE and Saudi has increased to $24 billion annually with a trade deficit of $18 billion in the favor of the Emirates. The primary reason behind its success is the development of the UAE as an international trade hub that accelerates economic activities.

Related: New Energy Companies Post Mixed Earnings Despite Pivot To Renewables

Economic strength has been translated into scientific and military achievements. The UAE has invested heavily in strengthening its military capabilities. These resources serve two purposes: maintaining independence and projecting influence. While the UAE and Saudi are allies, the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in the nineties was a lesson for smaller countries of their relative weakness.

The military-industrial complex of the UAE has reached a tipping point as domestically developed products are being exported. Furthermore, the sale of the advanced F-35 could make its air force the most capable in the Middle East after Israels. The military success of the Emirates has earned it the nickname Little Sparta. The independent attitude can be seen in the visit of a UAE delegation to president-elect Ebrahim Raisi of Iran, Saudi Arabias arch-enemy.

The above-mentioned developments are symptoms of the diverging UAE-Saudi relations, not explanations. These can be attributed to the ambitions of their leaders and diverging interests in the oil market.

Revelations in leaked emails (2017) from an Emirati diplomat to Abu Dhabis crown prince Mohammed bin Zayed (MBZ) angered Riyadh: our relationship with them is based on strategic depth, shared interests, and most importantly the hope that we could influence them. Not the other way around. It was interpreted by the Saudis as the moldability of Saudi crown prince Mohammad bin Salman for which MBZ was his erstwhile mentor.

Nevertheless, the most important reason behind the somewhat soured relations is the end of the oil era, which seems to be imminent. The condition for OPEC membership is as follows: control production to maintain favorable prices. It means showing restraint in the interest of the group. The situation changes when rapid electrification reduces demand for oil and slashes revenues.

Oil-producing countries are, therefore, confronted with two choices: maximize the value of their oil or remain within OPEC's production quotas and hope that everyone will do the same. While it is unlikely that the UAE will exit OPEC, the situation could change when the relative decline of the oil market accelerates. In the new situation, producing countries need to show remarkable restraint if maintaining compliance when the business model on which their economy has floated for decades is about to become unsustainable.

By Vanand Meliksetian for Oilprice.com

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New mobility restrictions in Asia to fight the Delta variant are set to slow global oil demand growth in the second half of 2021, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said on Thursday, although it left its full-year demand growth estimates largely unchanged.

The IEA sees global oil demand growth rising by 5.3 million bpd to an average of 96.2 million bpd in 2021 and by another 3.2 million bpd in 2022, the agency said in its closely-watched Oil Market Report published on Thursday.

Growth for the second half of 2021 has been downgraded more sharply, as new Covid-19 restrictions imposed in several major oil consuming countries, particularly in Asia, look set to reduce mobility and oil use, the IEA said.

At the end of the first half of 2021, in June, global oil demand jumped by as much as 3.8 million bpd compared to May, led by increased travel in North America and Europe, the IEA said.

However, demand growth abruptly reversed course in July and the outlook for the remainder of 2021 has been downgraded due to the worsening progression of the pandemic and revisions to historical data, the Paris-based agency noted.

July also saw a slowdown in the recovery of global refinery activity, as new waves of Covid-19 cut into fuel demand while margins remained under pressure, according to the IEA.

While demand growth is set to slow down, supply is rising fast.

The immediate boost from OPEC+ is colliding with slower demand growth and higher output from outside the alliance, stamping out lingering suggestions of a near-term supply crunch or super cycle, the IEA noted.

Even after the deal from last month, OPEC+ is estimated to pump about 200,000 bpd below the call on its crude in Q4 2021, compared with a deficit of up to 2 million bpd expected before the July agreement.

But the scale could tilt back to surplus in 2022 if OPEC+ continues to undo its cuts and producers not taking part in the deal ramp up in response to higher prices, said the IEA.

Supply from outside the OPEC+ group is expected to grow by 1.7 million bpd in 2022, of which the U.S. will account for almost 60 percent.

OPEC+ can still pause, continue or even reverse its curbs as required by the market and it looks unlikely that the unwinding of cuts will continue on a linear trajectory in 2022, the agency said.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Iran has met just one-fifth of its renewable capacity installation target for the five-year period between 2016 and 2021, also because the U.S. sanctions imposed in 2018 significantly slowed down clean energy projects, Tehran Times reports.

Data from the International Energy Agency (IEA) shows that as of 2019, most of Irans electricity generation came from natural gas, followed by oil, with hydropower a distant third, and nuclear powergenerated by the only nuclear power plant in the country, Bushehran even more distant fourth.

Renewable energy, including hydropower, accounts for only 7 percent of Irans power generation, compared to a 90-percent share for natural gas, according to Tehran Times.

Irans five-year development plan 2016-2021 envisaged the Islamic Republic boosting its renewable capacity by 5,000 megawatts (MW). In 2021, the final year of the plan, Iran has achieved only one-fifth of this.

In addition, Iran was looking to become a regional hub of energy over the past decade.

However, foreign companies that returned to Iran after the 2015 nuclear deal backed off projects after the U.S. re-imposed sanctions on Tehran in 2018.



Related: Biden Administration Takes Aim At Soaring Gasoline Prices

Lack of financial resources and problems that we put in the way of investors are two important factors preventing the development of renewable energy and reducing the acceptance for investment in this sector, Tehran Times quoted the vice-chairman of Iran Electrical Industry Syndicate (IEIS), Payam Baqeri, as saying.

Iran has installed 800 MW of renewables over the past five years. This year, it also suffers from power shortages as consumption soars, while power generation has declined.

Earlier this year, Iran banned air conditioning in Tehrans state agencies as the country looks to save electricity consumption and prioritize electricity supply to homes and hospitals. The government is looking to prioritize electricity supply to residential areas and hospitals after Irans hydropower generation slumped this year because of a lack of rainfall.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Escape from Pine Lake

James O. Clifford, Sr.

 2010

They (whoever "they" are) say your life passes through your mind in instant replay when death closes in. I was only 11 when my watery near-death experience happened, so I didn't have much of a life to replay.

Besides, anything with "play" in it would be the wrong word. I was too busy fighting to stay alive in ice-covered Pine Lake, where the WNP holds its October picnic. Today the lake is a perfect spot to gather and exchange stories about the past. A well-maintained trail surrounds the valley lake, making it easy for visitors to take their time meandering around the water, spying on the fowl and smelling whatever flowers are in bloom. In the late 1940s, however, the lake was a muddy water hole encircled by trees and sheer hillsides, and, on my day of reckoning, imprisoned by thick ice. At least I thought it was thick when I fell in.

A year or so ago I paid my first visit to Pine Lake in more than 50 years, walking around the lake during a break in a concert at adjacent Stern Grove. The memories, to use an appropriate cliche, came flooding back.

I lived 25 blocks from the lake in the post World War II years. I doubt there are many families today who would let a child travel that distance, unless the kid was buckled safely in a car. In contrast, my parents thought little of letting me hop on a one-speed bike and peddle to the lake where they were better off not knowing what I and the other kids did once freed of any adult supervision.

Among other things, we tied ropes to tree limbs on the hill and then swung out over the water and back. If the weather was hot, we stripped to our skivvies, charged up the hill with the rope in hand, and swung out, letting go when we reached the highest point over the water. Needless to say (but I will say it anyway) this was an all-male show, part of the "little boys network."

And then there was the story about my boat. I've heard boat owners say that the best day of their lives was the day they first sailed their boat. The next best day was when they got rid of the boat. The cautionary joke underlines the expense and time involved in boat ownership. I was lucky. I sailed and got rid of my boat on the same day.

My pal Jack McManus and I built a smallI'd say five footrow boat in his garage. Jack had one of the best Irish tenor voices I ever heard, but I soon discovered that boat building was not one of his talents. I can't recall how we got the boat to the lake, but once in the water it promptly sank as the two of us looked at each other in startled amazement. As far as I know, the little white skiff is still there. I will say this: the boat, which had a red stripe running around it, looked good even when it went to its grave, but so did the Titanic, which brings us back to ice.

There was nothing amusing on the winter's day I saved a dog that fell through the ice when his young master tossed a stick and told him to fetch. The boy must have been very young because I can remember seeing him with fingers in his mouth, crying, pouring out enough tears to make me foolishly risk my life.

I went out, got to where the dog was struggling to keep his head above water and quickly joined him, breaking through the ice, coming up and gulping air. My arms and his paws stretched out over the film of surrounding ice while our legs kicked frantically to keep afloat. To this day I remember that my first thought was one of relief. I was glad I didn't come up under the ice and been trapped. I guess it must have been due to all those World War II movies I saw, but I remember thinking I was in a safe foxhole, but, as my veteran Navy sailor relatives told me, there are no foxholes in the sea.

Keeping one elbow on the ice, I grabbed the dog by the hair on his back and pushed him up to safety. That sounds heroic, but I did it mainly because his hind legs where starting to kick me. This dog was no Lassie. Instead of standing guard by the hole in the ice he dashed to the shore where he was reunited with his owner, who quickly ran off with him. There was a round of applause when I rescued the dog, a fairly good-sized animal who, I think, was at least part Shepherd. There was none when the dog made it to land. The boys, and a girl or two, looked straight at me with shocked stares when they realized I wasn't going to follow.

"Help, help," I shouted as the panic grew and my weakening arms began slipping off the ice. "I can't get out! I can't get out! Get someone to help!!! Please, please!!!"

I really thought I was going to die. I said some pleading prayers and suddenly on the shore was a teen-ager in boots, wearing a white T-shirt, jeans, and a black leather jacketthe standard issue clothing of a punk. Oh, God, I thought, he's a bully who's going to make fun of me. First impressions are seldom true. He had a rope he tossed toward me at least three times before it reached the perimeter of the hole and I pulled myself out.

"You OK?" he asked when I reached safety. I answered "yes" and he said: "Don't do anything like that again, you stupid little s*** h***."

He calmly coiled the rope and, with a flick of his head, motioned to the houses on the hill.

"They'll help you," he said and walked out of my story and my life.

I went up the hill to the nearest home, a Spanish-style tiled roof affair surrounded by a white wall about chest high, and knocked on the door which was answered by a red-haired stout woman of my mother's age who looked more puzzled than surprised, as if she was prepared for anything.

I told her what happened and she ordered me out of my dripping jeans and shirt and into the bathtub.

I was a bit hesitant. She said "I have two boys so I've seen everything" as I started to undress while the tub filled with welcoming warm water. Her calm demeanor quickly evaporated when she saw the scratches on my arms and stomach. I hadn't felt pain, just cold, so the finally-exposed bloody lines scared me.

"You'll be just fine," the lady reassured me. "I'll phone your folks. You said you live on 45th. Clifford on 45th."

She was right. I would be "just fine." My dad picked me up in about an hour. He said he was proud of my courage but told me "you've got to use your head as well as your heart."

"The dog would have got out of there eventually," said Dad, who was from Montana and knew about ice and snow. "He'd start breaking the ice around him and make his way to shore. I saw it happen. It's what you should have done."

My mother had little advice and no tears, just a lot of hugs and grateful offerings of "Thank God."

She said I should write a card to Mrs. Kenney, the lady whose home I had invaded. I did, of course, which would have been expected, even from an 11-year-old boy. What was not expected was a letter from her husband.

He said he was impressed by how brave I was and asked me to join the Boy Scout Troop he headed, Troop 108. I did and had two of the happiest years of my life. One of the first things Mr. Kenney told me was that if I ever have to go out on ice again don't walk, crawl. That way your body weight is spread over a wider area.

One reason my mother was less than overwhelmed was that she had been here before. When I was around five I slipped into the deep end at Sutro Baths and had to be pulled out by a lifeguard. I can still remember being on the bottom, trying to swim but only managing to walk, which stirred up the sand that lined the floor of the tank. I also remember marching down the water-soaked mats at the swimming palace to be met by Mom, clad in a pin-stripped suit, white blouse and huge hat, screaming "my baby, my baby" and blaming my brother, eight years my senior, for not watching out for me.

One would assume that after these experiences I would never think it was safe to go back in the water, but I did. I went on to join the Sea Scouts and later the Navy. Some people never learn.

More on Pine Lake in an SF West History Minute.

Contribute your own stories about western neighborhoods places!
Two family members of Master Paul Okyere Boateng, the 10-year-old boy who allegedly committed suicide at Atonsu S-Line in Kumasi have been picked up by the Asokwa Police Command to assist the police in its investigation surrounding their relative's death.



The deceased was on Sunday, August 7, 2021, found dead at his home with his neck in a noose.



The Police has since begun investigations into the matter to unravel the mystery surrounding the boy's death.



Confirmation



Confirming the arrest of the two suspects to Pure FM's Osei Kwadwo, on Wednesday, the Assembly member of the area, Mr Owusu Brempong, aka 'Join the Line', said the police on Tuesday picked up the two.



"We suspect foul play in the death of the boy. When we went into the room that day with the Police, there was nothing that showed that indeed the boy committed suicide", he narrated.



He added that one of the suspects has been identified as the 33-year-old elder brother of the deceased, Yaw Akuoko Sarpong, who reported the matter to the Asokwa Police Command, a day after the incident happened.



In his statement, he told the police that on his return from work, he found the deceased hanging in one of their rooms.



Background



Okyere Boateng on Sunday, August 7, 2021, allegedly committed suicide by hanging at Atonsu S-Line in Kumasi.



The lifeless body of the boy has since been deposited at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) morgue in Kumasi, for preservation and autopsy.



The Assistant Public Relations Officer of the Ashanti Regional Police Command, ASP Mr Godwin Ahianyo on Monday confirmed the death of the boy to the Daily Graphic.



The Command has not yet responded to telephone calls to address the arrest of the two suspects.







Source: graphiconline.com









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The Kumbungu District Assembly in the Northern Region says it has put in place a strategy to respond to the possible spread of the new delta variant of COVID-19 in the district.



According to the district assembly, as part of the plan, which it is carrying out in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and the Kings Medical Centre, a Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) facility operating in the Kumbungu District, some health personnel have been trained and deployed into communities within the district.



Their duty is to identify visitors and head porters who arrive from some areas in the southern part of the country, described by the GHS as hotspots of the disease, for check-ups to prevent the spread of the virus.



The exercise, with support from the Foreign Commonwealth Development Office of the United Kingdom (UK), is also to assess the risks, immediate and intermediate needs for screening, contact tracing, testing of suspected cases, and referral of confirmed cases to the treatment centre.



Although the district has not recorded any case of the new variant of COVID-19, the assembly and its collaborating institutions have heightened surveillance in the area to deal with any possible case of infection and prevent its spread.



Measures



The District Coordinating Director for Kumbungu, Mr Mahmud M. Osman, who disclosed this at a media briefing in Kumbungu last Friday, said the assembly had information that some visitors, including some head porters, had arrived in the district from the hotspots of the disease, hence the measures to help curb the spread of the virus.



It is important that we ensure that the activities planned and measures that have already been put in place are implemented immediately following the announcement of the upsurge in cases in those hotspots, coupled with the arrival of foreigners and the head porters in the district, he said.



As a closely-knit society, we are all responsible for reducing our own risk of infection and that of our communities. Simple preventive measures that everyone can adopt to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19, include frequently washing hands using clean running water and soap, or alcohol-based hand rub, wearing of face mask when going out of your home, refraining from spitting in public places, avoiding close contact with anyone who has fever and cough, avoiding handshakes, practising social distancing and avoiding crowded places, among others, he added.



He said the fight against rumours and misinformation was a vital part of the battle against the virus and that all citizens were encouraged to report any rumour or suspected case of COVID-19 in the communities to the nearest health facility or call on the District Director of Health Services for proper investigation.



Adherence



Meanwhile, a visit by the Daily Graphic to the Kumbungu town and its environs saw non-compliance with the COVID-19 safety protocol as some residents were seen not wearing the face masks, while those who wore it did so inappropriately by wearing it on their chins.



Amina Issah, a resident, told the Daily Graphic that the wearing of the face masks at public places must be strictly enforced to ensure compliance as some residents had completely ignored that directive.



The wearing of the face masks in public must be made compulsory to prevent a possible spread and infection in the district, Mumuni Musah , also a resident, stated.









Source: graphiconline.com









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Nigeria's Information Minister Lai Mohammed has given the strongest indication yet that the governments ban on Twitter will be lifted soon.



The minister told reporters after a cabinet meeting on Wednesday in Abuja that talks with the social media company had reached an advanced stage and that "an amicable solution is very much in sight".



He highlighted some of the governments conditions for ending the ban including that Twitter must register its business in Nigeria, have staff presence in the country and agree to pay tax to the authorities.



But Mr Mohammed said "tremendous progress" has been made between Twitter and the Nigerian government towards ending the dispute soon.



The Nigerian government banned Twitter at the beginning of June after the platform removed a post by President Muhammadu Buhari saying it violated its "abusive behaviour" policy.



Nigerias government had however said the ban on Twitter was not because of the removal of the presidents tweet but to safeguard national security and unity.



Activists have criticized the ban which they say is a way of stifling freedom of speech.



Despite the ban imposed more than two months ago, many Nigerians have continued to Tweet using virtual private networks (VPN).

Source: BBC









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Google employees in the US who opt to work from home permanently may get a pay cut.



The technology giant has developed a pay calculator that lets employees see the effects of working remotely or moving offices.



Some remote employees, especially those with a long commute, could have their pay cut without changing address.



Google has no plans at this time to implement the policy in the UK.



Employees in many businesses have proved that working from home permanently is viable during the Covid pandemic.



Many companies are looking ahead to how employees will work as the pandemic recedes, even as the US continues to battle the Delta variant of the disease.



Silicon Valley firms, some of which are keen to get employees back to their desks, are experimenting with employee pay structures.



Big tech companies including Microsoft, Facebook, and Twitter have offered less pay for employees based in locations where it is more inexpensive to live.



But smaller firms such as Reddit and Zillow have said they will pay the same no matter where employees are based, saying that this improves diversity.

Source: BBC









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The Presiding Bishop of the Cape Coast Diocese of the Methodist Church Ghana, Most Rev. Dr Paul Kwabena Boafo, says the church fully supports the anti-LGBTQI+ bill currently before Parliament and will continue to support efforts and deliberation to ensure its passage into law.

He said the bill was one of the major steps in discouraging the practice of LGBTI in the country.



The bill, he said, sought to protect and promote proper human sexual rights which resonated with the Ghanaian family values without undermining fundamental human rights.



60th anniversary



Most Rev. Dr Boafo said this during an interview at the 60th-anniversary celebration of the autonomy of the Methodist Church from the British Methodist Conference in Cape Coast last Sunday.



The 60 years of Ghana Methodism was celebrated on the theme: "Teaching Everyone to Live Like Christ".



"In the case of the proper sexuality and human rights, we are saying that we are going to give it our fullest support to the end until we see that this bill has been passed," Most Rev. Dr Boafo said.



He said the Methodist Church Ghana had been part of it even at its infant stage, together with other advocates, including legal practitioner, Moses Foh-Amoaning, and the immediate past Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Opoku Onyinah.



"All of us were part of it; we initiated it together with the Catholics," he added.



He emphasised that the church would continue to be the conscience of the nation and speak against the ills in society.



Discipleship



Most Rev. Dr Boafo said the command for discipleship was not an option but an obligation every Christian must uphold to curb the many ill behaviours in society.



He urged the members to be law-abiding, work hard, create jobs and support the growth of the church, communities and the country.



The Central Regional Minister, Mrs Justina Marigold Assan, commended the Methodist Church Ghana for its diverse contributions towards national development.



She said the church had, over the years, been one of the major contributors in terms of social institutions such as health and education in the country.



"Undoubtedly, the church has contributed in diverse ways through the socialisation of the younger generation, inculcating good moral values, great impact in the education and health sector, job creation, among others," she said.



The Methodist Church Ghana became autonomous from the Methodist Church, Britain, on July 28, 1961, and adopted the episcopal system of operation in 1999.















Source: graphiconline.com









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Plans by some Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to scuttle the proposed oil agreement between the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) and Aker Energy have been exposed by audio files in possession of the Daily Statesman.



The CSOs, in a Zoom meeting, chaired by the Co-ordinator of the Third World Network (TWN) Africa, Dr Yao Graham, put in place deliberate strategies to create a sense of fear and panic within the population over climate change concerns, as they spearhead an agenda to prevent Ghana from achieving its long-standing ambition of putting Ghanaians in charge of oil and gas resources.



For the CSOs who are determined to promote the interest of their foreign pay masters, instead of the national interest, Ghana should leave her oil resources on the sea bed and rather borrow to promote the climate change agenda of their pay masters.



The transaction will ensure that GNPC Explorco receives US$5 billion dollars in cash flow, with Ghana being the recipient of some US$18 billion in revenue, thereby having control over its oil resources and destiny. It has therefore become mind-boggling to many Ghanaians as to why some CSOs will scheme to have this all-important transaction scuttled.



Bright Simons - Strategies



Strategies discussed at the Zoom meeting, which had leaders of the various CSOs in attendance, include hijacking both social and traditional media, investing resources, silencing dissenting CSOs, among others.



An energy analyst, Samuel Bekoe, explained a strategy to get the media on their side, praising some leaders of IMANI-Africa for taking the lead in pushing the media agenda.



I am quite happy that Bright [Simons] was on Citi, and now Citi has published Theos article as well, and more articles likely to be published to keep the thing trending, until we get to see the agreement that they are going have [sic] come out.



He added: I think we should be a bit worried with the way the media behave and, you know, the people we have been training, and all usually are reporters, and we dont control the editors, but they are controlled by editors whom we dont know whether they have any interest in publishing these things or not.



Energy Analyst Samuel Bekoe



Mr Bekoes strategy was endorsed by one of the participants, introduced by Dr Graham only as Beauty. Whilst Mr Bekoe focused on the traditional media, Beautys strategy was on how to use the social media to sustain the pressure on the Akufo-Addo government.



This, she said, is the means by which their anti-government agenda can go viral.



I appreciate the input made. Just to add something small in terms of the strategies we could adopt. I thought that we could consider doing short videos, [erm] that we could easily share through social media and especially whatsapp. Because it seems people prefer videos to text, so if we could some of the point of contention that we want to bring clarity on, we could have some of our experts speak to those issues to set the record straight, especially given the latest press statement from GNPC, so that we can set the record straight for people to get clarity on some of those issues aside the written materials so that itcan go viral if possible, she added.



Silencing dissent



Dr Yao Graham, for his part, expressed worry about dissenting views from other CSOs and actors, like Dr Steve Manteaw, who he accused of supporting GNPC to become an operator. He wondered why the media is giving platform to the other dissenting views.



 I was expecting something, and then I was presented with a different thing. The Minister who was interviewed actually picked it back on our divergent views to make his case in his argument because he was saying that even some of theCSO reps were in support of what they were doing. So, have engagement on these matters that we believe have to represent in totality our common interest, and I think that can help us so that even if you disagree, it is only fair to disagree but should rather be quiet or make statement to that effect, he stated.



Dr Yao Graham



The West Africa Regional Manager (Anglophone) of Natural Resource Governance Institute, Nafi Chinery, also expressed worry about the seeming divisions among the CSOs.



I want to speak to the issue and subsequent appearance on radio by our team. I was very worried about what I observed, and I think a number of us have shared the same on the platform It looks like we dont have the full information of the alliance. Some people have some information that others dont have and so when we appear on radio and media platforms, we seem to be saying different things.



I thought if we are an alliance, then we should have one voice and promoting one cause, but I found that there is a kind of division and I think that we need to address this and find a way for the campaign, the alliance and what we are seeking to achieve, she stated.



Nafi Chinery



Chairman of the meeting, Dr Graham, further spoke about their opposition of GNPCs decision to invest into oil exploration. Making reference to statements already made by Bright Simons, Dr Graham impressed on the CSOs to raise questions with every answer that would be given in order to achieve their aim.



Climate change



Africa can easily be said to contribute the least to global warming. According to a publication by the Energy Commission of Canada, if you look at the carbon footprint of the entire African continent, 48 African countries combined are responsible for less than one percent of accumulative carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.



It added: Even if every one of the one billion people in sub-Saharan Africa tripled their electricity consumption overnight, and if all of that new power came from natural gas-fired plants, we estimate that the additional CO2 that Africa would add would equal to just one percent of total global emissions.





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Source: Daily Statesman









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A civil society organization called Global Citizens for Peace and Safety GH (GCPS) has asked individuals and organizations who are busy crucifying the Health Minister Hon. Kwaku Agyeman-Manu must come again.



According to the Executive Secretary of GCPS Akonoba Nana Boadu, the Hon. Health Minister did what every critical thinking leader will do at that crucial moment to find a solution to better the lives of Ghanaians.



The Executive Secretary maintained that Hon. Kwaku Agyeman-Manu is rather serving the country diligently and hence deserves better from Ghanaians for his selfless service.



Even in the midst of the brouhaha, the Hon. Health Minister has tirelessly worked to procure from Johnsons and Johnson a total of 177,600 vaccine doses which arrived on Saturday 8th August 2021 at 4:00 pm and was received by Hon. Tina Mensah Deputy Minister of Health on behalf of the Honorable Minister, GCPS statement read.







Below Is A Full Statement From GCPS:



GCPS is aware of the pressure being mounted and the call for the resignation of the health minister; Hon. Kwaku Agyeman-Manu.



We are of a view that, individuals and organizations who are busy crucifying Hon. Agyeman-Manu must come again. They must rethink their stance because the Hon. Health Minister did what every critical thinking leader will do at that crucial moment. All of us should be mindful that, our lives matter most and therefore the health Minister's decision was most appropriate under the circumstances.



On record, the Dubai Sheikh Al Maktoum tendered in a proposal to supply Ghana 300,000 doses of the vaccine as a result of its scarcity because even India the hub of production was battling with the second wave of infections. Hon. Kwaku Agyeman-Manu we believe has diligently served his country and he deserves better from Ghanaians for his selfless service.



Even in the midst of the brouhaha, the Hon. Health Minister has tirelessly worked to procure from Johnson's and Johnson a total of 177,600 vaccine doses which arrived on Saturday 8th August 2021 at 4:00 pm and was received by Hon. Tina Mensah deputy Minister of health on behalf of the Honorable Minister.



Hon. Kwaku Agyeman-Manu has achieved a lot at the health ministry since he assumed office in 2017. Some of his achievements are as follows; The N.H.I.S was in arrears of over 13 months to providers but he worked to settle the outstanding debt to the current 4-month arrears.



Again, the Hon. Minister in question led the cause for the restoration of nurses training allowance.



On his assumption to office, he was met with a backlog of unemployed nurses, doctors and other health professionals both in the public and private sectors from 2012. He has worked to clear this backlog and currently one hardly hears of unemployed nurses demonstrating. One hardly hears of doctors going on strike due to non-payment of salaries.



Several abandoned hospitals and polyclinics such as the Wa Regional Hospital, Tepa hospital, Twifo Praso hospital and 12 polyclinics in the Central region have been completed and commissioned. Several CHIP compounds have again been completed during his tenure.



The final phase of the Tamale teaching hospital has been completed and commissioned. This is the Minister who has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with ROCHE pharmaceutical company to subsidize the price of Herceptin used for the treatment of breast cancer.



*GCPS* is therefore basing on these outstanding records of the Health Minister Hon Kwaku Agyeman-Manu Manu and entreating our fellow activists to stop pushing for the Minister's resignation because he should rather be applauded as the best health Minister. GCPS conclude by saying as follows:



 The Hon. Minister is not the first leader who have breached protocols to save the lives of his citizens. In fact, all great leaders have done that.



 The Hon. Minister is a living testimony of Covid-19 as he has suffered the deadly disease himself and will do anything to save his fellow citizens.



 Our investigation in the Ghanaian society indicates the massive support for Hon Agyemang Manu's brave action of risking his position as minister in an attempt to save the lives of his fellow citizens.



 The lives of Ghanaians should not be politicized and all political parties should immediately stop political witch-hunting and ease all protocols for the procurement of more vaccines dosses for the citizens of this nation. That is what the citizens are craving for not to play political games in their lives.



Finally, we are appealing to H.E The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to continue to have faith in the Hon. Minister of Health because we believe in his capabilities. God bless us all and Thank you for your attention.



Long Live Ghana



Long Live GCPS







Akonoba Nana Boadu (Executive Secretary)



GCPS



0571171177/ 0552896339





Source: Daniel Adu Darko/Peacefmonline.com









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Former Deputy General Secretary of the largest opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Samuel Koku Anyidoho, has called the bluff of his expulsion letter from the party signed by the General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia.



According to the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Atta Mills Institute, he remains a loyal member of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) as he has not received any letter of dismissal from the party.



Speaking on Okay FMs 'Ade Akye Abia' Morning Show for the first time on his expulsion from the NDC, Koku Anyidoho noted that even though he has heard rumours that he has been sacked from the party, he ignored it until he heard the General Secretary of the party kept giving voice to it.



He added that he is forced to comment on his dismissal from the NDC based on the fact that the General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia has been mentioning his name and giving reference to his working relationship with President Atta Mills at the Presidency in a manner he describes as insanely".



I was going to ignore it until the General Secretary kept giving voice to it and mentioning my name and making reference to my working relationship with President Mills at the Presidency; making certain insanely comment about my relationship with the President when he was not there. I have evidence of what the General Secretary said about me, and all those documents are with my lawyers, he fumed.



He insisted that being methodical and clinical with his work ethic, he has written personal letters to the General Secretary of the NDC and other relevant persons and units in the NDC to demand the letter of his expulsion as well as the process which led to his dismissal.



" . . I wrote a personal letter to him [Asiedu Nketia] and I have copied all the necessary offices; the National Chairman, the Council of Elders, the Speaker of Parliament because he belongs to our party, Hon. E.T. Mensah [a member of the Council of State], the Minority Leader, the Volta Regional Chairman Caucus because that is the region I come from. I have been very methodical. I wrote to him last week and he has still not responded . . . he said that he has sacked me from the NDC and I have not received any letter to that effect; no process has been served on me and nobody has asked me any question, he explained.



Explaining his stance in the opposition NDC, Koku Anyidoho maintained that article 47 and 49 of the NDC constitution empower him to exercise his fundamental human right and freedom enshrined in the 1992 constitution which demand that he gets a fair hearing before a judgment is passed.



There was no fair-hearing in my case. There is no evidence that someone called me before any committee; nobody called me, he indicated.



Hinting that, it is a requirement in the NDC constitution for any party member who has been expelled to be given 14 days to challenge the decision that has been taken; thus, there should be a process that will review that decision of the disciplinary committee.



He reiterated that nobody can sack him from the NDC since he has done nothing wrong in the party; stressing that he is ready to prove beyond reasonable doubt that he has done nothing against the constitution of the NDC.



"I have no record of indiscipline and so they should tell me what is indiscipline . . . for now, nobody has expelled me from the NDC; I remain a loyal member of the NDC, he insisted.



Watch video below





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The minority in Parliament has demanded that the government of Ghana abrogate a $570 million contract with Portuguese company Mota Ingil for the expansion of the Accra-Tema motorway.



The minority MPs told the media at a press conference on Wednesday, 11 August 2021 that the Minister of Roads and Highways, Mr Kwasi Amoako-Atta, sidestepped parliament in signing the agreement which will see to the expansion of the motorway into three lanes.



The minority spokesperson on Roads and Transport, Mr Governs Kwame Agbodza, said: The process leading to the selection of the contractor is what we have always cautioned the government against, adding: If the government decides that the PPP process wouldnt work, that they still needed a developer and Mota Ingil has failed and cannot raise the funds, Mota Ingil is an international company and falls directly under article 185.



The top five contractors in this country can do a good job as Mota Ingil can do but the minister says, No, they cant. I feel very sad for the minister, the Adaklu MP noted, adding: So, we are calling on the government, this contract is illegitimate. Mota Ingil is touting this contract all over the world trying to raise funds. This contract is not binding on the government. The minister must come back to parliament or do an open competitive bidding or consider yourself as someone who has breached the law and it would catch up with you in the future.



Earlier this year, the minority MPs on parliaments Appointments Committee said in their report that Mr Amoako-Attah, the Presidents Minister-designate of Roads and Highways at the time, was unconvincing and opaque on the matter relating to US$570 million Accra-Tema road expansion project when he appeared before them to be vetted.



We note that the same project was valued at US$480 million in an earlier PPP arrangement, the minority caucus said in its report.



Mr Amoako-Attah, who served in the same portfolio in the presidents first term, was, at the time, one of five ministers-designate whose nominations were suspended by the minority MPs.



The caucus, at the time, said: He must clarify his role in signing the contract with Mota-Engil Engenharia & Construcao Africa without cabinet and parliamentary approvals.



Mota-Engil has built up a large business in Africa.



A press release signed by Mr Amoako-Attah months ago, said the contract was signed on 16 December 2020, after receiving approval from the countrys Public Procurement Authority and the Central Tender Review Board.



The project will upgrade and extend the motorway between the capital, Accra, and the city of Tema, which hosts the countrys largest port. The existing 19.5-km road will be reconstructed and expanded into a two-lane dual carriageway, with an extra lane added in urban areas.



A number of interchanges will also be modernised. Work will take place over a period of 48 months.



The original road was completed in 1965 under the administration of Kwame Nkrumah, Ghanas first president, and it was the first motorway in the country.



However, it was built with insufficient lighting, which has posed a challenge to the drivers that use it.



As part of the contract, Mota-Engil will add lighting to the road.



The company had previously headed a consortium of companies that was to have carried out the same work, as part of a public-private partnership, the first in Ghanaian history.

Source: classfmonline.com









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Amid calls for the government to apply the same principle that led to her removal as chairperson of the Electoral Commission in the Kwaku Agyeman-Manu case, Charlotte Osei has sent a message which could be viewed as her take on current issues.



In a brief post on her Twitter page, the former EC chair said Dear Karma, please calm down small wai.



Charlotte Osei, it will be recalled was dismissed by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in 2018 for alleged procurement breaches.



In the wake of the Sputnik V saga, certain public figures have questioned why the government that dismissed Charlotte Osei appears not to be keen on sacking Kwaku Agyeman-Manu for committing the same breaches.



Speaking on Metro TVs Good Morning Ghana on Wednesday, August 11, 2021, veteran journalist Kwesi Pratt criticized the government for not applying the democratic provision of equality before the law.



You cannot have a democracy anywhere in the world where the principle of equality of citizens is not respected. Its a cardinal principle and when you violate the principle of equality of citizens before the law, the very foundation of democracy is shaken if not broken.



In light of all this what comes to my mind is what then justifies the continued prosecution of Dr Opuni. How do we feel when you begin to look at how monumental decisions took place at the Electoral Commission ahead of the last elections and the justification we provided that? Can we in all honesty and sincerity say that it was okay to remove Charlotte Osei as EC chair? Im not sure? Pratt quizzed.



Randy Abbey, the host of the program has also for weeks now been making the same argument, asking if the government has the moral right to prosecute people for committing similar offences.



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" " Lt. Gov. and incoming New York Gov. Kathy Hochul gave her first press conference Aug. 11, 2021, at the New York State Capitol in Albany City a day after Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that he will be resigning. Hochul is slated become New York's first female governor. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

It's pretty ironic that New York will finally get its first woman governor because a state attorney general's report found that Gov. Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed at least 11 women, some of them state employees. Cuomo, who served as governor since 2011, finally announced Aug. 10, 2021, that he would resign when it became clear any support he had evaporated and impeachment proceedings were all but certain. And as he steps aside Aug. 25, 2021, history will be made.

Lt. Gov. Kathleen "Kathy" C. Hochul will be sworn in as the first woman governor in the state's long history. Having served as lieutenant governor since 2014, Hochul (pronounced HOH-kuhl), is well prepared for the job.

Here are five things you need to know about the woman who will become governor:

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1. She Bleeds Blue

Hochul isn't just a Democrat, she's an Irish-Catholic, blue-collar Democrat. She was born Aug. 27, 1958 (she's almost 63) and grew up in the small town of Hamburg, just outside of Buffalo. Her parents were hard-working people  her dad ran his own IT firm and her mom ran a flower shop and co-founded a shelter for domestic abuse survivors. They both actively supported the civil rights movement and protested the Vietnam War. Their example rubbed off and set the trajectory for Hochul's life.

" " New York's Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul participates in the 2020 Women's March in New York City. John Lamparski/Getty Images

2. It's All in the Family

During the summer after high school, Hochul got her first taste of politics working on Sen. Patrick Moynihan's political campaign. She went on to Syracuse University for her undergraduate degree and interned at the state Assembly during summer breaks while at Syracuse. While interning, she met her husband, Bill, who was later nominated by President Barack Obama to serve as the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York. (He has since retired and is now general counsel for a private company). After earning her law degree from Catholic University of America, Hochul joined a large law firm but wasn't fulfilled. She left to work as legal counsel to U.S. Rep. John LeFalce and was soon recruited to work as a legislative assistant and legal counsel to Sen. Moynihan.

3. She's Been in Politics a Long Time

Hochul's first elected office was a seat on the Town Board of Hamburg where she served for 14 years. She was the only woman on the board until the following year when another seat opened up and she encouraged her friend to run. In 2003, she was appointed deputy county clerk of Erie County and four years later she was appointed county clerk by then Gov. Eliot Spitzer (another New York governor with a shady past). In 2011, Hochul won a congressional seat in a special election that had been held by Republicans for 40 years though she narrowly lost the seat the following year. While she was in Congress, Hochul served on the House Armed Services and the Homeland Security Committees. In 2014, she became Cuomo's running mate and the rest is now history.

" " Mayor Bill de Blasio and New York Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul arrive for a St. Patrick's Day Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan March 17, 2021 in New York City. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

4. She's Issue-oriented

As someone who comes from a solidly middle-class background, Hochul aligns herself with the issues that resonate with those voters  paid family leave, affordable child care, health care and education, and safer gun laws. She is also a feminist who believes strongly in abortion and reproductive rights. She supports LGBTQ rights and the fight for equality. Along with her mother and aunt, Hochul established the Kathleen Mary House in 2006, a transitional home for victims of domestic violence. She worked on immigration legislation when she worked for Sen. Moynihan in the 1980s and still works tirelessly to protect immigrant rights.

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5. Her Transition Is Expected to Be Smooth

As lieutenant governor, Hochul served as the President of the New York State Senate, chaired the Regional Economic Development Councils and New York State Women's Suffrage 100th Anniversary Commission. She was also co-chair of the New York State Heroin and Opioid Abuse Task Force and Community College Councils. Committees. That's all about to change. Hochul is probably assembling a transition team right now. According to one report, she currently has just nine staff members. Job one: Finding a new lieutenant governor. If Hochul doesn't appoint someone immediately, the state Senate Majority Leader, Andrea Stewart-Cousins, would become the acting lieutenant governor until the position is filled. They will serve the remainder of this term, until it expires at the end of 2022. Hochul, and whoever she selects as lieutenant governor, can run for re-election next year and will do so as incumbents.

" " Kathy Hochul arrives for a Coney Island parks reopening event in Brooklyn, New York City, April 9, 2021. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Now That's Interesting Hochul can be independent when she thinks the facts warrant it. She was one of 17 Democrats in Congress to support a resolution finding former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt for withholding documents related to Operation Fast and Furious, a failed gun-running investigation.
PHOTO: Getty Images

SINGAPORE  A cook who was in a relationship with a beer promoter was jailed four years and three months on Thursday (12 August) for sexually assaulting the woman over "love bites" on her neck.

The 52-year-old man attacked the 25-year-old woman, forcibly sucking her neck, undressing her and then taking topless photos.

The man had pleaded guilty earlier to two counts each of aggravated molest and voyeurism, with four similar counts taken into consideration. The two Malaysians cannot be named due to a gag order.

In late January last year, the duo became friends after meeting at the coffeeshop where the man works at an economic rice stall. They began dating two months later and she moved in with the man on 28 April last year as she was unable to return to Malaysia amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Woman returned home late, with love bites

However, the relationship soured when the woman started returning home late at night with love bites on her neck. The pair argued over the issue.

On 21 August last year, the victim returned home at around 1.05am, but the main door of the flat was locked from the inside.

She asked the man to open the door, and he interrogated her as to why she was so late. The woman ignored him and took her phone with her to take a shower, but the man snatched it away.

Fearing for her safety, the woman tried to make a call to a friend using her smartwatch while in the toilet. She realised that her calls were not going out, and thought the man must have been cutting her calls on her phone.

After showering, the woman went to their shared bedroom and lay on the bed to use her mobile phone, which the man grabbed out of her hands again.

Furious, the man pinned the victim on the bed and assaulted her. The victim pleaded with the man to stop, saying she was in pain.

The man replied, You let others do it. It hurts when I do it but it doesnt when others do it.

After a while, the man released the woman and she told him to leave. The man gathered his things and left, but returned shortly after and argued with the woman again.

Story continues

During this altercation, the man sat on top of her and removed her clothes. The man then took several photos of the crying woman, who struggled to free herself.

The man left after a while. He later apologised to the girl via a phone message and attached a photograph of her bare breasts, which distressed her.

After the woman lodged a police report, the man was arrested on 23 August last year. He was released on bail after being charged in court two days later. His bail was later revoked as he had breached one of his conditions by contacting the victim.

The man was remanded at the Institute of Mental Health and was found to have major depressive disorder. He was found to be aware that his actions were wrong and had no problems with impulse control.

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A study in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (JAACAP) reports that among elementary school-aged children, Black children and multiracial children who were at least partly Black, are at a much higher risk of receiving detention or suspension in school even when accounting for typical predictors of school discipline.

"Disciplinary practices such as detention and suspension can lead to a number of academic, social and psychological issues," said Matthew Fadus, MD, a Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, MA, USA. "There is extensive evidence in the United States to indicate that Black children and children from lower-income families are disproportionally affected by these practices.

"We wanted to know if these disciplinary disparities could be better explained by predictors of school discipline such as caregiver income and education, family conflict and caregiver reports of misbehavior. This study was unique in that it allowed us to control for these variables among more than 11,000 students."

The study consisted of 11,875 elementary school students aged 9 and 10-years-old, who were part of the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Studya 10-year longitudinal study of brain development. Children were recruited across 21 sites in the US, with participants closely resembling the country's geographic, demographic and socioeconomic makeup.

Caregivers of students provided information such as household education and income, the presence of a secondary caregiver at home (e.g., primary caregiver's spouse, partner, or other family members), utilization of special education services at school, and ratings of their child's behavior and levels of family conflict at home. Caregivers additionally provided details about whether the child received a suspension or detention in the last year and the reason(s) for these disciplinary actions. The study accounted for these predictors of school discipline while comparing the rates of suspension and detention among Black, white, Asian, Hispanic, and Multiracial students (with sub-categories of race within this category).

The results revealed that, with all other things being equal, Black children and multiracial children who were at least partly Black were over three times more likely to receive detention or suspension compared to their white peers.

Co-author, Brittany Bryant, DSW, LISW-CP, Assistant Professor at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, SC, USA said: "What we have found suggests there must be other factors influencing disciplinary actions among these children. Given that we were able to control for so many variables in this study, it is likely that individual biases and a long history of systemic racism in the US may be contributing to our findings."

Earlier studies have indicated that suspensions and detentions are not only ineffective disciplinary measures but are also stronger predictors of school drop-out than GPA or socioeconomic status and are significant risk factors for future involvement in the juvenile justice system. Detentions and suspensions disproportionately affect children of lower-income families and families with single caregivers and can further perpetuate a cycle of poverty and limited academic achievement.

"A major concern is that the children in the study are so young, just 9- and 10-years-old, and they are receiving detentions and suspensions during a particularly vulnerable and foundational time when they are beginning to develop their attitudes towards school and authority figures more broadly," said senior author Lindsay Squeglia, Ph.D., an Associate Professor at Medical University of South Carolina.

The researchers hope this study helps provoke healthy discussion of race and discipline in American schools and influences educators and school administrators to examine their own potential biases in disciplinary practices.

"We believe the results as a whole are not reflective of any one child's individual behavior or moral shortcomings, but instead are the result of a long history of societal inequities and systemic racism in the US," concluded Emilio Valadez, Ph.D., co-author and postdoctoral researcher at the University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland.

Explore further Study shows racial disparities in elementary school disciplinary actions

More information: Matthew C. Fadus et al, Racial Disparities in Elementary School Disciplinary Actions: Findings From the ABCD Study, Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (2020). Journal information: Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Matthew C. Fadus et al, Racial Disparities in Elementary School Disciplinary Actions: Findings From the ABCD Study,(2020). DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2020.11.017
McAfee Knob in Virginias Blue Ridge Mountains, one of the Appalachian Trails most scenic vistas. Credit: Ben Townsend/Flickr, CC BY

The Appalachian Trail, North America's most famous hiking route, stretches over 2,189 mountainous miles (3,520 kilometers) from Georgia to Maine. In any given year, some 3 million people hike on it, including more than 3,000 "thru-hikers" who go the entire distance, either in one stretch or in segments over multiple years.

The AT, as it's widely known, is a national icon on a par with conservation touchstones like the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone's Old Faithful geyser and the Florida Everglades. It symbolizes opportunitythe chance to set out on a life-altering experience in the great outdoors, or at least a pleasant walk in the woods.

Benton MacKaye, the classically trained forester who proposed creating the AT in 1921, saw it as a space where visitors could escape the stresses and rigors of modern industrial life. He also believed it could be a foundation for sound land-use patterns, with each section managed and cared for by local volunteers. MacKaye was a highly original thinker who called for protecting land on a continent-spanning scale and thought about how land use patterns could influence work and social relationships.

My research focuses on how people work together to promote large landscape conservation and to protect connectivityphysically linking patches of habitat, on land or at sea, so that animals and plants can move between them. MacKaye's conception of the AT represents an early example of such comprehensive approaches to conservation.

An escape from industrial life

One hundred years ago, MacKaye laid out his vision for the AT in an article for the Journal of the American Institute of Architects. At that time, progressive thinkers were conceptualizing and promoting the idea of regional planning at many different scales.

Had MacKaye focused solely on a physical trail, the editors probably would have rejected his manuscript. But MacKaye envisioned the AT as a connecting cord that would run through and define a natural and rural region. In his view, maintaining the undeveloped character of the land would only become more essential in the face of an encroaching East Coast metropolis. And because it lay in the eastern U.S., the trail would "serve as the breath of a real life for the toilers in the bee-hive cities along the Atlantic seaboard and beyond," he wrote.

By 1925 MacKaye organized an Appalachian Trail Conference to build the footpath, which was completed in 1937. The first thru-hiker, a World War II veteran named Earl Shaffer, completed the full journey in 1948. Over the following decades, most of the practical work on the AT focused on tying together the thread of the trail itselfa challenging mission of acquiring access rights to myriad public and private lands.

Maintaining the landscape around the AT in perpetuity is a bigger challenge. And climate change is making that issue more urgent, for the AT isn't just a footpath for humans. It also provides two ways for plants and animals to shift their ranges in a changing world.

First, the trail offers a chance for wildlife and plants to move northward to cooler habitats on a warming planet. Second, species can also move up mountains to avoid warmer temperaturesand any thru-hiker has the blisters to prove that the AT has plenty of mountains.

Clips from an AT thru-hike, moving from south to north.

More than a footpath

Beginning with MacKaye, many people over the past century have aspired to frame the AT as a platform for conservation at a regional scalethat is, extending far beyond the narrow trail corridor, which averages about 1,000 feet (300 meters) wide, or less than a quarter of a mile. One impetus is to provide a natural experience for hikers. Who wants to go exploring through exurban sprawl? Protecting land around the trail also expands spaces for plants and animals.

One of the best-known examples of large landscape approaches is the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative, often referred to as Y2Y (I am the current chair of the Y2Y Council). Since the mid-1990s, this venture has striven to conserve habitat and rural working lands across a region that stretches some 2,000 miles (3,220 kilometers) north from the Greater Yellowstone region in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho to Canada's Yukon Territory.

As the Y2Y experience has shown, conserving large landscapes around the AT will not be easy or straightforwardbut it is possible. MacKaye worried about urban and suburban encroachmenta threat that has only grown more severe over the past hundred years. "Pinch points" include the mid-Atlantic portion of the AT, but development threats are present all along the trail.

"If we can't protect places we value most highly, like the beloved, heavily used Appalachian Trail, from unnecessary development, how are we going to protect anything less iconic farther down the line?" https://t.co/YPuKWGIClC  Outside (@outsidemagazine) June 28, 2020

Conservation advocates have identified key spots along the AT where land around the trail could be protected from development to support wildlife by preserving it as open space. They include highlands in northern New Jersey and southern New York; forests and wetlands in Vermont and New Hampshire; and Maine's North Woods.

Land trusts and conservation organizations from Georgia to Maine are working to protect wild lands along the length of the AT and increasingly are coordinating their efforts through the Appalachian Trail Landscape Partnership. This initiative includes more than 100 partners, led by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and the U.S. National Park Service, which has managed the AT since the passage of the 1968 National Scenic Trails Act.

Footpath and barrier

Benton MacKaye hoped that the AT would be a symbolic and literal pathway toward solving social problems. His initial vision for the trail included community camps, covering up to 100 acres, that would grow out of trail shelters into small settlements where people could live year-round and pursue "nonindustrial" activities such as study and recuperation. Eventually, he envisioned more permanent camps that would offer the opportunity to move from cities back to the country and work cooperatively on the land, raising food and harvesting timber.

"The camp community  is in essence a retreat from profit. Cooperation replaces antagonism, trust replaces suspicion, emulation replaces competition," MacKaye wrote.

MacKaye's grand hopes may have been idealistic, but fulfilling the AT's potential for large landscape conservation in some of the most populated regions of North America is still a worthy goal. As MacKaye presciently concluded in his 1921 article, "This trail could be made to be, in a very literal sense, a battle line against fire and floodand even against disease." A century later, I believe the time has come for MacKaye's vision of the trail to flourish as a mutually supportive endeavor among people and nature in a changing world.

Explore further Parks Service bans drones over Appalachian Trail

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Condensing the IPCC report to its highlights, such as in this graphic, is an effective way to engage time-poor readers. Credit: Monash Climate Change Communication Research Hub/IPCC

On Monday, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released the first installment of their sixth assessment report. As expected, the report makes for bleak reading.

It found all regions of the world are already experiencing the impacts of climate change, and its warming projections range from scary to unimaginable.

But the report also makes for dry reading. Even the Summary for Policymakers, at 42 pages, is not a document you can quickly skim.

Local governments, national and international policymakers, insurance companies, community groups, new home buyers, you and me: everyone needs to know some aspects of the IPCC's findings to understand what the future might look like and what we can do about it.

With climate action more crucial than ever, the IPCC needs to communicate clearly and strongly to as many people as possible. So how is it going so far?

The most assertive report in 30 years

The grueling IPCC process and an extensive author list of 234 scientists make IPCC reports the world's most authoritative source of climate change information. Every sentence is powerful because each one has been read and approved by scientists and government officials from 195 countries.

So when the report states "it is unequivocal that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, ocean and land," there is absolutely no denying it. In fact, the IPCC has become progressively more assertive in the 30 years it has been assessing and summarizing climate science.

In 1990, it noted global warming "could be largely due to natural variability." Five years later, there was "a discernible human influence on global climate." By 2001, "most of the observed warming [] is likely to have been due to the increase in greenhouse gas concentrations."

This week's reference to "unequivocal" human influence pulls no punches.

Why has this language changed? Partly because the science has progressed: we know more about the complexities of the Earth's climate than ever before.

But it's also because the report's authors understand the urgency of communicating the message effectively. As this week's report makes clear, limiting warming to the most ambitious 1.5 goal of the Paris Agreement may be (at least temporarily) out of reach within decades, and the goal of keeping warming below 2 is also at risk.

As the IPCC's scientific assessment reports are only published every seven years or so, this may be the authors' last chance to warn people.

Climate change communication isn't easy

Communicating any science is hard, but climate science has particular challenges. These include the complexities of the science and language of climate change, people's misunderstanding of risk management, and the barrage of deliberate misinformation.

The IPCC has standardized the language they use to communicate confidence: "likely," for example, always means at least a 2-in-3 chance. Unfortunately, research has shown this language conveys levels of imprecision that are too high and leads to readers' judgements being different from the IPCC's.

The grueling report approval process also means IPCC statements can be conservative to the point of confusion. In fact, a 2016 study showed IPCC reports are getting harder to read. In particular, despite the IPCC's efforts, the Summaries for Policymakers have had low readability over the years, with dense paragraphs and too much jargon for the average punter.

There has also been a rise in communication barriers since the final part of the IPCC's Fifth Assessment Report was released in 2014, including more fake news, and climate news fatigue.

The IPCC's complex results can appear controversial and hotly debated, because of politicization and a well-funded disinformation campaign from fossil fuel giants. And with news so often passed through social media, it's easy for people to turn to someone they trust, even if that person's information is wrong.

While there has been an increase in communication imperatives, including the urgency for action and the increase in science information, these are all taking place during a headline-stealing global pandemic.

Also, people are exhausted. Eighteen months of living with a pandemic has probably shriveled everybody's ability to take on more big problems.

On the other hand, hunger for COVID-19 information has raised familiarity with exponential curves, model projections, risk-benefit calculations, and urgent action based on scientific evidence to combat a global threat.

Remaining hopeful

To address the challenges of communicating the science, climate communicators should aim for consistent messages, draw on credible information, focus on what is known rather than the uncertainties, offer tangible action, use clear language that avoids despair, connect locally, and tell a story.

To a large extent, Australian contributors to the IPCC release this week have done just that, chiseling relevant facts from the IPCC's brick of a report into blogs and bites.

To its credit, the IPCC has also provided a plethora of communication resources in different formats. This includes videos, fact sheets, posters and, for the first time, an interactive atlas enabling you to explore past and possible future climate changes in any region.

However, there's (so far) less focus on information for different audiences, such as students, young people, managers and planners rather than just politicians and scientists.

And the atlas, while a great tool, still requires users to have some climate science literacy. For example, average users looking for future climate information may not understand that CMIP6 and CMIP5 are the next, and previous, generations of climate models used by the IPCC.

While mainly focusing on the report's terrifying findings and commitment to global warming, media coverage this week also emphasized the importance of immediate action, and sources of hope.

This is a positive approach because feeling that humanity cannot, or will not, respond adequately can lead to a lack of engagement and action, and eco-anxiety.

As Al Gore pointed out 15 years ago in An Inconvenient Truth: "There are a lot of people who go straight from denial to despair without pausing on the intermediate step of actually doing something about the problem."

Early next year, the IPCC will release two volumes about ways to adapt to, and reduce, climate change. After the confronting results of this first volume, the next two must provide messages of hope if we're to keep fighting for our planet.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Fig. 1: Dendrimer characteristics and the role of dendrimer end-terminal functionality in complement activation. a Structural representation of G2G5 dendrimers with magnified views of the highlighted end-terminal region (dashed triangles). At physiological pH the end-terminal primary amines and carboxylic acids are predominantly protonated and deprotonated, respectively. b Typical structure of a G4 PAMAM dendrimer with a precisely core positioned sulforhodamine B. c Selected properties of G2G5 dendrimers. *The values for radius of gyration were adopted from a previous small-angle X-ray scattering study26 d Pyrrolidone- and carboxy-Tris-terminated dendrimers do not trigger complement activation in human plasma (plasma code, M26; a healthy individual Caucasian, male, 26 years old) as determined through measurements of sC5b-9. Complement activation is compared at an equivalent number of dendrimer terminal groups (101  1017 terminal groups per mL of plasma). e The effect of different generations (G2G5) of amine-terminated dendrimers on generation of fluid-phase sC5b-9 in M26 plasma. The best coefficient of correlation (R2 = 0.965) is computationally defined by the equation y = 422.15e0.0106x. f The effect of G2 dendrimer concentration on sC5b-9 formation in M26 plasma. The best coefficient of correlation (R2 = 0.955) is computationally defined by a quadratic polynomial fit (y = 0.0319x2 + 0.2006x + 366.92). In e and f, mean background sC5b-9 levels were 367  7.2 gmL1 and 361  7.3 gmL1, respectively. In panel d, bars represent mean  s.d. of three separate experiments and each dot indicates the mean of three technical replicates. In e and f, each point represents the mean  s.d. of three separate experiments, and each experiment was done in triplicate samples. In d, e and f, p values (unpaired, two-sided) are compared with the respective background (control) incubation. Credit: DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24960-6

Tiny synthetic particles known as dendrimers avoid detection by our immune system and could help develop a new way to deliver drugs into the body without triggering a reaction.

The new research led by Professor Moein Moghimi, Professor of Pharmaceutics and Nanomedicine at the School of Pharmacy, Newcastle University, UK, in collaboration with international colleagues is published in Nature Communications alongside an accompanying blog.

The dendrimer is a chemically-created molecule with tentacles branching out in a highly-symmetrical structure around a central core. The research describes how dendrimer tentacles arranged incredibly closely to each otherless than one nanometer apartavoided detection by the complement system, part of our immune system.

Our immune system is equipped with many tools to recognize and eliminate invaders. For example, our blood contains sensors belonging to a family of defense system known as the "complement system," which recognizes unique patterns expressed by invaders such as bacteria and viruses. Binding of these sensors to pathogens alarms the immune system and triggers an immune response. These sensors are termed "complement pattern-recognition (CPR)" molecules.

CPR can sense surface patterns that are regularly repeated so close to each other, for instance in 215 nanometer rangesa distance, which is at least 5000 times thinner than the thickness of a typical sheet of paper.

The international team discovered however, that the CPR could not sense patterns repeated closer to each other, for instance, at 1 nanometer or less.

At a nanoscale level, the team grew tiny particles known as dendrimers which are shaped like trees with many branchesor tiny tentacles. The number of tentacles exponentially increases with dendrimer size and the tentacles are positioned less than 1 nanometer from each other. The ends of tentacles are where regular patterns appear. Depending on chemical structure of these patterns, they found that these dendrimers could escape detection by the CPR radar.

Professor Moein Moghimi explains: "This discovery shows that we can develop certain dendrimers as very tiny carriers to smuggle drugs into the body without triggering our immune system. Activation of the complement system as the defense mechanisms of our immune system can sometimes result in inflammation and may also induce anaphylactic reactions. One example is we have seen anaphylaxis in some recipients of COVID-19 vaccines, which uses small lipid particles and instead with dendrimers we could avoid these adverse reactions."

Avoiding triggering our immune system

"Dendrimers offer us the ability to deliver drugs to diseased sites where inflammation is a major problem such as in conditions like atherosclerosis, cancer, macular degeneration and rheumatoid arthritis," said Dr. Panagiotis Trohopoulos, cardiologist and managing director of CosmoPHOS Ltd (Thessaloniki, Greece), co-author of the paper.

"This could allow medical teams to treat these conditions without triggering the patient's own immune system. That is why we chose dendrimers in an ongoing therapeutic study in atherosclerosis," said Dr. Trohopoulos.

The team suggests that since these complement-evading dendrimers are so tiny they could also be used to camouflage surfaces of implants and many biomedical devices like cardiovascular stents, protecting them against attack by the complement system.

The researchers also say that these findings suggest that some very dangerous bacteria and viruses could be exploiting patterns to escape our immune system. For example, it might be possible that pathogens display surface patterns with less than 1 nanometer periodicity from each other in order to escape the complement system radar and survive inside the host.

Finally, the team also found that a special type of dendrimer (those bearing amine groups on their tentacles) hitchhike on an immune molecule called immunoglobulin M (IgM). "With these dendrimers the ride was not free; jumping on IgM dented its structure and this triggered the complement response," said Prof. Moghimi.

The interdisciplinary team intends to develop the work further examining the potential for drug delivery, vaccine design, and device bioengineering, as well as the basic understanding of microbial evasion from our immune system.

Explore further Scientists publish a complete overview of sulfonimide dendrimers

More information: Lin-Ping Wu et al, Dendrimer end-terminal motif-dependent evasion of human complement and complement activation through IgM hitchhiking, Nature Communications (2021). Journal information: Nature Communications Lin-Ping Wu et al, Dendrimer end-terminal motif-dependent evasion of human complement and complement activation through IgM hitchhiking,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24960-6
A new assemblage of fossil spores of Lower Ordovician age, about 480 Ma, are intermediate in character between controversial Cambrian forms and well-accepted plant spores from later Ordovician and Silurian deposits. This linkage aligns fossil spores with molecular data and helps explain why megafossil plants axes don't appear in the geological record until 75 million years later during the Silurian. Credit: Paul Strother

The world may need to start thinking differently about plants, according to a new report in the journal Science by researchers who took a fresh look at spore-like microfossils with characteristics that challenge our conventional understanding about the evolution of land plants.

Found in rock samples retrieved in Australia more than 60 years ago, the microfossils dating to the Lower Ordovician Period, approximately 480 million years ago, fill an approximately 25-million-year gap in knowledge by reconciling the molecular clockor pace of evolutionwith the fossil spore recordthe physical evidence of early plant life gathered by scientists over the years.

This reconciliation supports an evolutionary-developmental model connecting plant origins to freshwater green algae, or charophyte algae, said Boston College paleobotanist Paul Strother, a co-author of the new report. The "evo-devo" model posits a more nuanced understanding of plant evolution over time, from simple cell division to initial embryonic stages, rather than large jumps from one species to another.

"We found a mix of fossils linking older, more problematic spore-like microfossils with younger spores that are clearly derived from land plants," said Strother. "This helps to bring the fossil spore record into alignment with molecular clock dates if we consider the origin of land plants as a long-term process involving the evolution of embryonic development."

The fossil record preserves direct evidence of the evolutionary assembly of the plant regulatory and developmental genome, Strother added. This process starts with the evolution of the plant spore and leads to the origin of plant tissues, organs, and eventually macroscopic, complete plantsperhaps somewhat akin to mosses living today.

"When we consider spores as an important component of the evolution of land plants, there is no longer a gap in the fossil record between molecular dating and fossil recovery," Strother said. Absent that gap, "we have a much clearer picture of a whole new evolutionary step: from simple cellularity to complex multicellularity."

As a result, researchers and the public may need to re-think how they view the origin of terrestrial plantsthat pivotal advance of life from water to land, said Strother.

A new assemblage of fossil spores of Lower Ordovician age, about 480 Ma, are intermediate in character between controversial Cambrian forms and well-accepted plant spores from later Ordovician and Silurian deposits. This linkage aligns fossil spores with molecular data and helps explain why megafossil plants axes don't appear in the geological record until 75 million years later during the Silurian. Credit: Paul Strother

"We need to move away from thinking of the origin of land plants as a singularity in time, and instead integrate the fossil record into an evo-devo model of genome assembly across millions of years during the Paleozoic Eraspecifically between the Cambrian and Devonian divisions within that era," Strother said. "This requires serious re-interpretation of problematic fossils that have previously been interpreted as fungi, not plants."

Strother and co-author Clinton Foster, of the Australian National University, set out to simply describe an assemblage of spore-like microfossils from a deposit dating to the Early Ordovician ageapproximately 480 million years ago. This material fills in a gap of approximately 25 million years in the fossil spore record, linking well-accepted younger plant spores to older more problematic forms, said Strother.

Strother and Foster examined populations of fossil spores extracted from a rock core drilled in 1958 in northern Western Australia. These microfossils are composed of highly resistant organic compounds in their cell walls that can structurally survive burial and lithification. They were studied at Boston College, and at the ANU's Research School of Earth Sciences, with standard optical light microscopy.

"We use fossil spores extracted from rock drill cores to construct an evolutionary history of plants going back in time to the very origin of plants from their algal ancestors," said Strother. "We have independent age control on these rock samples, so we study evolution by looking at changes in the kinds of spores that occur over time."

Molecular biologists also look at evolutionary history through time by using genes from living plants to estimate the timing of plant origins using "molecular clocks"a measurement of evolutionary divergence based on the average rate during which mutations accumulate in a species' genome.

However, there are huge discrepancies, up to tens of millions of years, between direct fossil data and molecular clock dates, said Strother. In addition, there are similar time gaps between the oldest spores and when actual whole plants first occur.

These gaps resulted in hypotheses about a "missing fossil record" of the earliest land plants," said Strother.

"Our work seeks to resolve some of these questions by integrating the fossil spore record into an evolutionary developmental model of plant origins from algal ancestors," Strother said.

Explore further Billion-year-old fossil reveals missing link in the evolution of animals

More information: A fossil record of land plant origins from charophyte algae, Science (2021). Journal information: Science A fossil record of land plant origins from charophyte algae,(2021). science.sciencemag.org/lookup/  1126/science.abj2927
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Parents, students and decision-makers are dealing with more challenges as we move closer to another pandemic school year. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development characterized COVID-19 school closures as the "greatest disruption in educational opportunity worldwide in a generation," affecting 90 percent of the world's student population. Sociology professor Janice Aurini, an expert in schooling and education inequality, explains the challenges and recommends strategies to mitigate the educational impacts of the pandemic.

As students and teachers move back to in-person teaching after five months away from classrooms, what do we know from previous research into school disruptions?

The unprecedented nature of COVID-19 school closures defies a straightforward comparison. However, there are lessons from education research that we can draw on. Numerous studies demonstrate that 'non-school time' can be a key generator of achievement gaps. For example, the years leading up to kindergarten prime children for content-based learning and positive interactions with peers and teachers (also referred to as 'school readiness'). Gaps in school readiness tend to persist as children progress through school and predict various longer-term inequalities, such as education and employment). Research on school absenteeism and summer setback also point to the potency of non-school time and environments.

How does online learning factor into educational setbacks during the pandemic?

Research is continuing to trickle in, but the initial results are not good. At this point, I am unaware of Canadian data that would allow us to directly measure learning online and compare it to in-class learning or pre-pandemic learning more generally. To compensate for these data shortfalls, researchers have had to find creative ways to make reasonable estimates. My colleague and I extrapolated from our summer learning research to estimate likely shortfalls in literacy and numeracy during COVID-19 school closures. We predict learning shortfalls that range from zero to 3.5 months among typically performing students and up to one full year among lower-performing students.

Can we learn anything from other countries' research?

Research from other countries has been able to answer questions about remote learning more directly. They have found that students made little to no learning progress with online schooling. These data are troubling, and education and health leaders will have to balance the potential risks of COVID-19 with emerging research about the negative impacts of school closures and remote learning on not just learning but also children's wellbeing. Parents whose children have fallen behind are more likely to express concern about their children's mental health. We shouldn't be surprised by their observations. While some try to characterize the promotion of academic achievement as in tension with or opposed to children's wellbeing, there is a reciprocal relationship between the two.

What can we do to make up for learning shortfalls and prepare for the upcoming school year?

A wide range of targeted strategies will be needed to help children catch up. Summer programs are one strategy. Pre-pandemic, my colleague and I evaluated free literacy and numeracy summer camps offered by the Ontario Ministry of Education. These programs not only slowed or stopped summer setbacks, but in some cases, closed skill gaps. And they are very popular with families and students. To be clear, these camps are not the same as summer school. School boards did an excellent job fostering a fun camp-like atmosphere that included recreation and field trips as well as opportunities for parents to do activities with their children. Building on this success and expanding these camps strikes me as a viable way to offer a targeted intervention. These high-quality free summer programs support existing efforts already in the works, such as targeted reading programs, and generate other benefits for families and students.

What else are researchers recommending?

Other researchers also suggest that schools will need to embrace extra programs aimed at re-engaging students, such as free summer programs, high-dosage tutoring and "vacation academies."

In terms of future school closures, we are more prepared. Even the fall and winter of 2020-2021 looked very different from the first pandemic spring. School boards have resources and training to quickly 'pivot' between remote and in-person options. The focus among educators has shifted to questions about improving online teaching and learning, student engagement, and assessment methods.

Explore further Inequalities in education continued during second period of school closures
Credit: SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory

The single-stranded genetic material RNA is best known for guiding the assembly of proteins in our cells and carrying the genetic code for viruses like SARS-CoV-2 and HIV. But 40 years ago, scientists discovered another hidden talent: It can catalyze chemical reactions in the cell, including snipping and joining RNA strands. This gave new momentum to the idea that RNA was the driving force behind the evolution of large molecules that ultimately led to life.

While scientists have learned a lot since then, they haven't been able to get 3D images of naked RNA molecules in high enough resolution to see all the pockets and folds and other structures that are key to understanding how they function. The molecules are like fidgety kids with floppy arms that won't hold still for a photo unless they're part of a larger molecular complex that pins them in place.

A new system developed at Stanford University and the Department of Energy's SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory solves that problem. It combines computer software and cryogenic electron microscopy, or cryo-EM, to determine the 3D structures of RNA-only molecules with unprecedented speed, accuracy and resolution.

In two new studies, the research team led by SLAC/Stanford Professor Wah Chiu and Stanford Professor Rhiju Das push the resolution of the technique to as high as 3.1 angstromsjust shy of the point where individual atoms become visibleand apply it to two RNA structures that are of profound interest to scientists.

The first study, published in Nature today, reveals the first full-length, near-atomic structure of a catalytic RNA, or ribozyme, from a one-celled creature called Tetrahymena that lives in pond scum. It was the first ribozyme ever discovered and has served as a sort of lab rat for studying ribozymes ever since.

The second, which has been posted as a preprint, reveals tiny pockets in a bit of RNA from SARS-CoV-2 called the frameshift stimulation element, or FSE. It subtly tricks infected cells into making alternative sets of viral proteins, and plays such an important role in the virus's ability to replicate that it remains the same even when other parts of the virus mutate to create new variants. This makes it a good potential target for drugs to treat COVID-19, its variants and maybe even other coronaviruses, and a number of research groups have been exploring that possibility.

The FSE study was carried out in 2020, at a time when SLAC and Stanford were shut down due to the pandemic and only essential work related to the coronavirus response was allowed.

An animation depicts the Tetrahymena ribozyme  a chain of RNA building blocks known as nucleotides  as a long, narrow ribbon with many twists and folds, and reveals how one of its ends moves while binding to two smaller RNA molecules. The tail end of the ribozyme (orange) swings into a new position along with a few more nucleotides (purple). Then the tail and its extension bind with the two RNA molecules (green and blue) , forming a double helix. This mimics one of the key steps in the process where the ribozyme cuts itself out of the middle of a strand of RNA and splices the two loose ends back together. The animation is based on images made at SLAC and Stanford that reveal the molecular structures in unprecedented detail. Credit: Grigore Pintilie/Stanford University

Guided by insights from their 3D structure of FSE, Das's team and collaborators in Professor Jeff Glenn's lab at Stanford engineered DNA molecules that pair up with a strategic region of the FSE and disrupt its structure.

While researchers are very far from demonstrating that such a molecule could thwart viral infection in humans, the study does identify a potential path for eventually developing a treatment, the scientists said.

"We don't know what the next pandemic virus will be," Das said, "but we're pretty confident it will be a single-strand RNA virus transmitted from animals to humans, and it will likely have a few bits of RNA that resist mutation. With this accelerated system we've developed, it now seems feasible to study viruses found in humans or animals, look for those conserved bits, quickly determine their 3D RNA structures and develop antivirals against them."

A passionate pursuit of RNA

The two scientists started collaborating in 2017 after Das heard Chiu give a talk on using cryo-EM to solve the structure of RNA molecules.

"It blew me away," Das recalled. "I had fallen in love with RNA in 2001. I thought it was the most important molecule of life. The first RNA molecule I looked at was this Tetrahymena ribozyme. Many, many people had worked on itit was a bit of a cult moleculeand I spent five years of my Ph.D. work trying to understand how it folds. So after hearing Wah's talk I suggested that we work together to determine its structure."

As far as scientists can tell, the ribozyme has no biological function in Tetrahymena, Das said: "It's an inconsequential molecule in what some might consider an inconsequential organism." But 40 years ago, when Thomas Cech discovered that this tiny piece of RNA could cut itself out of a Tetrahymena RNA strand, paste the two loose ends together and float away, "it was this magical thing that no one expected an RNA strand to do on its own," Das said. "They immediately realized that this piece of RNA must be a little multistep machinea catalyst." Cech shared the 1989 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the discovery.

One-celled organisms called Tetrahymena, magnified 400 times, are seen in the remains of a dead copepod in a water sample collected near the Laguna de los Peces in Spain. The first RNA catalyst, or ribozyme, was discovered in these creatures 40 years ago. Now scientists at SLAC and Stanford have solved the 3D structure of that ribozyme and other RNA-only molecules with unprecedented speed, accuracy and resolution with a system called Ribosolve that combines computer software with cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM). Credit: Proyecto Agua, CC-BY-NC-SA 2.0

Chiu had begun a similar love affair with cryo-EM as a graduate student at the University of California, Berkeley in the 1970s. Now the founding co-director of the Stanford-SLAC Cryo-EM Facilities, where the imaging for these studies was done, he has devoted his career to honing the technique and using it to examine cells and the molecular machines inside them in finer and finer detailnot just to see smaller things but to understand how they function and interact with each other.

"It's been a dream of mine to use cryo-EM to study RNA in all its forms," Chiu said. "I consider getting these RNA structures one of my top accomplishments. If we can do this with one molecule, in theory we can do it with many others."

Developing an RNA pipeline

Das and Chiu's work builds on Ribosolve, a pipeline their groups developed in the two years prior to the pandemic that allows them to quickly solve the structures of RNAs one right after another, more reliably and in much more detail than before. It combines computational tools developed by Stanford Ph.D. student Kalli Kappel with chemical mapping tools from the Das lab and cryo-EM imaging advances from postdoctoral researchers Kaiming Zhang and Zhaoming Su.

In a paper in Nature Methods last year, the team reported using the new approach to determine the 3D structures of the Tetrahymena ribozyme and 10 other RNA molecules with better than 10 angstrom resolution.

"Each of these 11 new structures turned out to provide biological or biochemical insights," wrote Jane S. Richardson, a professor of biochemistry at Duke University, in a commentary that accompanied the report. She called the approach a "groundbreaking new method" that produces fast and reliable structures of RNA-only molecules that were not considered feasible before, and added that increasing the resolution to 2-4 angstroms would be a desirable demonstration of its usefulness for both RNA and proteins.

In their new Nature paper, the team reports that it has now achieved that higher resolution for the Tetrahymena ribozyme and is hoping to push toward it for FSE, with the ultimate goal of producing atomic-resolution structures for these and potentially thousands of other RNAs.

"I do think the Ribosolve pipeline has the potential to transform our understanding of these molecules, and maybe our ability to develop medicines, too," Das said. "This couldn't have happened anywhere else. Having access to world-class cryo-EM instruments was key, along with meeting someone like Wah who shared our intuition that this could be important."

More information: Zhaoming Su et al, Cryo-EM structures of full-length Tetrahymena ribozyme at 3.1 A resolution, Nature (2021). Zhaoming Su et al, Cryo-EM structures of full-length Tetrahymena ribozyme at 3.1 A resolution,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03803-w Kaiming Zhang et al, Cryo-electron Microscopy and Exploratory Antisense Targeting of the 28-kDa Frameshift Stimulation Element from the SARS-CoV-2 RNA Genome, bioRxiv (2020). DOI: 10.1101/2020.07.18.209270 Journal information: Nature , Nature Methods
Credit: Shutterstock

This week's landmark report on the state of the climate paints a sobering picture. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concluded that, without deep and immediate cuts to greenhouse gas emissions, the world is very likely headed for climate catastrophe.

In November, world leaders will gather in Glasgow for the latest round of United Nations climate talks. It's the most crucial round of climate negotiations since those which led to the Paris Agreement in 2015.

The question is: will governments around the world now listen to the climate science? Or will misinformation campaigns backed by vested interests continue to delay action?

If we're to avert a climate disaster, we must not underestimate the power of climate misinformation campaigns to undermine the IPCC findings and ensure governments continue to ignore the science.

A history of heeding the science

Scrutiny of Australia's climate policies will be particularly harsh at the Glasgow meeting, given the Morrison government's failure to implement substantive policies to reduce emissions. We can expect renewed international pressure on Australia to commit to net-zero emissions by 2050 and set out a national plan to decarbonise the economy this decade.

For those who believe in the power of science, the failure of world leaders to act urgently is frustrating, to say the least.

We have acted on the concerns of scientists in the past. In fact, it was scientists such as NASA's James Hansen who put climate change on the agenda back in 1988, triggering international negotiations.

Scientific concern over the growing hole in the ozone layer prompted the 1987 Montreal Protocol, an international agreement to curb the use of ozone-depleting substances.

And of course, scientific advice is guiding the government response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

There are many reasons why the calls of climate scientists are not being heeded at present. But one factor has been particularly successful in delaying climate action: scientific misinformation campaigns.

These campaigns damage public understanding of science, erode trust in research findings, and undermine evidence-based policy.

Muddying the waters

Research has shown climate misinformation campaigns are often backed by corporate interests which stand to lose if the world transitions to a cleaner energy future.

Such a future could bring incredible benefits to Australiaa country with some of the world's best solar and wind resources.

The campaigns have wrought untold damage to the public debate on climate science. These corporations have funded industry associations, think tanks and front groups (even including paid actors) to mobilize a counter movement to climate action.

Examples of the phenomenon abound. In the United States, oil and gas giant ExxonMobil reportedly knew of climate change 40 years ago, but funded climate deniers for decades.

Reports emerged last week that Facebook failed to prevent a climate misinformation campaign by the oil and gas industry during last year's US presidential election.

The war against climate science has been waged in Australia, too. Researchers and journalists have described the lengths the oil, gas and coal industries have gone to challenge the scientific consensus on climate change, and to kill off policies put in place to limit emissions.

Australian media companies such as News Corp have also been criticized for downplaying the significance of the climate crisis. Little wonder, then, that Australian news consumers are far more likely to believe climate change is "not at all" serious compared to news users in other countries.

Calling out misinformation

The latest IPCC report was five years in the making. It involved 234 leading scientists from more than 60 countries, who rigorously assessed more than 14,000 research papers to produce their synthesis. The result is the most authoritative, reliable report on the state of Earth's climate since the last IPCC report of its kind in 2013.

But as the history of climate action has shown, incontrovertible science is not enough to shift the needlein large part due to climate misinformation which deceives the public and weakens pressure on governments to act.

We must call out attempts by those who seek to delay climate action in the name of profitand then counter those attempts. As the IPCC has shown this week, further delay equals catastrophe.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

A new study from Tel Aviv University and the Weizmann Institute revealed that over the last 20,000-50,000 years, birds have undergone a major extinction event, inflicted chiefly by humans, which caused the disappearance of about 10 to 20 percent of all avian species. The vast majority of the extinct species shared several features: they were large, they lived on islands, and many of them were flightless.

The main cause for extinction of species by humans today has evolved from being hunting to the destruction of the animals' natural habitats, but the researchers hope their findings will serve as warning signals regarding bird species currently threatened with extinction.

The study was led by Prof. Shai Meiri of the School of Zoology at The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences and the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History at Tel Aviv University, and Amir Fromm of the Weizmann Institute of Science. The paper was published in the Journal of Biogeography.

Human-inflicted extinction

Prof. Meiri: "We conducted a comprehensive review of scientific literature, and for the first time collected quantitative data on the numbers and traits of extinct species of birds worldwide. Those that became extinct in the last 300 years or so are relatively well known, while earlier species are known to science from remains found in archaeological and paleontological sites worldwide. Altogether we were able to list 469 avian species that became extinct over the last 50,000 years, but we believe that the real number is much higher."

The researchers believe that the vast extinction was caused primarily by humans who hunted the birds for food, or by animals brought to islands by humansthat fed on the birds and/or their eggs. This assumption is based on the fact that the greater part of bird remains was found on human sites, apparently belonging to birds consumed by the inhabitants, and in most cases the extinctions occurred shortly after the arrival of humans.

Coveted targets for hunters

Most extinct species shared three major features:

About 90 percent of them lived on islandsWhen humans arrived on the island, the birds were hunted by them, or fell victim to other animals introduced by humans, such as pigs, rats, monkeys, and cats. Most extinct bird species were large, some very largeThe body mass of the extinct species was found to be up to 10 times as large as that of surviving species. The larger birds provided humans with a great quantity of food, thus they were a preferred target for hunters. Previous studies have found a similar phenomenon among mammals and reptiles, especially lizards and turtles that lived on islands: the larger ones were hunted by humans and became extinct. A large portion of the extinct bird species were flightless, and often unable to escape their pursuersThe study found that the number of flightless bird species that became extinct is double the number of flightless species still existing today; all in all, 68 percent of the flightless bird species known to science became extinct. One of the better-known examples is the moa bird in New Zealand: 11 species of moa became extinct within 300 hundred years, due to hunting by humans.

Prof. Meiri said, "Our study indicates that before the major extinction event of the past millennia, many more large, even giant, as well as flightless avian lived on our globe, and the diversity of birds living on islands was much greater than today. We hope that our findings can serve as warning signals regarding bird species currently threatened with extinction, and it is therefore important to check whether they have similar features. It must be noted, however, that conditions have changed considerably, and today the main cause for extinction of species by humans is not hunting but rather the destruction of natural habitats."

Explore further Flightless birds more common globally before human-driven extinctions

More information: Amir Fromm et al, Big, flightless, insular and dead: Characterising the extinct birds of the Quaternary, Journal of Biogeography (2021). Journal information: Journal of Biogeography Amir Fromm et al, Big, flightless, insular and dead: Characterising the extinct birds of the Quaternary,(2021). DOI: 10.1111/jbi.14206
Severe floods, like the ones that pummelled Ruhr in Schwerte, North Rhine-Westphalia, in mid-July, are likely to become more frequent and more intense in the future. Credit: dpa

Extreme climate events like the ones experienced by many regions around the world this summer are threatening to become more frequent and more devastating in the future. This applies to flooding as well as heatwaves and droughts, which in turn can lead to devastating forest fires. This is the conclusion reached by more than 200 scientists from 66 countries, including several researchers from the Max Planck Society, in the sixth assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change (IPCC) on the scientific basis of climate change. The report focuses on the regional effects of global warming. According to the report, the Mediterranean region, among others, is likely to be particularly hard hit.

Forest fires are expected to become frequent in the northern Mediterranean. This is because droughts and heatwaves will become increasingly likely there in the future, as in many other areas of the world. Heatwaves, which until the end of the 19th century occurred only once every 50 years, are now almost five times more frequent. With an average warming of 1.5 degrees Celsius, they are likely to occur nearly nine times as often, and with a two-degree temperature rise, about 14 times as often. And they will also be two and 2.7 degrees hotter, respectively, on average than before 1900. Compared to that time, droughts are probably already 1.7 times more frequent today due to climate change, and with a warming of two degrees Celsius, their number will probably increase by 2.4 times. Droughts will also become drier.

The fact that heatwaves and droughts can be attributed to climate change is mainly due to advances in attribution research. It determines how much the probability of such extreme events increases with a certain rise in the average global temperature. According to this, heavy rainfall can be expected to increase in some regions of Europe in the future because the warmer air can absorb more moisture. For the same reason, the average amount of precipitation in higher latitudes will actually increase.

Irreversible for centuries: Ice loss in the Arctic and sea level rise

The statements on the regional increase of extreme events are a new focus of Working Group I in its part of the IPCC's Sixth Assessment Report. In it, scientists evaluated 14,000 studies on the scientific basis of climate change; scientists from the Max Planck Institutes for Meteorology in Hamburg and for Biogeochemistry in Jena were also involved. With the report, the working group is making available for the first time an interactive tool that can be used to determine the effects of climate change for individual regions.

Some consequences of climate change are reversible, but by no means all. For example, Greenland's glaciers will almost certainly continue to shrink this century, and the Arctic's summer ice will also continue to recede. This trend will be irreversible for decades, if not centuries. "We used to say we could still prevent the Arctic from becoming ice-free. Now, for the first time, we have a case where it is likely too late for that, and all we can do is limit the frequency of ice-free summers. To me, this is a sign of how far climate change has progressed," says Dirk Notz, a scientist at the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology and professor at the University of Hamburg, who contributed to the report as lead author of the chapter on ocean, cryosphere and sea level. The case for sea level rise is similar. Both a dramatic decline in Antarctic ice and a rise in sea level of two meters by the year 2100 and five meters by the year 2150 are still considered rather unlikely. However, both developments cannot be ruled out if CO 2 continues to be released unchecked and if the polar ice masses prove to be more unstable than previously thought and if as yet not clearly identified tipping points come into play.

The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, or Amoc, which includes the Gulf Stream, is unlikely to collapse abruptly before 2100. However, it will most likely weaken. If it does come to a complete halt, however, it would very likely have serious effects on the climate in Europe, for example, where there would be less precipitation, and on the monsoons in Africa, Asia and the southern hemisphere.

CO 2 emissions must fall to net zero by 2050 to meet 1.5-degree target

In addition, the sub-report contains the clearest evidence yet that global warming of 1.1 degrees Celsius to date is due to human greenhouse gas emissions. But this also means that a reduction in CO 2 emissions can prevent warming above two degrees Celsius and perhaps even above 1.5 degrees Celsius, as envisaged by the Paris climate agreement. However, CO 2 emissions must be cut quickly and sharply. "The only chance we have of meeting one target or the other is if we quickly bring down emissions. That has to happen practically within this decade," says Jochem Marotzke, director at the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology and co-directing author of the chapter on the future of global climate. "We need, in order to reach the limit of 1.5 degrees of warming, to have reduced CO 2 emissions to net zero by mid-century." To have any chance of limiting warming to two degrees, CO 2 emissions would have to fall to net zero by about 2070. Net zero in this context means that while CO 2 can still be released, it must be removed from the atmosphere elsewhere, for example by reforestation.

However, an uncertainty remains with the 1.5-degree target: even if we succeed in halting the rise in CO 2 concentrations in the atmosphere over the next 30 years, he said, it is possible that the Earth will warm by more than 1.5 degrees Celsius on average globally. "However, we may stay slightly above that for a while, and then the temperature will go down again," says Jochem Marotzke.

Every 10th of a degree counts

Limiting greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere is becoming increasingly difficult in this context: so far, the oceans and vegetation on land have absorbed a large proportion of the CO 2 released by humanity. But these carbon sinks, as they are called in technical jargon, are binding the greenhouse gas less and less efficiently over the course of the century. In other words, they absorb a smaller and smaller portion of the man-made CO 2 .

The fact that our natural allies in the fight against climate change are losing strength is another reason to reduce greenhouse gas emissions quickly and significantly. And these efforts will be worthwhile even if the 1.5-degree target can no longer be achieved. Because the report of Working Group I in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change also shows that every tenth of a degree by which warming is limited counts. Dirk Notz says: "We are not passively at the mercy of climate change, we are controlling it. We still have the choice in which scenario we will end up."

Explore further 5 things to know about the new UN report on climate change
Archaeologist and paleoenvironmental researcher Isaac Hart of the University of Utah surveys a melting ice patch in western Mongolia. Credit: Peter Bittner, CC BY-ND

In the world's high mountain regions, life needs ice. From the Rockies to the Himalayas, glaciers and other accumulations of snow and ice persist throughout the year. Often found on shaded slopes protected from the sun, these ice patches transform barren peaks into biological hot spots.

As an archaeologist, I value these snow and ice patches for the rare peek they can provide back in time through the fog of alpine prehistory. When people lose objects in the ice, ice patches act as natural deep-freezers. For thousands of years, they can store snapshots of the culture, daily life, technology and behavior of the people who created these artifacts.

Frozen heritage is melting from mountain ice in every hemisphere. As it does so, small groups of archaeologists are scrambling to cobble together the funding and staffing needed to identify, recover and study these objects before they are gone.

Alongside a group of scholars from the University of Colorado, the National Museum of Mongolia and partners from around the world, I'm working to identify, analyze and preserve ancient materials emerging from the ice in the grassy steppes of Mongolia, where such discoveries have a tremendous impact on how scientists understand the past.

Life at the ice's edge

During the warm summer months, unique plants thrive at the well-watered margins of ice patches. Large animals such as caribou, elk, sheep and even bison seek the ice to cool off or escape from insects.

Domestic reindeer in northern Mongolia cool themselves on an ice patch to escape heat and insects (left). Others attempt the same in an area that recent melting has left devoid of perennial ice, hurting herd health. Credit:  2019 Taylor et al., CC BY

Because ice patches are predictable sources of these plants and animals, as well as fresh water, they are important to the subsistence of nearby people nearly everywhere they're found. In the dry steppes of Mongolia, meltwater from mountain ice feeds summer pastures, and domestic reindeer seek out the ice in much the same way as their wild counterparts. Climate warming aside, ice margins act as magnets for peopleand repositories of the materials they leave behind.

It's not just their biological and cultural significance that makes ice patches important tools for understanding the past. The tangible objects made and used by early hunters or herders in many mountainous regions were constructed from soft, organic materials. These fragile objects rarely survive erosion, weather and exposure to the severe elements that are common in alpine areas. If discarded or lost in the ice, though, items that would otherwise degrade can be preserved for centuries in deep-freeze conditions.

But high mountains experience extreme weather and are often far from urban centers where modern researchers are concentrated. For these reasons, significant contributions by mountain residents to the human story are sometimes left out of the archaeological record.

For example, in Mongolia, the high mountains of the Altai hosted the region's oldest pastoral societies. But these cultures are known only through a small handful of burials and the ruins of a few windswept stone buildings.

More artifacts are melting out of the ice

One of our discoveries was a finely woven piece of animal hair rope from a melting mountaintop ice patch in western Mongolia. On survey, we spotted it lying among the rocks exposed at the edge of the retreating ice. The artifact, which may have been part of a bridle or harness, appeared as though it might have been dropped in the ice the just day beforeour guides even recognized the technique of traditional manufacture. However, scientific radiocarbon dating revealed that the artifact is actually more than 1,500 years old.

Objects like these provide rare clues about daily life among the ancient herders of western Mongolia. Their excellent preservation allows us to perform advanced analyses back in the lab to reconstruct the materials and choices of the early herding cultures that eventually gave rise to pan-Eurasian empires like the Xiongnu and the Great Mongol Empire.

For example, scanning electron microscopy allowed to us to pinpoint that camel hair was chosen as a fiber for making this rope bridle, while collagen preserved within ancient sinew revealed that deer tissue was used to haft a Bronze Age arrowhead to its shaft.

Ice patches in western Mongolia preserved a nearly intact arrow from the regions Bronze Age past  along with sinew lashing and red pigmentation that reveal previously unknown details about the regions early occupants. Credit: Peter Bittner, CC BY-ND

Sometimes, the objects that emerge end up overturning some of archaeologists' most basic assumptions about the past. People in the region have long been classified as herding societies, but my colleagues and I found that Mongolian glaciers and ice patches also contained hunting artifacts, like spears and arrows, and skeletal remains of big game animals like argali sheep spanning a period of more than three millennia. These finds demonstrate that big game hunting on mountain ice has been an essential part of pastoral subsistence and culture in the Altai Mountains for thousands of years.

But the clock is ticking. The summer of 2021 is shaping up to be one of the hottest ever recorded, as scorching summer temperatures fry the rainforests of the Pacific Northwest and wildfires ravage the Siberian Arctic. The impact of escalating temperatures is particularly severe in the world's cold regions.

In the area my colleagues and I study in western Mongolia, satellite photos show that more than 40% of the surface cover of ice has been lost over the past three decades. After each artifact is exposed by the melting ice, it may have only a limited window of time for recovery by scientists before it is damaged, degraded or lost because of the combination of freezing, thawing, weather and glacial activity that can affect previously frozen artifacts.

Because of the scale of modern climate change, it's difficult to quantify how much material is being lost. Many of the high mountains of Central and South Asia have never been systematically surveyed for melting artifacts. In addition, many international projects have been unable to proceed since summer 2019 because of the COVID-19 pandemicwhich has also prompted reductions, pay cuts and even complete closures of archaeology departments at leading universities.

Revealed by warming, providing climate clues

Ice patch artifacts are irreplaceable scientific datasets that can also help researchers characterize ancient responses to climate change and understand how modern warming may affect today's world.

In addition to human-made artifacts left behind in the snow, ice patches also preserve "ecofacts"natural materials that trace important ecological changes, like shifting tree lines or changing animal habitats. By collecting and interpreting these datasets along with artifacts from the ice, scientists can gather insights into how people adapted to significant ecological changes in the past, and maybe expand the toolkit for facing the 21st-century climate crisis.

Domestic reindeer cool themselves on a formerly permanent ice patch (left) that melted away completely during the summer of 2018 for the first time in local memory. Credit:  2019 Taylor et al., CC BY

Meanwhile, the plant, animal and human communities that depend on dwindling ice patches are also imperiled. In northern Mongolia, my work shows that summer ice loss is harming the health of domestic reindeer. Local herders worry about the impact of ice loss on pasture viability. Melting ice also converges with other environmental changes: In western Mongolia, animal populations have dramatically dwindled because of poaching and poorly regulated tourism hunting.

As soaring heat exposes artifacts that provide insights into ancient climate resilience and other important scientific data, the ice loss itself is reducing humanity's resilience for the years ahead.

Explore further Melting ice and a high altitude dig reveal Viking secrets in Norway

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
This pair of August 2021 images made available by NASA shows the drill hole from Perseverance's first sample-collection attempt on Mars. NASA is blaming unusually soft rock for last week's sampling fiasco on Mars. The Perseverance rover came up empty after attempting to collect its first core sample on the red planet for eventual return to Earth. Data beamed back on Friday, Aug. 6, 2021 showed that the rover drilled to the proper depth of nearly 3 inches (8 centimeters), and pictures of the borehole looked good. But it quickly became clear the sample tube was empty. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS via AP

NASA is blaming unusually soft rock for last week's sampling fiasco on Mars.

The Perseverance rover came up empty after attempting to collect its first core sample on the red planet for eventual return to Earth. Data beamed back last Friday showed that the rover drilled to the proper depth of nearly 3 inches (8 centimeters), and pictures of the borehole looked good. But it quickly became clear the sample tube was empty.

Since then, engineers have determined the rock was not strong enough to produce a core sample, and the small, powdery fragments remained in the hole or ended up in the cuttings pileor both. So the rover is moving on to the next sampling site in its quest for signs of ancient Martian life; it should arrive there by early next month.

Imaging by the rover and its companion helicopter, Ingenuity, show the sedimentary rock should be much better for sampling there, Louise Jandura, chief engineer for Perseverance's sampling campaign, said Wednesday.

"The hardware performed as commanded but the rock did not cooperate this time," Jandura wrote in an online update.

"It reminds me yet again of the nature of exploration," she said. "A specific result is never guaranteed no matter how much you prepare."

This Tuesday, April 6, 2021 image made available by NASA shows the Perseverance Mars rover, foreground, and the Ingenuity helicopter about 13 feet (3.9 meters) behind. This composite image was made by the WASTON camera on the rover's robotic arm on the 46th Martian day, or sol, of the mission. On Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, NASA's newest Mars rover came up empty in its first attempt to pick up a rock sample to eventually be brought back to Earth. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS via AP

NASA is looking to collect about 35 samples that would be returned via future spacecraft in a decade.

It's not the first time that a Mars lander has run into ground resistance. A German digger on NASA's InSight lander failed to burrow more than a couple feet, far short of its target. The clumping soil didn't provide enough friction for the heat-measuring device, and experimenters gave up in January.

The little helicopter, Ingenuity, meanwhile, is still wowing its team. It's completed 11 test flights, the latest one lasting more than two minutes, and even conducted aerial surveys of Jezero Crater. That's the ancient river delta where Perseverance and its hitchhiking chopper landed in February, following a nearly seven-month flight from Earth. Scientists believe the area would have been prime for microscopic life billions of years ago, if it existed.

Explore further NASA Mars rover begins collecting rock in search of alien life

 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
This 1969 file photo shows astronaut Neil Armstrong in space suit. On Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021, the NASA Plum Brook Station in Sandusky, Ohio was officially renamed after Armstrong, who was born in the state and returned shortly after he became the first man to walk on the moon. Credit: AP Photo

A NASA research facility in Ohio has been renamed after astronaut Neil Armstrong, who was born in the state and returned shortly after he became the first man to walk on the moon.

Ohio's U.S. senators led the efforts to change the name of the NASA Plum Brook Station in Sandusky to the Neil A. Armstrong Test Facility.

Republican Rob Portman said he raised the idea with Armstrong in 2012, shortly before Armstrong's death, but he wasn't comfortable with the attention it would bring.

"It was never about him. It was about the mission," Portman said Wednesday at a ceremony marking the name change.

NASA and Armstrong's family supported renaming the research center, Portman said.

Armstrong's son, Mark Armstrong, said the early space missions showed people across the world that they could do things they could never imagine.

"That is more empowering than any scientific advancement," he said. "It's more empowering than the transistor. It's more empowering than the computer. Because it's unlimited. And that's what we have to remind people."

Armstrong was born just outside Wapakoneta in 1930, took flying lessons at a nearby airstrip and made his first solo flight at age 16. After the moon landing in 1969, he taught at the University of Cincinnati.

Explore further Ohio senators propose renaming NASA site for Neil Armstrong

 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
A volunteer helps set up snacks at a cooling center established to help vulnerable residents ride out the second dangerous heat wave to grip the Pacific Northwest this summer, on Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021. Credit: AP Photo/Gillian Flaccus

People headed to cooling centers Wednesday as the Pacific Northwest began sweltering under another major, multiday heat wave just over a month after record-shattering hot weather killed hundreds of the region's most vulnerable people.

Temperatures soared to 97 degrees Fahrenheit (36.1 Celsius) by the evening in Portland, Oregon. In a "worst-case scenario," the temperature could reach as high as 111 F (44 C) in some parts of western Oregon this week before a weekend cooldown, the National Weather Service said. It's more likely temperatures will rise to 100 F (38 C) or above for three consecutive days, peaking around 105 F (40.5 C) on Thursday.

Sizzling weather also was expected in other parts of the country. The weather service said heat advisories and warnings would be in effect from the Midwest to the Northeast and mid-Atlantic through at least Friday.

The high temperatures in Portland, part of a usually temperate region, would break all-time records this week if the late June heat wave had not done so already, meteorologist Tyler Kranz said. Seattle will be cooler than Portland, with temperatures in the mid-90s, but it still has a chance to break records, and many people there, like in Oregon, don't have air conditioning.

The forecast was hotter than for Phoenix, a desert city notorious for its blistering summertime temperatures.

December Snedecor, a homeless woman who lives in a tent in Portland, Ore., helps set up snacks at a cooling center established to help vulnerable residents ride out the second dangerous heat wave to grip the Pacific Northwest this summer on Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021. Snedecor, 46, spent two nights at the same cooling center in June when temperatures in the city soared to 116 degrees Fahrenheit and she plans to spend the night there again this week as temperatures are forecast to hit 100 F or higher for three consecutive days. Credit: AP Photo/Gillian Flaccus

"We'll often hear people say, 'Who cares if it's 106 or 108? It gets this hot in Arizona all the time.' Well, people in Arizona have air conditioning, and here in the Pacific Northwest, a lot of people don't," Kranz said. "You can't really compare us to the desert Southwest."

People began coming into a 24-hour cooling center in north Portland before it opened Wednesday. Volunteers and county employees set up cots and stacked hundreds of bottles of water in the air-conditioned center in a vacant building.

The first few people in were experiencing homelessness, a population vulnerable to extreme heat. Among them was December Snedecor, who slept two nights in the same center in June when temperatures reached 116 F (47 C).

She said she planned to sleep there again this week because the heat in her tent was unbearable.

Volunteers and Multnomah County employees unload cases of water to supply a 24-hour cooling center set up in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021, as a dangerous heat wave grips the Pacific Northwest. Credit: AP Photo/Gillian Flaccus

"I poured water over myself a lot. It was up in the teens, hundred-and-something heat. It made me dizzy. It was not good," Snedecor said of the June heat. "I've just got to stay cool. I don't want to die."

Gov. Kate Brown has declared a state of emergency and activated an emergency operations center, citing the potential for disruptions to the power grid and transportation. Besides opening cooling centers, city and county governments are extending public library hours and waiving bus fare for those headed to cooling centers. A 24-hour statewide help line will direct callers to the nearest cooling shelter and offer safety tips.

Emergency officials have sent alerts to phones, said Dan Douthit, spokesman for the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management.

"We don't know exactly how hot it will get, but we're planning for a worst-case scenario," he said.

In this June 30, 2021 file photo Missoulians cool off in the Bitterroot River as temperatures crested 100 degrees Fahrenheit in Missoula, Mont. The Pacific Northwest is bracing for another major, multi-day heat wave in mid-August 2021 just a month after temperatures soared as high as 116 F in a record-shattering heat event that killed scores of the most vulnerable across the region. Credit: AP Photo/Tommy Martino, File

The back-to-back heat waves, coupled with a summer that's been exceptionally warm and dry overall, are pummeling a region where summer highs usually drift into the 70s or 80s. Intense heat waves and a historic drought in the American West reflect climate change that is making weather more extreme.

The June heat in Oregon, Washington and British Columbia killed hundreds of people and served as a wake-up call for what's ahead in a warming world. It was virtually impossible without human-caused climate change, a detailed scientific analysis found.

In Oregon, officials have released the names of 96 people who died of heat-related illness, and the hot weather was being investigated as a possible cause in many more deaths. Washington state reported more than 100 heat deaths, and officials in British Columbia say hundreds of "sudden and unexpected deaths" were likely due to the soaring temperatures.

The toll exposed huge blind spots in emergency planning in a region unaccustomed to dealing with such high temperatures, said Vivek Shandas, a professor of climate adaptation at Portland State University.

In this June 28, 2021 file photo the Kangaroo and Kiwi restaurant in the old Carnegie Library on Market Street NW uses misters to keep outdoor patrons cool on the hottest day in Seattle history. The Pacific Northwest is bracing for another major, multi-day heat wave in mid-August 2021 just a month after temperatures soared as high as 116 F in a record-shattering heat event that killed scores of the most vulnerable across the region. Credit: Dean Rutz/The Seattle Times via AP, File

Most of those who died in Oregon were older, homebound and socially isolated, and many were unable, or unwilling, to get to cooling centers.

The call center designed to provide information about cooling centers was unstaffed during part of the peak heat, and hundreds of callers got stuck in a voicemail menu that didn't include a prompt for heat-related help. Portland's famed light-rail train also shut down to reduce strain on the power grid, eliminating a transportation option for low-income residents seeking relief.

This time, local and state officials have added more cooling centers and included a prompt in the call center voicemail.

"We knew a week in advance. What would happen if we knew an earthquake was going to hit us a week in advance?" Shandas said. "That's the kind of thinking we need to be aligned with."

In this June 28, 2021 file photo a display at an Olympia Federal Savings branch shows a temperature of 107 degrees Fahrenheit, in the early evening in Olympia, Wash. The Pacific Northwest is bracing for another major, multi-day heat wave in mid-August 2021 just a month after temperatures soared as high as 116 F in a record-shattering heat event that killed scores of the most vulnerable across the region. Credit: AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File

In this July 1, 2021 file photo, farmworkers till soil as a heat wave bakes the Pacific Northwest in record-high temperatures near St. Paul, Ore. The Pacific Northwest is bracing for another major, multi-day heat wave in mid-August 2021 just a month after temperatures soared as high as 116 F in a record-shattering heat event that killed scores of the most vulnerable across the region. Credit: AP Photo/Nathan Howard, File

Yet even younger residents struggled with the heat in June and dreaded this week's sweltering temperatures.

Katherine Morgan, 27, has no air conditioning in her third-floor apartment and can't afford a window unit on the money she makes working at a bookstore and as a hostess at a brewery.

She'll have to walk to work Thursday, the day when temperatures could again soar.

"All my friends and I knew that climate change was real, but it's getting really scary because it was gradually getting hotand it suddenly got really hot, really fast," Morgan said.

Explore further Pacific Northwest braces for another multiday heat wave

 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Credit: Pexels

Current research suggests minority individuals are more apt to trust government authorities with similar ethnicity because of perceived shared life experiences. But according to new research from the University of Kansas, white individuals also put greater trust in authorities when such personnel are more diverse.

That is the assertion of a new article titled "Race, representation, and policy attitudes in U.S. public schools." It appears in Policy Studies Journal.

"The first encounters most of us have with government authority is through public schools," said Don Haider-Markel, KU professor of political science.

"As children, this is where we learn about the hierarchical system of justice in the United States and first receive government sanctions for negative behavior outside the home. If we see those as fair or unfair, it's likely to reflect on our general attitudes toward government as we age and move into regular society."

Using educational data and interviews with thousands of students in 48 states (excluding Alaska and Hawaii), Haider-Markel's team analyzed the influence of a variety of student characteristics, student interactions with authority, academic performance and school/district-level characteristics on student perceptions of school discipline.

First, the research contends that bolstering the presence of Black teachers "may improve Black attitudes toward the fairness of institutional policies and their implementation." Second, evidence remains consistent that for white individuals, "policies are perceived as fairer when government personnel with power are more diverse."

"People want to see more diversity, even if it's not a perfect reflection of the broader society," said Haider-Markel, who co-wrote the article with Lael Keiser of the University of Missouri and Rajeev Darolia of the University of Kentucky.

"Our argument for why you see greater positivity amongst whites is because when you have more diversity, that increases the overall legitimacy of government institutions. They look more like society, and therefore both Black and white students have more positive attitudes toward them."

The criticism against mandated diversity is often rooted in the "zero-sum game" theory. It involves a scenario in which one person's gain is equivalent to another's loss.

"That is just fundamentally wrong," he said.

"You see zero-sum arguments in our partisan politics today. But in a democratic system that has a variety of checks and balances to protect the interests of minority groups, whether it be through the courts or otherwise, being able to demonstrate the importance of increasing diversity provides all students with a more positive view of the government."

Now in his 24th year at KU, Haider-Markel has published extensive studies in criminal justice, policing and LGBTQ rights. The professor hopes "Race, representation, and policy attitudes in U.S. public schools" settles this zero-sum debate that continues to nudge policy reform. Additionally, he would like to see this aid in recruiting minority teachers.

"I also hope it contributes to the better understanding of how communities like African Americans that have such low levels of confidence in government institutionsin particular with criminal justicethis issue starts with their first interactions with public institutions. Those attitudes about the legitimacy of government can be improved if we simply do better with our schools," he said.

Overall, will race relations improve or worsen during the next decade?

"I like to think that I'm an optimist, but things are probably going to get worse before they get better," Haider-Markel said.

"The pushback and the rise of far-right extremismsome of which is explicitly white supremacist or at least separatist in naturemakes me pause when predicting this is going to be some steady march forward in improvement. I think it's likely to be very similar to what we've seen since the 1950s: Every step forward might be two steps back before we can take another step forward."

Explore further Hiring more minority teachers in schools gives fairer perception of discipline

More information: Lael R. Keiser et al, Race, representation, and policy attitudes in U.S. public schools, Policy Studies Journal (2021). Lael R. Keiser et al, Race, representation, and policy attitudes in U.S. public schools,(2021). DOI: 10.1111/psj.12443
Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

On Aug. 9, 2021, ESA/NASA's Solar Orbiter spacecraft passed within 4,967 miles (7,995 kilometers) of the surface of planet Venus. In the days leading up to the approach, the Solar Orbiter Heliospheric Imager, or SoloHI, telescope captured this gleaming view of the planet.

The images show Venus approaching from the left while the Sun is off camera to the upper right. The planet's nightside, the part hidden from the Sun, appears as a dark semicircle surrounded by a bright crescent of light  glare from Venus' incredibly bright sunlit side.

"Ideally, we would have been able to resolve some features on the nightside of the planet, but there was just too much signal from the dayside." said Phillip Hess, astrophysicist at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C. "Only a sliver of the dayside appears in the images, but it reflects enough sunlight to cause the bright crescent and the diffracted rays that seem to come from the surface."

Two bright stars are also visible in the background early in the sequence, before being eclipsed by the planet. The rightmost is Omicron Tauri, and above and to the left of it is Xi Tauri, which is actually a quadruple star system. Both are part of the Taurus constellation.

Footage of Venus captured by the Solar Orbiter Heliospheric Imager aboard ESA/NASAs Solar Orbiter. Credit: ESA/NASA/NRL/SoloHI/Phillip Hess

This was Solar Orbiter's second Venus flyby, with an Earth flyby in November 2021 and six more Venus flybys planned from 2022 to 2030. The spacecraft uses Venus' gravity to draw it closer to the Sun and tilt its orbit, swinging it up and out so as to "look down" on the Sun. From this vantage point, Solar Orbiter will eventually capture the first images of the Sun's north and south poles.

On Aug. 10, just one day later, ESA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's BepiColombo mission also flew by Venus. Learn more about the double flyby and see BepiColombo's images in ESA's coverage of the event.

Explore further ESA gets ready for double Venus flyby
Pan-STARRS i-band 11 images around the newly detected TDEs. In each panel, the circle shows the eROSITA localization region, while the arrow shows the object for which optical spectroscopy was performed. Credit: Sazonov et al., 2021.

Using the eROSITA telescope onboard the Spektr-RG (SRG) spacecraft, astronomers have detected 13 new tidal disruption events (TDEs). This is the first time when Spektr-RG identifies such events. The discovery is reported in a paper published August 5 on the arXiv pre-print server.

TDEs are astronomical phenomena that occur when a star passes close enough to a supermassive black hole and is pulled apart by the black hole's tidal forces, causing the process of disruption. Such tidally disrupted stellar debris starts raining down on the black hole and radiation emerges from the innermost region of accreting debris, which is an indicator of the presence of a TDE.

For astronomers and astrophysicists, TDEs are potentially important probes of strong gravity and accretion physics, providing answers about the formation and evolution of supermassive black holes.

The Spektr-RG spacecraft was launched into space in July 2019. Its eROSITA telescope is expected to find hundreds to thousands TDEs during eRASS (eROSITA all-sky survey). A team of astronomers led by Sergey Sazonov of the Russian Academy of Sciences, reports that the first TDEs were identified by Spektr-RG during the first weeks of the eRASS survey.

"We present the first sample of tidal disruption events (TDEs) discovered during the on-going SRG all-sky survey," the researchers wrote in the paper.

The 13 new events reported in the study were initially selected among the multitude of X-ray transients identified by eROSITA during its second scan of the skybetween June 10 and December 14, 2020. Afterward, they have been confirmed as TDEs by optical follow-up observations using a set of ground-based facilities.

In general, the newly found TDEs have properties similar to those of TDEs detected by previous X-ray missions. Particularly interesting is a TDE designated SRGE J144738.4+671821, which, unlike the remaining 12, continued to brighten after its discovery for at least another six months.

The most distant TDE in the sample is the one known as SRGE J163831.7+534020 as it occurred at a redshift of approximately 0.581. This means that eRASS has already expanded the horizon of TDE X-ray detectability by a factor of about four compared to the ROSAT all-sky survey, which was conducted three decades ago.

According to the research, four of the 13 TDEs have shown a brightening in their long-term optical light curves, concurring with or preceding the X-ray outburst. The remaining nine events showcase no signs of optical activity associated with stellar tidal disruption in existing photometric and spectroscopic data. Additionally, all of the TDEs reported in the paper are optically faint in the sense that their estimated optical/X-ray luminosity ratio is less than 0.3.

Summing up the results, the scientists disclosed how many new TDE discoveries they expect from eROSITA in the near future.

"The SRG all-sky survey is to continue until the end of 2023, opening up exciting opportunities for TDE studies. In particular, we plan to lower our detection threshold for such events by a factor of  2, which should increase the TDE discovery rate by eROSITA by a factor of  3. This implies that  700 TDEs can be found by the end of the 4-year SRG survey over the entire sky," the wrote in the study.

Explore further Two new tidal disruption events discovered

More information: S. Sazonov et al, First tidal disruption events discovered by SRG/eROSITA: X-ray/optical properties and X-ray luminosity function at z<0.6, arXiv:2108.02449 [astro-ph.HE] S. Sazonov et al, First tidal disruption events discovered by SRG/eROSITA: X-ray/optical properties and X-ray luminosity function at z<0.6, arXiv:2108.02449 [astro-ph.HE] arxiv.org/abs/2108.02449

 2021 Science X Network
Spartan researchers have revealed that Geobacter bacteria  the rod-like shapes in this microscope image  package uranium into vesicles, which are seen as the light specks dotting the image. Credit: Morgen Clark

For decades, scientists suspected that bacteria known as Geobacter could clean up radioactive uranium waste, but it wasn't clear how the microbes did it.

"The biological mechanism of how they were doing this remained elusive for 20 years," said Gemma Reguera, the Spartan microbiologist whose team solved that mystery 10 years ago. Well, three-quarters of the mystery. She's now cracked the rest of the case.

What Reguera discovered in 2011 was that, on one side of their cells, the Geobacter make protein filaments that act like little wires to literally zap uranium. This does two things. For one, the jolt triggers chemical reactions that give the bacteria energy. Secondly, that chemistry traps the uranium in a mineral form, preventing the radioactive material from spreading through the environment.

But those protein wires accounted for just about 75% of the uranium that the Geobacter were cleaning up.

"We always knew we were missing something," said Reguera, a professor of microbiology and molecular genetics in the College of Natural Science. "What we didn't know was what was happening at the cell surface, particularly on the side of the cell that had no wires to immobilize the uranium."

Now, Reguera's team has the answer. Molecules called lipopolysaccharides coat the cell surface and soak up the uranium like a sponge.

Published online August 4 in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology, this finding could create new ways not only to remediate dangerous pollution, but also to recycle and reclaim increasingly scarce metals from electronics waste. The next step, Reguera said, is investigating whether the Geobacter and their sponges can be encouraged to pull other toxic metals from waste streams.

"We can ask whether we can make a system for the selective removal of metals," Reguera said. It would work kind of like a fermenter, where respiring microscopic yeast cells make alcohol, only here, the respiration of Geobacter bacteria would trap toxic and important metals using protein nanowires and the newly discovered molecular sponges.

Credit: Michigan State University

As the Geobacter soak up uranium, they also start packaging it into vesicles, which are bubble-like orbs coated with the lipopolysaccharides. The bacterial cells release the vesicles and replenish their lipopolysaccharide coating to sop up more uranium.

"It's a mechanism to remodel the cell surface and ensure maximum protection. The cells produce some vesicles under normal growth conditions but increase production to get rid of the trapped uranium. We are now investigating how to scale up vesicle production," Reguera said. "We could essentially make a factory for these vesicles to pull metals out of water."

For Reguera, how this discovery was made is as exciting as the discovery itself. Her team's protein wire finding in 2011 was published toward the end of the project's funding. Starting up a new investigation into what happened to the other 25% of uranium the Geobacter soaked up would take time.

Fortunately, there was an undergraduate researcher on Reguera's team, Michael Paxhia, who continued the project with support from the College of Natural Science and a professorial assistantship. Two graduate students, Michael Manzella and Jenna Young, were so intrigued by the problem that they mentored Paxhia while working on their separate projects.

Without formal funding from a major agency, the trio identified the genes responsible for making Geobacter's special lipopolysaccharides. Furthermore, if those genes weren't working right, that would let uranium into cells, killing the bacteria.

These lab members have since graduated: Paxhia is a postdoctoral researcher in the U.K., Manzella is a biology lecturer at Indiana University-Bloomington and Young is the co-founder and lead scientist at Fraser Valley Distilling in Colorado.

But their work built the foundation for current doctoral student Morgen Clark. Clark's research, which is now supported by the National Science Foundation, completed the puzzle, showing that Geobacter soaked up the uranium with the lipopolysaccharide sponge and packed it into vesicles.

"This is a story led by incredibly skilled, highly motivated students," Reguera said. "I can't tell you how proud I am."

More information: Morgen M. Clark et al, Adaptive synthesis of a rough lipopolysaccharide in Geobacter sulfurreducens for metal reduction and detoxification, Applied and Environmental Microbiology (2021). Journal information: Applied and Environmental Microbiology Morgen M. Clark et al, Adaptive synthesis of a rough lipopolysaccharide in Geobacter sulfurreducens for metal reduction and detoxification,(2021). DOI: 10.1128/AEM.00964-21
Violent conflicts are behind increased hunger in sub-Saharan Africa says a new study. Here, a farmer carries forage for his mule in southwestern Ethiopia. Further north in the country, starvation spread this year in the face of civil war. Credit: Jacquelyn Turner, International Research Institute for Climate and Society

For years, it seemed the world was making progress eliminating hunger. Then, starting in 2014, the trend slid back slowly and reversed in many nations; now, some 700 million peoplenearly 9 percent of the world's populationgo to bed hungry, according to the UN.

One of the hardest-hit regions is sub-Saharan Africa. Here, many people reflexively blame droughts stoked by climate change. However, a new study looking at the question in granular detail says that is not the case: long-running wars, not the weather, are to blame. The study, just published in the journal Nature Food, finds that while droughts routinely cause food insecurity in Africa, their contribution to hunger has remained steady or even shrunk in recent years. Instead, rising widespread, long-term violence has displaced people, raised food prices and blocked outside food aid, resulting in the reversal.

"Colloquially, people would say it's climate-induced droughts and floods, because that's what people tend to say," said Weston Anderson, who led the study as a postdoctoral researcher at Columbia University's International Research Institute for Climate and Society. "But academics have not compared the importance of drought to violence in triggering food crises in a holistic way."

To reach their conclusions, the researchers analyzed 2009-2018 data from the Famine Early Warning System, a USAID-funded network that provides information to governments and aid organizations about looming or ongoing food crises in dozens of countries. The system shows that the number of people requiring emergency food aid in monitored countries surged from 48 million in 2015 to 113 million in 2020. The system is not designed to quantify the different factors behind the emergencies. But Anderson and his colleagues were able to tease these out for 14 of Africa's most food-insecure countries. The nations reach in a band from Mauritania, Mali and Nigeria in the west, through Sudan, Chad and other nations, to Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia in the east. The study also took in several nations further south, including Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

Drought periodically causes widespread food insecurity across much of sub-Saharan Africa, and may exacerbate the effects of warfare. Here, farmers in the village of Diouna, southern Mali, listen for weather bulletins. Credit: Francesco Fiondella/International Research Institute for Climate and Society

Not surprisingly, the researchers found that periodic, well-documented droughts have been behind food crises across large areas. However, the overall effects of drought did not increase during the study period; of anything, they went down in some areas. When drought did hit, farmers usually bounced back in the next planting season, within a year or so. Animal herders took twice as long to recover, because the areas where they live saw with more extreme conditions, and it took people time to rebuild their hard-hit livestock herds.

Amid the usual ups and downs of rainfall, violence has been responsible for the progressive increase in hunger, the study found. Long-term conflicts ranging from repeated terrorist attacks to pitched combat between armies have caused shortages lasting year after year, with no end in sight, the authors say.

Frequency of violent conflicts 2009-2018 in 14 African countries studied. Credit: Adapted from Anderson et al., Nature Food 2021

This has been especially the case in northeast Nigeria, where the Boko Haram guerrilla army has waged a relentless hit-and-run campaign against the government and much of the populace for the past decade. Also in South Sudan, where a messy, multi-sided civil war that started in 2013 continues to sputter along. Sudan and Somalia also have seen warfare-induced increases in hunger, but in those nations, droughts have been the more dominant factors, the study found. In most cases, pastoralists are again the most affected by violence as they are with drought, because they are more likely to live in the most violence-prone areas.

The latest casualty is Ethiopia, where hunger has arced upward across the country in recent years, mainly due to below-average rainfall. But civil war erupted in the country's Tigray region last year, greatly adding to the misery. The study did not examine this new conflict, but a recent UN report said that more than 5 million people in the region urgently need food aid, and many are already seeing out and out famine. "This severe crisis results from the cascading effects of conflict, including population displacement, movement restrictions, limited humanitarian access, loss of harvest and livelihood assets, and dysfunctional or nonexistent markets," a top UN official said. On top of that, the drought in Ethiopia is projected to continue through this year.

The researchers looked into a third possible cause of hunger: locusts. Again, not surprisingly, locusts affect food security in some years by damaging forage and cropsbut not on a scale large enough to account for the increase in hunger during the study period. (The study did not look at the unusually large waves of locusts that swept much of East Africa in 2019-2020; these may have had more drastic results.)

One further factor the researchers looked at: whether the onset of drought contributed to flareups of violence, and thus more hunger. One of the report's coauthors, climatologist Richard Seager of Columbia's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, connected the dots in this regard in a widely cited 2015 study arguing that one spark for the ongoing Syrian civil war was a multi-year drought that drove many people off their land, into cities. This does not seem to be the case for the African countries, he said. The authors write, "We found no systematic relation between drought and either frequency of conflict or deaths related to conflict. Conflict may be affected by environmental stress in some cases but the relationship across Africa in recent decades is complex and context-specific."

While warfare has been the predominant driver of hunger in some countries, that does not mean others have completely escaped the violence that can disrupt food supplies. For instance, over the last decade, much of Mali has been subject to on and off attacks by separatist and Islamist insurgents who at times have taken entire cities. Since 2015, the once largely peaceful nation of Burkina Faso has seen hundreds of attacks by rebels and jihadists, including a raid on a village in early June this year that killed more than 100 people.

"The overall message is that if we're going to predict and handle food crises, we need to be paying attention to conflicts, which can be really complicatednot just the more easily identified things like drought," said Anderson. "Droughts have a clear start and a clear end. But there are all kinds of violence. And a lot of the time, there is no clear start or end to it." That said, warfare is certainly behind surging hunger in other parts of the world that the team did not examine, he said, most obviously amid the civil war raging in Yemen.

The other authors of the study are Elisabeth Ilboudo-Nebie, Wolfram Schlenker, Fabien Cottier, Alex De Sherbinin, Dara Mendeloff and Kelsey Markey, all of Columbia University; and Sonali McDermid and Kelsey Markey of New York University.

Explore further UN warns hunger is expected to rise in 23 global hotspots

More information: Violent conflict exacerbated drought-related food insecurity between 2009 and 2019 in sub-Saharan Africa, Nature Food (2021). www.nature.com/articles/s43016-021-00327-4 Journal information: Nature Food Violent conflict exacerbated drought-related food insecurity between 2009 and 2019 in sub-Saharan Africa,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s43016-021-00327-4
I then pondered how this dish could be Latinized, and discovered that substituting queso fresco for feta spoke to me. Queso fresco can be found in most grocery stores and is usually round and in clear plastic. While all brands are adequate, if you really want to step it up, visit your local carniceria or Mexican supermarket and get fresh cheese from the deli. Carniceria La Mexicana and Carniceria Jalisco in Lompoc and Vallarta Market in Santa Maria, all have excellent selections.
 Part 3 of Prof Slobogin discussing Just Algorithms | Main | Another round of terrific essays at new Inquest website 

Liz Benecchi has this effective new piece at the Harvard Political Review under the headline "Recidivism Imprisons American Progress." I recommend the full piece, and here are excerpts:

Each year, more than 600,000 individuals are released from state and federal prisons. Another nine million are released from local jails. Within three years of their release, two out of three former prisoners are rearrested and more than 50% are incarcerated again. This process of previously convicted criminals reoffending and reentering the prison system is known as recidivism.

Recidivism clogs the criminal justice system. Without employment opportunities and bare necessities such as housing, food, or clothing, successful reentry into society seems nearly impossible for former prisoners.

Americas recidivism crisis is far more alarming than any other democratic country in a similar economic bracket. If prison were teaching the lessons corrections workers claim it does, it is concerning that so many of the same prisoners end up back behind bars. The countrys high recidivism rate alone demonstrates that our prisons are as ineffective as they are inefficient, a sobering reality which calls for a reimagined criminal justice system....

Since the 1960s, the U.S. incarceration rate has more than tripled. Defunding rehabilitation in our justice systems directly correlates with the increase in the incarceration rate.

To put it plainly, unhealthy minds cant make healthy choices. The reality is 37% of incarcerated individuals and 44% of those in jail have been diagnosed with a mental health illness. Yet, 66% of prisoners reported not receiving any form of mental health care during the full length of their incarceration. With more accessible mental health care and substance abuse recovery for prisoners, they can be properly diagnosed and receive comprehensive treatment. With these revamped forms of relief and stabilization, the probability that those with mental illness relapse into destructive habits is far more unlikely than if they receive no treatment at all. Our justice system has an obligation to prepare prisoners for a safe and successful reintegration, a process which starts with a healthy mind.

Prisoners who participate in education programs have a 43% lower chance of being reincarcerated than those who do not, and for every dollar spent on prison education, the government saves four to five dollars on the costs of reincarceration. Education can do wonders, and if incarcerated people left the system with degrees and hard educational skills, it would be far less difficult for them to secure and maintain steady jobs. Besides allowing the formerly incarcerated to pursue a job, education  whether that be through adult literacy, GED, or post-secondary programs  inherently shapes ones decision-making abilities....

When prisoners are released in Norway, they stay out of prison. Norway has one of the lowest recidivism rates in the world at 20%. The U.S. has one of the highest: 76.6% of prisoners are rearrested within five years. Among Norways prison population that was unemployed prior to their arrests, they saw a 40% increase in their employment rates once released. The country attributes this to its mission of rehabilitation and reemergence into society through its accepting and empathetic approach....

Todays recidivism crisis calls for a paradigm shift from prisons as punitive institutions to rehabilitative ones. Implementing the rehabilitating practices of prioritizing mental health care, education, and the process of creating a prison-to-work pipeline would lower the rates of recidivism in the United States. Lower rates of recidivism do not singularly benefit society by reducing the rate of crime but also by reducing prison populations, saving taxpayers dollars, and most pertinently, ensuring that prisons are serving their purpose of reform and improvement.
 "The Case for Pattern-and-Practice Investigations Against District Attorneys Offices" | Main | Highlighting the persistent problems from the US's high recidivism rate 

August 11, 2021

Part 3 of Prof Slobogin discussing Just Algorithms

In this recent post, I explained that I asked Prof Christopher Slobogin to share in a set of guest posts some key ideas from his new book, Just Algorithms: Using Science to Reduce Incarceration and Inform a Jurisprudence of Risk. Here is the third and final post of this set (following the first and second).

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In two previous blogs about my new book, Just Algorithms: Using Science to Reduce Incarceration and Inform a Jurisprudence of Risk (Cambridge University Press), I described its thesis that risk assessment instruments (RAIs) can reduce incarceration in a cost-effective manner, and the jurisprudence of risk it advances that aims to ensure accurate and fair instruments that, among other things, avoid racially disparate outcomes. To take full advantage of risk assessments potential for curbing incarceration and rationalizing sentencing, however, we must also rethink our current punishment regime, which is another goal of the book.

In the past 50 years, a large number of states have moved away from indeterminate sentences controlled by parole boards toward determinate sentencing, which shifts power to prosecutors who can now essentially dictate the sentence received after trial through the charging decision. Most of the states that have not adopted determinate sentencing have effectively gone in the same direction by significantly circumscribing the authority of parole boards to make release decisions. These changes were understandable, given the dispositional disparities that occurred with indeterminate sentencing, the checkered history of parole boards, and the difficulty of assessing risk and rehabilitative potential.

With the advent of more accurate and objective predictive algorithms, however, indeterminate sentencing should be given a second chance. More specifically, while judges should still impose a sentence range that is determined by desert, risk-needs algorithms should be instrumental in determining whether offenders who are imprisoned stay there beyond the minimum term of that sentence. Sentencing would no longer be based on convoluted front-end calculations which attempt to divine the precise culpability of the offender, tempered or enhanced by the prosecutors or the judges speculative intuitions about deterrence, risk or rehabilitative goals. Rather, after the judge imposes the retributively-defined sentence range based on the charge of conviction, offenders would serve the minimum sentence (which for misdemeanors and lower level felonies may not involve prison), and only be subject to prolonged restraint if they are determined to be high risk via a validated RAI. In this form of limiting retributivism, desert would set the range of the sentence, risk its nature and duration.

With this type of sentencing system, not only will the arbitrariness of the old parole-driven scheme be reduced, but the power structure within the criminal justice system will be profitably re-oriented. Today, the plea bargaining process allows prosecutors to threaten draconian sentences that bludgeon defendants, even innocent ones, into accepting convictions without trial. If, instead, post-trial dispositions within the sentence range depend on a parole boards determination of risks and needs, the ultimate disposition after a trial will be unknowable, and prosecutorial bargaining power inevitably would be reduced. Defendants can turn down prosecutorial offers with virtual impunity if they are considered low risk. And even high risk defendants might want to roll the dice with the parole board. Innocent people would be much less likely to plead guilty, and guilty people would be much less likely to acquiesce to harshly punitive bargains. The prosecutors main leverage will come from offers of reduced charges or alternatives to prison, because with parole boards controlling release, threats to recommend the maximum sentence to the judge will be meaningless.

These proposals may appear to be radical. But in fact they merely reinstate a version of the sentencing regimes that existed in much of this country before the middle of the twentieth century, when dispositions were more flexible and plea bargaining and guilty pleas were less dominant. At the same time, a key difference in these proposals, and the primary reason rejuvenating indeterminate sentencing is justifiable, is the reliance on risk assessment algorithms. Without them, judges and parole boards are simply guessing about dangerousness, and their default judgment  absent heroic efforts to resist public pressure and normal human risk-averseness  will be to find that offenders pose a high risk of reoffending. With them  and assuming their results are treated as presumptive  judges who refuse to imprison an offender and parole boards that make a release decision can point to known base rates (which, in the case of violent crime, are very low) and can blame the algorithm if things go awry.

The overarching hypothesis of this book is this: Whether implemented prior to trial in lieu of the bail system, or post-conviction in lieu of unstructured predictive decision-making, just algorithms can be a central component of any effort to reduce the human and financial cost of incarceration, without sacrificing public safety. That hypothesis may be wrong, but it is worth a fair test. Because when developed and used in a manner consistent with a coherent jurisprudence of risk, algorithms could be the single most potent mechanism we have for bringing about real reform of the American criminal justice system.

I want to thank Doug Berman again for letting me describe my book on his Sentencing Law & Policy Blog.

August 11, 2021 at 10:56 PM | Permalink

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- Blexten Label Expanded to Include Ages as Young as 4 Years Old -

- Includes Approval of 2.5mg/mL Oral Solution and 10mg orodispersible (Quick Melt) Tablet Formats -

- Commercial Availability of Pediatric Formats Anticipated During Q1 2022 -

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Aug. 12, 2021 /CNW/ - August 12, 2021  Nuvo Pharmaceuticals Inc. (TSX: MRV) (OTCQX: MRVFF) d/b/a Miravo Healthcare (Miravo or the Company), a Canadian-focused healthcare company with global reach and a diversified portfolio of commercial products, today announced Health Canada has issued a Notice of Compliance (NOC) in relation to the Company's Supplement to New Drug Submission for the pediatric use of Blexten. The pediatric use includes the approval of two new dosage formats; a 2.5mg/mL oral solution and a 10mg Quick Melt tablet. Upon commercial launch, which is anticipated for Q1 2022, the pediatric formats will be available to patients with a prescription from their healthcare provider.

Miravo Healthcare Logo (CNW Group/Nuvo Pharmaceuticals Inc.)

"The expansion of the Health Canada approved Blexten label for use in children as young as 4 years old means that Blexten can now be the single prescription antihistamine of choice for most Canadian allergy and urticaria patients. The issuance of this NOC increases the treatable patient population and provides patients with two additional convenient dosing formats; an oral solution and Quick Melt tablets, in addition to our existing 20mg tablet format that is available for patients 12 years of age and older. This is a great milestone for the Blexten franchise and I would like to recognize and thank our regulatory, scientific, tech ops and commercial teams for the hard work that went into obtaining this approval and working toward launch," said Mr. Jesse Ledger, Miravo's President and Chief Executive Officer.

About Blexten

Blexten is a second-generation antihistamine drug for the symptomatic relief of allergic rhinitis and chronic spontaneous urticaria. Blexten exerts its effect through its highly selective inhibition of peripheral histamine H1 receptors and has an efficacy comparable to cetirizine and desloratadine. In comparative studies, Blexten demonstrated somnolence rates similar to placebo representing a potentially non-sedating effect at therapeutic doses. It was developed in Spain by Faes Farma, S.A. (Faes). Bilastine, (the active ingredient in Blexten), is approved in Canada and over 100 countries worldwide, including Japan and most European countries. In 2014, Miravo entered into an exclusive license and supply agreement with Faes for the exclusive right to sell bilastine in Canada, which is sold under the brand name Blexten. The exclusive license is inclusive of prescription and non-prescription rights for Blexten, as well as adult and pediatric presentations in Canada. In April 2016, Health Canada approved Blexten (bilastine 20 mg oral tablet) for the treatment of the symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis and chronic spontaneous urticaria (such as itchiness and hives).

Story continues

About Miravo Healthcare

Miravo is a Canadian focused, healthcare company with global reach and a diversified portfolio of commercial products. The Company's products target several therapeutic areas, including pain, allergy, neurology and dermatology. The Company's strategy is to in-license and acquire growth-oriented, complementary products for Canadian and international markets. Miravo's head office is located in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, the international operations are located in Dublin, Ireland and the Company's manufacturing facility is located in Varennes, Quebec, Canada. The Varennes facility operates in a Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) environment respecting the U.S, Canada and E.U. GMP regulations and is regularly inspected by Health Canada and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. For additional information, please visit www.miravohealthcare.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking information" as defined under Canadian securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). The words "plans", "expects", "does not expect", "goals", "seek", "strategy", "future", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates", "does not anticipate", "projected", "believes" or variations of such words and phrases or statements to the effect that certain actions, events or results "may", "will", "could", "would", "should", "might", "likely", "occur", "be achieved" or "continue" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, intentions, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding the anticipated commercial launch of the pediatric use of Blexten.

Forward-looking statements are not historical facts but instead represent management's expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events or circumstances. Such forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by the inherent risks, uncertainties and changes in circumstances surrounding future expectations which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management of the Company as of the date of this press release, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies and may prove to be incorrect. Material factors and assumptions used to develop the forward-looking statements, and material risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements, include but are not limited to, the timing and availability of the pediatric formats of Blexten from the Company's suppliers to support commercial launch, other unanticipated delays in the commercial launch, the potential impact of COVID-19 on the Company's operations, business and financial results and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Additional factors that could cause the Company's actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the risk factors included in the Company's most recent Annual Information Form dated March 5, 2021 under the heading "Risks Factors", and as described from time to time in the reports and disclosure documents filed by the Company with Canadian securities regulatory agencies and commissions. These and other factors should be considered carefully and readers should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not the times at or by which such performance or results will be achieved.

All forward-looking statements are based only on information currently available to the Company and are made as of the date of this press release. Except as expressly required by applicable Canadian securities law, the Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All forward-looking statements in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements.

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/miravo-healthcare-announces-receipt-of-health-canada-notice-of-compliance-for-the-pediatric-use-of-blexten-301354073.html

SOURCE Nuvo Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Cision

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/August2021/12/c6959.html
Dear Prudence is Slates advice column. Submit questions here.

Dear Prudence,

I know this is a ridiculous question but bear with me. Is it OK to not use my social media to post about activism, racial justice, etc.?

I (a white woman) work at a proracial justice nonprofit (and have done so my entire career), actively making decisions in my own lifeschools, neighborhoods, houses of worship, etc.to live my values. I have generally used social media to stay connected with folks and share more personal updates about my nonwork life. Last summer, I began feeling guilty that I didnt engage in public activism on my social media. I follow a number of activist accounts, but dont share or broadcast this. The guilt pushed me to post more actively about racial justice. But every time I posted, it was never just the right thingfolks on both sides of the political spectrum sent me messages nitpicking my phrasing or what I chose to share/not share, and I constantly felt angry and on edge. I also engaged less in in-person conversations because I was so jaded by the unproductivity of these online conversations.

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I pulled way back from social media and have now resumed posting only personal updates. I feel happier and more centered. I have some friends who continually post about activist causes and have included phrases like white silence is violence, calling out white folks who post about mundane day-to-day content while activist issues are in need of amplification. I feel 100 percent OK with myself and my choices until I see these sorts of posts. Can you help me settle this within myself, once and for all: Is it OK for me not to use my social media accounts to post activist content?

Activist, but Offline

Dear Activist,

I think you already know that its OK to use your accounts however you want. Obviously its OK! Its OK not to have social media at all, to have an account that you use to lurk and never post, or to only share pictures of the most recent loaf of bread youve baked.

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The issue is that if you dont have a strong sense of who you are, social media is torture! Youll think youre supposed to look the way other people look with filters, youll be sure everyones having more fun than you are, and youll wonder if you should stop showering because celebrities say they dont like water on their skin. And other peoples content about what you should be doing will feel like an attack.

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I wonder what makes your confidence about your role in activism so fragile that these posts can shake it. I would suggest taking a step back and assessing the impact you want to have in the world, and how youre doing with that. It sounds like youve made very intentional choicesincluding by dedicating your entire career to racial justiceand are not, by any stretch of the imagination, silent. In fact, you might very well be doing more concrete work than many of the people who casually repost these memes. But for some reason youre not secure about that.

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One thing to explore might be whether youre willing to experience any discomfort or conflict in the name of anti-racism. Your comment that you stopped posting because you found the responses unpleasant suggested to me that this might be the case. Are you all for social justice until someone gets mad at you or criticizes you? If that resonates at all, maybe think about how it plays out in your life as whole and how you could be braver when it comes to facing a tiny fraction of the hostility that people of color face every day. I think it would be more worthwhile to reflect on this than to stress about what kinds of photos youre uploading to Instagram. If you truly feel good about who you are and what youre doing with your life, your friends posts wont have the power to unsettle you.

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Dear Prudence,

Im a mother of three small children and love to knit during my down time. Mostly I just knit for my kids, but the last two years my sister has asked me to knit my niece a sweater for her birthday. I was excited to do it the first year, but with yarn costs and shipping overseas it ended up being an $80 sweater. When she asked me the next year, I was definitely less enthusiastic but ended up feeling guilty since I do knit my children so much. I spent almost $100 that time around! Now shes had another baby and wants me to send her things too! This wouldnt seem like such a huge deal to me, but she never sends my kids anything. Literally, nothing! She doesnt even transfer a bit of money for them for Christmas or birthdays. This year alone Ive spent over $200 on yarn/shipping, and that doesnt even include the countless hours Ive spent knitting the sweaters! How do I talk to her about this?

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Knitting Broke

Dear Knitting,

If you can afford it, just do one last sweater for the third kid (so theres not one sibling who wonders why she or he doesnt have a special item from their overseas aunt) and then be done with it. After that, your response can be Knitting and sending stuff out got to be too much for my budget, so Im having to cut back aside from the clothes I make for my own kids. Maybe that will inspire your sister to transfer some money along with her next request.

How to Get Advice From Prudie

Submit your questions anonymously here. (Questions may be edited for publication.) Join the live chat every Monday at noon (and submit your comments) here.

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Dear Prudence,

This is a really low-stakes question, but Id love your input. Im gay, and I have a well-meaning Christian co-worker. Every conversation I have with her somehow leads to her saying things like, you know, the gays are all OK! or shed start talking about Neil Patrick Harris being really cool even though hes gay and one time she gave me a pretty gay lanyard, which was rainbow-striped, back before COVID when we were still in the office. (I was like, you mean it looks pretty gay? and she was like, No, I meant it was pretty because of the rainbow!) She even introduced me to another friend of hers in another department by saying, Hes gay too! I think youll be good friends! Well, remote working has got me spoiled, and now that were finally going back to the office, Im finding her cheery love the sinner not the sin! attitude to be grating. She doesnt mean anything by it, Im genuinely happy shes trying for my sake, but last week she started asking me why Lil Nas X has to be so flamboyant when Im not flamboyant at all, and it took all of my patience not to snap at her. How do I find my Zen? Or alternatively, how do I delicately tell her Im not her go-to gay ambassador, and she can just treat me like a normal co-worker?

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Gay and Tired

Dear Gay and Tired,

I dont think this is low stakes at all. What your co-worker is doing sounds deeply annoying at best, and I can only imagine these microagressions from someone who is on the fence about whether its even OK to be gay could really take a toll on you. Also, depending on local laws and company policy, some of this could cross into sexual harassment territory! That you even had to write this letter indicates that your colleagues inappropriate obsession with your sexuality is negatively impacting your ability to worka situation that could very well be illegal.

Either way, youre under no obligation to find your Zen around someone whos spewing barely sugar-coated homophobiawhether she means anything by it or not. I know it wont be easy to be direct, and she might not take it well, but I suggest saying or emailing something like Sheila, I know well be seeing each other back in the office now, and Im looking forward to catching up in person. But can I ask for a favor? Id appreciate it if you didnt bring up my sexuality or ask me questions or discuss how you feel about gay people with me. I know you mean well, but it can make me uncomfortable at times and Id rather keep our conversations focused on less personal topics. Theres a lot more to me than being gay, so I know well have other things to chat about. After all, we never talk about your sexual orientation, and Ive still been able to get to know you well. Thanks for understanding! By the way, are you going to be bringing some of your oatmeal cookies to share with the team? I hope so!

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If that doesnt put an end to the intrusive comments, its time to go to HR.

Dear Prudence,

I love my daughter but she has the worst taste in men. Put her in a room with 10 good men and one creep, she will run right up to the creep and let him ruin her life. Ive watched her get her heart broken again and again: It hurt when she was in high school, but as an adult, it is not just her heart getting brokenits her car, apartment, finances, and career.

In college, her boyfriend smashed up her car after she let him drive it. He did it again after we replaced it and made her promise not to let anyone drive it. She still stayed with him. She has let one leech after another live off her until her bank account is empty. She has quit jobs to follow a boyfriend of a few months across the country only to break up before her bags are unpacked.

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She has moved home five times since she graduated college because her love life ruined her actual one. My husband and I help her get on her feet, try to get her in therapy, and wait for the next one. My husband says we are lucky our daughter hasnt gotten pregnant yet and gotten permanently tied to one of these jerks. My daughter is nearing 30. She thinks she is just unlucky and bemoans there are no good men left. I told her she needs to look at the common denominator in all her relationshipsherself.

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That started a serious fight. My daughter was currently living with her sister and working with the man her sister was dating. My daughter was cheating with this guy. When her sister discovered it, she threw my daughter out on her ear. My daughter then lost her job. She wants to come home again. We told her no. Our family has imploded over this. My daughter has called us both cryingshe made a mistake and is currently living in her car. We sent her money, but where does it end?

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Heartbroken Mom

Dear Heartbroken,

Youre obviously entitled to tell your daughter she cant live with you, and I can understand why youd be upset with her for cheating with her sisters boyfriend. But why are you so mad at her for her history of choosing crappy boyfriends? Nothing shes done has harmed you, and cutting her off is not going to help her make better choices.

I encourage you and your husband to sit down and talk about your goals for your relationship with her (not for her relationships with men) and whether you think punishing her for her bad romantic choices by letting her live in her car will get you there. I dont think it will.

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I dont know all the details, so disregard this if it doesnt feel like a fit, but would it be worth reflecting on what her relationship with you and her father was like growing up? Is there anything there that might represent the beginning of a pattern where she seeks love from people who dont respect her and treat her poorly? Did she go through anything especially difficult that harmed her self-esteem? If theres anything you need to apologize for or heal from as a family, now is the time.

Dear Prudence Uncensored

I think its OK not to post when youre not sure if you have anything to add.

Jenee Desmond-Harris and friends discuss a letter in this weeks Dear Prudence Uncensoredonly for Slate Plus members.

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Dear Prudence,

I recently left a five-year relationship with one of my best friends cousins, who was physically and emotionally abusive. I am mad that I stayed so long. I used to confide in my best friend about almost all of the things her cousin did to me from cheating to being physically abusivethink black eyes and bruises on my body. She said a couple of things that were off-putting. She said that I make him out to be the bad guy and he probably cheats because youre always accusing him. I have changed my number and blocked him on every platform available and am thinking about doing the same with her. What do you think about me ending the relationship with her as well? He will always be her family, and I dont want her to pick sides, but I dont want to ever hear his name mentioned again. I am wondering if my fresh start would be better without her as well.

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Ending a Long Friendship

Dear Ending,

End it. Someone who excuses abuse is not your friend, and your instinct that your fresh start would be better without her is exactly right.

Give Prudie a Hand

Sometimes even Prudence needs a little help. Every Thursday in this column, well post a question that has her stumped. This weeks tricky situation is below. Join the conversation about it on Twitter with Jenee @jdesmondharris on Thursday, and then look back for the final answer here on Friday.

Dear Prudence, My wife looks at photos of the woman she crushes on pretty much every day. (Im also a woman, fwiw.) I would describe this as an open secret between us. That said, a lot of this looking takes place on our shared computer, where she doesnt erase her search history and has saved dozens, if not hundreds, of photos of this woman. Im happy with our relationship and its not like my wife is looking at photos of her exes or anything like that. I understand the celeb is an inaccessible fantasy and not a threat. But knowing that this fantasy is part of my wifes everyday routine is tough. She knows that I know about this crush, but when Ive tried to talk to her about my feelings about it shes shied away. What should I do? When is a celebrity crush too much?

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Dear Prudence,

When do I stop being indebted to a kind stranger that returned my pet?

We lost track of a (legal and well cared for) pet tortoise. We put missing posters everywhere and offered a reward. No one was more relieved than I when someone found him! This person turned down the reward but mentioned several times how attached her young child was to this tortoise and how shed cried and didnt want to give it back. Each time this was followed by a request for more evidence that I was in fact the rightful owner. I was concerned they were finding reasons not to return him

Ultimately, I offered to gift her child a habitat for a less needy variety of tortoise (although all need special care) if the parents were willing to take care of it properly. Mom was thrilled, and said she wanted to get one anyway. I followed through with this and our own pet was returned.

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My problem is that this person is texting me daily asking advice on the pet and asking when her child can come meet my children and visit our pet tortoise. There is nothing wrong with the child, but shes younger than mine and we are very busy people. I have a small social circle that Im not looking to expand, being a mother of five. I also am not comfortable giving constant advice about how they should care for their own pet. Its crossed into a gray area that has me asking When will it end and how do I end it?

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I feel rotten about it, but Id be happy to get on with our lives and move forward. Should I have her and her daughter over once or is there an OK way for me to get out of that?

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Grateful Introvert

Dear Grateful,

Youve done enough. I am certain that childwho is probably thrilled to have a new tortoise and habitatdoesnt care about spending time with a random adult and other kids whom shes never met. So dont worry about her. Now as far as the mom, I cant decide if shes inappropriately pushy or just a friendly person trying to build community. Im leaning toward inappropriate because of the way she behaved when she first found your tortoise. But it doesnt matter because youre not interested in developing a relationship. Inviting them over once would be a mistake, because it would establish a relationship and then you would have to deal with We havent hung out for weeks! We need to catch up! messages. Rip the Band-Aid off now by texting something like this:

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Hi [Tortoise Mom]. I hope everythings going well with you, [Tortoise Daughter] and [Tortoise]. I know weve talked about possibly getting together but because of some family issues Im dealing with, Im letting my friends and contacts know that I wont be able to be social for the foreseeable future as I focus on managing everything. Its been so wonderful getting to know you and I will always appreciate you for finding [your Tortoises name]. You have all my gratitude, and I hope you and your daughter continue to enjoy your new pet and stay safe and healthy.

Classic Prudie

Im a woman who uses public transportation daily. On a regular basis, people offer me their seats on the train or bus, even when other women are standing closer to them. Most people dont say why theyre offering, but one woman did ask me directly if I was expecting. Im not pregnant, and I never have been, but Im assuming that the seat offers are from people who think I am. My question is: Am I allowed to take the seat offers? Sometimes Ive taken the seats offered, and my friend says this is wrong because Im neither pregnant nor disabled. My argument is that Im being offered a seat without any conditions and would never take it from someone who seemed like they needed it more than I did (i.e., an elderly person). Am I being deceptive, or is it OK to take a seat if its freely given?
I dont know much about the guy smoking the cigarette. All I know is that in the middle of the Capitol building on Jan. 6, as the Trump-loyal mob raged around him, he stood off to the side for a cigarette break. I approached him. I quickly identified myself as a journalist and asked to take his picture. Hell ya, he replied, and posed for me, pulling his jacket apart to reveal a bright, MAGA-red shirt emblazoned with Trump Is My President.

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I took his photo in between documenting rioters smashing through doors and windows, threatening journalists, and eventually clashing with police. I didnt think of it as particularly remarkable. It was one of a handful of photos I published as part of a written account of what I saw that day.

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I hadnt seen the image again until someone sent me a link to the FBIs Most Wanted website recently. There, marked Photograph #390, I was a little startled to find the guy smoking the cigarette, in the smirking pose he struck for me that day. I had no idea how my photo got there.

After I wrote my original story on Jan. 6 and published more photos and videos that week, hundreds of replies flowed in on Twitter and elsewhere. Some mocked the people I documented. Others threatened me. But by far the most common response was that I must turn over all my materials from that day to the authorities immediately. The requests arrived by the dozens, from anonymous accounts and celebrities alike. Please give all photos to @FBIWFO, the actress Patricia Arquette implored me.

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This all made me uneasy. I have more than 1,000 unpublished photos and videos that I shot at the Capitol riot, archived on a backup hard drive. Theyre collecting dust in a closet at home, and I often wonder if I could be making better use of them. Camera misfires and awkward in-between frames felt too sacred to delete given the momentousness of what happened, but Im not sure what else to do with them.

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The FBI can read my work like anyone elseand, I would later learn, it didbut I was very reluctant to turn over my unpublished data to the government. Frankly, a lot of my work leading up to that day and afterward has been devoted to how law enforcement failed to prevent what happened, even as the rioters marauded around the Capitol and destroyed much of it. I was in D.C. as a journalist to show what these systemic failures, and many before them, had wrought. I was certainly not there to help the agencies that had failed in the first place.

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In the months since, though, plenty of people have done exactly that. Ronan Farrow and other journalists have used their platforms to direct readers to the FBI tips line. There are the sedition hunters made up of out-of-work actors and business consultants and stay-at-home moms who comb through hours of video and photos to try to track down and name individual rioters. From my own trove, I think its pretty likely the internet would find a clue that Ive missed. I only noticed the guy with Nancy Pelosis nameplate in a corner of one of my frames after sorting through photos dozens of times. The hunters have made some headway: An Air Force veteran was unmasked by a crowdsourced effort on Twitter after he was photographed on the Senate floor wearing tactical gear and carrying zip ties. He was among the first to be arrested and charged in connection with the riot. But this can be perilous too. These self-styled detectives have wrongly identified Capitol rioters, like a retired firefighter who was 700 miles away.

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I know my published work has been used in similar online ID expeditions, and I accepted that, even if its not what I intended. And I felt confident in my position that that was not my role to do more. Then I saw my photo on the FBI Most Wanted site, and I wasnt sure what to do. So I called the FBI and asked where it got my photo.

I reached the FBI through a public channel. After initially speaking off the record, one FBI employee told me I could recount the basics of our conversation.

Were told it came to us from an online tip, on our digital tips line, the employee told me of my photo. Id posted it and others to the internet, so its likely someone saw it and submitted it themselves.

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I asked if the FBI was pursuing the work of journalists to help with their Jan. 6 investigations. The answer here was cagier, and I was asked not to quote it directly. The employee said that if agents saw an image or video and wanted to know more, theres a rigorous process for approval required before they can make any initial contact with a journalist like me. They might ask if I was willing to talk to them about it. And if I wasnt, they might consider subpoenaing the news organization. I was reassured this is highly unlikely, but I know well this story can end a lot differently.

Its a little tense, right? Because you guys have your job and we have ours.  FBI agent

The employee asked if I wanted the photo removed. In the moment, I declined. I didnt put it there, but it made its way to the agency from my published work, so I decided to let it be.

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Then, weeks later, I was contacted by someone else at the FBI. Good afternoon Mr. Ismail, the new email read. Im contacting you regarding your video footage it appears you took during the Capitol riot. He included a link to a video I posted to Twitter months ago of a paramilitary right-wing extremist group violently accosting a camera crew on the Capitol grounds. Im interested in several of the individuals shown in your footage, he wrote.

I agreed to discuss it more. But over the phone, the FBI agent, who asked not to be named, sensed my discomfort with speaking with him at all.

Its a little tense, right? Because you guys have your job and we have ours, he said. We want to be very careful when we talk to journalists like yourself and respect your ability to collect information. I just want to let you know that. Because of that relationship, were constrained on what we can and cant ask you for. So, if it seems like Im being kind of weird, just know that I have my own limitations, and I cant ask you questions I otherwise would without getting significant additional approval.

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He assured me I was under no obligation to cooperate. This is not us demanding or ordering anything. Thats not what this call is. This is a request for you as someone who has footage in this case, he said.

The conversation turned to me. You were physically there, correct? he asked. Ive already conceded as much in my reporting, but I dont care to say as much to an FBI agent over the phone. I asked if hed read my account of what I saw at the riot that published in Slate. I did, he said. Ill stop myself from saying more. Im not trying to get you on anything. Dont worry.

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We didnt talk much more than that. I wasnt under any legal pressure. But it was clear the offer was on the table to share what I had.

As I thought about what to do, I spoke to Mickey Osterreicher, a longtime photojournalist and now the general counsel for the National Press Photographers Association. He told me my dilemma reminded him of a case last year in Seattle: In a 90-minute window when George Floyd protests had turned violent there, rioters set fire to police cars and stole several weapons. The accessible security footage was too blurry to help the Seattle Police Department, so it subpoenaed several news outlets that were reporting nearby for their raw media.

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They fought tooth and nail to not turn those images over, Osterreicher told me. They had that same dilemma, like, If we dont cooperate, maybe something bad is going to happen with these people and the guns. But there is a bigger principle that is involved here. Its not the job of journalists to do the work of police. Because if we give them images that werent published, how about when they come and say, Hey, we know you wrote this story; we want your notes. 

The news organizations had argued they were protected by the shield laws that safeguard some journalists from law enforcement subpoenas. But the case dissipated after the Seattle police arrested a suspect without the journalists unpublished work.

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Osterreicher said the answer in these cases is often what I had already done.

The solution is kind of an elegant one. And its very simple: The story is about these images and videos. So just use them with the story and say, Here they are. Theyre published. Knock yourselves out,  he said. Thats why you were out there. You were out there to photograph and record and gather and disseminate news and information and images to the public. If youre doing a public service by publishing those, then I would think you would be comfortable doing that, then directing the FBI or whoever to those images. If youre not, then dont, he said.

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In his experience, thats usually enough for law enforcement anyway. They seem to have gotten what they need from the published images, just because most of the time, the strongest images got published. Thats pretty much the best way to approach this.

In my case, the FBI clearly wanted more than what I had published. I have more shots of the cigarette guy, but I have no interest in helping prosecute him or other sideline faces from the crowd; that, to me, is simply not the value of my journalism from that day.

But then there was the video of the paramilitary group viciously beating on a crew of journalists. Another member of that same gang threatened me for recording her that day, demanding I delete the clip or face the consequences. (I walked away unharmed.) I am aware of the long history of violence from this group, some of it truly horrific hate crimes. I weighed it for several days, and I still dont know if I did the right thing, but I reached back out to the agent and sent the full video of the attack.
After spending more than 700 days under house arrest, a human rights and environmental lawyer was found guilty last month of criminal contempt in a legal saga that has demonstrated the deep-rooted conflicts of interest layered throughout the judicial system when it comes to climate justice. In Steven Donzigers conviction, the initial judge who referred him to trial, the second judge who was asked to lead the trial, and the private prosecutors who tried him all had deep ties to Chevron, the company Donziger had won a landmark multibillion-dollar ruling against.

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The story began in 2011 when Donziger brought litigation against Texaco (now Chevron) in Ecuador for the harm it caused the Indigenous people in the Ecuadorian Amazon, where the fossil fuel company decided to deliberately discharge 16 billion gallons of toxic waste from its oil sites into rivers, groundwater, and farmland. A refusal from Chevron to adhere to environmental regulationswhich earned the company an extra $5 billion over 20 yearsled to more than 30,000 Ecuadorians being directly harmed by the oil giants actions, the judges in that case found. The case Donziger led made it all the way to the Ecuador Supreme Court, and successfully secured $9.5 billion in environmental damages for the Amazonian communities in a historic climate justice decision.

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Chevron never paid those billions of cleanup dollars to Ecuador, and instead launched a legal attack on Donziger in the Southern District of New York, where Judge Lewis A. Kaplan found Donziger guilty of bribery and fraud in a trial without a jury. Kaplan, a former corporate lawyer, held financial investments in Chevron at the time of the decision. When Kaplan required Donziger to turn in his computer, phone, and other personal devices (including passwords) to the court and thus to Chevron, and Donziger refused citing violations to attorney-client privilege, Kaplan charged him with six counts of criminal contempt under Rule 42. As required by that rule, Kaplan was disqualified from hearing the ensuing contempt case, but not before bypassing local rules and hand-selecting the judge and picking the private prosecutors who would oversee the case. He chose District Judge Loretta Preska, who has served on the advisory board of the Federalist Society, a group to which Chevron has been a substantial donor.

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In a letter sent to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts at the end of last month, Sens. Ed Markey and Sheldon Whitehouse brought into question specifically the use of private prosecutors in the contempt case against Donziger. The three prosecutors that Kaplan appointed, Brian Maloney, Sareen Armani, and Rita Glavin (who is also Andrew Cuomos personal lawyer), were all at the time with the law firm Seward & Kissel. That firm had represented Chevron as recently as 2018. These prosecutions, the senators wrote, are highly unusual and can raise concerning questions of fundamental fairness in our criminal justice system.

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Indeed, the apparent conflict of interest the private prosecution had is directly at odds with Supreme Court precedent. In the 1987 decision of Young v. United States ex rel. Vuitton et Fils, the Supreme Court ruled that, when it comes to private prosecutors pursuing criminal contempt cases, they certainly should be as disinterested as a public prosecutor who undertakes such a prosecution.

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Public confidence in the disinterested conduct of the private prosecutor, the court warned, is essential to maintaining the integrity of the judicial system. That means that even the appearance of interest on the part of the private prosecutor can be considered a violation of Vuitton.

Appearances are really functionally important for the rule of law, and for our judiciary, said Guha Krishnamurthi, an associate professor of law at the University of Oklahoma. Krishnamurthi argues that one of the biggest protections of the criminal justice system is a disinterested prosecutor who can determine whether or not pursuing a case is to the benefit of the criminal justice system. The fact that a public prosecutor is accountable to the government and to the public, he says, reinforces this protection in a way that private prosecutors do not.

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I think its such a clear abuse that it violates the defendants constitutional right to due process. You cant have someone whos got a conflict of interest, who has personal reasons for wanting to see a person theyre prosecuting convicted, said Louis Raveson, a professor of law at Rutgers Law School and the founder of the universitys Environmental Law Clinic. Thats not an appropriate procedure, and, in my view, its not a constitutional procedure.

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This is a perversion of justice, the whole idea that you can have a lawyer who previously worked for Chevron then prosecuting Donziger in the criminal case, said Martin Garbus, Donzigers attorney and a prominent veteran of human rights litigation. Its clear that it violates the law.  If you look at the body of law that deals with disinterest, people are disqualified for something far, far less than the involvement here.

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Raveson acknowledged that in certain instances, like police brutality cases or other times when the government is being asked to prosecute itself, private prosecutors can be truly beneficial. A private prosecutor there would likely be necessary in order to ensure disinterest and justice, as the public prosecutor works for the government. Often, though, theyre used in cases like Donzigers, after a disinterested public prosecutor declines to pursue the charge and the judge decides to move forward anyway. Thats all the more reason that judges need to err on the side of no possibility of a conflict, Raveson said. Speaking of the Donziger case, he added, It appears that a conflict is almost inevitable  and clearly thats not by accident.

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When it comes to the decisions that could prevent one of the largest climate justice judgments of the past decade from taking effect, such appearances of conflict of interest are incredibly significantand could be detrimental to future climate justice litigation.

Its scary going after a large corporation [and] its scary going after governments because they have so much power and so much influence that they can do a lot of damage to someones life, Raveson said. If the lawyers who bring [environmental justice cases like Donzigers] are subject to biased determinations as to whether or not they should be punished  its going to have a deterrent effect on lawyers to bring these kinds of cases.

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Such a deterrence could have massive consequences for the climate, especially at a time when, as this weeks new report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change showed, the world is barreling further toward climate catastrophe, a crisis that is driven in no small part by fossil fuel companies like Chevron. Its up to the judiciary to really ensure that that kind of chilling and deterrence  doesnt happen, Krishnamurthi added. And the way you do that is by having more than just the formality of the rules, [but] having a true fidelity to conflicts of interest and disqualifying where necessary.
Margaret Garcia has spent the last two decades living in Greenville, California, a town that for all intents and purposes no longer exists. It was devoured last week by the Dixie Fire, the largest single blaze in California history. Garcia, a reporter for the local Plumas News, wrote a eulogy for her defiantly quirky, beautiful adopted hometown  a microcosm of America and often frustrated with each other. She told me, We are living global warmingbut not all of her neighbors agree. On Thursdays episode of What Next, I spoke to Garcia about the politics of Greenville, whether the Dixie Fire is changing residents minds about climate change, and whether the town should rebuild at all. This conversation has been condensed and edited for clarity.

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Mary Harris: I loved your eulogy because its so full of love.

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Margaret Garcia: And that really played out in our own family. You know, no one in our family has ever voted for a Republican. And when my son went to get his first part-time job when he was 14, he was hired by John Hunter of Hunters Hardware, who definitely knew what family Diego came from and is arguably one of the most right-wing guys in town. But he knew that our family always worked and we instilled hardworking values in Diego, and Diego worked for him for four years all through high school.

So the politics didnt matter.

So politics didnt matter. I would bring John tamales at Christmas and joke with him about, like, thanks for hiring my son. And hed just sit there and laugh at me back and stuff. So we definitely have to help each other out at all times.

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We are the smallest town in Plumas County, and often people who live in Greenville feel kind of left out by the rest of the county. Were not an incorporated city. We have the largest Native American presence of any of the towns in Plumas County. We do look a little different than the other towns up there. It has always been, despite the conservatism, a more open area for LGBTQ folks. There is a number of old, retired gay and lesbian couples living in and around the area, and our Mexican American family never felt that out of place there either.

Why do you think that is?

I think cause Greenville really has a strong live-and-let-live attitude, and that really pulls it through a lot of stuff. Thats how we are.

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All the things we take for granted that we can do day to day, you cannot do during fire because you have to think about, well, this plan is great, unless we burn down.  Margaret Garcia

When did you start thinking about fire? Youve alluded to the fact that you felt kind of protected in Greenville. When did that begin to change?

When it hit Indian Falls [about 10 miles away from Greenville]. Its when Indian Falls burned that I started to get nervous.

Was that this year with the Dixie Fire?

Yeah, that was about five days before our fire. This is day 29 of the Dixie Fire. Its been going on since July 13.

People outside the area have no idea what its like to live with a fire for a month. I mean, Im from Whittier, California, that suffered an earthquake in 1987, and the earthquake lasted, it felt like, a minute. And then it was over and then there was destruction and then there was 10 years of rebuilding. But having a fire go on for a whole monthand I guess this morning were still at right around 30 percent containmentits relentless. Its exhausting. Everyone is traumatized. Theres anxiety through the roof, and you cant plan. All the things we take for granted that we can do day to day, you cannot do during fire because you have to think about, well, this plan is great, unless we burn down. Even the school district has no idea when their exact start date is. Cant plan anymore.

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You talked about how confusing it was that there was an evacuation order that was then lifted and people began to come back, and then all of a sudden the evacuation order was back. That must have just been so crazy. And especially because Ive seen some firefighters and others talk about people who refused to leave the area and how problematic that was. But it sounds to me like it didnt feel like there were good decisions for anyone to make.

Youre right. But I think what people should keep in mind, too, is were a rural area. Theres lots of ranches. There are many people who have acres. So they have dogs, they have cats, they have chickens, they have cows, goats, all this stuff. And where, how, is someone supposed to evacuate in a couple of hours, with the responsibility of all those animals?

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What did they do? Did people just leave their animals?

A lot of people got as much as they could out. But theres a lot of people who stayed behind because they were related to the fire department or feeding people, and they went around everyones houses and fed the animals and watered the animals.

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Youve talked about a lot of family that you have in Greenvilleyour ex, your mom, your kids. So how are all of these people doing now?

I left on July 15 with my kids. My kids didnt want to come back.

Because they were worried about fire?

They were just like, what are we going back to? They were very like, I dont want to be there. But my sons girlfriend, her parents lost their house in the fire. And, as everyone knows everyone, her grandfather is the one who hired my son at the hardware store. And she just wanted to be reunited with her mom so badly so we came back up.

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So you caravannedyour son, his girlfriend, you.

Yeah, and it was with real trepidation. Once we reach the county line, were evacuees, because we cant go back, we can only go back to Quincy, the neighboring town, about 22 miles away. We actually havent been back to Greenville cause were not allowed in. So it feels really weird, where we left, just on this trip, and we come back as evacuees who cant get into our places.

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So you havent even been able to be back to your property?

No, I am relying on photos and the hearsay of other people. Where my mother lives is safe for now, as is the tiny house that my husband and I have been living in while we develop the property that just burned down. We have no hope for our own property.

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No hope?

No, because everything around it burned and we didnt have a structure up yet. We were doing the foundational work. And if the house next to it was on fire, theres no reason you would try to save the property next door. Theres nothing really on it except equipment. And we lost about $100,000 worth of equipment cause it wasnt insured. You cant really get insurance anymore.

I cant help but think about this climate change report that just came out from the United Nations, which is pretty grim. It basically says were going to keep seeing global warming get worse if we dont take action pretty immediately. Are people in your community putting these two things together? Is it still too early and too raw to do that?

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Absolutely not. Ive seen the postings and Ive heard people in town squarely blame this all on forest management.

Instead of global warming.

Yes. And when they say forest management, what they really mean are Democrats who went to college and have degrees in forest management and they are doing bad things and trying to save spotted owls or whatever. And then theres the rest of us who have seen the writing on the wall. Feather River is the lowest I have ever seen it since Ive lived here. When my kids and I were leaving on July 15the river and highway follow each other out of the canyonwe were looking at the river and thinking, it is so low, Ive never seen it that low, and how do we survive this?

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And its frustrating for me. Im what I deem a bi-regional Californian. I was born in Southern California and now Im married to someone for 2 years who has a house in Southern California. But I work up here and I realize that the populated side of our state has still no idea that here we are, we are at the top of the watershed, theyre using our water to water their lawns and not realizing that theyre going to have a nice, green, watered lawn and the rest of their states going to be on fire and gone. And its frustrating to me, as somebody from both places, not feeling like the two sides are connected and realize how much theyre connected and how much were all going down in this.

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Youve talked about your town as being the kind of place where its so small that even if people are politically divided, they just have to get on the same page about issues. And you would hope that a town like yours could come to an understanding. So I wonder if youve seen any progress toward that. When someone says to you, oh, this is forest management issues, do you push back, or do your friends push back and say, well, actually, I think there might be something bigger happening?

I think we try to do it in other ways. I mean, those same people who say that also fish, and they know that the river and the creeks are low. So you can usually get to that conversation in those ways.

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And we had a fire back in 2007 called the Moonlight Fire, and not as much was written about it because theres nobody who lives back there. But as the Dixie Fire started hitting the burnout of that area, were like, great, itll go out because theres nothing left to burn back there. And its burning today. And so that idea that if we had proper forest management and did all these burns, we wouldnt go through this, or if we had thinning of trees, we wouldnt go through thiswell, the Dixie Fire is taking over areas that we can say did have proper forest management, and it hasnt made a difference. So that is a conversation I think a bunch of us are having right now.

How do you think about the ethics of rebuilding? Should people rebuild?

Well, that in and of itself is a question of privilege, because this is a Native American area, and why should they leave? This is their homeland. Why should people tell them that we shouldnt have a town here anymore? Here, go someplace else. Forget about your area.

But then theres a lot of us in our late 30s to mid-50s who invested time, energy, and into a house that was going to be our little affordable piece of California. And I dont know what were supposed to do. Certainly no ones gonna buy our property. We cant sell it. And a lot of us still have mortgages. So what are we going to do? Are we gonna walk away? What are we going to do?

I was born in California. I watched as our old towns all over California have become places only millionaires can live. And so whats that going to do to our state? I lived in San Francisco eight years where teachers would hit the poverty line of what it takes to live there. I love the state. I love so much about it, but I feel things like these fires are going to force us to move.

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The founder of a surfing school in Santa Barbara, California, confessed to killing his two young children with a spearfishing gun in Mexico, alleging that he did it because of beliefs he picked up as a follower of QAnon and other related conspiracy theories. Matthew Taylor Coleman, 40, took his 2-year-old son and 10-month-old daughter over the border during the weekend and shot them on Monday, according to the FBI. He has been charged with foreign murder of U.S. nationals.

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Coleman told the FBI that he killed his children because he believed they were going to grow into monsters. Although he knew that what he did was wrong, he felt he had no choice because it was the only course of action that would save the world. While talking to authorities, Coleman explained that he was enlightened by QAnon and Illuminati conspiracy theories, wrote FBI special agent Jennifer Bannon.

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Coleman claimed he was receiving visions and signs that his wife had serpent DNA and had passed it on to his children, Bannon wrote. QAnon is a conspiracy theory movement that is in favor of former President Donald Trump and believes all kinds of crazy theories, including that a global elite runs the U.S. government and secretly rapes, murders, and eats children. Followers of QAnon often believed Trump was working to destroy this global cabal while he was in power. Colemans reference to serpent DNA likely refers to the lizard people conspiracy theory that claims aliens run the world and have top positions in governments and other key institutions.

Colemans wife contacted police Saturday when her husband stopped responding to messages. Using a phone tracking device, she saw that he was in Rosarito, a Mexican beach town. On Monday, they saw he was near the border and an FBI agent intercepted him when he tried to cross back into the United States. Mexican authorities found the bodies of the children in a ditch with large puncture wounds to their chests. Coleman has been jailed without bond and his arraignment has been scheduled for Aug. 31.
Sen. Rand Paul disclosed Wednesday that his wife purchased as much as $15,000 in stock in Gilead Sciences, the maker of the antiviral drug known as remdesivir that is used to treat COVID-19. She bought the stock on Feb. 26, 2020, before the World Health Organization had declared the coronavirus a pandemic. That means the disclosure was 16 months late considering that the 2012 Stock Act, meant to combat insider trading in Congress, gives a 45-day deadline to disclose any trades. Pauls spokesperson says the disclosure was completed in a timely fashion but the senator only realized recently that it had never been sent.

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The late disclosure raised more than a few eyebrows in part because it appeared to be part of a pattern in which several senators sold significant numbers of stocks in January and February last year as the true extent of the coronavirus crisis was still unclear. That launched several insider-trading probes, most of which have since ended. Ethics experts said Paul has some explaining to do. The senator ought to have an explanation for the trade and, more importantly, why it took him almost a year and a half to discover it from his wife, James D. Cox, a law professor at Duke University told the Washington Post.

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Kelsey Cooper, the senators spokesperson, claims Pauls wife, Kelley, lost money on the Gilead stocks. The purchase came months before the Food and Drug Administration gave remdesivir emergency use authorization. But the purchase came two days after a WHO assistant director general characterized remdesivir as the only known drug that may have real efficacy to treat COVID-19. Then-President Donald Trump received the drug when he was sick with COVID-19. The World Health Organization later recommended against its use as a treatment for the coronavirus.

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Paul, who was the first senator to test positive for COVID-19, has repeatedly pushed back against public health guidelines and recommendations to stem the spread of the coronavirus. The senator found himself engulfed in further controversy earlier this week when YouTube suspended him for seven days on Tuesday after he posted a video claiming cloth masks dont help prevent COVID-19 infections. It marked the second time in a month that YouTube had removed a video posted by Paul because it was deemed to contain misleading information about masks. Paul, who is now prevented from posting new videos to his account until the suspension is lifted, said on Twitter that the decision was a badge of honor and he linked to an alternative site where the video is still up. In a statement, the senator said the company has every right to do what it thinks is right. As a libertarian-leaning Senator, I think private companies have the right to ban me if they want to, so in this case Ill just channel that frustration into ensuring the public knows YouTube is acting as an arm of government and censoring their users for contradicting the government, he said.
Once a decade, the U.S. Census Bureau undertakes the massive challenge of counting every single person in the nation. Were all asked to share sensitive information about ourselvessuch as race, sex, and date of birthwhich the bureau then uses to publish aggregate statistics about the population.

Published statistics are meant to be anonymous. But what if its possible to use the published numbers to reconstruct the raw data? After the 2010 Census, the bureau looked into how well an attacker might be able to reconstruct the underlying data from the 2010 Census given its privacy protections. The results were troubling: Someone could correctly recover census block (that is, location), sex, ethnicity, and age (plus or minus one year) for 71 percent of the population. That might not sound that bad, since the information would still not have a name attached to it. But if an attacker linked the reconstructed data with external, commercial datasets including names and addresses, they would be able to correctly re-identify at least 17 percent of the population. As with data breaches, reidentification could put people at risk of identity theft or privacy-invading ad targeting based on sensitive attributes like ethnicity or age.

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In response, the Census Bureau decided for the 2020 Census to use differential privacy, a state-of-the-art approach born from cryptography. Differential privacy limits the extent to which a statistic would differ if it were to be calculated with or without any given persons data, thereby maintaining individual-level privacy. This usually means adding a calibrated amount of random noise to a value that will be reported (for instance, the population of a county) in order to obscure the contribution of any given individual. For example, if a countys population is 5,000, it may be reported as 5,005 or any other randomly drawn value from a specified probability distribution. (When the bureau applied differential privacy to the 2010 Census as a dry run, county populations differed from the original published counts on average by about four people for small counties with populations less than 1,000 and by about five people for large counties with populations of 100,000 or more.)

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Adding more noise means lower accuracy but stronger privacy protections. One of the most important aspects of differential privacy is that its future-proof: Its privacy guarantees hold regardless of an attackers level of computational power or access to external data (including data that do not yet exist). So even a very, very well-resourced and motivated attacker should find it extremely challenging to use published information to figure out who you are if the information is protected under differential privacy.

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Although 2020 Census statistics have yet to be fully released, the bureau is already facing pushback about the new approach. Alabama is suing the bureau (though the lawsuit was recently put on hold) on the grounds that it is violating its mandate to report  accurate [t]abulations of the population  by releasing inaccurate statistics. Sixteen states are backing the lawsuit. The bureau, however, is also legally required not to publish individually identifiable data, putting it between a rock and a hard place. Some approach to protecting privacy is mandatory and differential privacy represents the strongest known defense against re-identification.

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Whats tricky about differential privacy is deciding how much noise to add, and how to weigh the importance of accuracy versus privacy for a given dataset. For starters, the Census helps decide how to distribute more than $675 billion of federal funds every year. A community whose population is significantly underreported may not receive adequate funding for its schools and hospitals. On the other hand, threats to privacy are real and growing, particularly in the face of the U.S.s lack of federal data privacy legislation. Its not unreasonable to expect that potential attackers have gained access to more complete, correct information over time. Earlier we mentioned that a supposed attacker could correctly re-identify 17 percent of the population with the 2010 Census using commercial data available in 2010. Thats alarming, but the situation could be even worse: Using the best quality external data (with fewer missing records/incorrect entries) representing a worst-case scenario, an attacker could likely re-identify 58 percent of the population from 2010.

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The tension between accuracy and privacy arises more generally in discussions around publishing data while protecting privacy. For some data scenarios, such as for smaller datasets, alternative approaches to privacy protection may be better suited. The Census Bureau is considering releasing the American Community Survey as fully synthetic data: generated data that mimic, but dont exactly match, the real thing. However, to generate new data like the real data brings its own challenges. Some researchers are concerned that fully synthetic data will not be suitable for analysis purposes, because, for example, ensuring that synthetic data preserve all relationships that might ever be of interest is difficult (if not impossible). In other words, we can only be sure to preserve relationships that we already know are important, and its hard to know what we dont know.

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Finding the right balance between accuracy and privacy is never easy, and using differential privacy brings this question to a head. Implementing a simple differentially private algorithm for calculating a count, for example, requires setting a privacy loss budget, epsilon. If we choose a higher epsilon value, we expect the algorithm to add less noise to the count. In turn, privacy protections wont be as strong. As an approach, differential privacy is agnostic about how to both choose an overall epsilon value and allocate it across released statistics. While finding a supposed sweet spot between accuracy and privacy is the goal, doing so is far from trivial and requires considering a few things about how differential privacy works.

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First, statistics for smaller populations may be relatively less accurate compared with statistics for larger populations. To get the same privacy guarantees, we must add more noise to smaller datasets. This raises questions around whether its fair for certain populationsfor example people living in rural areas or minoritiesto be less accurately represented in the public record. On the other hand, equalizing accuracy across groups means that smaller populations will have weaker privacy guarantees.

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Moreover, because the noise added by a differentially private algorithm is random, understanding its implications for a given scenario requires knowing something about the level of aggregation. By definition, random errors cancel each other out. So lets say were interested in estimating the total population of a voting district by using noisy counts from census blocks that make up the district. Then, the more block counts that are used for the district count, the more likely the errors in the block counts are to cancel each other out so that the district count isnt too affected. Census data are used for many different analytical purposes with varying levels of aggregation, however, and any single choice of how to allocate epsilon will favor some scenarios over others.

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In these discussions, it might be easy to focus on accuracy since their effects may be more immediately felt. However, its important not to lose sight of harms associated with private data inadvertently being made public. Considering reidentification riskand associated costsalongside accuracy could help in more holistically assessing epsilon.

Last, one of the benefits of differential privacy is that specifications of the algorithms used, like epsilon, can be made public. That wasnt true for previous methods of protecting privacy used by the Census Bureauthere was concern that publishing specifics of how the data were changed could end up compromising privacy protection. If were able to effectively communicate the implications of epsilon, we can foster public trust in the Census and engage a wider audience in discussions about the tradeoff between accuracy and privacy. For instance, stakeholders with different backgrounds and areas of expertise, such as those whose livelihoods are directly affected by census counts, can point out potential pitfalls in prioritizing either accuracy or privacy before its too late.

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Slightly complicating the matter, however, is that for the 2020 census the bureau is planning on using a more recent variation of differential privacy, zero-concentrated differential privacy, that instead uses a parameter rho. Zero-concentrated differential privacy generalizes standard differential privacy and better characterizes privacy loss over multiple data releases. While guarantees provided by a given value of rho can be converted to guarantees under a simpler version of differential privacy (which includes epsilon), it nonetheless adds a potential opportunity for confusion around parameter choices.

Its very possible that learning to navigate the tradeoff between accuracy and privacy will be a topic not only for computer scientists. Clearly, as technologists we will need societys help in answering whats become an increasingly pressing question: Whats the right balance and how do we find it?

Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society.
A success of Slovak satellite in space: it detected gamma-ray bursts

The primary goal of the GRBAlpha satellite mission was to verify the functionality of a special gamma ray detector.

The testing of GRBAlpha satellite. (Source: Faculty of Aeronautics of the Technical University of Kosice)

The Slovak satellite GRBAlpha became the first miniaturised satellite in the world to detect gamma-ray bursts.

This information stems from the data published by the GRBAlpha team in the online circular of NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.

Yes, we managed to detect our first gamma-ray burst, astrophysicist Norbert Werner of Masaryk University in Brno, a coordinator of the mission, told the Zive.sk website.

GRBAlpha thus became the first satellite from the CubeSat category to detect this phenomenon. Usually, they are monitored by big satellites that costs hundreds of millions of euros.

Slovakia will send a second satellite to space Read more

While short gamma-ray bursts last about two seconds, GRBAlpha managed to record quite a long burst. The satellite captured 80 seconds of the 150-second blast, comprised of three peaks, Werner added for Zive.sk.

The detection of the gamma-ray blast was later confirmed by astronomers who compared the data to that from big satellites.

International cooperation

The primary goal of the GRBAlpha mission was to verify the functionality of a special detector for gamma rays, based on existing technologies, and which uses silicon photomultipliers, which have not been used in space. The GRBAlpha team continues to monitor the condition of the silicon photomultipliers.

Investments of Slovak companies and startups in space exploration are growing Read more

The GRBAlpha satellite is the second Slovak satellite in space. It has a cubic shape measuring 10 x 10 x 10 cm and weighs about one kilogram. The satellite was transported to space onboard a Russian space rocket in March 2021.

The project coordinator of the mission is the Technical University of Kosice, while the satellite platform comes from Jakub Kapus's Spacemanic company, who was behind the project of the very first Slovak satellite, skCube. Several key components were developed by the Slovak company Needronix, Zive.sk reported.

This is an international project, as also Hungary, Japan and the Czech Republic took part.

12. Aug 2021 at 11:49 | Compiled by Spectator staff
Eldorado Scioto Downs played host to the third leg of the Buckeye Stallion Series for two-year-old filly pacers on Wednesday (August 11). Five divisions went postward for $17,500 each with Bittrsweetsymphony taking the first, and fastest, division in 1:53.2.

The Well Said-Just Too Spoiled filly sat third through an opening quarter of :28 and :56.4 half. Tyler Smith pulled her first up to challenge the leader Cruzinbytheseaside (Brett Miller) heading towards the three-quarters in 1:24.4. The duo steadily gained ground to win by a half-length. Crist Hershberger trains the Bittrsweetsymphony, who was a $14,000 Ohio Select Sale yearling purchase for CNC Stables and David Miller. Prancing Queen (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) finished second with Myells Real Terror (Shawn Barker II) getting up for third.

The second division went to Shesonebadmomma (Big Bad John-Elodie) in 1:54.1. Jeremy Smith moved the filly from third after the :27.2 first quarter. At the :57.1 half, She Means Business (Smith) challenged but couldn't get past the leader. Shesonebadmomma won by a length over Fear Abby (Josh Sutton). She Means Business was third. Jim Arledge Jr. trains Shesonebadmomma for Winchester Baye Acres.

Aaron Merriman piloted Future Ex Wife to a nose victory over Glowing N The Dark (Barker). The time of the mile for the third division was 1:54.3. The Bill Rhoades trainee led gate to wire after leaving from post five through fractions of :27.4, :57.4 and 1:25.2. Sectionline Dragon (Smith) was third. Future Ex-wife (Fear The Dragon-Lady Mach) was a $8,500 Blooded Horse Sale purchase last fall and is now owned by Craig Stein. The filly is a perfect three-for-three in Buckeye Stallion Series action.

Avia Hanover and Ronnie Wrenn Jr. took the fourth split of Buckeye Stallion Series action in 1:55. Leaving from post four, the Downbytheseaside-Anderosa Hanover filly pulled at the :27.4 opening quarter to take the lead and stayed comfortably in control through the :57 half and 1:25.1 three-quarters. Scott Cox trains the filly for Jason Ash, Jim Winske and Stephen Michaels. Awaken The Dragon (Sutton) came from sixth at the three-quarters to finish second while Fear The Electra (Merriman) was third.

The last division was won by Love Me Hill (Racing Hill-Beyonce Blue Chip) and Miller in 1:55.2. Getting away third from the rail to the :28 opening quarter, the Virgil Morgan, Jr. trainee sat through :57.4 and 1:26.1 fractions. Miller then tipped her to the outside to power on by to win for owner/breeder Tom Hill. Harmony of Notes (Sutton) got up for second with Twenty (Chris Page) finishing third.

Stakes action continues at Eldorado Scioto Downs on Friday (August 13) with three divisions of the Ohio Sires Stakes two-year-old filly trot and two divisions of the OHSS two-year-old filly pace. Racing is held each Tuesday-Saturday at Scioto with a first post of 6:15 p.m.

(Ohio Harness Horsemens Association)
After coming up a neck short as the 1-4 favourite on Sunday, Donald Beaton's Daddy Let Me Drive ($3.40) refused to relinquish control at any point of Wednesday's (Aug. 11) $1,250 pacing feature at Inverness Raceway.

Rodney Gillis and Daddy Let Me Drive sprinted to the lead from post 3 and seated Dan Dar Mal in the pocket through a :28.4 first quarter. After rating a :58.4 half, the seven-year-old I Can Only Imagine gelding shrugged off a first-over challenge from Chase N Madi up the backstretch before using :28.3 closing speed to edge clear by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:57.2. Rockemsockem Scott saved ground through the far turn and emerged up the pegs for second over the tiring Dan Dar Mal.

Daddy Let Me Drive, whom Donald Beaton both owns and trains, won for the 23rd time in his career and the fourth time this season.

To view Wednesday's complete results, click the following link: Wednesday Results  Inverness Raceway.
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Artificial intelligence research company OpenAI has announced the development of an AI system that translates natural language to programming codecalled Codex, the system is being released as a free API, at least for the time being.

Codex is more of a next-step product for OpenAI, rather than something completely new. It builds on Copilot, a tool for use with Microsoft's GitHub code repository. With the earlier product, users would get suggestions similar to those seen in autocomplete in Google, except it would help finish lines of code. Codex has taken that concept a huge step forward by accepting sentences written in English and translating them into runnable code. As an example, a user could ask the system to create a web page with a certain name at the top and with four evenly sized panels below numbered one through four. Codex would then attempt to create the page by generating the code necessary for the creation of such a site in whatever language (JavaScript, Python, etc.) was deemed appropriate. The user could then send additional English commands to build the website piece by piece.

Codex (and Copilot) parse written text using OpenAI's language generation modelit is able to both generate and parse code, which allowed users to use Copilot in custom waysone of those ways was to generate programming code that had been written by others for the GitHub repository. This led many of those who had contributed to the project to accuse OpenAI of using their code for profit, a charge that could very well be levied against Codex, as well, as much of the code it generates is simply copied from GitHub. Notably, OpenAI started out as a nonprofit entity in 2015 and changed to what it described as a "capped profit" entity in 2019a move the company claimed would help it get more funding from investors.

On its announcement page, OpenAI says that it is releasing the API for Codex in a private beta to start and also notes that the company is inviting developers and businesses to give it a try. They also note that as a general-purpose programming tool, Codex can be used for virtually any programing task.

Explore further Microsoft announces first product features running on GPT-3

More information: Codex site: Codex site: openai.com/blog/openai-codex/

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The STM Kargu attack drone. Credit: STM

Last year, according to a United Nations report published in March, Libyan government forces hunted down rebel forces using "lethal autonomous weapons systems" that were "programmed to attack targets without requiring data connectivity between the operator and the munition." The deadly drones were Turkish-made quadcopters about the size of a dinner plate, capable of delivering a warhead weighing a kilogram or so.

Artificial intelligence researchers like me have been warning of the advent of such lethal autonomous weapons systems, which can make life-or-death decisions without human intervention, for years. A recent episode of 4 Corners reviewed this and many other risks posed by developments in AI.

Around 50 countries are meeting at the UN offices in Geneva this week in the latest attempt to hammer out a treaty to prevent the proliferation of these killer devices. History shows such treaties are needed, and that they can work.

The lesson of nuclear weapons

Scientists are pretty good at warning of the dangers facing the planet. Unfortunately, society is less good at paying attention.

In August 1945, the United States dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing up to 200,000 civilians. Japan surrendered days later. The second world war was over, and the Cold War began.

The world still lives today under the threat of nuclear destruction. On a dozen or so occasions since then, we have come within minutes of all-out nuclear war.

Well before the first test of a nuclear bomb, many scientists working on the Manhattan Project were concerned about such a future. A secret petition was sent to President Harry S. Truman in July 1945. It accurately predicted the future: "The development of atomic power will provide the nations with new means of destruction. The atomic bombs at our disposal represent only the first step in this direction, and there is almost no limit to the destructive power which will become available in the course of their future development. Thus a nation which sets the precedent of using these newly liberated forces of nature for purposes of destruction may have to bear the responsibility of opening the door to an era of devastation on an unimaginable scale."

If after this war a situation is allowed to develop in the world which permits rival powers to be in uncontrolled possession of these new means of destruction, the cities of the United States as well as the cities of other nations will be in continuous danger of sudden annihilation. All the resources of the United States, moral and material, may have to be mobilized to prevent the advent of such a world situation 

Billions of dollars have since been spent on nuclear arsenals that maintain the threat of mutually assured destruction, the "continuous danger of sudden annihilation" that the physicists warned about in July 1945.

A warning to the world

Six years ago, thousands of my colleagues issued a similar warning about a new threat. Only this time, the petition wasn't secret. The world wasn't at war. And the technologies weren't being developed in secret. Nevertheless, they pose a similar threat to global stability.

The threat comes this time from artificial intelligence, and in particular the development of lethal autonomous weapons: weapons that can identify, track and destroy targets without human intervention. The media often like to call them "killer robots."

Our open letter to the UN carried a stark warning. "The key question for humanity today is whether to start a global AI arms race or to prevent it from starting. If any major military power pushes ahead with AI weapon development, a global arms race is virtually inevitable. The endpoint of such a technological trajectory is obvious: autonomous weapons will become the Kalashnikovs of tomorrow."

Strategically, autonomous weapons are a military dream. They let a military scale its operations unhindered by manpower constraints. One programmer can command hundreds of autonomous weapons. An army can take on the riskiest of missions without endangering its own soldiers.

Nightmare swarms

There are many reasons, however, why the military's dream of lethal autonomous weapons will turn into a nightmare. First and foremost, there is a strong moral argument against killer robots. We give up an essential part of our humanity if we hand to a machine the decision of whether a person should live or die.

Beyond the moral arguments, there are many technical and legal reasons to be concerned about killer robots. One of the strongest is that they will revolutionize warfare. Autonomous weapons will be weapons of immense destruction.

Previously, if you wanted to do harm, you had to have an army of soldiers to wage war. You had to persuade this army to follow your orders. You had to train them, feed them and pay them. Now just one programmer could control hundreds of weapons.

In some ways lethal autonomous weapons are even more troubling than nuclear weapons. To build a nuclear bomb requires considerable technical sophistication. You need the resources of a nation state, skilled physicists and engineers, and access to scarce raw materials such as uranium and plutonium. As a result, nuclear weapons have not proliferated greatly.

Autonomous weapons require none of this, and if produced they will likely become cheap and plentiful. They will be perfect weapons of terror.

Can you imagine how terrifying it will be to be chased by a swarm of autonomous drones? Can you imagine such drones in the hands of terrorists and rogue states with no qualms about turning them on civilians? They will be an ideal weapon with which to suppress a civilian population. Unlike humans, they will not hesitate to commit atrocities, even genocide.

Time for a treaty

We stand at a crossroads on this issue. It needs to be seen as morally unacceptable for machines to decide who lives and who dies. And for the diplomats at the UN to negotiate a treaty limiting their use, just as we have treaties to limit chemical, biological and other weapons. In this way, we may be able to save ourselves and our children from this terrible future.

Explore further Are lethal autonomous weapons the future of warfare?

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
In this file photo dated Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2019, women use a cell phone on an underground platform in central London. Facebook's purchase of Giphy will hurt competition for animated images, U.K. regulators said Thursday Aug. 12, 2021, following an investigation, indicating the social network could be forced to sell off the company if the provisional finding's concerns are confirmed. Giphy's library of short looping videos, or GIFs, are a popular tool for internet users sending messages or posting on social media. Credit: AP Photo/Petros Karadjias, FILE

Facebook's ownership of Giphy will hurt competition for animated images, U.K. regulators said Thursday, meaning the social network could ultimately be forced to unwind the deal if the provisional findings are confirmed.

The Competition and Markets Authority said its investigation found the acquisition would hurt competition among social media platforms because there's only one other big provider of GIFs, Google's Tenor.

Giphy's library of short looping videos, or GIFs, are a popular tool for internet users sending messages or posting on social media.

The deal will also reduce digital advertising competition by removing a potential rival from the market, the watchdog said. It started looking into the acquisition last year, shortly after Facebook announced its plan to acquire Giphy in a deal reportedly worth $400 million.

The acquisition also faces scrutiny from regulators in Australia and Austria, underlining concerns about how such acquisitions can affect competition in local markets.

Facebook said it disagreed with the preliminary findings, which it didn't believe to be supported by the evidence.

"As we have demonstrated, this merger is in the best interest of people and businesses in the U.K. - and around the world - who use GIPHY and our services," Facebook said. "We will continue to work with the CMA to address the misconception that the deal harms competition."

Prior to the deal, Giphy had been considering expanding its paid advertising services to other countries including the U.K. That would have added a new player to the market and encouraged more innovation from social media sites and advertisers, the CMA said.

But Facebook terminated Giphy's paid advertising partnerships after the deal, it said.

In this April 14, 2020 file photo, the thumbs up Like logo is shown on a sign at Facebook headquarters in Menlo Park, Calif, USA. Facebook's purchase of Giphy will hurt competition for animated images, U.K. regulators said Thursday Aug. 12, 2021, following an investigation, indicating the social network could be forced to sell off the company if the provisional finding's concerns are confirmed. Giphy's library of short looping videos, or GIFs, are a popular tool for internet users sending messages or posting on social media. Credit: AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File

"Giphy's takeover could see Facebook withdrawing GIFs from competing platforms or requiring more user data in order to access them. It also removes a potential challenger to Facebook," which dominates the U.K.'s 5.5 billion pound ($7.6 billion) display advertising market, inquiry chair Stuart McIntosh said. "None of this would be good news for customers."

McIntosh said the watchdog would now seek feedback on the provisional findings before issuing its final report on Oct. 6.

"Should we conclude that the merger is detrimental to the market and social media users, we will take the necessary actions to make sure people are protected," he said.

When it announced the deal, Facebook said about half of Giphy's traffic came from Facebook apps, which also include Messenger and WhatsApp. It had planned to integrate Giphy into Instagram but the authority ordered the companies to keep the businesses separate during the investigation.

Facebook is facing increased scrutiny over acquisitions that might have previously escaped notice amid rising concern that the digital giants are amassing greater market power. The CMA and European Union and German regulators are all looking into the company's plan to buy Kustomer, a customer management platform.

Explore further UK regulators investigate Facebook's purchase of Giphy

 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
A nascent information-stealing malware sold and distributed on underground Russian underground forums has been written in Rust, signalling a new trend where threat actors are increasingly adopting exotic programming languages to bypass security protections, evade analysis, and hamper reverse engineering efforts.

Dubbed "Ficker Stealer," it's notable for being propagated via Trojanized web links and compromised websites, luring in victims to scam landing pages purportedly offering free downloads of legitimate paid services like Spotify Music, YouTube Premium, and other Microsoft Store applications.

"Ficker is sold and distributed as Malware-as-a-Service (MaaS), via underground Russian online forums," BlackBerry's research and intelligence team said in a report published today. "Its creator, whose alias is @ficker, offers several paid packages, with different levels of subscription fees to use their malicious program."

First seen in the wild in August 2020, the Windows-based malware is used to steal sensitive information, including login credentials, credit card information, cryptocurrency wallets, and browser information, in addition to functioning as a tool to grab sensitive files from the compromised machine, and act as a downloader to download and execute additional second-stage malware.

Additionally, Ficker is known to be delivered through spam campaigns, which involve sending targeted phishing emails with weaponized macro-based Excel document attachments that, when opened, drops the Hancitor loader, which then injects the final payload using a technique called process hollowing to avoid detection and mask its activities.

In the months that followed since its discovery, the digital threat has been found leveraging DocuSign-themed lures to install a Windows binary from an attacker-controlled server. CyberArk, in an analysis of the Ficker malware last month, noted its heavily obfuscated nature and Rust roots, making the analysis more difficult, if not prohibitive.

"Once the fake DocuSign document is opened and its malicious macro code is allowed to run, Hancitor will often reach out to its command-and-control (C2) infrastructure to receive a malicious URL containing a sample of Ficker to download," BlackBerry researchers said.

Aside from relying on obfuscation techniques, the malware also incorporates other anti-analysis checks that prevent it from running on virtualized environments and on victim machines located in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Uzbekistan. Also worthy of particular note is that, unlike traditional information stealers, Ficker is designed to execute the commands and exfiltrate the information directly to the operators instead of writing the stolen data to disk.

"The malware also has screen-capturing abilities, which allow the malware's operator to remotely capture an image of the victim's screen. The malware also enables file-grabbing and additional downloading capabilities once connection to its C2 is established," the researchers said. "Once information is sent back to Ficker's C2, the malware owner can access and search for all exfiltrated data."
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After a major online campaign to get LeVar Burton to be the next Jeopardy! host, he finally got a guest spot. It was a little rough at first, but of the hosts, I think he is the best who has shown actual enthusiasm for the show.
Many universities in Ho Chi Minh City have provided coronavirus vaccination for more than 10,000 students, with priority given to frontline volunteers.

One of the schools is the University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, where nearly 3,000 students have registered for their second vaccine shots, said Truong Van Dat, head of the universitys student affairs department.

Such registration is applied to those students who have got the first jabs at least six weeks before. The school has planned to give the second injections to them from August 13 to 22, the department head said.

The university has given the first injections to all of its students staying in the city since late June, with priority intended for those who have engaged in COVID-19 frontline activities, Dat added.

To date, more than 4,800 students, including 1,600 frontline volunteers, of the medical school have got their first doses.

The municipal Center for Disease Control has since June coordinated with the university hospital to offer COVID-19 inoculation to students from all universities and colleges participating in epidemic prevention and control efforts. As yet, thousands of such students have been inoculated.

Dr. Ha Thanh Dat, from the University of Medicine Pham Ngoc Thach, said that more than 3,000 students of the school have been vaccinated against the novel coronavirus, of whom 200 have received two full doses.

At the Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry, the first vaccine shots have been given to 250 students, of whom 180 are boarders while the rest partake in the COVID-19 fight, said university president Phan Hong Hai.

Our volunteer students are going to receive the second jabs. The school has made a list of 2,500 students who are living in Ho Chi Minh City for vaccination, the president added.

Meanwhile, 89 boarders of the University of Science have been provided with the first jabs, said Tran Vu, head of the schools student affairs department.

The Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology also said all 850 students and staff at its dormitory in District 10 have been given the first doses.

Throughout the city, the numbers of people receiving the first and second injections have so far reached more than 3.85 million and 118,000, respectively, according to the Ministry of Healths data.

Since the pandemic hit the country in early 2020, the city has documented 135,224 COVID-19 cases including 3,582 deaths, while the corresponding figures of the country are 241,543 and 4,487, the ministry reported on Thursday morning.

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Sixteen COVID-19 cases have so far been traced to a cluster which began at a childs birthday party in Vietnams Central Highlands.

Five-year-old N.B.A.s birthday party took place in Vu Bon Commune, Krong Pak District, Dak Lak Province on August 5, according to district-level authorities.

More than 20 people attended the event and none of them wore face masks.

As of Wednesday evening, 16 individuals, including some children who attended the party, and their family members had tested positive for COVID-19.

Competent authorities have yet to identify the source of the infection. Contact tracing is still underway.

The village where the party took place has been locked down in a bid to control the spread of the virus.

Tran Van Sau, chairman of Vu Bon Commune, was put on suspension from August 10 to 24 for his loosened oversight over pandemic prevention and control efforts.

Vietnam had documented 241,543 COVID-19 cases as of Thursday afternoon, with 85,154 recoveries and 4,487 deaths, according to the Ministry of Health.

The country has recorded 237,589 local infections in 62 provinces and cities, including 462 cases in Dak Lak, since the fourth wave started on April 27.

The Central Highlands province began following social distancing measures under the prime ministers Directive No. 15 on July 20.

The directive bans gatherings of more than 10 individuals in public and groups of more than 20 people in one room, while requiring people to keep a distance of at least two meters from each other.

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A fire that broke out at a propane store in Sa Pa, a resort town in northern Vietnam's Lao Cai Province, destroyed the entire venue and two adjacent houses on Tuesday.

The store, located at 244 Thach Son Street in the towns Sa Pa Ward, caught fire at around 10:30 am on Tuesday, according to Do Trong Nguyen, the wards chairman.

Firefighters were immediately mobilized to extinguish the blaze upon receiving the report about the incident.

It was very difficult to put out the conflagration because it occurred at a propane store, said Nguyen.

The fire was violent.

"There were many explosions before it spread to the two houses at 242 and 246 Thach Son Street.

"We extinguished it by noon the same day.

The blaze completely destroyed the propane store and the house at 246 Thach Son Street, according to preliminary assessments, while the house No. 242 suffered partial damage to its first and second floors.

No casualties were reported.

Functional forces are assessing the total damage and investigating the cause of the blaze.

A fire breaks out at a propane store in Sa Pa Town, Lao Cai Province, Vietnam, August 11, 2021. Video: Vang Den / Tuoi Tre

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Three people are dead and another is still being treated at the hospital after a landslide hot a neighborhood in Ha Long City under Quang Ninh Province in northern Vietnam early Thursday morning.

The landslide swept through a residential area in Bai Chay Ward, Ha Long City at around 4:00 am on Thursday while the four victims were fast asleep, according to the Peoples Committee of the city.

Rescuers quickly arrived at the residential area to look for the victims.

Quang Ninh deputy chairman Pham Van Thanh also visited the site to direct the rescue.

It took over three hours for the rescuers to pull the first victim from the debris.

The second victim was discovered at around 8:20 am while the remaining two were found at 9:00 am the same day.

All four victims were rushed to Bai Chay Hospital for emergency treatment.

Rescuers take a victim out of debris in a landslide in Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam, August 12, 2021. Photo: Hang Ngan / Tuoi Tre

Three of the victims did not survive and the fourth is still undergoing treatment at the hospital.

The four victims were workers at a construction site in Bai Chay Ward, according to local authorities.

Initially, Ha Long City and Bai Chay Ward authorities gave a total of VND13 million (US$572) worth of support to the family of each deceased victim.

The city also directed its medical centers staff to take samples from the victims for COVID-19 testing.

People living in the three households near the landslide have been relocated.

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A police officer from Tay Ninh Province in southern Vietnam, who recently participated in local COVID-19 prevention and control efforts, has passed away 13 days after he was diagnosed with the respiratory disease.

A Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper source at the provincial Department of Public Security confirmed on Wednesday that the deceased officer was Le Huynh Nhat Minh, deputy chief of the police unit in Phuoc Thanh Commune, Go Dau District.

From July 21 to 28, Minh joined a contact tracing team to look for six people who came into direct contact with a COVID-19 patient.

He also assisted in the testing of 18 factory workers at Phuoc Dong - Boi Loi Industrial Park during this period.

The police officer tested positive for the novel coronavirus on July 29 and was admitted to the Ben Cau District Medical Center for quarantine and treatment with symptoms including a fever, cough, headache, and difficulty breathing.

Minh was transferred to Tay Ninh General Hospital on August 7 for further treatment. He was given breathing support at the infirmary.

The patient tested negative for the coronavirus the following day, while his condition also improved.

However, his health worsened on Wednesday morning.

Despite doctors efforts, the officer passed away at 10:40 am the same day.

Vietnam had documented 241,543 COVID-19 cases by Thursday afternoon, with 85,154 recoveries and 4,487 deaths, according to the Ministry of Health.

The country has recorded 237,589 local infections in 62 provinces and cities, including 3,156 cases in Tay Ninh, since the fourth wave started on April 27.

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Authorities in Ca Mau fined three officers from state-run organizations a total of VND51 million (US$2,237) for visiting a cafe together despite social distancing restrictions in the southernmost Vietnamese province.

Phuong Thanh Liem, an officer at the social security office in Ca Maus Dam Doi District, Trinh Khoi Nghia, deputy head of the home affairs department in the same district, and Trinh Chien Thang, who works at Dam Doi General Hospital, on Tuesday paid a fine of VND17 million ($745) each for their violations.

Local people reported that the three men were drinking coffee at Phi Yen 2 Cafe in Dam Doi Town in the namesake district on July 22 while all 19 southern provinces and cities, including Ca Mau, were under strict social distancing measures in accordance with the prime ministers Directive No. 16.

A task force of the districts steering committee for COVID-19 prevention and control visited the cafe to verify the report and booked the three officers for gathering in a group of more than two people, leaving home without a proper reason, wearing no face masks, and failing to keep a distance from each other, as per regulations.

In addition to the VND17-million fine, Liem was disciplined for his infringements, Trinh Trung Kien, director of the Ca Mau Social Security, said on Tuesday.

Local authorities did not mention a punishment for the cafe that hosted the three men.

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Police in the north-central Vietnamese province of Nghe An have arrested two residents after they were caught illegally raising 17 tigers inside their houses last week.

The provincial Peoples Procuracy confirmed on Wednesday it had approved the decision to arrest and initiate legal proceedings against Nguyen Van Hien, 39, for violating regulations on the protection of endangered, precious, and rare animals.

Hien was discovered raising 14 tigers, each weighing nearly 200 kilograms, at his home in Do Thanh Commune, Yen Thanh District, on Wednesday last week.

Police in Yen Thanh District have also taken into custody 50-year-old Nguyen Thi Dinh, who was caught raising three adult tigers at her house on the same day, to assist their investigation.

The two claimed they had bought the wild animals from Laos when they were cubs.

Hien turned an 80-square-meter section of his house into a tiger farm, while Dinh built a 120-square-meter basement to raise the big cats and avoid being detected by authorities or neighbors.

Police work on the case in Nghe An Province, Vietnam. Photo: Bac Xuan / Tuoi Tre

This is the largest number of endangered animals that have been found being illicitly raised in Nghe An, Colonel Nguyen Duc Hai, deputy director of the provincial Department of Public Security, said during a press meeting on Monday.

Keeping endangered animals in captivity as well as hunting and slaughtering them are punishable by up to 15 years in prison, Hai quoted the Penal Code as saying.

The police official stated that the 17 tigers were anesthetized and taken to Muong Thanh Dien Lam ecological area for care and investigation.

However, eight of them later died of unknown reasons, he continued, adding that competent authorities have been working to identify the causes.

According to Nghe An Forest Protection Department, only two establishments are licensed to raise tigers in the province, thus it is illegal for local residents to keep the wild animals in captivity.

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More than 241,000 coronavirus infections have been documented in Vietnam so far while the numbers of people getting the first and second COVID-19 shots have reached some 11 million and one million, respectively, health authorities reported.

With 4,642 new coronavirus cases documented on Thursday morning, Vietnam has registered 241,543 infections, including 2,384 imported and 239,159 domestic cases, since early 2020, when the pandemic hit the country, the Ministry of Health confirmed.

By far, the number of COVID-19 recoveries has reached 85,154 and the death toll has amounted to 4,487, said the ministry.

Out of the latest infections, 2,318, or nearly 50 percent, were detected in Ho Chi Minh City, which has recently become the largest hotspot of COVID-19 in Vietnam, with 135,224 cases recorded as of Thursday morning, including 3,582 deaths.

Binh Duong has been the countrys second-largest coronavirus epicenter, with 34,648 patients including 242 deaths.

Since the pandemics fourth wave kicked off late April in Vietnam, the country has registered 237,589 cases, or as much as 99.3 percent of the total count.

The Southeast Asian nation is speeding up coronavirus inoculation to reach herd immunity, as 11,006,121 people have received the first shot and 1,092,700 have got two full doses, the health ministry said.

The Vietnamese government expects to obtain 175 million shots of various vaccines, including 51 million Pfizer-BioNTech jabs, by early 2022.

It set a target of immunizing two-thirds of a population of nearly 98 million people against COVID-19 by the first quarter of next year.

But local sources said the country had got only 18 million doses from different sources, including COVAX Facility, contractual purchases, and donations.

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The Ministry of Health reported more than 9,600 domestic COVID-19 infections in Vietnam on Thursday, including over 3,800 patients in Ho Chi Minh City.

Forty-two provinces and cities recorded 9,653 locally-acquired infections while 14 separate cases were imported from abroad, the health ministry said.

The ministry had confirmed 8,752 domestically-infected patients in 33 provinces and cities on Wednesday.

Over 2,200 of the latest local cases were found in the community whereas the remainder were detected in isolated areas or centralized quarantine facilities.

Ho Chi Minh City registered 3,841 of the new domestic infections, up by 425 cases from yesterday, Binh Duong Province 3,028, Dong Nai Province 1,071, Long An Province 354, Tien Giang Province 212, Khanh Hoa Province 172, Dong Thap Province 132, Can Tho City 128, Da Nang 78, and Hanoi 78.

Since the fourth COVID-19 wave began in Vietnam on April 27, the country has documented 242,603 community transmissions in 62 out of its 63 provinces and cities.

Ho Chi Minh City is on top with 137,008 patients, followed by Binh Duong Province with 36,776, Long An Province with 12,609, Dong Nai Province with 11,239, Dong Thap Province with 4,469, Khanh Hoa Province with 3,673, Tien Giang Province with 3,626, Tay Ninh Province with 3,156, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province with 2,425, Hanoi with 2,258, and Can Tho City with 2,187.

By comparison, Vietnam confirmed 106 community cases in the first wave from January 23 to April 16, 2020, 554 in the second from July 25 to December 1, 2020, and 910 in the third from January 28 to March 25, 2021.

The ministry announced 3,991 recoveries on Thursday, taking the total to 89,145 recovered patients.

The death toll has climbed to 4,813 after the health ministry reported 326 fatalities the same day, including 225 registered in Ho Chi Minh City and 42 in Binh Duong Province.

The Southeast Asian country has detected an accumulation of 244,173 domestic and 2,395 imported cases since the COVID-19 pandemic first hit it on January 23, 2020.

Over 12 million COVID-19 vaccine shots have been administered in Vietnam since the country rolled out vaccination on March 8, with nearly 1.1 million people having been fully vaccinated.

The Vietnamese government expects to obtain 175 million shots of various vaccines, including 51 million Pfizer-BioNTech jabs, by early 2022.

It set a target of immunizing two-thirds of a population of nearly 98 million people against COVID-19 by the first quarter of next year.

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A non-fungible token (NFT) created by Ho Chi Minh City-based teen artist Xeo Chu titled The Lucky Apricot Blossom recently raked in US$23,000 in an auction on Binances NFT marketplace.

Pho Van An, who goes by the alias Xeo Chu, has been honing his craft for nearly a decade, producing over 200 pieces of art and showcasing his oeuvre in exhibitions at home and abroad.

Back in July, 14-year-old Xeo Chu launched an online exhibition entitled Pandemic Painting,' in which he showcased three inspirations for his work  flowers, terraced fields, and the sea.

On July 18 and 20, he sold eight of these artworks in a live auction on his Facebook page, pulling in VND320 million ($14,000) for one of the paintings and VND80-230 million ($3,500-10,000) for each of the other seven.

He then donated the total proceeds of the auction  VND2.9 billion (127,000)  plus donations from failed bidders to the Ho Chi Minh City University Medical Center for support in purchasing medical equipment necessary to combat COVID-19.

This screenshot shows Xeo Chus NFT artwork The Lucky Apricot Blossom sold at $22,899 on Binance.

On August 6, he put up The Lucky Apricot Blossom, his very first NFT, for auction on Binance with the opening bid of 5,000 Binance USD (BUSD)  a cryptocurrency that is pegged to the U.S. dollar.

The bidding topped out at BUSD22,899 in less than 24 hours, marking the highest sum a piece produced by a Vietnamese artist has yielded on the platform.

This supplied photo shows artist Xeo Chu in his studio.

Xeo Chus virtual exhibition Pandemic Painting is live-streamed by telepresence robot Ohmni.

NFTs are a blockchain-powered digital signature allowing anyone to verify the ownership and authenticity of an item. In other words, the NFT makes each piece of digital content unique and, henceforth, appealing to collectors.

Various digital assets, including drawings, music, and even Internet memes, can be sold as NFTs, but a lot of the current excitement is around using the tech to sell digital artwork on online platforms.

Aside from Xeo Chu, two other Vietnamese artists have also been selling their works on Binance. Artist Phong Luongs highest sale was $3,000 while artist Tu Nas highest sale hit $5,000.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
How much could a doctor change your life if they saw how you lived?

Two-part series Doctor at the Door sees GP Dr Preeya Alexander leaves her surgery and meet two families in their homes.

In episode 1 of Doctor at the Door, Dr Preeya Alexander heads to Penrith in Western Sydney to spend time with the McClelland family and help John, Katy and their son Liam take back control of their health and wellbeing.

John battles with his weight, Katy believes shes headed towards chronic disease, and Liams fussy eating makes mealtimes a nightmare. Preeya discovers that the McClellands have underlying health problems; shes worried by Johns high blood pressure, and she diagnoses Katy with polycystic ovary syndrome. She also finds they are both on the path to developing type 2 diabetes. Armed with the latest science, can Preeya help the McClellands get back on track?

Weve all heard eat less and move more, but how does this work in practice? Starting with a shopping trip, Preeya takes a deep dive into their groceries and shows them some simple tweaks to success  and to get them moving more, she encourages them to try out some fun water aerobics with Liam in their back yard pool.

But Preeya knows that our health isnt just physical; its also mental. New evidence shows that weight bias is working against us and makes it harder to stick with healthy habits. Preeya calls in a specialist psychologist in weight management who unpacks the secrets behind how mindset can influence health outcomes.

The psychologist returns to take John on a confronting journey into his secret eating  and Preeya shows the family how mindful eating can help us become more in tune with our hunger and fullness signals.

As the six-week program comes to an end, have the McClellands done what it takes to shift their fate and has Preeya managed to build them a prescription worth a lifetime? Preeya reveals some incredible results.

Producer/Director: Amy Sherden

Associate Producer: Rebecca Hill

Executive Producer: Penny Palmer

Head of Factual and Culture: Jennifer Collins

8:30pm Tuesday on ABC.
TV Tonight has 3 x Tin Star The Complete Series DVD Boxsets to giveaway, thanks to Acorn Media.

Starring Tim Roth, these contain 3 seasons and are up for grabs in this Fridays subscriber newsletter.

If you havent signed up for the Friday newsletter you can do so here.

Tim Roth (Pulp Fiction, The Hateful Eight) and Christina Hendricks (Mad Men) star in this tale of corruption of innocence, of murder, of grief and of all-consuming revenge  set against the backdrop of a remote and beautiful Canadian mountain town.

Former London police detective Jim Worth is the new police chief of Little Big Bear, a small town in the Canadian Rockies, where he has moved with his family to escape his past. The influx of migrant workers because of a new big oil company, headed by the mysterious Mrs. Bradshaw, forces Worth to confront the resulting wave of crime that threatens the town.

Worth soon finds himself and his family under attack, leading him to slip into his violent alter-ego, Jack Devlin, to exact revenge.

Release Date: August 18, 2021

Rated: MA15+, Strong themes, violence, coarse language and sex

RRP: $69.95
Elon Musk says Jeff Bezos would be on Pluto by now if lobbying and lawyers could get you to orbit

Elon Musk has mocked billionaire rival Jeff Bezos for apparently focussing on government lobbying rather than developing rockets.

The pair have traded places as the worlds richest person in recent years, using their vast wealth to fund their private space companies.

Mr Musks SpaceX won a lucrative contract from Nasa earlier this year to develop its Starship craft for the 2024 Artemis mission, which aims to return humans to the Moon.

Mr Bezoss Blue Origin firm missed out on the funding, prompting them to file a 50-page protest to the Government Accountability Office that accused Nasa of moving the goalposts at the last minute.

Blue Origin described the bidding process as flawed, to which Mr Musk replied: Cant get it up (to orbit) lol.

On Wednesday evening, the SpaceX boss built on this jab by tweeting: If lobbying and lawyers could get u to orbit, Bezos would be on Pluto rn.

It is the latest in a series of barbs traded by the billionaires in recent years, as each firm battled to beat the other to major space flight milestones.

In 2015, Mr Bezos described the first successful launch and landing of Blue Origins New Shepard space vehicle as the rarest of beasts, to which Mr Musk responded: Not quite rarest. SpaceX Grasshopped rocket did six suborbital flights three years ago and is still around.

In 2019, Mr Musk shared a mocked up image of Blue Origins lunar lander, changing the name from Blue Moon to Blue Balls.

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Last month, just days after a 10-minute flight to the edge of space aboard Blue Origins New Shepard rocket, Mr Bezos published an open letter to Nasa calling for competition to be restored for the Artemis mission.

He also offered to cover large parts of the costs in the development of a lunar lander.

I am honoured to offer these contributions and am grateful to be in a financial position to be able to do so, he wrote.

Mr Musk later replied indirectly, tweeting: Just want to say thanks to those in government who fight hard for the right thing to happen, despite extreme pressure to do otherwise. Therein lies the core goodness of the American state.

Story continues

Read More

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A migrant airlifted to hospital from the English Channel after a boat carrying around 40 people began to sink has died.

The Home Office has confirmed the death of the male, who was taken to Calais by helicopter earlier on Thursday.

The boat is believed to have begun taking on water as it headed for the UK on Thursday morning.

The rescue operation, involving French and Belgian air and sea units, continued throughout the day, authorities in France said.

Others are thought to have succeeded in reaching British shores on Thursday, with reports of a beach landing in Kent.

Searches started at around 10am after a cargo ship reported that a boat carrying around 40 people was in difficulty, with some people overboard, off the coast of Dunkirk.

An unconscious person taken aboard the cargo ships lifeboat and transferred on to a French Navy vessel was later airlifted to hospital in Calais.

He was believed to have suffered cardio-respiratory arrest and was evacuated aboard a Belgian Air Force helicopter, French authorities say.

French media later reported that the individual had died and this has since been confirmed by the Home Offices Clandestine Channel Threat Commander Dan OMahoney.

He said: Today someone sadly died in France following an incident in French waters during an attempt to cross the Channel.

This loss of life is a tragedy and we are providing support to our French counterparts who are leading the response.

This underlines the terrible dangers of small boat crossings and why we must work together with the French to prevent callous criminals exploiting vulnerable people.

Better weather conditions on Thursday have led to a series of attempts to cross the English Channel (PA)

Several others were also hoisted aboard the helicopter as the migrant boat was sinking, while more were rescued by nearby fishing boats.

They were all transferred on to the French Navys Flamant patrol boat, which headed for the port of Dunkirk.

Search and rescue operations remained under way in the Dover Strait for much of Thursday, with a French Navy helicopter continuing to scour the area.

Story continues

Labours shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said: This is a tragic loss of life and our thoughts are with the family and friends.

Conservative ministers must urgently get to grips of this situation, get a meaningful deal in place with France that stops organised crime gangs profiting from vulnerable people and address the factors that are driving people to take these incredibly dangerous routes.

Lisa Doyle, director of advocacy and engagement at the Refugee Council, said: This tragic loss of life is a sobering reminder that the odds are stacked against ordinary men, women and children, who are desperately struggling for safety and protection.

Every day, people are forced to flee their home through no fault of their own. We can do more to make the journey safer.

She urged the Government to change course and create and commit to safe routes to asylum.

Steve Valdez-Symonds, refugee and migrant rights director at Amnesty International UK, said: We are deeply saddened by this loss of life and our thoughts are with the family and friends who have lost their loved one.

The Home Office must take this as an urgent wake-up call.

Priti Patel needs to fundamentally change Government policy and ensure that this does not happen again.

Following days of bad weather in the Dover Strait, lighter conditions on Thursday have seen a flurry of crossing attempts.

The latest bids to reach the UK come after French authorities intercepted at least 108 people trying to cross the Channel on Wednesday, with one person having to be airlifted to hospital in Dunkirk.

The dangerous sea journey from France  made by more than 10,000 people including children so far in 2021  has claimed many lives in the past.

Among them were Rasoul Iran-Nejad and his wife Shiva Mohammad Panahi, who died along with their three children when their boat capsized on October 27 2020.

Their 15-month-old son Artin was reported missing following the tragedy and it was not until June this year that police confirmed a body found on the Norwegian coast was that of the young boy.

Data compiled by the PA news agency shows the tally for successful crossings this year now stands at more than 10,700 people, despite the dangers involved in the journey.

Crossings in 2021 eclipsed last years annual total of 8,417 in July, PA data shows.
Europes famous travelling walrus appears to have set up home on a motorboat in Ireland.

The Arctic animal, which is thought to have originally come from Svalbard, north of Norway, has previously been spotted hundreds of miles from home in France, England and Wales.

In its latest escapade, the walrus, dubbed Wally, was seen relaxing on a moored boat belonging to Clonakilty Distillery in West Cork.

Clonakilty Distillery shared video footage on Twitter showing the walrus on board the floating vessel in the middle of the sea.

The distillery wrote: One of our team had an unexpected Artic visitor on their boat this evening.

Wallythewalrus spotted in Clonakilty today.... we reckon he must have stopped by on his travels for a refreshing Minke G&T.

Walruses are semi-aquatic and therefore need to haul out of the water for rest and reproduction.

But experts say the sea ice walruses depend on are melting faster than predicted and more are hauling out on land or - in this case - floating objects.

Officials on the Isles of Scilly off the coast of Cornwall ended up building a pontoon for Wally to rest after the walrus caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to boats in St Marys harbour.

And Seal Rescue Ireland is now looking to create a similar floating platform as a safe haul-out site.

The charity called on people to stay at least 100 metres away from the sensitive species and to report sightings so they can track its whereabouts.

Wally the Walrus checking out a boat off the coast of Ardmore, County Waterford, earlier this month (Niall Carson/PA)

We are looking for a pontoon/floating platform as a safe haul-out site for the Walrus, so that he can be effectively monitored, protected from disturbance, and damage to property prevented, the charity said.

As a pinniped (like seals and sea lions), walruses are semi-aquatic, which means they must come up on land (or a floating object) to rest.

This also means that they are more vulnerable to human disturbances.

The Blue Planet Society added: He doesn't have any icebergs to haul out on, so he uses boats.

Story continues

Whilst this may appear to be amusing, it will also make people very angry.

Please be tolerant until a solution can be found. In the Isles of Scilly they built him a pontoon.

Read More

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Paul Fisher Takes Down GUKPT Manchester Mini Main Event

August 12 2021 Matthew Pitt

The Grosvenor UK Poker Tour (GUKPT) Manchester festival continues putting up impressive numbers with the Mini Main Event attracting 746 players, who created a 164,120 prize pool. The Mini Main Event concluded with a heads-up chop between Paul Fisher and Lawrence Stone, with the former becoming the tournaments champion.

GUKPT Manchester Mini Main Event Final Table Results

Place Player Prize 1 Paul Fisher 36,890* 2 Lawrence Stone 32,860* 3 Kyle Soakell 16,730 4 Christopher Maguire 10,290 5 Paul Rigg 6,430 6 John Bousfield 4,350 7 David Docherty 3,050 8 Daniel Knight 2,410 9 Qasim Zia 1,930

*reflects a heads-up deal

Lee French Crowned 30/30 GUKPT Manchester Champion

The nine-handed final table took place at the Grosvenor Bury New Road casino in Manchester on August 12. Each of the finalists locked in a 1,930 prize, the sum awarded to Qasim Zia when the local player busted in ninth place.

Leeds Daniel Knight was the next player heading to the cashiers desk, doing so to collect a 2,410 prize. Scotlands David Docherty (3,050), and John Bousfield (4,350) were the next players out of the door, Bousfield building on his ninth-place finish in a 300 side event at the recent GUKPT London festival.

Paul Riggs impressive run ended in a fifth-place finish worth 6,430. Rigg was the fourth-place finisher in the 560 GUKPT London Midi Main Event last month, and recently finished eighth in the GUKPT Manchester 30/30, won by Lee French.

Euan McNicholas Wins GUKPT London Main Event For 165,800

The first five-figure haul went to Christopher Maguire, the first five-figure prize of his career. Maguires fourth-place finish here earned him 10,290, eclipsing his previous largest score of 6,020.

Heads-up was set when Kyle Soakell bowed out in third. Soakells previous seven live results were worth 4,052 combined, so this is a massive score.

Lawrence Stone and Paul Fisher locked horns one-on-one for the title of champion. Neither player had ever won a five-figure sum before, but that all changed when they chopped this GUKPT Manchester Mini Main Event. Stone is credited with finishing in second place for 32,860 while Fisher is officially the tournaments champion, an accolade that came with a 36,890 addition to his bankroll.

Attention Turns to the GUKPT Manchester Main Event

All attention now turns to the 200,000 guaranteed GUKPT Manchester Main Event, a 1,250 buy-in event with three flights. Day 1A shuffles up and deals at 12:00 p.m. on August 12, with Day 1B commencing at the same time on August 13. A turbo-structured Day 1C is available at 9:00 p.m. on August 13, too.

Ben Dobson is the reigning GUKPT Manchester Main Event champion, having triumphed in February 2020. Dobson came out on top of a 317-strong field, including defeating Ben Winsor heads-up, to get his hands on 75,510.
Its now more than a year since Beijing officially opened a new transportation corridor that connects China with Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, but it remains far from complete, Emerging Europe reports.

Almost a decade has passed since China set to create a diversified network of transportation routes to connect the country with western markets, its ambitious Belt and Road Initiative. Ever since Beijing launched the project, Central Asia has been seen as playing a key role. Infrastructure projects predicated on the notion of the regions importance as a transit hub between China and Europe. While most attention has been focused on Kazakhstan, both Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan have also been enthusiastic about their role as Chinese transportation and trade routes, eyeing opportunities for their economies. The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan corridor, often referred to as CKU, has been at the centre of their focus.

A project to connect the three countries by railway predates the Belt and Rod Initiative, going back to 1997. It nevertheless remained dormant  mainly due to internal political instability in Kyrgyzstan between 2005 and 2010. However, after then Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev made an official visit to Beijing in June 2012, the project was revitalised. Uzbekistan also reaffirmed its interest in seeing the project implemented.

An enticing project

The launch of the Belt and Road Initiative gave the project further impetus. In 2016, Uzbekistan received financial assistance from Beijing in order to complete the Angren-Pap tunnel to connect with a railroad in Kyrgyzstan, a railway which has, however, yet to be built. As such, the current CKU corridor is merely as a multimodal transport route as no through-rail connection exists directly linking China and Uzbekistan. Its total length reaches 4,380 kilometres and connects the Chinese city of Lanzhou to Uzbekistans capital Tashkent. On its inauguration in June 2020, 230 tons of cargo worth 2.6 million US dollars was transported from Lanzhou by rail to the Kyrgyz border, where it was reloaded onto trucks and driven via Kyrgyzstan to the town of Osh, after which it was carried once again by rail to Uzbekistan.

The route is intended to transport consumer goods from China to Central Asia and take food products, minerals, and oil exports the other way. It is seen as a win-win for all participants as it has the potential to directly link the region to Western Europe through the South Caucasus and Turkey. Uzbekistan is already connected to Turkmenistan and Iran, and once the Kyrgyz section of the railway is completed, the CKU railway will become one of the shortest routes between China and Western Europe, making Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan key transit countries for Chinese exports.

The corridor would offer Bishkek transit fees and new employment opportunities which could help the countrys economy  riddled with foreign debt  recover. The new railway will have positive implications for Kyrgyzstans development as it will increase rail transportation through the country and shorten the time required to transport goods from China, says Emil Avdaliani, head of Middle East Studies at Geocase, a think tank.

Even though Uzbekistan already has a rail connection with China via Kazakhstan, it is on average 20 per cent more expensive than the route through Kyrgyzstan, even though cargo currently needs to be carried by trucks. Transportation of goods on a hybrid rail-road route takes from a full week to 10 days in a single direction. A railroad connection between Tashkent and Lanzhou, however, would require much less time and could boost the importance and attractiveness of the corridor.

The leaders of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan frequently emphasise the need to complete the CKU railroad. On August 6, at a meeting of Central Asias heads of state in Turkmenistan, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said that the route would help create an extensive and integrated transport system capable of becoming a key transit hub on the Eurasian continent. Yet the positive hype and never-ending negotiations remain the only achievements of the railway project so far.

Financial deadlock

While the transportation corridor could present myriad opportunities for participant states and the region at large, it is doubtful that the construction of the railroad can be completed in the near future. Major issues hindering railway construction include political instability, underdeveloped transport infrastructure and above all financial issues in Kyrgyzstan. China wanted a good land-based export route westward out of Xinjiang. Yet, due to political instability and frequent change of leadership in Kyrgyzstan, China was unable to settle negotiations with the Kyrgyz elites, says Niva Yau, a researcher at the OSCE Academy in Bishkek.

The Kyrgyz authorities have for years been promising to complete the railroad, albeit without ever securing the required financial resources. China has long been seen as the only participant that could resolve the funding issue. However, Kyrgyzstans foreign debt has now reached 4.8 billion US dollars and around 40 per cent of that  1.8 billion US dollars is owed to the Export-Import Bank of China. Afraid of falling into a debt trap, Bishkek appears to have stopped viewing Beijing as a potential funding source for the railway. In a June 2020 statement, the executive director of the Kyrgyz National Railway Company did not mention China among funding partners for the project, only Uzbekistan and Russia.

Nevertheless, Uzbekistan might not be capable of substantially contributing to the project, estimated at 4.5 billion US dollars. Tashkent has declared its readiness to participate in the construction of certain sections of the railway, but it might not be sufficient for the full, multibillion construction. Moreover, as Ms Yau points out, the Uzbek authorities still need to seek international financial assistance to partially fund the project and work out with the Kyrgyz government ways of implementing transit fees to pay back the construction.

Russia

Kyrgyz officials see Russia as another country capable of assisting the project financially. Moscow could be interested in engaging in the project as it seeks to maintain its influence in a region currently contested by Beijing. Russias inherent fear is that the Belt and Road Initiative will deeply anchor China in the geopolitics of Central Asia and the new corridor will allow Beijing to engage deeper with Uzbekistan  the heart of the region, says Avdaliani.

The CKU railroad has the potential to compete with Russian transport routes in the future as it is envisaged to be the initial part of a greater corridor that will connect China to Western Europe via the South Caucasus, completely bypassing Russia. This makes Moscows engagement in the project highly suspect. Apart from that, Russias participation in infrastructure projects in Kyrgyzstan does not have a favourable past. As Niva Yau explains, Russian financial support for the railway could be a distraction. Russia has a strong track record in Kyrgyzstan for proposing to support a project, start negotiations, waste everyones time and at the last minute back out of the project, she says.

This is what happened in 2016 when Moscow failed to fulfil its financial promises for two energy projects, which had to be suspended. According to Yau, Russia is not genuinely interested in the economic development of Kyrgyzstan as it depends on the countrys cheap labour, as about two million of Kyrgyz work in low-income positions in Russia.

Despite overwhelming difficulties, the Kyrgyz government keeps trying to push the project further and attract potential funders. On August 6, at the meeting in Turkmenistan, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov stated that the construction of the CKU railway was a matter of strategic importance. He urged Central Asian countries to step up efforts as the corridor could potentially end the isolation of the Central Asian region, which has no access to the worlds oceans.

Even though Bishkek remains enthusiastic, it has no real options to obtain feasible funding, and with time passing, the implementation of the enticing railway project is becoming increasingly elusive. Problems are likely to haunt the CKU railway project in the future. Kyrgyzstans politically unstable situation and poor economic performance pose further obstacles to the railway project and its funding, says Avdaliani.
Six EU member states have warned the bloc's executive against halting deportations of rejected Afghan asylum seekers arriving in Europe despite major advances of Taliban militants in their country, Reuters reports.

The Taliban, a terrorist organization forbidden in Russia, fighting to reimpose strict Islamic law after their 2001 ouster, have made sweeping gains in their campaign to defeat the government as U.S.-led foreign forces pull out. "Stopping returns sends the wrong signal and is likely to motivate even more Afghan citizens to leave their home for the EU," Austria, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, Greece and Germany said in an Aug. 5 letter to the European Commission.

"This is why we urge you and your teams at the Commission to intensify talks with the Afghan government on how returns to Afghanistan can and will continue in the coming months," they said in the letter seen by Reuters. Many EU member states are nervous that developments in Afghanistan could trigger a replay of Europe's 2015/16 migration crisis when the chaotic arrival of more than a million people from the Middle East stretched security and welfare systems and fuelled support for far-right groups.

The European Commission said it had received the letter from the six countries and would reply when ready. Asked if the Commission considers Afghanistan a safe country to which asylum seekers can be returned, a spokesman said it is up to member states to make that judgement. The issue is expected to come up at a crisis meeting of EU domestic affairs ministers on Aug. 18, which was arranged mainly to discuss a surge of illegal border crossings from Belarus to EU member state Lithuania, Poland and Latvia. read more

'CHALLENGING BUT NOT DESPERATE'

Since 2015, around 570,000 Afghans have requested asylum in the EU, the letter from the six EU countries noted, 44,000 in 2020 alone, making Afghanistan the second most important country of origin last year. "We fully recognise the sensitive situation in Afghanistan in light of the foreseen withdrawal of international troops," the countries said, adding that an estimated 4.6 million Afghans were already displaced, many of them in the region. The six countries urged the bloc to look into providing the best support for refugees by increasing cooperation with Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran.

Belgium's state secretary for asylum and migration, Sammy Mahdi, defended the initiative against criticism. "That regions of a country are not safe does not mean that each national of that country automatically is entitled to protection," he said on Twitter. A senior EU official said some 400,000 Afghans have been internally displaced over recent months and in recent days there has been an increase in numbers of people fleeing to Iran. He described the situation as less dramatic than recent crises in Syria and Iraq because Kabul still has a solid government that the EU can work with. Nevertheless, forced returns of asylum seekers would be difficult now. "Given the context, it is hard to imagine that we would conduct forced return operations for the moment," he said.
Twenty-seven United States Congress members have voiced concern and alarm over Turkeys unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in a letter sent to Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The members allege that Turkeys UAVs destabilized multiple regions of the globe and threatens U.S. interests, allies and partners, Daily Sabah reports.

Saying that Turkish drones have been deployed in Azerbaijan, Syria and Libya, the members added, Turkey has entered into agreements to sell drones to Poland and Pakistan and is discussing the joint production of armed UAVs and anti-drone defense systems with Russia and Pakistan. Authorities in Turkey say the country has become the worlds fourth-largest drone producer since Ankara took the helm for domestic production to reduce reliance on Western arms.

Turkish drones have gained popularity since the hardware was successfully deployed in Syria, Libya and Azerbaijan during conflicts that were prominently covered around the world. The UAVs are currently in active use in Turkey, Qatar, Libya, Ukraine and Azerbaijan. Turkey has gained remarkable experience in recent years while it was fighting the PKK terrorist group within its borders, which Ankara is expanding through neighboring Iraq and Syria via cross-border counterterrorism operations.

Furthermore, Turkish drone magnate Baykar is in the contract phase with about 10 countries, the companys Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Selcuk Bayraktar said last week. Poland has also signed a contract for the purchase of Bayraktar TB2s, becoming the first NATO member country to acquire Turkish drones. Another U.S. ally and NATO member, Latvia later hinted that it could be the second European Union and NATO member state to acquire the Turkish unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) that have had high-profile successes in the field.

The members further criticized Turkey's purchase of the Russian S-400 defense systems. Ties between NATO allies Turkey and the U.S. were badly strained in 2019 over Ankaras acquisition of the advanced S-400 air defense system, prompting Washington to remove Turkey from its F-35 Lightning II jet program. The U.S. argued that the system was incompatible with NATO systems and could be used by Russia to covertly obtain classified information on the F-35 jets. Turkey, however, insists that the S-400 would not be integrated into NATO systems and would not pose a threat to the alliance. Last December, the U.S. decided to impose sanctions on Turkey over the purchase of Russian-made missile defense systems.
Authorities in Kazakhstan have labelled all regions of the Central Asian nation as "red zones as they are facing a new wave of coronavirus infections, Radio Liberty reports.

Health Minister Aleksei Tsoi said on August 11 that 7,657 new COVID-19 cases were registered in Kazakhstan in the previous 24 hours, bringing the total official number of infections to more than 656,000, with over 7,100 deaths.

Tsoi also said that 99.9 percent of the people who tested positive had not been vaccinated against the virus.

For its vaccination campaign, Kazakhstan uses mainly shots of the Russian-developed Sputnik V vaccine produced either in Russia or the Kazakh city of Qaraghandy.
Armen Smbatyan has been recalled from the post of Armenias Ambassador to Israel by a decree of Armenian President Armen Sarkisyan, according to the aforesaid presidential decree.

Smbatyan has served as Ambassador of Armenia to Israel since 2018.

Armen Smbatyan was charged earlier this year with complicity in a string of abuses committed by a former minister of culture and youth affairs Hasmik Petrosyan, as well as with unlawful legalization of a property through money laundering.
Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a note to Iranian Ambassador in Azerbaijan Abbas Mousavi, the ministry told Trend.

The note is related to the illegal entry of Iranian trucks into the territory of Azerbaijan's Karabakh.

The ambassador was summoned to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry on August 11. During the meeting, Mousavi was informed about undesirable facts of the illegal entry of trucks belonging to Iran to Karabakh.

The note issued to the ambassador expresses dissatisfaction of Azerbaijan regarding regular entries and exits of various vehicles for various purposes of the friendly Islamic Republic of Iran into Azerbaijan's Karabakh region, without permission of the Azerbaijani officials.

Azerbaijan has previously notified the Iranian side about the mentioned issue verbally, and the same was expressed to the ambassador during the meeting.

At the meeting, it was noted that the new Iranian administration will take practical steps to suppress such alarming cases, which do not correspond to the spirit of friendship and partnership between Azerbaijan and Iran.
On August 11, from 16:20 to 21:05, units of the Armed Forces of Armenia from positions located on the territory of the settlement of Arazdeyen, Vedi region, Goisu Basarkechar region and Chambarak region, fired from weapons of various calibers, including sniper rifles, the positions of the Azerbaijani army in the direction of Heydarabad settlement of Sadarak region of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Galekend and Zamanli settlements of Gadabay region, according to the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry.

There are no losses or wounded among the military personnel of the Azerbaijan Army.

"The opposing side was suppressed by retaliation fire. The Azerbaijan Army Units control the operational situation," the ministry added.
U.S. President Joe Biden added to the pressure on the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, after one of his top advisers said earlier in the day that OPEC and its allies "must do more" to support the economic recovery.

"Recently weve seen the price that oil companies pay for a barrel of oil begin to fall, but the cost of gasoline at the pump for more American people hasnt fallen," Biden said in a speech at the White House. "Thats not what youd expect in a competitive market. I want to make sure that nothing stands in the way of oil-price declines leading to lower prices for consumers."

He explained that Washington "made it clear to OPEC, the major oil exporting countries, that production cuts that were made during the pandemic should be reversed as the global economy recovers to bring down prices for consumers."
A video projection of the Turkish state flag has been placed on the building of the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku on August 11 in order to express support for the brotherly country in the fight against forest fires.

This once again demonstrated to the world the friendship, brotherhood and unity between Azerbaijan and Turkey in the context of the motto "one nation, two states".

Turkish Ambassador to Azerbaijan Cahit Bagci, who was present at the ceremony, told reporters that Azerbaijan provided all kinds of support within 14 days from the start of the fires. Expressing gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for his support, the ambassador said: Azerbaijan has been providing support since July 31. To date, 750 of our Azerbaijani brothers have been involved in extinguishing fires. They have been fighting fires for 14 days. I am grateful to each of them individually and wish that they return to their families safe and sound."
Georgian police have arrested 20 drug dealers in various cities of Georgia such as Tbilisi - Ponichala district, Rustavi, Batumi, Kutaisi and Bolnisi municipality in Georgia's eastern Kvemo Kartli region today.

The police said that the detainees were systematically selling drugs to citizens.

Among the detainees are foreign citizens who were the couriers of an organised group of drug dealers on the social media, the interior ministry reported.

Police seized a variety of drugs including nearly two kilos of heroin and 200 grams of cocaine, police also seized an Illegally purchased pistol from the house of a detainee.

The special operation was held in Ponichala early this morning. The investigation is underway into the drug offences and illegal purchase, possession and carrying of firearms under Articles 260 and 236 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, Agenda.ge reported.

The crime is punishable from eight to 20 years in prison or life imprisonment.
According to the decision of the Coordinating Council, from August 14 to September 4, for 3 weeks, public agencies are instructed to shift their employees to remote work as much as possible, InterPressNews reports.

Giorgi Ghibradze, the head of the operational staff of the Interagency Coordination Council, said that the council addresses private employers similar with the same recommendation.
As Turkey's struggle against forest fires continues, Kazakhstan and Kuwait have added themselves to the growing list of countries providing support to Ankara, Daily Sabah reports.

Kuwait said on Saturday that it will dispatch a fire brigade crew to Turkey to support that country's fight against forest fires.

Kuwaiti Fire Force chief Khaled Al-Mekrad said on social media that the team that will be deployed on Sunday will consist of 45 firefighters.

A similar team will also be dispatched to Greece, he added.

Turkey and Greece are currently fighting major forest fires.
Around 550 sheep were killed during a lightning strike on Mount Abul in the Ninotsminda region in southern Georgia on August 9.

Deputy Mayor of Ninotsminda Artavaz Tonoiani says that there were about 1,500 sheep on the pasture which is located five kilometers from the village of Tambovka, Ninotsminda.

Part of the dead livestock belonged to a local farmer from Tambovka, and part to farmers from Kakheti.

Jnews shares a video provided by the farmer's son Yagor Levanov that shows killed sheep on the pasture.

The shepherd said that lightning had struck twice and the sheep had fallen, and asked for help from Ninotsminda City Hall. However, Tonoiani says that 'we do not have any official confirmation that the weather is really the cause'.

"The reasons will be determined by the veterinarian. The only thing we can do now is to allocate a place where the dead sheep will be buried", he said.

Also, a commission has been set up at the mayor's office to assess the loss. The cost of one sheep on the market today averages 350 GEL (about $113.45), Agenda.ge reported.
Armenia is ready to resume talks with Azerbaijan on resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and expects specific proposals from the OSCE Minsk Group, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at a government meeting on Thursday.

"Returning to the call of the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group to renew the talks, I would like to stress that Armenia is ready to participate in the talks both at the high and highest levels, we are awaiting specific proposals," he said.

According to Pashinyan, Yerevan is ready to resume the operations of the tri-lateral commission of the deputy prime ministers of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan on unblocking regional communications.

"I think, the issue of opening regional communications can be swiftly resolved. Soon we should resume the work of the commission of the deputy prime ministers on unblocking regional communications, be more active from the point of view of implementing new economic and communication capabilities in the region," the Armenian PM said.
Secretary of Russias Security Council Nikolai Patrushev held a telephone talk with Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran Ali Shamkhani to discuss security interaction and the situation in Afghanistan, TASS reported citing the press office of the Russian Security Council.

"Nikolai Patrushev and Ali Shamkhani discussed the issues of continuing Russian-Iranian security interaction, and also the situation in Afghanistan," the statement says.

The talk was held at the initiative of the Iranian side, the press office specified.

Clashes between the Afghan government troops and the Taliban radical militant group (outlawed in Russia) intensified after US President Joe Biden announced a decision on April 14 to wrap up the operation in Afghanistan that had been the longest overseas military campaign in the US history.
Russia's Sputnik V vaccine against COVID-19 is around 83% effective against the Delta variant of coronavirus, lower than previously thought, Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said on Wednesday, Reuters reports.

Authorities blamed a surge in coronavirus cases in June and July on the more contagious Delta variant and the population's reluctance to get vaccinated despite shots being widely available.

The vaccine's developers in June said Sputnik V was around 90% effective against the Delta variant.

"The latest results show that effectiveness is around 83%," the TASS news agency cited Murashko as saying.

Alexander Gintsburg, director of the Gamaleya Institute which developed the vaccine, said on Wednesday in an interview with the Izvestia newspaper that Sputnik V was safe and effective against all strains of the coronavirus.
This weeks floods in Turkeys Black Sea region have claimed at least six lives, and at least one person is missing, officials said on Aug. 12.

Floods due to heavy rains hit the northern Black Sea region on Wednesday, leaving 6 people dead in the Kastamonu province and one missing in the Bartin province, said the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD).

Rescue and relief teams have been deployed to flood-hit areas, and the search for the missing is ongoing, according to officials.

While evacuations of some areas continue, the Turkish Red Crescent is also on the scene to help people affected by the natural disaster.

Two people died in a landslide caused by flooding in Catalzeytin district in Kastamonu province, according to a statement by the Catalzeytin municipality.

In Ulus district of Bartn province, one of the hardest-hit areas, Arife Unal, 85, went missing after her house was destroyed. Teams from the Gendarmerie, Coast Guard and Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) along with residents are continuing the search.

Floods also damaged homes and businesses while sweeping away vehicles in Bartn.

Thirteen people were also injured when their vehicles overturned due to a collapsed bridge. They were taken to nearby hospitals.

A public hospital in Ayanck district in Sinop province was also evacuated, according to AFAD.

Meanwhile, 19 people who were stranded in their homes due to heavy rains in Ayanck were rescued by two helicopters, the Coast Guard Command said in a statement.

The evacuation of stranded residents is continuing in Avdullu village, where around 70 people are waiting, it said.

The Turkish National Defense Ministry also said military helicopters are in the region to evacuate residents to safe areas and hospitals.

The Interior Ministry warned residents of Kastamonu, Bartn and Sinop not to leave safe zones and to refrain from using roads near floods.

Officials in Sinop said heavy rains will continue Wednesday and Thursday and warned residents of possible floods and landslides.

Kastamonu and Karabuk provinces were also affected by the floods, with water damaging buildings, vehicles and agricultural fields

Meanwhile, in Yusufeli district of Artvin province, two separate groups were stranded on a road when a landslide blocked their way.

The first group consisted of 11 people and the second comprised 10. They asked for help from the local gendarmerie using their mobile phones and were rescued after two hours.

In Fatsa district of Ordu province, five people who were stranded at a fish farm due to flooding were rescued.

Environment and Urbanization Minister Murat Kurum toured the flood area in Ulus district in Bartn late Wednesday.

Speaking at a news conference in the district, Kurum said work to evaluate the cost of the damage in Bartn is underway following the floods. Three buildings were found to be derelict, while three others are heavily damaged.

Hopefully, we will reach missing Arife Unal as soon as possible and will take steps to heal the wounds of our citizens, he said.

The damage to the Bartn-Karabuk highway will be repaired and opened to transportation at the latest on Thursday morning, he added.

As many as 300 people were evacuated to safe areas and 15 others were housed in a dormitory as a precaution in Ulus district, AFAD said in a statement late Wednesday.

There were power outages in a total of 31 villages across Bartn province, it added.

The evacuation of disaster victims continues also in Cide district of Kastamonu province and Ayvanck district of Sinop province, the disaster agency said.

The Kastamonu-Azdavay highway was closed to transportation and there were power outages in 168 villages across the city, it said.

Sinop Turkeli-Ayanck road was opened to transportation while nearly 100 village roads in Ayanck district were closed, it added.
The statement of the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs dated August 11, 2021, in which Azerbaijan is accused of violation of the trilateral statement of Nov. 10, 2020, is another failed attempt of Armenia to evade its obligations to fully comply with the provisions of the tripartite document, the press service of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry reported.

We draw the attention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia that in paragraph 1 of the trilateral statement, a complete ceasefire and all hostilities in the conflict zone from 00:00 (GMT+3) on Nov. 10, 2020 was announced, and it is also noted that the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia Stop at their current positions. The word stop does not mean remain in this or any other context. This applies both to the Russian language, in which the statement was drawn up, and to other languages, the Azerbaijani MFA said.

In addition, paragraph 3 of the trilateral statement defines the deployment of Russian peacekeeping forces "along the line of contact in Nagorno-Karabakh and along the Lachin corridor." Paragraph 4 of the trilateral statement specifically indicates that "the peacekeeping contingent of the Russian Federation is deployed in parallel with the withdrawal of the Armenian Armed Forces."



Paragraph 6 of the tripartite statement states that "the Republic of Azerbaijan guarantees the safety of traffic along the Lachin corridor of citizens, vehicles and goods in both directions."

Thus, the agreed language of the Statement of November 10, 2020 signed by the three parties clearly speaks of the withdrawal of the Armenian Armed Forces from the territory of Azerbaijan and in no way provides for the transfer and deployment of military personnel.

Attempts to make an absurd interpretation of the key provisions of the trilateral Statement indicate that the Armenian side either did not fully understand the essence of the document it signed on November 10, 2020, or initially did not intend to fully comply with its requirements. This behavior once again underlines the destructive position of this country, the ministry said.

The international community is well aware of the practice of non-compliance by the Armenian side with the fundamental norms and principles of international law, decisions of international organizations and obligations assumed. In this regard, it is enough to mention Armenia's refusal to comply with the requirements of the 4 UN Security Council resolutions of 1993.

This destructive practice is devoid of any prospects in the context of ensuring the long-awaited peace and security in the region, the statement said.
The Taliban militant group (outlawed in Russia) has never ceased ties with international terrorist organizations, Afghan Foreign Minister Haneef Atmar said in a live broadcast of the Ekho Moskvy radio station on Thursday, TASS reports.

"All those who believe that the Taliban will rupture ties with international terrorism make a big mistake. The Taliban group earlier conducted a war jointly with international terrorists both against Afghanistan and Europeans, Americans, Russia and others," he pointed out.

"And now this threat persists. They have not ceased their ties with other terrorist organizations," he added.

Currently, over 10,000 gunmen of foreign terrorist organizations are fighting side by side against the Afghan government and the countrys armed forces, Atmar said, adding that there were Uighurs, Pakistanis, Uzbeks and representatives of other Central Asian states in their ranks.

"It is interesting to note what the Taliban promises to these groups: if they help it in the fight against the Afghan government now, it [the Taliban] will eventually help them in the struggle against the governments of the states these international terrorists come from," the Afghan foreign minister added.
The UNESCO World Heritage Committee has lamented the "fragile state of conservation" of the Gelati monument in Georgia's west, calling on the Georgian government to implement a solution for safeguarding the monastery from precipitation via a "workable solution" and requesting international assistance for implementing measures for improving its conservation state.

The question of the 12th century World Heritage Site, at the centre of a controversy in Georgia due to a botched rehabilitation work that has resulted in rainwater leakage through a recently installed roof and damage to its frescoes, was among subjects discussed at the UNESCO World Heritage Committees 44th session, held online between July 16-31.

In the meeting's section for reviewing the current state of conservation of World Heritage List monuments worldwide, the question of Gelati followed on the heels of the Georgian government's request for assistance from the World Heritage Centre following the confirmation of rainwater leaks last year.

In the related UNESCO document, published on the official website of the global body following the 44th meeting of its Committee, a draft decision on the monument is presented containing a number of notes and requests for the Georgian state and international community for safeguarding the site.

The conservation actions undertaken have unfortunately not all been successful. The failure of the recently installed tiled roofs on the Church of the Virgin and the persistent moisture problems at St Georges Church has resulted in damage to the wall paintings and mosaics inside both churches, which has a negative impact on the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property.

The analysis itself laments the problems with safeguarding the complex from precipitation that "exacerbate the fragile state of conservation of this property". It also calls "disconcerting" the fact of the issues arising "so soon after the removal" of Gelati from the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2017.

The Committee notes the "unfortunate failure" of the roofing tiles selected for replacing the roof of the monastery, along with lamenting the "continuing degradation through moisture ingress in St Georges Church, which is leading to decay of stonework, mosaics and wall paintings".

While acknowledging the Georgian state cultural authorities' action on installing a temporary roofing structure over the St Mary Church, as well as "monitoring and reporting of the damage" at the site, the Committee requests an urgent action of providing a "more workable solution" of covering both the St George's Church and the St Mary Church in a manner that would ensure prevention of moisture ingress into their structures.

The draft decision also asks the Georgian authorities to report on progress on the Committee's previous request for a "coordinating committee" for Gelati, and for updating the Management Plan for the monument. Finally, the UNESCO Committee also calls for "an increased mobilisation" of resources from the international community in implementing measures for improving conservation status of Gelati.
The United States and OPEC have had ongoing engagements to produce more oil, White House press secretary Jen Psaki confirmed.

"This is just an outreach thats just happening over the last couple of days, but its also ongoing and something that isnt new, as of today or even as of yesterday. Weve had ongoing engagements," she told the press briefing.

Psaki noted that this is not meant to be for immediate response, necessarily. "Its meant to be a long-term engagement  consistent, long-term engagement, as we work to address not just anti-competitive behavior in the United States, but in the global marketplace as well," the White House press secretary explained.

"And also taking steps that we feel are prudent to keep gas prices down for the American public," Psaki added.
The ongoing coronavirus outbreaks are now threatening to bring the timber industry to its knees, with businesses and associations hoping for preferential vaccine treatment and financial support for test kits and other pandemic-related expenses.

Wood industry at crossroads to engineer survival strategy.

At more than half of the companies in the four furniture production centres of Vietnam that contribute over 70 per cent to the nations export value of timber products, production has been suspended as several cases of COVID-19 infections appeared, further extending delivery schedules for overseas buyers.

Long Viet Co., Ltd., a wood supplier in the southern province of Binh Duong, halted production last week when its 248 workers were found positive for coronavirus. Bui Nhu Viet, general director of Long Viet, told VIR, The company suffered great damage from the pandemic. We had to suspend production and could not continue with the stay-at-work model.

Viet worries that the now-broken supply chain will cause consequences, with workers losing their jobs as the virus continues to spread. Long Viets final attempts at contract renegotiation yielded mixed results.

Many buyers sympathise with us and hope we return to production soon, but there are also many buyers who do not accept the situation and cancel orders, Viet said. Overseas buyers are often precise with timetables. They are concerned about the Vietnamese governments control of the pandemic and when suppliers will return to normal production.

Many manufacturers are now rethinking the stay-at-work model after the Long Viet incident. Tien Dat Wood JSC in the south-central province of Binh Dinh is under additional pressure after its main supplier Long Viet stopped production. The lack of kitchen cabinet components may cause Tien Dat  one of the largest suppliers of timber products to the US and European markets  to fail deliver on time under its contracts.

Tran Quoc Cuong, deputy director of Tien Dat, said that the companys capacity has decreased by 30 per cent because its one factory is located in a locked down area. Tien Dat is also short of workers, because in addition to the ones under quarantine, a very large number of workers has returned to their hometowns when the new infections appeared. Meanwhile, the cost for the stay-at-work model increased overall costs by about 30 per cent compared to the first quarter.

The wood industry recovered quickly after the previous outbreaks. Most businesses received many orders for several months. However, the current outbreak caused a sharp decrease in production capacity, with some companies reducing their output from five to just one container per month.

Nguyen Phuc, vice chairman of the Binh Duong Furniture Association said, Buyers are not happy, but most of them accept renegotiating contracts.

According to Phuc, renegotiations have two possibilities. Firstly, buyers will wait for Vietnamese manufacturers to reproduce, in the hope that the source of goods will be guaranteed. This only happens in case the buyer has a certain amount of stock.

With the second option, buyers turn to manufacturers with factories in China to produce items that were once made in this country. However, it will be very difficult for buyers to buy from China or another country if they have not had any connection before. Going down this road would require transferring samples, building up products, and trial production, all of which can take a few months.

Thus, the first option is much more likely. Before making a decision, buyers will consider how long the recovery of production in Vietnam will take. Buyers will not penalise contracts because of the pandemic and many show goodwill, Phuc said.

Timber and its products are a commodity with high export value, with 65 per cent coming from Dong Nai, and Binh Duong provinces, and Ho Chi Minh City.

In the first six months of 2021, Vietnams wooden product export value was estimated at $8.1 billion, up more than 61 per cent over the same period in 2020 according to the Import-Export Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

However, the current outbreak has pushed the wood industry into stagnation. The results of a quick survey of wood associations showed that the production stoppage is spreading throughout the four largest wood processing centres in Vietnam.

In Binh Duong, 29 out of 100 companies participating in the survey closed, while in Dong Nai, 30 out of 50 companies stopped production. Meanwhile, in Ho Chi Minh City and Binh Dinh, many large companies were forced to stop production in some factories.

Do Xuan Lap, chairman of the Vietnam Timber and Forest Product Association (VIFORES), said businesses cannot produce if they are completely isolated from society, because they have to import raw materials, export finished products, and receive food.

Meanwhile, COVID-19 test methods still show errors despite ensuring all employees that participate in the stay-at-work model are negative each week and the implementation of random daily tests.

The pressure to maintain supply from Vietnam weighs heavily on the wood industry. Lap said that VIFORES last week agreed to ask the prime minister and members of the government to consider distributing vaccines to the more than 700,000 timber workers. Back in May, VIFORES also sent a document to the prime minister requesting to buy one million doses of vaccines to ensure production and supply chain are not interrupted.

Tran Thanh Nam - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development As the southern cities and provinces are implementing social distancing under Directive 16, it is extremely important for processing and exporting enterprises to maintain production to ensure the goals set by the industry. Currently, many businesses apply the stay-at-work model very well, but there are also many that face difficulties due to lack of space, and employees are concerned about going to work. Many businesses also struggle as costs increased because they have to buy test kits for SARS-CoV-2 and perform these tests every three days for workers. In order to maintain production of enterprises and not disrupt supply, Working Group 970 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development proposed localities to support testing costs for businesses, while giving priority to the vaccination of workers in agricultural processing factories.

Source: VIR

Vietnam: the worlds woodwork factory In recent decades, the Vietnamese wood industry, from a small craft industry, has grown rapidly to become a global processing industry.
Commercial banks have been performing well thanks to improved provisioning and more sustainable sources of income.

Joint stock banks all reported satisfactory business results for the first six months of the year. Some banks have nearly reached business targets set for 2021.

TP Bank, for example, gained pre-tax profit of VND3.007 trillion, Techcombank VND11.5 trillion, Maritime Bank VND2.8 trillion and Lien Viet Post Bank VND2 trillion.

However, analysts warn that conditions in the second half of the year will no longer be favorable because the pandemic has hit businesses hard. Banks will have to share difficulties with businesses to support their clients.

Saigon Securities Incorporated (SSI) predicted that banks growth rates in the second half of the year would be lower because there are not many favorable conditions.

However, in the last two years, banks tightened credit policies to adapt to new circumstances. Thanks to this, credit risks have decreased and new bad debts have been better controlled.

A senior executive of TP Bank said the banks risk management capability has improved considerably thanks to the application of Basel II.

The early application of all three pillars of Basel II helped banks choose better clients and allocate credit flow more effectively.

Though the national economy is facing difficulties and the bank had to restructure debts and offer preferential loans to many clients, credit keeps growing rapidly, and its bad debt ratio is at a very low level.

TP Bank was recently allowed to lift the credit limit from 11.5 percent to 17.4 percent in 2021, among the highest level in the banking system.

The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) has approved credit room extensions for some banks. It encourages commercial banks to reduce lending rates to support businesses hit by the pandemic.

Banks not only seek profit in lending, but they also have diversified sources of revenue. The General Department of Taxation (GDT), which analysed the banks profit structure in the first six months of the year, found that banks profits also came from services, including digital banking, payments, treasury, entrustment and consulting services.

Analysts noted that non-interest income in many banks was double-digit. At TPBank, non-interest income increased by 117 percent compared with the same period last year, accounting for 33.2 percent of total income, higher than the 29 percent of the same period last year.

As for Techcombank, the earnings from services increased by 31.5 percent to VND2.8 trillion.

Analysts say that banking is one of the sectors with the best resilience to the Covid-19 pandemic. SSI estimated that the H2 profit growth rate would be 13 percent.

Techcombank is predicted to have yearly profit of VND22.3 trillion, higher than the target of VND19.8 trillion.

Meanwhile, Bao Viet Securities last week raised its expected profit for TP Bank by 3.2 percent to VND6 trillion in 2021, from the VND5.8 trillion target set by the bank. In 2022 the predicted pre-tax profit will be VND7.5 trillion, instead of VND6.9 trillion.

Meanwhile, CSI Securities predicted that TP Bank would pocket VND6.136 trillion worth of profit this year, up by 39.8 percent.

Pandemic tests digital capability

Nguyen Quoc Hung, the Vietnam Banking Association (VNBA) Secretary General, said one of the important factors behind the banks profit increases is the development of digital banking, which helps banks expand market share and reduce input costs.

State Bank of Vietnam reported that by the end of April 2021, transactions via internet, mobile phones and QR Code increased by 65 percent in quantity and 31 percent of value compared with the same period last year.

This shows that high tech applications, the popularity of smartphones, plus Covid-19 as a catalyst, all have changed clients consumption behaviors.

The online trend is gradually changing the way consumers travel and buy goods and services. The behavior of clients using banking services has also changed.

In recent years, TP Bank has applied 4.0 technologies including automation technology with hundreds of robots, AI (artificial intelligence) and Deep Learning, and Big Data.

In the first half of the year, the number of clients registering to use online banking services increased by 87 percent over H1 2020.

With the launching of eKYC (Electronic Know Your Customer), the number of of clients opening accounts via eKYC soared by 790 percent.

Many commercial banks have recently sped up digital transformation, which has increased the number of new accounts and demand deposits.

Currently, online transactions account for 92 percent of total transactions of TP Bank. Meanwhile, revenue and profit growth rates were 17.46 percent and 47.8 percent, respectively. The increase in operation costs of the bank was curbed at 6 percent.

Techcombank said the bank is planning to put apps and infrastructure into the cloud. It is expected that a data lake will be supplemented with new functions to better serve clients demand.

According to Hung, banks leading in digital transformation will see good profits in the second half of the year, despite the pandemic.

Tran Thuy

VN-Index expected to reach 1,400 points at the end of 2021: Agriseco Research In a recent report, Agribank Securities Corporation (Agriseco) said that Viet Nams stock market is in the greatest period in its history.
Vietnam has sent NanoDragon satellite to Japan to hand over to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to launch into space.

NanoDragon satellite.

According to information from the Vietnam Space Center, the NanoDragon satellite has been transported from Noi Bai airport to Narita airport (Tokyo, Japan). The satellite will be transferred to the Uchinoura Space Centers launch site, Kagoshima Prefecture to be handed over to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.

NanoDragon is a cubesat satellite, with the nano layer weighing about 4 kg and the 3U size (100 x 100 x 340.5 mm). The satellite was developed by the Vietnam Space Center under the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology.

The NanoDragon satellite is the product of the Project "Research, design, manufacture, launch and test operation of nano-sized microsatellites" under the "National science and technology program on space technology in 2016-2020. The whole process of researching, designing, integrating and testing satellite functions was completely conducted in Vietnam by staff of the Vietnam Space Center.

NanoDragon is expected to operate in a solar synchronous orbit at an altitude of about 560 km. The satellite was developed for the purpose of demonstrating that it is possible to use micro-satellite beam technology to receive automatic identification system (AIS) used for tracking and monitoring vehicles at sea.

After completing the manufacturing, integration and functional testing process in Vietnam, from March 9 to April 9, 2021, the pre-launch environment test was performed at the Test Center for Small Satellites of the Kyushu Institute of Technology, Japan.

A ground station to operate the satellite after launch was installed at the Vietnam Space Center in Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park, Hanoi.

Previously, Vietnam Space Center successfully built PicoDragon (1kg) micro satellite, launched into orbit and received signal in 2013. In addition, MicroDragon satellite (50kg) was developed by a group of 36 staff of the Vietnam Space Center under the guidance of Japanese experts. This satellite was successfully launched into orbit in January 2019 and captured images.

NanoDragon is a satellite wholly designed and manufactured in Vietnam and is a product included in the development roadmap of "Made in Vietnam" small satellites of the Vietnam Space Center to implement the strategy on "Development and application of space science and technology until 2030".

Trong Dat
After receiving the urns of people who died of Covid-19, local authorities search for information about the deceased's relatives to hand over the urns to them. For urns that have not yet been received by relatives, local authorities temporarily send them to places of worship such as temples and churches. The family of the deceased can then go to these places to receive their loved one's ashes.
Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan said that Ho Chi Minh City will administer all of the vaccines it has been allocated by August 12 and will then use Chinas Sinopharm vaccine.

Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan.

Over 11 million doses of vaccine out of a total of about 18 million doses have been administered, Deputy Health Minister Tran Van Thuan said at a government press conference on August 11. However, this number is lower than the actual figure as the data is being updated, he said.

Ho Chi Minh City was allocated more than 4 million doses and nearly 3.6 million doses were used (88.2%). The city will administer the remaining doses in one or two days and will use Sinopharm vaccines, donated by a private corporation.

Hanoi has been given more than 2.9 million doses, and 1.5 million doses have been used, equivalent to more than 50%. In the coming days, Hanoi will accelerate the vaccination rate.

We have sent an official dispatch to urge provinces and cities to urgently use vaccines, not to keep them in stock, otherwise the vaccines will be transferred to other provinces. After that the vaccination rate is faster, said Thuan.

"When more vaccines are available, we will coordinate with defense and police agencies to further accelerate vaccination, with 2 million shots a day," he said.

So far, the Ministry of Health has set up 141 field hospitals and resuscitation centers in the southern provinces, including five resuscitation centers in Ho Chi Minh City. The Ministry has also sent 10,000 doses of imported special drugs to serve the treatment of Covid-19 to Ho Chi Minh City and southern provinces.

The ministry has mobilized 10,000 medical and pharmaceutical students to help southern provinces. "Many health workers have not returned home since Tet (lunar New Year). Many people who "fought" against Covid-19 at Bach Mai Hospital (Hanoi) and epidemic-hit areas in Hai Duong, Nghe An and Ha Tinh are now in Dong Nai," Deputy Health Minister said.

Thu Hang - Tran Thuong
Virginia Tech strongly rejects all forms of prejudice and discrimination and condemns deliberate, hateful actions. We were personally deeply saddened to learn about an act of vandalism against a ministry in our community.

This incident does not reflect who we are at Virginia Tech and the Principles of Community that guide us. We fully support Blacksburg Police in their effort to investigate this matter and encourage anyone in the community with information to come forward.

Virginia Tech has made tremendous progress over the last several years in building a more thoroughly diverse and inclusive university. Our belief in the inherent dignity and value of every person has never been stronger.

Yet incidents like this remind us that the journey to equity and social justice  whether in our community or others across the country  will be long and hard-fought. Our communitys strong and swift reaction to this incident gives me confidence in the culture were building and our shared commitment to see our vision through.

The following resources are available to anyone in the university community who needs assistance or counseling as a result of this incident:
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"If the virus is transmitting more efficiently in the community, no matter what measures we take to protect these facilities, the chance of the virus getting in is going to increase because the people who work there and visitors  they're all more likely to become infected, said Justin Lessler, an associate professor of epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Vaccine mandates gain momentum

As the delta variant spread accelerates and as vaccination rates among nursing home workers continue to lag, more states and long-term care providers are mandating that nursing home workers be inoculated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment.

Nationally, only 60 percent of nursing home workers were fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of July 18, while 82 percent of residents were, according to AARP's analysis. Only a quarter of all homes had achieved an industry goal of vaccinating at least 75 percent of their workers. In Louisiana, Florida, Missouri, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Georgia, Kentucky and Tennessee, less than 50 percent of workers are fully vaccinated.

Some long-term care facilities began mandating vaccines for workers as early as December 2020, when the first vaccines were first given emergency use authorization. But the majority of nursing homes did not, citing widespread vaccine hesitancy, existing staffing shortages and potential lawsuits as major concerns. The long-term care workforce commonly experiences low pay and scant benefits, has been disproportionately affected by COVID-19 and disproportionately comprises Black workers, who are more vaccine-wary than other Americans.

But some states, including California, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Washington, have recently introduced mandates for nursing home staff, with many requiring workers to be fully vaccinated by the end of October or earlier. Some of the nation's largest long-term care chains, including Genesis HealthCare, Brookdale Senior Living and Good Samaritan, are doing the same.

"Now that vaccines are widely available and scientifically proven to be safe and the most effective method for preventing hospitalization and death, it would be absolutely irresponsible for anyone working in long-term care facilities to not receive this protection that could prevent widespread infection among those most vulnerable from dying from this communicable disease, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said in a statement.

"While we would have greatly preferred a strictly voluntary process, our commitment to health and safety outweighs concerns about imposing a requirement, Genesis CEO Harry Wilson said in a statement. Universal COVID-19 vaccination provides the safest and most effective course of action to ensure the health and welfare of our patients, residents and staff."

AARP's analysis, conducted by the AARP Public Policy Institute and the Scripps Gerontology Center at Miami University in Ohio, draws primarily on data acquired from the Nursing Home COVID-19 Public File by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Most nursing homes are federally certified and are required to submit data to the government each week.

The ongoing analysis captures data only from federally certified nursing homes, not from all long-term facilities (such as assisted living, independent living, memory care and others), as some other tallies do. An updated analysis will be released next month as new federal data becomes available. Read more about the analysis.
FatCamera / Getty

En espanol | For years, Yvonne Basil didn't think much of that little dark mark on her right baby toe. Even when it began to change and grow under the nail, she wasn't worried. After all, it didn't hurt and it wasn't sore. Nevertheless, when Basil, 54, had some use-it-or-lose-it funds in her flexible spending account, she decided to have it checked out by a doctor. I thought I'd use my flex spending account to see a dermatologist because I didn't want to leave any money on the table, she says.

Basil made an appointment with Seemal R. Desai, M.D., a dermatologist in Plano, Texas,and past president of the Skin of Color Society. Almost as soon as the examination began, the look on the doctor's face told her this was serious. Dr. Desai looked like he'd seen a ghost, Basil recalls. Right away he said, that's melanoma. 

As a Black woman who spent little time in the sun, Basil never believed skin cancer was a concern for people like her. Indeed, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma, the three main kinds of skin cancer, are far more prevalent in whites. But, as Basil would learn, people of color are also at risk.



While most skin cancers are linked to excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, Basil had acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM), which is believed to be caused by a genetic mutation and is not associated with excess sun exposure. ALM accounts for just 2 to 3 percent of all melanomas but is the most common form of melanoma affecting Black people. Typically found in the palms of the hands, soles of the feet or under nail beds, ALM is also more aggressive because it too often goes unnoticed and is diagnosed at a later stage.

With any type of skin cancer, people of color tend to fare worse than the rest of the population. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, the average five-year melanoma survival rate is only 67 percent in Black people versus 92 percent in whites. We know that 52 percent of Black patients, and 26 percent of Hispanics, present with an advanced stage of melanoma compared to only 16 percent of white people  just because of lack of awareness and [lower] perceived risk, says Shani Francis, M.D., a dermatologist based in Manteca, California.
Douglas Merriam for Sandy Pines Campground

After more than a year of lockdown, travelers are flocking to open-air destinations as a welcome refuge from the pandemic. Indeed, this year is shaping up to be a banner one for camping vacations, with 51 percent of boomers planning to increase their camping trips, according to the 2021 North American Camping Report, sponsored by Kampgrounds of America (KOA).

But some of us may not see the appeal of old-style roughing it.

Enter glamping, which lets you immerse yourself in the great outdoors without sacrificing the comforts of home. A perfect marriage of rustic nature and modern luxury, this form of glamorous camping combines the joys of the wild with the amenities of civilization, like comfy beds, running water and electricity. Not to mention hot tubs, personal butlers, chandeliers and heated floors in some. It's no surprise, then, that 49 percent of all campers are interested in glamping this year, according to the KOA report.

Here are nine fun glamping spots across the U.S. Prices are summer estimates, unless otherwise noted. To find additional options, try sites such as Hipcamp, Glamping Hub and Glamping.


Counter-UAS: Going Beyond Selling Boxes

Sydney, Aug 13, 2021 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Small drones or small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) moved from a novelty to an everyday presence over the past decade across civilian day-to-day life, and also finding a place supporting nefarious uses such as contraband smuggling, airport disruption, terrorist attacks, and military conflicts. Rapid improvements in manoeuvrability, autonomous flight capabilities, flight endurance, camera technology and more, make small and cheap drones an appealing platform for reconnaissance and payload delivery.The counterdrone (also known as counter-UAS, c-UAS) industry has also been rapidly growing to keep pace.Early Days of Counter-UASEarly efforts (mid 2010s) are viewed as mostly "garage work", a combination of repurposing existing technologies for a new objective of detecting drones (such as the use of traditional ground-based radars to now monitor the skies for drones). Both counter-UAS manufacturers and customers experimented and learned at this stage, what worked and what didn't, while often exploring exotic concepts including hunting drones with eagles, using barking dogs to detect drones, and leveraging other emerging technologies.Maturation of an IndustryBy the late 2010's, Radio Frequency (RF) started to emerge as a single sensor winner, owing to its ability to accurately detect and track drones without the very substantial false alarms produced by standalone radar sensors, as well as its ability to detect hovering drones, significant range advantage (up to 10km for best of breed sensors), and superior cost-to-covered area ratio. As an example of this cost per coverage difference, most radars, even today, cannot detect small drones more than 1-2km away, and those that can, often cost in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, or more. Additionally, RF systems can pick on Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs), and Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) on the water, as those tend to use largely similar RF protocols without getting caught in the ground clutter that would influence the radar or call for a completely different radar to perform the job effectively. In the counter-UAS industry the threat shifted to a UxS threat (UAVs, UGVs and USVs) and RF sensors were more easily adapted to support the multi-domain threat.Sophisticated customers have started to adopt a multi-sensor approach, such as systems including RF, radar, cameras, acoustics and more. The concept behind a layered system is essentially two-fold - either increase the likelihood of any stealth/rare drone being detected by setting the system to "alarm if any sensor type triggered" mode or reduce false alarms through seeking multiple sensors to confirm the alert prior to alerting the user. Higher end systems enable a setting of value ranges for the multi-sensors, optimizing the probability of detection, minimising the false alarms, and tailoring the system performance for a particular installation.Present DayThe counter-UAS industry has grown from a small handful of companies in mid 2010s, to hundreds globally today. While many counter-UAS providers are resellers or suppliers of early-stage prototypes, the list also includes few dozen OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers), with a few of them also integrating third party technologies.This evolution of the threat and need for a more comprehension solution, creates a challenge for end customers, many of whom realize they need to move beyond "buying boxes" as in the early counter-UAS days ("boxes" being individual counter-UAS products, such as a jammer or single detection devices).Users now seek a streamlined counter-UAS capability. This includes:- utilisation of any counter-UAS equipment they may have already purchased previously through enhanced signal processing from those sensors,- augmenting with complementary sensors and effectors, and- stitching the whole solution together into an intuitive, low cognitive burden on the user, complete system, which is interoperable with other systems they may already have in place.Appropriate deployment advice and post-sale service including regular software upgrades, is part of the picture.End users of counter-UAS equipment increasingly want their problem of airspace control and awareness solved, rather than having to "buy yet another box" to address the latest threat. Solution providers who will continue to win in this space, will be focused on understanding and solving (often via a custom solution) the customer's capability gap, rather than forcing the customers to buy their wares.Future of the counter-UAS industryThe early "cowboy" days of small, single product firms are starting to come to an end for the counter-UAS industry, with customers requiring tailored solutions to address their gaps in a unified and complete counter-UAS security system, which communicates with other broader systems, rather than a collection of individual products. Some of the largest customers of counter-UAS are starting to consolidate their approach to counter-UAS procurement. The set-up of the Joint Counter-UAS Office (JCO) by the US Department of Defense and the Centre for Protectional of National Infrastructure (CPNI) in the UK are two examples of this consolidation of effort by customers. Solution provides need to take a similar approach in providing consolidated, multi-faceted capabilities that address the problem and capability gap, rather than just adding their box to the shelf of disparate equipment.Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) software is becoming an increasing part of the requirement, both at an individual sensor and multi-sensor fusion level. As new types of drones continue to evolve, AI-based solutions can enable detection of never-seen-before threats, whereas the library-based systems of the early years are limited to detecting only the threats defined in their static list.As the use of UAS continues to rise in military operations, where they have become highly visible assets in Greyzone and Asymmetric warfare, as recently seen across the Middle East, in the Azerbaijan/Armenian conflict, and the Ukraine/Russian conflict, counter-UAS equipment will continue to mature and integrate into the broader Electronic Warfare (EW) and Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) space. For that, again, selling "boxes" won't do, and the challenge becomes about solving specific customer capability gaps.About DroneShield Ltd

DroneShield Ltd (ASX:DRO) (OTCMKTS:DRSHF) is an Australian publicly listed company with its head office in Sydney and teams in the US and UK. We specialise in RF sensing, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Sensor Fusion, Electronic Warfare, Rapid Prototyping and MIL-SPEC manufacturing.

Our capabilities are used to protect Military, Government, Law Enforcement, Critical Infrastructure, Commercial and VIPs throughout the world.

Through our team of primarily Australian based engineers - we offer customers bespoke solutions and off-the-shelf products designed to suit a variety of terrestrial, maritime or airborne platforms.

DroneShield is proudly exporting Australian capability to customers throughout the world and supporting Australia's defence, national security and other organisations protect people, critical infrastructure and vital assets.

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FY21 Results Webcast Details

Brisbane, Aug 12, 2021 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Senex Energy Limited ( ASX:SXY ) ( FRA:UDB ) ( OTCMKTS:VPTOF ) will release its full year results (FY21) on Thursday, 19 August 2021.Managing Director and CEO Ian Davies and Chief Financial Officer Mark McCabe will hold a conference call to discuss the results that morning.Time: 11.00am AEST (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane)Date: Thursday 19 August 2021The conference call can be accessed via the Senex company page on the Open Briefing website: https://webcast.openbriefing.com/7737 /.A recording of the conference call will be available via the same link.About Senex Energy Limited

Senex Energy Ltd (ASX:SXY) (OTCMKTS:VPTOF) (FRA:UDB) is an established, rapidly growing and low-carbon Australian natural gas producer. Our long life Surat Basin assets contribute around 20 petajoules of natural gas per year into the east coast gas market to support our customers. Senex is focused on sustainably delivering balance sheet strength, resilient cashflows, growing dividends to support Australia's energy needs as it transitions to a lower carbon future.
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Ellis Martin Speaks with Jordan Trimble, CEO of Skyharbour Resources

Vancouver, Aug 12, 2021 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Ellis Martin Report: Skyharbour Resources ( CVE:SYH ) ( OTCMKTS:SYHBF ) Receives $1.2 Million from Warrant Exercise as Partner Company Valor Announces Radiometrics Reveal New Anomalies at Hook Lake Project with On-Ground Work Underway.Join Ellis Martin for a conversation with Jordan Trimble, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Skyharbour Resources, a preeminent uranium and thorium exploration Company, with projects located in the prolific Athabasca Basin of Saskatchewan, Canada which was ranked as the best mining jurisdiction to work in globally by the Fraser Institute in 2017.The Company has been acquiring top tier exploration projects at attractive valuations culminating in five uranium properties totalling approx. 200,000 hectares throughout the Basin. In July 2016, Skyharbour secured an option from Denison Mines ( TSE:DML ) to acquire a 100% interest in the Moore Uranium Project, now the flagship project, which hosts the high grade Maverick Zone. The Company is run by a strong management and geological team who are major shareholders with extensive capital markets experience as well as focused uranium exploration expertise in the Basin.In this segment Mr. Trimble discusses the company receiving $1.2 Million from Warrant Exercised as Partner Company Valor Announces Radiometrics Revealing New Anomalies at Hook Lake Project with On-Ground Work Underway.To view the interview, please visit:About Skyharbour Resources Ltd.

Skyharbour Resources (CVE:SYH) (OTCMKTS:SYHBF) holds an extensive portfolio of uranium and thorium exploration projects in Canada's Athabasca Basin and is well positioned to benefit from improving uranium market fundamentals with six drill-ready projects. In July 2016, Skyharbour acquired an option from Denison Mines, a large strategic shareholder of the Company, to acquire 100% of the Moore Uranium Project which is located approximately 15 kilometres east of Denison's Wheeler River project and 39 kilometres south of Cameco's McArthur River uranium mine. Moore is an advanced stage uranium exploration project with high grade uranium mineralization at the Maverick Zone. Drill results have returned up to 6.0% U3O8 over 5.9 metres, including 20.8% U3O8 over 1.5 metres at a vertical depth of 265 metres. Skyharbour has signed option agreements with Orano Canada Inc. and Azincourt Energy whereby Orano and Azincourt can earn in up to 70% of specific segments of the Preston Project through a combined $9,800,000 in total exploration expenditures, as well as $1,700,000 in total cash payments and Azincourt shares. Preston is a large, geologically prospective property proximal to Fission Uranium's Triple R deposit as well as NexGen Energy's Arrow deposit. The Company also owns a 100% interest in the Falcon Point Uranium Project which hosts a high-grade surface showing with up to 68% U3O8 in grab samples from a massive pitchblende vein, the source of which has yet to be discovered. The Company's 100% owned Mann Lake Uranium project on the east side of the Basin is strategically located adjacent to the Mann Lake Joint Venture operated by Cameco, where high-grade uranium mineralization has been identified. Skyharbour's goal is to maximize shareholder value through new mineral discoveries, committed long-term partnerships, and the advancement of exploration projects in geopolitically favourable jurisdictions.
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In the prehistoric era known as the 1990s and 2000s, Disney regularly pumped out dozens of cheaply made, often bizarrely plotted, straight-to-VHS and then straight-to-DVD sequels to their theatrical animated hits. Movies such as Beauty and the Beast: Belles Magical World, Hercules: Zero to Hero, Stitch! The Movie and even The Lion King 1, which features Timon and Pumbaa watching the original movie and fast-forwarding to their featured scenes, I kid you not. (Timon has a remote control. Dont ask.)

Concerns about watering down the brand led to Disney wisely abandoning the practice in 2008  and in the modern era, when a sequel is released under the Disney and/or Pixar banner, its a high-quality effort such as Ralph Breaks the Internet or Frozen II. Or Monsters University, the 2013 prequel follow-up to Monsters, Inc., the 2001 smash hit about the adorable scary creatures who live in Monstropolis, a city powered by the energy generated from the screams of small humans.

The good news about the straight-to-streaming sequel series Monsters at Work is that the 25-minute episodes come reasonably close to the colorful, layered, eye-popping visuals of the theatrical releases  and we get the return of the comfort-audio warmth of John Goodman voicing Sulley and Billy Crystal as Mike. Twenty years after the original, these two monsters havent aged a day! Theyre as animated as ever; pardon the dad joke.

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First things first: If you and the kids havent watched Monsters, Inc., you should check that out first before diving into Monsters at Work, as the series picks up in the immediate aftermath of the first film, when (retroactive spoiler alert!) the monsters have learned childrens laughter is actually far more powerful than screams, and Monsters, Inc. will be retooled to harvest chuckles, giggles and guffaws.

But as is the case with any company where sweeping changes occur overnight, the overall mood at Monsters, Inc. is one of: How will this affect me???

Do I still have a job? one pink monster in a hard hat wonders, while a yellow fella with two periscope eyeballs frets, Can laugh energy power cars and warm homes and light the city? and then adds, But I dont want things to change. (How many times has THAT refrain been heard in a workplace?)

Goodmans Sulley and Crystals Mike are now in charge of the company, and while we see quite a bit of them, theyre really supporting players in a new story thread that features newly minted Monsters University graduate Tylor Tuskmon (Ben Feldman), a purple behemoth with horns that stretch forever. Tylor was the top scarer in his class and one of the greatest students in the history of the school  but when he arrives at Monsters, Inc. for his first day on the job, he learns the company is dropping the slogan We Scare Because We Care in favor of going for the laughs.

This is a problem, as Tylor isnt particularly funny. At least not intentionally.

Monsters at Work rapidly transitions into an animated workplace comedy, as the overwhelmed and underqualified Tylor is assigned to the Monsters, Inc. Facilities Team (MIFT), the monsters behind the monsters who are relegated to a dark corner of the operation and are tasked with maintenance and repairs of the intricate machinery. The invaluable Henry Winkler is wonderful voicing Fritz, the lovable and slightly daffy head of MIFT, who explains to Tylor, No matter how arduous the task, or difficult the repair might be, MIFT is there to tighten the bolts, unclog the pipes, wrench the nut! Other members of the MIFT team include the exceedingly chipper Val (Mindy Kaling, who knows a thing or two about workplace comedies) and the scheming suck-up Duncan (Lucas Neff), who has a nameplate saying hes the Official Assistant Supervisor (shades of Dwight Schrute) and thinks Tylor is after his job. Tylor keeps protesting that this is just a temporary assignment and hell soon be moving on, but as we know from so many office comedies, leaving is a lot easier dreamed than done.

Meanwhile, Mike is working 18-hour shifts generating laughs to keep the power running and teaching comedy classes on his lunch hour, with Sulley plying him with coffee in the Laffateria and a co-worker tossing Mike a bottle of 36 Hour Energy drink to keep him going. As we said: workplace comedy. The players just happen to be furry monsters with anywhere from one to four eyes.

Monsters at Work isnt on the same level as the two feature films, but its miles ahead of the likes of The Return of Jafar or Kronks New Groove.

MONSTERS AT WORK

3 stars

WHEN: Now streaming

WHERE: Disney+, with a new episode every Wednesday.
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Debbie Romero and Donnie Quintana, employees of the N.M. Department of Finance and Administration, recently wrote a column touting the effectiveness and efficiency of New Mexicos rent relief program. The claim was made that New Mexico was leading the way in housing assistance. Rent and utility support for needy residents was said to be accessible and efficient. Twenty-two million dollars has been distributed to date and is ongoing at the rate of $2.6 million each week. Nearly 60 individuals are working busily to process applications. Sounds like a terrific program, doesnt it?

Here is what they didnt tell you. The $22 million distributed to date, and the $2.6 million currently being distributed each week, are given out with absolutely no fiscal controls that the funds are expended for their intended purpose. Many of the landlords and utility companies who are owed extended periods of overdue rent and ignored utility bills never receive a penny from the funds distributed. Renters receiving this windfall from the state very often find other pressing priorities to expend the funds on rather than their intended purpose.

Landlords and utility companies are left holding the bag. Utility companies get some satisfaction by refusing to offer future services to delinquent payers. Landlords suffer the double indignity of not only not getting paid what was legitimately owed but are prohibited from foreclosing on their delinquent tenants. Meanwhile, taxes, maintenance costs and mortgage payments for landlords continue to accumulate with no relief provided by the states program.

Im an 82-year-old landlord with a couple of rental properties and Social Security as my sources of income. I have begged my tenants who are months in arrears on their payments to apply for the state program. I have gone so far as to secure the necessary forms and pledge my support in completing the paperwork  to no avail. Some may in fact have received rental assistance funds from the state. I have no way of knowing because there is no system in place to ensure the funds are expended for their intended purpose.

Its simply incomprehensible that so much money could be given out totally lacking in financial controls of any sort. How difficult would it have been to make an acknowledgement of receipt from a landlord or utility company a requirement for the fund disbursement? As it stands now many renters will simply walk away from their rented dwellings when the moratorium on evictions is finally lifted, with the states money in their pocket and the landlord and utility companies still unpaid.

In contrast to New Mexicos poorly conceived and executed program of rental assistance, California allows both landlords and renters to apply for assistance and cross references the aid to ensure that each party is appropriately credited with the funds provided. Shame on our state government for instituting such a poorly conceived and executed rental assistance program and then having the audacity to brag about it. Your hard-earned tax money at work.

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Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

Two men have been charged in the death of a young man who was found stabbed and castrated in Santa Fe County after an alleged fentanyl robbery in early March.

Ronnie Trujillo, 34, and Marlio Araica, 28, are each charged with an open count of murder, armed robbery, tampering with evidence and arson in the March 3 killing of 19-year-old Ruben Mendez.

Araica was booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center on Wednesday, and Trujillo was booked into the Santa Fe County Detention Center on Aug. 2.

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The case also led federal authorities to arrest 29-year-old Marisa Bowers, an alleged drug trafficker.

According to an arrest warrant affidavit filed in Magistrate Court:

On March 8, Santa Fe County Sheriffs Office deputies responded around 11:30 a.m. to reports of a body in the expansive mesas west of La Cieneguilla Petroglyphs outside Santa Fe. Deputies found Mendezs naked body beside a juniper tree; he had been stabbed in the chest, partly disembowled and castrated.

Days earlier, relatives reported Mendez missing after his car was found engulfed in flames near a fire station in Santa Fe. Multiple people told deputies Araica, known as Rush, killed Mendez in retaliation for stealing fentanyl that was on loan from a drug cartel.

Deputies met with Bowers at a hotel, and she told them Mendez had stolen a bag full of fentanyl, worth $1,000, from her in the days before he disappeared. Deputies found messages on Bowers phone of Araica telling her I found (Mendez) and Bowers replying whoop his (expletive).

Bowers told deputies she asked Araica to beat up Mendez but not to kill him. When deputies met with Bowers, she was found with nearly 600 fentanyl pills, more than 20 grams of methamphetamine, a 9mm pistol, digital scales and an electric money counter.

A friend told deputies that Trujillo said he, Araica and a woman picked up Mendez at an Allsups in Santa Fe on March 3 before they confronted him about robbing Bowers. Trujillo told the friend a fight broke out during the drive and he meant to punch Mendez but ended up stabbing him.

Deputies learned Trujillo sold the SUV, but they were able to track it down and found bloodstains in the carpeting.

Trujillo told deputies they were supposed to beat up Mendez for Bowers, who paid him with five fentanyl pills.

He said he was driving and Araica was fighting with Mendez in the back seat when Mendez was stabbed.

Trujillo told deputies they dumped the body and Araica burned Mendezs clothes and car.
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Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

Monsoon rains have propped up Rio Grande flows this summer.

But the next few weeks will determine if central New Mexico farmers face another shortened irrigation season.

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Rains have helped mitigate some serious impacts to the farmers, and the ecosystem and recreation on the river, said Jennifer Faler, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Albuquerque Area manager.

Our predictions of drying in the Albuquerque reach have not yet come to fruition, Faler said. And we have our fingers crossed that they wont.

In late June, the federal water agency warned that the Rio Grande could go completely dry throughout New Mexicos largest city this summer without a robust monsoon season.

Drying that severe would have created river conditions not seen since the 1980s.

Instead, heavy July storms have kept water flowing through the river, although the past week of hot weather and minimal rain is starting to take its toll.

Earlier this summer, Reclamation predicted that Elephant Butte Reservoir levels in southern New Mexico could dip to a mere 10,000 acre-feet by this fall.

It looks like were going to end above 50,000 acre-feet, Faler said. So, thats good news for recreation down south.

Litigation still possible

But the threat of litigation from WildEarth Guardians looms.

On June 9, the group filed a notice of intent to sue federal, state and local water agencies to ensure that imperiled species habitats are protected from damaging infrastructure, lack of connectivity and unsustainable water management.

Theres a lot of tension throughout the West between the farmers and the Endangered Species Act, Faler said.  But we all need to work together to ensure the reliability of water supply with the threats of the changing climate.

Faler said the bureau will have confidential meetings soon with WildEarth Guardians to propose solutions that could prevent legal action.

Anne Marken, hydrologist for the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District, said the generous monsoons have boosted agricultural water supplies.

The agency manages river irrigation from Cochiti Dam to Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.

Some of these excess flows arrived at Elephant Butte and have helped chip away at this years accrued debit to Texas, Marken said.

The Rio Grande Compact mandates that New Mexico deliver a certain amount of river water each year to Elephant Butte, which serves southern New Mexico and Texas. If New Mexico fails to meet those deliveries, the state racks up a water debt to the Lone Star State.

Augmenting flows

The district will continue to augment natural flows and meet irrigation demand with stored water diverted from the Colorado River Basin into the Rio Grande via the San Juan-Chama Project.

MRGCD will hold a special meeting Aug. 20 to consider if and when they will end the irrigation season early for middle valley farmers.

A shortened season could mean more water flowing into Elephant Butte this year.

Farmers received irrigation water a month later than usual this spring. The district also shut off deliveries a month early in fall of 2020.

A shorter irrigation season, especially if the cutoff happens without adequate notice to farmers, would hurt small producers, said Nolan Meadows, a Valencia County alfalfa grower.

I have some small fields that, depending on the water for the past few years, I havent been able to plant and Im down to 25% production on them, because I dont have a guarantee for whats happening, Meadows said.

Theresa Davis is a Report for America corps member covering water and the environment for the Albuquerque Journal.
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WINDOW ROCK, Ariz.  The Navajo Nation on Wednesday reported 49 new COVID-19 cases and two additional deaths.

The latest numbers pushed the tribes pandemic totals to 31,715 cases and 1,386 known deaths.

Health officials reported no deaths and only a handful of cases from Aug. 1-8 on the reservation that is the countrys largest at 27,000 square miles (70,000 square kilometers) and covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.

But on Monday, the Navajo Department of Health issued a health advisory notice for 19 communities due to uncontrolled spread of the coronavirus.

The health department plans to issue a new public health emergency order this week to transition the Navajo Nation back to Orange Status due to the recent rise in coronavirus infections.

The details are being worked out, including capacity levels for businesses, tribal President Jonathan Nez said in a statement. Based on contact tracing, it does not appear that new infections are occurring in businesses but rather through in-person social and family gatherings where masks and other safety protocols are not followed. We are seeing cluster cases in a few communities We have to do better and we have to remain diligent.

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PESHAWAR, Pakistan  When Wahab disappeared from his home in Afghanistan to sign on for jihad, it was in neighboring Pakistan that he got his training.

The 20-year-old was recruited by childhood friends and was taken to a militant outpost in Parachinar, on Pakistans rugged mountainous border with Afghanistan. There, he underwent training, preparing to fight alongside the Afghan Taliban, a relative told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because of fear of reprisals from militants and government security agents.

As the Taliban swiftly capture territory in Afghanistan, many Afghans blame Pakistan for the insurgents success, pointing to their use of Pakistani territory in multiple ways. Pressure is mounting on Islamabad, which initially brought the Taliban to the negotiating table, to get them to stop the onslaught and go back to talks.

While analysts say Pakistans leverage is often overstated, it does permit the Taliban leadership on its territory and its wounded warriors receive treatment in Pakistani hospitals. Their children are in school in Pakistan and some among them own property. Some among Pakistans politicians have rebranded the insurgents as the new, civilized Taliban.

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Ismail Khan, a powerful U.S.-allied warlord, who is trying to defend his territory of Herat in western Afghanistan from a Taliban onslaught, told local media recently the war raging in his homeland was the fault of Pakistan.

I can say openly to Afghans that this war, it isnt between Taliban and the Afghan Government. It is Pakistans war against the Afghan nation, he said. The Taliban are their resource and are working as a servant.

Pakistan has tried unsuccessfully to convince Afghans they dont want a Taliban government back in Afghanistan. They say the days of Pakistan seeing Afghanistan as a client state, to provide so-called strategic depth against its hostile neighbor India, is a thing of the past.

Pakistans Prime Minister Imran Khan has told every public and private forum that Pakistan wants peace in Afghanistan, has no favorites in the battle and is deeply opposed to a military takeover by the Taliban.

The countrys powerful army chief has twice walked out of meetings with the Taliban, frustrated at their intransigence and infuriated by what he sees as the Talibans determination to return to full power in Afghanistan, according to senior security officials familiar with the meetings. The officials spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they had no authority to discuss the meetings.

Still, Afghans are unconvinced. Even the international community is skeptical. The United Nations last week rebuffed Pakistans request to address a special meeting on Afghanistan to again give its side.

The criticism is fueled by images of slain Taliban fighters being buried in Pakistan at funerals attended by hundreds, waving the groups flags. Last year, Prime Minister Khan called Osama bin Laden a martyr in a speech to Parliament, seen as a nod to militants.

When the Taliban were battling Afghan security forces in an assault on the Afghan border town Spin Boldak, wounded insurgents were treated at Pakistani hospitals in Chaman. The Taliban took the town and still hold it.

A doctor in Chaman told the AP he treated dozens of wounded Taliban. Several were transferred to hospitals in the Pakistani city of Quetta for further treatment, he said. Quetta is also where several in the Taliban leadership reportedly live, as well as in the Arabian Sea port city of Karachi. The doctor spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject.

In thousands of madrassas, or religious schools, around Pakistan, some students are inspired to jihad in Afghanistan, according to analysts as well as Pakistani and international rights groups.

Their recruitment largely goes on unhindered, interrupted occasionally when a local news story reports bodies of fighters returning from Afghanistan. Last month, Pakistani authorities sealed the Darul-Aloom-Ahya-ul Islam madrassa outside Peshawar after the body of the clerics nephew returned home to a heros burial. The madrassa had operated freely for decades, even as the cleric admitted he sent his students to fight in Afghanistan.

One of Wahabs cousins, Salman, went from a madrassa in Pakistan to join the Pakistani Taliban several years ago. Wahab was inspired to join the militants by propaganda videos purporting to show atrocities against Muslims by foreign troops. He ran away from his home in Afghanistans border regions earlier this year, but his family was able to track him down in Pakistan and bring him home before he became a fighter, his relative said.

In mosques and on the streets in Pakistans northwest Khyber Pukhtunkhwa province, militants preach jihad and raise money, the relative said, though they are less aggressive in recruiting because of Pakistani military operations in the area in recent years.

Still, Amir Rana, executive director of the independent Pakistan Institute of Peace Studies, said that unless Pakistani authorities adopt a zero tolerance for jihadis, the country will forever face international criticism and suspicion. Justifying it has to stop, he said.

In response to APs request for comment, a senior security official acknowledged that sympathies for extremists exist in conservative Pakistan. He said it began with a U.S.-backed program to motivate Afghans to fight the Soviets in the 1980s, which glorified jihad and portrayed the occupying troops as godless communists. He said Pakistan is firm it doesnt want a Taliban-only government in Kabul, saying it would fan extremism.

Two security officials denied that jihadi groups in the border region receive any official help. They said a nearly completed fence being built by Pakistan along the long border with Afghanistan will stop the smuggling of fighters across. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment.

Pakistan has its own concerns, accusing Afghanistan of harboring militants opposed to the Islamabad government. Pakistani security officials say their countrys rival India is allowed by Kabuls intelligence agency to stage covert attacks against Pakistan using militants in Afghanistan. In the last six months, they say more than 200 Pakistani military personnel have been killed by insurgents crossing the border,

The border, known as the Durand Line, speaks to the deeply troubled relationship between the two neighbors. To this day, Afghan leaders do not recognize the Durand Line and claim some Pakistani areas dominated by ethnic Pashtuns as Afghan territory, Pashtuns on both sides of the border share tribal links, and Afghan Pashtuns form the backbone of the Taliban.

Analysts say Islamabad has fueled extremist sentiment and worked with militants when it was in its interests. It was during the long fight against the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan that Pakistans powerful intelligence agency developed deep ties with many of the most radical of Afghans, including the notorious Haqqani group, arguably the strongest faction among the Afghan Taliban.

Islamabad does wield extensive leverage over the Taliban, said Michael Kugelman, deputy director of the Asia Program at the Washington-based Wilson Center. But the Taliban, which is fighting a war it believes its winning, has the luxury of resisting Pakistani entreaties to ease violence and commit to talks.

For the Taliban, the calculus is simple: Why quit when youre ahead?
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ALGIERS, Algeria  The death toll in fires ravaging mountain forests and villages in Algerias Berber region climbed Wednesday to 65 people, including 28 soldiers, as the president declared a three-day mourning period to honor the lives lost.

The Civil Protection authority announced the rising number of victims, up from 42 on Tuesday, including 25 soldiers.

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said his North African nation would enter a three-day period of mourning starting Thursday that would include suspending all government activity except for actions of solidarity.

Dozens of fires began devouring forested mountainsides in the Berber region of Kabyle, east of Algiers, the capital, on Monday, destroying homes, olive tree orchards and animals that provide a livelihood for the region.

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The forestry director in Tizi-Ouzou, the regional capitol, said Wednesday that 18 fires remain active in the region. Dozens of fires burned elsewhere across the north, but their deadly force was concentrated in Kabyle.

France will send two water-dumping aircraft and a third command plane to Kabyle, French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted Wednesday. There are no such planes in the rugged area yet. Macron said they would be deployed there on Thursday, saying that our solidarity is without reservation.

There was no official explanation of the high death toll among soldiers but photos in Algerian media showed soldiers in army fatigues with no protective firefighting clothing.

The prime minister and interior minister both said Tuesday that arson was suspected in the Kabyle blazes, despite a heat wave and high winds fanning the flames.

Citizens, mainly youths, are helping to supply residents in need and caravans of solidarity were heading to Tizi-Ouzou, the online media outlet TSA reported.

Like southern Europe, North Africa has been sweltering under searing temperatures, including in neighboring Tunisia where scattered fires in the east were reported. Algerias National Meteorology Office reported high temperatures were expected through Thursday in nearly a dozen wilayas, or regions, including around Tizi-Ouzou. In some places, the thermometer was forecast to hit 47 degrees Celsius (116 degrees Fahrenheit).

Climate scientists say there is little doubt that climate change from the burning of coal, oil and natural gas is driving extreme events, such as heat waves, droughts, wildfires, floods and storms. A worsening drought and heat  both linked to climate change  are driving wildfires in the U.S. West and Russias northern region of Siberia. Extreme heat is also fueling the massive fires in Greece and Turkey.

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Follow all AP stories on climate change issues at https://apnews.com/hub/climate.
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LAME DEER, Mont.  Wildfires tearing through Montana and elsewhere in the U.S. West are devouring vast rangeland areas that cattle ranchers depend upon, setting the stage for a potential shortage of pasture as the hot, dry summer grinds on.

On the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, firefighters and local authorities scrambled to save hundreds of homes in the path of a fire that started Sunday and exploded across more than 260 square miles (673 square kilometers) in just a few days, triggering evacuation orders for thousands of people.

Some ranchers stayed behind to help fight it. Yet as flames charred mile after mile of rangeland and forest, they could do little to protect cattle pastures that are crucial to economic survival for families on the remote reservation.

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As the fire raged across rugged hills and narrow ravines, tribal member Darlene Small helped her grandson move about 100 head of cattle to a new pasture, only to relocate them twice more as the flames from the Richard Spring fire bore down, she said Thursday. An extreme drought thats blanketing the West has made matters worse by stunting vegetation untouched by fire.

Theyve got to have pasture where theres water. If theres no water, theres no good pasture, Small said. Particularly hard hit were some ranchers already depending on surplus grass after a fire burned them off their normal pasture last year, she said.

Meanwhile, Californias Dixie Fire  which started July 13 and is the largest wildfire burning in the nation  threatened a dozen small communities in the northern Sierra Nevada even though its southern end was mostly corralled by fire lines.

The fire has burned 790 square miles (2,000 square kilometers), destroyed about 550 homes and nearly obliterated the town of Greenville last week. It was 30% contained.

The Montana blaze was primed over the last several days by swirling winds and hot temperatures. It has spread in multiple directions, torching trees and sending off embers that propelled the flames across the dry landscape.

The fire crept within about a mile (3.2 kilometers) of the eastern edge of the evacuated town of Lame Deer Wednesday night, Northern Cheyenne Tribe spokesperson Angel Becker said. It passed over a highway where officials had hoped to stop it, putting the southern portion of the reservation at increased risk, officials said.

As it closed in on the east side of town and a second fire ignited to the west, tribal officials late Wednesday urged residents who did not heed an earlier evacuation order to flee. Buses moved people to a school about 15 miles (24 kilometers) away and to a shelter set up on the nearby Crow Indian Reservation.

Lame Deer, a town of about 2,000 people, is home to the tribal headquarters and several subdivisions.

We had some people who refused, but the majority of our elders and women and children definitely left with that last push, Becker said.

With 40-foot (12-meter) flames visible from parts of Lame Deer, firefighters worked into early Thursday morning to keep the fire from destroying houses. None were reported lost, but officials continued assessing the damage. More than a dozen sheds and other outbuildings were lost, they said.

As smoke choked the air, rancher Jimmy Peppers sat on his horse east of town, watching an orange glow intensify over the site of his house as the night wore on.

I didnt think it would cross the highway, so I didnt even move my farm equipment, said Peppers, who spent the afternoon herding his cattle onto a neighbors pasture closer to town.

Also ordered to leave were about 600 people in and around Ashland, a small town just outside the reservation. It remained under an evacuation order, but officials said the danger appeared to have eased for now.

Around the perimeter of Lame Deer, crews were building fire breaks and conducting intentional burns  or burnouts  in hopes of lessening the amount of fuel available on the ground, fire spokesperson Jeni Garcin said. Officials were cognizant of the need to protect pastureland, she said.

We fully recognize the value of grass around here, Garcin said. Theres enough lost in this fire that we will be very strategic about how we do any of these burnouts.

Extreme drought conditions have left trees, grass and brush bone-dry throughout many Western states, making them ripe for ignition.

At the same time, California and some other states face flows of monsoonal moisture that were too high to bring real rain but could create thunderstorms that bring the risk of dry lightning and erratic winds.

In Northern California, a number of wildfires and the threat of more prompted three national forests to close down the Trinity Alps Wilderness Area, a 780-square mile (2,000-square kilometer) area of granite peaks, lakes and trails, into November.

Climate change has made the region warmer and drier in the past 30 years and will continue to make the weather more extreme and wildfires more destructive, according to scientists. The more than 100 large wildfires in the American West come as parts of Europe are also burning.

New research indicates wildfire smoke may be part of a vicious cycle making clouds rain less, which makes it hotter and plants drier and easier to catch fire.

Scientists flew a research plane into smoky skies six times in the U.S. West in 2018 and found five times the water droplets, but they were half the size, according to a study in Wednesdays Geophysical Research Letters. The smaller droplets arent big enough to fall as rain, said study lead author Cynthia Twohy, a cloud physicist at NorthWest Research Associates.

This is not the main cause for the lack of rain, but it could be a factor, Twohy said. The clouds are being affected. We saw that pretty clearly.

The study has worrisome implications that drought and fire can cause more drought and fire.

The main cause of the drought  a huge factor in worsening wildfires  is natural weather changes with some possible climate change, said Park Williams a hydrology and fire scientist at the University of California, Los Angeles, who wasnt part of the research.

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Weber reported from Los Angeles.
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Sexual harassment allegations cost New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo his job. Now, many want to see him answer for a scandal that cut to the heart of his reputation as a pandemic hero and may have had life-and-death consequences  his administrations handling of outbreaks in nursing homes.

Months before a blistering investigation found Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women, the same attorney general concluded that the administration understated the true death toll in nursing homes by thousands and that fatalities may have been fueled by a state order that effectively forced such homes to accept recovering COVID-19 patients.

Whatever action may lie ahead on the harassment claims, families of the more than 15,000 New Yorkers who died in nursing homes say they want accountability, too, and are urging state lawmakers and the U.S. Justice Department to keep investigating Cuomo after he leaves office.

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The nursing home people and their families have not had a day of reckoning, said Vivian Zayas, who blames Cuomo for her mothers death in a West Islip, New York, nursing home.

This not a victory yet, she said. A victory is when the whole nursing home scandal is blown open.

New Yorks Assembly had been moving toward impeachment of Cuomo before the Democrat announced his resignation, and his handling of nursing homes was set to be a part of that, with more than a half-million pages of evidence gathered.

Lawmakers are now weighing whether they can and should push forward with impeachment once Cuomo is out of office in two weeks. One member of the Judiciary Committee said impeachment would amount to vengeance. Other members of the committee have pushed to at least issue a report.

If he committed a crime, just because he resigns those investigations are not going to go away, said Assembly member Ron Kim, a Democrat from Queens, whose uncle died in a nursing home. Justice for the women is the first step. Getting the justice for the families who lost loved ones is a longer journey because it involves a whole ecosystem.

Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, who will become governor after Cuomos departure, vowed her administration will be fully transparent when it comes to releasing data on nursing home deaths.

A federal investigation could also bring answers. The Trump Justice Department began requesting nursing home records from New York a year ago and widened its inquiry last summer after a report by The Associated Press found the states official toll of COVID-19 deaths in long-term care facilities was probably a significant undercount.

A narrow Justice Department inquiry into possible civil rights violations at government-run nursing homes ended without triggering a full-blown investigation. But broader examinations by federal prosecutors remain alive, three people familiar with the matter told the AP on condition of anonymity because they werent authorized to discuss the investigation publicly.

Its focus includes whether the state intentionally manipulated data on nursing home deaths and whether Cuomo and his aides provided the Justice Department with false or incomplete information, which could constitute a federal crime, one of the people said.

Early in the probe, the Cuomo administration was not cooperative with prosecutors and for months did not produce documents and other requested data, the people said.

A Justice Department spokesperson did not respond Wednesday to requests for comment on the status of the investigation.

Among those who have been interviewed in the probe are Kim and another lawmaker who drew Cuomos ire for calling attention to the nursing home crisis, state Sen. Gustavo Rivera, who said he sat through three hours of questioning in May.

Rivera was flying to a conference on Tuesday as Cuomo was speaking and found himself having to muffle his delight as he watched the resignation unfold on a seatback TV. The Bronx Democrat who chairs the Senates Health Committee said Cuomos decisions on nursing homes were an instance of the governor doing something to make himself look good.

As the virus engulfed New York in the early days of the pandemic, Cuomo did indeed look good, gaining a national audience for his tell-it-like-it-is daily briefings in which he lectured, cheerleaded and cajoled his constituents to stay New York tough.

Many hailed him as a counterweight to the ineffective COVID-19 response they saw coming from the White House under President Donald Trump. Cuomo went on to write a book about leadership in a crisis.

That resolute image prevailed even as some of the governors apparent missteps began gaining notice.

Early in the pandemic, the administration moved to free up hospital space by issuing a directive barring nursing homes from refusing people just because they had COVID-19. The directive was ultimately reversed but was blamed by advocates for spreading the virus and contributing to deaths.

After the administration refused to release data and answer questions about the policy for nine months, AP obtained records this year showing more than 9,000 recovering coronavirus patients in New York state were released from hospitals into nursing homes under the order, more than 40% higher than what the state health department previously disclosed.

New York Attorney General Letitia James report in January noted that while Cuomos directive was in line with federal guidance, it may have put residents at increased risk of harm in some facilities.

But the Cuomo administration has long contended that infected nursing home employees  not recovering COVID-19 patients  were the real drivers of infections and that it was incumbent upon nursing homes under state law to refuse COVID-19 patients if they were not equipped to care for them safely.

The administration also tallied nursing home deaths in a way that was out of step with nearly every other state: It counted only those residents who died on nursing home property, not those who succumbed after being sent to a hospital.

After James report came out, the Cuomo administration finally released data that confirmed what many suspected: The official death count was off by 50 percent, a difference of more than 4,200 victims.

A top aide to the governor, Melissa DeRosa, tried to explain the administrations delays in releasing data on deaths by saying officials froze over worries the information was going to be used against us by Trumps Justice Department.

Cuomos office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday on the investigations.

Grace Colucci, whose father died of COVID-19 at a hospital after being released from a nursing home, found her immediate happiness about Cuomos resignation dissolve into tears. She said she is fearful he will evade any real punishment for what she believes he did that cost the sick and old their lives.

Im afraid that they wont find out why it happened, Colucci said. This may all be brushed under the rug.

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Associated Press writer Michael Balsamo in Washington contributed to this report.
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PHOENIX  Arizona on Thursday reported 2,970 additional COVID-19 cases, the most reported in a single day in the past six months, as the number of virus patients occupying hospital beds continued to climb.

The climbing cases have prompted colleges and universities to impose renewed mask mandates and a plea from hospitals in northwestern Arizona for more people to be vaccinated against the coronavirus.

Along with reporting over 2,000 additional cases for the ninth day so far this month, the state also reported six more virus deaths as the pandemic totals increased to 955,767 cases and 18,412 deaths.

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The last time Arizona reported more cases on a single day was 4,381 on Feb. 9.

All three of the states public universities announced Wednesday that they were again requiring masks to be worn in classrooms and most other indoor settings. On Thursday, the states largest community college district and a second large district did the same.

The Maricopa County Community College District, which has 10 colleges across metro Phoenix that serve over 168,000 students annually, said its decision is allowed by state law. Pima Community College, which has five campuses in the Tucson area and had nearly 40,000 students in 2019-2020 school year, said it was following guidance issued by federal, state and local health agencies.

Arizona State University had a public dispute with Republican Gov. Doug Ducey in June prompted by the universitys decision to require unvaccinated students to be regularly tested for the virus and wear masks. The governor blocked the policy by an executive order applying to public colleges and universities that was later added into law in the state budget.

But unlike a budget provision banning K-12 schools from requiring masks to be worn, the budget does not ban universities from imposing universal mask mandates. Some school districts are openly defying the new law because it does not take effect until late next month, although it contains a retroactivity clause.

According to Johns Hopkins University data, the rolling average of daily new cases rose over the past two weeks from 1,424 new cases on July 27 to 2,450 new cases on Tuesday.

There were 1,527 virus patients occupying hospital beds as of Wednesday, a level last seen in February as the winter surge wound down, the states dashboard reported.

The dashboard also reported the administration of 28,947 additional vaccine doses.

While the daily reports of additional cases and hospitalizations rose steadily in July and so far in August, they remain below numbers seen during the surges last summer and last winter. Deaths are far fewer than the previous surges.

In Mohave County, the county health director and the CEOs of the areas four major hospitals took the rare step of holding a joint news conference urging people to get vaccinated.

The heads of Havasu Regional Medical Center, Western Arizona Regional Medical Center, Kingman Regional Medical Center and Valley View Medical Center said unvaccinated people make up over 90% of their COVID-19 patients.

We are again asking the community out there to reconsider getting vaccinated, said Feliciano Jiron, Valley Medical Center CEO. Work with others around you that may need help and your neighbors and friends that may not understand. Have some of these conversations with them.

Mohave County has among the lowest vaccination rates among Arizonas 15 counties at just 35% of the population getting at least one shot compared with 53% statewide and nearly 60% nationally. Only 58% of Mohave County residents over age 65 who are more at risk of serious illness are vaccinated, compared with 89% statewide.

In contrast, Pima County has vaccinated 59% of its population and more than 93% of those over age 65.

All four Mohave County hospital systems have asked federal officials to deploy teams of nurses to help it deal with a surge of patients, according state health officials. The state Health Services Department is working to get the federal government to fill the request, spokesman Steve Elliott said.

There are already 15 professionals from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services deployed to Mohave County to run infusion centers providing monoclonal antibody therapy, Kingman Regional Medical Center spokeswoman Teri Williams said. The therapy can reduce the length of COVID-19 symptoms and cut the risk of severe illness requiring hospitalization.

Kingman Regional had 154 patients in all on Thursday and was treating 25 people with COVID-19, six of them in intensive care, Williams said. Those patients are more labor-intensive to care for and drain resources from the hospital.

When you get a large influx of people with COVID and this has been happened for 18 months, hospital staff are not only exhausted, Williams said. We just dont have enough staff to take care of them as well as other patients that need hospital care.
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CATCHES OF THE WEEK

Chevy Wyatt, 13, of Roswell caught a 2-pound bass at Berrendo Creek using a jig Aug. 4.

At Bluewater Lake, Joel Erives of Grants caught and released a 39-inch tiger muskie using a worm Aug. 5.  Alexandria Turreitta, 6, of Albuquerque caught and released a 30-inch tiger muskie using a white marabou jig Aug. 3.

Patsy Lee of Edgewood caught a 25-pound catfish at Conchas Lake on a deep-diving crankbait Aug. 4.

Donovyn Gonzales, 13, of Albuquerque caught a 22-inch rainbow trout at Eagle Nest Lake using a gold and black spoon Aug. 2.

Valerie Wyatt of Roswell caught a 13-inch white bass at Elephant Butte Lake using a Whopper Plopper lure Aug. 7.

At Fenton Lake, Kyla Garcia and Isaac Garcia, 6 and 4, of Rio Rancho caught two 14-inch rainbow trout using rainbow PowerBait and green garlic PowerBait on Aug. 4.  Daniel Herrera, 12, of Albuquerque caught an 18.5-inch rainbow trout using Berkley trout worms Aug. 9.

Susan Lintt of Lincoln, Nebraska caught a 26-inch albino catfish at Greene Acres Lake using trout bait with sparkles July 29.

KaseyLynn Stephenson, 11, of Montgomery, Texas caught an 18-inch golden rainbow trout at Grindstone Reservoir using PowerBait on July 22.

At Hopewell Lake, Bryce Link, 10, of Dexter caught a 16.75-inch rainbow trout using a worm Aug. 1.  Amaya Herrera of Espanola caught a 16-inch rainbow trout using pink PowerBait on July 30.

Alfonso and Hunter Sanchez, 8 and 4, of Raton caught their limits of trout at Lake Maloya using worms and corn Aug. 3.

Zachary Vallo of Albuquerque caught a 4.5-pound smallmouth bass at Navajo Lake using a Whopper Plopper on Aug. 8.

Carlos Jaramillo of Roswell caught a 32-inch, 25-pound flathead catfish on the Pecos River using nightcrawler worms Aug. 7.

Lance McIntosh of Taos caught a 25-inch brown trout at San Juan River using a black beadhead midge pattern fly July 26.

If you have a catch of the week story, send it to funfishingnm@gmail.com.

NOTES from GAME & FISH

Northeast fishing report

Cabresto Lake had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for trout was fair at Charette Lakes using worms and yellow PowerBait.

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Streamflow on the Cimarron River, near Cimarron, on Monday morning was 13.8 cubic feet per second. Fishing for trout was fair using San Juan worm flies.

Fishing for trout at Clayton Lake was fair using PowerBait. Fishing for catfish was fair to good using nightcrawler worms and corn.

Conchas Lake State Park has closed access to all boat ramps due to dropping water levels. The boat ramps on the south side of the lake managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are open. Fishing for smallmouth bass was fair using shad-colored crankbaits.

At Costilla Creek, fishing for trout was good using caddis dry flies. The department has implemented the final phase of a project to expand Rio Grande cutthroat trout in 120 miles of the Costilla watershed in northern New Mexico. The final phase involved removal of fish within a designated area (Rio Costilla from Costilla Dam downstream to the Valle Vidal Boundary including all tributaries and Comanche Creek from the road culvert crossing on Forest Road 1950 downstream to its confluence with Rio Costilla and all tributaries) with a tentative restocking of Rio Grande cutthroat in spring 2022. Places to fish nearby include Costilla Creek below the fish barrier, Upper Comanche Creek, Shuree Ponds, Middle Ponil Creek, Upper Powderhouse Creek, Little Costilla Creek, Vidal Creek and McCrystal Creek. The department anticipates completion of this final phase in the fall of 2021. Please check the department website for additional information on the project and to identify alternative angling opportunities in the interim.

Cowles Ponds had no reports from anglers this week.

Coyote Creek had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for trout at Eagle Nest Lake was slow to fair using gold and black spoons.

Fishing for trout at Eagle Rock Lake was good using salmon eggs and PowerBait.

Fishing for trout on the Gallinas River was good using dry flies with dropper nymph rigs.

Fishing for trout at Hopewell Lake was fair to good using pink PowerBait and worms.

Lake Alice had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for trout at Lake Maloya was fair to good using worms, corn, Pistol Pete spinner flies and PowerBait in the mornings and evenings.

Fishing for trout on the Los Pinos River was slow.

Maxwell Lake 13 had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for trout at Monastery Lake was good using red and white spoons and orange PowerBait.

Morphy Lake had no reports from anglers this week.

Streamflow on the Pecos River, near the town of Pecos, on Monday morning was 132 cfs. Fishing for trout was good using hares ear nymph flies, worms and white grubs.

Streamflow on the Red River, below the hatchery, on Monday morning was 61.4 cfs. Fishing for trout was fair to good using green Panther Martin spinners.

Streamflow on the Rio Grande at the Taos Junction Bridge on Monday morning was 343 cfs. Fishing for trout was good using dry fly with dropper nymph fly setups and nymph flies by themselves.

Streamflow on the Rio Hondo on Monday morning, near Valdez, was 32.6 cfs. Fishing for trout was good using grasshopper flies.

Streamflow on the Rio Mora on Monday morning, near Tererro, was 58.0 cfs.

Streamflow on the Rio Pueblo, near Penasco, Monday morning was 26.5 cfs. Fishing for trout was good using small dry flies with dropper beadhead nymph flies.

Fishing for trout at Santa Cruz Reservoir was slow using PowerBait.

Fishing for trout at Shuree Ponds was good using Berkley Power Worms and Panther Martin spinners.

Springer Lake had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for catfish at Storrie Lake was fair using chicken liver.

Fishing for catfish at Stubblefield Lake was fair using chicken liver.

Fishing for white bass at Ute Lake was slow using topwater lures and vertical jigging with blades and slabs. Fishing for walleye was slow using nightcrawler harness rigs, bottom bouncing in 20 to 25 feet of water. Fishing for bass was slow using drop-shot rigs and Texas-rigged Senko worms. Fishing for catfish was slow to fair using punch bait and cut bait. Fishing for crappie was slow. The water surface temperature was in the low 80s and the main lake color was clear.

Northwest fishing report

Abiquiu Lake had no reports from anglers this week.

Waterflow on the Animas River, below Aztec, on Monday morning was 192 cfs.

Albuquerque Area Drains had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for tiger muskie at Bluewater Lake was good using white marabou jigs, worms and swimbaits.

Fishing for trout on the Brazos River was fair to good using black and gold Panther Martin spinners.

Fishing for trout at Canjilon Lakes was good using dry flies and Pistol Pete spinner flies.

Monday-morning flows on the Chama River, below El Vado and Abiquiu were 105 cfs and 270 cfs, respectively. Fishing for trout below El Vado Lake was fair to good using nightcrawlers. Please remember, from the river-crossing bridge on U.S. Highway 84 at Abiquiu upstream 7 miles to the base of Abiquiu Dam is special trout waters with a bag limit of two trout only.

Fishing for catfish at Cochiti Lake was fair to good using worms, cut bait and chicken liver. Fishing for crappie was fair using small jigs. Fishing for pike was fair using green pumpkin Senko worms. Fishing for smallmouth bass was fair using Ned rigs and crankbaits.

Fishing for perch at El Vado Lake was good using worms.

Fishing for trout at Fenton Lake was fair to good using rainbow PowerBait and green garlic PowerBait. Please remember, only two cutthroat trout are allowed to be harvested per day within the regular five-fish limit.

Fishing for trout at Heron Lake was fair to good using Panther Martin spinners, Rooster Tail spinners and PowerBait. Sierra Vista and primitive boat ramps are open, but please use caution due to mud and low water levels.

A t Jemez Waters, streamflow on the Jemez, near the village of Jemez Springs, on Monday morning was 6.68 cfs. Fishing for trout was slow to fair using worms and PowerBait.

Laguna del Campo had no reports from anglers this week.

Lagunitas Lakes had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for bass at Lake Farmington was fair using creature baits.

Due to extremely low water levels and unstable ground conditions at McGaffey Lake, stocking efforts have been suspended. Lake conditions will be monitored and stockings will resume once conditions improve.

Fishing for bass at Navajo Lake was fair to good using Whopper Ploppers and crankbaits. Fishing for pike was fair using crankbaits and jerkbaits. Fishing for kokanee salmon was good using green spinners, pink squid and orange spinners tipped with corn.

Fishing for catfish on the Rio Grande was fair to good using worms and chicken liver near Albuquerque.

San Gregorio Lake had no reports from anglers this week.

Streamflow on the San Juan River on Monday morning was 713 cfs. Fishing for trout in the quality waters was good using blood worm flies, annelid flies, leech pattern flies and black beadhead midge pattern flies. Fishing for trout in the bait waters was good using worms and spinners.

Fishing for trout at Seven Springs Brood Pond was good using salmon eggs, worms and garlic PowerBait.

Fishing for bluegill at Tingley Beach was good using small worms.

Trout Lakes had no reports from anglers this week.

Southwest fishing report

Alumni Pond had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for crappie at Bear Canyon Lake was good using gold beadhead nymph flies with salmon-colored bodies.

Fishing for all species was slow at Bill Evans Lake .

Fishing for white bass at Caballo Lake was fair to good using live minnows and white swimbaits. Fishing for catfish was fair to good using cut carp bait, beef liver and live shad.

Fishing for white bass at Elephant Butte Lake was good using topwater lures, white and chartreuse swimbaits, Kastmaster lures and slab spoons. Fishing for largemouth bass was fair to good using 6-inch floating shad imitation lures and stick baits. Fishing for walleye was slow to fair using bottom bouncers with nightcrawler harness rigs. Fishing for crappie was fair to good using live minnows. Fishing for catfish was good using beef liver, cut carp, homemade dough bait, cheese bait and shad.

Fishing for catfish at Escondida Lake was fair to good using nightcrawler worms.

Streamflow on the Gila River on Monday morning was 52.4 cfs. Fishing for catfish was fair to good using cut bait.

Glenwood Pond had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for trout at Lake Roberts was slow to fair using silver spinners. Fishing for catfish was slow to fair using nightcrawlers.

Percha Dam had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for trout at Quemado Lake was fair to good using worms.

Rancho Grande Ponds had no reports from anglers this week.

Streamflow on the Rio Grande, below Elephant Butte, on Monday morning was 1,280 cfs. Fishing for catfish was good using cut bait and night crawlers. Fishing for catfish near Hatch was fair to good using worms. Fishing for white bass was fair using sassy shad.

Snow Lake had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for catfish at Trees Lake was fair to good using live worms and dough bait.

Young Pond had no reports from anglers this week.

Southeast fishing report

Fishing for trout at Alto Lake was fair to good using orange PowerBait and pink PowerBait. Fishing for catfish was fair using nightcrawlers.

Bataan Lake had no reports from anglers this week.

Please visit the Open Gate webpage for more information on Berrendo Creek . Fishing for bass was fair to good using jigs.

Streamflow on the Black River, at Malaga,on Monday morning was 5.60 cfs.

Blue Hole Park Pond had no reports from anglers this week.

Bonito Lake is closed until further notice by the city of Alamogordo due to fire damage. It appears that the lake will be out of commission until 2022.

Bosque Redondo Lake had no reports from anglers this week.

Bottomless Lakes had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for carp at Brantley Lake was fair to good using corn and hotdogs.

Fishing for catfish at Carlsbad Municipal Lake was fair to good using nightcrawler worms and hotdogs.

Chaparral Park Lake had no reports from anglers this week.

Corona Pond had no reports from anglers this week.

Eunice Lake had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for largemouth bass at Green Meadow Lake was good using shad swimbaits. Fishing for crappie was fair using shad swimbaits.

Fishing for catfish at Greene Acres Lake was fair to good using PowerBait and shrimp.

Fishing for trout at Grindstone Reservoir was good using green garlic PowerBait.

Jal Lake had no reports from anglers this week.

Lake Van had no reports from anglers this week.

Oasis Park Lake had no reports from anglers this week.

Streamflow on the Pecos River, below Sumner Lake, on Monday morning was 99.7 cfs. Fishing for catfish was fair to good using nightcrawler worms near the town of Roswell.

Perch Lake had no reports from anglers this week.

Streamflow on the Ruidoso River, on Monday morning, at Hollywood was 8.31 cfs.

The boat ramp at Santa Rosa Lake has opened as water levels have increased due to recent rains. Due to low lake levels, Santa Rosa Lake State Park will operate as a no-wake lake until conditions improve. Fishing for walleye was fair using live minnows. Fishing for bass was fair using crankbaits.

Sumner Lake had no reports from anglers this week.
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Bonanza Creek Ranch in Santa Fe will be the backdrop to the feature film, God Is a Bullet.

The New Mexico Film Office announced on Thursday that the film wrapped production at the ranch and surrounding areas. Patriot Pictures is producing the film.

Amber Dodson, New Mexico Film Office director said shes glad to see the production utilizing the iconic ranch.

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God is a Bullet tells the story of vice-division chief detective Bob Hightower, who finds his ex-wife murdered and daughter kidnapped by a satanic cult. Hightower becomes frustrated by official investigators, who have yet to solve the case.

He quits the police force, gets a bad attitude and tattoos to match, and goes undercover to infiltrate the cult in search of his daughter, with the help of the cults female victim escapee, Case Hardin.

It is directed by Nick Cassavetes and produced by Michael Mendelsohn and Don Allen.

I am excited to get God Is a Bullet into production with my friend and producer/financier, Michael Mendelsohn. Its a magnificent, ultra-dark work that is somehow both intensely frightening and literate, inspired by true events, with the most amazing cast of actors, Cassavetes said.

The cast includes Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Maika Monroe, January Jones, Karl Glusman and Jamie Foxx.

Kim Winther, Jim Steele, and Santiago Garcia Galvan are co-producing. Executive producers include Sidney Kimmel, Chuck Pacheco, Paul Johansson, Natalie Perrotta and Foxx.

The production marks a return to Coster-Waldau and Mendelsohn, who have filmed Shot Caller and Running with the Devil in 2017 and 2019, respectively.

We are bringing the uber talented writer/director Nick Cassavetes with our exceptionally talented cast to Santa Fe to shoot some of the most important plot points of God Is A Bullet,  Mendelsohn said. We are also looking at studio space property in New Mexico to expand our production facilities and realize the benefits from the film savvy crew and the prudently structured New Mexico film incentives. Extremely happy to be back in New Mexico.

The production will employ approximately 85 New Mexico crew members, 5 New Mexico principal cast members, and 5 New Mexico background and extras, according to the New Mexico Film Office.
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.  New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology will require students and employees to either be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, or regularly provide the school with proof of a negative COVID test.

For those who dont get vaccinated, a new negative COVID test would have to be provided each week. The policy goes into effect Aug. 31.

New Mexico Tech President Stephen Wells announced the policy on Wednesday, and the schools board of regents has endorsed the rules.

Wells said in a directive that the policy is subject to change depending on the spread of the disease.

There are some exemptions for people with medical conditions and religious beliefs.

Employees who violate the policy will face unpaid suspensions, and students may face restrictions from campus buildings and disciplinary action.

The University of New Mexico and New Mexico State University have put similar policies in place.

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WASHINGTON  Just weeks before the U.S. is scheduled to end its war in Afghanistan, the Biden administration is rushing 3,000 fresh troops to the Kabul airport to help with a partial evacuation of the U.S. Embassy. The move highlights the stunning speed of a Taliban takeover of much of the country, including their capture on Thursday of Kandahar, the second-largest city and the birthplace of the Taliban movement.

The State Department said the embassy will continue functioning, but Thursdays dramatic decision to bring in thousands of additional U.S. troops is a sign of waning confidence in the Afghan governments ability to hold off the Taliban surge. The announcement came just hours after the Taliban captured the western city of Herat as well as Ghazni, a strategic provincial capital south of Kabul. The advance, and the partial U.S. Embassy evacuation, increasingly isolate the nations capital, home to millions of Afghans.

This is not abandonment. This is not an evacuation. This is not a wholesale withdrawal, State Department spokesman Ned Price said. What this is is a reduction in the size of our civilian footprint.

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Price rejected the idea that Thursdays moves sent encouraging signals to an already emboldened Taliban, or demoralizing ones to frightened Afghan civilians. The message we are sending to the people of Afghanistan is one of enduring partnership, Price insisted.

President Joe Biden, who has remained adamant about ending the 19-year U.S. mission in Afghanistan at the end of this month despite the Taliban sweep, conferred with senior national security officials overnight, then gave the order for the additional temporary troops Thursday morning.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Thursday. The U.S. also warned Taliban officials directly that the U.S. would respond if the Taliban attacked Americans during the temporary U.S. military deployments.

Britains ministry of defense said Thursday that it will send around 600 troops to Afghanistan on a short-term basis to help U.K. nationals leave the country. And Canadian special forces will deploy to Afghanistan to help Canadian staff leave Kabul, a source familiar with the plan told The Associated Press. That official, who was not authorized to talk publicly about the matter and spoke on condition of anonymity, did not say how many special forces would be sent.

The Pentagons chief spokesman, John Kirby, said that in addition to sending three infantry battalions  two from the Marine Corps and one from the Army  to the airport, the Pentagon will dispatch 3,500 to 4,000 troops from a combat brigade of the 82nd Airborne Division to Kuwait to act as a reserve force. He said they will be on standby in case we need even more than the 3,000 going to Kabul.

Also, about 1,000 Army and Air Force troops, including military police and medical personnel, will be sent to Qatar in coming days to support a State Department effort to accelerate its processing of Special Immigrant Visa applications from Afghans who once worked for the U.S. government and feel threated by the Taliban, Kirby said.

The 3,000 troops who are to arrive at the Kabul airport in the next day or two, Kirby said, are to assist with security at the airport and to help process the departure of embassy personnel  not to get involved in the Afghan governments war with the Taliban. Biden decided in April to end U.S. military involvement in the war, and the withdrawal is scheduled to be complete by Aug. 31.

The U.S. had already withdrawn most of its troops, but had kept about 650 troops in Afghanistan to support U.S. diplomatic security, including at the airport.

Kirby said the influx of fresh troops does not mean the U.S. is reentering combat with the Taliban.

This is a temporary mission with a narrow focus, he told reporters at the Pentagon.

The viability of the U.S.-trained Afghan army, however, is looking increasingly dim. A new military assessment says Kabul could come under Taliban pressure as soon as September and, if current trends hold, the country could fall to the Taliban within a few months.

Price, the State Department spokesman, said diplomatic work will continue at the Kabul embassy.

Our first responsibility has always been protecting the safety and the security of our citizens serving in Afghanistan, and around the world, Price said at a briefing, calling the the speed of the Taliban advance and resulting instability of grave concern.

Shortly before Prices announcement, the embassy in Kabul urged U.S. citizens to leave immediately  reiterating a warning it first issued Saturday.

The latest drawdown will further limit the ability of the embassy to conduct business, although Price maintained it would still be able to function. Nonessential personal had already been withdrawn from the embassy in April after Bidens withdrawal announcement and it was not immediately clear how many staffers would remain on the heavily fortified compound. As of Thursday, there were roughly 4,200 staffers at the embassy, but most of those are Afghan nationals, according to the State Department.

Apart from a complete evacuation and shuttering of the embassy, Price said other contingency plans were being weighed, including possibly relocating its operations to the airport.

As the staff reductions take place over the course of the next several weeks, Price said the U.S., led by the special envoy for Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, would continue to push for a peace agreement between the Taliban and the Afghan government at talks currently taking place in Doha, Qatar.

The Taliban, who ruled the country from 1996 until U.S. forces invaded after the 9/11 attacks, have taken 12 of Afghanistans 34 provincial capitals as part of a weeklong sweep that has given them effective control of about two-thirds of the country.

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Associated Press writer Rob Gillies in Toronto contributed to this report.
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EL CEIBO, Guatemala  Shortly after crossing the border in south Texas with her 5-year-old daughter, Karla Leiva of Honduras found herself on a chartered U.S. government flight, learning midair that she was headed to the provincial capital of Villahermosa in southern Mexico. Authorities there put her on a bus to Mexicos southern border and on Thursday she sat on the patio of a migrant shelter in a remote Guatemalan border town.

Her swift expulsion through three countries was part of a highly unusual partnership between the governments of the United States and Mexico that the Biden administration hopes will deter migrants from returning to the U.S. border.

The U.S. government has intermittently flown Mexicans deep into Mexico for years to discourage repeat attempts, but flights that began last week from Brownsville, Texas, to Villahermosa and Tapachula, near the Guatemalan border, appear to be the first time that Central Americans have been flown to Mexico.

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The administration is starting flights of Central Americans to southern Mexico 24 times a month, with hopes of ramping up, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. Mexico agreed to support the effort amid strains between the administration and Central American governments and their reluctance to accept more flights from the United States.

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, responding to reporters questions Thursday at a news conference in Brownsville, made the administrations first public acknowledgement that it is expelling Central Americans on flights to southern Mexico. The Mexican government has been publicly silent.

Mayorkas said the flights aimed to deter repeat attempts by migrants who are expelled from the United States under pandemic-related restrictions that prohibit them from seeking asylum. They come as the administration confronts what he called a serious challenge at the border, touting figures released Thursday that show unaccompanied children were stopped a record-high 18,962 times in July and migrants who came in families were stopped 82,966 times, the second-highest on record after May 2019.

U.S. authorities stopped migrants 212,672 times in July, the highest number in more than 20 years, though Mayorkas said 27% of those encounters were with migrants who had been stopped at least once in the previous year.

Pandemic-related expulsions dont carry any legal consequences, encouraging repeat attempts.

While still delivering some migrants on flights directly to their Central American nations, the U.S. government is now supplementing with the flights to southern Mexico.

Leiva, 32, from Yoro in north-central Honduras, had arrived at the shelter in El Ceibo on Wednesday. She said she was not asked by U.S. or Mexican authorities if she feared returning to her country.

At the Mexico-Guatemala border, they were told to walk into Guatemala and look for the shelter. No one registered their entrance into Guatemala. They were not asked for evidence of a negative COVID-19 test required of all foreigners entering Guatemala.

No one told me anything. They never heard my case and why I went to the United States, Leiva said. I couldnt tell them that they were extorting me and that they threatened to kidnap my little daughter and take my adolescent sons to join the gang. Thats why I left the country.

Mayorkas said the U.S. was coordinating with the Mexican government on flights that include Central Americans and ensuring that they comply with international law to provide humanitarian protection when warranted. He didnt elaborate.

If in fact they are turned around and placed in the northern part of Mexico, it is too facile, too easy for them to return and try an illegal entry again, he said. And so in response to that recidivism, to deter and prevent that recidivism from occurring, we are expelling them further into the interior of Mexico, which is far more difficult to try again.

He said the Biden administration has made changes to border policy, including allowing unaccompanied children into the country, but said people without a legal claim to residency would be removed under the law.

Human Rights First condemned the expulsion flights in a statement Thursday.

These expulsions are illegal, inhumane, and blatant violations of U.S. refugee law and the Refugee Convention, said Eleanor Acer, the organizations senior director of refugee protection.

On Wednesday, five United Nations agencies, including the High Commissioner for Refugees, expressed concern over the U.S. policy and repeated their call for the Biden administration to lift the so-called Title 42 restriction on asylum.

Mayorkas said the people being expelled to the interior of Mexico have been expelled under Title 42.

The move comes after President Joe Biden jettisoned many of his predecessors hardline immigration policies, describing them as cruel or unwise, including one that made asylum-seekers wait in Mexican border cities for hearings in U.S. immigration court.

Biden also scrapped agreements with Central American nations for asylum-seekers from third countries to be sent there to have their claims heard, denying any prospect of settling in the United States.

The Biden administration has said it wants to focus on addressing the root causes of migration from Central America. Vice President Kamala Harris has led that effort, visiting Mexico and Guatemala to discuss how the U.S. can help while encouraging people not to come. But those are at best medium-term solutions, while at the U.S. border, the number of encounters between U.S. authorities and migrants keeps rising.

Leiva had left Yoro on July 27 with her daughter and three older sons. Twelve days later, she and her daughter crossed the Rio Grande on a raft into Texas with a smuggler and were quickly apprehended. She said her sons were supposed to have followed, but didnt manage to cross.

U.S. authorities took Leiva and Zoe to Brownsville. Two days later they were put on the plane. On Thursday, they both still wore the identifying wrist bands U.S. authorities gave them.

The orange-painted hilltop shelter here has been filling this week as more migrants are dropped at the border daily. Theres little else in this remote border outpost surrounded by jungle.

Leiva was still trying to understand what had happened and what would come next. She said she could not return to Honduras and she fretted over the $3,000 she had paid the smuggler.

No one signed any deportation. I didnt sign, she said. They tricked us. They didnt even give me a paper. The bracelets are the only evidence they were ever briefly in the U.S.

Leivas only choice, she said, was to try making her way north again. Her two sons and older daughter were waiting in northern Mexico.

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AP writers Ben Fox in Washington and Elliot Spagat in San Diego contributed to this report.
CHICO, Calif. - The City of Chico held a community meeting to gather feedback for the housing element's eight-year plan.

The one thing that stuck out the most was affordable housing in the community meeting.

A goal set by the Housing Element in 2014 said, "increasing equal housing opportunities."

Now, the city aims to make its 2022 housing plan.

Every eight years the City of Chico Housing Element creates goals and tasks for housing within the city.

"There are opportunities there to create new neighborhoods," said Julie Wood. "Put new businesses, people can make walkable neighborhoods."

People that attended the meeting spoke out about what they want to see in the city, but also what they want to see fixed.

"Because we're short so many thousands of houses," she said. "Where my children can afford to live? Because right now, they will never be able to afford a home here."

During the meeting, the Housing Element revealed that the asking rent price has gone up more than 14% in the past three years, between 2017 to 2020.

In Chico alone, there's a demand for nearly 7,000 subsidized units for low-income households that have been unmet

And, the price of a single-family house has increased 45% in the past 5 years, from 2015 to 2020.

All of these numbers are prompting neighbors to wonder about affordable housing in the city.

"Affordable housing in the big imagery, the big term," said Sherry Morgado. "Affordable at all income levels to individuals that need housing."

According to a survey by the Housing Element, 53%, the majority of survey takers, wanted to talk about affordable housing.

"You have to make three times the rent, and the rent is in the thousands, regardless if it's a studio, one-bedroom, three-bed like it's crazy the discrepancy between these rentals," said a concerned citizen.

And with people voicing their concerns, the city continues to look for solutions.

"The city can work with property owners and with tenants and non-profit groups to put together programs, to address how providing equity and housing can be achieved," said Morgado.

This was the second community meeting for the City of Chico.

This eight-year plan when it's finalized will last from 2022 to 2030.

The Housing Element for the City of Chico will hold a community survey online from Aug. 23 to Sept. 17.

To take look at the resources available from the Housing Element for the City of Chico, Click here.
BUTTE COUNTY, Calif. - California is the first state in the nation to require all teachers and school staff to be vaccinated or undergo weekly COVID-19 testing. Action News Now spoke with local school districts in Butte County to see how they're reacting.

Action News Now spoke with Pleasant Valley High School teacher, Beth Burton who has been teaching for nearly 20 years.

She said she thinks Governor Gavin Newsom's order is fair as long as teachers still have that option to do the testing if they do not feel comfortable getting the vaccine.

The vast majority of the teachers I know were vaccinated back in January and February," said Mrs. Burton. "Our main goal was to be back in our classroom with our kids as soon as possible, with that mandate, I encourage people to get vaccinated, but as long as they have that option for regular testing Id be ok with that as well."

Burton tells Action News Now that she supports everyone's individual choice but believes either testing or vaccination should happen seeing how some kids are not old enough to get the vaccine yet.

RELATED: California to require COVID-19 vaccine or test for teachers

"I know we have parents concerned on both sides of this argument, that they are afraid to send kids back to school with masks, afraid to send them to school without masks, I really hope parents support our teachers this year. We are working really hard to support you and support the kids here in Chico," added Burton.

Action News Now also spoke to school officials at Achieve Charter School in Chico.

"I think all the school leaders got an email from our Butte County Superintendent Mary Sakuma this morning letting us know Butte County Office of Ed was working on a way to help us test our staff. I appreciate the support, every time there's a new mandate they are there to help us think through it," said Casey Taylor, who is the Executive Director at Achieve Charter School.

Butte County Superintendent of Schools, Mary Sakuma, said they are being asked to implement the policy right away.

"Our focus will continue to be, staying centered on student safety and staff safety. That's what we've been doing since the beginning of the pandemic and that's what we intend to continue to do," said Sakuma.

The new policy will take effect on Aug. 12 and schools must be in full compliance by Oct. 15, 2021.
Lintas Live has won the PR and Communications mandate for Valvoline-Cummins Pvt Ltd, post a multi-agency pitch. Valvoline-Cummins, has chosen Lintas Live, a digital-first creative PR agency, to help reimagine the brands PR, communication outreach and partner connect strategy for India. Lintas Live will help curate an overarching communication framework for the brand including brand image and corporate reputation building, targeted at its internal and external stakeholder communities. This alliance is aimed at creating a unique positioning for Valvoline-Cummins, India and match communications to its growth ambitions and help pedestal this global brand to further its leadership position.

Lintas Live, with its inimitable digital and creative offerings, is intent on creating an impactful brand narrative and memorable brand campaigns to drive home the brand promise The Original Engine Oil. The ambition is to make Valvoline-Cummins India a household name and the most preferred partner brand across the automotive landscape.

On the appointment, of Lintas Live, Ms. Ipshita Chowdhury, Chief Marketing Officer, Valvoline-Cummins, India said, We are excited to partner with Lintas Live, an agency that mirrors our passion. Lintas Live not only demonstrated an exemplary understanding of our brand environment but also showcased an exceptional perspective on approaching the brand asks. We have aggressive plans for India and we needed an equally agile partner to help us achieve our aspiration. I believe Lintas Live, given its legacy and successes, is the perfect partner to etch indelibly, our brand journey in India. I am delighted to onboard them.

Mr. Ameer Ismail, President, Lintas Live, commenting on the partnership, said, We are ecstatic with this win. Valvoline Cummins is not just an industry pioneer but the original engine oil brand of the world. We are honoured to partner the brand in its communications 2.0 India journey. There are a lot of synergies that we share with Valvoline-Cummins, India. Constant Innovation and customer centric approach are at the heart of their brand promise and the brand professes a rich history, much like the Lintas Live ethos. This mandate is very prestigious for us, and we are committed to make this alliance a huge success.

The brand will be led by Lintas Lives Delhi office.
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs

Bern, 11.08.2021 - Switzerland is helping Vietnam to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Swiss Humanitarian Aid is sending 30 ventilators, 500,000 antigen tests and 280,000 medical face masks to the country, which has been hit hard by the virus. The consignment includes 5 million francs' worth of relief supplies.

In view of the precarious public health situation in Vietnam, the Confederation has decided to support the country in combating the COVID-19 pandemic. Around 13 tonnes of relief supplies are being delivered, with the Armed Forces Pharmacy providing 30 ventilators and the Federal Office of Public Health providing 500,000 antigen tests and 280,000 medical face masks. It has already been ensured that the supplies will not be needed by the Swiss population.



A cargo plane took off from Zurich today for Ho Chi Minh City, which is the epicentre of the pandemic in Vietnam. There, the equipment will be handed over to the Vietnamese health authorities by the Swiss consul general. The Swiss embassy in Vietnam is in close contact with all actors involved in this relief operation.



This is the eighth time in four months that Swiss Humanitarian Aid, which is part of the FDFA, has sent relief supplies abroad to combat the pandemic. This year, the Confederation has already sent relief supplies including ventilators, oxygen concentrators and medical protective equipment to Thailand (28 July), Indonesia (24 July), Tunisia (16 July), Mongolia (12 July), Sri Lanka (7 June), Nepal (21 May) and India (6 May). Since the outbreak of COVID-19, Switzerland has been continuously monitoring developments in the global public health situation and is ready to provide as much support as it can upon request.

Address for enquiries

FDFA Communication

Federal Palace West Wing

CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland

Tel. Communication service: +41 58 462 31 53

Tel. Press service: +41 58 460 55 55

E-mail: kommunikation@eda.admin.ch

Twitter: @SwissMFA

Publisher

Federal Department of Foreign Affairs

https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home.html



General Secretariat DDPS

https://www.vbs.admin.ch/



Defence

http://www.vtg.admin.ch



Federal Office of Public Health

http://www.bag.admin.ch




Last night, we had an active shooter in the Danbury Fair Mall, in Danbury, Connecticut. It's not my closest mall, but folks in town go there for certain stores regularly. If your son or daughter or husband or Mom or friend was working or shopping there, you might search for it on Facebook, which touts itself as a reliable source of news. Except, you would have seen the photo on the left. Facebook blocked out any and all searches related to the Danbury Mall. Wow. I didn't think I was naive, but that blew me away. "See more when you're back online." Back online?? I AM online!



A local newspaper reported that a female was shot, and her wound(s) were non-life-threatening. Thank goodness. Police: Person shot inside Danbury mall, suspect remains at large

You couldn't even search for the Carousel, that's famous in the mall.
Despite sizzling summer temperatures, Americas enthusiasm for the Tokyo Olympics fizzled out faster than a 4th of July firecracker. Even though the United States came out on top with 113 medals, NBCs ratings were less than half of what they were during the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games. Reasons for lower ratings are complicated, but cultural wars, different time zones, and the pandemics lingering effects undoubtedly took their toll. Media moguls and advertisers are already pondering what might be done to increase viewership of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, but the real question to be answered is why anyone would want to watch, celebrate, or attend them.

Due to the COVID-caused delay of Tokyos 2020 games, it will be less than six months before athletes begin their journey to the winter Olympics. The Biden administration has an important choice to make: to Beijing, or not to Beijing? That is the question, and the answer is both simple and necessary: the time has arrived for this country to prove to Xi Jinping and his Chinese Communist Party that America is more than a paper tiger. The United States must engage in an economic and diplomatic boycott of Beijing's $3.9 billion games.

No one wants to see American athletes get stuck in an ugly international tug-of-war that prevents them from achieving their dreams, but its imperative to consider the Olympics founding principles established by Pierre de Coubertin in the Olympic Charter: The goal of Olympism is to place sport at the service of the harmonious development of humankind, with a view to promoting a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity.

Olympic International Committee President Thomas Bach stated in the United Nations Chronicle that sport has a unique power to bring people together in a global world. He asserted that the Olympic games remind humanity that a better world is possible, because they set an example of peaceful global interaction. And therein lies the rub.

As the Tokyo games drew to a close, Bach was asked during a press conference if he would denounce Chinas abuse of the minority Uygur Muslims. Rather than giving him a chance to respond, IOC presidential spokesperson Mark Adams intervened, noted that the press conference would strictly focus on Tokyo 2020, and told listeners that the IOC would address concerns after its return to headquarters in Switzerland. No one knows for sure what the IOC will do, but a question at the press conference about the IOC's expectations for Beijing 2022 was also declined.

China's crimes against humanity and its violations of the IOCs call for human dignity have occurred on a world stage. In its effort to stamp out religious dissenters, the Chinese government targeted between one and three million Muslim Uyghurs and placed them in reeducation centers, prisons, and forced labor camps. In its attempt to facilitate a genocide, the government subjected Uyghur women to abortions and mass sterilization. During a spring crackdown on Islam, Chinese officials arrested more than a thousand imams and religious figures in Xinjiang.

When stories of these crimes reached major news outlets, calls for canceling Beijing began echoing throughout the world. Months ago, during a bipartisan Congressional-Executive Commission on China hearing, Jim McGovern (D-MA) accused the IOC of cold indifference to genocide.

The CECC sent a letter to the IOC stating how unfair it would be to force athletes to sacrifice their consciences in order to pursue their competitive goals, or vice versa in Beijing, especially since many athletes could be wearing clothing made by enslaved hands. Based on the IOCs lack of response, it is blisteringly obvious that it will do nothing to put out the flame of Beijings Olympic torch.

In a crackdown on another group of religious dissenters, Chinese authorities have targeted six million Tibetans living in a mostly Buddhist territory governed as an autonomous region of China. Warning against any effort toward independence, Dong Yunhu, former head of the Tibet Autonomous Region Propaganda Bureau, decreed that Offenders must be punished hard and swiftly, public security and cultural market administrations must investigate and prosecute them with awesome power.

Last month, authorities in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) prosecuted four monks and sentenced them to 20 years in prison. The harsh sentences demonstrate how far the CCR will go to restrict religious practice, prevent online communications, and punish peaceful expression. In response to Sundays Olympic press conference the Tibet Network, a global coalition of Tibetan groups, stated that if the worlds athletes attend Beijing, Chinas leaders will take it as an endorsement of their genocidal and repressive policies.

As if Chinas crimes against the Uyghurs and Tibetans are not enough proof of its willingness to ignore human dignity, its atrocities against the countrys 100 million Christians should be cause for boycott. In 2015, government officials removed 1,200 crosses from churches in the Zhejiang province. Two years later, Chinese police demolished the the Golden Lampstand Church, one of the largest evangelical houses of worship in the country.

Radio Free Asia reports that Christians are regularly arrested and held in secret mobile facilities. Upon their arrival, detainees are forced to stay in windowless rooms where they are beaten, tortured, and reeducated. The Chinese Communist Party has attempted to stamp out Christianity by demolishing churches, arresting faith leaders, and executing the faithful by means of organ excision. If America looks the other way and refuses a boycott the Beijing 2022 Olympics, it will disregard Western values and forget the faithful.

As the world watches and wonders what to do about the winter games in Beijing, China is biting back. Following last months United Kingdom House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee recommendation for the UK to partially boycott the Beijing games, a spokesman from the China Foreign Ministry responded that the boycott will not succeed. Meanwhile, the Chinese government has already warned Washington that there will be a robust response if the United States becomes a part of any joint approach to boycott Beijing.

There is no doubt that China will pave its streets with gold plating as it welcomes and attempts to dazzle the athletes attending the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. With all of the illusory glitz and glitter of a nation hoping to rule the world, Chinas lure of gleaming gold medals will be a garish attempt to hypnotize the masses and erase its failure to preserve human dignity.

American athletes who knelt on Tokyos fields to protest civil rights challenges in the United States should prepare to drape themselves in hypocrisy if they choose to take the stage on Beijings podiums. Everyone present in Beijing should remember the innocents and the faithful who have suffered at the hands of the raging Red Dragon. After all, China provides an all-important lesson in humanity: One may smile, and smile, and be a villain.

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Last week, a group of scientists sent shock waves through the climate-science community. They boldly pointed out that current climate models exaggerate greenhouse warming.

In other words, they confirmed what climate skeptics have been arguing all along: that most computer climate models forecast unrealistic warming -- warming not observed anywhere in the real world.

Could this be a turning point for climate science? Has the hitherto staunch resistance to any kind of scrutiny regarding the dangerous warming narrative come to an end?

Scientific Method

Science is not a body of facts. It is a method of finding facts -- a method that is inherently skeptical. Not cynically skeptical, but humbly skeptical. It insists, as the motto of the Royal Society, nullius in verba, roughly translated take nobodys word for it, that a scientists every claim be tested -- over and over and over. Thus, as the philosopher of science Robert K. Merton put it in 1938, Most institutions demand unqualified faith; but the institution of science makes skepticism a virtue.

A scientific hypothesis is carefully studied and checked against available evidence. The process of establishing a scientific truth involves the scientific communitys continuous effort to falsify it until so many such efforts have failed that the community provisionally accepts it -- with emphasis on provisionally.

In the age of celebrity culture, though, people easily assume that theories celebrated scientists -- or large numbers of scientists, or scientists associated with government authorities -- embrace are above challenge. Yet even theories universally embraced (for example, that continents dont move, or that all ulcers are caused by excess stomach acid arising from too-acidic foods or anxiety) are not immune from new challenges or improvements and have been discarded.

Even the most celebrated scientists have been wrong. As EarthSky editor Deborah Byrd notes,

Einsteins [General] Theory of Relativity implied that the universe must either be expanding or contracting. But Einstein himself rejected this notion in favor of the accepted idea that the universe was stationary and had always existed. When [Edwin] Hubble presented his evidence [the red shift] of the expansion of the universe, Einstein embraced the idea. He called his adherence to the old idea my greatest blunder.

It is now understood that the universe is constantly expanding.

Today, climate science finds itself in turmoil. Theories of catastrophic global warming driven by carbon dioxide emissions have long escaped careful scrutiny -- just as the theories of acid-caused ulcers and stable continents long did.

Climate Scientists: Yes, the Models are Wrong

Some climate scientists, like Roy W. Spencer and Judith Curry, point out that many warming theories depend on computer models that are badly flawed. If the empirical, observational evidence -- which Nobel Prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman called the key to science -- doesnt keep these theories standing, what does? It appears that its the veneer of authority embodied in the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

However, now scientists deeply embedded in the IPCC have admitted that the models exaggerate warming. They raise concerns about the implausibility of the exaggerated warming levels.

Science noted, But as climate scientists face this alarming reality, the climate models that help them project the future have grown a little too alarmist. Many of the worlds leading models are now projecting warming rates that most scientists, including the modelmakers themselves, believe are implausibly fast.

These new admissions reaffirm findings in 2014 and 2019 that most models exaggerate warming -- though the evidence is that they exaggerate not a little but a lot.

Scientists identified these unrealistic exaggerations by comparing model performance with real-world temperature data. A study published in 2020 analyzed 38 Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Version 6 (CMIP6) models and concluded, For lower-troposphere and midtroposphere layers both globally and in the tropics, all 38 models overpredict warming in every target observational analog, in most cases significantly so, and the average differences between models and observations are statistically significant.

Thus, solid empirical evidence shows that belief in dangerous greenhouse warming is unwarranted, based on faulty computer climate models.

That scientists working within the IPCC now acknowledge models errors could be a first step for climate sciences return to normalcy -- that is, to the skepticism that is a hallmark of science -- after decades of adherence to the doomsday narrative.

But there are obstacles in the way. The same Science article that reported the IPCC scientists admission that the models run hot also quoted NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies Director Gavin Schmidt as saying, Its become clear over the last year or so that we cant avoid this -- a slip that suggests that he and others have, contrary to the skepticism inherent in genuine science, been trying to avoid it for a long time. So long as that mentality prevails, climate science will fall short of the true measure of science: honest, humble self-skepticism.

It remains to be seen how the UN will approach this complex and delicate matter. Bold, outright admission could deflate public trust and so undermine the agenda of global decarbonization.

Nevertheless, the admission gives hope to climate sciences future. Far too many scientists have been afraid to test climate doomsday narratives. This might give them courage.

Honest scientists follow the evidence wherever it leads. But to stand up and own the truth, scientists must also be freed from political pressure. Funding for the climate-science community flows largely through entities that seek to gain politically from climate fear. This must stop, and academic institutions must no longer function as public relations agencies for fearmongering political narratives.

Vijay Jayaraj (M.Sc., Environmental Science, University of East Anglia, England), is a Research Contributor for the Cornwall Alliance for the Stewardship of Creation and resides in Bengaluru, India. E. Calvin

Image: Dragons Flight

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Prior to the second half of the 20th century, racism was a genuine problem in America. However, the civil rights movement of the 1960s focused attention on the issue. The peaceful protests of Martin Luther King provided clarity of message and the moral high ground. We made great progress. Prejudice against people of color became socially unacceptable. It became taboo -- and that was a good thing.

Unfortunately, within a few short years, leftists highjacked the movement. Just as they do with everything, they perverted it. Consistent with their never let a crisis (or opportunity) go to waste mentality, they turned a noble societal pursuit into another exercise in the advancement of Marxism.

The diversity industry sprang up in the 1990s and has been embraced broadly throughout the country. Both industry and government endorse its lessons. It teaches us to embrace our racial, cultural, and ethnic differences -- but not our political differences. In fact, we are encouraged to celebrate our differences over our commonalities. This inevitably led to the construction, rather than destruction, of cultural walls. Did the diversity industry not see that this would be the result of their ideology -- or did they not care? We no longer embrace the assimilation of the melting pot. We are embracing cultural communities within communities -- segregation. A number of colleges had separate graduation ceremonies this year. One school system in Atlanta is even segregating classes by race again. Its not being done by the evil right-wing haters -- its being done by the progressive left.

The leftists have also created a grievance industry to amass wealth and power. One need only observe the shenanigans of so called civil rights leaders like Al Sharpton and Patrisse Khan-Cullors to see that their objective is not to address racism, but to make money and perpetuate the scam. They extort money from businesses and individuals by threatening them with protests and boycotts. Ms. Khan-Cullors has raised over 900 million dollars with her BLM organization, and has purchased multiple luxury homes. Al Sharpton is paid over a million dollars annually by the National Action Network -- a charity which he founded. They keep a willing army of activists at the ready to support their business pursuits by stoking racial hatred.

BLM has inflamed millions with the claim that hardships suffered by the black community are not their fault. They are mere victims of systems which are targeting them. Blacks arent disproportionately represented in prison because theyve made bad decisions, but because theyve been targeted by the criminal justice system. The entire black community is being excused from any type of personal accountability.

Last year, the grievance industry treated us to the 1619 project. It was promoted in newspapers and classrooms across the country. The premise of the 1619 project is that the true founding of our country didnt occur in 1776, but rather in 1619 -- when the first slaves arrived in America. Its message is clear -- America was not founded on the principle of equality for all -- it was founded on the principle of oppression for the benefit of wealthy landowners. The project maintains that America was founded on the principle of evil and carries that guilt forever.

CRT is teaching our children that all citizens of European descent have benefited from white privilege. As such, they are inherently racist -- because of some genetic similarity with long-dead oppressors. Our systems are racist. Our institutions are racist. Anyone with a certain skin tone is racist.

However, the grievance industry has a fatal flaw. Like all words, if overused, the word racism becomes meaningless. If everything is racist, nothing is. In the past year, the left has declared that all people with light skin-tones are racist -- and must atone by living in a continual state of apology. Our institutions are systemically racist. Statues must be removed because they originated from white privilege -- even those of people who fought against slavery. Buildings must be renamed if they honor anyone who benefited from white privilege.

In Madison, Wisconsin, leftists have just declared a rock to be racist. It wasnt adorned with any inscription. There was nothing racist about its name. But it had to be removed because its very presence on campus was offensive. Even an unthinking, inanimate object became racist because of something someone said about it in a newspaper article almost 100 years ago. People, systems, institutions, buildings, statues, and now even a rock are guilty of the unpardonable sin of racism. We have reached peak absurdity. The word means nothing anymore. The left has devalued the term to the point that it has no power -- and those wielding it are worthy only of ridicule.

So, this is the point weve reached -- everything is racist and segregation is good again. Leftists insist that as a white guy Ive lived a life of privilege. I admit, I have lived a very good life. But my privilege stems for being an American and making the most of my opportunities -- not from the color of my skin. They cant shame me by calling me a racist ever again. In the future, when they say Im a racist, Ill understand what theyre saying -- that I harbor hatred towards my fellow man just like that rock. Not only can I live with that, I can be proud of it.

John Green is a political refugee from Minnesota, now residing in Idaho. He currently writes at the American Free News Network (americanfreenewsnetwork.org). He can be followed on Facebook or reached at greenjeg@gmail.com.

Image: Pixabay

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With prospects for court-packing growing ever dimmer, President Joe Biden's Supreme Court study commission trundles on. Like some law school debate society, the scholars and activists on the commission continue to cross swords on various reform proposals that are months away from any reality check by Congress or the American voter.

Biden's refusal to eliminate the Senate filibuster defuses the Democrats' main weapon to push through their radical agenda  including court-packing  with brute force politics. "There's no reason to protect it other than you're going to throw the entire Congress into chaos and nothing will get done," the president opined. "Nothing at all will get done."

Biden has also made it known that he's "not a fan" of court-packing and in the past has described it as a "bonehead idea."

Stymied at the Supreme Court level, the radical left is pivoting to Plan B: pack the federal Judiciary from the bottom up with like-minded ideologues. House Democrats introduced a bill to add more than 200 judgeships, even though the Judiciary's own study calls for only 79 new lower court judges to handle growing caseloads. The goal is the same: destroy the independence of the Judiciary and put all political control in the hands of Congress and the White House  where the levers of power are in Democrats' hands.

How to address vacancies in the district and appellate courts? It's easy if you don't politicize it. Fill existing vacancies first. Then wait for COVID stay orders to be lifted before resuming normal operating tempo. If neither of those measures works, then increase the number of magistrate judges before increasing district and appellate judgeships.

Still, the Democrats' glittering dream of an expanded Supreme Court dies hard. While some members at the most recent Supreme Court commission meeting delivered frothing-at-the-mouth left-wing tirades that might make an MSNBC host blanch, some progressives clearly side with Biden that packing the Court and demolishing the independence of the federal Judiciary is, indeed, a very bad idea.

Constitutional theory  meet political reality.

In his written statement to the commission, Duke law professor Neil S. Seigel, who is also an adviser to Senate Democrats, asserted that there are "no good-government reasons for expanding the size of the Court at this time." Not even the "stark politicization" of the nomination process by Senate Republicans (eliding the Bork, Thomas, and Kavanaugh nominations) would justify expanding the Court, he said.

"Regardless, Court-packing remains an extreme act  a break-the-glass-and-pull-the-lever- only-in-case-of-emergency sort of act," Seigel continued. "Court-packing would significantly undermine the Court's independence and, in almost all circumstances, risk its legal and public legitimacy. Undermining the Court's legitimacy would in turn impair its ability to perform critical functions that no other governmental institution in the United States is likely to perform more effectively."

Those addressing the commission have proposed various measures that stop short of court-packing, including term limits. While a constitutional amendment to put term limits in place, however unlikely that is, would be legitimate, congressionally imposed limits would not be, according to Georgetown University law professor Randy E. Barnett. He worries about justices angling for jobs in the private sector or in academia after their terms expire and said the "promise of a payday upon completion of service" could influence rulings and prejudice relationships with lawyers appearing before the Court.

"The lesson here is if people are unhappy with the judicial philosophy of the Supreme Court, our system requires that they organize in one of our two major political parties to affect this selection process," Barnett said. "This is what happened in the Republican Party. Members of that party's coalition organized to change the direction of the Court by making judicial philosophy a plank of that party's platform. This is how such change was accomplished by political progressives in the 1930s and into the 1940s."

During his July 20 Zoom session with the commission, Barnett rejected court-packing in no uncertain terms.

"Any such proposal would end the Court's independence, destroy it as a protector of our rights and liberties, and greatly increase partisan polarization," he said. "To these policy arguments, I'll add one more. Partisan court-packing is unconstitutional."

The study group, technically known as the Presidential Commission on the Supreme Court of the United States, has been directed to issue an "appraisal of the merits and legality of particular reform proposals" in a report to be delivered later this year. Its recommendations are not binding on Congress, and Biden is free to ignore any or all of it.

But the commission could save itself a lot of trouble simply by reissuing the 1937 report from the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, comprising seven Democrats and three Republicans who demolished President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's reckless court-packing plan.

In an echo of the current canard by the radical left that the Supreme Court has been captured by right-wing extremists, the New Deal senators scoffed at the claim by Roosevelt's court-packers that a "reactionary oligarchy" on the Court was defying the will of Americans. Court-packing, the 1937 Judiciary Committee concluded, was merely a device for Congress to overrule the justices and advance a political agenda. "When such a principle is adopted, our constitutional system is overthrown!" the senators concluded.

Court-packing  a bonehead idea then, a bonehead idea now.

Jeremy Dys is special counsel for litigation and communications for First Liberty and host of the First Liberty Briefing.

Image: Supreme Court of the United States. Public domain.

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We all know the great principle that was the foundation of Martin Luther King's work in the civil rights movement  namely, that he wanted a world where his children would be judged by the content of their character and not the color of their skin. King delivered his "I have a dream" speech in front of the Lincoln Memorial on August 28, 1963, with a quarter of a million people in attendance. Five years later, King was dead, assassinated on April 4, 1968, but his dream lived on and changed the world. King was instrumental in getting the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 passed. King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, deservedly, for his work in civil rights. The man is a national treasure and his words guided America's civil rights for decades.

King's dream is no longer honored. The lip service paid to his soaring vision of judging who someone is by his character and not by what he looks like has been discarded in the 21st century.

Critical Race Theory (CRT) has emerged as the yardstick by which society is to be judged. Not individuals. Society. White people are no longer individuals, but a society inherently evil because of their skin color, suffering from white fragility and white privilege.

Whites must be subjected to seminars that teach them about systemic racism by whites. These trainings are not designed to change whites, who are presumed to be irredeemably evil, but rather to humiliate them.

Blacks are not individuals, either. Blacks are a society assumed to be superior solely by virtue of their skin color, although the soft bigotry of low expectations keeps affirmative action alive and well. There is a cognitive dissonance in proclaiming blacks superior while insisting they cannot succeed without generous subsidies and government programs to get them through college and into jobs, but I digress.

Parents who believe in Martin Luther King's dream are fighting back against CRT invading classrooms. They don't want their children divided into "oppressors" and "oppressed" based on their skin color. They don't want their children to be taught that math is racist and that blacks are not capable of learning math. It's true that everyone can't be a math superstar like Katherine Johnson, the black woman who calculated flight trajectories for Project Mercury, but there's no reason blacks can't learn basic math as well as whites. To teach children otherwise cripples their minds, and concerned parents of every color are fighting back.

Martin Luther King envisioned a time when something like CRT could not exist because it is incompatible with basic human decency and fundamental civil rights to use race to classify people into groups. To embrace CRT is to reject King's dream. I have a dream, too, that more and more hands of all colors will join across America to take back King's legacy and push CRT into the shadows where it belongs.

Pandra Selivanov is the author of Future Slave, a story about a black teenager from the 21st century who is sent back in time to become a slave in the old South.

Image: Martin Luther King giving his "I have a dream" speech. Public domain.

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How long would it have taken rabid, radical leftists to respond if the Trump Department of Justice had held Antifa defendants in jail for seven months without trial? Half a millisecond?

Hundreds, yes hundreds of Trump-supporters at the Capitol have been held for seven months without trial. Other than a timid protest by a few conservative House Republicans, this writer is unaware of demands that these political detainees  how otherwise to explain their detention by Biden's attorney general Garland (and thank the Almighty he was not put on the Supreme Court)  be given a fair and speedy trial?

Following a story in The Washington Post that a federal judge has constitutional concerns about one case involving a few of the detainees, The New York Times recognized, in its August 11 print edition, that the constitutional right of the detainees to a speedy trial is going by the boards, as trials are supposed to begin within 70 days of indictment.

Here it is more than seven months after January 6, 2021, the date of the Capitol incursion.

Isn't this an occasion for the filing of habeas corpus writs? What is going on here? Is it political justice of the sort that Judge Emmet G. Sullivan imposed on Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, when he maintained a prosecution that the government sought to dismiss? And by the way, the Times article on the absence of a speedy trial for the "Jan. 6" detainees ended with the writer, Alan Feuer, quoting political judge Sullivan:

"[Judge Sullivan] suggested that the fault [for the delay in bringing the cases to trial] lay not [with the government] but in the number of rioters who breached the Capitol.

"'The problem,' he said, 'started on Jan[uary] 6 itself.'" (This writer doubts that the judge said "Jan. 6.")

Consider the clear implication of Judge Sullivan's gratuitous comment: a judge may disregard "due process of law" and "equal protection of the laws" (see the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution) "if he considers the charges an unacceptable affront to his political mindset." Judge Sullivan would strip the blindfold from the statue of Justice and tilt her scales way over to the left.

Where is the attorney to cite this from the Sixth Amendment to the Constitution? "In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury[.]" Detention for seven months without trial seems a prima facie violation of the Sixth Amendment.

Further, Article I, Section 9, Clause 2 of the Constitution states: "The privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public safety may require it." Could it be that defense counsel fear that applications for a writ of habeas corpus would be denied by courts regarding the January 6 defendants as rebels? Or could it be that defense counsel fear retribution from the DOJ or the federal judges if they protest the repressive treatment of their clients too zealously?

The rabid, radical leftists made it a practice to accuse President Trump of undermining our democratic institutions and imposing authoritarian rule on the country. That was a false claim. But behold the treatment given citizens who are not even charged with insurrection or sedition. The main charges seem to be obstruction of an official proceeding, which, as the Post article reports, may be an unconstitutional charge  and, get this, trespass. Where else but under a totalitarian-minded regime would more than 500 detainees be held seven months and counting for trespass? Good heavens, why hasn't the government detained for months on end the Antifa protesters in Lafayette Square, June 1, 2020, who vandalized and set on fire St. John's Church?

The Biden administration is trashing due process and equal protection of the laws  and not a word of outrage at this trashing of the Constitution is heard. James Madison must be deeply dismayed that the American spirit of liberty he extolled in Federalist No. 57 is fading away. ACLU, Alan Dershsowitz, Jonathan Turley, please copy.

Image via Pxhere.

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Leftists are utterly detached from reality. They think people can magically change sex, accept that there are over 100 genders, put their faith in filthy and porous masks against infinitesimally small viruses, are certain that being lenient with criminals will lessen crime, and believe that socialism just hasn't been done right. Given all that, perhaps it shouldn't be so surprising that Jen Psaki, the most vapid and snarky press secretary ever, seemed to state in all seriousness that the Taliban need "to make an assessment about what they want their role to be in the international community":

.@PressSec: The Taliban also has to make an assessment about what they want their role to be in the international community.

pic.twitter.com/UNzTltdrce  Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) August 11, 2021

The Taliban are very clear about their role: it is to be a leading edge of a worldwide Islamic caliphate. Currently, they are marauding through Afghanistan, killing everyone who ever exchanged even a polite word with the Americans. When they're done, we'll see that the slaughter that followed America's careless pull-out from Vietnam was just a trial run for post-American bloodshed.

Another thing the Taliban are clear about is that little girls make perfect sex slaves. I already wrote here about the way the Taliban have been demanding women for their fighters. Now, though, they're going after the little girls:

Taliban fighters are going door-to-door and forcibly marrying girls as young as 12 and forcing them into sex slavery as they seize vast swathes of the Afghanistan from government forces. Jihadist commanders have ordered imams in areas they have captured to bring them lists of unmarried women aged from 12 to 45 for their soldiers to marry because they view them as 'qhanimat' or 'spoils of war' - to be divided up among the victors. Fighters have then been going door-to-door to claim their 'prizes', even looking through the wardrobes of families to establish the ages of girls before forcing them into a life of sexual servitude.

We know exactly what will happen to these girls because we've seen it before when ISIS conquered the Yazidis, slaughtered the men and boys, and kidnapped girls and women to use as sex slaves. Many of these girls and women were raped or otherwise tortured to death.

In addition, the Taliban are reinstating the old rules that were in effect before America pushed them into northern Pakistan (rather than destroying them). Women will once again have to wear completely enveloping burqas and will be denied all rights, including the right to leave home.

Democrat presidents talk a good game about women's rights, but it's amazing how many times they stand aside when Muslim men go on these rampages. It happened on Bill Clinton's watch with the Bosnian war, on Obama's watch with ISIS, and now on Biden's watch with the Taliban. Every time I read about these poor women, I'm reminded of what my mentor told me a long time ago: Islam's war with the West boils down to its desire for complete control over women, something that started with Mohamed.

Perhaps there was some sense to whatever Psaki said before and after contending that the Taliban fighters just need to grow up and take their place among the nations of the world. But I can't help believing that Psaki just added another item to the list of magical thinking that characterizes the left.

Image: The Taliban want young women. YouTube screen grab.

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"Remove 'male' and 'female' from birth certificates? Here's why the country's largest group of physicians recommends it."

That was a recent headline from an article in The Washington Post, one of the primary propaganda outlets for the Democrat National Committee. The article was penned by an obvious political operative called Anne Branigin. In the opening paragraph  with the spirit of objective journalism in mind (it's a news story, not an opinion piece)  Ms. Branigin makes it abundantly clear where she stands.

"For many Americans, birth certificates aren't just an important identity marker, they are an entry point into many parts of life," she opined. "But for trans and nonbinary people, birth certificates can be a hurdle  a document that invalidates their identity  unless they amend it."

Invalidates their identity? I didn't need to read another word to understand where this piece was going. But on I went, and found that Ms. Branigin and the American Medical Association (AMA)  the aforementioned "country's largest group of physicians"  obviously didn't "follow the science"...one of the favorite catchphrases of the lunatic left. Real science dictates one thing and one thing only: infants born with male genitalia are little boys; infants born with female genitalia are little girls. Period.

But real science isn't good enough for Ms. Branigin and the AMA's LGBT advisory committee. "Participation by the medical profession and the government in assigning sex is often used as evidence supporting this binary [male/female] view," the committee babbled. "Not only does that stifle a person's ability to express and identify themselves, it can lead to 'marginalization and minoritization.'"

"Minoritization"? Does that imply that the dullards on this committee want transgenders to have a "major" status in our society? That seems totally absurd, but when you see what our public brainwashing factories are teaching kids about race and "gender identity"  and how more and more pre-teen and teenage girls are calling themselves "trans"  nothing should surprise us. Maybe the elite want a (partly) sterile society, which would make their ultimate goal of de-growth that much easier. After all, the more people who can't or won't reproduce, the easier to have a stagnant or negative-growth population.

In a glaring example of pure tokenism, Ms. Branigin offered a pair of brief one-liners from the opposition, most notably neo-con Nikki Haley's correct opinion that altering birth certificates is "the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard."

The author's bias becomes even more evident as the article continues, with her sources overwhelmingly slanted to the pro-trans far left. In typical regressive fashion, Ms. Branigin made the intentionally misleading statement that "conservative lawmakers across the country ... have moved to ban trans and nonbinary children from receiving health care and participating in youth sports." She doesn't get specific, so let's fill in the blanks. The so-called denial of "health care" to which she referred can mean only one thing: forbidding the mutilation of a child's natural body through hormone therapy and "sex change" surgery. That's hardly banning a child from receiving real health care, which is what Ms. Branigin implies. And banning them from "youth sports" is, almost exclusively, not allowing males to unfairly dominate female sports. Even some notable feminists on the left are vehemently opposed to that practice, something Ms. Branigin apparently failed to notice.

This type of nonsense is expected from The Washington Post, but it's beyond sad when the AMA, once a highly respected organization, joins countless other corporations and organizations and blindly wanders down the woke path to Marxism. Gender dysphoria is a mental disorder and should be treated as such. Pandering to a very small minority of delusional peopleand handing massive political power to their radical activistsfurther erodes the role of the traditional American family, once the foundation of a strong and vibrant society.

Without the traditional family, our country can't survive. But that appears to be what our Marxist elites want. After all, their mentors in China have been eliminating individuality and the nuclear family for decades. As the old saying goes, "when in Rome..."

Image via Pixabay.

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No wonder so many people in Oregon want to break away. From Portland's nightly Antifa show to 24/7 woke, the once beautiful Pacific coast state is out of control. It's a disgrace, as we see in this post from Jonathan Turley:

Many of us have long objected to the chronic failure of public schools in major cities like New York, Detroit, Washington, D.C. and Baltimore to achieve bare proficiency for many students in reading, writing, and math. The response in many districts is for some to declare standardized testing or meritocracy as racist while other district eliminate special programs or schools for gifted students. Oregon has found a simpler approach. Gov. Kate Brown (D) just signed a bill last month that drops any proficiency requirement in reading, writing or math, before graduation. Problem solved.

The governor has pleased the wokes, who see racism in math problems. At the same time, she condemned youngsters to fail in a world where the basics are essential to survive, from reading a job ad to filling out an application to balancing a checkbook.

So what's the point of public education if there are no standards? As I understand it, the reason that we have public education is so that everyone has access to those basics, such as reading, writing, and math.

We built this amazing public school system that graduated millions over the years. They got their diploma and it was a piece of paper that assured society that they could move on to college and get a job.

So what are these youngsters going to do now? Who is going to hire someone who can't read, write, or add? I guess there are jobs like that, but they are not usually associated with high wages or better opportunities.

Back to Professor Turley:

With states like Oregon now eliminating the need to establish proficiency on basic subjects with standardized tests, American education faces the perfect storm. Despite record expenditures on public schools, we are still failing students, particularly minority students, in teaching the basis subjects needed to succeed in life.

Yes, this is going to be a perfect storm, but not a good one at all. At some point, the people in Oregon need to stop paying taxes and make their statement.

PS: You can listen to my show (Canto Talk).

Image: Pixabay.

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Hunter Biden is an incredibly disgusting human being. We know about the drugs and the prostitutes, but there have long been rumors that he's done worse than that. Here's the bad thing for America about Hunter's debauchery: while we merely suspect those terrible things, Hunter's confession in 2019 to a prostitute suggests that if he really did unspeakable things, America's geopolitical enemies  whether Russians or Chinese  may have proof.

Hunter liked creating his own pornography, and the contents of the hard drive he abandoned at a computer repair shop in Delaware suggest that he compulsively filmed his sexual encounters with a variety of prostitutes. Knowing of his affinity for prostitutes, rumors have abounded for a long time that, when Hunter was in China with Joe in 2013, the Chinese had the bright idea to supply him with children for sex.

It's easy to believe that Hunter would agree to this perversion simply because he grew up around a man who, at least in public, can't keep his hands off little girls. Moreover, we know from Hunter's own texts that he was warned away from being sexually inappropriate around a minor and was no longer allowed to be alone with her. It's also possible that Hunter was too drugged out to know whether he was having sex with a child, a woman, or a sheep.

It's also easy to believe that Hunter would film those encounters for his later viewing pleasure. That's what he does.

That's why it matters greatly that Hunter, during a tryst in 2019 with a prostitute, told her that he'd had an 18-day bender in Las Vegas, during which he spent up to $10,000 a night  and that Russian drug-dealers stole one of his laptops:

After filming himself having sex with the woman using his laptop in January 2019, Hunter left the camera rolling as he recounted a Vegas bender in which he spent '18 days going round from penthouse suite to penthouse suite,' sometimes costing $10,000 a night. 'I spent f crazy amounts of money,' Hunter said. 'I was with these guys. The one guy was, not like you anyway each night he'd be like 'there's going to be so many people here, crazy f party' and each night it's nobody.' [snip] Hunter described how his third laptop was 'stolen' one night during the summer 2018 bender when he almost overdosed on drugs. 'I went out to the hot tub by myself, which hangs over the edge of the f top floor, with glass, it's ridiculous. 'And so I'm sitting there and that's the last I remember. And I don't ever pass out, ever. [snip] Hunter said it was after that debauched night he realized his computer was missing. [snip] The president's son told the prostitute that the allegedly stolen laptop was also full of compromising sex videos. 'They have videos of me doing this,' he said, referring to the filmed sex he just finished. 'They have videos of me doing crazy f sex f, you know. 'My computer, I had taken tons of like, just left like that cam on. And he would always put in a passcode and all that, you know what I mean? It was f crazy s. And somebody stole it during that period of time. He did all this kind of like pretend search and s."

While Hunter seemed to be concerned that the videos would be sold before he could market them himself, everyone else should be deeply concerned that they could have contained materials of Hunter carousing in Beijing. While everyone has accepted that Biden, a creepy man by any metric, has a son who is a revolting, debauched human being, pedophilia (if it happened) is going to be a bridge too far. If the Chinese or the Russians or any other bad actors have such video, they own Joe Biden and, by extension, America.

Remember, again, that the tech tyrants and the media conspired to withhold from the American public any news about Hunter Biden's predilections. Many went to the polls utterly unaware that Joe Biden's son is not only a gross excuse for a human being, but also someone whose perversions run so deep that his father may not have any free agency when it comes to America's enemies, whether at home or abroad.

Image: Hunter Biden tells a prostitute about his lost computer. Daily Mail video screen grab.

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Usually, revolutions start at the bottom, with ordinary people pushing back against the tyranny of the powerful, either to create liberty (as happened in America) or to establish their own tyranny (as happens with all socialist revolutions). In America, though, we're seeing a revolution of the powerful against the little people. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the way powerful people are seeking to impose three revolutions on children: transgenderism, masks, and Critical Race Theory. Parents are beginning to push back, but more of them need to do so, and they need to push harder.

On the transgenderism front, the left still seems to have the upper hand. Children's television is saturated with transgenderism, whether it's Disney using the Muppet Babies to push transgenderism or Nickelodeon having the venerable Blue, of Blue's Clues, and tuneless drag queens engage the same three- to eight-year-old set in the wonders of imaginary sexual identities.

Worse, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)  that is, your child's doctor  is actively pushing transgenderism despite the absence of any scientific basis for doing so. Abigail Shrier, who has bravely spoken out about the huge pressure on girls who once were tomboys to take hormones and slice off their breasts, now notes that the American Academy of Pediatrics is stifling all dissent:

Is it safe for adolescents to undergo gender "transition"? Is it wise for children to take hormones that block puberty? The American Academy of Pediatrics not only has answered these questions in the affirmative but is determined to stifle any debate. On Friday the AAP told an international consortium of more than 100 clinicians and researchers who doubt the reigning orthodoxy that they couldn't set up an information booth at the association's national conference. The cosmetics company L'Oreal and the National Peanut Board will be there, but not the Society for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine.

When it comes to masks and children, the AAP is also uninterested in either evidence-based thinking or dissent. The same organization that boasts Pfizer as one of its supporters insists that all children over two should be masked. This is despite a study showing that children suffer instant oxygen deprivation (as we all do) when masks are stuck on their faces, only they suffer more.

Oh, wait! You're not supposed to know about that study. According to the authors, JAMA Pediatrics retracted it on purely political grounds. Given the American Medical Association's admitted leftward turn (it recently supported removing sex from birth certificates), I'm inclined to believe the authors. A small study has also confirmed what we all intuitively know to be true, which is that children's masks are filthy and germ-ridden.

In Ireland, children returning to school this fall will be mask-free. The Irish looked at the evidence and concluded that masks serve no benefit for children, who neither give nor get COVID, and that they can cause physical and psychological harm. That's sanity.

And finally, whole volumes could be written about Critical Race Theory (CRT). Just the other day, word emerged that a school in Atlanta was segregating students by race, something that's led to a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights. Given the race-obsessed people Biden has installed, there's reason to fear that the DOE will rule in favor of racial segregation.

In Oregon, when the state realized that it was failing to prepare minority high school students for reading and math proficiency exams, the state didn't do the logical thing and figure out how its teachers could do better. Instead, it banished the standards. Can you imagine anything more racist than telling minorities that they can't hack it?

But there is something standing between children and this madness: parents. Slowly but surely, parents are beginning to understand what is being done to their children, whether it's trying to sexualize them and lead them down the path to gender madness, or forcing dangerous and unnecessary masks on them, or trying to tribalize them by teaching them that Whites are smart but evil, while Blacks and other minorities are dumb victims of these predatory Whites.

Tucker Carlson has a great segment about masks and students and the fact that parents are fighting back. The Clay Travis segment will cheer you up.

Tucker: Academic standards in America are in freefall | https://t.co/lyewtn7MXr  Bookwormroom (@Bookwormroom) August 12, 2021

Clay Travis crashes school board meeting to encourage parents fighting CRT | https://t.co/G3RxVj6uWm  Bookwormroom (@Bookwormroom) August 12, 2021

The left has a huge head start, and it's got its minions on school boards across America. Parents must mobilize loudly and strongly very fast, or the battle will be lost before it has begun.

Image: A toddler in a mask by Simoca & Annus. Public domain.

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It is grossly unfair to judge all police officers based on the actions of a handful like Derek Chauvin, all Black people from the behavior of Patrisse Cullors and Black Lives Matter Global Network, or all Caucasians from the actions of swastika-waving white supremacists like Andrew Anglin. It is however reasonable to judge the fields of Gender and Women's Studies, Feminist Studies, and similar academic programs from the endorsement by roughly a hundred such university departments of anti-Israel hate propaganda that denies Israel's right to exist. The Palestine Action Toolkit, from the same Palestine Feminist Collective supported by these departments, goes even farther: "78% of historic Palestine was stolen to create the Israeli state. This catastrophe was greenlighted and supported by the United Nations." In addition, "There is Only One Solution: Intifada! Revolution!" and "From the River to the Sea! Palestine Will Be Free!"

A hundred such departments, which represent thousands of professors of these so-called disciplines, are not "a handful" (like Chauvin and other bad cops, or BLM looters, or KKK members), "a few," or even "some." They are no less than "many," which casts a shadow of anti-Semitism over the fields of Gender and Women's Studies, Feminist Studies, and so on  and, noting some other content of the Palestine Action Toolkit ("From Palestine to the Philippines Stop the US War Machine!"), anti-Americanism for good measure. It is therefore reasonable at this point to rename all these academic programs "Maenad Studies," after the Greek term for the lampshade-drunk female followers of their booze god Dionysus. "Maenads" means literally "raving ones," and it is an excellent description of the female academicians in question.

What about the men? Imagine a man with wild hair and an unkempt beard (Karl Marx comes to mind) and a Che Guevara shirt (or a keffiyeh) yelling slogans such as "When I see an NYPD car burn, I say we're waking up revolutionary consciousness," along with other left-wing gibberish about intersectionality, wokeness, and so on. The Greeks did not leave us a good word for raving lampshade-drunk men. I did, however, find Kompastis, which means "ranter" and is also recommended as the Hellenic counterpart of a scumbag. Let's use the terms in a sentence. "A Maenad and a Kompastis had a girl, whom they named Socially Conscious Woke Intersectionalist, and a boy they named Che Guevara Castro Lenin Mao Zedong."

There is no relationship at all between a strong-willed woman and a Maenad. A strong-willed woman has something constructive to offer society and the confidence with which to deliver it. Harriet Beecher Stowe had a coherent message about the evils of slavery, and she put it so eloquently in Uncle Tom's Cabin that Abraham Lincoln, at least according to legend, blamed her for causing the Civil War. There is no doubt that Stowe played a major role in promoting national revulsion against slavery. She certainly didn't achieve what she did by bleating unintelligible slogans and ideological claptrap like the academicians in various Maenad Studies departments. Maenads have nothing to offer society other than half-baked ideological jabber about "intersectionality," "wokeness," and so on.

What can you actually do with a degree or minor in Maenad Studies? It looks as though the material qualifies the graduate to (1) teach Maenad Studies or (2) ask, "Would you like fries with that?" This is probably why some universities are making social justiceheavy courses mandatory; they need the tuition money to carry faculty members who have nothing useful to teach in the way of job skills, literacy, or civics. Our so-called educators now want to teach anti-racist mathematics and contend that asking students to show their work (which is how many teachers award partial credit for incorrect results) is white supremacy. They add that "a focus on getting the 'right' answer is a 'toxic characteristic' of math instruction." Accounting, pharmacy, medicine, and engineering are all regulated professions, so none of these students will fortunately be practicing any of these professions in the foreseeable future. The educators in Russia and Communist China, and also in friendly countries like Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Germany, teach their students science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), so we can see where we will end up in twenty or so years if the Maenad, the Kompastis, and their intellectual counterparts get their way.

False accusations against Israel, and open association with an organization that denies Israel's right to exist, by a few Women's and Gender Studies and Feminist Studies academicians would not reflect on these fields of study. The association of roughly a hundred such departments and therefore thousands of academicians, with some in prominent universities like Yale, with this agenda does reflect on the entire discipline, as well as every university that tolerates association of its name with these activities. This makes Maenad Studies about as credible as phrenology, the discredited racist quack science that used the shape of human heads to "prove," among other things, that Black people were inferior to Caucasians.

Civis Americanus is the pen name of a contributor who remembers the lessons of history and wants to ensure that our country never needs to learn those lessons again the hard way. The author is remaining anonymous due to the likely prospect of being subjected to "cancel culture" for exposing the Big Lie behind Black Lives Matter.

Image: Maenads canceling Orpheus, Welcome Collection, CC BY 4.0 (cropped).

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
On December 14, 1907, a large sailing ship wrecked off the coast of Annet, in the Isles of Scilly, killing all but two of her eighteen crew and causing the worlds first large marine oil spill. The ship involved in the accident, Thomas W. Lawson, was an incredible ship.

Thomas W. Lawson was the worlds largest pure sailing ship, i.e. without an auxiliary engine, and the only seven-masted schooner. She was built by the eponymous copper baron Thomas W. Lawson for the sole purpose of showing the world that sail could still be competitive in the age of steam.

Launched on July 10, 1902, Thomas W. Lawson was 475 feet long and contained seven masts of nearly two hundred feet tall each, carrying 25 sails with a cumulative canvas area of 43,000 square feet. She measured 5,218 gross register tons, boasted a carrying capacity of 11,000 tons, and was operated by a crew of only 18, when a similar-sized steamer would have required anything up to fifty. This was possible because the work of the sailors was facilitated by various mechanisms. The schooner, while it did not have an engine, was equipped with a steam steering engine, steam winches, an electrical system and even a telephone network.

When fully loaded, the Thomas W. Lawson's draft was 9 meters. Curiously, at that time there was only one port in the United States capable of receiving such deep-seated vesselsthe Newport News, in Virginia. As a result, her capacity was reduced to 7,400 tons in order to accommodate her into more ports. Even with reduced cargo, Thomas W. Lawson was so large that she was difficult to maneuver and sluggish. She tended to yaw and needed a strong wind to be held on course. Sailors likened her to a bath tub or a beached whale.

The Lawson was originally set up to ply the coal routes along the the American East Coast. But at the beginning of the 20th century, there was a great demand for oil, so the sailing vessel was sold to the Anglo-American Oil Co and at the Newport News & Drydock shipyard in 1906 it was converted into an oil tanker with a capacity of 60,000 barrels, making her one of the largest tankers afloat at the time.

On November 19, 1907, Lawson set sail from the piers of Marcus Hook Refinery, 20 miles south of Philadelphia, for London on her first transatlantic crossing with 58,000 barrels of light paraffin oil. During the voyage, the Lawson encountered several gales that destroyed all but one lifeboat and most of her sails. Despite the damage, the schooner reached the Celtic Sea northwest of the Isles of Scilly. On December 13, entering the English Channel, where it was hoped she could ride out the storm. Captain George Washington Dow, confident that the ship would survive the storm, adamantly refused help from two nearby ships.

Charlotte Dorrien-Smith remembered: The Captain hoisted no signals of distress and said he did not consider himself in any danger. With his tackle he could have ridden out any storm on the American coast, but alas, not here.

The following night, the gale reached 90 mph and snapped the ships anchor chain. Now left to the mercy of the raging seas, the schooner was smashed against the rocky shoreline near Annet and capsized. In the morning light the ship's upturned keel could be seen near the reef from which the wreck slid off into deeper water. A thick layer of layer, from the ships hold had gathered on the surface. Of the 18 men on board, only two survived the sinkingCaptain George W. Dow and engineer Edward L. Rowe. All whose bodies could be recovered were buried in a mass grave in St Agnes cemetery.

The broken-up and scattered wreck of Thomas W. Lawson now lies to the north-east of Shag Rock at a depth of 60 feet and can be visited by scuba divers under calm weather conditions. One of the anchors is now built into the outside wall of Bleak House, Broadstairs, the former home of Charles Dickens, and can be seen with a picture of the schooner.

Wreck of the Thomas W. Lawson.
BRUSSELS - In only two weeks in Greece, over 100,00 hectares of forest and farmland were burnt to the ground.



This year has seen the record highest number of fires since deadly ones in 2007, which devastated several regions of the country.



The figures are from the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS).



Suffering the worst, with over half of its surface area burnt, was the Evia island.



Mark Parrington, from the EU climate change monitoring service Copernicus, noted that the fires had been highly destructive and were of a rare level of intensity.
Tunisia rescues 83 migrants off Mahdia

(ANSAmed) - TUNIS, AUGUST 12 - Tunisian naval units have rescued 83 migrants on two boats in distress off Mahdia, reported the Tunisian defense ministry in a statement on Thursday.



The statement noted that on the first boat some 32 km off Shebba there were 68 Tunisian nationals aboard including two women and seven children; on the second, some 40 kilometers from Shebba, were 15 Tunisian nationals including three women and three children, who said that they had departed the previous night towards Europe.



All of the migrants were transferred to the Mahdia fishing boat port.(ANSAmed). (ANSA).




(ANSAmed) - The 13th edition of the Mediterranean Journalists Festival will focus on human rights, genocide, Blue Economy, legality, environment, conflicts, and peace.



The festival will be held in Otranto from September 1 to 4, during which the Caravella del Mediterraneo 2021 award will be given.



This year's recipients will be: Catanzaro prosecutor Nicola Gratteri; Sky Tg24 director Giuseppe De Bellis; Italian Jewish Communities Union president Noemi Di Segni; mafia victim Maria Badalamenti; posthumously to assassinated Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia; Le Belve television host Francesca Fagnani; Le Iene journalist Giulio Golia; and Sigfrido Ranucci from Report.



The first three evenings will include debates in Largo di Porta Alfonsina, with journalists, politicians, judges, academics, and others.



The awards ceremony will be held on September 4.



On September 3, at the Otranto port, there will be a visit by Albanian prime minister Edi Rama for the commemoration of a March 28, 1997 tragedy in which 57 people lost their lives after the Albanian ship Kater I Rades collided with one of the Italian Navy.



Otranto mayor Pierpaolo Cariddi said that he was "please to host the Albanian prime minster, who will be taking part in the commemoration ceremony for the victims in front of that shipwreck which was to be destroyed but instead has become a work of art, an homage to new and old migrants: people who flee and who we must give peace to. It is for them that Kater became a monument to migrating humanity entitled 'L'Approdo'".



"It is for the 57 people who on the night of Holy Friday 1997 lost their lives among the waves of the Adriatic Sea," he said, " that on September 3 we will meet in front of the work by Costas Varotsos".



The city of Otranto was in the front line for providing rescues and reception for refugees, many of whom late became full-fledged Italian citizens and Apulia region residents.



"Our physical and affectionate proximity to the Albanian population is an objective reality, a historic one, that no one can ever deny," said Tommaso Forte, who came up with the idea for the festival.



During his visit to the festival - of which ANSA is the media partner - the Albanian prime minister will also inaugurate the documentary exhibition "IntegrAzione: i 30 anni del grande esodo albanese in Italia" ("Integration: Thirty Years of Albanian Exodus in Italy"), presented by the non-profit organization Integra and curated by the Apulia-born photojournalist Vittorio Arcieri.



The complete program can be found here: https://online.flipbuilder.com/hxas/rqtk/#p=1. (ANSAmed).
MADRID - The judiciary of Spain's Galicia region ruled that there cannot be any requirement of a 'Green Pass' attesting to COVID vaccination to enter cafes, restaurants, and nightclubs in certain areas.



It was the last in the country in which the measure was still considered to be in force.



Reports were from the Galicia regional court, which issued the ruling.



With this decision, there is no obligation of Green Passes in any region of Spain after similar decisions were made in other regions that had also tried to apply the regulation, such as Andalusia and Cantabria.



The regional court issued a statement saying that it had made the decision after procedural irregularities from the Galicia government, which, the court said, had not subjected the July 22 ordinance in which it introduced the Green Pass requirement for some high-risk zones to a judicial assessment.



The court's approval was an indispensable requirement since the measure limited individual rights.
GAZA - "Palestinian armed groups' rocket and mortar attacks during the May 2021 fighting in the Gaza Strip, which killed and injured civilians in Israel and Gaza, violated the laws of war and amount to war crimes," Human Rights Watch said in a statement issued on Thursday.



The report focused on the Palestinian side of a conflict between May 10 and 21 between Hamas and Israel.



HRW had previously also condemned Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, which had killed civilians.



"Palestinian armed groups during the May fighting flagrantly violated the laws-of-war prohibition on indiscriminate attacks by launching thousands of unguided rockets towards Israeli cities," said Eric Goldstein, acting Middle East and North Africa director at HRW.



There were 13 Israeli victims of those attacks.



HRW also established that Palestinian groups also caused victims among the inhabitants of Gaza itself due to defective rockets that blew up before they were intended to.



Hamas responded by saying that the "true criminals are the Israeli Air Force and the blockade on the Gaza Strip".
TEL AVIV - Israel is getting ready to approve plans for the building of 1,956 housing units in Area C of the West Bank as well as 863 for palestinians in the same zone, the Israeli NGO quoted the defence ministry as saying.



It added that the final decision would be made in two meetings scheduled for next week.



Peace Now underscored that in 2020 alone Israel had approved plans for 12,159 homes in Israeli settlements compared with 253 for Palestinians.



Peace Now warned that the approval of thousands more housing units harms Israel's interests and the possibility to achieve peace in the region.



It added the approval of a small number of plans for Palestinian homes is only an attempt to reduce criticism of the government and please the US administration: an attempt, it said, made by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett ahead of a visit to Washington that is expected to be made in the next few weeks.

New housing units in West Bank violates Oslo Accords, Abbas

TEL AVIV - The office of Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday condemned the construction by Israel of about 2,000 housing units in the West Bank, calling it a "clear violation of the Oslo Accords". The statement issued added, according to the news agency WAFA, that "the Israeli decision contradicts the clear position expressed by (US) President Biden in a telephone call with Abbas, in which he affirmed the US's rejection of settlements and unilateral measures".
New housing units in West Bank violates Oslo Accords, Abbas 'Contradicts President Biden's position'

(ANSAmed) - TEL AVIV, AUGUST 12 - The office of Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday condemned the construction by Israel of about 2,000 housing units in the West Bank, calling it a "clear violation of the Oslo Accords".



The statement issued added, according to the news agency WAFA, that "the Israeli decision contradicts the clear position expressed by (US) President Biden in a telephone call with Abbas, in which he affirmed the US's rejection of settlements and unilateral measures".(ANSAmed).




A dangerous security vacuum risks opening up in Afghanistan, potentially enabling international terrorism to take a grip once again, the head of the British armed forces has warned.

As the Taliban continued to make sweeping gains, seizing another provincial capital, General Sir Nick Carter said the country was already facing a humanitarian tragedy.

He suggested the best the government of President Ashraf Ghani could hope for was to achieve a military stalemate which would enable it to negotiate a political compromise with the militants.

I think we have already got a humanitarian tragedy. The question now is whether it gets worse or not, he told the BBC.

His warning came as the Taliban seized the provincial capital of Ghazni  the 10th to fall to the militants in the past week following the withdrawal of international forces led by the US.

Gen Carter, the Chief of the Defence Staff, said it was a fair assessment that fighters affiliated to al Qaida were among the Taliban insurgents.

If we end up with a scenario where the state fractures, and you end up essentially with a security vacuum, then there are absolutely ideal conditions for international terrorism and extremism to prosper yet again, he said.

It was the launch by al Qaida of the 9/11 terror attacks on the US in 2001 which led to the original international military intervention in the country.

With the Taliban again on the advance, Gen Carter said they were seeing many of the atrocities on the battlefield which they had been associated with in the past.

We are seeing atrocities being committed, we are seeing war crimes being committed, we are seeing women being brutalised, we are seeing forced marriages  all the sorts of things that the Taliban were notorious for in the past, he said.

Despite the recent setbacks  with warnings the capital Kabul could fall within weeks  Gen Carter said he believed the government forces were still capable of holding on to those bits of the country that really matter.

At the same time he said there was a big disparity between the actions of some Taliban fighters and the rhetoric of the movements political leadership, based in Qatar, which, he suggested, could be open to political compromise.

Do the Taliban really want to become a pariah state again? Im not sure that they necessarily do. I think that they dont want to become North Korea, he said.

Whatever may happen, there surely has to be a political compromise. Whether that means a Taliban government, whether it means a government in which power is shared  that remains to be seen.

It very much depends in the next few weeks on that battlefield. But if a military stalemate is achieved by the current Afghan government and the people of Afghanistan are defiant and unified behind that effort, there is no reason to suppose that you cant end up with a political compromise which works for the majority of Afghans.
Police will give a firm but fair response to extremely frustrating plans for further protests by Extinction Rebellion, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner has said.

The environmental protest group has posted online about a forthcoming climate demonstration, which is due to last for two weeks from August 23, similar to its previous protests in central London in September 2019.

Dame Cressida Dick said she is very disappointed about the plans.

She told LBC Radio on Thursday: Many people may be very interested in the cause; I dont think London supports hugely disruptive protests which cause people not to be able to go around their normal business at all.

And the fact that theyve chosen to do it over the August bank holiday, which for us is always our peak weekend of the year, is extremely frustrating, frankly.

Dame Cressida said police previously took pre-emptive action over the groups last protest activity, including removing a huge amount of materials from a warehouse which were likely to be used to form constructions that would be very difficult to take down and stopping people putting manure on a road and causing damage.

Whoever turns up next time, they will be met with a fair, lawful  and we have to stick within the law  but firm, and where we possibly can be, pre-emptive response, she added.

Theyve indicated theyre interested in the City of London. I want to reassure you that we work incredibly closely with our colleagues in City of London Police and it will be a joint operation and we will seek to balance peoples rights.

People have the right to assemble, they have the right to express themselves, they have the right to cause a reasonable amount of disruption.

The Commissioner claimed that Extinction Rebellion have been disingenuous in the past and they certainly dont seem in control of their colleagues.

She added: Often what they say turns out not to be true. On this occasion, as far as Im aware, they have not spoken to us directly at all, despite many, many attempts by us. So I would ask them to speak to us.

In a statement on its website, Extinction Rebellion said it will not be pre-liaising actions with police for any of the London-based actions that will be part of its Impossible Rebellion this month unless insisted upon by the action team.

Referring to a recent UN report calling for radical change with regard to climate policy, a spokesman said: On August 23, Extinction Rebellion will be back out on the streets to demand that change  and, in the first instance, an immediate halt to all new fossil fuel investment.

Dame Cressidas comments came after four more Extinction Rebellion activists had their convictions overturned at the Old Bailey on Wednesday.

Campaigners have recently won a slew of victories after the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) dropped the cases.

The environmental group says 2,500 people have been prosecuted since April 2019 and that potentially hundreds if not thousands of the resulting convictions could be unsafe.

The Supreme Court overturned the convictions of four demonstrators at an arms fair in June after it found they had lawful excuse for the offence.
MPs are calling for a security review of UK embassy contractors following the arrest of a British embassy employee on suspicion of spying for Russia.

A 57-year-old British national  identified by authorities only as David S but named in reports as David Smith  was detained on Tuesday following a joint investigation by British and German authorities.

The German Federal Prosecutors Office said the man is suspected of selling documents obtained during the course of his work to a representative of a Russian intelligence service.

A UK Government spokesman said the suspect had been contracted to work for the Government, but British officials would not comment on reports that the suspect was working as a security guard at the embassy.

The situation has prompted security concerns from MPs.

Labour MP Chris Bryant, the chairman of the all-party parliamentary Russia group, told the Daily Telegraph the British Government must review the security of all contractors at UK embassies as a matter of urgency.

He described the arrest as potentially one of the most serious security breaches at a UK embassy for many years.

The Telegraph reported Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood, chairman of the Commons Defence Select Committee, has also called on the Government to review the security of all contractors working at UK embassies, which he described as standard protocol following such an incident, adding the incident is a disturbing throwback to the Cold War days.

The man identified as David S  who was arrested in the city of Potsdam, to the south-west of Berlin  is being held under German law on suspicion of engaging in intelligence agent activity.

The Metropolitan Police said officers from the forces Counter Terrorism Command  which investigates alleged breaches of the Official Secrets Act  are liaising with their German counterparts who have primacy for the investigation.

The PA news agency understands, however, that the British security services have considerable involvement in what is being described as an intelligence-led operation.

Following the mans detention, searches were carried out at his home and at his workplace.

The German Foreign Ministry said it is taking the case very seriously.

Foreign minister Heiko Maas told reporters: Spying on a close ally on German soil is absolutely unacceptable and we are in full solidarity with our British friends.

We will be following the federal prosecutors further investigations very closely. And where thats desired, necessary and possible, we will also support them.

German prosecutors said the man had been working as a local employee at the embassy.

In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said: The man was arrested in the Berlin area on suspicion of committing offences relating to being engaged in intelligence agent activity (under German law).

Primacy for the investigation remains with German authorities. Officers from the Counter Terrorism Command continue to liaise with German counterparts as the investigation continues.

A UK Government spokesman said: An individual who was contracted to work for the Government was arrested yesterday by the German authorities.

It would not be appropriate to comment further as there is an ongoing police investigation.

The arrest comes at a time of continuing tensions between the UK and Russia, which have been building for a number of years.

In June, a Royal Navy warship was buzzed by Russian fighter jets when it sailed through disputed waters off Crimea which was annexed by Moscow from Ukraine.

In 2018, Britain expelled 23 Russian intelligence officers following the poisoning attack on former spy Sergei Skripal in Salisbury, which persuaded allies to eject dozens of others.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP)  The good news is that scientists have a better handle on asteroid Bennus whereabouts for the next 200 years. The bad news is that the space rock has a slightly greater chance of clobbering Earth than previously thought.

But dont be alarmed: Scientists reported Wednesday that the odds are still quite low that Bennu will hit us in the next century.

We shouldn't be worried about it too much, said Davide Farnocchia, a scientist with NASA's Center for Near Earth Object Studies at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, who served as the study's lead author.

While the odds of a strike have risen from 1-in-2,700 to 1-in-1,750 over the next century or two, scientists now have a much better idea of Bennu's path thanks to NASA's Osiris-Rex spacecraft, according to Farnocchia.

So I think that overall, the situation has improved," he told reporters.

The spacecraft is headed back to Earth on a long, roundabout loop after collecting samples from the large, spinning rubble pile of an asteroid, considered one of the two most hazardous known asteroids in our solar system. The samples are due here in 2023.

Before Osiris-Rex arrived at Bennu in 2018, telescopes provided solid insight into the asteroid, about one-third of a mile (one-half kilometer) in diameter. The spacecraft collected enough data over 2 1/2 years to help scientists better predict the asteroids orbital path well into the future.

FILE - This undated image made available by NASA shows the asteroid Bennu from the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft. On Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021, scientists said they have a better handle on asteroid Bennus whereabouts for the next 200 years. The bad news is that the space rock has a slightly greater chance of clobbering Earth than previously thought. But dont be alarmed: Scientists reported that the odds are still quite low that Bennu will hit us in the next century. (NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona/CSA/York/MDA via AP)

Their findings  published in the journal Icarus  should also help in charting the course of other asteroids and give Earth a better fighting chance if and when another hazardous space rock heads our way.

Before Osiris-Rex arrived on the scene, scientists put the odds of Bennu hitting Earth through the year 2200 at 1-in-2,700. Now it's 1-in-1,750 through the year 2300. The single most menacing day is Sept. 24, 2182.

Bennu will have a close encounter with Earth in 2135 when it passes within half the distance of the moon. Earth's gravity could tweak its future path and put it on a collision course with Earth in the 2200s  less likely now based on Osiris-Rex observations.

If Bennu did slam into Earth, it wouldnt wipe out life, dinosaur-style, but rather create a crater roughly 10 to 20 times the size of the asteroid, said Lindley Johnson, NASA's planetary defense officer. The area of devastation would be much bigger: as much as 100 times the size of the crater.

If an object Bennus size hit the Eastern Seaboard, it would pretty much devastate things up and down the coast," he told reporters.

Scientists already are ahead of the curve with Bennu, which was discovered in 1999. Finding threatening asteroids in advance increases the chances and options for pushing them out of our way, Johnson said.

One-hundred years from now, who knows what the technology is going to be? he said.

In November, NASA plans to launch a mission to knock an asteroid off-course by hitting it. The experimental target will be the moonlet of a bigger space rock.
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YEREVAN, AUGUST 12, ARMENPRESS. On August 12, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh David Babayan had an online meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Ossetia - the State of Alania Dmitry Medoev.



The Ministers discussed issues related to the current relations between the two states, cooperation between the Foreign Ministries and recent regional developments, the foreign ministry said.



The parties stressed the need to further expand and deepen cooperation, hold regular discussions on issues of mutual interest.
STEPANAKERT, AUGUST 12, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijani military units attempted to breach the line of contact into Artsakh from the western direction during the night of August 12, the Ministry of Defense of Artsakh said.

The Azeri attempt was thwarted by Artsakh Defense Army countermeasures and the Azeri troops were repelled to their original positions.

There are no casualties from the Armenian side. The command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in the Republic of Artsakh was immediately notified about the Azerbaijani provocation, the Defense Ministry said.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan
YEREVAN, AUGUST 12, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Environment of Armenia Romanos Petrosyan received the delegation led by Ambassador of the UK to Armenia John Gallagher on August 12. During the meeting the Minister spoke about the invitation of the Prime Minister of the UK Boris Johnson to the Armenian PM to participate in the Leaders Summit of the 26th UN Climate Change Conference, noting that the discussions of the issue of the Armenian PMs participation and the composition of the Armenian delegation are still in process.

As RAMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the Ministry of Environment, greeting the guests, Minister Petrosyan congratulated John Gallagher on assuming the post of the UK Ambassador to Armenia, wishing him successful activities for the benefit of the improvement of the cooperation between the two countries.

Ambassador Gallagher also congratulated Minister Romanos Petrosyan on reappointment, and then thanked for the meeting, adding that he is extremely interested in environment. The Ambassador hoped that there are areas that are of mutual interest for the sides, which will be discussed during the meeting.

The sides discussed the 26th Conference of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which will take place in Glasgow from November 1-12.
The authorities suspended the search operation at around 10 pm and it will be resumed Thursday morning

Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel during rescue operations at the site of a landslide at the Reckong Peo-Shimla Highway in Kinnaur District in Himachal Pradesh. (Photo by - / Indo Tibetan Border Police / AFP)

Shimla: Ten people were killed, 13 rescued and several others feared buried under debris after a landslide trapped a bus and other vehicles in Himachal Pradesh's Kinnaur district on Wednesday, officials said.

A video clip captured the horror of the moment.

First, shooting stones fell down the mountainside into the river below, creating small splashes of water.

Warming whistles were heard and then a big chunk of the mountain collapsed on National Highway 5 and into the river.

Fighting to complete the operation before nightfall, rescue workers struggled to pull out survivors and bodies from the debris near Chaura village in Nigulsari area of Nichar tehsil.

Hours after the landslide a little before noon, Kinnaur Deputy Commissioner Abid Hussain Sadiq told PTI that 10 bodies had been pulled out and others were feared trapped.

Eight of the dead were found trapped in a Tata Sumo taxi, according to state disaster management director Sudesh Kumar Mokhta.

A Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus, which was on its way from Reckong Peo to Haridwar via Shimla, was still buried under the debris, he said.

The official said the number of the dead may further increase as another HRTC bus and a Bolero and its passengers were not found under the debris and are still untraceable.

It might be possible that both the vehicles rolled down with the debris, he added.

Meanwhile, the authorities suspended the search operation at around 10 pm and it will be resumed Thursday morning.

Mokhta also said that a Tata Sumo has been found in which eight persons were found dead.

He said a truck rolled down towards a riverside due to shooting stones and the driver's body has been recovered.

A fully damaged Alto car has also been recovered, he said, adding that no one was found inside the car.

Early reports said there could be up to 40 people in the state-run bus.

Earlier, the Bhawanagar station house officer (SHO) said around 25 to 30 were trapped under the debris.

When the initial reports came, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur told the state assembly that 50-60 people were feared trapped under the debris, but the exact number was not known.

He said Union Home Minister Amit Shah talked to him and the topmost priority as of now was to rescue those trapped and provide them the best possible treatment.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke to Thakur over the incident.

"PM @narendramodi spoke to Himachal Pradesh CM @jairamthakurbjp regarding the situation in the wake of the landslide in Kinnaur. PM assured all possible support in the ongoing rescue operations," the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said.

Shah also spoke to Thakur to take stock of the situation and directed the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) to provide all assistance to the state government in rescue and relief operations.

Thakur told the Assembly that a helicopter was also being arranged for the rescue operation.

The chief minister said the landslide occurred when there was no rainfall.

Among the dead are a two-year-old girl and five women, a state official spokesperson said.

Two of the dead were identified as Rohit Kumar (25), a resident of Kaiya village at Rampur in Shimla; and Vijay Kumar (32) of Jhol village in Sujanpur of Hamirpur district, Mokhta said.

The eight dead found in Tata Sumo have been identified as two-year-old girl Vanshuka of Sapni in Sangla tehsil of Kinnaur; Meera Devi, Nitisha, Prem kumari (42), Gyan Dassi, Devi Chand (53), all from Kinnaur district; and Kammlesh Kumar (34) of Rechuta village in Solan.

One dead person is yet to be identified, Mokhta added.

The injured were identified as bus driver Mahinder Pal, a resident of Bilaspur; conductor Gulab Singh of Mandi; Prashant, Varun Menon, Rajender of Hamirpur, Daulat of Kinnaur, Shorang Project driver Charan Jeet Singh of Naleenakal in Punjab's Fatehgarh Sahib, Saveen Sharma of Nepal, Japti Devi of Rampur in Shimla, Chander Gyan of Pooh in Kinnaur, Arun of Rampur, Anil Kumar and Kaizang Negi of Skibba at Moorang in Kinnaur.

They have been shifted to a Bhawanagar community health centre (CHC) for treatment, officials added.

The state disaster management authority has requisitioned the NDRF from Nurpur for the search and rescue operation, Mokhta said.

District officials, search and rescue teams, including members of local police, home guards, NDRF, ITBP and a medical team are at the incident site, he said.

Ten ambulances, four earth removers, 52 personnel of the ITBP's 17th Battalion, 30 personnel of police and 27 NDRF personnel are carrying out the rescue operation, he added.

Officials said the bodies have been sent for autopsy.

Earlier on July 25, nine people were killed and three others injured in multiple landslides near Batseri in Kinnaur district.

Similarly on July 27, at least eight people died, two were injured and two went missing in flash floods triggered by a cloudburst in Lahaul-Spiti district.

Jal Shakti Minister Mahender Singh Thakur had informed the state Assembly on August 4 that 218 people died and 12 went missing in Himachal Pradesh this monsoon season.
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Imagined by Sugar Chow, the RS 5 Avant in the photo gallery is nothing more than wishful thinking because wagons arent popular anymore. Increasingly more people are shifting to crossovers and sport utility vehicles to the detriment of the longroof and two body styles: minivans and MPVs.As far as the United States market is concerned, the only exception to this trend is the Subaru Outback . Essentially a Legacy with a hatchback that offers better access into the trunk, the crosswagon sold 153,290 units last year during the health crisis, down from 181,178 units in the previous year.Imagined in dark gray and two shades of blue, the RS 5 Avant rendering can also be considered a shooting brake. The Clown Shoe -like proportions are really sweet, and chances are that its faster than the RS 3 line as well because were dealing with a twin-turbo V6 instead of a single-turbo fiver.Rated at 444 horsepower (450 PS) and 442 pound-feet (600 Nm) of torque between 1,900 and 5,000 revolutions per minute, the 2.9-liter TFSI shoots the RS 5 Coupe to 60 miles per hour (97 kilometers per hour) in less than four seconds, onto an electronically limited top speed of 155 miles per hour (250 kilometers per hour). This plant is turning every wheel thanks to an eight-speed automatic transmission and quattro permanent all-wheel drive.In normal driving scenarios, the power distribution between the front and rear axle is 40 and 60 percent. The center differential can redirect 70 percent toward the front or up to 85 percent toward the rear, and the optional sport diff actively distributes torque between the rear wheels for better handling.On that note, would you like the four-ringed automaker from Ingolstadt to consider this independent design study for a one-off concept car of sorts?
Id recommend they get their first plant working. Its insanely difficult to reach volume production at affordable unit cost.  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 11, 2021

Musks concern seems to be primarily with reaching volume production at an affordable unit cost. In his tweet, the Tesla CEO said it was insanely difficult for his company to do that. We just wonder if Rivian is not perfectly aware of that already, especially with Ford as one of its leading investors besides Amazon and Cox Automotive. Ford knows a thing or two about mass production.Bloomberg recently revealed that Fort Worth is the strongest competitor for the $5 billion investment Rivian is willing to make. The Texan city would have infrastructure advantages that locations in Arizona would not be able to offer. Reuters first report about the investments revealed that Rivian was very inclined to choose that other state as its new home, just like Lucid did.With a lot of money for these investments already in its pockets and yet to go public  which will give it a lot more  Rivian is not willing to wait. Apart from its new American factory, it is also studying a new plant in Europe. The UK seems to be the strongest contender to receive it so far, but Germany and the Netherlands also want that facility.Since Musk feels he can give some advice to Rivian, we wonder if RJ Scaringe will feel authorized to do the same. If that were the case, he would probably recommend that Tesla didnt base all its new products around a new cell format that is yet to be validated for mass production.While the 4680 cell is not ready, Giga Austin and Giga Grunheide will not be able to make cars. The Cybertruck, Semi, Roadster, and Model Y for these plants will have a structural battery pack that needs these batteries to be manufactured.Another recommendation we could see Scaringe making would be that Tesla reinstated its PR department. Rivian has a pretty professional one which helps the company keep the public informed in a transparent way. Finally, he would probably tell Musk not to create a car without a steering wheel before it could actually drive itself, as the Tesla CEO allegedly wanted the Model Y to be.
As the launch date is getting closer, Husqvarna is showing us glimpses of what the ride looks like when it runs through Icelands untamed beauty. In a series of short episodes meant to prepare the stage for the new travel machine, so far the brand has revealed the design behind Norden 901 , its development story, and all the marketing strategy thats been going behind the long-awaited motorcycle.Now, were getting spoiled to a new video in which two friends, explorer Mike Horn and multiple Dakar Rally winner Cyril Despres, take the prototype across the land of fire and ice. As they discover Iceland together, theyre also exploring what Norden 901 has best to offer.The two-wheeler is mainly based on the KTM 890 Adventure, both in terms of structure and engine. While the recent episode doesnt add any new info tech-wise, we should expect a similar performance to that of the KTM.It rides on 21-inch front wheels and 18-inch rear wheels, and it has more function to it than the KTM motorcycle . Its about the little details that we can lay our eyes on ahead of the big release. Those two front lights integrated into the spoiler just add another dimension to the new Husky.As far as its specifications go, thats all we know, for now. Hopefully, the future episodes will shed more light on the bikes engineering. The latest video represents just another piece of the puzzle that allows us to hear from Despres and Horn how it feels to ride it too, and not just anywhere, but in the wilderness of Iceland.The sound of the exhaust in the vast unpaved land on a bike doesnt compare to anything else, especially when you have a friend to accompany you on your journey. Theres no word about a release date, but these videos do suggest that were getting closer to seeing the adventure motorcycle in the showrooms.
The Italian roadster received a special edition limited to just two units, and both will only be sold in South Korea . They called it Korean Special Series, and the cars are made for discerning collectors who want to own naturally aspirated V12 cars. These two units will be worth more than what their buyers will pay for them, as no other Aventador S Roadsters will be made like these were.Both units were customized by the Lamborghini Centro Stile in Italy and are inspired by Korean culture. The inspiration goes more than just implementing elements from the country's flag and features colors from traditional Korean windows and other cues.As you notice in the photo gallery, one example is painted in a shade called Blue Emera, while the other is Green Ocno. The two colors were chosen as they display the primary two colors of the country. Meanwhile, the interior comes in Bianco Leda, which means Leda white, and symbolizes the national spirit of Korea.The personalization work goes on through crisscross models of vertical and horizontal lines on the hood, door panels, and rear fenders. These models are inspired by traditional Korean glass, while the engine compartment features the two trigrams of the Korean flag, Geon, and Gam.You did not expect to learn so much about Korean culture from a news story about a Lamborghini, did you? Great, let us move on! The price of these limited-edition models has not been specified, as is the custom with exclusive cars. It comes with the territory, you might say.For this special edition of the Aventador S Roadster , Lamborghini has not modified its V12-engine that sits behind the seats, which means that it still offers 740 hp and 690 Nm (508.9 lb.-ft.) of torque. It has a power-to-weight ratio of 2.2 kg/hp (4.85 lbs./hp). Therefore, the Aventador S Roadster of the Korean Special Series will be able to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.0 seconds, while the 0-200 km/h (124 mph) acceleration will be done in nine seconds flat.The top speed is as high as the Aventador S Coupe 's, which is 350 km/h (217 mph). Braking performance is also unchanged, and Lamborghini claims a 31-meter (101.7 -feet) stopping distance from 100 km/h (62 mph) to a full stop. The figures are done in optimal conditions, so think about that the next time you drive faster than the speed limit and consider your stopping distance in case something goes wrong.
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It makes perfect sense. Nio established a reputation for luxury cars in China that it does not want to dilute with vehicles that could compete with the Tesla Model 3, for example. Yet, the Chinese carmaker also needs to expand its scale to make its battery swapping tech more popular. The solution will be the yet unnamed affordablebrand.Currently, the cheapest Nio vehicle for sale in China is the ES6 , which costs RMB358,000 ($55,296 at the current exchange rate). Teslas most affordable car in the Chinese market is the Model 3 Standard Range, which costs RMB253,900 ($36,436).Although Li intends to present a more affordable Nio model next year, it will not be as cheap as the Model 3, hence the need for the subbrand. Codenamed Gemini, this new vehicle would present swappable LFP battery packs. They should be the same ones to be offered to the new affordable brand.LFP battery packs are what allowed Tesla to offer the Model 3 at lower prices in China. They are also becoming increasingly popular with more affordable vehicles such as the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV. BYD based all its new products around it and a structural battery pack called Blade Battery.A rumor that BYD would sell the Blade Battery to Tesla is still spreading in the news. The Chinese company said it never told the media it would do so, which some outlets took as rumor denying.However, the way BYD worded everything shows this is not the case. The company just denied talking to the press about the alleged deal. Theres the possibility that Tesla demanded that to make sure BYD was not leaking info to the media.Whatever happened there, Nio is coming for Tesla, Xpeng, and Li Auto. It just wont do that with its luxury brand but rather with a new one. Well indeed have news about this affordable brand very soon.
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This is the first production-spec example of the electric hyper GT , built at Cambiano, Turin, Italy, and will greet those attending the Monterey Car Week.With its exposed bodywork and polished aluminum alloy wheels, complemented by a lively interior that combines black and blue, the Battista is just as exciting to look at as it is to drive.It boasts no less than four electric motors, powered by a 120battery, generating a total output of 1,873(1,900 PS / 1,397) and 1,696 lb-ft (2,300 Nm) of torque.Its straight-line performance dwarfs the most powerful vehicles out there, with Pininfarina claiming that it needs less than two seconds to hit 62 mph (100 kph) from a standstill, or quicker than the Tesla Model S Plaid . From 0 to 186 mph (0-300 kph), it needs less than 12 seconds, and top speed stands at 217 mph (350 kph)."To see the first production-intent example of our pure-electric hyper GT on the highways of California signals the beginning of an exciting new chapter in its development," said Pininfarina's Chief Product and Engineering Officer, Paolo Dellacha. "This is a significant landmark and hugely rewarding moment as we count down towards making the first client deliveries later this year.Pininfarina will only build 150 units of the spectacular Battista , whose soundscape has a core frequency of 54 Hz, and an organic frequency that is a multiple of 432 Hz, said to be mathematically consistent with the universe, and each one starts at $2.2 million.Joining the first production-spec Battista at the Monterey Car Week will be the Battista Anniversario . The limited edition model, which will come in just five examples, was officially unveiled last year and has a carbon fiber styling package that includes the front splitter, rear diffuser, and side blades.These contribute to the improved downforce, with Pininfarina stating that they make the car more stable during high-speed cornering. The mechanicals carryies over from the regular Battista.
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And it appears that is now an option as Colorado Teardrop Campers is offering The Boulder, a smallish camper that includes a bank of EV batteries built into the trailer frame to let you recharge yourColorado Teardrop Trailers are designed and built in Boulder, Colorado, and the family-owned company has designed seven different styles of teardrop trailers that offer a retro feel and are capable of off-road and commercial applications.A fleet of rentals was used by the company as a sort of testing lab to help their design team refine the campers ergonomics, styling and longevity. A team of design experts from Colorado Teardrop Trailers will consult with buyers on the essentials of a camper from interior and exterior design finishes to galley options and electric power requirements regarding interior lighting, stereo and TV placement and awnings.The Boulder has an overall weight of 1,950 pounds (885 kilograms) and includes a 75-battery. Boulder says aerodynamic design optimizations reduce the drag coefficient of the camper when towing. It is built with aluminum rails atop a 3,500-pound (1,587-kg) rated suspension and offers a retractable exterior kitchen and even a hot-water shower.Colorado Teardrop Trailers team can also customize specific storage configurations for each camper to hold camping essentials. The Boulders cabin is well-lit thanks to their Galaxy-Gazer window and gull-wing doors. Its cabin features a hardwood interior, an integrated tongue box, an Open Standard CCS (Combined Charging System) charging port and indoor LED lighting for cabin and galley. A pair of Yeti coolers, water, a stove and storage area are included.The Boulder also includes a spare tire, hardwood interior cabin construction, and integrated tongue box, an Open Standard CCS (Combined Charging System) charging port, Bluetooth enabled power console support on smartphones and outdoor and indoor LED lighting for cabin and galley.The company says the Boulder can be towed by small cars - even those with four-cylinder engines - though they predict that it will be most attractive to owners of electric vehicles.The Boulder retails for $55,000.Source: Colorado Teardrops
With the new wave hitting South Asia hard, people in Indonesia are once again forced to put everything on hold and watch their normal lifestyle being disrupted by the global health crisis. Many of the people are self-isolating, and this is where the Delta robot, recently nicknamed so, comes in. Performing community service to residents of a village in Surabaya, this improvised-looking machine managed to win the hearts of everyone in the area.Built by a talented, 53-year-old techy villager named Aseyanto, the robot is a blend of scraps and household items collected from the neighborhood. Its head is made of a rice cooker, the base is in fact a toy car chassis, and you can also find in it pans, pots, and an old television monitor, as reported by Reuters The bot is powered by a battery and runs for approximately 12 hours on a charge. It is operated using a remote control.While this is not the first robot built by the villager, it has certainly become the attraction of the Tembok Gede. Although it was originally built just for fun, Aseyanto repurposed its creation to land a hand and a smile to the Indonesian people, by helping them get easier through this health crisis.Delta is a reliable public servant, making itself useful to the self-isolating residents. It delivers them food, it sprays disinfectant, and it tries to cheer people up by talking with them. Delta knows how to announce its deliveries, and it also wishes peopleand toNumbers dont look good in Indonesia, which, according to Reuters, has become the epicenter of Asias new outbreak, with over 3.6 million people getting infected.
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Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett told CIA Director Bill Burns in a meeting on Wednesday that the U.S. and Israel should start working on a joint strategy for a scenario in which Iran elects not to return to the 2015 nuclear deal, Israeli officials told me.

Why it matters: The Israeli intelligence community, foreign ministry and other national security agencies think the likelihood of Iran deciding to return to the deal has waned in recent weeks after the election of new hardline President Ebrahim Raisi.

The Israeli government is concerned that the U.S. and other Western powers won't push back hard as Iran moves ahead with its nuclear program.

The Biden administration is still seeking a path back to the 2015 deal, but the talks are on hold as the new Iranian administration takes office.

Driving the news: The issue was the focus of Burns talks in Israel with Bennett, President Isaac Herzog, Minister of Defense Benny Gantz and Mossad director David Barnea.

Israeli officials viewed the meeting as part of the preparations for Bennett's meeting with President Biden, planned for later this month in Washington.

During the meeting, Bennett presented Burns with his assessment of, and policy toward, Iran. Israeli officials said their impression was that Burns was also skeptical about whether Iran was ready to return to full compliance with the deal.

What they're saying: It was important for the Prime Minister to make it clear that when we say we think it is a mistake to return to the 2015 nuclear deal, it is not an automatic continuation of the Netanyahu governments policy and that we have a different approach," a senior Israeli official told me.

I am not among the supporters of the 2015 nuclear deal but I dont see any plan B [if Iran doesnt return to the deal.] We are talking about it with the U.S. and our European allies behind the scenes.

 Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid on Wednesday
Our mood must be as follows: to go for solutions, Pashinian said, opening a weekly session of his cabinet. One of the issues which I think can be solved quite quickly is the opening of regional transport connections  I think that we should resume as soon as possible work in the trilateral format of the [Russian, Armenian and Azerbaijani] deputy prime ministers and be more active and proactive in creating new transport and economic opportunities in the region.

Pashinian referred to a trilateral working group which was set up in January to work out practical modalities of reopening the Armenian-Azerbaijani border for commercial traffic.

The task force held several meetings in the following months. It has not met since Azerbaijani troops crossed several sections of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border on May 12-14.

Armenian officials said later in May that the Russian-Armenian-Azerbaijani working group could resume its work only after Azerbaijani withdrawal from Armenias border areas. Baku has ruled out such a withdrawal, saying that its troops took up new positions on the Azerbaijani side of the frontier.

Tensions along several sections of the border rose further late last month, leading Pashinian to propose that Russia deploy border guards there. The Russian Foreign Ministry responded by calling for a quick launch of joint work on delimiting and demarcating the border.

Our position on the delimitation and demarcation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border remains unchanged, Pashinian said on Thursday. We believe that efforts in this direction should also be intensified.

In recent days tension also rose along the Armenian-Azerbaijani line of contact in Karabakh. Karabakhs Armenian-backed army accused Azerbaijani forces of opening fire at some of its frontline positions on Tuesday. Russian peacekeeping forces deployed in Karabakh right after last years Armenian-Azerbaijani war confirmed the shootout and pledged to investigate it.

The Karabakh Defense Army also claimed that the Azerbaijani side attacked its unspecified outposts with combat drones on Wednesday morning.

The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry issued a statement later on Wednesday saying that Armenia has deployed more troops in Karabakh and set up new outposts there and pledging to take all necessary measures in response. It claimed that the Russian-brokered truce agreement that stopped the war in November calls for a complete Armenian troop withdrawal from Karabakh.

The Armenian Foreign Ministry dismissed the claim as an outright falsification. The November 9 statement envisages the withdrawal of Armenian troops only from the territories adjacent to Nagorno-Karabakh, it said.

The ministry also insisted that the Defense Army remains vital for the security of Karabakhs ethnic Armenian population.
The recently elected parliaments speaker, Alen Simonian, ordered a halt to a live televised broadcast of Wednesdays parliament session as it descended into chaos amid bitter insults traded by pro-government and opposition lawmakers. Simonian also told uniformed security officers to take to the parliament floor and restore order there.

Moments later, other officers entered the press gallery overlooking the chamber and ordered journalists present there to stop filming or photographing the dramatic proceedings. Some of those journalists said they were also informed that they are no longer allowed to take pictures of such incidents.

In a joint statement issued later on Wednesday, 11 non-governmental organizations promoting press freedom expressed outrage at Simonians and the security personnels actions. They said that the pro-government speaker overstepped his powers set by the parliamentary statutes.

The citizens of Armenia have a legal right to know what happens in the parliament and how every deputy behaves, read the statement.

The state human rights defender, Arman Tatoyan, likewise described the latest orders issued to the parliamentary correspondents as unacceptable.

Tatoyan and the press freedom groups also reiterated their criticism of serious restrictions on journalists freedom of movement inside the parliament building which Simonian imposed immediately after being elected speaker on August 2.

Reporters accredited to the National Assembly can no longer interview lawmakers coming out of the chamber or enter a section of the building housing the offices of deputies from the ruling Civil Contract party.

Opposition lawmakers added their voice to the condemnations during a parliament session on Thursday.

Journalists must report what they see, and if you insult and swear at each other on the parliament floor the public must be aware of it, said Taguhi Tovmasian, a former newspaper editor representing the opposition Pativ Unem bloc.

There had been many problems [in the past] but pressure on the media is now becoming systematic, said Gegham Manukian of the opposition Hayastan bloc. Active restrictions are being imposed on media outlets.

Manukian, who ran a TV channel before being elected to the current legislature, argued that security personnel have never threatened to evict journalists before.

Simonian rejected the opposition criticism but did not explain his decision to stop the broadcast of Wednesdays session. He defended the restrictions, saying that they are needed to stop journalists from chasing deputies in the corridors and intruding their offices.

The speaker, who is a close associate of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian, also a former journalist, accused reporters of routinely disrespecting Armenian officials and politicians.

Do not think that you can voice insults at state officials, National Assembly deputies and public figures on social media and other public platforms and then wonder why you are not given interviews, he said, appealing to them.

The controversial restrictions are enforced by scores of security officers who were deployed inside the government-controlled parliament on the eve of its inaugural session held on August 2.

The officers work for the State Protection Service, an agency that provides bodyguards to Pashinian and other senior state officials. An Armenian photojournalist was stripped of her parliamentary accreditation for taking their pictures last week.

Justice Minister Karen Andreasian defended the enhanced security presence in the Armenian parliament on August 6. He noted in that regard that an armed group that seized the National Assembly in October 1999 was led by a former journalist, Nairi Hunanian.

Critics countered that Hunanian, who is serving a life sentence in a Yerevan jail, had stopped working as a journalist years before the deadly attack.

Tatoyan deplored statements attributing the press coverage restrictions to the need to ward off possible terrorist acts. The ombudsman argued that all accredited correspondents have to walk through metal detectors and undergo other security checks before entering the parliament building.
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Sunny. High near 95F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph..

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NEW YORK (AP)  Patricia Hitchcock OConnell, the only child of Alfred Hitchcock and an actor herself who made a memorable appearance in her fathers Strangers on a Train and championed his work in the decades following his death, has died at age 93.

Hitchcock died Monday in her sleep at home in Thousand Oaks, California, her daughter Tere Carrubba said Wednesday. She died of natural causes, said Carrubba.

She was always really good at protecting the legacy of my grandparents and making sure they were always remembered, said Carrubba, one of Patricia Hitchcock's three daughters. It's sort of an end of an era now that they're all gone.

Known to many as Pat Hitchcock, she was born in London to Alfred Hitchcock and Alma Reville Hitchcock in 1928 and spent much of her life in and around the family business. During her childhood, Alfred Hitchcock directed such classics as The 39 Steps, The Lady Vanishes and Shadow of a Doubt, moved to California after signing a multipicture deal with producer David O. Selznick and rose to global fame as the Master of Suspense. Alma was his indispensable adviser, a former film editor through whom he vetted story ideas and screenplay treatments.

My mother had much more to do with the films than she has ever been given credit for  he depended on her for everything, absolutely everything, Pat Hitchcock told The Guardian in 1999.

Pat would visit her fathers movie sets and by her teens was acting in school plays and appearing on stage, including the Broadway productions Solitaire and Violet. She was admitted to Londons Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 1947 and was about to graduate when her father contacted her and said he had a role for her in his new film, Strangers on a Train, adapted from the Patricia Highsmith novel. The 1951 production starred Robert Walker and Farley Granger as strangers who meet on a train and agree  at least Walker thinks they agree  to a double murder: Walker will kill Grangers wife, and Granger will kill Walkers father. Pat Hitchcock plays the sister of a woman (Ruth Roman), with whom Granger is in love.

Walker duly carries out his side, strangling Grangers wife on the grounds of an amusement park, and pressures Granger to honor the bargain. He turns up at a party attended by Granger and chats up an elderly woman about the best way to kill someone  strangulation. He has placed his hands on her neck, when he looks up and sees Pat Hitchcock staring back in horror. Unnerved by her resemblance to his murder victim  they wear similar glasses  he nearly chokes the guest to death. Hitchcocks character later sobs that she felt as if she was the one he might have killed, leading to suspicions about the murder of Grangers wife.

I think he was using her as the audience, Pat Hitchcock, interviewed for a 1997 BBC special on her father, said of her character. I think he was having her go through what the audience went through.

Hitchcock was a lively, witty actor with a heart-shaped face and her other acting credits included the TV sitcoms My Little Margie and The Life of Riley and several roles in the TV series Alfred Hitchcock Presents. She also had parts in her fathers Stage Fright and in his horror masterpiece Psycho, in which she plays an office colleague of Janet Leigh, who later in the film is famously stabbed to death in a motel shower.

More recently, she worked for Alfred Hitchcocks Mystery Magazine, appeared at numerous film festivals and in numerous Hitchcock documentaries and contributed photographs and a foreword to Footsteps in the Fog: Alfred Hitchcocks San Francisco, by Jeff Kraft and Aaron Leventhal. She also co-authored a book on her mother, who died in 1982, Alma Hitchcock: The Woman Behind the Man. (Alfred Hitchcock died in 1980).

Pat Hitchcock was married for more than 40 years to Joseph OConnell, who died in 1994. They had three children.

She would insist that her childhood was happy and that her parents were normal, but she wasnt spared her fathers distant, controlling nature and his skewed and sometimes cruel sense of humor. As a girl, she often ate alone, was sent to boarding school and deprived of a college education when her father decided she should instead return to England. She would express regret that he didnt cast her in more of his films.

I certainly wish hed believed in nepotism, she liked to say.

At home, the director once painted a clown face on her while she was sleeping, anticipating her shock when she awoke the next morning and first looked in a mirror. During the filming of Strangers on a Train, knowing her fear of heights, he bet her $100 that she wouldnt ride a Ferris wheel on the set. She disputed a story from Donald Spotos 1983 biography The Dark Side of Genius that he left her stranded, and terrified, for an hour.

What happened is they turned off the lights and pretended they were going away  for all of what Id say were 35 seconds  and put the lights on and we came down, she told the Chicago Tribune in 1993. The only sadistic part is that I never got the hundred dollars.
The legacy of Willy Burger and the renaissance of the old fashioned hamburger it inspired has been tied to Beaumont, even after the original business split into two locations.

Now, the burger lovers dream is combined again under one flag and could soon be taking Southeast Texas by storm.

Earlier this month, Port Neches couple Dallon and Laney James announced that they finally had become the franchises full owners after its originator, Colburn McClelland, decided to sell the company and the Katy location.

Its a big move for the James family, who have been operating the original Beaumont location for the past several years, as they look for the first time at opening new locations. But it also spells a new chapter for one of Southeast Texas favorite burgers itself.

The goal, at this point, is to create something we can model and bring to other places with the same level of success, James said. Weve always felt that it can grow and thrive in other places.

The transformation of Willy Burger into a regional brand means the James family will get to experiment with building a restaurant from the ground up.

The couple inherited Willy Burgers now iconic diner-themed digs and attached retro-trailer dining room from McClelland, who started both businesses almost a decade ago.

He previously owned and operated Fat Macs BBQ years earlier in what is now the flagship store for the Tia Juanitas regional franchise.

McClelland said that the idea for Willy Burger sprang from what he perceived as the absence of a great burger place in the area - the kind of place that would grind their own meat and focus on quality over quantity.

I started looking around at what I thought we were missing and we realized there wasnt an old-school hamburger joint in Beaumont, he said. I went around the country looking at different places and getting my concepts of what I wanted to do.

That search to find the perfect burger concept, and the perfect burger, eventually resulted in Willy Burgers 2012 opening, but it also helped set the stage for what came next.

The James family didnt have any plans to become business owners - especially not restaurateurs - when they got involved with the outfit in the winter of 2015. Instead, they were just looking for a good place to eat.

Dallon James said that Laney was pregnant with their now six-year-old daughter at the time and had been having issues finding ways to fight the nausea, which eventually began to concern their doctor.

She was having trouble gaining weight. So, her doctor told her to find a place that she could enjoy no matter what, he said. We decided to give Willy Burger a try, and she loved the hamburgers, chocolate shakes and funnel cakes. We ended up going there once a week.

Almost six months into Laneys pregnancy, Dallon said he remembered reaching out to McClelland - not as a potential business partner, but as a loyal customer - to ask if he had ever considered branching out to Mid-County.

But instead of news about a new location, he got an update that McClelland would soon be moving his family to Katy and he offered to have James take over business in Beaumont.

It took some time and planning but eventually, the James family bought the Beaumont location outright in December 2020.

Six months later, Dallon James said he was starting to get a handle on being a restaurant owner when he got an offer to buy the Katy location and expand the company.

McClelland said it was never his intention to move to the western edge of Harris County to open another Willy Burger, but he couldnt help seeing the same opportunity that he noticed in Beaumont.

Now, after seeing both locations thrive and grow based on word-of-mouth and customer satisfaction, hes eager to see whats next for Willy Burger.

From a standpoint of watching a brand grow that you developed, it's exciting to see someone take it and help it live on, McClelland said.

That next step for the brand will be deeply tied to the work and community ties that the James family already has built.

In November 2020, Dallon James was elected as a Port Neches ISD school board, serving as the board representative for Place 6.

The desire to serve his community that pushed him to run for school board also influenced him to work on a new development project on the citys riverside called Neches Point Market.

The roughly 25,000 square foot development along the citys riverwalk has a food hall on the first floor that would have space for seven food service counters for local restaurants. Its on this floor that the newest additions to Willy Burger and Crown Pizza will grow.

Once thats accomplished, James said there isnt really a limit to where he thinks new locations might be successful, both in Southeast Texas and around the Katy area.

But, first things first, the team has to modernize the franchise.

They took the first step last week with a new photo shoot that will help drive its new online rebrand, which will serve to grow Willy Burger and Crowns presences on social media.

As for their new role at the helm of the brand, James said there was still work to do, but the chance for new opportunity and new chapter for Willy Burger was a risk they felt confident taking on.

It took a leap of faith, but we thought we were in a place as a family that we could take that gamble, he said. Ive always felt anyone can make anything successful with enough effort, especially if you treat people right.

jacob.dick@beaumontenterprise.com

twitter.com/jd_journalism
An amendment to the pending bipartisan infrastructure package expanding the congressional designation of Interstate 14 across Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia is one step closer to making an impact on Jasper, Tyler and Newton counties. The I-14 corridor is planned to run from Midland and Odessa, Texas all the way to Augusta, Georgia.

Senator, Ted Cruz of Texas and Raphael Warnock of Georgia offered the amendment and it was unanimously approved by the US Senate to now await a full senate vote on the infrastructure package.

We expect that the Senate infrastructure package will be voted on soon and sent to the House for consideration, said John Thompson, the chairman of the I-14 Gulf Coast Strategic Highway Coalition. It appears the momentum is in place to get this passed and signed by the President.

The Coalition has been working for the past decade building grassroots support to the interstate project. Senator Cruz applauded the bipartisan support for the amendment and said, I am grateful to Senator Warnock for joining me in leading this effort to ensure Texans and Georgians have the critical infrastructure they deserve and reap the benefits of the economic development and growth that come along with it.

Interstate 14 will branch off I-10 in west Texas and go through Midland-Odessa, San Angelo, Killeen-Fort Hood, Bryan-College Station, on to Livingston then to Woodville, Jasper across Newton County into Louisiana to Fort Polk. The Interstate in total will be 1,300 miles long.

Congressman Brian Babin has been one of the lead sponsors of the I-14 project in the House. The Interstate follows the US 190 corridor from Brady, Texas east going all the way to Leesville, Louisiana. The Interstate will make for easier transportation of freight east to west. Military resources will have greater access to major roadways, evacuations will be aided with increased roadways and economic development follows with gas stations, restaurants, hotels and other services for travelers.

The future will look much different in every city along the path of the new I-14. The biggest changes that will come to cities like Jasper, Woodville and northern Newton County. The changes will not happen overnight, but they will happen as Americas newest Interstate looks to be headed this way.
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Authorities have released the name of a construction worker killed in a crash involving multiple vehicles on Tuesday.

Andrew Mendez Lopez, 27 of Houston, was killed in the crash that occurred around 10:30 a.m. in an active construction zone in the 11000 block of Eastex Freeway near Tram Road, according to Beaumont police.
Tuesday was Adam Ernest Simpson Jr. Day  the first one ever. And friends and family of the fallen soldier say its been a long time coming.

I made a plea to the city council to honor him because all the mayors I had contacted never responded to my emails, said Thomas Jones, a Port Arthur native and friend of Simpsons, who now lives in Arizona.

And so I said, Im going to do it on my own, and I came here in tears. I get very emotional about it. He was a nice guy.

He was driven and mature, said family and friends gathered at the Port Arthur Pavilion on Tuesday morning. He was serious, but he liked to have a good time. He was funny. He was a civil rights activist. And he was the first soldier from Port Arthur to die in the Vietnam War.

For his military service, the city erected a memorial in the Port Arthur Pavilion.

First Lt. Adam E. Simpson Jr. was born on Jan. 8, 1939. He went to Lincoln High School, where he served as drum major and president of the student council. After graduation, he attended college and he had aspirations of one day attending New York University and pursuing a PhD.

Related: Remembering the forgotten veterans of Evergreen

He wanted to do something for our people, said Harold Simpson, Adams brother. Thats why he participated in the sit-ins in Nashville  to make sure they would stop the discrimination. And that is why he went into the service he went into.

Adam commissioned in the Marine Corps and his family said he specifically joined the infantry to break racial barriers.

The Marine Corps has less Black officers than any other service, Harold recalled his brother saying the last time they saw each other. The infantry has less Black officers than any other branch of the Marines.

He deployed to Vietnam and became the head of his platoon.

But on Oct. 3, 1965  after just one year of service  he was killed in an ambush in the Quang Nam Province at the age of 26. For his sacrifice, he was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart.

He served his country during what was a very difficult time for our nation in so many ways, said Bill Adams, director of sales and marketing at Riley-Gardner Memorial of Southeast Texas. The company provided the monument for the unveiling, which took place Tuesday.

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When people pass by (the monument), I want them to know the ultimate sacrifice that was paid for our country, said Chandra Alpough, director of Parks and Recreation. We have citizens from Port Arthur that actually made a difference.

John Syers Jr. is one such person for whom Adams sacrifice made a lasting impression.

I kept remembering the Bible verse that says, Greater love hath no man than this, that one would lay down his life for his friends. said Syers, a friend of Adams who served as student council secretary when Adam was president. I kept thinking, What more could he give?

That verse  John 15:13  is engraved on the memorial.

rachel.kersey@beaumontenterprise.com

twitter.com/ontheREKord
The National Weather Service Lake Charles is forecasting a hot, wet week ahead.

And at the same time, NWS Warning Coordination Meteorologist Roger Erickson said in an email that Tropical Disturbance 6 is expected to become a tropical storm at any time.

According to Erickson, the forecast track moves it over or near Haiti and Hispaniola, as well as Cuba. The system could move into the eastern portion of the Gulf of Mexico this weekend.

As of Monday afternoon, there are no indications that the potential storm is a threat to Southeast Texas.

NWSLC meteorologist Alex Donato said that high pressure to the southeast could act as a barrier to the storm, preventing it from affecting Southeast Texas. However, its too early to tell for certain what the storms eventual track will be.

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NWSs 7-day outlook for Beaumont is predicting rain every day this week with heat indexes at or surpassing 100 degrees.

High temperatures for each day through Sunday stay in the lower to mid-90s with lows in the high 70s.

Beaumont will see at least a 30% chance of rain each day, with higher chances coming through the weekend.

Donato said high pressure in the northeastern portion of the Gulf, the anti-cyclonic circulation of winds and the consistent inflow of moisture to the region over the past couple months explains the influx of rain to Southeast Texas.

According to the NHC, hurricane seasons peak is from mid-August to late October. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration gave its hurricane season update last week, indicating that the Atlantic could see anywhere from 15 to 21 named storms this season.

As of Aug. 9, there have been five named storms  four tropical storms and one hurricane  Elsa  which was the most recent. There has yet to be a major hurricane in 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season.

The next name up is Fred. Hurricane season ends Nov. 30

oliviasmalick@gmail.com

twitter.com/oliviamalick
LONDON (AP)  When a World Health Organization-led team traveled to China earlier this year to investigate the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, a top official said he was worried about safety standards at a laboratory close to the seafood market where the first human cases were detected, according to a documentary released Thursday by Danish television channel TV2.

The Wuhan branch of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention was handling coronaviruses without potentially having the same level of expertise or safety or who knows, Peter Ben Embarek said during a conference call in January, according to footage shown by TV2. Ben Embarek is a WHO expert on disease transmission from animals to humans and one of the teams leaders

But months later, when WHO released its dense report on its mission to Wuhan, the U.N. health agency concluded that a leak of the virus from the lab was extremely unlikely to have caused COVID-19. The WHO report even lent credence to a fringe theory promoted by the Chinese government that the virus may have been spread via frozen seafood packaging.

In recent weeks, however, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has acknowledged it was  premature  to rule out a possible lab leak as the source of COVID-19, saying last month that he was asking China to be more transparent about the early days of the pandemic.

I was a lab technician myself. Im an immunologist and I have worked in the lab and lab accidents happen, Tedros said. Its common.

In the Danish TV2 documentary, the WHOs Ben Embarek is pictured arriving in China, inspecting the stalls at the Huanan seafood market in Wuhan and examining what he hypothesizes might have been living quarters for people who handled live animals there  raising the possibility that the virus may have jumped from animals to people at the market.

It would mean that the contact between the human beings and whatever may have been in the market i.e. virus and maybe live animals would have been more intense, Ben Embarek said. It goes without saying that the close contact would be doubled many times between humans and animals if you are among them around the clock.

Scientists have previously thought that because many of the earliest known human cases at Wuhan's Huanan market appeared to have no prior connection to each other, the market might have simply been the place where cases were amplified, not where the virus first breached the species barrier.

The Danish documentary also featured Ben Embarek expressing his worries in January about the Wuhan branch of the Chinese CDC, concerns that have never been publicly disclosed by WHO. While numerous experts have questioned whether there might have been a lab accident at the Wuhan Institute of Virology  where scientists were studying coronaviruses  there has been less interest in another nearby facility.

What is more concerning to me is the other lab, Ben Embarek said. The one that is next to the market, he explained, referring to the Wuhan branch of the Chinese CDC, located just 500 meters (547 yards) away from the Huanan market.

In a June interview, Ben Embarek told TV2 that the possibility of a lab staffer being infected with the coronavirus while collecting bat samples was likely.

Although the idea that the pandemic somehow started in a laboratory was largely dismissed last year, it has gained traction recently, with U.S. President Joe Biden ordering a review of U.S. intelligence and i ncreasing numbers of scientists calling for an independent investigation to be conducted by authorities beyond the WHO.

Jamie Metzl, who has been leading an effort calling for an independent investigation of how COVID-19 started, called Ben Embareks comments a game-changer, describing his earlier declaration that a lab leak was unlikely shameful.

Its even more significant that the international expert team who stated with such confidence in the February Wuhan press event that a lab origin was unlikely themselves believed this was not the case and were simply trying to assuage their Chinese government-affiliated hosts, said Metzl, who sits on a WHO advisory board on human genome editing.

All of the scientists on the WHO-led team were approved by China and the teams agenda and final report were also vetted by the Chinese government. Ben Embarek told TV2 the purpose of the WHO team's visit was collaboration and discussion with China.

In a statement on Thursday, the WHO said the search for the pandemic's origins should not be an exercise in attributing blame, finger-pointing or political point-scoring. The agency said its first analysis of the coronavirus origins found there was insufficient scientific evidence to rule any of the hypotheses out.

____

David Keyton in Stockholm and Jamey Keaten in Geneva contributed to this report.
Montinique Monroe/Getty Images

On Monday, Gov. Greg Abbott announced help is on the way to Texas hospitals. The statement comes after receiving criticism for his coronavirus response amid a surge.

More for you News What mask is best for the delta variant of COVID-19?

In a news release, the governor calls on the Texas Department of State Health Services to coordinate staffing agencies to provide medical personnel from out of state to Texas healthcare facilities to assist in COVID-19 operations.
In New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo faced the political reality and resigned as it became clear he would be impeached for numerous cases of sexual harassment. In Texas, the issue is quite different, but Gov. Greg Abbott also needs to concede defeat now instead of hanging on and causing further division.

Two large public school districts, in Dallas and Austin, have decided to defy Abbott and require all students, teachers and visitors to wear masks while on campus. The Houston school board will vote on the issue this week and is expected to do the same. Other medium sized and smaller districts may well make the same decision this week and next. The same thing is happening in Florida, incidentally  school districts defying their governors ban on mask mandates, even at the expense of losing their state aid.

Beaumont ISD Superintendent Shannon Allen is on their side, saying, I certainly wish that school districts had the flexibility to require masks.

Abbott could get stubborn and begin a nasty, costly court fight with every school district that wants to protects its personnel as much as possible from Covid 19. Its not even clear that he would prevail. A sensible judge could easily decide that the desire by local school boards to promote public health is more important.

No Texan should be misled by Abbotts claim that he is merely trying to let people make their own decisions on masks. We dont let Texans decide how fast they can drive on a city street, or whether they will purchase a license before hunting or fishing. We are in the middle of a pandemic, and one that is starting to get worse again after initially declining during the spring. Masks can help reduce this spread, especially among large groups of people indoors.

This is common sense, not a sneaky government plot to take away anyones liberty. Only about half of Texas adults have been vaccinated against Covid 19, and children under 12 cant get vaccinated yet. The combination of those two facts means that most Texas schools have lots of people inside them who could be infected by the new delta variant of the coronavirus that is causing the scary surge in cases.

And that surge is real, in Southeast Texas and in many other parts of the country. Jefferson County now has more than 200 people hospitalized because of Covid, with more than 30 put on ventilators just to try to keep breathing. Baptist Hospital has surpassed its own record for Covid hospitalizations and recently had to erect a mobile triage area outside to direct some emergency patients without the virus to other areas to receive care.

With conditions like this, schools are justified in requiring masks on their premises to slow the spread of the disease. Abbott doesnt have to issue a statewide mask mandate, but he can let superintendents make the decisions that are right for the people on their campuses.

The school districts that have defied him are not going to back down, and again, they are probably going to be joined by others in the coming days. Its time for the states highest elected official to put public health over politics and amend his order. It will cause fewer Texans to contract this terrible disease, and right now we can think of nothing more important.
Satan will use many weapons against you to weaken your faith. One of those weapons is temptation. Temptation is the desire to do something particularly wrong or unwise. As Christians, we battle with temptation daily. We are tempted to in self-gratifying ways so that we ultimately disobey God. Even Jesus wasnt immune to temptation. We see this in Matthew 4 when satan tempts Jesus. There are things the devil is committed to robbing you of. Often, we arent even aware we are being tempted until we have already given into the sin. When this happens, our peace is stolen, and it also robs us of the blessings of God. Fortunately, Jesus is stronger than the devil and his will. Ultimately, He has the power to save us from temptation.

James 1:13 lets us know that God does not tempt us to sin. The verse says, No one, when tempted, should say, I am being tempted by God; for God cannot be tempted by evil and He Himself tempts no one. We also know this because it goes against His very nature. He is holy. The idea also goes against other commandments we read in scripture that tell us to flee temptation and avoid sin. In Matthew 6:9-13, where we are given the Lords model prayer, He says, Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. The fact that Jesus makes this request for God not to lead us into temptation shows us that avoiding temptation should be one of the main concerns on our Christian walk.

While temptation can show up in the form of desire, it can also refer to trials. First Corinthians 10:13 says, No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. This is a great reminder to us that we will not be tested beyond our abilities with Jesus. There will always be a way out. There will be times when God will subject us to trials that can expose us to the enemys assaults for His purpose. We may not know it at the time, but we grow spiritually in these moments. Peter and Job are two great examples. It is ok to pray to Jesus that you are delivered from suffering and trials. Whats important is that we submit ourselves to Gods will, no matter what that will is.

No matter what temptation you are facing today, whether you are asking God to lead you from sin or a difficult trial, the goal should always be deliverance from the evil one. David offers a similar petition in Psalms 114:4, which says, Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds along with those who are evildoers; do not let me eat their delicacies. In every situation we face, in all of our circumstances, God is our deliverer. Seeking Jesus when are tempted is seeking Gods power over sin.

Satan will do everything in his power to shift your focus away from God and onto him. In a society where we are taught to worship status, power, money and wealth, satan wants you to believe that obtaining this will complete you. The more you have, the happier you will be, right? Yet, the Bible tells us the opposite. Matthew 5:3 says, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. We must be humble in spirit. In order to do this, we have to acknowledge our sin, along with our spiritual emptiness.

We will all struggle with temptation in our lives, some more than others. Many Christians claim that they will let go and trust Jesus in all circumstances, but they cant. One of the tools we are given to battle temptation is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is Gods power in action. The Bible tells us, If you are guided by the Spirit, you wont obey your selfish desires. When we trust in the Holy Spirits power, He will lead us on straight paths. Micha 3:8 also says, But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the LORD, and with justice and might, to declare to Jacob his transgression, to Israel his sin. Luke 1:35 also reminds us, The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God. When we look over these passages, we can clearly see that God sends out the Holy Spirit to accomplish the will of God.

James 1:12-15 says, Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. No one, when tempted, should say, I am being tempted by God; for God cannot be tempted by evil and He Himself tempts no one. But one is tempted by ones own desire, being lured and enticed by it; then, when that desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and that sin, when it is fully grown, gives birth to death. God is more powerful than the enemy and can guide us through any temptation we face.

Remember, satan is deceitful and will do everything in his power to destroy you emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually. Its so easy to slip deeper into temptation and brokenness. Before you know it, you are completely separated from God. We must break free from temptations chains and trust the bigger plan God has for our lives. We have a greater weapon to use against satan. We have Jesus, who is always on our side. There is no temptation He cant help us through.
Suicide is one of the top causes of death in the United States. On average, there are 130 suicides per day and close to 1.4 million estimated suicide attempts per year, according to the American Founder for Suicide Prevention. While suicide rates are higher among adults ages 45 to 54 years, children and young adults are not immune. Christians are also not immune to suicide and thoughts of it. Often, the people contemplating suicide are the ones you would least expect. Alia Joy is one of those people. In a piece published on Christianity Today, Alia shared her experience with suicide and how it changed her life.

Alia grew up with missionary parents who wanted to make a difference in the lives of others. After they decided to pursue a life of ministry during Alia's early years, she was diagnosed with Leukemia, which left her family struggling a great deal financially. While she presented well on the outside, she was breaking down on the inside. During this period of Alias life, she began to resent God.

I began to resent the ways God allowed us to suffer. I began to think God was cruel, a scare and mean God who looked the other way when we were in need, Alia said.

During this period, her parents gave her space and didnt force her to go to church. However, they actively prayed for her, that she would come to know Christ, she said.

My dad would often say, I believe God has a call on your life, Alia, But I wanted nothing to do with faith, she said. This all changed at the beginning of her junior year of high school. Her parents received another ministry job which brought them to Pahoa, Hawaii. What they didnt know was that the place the church provided for them was in unlivable conditions.

We lived in Nepal in the early 80s in a dung-style hut, so wed never be accused of being high maintenance, but this was ridiculous, Alia said. The ministry agreed to pay half the rent for livable accommodations. But even a month after we moved in, we had no furniture and couldnt afford to get any now that we had to pay partial rent. We had two lawn chairs in the living room and a futon pad on the ground. Despite our situation, my parents decided to stay and see what God would provide for us.

She felt like she was in hell and didnt understand why she was enduring so much.

Reconciling these years of poverty and pain with a loving and merciful God seemed impossible. I could not believe in a God who continually abandoned us. I hurt everywhere. I fit nowhere. Home wasnt a place I could feel, she said.

She had no clue that she would meet God on one of the most desperate nights of her life. After it rained for 42 nights straight, she started contemplating suicide.

I had no transportation, no license, and no hopes of getting one anytime soon. I was miles away from civilization and as sober as Id ever been, she said. That night, with tears n eyes, she began to run through the medicine cabinets and drawers for something to take the pain away. She wanted the voices inside her head to stop and the shadows to disappear.

Her hand was shaking when she pulled out a disposable razor. She had thought about suicide before but had never come so close. It was at this moment that she cried out to God.

In that moment of desperation, I cried out to God, I never asked to be born! I never asked for any of this, she said. She never expected God to answer her. Yet, He did. He placed a spirit of calm over Alia that she had never experienced before.

I found myself silenced, barefoot and open-palmed, splayed like an offering across the floor, she said. I was ready to take my own life and instead found myself laid out by Godphysically knocked to the floor and flooded with a peace that to this day, I cannot fully describe. I felt the resuscitation of grace.

Alias life is still no walk in the park. She still struggles with bipolar disorder and takes antidepressants to get through each day. Yet, she is now aware of the presence of God and His infinite grace that passes all understanding. God still meets her in the darkness, and she is forever changed by that night.

You may have a story like Alias or know someone who has been through something similar. You likely know someone who has committed suicide, if not a close family member or loved one, but also a friend. If so, you are not alone. Thankfully, as Alia recognized, our Heavenly Father is a God of grace.

God knows our hearts. He also knows the pains that we are afflicted with.

These problems can include depression, stress, anxiety, addiction and mental illness, among other things. Each of these factors can be difficult to process. Often, those who are contemplating or have committed suicide have been dealing with these issues secretly. Often, its difficult to understand the depth of someones struggle. We must be sensitive to the needs of others, especially when they are struggling. As Christians, we are called to love. Sometimes, just being a person who embodies love can help someone in crisis.

If you have ever contemplated suicide, know that there is hope through Jesus Christ. He can save you from the battles you are facing. Getting through this battle will require the kind of strength that can only come from Jesus. Turn to Him. God is ready to welcome you with open arms.
Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassins government on Thursday announced a vote of confidence for Sept. 7, after Malaysias king reportedly urged him to hold one next week.

Communications and Multimedia Minister Saifuddin Abdullah announced the date for the first such vote that could seal the fate of Muhyiddins unelected 17-month-old government. But the minister did not comment on reports that the monarch had urged a vote for some time during the third week of August.

For now, that is the date and a notice has been issued by the Dewan Rakyat [lower house] Speaker Azhar Azizan Harun for it to be held on Sept. 7, Saifuddin told a virtual press conference.

Muhyiddin is cognizant of the importance of the vote, and he also understands that there are people who want this vote to be held earlier than September. As far as Im concerned, the official date is still Sept. 7, the minister said.

When asked whether the cabinet on Wednesday had discussed the possibility of a confidence vote earlier than September, Saifuddin said there are many possibilities in politics, however the official date is Sept. 7.

Almost all opposition parties have said Muhyiddin should resign or call an emergency parliamentary session to hold a confidence vote because the king on July 29 had reprimanded the PMs government for allegedly misleading the legislature.

Muhyiddins tenuous grip on power weakened further on Aug. 3 after the United Malays National Organization  the largest party in the ruling coalition  claimed that enough of its lawmakers had withdrawn support to force him from power.

On Wednesday, some local media groups reported that King Al-Sultan Abdullah Riayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah had that day urged Muhyiddin to hold a confidence vote ahead of the regular parliamentary session, which is set to begin Sept. 6.

Parliament is proper place to test confidence

Meanwhile, a source in parliament  who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter  said the palace had sent a letter to the lower house speaker this week asking how many MPs supported Muhyiddin.

The letter came after the PM had told the king last week that he had majority support and would prove it in parliament.

Malaysias parliament has 222 seats, two of which are vacant following the deaths of MPs. Muhyiddin needs the support of a simple majority of lawmakers  112  to retain power.

Muhyiddin had commanded the support of 114 lawmakers before UMNO said some of its MPs had withdrawn support to him.

UMNO had said 12 of its MPs had pulled support from Muhyiddin, while the king last week told the PM eight had withdrawn their backing. Since then, two additional UMNO lawmakers have withdrawn support for Muhyiddin.

That brings the number of MPs supporting the PM to 104, but only based on public declarations by UMNO lawmakers. The situation could change by the time the confidence vote rolls around.

Gopal Sri Ram, a former federal judge, said lawmakers statements expressing or withdrawing support for leader must be done in Parliament.

Such statements have no effect in constitutional law. The floor of the Dewan Rakyat [House of Representatives] is the proper place to test the confidence, he told state news agency Bernama.

You see, even if 30 or 40 people [are] making statements outside the Dewan [house], it amounts to nothing.

Confidence motion for PM is normal

For his part, Muhyiddin said he was not worried about the confidence vote, Bernama reported.

The confidence motion for the prime minister is normal in Parliament, but what should be considered is the countrys current situation and problems, he told reporters while on a visit to Johor state.

Can the country handle more problems should there be a change [of government] or political chaos? Im not anticipating that  but it may affect the national recovery plan and other efforts such as the vaccination program.

The PM was referring to Malaysia being in the throes of a huge rise in COVID-19 infections.

Malaysians meanwhile are fed up with politicians maneuverings amid the public health crisis. Many are particularly angry with Muhyiddins government for what they say is its mismanagement of the pandemic and lopsided priorities, which include clinging to power.

The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0), a local grassroots watchdog, foresees only more political shenanigans until the confidence vote next month.

The group said last week that a delay in the vote could lead to parties offering MPs backdoor enticements and concessions for support during the confidence vote.

As a local dailys headline said  referring to an unnamed opposition members comment that a certain coalition was aggressively pursuing lawmakers  MP shopping spree is on.

Hadi Azmi in Kuala Lumpur contributed to this report.
Maria Ressa, chief executive of the online Philippine news site Rappler, walks out of the Court of Tax Appeals in Quezon City after attending a hearing involving a case against her on charges of tax evasion, Sept. 21, 2020.

A Philippine court has dismissed a cyber-libel case against Maria Ressa, chief editor of the embattled online news outlet Rappler, and one of its reporters after the plaintiff withdrew his lawsuit, their lawyer said Thursday.

The case was the last of three cyber-libel cases and the second to be dismissed against Ressa, but she faces a slew of other Philippine court cases. Rappler has built a reputation for its hard-hitting coverage of the governments policies, particularly the Duterte administrations war on illegal drugs.

The cases leveled against Rappler are widely viewed as a litmus test for the future of press freedom in the Philippines.

Ariel Pineda, formerly a professor at Manilas College of Saint Benilde, was the plaintiff in the libel case against Ressa and Rappler reporter Rambo Talabong that was dismissed on Tuesday, said Theodore Te, the attorney representing the respondents.

Pineda sued the pair over a Rappler report which, he said, had unfairly reported allegations that he took money from students in exchange for giving then passing marks on their theses.

The Regional Trial Court of Manila, Branch 24 issued an order in open session last Aug. 10 dismissing the case with prejudice against Rambo Talabong and Maria Ressa after the complainant  submitted an affidavit of desistance, which he affirmed in open court, Te said in a statement to journalists.

Mr. Pineda stated that the filing of the case arose out of a misappreciation of facts and that he was no longer interested in pursuing the case against both Mr. Talabong and Ms. Ressa.

Suit filed in December 2020

Pineda sued the two for cyber libel in December 2020, claiming the report was false, malicious, and derogatory.

The school probed the allegations against Pineda, but later cleared him of any wrongdoing.

Talabong had earlier said Pineda did not respond to his queries when he was working on the story, and that he informed the professor before Rappler ran the report.

To resolve the case, Pineda and the journalists agreed to update the story with information that was obtained after the case was filed, Te said Thursday.

Lawyers for Pineda were not immediately available for comment Thursday, and neither were court officials.

Last year, Ressa was convicted in the first cyber-libel case brought against her. She is out on bail as she appeals the verdict.

If her appeal fails, Ressa could go to prison along with former Rappler reporter Reynaldo Santos Jr. The case stemmed from a report that was published even before the Philippines passed its cyber-libel law.

Rights groups and media advocates have accused President Rodrigo Dutertes government of using libel and cyber libel laws to suppress free speech.

That the case was even filed against both Mr. Talabong and Ms. Ressa at the level of the investigating prosecutor  spotlights the danger to press freedom and freedom of expression that criminal cyber libel poses, Te said.

A second cyber-libel case against Ressa was dismissed in June 2021 after her accuser withdrew the charges.

On Thursday, the Rappler journalists welcomed the latest dismissal and called for the decriminalization of libel, particularly cyber libel. They said the law was being used as a weapon to discourage critical reporting.

Another criminal case against me and our reporter has been dropped. Its a temporary relief, but the ongoing campaign of harassment and intimidation against me and Rappler continues, Ressa said in a statement on Thursday.

These ridiculous cases remind us all of the importance of independent journalism holding power to account. Now we at Rappler can focus on what we do best  journalism, she said.

Ressa faces seven other active court cases involving Rapplers funding structure and its alleged tax arrears. The independent news company insists that all its funding is legal and above-board, and it is current with its taxes.

Two down, seven to go. The cases against Maria have been piling up for years, each one as baseless as the other. It is a vindication to see a Philippine court dismiss this latest libel case with prejudice, and by doing so restore faith in the rule of law, said attorney Amal Clooney, who is part of Ressas international legal team.

Lets hope that this sets a precedent for judges protecting freedom of the press in other cases as well, she said.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the health department on Thursday to respond to an audit report that flagged the agency for deficiencies involving funds for combatting COVID-19.

The Commission on Audit, in its 2020 audit of the Department of Health released Wednesday, pointed to deficiencies linked with billions in Philippines pesos earmarked for the nations battle against the pandemic. The commission (COA) is an independent body established under the Philippine constitution.

Various deficiencies involving some [67.32 billion pesos (U.S. $1.33 billion)] worth of public funds and intended for national efforts of combatting the unprecedented scale of the COVID-19 crisis were noted, the commission said in is audit report.

These deficiencies contributed to the challenges encountered and missed opportunities by the DOH during the state of calamity/national emergency, and casted doubts on the regularity of related transactions.

The audit did not specify what the deficiencies were.

Instead of being utilized to support and boost the countrys pandemic response, the funds either remained idle or were not properly and immediately used for their purpose, Sen. Grace Poe, who chairs the Senate Public Services Committee, said in a resolution she filed on Thursday to launch an inquiry into the health departments funds. Inefficiencies in the midst of a health crisis make our people bear the brunt.

These funds were provided to strengthen the agencys health resources in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the implementation deficiencies denied our countrymen their right to health at a time when it is most needed, she said.

The commission published its report as Health Secretary Francisco Duque III faced criticism over alleged irregularities tied to his departments handling of the pandemic.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said Duterte would withhold judgment until Duque officially replies to the audit and the audit commission issues its final report.

[T]he instruction of the president is for DOH to carefully answer the observation of the COA, Roque told reporters on Thursday.

The commission is a constitutional body whose job is really to safeguard government funds, he said. There are no sacred cows in this administration.

On Wednesday, Duque said his agency would officially reply to auditors in due time.

The 67.3 billion pesos are accounted for, he said in a statement. No monies were lost to corruption and these funds were earmarked for our fellow citizens.

We take our COA findings very seriously and have been working to further improve our processes and controls so that we can serve the public most effectively especially during this pandemic, Duque said.

In June, Sen. Manny Pacquiao, the former president of Dutertes political party who is considering a presidential run next year, publicly accused Duque of anomalies in acquiring medical equipment including rapid-test kits, masks and personal protective equipment to fight the coronavirus.

At least three other senators have called for an investigation into the health department.

On Thursday, the agency reported more than 12,400 coronavirus infections and 165 deaths, pushing cumulative infections past 1.7 million and deaths to more than 29,500 since the pandemic began.

Luis Liwanag and Basilio Sepe in Manila and Jeoffrey Maitem in Cotabato City, Philippines, contributed to this report.
Real estate heir Robert Durst testified at his murder trial that he has changed his mind many times, but has concluded that he didn't actually see his wife step onto a commuter train the night she disappeared in 1982
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A Bennington Superior Court on Wednesday refused to accept an agreed-to plea deal that would have resulted in the release of a Pownal man accused of pointing a shotgun at a Vermont state trooper. Bernard Rougeau, 50, is pictured above on the right in this file photo from a video court hearing.
A group of activists blocked the entrance to a Raytheon plant in Rhode Island to protest what they allege is the companys role in the killing of civilians and other rights abuses
This week, NatureWatch columnist Thom Smith answers questions about the nesting habits of American robins, monarch caterpillars, dragonflies and updates us on the status of the disease killing off birds that visit our feeders.
In this Jan. 8, 2015, file photo, former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown greets people on the floor of the House Chamber at the Statehouse in Boston. About seven months after taking a job as president and dean of New England Law School in Boston and declaring himself "disgusted with politics," the former state and U.S. senator has resigned from his job in academia to get back into politics.
State Auditor Suzanne M. Bump's office is recommending that the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts do a better job on the tracking its furniture and equipment.
The proposals range from questions related to protecting whales and bringing back happy hours to a measure that would require voters to produce IDs at polling locations and regulate what educators can teach in schools.
Sheri Biasin, 61, holds a photograph from 1967 of herself at age 7 with her father at her childhood home in West Stockbridge, on the day of her first Communion. Just hours after the photograph was taken, that little girls life changed forever, Biasin said. That day, Biasin was subjected to the first of what would become a yearslong pattern of sexual abuse by the priest who delivered her Communion.
The unit is equipped with the advanced fourth-generation Da Vinci Surgical System-Xi

Apollo Proton Cancer Centre (APCC) has launched a state-of-the-art dedicated robot-assisted cancer surgery unit. The robot-assisted cancer surgery unit will offer patients with comprehensive cancer care under one roof. The unit is equipped with the advanced fourth-generation Da Vinci Surgical System-Xi and a dedicated team of clinicians.



APCC offers specialised 360-degree care with the most advanced robotics system for complex surgeries. The robotic arms with EndoWrists have a 360+270 degree manoeuvrability which is unmatched by the human hand. The advancement improves recovery from major operations, reduces instances of infections, increases the precision of surgery and reduces the patients length of stay at the facility.



The robot helps replicate the surgeons hand movements while minimising hand tremors. The surgery is thus conducted with enhanced precision, dexterity, and control even during the most complex procedures. The technology provides the surgeon with a 10x magnified, high definition, the 3D image of the body's intricate anatomy.

The controls in the console allow the surgeon to manipulate special surgical instruments that are smaller, as well as more flexible and manoeuvrable than the human hand. The surgeon is thus in complete control of the surgical procedure.



Dr Prathap C Reddy, Chairman Apollo Hospitals, said, The robot-assisted surgery has its advantage compared to the open or laparoscopic surgeries."






When entering a new market, brands have to do a lot of intensive research. They need to test the market thoroughly to see how their brand will perform, examine consumers' habits, assess their local competitors and decide how best to make their mark. It's never an easy journey. This process can be particularly challenging in the African market, which many brands, especially global brands, battle to access.

Image source: Clarke Sanders on Unsplash

Wavemaker's business unit director shares her top tips on working with global brands Wavemaker's business unit director, Cheryl Dube, shares five critical lessons she's learnt along the way...

Candice Robertson is the client lead, media strategist at Wavemaker South Africa.

There are an abundance of opportunities for brands to grow in Africa, but the question is: How?After working on a global FMCG brand that has a huge footprint in Africa, Ive learnt a lot about what matters when it comes to accessing the African market. One of the most important things brands need to understand, and a defining feature in how we guide our clients in this sector, is this: one size doesnt fit all. Many brands use a blanket approach when it comes to marketing and market penetration, and that isnt necessarily how you should approach working in Africa.Different markets come with different consumers, market operations and regulations, currency and exchange rates, levels of market inflation and price structures. Every market also has its own challenges, which is why its important to have a detailed understanding of the landscape. This is your first guide in deciding how and what media to use to engage with your consumers.Markets can be grouped according to the similarities in their landscapes, which might assist brands in their approach. But tailoring messaging and language to markets more specifically shows consumers that brands care about them and are not using a broad-based global message that doesnt talk to the audience.One of the biggest things that Africa lacks is data. While established markets such as Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and Mauritius have detailed insights available, markets like Mozambique, Botswana, Namibia, Angola and Swaziland have very little to no data available. In these instances, youll need to rely on what you are able to find or, even better, form a relationship with a local partner agency that understands the market, and can guide you what works and what doesnt.Working in Africa has always excited me because youre always learning something new. Its amazing how different markets compare to one another. If brands take the time to properly understand these unique landscapes, and tailor their messaging accordingly, they are likely to find long-lasting brand loyalty among their consumers in Africa.
This Friday and Saturday at Zwartkops Raceway, Charise van der Merwe will be representing Hot 102.7FM in the Pozidrive VW Challenge. Currently lying third in class B, 12th overall, and the leading woman in the championship, Van der Merwe is looking forward to mixing it up with the men this weekend.

Hot 91.9FM drives Charisse in the 2021 Pozidrive VW Challenge Hot 91.9FM is proud to announce the sponsorship of racing driver Charisse van der Merwe as she embarks on the 2021 Pozidrive VW Challenge...

Although its Womens Month, Im not expecting any chivalry or courtesy from the men this weekend, says Van der Merwe. Womens Month pays homage to strong, independent women who made a stand for the rights of all South African women in August 1956, and I intend to honour those strong South African women by giving it my absolute best.Weve had a break from competition due to the lockdown and its really going to be great to get out on the track and race again. Our team has worked hard on the car, and weve put in some good practice sessions. It all comes down to Fridays practice sessions and then race day on Saturday. I intend to make Hot 102.7FMs listeners exceptionally proud this weekend  especially the women.Lloyd Madurai, MD of Hot 102.7FM, is excited for Van der Merwes races this weekend. At Hot 102.7FM, we support strong-minded independent women and Charisses competitive spirit embodies our business ethic. Although motor-racing is male-dominated, Charisse brings an X-factor to the mix and were with her all the way to the chequered flag.There are three practice sessions on Friday and then qualifying and racing takes place on Saturday. Stay tuned to Hot 102.7FM for updates on Van der Merwe in the Hot 102.7FM car.
"The first six months of 2021 has highlighted a few green shoots for the print industry." This is according to a statement released by the Audit Bureau of Circulation of South Africa, following the release of the ABC Quarter 2 (Q2) results.

Daily newspapers

Publication Frequency Paid circulation Free circulation Total circulation % change quarter % change year Daily Nation MD, Mo-Sat 77,852 77,852 -1.2% 12.2% Daily Sun Mo-Fr 46,329 154 46,483 -9.5% Isolezwe MD, Mo-Fr 39,707 26 39,733 -0.7% Sowetan Mo-Fr 21,187 9,989 31,176 0.6% Burger, Die Daily MD, Mo-Fr 30,169 658 30,827 -3.7% Bukedde MD, Mo-Sat 29,782 29,782 -7.8% -27.6% Citizen, The (Daily) MD, Mo-Fr 22,758 6,920 29,678 -0.4% Star, The MD, Mo-Fr 14,931 12,352 27,283 0.8% Son (Daily) MD, Mo-Fr 23,665 44 23,709 -5.3% Beeld, Daily MD, Mo-Fr 22,399 1,115 23,514 -2.3% New Vision MD, Mo-Fr 19,106 19,106 -0.5% 10.2% Times of Swaziland MD, Mo-Fr 17,806 17,806 -4.6% -1.0% Business Day MD, Mo-Fr 11,850 2,677 14,527 4.1% Cape Times MD, Mo-Fr 8,926 3,130 12,056 3.6% Mercury, The MD, Mo-Fr 10,019 1,931 11,950 0.7% Herald, The MD, Mo-Fr 10,782 647 11,429 -1.9% Cape Argus MD, Mo-Fr 7,761 3,401 11,162 1.5% Daily Dispatch MD, Mo-Fr 10,667 233 10,900 0.2% Daily News MD, Mo-Fr 7,624 2,178 9,802 0.8% Taifa Leo MD, Mo-Sat 7,988 7,988 -2.2% 18.0% Witness, The MD, Mo-Fr 7,520 150 7,670 -4.5% Pretoria News MD, Mo-Fr 1,859 526 2,385 1.0% Zambia Daily Mail MD, Mo-Sat Terminated Terminated Terminated Terminated Namibian, The MD, Mo-Fr Resigned Resigned Resigned Resigned

Weekly newspapers

Publication Frequency Paid circulation Free circulation Total circulation % change quarter % change year Soccer Laduma Wkly, Wed 92,755 92,755 0.6% Ilanga 2xW, Mo&Th 43,757 43,757 -3.8% Post, The Wkly, Wed 19,323 2,249 21,572 -0.5% Mail & Guardian Wkly, Fr 10,188 2,000 12,188 0.3% Voice, The Wkly, Fr 9,860 379 10,239 -1.5% 21.4% Lesotho Times Wkly, Th 6,612 6,612 3.2% 17.8% BOTSWANA GUARDIAN Wkly, Wed 5,825 5,825 -3.4% Diamond Fields Advertiser. Wkly, Fr 5,322 30 5,352 184.1% The Midweek Sun Wkly, Wed 4,189 4,189 -19.8% Mmegi Reporter, The 4xW, Tu-Fr Terminated Terminated Terminated Terminated The Monitor (Formerly Mmegi Monitor) Wkly, Mon Terminated Terminated Terminated Terminated

Weekend newspapers

Publication Frequency Paid circulation Free circulation Total circulation % change quarter % change year Sunday Mail Wkly, Sun Terminated Terminated Terminated Terminated Sunday Times Wknd 89,768 29,696 119,464 3.7% Sunday Nation Wkly, Sun 88,056 88,056 -0.7% 0.7% Rapport Wknd 75,957 230 76,187 -6.8% Burger, Die Saturday Wkly, Sat 42,595 667 43,262 -4.2% Sunday World Wknd 28,960 3,858 32,818 1.0% Beeld, Saturday Wkly, Sat 30,003 204 30,207 -5.5% Isolezwe ngoMgqibelo Wkly, Sat 30,118 2 30,120 1.2% Isolezwe ngeSonto Wkly, Sun 25,577 4 25,581 -6.8% City Press Wknd 25,283 280 25,563 -4.5% Sunday Tribune Wkly, Sun 19,853 2,554 22,407 0.9% Ilanga Langesonto Wknd 21,224 21,224 -6.8% Independent on Saturday Wkly, Sat 12,698 2,315 15,013 1.1% Citizen, The (Saturday) Wkly, Sat 13,276 2 13,278 -9.8% Weekend Argus Wknd 9,664 3,446 13,110 1.0% Sunday Vision Wkly, Sun 12,182 12,182 2.0% 8.0% Daily Dispatch Weekend Edition (formerly Saturday Dispatch) Wknd 9,164 200 9,364 -4.3% Weekend Post Wknd 8,908 392 9,300 -7.6% Saturday Star, The Wkly, Sat 6,653 2,573 9,226 4.3% Weekend Witness Wkly, Sat 7,063 126 7,189 -3.7% Taifa Jumapili Wkly, Sun 7,042 7,042 -1.4% 5.9% Pretoria News Saturday Wkly, Sat 1,165 18 1,183 No Issue

Local newspapers

Publication Frequency Paid circulation Free circulation Total circulation % change quarter % change year Capricorn Voice Wkly, Wed Changed Sector Changed Sector Changed Sector 563100.0% African Reporter Wkly, Fr 16,075 16,075 2.1% Witbank News, Fri Wkly, Fr 11,302 11,302 34.3% George Herald (Thursday) Wkly, Th 11,025 11,025 6.0% 32.2% Middelburg Observer, Fri Wkly, Fr 10,855 10,855 37.0% Paarl Post Wkly, Th 7,171 10 7,181 -7.9% Weslander, The Wkly, Th 6,308 24 6,332 -9.2% Worcester Standard Wkly, Th 5,986 3 5,989 -8.2% Mpumalanga News Wkly, Wed 5,945 5,945 1.5% Zululand Observer Weekend (Formerly Friday) Wkly, Fr 5,651 5,651 -4.1% Mosselbay Advertiser Wkly, Fr 5,300 5,300 3.9% 20.1% Limpopo Mirror Wkly, Fr 5,038 5,038 3.5% 26.0% District Mail Wkly, Th 3,707 21 3,728 -9.0% Vaalweekblad Wkly, Th 3,607 3,607 -11.7% -28.1% Zululand Observer Monday Wkly, Mon 3,376 3,376 -3.2% Representative Wkly, Fr 2,732 2,732 -4.9% Newcastle and District Advertiser Wkly, Fr 2,460 2,460 -10.3% South Cape Forum/Suid Kaap Forum Wkly, Th 2,157 2,157 -8.6% 6.8% Knysna Plett Herald Wkly, Th 1,828 1,828 6.5% 18.2% Talk of the Town Wkly, Fr 1,756 1,756 14.7% Streeknuus Wkly, Fr 1,684 1,684 8.5% Northern Review Weekend Wkly, Fr 1,651 1,651 -10.2% Daller, Die Wkly, Fr 1,532 1,532 14.2% Bosvelder Review Wkly, Fr 1,501 1,501 -9.4% Ladysmith Gazette Wkly, Fr 1,421 1,421 3.8% Northern Natal Courier Wkly, Fr 1,372 1,372 -9.3% The Courier Wkly, Fr 1,126 1,126 0.0% 0.0% Oudtshoorn Courant Wkly, Fr 1,124 1,124 -10.2% -3.8% Graaff Reinet Advertiser Wkly, Th 1,034 1,034 -8.7% -13.6% Vryheid Herald Wkly, Fr 922 922 -9.8% Estcourt and Midlands News Wkly, Fr 617 617 10.4%

Free newspapers

Publication Frequency Total circulation % change quarter % change year Amanzimtoti Fever (formerly Uppercoast Fever) Wkly, Wed Ceased Publishing Athlone News Wkly, Wed 54,151 1.2% Atlantic Sun Wkly, Wed 30,794 2.1% Berea Mail Wkly, Fr 27,148 0.2% Bloemfontein Courant (formerly Krant) Wkly, Wed 44,889 0.0% Bloemnuus Wkly, Th 41,080 0.5% Bolander Wkly, Wed 30,461 2.2% Bonus Review Wkly, Wed 19,875 0.0% Breederivier Gazette. Wkly, Wed 11,920 -2.0% Capricorn Voice .. Q 5,354 Chatsworth Rising Sun Wkly, Tue 51,550 0.0% City Vision (Khayalitsha) Wkly, Th 50,517 19.7% City Vision (Langa/Gugulethu) Wkly, Th 32,500 0.0% City Vision (Lwandle / Nomzamo) former Kasi Vision Helderberg Wkly, Th 10,000 0.0% Constantiaberg Bulletin Wkly, Wed 31,316 2.1% Corridor Gazette F 9,800 0.0% CXpress Wkly, Wed Ceased Publishing Daily Sun On the GO - EC Wkly, Th 10,995 Daily Sun On the GO - FS Wkly, Th 7,995 Daily Sun On the GO - KZN Wkly, Th 5,995 Daily Sun On the GO - WC Wkly, Th 4,976 Die Ghaap - Kimberly Gazette F Discontinued Diepkloof Urban News Wkly, Fr 29,820 0.0% Dolphin Coast Mail Wkly, Wed Suspended East Coast Mail Wkly, Wed Suspended Eastern Cape Rising Sun Wkly, Tue No Submission Eikestadnuus. Wkly, Th 23,696 0.3% Eldorado Urban News Wkly, Fr 29,820 0.0% Express Wkly, Wed 33,970 -0.1% Eyethu Bay Watch (Formerly Baywatch) Wkly, Wed 30,062 0.0% False Bay Echo Wkly, Wed 30,879 2.1% Go & Express Wkly, Th 40,400 -4.6% Hazyview Herald F 9,795 0.0% Heidelberg/Nigel Heraut Wkly, Wed 19,285 Helderberg Gazette. Wkly, Tue 31,641 -0.1% Hermanus Times. Wkly, Wed 20,550 -0.5% Herrie Wkly, Th 12,724 Highvelder, The Wkly, Fr No Submission Highway Mail Wkly, Fr 54,243 0.3% Hillcrest Fever (formerly Forest Express) Wkly, Tue Ceased Publishing Intshonalanga Eyethu Wkly, Fr 23,780 0.0% Komani Karoo Express Mtly 29,980 0.0% Kouga Express Wkly, Th 19,961 0.0% Maluti News Wkly, Fr 2,495 0.0% Maritzburg Fever (formerly Mirror, The) Wkly, Wed Ceased Publishing Maritzburg Sun Wkly, Wed 29,956 2.9% Merebank Rising Sun Wkly, Tue 19,850 0.0% Mid South Coast Rising Sun Wkly, Tue 19,850 11.2% Msunduzi Eyethu (former Edendale) Wkly, Th 34,948 5.0% Mthatha Express Wkly, Wed 69,970 0.0% Noordkaap Bulletin Wkly, Th 35,118 0.0% North Coast Courier Wkly, Wed 29,934 0.0% North Coast Rising Sun Wkly, Wed 64,860 3.3% Northern Eyethu Mtly 15,855 0.0% Northglen News Wkly, Fr 27,559 0.2% Overport Rising Sun Wkly, Th 42,350 5.0% PE Express Wkly, Wed 119,961 0.0% People s Post Athlone Wkly, Tue 20,000 0.0% People s Post City Edition Wkly, Tue 14,000 0.0% People s Post Claremont/Rondebosch Wkly, Tue 20,000 0.0% People s Post Constantia/Wynberg Wkly, Tue 20,000 0.0% People s Post False Bay Wkly, Tue 22,000 0.0% People s Post Grassy Park Wkly, Tue 14,000 0.0% People s Post Landsdowne Wkly, Tue 18,000 0.0% People s Post Mitchells Plain Wkly, Tue 50,000 5.3% People s Post Retreat Wkly, Tue 14,000 0.0% People s Post Woodstock Wkly, Tue 14,000 0.0% Pimville Urban News Wkly, Fr 24,820 0.0% Plainsman Wkly, Wed 89,536 0.0% Polokwane Observer. Wkly, Th 29,757 -0.2% Protea Urban News Wkly, Fr 24,820 0.0% Public Eye Wkly, Th 29,952 2.3% Queensburgh News F 13,052 0.4% Rekord Central/Sentraal Wkly, Fr 18,500 0.0% Rekord Centurion Wkly, Wed 60,243 0.2% Rekord East/Oos Wkly, Tue 79,058 0.0% Rekord Mamelodi Wkly, Fr 29,950 0.0% Rekord Moot Wkly, Th 33,570 0.0% Rekord North/Noord Wkly, Th 39,999 0.0% Rekord Noweto Wkly, Fr 28,950 0.0% Rekord West News/Wes Nuus Wkly, Fr 20,200 0.0% Ridge Times Wkly, Fr No Submission Sentinel News Wkly, Wed 7,145 3.2% South Coast Sun Wkly, Fr 19,915 0.1% Southern Mail Wkly, Wed 48,853 1.4% Southern Suburbs Tatler Wkly, Wed 47,238 1.4% Southlands Sun Wkly, Fr 17,780 1.3% Soweto Express Mtly 29,900 0.0% Springs Advertiser Wkly, Wed 26,092 0.3% Standerton Advertiser. Wkly, Fr No Submission Steelburger Wkly, Th 17,700 0.0% Swartland Gazette (formerly Swartland Monitor). Wkly, Tue 19,571 2.1% Tabletalk Wkly, Wed 67,844 1.0% The Hilton Mtly 4,960 0.0% The Olifants News F 19,416 -0.2% Thembisan F 49,840 Tygerburger Bellville Wkly, Wed 19,197 0.0% Tygerburger Brackenfell Wkly, Wed 19,393 0.1% TygerBurger De Grendel Wkly, Wed 18,565 0.0% Tygerburger Durbanville Wkly, Wed 20,917 -0.1% Tygerburger Eersterivier/Blue Downs Wkly, Wed 27,995 0.0% Tygerburger Elsiesrivier Wkly, Wed 20,013 0.0% Tygerburger Goodwood Wkly, Wed 14,091 0.0% Tygerburger Kraaifontein Wkly, Wed 18,678 0.0% Tygerburger Kuilsrivier Wkly, Wed 19,337 -0.1% Tygerburger Milnerton Wkly, Wed 18,718 0.0% Tygerburger Parow Wkly, Wed 14,363 -0.1% Tygerburger Ravensmead/Belhar Wkly, Wed 20,011 0.0% Tygerburger Table View Wkly, Wed 31,484 0.0% TygerBurger Tyger Valley Wkly, Wed 17,444 -0.1% UD Express Wkly, Wed 29,975 0.0% UGU Eyethu Wkly, Wed 19,850 0.0% Umgungundlovu Eyethu (former Umngeni) F 19,960 50.2% Umlazi Eyethu Wkly, Fr 29,881 0.0% Uthukela Eyethu Wkly, Th 9,980 0.3% Village Talk Wkly, Wed 11,946 0.0% Vista Wkly, Th 35,154 0.1% Vrystaat Kroon F 12,211 -0.7% Vukani Wkly, Wed 78,056 0.8% Weskus Nuus F 14,980 0.3% Xpress Times Wkly, Wed 21,981 3.4% Ystervark Wkly, Th 7,900 0.0% Zululand Eyethu (formerly Eshowe Watch) Mtly 11,847 0.0% Maseru Metro Wkly, Th 34,649 -0.5% 330.7% Alex News F 14,810 0.0% 51.3% South Coast Fever Wkly, Th 34,938 0.0% 48.9% Randburg Sun Wkly, Th 59,558 0.3% 43.6% Sandton Chronicle Wkly, Wed 49,896 0.8% 40.9% Northcliff & Melville Times Wkly, Tue 30,226 0.4% 37.8% Rosebank Killarney Gazette Wkly, Tue 40,829 0.1% 31.5% Midrand Reporter Wkly, Th 28,115 0.3% 28.8% Germiston City News Wkly, Tue 30,255 0.0% 24.5% Boksburg Advertiser Wkly, Tue 43,500 0.1% 24.3% Coastal Weekly Wkly, Th 29,647 0.6% 23.3% Benoni City Times Wkly, Tue 38,832 0.0% 21.5% Stanger Weekly Wkly, Wed 29,272 0.0% 21.4% Brakpan Herald Wkly, Tue 18,959 -0.2% 15.4% Bedfordview & Edenvale News Wkly, Wed 44,420 0.6% 14.4% Comaro Chronicle Wkly, Wed 20,527 0.3% 12.1% Greytown Gazette Wkly, Mon 9,900 0.0% 11.2% Alberton Record Wkly, Wed 37,871 0.4% 11.2% Fourways Review Wkly, Wed 36,854 0.5% 10.8% The Springfield Weekly Gazette Wkly, Th 52,480 3.7% 8.3% Rising Sun Lenasia Wkly, Wed 29,925 0.0% 7.1% Kempton Express Wkly, Th 48,623 0.8% 6.4% Chatsworth Tabloid Wkly, Wed 52,480 0.0% 4.5% Phoenix Tabloid Wkly, Tue 55,980 0.0% 3.0% Roodepoort Northsider (FormerlyNorthside Chronicle Wkly, Th 26,926 0.5% 2.8% Kathorus Mail F 54,025 0.0% 2.1% Randfontein / Westonaria Herald. Wkly, Tue 18,444 0.1% 0.5% Ster, North Wkly, Tue 32,896 0.2% 0.3% Ethekwini Times Wkly, Fr 40,980 0.0% 0.0% Free State Sun Wkly, Th 4,750 0.0% 0.0% Inner City Gazette Wkly, Th 4,935 -0.8% 0.0% Issue, Eastern Free State Wkly, Th 21,900 0.0% 0.0% Southern Star Wkly, Fr 31,980 0.0% 0.0% The Weekly Free State Wkly, Th 4,950 0.0% 0.0% Tongaat & Verulam Tabloid (former Northern Star) Wkly, Tue 34,980 0.0% 0.0% Umlazi Times Wkly, Th 40,980 0.0% 0.0% Sedibeng Ster Wkly, Th 90,980 0.0% 0.0% Carletonville Herald. Wkly, Fr 11,970 0.0% 0.0% Ster, South Wkly, Tue 41,460 0.0% -0.1% Issue Mangaung Wkly, Wed 29,900 0.0% -0.2% Roodepoort Record Wkly, Th 46,459 -0.7% -0.2% Potchefstroom Herald. Wkly, Fr 16,938 0.0% -0.2% Parys Gazette Wkly, Fr 7,480 0.0% -0.3% Krugersdorp News Wkly, Wed 26,609 -0.1% -1.4% Taxi Times F 146,641 0.5% -2.2% Maritzburg Echo Wkly, Th 37,207 2.5% -10.7% Southern Courier Wkly, Tue 25,459 0.3% -26.3% Tame Times - Weekly Wkly, Tue 39,987 0.0% -50.0%

The Bureau cites 2020 as the print industrys annus horribilis having to content with massive lockdowns that led to plummeting circulations, drastic reductions in advertising budgets and the sad closure of many of South Africa's favourite titles.It praised the industry for being able to pivot, adjust, and make some significant changes to stay around and says these moves are paying off. "Every year, the doomsayers predict the final demise of print. But this quarter proved once again that the print media owners are an agile bunch. Always willing and looking to change, adapt and evolve to stay relevant to their readers," says Chris Botha, chairperson of the ABC.The latest ABC results show that newspaper circulations are up 1% quarter on quarter and compared to the numbers in Q4 2020  Newspapers are up 2%.The category could not capitalise on its good showing in Q1 and the Dailies that did increase over the previous quarter only showed single figure increases. The best are Business Day and Cape Times, but both only increased by less than five percent.Most of the Dailies showed a deceased on the previous quarter. However, like the increases, many of the decreases were small, except for Daily Sun which saw an almost 10% decrease on the previous quarter.The smallest category under Press saw only four out of its 11 members increase on the previous quarter. Except for the Diamond Fields Advertiser with an increase of 184.1%, all the other newspaper gains were small. The best two are Soccer Laduma and Mail & Guardian gaining 0.6% and 0.3% respectively. The biggest loser is The Midweek Sun, decreasing 19.8% on the previous quarter.Only eight of the newspapers in the category had an increase on the previous quarter. None of these increases were in double figures, with the increases ranging from 4.3% (TheSaturday Star)  which continued its gains in the previous quarter - to 0.9% (Sunday Tribune).While the remaining 14 newspapers all showed a decrease on the previous quarter (except for Sunday Mail, which has been terminated and Pretoria News (Saturday) which had no issue), these are also only slight, ranging from -9.8% (Citizen, The (Saturday)) to -0.7% (Sunday Nation), Rapport, Ilanga Langesonto and Isolezwe ngeSonto all decreased on the prior quarter by 6.8%.All three newspapers that submitted year on year data, had increase on the prior year.It was an almost good news story for this category as just under half, 14 out of 30 newspapers, showing increases on the previous quarter. The biggest came from Capricorn Voice, which has changed sectors, with a whopping 563100,0% increase.Other newspapers that had good increases are Witbank News, Fri (34.3%), Middelburg Observer, Fri (37.0%), Talk of the Town (14.7%), Daller, Die (14.2%) and Estcourt and Midlands News (10%), The Courier is stable with no increase on the prior quarter.The other 15 local newspapers all had a decrease on the prior quarter. In a reversal of fortunes, Vaalweekblad, which had double figure increases on the previous quarter in Q1, had a decrease of -11.7%. Newcastle and District Advertiser had a decrease of-10.3% and Oudtshoorn Courant and Northern Review Weekend both decreased by -10.2%.Vaalweekblad and Oudtshoorn Courant, together with Graaff Reinet Advertiser also had decreases on the prior year.In general, Free Newspapers fared better this quarter.Several Free Newspapers had very slight increases on the previous quarter ranging from 0.1% to five percent. The best showings, and the only newspapers in this category to have double figures increases, came from Umgungundlovu Eyethu (former Umngeni) that increased over the previous quarter by 50.2%, City Vision (Khayalitsha) with 19.7% and Mid South Coast Rising Sun with 11.2%.For Umgungundlovu Eyethu (former Umngeni) and City Vision (Khayalitsha) this quarter followed their double figures increases in Q1.Many free newspapers had no increase, but also no decrease. Free newspapers that submitted year on year figures showed good increases, with many in double digits. Alex News was up 51.3% on the prior year, with South Coast Fever increasing by 48.9% and Randburg Sun by 43.6%.
World Out of Home Organisation strengthens Africa initiatives

The World Out of Home Organisation (WOO) held its first Africa video conference, which was attended by nearly 30 sub-Saharan Africa participants. WOO confirmed its intention to host Africa Forum in late January 2022, which will be the third instalment of the WOO World Tour, which began in Europe in May, moved on to Asia in October, and then focused on Africa in January. The plan is for Africa Forum to be live with additional video link access for WOO members around the world.
In a Wednesday announcement, Governor Gavin Newsom (D) made official a policy already employed by several school districts, including Long Beach Unified and districts in San Francisco, Oakland and Sacramento.

Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) announces California will be the first state to require all school staff be vaccinated or tested weekly. pic.twitter.com/c5I5w2RKbR  The Recount (@therecount) August 11, 2021

As Fox5 notes, Los Angeles Unified School District - the largest in the state, and second-largest in the nation - has a slightly stricter policy in place, requiring weekly testing for all students and staff regardless of vaccination status.

Newsoms order, first reported Tuesday night by Politico and later confirmed by various media outlets, was announced by the governor during a late-morning visit to an elementary school in Alameda County. Newsom said California is the first state in the nation to implement such a sweeping requirement. The vaccination-or-testing requirement already has the support of the powerful Service Employees International Union, which represents thousands of school workers across the state. -Fox5

Newsom's latest edict won hilarious praise from the Service Employees International Group (SEIU) union, which less than two weeks ago opposed Newsom's order requiring state workers show proof of vaccination or undergo regular testing due to the 'abruptness' of notification.

"We share Governor Newsoms commitment to increasing the rate of vaccination so we can better protect the students and families we serve from sickness and death, and prevent the virus from spreading to our own families and communities, and we support public health measures such as this which are designed to do so while giving workers a choice," said SEIU California executive board member, Max Arias. "Worker-led school safety protocols have created the model for safe school reopening, and many school workers have already created similar agreements."

So - state workers: absolutely not until we can bargain over it.

Students and teachers: follow Newsom's science.

Also supportive are the state's two major teacher's unions, the California Teachers Association and the California Federation of Teachers. According to the CTA, nearly 90% of its members are already vaccinated based on a March survey.

Undoubtedly opposed to Newsom's order is the Orange County Board of Education, which announced last week that it will take legal action to challenge Newsom's statewide mask mandate in schools. In addition, a pair of parent groups have filed lawsuits in San Diego challenging Newsom's order.
Progressive Conservative MLAs were reflecting Wednesday morning, a day after Premier Brian Pallister announced he would not seek re-election to the Manitoba legislature.

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Progressive Conservative MLAs were reflecting Wednesday morning, a day after Premier Brian Pallister announced he would not seek re-election to the Manitoba legislature.

The Sun spoke with several Tory MLAs and cabinet ministers outside the Keystone Centres Dome Building, where the PC caucus held a retreat this week.

Legislative and Public Affairs Minister Kelvin Goertzen said the past year has been challenging for everyone in elected office, including Pallister.

"I know hes worked hard in almost an impossible situation during the pandemic, and I know its taken a toll on him and on his family. I think everyone really wishes him well as he now transitions into post-pandemic life," he said.

Pallisters announcement came after winning back-to-back majority governments in the 2016 and 2019 provincial elections. He ended his political career after serving as the leader of the Progressive Conservatives since 2012.

The caucus gave the premier a standing ovation when he made the announcement, Goertzen said.

"A lot of people were emotional to hear the decision  I think everybody understands how difficult the last year and a half, in particular, have been, but then how difficult political life generally is, there is that respect."

Riding Mountain MLA Greg Nesbitt said he has nothing but respect for Pallister and appreciates the work he has done as premier.

It was a tough decision for Pallister, Education Minister Cliff Cullen said, and the partys 36 MLAs respect his work for Manitoba.

Brandon East MLA Len Isleifson wasnt in attendance when Pallister made the announcement and said by phone he was "a little shocked" it came as early as it did.

"Its (Pallisters) choice to make  him and his family  and I certainly respect that and look forward to things coming up," he said.

Pallister had been criticized in the previous weeks for his comments in the wake of Canada Day protests in Winnipeg and for loosening public health restrictions, but Isleifson said he was unaware of any calls from within the party for him to step down.

TIM SMITH/THE BRANDON SUN Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister announces that he won't be seeking re-election during a speech outside the Dome Building on Tuesday.

"Weve had a really strong, cohesive team since 2016 and everybody has gotten along  we always agree that at the end of it all were a team," he said.

While the Progressive Conservatives plan for Pallisters absence, the Manitoba NDP is calling on the governing party to withdraw several bills currently before the legislature  including Bill 64, the Education Modernization Act.

NDP Leader Wab Kinew said the bills are all part of Pallisters legislative agenda, and a new PC leader could have a different perspective.

"It doesnt make sense to pursue the legislative agenda of a lame-duck premier, and with Mr. Pallister tapping out we should kill his bills," Kinew said.

"Lets move on, lets change the conversation."

Kinew said the Progressive Conservative party was about to enter a rebranding phase, in reference to a future leadership convention, but the party is still responsible for Pallisters work as premier.

"Even though were in this period where the PCs will try to distance themselves from Mr. Pallister and his legacy, lets remember that those pandemic mistakes were made by many members of the PC party and they were endorsed by all of them."

None of the MLAs the Sun spoke to on Wednesday confirmed their intention to seek the partys leadership. Only Goertzen ruled it out entirely, saying his interest is helping the party in a time of transition.

Cullen said it was "pretty early" to make a decision about running.

"Well have those conversations. I think the next few days are really about reflecting on the premier  the next few days are about saying thanks to the premier," he said.

Isleifson said a number of people have encouraged him to enter the leadership race once Pallister leaves, but hes not in a position to make a decision.

"It always creates opportunity. We always have a good opportunity to sit back and say, What do we need to do to move forward? And this is just one of those opportunities."

 dmay@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @DrewMay_
WAYWAYSEECAPPO FIRST NATION  A Westman First Nation received an apology on Wednesday that was owed to them for 140 years.

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WAYWAYSEECAPPO FIRST NATION  A Westman First Nation received an apology on Wednesday that was owed to them for 140 years.

Federal Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett told an assembled crowd at Waywayseecappo First Nations powwow arbour that Canadas seizure and sale of 21,013 acres of the nations land in 1881 was an historic injustice.

It was the final step of a process that also saw the First Nation approximately 150 kilometres northwest of Brandon compensated with a $287-million settlement.

The community was also given five acres of land just north of Brandon, where Waywayseecappo has operated a gas station on an urban reserve since July 2020.

In July 2019, members of the First Nation voted overwhelmingly in favour of accepting the settlement, with 854 votes in favour, 45 against and 23 spoiled ballots.

The accompanying apology was meant to happen earlier, but the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the in-person event.

COLIN SLARK/THE BRANDON SUN Federal Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett speaks with guests before a ceremony at Waywayseecappo First Nation on Wednesday.

The importance of a visit by someone of Bennetts stature to Waywayseecappos powwow arbour was not lost on Chief Murray Clearsky, who said he couldnt remember a visit by a high-ranking member of government since John Diefenbaker visited when he was prime minister.

After a musical performance by drumming group Blue Sky and an introductory blessing and prayer from elders Sidney Longclaws and Georgeline Beaulieu, there were speeches from Clearsky, Waywayseecappos councillors, former Assembly of First Nations national chief Phil Fontaine, Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Arlen Dumas, Southern Chiefs Organization Grand Chief Jerry Daniels and AFN Regional Chief Cindy Woodhouse.

"One hundred and forty years ago, the Government of Canada took land from your nation and sold it," Bennett said. "The Waywayseecappo peoples land was unfairly taken from them with no compensation in return. To advance reconciliation and build new relationships with Indigenous people, we must acknowledge mistakes and harms committed in the past.

"Today, we are announcing that we have reached a settlement and agreement to settle the 1881 surrender specific claims. This settlement acknowledges the wrongs of the past and provides $287.5 million in compensation. This is the largest settlement agreement in Manitoba."

lked about the difficult process of seeing the land claim through after work started in 1991.

"Its been a long struggle," he said. "Weve been after this since 91 ... Theres a lot of lawyers that we paid to get to where we are today. It wasnt just given to us because we said we had a claim. There was a lot of doubt that it would ever happen. But the good lord and the elders helped us to get where we are today. Today, let us appreciate the success of what has been accomplished on behalf of all of us.

"Its been a tough journey, but yet we did it."

Former Assembly of First Nations national chief Phil Fontaine (centre) is gifted an eagle feather and blanket by Waywayseecappo First Nation as Chief Murray Clearsky (left) shakes his hand and Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Arlen Dumas (right) looks on after a ceremony on Wednesday.

He thanked members of the community and legal staff for their hard work in researching and pursuing the claim  Fontaine for acting as lead negotiator for the First Nation during the recent settlement process and former Supreme Court of Canada Justice Frank Iacobucci, who acted as mediator.

He also used the occasion to commemorate the elders who kept the knowledge of the land seizure alive and worked on the land claim but who died before their work came to fruition.

"Its significant in terms of the way it was done in terms of negotiation and being at the table together," Bennett told the Sun after the ceremony. "But also, as you can see by the presence of the regional chief of the AFN, the two grand chiefs, this is significant I think to all of the First Nations leadership here in Manitoba."

Since Waywayseecappos journey to get this settlement took 30 years, Bennett was asked if her government would speed up the process for future land claims.

"We got to the table really just two and a half years ago," Bennett said. "It was done very quickly once you move from that adversarial relationship to an understanding that harm was done, were sorry and that we want to make sure that things are put in place to right those wrongs. I think that becomes hugely important as we deal with so many other agreements that weve been able to sign throughout COVID."

Clearsky thanked the current federal government for sitting down with his First Nation instead of leaving the matter hanging.

"We are the first First Nation to ever negotiate our own claim," Clearsky said. "Thanks to the Liberal government for that."

COLIN SLARK/THE BRANDON SUN Members of Blue Sky sing and drum at Waywayseecappo First Nation's powwow arbour on Wednesday.

Wednesdays event, however, did not signal an end to Waywayseecappos work on land claims. Clearsky told the Sun that his First Nation is working on three more claims.

South of the Waywayseecappo reserve, Clearsky said land was taken from his people to create the Birtle Indian Residential School, which operated between 1889 and 1975.

East of the reserve, theres a fishing station where Waywayseecappo residents traditionally fished that still bears their name. Clearsky said there are burial sites there for people from Waywayseecappo.

In Riding Mountain National Park to the north, there is an open prairie where Indigenous people in the area used to camp, hunt and collect traditional medicines.

In the last case, Clearsky said a coalition of seven First Nations that surround the national park is working together to get access to that land with a meeting between those chiefs and representatives of the park scheduled for late next week.

As for what the settlement money will be used for, Clearsky said he hopes to build a high school in the community that will also serve other nearby communities. The chief hinted that the desire to build a high school stems from concerns over Bill 64, which will eliminate the provinces school boards.

He also said that every man, woman and child received a payout of approximately $10,000.

The visiting dignitaries were given gifts of blankets and moccasins after the ceremony. Bennett told Clearsky that the First Nation would be given an artisanal maple bowl to symbolize its relationship with Canada.

 cslark@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @ColinSlark
What would we do if we were in their shoes?

What would we do if we were in their shoes?

I asked myself that question as I drove past the elementary school my children attended many years ago. What would my wife and I have done if we encountered a situation back then that parents of young children all over the province are facing right now?

This is a terrifying time to be a parent of children under 12. They are still ineligible for vaccination against COVID-19 and the Delta variant of the virus is sweeping across North America with growing velocity. At a time of rising risk for kids, too many adults remain unvaccinated, and too few are wearing masks.

Pediatric intensive care spaces in many jurisdictions are full beyond capacity, jammed with COVID-infected children struggling to survive. The sight of them  many still in diapers  connected to ventilators is heartbreaking.

Despite the danger of a fourth COVID wave hitting our province in the next few weeks, Manitobas latest public health orders water down measures that have protected kids from COVID-19. In the case of schools, mandatory mask requirements and other protective measures have either been downgraded to "strong recommendations" or eliminated entirely.

Ventilation upgrades that would reduce the spread of the virus have not been done in the vast majority of schools. Even worse, there is still no requirement that teachers, staff and vaccine-eligible students be vaccinated.

With Manitoba schools due to reopen in a few weeks, parents of children not yet eligible for vaccination have a tough decision to make.

I know what I would do  I would keep my kids home for the time being and have them do their school work remotely.

I would not put them in a school where every reasonable measure is not being taken to shield them from COVID-19. I would not put them in proximity to adults who are neither obligated to be vaccinated nor verified as having been vaccinated.

I suspect that many parents across the province have either come to the same decision, or will do so in the coming days.

This leads to an obvious question that we should all be asking: If the province and our chief medical officer arent doing everything possible to protect Manitobas children, why arent others stepping up to fill the gaps?

In their opposition to Bill 64, school board trustees and superintendents across the province argue that local school boards are necessary to protect students from bad decisions made by provincial officials in Winnipeg. They have a golden opportunity to prove that argument.

If schools and school boards can enforce dress codes, they can adopt and enforce a mask mandate. There is nothing preventing them from following social distancing "fundamentals" in schools, nor from ensuring that unvaccinated teachers and staff are kept away from kids under 12.

This past spring, when vaccine eligibility was based on citizens vulnerability, the Manitoba Teachers Society complained that teachers should be at the front of the vaccination line. Weeks later, they are calling for mandatory masks in schools, but are silent on whether teachers who come into contact with students must be vaccinated.

There is nothing stopping the MTS from reassuring parents that their childrens teachers are vaccinated, with proof in the form of vaccination cards. Their failure to do so invites the inference, perhaps inaccurately, that a number of teachers are still not vaccinated. If that is the case, parents deserve to know.

Local governments have vast powers regarding land use, including the ability to set building safety and occupancy rules. They could impose masking requirements, social distancing measures and occupancy limits for places where children gather. Instead, they have left it up to the province.

The common thread with each of those organizations is that they have the ability to make schools safer for children and staff. At a time when the province appears determined to doing less to protect students from COVID-19, those organizations could  and should  be doing more.

With both the school year and the Delta variant quickly approaching, the clock is ticking.

 Deveryn Ross is a political commentator living in Brandon. He is the former deputy chief of staff of the Manitoba government Executive Council.
Telstra, AMP, and QBE joined in the earnings bonanza to offset a sell-down in Commonwealth Bank and Rio Tinto stocks, as the Australian sharemarket reset its record high for the sixth time in seven sessions.

Losses for mega-caps Rio, CBA and biotech CSL kept the benchmark S&P/ASX200 subdued on Thursday afternoon, but a slew of strong profit reports eventually helped the index close 0.1 per higher at a new record peak of 7588.2.

EY partner and investment banking veteran Duncan Hogg said profit season continued to meet the markets lofty expectations, with cash-rich companies rewarding shareholders with dividend hikes and share buybacks.

The ASX continued to hit record highs this week. Credit:Louise Kennerley

This was the case at telco giant Telstra, which was trading at four-year highs after reporting an improved $1.9 billion net profit and a $1.4 billion share buyback scheme, as well as plans to hold its 16 dividend steady.

The $45 billion Telstra rose 3.7 per cent to $3.97 and got to a peak of $4 for the first time since 2017.

QBE rose 8.1 per cent to $12.51 as it swung to profit and hiked its dividend, while Downer EDI shares gained 4.2 per cent after the engineering group recorded a full-year profit of its own, and re-introduced its final dividend for the year.

Fallen financial giant AMP gained 3.2 per cent to $1.115 even after reporting a profit slip and withholding a payout, as management spruiked better times ahead.

Mr Hogg said the sentiment was certainly one of wanting to see positive results, with a steep selloff waiting for any company that fails to meet heightened expectations.

If anyone does come out with anything that does underperform there is no doubt that the share price will reflect that soon thereafter, Mr Hogg said.

There is that expectation that were all looking beyond COVID, despite the fact that theres a larger proportion of the Australian population now in lockdown.

Earning the wrath of investors was energy giant AGL, which fell by 5.5 per cent to a new low of $7.18 on an extremely challenging set of numbers.

The firm fell to a $2.06 billion loss and trimmed its dividend as the rapid rise of renewable energy continues to sap the companys profits.

The ex-dividend Rio Tinto lost 6.9 per cent to close at $120.26 and CBA retreated from Wednesdays record high with a 2.1 per cent loss to $105.88.

Elsewhere, Wesfarmers and Macquarie Group set new all-time peaks, while Woolworths was at its highest since it demerged the Endeavour Group.

This helped offset losses for Goodman Group, ResMed, Afterpay and Xero.
Gianluigi Gelmetti, former chief conductor and artistic director of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, has died in Monte Carlo. He was 75.

Maestro Gelmetti, at the Opera House in 2008. Credit:Marco Del Grande

Gelmetti began working with the SSO as guest conductor in 1993, before taking the baton from Edo de Waart in 2004. His tenure lasted five years, after which he was succeeded by Vladimir Ashkenazy.

SSO chief executive Emma Dunch said Gelmetti would be fondly remembered.

A true artist, Maestro Gelmetti was celebrated across the globe for his prodigious skill and great passion for music, she added. We are honoured to have shared the stage with such a phenomenal musician.
Billionaire Clive Palmer has railed against the COVID-19 vaccine rollout but refused to reveal whether he has had the jab himself, or intended to get it, in a lengthy rant on Perth radio.

Mr Palmer spouted selective statistics and discredited theories about the jab on 6PRs Mornings program with Liam Bartlett but said he would not bring his own personal health into the debate.

Clive Palmer has threatened legal action against the COVID vaccine rollout but wont reveal whether he has had the jab himself. Credit:Getty

Well, I wont say what my position is because everyones medical records should be kept as a private thing, he said. It shouldnt be an issue for public debate about individual health.

Asked whether he would get the jab if a vaccine passport was required for business travel, Mr Palmer said he wouldnt change his views for any amount of money.
Last month we detailed the unhappy story of Australian fashion darlings Tamara Ralph and her former partner in business and in life, Michael Russo. Their lauded British haute couture company, Ralph & Russo, which clothed everyone from Kylie Minogue to Gina Rinehart to Meghan Markle, plunged into administration in March and was recently sold to US investment firm Retail Ecommerce Ventures.

Company administrators are suing Ralph in the UKs High Court alleging the pair misused millions in company funds on luxury accommodation, business-class flights, pet care, a Rolls-Royce and even baby furniture.

Michael Russo and Tamara Ralph pictured in Paris in 2015. Credit:Reuters

Now Ralph has filed her defence, denying the claim, and dished details on her former partner that would make the average dedicated follower of fashion blanch.

She claims Russo, who was dismissed from the company last October over allegations of gross misconduct, waged a campaign of abuse, discrimination, harassment, and bullying when she tried to stop him spending vast sums of company money.
A growing COVID-19 outbreak has forced a Sydney school for children with autism spectrum disorder to shut its doors, with 18 cases linked to the cluster.

Health authorities say three staff members and seven students at Giant Steps special education school in Gladesville have tested positive to COVID-19, as well as eight family members.

Autism Awareness Australia chief executive Nicole Rogerson has spoken to a number of devastated parents at the school, with hundreds of children and family members now in isolation.

A dozen students at Giant Steps school have tested positive for COVID-19 Credit:Google Maps

There is an entire school community that includes both people with autism and their parents and staff that are desperately worried about what is already a difficult situation, and now they have COVID-19 in their community, she said.
The Catholic school sector has asked Premier Gladys Berejiklian to organise mass vaccination days for teachers at state hubs, saying it could help schools prepare safely for a potential return of students in term four.

The call comes as the head of the NSW Department of Education - which runs public schools and employs almost 70,000 teachers - said she had no way of knowing how many of her staff have been vaccinated.

The NSW Teachers Federation wants the government to develop a vaccination strategy not only for teachers but for eligible high school students, saying significant numbers of young people were falling ill with COVID-19 in Sydney.

Year 12 students begin to get their Pfizer vaccinations at the hub at Homebush Credit:Dean Lewins

As the Premier links vaccination rates to the lifting of restrictions in the wider community, schools remain a blind spot for authorities due to the departments inability to get centralised information on the inoculation status of its employees.
Early work on a cheap and easy technique to predict which COVID-19 patients will develop severe symptoms has shown promise, with researchers hoping it can eventually help overwhelmed hospitals prioritise cases.

The pilot study, led by researchers from QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute and the Indian Institute of Technology in Mumbai, showed that infrared scanning of blood samples can give triage health teams a clue about who is at risk of developing severe COVID-19 symptoms.

Associate Professor Michelle Hill is the head of QIMR Berghofers Precision and Systems Biomedicine Group.

The infrared scanner measures the levels of different chemical groups in a sample.

The team developed an algorithm to work out which chemical signatures corresponded to patients who became very unwell from the virus.
Queensland has announced the ACT will become a hotspot and will close its borders to the territory from this weekend.

The ACT on Thursday announced a seven-day lockdown as a COVID-19 case emerged.

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the case was the most serious public health risk the territory had faced this year.

Health authorities have warned the COVID-19-positive man had spent extensive time in the community since Sunday morning when he was infectious.
Vaccine hesitancy among Queenslanders has fallen to its lowest rate all year on the back of the Delta threat still swirling in Brisbanes suburbs.

Until now, Queensland has been the most vaccine hesitant state for almost all of 2021, peaking at 43 per cent of in early May amid the fresh panic about ultra-rare blood clots associated with the AstraZeneca vaccine.

In the latest batch of surveys from the Melbourne Institute, which sits within the University of Melbourne, 26 per cent of Queenslanders, mostly from urban regions, were either unwilling to be vaccinated or still unsure. This was down from 31 per cent in the previous survey period to July 23.

NSW, grappling the nations worst outbreak of the Delta variant, was the least vaccine hesitant state (17 per cent), followed by Western Australia (21 per cent) and Victoria (24 per cent).
Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins has stressed the need for the Morrison government to impose an onus on employers to prevent sexual harassment, saying this had existed in Victoria for a decade without any adverse impact on business.

Ms Jenkins has recommended amending the Sex Discrimination Act to impose a positive duty on all employers to take reasonable measures to eliminate sexual harassment and sex discrimination.

Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins. Credit:Arsineh Houspian

She said this would oblige employers to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace rather than rely on complaints from victims.

The Morrison government has not included this key recommendation from her landmark report on sexual harassment in the workplace in the Respect@Work Bill, which is due for debate in the Senate this week.
A man who allegedly pretended to be a health department official and made "threats of a sexual nature" towards a woman has been charged with a series of offences.

Victoria Police had been searching for Abdulfatah Awow, 25, after he allegedly went to a Burwood address on July 14. They alleged it was there he made threats of a sexual nature to the woman before she asked him to leave.

On Wednesday, too, Victoria's COVID response commander Jeroen Weimar said he was aware of an investigation into the man.

"Let me be very clear: authorised officers, when they make home visits, there are three things we should all be aware of," Mr Weimar said.

"They will always be in uniform, they will always have identification, and they will never, under any circumstances, seek entry into your home."
A Como restaurant owner who allegedly lured a woman into a Scarborough beach public toilet before he and a friend raped her has been accused of a long history of sexually predatory behaviour.

Alberto Nicoletti, 29, appeared in Perth Magistrates Court on Thursday facing 10 charges spanning over five years and involving six women.

Lago di Como owner Alberto Nicoletti who is facing sexual penetration charges. Credit:Lago Di Como Restaurant

His alleged predatory behaviour only came to light after police released security vision of two men exiting a Scarborough beach public toilet in March shortly after a woman was sexually assaulted inside.

The court heard Mr Nicoletti and his friend, Vincenzo Mineo, 36, allegedly befriended the woman at the Lookout Bar, telling her they were gay and asking her if she would like to take cocaine with them in the disabled public toilet.
True, the federal government, along with students themselves, provides most funding, but university financial reports are tabled in State Parliament. The state government must ensure that public resources and student fees, and its own significant research and infrastructure investments, are prudently and effectively used, and accounted for transparently. As for academic standards, it is a myth that the federal regulator (the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency) ensures high quality. Rather, the TEQSA standards merely set the minimum acceptable requirements for the provision of higher education. This is a low bar that all public universities should always exceed. It was state parliamentarians who envisioned more noble and principled purposes and mandated these through the WA University Acts: for example, Murdoch Universitys purpose is the advancement of learning and knowledge and it should serve the community by promoting critical and free enquiry and informed intellectual discussion. The McGowan government needs to ensure that universities live up to these noble expectations set out for them in law in the state university acts.

The catch is that universities are autonomous. Loading Independence from government and politics is a defining feature; history and international policies such as the Magna Charta Universitatum (to which UWA is a signatory) and the UNESCO Recommendations teach us that it is best to leave it that way. How then can the state government fix the universities without interfering unduly with their operations? The key is to focus on university governance rather than on management.

WAs universities have legislated governing boards, senates or councils, with broad powers. For example, ECUs council has power to do all things necessary or convenient to be done for or in connection with the operation, affairs, concerns and property of the university. With power comes responsibility and accountability. Responsibility that the university managements act in the interests of the public. Accountability to the government and the public that legislated expectations are met. The governments first lever is to ensure senates are competently set up, the second is to ensure senates know they will be held to account. A mining company or a hospital would never have a board without solid industry-specific expertise. Universities shouldnt either  but many do.

Each of the WA university senates have 17 members, of which only a small minority have any professional experience in higher education, let alone as an academic. Murdoch University professor Gerd Schroder-Turk. Critically, the state government made this situation worse through a legislation change in 2016 when it reduced the elected academic staff members on the senates to a single member. It also legislated the creation of a nominations committee which gives senate members without university experience greater say in selecting new members  a potentially dangerous self-selection mechanism. The government should urgently review this damaging legislative change that the current Minister for Education and Training, Sue Ellery, criticised at the time, to her credit.

A further issue is the failure to ensure involvement of academics in decision-making. Legislation mandates that universities set up academic boards charged with advising on any issues of broad importance to the academic life of the university. Yet university executives make plans to axe strategically important degree programs  Asian languages, STEM and social sciences  without providing any indication that the academic boards were even informed about the plans. What a blatant disregard for the legislated role of academic boards, and the informed wisdom of the academic community! The McGowan government must monitor the senates oversight of academic governance. Mandating that senates and academic boards publish detailed minutes would be a first step. Above all, there needs to be a signal from the McGowan government that it takes its responsibility for university governance seriously. For example, it was good to see parliamentary scrutiny of Curtin Universitys request to change rules around council appointments (because the university is in effect avoiding the scrutiny of the Parliament). Public university means public interest. It is time to change the mindset. Our public universities, their educational and research programs are precious public assets. Vice chancellors are the custodians who look after these assets on behalf of the public. As academic principals, they must be the stewards of transparent committee-based decisions guided by the academic collegium.
Loading A UWA spokesperson brushed off concerns, saying Professor Chakma had been appointed due to his proven experience as a leader of major universities and his successful track record of building a strong culture to sustain the implementation of university goals. Professor Chakma posted to Twitter about the $40 million in UWA job cuts that: We cannot afford to live beyond our means, ie spending money we dont have... continuing to ignore the fiscal reality makes things worse not better. Operating cost confusion Professor Chakma explained the changes were necessary because UWA had recorded an underlying deficit of $2.4 million for the past year, despite posting a $55 million operating profit.

But the loss was queried by James Guthrie  distinguished professor from Macquarie Universitys Business School  whose independent analysis of UWAs financials pointed to it having a cash increase of more than $43 million for the year. In teaching accounting 101 for several decades, I have always argued that cash is king and for Australian public sector universities, we should look to performance and operations, Professor Guthrie said. He had never heard of an underlying result as it was not a statuary accounting statement but a figure calculated by the university (as shown by the table). In also comparing cash or cash equivalents in restricted assets, Professor Guthrie discovered a $483 million increase over the past decade.

I am surprised that the university executive wishes to create a 15 per cent cash margin by 2025, he said. In the business world, we could call this rate of return. They already have roughly $1 billion in cash or cash equivalent investments  being bonds and shares. Why build up such an investment pool at the expense of ongoing academic and professional staff, employees who are the human capital which drives the teaching, research, and student experiences? Professor Guthrie calculated from the Universities Charities Commission report data that UWA lost 556 employees, including casuals, in 2020.

The National Tertiary Education Union expects up to 400 full-time equivalent positions to go under the restructure, with no way of measuring casuals. Fact check Under the universitys School for Social Sciences proposal for change consultation paper, the restructure would axe 16 jobs, mostly in anthropology and sociology, and scale back Asian, media and communications studies to teaching-only positions that will receive no research funding. One of the key drivers supporting the discontinuation of the anthropology and sociology major was an original claim that enrolments had declined by 77 per cent between 2015 and 2020, which Professor Chakma later changed to a drop in completions at 40 per cent. Academics say completions are a vastly different measure to enrolments and none of the schools financials and operational costs have been provided to justify the cuts or be independently reviewed.

The academic board has called an extraordinary emergency meeting on August 17 to call for more disclosure from those proposing the restructure. The restructure paper relied on the unevenness in the research activity and impact across the School of Social Sciences to justify the targeted cuts to anthropology, sociology, and Asian, cultural, political, media and communication studies. School for Social Sciences proposal for change consultation paper  fact check Grounds: Geography and archaeology attracts 80 per cent of the schools external research income from 2015-2020. Debunked: Research in archaeology and geography is simply more expensive than research in other social sciences, which only involves talking to people, reading texts and sometimes travel funding. To say archaeology and geography bring in more than anthropology, sociology, Asian studies, is meaningless because you would expect them to because theyre very different kinds of disciplines, says Dr Debra McDougall. Grounds: Social sciences were lagging sector competitors in the Quacquarelli Symonds, Times Higher Education World University Rankings, and Academic Ranking of World Universities rankings. Debunked: The disciplines slated for elimination were among those that performed best on the 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA)s measures of quality of research. Anthropology and sociology at UWA were evaluated as performing at or above international quality  equal to archaeology, and higher than several other disciplines in the school. UWAs anthropology and sociology discipline was one of three nationally to be rated so highly  beating Dr McDougalls anthropology department at the University of Melbourne. Human geography and archaeology, which attracted higher funding, remained largely untouched. Dr Debra McDougall, president of the Australian Anthropological Society, said comparing the two was like comparing apples with elephants since geography and archaeology straddled physical sciences that required costly laboratories and equipment.

Social science research attracted less funding because it cost less to carry out and provided great value for money; axing it didnt necessarily improve the universitys bottom line, she said. Losing world-leading researchers Last week, UWAs Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Research announced two social sciences projects out of 16 research projects considered were worthy of being in UWAs Grand Challenges, which will turn research into real-world benefits for industry. But the professors leading the projects  one from geography and the other from anthropology and sociology  will be made redundant by the restructure. The restructure paper also used the Quality Indicators for Teaching and Learning survey data to justify the proposition that UWA humanities, culture and social sciences students were less satisfied than other WA universities.

Loading Yet undergraduate and postgraduate students have been among the most vocal against the restructure since jobs in public health and policy, international business, native title, resources sector, artificial intelligence, anti-terrorism, design and technology require knowledge in anthropology and sociology. It is simply not a solution to direct undergraduates to change to other majors within the social sciences and assume that other disciplines can replace anthropology and sociology, they said. To suggest this is misleading and reductive. Dr McDougall, agreed, saying the job-ready graduates legislation was profoundly misleading in suggesting that social sciences and humanities did not prepare students for the world of work.
Canberrans will be asked to leave their homes only for essential employment, healthcare (including a COVID-19 vaccination), essential groceries and supplies, and up to one hour a day of outdoor exercise. Mandatory mask-wearing will be reintroduced. General retail will be closed and hospitality venues will only be able to operate takeaway services. Authorities will ask any business that has to remain open to actively prevent any in-store browsing. ACT parents have been asked to keep their children home from school over the next week if they can, with teachers told to prepare for remote learning in case the lockdown needs to be extended. ACT Deputy Chief Minister Yvette Berry said this meant normal schooling would not happen this week but assured parents the education directorate had spent the past 12 months developing a home lending library with resources for families. You can go to the Education ACT website, search Home Learning, and they will be a range of activities available through that online resource library, she said. Children who do attend the public schools will be supervised and supported to access these resources during this time.

ACT Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith encouraged Canberrans to stay calm and be thoughtful during the lockdown. Like every other jurisdiction has had to do, we need to remind you that supermarkets will remain open. Grocery shopping will continue to be allowed during the lockdown, she said. The clear message is that the best thing you can do to protect yourself, your family and community is to stay at home as much as possible, to only leave your house for essential regions and ensure that you wear a mask when you leave your home. ACT Chief Health Officer Kerryn Coleman said she suspected the COVID-19 case was the Delta strain and was linked to the Greater Sydney outbreak.

However, Dr Coleman was unaware whether the infectious man had been to Sydney as case interviews were still under way and could take several hours or days to complete. I have not had my full briefing yet, she said. She said the initial report was that the individual had been forthcoming with information. ACT Health earlier on Tuesday confirmed the virus had been detected in the wastewater system but Dr Coleman said it was unclear whether there were likely to be other cases across Canberra. Three samples are positive, indicating concern in the northern and central part [of Canberra], she said, but added these levels were not significantly high and aligned with the travel patterns of the currently known infectious case.
Taxpayer-owned businesses, agencies and government departments have been ordered to dramatically cut back on the tens of millions of dollars in personal annual bonuses awarded to already highly paid public servants, following a review triggered by a series of scandals.

The federal government issued a new edict on Friday for all Commonwealth entities and companies over the payment of performance bonuses, warning that from now on they should be used in limited circumstances that are justifiable to the public and Federal Parliament.

Bonuses for highly paid public servants will be slashed. Credit:Karl Hilzinger

Independent remuneration panels have been told bonuses are not appropriate for most policy, service delivery, regulatory and corporate roles. Instead, they should only be rewarded for executives, managers or senior staff who are in a position that involves significant, at-risk investment outcomes, required to meet significant public milestones or in positions involving non-tax revenue raising.

In March last year, the government announced a freeze in senior executive pay rises because of the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Australian Public Service Commission also issued updated guidance to Commonwealth entities on senior executive bonuses, saying not to pay them unless there were exceptional circumstances or a contractual obligation.
The Queensland government has no plans to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10, despite moves by federal Labor to consider the issue.

Children as young as 10 can be held criminally responsible for their actions and jailed in Australia, below the United Nations recommended age of 14.

Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman says the Queensland government has no plans to raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility. Credit:Matt Dennien

Asked to confirm the Palaszczuk governments position, Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman said there were no plans to raise the age here in Queensland.

However, Queensland is participating in discussions that are happening nationally.
Colleagues and friends of Australian TV journalist Cheng Lei have made a plea to Beijing on the anniversary of her detention, warning they are concerned for the welfare of her young children and remain at a loss as to why she has been detained.

In three separate letters sent ahead of the anniversary on Friday, the National Press Clubs in Canberra and Washington, along with her former colleagues at Chinese state media network CGTN, have called for her immediate release and return home to Australia.

Australian journalist Cheng Lei.

Cheng, 46, has been kept in a cell at a detention facility in China with limited fresh air and natural light and has been masked, blindfolded and restrained in meetings with Australian consular officials.

The Chinese-born Melbourne mother of two was detained on August 13 last year on suspicion of illegally communicating state secrets overseas. The exact nature of the claims remains unknown and her family has always maintained her innocence.
Passenger vehicle wholesales in India increased by 45 per cent to 2,64,442 units in July against 1,82,779 units in the same month last year, auto industry body SIAM said on Thursday.

According to the latest data by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), two-wheeler dispatches from the OEMs to dealerships declined by 2 per cent to 12,53,937 units in July, compared to 12,81,354 units in the year-ago period.

Motorcycle sales were at 8,37,096 units last month as against 8,88,520 units in July 2020, down 6 per cent.

Scooter sales increased 10 per cent to 3,66,292 units from 3,34,288 units.

Similarly, three-wheeler sales surged 41 per cent to 17,888 units last month as against 12,728 units a year ago.

The total sales across categories, excluding commercial vehicles, stood at 15,36,269 units compared to 14,76,861 units in July last year.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Troubled Ltd (VIL) has filed a review petition in the after the apex court recently dismissed its plea for rectification of the alleged errors in the calculation of adjusted gross revenues-related dues.

In the petition, filed earlier this week, VIL has said it is "a travesty of justice" that the company is restrained from questioning the arithmetical errors/ omission which are going to cost it about Rs 25,000 crore (Rs 5,932 crore of principal plus interest, penalty and interest on penalty).

VIL has said its contentions have been rejected by the order under review and added that this denial could result in the company going under and its about 27.3 crore subscribers being left "high and dry".

Other fallouts include loss of investment in the business and an impact on livelihoods of employees, as well as distributors, retailers, and store staff.

A mail sent to the company seeking comments on the review petition did not elicit a response.

Further, VIL has said it is not questioning the principles as laid down by the court for determination of AGR (Adjusted Gross Revenues), and emphasised that it is committed to make full payments of dues in installments as directed by the court.

VIL has also said the impression that company is seeking to wriggle out of the orders on account of recalculation is completely "misplaced".

"It is inconceivable that even errors/ inadvertent additions by the respondent-DoT to the AGR dues have not been allowed to be corrected," the petition said.

The limited objective of the application was to ensure that the correct and accurate amount due and payable, is paid to the respondent (DoT), VIL has contended.

"It is neither the intention of the respondent nor were the directions of this... court intended to unjustly benefit the respondent by receiving excess payment in respect of payments already made due to double counting of revenue, and non allowance of deductions that have been permitted by the... court's judgement," it said.

As the demand covers a period of more than a decade, in respect of licences granted by DoT and involves several thousands of transactions and payments "all that is required to be done is a reconciliation, in order to ensure that there is no duplicate payment, no double counting of revenue and/or due permissible deductions are allowed".

VIL has said it is simply seeking to point out clerical or arithmetical errors to DoT, and sought to clarify that it is not initiating any round of litigation to dispute the dues.

"The next installment is due only by March 31, 2022. There is sufficient time within which exercise can be carried out without causing prejudice to any party," the petition said.

It has also flagged cases where payments have been made by demand draft/ challan which have not been accounted for by DoT.

"Justice requires that directing the petitioner to make the payments twice over would amount to making a levy without authority of law," VIL has said.

Further, the company has said that it is "already struggling to survive and remain a third private wireless telecom operator in the country."



The petition has mentioned about outstanding utilised facilities of Rs 47,000 crore from banks, NBFCs and mutual funds (including about Rs 25,000 crore from public sector banks) over and above the amounts due to DoT towards auction amount of spectrum and licence fee and spectrum usage charges.

"It is imminent for the petitioner to survive to secure the interest of all these stakeholders," the petition said.

Last month, the apex court dismissed the applications filed by telecom majors, including VIL and Bharti Airtel, seeking rectification of the alleged errors in the calculation of AGR-related dues payable by them.

Recently, billionaire Kumar Mangalam Birla stepped down as Chairman of VIL, within two months of offering to hand over the Aditya Birla Group's stake in the debt-laden telecom company to the government.

VIL had an AGR liability of Rs 58,254 crore, of which it has paid Rs 7,854.3 crore and Rs 50,399.6 crore is outstanding.

The company's gross debt, excluding lease liabilities, stood at Rs 1,80,310 crore as of March 31, 2021. The amount includes deferred spectrum payment obligations of Rs 96,270 crore and a debt of Rs 23,080 crore from banks and financial institutions.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Inc. failed to persuade a judge to dismiss a wrongful firing claim by a former company engineer who says she was discriminated against--by two male East Asian supervisorsbased on her ethnic Pakistani background.

California state court Judge Sunil R. Kulkarni in San Jose tentatively ruled Wednesday that the woman can move forward with her claim she was fired unlawfully.

The judge wrote that even though Anita Nariani Schulze had resigned her job voluntarily, she meets the legal standard for wrongful termination because she claims she left only after being subjected to a pattern of continuous discrimination.

Schulzes lawsuit, filed last year, opened a window into how ethnic prejudices from distant lands can pop up in Silicon Valley, where tech giants, always on the hunt for new talent, recruit engineers and technicians from far-flung places with distinct cultures.

Schulze described herself in her 2020 lawsuit as a Hindu Indian woman who traces her ancestry in the Sindh region of what became part of Pakistan after the tumultuous partition of India in 1947.

She said that at one of her supervisors was a Hindu Indian; the other, a Muslim Pakistani. Men with that background consider women as subservient -- and thats how they treated her, she claimed.

Schulze accused her supervisors of consistently excluding her from meetings, unfairly criticizing her, micromanaging her work, and depriving her of bonuses while at the same time awarding them to the male engineers she supervised.

While allowing her case to move forward, the judge rejected Schulzes request to represent a class of engineers in similar circumstances. He said she didnt have standing to do so because she failed to show that any male engineer with a comparable position at Apple was earning more than she was.

She alleges that male engineers she supervised received bonuses and restricted stock units, while plaintiff did not, the judge wrote. But there is no indication that the male engineers overall compensation was higher.

Apple didnt immediately respond after regular business hours to a request for comment.

The case is Schulze v. Apple, Inc., 20CV369611, California Superior Court, Santa Clara County (San Jose).
Bharti Group-backed OneWeb on Thursday said Hanwha Systems of South Korea will infuse $300 million (Rs 2,228 crore) for an 8.8-per cent share in the low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications company.

The investment, expected to be completed in the first half of 2022 after necessary regulatory approvals, will bring OneWeb's total equity investment since November 2020 to $2.7 billion with no debt issuance.

"Hanwha, the South Korean Fortune 500 global technology (tech) and manufacturing company, has announced a $300-million equity investment by Hanwha Systems in OneWeb, the LEO satellite communications company backed by Bharti Group," said OneWeb in a statement.

Upon completion, OneWeb will appoint a board director to represent Hanwha's share in the company. OneWeb's first-generation fleet of 648 satellites - which will deliver global coverage in 2022 -is fully funded, the statement added.

So far, the company has launched 254 satellites into orbit, with another launch planned this August from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

"With Hanwha alongside, we will be able to access the highest quality of technological thinking and development. They are a powerful partner in our global mission to connect the world," said Sunil Mittal, founder and chairman, Bharti Enterprises.

In July 2020, a consortium led by Bharti Enterprises won the bid for OneWeb. Bharti had bid jointly with the UK government for the auction, and had said it would invest around $500 million each to acquire OneWeb, which had declared bankruptcy earlier this year.

Herbert Smith Freehills was the legal counsel, while Standard Chartered Bank acted as the financial advisor to Bharti Global. OneWeb will provide enhanced broadband and other services to mobile and fixed terminals in countries around the world.

The new tech becomes even more relevant in the pandemic era, as it offers high internet speed and low latency - a perfect combination of quality service to connect rural areas across the world with the internet.

OneWeb was formed in 2012 with a mission to offer high-speed, low-latency wireless broadband access to billions of people across the globe, especially in rural areas, through a constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit. Bharti was one of the founding members of OneWeb and had a strategic stake in the company.
Carbon, an Group company, on Thursday announced its intent to reduce net to zero by 2050 as part of its efforts to drive sustainability.

A statement from the company said it is the first entity from the carbon black industry to announce such an intent.

Carbon black industry is among the major polluters.

The announcement aligns with 'The Paris Agreement', signed as part of the United Nations Framework Convention on climate change mitigation, adaptation, and finance, the statement said, adding that it is also in sync with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development's Tire Industry Project SDG Roadmap.

The company said it will be partnering with group entities to develop decarbonisation initiatives through the Aditya Science and Technology Center.

"Climate change is the biggest challenge we face today as a human race, and the burden of it will be carried by our future generations, unless we choose differently. By setting its aspiration to be Net-Zero by 2050, Birla Carbon is making its choice with the rest of the industries that have chosen to step up to the challenge," group director for carbon black Santrupt B Misra said.

The company will be focusing on 'the 4Rs' of Research, Reduce, Replace and Repurpose in order to achieve the goal, the statement said.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
has reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 2,872.77 crore for the first quarter of FY22. This is 31.31 per cent higher than the Rs 2,187.74 crore consolidated net reported by the company in the comparable quarter of financial year 2020-21.

Total income during the period under review stood at Rs 90,131.33 crore, up from Rs 51,446.23 crores reported in the first quarter of financial year 2020-21.

BPCLs gross refining margin (GRM) stood at $4.12 per barrel in the first quarter of financial year 2021-22 as against $0.39 per barrel in the same quarter of financial year 2020-21. ICICI Direct Research has estimated that BPCLs margins will average at $3.9 a barrel for FY22 and $4.5 for FY23.

said that total market sales stood at 9.63 million tonnes (MT) in the first quarter of financial year 2021-22, while refinery throughput at Mumbai and Kochi refineries was 6.84 MT. Commenting on the status of Ethanol blending with fuel, said, We have achieved our highest ever Average Ethanol Blending percentage of 8.95 per cent during the quarter.

also said that it added 129 New Fuel Stations in the quarter ended June 2021, taking their network strength to 18,766. The companys LPG distributor network strength increased by 5 to 6,169 and the customer base increased to 85.9 million. Eight Compressed Natural Gas stations were commissioned in this period.

Commenting on company performance, V R K Gupta, Chief Financial Officer at BPRL said, The first quarter of the new financial year was marred by the second wave of Covid-19 that impacted the fuel sales across India. The restrictions imposed by state administration and subdued business activity resulted in slowdown of economic growth restricting movement of vehicles. However, impact of second wave was not as bad as first wave of Covid-19.

Improvements in the crack in the international market is reflected in our quarterly Gross Refinery Margin which has shown significant improvement as compared to corresponding quarter of previous year. Acquisition of 36.60 per cent of stake held by Oman Oil in Bharat Oman Refinery (BORL) by BPCL was completed during the quarter resulting in full control on BORL by BPCL, Gupta said.

The business activities have accelerated and so have fuel sales. We believe with vaccination in progress, the resumption in economic activities is likely to sustain this time around, he added.

Strategic sale bound BPCL has been consistently getting a buy rating across brokerages. Shares of BPCL closed 0.38 per cent lower at Rs 448.20 a scrip on Thursday. The Union Cabinet has also relaxed Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) rules to ease the sale of BPCL with a goal to complete the disinvestment during the current financial year.
The government last month announced the new draft guidelines for drone operations in India. The Drone Rules, 2021, are a major revision to the drone policy in the country, which has been in limbo until now. While the government has made revisions to drone policy every year since 2018, it has not formalised any guidelines until now.

Meanwhile, start-ups in the sector have multiplied. Last year, when the Tamil Nadu government was struggling to sanitise areas, they had to rely on a Chennai-based drone start-up, Garuda, to disinfect hospitals. In the following months, Garuda was employed ...
exchange WazirX said it has seen a staggering 2,648 per cent growth in user sign ups from tier-II and tier-III cities in India. The exchange has over 7.3 million users, and has clocked over $21.8 billion in trading volume in 2021 till date.

Tier-II and tier-III cities have driven almost 55 per cent of total user sign-ups on WazirX in 2021, the firm said.

Another finding was that women from tier-II and tier-III regions contribute to 65 per cent of the total signups by women from all over the country.

WazirX reached out to a few female traders, who said that crypto helped them achieve financial independence, raise their living standards, added a great source of secondary income for the family, among others.

Tier-II cities like Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Patna reported an average growth of 2950 per cent, whereas Tier-III cities like Ranchi, Imphal, Mohali have reported an average growth of 2455 per cent on WazirX.

Crypto has immense potential to remove the financial barriers for rural India, and provide cheaper access to capital, more online jobs. At WazirX, our goal is to create a secure crypto ecosystem that takes the vision of Digital India forward by transforming the country into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy, said Nischal Shetty, CEO of WazirX.

As part of the #HumansofCrypto campaign, speaking about her experience, one of the active traders in WazirX, Anncie said, Investing through this platform has led to a transformation in many ways for me and my family and friends. I have learned how to read charts, take calculated risks and earn a decent second income. As far as my family is concerned, I come from a humble background, from South Tamil Nadu.

WazirX offers a seamless, powerful and super fast trading experience is on a mission to make crypto accessible to everyone in India.

The platform is collaborating with spectacular Indian crypto projects who are putting India on the world map. Starting from 11 August 2021, the company has organized a week-long giveaway to thank the crypto community, and support home-grown projects and talent.
Delhi-based SB Packagings (SBP) on Thursday said Premji Invest has picked up "significant stake" in the company for USD 25 million (Rs 185.5 crore).

The transaction primarily involves partial held by the existing shareholders in SBP and infusion of primary capital for capacity expansion and inorganic acquisitions to enable faster scale up of its product portfolio for both domestic and international markets.

Speaking to PTI, SBP Chief Executive Officer Saurabh Jain said: "We intend to create a platform of companies, which are focused on value-added packaging which are more complex, which has an angle of sustainability, recyclability."



"The funds have been raised to make acquisitions. We have a fairly strong warchest of funds to make acquisitions. We are in conversations with many companies, we are evaluating them and we are seeing how they will be a strategic fit for us," he added.

Jain noted that while the company has been growing at 20-25 per cent CAGR organically over the past few years, its inorganic plans will get further bolstered with Premji Invest coming on board. The company expects its revenues to touch Rs 275-300 crore this financial year.

"We are exporting internationally and that's another area of growth for us. It will also be important for us as we evaluate acquisition targets. So, having a good share of exports will be of specific interest to us," he added.

Founded in 1989, SBP is a leading manufacturer of flexible packaging materials in India, supplying to major players in the hygiene and food industry including P&G, J&J, Unicharm, Kimberly Clark, Nobel Hygiene, Walmart, Future Group, PepsiCo, Dabur, and Tata among other brands.

SBP was founded by OP Banga and is currently managed by his son, Amit Banga, who has been in the business for the past 30 years. Post transaction, Amit will continue to remain a significant shareholder in the company and will continue to drive the business, supported by a professional management team.

"Innovation and sustainability have been the core pillars of SBP's business model. With the backing from Premji Invest, one of India's leading PE investors, we look forward to further expanding our capabilities through organic and inorganic routes thereby strengthening our position in the Indian flexible packaging industry," SBP MD Amit Banga said in a statement.

Premji Invest is the investment arm of Azim Premji's endowment and philanthropic initiatives. Investments of Premji Invest are across sectors like consumer, financials, technology, and manufacturing in like Fab India, Hygienic Research, ID foods, Lenskart, Policy Bazaar, Flipkart, Gold Plus Glass and Shubham Housing.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The government will sell up to 25 per cent stake in National Seeds Corporation (NSC) through an initial public offering (IPO), and has invited bids from advisors to assist it in the process.

The public sector company comes under the administrative control of the and Farmers Welfare, and produces certified seeds of nearly 600 varieties of 60 crops. The companys net worth, as on March 31, 2020, was Rs 646 crore.

The Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) has invited bids from legal advisors and merchant bankers to assist in the transaction. Intermediaries will have to submit their bids by September 1.

Domestic law firms are required to submit their proposals in consortium with a reputed international law firm that has similar experience and expertise in public offerings. Foreign law firm, in the consortium, need to have prior experience in managing Indian capital market transactions.

The legal advisor will have to prepare the Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP), Red Herring Prospectus (RHP), and the final Prospectus for filing with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) and exchanges. It will also be required to draft responses to queries received from SEBI, exchanges and depositories, along with processing applications with other regulators such as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

The international legal adviser will have to advice on international publicity related restrictions, draft international marketing documents, internet restrictions, among others. It will also have to draft comfort letters, and advise underwriters on Participatory Note (P-Note) related matters.

The government is also looking to appoint up to two merchant bankers with experience in public offerings who will work in a team. These merchant bankers should have handled offer for sale transactions of at least Rs 1,000 crore, and an IPO of Rs 500 crore between July 1, 2018 and June 31, 2021.

Each of the selected bankers will have to submit a detailed strategy for reaching out to the retail investors for creating awareness about retail participation in the NSC IPO at least 14 days prior to filing of RHP.

BRLMs will be required to structure the IPO in conformity with the prevailing framework and regulations of Sebi. They will also have to undertake due diligence process and prepare the DRHP. BRLMs will also assist the government in securing approval and exemptions, wherever necessary, from regulatory agencies like Sebi, RBI as well as the stock exchanges. Their responsibility will also include undertaking market research, assist in the pricing of the issue, allocation of shares, and provide after sale support, among others.

As on March 31, 2021, NSC employed 1,312 regular workers. The companys paid up capital, as on March 2021, was Rs 57 crore comprising of 573,000 shares with face value of Rs 1,000 a share. It reported a Rs 30 crore profit after tax for financial year 2019-20.
Lubes maker Gulf Oil Lubricants on Thursday reported a 77 per cent growth in profit after tax (PAT) at Rs 30.35 crore for the quarter ended June.

The Hinduja Group company had posted a PAT of Rs 17.7 crore in Q1 FY21, according to a statement.

Net revenue grew 73 per cent to Rs 417.37 crore as compared to Rs 241 crore in the same quarter last fiscal.

The board of directors in its meeting held on Thursday also approved amendment of the 'Objects Clause' of the Memorandum of Association of the company to enable it to explore and pursue business opportunities in multiple areas of e-mobility and electric vehicle value chain, including batteries, EV chargers and electric vehicles.

This, however, is subjected to approval of shareholders at the company's ensuing 13th annual general meeting, it said.

While the quarter has been impacted by the second wave of COVID-19 and closure of retail markets in various states, especially in April and May, the impact has been less than the first quarter of last year when there was a nationwide lockdown, the company said.

"With the rapid spread of second wave of Covid-19 hitting the country very hard during April and May, market conditions specially in retail deteriorated sharply but this time around, the B2B segment has been less impacted as most industries continued to function in the state level lockdowns announced from time to time in phased manner.

"This enabled the Company to garner volumes more from its B2B segments to deliver good YoY growth," said Ravi Chawla, managing director and CEO, Ltd.

With the second wave subsiding from June onwards, markets started opening up, which led to demand conditions across the segments significantly improving, he said, adding "we are seeing robust volumes now."



The company is focusing on continuing its market leading growth journey and is geared up to face the challenges of unprecedented rise in input costs with a series of price interventions already taken to move towards restoring margins in coming quarters, he noted.

The second wave penetrated and affected rural India in a bigger way than that in the first wave, which resulted in some initial slowdown in business from rural areas and agri segment.

The company still grew in double digits in the automotive lubricants space -- especially showing high growth in personal mobility as well as CVO segment, it said.

"We have launched several initiatives to improve our preparedness for the future with employee vaccination campaigns.

"The company is confident that business and financial deliveries should bounce back quickly like last year as market conditions look to improve with the rider of further Covid waves not destabilising this improving demand trend," Chawla said.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Diversified conglomerate, ITC, will be investing $2 billion in the medium term in beefing up capacity across business segments and new vectors of

We are looking at about $2 billion of investment in the medium-term horizon, chairman and managing director, Sanjiv Puri, said at a media interaction.

The investment would be made for building capacity to meet market demands in existing segments, inducting state-of-the-art technology, investments in digital in some the newer areas that we have identified, Puri explained.

The investment figure, however, does not take into account inorganic opportunities.

Among the newer areas for investment is the super app 'ITC-MAARS' that Puri announced at the companys annual general meeting on Wednesday.

It is focused on rural India and the primary focus is agriculture, said Puri. The app would have hyperlocal personalization; artificial intelligence would be used to give personal advisory to farmers and it would also give all the supporting ecosystem like input and output markets.

For ITC, it would improve efficiencies. It will bring power to our food brands because we will have better quality and efficient sourcing, said Puri.



Investments would also be made in setting up new facilities. For instance, is diversifying its tobacco business to manufacture and export nicotine and nicotine-derivative products under a wholly-owned subsidiary, IndiVision. The facility for manufacturing nicotine and nicotine salts will be near Mysuru, Karnataka.





In agri business, is in the process of commissioning a state-of-the-art spices facility to cater to the domestic and exports market. In Gujarat, the company is setting up a packaging plant. There is a huge demand there because our customers are based there, said Puri.

A major chunk of ITCs investments in the past decade was across fast moving consumer goods (FMCG), paper, paperboards and packaging and hotels.

In 2010, ITC had announced an investment of Rs 25,000 crore over a 7 to 10-year timeframe; accounted for about Rs 8,000 crore, paper, paperboards and packaging Rs 6,000 crore and hotels Rs 9,000 crore.

Bulk of the investment was in building the integrated consumer goods manufacturing and logistics (ICML), which is now complete. In hotels, too, ITC has adopted the asset-right strategy.

Puri said that with the asset-right strategy, the number of hotels would double in the medium-term.

Welcomhotel has been refreshed and Storii is a new brand that we are launching, he said.

ITC is looking at taking the Welcomhotel footprint to 34-35 over the next 3-4 years; end of last year, there were 12.

Responding to a question on properties outside India, Puri said, We have received interest. This was pre-Covid for managing certain properties outside of India. Those are possibilities that are being pursued.

ESG overhang and taxation on tobacco have been weighing on the ITC stock for a while now.

On a question regarding the strategy for creating shareholder value, Puri, said, The most important point for us is to put our heads down and focus on making our businesses competitive, delivering competitively superior performance in each one of our businesses. Thats what we have been focused on and we will continue to do that. That is the most important task for us.
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Apparel manufacturer Ltd (PIL) on Thursday reported a net profit of Rs 10.94 crore for the quarter ended June 2021.

The company had posted a net loss of Rs 39.55 crore during the April-June period a year ago, PIL said in a BSE filing.

Revenue from operations rose 76.08 per cent to Rs 501.53 crore during the quarter under review as against Rs 284.82 crore in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal.

PIL's total expenses were at Rs 490.57 crore, up 42.91 per cent from Rs 343.25 crore earlier.

PIL Managing Director Sunder Genomal said the company has delivered YoY growth across all its segments despite unprecedented challenges posed by the resurgence of the pandemic.

Being aware of the shift of consumer preference towards e-commerce, is well prepared and has invested in warehousing, technology and logistics support to cater to this increasing demand.

"During the quarter, we also saw great demand and acceptance for our kids wear business which continues to be an important area for us going forward," he said.

Bengaluru-based is the exclusive licensee of American underwear brand Jockey International in countries such as India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, UAE, Oman and Qatar. PIL is also the exclusive licensee of Speedo International for India.

On the outlook, Genomal said: "With our focused approach on our core business verticals, we remain confident of maintaining growth backed by our continued efforts on innovation and investments."



Shares of Page Industries Ltd on Thursday settled at Rs 32,453.65 on BSE, down 1.61 per cent from its previous close.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Eicher Motors on Thursday posted a consolidated net profit of Rs 237 crore during the first quarter of 2021-22 (FY22), compared with a loss of Rs 55 crore during the same period in the preceding financial year (2020-21, or FY21).

The auto major's total revenue for the April-June period of FY22 was seen at Rs 1,974 crore, up 141 per cent, compared with Rs 818 crore in the corresponding quarter of FY21.

The company announced a change in its senior leadership, with Vinod K Dasari stepping down as chief executive officer of  a division of Eicher Motors  and executive director (ED) on the board of Eicher Motors, with effect from August 13. He will be replaced by B Govindarajan, who has been the chief operating officer at since 2013. Govindarajan will be inducted as whole-time director on the board and ED-Royal Enfield, with effect from August 18.

Dasari is planning to dedicate his time to building affordable and accessible health care facilities. He had recently started a not-for-profit hospital in Chennai.

The rise in Eicher Motors' profit was largely due to an increase in sales. sold 122,170 motorcycles in the quarter, an increase of 109 per cent, from 58,383 motorcycles sold over the same period last year. The company's earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation was Rs 363 crore, against Rs 4 crore in the same quarter of the previous financial year.

Siddhartha Lal, managing director of Eicher Motors, said, The second wave did impact business. In India, our bookings saw an uptick in June, as local lockdowns and restrictions were gradually lifted across the country. The global shortage of semiconductors continues to be a concern, and is likely to hamper production for the ongoing quarter, and possibly through the rest of the year as well."





ALSO READ: For Eicher Motors, recovery gains are already factored into the stock

Lal said the company will see an uptick in supply and production in the upcoming quarters and the demand situation seems promising. The company has also lined up a capital expenditure plan of around Rs 500 crore, similar to the previous financial year. Royal Enfield expanded its presence in international markets and commenced operations in Singapore and the Netherlands with the launch of standalone flagship stores.

The company also announced the commencement of local assembly of motorcycles in Colombia, the third-biggest motorcycle market in Latin America, in partnership with its local distributor. This is the second assembly unit for Royal Enfield in international markets, after Argentina. To begin with, the plant will locally assemble the Royal Enfield Himalayan, starting this month.

"We registered our best-ever quarterly performance in international markets with a year-on-year increase of more than 400 per cent, on the back of strong performance in the Americas," said Dasari.

For the quarter, VE Commercial Vehicles (VECV), joint venture between Volvo Group and Eicher Motors, posted a net loss of Rs 72 crore, compared with a net loss of Rs 120 crore for the same period last year.

VECVs revenue from operations was Rs 1,639 crore, up 156 per cent, from Rs 641 crore in the same period last year. VECV sold 5,806 trucks and buses in the quarter - a notable increase of 173 per cent, from 2,129 trucks and buses sold over the same period in the last financial year.
India and on Thursday announced the launch of a joint skilling programme 'TechSaksham' for empowering young women students from underserved communities to build careers in technology.

Through the joint initiative, India and aims to skill 62,000 women students in areas like artificial intelligence, cloud computing, web design and digital marketing.

The programme will work in collaboration with the AICTE Training and Learning Academy-ATAL and state collegiate education departments to support the professional development of faculty at participating institutes, a statement said.

In the first year of implementation, the initiative will train 1,500 teachers and each faculty trained will be equipped to support over 50 students in one year, impacting 60,000-75,000 students, it added.

The pan-India initiative will be implemented by Edunet Foundation that will develop future-ready skills in young women graduating in sciences, engineering, computer applications, and vocational studies.

The students will also get an opportunity to showcase their work to business leaders and experts from local industries, helping establish early linkages with industry ecosystems.

Anil D Sahasrabudhe, chairman of AICTE, said TechSaksham will transform the landscape of workplaces.

"More than 60,000 women being trained will create a massive impact. Moreover, with more than 1,000 women faculty certified, it will bring big ticket changes not only in employability of graduates but will encourage many more students to start their startup journey," he added.

Indian Subcontinent President and Managing Director Kulmeet Bawa said the company has always been at the forefront in advancing digital inclusion and equity across India through its flagship programmes like Code Unnati, where it has enabled more than 1.8 million adolescents and children.

"Our partnership with is an expansion of this vision where we focus on equipping the young women of our country with skills in emerging technologies like AI and cloud computing empowering them to be a part of the future ready workforce. Through this initiative, we aim to build an equitable, diverse and inclusive workplace of tomorrow," he said.

Microsoft India President Anant Maheshwari said the skills of the future will look very different from the skills that are needed today.

"Digital fluency will not just be a competitive advantage but a necessity to qualify for jobs. This requires a massive effort to skill India's talent and workforce.

"Our partnership with SAP reflects our commitment towards strengthening the skilling ecosystem and closing the digital skills gap by enabling Indian women to pursue the path to success in a digital-first economy," he added.

Select teachers and institutes will be identified during and after the first year of programme implementation to establish a nodal centre in each target geography, the statement said.

In the subsequent years, these nodal centres will drive outreach to regional institutions and motivate students and teachers to participate in the programme, it added.

Furthermore, the initiative will help create local community linkages and develop connections with local industry to create strong career pathways for all participating students.

The program will focus on delivering certain outcomes in the first year of implementation, including directly training 2,000 students across India for employment in tech-related fields, supporting students with opportunities for internships, jobs and micro-entrepreneurship opportunities to 50 per cent of the qualifying students, and driving capacity building by training 1,500 teachers and establishing five nodal centres.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
E-commerce firm and Invest India announced the winners of the Global Selling Propel Startup Accelerator (the Accelerator). Slurrp Farm, Sirona Hygiene and Wellbeing Nutrition were named the top 3 winners of the program winning a combined total of $50,000 from in an equity-free grant. The Accelerator was launched on Startup India Hub earlier in the year. The aim is to help emerging Indian businesses and startups get access to customers across the world through Amazons e-commerce exports program and create global brands from India.

We created the Amazon Global Selling Startup Accelerator with a vision to help take the local expertise and innovation, global, said Amit Agarwal, Global Senior VP and Country Head, Amazon India. We will continue to work with businesses of all sizes, helping them grow by reaching customers across India and the world.



The top 10 finalists presented their business proposition to a jury including Kanwaljit Singh, founder and managing partner from Fireside Ventures, Sakshi Chopra, managing director from Sequoia India, Abhijeet Muzumdar, Head of Amazon Smbhav Venture Fund and corporate development at Amazon and Aastha Grover, head, Startup India Hub, Invest India.

The Indian startup ecosystem has transformed India into a hub of innovation and entrepreneurship. Digitization has propelled the democratisation of access and opportunity for Indian businesses, said Deepak Bagla, MD and CEO, Invest India. Through this accelerator programme, we will tap the vast potential of emerging businesses and MSMEs to make an indelible mark in global markets.



The panel evaluated the entries on a variety of parameters including business idea, scalability and strength of the business plan and model, business metrics in launched markets and founding team credentials. Some of the other participants in the program included upcoming brands like DMoksha Homes and Soulflower from Mumbai, Rage Coffee and W2 Why Wait from Delhi NCR, Azani Active from Bengaluru, Femora from Jaipur, and True Elements from Pune.

All of them have very fascinating products and founders. There are great stories in terms of how they're thinking about creating these brands being based in India to cater to customers across the world, said Abhijit Kamra, director, global trade at Amazon India. We believe that this is unlimited opportunity for Indian startups and brands to expand globally, considering their knowledge capital, innovation and manufacturing capability.



As part of the Startup Accelerator, Amazon had constituted a mentorship board consisting of Amazon leaders from India and across the world, VCs and senior leaders from Invest India. They engaged with emerging brands to provide them tailored resources, 1:1 mentorship on the global demand patterns and insights on building successful exports businesses through e-commerce. Amazon also hosted open virtual mentorship sessions focused on peer learning by inviting veteran entrepreneurs and members from its mentorship board for startups, to network and learn from their existing ecosystem.
Tata Steel, the countrys oldest producer, reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 8,907 crore in June quarter as against a loss of Rs 4,416 crore in the corresponding period last year on the back of increased revenue in Q1FY22 and low base on account of Covid-19s first wave last year.

Led by strong prices, top line or total revenue from operations in the period under review stood at Rs 53,372 crore, up 108 per cent from the same period last year, as both India and Europe operations contributed sizeably.

deliveries at Europe increased by 17.4 per cent year-on-year (YoY) to 2.33 million tonnes (MT) in Q1 FY22, while India deliveries were up 41.6 per cent YoY to 4.15 MT. Sequentially, both regions saw a decline in steel deliveries due to partial lockdowns and temporary shutdowns in few steel consuming sectors in India (second covid-19 wave), and lower flex sales in Europe.

As per Bloomberg estimates, consolidated net sales was seen at Rs 52,497 crore, while analysts had estimated the EBIDTA and bottomline to be at Rs 16,219 crore and Rs 8,997 crore, respectively. So, while the topline beat estimates, EBITDA (at Rs 16,185 crore) and net profit fell a tad short of expectations. EBITDA is earnings before, interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation.

Tata Steels came after market hours on Thursday. Its GDR, listed on the London Stock Exchange, was down by one per cent at 8.30 pm India time.

Over the last 15 months, the global economy has been recovering driven by policy support and progressive vaccination which has led to improvement in business and customer confidence. However, Indian markets were adversely impacted again during the last quarter due to the 2nd wave of Covid-19 which impacted our steel production as well as deliveries, TV Narendran, chief executive officer and managing director was quoted as saying.



ALSO READ: Tata Steel BSL sets up UV oxidation plant to treat cyanide in wastewater





Narendran, further, added that demand has begun recovering in India, though domestic continue to be at a steep discount to China import parity prices. We continue to focus on our objective to attain and retain market leadership in chosen segments by building strong customer relationships, superior distribution network, rolling out brands and developing new products & solutions in steel and new materials, he said.

The consolidated EBITDA increased 13.3 per cent sequentially and 25.7 times YoY to Rs 16,185 crore with improved realisation across key entities. India operations registered the highest-ever quarterly EBITDA at Rs 10,274 crore, with 11.6 per cent in quarter-on-quarter and 8 times YoY growth in Q1 FY22.

Alongside, Europe EBITDA improved sharply to 150 million pound in the quarter under review.

While consolidated topline for the period under review is the highest-ever quarterly sales for (data available from June 2004), EBITDA and net profit are also the highest since March 2018 quarter.

On a consolidated basis, Tata Steel generated free cash flow of Rs 3,553 crore during Q1FY22 despite working capital absorbing Rs 8,272 crore. Free cash flow is cash flow from operations (minus) capital expenditure (capex). With regard to debt, the gross debt reduced to Rs 84,237 crore with debt repayment of Rs 5,894 crore. Net debt as on June 30, 2021, declined to Rs 73,973 crore. The companys net debt/EBITDA improved to 1.59x, while net debt/equity improved to 0.91x.

We continue to prioritise capex spend on ongoing projects and strategically essential investments, the companys release quoted Koushik Chatterjee, executive director and chief financial officer as saying.

The company spent Rs 2,011 crore on capex during the quarter; work on the Pellet plant, the Cold Roll Mill complex and the 5 MT per annum expansion at Kalinganagar is ongoing, said the company.
Shruti Agrawal and Sambhav Jain, 25-year-old associates in Blackstones Indian private equity team have won $100,000 (Rs 74 lakh) for the Indian Development Foundation (IDF) in the Gives Back Challenge, a firm-wide charity competition.

Gives Back, sponsored by the Charitable Foundation, is a competition for to win funding for charities of their choice. Through a competitive month-long selection process, the firms leadership and the Foundations Board of Directors judge teams based on a number of factors including the projects impact, innovation, scalability, teams analysis of project goals and financials, and strength of the organisations leadership. This year, more than 350 around the world pitched their ideas, and five teams were awarded $100,000 each.

The $100,000 won by the India teams two junior will support Bal Gurukul, IDFs flagship project that provides supplementary after school programmes to children most in need. Launched in 2005, Bal Gurukuls have supported millions of children access quality and 247 are currently in operation nationwide. The $100,000 (approx Rs 74 lakh) grant will help expand Bal Gurukuls in the states of Orissa, Bihar, Gujarat and in North East India and support the of more than 10,000 underprivileged children.

Amit Dalmia, Blackstones Operating Partner in Corporate Private Equity, India, said: At Blackstone, we firmly stand by our culture of service and commitment to our communities. Its exciting to see young members of our India team represent the cause in our global, firmwide initiative and share their passion for helping others. IDF does remarkable work in the field of education, and we are glad to support them in their initiative to provide access to inclusive education.
VerSe Innovations, the parent company of short video platform Josh and digital media platform DailyHunt, raised over $450 million in a series I round of funding from investors Siguler Guff, Baillie Gifford, affiliates of Carlyle Asia Partners Growth II and others. Existing investors Sofina Group, Qatar Investment Authority and BCap also participated north of their pro-rata in this round.

This fund raised comes within five months of the companys last raise of $200 million from investors Falcon Edge Capital via Alpha Wave Ventures, Glade Brook Capital Partners, Google, Microsoft and QIA.

With the current raise the companys valuation is close to $3 billion. According to the company they have doubled its valuation from its prior round. In the series H round the company was valued at over $1 billion.

We never ran a formal process, it was just that there was a strong inbound interest from investors. Even the last finding we did was oversubscribed. We were evaluating our needs for capital and this is the culmination of that process, said Umang Bedi, co-founder, VerSe Innovations.

The investment will be focused on strengthening the companys position as the fastest growing local language AI driven content platform in the country. VerSe plans on both deepen and broaden its AI/ML and data science capabilities to further widen its position across all user, engagement & retention metrics, drive further on monetization including e-Commerce & Live streaming and further cement its clear market leadership across its local language creator base of over 50 million creators as well as its local language content ecosystem which experiences over 80 billion video plays per month.

There are only two things that differentiate short-video platforms as leaders or laggards; first its capabilities in AI/ML and depth of content and ecosystem. We have been acquiring and one of them was Cognirel Technologies that brought to us Ram Prakash, who is one of the best minds in AI in India. He and his team have been driving the retention rates at the company and it is 40-50 per cent higher than competition. We are going deep into the next phase of AI/ML by acquiring and setting up labs across the globe and hiring global talent, which will give us a competitive edge, said Virendra Gupta, co-founder VerSe Innovations.

With these investments the company is now looking to set up global labs across the globe with PhDs and mathematicians who can help solve video encoding problems, or all other issues that are related to faster uploading of videos.

When asked about competition, Bedi added: When you look at the core growth on DailyHunt, we have crossed $150 million in terms of monetization, scaling to over $200 million by the end of this year, we are the only platform in our segment that is making money. On video and short form video, professionally generated content we have 50 million creators and these are original content."

Over the next 12 months the company will be focused on growing into the Indian market and post that will tap into international markets like South East Asia.

Josh, shared Bedi, is the fastest growing and most engaged short-video app in India with over 115 million MAUs (Monthly Active Users), over 56 million DAUs (Daily Active Users) and the best DAU/MAU ratio in the industry of 49 per cent. Josh represents a confluence of Indias top 200 best creators, the 15 biggest music labels, content creation tools, and diverse set of entertainment formats.

Dailyhunt, serves over 300 million users every month offering content artifacts every day in 14 languages from a licensed creator ecosystem of over 100,000 content partners and individual content creators. At DailyHunt we have noticed that internet users who are coming online are coming through the local language audience. That is growing and we want to grow it further. We will be focused on generating content from the widest and farthest nook of the country. A big focus on hyperlocal, focus on small businesses and making advancement in ad tech and shop in shop kind of advertisement. Lot of innovation in core business, added Bedi.
COVID-19 may behave like other common-cold coronaviruses in the next few years, affecting mostly young who have not yet been vaccinated or exposed to the virus, according to a modelling study published on Thursday.

The US-Norwegian team noted that because COVID-19 severity is generally lower among children, the overall burden from this disease is expected to decline as the SARS-CoV-2 virus becomes endemic in the global population.

"Following infection by SARS-CoV-2, there has been a clear signature of increasingly severe outcomes and fatality with age," said Ottar Bjornstad from the University of Oslo in Norway.

"Yet, our modelling results suggest that the risk of infection will likely shift to younger as the adult community becomes immune either through or exposure to the virus," he said.

The study, published in the journal Science Advances, noted that such shifts have been observed in other coronaviruses and influenza viruses as they have emerged and then become endemic.

"Historical records of respiratory diseases indicate that age-incidence patterns during virgin epidemics can be very different from endemic circulation," Bjornstad said.

"For example, ongoing genomic work suggests that the 1889-1890 pandemic, sometimes known as the Asiatic or Russian flu -- which killed one million people, primarily adults over age 70 -- may have been caused by the emergence of HCoV-OC43 virus, which is now an endemic, mild, repeat-infecting cold virus affecting mostly ages 7-12 months old" he said.

Bjornstad, however, cautioned that if immunity to reinfection by SARS-CoV-2 wanes among adults, disease burden could remain high in that group, although previous exposure to the virus would lessen the severity of disease.

"Empirical evidence from seasonal coronaviruses indicates that prior exposure may only confer short-term immunity to reinfection, allowing recurrent outbreaks, this prior exposure may prime the immune system to provide some protection against severe disease," said Bjornstad.

"However, research on COVID-19 shows that provides stronger protection than exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, so we encourage everyone to get vaccinated as soon as possible," he explained.

The team developed a "realistic age-structured (RAS) mathematical model" that integrates demography, degree of social mixing, and duration of infection-blocking and disease-reducing immunity to examine potential future scenarios for age-incidence and burden of mortality for COVID-19.

The researchers analysed disease burden over immediate, medium and long terms -- 1, 10 and 20 years, respectively.

They also examined disease burden for 11 different countries -- China, Japan, South Korea, Spain, UK, France, Germany, Italy, the US, Brazil and South Africa -- that differed widely in their demographics.

The team used data from the United Nations for each of these countries to parameterise the model.

The team's model assumes that the reproduction number (R) -- or the level of transmissibility -- on any given day is linked to the amount of mobility on that day.

The model also incorporates a variety of scenarios for immunity, including both independence and dependence of disease severity on prior exposure, as well as short- and long-term immunity.

"For many infectious respiratory diseases, prevalence in the population surges during a virgin epidemic but then recedes in a diminishing wave pattern as the spread of the infection unfolds over time toward an endemic equilibrium," said Ruiyun Li, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Oslo.

"Depending on immunity and demography, our RAS model supports this observed trajectory. It predicts a strikingly different age-structure at the start of the COVID-19 epidemic compared to the eventual endemic situation, he added.

The researchers noted that in a scenario of long-lasting immunity, either permanent or at least 10 years, the young are predicted to have the highest rates of infection as older individuals are protected from new infections by prior infection.

Jessica Metcalf, an associate professor at Princeton University, US, noted that this prediction is likely to hold only if reinfections produce only mild disease.

However, the burden of mortality over time may remain unchanged if primary infections do not prevent reinfections or mitigate severe disease among the elderly, she added.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
India on Thursday reported a net addition of 1,636 in active cases to take its count to 387,987. Indias share of global active cases now stands at 2.32 per cent (one in 43). The country is eleventh among the most affected countries by active cases. On Wednesday, it added 41,195 cases to take its total caseload to 32,077,706 from 32,036,511  an increase of 0.1%. And, with 490 new fatalities, its Covid-19 reached 429,669, or 1.34 per cent of total confirmed infections.

With 4,419,627 more Covid-19 vaccine doses being administered on Wednesday, Indias total count of vaccine shots so far reached 523,671,019. The count of recovered cases across India, meanwhile, reached 31,260,050  or 97.45 per cent of total caseload  with 39,069 new cured cases being reported on Thursday.

Now the eleventh-most-affected country by active cases, third by deaths, second by total cases, and first by recoveries, India has added 265,592 cases in the past 7 days.

India now accounts for 2.32% of all active cases globally (one in every 43 active cases), and 9.91% of all deaths (one in every 10 deaths).

India has so far administered 523,671,019 vaccine doses. That is 1632.5 per cent of its total caseload, and 37.54 per cent of its population.

Among Indian states, the top 5 in terms of number of vaccine shots administered are Uttar Pradesh (60376993), Maharashtra (52443167), Gujarat (41936088), Rajasthan (40738283), and Madhya Pradesh (38856683).

Among states with more than 10 million population, the top 5 in number of vaccine shots per one million population are Kerala (701346), Uttarakhand (662841), Gujarat (656560), Delhi (648725), and J&K (557439).

Backwards from here, the last 1 million cases for India have come in 26 days.

The count of active cases across India on Thursday saw a net addition of 1,636, compared to net reduction of 2,157 on Wednesday. States and UTs hat have seen the biggest daily net increase in active cases are Kerala (3973), Himachal Pradesh (238), Karnataka (175), Odisha (144), and Meghalaya (69).

With 39,069 new daily recoveries, Indias recovery rate stands at 97.45%, while fatality rate remained unchanged at 1.34%.

The Indian states and UTs with the worst case fatality rates at present are Punjab (2.72%), Uttarakhand (2.15%), and Maharashtra (2.11%). The rate in as many as 14 is higher than the national average.

Indias new daily closed cases stand at 39,559  490 deaths and 39,069 recoveries. The share of deaths in total closed cases stands at 1.23%.

Indias 5-day moving average of daily rate of addition to total cases stands at 0.1%.

Indias doubling time for total cases stands at 539.4 days, and for deaths at 607.5 days.

Overall, five states with the biggest 24-hour jump in total cases are Kerala (23500), Maharashtra (5560), Tamil Nadu (1964), Andhra Pradesh (1869), and Karnataka (1826).

Among states with more than 100,000 cases, the five with worst recovery rates at present are Kerala (94.61%).

India on Wednesday conducted 21,24,953 to take the total count of tests conducted so far in the country to 487,370,196. The test positivity rate recorded was 2.2%.

Five states with the highest test positivity rate (TPR)  percentage of tested people turning out to be positive for Covid-19 infection (by cumulative data for tests and cases  are Goa (15.54%), Dadra & Nagar Haveli-Daman & Diu (14.71%), Sikkim (12.82%), Maharashtra (12.69%), and Kerala (12.44%).

Five states with the highest TPR by daily numbers for tests and cases added  are, Kerala (15.91%), Manipur (12.37%), Mizoram (11.16%), Sikkim (10.62%), and Meghalaya (7%).

Among states and UTs with more than 10 million population, five that have carried out the highest number of tests (per million population) are Delhi (1303758), J&K (908698), Kerala (807833), Karnataka (596066), and Telangana (586316).

The five most affected states by total cases are Maharashtra (6369002), Kerala (3610193), Karnataka (2922875), Tamil Nadu (2581094), and Andhra Pradesh (1987051).

Maharashtra, the most affected state overall, has reported 5560 new cases to take its tally to 6369002.

Kerala, the second-most-affected state by total tally, has added 23500 cases to take its tally to 3610193.

Karnataka, the third-most-affected state, has reported 1826 cases to take its tally to 2922875.

Tamil Nadu has added 1964 cases to take its tally to 2581094.

Andhra Pradesh has seen its tally going up by 1869 to 1987051.

Uttar Pradesh has added 24 cases to take its tally to 1708836.

Delhi has added 37 cases to take its tally to 1436889.
With the especially contagious delta variant threatening efforts to end the pandemic, a growing number of wealthy countries are planning or considering administering booster shots of Covid-19 vaccines, at least to particularly vulnerable groups. Officials at the have characterised this course of action as unethical as long as poorer countries still lack supplies to cover significant portions of their populations with initial doses. They argue that the strategy could wind up prolonging the pandemic, as well.

Whats a booster shot?

The term traditionally has referred to an additional dose of a given some time after the initial course of inoculation to bolster protection that may have started to wane. While many vaccines produce long-lasting immunity, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults receive boosters of the tetanus every decade, for example. For Covid-19, a new disease, researchers are working out the optimal schedule and dosage for a variety of vaccines on the fly in the midst of a pandemic. The term booster is being used loosely to refer to additional shots given for a variety of reasons to people who have already received the prescribed course of a Covid

What are the reasons?

Theres a small group of people with weakened immune systems, such as transplant recipients, who are likely to need an additional shot sooner rather than later. The extra shot isnt a traditional booster, as these people likely never get an adequate response to an initial course of Covid vaccine. For the rest of the population, an additional shot (or shots) may prove to be helpful if immunity wanes over time, or alternatively, if new variants emerge that evade vaccine protection. In the first scenario, giving another dose of the original vaccine may be sufficient. Thats mostly what is being considered for the immediate future. In the second scenario, shots customised against new variants may be needed.

Which countries have signed on to extra Covid shots?

Countries that have started or decided to offer them to especially vulnerable groups include Israel, Germany and France. Offering them more broadly to people months after their last dose are Russia, Hungary and the United Arab Emirates. Some nations plan to give extra shots using a vaccine type thats different from the one people got initially. This mix-and-match strategy is called a heterologous boost, and theres some evidence it can provide an advantage over an additional dose of the same formulation.

How are decisions about boosters made?

Since there is no scientific consensus for when booster shots become necessary, deciding when to employ another dose is a judgement call by public health officials. Accordingly, countries may make different decisions. In the US, the Food and Drug Administration official in charge of vaccine regulation, Peter Marks, has said that the US doesnt have a predetermined minimum for how much efficacy must fade before it authorises booster shots, and will look at the totality of the evidence before making decisions.
Over 41,000 fresh cases reported

India reported 41,195 fresh coronavirus infections on Thursday, taking the cumulative caseload to 32 million, according to central health ministry data. The country saw 490 more deaths due to the pandemic, taking the death toll to 429,669. The active caseload is at 387,987, while the total recoveries have surged to 31.2 million. As many as 523 million vaccine shots have been administered since the nationwide inoculation programme kicked off on January 16. Of these, 4.4 million were given on Wednesday. Read more





Keralas test positivity rate rising as isolation protocol not being enforced: HC

The High Court said the test positivity rate in was rising as authorities were not able to enforce isolation norms adequately, Bar and Bench reported. The court noted that the only ways to prevent the spread of Covid were either by preventing crowding or enforcing a full lockdown, PTI reported. In recent weeks, has accounted for nearly half of the infections reported in the country every day. Read more



Cyber groups misuse FB to spread Covid vaccine lies in India

Facebook said coordinated cyber groups from Russia targeted people in India, Latin America and to a small extent in the US to spread misinformation about Covid vaccines developed by AstraZeneca and Pfizer, The Indian Express reported. The Coordinated Inauthentic Behavior Report for July 2021, released by the platform on August 10, said that with the help of influencers, Fazze, a subsidiary of a UK-registered marketing firm whose operations were mainly conducted from inside Russia, used 65 Facebook and 243 Instagram accounts to spread misinformation. Read more





sees spike in cases among children

About 250 children have tested positive in the last five days in Bengaluru, data from the city's main civic body has revealed, a report in the Hindustan Times said. This comes at a time when neighbouring Kerala is witnessing a sudden surge in cases and the apprehension of a third wave of the pandemic is looming large. Children under the age of 18 years are thought to be at greater risk in the possible third wave of the pandemic, compared to the previous two waves, though experts have asserted that there is no scientific basis behind this assumption. Read more





Herd immunity not a possibility with Delta variant: UK vaccine expert

The head of the UKs Oxford Vaccine Group has warned that the highly transmissible Delta variant has rendered the prospect of herd immunity difficult, a report in The Hindu said. Professor Andrew Pollard, who led the team behind the Oxford Universitys Covid vaccine, told the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Coronavirus that the fear of another even more transmissible variant remains a possibility and therefore there is nothing that can completely stop the deadly virus from spreading. However, he also said there was no cause for panic. Read more
India has agreed to double the weekly quota of from 15 to 30 flights, after a public outcry over high fares on routes from 16 August.

While 26 have been granted to Air India, Vistara has been allowed to operate four.

Average economy-class fares on international operating on key routes connecting India have risen significantly, with one way economy fare costing over Rs one lakh.

Scheduled international passenger flights have been suspended in India since March 23 last year amid the coronavirus pandemic.

However, limited special international passenger flights have been operating since July 2020 under air bubble arrangements formed with 28 countries, including the UK.

The UK government placed India under its Red list barring Indians from travelling to that country in the wake of the second Covid-19 wave in India. Now that India has been moved to the Amber list, there has been a sudden spurt in travel demand.

While Air India and Vistara operate flights from the Indian side, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic are the UK carriers that fly to Delhi and Mumbai.

Air India will operate 13 weekly flights connecting London with six Indian citiesDelhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Amritsar, and Kochi from 16 August to 1 September 2021.

"Fly non-stop from India to London with Air India. Thirteen weekly flights to/from six Indian cities. Before you plan your travel please click on to airindia.in/international travel to know more about travel guidelines to/from the UK," Air India said in a tweet.

is one of the most popular international routes, having a total of 33 weekly frequencies in 2019. The frequency reduced considerably after the grounding of Jet Airways.

With government capping capacity, average economy-class fares on international flights operating on key routes connecting India have risen significantly during the last one month due to high demand.

Airfare on Delhi in India to Newark in the US rose from Rs 69,034 in July to Rs 87,542 in August.

An average economy class ticket on Mumbai-Moscow flight and Mumbai-Doha flight was priced at Rs 43,132 and Rs 11,719, respectively, this July, according to data. This increased to Rs 85,024 and Rs 18,384, respectively, by August.
Retailers and restaurant owners are up in arms over a government diktat that allows them to function only with fully vaccinated staff from August 15 onwards.

In its submission to the government, the Retailers Association of India (RAI) said members would open stores by deputing staff that have been administered a single dose and would follow all standard operating procedures governing health and sanitation.

Anurag Katriar, president of the National Restaurant Association of India, said the new rule is more draconian than the existing conditions and will force outlets to either flout them or fold up.

On Wednesday, the state government introduced new guidelines, allowing malls, restaurants, and retail stores to function across the state till 10 pm. So far, malls had been shut in Mumbai, while could only serve dine-in guests till 4 pm.

While businesses greeted the decision, their optimism turned into dismay as the new regulations came with riders. The rules state that staff in restaurants, malls, and retail outlets need to have taken two doses of any Covid vaccine and completed 14 days after the second dose. Moreover, only the fully vaccinated can visit malls 14 days after their second dose.

RAI Chief Executive Officer Kumar Rajagopalan said the new rule is impractical. He said many workers are in 20-45 age group and still ineligible for the second jab due to the 84-day gap between doses.

Even for customers, the two-dose requirement should be waived. They should be allowed entry into malls after a temperature check, he added.





ALSO READ: Delta variant of politics: Far right jumps on anti-vaccination bandwagon

Free vaccination in the 18-44 age group was suspended by the state government on May 12, 11 days after the launch due to shortage of doses. The government began vaccinating people in the 30-44 age bracket from June 22 onwards. In the interim, those between 18 and 44 years old could get vaccinated only at private vaccination centres. Until now, a little over a million people in in the 18-44 age bracket have received both doses.

We are disappointed with the government order. It is unreasonable to expect staff to get fully vaccinated by August 15, rued Pradeep Shetty, joint honorary secretary, Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India.

Katriar said hotels and should be designated as priority sectors and enough vaccine doses must be provided to them for completing inoculation in three months. Binod Modi, head-strategy, Reliance Securities, said, Relaxations in bode well for sectors like retail and hospitality."

"Further, resuming local train service for all the vaccinated is a sensible move, which can improve labour availability for construction projects. Companies, such as Jubilant FoodWorks, Burger King India, Specialty Restaurants, and Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail, are likely to be the key beneficiaries of the relaxation, added Modi.
detected 3,260 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, taking the total tally to 798,651, while the death toll reached 10,212 after 32 fresh fatalities were recorded, the health ministry said.

According to the Ministry of Health and Population, a total of new 10,806 swab samples were tested under the RT-PCR method, of which 2,473 turned out as positive. Likewise, 4,656 people underwent antigen tests for the virus, of which an additional 787 tested positive.

Of the total cases so far, 677,377 people have recovered. Likewise, 10,212 corona- infected people have died, it said.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan government has provided medical equipment worth Nepali Rupees 19 million (190 lakh) in grant assistance to the government to help it fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

Charge d'Affaires of Pakistan to Adnan Javed Khan handed over the medical equipment to Dr Roshan Pokharel, Secretary at the Ministry of Health and Population, Nepal, according to the ministry.

The medical equipment include 30 ventilators and as many CPAP breathing equipment.

According to a statement issued by the Embassy of Pakistan in Kathmandu, the gift is part of Pakistan's COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Programme pledged for SAARC member States.

Earlier last month, the embassy handed over a cheque of more than Rs 43 million (430 lakh) to Nepal as part of COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Programme.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The has said that a Sub-Divisional Magistrate here prima facie committed contempt of court by sending a notice to the residence of a person desirous of marrying his partner under the Special Act (SMA), in violation of its order prohibiting any such dispatch.

Justice Najmi Waziri, hearing a plea by the inter-faith couple, issued notice to the official and asked him to show cause as to why contempt proceedings should be not initiated against him for obstructing the administration of justice.

Issue notice to the respondent to show cause why contempt proceedings be not initiated against him for obstructing the administration of justice and for committing contempt of court, the court ordered on August 10.

The court iterated that whenever a couple desires to get the registered under the SMA, notices are not to be sent to their residences.

There is a prohibition on sending such notices which could jeopardize the plans of the applicants or become a cause for a threat to their lives or limb, it added.

The court noted that in April 2009, the high court had passed an order directing that notices under the SMA be displayed on the office notice board instead being sent to the homes of the couple and directions to this effect were also issued to all the Deputy Commissioners by the Delhi government.

In the present case, a notice was sent by the SDM at the residence of one of the applicants apropos the registration of sought by him and his partner under the SMA.

The aforesaid issuance of notice is in clear breach of this Court's directions dated 08.04.2009. Prima facie, the court is of the view that the respondent has committed contempt of court, the court said.

The matter would be heard next on September 8.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Reliance Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Reliance Industries Ltd, on Thursday said it has provided 2.5 lakh free COVID-19 vaccine doses to the government.

"The commitment was formally handed over to the Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan, by a delegation from Reliance," it said in a statement.

Vijayan, according to the statement, expressed gratitude and said Reliance Foundation's gesture of solidarity would undoubtedly strengthen the state's vaccination drive.

Reliance Foundation founder-chairperson Nita M Ambani said: "Mass vaccination is the most effective way to protect people from the virus. We rolled out Mission Vaccine Suraksha, for free vaccinations across the country. With these 2.5 lakh free vaccination doses, Reliance Foundation reaffirms its support to the people of in this hour of need."



The vaccine doses arrived in Kochi on Thursday and were handed over to the Medical Services Corporation.

Ernakulam District Collector Jaffer Malik received the vaccine doses on behalf of the Kerala government.

The vaccines will be distributed and administered through the Kerala Health Department.

As part of Mission Vaccine Suraksha, over 10 lakh COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered to employees, family members and dependents across Reliance.

Till date, over 98 per cent of all eligible employees have been covered with at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

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Congress leader on Thursday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming he will be "thrown" out of power by a "storm" created by the voices of poor, Dalits, farmers and workers in the country.

He said that the people of the country understood the current situation in the country and the Congress and its frontal organisations have a job to remind them that they need not fear any force but challenge it.

"A voice of poor, Dalits, farmers and workers will be heard in the country. It will gather momentum gradually and turn into a storm that will throw out of Prime Minister's residence," Gandhi said addressing partymen at the 'Halla Bol' protest at Jantar Mantar.

The SC/ST department of the Congress organised the protest against alleged atrocities on Dalits.

"Our job is to remind people of India what Baba Saheb and Mahatma Gandhi said. They said - do not be afraid of anyone. These cowards and hollow people will run away, the day country starts fighting them.

"It's job of Congress, SC/ST department, Youth Congress and NSUI to remind people of India that they can challenge any force without fearing it," Gandhi said.

He claimed that the Constitution is under attack from all sides in the country.

"We are not allowed to speak in Parliament if we raise the issues of farmers, Dalits, backward classes and women," he alleged.

"For the first time in the history of the country, parliamentarians were beaten and shoved in the Rajya Sabha," he alleged further.

The Congress leader attacked the prime minister, alleging he committed "atrocities" on farmers and destroyed the small and medium businesses in the country by demonetisation and GST.

"During the coronavirus pandemic, we demanded that people should be directly provided money and small and medium businesses needed to be helped. But, gave money to his 4-5 industrialist friends and others got nothing," he alleged.

The protest was also attended by many senior Congress leaders including P Chidambaram, KC Venugopal, Nitin Raut, Sushmita Dev and Delhi unit president Anil Kumar.

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Senior IPS officer Sudhir Kumar Saxena was on Thursday appointed Secretary (Security), Cabinet Secretariat, according to a Personnel Ministry order.

Saxena, a 1987 batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of Madhya Pradesh cadre, is currently Special Director General, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved his appointment as Secretary (Security), Cabinet Secretariat, it said.

The Secretary (Security) is the administrative head of the Special Protection Group (SPG) that provides security to the prime minister and members of his immediate family residing with him at his official residence.

The SPG also provides security to any former prime minister and members of his immediate family residing with him at the residence allotted to him for a period of five years from the date he ceases to hold the office of the prime minister.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The country's (forex) reserves are accumulated from investment flows and are not "ours" as there are liabilities against them. Hence, the kitty works as a buffer against exchange rate volatility and is not for deploying to fund projects, said analysts and experts.

There is plenty of cheap money available in the country and abroad to finance viable infrastructure (infra) projects since central banks the world over, including in India, have infused liquidity to battle recession and fuel demand, they added.

The issue has come into sharp focus once again after Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday made a pitch for using the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) rising reserves for infra development like road projects. The country needs low-cost finance for such infra projects, he said, addressing the Confederation of Indian Industry.

India's reserves rose $9.42 billion to a level of $620.57 billion in the week ended July 30. The accretion to reserves has been to the tune of $43.6 billion since the end of March, according to the latest RBI data.

In fact, last month in an interview to Business Standard, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das had said that the reserves are not our own money. It is not that we have built it up by way of trade surplus.

If we have the reserves, we also have the liabilities against them. Capital flows are a strong contributor to our reserves, Das had said.

Flagging concerns on the use of forex reserves for funding, Madan Sabanavis, chief economist, CARE Ratings, said just as the RBI absorbs excess flow, it has obligations to meet system requirements when foreign investors take out money. "So this pool of hard currency resources has a charge on it and is not available for deploying for internal purposes (like giving money to finance projects)," he said.

Aditi Nayar, chief economist at ICRA Ratings, also expressed reservations on the use of policy normalisation (read central banks raising policy rates) across the world not being far away. "This has the potential to trigger taper tantrums. We need to consolidate on forex reserve levels as arsenal to avert any crisis down the line," she said.

Former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan, who headed the central bank in 2013, when India faced the brunt of taper tantrum, is also vocal in his opposition to other uses of the forex reserves.

"India needs forex reserves buffer to insulate itself from exchange rate volatility as we have 'no friends' for swap lines. Japan was the only country that helped during the taper tantrum in 2013," Rajan had said last month, at a seminar organised by the National Council of Applied Economic Research.

Referring to the huge liquidity available in the market, Sabanavis said the RBI has infused liquidity into the system through targeted long-term repo operation at cheap rates for lending. "Also, liquidity is not happening independent of dollars. The RBI has been buying them, leading to infusion of rupee funds into the system," he said.

Seconding Sabanavis' views, Ananth Narayan, associate professor, SP Jain Institute of Management and Research, said it hardly makes any sense for the RBI to give commercial loans to infra entities in India, when so much of cheap funds are available in the market. "Any infra entity does not need the RBI loan to initiate import of capital goods for the project," he added.
The Digital Accounting and Assurance Board (DAAB) of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has proposed eight new Forensic Accounting and Investigation Standards (FAIS), which will be placed for final approval on August 13.

The had earlier issued 13 FAIS.

The new accounting standards prescribe strict measures to be followed by the forensic auditors while conducting

The new standards will render the existing forensic audits untenable, especially where the lenders have used ambiguous and inconclusive reports to classify borrower loan accounts as fraud.

The FAIS prescribes that the forensic auditor shall issue a precise and unambiguous report.

The report is also required to be backed by reliable evidence and relevant documents collected by the auditor, in line with the requirements of FAIS to support its conclusions.

The FAIS further prescribes that the report shall not express an opinion or pass any judgement on guilt or innocence.

The FAIS categorically mandates that the principles of natural justice needs to be met by conducting a discussion of the observations with the subject party and their views need to be suitably incorporated in the report.

It is to be noted that currently, there are no standards or guidelines prescribed by any regulator or authority to monitor or regulate the functions of

In the absence of such regulations, any and every self-acclaimed expert/firm was appointed by the lenders to conduct forensic audit as per their own rules and procedures and present reports based on their own judgements.

In most such cases, the reports used to be inconclusive, ambiguous and devoid of reliable evidence. There was no review or appeal mechanism against any erroneous or wrong forensic audit findings, and the same were not even shared with the concerned party.

These new forensic audit standards are likely to render several existing forensic audit reports untenable -- especially where lenders have used ambiguous and inconclusive reports to classify borrower loan accounts as 'fraud', or where the principles of natural justice have not been met during the process of forensic audit.

--IANS

arm/

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The government has postponed the reopening of - scheduled to re-start from August 17 - following a meeting of the Covid-19 Task Force held late on Wednesday, officials said here on Thursday.

The meeting, chaired by Chief Secretary Sitaram Kunte and attended by Task Force members, and health department officials as well as a few district collectors, was held to decide on reopening of

It decided that while some of the in rural areas, where there is no threat from will continue to function, all other schools in the state -- shut since March 2020 -- will not restart from August 17 as was planned earlier.

Minority Affairs Minister Nawab Malik pointed out that in certain other states like Punjab, where schools were allowed to reopen, there was a sharp increase in the number of juvenile Covid patients.

The experts opined that since there is no vaccination available for the children who could be vulnerable to the infection, decision on reopening the schools should not be taken immediately.

Now, the Task Force, Department officials will meet and discuss the matter with Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray who would take a final call on the issue.

Presently, offline classes from Std VII-XII are allowed with restrictions and Covid-19 protocols, but students in the lower classes will not be able to return to schools until further orders.

--IANS

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(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Union Minister on Thursday said that the Centre and state governments will collectively allocate Rs 3 lakh crores to implement Samagra Siksha 2.0.

He was speaking virtually during the Confederation of Indian Industry's (CII) annual meeting 2021, plenary session on 'Job Creation and Entrepreneurship.

"To create a formal mechanism for early childhood and nutrition, the Ministry of and Ministry of Women and Child Development will work together to implement Samagra Siksha 2.0 in the next 5 years. Centre and state governments will collectively allocate Rs 3 lakh crores to implement Samagra Siksha 2.0," said the union minister.

Pradhan further said that the agenda of the Government is to ensure the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) at the ground level.

"The government was working towards bringing all children above three years of age into the formal education system and plan for their about twenty years of education; currently about 15 crores of youth between the ages of three and twenty-three are out of this system," he said while explaining that this was necessary to ensure a productive workforce in the economy.

The minister further said that the COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated a shift towards the digital medium of education.

"A vibrant digital ecosystem in education will expand learning opportunities and spur innovation and entrepreneurship in the education sector," added the union minister.

Earlier, speaking on the integrated approach towards education and skill development Pradhan said that for the first time, the government has combined the education and skill departments, creating a new approach for good livelihoods and for better implementation of policies.

Ajay S Shriram, Past President, CII, and Chairman and Senior Managing Director, DCM Shriram Limited in his Opening Remarks said, "The energy of our youth needs to be channelised through education & skill development, preparing them for newer job and entrepreneurship opportunities." This, he said will drive India's future growth.

Making suggestions on employment generation and skilling, Shriram suggested a four-point agenda including implementing an Urban Employment Guarantee Programme, giving impetus to skill development courses for labour-intensive industries, extending the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana beyond the COVID-19 period, including the components on training and entrepreneurship in the school curriculum and setting up an accelerated digital skilling program.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Applications for U.S. state unemployment benefits dropped for the third week in a row, another incremental advance in the labor markets recovery.



Initial unemployment claims in regular state programs totaled 375,000 in the period ended Aug. 7, in line with estimates from a Bloomberg survey of economists. Thats down 12,000 from the prior week, Labor Department data showed Thursday.





Continuing claims for state benefits fell to 2.9 million in the week ended July 31.

Jobless claims have been largely falling this year as a pickup in economic activity strengthens business conditions and leads to a record number of job openings. While initial claims are broadly expected to continue declining in the coming months, the spreading Covid-19 delta variant poses a risk to the pace of recovery.

Initial claims in Michigan and New York were among the biggest declines last week. California posted the largest increase, followed by Virginia and Maryland.

Roughly half of U.S. governors have ended pandemic unemployment benefit programs before their expiration in September, arguing the supplemental aid is making it harder for businesses to fill a record number of job openings. Lawsuits in some of those states challenging the governors legal authority to end the aid could restore the halted benefits until they officially expire.

The latest jobs report showed payrolls increased by 943,000 in July, the biggest increase in nearly a year, while the unemployment rate dropped to a pandemic low of 5.4%. Still, vacancies stood at a record high in June, pointing to a mismatch between labor supply and demand.
A cargo ship broke into two pieces after running aground in a northern Japanese port and is spilling oil into the sea, Japan's coast guard said Thursday.

All 21 Chinese and Filipino crew members were safely rescued by the coast guard, said the ship's Japanese operator, NYK Line.

The 39,910-ton wood-chip carrier Crimson Polaris went aground Wednesday while sailing inside Hachinohe Port. It managed to free itself from the seabed, but suffered a crack which widened and eventually caused the vessel to split into two early Thursday, the coast guard said.

Officials were trying to contain the oil spill. The amount of oil leaked is under investigation, NYK Line said in a statement.

The broken hull of the Panamanian-registered ship has drifted about 4 km (2.4 miles) off the coast, it said.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Amid the anti-monopoly crackdown against top Chinese corporates like Alibaba and Tencent, President Xi Jinping-led ruling Communist Party has outlined plans to focus mainly on rule of law-based governance in the next five years which could further boost his power base.

A rare joint document issued by CPC and the State Council, which is China's Cabinet, on Wednesday mapped out a new blueprint on promoting the building of a rule of law government from 2021 to 2025, on the basis of the successful implementation of a previous 5-year plan.

The document stresses strengthening the CPC's leadership for the building of a government based on the rule of law.

The new focus on governance comes in the midst of the on-going crackdown on China's major corporates, including Alibaba, Tencent and the car hailing app, Didi, which resulted in a big drop in the shares of many Chinese firms listed in the US and Hong Kong markets.

The anti-monopoly crackdown which caught the corporates by surprise comes amid the continued consolidation of the power base of 68-year-old Xi, who has emerged as the most powerful leader after Mao Zedong heading the CPC, the military and the Presidency. He is widely expected to continue to remain in power beyond his second five-year tenure next year.

All his predecessors retired after two terms and Xi has the prospect of continuing in power for life, thanks to a key constitutional amendment removing the two-term limit for the President.

Identifying promoting the rule of law for the government as the main task in advancing law-based governance in all areas, the document highlighted the guiding philosophies, principles, and overall goals of this cause for the next five years, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

The anti-monopoly crackdown has humbled highly popular corporate personalities like Jack Ma, the founder of Alibaba and his fellow billionaires who flourished under CPC's rule.

The new document urges improving government functions in various fields, including economic adjustment, market supervision, social management, public service, and environmental protection.

On improving the law-based business environment, the plan calls for concrete efforts to prevent the administrative power from eliminating or stifling competition. It pledges improvements in the system of pre-establishment national treatment plus a negative list for foreign investment. It also promises strengthened enforcement of anti-monopoly and anti-unfair competition laws, the Xinhua report said.

It stresses pushing forward legislative activities and studies in key areas such as national security, bio-security, infectious diseases prevention and control, and digital economy.

It also urges governments at all levels to promote law-based administration with the help of digital technologies, including the internet, big data, and artificial intelligence.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Chinas banking and insurance watchdog is stepping up scrutiny of the nations insurance technology platforms, widening a regulatory dragnet that has roiled global investors.



The regulator has ordered and local agencies to curb improper marketing and pricing practices, and step up user privacy protection, according to a notice seen by Bloomberg News. It encouraged to address these issues voluntarily and said those that failed to comply would face severe punishment.

The sweeping order goes beyond the targeted action thats hit a few listed online platforms including Waterdrop Inc. and operations backed by Ping An Insurance Group Co. in the months since began a broad crackdown on its fintech sector this year. It has also moved to rein in some of its biggest technology companies, as well as edtech, ride-hailing and short video platforms.

The latest move will stymie growth in an industry that had been expected to grow to 2.5 trillion yuan ($385 billion) in a decade. The Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission didnt immediately respond to a request seeking comment.

In recent years, online insurance has moved into a fast lane. At the same time, transgressions have been rampant, according to the notice, which cited offenses including some internet platforms illegally operating in insurance, mispricing risks or illicitly using client information. It called for immediate rectification and regulation.

U.S.-listed insurance platform Huize Holding Ltd. fell 5%, the most in two weeks, after Bloomberg reported the notice. Insurance agency and platform Fanhua Inc. dropped nearly 6%. Ride-hailing service Didi Global Inc., which operates a fledgling financial services business, declined 3.7%. Shares of ZhongAn Online P&C Insurance Co. slid 11.5% in Hong Kong.





Regulatory Overhang



Investors across Chinas online space will need to brace for further ructions after a year in which technology darlings from Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. to Tencent Holdings Ltd. and Didi have been hit by a blizzard of regulatory action. The State Council on Wednesday warned of more legislation to come in areas including national security, technological innovation as well as anti-monopoly.

Just a year ago, insurance seemed ripe for disruption as startups vowed to transform traditional practices with technology. Regulators have since moved to shutter some operations including mutual aid healthcare platforms operated by Waterdrop and Ant Group Co. A draft circular in January may potentially bar from selling certain insurance products if enacted.

The overhang presents multiple challenges for Waterdrop, which was one of a few Chinese fintechs to have pulled off an initial public offering this year. The company has warned it may not be able to achieve or maintain profitability or positive cash flow in the future after incurring net losses and negative cash flow each year since its inception in 2016. It lost $101 million last year after generating operating revenue of $464 million.

Investors and companies have poured an estimated 45 billion yuan ($7 billion) into insurance technology, according to estimates from online consultant iResearch.

What Bloomberg Intelligence Says



Chinas crackdown on marketing, pricing and fees for online insurance products should be good for industry leaders such as ZhongAn in the long term we believe. Better consumer protection supports more-sustainable industry development and competition on service quality and product innovation rather than via pricing and misleading ads.

- Steven Lam, analyst



By the end of 2020, more than 140 in had started online insurance businesses, with total premiums of 298 billion yuan for the year, or 6% of the industry total, a CBIRC official said in a speech in May.

Halts approvals for residential realty funds



China is halting private equity funds from raising money to invest in residential property developments, turning off the spigot on one of the last stable funding resorts for the struggling sector. The government-endorsed Asset Management Association of China, or AMAC, has verbally informed private equity firms it would no longer be accepting the required registrations to set up funds to invest in projects, people familiar with the decision said, requesting not to be named because the matter is private. (Reuters)
KoBold Metals, a mineral exploration company backed by Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, former New York Mayor and Bridgewater Associates founder Ray Dalio, has entered into a joint venture with London-based mining firm Bluejay to search for nickel, copper, cobalt and platinum used in on Greenland.

KoBold will spend $15 million through 2024 to help Bluejay locate natural resources as part of its Disko-Nuussuaq project in Central West Greenland.

"The Disko region has seen the rare convergence of events in earth's history that could have resulted in forming a world-class battery metal deposit," said Kurt House, CEO of KoBold.

"We are excited to invest in Greenland's emerging mineral sector and to partner with Bluejay in light of their strong track record in Greenland and the outstanding potential of the Disko project," he added.

Copper, nickel, cobalt and lithium are some of the key metals required for EV battery production. As a result, demand growth for nickel from EVs is expected to increase 14 times between till 2030.

Around 50% of the world's cobalt, another key material for EV manufacturing, is found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

KoBold uses artificial intelligence, machines, and computing to look for the raw materials needed for (EVs).

"We are delighted to have a partner at the pinnacle of technical innovation for new exploration methods, backed by some of the most successful investors in the world," said Bo Stensgaard, CEO of Bluejay.

"Additionally, Bluejay retains the ability to self-fund to maintain a 49% ownership through to production, providing external public investors with the opportunity of investing alongside a private investment entity of this magnitude," he added.

--IANS

na/

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As security forces retreated across Afghanistan, the government gave a proposal to negotiators in Qatar offering a power-sharing deal in return for an end to fighting, according to a member of the governments team in Doha.

A second negotiator, Ghulam Farooq Majroh, said the had been given an offer about a government of peace without providing more specifics.

The peace offer comes as captured a strategic provincial capital near on Thursday, the 10th the insurgents have taken in a weeklong sweep across just weeks before the end of the American military mission there.

Seizing Ghazni cuts off a crucial highway linking the Afghan capital with the country's southern provinces, which similarly find themselves under assault as part of an insurgent push some 20 years after US and NATO troops invaded and ousted the Taliban government.

While itself isn't directly under threat, the loss of Ghazni tightens the grip of a resurgent Taliban estimated to now hold some two-thirds of the nation, and thousands of people have fled their homes. The latest US military intelligence assessment suggests could come under insurgent pressure within 30 days and that, if current trends hold, the Taliban could gain full control of the country within a few months. The Afghan government may eventually be forced to pull back to defend the capital and just a few other cities.

The onslaught represented a stunning collapse of Afghan forces and renews questions about where the over $830 billion spent by the US Defence Department on fighting, training those troops, and reconstruction efforts went  especially as Taliban fighters ride on American-made Humvees and pickup trucks with M-16s slung across their shoulders. It also raised fears that the Taliban would turn back the clock on the country and reimpose a brutal regime. Already there are reports of repressive restrictions on women and revenge killings.

Afghan security forces and the government have not responded to repeated requests for comment over the days of fighting.

On Thursday, the militants raised their white flags imprinted with an Islamic proclamation of faith over the city of Ghazni, just 130 km (80 miles) southwest of Kabul. Mohammad Arif Rahmani, a lawmaker from Ghazni, said the city had fallen to the insurgents.

Ghazni provincial council member Amanullah Kamrani also told The Associated Press that but added that the two bases outside of the city remain held by government forces. Militants crowded onto one seized Humvee and drove down one main road in Ghazni, with the golden dome of a mosque near the governor's office visible behind them, yelling: God is great!



The insurgents, cradling their rifles, later gathered at one roundabout for an impromptu speech by a commander. One militant carried a rocket-propelled grenade launcher.

Kamrani alleged that Ghazni's provincial governor and police chief made a deal with the Taliban to flee after their surrender. Taliban video and photos purported to show the governor's convoy passing by Taliban fighters unstopped as part of the deal. Later Thursday, Afghanistan's Interior Ministry said the governor and his deputies had been arrested over that alleged deal.

The officials could not be immediately reached for comment. The loss of Ghazni  which sits along the Kabul-Kandahar Highway that connects the Afghan capital to the southern provinces  could complicate resupply and movement for government forces, as well as squeeze the capital from the south. Already, the Taliban's weeklong blitz has seen the militants seize nine other provincial capitals around the country.

Many are in the country's northeast corner, pressuring Kabul from that direction as well. Angry at pan-Arab satellite news network Al-Jazeera for reporting on troops earlier surrendering in Kunduz, military spokesman Gen. Ajmal Omar Shinwari said the channel would be investigated by authorities. Al-Jazeera, based in Qatar where the Taliban has a diplomatic office, said since it didn't "have a correspondent currently in Kunduz, we rely on reputed news agencies" and used that material in its reports on the surrenders.
By Jessica Jaganathan

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - were steady on Thursday following two days of gains after a call from the United States, the world's top oil consumer, for major producers to boost output reinforced supply concerns as economies ease their coronavirus restrictions.

Brent crude futures edged higher by 5 cents to $71.49 a barrel by 0216 GMT while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures gained by 4 cents to $69.29.

U.S. President Joe Biden's administration on Wednesday urged the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies, known as OPEC+, to boost oil output to tackle rising gasoline prices that they see as a threat to the global economic recovery.

Data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration on Wednesday showed that fuel demand in the top global crude user is averaging 20.6 million barrels per day (bpd) over the past four weeks, roughly in line with 2019 levels, and U.S. refiners slightly increased the amount of crude they processed last week.[EIA/S]

OPEC agreed in July to boost output each month by 400,000 bpd over the previous month, starting in August, until the rest of their record cuts of 10 million bpd, about 10% of world demand, made in 2020 are phased out.

However, there are still concerns that the increase will not be enough to meet demand as the U.S. and Europe ease their coronavirus-induced movement restrictions.

"The Biden Administration said that the recently agreed production increases will not fully offset previous production cuts imposed during the pandemic," said ANZ in a note.

Later, the White House said its outreach to OPEC+ is ongoing and aimed at long-term engagement, not necessarily an immediate response.

The administration added it had not called upon U.S. producers to ramp up production, which led the market to turn higher on Wednesday, said Phil Flynn, a senior analyst at Price Futures Group in Chicago.

Other data from the EIA report weighed on prices. U.S. crude oil stockpiles fell modestly last week, out of step with forecasts, while gasoline inventories dipped to their lowest level since November. More volatile weekly demand numbers also declined. [EIA/S]

(Reporting by Jessica Jaganathan; Editing by Christian Schmollinger)

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
By Alex Lawler

LONDON (Reuters) - on Thursday stuck to its prediction of a strong recovery in world in 2021 and further growth next year, despite concerns about the spread of the Delta variant that has weighed on prices.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries in a monthly report also raised its forecast of supply from rivals, including U.S. shale producers, next year, a potential headwind for the efforts of the group and allies to balance the market.

"The global economy continues to recover," said in the report. "However, numerous challenges remain that could easily dampen this momentum. In particular, COVID-19-related developments will need close monitoring."

OPEC's view that demand will shrug off the latest pandemic-related setback contrasts with that of the Energy Agency, which trimmed its outlook on Thursday. The U.S. government's forecaster also kept its 2021 growth forecast steady, but trimmed that for 2022.

will rise by 5.95 million barrels per day (bpd) this year, or 6.6%, unchanged from last month's forecast, said in the report. In 2022, fuel use will expand by 3.28 million bpd, OPEC said, also unchanged.

Oil was trading above $71 a barrel after the report was released. Prices have risen to pre-pandemic highs above $77 this year, boosted by economic recovery hopes and OPEC+ supply cuts, although concern about the Delta variant has weighed.

OPEC raised its forecast of 2021 world economic growth to 5.6% from 5.5% assuming the impact of the pandemic will be contained, although it warned of "significant uncertainties". The outlook for 2022 was raised by the same increment to 4.2%.

"The path of the COVID-19 pandemic will be the overarching factor impacting the near-term pace of the recovery, with the potential emergence of new COVID-19 variants and/or mutations posing a particular risk," OPEC said.

SHALE REBOUND SEEN

The report showed higher output from OPEC and forecast more supplies from rivals in 2022, including U.S. shale producers.

OPEC and its allies, known as OPEC+, are gradually unwinding record oil output cuts put in place last year when the pandemic hit demand. In July, they agreed to gradually boost output by 400,000 bpd a month from August.

The report showed OPEC output rose in July by 640,000 bpd to 26.66 million bpd, as Saudi Arabia unwound the rest of a voluntary supply cut it had made to support the market.

The report forecast a 2.9 million bpd rise in supply from OPEC's rivals in 2022, 840,000 bpd more than seen last month, partly because of the decision by OPEC+ to pump more and as higher prices spur investment.

OPEC sees output of U.S. tight oil, another term for shale, rising by 560,000 bpd in 2022, up 60,000 bpd from last month's forecast, after a contraction this year.

"In the U.S., operators have remained highly disciplined in 2020-2021," OPEC said. "Nevertheless, rig count continue to rise, more wells are being fracked and more frac crews are deployed, as firms are again flush with free cash flow."

The extra barrels will limit growth in demand for OPEC crude next year. OPEC sees the world needing 27.6 million bpd from its members, down 1.1 million bpd from last month but still in theory allowing for higher OPEC production.

(Editing by Jason Neely and David Evans)

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
on Thursday alleged that and were behind last month's suicide attack on a shuttle bus in the country's restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province that killed 13 people, including nine Chinese engineers.

The bomb attack took place in the Dasu area of Upper Kohistan district where a Chinese company is building a 4,300-megawatt hydropower project on the Indus river.

At least 13 people were killed when the bus carrying Chinese engineers and workers to the site of the under-construction Dasu Dam exploded on July 14. The bus fell into a deep ravine after the explosion.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad after the completion of the probe, also assisted by Chinese experts, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Afghan soil was used and the vehicle used for the attack was smuggled from

He accused the Indian spy agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and Afghanistan's National Directorate of Security (NDS) of carrying out the attack.

It was a blind case but Pakistani institutions managed to trace it," Qureshi said, alleging that there is a nexus of the two agencies which were behind the incident.

He said the Pakistani authorities examined footage of 36 CCTV cameras while the area under the investigation was almost 1,400 kilometres.

Last month, alleged that the mastermind of an attack near the residence of banned Jamat-ud-Dawa outfit chief Hafiz Saeed in Lahore on June 23 was an Indian citizen" and he was associated with R&AW. Later it claimed that a "common link" has been established between the Dasu blast and the explosion outside Saeed's house.

has previously trashed as "baseless propaganda" Pakistan's claim that it was behind some attacks in Karachi and Lahore and asked Islamabad to take "credible and verifiable" action against terrorism emanating from its soil instead.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi last month asked Pakistan to focus on setting its own house in order in containing terror networks and said that the community is well aware of that country's credentials when it comes to terrorism.

"It is not new for Pakistan to engage in baseless propaganda against Pakistan would do well to expend the same effort in setting its own house in order and taking credible and verifiable action against terrorism emanating from its soil and terrorists who have found safe sanctuaries there," Bagchi said on July 8 in New Delhi at an MEA briefing.

"The community is well aware of Pakistan's credentials when it comes to terrorism. This is acknowledged by none other than its own leadership, which continues to glorify terrorists like Osama Bin Laden as 'martyrs'," he said.

Qureshi claimed that the first target was the Diamer-Bhasha dam site in Gilgit-Baltistan but on failing to target it, the terrorists targeted the Dasu project.

He said the authorities have traced the handlers and the people connected with it.

The Chinese officials have visited the crime scene and were updated about the investigation, Qureshi said, adding that China was satisfied with the probe.

Director-General of Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Javed Iqbal, who also briefed the media on the occasion, said that it was a suicide attack and a thumb and a limb of the attacker were found at the scene.

He said the suicide bomber was identified as Khalid aka Sheikh and he was an Afghan national.

Iqbal said 14 people were involved in the attack, and the group was led by a person named Tariq, a member of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

He claimed that Tariq and another person Muawiya were trained by NDS and RAW for this attack.

"We have so far arrested three suspects and are going to nab others, he said.

Pakistan had initially said that the accident was caused due to technical problems and later an explosion occurred due to gas leakage, while China has from the beginning called it a terrorist attack due to which the vehicle fell down. Beijing also sent a 15-member team of experts to Pakistan to probe the incident.

The Dasu bus blast had accentuated Beijing's concerns as thousands of Chinese personnel are working on the USD 60 billion China-Pakistan installations, projects and personnel in Pakistan.

For Pakistan, ties with China are crucial due to its increasing economic dependence on Beijing.

This year, the two nations are celebrating the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and more than 100 celebratory events have been planned of which over 60 events have already been held so far.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
risks undermining relations with the U.S. and further antagonizing the after the ruling party pushed through a controversial media law in 24 hours of political drama.



Parliaments lower chamber voted 228-216 late on Wednesday to approve the legislation, which ostensibly is designed to protect broadcasters from non-European takeovers. Yet it targets Discovery Inc., the American owner of Polands largest private television network, and would force it to sell. The bill now goes to the Senate.

The move has been criticized by U.S. senators, the State Department and the EU as an attempt to muzzle independent media. Before the vote, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki fired his deputy, Jaroslaw Gowin, the leader of a smaller party in the governing coalition and an increasingly vocal opponent of the Law & Justice leadership.





Discovery appealed to Polands Senate and President Andrzej Duda, a ruling party loyalist, to stop the law. The company said it was discriminatory and called it an attack on freedom of speech. The outcome should also be deeply concerning to any enterprise investing in Poland, it said.

Morawiecki on Thursday called criticism of the media law misguided since the rule didnt aim to clamp down on any specific TV channel. Meanwhile, Vera Jourova, the European Commission vice president in charge of values, chided for taking steps toward reining in media pluralism and diversity of opinions.

The episode puts at another critical juncture as the now minority government may have to rely on more radical nationalist forces for support. Along with Hungary, the EUs biggest eastern state has been in conflict with Brussels in recent years over the independence of judges and the media, yet Law & Justice played up close ties with its NATO allies in Washington.

Morawiecki has said the legislation is vital for the country to prevent Russian or Chinese media taking over a Polish broadcaster. It also showed Poland was finally standing up for its rights after decades of passively accepting the order, he said.

What the Law & Justice is doing lacks any sense and shows its a party of ideologues, focused entirely on domestic where strategic concern plays a secondary role, said Marcin Zaborowski, policy director at GlobSec think-tank in Warsaw.

The vote was delayed after opposition parties won a motion to adjourn the sitting of parliament until next month. That was then annulled by the speaker on the basis that she had made a mistake when announcing the motion, triggering an outcry from the opposition, which accused the ruling party of breaking parliamentary protocol.

U.S. Relations



Separately, lawmakers approved another contentious bill that would make it more difficult for Holocaust survivors to recover property seized by the Nazis on Polish soil. The move drew condemnation from Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid. The U.S. urged Polands president not to sign the law.

We are troubled by legislation passed in Poland severely restricting restitution for Holocaust survivors and owners of property confiscated during the Communist era, and draft legislation that would gravely weaken media freedom. Our shared values are our mutual security.

 Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) August 11, 2021



These moves dont bode well for Polands relations or, potentially, investment in the country. The zloty was little changed against the euro.

Under President Joe Biden ties have cooled, with American officials speaking out on the erosion of Polands democratic system, its approach to LGBTQ+ rights and, most recently, the unclear fate of investments in the ex-communist country.

State Department spokesman Ned Price said before the vote that the U.S. was closely following the events in Warsaw and called on authorities there to respect common values.

The transatlantic alliance is based not only on mutual interests when it comes to our shared security but also mutual commitments to shared democratic values, Price said. We have urged the government of Poland to demonstrate its commitment to these principles.

European Money



The exit of Gowin, the pro-business deputy prime minister, meanwhile raises the profile of far-right lawmakers who have questioned the merits of EU membership.

Law & Justices remaining partner in the coalition is a small group allied with hardline Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro, who wanted Poland to veto the EUs virus recovery package last year and has broached the topic of the country leaving the 27-nation bloc.

Gowins dismissal could radicalize the government, said Barbara Brodzinska-Mirowska, a political scientist from Torun University.

Poland has been the biggest net recipient of EU money, getting more than 130 billion euros ($152 billion) since it joined in 2004 that transformed the economy. Yet concern over the erosion of rule of law in Poland and Hungary have led to threats of delay payouts from the regions pandemic stimulus fund.

The EUs executive arm has held up approval of Polands Covid recovery plan, putting 23.9 billion euros of stimulus grants earmarked for Warsaw at risk. Money from the blocs massive 800 billion-euro recovery package has already started flowing.

Election Question



During the media law vote, several fringe parliamentarians backed the government, while an anti-EU party abstained. While Law & Justice garnered enough support behind the law, the prospect of a minority government longer term has raised the question of early elections.

Law & Justice leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski -- the most powerful politician in the country -- said in April, though, that he doesnt predict a new ballot before the scheduled vote in late 2023. A lot may depend on how he assesses the revival of the opposition under Donald Tusk, the former EU president who returned to the front line of Polish this year.
will raise up to $700 million in a late-stage funding led by Fidelity Management and Research Company, the network said on Thursday, giving it a valuation of more than $10 billion.



In the ongoing round, it has already raised $410 million from Fidelity, thanks to its growing popularity as an online discussion forum.



Reddit's WallStreetBets forum has been at the heart of a boom in trading by small-time stock market investors this year that has threatened Wall Street hedge funds and sent shares in including GameStop and AMC soaring.



On the back of the trading frenzy, Reddit's value doubled to $6 billion in February from a year ago as it raised more money to handle the rush of new subscribers.



In the second quarter, marked its first $100 million advertising revenue, an almost threefold jump from the same period last year.



The San Francisco-based company was founded in 2005 by Chief Executive Steve Huffman, entrepreneur Alexis Ohanian and the late Internet activist Aaron Swartz.



Its investors include venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, funds such as Sequoia Capital, Tencent Holdings and rap superstar Snoop Dogg.



has been investing to expand in the UK, Canada and Australia. As of January, it has more than 52 million daily active users and over a 100,000 communities.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Two Afghan officials and the say the militants have seized the provincial capital of Ghazni.

The capture Thursday marks the 10th provincial capital seized by the insurgents in the last week.

Fighting was still ongoing on the outskirts of the city. However, officials say the were raising their flag and the city had calmed after hours of heavy fighting.

The Afghan central government in and the security forces did not immediately acknowledge the capture of Ghazni.

Ghazni is some 130 kilometers (80 miles) southwest of

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Taking a dig at the US, has said that Washington sees as "useful" only for clearing the "mess" it has left behind in after 20 years of fighting and prefers India when it comes to forming a strategic partnership.

has seen an uptick in violence by the Taliban after US President Joe Biden's announcement of the withdrawal of American and NATO troops by August 31.

is just considered only to be useful in the context of somehow settling this mess which has been left behind after 20 years of trying to find a military solution when there was not one, Khan told foreign journalists at his home here on Wednesday.

Khan said that since the US decided to have a strategic partnership with India, Washington was treating differently, according to a journalist present at the meeting.

Islamabad is unhappy that Biden has not spoken to Prime Minister Khan since he assumed the presidency in January.

Pakistan's National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf recently expressed disappointment over President Biden's reluctance to contact Prime Minister Khan despite considering Islamabad as an important country in some critical issues like

Yousuf also said that Islamabad has other "options" if the American leader continues to ignore the country's leadership.

The US State Department, however, had assured Islamabad that Washington recognises Pakistan's vital role in restoring peace in Afghanistan and wants Islamabad to play that role.

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke over the phone with Pakistan Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa this week and discussed the current situation in Afghanistan.

After the call, the Pentagon said the US was having conversations with the Pakistani leadership about the need to shut down the safe havens for Taliban militants along the Afghan-Pakistan border that are providing a source of more insecurity and instability inside Afghanistan.

Afghanistan and the US have criticised Pakistan in the past for allowing Taliban fighters to cross into Pakistan where they are provided safe havens and also receive medical treatment.

At the meeting with foreign journalists, Prime Minister Khan said that a political solution to the Afghan problem was difficult as the Taliban was not ready to talk with the Kabul government as long as President Ashraf Ghani is there.

He said the Taliban leaders told him during a visit that the Ghani government was a puppet.

The condition is that as long as Ashraf Ghani is there, we (Taliban) are not going to talk to the Afghan government, Khan quoted the Taliban leaders as saying.

Khan has taken a strong stand on the hasty withdrawal of the US troops from Afghanistan, which has plunged the country into a chaotic situation.

Khan also reiterated that Pakistan wouldn't provide bases to the US forces after the drawdown. Though it was unclear if the US formally asked for the facility.

Pakistan has said that it has used its influence over the Taliban to press the insurgents into talks with the US and the Afghan government to find a political solution to the crisis.

Khan last month said that the US really messed it up in Afghanistan as he questioned the American motive for the 2001 invasion of the country in the first place and then their subsequent attempts of seeking a political solution with the Taliban from a position of weakness.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Top Indian artists' sales dipped by a fourth to Rs 81.28 crore in the pandemic-impacted 2020, a report said on Thursday.

London-based sculptor Anish Kapoor topped the Hurun India Art List 2021 with Rs 20.64 crore by selling 65 lots, which helped him top the tables for the third consecutive year. His turnover was down 54 per cent when compared to 2019.

The list is a compilation of 50 living artists either born or residing in India and has been compiled with data from Artprice.com, which collects data from auction houses.

Anas Rahman Junaid said the present opportunity presents a lucrative opportunity to collect the works of India's most successful artists.

"Cash-outs from the flurry of IPOs, startups exits and exponentially expanding Hurun India Rich List indicate that India is witnessing the fastest wealth creation in its history," Junaid said, hoping that the wealth creators will collect more Indian arts.

The most expensive work sold in 2020 was a 2004 piece titled 'The Seashore' by Kolkata-based figurative artist Arpita Singh for Rs 5.28 crore, while Kapoor's 2013 work 'Sans Tiltre' followed with a Rs 4.54 crore.

New Delhi-based painter Krishen Khanna, 96, shot up to the second place with sales of Rs 9 crore, followed by modernist painter Rameshwar Broota, 80, in third place with Rs 8.79 crore, the list said.

Others in the top-10 included Jogen Chowdhury, Anjolie Ela Menon, and Nalini Malani, it said, adding that 18 per cent of the 50 are women artists.

"Total sales of the Hurun India Art List came to Rs 81.28 crore, down 25 per cent compared with last year, the report said. Interestingly, the dip in the overall value came even as there was an increase in the number of lots sold to 470.

Painting was the most popular form of the art sold by artists on the list with 33 artists, followed by sculpting with 4 artists.

From a geographical distribution perspective, 37 per cent or Rs 30.47 crore of the total artwork from artists on this year's list was sold in India, followed by the USA (29 per cent) and UK (13 per cent).

As against the Rs 81.28 crore turnover in India, the same stood at Rs 3,478 crore in China, leading Junaid to lament that the northern neighbour is light years ahead of us.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The price of 10 gm of 22-carat gold on Monday remained unchanged at Rs 45,280 yesterday.

Silver was selling at Rs 62,500 per kg: dropping Rs 800 from yesterday, according to the website Good Returns.

Gold jewellery price varies across India, the second-largest consumer of the metal, due to excise duty, state taxes, and making charges.

In New Delhi, the price stands at Rs 45,500 per 10 gm of gold. For Mumbai, the yellow metal is selling at Rs 45,280, while, in Chennai, it is at Rs 43,730, according to the website.

The rate of 24-carat gold also remained unchanged at Rs 46,280 per 10 gm.

In New Delhi, gold price stands at Rs 49,600 per 10 gm (24 carat) while in Mumbai it is 46,280.
The price of 10 gm of 22-carat on Monday fell by Rs 10 to trade at Rs 45,690 from Rs 45,700 a day earlier. Silver was selling at Rs 65,000 per kg: unchanged from yesterday, according to the website Good Returns.

jewellery price varies across India, the second-largest consumer of the metal, due to excise duty, state taxes, and making charges.

In New Delhi, the price stands at Rs 45,990 per 10 gm.

For Mumbai, the yellow metal is selling at Rs 45,690, while, in Chennai, it is at Rs 44,390, according to the website.

The rate of 24-carat fell down by Rs 10 to Rs 46,700 per 10 gm.

In the global market, fall sharply as a break of $1,750 triggered stop loss sales taking it as low as $1,684 an ounce. It was last down 2.2% at $1,723.
A record 7.66 million initial public offering (IPO) mandates were created through the unified payments interface (UPI) in July amid strong retail investor interest in the primary market, according to data released by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), the umbrella entity for retail payments in India.

The figure for July was almost 4 times higher than that of June, when 1.94 million mandate creation requests were made through

July proved a blockbuster month for with the likes of Zomato tapping the capital market. The companys IPO garnered 3.2 million retail applications, the bulk of which were made through There were also of GR Infraprojects, Clean Science, and Tatva Chintan which saw a large number of applications.

Of the 7.66 million mandates created in July, only 532,943 or 6.94 per cent were executed.

Mandate creation is when a customer blocks an amount in the bank account for an IPO application. And, mandate execution is when the customer has been allotted shares for which the funds are debited.

The countrys largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) received the maximum mandate creation requests of 1.9 million, followed by HDFC Bank with 1.3 million, ICICI Bank with 930,423, Bank of Baroda with 636,907, and Axis Bank with 503,810.

In June, five companies launched IPOs, cumulatively raising Rs 9,923 crore and in July six companies tapped the market via IPOs, raising Rs 14,629 crore.

At present, retail applicants who have trading accounts with bank-backed brokerages can apply through their 3-in-1 accounts. Such accounts seamlessly link the bank account, demat account, and trading account. Meanwhile, those who have accounts with a standalone broker have to apply through the route. Typically, a little over a third of the applications in any IPO come through the UPI route, while the majority still comes from 3-in-1 accounts. Market players expect the share of UPI-based applications to grow as discount brokers are gaining market share.

Besides, there has been a substantial improvement in the rate of decline of UPI IPO mandates at banks over the last month.

SBI saw an approval rate of 87.98 per cent. Other PSBs like Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Union Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, Canara Bank, and Central Bank reported approval rates of 86.91 per cent, 90.71 per cent, 85.72 per cent, 99.71 per cent, 88.14 per cent, and 91.48 per cent, respectively.

Market observers say there is a strong possibility of UPI IPO mandates exceeding Julys tally this month.
Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL) posted a 27.6% decline in standalone net profit to Rs 1,501.65 crore on 77% rise in revenue from operations to Rs 89,687.12 crore in Q1 FY22 over Q1 FY21.

Profit before tax declined 31.7% to Rs 1996.14 crore in Q1 FY22 from Rs 2,926.17 crore in Q1 FY21. The PSU OMC recognized an exceptional loss of Rs 77.06 crore in Q1 FY22 on the back of Employee Stock Purchase Scheme. BPCL said other expenses for the quarter ended 30 June 2021 includes Rs 46.70 crore on account of foreign exchange loss.

The market sales of the corporation for the quarter ended 30 June 2021 was 9.63 MMT as compared to 7.53 MMT achieved during quarter ended 30th June 2020. Increase is mainly in HSD-Retail (25.00%), MS-Retail (39.72%) and ATF (115.40%). The state-owned refiner's throughput for Q1 FY22 rose 33% YoY to 6.84 million tonnes.

The corporation's average gross refining margin (GRM) of the corporation during quarter ended 30 June 2021 stood at $4.12 per barrel (as compared to April - June 2020: $0.39 per barrel).

BPCL is the second largest Indian oil marketing company. It is engaged in refining of crude oil and marketing of petroleum products, with a significant presence in the upstream and downstream sectors of the oil and gas industry. The Government of India holds 52.98% stake in BPCL as of 30 June 2021.

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Congress leader on Thursday alleged Members of (MPs) from were manhandled and beaten inside Rajya Sabha for the first time in history.

Speaking at Jantar Mantar during a protest by the Opposition over the demand to repeal the three farm laws, the Congress leader said the incident was "nothing short of murder of democracy".

"They don't let us talk in Yesterday, for the first time in the history of our country, members of the Rajya Sabha were manhandled and physically beaten. This was nothing short of murder of democracy," said the Wayanad MP.

He further alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is committing atrocities on farmers. "He (PM Modi) is snatching things from farmers what is rightfully theirs. He calls farmers anti- and Khalistanis," he added.

Earlier speaking at Vijay Chowk during the protest march, the Congress leader said the voice of 60 per cent of the people in the country was "crushed and humiliated".

on Thursday held a protest march against the three farm laws introduced by the Central government last year. The march began from and concluded at Vijay Chowk.

Ahead of the protest march, Opposition leaders also held a meeting at the office of Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge to discuss the alleged manhandling of women members in the Upper House yesterday.

During the recently-concluded monsoon session of Parliament, the Opposition forced adjournments in both and Rajya Sabha over their demands including repeal of three farm laws and probe into allegations of surveillance using Pegasus spyware.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Leaders of several on Thursday marched in protest against the government on several issues, including Pegasus, farm laws and alleged manhandling of their MPs in Rajya Sabha, with Congress leader saying the voice of people was crushed in and democracy was "murdered".

Top leaders of several met in the chamber of Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and then walked in protest from House to Vijay Chowk.

Those who attended the meeting included Gandhi, Sharad Pawar, Kharge, Sanjay Raut, Tiruchi Siva, Manoj Jha and other opposition leaders.

They met Rajya Sabha chairman M Venkaiah Naidu and complained against the alleged heckling of MPs including some women.

Some union ministers also met Naidu and complained against the alleged unruly behaviour of some opposition members in the House on Wednesday.

The protest comes a day after the passage of bills in Rajya Sabha amid charges of manhandling of opposition leaders including some women MPs.

The protesting MPs carried placards and banners against the government that read 'Stop murder of democracy' and 'we demand Repeal of anti farmers laws'.

"The session is over. Frankly, as far as 60 percent of the country is concerned, there has been no Parliament session because the voice of 60 percent of this country has been crushed, humiliated and yesterday in the Rajya Sabha (the MPs were) physically beaten," Gandhi charged.

He said the opposition was not allowed to speak inside Parliament and "this is nothing short of murder of democracy".

The former Congress chief said the opposition raised the issue of Pegasus, farmers' issues and price rise but were not allowed to speak inside Parliament.

"This is nothing short of the murder of democracy in this country," he alleged.

Gandhi also trained his guns on the prime minister, accusing him of "selling the country to big businessmen".

"For the first time in Rajya Sabha MPs were beaten up, after bringing people from outside," he alleged and added that "It is the Chairman's and Speaker's responsibility to run the House".

"Who is stopping the opposition in the House. I will tell you, India's prime minister is doing the work of selling this country. He is selling the soul of India to two-three industrialists and that is why the opposition is not allowed to speak inside Parliament," Gandhi alleged.

Echoing Gandhi, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut alleged that no Parliament session was held as the opposition was not allowed to raise issues of public importance.

"The way people were brought and deployed as marshals in Rajya Sabha. I felt like marshal law was imposed and I felt like I was standing at Pakistan border as I was stopped from going inside," Raut said.

Tiruchi Siva said one has never witnessed such behaviour in Parliament in more than two decades.

Praful Patel said his leader Sharad Pawar has stated that he has never seen such shameful incidents in Parliament in his long political career.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi had termed as "totally false" the opposition's allegations that marshals manhandled their MPs and said one can check facts from CCTV footage.

The tumultuous Monsoon session of Parliament was on Wednesday curtailed by two days even as an anguished Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu broke down over the huge ruckus in the House equating the act of some opposition MPs to "sacrilege in temple of democracy" and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla saying he was "extremely hurt" by continuous disruptions.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A day after the ended amid unruly scenes in the Rajya Sabha, leaders of several parties on Thursday stepped up their offensive accusing the government of crushing their voice in Parliament, "murdering" and bringing "outsiders" as marshals to beat up MPs, a charge denied by the government.

The government on its part alleged that the members misbehaved and pushed the marshals in the upper house when the Insurance Bill was being passed. It also charged the with disrupting and not allowing it to function normally.

A video of the melee in the Rajya Sabha where opposition MPs are seen clashing with the marshals also went viral with both sides blaming each other.

During the day, both the opposition leaders and union ministers met Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu at his residence separately demanding action against those indulging in violence and ascertaining the truth.

Naidu also met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and both expressed concern over the unruly developments and said strict action should be taken to avoid recurrence of such events in future.

Leaders of 11 opposition parties met in in the morning after which they staged a protest match to Vijay Chowk, where they addressed the media. They also issued a joint statement and accused the government of deliberately derailing and alleged that their MPs including women members were manhandled by outsiders who were not part of Parliament security.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the voice of people was crushed in Parliament and was "murdered".

"The Parliament session is over. Frankly, as far as 60 per cent of the country is concerned, there has been no Parliament session because the voice of 60 per cent of this country has been crushed, humiliated and yesterday in the Rajya Sabha (the MPs were) physically beaten," Gandhi alleged.

He said the opposition was not allowed to speak inside Parliament and "this is nothing short of murder of democracy".

Gandhi also trained his guns on the prime minister, accusing him of "selling the country to two-three industrialists".

"For the first time in Rajya Sabha, MPs were beaten up, after bringing people from outside, who were made to wear blue uniforms," he claimed and added that "It is the Chairman's and Speaker's responsibility to run the House."



Echoing Gandhi, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut alleged that no Parliament session was held as the opposition was not allowed to raise issues of public importance.

"The way people were brought and deployed as marshals in Rajya Sabha, I felt like marshal law was imposed and I was standing at Pakistan border as I was stopped from going inside," he said.

Tiruchi Siva said one has never witnessed such behaviour in Parliament in decades.

Praful Patel said his leader Sharad Pawar has stated that he has never seen such shameful incidents in Parliament in his long political career.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi, however, termed as "totally false" the opposition's allegations that marshals manhandled their MPs and said one can check facts from CCTV footage.

The parties whose leaders were present in the Opposition meeting were from the Congress, NCP, Shiv Sena, SP, DMK, CPIM, CPI, RJD, IUML, RSP and Kerala Congress (M). TMC, AAP and BSP did not attend.

Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha secretariat said no outsiders were deployed as marshals inside the House. Chairman Naidu met Rajya Sabha officials and asked them to prepare a detailed note on who indulged in violence after watching the video footage.

A discussion is underway over the formation of a committee to look into unruly events that took place in the upper house, a demand made by the government, sources said.

During their meeting, Kharge also submitted a representation signed by him and other leaders of opposition parties to Naidu stating that a very large number of security personnel, who were not part of the regular watch and ward staff of the Rajya Sabha Secretariat, were deployed in the House on August 10.

"We remain committed to continue our struggle against the assault on Parliamentary and agitate the issues of importance and people's concern," they said in the memorandum.

Anand Sharma said they conveyed their strong protest over what happened in the House yesterday, alleging that the government violated every understanding that it reached with the opposition.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A day after unruly scenes were witnessed in the Rajya Sabha, the government on Thursday said the opposition must apologise for its "disruptive behaviour" in the upper house, and accused it of threatening Union ministers not to bring more legislations after passage of the Constitution amendment bill.

The tumultuous was curtailed by two days on Wednesday, after opposition MPs jostled with marshals in the well of the house when they were trying to move towards the chair and the treasury benches.

Countering the opposition's allegations that its MPs were manhandled by the security staff which was brought from outside, the government fielded as many as seven Union ministers and said it was the other way around.

"A lady marshal was manhandled by opposition MPs. Opposition's behaviour in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday was a new low for parliamentary democracy... Opposition's approach of my way or highway is highly condemnable," Union minister Piyush Goyal said.

He was accompanied by Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi, Education Minister Harsh Vardhan, Labour Minister Bhupender Yadav, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur and both ministers of state of parliamentary affairs.

Rejecting the opposition's allegations that people were brought from outside the Parliament, Goyal, who is also leader of the house, said there were 30 marshals in the Rajya Sabha at the time of ruckus, 18 men and 12 women.

"No one from outside was brought in," he said, adding he and the group of ministers met Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the House and made an earnest appeal that the strongest possible action should be taken against the opposition MPs for their deplorable behaviour and manhandling marshals.

Echoing similar sentiments, Joshi said a strongest action is must against those who broke the rules.

It was predecided by the Congress and its friendly allies that Parliament should not be allowed to function in the monsoon session, Joshi alleged.

Talking about ruckus in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, he said, "Yesterday morning, we were literally threatened that if you dared to pass more after passage of the OBC bill there will be more damage."



Referring to an incident when an opposition leader was seen above a table inside the upper house, Thakur said the secretary general's table in Rajya Sabha is not meant for dancing and protesting.

He alleged that "anarchy from streets to Parliament" was the Opposition's only agenda during the monsoon session.

He demanded that the Opposition must apologise to the nation for its disruptive behaviour during the monsoon session.

Earlier in the day, a group of union ministers, including Joshi, Goyal and Naqvi, called on Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairperson M Venkaiah Naidu at his official residence here.

Separately, a group of opposition leaders also met Naidu and complained against the alleged heckling of MPs including some women.

The ministers, on the other hand, are believed to have complained against the alleged unruly behaviour of some opposition members in the House on Wednesday.

On Wednesday, Naidu broke down over the ruckus in the House and equated the act of some opposition MPs to "sacrilege in the temple of democracy".

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla was also likely to meet Vice President Naidu in the evening.

Leaders of several on Thursday marched in protest against the government on several issues, including Pegasus, farm laws, and alleged manhandling of their MPs in Rajya Sabha, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi saying the voice of people was crushed in Parliament and democracy was "murdered".

Top leaders of several met in the chamber of Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and then walked in protest from Parliament House to Vijay Chowk.

Those who attended the meeting included Gandhi, Sharad Pawar, Kharge, Sanjay Raut, Tiruchi Siva, Manoj Jha and other opposition leaders.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The TMC has posed eight questions to the in response to a press conference by eight Union ministers on Thursday blaming the Opposition for the unruly scenes witnessed in the on Wednesday.

Putting the blame squarely on the Opposition, the ministers said the chairman must take the strongest possible action against those who broke rules.

In a tweet, leader of the TMC in the Derek O'Brien said: "8 Ministers just addressed a press conference. To them we ask. Answer even one of these 8 questions. Try. Then talk to us about #Parliament. The United Opposition have a strong case. You are full of faff."



At a press conference, O'Brien, along with TMC's Lok Sabha MP Saugata Roy and vice-president of the party Yashwant Sinha, hit out at the government, saying it should respond to these questions regarding the "operating procedures" of the Monsoon Session of Parliament.

"What option does the Opposition have in a parliamentary democracy when the government crosses all limits? Do we still sit on our seats and suck lollipops? We represent more than 60 per cent of the people of India. Remember, the BJP got 37 per cent votes in the 2019 (Lok Sabha) election," O'Brien said.

The party asked where the prime minister and the home minister were while the session was underway.

"Why couldn't they find time to come and be present in Parliament to listen to us? Two former prime ministers, Manmohan Singh and HD Deve Gowda, were present in the houses and actively participated in the proceedings.

"The Opposition wanted a discussion on internal security, (the) Pegasus (snooping row) and the NSO connection, but the government did not allow it. We also wanted a debate on the farmers' protests, but even that did not happen. Why?" O'Brien asked.

The TMC leaders said a total of 39 bills were passed in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, without any debate.

"This is not how a democratic country works. The average time of passing a bill was 10 minutes and then you say that the Opposition is disrupting the session," Roy said.

The TMC leaders pointed out that even in 2014, 60-70 per cent of the bills were sent to parliamentary committees for a review and claimed that now, only 11 per cent of the bills are sent to these panels.

Raising another question on the use of ordinances by the government, they said these are used for passing extremely important bills on an emergency basis.

They said in the first 30 years since independence, only one ordinance was used for every 10 bills and claimed that almost four ordinances are being used for every 10 bills now.

"The prime minister is avoiding Parliament. Even Manmohan Singh was never that comfortable with the parliamentary system, but he used to answer our questions on a designated day. However, ever since the BJP came to power, (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi has never answered any questions. This is hooliganism," O'Brien alleged.

The TMC leaders also questioned the government over its inability to appoint a deputy speaker of the Lok Sabha.

"The government says it has a huge majority in the Lok Sabha. It's been two years, where is the deputy speaker of the Lok Sabha? Why has anyone not been appointed yet?" they asked.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
released a five-year blueprint calling for greater regulation of vast parts of the economy, providing a sweeping framework for the broader crackdown on key industries that has left investors reeling.



The document, jointly issued late Wednesday by the State Council and the Communist Partys Central Committee, said authorities would actively work on legislation in areas including national security, technology and monopolies. Law enforcement will be strengthened in sectors ranging from food and drugs to big data and artificial intelligence, the document said.

The peoples growing need for a better life has put forward new and higher requirements for the construction of a government under the rule of law, it said. It must be based on the overall situation, take a long-term view, make up for shortcomings, forge ahead, and promote the construction of a government under the rule of law to a new level in the new era.

Investors have been seeking to make sense of a regulatory onslaught in recent weeks that has roiled markets, particularly after authorities banned profits in the $100 billion after-school tutoring sector. Over the past year Chinese authorities have launched anti-monopoly probes into some of the nations largest such as Group Holding Ltd., while also mandating cybersecurity reviews for foreign listings -- a measure that has created problems for Didi Global Inc.

We cant draw too much insight about enforcement and the potential shape of crackdowns from one document or another, said Graham Webster, who leads the DigiChina project at the Stanford University Cyber Policy Center. Much depends on what bureaucrats and their higher-ups land on in terms of priorities month after month.

The outline released Wednesday is an update of an earlier plan that ended in 2020. In an explanatory Q&A, officials responsible for the document highlighted the need to modernize national governance, build digital governance and increase the publics overall level of satisfaction.

Key Points:



Actively promote legislation in areas such as national security, technological innovation, public health, culture and education, ethnic religion, biosecurity, ecological civilization, risk prevention, anti-monopoly, and foreign-related issues



Intensify law enforcement in key areas related to the vital interests of the people including food and medicine, public health, natural resources, ecological environment, safety production, labor security, urban management, transportation, financial services, education and training.



Ensure healthy development of new business forms with good laws and good governance related to digital economy, Internet finance, artificial intelligence, big data, cloud computing and other related legal systems



Strengthen the execution of administrative decision-making: Once a major administrative decision has been made, it shall not be arbitrarily changed or suspended without legal procedures.



Use the internet and big data in law enforcement: Strengthen the construction of the national Internet + supervision system, and realize the integration and aggregation of data from supervision platforms by the end of 2022.



Promote openness in government affairs: Adhere to openness as the normal, non-openness as the exception, and have the government become more open and transparent to win more understanding.



While many of the sectors named have been mentioned in previous announcements, the addition of food and drugs was new and could make investors nervous until new regulations are defined, according to Gary Dugan, chief executive officer at the Global CIO Office.

Long Time for Investors to Fret



A five-year term to the crackdown at least gives definition to the time extent of the regulatory reset, he said. However, it will be a long time for investors to fret about pending changes.

Investors have been dumping shares of sectors that receive criticism in state media, from digital gaming and e-cigarettes to property and baby formula. Alcohol-related stocks were the latest to take a hit on Tuesday, falling after the Communist Partys anti-graft watchdog called for a reduction of business drinking after a sexual assault case involving employees.

Chinas banking and insurance watchdog ordered companies and local agencies to curb improper marketing and pricing practices, and step up user privacy protection, according to a notice seen by Bloomberg News. It encouraged companies to address these issues voluntarily and said those that failed to comply would face severe punishment.

ZhongAn Online P&C Insurance Co. fell as much as 14% to its lowest since Jan. 18, while the sector bellwether Ping An Insurance declined 1.9%. The CSI 300 Health Care Index dropped 1.5% while a gauge for consumer staples stocks fell 2.6%. The benchmark equity gauges in Hong Kong and saw small declines compared to their recent wild swings.

Some analysts welcomed the blueprint as an attempt by Chinese authorities to help investors understand the motives behind the regulatory push.

The State Councils statement provides a guiding context to interpret current regulatory thrusts, said Michael Norris, an analyst with Shanghai-based consultancy AgencyChina. In our view, investor concerns are driven less by proposed regulations substance, and more by cadence and communication. We view this announcement as doing a better job telegraphing future regulatory hotspots.

--With assistance from Li Liu, Jing Li, Charlie Zhu, Ishika Mookerjee and Lianting Tu.
By Diane Bartz

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A bipartisan trio of senators introduced a bill that would rein in app stores of companies they said exert too much market control, including Inc and Alphabet Inc's

Democratic Senators Richard Blumenthal and Amy Klobuchar teamed up with Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn to sponsor the bill, which would bar big app stores from requiring app providers to use their payment system. It would also prohibit them from punishing apps that offer different prices or conditions through another app store or payment system.

"I found this predatory abuse of and so deeply offensive on so many levels," Blumenthal said in an interview Wednesday. "Their power has reached a point where they are impacting the whole economy in stifling and strangling innovation."

Blumenthal said he expected companion legislation in the House of Representatives "very soon."

The stakes are high for Apple, whose App Store anchors its $53.8 billion services business as the smartphone market has matured.

said its app store was "an unprecedented engine of economic growth and innovation, one that now supports more than 2.1 million jobs across all 50 states."

declined to comment, but a spokeswoman cited previous company statements that Android devices often come preloaded with two or more app stores and that app sellers can allow downloads without using Google's Play Store.

The bill won praise from Spotify, Epic and Tile. Tile, which makes tags to find lost objects, complained earlier this year about Apple launching a rival product.

A similar law revision has been introduced in South Korea. Google said last year it would enforce certain in-app payment methods there and receive 30% commission fees from non-game digital content.

Apple's control over apps on its Store, and 15% to 30% commissions on digital sales have come under regulatory scrutiny. A federal judge is reviewing testimony to rule on an antitrust lawsuit by "Fortnite" creator Epic Games.

Epic also sued Google for its app store practices, as have a big group of state attorneys general alleging that it unlawfully worked to maintain a monopoly for its app store for Android phones.

(Reporting by Diane Bartz; Additional reporting by Stephen Nellis and Joyce Lee; Editing by Richard Chang)

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
New Delhi [India], August 12 (ANI/SRV Media): With the growing support towards the Delphic Movement in India, the Indian Delphic Council (INDC), headed by Bijender Goel as the Founding President and Advisor of the South Asian Affairs to the International Delphic Council (IDC), has formed a dynamic National Coordination Committee (NCC) to oversee the expansion of the global Delphic Movement and promote Delphic Games in India.

The Committee, formed in July 2021, consists of notable personalities from all walks of life, extending from politics & bureaucracy to artists & professionals of their respective fields.

Other than Bijender Goel who heads INDC as Founding President, Dr. Shantanu Agrahari, an enthusiastic IAS officer from Jharkhand has been inducted as Founding Secretary-General; A.L. Hek, Advisor to the Hon'ble Chief Minister, Government of Meghalaya, B. H Anil Kumar IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Karnataka, Onkar Chand Sharma IAS, Principal Secretary, Himachal Pradesh, Sreya Guha IAS, Principal Secretary, Rajasthan, Mukesh Meshram IAS, Principal Secretary, Uttar Pradesh, Sameep Shastri, Grandson of Former Prime Minister late Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri, Manmohan Shetty, a renowned film producer from Mumbai, Ramesh Prasanna, a trustee of Delphic India Trust and a cultural entrepreneur from Hyderabad, and Ishrat Akhter, a film producer from Chennai have been inducted in the NCC.

Suresh Thomas, Crescendo Music, Mumbai and MrSumit Gautam, a Delhi-based professional, are Special Invitees and Permanent Invitees, respectively.

The Indian Delphic Council is a voluntary, not-for-profit, non-political, non-religious, non-sectarian organization under the aegis of the International Delphic Council - a global movement for arts & cultures working to foster harmony amongst people of different races and cultures through engagements in the various art forms through the world's only common floor for the arts called the Delphic Games.

The Delphic Games were born in ancient Greece 2,500 years ago as the twin-sister of the Olympic Games. They are to Arts & Cultures what Olympic Games are to physical sports. The Delphic Games of the Modern Era were revived in 1994, while the Olympic Games were revived in 1894.

Since revival, the Delphic Games have been hosted by countries like Georgia, Russia, Malaysia, South Korea, the Philippines, Germany and South Africa, while the other festivals of cultural significance have been organised in various cities around the world. International Institutions like UNESCO, Council of Europe, ASEAN, and such, have endorsed the various editions of the Delphic Games at various times.

The world leaders including their Excellencies Nelson Mandela (South Africa), Mikhail Gorbachev (erstwhile the Soviet Union), Helmut Schmidt (East Germany), Eduard Shevardnadze (Georgia) as well as Celebrated Musicians, Painters, Academicians, Pedagogues, Historians, Arts & Culture revivalists, and the like, have supported the Delphic Games and what they stand for.

India has participated in 3 editions of the Delphic Games in various Countries and was successfully able to bag gold and silver medals in South Korea and Malaysia, respectively. Even the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, has contributed in the past by sponsoring the artists who represented the country through the Zonal Cultural Centres.

Goel said that the Movement has spread across 22 Indian States to date with Rajasthan & Maharashtra to be the first ones to have registered State Councils, meanwhile, registration for other State Councils is already under process. The combined effort of the INDC is to reach the remaining States at the earliest. "Our National Core Committee is all set to assume its role and responsibilities and will also announce the event calendar of Delphic Games very soon.

"Although we are unable to conduct physical Delphic events at the moment due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our Rajasthan Council has started the 'Delphic Dialogue 'initiative, a weekly webinar series to create awareness on a plethora of subjects related to our Cultural Heritage and Maharashtra Council is also bringing a virtual program under the performing arts category very soon. Not just that, the national body is also planning to conduct Delphic Theatre Festivals in different cities to bring together all the theatre artists and theatre enthusiasts to a common platform, if circumstances so permit ", added Goel.

Delphic Movement has received exceptionally overwhelming support, including from renowned artists among the fraternity of Musicians, Painters, Sculptors, Craftsperson's, Fashion Designers, Academicians, Dancers, Administrators and many alike. Some of the prominent personalities to have come out in its support are Hema Malini, Talat Aziz, Shreyas Talpade, Sulaiman Merchant, Anoop Jalota, Shankar Sawhney, Shibani Kashyap, Suchitra Krishnamoorthy and others.

The National Coordination Committee comprises of:

1. Bijender Goel - President

2. Shantanu Agrahari, IAS - Secretary-General

3. A.L Hek - Member

4. B H Anil Kumar, IAS - Member

5. Manmohan Shetty - Member

6. Mukesh Meshram, IAS - Member

7. Onkar Chand Sharma, IAS -Member

8. Sreya Guha, IAS - Member

9. Ramesh Prasanna - Member

10. Sameep Shastri - Member

11. Ishrat Akhtar- Member

12. Suresh Thomas - Special Invitee

13. Sumit Gautam- Permanent Invitee

This story is provided by SRV Media. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/SRV Media)

DISCLAIMER

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Even as the Asian traded under pressure, the investors back home rejoiced boosted by the unlock trade, strong quarterly earnings and hopes that the US Fed will not rush to reduce stumulus support. While the broader returned to green after three days, the benchmarks hit record highs, led by gains in ICICI Bank, Infosys, L&T and Tech Mahindra.

BSE barometer Sensex jumped 318 points or 0.58 per cent to end at 54,844. The index had touched an all-time high of 54,874 in trade. Nifty too jumped to its all-time peak of 16,375 in intra-day session. It finally settled at 16,364, up 82 points or 0.5 per cent.

Power Grid, Tech Mahindra, HCL Tech and Titan were the top gainers in 30-pack Sensex, up between 3-5 per cent. On the other hand, DRL, Axis Bank, M&M and IndusInd Bank were the worst laggards.

Investors lapped up smaller stocks with both hands, pushing BSE Smallcap index up 1.97 per cent and BSE Midcap 1.07 per cent.

On the sectoral front, barring Nifty Pharma that shed over 1 per cent, all indices closed with gains. Media, IT, PSU Bank and Realty indices lead gainers. Nifty IT even hit an all-time high in trade today.

On stock-specific front, shares of IRCTC hit a new high of Rs 2,728 on the BSE after the company reported a net profit of Rs 82 crore for the June quarter as against a loss of Rs 24 crore in corresponding quarter a year ago. Further, IRCTC's board has approved the proposal for a split of 1 share at a face value of Rs 10 each into 5 equity shares. The scrip ended the day at Rs 2689.85, up 4.6 per cent.

Shares of Bharat Petroleum ended in the red at Rs 448.20 on BSE after the company missed Street estimates for the June quarter. BPCL reported a 28 per cent year-on-year fall in net profit to Rs 1,501.6 crore.

VIP Industries ended in the 20 per cent upper circuit at Rs 463.30 on reporting a consolidated net profit stood of Rs 2.53 crore in Q1FY22 compared with a net loss of Rs 51.32 crore in the year-ago period.

SpiceJet shares soared 5 per cent ahead of its Q1 earnings on Friday. Analysts' expectations is that most likely SpiceJet will report net loss for the April-June quarter of FY22 (Q1FY22), all eyes are now on the airlines fundraising plans as well as growth in the cargo business during the Covid-hit period.

In an update on the primary market, the IPO by Aptus Value sailed through on last day of bidding process, garnering over 17 times subscription. Chemplast Sanmar too crossed past the finishing line, with over 2 times bids.

Now, going into trade on Friday, the focus will remain on the global cues and quarterly earnings results. AIA Engineering, Apollo Hospitals, Bayer CropScience, Petronet LNG and Sun TV are some of the companies slated to post their earning tomorrow. Further, Street will also react to the CPI and IIP numbers that are slated to be out later in the evening.
Photo: Google Earth

In my report last week, I covered recent speculation out of Ottawa on reports of an election writ being dropped, potentially this week, creating an early fall election.

I also asked the question: Do you want to see an election called in the immediate future?



I sincerely appreciate the significant number of replies I have received in response to this question.

There is no question that many citizens in our region have very serious concerns of the future direction of Canada.

In the absence of the writ being dropped my summer listening tour continues.

One concern that I have heard from citizens in Merritt is the state of the local post office, who many have suggested has fallen into disrepair.

I raised these concerns directly with Canada Post in Ottawa and am pleased to report the some much needed maintenance work will soon be getting underway on this post office.

It was encouraging to hear Canada Post take these concerns seriously and commit to making improvements so that the Merritt Post Office reflects the beauty and pride of the local community.

The reason why I raise the Merritt post office is that it is a reminder of the importance of raising concerns with your elected official, be it an MP, MLA, mayor, councilor or regional director.

If elected officials are not made aware of challenges or concerns in a community, there is less chance of success in addressing them.



At the same time, holding elected officials to account is part of how a healthy democracy works.

As my summer listening tour continues, I invite you to contact me if you have a concern that relates to the federal government that you would like to share.

This also relates to my question for this week.

From a federal government perspective, what is your top concern that you would like to see action taken on?

I can be reached at [email protected] or call toll free 1-800-665-8711.
Photo: CTV News

Ontario is reporting 513 new cases of COVID-19 today, with more than 80 per cent of them in unvaccinated or partially vaccinated people.

It's the highest case total since mid-June and is based on 22,896 tests done in the previous day.

There are no new virus-related deaths reported in the province today.

Health Minister Christine Elliott says 113 people are in intensive care units due to COVID-19, and just two of them are fully vaccinated.

Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy announced today that Ontario is putting an additional $2.2 billion toward COVID-19 spending, amid ongoing uncertainty about variants of concern.

He released the province's 2021-22 first quarter finances, and says it's important to have resources available to prepare for potential future surges in the pandemic.

Revenue projections are $2.9 billion higher than in the budget, due to stronger economic growth and increased transfers from the federal government.

The deficit projection is being revised by $700 million, down to $32.4 billion.

Bethlenfalvy didn't specify what the $2.2 billion in new spending would go toward, saying it's available for the government to use to protect people's health and the economy as needed.

The increased revenues include $1.9 billion from the federal government and another approximately $1 billion from corporate taxes and land transfer taxes.
Photo: The Canadian Press A nurse in Clarksdale, Miss., holds a vial of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.

Canada is donating all 10 million doses of the single-dose vaccine that it purchased from Johnson & Johnson but won't use to low and middle-income countries.

Procurement Minister Anita Anand announced the donation through the COVAX vaccine-sharing alliance today as many developing nations continue to struggle with a shortage of shots.

Health Canada authorized the J&J vaccine in early March but is has never been used here.

The only shipment for 330,000 doses delivered in late April was held in quarantine for months because of concerns of possible tainting at a production facility in Baltimore.

Health Canada ultimately determined the doses couldn't be verified and returned them to the company.

Now, with a surplus of vaccines from other manufacturers, Anand says Canada will redirect its J&J shots to countries in need.

The federal government announced last month that it would donate nearly 18 million doses of the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine, which has also been phased out of Canadas vaccination efforts, to poorer countries.
Photo: The Canadian Press Sample ballot box

Were getting some clarity on the swirling speculation of a fall federal election.

Reuters is quoting sources who say Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will drop the writ for a Sept. 20 federal election.

That would be less than two years since the last time Canadians went to the polls, in October 2019. In that vote, the Liberals lost their majority and ended up forming a minority government.

Reuters quotes four sources who say Trudeau will make the announcement on Sunday.

There's been speculation for months that the ruling Liberals will push for an election before the end of 2021, as they seek voter approval of the governments plans to combat COVID-19 in Canada.

All the main federal party leaders have already been campaigning this summer, anticipating the government would drop the writ.

Parties have also been lining up candidates, with a number already named in the Okanagan.
Photo: The Canadian Press FILE - In this file photo dated Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, Peter Ben Embarek of a World Health Organization team speaks to journalists as he arrives at the airport to leave, at the end of their WHO mission to investigate the origins of the coronavirus pandemic in Wuhan in central China's Hubei province.

When a World Health Organization-led team traveled to China earlier this year to investigate the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, a top official said he was worried about safety standards at a laboratory close to the seafood market where the first human cases were detected, according to a documentary released Thursday by Danish television channel TV2.

The Wuhan branch of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention was handling coronaviruses without potentially having the same level of expertise or safety or who knows, Peter Ben Embarek said during a conference call in January, according to footage shown by TV2. Ben Embarek is a WHO expert on disease transmission from animals to humans and one of the teams leaders

But months later, when WHO released its dense report on its mission to Wuhan, the U.N. health agency concluded that a leak of the virus from the lab was extremely unlikely to have caused COVID-19. The WHO report even lent credence to a fringe theory promoted by the Chinese government that the virus may have been spread via frozen seafood packaging.

In recent weeks, however, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has acknowledged it was  premature  to rule out a possible lab leak as the source of COVID-19, saying last month that he was asking China to be more transparent about the early days of the pandemic.

I was a lab technician myself. Im an immunologist and I have worked in the lab and lab accidents happen, Tedros said. Its common.

In the Danish TV2 documentary, the WHOs Ben Embarek is pictured arriving in China, inspecting the stalls at the Huanan seafood market in Wuhan and examining what he hypothesizes might have been living quarters for people who handled live animals there  raising the possibility that the virus may have jumped from animals to people at the market.

It would mean that the contact between the human beings and whatever may have been in the market i.e. virus and maybe live animals would have been more intense, Ben Embarek said. It goes without saying that the close contact would be doubled many times between humans and animals if you are among them around the clock.

Scientists have previously thought that because many of the earliest known human cases at Wuhan's Huanan market appeared to have no prior connection to each other, the market might have simply been the place where cases were amplified, not where the virus first breached the species barrier.

The Danish documentary also featured Ben Embarek expressing his worries in January about the Wuhan branch of the Chinese CDC, concerns that have never been publicly disclosed by WHO. While numerous experts have questioned whether there might have been a lab accident at the Wuhan Institute of Virology  where scientists were studying coronaviruses  there has been less interest in another nearby facility.

What is more concerning to me is the other lab, Ben Embarek said. The one that is next to the market, he explained, referring to the Wuhan branch of the Chinese CDC, located just 500 meters (547 yards) away from the Huanan market.

In a June interview, Ben Embarek told TV2 that the possibility of a lab staffer being infected with the coronavirus while collecting bat samples was likely.

Although the idea that the pandemic somehow started in a laboratory was largely dismissed last year, it has gained traction recently, with U.S. President Joe Biden ordering a review of U.S. intelligence and i ncreasing numbers of scientists calling for an independent investigation to be conducted by authorities beyond the WHO.

Jamie Metzl, who has been leading an effort calling for an independent investigation of how COVID-19 started, called Ben Embareks comments a game-changer, describing his earlier declaration that a lab leak was unlikely shameful.

Its even more significant that the international expert team who stated with such confidence in the February Wuhan press event that a lab origin was unlikely themselves believed this was not the case and were simply trying to assuage their Chinese government-affiliated hosts, said Metzl, who sits on a WHO advisory board on human genome editing.

All of the scientists on the WHO-led team were approved by China and the teams agenda and final report were also vetted by the Chinese government. Ben Embarek told TV2 the purpose of the WHO team's visit was collaboration and discussion with China.

In a statement on Thursday, the WHO said the search for the pandemic's origins should not be an exercise in attributing blame, finger-pointing or political point-scoring. The agency said its first analysis of the coronavirus origins found there was insufficient scientific evidence to rule any of the hypotheses out.
Photo: The Canadian Press Art McDonald is seen during an interview with The Canadian Press in Ottawa, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019. Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan says McDonald will remain on leave rather than return as commander of the Canadian Armed Forces.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan says Admiral Art McDonald will remain on leave rather than return as commander of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Sajjan's announcement follows what a senior government official speaking on background said was a cabinet order on the issue earlier today.

McDonald's lawyers did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

McDonald's legal team announced Wednesday that their client planned to return as chief of the defence staff, a position he vacated in February.

McDonald temporarily stepped down due to a military police investigation into an allegation of misconduct that resulted last week in a decision not to lay any charges.

McDonald says he has been exonerated and should be allowed to return to his job, but some critics have questioned the veracity of the investigation given it was conducted by military rather than civilian police.
Photo: The Canadian Press Pentagon spokesman John Kirby speaks during a briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021. With security rapidly deteriorating in Afghanistan, the United States is evacuating some personnel from the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, and U.S. troops with be assisting at the Kabul airport. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

With security rapidly deteriorating in Afghanistan, the United States is sending in an additional 3,000 troops to help evacuate some personnel from the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, officials said Thursday.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said one Army and two Marine infantry battalions will enter Afghanistan within the next two days to assist at the Kabul airport with the partial embassy evacuation.

State Department spokesman Ned Price said diplomatic work will continue at the Kabul embassy.

Our first responsibility has always been protecting the safety and the security of our citizens serving in Afghanistan, and around the world, Price said at a State Department briefing, calling the the speed of the Taliban advance and resulting instability of grave concern.

Price insisted Thursday's move shouldn't be seen as encouraging an already emboldened Taliban and said, We are committed to supporting Afghanistan and its people. That commitment remains.

But the move suggests a lack of confidence by the Biden administration in the Afghan government's ability to provide sufficient diplomatic security in Kabul as a series of provincial capitals have fallen to a Taliban offensive this week.

Kirby said an additional 1,000 members of an Army-Air Force task force were going to the Gulf country of Qatar to help with visa processing for the ongoing evacuation of former translators and other Afghans who had worked with Americans in Afghanistan.

And an Army brigade combat team of up to 4,000 troops from North Carolina's Fort Bragg was going to Kuwait to be on standby in case more troops were needed for the embassy mission.

Kirby stressed the new deployments were a temporary mission focused only on the embassy drawdown and helping the State Department accelerate the visa processing for Afghan translators and others, not a move to get involved in the war again.

The U.S. has withdrawn most of its troops and formally ends its role in the war on Aug. 31. The Pentagon had kept about 650 troops in Afghanistan to support U.S. diplomatic security, including at the airport.

Afghan government forces are collapsing even faster than U.S. military leaders thought possible just a few months ago when President Joe Biden ordered a full withdrawal.

The Taliban, who ruled the country from 1996 until U.S. forces invaded after the 9/11 attacks, captured three more provincial capitals Wednesday and two on Thursday, the 10th and 11th the insurgents have taken in a weeklong sweep that has given them effective control of about two-thirds of the country. The insurgents have no air force and are outnumbered by U.S.-trained Afghan defense forces, but they have captured territory, including the country's third-largest city, Herat, with stunning speed.

In a new warning to Americans in Afghanistan, the second it has issued since Saturday, the U.S. Embassy in Kabul on Thursday again urged U.S. citizens to leave immediately. The advisory was released before the announcements in Washington about further reducing already limited staff at the embassy.

The United States continues to support the Afghan military with limited airstrikes, but those have not made a strategic difference thus far and are scheduled to end on Aug. 31. Biden could continue airstrikes beyond that date, but given his firm stance on ending the war, that seems unlikely.

The most recent American military assessment, taking into account the Taliban's latest gains, says Kabul could be under insurgent pressure by September and that the country could fall entirely to Taliban control within a couple of months, according to a defense official who discussed the internal analysis Wednesday on condition of anonymity.

Military officials watching the deteriorating situation said that so far the Taliban haven't taken steps to threaten Kabul. But it isnt clear if the Taliban will wait until they have gained control of the bulk of the country before attempting to seize the capital.

The security of the U.S. diplomatic corps has been talked about for months, even before the Taliban's battlefield blitz. The military has long had various planning options for evacuating personnel from Afghanistan. Those options would largely be determined by the White House and the State Department.

A key component of the options would be whether the U.S. military would have unfettered access to the Kabul international airport, allowing personnel to be flown systematically out of the capital. In a grimmer environment, American forces might have to fight their way in and out if the Taliban have infiltrated the city.
Argos records 1H21 cement shipments of 8.6Mt

12 August 2021

Argos recorded cement shipments of 8.6Mt in the 1H21, an increase of 26.9 per cent compared to the 1H20. The advance was supported by the performance of the group in the USA, the Caribbean and Central America, as well as having a low comparison base.

Consolidated revenues reached US$1.3bn, up 11 per cent compared to the 1H20. Likewise, EBITDA rose by 29.9 per cent to US$266.7m. EBITDA margin , excluding the profits on the sale of concrete assets, reached a record of 20.3 per cent, the highest since 2013.

Concrete volumes fell by 1.6 per cent in the 1H21 and were affected by adverse weather conditions in Dallas, Houston, Texas as well as in the Carolinas in the USA.

Juan Esteban Calle, Argos CEO, said: We are very satisfied with the figures achieved during the first half of the year in our three regions, and we are optimistic about the future of our customers, the progress of their housing and infrastructure projects, which are contributing significantly to employment recovery, as well as the levels of economic activity and the creation of social value in all the countries and markets where we are present, and with the noteworthy recovery of the company's financial flexibility in recent months, which is thanks to the commitment, creativity, passion and innovation of all our employees and to the success in the deployment of the BEST and RESET programmes.

As of 30 June 2021, the net debt/EBITDa plus dividend indicator stood at 3.1 times.

Published under
Georgia Northwestern Technical College and the Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce are partnering to offer a 72-hour Small Business Accelerated Program that provides training to help entrepreneurs start their own business.The program will be offered in the evening at GNTCs Whitfield Murray Campus in Dalton on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Sept. 21 through Nov. 18, from 4:30-8:30 p.m.The course provides an overview of the principles of management, including understanding the managers role and work environment; building effective organizational culture; leading, directing, and applying authority; planning, decision-making and problem solving; and human resource and administrative management.In addition, the program teaches entrepreneurship by exposing participants to the fundamental concepts of planning, location analysis, financing, developing a business plan and ethics and social responsibility.We are thrilled to be partnering with GNTC to support small business development in our community. Now is the time start a business, said Lauren Holverson, executive director of the Dalton Innovation Accelerator. We believe through this program we can fill in any knowledge gaps and provide comprehensive support to entrepreneurs. This program will jumpstart business development correctly and quickly.Entrepreneurs enrolled in the program will receive unlimited access to DIA resources for the length of the course. Resources include workshops, technical support, one-on-one assistance and mentorship opportunities. Graduates of the program can participate in Daltons version of Shark Tank, PitchDIA, for an opportunity to win funding in 2022.This is a unique program for GNTC to offer and roll out in partnership with DIA, said Stephanie Scearce, GNTC vice president of Economic Development. Im especially proud that its included as one of Economic Developments pre-approved Prior Learning Assessment programs, and I look forward to seeing how the community takes advantage of it.According to Ms. Scearce, the college is expanding its Prior Learning Assessment Initiative to include the graduates of the Small Business Accelerated Program. This new initiative grants credit course exemptions within GNTCs business programs to qualifying students that complete the program.For more information or to register, contact the Dalton Innovation Accelerator at 706-508-3242 or via email at info@daltoninnovationaccelerator.com.
Many Chattanoogans might not realize it, but an important part of the old McCallie Avenue medical office corridor recently disappeared.

UTC had a blog post about it, and chattanoogan.com ran a photo on the front of the website for a few hours beginning Sunday, but Frist Hall at UTC is in the final stages of being torn down.

Also, a former older home at 545 Oak St.

across from Frist and a short distance east is scheduled to be torn down by UTC later this year.

While the 545 Oak St. building does appear to have some architectural significance as an old-style home, the mid-century Frist Hall does not. But the latter structure on the western edge of UTCs campus was important in local medical office history.

The building was originally two different back sections of the old Campbell Clinic, one of the more popular and heavily visited health clinics and small hospitals of mid-20th century Chattanooga. It was operated at a time when most primary health providers still operated independently and were not affiliated with a major local hospital or chain, as is usually the case today.

The Tepper Clinic (now greatly remodeled into the UTC Metro Building) at McCallie Avenue and Houston Street, the razed Newell Hospital near the courthouse and the Currey Clinic (now the CADAS facility) near Cherokee Boulevard were three other independent clinics.

A number of other medical and health office facilities were also along that stretch of McCallie Avenue, and one or two still operate, including the Doctors Building.

According to some old newspaper articles found on file at the Chattanooga Public Library downtown, Dr. Earl Campbell Sr. founded the Campbell clinic in 1939 offering daytime only services.

As the years passed, it expanded in services and size as it became Chattanoogas third largest hospital behind Erlanger and Memorial. As it grew away from McCallie Avenue toward Oak Street, the two wings being torn down this summer were added at different times.

The brick-covered wing running from east to west and closer to McCallie Avenue was evidently older. The clippings at the library do not discuss its construction, but the UTC blog post and more recent stories on file say part of the building that became Frist Hall dated to 1950, and that might have been when that section was added.

Part of the east section of that wing was removed at some point in later years.

Several articles appeared in the paper when the north-south-running wing was added closer to Oak Street. The wing  designed by Derthick and Henley architectural firm and built by H.E. Collins  was announced in 1966 and was evidently formally opened in 1967. It had that 1960s look, with brighter brick, like that of some of the original buildings constructed at Chattanooga State about the same time.

This wing was originally named in memory of Mrs. George (Virginia Reeves) Scholze Jr., who had been a patient there during her life before her death about two years earlier. When it opened, this section had a sign on the Oak Street side that said Campbell General Hospital.

Among the other doctors besides Dr. Campbell who served the hospital over the years were surgeon Dr. Guy Francis, internists Dr. Wayne Gilley and Dr. Merrill Nelson, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Earl Campbell Jr., general surgeon Dr. Joseph J. Dodds, obstetrician/gynecologist Dr. Stanley Dressler and internist Dr. William Dowell.

The third floor of the Scholze wing was not finished until 1973 and had apparently been built with anticipation toward future growth.

The third floor was the scene of a slight tragedy, as a distraught patient fell from a window in the 1970s and later filed suit in a case that was covered well in the papers.

In 1977, Campbell Clinic was purchased by Medical Park Hospital Inc., although some of the doctors were to remain there under the group name, University Medical Center, and were to still admit patients there. The name of the facility became Medical Park Hospital at that time.

Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) purchased the renamed hospital in 1981 and closed it in 1982 as it made plans for North Park Hospital near Northgate Mall.

In 1985, the newspaper announced that HCA was to donate the Medical Park building to UTC following negotiations between Chattanooga banker and UT board of trustees member Scott L. Probasco Jr. and HCA official and popular early 1970s Tennessee Gov. Winfield Dunn.

They attended ribbon-cutting ceremonies transferring the property there in October 1985 along with UT President Dr. Edward Boling and UTC Chancellor Dr. Frederick Obear.

In November 1986, UTC officials announced that the building would be named in honor of Dr. Thomas Frist Sr., founder of HCA and father of HCA official Thomas Frist Jr. and future U.S. Sen. Bill Frist.

At some point over the years, the part of the complex closer to McCallie Avenue was torn down. An old Victorian style home was also on the southwest corner of the grounds and photographed in older articles, and the 1985 article references two converted residences still on the site at the time.

Initially after UTC took over the property, it used the building for such community-focused departments as Communications and Student Health Services, the Facilitating Adult Career Education (FACE) program, and the college access program for students with learning disabilities.

At some point over the years, draining and flooding issues developed around Frist Hall, so in 2014, officials announced that it was to be torn down following approval by the State Building Commission.

Finally, seven years later, that has occurred. The UTC blog post by Chuck Wasserstrom of the UTC communications office said the initial plans are to have green space there, with a long-term plan to construct housing and a parking garage at the site.

Mr. Wasserstrom also referenced at his post plans to tear down the building at 545 Oak St. across the street. Factors in the scheduled demolition or future plans for the site are not known or could not be determined.

According to both its appearance and style of architecture, the 545 building appears to date back decades. A check of the city directories and cross-reference books at the library shows that the building might have been constructed when other nearby homes were, around the turn of or early in the 20th century.

Although the address numbers were changed for some of those roughly east-and-west running streets near downtown at some point early in the 20th century, the directory of 1914-15 lists a home at 245 Oak St. as being owned by Dr. Lemuel B. McWhorter.

That is believed to be the address that later became 545 Oak St. He was a physician who had his office at 826 Market St.

Determining the initial resident or who built the home would require further research.

By the 1920s and early 1930s, the home at 545 Oak St. was lived in by Miss Margaret Maggie McClure. Her occupation was not listed.

UTC actually has 1930 listed as the date of construction of the building, so it is not known if another building was at that address, or if some construction changes were made to the building lived in by Dr. McWhorter and Miss McClure.

The 1938 directory said Eventus W. Bolin, a barber, lived on the first floor of that home, while Kibler and Long salesman Jack H. Maris lived on the second floor.

By 1945, it was occupied by J.F. Million, occupation unknown, while the 1950 city directory said it was resided in by Mrs. Clara B. Million, a cafeteria manager at the H. Clay Evans Elementary School in the Cameron Hill area.

By 1955, it had been converted into a 16-room apartment facility, and an 18-room unit by 1960. It is not known if it was expanded in any way.

Later in the 1960s, the building was called the Oakwood Rooms, while in the 1970s and 80s it was called the Million Apartments, although the number of units was smaller than a few decades earlier.

From the late 1980s into the early 2000s, it housed Specialty Unit Management, which was an office connected to the Psychiatric Group of Chattanooga.

Taylor Lane Brown Photography was located in it around 2005, while about 2010 it was used by Anglican Church of the Redeemer, Thomas Cory and North Shore Investments.

According to Mr. Wasserstrom, UTC purchased the building within the last 15 years for surge space. In more recent years, the old residential building was used by the schools international program and the UTC Honors College while their facilities were being renovated. It was commonly called the International House for a period.

It and the old Campbell Clinic/Frist Hall facilities will likely be known as places of history as well, as an end of an era has come for them.

* * * * *

Jcshearer2@comcast.net
The Secretary of States office is launching an award for Tennessee high schools which meet student voter registration thresholds, named after renowned Tennessee suffragist Anne Dallas Dudley.



High schools across the state that register 100 percent of the eligible students, who are 18 or older by the next election, to vote will earn the Anne Dallas Dudley Gold Level Award. High schools that register at least 85 percent of the eligible students, 18 or older by the next election, will earn the Anne Dallas Dudley Silver Level Award. Tennessee law allows students who will be 18 or older on or before the next election to register to vote.



Our state and our nation are stronger when every eligible Tennessean is registered to vote and casts a ballot on Election Day, said Secretary of State Tre Hargett. We are working with county election commissions across our great state to make sure students know that it has it has never been easier to register to vote in Tennessee and to encourage them to make their voices heard by going to the polls on Election Day.



The Secretary of States office will present high schools that earn the Gold Level Award with a commemorative plaque and recognize students who led the registration efforts with certificates. For Anne Dallas Dudley Silver Level Award schools, the Secretary of States office will mail certificates recognizing the students who led the registration efforts.



Anne Dallas Dudley helped lead the successful effort to get the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution ratified nationwide and in her home state, Tennessee. On Aug. 18, 1920, Tennessee became the 36th and final state needed to pass the amendment giving women the right to vote.



It is an honor to have a voter registration award named after my grandmother, Anne Dallas Dudley, said Trevania Dudley Henderson, Mrs. Dudleys granddaughter. Hopefully this award encourages all eligible students across Tennessee to register to vote.



All Tennessee public, charter or private school or home school associations are encouraged to participate in the Anne Dallas Dudley Award program. Participating schools must submit an Anne Dallas Dudley Award application by March 31, 2022. For award rules and guidelines, visit sos.tn.gov/products/Anne-Dallas-Dudley-Award.



The Anne Dallas Dudley Award is part of the Secretary of States civics engagement initiative to promote voter registration to Tennessee students and prepare them to be actively engaged citizens. For more information about this award and other civic engagement education efforts, visit sos.tn.gov/civics.
A Black Crappie swims in the Reelfoot Lake exhibit at the Tennessee Aquarium. Users of the Aquariums Freshwater Information Network can see exactly which watersheds where this popular sportfish and more than 400 other Southeastern fish species can be found. - photo by Tennessee Aquarium

An endangered Barrens Topminnow swims in the Tennessee Aquarium. Thanks to the Tennessee Aquariums Freshwater Information Network (FIN), users can find out more about more than 400 Southeastern fish species and the watersheds they call home. - photo by Tennessee Aquarium

The Tennessee Aquariums Freshwater Information Network (FIN) shows the 100 fish species that can be found in the Middle Tennessee-Chickamauga watershed. FIN includes records of more than 400 fish species found in three Southeastern river drainages: the Tennessee, Cumberland and Mobile. - photo by Tennessee Aquarium

Users of the Tennessee Aquariums Freshwater Information Network (FIN) can search for fish found in individual watersheds. More than 75 watersheds are represented in the sites database. - photo by Tennessee Aquarium

The Tennessee Aquariums Freshwater Information Network (FIN) database of more than 400 species includes narrowly distributed species like the endangered Barrens Topminnow (pictured). Only museum records or user-reported sightings verified by Aquarium scientists are included in search results. - photo by Tennessee Aquarium

The Tennessee Aquariums Freshwater Information Network (FIN) database includes more than 400 species, including widespread, popular sportfish like the Black Crappie (pictured). Using FIN, users can locate their watershed and see all species verified to live there. - photo by Tennessee Aquarium

Whether its minuscule rivulets winding through pastures, rushing mountain streams or mighty courses like the Tennessee River, the Southeast is a tightly woven aquatic network. The same waterways used for recreation and drinking also abound with aquatic life, but easily identifying which fish species youre living cheek and gill with can be a difficult proposition.

Enter the Tennessee Aquariums Freshwater Information Network.

Created in 2018 through a partnership between the Aquarium and Tennessee Tech University, FIN is an online resource designed to provide easy means for academics and the public to identify more than 400 species of fish living in more than 75 watersheds.

Through easy-to-use interactive maps that integrate decades of museum records and user-reported species sightings, scientists, teachers, anglers, parents and curious residents can locate their local watershed and see whats beneath the surface. Think of it as a kind of Facebook for Fishes.

Here in the Southeast, we have an underwater rainforest right in our backyard," said Dr. Bernie Kuhajda, the Aquarium's aquatic conservation biologist. "FIN is a portal to dive into this incredible aquatic diversity, much of it found nowhere else on Earth. With the watershed search features, a teacher or student can enter their school or home address and find out what watershed they live in and all the fish species that occupy those waters.

FINs databases cover watersheds in the Tennessee, Cumberland and Mobile Basin drainages. The land area this represents is just 1.6 percent of the United States, but it serves as habitat to nearly half of the countrys native fish species.

The scientifically verified results returned by a FIN search can be eye-opening for those living in its coverage area. For example, Middle Tennessee-Chickamauga  Chattanoogas local watershed  is home to 100 different species of fish, more than 10 percent of all fish species found in the United States. Area residents might not realize it, but theyre often just a walk or a short drive away from waterways that contain venomous-spined Mountain Madtoms, brilliantly colored Longear Sunfish or titanic river giants like Blue Catfish and Paddlefish.

By accepting  and later verifying  user-reported sightings, FIN was designed to improve and become more robust with time and use. Recently, the site received a digital facelift and a suite of improvements designed to improve its ease-of-use and draw in more non-academics.

In addition to a refined layout and better search capabilities, the process of submitting and verifying user-reported fish sightings has been simplified. Combined, these changes to the newly upgraded site should make it even easier for Southeasterners to learn more about  and hopefully want to preserve  the aquatic life in their backyards.

These changes resulted in a beautiful classification system that allows front-end visitors to easily find exactly what theyre looking for, says Mack Lunn, the associate director of iCube, Tennessee Techs pioneering technology innovator and the source of FINs upgrades.

The changes made to FIN were led by iCube students, who worked in consultation with Aquarium scientists to plan and specifically target the upgrades. The project was designed, from the ground up, to improve the sites usability and to realize its initial goal of bridging the gap between scientists and the public, Mr. Lunn says.

The nature of this website requires catering to several audiences: the curious public, the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute and scientists in the field who catalogue their finds, he says. Ensuring that each of these target audiences has a seamless, easy user experience was imperative, providing our students with an excellent learning opportunity.

For years, iCube has served as a frequent partner with the Aquarium. Using cutting-edge technologies, the universitys students have tackled everything from virtual reality experiences designed to teach users about stream ecology to helping the Aquariums Electric Eel, Miguel Wattson, to make a splash on Twitter.

Mr. Lunn says any opportunity to work with the Chattanooga institution is a dream come true for his students.

Its one thing to go to university and learn how to program, he says. Its completely different to take your family to the Aquarium and point out things that you contributed to that are live and on display.

Robust websites and smartphone apps like National Audubon Societys Bird Guide and Cornell Lab of Ornithologys Merlin Bird ID have long served as pocket-quick digital tools for birders. The hope is for the newly upgraded FIN to serve a similar role for those seeking to know more about Southeastern fishes, whether theyre a university researcher or a science-curious gradeschooler.

When I was young, I thought that if I wanted to study beautiful, colorful fish, I needed to go swim in coral reefs or head to the Amazon, says Dr. Anna George, the Aquariums vice president of conservation science and education. What I didnt realize is how many beautiful fish we have right here in our backyards in the Southeast.

What excites me is knowing that, for the students of today, FIN will offer an easy resource to find out more about what theyre seeing and be part of helping us to protect it.

To learn more about the fish in your backyard or report a fish species sighting, visit the Freshwater Information Network (FIN) at tnacifin.com. More information about Tennessee Tech Universitys iCube is available at tntech.edu/icube/
Every elected official knows the key to building a strong economy starts with education. Every single child in Tennessee deserves access to a high-quality public education. Local control is the best method to address those issues, and the power to make decisions should reside with those closest to the people. That is a principle held by most conservatives and most Tennesseans. Local school systems know what works or what doesnt work in their schools. Yes, there has to be accountability for those decisions.

We know that the data from student assessment during COVID-19 demonstrates an extreme drop-off from previous years in many districts. Our state has already taken critical steps and strategies to address many of those issues. That data may also be described as not timely, relevant, or helpful. It will provide some critical information about student performance, but likely does not include aspects of student welfare, mental or physical health needs, student/parent engagement, or learning conditions. These results are just a picture of where we were, not a road map to where we are going. Nevertheless, schools should look at the results and make adjustments wherever they are needed.

In a global pandemic, results between comparable districts would be interesting, as would the method of instruction. Did the student attend in person or online? How many days did a student miss? There are lots of factors to consider in any evaluation, we also know that many problems are exacerbated when learning conditions are not stabilized for students.

Think tanks, policy groups, and white papers have a place in education debates. They are just another point of consideration to help create a deeper awareness of topics and issues. However, these outside groups should never replace the decision-making authority of those closest to the student. The further one is from the student, the less the impact any decision should matter.

This past March, a third pandemic stimulus bill called the American Rescue Plan was signed into law, providing public school districts across the country $122 billion in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (or ESSER III) funds. When we looked at the recent appointees to a statewide appointed ESSER Steering Committee who oversee our share, we were stunned and disappointed by some of the special interest groups who were included on that committee while others were excluded.

One could argue that many of the appointed steering committee members are heavily influenced by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and certainly not reflective of many stakeholders with boots on the ground to support students and schools. Why is the inclusion of groups that represent educators, superintendents, and school boards not a higher priority for our states executive branch?

There is a growing chasm between the executive branch and education stakeholders. The silence is deafening. If education is important, then educators must be made to feel important. That divide could be resolved quickly if the governor would engage personally with stakeholders, and sit down in public or private to have a meaningful and welcoming conversation. At times, we are critical of legislation or policies that are being promoted by the state, which is to be expected by advocacy groups reflecting member concerns. We try to be constructive and helpful with our input.

In July 2021, former US Senator Bill Frist challenged Governor Lee and said it was the responsibility of our states leaders to take sometimes uncomfortable, even unpopular, positions when the health and lives of our people are at stake. The same is true when our association asks elected leaders tough questions on education policy. Information shared through conversation could change our opinion, or validate our viewpoint. No one person or group is right about every issue all the time.

Many educators, school board members, or superintendents statewide---many of whom are conservative---feel their voices are not being heard. It is an easy fix. Simply include more equitable stakeholder input, with greater legislative involvement before decision-making made by agencies and the executive branch. Some media outlets are now reporting that lawmakers are probing billions of dollars in no-bid state contracts and spending since the COVID-19 pandemic hit Tennessee. The government at every level is ripe for overspending, malfeasance, and cronyism.

Meaningful conversations on the front-end would benefit Tennessee moving forward, and create a constructive cultural change in the ever-evolving field of public education while cultivating positive support for high-quality public education. It could also resolve the criticism leveled at the administration. Decisions made in exchange for allegiances or special treatment rather than what is best for children, parents, educators, and taxpayers do not benefit the state or our education system.

The Gates Foundation has invested close to $40 million in Tennessee. For unknown reasons, our state is one of its target states. Bill Gates's ideology simply does not align with the values or priorities of many Tennesseans, but his influence is being felt in groups in which he or his foundation contributes millions of dollars annually to influence state policy. The results of his efforts have likely not helped. Education researcher Rick Hess addressed some of those failed results: RAND evaluation of the failed Gates Foundation to redesign teacher evaluation, compensation, and employment practices, some of which drive our current education policy. This is likely another reason why many are not going into education. We take issue when funding comes from outside lobbying groups. We question the purpose and motives of those, like the Gates Foundation, that come from outside our state or use dollars from outside the state to drive our state policies and reshape our priorities to fit their vision.

The state should never stand in the way of any school or district from developing distinctive policies that address specific community priorities. The underlying principle of local control in education is essential, as is stakeholder buy-in. The quality of public education should never be defined by a zip code, nor should our policies in Tennessee be driven by out-of-state influencers.

Tennessee fundamentally changed public education with Race to the Top. In the process, we embedded some very flawed concepts promoted by outside groups into our schools. To their credit, the Tennessee General Assembly has been addressing many of these problems in the last several years. New challenges put new demands on our schools and districts. No simple, one size fits all approach, driven by out-of-state dollars will significantly address our unique needs in education in Tennessee. Leadership in the Tennessee House and Senate listen and engage in dialogue on key education issues with diverse stakeholders. Its time Governor Lee and his team follow their lead. Tennesseans need to drive our education policies.

JC Bowman

Executive Director of Professional Educators of Tennessee
As an employee of a local hospital and a parent of two UTC students, I was very disappointed with the Hamilton County Board Of Educations response to masks in school. Our hospitals are full of adults and children fighting the virus and the staff is overwhelmed. As educators, I do not understand the Board of Educations response to wearing masks as an option and not a requirement. All children should be taught to safely and appropriately use a mask in public settings. The CDC and WHO have issued statements that due to the surge in cases in children and the uncertainty and quick mutation of this virus, children six years of age and up should be masking like adults. This virus is unpredictable, infecting the young and old, vaccinated and unvaccinated. So, why are we taking chances with our childrens lives?

I have adult children. However, if they were K-12 aged I would require them to wear a mask. It is my job as their parent to make decisions for them to keep them safe and healthy. It is the job of the schools to keep them safe and teach them to follow the rules. Their minds are not equipped to make these decisions until at least high school, in my opinion. By the Board of Education allowing parents to opt out of their children wearing masks, I believe we are not preparing them for their future and putting their lives in danger. As I said before, working at the hospital has given me insight into the fact that this virus is unpredictable and very aggressive. Many children have underlying conditions such as diabetes and cardiac issues that make them more susceptible to the virus. I dont understand why any parent would want their children to be exposed to anything that could take their lives. We vaccinate our children against measles, polio etc. but some dont care about a virus that has killed 4.33 million people with the United States leading the world in the most deaths and cases. If that doesnt scare a parent then I have to wonder what it will take to make them take notice of the devastation of this virus?

Last but not least, this culture we are currently experiencing of I will do what I want because I dont like the rules and it is my right nonsense is breeding a future adult that none of us like to deal with. Im already seeing it in my workplace, the grocery store and church. When masks are required but the adults refuse to follow the rules their children see this and mirror that behavior. Every place we go has rules and rules are to be followed because there are consequences if you do not. If a restaurant says No Shoe, No Shirt, No Service or you dont eat, people comply. The law says you have to wear a seatbelt or get a ticket from the police, people comply. When you fly on a plane you are required to go through security and follow rules on the plane or you dont fly, people comply. If you work construction or in a plant, you must wear a hard hat and safety goggles or be fired, people comply. But you are asked to wear a mask in a hospital, grocery store, church or school to protect yourself and others from a virus, You are taking my rights away as an American!

Does anyone else see how ridiculous and dangerous this is? We are seeing it every day in our government and the White House and our country is in crisis. These same parents who oppose our current leaders have made mask wearing political and it is not. What they are doing is letting their children know that if they dont like something, you just scream, kick and rant and dont accept it. That makes it very difficult for our police, our teachers and their childrens future employers. Life does not work like this. Parents prepare your children for the real world of taking responsibility and participating in rules for the greater good of everyone.

Annette C. Wilson

* * *

Ms. Wilson,

I honestly feel like we are citizens of the greatest and proudest country on the planet. It also seems as if we, for the most part, have become a country of spoiled rotten brats with a massive sense of entitlement. Given the way we have been acting the last few years - I believe the founding fathers look down on us in shame and embarrassment.

We seem to be more interested in personal liberties - "I don't have to wear a mask and you can't make me," than doing what we know is best for our children, the country and the planet.

I understand the vaccines are not fully approved by the FDA. I also understand the uncertainty and/or fear a lack of full approval could create. So wear a mask. At various times, we've heard people like Jim Jordan, the current mayor of Cuckoo-ville Marjorie Taylor Greene and others ranting on about vaccines not working and/or masks don't work and are dangerous for children. Even the Danish report so many people like to refer to masks to help prevent the spread from those people who are infected by COVID - regardless of their symptoms.

To be sure - I went to the following sources - Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins, Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Without exception or even a hint of ambiguity - they all make it clear - vaccines help - masks help. Yet - I'm supposed to listen to Marjorie Taylor Greene. Really? I'd rather look to the banjo player in Deliverance than follow her lead or that of Jim Jordan, Rand Paul, Matt Gaetz, Mike Lindell, Tucker Carlson or the rest of the King Donald cult of worshippers.

I hope and pray we come to our collective senses and stop listening to the talking heads who will say anything just to get an atta-boy from King Donald and start listening to the doctors, scientist and the hospitals treating this horrible virus.

George Parker

* * *

Ms. Wilson,

The major problem with your argument is that there is no definitive medical evidence that masks work. In a recent review of 17 studies, not one of the studies established a conclusive relationship between mask/respirator use and protection against influenza infection. We do however, have definitive research that proves that hardhats, seat belts and safety goggles actually work.

In one of Dr. Fauci's own emails he said, The typical mask you buy in the drug store is not really effective in keeping out virus, which is small enough to pass through the material. So you see, Ms. Wilson, logical, reasonable people are willing to comply with logical rules, but when there is so much contrary evidence and flip-flopping from our "leaders", there is plenty of reason for people to doubt the true reason behind forcing our children to not be able to breathe fresh air.

Most Americans, at this point, have very little faith in what the CDC "guidelines" are at the moment. It will most likely change tomorrow. Remember how you vaxed folks were "protected"... yeah, that one didn't age well. Remember what Joe Biden said? "Vaxed or Masked" that one didn't age well. Now even the vaxed have to wear a mask. So what is it, really Uncle Joe? If the vax is working, then why do you need to wear a mask? Was that just another "carrot"? So. Much. Confusion.

There are also many known dangers to wearing face masks. Besides the psychology trauma of mask wearing that has been proven in young children. Last year a group of Gainesville, Fl. parents sent their children's masks to a laboratory and found many dangerous pathogens growing inside the masks just after five hours. The analysis detected the following 11 alarmingly dangerous pathogens on the masks: Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumonia), Mycobacterium tuberculosis (tuberculosis), Neisseria meningitidis (meningitis, sepsis, Acanthamoeba polyphaga (keratitis and granulomatous amebic encephalitis), Acinetobacter baumanni (pneumonia, blood stream infections, meningitis, UTIs resistant to antibiotics), Escherichia coli (food poisoning), Borrelia burgdorferi (causes Lyme disease),Corynebacterium diphtheriae (diphtheria), Legionella pneumophila (Legionnaires' disease), Staphylococcus pyogenes serotype M3 (severe infectionshigh morbidity rates), and Staphylococcus aureus (meningitis, sepsis). Guess what they didn't find on the masks? That's right, SARS COVID-19.

So the fact that you are willing to put young children at risk of these deadly pathogens just proves that it is political with you "COVID Karens." For these kids, they are literally wearing a petri dish of death on their faces.

You and others like you do not have the legal authority to require children or anyone to go all day wearing something that is neither safe nor effective. The problem isn't that we "ignorant anti-maskers" want to infect everyone just because we don't want the inconvenience of not breathing. It's that there is zero definitive evidence that a cloth mask can stop a viral particle. We ignorant anti-maskers seem to be the only ones willing to "follow the science." The masks are merely a psychological "crutch" and are designed to give the wearer a sense of security.

Children have incredible immune systems and actually confer immunity to adults. Children should not be viewed as "sick virus carriers." The healthy people in our society should not be punished for being healthy, which is exactly what lockdowns, distancing, mask mandates, etc. do. I applaud communities across this country who are standing up for our children and not treating them like infectious disease carriers.

Susan Edmondson




Trader Joes will open its doors in Chattanooga on Wednesday, Aug. 25, at 9 a.m. Located at 2111 Gunbarrel Road near Hamilton Place Mall, the new store marks the first Trader Joes in southern Tennessee and the fifth Trader Joes in the state.

Moments before opening, there will be a brief ceremonial ribbon cutting. Store Captain Noah Stevens, an 18-year veteran of the company, and Trader Joes crew members will be on hand to welcome customers to their new neighborhood store, and the celebration will continue throughout the day.

The approximately 11,000 square-foot will feature colorful artwork that pays tribute to area landmarks and local lore, including the Chattanooga Choo-Choo, the Walnut Street Bridge, the Tennessee Riverwalk, Snoopers Rock, and more.

As a neighborhood grocery store, Trader Joes prides itself on hiring from the community. Around 90 percent of the crew members hired at the Chattanooga store are from the neighborhood.
One of the hardest aspects of change people had to learn during the pandemic was social distancing. Like other community colleges and universities around the world, Cleveland State faced the challenge of giving students, faculty and staff access to education and operational needs while maintaining a safe distance from each other. As the Vice President Finance and Chief Operating Officer, Alisha Fox accepted that challenge and made it her duty to restore efficiency and access for anyone connected with CSCC during the pandemic. For all her efforts during the pandemic, Ms. Fox was chosen as the 2021 Community First Award Honoree for Education.As news involving COVID-19 was continuing to evolve, Ms.Fox developed Know Before You Go, a campaign to educate everyone on what to expect on campus for the fall 2020 semester after working remotely for a few months. It was a four phase plan that addressed all the integral issues pertaining to COVID-19 concerns like health and safety protocols, facility access, cleaning protocols, communications plans, teaching and learning plans, and screening forms that were utilized for several months on campus. She also adjusted impacted budgets and finances with a team of senior staff in regarding how to best handle COVID-19 grant funds.Although we made a swift and successful transition to remote coursework, some skills and disciplines require hands-on experience such as welding, EMS/paramedic, and law enforcement training, said Ms. Fox. I am proud to say that we began offering these opportunities sooner than many of our sister institutions safely because we heard from students and faculty that this was needed.As part of getting students back on campus, Ms. Fox created protocols that included designated entrances for each building, checkpoints to allow access to buildings, and temperature checks with COVID-19 screenings. The college also increased restroom and touchpoint cleaning while offering hand sanitizing stations in each building. Because of these precautious efforts, the college was able to successfully go back to normalcy by the beginning of May this year.One of her biggest accomplishments during the pandemic was spearheading two new building projects for CSCC. Ms. Fox was lead during the building of the new Health and Science Center on the colleges campus. This building opened in March and was the first building to be built on the campus in over 46 years. It houses all healthcare and science majors with state-of-the-art laboratories, simulated hospital rooms and a physician's office. She also managed building the new McMinn Higher Education Center in Athens that opened in June. The center gives students the opportunity to take classes in Athens rather than traveling to the main campus. Even today, she remains busy as she works to renovate the Humanities building for student access this fall semester.There are many educators in our region who did amazing jobs helping their schools through the pandemic, stated Dr. Bill Seymour, CSCC president. In addition to her success as Cleveland State's Covid-19 leader, Alisha Fox served as project manager for two new academic facilities; one in Cleveland and one in Athens. These projects totaled $43M dollars and provided many good-paying jobs during a difficult economic period.Throughout the pandemic and even now, Ms. Fox continues to evolve the colleges ways of helping students learn and grow at CSCC. She seamlessly transitioned a normal operating school to a college that now has the capacity to give students options to best help achieve their educational goals. Many of her colleagues and her team describes her as A person who excels through adversity and who faces challenges like the pandemic to ultimately serve her community and the students at CSCC.It was a challenging year, but as someone who has never met a challenge they didnt love, I can say I am proud of our entire CSCC team and how we came together and accomplished great things to continue to meet the needs of our community during an incredibly difficult time, said Ms. Fox.Ms. Fox will be honored at the Community First Awards Gala hosted by Cleveland State Community College in September at the Barn at Faith Farms in Athens.To purchase a ticket or for more information, contact Cindy Dawson at 423-614-8703. Tickets for the gala are currently on sale online at mycs.cc/communityfirst . All proceeds from the event will go to the CSCC Foundation Annual Campaign.
During the last two weeks I've lost several friends. One of them educator Billy Green. I was eating one day at the Terdon Restaurant on Rossville Boulevard and this young energetic teacher came up and asked if he could sit down and talk to me for a few minutes. He introduced himself as a regular listener to my talk show and he begin to tell me a little about himself. He loved ... (click for more)
Bravo worlds collided when a teenage Ariana Madix from Vanderpump Rules met teen Bobby Giancola from Below Deck Mediterranean in high school. Giancola recently revealed that Madix was the first friend he made going into a new high school and she quickly became his best pal. Both Madix and Giancola grew up in the sleepy town of Melbourne, Florida and Giancola recalled the stress he felt about having to attend a brand new school before entering ninth grade. And while they were just friends, Giancola admitted he had a huge crush on Madix.

How did Below Decks Bobby Giancola and Vanderpump Rules Ariana Madix meet?

Giancola recalled how Madixs compassion and kindness that she shows on Vanderpump Rules was already established even when she was just a kid. She was literally like my first friend in high school, Giancola recalled about Madix on the Below Deck Sailing Yacht Instagram Pita Party. I was going to this new high school but I was living eastside. And none of my friends that I knew of were going to this high school that was mainland.

Ariana Madix from Vanderpump Rules and Bobby Giancola from Below Deck Mediterranean |Chelsea Lauren/WireImage/Virginia Sherwood/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

He first connected with Madix on AOL Instant Messenger after hopping on an online board for the high school. There was the Melbourne chat room, he said. So I was in there, as a kid. I cant remember how old you are in ninth grade, but either I or her, one of us, within the chat goes, Anybody going to Eau Gallie High School next year?'

Bobby Giancola had a huge crush on Ariana Madix

Madix or Giancola first responded, which prompted them to take their chat to AOL Messenger. So then on our first day of school we met at lunch, she said. And I was a nerd back then. And she was a babe. So I was like, thats never gonna happen. But obviously, I had a huge crush on her. But I never made a move or anything. We just were friends.

Ariana Madix and Bobby Giancola Were All of Us in High School https://t.co/ztkzbluwCD pic.twitter.com/Gx2Wmo2fMY  Bravo (@BravoTV) June 23, 2016

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But then she came from a private school and she had friends from the private school that came over, he continued. One of them was this guy Nick and then we became best friends. Like hes literally one of my best friends still to this day.

Ariana Madix isnt the only Bravoleb who Bobby Giancola knows from home

After high school, Giancola also got to know Kate Chastain from Below Deck. In fact, Chastain was the one who encouraged Giancola to not only get into yachting but audition for the show. So yeah, I knew Kate Chastain, Giancola recently told Showbiz Cheat Sheet. We grew up in the same town. And one night at one of our local bar restaurants, I was there and so was she. And I hadnt seen her in maybe a year or two  quite a few months. She was busy doing the show and I was doing my own thing. At this point, Giancola was a firefighter.

I dont mean to brag but I received calls from a lot of Bravolebs last week #RHOSLC pic.twitter.com/mRZoyEOPiN  Kate Chastain (@Kate_Chastain) March 31, 2021

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So I was catching up with her and I told her I was thinking about leaving the fire department, he continued. And she then said You should do yachting. You would love it. Wait, you should do the show! I was like theres no way Im gonna get on the show.
Food Network star Giada De Laurentiis has stated that while her familys passion is movie making and the film industry, for her its always been about food. The chef knows new cooks need to get their feet wet as they get comfortable in the kitchen.

To that end, as far as shes concerned, theres just one recipe they need to conquer before moving on to any others.

Food Network star Giada De Laurentiis prepares a recipe on morning show Today, 2013 |

Peter Kramer/NBC/NBC Newswire/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

De Laurentiis has been on Food Network since the early 2000s

The chef caught the eye of new-at-that-time cable station Food Network, asking her to consider helming her own instructional cooking show.

I had been doing some food styling, and did some work for Martha Stewart Living and Food & Wine magazines, De Laurentiis told Time. Then 9/11 happened, and Food & Wine decided to do a family-themed issue. They wanted to do a lunch with my family, and it happened to coincide with the year my grandfather was honored with a Lifetime Achievement award at the Oscars.

And they said I could style my own food; that was the hook for me. After the issue came out, I got a call from the Food Network. The rest is history.

The recipe De Laurentiis says new cooks should learn first

Aspiring cooks, the television personality says, should cut their culinary teeth on bruschetta (pronounced brooSKEHtuh). Its a no-bake, no stovetop option thats delicious and easy to learn.

Whenever anyone asks me the first recipe someone should learn, my answer is always bruschetta, De Laurentiis tweeted recently. The reason? Theres very little cooking involved!

Whenever anyone asks me the first recipe someone should learn, my answer is always bruschetta. The reason? There's very little cooking involved! https://t.co/icUR3a47DP pic.twitter.com/xub1di6Cyv  Giada De Laurentiis (@GDeLaurentiis) July 30, 2021

Her food and lifestyle blog Giadzy notes that bruschetta just might be the single best Italian recipe for beginner cooks to pull off. The reason being, it doesnt actually require much cooking at all, mostly assembling! Making it the ideal dish to build confidence in the kitchen, get comfortable with ingredients, and even begin honing in on those ever-important knife skills.

If youre unfamiliar with the tasty dish commonly served as an appetizer in many Italian restaurants, Giadzy says the name refers to bread thats been grilled or toasted with olive oil and garlic. The toasted bread is prepared in a variety of ways and you can experiment with different spreads, toppings, herbs, drizzles of sauces.

The chef has made every conceivable form of bruschetta

On her recipe site, De Laurentiis has enough bruschetta recipes to get you started and then some. Mozzarella and Strawberry Bruschetta. Curly Endive, Prosciutto and Mozzarella on Bruschetta. Peach, Corn and Burrata Bruschetta. Bruschetta with Gorgonzola Cheese and Honey. Burrata and Kale Salsa Verde Bruschetta.

To try the recipe at its most basic, theres the chefs version of Tomato, Mozzarella, and Basil Bruschetta, for which youll need a can of whole tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, extra-virgin olive oil, fresh garlic, salt and pepper, two French baguettes sliced into inch-thick slices, and a good pound or so of fresh mozzarella cheese.

The tomatoes, a cup of the basil leaves, olive oil, and a couple of the garlic cloves are pulsed in a food processor until theyre somewhat chunky and salted and peppered. The baguette slices are toasted in a preheated 375-degree oven for a few minutes and then immediately, while theyre still warm, rubbed with garlic. A mozzarella cheese piece is placed on each slice of bread and placed in the oven again so the cheese melts (De Laurentiis notes this shouldnt take even one minute, so keep an eye on the clock to ensure the bread doesnt burn!).

Spoon a bit of the tomato/basil mixture onto whats now cheesy bread and plate them with basil leaves scattered for decorative effect. Enjoy!

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Rosie ODonnell has been an actor, standup comedian, and talk show host. She was formerly one of the hosts of The View. Before that, she had her own talk show that was very popular. ODonnells show had its share of celebrity guests to promote their movies, but it represented something much deeper than just another talk show to one part of the population. It was ODonnells homing device for misfit toys that made a whole lot of people feel like they had a safe space.

Rosie ODonnells talk show was revolutionary in its own way

Rosie ODonnell | Getty Images

According to IMDb, ODonnells show ran from 1996-2002. Every talk show thrives or fails based on the personality of its host, and this one was no different. The Tonight Show was popular for years because of Johnny Carsons effusive charm, while The Chevy Chase Show crashed and burned due to an insecure host not right for the stage. ODonnells show succeeded because it embraced her hilarious, quirky personality.

It also offered a safe atmosphere for those who felt like they didnt fit in, something ODonnell was aware of and attempted to cultivate.

Rosie ODonnell saw her own show as a homing device for misfit toys

ODonnell recently appeared on the Everything Iconic podcast with host Danny Pellegrino. Pellegrino spoke about how much her show meant to him during his formative years. Pellegrino stated, I grew up in Ohio and your show so represented a world that seemed so far away from me at the time. I dont know. Im getting emotional

Thats OK, honey, she said, comforting the host. It was a safe place for so many kids who didnt feel like they had a place. I love children, and so whenever I had a kid I was overly effusive and interested, truly interested, in their perspective and their life.

She added that her show offered comfort for children who felt like outcasts, stating, And I think a lot of kids who maybe felt they didnt fit in or knew they were gay before they had a word for it  they would watch my show and sense something and not necessarily know but kinda know. It was like a homing device for all of the land of misfit toys. And I was happy to be the grandmother of that.

How an amazing environment for queer people was created

Pellegrino agreed with ODonnells assessment, calling her show an amazing environment for queer people. ODonnell appreciated the compliment and chalked this up to her supportive staff, saying, Yeah, it really was. I made it a point to sort of try to staff it with my friends and with gay perspective. And Broadway was a main focus, and thats where all the gays go. So, we had a wonderful cast and crew, and we still get together on the anniversaries.

Pellegrino pressed ODonnell on the idea of starting her own podcast, but she bristled at the idea. Everyone I know has a podcast, she lamented, Like, my nanny has a podcast, you know? Everybody is doing it, but we cant seem to put it together. Im not really sure why. I dont think I would do another show now because truthfully Im not really well-versed in whos who anymore.

ODonnell added that when she was younger, she knew everyone in People Magazine, but that isnt the case anymore. ODonnell states, Now, when Im on a plane and I grab a People magazine, I have no idea. Theyre announcing the birth of the third child of Camila Cabello.

She may not have another project in the works, but ODonnells work has already impacted so many within the LGBTQIA+ community, and for that, she should be commended.

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle shocked the world when they announced back in January 2020 that they would be stepping back from their roles as senior royals within the royal family. Since then, the two have settled down in California and have even welcomed their second child, named after Queen Elizabeth and Harrys mother, Princess Diana.

Sarah Ferguson, who disaffiliated from the royal family long ago after her divorce from Prince Andrew, was quite close with Diana. And she recently revealed how she thinks Diana would have felt about Harry and Meghans royal exit.

Sarah Ferguson and Princess Diana in 1983 | Georges De Keerle/Getty Images

The royal family is still sorting through tension caused by Prince Harry and Meghan Markles exit

When Harry and Meghan announced their royal exit back January 2020, people were shocked. However, it didnt affect anyone like it affected the royal family. At the time, there were reports of tension between Meghan and Kate Middleton, though the rumors were unfounded beyond anonymous sources. But that tension soon pivoted to Harry and Prince William.

During Harry and Meghans trip to South Africa in 2019, Harry revealed that there was some tension between him and his brother, which only fueled even more rumors. And in most situations, the press was favoring William and Kate over Meghan and Harry. Eventually, the media  and the rumors  became too much, and Harry and Meghan stepped down.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle | Rosa Woods/Pool/Getty Images

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Sarah Ferguson recently revealed that she thinks Princess Diana would be proud of Harry and Meghans decision

Sarah Fergie Ferguson has spoken out in the past about Harry and Meghans decision to step down, and she seemingly felt happy for the couple as they navigated a new life in the United States. In a recent interview, Fergie also revealed how she thinks Princess Diana would have felt about Harry and Meghans decision to build a new life for themselves.

Diana would be very proud of her sons, and I think theyre exceptional, exceptional boys with exceptional wives and fabulous children, and so I think that she would be going, YES! Ferguson shared in an interview with The Independent.

Fergie also said that she believes Diana would be very proud of Harry and William for standing tall and firm.

Theyre very like her, and I think that she would be proud.

Princess Diana and Sarah Ferguson in 1987 | Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have not returned to the UK as a family yet

Harry and Meghan have been living in the United States for more than a year, but they have not returned back to the UK as a family yet. Harry has returned twice on his own: Once to attend Prince Philips funeral, and once to unveil a statue of Princess Diana alongside his brother. Meghan was pregnant, and at home with new daughter Lilibet Diana, during both outings.

With the pandemic still affecting travel, it remains unclear when Harry and Meghan will visit Harrys family again. The royal family has not yet met the couples youngest child. As of March 2021, Harry still was not on speaking terms with his father, Prince Charles.
Last night, the One Tree Hill actor, Sophia Bush announced her engagement to her boyfriend Grant Hughes on social media. As congratulatory messages float in from fans and friends alike, here are snippets, since thats all anyone has got, from Bush and Hughes much private relationship.

First things first, who is Grant Hughes?

David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)

Hughes is a tech and digital entrepreneur and founder of FocusMotion Health, a company that creates data-driven orthopedic solutions. More importantly, he is now Bushs fiance. Their journey however started as friends, as Hughes revealed in an Instagram post from January.

She was in my life for eight years and the pandemic forced us to slow down and stay in one place long enough to realize what Id been looking for all along was closer than I could have known, Hughes wrote in the caption of a reflective post accompanied with pictures of the past year that he wanted the internet to remember.

First Appearance

JOCE/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

While the couple made their relationship social media official in 2021, their first appearance was back in May 2020 when they stepped out together for a leisurely Sunday stroll in Malibu. Dressed casually and adorning their face masks, the couple was caught holding hands and embracing each other on an afternoon walk.

Their first date, however, according to Hughes Instagram, was a Covid test that they went for together. Well, that is dating in the pandemic for you!

The couple easily limited their outdoor appearances during the pandemic but came together in public for a few events including the Black Lives Matter protest last year. Throughout their romantic relationship, Bush kept her private life far away from social media. The last time Bush dated someone that the public knew about was in 2014 when she was dating her Chicago P.D. co-star, Jessie Lee Sofer.

In an interview with ET in June, the False Positive actor admitted that it was hard having all her past relationships being a part of public knowledge.

Its hard to have nothing thats yours. And when you are a person who lives in the public eye, everybody wants to pick over everything and that can be really tricky, Bush said.

She said that she wanted to shift the focus from her private life to her acting and activism.

The Proposal

OH MY GOD I AM CACKLING!! Nope. Just engaged ;)



Also I love showers cc @Luvvie https://t.co/HgNruXzzXJ  Sophia Bush (@SophiaBush) August 10, 2021

In an effort to keep her public and personal life separate, Bush refrained from putting any pictures of her with Hughes on social media for the longest time. But she began posting pictures of them on her Instagram account while vacationing in Italy this month.

And finally, a few posts into their Italian vacation, Hughes popped the question in Lake Como, Italy.

So it turns out that being your favorite persons favorite person is the actual best feeling on planet earth, Bush captioned the proposal picture and added a #YES.

She also thanked those who helped Hughes plan the most incredible, moving surprise of her life. She ended the post with, My heart. It bursts.

In his post, Hughes said he was excited to do life with his forever favorite.

Ever since the couple has been accepting wishes from people and has also been enjoying their vacation. Giving her fans, the opportunity to gush on the new couple, Bush has posted several pictures and the latest one of her is captioned,  Turns out this whole being engaged thing is really really fun.

Responding to all the messages that they have been receiving, Bush also took to Twitter thanking everyone for their love, leaving her fans with another picture of the happy couple.

Well, as there is no news about their wedding or when its going to happen, all Bush fans have for now are the beautiful pictures and posts of the couples engagement.

The love from you all of overwhelming and beautiful and so appreciated! We cherish you!



, me and @grantjhugh pic.twitter.com/34DWtnNIYV  Sophia Bush (@SophiaBush) August 10, 2021

RELATED: Has One Tree Hill Star Sophia Bush Ever Been Married?
Following a good second quarter, LANXESS has again raised its guidance for the full year 2021. The specialty chemicals company now expects EBITDA pre exceptionals to be between EUR 1 billion and EUR 1.05 billion. The guidance also reflects the acquisition of Emerald Kalama Chemical, which was completed in early August, with an EBITDA contribution of around EUR 35 million for the remainder of 2021. Previously, LANXESS expected earnings of between EUR 950 million and EUR 1 billion.

LANXESS significantly increased EBITDA pre exceptionals in the second quarter compared with the prior-year period, which was dominated by the pandemic: earnings were up by 23.7 percent from EUR 224 million to EUR 277 million. This positive development was driven by increasingly strong demand from the automotive industry, with the Engineering Materials segment benefiting in particular. The Consumer Protection segment also developed strongly, with earnings almost reaching the high level of the previous year. The Group managed to largely pass on the sharp increase in raw material prices in all segments by adjusting selling prices. Exchange rate effects, particularly from the U.S. dollar, high freight costs and significantly higher energy costs, especially in Germany, had a negative impact on earnings. The EBITDA margin pre exceptionals was 15.1 percent, compared with 15.6 percent in the prior-year quarter.

Our business continued to develop well in the second quarter. Volumes are back to pre-pandemic levels and we are confident about the second half of the year. With this momentum and the successful acquisition of Emerald Kalama Chemical, we are able to once again accelerate our growth path and raise our guidance for the full year, said Matthias Zachert, Chairman of the Board of Management of LANXESS AG.

Group sales in the second quarter rose significantly by 27.5 percent to EUR 1.831 billion from EUR 1.436 billion in the previous year. As expected, net income from continuing operations was significantly below the prior-year figure of EUR 803 million at EUR 77 million. In the second quarter of 2020, a substantial level of extraordinary proceeds had been generated from the sale of the stake in chemical park operator Currenta.

Acquisition pushes growth in Consumer Protection segment

Just last week, LANXESS completed the second-largest acquisition in its history. The acquisition of Emerald Kalama Chemical strengthens the specialty chemicals companys position in markets with attractive growth rates and opens up new high-margin application areas, particularly in the area of consumer protection. These include, among others, products for flavors and fragrances as well as preservatives for use in foods and beverages or in cleaning and cosmetic products. The Group expects to complete the integration of the new businesses quickly. In fiscal 2021, the acquisition will already contribute around EUR 35 million to LANXESS annual result.

Segments: Increasing demand drives earnings

The Advanced Intermediates segment benefited from strong demand and corresponding higher volumes. Sales were also driven by higher selling prices. At EUR 505 million, sales were 17.4 percent above the prior-year figure of EUR 430 million. EBITDA pre exceptionals fell by 6.8 percent from EUR 103 million to EUR 96 million, impacted by higher energy and freight costs. In addition, earnings in the prior-year quarter also included positive price effects, as lower raw material prices were not passed on to the market immediately. The EBITDA margin pre exceptionals fell accordingly to 19.0 percent from 24.0 percent in the prior-year period.

In the Specialty Additives segment, increasingly strong demand was reflected in significantly improved results. Volumes rose strongly and selling prices were also higher than in the previous year due to the passing-on of increased raw material costs. Adverse exchange rate effects had a negative effect. Sales rose by 28.5 percent from EUR 442 million to EUR 568 million. EBITDA pre exceptionals was EUR 89 million, 48.3 percent above the prior-year figure of EUR 60 million. The EBITDA margin pre exceptionals rose from 13.6 percent to 15.7 percent.

Sales and earnings of the Consumer Protection segment in the second quarter reached the strong level of the prior-year period. Continued good business with agrochemicals at Saltigo and good demand for disinfectants at Material Protection Products led to higher volumes. The businesses of the acquired companies INTACE and Theseo also made a positive contribution. Adverse exchange rate effects impacted sales and earnings. Sales increased by 4.3 percent from EUR 301 million to EUR 314 million. EBITDA pre exceptionals was EUR 65 million, down 4.4 percent from the prior-year figure of EUR 68 million, due to higher energy and freight costs and price effects. The EBITDA margin pre exceptionals reached 20.7 percent, compared with 22.6 percent in the previous year.

The Engineering Materials segment benefited from increasingly strong demand from the automotive industry  volumes increased significantly. Selling prices were also higher than in the prior-year quarter, which was severely impacted by the Corona pandemic. Exchange rates developed negatively. Sales in the second quarter increased by 73.8 percent from EUR 244 million to EUR 424 million. EBITDA pre exceptionals was EUR 68 million, up 142.9 percent from EUR 28 million a year earlier, despite higher freight and energy costs and the unavailability of a key supplier. The EBITDA margin pre exceptionals rose from 11.5 percent to 16.0 percent.
Schematic of the electrochemical restructuring of erythrite. The fine needle-like structure melts during the conversion from a crystalline material to an amorphous one, which is porous like a Swiss cheese.

Crystalline cobalt arsenide is a catalyst that generates oxygen during electrolytic water splitting in the production of hydrogen. The material is considered to be a model system for an important group of catalysts whose performance increases under certain conditions in the course of electrolysis. Now a HZB-team headed by Marcel Risch has observed at BESSY II how two simultaneous mechanisms are responsible for this. The catalytic activity of the individual catalysis centres decreases in the course of electrolysis, but at the same time the morphology of the catalyst layer also changes. Under favourable conditions, considerably more catalysis centres come into contact with the electrolyte as a result, so that the overall performance of the catalyst increases.

As a rule, most catalyst materials deteriorate during repeated catalytic cycles  they age. But there are also compounds that increase their performance over the course of catalysis. One example is the mineral erythrite, a mineral compound comprising cobalt and arsenic oxides with a molecular formula of (Co 3 (AsO 4 )28H 2 O). The mineral stands out because of its purple colour. Erythrite lends itself to accelerating oxygen generation at the anode during electrolytic splitting of water into hydrogen and oxygen.

Samples from Costa Rica

The young investigator group headed by Dr. Marcel Risch at the HZB together with groups from Costa Rica has now analysed these catalysing mineral materials in detail at BESSY II and made an interesting discovery.

Using samples produced by colleagues in Costa Rica consisting of tiny erythrite crystals in powder form, Javier Villalobos, a doctoral student in Risch's group at the HZB, coated the electrodes with this powder. He then examined them before, during, and after hundreds of electrolysis cycles in four different pH-neutral electrolytes, including ordinary soda water (carbonated water).

Loss of original structure

Over time, the surface of each catalytically active layer exhibited clear changes in all the electrolytes. The original crystalline structure was lost, as shown by images from the scanning electron microscope, and more cobalt ions changed their oxidation number due to the applied voltage, which was determined electrochemically. Increased oxygen yield was also demonstrated over time in soda water (carbonated water), though only in that electrolyte. The catalyst clearly improved.

Observations at BESSY II

With analyses at BESSY II, the researchers are now able to explain why this was the case: using X-ray absorption spectroscopy, they scanned the atomic and chemical environment around the cobalt ions. The more active samples lost their original erythrite crystal structure and were transformed into a less ordered structure that can be described as platelets just two atoms thick. The larger these platelets became, the more active the sample was. The data over the course of the catalysis cycles showed that the oxidation number of the cobalt in these platelets increased the most in soda water, from 2.0 to 2.8. Since oxides with an oxidation number of 3 are known to be very good catalysts, this explains the improvement relative to the catalysts that formed in the other electrolytes.

Oxygen yield doubled

In soda water, the oxygen yield per cobalt ion decreased by a factor of 28 over 800 cycles, but at the same time 56 times as many cobalt atoms changed their oxidation number electrochemically. Macroscopically, the electrical current generation and thus the oxygen yield of the electrode doubled.

From needles to swiss cheese

In a nutshell, Risch explains: Over time, the material becomes like Swiss cheese with many holes and a larger surface area where many more reactions can take place. Even if the individual catalytically active centres become somewhat weaker over time, the larger surface area means that many more potential catalytically active centres come into contact with the electrolyte and increase the yield.

Risch suggests that such mechanisms can also be found in many other classes of materials consisting of non-toxic compounds, which can be developed into suitable catalysts.
Facebook already asks for your thoughts. Now it wants your prayers.

The social media giant has rolled out a new prayer request feature, a tool embraced by some religious leaders as a cutting-edge way to engage the faithful online. Others are eyeing it warily as they weigh its usefulness against the privacy and security concerns they have with Facebook.

In Facebook Groups employing the feature, members can use it to rally prayer power for upcoming job interviews, illnesses, and other personal challenges big and small. After they create a post, other users can tap an I prayed button, respond with a like or other reaction, leave a comment, or send a direct message.

Facebook began testing it in the US in December as part of an ongoing effort to support faith communities, according to a statement attributed to a company spokesperson.

During the COVID-19 pandemic weve seen many faith and spirituality communities using our services to connect, so were starting to explore new tools to support them, it said.

Robert Jeffress of First Baptist Church in Dallas, a Southern Baptist megachurch, was among the pastors enthusiastically welcoming of the prayer feature.

Facebook and other social media platforms continue to be tremendous tools to spread the Gospel of Christ and connect believers with one anotherespecially during this pandemic, he said. While any tool can be misused, I support any effort like this that encourages people to turn to the one true God in our time of need.

Adeel Zeb, a Muslim chaplain at The Claremont Colleges in California, also was upbeat.

As long as these companies initiate proper precautions and protocols to ensure the safety of religiously marginalized communities, people of faith should jump on board supporting this vital initiative, he said.

Under its data policy, Facebook uses the information it gathers in a variety of ways, including to personalize advertisements. But the company says advertisers are not able to use a persons prayer posts to target ads.

Bob Stec, pastor of St. Ambrose Catholic Parish in Brunswick, Ohio, said via email that on one hand, he sees the new feature as a positive affirmation of peoples need for an authentic community of prayer, support, and worship.

But even while this is a good thing, it is not necessary the deeply authentic community that we need, he said. We need to join our voices and hands in prayer. We need to stand shoulder to shoulder with each other and walk through great moments and challenges together.

Stec also worried about privacy concerns surrounding the sharing of deeply personal traumas.

Is it wise to post everything about everyone for the whole world to see? he said. On a good day we would all be reflective and make wise choices. When we are under stress or distress or in a difficult moment, its almost too easy to reach out on Facebook to everyone.

However, Jacki King, the minister to women at Second Baptist Conway, a Southern Baptist congregation in Conway, Arkansas, sees a potential benefit for people who are isolated amid the pandemic and struggling with mental health, finances, and other issues.

Theyre much more likely to get on and make a comment than they are to walk into a church right now, King said. It opens a line of communication.

Bishop Paul Egensteiner of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Americas Metropolitan New York Synod said he has been dismayed by some aspects of Facebook but welcomes the feature, which bears similarities to a digital prayer request already used by the synods churches.

I hope this is a genuine effort from Facebook to help religious organizations advance their mission, Egensteiner said. I also pray that Facebook will continue improving its practices to stop misinformation on social media, which is also affecting our religious communities and efforts.

Thomas McKenzie, who leads Church of the Redeemer, an Anglican congregation in Nashville, Tennessee, said he wanted to hate the feature. He views Facebook as willing to exploit anything for money, even peoples faith.

But he thinks it could be encouraging to those willing to use it: Facebooks evil motivations might have actually provided a tool that can be for good.

His chief concern with any internet technology, he added, is that it can encourage people to stay physically apart even when it is unnecessary.

You cannot participate fully in the body of Christ online. Its not possible, McKenzie said. But these tools may give people the impression that its possible.

Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union of Reform Judaism, said he understood why some people would view the initiative skeptically.

But in the moment were in, I dont know many people who dont have a big part of their prayer life online, he said. Weve all been using the chat function for something like thissharing who we are praying for.

Crossroads Community Church, a nondenominational congregation in Vancouver, Washington, saw the function go live about 10 weeks ago in its Facebook group, which has roughly 2,500 members.

About 20 to 30 prayer requests are posted each day, eliciting 30 to 40 responses apiece, according to Gabe Moreno, executive pastor of ministries. Each time someone responds, the initial poster gets a notification.

Deniece Flippen, a moderator for the group, turns off the alerts for her posts, knowing that when she checks back she will be greeted with a flood of support.

Flippen said that unlike with in-person group prayer, she doesnt feel the Holy Spirit or the physical manifestations she calls the holy goosebumps. But the virtual experience is fulfilling nonetheless.

Its comforting to see that theyre always there for me and were always there for each other, Flippen said.

Members are asked on Fridays to share which requests got answered, and some get shoutouts in the Sunday morning livestreamed services.

Moreno said he knows Facebook is not acting out of purely selfless motivation, since it wants more user engagement with the platform. But his churchs approach to it is theologically based, and they are trying to follow Jesus example.

We should go where the people are, Moreno said. The people are on Facebook. So were going to go there.

AP video journalist Emily Leshner contributed.
Former Mormon missionary finds Jesus after attempting to convert Baptist pastor

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Growing up, Micah Wilder was the model Mormon. From rigorously observing the laws of his religion to serving in leadership positions in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Wilder did everything he could to establish right standing with God.

In my family, the Mormon religion wasn't just the church we attended on a Sunday morning. It was really part of the identity and the fabric of our lives, he told The Christian Post. Mormonism was who we were. Everything else was subservient to our religious identity in Mormonism.

We were the prototypical wonderful, happy family. But yet, we didn't have the knowledge of God in Christ, he added.

After graduating high school, for one semester Wilder attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, where his mother worked. During that time, he worked in a Mormon temple to prepare himself for the most important two years of his life: his full-time LDS mission.

Mormonism is a works-based faith, he said. So I was faithful in my church attendance. I tithed, I followed the moral codes and went to the Mormon temple and so on, believing these things contributed to my right standing with God. I longed for intimacy with Him."

I tried so hard to live out the tenets of my faith. I had a desire to be everything that I thought that I needed to be, according to the standard of my religion, he recalled. Of course, unfortunately, that bred a burden on my shoulders where there was an uncertainty as to whether or not Id ever done enough.

At the age of 19, Wilder was sent to Orlando, Florida, as a missionary for the LDS church. Just months into his mission, the teen confronted a Baptist minister, Pastor Alan Benson, with the intention of converting him to Mormonism.

I was as confident as a Mormon missionary as you would ever be, and I really had a sincere desire to bring other people to what I believe was the truth, he said.

Wilder viewed Christians as a specific challenge, he said, because growing up, he was taught that evangelicals practiced a cheap faith; that they believed their lives didn't necessarily need to reflect the faith they claimed to profess.

We were taught that Christians would claim to be born again and then they would use that grace as a license to sin and to live as they pleased in the flesh, he said. Of course, I didn't understand what grace meant and what the Gospel really means and how saving faith transforms the heart and the individual.

Benson listened to Wilders presentation before gently responding with his own.

He presented the Gospel to me," Wilder said. "He told me about the depth of God's love for me in Christ and that Christ's love for mankind was so great that He died on the cross and paid for our sins in full measure. He told me that Gods grace is given to us as a gift, that our sins can be washed away and forgiven. It was the first time I'd heard the Gospel presented that way."

The idea that salvation and eternal life are a free gift from God and did not need to be earned was not only completely contradictory to what I had taught and believed growing up, but it was also something that I would have seen as foolishness, Wilder shared.

My main response was, Thats just too simple,'" he said.

I was very taken aback by that and felt unprepared to really defend my own faith because a lot of these Bible passages I never really heard growing up, so I didn't necessarily have a defense for them. It was a very frustrating experience for me, even to the point that I would say I was angry.

The pastor then presented Wilder with a challenge.

He told me to read the Bible as a child, Wilder said. Essentially, he was encouraging me to approach God's Word without presuppositions; to separate it from the religious lenses of Mormonism, and just approach it in humility and seeking for truth, allowing God through His Word to reveal the truth.

His interest piqued, the devout Mormon spent the next 20 months reading the New Testament from start to finish, over and over again.

Over time, his eyes were opened to the truth of the Gospel: I realized I could have good standing with God, not based upon my goodness or our righteousness and not contingent upon my works or efforts or merits, but based solely on the finished work and merits of Christ.

Less than a month left on his two-year mission, Wilder was confronted by his LDS leaders about his newfound beliefs. His mission cut short, the young man returned to Utah to face discipline from church leaders.

I was told that I was filled with the spirit of the devil and being deceived, he said. I was told I was on the path to Hell. They threatened to excommunicate me because of my testimony.

Undeterred, Wilder shared his discovery with his family, friends and high school girlfriend, Alicia, who at the time was a student at BYU. Incredibly, he said, the dominoes started falling, one by one.

God worked in their hearts and minds, he said. Alicia read the Bible and embraced the true Gospel. My mother and father left the Mormon church, and my mother walked away from her job. They lost everything in the world but they gained life in Christ, which we know is the greatest trade that we can ever make.

Wilder shares his story in his new book,Passport to Heaven: The True Story of a Zealous Mormon Missionary Who Discovers the Jesus He Never Knew.

His purpose in sharing his story, he said, is to tell others drowning in a works-based religion of the divine mercy, freedom and grace that is found in the true Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Now married for 15 years, Micah and Alicia Wilder have three sons and run Adams Road Ministry, a nonprofit ministry dedicated to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ through song and testimony.

Like Wilder, two other members of Adams Road were at one time LDS missionaries. Over the years, he said, the ministry has helped numerous Mormons leave their former religion and find freedom in Christ.

Its a very slow and difficult and painful process, he said. I think a lot of Christians don't have an understanding of the amount of compassion that we need to have toward people coming out of something like Mormonism because it's so cultural. Proclaiming the truth can mean losing everything. It can mean losing marriages and relationships with children, friends, community, jobs and financial security.

Today, Wilder said he sees himself as a seed planter who is called to scatter seeds. He challenged Christians to boldly share the Gospel with others, stressing that those who know the truth are responsible for sharing it with the world.

Had a Baptist pastor not shared the Gospel with me in love and truth and planted the seed of the Word of God, I dont know where I would be today, he said. The fact that it took 19 years for me to finally hear the Gospel is a sad reality. We want to encourage the body of Christ to be loving and truthful witnesses of the Gospel because it is life-changing.
Catholic high school can fire staff in same-sex marriages, court rules

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A federal court has ruled against a counselor who was fired from a Catholic high school in Indiana because she was in a same-sex marriage, citing the legal standard of ministerial exception.

Lynn Starkey had sued the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Indianapolis and Roncalli High School for firing her for being in a marital relationship that conflicted with Church teaching.

United States District Judge Richard Young ruled Wednesday that the Catholic institution was free to fire Starkey on the basis of its religious standards for employment and that a secular court had no place to interfere in the decision.

When the state interferes with these types of employment decisions, it violates both the Free Exercise and Establishment Clauses of the First Amendment, wrote Young.

The ministerial exception is not limited to claims of religious discrimination; it bars all claims of discrimination under Title VII, including discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

The court went on to note that Starkeys work in helping shape Roncalli's educational and spiritual environment weigh heavily in favor of applying the ministerial exception.

[Starkey] helped plan all-school liturgies, she delivered the morning prayer on at least a few occasions, she worked with other Administrative Council members to identify ways in which Roncalli can differentiate itself from the local public schools, and she participated in discussion groups about books aimed at enhancing faith formation, continued Young.

Moreover, that Starkey characterizes her work as a guidance counselor in purely secular terms does not change the result because it would be inappropriate for this court to draw a distinction between secular and religious guidance offered by a guidance counselor at a Catholic school.

Becket, a law firm that handles religious liberty cases and helped to represent the archdiocese during the litigation, celebrated the ruling in a statement released Wednesday.

Todays ruling is common sense: religious groups have a constitutional right to hire people who agree with their religious beliefs and practices, said Luke Goodrich, vice president and senior counsel at Becket, as quoted in the statement.

At all levels of the judiciary, courts have made clear that the government has no place interfering with a religious organizations decision about who can pass on the faith to the next generation.

Kathleen DeLaney, the attorney representing Starkey, expressed disappointment at the ruling and is considering the possibility of filing an appeal, for which she has 30 days to decide.

Were disappointed with the court's ruling and concerned about its potential impact, not just on Lynn Starkey, but on all educators in religious schools, said DeLaney, as quoted by the Indianapolis Star.

Starkey and another Roncalli guidance counselor named Shelley Fitzgerald were both terminated from their positions at the high school for being in same-sex marriages.

Regarding the Fitzgerald case, which led to a lawsuit against the archdiocese, the result of which is still pending, Roncalli posted a statement on its Facebook page in 2018 explaining that its staff must adhere to Catholic teaching.

"As role models for students, the personal conduct of every teacher, guidance counselor and administrator and staff member, both at school and away from school, must convey and be supportive of the teachings of the Catholic Church," stated the school in 2018.

"These teachings include, but are not limited to: honoring the dignity of each human life from conception to natural death, care for God's creation, and the belief that all persons are called to respect human sexuality and its expression in the sacrament of marriage between a man and a woman as a sign of God's love and fidelity to His Church."
New Hampshire passes law prohibiting harsher restrictions on churches during pandemics

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New Hampshire has passed a law that prohibits the state government from treating houses of worship with harsher restrictions during times of emergency than organizations and businesses deemed to be essential services.

House Bill 542, an act "relative to the protection of religious liberty, was signed into law by Gov. Chris Sununu on Tuesday, one of 30 bills signed into law in Concord on that day.

The new law states that during a state of emergency, the state will permit a religious organization to continue operating and to engage in religious services to the same or greater extent that other organizations or businesses that provide essential services that are necessary and vital to the health and welfare of the public are permitted to operate.

Nothing in this section shall prohibit the state government from requiring religious organizations to comply with neutral health, safety, or occupancy requirements issued by the state or federal government that are applicable to all organizations and businesses that provide essential services, the legislation continues.

Provided, however, that the state government shall not enforce any health, safety, or occupancy requirement that imposes a substantial burden on a religious service unless the state government demonstrates that applying the burden to the religious service in this particular instance is essential to further a compelling governmental interest and is the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling governmental interest.

Greg Chafuen, an attorney with the religious freedom legal nonprofit Alliance Defending Freedom, says the new law is an "important step in defending religious freedom in New Hampshire.

While public officials have the authority and responsibility to protect public health and safety, the First Amendment prohibits the government from treating houses of worship and religious organizations worse than shopping centers, restaurants, or gyms, stated Chafuen in a statement Wednesday.

This bill makes it clear that officials cannot use a public crisis to discriminate against religious operations without violating the Constitution.

The bill was sponsored by Republican lawmakers. Democrat critics argue that the legislation is unnecessary and that many houses of worship adapted and found other ways to connect during the COVID-19 pandemic.

I dont believe we need a new law that prioritizes religious freedoms over public health and safety in a crisis, New Hampshire state House Rep. Alexis Simpson of Exeter stated in April, as reported by WMUR.

In response to court decisions and protests from religious groups during the COVID-19 pandemic, multiple states have recently considered legislation to guarantee that houses of worship are not treated with harsher restrictions than secular entities during a state of emergency, such as a pandemic.

In April, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb signed Senate Enrolled Act 263, which officially labeled houses of worship as essential services.

Religious organizations provide essential services that are necessary for the health and welfare of the public during a disaster emergency, the law states.

[T]he state and a political subdivision may not impose restrictions on  the operation of a religious organization; or  religious services that are more restrictive than the restrictions imposed on other businesses and organizations that provide essential services to the public.

The Indiana chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union took issue with the law, claiming that it would bestow special treatment to houses of worship.

The right to exercise ones faith, including the freedom to hold and attend worship services, is among our most fundamental rights, stated the ACLU of Indiana in January.

But religious freedom does not entitle religious institutions to receive special exemptions from the law if it would pose a grave risk to the health and lives of individuals and the public health. SB 263, however, would authorize just that.

Also, in April, North Dakota passed Senate Bill 2181, which prohibits the state government from treating houses of worship with more restrictive measures than non-religious establishments during times of emergency.

The law states that any orders relating to disease control measures cannot substantially burden a person's exercise of religion unless the order is in furtherance of a compelling governmental interest and is the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling governmental interest."

The North Dakota Catholic Conference expressed its support for the new law.

The nationwide pandemic has brought renewed attention to how government actions can, intentionally or not, restrict the exercise of religious freedom, the conference argued in its March 16 letter to state lawmakers.

For the most part, North Dakota has been spared the imposition of rules and policies unduly interfere with religious activity. Nevertheless, both the state and people of faith could benefit from established protections and parameters in the law.
Pro-life groups praise Senate for supporting Hyde Amendment banning taxpayer funding for abortion

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Pro-life groups are praising the U.S. Senate for expressing support for the preservation of bans on taxpayer funding of abortion in the federal governments budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

In a Tuesday vote-a-rama where senators voted on a variety of amendments to the proposed federal budget for fiscal year 2022, the Senate narrowly approved the Lankford Amendment, a non-binding resolution that sought to preserve longstanding bipartisan provisions banning the use of taxpayer dollars to pay for abortions and protecting the conscience rights of Americans who oppose abortion. The Lankford Amendment passed by a razor-thin margin of 50-49, with Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., joining all Senate Republicans in supporting the measure.

While a majority of Americans oppose taxpayer funding for abortion on demand, most Senate Democrats have no problem ignoring their constituents to vote in lock-step with the abortion industry, said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the pro-life group Susan B. Anthony List, in a statement. We thank Senator Manchin for being the notable exception by standing up for unborn children, their mothers, and pro-life American taxpayers today.

Carol Tobias, president of the pro-life group National Right to Life, thanked the pro-life champions in the Senate for their tireless work to protect unborn children and their mothers. According to Tobias, Senate Democrats are targeting the longstanding popular Hyde Amendment at every turn. The goal is to ensure abortion on demand at any time and for any reason.

In addition to expressing support for the Hyde Amendment, which bans the use of taxpayer funding for abortion, the Lankford Amendment also included the Weldon Amendment, another longstanding measure that prevents healthcare workers who oppose abortion from having to perform the procedure. While a majority of the Senate got behind the Lankford Amendment, other attempts to include pro-life measures in the budget for fiscal year 2022 did not succeed.

As noted by the National Right to Life, the Kennedy Amendment, which would prohibit abortions after 20 weeks (consistent with the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act) was rejected in a vote of 48-51. While Manchin joined most of his colleagues on the other side of the aisle to support the Kennedy Amendment, Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, broke with their party by joining the remainder of Senate Democrats in opposing the measure.

Additionally, the Senate voted to reject the Inhofe Amendment, which would have protected unborn children with Down Syndrome from abortion. Collins and Manchin broke with their respective parties to oppose and support the measure, respectively.

After the votes concluded Wednesday, the Senate voted along party lines to advance the $3.5 trillion budget blueprint crafted by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. All Democrats voted to approve the budget blueprint while all Republicans rejected it.

The vote to approve the Lankford Amendment as well as the $3.5 trillion budget blueprint as a whole follows the Houses passage of a budget that did not include the Hyde Amendment. Going forward, the two chambers will have to reconcile the differences between their respective budgets before a finalized spending bill can head to President Joe Bidens desk for a signature.

As CBS News reported, the budget resolution provides instructions to committees to draft legislation that can pass using a process known as reconciliation, which allows Democrats to pass the package with a simple majority. In other words, the actual $3.5 trillion spending package still awaits congressional approval.

Manchin, who represents a state that overwhelmingly supports Republicans in presidential elections, indicated that he might not vote in favor of the final $3.5 trillion package in a statement Wednesday: I have serious concerns about the grave consequences facing West Virginians and every American family if Congress decides to spend another $3.5 trillion.

My statement raising concerns about the consequences of passing a .5 trillion budget: pic.twitter.com/gGsEXcVTxd  Senator Joe Manchin (@Sen_JoeManchin) August 11, 2021

Given the current state of the economic recovery, it is simply irresponsible to continue spending at levels more suited to respond to a Great Depression or Great Recession  not an economy that is on the verge of overheating, he added. I firmly believe that continuing to spend at irresponsible levels puts at risk our nations ability to respond to the unforeseen crises our country could face. I urge my colleagues to seriously consider this reality as this budget process unfolds in the coming weeks and months.

Manchins potential opposition to the multi-trillion dollar spending package is significant because if Republicans remain united in opposition to the measure as expected, a no vote from the West Virginia senator could sink the effort to pass the progressive spending bill altogether in light of the Democrats narrow majority in the Senate.

Should the House and Senate fail to agree on the contents of a budget before midnight on Oct. 1, when fiscal year 2022 begins, a partial government shutdown will commence unless both chambers agree to a continuing resolution that will fund most of the federal government at existing levels for a limited period of time.
Virginia school district passes controversial policy forcing teachers to use trans pronouns

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A Virginia school district has passed a new policy that, among other things, allows trans-identified students to use bathrooms that correspond with their gender identity and requires teachers to refer to students by their preferred names and pronouns.

The Loudoun County School Board voted 7-2 on Wednesday to approve Policy 8040: Rights of Transgender and Gender-Expansive Students despite considerable opposition to the proposal.

Among its provisions, Policy 8040 requires that school faculty and staff use the chosen name and pronouns of a student who identifies as gender-expansive or transgender.

School staff shall, at the request of a student or parent/legal guardian, when using a name or pronoun to address the student, use the name and pronoun that correspond to their consistently asserted gender identity, reads the policy.

The use of gender-neutral pronouns is appropriate. Inadvertent slips in the use of names or pronouns may occur; however, staff or students who intentionally and persistently refuse to respect a students gender identity by using the wrong name and gender pronoun are in violation of this policy.

The policy also allows students to use the restroom or locker room that corresponds to their consistently asserted gender identity, noting that school administrators should consider adding gender-inclusive or single-user restrooms for additional privacy.

The school board also provided a frequently-asked-questions document on the new guidelines and their implementation. The page notes that while there will still be facilities explicitly marked for males and females, LCPS plans to improve student privacy and to promote the creation of single-user restrooms that are available to all students in a ratio appropriate for the enrollment and size of the school.

According to the FAQ document, LCPS recommended that school staff make efforts to eliminate gender-based practices to the extent possible, claiming that such practices can have the effect of marginalizing, stigmatizing, and excluding students, regardless of their gender identity or gender expression.

Examples of practices that may be based on gender, and which should be eliminated, include grouping students for class activities, gender-based homecoming or prom courts, limitations on who can attend as couples at school dances, and gender-based events such as father-daughter dances, continued the FAQ document.

Critics of the controversial policy include Loudoun County School Board member Jeffrey Morse.

The policy is not needed. The policy does not solve the issues that it's purported to solve. The policy has forced our focus out of education and I will not support it, stated Morse, as reported by Fox 5.

The policy garnered national attention when Bryon Tanner Cross, a teacher at Leesburg Elementary School, was suspended by LCPS for speaking out against the proposed policy at a school board meeting in May.

During the public comments section of the meeting, Cross told the board that as a Christian, he was unable to affirm that a biological boy can be a girl and vice versa.

My name is Tanner Cross, and I am speaking out of love for those who suffer with gender dysphoria, stated Cross at the meeting. I love all of my students, but I will never lie to them regardless of the consequences.

Cross sued the school district in response to the suspension, with a judge granting the Christian teacher a temporary injunction for his reinstatement in June. LCPS is appealing the decision.
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I recently read an article from Lifeway Research that said we now live in a day and age in the United States where one-third of all evangelical Christians do not believe Jesus is God.

That is staggering to consider!

Recently, I was watching a message by Pastor Steven Furtick, who is a fellow Southern Baptist church planter and senior pastor of Elevation Church, which is also affiliated with the same denomination.

Pastor Steven represents millions of evangelicals who follow his teachings.

In a sermon dated May 3, 2020, entitled, Focus On The Fruit, he talks about Jesus presence. Here is what he said:

God is where you are. You dont go to a place where God is. How stupid is that? Hes omnipresent. You think God is keeping a desk somewhere in a corner office, like an old college professor on Sundays? (Come by) Like God is an old man in a nursing home. I wish youd come see me more. No. God is energy, God is spirit. God is a molecular structure that fills all in all. Thats what It means to say that Christ was from the beginning. So, since Hes eternal, and Hes not bound by time or by location, since He can move with the cloud or move with the fire, since God is always moving, that means He can visit and inhabit anywhere we choose to give Him praise. Thank you Jesus.

His first paragraph lines up perfectly with Scripture. Psalm 139:7 says, Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? 1 Corinthians 6:16 says, God's Spirit dwells in you?

The psalmist and the Apostle Paul made it clear that Gods presence is everywhere. You dont go to where Gods presence is. He is everywhere you are, already.

When Jesus left and went back to Heaven, the disciples waited for the promise of Jesus for the Holy Spirit to indwell them. It happens in Acts 2:2, When the day of Pentecost arrived  they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.

Pastor Stevens first paragraph lines up perfectly with what the Bible teaches.

The deviation comes in the second paragraph.

"God is energy. ... God is a molecular structure that fills all in all." "That means He can visit and inhabit anywhere we choose to give him praise."

Nowhere in the Bible does it say God is energy. The Bible says in Genesis 1:1 God created everything, including energy. To be the Creator of energy, He has to remain who He is while creating what it is. If God created everything including energy, then He cant be energy otherwise energy would be God.

This thought of God as energy is best seen in pantheism.

Pantheism is the view that everything is part of an all-encompassing, immanent God.

If God were energy, that means that God and the energy in you makes you God. God does dwell in those who put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ, but He is not absorbed into us like energy is absorbed by an object or a person.

Why Pastor Steven referred to God as energy, I dont know. The Bible says in John 4:23, God is Spirit and we who worship him must worship him in Spirit and truth.

But nowhere in the Bible does it say God is energy.

What is the difference between God as spirit and God as energy? In the simplest of definitions, a spirit is a bodiless being. Energy is the work of that bodiless being. Energy is never a person.

Pastor Furtick says God is a molecular structure that fills all in all.

The Bible never says this either about God. The Bible says God is your Creator.

In Christianity, God is the eternal being who created and preserves all things. He is both transcendent and immanent.

In Pastor Stevens analysis of God, he concludes with this, that means He (God) can visit and inhabit anywhere we choose to give Him praise.

The Bible affirms this concept in Psalm 22:3, But thou art holy, O thou that inhabits the praises of Israel.

But what does that mean? It means that Gods presence is in our midst when we praise Him.

But it is not based on our choice, but His sovereign and omnipresent nature. God is not just present where we choose for Him to be. He is not just present when we want Him to be. He is present all the time, everywhere.

The danger of Pastor Stevens analysis of who God is four-fold:

1. He inaccurately defines who God is.

2. His inaccurate definition of God wrongly applies the characteristics of God.

3. It forms a sense that God is the energy people need to get through the day.

4. Ultimately, this definition of God as energy and molecular structure that fills all in all removes the personal nature of Gods involvement in our lives on a day-to-day basis as an eternal being separate from us.

Each one of us who claim the name of Jesus has been called to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Jesus. He has asked us to lay aside our desires, wishes and hopes for our lives and follow him.

Pastor Stevens teachings are wrapped in Gospel language with a man-centered focus and an emphasis on feeling what you want to feel from God for the sake of knowing He accepts you. When we step outside of Scripture, we are moving away from the reality of an eternal God who is loving, forgiving, compassionate and full of mercy.

God doesnt have to be redefined by nonbiblical words for us to experience Him as spirit and truth.

God needs pastors and teachers to simply proclaim Him with words 100% of the time that the Bible uses.
Christian teacher quits in front of school board to protest 'highly politicized agendas'

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A Christian public school teacher resigned in front of her school board Tuesday night to protest its embrace of what she calls highly politicized agendas that contradict her beliefs.

Parents, community members and teachers have expressed concern about what they believe is the countys implementation of critical race theory elements and other woke ideologies in the curriculum. They have also voiced concerns about a trans-affirming policy that requires teachers to use students' preferred names and pronouns.

Morris addressed her concerns before announcing her resignation.

While she expressed excitement about the opportunity to follow her students from last year into fifth grade, Morris acknowledged that she has "struggled with the idea of returning to school knowing that Ill be working yet again with a school division that, despite its shiny tech and flashy salary, promotes political ideologies that do not square with who I am as a believer in Christ.

Lots of impassioned arguments tonight from both sides.



One of the most striking moments was this...



This @LCPSOfficial teacher quit right in front of the board, b/c she said they're forcing her to "push highly politicized agendas on...children." @wusa9pic.twitter.com/K7KYKLCHA0  Jess Arnold (@JessArnoldTV) August 11, 2021

The teacher alleged that in one of her so-called equity trainings, she was informed that white, Christian, able-bodied females currently have the power in our schools and that this has to change.

Clearly, youve made your point. You no longer value me or many other teachers youve employed in this county, she added. Since my contract outlines the power that you have over my employment in Loudoun County Public Schools, I thought it necessary to resign in front of you.

Morris began to tear up as she declared: School board, I quit. I quit your policies, I quit your trainings and I quit being a cog in a machine that tells me to push highly politicized agendas on our most vulnerable constituents: the children.

The teacher expressed confidence about her ability to find employment elsewhere and encouraged all parents and staff in this county to flood the private schools.

Noting that the school board shut the doors to the public who gathered to share opposition to proposed policies, Morris lamented the school districts lack of consideration for the growing population of concerned citizens in this division.

She indicated that she had gained the impression that a dissenting opinion is not allowed on controversial matters based on emails she received from the Loudoun County Public Schools superintendent last year.

According to Morris, the superintendent sent a form to her and her colleagues that they could fill out if they heard a faculty member speaking against the controversial policies being promoted by this school board and adopted in this county.

She maintained that the ban on dissenting opinions applied to her personal life as well as her professional life.

As highlighted in her biography on the Lucketts Elementary School website, Morris taught in Loudoun County Public Schools for five years and has served as a teacher for the past 10. Additionally, the biography describes Morris as very involved with her church family.

Morris is not the only Loudoun County teacher to point to religious faith as a source of concern about proposed policies.

At a May 25 board meeting, physical education teacher Tanner Cross proclaimed his opposition to a proposed policy requiring teachers to address students by their preferred pronouns, regardless of their biological sex. He told the board, Im a teacher but I serve God first.

I love all my students but I will never lie to them regardless of the consequences, Cross added.I will not affirm that a biological boy can be a girl and vice versa because its against my religion.

Cross was placed on leave shortly after making those comments. But a judge later ordered his reinstatement, arguing that Cross was speaking as a private citizen at a "forum where public comment was invited. Loudoun County Public Schools subsequently appealed the decision.

While the Loudoun County School Board was initially scheduled to vote on making the transgender policy at Tuesday nights meeting official, the vote was rescheduled to Wednesday evening. The school board approved the policy in a 7-2 vote.

As previously reported, Loudoun County Public Schools has also come under fire from parents for some books that the countys children were exposed to in ninth-grade English classes. At a recent Loudoun County School Board meeting, parents read aloud excerpts from the books, which contained portrayals of domestic violence and sexually explicit language.
Illinois Church Faces Lawsuit From Ex-Choir Director Fired After He Married a Man

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An Illinois man who was fired from his job as the music director at a Catholic church after he announced that he got married to a man, has filed a lawsuit against the church and its archdiocese.

John Colin Collette filed the lawsuit Monday against his former employer, Holy Family Catholic Community in Inverness, and the Archdiocese of Chicago in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division.

"[Collette] was treated less favorably than other similarly situated employees when it was discovered that he was engaged to and intended to marry a man," reads the suit.

"Defendants employ many similarly situated females that have become engaged to and eventually married men in both traditional Catholic marriages and in marriages not sanctioned by the Catholic Church."

The lawsuit claims that Collette's "sex, sexual orientation, and marital status were motivating factors in his termination."

Collette is seeking in his legal action reinstatement at Holy Family, back pay, and compensation for damages rendered, as well as attorney fees and costs.

In an interview with the Chicago Tribune published Tuesday, Collette explained that he was not doing this lawsuit with ill intentions toward the Church.

"When 'Spotlight' won the Academy Award (for best film), Rome was so quick to say, 'This is not an anti-Catholic film. It's calling us to an issue the Catholic Church needs to deal with'," argued Collette.

"That's how I felt about this. I'm not trying to be anti-Catholic.  This is an issue the church needs to deal with. There are a lot of good people that are hurting."

In the summer of 2014, Collette was fired from his position as music director at Holy Family when it was revealed that he was engaged to a man.

"Pastors hire and dismiss all parish personnel and govern according to the teachings of the Church and archdiocesan policies," stated the archdiocese.

"Those that serve as ministers of the Church, including worship ministers, are expected to conform their lives publicly with the teachings of the Church."

In September 2014 Collette had a meeting with then Cardinal Francis Eugenie George about the matter, with Collette describing it as a positive experience.

Nevertheless the archdiocese and the church refused to reinstate Collette, who then filed a complaint before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that December.

Last November the archdiocese announced that they were no longer open to mediation in the case, or for a similar case regarding Sandor Demkovich, who accused Saint Andrew the Apostle Parish in Calumet City of firing him for marrying his male partner.

Kerry Lavelle, attorney for Collette, said in a statement released last November that her client was disappointed in the archdiocese's refusal to engage in mediation.

"Naturally Colin is disappointed that the archdiocese is unwilling to commit to working together to find a resolution to his case," stated Lavelle. "It has been a year since we filed with the EEOC, and we will now await their finding in the matter."

Monday's district court lawsuit states that the EEOC "investigated plaintiff's claim of

discrimination and issued a 'right to sue letter' authorizing plaintiff to proceed in this court."

Collette's lawsuit may have some challenges ahead, as the U.S. Supreme Court previously ruled that religious employers could fire an "unwanted minister."

In 2012, the court ruled unanimously in Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church & Sch. v. EEOC that religious groups could not be treated the same as other groups regarding anti-discrimination.

"Requiring a church to accept or retain an unwanted minister, or punishing a church for failing to do so, intrudes upon more than a mere employment decision. Such action interferes with the internal governance of the church," read the decision.

"The EEOC  acknowledge that employment discrimination laws would be unconstitutional as applied to religious groups in certain circumstances."
Lawsuit Against Chicago Archdiocese for Firing Man in Gay Marriage Will Proceed

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An Illinois judge will allow for a lawsuit to proceed against the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago over their decision to fire a choir director who's in a gay marriage.

The archdiocese recently filed a motion to dismiss a suit by Colin Collette, a former music director at Holy Family Catholic Community who was fired because he married a man, which is a violation of the Church's employment policy and Church doctrine.

U.S. District Court Judge Charles Kocoras, however, rejected the archdiocese's motion to dismiss and will allow the suit to go forward, according to the Chicago Tribune.

"In its motion to dismiss the suit, the archdiocese cited what's called the 'ministerial exception,' which restricts employment discrimination claims by church ministers. The motion notes that Collette's job titles were 'director of worship' and 'director of music,'" reported the Tribune on Monday.

"Kocoras cited case law indicating that a title alone doesn't determine whether a church employee should be defined as a minister. He ruled that further legal arguments would be needed to determine whether the ministerial exception applies here."

In March, Collette filed a lawsuit against the archdiocese and his former employer, Holy Family Catholic Community in Inverness, in the District Court for the Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division.

"[Collette] was treated less favorably than other similarly situated employees when it was discovered that he was engaged to and intended to marry a man," read the suit.

"Defendants employ many similarly situated females that have become engaged to and eventually married men in both traditional Catholic marriages and in marriages not sanctioned by the Catholic Church."

The lawsuit went on to claim that Collette's "sex, sexual orientation, and marital status were motivating factors in his termination" and demands reinstatement at Holy Family, back pay, and compensation for damages rendered.

In an interview with the Chicago Tribune published in March, Collette said he didn't file the lawsuit with ill intentions toward the Church.

"When 'Spotlight' won the Academy Award (for best film), Rome was so quick to say, 'This is not an anti-Catholic film. It's calling us to an issue the Catholic Church needs to deal with,'" argued Collette.

"That's how I felt about this. I'm not trying to be anti-Catholic.  This is an issue the Church needs to deal with. There are a lot of good people that are hurting."

In a statement released in 2014 soon after the firing garnered headlines, the archdiocese argued that the dismissal was justified since Collette was violating Church teaching.

"Pastors hire and dismiss all parish personnel and govern according to the teachings of the Church and Archdiocesan policies. This is a matter of personal integrity on their part," stated the archdiocese.

"Those that serve as ministers of the Church, including worship ministers, are expected to conform their lives publicly with the teachings of the Church."
Federal judge blocks Biden admin. rule forcing doctors to perform sex-change surgeries

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A federal judge in Texas blocked an Obama-era mandate reinstated by the Biden administration requiring medical facilities and health insurers to cover or provide gender transition procedures and abortions.

U.S. District Court Judge Reed OConnor of the Northern District of Texas granted a permanent injunction on Monday against the regulation in the case of Franciscan Alliance, Inc. et al. v. Xavier Becerra.

OConnor, a George W. Bush appointee, concluded that the mandate issued through the Department of Health and Human Services violated the Religious Freedom Restoration Act by unjustly harming the plaintiffs' religious practices.

No party disputes that the [Transgender Mandate] threatens to burden Christian Plaintiffs religious exercise  by placing substantial pressure on Christian Plaintiffs, in the form of fines and civil liability, to perform and provide insurance coverage for gender-transition procedures and abortions, wrote the judge.

When the RFRA violation is clear and the threat of irreparable harm is present, a permanent injunction exempting Christian Plaintiffs from that religion-burdening conduct is the appropriate relief.

Luke Goodrich, vice president and senior counsel at Becket, a legal nonprofit representing a religious hospital and a group of over 20,000 healthcare professionals, said in a statement that the ruling is a "victory for compassion, conscience, and common sense."

No doctor should be forced to perform controversial, medically unsupported procedures that are contrary to their conscience and could be deeply harmful to their patients,"

In 2016, the Obama administration implemented the regulation via Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act.

The controversial regulation required healthcare providers to perform gender transition procedures, including on minors, even if the providers held sincere religious objections. Violators of the rule could have faced penalties for unlawful discrimination based on termination of pregnancy and gender identity."

To justify the rule, the Obama administration interpreted federal discrimination code that bans sex discrimination to include discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, although neither of those terms are found in federal civil rights law passed by Congress.

The mandate was the subject of much litigation, with various religious entities that provide medical services filing lawsuits against the Obama administration.

Although the Trump administration finalized a new rule repealing the 2016 mandate, multiple courts moved to restore portions of the 2016 mandate. In May, the Biden administration pledged to revive the policy.

The justification for the restoration was the U.S. Supreme Court decision Bostock v. Clayton County. The nation's high court concluded that federal Title VII protections against sex discrimination applied to gender identity and sexual orientation.

The Franciscan Alliance lawsuit is one of multiple legal challenges against the mandate, with the district court initially ruling in its favor but not giving a permanent injunction.

Taking office in January, the Biden administration has worked to defend the Obama-era mandate in court, appealing a similar ruling against the mandate to the U.S. Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals in April.

O'Conner also ruled against the mandate in 2019. But in April, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit issued a per curiam decision sending a case back to the district court level for further consideration, though it did not rule on the lawsuit's merits.
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The first virtue that we discussed, kindness, is concerned with seeing and treating others rightly. The second virtue, humility, is concerned with seeing ourselves rightly.

Humility is a difficult virtue to cultivate and maintain because as soon as someone thinks they have become humble, they likely no longer are. However, Scripture speaks of humility as a disposition that is essential to a righteous and holy life. James 4:10 says, Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

Furthermore, Proverbs speaks frequently about the virtue of humility: The reward for humility and fear of the LORD is riches and honor and life (22:4), and Humility comes before honor (18:12b).

Christ Himself was characterized as the humble servant who denied Himself to the point of death (Phil. 2:8). As Christians, we are called to imitate Christs example of humility (Matt. 16:24).

If humility is the practice of rightly ordered perception of oneself in relation to others and before God, how then should we perceive ourselves?

As in everything, we ought to take our cues from Gods Word. First of all, the Bible tells us that all humans are created in the image of God (Gen. 1:27). Therefore, everyone  including ourselves  possesses great dignity and worth on account of our Creator (Ps. 139:14, Mat. 22:20-21).

Elsewhere, the Bible says that mankind is created a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned with glory and honor (Ps. 8:5). This high view of humanity is tempered by the reminder that we are made of dust (Gen. 2:7, 3:19; Ps. 103:14; Ecc. 3:30) and are mortal, our lives are like a vapor (Gen. 6:3; Ps. 39:5, 78:39, 144:3; James 4:14).

Furthermore, all humans have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23, Is. 53:6). Not one of us is righteous  we all need a savior (Rom. 3:10-11, 6:23). This knowledge should shape the way we think about ourselves, others, and our standing before God.

In his book, Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis explained a common misconception about humility: True humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less. In other words, humility is not a feeling of low self-esteem. Such thoughts lead to ungodly habits of self-degradation and idolization of others. True humility courageously decides to consider others' well-being before your own and acknowledges Gods holiness and authority.

Unfortunately, humility is often torpedoed by the vice of vainglory. Vainglory is not simply vanity (i.e., the obsession with physical looks, beauty, or fashion). Rather, Rebecca DeYoung describes vainglory as being concerned with the display or manifestation of excellence. Everything that a vainglorious person does is for the purpose of being noticed, recognized and admired. In other words, the world is their stage, their reputation is everything, and everything they do caters to their reputation. Some people struggle with vainglory more than others, but it plagues us all.

Social media entices our appetite for vainglory. Every post, comment, like, and share of our perfectly arranged and photoshopped lives encourages this vice. Vainglory wants others to be impressed and admire our good deeds. The temptation takes shape when we embellish our stories, do a good deed so that others will see, or lie about our abilities to get flattery and attention.

When we are vainglorious, we frivolously strive after mans approval while neglecting to give glory to the Giver of every good and perfect gift. Vainglory seeks to satisfy our deepest desire  to be known and loved. But unfortunately, this vice will leave us more desperate and confused in the end, because it cannot quench a desire that only God Himself is capable of satisfying.

Paul wrote to the Galatians, Let us not become desirous for vainglory, provoking one another, envying one another (Gal. 5:26). The remedy for vainglory is humility. When we step back from our own reflection in the mirror and instead seek to reflect Christ to others, the seeds of humility can begin to take root in our lives. While vainglory shouts to the world, here am I, look at me, humility cries to God, here am I, send me.

The habits of vainglory and the habits of humility do not occur overnight. Both grow out of small decisions that we make about how we will live our lives.

Humility is a conscious decision to choose habits of servanthood, selflessness and stewardship. This virtue begins by honestly assessing our habits of life and how we are hindering ourselves from virtuous living. Humility begins with asking the Lord to search and know us, examining our hearts, and practicing giving glory to God alone (Ps. 139:3-4). Humility teaches us to see ourselves rightly before God and in relation to others. When we see ourselves rightly, we live more peaceably with all, especially with ourselves.

Originally published at the Family Research Council.
France expands COVID-19 health passport as protests against lockdown, vaccine mandates erupt worldwide

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France's health passports went into effect Monday, just days after thousands took to the streets to protest a mandate that only allows the vaccinated or those who've tested negative for COVID-19 to go to shopping centers, restaurants or board public transportation.

The country's health pass extension follows four weeks of protests that culminated in an estimated 250,000 joining demonstrations across the nation Saturday. It requires patrons of cafes and movie theaters that seat fewer than 50 people to show their double vaccination QR code or proof they've recovered from COVID-19 or tested negative for the virus within the last 48 hours.

President Emmanuel Macron is reportedly hopeful that the government's extension of the health pass to require compliance at more venues will increase vaccinations among the French. The mandate is similar to what other European counties have implemented, such as Germany and Italy, according to France 24.

"The pass and the vaccination drive should help us avoid new curfews and lockdowns," Health Minister Olivier Veran was quoted as saying in the French daily Le Parisien.

Businesses and customers have been given a one-week grace period to comply with the new mandate.

Outside of the movies, this is the most dystopian thing I have ever seen. https://t.co/K4s37WuaMP  Owen Strachan (@ostrachan) August 9, 2021

Anti-vaccine and anti-lockdown protests have been held in countries throughout Europe since the spring of 2020.

In Australia, police have increased surveillance in Sydney, which is now in its sixth week of lockdown. The city has a population of more than 5 million and reported 343 new COVID-19 infections.

During a recent anti-lockdown protest at the end of July, more than 1,300 police officers were deployed and made eight arrests and fined 250 people for violating stay-at-home orders, 9 News reported.

Police had set up checkpoints throughout Sydney and checked over 70,000 vehicles for violations of travel limits. Police also formed a barrier around the city to prevent people from traveling to protests. These stricter measures were carried out even though the death toll attributed to COVID-19 was only at 14.

Sydney's lockdown is expected to run through Aug. 28. The government says the stay-at-home orders and restrictions are contingent upon vaccination rates, according to New South Wales Health.

The health minister advised residents not to leave their homes unless necessary or to get vaccinated.

German citizens have reacted similarly and have held several anti-lockdown protests demanding an end to the government's mandates. A Berlin court recently issued a ban on all anti-lockdown protests, citing concerns that they would lead to an increase of coronavirus infections from the delta variant, DW reported.

Despite the court's ban of such demonstrations, thousands joined protests in Berlin where some 600 protestors were detained, Newsweek reported.

LOOK at the protest in Nice, France against the governments vaccine passport! pic.twitter.com/U65cQ3zYIE  Election Wizard (@ElectionWiz) July 31, 2021

In the U.K., Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced during a press conference on July 19 that the government planned to require full vaccinations before the public would be allowed to enter nightclubs or other venues where large crowds gather.

Last week, the British government signed two multimillion-dollar passport contracts with Entrust and Akami Technologies as part of a COVID-19 certification program, Life Site reported.

Johnson had previously said he opposed such passports.

Proof of a negative test will no longer be sufficient, the prime minister said last month.

New York City also announced last week that it will require proof of vaccination for individuals to participate in indoor activities, such as eating in restaurants and going to the gym or theater, making it the first U.S. city to do so.

This vaccine policy will go into effect mid-September, CNET reported.

"This is a miraculous place, literally full of wonders. And if you're vaccinated, all of that is going to open up to you. You'll have the key," New York City's Mayor Bill de Blasio said. "If you're unvaccinated, unfortunately, you will not be able to participate in many things."

De Blasio said the goal of the vaccine mandate is to stop the delta variant and convince everyone to get vaccinated.

Many elected officials in the U.S. have pushed back against such measures, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis who has banned vaccine passports in his state.

"I think the question is, is we can either have a free society or we can have a biomedical security state," the Republican governor said during a press conference where he spoke out against the measure, ABC News reported. "I can tell ya  Florida, we're a free state."

Bostons Acting Mayor Kim Janey, a Democrat, also spoke out against NYCs vaccine mandate, likening vaccine passports to slavery.

There's a long history in this country of people needing to show their papers," she told ABC News' Boston affiliate WCVB last Tuesday. "During slavery, post-slavery, as recent as you know, what immigrant population has to go through here.  Here we want to make sure that we are not doing anything that would further create a barrier for residents of Boston or disproportionally impact BIPOC [black, indigenous and people of color] communities."
As part of their commitment to generating a positive impact on society, the economy and the environment, HEINEKEN Mexico and INCmty , Tec de Monterrey's entrepreneurship platform, launched the 4th edition of the HEINEKEN Green Challenge , a challenge in which they invite to the citizens of the capital to propose creative and innovative solutions for the Mexican countryside .

Faced with the need to create a sustainable agricultural production system, through which the wear and tear of arable land is reduced and water resources are used efficiently, HEINEKEN Mexico and INCmty promote among entrepreneurs the development of ideas for the benefit of the agri-food sector in the country and for this they will give more than 1.1 million pesos to the winners of the challenge in 2021, divided into 500 thousand for the first place, 200 thousand for the second and 100 thousand for the third, as well as 50 thousand from the fourth to the tenth position , plus they will be able to participate in an acceleration program to grow their projects.

HEINEKEN Green Challenge emerged as the largest entrepreneurship platform in Mexico and Latin America in 2018, with the aim of promoting Mexican talent committed to solving current environmental problems and, over 3 previous editions, they have participated in this more than 2,400 projects of more than 7,400 entrepreneurs.

At HEINEKEN Mexico we know that Providing a Better World is everyone's job, so we are glad to be able, for the fourth consecutive year, to promote the talent of Mexicans in the development of projects and solutions aimed at a key sector for economic development and social, such as agri-food. Through the HEINEKEN Green Challenge we are committed to the creativity, resilience and innovative capacity that characterize the entrepreneurial ecosystem, thus contributing to the well-being of the communities said Gerardo Soria, manager of Institutional Relations of HEINEKEN Mexico Central-Western Region.

Image: HEINEKEN Mexico

Although the center of the Republic is the most populated region of the country and, therefore, the one that consumes the greatest amount of food, it is also the one that accumulates the lowest volume of agri-food production , contributing only 11% to the Value of National Production, of according to data from the Agricultural Markets Consultant Group (GCMA). For this reason, this year HEINEKEN Green Challenge is looking for projects from the idea level to startups with growing sales that impact on:

Innovation in the value chain of the agri-food sector

Fair trade and community development

Sustainable pest management

Crop diversity

Soil conservation, health and nutrition

Self-sustaining energy conservation and management

Productivity and climate change

"As every year the entrepreneurship platform of Tecnologico de Monterrey, INCmty, seeks to activate the entrepreneurial ecosystem through initiatives with the greatest global impact, and the HEINEKEN Green Challenge is one of the most relevant and expected activities within the festival", commented Josue Delgado, director of INCmty. Through INCmty, we promote the creativity and innovation of Mexican disruptive talent and applying this talent to solve world-class problems is the objective of the HEINEKEN Green Challenge, added Delgado.

Four years after its creation, the platform has highlighted the participation of residents of the capital with the registration of more than 290 projects with proposals to reduce CO2 emissions, take care of water and promote a circular economy.

Collaboration between the public and private sectors and civil society is essential to promote a sustainable future for all, so it is necessary to work together and promote the most creative minds in the development of sustainable agriculture projects, through Initiatives such as the HEINEKEN Green Challenge , in which those interested in participating will have until September 17, 2021 to register through the official website heineken.incmty.com in teams of 2 to 5 members over 18 years of age, who have residency in Mexico and ideas, projects or startups focused on supporting the national agri-food sector.

Copyright 2021 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved
Whats better, a new book by a favorite author, a new title in a favorite series or a new author you havent read before? Possibly all three.

The Manistee County Library shared a sampling of the new materials available.

 Night, Neon: Tales of Mystery and Suspense by Joyce Carol Oates is a collection of short stories narrating daily life gone wrong.

 Breathe, also by Joyce Carol Oates, is set in New Mexico. It explores the boundaries of life and death within a marriage.

 Dream Girl by Laura Lippman takes the reader into the mind of an accident victim. Or so he thinks. Gerry is unable to distinguish between dreams and reality and then he wakes up next to a dead body.

 In Joe Lansdales Moon Lake'' a young man returns to the lake to retrieve his fathers bones after he sank his car in Moon Lake years before. More than old bones and a wrecked car are dredged up from the bottom of the lake. Daniel must sort through the complex stories to find what led his father to this place.

 Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead is the story of two independent women, separated by a century, determined to live their own lives. Marian is an orphan with a love of flying who finds a dangerous benefactor to subsidize her dreams. 100 years later, a young actress will relive this life on film.

 Three Perfect Liars by Heidi Perks brings together three women, each with their own secrets and ambitions. The turmoil that results after a devastating fire may divulge everything.

 Fifty Words for Rain by Asha Lemmie is set in the 1940s in Japan. A child endures cruelty and solitude until a chance meeting with her half-brother provides a glimpse of a different world. With everything to lose, Nori will fight for her place in a world that doesnt want her.

 The Last Watch begins a new series by J.S. Dewes. The edge of the universe is collapsing and the only ones who can stop it are the unwanted military personnel who have no resources available to them.

 The Wrong Girl by Donis Casey tells the story of a young girl from Oklahoma who is taken advantage of by a movie producer. Changing her name, Blanche (now Bianca) has made a career in Hollywood. When her old nemesis is found dead, can Blanche maintain the facade and distance herself from the investigation?

 In Mother May I by Joshilyn Jackson, a young mother has everything she ever wished for while growing up poor in rural Georgia. Her mother has always said the world was a scary place. Now Bree is finding out the truth behind those words when her infant son is kidnapped and her attempts to get him back result in a dangerous journey.

 The Coldest Case is the 14th title in the Bruno, Chief of Police'' series by Martin Walker. Using new facial reconstruction techniques, Bruno tackles a cold case. In the process, he encounters a false identity, ties to the former East Germany police and French bureaucrats.

 A Deadly Deletion by Lorna Barrett is the 15th title in the Booktown Mysteries Tricia Miles has received two marriage proposals. While considering her options, one of her suitors is run down and left for dead. Secrets come to light as Tricia deciphers the clues.

 Number 20 in the Scot Harvath '' series, Black Ice by Brad Thor, finds Scot enjoying a vacation with his girlfriend. The decision of resigning or returning to work is made for him when he sees a man he thought he killed years ago. The stakes are high as Scot races to find answers.

 Sunrise by the Sea, the fourth title in the A Little Beach Street Bakery'' series by Jenny Colgan finds Marisa struggling to deal with the loss of her beloved grandfather. Moving to a remote island near Cornwall, she attempts to live a solitary life with her grief. If only her noisy neighbors would let her be. Will the little village help Marisa find her way back?

 Manistee County Library also has new nonfiction centering on trending issues and fun information. The Promise of Bitcoin by Bobby Lee, cofounder of a Bitcoin exchange, puts forth an argument in favor of digital currency and how to make it work for you.

 Thirteen Clocks: How Race United the Colonies and Made the Declaration of Independence by Robert Parkinson discusses how the founders spread rumors that the British Crown used Native Americans, slaves and Hessian mercenaries to threaten them. In this new telling of the story of the American Revolution, the leaders took advantage of a chaotic situation and made it work for them, culminating in the creation of the United States of America.

 Ashley Cantleys book High-Vibe Feng Shui: Eleven Steps to Living Your Best Life brings a fresh perspective to the art of Feng Shui. She uses the ancient Chinese principles to declutter and realign energy flow.

 House of Fiction: From Pemberley to Brideshead, Great British Houses in Literature and Life by Phyllis Richardson uses personal and historic documents to illuminate the connection between an authors home and their fictional creations.

 Written by leading professionals, Frank Sileo and Carol Potter, When Your Child has a Chronic Medical Illness: a Guide for the Parenting Journey provides guidance for the stressful issues as well as self-care.

 Protecting Your Childs Health: Expert Answers to Urgent Environmental Questions by the American Academy of Pediatrics offers information on food safety, pollutants, pesticides and more to keep your child safe in todays environment.

More information and hours of operation are available on the librarys website, manisteelibrary.org.

Kim Jankowiak and Becca Brown of the Manistee County Library write the recurring On the Same Page feature that showcases the library's titles available surrounding a revolving topic. Jankowiak is a reference librarian and Brown is a circulation clerk for the library.
Bruce May and Gary Parker believe they fulfilled what they set out to do and then some this summer.

As veteran filmmakers May and Parker are passionate about passing down their decades of knowledge and experience to the next generation of storytellers. To that end they launched the nonprofit Indie Films Foundations Film and Television School in Conroe in mid-June.

The film school kicked off with a summer program from June 14 to July 23 for those of all ages interested in film.

May said the first session was a tremendous success and far exceeded their original expectations.

They had 17 students in the summer program ranging from high school and college students to adults.

The group gathered on Saturdays over the six-week period to study all aspects of film. On a working film or television set May and Parker said there are the pressures of making deadline so theres a time crunch.

But with the students they could spend time really diving in on the different steps of making a film.

Out of the 45 years of movie production, film production, video production, commercial production and working at a TV station, this may have been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, Parker said. We went into this with the vision of mentoring and sharing our lifelong experiences with the next generation. To see these people take this knowledge and show up every Saturday ready to go has been such a rewarding experience.

Some students even carpooled each Saturday from the Richmond/Sugar Land area. Two students completed the course online.

Thanks to modern technology, Susan Brandon was able to participate in the class from North Carolina.

When I signed up for the IFF virtual film class this summer, I did not have much in the way of expectations. I thought it would be nice to watch, and see what everyone was doing. But I thought, its a film class, so surely I cant get too much out of it since I am not physically there to participate, Brandon said. I could not have been more wrong. With todays technology, Gary was able to stream it live with no problems on visual or audio. And Bruce was even able to write me into the script for the classs filming of the final project. What a great surprise this was. I learned more than even what was being taught in the class, as Gary directed me on filming myself.

As a part of their studies, the budding writers, actors and directors created their own short film, Escape from Film School.

May said the students had incredible ideas.

I didnt realize they were going to take the idea and run with it, May said. He described the film as complex incorporating a movie within a movie within a dream.

They pulled it off and were pretty excited about it, he said.

May and Parker plan to submit the short film of about 15 minutes to some film festivals. At some point theyll also host a premiere night to showcase the film to the community and family and friends of the students. Their plan is to also feature some of the students own short films.

Kaylie Pasket, a high school student, said her favorite part of the experience was meeting a variety of people (all brought together by their love of film).

They duo is now gearing up for fall classes and feel like they have a solid blueprint after this summer.

There will be a 15-week Saturday session that begins on Sept. 11. This time the Saturday session will be three hours long from 9 a.m. to noon.

This class will cover all the basics, including lighting, sound, filming, directing and editing. Classes will meet at the IFF studio at 810 Holly Drive for classroom instruction and in-studio workshops. Everyone who completes the course will be eligible to work on IFFs next film, either behind the camera or in front of it.

The cost of this course is $595.

The IFF studio is also home to Quanah Productions and Dynamic Global Media. The facility has been a working production film and television studio for over 25 years.

Theyll add a second course  Script to Screen  in the fall. This one will be held on Thursdays at the studio starting at 5:30 p.m. The first class is Sept. 9.

This course focuses on the details of filmmaking, from developing concepts, creating a storyline and writing dialogue, to shooting and editing the film. They will examine the entire process, from pre-production to polishing off the final edit.

This class is $1,195 and includes classroom instruction and in-studio workshops using real production equipment.

Adult participant Charles OBryant said he was like a kid in a candy store this summer at the film course.

I had a great time and Ive learned to much from the others, he said.

Visit https://iffschool.com/fall-courses-2021 to sign up for fall classes.

Visit https://iffschool.com/ for more about the Indie Film Foundation film and television school.

shernandez@hcnonline.com
RICHMOND, Va. (AP)  Students, teachers and staff at public and private K-12 schools must wear a mask while indoors under a new public health order Democratic Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam's administration issued Thursday.

The move came after a handful of school districts in recent days decided to buck the governor's interpretation of a state law and opt not to require face coverings, against the current recommendations of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Tension over the politically divisive issue has exploded at one school board meeting after other in the past week.

This is a way to ensure uniformity in schools across Virginia, Northam spokeswoman Alena Yarmosky said.

The mandate came in the form of a public health order from the state health commissioner, Dr. Norman Oliver.

It requires that any individual aged 2 or older wear a mask while inside a school building, with limited exceptions for activities including eating, drinking, sleeping and exercising. The text of the order says it takes effect Thursday and will remain in effect until the CDC guidelines change.

The order also says anyone with a medical condition or sincerely held religious objection to wearing a mask may request a reasonable accommodation.

The governor's administration has offered shifting guidance on the subject in the past month as conditions worsened due to the surging delta variant of the coronavirus, frustrating some school officials and parents.

Cases of COVID-19 and hospitalizations are both on the rise in Virginia, although the state is not currently facing the same dire conditionsas others in the South. Over the past two weeks, the rolling average number of daily new cases has increased by nearly 988, an increase of about 132%, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

Republican lawmakers blasted the governor's move Thursday.

House Minority Leader Todd Gilbert called the new mandate a triumph of bureaucracy over common sense." Both he and the leadership of the Senate GOP caucus said local divisions should be able to make their own decisions about the issue.

For a short time, it looked as if that would be the case for the 2021-22 school year, which has already begun for some students in Virginia.

After a previous public health order that required masking in schools came to an end in July, Northam opted not to issue a new mandate. His administration said school divisions would have the ability to implement local policies based on community conditions and public health recommendations.

At the time, the CDC was not recommending indoor masking, but the agency changed its guidance in late July, recommending it for all teachers, staff, students and visitors at schools nationwide, regardless of vaccination status.

Then, at a news conference a week ago, Northam highlighted a law passed by the General Assembly earlier in the year mandating in-person instruction, emphasizing that it also requires school districts to follow mitigation strategies from the CDC to the maximum extent practicable.

The governor suggested school districts could face legal action if they did not comply.

His comments prompted some school districts that had not intended to require masks to reverse course. But other districts decided in recent days not to require masks.

Among them was mostly rural Patrick County, where the school board voted Monday to recommend but not mandate mask-wearing, against the advice of its attorney and insurance agent, the Martinsville Bulletin reported.

Superintendent Dean Gilbert said in an interview Thursday that the school board was meeting later in the evening, and he expected the board would comply with the order.

As superintendent - we want to do what we have to do to keep our students safe, he said.

Other districts that had opted against mandates announced plans Thursday to follow the order, including Hanover County and Chesapeake.

Even in districts that adopted mask mandates, school board meetings have turned contentious over the past week.

In Virginia Beach, dozens of people spoke at a meeting that stretched into the early morning hours of Wednesday before the school board ultimately voted to require masks, The Virginian-Pilot reported. Some speakers cursed the board, made offensive gestures at them and accused them of child abuse, according to the newspaper.

The leading candidates in the closely watched race for Virginia governor also weighed in on the issue Thursday.

Republican Glenn Youngkin called the Northam administration's move a first step towards returning to a full shutdown of our economy" and said parents should be able to decide what is best for their children.

A spokesman for Democrat Terry McAuliffe, who recently issued a vaccine mandate for his staff, said McAuliffe believes everyone should follow CDC guidelines in wearing masks and getting vaccinated."
BOSTON (AP)  Avant, a Chicago-based loan service provider has to pay Massachusetts $1.6 million to settle allegations that it used abusive debt collection practices against its consumers.

The settlement was filed on Tuesday by Attorney General Maura Healey, whose office has been investigating the company's practices since 2015, The Boston Globe reported.
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP)  Four police officers and two sheriff's deputies fatally shot a gun-wielding 73-year-old military veteran who was apparently suffering a mental health crisis on Thursday morning, officials said.

Orlando Deputy police Chief Jose Velez told news outlets that the man called the veteran's crisis line early Thursday to say he was considering suicide. He also said that if police gets called, theres going to be blood."
BURLINGTON, Conn. (AP)  A Connecticut firefighter died Thursday, two days after falling ill while responding to a blaze that destroyed a historical building in New Hartford, officials said.

Colin McFadden, 26, a firefighter and EMT with the Burlington Volunteer Fire Department for six years, died at UConn John Dempsey Hospital in Farmington.

Burlington Fire Chief Michael Boucher said McFadden had undergone emergency surgery and his doctors discovered a previously undiagnosed medical condition, an acute form of leukemia, that caused him to become ill.

Our department suffered a great loss this morning," Boucher said at a late afternoon news conference. Colin was an amazing kid. ... He pours his heart and his soul into everything he does. ... He was one of those guys who was always at the station and always jumping on the truck when there was a call."

Boucher read a statement from McFadden's family that thanked hospital staff and first responders. They also urged people to donate blood, as blood supplies are very low.

Fire departments across the region offered condolences on social media, and Gov. Ned Lamont ordered all state and U.S. flags in Connecticut to be lowered to half-staff in McFadden's honor.

It is with a heavy heart that we mourn the passing of Burlington Firefighter Colin McFadden, who responded early Tuesday morning to a tragic fire out of a courageous sense of duty and compassion to protect the lives of others, Lamont said in a statement.

This is a terrible reminder of the dangers that firefighters put themselves in each time they respond to an emergency," the governor said.

Fire department and police vehicles escorted McFadden's body from the hospital to a funeral home in Bristol on Thursday. Firefighters at departments along the route saluted him as the procession went by. Funeral services have not been announced.

McFadden was one of nearly 100 firefighters from the region that responded to the blaze at New Hartford House early Tuesday morning. Two other firefighters suffered minor injuries.

All 22 residents who lived in the building were accounted for, but several pets were missing. The building, which dated to 1850, was torn down Wednesday. It had six businesses on the ground floor and 14 apartments above. Only its brick facade was left standing after the fire.

The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.
NEW ORLEANS (AP)  A prolific narcotics agent known as the white devil among drug traffickers was sentenced Thursday to more than 13 years behind bars for stealing money from suspects, falsifying government records and committing perjury during a federal trial.

U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo said the longtime U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agent, Chad A. Scott, caused far reaching damage to the administration of justice.

The sentencing capped a five-year case that shook the DEA and resulted in convictions of three other members of a New Orleans-based federal drug task force.

Prosecutors portrayed Scott as more dangerous than the most hardened heroin dealers he locked up, saying the Louisiana lawman broke every rule in the book to enforce his own approximation of justice. They had asked Milazzo to sentence Scott to nearly two decades in prison.

He undercut law enforcement and he disgraced the entire judicial process, federal prosecutor Timothy Duree told the first jury that convicted Scott. He was sworn to uphold the law but instead, he broke it for his own selfish purposes.

Scott, 53, was found guilty at successive trials of a long list of corruption counts. The charges stemmed from an expansive federal investigation into misconduct claims that had surrounded Scott for much of his 17-year career, even as he racked up headline-grabbing drug busts between Baton Rouge and New Orleans.

Scott told Milazzo he was ashamed of being here, adding he had long since been convicted in the press and public opinion. But he sought to underline his contributions to law enforcement and the DEA's mission, in which he said he had truly believed. He was twice the target of murder-for-hire plots, he told the judge  an example of the length people will go to to remove me from drug trafficking investigations.

Scott's remarks  his first since his 2017 arrest  came during an unusual sentencing hearing this week that revealed details of crimes Scott was alleged to have committed but for which he was not charged. The alleged victims included a Louisiana man who accused Scott of planting an ounce of marijuana in his truck in 2005 and a Houston man who said Scott twice lashed his mouth with the medallion on a necklace he was wearing during a 1999 arrest that brought no charges, then confiscated the chain and took nearly a year to return it.

This goes against everything that the Drug Enforcement Administration stands for," Anne Milgram, the newly sworn-in DEA administrator, said in a statement. "Scott betrayed the very people he was entrusted to protect and today he is being held accountable for his crimes.

Scott was convicted in 2019 of orchestrating false testimony against a Houston-based heroin and cocaine trafficker  perjury that tainted the dealer's conviction and allowed him to walk free. The same federal jury found Scott falsified paperwork for a Ford F-150 pickup  a vehicle he directed another drug trafficker to buy so the DEA could seize it and give it to Scott.

Earlier this year, a separate federal jury convicted Scott and Rodney Gemar, a former member of his task force, in what prosecutors described as a long-running scheme to steal money and property from suspects they arrested.

Two other former members of the task force, Johnny Domingue and Karl E. Newman, were accused of stealing cash and drugs and testified against Scott. Both were Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office deputies  detailed to the DEA  and served federal sentences after agreeing to cooperate with the government. Domingue since has been charged with new federal drug trafficking charges in Texas.

Scott is among a growing list of DEA agents who have been accused of abusing their authority in recent years. Another veteran agent, Jose Irizzary, pleaded guilty last year to conspiring with a Colombian cartel money launderer, filing false reports and ordering DEA staff to wire money slated for undercover stings to international accounts he controlled.

At least a dozen DEA agents across the country have been criminally charged since 2015 on counts ranging from wire fraud and bribery to selling firearms to drug traffickers, according to court records. That includes a longtime special agent in Chicago who pleaded guilty to infiltrating the DEA on behalf of drug traffickers and another accused of accepting $250,000 in bribes to protect the Mafia.

___

Mustian reported from New York. Associated Press writer Kevin McGill contributed to this report.
ST. LOUIS (AP)  A former Missouri police officer was indicted by a grand jury Wednesday on a misdemeanor assault charge for allegedly injuring a 17-year-old by pulling him from his car by his arm and clothing during a traffic stop.

Charles Thomas Lancey, 40, was charged with fourth-degree assault in connection to the August 2020 incident, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP)  The Georgia Supreme Court has upheld the murder conviction of a former inmate at Augusta State Medical Prison accused of strangling his cellmate.

Thomas Tiraboschi was fairly tried and convicted in the 2013 death of 48-year-old Chris Lowery, the court ruled Tuesday, according to the Augusta Chronicle.
NEW YORK (AP)  Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, who will serve out the remainder of Andrew Cuomo's term after he steps down amid sexual harassment allegations, said Thursday she plans to run for governor in her own right next year.

Yes I will. I fully expect to, Hochul said in an interview with NBC's Today show. I am prepared for this. I have led a life working in every level of government, from Congress to local government. I am the most prepared person to assume this responsibility and Im going to ask the voters at some point for their faith in me again but right now I need their faith, I need their prayers and I need their support to make sure we get this right.

Hochul, a Buffalo Democrat who has served as Erie County clerk and served one term in Congress before winning election as lieutenant governor in 2014, will become the first woman to be New York's governor when Cuomo's resignation becomes official on Aug. 24.

Hochul deflected questions about whether the state Assembly should proceed with impeachment proceedings despite Cuomo's impending exit, telling NBC, I dont believe its my position to weigh in on that situation.

Asked whether there should be mask mandates in schools to contain the spread of COVID-19, Hochul said she does not yet have the authority to make that call, but said, I believe that therell end up being mask mandates.

While the governor cannot mandate mask wearing across the state's public schools, the state Health Department can issue guidance strongly recommending that school districts require face coverings.

Hochul stressed that she plans to work with school district officials as well as parents and teachers on the issue of mask requirements.

Hochul said she would draw on federal CDC recommendations and all available COVID-19 data but added, "also, we need be talking to the school districts as well. That hasnt happened in the past and its the way I think it should be. To find out whats their anxiety. Why theres any objection to this.

Cuomo announced Tuesday that he would resign rather than face a likely impeachment trial after Attorney General Letitia James released a report concluding he sexually harassed 11 women and describing a toxic work environment in his administration.

Cuomo, 63, denies that he touched anyone inappropriately and said his instinct was to fight back against the harassment claims. But he said it was best for him to step aside so the states leaders could get back to governing.

The 62-year-old Hochul, who gave her first news conference as governor in waiting on Wednesday, reiterated that she will not tolerate harassment in her administration.

I want to make sure that theres a message that Im tough, Hochul said Thursday. Im not going to put up with anything that crosses the line or even comes close to the line because this should be an environment where all people, women, members of the LGBTQ community, anyone, is free of harassment that they can come to work, work for the people of New York state, focused and get the job done.
During Wednesdays COVID-19 city briefing, Mayor Pete Saenz indicated that he has received an invitation to meet with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in McAllen on Thursday morning regarding border issues in South Texas.

And his planned topics of conversation to highlight Laredos needs will surely have some talking as one seems to run at odds with the citys current concerns regarding COVID-19 cases.

Saenz said Wednesday that he plans to discuss his concerns over migrants coming to the area, asking for a moratorium on asylum seekers being transported and for more resources to handle them. That is in line with his recent criticism expressed locally including the filing of a lawsuit against the United States to get a temporary restraining order on migrants coming to local non-governmental organizations  it was dismissed this week after a judge last week stated it had not yet provided enough clarity to warrant an emergency hearing upon the citys request.

However, Saenz added on Wednesday that he also plans to discuss with Mayorkas reopening the border to Mexico traffic. The border has been closed since March of 2020 when the pandemic began locally and has been extended since then every month up until now.

Saenz has previously been adamant that migrants must be removed from the area, even announcing last week that the city dropped its lawsuit against the U.S. due to reaching an agreement with the U.S. Border Patrol to bus migrants to northern cities costing local taxpayers upwards of $8,000 per day. And Saenz said that the reason the migrant stance was so sharp was that locals needed first rights to hospital facilities, stating that this is really the argument for the judge to originally rule on.

However at that time, no migrants were in local hospitals, Laredo Health Director Richard Chamberlain said. And Chamberlain confirmed on Wednesday night as well that no migrants were currently inside the facilities.

Yet Saenz has expressed the importance that no additional beds need to be utilized by this population. Thus potentially opening the borders for another population to enter the city may be met with some controversy as it seems to be working against the overall goal of reducing COVID cases, especially as active cases in Laredo reached a new recent high Wednesday and hospitals were reportedly beyond capacity Tuesday with 43 patients simply waiting for a bed.

Mexico is just 22% fully vaccinated, according to the New York Times, and Nuevo Laredo has only recently been receiving vaccines that many have been waiting for.

Saenz believes that opening the borders would be used for encouraging Nuevo Laredo residents to visit and receive the vaccine. He said that frequent visitors from Nuevo Laredo would have to be vaccinated before the eventual border opening and it could be started sooner rather than later.

The mayor says these individuals would then be purchasing items in the city, stimulating the local economy. Although he does state that some may come to shop without being vaccinated.

These people come and just by the mere fact that they are here, can shop, can assist the retail industry, he said. Laredo will still benefit from the economic point of view, but we cant force them either to get vaccinated.

When asked about the balance of the risk of a new variable versus the economic stimulation, Saenz said that he believes that most of these prospective visitors will rush to receive the vaccine if the border is reopened.

There would be a small percentage, I presume, that may come and visit and not get vaccinated, but yet there is the economic side to it that Laredoans can be helped economically, he said.

Saenz also brought up concerns about stash houses in the area. He said that his planned topics for Mayorkas were a result of the Texas Border Coalition and to some extent the Border Trade Alliance.

zdavis@lmtonline.com

cocampo@lmtonline.com
Heres one more lesson from the COVID-19 pandemic: It appears safe to relax restrictions on methadone, the oldest and most stigmatized treatment drug for opioid addiction.

Last spring, with coronavirus shutting down the nation, the government told methadone clinics they could allow stable patients to take their medicine at home unsupervised.

Early research shows it didn't lead to surges of methadone overdoses or illegal sales. And the phone counseling that went along with take-home doses worked better for some people, helping them stay in recovery and get on with their lives.

U.S. health officials are studying the changes, their impact and how they might be continued.

Since the 1970s, rigid rules have guided methadone treatment, requiring most people to line up and take the liquid medicine, sipping it from small cups, while watched by employees at clinics. Only long-term patients were allowed to take home more than a days dose.

Now, scientists are gathering information to put those rules  never rigorously tested  under scrutiny.

It took a pandemic to change the climate to allow us to actually study it, said Dr. Ayana Jordan of Yale University School of Medicine, who is among researchers studying the methadone rule changes. If we roll these policies back post-COVID, its going to be devastating.

More than 400,000 people in the United States receive methadone as part of their treatment for addiction to opioids such as heroin, fentanyl and painkillers. Methadone, an opioid itself, can be dangerous in large amounts, but when taken correctly, it can stop drug cravings without causing a high. People can hold jobs and work on rebuilding their lives.

Scott Mancini, 58, a retired truck driver in Providence, Rhode Island, has been taking methadone for a heroin addiction since 1989. Before the pandemic change, Mancini, as a long-term patient who followed the rules, could take home a six-day supply, requiring a weekly stop at the clinic.

Youre tied down, Mancini said of the old system. Now, with a 28-day supply, he can enjoy a long camping trip or family visit.

Its worked very well for me and lot of other people," Mancini said. "I think its time we rewrite the rules of the programs throughout the country because the rules havent changed in years.

Not all methadone clinics loosened the rules, but Rhode Islands oldest methadone program, CODAC, where Mancini is a patient, jumped at the chance to use phone counseling and give more take-home doses. In a patient survey conducted by Brown University, most people said phone counseling was useful.

There are two things we learned from COVID, said CEO Linda Hurley. Take-homes do not need to be severely restricted and telehealth works.

Because of how opioids act on the brain, people dependent on them get sick if they stop using. Withdrawal can feel like a bad flu with cramping, sweating, anxiety and sleeplessness. Cravings can be so intense that relapse is common. Methadone eases those symptoms.

The idea behind the Nixon era rules was to prevent illegal street sales and overdoses.

I understand the concern, but there are ways to address those issues such as urine screening to make sure patients are taking their methadone, said 37-year-old Lyna Chaves of Pleasantville, New Jersey.

She now gets five days' of take-home methadone from John Brooks Recovery Center under the pandemic rules. Working to become a peer support specialist, she also distributes donated food, toothpaste and other items to people who are homeless.

Rutgers University plans to analyze New Jersey health data for any bump in methadone overdoses. In interviews with researchers, New Jersey methadone providers support the relaxed take-home rules, said Rutgers researcher Stephen Crystal.

People who live far from clinics or hold steady jobs are particularly burdened by daily trips to be watched getting a dose, Crystal said.

When the government eased restrictions, it said stable patients could receive 28 days of take-home methadone and less stable ones could get 14 days. Clinics were allowed to figure out which patients were eligible; many relied on their experience and previous government criteria such as time in treatment and absence of criminal activity.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is studying the changes and how they might be continued, said Miriam Delphin-Rittmon, assistant secretary for mental health and substance use.

In the meantime, a new federal rule that just took effect will allow the expansion of mobile vans to bring methadone treatment to rural and hard-to-reach areas. There are a dozen or so operating now.

Methadone vans would be a good way for states to spend their money from opioid lawsuit settlements, said Beth Connolly, who directs the Pew Charitable Trusts' substance use prevention and treatment project. As soon as next year, states could begin to see money from settlements with prescription drugmakers and distributors.

Overdose deaths soared to a record 93,000 last year, the U.S. government reported last month, with more than 60% involving fentanyl.

The pandemic provided the opportunity to give more take-home doses, said Allegra Schorr, who leads a coalition of addiction treatment providers in New York. This worked. Why would you just return to the way things were?

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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.)

Sarah Klotz, College of the Holy Cross

(THE CONVERSATION) As Indigenous community members and archaeologists continue to discover unmarked graves of Indigenous children at the sites of Canadian residential schools, the United States is reckoning with its own history of off-reservation boarding schools.

In July 2021, nine Sicangu Lakota students who died at the Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Pennsylvania were disinterred and returned to their homelands at Whetstone Bay in South Dakota.

One of these young people was Ernest Knocks Off. Ernest, who came from the Sicangu Oyate or Burnt Thigh Nation, was among the first group of students to arrive at Carlisle, in 1879. He entered school at age 18 and attempted to run away soon after arriving. He ultimately went on a hunger strike and died of complications of diphtheria on Dec. 14, 1880.

My new book Writing Their Bodies: Restoring Rhetorical Relations at the Carlisle Indian School explores how Indigenous children resisted English-only education at Carlisle, which became the prototype for both Indian schools across the U.S. and residential schools in Canada.

While digging into archives of Carlisle students writing, I found that young people like Ernest were not passive victims of U.S. colonization. Instead, they fought  in Ernests case, to his death  to retain their languages and cultures as the assimilationist experiment in education unfolded.

Unspoken traumas

U.S. Army Gen. Richard Henry Pratt opened the government-funded Carlisle Indian Industrial School in 1879. Following his model, more than 350 government-funded and church-run boarding schools later opened across the U.S. The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition estimates that hundreds of thousands of young Native people attended these schools in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The first students were recruited by Pratt and sent by their nations in hopes that they could learn English to continue fighting against treaty violations by U.S. settlers. In 1891, attendance became compulsory under federal law.

Boarding schools sought to assimilate Indigenous children into Euro-Western culture by separating them from their communities. The schools forced them to learn English and practice Christianity and trained them to work in a capitalist economy  often as servants and laborers on farms and in the households of white people.

Students experienced physical abuse, sexual violence and hunger, and hundreds died of diseases like tuberculosis that spread rampantly in institutional settings.

Canadas national Truth and Reconciliation Commission identified 3,201 children who died in Canadian residential schools. No such estimate exists in the U.S., where a formal reckoning has yet to occur. However, U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, a member of the Laguna Pueblo Nation, has pledged to address the intergenerational impact of Indian boarding schools to shed light on the unspoken traumas of the past.

Even as Indigenous students faced teachers and a government trying to replace their cultures, languages and identities, they resisted the assimilationist education. Their strategies were at times blatant, but often covert.

Running away

Ernest may have been one of the first boarding school students to run away, but he certainly wasnt the last. Scholars have found that running away was a tactic used by students in boarding schools across the U.S. and Canada. It became such a significant shared experience that celebrated Native authors such as Louise Erdrich and Leslie Marmon Silko capture this act of resistance in their writings.

Running away was a way for students to communicate their rejection of assimilationist education and to fight their separation from their homeland and community. Runaways sometimes succeeded and got back home. But I believe that even when they were forcibly returned to school, running away represented courage and reminded the other students to keep fighting.

Plains Sign Talk

Plains Sign Talk is a sign language that serves as a lingua franca for trade and diplomacy among the Pawnee, Shoshone, Cheyenne, Arapaho, Crow and Siouan peoples in the Southern Plains. It became a powerful tool at Carlisle, where teachers demanded that students give up their languages for another shared tongue  English. Plains Sign Talk was a way for students to communicate with one another and across tribes that was unintelligible to their teachers.

Carlisle teachers underestimated the importance of Plains Sign Talk, viewing it as a primitive form of communication that students would leave behind as they learned English. When Pratt and his colleagues witnessed students using it, they created a new curriculum based on techniques used to teach deaf students. They did not realize that students were using the sign language to circumvent the English-only policy.

Pictographic writing

Students also drew on Plains pictography to tell their stories. Plains tribes originally painted pictographs  elements of a graphic writing system  on buffalo hides to document victories in battle and record winter counts, or annual historical records. After increased contact with settlers, many tribes began to document pictographic histories in ledger books. These texts served as communal histories that would prompt oral retellings of battles and other significant events.

Students at Carlisle regularly used pictographs on slates or chalkboards. On June 25, 1880, for example, a Cheyenne student who was renamed Rutherford B. Hayes at school drew a pictograph of a horse and rider on his slate. He labeled the image John Williams  the Carlisle name of an Arapaho boy who was his classmate and friend.

I argue that these pictographic records show how some students understood their time at school in the context of their developing warrior identities, underscoring their desire to act bravely and return home to recount their stories for their nations collective memory.

Speaking Lakota

When students spoke their languages, they faced harsh penalties. This included corporal punishment, incarceration in the campus barracks and public shaming in the school newspaper.

Pratt and his supervisors at the Bureau of Indian Affairs hoped that they could break up tribes by disrupting the transmission of language and culture from one generation to the next. By destroying tribal identities, they hoped to take land in communally held reservations and guaranteed by treaties. For U.S. settlers to gain access, the land would have to shift to a private property system. Boarding schools thus became part of the federal Indian policy later codified as the 1887 Dawes Act.

Although students were supposed to speak only English, they began to learn one anothers languages as well. Lakota, or Sioux, became particularly popular, as it was a majority language in the schools early years when many students came from the Rosebud and Pine Ridge reservations.

In 1881, Pratt was troubled that students were still speaking their languages two years into their term. When student Stephen K. White Bear was found talking Indian, he received a common punishment, which was writing a composition about his discretion. In his essay Speak Only English Stephen revealed that every boy and every girl would like to know how to talk Sioux very much. They do not learn the English language they seem to want to know how to talk Sioux.

Seeds of pan-Indian resistance

As students met peers across nations as geographically far-flung as the Inuit and the Kiowa, they sowed seeds for the pan-Indian resistance movements of the 20th century. From the founding of the Society of American Indians in 1911 through the American Indian Movement of the 1960s and 70s, Native activists unified for advocacy and cultural revitalization. Scholars argue that these movements can trace their roots to intertribal communities of solidarity that were built in the boarding schools.

The outcry against boarding schools that we see today across Canada and the U.S. reflects not only a shared experience of trauma, but a longstanding solidarity among Indigenous peoples working together to maintain land, language, culture and identity in the face of oppression at the hands of Euro-Americans.

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This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/how-native-students-fought-back-against-abuse-and-assimilation-at-us-boarding-schools-165222.
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP)  A northern Indiana man has been sentenced to 45 years in prison for an attempted robbery in which a 16-year-old boy who was his accomplice was fatally shot by their intended victim.

A St. Joseph County judge sentenced Makyi Toliver, 20, of South Bend on Wednesday after a jury convicted him in July of felony murder and attempted robbery. The murder charge stemmed from the fatal shooting of Curtis Frazier Jr., who was a Riley High School student.
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP)  Louisiana's northern and rural parishes continued to lose population over the last decade, as people moved to cities and suburbs across the southern reaches of the state, according to detailed demographic figures released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Overall, Louisiana's population topped 4.6 million people, an anemic growth of only 2.7% from 2010 to 2020 that was well below the national average of 7.4% and behind nearly every other Southern state except Mississippi.

But within Louisiana, some areas saw large spikes in residents, particularly the New Orleans region, the suburban parishes surrounding Baton Rouge and southwestern Calcasieu Parish along the state's border with Texas.

Nineteen of the state's 64 parishes showed population growth since 2010, while 45 parishes lost residents, according to the census information. The parish with the largest percentage increase of new residents over the last decade was the New Orleans suburb of St. Bernard Parish, while Tensas Parish in the Mississippi Delta region saw the steepest percentage decline, losing 21% of its people.

State lawmakers will use the data released Thursday to redraw Louisiana's political maps for U.S. House, state legislative, state education board and other elected office seats, accounting for the population shifts.

The Legislature intends to call a special session in early 2022 for the redistricting work.

Sen. Sharon Hewitt, the Slidell Republican who chairs the Senate redistricting committee, said lawmakers will hold public hearings across Louisiana starting in mid-September to discuss the numbers and hear from local residents and officials about how they'd like to see districts drawn. The hearings in the state's major cities will run through the end of the year.

In January, we'll take all of that feedback that we've gained from all around the state and start drafting maps for a special session expected in February, Hewitt said.

With Louisiana continuing a decades-long trend of population decline in its northern parishes, lawmakers are certain to revisit a debate from 10 years ago: Whether to maintain two of the state's six U.S. House seats in north Louisiana or to consolidate to one northern-based district along Interstate 20. The congressional districts have dipped further and further to the south to maintain equal populations, and some lawmakers would like to rework that map.

That will be one of the biggest debates, Hewitt said. The north Louisiana folks clearly want two congressional districts as opposed to (one) district that follows I-20.

The census results show Louisiana's largest parish is East Baton Rouge with nearly 457,000 residents, followed by Jefferson, Orleans, St. Tammany, Lafayette, Caddo and Calcasieu parishes.

The New Orleans region saw a sizable rebound in its population after Hurricane Katrina displaced tens of thousands of people in 2005 and rebuilding stretched over years. Orleans Parish saw its population grow by nearly 12% to about 384,000 residents, while the suburbs of St. Tammany Parish and St. Bernard Parish added residents at rates of 13% and 22%.

Meanwhile, Calcasieu Parish in southwest Louisiana saw significant growth as its petrochemical corridor boomed across the decade. The census shows the parish increasing its population by more than 12% to reach nearly 217,000 residents  but the data likely doesn't account for the displacement of thousands by Hurricane Laura, which wrecked much of the parish in August 2020.

In Louisiana's capital region, East Baton Rouge Parish added nearly 4% in population growth. But its neighboring parishes of West Feliciana, Livingston and Ascension saw far more sizable jumps in resident numbers  despite widespread flooding in the region only five years ago. West Feliciana Parish's population grew by more than 14%, Livingston Parish by 11% and Ascension Parish by 18%, according to the census data.

The release of the redistricting data culled from the 2020 census arrived more than four months later than expected due to delays caused by the pandemic. The numbers cover geographies as small as neighborhoods and as large as states and offer details about the racial breakdowns and diversity of the people who live there.

Louisiana's population identified as nearly 56% white, more than 31% Black and nearly 7% Hispanic or Latino, according to the 2020 data. Thats slightly less white compared to a decade earlier, when 60% of residents identified as white, 32% as Black and 4% as Hispanic or Latino.

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Follow Melinda Deslatte on Twitter at http://twitter.com/melindadeslatte.
EL CEIBO, Guatemala (AP)  Shortly after crossing the border in south Texas with her 5-year-old daughter, Karla Leiva of Honduras found herself on a chartered U.S. government flight, learning midair that she was headed to the provincial capital of Villahermosa in southern Mexico. Authorities there put her on a bus to Mexico's southern border and on Thursday she sat on the patio of a migrant shelter in a remote Guatemalan border town.

Her swift expulsion through three countries was part of a highly unusual partnership between the governments of the United States and Mexico that the Biden administration hopes will deter migrants from returning to the U.S. border.

The U.S. government has intermittently flown Mexicans deep into Mexico for years to discourage repeat attempts, but flights that began last week from Brownsville, Texas, to Villahermosa and Tapachula, near the Guatemalan border, appear to be the first time that Central Americans have been flown to Mexico.

The administration is starting flights of Central Americans to southern Mexico 24 times a month, with hopes of ramping up, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. Mexico agreed to support the effort amid strains between the administration and Central American governments and their reluctance to accept more flights from the United States.

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, responding to reporters questions Thursday at a news conference in Brownsville, made the administrations first public acknowledgement that it is expelling Central Americans on flights to southern Mexico. The Mexican government has been publicly silent.

Mayorkas said the flights aimed to deter repeat attempts by migrants who are expelled from the United States under pandemic-related restrictions that prohibit them from seeking asylum. They come as the administration confronts what he called a serious challenge at the border, touting figures released Thursday that show unaccompanied children were stopped a record-high 18,962 times in July and migrants who came in families were stopped 82,966 times, the second-highest on record after May 2019.

U.S. authorities stopped migrants 212,672 times in July, the highest number in more than 20 years, though Mayorkas said 27% of those encounters were with migrants who had been stopped at least once in the previous year.

Pandemic-related expulsions dont carry any legal consequences, encouraging repeat attempts.

While still delivering some migrants on flights directly to their Central American nations, the U.S. government is now supplementing with the flights to southern Mexico.

Leiva, 32, from Yoro in north-central Honduras, had arrived at the shelter in El Ceibo on Wednesday. She said she was not asked by U.S. or Mexican authorities if she feared returning to her country.

At the Mexico-Guatemala border, they were told to walk into Guatemala and look for the shelter. No one registered their entrance into Guatemala. They were not asked for evidence of a negative COVID-19 test required of all foreigners entering Guatemala.

No one told me anything. They never heard my case and why I went to the United States, Leiva said. I couldnt tell them that they were extorting me and that they threatened to kidnap my little daughter and take my adolescent sons to join the gang. Thats why I left the country.

Mayorkas said the U.S. was coordinating with the Mexican government on flights that include Central Americans and ensuring that they comply with international law to provide humanitarian protection when warranted. He didnt elaborate.

If in fact they are turned around and placed in the northern part of Mexico, it is too facile, too easy for them to return and try an illegal entry again," he said. "And so in response to that recidivism, to deter and prevent that recidivism from occurring, we are expelling them further into the interior of Mexico, which is far more difficult to try again.

He said the Biden administration has made changes to border policy, including allowing unaccompanied children into the country, but said people without a legal claim to residency would be removed under the law.

Human Rights First condemned the expulsion flights in a statement Thursday.

These expulsions are illegal, inhumane, and blatant violations of U.S. refugee law and the Refugee Convention, said Eleanor Acer, the organization's senior director of refugee protection.

On Wednesday, five United Nations agencies, including the High Commissioner for Refugees, expressed concern over the U.S. policy and repeated their call for the Biden administration to lift the so-called Title 42 restriction on asylum.

Mayorkas said the people being expelled to the interior of Mexico have been expelled under Title 42.

The move comes after President Joe Biden jettisoned many of his predecessors hardline immigration policies, describing them as cruel or unwise, including one that made asylum-seekers wait in Mexican border cities for hearings in U.S. immigration court.

Biden also scrapped agreements with Central American nations for asylum-seekers from third countries to be sent there to have their claims heard, denying any prospect of settling in the United States.

The Biden administration has said it wants to focus on addressing the root causes of migration from Central America. Vice President Kamala Harris has led that effort, visiting Mexico and Guatemala to discuss how the U.S. can help while encouraging people not to come. But those are at best medium-term solutions, while at the U.S. border, the number of encounters between U.S. authorities and migrants keeps rising.

Leiva had left Yoro on July 27 with her daughter and three older sons. Twelve days later, she and her daughter crossed the Rio Grande on a raft into Texas with a smuggler and were quickly apprehended. She said her sons were supposed to have followed, but didnt manage to cross.

U.S. authorities took Leiva and Zoe to Brownsville. Two days later they were put on the plane. On Thursday, they both still wore the identifying wrist bands U.S. authorities gave them.

The orange-painted hilltop shelter here has been filling this week as more migrants are dropped at the border daily. Theres little else in this remote border outpost surrounded by jungle.

Leiva was still trying to understand what had happened and what would come next. She said she could not return to Honduras and she fretted over the $3,000 she had paid the smuggler.

No one signed any deportation. I didnt sign, she said. They tricked us. They didnt even give me a paper. The bracelets are the only evidence they were ever briefly in the U.S.

Leivas only choice, she said, was to try making her way north again. Her two sons and older daughter were waiting in northern Mexico.

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AP writers Ben Fox in Washington and Elliot Spagat in San Diego contributed to this report.
CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP)  Nevada lawmakers kicked off a study committee on Thursday about an economic development proposal that would allow technology companies to exercise powers similar to those of local governments, if they own land and promise investment.

Gov. Steve Sisolak and the company Blockchains Inc. want lawmakers to create jurisdictions called Innovation Zones that would be semi-autonomous and governed by three supervisors, two of whom would initially be appointed by the technology company that owns the zone.

Despite the proposals tepid reception, Sisolaks policy director DuAne Young and representatives and lobbyists for Blockchains appeared to remain wholly committed to the idea. They submitted a bill draft that was almost identical to the original proposal that circulated in February and was presented to lawmakers behind closed doors.

Blockchains representatives said they could only experiment with applications of their digital ledger technology if they had more autonomy than local government allowed.

"Fitting an Innovation Zone community into an existing county is not reasonably feasible," said Blockchains Executive Vice President Lee Weiss.

Rural county commissioners, he added, cannot reasonably devote time to govern their existing county, plus a new innovation zone with completely different infrastructure and goals.

The proposal first appeared in Gov. Steve Sisolak's State of the State address but was never introduced in the Legislature after resistance from local officials, environmentalists and progressive groups who likened it to 19th century company towns  an assertion both the governor and company deny.

Sisolak framed the proposal as a vehicle to diversify Nevada's economy. But amid opposition, it was scaled back to a study to assuage concerns and allow lawmakers, local officials and the public to get their questions answered, the governor said.

Although the company did not appear in the proposals draft language, it was pushed behind the scenes by lobbyists for Blockchains, a digital record-keeping company that owns almost half of rural Storey County, in the desert east of Reno.

Construction and trade unions spoke in favor of the proposal and said constructing a smart city could provide high-paying construction jobs. Storey County representatives said they supported efforts to incentivize tech companies to come to Nevada but didn't understand why the company felt they couldn't build their city under current governmental structures.

Under the initial proposal, any technology company that possesses 78 square miles (202 square kilometers) of land and promised to invest $1.25 billion could apply to form an Innovation Zone where a governing body could create court systems, impose taxes and make land and water management decisions.

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Sam Metz is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP)  New Zealand, which has completely stamped out the coronavirus, plans to cautiously reopen its borders to international travelers early next year, the government said Thursday.

Officials also said they would delay second shots of the Pfizer vaccine in order to speed up first shots to protect more people as the threat of the delta variant grows.

New Zealand's success in erasing the coronavirus has allowed life to return almost to normal. The South Pacific nation of 5 million people has reported just 26 deaths since the pandemic began.

That's been achieved in part by closing borders to those who aren't residents or citizens.

But many question whether its feasible for New Zealand to maintain a zero-tolerance approach to the virus once international travel resumes.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the government planned to follow the advice of experts and maintain the elimination strategy.

While the pandemic continues to rage overseas, and the virus continues to change and mutate, the best thing we can do is lock in the gains achieved to date while keeping our options open, she said.

Ardern said the borders would not reopen until after New Zealand's vaccine rollout was completed at the end of the year. The rollout has been much slower than in most developed nations, although is beginning to accelerate.

Ardern said that from the first quarter of next year, the country would begin allowing travelers to arrive on a carefully managed basis.

Fully vaccinated travelers from low-risk countries would not be required to quarantine, she said. Those arriving from medium-risk countries would need to complete some form of quarantine. And those arriving from high-risk countries, or who were unvaccinated, would need to stay 14 days in a quarantine hotel run by the military, Ardern said.

The government did not provide a ranking of countries by risk, saying it could change quickly.

Ardern said a new trial would begin in October that would allow some business travelers to quarantine at home rather than in military-run hotels as a test of the new system it planned to introduce for medium-risk countries next year.

Ardern also announced it was increasing the standard time scheduled between Pfizer vaccine doses from three weeks to six weeks. She said the initial groups targeted for the vaccine  border workers and older people  had already been fully vaccinated.

From a population basis, it makes sense to get as many New Zealanders at least partially vaccinated quickly, Ardern said.

The changes were generally welcomed by business owners, including those in the struggling tourism industry. Before the pandemic, more than 3 million overseas travelers visited New Zealand each year and tourism was among the country's largest industries.

Its important to have a roadmap so all businesses, including tourism operators, can plan ahead and make informed decisions, said Chris Roberts, the chief executive of Tourism Industry Aotearoa.

Opposition Leader Judith Collins said Ardern's announcements were a step in the right direction but the government needed to speed up its vaccination program.

About 29% of New Zealanders have received one dose of the vaccine and 17% are fully vaccinated.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP)  The Ohio prison system plans to scan virtually all incoming inmate mail and provide digital copies to inmates to thwart a new form of contraband also being seen nationwide: drugs smuggled into prison by soaking them in paper.

Thwarting drug smuggling is a necessary measure to help people struggling with addiction, on top of services like medication-assisted treatment already offered by the prison system, said Annette Chambers-Smith, director of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. She noted that six in 10 Ohio inmates have a history of serious substance abuse.

Having the ability to digitally scan mail will cut down on contraband entering our prisons without interfering with the important connections the incarcerated men and women have with their loved ones, Chambers-Smith said in a statement to The Associated Press.

Beginning in January, each Ohio corrections facility will have equipment that staff can use to digitally copy mail, under a contract with GTL. The contract is worth an estimated $22.7 million annually and includes renewal options through 2031. The company, based in Falls Church, Virginia, also operates the system allowing inmates to make phone and video calls.

Legal mail to and from inmates and their attorneys will be exempted from being digitized.

Inmates already have access to portable tablets and wall-mounted kiosks which they use to do everything from read electronic messages to conduct video calls. The digitized mail will be delivered to those same devices.

Scanned mail provides a safeguard to your facilities against illegal drugs and contraband entering your facility through physical mail, the GTL contract says.

It also notes another benefit to the prison administrators: In addition, digital mail becomes another source of actionable intelligence for investigators.

Inmates whose mail is rejected for security reasons will receive a message explaining why they aren't getting a scanned copy, the contract says. The digitized mail will be searchable, although results will vary depending on the quality of the original letter.

In the interim, the agency is photocopying incoming mail, a process involving hundreds to thousands of pages of mail a month, with legal mail also exempted, said JoEllen Smith, a spokesperson for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.

Inmate Peter Kenney says photocopied or scanned mail is a poor substitute for reading a handwritten letter, which he calls priceless.

It takes all the sentiment out of it, Kenney, serving a 36-year sentence in Trumbull Correctional Institution for kidnapping and aggravated murder, said Thursday. Kenney, 37, and his wife, Jeanna, once exchanged real letters, but communicate these days mainly through an electronic messaging system similar to email, video chats or phone calls.

Jeanna Kenney also says photocopying mail has done little to address the drug issue.

Its easier for them on the inside to get it than we would if we had to call a drug dealer, said Jeanna Kenney, who runs a statewide prisoner advocacy program.

Multiple states including Maine, Michigan, Nebraska and Pennsylvania photocopy incoming mail to prevent drugs from being delivered to inmates. The federal Bureau of Prisons started a similar measure in 2019.

The Florida prisons agency has also proposed digitizing inmate mail. More than 35,000 pieces of contraband were discovered from January to April, spokesperson Molly Best said.

Extremely dangerous substances such as liquid chemicals used to lace synthetic marijuana can be soaked into paper and dried, making detection very difficult, she said.

In Ohio, photocopying or digitizing mail is meant to intercept paper soaked with drugs including marijuana, synthetic narcotics like K2, opioids, and surprisingly, bug spray. A common ingestion method is letting the paper dissolve on the tongue.

There was a scent of some type of Wasp/Bug spray, a mail screener at Dayton Correctional Institution reported Jan. 26 after intercepting a three-page letter with an oily presence and ink that had bled, according to an internal security report.

The card inside was wet and soggy, a screener at Grafton Correctional noted on July 6, 2020. The card was sent into the investigator, where it was found to be saturated in Raid bug spray.

The bug spray has toxicologists puzzled, since its effect on users is both unstudied and questionable.

The way these chemicals affect the human body, it really doesnt make sense to me, said Dr. Ryan Marino, a medical toxicologist and professor at Case Western University medical school. But these reports do keep coming out.

Anecdotal reports vary on bug sprays effect on people, from acting as a stimulant to acting as a depressant, Marino said. Pesticides are generally not toxic to humans, and their effect on users could well be an urban legend, he said.

Under the new mail scanning system, any suspicious mail can be sent to a secure area for analysis, according to the GTL contract. All mail is digitally archived and staff can review it later if needed.

While helping inmates beat addiction, it is also important that we put in place practical security measures to help keep people who work and live in our prisons safe, Chambers-Smith said.

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Associated Press writers Mark Scolforo in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and Lindsay Whitehurst in Salt Lake City, Utah, contributed to this report.
NEWBERG, Ore. (AP)  The school board in Newberg, Oregon, has voted to ban on pride flags, flags reading Black Lives Matter and any broadly political signs, clothing, and other items.

The school board voted Tuesday, four to three, to enact the ban, Oregon Public Broadcasting reported. The boards three-member policy committee is set to outline what constitutes political.

The action goes against recent state efforts to highlight support for students, including the Oregon Department of Educations Black Lives Matter October 2020 resolution and recent efforts to help LGBTQ+ students.

Supporters of the flags said they made students feel seen and help students who are being bullied, while supporters of the ban said the signs were divisive, and that signs dont make people feel safe.

Discussion and votes on drafting replacement language on the districts new anti-racism policy and rescinding the districts Every Student Belongs policy, was moved to the districts next board meeting. If the board votes to roll back Every Student Belongs, the district would be in violation of state standards.

According to board secretary Jenn Nelson, there were over 90 public comments, of which 31 were heard, and Board chair Dave Brown said the board received over 500 emails ahead of the meeting.

In the weeks since the boards last meeting, some state lawmakers have asked members of the school board to rethink their actions.

On Thursday, the Oregon Legislatures Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) caucus condemned the board's action, saying the caucus is watching closely and will consider all Legislative avenues to protect students, promote student success and economic opportunity.

We want to recognize Newberg School Board Directors (Ines) Pena, (Brandy) Penner, and (Rebecca) Piros for their leadership and commitment on behalf of all students and the communities they serve, with the call to delay the vote until all public comment could be heard. Rushing through these decisions to restrict the symbols educators can display in classrooms weeks before the school year begins is divisive and wrong."

Joshua Reid, a Newberg schools counselor, said the districts 16 counselors signed a letter asking the board to vote no on Tuesdays agenda items.

Newberg Superintendent Joe Morelock said he won't be able to enforce the ban as is until it's reviewed by the districts lawyers.

Newberg is about 20 miles (32 kilometers) southwest of Portland.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Top Republicans are battling school districts in their own states' urban, heavily Democratic areas over whether students should be required to mask up as they head back to school  reigniting ideological divides over mandates even as the latest coronavirus surge ravages the reddest, most unvaccinated parts of the nation.

Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida has issued an executive order threatening to cut funding from school districts that defy a statewide ban on classroom mask mandates. He's now suggesting his office could direct officials to withhold pay from superintendents who impose such rules anyway.

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster is threatening to withhold funding to schools in his state's capital of Columbia over masking rules, while Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has vowed to enforce a similar order against mask mandates  despite large school districts around the state, including Dallas and Austin, promising to go ahead with classroom face covering requirements.

Even the Republican gubernatorial candidate in the purple state of Virginia has decried school mask mandates in the name of parental rights.

The posture comes with some clear political incentives for Republicans. The party's base has opposed mask rules for more than a year and long recoiled at the word mandate. Still, some within the GOP's own ranks have begun to warn of the safety and political risks involved in making schools  and children's health  the chief battleground for an ideological fight.

Its very visceral, said Brendan Steinhauser, a Republican strategist in Texas. Were approaching this very tribalisticly, very angrily, very politically, he said, adding that both sides are digging in instead of trying to get together, I believe, at the most local level possible, and saying, Hey, lets try and work out whats best.

The issue has packed local school meetings and sparked heated exchanges. Video of a meeting in Tennessees Williamson County showed angry parents chanting No more masks and following mask supporters to the parking lot to shout obscenities. First-term U.S. Rep. Madison Cawthorn, R-N.C., recently showed up to denounce masking rules approved by county school board members in his district, calling them nothing short of psychological child abuse.

It all comes as some Democrat-run states are moving in the opposite direction, reimposing masking rules for classrooms and other public spaces after easing them in recent months, when it seemed the pandemic might be waning.

That's consistent with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations that children mask up in school. A recent report by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Childrens Hospital Association found that nearly 4.3 million U.S. COVID-19 cases have affected children. Thats about 14% of all cases nationwide, though the report said hospitalization and death among children is uncommon.

In Florida, which has seen cases and hospitalizations rise sharply, some school districts are suing to oppose DeSantis' order. Others, like Leon County, which includes the state capital of Tallahassee, plan to require students to wear masks regardless. Superintendent Rocky Hanna said in a letter to the governor that his district sought the flexibility and the autonomy to make the decisions for our schools.

Unfortunately, it has become well-politicized, Hanna said in announcing his decision, adding that if things went sideways as school begins anew and heaven forbid we lost a child to this virus, I cant just simply blame the governor of the state of Florida.

Jasmine Burney-Clark, founder of Equal Ground Education Fund, which has spent months helping facilitate vaccinations for Floridians, said school boards across the state are saying, Were going to call your bluff, and were going to require mask mandates for our students.'

'Youre not taking the lead so, if you want schools to open, heres what you need to do, Burney-Clark said districts are telling DeSantis.

President Joe Biden on Thursday said masking in schools isnt about politics. This is about keeping our children safe." He also praised as heroes" superintendents and other local officials "who are standing up to the governors politicizing mask protection."

Some note the push for bans against mask mandates runs counter to the traditional Republican political ethos of limited government and local control, or leaving decision-making on things like community ordinances and schools up to officials in the area.

U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., said he opposes DeSantis orders against school mask mandates, saying on CNN Sunday, The local official should have control here.

One Republican governor has backtracked. Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchison called the states lawmakers into special session to consider loosening a ban on mask mandates he now says he regrets having signed in April. A judge has already temporarily blocked the ban.

But not all school districts are pushing mask mandates, either. After Kentucky Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear ordered masking rules in his state's schools, some superintendents applauded. One offered a voicemail call to parents that blasted the governor as a liberal lunatic and added that "the professional opinion of your superintendent doesnt matter. The opinion of your school board doesnt matter.

In Virginia, Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam announced Thursday a mask mandate for K-12 schools. He pointed to a state law passed in March that requires following federal guidance. Republican gubernatorial candidate Glenn Youngkin, who has vowed not to mandate masks in schools if elected, responded in a statement, We must respect parents right to decide what is best for their own children."

Unlike DeSantis, Abbott and many other leading Republicans, Youngkin has prioritized his business experience as a former private equity manager more than his loyalty to former President Donald Trump  little surprise in a state Biden carried by 10 percentage points. Still, his comments show that mask opposition has grown beyond ardent pro-Trumpers.

Monmouth University polling released last week found that 73% of Republicans oppose bringing back masking and social distancing guidelines, while 85% of Democrats support doing so. Independents were more deeply divided, with 42% in support and 55% opposed.

Its expanded beyond the people you initially see at the Trump rallies, Patrick Murray, Monmouth's polling director, said of Republican mask opposition. But he also noted that so much of the party has now absorbed the former presidents message that all of those people who were considered moderate Republicans in the past have become, on almost every issue now, nearly lockstep with whatever the Donald Trump position is.

Support for masks in classrooms may be higher. A Gallup survey in late July found that 57% of parents with school-age children favor mask mandates for unvaccinated students  whose ranks dominate elementary schools because vaccines are only available for people age 12 and over.

A May poll by the RAND Corporation found that such attitudes break sharply along racial lines. Some 86% of Black parents, 78% of Hispanic parents and 89% of Asian parents said mask mandates for adults and children needed to be in place for them to feel safe in sending their children to school, compared with 53% of white parents who felt that way.

RAND senior policy researcher Heather Schwartz, the study's lead author, said one possible reason for the differences could be that parents in rural areas, which tend to be whiter, are more likely to oppose anti-COVID measures. Another may be the virus having killed minority Americans at higher rates than whites, she said.

The same survey found that 26% of white parents and 29% of rural parents felt schools should fully return to normal this fall. Schwartz said some of those respondents wrote things like the government doesn't need to tell us what to do in their responses.

Theres a sort of general masking attitude thats spilling over into schools, Schwartz said, rather than the reverse.

___

Associated Press writer Hannah Fingerhut contributed to this report.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  A high school English language and ethnic studies teacher from Rochester was named Minnesota Teacher of the Year for 2021 on Wednesday.

Natalia Benjamin is the first Latino educator to win the award, made by Education Minnesota, the statewide teachers union.

Benjamin has been at the district since 2013, where she started as a substitute teacher and paraprofessional before going on to teach English language at Century High School. She's the first from her district to win the award.

Benjamin was born and raised in Guatemala, where she grew up speaking, reading and writing French  in addition to her native Spanish  while attending a French school in Guatemala City. She learned English in middle school and high school and later went on to attend Brigham Young University in Utah, where she earned a bachelors degree in molecular biology and a masters degree in language acquisition and teaching.

Benjamin said her exposure to multiple languages helped her understand how children acquire language.

My personal experiences with languages created a passion and appreciation for multiple languages and cultures. Many of my students are navigating new cultures and places," she wrote in an essay to the program's selection committee. "I hope that I can be a small part of their journey in succeeding as they follow their dreams.
SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  A day ahead of his release on parole, Samsung scion Lee Jae-yong appeared in a South Korean court Thursday for another trial over alleged financial crimes  a reminder of his looming legal risks even as he leaves prison.

The Justice Ministry earlier this week decided to free Lee and some 800 other prisoners on Friday, ahead of a holiday on Sunday celebrating Koreas independence from Japanese colonial rule at the end of World War II.

Lee had a year left on a 30-month sentence for embezzling millions of dollars from corporate funds to bribe South Koreas previous president, Park Geun-hye, to ensure government support for a 2015 merger between two Samsung affiliates that tightened his control over the corporate empire.

The case was part of a corruption scandal that eventually ousted Park, who was jailed in 2017 and wont be released until 2039 if she fully serves her sentence.

Lee faced a separate indictment on stock price manipulation, auditing violations and other charges related to the 2015 merger. Lees lawyers say he is a victim of the abuse of presidential power and insist the 2015 deal was part of normal business activity.

He appeared in the Seoul Central District Court on Thursday with other former Samsung executives charged in the case. Lee replied yes when a judge asked to confirm whether he was being released from prison on Friday, according to pool reports.

Lee, 53, is the third-generation leader of the Samsung business group that was founded by his grandfather. He runs the conglomerate in his capacity as vice chairman of Samsung Electronics, one of the world's biggest makers of computer memory chips and smartphones.

The technology giant showed no obvious sign of trouble while Lee stayed in prison, relaying his business decisions through visiting company executives. It has reported robust profit during the coronavirus pandemic, seeing larger demands for its consumer electronics products and chips used in computing devices and servers as the virus forced millions to stay at home.

Lee's release will extend a long history of leniency for South Korean corporate bosses convicted of corruption and financial crimes.

President Moon Jae-in, after winning the presidential by-election in 2017, pledged to create a world without privileges, to curb the excesses of family-run conglomerates and to end the corrupt ties between the chaebol and the government.

Amid criticism from civic groups and progressive politicians, Moons office has distanced itself from Lees release, saying paroles are up to the Justice Ministry.

Business leaders and key members of Moons government had endorsed Lees early release, citing Samsungs crucial presence in the national economy. They claimed that Lees absence from the boardroom could hamper Samsungs speed and aggressiveness in investments and weaken its competitiveness in the global semiconductor market.

Recent polls have indicated South Koreas public  years removed from the angry protests that filled the streets with millions of demonstrators in 2016 and 2017  largely favors Lees release, showing Samsungs deep influence in the country.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  Worried that the highly contagious delta variant of the coronavirus could derail San Franciscos economic rebound, Mayor London Breed announced Thursday that the city will require proof of full vaccination at indoor restaurants, bars, gyms and entertainment venues to help keep businesses open.

This is to protect kids, is to protect those who cant get vaccinated, is to make sure that we dont go backwards, is to make sure that I never have to get up in front of you and say, Im sorry, I know we just reopened and now the city is closed again because we are seeing too many people die,'  Breed said.

The mandate will be more stringent than the one announced by New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio last week. San Francisco will require proof of full COVID-19 vaccination for all customers and staff, while New York mandated proof of at least one dose for indoor activities.

It will take effect Aug. 20, but businesses will have two more months to verify employees' vaccination status to preserve jobs while giving time for compliance." The mandate does not apply to people ineligible for vaccines, including children under 12.

The Chase Center, home to the Golden State Warriors basketball team, reacted to the news by asking ticket holders to a Sept. 15 rock concert to show proof of vaccination. AEG Presents, the giant concert and live event promoter, also announced Thursday it will require proof of vaccination for COVID-19 to attend its shows and festivals starting Oct. 1.

In addition to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention paper cards that people get when they are vaccinated, California has established an online record with a bar code that vaccinated people can use to prove their status. Breed said a photo of the CDC card will suffice, and that it will be up to businesses to enforce the requirement. Proof of vaccination issued by foreign governments is also acceptable.

The goal is to raise the vaccination rate in a city where 78% of the eligible population already is fully vaccinated, she said. San Francisco was among the first to ban large gatherings and close schools at the beginning of the pandemic and has been at the forefront of other COVID-19 restrictions, including requiring all city employees to be vaccinated without the option of testing regularly.

Los Angeles is considering a similar vaccine requirement, with people needing at least one dose before going to indoor restaurants, bars, gyms, movie theaters and other venues. Leaders there voted Wednesday to direct city attorneys to work out the details.

Also Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom said all employees at public and private schools in California will have to show proof of vaccination or face weekly testing.

Breed announced the mandate Thursday at the historic Vesuvio Cafe in North Beach, a favorite haunt of the beat poets. The cafe is among many San Francisco businesses that have already been requiring proof of vaccination indoors.

Most people were really happy that we had started the policy. It took patience on everyones part. So, the people who were impatient or didnt like the policy would just leave," Vesuvio co-owner Janet Clyde said.

Having the weight of the government behind you, the science, the health department" makes it easier to enforce, she said.

Bar owners, already struggling to find enough staff, want to protect their employees and stay open, said Ben Bleiman, president of the San Francisco Bar Owner Alliance.

He said he was forced to close his bar one night after the bartender got infected at another job.

A group representing nearly 100 fitness studios said the mandate would help avoid the capacity limits or another potential shutdown that hurt their businesses last year.

We support the citys vaccine requirement for indoor fitness as it provides our clients with one more level of assurance that they can experience the mental and physical benefits of fitness in a safe, healthy environment, said Dave Karraker, a board member of the San Francisco Independent Fitness Studio Coalition.

Thursday's order also extends the vaccination requirement for certain health care providers, including employees at adult day care centers, residential care facilities, dental offices, home health aides and pharmacists, who are not included in the state health order on vaccinations.
At 37, Mary Gordon was fit, energetic and healthy. She regularly pushed herself through workouts on a high-tech stationary bike and ran 5Ks. So she was at a loss to explain the fatigue she began experiencing.

Shortly before Christmas 2019, she woke up feeling out of sorts. She stopped and rested several times while decorating her home for the holidays.

She'd attended an ugly sweater party the night before and chalked up her symptoms to a lack of sleep. Though she didn't feel great, she went shopping with a friend in nearby Washington, D.C. At one point, she nearly passed out.

"Everything went blank," Gordon recalled. "But it was so quick that I questioned if it really happened."

Gordon suspected she was dehydrated and tired. But over the next week, she nearly passed out three more times, once while driving.

Scheduled to take a flight on Jan. 1, she managed to get a last-minute appointment on New Year's Eve with her doctor's physician assistant.

She was feeling so exhausted, she half expected to be admitted to the hospital. And, just to be safe, she updated the beneficiary information on her accounts.

"Something told me to do it," she said.

The physician assistant performed a test on her heart and said everything looked normal. Her blood pressure, on the other hand, was sky-high. She advised Gordon to cancel her flight and to start wearing a heart monitor so the medical team could gather more information.

Gordon was familiar with the monitor.

When she was in college, her doctor detected a heart murmur and diagnosed her with mitral valve prolapse. In essence, the flaps, or leaflets, of her mitral valve had excess tissue, causing them to expand into the left atrium when her heart contracted. Severe mitral valve prolapse can lead to blood leaking back through the valve, potentially leading to irregular heartbeats, or arrhythmia. But when the doctor reviewed the data, he told her to not worry about it.

Years later, an electrocardiogram seemed to confirm the diagnosis.

"My doctor said it was a two out of 10," she said. "Nothing to be concerned about."

But now, leaving the visit with the physician assistant, Gordon collapsed near the elevator.

A receptionist heard her struggling to breathe and found her unconscious.

She was in cardiac arrest.

The physician assistant and a doctor performed CPR for six minutes. They also used an automated external defibrillator to shock her heart back into rhythm.

The second time they shocked her, Gordon began screaming, although she doesn't remember it. Her first recollection is being in the emergency room, with her boyfriend, Matt Costakis, and several doctors standing at the foot of her bed.

For the first few days, she wasn't quite sure why she was there.

"My brain was not retaining information," she said. "It took a few days before things were sinking in. Everything was a blur."

Two days later, doctors placed an implantable cardioverter defibrillator in Gordon's chest. A second minimally invasive surgery the following week repaired her mitral valve.

"It wasn't until the surgery that it was fully recognized she has something that's particularly rare called mitral annular disjunction," said Dr. Paula Pinell-Salles, Gordon's cardiologist at Virginia Heart in Falls Church. "That variant is the most prone to significant prolapse and may be more closely associated with the kind of arrhythmia she presented with."

Gordon went home after two weeks in the hospital. Still fatigued, she was excited to start cardiac rehab, throwing herself into it with glee.

She enjoyed meeting other survivors and appreciated that she could build up her strength, stamina and confidence in a monitored setting.

"The thought of raising my heart rate or being able to ever run again was so foreign," she said. "It was awesome to know there's a way to slowly ease back into that with the safety of people watching you."

When the COVID-19 pandemic put a kibosh on in-person rehab, she continued to push herself, walking miles with her dog, Almond.

While Gordon continued to grow stronger, she still feared exercising alone.

"It was a weird transition and very emotional," she said, pointing to the emergency ID tag she now wears. "But I got to the point where I could go off by myself."

Indeed, eight months after the cardiac arrest, she started running again.

And on the one-year anniversary, Gordon and Costakis, along with Almond, hiked her favorite trail at Shenandoah National Park, a steep nearly 3-mile ascent to the top of a mountain. Gordon planned the hike to celebrate how far she'd come in the last year.

It was cold and rainy that day, but they reached the summit. As Gordon rested on a large rock and searched in her backpack for a dog treat, Costakis reached into his pocket and produced a rock of his own  a diamond engagement ring.

"I made it so easy for him," she joked, of the romantic mountaintop setting. "I asked him a few times if this was for real before I finally said yes."

Now happily engaged and largely recovered, Gordon wants to raise awareness about the difference between heart attacks and cardiac arrest. The former results from a blockage, while cardiac arrest is caused by an electrical issue and can happen to anybody.

That's why she tirelessly promotes CPR training. She hopes to schedule one soon for her family and friends.

"It doesn't hurt to learn it again, or watch the video and just build your confidence," she said. "If I can do something to help the next person, that's all I can ask for."

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CAIRO (AP)  Sudan signed an agreement with the International Criminal Court on Thursday to move forward in the cases against those accused of atrocities in the Darfur region, including the countrys former President Omar al-Bashir, a top ICC prosecutor said.

Prosecutor Karim Khan said at a press conference that he would also be deploying a full-time team from his office to Sudan. The developments come as Sudans government continues to hold al-Bashir in prison. The ICC issued a warrant for al-Bashir on war crimes charges more than a decade ago, while he was in office.

The agreement further raises the possibility of al-Bashir being tried in The Hague, where the ICC is based, an issue that remains controversial in Sudan.

Khan landed in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum earlier this week and held meetings with the president of Sudans transitional council, Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok, judiciary officials and civil society representatives.

This agreement provides a basis for cooperation and exchange of information in relation to all cases where there are warrants, he said, adding that such cooperation will help the ICC build strong cases.

Al-Bashir has been in jail in Khartoum since his ouster in April 2019 amid a public uprising against his nearly three-decade autocratic rule. The ICC has charged him with crimes against humanity and war crimes in the Darfur conflict.

Though he did not discuss dates for a handover of al-Bashir, Khan said he welcomed the Sudanese Cabinet's recent approval of a draft bill allowing the East African country to join the courts founding treaty, known as the Rome Statute. The decision was a step forward in the long-waited trial of those wanted by the ICC. Khan said that the ratification of that bill is expected to be discussed next week at a joint meeting of Sudans ruling Sovereign Council and Cabinet, which together serve as an interim parliament.

When asked whether Bashir could be tried outside the Hague, Khan said the Rome Statue says that the ICC may convene away from the seat  a matter the court's presidency and judges can decide on.

The conflict in Sudans Darfur region broke out when rebels from the territorys ethnic central and sub-Saharan African community launched an insurgency in 2003, complaining of oppression by the Arab-dominated government in Khartoum. Al-Bashirs government responded with a campaign of aerial bombings and raids by militias known as janjaweed. The militias stand accused of mass killings and rapes. Up to 300,000 people were killed and 2.7 million were driven from their homes.

We cannot march from the darkness into the light without dealing with some of the crimes and injustices of the past, Khan said.

He also said Sudanese authorities welcomed his decision to deploy a full-time team of ICC lawyers to Khartoum for better first-hand knowledge of the undercurrents and the complexities" of the dynamics in Sudan.

Also indicted by the court are two other senior figures from al-Bashirs rule: Abdel-Rahim Muhammad Hussein, interior and defense minister during much of the conflict, and Ahmed Haroun, a senior security chief at the time and later the leader of al-Bashirs ruling party. Both have been under arrest in Khartoum since the Sudanese military, under pressure from protesters, ousted al-Bashir.

The court has also indicted rebel leader Abdulla Banda, whose whereabouts are unknown, and janjaweed leader Ali Kushayb, who was charged in May with crimes against humanity and war crimes.

I have high hopes of Sudan and her people and the place that you want to hold in the world, which means closing this dark chapter, said Khan. Whether we like it or not, the ICC is part of that story and the dark chapter will not and cannot close until we have finished our work.
DANBURY, Conn. (AP)  A 15-year-old girl was shot and wounded Wednesday night when someone opened fire at a Connecticut mall during a dispute between two groups of young people, police said.

Officers responded to the Danbury Fair Mall shortly after 7 p.m. on reports of shots fired and found the girl suffering from a gunshot wound to her upper chest. Police said the teenager was conscious when she was taken to a hospital, and was in stable condition Thursday.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Just weeks before the U.S. is scheduled to end its war in Afghanistan, the Biden administration is rushing 3,000 fresh troops to the Kabul airport to help with a partial evacuation of the U.S. Embassy. The move highlights the stunning speed of a Taliban takeover of much of the country, including their capture on Thursday of Kandahar, the second-largest city and the birthplace of the Taliban movement.

The State Department said the embassy will continue functioning, but Thursday's dramatic decision to bring in thousands of additional U.S. troops is a sign of waning confidence in the Afghan government's ability to hold off the Taliban surge. The announcement came just hours after the Taliban captured the western city of Herat as well as Ghazni, a strategic provincial capital south of Kabul. The advance, and the partial U.S. Embassy evacuation, increasingly isolate the nation's capital, home to millions of Afghans.

This is not abandonment. This is not an evacuation. This is not a wholesale withdrawal," State Department spokesman Ned Price said. "What this is is a reduction in the size of our civilian footprint.

Price rejected the idea that Thursday's moves sent encouraging signals to an already emboldened Taliban, or demoralizing ones to frightened Afghan civilians. The message we are sending to the people of Afghanistan is one of enduring partnership, Price insisted.

President Joe Biden, who has remained adamant about ending the 19-year U.S. mission in Afghanistan at the end of this month despite the Taliban sweep, conferred with senior national security officials overnight, then gave the order for the additional temporary troops Thursday morning.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Thursday. The U.S. also warned Taliban officials directly that the U.S. would respond if the Taliban attacked Americans during the temporary U.S. military deployments.

Britains ministry of defense said Thursday that it will send around 600 troops to Afghanistan on a short-term basis to help U.K. nationals leave the country. And Canadian special forces will deploy to Afghanistan to help Canadian staff leave Kabul, a source familiar with the plan told The Associated Press. That official, who was not authorized to talk publicly about the matter and spoke on condition of anonymity, did not say how many special forces would be sent.

The Pentagon's chief spokesman, John Kirby, said that in addition to sending three infantry battalions  two from the Marine Corps and one from the Army  to the airport, the Pentagon will dispatch 3,500 to 4,000 troops from a combat brigade of the 82nd Airborne Division to Kuwait to act as a reserve force. He said they will be on standby in case we need even more than the 3,000 going to Kabul.

Also, about 1,000 Army and Air Force troops, including military police and medical personnel, will be sent to Qatar in coming days to support a State Department effort to accelerate its processing of Special Immigrant Visa applications from Afghans who once worked for the U.S. government and feel threated by the Taliban, Kirby said.

The 3,000 troops who are to arrive at the Kabul airport in the next day or two, Kirby said, are to assist with security at the airport and to help process the departure of embassy personnel  not to get involved in the Afghan government's war with the Taliban. Biden decided in April to end U.S. military involvement in the war, and the withdrawal is scheduled to be complete by Aug. 31.

The U.S. had already withdrawn most of its troops, but had kept about 650 troops in Afghanistan to support U.S. diplomatic security, including at the airport.

Kirby said the influx of fresh troops does not mean the U.S. is reentering combat with the Taliban.

This is a temporary mission with a narrow focus, he told reporters at the Pentagon.

The viability of the U.S.-trained Afghan army, however, is looking increasingly dim. A new military assessment says Kabul could come under Taliban pressure as soon as September and, if current trends hold, the country could fall to the Taliban within a few months.

Price, the State Department spokesman, said diplomatic work will continue at the Kabul embassy.

Our first responsibility has always been protecting the safety and the security of our citizens serving in Afghanistan, and around the world, Price said at a briefing, calling the the speed of the Taliban advance and resulting instability of grave concern.

Shortly before Price's announcement, the embassy in Kabul urged U.S. citizens to leave immediately  reiterating a warning it first issued Saturday.

The latest drawdown will further limit the ability of the embassy to conduct business, although Price maintained it would still be able to function. Nonessential personal had already been withdrawn from the embassy in April after Bidens withdrawal announcement and it was not immediately clear how many staffers would remain on the heavily fortified compound. As of Thursday, there were roughly 4,200 staffers at the embassy, but most of those are Afghan nationals, according to the State Department.

Apart from a complete evacuation and shuttering of the embassy, Price said other contingency plans were being weighed, including possibly relocating its operations to the airport.

As the staff reductions take place over the course of the next several weeks, Price said the U.S., led by the special envoy for Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, would continue to push for a peace agreement between the Taliban and the Afghan government at talks currently taking place in Doha, Qatar.

The Taliban, who ruled the country from 1996 until U.S. forces invaded after the 9/11 attacks, have taken 12 of Afghanistans 34 provincial capitals as part of a weeklong sweep that has given them effective control of about two-thirds of the country.

__

Associated Press writer Rob Gillies in Toronto contributed to this report.
ASHBURN, Va, (AP)  A northern Virginia school board voted Wednesday to expand access for transgender students to school facilities and groups, a decision coming the day after hundreds of people for and against the changes converged for a public hearing.

The guidelines, approved 7-2 by the Loudoun County School Board, also require teachers to address transgender children by names and pronouns that they use, The Washington Post reported.
State workers in Delaware and staff in long-term care and other health care facilities in the state will be required to get the COVID-19 vaccine or undergo regular testing beginning Sept. 30, Democratic Gov. John Carney announced Thursday.

Theres no better way to protect our most vulnerable neighbors from this virus than getting the COVID-19 vaccine, Carney said in a statement. If you havent gotten your COVID-19 vaccine yet, consider it. Vaccination is how well make sure our communities get healthier and continue to build a great future in our state.
MADISON, Wis. (AP)  The leader of an investigation into the 2020 election in Wisconsin traveled to Arizona last week to learn about the audit done there and was attendeding a symposium on election fraud Thursday in South Dakota headed by MyPillow chief executive Mike Lindell.

Former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman told The Associated Press on Thursday that both visits were about gathering facts for the investigation he is leading.

I'm here out of an honest effort to find out if anyone has any information that will be helpful in carrying out my duties as special counsel, Gableman said as he walked from his hotel room to where the symposium is being held in Souix Falls, South Dakota.

Gableman said his trip last week to Arizona, where a widely discredited election audit by Cyber Ninjas is being conducted, was to learn more about the allegations, the best practices to investigate those allegations and what could be done differently.

I learned a lot there that will be helpful to my investigation, Gableman said. He declined to go into details about what he learned from either trip. He said the trips were paid for out of his $11,000 salary approved by Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos when he hired Gableman to lead the investigation.

Gableman said there was a delegation of Wisconsin Republicans at the Lindell event, including state Rep. Tim Ranthum and Wisconsin Elections Commission member Bob Spindell.

Gableman would be better off spending his time talking with Wisconsin election clerks rather than conspiracy theorists, said Democratic state Sen. Jon Erpenbach.

If theres a problem in Wisconsin, election clerks will tell you, Erpenbach said. All Mike Lindell will do is try to sell you a pillow.

He called Gablemans trips a disgusting use of taxpayers money.

Whatever report hes going to produce isnt going to be worth the paper its printed on, Erpenbach said.

Gableman has previously said a thorough investigation was warranted and the intention was not to attempt to overturn the results. President Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump by just under 21,000 votes, an outcome that has withstood recounts in two counties and multiple state and federal lawsuits.

Last November, Gableman attended a pro-Trump rally and said a stolen election would be systematically unjust. He defended his comments earlier this month, arguing he didnt say the election was stolen, though he acknowledged that most of the attendees there had a particular viewpoint.

The investigation Gableman is leading is one of several in various stages. The nonpartisan Legislative Audit Bureau is conducting a review of the election as ordered by Republicans. That is expected to be done in the fall. And Republican Rep. Janel Brandtjen, chairwoman of the Assembly Elections Committee, issued subpoenas last week to election clerks in Milwaukee and Brown counties seeking voting machines, ballots and other records.

However, she's meeting resistance from other Republicans and nonpartisan legislative attorneys have said the subpoenas are only valid if they are signed by Vos. He has not commented publicly on the subpoenas, but he previously said a Brandtjen investigation was not necessary.

Trump issued a statement Thursday calling Brandtjen a strong and great leader.

All eyes are on Wisconsin as they begin their election audit, Trump said. Hopefully Republican Speaker Robin Vos has the integrity and strength Wisconsin needs to support Rep. Brandtjens efforts. Our Country is counting on it!

Vos said in response that if Gableman determines that subpoenas are necessary, "we will look into making sure those can happen.

Brandtjen and three other Wisconsin lawmakers also made a trip to Arizona earlier this summer seeking information on the audit there.
WEST MILFORD, N.J. (AP)  A woman who drowned a 10-week-old puppy that was found submerged and in a weighted cage in a northern New Jersey pond two years ago has pleaded guilty to animal cruelty.

Tonya Fea, 49, of Jefferson Township, entered the plea Thursday. In return, Passaic County prosecutors will recommend that she get a six-month county jail term and five years probation when shes sentenced Oct. 5. She also will be barred from owning dogs.
MUSKEGON, Mich. (AP)  A woman sentenced to life in prison three decades ago for her role in the robbery and killing of a Michigan man slain when she was 16 has received a reduced sentence.

A Muskegon County judge on Wednesday cut Amy Lee Black's life sentence to 35 to 60 years in prison. She has already served 30 years in prison, The Detroit New s reported.
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP)  Tropical Storm Fred made landfall in the Dominican Republic on Wednesday, with forecasters warning that heavy rains could cause dangerous flooding and mudslides there and in the neighboring country of Haiti.

After a quiet month of no named storms in the region, Fred became the sixth of the Atlantic hurricane season late Tuesday as it moved past the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico on a forecast track that would carry it toward Florida over the weekend.

Government crews with megaphones walked through impoverished neighborhoods in the Dominican capital of Santo Domingo ahead of the storm urging those in low-lying areas to evacuate. Hours later, the government reported flooding in one courthouse.

Tropical storm warnings were discontinued in the U.S. territories after pelting the islands with rain, leaving some 13,000 customers without power in Puerto Rico.

Fred was centered 75 miles (125 kilometers) west-northwest of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on Wednesday morning and moving west-northwest at 16 mph (26 kph), the U.S. National Hurricane Center said. It had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 kph).

The Dominican Republic, Haiti and central and eastern Cuba could get hit Wednesday, and people in Florida were urged to monitor updates. Forecasters said the center of Fred was expected to move near the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas on Thursday, and move north of the northern coast of central Cuba on Friday.

Puerto Rico Gov. Pedro Pierluisi closed government agencies on Tuesday at noon and officials noted that some gas stations had shut down after running out of fuel.

More than a month had passed since the last Atlantic storm, Hurricane Elsa, but this time of summer usually marks the start of the peak of hurricane season.

The hurricane center issued warnings for Dominican Republic on the south coast from Punta Palenque eastward and on the north coast from the Dominican Republic/Haiti border eastward. A watch was in effect for Haiti from the northern border with the Dominican Republic to Gonaives and for the Cuban provinces of Ciego de Avila, Camaguey, Las Tunas, Holguin, Granma, Santiago and Guantanamo. Also included in the watch was the Turks and Caicos Islands and southeastern Bahamas.

The storm was expected to produce rainfall of 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 centimeters) over Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic with up to 6 inches (15 centimeters) in some areas.
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Managed service provider defined

A managed service provider (MSP) is an outsourcer contracted to remotely manage or deliver IT services such as network, application, infrastructure, or security management to a client company by assuming full responsibility for those services, determining proactively what technologies and services are needed to fulfill the clients needs.

Services delivered by an MSP are delivered by employees located at the clients locations, or elsewhere. MSPs can also bundle in hardware, software, or cloud technology as part of their offerings.

Managed service provider business model

Managed service providers structure their business to offer technology services cheaper than what it would cost an enterprise to do itself, at a higher level of quality, and with more flexibility and scalability. This is achieved through efficiencies of scale, as an MSP is able to hire specialists that smaller enterprises in particular may not be able to justify, and through automation, artificial intelligence, and machine learning  technologies that client companies may not have the expertise to implement themselves.

What differentiates managed service providers from traditional outsourcing companies is that when an enterprise outsources an IT department or function, the outsourcing company either picks up those employees or replaces them with a roughly equivalent number of employees elsewhere. An MSP, however, focuses not on the jobs themselves, but the end results the customer seeks. For example, an enterprise might contract an MSP to handle support calls to a certain level of satisfaction and response time. As long as the managed service provider meets those metrics, it doesnt matter whether it uses dedicated staff, automation, or some other system to handle calls for that customer; the MSP decides.

There is a great deal of overlap between these definitions, however, and many companies traditionally thought of as offering business process outsourcing are now operating more as managed service providers.

Managed services also differs from traditional IT consulting arrangements in that consulting is typically project-based, while managed services are ongoing subscriptions.

Managed service providers examples

Key players in the managed services market include Accenture, Fujitsu, IBM, Cisco Systems, Ericsson, Lenovo, DXC, and Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development, according to Grand View Research.

Key services offered by MSPs include data center management, network management, mobility management, infrastructure management, backup and recovery management, communication management, and security management.

Managed service providers, however, come in all sizes, with the MSPAlliance, an international association of cloud and managed service providers, estimating around 150,000 MSPs across the globe.

Some MSPs specialize in particular areas, such as network management or cloud management, while others offer one-stop-shopping. According to the MSPAlliance, MSPs typically offer network operation center services, remote monitoring and management tools, and service desk capabilities.

Strategic managed service providers

Managed service providers have evolved of late to offer services that support strategic and longer-term business planning, including digital transformation consulting, compliance audits, technology roadmaps, and needs assessments.

Another area of growth for MSPs has been in providing internet of things (IoT) services, with 50% of MSPs seeing IoT as a significant revenue opportunity, according to CompTIA.

Benefits of managed service providers

Top benefits of using a managed services provider include improved security, more flexibility and scalability, access to top technical and industry expertise, and reduced costs, according to NTTs 2021 global managed services survey.

An MSP can also offer variable billing models based on a variety of measures. Variable billing can provide additional revenue opportunities for the MSP, while offering a great deal of flexibility and scalability to a customer. For example, an enterprise that has large investments in hardware and software cant just reverse that investment during downturns. Similarly, layoffs can be very costly and cause long-term damage once the business turns around if those employees have since found other jobs. Similarly, adding capacity during temporary business surges can be difficult.

MSPs can also invest in technologies and expertise in ways that individual companies, especially smaller ones, cannot, resulting in greater efficiency and performance.

MSPs can also help bridge talent gaps. Take, for example, legacy systems. As older employees retire, young people are increasingly reluctant to learn obsolete languages and technologies. An MSP can not only staff legacy skills but train for them, given their large client bases.

Enterprises can also turn to managed services providers for cutting-edge applications to accelerate adoption, even when they dont have the staff to use or implement those technologies.

Current state of the MSP market

According to Mordor Research, the managed services market will grow to $274 billion by 2026, up from $152 billion in 2020, buoyed by increased adoption of the model, with many companies turning to MSPs to mitigate the impact of the pandemic in the past year. To wit, the percentage of companies using MSPs to manage more than half of their IT needs increased from 25% last year to 38% in 2021, according to NTTs 2021 global managed services survey.

The past years pandemic also saw a surge in demand for cloud-based solutions and an increased drive to accelerate digital transformations, with customer demand moving away from bread and butter services system integration and help desk services to remote work support and cybersecurity as well, according to a recent Acronis survey of managed service providers.

Fifty-four percent of managed service providers reported an increase in cloud management revenue last year, and 65% increased their revenue from cybersecurity services, even during the global economic depression, according to a survey by Kaseva.

As companies sent employees to work from home and revamped their business models, managed service providers were in a unique position to help, with infrastructure already in place and remote work the norm rather than the exception.

Managed service provider jobs

At an MSP, IT professionals can work with a wide variety of companies in different industries and gain more experience than they can with a single company. Working for an MSP also offers more geographic options, as many MSPs have long relied on remote staff.

Managed service providers find talent the same way other companies do, through networking and job postings. Salaries are roughly comparable to other IT jobs, according to MSP executives, who add that slight premiums can be found in the MSP job market due to competition for skills and business models that can accommodate them.

Managed services providers hire IT professionals with a wide variety of experience levels and skill sets, though individual companies may focus on particular industries or technologies. For example, an MSP specializing in managed network services will skew toward professionals with traditional computer engineering, software engineering, and systems engineering backgrounds, in addition to software developers, and networking and security experts.

MSPs are also investing heavily in artificial intelligence and machine learning given the growth potential for their client bases.
Wilkes-Barre, PA (18701)

Today

Partly cloudy this morning. A few showers developing during the afternoon. High 83F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 67F. Winds light and variable.
This column is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration co-founded by CJR and The Nation strengthening coverage of the climate story.

THE CONSEQUENCES OF HUMAN-CAUSED CLIMATE CHANGEincluding recent extreme weather events that have wreaked havoc around the globewill grow drastically worse this century if humanity fails to act, according to a landmark report issued Monday by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The IPCC warned in 2018 that global warming of 1.5 degrees Celsius beyond pre-industrial levels will be catastrophic; Mondays the new report, authored by 234 scientists from 66 countries, warned that humanity is currently on track for even worse, leading the reports authors to recommend strong, rapid, and sustained reductions of greenhouse gas emissions to stave off the most severe consequences of climate change. The report stamped an exclamation point on the climate story so far, calling humanitys impact on the climate unequivocal and making clear that todays widespread changes in the earths atmosphere might be just the start of a grim new epoch. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, in a statement, called the report a code red for humanity.

The press seemed to get the message. Striking headlines and imagery featured prominently on front pages and homepages, including those of the New York Times and the Washington Post. The report also prompted segments on the flagship morning and evening programs on ABC, NBC, CBS, and PBS. Many outlets ran helpful explainers and op-eds unpacking the report.

Much of this coverage helpfully linked the reports findings to the record-breaking wildfires, heat waves, and floods that have lately dominated headlinesan encouraging step at a time when extreme weather stories often skip over the climate connection. Some journalists also took the opportunity to preview COP26, Novembers international climate summit in Glasgow, Scotland, which experts have called a make-or-break moment for the future of life on this planet. And, as the watchdog group Media Matters for America observed, journalists mostly ditched the false equivalence that has long plagued climate reporting. Overall, journalists did a decent job communicating the IPCC reports dire findings, Allison Fisher, the climate and energy program director for Media Matters, told me.

Coverage of the report marked an improvement, in facta similarly consequential IPCC report in 2018 was all but absent from more than half of major American newspapers at the timebut news outlets must keep the crisis, and efforts to address it, front-and-center. The needle on climate coverage is moving forward, Fisher said. But the climate emergency isnt a one-day story, so lets hope this marks the beginning of a sustained effort.

With the hard news peg of the IPCC report behind us, the question facing journalists is where to go from here.

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Lets start with a broad framework for climate storytelling in the coming months. The IPCC report is likely to serve as the foundation for much of the negotiation and debate at Novembers COP26 meeting. From a storytelling perspective, that gives a clear narrative structure, the report and the meeting as two posts to hang a line that will bear plenty of strong coverage between now and November.

Before we get ahead of ourselves, lets be real: most people, including in our newsrooms, have never heard of COP26, or else have only a loose understanding of it. We need to guide audiences into this story. Journalists should explain early and often the stakes of the conference, which COP26 president Alok Sharma has called the worlds last chance to smash the brakes on emissions.

There are two subplots that demand special, ongoing journalistic focus: climate justice and climate solutions.

An ironclad rule of the global climate emergency is that it will affect the poor, communities of color, and Indigenous people first and worst. Virtually no major media outlets in the US articulated this in their coverage of the IPCC report, even while touching on extreme weather disasters that disproportionately affect those with the least resources to cope. On the international stage, its the countries that contributed least to global warming that are reaping early, dire consequencesin Bangladesh, entire communities are already submerged. As part of the Paris Agreement, developed nations, largely in the Global North, pledged $100 billion annually to support poorer countries, largely in the Global South, with climate mitigation and energy transitions. But most of that money hasnt materialized; a critical question hovering over COP26 is whether wealthy governments will finally honor their commitments. As this pertains to journalists, a July V20 meetingattended by leaders from nations most vulnerable to climate impactsdid not inspire confidence. Given invitations and every opportunity, news outlets in the Global North chose simply not to cover the event.

Some IPCC coverage was also overly fatalistic, so much so as to be misleading. Commentary suggested, for example, that global warming of 2 degrees Celsius is already a foregone conclusion. Thats a critical error. Although 2 degrees grows more likely with humanitys repeated failure to act, 1.5 degrees is still possibleand, according to the IPCC report, imperative if we hope to ward off truly hellish consequences. On ABC, a reporter stressed that some climate impacts cant be reversed and wouldnt change within the next couple of hundred years. This isnt a mischaracterization of the IPCCs findings; its true that we cant refreeze the polar ice caps. What the reporter left out, however, is that many ominous trends can be reversed, and quickly, with a sharp reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

What were doing by acting aggressively, soon, is making sure that these next two decades of warming may be some of our last, and we are reserving the right to potentially begin cooling globally later this century, Kim Cobb, an American climate scientist and an IPCC report author, told reporters during a press call Sunday.

As journalists, we must keep in mind that many people are still deeply unfamiliar with the science of climate change. Only 55 percent of Americans are aware that most scientists agree on climate change, which, if nothing else, is a certain takeaway of Mondays report. Using such terminal verbiage as irreversible without also detailing the climate solutions humanity has at hand is irresponsible. (We would not report that Covid-19 infection rates are expected to get worse without also reporting that vaccines and masks can slow the spread.)

And, to be sure, there are solutions to climate change. Many. The question is the will of humanityand, in particular, governmentsto use them. Thats a question journalists should dig into daily in the lead up to COP26.

We can and should be playing the climate story much bigger.

While journalism outlets have broken their collective climate silence, most still stop short of affording climate the stop everything treatment given to other stories, from Covid-19 (rightfully) to outrageous distractions. On the day of its release, the IPCC report received a total of 22 minutes of coverage from major broadcast news networks; compare that to the 212 minutes dedicated in a single day by ABC, NBC, and CBS to Jeff Bezoss brief space jaunt in July. Likewise, though the IPCC report was splashed across homepages on Monday morning, by midday it had lost position on many sites to other stories; on the New York Timess homepage, by 1:45pm the IPCC news was nowhere to be found.

A common excuse in journalism for middling climate coverage is that the story is so enormous as to be abstract. Outlets want to elevate the climate story, this argument goes, but there isnt always a crystal-clear news peg. At best, this thinking belies a failure of imagination; at worse, given a challenge unprecedented in human history, its journalistic malpractice.

There are any number of creative ways we could give the climate story top billing each and every day. Four decades ago, to draw attention to the Iran hostage crisis, CBS anchor Walter Cronkite added a simple update to his nightly sign off: Thats the way it is, Thursday, June 12, 1980, the 222nd day of captivity for the hostages in Iran. This is Walter Cronkite, CBS News. Good night. (A Washington Post column from that time called the epitaph the most powerful subliminal editorial in America, adding, The closing hymn passes through our minds quickly like a flashcarddo something! do something!) Similarly, amid Covid-19, outlets have affixed permanent homepage modules to update audiences on the spread of the virus.

Lately, across the industry, networks and publications are hiring to boost their climate coverage. Thats great! News outlets should use their expanded capacity to push climate coverage past the limits of a normal beat.

COP26 is approaching quickly. Decisions made between now and the events conclusion will be critical in determining whether humanity limits warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The extent to which our audiences understand the necessity of that targetand, more importantly, of actionwill shape the pressure world leaders feel, or dont, to finally get climate right. As journalists, we must do our part. The strong IPCC coverage this week should mark our collective beginning.

ICYMI: Climate journalism enters the solutions era

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Andrew McCormick is an independent journalist and former CJR Delacorte Fellow. His work has appeared in the New York Times, The Atlantic, the South China Morning Post, and more. Follow him on Twitter @AndrewMcCormck.
On Monday, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, an arm of the United Nations, published its first major report on climate science in seven years, warning that climate change is widespread, rapid, and intensifying and urging immediate, large-scale emissions reductions. As Andrew McCormick, of Covering Climate Now, a climate-journalism project led jointly by CJR and The Nation, writes in a piece out today, US news organizations quickly and prominently featured the report with striking imagery, helpful explainers, and links to extreme weather events that have recently been in the news. Still, the coverage was far from perfect. Major outlets played down the climate-justice angle, often failing to note the disproportionate impact of the climate crisis on the worlds poor. As McCormick and others have noted, some of the framing, particularly in headlines and tweets, implied that its too late for humanity to take action. Axios, for its part, covered the IPCC report in a newsletter sponsored by Chevron, the energy company.

Nor was the source material perfect. On Tuesday, Emily Atkin, a climate reporter, wrote in her newsletter, HEATED, that news organizations often rely heavily on reports like the IPCCs when it comes to communicating climate science to their audiencesbut the IPCC report, while sound scientifically, was not intended to be a tool for public communication so much as a framework for world leaders. Its language had to be agreed upon by nearly two hundred governments; as a result, Atkin writes, it tends to be pretty conservative, particularly when it comes to talking about who to blame. The reports summary (on which a lot of coverage drew) doesnt mention fossil fuels; some authors of, and commentators on, the report considered it a victory that unequivocal human culpability for the climate crisis was stated plainly. If this is the only time were communicating climate science to the public, Atkin concludes, then the public is going to get a pretty warped view of what scientists actually know.

Related: Coverage of the code red climate report was good. Heres how to sustain it.

The press, of course, could address this problem by centering climate science more routinely, and not just when a scary study comes out. Weve seen recent progress in that regardbut, as Ive written before, the news cycle is structured, to a large degree, around discrete news pegs, and that privileges events over long-term trends. Attention tends to be fleeting: Coverage of the IPCC report topped major news sites homepages on early Monday morning but, as McCormick writes, the stories were buried or removed by that afternoon. According to CNN transcripts, the report was discussed on air just twice yesterday, and not at all in prime time. As of this morning, the report was nowhere to be found on the homepages of the New York Times or the Washington Post. It got a mention on the homepage of the Wall Street Journal, but far below opinion pieces called Democrats Will Ruin The Climate and Climate Change Brings a Flood of Hyperbole.

As it happened, the climate has been central to another of this weeks big stories: the Senates vote to pass a trillion-dollar infrastructure bill, and the intensifying negotiations around a more ambitious package that Democrats hope to push through on a party-line vote. The infrastructure story has ground on for weeks beneath the toplines of the news cycle; some of that coverage has attempted to unpack its climate-focused components. Yet, as Kate Aronoff wrote recently for The New Republic, reporters on the infrastructure storywho tend to specialize in covering politics, not sciencehave struggled to translate the text of the bill, which is long and stuffed with legalese, into assessments of real-world impact. They also have also been mostly ineffectual in communicating the dual reality of the bills climate provisionsthat they are both historic in their scope and insufficient in addressing the crisis at hand. Some coverage, especially on cable news, hasnt even tried to discuss the climate implications in depth.

That the IPCC report coincided with the Senate passage of the infrastructure bill offered the press an opportunity to reorient climate within the infrastructure storyby comparing, for example, the scale of the policies under review in Washington with the actions recommended by the report. Some coverageincluding several stories in the Postmade an effort to link the two; yesterday, Politicos DC Playbook mentioned the report while describing differences in climate policy among Senate Democrats. Generally, though, the two stories have been siloed. Major coverage of the report didnt mention infrastructure at all; coverage of the bill has focused mainly on the political horse-trading behind it. Numerous articles hailed the infrastructure bill as a bipartisan win for President Biden. Those I read mentioned the report not at all, and the climate only in passing.

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That isnt to say that climate journalism must mention a given report to be successful. But the IPCC reports relative absence from infrastructure coverage signifies a media ill-equipped to focus on multiple big stories at once and draw links between them. The global climate crisis, the report, and the infrastructure bill are, in an important sense, all part of the same story. Americas climate commitments arent just tied up in domestic political squabbles; they determine the administrations credibility in international climate negotiationsthe next round of which are scheduled to open in the UK in November. As Allison Fisher, who leads the climate and energy program at Media Matters for America, tells McCormick, The needle on climate coverage is moving forward, but the climate emergency isnt a one-day story. Nor is it a one-report story.

Below, more on the climate crisis:

By the numbers: Fisher and Evlondo Cooper, of Media Matters, calculated the amount of airtime that TV networks devoted to the IPCC report on Monday: news shows on ABC, CBS, NBC, and PBS gave a combined twenty-two minutes to the story, a figure that rose to sixty-six minutes on MSNBC, and thirty-three minutes on CNN. Fox News gave the report fifteen minutes of airtime, and some of the coverage attempted to sow doubt about its findings, Fisher and Cooper write. Other networks coverage mostly characterized the severity of the climate emergency as articulated by the report.

Fisher and Evlondo Cooper, of Media Matters, calculated the amount of airtime that TV networks devoted to the IPCC report on Monday: news shows on ABC, CBS, NBC, and PBS gave a combined twenty-two minutes to the story, a figure that rose to sixty-six minutes on MSNBC, and thirty-three minutes on CNN. Fox News gave the report fifteen minutes of airtime, and some of the coverage attempted to sow doubt about its findings, Fisher and Cooper write. Other networks coverage mostly characterized the severity of the climate emergency as articulated by the report. Climate justice, I: On Democracy Now!, Amy Goodman spoke about the report with Saleemul Huq, who leads the International Center for Climate Change and Development in Bangladesh. At one point, Goodman asked Huq how he thinks recent extreme weather events in the US and Europe have affected media coverage of the climate crisis. In Bangladesh, and indeed in the rest of the Global South, this is not news at all, Huq said. Weve known this for the last decade. Weve been suffering. Weve been dealing with it as best we can, with the rest of the global media not taking much interest. Now that more climate catastrophes have hit the West, he said, theyre getting wall-to-wall television coverage.

On Democracy Now!, Amy Goodman spoke about the report with Saleemul Huq, who leads the International Center for Climate Change and Development in Bangladesh. At one point, Goodman asked Huq how he thinks recent extreme weather events in the US and Europe have affected media coverage of the climate crisis. In Bangladesh, and indeed in the rest of the Global South, this is not news at all, Huq said. Weve known this for the last decade. Weve been suffering. Weve been dealing with it as best we can, with the rest of the global media not taking much interest. Now that more climate catastrophes have hit the West, he said, theyre getting wall-to-wall television coverage. Climate justice, II: Recently, Ezra David Romero explained, for NBCU Academy and Covering Climate Now, why its important that reporters center climate justice in their stories. The climate justice story is often not told well, if its told at all. Like the climate crisis itself, the dominant media narratives around climate change have been shaped by the wealthiest nations and the most powerful newsrooms, whose most powerful members are often disproportionately white, Romero writes. Telling climate justice stories means unpacking why the climate crisis is harming the most vulnerable first.

Recently, Ezra David Romero explained, for NBCU Academy and Covering Climate Now, why its important that reporters center climate justice in their stories. The climate justice story is often not told well, if its told at all. Like the climate crisis itself, the dominant media narratives around climate change have been shaped by the wealthiest nations and the most powerful newsrooms, whose most powerful members are often disproportionately white, Romero writes. Telling climate justice stories means unpacking why the climate crisis is harming the most vulnerable first. Visual failings: Last week, Michael Shaw wrote, for CJR, about the poor visual choices many newsrooms made in illustrating extreme heat in the American West. The images that led news stories widely minimized the event. Many photos made it look like a run-of-the-mill heat wave; some were so banal as to conjure stock photography, Shaw wrote. Headlines about widespread fatalities were accompanied by images suggestive of a typical hot summer day.



Other notable stories:

ICYMI: On accountability and Andrew Cuomos rise-and-fall story



Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Jon Allsop is a freelance journalist. He writes CJRs newsletter The Media Today. Find him on Twitter @Jon_Allsop.
ANKARA, Turkey (AP)  Heavy rains triggered severe floods and mudslides in northern Turkey on Wednesday, leaving one woman missing, others injured and cars swept away by torrents, officials said. Helicopters scrambled to rescue people stranded on rooftops.

The floods hit the Black Sea coastal provinces of Bartin, Kastamonu and Sinop early Wednesday. They came as firefighters in southwest Turkey worked to extinguish a wildfire in Mugla province, an area popular with tourists that runs along the Aegean Sea. At least eight people and countless animals have died and thousands of people had to flee during more than 200 wildfires in Turkey since July 28.

The worst-hit flood area appeared to be in Kastamonu, where the town of Bozkurt was inundated and dozens of cars were swept away by raging waters. The Kastamanu governors office denied reports the flooding was caused by a burst dam nearby.

Within 10 minutes, everywhere was flooded, restaurant owner Nuri Ersoz told Halk TV television by telephone. He said he feared for his cousins life since he believed she may have been trapped in her home.

There were no immediate reports of any casualties in Kastamonu.

Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu who was traveling to Kastamonu said waters have surged three or four meters (yards) high in some of the flood-hit areas and that many people were waiting to be rescued from rooftops.

Evacuations and search-and-rescue efforts are continuing, he said. The gendarmerie, the (army) are trying to deploy all of their helicopters to the region.

In Bartin, the flash floods demolished several houses and at least two bridges and caused the partial collapse of a road leading to the neighboring province of Karabuk, the private Turkish news agency DHA reported. At least 13 people were injured when part of a bridge caved in, the countrys disaster and emergency management agency said.

Emergency workers rescued at least 15 people trapped in their homes or vehicles, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported. But they were searching for an 80-year-old woman in the village of Akorensokuler who was swept away by floodwaters after her house collapsed, the Interior Ministry said.

In the town of Ayancik, in Sinop, where a stream burst its banks and at least one house was demolished by gushing waters, helicopters lifted residents to safety from rooftops. The towns hospital was evacuated as a precaution, Anadolu reported. Landslides caused the closure of a section of a road between Ayancik and the provinces main city, which is also called Sinop.

Many of the affected areas were left without power.

Turkeys Black Sea region is frequently struck by deadly torrential rains and flash flooding.

Climate scientists say there is little doubt that climate change from the burning of coal, oil and natural gas is driving more extreme events, such as heat waves, droughts, wildfires, floods and storms. Such calamities are expected to happen more frequently on our warming planet.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
More than 170,000 homes and businesses in western and northern parts of Michigans lower peninsula and 90,000 homes in the Chicago area remained without power Wednesday morning after severe overnight thunderstorms damaged power lines.

In Michigan, wind gusts reached about 70 mph in some areas, including Dorr area south of Grand Rapids, toppling trees, limbs and power lines. Winds of between 30 and 50 mph were reported across a larger area.

Consumers Energy reported nearly 170,000 of its customers without power as of 11 a.m., while Great Lakes Energy said it had about 16,000 customers in the dark.

Consumers Energys vice president for electric operations, Guy Packard, said in a news release that Mother Nature delivered a powerful punch to Michigan during the overnight storms.

He said the utilitys crews would be working around the clock this week to turn the lights back on for everyone who was affected by this devastating storm but urged customers to be patient, noting that additional storms are possible Wednesday night.

The National Weather Service in Grand Rapids forecasts that more thunderstorms reaching severe intensity could hit the state Wednesday night into Thursday morning ahead an approaching area of cooler, less humid air

In Illinois, severe overnight thunderstorms struck one day after at least seven tornadoes touched down in the northern part of the state.

As of 7 a.m. CDT, about 96,000 Commonwealth Edison customers remained without power, with most of those in Cook, Lake, McHenry and Kane counties after a Tuesday storm raked the area with wind gusts of up to 70 mph (113 kilometers per hour), according to the utility.

Residents in Evanston and Plainfield reported extensive tree damage, while about 6,000 customers lost power in Evanston, where there reports of malfunctioning street lights, traffic signals and street flooding, National Weather Service meteorologist Ricky Castro told the Chicago Sun-Times.

The weather service said a survey crew had confirmed Tuesday that at least seven tornadoes touched down Monday in northern Illinois, with three of those storms given preliminary ratings as EF-1 tornadoes, which produce winds between 86-110 mph (138-177 kph).

Three of the other tornadoes were weaker and the strength of the seventh storm had not yet been determined, according to the weather service, which said Mondays storms damaged trees and some structures in portions of Ogle, DeKalb, and Kane Counties.

A heat advisory remains in effect across north-central Illinois, northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana until Wednesday night, when the weather service said more severe weather is possible in that region.

About the photo: Tornado damage is seen, Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021, after a storm ripped a large portion of the roof off of Greg and Laurie Kamieciaks home in Burlington, Ill., the day before. (Rick West/Daily Herald via AP)

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
GREENVILLE, Calif. (AP) Californias largest single wildfire in recorded history continued to grow after destroying nearly 550 homes while authorities in Montana ordered evacuations as a wind-driven blaze roared toward several remote communities.

The dangerous fires are among some 100 large blazes burning Wednesday across 15 states, mostly in the West, where historic drought conditions have left lands parched and ripe for ignition.

The east end of Northern Californias massive Dixie Fire flared up Tuesday as afternoon winds increased, fire officials said.

Burning through bone-dry trees, brush and grass, the fire has destroyed at least 1,045 buildings, more than half of them homes in the northern Sierra Nevada. Newly released satellite imagery showed the scale of the destruction in the small community of Greenville that was incinerated last week during an explosive run of flames.

The Dixie Fire named after the road where it started on July 14 by Wednesday morning covered 783 square miles (2,027 square kilometers) and was 30% contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. At least 14,000 remote homes were still threatened.

The Dixie Fire is the largest single fire in California history and the largest currently burning in the U.S. It is about half the size of the August Complex, a series of lightning-caused 2020 fires across seven counties that were fought together and that state officials consider Californias largest wildfire overall.

In southeastern Montana, communities in and around the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation were ordered to evacuate as the uncontrolled Richard Spring Fire grew amid erratic winds.

The order included Lame Deer, where people who fled the fire early Tuesday had sought shelter, only to be displaced again that night when the fire got within several miles. The town of about 2,000 people is home to the tribal headquarters and several subdivisions is surrounded by rugged, forested terrain.

Also ordered to leave were about 600 people in around Ashland, a small town just outside the reservation with a knot of businesses along its main street and surrounded by grasslands and patchy forest.

No homes were reported lost, Rosebud County Sheriff Allen Fulton said. Two homes caught fire Tuesday but were saved, including one near Lame Deer. Sheriffs deputies used fire extinguishers on the flames and a passing fire helicopter dropped a bucket of water to put it out, Fulton said.

Heavy winds were forecast to return Wednesday, and authorities were concerned that the fire would again advance toward Ashland and Lame Deer.

The flames came right up to a subdivision outside Ashland along the Tongue River and were within several miles of the town by Wednesday morning. Powerful gusts Tuesday caused the blaze to explode across more than 230 square miles (600 square kilometers) as the fire jumped roads, creeks and fire lines created in an attempt to prevent it from growing. It was 0% contained Wednesday morning.

Heat waves and historic drought tied to climate change have made wildfires harder to fight in the American West. Scientists have said climate change has made the region much warmer and drier in the past 30 years and will continue to make the weather more extreme and wildfires more frequent and destructive. The fires across the West come as parts of Europe are also enduring large blazes spurred by tinder-dry conditions.

About the photo: This Aug. 7, 2021 photo shows a classic Chevrolet El Camino that was lost along with the home of Pete Reyna Wednesday evening in Chicago Park. About a two-hour drive south from the Dixie Fire, crews had surrounded nearly half of the River Fire that broke out Wednesday near the town of Colfax and destroyed 68 homes and other buildings. Evacuation orders for thousands of people in Nevada and Placer counties were lifted Friday. (Elias Funez/The Union via AP)

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  A Northern California city agreed to pay nearly $6 million to settle a lawsuit with the family of a mentally ill man who died in 2018 after police restrained and repeatedly tasered him, the familys attorney said Tuesday.

The settlement between Pleasanton and Jacob Bauers family is the largest the city 40 miles (64 kilometers) east of San Francisco has paid in its history. It includes a listening session between Bauers parents and Pleasanton Police Chief David Swing, who was named in the lawsuit, said Gary Gwilliam, the Bauer familys attorney.

What the Bauers want is to try and make sure that this doesnt happen again, and that their sons life will have some meaning, that it wasnt in vain, Gwilliam said.

Pleasanton City Attorney Daniel Sodergren confirmed the settlement in a statement, saying, the insurance carrier, Bay Cities Joint Powers Insurance Authority, approved it and that he had no further comment.

A Pleasanton police news release pointed out that the Alameda County District Attorney cleared the officers of criminal wrongdoing.

The Pleasanton Police Department values the sanctity of life and continues to extend its most sincere condolences to the Bauer family, the statement said.

Bauer, 38, died on Aug. 1, 2018, after a struggle with Pleasanton police officers responding to a call about a man acting erratically and talking to himself inside a grocery store near his house.

The officers found Bauer outside the store, and he was cooperative, identified himself and answered their questions. But then he seemed to shut down and stared blankly into the distance. Within seconds, the officers handcuffed him, took him to the ground, tased him, punched him, and piled on top of him while he laid in the prone position, according to the complaint.

Bauer was also restrained in a full-body wrap with a spit mask and at one point had eight officers leaning on him, it said.

This asphyxiation was every bit as serious as George Floyds but done by many different police officers, Gwilliam said.

Floyd died May 25, 2020, in Minneapolis after a police officer kept pressing his knee against Floyds neck while he was handcuffed and repeating he couldnt breathe.

Video of the encounter obtained by the East Bay Times in February shows Bauer complaining repeatedly that he could not breathe.

A short time later, Bauer went unconscious. Paramedics gave him a sedative but were then denied access to him for eight minutes, according to the coroners report. Attempts to revive him were unsuccessful, and he was declared dead after arriving at a hospital, the newspaper reported.

Before their sons encounter with police, Bauers parents, John and Rose Bauer, had gone to the police department four times to tell officials they were worried their son would be hurt or killed if he ever came in contact with officers. They pointed out two other mentally ill men had been killed by Pleasanton police officers in the previous two years.

The Bauers last talked to police officials three days before their sons death and have said they were told not to worry.

Since Jacobs death, John Bauer has been going to City Council meetings to speak about de-escalation training for officials who interact with the mentally ill, Gwilliam said.

According to the settlement, the virtual listening session must be arranged within 30 days of the settlement being signed by all parties. The Bauers will have 10 to 20 minutes to explain what they would like to see happen when Pleasanton police officers respond to a mental health crisis. Police officials will then have a chance to talk about what has changed in the department since their sons death.

Jacob lost his life over a few broken bottles at a grocery store, Rose Bauer said in a statement. I hope this settlement creates real changes to stop police from using excessive force against the mentally ill.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 12)  The Canadian government has donated around 757 million to the Philippines to aid economic recovery, improve the health of women, and assist underdeveloped communities in Mindanao, its embassy in Manila announced on Thursday.

Canada said the donation is for seven new development assistance projects to be implemented over the next five years.

We support our partners in the government of the Philippines, civil society and multilateral agencies in rolling out a wide range of programs to mitigate the effects of the pandemic and jump-start the economic recovery of those who have been adversely affected by this global crisis, ambassador Peter MacArthur said.

These include education initiatives in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, as well as in Paranaque, Taguig, and Pateros in Metro Manila, its statement read.

Meanwhile, healthcare program will be launched for the benefit of women and girls in the capital region and surrounding provinces.

The embassy said other initiatives include investment for sustainable agriculture in the BARMM and in the Davao region, promoting sustained peace in the Bangsamoro by supporting governance capacity of local officials, and advancing gender equality and womens rights nationwide.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 12)  The Commission on Audit has called out the Department of Transportation in its latest report stating that over 2.1 billion worth of license plates from 2014 to 2020 remain undelivered.

"Various circumstances caused delays in the procurement of plates, thus resulted in the undelivered license plates of the registrants nationwide from CY 2014 to CY 2022 amounting to 2,159,036,340.00 corresponding to 8,120,837 pieces of MC and 2,632,302 pairs of replacement of MV license plates," COA said in its 2020 audit report.

The commission further stated that because of the delay in delivery, motorists were indicative of "lapses in the performance by the LTO (Land Transportation Office) management of one of its mandates, thus, depriving the registrants of their right to retrieve the plates they have paid for and affecting the efficient apprehension of the traffic violators."

The COA's recommendation was meant for the agency to fast track the production and distribution of the plates.

In a statement on Saturday, the DOTr said, "We are doing everything to resolve the backlog by producing and distributing the remaining plates to their owners."

It also assured the public that steps are being taken to prevent a backlog.

Earlier, the LTO said it was seeking outside help to produce plates because of the huge backlog.

LTO Chief Edgar Galvante told CNN Philippines in June the agency would need to produce 18 million plates.

However, with the limited capacity of its plant, he said meeting the backlog would take "many, many months."

In a separate briefing also in June, Galvante expressed hope the government could inject it with 2.5 billion to finance the production of 18 million motorcycle plates by June 2022.

In February, Senator Richard Gordon called on LTO officials to resign over their failure to release more than 13 million motorcycle plates since 2013.

In a Senate hearing, Gordon said the LTO was "incompetent," had no compassion and was negligent.

He added that the lack of plates made it difficult to track down suspects who used motorcycles in their illegal activities.

The DOTr has not yet issued a statement on the COA report.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 12) - A Manila court has dismissed the cyber libel case filed against Rappler CEO Maria Ressa and reporter Rambo Talabong over an investigative report on an alleged thesis-for-sale scheme.

The Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 24 issued an order junking the case on Aug. 10, Rappler's counsel Theodore Te confirmed on Thursday.

He said the decision came after the complainant, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde professor Ariel Pineda, submitted and affirmed in court an affidavit of desistance.

This means he is no longer interested in pursuing legal action.

Pineda also stated that the filing of the case "arose out of a misappreciation of facts," Te added.

The January 2020 article written by Talabong, titled "Thesis for sale: Benilde students say they paid 20,000 to pass," was based on an October 2019 complaint filed by a student.

The student reportedly learned that some thesis groups allegedly paid Pineda 20,000 through a middleman, in exchange for passing the college's Export Management Program.

At the time, Pineda was the head of the program.

Te said he is not at liberty to disclose the agreement between the complainant and the news organization, but he noted "one thing that resulted from the discussion was that Rappler would update the story with information that was obtained after the case was filed."

The updated story was posted on August 10, he added.

'Decriminalize libel'

The dismissal is a welcome development, according to Te.

However, he also said, "That the case was even filed...at the level of the investigating prosecutor spotlights the danger to press freedom and freedom of expression that criminal cyber libel poses."

"Perhaps it may be time to consider seriously taking a second look at the Cybercrime Protection Act of 2012 particularly its provisions on cyber libel as a crime," Te added.

Talabong, meanwhile, renewed his call to decriminalize libel to stop harassment of the press.

"We should decriminalize libel, which drains too much precious resources and time from journalists. I experienced this firsthand. No journalist should have to go through this," he said. "The law must protect journalists."

In filing charges against Ressa and Talabong in January, the prosecution said the article contained "false, malicious, derogatory, and highly libelous imputation as well as offensive insinuations" against Pineda.

Rappler, however, stood by the story.

CNN Philippines Digital Producer Kristel Limpot and Senior Correspondent Anjo Alimario contributed to this report.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 12) The Defense Department on Thursday said it is verifying the reported presence of a Chinese research ship near the disputed Scarborough Shoal (Panatag Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea.

In a statement, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said authorities will take action "based on the facts gathered by the maritime patrols in the area."

"Rest assured that the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines), through the Northern Luzon Command, undertakes regular domain awareness operations and provides all the necessary support to the Philippine Coast Guard and other agencies to secure and implement our laws in our territorial waters and the EEZ (exclusive economic zone)," Lorenzana added.

The development comes after a social media post circulated claiming that a Chinese research vessel was sighted operating east of Scarborough Shoal.

The ship is supposedly being managed by a university in the East Asian giant, the post read.

Earlier this year, the Philippine government filed a flurry of diplomatic protests against Beijing over the lingering presence of its vessels in different parts of the country's waters.

China has repeatedly rejected the landmark 2016 Hague ruling that invalidated its sweeping claims over the entire South China Sea.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 12)  The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has received reports of companies allegedly enforcing a "no vaccine, no work" policy, but it has yet to receive any formal complaint on the matter, an official of the agency said Thursday.

"Pinacheck po natin yung unang report na may apat na kompanya daw in NCR and in Region III na meron daw ganitong uri ng manggagawa na apektado. But when we have verified it with our DOLE regional office, ay walang formal complaint na naifile," Labor Assistant Secretary Dominique Tutay told CNN Philippines.

[Translation: We checked initial reports of four companies in NCR and in Region III where workers were allegedly affected by this. But when we verified with our DOLE regional office, no formal complaint was filed.]

Tutay encouraged workers to report on such matters so an investigation could be launched.

"Yung mga nakakaexperience ng tinatawag na no vaccine, no work policy ang amin pong payo sa kanila ay magreport sila mismo sa ating tanggapan," she told Newsroom Ngayon.

[Translation: We advise those who have experienced the so-called no vaccine, no work policy to report directly to our office.]

Earlier, DOLE said employees who have not been vaccinated "shall not be discriminated against in terms of employment."

A vaccination card is also not a requirement for employment.

Tutay added employers cannot coerce workers into getting vaccinated, but only encourage them.

DOLE: Workers rejected under illegal 'no vaccine, no work' policy must be paid usual salary
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 12)  President Rodrigo Duterte wont comment just yet on state auditors' flagging of deficiencies in the Health Departments management of pandemic response funds worth over 67 billion, the Palace said Thursday.

Ang Presidente naman is withholding judgment until after makasumite ng komento ang DOH doon sa kanilang tinatawag na exit conference at magkaroon ng final report ang COA, Duterte's spokesperson Harry Roque said.

[Translation: The President is withholding judgment until after the DOH submits its comment to what is called the exit conference and the COA is able to have its final report.]

The Office of the Ombudsman is also adopting a similar approach, adding the department is given the opportunity to ensure full implementation of all audit recommendations to improve its financial and operational efficiency.

Ombudsman Samuel Martires further noted any non-compliance or disagreement with state auditors recommendations and observations may be elevated to the Commission on Audit en banc, which has the final say on it.

To await the finalization and completion of the auditing process avoids a repeat of having to withdraw cases already filed in court based on preliminary audit findings similar to the events that transpired in the Echiverri cases in 2018, he said.

Martires was referring to dozens of cases filed against ex-Caloocan Mayor Enrico Echiverri, some of which ended in acquittals since it was determined the former local chief executive could enter into projects without authorization from the city council due to a local ordinance.

Roque also assured there are no sacred cows under the administration of Duterte, who was earlier criticized for not firing Health Secretary Francisco Duque III despite heaps of criticism from many, including senators, for his perceived inefficient COVID-19 response.

Wala pong sinasamba ang Presidente. Ang nais lang niyang makita, tunay na ebidensiya. At kapag naririyan po yan, meron naman pong kaukulang aksyon na gagawin ang Presidente, Roque added.

[Translation: The President does not exempt anyone. What he just wants to see is real evidence. And once thats present, he will be taking the appropriate reaction.]

Duque also made the news last year due to allegations of corruption, which also involved state insurer PhilHealth.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 12)  Sen. Richard Gordon slammed Thursday what he called an "unpresidential" remark from President Rodrigo Duterte against an unnamed mayor in his recent public address.

"Political histrionics. Ayoko yung ganun eh. Presidente ka na. Wag mo nang patulan (That's what I don't like. You're already the President. Don't pay attention to that anymore)," Gordon told CNN Philippines' The Source.

According to Gordon, Duterte did not have to let out "inanities" by resorting to calling someone a "callboy" in a public platform.

"I think that's unpresidential. Im sorry Mr. President, but I need a president that people must respect and must look up to especially during these hard times," the senator said.

"Kailangan natin nakikita yung presidente alam niya ang ginagawa niya, hindi siya nagrereact sa mga kalokohan (We need a presiident who knows what he's doing, instead of reacting to such foolishness)," Gordon added.

Early this week, Duterte called on government agencies to take over the distribution of financial aid in one city in Metro Manila after mocking a certain mayor for being "disorganized." He also questioned the unnamed mayor's leadership due to his provocative photos in the past and for receiving a "callboy training"  a criticism which many believed alluded to Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, who was a former actor. Malacanang denied this assumption.

Moreno's new party Aksyon Demokratiko said Duterte was apparently referring to the Manila mayor, since he is the only local chief executive with a background in show business.

READ: Aksyon Demokratiko: Duterte's remarks vs Isko 'below the belt,' 'uncalled for'

A June survey by Pulse Asia showed Moreno placed second among possible presidential and vice presidential bets in the 2022 elections  next to Duterte's daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte for president, and to Duterte himself for vice president.

Gordon, who has earlier expressed interest to run for president, also echoed the sentiments of other critics against government officials politicizing the pandemic response, instead of focusing on the health crisis.

The senator confirmed that talks are ongoing with Vice President Leni Robredo ahead of the 2022 polls but refused to divulge further details.

The filing of certificates of candidacy for the 2022 elections is set for October.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 12)  A senator urged the administration to ramp up its pandemic response by constructing more hospitals as COVID-19 cases continue to rise.

"Bakit di tayo gumawa ng 5,000-bed hospital, yung pinaka-basic...para di madadarang ang mga doktor natin," Sen. Richard Gordon told CNN Philippines' The Source on Friday.

[Translation: Why don't we make a 5,000-bed hospital, the most basic one...so our doctors won't be overwhelmed.]

Gordon, who chairs the Philippine Red Cross, also backed the recommendation of Vice President Leni Robredo about the construction of more hospitals in different areas so the existing ones will not be swamped with new cases.

"Ang sinasabi ni Leni, bakit di tayo gumawa ng ospital? Ang ginawa ng DOH ay pinalaki lang yung mga dating ospital. Wala tayong bagong ospital na ginagawa for the last several years," he said.

[Translation: What Leni is saying is, why don't we build new hospitals? The Department of Health only expanded the old ones. We have not been constructing new hospitals for the last several years.]

The senator also proposed the expansion of the Philippine General Hospital to different areas such as Quezon City, Cebu, and Los Banos instead of resorting to "stop-gap" and "band-aid" measures to accommodate patients.

Robredo earlier told The Source that it is about time for the administration to recalibrate its pandemic response and realign its budgetary priorities to provide more ICU beds and compensate health workers who directly tend to COVID-19 patients.

She also recommended to increase daily vaccinations to about a million a day and improve the current consolidated contact tracing system to detect more cases.

READ: Robredo now wants 1M Filipinos vaccinated daily due to COVID-19 surge

The Health Department tagged the Philippines as "high risk" for COVID-19 as cases rose by 47% nationwide as of August 9.

Metro Manila and several provinces are currently under the strictest enhanced community quarantine to control the spread of the feared Delta variant.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 12) - A foreign male passenger who ran naked on the tracks of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 was arrested on Thursday.

"At around 5:35AM, at MRT-3 Boni Ave. Station, a foreign male passenger, while being checked by security personnel, suddenly removed his clothes, then ran and jumped towards the tracks heading Shaw Boulevard station," MRT-3 OIC General Manager and Transportation Assistant Secretary Eymard Eje said in a statement.

A video of the naked passenger has gone viral on social media.

Eje said four security personnel at the Boni Station chased the passenger and alerted their counterparts at Shaw Boulevard Station.

The foreigner was arrested at 5:42 a.m.

"The individual was endorsed to the Mandaluyong Police Station for investigation and disposal. A case of alarms and scandal will be filed against the passenger," Eje added.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 12) -- The Philippine National Police has filed 121 criminal complaints against persons allegedly taking advantage of the ongoing health crisis.

In a statement, the PNP said the complaints involved spreading of false information, online scams, and illegal online sale of medical supplies. It said the cases were filed in various prosecutors offices nationwide.

PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said the police have intensified the monitoring of cybercrimes.

From March 9 to Aug. 9, the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the Anti-Cybercrime Group have filed 87 criminal complaints against 52 persons for spreading false and unverified information on social media.

The suspects were charged with violating Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code or the unlawful use of means of publication and unlawful utterances, the Anti-Cybercrime Law, and Presidential Decree No. 90.

The PNP also filed three complaints against two alleged online scammers.

Moreover, 31 criminal complaints were filed against 26 alleged online profiteers, hoarders, and unauthorized sellers of medical supplies.

Seized from the suspects were gallons of disinfectant, vitamin C capsules, forehead thermometers, and face masks.

Binabalaan ko ang mga manloloko at mapagsamantala sa kapwa na tigil-tigilan na ang ganitong gawain (Im warning scammers and those who are taking advantage of others to stop their schemes). You will face the full force of the law for your criminal activities, said Eleazar.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 12)  Seven senators filed a resolution on Thursday urging the Commission on Elections to extend the deadline for voter registration by a month.

The resolution seeks to move the deadline from September 30 to October 31 "to prevent voter disenfranchisement brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic."

It was introduced by Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto and Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, along with Senators Francis Pangilinan, Nancy Binay, Leila De Lima, Risa Hontiveros, and Joel Villanueva.

The senators said the initial deadline was set by the COMELEC prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, the poll body "could not have anticipated the adverse impact of the pandemic to voter registration and must make the necessary adjustments."

They pointed out that the COMELEC has also suspended registration several times due to the health crisis, and has set deadlines even beyond October 31 in past elections.

Citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, the senators said the projected voting population in 2022 is 73.3 million, but the latest tally by the poll body shows there are around 60 million registered voters - leaving around 13.3 million eligible Filipino voters unregistered.

Meanwhile, COMELEC Commissioner Rowena Guanzon earlier announced that the reactivation of those who failed to vote in two consecutive elections will be done this month through email.

She said 6.3 million voters were deactivated, but their biometrics are still in the poll body's base so there is no need to reactivate in person.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 12) The country received two million more doses of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Chinese firm Sinovac Biotech.

The plane carrying the latest batch of government-procured coronavirus shots landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Thursday evening.

The shipment was welcomed by some officials of the country's pandemic task force, including Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez.

On Wednesday, the country also secured fresh vaccine deliveries totaling over 900,000 doses  a batch of 813,150 Pfizer shots and 100,000 doses of the Hayat-Vax vaccine donated by the United Arab Emirates.

The Hayat-Vax is China's Sinopharm vaccine, but is produced in the Gulf state.

READ: FDA allows emergency use of donated UAE-made COVID-19 vaccines

The Philippines has so far received over 41 million doses of different COVID-19 vaccine brands.
Six weekend things to do around Colorado Springs and beyond: Cops and The Eagles, Wuffstock, fun walk, Venardos Circus, beer fest, auto races
Columbia, MO (65201)

Today

Some sun this morning with increasing clouds this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 89F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Variable clouds with scattered thunderstorms. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 72F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
If you stop thinking about pornography and concentrate really hard, you can hear your high school teachers spouting that sage advice given to every young, budding researcher: Wikipedia is not a reliable source! Wikipedia itself is inclined to agree, as discussed in this lovely meta article about its own reliability . Despite this little truthiness hiccup, Wikipedia still has a lot of informationand a lot of it is wonderfully whimsical, and, dare we say it, really rad (however, it could stand to be more alliterative, in our opinion).

6 There's Bad Poetry, And Then There's These Guys

Somewhere in the untold hours we spend clicking little blue links in our online encyclopedia, we realized it's way more fun to read about the truly terrible writers than the good ones. Sure, you can read about Willy Shakes and Toni Morrison, Margaret Atwood, and Wole Soyinka, but really, why read about their lists of awards and honors when you can read about the doings of the worst poet in British history?

Parisian Photo Co He was supposed to look at his poetry for this pic, but he couldn't bring himself to do it.

That illustrious honor belongs to William McGonagall, a Scottish fellow from the 1800s who started out as a weaver (of textiles). He had a fondness for the Bard and would entertain his fellow weavers with recitations of the man's work. The local theater even let him play Macbeth in a production, which is where his first blunder happened. "Convinced that the actor playing Macduff was envious of him, McGonagall refused to die in the final act." Oh, spoiler for the play. Whoops, sorry.

Alas, McGonagall, at the tender age of 52, decided that his true calling was poetry.

So, what made him so terrible? Well, aside from the fact that he was so supremely confident of his poetic abilities, despite repeatedly being told he was terrible, the main flaw seemed to be the fact that "his only apparent understanding of poetry was his belief that it needed to rhyme." Metaphor? No, that's for schlubs. Simile? Allusion? Not for Willie McGons.

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His most famous work is "The Tay Bridge Disaster," recounting the collapse of a bridge. Here are its first lines:

Beautiful railway bridge of the silv'ry Tay

Alas! I am very sorry to say

That ninety lives have been taken away

On the last sabbath day of 1879

Which will be remember'd for a very long time.

via Wiki Commons We will remember it thanks to you. Yes, that we will do.

Mm. Beautiful imagery. But there's another Scottish poet who, while better on a technical level, was much more entertaining due to the fact that his subject matter basically concerned a single thing: cheese.

James McIntyre, the cheese poet of Ontario, just, like, really loved cheese (who can blame him?). From his "Oxford Cheese Ode":

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The ancient poets ne'er did dream

That Canada was land of cream,

They ne'er imagined it could flow

In this cold land of ice and snow,

Where everything did solid freeze

They ne'er hoped or looked for cheese.

So, next time someone talks about Tennyson, Whitman, or Eliot, remind them that nothing those guys wrote stacks up to the wonderfully written beauty of cheese. Try it with some decent crackers.
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This week marks the anniversary of Richard Nixon resigning from office. You might say it was a low point in American history, with the presidency so corrupted. Or maybe it was a high point, since it showed it's possible to force a corrupt president to resign. It was definitely a personal low for Nixon personally, though. And so, shortly before giving his resignation speech, the man started crying.

We have a lot of different accounts of Nixon's last days, not all of them reliable. For this story, we turn to an extremely nonpartisan source: Lillian Brown, Nixon's makeup artist. Actually, she served as makeup artist to nine different presidents, and she had stories about all of them.

With JFK, she knew more about his poor health than almost anyone did, and she was aware that he secretly wore a back brace. LBJ, she convinced to grow sideburns. Ronald Reagan came from Hollywood and had plenty of experience with makeup, and Lilian actually had to remove some of the rouge he put on himself, to suit public settings rather than movie cameras.

It was Lillian's job to get Nixon ready on August 8, 1974. The man started sobbing soon before giving his televised address, and though he'd probably get himself together before the time came for his speech, the tears would ruin his makeup in the meantime. Lillian needed to stop them, fast.

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So she reminded him about a story about the two of them and his dog. Not his dog Checkers, a pet very much associated with Nixon's scandals, but an Irish setter named King Timahoe, which his staff had gifted him to warm up his public image.

One Christmas, King Timahoe kept running into the Christmas tree and knocking down ornaments. Lillian was on hand, maybe to get everyone ready for photos, and she took charge by picking up the puppy and taking him into the bathroom, safely away from all things fragile. Then Nixon entered the bathroom (it's unclear if he knew she and the dog were in there beforehand). Then, for some reason not recorded by history, the Secret Service locked the door from the outside, sealing the three of them in together.

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The memory got Nixon laughing instead of crying, and his makeup was saved. As for Lillian, she continued fixing politicians for a couple decades, taught for a few decades more, and died just last year at the age of 106. Thanks to makeup, she looked not a day over 84.

For more on Tricky Dick, see also:

5 World Leaders Who Did The Opposite Of What You'd Expect

5 Presidents Who Were Total Badasses in Their Youth

5 Famous Pieces of Presidential Trivia (That Are Total BS)

Top image: Oliver Atkins
Energy is a difficult beast. In a perfect world, lights would stay on and homes would be heated without the need for massive, often ecologically damaging infrastructure. Even long ago when the steam engine was still considered revolutionary, some were looking to the future to find more efficient and cost-saving means of producing energy. In 1900, one man named Dr. William Calver had a bold idea.

What if we just pointed the sun at it?

The St. Louis Republic Look we all have mustaches. 1900s people are legally required to hear us out."

Well, duh. How come nobody else thought of that? His invention was called the helio-motor, which he said simply meant sun power, and for some, this idea briefly had the potential to be a paradigm shift in energy.

The helio-motor would not be an engine or turbine or anything like that. It would be a series of mirrors. These mirrors would redirect the suns rays to create heat. This was inspired by the story of Ancient Greek mathematician Archimedes heat ray, which functioned under the same idea. Archimedes mirrors redirected the sun to set enemy ships ablaze. Of course, this was an ancient story, which means that the truth was probably bent ever so slightly. Or a lot.

But Calvers helio-motor was not an ancient legend. It was real, and he was realistic about it. A few mirrors were not enough to boil water or start a fire. His apparatus involved hundreds, sometimes even thousands of mirrors. The mirrors would be positioned so that they caught rays and directly pointed them at whatever needed the heat. Because the sun moves in the sky, the helio-motor moved as well, and it was positioned on a circular track to move with the sun.

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In interviews from the time, Calver made bold claims, even going so far as to say that the helio-motor could produce temperatures hotter than the sun. Truly, no one man should have all that power. When speaking to reporters, he also mentioned feats of brilliant power demonstrated by the helio-motor like burning through a brick. Now, he didnt demonstrate these, but he did light a stick on fire using the contraption.

But Dr. Calver, you begin, smugly doubting the prowess of the greatest mind of the time. What happens when its cloudy?

Well, worry not! He had already thought that through. You simply need to store the heat. Duh, again. Ice can be stored when its hot, so surely heat can be stored when its cold. No, seriously. That was how he defended this. As for a more practical means of saving the heat for future use, he created a separate apparatus that moved the rays of light through glass and stored them in stone. The words more practical are used lightly here.

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Okay, all jokes aside, it should come as no surprise that the helio-motor did not change the world or even make the smallest of dents. Outside of these initial stories about Calver and his creation, its hard to find much of anything about the helio-motor after 1900. Even if the mirror system could direct heat through sunlight, there is no way that it could realistically do so in a capacity that could rival any other source of energy.

Maybe we shouldnt mock Dr. Calver too much, though. The idea of collecting the suns rays and converting them into usable energy is what solar power is. This comes from a far more advanced, and practical, technology, but you never know. Maybe someone influential in pioneering solar energy was inspired by the helio-motor.

Top Image: The St. Louis Republic
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP)  The dishonesty of a senior executive for Chinese communications giant Huawei Technologies put a bank at risk of violating U.S. sanctions against Iran, a Canadian justice department lawyer told an extradition hearing Thursday.

Canada arrested Meng Wanzhou, the daughter of Huaweis founder and the companys chief financial officer, at Vancouvers airport in late 2018. The U.S. wants her extradited to face fraud charges. Her arrest infuriated Beijing, which sees her case as a political move designed to prevent Chinas rise.

The U.S. accuses Huawei of using a Hong Kong shell company called Skycom to sell equipment to Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions. It says Meng, 49, committed fraud by misleading the HSBC bank about the companys business dealings in Iran.

The lengthy extradition proceeding is entering a phase which involves arguments over the U.S. governments request to extradite Meng.

Justice department lawyer Robert Frater said Meng was dishonest about Huaweis relationship with Skycom during a meeting with a HSBC executive.

By not being honest and withholding information, HSBC was deprived of the opportunity to protect itself, said Frater.

After the meeting, HSBC made money transfers involving Skycom which could have caused the bank a liability, Frater said.

Given that Huawei was Skycom, the activities of Skycom and Huawei posed an actual real risk to HSBC of violating US sanctions on Iran," he said.

Frater presented case law that says even if there is not a financial loss, fraud can still occur when an institution like HSBC is persuaded to continue to provide services it might have refused had it known all the facts.

In wrapping up his submission, Frater said he disagreed with Mengs defense team that the case against her was unique, unprecedented and a legal stretch.

The defense will begin its arguments against the extradition Friday.

Meng, who attended court wearing an electronic monitoring device on her ankle, followed the proceedings through a translator.

The judge isnt expected to rule on Mengs extradition until later in the year. Whatever her decision, it will likely be appealed.

Mengs lawyers have denied any dishonestly on her part. They also argue HSBC was not placed at any risk and the charges against her are politically motivated.

On Tuesday a Chinese court sentenced Canadian entrepreneur Michael Spavor to 11 years in prison for spying.

Spavor and fellow Canadian Michael Kovrig were arrested in December of 2018 in apparent retaliation to Mengs arrest.

The Chinese government has released few details other than to accuse Spavor of passing along sensitive information to Kovrig, beginning in 2017. Both have been held in isolation and have little contact with Canadian diplomats.

In another case, the Higher Peoples Court of Liaoning province in the northeast rejected an appeal by Canadian Robert Schellenberg, whose 15-year prison term on drug smuggling charges was increased to death in January 2019 following Mengs arrest.

Meng remains free on bail in Vancouver and is living in a mansion.

Canada and other countries, including Australia and the Philippines, face trade boycotts and other Chinese pressure in disputes with Beijing over human rights, the coronavirus and control of the South China Sea.

China has tried to pressure Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus government by imposing restrictions on imports of canola seed oil and other products from Canada.
Even amid a resurgence in COVID-19 infections that have mostly spread among unvaccinated individuals  more than 90 million eligible adults nationwide, including nearly 600,000 in Connecticut have avoided getting a dose of the potentially life-saving shot.

That has public health officials scrambling to understand: Who are the holdouts and why havent they been vaccinated yet?

While the individuals and their reasons can vary greatly, some clear patterns have emerged among the unvaccinated, according to a Hearst Connecticut Media Group review of publicly available data.

Data suggests that, within Connecticut, educational attainment is a strong indicator of a city or towns vaccination rate. Municipalities with higher percentages of people with at least a bachelors degree are more likely to have higher vaccination rates.

In Sterling, nested on the border with Rhode Island, just 40 percent of people are fully vaccinated, one of the lowest rates in the state. The town also has one of the lowest percents of adults with at least a bachelor's degree, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates.

Avon, close to Hartford and home to one of the highest ranked school districts in the state, scores in the top 10 in both vaccinations and adults with at least a 4-year college degree.

New Canaan, along the coast, has similarly high scores in both categories.

Meanwhile, data from the states public health agency suggests Black people have been among the least likely to get a vaccine, in line with national trends.

Tiffany Donelson, CEO of the Connecticut Health Foundation, said many people of color feel they dont get fair treatment from the health care system. Plenty of work has already been done to position trusted messengers to try to convince their own communities to get a shot, she said.

In the case of the Black population in particular, Donelson said the effort will take time.

Youre starting from a valid place of mistrust, she said. There's a lot of trust that needs to be built before we can get to a place of the African American community matching the vaccine levels of other communities.

Surveys done every other week during the pandemic by the U.S. Census Bureau show that, as of early July, most adults who hadnt been vaccinated cited concerns about side effects and a desire to wait and see if the vaccine is safe as their top reasons. The data also shows that as the unvaccinated population has slowly shrunk, an increasing share tell surveyors they believe they dont need a vaccine, or said they dont trust COVID-19 vaccines.

Connecticut has the third highest vaccination rate nationwide with 73 percent of people 12 years old and older having completed their series, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That statewide rate has surpassed President Joe Biden's goal of reaching 70 percent with just one shot, although some parts of the state are far from hitting the mark.

The more the virus circulates, the greater the chances variants will develop that vaccines will be less effective against. That has been the case in recent weeks as the Delta variant has spread, including a relatively small share of breakthrough cases among vaccinated individuals. Health officials say those who are vaccinated are far less likely to contract the virus, develop serious symptoms, die, or pass the virus on to others.

The number of new cases reported each day in Connecticut have more than doubled over the past two weeks. There is now at least substantial spread of the virus in every county of the state, according to the CDC. Some towns have renewed mask mandates and physical distancing restrictions

The pickup in cases puts even more focus on efforts to reach the unvaccinated.

As the weeks have gone by and the number of holdouts has slowly shrunk, that has left a group of unvaccinated individuals who tend to be tougher to reach and convince  the most strongly opposed, hesitant, or indifferent to vaccination.

And the pace of vaccination has slowed significantly. At its peak, Connecticut was doling out an average of roughly 49,000 doses per day, according to CDC data. Since the beginning of July, an average of just 6,300 doses have been given out in Connecticut per day. While vaccine appointments were once tough to find, supply of the shots now far outpaces demand.

"There are simply not as many people left to vaccinate," said Chris Boyle, spokesman for the Connecticut Department of Health. "With that said, we have seen recent increases in vaccine volume as people who were previously hesitant decide to come in for vaccines as well as several employer mandates come into effect."

The state governments effort to put shots in arms trudges on.

We've been in the phase for a couple months now where it's really one arm at a time, said Josh Geballe, the states chief operating officer. We still have hundreds of thousands of eligible people in Connecticut who havent been vaccinated. We're focused on trying to reach each one of them.

Geballe said on any given day, about 30 mobile vans stocked with shots head out into communities where the states experts know vaccine rates are low. Each van averages 10 shots given out each day, he said. Other strategies include handing out supermarket gift cards in exchange for a vaccine.

Understanding who has still not gotten a shot in Connecticut is central to those efforts. Geballe said available data points to the most and the least densely populated parts of the state.

Windham County, the states least populated, has the lowest vaccination rate, for instance. The city of Hartford, meanwhile, is the fourth-largest city in the state but has the third-lowest vaccination status of any municipality, according to data from the state Department of Public Health.

Geballe pointed to reasons for optimism: In the last month, the percent of vaccinated 12- to 15-year-olds in Connecticut increased from 46% to 55%, he said.

Meredith Johnson, chief operating officer of Community Health Center, one of the states largest vaccinators, said the organization was giving out roughly 8,000 shots every day at a peak in April. Community Health Center administered about 8,100 vaccines in the whole month of July, a significant slowdown, Johnson said.

Though the speed of the effort has slowed, Johnson said the health group has recently seen an uptick in numbers of Black, Latino and Hispanic patients seeking vaccines, as well as 18- to 34-year-olds. The Delta variant seems to be spurring some people to get their shots, she added.

Johnson said at this stage, a day of hundreds of shots given out through community outreach has to be celebrated just as much as a day of thousands administered at a mass vaccination site.

Our teams really have had to kind of recalibrate what a successful day is like, she said.

Meanwhile, an estimated 73% of Connecticut residents would support a government mandate of vaccines for every citizen, according to a survey of 21,000 people nationwide from the COVID States Project. Support for requiring vaccines in order to return to universities or board airplanes was even higher.

Governor Ned Lamont has opposed any such requirement, though he approved a testing mandate for unvaccinated workers in nursing homes.

David Lazer, a researcher at Northeastern University and an author of the COVID States research, said while a blanket mandate is infeasible, its a useful thought experiment. The strong sentiment in favor of a vaccine requirement likely stems from frustration vaccinated people are feeling with those who have waited, he said.

Lazer said his groups extensive surveying has shown trust  or a lack of it  is a critical factor among the unvaccinated.

There are people who are just very skeptical of our various civic institutions in this country, he said.

CT Insider columnist Dan Haar contributed reporting.
MIDDLETOWN  A respiratory therapist at Middlesex Hospital in Middletown was recently given the Clinton-based Society of 40 Men and 8 Horses Grand Award for her work with patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jennifer McLeod was honored Tuesday at the Crescent Street facility. The 2021 recipient has worked diligently during the pandemic, Grand Correspondent Frazier Brinley of Clinton said in a press release.

The 40/8 award is given to a veteran or a member of a veterans family who best describes the phrase For God, Country and Family, according to the news release.

The 40/8 is the Honor Society of American Veterans begun in 1921, Brinley said, after U.S. doughboys returned home from WWI. The 40/8 symbol means that a French boxcar could hold either 40 men or 8 horses, Brinley said in the statement.

The 40/8 is an independent, invitation only, honor society of American veterans and service members. These are the leaders and hard-working veterans of Connecticut, he said.

The Grand Award is given to a member of a veterans family who best describes the phrase For God, Country and Family.

Jennifer ... represents so many technicians, nurses, nurses aides, and volunteers on the front line during the pandemic. Their willingness to be there is unselfish and heroic, Brinley said in the prepared statement.

This year, the club also handed out three Pillar In the Community Service awards to the American Legion Post 209 in the Forestville section of Bristol, state Sen. and physician Saud Anwar, D-South Windsor; and Carter Sutherland of Carter Cares, Inc., in South Windsor.

The 40/8 is a small organization, Brinley said. In Connecticut, there are 112 members, and Middlesex County has the most, with 35.
With retirees nationally getting testier over what they see as cozy fee arrangements at their expense, Norwalk-based Xerox is the latest to be hit with a lawsuit over record-keeping fees it paid to a former affiliate.

Plaintiffs claim that the document management technology company overpaid by between $20 and $100 annually for administration of each retirees record in its plans. Added up, they allege that comes out to unspecified millions of dollars in excess fees annually from 2015 to the present that they say should have stayed in the accounts of retirees.

They are seeking class-action status for the lawsuit, filed Wednesday in New Haven federal court. A Xerox spokesperson declined comment Thursday on grounds the litigation remains pending. The company has yet to file a formal response in court.

Chris Carrigan, of Fairport, N.Y., is one of the three plaintiffs bringing the lawsuit, along with Michael Venti of Star, Idaho, and Sylvain Yelle of Suwanee, Ga. A partner with Garrison, Levin-Epstein declined comment on behalf of the plaintiffs the New Haven law firm is representing.

Law firms have deluged courts nationally with similar complaints in the past several years, applying the Employment Retirement Income Security Act to the question of record-keeping fees. The U.S. Supreme Court added to its fall docket one such case on appeal involving Northwestern University.

Xerox has had its headquarters in Connecticut since 1969, initially in Stamford and in the past 14 years in Norwalk. The company has its largest work force at its historic base in the Rochester, N.Y., area.

Xerox spun off its Conduent services business in 2017 as an independent company based in New Jersey. In their lawsuit, plaintiffs say Conduent jacked up the fees it charged Xerox for records administration of retirement plans after taking over the duties, at as much as four times the record-keeping fees charged by other big companies like Fidelity and Vanguard. Plaintiffs accuse Xerox of having failed in its fiduciary duties to beneficiaries in not giving them better options.

CEO John Visentin has discussed at length his efforts to trim costs at Xerox, where he was installed as CEO in 2018 after activist investor Carl Icahn led a successful revolt against the companys proposed sale to Fujifilm. After cutting 2,300 jobs last year to give it a work force of 24,700 people entering 2021, Xerox cut 400 more in the first six months of this year, paying out severance of $20 million.

Xerox profits totaled $91 million in the second quarter, up from $25 million a year earlier during the initial recovery period of the COVID-19 pandemic. Among several measures to conserve cash during the pandemic, Xerox suspended matching contributions to employee 401(k) retirement plans, anticipating $20 million in savings this year from the move.

The company lists pension obligations totaling $1.44 billion as of June, down $130 million from a year earlier.

Alex.Soule@scni.com; 203-842-2545; @casoulman
STRATFORD  The term Catholic school doesnt usually conjure up an amusement park ride in the popular imagination.

Welcome to education in a time of pandemic.

We most likely will be riding a roller coaster as new variants of the COVID-19 virus come and go, Diocese of Bridgeport Superintendent Steven Cheeseman wrote in a letter to parents of parochial school students last week. We must carefully monitor these trends and respond appropriately to the resulting ebb and flow created by these variant cycles.

In the letter, Cheeseman offered a series of recommended guidelines for Catholic schools in the area  noting that they may need to be revised based on trends or state public health mandates  calling for children to wear masks when social distancing isnt possible, but saying masks could be optional outside or when students are at desks and spaced appropriately.

The superintendents letter referred to an earlier message to parents that indicated our desire to return to a near normal school year which included being mask optional.

Catholic schools saw an influx of students last year after returning to in-person learning five days a week with fewer disruptions from quarantines and eschewing the hybrid model of public school systems. With a few weeks to go before school resumes, slots are once again filling up quickly, according to Meg Merwin, director of admissions, marketing and development at St. James in Stratford.

The school also recently filled its most important opening - principal - with Chris Robertson replacing Jack Lynch, who retired over the summer.

Robertson said Catholic school families were looking for a return to normalcy when school resumes Sept. 2.

I think were seeing many of our families that are coming to us are looking for some more normalcy and looking for their kids to get back into a school system where there can be more connection and building of relationships, said Robertson  @rob06615 on Twitter  during an interview at the school last week.

I think the Catholic schools and the diocese particularly did a really good job of that last year, so I imagine were going to take the same intentional approach, he said. Of course, most important is keeping the safety and health of the community at the forefront.

As for masks, the new principal said its hard to make firm decisions with weeks left before classes start at the pre-kindergarten through eighth grade school.

This is just at this snapshot right now, he said, referring to the guidelines sent by Cheeseman. As the situation evolves well be sending more information to families. And I imagine that right before school well be saying This is the direction weve decided to move in.

Early returns indicate that families who enrolled their students in St. James last year were happy with their decision, Merwin said.

We found the influx of families coming from the public school system were the first to re-enroll for the next school year, because they were happy with what they received, she said. So we maintained that population and they didnt leave us after the past year.

Robertson brings a background rich with diverse experiences. After growing up in Manhattan, he started as an elementary teacher at a Quaker School in Long Island for 14 years before working as an elementary principal at Kentucky Country Day in Lousville and Congressional School in Falls Church, Va.

From 2016 to 2020, he headed Fraser Woods Montessori School in Newtown before attending Sacred Heart University to obtain an 092 public school administrators certificate and interning at Head OMeadow elementary school in Newtown in 2020-21.

I have a lot of exposure to a lot of different approaches to education, Robertson said. And I feel very blessed to be part of a community thats spiritually centered. Thats what really drew me here.

A practicing Catholic, he said he decided after prayer that he wanted to work in a faith-based environment.

I think more than ever, providing an education for children that is centered on values like love and compassion and kindness, rooted in the teachings of Jesus where all are embraced, for me thats important work, Robertson said.

That being said, he doesnt think of St. James as in competition with public schools.

I think that we offer just another approach to education, but with the focus on spiritual development, which I think is really relevant nowadays, Robertson said.

The new principal said he isnt looking to change too much at the school in the immediate future.

I dont have a specific agenda, because I think its important for leaders to come in and get to know the culture and climate of the community, he said. But I will say I am excited to bring in some new innovative approaches like a new makerspace where kids can work on drone technology and robotics.

He said the idea  in essence, a workspace for students to collaborate on common interests  proved to be popular at his last post.

We turned a tech lab into a makerspace and we brought in robotics, drones, he said. Kids were designing their own programs. It really was a place that cultivated a dynamic sense of creativity, and thats what Im hoping to bring here a little bit.

At the same time, he said his educational values are rooted in what Merwin, while noting St. James accepts students of all religions and backgrounds, called the greatest commandment  treat others the way you expect to be treated.

He said while visiting the school before taking the job, he went to classrooms and asked students what they liked most about the school.

From the youngest to the oldest, they talked about, This is a place where people are kind to me and I can be kind to other people. That was really striking for me, he said. What Ive found in my short time here is that in addition to strong academics, I feel like this school does an excellent job of really helping kids to be kind, respectful, all those skills that are needed to be successful in the world that are not just about being the best, but helping others to be their best.
WASHINGTON (AP)  When the pace of vaccinations in the U.S. first began to slow, President Joe Biden backed incentives like million-dollar cash lotteries if that's what it took to get shots in arms. But as new coronavirus infections soar, he's testing a tougher approach.

In just the past two weeks, Biden has forced millions of federal workers to attest to their vaccination status or face onerous new requirements. He's met with business leaders at the White House to press them to do the same.

Meanwhile, the administration has taken steps toward mandating shots for people traveling into the U.S. from overseas. And the White House is weighing options to be more assertive at the state and local level, including potential support for school districts imposing rules to prevent spread of the virus over the objection of Republican leaders.

To the mayors, school superintendents, educators, local leaders, who are standing up to the governors politicizing mask protection for our kids: thank you, Biden said Thursday. "Thank God that we have heroes like you, and I stand with you all, and America should as well.

But even as Biden becomes more aggressive, he has refrained from using all his powers to pressure Americans to get vaccinated. He's held off, for instance, on proposals to require vaccinations for all air travelers or, for that matter, the federal workforce. The result is a precarious balancing act as Biden works to make life more uncomfortable for the unvaccinated without spurring a backlash in a deeply polarized country that would only undermine his public health goals.

Vaccine mandates are the right lever at the right time," said Ben Wakana, the deputy director of strategic communications and engagement for the White House COVID-19 response, noting the public's increasing confidence in the vaccines and adding that it marks a new phase in the government's campaign to encourage Americans to get shots.

Many Republicans, particularly those eyeing the party's 2024 presidential nomination, disagree and warn of federal overreaching into decisions that should be left to individuals. Biden and Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, an epicenter of the latest virus wave, have spent weeks feuding over the proper role of government during a public health crisis.

There is notable support for vaccine mandates. According to a recent poll from the Kaiser Family Foundation, 51% of Americans say the federal government should recommend that employers require their workers to get vaccinated, while 45% say it should not.

For now, Biden has required most federal workers to attest to their vaccination status under potential criminal penalties, with those who have not received a dose required to maintain social distancing, test weekly for the virus and face other potential restrictions on their work.

Health workers at the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Health and Human Services will be required to get vaccinated, and the Pentagon has announced that it intends to mandate vaccines for the military by next month.

The sharper federal approach comes as nearly 90 million eligible Americans still have not been vaccinated and as Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nations top infectious disease expert, says shots are the only path for the nation to contain the delta variant.

White House officials say Biden wanted to initially operate with restraint to ensure that Americans were ready for the strong-arming from the federal government. The federal moves have been carefully calibrated to encourage a wave of businesses and governments to follow suit.

Biden administration officials briefed prominent Washington trade groups, including the Chamber of Commerce and the Business Roundtable, ahead of the federal announcement in hopes their members would follow suit. White House officials have fielded dozens of calls from business executive in recent weeks about how to implement their own vaccination mandates, officials said, sharing best practices and tips for how to protect their workforces.

Through vaccination requirements, employers have the power to help end the pandemic," White House COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients said Thursday, naming companies, universities and local governments that have implemented them.

The new restrictions appear to be having the desired effect. The rules  combined with fresh concerns about the surging delta variant  have nearly doubled the average rate that Americans are getting newly vaccinated from last month to about 450,000 per day.

Zients said the White House still has no plans to develop the infrastructure for so-called vaccine passports, despite some criticism from businesses that the patchwork of local and state verification systems leaves them without a clear way to enforce mandates. The Biden administration had promised to share frameworks for verification systems, but ultimately left them all to the private sector and local governments, in part because of political sensitivities.

Still, while more severe measures  such as mandating vaccines for interstate travel or changing how the federal government reimburses treatment for those who are unvaccinated and become ill with COVID-19  have been discussed, the administration worried that they would be too polarizing for the moment.

That's not to say they won't be implemented in the future, as public opinion continues to shift toward requiring vaccinations as a means to restore normalcy.

Lawrence Gostin, a professor of health law at Georgetown University, said Biden would likely need to continue to turn up the pressure on the unvaccinated. Hes really going to have to use all the leverage the federal government has, and indeed use pressure points, Gostin said. And I think there are a few that he can do but he hasnt done yet.

The country is completely fatigued with lockdowns, business closures and masking, added Gostin, and vaccines are literally our only tool. Weve tried masking, distancing, occupancy limits, even entire lockdowns now for coming along nearly two years. And the virus just keeps raging back. And the vaccines are the only thing we have now to defeat the virus. We need to use that tool and we need to use it vigorously. And I think there will be large public support for that.
BEIJING (AP)  China on Thursday dismissed Canada's protests of harsh sentences handed down by Chinese courts to Canadians whose cases are seen as linked to the arrest in Vancouver of a top executive at Chinese tech giant Huawei.

The Foreign Ministry and the Chinese Embassy in Canada accused Ottawa of making unwarranted, groundless accusations that grossly interfered in China's judicial sovereignty.

Such accusations are extremely unreasonable, extremely absurd and extremely arrogant, over which we express our great indignation and strongest condemnation," their statements said.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday called the sentencing of entrepreneur Michael Spavor absolutely unacceptable and unjust."

Trudeau cited a lack of transparency in the legal process, and a trial that did not satisfy even the minimum standards required by international law."

For Mr. Spavor, as well as for Michael Kovrig who has also been arbitrarily detained, our top priority remains securing their immediate release. We will continue working around the clock to bring them home as soon as possible."

Spavor and former diplomat Kovrig were detained soon after Huaweis Meng Wanzhou was arrested Dec. 1, 2018, at the request of the U.S., where she faces charges related to possible violations of trade sanctions on Iran.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry denied Spavor and Kovrig were arbitrarily detained and said their rights were fully protected. Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying accused Canada of using megaphone diplomacy, to rally its allies to pressure China.

The Chinese side urges the Canadian side to clearly grasp the current situation, earnestly respect Chinas judicial sovereignty, stop applying double standards on legal issues, and stop slandering and attacking China so as to avoid bringing further damage to China-Canada relations," the statement from the Chinese Embassy in Canada said.

Spavor was sentenced Wednesday to 11 years in prison on national security charges by a court in Dandong, near the North Korean border. The government has released few details other than to accuse Spavor of passing along sensitive information to Kovrig. Both have been held in isolation and have had little contact with Canadian diplomats.

Canada and other countries face trade boycotts and other Chinese pressure in disputes with Beijing over human rights, the coronavirus and control of the South China Sea. The United States has warned American travelers face a heightened risk of arbitrary detention in China for reasons other than to enforce laws.

China has tried to pressure Trudeaus government by imposing restrictions on imports of canola seed oil and other products from Canada.

Diplomats from the United States, Japan, Britain, Australia, Germany and other European countries plus the European Union showed their support by gathering at the Canadian Embassy in Beijing on Wednesday. They have separately called for Spavor and Kovrig to receive fair trials or to be released.

The practice of arbitrarily detaining individuals to exercise leverage over foreign governments is completely unacceptable, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement. People should never be used as bargaining chips.

Three Canadians convicted in separate drug cases were sentenced to death in 2019. In one, Robert Schellenberg had received a 15-year sentence initially that was abruptly increased to death in January 2019 following Mengs arrest. His appeal was rejected Tuesday and the case was sent to Chinas supreme court for a mandatory review.

Meng, the chief financial officer of Huawei Technologies Ltd. and daughter of the companys founder, was arrested on U.S. charges of lying to the Hong Kong arm of the British bank HSBC about possible dealings with Iran in violation of trade sanctions.

Mengs lawyers argue the case is politically motivated. The judge who will rule on her extradition is likely to rule later this year and the ruling can be appealed further.

Chinas government believes her arrest is part of U.S. efforts to hamper its technology development. Huawei, a maker of network equipment and smartphones, is Chinas first global tech brand and is at the center of U.S.-Chinese tension over technology and the security of information systems.
BRIDGEPORT  The street that best personified former state Rep. Ezequiel Santiagos ability to connect with people now bears his name, according to a former colleague.

State Rep. Steve Stafstrom, D-Bridgeport, who served in the legislature with Santiago, said the stretch of Fairfield Avenue downtown was where Santiago would go to listen to the people that lived in the 130th District, which he represented for a decade.

Its just so fitting that were standing here literally in the center of our downtown, about to name one of the major thoroughfares that runs straight through the center of our downtown after a man that connected so many people, Stafstrom said.

Santiago died in 2019 of a heart attack at age 45, leading to an outpouring of grief from his family, friends and colleagues.

On Monday, Stafstrom was one of a group of city and state officials, family and friends that gathered downtown to dedicate a portion of Fairfield Avenue as the State Representative Ezequiel Santiago Memorial Highway. Several speakers paid tribute to a politician who continues to be remembered fondly more than two years after his death.

During the unveiling, state Rep. Christopher Rosario, D-Bridgeport, paused from speaking and was on the verge of tears as he thanked Santiagos family for treating him as one of their own. More than a mentor, Rosario said Santiago was his brother, and he said he has tried to emulate Santiagos calming demeanor in Hartford.

In the past, I was always a little more aggressive. Ive kind of taken on that Ezequiel role in the delegation where its like, Alright, lets cool our jets here,  Rosario said.

Santiagos successor in the 130th District, Antonio Felipe, said the renaming ceremony has additional meaning for him. He said that the memorial will be a concrete reminder of the many ways the late politician has advocated for residents, especially Latinos.

Felipe said naming the street after Santiago not only pays tribute to him, but is also a daily reminder of the ways Latino lawmakers have made an impact on the city. He mentioned SB 891, the Ezequiel Santiago Foreclosure Mediation Program, named after the late representative. The bill, signed into law by Gov. Ned Lamont on June 14, offers additional protections for homeowners facing foreclosure and was just one of the many ways Santiago has made an impact, he said.

He made sure that people had opportunities, especially people of color, especially Latinos. And we want to make sure that his name is forever remembered in the history of the State of Connecticut and the City of Bridgeport, Felipe said.

Ezequiels daughter Chelsie Santiago, 17, said she has happy memories of spending time with her father. In particular, she recalled one time when Santiago picked her up after school and the two drove around Seaside Park listening to the classic Eagles song Hotel California on repeat as the sun set. With no particular place to go they circled the park again and again.

She said that was just one of the many memories they had.

There are so many, Santiago said.

Chelsie Santiago, who chose not to speak at the ceremony, said afterward that she was surprised at the outpouring of support for her fathers memory.

I wasnt expecting, still people doing things for him and in his name so I think its very nice, she said.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP)  A 25-year-old Kansas City man has been indicted on hate crime and gun violations after he allegedly tried to kill a teenager because of his sexual orientation, the U.S. Department of Justice said Wednesday.

A federal grand jury in Kansas City indicted Malachi Robinson with hate crime and firearm violations. He is accused of shooting the victim on May 29, 2019. It was not immediately clear where the shooting occurred.
Fraud and data security concerns continue to rise at alarming rates across the United States. In 2020, the Federal Trade Commission reported receiving over 2.1 million consumer fraud reports and more than $3.3 billion reported losses (up from $1.8 billion reported in 2019). Reports of fraud surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, most commonly, reports of imposter fraud or online shopping fraud.

In todays current climate, bad actors are continually attempting to take over an individuals identity or create a synthetic identity of someone who is not real. This makes enhanced authentication measures increasingly critical for data and financial security. One key element: educating the consumer on the importance of authentication measures. Authentication layers are critical in helping keep bad actors from using their identity or creating a fake identity with parts of the real persons identity.

Understanding is critical in the process of prevention. For credit unions, call centers, and consumers, there isnt one specific way to prevent fraud and its important to incorporate a comprehensive strategy to authenticate fully and securely.

9 Authentication Recommendations for Credit Unions:

Utilize member information for identification versus only using member account information Avoid using social security numbers, date of births, mothers maiden name or other public information since these types of authentication layers are public and can be used by the bad actor Consider using dynamic knowledge base authentication questions for new and existing members. These questions are unique to an individual that are not publicly accessible or easy to guess and can even be rotated. Some examples could include: What is your mortgage payment?

What is the color of your car

Who is joint on your account?

What branch do you use?

What was your last transaction?

Review the FFIEC Guidelines that encourages the use of challenge questions during authentication that do not rely on information that is publicly available Configure clear and defined pass/fail requirements during the authentication process to help keep information secure For employees, outline the specific number of questions asked and number of multiple answers allowed Set time limits to prevent the bad actor from researching the answer Educate your members on how important it is they do not share any of their personal or financial information with anyone they did not call, email or text. This can include helpful resources, classes, or fraud prevention tools Research industry information on prevention of authentication fraud. Talk with peers on what action they are using to help understand the various attacks

As we continue to work together to manage risk, it is critical that we put in place a robust authentication policy to help keep the bad actors away from your members and out of your credit union.
Ginnie Mae has several misconceptions about the nature of credit unions as mortgage lenders, CUNA Senior Director of Advocacy and Counsel Elizabeth LaBerge wrote in American Banker Wednesday. LaBerges op-ed follows comments CUNA filed in response to a Ginnie Mae request for input (RFI) with the same concerns earlier this week.

The RFI perpetuates Ginnie Maes strange treatment of credit unions as nonbank mortgage lenders even though credit unions are insured depository institutions regularly examined by a prudential regulator for safety and soundness, LaBerge wrote. If this policy is finalized without alteration, an estimated 24% of credit unions will be excluded as qualified issuers. This is a terrible result for Ginnie Mae, credit unions and most importantly American homebuyers.

She adds that is it difficult to reconcile the stated intent of the RFI with the treatment of credit unions. The op-ed points out several examples of how credit unions are subject to regulation, have broad and stable access to liquidity, and are already subject to capital requirements by NCUA.
Cyber Crime In 2025

Cyber crime costs include damage and destruction of data, stolen money, lost productivity, theft of intellectual property, theft of personal and financial data, embezzlement, fraud, post-attack disruption to the normal course of business, forensic investigation, restoration and deletion of hacked data and systems, and reputational harm.

A 2020 World Economic Forum Report says that cyber attacks on infrastructure were probably the fifth highest risk to business.

The US government says that many of the recent cyber attacks against America have been sourced to operations in Russia and that Russia has responsibility for the ransomware attacks that are carried out from its territory and by one authoritative estimate, the worldwide cost of cyber crime is expected to reach $10.5 trillion dollars by 2025.

These numbers are alarming, and for us to better understand the tremendous impact that cyber attacks might have on companies and individuals, it is important to look back and consider some of the biggest cyber attacks in history:

Melissa Virus: One of the earliest and biggest cyber threats was started by the Melissa Virus. In1999, the Melissa Virus was unleashed by a rogue programmer by sending users a file to be opened by Microsoft Word. The virus caused severe destruction to hundreds of companies, including Microsoft.

NASA Cyber Attack: In 1999, a 15 year old schoolboy was able to hack and shutdown NASAs computers for 21 days. Around 1.7M software were downloaded during the attack, which cost the space giant around $41,000 in repairs.

Estonia Cyber Attack: In April 2007, Estonia witnessed what is thought to be the first cyber attack on an entire country, during which about 58 Estonian websites went offline, including websites of governments, banks and media outlets.

Attack on Sonys PlayStation Network: A cyber attack on Sonys PlayStation Network in April 2011 claimed the personal information of 77 million users.

Adobe Cyber Attack: The cyber attack which was first thought to have breached the data of 2.9 million users soon went on to compromise the personal data of up to 38 million users. Adobe claims that only the passwords and credit card information of the first 2.9 milion were compromised, whereas the remaining 35.1 million users only suffered the loss of their passwords and IDs.

Attack on Yahoo: In 2014,Yahoo witnessed one of the biggest cyber attacks of the year when 500 million accounts were compromised. However, it is reported that basic information and passwords were stolen, whereas bank information was not.

Ukraines Power Grid Attack: In what was the first cyber attack on a power grid, the attack left around half of the homes in the Ivano-Frankivsk region in Ukraine without power in 2015 for about a few hours.

WannaCry Ransomware Attack: One of the biggest ransomware of all time took place in 2017, when around 200,000 computers were affected in more than 150 countries. This outbreak had a massive impact across several industries and had a global cost of about 6 billion.

Cyber Attack on Marriott Hotels: A cyber attack was lurking in the shadows for quite a while when Marriott acquired the Starwood Hotels group, and it did not come into light until 2018 . However, by then the attacker continued to have access to personal information of guests.More than 339 milion guests have had their data compromised. This had led the UKs data privacy watchdog to fine the Marriott Hotels 18.4 million.

The biggest password leak yet: It was reported earlier this June that a compilation of about 8.4 billion passwords were leaked. This by far is the biggest password leak and is referred to as #RockYou2021 in reference to the 2009 data breach of RockYou site that compromised around 32 million accounts.

Cyber Attacks Last Month - July 2021

A data leak impacted Northern Ireland's COVIDCert online vaccination certification service, causing their Department of Health to temporarily suspend the portal.

Estonia stated a Tallinn-based hacker downloaded 286,000 ID photos from government database, exposing a vulnerability in a platform managed by their Information System Authority (RIA).

A widespread APT operation was discovered against users in Southeast Asia, believed to be spearheaded by Chinese entities. Researchers found a total of 100 victims in Myanmar and 1,400 in the Philippines, including many government entities.

The Japan 2020 Olympics was subject to data breach exposing the personal credentials of volunteers and ticket holders. The information included usernames, passwords, addresses, and bank account numbers.

The United States, the European Union, NATO and other world powers released joint statements condemning the Chinese government for a series of malicious cyber activities. They attributed responsibility to China for the Microsoft Exchange hack from early 2021 and the compromise of more than 100,000 servers worldwide.

In short, the more we move towards digitalisation and technology, the more vulnerable we become to cyber threats.

Technology is a double-edged sword, while it is a great asset and can provide us with new advanced methods of security, there are still those who misuse it and can pose a threat to our privacy. It is imperative for governments and businesses to invest in upgrading their cyber security and online privacy combat cyber attacks.

WEF: CSIS: Cyber Security Ventures: Guardian: Al Bawaba:

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David Cameron is not, I think, a bad man. But he must be a very unhappy one.

I expect that wherever he lays his head at night, he tosses and turns, fretting and worrying as he considers the mounting charge sheet against him.

The former Prime Minister stands accused of greed on an epic scale, of monumentally poor judgment and carelessness. His severest critics go further, and impugn his integrity and even his probity.

I cant think of any prime minister whose reputation has fallen so precipitously. When he left office in June 2016, he was admittedly not celebrated as the greatest leader this country has ever known. But he was widely considered a man of moderation and good sense.

David Cameron's reputation since leaving Downing Street has been shattered and stands accused of greed on an epic scale, of monumentally poor judgment and carelessness - especially with his relationship to Australian financier Lex Greensill

His reputation has been shattered by his close association with the controversial financier Lex Greensill, and the work he did for Greensill Capital, which went bust in March

That assessment has been shattered by his close association with the controversial financier Lex Greensill, and the work he did for Greensill Capital, which went bust in March.

Yesterday, The Times opened a further front against David Cameron. It reported that another of those who paid for his services  an American biotech company called Illumina  secured a 123 million genetic-sequencing contract after he urged Matt Hancock to attend a genomics conference. Mr Hancock had previously not responded to an invitation sent weeks earlier directly to him.

More troubling questions for Mr Cameron to answer. They all centre on his apparent profligate use of his former office as prime minister.

Let us examine the evidence against him in as generous a spirit as possible. Probably the most deadly arrow to his heart was discharged by BBCs Panorama earlier this week.

The main accusation levelled against him was that he received a whopping 7.2 million in salary and shares (which he is said to have cashed in) during the two and a half years he worked part-time for Greensill. The BBC says it has documents to prove it. Part-time is the crucial word. Mr Cameron was not generally rising with the lark and returning home wearily to catch the dying words of the Ten Oclock News.

When he was working, if that isnt too strong a word, he might have been on a Greensill private jet with a glass of champagne in his hand on the way to a beano in Singapore or Saudi Arabia.

There he would deploy his famous PR skills proselytising the company to wide-eyed investors keen to trust the endorsement of a British ex-prime minister.

Or he might have been earning his bread, or at least exercising his fingers, in the months before Greensill Capital crashed by sending 56 texts and emails to civil servants and government ministers, including the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, pleading for support for the company.

Fortunately, the Bank of England didnt cough up the 10 billion investment Mr Cameron was seeking, though Greensill was given access to a government-backed loan scheme without being subject to detailed checks. As a result, taxpayers are facing a 335 million loss.

Anyway  to return to the alleged 7.2 million payment for part-time work  we should in fairness mention that the former PMs spokesman declared after the Panorama programme that his boss did not receive anything like the figures quoted.

This is a very unsatisfactory response. It leaves one wondering why the BBCs apparently authentic documents tell a different story. And how much was it? Five million? Four? Three? It would be helpful  not least to David Camerons good name  to be told the truth.

As it is, we are left with the impression of a man who was grotesquely overpaid for doing some work for a company which has collapsed in disarray, owing its creditors some 1 billion.

Many will think that a leading Tory has his snout in the trough again. How ironic that the man who set out to detoxify the Conservative Party should end up by confirming peoples worst prejudices about it

It has been alleged that Mr Cameron, left, lobbied the then Health Secretary Matt Hancock, centre, to attend a genomics conference hosted by a company which employed the former PM

Please dont misunderstand me. No one could be more pleased than I when a hard-working businessman earns squillions of pounds by creating jobs and wealth.

But Mr Camerons activities dont fall into that category. He was excessively rewarded for comparatively little work. His real qualification was that he happened to have been Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

If everything had gone according to plan, he would have trousered even more undeserved cash since before Greensill went belly-up his shareholding seemed on track to make him as much as 70 million. By the way, Lex Greensill is said to have extracted 40 million from the wreckage.

Was greed Mr Camerons only vice? I fear not. He displayed appalling judgment in backing Mr Greensill, who is what used to be called a wide boy. Brilliant and charming, no doubt, but not always punctilious about detail. Yet Mr Cameron placed his faith in this character. As far back as 2012, he gave him a desk in No 10 and extolled his wheeze of speeding up the payment of NHS-linked pharmacies for a fee. Why not just get the NHS to settle its bills promptly?

Having given Mr Greensills career a massive boost, Mr Cameron was more than amply repaid two years after leaving No 10 by the offer of a role on absurdly lucrative terms.

The question is whether he knew early last year that the company was on its last legs. According to Panorama, Greensill Capital became aware that a company to which it had lent around 3.6 billion  GFG Alliance, controlled by steel magnate Sanjeev Gupta  could not meet its repayments.

So Greensill allegedly started making the payments out of its own resources, masking GFG Alliances financial difficulties, as well as its own exposure.

Did Mr Cameron have wind of this when he took his begging bowl around Whitehall? He insists not, saying that he wasnt a director of Greensill (though he regularly attended board meetings) and had no executive responsibilities.

In which case, he was very rash to evangelise on the companys behalf, and to try to access public funds, without informing himself that it was on its last legs. It smacks of extreme carelessness, and an amateurishness scarcely credible in a former prime minister.

Greensill could not have been a well-managed or entirely transparent concern. Mr Camerons championing of it betrays breathtaking misjudgment in addition to atrocious greed. And this from a man who in 2010 inveighed against the evils of lobbying!

Many will think that a leading Tory has his snout in the trough again. How ironic that the man who set out to detoxify the Conservative Party should end up by confirming peoples worst prejudices about it.

Is his behaviour any worse than that of Tony Blair, who has made tens of millions of pounds, sometimes working for dodgy dictators? All one can say is that most of Mr Blairs fortune has gone to his foundation. Mr Cameron wants riches for himself.

I assume he doesnt want to be shunned at his club or avoided by his friends. I suppose that he cares about his reputation and doesnt wish to be remembered as an unnaturally greedy, negligent man.

So may I make a suggestion? Another Tory ex-PM, Stanley Baldwin, gave a fifth of his fortune  120,000  to help pay Britains war debt after World War I. That equates to over 6 million today. He, of course, had nothing to atone for.

What an example! If Mr Cameron wishes to be rehabilitated, the path to redemption is to return his ill-gotten gains from Greensill Capital to its creditors, or else give it to charity.

In the three years after leaving No 10, he earned 1.6 million from media appearances and giving speeches. David Cameron wont starve if he gives back the money, but he might recover his good name, which is infinitely more precious.
There I was savouring the buzzing atmosphere as I enjoyed a pint in the pub with friends, when it became clear that I needed to correct a misapprehension.

All my drinking companions were double vaccinated and seemed to think this made them more or less bulletproof when it came to Covid.

I explained to them this is not the case. While the vaccine is 90 per cent effective, that still means that if 50 million people receive it, five million of them could still fall victim to the virus  although they are certainly far less likely to suffer its most serious effects.

It wasn't my intention to dent my friends' confidence in the vaccine. Indeed, quite the opposite.

I believe we need a dramatic change of stance when it comes to Britain's approach to the pandemic  one that could best be summarised thus: stop fighting Covid, start living with it.

And the best way of achieving that is to understand the facts. Regular readers of this newspaper will know it is a view I've held for some time, even while acknowledging that our world-beating vaccine programme is not a panacea. And I am happy to say I have now been backed by some very eminent colleagues.

Baffled

At a parliamentary committee hearing this week, Professor Sir Andrew Pollard, who led the Oxford vaccine team, declared that while we cannot entirely stop transmission of the Covid virus (and may never achieve the much-desired herd immunity because the Delta variant can still infect the vaccinated), we need to alter our mindset to accommodate life with this pernicious virus.

That means an end to mass testing and the recitation of endless doom-mongering Covid infection figures that, as infectious diseases expert Professor Paul Hunter put it, are largely meaningless if they do not translate into rising hospitalisations and deaths.

To which I can only say 'Hear Hear!' Followed swiftly by 'About time'.

There I was savouring the buzzing atmosphere as I enjoyed a pint in the pub with friends, when it became clear that I needed to correct a misapprehension. All my drinking companions were double vaccinated and seemed to think this made them more or less bulletproof when it came to Covid. Pictured: Diners in Soho, west London

Of course, I welcome the final easing of restrictions next Monday when self-isolation rules will be ditched (and replaced by advice to get a PCR test and daily lateral flow tests for NHS staff), but there is more the Government needs to do.

I have long been baffled by the way our Government has seemed to lack the courage of its vaccine-fuelled convictions despite the astonishing success of the roll-out. We were told repeatedly  and correctly in my view  that vaccination was the key to ending the stranglehold of Covid on our lives and the partially paralysed economy.

Yet here we are, with 75 per cent of the adult population now fully vaccinated, and the 'third wave' far less dramatic than forecast even in the wake of loosened restrictions  but a wartime mentality still pervades.

Which leads me to ask: what on earth were ministers hoping to achieve? Certainly not 'Zero Covid', a shorthand term to describe crushing the virus so comprehensively that it is eradicated.

This was the policy deployed by both the Australian governments which, at various points, claimed to have achieved a Zero Covid status.

Realistic

That is no longer true: both countries are gripped by spiralling case numbers of the Delta variant in spite of ferocious national and local lockdowns and closed borders.

Nor will it ever be true. We are never going to be able to eliminate Covid, just as we have never been able to eliminate other bacterial and viral diseases whether it be TB or influenza or antibiotic-resistant bacteria which remain embedded within the world population.

But that is not a cause for fear, because we now have a much more realistic sense of how the virus affects us and how the vaccine has transformed our landscape even in the wake of the Delta variant.

This week, the Department of Health announced that 60,000 deaths and 66,900 hospitalisations have been prevented by the vaccination. Those numbers will only increase as more of the population receives the vaccine, including 16 and 17-year-olds.

I have long been baffled by the way our Government has seemed to lack the courage of its vaccine-fuelled convictions despite the astonishing success of the roll-out. Pictured: A woman gets her jab at a Newcastle vaccination centre

This, though, is far from an inviolable 'ring of protection'. Analysis by Public Health England has shown that when vaccinated people catch the virus, they have a similar viral load to unvaccinated individuals and may be as infectious.

But we have shown conclusively that mass vaccination makes the virus less likely to spread, while those that contract it are less likely to suffer catastrophic consequences.

That is precisely why those daily new Covid infection figures  announced nightly on the BBC and by other broadcasters  are such a nonsense. They tell us what we already know, which is that the virus is amongst us. But that only matters if it is overwhelming us  which it isn't.

I believe we need a dramatic change of stance when it comes to Britain's approach to the pandemic  one that could best be summarised thus: stop fighting Covid, start living with it, writes Prof Brendan Wren

Meanwhile, there are other genuinely catastrophic consequences playing out every day.

None of us can yet foresee the true long-term impact of the Government's handling of this virus, but we have already paid a huge price both economically and psychologically.

Businesses have gone to the wall, thousands have died awaiting hospital treatment delayed by the pandemic and thousands more have missed out on early diagnosis of life-threatening diseases. Others have been overwhelmed by the psychological toll of social isolation and lives put on hold.

In the latter camp, I would place those people I know who are stll so terrified by the spectre of Covid that they refuse to leave their homes.

But you do not have to be a scientist to understand that, even with the Delta variant and the threat of other mutations, the bottom line is that with mass vaccination, Covid is no longer a lethal threat.

Moreover, as global medical understanding of the virus expands, so do our treatments and therapies. We are a long way from where we were in the bleak months of early 2020.

That is not to say we can ever be complacent. No one can predict the evolution of the virus. But the key thing is whether we can manage it and I believe that the astonishing acceleration of our vaccine technology in the past 18 months means that we can.

In effect, like seasonal variants of the flu, Covid will become a background problem, efficiently dealt with by an ongoing annual vaccine programme and care of the vulnerable.

Confidence

That certainly seems to be a belief in other parts of Europe, where I have watched with interest as France and Germany have granted privileges to people who have been vaccinated, including access to particular restaurants and bars, in an attempt to persuade the vaccine sceptics.

These aren't mandates as such  although some of the measures come close  and it isn't something I would want to see here.

Either way, now is indeed the time to end the siege culture of mass testing and quarantining.

No one can predict the evolution of the virus. But the key thing is whether we can manage it and I believe that the astonishing acceleration of our vaccine technology in the past 18 months means that we can

No one is suggesting that people behave recklessly, but our leaders need to acknowledge publicly that, in the UK at least, the worst is over.

I would go so far as to say that it is the duty of our Government to imbue the public with a sense of renewed confidence, encouraging them to stop living their lives in fear.

Yes, Covid is here to stay. But we are already showing that we can and will live with it.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak turned up on breakfast TV yesterday doing his best Lionel Richie impersonation. Once, twice, three times he refused to say whether or not he wanted to succeed Boris Johnson as Prime Minister.

Translation: Of course he does.

The question was prompted by the findings of this newspaper's poll which showed Dishi Rishi clear favourite to move into No10 once Boris calls it a day. Almost half of voters think the change should happen in the next 12 months. Eleven per cent want Boris to go now.

Is that all? These days the electorate has the attention span of a greenfly. And no electorate is more fickle than the parliamentary Conservative Party.

Having had a year and a half of nothing but Covid, it's hardly surprising that they're impatient for politics as usual. And in the case of the Tories, that means plotting against whoever happens to be in charge.

Right now it's Boris's turn in the ducking stool. This time next year, Rodney, it could well be Sunak.

So the Chancellor is probably wise to sidestep questions about his ambitions. What was he supposed to say: 'Damn right I want to be PM. The sooner Boris walks the plank the better'?

Chancellor Rishi Sunak (centre with wife Akshata Murthy, right) turned up on breakfast TV yesterday doing his best Lionel Richie impersonation. Once, twice, three times he refused to say whether or not he wanted to succeed Boris Johnson as Prime Minister

Right now it's Boris's turn in the ducking stool. This time next year, Rodney, it could well be Sunak. Pictured: Sunak with his wife Akshata Murthy

In the scheme of things, schtum was his only option. Whatever other qualities he might possess, he doesn't have Boris's quick-thinking turn of phrase.

When the same question was put to Johnson during Mother Theresa's disastrous tenure, he came over all innocent but added a mischievous caveat about what might happen were the ball accidentally to emerge from the back of the scrum...

The Boys In The Bubble are always looking for the next best thing, so it's hardly surprising they seized on Sunak's non- denial. With Parliament in recess until after the schools go back, they've got to find something to write about.

Thus we are told that various MPs are 'on manoeuvres'. Don't you just love the language?

It's the middle of August and after 18 months of idleness  sorry 'working from home' via Zoom  most Tory MPs are on manoeuvres in Devon, Norfolk, Northumberland, Pembrokeshire, and in the case of Liz Truss, Barbados (allegedly).

Obviously Captain Tobias Wilcox's Coconut Airways are still flying, even if most of the main airlines remain grounded.

Climate change secretary Alok Sharma has been on manoeuvres in 30 different countries since January  everywhere from Brazil to Indonesia. And unlike the rest of us he hasn't had to self-isolate on his return or pay an arm and a leg for rip-off PCR tests. The one place MPs are not on manoeuvres is Westminster.

Instead of knocking off for the summer, Parliament should have been required to remain in emergency session with a full house, not a socially-distanced, skeleton scattering of bodies on the backbenches.

While we remain in semi-lockdown limbo, MPs should be subjecting every cough and spit of Covid-inspired policy to forensic scrutiny, instead of packing their buckets and spades and camping equipment and heading off on holiday for the duration.

Despite the Chancellor's confidence in a strong recovery, every day which passes sees more businesses going to the wall and more jobs lost.

Maybe Dishi Rishi's time will come. But for now, he should be careful what he wishes for

Which brings us back to Boris v Rishi. No wonder Sunak is currently seen as the Tories' 'golden boy' and a PM-in-waiting. It's easy to buy popularity when you are borrowing money to give away.

Rishi has rightly been praised for preserving jobs and keeping the economy afloat. But the end of furlough next month could still lead to hundreds of thousands of people discovering they haven't got a job to go back to  as this column has been warning for more than a year.

Yesterday the TUC called for a 'Daughter Of Furlough' (you can tell they've got a female general secretary). The unions want the unemployed to receive 80 per cent of their wages from the taxpayer in perpetuity.

Meanwhile, the teaching unions aim to keep the schools shut and the civil service unions say their members must not be forced to return to the office  despite the fact that basic services such as issuing driving licences are in total disarray. It takes ten weeks to get a passport, if you're lucky. And try getting the DVLA to answer the phone.

Some of us remember the 'Right To Work' marches of the 1980s. Today, the unions are demanding the right not to go to work.

Who can blame them when for the past 18 months, Rishi has given the impression that the Government will always provide.

The moment he ends furlough and attempts to recoup the borrowed billions through tax rises and tighter public spending, he can expect a barrage of abuse along the lines of 'typical heartless Tory cuts'. The BBC will lead every bulletin with heart-rending reports on the casualties of 'austerity'.

How will his popularity hold up then? We still don't know whether he's any good as a Chancellor. He's never delivered a proper Budget. His first was cancelled because of Covid.

Rishi's image is fashioned upon a carefully cultivated social media presence and his recent ability to hose down the country with free money.

Strip that away and all that's left is someone who looks like a 12-year-old boy in Norman Wisdom's suit.

Mr Grimsdale!

As for Boris, he's a known quantity. Maybe the bumbling buffoon act is wearing thin, but he has always had bouncebackability. Like Kenny from South Park, you can't kill him for long.

The notion that he's had enough is pure speculation, wishful thinking. Even if he is flagging  who wouldn't be after what he's been though, including near death?  that doesn't mean he's ready to throw in the towel.

More to the point, does anyone seriously believe Carrie Antoinette would let him retire hurt?

Five minutes ago, she was just another Central Office temptress handing out election leaflets. Today she's playing at First Lady, front and centre stage at world summits, holding hands on the beach with Mrs Merkin and Jill Biden.

The notion that Boris has had enough is pure speculation, wishful thinking. Even if he is flagging  who wouldn't be after what he's been though, including near death?  that doesn't mean he's ready to throw in the towel. Pictured: Boris Johnson (left) and his wife Carrie at the Euros Final

She's free to redecorate Downing Street in her own distinctive style, like Lady Grantham in Downton Abbey. So Rishi's missus shouldn't start measuring up the curtains just yet.

As they say on all the best reality shows, Carrie's living the dream. Does anyone seriously think she's going to give that up in a hurry?

No way, Pedro.

We keep being told that Boris is boracic and needs to make some serious money. So no change there, then. But there's no rush.

The serious money isn't going away. The banks will grant him an overdraft against the riches he can expect when he does eventually leave No10.

We learned this week that Mrs May has copped 2million-plus in speaking fees from assorted corporations and institutions. Yet her most famous speech was punctuated by a coughing fit while the set fell down around her. She is to public speaking what Tommy Cooper was to magic.

If there are mugs prepared to pay two mill to hang on her every word, and if Call Me Dave can score seven million quid for writing to Matt Hancock, then the sky's the limit for Boris.

He may never match Tony Blair's post-politics fortune, but he's set up for life regardless. So he need be in no hurry to cash in now.

The stuff I enjoyed most in our poll was the small print, not the politics. While voters trust Sunak to pay them back a 20 loan, look after their dog and fix a wobbly shelf, they'd still rather go to the pub with Boris.

Remarkably, given his reputation as a flying swordsman to rival D'Artagnan, 21 per cent of men say they'd be happy for their wife to have dinner with Boris.

My guess is that the number of wives who'd love to have dinner with Boris would be at least double that. And whatever Amber Rudd once said, plenty of them would be more than happy for BoJo to drive them home afterwards.

Tory MPs may be getting restless, but for all his faults, Boris still has the ability to reach the parts other politicians can't, and remains their best bet of keeping their seats at the next election.

As for Dishi Rishi, maybe his time will come. But for now, he should be careful what he wishes for.
Comebacks have rarely been as brutal and quick as the Taliban's dramatic surge across Afghanistan since the start of July.

Eleven regional capitals have fallen to the insurgents in six days and hundreds of thousands of Afghans have fled their homes, fearing life under Islamic fundamentalists.

The streets and parks of Kabul are lined with men, women and children who have come to the capital in the belief that it is the safest place to be in a country torn apart by war.

But with the Taliban on the march, US intelligence's prediction that they could capture Kabul within 90 days seems optimistic from the embattled government's point of view.

It is time to ask how a group reviled as savage religious fundamentalists and sponsors of international terrorism could recover from utter defeat two decades ago to become Afghanistan's rulers-in-waiting.

Does the Taliban's apparent impending victory mean that the country is destined to hurtle back to the brutal medieval regime that ruled there in 2001?

Will it again house terrorists to threaten the peace of the country's neighbours and the world? The irony is that the Taliban  which takes its name from the Pashto word for 'students'  first came to prominence thanks to cash from the US taxpayer.

It drew its founder members from the 'mujahideen', one of the guerrilla groups that opposed the Soviet invasion of 1979 and eventually toppled the Afghan communist government 13 years later.

And the mujahideen's efforts were funded to the tune of $3billion via a CIA programme called Operation Cyclone.

While the Soviets were forced out, Washington had cause to rue its investment when the Taliban took control of the country in the late 1990s.

Weary of decades of fighting, Afghans generally welcomed the Taliban at first. They stamped out corruption, curbed lawlessness and created the conditions to enable businesses to flourish.

But then, as now, Afghan cities had been opened up to the modern world and, when the Taliban imposed their particular brand of rigid rural moralism, their honeymoon period came to an abrupt end.

Eleven regional capitals have fallen to the insurgents in six days and hundreds of thousands of Afghans have fled their homes, fearing life under Islamic fundamentalists

The mullahs introduced punishments in line with their strict interpretation of Sharia law  convicted murderers were executed in public, adulterers and homosexuals were stoned to death, thieves had a hand chopped off, and women immodest enough to let an ankle show beneath their full-body burkas were savagely beaten. Television, music and cinema were banned and girls aged 10 and over were prevented from going to school.

The Taliban also destroyed as much of Afghanistan's rich historical heritage as possible, most notoriously the huge ancient rock carvings of the Bamiyan Buddhas, blown up in March 2001.

But then they made the mistake of giving safe harbour to Osama bin Laden's Al Qaeda terrorist group. Its attack on the Twin Towers provided the Americans with a casus belli.

It took the US military just three months after the 9/11 terrorist attacks of 2001 to sweep the brutal fundamentalists from power. They were replaced by an interim government under the secular Hamid Karzai, a veteran of the struggle against the Soviets.

One of his former proteges, ex-chief adviser Ashraf Ghani, is now the president of Afghanistan.

Ghani, who was an academic in the US before returning home in 2002, took power in 2014 but has since presided over an era of growing corruption with vast sums of foreign aid being siphoned out of Afghanistan by well-placed insiders. Despite this, US patrols and government-manned checkpoints gave the illusion that Afghanistan was under control. Until recently.

The growing power of the Taliban meant that Afghans who had welcomed the freer lifestyle brought by the Americans were well aware how fragile such freedoms were.

The man they fear most is Haibatullah Akhundzada, the Islamic legal scholar who is the Taliban's supreme leader.

He took over when his predecessor, Akhtar Mansour, was killed in a US drone strike near the Afghan-Pakistan border in 2016.

For 15 years, until he disappeared in May, 2016, Akhundzada taught and preached at a mosque in Kuchlak, a town in southwestern Pakistan. Today, the whereabouts of the man known as known as the 'Leader of the Faithful' remain unknown. But if things continue to go his way that will soon change.

Sadly, that fear of a return to the dark days of Taliban rule has not galvanised resistance. Despite the fact that the Afghan Army has 180,000 soldiers and a battery of modern weaponry, including state-of-the-art assault rifles and attack helicopters, it is being humbled on the battlefield by an enemy force of no more than 85,000 men, armed with vintage AK-47s and rocket-propelled grenades.

It was when President Donald Trump decided to stop America's 'forever war' in Afghanistan in 2020 and started talking to the Taliban that the stage was set for its resurgence.

Trump made a partial deal with the Taliban, who agreed to stop attacking the US-led foreign forces in return for the release of 5,000 captured Taliban fighters.

The Afghan government delayed implementing its side of the deal in the hope of a new president in Washington. Joe Biden was duly inaugurated in November, only to pull the rug from under Kabul by ordering US troops to leave.

That news was a body blow to Ghani's administration and a massive morale boost to the Taliban. Worse, it was a clear message to ordinary Afghans, including the foot soldiers of the Afghan Army: Switch sides while you can.

Much of the world is amazed that America is abandoning Afghanistan as the twentieth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack looms.

Russia in particular is furious at the Americans' sudden withdrawal. The Kremlin was happy to see the US Army expend blood and treasure in Afghanistan just as its forces had in the 1980s.

But what Moscow fears is that once the Taliban are back in power they will let Afghanistan be a base to destabilise the ex-Soviet republics in Central Asia.

Among the Taliban's fighters there are many Islamist extremists from countries such as Uzbekistan which were ruled by Moscow until 1991. Putin fears that these fighters could try to ride the wave of a Taliban victory and march in to the old Soviet Union.

Alarming reports about revenge killings of 'collaborators' with the West show the gap between the situation on the ground and the group's sweet-talk about a 'new Taliban'. Pictured: A checkpoint in Kandahar

Russia's worries about a Taliban takeover are in sharp contrast to China's relaxed attitude. Beijing has been talking to the Taliban and seems reassured that it won't sponsor violence in its restive Muslim regions.

China's ally, Pakistan, has long covertly sponsored the Taliban, and its army is also dominated by fundamentalists and very hostile to India, which had been helping the government in Kabul.

Maybe the Taliban won't back Islamic fundamentalists in the neighbouring states or give a base to international terrorists. But their Afghanistan will still be a blot on humanity again.

Alarming reports about revenge killings of 'collaborators' with the West and brutal beatings of women and girls from areas 'liberated' by their warriors in recent weeks show the gap between the situation on the ground and the group's sweet-talk about a 'new Taliban'.

Listen to the English-speaking Taliban peace negotiator Suhail Shaheen and you could be forgiven for thinking the Taliban had liberalised over the past two decades.

But there is a glaring disconnect between the urbane members of the Taliban's Doha Group  its Qatar-based negotiating team  and the commanders and foot soldiers on the ground, who whip women for failing to wear the burka and abduct pre-teenage girls to be married off to Taliban fighters as booty of war.

If the likely fate of so many Afghans who adopted Western ways is going to be grim, what about the security of the West itself?

Last year, the Taliban's English-speaking 'diplomats' promised President Trump that the group would not let terrorists base themselves in Afghanistan again.

Of course, it depends what they mean by 'terrorist'. In-fighting among radical Islamists has taken place in Afghanistan for years.

The Taliban are enraged by the Islamic State group, for example, which has been calling fighters from Syria and Iraq to come to Afghanistan to take advantage of the American pullout.

While the Taliban is dead against those particular terrorists  whose monstrous 'caliphate' has now fallen  there is evidence that they are sympathetic to Al Qaeda.

After Afghans defeated the mighty Soviet Union, their sense of invincibility fuelled the Taliban's sponsorship of Al Qaeda against America.

Won't their rout of the US-backed regime in Afghanistan re-ignite similar feelings of invincibility? With the Taliban on a roll, the West would be grotesquely naive to feel safe.
The extraordinary life of a conman who scammed Al Capone, 'sold' the Eiffel Tower and stole jewellery from unsuspecting European aristocrats is investigated in a fascinating new book.

Victor Lustig was born in January 1890 in the small hamlet of Hostinne, Bohemia, in what is now the Czech Republic.

By the age of 16, while still at school, Lustig, who went by dozens of aliases over the course of his life, had already learned how to hustle opponents and billiards and understood how to lay odds at the local racecourse.

Over the next 30 years, Lustig honed his skills as a brilliant confidence man and master manipulator. He posed as a fairground medium, dabbled in blackmail, claimed to own London's Tower Bridge and developed a talent as a forger.

Biographer Christopher Sandford traces the remarkable trajectory of Lustig's life in The Man Who Conned the World.

Con man: Victor Lustig (right) was born in 1890 in Hostinne, Bohemia, in what is now the Czech Republic. He became an international career criminal who was active for more than 30 years before being caught. Pictured, after being sentenced to 20 years in prison

Lustig, who could speak six languages fluently and played competitive-level chess, was once described as 'the cleverest and most resourceful exploiter of human frailty in the history of crime'.

Lustig had a fertile imagination and was an accomplished actor, playing the role of a European Count, a French government minister, or an English gentleman, as the scam required.

He targeted everyone from New York city gamblers to European socialites, hardened criminals to wealthy French businessman, but always claimed to only target those who could afford it.

Although he was married and had a daughter, Lustig also had a way with women. Sandford claims a young Joan Crawford, a brothel madam and American singing star Ruth Etting were among the women he was linked to over the course of his life.

In writing the biography Sandford consulted the archives of the US prison service and draws on notes from the FBI agents who were so desperate to capture this elusive character.

Womanizer: Although he was married and had a daughter, Lustig also had a way with women. Sandford claims a young Joan Crawford (pictured), a brothel madam and American singing star Ruth Etting were among the women he was linked to over the course of his life

Finally caught: While his daughter remembers him as a devoted father who was kind to his friends, law enforcement described him as an 'unscrupulous criminal felon  a character without morals or pity'. Pictured, Lustig (centre) is questioned by police in New York in 1935

While his daughter remembers him as a devoted father who was kind to his friends, law enforcement described him as an 'unscrupulous criminal felon  a character without morals or pity  because of him mens careers were destroyed, women committed suicide'.

Lustig, who criss-crossed between the US, Canada, Mexico and Europe throughout his life, was finally arrested in 1935 after a jilted mistress went to the police.

He was arrested for masterminding a counterfeit banknote operation that threatened to shake confidence in the US economy and sentenced to 20 years in Alcatraz. He died of pneumonia in 1947.

Here, in extracts and adapted text from Victor Lustig: The Man Who Conned The World, a selection of Lustig's most outrageous cons...

'EARL MOUNTJOY' THE INSURANCE EXECUTIVE

Playing the part: Lustig, who had more than 40 aliases over the course of his life, could speak six languages and used this to his advantage in his elaborate schemes

Woman on the side: Lustig had a relationship with American singing star Ruth Etting, pictured

In January 1908 Lustig, then just 18, was arrested by police following one of his 'snoozer' cons, so-called because the criminal checks themselves into the same hotel as his victims before fleecing them of any money. As Sandford explains:

'The complaint against him said that he had celebrated the event by installing himself in a suite of the Nemzeti Hotel and, sporting expensive new tailoring and a waxed moustache, posing as an apparently well-bred young insurance company executive sent on a continental tour by his associates in London.

'For only a token fee, he announced, he would be glad to take a piece of any potential clients jewellery, leave behind a receipt, and then have the item professionally appraised by an expert before returning it in the morning.

A life as a career criminal: A potted history of Lustig's cons February 1909, Vienna: Posed as a hotel carpenter and installed a fake wall in a room that allowed him access to a guest's valuables from the other side. April 1911, Budapest: Convinced a wealthy woman to give him money by claiming it was going to fund an orphanage. 1914, London: 'Sold' London Bridge for 2,400 by posing as a local authority worker seeking to raise funds. Early 1916, London: Posed as a musical producer named Andre Dupre and convinced Harley Street specialist Cyril McLintock to invest 500 in a West End show that never existed. February 1918, New Orleans, Louisiana: Swindled gambler and boxing promoter George Tex Rickard out of $500 in a poker game after bribing the dealer and practising his 'poker face' in his hotel room. August 1922, Cape May, New Jersey: Using the alias Count Kokum, he set up a stand and pretended to communicate with the dead. October 1922, Springfield, Missouri: Stole $10,000 from a bank after posing as a wealthy businessman looking for a site for his next chemical plant. June 1924, Salina, Kansas: Pulled a similar scam to the one above, this time posing as Baron von Lustig, seeking a property. Ended up taking $1,000 from the community bank. December 1929, Texas-Mexico border: Arrested for crossing the border with counterfeit pesos. Advertisement

'He had walked off in this manner with a Cartier 'tutti frutti' necklace and matching earrings, after introducing himself to their owner as 'Earl Mountjoy' and mentioning that he hoped she might find time later in the spring to join him on his yacht as he cruised the French Riviera.

'That was the last the lady had seen either of the young lord or her valuables. He did not marry her.'

THE FAKE CHURCH

After arriving in the US, Lustig set about earning money in the best way he knew how: by conning unsuspecting people.

One of his schemes in 1916 involved setting up his own church on the Manhattan waterfront and promised the congregation that the service would 'swell all hearts and souls with joy'.

As he was not an ordained priest - indeed, he was not even very religious - Lustig relied on copying a speech made by a Catholic speech in the Polish city of Breslau and switching around a few of the words.

The congregation were so impressed they handed over $90 ($2,400) in the collection plate, which Lustig swiftly pocketed.

THE PHONY BETTING SHOP

Another front used by Lustig was the fake off-track betting shop. Gamblers made easy marks for Lustig because they were already prepared to part with their money.

In this ruse, Lustig, sometimes posing as the displaced European aristocrat Count von Kessler, would convince a wealthy individual to visit the premises under the guise of placing a bet.

The con man was so thorough and well-rehearsed that he would fill the room with actors playing employees and furnish it as if it were an actual better shop.

The 'broadcasts' from the track that blared through the speakers were actually being recorded live by an associate in the next room.

THE MONEY-MAKING MACHINE

In the early 1920s, Lustig came up with a literal money-making machine which he claimed would 'print money'. Here, the author explains how it works:

'The idea was to ply a mark with a well-oiled meal in a luxury hotel, and then to invite him into a private room upstairs to inspect the wonder machine.

'Lustig would produce a genuine $100 bill from his wallet, insert it into one of the boxs two end slots, and turn a lever that sucked the bill into the interior.

'Into the other slot he fed a sheet of banknote-sized white linen paper. After twirling a few knobs, Victor would tell the expectant customer that they needed to wait a further six hours in order for the miracle of alchemy to take effect. The delay served only to heighten the air of anticipation.

Busted: Lustig, who criss-crossed between the US, Canada, Mexico and Europe throughout his life, was finally arrested in 1935 after a jilted mistress went to the police. Pctured, in the 1930s

'When the two men returned, possibly fortified by more drinks, the demonstration would swiftly reach a climax. After Lustig again carefully adjusted all the knobs and turned the crank, the box obligingly issued two crisp $100 bills, the original and its duplicate. Both were quite genuine. Lustig had concealed the second bill in the device before his victim ever set foot in the room.

'The results were uniformly gratifying from Victors point of view. Sometimes he sold one of the boxes, which typically took him a couple of hours to knock up in his workshop, for as much as $30,000 ($800,000 today).

'The devices new owner would eagerly repeat the procedure he had just witnessed with his own eyes, but somehow no more money would ever emerge.

'The six-hour waiting period was generally more than enough for Lustig to put a couple of hundred miles between himself and the scene of the crime. Besides, he reasoned, the party buying the box was dishonest himself. He would be unlikely to welcome the attention of the police. '

SELLING THE EIFFEL TOWER

In 1925, Lustig packed up his family and went to Paris, where they stayed in a suite in the Hotel de Crillon - and he pulled off the con that would define his career.

In a lengthy and elaborate scheme that involved fake information booklets, a staged business meeting in Bordeaux, infiltration of a government department and a faux office set up in the basement of the hotel, Lustig managed to convince a scrap metal dealer that he was buying the Eiffel Tower.

The plan was methodical and well-researched and could have been years in the making, although Lustig maintained it was a spur-of-the-moment idea.

He was joined in it by a fellow conman known as 'Dapper Dan' who he met in the US and brought with him on the ocean liner to Paris, introducing him to his wife and daughter as a business associate.

Biographer Christopher Sandford traces the remarkable trajectory of Lustig's life in The Man Who Conned the World

After whittling down 11 prospective targets to one mark, a man named Andre Poisson, Lustig and 'Dapper Dan' finally struck on 13 May 1925. As Sandford writes:

'It seems almost absurd today, when a typical 'end-user license agreement' for a basic phone service can run to an eye-glazing 10,000 words, but the contract eventually set before Andre Poisson in the private downstairs conference room of the Hotel de Crillon on 13 May 1925 covered just two double-spaced sheets of paper.

'The essence of it was that he would pay 1,200,000 francs, or around 170,000 (roughly 4.2 million today) by certified cheque, and the Eiffel Tower would then be his to dispose of as he saw fit. There were one or two subsidiary clauses concerning matters such as confidentiality and the timetable for the towers demolition, but nothing that gave him any cause for alarm.

'This was a Wednesday morning, and Poisson requested forty-eight hours in which to raise the cash. There was some question of him needing to put his family home on Avenue Montaigne up for collateral against a bank loan, he explained.

'That was all perfectly acceptable, Lustig smoothly replied. Poisson later remarked that the sellers utmost courtesy throughout the transaction served only to aggravate the final horror of the scene.'

Poisson eventually realised he had lost over a million france - 5million today - in an outright scam.

On returning to the hotel, which had served as the 'office' and meting place for Lustig and his meetings, he discovered that the basement venue was nothing more than a janitor's closet that had been transformed.

The staff, who for weeks had been receiving generous tips from Lustig, could give no information of a forwarding address - or, indeed, his true identity.

By the time Mr Poisson had made his discovery, Lustig was at the Hotel Imperial in Vienna, under a different name.

CONNING AL CAPONE

Unknowing victim: In 1925 Lustig swindled a then 26-year-old Al Capone - and the notorious gangster didn't even realise he'd been had. Pictured, Capone

In 1925 Lustig swindled a then 26-year-old Al Capone - and the notorious gangster didn't even realise he'd been had.

Lustig arranged a meeting with Capone in his suite at the Hawthorne Hotel in Cicero, near Chicago.

He convinced Capone to invest in a get-rich-quick scheme, promising to double his $50,000 investment in 60 days or less.

The details of the ploy aren't known but it was enough for Capone who handed over $50,000 in cash. However Lustig either had second thoughts about running off with the money, or wasn't able to fulfil his promise.

Either way he returned to Capone some weeks later and admitted he had failed.

The gangster asked if Lustig was broke and, when he said 'yes', despite being flush with cash, Capone handed over $5,000.

Victor Lustig: The Man Who Conned the World is published by The History Press, 20 (ebook 12.99)
The boss of online retailer Boohoo has said how its clothing brands are 'not throwaway'.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live's Wake Up to Money podcast, chief executive John Lyttle said Boohoo, which owns 13 brands including Boohoo, Coast, Karen Millen, Dorothy Perkins, Warehouse, Oasis and PrettyLittleThing, had a 'clear strategy' for being more sustainable.

'The reality is we all have to wear clothes, so clothes have to be supplied,' he said, speaking to the BBC. 'I look across all of our brands and I look at the number of items and the average number of times per year that somebody buys, we don't see that as a throwaway.

Sometimes fast fashion is seen as "I buy it, wear it once and then I throw it away." That certainly, from the data that we have, we wouldn't correlate with that.'

The boss of online retailer Boohoo John Lyttle (pictured) has said how its clothing brands are 'not throwaway'

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live's Wake Up to Money podcast, chief executive John Lyttle said Boohoo, which owns 13 brands including Boohoo, Coast, Karen Millen, Dorothy Perkins, Warehouse, Oasis and PrettyLittleThing, had a 'clear strategy' for being more sustainable. Pictured, the website

Lyttle went on to explain how the company is taking action in a bid to be more sustainable - but admits it could take some time.

'Even the report that was published this week, is what it's clearly saying is: "Look, we can still fix this, there is still time to fix this. But clearly these are pieces that need o be fixed over time."'

'They're not going to be fixed in six and twelve months, they're going to take a number of years before that can happen. If you look at the UK, you know by 2030 in terms of combustible engines stopping then...so that's the kind of timeframe even on that as a product.'

A Boohoo spokesperson commented: 'We are working hard behind the scenes to drive improvements in all areas of our business, from working with cotton farmers in Pakistan to grow cotton in a more sustainable way to working with our suppliers to look at ways of repurposing textile waste.

The fashion giant, worth 619.6 million, is opening is doors to customers in a bit to win back trust by being more transparent

We have been very transparent about our supply chain: we published our UK supply chain in March this year for anyone to see, we will publish our international suppliers list next month and weve recently invited members of the public to come and meet the makers of our clothes, of whom we are very proud.'

It comes after news that the online retailer is opening its supplier chain to the public in a bid to be more transparent about the true inner workings behind the scenes.

For Boohoo, 2020 was a year drenched in scandal after allegations that it employs workers from Leicester factories with poor health and safety records, and reputations for paying their staff less than minimum wage.

Following this, the fashion company significantly cut the number of suppliers it was affiliated with, down from 200 UK manufacturers to 78.

Boohoo Group is urging customers to have a look at the process behind closed doors and is giving the public the chance to meet the teams of people who actually make the clothes.

Boohoo Group CEO John Lyttle announced that the firm is committed to transparency and said the initiative is another demonstration of this.

'We are proud of the work we have done in the UK and we want the opportunity to showcase it.

'Customers can be confident in our operations and the way in which we are working with suppliers to drive positive change, as we help rebuild a vibrant manufacturing base in Leicester that offers good employment and great prospects for the city and its workers.

'I'd like to personally extend the invitation to our customers to be a part of this opportunity to come meet our makers first hand.'

The fashion giant, worth 619.6 million revealed last week that a select group of customers will come to Leicester next month for an 'all access' view of the company's workings.

Customers wishing to take part should email meetthemakers@boohoo.com.
Given to Moya Smith, a member of the Queen Mother's household at Clarence House, who preserved the topping with cling film

Prince and Princess of Wales's wedding cake has fetched 1,850 at auction

A slice of the Prince and Princess of Wales's wedding cake has fetched 1,850 at auction  more than 40 years after Charles and Diana tied the knot.

The large piece of cake icing and marzipan base from one of the 23 official wedding cakes features a sugared onlay of the royal coat-of-arms coloured in gold, red, blue and silver.

It was given to Moya Smith, a member of the Queen Mother's household at Clarence House, who preserved the topping with cling film.

She kept it in an old floral cake tin and taped a handmade label to the lid, reading: 'Handle with Care  Prince Charles & Princess Diane's (sic) Wedding Cake', which she signed and dated 29/7/81.

A slice of the Prince and Princess of Wales's wedding cake has fetched 1,850 at auction  more than 40 years after Charles and Diana tied the knot. Pictured, the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer at St Paul's Cathedral in London, 29th July 1981

The large piece of cake icing and marzipan base from one of the 23 official wedding cakes features a sugared onlay of the royal coat-of-arms coloured in gold, red, blue and silver

Mrs Smith's family sold the cake in 2008 to a collector, but it has come up for auction again, coinciding with what would have been the Waleses' 40th wedding anniversary on July 29.

The cake went under the hammer at Dominic Winter Auctioneers in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, on Wednesday afternoon, and was expected to fetch between 300 and 500.

But a flurry of bidding from across the world led to an internet buyer in Leeds securing the slice for 1,850.

Speaking after the sale, auctioneer and royal memorabilia specialist Chris Albury, of Dominic Winter Auctioneers, said: 'We were amazed at the numbers of people wanting to bid on this large and unique piece of royal cake icing.

It was given to Moya Smith, a member of the Queen Mother's household at Clarence House, who preserved the topping with cling film. Pictured, the tin containing a slice of cake from one of the 23 official wedding cakes made for the Royal Wedding of HRH Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer on Wednesday 29th July 1981

The order of service, ceremonial details and a royal wedding breakfast programme which along with a slice of cake from one of the 23 official wedding cakes made for the Royal Wedding of HRH Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer has fetched 1,850 at auction at Dominic Winter Auctioneers in Cirencester, Gloucestershire

'It seemed to get far more attention than when we sold it with a Charles & Diana thank you letter 13 years ago.

'There were lots of inquiries from bidders, mostly in the UK, USA and several countries in the Middle East.

'The bidding started at 300 and with commission bids, the internet and phone bidding, quickly rose to the winning price of 1,850.

'It was bought by an internet bidder in Leeds.

'As yet we haven't had a chance to speak to them to get a reaction or ask why they bought it, but it seems that this was an irresistible piece of royal memorabilia history for many.'

Mr Albury said he believed the slice (pictured) up for auction is likely to have come from either the side of a cake, or from the top of a single-tier cake

Mrs Smith began her career at Clarence House in the kitchen before moving on to more general duties on the recommendation of Lady Jean Rankin.

Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer in St Paul's Cathedral on July 29 1981.

In addition to their main official five-tier wedding cake, some 22 other wedding cakes were supplied by various manufacturers.

Mr Albury said he believed the slice up for auction is likely to have come from either the side of a cake, or from the top of a single-tier cake.

The cake was sold on Wednesday along with printed ceremonial and order of service programmes for the wedding, and a memorial Royal Wedding Breakfast programme for Buckingham Palace.

Charles and Diana's marriage was not to last and they split 11 years later in 1992, and divorced in 1996.

She went on to champion the disadvantaged but died suddenly in a Paris car crash in 1997, a year after the divorce, when sons William and Harry were aged just 15 and 12.
A content creator has offered his followers a glimpse into one the most expensive suites on a cruise ship which will set guests back up to a whopping $80,000 for a one-week stay.

Stephen - a travel photographer from the US - who posts under the pseudonym @curvelinefilms, took to TikTok to share a glimpse of the pricey room onboard Symphony of the Seas, which boasts controllers for the curtains and a bright orange slide which takes kids from the second to ground floor.

Starting off the luxury tour of the ultimate family suite on the Royal Caribbean cruise ship, he excitedly zooms the camera over two spacious floors.

'First off, this thing is two floors - with the gaming and living room down here and then the two bedrooms up there - it's insane,' he explains, pointing to the balcony above. 'There's literally a controller for everything - including the curtains - just in case you don't feel like going down there and doing it yourself.'

Stephen, from the US, who posts under the pseudonym @curvelinefilms, took to TikTok to share a glimpse of the ultimate family suite on the Royal Caribbean cruise ship. Pictured, the room boasts automatic curtains

The impressive room also features a bright orange slide that takes kids from the second to ground floor (pictured)

Stepping outside onto the balcony, Stephen reveals picturesque views across the sparkling ocean (pictured)

Along with the automatic curtains, Stephen notes that the room also comes complete with PS4, X Box and Nintendo Switch.

Then, heading over to the wardrobe, he slides back the door to reveal a dressing gown.

'No experience is complete without an official Royal Caribbean robe,' he adds.

Turning his attention to the younger generation, Stephen then reveals a secret little door that gets children into the kids room.

The travel photographer (pictured) explains how the luxury room covers two floors - with the gaming and living room downstairs and then the two bedrooms upstairs

Along with the automatic curtains (pictured, left), the adventurer notes that the room (pictured, main living area, right) also comes complete with PS4, X Box and Nintendo Switch

Heading to the wardrobe, the content creator slides back the wardrobe door to reveal a dressing gown which he brands the 'softest robe ever' (pictured)

He continues: 'Kids have pull-down beds for ultimate access - and a slide that goes all the way down to the first floor.'

Stepping outside onto the balcony with picturesque views across the sparkling ocean, Stephen adds: 'And last but not least, a beautiful view of Symphony of the Seas. Hope you had fun!'

And it wasn't long before impressed social media users took to the comments section - with the content creator adding the room would set guests back $44,000 - $80,000 (57,639) 'depending on how busy they are.'

'Could have gone my whole life not seeing this...I'll be thinking about it in my interior cabin with no windows,' joked one, while a second penned: 'It's too bad only the kids who have the richest of parents will ever experience this (and might not appreciate it as much). Can we fix that?'

A third simply penned: 'So cool though,' while a fourth added: 'Omg!! The slides! My son would love it'.

It wasn't long before impressed social media users took to the comments section, with one writing: 'So cool though' (pictured)

However, not all were full of praise for the luxurious room, with some saying they expected a little more to justify the hefty price tag.

'Ok...kind of cool...but seriously? It's 2021 and a slide is the main attraction? They should have a VR connected to 360 camera under ship...2021 guys,' wrote one.

In response, the content creator penned: 'This came out in 2018. The new one, Odyssey of the Seas, has a four player VR experience.'

A second wrote: 'Unless you're on the ship for 14 days, this is a waste of money. I wouldn't plan on being in my room other than to sleep, so I'd get the cheapest one.'

Meanwhile, a further added: 'A family could literally see all of Europe for that money...just to sit in a moving hotel room.'
As I was unpacking a box in my new house, I found them unexpectedly. I recognised the neat, boyish handwriting  and felt as if I was 19 all over again.

It was a stack of love letters from my first boyfriend, written on yellowing, lined pages ripped from an exercise book. I hadnt realised Id kept them but somehow, in transit, they had surfaced in a box stuffed full of old magazines and books. I picked one out and started reading it.

Darling, you have been so wonderful these past few weeks. It was a letter that an old boyfriend, Ben, had sent after staying with me in London for several weeks while he was between jobs and didnt have his own place. Whereas I worried the situation would become far too close-quartered, it was in fact nothing less than perfect. As it turned out, I thought about you every day and looked forward to every evening together  and I am now addicted to the feeling of your skin.

I paused to laugh at that point. It turns out there is a fine line in old love letters between adorable and words that make your entire body cringe. My skin! Was this a letter from my first ever boyfriend or from Hannibal Lecter?

Sophia Money-Coutts (pictured) claims texts and emojis can't replicate the joy of an old love letter, as the contact method enjoys a renaissance

I read on, the lines coming back to me as familiar as old song lyrics because, back then, I read them so many times I committed them to memory.

Elsewhere, in notes sent to me from his new house in Sheffield, when our relationship became long-distance, Ben wrote of our weekends, of walking together, cooking together, watching films together, of simply wanting to be with one another all the time.

It was so wonderful to have you fall asleep in my arms last night. I miss you already, he wrote in one note. If the next weekend we have together could come tomorrow, that would hardly be soon enough, he wrote at the end of another.

There is the occasional joke in there too. On several, he signs off using a little cartoon of his face, with fuzzy eyebrows and hairline. Sleep tight my love, and sweet dreams, he wrote in a letter he left on my bed for me one morning, having returned to Sheffield. I wish I was here to hold you and to kiss that huge head. I rolled my eyes and smiled while I sat on the floor in my new sitting room reading the note.

All right, its not the best gag in the world, but hed always teased me for having a large head (physically, not metaphorically) and it had become one of those silly in-jokes that couples develop.

Recently the love letter has enjoyed something of a renaissance, thanks in part to a new film  The Last Letter From Your Lover, an adaptation of JoJo Moyess bestselling novel, which is in cinemas now.

It centres on a journalist, played by Felicity Jones, who investigates a cache of mysterious love letters from the Sixties.

I hope it really does revive a dying art. Im with the writer and broadcaster Gyles Brandreth, who recently lamented that text messages are replacing the love letter  and revealed he has kept every love note he has ever been sent. According to Gyles, he met a group of young people recently, not one of whom had ever sent or been sent a love letter. One of them claimed not even to know what a love letter is. Hed heard about French letters and said hed always assumed love letters were some form of old-fashioned contraceptive. I put him right.

Sophia, who grew up on Jane Austen, admits that she has always been a romantic. Pictured: Shailene Woodley in The Last Letter From Your Lover

Having discovered a pile of my old letters and spent such a happy afternoon leafing through them, I couldnt agree with Gyles more.

The joy to be found in an old love letter cant be replicated by a line of text and a few heart-shaped emojis. And an email is all very well, but you cant clutch it to your chest and reminisce about the time it dropped on your doormat, when you were so excited to see it that you forgot to breathe.

There was magic in actually holding the yellowing pages I found in the box that day.

Sifting through Bens letters, I even found the one he sent after we broke up, written in green ink and genuinely tear-stained from where I must have wept on it.

Dont be unhappy my darling, I love you

Please do not be unhappy, my darling, he wrote. Although this is a sad situation, we both know its for the best. Furthermore, I will never be too far away and you can always count on me. I love you and that will never change. There, is that not the stuff of an excellent weepy film?

It wouldnt be quite the same if Ben had typed such sentiments in a WhatsApp.

Look, Im a romantic. Ive always been a romantic. I grew up on Jane Austen and can repeat every line of Mr Darcys letter to Elizabeth Bennet verbatim. Thats why I write the sort of books I do: funny (I hope) but with an undercurrent of serious, swoon-worthy romance. I love the ecstatic high of being in love, and Bens letters were a reminder of that  a souvenir from a time in my life when all I could think about was him, and all he could think about was me and my huge head.

Sophia said she wishes that she had kept the letters and cards that she threw away after the end of two relationships in her 30s (file image)

But the trouble with being a romance junkie is that with the ecstatic highs come the dramatic lows. So more recently, in my 30s, after the end of two other major relationships, I threw away everything those boyfriends had ever sent me. Cards, letters, notes left hidden under my pillow or stuck on the bathroom mirror. It was too painful to keep them, too painful even to look at them.

Already I wish Id kept them.

While re-reading Bens letters, my heart spun with nostalgia. I dated him from the age of 19 to 22, and his words were a reminder of who I was then.

I remember, too, finding an old postcard in one ex-boyfriends bedside table from his previous girlfriend, and becoming upset and jealous about it. Now I hope Id be (slightly) more understanding. I would probably still shout and pout about the discovery for a while, but then come to see that we dont necessarily keep these mementoes because we remain in love with that person but because they were, for a time, so important to us.

Love letters like these are historical artefacts; they form the backdrop to our lives. They are part of our individual stories.

Since discovering that todays youth are confusing love letters with contraception, Gyles Brandreth has quizzed several experts on the topic of love letters, including the writers Lady Antonia Fraser and Margaret Drabble, who have spent some time studying the love letters of others.

Sophia said a physical love letter is a very special treasure in an age of digitised communication

He has decided there are several rules to writing the perfect love note. You must be as passionate as Emperor Napoleon writing to Josephine (I hope before long to crush you in my arms and cover you with a million kisses burning as though beneath the Equator.); prosaic and not too flowery unless you are an actual poet, and also positive, writing with hope and humour, not anxiety.

Coincidentally, not long ago, my uncle unearthed a bulging folder of old letters sent between his parents, my late grandparents, during their courtship and early marriage when they were separated by World War II. The ink is faded, the handwriting almost indecipherable, but they offer vivid glimpses of their youth. My grandmother, a Yorkshire woman, mostly writes of pigs and cows and my grandfathers replies ask after their young son, but I was surprised to see the letters are also peppered with affection; my dear, my darling and so on, when I never heard either of my grandparents call one another that in real life.

In an age when so much of our communication is digitised, reduced to acronyms, or lovers foolishly text one another nude body parts, a physical love letter is very special treasure.

One day, perhaps my own grandchildren will uncover mine from Ben, and be touched to discover that their grandmother was also once somebodys darling.

Bens name has been changed to protect his identity. Did You Miss Me? by Sophia Money-Coutts is published by HQ on August 19.
Never mind about matching your bikini to your sarong, this summer designers would like your swimsuit to match those of your entire family.

Demi Moore and her grown-up daughters (Rumer, Scout and Tallulah Willis) recently modelled co-ordinating costumes from Andie.

And Brooke Shields posted shots on Instagram taken with teenage daughters Rowan and Grier  all of them in gingham bikinis and swimsuits from U.S. body positive label Aerie.

You can see where the trend came from. We can meet up again and the sun is shining. so its natural to identify with the tribe. Whether the best way to show pride in your family is through the medium of swimwear is a moot point.

Well leave you to decide...

Anna Pursglove reveals a selection of the best places to buy the matching family swimwear trend in the UK. Pictured: Womens one-piece swimsuit, 200, womens halter bikini top, 110 and bottoms, 95, girls onepiece, 110, mens swim shorts, 230 and boys, 105, all vilebrequin.com

POSH PRINTS

Worried matchy-matchy trends are a tiny bit down market? Not if St Tropez luxury swimwear brand Vilebrequin is in on it. This selection from its Prints For The Whole Family section would set you back 850, but would pack a punch poolside.

MINI-ME MATCHES

Womens bikini top, 30 and bottoms, 15, girls bikini, 10, calzedonia.com

Calzedonias website has a section called Its Family Time! where  guess what?  you can co-ordinate your tribes swimwear.

I live by the beach and weve already had relatives to stay this summer (odd how popular you are when its hard to go abroad). However, its all I can do to make sure I have the right number of people in the car when we go out, never mind checking on outfits. Calzedonias customers are clearly far more organised.

SARONGS IN THE SAME PRINTS

Womens swimsuit plus sarong, 188 and girls frill swimsuit, 49, samanthasage.com

Samantha Sage has subdivided her swimwear family into ages (so teen swimwear is separated from that aimed at girls and babies).

The British designer stops short of a middle-aged section, but those of us long enough in the tooth to have teenage daughters know exactly what were looking for.

Actually, its more what were not looking for. This includes plunge necks or ultra-high legs, and anything that would answer to the description Brazilian.

GRANNY GETS IN ON THE ACT

Womens tankini top, 30 and bottoms, 15, womens swimsuit, 38 and girls reversible tankini, 18.50, whitestuff.com

Can a granny, a mother and a daughter go to the beach in co-ords like this from White Stuff, without at least one of them feeling mortified? My 12-year-old, when I asked, said if anyone she knew was at the beach shed need to borrow your Miu Miu sunglasses.

TWINNING YOUR TRUNKS

Mens swimshorts, 70, boys swimshorts, from 40 and girls peplum swimsuit, from 36, trotters.co.uk

Previous mini-me trends have been for mothers and daughters. The boys are included this time.

Trotters has gone with the tagline Daddy & Me to help shoppers find the area of their website where sons and daughters can match their fathers swimwear.

The danger, of course, is that the bigger ones would rather suffer any indignity than be associated with their parents in public.

DAD-AND-SON DRESSING

Mens swim shorts, 120, and boys, 60, lovebrand.com

Keen to investigate the viability of this dad-and-son trend, I asked the men in my life if theyd go for it  showing them these designs from Love Brand & Co and Boden for reference. Husband said that getting the teen out of bed in order to get to the beach before sundown is enough of a task without faffing around with matching trunks. He has a point. Teen, meanwhile, said he doesnt care, provided he doesnt have to buy them. Ill put them both down for a maybe, then.
Helena Frith Powell (pictured) says not going to university hugely limits a person's career options

YES

By Helena Frith Powell

At dinner time we serve two kinds of wine: undergraduate wine and graduate wine. The latter is superior and only given to those with a degree.

Sometimes, on special occasions, anyone in the process of completing a degree is allowed some, but it is under no circumstances offered to any of our combined five children who might foolishly shun the idea of higher education.

It never occurred to me that my offspring would choose a vocational path rather than go to uni. Why would you want to miss out on such a fabulous time? Not to mention the improved career prospects.

I was dismayed when not one, but two, of our daughters decided, halfway through their A-levels that education wasnt for them.

I admit there was a snobbish element to this. I used to dread friends asking what they were doing as I couldnt bear to tell them the truth. I got so fed up trying to avoid the honest response of waitressing or dog walking that at one point I thought I might just lie and say one was reading law at Oxford, the other medicine at Cambridge.

A particular low point came when one of my daughters, when serving at a private dinner, was recognised (we look very similar) by an old university chum of mine.

Dont get me wrong, Im not against them doing this type work, but there must be a point to it.

Waiting tables is something you do while youre studying. Its not a career.

I wouldnt be in favour of an apprenticeship either. If wed wanted our children to go into trade, we wouldnt have spent every penny we had on private education.

Not going to university limits their options

By choosing to not going to university, a person hugely limits his or her options, which is why we have always been so insistent about it.

Everyone wants to give their child the best possible start in life, and a university education is just that.

Its a (relatively) safe place to bridge the gap between childhood and adulthood  its great fun and they might learn something, too.

Im happy to say I no longer cringe when people ask me what the girls are doing because theyre finally at university.

Although I do sometimes question their motivation. I overheard one of them being asked recently why she decided to return to her studies.

I want to drink better wine, came the reply.

Candida Crewe (pictured) says it's narrowminded and foolish to measure success in degrees alone

NO

By Candida Crewe

When my son began his course to become an apprentice chef four years ago, I asked what time lessons began. Nine?

Nah, bit later. Ten? No. Four in the afternoon.

I was horrified. How come? Because, came the reply, a lot of students couldnt quite get themselves together before then.

At the first session in the college kitchen, the tutor turned up barefoot. His shoes had been stolen by one of the apprentices.

Oxbridge this was not. I once had what I had snobbishly thought were higher hopes for my children: university. But it was not to be.

My sons, now 23, 21 and 19, could have got the grades, in my view, had they applied themselves. But they didnt. I was very upset and  bad mother  let it show.

Hypocrite that I am, I went straight into a job at 18 (in a bookshop); no university, apprenticeship, nothing. I wanted my children to have the advantage of higher education.

My oldest decided on a different path. When he applied for the apprenticeship at 19, he didnt tell me until he got it. He worked very hard and learnt a lot at college and from the tough chef at the Belfast restaurant where he cut his teeth.

It is foolish to measure success in degrees alone

Today, I am the one with egg on my face. Because of that training, a year later, he landed a full-time job in the restaurant of his dreams in London, where he has been for three years.

He now cooks like an angel and I have completely revised my ignorant view that apprenticeships are in some way inferior to university.

My youngest son is looking for one in vintage car restoration, and I am encouraging him. If he succeeds, he will acquire a skill in something he loves. Just like his best friend, also 19, a talented apprentice electrician who gets up at five each morning, he is determined to succeed in life.

An academic education is a fine thing indeed, but it is not innately superior  especially not if just seen as a means to wealth, as opposed to a real passion for the subject.

Today, snobbishness about uni v apprenticeships is outdated. I have friends who are fretting that their children with good degrees wont find a job or, if they do, will find themselves in highly paid work they find meaningless and unfulfilling.

My boys have made me turn my old attitudes on their head  and thank goodness. Success comes in infinite forms, all of which are to be cherished. Foolish and narrow-minded are those who measure it in degree firsts and 2:1s alone.
A Five Guys employee has revealed how the fast-food chain's french fries are made from fresh potato spuds and fried not once, but twice to make them crispy.

Maez, a TikTok user from Shreveport, Louisiana, has demonstrated how the famous fries are prepared in behind-the-scenes videos shared on his @maezthegreat account.

Fans were stunned to learn that Five Guys uses real potatoes to make the popular side order. Many were expecting to see a bag of frozen fries in the first clip, which has been viewed more than 13.2 million times.

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Going viral: Maez, a TikTok user from Shreveport, Louisiana, has demonstrated how Five Guys' fries are prepared in behind-the-scenes videos shared on his @maezthegreat account

Fresh spuds! Fans were stunned to learn Five Guys uses real potatoes instead of frozen fries

'First, we wash the potatoes off. Real potatoes,' Maez explained, panning the camera to the dozens of russet potatoes in the sink.

He demonstrated how the potatoes are loaded into the slicer, cut into strips, and put in a power wash to remove the starch. From there, they are placed in a plastic bucket that is filled to the top with water.

In a follow-up video, Maez showed how the fries are cooked. He took a handful of fries and pre-cooked them for about two minutes in the fryer, which was filled with peanut oil.

'We love pre-cooking our fries,' he explained.

Process: Maez showed how the russet potatoes are put in the slicer, cut into strips, and power washed to remove the starch

Next step: The fries are then placed in a plastic bucket that is filled to the top with water

Pre-cooking: In a follow-up clip, he fried the fries twice in peanut oil to ensure crispiness

Maez then dunked them in the fryer for a second time to ensure they are extra crispy before pulling them out.

'This is what the final fries should look like,' he said. 'I'm going to shake them 15 times to get all the grease out, so they won't be soggy.'

When he was done, he sprinkled salt on the fries and gave them a good toss.

Thousands of people have commented on the videos, with many insisting that the cost of Five Guys' fries is worth the money.

Yum: When he was done, he sprinkled salt on the fries and gave them a good toss

Fans: Thousands of people have commented on the videos, with many insisting that the cost of Five Guys' fries is worth the money

'That's why it's expensive bc it's real food guys,' one person wrote, while another added: 'Yeah it's expensive but you get what you pay for. It's real food unlike other places.'

'Five Guys' food is fresh and THEY DO NOT PLAY ABOUT THEIR SYSTEM WHEN IT COMES TO CLEANING,' someone else shared.

Not only are Five Guys' fries fresh, but the vast majority of their potatoes come from Idaho.

'Weve perfected the process now, so all our potatoes are Burbanks from Idaho except for two months of the year, when the Idaho potatoes are too soft for us to fry in peanut oil since they absorb too much. Then we use "gap potatoes," Norkotahs out of Washington,' Chad Murrell, son of Five Guys' founder Jerry Murrell, told Food Republic in 2016.
While stuck at home in lockdown, a clever mum has devised the perfect way to chill white wine swiftly.

Leanne, from Brisbane, revealed her handy tip by sharing a video on Instagram with her 45,000 followers.

To chill her $5 BWS wine quickly, she added ice and approximately two tablespoons of salt to a bowl of water.

The bottle of wine was placed in the bowl and quickly chilled in only 15 minutes.

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An Australian mum has revealed how she quickly chills her $5 white wine from BWS

In an Instagram video Leanne added ice and approximately two tablespoons of salt to a bowl of water. The bottle of wine was placed in the bowl and quickly chilled in only 15 minutes

'Who decides which wine is kept in the fridge or on the shelf at the bottle store? Unlucky for me my wine is sold on the shelf,' Leanne wrote online.

According to Simple Most, salt lowers the freezing point of the water, and so the ice starts melting at a lower temperature than usual resulting in cooler water.

Australian Guidelines recommend healthy adults should drink no more than two standard drinks on any day and no more than ten standard drinks per week.

The short video has since been viewed thousands of times and one woman dubbed the idea as 'life changing'.

Another added: 'I needed this hack! Thank you for sharing.'

In the comments Leanne added the hack is 'definitely worth knowing' as it can save time waiting for wine to chill in the fridge.

The clever mum is known for consistently sharing home hacks to help others keep their sanctuaries in order.
A UK skincare brand beloved by the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow, Crazy Rich Asians actress Gemma Chan and Sienna Miller is set to launch in Priceline stores across Australia this week.

The affordable British brand No7 will be available in more than 470 Priceline stores nationwide from August 12.

No7 - which regularly attracts waiting lists of 100,000 and is the top-selling beauty brand in the UK - boasts 42 products ranging from $19.99 to $61.99 in price.

In the past 12 months, Priceline shifted 19million units of skincare.

A UK skincare brand beloved by the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow, Gemma Chan and Sienna Miller is set to launch in Priceline stores in Australia (No7 skincare and makeup pictured in use)

The affordable British brand No7 will be available in more than 470 Priceline stores nationwide from August 12 (pictured in Priceline)

Some of the highlights are the brand's famous Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Serum ($54.99), which has won multiple awards (the serum pictured)

PROTECT & PERFECT SERUM

One of the highlights from No7 is the brand's famous Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Serum ($54.99), which has won multiple awards thanks to its ability to lessen the impact of fine lines and wrinkles.

The serum (pictured) famously includes often pricey ingredients like retinol, hyaluronic acid and No7's matrixyl 3000

The serum famously includes often pricey ingredients like retinol, hyaluronic acid and No7's matrixyl 3000 - which works to visibly reduce the signs of ageing every time you apply the serum.

According to the Head of Science research at No7, Dr Mike Bell, it's the scientific studies that set No7 apart from other skincare brands on the market.

'The serums have gone through rigorous clinical and consumer testing to validate their age defying performance with thousands of women involved in their testing, across 70 studies over the past 10 years,' he said in a statement.

'This partnership between No7 Beauty Company and Priceline means that millions of Australian consumers will now be able to access No7's iconic age defying skincare range, getting prestige quality at accessible prices exclusively at Priceline.'

Another top product in the extensive range is No7's Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex Night Concentrate ($61.99), which is the most expensive item in the collection (pictured)

ADVANCED RETINOL 1.5 PER CENT COMPLEX NIGHT CONCENTRATE

Another top product in the extensive range is No7's Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex Night Concentrate ($61.99).

The most expensive item in the collection, the retinol is designed to re-boot and renew the skin while you sleep, so you wake up looking refreshed, and - after several weeks - noticeably younger.

When the retinol launched in the UK, it did so to a waiting list of 100,000 people.

It is now used by millions of women around the world and has rave reviews online.

'Very surprised at how well this product works,' one recent reviewer posted.

Another added: 'I have been using this product for about five months now and it is amazing. You skin peels the top layer of skin to reveal much clearer skin with fewer brown spots and lines'.

Ingredients including shea butter and hyaluronic acid work to hydrate the fragile skin around the eyes with the eye cream (No7 products pictured)

RESTORE AND RENEW MUTLI ACTION EYE CREAM

'I have real issues with the skin around my eyes. This cream really does make a remarkable difference,' one reviewer said of the cream (pictured)

The third 'cult' product in the No7 collection is Restore and Renew Multi Action Eye Cream, $37.99, which seeks to firm and revitalise the delicate skin around the eye area.

Ingredients including shea butter and hyaluronic acid work to hydrate the fragile skin around the eyes and plump it out, while ginseng extract aims to make you look more awake.

'I have real issues with the skin around my eyes. This cream really does make a remarkable difference and I've only used it for two weeks,' one commenter posted.

Another reviewer added: 'It's smooth and creamy not oily. It really helped with the puffiness under my eyes'.

Priceline Pharmacy General Manager Andrew Vidler said in a statement: 'It's fitting that No7 - an iconic, global brand - is launching in Priceline, Australia's most iconic health and beauty retailer.

'Our buyers scour the globe looking for products and brands that women will love, and we're excited to exclusively bring skincare royalty to our customers.'

For more information about No7 at Priceline, please click here.
The top words and phrases to avoid using when writing a cover letter have been revealed, according to a group of recruitment experts.

From 'I believe' to 'people person' and 'dynamic', job seekers should not use common phrases as these are heavily overused and impersonal to the recruiter.

Rather than using these 'buzzwords', find ways to describe yourself, your skills and why you would be the perfect candidate for the position.

A cover letter is a way to introduce yourself to your future employer, and to ensure you make a long-lasting impression it's important to avoid using common terminology.

From 'I believe' to 'people person' and 'dynamic', job seekers should not use common phrases as these are heavily overused and impersonal to the recruiter (stock image)

'To whom it may concern'

Mark Smith, Managing Director of recruitment agency people2people, told Australian job searching company SEEK the opening line 'To whom it may concern' is a heavily overworked and dated introduction.

'If you can't find the name to address the letter to, use a job title, such as 'Dear hiring manager' or 'Dear recruitment manager',' he said.

Using the words 'Dear', 'Dear Sir' or 'Dear Madam' is also optimal compared to 'Hello' or 'To whom it may concern'.

'Self-starter' and 'people person'

Due to the repeated use of the cover letter terminology, other phrases such as 'self-starter' and 'people person' often lack depth and meaning.

Mr Smith said these terms have become cliches and recruiters are 'tired of reading it'.

'Cliches provide very little value, so be specific about your qualities and achievements,' he said, adding: 'If you initiated a new business development program, for example, what was the result?'

Rather than using these 'buzzwords', instead find ways to describe your value to the company and why you would be the perfect candidate for the position

'Dynamic'

Another cliched term to avoid using when writing a cover letter is 'dynamic', as it doesn't add any value.

Instead, Mr Smith suggested including examples of how and when you adapted to change.

He also recommended avoid using the same term mentioned in the job description but instead show further examples.

'Make sure you read the job ad carefully, identify the skills and relevant verbs and include them in your cover letter along with how and why they are relevant to you,' he said.
A $51 hair mask has been voted the 'best' in Australia by thousands of women for 2021, with many crediting it with completely transforming their locks.

Briogeo's Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Hair Mask ($51) was crowned the best product you can buy for your hair at the Mecca Beauty Election 2021, beating out items from other well-known hair brands like gHd and Bumble and Bumble.

The mask is described as a 'weekly treatment' to help to 'restore your damaged hair'.

A $51 hair mask has been voted the 'best' in Australia by thousands of women for 2021, with many crediting it with completely transforming their locks (Briogeo mask pictured after use)

Briogeo's Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Hair Mask ($51) was crowned the best product you can buy for your hair at the Mecca Beauty Election 2021 (mask pictured)

The intensive mask contains ingredients like rosehip oil, which provides essential fatty acids that are crucial in maintaining hair hydration and controlling frizz, as well as algae extract, which provides minerals, amino acids, antioxidants and vitamins to nourish and strengthen your locks.

Don't Despair, Repair! also has countless B vitamins, designed to improve the texture of the hair, add body and sheen and restore nourishment if you're guilty of using heated styling tools and hairdryers.

After being tested by hundreds of women, the mask has been clinically proven to decrease hair breakage after two uses, and breakage by up to 66 per cent after two uses.

To use, simply massage the product into the scalp after shampooing, taking the time to apply it evenly.

Leave it on for 10 minutes, rinse and use once per week until you see results.

You can switch to every other week if you see the results you wanted.

The intensive mask contains ingredients like rosehip oil, which provides essential fatty acids that are crucial in maintaining hair hydration and controlling frizz (pictured after use)

Those who have tried the mask have left glowing reviews and four star ratings on the Mecca website (pictured after use)

Those who have tried the mask have left glowing reviews and four star ratings on the Mecca website.

'This really works,' one recent customer wrote.

'After trying from a sample tube my daughter got in a Loop box I decided to buy for myself. After multiple chemotherapy and radiation treatments for cancer my hair was stressed and dehydrated. Briogeo restored it to its former health.'

Another added: 'My hair is in great need for a hairdresser visit, this product has been a lifesaver. So nourishing'.

A third wrote: 'Nothing compares! I got the deluxe sample in my Beauty Loop box and just used it tonight and all I can say is wow! I have thick, dry hair and have tried multiple hair masks and treatments over the years, but this one wins!

'It smells lovely - a herby scent - and my hair feels noticeably stronger and smoother after using it just once.'

Not only is the mask cruelty-free and vegan, but it's also free of sulphates and parabens and protects your hair from harmful UV exposure (pictured after using Briogeo products)

Not only is the mask cruelty-free and vegan, but it's also free of sulphates and parabens and protects your hair from harmful UV exposure.

For best results, Briogeo recommend you use it alongside your favourite Briogeo conditioner, while a Tangle Teezer hairbrush is also recommended for making sure it is combed through adequately.

Briogeo is exclusive to Mecca. For more information, please click here.
Meghan Markle 'desperately wanted' to attend Barack Obama's 60th birthday party but was not included on the guest list, Prince Harry's biographer has claimed.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex did not attend the lavish do thrown by the former US president at his seven-bedroom 8million holiday home in Martha's Vineyard on Saturday. It included John Legend and Chrissy Teigen, Meghan's friend CBS This Morning host Gayle King, George Clooney and Jay-Z and Beyonce.

And according to royal expert and author Angela Levin, who wrote Harry: Biography of a Prince, it is thought that Barack and Michelle, 57, never included Harry, 36, and Meghan, 40, on the 475 strong guest-list.

Angela told The Sun: 'I am told that despite claiming she was unable to attend, Meghan desperately wanted to be the special guest at the Obama's amazing party. But the fact is, Harry and Meghan were never even on the original list.'

Meghan Markle 'desperately wanted' to attend Barack Obama's 60th birthday party but was not included on the guest list, Prince Harry's biographer has claimed

Meanwhile she added that the Obamas wanted to take a 'step back' from the couple out of respect for the Queen.

'I'm sure that if they say we can only deal with one brother and his wife  you cannot have both because they are so far apart now  they will go towards William.

'The Obamas clearly always regarded Harry highly, but I am sure they can see through Meghan.

They may stay around, but they won't be as pally as they once were.'

Angela Levin, who wrote Harry: Biography of a Prince, it is thought that Barack and Michelle, 57, never included Harry, 36, and Meghan, 40, on the 475 strong guest-list (pictured, in 2015)

The Obamas also have a long-standing relationship with Harry, having bonded with him over his Invictus Games - for which they starred in a video with the prince and the Queen to help promote it in 2016

The Obamas first met Her Majesty back in 2009 at the G20 summit, and in 2011 the monarch hosted them on a three-day State visit.

When the Duke of Edinburgh passed away in April, aged 99, Obama posted a glowing tribute on Twitter, writing: 'Through his extraordinary example, His Royal Highness Prince Philip proved that true partnership has room for both ambition and selflessness  all in service of something greater.'

His wife also tweeted: 'Our thoughts are with Her Majesty the Queen, the Royal family, and the British people.'

Speaking about the Queen during her 2019 book tour, Michelle described her as 'wonderfully warm, funny, elegant and kind and considerate in really interesting ways'.

The Obamas didn't invite Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to Barack's 60th birthday party because 'they will go towards William' amid the family's rift, according to Angela. Pictured, Prince Harry, US President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, Prince William, Kate Middleton pose as they attend a dinner at Kensington Palace on April 22, 2016 in London

Despite both Meghan and Harry currently being on parental leave after welcoming their daughter Lilibet in June, the Duchess used her 40th birthday as an opportunity to launch her new 40x40 initiative, designed to encourage women back into work post-pandemic

In 2016, they attended a dinner with Prince William and Kate Middleton at their home, where they were photographed meeting Prince George, then three, who was in his dressing gown ready for bed, before having dinner with the Cambridges and Harry.

Obama publicly threw his support behind Prince William's Earthshot Prize in October, writing on Twitter: 'It's going to take a lot of big-thinking and innovation to save the one planet we've got  and that's why @KensingtonRoyal's leadership on climate change can make a real difference.'

The Obamas also have a long-standing relationship with Harry, having bonded with him over his Invictus Games - for which they starred in a video with the prince and the Queen to help promote it in 2016.

The following year Harry interviewed Barack in Toronto for his guest edit of BBC Radio 4's Today programme, during which they discussed the risks of social media and the corrosion of civil discourse.

Meghan also made a point of attending Michelle's talk at the London Southbank Centre in December 2018, with the two women reportedly getting together backstage afterwards for a 'power meeting' to discuss their shared passion for girls' education.

When the Obamas returned to the UK in 2016, they made a point of visiting Kensington Palace where they met Prince George, then three, who was in his dressing gown ready for bed, before having dinner with the Cambridges and Harry

Despite both Meghan and Harry currently being on parental leave after welcoming their daughter Lilibet in June, the Duchess last week used her 40th birthday as an opportunity to launch her new 40x40 initiative, designed to encourage women back into work post-pandemic.

But while a host of celebrities - including Hillary Clinton - were asked to support the project, which asks people to donate 40 minutes of their time to mentoring, the Obamas were seemingly not invited to participate.

And Angela notes that 'it must be irritating for the Obamas' that the concept is similar to Barack's 60x60 birthday appeal, where people were asked to donate 60 dollars, or even six dollars, to a charitable cause.

The comments come after royal expert Camilla Tominey claimed Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's 'conspicuous' absence from Barack Obama's 60th birthday party could be a sign their 'special relationship' is over.

Despite Obama insisting the event had been scaled back from a guestlist of 500 because of the spread of the Indian Delta variant of Covid, a staff member told DailyMail.com that 300 to 400 people were in attendance.

Page Six, which broke the news of Harry's multi-million pound book deal, reported Harry and Meghan were 'not planning to attend' and suggested the Duke might whisk his wife away for her own birthday celebrations, as she turned 40 on August 4.

Camilla Tominey suggested that ordinarily, you would have expected Harry and Meghan to be 'front and centre' of the Obamas' guest list, however some people within Democrat circles have suggested the Sussexes' attempts to 'ape everything the Obamas have done' since they quit the Royal Family may have 'jeopardised their once special relationship'.

Writing in the Daily Telegraph, she said: 'Despite the Obamas not attending the Sussexes' wedding that year, it was thought that the newly California-based couple would be shoo-ins at Obama's 60th, as prominent 'progressives' and new-found members of the US metropolitan liberal elite.'

She claimed a source revealed the Obamas 'didn't like Harry attacking his family' during his and Meghan's explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey in March.

'They value family and certainly aren't the type of people who would want their children talking to the press,' the insider added.

Meghan made a point of attending Michelle's talk at the London Southbank Centre in December 2018, with the two women reportedly getting together backstage afterwards for a 'power meeting' to discuss their shared passion for girls' education

Former First Lady Michelle Obama also shed light on her and her husband's feelings on the public outpouring - during which they accused the monarchy of not supporting them and suggested Prince Charles and Prince William are 'trapped' in the system - in an interview with Access Hollywood.

'My hope is that, when I think about what they're going through, I think about the importance of family and I just pray that there is forgiveness and there is clarity and love and resolve at some point in time. Because there's nothing more important than family,' she said.

The Sussexes have followed a similar trajectory to the Obamas since quitting royal life, having signed a multi-million dollar deal with Netflix to produce their own documentary series.

Harry has also signed a lucrative four-book deal with Penguin Random House - the same publishers used by Obama for his memoir A Promised Land in November last year. In 2018 Michelle published her life story, Becoming.

Tominey suggested the Obamas may be fearful that an association with the Sussexes risks attracting negative publicity.

She added that Harry and Meghan bad-mouthing the royals during their Oprah interview 'arguably will not have gone down particularly well with a couple that have always put 'family first.''

Following the Oprah interview and Harry's book news, some royal commentators have criticised the Sussexes for dishing yet more royal dirt.

There is concern within the Firm that the release of one of the books is reportedly due to come after the death of the Queen - though Harry's lawyers have said the claim that he is waiting for his grandmother to pass away before releasing one of them is 'false and defamatory'.
A grandma and her toy boy lover have defied the haters and got engaged - despite a 37-year age gap.

Quran McCain, now 24, and his fiancee, Cheryl McGregor, 61, from Rome, Georgia, first met when he was just 15, but insist there was no romantic feelings between them until last year.

Despite him being younger than one of her own kids, they both say their sex life is fantastic and they have great chemistry.

The grandma-of-17 said she said does get upset by the hateful comments posted online where she proudly shares videos of their lives, but does her best to ignore them.

Quran McCain, now 24, and his fiancee, Cheryl McGregor, 61, from Rome, Georgia, first met when he was just 15, but insist there was no romantic feelings between them until last year. The couple are now engaged after a year of dating

The couple post videos on TikTok of them dancing together and open up about their non-conventional relationship. However, with every viral clip comes a slew of nasty trolls criticising Cheryl for her facial wrinkles and looking like her beau's 'great-grandmother'

The brave pair even set up an Only Fans account for their saucier content.

Quran said: 'Even though it is a age gap we never think of it because Cheryl has a very young spirit, soul and heart.

'I think the biggest misconception is that I'm using her or waiting to be put in the will.'

Cheryl said: 'It's different, it's amazing, he's very compassionate to me and I think it's because he's a younger man.

Quran McCain, 24, who is now engaged to Cheryl McGregor, 61, met when he was just 15 and working at a Dairy Queen where her son was his manager. Cheryl has a child older than her fiancee and she is only six years younger than Quran's grandmother

'I couldn't have that with anybody else, he's very emotional and that's something I've never dealt with - they were all angry and he's emotional in a good way because he shows me he really cares.'

His TikTok account, @ttvleolove-3, has a following of over 826,000 and nearly 13 million likes.

The couple first met when they worked at fast food restaurant Dairy Queen in 2012 in Rome, Georgia.

Cheryl's son Chris was his manager, and she would visit his workplace to check on him or get a meal, but Quran was only 15 at the time so there was no romantic involvement.

'We didn't think much of each other - she drove a baby blue Carrera and that's the only reason I noticed her!' he said.

He eventually left his job and the pair lost contact, until November 4 last year, when Quran went to the convenience store where Cheryl was working as a cashier.

Quran said: 'I used to see her every day, she would always be so happy, but today she was sad and I asked her what was wrong and she was crying.'

Cashier Cheryl was upset she had posted a video of her dancing on her TikTok and was receiving hate comments, and Quran helped comfort her.

They stayed in touch, and even made some videos of them dancing together which went viral and brought in 1.3 million likes.

The couple got closer and eventually their relationship blossomed into a romantic one.

'We connected on a spiritual level' said carer Quran.

'No matter the situation we just have a certain vibe that connects anytime we are around each other.

'We went on a date and I told her feel like I'm catching feelings.

'She said she had too, but just didn't think we should cross that line because friends don't always stay friends when they date.'

Despite initially trying to keep things platonic, the non-traditional lovebirds couldn't deny their feelings any longer and started an intimate relationship.

Cheryl said: 'There's just something between him and I that I never thought we would be together like this, he's just an amazing person.

'There's a different type of chemistry with him even though he's younger, we have a lot of chemistry because of the things we've been through and it pulls us closer together.'

Both Quran and Cheryl describe their sex life as 'amazing'.

Quran said: 'It gets better and better every time,

'It's pretty normal, it's not out of the ordinary, but to me it's amazing.

'She knows what she's doing - that's the best part!'

Cheryl is only six years younger than Quran's grandmother and eight years younger than his grandfather.

Her youngest daughter is three years older than him at 29.

Quran said: 'Nobody was accepting, everyone thought we were joking or thought it was all games.

'Some of her seven kids turned on her due to her dating a younger black man.

'She was very hurt. It hurt her because she raised them to not be like that..'

But Quran insists his family were accepting as they could see how happy they were together.

Grandmother-of-17 Cheryl McGregor, 61, admits she's had lots of hateful comments online about her realtionship, and said that it makes her cry because the abuse 'gets so terrible'

Social media was a different story - Cheryl got so much hate on her TikTok account that she was banned from the platform.

Quran said: 'We had to create her two more accounts just to keep dancing,

'Every day some comes for her appearance, they call her 'zombie', 'the walking dead' or 'crypt killer'.

'Hateful things like 'why did you dig her up' or 'take her back to the nursing home', the hate on that app is unreal.'

Thousands of commenters refer to Cheryl as his 'grandma' or say that their unusual relationship is illegal, constantly reminding them of the 37-year age gap.

Cheryl said: 'Sometimes it makes me cry because it gets so terrible.

'It also has an impact on my life, I have been building myself up for a long time and being on TikTok its destroyed all that and I'm constantly trying to pull that self esteem back up and it's very very hard.'

Quran said: 'Some of the things they said would really bother Cheryl but now she has me, I'll go to war for her, that's my queen.

'Together we have over 700,000 accounts blocked just from the hate.

'To get past it I tell her she is beautiful every day and make sure she knows that the hate they are throwing are problems they are battling within themselves.

'Never take the words they type to heart because they would never say it in person.'

The pair continue ignore the hate and post videos online of them swaying to popular R&B or rap tunes and racking up hundreds of thousands of views each time.

Last week they even set up an OnlyFans account, where they post NSFW photos and videos.

'There's a lot of creeps.' said Cheryl.

'I guess some things are better left not said!'

Quran added: 'People really love her feet and it's so weird!'

Despite all the hate, the happy couple try to remain positive and say that their legions of fans help keep them together.

They got engaged on July 31 and hope to get married very soon.

Quran said: 'Keep doing you, do what makes you happy.

'At the end of day everyone's gonna judge you for something so you might as well do what you feel is right and never let someone take your peace.'

Cheryl said: 'Don't look for love because it will find you, because I wasn't looking for love and it found me and it's amazing.'
Meghan Markle boasts the best celebrity voice to calm listeners and is perfect for podcasts and audiobooks, a vocal expert has claimed.

According to Natalie Eastwood, a vocal rehabilitation expert for performing experts, the Duchess of Sussex, 40, who is currently living in her $14 million mansion in Santa Barbara, can soothe audiences with her confident Californian accent and slow, deliberate delivery.

After analysing dozens of celebrity voices according to their tone, volume, pitch and rate of speech, Natalie identified Meghan's as the best female voice for relaxing listeners.

Since stepping back from royal duty last year, the Duchess has signed a 18 million deal with Spotify for a podcast series, and released an audio version of her first children's book The Bench.

Meghan Markle, 40, boasts the best celebrity voice to calm listeners and is perfect for podcasts and audiobooks, a vocal expert has claimed

Self-assured former actress Meghan is said to have a voice to 'soothe, calm and motivate' as she 'varies her rate, pitch and volume for emphasis'.

And at an average 105 words per minute, her delivery is relatively slow and deliberate with plenty of pauses and 'mild breathiness'.

Other celebrities analysed by the vocal expert included former host of quiz show QI, Stephen Fry, 63.

Long a favourite with advertisers for voiceovers, he is said to be 'captivating, colourful and calming'.

Self-assured former actress Meghan is said to have a voice to 'soothe, calm and motivate' as she 'varies her rate, pitch and volume for emphasis'

His Received Pronunciation is 'authoritative' and there is a 'technical brilliance' to his articulation of an average 125 words per minute.

Actor Richard E Grant, 64, is said to be similarly soothing because of his 'confident posh voice'.

Anyone in search of motivation rather than sleep should try listening to Danny Dyer.

The EastEnders star's working class Cockney accent apparently has a 'slight roughiness' that conveys 'emotion and encouragement'.

Those looking to learn should listen to author Zadie Smith or TV presenter Louis Theroux, whose voices are both thoughtful and entertaining.

Long a favourite with advertisers for voiceovers, brainy former host of quiz show QI Stephen Fry, 63, is said to be 'captivating, colourful and calming'

And former US president Barack Obama is said to have the most 'powerful' voice thanks to his 'confident, commanding pitch'

Tech firm Huawei teamed up with Eastwood, who is clinical lead in voice at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital, for the study as they launched a new pair of headphones, the HUAWEI Freebuds 4.

She said: 'Our voice is a part of our identity. It gives away our age, gender, emotional state and social status.

'As soon as we begin to speak, the listener is subconsciously listening to vocal tone, pitch, volume and rate of speech.

'I've found that voices with varied pitch, volume, rate and full tone are the best voices to listen to whereas voices that are invariable in pitch, volume and loudness with restricted tone can come across as monotonous and less inviting to tune into for long periods of time.'

Actor Richard E Grant, 64, is said to be similarly soothing because of his 'confident posh voice' (pictured left) while Zadie Smith's voice was considering 'soothing' (right)

Huawei's Anson Zhang said: 'When listening to audiobooks or podcasts for longer periods of time, comfort is key.'

The Sussexes were last heard on their Archewell Audio Spotify podcast for the 2020 Christmas special, and the platform had planned for 'a full-scale launch of shows' in 2021.

In the brief 35 minute episode, the couple called on a number of their famous friends to appear during the first episode, which feature a range of prominent British and American artists, activists and musicians.

These included Sir Elton John, Brene Brown, Deepak Chopra, Stacey Abrams and James Corden, who they invited to review 2020.

Anyone in search of motivation rather than sleep should try listening to Danny Dyer. The EastEnders star's working class Cockney accent apparently has a 'slight roughiness' that conveys 'emotion and encouragement' (pictured)

Discussions focused on mental health and mindfulness in the first episode before sweetly concluding with the gospel song This Little Light of Mine.

The royal couple promised their podcast will 'uplift and entertain audiences around the world' as they spoke with a range of people who 'inspire us'.

They also encouraged two-year-old Archie to say Happy New Year on the podcast, despite their pleas for privacy.

Harry and Meghan, who have fiercely defended Archie's privacy since his birth in May 2019 and filed a lawsuit this year to fight to protect it, encourage their son to talk into the microphone, with Harry telling him: 'You can speak into it.' Meghan also asks: 'Archie, is it fun?'

The couple haven't uploaded anything in the seven months since the podcast.

It is understood that the couple will be paid the full 18million fee after their duties have been met, The Sun previously reported.
The father of a woman battling 'suicide disease' which left her bedridden and in agony has told how joining TikTok has given her 'sense of purpose' and helped her stay connected to the world during the pandemic.

Amy Pohl, now 28, a former primary school teacher of Rugby, Warwickshire, was diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) in January 2018.

It's often dubbed suicide disease because of how many sufferers take their lives - something Amy came close to three years ago - due to the pain, which is described as being as intense as childbirth but for 24 hours a day.

Doctors are unsure what caused Amy's condition, though her family claim she developed it in her left arm following an infection in her hand from a routine cannula in December 2017.

She has spent her life in specialist care and rehabilitation facilities ever since, and when Covid-19 hit it created a 'physical and psychological barrier' between her and her family.

But after joining TikTok 'for a joke' to pass the time, her inspiring videos that capture her fight with CRPS, FND and her physical rehabilitation story have seen her amass one million followers.

Amy Pohl, now 28, a former primary school teacher of Rugby, Warwickshire, was diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) in January 2018

Amy has spent her life in specialist care and rehabilitation facilities ever since. But after joining TikTok 'for a joke' to pass the time, her inspiring videos that capture her fight with CRPS, FND and her physical rehabilitation story have seen her amass one million followers

Speaking to FEMAIL, Amy's father David Pohl said the social media app has been a 'lifesaver' for his daughter throughout the pandemic.

'It has given her a platform where she can share her story and continue to educate people about the life-changing conditions that she has experienced over recent years,' he explained.

'Amy now has a sense of purpose, a reason to continue. Her days of teaching in the classroom are over, but she can communicate now to the world via TikTok.

'She gained verification status - the blue tick - shortly after Christmas this year and hit a million followers yesterday. I have no doubt in my mind that she will gain many more millions in the future too.'

Amy has a first class honours degree and had secured her dream job, but began to feel run down in November 2017 and was diagnosed with adult croup - an infection that affects the windpipe, airways and voice box, most likely contracted from working in close proximity with children.

Amy is pictured before the ordeal with her parents Jo and David, and grandparents Sandra and John Collins. The family believes her problems may have started from the failed cannula attempt

Speaking to FEMAIL, Amy's father David Pohl said the social media app has been a 'lifesaver' for his daughter throughout the pandemic

Amy was diagnosed with CRPS - persistent severe and debilitating pain triggered by an injury. Around the same time she was also diagnosed with functional neurological disorder (FND) - a common and disabling set of neurological symptoms, such as tremor and cognitive problems

After antibiotics failed to clear the infection up, she was admitted to hospital for more tests. She later suffered a near-fatal reaction to her medication and was rushed to intensive care.

Around a week later, Amy developed an infection after a failed cannula insertion, which caused her hand and wrist to swell up. She then needed surgery under general anesthetic to drain the abscess.

By January 2018 the pain in her arm - which she described as like being 'stabbed by a hundred shards of burning glass' - meant she was back in hospital and on an IV drip.

Amy was diagnosed with CRPS - persistent severe and debilitating pain triggered by an injury - a few weeks later.

CRPS' exact prevalence is unclear, however, a study claimed up to one in 3,800 people in the UK develop the condition each year.

Although relieved to have a diagnosis, Amy's mental health spiralled. Around the same time she was also diagnosed with functional neurological disorder (FND) - a common and disabling set of neurological symptoms, such as tremor and cognitive problems.

Miss Pohl (pictured before with her father) is keen to raise awareness of chronic pain disorders

Amy Pohl (left) developed 'suicide disease' after an alleged failed cannula insertion left her in excruciating pain. She is pictured right with her mother Jo, father Dave and dog Bessler

'I was falling over and had brain fog, but I was putting it down to the pain in my arm and didn't want to worry anyone,' she said.

'I fell down the stairs. I was telling my legs to move but it was like they weren't listening. Now I can't feel my legs or use them at all.

'You can develop FND as a result of chronic pain. Your brain fails to send the correct messages to other parts of your body.'

Amy became more and more depressed, longing for her old life. 'I couldn't do anything for myself,' she said. 'I couldn't go outside because even a slight breeze touching my arm caused excruciating pain.

Amy became more and more depressed, longing for her old life. 'I couldn't do anything for myself,' she said. Her infected hand following the cannula fail is shown right

'I couldn't sleep, I was managing about three hours a night. I'd also developed post-traumatic stress syndrome and experienced flashbacks.'

Amy was so desperate she even asked for her arm to be amputated, but was warned this carried a risk of the pain spreading to other limbs.

Her mother Jo was also having chemo and radiotherapy during this time, after being diagnosed with stage four lymphoma (a blood cancer), so Amy was 'very low' and in May 2018 she planned to take her own life.

Complex regional pain syndrome: an agonising condition with no cure Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a condition that causes extreme discomfort that does not ease. It usually affects just one arm or leg following an earlier injury, such as a fracture or sprain with no nerve damage, or nerve damage to a limb. The body's reaction is much stronger than usual and often causes pain worse than the original injury. CRPS' exact prevalence is unclear, however, a study claimed up to one in 3,800 people in the UK develop the condition each year. And in the US, between 5.5 and 26.2 people suffer from CRPS per 100,000 every year. What are the symptoms? Pain is the main symptom, which may be burning, stabbing, stinging or throbbing. The affected limb is usually sensitive to touch, with even clothing causing agony. CRPS also causes swelling that can lead to stiffness, limb weakness and jerky movements. Joints may also appear redder or warmer than usual. Many CRPS patients become anxious or depressed. What causes CRPS? CRPS' cause is unclear but is thought to be due to the nerves in the affected area becoming more sensitive, which may change the pain pathways between the limb and the brain. Rarely, stroke or multiple operations to the limb can be to blame. In one out of 10 cases there is no obvious cause. What are patients' treatment options? There is no one treatment. Therapies aim to maintain movement through rehabilitation and pain relief. This may include physio and occupational therapies, coping strategies and medications. Source: Versus Arthritis Advertisement

After a stint in a psychological unit, she was allowed to go home.

Despite taking around 40 tablets a day, and being given oral morphine 12 times a day, nothing seemed to ease the pain and in October 2018, Amy was rushed to University Hospital Coventry, where she remained for several months.

She then spent a year at a STEPS neuro rehabilitation unit in Sheffield, but when the pandemic hit it began taking Covid patients to alleviate pressure on the NHS and they discharged a number of its existing residents, including Amy.

Dave said the pandemic created a real 'physical and psychological barrier' between them and Amy.

'We were not allowed to visit her and we were very worried about her safety as there were so many residents in care facilities contracting Covid,' he explained.

'Her mother Jo, who managed a care home in Banbury, was having to shield too, having gone into remission from stage 4 lymphoma.

'Jo has subsequently left that position to focus on her health - the strain of our daughter being away from us, together with the current Covid pandemic was just too much!'

The family, with the help of their local CCG, managed to find an alternative - Barchester neuo-rehab care facility in Durham, where Amy's been for 18 months and gets 'so much support from everybody'.

Dave added that daughter has made lots of progress and is now under a fantastic hand surgeon, who is planning to operate to correct Amy's dystonic wrist which occurred from her CRPS.

There is also a possibility of her FND resolving itself over time, and she undergoes daily physio and occupational therapy with lots of psychological support.

Shortly after the transfer to Durham in March 2020, Amy joined TikTok, and several staff members have now featured in her videos.

One of her most viewed clips - which notched up 30 million hits - is of the moment she was reunited with her beloved Hungarian Vizsla dog Bessler after 18 months apart.

'He has missed her so so much over the last few years,' Dave said.

Dave and Jo's last four planned trips to visit Amy had to be cancelled because a single case of Covid-19 throws the facility into lockdown - something they're finding increasingly frustrating.

'Each time it was one member of staff out of more than 160 who are tested weekly,' Dave explained. 'Public Health England keep advising them to lockdown, despite many of the management trying to argue differently.

'I think its absolutely right to lockdown if there is a Covid outbreak, but a single case is not an outbreak. Obviously I want everyone to be safe in the current climate, but things are now starting to open up again everywhere else, so there are bound to be more individual Covid cases in such a large facility.

'It's important for Amy's mental health for her to be able to go out. She is double vaccinated, as are all of the staff, I believe. I personally would like an individual risk assessment carried out for Amy so that she can spend some time out with her close family.'

The Pohls have recently purchased a wheelchair accessible vehicle so that they can take Amy out for day trips.

Pictured left before the ordeal when her dog was a puppy, Amy was 'so independent' and loved being a primary school teacher. Her condition left her bedridden (right)

The Pohls have recently purchased a wheelchair accessible vehicle so that they can take Amy out for day trips (pictured in one of Amy's TikTok videos)

'We have so far had one opportunity to do this, which was fantastic,' Dave said. 'It was on one trip when we realised just what an influence Amy has on people. We were trailed around a shopping centre by some of her TikTok followers who wanted to see her.

'It was great and they were so happy to see Amy in person. They had a good chat and one young girl was in tears of happiness having seen "her idol"!

'While Amy has retired from teaching, she will certainly do many great things in the future - maybe supporting charities, other people with FND and CRPS or other life changing conditions.

'She would particularly like to be a children's TV presenter one day - that remains an ambition of hers!'

Amy's family continues to fundraise for specialist equipment, consultations and private medical support that she may require in the future, with the objective of one day getting her fit and well enough to come home.

To donate, click here. Amy also has an online store: http://www.fightwithamy.shop

Anyone seeking help can call Samaritans 24/7 for free on 116 123 or visit Samaritans.org
A Christian woman from Colorado who earns $1.8 million a year stripping on OnlyFans says she believes it's what God wants her to do.

Since Nita Marie, 45, started her sexy online gig, she's racked up 455,000 Instagram followers and now rakes in big bugs selling R-rated content.

But though Nita admits she has been 'shunned' by a lot of friends and family for her risque career choice, she is convinced that God approves  and says he wants her to continue to 'help women and men have healthy relationships with sex and their bodies.'

Since Nita Marie , 45, started her sexy online gig, she's racked up 455,000 Instagram followers and now rakes in big bugs selling R-rated content

She said she earns $1.8 million a year stripping on the adult site OnlyFans

Nita wasnt brought up in a religious household, but considers herself a fierce believer in Christianity since she had a dream about Jesus when she was nine years old

She 'built a relationship with Christ on a personal level, rather than one filled with doctrine written by men thousands of years ago'

Nita wasnt brought up in a religious household, but considers herself a fierce believer in Christianity since she had a dream about Jesus when she was nine years old.

'That experience helped me seek out Christianity and I built a relationship with Christ on a personal level, rather than one filled with doctrine written by men thousands of years ago,' Nita told Jam Press.

Her images of Christ and God don't necessarily fit with what the Bible preaches, as Nita finds some of the learnings misogynistic.

'The Bible was written during a time when women were not allowed to read or write,' she said. 'I believe it would be much different if women were able to be a part of writing it.'

Nita says her job, as well as her views on sexuality and religion, have gotten her into trouble and caused Christian friends and family members to fall out with her.

She first began posting sexy pictures on Facebook after getting divorced, and eventually graduated to Instagram and OnlyFans.

Nita says her job, as well as her views on sexuality and religion, have gotten her into trouble and caused Christian friends and family members to fall out with her

She first began posting sexy pictures on Facebook after getting divorced, and eventually graduated to Instagram and OnlyFans

'When I first started modelling I had a lot of Christian friends and family who shunned me,' she said

'I asked God if He wanted me to continue and the answer was always yes,' she revealed

'When I first started modelling I had a lot of Christian friends and family who shunned me,' she said.

'However, I asked God if He wanted me to continue and the answer was always yes,' she revealed.

'I see now that I was guided to continue so I could help women and men have healthy relationships with sex and their bodies.

'I am so glad that I stayed the course so that I could continue to build a safe and loving community for other women in the adult modelling world.'

Nita believes that the Christian faith has been run by the patriarchy, and as such has suppressed women's sexuality from the beginning  but she says that this is not what God intended.

'The story of Mother Mary being a virgin and being impregnated by God sets the stage for all women to be shameful of their desire for sex and/or their need for sex,' she said.

'I see now that I was guided to continue so I could help women and men have healthy relationships with sex and their bodies,' she said

'I am so glad that I stayed the course so that I could continue to build a safe and loving community for other women in the adult modelling world,' she said

Nita believes that the Christian faith has been run by the patriarchy, and as such has suppressed women's sexuality from the beginning  but she says that this is not what God intended

'To me, sexuality is a huge part of my faith. It is a gift that God gave us to experience with other people where both parties are consensual,' she said

'To me, sexuality is a huge part of my faith. It is a gift that God gave us to experience with other people where both parties are consensual.

'When we experience an orgasm with someone else, we share a small part of how God feels about us,' she said.

Nita things that the Christian faith 'frowns upon the desire to have sex and to enjoy it,' and is troubled that 'many people still hold shame around sexuality, particularly Christian women.'

'I want to let women and men know that theres nothing wrong with embracing their sexuality and being religious,' she said.

'It all starts with loving yourself and trusting that when you have a desire for sex it is OK and healthy to ask for it.'

'When we experience an orgasm with someone else, we share a small part of how God feels about us,' she said

Nita things that the Christian faith 'frowns upon the desire to have sex and to enjoy it,' and is troubled that 'many people still hold shame around sexuality, particularly Christian women.'

'I want to let women and men know that theres nothing wrong with embracing their sexuality and being religious,' she said

'I believe that God wants women to look and feel great and to enjoy their sexuality. By empowering myself to feel sexy in my own skin I allow others to do the same,' she said

Despite Nitas caring attitude towards others and mission to empower women to embrace their bodies and sexuality, she still gets abuse from people online.

'A lot of women and men still sl*t-shame me for feeling and looking good in my body,' she said.

'However, I have grown to accept who I am and to love myself regardless of the naysayers.

'I believe that God wants women to look and feel great and to enjoy their sexuality. By empowering myself to feel sexy in my own skin I allow others to do the same.'

The model is currently writing a book about religion and sexuality, due to be published in 2022, to help women reclaim their 'birth right to enjoy their bodies.'
A pair of three-year-olds who became fast friends while fighting cancer together at an Arizona hospital enjoyed a sweet reunion now that both are in remission.

Payson Altice and Mack Porter were both being treated for different forms of cancer at Phoenix Childrens Hospital earlier this year, but each was pretty isolated due to the pandemic until they met and became instant buddies.

After being sent home earlier this summer, the pair spent weeks apart in towns 30 minutes away from one another until their parents orchestrated a reunion, bringing them together for the first time outside of hospital walls.

A pair of three-year-olds who became fast friends while fighting cancer together at an Arizona hospital enjoyed a sweet reunion now that both are in remission

Video captures the moment they saw one another again, with Mack bringing Payson a bouquet of flowers

They embraced in a warm hug after three weeks apart

Weeks after her third birthday in September of 2020, Payson was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Meanwhile, in January of 2021, Mack was diagnosed with Stage 3 Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma.

Both were treated at Phoenix Childrens Hospital, and due to the pandemic, what would have been an extremely difficult time became even harder for the two kids, who had limited visitors and a shuttered playroom.

'Payson was so isolated. It was so hard to meet people because of the pandemic. She was asking for new toys every five minutes,' her mother, Traci Barrett, told Today.

'And then Mack came along.'

Mack Porter was diagnosed with Stage 3 Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma in January of 2021

Payson Altice was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia in September of 2020

Both were treated at Phoenix Childrens Hospital. Due to the pandemic, the playroom was closed and both were fairly isolated

After they met, they became fast friends and played together all the time

According to their parents, they have a shared love of Peppa Pig and taught each other things about dancing and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

'I just knew Mack would like her,' Dani Porter, Mack's mom, said, recalling how she approached Traci to ask if Payson would like to take a walk with Mack.

Soon, the pair were playing together all the time. Photos taken at the hospital show them dressing up, coloring, and playing with toys.

According to their parents, they have a shared love of Peppa Pig and taught each other things about dancing and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Fortunately, both toddlers have gone into remission and were allowed to return home a couple of months ago.

But during their weeks apart, they dearly missed one another.

'Every morning, his first question was, "When can I play with Payson?" Mack's mom said.

Fortunately , both toddlers have gone into remission and were allowed to return home a couple of months ago  but they missed each other

'Every morning, his first question was, "When can I play with Payson?" Mack's mom said

The kids have continued to meet up for playdates, and both are planning to start preschool in fall

After three weeks, the pair finally got to reunite outside. Video captures the moment they saw one another again, with Mack bringing Payson a bouquet of flowers.

They embraced in a warm hug, and later shared a dance inside.

'That was a blessing to just watch our children be children,' Dani told World News Tonight.

Traci added: 'During these scary and hard times, no matter what, just look to the children because theyll lead the way.'

The kids have continued to meet up for playdates, and both are planning to start preschool in fall.

GoFundMe pages have been made for Mack and Payson.
A drag queen who feared his online beau was a catfish after spending two years chatting without meeting him discovered he was who he said he was - but didn't want to meet because he was talking to 'thousands of other people'.

Jordan, 23, a dancer and choreographer from Coventry - who also performs in drag as Polaris - matched with Austin, from Birmingham on a dating app in 2019.

Two weeks later the pair matched on a different app, and soon after they matched for a third time on a third app.

The couple spoke for two years on and off, but whenever Jordan suggested meeting in person Austin cancelled last minute or ghosted him.

Unsure if his online love was really who he said he was, Jordan got in touch with MTV's Catfish UK to enlist the help of hosts Oobah Butler and Julie Adenuga.

In last night's episode, they discovered Austin was really who he said he was, but upon meeting Jordan couldn't place him because he spoke to 'thousands of people'.

Jordan, 23, a dancer and choreographer from Coventry (left) - who also performs in drag as Polaris - matched with Austin (right) , from Birmingham on a dating app in 2018.

Unsure if his online love was really who he said he was, Jordan, pictured here in drag as Polaris, got in touch with MTV's Catfish UK to enlist the help of hosts Oobah Butler and Julie Adenuga

Writing a letter to Oobah and Julie, Jordan wrote: 'Two years ago in search of my Mr Right. I signed myself up to loads of dating apps I match with my perfect man or not one but three times.

'His name is Austin, and he is 100 per cent my type.

'I've moved over to the UK from Bulgaria and not know many people he was a real support, we've been talking now for two years and I can see him becoming my husband.

'However, we have never video calls spoken on the phone, and when it comes to me and he counsels.

'I've got to the point where things can't go on like this, that needs your help,' he added.

Shocked at the email, Julie told Oobah: 'My question was this has to be, how can this guy be your husband, even talking for two years, no video calls, never spoken in the phone cancels when you want to meet up. Why is joining saying this is his Mr Right?'.

Jordan said that he believed he could marry Austin (pictured) after they matched three times

The pair then call Jordan, who explains his worry further.

'He's so handsome, he has this baby-face' he explained.

'I come from a country called Bulgaria and Bulgaria is not really gay friendly When I was there I did not want to date anyone because I was just scared of what might happen.

'So when I came here and see how gay friendly it was I was shocked.

'I would go around the streets now see people holding hands. And when I found Austin, it was like, I found the guy

Austin said that he was 'just being friendly' speaking to people and that he 'just wanted to meet people'

'I kind of have this fantasy about us. We can married and we can have kids. I hope he doesn't have a problem with cats because I love cats'.

Deciding they want to help, Julie and Oobah then travel to Coventry to meet Jordan, where they meet him and his housemate and their flat, where Jordan explained more about his situation.

'We started talking, I asked for his WhatsApp and he kept on like messaging me.

'I'd wake up in the morning and he had already sent me a message,' he explained.

'I have never spoken on the phone with him.

Jordan (pictured in drag as Polaris) was shocked to discover Austin was speaking to thousands of people

'After we matched, I was like "do you want to meet?" and he was like, "oh I'm sick".

'A few weeks later I downloaded this other app, and he was there again with a different name.

'I didn't message him at all, because , Birmingham is 30 minutes away from here, so we could have met so many times, but he matched me again.

'It's was a new profile, but everything is the exact same. Same picture, same name same location, same everything right.'

Julie and Oobah then got down to business, searching Austin's Instagram page, which was listed on the about section of his WhatsApp.

Jordan (pictured) was distraught that Austin denied their connection and had been leading him on

Deciding the profile looked real, Oobah commented: 'Looking good for me, he's got 5,000 followers'.

'And he's got #Birmingham written on it, which is good,' Julie added.

The pair also commented how he had a lot of pictures and they were getting older throughout the years.

Seeing that his friend Eugnov was tagged in dozens of photos, they contacted her directly who said she was Austin's 'best friend' and that he'd 'never heard of Jordan'.

'It's strange, normally he tells me everything,' she added.

The hosts then noticed an address on an envelope in the background of one of Austin's pictures, which was 23 miles away from Jordan's address - the same distance as the apps they matched on said they were apart.

Jordan said he was disappointed after meeting Austin (pictured) in real life, as he 'wasn't the person he said he was'

Despite the hopeful news, Julie still saw red flags: 'I'm gonna get super realistic. Jordan is either speaking to Austin and Austin's best friend doesn't know about it or Jordan's speaking to someone who lives in the same house as Austin and Austin doesn't know about it.'.

The pair then deliver their news to Jordan, who is shocked by the news.

'The person he spoke to for so much and so long... If he didn't share it with his best friend the same way I do, it's a bit disheartening. What if someone is using his photos?' he said.

'There's only one way to find out,' Oobah added, before calling Austin and leaving him a message.

With no reply, the group decided to travel to meet Austin with the address they found in the background of a photo.

Hosted by radio and TV presenter Julie Adenuga and journalist and author Oobah Butler, each week Catfish UK will be helping love-struck hopefuls get to the bottom of their online relationships and uncover the truth of who they have been speaking to

What is Catfish? The dating show that helps people meet their online loves Inspired by the hit US TV show, Catfish UK aired it's first episode on MTV on April 21 and is hosted by journalists Oobah Butler and Julie Adenuga. The show sees hopefuls contact the hosts in order to help them meet someone they've fallen in love with online, but they often turn out to be someone different to who they claim to be. The series comes after ten years and eight successful series of the US show, hosted by Nev Schulman and Kamie Crawford. While the original show has seen some people discover their online loves are real - often they aren't who they say they are with shocking episodes revealing people Catfishing their ex-partners, family members and friends. Some people have even pretended to be celebrities - including Bow Wow and Katy Perry - while others have been branded 'serial Catfish' after appearing on the show multiple times. It's the fifth international spin-off of the widely successful series, which has seen versions take place in Colombia, Chile, Brazil and Mexico. The MTV show began as a spin-off of a 2010 documentary called 'Catfish' - created by Nev's brother Ariel Schulman and his creative partner Henry Joost. The documentary follows Nev, then 24, and working a photographer to meet Megan, a singer who he's met online. But after travelling across country to find her, he discovers Megan doesn't exist and instead he's been talking to a middle-aged housewife who spent most of her days caring for her two severely disabled stepsons and building a web of lies and dozens of fake profiles online. Talking to Nev, Angela's husband Vince tells the story of how cod were shipped along with catfish in the same tanks to keep the cod active, and ensure the quality of the fish, and says this is a metaphor on how there are people in everyone's lives who keep them alert, active, and always thinking, which gives the documentary it's name. Two years after the low-budget documentary became a huge success, the Schulman brothers teamed up with MTV to make the show, with Max Joseph co-hosting the show until Kamie Crawford took over in 2020. In 2014, the term 'catfish' was added to the Oxford English dictionary, thanks to the success of the show. Advertisement

'I'm definitely not nervous, I'm just preparing myself for whatever happens,' Jordan says on there way there.

As they wait outside the house, Julie spots Austin walking by and jumps out the car to ask him if he knows who Jordan is.

'I have no idea who you're talking about,' Austin told Julie.

Julie then walks him over to the car to meet with Jordan face to face.

'Jordan said to you guys around two years ago, on a dating app, and that you guys have been talking on and off since then. Is this something that you recognise?' Oobah asked Austin.

'I don't think I do, sorry about that,' Austin said.

'We've been constantly messaging. And when I asked you, "let's meet." First you you're sick. And second time you didn't even reply,' Jordan hit back.

'I don't think I was talking to you romantically, because otherwise I won't remember that,' Austin replied, before admitting he speaks to 'thousands and thousands of people'.

'Hello, welcome to the world. I've been rejected many times as well,' he added.

'You're actually hurting people,' Julie added.

'You're talking to someone who has really struggled with who he is for a very long time and is actually moved to a completely different country from where he's from, to be more like himself,.

'And he's found you, who, unfortunately for him is just here for a good time.

'There's way more Jordans out there, people are even speaking to you, it might mean nothing to you whatsoever. But to them it means the world'.

'I understand he's hurt, but I don't think I've done anything wrong,' Austin added.

The next day, Jordan and Austin met up again.

Austin then apologised to Jordan.

'I talked with my Dad last night. I told him everything.

'He said what I was doing isn't ethical.

'This has happened before to me.

'And I didn't tell anyone, because I was dealing with my own problems.

'So when I saw it in your eye yesterday I really felt it.

'I was trying to validate myself and solve my own problem. But that wasn't the right thing to do.

'My Dad said "treat each other nicely" because the world is heard, especially for people like us who have come from different countries.'

The pair then said they were happy to have met each other.

'I got all of the answers. He understood what he did was wrong,' Jordan added to Julie.

'I won't trip and fall in love this fast again'.

Two months later, Julie and Oobah caught up with the pair.

'Things have been really interesting. My life has been better, i'm back on the dating game,' Jordan said via video call.

'After the show I did some self reflecting, I realised a lot of things. I need to be careful what I put on Insta. I've stopped using dating apps,' Austin added.
With vaccination rates climbing in countries like the US, the UK, and Canada, many COVID-conscious people have been excitedly embracing a return to normalcy.

But as the delta variant spreads the virus at higher rates  and breakthrough cases strike fear in the hearts of the vaccinated  some people are predicting that their big plans for autumn are about to be derailed.

Many, though, are facing impending doom with a sense of humor, and have taken to Twitter to share memes about the delta variant's threat of their social lives.

Thousands of Twitter users have turned to pop culture for photos that illustrate the fabulous fun they had in mind for fall  as compared to the havoc-wreaking force of delta.

Even celebrities have joined in the fun, with Kerry Washington, Jameela Jamil, and Josh Gad offering up their best takes on the trend.

Twitter users are sharing memes that illustrate their fabulous fall plans  and the delta variant coming to derail them, like Annie and Hallie did to Meredith's plans to marry their dad in The Parent Trap

Most are using pop culture references, like how Mike Richards was named as Alex Trebek's Jeopardy host replacement over fan favorite LeVar Burton

One compared delta to Cecilia Gimenez, the Spanish woman who destroyed a painting of Jesus while attempting to destroy it

Another compared it to Kanye West crashing Taylor Swift's VMA acceptance speech

Fans of HBO's White Lotus appreciated this meme about Armond, the manager of the resort, standing in the way of Shane's dreams of the Pineapple Suite

Grace Hart certainly did damage to Kathy Morningside in Miss Congeniality

It doesn't take a million Mean Girls re-watches to know that a school bus took out Regina George

Ja Rule certainly had big plans for Fyre Fest  and while the botched festival derailed itself, this infamous photo of the cheese sandwich people ate helped make it a major story

Moira Rose's fabulous The Crows Have Eyes premiere plans were seriously messed up by a crow stunt

Diane Chambers was at the altar with Frasier Crane in Cheers when she realized she wasn't over Sam Malone

Kerry Washington herself shared a meme about her character in Little Fires Everywhere throwing a wrench in the Richardsons' lives

Parasite fans couldn't help but laugh at this reference to a dramatic scene near the end of the film

Poor Baroness von Schraeder had Captain von Trapp locked in until Maria came along

This is Us fans laughed until they cried at this meme of Jack Pearson and the Crock-Pot that killed him

If there's any hope to be taken from this meme, Angelina Jolie  i.e. delta  eventually left Brad Pitt

Watch out C.C source! Miss Babcock never had a chance with Mr. Sheffield, but as far as she's concerned, that was Fran Fine's fault

Some of the memes were a bit more literary and high-brow, like this one with Julius Caesar and swords

Jameela Jamil shared a meme from her show The Good Place  and the evil Shawn

The poor 'I' in Pixar was crushed  literally  by the lamp that took its place

When Felicity chopped off her locks in the WB drama bearing her name, it was a national incident

Gilmore Girls fans have never forgiven April for popping up and telling Luke Danes he was her father

Thomas J's tragic end in My Girl hit close to home for this meme

Ashlee Simpson's music career was never the same after her SNL lip-syncing snafu

Josh Gad offered his own take on the meme with Emmett Brown from Back to the Future
The nation's top infectious disease expert says every American is likely to need a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot to remain protected from the virus.

In an appearance on NBC's TODAY on Thursday, Dr Anthony Fauci spoke about the future need for third doses.

While booster shots have not yet been authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate one million Americans have received unauthorized additional shots of the Covid vaccine.

Booster shots may be available soon, however, with the FDA set to approve them for the immunocompromised Americans on Thursday.

Dr Anthony Fauci (pictured) told TODAY show on Thursday that he believes all Americans will eventually need COVID-19 vaccine booster shots

The FDA is expected to approve vaccine booster shots for immunocompromised people in the comings days. The CDC believes more than one million unauthorized booster shots have been distributed. Pictured: A woman in Long Beach, California, receives the COVID-19 vaccine on Monday

At this moment, other than the immunocompromised, were not going to be giving boosters to people.



Dr. Anthony Fauci explains why a third dose booster shot is needed for immunocompromised people but not the general public. pic.twitter.com/FpOs0BO66A  TODAY (@TODAYshow) August 12, 2021

'Inevitably there will be a time when we'll have to get boosts...no vaccine, at least not within this category, is going to have an indefinite amount of protection.' Fauci told TODAY.

'What we're doing - literally on a weekly and monthly basis - is falling cohorts of patients to determine if, when and whom should get it.'

Fauci still says the booster shots will not be made available to the general public.

'At this moment, other than the immunocompromised, we're not going to be giving boosters to people,' he said.

The lack of approval given to the third shots has not deterred some Americans from taking initiative and going to receive them, though.

An internal CDC document obtained by ABC News estimates that 1.1 million Americans who have received the Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine have received another shot.

The data does not include people who received an unauthorized second shot after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine - meaning the number of unauthorized shots distributed could be even higher.

Recipients of the J&J vaccine certainly have been eager to receive a booster shot, with San Francisco allowing those who received the one-dose vaccine to receive a second dose due to a high volume of requests.

Several countries including Chile, France, Germany and Israel have also began rolling out vaccine booster shots as well.

On Thursday, the FDA is expected to allow immunocompromised Americans to get the shots.

Health officials have long been non-committal on the need for booster shots.

Fauci said last month that he does not expect booster shots to be needed for the fully vaccinated.

He later said, though, that those who are vulnerable to the virus even after vaccination still may require a third dose.

Last week, Dr Francis Collins, director of the National Institute of Health, said as well that booster shots were not necessary.

The science has changed, though, and now booster shots will begin to roll out amid an Indian 'Delta' variant fueled surge of the virus across the country.

Fauci told TODAY that the boosters are now becoming available as some people's immunity drops 'below a critical level'.

New average daily cases in the U.S. have increased from an average of 39,939 three weeks ago to 135,177 - an 207 percent increase.

While a majority of these cases are among unvaccinated Americans, recent data finds that the existing crop of COVID-19 vaccines may not be as effective against the Delta variant.

Data from the CDC finds that vaccinated people who contract the Delta variant release similar viral loads to unvaccinated people, meaning they may be just as able to spread the virus.

Fauci also previously said he believes the virus will mutate even more, and a strain that is resistant to the existing vaccines may form in the coming months.

Health experts hope that these booster shots will help add an extra layer of protection against existing and future variants.

Getting Americans to receive the initial vaccine regimen has been a challenge for health officials, though.

Just over 69 percent of eligible Americans - everyone aged 12 or older - have received at least one shot of a COVID-19 vaccine and 59 percent are fully vaccinated.

While there has been a recent uptick in vaccine demand, less that one million Americans are receiving a shot every day, a far fall from the 3.5 million Americans who were getting jabbed per day in early April.
Florida has set a record for COVID-19 hospitalizations for the 11th day in a row as the state contends with a massive surge.

According to data from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), nearly 15,800 patients are hospitalized with the virus.

More than 30 percent of all patients in Florida hospitals are sick with Covid as are over 50 percent of patients in intensive care units.

The surge has become so dire that officials in one county are telling residents to use 911 only if they have a 'life-threatening emergency.'

Florida's current situation demonstrates the dangers of being unvaccinated as the Indian 'Delta' variant dominates this new Covid wave.

Officials in Florida's Brevard County are telling residents to avoid using 911 unless in a dire emergency. Pictured: A young woman arrives outside a Covid treatment tent at one of the county's hospitals, in Palm Beach, July 2021

Florida is now seeing more Covid patients in its hospitals than at any other time during the pandemic, with over 2,000 people admitted each day in the past week

Florida is currently one of the nation's biggest Covid hotspots, with more patients now in hospitals than at any other time during the pandemic.

This state, along with Louisiana, has the highest Covid cases per capita of almost any state - or any country in the world.

On Wednesday, for the 11th day in a row, the state set a record for patients hospitalized with Covid at 15,796 patients.

About one-third of all hospitalized patients in the state right now are suffering from COVID-19, a higher share than any other state.

In s Brevard County county, the hospital system is so overwhelmed that local officials are asking residents to avoid emergency services if possible.

Brevard County is the tenth-most populous in the state and includes Cape Canaveral, Palm Bay, and other nearby cities.

'There is a capacity issue at our local hospitals dealing with this new surge in COVID-19,' Brevard County fire chief Mark Schollmeyer told CBS News.

'Crowding in the ERs has caused us to hold the wall and wait for our patients to offload before we run the next call.'

Schollmeyer recommended that residents try other options - such contacting a primary care physician or a telemedicine hotline - and only call an ambulance if the situation is truly dire.

'Leave emergency room and ambulance trips for those with life-threatening or serious emergencies,' he said.

Hospitals in Brevard County are overwhelmed with Covid patients despite using tents to add capacity. Pictured: Palm Bay hospital on July 27

Brevard County has a case positivity rate over 20 percent, meaning that one in five county residents who get tested for Covid is receiving a positive result.

The county has seen 640 new cases for every 100,000 people in the last week, according to HHS data.

HHS classifies the county as a 'sustained hotspot.' Just 20 percent of overall hospital beds - and under 10 percent of intensive care beds - are currently available for new patients.

The number of COVID-19 patients in Brevard County has increased 25 percent in the past week.

All three hospital systems in the county have canceled elective surgeries and converted regular hospital space into Covid wards, CBS News reported.

Under half - about 49 percent - of county residents are fully vaccinated.

Over 30 percent of patients in Florida hospitals are sick with Covid, the highest share of any state

Florida's Covid spike is hitting teenagers and young adults particularly hard

While Brevard County's situation may be particularly dire, it's not unique in Florida right now.

The state overall saw about 2,300 new Covid patients yesterday alone - that's about one-fifth of all new Covid patients in the country.

At the peak of the winter Covid surge, Florida never saw more than 1,300 new Covid patients in a day.

Florida's intensive care units are particularly strained. According to the HHS, the state has 3,222 Covid patients in ICUs as of August 12.

That is more than half of all ICU patients in the state - 6,205 total.

During this crisis, 42 Florida hospitals are saying they have a critical staffing shortage right now, according to the HHS. These hospitals represent 21 percent of the total Florida facilities reporting this metric.

The recent hospitalization increase is impacting every age group, with a particularly concerning spike in young adults.

In the past week, hospitalizations in Florida's 18-29 age group have risen five-fold - from 0.8 new admissions for every 100,000 people to over 4 new admissions for every 100,000.

The dire situation in Florida demonstrates the dangers that the Delta variant poses for unvaccinated Americans, who make up the vast majority of those now hospitalized.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has banned mask mandates in schools and other settings.

Still, many local officials in the state continue to encourage residents to protect themselves against Delta through vaccination, masks, and other precautions.

'It is imperative that we pull together, we get through this and slow this curve to relieve the stress on our hospital system and our healthcare system so we can take care of everyone who gets sick,' Brevard County emergency director John Scott told CBS News.
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The average number of daily COVID-19 cases being reported in the U.S. is continuing to rise as hospitals across the country are reaching their breaking point.

On Wednesday, America recorded 135,177 new cases of the virus with a seven-day rolling average of 122,788, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

This represents a 207 percent from the average of 39,939 reported three weeks ago and is the highest figure seen since February 3, when the average sat at 128,333, according to a DailyMail.com analysis.

Additionally, every state and the District of Columbia have seen Covid infections either increase or remain steady in the last seven days.

Deaths are also on the rise, despite levels remaining far below those seen pre-vaccination.

There were 342 virus-related fatalities recorded on Wednesday with a seven-day rolling average of 549, which is a 107 percent increase from the average of 264 reported three weeks prior and the highest number seen since June 2.

However, about half as many deaths are being recorded as were during November 2020, the last time that cases and deaths were rising.

Hospital says they are completely overwhelmed with patients and are struggling to find available beds as the number of patients surpassed 60,000.

In Mississippi, there are no intensive care unit (ICU) beds in the entire state while its largest hospital is coverting a parking garage to accommodate people sickened with the virus.

And in Louisiana, which is reporting a record-high number of patients, one doctor says lines for the emergency room (ER) spill out of the building.

The U.S. recorded 184,346 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday with a seven-day rolling average of 122,788, a 207% increase from the average reported three weeks ago

There were 492 virus-related deaths recorded on Wednesday with a seven-day rolling average of 514, up 107% from three weeks ago, but half as many as being recorded in winter 2020 before vaccines were available

Every state and the District of Columbia have seen Covid infections either increase or remain steady in the last seven days

Hospitals across the country say they are overwhelmed with patients and are reaching their breaking points as the number of hospitalizations surpass 60,000

In Mississippi, COVID-19 hospitalizations currently sit at 1,303 which is the third highest total recorded in a single day and a 107 percent increase from the 628 patients seen two weeks ago, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The state's largest hospital, the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC), is so overrun with patients that it is converting the bottom floor of its parking garage into a Covid ward.

UMMC says it doesn't have enough staff to care for patients at the hospital and has been asking the federal government to deploy teams to Mississippi.

State health official Jim Craig said on Wednesday that the states has asked the federal government to help deal with the surge.

On Tuesday, UMMC Vice Chancellor Dr LouAnne Woodward said there were no ICU beds left in the Mississippi and that the state is currently 'in distress.'

'There were ZERO available ICU beds in Mississippi as of early this morning. None,' Woodward tweeted.

'That means hospitals across the state may not be able to provide the level of care needed to you or your loved one. Not just for COVID-19 but FOR ANY EMERGENCY CARE.

'UCU bed availability is an indicator of the strain COVID is placing on MS hospitals. We are caught up in a wave. Is it a rising wave, a crest? We won't know until it has receded, but right now MS is in distress.'

COVID-19 hospitalizations in Mississippi currently sit at 1,303, a 107% increase from the 628 patients seen two weeks ago

There are no ICU beds in all of Mississippi (above) and the state's largest hospital is converting the bottom level of a parking garage into a Covid ward

According to the Mississippi Department of Health, 90 percent of people hospitalized with the virus between July 24 and August 10 were unvaccinated.

In the Magnolia State, just 42.4 percent of residents have at least one shot and 35.4 percent are fully vaccinated, CDC data reveal.

During a news conference on Wednesday, Woodward said the parking garage being turned into a patient ward is merely a 'Band-Aid' to deal with the rise in patients.

'The big solution is, let's get this surge under control and let's get the spread of this virus under control, and the way that we do that is by getting people vaccinated. That is the big thing,' she said.

Meanwhile, in Texas, hospitalizations are also continuing to surge.

There are currently 9,915 residents hospitalized with the virus - lower than the record 13,000 recorded in July but an increase of 102 percent from the 4,895 seen two weeks earlier.

Dr Esmaeil Porsa, CEO and President of Houston's Harris Health Systems - which includes Ben Taub Hospital and Lyndon B Johnson Hospital - said wards are filling up with patients.

'My hospitals are fullWhat is concerning is the rate by which our Covid-positive patients are increasing,' he told CNN's New Day.

Ben Taub Hospital's ICU is 95 percent capacity and Lyndon B Johnson Hospital is at 100 percent ICU capacity. Tents have been set up outside the latter to handle the overflow of patients.

Porsa said 98 of patients hospitalized in the hospital's system since January 1 are unvaccinated. Just 53.6 percent of Texans have received at least one vaccine dose and 44.7 are fully vaccinated, both figures of which are below the national average, according to the CDC.

Porsa warned that if the state does not get its surge urge control, it will be disastrous.

A total of 9,915 Texas residents are hospitalized with the virus, an increase of 102% from the 4,895 seen two weeks earlier

Dr Esmaeil Porsa, CEO and President of Harris Health Systems, warned of 'disaster' as tents were erected outside one of his hospitals - Lyndon B Johnson Hospital - in Houston, Texas to deal with an overflow of patients

In Louisiana, 2,631 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 - the highest single-day total and a 102% increase from the 1,299 seen just 14 days prior

'Five weeks from now, if this continues to go at the rate it is right now - and again, I emphasize that I don't see any intervention, any mitigating interventions being put in place to try to slow this down - this will be a disaster,' he told New Day.

'We don't live in isolation. This is not about personal freedom or individual choice. One person's personal freedom should not infringe on other people's freedom and rights to being healthy and out of the hospital.'

In Louisiana, the state is continuing to break records for hospitalizations.

Currently, there are are 2,631 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 - the highest single-day total and a 102 percent increase from the 1,299 seen just 14 days prior, CDC data show.

Four of Louisiana's nine health say they have fewer than 10 ICU beds available.

'I've never seen anything like this,' Dr Michael Hill, an infectious disease specialist at the St Tammany Parish health system, said at press conference on Tuesday.

'Our hospitals are being overwhelmed. Don't believe me? Come by the ER. There are lines now around the building because there are no seats in our waiting area.'

Low vaccination rates have been blamed for the spread with just 45.4 percent of residents receiving at least an initial shot and 37.8 completing their vaccine series.
The Veterans Health Association (VHA) will not offer the newly approved Alzheimer's drug Aduhelm due to concerns it may not be effective.

The VHA joins others like Mount Sinai Health in New York and the Cleveland Clinic in not offering the drug that received accelerated approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in June.

It is yet another setback for Biogen, the Cambridge, Massachusetts-based manufacturer of controversial Aduhelm.

Over the past two months, the drug has been criticized for its high price and potential ineffectiveness, and the FDA has called to investigate itself for potential inappropriate communication between agency staff and Biogen.

The U.S. Veterans Health Administration, part of the Department of Veterans Affairs, will not offer Biogen's Aduhelm to Alzheimer's patients it treats

Aduhelm, a drug manufactured by Biogen, received controversial FDA approval despite limited data that it was effective in clinical trials

'It is not being added to the VA National Formulary due to the risk of significant adverse drug events and to the lack of evidence of a positive impact on cognition,' the VHA told Reuters in an email.

The VHA, part of the Department of Veterans Affairs, is the largest health system so far to decline use of the drug.

Biogen had said in a June press release that it was working 'to finalize a multi-year agreement in order to support access for veterans throughout the VHA system...with nine million enrolled veterans, approximately 48 percent of which are over the age of 65.'

Still, VA facilities do have the ability to request access to drugs that are not on the list of approved medications.

'Veterans in the VA system have a pathway to access Aduhelm...We will continue to engage closely with the VA as they evaluate potential updates to their guidance,' Biogen said in an emailed statement.

Aduhelm received FDA approval despite two failed clinical trials in 2016.

Biogen later used data from the second trial to show that its drug could reduce the instances of amyloid beta plaques on the brain.

Some believe those plaques are the cause for cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer's, meaning Aduhelm could potentially be the only drug with the ability to reduce the memory issues caused by the disease.

Biogen managed to get approval for Aduhelm after pulling data from its second clinical trial that showed the drug could potentially reduce amyloid beta plaques, and even the cognitive decline cause by Alzheimer's

Many have been critical of Biogen's findings, though, and one member of an FDA advisory panel even published a study disagreeing with the company's conclusion.

Dr David Knopman, from the Mayo Clinic and lead author of the study, resigned from his role of the committee alongside Dr Jeol Perlmutter, of Washington University of St Louis, and Dr Aaron Kesselheim, of Harvard University.

All three men were among the panel that unanimously voted against the drug's approval.

'[Aduhelm] is probably the worst drug approval decision in recent U.S. history,' Kesselheim wrote in a letter to FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock.

Concerns over the drugs ineffectiveness have led to some health systems deciding not to carry it.

The controversial approval of the drug has also caused some rife within the FDA.

Janet Woodcock (pictured), acting commissioner of the FDA, called for an investigation into her own agency and communication between her staff and Biogen in the lead up to Aduhelm's approval

Janet Woodcock, acting commissioner of the FDA, wrote an open letter to the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services for a probe into communications between FDA staff and Biogen representatives in the lead up to the drug's approval.

'Given the ongoing interest and questions, today I requested that [The Office of the Inspector General] conduct an independent review and assessment of interactions between representatives of Biogen and FDA during the process that led to the approval of Aduhelm,' she wrote on Twitter.

The agency also revised its original label for the drug, now only recommending its use in early stages or those with mild cases of Alzheimer's.

The price of the drug has been under scrutiny as well.

A year of treatment using the drug will cost $56,000 a year, a huge premium to the $10,000 to $20,000 the drug was expected to cost.

Two congressional committees in the House have also launched an investigation into the FDA's review of the drug.

The House investigations were announced by Rep Carolyn Maloney, chairwoman of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, and Rep Frank Pallone Jr, chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Despite concerns from public health experts and Chicago residents, the city's top officials have found no evidence that Lollapalooza was a superspreader event.

Out of 385,000 people who attended the music festival, just 203 have tested positive in the two weeks since the event began.

Those 203 include 127 who were vaccinated and 76 unvaccinated.

The Chicago Department of Public Health estimated that the vast majority of concert attendees - about 90 percent - were vaccinated.

The event demonstrates that large gatherings may still be safely held during the Indian 'Delta' variant surge, if the event is held outdoors and the majority of the crowd is vaccinated.

Lollapalooza was not a superspreading event with just 203 people testing positive, according to data released Thursday from the Chicago Department of Public Health. Pictured: Chicago health commissioner Dr Allison Arwady holds a press conference about city Covid numbers

Lollapalooza drew massive crowds, over 350,000 people in total. Pictured: Machine Gun Kelly performs at the festival on July 31

Lollapalooza, an annual four-day music festival in Chicago, Illinois, became a major concern for public health experts this year as the show went on despite Covid concerns.

The city's Covid case rate leading up to the festival - which took place in late July - was five times higher than it had been one month prior, according to Time magazine.

The festival drew more than 100,000 people each day - and those people weren't required to wear masks.

While the festival did require attendees to provide proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test result, videos of the event showed that these cards were not carefully checked.

Chicago residents worried that the festival would be a superspreading event, meaning that it would kick off a massive outbreak in the city and surrounding areas.

According to the city's public health commissioner, however, Lollapalooza was in fact not the superspreading event that many had feared.

August 12 marks two weeks since the first day of the festival.

Case spikes from a superspreading event typically appear about two weeks after the event, making this the appropriate time to provide an update, said Commissioner Dr Allison Arwady.

In a Thursday press conference, Arwady announced that a total of 203 cases have been connected to Lollapalooza so far.

That's out of about 385,000 festival attendees in total.

Out of the 203 cases, 127 of the attendees were fully vaccinated and 76 were not.

These numbers are not surprising, Arwady said, because the vast majority of the crowd was vaccinated - about 90 percent had received their jabs, the public health department estimated.

'We've had no unexpected findings at this point,' Arwady said.

'There's no evidence at this point of a superspreader event, and there's no evidence of substantial impact to Chicago's epidemiology.'

Chicago officials estimated that about 90 percent of Lollapalooza attendees were vaccinated. Pictured: A view of the festival stage on August 1

Based on estimates of the festival's vaccination rate, the public health department calculated that about four in every 10,000 vaccinated attendees got Covid.

Among unvaccinated attendees, the risk was much higher: 16 out of every 10,000 attendees got Covid.

The city identified these Lollapalooza cases through contact tracing - asking Chicago residents who tested positive whether they'd attended the festival.

Chicago's public health department also put out a nationwide alert, requesting other cities and states to submit information for any cases linked to Lollapalooza.

Plus, the department conducted supplemental interviews of anyone who tested positive and attended the festival.

This process is not able to specifically prove that attendees got sick at Lollapalooza, Arwady said.

Attendees may also have been infected at bars and restaurants or other high-risk locations outside the festival.

In addition to contact tracing, the city public health department is monitoring data from local hospitals to identify any rise in Covid symptoms.

'We did not see increases or additional cases coming in through the emergency department,' Arwady said.

Chicago's public health department continues to monitor cases linked to Lollapalooza. Pictured: Princess Nokia performs at the festival on August 1

Out of those 203 festival attendees who tested positive, 58 were Chicago residents, 138 were Illinois residents from outside the city, and seven were from out of state.

The vast majority were under age 30, and the majority were white, non-Hispanic.

Arwady noted that 13 of the Chicago residents who tested positive said they attended Lollapalooza after starting to experience symptoms - making it likely that they infected others at the festival.

Even if you're vaccinated, Arwady said, it's still important to stay home and get tested if you experience Covid symptoms.

The Chicago public health department will continue to monitor cases linked to Lollapalooza.

'I expect we may see some more positives come in,' Arwady said - particularly from other public health departments outside the city and state.

However, Arwady is confident that 'we would have seen a surge if we were going to see a surge, at this point.'

Lollapalooza's success suggests that, despite Delta's increased potential for Covid transmission, large events may still be held outdoors.

'Even with the Delta variant, though we see the risk of transmission go up a lot,' Dr Arwady said, 'already we knew that the risk of being outside was so much lower than the risk of being inside that it's much safer for these kinds of events.'

Chicago is also in a low-transmission range compared to much of the country.

The city's test positivity rate is under five percent, hospitals are seeing manageable numbers of Covid patients, and the majority of city residents are vaccinated.

In New Orleans, on the other hand, cases are spiking - leading organizers to cancel the city's Jazz Fest event, previously planned for early October. Arwady said she supported this move.

Overall - 'Your biggest risk at this point is being unvaccinated,' she said.
Most parents support mask mandates in schools but don't believe children should be required to get COVID-19 shots, a new poll finds.

The survey, conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), that six in 10 parents agree that unvaccinated students and teacher s should wear face coverings in the classroom.

However, roughly the same share of mothers and fathers say they don't think school administrators should mandate vaccines.

It come as the country's largest teacher's union, the National Education Association, says it supports vaccine requirements for educators.

A new poll finds 63% of parents of children believe unvaccinated students and staff should be required to wear mask while 36% oppose. But 58% of mothers and fathers of 12-to-17-year-olds don't want schools to require children to get vaccinated while 42% support it

Parents who identify as Democrats were more likely to support mask and vaccine mandates Republicans were more likely to oppose it. Pictured: A kindergarten student attends class at the Resurrection Catholic School in Los Angels, February 2021

For the report, the team surveyed 1,259 parents and guardians of children under age 18 between July 15 and August 2.

They found that 63 percent of parents of children between ages five and 17 believe unvaccinated students and staff should be required to wear mask.

The remaining 36 percent said they did not think face coverings should be mandated.

There were large racial and ethnic disparities between parents' thoughts on masks.

About 83 of black parents and 76 percent of Hispanic parents support mask requirements compared to 54 percent of white parents.

Parents were also split along party-lines with 88 percent of Democrats saying their child's school should require masks and 69 percent of Republicans saying school should not.

However, when it came to vaccine requirements, a majority of parents said they do not support vaccine mandates.

The survey found that 58 percent of mothers and fathers of 12-to-17-year-olds, who are eligible to get vaccinated, don't want schools to require children to get vaccinated while 42 percent support it.

Parents of teenagers who has already gotten the vaccine were more likely to be in favor of COVID-19 vaccine requirements.

Three-quarters, or 75 percent, of parents of vaccinated children said they believe schools should mandate vaccines.

Meanwhile, 83 percent of parents of unvaccinated children oppose such requirements.

'Despite controversy around the country about masks in schools, most parents want their school to require masks of unvaccinated students and staff,' KFF President and CEO Drew Altman said in a news release.

'At the same time, most parents don't want their schools to require their kids get a COVID-19 vaccine despite their effectiveness in combatting COVID-19.'

There were also racial and political divides on the subject of Covid vaccine mandates.

Approximately two-thirds of Democratic parents support vaccine mandates and three-quarters of Republican parents opposing mandates.

What's more, the majority of white and black parents oppose schools requiring vaccines while Hispanic parents were split about 50/50.

It comes as the largest teachers' union in the U.S. said it supports policies requiring teachers to get vaccinated against COVID-19 or to get tested regularly.

'It is clear that the vaccination of those eligible is one of the most effective ways to keep schools safe,' said Becky Pringle, president of the National Education Association, in a statement.

Pringle's statement comes two days after Randi Weingarten, the leader of the second-largest union, American Federation of Teachers, said she supported vaccine mandates.

'We believe that such vaccine requirements and accommodations are an appropriate, responsible, and necessary step,. Pringle said.

About 90 percent of teachers who belong to the National Education Association are fully vaccinated.
One-fifth of Americans believe at least one common piece of misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccines, a new study finds.

Researchers from Harvard University found that many adults in the U.S., vaccinated or not, have fallen prey to lies peddled about vaccines.

The most commonly believed falsehood is that Covid vaccines can cause infertility with more than one-third of those surveyed believe.

Around 10 percent of people believe the shots alter DNA, contain fetus tissue or have microchips.

Vaccine misinformation, particularly on social media, has become a major problem for health officials as they urge Americans to receive the shots.

Harvard researchers found that around 20 percent of people believe at least one piece of common vaccine disinformation

Researchers, whose pre-print study was published on OSF, surveyed nearly 17,000 people for the study.

Each were asked how they felt about four common pieces of misinformation spread about the virus online.

Participants were asked if they believed the lie was accurate, inaccurate or were unsure.

The four statements there were asked about were:

The COVID-19 vaccines can cause infertility, making it more difficult to get pregnant

The COVID-19 vaccines will alter people's DNA

The COVID-19 vaccines contain the lung tissue of aborted fetuses

The COVID-19 vaccines contain microchips that could track people

For each of them, a majority of people answered that the statement was inaccurate.

The microchip lie was the most deemed inaccurate, with 70 percent of respondents saying it was inaccurate .

Only half, 52 percent, of people called the statement that the vaccines cause infertility inaccurate.

Around one-in-ten people believed each lie was true, though.

The most believed falsehood is that the vaccines cause infertility, at 11 percent.

Ten percent believe the vaccines alter DNA, nine percent believe the vaccines contain fetus tissue and eight percent believe it contains microchips.

In total, around 20 percent of respondents said that they found at least one of the falsehoods correct.

Those most likely to believe at least one misconception were more likely to be male (22 percent) and between age 25 and44 (29 percent).

Asian Americans (16 percent) were less likely than other groups to believe vaccine misinformation, while the other racial groups were nearly even with around 20 percent each believing misinformation.

Males (22%) and people aged 25 to 44 (29%) are most likely to believe vaccine misinformation

Unvaccinated people are more likely to believe the misinformation, which is likely to reason many remain unvaccinated.

Unvaccinated people make up 42 percent of people who believe two or more of the misconceptions, and 36 percent who believe one.

Less than 30 percent of American adults are unvaccinated.

Vaccinated Americans make up more than 70 percent of the American population, but only 46 percent of people believe two or more lies.

While it could easily be assumed that those most likely to believe misconceptions about the vaccine are less educated, that does not appear to be the case.

Americans with graduate degrees are the most likely education group to believe at least one lie about the vaccine, at 26 percent.

People with high incomes, which often correlates with education, are more likely to believe misconceptions as well, with 26 percent of Americans making $100,000 or more per year believing at least one lie.

A quarter of Republicans also believed at least one piece of misinformation, with Democrats, Independents and others falling below 20 percent.

A quarter of Republicans believe at least one piece of vaccine misinformation

People with graduate degrees and those with high incomes are most likely to believe misinformation about the vaccines

Vaccine misinformation has become a huge problem for health officials as they attempt to convince more Americans to get the shots, and it is coming from all kinds of sources.

A recent wave of misinformation has especially cropped up on social media during a recent surge of COVID-19 cases fueled by the Indian 'Delta' variant.

Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican congresswoman from Georgia, even had her Twitter accounted suspended for a week after she falsely tweeted the vaccines do not work.

'These vaccines are failing & do not reduce the spread of the virus & neither do masks,' she wrote in a tweet where she also urged the FDA not to give the vaccines full approval.

The COVID-19 vaccines have proven to be effective against all strains of the virus. While breakthrough infections are possible, they are less likely and often mild cases.

Misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccines has become rampant on social media, though platforms are pushing back against it, hoping to encourage Americans to get the shots. Pictured: A woman receives the COVID-19 vaccine in Culver City, California last week

The misconception that vaccines will alter people's DNA stems from many misunderstanding the mRNA technology used to create the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.

Some social media platforms have stepped up their battle against this type of misinformation.

Greene's suspension is a part of a five-strike program Twitter uses to remove misinformation from the platform.

The recent tweet was Greene's fourth infraction, and the next will get her permanently removed from Twitter.

Facebook has also removed hundreds of accounts responsible for pushing falsehoods about the vaccines.
In fall 2020, more than one million students left U.S. public school systems - with remote-only districts seeing the most substantial drops.

Remote-only districts saw a 42 percent higher enrollment decline, overall, compared to those offering in-person options, according to an analysis from Stanford University and the New York Times.

Kindergarten-aged students and those in rural areas were particularly likely to leave the public school system due to their districts opting for remote-only school.

The report demonstrates the importance of getting students back to school in person, even as the Indian 'Delta' variant drives surges.

Over one million students left U.S. public school systems in fall 2020, a new analysis finds. Pictured: Summer students in New York City, July 2021

Remote-only districts had a 42% lower enrollment decline than in-person districts and hybrid districts

Over the past year, researchers, educators, and parents alike have learned that remote learning is detrimental for K-12 students.

While keeping kids out of classrooms was a key mechanism for preventing COVID-19 spread - especially early in the pandemic - research has shown that Zoom school was bad news for both students' academic abilities and mental health.

The shift to remote impacted students in a way that worsened pre-existing divides. Students of color, low-income students, those in rural areas, and others with fewer resources were less able to weather the transition.

Despite these issues, many students did not go back to school in person during the fall 2020 semester.

In the fall of 2020, over half of U.S. public school students only had access to remote learning. Many of them stayed remote through the entire school year.

A new study shows that many of those students who didn't have access to in-person learning dropped out of the public school system entirely.

For the analysis, published online on August 7, researchers at the Stanford Graduate School of Education collaborated with Big Local News - a project of Stanford's Computational Journalism Lab - and the New York Times.

The researchers examined school enrollment across six years, from the 2015-2016 school year to the 2020-2021 year.

They used enrollment data from state and federal sources, paired with reopening information from Burbio - a data research platform that tracks districts' learning modes.

The analysis included a total of 875 districts representing about 35 percent of public school students.

Overall, the researchers found a sharp enrollment decline in fall 2020 compared to the previous year.

Nationwide, enrollment fell by two percent - a loss of 1.1 million students.

Kindergarten students in remote-only districts were more likely to leave the public school system than their older peers

'Public school enrollment typically increases from year to year, but it fell sharply in the fall of 2020,' said Thomas Dee, Stanford Graduate School of Education professor and one of the study's authors, in a news release.

'We found that districts that adopted remote-only schooling had significantly larger enrollment declines than those that offered face-to-face schooling.'

Specifically, the districts that offered face-to-face options saw a 2.6 decline in enrollment overall, while those that offered only remote saw a 3.7 percent enrollment decline.

That means a 42 percent higher enrollment decline for the remote-only districts.

The researchers also found a dramatic difference in kindergarten enrollment. They estimated that, overall, remote-only districts saw a ten percent enrollment decline in kindergarten students.

This decline was especially high in states where kindergarten is optional - many parents opted to skip the grade and enroll their students in first grade the following year.

Enrollment declines were also higher for remote-only districts in rural areas.

'So there's still a lot to be learned about this,' Dee said. 'For example, access to high-speed broadband and digital devices may influence how parents in rural communities judged the appeal of remote instruction.'

In addition, the researches found higher enrollment declines for remote-only districts serving more Hispanic students - and fewer black students.

The analysis indicates that many parents prefer in-person learning. Pictured: Students head to class on the first day of school in Anaheim, California, August 2021

The researchers note that some parents may have taken their children out of public school because they wanted an in-person option - while others may have been in the opposite situation, wanting virtual-only and not finding that provided.

But overall, the study indicates that many parents prefer in-person learning - to the point of taking their kids out of schools if remote is the only learning mode available.

The findings support many districts' decisions to return to in-person learning in fall 2021, even as the Delta variant drives Covid surges across the U.S.

Still, last year's enrollment drop could have long-term implications for the districts that lost students.

Many students who skipped or delayed kindergarten last year will now be entering schools, Dee said. This will lead teachers to have bigger classes with a mix of ages.

Other, older children may have to navigate the impacts of catching up on coursework.

'These results also suggest an imminent fiscal challenge to public schools if student enrollment doesn't rebound,' Dee said. 'My best guess is that many of these students aren't returning.'

'As parents confront the uncertainty of the coming year and what their local public schools will offer, they may view their new accommodations as a safe harbor.'
MEMOIR

GUARDED BY DRAGONS

by Rick Gekoski (Little, Brown 18.99)

Should you be one of those incapable of passing a second-hand bookshop without entering, and then, once inside, breathe in that unique perfume of musty old paper, tobacco, leather, tea and biscuit as if it were fine wine . . . then you will love Rick Gekoski's lively stories of adventures in the book trade.

After all, there is always a (vanishing) chance you might come across a first edition of your favourite author among the higgledy-piggledy shelves of old volumes.

Not that Gekoski in interested in what's merely 'second-hand'. Far from it; he deals in rarities worth thousands and (you feel) can recognise the difference between a first edition signed by James Joyce in a good mood and one signed when he'd just had a quarrel with Nora. Only kidding, of course, but the man knows his stuff.

And so he should, after 50-plus years in his elite trade, where a millionaire will splurge on J.K. Rowling's unique The Tales Of Beedle The Bard and very rare books are the gold guarded by dragons in myth.

BEL MOONEY reviews Rick Gekoski's memoir Guarded by Dragons about his time as second hand book seller

It all started back in the 1970s in a car park in Birmingham where a (possibly dodgy) man sold Gekoski some D.H. Lawrence first editions for four tenners.

At the time, he was researching Lawrence and teaching English at Warwick University, and both activities bored him. But he soon found making quick profits on books more enthralling. After spending 41 on that first bundle, he sold the same books for 333, and became hooked.

His recipe for success in his trade is succinct: 'There are only two things a rare book dealer must know: at what price is a book buyable and at what higher price one might sell it.'

For example, in the second-hand department of a big bookshop he came across a copy of Sons And Lovers that bore the signature of its previous owner, the once-popular, overblown horror writer Dennis Wheatley. Incredibly, he forked out 350 for it, only to sell it for 1,950. That takes both knowledge and nerve.

This wonderfully gossipy, sharply written memoir is an antidote to any illusion that the world of books is rarefied and 'gentlemanly'. On the contrary, it's full of wheeler-dealers, thuggish business practices, naked greed, double-dealing and vainglorious delusion.

Graham Greene was convinced an apartment full of Victorian crime fiction would net riches, but the books could hardly be given away.

The powerful chairman of Faber & Faber, the late Matthew Evans (full disclosure, a friend of mine) was ruthless in deciding that letters written by Philip Larkin to a distinguished former chairman, Charles Monteith, at his private address actually belonged to the company and not to the individual who had them.

It all started back in the 1970s in a car park in Birmingham where a (possibly dodgy) man sold Gekoski some D.H. Lawrence first editions for four tenners. Stock image

Gekoski had bought the documents from Monteith who signed a document proving his ownership.

Gekoski sold them in 1992, but five years later they came back into his hands. There followed a rather disturbing saga of litigation, rising costs and increasing unpleasantness which would make great fiction in the hands of someone like Robert Harris.

'Within a month,' Gekoski says, 'I had spent as much in lawyer's fees as the cost of the letters Faber wanted returned.'

Suffice it to say that Gekoski lost the argument and my old chum Evans (later a Labour peer) proved himself to be the smart thug nobody who knew him would ever deny.

You have to have a tough mind to survive in Gekoski's world, but he reveals a more vulnerable side when it comes to the chapter on John Fowles. The author of The French Lieutenant's Woman lived reclusively in Lyme Regis and Gekoski was invited to see a manuscript and some volumes Fowles wished to sell.

Some years later he was shocked to find himself described, in the second volume of Fowles's Journals, as 'too Jewish for English tastes', among other sneery examples of anti-Semitism. As Gekoski remarks, 'What is surprising is that he should have chosen to publish them.'

Other examples of Fowles's repugnant prejudice are given in this chapter, recorded with cool scorn and disgust, but the level of deep, justifiable hurt felt by Gekoski is unmistakable.

What happened when Gekoski bought a book that had belonged to Sylvia Plath and was accused by Ted Hughes of (as good as) handling stolen goods?

How did he cope when he bought a massive pile of seemingly useless books and 'filthy old box files', only to discover among them drafts of the Balfour Declaration which led to the founding of the State of Israel?

Those who had sold the unwanted material now coveted a slice of the proceeds. Then came the 'legal debates, involving acrimonious claims and counter-claims'.

Gekoski's swashbuckling stories reveal a trade that is certainly not for cissies. That's precisely what makes this book as engrossing as it is entertaining.
SOCIETY

The Aristocracy Of Talent: How Meritocracy Made The Modern World

by Adrian Wooldridge (Allen Lane 25, 496pp)

Meritocracy, says someone quoted in this thought-provoking book on the subject, can be defined as 'allowing the right cornflakes to get to the top of the packet'.

The idea that your progress in life should depend on your ability, rather than who your parents were, seems so obvious as to not need stating. But as Adrian Wooldridge shows, meritocracy is a relatively recent invention  and one that's still under threat.

He gives some great examples of the bad old days. The future 10th Earl of Wemyss, at his interview to attend Oxford University in 1837, was asked only one question: 'How's your father?'

Things were no better overseas. Monarchs doled out political offices to whoever they wanted, while an 18th-century visitor to Prussia thought that three-quarters of its princes and dukes 'aren't quite right in the head', and might just be 'competent to rule chickens'.

Meritocracy, says someone quoted in this thought-provoking book on the subject, can be defined as 'allowing the right cornflakes to get to the top of the packet'. Pictured: Stock image

And then came the revolution, or rather revolutions. The French one, for instance, whose leaders declared that 'all citizens . . . are equally admissible to all public offices . . . according to their capacity'. Thomas Paine, one of the American Revolution's leading thinkers, pointed out that there is no such thing as an hereditary mathematician, so why should there be an hereditary statesman?

In fairness, Plato had been saying the same thing over 2,000 years before. Rulers should be those best able to do the job; though he did propose they should be conceived at specially organised orgies of the cleverest people, then taken from their mothers and raised by the state.

China, meanwhile, has a centuries-old tradition of its administrators being the brightest people who have passed the most difficult exams. (This is why senior civil servants in Britain came to be known as 'mandarins'.) Bill Gates always advises children to be nice to nerds, as one day they'll be working for them. But the American professor John Rawls argued in 1971 that (in Wooldridge's words) 'people no more deserved their success because they were blessed with high IQs than they did because they had rich parents'.

Why does Wooldridge think meritocracy is under threat? He sees different dangers from different ends of the political spectrum. Groups such as Black Lives Matter argue that 'supposedly objective tests [exams and the like] are saturated with cultural and therefore racial prejudice', while the Right despises the out-of-touchness of meritocratic elites.

This is a very complex subject, tackled with the seriousness you'd expect from the political editor of The Economist.

I'd love to have read his thoughts about Boris Johnson, who has been accused of keeping able people out of his Cabinet because he doesn't want them there as threats.

Coincidentally, the author of that quote about cornflakes getting to the top of the packet was . . . Boris Johnson.
Anthony Scaramucci is best known for his brief but memorable role as President Trump's director of communications, but he has also had a much longer and equally as colourful career in the investment industry.

'The Mooch', as he became known during his 11-day stint at the White House, worked at Goldman Sachs in the 1980s and 1990s, but then went on to found Oscar Capital Management and later the investment firm SkyBridge Capital.

In a new interview, Scaramucci fondly remembers his investment in a tequila brand: 'I think I was 15 to one on that investment. We put it in the HBO show Entourage, it caught fire, and then we sold it to the French spirits company Bernard, I think it was called. That was an incredible investment.'

But with the benefit of hindsight and significantly more humility, Scaramucci also now recalls at the height of his 'investment arrogance' one of his worst investments to date among a 'series of losers' that all investors will suffer.

Anthony Scaramucci reveals his worst investment came during his time at Goldman Sachs at the 'height of [his] investment arrogance'

'I was 27, and for some reason, I decided that I knew more about biotechnology than biotechnology people or scientists or medical doctors. I obviously know everything.

'And so, I had the worst thing that can happen to you, I bought these call options on a biotech company. And they exploded to the upside,' he told Interactive Investor's Family Money show.

That meant that Scaramucci was initially well up on his investment, but then disaster struck.

He said: 'So that fortified me with great confidence about what a genius I was. And so, I doubled down, as this company was moving from phase two to phase three approval for the FDA [US drugs regulator] and they didn't get the approval.

Unfortunately, I didn't even understand  this is how arrogant and stupid I was  how the leverage worked in my personal account

'I had all these call options that were levered in my account. Unfortunately, I didn't even understand  this is how arrogant and stupid I was  how the leverage worked in my personal account.

'And so, the margin desk called me at Goldman Sachs and told me: 'You're in the hole by $50,000.' And let me tell you something, at that time in my life, we're at $150,000 of school debt. I really couldn't afford it.

'I went to go see my boss and I explained to him what I did. And he looked at me and said, 'Man, you are as stupid as stupid could be. And hopefully you learned your lesson that the markets know more than you do.'

Whether Scaramucci has learned the importance of specialist knowledge remains to be seen.

Earlier this year, at the peak of the crypto rally, Scaramucci's firm SkyBridge, a fund of hedge funds, announced it had started a bitcoin fund.

'Bitcoin is better at being gold than gold is at being gold,' he said at the time. 'It's easier to store, it's harder to steal, it's more portable, and so therefore, it's become the ledger or the storage of the future in terms of the storage of value.'

Since then the bitcoin price has tumbled from about $60,000 to as low as just under $30,000, although it has since bounced back to the $45,000 mark.

Scaramucci has developed an uncharacteristic self-awareness of both his investments and his time on Trump's presidential campaign and later in the White House.

'Donald Trump was not even choice number one or two. But when he called to recruit me, that's where the ego kicked in. And, you know, you do a lot of regrettable things based on your ego,' he told Gabby Logan on ii's podcast.

'Being fired from the White House was a huge disappointment. It turned out to be a blessing  I didn't know that at the time. But it was a huge disappointment.'

Donald Trump... when he called to recruit me, that's where the ego kicked in

The Mooch was forced out of the White House after calling a reporter to give a profanity-laced rant against his own colleagues.

His main lesson from this ill-fated experience has been one of both humility and toughness: 'I'm more humble. I think it's made me more psychologically minded. I think I have a lot more empathy for people that go through things.

He added: 'When I got blown out of the White House, a lot of people would have rolled on something like that, but I got up like a crash dummy and just dusted myself off and went back to work.

'It was a week after I got fired. I was walking with him [his son AJ] in Santa Monica, on the promenade, and he's like: 'Dad, jeez, are you OK?' And I'm like: 'Yeah, not only am I OK, watch what I do with this thing.'

Listen to Gabby Logan's full interview with Anthony Scaramucci on Interactive Investor's Family Money Show.
In 2018, Laura Crawford took a huge gamble. She swapped long hours as a management consultant in the City to start a nappy brand.

Fed-up with toddler tantrums and a colicky baby, she launched Mama Bamboo as an alternative to damaging plastic nappies and a lack of eco alternatives.

Here, as part of our new B Corp Beat series - focusing the spotlight on 'green' British companies - we find out more

Mama Bamboo uses FSC-certified Moso bamboo which is fully sustainable and naturally antibacterial

The Attenborough effect

Laura admits she gave little thought to the effects disposable nappies had on the environment when she had her first child.

'I had no idea what was in a nappy, I hadn't even considered it and just bought what was on the shelf. I accepted that nappy rash was part and parcel and there was no alternative.'

Like the plastic straws and single use plastic bags David Attenborough warned about in his 2017 documentary Blue Planet II, approximately 8million disposable nappies are thrown into landfill every single day in the UK and can take up to 500 years to biodegrade.

By the time Laura's son was due she had cottoned on to the effects of single use plastic and sought out alternatives like reusable cloth nappies.

'As soon as he was born he went into cloth nappies which were a nightmare. I was handling a new born that was too small for the nappies, he was colicky, and my daughter was only 2 years old,' she says.

'It was the last straw. I went to find eco disposables and, at the time, there was only one brand and I didn't get on with them - they were papery, stiff and leaked a lot.'

What is a B Corp? In our new B Corp Beat series, we are interviewing British businesses which meet these strict standards. They are described as businesses that are said to meet the 'highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose.' One the website, it says: 'B Corp Certification doesn't just evaluate a product or service; it assesses the overall positive impact of the company that stands behind it. And increasingly that's what people care most about.' B Corp was started in 2006 and gives scores to companies in order for them to be verified. These five areas are: governance, workers, community, environment and customers.

Shortly afterwards, the idea for Mama Bamboo was born.

'It was during a conversation with a friend who was an expat living over in Singapore - she mentioned that in Asia they had been using bamboo to make nappies for quite a long time.

'I was surprised because I couldn't work out how bamboo used in flooring and for plates could possibly be used in a nappy.'

Bamboo has become a popular alternative because it grows quickly and, in the correct conditions, does not need any chemicals, fertiliser, pesticides or irrigation system.

Laura opted for FSC-certified Moso bamboo which is fully sustainable and naturally antibacterial.

In the spring season it can grow between 12 and 15 feet in just three weeks so it is not in short supply.

The bamboo is shipped from China meaning it is still contributing negatively to the environment and not a completely sustainable option.

Mama Bamboo is not the only one creating bamboo nappies: eco brand Cheeky Panda has developed its own range while Boots now produces nappies which use 40 per cent plant-based materials.

By comparison Mama Bamboo claims its nappies currently biodegrade more than 60 per cent in less than three months and can achieve 80 per cent within two years. At this time no nappy can offer 100 per cent.

Laura says that each year, it calculates its carbon footprint and replants enough bamboo to soak up the equivalent carbon within two years.

While Mama Bamboo's eco credentials may come out on top, the challenge for Laura is convincing customers her products are best. Her immediate plan is to raise investment to expand both the product range and Mama Bamboo's geographical reach.

Crowdfunding round

Mama Bamboo has slowly built itself up over three years, and because it is mainly an online subscription business, it has not been too hurt by the pandemic.

Customers can save up to 20 per cent by subscribing but the products are still considerably more expensive than plastic disposables. A carton of 35 nappies costs 7.40 while an 80 pack of Pampers costs just 10.

This clear disparity between the two may prove to be a barrier to mainstream uptake.

However, Laura says the company has grown from a turnover of 360,000 last year to being on target for 900,000 this year. As the business grows more, so too does the need for specific expertise at the helm.

Laura Crawford launched Mama Bamboo in 2018 after she could not find any disposable eco-friendly nappies

'Jennie, who runs the logistics and operations, is my university friend. I brought her in the early days to help me pack boxes and now she's worked her way up to the head of logistics,' Laura says.

'We've got to the point where we can see the gaps within the team and I can feel where my amateur working of marketing and sales is holding the business back now.'

As a result, Mama Bamboo has launched a crowdfunding round with ecobank Triodos, targeting 540,000 worth of investment.

The decision to opt for crowdfunding came after Laura was approached by the head of Triodos' crowdfunding who incidentally used Mama Bamboo's products.

'We're still a start-up. I would personally find it quite hard to ask a single angel investor for half a million pounds. Whereas I felt more comfortable spreading it out amongst a couple of hundred investors, managing the risk a little better.'

Laura's main priority is hiring a sales director to ramp up Mama Bamboo's international presence.

The company was forced to abandon selling in the EU through Amazon amid the Brexit uncertainty.

'We're at the stage where we're ready to get back in there. Instead of shipping products to Amazon FBA UK, who handled logistics, I'm looking to have EU distributors that we can ship directly to from China with tailored branding.'

Laura is nothing but ambitious. She also wants to expand the product line into homeware, which would include bathrobes and towels, as well as a range of baby care products and a feminine care range.

B Corp certification

Mama Bamboo has carved out its niche. It says it was the first UK company to sell nappies made from sustainably grown bamboo and the only firm in the world whose nappies include fully compostable linings and packaging.

Its eco credentials don't just stop with its products.

Mama Bamboo launched the #nappyrevolution campaign calling on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to change the way councils handle nappy and wipe waste.

And in 2021/22 Mama Bamboo will partner with UCL to develop a sustainable circular economy model for councils to adopt curbside collection of industrial compost waste, including nappies and wipes.

This work prompted one of Laura's team to encourage Mama Bamboo to apply for a B Corp certification.

Prospective companies have to go through rigorous assessments and is awarded to organisation who achieve as core of at least 80 out of 200 against five areas of impact: Governance, Community, Workers, Environment and Customers.

It led to Mama Bamboo going through the painstaking process of switching banks after the organisation noted there were better and more ethical alternatives.

'We changed bank to Starling. I hadn't thought about the fact we were banking with someone who didn't particularly have an ethical background.'

Over the 11 months it took for Mama Bamboo to be certified as a B Corp, Laura learned more about the audits required, particularly for Chinese suppliers.

'We were doing it through an independent third party and [the certifiers] pushed us towards some standard international audits that not only will get a standard score but the companies themselves will be more incentivised to try and improve their score because they can use it in their own marketing.'

Mama Bamboo achieved certification in 2020, making it the only UK and European Nappy Company to join the ethical group of businesses.

She says: 'I love the ethos. it's not just about the product, it's about the business and the practices. And they fact you have to use your business for good not just for profit.'
A school for troubled teens where Paris Hilton says she was abused has been sued over the alleged 'torture' and 'sexual abuse' of another student.

Aaron Ross was 13 when he was sent to Provo Canyon School in Utah in 2001, where he claims a staff member forced him to perform oral sex on them a dozen times under threat of starvation, locked him in solitary confinement for weeks, and made him sit for weeks at a desk facing the wall.

Brooklyn, New York-based Ross, 33, is now suing the school, its owner, and three staff members in a federal lawsuit filed last week in the eastern district of New York.

The lawsuit accuses the school of practicing 'a myriad of maltreatment including physical, verbal and sexual abuse, chemical sedation and isolation, vigorous labor, the use of physical restraints, food and sleep deprivation and humiliation, amongst others, some of which the Geneva Convention banned as being too extreme for prisoners of war.'

Aaron Ross (pictured) was 13 years old when he was sent to Provo Canyon school in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he claims he was repeatedly forced to give a staff member oral sex

The treatment facility for troubled teens has faced previous accusations of abuse, most notably by Paris Hilton, who has launched a campaign to shut the school down

It said Provo Canyon is among the 'worst of the worst' of allegedly abusive schools, highlighting Hilton's campaign to tighten laws monitoring institutions for troubled teens, her alleged abuse at Provo Canyon, and hundreds of police and regulator investigations there over assaults, sex offences and child abuse since 2012.

The legal papers, filed by Ross's attorneys Peter Gleason and Daniel Isaacs, say Ross had a history of Asperger's syndrome and behavioral problems while living with his parents in Brooklyn as a child.

A consultancy, the Goldberg Center, received $10,000 from Provo Canyon to refer Ross there without interviewing him according to the lawsuit, and early one morning in May 2001, he was 'removed from his home without warning in handcuffs by three armed guards' and flown to the institution.

Ross claims he was 'strip searched' on arrival, 'kept isolated for several days' and seen by a psychiatrist for 'no more than two minutes before being placed on a daily cocktail of drugs without receiving a diagnosis or written plan of treatment.'

The drugs included Seroquel, Depkotl, Trileptal and Celexa.

The legal complaint says Ross spent the next two years indoors without breathing fresh air or feeling sunlight.

The school's 'punishment' and 'brutality' inflicted on Ross included daily 'verbal, mental and physical abuse', 'food and sleep deprivation for days at a time', 'days or weeks in a row sitting at a desk facing the wall except for bathroom breaks and sleeping,' the lawsuit states.

Ross identified his alleged abuser as Provo staffer Justin Uale (pictured) who he claims forced him to undress and give him oral sex a dozen times under threat of starvation

The school's 'punishment' and 'brutality' inflicted on Ross included daily 'verbal, mental and physical abuse', 'food and sleep deprivation for days at a time', according to the lawsuit

Ross was 'placed for days and sometimes weeks at a time in what was known as the 'observation room,' a small bare windowless cement room bereft of any furniture or carpeting for the floor.'

While in the 'observation room', Provo staffer Justin Uale forced him to undress and give Uale oral sex a dozen times, Ross claimed  saying that he would be starved of food and sleep if he refused.

When Ross complained to his therapist at the school, Wendy Turnbow, about the alleged sexual abuse she called him a 'liar', told him to 'shut up' and wrote him up, the federal lawsuit claimed.

Ross experienced 'multiple mental, emotional and psychological problems due to the sexual and physical abuse' after his release from the institution in April 2003, he claimed.

He spent six months in hospital over the trauma and was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder.

Ross's lawsuit detailed a long history of abuse allegations at the state and federal government-funded institution dating back to the 1980s.

In the 80s and 90s the school was accused in class action lawsuits of violent discipline including a technique called 'the hair dance' in which teens were 'dragged around by their hair'.

Ross, who is based in Brooklyn, New York, is suing the school, its owner, and three staff members in a federal lawsuit filed last week in the eastern district of New York

In 1999 Hilton spent 11 months in Provo age 17, during which she claimed she was abused.

The socialite slammed the institution in her 2020 documentary This Is Paris and succeeded in pushing for new, tighter regulation on schools for troubled teens.

Testifying to Utah lawmakers in February this year, the hotel heiress said she was 'verbally, mentally and physically abused on a daily basis' at Provo Canyon.

'I was cut off from the outside world and stripped of all of my human rights. I was not allowed to be myself, hold my own opinions or even speak. Without a diagnosis I was forced to consume medication that made me feel numb and exhausted. I didn't breathe fresh air or see the sunlight for 11 months,' she said.

'Children were restrained, hit, thrown into walls, strangled and sexually abused regularly at Provo I could not report this because all communication with my family was monitored and censored.

'That was the worst of the worst There's no getting out of there. You're sitting on a chair and staring at a wall all day long, getting yelled at or getting hit.'

In 2000 the then-school owner, Charter Behavioral Health Systems, filed bankruptcy after paying a $7million fine over Medicaid fraud allegations, and the school was bought by Universal Health Services.

Universal has said it is unable to comment on alleged abuse before it owned the institution  but the 'torture' continued for the next two decades, according to Ross' lawsuit.

Hilton opened up about the alleged abuse she experienced at Provo Canyon School in her documentary released last year

Hilton shared photos of herself as an 18-year-old after she had come home from Provo Canyon School She claims staff members would beat her, force her to take unknown pills, watch her shower and send her to solitary confinement without clothes as punishment

Hilton also said that children in Provo Canyon School were 'restrained, thrown into walls, strangled, and sexually abused regularly'

The legal papers cited government records showing that 'between 2015 and 2020 Utah's Office of Licensing conducted 341 investigations at Provo's four campuses, substantiating twenty-seven violations.'

There were also hundreds of police callouts to the campuses since 2012.

'Between January 3, 2012 and September 16, 2019, police responded to Provo's Springville campus 239 times to reports that included 43 assaults, 20 sex offenses, and a sexual assault,' the lawsuit said.

Police responded to the Provo campus 182 times to reports that included '28 assaults 26 sex offenses, 24 sexual assaults and, 11 abuse of child.'

In an interview with DailyMailTV earlier this year, Ross claimed he reported the alleged abuse to police but was ignored for years.

He said he got so frustrated feeling the authorities were not listening to his claims that he sent threats to two Utah legislators.

'I will strangle you with my bare hands,' Ross wrote in an email to Utah Representative Adam Robertson.

'I will tie your legs up with a metal weight. And I will sink your body to the bottom of Utah Lake. Nobody will be able to find you.'

Prosecutors charged him with two counts of second-degree felony terroristic threats in December.

The teen treatment center, where a 12-month stay costs up to $300,000, has faced previous accusations of beating, drugging and sexually abusing its clients

Hilton has claimed staff members would beat her, force her to take unknown pills, watch her shower and send her to solitary confinement without clothes as punishment

'Ross made the threats when his demands that the legislators cause investigations, prosecutions or other legal action against Provo Canyon School did not occur,' the charging documents said.

Ross' attorney, Peter Gleason, told DailyMail.com that his alleged abuse 'impacted Aaron's perception of when or how to set boundaries' and that his threats to lawmakers were 'a direct result of the trauma he suffered while at the Provo Canyon School.'

'While some of the language Aaron used in his emails to Utah State Representatives Robertson and Ray may be shocking, it is pale in comparison to the abuse Aaron and numerous others have suffered and reported, while at the Provo Canyon School, only to be ignored,' Gleason said.

'After years of abuse he feels as though he is reliving that abuse by having his pleas for assistance ignored by the very entities designed to protect him.'
An uncle hung his five-year-old nephew, who is like a son to him, from a clothes line by the neck with a dog lead 'until his eyes bulged' to teach him a lesson, a court has heard.

The Findon man, 45, faced Adelaide District Court over the incident on January 9, 2019, in which the man's pet dog became tangled in a leash and choked while playing with the boy, leading to the barbaric punishment.

But the man was spared any jailtime after a judge ruled he was unlikely to hurt a child again.

'You decided that the best way to discipline [the boy] was to put the dogs lead around his neck and hang him from the clothesline,' said Judge Michael Boylan.

Adelaide District Court heard a five-year-old boy was hung by his neck with a dog lead 'until his eyes bulged' by the man responsible for being his main carer

The boy was playing with the man's dog when he became accidently tangled in its lead and started to choke

He only released the boy when his eyes began to bulge, The Advertiser reporter.

'You wanted to show him how the dog would have felt,' the judge said, adding that the boy would have been 'terrified'.

The convicted man was the boy's uncle but the court heard he had filled the role of his father since the child was six weeks old, and that he 'loved' him, despite his brutal actions.

The child suffered bruising but no permanent damage.

The man was found guilty of causing harm with intent.

He was sentenced to 12 months jail but Judge Moylan decided to suspend the sentence, saying he believed there was very little danger the man would hurt children again.

The man was sentenced to 12 months jail in the Adelaide District Court (pictured) but Judge Moylan decided to suspend the sentence, saying he believed there was very little danger the man would hurt children again

He was put on a good behaviour bond with a $100 fine.

Judge Moylan said the man's actions went well beyond what a parent was 'entitled to chastise' a child with.

He said parents had a duty to love children in their care 'not hurt them'.

The court heard the man had a difficult childhood and was a marijuana and methamphetamine user.
This satellite image shows a Tropical Storm Fred in the Caribbean as it passes south of Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic at 8am EST, Wednesday

Florida, Georgia and the Bahamas are bracing for Tropical Storm Fred as it swept into the Dominican Republic on Wednesday.

The US states and Caribbean island have been warned of potential floods and mud slides. Fred weakened to a tropical depression on Wednesday night as it continued to dump vast quantities of rainfall in its path, but could strengthen back into a tropical storm as it moves towards Cuba and mainland USA.

Some 300,000 customers were without power in the Dominican Republic and more than a half million were affected by swollen rivers that forced part of the aqueduct system to shut down, government officials reported.

After a quiet month of no named storms in the region, Fred became the sixth of the Atlantic hurricane season late Tuesday as it moved past the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico on a forecast track that would carry it toward Florida over the weekend.

Government crews with megaphones walked through impoverished neighborhoods in the Dominican capital of Santo Domingo ahead of the storm urging those in low-lying areas to evacuate.

Some form of TS Fred is expected to touch down on Florida soil by Saturday around 8am, with winds estimated to be around 45 mph

Vehicles move through a flooded street during the passage of Tropical Storm Fred in Santo Domingo

Men take a boat off a beach before the arrival of Tropical Storm Fred in Dominican Republic

Hours later, the government reported flooding in one courthouse.

Meanwhile, Florida and the Bahamas are in the direct path of what forecasters are calling the storm's 'cone of uncertainty,' meaning it may or may not see any destruction at all, according to WTVY.

Some form of TS Fred is expected to touch down on Florida soil by Saturday around 8am, with winds estimated to be around 45 mph. By Sunday at 7am, it could be as far north as Dothan, Georgia with winds increasing to 65 mph, the outlet reports.

The Bahamas are expected to see slightly lighter winds around 35 to 40 mph between Thursday and Friday morning as Fred makes his way stateside.

Tropical storm warnings were discontinued in the US territories after pelting the islands with rain, leaving some 13,000 customers without power in Puerto Rico.

Fred was centered 25 miles south of Cap Haitien, Haiti, on Wednesday night and moving west-northwest at 15 mph, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said. It had maximum sustained winds of 35 mph.

Palm trees sway in the wind and rain during the passage of Tropical Storm Fred in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on Wednesday

Forecasters said Fred was expected to become a tropical storm again Thursday as it moved near the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas and then pass north of the northern coast of central Cuba on Friday.

Residents of Florida were urged to monitor updates as the storm makes its way north.

Puerto Rico Gov. Pedro Pierluisi had closed government agencies on Tuesday at noon and officials noted that some gas stations had shut down after running out of fuel.

More than a month had passed since the last Atlantic storm, Hurricane Elsa, but this time of summer usually marks the start of the peak of hurricane season.

The storm was expected to produce rainfall of 3 to 5 inches over the Dominican Republic with up to 8 inches in some areas.
A teenager accused of kidnapping a four-year-old boy from his Texas bedroom before stabbing and leaving him to die in a Dallas street has been indicted on three charges including capital murder, and could face the death penalty.

A grand jury indicted Darriynn Ronnell Brown, 18, on Monday on charges of capital murder, kidnapping and burglary in the May 15 slaying of Cash Gernon, according to court documents.

If convicted of capital murder, Brown would face lethal injection or life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Dallas County prosecutors haven't said if they'll seek the death penalty, but they will have to decide before the trial starts.

Darriynn Brown, 18, (left) was indicted on charges of capital murder, kidnaping and burglary in the May 15 death of four-year-old Cash Gernon

Brown was identified as the man in surveillance video standing over Gernon and his twin brother around 5am in their Mountain Creek, Texas bedroom before the sun was up on May 15, according to an arrest warrant affidavit.

The video shows the man - allegedly Brown - taking Gernon from his room.

The man is then shown to return about two and a half hours later, lifting the blanket covering Gernon's twin, before leaving again without taking the second child.

A woman found Gernon's body around 7am about eight blocks away that morning.

The boys were staying with their father's ex-girlfriend, Monica Sherrod, who reported Gernon missing about five hours after he was taken.

She also identified Brown in the black-and-white surveillance footage, according to an arrest warrant affidavit.

Authorities said Brown knew Sherrod and her teenage son but have not released information about a possible motive in the four-year-old's kidnapping and death.

Cash (pictured) was found dead by a jogger on the morning of May 15, dumped in the middle of a street around a mile away from his family's home covered in blood

Antwainese Square, 39, who found Gernon, told The Dallas Morning News in May that she called police after seeing the little boy's body on the 7500 block of Saddleridge Road while she was out for a run.

She said at the time the boy's face and upper half of his body were covered in blood and that he didn't have shoes or a shirt.

'It breaks my heart,' Square told the newspaper. 'And now I'm afraid. Now I'm paranoid. Because I don't know what happened, I don't know what's going on.

'I mean just knowing that someone out there is capable of killing a child, that alone is just unsettling.'

Cash was seen being taken from his bed before daybreak at around 5am. He was found stabbed to death less than two hours later about a half-mile away on the 7500 block of Saddleridge Drive

Brown's attorney, Heath Harris, said he expects Brown to be found incompetent to stand trial after a mental evaluation.

Harris has previously said the case is not 'open-and-shut' and Brown's mental health 'will be the cornerstone of our defense.'

In previous interviews, Harris has expressed concerns about Brown getting a fair trial, especially after the surveillance footage was made public.

'Even if you believe thats [Brown] on the video, it doesnt mean he killed the kid,' Harris told the Dallas Morning News in a previous interview. 'The world is basically prejudicing this whole community by saying, "Thats him."'

Gernon's twin has since been reunited with his mother, who was searching for the boys after their father - who is wanted on felony charges in Harris County - left them with Sherrod after missing a court date in March.

Cash Gernon's father - Trevor Gernon - has released a statement saying he has paid the 'ultimate price' for leaving his twin sons with his ex-girlfriend while he skipped town to avoid being arrested.

He said fled Dallas for Houston after failing to find work, he said, 'among other things' like the fact he was due in court on felony drug charges on March 29 but failed to show up.

Trevor released his statement on his sister's YouTube account. The video showed a montage of photos of him with the boys and he narrated it but did not physically appear.

'I understand all of you have questions. I'd like to take a moment to address the public. I do not wish this nightmare on any parent.

Cash Gernon's father Trevor released a video statement on Sunday night where he said he'd paid the 'ultimate price' for leaving his sons Cash and Carter in the home of his ex-girlfriend. Cash was snatched from the house and murdered on May 15. The YouTube video Trevor released was a compilation of photos of the boys which had a voiceover

TREVOR GERNON'S STATEMENT Hello, my name is Trevor Gernon. I understand all of you have questions. I'd like to take a moment to address the public. I do not wish this nightmare on any parent You have no idea how hard it has been for all of us to hold it together while everyone picks your family apart. Family turning on one another. All attention and time should be reserved for Cash. It's comforting to know so many of you feel this loss too. I knew Monica for a good few years before moving to the Dallas area. She was a single parent like me so naturally I would ask her advice on things. At the end of February, beginning of March, Monica offered her home which I was grateful for. When I decided to move back to Houston after an unsuccessful job hunt, I thought it was in the boys' best interest to not disrupt their routine. They were comfortable, around other kids and what it appeared, Monica was a trust worthy person. This choice I made with best intentions has resulted in the most horrific outcome I have paid the ultimate and painful price for my poor judgment I have to live with this every day I will never forgive myself. This is a nightmare. We just don't understand how this could happen to such a bright and cheerful kid. I understand how Mindy and Connie could be upset and want to do and say things to me because he was in my care. If it had happened in my care, I'd hold her responsible too. Mindy, I am so sorry that I failed to keep him safe That was my job as a dad and I wasn't able to do that. I'm sorry. Advertisement

'You have no idea how hard it has been for all of us to hold it together while everyone picks your family apart,' he said.

He then said he trusted Monica because she was also a single parent like him and that he left the boys with her because he didn't want to 'disrupt their routine'.

'I knew Monica for a good few years before moving to the Dallas area. She was a single parent like me so naturally I would ask her advice on things. At the end of February, beginning of March, Monica offered her home which I was grateful for.

'When I decided to move back to Houston after an unsuccessful job hunt, I thought it was in the boys' best interest to not disrupt their routine. They were comfortable, around other kids and what it appeared, Monica was a trust worthy person.

'This choice I made with best intentions has resulted in the most horrific outcome I have paid the ultimate and painful price for my poor judgment I have to live with this every day I will never forgive myself. This is a nightmare,' he said.

He went on to apologize to the twins' mother, Melinda Seagroves, for not keeping them both safe.

'I understand how Mindy and Connie [Cash's maternal grandmother] could be upset and want to do and say things to me because he was in my care.

'If it had happened in my care, I'd hold her responsible too. Mindy, I am so sorry that I failed to keep him safe That was my job as a dad and I wasn't able to do that.

'I'm sorry,' he said.

The video emerged days after Sherrod recounted to DailyMail.com the moment she realized Cash had been abducted from the room he shared with his twin brother Carter at her home.

Sherrod, 35, broke down in tears on Tuesday as she entered the boys' bedroom for the first time since Cash's death.

'I haven't touched a thing,' the mother-of-four said in an emotional interview with DailyMail.com.

'It's exactly the same as when Cash was last in here. I haven't been able to do this until now. It's breaking my heart, but I know I have to confront this.'

Sherrod invited Dailymail.com inside the twins' bedroom where their toys were still scattered across the floor and the small white toddler bed they shared remained unmade since they last slept together.

She looked around tearfully and was silent for a moment before saying: 'I just couldn't face this before, the pain is so deep.'

Sherrod invited DailyMail.com to join as she visit the boys' bedroom for the first time since Cash was allegedly kidnapped by 18-year-old suspect Darriynn Brown

Monica Sherrod (pictured) relived the fateful morning four-year-old Cash was abducted from her home in Dallas, Texas in an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com

Before Brown allegedly kidnapped and killed Cash, she allegedly tried snatch another toddler, a two-year-old girl, in February but her grandfather intervened and stopped him.

The harrowing new detail emerged in an arrest affidavit released by police on Friday. The grandfather and the girl are not named. Police describe how Brown walked into the home and started roaming the rooms.

The grandfather says he found Brown and told him to leave or he would stab him with a kitchen knife, so he fled.

Brown then returned and attacked the grandfather, then snatched the girl from her room and started walking out of the house, it is alleged.

Brown was also allegedly spotted by neighbors trying to break into cars a month before the alleged abduction and murder.

The grandfather says he got back on his feet, caught up with them and grabbed her back. Brown fled, he said.

It's unclear if they knew each other or how Brown allegedly got into the home or even targeted it but the grandfather, initially, chose not to press charges or even notify the cops.

The neighbor and others who say they saw a man matching Brown's description to police 'several times' but there was no follow-up. In the image above, Brown is said to be seen casing the Gernon home weeks before his death

A neighbor of slain 4-year-old Cash Gernon says he captured the man police believe to be Darriynn Brown on surveillance footage trying to break into cars in his driveway a month before the boy was killed

Neighbors say they did call the cops on Brown for trying to break into cars in the area, but nothing was done.

One of the neighbors said if law enforcement had acted on his tip, Gernon might still be alive.

The neighbor, who did not want to be identified, said he also captured a clearer photo of Brown as he was trying to break a home surveillance camera.

'How do we make sure that this doesn't happen again?' the neighbor told WFAA-TV. 'We called a month ago, and now a child's dead.'

Several other neighbors also told a public meeting of community leaders and police in the southwest Dallas neighborhood that they reported Brown to police 'several times' but there was no follow-up from police.
A handcuffed man escaped from cops and stole an ATV, leading officers on an hour-long 70mph speed chase in northern Oklahoma City on Tuesday, before wiping out and faceplanting into a puddle in dramatic footage captured by news helicopters.

Lucas Strider, 27, had been arrested by the Jones Police Department after he allegedly stole copper wire.

But he managed to get away from officers and ran into nearby woods with the handcuffs still attached, according to NBC 4 Washington.

It is not clear how he evaded the cops.

After fleeing, Strider allegedly stole a nearby homeowner's four-wheel ATV and made his escape.

The homeowner joined the chase on another ATV, but lost track of the runaway as he made his way out of the area near Britton Road and I-35.

The chase was joined by police from nearby Edmond, as well as Logan County and Oklahoma City police.

A handcuffed Oklahoma man lead a 70mph chase across surrounding areas of northern Oklahoma City

The man had stolen an ATV from a homeowner after he escaped from the custody of the Jones Police Department and crashed into the mud at the end of the hour-long chase

Jones, Edmond, Oklahoma City and Logan County police officers were involved in the chase

Live video footage of the scene was captured by a chopper from news channel KFOR as several squad cars were seen chasing after Strider on an Edmond roadway.

Chopper pilot Mason Dunn reported: 'I can tell you that this guy possibly has one handcuff on one of his hands.

'I believe they had him in custody at one time he stole either this four-wheeler or another one, but has been driving all over the north side of the city right now.'

Strider then began making his way into Logan County with the chopper and squad cars following behind.

'We have four or five officers following and theyre in squad cars,' Dunn added.

ATVs are known to be dangerous, especially on gravel roads, which made it difficult for police to stop the suspect

A deputy in a pickup truck partially blocked a dirt road forcing the rider into a muddy puddle

The footage saw the man continue to swerve onto multiple roads with paved, gravel and dirt surfaces in different directions.

But the wild chase came to an end after a deputy in a pickup trip partially blocked the road, forcing Strider to drive into a deep puddle.

The speeding ATV was send careening over, and he was flung face-first into the mud.

The man, then covered in mud, surrendered to police lay down in the water and put his hands over his head.

Strider then swerved into the muddy water with the ATV flipping over

The man emerged from the muddy water and put his hands over his head in defeat as he was then taken into custody

Officers then swarmed over the man and he was taken into custody.

Jail records show Strider is facing charges of driving with a canceled, suspended or revoked license; grand larceny; and petit larceny.

it is not yet clear if he will face further charges of evading police.

The Jones Police Department have been contacted for comment.
Willard Miller, 40, was fired from his job as a Broward County deputy on Wednesday

A Florida deputy who was caught on video slamming a 15-year-old female student to the ground has been fired two years later, and the county sheriff is blaming Gov. Ron DeSantis for the delay.

Willard Miller, 40, worked at Cross Creek, a K-12 school in Pompano Beach for children with emotional and behavioral problems.

He was charged with felony child abuse without great bodily harm and suspended without pay in November 2019, after video showed him grabbing the teen by the throat, slamming her to the ground and pressing his knee on her back for at least 40 seconds.

On Wednesday, Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony blamed the delay in firing Miller on an executive order issued by Desantis that 'paused' internal investigations during the COVID state of emergency.

'In 2020, our Internal Affairs investigators were obligated to toll their investigations due to numerous executive orders issued by the governor in response to the COVID-19 pandemic,' Tony said.

'At this time, the governor's executive orders are rescinded, and BSO investigators are back to business.'

A spokesman for the Broward County Sheriff's Office told DailyMail.com that internal investigations require multiple statements and interviews, which can take 'a long time to process.'

The 15-year-old student was pacing around the room when she buckled Miller's knee

Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony determined Miller showed an 'egregious' lack of 'control'

Miller had his knee on her back for at least 40 seconds, according to surveillance footage

'There was a limitation on in-person meetings and things of that nature' because of Desantis's order, said spokesman Carey Codd.

'One of the limitations was that this employee - as was his right to have a pre-disciplinary hearing - that was not able to occur.'

Codd said Miller's hearing happened just last month.

Agencies have 180 days to investigate allegations of misconduct or other complaints, according to Florida law, but the time may be extended if the governor declares a state of emergency.

DeSantis first issued a state of emergency related to the pandemic in March 2020, according to the Tallahassee Democrat.

The order granted broad powers to the surgeon general, emergency manager and other agency heads to fight the virus.

Sheriff Tony blamed Gov. Ron DeSantis's COVID-19 executive orders for delaying the internal investigation into Miller's firing, which came Wednesday, two years after the 2019 incident

The shocking video of Miller from September 2019, which had no audio, shows a 15-year-old student pacing around a room as Miller appeared to be leaning against a window and texting.

The girl walks behind him and uses her left foot to push the back of his right knee, causing it to buckle. She walks away.

Miller appears to speak to the girl for just over a minute from about 10 feet away while two women watch.

He suddenly walks toward the girl, grabs her throat and throws her to the ground.

He flips her onto her stomach, puts a knee against her back and pulls her arms behind her. He then forcibly lifts her up using her pinned arms and throws her out of the room, where an investigator's report says she slammed against a wall.

Sheriff Tony said the girl had no reported injuries.

'Former Deputy Willard Miller is terminated from employment with the Broward Sheriffs Office for his egregious lack of control, discipline and numerous policy violations,' Tony said.

'His action and behavior are not reflective of the great work and self-discipline frequently displayed by the overwhelming majority of my deputies.'

Miller is still awaiting trial on the child abuse charge, with a court hearing scheduled for August 27 at 9.30am at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale.

His attorney didn't immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press seeking comment.
Dr. Dre's eldest daughter who claims she is homeless and living in a car has launched a GoFundMe campaign asking the public for $50,000 after her superstar dad reportedly refused to give her a dime.

LaTanya Young, 38, said that she has been left with no choice but to appeal to strangers for money now that her famous father, rumored to be worth $800 million, has allegedly cut her off financially.

LaTanya, a single mother-of-four, said: 'I think GoFundMe campaigns are for people in desperate situations and I'm in a desperate situation.

Dr. Dre's eldest daughter LaTanya Young recently revealed that she has been living out of a rental car while working as a delivery driver for DoorDash and Uber Eats to make ends meet

The 38-year-old single mother of four launched a GoFundMe campaign Tuesday seeking $50,000 in donations to help her and her family find a 'safe and stable home'

'Some people were in awe of what I am going through and asked if I had a GoFundMe.

'I really don't want to accept any handouts but I appreciate anything that is offered.

'I have worked all my life and I know how to work for money but I'm in a difficult place right now.

'I believe in investing in your kids.

'That's what I want to do for my kids so they are never in a position like I am right now.'

LaTanya added she has still not given up hope of a reunion with her father, whose legal name is Andre Romelle Young, whom she has not seen in 18 years.

'I know my dad is a busy man but I hope he will see it and reach back out to me on a father-daughter level,' she said.

LaTanya stunned music fans when she revealed this week that she was living out of a rental car in Tarzana, California, and taking odd jobs as a delivery driver for DoorDash and as a warehouse assembler, despite her father's staggering wealth.

LaTanya, who is Dr. Dre's daughter by ex Lisa Johnson, says she has not seen her famous father in 18 years and doesn't even have his cell phone number. The 55-year-old hip hop mogul, meanwhile, was recently ordered to pay his ex-wife Nicole (right) $300,000 a month in spousal support

In the past, LaTanya has only been able to make contact with him through his lawyers, but she claims he is now ignoring her repeated requests for help

LaTanya is Dr Dre's daughter by Lisa Johnson, 53. The couple split when LaTanya was five years old.

She said she doesn't even have Dr Dre's cell phone number, admitting that she has to communicate with him through his team.

She added that her four children - Tatiyana, 17, Rhiana, 14, D'Andre, nine, who is named after his grandfather, and Jason III, four - have never met their superstar grandfather.

'My kids are staying with friends. They are not living in the car. it's just me.

'I'm taking odd jobs just to make it now. I got paid $15-an-hour as an assembler at the warehouse.

'I'm trying to keep my head above water. I've been in debt for a while.

'I'm homeless and I've been reaching out to my dad for help.

Dre and ex-girlfriend Lisa Johnson had three children together: LaTanya (right), LaToya, now 36, (center) and Ashley (left), now 35

Ever since she was a little girl, LaTanya claims, she was forced to go through her father's staff to communicate with him

Dre split with Johnson, 53, when LaTanya was five years old. Pictured: LaTanya's birth certificate

'His lawyer has said that my dad doesn't want to help me because I've spoken about him in the press.

'I'm just trying to communicate with him and see if he wants to talk to his grandkids.

'My kids are old enough to know who he is. They are in shock that he doesn't want anything to do with them.'

LaTanya admitted that in the past her father has helped her financially but that assistance ended in January 2020.

Her revelations caused fierce debate on social media with many arguing that a 38-year-old woman should be able to take care of herself financially.

However others could not fathom how a man as wealthy as Dr Dre could allow his daughter to be homeless.

The rapper has not yet addressed LaTanya's allegations.

To donate to LaTanya's campaign please visit GoFundMe.com.
NSW District Court Judge Chris Hoy, SC, and his wife, Phoebe, had left the city behind for an exclusive ski lodge at Thredbo in the Snowy Mountains

A judge and his wife who travelled out of locked-down Sydney for a ski resort holiday has again put the spotlight on loopholes in NSW Covid rules.

Despite Greater Sydney remaining in an extended lockdown, NSW District Court Judge Chris Hoy, SC, and his wife, Phoebe, had left the city behind for an exclusive ski lodge at Thredbo in the Snowy Mountains, reported the Sydney Morning Herald.

The couple had reportedly complied with Covid restrictions by first isolating for 14 days at their holiday house in the Shoalhaven on the NSW south coast, before heading onto Thredbo.

'Were totally compliant,' Mrs Hoy said.

News of their trip comes as outrage continues over the journey of Zoran Radovanovic, who left Sydney to visit multiple locations with his two children in the Northern Rivers region of NSW to look at real estate while Covid positive.

Phoebe Joy told the Sydney Morning Herald she and her husband had fully complied with the NSW public health orders

Roslyn Lodge, Thredbo, where Mr and Mrs Hoy stayed on their ski trip out of Sydney

Radovanovic is said to have used a loophole in the public health orders that considers a person inspecting a potential new residence as a reasonable excuse for travelling out of Sydney.

Mr Radovanovic was yesterday charged with breaching NSW public health orders and will appear in court in September.

While Sydney residents are not permitted to leave the city for a holiday under the orders, Mr and Mrs Hoy took advantage of a clause that allows people to move between different places of residence.

This allowed them to travel 200km south to their holiday house in the Shoalhaven and begin the mandated quarantine period.

'They said after 14 days of isolation youre free to move around,' Mrs Hoy said while defending their trip.

At the end of the quarantine period the couple took a Covid test requested by the ski lodge before travelling to Thredbo.

The Herald reported it had been contacted by a number of locals upset with people from Sydney travelling to the area via second residences.

The Joys arrived at an exclusive ski lodge in Thredbo after serving a 14-day isolation period at their holiday house at Shoalhaven on the NSW south coast

Police patrol Bondi Beach as Sydney endures its seventh week of lockdown

Zoran Radovanovic took advantage of a loophole in the order to leave Sydney with his two children and visit multiple locations in the Northern Rivers region of NSW, including Byron Bay (above) to look at real estate

Radovanovic's trip sent four northern NSW LGAs, including the Byron township (above), into a week-long lockdown

The loophole allowing people to travel to second residence is one of a number of exemptions expected to be junked from NSW public health orders after a crisis meeting of the NSW Cabinet yesterday.

The changes are expected to be introduced before the end of the week.

In late July a family of four from Blacktown in Sydney was issued two penalty infringement notices, fined $2000 and sent home when they breached health orders by travelling to Thredbo on Saturday, July 24th.

Earlier this week NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard urged people not to travel between residence 'for the sake of it'.

'Choose the property you are living in and stay there,' he said.

The stay-at-home orders in NSW mean residents in locked-down areas are not permitted to leave home unless they have a reasonable excuse to do so, including leaving for essential work, education or medical reasons, and shopping and exercise within 10km of home.

The rules also list 'other reasonable excuses', one of which is 'move to a new place of residence, or between your different places of residence'.

The overhaul of the rules comes as 6.6million NSW residents, or 80 per cent of the state, is now in lockdown and 344 new locally acquired cases were announced on Wednesday.


A Chicago police union boss says the city's mayor Lori Lightfoot is to blame for a deadly shooting which killed one cop and seriously-injured another.

John Catanzara, the president of the Fraternal Order of Police Chicago Lodge #7, told Fox News that Lightfoot's tough on cops, soft on crime approach has emboldened criminals like the killer who shot and killed Ella French, 29, and blasted a bullet into her brain.

He also said that dozens of officers were justified in turning their backs on the mayor as she approached them at University of Chicago Medical Center on Saturday.

A violent individual who was encouraged to do violent things by the people who run this city and state, Catanzara said, implicitly referring to Lightfoot and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, both Democrats

He slammed Lightfoot, saying that she lost the respect of CPD rank-and-file despite the mayors comments over the weekend that police officers arent the enemy.

Shes a flag in the wind, Catanzara said, suggesting that Lightfoot lacks any political backbone.

John Catanzara (left), the president of the Fraternal Order of Police Chicago Lodge #7, told Fox News that the dozens of officers were justified in turning their backs on the mayor, Lori Lightfoot (right), as she approached them at University of Chicago Medical Center on Saturday

Chicago police officers turned their backs as Mayor Lori Lightfoot tried to approach them during a vigil held at the University of Chicago Medical Center following the shooting of two police officers

For two-and-a-half years that shes been mayor, she has vilified the police.

Now because the political climate says that the defund policy and the police arent the enemy - now she has to pivot and now she has to be our best friend?

Its too damn late.

He added: The men and women of this police department have no respect for this mayor and it was as palpable as you could possibly imagine outside that hospital at the University of Chicago.

Catanzara said that Lightfoot was told by the grieving family of the fallen officer, Ella French, not to speak to them.

Ella French's death was the first fatal shooting of a Chicago officer in the line of duty since Mayor Lori Lightfoot took office

Officer Ella French as killed during the shooting at a traffic stop

The Morgan brothers were said to have been driving with expired license plates, prompting police to pull them over

The mayor was told Do not come up to the seventh floor of that hospital and speak to [Ella Frenchs] family or the officer who was injured and fighting for his life.. he said.

The mayor still thought she knew best and went up there against the advice of the family.

Catanzara said that the wounded cop's father, himself a retired CPD officer, gave her a piece of his mind.

He also revealed that the father of the surviving cop - whose name has not been released - confronted Lightfoot to tell her she had 'blood on her hands.'

The officers all turned their backs on the mayor, and rightly so, Catanzara said.

It was the exclamation point to the sentiment that was outside on the street level.

Saturday's drama at the University of Chicago Medical Center is said to have left Lightfoot 'shaken.'

DailyMail.com has reached out to Lightfoots office seeking a response.

Earlier this year, Catanzara was suspended by the Chicago Police Department and stripped of his pay after he was alleged to have falsified police reports, according to WLS-TV.

The CPD superintendent, David Brown, recommended that Catanzara, who was a patrol officer, be fired. Catanzara has denied the allegations.

A somber picture shows the moment a group of nearly 30 Chicago police officers turned their backs on Lightfoot as she visited a hospital after two officers were shot, including one fatally.

Eric Morgan is pictured during the traffic stop in the new body worn camera footage

The new footage shows the moments before Emonte Morgan allegedly fired at the officers

Chicago Police Officer Ella French, 29, was shot and killed during a traffic stop Saturday night, while her male partner continues to fight for his life at the University of Chicago Medical Center.

When Lightfoot tried to talk with the injured officer's father, a former Chicago cop, he blasted the mayor and blamed her for what happened earlier in the day, two sources at the scene told the Chicago Sun Times.

Alderman Anthony Napolitano, the grieving father, said that while he did not see Lightfoot as anti-police, she needed to shoulder blame for encouraging defund the police activists which he says left the city's cops badly demoralized.

Lightfoot then tried to comfort the grieving rank and file officers nearby, when they walked away and turned their backs on her, the sources said.

'My boys are not monsters,' Evelana Flores, 41, said in a Facebook live video from her car about her sons Emonte and Eric Morgan, who are facing charges connected to the fatal shooting of Chicago police officer Ella French, 29. 'I don't believe a damn thing CPD (Chicago Police Department) says, and I can guarantee you this. My boys were afraid. I'm afraid ... We fear our police hear. We don't trust them'

'They did the about-face  it looked like it had been choreographed,' said one of the sources present, calling the scene 'astounding.'

The source said this is when Lightfoot became visibly disturbed. A photo of officers turning their backs to the mayor went viral on Twitter.

The Mayor's office released a statement regarding her visit to the hospital saying: 'The mayor was present at the emergency room to offer support and condolences to the families involved and the hundreds of line officers and exempts who were there, which she did.

'In a time of tragedy, emotions run high and that is to be expected. The mayor spoke to a range of officers that tragic night and sensed the overwhelming sentiment was about concern for their fallen colleagues.

'As the mayor stated . . . now is not the time for divisive and toxic rhetoric or reporting. This is a time for us to come together as a city. We have a common enemy and it is the conditions that breed the violence and the manifestations of violence, namely illegal guns, and gangs.'

Two brothers have since been charged over the shooting murder of Chicago police officer Ella French during a traffic stop when they were pulled over for driving with an expired license plate.

Emonte 'Monty' Morgan, 21, is charged with first-degree murder of a peace officer, attempted first-degree murder of a peace officer, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon.

'In a time of tragedy, emotions run high and that is to be expected': Full statement from Lightfoot's office on back-turning incident A spokesperson for Mayor Lightfoot provided the following statement to DailyMail.com regarding the shooting and the mayor's interaction with police at the hospital: 'This is an extremely difficult and heartbreaking time for the Chicago Police Department, and for our entire city. The Mayor was present at the emergency room to offer support and condolences to the families involved and the hundreds of line officers and exempts who were there, which she did. 'In a time of tragedy, emotions run high and that is to be expected. The Mayor spoke to a range of officers that tragic night and sensed the overwhelming sentiment was about concern for their fallen colleagues. As the Mayor stated yesterday, now is not the time for divisive and toxic rhetoric or reporting. This is a time for us to come together as a city. We have a common enemy and it is the conditions that breed the violence and the manifestations of violence, namely illegal guns, and gangs. 'The Mayor is focused on healing the wounds and will reject any and all that try to use this moment to drive further divisions in our city. The Mayor remains committed to continuing supports for our dedicated and heroic police officers who risk their lives every day to keep all our neighborhoods safe from senseless violence. 'As the Mayor stated yesterday morning, we must come together as a city and wrap our arms around all those who knew and loved Officer French and pray for the health and recovery of her partner who continues to fight for his life today.' Advertisement

His brother, Eric Morgan, 22, is charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, and obstruction of justice.

The charges were announced by the Chicago Police Department on Monday evening.

The mother of the two brothers has been arrested herself at a hospital after trying to force her way into the room where one of her sons is being treated for a gunshot wound.

Evalena Flores, 41, allegedly kicked a hospital security guard in the groin and wrestled with police officers at Advocate Christ Medical Center.

Emonte Morgan is being treated there after being shot in the abdomen during the shootout.

Flores' attempt to get in to his hospital room appears to have been streamed on Facebook live - posted under the username 'Marsia Outofthebox Braidy'.

The woman in the video is presumably Flores - and her outfit and appearance in the videos match the mugshots. Police said the videos are 'of interest to our investigation.'

Flores can be heard telling nurses, 'I want to see my son. Emonte Morgan.'

She is then seen running by nurses and yelling, 'Monty! Monty!' and then yells, 'Don't touch me' when confronted by police and hospital security in the hallway.

Flores said in a two-minute monologue video from her car that her boys' side of the story isn't being told but said she couldn't speak too much about it.

'My boys are not monsters,' Flores said. 'I don't believe a damn thing CPD (Chicago Police Department) says, and I can guarantee you this. My boys were afraid. I'm afraid ... We fear our police here. We don't trust them.'

On Tuesday afternoon, Cook County Assistant State's Attorney James Murphy shared a video statement in which Monty admitted to drinking, having a gun, and opening fire on two officers.

Cook County Judge Arthur Willis ordered the brothers held without bond saying, '(The officers) didnt have their weapons drawn, they werent firing on him, and callously (Morgan) shoots and kills one, and the other is in critical condition.'

An initial court appearance is set for Aug. 16.

A woman who was in the car with the Morgan brothers has not been charged due to lack of evidence. Federal prosecutors Monday charged an Indiana man Jamal Danzy, 29, with federal firearm violations for purchasing and then illegally supplying the semi-automatic handgun used in the shooting.

He is accused of buying the weapon from a licensed gun dealer in Hammond, Indiana, in March and providing it to an Illinois resident who he knew could neither buy nor possess guns because of a felony conviction.

French has been the first officer to die in the line of duty since Lightfoot first took office in May 2019. Although she highlighted her law enforcement background as a former federal prosecutor during her mayoral run, she has since worked to push for police reform losing favor from the Chicago PD.

At a press conference moments after leaving the hospital,' Lightfoot told reporters, 'It's very sad. We must remind ourselves every day, our officers are fearless in the face of danger. They run to danger, to protect us.'

'It's a very sad and tragic day for our city,' added the Democrat, who proposed cutting $80 million from the CPD budget amid 'defund the police' demonstrations last year.

The proposal was later scaled back and Lightfoot has denounced the 'defund' movement, but Chicago's police union still issued a vote of 'no confidence' in the mayor earlier this year.

'The police are not our enemies,' Lightfoot said later on Sunday. 'We must come together... We have a common enemy: It's the guns and the gangs.'

Lightfoot urged Chicagoans to end the acrimony between police supporters who believe cops are hamstrung by bureaucracy, and opponents who want to see police departments defunded or abolished.

'Stop. Just stop,' she said. 'This constant strife is not what we need in this moment.'

Catanzara, the president of the Chicago police union, told the Sun-Times that the officers' decision to turn their backs on Lightfoot was 'significant.'

'Turning their backs on the mayor was an excellent example of how the hundreds of police officers felt waiting outside the hospital,' Catanzara said, adding that officers no longer support Lightfoot's leadership.

'They have had enough and are no longer going to remain silent anymore,' said the union boss.

Chicago police officers walk into the Leighton Criminal Courthouse to attend the bond hearing for the two brothers charged with shooting two officers- fatally killing one

Both Eric and Emonte were ordered held without bond at separate bond hearings

Jamal Danzy, 29, has been charged by the U.S. Attorney's office with federal firearm violations for buying and selling the weapon used in the crime

The shooting of the officers occurred on another violent summer weekend in the nation's third largest city, with at least 64 people shot, 10 fatally, by Sunday afternoon.

Last month, Chicago police responded to 461 shooting incidents which is an uptick from July 2020, crime data shows.

Chicago police said officers investigated 105 murders last month - more than 90 percent the result of gun violence.

Shooting incidents have risen 12 percent from 2020 and 65 percent from 2019.

Murders, criminal sexual assaults, theft, and motor vehicle theft have increased since this time last year.

But robberies, aggravated battery, and burglaries have continued to go down in the past four years with crime over all decreasing 30 percent.

Chicago police recently announced the recovery of nearly 7,300 guns in the city so far this year- a 28 percent increase from 2020. But to preemptively stop the crime, the flow of illegal weapons needs to be cut off.

Brown announced the launch of a new gun investigations team of 50 officers tasked with tracing, tracking and arresting gun runners and straw purchasers.

This comes as the country as a whole is struggling to combat a major spike in crime, especially gun violence.

Brown traveled to Washington, DC to meet with President Joe Biden to address the rise in crime nationwide.

The Biden Administration has also announced a strategy to focus on apprehending gun dealers instead of individual criminals.
Stefan Pavlovic, 35, was last seen leaving Royal North Shore Hospital

A search is underway in Sydney's north after a man left a hospital at 3am on foot and hasn't been seen since.

Stefan Pavlovic, 35, was last spotted leaving Royal North Shore Hospital in the early hours of the morning on August 12.

Mr Pavlovic's family are seriously concerned for him as he has a medical condition that needs tending to.

Officers from North Shore Police Area Command are searching for the man after being notified of his disappearance.

Mr Pavlovic is of Caucasian appearance, about 180cm tall and of medium build with shoulder length brown hair and brown eyes.

Police say he may be travelling in a red Ford Laser sedan with registration plates DWB 18Q and anyone with information is urged to contact police.
Police allege Jake's motorcycle struck by two men, both charged with murder

A footy star whose brother was allegedly murdered last month has opened up on the agony of missing the funeral due to Covid lockdown laws.

Parramatta Eels centre Tom Opacic, 26, is still grieving following the death of his sibling Jake in an alleged hit and run murder on the Gold Coast.

'Nothing really takes the feeling away,' Opacic told the Daily Telegraph. 'I didn't get to go to the funeral, so that was pretty disappointing.

'It's been a bit of a tough time. But you've got to deal with it as best as you can.'

NRL star Tom Opacic (left) has broken his silence after missing the funeral of his brother due to Covid lockdown laws

Jake Opacic (pictured) was killed on July 2, with police alleging he was deliberately struck by a vehicle when riding his motorcycle

Siblings Jake (left) and Tom Opacic as teenagers - the NRL star missed his brother's funeral last month due to lockdown laws in Queensland

Jake Opacic, 28, died after he allegedly became entangled in a messy love triangle.

He was at the Numinbah Correctional Centre on July 2 ahead of the release of his girlfriend Rheannon Rowe before an alleged argument started with her former partner Ben Johnson and another man.

Johnson, 29 and Steven Latter, 28, have since been charged with Opacic's murder, with police alleging his motorcycle was deliberately struck by their vehicle.

Moments before the tragedy, Johnson allegedly said he was going to kill Opacic as he had 'stolen his girlfriend' and was 'rubbing it in my face.'

Shattered Eels player Opacic applied for an exemption to attend the funeral of his older brother, but it was denied because of lockdown laws imposed by the Queensland Government.

He is now based on his team's Covid hub on the Gold Coast, with the NRL's move to Queensland allowing him to spend some time with his family.

Opacic bravely played for the Eels against the Panthers just hours after his brother's death.

The team wore black armbands in the 13-12 loss.

Jake Opacic, 28, died after he allegedly became entangled in a messy love triangle
Models are paying as much as $12,000 to be featured on the cover of popular mens magazines like Playboy, Maxim, and FHM, it has been reported.

One model, a California woman named Bella Baez, sold Chanel bags that she got as gifts from an ex-boyfriend and paid $12,000 to be featured on the cover of Maxim New Zealand last year.

Photographers often act as go-betweens who broker arrangements whereby models would pay thousands for photoshoots, wardrobes, makeup, and editing in order to grace covers of international editions of popular brand name publications.

Juliet Amelia, a 45 year-old massage therapist based in Florida, made the cover of eight Playboy international editions in 2018, including those seen in Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, Spain, Denmark, South Africa, and Portugal.

Her website also shows her on the cover of FHM Australia, Sweden, and dozens of other outlets.

Bella Baez of Santa Monica, California paid $12,000 to appear on the cover of the March 2020 issue of Maxim New Zealand

Baez, a fitness buff from Santa Monica, told the Post that her cover story for Maxim New Zealand was cathartic in that she discussed her bout with depression in the wake of her breakup with her boyfriend in 2016

She said she sold Chanel bags gifted to her by her ex-boyfriend in order to raise the $12,000 for the Maxim New Zealand magazine cover

A former editor and publisher of Playboy Slovakia told the New York Post that a photographer offered the publication $10,000 to have Amelia pose on its cover.

Not even Pamela Anderson was on as many covers, the former editor, Johnny Kortis, told the Post.

Kortis said he informed the companys global headquarters that models were offering cash to be featured on the cover.

Playboy, who dropped its print version last year and is available exclusively in digital format, said that it doesnt allow models to pay to appear in the magazine.

Juliet Amelia, a massage therapist based in Florida, has been on the cover of eight Playboy international editions, including those seen in Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, Spain, Denmark, South Africa, and Portugal. She is seen above on the cover of Playboy Sweden

A former editor and publisher of Playboy Slovakia told the New York Post that a photographer offered the publication $10,000 to have Amelia pose on its cover

'Playboy Enterprises does not condone the practice of charging models to be in our pages or those of our international editions,' a Playboy spokeswoman told the Post.

'This practice is counter to Playboy's brand standards.

'We urge any model who has been approached to make us aware of the situation.'

DailyMail.com has reached out to Maxim and FHM seeking comment.

Baez, a fitness buff from Santa Monica, told the Post that her cover story for Maxim New Zealand was cathartic in that she discussed her bout with depression in the wake of her breakup with her boyfriend in 2016.

She told the Post she paid $2,000 for a photo shoot with a photographer, Brian B. Hayes, as well as $10,000 for Maxim to get published and to get a page spread.

DailyMail.com has sought comment from Hayes.

'It's just materialistic things,' Baez said of the designer bags she sold in order to get into Maxim.

'I wanted to share my story and I wanted to inspire people so that, to me, is worth more than a single bag.'

A Russian woman, Marina Pahomova, also known as Marina Pamo, filed a lawsuit alleging that Hayes falsely billed himself as the exclusive photographer for Maxim Middle East and Maxim South Africa.

'Some magazines  will ONLY publish my photos on their covers,' he allegedly wrote on his Facebook page in 2016.

'We are proud to provide FREE submissions for those models who book photoshoots with me.'

A Russian woman, Marina Pahomova, also known as Marina Pamo, paid some $11,000 to grace the cover of the May 2016 edition of Maxim South Africa

She filed a lawsuit against a photographer claiming that he duped her and hundreds of other models into posing for fake Maxim covers. That lawsuit was reportedly settled

According to the Post, Hayes charged Pahomova $2,000 for a photo session as well as a follow-up session that cost her an additional $3,000.

Hayes is then alleged to have told Pahomova to wire an additional $6,000 to his account so that she could land on the cover of the 2016 issue of Maxim South Africa.

Pahomova alleges that she was tricked into paying money to appear on covers of Maxim that were fake, including supposed editions of the magazine from Muslim countries that had banned the publication.

Hayes is alleged to have defrauded hundreds of models, netting some $1.5million, according to the Post.

'Maxim is defrauding the general public into spending money on purchases of fake Maxims along with defrauding models and commercial advertising that paid for placements in fake Maxims, resulting in damage in the amount of several million dollars,' the lawsuit said.

The Post reported that the lawsuit was settled last year.

Ryan Dwyer, a photographer, said that in some cases magazines will feature a girl on the cover if she has a large following on social media.

'Sometimes you pay the magazine these days and sometimes they do it for free depending on the girl, her social following, her looks and whats going on in her life,' Dwyer told the Post.

Models look to magazines so that they could then post the covers on their social media accounts - which in turn can open the doors to brand sponsorships and other sources of income.

Magazines are also charging models to appear since the readerships of these publications has dried up, meaning theres no money to stage exotic photoshoots in far-off locales.

'I used to get $7,500 for a cover, $3,500 for a spread for five or six pages,' Dwyer said of his job working magazine shoots before the explosion of social media.

'I used to work and see a random hot girl in a coffee shop. Back then, I'd supply clothes and makeup and hair and pay for it all and then sell it to the magazines.

'I wasn't just picking up any girl. I knew I could sell it and that's how Id get paid,' he said.

Kaila Methven, a Los Angeles woman who runs a lingerie company, bills herself as an heiress to the Kentucky Fried Chicken fortune

A photographer claimed that he was paid by Methven to take photos which she then used to get on the cover of the February 2018 issue of Maxim South Africa

Nowadays, Dwyer says he could make more money having girls pay to get put on the covers.

'I went from shooting hot girls in London, UK and Rome to plastic-surgery chicks that wanted covers,' he said.

'I downgraded for sure quality-wise but financially [it] was the total opposite.'

Kaila Methven, a Los Angeles woman who runs a lingerie company, bills herself as an heiress to the Kentucky Fried Chicken fortune.

Her family is said to have owned a chicken farm in South Africa that was a vendor to KFC, according to the Post.

Methven appeared on the February 2018 cover of Maxim South Africa. Later that year, she appeared on the front of Playboy Mexico.

She denied to the Post that she paid for the covers, but the photographer who took pictures of her said she did, in fact, pay for the photos.

'Her team reached out to me saying they wanted [me] to shoot her,' Irvin Rivera told the Post.

From there, she reached out to her contacts at Maxim South Africa.

'She knows someone from there,' he said of Maxim South Africa.
Centrelink has demanded a bedridden 102-year-old woman attend a branch in Covid-hit western Sydney or have her pension cut off.

Punchbowl resident Anne Hawkins was told last month she had to show proof of identity but due to her age only as an Australian citizenship certificate.

When her family explained this, they were advised to get her a NSW proof of age card, which would require lodging documents in person.

Given Ms Hawkins is bedbound, she would 'need to be taken there by ambulance and wheeled into the centre in a hospital bed', her daughter said.

Punchbowl resident Anne Hawkins was told last month she had to show proof of identity or have her Centrelink payments cut off

The family spent hours on the phone to Centrelink attempting to resolve the issue but had resistance from the government agency.

'It was extremely frustrating for me and my family. We protected mum from as much of the aggravation as possible,' Ms Hawkins' son Frank told News Corp.

'Telling her was worst case scenario.'

When her family finally told her about the situation, Ms Hawkins joked that she might need to get a job.

Her family said it was inexcusable Centrelink demanded the frail elderly woman come to a branch in the middle of a pandemic in a Covid hotspot.

'They actually wanted her to put herself at risk by leaving the house so she could jump through ridiculous bureaucratic hoops,' Frank said.

'The government now says they're going to look into how this happened  and that's good. But why are they sending any threatening letters to pensioners in lockdown zones right now? It shouldn't be happening at all.'

'They actually wanted her to put herself at risk by leaving the house so she could jump through ridiculous bureaucratic hoops,' her son Frank said

Centrelink were demanding an extremely frail elderly woman attempt to attend a branch in the middle of a pandemic in an area of Sydney that is seeing coronavirus cases skyrocket

Government Services Minister Linda Reynolds said in a statement she was 'sincerely' sorry and would handle the case.

'I am also looking into the precise events to determine what exactly has occurred and any need for changes to the Services Australia's procedures and communication,' she said.

'The health and safety of customers and staff is Services Australia's highest priority, and the agency is strictly adhering to the health orders set down by the relevant state governments.'
Two members a hip-hop group with ties to the Wu-Tang Clan were assassinated early Tuesday morning in Portland, Oregon, according to police.

The deceased musicians were identified by relatives on social media as 12 OClock and Murdock, whose birth names are Odion Turner, 50, and David Turner, 45, respectively. The two were cousins who performed in the four-person project Brooklyn Zu.

!2 O'Clock's younger brother Stephon Turner says the shootings were targeted, and believes they were motivated by 'jealousy and lust,' but did not comment further on who he believed was behind the killings.

Police haven't released many details about the killings, but Turner says the men died together after their assassin knocked on the door of an RV they were both inside, before opening fire.

The Portland Police Bureau confirmed the victims' identities in a press release, adding that they died from gunshot wounds and their deaths were ruled as homicides by the Oregon State Medical Examiner.

Two musicians associated with the Wu-Tang Clan were murdered in Portland, Oregon, early Tuesday morning, police said. They were identified as 12 OClock (above) and Murdock, whose birth names are Odion Turner, 50, and David Turner, 45, respectively

The two were cousins who performed in the four-person project Brooklyn Zu. Above is Murdock, or David Turner

Officers responded to calls of shots fired in the Madison South neighborhood around 5:19 a.m. on Tuesday, according to a press release. Police did not give further details about the events that led to the shooting.

In addition to the two cousins, four others were hurt, including someone who remains hospitalized with life-threatening injuries.

The rappers' deaths were first shared publicly on Instagram Live by Divine Turner, 12 O'Clock's son, who said, 'I'm out of town on business and found out they just murdered my father. I don't know what to do.'

In the video's caption, he wrote, 'Sad day for me. They assassinated my father in #Oregon.'

Another cousin of the two rappers was Young Dirty Bastard, the son of the late Wu-Tang rap legend Ol Dirty Bastard, who posted a tribute on Instagram Tuesday.

He wrote, 'Rip 12 OClock. Rip Murdock. They Were My Fathers Tightest blood bonds. My Two Older cousins Was just assassinated. Love Yalll. Blood Forever. Brooklyn Zu.'

The rappers' deaths were first shared publicly on Instagram Live by Divine Turner, 12 O'Clock's son

Another cousin of the two rappers was Young Dirty Bastard, the son of the late Wu-Tang rap legend Ol Dirty Bastard, who posted the above tribute on Instagram Tuesday

According to The Oregonian/OregonLive, Princhesca Rainier Turner, 12 O'Clock's wife of over 20 years who lives in Florida, said her husband grew up in Brooklyn and was living in Portland, where he has many family members. On the day he was killed, their oldest daughter had a baby.

'August 10, 2021. How could one day bring so much joy and so much pain?' she wrote on a social media website, according to the news outlet. 'My heart doesn't know how to separate being empty and full at the same time.'

Stephon Turner, who also goes by 'Raison Allah' and 'Zookeeper,' told The Oregonian that 12 O'Clock was his older brother and described him as an 'an artist, a father and husband.'

He added, 'My aunt called me up, and she let me know my brother and my cousin is dead, and I couldn't believe it. I'm devastated. It hasn't hit me yet. The whole world is missing them right now. It's a tragedy.'

Although police have released few details about the shooting, Stephon told the news outlet that the cousins were in a tan RV trailer when someone knocked on the front door and asked for a cigarette. After Murdock answered, the shooter allegedly opened fire, Stephon said, adding that he believes the murders were spurred by 'jealousy, lust, hate and greed.'

A home surveillance video provided to the Oregonian/OregonLive appears to capture nearly 20 gunshots and a car speeding away.

Shooting incidents have also skyrocketed over the past two years, according to Portland Police Bureau data. The most recent data reveals that there were 144 shootings in June of this year, compared to 62 in June 2020

Officers searched the area for suspects, but did not locate any, according to a press release from Portland Police Bureau. Police said the investigation is ongoing.

According to Vibe magazine, 12 O'Clock and Murdock both made their debut, along with the rest of Brooklyn Zu, on Ol' Dirty Bastard's song, 'Protect Ya Neck II The Zoo' from his 1995 solo debut, 'Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version.'

Their deaths marked the 57th and 58th homicides this year in Portland, which is more homicides than Portland recorded in all of 2020, police said. Last year, Portland recorded its highest number of homicides in over a quarter-century.

Shooting incidents have also skyrocketed over the past two years, more than doubling between 2019 and 2020.

According to Portland Police Bureau data, there were 388 shootings in 2019 and 581 in 2020. The most recent data reveals that there were 144 shootings in June of this year, compared to 62 in June 2020 and 30 in June 2019.

Despite the crime spike, the city - a famed hotbed of far left activists and Antifa anarchists - is facing continued calls to defund or even abolish its police force.
Ivan Sthrowski-Wood was killed when he ran in front of a car after fleeing a magpie in 2010

The sister of a boy killed after a magpie attack a decade ago has spoken of her pain after hearing about baby Mia's death in another freak swooping incident.

Queensland boy Ivan Sthrowski-Wood, 12, was running from an aggressive magpie when he crossed into the path of a car in Ipswich in August 2010.

His sister Susie Sthrowski-Wood told The Courier Mail on Wednesday 'her heart sank' when she heard about Mia ,who died from a head injury in Queensland's Children Hospital after her mother Simone dropped her while being attacked by a notoriously aggressive magpie.

Ms Sthrowski-Wood said she cried in her car after learning about the tragic incident in Glindemann Park at Holland Park West in Brisbane on Sunday.

She said hearing about Mia brought memories of her brother Ivan who would have been 23 this year.

'My heart goes out to them, I feel for the mother and father. Little Mia looked like a beautiful little child,' Ms Sthrowski-Wood said.

She spoke to the newspaper because she said she understood what they must be going through.

A tribute established for Ivan by Walloon State School in Ipswich (pictured)

Family and friends of laid flowers and gathered in Glindemann Park at Holland Park West in Brisbane, comforting each other as they remembered baby Mia, who died after a freak magpie swooping incident there on Sunday

'I want them to know they are not alone and we understand what it's like and are more than happy to lend an ear or a shoulder if they need it,' she said.

She said steps need to be implemented by council to track aggressive magpies and the community should be provided information about what to do when a magpie swoops.

Daily Mail Australia has seen a council memo recording details of a call from a member of the public, saying locals are trying to kill the Glindemann Park's aggressive birds by giving them poisoned food.

Council officers were seen carrying away what looked like pieces of meat from the park after inspecting nests, with the food taken as evidence in plastic bags.

The park has also been visited by little Mia's devastated family, who laid flowers and soft toys in tribute to the infant.

Public statements by Brisbane's Lord Mayor that the magpie believed to be responsible - which had previously attacked many locals and left some bleeding - had already been removed.

The memo detailed that a member of the public, living in a unit overlooking the park, called in to report she believed people were laying poisoned baits on the grass as a reprisal.

The internal council memo said the baits could cause 'further incidents' as people walk their dogs in the park frequently.

Mia's family and friends laid flowers and gathered in the park, comforting each other as they remembered baby Mia.

Five-month-old Mia (pictured) suffered a serious head injury and died in hospital after she and her mother Simone were swooped by an aggressive magpie

Brisbane's Lord Mayor said the bird responsible for the attack had been relocated

Bunches of flowers, soft toys, candles and crib hangings were laid on a eucalypt in the park as relatives gathered around to grieve.

Mia's father, Jacob, described the agony of losing his only child in the freak accident to Daily Mail Australia.

'Our whole world has been taken from us and the pain we are experiencing is unimaginable,' he said.

'We are so grateful for the most precious little gift we ever received.

'Mia brought joy to everyone's lives with her infectious smile, her pure innocence and her adorable laugh, she will be forever in all our hearts.'

Jacob said Mia was the most precious gift that he and Simone 'ever received' and that her 'adorable laugh' and 'infectious smile' brought joy to everyone's lives.

The doting father thanked family, friends and members of the public who have expressed their condolences, and reminded people to 'love and embrace your loved ones'.

'We live in such an incredible and thoughtful community,' he said.
Queensland's health authorities has been forced to apologise to six people who received an 'ultra low' dose of Pfizer by mistake after the state recorded 10 new cases of Covid.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said 10 cases were linked to the Indooroopilly State High School cluster and a further case was uncovered in the state's hotel quarantine.

'We are expecting to see an increase in numbers because people are getting tested on day 10, day 11 [of home quarantine],' she said.

'We expect similar numbers over the next couple of days as the cluster keeps progressing through and having their day 12 test.'

Ms Palaszczuk warned Queensland would implement harder border restrictions with NSW as Covid continues to spread in the eastern state.

'To Queenslanders who live on the Gold Coast-New South Wales border, or any Queenslanders in some parts of our state, please do not cross into New South Wales,' she said.

People pose for selfies at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre mass vaccination hub in Brisbane

'We will be monitoring the situation extremely closely over the next 24 to 48 hours. We do not want to see this outbreak creeping north.

'If we have to implement harder measures, we will.'

She said discussion about the situation in NSW would 'dominate' national cabinet discussions tomorrow.

'It is in the national interest for NSW to get on top of this outbreak,' she said.

South Australian residents were once again permitted to travel to Queensland, it was also announced, provided they fly in. Those driving through NSW would be turned around at the border, Health Minister Yvette D'Ath said.

People wait their turn at the mass Covid-19 vaccination centre at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre in Brisbane

Around 1,500 people received a vaccine yesterday at the new mass vaccination centre at Brisbane's Southbank

The announcement followed the revelation that an error in vaccine preparation meant six people may have received an 'ultra low' dose of Pfizer at a hub north of Brisbane.

The mistake happened at the Kippa Ring Vaccination Centre on Saturday morning, with 66 people contacted to alert them to the possibility they received an insufficient dose.

It follows a similar incident in Rockhampton two weeks ago where 159 people were offered another vaccine after six people were given an ultra low dose of the jab.

Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said all those affected will again be offered another vaccine, and there was no clinical risk associated with a third dose of Pfizer.

'Of those 66, 26 were receiving their first dose and 40 were receiving their second dose,' Dr Young said in a statement.

'Those affected will be offered a new appointment to receive a repeat dose to ensure they are fully vaccinated against Covid-19.'

The preparation process for Pfizer requires saline to be added to the vaccine vial, with each vial used for six doses.

On this occasion an initial review indicated one vial was used twice, indicating the doses drawn on the second use were over-diluted.

The error occurred within the first hour and a half of the clinic opening, and those vaccinated after 9:30am on August 7 have been told they are not affected.

An apology for 'any distress caused' to the 66 people and their families was given by Metro North Hospital and Health Service Acting Chief Executive Jackie Hanson.

'I have received a full incident report which will allow me and my staff to better understand what needs to be done to improve our processes," she said in a statement.

Tourist Patrick Baxter from England leaves Roma Street City Backpackers hostel in Brisbane on Wednesday. Sixty-two guests at the backpackers hostel were forced to isolate inside the Roma Street building for 14 days, after a guest tested positive to COVID-19

The end of lockdowns in south-east Queensland and Cairns means the focus in Queensland had shifted to lifting vaccination rates, as extra Pfizer supplies brought forward from September were due to arrive in the state tomorrow.

Chief health officer Dr Jeanette Young said yesterday that about 20 percent of Queenslanders were now fully vaccinated.

'We really and truly need to aim to get at least 70 percent of our eligible population - that is people 16 years of age or older - vaccinated as soon as possible,' she said.

'That will protect us when we have our next outbreak, as unfortunately, I'm sure we will.

'And it means that we'll be able to manage outbreaks differently going forward. As soon as we've got 70 percent of our adults, 16 years-plus, vaccinated, we'll be able to do things so much more differently.'

More than 1,500 people lined up on Wednesday at the new mass vaccination hub at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The centre aims to do 3,000 vaccinations a day by this weekend, when Pfizer supplies brought forward from September to August arrive in Queensland.

Ms Palaszczuk said more vaccination centres would open in south-east and regional Queensland as Pfizer supplies increased in the months before Christmas.

Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said those who may have received an 'ultra low' dose of Pfizer at the Kippa Ring Vaccination Centre in Brisbane last Saturday would be offered another vaccine, and that there was no clinical risk associated with a third dose of Pfizer

Despite the end of the lockdown, mask wearing remains mandatory in south-east Queensland and Cairns for another two weeks.

The Indooroopilly State High School cluster that sent south-east Queensland into a week-long lockdown resulted in more than 130 active Covid cases and put more than 13,000 people into quarantine.

Many of those in quarantine end their 14-day period tomorrow after undergoing a second, mandatory Covid test.

'We are still seeing cases pop up towards the end of the incubation period,' Dr Young said on Thursday about those in home quarantine.

'Stay the distance. It isn't much longer. Stay the distance.'

Tourists locked down at the Roma Street City Backpackers hostel in Brisbane were also able to leave on Wednesday after a 14-day isolation period.

Sixty-two guests at the backpackers hostel were forced to isolate inside the Roma Street building after a guest had tested positive to COVID-19.

Yesterday, Ms Palaszczuk was again forced to defend her government's use of research on the effects of Covid lockdowns, saying the findings would not be released and that she had only seen 'limited amounts' of the research.

'They were issues about impacts on tourism, impacts on business, people's wellbeing, and most of it went to... that Covid Task Force looking at, in terms of the health campaigns and the health messaging to the public, what was the messaging that was needed?' she said.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has made a fresh demand for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to free an American journalist held hostage there since 2012.

In a statement marking Austin Tice's 40th birthday, Blinken said he was personally committed to bringing him home and all other Americans detained abroad.

'He turns 40 years old today, having spent almost a quarter of his life in captivity,' Blinken said.

'We believe that it is within Bashar al-Assad's power to free Austin. We will continue to pursue all avenues to bring Austin home.'

'Austin Tice must be allowed to return home to his loved ones who miss him dearly and to the country that awaits him eagerly.'

This undated photo obtained from the Tice family shows their son, Austin, who has been missing in Syria for nine years. At least 30 journalists from around the world have disappeared or been held as hostages and threatened with death by extremists or gangs seeking ransom

Freelance journalist Austin Tice was also a law student at Georgetown University and a former U.S. Marine Corps officer

In 2012, at the time of his captivity, Tice, originally from Texas, was a law student at Georgetown University and freelance photojournalist working for Agence France Press, McClatchy News, The Washington Post, CBS and other news organizations.

He went missing on August 14, 2012, after being detained at a checkpoint near Damascus before being shown and held by unidentified armed men in a video, which was released five weeks later.

Biden administration officials have told McClatchy news service that they are operating 'with the sincere belief' that Tice is still alive.

They believe Tice is being held by the Syrian government itself, or its allies.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken vowed 'to continue to pursue all avenues to bring Austin home' as Tice turns 40 years old today, having spent almost a quarter of his life in captivity

Roger Carstens, the special presidential envoy for hostage affairs, is in charge of Tice's case along the Hostage Recovery fusion Cell according to a report by the Associated Press.

AP also claimed that Carstens travelled to Syria last summer for a meeting between the Syrian government and the then-Trump administration.

Washington planned to negotiate the return of multiple US citizens, including Tice.

However, the trip was deemed as unsuccessful as Syrian officials issued a list of demands, including lifting sanctions and withdrawing troops while sharing no information on Tice's precise location.

In a statement posted Wednesday marking the anniversary, Tice's parents, Debra and Marc Tice, say Biden should make it clear that his freedom is a priority.

Marc and Debra Tice (background), the parents of U.S. journalist Austin Tice, who's currently held as a hostage in Syria, give a press conference in the Lebanese capital Beirut in 2018. The parents have worked under three presidential administration to try to bring their son home

'We are now imploring a third President of the United States to communicate to his administration that Austin's secure release and safe return is a priority,' they wrote. 'There are many capable people working in our government who are eager to see Austin walk free; they must have President Biden's authorization for significant and relevant diplomatic engagement with the Syrian government.'

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden has ordered his administration to use all tools at its disposal to secure Tices freedom, including 'talking to anyone.'

'We are committed to following all avenues and talking to anyone who can help with Austins release and return home,' Psaki said. 'We dont speak about those publicly, because thats not in the interests of the outcome. But we are committed to using every tool at our disposal to bring Austin and all hostages held in Syria home.'

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden has ordered his administration to use all tools at its disposal to secure Tices freedom, including 'talking to anyone.'

Biden 'is directing Syria to release Austin Tice, she added,' and 'he has asked his government to use every tool and tool of engagement available to bring him home.'

Tice was also an officer enrolled in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Currently, roughly half a dozen US citizens are estimated to be held by the Syrian government or forces allied with Damascus, including Syrian-American psychotherapist Majd Kamalmaz.

Syrian-American psychotherapist Majd Kamalmaz has gone missing in Syria since 2017. Like Tice, his whereabouts are unknown

Kamalmaz was stopped at a government checkpoint in Damascus less than 24 hours after landing in the country from Lebanon in 2017, according to his family, as it was the last time they heard from him.

A State Department spokesperson told Middle East Eye on Wednesday that Washington calls on Syria to 'help release Austin Tice, Majd Kamalmaz and every U.S. citizen held hostage in Syria.'.

Syria erupted into civil war almost a decade ago after Assad began a brutal crackdown in 2011 on protesters calling for an end to his family's rule.

At least 139 journalists have been killed while covering the conflict, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, a New York-based watchdog.
A judge denied a request to dismiss a lawsuit against Rudy Giuliani and other powerful Trump supporters who claimed rigged voting machines cost him the election.

In a written decision shared Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols said the lawsuits brought against Giuliani, Sidney Powell and Mike Lindell by Dominion Voting Systems should move forward.

Dominion, which sells electronic voting systems, filed defamation lawsuits against Trump's personal attorney Rudy Giuliani, lawyer Sidney Powell, and MyPillow creator Lindell for $1.3billion each. They allegedly claimed - without evidence - that the voting machine company rigged the 2020 US election in Joe Biden's favor.

Rudy Giuliani, pictured with hair dye running down his face, claimed the $1.3billion lawsuit against him by voting systems company Dominion should be thrown out due to technical procedural grounds. He is also involved in another FBI probe

Giuliani (above), Sidney Powell, and Mike Lindell were denied by D.C. Judge Carl Nichols to have their defamation case dismissed

The trio argued that the case should be thrown out because they didn't 'defame' the voting systems company by claiming they helped rig the election in Joe Biden's favor.

Giuliani, the hero 9/11 NYC mayor who is now Trump's fixer, argued that should be thrown on on technical procedural grounds.

He says Dominion has failed to provide sufficient detail to explain its nine-figure claim against him, and that the case should be disqualified as a result.

Powell and Lindell argued their cases should be moved out of Washington D.C. in favor of a Texas and Minnesota court.

In a June hearing, Powell and Lindell argued they couldn't be sued for defamation because they believe the conspiracy theory to be true.

Powell's attorney Howard Kleinhendler said her public statements claiming fraud could not be taken with 'actual malice' or be defamatory as it was based on sworn affidavits and evidence.

US laws stipulate that a false statement is only defamatory if it is made maliciously, although Powell has so far failed in her bid to use that defense.

Powell requested her case to moved out of D.C. and her lawyer claims she cannot be sued with defamation on statements she believed were true

Lindell, the creator of MyPillow, also requested his case be moved out of D.C. and countersued the company for 'weaponizing the litigation process to silence political dissent'

Her lawyer argued that her statements should be taken as opinions instead of facts because she based it on legal claims she believed were true.

Lindell's lawyer Andrew Parker pointed out that there are 'investigations going on right now' and just because it wasn't true today, doesn't mean it won't be tomorrow.

Giuliani did not refute Dominion's allegations against him that he knowingly made false statements. The lawsuit is based on the more than 50 statements he made against them on his podcast, Twitter page, and to the conservative media.

He is also currently facing another probe from the FBI over claims he broke lobbying laws while working as a fixer for Donald Trump.

The former NYC mayor's Manhattan apartment was raided in May, amid claims Giuliani broke the law by trying to dig up dirt on Joe and Hunter Biden from Ukrainian sources while working for the former president. He denies those claims.

The three Trump allies aren't the only ones being sued for defamation. Newsmax, One America News, and Fox News are facing lawsuits for helping the spread of disinformation (pictured: Trump discreetly leaving Trump Tower on Tuesday)

Dominion was accused of using their electronic voting system (pictured above) to rig the election to help Joe Biden win

Lindell also countersued the voting company for 'weaponizing the litigation process to silence political dissent and suppress evidence,' according to Forbes.

Dominion has filed multiple lawsuits against Trump allies and conservative television networks.

The company said it was defamed because Trump and his supporters spread false claims that it rigged the election against him.

Nichols first focused on the lawsuit against Powell, who's nicknamed 'the Kraken.' Dominion allegedly claimed Powell helped incite the riot.

In the 44-page opinion, the company wrote in its complaint that Powell, alongside like-minded media outlets, helped fuel the disinformation campaign, according to The Hill.

Dominion is also suing Newsmax and One America News and Fox News for allegedly lying about its machines.

Fox News filed a motion to dismiss the case.
Fewer than one in five workers have returned to their offices since 'Freedom Day' last month, according to research.

However, the same data suggests Britons are keener to venture back into town centres to socialise  though overall footfall still remains half that of pre-pandemic levels.

The research is more evidence of the reluctance of many to get back to the office after well over a year of working from home.

Restrictions were eased on July 19 but the Centre for Cities think-tank found only 18 per cent of staff in the 31 largest cities had returned to their city centre workplace a week later. In London, only 15 per cent of workers were back in the week starting July 26.

Yet Brighton saw a six percentage point increase  with almost half of workers (49 per cent) back in the office at the end of last month, compared with the pre-pandemic figure.

The findings, based on anonymised mobile phone data, suggest Britons are keener to return to city centres at night  with average footfall now back at 59 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.

The research is more evidence of the reluctance of many to get back to the office after well over a year of working from home [Stock image]

Night-time footfall in London stands at just 47 per cent, but towns and cities in the North, such as Sunderland at 84 per cent, have seen a greater bounce back. Only Bournemouth and Blackpool  popular tourist destinations  have recovered overall to their pre-pandemic levels.

Centre for Cities' director of policy and research Paul Swinney said: 'People's eagerness, particularly in cities in the North and Midlands, to go out and socialise has been a lifeline for many businesses in the night-time economy.

'But a reluctance to head back to the office in our largest and most economically important cities means that people in the so-called 'sandwich economy' that caters to city centre office workers face an uncertain future as we get closer to the end of the furlough scheme in September.'

25% of companies refuse to give staff paid time off for Covid jabs One in four firms has refused to give staff paid time off for Covid jabs and has no plans to allow it, a survey has revealed. Employers are facing calls to ensure that all workers are allowed time to access the life-saving vaccinations without losing out on earnings. Conciliation service Acas carried out the survey of 2,000 businesses, with 25 per cent saying they do not offer staff paid time off to get vaccinated and will not change their policy. A further 4 per cent said they had not so far allowed this, but plan to in the future. The findings led to calls for employers to provide 'flexibility' for staff who need to take time away from work to get a jab. John Foster, of the Confederation of British Industry, said the vaccination programme was 'crucial' in helping the economy adjust following the pandemic. He added: 'The vast majority of businesses are continuing their commitment to protecting staff and customers during the pandemic. This includes showing flexibility when the time comes for their staff to get the jab. We'd encourage all companies to demonstrate this same level of consideration towards their employees.' Last night Labour warned that failing to allow employees to leave work to get their vaccinations without cutting their pay would put people 'at risk'. Advertisement

The findings prompted fresh calls for the Government to do more to support struggling city centre businesses.

UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls told the Mail: 'City centre hospitality businesses, and sectors such as contract catering, have not only suffered the effects of restrictions and enforced closures but also significantly reduced footfall as a result of the pandemic.

'It's vital that if there is to be a full recovery for the hospitality sector, in turn powering the wider economy, that our city centres are not left deserted and neglected.

'While we have seen a welcome return of loyal customers to many of their favourite venues, we urge the Government to do everything it can to support the thousands of venues in our city centres still struggling to get back on their feet.'

Meanwhile, recruitment firm Reed said it had seen a jump in job vacancies advertising remote working  from 1 per cent before the pandemic to 5 per cent now.

Chris Adcock, managing director of Reed Technology, told the BBC: 'During the pandemic we were forced into home working, and everyone got a bit of a taste for it.

'We've seen people are twice as likely to apply for a job if it's advertised as remote.' It comes following a row over whether civil servants should have their pay cut if they refuse to return to Whitehall.

The suggestion by a Cabinet minister to the Mail, which was slapped down by the Government, sparked a furious backlash from unions.

But senior Conservative backbencher Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown said yesterday that civil servants 'certainly shouldn't be getting London weighting if they aren't coming into the office'.

He said he suspected 'a lot of people are not as productive at home', and that while he was not opposed to flexible working, staff should be encouraged to spend some days each week in the office.

'I would have thought that if you have got a civil servants' job, you should be expected to come back a few days a week. That should be linked in some way to bonuses, because I don't think that you are as productive at home as you are in the office.'
Google workers have agreed to a pay cut terms recently put forth by the tech giant in exchange for the opportunity to work remotely

Google employees have agreed to a pay cut terms recently put forth by the tech giant in exchange for the opportunity to work remotely permanently, as other Fortune 500 players look to follow suit.

A spokesperson for the company told CBS News that staffers working in cheaper US cities will see their salaries slashed to reflect their lower cost of living.

'Our compensation packages have always been determined by location, and we always pay at the top of the local market based on where an employee works from,' a Google spokesperson said.

In just two months time, over 10,000 Google employees out of a total of 135,000 have requested permission to work from home full-time or to relocate to a different company office once the COVID-19 virus abates, the outlet reports.

In just two months time, over 10,000 Google employees out of a total of 135,000 have requested permission to work from home full-time or to relocate

Thus far, Google has approved 85 percent of the employees' work-from-home requests, however those who do opt for remote work or to relocate to a different location will almost certainly face salary cuts.

The average salary at the tech giant is almost $120,000, according to data from PayScale.com.

Google's 'Work Location Tool' was 'developed to help in June to help employees determine the 'make informed decisions about which city or state they work from and any impact on compensation, if they choose to relocate or work remotely,' the spokesperson said.

In major competitive job markets like New York and San Francisco, the company will still be offering employees, both remote and otherwise, the highest tier of compensation packages.

Under that company policy, a Google worker could receive a pay raise for moving to an area of the country with a more competitive job market and a higher cost of living.

A 'Welcome Back!' sign on a building on a Google campus in Mountain View, California

Of the 15 percent of relocation submissions that were not accepted by Google, almost all were employees who occupy positions that require them to either have access to specific equipment or their presence in-person, according to the company.

The rest of the relocation requests that didn't make the cut were from those workers who are committed to working from a certain location, the outlet reports.

However, those who were rejected can resubmit their requests to relocate or work remotely.

The company recently changed their voluntary work-from-home date from September to October 18 following spikes in the far more-contagious Delta variant.

'Many Googlers are seeing spikes in their communities caused by the Delta variant and are concerned about retuning to the office,' said Google CEO Sundar Pichai (pictured)

'Many Googlers are seeing spikes in their communities caused by the Delta variant and are concerned about retuning to the office,' said Google CEO Sundar Pichai.

Meanwhile, several other corporate giants are exploring similar options.

Morgan Stanley CEO James Gorman has considered slashing employees' salaries if their living expenses drop, adding that only those who work at the company's offices are paid their full salaries, according to CBS News.

'If you want to get paid New York rates, you work in New York. None of this, 'I'm in Colorado ... and getting paid like I'm sitting in New York City. Sorry, that doesn't work,' he said.

Catherine Merrill, CEO of monthly magazine The Washingtonian, stated that employees who work from home should be paid as hourly contractors in an Op-Ed piece for the Washington Post back in May.
Electric car owners without their own driveways will get help to find cheaper charging points under a plan to revolutionise motoring that will be unveiled in weeks.

The Government has vowed to ensure charging electric vehicles is as easy as refuelling petrol or diesel cars.

But many households who do not have off-street parking are put off making the switch to electric as they have to rely on public charging points that are less convenient, more expensive and often have confusing pricing.

Ministers will publish an electric vehicle infrastructure strategy this autumn setting out how it will get the country ready for the phase out of petrol and diesel cars.

The Government has vowed to ensure charging electric vehicles is as easy as refuelling petrol or diesel cars and ministers will set out an electric vehicle infrastructure strategy this autumn that will 'revolutionise motoring'

As part of the plan, they will make it easier to compare the costs of different public charging points in a bid to drive competition and bring down prices. [File picture]

As part of the plan, they will make it easier to compare the costs of different public charging points in a bid to drive competition and bring down prices.

Providers will have to show their prices using a standardised pence-per-kilowatt hour (kWh).

They will also have to make this information available for price comparison websites and apps so drivers can discover where they can go nearby for cheaper charging.

Ministers will use legislation to mandate price transparency and make charging point data publicly available.

Whitehall sources said finding ways to help people without driveways charge electric vehicles would be a key focus of the strategy.

Whitehall sources said finding ways to help people without driveways charge electric vehicles would be a key focus of the strategy

It comes as government prepares to host the crucial COP26 world summit aimed at driving action on climate change.

The Government plans to ban sales of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030  with hybrids prohibited from 2035.

Around a third of households do not have access to off-street parking but charging an electric car at home is much cheaper than using one of the 25,000 public charging points across the country.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said it expects electric vehicles to account for more than one in six new cars bought this year.
Tom Hanks rapper son Chet has doubled-down on his anti-vaxx stance, claiming there's more evidence supporting the existence of UFOs than of vaccine safety.

Hanks, whose dad and actress mom Rita Wilson were the first major celebrities to catch the virus in March 2020, posted the video this morning and captioned it 'Woke up and chose chaos lmaooooo.'

He said: 'Theres more evidence of UFOs being real than that vaccine being healthy for you, just saying. Aliens are out there, ready for yall to come get me, lets get the f***k out of here! Or do I have to show you my vaccine papers?

Beginning his diatribe moments earlier, Hanks said, Im gonna keep this real simple for you guys, real simple. Just like you have the right to be mad at me because I said Im not getting the vaccine . . . I have the right to not get that s**t.'

Chet Hanks, son of actor Tom Hanks, defended his stance against the Covid-19 vaccination in an Instagram post on Wednesday, in which he said it is his right to not get it

Hanks called the shot an 'experimental government injection' and said 'Theres more evidence of UFOs being real than that vaccine being healthy for you, just saying'

The celebrity offspring continues, 'I wanted to, but my immune system said its good, okay, it doesnt need to be tampered with. It said its good, okay. Lets be real. 99% of you m***********s wouldnt use a shampoo thats not FDA approved, but youre willing to get some experimental government injection. Okay.'

The FDA has authorized the Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines for emergency use for all individuals under 12. Full approval of the Pfizer shot is expected as soon as this month after the company accrued the six months of data necessary for the FDA to begin the evaluation process, according to The Hill.

But Hanks asserted that there is not enough evidence to prove that the Covid-19 vaccines is beneficial, despite 167million Americans - or just over half - being vaccinated as of yesterday, according to Our World in Data.

The 31-yearold rapper's newest video alludes to the reactions he got from his last post, in which he pretended to encourage people to have a COVID vaccine - only to then launch into an anti-vaxxer rant and confirm that he wouldn't be getting the shot.

Hanks posted a video, captioned 'super important PSA,' in which he addressed the ongoing pandemic and began by encouraging his followers to take action by getting the vaccine, only to quickly change his tone.

'I suggest to all my followers, you guys, set an appointment and get the vaccine first thing -- PSYCH!' he said. 'B***h! If it ain't broke don't fix it! I never had COVID. Y'ain't sticking me with that motherf***ing needle!'

The clip yielded 369K views and 10.7K comments. Some users hailed the clip and just as many shared laughing emojis, but a number shared a thumbs down and others posted long reactions expressing their disappointment and outrage.

One user wrote, 'Yikes bro,' another commented, 'Rita come get your son,' and another said, 'Does daddy approve of this message?"

Hanks posted his first rant against the coronavirus vaccine on his Instagram account Monday night

He shared a video at first encouraging his followers to get the shot before yelling: 'PSYCH! Y'ain't sticking me with that motherf***ing needle!'

His latest video garnered 116K views and 2,884 comments, mostly of the same nature. One user joked, 'I dont wear a seatbelt in car cause Ive never gotten into a car accident!' and another wrote, 'A good way to live your life is to see what this guy does and then just do the opposite.'

In Hanks's first video, he duped viewers into thinking he supported the vaccine and said Americans needed to rally together to curb the spread of the virus, especially with the Delta variant on the rise.

'I've been on the fence about this for awhile, that's why I never spoke on it, but with the amount of people I know recently that have gotten COVID, and with the numbers rising, I think it's important for me to say I got the vaccine, I think everybody should,' Hanks said in a convincing tone. 'It's really important that we all do this.'

However, about halfway through the video Hanks revealed that he believed the pandemic was a hoax, calling COVID-19 'the motherf***ing flu'.

The musician argued that Americans need to 'get over it and told those who were sick or high-risk to 'stay inside'.

'Why are we working around ya'll?' he said. 'If you're in danger, stay you're a** inside. I'm tired of wearing a motherf***ing mask.'

Hanks' parents, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, were among the first celebrities to contract COVID and publicly share their journey with the disease.

Tom revealed that he and Rita had tested positive for COVID-19 on March 11, 2020, while he was shooting the upcoming film Elvis in Queensland, Australia. That was around the time the virus was deemed a global pandemic, with the revelation coming the same night then-president Donald Trump made a nationwide address where he announced his travel ban on Europe.

Hanks' parents, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, were among the first celebrities to contract COVID and publicly share their journey with the disease

Tom revealed that he and Rita had tested positive for COVID-19 on March 11, 2020, while he was shooting the upcoming film Elvis in Queensland, Australia

The couple were admitted to the Gold Coast University Hospital for care, and were ultimately released on March 16. They then went into quarantine for 11 days before heading back to to their home in Los Angeles where they remained in lockdown.

Tom and Wilson both donated their blood antibodies for virus research.

It is not clear if the couple has been vaccinated, but as of April 2021, the couple said they intended to get the vaccine.

Wilson opened up about their vaccination status when she was Hoda Kotb's surprise co-host on The Today Show on Friday, April 2. She referred to the age restriction on the vaccine at the time and said, 'We are in line now because so many people are vaccinated and they're opening up to the next tier . . . To witness people hugging each other for the first time in a year, grandparents hugging their grandchildren, people hugging their parents, there's nothing like that. That is truly a gift.'

In 2015, Chet spoke of how he had battled cocaine addiction, and checked into rehab to deal with his problem.

Tom said at the time that he loved his son 'unconditionally.'
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has backed the death sentence for doomed alpaca Geronimo.

Sir Keir said there was no alternative but to kill the eight-year-old male over bovine tuberculosis fears despite pleas from campaigners.

Its a really sad situation and you can see why emotions are running really high, he said.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has backed the death sentence for doomed alpaca Geronimo. Pictured: Geronimo with his owner Helen MacDonald

Geronimo was condemned to death this month following a judicial review in the High Court. He had tested positive twice for bTB after he was given an Enferplex blood test.

His owner Helen MacDonald, 50, from Wickwar, Gloucestershire, has argued Geronimo was repeatedly dosed with primer Tuberculin which prompted false positive results.

Sir Keir said: Its always tragic when it happens. I dont think we can make an exception in this case. Of course its sad  its sad for farmers as well when they lose their animals but we have to keep TB under control.

The intervention comes amid a furious row between animal rights campaigners and the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Defra has insisted its test is accurate and refused to discuss the standoff.

Sir Keir said there was no alternative but to kill the eight-year-old male over bovine tuberculosis fears despite pleas from campaigners

Under a High Court warrant it has 30 days to slaughter Geronimo.

Defra has repeated refused to retest Geronimo for bTB arguing its test is accurate despite the Daily Mails bombshell evidence of nine other camelids who were slaughtered following false positives for bTB.

Miss MacDonald said: We are just asking to have him tested with something appropriate. I get they have policy to follow but there are other ways, and they dont have to kill him.

The Prime Ministers spokesman said: The fact remains that Geronimo has sadly tested positive twice using a highly specific and reliable and validated test.
A hero dad asleep at home with his two children has performed a citizen's arrest on a woman after she and two others allegedly broke into his family home.

Police were called to the property on Fernlea Place in Canley Heights, a suburb in Sydney's west, at about 4am on August 12 after receiving reports of a home invasion.

Three people allegedly broke into the residence before the owner confronted them and detained a woman in her 30s.

Three people allegedly broke into a house on Fernlea Place in Canley Heights (pictured)

A woman in her 30s was arrested by police but her two alleged accomplices fled the scene on foot (stock)

The two other alleged trespassers ran away from the scene on foot.

The man was at home with a woman and two children when the break in took place.

Fairfield City Police officers attended the scene and arrested the woman before taking her to Liverpool Hospital as a precautionary measure.
The husband of a stage-four breast cancer sufferer has delivered a powerful message to anti-vaxxers after his wife was discharged early from hospital because it was overrun by unvaccinated Covid patients.

North Carolina excavator Jason Arena hit out at vaccine sceptics after doctors made his wife leave hospital early to make room for an influx of patients suffering from Covid-19.

He mocked the hypocrisy of coronavirus patients refusing to listen to medical advice and get vaccinated, but then 'running to the hospital' and clogging up wards when they caught the virus.

US government data shows unvaccinated Americans are responsible for more than 99 per cent of all deaths from the virus in the US and 97 per cent of all Covid-19 hospital admissions.

A similar situation is occurring in Sydney during the Delta outbreak - where 57 out of the 62 Covid-19 patients in ICU wards are unvaccinated.

'If you really believe that Covid's not real, stick to your guns and stay at home,' Mr Arena said to anti-vaxxers in an emotionally-charged video he shared on TikTok.

North Carolina excavator Jason Arena's wife Marilyn (centre) suffers from stage-four breast cancer but was sent home from hospital early because of an influx of Covid-19 patients

'I took my wife in to get some fluid drained as she was having some pain. She was in there for two days but honestly she should have stayed there for maybe two more.

'On the third day instead of draining her fluid, they had to discharge her because they had no room left in the hospital.'

He said he did not have a problem with fellow citizens choosing not to get vaccinated, but that by doing so they should give up their right to seek treatment for the virus in hospital.

Mr Arena hit out at vaccine sceptics after a surge in unvaccinated coronavirus patients in his state meant his wife - who suffers from stage-four breast cancer - was sent home from hospital early

'Stop running to the hospital and putting everyone else at risk - and in turn the collateral damage that it brings people like my wife,' he said.

'She needs actual help for a chronic disease but gets kicked out of the hospital because your dumb a** is too stupid to get a vaccine.'

The number of Covid-19 cases in North Carolina doubled in July - fuelled by the fact only 44 per cent of the state's population is fully vaccinated against the virus.

Both North and South Carolina are among eight states southern states responsible for 41 per cent of new Covid-19 hospital admissions in the US.

Only 50 per cent of the US population is so far vaccinated against Covid-19.

Mr Arena's message drew widespread support on Twitter, where social media users rallied against the millions of Americans still refusing to get vaccinated.

Mr Arena's message drew widespread support on Twitter, where social media users rallied against the millions of Americans still refusing to get vaccinated

A health care worker treats a Covid-19 patient in California in January. US government data shows more than 99 per cent of the Americans still dying from Covid-19 are unvaccinated

One commenter said their husband suffered a seizure on the drive home from hospital because Covid-19 admissions meant he was discharged early.

'This happened to my husband,' one said. 'Congestive heart failure. Released two days earlier than the docs wanted.

'He had a massive seizure on the drive home.'

Texas hospitals erect TENTS to deal with surge in COVID cases as intensive care units are swamped Texas hospitals have erected overflow tents to cope with an expected influx of COVID-19 patients, with some school districts reimposing mask mandates as the virus surges again. Intensive care units at the Lyndon B. Johnson hospital in Houston are entirely full, CNN reported, as Texas - where less than 50 per cent of all residents are fully vaccinated - struggles to fight a third wave of infection. Texas Health Hospitals in Rockwall and Greenville, both suburbs of Dallas, were also preparing their own makeshift tent wards for the expected influx. Tents are seen outside Lyndon B. Johnson hospital in Houston, Texas, on Tuesday. The tents, erected by Harris Health System, are in readiness for an expected overflow of COVID cases Workers are seen outside the hospital in Houston on Monday, putting the tents up On Tuesday the state recorded 12,881 new cases. The state's numbers are creeping back up towards the all-time high of more than 27,000 infections recorded in a single day in January. Only 45.81 per cent of Texans have taken advantage of the vaccine, according to John Hopkins University - putting Texas well into the bottom half of the national vaccine 'league table'. Harris Health System in Houston said that the emergency tents, outside in temperatures well over 90 degrees Fahrenheit, was to deal with the new patients. A construction crew works to set up tents that hospital officials plan to use with an overflow of COVID-19 patients outside of Lyndon B. Johnson hospital on Monday 'There is no pre-determined time for when they will begin to be used, but they want the tented environment to be ready to go in the event they are needed,' said Bryan McLeod, Harris Health spokesperson. The Delta strain of the virus, which first emerged in India in December, now accounts for around 73 per cent of new cases in Texas, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) figures. 'What is intriguing about this surge is not so much the magnitude of the numbers, but the speed at which the numbers are going up,' said Esmaeil Porsa, president and CEO of Harris Health System. Advertisement

'This man has spoken on behalf of millions of Americans and people around the world,' another person wrote.

'I've been asking the same question,' another said.

'If they don't believe in the science of vaccinations - why believe in the science of getting better in hospital.'

One person suggested those who believe doctors are lying to them about vaccines should instead seek treatment with anti-vaxxers spreading disinformation online.

Mr Arena has set up a GoFundMe page to help his wife as she undergoes six rounds of chemotherapy treatment.

'We understand times are tough for many families in these unprecedented times,' he said on the fundraising page.

'Honestly, I wouldnt wish this on my worst enemy, god bless all of you and please keep us in your prayers.'

The video comes after Australian intensive care doctor Dr Richard Totaro - who works at Sydney's Royal Prince Alfred Hospital - begged people to get vaccinated before his wards are overrun.

There are now 374 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 62 people in intensive care and 29 requiring ventilation.

A frontline intensive care specialist in Sydney described the horror of Covid killing patients as begged people to get vaccinated before his wards are overrun. Seen here is a patient in St Vincent's ICU ward in Sydney

'You can't imagine anything more traumatic than being in an ICU,' he told the NSW Health press conference on Monday.

'We've had people who are physically fit and well, and don't have underlying conditions.'

'They are having the worst time of their lives.

'Once patients come to my ICU, most of them are too sick to be talking to us. They're on ventilators, they're feeling really sick.

'The remarkable thing about this disease is in people who aren't vaccinated just how progressive and relentless the deterioration can be and how progressive, and incredibly sick, patients can become.

'It's a really difficult, really complex disease that we're looking after.'

Even those who survive and move out of ICU face a long battle back to full health, which some may never regain, he said.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern today said that strict border controls will continue until 2022 as she warned Kiwis they will face full lockdowns if the Government fails to keep the Delta variant out.

Ardern said she hoped to cautiously reopen to the rest of the world next year while maintaining the country's virus-free status.

She said the changes would be 'careful and deliberate' to avoid allowing variants such as the highly contagious Delta strain into New Zealand, where there is no local transmission and domestic life is close to normal.

'Rushing could see us in the situation many other countries are finding themselves in,' Ardern said, citing an outbreak of the Delta variant in neighbouring Australia that has forced its two largest cities into renewed lockdown.

The government is also warning its citizens to be prepared for a strict lockdown at the first sign of an outbreak of the Delta variant.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern today said that strict border controls will continue until 2022 as she warned Kiwis they will face full lockdowns if the Government fails to keep the Delta variant out. Pictured: Ardern delivering the speech on Thursday August 12 in Wellington

Ardern said the government planned to follow the advice of experts and maintain their elimination strategy.

'While the pandemic continues to rage overseas, and the virus continues to change and mutate, the best thing we can do is lock in the gains achieved to date while keeping our options open,' she said.

Ardern said the borders would not reopen until after New Zealand's vaccine rollout was completed at the end of the year. Despite pledges that the country would be 'at the front of the queue' for the vaccine, the rollout has been much slower than in most developed nations, with less than 20 per cent of the population fully inoculated.

Officials also said they would delay second shots of the Pfizer vaccine in order to speed up first shots to protect more people as the threat of the delta variant grows.

COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said the government's response to an outbreak of the Delta variant is likely to be 'swift and severe.' New Zealand has stamped out the spread of the virus and had previously planned to rely primarily on contact tracing for any small outbreaks.

But Hipkins said the problems that Sydney currently faces in trying to contact trace a growing outbreak showed the delta variant was extremely hard to manage and that New Zealand's tolerance for risk was now very low.

Its vulnerability was exposed after unvaccinated port workers in Tauranga berthed a ship where 11 of the 21 crew had tested positive for the virus. More than 90 port workers have been tested but so far no one has returned a positive test.

Ardern said the borders would not reopen until after New Zealand's vaccine rollout was completed at the end of the year. The rollout has been much slower than in most developed nations, with under 20 per cent of the population fully inoculated

Officials also said they would delay second shots of the Pfizer vaccine in order to speed up first shots to protect more people as the threat of the delta variant grows

The announcement comes as Ardern faced calls to ease border measures from sectors such as healthcare, hospitality and agriculture, which are facing acute labour shortages due to the absence of foreign workers.

The country's tourism industry - one of its main economic drivers - is on its knees with the borders shut to non-residents and non-citizens.

New Zealand's success in erasing the coronavirus has allowed life to return almost to normal. The South Pacific nation of 5 million people has reported just 26 deaths since the pandemic began.

That's been achieved in part by closing borders to those who aren't residents or citizens.

But many question whether its feasible for New Zealand to maintain a zero-tolerance approach to the virus once international travel resumes.

Ardern said vaccinations would ramp up with the goal of offering jabs to all the eligible population by year's end, allowing a relaxation of border policies.

She said that from the first quarter of next year, the country would begin allowing travelers to arrive on a carefully managed basis.

Under the proposed changes, international arrivals would be assessed on vaccination status and whether they have travelled from a country deemed high, medium or low risk.

Fully vaccinated travelers from low-risk countries would not be required to quarantine, she said. Those arriving from medium-risk countries would need to complete some form of quarantine. And those arriving from high-risk countries, or who were unvaccinated, would need to stay 14 days in a quarantine hotel run by the military, Ardern said.

The government did not provide a ranking of countries by risk, saying it could change quickly.

'Our ultimate goal is to get to quarantine-free travel for all vaccinated travellers,' Ardern said, without providing a timetable.

She said international travel would never be the same as it was before the pandemic.

'Vaccines, border testing and maybe a bit of monitoring of symptoms when you travel will eventually become our baseline. And we will get used to it,' she said.

Ardern said international travel would never be the same as it was before the pandemic

Ardern said a new trial would begin in October that would allow some business travelers to quarantine at home rather than in military-run hotels as a test of the new system it planned to introduce for medium-risk countries next year.

Ardern also announced it was increasing the standard time scheduled between Pfizer vaccine doses from three weeks to six weeks. She said the initial groups targeted for the vaccine - border workers and older people - had already been fully vaccinated.

'From a population basis, it makes sense to get as many New Zealanders at least partially vaccinated quickly,' Ardern said.

The changes were generally welcomed by business owners, including those in the struggling tourism industry. Before the pandemic, more than 3 million overseas travelers visited New Zealand each year and tourism was among the country's largest industries.

'It's important to have a roadmap so all businesses, including tourism operators, can plan ahead and make informed decisions,' said Chris Roberts, the chief executive of Tourism Industry Aotearoa.

Opposition Leader Judith Collins said Ardern's announcements were a step in the right direction but the government needed to speed up its vaccination program.

About 29 per cent of New Zealanders have received one dose of the vaccine and 17 per cent are fully vaccinated.

New Zealand's tentative attempts to relax border controls have so far met with mixed success.

A travel bubble with Australia faced numerous disruptions and was finally suspended in June as multiple outbreaks spread across the Tasman Sea.

Quarantine-free travel is allowed with the tiny Cook Islands, and New Zealand this month launched a scheme to bring in seasonal workers from Tonga, Samoa and Vanuatu without having to self-isolate.
A Texas company tapped to design 3D printed habitat to support NASA's missions to Mars has released an incredible video of its 3D printing in action.

ICON - a developer of advanced construction technologies - was awarded a subcontract by the space agency to print Mars Dune Alpha, designed by world-renowned architecture firm BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group for the Johnson Space Center.

The Austin-based company, known for delivering the first permitted 3D-printed home in the U.S. in 2018, had released stunning video renderings earlier this week showing what the completed modules would look like.

NASA, which hopes to send humans to the Red Planet by 2037, said on Friday it is seeking 'highly motivated individuals' to participate in year-long Mars surface simulation where they will live in the 1,700-square-foot module.

ICON said in a press release that the module will simulate a realistic Mars habitat to support long-duration, exploration-class space missions.

A Texas company tapped to design 3-D printed habitat to support NASA's missions to Mars has released an incredible video of its 3-D printing in action

ICON's Vulcan printer is operated by a tablet, pictured in the hands of one of the company's employees

The Vulcan creates print beads that are one-inch tall and two-inches wide at rate of between 5-10 inches per second

The module contains four private crew quarters found on one end of the habitat

n the other end, there are dedicated workstations, medical stations and food-growing stations. Some shared living spaces are found in between

Jason Ballard, co-founder and CEO of ICON, called the Mars Dune Alpha the 'highest-fidelity simulated habitat ever constructed by humans.'

'Mars Dune Alpha is intended to serve a very specific purpose - to prepare humans to live on another planet,' Ballard said.

'We wanted to develop the most faithful analog possible to aid in humanity's dream to expand into the stars.'

Ballard added: '3D printing the habitat has further illustrated to us that construction-scale 3D printing is an essential part of humanity's toolkit on Earth and to go to the Moon and Mars to stay.'

ICON will construct the module using the Vulcan, the company's large-scale construction 3D printer.

The printer measures 46.5 feet wide and is capable of printing homes and structures up to 3,000-square-feet using Lavacrete - a cement-based building material.

The company claims the special concrete can withstand extreme weather and 'greatly reduce the impact of natural disasters.'

The Vulcan creates print beads that are one-inch tall and two-inches wide at rate of between 5-10 inches per second, according to the company's website. It was not immediately clear how long it would take to construct the NASA module.

The module contains four private crew quarters found on one end of the habitat. On the other end, there are dedicated workstations, medical stations and food-growing stations. Some shared living spaces are found in between.

The rooms boast varying ceiling heights and other structural accents 'to avoid spatial monotony and crew member fatigue,' according to ICON.

NASA is seeking 'highly motivated individuals' to participate in year-long Mars surface simulations, where they will live in ICON's 1,700-square-foot module

The latest video shows living humans walking among the 3-D printed module

The habitats will be constructed at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, and will include workstations, medical facilities and a place to grow food.

Blueprints show the layout of the 3D printed living module Mars Dune Alpha

Mars Dune Alpha will be furnished with a mix of fixed and movable furniture crew members can reorganize to their needs and desires - as well as customizable lighting, temperature, and sound control.

The teams developing the module hope these designs will help regulate 'the daily routine, circadian rhythm, and overall well being of the crew.'

Bjarke Ingels, founder and creative director at BIG, said in a statement that the company - with NASA and ICON - hopes to investigate 'what humanity's home on another planet will entail from the human experience.'

'The data gained form this habitat research will directly inform NASA's standards for long-duration exploration missions, and as such will potentially lay the foundation for a new Martian vernacular,' Ingels said.

'Mars Dune Alpha will take us one step closer to becoming a multiplanetary species.'

The module is being created for a series of missions - known as Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog (CHAPEA).

The CHAPEA missions include three one-year Mars surface simulations based at NASAs Johnson Space Center, with the first starting in 2022. Each will see four crew members spend the 365 days completely isolated in the mock Mars habitats.

'The analogs will support research to develop methods and technologies to prevent and resolve potential problems on future human spaceflight missions to the Moon and Mars,' a press release from NASA reads.

NASA added: 'The habitat will simulate the challenges of a mission on Mars, including resource limitations, equipment failure, communication delays, and other environmental stressors.'

'Crew tasks may include simulated spacewalks, scientific research, use of virtual reality and robotic controls, and exchanging communications. The results will provide important scientific data to validate systems and develop solutions.'

Applications to join the missions run through September 12, 2021.

The missions aim to provide valuable insights and information to assess NASA's space food system, as well as physical and behavioral health and performance outcomes for future space missions. Pictured are the workstations

NASA will also use research from the Mars Dune Alpha simulations to inform risk and resource trades to support crew health and performance for future missions to Mars when astronauts would live and work on the Red planet for long periods of time

Those interested in participating must be within the ages of 30 to 55, possess a master's degree in a STEM field and have at least two years of related professional experience.

Individuals will have to pass the NASA long-duration flight astronaut simulation and are required to have a COVID-19 vaccination, reads the application website.

But they won't end up going to the actual Red Planet when a mission, with that honor initially reserved for highly-trained astronauts

The habitats will be constructed at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, and will include workstations, medical facilities and a place to grow food.

The missions aim to provide valuable insights and information to assess NASA's space food system, as well as physical and behavioral health and performance outcomes for future space missions.

NASA will also use research from the Mars Dune Alpha simulations to inform risk and resource trades to support crew health and performance for future missions to Mars when astronauts would live and work on the Red planet for long periods of time.

Grace Douglas, lead scientist for NASA's Advanced Food Technology research effort at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, said in a statement: 'This is a rare and unique opportunity.

Each mission will include four crew members who will have their own sleeping quarters located on one end of the habitat and on the other side of the habitat is dedicated to workstations, medical stations and food-growing stations (pictured)

The living module is being created for NASA's Johnson Space Center, pictured

'The analog is critical for testing solutions to meet the complex needs of living on the Martian surface.

'Those selected will have a historic role in preparing humanity for the next giant leap in space.'

ICON has also received funding from NASA and launched Project Olympus - another partnership with BIG - to begin research and development of a space-based construction system to support future exploration of the Moon.

NASA hopes to return humans to the Moon by 2024 with the third of the space agency's Artemis missions - a program aptly named as the sister missions to the Apollo program which first took humans to the Moon.

Meanwhile, BIG is also currently developing a prototype for Mars Science City at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai for exploring building technologies in future Mars habitation.

That project includes creating inflatable domes on the surface of Mars before robots excavate and harvest water and turn Martian sand into 3-D printed buildings underneath those domes to create interconnected biospheres forming Martian cities capable of maintaining human life.
New South Wales has recorded 345 new cases of Covid-19 and two deaths of men in their 90s - as more suburbs are slapped with harsher restrictions in Sydney's west.

One of the men had a single dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine while the other had two doses of Pfizer.

Both vaccines are around 90 per cent effective at stopping death after two doses.

One died at Liverpool Hospital after catching the disease as part of the hospital's outbreak which has now killed seven.

The other died at Royal North Shore Hospital and was a resident at Wyoming Residential Aged Care Facility in Summer Hill, in Sydney's inner west.

As the outbreak showed no sign of easing, Deputy Chief Health Officer Dr Marianne Gale urged residents to get vaccinated with the abundant AstraZeneca vaccine rather than wait for the scarce Pfizer jab which is preferred for under 60s.

Of the new locally acquired cases, 128 are linked to a known case or cluster, 101 are household contacts and 27 are close contacts. There were 217 mystery cases.

Fifty-seven cases recorded on Thursday were infectious in the community. Pictured: Residents in Bankstown on Wednesday

A total of 116 cases were in isolation throughout their infectious period and 34 were in isolation for part of their infectious period.

Fifty-seven cases were infectious in the community, and the isolation status of 138 remains under investigation.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said there was 'stabilisation' in Canterbury-Bankstown, the area hardest hit by the latest outbreak, and said she was not planning to extend harsher restrictions across the whole city.

But the Burwood, Strathfield and Bayside areas will have additional restrictions applied from 5pm on Thursday, in line with previously identified areas of concern and 12 suburbs in the Penrith area.

Residents in these areas must stay within 5km of their home and can't leave their area at all unless they are an authorised worker.

Residents shopping at Cabramatta, south-western Sydney, on Wednesday as the Covid-19 outbreak grows

'At this stage we are continuing with the current approach and we are asking everybody to please do the right thing,' Ms Berejiklian said.

But she warned she was prepared to impose harsher rules - such as constant mask-wearing outside - across the whole city if required.

'If we get advice to that, of course the New South Wales government will consider that,' she said.

Two new cases were acquired overseas in the 24 hours to 8pm on Wednesday night.

Three previously reported cases have been excluded following further investigation, bringing the total number of cases since the outbreak began on June 16 to 6,491.

There are currently 374 Covid-19 cases admitted to hospital in NSW, with 62 people in intensive care and 29 on ventilation.

There were a record 151,830 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with the previous day's total of 119,256.

A sign in Cabramatta, south-west Sydney reads: 'Lockdown is not working, Covid is here to stay'

80 per cent of people in New South Wales live in the locked down regions highlighted in red

Some 80 per cent of people living across New South Wales are in lockdown with 6.6 million affected.

Coronavirus spot fires have flared up from Byron Bay and the Northern Rivers to the Hunter Valley region and even in vulnerable outback communities in the north-west.

Police Commissioner Mick Fuller will ask for extra powers to enforce the lockdown rules in a meeting with government on Friday afternoon.

Ms Berejiklian said: 'We are a difficult situation and we wanted to turn the tide and not leaving any stone unturned.

'So if the Commissioner comes back tomorrow and in the following days and says he needs X, Y and Z, of course we will consider those.'

With the virus having already taken hold in Sydney's south-west and west, Premier Gladys Berejiklian warned the city's outbreak is threatening to move back eastwards after an increase in cases in Bayside and the inner-west - as well as areas hundreds of kilometres from the state capital.

Police have been given greater powers to crack down on Covid rule-breakers amid fears people are unknowingly spreading the virus while abusing loopholes in the law (pictured, police at a sun-drenched Bondi Beach on Wednesday)

EVERYWHERE IN NSW LIVING UNDER COVID LOCKDOWNS There are about 6.6 million NSW residents now living under stay-at-home orders, which represents about 80 per cent of the state. These regions include: - All of Greater Sydney including the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour - Dubbo LGA including the suburbs of Dubbo, Wellington, Wongarbon, Geurie, Brocklehurst, Stuart Town, Mumbil and Eumungerie - The Central West region including Bogan, Bourke, Brewarrina, Coonamble, Gilgandra, Narromine, Walgett and Warren LGAs - Hunter and Upper Hunter including Newcastle, Cessnock, Dungog, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Muswellbrook, Port Stephens and Singleton LGAs - Armidale LGA (including Guyra) - Tamworth LGA - The Northern Rivers region including Ballina, Byron, City of Lismore and Richmond Valley LGAs Advertisement

According to The Australian, Commissioner Fuller and Police Minister David Elliott told a crisis cabinet meeting on Wednesday afternoon the current health orders are proving difficult to enforce due to a 'virtually unworkable' standoff between cops and health officials.

It was reported that some health workers have refused to hand over details of compliance breaches because they felt sorry for some Covid rule-breakers.

Increasingly frustrated by the split, Commissioner Fuller demanded greater powers to tackle Sydney's climbing case numbers - a move which allegedly infuriated Mr Hazzard as tempers boiled over at the meeting.

NSW Police and their own in-house legal team are now discussing amendments that will enable them to crack down on rule-breakers and breaches in virus hotspots.

The remote community of Walgett in the state's northwest, 230km east of Bourke, will enter a snap seven-day lockdown after a local man tested positive to the virus on Wednesday

Commissioner Fuller and Police Minister David Elliott told a crisis cabinet meeting on Wednesday the orders are proving difficult to enforce, due to a 'virtually unworkable' standoff between cops and health officials (pictured, police at Bondi on Wednesday)

New measures include a ban on residents travelling to their second properties, such as beach houses, a bigger ADF presence, and heavier policing of singles bubbles to ensure only two people are coming into contact.

In one specific incident that outraged police, information regarding a super-spreader event was not passed on to investigators, with health officials feeling uncomfortable about getting the group fined.

'We still haven't got the details of the 50 people who went to the Pendle Hill funeral,' an official who was briefed on the matter told The Australian.

The illegal gathering in July in southwestern Sydney saw the majority of those in attendance infected with the virus - with one family member later dying of Covid.

The Mayor of Newcastle also laid the blame for her city's lockdown squarely at the feet of the NSW government, saying: 'Sydney should have fully locked down, and we could have avoided this.'

Her comments come amid claims the Hunter Region's outbreak, which now stands at 53 cases, began when someone left Sydney 'who knew they should not be travelling'.

Police are said to have found Sydney's lockdown 'impossible' to manage, prompting sweeping changes to their powers (pictured, Bondi on Wednesday)

Police hope changing a rule that permits locked-down Sydneysiders to move between residences will stem the spread of Covid into regional areas.

The NSW Government is also expected to request more ADF troops to help oversee the orders.

The announcement came a day after Ms Berejiklian insisted she would not introduce harsher lockdown measures unless they have a proven impact on virus transmission.

There have been mounting calls for tougher measures as infection numbers in NSW have remained stubbornly high despite an increasingly tight lockdown, particularly in Sydney's west and southwest.

THE CHANGES COMING TO SYDNEY'S LOCKDOWN A ban on Sydneysiders travelling to second residences intrastate

Greater policing powers to ensure compliance within singles bubbles

More ADF troops deployed across the city to help police the public health orders Advertisement

Sydney and surrounds are in lockdown until at least August 28, while the Hunter, Byron Bay, Armidale and Tamworth are enduring snap lockdowns.

The outback town of Walgett was also plunged into a snap seven-day lockdown from 7pm on Wednesday night after a local man who had recently travelled to Dubbo and Bathurst tested positive.

The restrictions will apply to residents in the eight LGAs of Bogan, Bourke, Brewarrina, Coonamble, Gilgandra, Narromine, Walgett and Warren.

Residents of the eight affected LGAs will be subject to the same restrictions as those in Greater Sydney, Dubbo, Tamworth, and other parts of the state.

People in the eight LGAs are permitted to leave home for only four main reasons, shopping for essential goods, medical care, exercise or essential work or education.

The new case is the fourth to be recorded by Western NSW Local Health District during the most recent outbreak.

Walgett Shire Mayor Ian Woodcock said authorities were scrambling to ascertain all of the exposure spots after the person visited Dubbo and Bathurst.

'The police are talking to him now to find out the route he took from where he was to get home' Mr Woodcock said.

'I am frustrated a little bit but what can you do, these things happen.'

An infected man is believed to have also travelled through Bathurst during his infectious period (pictured, downtown in the city of Bathurst) - plunging the area into lockdown

Local state MP Roy Butler described the newest case of the virus as 'the news I have feared the most'.

Mr Butler announced the case in a post on Facebook on Wednesday evening and said the man had travelled through the region not knowing he was infected.

'The contact tracers have interviewed him and that information will be made public shortly,' the Facebook post read.

I hope a second test will show negative, but we must act for now as if this is confirmed. Walgett has good community leadership and I know this town will pull together to overcome this.'

A serious Indian Delta outbreak in the far-flung outback town could spell disaster with a lack of health services in the area, low vaccination rates and vulnerable Indigenous population that represents one third of the community.

Health experts have long warned that First Nations People are at greater risk of the virus due to the prevalence of underlying health conditions.

The alert came just hours after Dubbo Regional Council were ordered into lockdown after two people also tested positive to the virus.

The amendments will give police greater powers to crack down on rule-breakers (pictured, police officers speak to a man during patrols in Bondi)

Dubbo, in the state's northwest, entered a snap lockdown from 1pm Wednesday as residents are urged to get tested after a case emerged at a local school.

A second case in the region has since tested positive.

Dubbo West Public School has been closed after the Department of Education was advised by NSW Health of the infection late Tuesday night.

Ms Berejiklian said her government would be glad to consider further measures to limit movement and interaction, but few remained that were proven to reduce virus transmission.

Curfews were listed among this category.

She said that, given the virulence of the Indian Delta variant and its prevalence among essential workers obliged to leave home, a focus on the rapid vaccination of locked-down communities was preferable.

It comes after a virus-positive Sydney man travelled to Byron Bay reportedly to view a property and is accused of refusing to use QR code check-ins. The incident sent the Northern Rivers region into its lockdown.

Ms Berejiklian reiterated her government's aspiration remained 'Covid zero', as per national cabinet, but also that NSW would consider partially easing restrictions once it reaches six million vaccinations, which means about 50 per cent will be jabbed.

About 4.6 million jabs have been administered so far, with 23.59 per cent of eligible NSW residents fully vaccinated.

While locked-down Armidale and Tamworth have not recorded new virus cases, Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said new infections were uncovered in the Hunter. A case unlinked to the travelling Sydney man was also found in Byron Bay.

Dr Chant later told Tuesday's parliamentary inquiry a West Hoxton party in which almost every unvaccinated guest caught Covid-19 was a root cause of the virus' western Sydney prevalence.

'It was thought that cluster had been identified very early but there were issues around containment that weren't appreciated,' Dr Chant said.

Police hope changing a rule that permits locked-down Sydneysiders to move between residences will stem the spread of Covid into regional areas (pictured, officers patrol Fairfield on Wednesday)
The jumper of a teenage boy who was bashed to death was found being worn by a mate of his attackers' hours later, police claim.

The 16-year-old died last Saturday, three days after police allege that he was beaten by four boys and two girls at a Doonside home amid an apparent conflict involving western Sydney postcodes and a stolen pair of AirPods.

All six teens - including a 15-year-old girl who police believe was the ringleader, and the house's occupant Kayla Dawson, 19 - have been charged with the body's murder.

In court documents, police detail how officers caught up with a 15-year-old at a home close to the crime scene about 11.45pm that evening.

That alleged offender was injured and had blood on his hands and shoes, a statement of alleged police facts said.

The court document claimed the teen was with a 32-year-old man who 'was observed to be wearing (the alleged victim's) jumper which had a distinct red and blue coloured hood.'

The accused ringleader and another alleged participant, 13 were allegedly found at the older man's home, police claimed.

The sixteen-year-old boy (above) died at Westmead Hospital on Saturday after he was allegedly brutally bashed at a home in Doonside three days prior

In court documents police allege a 15-year-old girl (left) was the 'major instigator' of the attacks on the 16-year-old boy at Doonside

Police alleged in court documents that the alleged ringleader was seen to be 'smiling and laughing' as the boy was brutally beaten last week.

Court documents alleged the girl yelled 'stomp on his head, put him in a f***ing grave' and 'go finish him off, go go go' as if cheering her friends on.

Police allege that at one point she grabbed the boy by the hair and rammed his head into a wall, leaving a hole in the gyprock.

The girl is also accused of kicking the boy in the face with the toe of her shoe, jolting his head back.

The young woman allegedly also yelled 'we're going to take you to the other house so the other c***s can f*** you up', court documents claimed.

The boy was allegedly forced to yell obscenities about the 'inner west' post code, court documents said.

The teenagers allegedly took turns attacking the boy with someone eventually yelling 'finish him' at 4.39pm, police allege.

It will be alleged the boy was left lifeless on the floor, not breathing, as many of the teenagers left the home.

About an hour after some of the alleged offenders departed, at 5.42pm, resident Kayla Dawson, 19, called 000, police alleged in court documents.

Dawson told operators the boy was showing no signs of life, it will be alleged.

Kayla Dawson, 19, the resident of the house, allegedly called 000 about an hour after many of the teenagers left the home

Paramedics managed to start the boy's heart with a shot of adrenalin but he died in hospital three days later, court documents said

Paramedics performed CPR for a long time and managed to restart the teenager's heart with a shot of adrenalin.

However, despite their best efforts, the boy was placed in an induced coma upon arrival at Westmead Hospital.

He was brain dead and had suffered blunt force trauma injuries to his face and body, as well as two collapsed lungs.

A social media tribute to the 16-year-old boy said he will 'always be missed'

Doctors switched off the teenager's life support at 10.02am on Saturday.

The boy's aunt revealed in a post to GoFundMe on Tuesday that his organs have been donated to five other people in an incredible gesture.

'After this difficult decision that (the boy's) mum had to make, she has just heard that through his organ donation, (he) has been able to save 5 lives.

'What an amazing boy!'

The boy - who was was allegedly lured to the home on the promise he was attending a party - leaves behind a grieving mother and sisters.

Also in mourning are his school mates - who have remembered him for their 'chats and laughs .... in class and in the playground.'

'You were always smiling and you were caring, funny and do anything for anyone,' one tribute said.

A former school literacy worker said: 'He was always happy, a bit cheeky and chatty with me - though sometimes he chatted to get out of his literacy work.

'It is a great sadness that such a lovely soul should have been taken from this world at such a young age.'

The boy's family are said to be 'overwhelmed' by support, with the community raising more than $43,000 for the boy's funeral at time of publication.

Harley Robinson was cornered at Blacktown train station in western Sydney near the local courthouse as his girlfriend made her first appearance since she was charged with murder

Each of the teenagers have been charged with a series of offences - including murder - and are yet to enter pleas.

Dawson was arrested at home on Sunday and formally refused bail at Blacktown Court on Monday.

That same day, her one-time boyfriend Harley Robinson was allegedly filmed kissing the feet of western Sydney locals close to the suburb's train station.

Daily Mail Australia understands that Mr Robinson has spoken to police about the incident.

He has not been charged with any offences and it is not suggested that he has committed any offence.
Eerie footage has emerged of a man accused of staring at young kids playing in the water at a popular beach slowly crawling out of a sewer pipe and talking to police.

The man, who was questioned by police attached to the Wollongong Police District on the NSW south coast, wasn't arrested or charged at the scene but was ordered to move on after reports about his 'suspicious' behaviour.

Concerned members of the public notified police around 2pm on Wednesday after the man, believed to be in his 30s, was spotted in the stormwater drain at the Belmore Basin in Wollongong, south of Sydney.

Concerned members of the public contacted police after spotting a man in a sewer pipe (pictured) at a beach on the NSW south coast

Children were playing on the sand and water just metres away, with the area a popular community spot for families and locals.

It is unknown why the man was in the sewer pipe.

One woman who reported the incident to police and filmed the moment officers arrived claimed the man was staring at children playing in the water.

Other suggested on TikTok, where the clip was shared, that the man could be homeless or suffering from mental health issues.

Police confirmed the man wasn't arrested and charged with any offences.

'Police attended the scene at Cove Beach and spoke to the man,' an officer from the Wollongong Local Area Command told Daily Mail Australia.

'His actions had been viewed as suspicious by others at the beach.

'After providing his details, the man was verbally cautioned and issued a directive to move from the area, which he complied with.

'Police were satisfied his behaviour was not potentially endangering any members of the community.'
Ravaged businesses in Melbourne's prestige shopping streets are closing their doors for good as Victoria's brutal sixth lockdown proves to be the final straw.

Furious retail and hospitality bosses blasted Premier Daniel Andrews and Victorian Government for starving them of support until they are on the brink of disaster.

They say businesses are desperate for a return of JobKeeper for their staff and a relaxing of the stringent requirements before the firms can access subsidies.

Businesses insist the red tape means they have had to be close to penniless with a 70 per cent downturn in revenue before they could get government assistance.

Ravaged businesses in Melbourne's prestige shopping streets are closing their doors for good as Victoria's brutal sixth lockdown proves to be the final straw, says Chapel Street Precinct general manager Chrissie Maus, pictured

Angela Ling, pictured, admits she can't survive another two weeks of the same business downturn she's endured this week at her Windsor restaurant Yeah Boy Eaterie

The policy has been branded heartless by business leaders who say it's allowed countless small businesses to fall through the cracks and forced them to give up.

Victoria's renewed outbreak, which prompted a sixth lockdown last week, added another 21 cases on Thursday including four mystery infections, and looks set to be extended again, leaving Melbourne's busy streets empty.

A $367 million financial support package for more than 100,000 businesses was announced by the Victorian and federal governments on Thursday.

The aid package now also include $10,000 one-off payments for those not eligible for support from existing programs.

Furious retail and hospitality bosses have blasted Premier Dan Andrews and Victoria state government for starving them of support until they are on the brink of disaster. Pictured here is newly-opened Jono's Piano Bar in Chapel Street, which lies empty in the lockdown

But prime shopping destination Chapel Street has already had two more businesses shut down in an area that was already devastated by the previous five lockdowns.

'Our precinct's businesses are at their wit's end,' Chapel Street Precinct General Manager Chrissie Maus told Daily Mail Australia.

'We are like walking zombies. Overnight I've had two more businesses message me that they are closing their doors for good.

'Their mental health is so fragile they've asked not to be named for fear it may send them over the edge.'

Businesses have had to be close to penniless with a 70 per cent downturn in revenue before they could get government assistance. Seen here is Chapel Street lying empty in lockdown

Prime shopping destination Chapel Street, pictured, has already seen two more businesses shut down in an area that was already devastated by the previous five lockdowns

She added: 'One of these businesses has suffered a 60 per cent downturn and our government's heartless policy deemed them not needy enough for assistance.

'It's absolutely heartbreaking. Dan Andrews needs to take a walk down Chapel Street so he can fully appreciate how his government's decisions are impacting our lives.'

Frustrations over the lockdowns boiled over in Melbourne again overnight on Wednesday with as dozens of police flooded the CBD to confront protesters.

Business owners said that they didn't support the protests - which they said would only cause the lockdown to be extended - but they understood the anger.

'Unless a business is from a very small select business category they are receiving no support or lifeline to help them survive,' Ms Maus said.

The backlash comes as a $367 million financial support package for more than 100,000 businesses was announced by the Victorian and federal governments on Thursday. Seen here are shoppers on Chapel Street on Tuesday

Angela Ling, 34, (pictured) had hoped the lockdowns were over when she opened her new Windsor restaurant Yeah Boy Eaterie in May, only to be plunged into crisis

'Business owners are having to remortgage houses or have burnt through all their retirement savings. Where is the compassion, support and care?'

Angela Ling, 34, hoped the lockdowns were over when she opened her new Windsor restaurant Yeah Boy Eaterie in May, only to be plunged into crisis.

Three months after its launch, the restaurant has only been open three weeks and she now fears she's living on borrowed time.

She admits she can't survive another two weeks of the same business downturn she's endured this week.

'It's pretty gut wrenching,' she told Daily Mail Australia. 'It's tough. There's no JobKeeper anymore. There's nothing that we can do with the subsidy.

'There's no wage subsidy that we can pass on to our staff.'

Three months after its launch, the Yeah Boy Eaterie restaurant, pictured, has only been open three weeks and owner Angela Ling now fears she's living on borrowed time

Jono Francisco, 51, pictured, walked away from a career in PR and events management to fulfil a lifelong dream of opening a piano bar which launched in Chapel Street in June

She added: 'I'm hesitant to, to give a date or timeframe, but like this current week we've just gone through, we can't have two more of those weeks.

'I've literally been trying to just take it day by day... but a little bit more government support would be amazing.

'A JobKeeper package would not just support our staff but boost the wider economy and help everyone.'

Jono Francisco, 51, walked away from a career in PR and events management to fulfil a lifelong dream of opening a piano bar, which launched in Chapel Street in June.

'We're now in our second lockdown and we've not even been open two months yet,' he said on Thursday.

'The most disheartening part is telling performers their gigs are postponed or cancelled. Musicians are out of jobs and don't get much support from government.

'There's a lot of work actually giving money back - it's good to work hard if you're making money but if you're working hard to give money back it's not as productive

Jono Francisco's landlord has given him a rent holiday for Jono's Piano Bar (pictured) while the lockdown is in force which has saved the business but he fears for musicians and artists

'We were quite optimistic when we opened but the Delta variant has just thrown a curveball that's changed everything for us.'

Mr Francisco's landlord gave him a rent holiday while the lockdown stays in force, which saved his business, but he fears for the venue's musicians and artists.

'They need more support,' he said. 'They're the ones who have been hit the hardest throughout this whole pandemic which has destroyed live appearances.

'Having no income, there's no way to survive, and it's all businesses across the board, not just hospitality and the arts.

'Fingers crossed, we will come out the other end and we will get to see everybody and entertain them after lockdown.'
The High Court has refused to hear an appeal on behalf of a four-year-old girl whose Tamil family are fighting to avoid deportation and return home to the Queensland town of Biloela.

The litigation guardian of Tharnicaa Murugappan had sought special leave to appeal to the nation's highest court, but that was declined on Thursday.

Earlier this year the full bench of the Federal Court upheld a judge's ruling that Tharnicaa had been denied procedural fairness when trying to apply for a protection visa to stay in Australia.

Tharnicaa Murugappan (pictured with her sister) and her family have been declined a High-Court appeal to stay in Australia

However, the court also upheld a judgement that Tharnicaa had not made a valid visa application back in 2019 and the family sought to challenge that in the High Court.

In June Immigration Minister Alex Hawke granted three-month bridging visas to Tharnicaa's father Nades, mother Priya and older sister Kopika, who like Tharnicaa was born in Australia.

Mr Hawke said at the time his decision allowed the three family members to live in Perth "while the youngest child's medical care, and the family's legal matters, are ongoing" and that Tharnicaa's "visa status is unchanged".

Supporters of the Tamil family gathered outside Perth hospital (pictured) where she was being treated in June this year

Before Tharnicaa was born her parents applied for protection visas but were unsuccessful, as were their court challenges on fairness grounds.

The family had been in detention for three years, being kept on Christmas Island from August 2019 when an urgent injunction stopped their deportation mid-flight.

They moved back to the mainland after Tharnicaa needed hospital treatment for a blood infection.

The family (pictured) had been in detention on Christmas Island for three years before being allowed into Perth for three months while their daughter was undergoing medical treatment

The family and their advocates say they remain hopeful despite the High Court decision, because the Federal Court judgment compelled Mr Hawke to review Tharnicaa's eligibility for assessment as an asylum seeker.

"The matter is now in the hands of the immigration minister and he or she is able at any point in time to grant a visa including a visa that would allow the family to return to and live in Biloela where they would receive community support, stability, care and a sense of belonging," the family's lawyer Carina Ford said in a statement.

"The ethical, economic and compassionate decision to be made should be to allow them to stay and be returned home to Bilo."

Priya Murugappan said both her daughters were still having medical treatment.

"But this could happen back in my community of Biloela. Biloela is where the girls will get better and be safe," she said.

Tharnicaa (pictured) needed hospital treatment for a blood infection and was sent to the mainland. Both daughters are currently undergoing medical treatment

She and family friend Angela Fredericks appealed to the minister to let the family return to Biloela.

"It is really sad that we have a four-year-old needing to go to court against the Australian government, just to get them to look at the risk of being sent to a dangerous country she has never been to," Ms Fredericks said.

But in a brief statement Mr Hawke said as the family had a number of other ongoing legal matters, it was inappropriate to comment beyond noting the High Court decision.
An anti-lockdown protester who filmed himself at the wild rally that rocked Sydney last month has said he will attend further rallies and insisted he wasn't breaking the law.

Plain clothes officers arrived at Jamal Daoud's house to follow up about a post showing him at the rally which he said he attended as a 'human rights observer'.

Mr Daoud tells the officers he was at the July 24 protest and when the female officer asks if he was aware the rally was unauthorised he disagrees and says he will 'most likely' attend further protests.

The two plain clothes officers following up about the July 24 wild anti-lockdown protest (pictured)

'No, there was no government announcement [saying the protest was not allowed] and there is a constitutional right for people to protests for political reasons,' Mr Daoud claims in the video he shared over the weekend.

He included the tags #civildisobedience and #endthehoax in the caption to the video.

'We were there to make sure the police do not abuse the power given to them under normal circumstances. The work of non-government organisations is important to make sure authorities are not abusing the power given to them,' he tells the officers.

When asked by the officers if he was aware of the rules against gathering in groups when the protest was held he claimed he could not keep up with the changing advice from government.

However, he then argues political protests cannot be banned regardless of public health rules against public gathering and that he would attend further rallies.

'I consulted my solicitor and he said for political reasons and especially for human rights observers it is legal [to gather at rallies] so most likely I will [go to other protests]'.

Mr Daoud (pictured) said he would likely attend further protest which he claimed were legal

'My understanding is that there a recent case in Victoria in which a high court judge said the government can't ban political protests.'

His comments are referring to the High Court reviewing the arrest of protesters at Victoria's 'Freedom Rally' in 2020.

More than 50 people have been charged and 250 fined after thousands of protesters marched through the CBDs of Sydney and Melbourne on July 24, demanding an end to lockdowns.

Images showed a police horse being punched, mounted police being pelted with pot plants and one journalist being robbed of his phone.

Commissioner Mick Fuller said he was aware of talk online about other event planned the next weekend and issued a blunt warning.

'We will take the ground very early. You will be arrested,' he said.

Protesters were met by mounted police outside Town Hall in Sydney (pictured) with no group prepared to back down

Police officers question a man (pictured) on July 31 the weekend following Sydney massive protest

'The community has spoken about that behaviour. The premier has spoken about that behaviour and it won't be tolerated again.'

Mr Fuller described the organisers as 'anarchists' who, unlike Black Lives Matter protesters who took to the streets in June last year, did not formally register their rally.

'There are no organisers that we can take to the Supreme Court to stop the protests happening which means they're a bunch of anarchists,' he said.

Two men accused of striking police horses are among 57 people charged over the Sydney protest and nearly 200 have been fined.

Mr Daoud is an activist who regularly speaks out on political issues including on refugee rights and against political extremism.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Daoud for comment.
Biden has boasted of their efforts to 'restore transparency and trust in government'

Joe Biden will not disclose who has visited him at his Delaware residences in the 17 trips he has taken home since becoming president - despite promising to 'restore transparency and trust' to the White House.

President Biden's Press Secretary Jen Psaki made the announcement at a press conference Wednesday.

She told reporters: 'I can confirm we are not going to be providing information about the comings and goings of the presidents grandchildren or people visiting him in Delaware,' Psaki told the New York Post on Biden's stance on releasing visitor logs.

The publication also flagged visitors who could trigger potential conflicts of interests - including Biden's former drug abuser son Hunter, who is now on the cusp of becoming a successful artist. He plans to sell some of his works to anonymous buyers for up to $500,000, sparking fears people could buy the works to try and lobby the president. But Psaki refused to be drawn.

She did so despite the administration has recently boasting of its efforts to 'restore transparency and trust in government,' a commitment that includes the release of several different White House visitor logs.

However, critics of the administration and transparency advocates are calling on the president to release visitor logs from his residences alongside those from the White House. They say similar rules should apply to all the president's residences, both official and unofficial, given the power and influence he holds while in office.

In the mid 90s Joe and his wife, Dr Jill Jacobs Biden, purchased a parcel of lakeside land in Wilmington's Greenville neighborhood, before building this impressive home

Biden also owns this beach home in Rehoboth Beach in Delaware

One critic, president of the conservative group Judicial Watch Tom Fitton, told The Post that the refusal 'makes a mockery' of Biden's assertion of transparency.

'Its an easy way to bypass the alleged transparency theyre promising,' he said.

'If theyre going to take the position that this information should be public, what are they hiding when it comes to visiting his home? The presidency doesnt stop when hes visiting Delaware.'

'He is presumably doing work. So the public has an interest in knowing who is visiting him there. Is Hunter [Biden] visiting him?  [Joe Biden] is the one who had Hunter at the vice presidents office meeting with his business partners.'

Biden and his son Hunter's business connections have been thrust into the spotlight lately, with rumors of a conversation between the two regarding the latter's art sale, where he expects to net $500,000 from anonymous buyers.

Further complicating things are Hunter's 10 percent stake in a state-owned entity Chinese investment firm, the Post reports.

As for his father, President Biden is set to make two more upcoming visits to his residences in his adopted home state of Delaware, a state he represented for 36 years in the U.S. Senate before becoming the 47th Vice President of the United States.

He typically stays at his primary residence in Wilmington, however he has as president visited his vacation home in Rehoboth Beach.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki (pictured) makes a speech during the daily press briefing at the James Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House Wednesday

In May, the Biden Administration released copies of the official White House visitor log

In May, the Biden Administration released copies of the official White House visitor log, a policy that former-President Donald Trump had put an end to, calling the move 'phony transparency' over its frequently redacted entries, according to the New York Post.

'These logs give the public a look into the visitors entering and exiting the White House campus for appointments, tours, and official business  making good on President Bidens commitment to restore integrity, transparency, and trust in government,' Bidens office stated at the time.

Former President Obama started the practice in response to a lawsuit from Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington in 2009, with Trump ultimately ending the policy in 2017.

Michael Dubke, Trump's White House communications director, had said at the time that the move was made due to 'the grave national security risks and privacy concerns of the hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.'

Since 2013, presidents are allowed to withhold whatever information they want on said visitor logs due to a federal appeals court ruling from then-judge Merrick Garland.

However, Garland's legislation did include the caveat that Freedom of Information Act requests would not apply to Secret Service visitor logs.
The bloody body of murdered Australian teacher Shanae Brooke Edwards was found discarded under bushes in the shadow of a popular amusement park in what is now believed to be a robbery-gone-wrong.

Shocking new details continue to emerge out of Georgia - in the former USSR - where the young Australian met her horrific demise.

The body of the 31-year-old Melbourne woman was reportedly found with stab wounds near the ferris wheel attraction in Mtatsminda Park, in a ravine near a narrow pedestrian trail.

Tributes for the kind and adventurous Shanae Brooke Edwards have flooded social media since her brutal murder

The ferris wheel attraction in Mtatsminda Park would have been in view of Shanae Brooke Edwards when she was brutally murdered

Ms Brooke Edwards' final Instagram post, of her on a motorbike on July 29, was captioned 'Joy'

Authorities have told Georgian news outlets her body had been deliberately covered with tree branches and leaves.

Local news Georgia Today has reported police now believe Ms Brooke Edwards was killed 'for the purpose of robbery'.

CCTV footage of Ms Brooke Edwards captured her final moments alive as she took off on her fateful hiking trip on July 30.

Dressed in tight black yoga pants and a dark top, she was last seen leaving the Church of Mikhail of Tver for a hike up along Mtatsminda.

Images clearly captured her carrying a green bag, which reportedly remains missing.

It is understood Ms Brooke Edwards' mobile phone was found dumped in nearby bushland close to where her body had been found a day after she went missing.

Police had earlier attempted to home in on her phone's signal, which went dead before her body was located.

Her body had been found in thick scrub in the Okrokana forest, close to the nearby village of Okrokana.

It is understood Ms Brooke Edwards fought ferociously for her life, with a series of defensive injuries found on her body.

Police sources have told local media that contrary to earlier reports, no signs of sexual assault were found on her body.

'She has multiple injuries. I do not know where the news of the rape came from, but I will tell you that the girl has no traces of sexual violence, the rape is not confirmed,' a source told Ambebi.

The source claimed Ms Brooke Edwards had been stabbed to death with a 'plastic handled knife' at a different location and later dumped where she was found.

'In any case, it does not look like a planned and professional assassination,' it was claimed.

Detectives descended on the village amid reports the killer likely lived there.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Georgia's 'Ministry of Internal Affairs', which is leading the investigation into Ms Brooke Edwards' murder.

Despite earlier reports, there has been no official confirmation from police or government sources that Ms Brooke Edwards was sexually assaulted before being killed.

Local media had earlier reported a potential suspect with blonde hair, aged in his 30s, was believed to be a person of interest, but no further word has emerged in the weeks since.

Police in Georgia search for Shanae Brooke Edwards in Mtatsminda Park. Her body was found a day after she went missing

Searchers found this old and rusty shovel in the bushes in the area where Ms Brooke Edwards went missing. A man was also seen having 'aggressive' sex with a woman about 50m away - the day before her disappearance

Shanae Brooke Edwards, 31, (left) was murdered in what could have been a robbery gone wrong

On the afternoon she was killed, Ms Brooke Edwards had phoned a friend across the ocean in California in a desperate cry for help.

She was being attacked by a man.

'Please let me go, ok just let me go,' she cried, before the phone went dead.

Ms Brooke Edwards had planned to exercise in the mountains before meeting up with a friend at 6pm that night.

Results of a forensic examination are yet to be made public by Georgian authorities.

It is understood Ms Brooke Edwards' brother was questioned by local police in the hope of obtaining any information that might help detectives identify a suspect.

Her friends, colleagues and neighbors were also questioned as part of the investigation.

Police have been told Ms Brooke Edwards had been earlier approached by two male passers-by, one of whom approached to ask her a question while the other stood by.

Hundreds of people had joined the search upon news of the Australian woman going missing.

Georgian police were notified and Ms Brooke Edwards' friends formed search parties in the hope of finding her alive.

Shanae Brooke Edwards, 31, was hiking Mount Mtatsminda alone above Tbiilsi, Georgia, when she was ambushed on Friday and her body found the next day

The much-loved 'free spirit' was on a call to a friend in the US while trekking when she was heard shouting 'take your hands off me' - before the call cut out

Final hike to death: A map of where Ms Brooke Edwards was expected to go hiking was shared with her friends, who rallied to find the Melbourne woman a world from home

Searchers found strange signs of life living among the trees including 'needles and lots of bottles in some spots.'

She had been an experienced hiker, who had crossed harsh terrains from the Australian bush to the forests of Columbia.

They had immediately feared foul play.

Described as a free spirit, Ms Brooke Edwards had been a fearless explorer who called out bad behaviour wherever she roamed.

Her social media page is awash with posts condemning violence against women, sharing videos and encouraging young men to respect women.

Ms Brooke Edwards was well aware of the dangers of travelling alone in the region.

She had been teaching English in the former Soviet republic for two years and travelling the world since 2016, when she left Melbourne.

Horror stories told by women about their experiences with men in the region are sadly all too familiar.

A Facebook page dedicated to throwing a spotlight on violence against women was set-up in the days following Ms Brooke Edwards' murder.

The site is made up of English-speaking professionals living in the Georgian capital.

Ms Brooke Edwards had volunteered in Melbourne. Her body was retrieved by a team of volunteer searchers, including her friends, on Saturday July 31

Missing person posters went up in the hope Ms Brooke Edwards would be found alive

Mtatsminda Park, where Ms Brooke Edwards went missing, is a booming tourist park with several adventure rides on top of Mount Mtatsminda.

Another woman claimed to have witnessed a disturbing sight on the mountain about the same time Ms Brooke Edwards went missing.

She claimed to have seen a man having 'aggressive' sex with a woman about 50m away, while her and her partner were walking 'exactly one day before the missing expat'.

Ms Brooke Edwards' friends reported finding black leggings and winter boots discarded along her likely route.

'There's also a tent and some weird s**t. Worth searching properly,' one searcher reported seeing.

An old, rusty shovel was found, as were strange signs of life living among the trees.

'Signs of activity, firepits, used needles, lots of bottles in some spots,' one man reported.

'This spot below was freshly used and had some linens or clothes inside a plastic bag nearby. Bad smell in the area but more like human waste.'

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs said it was was providing consular assistance to Ms Brooke Edwards' family.

Daily Mail Australia contacted the department again on Thursday.

Shanae Brooke Edwards had been a seasoned traveller when she was murdered abroad. Her killer remains at large

Ms Brooke Edwards' phone was tracked to Mtatsminda Park, a booming tourist funpark on top of the mountain she was hiking when she was attacked and murdered. A tram leading up the mountain is pictured above
A jury found Mark Steven Domingo (pictured two years ago), 28, guilty of providing material support to terrorism and attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction

A disgraced Army veteran who plotted to bomb a white supremacist rally in Southern California was convicted on Wednesday of federal charges that could send him to prison for life.

A jury found Mark Steven Domingo, 28, guilty of providing material support to terrorism and attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction, the U.S. attorney's office said. He is scheduled for sentencing Nov. 1.

Domingo schemed to bomb a planned April 2019 rally in Long Beach before he was arrested, prosecutors said.

Domingo, a former combat infantryman, spent time in Afghanistan in 2012 before being demoted and discharged after committing a serious offence.

He had recently converted to Islam, and over several months discussed a series of plots to kill scores of people in Southern California, prosecutors said.

The motive behind the attack was revenge for the March 2019 attacks on two New Zealand mosques that left 50 people dead, they added.

Domingo posted one online message saying 'America needs another Vegas event,' an apparent reference to the October 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas that killed 59 people, documents show.

Prosecutors said Monday that Mark Domingo (pictured), 28, was arrested in 2019 for planning to plant a bomb at a white supremacist rally Sunday in Long Beach. He allegedly told an FBI informant that he wanted to kill officers and set off explosives

Domingo allegedly had plans to plant the bomb at a White Supremacist rally in Long Beach, that was due to be held on April 28, 2019. The rally never materialized, and a counter-protest was held in the park instead

He said it would spark civil unrest to weaken 'America by giving them a taste of the terror they gladly spread all over the world.'

The terror plot was foiled by the FBI and police using an undercover officer and informant Domingo thought were his accomplices.

Military records show Domingo served about 16 months in the Army, including a four-month stint in Afghanistan in fall 2012.

A U.S. official told The Associated Press in 2019 that Domingo was demoted and discharged before completing his enlistment contract for committing an unspecified serious offense.

He left with a rank of private, the lowest possible grade.

On April 28, 2019, news website the Long Beach Post reported that the white nationalist rally never materialised, and Bluff Park instead hosted a counter-protest that was mobilised against the potential rally.

Mark Domingo was an infantryman who served a combat stint in Afghanistan. He is pictured left in 2012 taking an Afghan man's fingerprints as part of the military's effort to gather biometric data on the residents

According to an FBI affidavit filed in 2019 in Los Angeles federal court and detailed by Los Angeles Daily News, Domingo plotted during March and April 2019 to 'to manufacture and use a weapon of mass destruction in order to commit mass murder.'

'On April 23 and 24, 2019, Domingo purchased several hundred nails to be used as shrapnel inside an explosive device, and provided the nails to a person whom Domingo believed to be a collaborator, but who was in fact an undercover law enforcement officer working for the FBI, for the purpose of having the (officer) manufacture weapons of mass destruction for Domingo to use in an upcoming attack,' according to the affidavit.

He made a series of online posts and had discussions with the FBI informant, in which he described 'his support for violent jihad and his aspiration to conduct an attack in the Los Angeles area,' the affidavit says.

One of his posts referenced the then-recent attacks on Mosques in New Zealand - Christchurch mosque shootings that killed 51 people - and said 'there must be retribution.'

In early March 2019, he is alleged if the affidavit to have posted a video in which he professed his devotion to the Muslim faith, and the following day wrote online that 'america needs another vegas event  something to kick off civil unrest  and its not about winning the civil war its about weakening america and giving them a taste of the terror they gladly spread all over the world.'

White nationalists never showed up to the planned event in Bluff Park on April 28, 2019, but a large group of counter protesters (pictured) demonstrated instead

The FBI posited Domingo considered a number of different targets to attack, including shooting police officers, churches and a military facility.

The affidavit states that the disgraced veteran met repeatedly with a person he believed to be a co-conspirator who was actually an FBI informant.

During their meetings, he is said to have discussed carrying out a mass-casualty attack and plans to obtain an explosive device and firearms to carry it out.

In one of their meetings, Domingo allegedly 'drew a diagram and explained multiple scenarios for how he could attack police officers,' the affidavit says.

Domingo allegedly plotted with the informant to obtain the explosive device, and also purchased the three-inch nails he wanted to plant inside the bomb to cause further damage and injuries, the files claim.

Upon learning that the white supremacist rally at the Long Beach park might be cancelled, Domingo and the informant discussed other potential targets.

Pictured: The FBI briefing in 2019 beside photos of Domingo, who was arrested in connection with an alleged terror plot targeting Southern California sites

Domingo allegedly told the FBI informant that he thought about orchestrating attacks on other busy places, such as Santa Monica Pier (pictured above, file photo)

According to the affidavit, these included a Saturday rally in Huntington Beach or a simmer attack on LA's Santa Monica Peer.

Despite this, Domingo told the informant on April 24, 2019 he was again focused on the planning Long Beach rally, the files say.

Domingo was arrested on April 26, 2019 federal officials said at the time, after an undercover officers delivered mock explosive devices - which the suspect believed were real.

The group travelled to Long Beach to survey the rally and to determine where best to place the explosives so it would cause the most damage.

'During the drive (to the park), Domingo said the plan was to arrive early in the morning on Sunday, before too many people showed up for the rally, and disguise themselves as counter-protesters,' according to the affidavit.

'As Domingo drove past the Port of Long Beach, Domingo told (the informant and undercover officer) that if they survived the attack on Sunday, they could conduct further attacks, including at the Long Beach Port, which Domingo said would significantly disrupt the U.S. economy. Domingo also discussed initiating an attack on a train.'

According to the affidavit, while they were at Bluff Park Domingo said 'they should try to find the most `crowded' areas in order to kill the most people in the attack.'
Anthony Albanese has deleted a Tweet where he commented 'absolute gold' on a story about a 102-year-old woman being hounded by Centrelink.

The Labor leader made the two-word comment under a 10 News story about western Sydney pensioner Anne Hawkins who was told her payment would be cut off if she didn't show proof of age which she didn't have.

Ms Hawkins' local Labor MP Tony Burke highlighted the mistake and forced Government Services Minister Linda Reynolds to apologise and back down.

Anthony Albanese has deleted a Tweet (above) where he commented 'absolute gold' on a story about a 102-year-old woman being hounded by Centrelink

Mr Albanese (pictured) said he was simply expressing his delight that the case was resolved

Apparently delighted with the successful outcome, Mr Albanese Tweeted 'absolute gold' - but his team later removed the comment because it looked like he was celebrating the government stuff-up which caused distress to the family.

The Labor leader told Daily Mail Australia: 'I was very pleased that this disturbing case was resolved by the hard work of Tony Burke and his office and the result it achieved for this woman and her family.'

A Labor spokesman added: 'The tweet was taken down by the social media team after reflection that it might be misinterpreted.'

Ms Hawkins, from Punchbowl, was told last month she had to show proof of identity to keep getting her payment - but all she had was an Australian citizenship certificate.

When her family explained this, they were advised to get her a NSW proof of age card, which would require lodging documents in person during a Covid-19 outbreak.

Punchbowl resident Anne Hawkins was told last month she had to show proof of identity or have her Centrelink payments cut off

Son Frank (pictured) said it was inexcusable Centrelink demanded the frail elderly woman come to a branch in the middle of a pandemic in a Covid hotspot

Given Ms Hawkins is bedbound, she would 'need to be taken there by ambulance and wheeled into the centre in a hospital bed', her daughter said.

The family spent hours on the phone to Centrelink attempting to resolve the issue but was met with resistance from the government agency - and Ms Hawkins even joked that she might need to get a job.

Her family said it was inexcusable Centrelink demanded the frail elderly woman come to a branch in the middle of a pandemic in a Covid hotspot.

Government Services Minister Linda Reynolds said in a statement she was 'sincerely' sorry and would handle the case.

'I am also looking into the precise events to determine what exactly has occurred and any need for changes to the Services Australia's procedures and communication,' she said.

'The health and safety of customers and staff is Services Australia's highest priority, and the agency is strictly adhering to the health orders set down by the relevant state governments.'
President Joe Biden is exploring the idea of shortening federal prison sentences for those locked up for drug crimes, his top spokesperson said on Wednesday.

'We are working hard every day to reform our justice system in order to strengthen families, boost our economy and give people a chance at a better future,' White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters on Wednesday.

'The president is deeply committed to reducing incarceration and helping people successfully reenter society.

'And he said too many people are incarcerated - too many are black and brown - and he's therefore exploring multiple avenues to provide relief to certain nonviolent drug offenders, including through the use of his clemency power.'

President Joe Biden is exploring the idea of shortening federal prison sentences for those locked up for drug crimes, his top spokesperson, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki (left), said on Wednesday

The US has one of the highest prison populations in the world and 33% of all inmates are black Federal prisons account for around 200,000 inmates in the United States, while another 1.3 million are held in state prisons, according to the Bureau of Justice. State inmates make up 89 percent of the total U.S. prison population. Just 17 percent of the total prison population are in jail for drugs offences. The majority, 49 percent, are in jail for violent offences including murder, manslaughter, rape, sexual assault, robbery and common assault. Thirty-three percent of all prisoners are black, nearly triple their 12 percent share of the U.S. adult population; 31 percent are white, about half their 63 percent share of the adult population; and 23 percent are Hispanic, compared with 16 percent of the adult population. Forty percent of homicide inmates are black, 29 percent are Hispanic and 25 percent are white. Ninety-two percent of prisoners are male, 8 percent are female. Forty-nine percent of prisoners in the US are aged between 25 and 39. Louisiana had the highest imprisonment rate in 2019 (680 per 100,000), followed by Oklahoma (639 per 100,000), Mississippi (636 per 100,000), Arkansas (586 per 100,000), and Arizona (558 per 100,000). Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont had the lowest imprisonment rates, with each having fewer than 200 sentenced prisoners per 100,000 residents. Source: Bureau of Justice Advertisement

Federal prisons account for around 200,000 inmates in the United States, while another 1.3 million are held in state prisons, according to the Bureau of Justice.

State inmates make up 89 percent of the total U.S. prison population.

Just 17 percent of the total prison population is in jail for drugs offences.

The majority, 49 percent, are in jail for violent offences including murder, manslaughter, rape, sexual assault, robbery and common assault.

Thirty-three percent of all prisoners are black, nearly triple their 12 percent share of the U.S. adult population; 31 percent are white, about half their 63 percent share of the adult population; and 23 percent are Hispanic, compared with 16 percent of the adult population.

Forty percent of homicide inmates are black, 29 percent are Hispanic and 25 percent are white.

Bidens granting of clemency would be a reversal of his policies as a senator from Delaware in the 1990s.

Biden was chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee when Congress and President Bill Clinton approved the crime bill, which created the three strikes mandating life imprisonment for certain violent felons.

But times have changed as the tough-on-crime measures that Biden supported three decades ago are now blamed for mass incarceration.

The US puts people in prison at a rate of 419 per 100,000 of the national population, the BoJ states. That rate is at is lowest in 24 years, the Bureau says.

Nonetheless, America is often said to have one of the highest incarceration rates in the world, compared to notoriously tough countries like Russia (331 per 100,000) and China (121 per 100,000).

When Biden announced his plans to run for the presidency in 2019, Biden pledged to reverse several key provisions of the 1994 crime bill.

Biden, as a candidate, called for an end to the disparity that placed stricter sentencing terms on offenses involving crack versus powder cocaine as well as an end to the federal death penalty, which the legislation authorized as a potential punishment for an increasing number of crimes.

The legislation that was sponsored by then-Senator Biden was officially known as the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994.

In the early 1990s, the rate of violent crime in American cities peaked to record highs, which fueled public demand for punitive measures against repeat offenders.

The laws on the books at the time also imposed harsher penalties on drug convicts who were caught with crack cocaine as opposed to powder cocaine.

Since crack cocaine is a cheaper alternative to powder cocaine, it was more readily available in low-income neighborhoods inhabited by minorities.

The disparity in sentences for crack cocaine versus powder cocaine is blamed for the surge in mass incarceration since the 1980s and 90s.

Bidens granting of clemency would be a reversal of his policies as a senator from Delaware in the 1990s. Biden was chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee when Congress and President Bill Clinton approved the crime bill, which created the three strikes mandating life imprisonment for certain violent felons. Biden is seen right in 1994 alongside Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell of Maine

A bipartisan consensus has emerged over the need to reduce the prison population by lessening penalties for non-violent offenders.

Bidens predecessor, Donald Trump, ran on a platform of law and order, but he also signed into law the First Step Act, which gives judges more discretion in sentencing.

The law also eases mandatory minimum sentences and encourages inmates to participate in programs aimed at reducing recidivism.

Thousands of inmates have been released before the end of their sentences thanks to the legislation.
Two women who travelled together from Sydney to Melbourne without a permit while infected with coronavirus have been fined.

The women travelled on flight QF-471 on Monday about 5pm and landed in Melbourne Airport about 6.30pm without clearance for the trip.

Travel into Victoria from NSW is banned without an exemption as Sydney battles a Covid outbreak that added 345 more cases on Wednesday.

Both women were put into hotel quarantine on arrival when it was discovered they didn't have the right permits. They were fined $5,452 each.

Two women have tested positive for Covid after they flew from Sydney to Melbourne without a permit (stock image)

Two days later, they both tested positive to coronavirus during routine testing in hotel quarantine.

Victoria's Covid commander Jeroen Weimer said the unauthorised arrivals testing positive showed why Sydney was an 'extreme red zone'.

'This is why we are putting such significant barriers in place to limit all unnecessary travel between our states at this most critical time,' he said.

Mr Weimer said all passengers on the flight would be forced into 14 days of isolation and will all be tested for coronavirus.

More than 6,000 passengers were stopped at Melbourne Airport this month with 190 of those being put into hotel quarantine and 65 being returned to where they flew from.

The two women were both put into hotel quarantine and tested for Covid when they arrived in Melbourne. Their tests came back positive on Wednesday (stock image)

Mr Weimer said if those two cases had not been stopped, they could have spread it throughout the Melbourne and wider Victorian community.

When asked about checking permits before travellers leave zones, he said that it is an extreme red zone so Victoria isn't seeing many people travelling, and those that are travelling should have exemptions.

'We have worked long and hard with authorities through this pandemic, and we continue to implore and ask for support of the airlines and authorities to check in as much as they can before people get on flights.'

'We are managing risk at our end. I sympathise with colleagues interstate. They are busy as well so we will continue to manage it as we can,' he said.

'But it is frustrating when we continue to see people coming through with the wrong documentation.'

Border permits will be implemented starting from Friday to help keep track of people coming into Victoria (stock image)

This follows Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews' decision to make anyone travelling over the border obtain a border permit to ensure that there is as little transmission between states as possible.

This permit will be enforced from 6pm onwards on Friday and will be available online in the afternoon of Thursday.

'It is challenging for border communities... it is so important that we continue to manage those border permit systems and have a good sense of who's coming across the border and that those testing obligations are clearly in place,' Mr Weimer said.

These two cases are part of the 23 new Covid cases announced in Victoria at today's press conference.
A Mississippi hospital has become the latest to set up an overflow tent as COVID cases surge - with 70 of its staff currently quarantined because of virus exposure.

Crews were setting up a 50-bed mobile hospital for overflow patients at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson on Wednesday.

It was erected in the facility's covered concrete parking lot after the facility hit capacity, and suffered a massive staff shortage because of the virus.

'All of our hospitals are full,' Dr. Alan Jones, UMMC associate vice chancellor for clinical affairs, told WAPT.

'Our biggest pain point is some of our nursing and nursing staff availability,' echoed UMMC Vice Chancellor Dr. LouAnne Woodward.

The University of Mississippi Medical Center is setting up a 50-bed mobile hospital for overflow patients as the state sees a surge in COVID cases

Hospital officials say the facility has hit capacity amid staffing shortages, noting that 70 employees are currently quarantined due to COVID-19

According to UMMC officials, the pediatric hospital is completely full and while there are some adult beds available, they cannot be used because the hospital doesn't have enough healthcare workers to treat those patients.

The hospital reportedly has 70 employees currently quarantined due to COVID-19. It is unclear if those staff have the virus, or have been exposed to it and must quarantine until they test negative. DailyMail.com has contacted the hospital for further comment.

The temporary medical facility, which is being housed on the bottom floor of Garage B, will be used to help patients who need to see a medical provider, but do not warrant hospitalization or emergency department care.

It will also offer a treatment for COVID patients involving IV infusion of monoclonal antibodies, which has been recommended by State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs, WLBT reported.

The mobile hospital will be staffed with federally provided personnel from the U.S. Health and Human Services, none of whom are Mississippi residents. Hospital officials note it could be weeks before these workers arrive on site.

It is unclear how long the overflow facility will operate once staffed, however, officials note this likely depends on 'how long the Delta variant continues to spike cases'.

As of Wednesday, UMMC was treating 126 coronavirus patients, including 21 pediatric patients.

'We're back at this point where no one wanted to be. We are concerned about what is on the horizon over the next few weeks and months,' Woodward said.

'Are we at the peak? Will it be another month? We don't know. We don't know the impact of schools opening.'

The mobile hospital will be staffed with federally provided personnel from the U.S. Health and Human Services, none of whom are Mississippi residents

Hospital officials note it could be weeks before these workers arrive on site

Workers prepare the hospital's parking lot for its COVID overflow facility

Intensive care nurses prepare to move a COVID positive patient into a new bed on August 11

UMMC set up a mobile hospital last year, in the height of the pandemic, in an effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 between patients.

Now, the reopening of the facility comes as hospitals across Mississippi are struggling to find room for patients.

'This is our nightmare,' Jones explained, noting that some hospitals have been placed on 'diversion,' meaning they cannot take new patients.

Two days ago, state health officials reported that no intensive-care beds were available at any hospital in the state, according to the Mississippi Free Press.

While Mississippi does have a statewide system in effect allowing hospitals without room to treat critical or COVID-19 patients to transfer these individuals to facilities that can provide care, Jones argued the state's hospital system could fail without government intervention.

'Since the pandemic began, I think the thing that hospitals have feared the most is total failure of the hospital system. And if we track back a week or so when we look at the case positivity rate, the rate of new cases, the rate of hospitalizationsIf we continue that trajectory within the next five to seven to 10 days, I think we're going to see failure of the hospital system in Mississippi,' he explained.

Meanwhile, healthcare experts say that the best thing citizens can do to aid this situation is to get the coronavirus shot.

'What will really help our problem is to get more people vaccinated,' Woodward said, noting that 90 percent of UMMC's COVID-19 patients are unvaccinated.

Mississippi is seeing a rise in hospitalizations of COVID patients. State health officials say 90 percent of those hospitalized are unvaccinated

Coronavirus cases have soared in Mississippi over the last month, rising from a seven-day average of 267 new cases per day a month ago to 2,640 as of Tuesday.

Data from the state health department indicates a total of 371,712 cases in the state and 7,710 deaths. Fatalities have increased from a seven-day average of about three deaths per day a month ago to more than 13.

The state reported 1,410 people hospitalized and 371 in intensive care units.

However, the number of Mississippi residents getting vaccinated has 'doubled or tripled' in the past few weeks, Woodward reported.

As of Wednesday, 2,295,201 Mississippians had received at least one dose of the COVID vaccine and 1,062,396, or 35 percent of the population, are fully vaccinated.

41 percent of that state has received its first shot.

DailyMail.com contacted UMMC for comment and is awaiting response.
Posting a selfie after receiving your coronavirus vaccine may go a long way to convincing friends and family to get the jab, experts suggest.

Social media is littered with selfies of vaccinated Australians with a circular bandaid on their arm and proudly displaying their vaccination certificates.

People have playfully referred to the images as 'Vaxxies', but doctors say the vanity exercise could be an important one.

Posting a selfie after receiving your coronavirus vaccine may go a long way to convincing friends and family to seeking their own jab, according to experts

'It's really good for transparency, because it's unmediated, it's not being filtered through any formal channels,' Dr Katie Attwell from the University of Western Australia told the ABC.

'It's direct people in the public talking about their experience with the vaccine.'

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian is pinning the end of Sydney's lockdown to high vaccination rates with a target of six million jabs by the end of August.

'Once you get to 50 per cent vaccination, 60 per cent, 70 per cent, that triggers more freedoms. We can turn this around in four weeks,' she said last week.

'We have the month of August to get the vaccination rates as high as possible. Let August be the month where we break records with the vaccination.'

The federal government's Doherty Report also settled on a magic number of between 70 and 80 per cent of the population to scrap lockdowns for good.

NSW's vaccination rate sits below 20 per cent for those who have received both jabs and 35 per cent have received only one dose.

Hollywood actress Isla Fisher is one of many celebrities who have shared images of themselves getting vaccinated, with officials hoping more will follow suit

But with 4.5 million more Pfizer jabs to be delivered to Australia in August, federal health officials are confident NSW could carry out about 650,000 vaccinations a week.

At that rate, NSW could hit its target of 70 per cent coverage by early September.

Thousands of Australians, particularly younger adults, have been sharing images post vaccination to their social media accounts.

The practice has become a tired one, but experts believe it could be crucial to normalising the vaccination of the population.

'Even if people are posting things like, 'l felt shoddy the next day, I don't feel good,' even that is positive, because they're still saying they're glad they've done it,' Dr Attwell said.

She said young people receiving the AstraZeneca shot could go a huge way in seeing the population innoculated.

'That means for those who choose to be vaccinated with AZ, they are really having to take this health decision-making into their own hands,' she said.

Doctors hope the sharing of Vaxxies could encourage other Australians to seek their vaccine

Young people normalising the vaccine, which has been used in the UK for people of all ages, could go a long way to convincing others.

Australians don't particularly like being told what to do, Dr Attwell said, and subliminally encouraging the youth to seek vaccines could be a direct response from Vaxxies.

"No-one likes to be told what to do [and] messages that nudge behaviour rather than force behaviour tend to be better,' she said.

Celebrities also play a role in the normalising of vaccines, with dozens posting their own Vaxxies after getting the jab.

Hollywood actress Isla Fisher is one of many non-politicians who have shared images of themselves getting vaccinated, with officials hoping more will follow suit to encourage the rest of the country to seek theirs.
Australia's most prominent Muslim couple, Waleed Aly and Susan Carland, have opened up about the treatment of former ABC host Yassmin Abdel-Magied in a Youtube workshop for students.

The Zoom workshop on 'effective media management', posted on the Centre for Islamic Sciences and Civilisation Youtube channel, saw students asking Aly and Carland questions on their experiences and advice as media identities.

One of the first questions was about the furore that erupted around Ms Abdel-Magied in 2017.

The former Australia Wide presenter and Queensland Australian of the Year in 2015 became the subject of intense criticism after she appeared on Q&A in 2017 and described Islam as a 'feminist' religion.

Waleed Aly and Susan Carland opened up about the treatment of former ABC host Yassmin Abdel-Magied in a Zoom workshop on 'effective media management'

Ms Abdel-Magied became a target for abuse after an appearance on Q&A and a Facebook post on Anzac Day in 2017

Ms Abdel-Magied's 2017 Anzac Day post, which she later apologised for but which was criticised by government ministers and on social media

She also described what Sharia law meant to her as merely 'praying five times day' and 'to follow the law of the land on which you are on', in response to questions by Independent Senator Jacquie Lambie.

On Anzac Day the same year, Ms Abdel-Magied posted to Facebook, 'LEST.WE.FORGET. (Manus, Nauru, Syria, Palestine...)'

Though she apologised soon after, she was widely condemned for the post on social media by Minister for Immigration Peter Dutton, Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce and media outlets.

The attacks on Ms Abdel-Magied, which included death threats and abusive phone calls, saw the Sudanese-Australian move to London in mid-2017 after she'd described herself as 'Australia's most publicly hated Muslim'.

'I don't think really she did anything wrong,' Ms Carland said in response to a student's question.

'She was up against a behemoth organisation that decided it wanted to destroy an individual and she was one of the unlucky ones in that situation,' she said.

Ms Carland said many Australian Muslim women had contacted her to say they would never engage with media in Australia because of Ms Abdel-Magied's treatment.

'That is an outrageous loss for our community,' she said.

'Yassmin was treated in a way that was unconscionable and brutally unfair,' Mr Aly agreed.

'I would say she did nothing wrong, in some kind of moral sense.'

Mr Aly (left) said he understood what Ms Abdel-Magied had been through, while Ms Carland (right) said her treatment meant other Muslim women in Australia did not want to engage with the media

Ms Abdel-Magied moved to London in mid-2017 after she'd described herself as 'Australia's most publicly hated Muslim'

The Project host said he spoke from experience when answering the question.

'News Corp has been gunning for me for 15 years now,' he said.

He advised students who wanted to pursue a career in media not to expect 'things to be fair', and reserved one criticism for Ms Abdel-Magied's Anzac Day post.

'I would say that the Facebook post she did was strategically unwise,' he said.

'The heat was rising, the focus was really sharp.

'There comes a time when you go, what's the upside and the downside of doing this particular thing?

'The upside ... was just about zero, and the downside was potentially significant.'
An Ohio woman has married a man convicted of murdering her half-brother after writing him a letter while he was in jail to forgive him.

Crystal Strauss got hitched to John Tiedjen, 57, earlier this month after he was freed on bond awaiting a retrial for murdering Brian McGary, 18, in April 1989.

McGary was Strauss's half-sibling - they shared the same mom - and Tiedjen's roommate at the time of his fatal shooting and stabbing after the men spent a night drinking heavily and smoking weed. He was also Tiedjen's stepbrother, and the two men had grown up together.

The convict's romance with Straus began with a letter she wrote to him in prison in which she offered forgiveness in her brother's death, News 5 in Cleveland reported. She ultimately came to believe in his innocence.

Tiedjen and Straus, both from Cleveland, exchanged vows at Tiedjen's home, where he is on house arrest while awaiting a new trial, according to reports.

Kimberly Corral, Tiedjen's attorney, officiated their wedding.

'With all my heart I love her. There is nobody else I think about, and I want to be with her my whole life,' Tiedjen told News 5 in Cleveland. 'And I wrote her a letter back and I said, 'I didn't do it, take a look at this stuff.'

John Tiedjen was convicted for killing Crystal Strauss' stepbrother, Brian McGary in 1989. However his conviction has been reversed after 32 years of incarnation, and Tiedjen and Strauss are now married

'I love him, obviously,' Straus said. 'If I didn't love him, I would not be sitting here with him.'

It's no given Tiedjen will be found not guilty the second time around, amid concerns a corrupt cop overstated the convicted murderer's involvement in the killing.

Tiedjen popped the question to Straus on the phone on New Year's 2020, when they weren't sure he'd ever get out of prison, according to the Washington Post.

'We'll get through this,' Straus said, according to News 5 Cleveland. 'It's going to be a challenge, there's no doubt about it.'

'It's definitely not a fairy tale,' Kendall Corral said of the romance, according to the Post. 'But it's so genuine.'

Tiedjen was 25 years old when McGary was found dead in the apartment the men shared, and served 32 years for the murder.

However, in 1987, Tiedjen was on probation for a rape conviction, but always claimed his innocence for the murder charge by saying that McGary had committed suicide at the time.

He confessed to killing McGary in an act of self-defense after an intensive interrogation by detectives, but insists he can't remember anything that happened on the night of the murders.

Tiedjen's lawyer, Kimberly Corral, officiated his marriage to Strauss

The Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office thinks it still has a solid case, telling News 5 it has evidence Tiedjen asked a friend to dispose of the gun that killed McGary.

On the other hand, Tiedjen's attorneys have argued evidence points to McGary having committed suicide.

McGary, who was Tiedjen's roommate, was found dead in their apartment with a stab wound and a fatal gunshot wound to the head, according to police reports.

After intense interrogation, Tiedjen signed a statement that said he shot his roommate in self-defense, Boston 25 reported.

According to the Plain Dealer, a Cleveland newspaper, a detective repeatedly lied during the interrogation about the strength of the case against Tiedjen, who had said he didn't remember what happened after he and McGary got home.

The detective also allegedly threatened Tiedjen and told him he'd get a better deal if he said he'd shot his stepbrother in self-defense.

Straus said she wrote Tiedjen a letter forgiving him a few years ago, beginning what Tiedjen called "something magical."

Tiedjen's biological brother also told detectives Tiedjen had confessed to killing McGary.

The newspaper reported that Tiedjen's fingerprint was found on the stock of the rifle. None of his blood was found, however, and Tiedjen told News 5 this week that there was no physical evidence tying him to the shooting.

'I had no powder burns, no gunshot residue, no blood, no cuts, no scrapes, nothing on my person or me or my clothing,' he said.

McGarys blood was found on the barrel of the rifle, indicating hed been shot at fairly close range. Detectives found several .22-caliber bullets in McGarys pants pocket.

Six weeks after his arrest, Tiedjens trial was underway. He recanted his confession, professing his innocence, but on June 2, 1989, a jury found him guilty of murder with a firearms specification.

Tiedjen allegedly encouraged Strauss to look into the evidence from the case. She became convinced he wasn't her stepbrother's killer.

Tiedjen was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison. An additional three years were tacked on for the use of a firearm, court documents state.

After the trial, Tiedjens appellate lawyers learned that McGary was on prescription medication that was later determined to carry an increased risk of suicidal tendencies, the paper reported. McGarys father had also killed himself several years earlier.

All Tiedjens appeals were denied until 2016, when his defense attorneys sought to file a motion for a new trial based on newly discovered evidence. They argued that more than 70 crime scene photos had been kept hidden by police, the prosecutor or both.

More than 30 pages of police reports were also withheld, his lawyers alleged.

Tiedjen is due in court for a pretrial hearing August 31.
A pizza shop owner and his friend have been charged with raping a young woman in a public toilet block after meeting her at a nearby bar.

Alberto Nicoletti, 29, who runs a pizza restaurant in Como, Western Australia, and his friend Vincenzo Mineo, 36, met the woman at The Lookout bar in Scarborough on March 14.

The pair allegedly told the woman they were in a 'gay relationship' before offering her cocaine, police prosecutors told Perth Magistrates Court on Thursday.

Sergeant Mike OLeary told the court the pair then allegedly led her to a toilet in a nearby park before locking the disabled cubicle and raping the woman.

The victim, aged in her 20s, reported being sexually assaulted soon after the alleged attack, The West reported.

The arrest of Nicoletti and Mineo comes after police released CCTV footage of two men of interest who were seen leaving the public toilet block in Scarborough on the night of the alleged attack.

Pizza shop owner Alberto Nicoletti (pictured) has been charged with raping a woman

Alberto Nicoletti and Vincenzo Mineo have both been charged with raping a woman in Perth on March 14 (pictured, one of the men after his arrest)

The toilet place where the alleged sexual assault took place is close to a children's playground and skate park.

WA police confirmed on Wednesday Nicoletti and Mineo had been arrested over the alleged attack.

Detectives have also been contacted by other women also allegedly assaulted by the pair.

Nicoletti was charged with two counts of aggravated sexual penetration without consent, four counts of sexual penetration without consent, two counts of indecent assault, aggravated indecent assault and deprivation of liberty.

Mineo also faces a raft of charges, including two counts of aggravated sexual penetration without consent, sexual penetration without consent and aggravated indecent assault.

A colleague of Nicoletti at Lago di Como said the arrest of his boss had shocked staff.

'It was a surprise. I know him quite well, I am working with him,' he told the West Australian.

'It's a shame. I saw the news. I am working here one year already and he's a good boss.'

Police will continue their investigation and anyone with any information urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Western Australia police released CCTV footage after the woman was allegedly raped in a toilet block in March
A Maryland fire department captain died after he fell through the floor and into the basement of a burning home engulfed by flames believed to have been caused by a lightning strike.

As he was trapped in the burning home on Wednesday, Joshua Laird, 46, of the Green Valley Fire Station in Frederick County, radioed to his colleagues, asking them to tell my family I love them.

The news of Lairds death was first reported by WJLA-TV.

Laird, a 21-year veteran of the station, responded to a report of a fire at a home in the 9500 block of Ball Road in Ijamsville, a town that lies about 45 miles west of Baltimore.

Joshua Laird, 46, of the Green Valley Fire Station in Frederick County, Maryland, died after responding to a fire in Ijamsville, a town about 45 miles west of Baltimore

Laird, a 21-year veteran of the station, responded to a report of a fire at a home in the 9500 block of Ball Road in Ijamsville, a town that lies about 45 miles west of Baltimore

A severe storm had passed through the area that afternoon, leading fire officials to suspect that a lightning strike may have been to blame for the blaze

A severe storm had passed through the area that afternoon, leading fire officials to suspect that a lightning strike may have been to blame for the blaze.

Firefighters saw heavy fires and smoke emanating from the roof and asked for backup, according to The Frederick News-Post.

Laird and his comrades from the Green Valley Fire Station arrived on the scene.

'The crew from [Green Valley] made entry into the home, and shortly after a mayday was transmitted,' Frederick County Division of Fire and Rescue Services Chief Tom Coe said.

Initial reports of a fire came in at around 4:45pm. The strength of the blaze was such that it was still burning at 6:30pm.

Initial reports of a fire came in at around 4:45pm. The strength of the blaze was such that it was still burning at 6:30pm

A local union representing firefighters mourned Laird in a public statement

Deputy Chief Steve Leatherman said a firefighter fell through the floor of the home at 5:07pm.

First responders pulled Laird from the burning house and immediately began attempts to resuscitate him.

He was then flown by Maryland State Police helicopter to MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC.

The fire is under investigation.

'Today, tragedy has befallen our family,' Stephen Jones, president of the Career Firefighters and Paramedics, IAFF Local 3666, wrote to the News-Post.

'While we are keenly aware of the dangers of our profession, every day we put on our uniform with the hope that we will safely return home.

'We stand ready to support the Laird family, and each other, as we grieve this loss.'
'Squad' member Ilhan Omar 's office has fears that her life in danger over new attack ads claiming she sees no difference between America and the Taliban

'Squad' member Ilhan Omar's office has fears that her life in danger over new attack ads claiming she sees no difference between America and the Taliban, according to her spokesman.

'Stand with American. Stand against terrorists,' reads an anti-Omar American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) ad.

'For Ilhan Omar, there is no difference between America and the Taliban. Between Israel and Hamas. Between democracies and terrorism.'

'Tell Rep. Omar, condemn terrorists, not America.'

'When Israel targets Hamas, Rep. Omar calls it an 'act of terrorism,' another of their ads states.

But the Minnesota representative's spokesman Jeremy Slevin hit out at the advert on Twitter, claiming the AIPAC ad was Islamophobic, and potentially puts Omar in danger of being killed.

'The language AIPAC uses in paid ads to smear and vilify [Omar] is virtually identical to the language used in death threats she gets,' Slevin wrote.

'Make no mistake: AIPAC is putting Rep. Omar's life at risk with repeated Islamophobic attack ads.'

The Omar rep posted a screenshot of one attack ad where AIPAC repeats a comment she made in June comparing Israel to the Taliban and Hamas, as well as a screenshot of a tweet by Omar where the outspoken young politician posted about a death threat she received.

Ilhan Omar spokesman says American Israel Public Affairs Committee's attack ads (pictured) are putting her 'life at risk' as death threats against Minnesota Democrat Rep

'When Israel targets Hamas, Rep. Omar calls it an 'act of terrorism,' another of their ads states

Omar spokesperson Jeremy Slevin made the accusation on Twitter, and singled out AIPAC for inciting potentially deadly Islamophobic hate via their recent attack advertisements

'We have seen unthinkable atrocities committed by the US, Hamas, Israel, Afghanistan, and the Taliban,' Omar tweeted in June.

'I asked [Secretary of State Antony Blinken] where people are supposed to go for justice.'

Omar eventually distanced herself from the comments after received widespread backlash from both Democrats and Republicans alike, however she later stated that she did not regret drawing the comparison.

Meanwhile, an AIPAC spokesperson told Fox News that their advertisements against Omar simply reiterate her own words to use against her, especially when calling America and Israel terrorist states.

'The ad concerning Representative Omar is completely fair and accurate,' the spokesperson said.

'It is not a personal attack and highlights her outrageous statement putting the United States and Israel on the same level as the Taliban and Hamas.'

Omar has previously faced repeated claims of anti-Semitism, and of playing down terrorist atrocities.

In February 2019, she said she 'unequivocally apologized' after replying to a tweet by journalist Glenn Greenwald asking why then GOP leader Kevin McCarthy had threatened to sanction her for criticizing Israel.

She responded 'It's all about the Benjamins baby' - a reference to money - and was condemned for spreading an anti-Semitic trope painting Jewish people as money-obsessed.

And in February 2019 Omar, who arrived in the US as a Somalian refugee, faced further scrutiny after referring to the 9/11 terror attacks as when 'some people did something.'

She said she had been taken out of context.
The father of the 19-month-old boy who was mauled by the family dog has been photographed on his perp walk after being charged with criminally-negligent homicide.

Vernon Foster, 30, was charged with manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, and acting in a manner injurious to a child.

Foster was pictured cuffed and masked as he was led out of a police precinct in Brooklyn on Wednesday night and put into a waiting cop car to be taken to jail.

He did not answer reporters questions as he was put into the back of the car during a heavy thunderstorm.

The dad left his three small children - aged 11, nine, and 19-months - home alone with the Rottweiler named Buster, who has a history of aggression. Buster is said to have bitten one of the other children on a previous occasion.

Youngest child Ryan Francis Foster was brutally and fatally attacked by the family pet while unattended.

Vernon Foster, 30, was charged with criminal negligent homicide after leaving three sons with aggressive Rottweiler because he had to go to work

The dog attacked his 19-month-old son Ryan, fatally injuring the boy, who was pronounced at Maimonides Hospital in Brooklyn

The dog Buster alleged attacked one of Foster's other children in 2019 and has a history of aggressive behavior

The two older boys ran outside for help after the dog attacked their brother. The dog was later taken away by Animal Care and Control

He was shown leaving the 70th precinct in Brooklyn after being charged.

The toddler was being watched by his older siblings while their parents were out, according to the NYPD.

Sources told the New York Daily News that the child's father had left the boy with his two older brothers - aged 11 and nine - in the family's ground floor apartment at E. 17th St. at Cortelyou Road when he went to work.

A toddler was mauled to death by his family's Rottweiler in their New York City home last night

The attack on the 19-month-old happened around 10:45 p.m. on Tuesday at the family's Flatbush home in Brooklyn

A toddler has been mauled to death by his family's Rottweiler in their New York City home last night. He had reportedly been left by his father with his two brothers - aged 11 and 9 - in the family's ground floor apartment at E. 17th St. at Cortelyou Road (pictured)

When the dog attacked the toddler, his terrified siblings are said to have run out into the street to flag a passerby down to help. The person pulled the injured baby out of the apartment, the news outlet reported.

Police officers responding to the scene found the baby 'bleeding heavily' from bite wounds to his neck and shoulder, according to officials.

The baby died at Maimonides Hospital - a roughly 15-minute drive away - and the dog was taken away by Animal Care and Control, officials said.

It is unclear if Buster has been destroyed.

When the dog attacked the toddler, his terrified sibling are said to have run out into the street to flag a passerby down to help. The person pulled the injured baby out of the apartment, the news outlet reported. Pictured: File photo of a Rottweiler

Sources said the 11-year-old boy told the police the dog had previously attacked him as well.

Upon their return to the family home, the parents were being interrogated by detectives who were working to determine whether anyone broke the law.

'It's a terrible situation,' NYPD Assistant Chief Michael Kemper said. 'Terrible situation for them and certainly for the family that is affected by this tragedy,' told ABC7 News.
The NSW government made three crucial mistakes leading to the state's disastrous coronavirus outbreak, according to Mark Latham.

The state One Nation leader said the government should have made sure quarantine workers were vaccinated, put a 'ring of steel' around Sydney and more strongly policed lockdown in western Sydney to stop the virus spreading.

In an interview with Daily Mail Australia after the state recorded another 344 cases on Thursday, Mr Latham said Gladys Berejiklian's government got its Covid response 'hopelessly wrong'.

West and south west Sydney (pictured is Bankstown on Thursday) has a large proportion of families who speak foreign languages at home and thousands of insecure workers who need to move around for their jobs

Mark Latham said policing in south west Sydney needs to be stronger to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Pictured: A policeman and solider in Bankstown

The outbreak began on June 16 when an unvaccinated airport limo driver tested positive after probably catching the virus from US freight aircrew before spreading it around Bondi.

Mr Latham said the outbreak could have been stopped at its source if officials had made the sure the driver, who turned down a jab, was vaccinated.

The government later tightened health orders to require designated airport workers, quarantine facility workers and transport providers to be jabbed.

'We're all talking about mandatory vaccinations now but why weren't these people mandated,' Mr Latham said.

The initial outbreak in Bondi was largely snuffed out but the virus transported into west and south-west Sydney where it spread rapidly.

The area has a large proportion of families who speak foreign languages at home and thousands of insecure workers who need to move around for their jobs.

Most of Sydney's cases are being recorded in south-west Sydney. Pictured: Bankstown

The outbreak began on June 16 when an unvaccinated airport limo driver (pictured) tested positive after probably catching the virus from US freight aircrew before spreading it around Bondi

Ms Berejiklian repeatedly said 'compliance' with the lockdown rules was a major problem and Mr Latham said police should have enforced the restrictions better.

'We needed hard, intensive policing in places like Fairfield, Canterbury-Bankstown and Cumberland,' he said.

Mr Latham claimed the government - which denied an offer of help from the Army on 7 July - was reluctant to put more boots on the ground in case it was accused of unfairly targeting culturally diverse areas.

'All of that was a missed opportunity because of wokeness,' Mr Latham said.

Asked why western Sydney would need stronger enforcement than the wealthier east and north, he said: 'Middle class people working from home are more likely to comply.'

On Thursday Ms Berejiklian revealed that Police Commissioner Fuller will ask for extra powers to enforce the lockdown rules in a meeting with the government on Friday afternoon.

Victoria Police and ADF personnel are seen at work at a roadside checkpoint near Donnybrook in 2020 in what was know as Melbourne's ring of steel

'If the Commissioner comes back tomorrow and in the following days and says he needs X, Y and Z, of course we will consider those,' she said.

Mr Latham said this late move 'seems to be an admission they got it hopelessly wrong'.

'The horse has bolted. Many people will be asking where the f*** has the Police Commissioner been for past seven days if he's not already at the top of decision-making,' Mr Latham said.

The One Nation leader also slammed the government for not implementing a 'ring of steel' around Sydney to seal residents in the city with road checkpoints to prevent the virus spreading to the regions.

Parts of the Hunter, central west and Northern Rivers regions are in lockdown after infected people left Sydney and visited.

One Nation leader Mark Latham (pictured) slammed the government for not implementing a 'ring of steel' around Sydney

'A ring of steel around Sydney would have stopped people who took it into the Hunter and beyond, Mr Latham said.

'People in the Hunter were screaming for it, they could see people from Sydney who had been allowed out.'

Ms Berejiklian has said a 'ring of steel' is too difficult and resource-intensive.

'Unless you have literally a police officer outside every single household a ring of steel does not prevent Delta from seeping out,' she said earlier this week.

Mr Latham said if new restrictions are imposed then they must be proven to work to reduce the spread of Covid-19.

'I just hope they don't impose any stupid rules like limiting exercise,' he said.

'There's not been a single transmission outdoors, the issue is not exercising in the park or at the beach, the problem is indoors, visiting family, and cash economy type activities.

'That's where the emphasis needs to be.'

He also said the aim to reduce Covid-19 cases to zero is a 'pipe dream' and 'not a practical objective.'

'The objective now is herd immunity, through vaccination or natural immunity.

'Anyone talking about Covid zero now is on another planet,' he said.
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As the country's largest wildfire burns through Northern California, a fast-growing wildfire in southeastern Montana grows more dangerous, causing evacuations for thousands of residents.

High temperatures and drought conditions that have left trees, grass and brush bone-dry throughout many Western states, leaving them ripe for ignition.

Currently 105 large fires or complexes are burning in the US, torching 2.4 million acres of land.

Of those, 87 of them are concentrated in the Western states of California, Montana, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, the National Interagency Fire Center said.

MONTANA: The Richard Spring fire has threatening hundreds of homes as it burned across the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation

MONTANA: A firefighter watches the flames of the Richard Spring wildfire burn on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation in Montana

MONTANA: An aircraft drops fire retardant to slow the spread of the Richard Spring fire in Montana on Wednesday

More than a hundred large fires or complexes are currently burning in the US, torching 2.4 million acres of land

A plume of smoke rises from the Richard Spring wildfire on Wednesday as the Richard Spring wildfire spreads in Montana

A plume of smoke can be seen in the background as Cascade County sheriff's deputies prevent traffic from passing through along Highway 212 in Montana

In Montana, the Richard Spring Fire has made its way towards the sparsely-populated Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation and has left several thousands of people in the region under evacuation orders.

The town of about 2,000 people is home to the tribal headquarters and several subdivisions and is surrounded by rugged, forested terrain.

Also ordered to leave were about 600 people in and around Ashland, a small town just outside the reservation. Local, state and federal firefighters were joined by ranchers using their own heavy equipment to carve out fire lines around houses.

The Montana blaze has been active since Sunday and has burned though 166,000 acres since Thursday morning and so far has only been 15 percent contained.

Firefighters watch a hillside burn on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation

Rowdy Alexander watches from atop his horse as a hillside burns on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation

Smoke obscures the air and dims the sun over a hillside burned by a recent wildfire, in Missoula, Montana back in July

Powerful wind gusts initially caused the wildfire to explode across more than 230 square miles and by Wednesday the wildfire displayed extreme behavior and had grown by tens of thousands of acres, according to the NIFC.

The wildfire burned along the Tongue River until Wednesday night when it leapt over Highway 212 and crept into the evacuated town of Lame Deer.

Rancher Jimmy Peppers was helpless as he watched the fire approach his home in Lame Deer and forced to herd his cattle onto a neighbor's pasture closer to town

'I didn't think it would cross the highway so I didn't even move my farm equipment,' Peppers told AP. 'I don't know if I'll have a house in the morning.'

Montana is now the wildfire capital of the U.S. with 25 active wildfires currently burning

Juan Valencia, a crewman from Porterville, California keeps an eye out for spot fires from the Dixie Fire near Taylorsville, California as the wildfire is officially the largest in the U.S.

MONTANA: Communities in and around the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation in southeastern Montana were evacuated ahead of the Richard Spring wildfire on Wednesday

MONTANA: Smoke from the Richard Springs wildfire obscures the view of trees on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation

MONTANA: Ashland residents stand in the streets and look on as the Richard Springs wildfire approaches

A burned truck is buried under rubble next to a property that was destroyed by the Dixie Fire in the small town of Greenville

A burned truck sits parked next to a property that was destroyed by the Dixie Fire in Greenville, California

What remains of a building in Plumas County near Taylorsville after the Dixie Fire has reduced several small towns to ash

The extreme behavior of the Richard Spring wildfire has been driven by high winds and low relative humidity combined with high temperatures.

Montana is now the wildfire capital of the U.S. with 25 active wildfires currently burning.

Meanwhile in California the Dixie Fire - which started July 13 and is the largest wildfire burning in the nation - threatened a dozen small communities in the northern Sierra Nevada even though its southern end was mostly corralled by fire lines.

The blaze had burned over 780 square miles and destroyed over 500 homes and left the Gold-rush era town of Greenville in ashes.

The wildfire remains at 30% contained.

In Northern California, a number of wildfires and the threat of more prompted three national forests to close down the Trinity Alps Wilderness Area, a half-million-acre area of granite peaks, lakes and trails, into November.

'Tracking hikers in unsafe areas pulls much-needed aircraft away from firefighting efforts, and adds risk and exposure to first responders. Additionally, forest managers hope to limit the possibility of human-caused fires with this temporary full closure,' said a forest statement.

Scientists have said climate change has made the region much warmer and drier in the past 30 years and will continue to make the weather more extreme and wildfires more frequent and destructive. The more than 100 large wildfires in the American West come as parts of Europe are also burning.
Australia's capital city has been overrun by panic buyers preparing for Canberra's snap seven day lockdown after just one new Covid case was announced in the region.

Three more cases have since been announced - all household contacts of patient zero, a man in his 20s - bringing the surprise cluster to four.

Mayhem hit the major supermarkets across the city as shoppers rushed to stock up on supplies ahead of the 5pm lockdown on Thursday.

Queues of customers lined grocery aisles and some lines even spilled onto the streets outside shopping centres.

Customers crammed into the grocery aisles at Coles shortly after Thursdays press conference confirmed one Covid-19 case has sparked a seven day lockdown - with three more cases since announced

Panic set in as ACT Minister Andrew Barr announced the territory would be plunged into a seven day lockdown from 5pm during a press conference on Thursday.

Under the snap lockdown restrictions residents are still able to leave their homes for essential groceries and supplies but Minister Barr said the use of CBR check-in codes was 'critical'.

Minister Andrew Barr said the raft of lockdown restrictions were taken as a precautionary measure due to the unknown source of the positive Covid-19 case.

Shoppers sprawled across shopping centres to pickup last minute groceries ahead of ACT's lockdown, despite the closure of only general retail

Despite only general retail being forced to close, hoards of residents rushed to their local shopping centres shortly after the press conference wrapped up.

Customers flooded the aisles and footage emerged of shoppers spilled across the perimeter of an entire Coles store while they waited for the self service checkout.

Long queues were reported at Majura Park CostCo which snaked alongside the building for 150 metres, with workers regulating store numbers and CBR check-in codes via a walkie talkie, reported The Canberra Times.

Shoppers flooded ACT supermarkets shortly after the announcement of a snap seven day lockdown

Toilet paper restrictions were imposed with a one pack per person rule in order to ration stock, with the news outlet reporting buyers said they were grabbing toilet paper 'just in case'.

Maskless shoppers were filmed cramming into a Woolworths an hour after the territory confirmed it was heading into lockdown.

Panic buyers have stripped shelves at Canberra supermarkets amid the city's first lockdown in more than a year

delivery courier Deliveroo has offered Canberra residents free delivery from 5pm to help ease panic buying in some parts of Australia's capital city

In an effort to ease panic buying major food delivery courier Deliveroo has offered Canberra residents free delivery from 5pm, with the company footing the bill for all local restaurants so they aren't out of pocket.

Deliveroo Chief Executive Officer Ed McManus said: 'In response to the snap lockdown and panic buying already seen in some parts of Canberra, Deliveroo is introducing free delivery across nearly all restaurants.

'We're covering the cost of delivery to support the local hospitality industry. We hope to help contain the spread by allowing locals to safely enjoy their favourite takeaway.'

Maskless shoppers rushed to Woolworths to gather last minute supplies ahead of Thursday's 5pm lockdown

Canberrans flocked to Covid testing facilities on Thursday after a positive case was identified in the city

Earlier Minister Andrew Barr urged Canberrans to abide by health orders and avoid gathering to slow transmission.

'The virus only transmits when people move around and the objective here is to reduce the transmission that is why we are entering a lockdown,' Barr said.

'It is critical to follow the public health orders over the next seven days, now is not the time to be popping over to mum and dad's or your sister's or brother's please stay at home.'

From 5pm, general retail will close and masks made mandatory for those aged over 12 years old.

Barr also announced the expansion of testing clinics in Exhibition Park and Weston Creek as he asked Canberrans to 'be patient' during expected longer wait times as the demand for Covid-19 tests surge.

Reports of a 2 hour wait for Covid-19 testing at the Epic Drive-in clinic at Exhibition Park

People cue in long lines outside a walk-in COVID19 testing clinic in Weston Creek

Images from Epic drive-in clinic in Exhibition Park show multiple lines of vehicles queued up for a Covid-19 test.

A local resident said she had been waiting for almost two hours telling Daily Mail Australia, 'people are waiting so long they had to leave their cars to use the toilet'.

The demand for testing comes as a Gungahlin man in his 20s, the city's first Covid-19 case this year, spent an extensive time in the community while infectious.

The man had visited several venues including Canberra outlet centre, a JBHIFI, a pub and a Coles supermarket with all sites considered close contact venues, from August 8 to August 11.

Officials have been unable to trace the source of the infection, posing the most serious public health risk the territory has seen in over 12 months.
Australians have been warned about a bizarre 'Flubot' text scam used by fraudsters to install malicious software on their phones and steal their personal information.

The typo-strewn texts tell the recipient they have a 'missed call' and to follow a link to hear a voicemail message.

Telstra has told its customers to ignore the messages - which lure users into downloading an app which then can harvest bank details from their phone.

The telecom giant said the malware is being sent by scammers all over the world and urged Australians to use anti-virus software on their phone to block the messages.

Australians have been warned about a bizarre 'Flubot' text message scam used by fraudsters to harvest their personal information (stock image)

One user shared a message about the scams she received from Telstra, who told her the texts were being sent at random to Australian phone numbers.

'As they're coming from legit devices across the globe they're more difficult to block than some other scams,' the message from a Telstra representative read.

'They're hard to block as they're coming from legitimate handsets and devices all over the world.

'Most popular anti-virus apps for Android will clean it up.'

Hundreds of other Australians who received the texts took to Twitter to ask for help getting rid of them.

'Is anyone else getting a bunch of these messages lately?' one person wrote.

Among the typo-strewn messages she received was one that read 'you havr a zissed call. Callev lfft you a message' and 'you hate e mnssed ckll'.

The typo-strewn texts tell the recipient they have a 'missed call' and to follow a link to hear a voicemail message

Dozens of Australians who received the texts took to Twitter to ask for help getting rid of them

'My guy's spelling is better,' another joked. 'I've had a few recently and I block each one but they keep coming.'

FluBot text messages have already been detected across Europe including in in the UK, Spain, Germany, and Poland.

The UK's National Cyber Security Centre has told users to factory reset their devices if they accidently download the malicious apps as the software cannot survive the phone's data being cleared.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Telstra for further comment.
Chicago Police Officer Ella French, pictured, was shot dead on Saturday

A former top police official has slammed the Chicago Police Department after it was revealed that a 'sacred' ritual was skipped after the shooting death of Ella French over time concerns.

Garry McCarthy, the department's former superintendent, told Fox News that officers 'feel under attack by politicians' after French's body was taken directly to the medical examiner's office for her autopsy without a guard of honor.

He claimed they avoided drawing their weapons to honor their fallen colleague - as is tradition - over fears they'd have to file a report for doing so, as part of new police reform laws.

French, 29, was shot dead and her partner was critically injured during a routine traffic stop on Saturday.

After her death, First Deputy Police Supt. Eric Carter - the department's second-in-command - demanded the Chicago Fire Department ambulance carrying her body to head straight for the medical examiner's office, bypassing a bagpipe procession.

'We don't have 20 minutes for this s**t,' Carter can be heard saying on a recording obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times.

'We're not waiting on the bagpipes. Go ahead and get the vehicle inside. Take it all the way inside. Do not stop.'

Garry McCarthy, the department's former superintendent, said officers 'feel under attack by politicians' after French's body was taken directly to the medical examiner's office

Chicago Police Officers are seen saluting in respect for Ella French after her death on Saturday

Officers with the Chicago Police Department are pictured in front of an American flag after Ella French's shooting death

Chicago police officers turned their backs as Mayor Lori Lightfoot tried to approach them during a vigil held at the University of Chicago Medical Center following the shooting of two police officers

The Emerald Society, an Irish-American fraternal organization for members who most often come from law enforcement, had gathered outside the medical examiner's office to play ceremonial bagpipes for her final send-off.

Chicago police and other officials worked swiftly to arrest three suspects after French's death, though charges have not yet been filed.

French was the first Windy City officer to be fatally shot in the line of duty in almost two years, and the first female cop shot to death in the line of duty since 1988.

Still, McCarthy blasted the department for skipping the procession - which he called an 'inexcusable' affront to cops in the city, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.

'The officers here in CPD and probably across the country  feel under attack by politicians and the public. Most of them feel like they're not being supported by their leadership,' he told Fox News.

He added: 'It's so important, the sacred nature of rituals, certainly within policing.'

'If there's an excuse for what happened, then maybe, you know, Eric should talk about it publicly himself,' he said.

Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7 President John Catanzara walks out of the Leighton Criminal Courthouse after the bond hearings for two brothers charged in connection with the fatal shooting of Chicago Police Officer Ella French on Tuesday

Norfolk Southern Special Agent Hugo River prays at the memorial for Chicago police Officer Ella French on Tuesday

Chicago police officers walk into the Leighton Criminal Courthouse to attend the bond hearing for Emonte Morgan, charged in the fatal shooting of Officer Ella French on Tuesday

McCarthy told Fox News that officers also did not draw their weapons, as traditionally practiced after the death of a colleague. He blamed the skipping of that tradition on possible police reform measures.

'That's probably the result of a policy that was put in place for every time you draw your weapon, you have to do a report about it. Policing is entirely under attack, and that's why we have a 100% increase in the murder rate,' McCarthy said.

McCarthy indicated to the Chicago Sun-Times that there would have been enough time for the autopsy and investigation to continue if Carter had not ordered the process to be sped up.

'There's always enough time. Let's put it that way. If we had to wait two or three days, I would have done it,' he said.

Eric Morgan is pictured during the traffic stop in the new body worn camera footage

The Morgan brothers were said to have been driving with expired license plates, prompting police to pull them over

Now, he told the outlet 'it would be a stretch' to think that rank-and-file officers would want to get behind Carter in the future.

David Brown, the Chicago Police Department's current superintendent, has not yet provided comment about the medical examiner incident.

However, a spokesperson for Brown told the Chicago Sun-Times he had 'no comment beyond reminding you of what an emotionally difficult and painful night that was - and continues to be - for everyone involved.'

Brown previously served as Dallas Police Chief when the Texas city faced a horrific ambush on its police department in 2016 - then the deadliest incident for law enforcement since the 9/11 attacks.

Micah Xavier Johnson shot dead five officers and injured nine others, while also wounding two civilians on July 7, 2016. Brown had received widespread praise for leading the Dallas Police Department through that tragedy.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot backed Carter's decision and said he was following rules designed to stop the spread of COVID-19 imposed by the medical examiner

Chicago Police Supt. David Brown gives an update and answers questions during a press conference at the Chicago Police Headquarters on Sunday

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot backed Carter's decision and said he was following rules designed to stop the spread of COVID-19 imposed by the medical examiner and wanted to ensure that French's family was not delayed, WTTV reported.

'There was no official honor guard that night,' Lightfoot said during a press conference.

'There was - let me choose my words carefully - well-meaning but not well-organized group that wanted to hijack the procession, which would have meant that the family would have been delayed exponentially in getting to the morgue.'

When leaving the University of Chicago Medical Center on Saturday, cops gathered to support French and her partner turned their backs on her as she approached.

Funeral arrangements for French have not yet been made known.
Famed civil rights lawyer Ben Crump will be representing a black realtor his black client and the client's teenage son after they were mistaken for burglars and cuffed by cops during a property viewing.

Realtor Eric Brown, his army-veteran client Roy Thorne, 45, and Thorne's son, Samuel, 15, were handed cuffed by Wyoming police officers after a neighbor wrongly reported that the three black men were breaking into a home.

Although the incident was a misunderstanding, Crump told TMZ he is considering a lawsuit against the department for false imprisonment and unlawful detention.

According to the news outlet, Brown and Thorne believe they were racially profiled and say the 'ordeal caused them to suffer mental trauma'. Thorne's son has reportedly suffered anxiety and struggled to sleep since the encounter.

Famed civil rights lawyer Ben Crump (pictured outside a federal courthouse in Minnesota on July 15, 2020) is seeking justice for a black realtor and his client after he says they were wrongfully detained by police in Michigan

Real estate agent Eric Brown (pictured) has said the incident has left a lasting impact that will affect the way he does his job

The Wyoming Police Department has apologized for the incident, but claims that race did not play a role in the situation. They say officers received a call for a home invasion and acted in the way they were trained to respond.

The department reportedly met with the Grand Rapids chapter of the NAACP to address community relations moving forward.

TMZ says Brown and Thorne chose not to attend the meeting because they 'weren't yet mentally prepared to talk with cops'.

Crump's interest in the case comes just days after Wyoming police released bodycam footage of the incident.

The video starts with the 911 call that prompted the police response. A woman can be heard telling the 911 operator that a black man had been arrested the week before after he broke into the home.

At the time, police had also towed his black Mercedes, which had been parked in front of the house. The woman in the call appears to confuse Brown with the individual who had previously been arrested.

'Last week Saturday the police came out  there was a young black man that was squatting in a home that's for sale, and I know they came and took him away and towed his car away. Well, he's back there again,' she tells to the operator.

The neighbor thought Brown's Hyundai Genesis was the Mercedes from the week before. The owners of the house Brown was showing to Thorne had asked her to keep an eye on it after the break-in, she told cops.

When police arrived, they found the front door open and called for the men to come outside with their hands raised.

Brown was showing a house on Sharon Avenue in Wyoming, Michigan to his army-veteran client Roy Thorne, 45, and Thorne's son, Samuel. A showing had been scheduled online with the owner's knowledge

They were startled by Wyoming police officers yelling at them to come out of the property with their hands on the air

One of the officers had his weapon out and pointed it at Thorne as he left the home in response to police commands. Thorne and his son follow behind.

Brown is momentarily put inside the police car as an officer tells him, 'You are now under arrest.'

He tells the officer he is a realtor for Keller Williams and is then removed from the car.

An officer reaches for Brown's wallet inside his back pocket.

'You have to carry that by law, that's my license,' Brown says.

He is taken by an officer to the entrance of the house and questioned on how he gained access to its interior.

Brown explains he has an app on his phone that gives him access to a lockbox with a house key. An officer then places the phone in front of Brown's face so it can be unlocked with his facial features and his real estate credentials appear in the screen.

'Yeah, he's a realtor,' says another police officer, 'That's good news. Sweet.'

The footage also shows police put Thorne in the backseat of a squad car with the door open after handcuffing him.

'Definitely not buying this place,' Thorne says on the video, after explaining that he was visiting the home with his real estate agent.

After they seem to laugh the incident off, the detaining officer says, 'Sorry for the inconvenience' to Brown, who goes on to explain the appointment to show the house to Thorne had been scheduled online, with the owner's knowledge.

'You gotta do what you gotta do,' says an uncuffed Brown after the officer's apology.

The cop who uncuffed Brown then informs the other five officers of the circumstances as Thorne and his son are also freed.

After the misunderstanding was cleared up, the two officers shake the men's hand and go back to the police cars.

'Thank you gentlemen, sorry for the confusion,' an officer says, 'Take care.'

'Take care,' reply Brown and Thorne to the officers.

A 911 call reporting a break-in prompted the officers to handcuff the three men. On July 24, another Black man with a similar car to the real estate agent's vehicle was arrested after he went into the house without permission

The 911 caller confused Brown's Hyundai Genesis with the Mercedes owned by the man who had been arrested the week before

Officers gave the men handshakes and they seemed to laugh the incident off, but Brown and Thorne said in a recent interview they believe the ordeal was racially motivated. Thorne said it was a very traumatizing experience for him and his son

'Am I just automatically the criminal? Because thats pretty much how we were treated in that situation,' said Brown about the incident, while Thorne said that hi son 'was a little disturbed, he hasnt seen anything like that...he's not going to forget this'

Afterwards, Brown and Thorne told WOOD-TV that they believe the incident had been racially motivated and that the police response, including two out of five officers who drew their guns, felt aggressive and 'threw me back.'

'I feel pretty anxious, or nervous or maybe even a little bit scared about what do I do to protect myself if I'm going to show a home and the authorities just get called on a whim like that,' Brown said. 'Am I just automatically the criminal? Because that's pretty much how we were treated in that situation.'

The Wyoming Police Department defended the officer' actions and said they followed protocol for responding to a reported home invasion.

The department said in a statement that Chief Kimberly Koster reached out to the three offering to meet with them and any other family members.

Thorne, Brown's client, called the experience in the Grand Rapids suburb 'traumatizing' for him and his son.

Thorne said that officer apologized, 'but at the same time, the damage is done.'

'My son was a little disturbed, he hasn't seen anything like that...he's not going to forget this,' he said.

Another black man with a similar-colored car to the real estate agent's vehicle was arrested after he went into the house without permission July 24, police said. That person also told police that he was interested in purchasing the house but was not with a real estate agent and didn't have the homeowner's permission to go inside.

A neighbor saw Brown's car parked in front of the house on Aug. 1 and called police, wrongly reporting that the intruder had returned, the statement said. Brown's car is the same color as that first person's but a different make and model.

'Somebody dropped the ball somewhere,' one of the officers can be heard saying to another after Brown and Thorne explained why they were at the house.
A scorned woman has been ordered to pay $450,000 in damages for an 'appalling and entirely unjustified' negative online campaign designed to destroy a Sydney plastic surgeon's reputation, a judge has found.

Catherine Cruse set about posting a series of 'sustained, far-reaching and virulent' attacks on the internet over eight months in 2018 after Dr Warwick Nettle declined to operate on her.

A Federal Court judge on Wednesday said the effect of the false posts caused 'extreme' damage to both the surgeon's emotional and mental state and his prior 'impeccable' reputation.

The highly regarded Bondi Junction surgeon had declined to operate on Ms Cruse after her former surgeon called him and cautioned about operating on her.

That call and decision were 'entirely professionally appropriate and justifiable' and undeserving of adverse comment, let alone the 'scandalous and misleading criticism that was subsequently meted out', Justice Michael Wigney said.

Renowned plastic surgeon Dr Warwick Nettle (pictured) has been awarded damages of $450,000 following false reviews from a disgruntled woman

Plastic surgeon Dr Warwick Nettle (pictured ) was warned about Catherine Cruse by another surgeon

The subsequent posts were 'full of falsehoods, gross misrepresentations of the facts, entirely unjustified criticisms of Dr Nettle', the judge said.

The publication appeared to have been calculated to 'inflict maximum damage' on the surgeon's professional reputation.

The court orders include costs and a permanent ban on Ms Cruse publishing any further untrue defamatory statements.

But Dr Nettle may never see a cent of the substantial compensatory and aggravated damages he's due.

Despite her prolific online activities, the respondent couldn't be located and had 'effectively disappeared', Justice Wigney said.

She filed no defence and appeared at no hearings.

Private investigators were employed in the extensive effort to locate and serve her with court documents.

But it appeared she deliberately evaded service and concealed her whereabouts, the judge said.

The court in 2020 permitted service via email and ordered she be alerted to that fact by phone.

Despite Ms Cruse's continued silence, Justice Wigney was satisfied she was behind the four publications and that each carried the defamatory meanings, as claimed by Dr Nettle.

Two posts remain online, hosted by defamatory complaint websites whose operators make extortionate demands of those wishing to remove adverse reviews.

A since-removed post on a third website included images falsely claiming to be results of botched surgeries by Dr Nettle.

Catherine Cruse set out to destroy the reputation of Dr Warwick Nettle after he declined to operate on her (pictured with chef George Calombaris)

It remains to be seen if Doctor Nettle will receive his $450,000 payout - Ms Cruse can't be located

The post also had headshots of the surgeon with the phrases 'the devil himself', 'inhumane medical care', 'abuse of power' and 'compulsive liar' superimposed on them.

The court heard direct evidence about Dr Nettle's patients seeing the posts, including one who said she started to have doubts about continuing treatment.

When she saw the post with images of botched surgeries, she was particularly disturbed and felt that she could no longer trust Dr Nettle, the judge heard.

His five-star Google rating dropped to 3.5 stars after the first two posts were published.

The surgeon also gave evidence about the great distress and anxiety the posts caused over an extended period of time. He also worried about the safety of his staff and family.

'To refer to the emotional trauma wrought on Dr Nettle by the publications as 'hurt to feelings' is to rather understate the effect that the publications had on his mental and physical health and wellbeing,' the judge said.
The former primary school deputy principal will stand trial accused of sexually abusing two boys.

Matthew John Keong, 48, is charged with rape, unlawful sex with a child under 12, and three counts of indecent treatment of a child under 16.

He allegedly abused the children on Bribie Island, just north of Brisbane, between 1993 and 1997 when he was a teacher at a Brisbane school.

The alleged offences of young boys occurred on Bribie Island, just north of Brisbane, between 1993 and 1997 (stock image)

Keong did not enter a plea at a brief committal hearing in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Thursday, having been charged in November.

He was arrested on the grounds of Windsor State School in Brisbane where he was deputy principal, and suspended from teaching the next day.

The court heard a friend of one of the boys was among five witnesses who were cross-examined during the hearing, the Courier Mail reported.

The friend said the alleged victim told him about abuse about 10 years ago, but Keong's barrister Marcin Lazinski claimed he only said it was raped much more recenty.

'No, he mentioned it about a year into our friendship regarding being sexually abused, as in raped, as a child,' the witness told the court.

He is the former deputy principal at Windsor State School (pictured) in southeast Queensland

Another woman agreed the alleged victims brought it up at a gathering.

Detective Senior Constable Matt Sheers said the alleged abuse was so traumatic it took multiple interviews to take a formal statement.

'The reason the statement took so long is through trauma and emotional baggage the victim was carrying,' he told the court.

'I'm aware through his treatment he was recalling more and more information,'

Keong is expected to face trial in Brisbane District Court. His bail conditions include no unsupervised contact with children under the age of 16.
This is the dramatic moment armed police offered a fake suicide bomber threatening to blow up a police station a cigarette before tackling him to the ground.

Body-cam footage shows officers swooping in and wrestling Jayesh Thanki, 46, to the ground outside Weston Favell Police Station in Northampton after he chillingly vowed to destroy the building.

The station as well as nearby houses were evacuated as Thanki, who was wearing a rucksack, claimed to also be holding a detonator for an explosive device.

Footage released by police yesterday shows officers armed with assault rifles turning up outside the station to confront the thug.

One officer can be heard calmly telling him 'put down the bag buddy, so we can talk to you' while his gun is aimed at the suspect. At one point, the cop asks: 'What's in the bag?' to which Thanki replies: 'A bomb.'

After distracting him with the offer of a cigarette, the officers then swoop and wrestle Thanki to the ground before arresting him. The bag was later found to contain only clothes.

This is the dramatic moment armed police offered a fake suicide bomber threatening to blow up a police station a cigarette before tackling him to the ground

The building as well as nearby houses were evacuated as Jayesh Thanki, 46, who was wearing a rucksack, claimed to also be holding a detonator for an explosive device

Body-cam footage shows officers swooping in and wrestling Thanki to the ground outside Weston Favell Police Station in Northampton after they offered him a cigarette

Earlier that day, Thanki had threatened and abused a 999 call handler and told them he was going to blow up the police station.

In audio footage released by Northamptonshire Police, he can be heard telling the operator: 'I've got a bomb in my bag... bomb, B-O-M-B, a bomb!'

Thanki, of Northampton, admitted making a bomb hoax and making malicious communications and was jailed for three years last month

Northampton Crown Court heard Thanki flipped after arguing with his mother because she had kicked him out of her home and he blamed police for his eviction.

Thanki, of Northampton, admitted making a bomb hoax and making malicious communications and was jailed for three years last month.

Sentencing, Judge Adrienne Lucking QC said: 'Anyone looking at you would have thought in view of the rucksack and what you said that you really were a suicide bomber and that must have been absolutely terrifying in that moment.'

She added that his actions were a result of him 'wanting to gain police attention' after having had 'an argument with his mother earlier that day'.

The judge told him: 'You put yourself in a situation where you could have been shot, and this would have caused devastation for the armed officers after discovering that there was in fact only clothing in the rucksack.

'I accept that you were only trying to get the attention of the police, but this is still a very serious matter. You caused a huge amount of disruption and put your own life at risk.'

After distracting him with the offer of a cigarette, the officers then swoop and wrestle Thanki to the ground before arresting him. The bag was later found to contain only clothes

Footage released by police yesterday shows officers armed with assault rifles turning up outside the station to confront the thug

The court heard eight officers armed with rifles and nine more with tasers had rushed to the station after the hoax call was made.

Superintendent Jen Helm, head of Operational Policing at Northamptonshire Police, said: 'This incident had the potential to be incredibly serious, and our officers had to balance and assess whether it involved someone with mental health issues or could be a genuine bomb threat.

'They had to dynamically assess the incident as it unfolded, constantly taking on new information and adapting their approach, which enabled them to swiftly resolve the situation at the lowest, safest level.

'In negotiating with, approaching and apprehending Thanki, our officers showed immense bravery and courage, and demonstrated the value of their extensive training.

'They remained calm and composed in challenging circumstances to bring matters to a swift and peaceful conclusion, and are a credit to our Force.

'This incident illustrates the risks all police officers face on a daily basis as they fulfil their pledge to fight crime and protect people.'
The mysterious Sydneysider charged by police after he sent Byron Bay into a snap lockdown when he drove there with his kids while infected with coronavirus has been identified.

Zoran Radovanovic, 52, is battling Covid-19 in Lismore Hospital after he left a trail of potential contagion throughout Australia's hottest beachside town in northern NSW.

The businessman, from Sydney's eastern suburbs, has been charged with breaching public health orders by ignoring lockdown to drive north for eights hours to the sun-drenched hippie hangout.

The picture surfaced as details of former illegal immigrant Radovanovic's shady past including drugs and theft convictions also started to emerge - and how he was lucky to even be in Australia.

He reportedly claimed he was legally inspecting a property in the northern NSW town - but police allege he did not have a 'reasonable excuse' to leave Sydney.

This is the mysterious Sydneysider Zoran Radovanovic charged by police after he sent Byron Bay into a snap lockdown when he drove there with his kids while infected with coronavirus

The rare picture of father-of-two Radovanovic - seen here on a SeaDoo eight years ago with his son Kristian, now 19 - is the first glimpse of the alleged Covid-denier superspreader.

There are now 14 different Covid hotspots in Byron and the surrounding areas in the wake of his trip - which involved him allegedly using fake details to check in.

The area is now two days into a seven day lockdown as health officials battle to stem the spread of the virus before it takes hold. Radovanovic is refusing to co-operate with police as he fights the virus in hospital.

Son Kristin has the virus and is in isolation, while his ex-wife is in a Sydney hospital also being treaded for Covid.

The former 'aimless' part-time plastics worker sold this home in Forestville in 2020 for $2.25 million before moving to Rose Bay in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs

He was almost thrown out the country 22 years ago when he was discovered to be living illegally in Australia with a string of convictions and a suspended jail sentence.

Radovanovic emigrated to Australia from the former Yugoslavia in April 1991 and had already overstayed his visa when he was convicted of two charges of burglary and car theft in Melbourne in February 1992.

He was sentenced to six months jail on each charge but the sentence was suspended for 12 months.

The following month he appeared to have fled the country with his future wife Tiana Macdowell (nee Simic) when their passports were both scanned boarding an international flight from Melbourne Airport.

Covid-infected Zoran Radovanovic left a trail of contagion throughout Byron Bay after he broke lockdown to drive eight hours to the beachside idyll, forcing it into a snap lockdown. Seen here are the quiet streets of the normally bustling resort on Tuesday

But Radovanovic insists he never left the country and instead moved to Lightning Ridge where he lived illegally for years under the false name of Zoran Cuk.

His future wife later returned to Australia and married Radovanovic - but his application for Australian citizenship was rejected when he was discovered to have been an illegal alien.

He then faced further drugs charges in 1998 when cops raided two addresses in Melbourne and found him with accomplices and 40 cannabis plants being grown.

A hearing by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal of Australia took place before the court date and decided to take pity of him, allowing him to stay in the country.

The hearing found Radovanovic 'does little to instill confidence that [he] has the inherent qualities of good character'.

There are currently 14 different Covid hotspots in Byron Bay (pictured here as a week-long lockdown began on Tuesday) and the surrounding area in the wake of his trip

The tribunal deputy president B.M. Forrest added: 'I am not satisfied that he passes the character test.'

The tribunal said the Serbian part-time plastics worker's life in 2000 was 'aimless' but hoped he would 'demonstrate his capacity to make a contribution to Australia' if he was allowed to stay.

Some 21 years later, Radovanovic sold his home in Forestville in 2020 for $2.25 million - which had been registered in his wife's name - and moved to the family's new home in Rose Bay.

Radovanovic is listed to appear in Lismore Local Court on September 13 to face the charges of breaching public health orders

It's understood police were frequently seen at the home in Forrestville, and Radovanovic had AVO's taken out against on behalf of his now estranged wife, including one just last month.

He was due back in court next month on an AVO-related hearing and also charged with destroying an umbrella.

Radovanovic is also now listed to appear in Lismore Local Court on September 13 to face the charges relating to his trip to Byron Bay.
The great British pub helped boost the UK economy out of lockdown, spearheading a 4.8 per cent increase in GDP in the second quarter of 2021, new figures revealed today.

The country's gross domestic product (GDP) increased by a further 1 per cent in June, creating five consecutive months of growth, following a 0.6 per cent rise in May, the Office for National Statistics said.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak hailed the figures, saying they were the best of any G7 nation.

Lockdown restrictions slowly eased through much of the quarter, with outdoor dining opened again in April and further restrictions were lifted in May.

However, GDP is still around two percentage points below its pre-pandemic peak.

Mr Sunak said: 'Today's figures show that our economy is on the mend showing strong signs of recovery, thanks to our Plan for Jobs and successful vaccine programme.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak hailed the figures, saying they were the best of any G7 nation.

'I know there are still challenges to overcome, but I feel confident in the strength of the UK economy and the resilience of the British people.

'With the fastest quarterly growth rate among the G7 economies we have exceeded expectations, and I'm pleased to see the UK bouncing back.'

However the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) inserted a note of caution into the economic picture, saying business investment remained low.

Suren Thiru, its head of economics, said: 'Strong growth in the second quarter may be the high point for the UK economy with economic activity likely to moderate in the third quarter as staff shortages, supply chain disruption and consumer caution to spend limits any gains from the lifting of restrictions in July.

'Against this backdrop, policymakers must guard against complacency over the underlying strength of the recovery.

'A comprehensive rebuild strategy to turbocharge growth post-Covid is needed, alongside a clear plan for dealing with any future virus response, to give firms the confidence to start firing on all cylinders again.'

Another major contributor to the growth was GP surgeries across the country.

The number of people visiting their doctors for non-Covid complaints rose, increasing the consumption of health services by 5.1% in the second quarter.

This was also helped by Government spending on Test and Trace and the vaccination programme, the ONS said.

Deputy national statistician for economic statistics Jonathan Athow said: 'The UK economy has continued to rebound strongly, with hospitality benefiting from the first full month of indoor dining, while spending on advertising was boosted by the reopening of many services.

'Health services also showed growth, with many more people visiting their GP.

'GDP is still around two percentage points below its pre-pandemic peak.'

Energy usage dropped as summer arrived in the UK, the ONS said.

Economists at Pantheon Macroeconomics had expected GDP to grow by 0.6 per cent in June, and 4.7 per cent across the quarter.

The Bank of England, meanwhile, had predicted growth of 5 per cent across the quarter.

However, the surge of the Covid-19 Delta variant and the boom in the number of people self-isolating undermined some of this growth.

Nevertheless, the data marks a major improvement from the first months of the year.

In the first quarter the economy contracted by 1.6 per cent as it battled with prolonged lockdowns.

That data covered the period to the end of March, so did not include the reopening of outdoor hospitality in April and indoor hospitality a month later.
A police post showing off the bust of two 20-something taggers, one of whom was a small-time and clearly inexperienced weed grower, has gone viral on Facebook.

The message boasted about a successful two month operation to track down two young men in New South Wales who tagged trains at four Cityrail stations.

It showed photos of the taggers' drawings, spray cans and some unimpressive drug operations, with dying plants and dodgy lamp wiring in a tent.

The post attracted more than 1,300 responses including hundreds of mocking comments about the five 'sad' looking plants seized, the men's meagre collection of 15 seeds and their incriminating art pads - while others asked if the drugs were 'still available'.

This police Facebook post attracted more than 1,300 responses on Thursday including hundreds of mocking comments about five unhealthy-looking plants seized (pictured above)

The photos posted by police included images of the West Ryde man's modest looking marijuana growing set-up (pictured above)

Police's Proactive Crime Team's efforts resulted in raids of homes in Sydney and Newcastle, and the arrests of a 24-year-old West Ryde man and a 23-year-old Adamstown man.

Both were charged with damaging property and being on train tracks.

The West Ryde man was also charged with several drug offences.

One image posted by NSW Police showed five plastic baggies containing literally 15 seeds (pictured above), much to the amusement of Facebook commenters

The two men were arrested for property damage at five train stations and images of their tag sketches (pictured above) were posted on Facebook

Judging by the images posted by police, he was not a big shot in the cannabis underworld.

'Someone needs horticultural lessons, they look so sad,' one man said of a photo of his sick-looking cannabis plants.

'Looks like a big haul, I'm sure it's got a street value of about $6.50 and 2 paddle pops,' another wrote.

'Master engineer at work,' said one man, while a woman wrote 'I can't stop laughing, how embarrassing.'

Several commenters enquired whether the items depicted 'are still available', especially one photo of a plastic tub containing what appeared to be hallucinogenic mushrooms.

The comments were even harsher on the photo of five plastic baggies containing 15 seeds.

'I had more seeds in my last quarter. Lovely work officers!!' one young Melbourne commenter wrote.

'NSW probably spent hundred thousand on this operation and in ACT it's basically legal,' a tradie commented.

'This is the funniest police post I've seen in ages. I'd love to see a photo of the mastermind behind this massive set up,' another commenter said.

One the the arrested taggers' art pad sketches is pictured above - clearly practicing his skills for the train lines

One image posted by police was of what appeared to be hallucinogenic mushrooms (pictured above). The photo drew joking enquiries about whether the item shown was still available

Both men are due to appear in court.

'Safety is the number one priority for police and crime, property damage, anti-social behaviour or drug and alcohol use on our public transport networks will not be tolerated,' a NSW Police statement read.

'Police will continue to target commuter safety, crime and anti-social behaviour on public transport, not just in the metropolitan areas but also on rural networks.'

Police also posted images of spray cans apparently used by the taggers for their graffiti

Not everybody mocked the police for the meagre haul, several thanked officers for their work.

'Good work,' one man said. 'These graffiti (so called artists) normally commit other crimes as well as they have no respect for anyone. Take them off the streets for a while!'

But one woman summed up many of the comments in saying, 'I usually stand with law enforcement 100% but this is just ridiculous.... If it was a house or property full of plants and a shed full of spray paint I would be in agreeance... this is not even worth your time or effort.'
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The taliban is executing Afghan government troops who surrender, the US has claimed, in just the latest warning of atrocities being perpetrated by jihadist fighters in areas they have seized.

'We're hearing additional reports of Taliban executions of surrendering Afghan troops,' the US embassy in Kabul tweeted on Thursday. 'Deeply disturbing & could constitute war crimes.'

It was not immediately clear where the new reports had come from. Video taken in Faryab province last month did appear to show Taliban fighters massacring 22 Afghan commandos after they had surrendered, including the son of a well-known general.

Hundreds of government troops have surrendered to the Taliban since fighting escalated in May with the withdrawal of US troops - some without firing a shot, others after being cut off and surrounded with little or no chance of reinforcement or resupply from the government in Kabul.

The Taliban has now seized around two third of the country from the government in a little over three months, with ten cities falling to the jihadists in the last week alone - while several others are on the verge of being captured.

In an attempt to stop the bloodletting, Afghan diplomats in Qatar said they had approached the Taliban with a deal today that would see the group included in a national unity government in return for halting the fighting.

But such talks have been stalled for years over 'unreasonable Taliban demands to turn the country into an Islamic emirate - and there is little reason to believe they will have softened that stance after their battlefield triumphs.

In a sign of the rapidly worsening situation, the US today told all of its citizens to leave the country as soon as possible by any commercial means. It comes a week after the UK gave its citizens the same advice, and after India pulled its diplomatic staff out.

The Taliban has taken the city of Ghanzi, just 80 miles south of the capital Kabul, meaning Islamist fighters now control the main highways leading both north and south out of the city

Lashkar Gah, capital of Helmand, appears on the verge of falling to the Islamists after a huge IED explosion destroyed part of the police headquarters on Wednesday and allowed fighters to capture it

Pictured: The Taliban pose in Ghazni on Thursday

Pictured: A Taliban fighter poses in Ghazni on Thursday

Pictured: A Taliban fighter poses in Ghazni on Thursday

Pictured: The Taliban flag flies over a square in Ghazni on Thursday

Earlier today, it was announced the jihadists had taken the city of Ghazni, located just 80 miles from Kabul and along the main highway to the south. The Taliban already controls the main highway going north, and is tightening the noose on what could soon become Ghazni's last stronghold.

The Taliban is now thought to control two thirds of the country, with the government in retreat in almost every region except Kabul - one of the only cities not yet under direct attack.

Capturing Ghazni also cuts a supply route from the capital to the besieged cities of Lashkar Gah, capital of Helmand province, and Khandahar - both of which appear on the verge of falling into Taliban hands.

The jihadists said Lashkar Gah was briefly captured on Wednesday, but later revised to say that fighting is still ongoing and the city is not fully under their control.

A huge IED exploded near the main police headquarters yesterday, sending a plume of smoke into the sky and partially destroying the outer walls - allowing Taliban fighters to stream inside.

Multiple police officers were killed, the jihadists said, but some government troops managed to escape the slaughter and made it to the governor's office, where they have resumed their fight.

Nasima Niazi, a lawmaker from Helmand, said she believed the Taliban attack killed and wounded security force members, but she had no casualty breakdown.

Another suicide car bombing targeted the provincial prison, but the government still held it, she said.

In Kandahar, the Taliban claimed to have captured the city's prison on Wednesday, freeing 'hundreds' of inmates which including some of its own fighters, who have now rejoined the ranks as reinforcements.

The loss of the jail is an ominous sign for government forces defending the city, which has been besieged for weeks by an assault that shows no sign of letting up.

Afghan security forces and the government have not responded to repeated requests for comment over the days of fighting.

However, President Ashraf Ghani is trying to rally a counteroffensive relying on his country's special forces, the militias of warlords and American airpower ahead of the U.S. and NATO withdrawal at the end of the month.

He was in the city of Mazar-i-Sharif, in the country's traditionally anti-Taliban northern strongholds, on Wednesday in an attempt to rally his men as jihadists approached its outskirts with a major offensive expected soon.

Fighting has displaced hundreds of thousands of Afghan civilians who have fled their homes, with thousands of those heading for the safety of government-held Kabul (pictured)

A woman carries her child through a refugee camp in the Afghan capital of Kabul where thousands are now living after being displaced by fighting elsewhere in the country

Children forced to flee their homes due to fighting in Afghanistan drink tea as they sit in a refugee camp in Kabul

Young boys rest in a refugee camp in Kabul, Afghanistan, after fleeing fighting elsewhere in the country

Makeshift camps are springing up around Kabul to house thousands of refugees who have fled their homes due to fighting

Families rest in a camp in Kabul after they fled their homes due to fear of the Taliban and sought shelter in government areas

While Kabul itself has not been directly threatened in the advance, the stunning speed of the offensive raises questions of how long the Afghan government can maintain control of the slivers of the country it has left.

The government may eventually be forced to pull back to defend the capital and just a few other cities as thousands displaced by the fighting fled to Kabul and now live in open fields and parks.

With the Afghan air power limited and in disarray, the U.S. Air Force is believed to be carrying out some series of strikes to support Afghan forces.

Aviation tracking data suggested U.S. Air Force B-52 bombers, F-15 fighter jets, drones and other aircraft were involved in the fighting overnight across the country, according to Australia-based security firm The Cavell Group.

It's unclear what casualties the U.S. bombing campaign has caused. The U.S. Air Force's Central Command, based in Qatar, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday.

The success of the Taliban offensive also calls into question whether they would ever rejoin long-stalled peace talks in Qatar aimed at moving Afghanistan toward an inclusive interim administration as the West hoped.

Instead, the Taliban appears to aim to seize power by force - or the country could splinter into factional fighting like it did after the Soviet withdrawal in 1989.

In Doha, U.S. envoy Zalmay Khalilzad has met with diplomats from China, Pakistan and Russia in an effort to as a group warn the Taliban they could again be considered international pariahs if they continue their offensive, State Department spokesman Ned Price said.

Khalizad also plans to meet with Afghan government and Taliban officials as the fighting goes on without a sign of it abating.

The multiple battle fronts have stretched the government's special operations forces - while regular troops have often fled the battlefield - and the violence has pushed thousands of civilians to seek safety in the capital.

The latest U.S. military intelligence assessment is that Kabul could come under insurgent pressure within 30 days and that if current trends hold, the Taliban could gain full control of the country within a couple of months.

A family including women and children rest at a makeshift camp in the Afghan capital of Kabul after fleeing fighting

An internally displaced Afghan family, who fled from Takhar province due to battles between Taliban and Afghan security forces, sits inside their temporary tent at Sara-e-Shamali in Kabul

Internally displaced Afghan families, who fled from Kunduz, Takhar and Baghlan province due to battles between Taliban and Afghan security forces, walk past their temporary tents at Sara-e-Shamali in Kabul
Gladys Berejiklian has given a clear indication of when the state's gruelling Covid lockdowns might end, as New South Wales recorded a flood of new cases on Thursday including an infection in yet another regional community.

The premier told reporters that by September and October - as long as 70 per cent of the state are fully vaccinated - the government plans to ease some of the onerous lockdown restrictions - particularly for those who've had the jab.

Greater Sydney has been under strict stay-at-home orders for the past seven weeks, with the worrying Indian Delta variant now spreading right across NSW, prompting lockdowns for 6.6 million residents or about 80 per cent of the state.

There were a further 345 new locally acquired cases on Wednesday including an infection on the Mid North Coast of NSW in the regional town of Tuncurry, near Forster.

There were a further 345 new locally acquired cases on Wednesday including an infection on the Mid North Coast of NSW in the regional town of Tuncurry (pictured), near Forster.

The transmission follows a surge in cases across far-flung parts of NSW including Walgett in the far west, Byron Bay in the Northern Rivers and Armidale in the New England region.

A significant number of cases have also emerged in the Hunter Valley region, currently sitting at more than 55 cases.

But Ms Berejiklian said the federal government's modelling projections carried out by the Doherty Institute, show vaccinations could be the state's ticket to freedom.

'The Doherty report says that if you want significant freedoms you need 70 per cent of your population fully vaccinated and we intend to implement our policies in that regard,' she said.

'However we are currently in lockdown and if in September and October we have high rates of vaccinations and certain communities indicate a lower number of cases there are opportunities for us to see what additional freedoms we give people.

'Does it mean we will live like we did before the outbreak? No, but what it does mean is that people will be able to do more than what they can today.'

80 per cent of people in New South Wales live in the locked down regions highlighted in red

But Ms Berejiklian said the federal government's modelling projections carried out by the Doherty Institute, show vaccinations could be the state's ticket to freedom (pictured: Sydneysiders stroll through the streets of Darlinghurst on Thursday)

People are seen queued to receive their vaccination at the NSW Vaccine Centre at Homebush Olympic Park in Sydney

The embattled state leader went on to say the modelling suggests that when 80 per cent of the population gets the jab, targeted for November, the virus can then be treated 'like the flu' or any other infectious disease.

'All of us strongly support 70 percent double vaccination as the point in time when we start living life like we used to before the outbreak,' Ms Berejiklian said.

She had previously hinted at easing restrictions at just 50 per cent - a position which was slammed by an array of other state premiers and epidemiologists.

EVERYWHERE IN NSW LIVING UNDER COVID LOCKDOWNS There are about 6.6 million NSW residents now living under stay-at-home orders, which represents about 80 per cent of the state. These regions include: - All of Greater Sydney including the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour - Dubbo LGA including the suburbs of Dubbo, Wellington, Wongarbon, Geurie, Brocklehurst, Stuart Town, Mumbil and Eumungerie - The Central West region including Bogan, Bourke, Brewarrina, Coonamble, Gilgandra, Narromine, Walgett and Warren LGAs - Hunter and Upper Hunter including Newcastle, Cessnock, Dungog, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Muswellbrook, Port Stephens and Singleton LGAs - Armidale LGA (including Guyra) - Tamworth LGA - The Northern Rivers region including Ballina, Byron, City of Lismore and Richmond Valley LGAs Advertisement

A top disease doctor in the US even labelled the idea a 'dangerous gamble'.

'Even for highly vaccinated countries, relying on vaccines alone is not a panacea to stop Delta,' he told A Current Affair.

'The Delta variant is probably the most contagious virus we'll see in our lifetime,' he said.

'We have seen the Delta variant surge even in places with 50 per cent vaccination rates, even with 60 per cent vaccinations.

'Iceland has over 75 per cent vaccinated and guess what, Iceland is still seeing a surge.'

Premier Berejiklian (pictured) said the federal government's modelling projections carried out by the Doherty Institute, show vaccinations could be the state's ticket to freedom

But Ms Berejiklian clarified her stance outlining that they are considering letting some double-vaccinated workers, such as hairdressers, return to the job if the 50 per cent target is reached by the end of the month.

The same system is already being introduced for the construction industry at unoccupied worksites and there are also plans for gym staff and hospitality workers to fall under the same rules.

But the light at the end of the lockdown tunnel still appears a long way off as the state struggles to contain the virus.

A staggering number of regions are now living under stay-at-home orders with transmission spot fire flaring up across NSW.

The latest regional town on edge is Tuncurry on the NSW Mid North Coast where a woman is currently in isolation after testing positive to Covid.

The light at the end of the lockdown tunnel still appears a long way off as the state struggles to contain the virus. Pictured: Shoppers are seen at Strathfield Plaza on Thursday

'The young lady has travelled from Newcastle to Forster-Tuncurry and is isolating at home,' Myall Lakes MP Stephen Bromhead told the ABC.

'Her tests were negative initially [but] a positive result came through late yesterday.

'There is no evidence thus far of community transmission.'

At this stage the region is not in lockdown but 'NSW Health will be monitoring it and it's a concern for everybody,' Mr Bromhead said.

'Thus far, even with this case, I don't think it would be enough to have a lockdown here, but NSW Health will be monitoring it and it's a concern for everybody.'

Health workers are seen at a drive through Covid testing facility at St Marys, west of Sydney, on Thursday

Meanwhile, Sydney and surrounds are almost certain to remain in lockdown beyond the August 28 deadline, while the Hunter, Byron Bay, Armidale and Tamworth are enduring snap seven-day shutdowns.

The Inner West, Bayside and Burwood LGA's of Sydney were today hit with even harsher restrictions after a surge in Covid cases.

The outback town of Walgett was also plunged into a snap seven-day lockdown from 7pm on Wednesday night after a local man who had recently travelled to Dubbo and Bathurst tested positive.

The restrictions will apply to residents in the eight LGAs of Bogan, Bourke, Brewarrina, Coonamble, Gilgandra, Narromine, Walgett and Warren.

Residents of the eight affected LGAs will be subject to the same restrictions as those in Greater Sydney, Dubbo, Tamworth, and other parts of the state.

People in the eight LGAs are permitted to leave home for only four main reasons, shopping for essential goods, medical care, exercise or essential work or education.
The French police chief who led the search for Esther Dingley has revealed how her boyfriend 'paced the area up and down' for days until he found her body.

Captain Jean Marc Bordinaro said Dan Colegate concentrated on the rocky terrain near where part of her skull had been found last month, locating her body about 437 yards (400m) from the remote peak of Pic de la Glere which straddles the French Spanish border in the Pyrenees.

Her skull was found 656 yards (600m) away further south down a twisting path that experienced hikers have described as 'treacherous'.

The body of the 37-year-old has now been taken to the French city of Toulouse where pathologist are checking for broken bones which would support investigators theory that she died after a fall.

Forensic officers are also examining Esther's phone - a 270 Redmi Note 9 Pro - in the hope pictures saved on the memory or signals sent from the device could help police solve the mystery of her death.

Esther's remains and equipment were found by boyfriend Dan Colegate on Monday as he paced up and down for days along the routes the 37-year-old took

Esther's partner Dan Colegate (pictured together) located the body 437 yards (400m) from the remote peak of Pic de la Glere which straddles the French Spanish border in the Pyrenees

Captain Bordinaro said the distance between where the body and skull were found was '109 yards (100m) as the crow flies'. Her remains were discovered by her boyfriend Mr Colegate 437 yards (400m) below the Pic de la Glere on August 9 - approximately 109 yards (100m) from where a fragment of her skull was found 18 days earlier on July 23.

In an exclusive interview with MailOnline Captain Nordinaro defended his search team over their failure to locate the body ahead of Ms Dingley's 38-year-old partner.

Since the snow in the vast search area has melted, Mr Colegate has covered hundreds of miles looking for the body his girlfriend.

Police sources and the French prosecutor responsible for the case have blamed recent poor weather for the failure to locate the body in rough terrain.

This is a map showing Esther's route from when she parked her campervan in Benasque, Spain, on November 16 to August 9 when her remains were found 437 yards (400m) from Pic de la Glere

Esther's body was found 437 yards (400m) below Pic de la Glere by her boyfriend Mr Copeland on August 9 - approximately 109 yards (100m) from where part of her skull was found 18 days earlier

Public prosecutor Cristophe Amunzateguy said high winds and rain prevented the use of drones and a helicopter in the search.

Captain Bordinaro, head of the police in St Gaudans, said Mr Colegate was best placed to locate the skeletal remains on the 2300metre high peak.

'Dan had paced the area up and down, taking Esther's abilities into account,' he said.

'He is a good hiker, a professional, and he has hiked in the Alps before.'

He blamed 'terrible weather' for failing to find Esther's corpse before it was pinpointed by Mr Colegate.

'We had already searched this area this winter with a helicopter and on foot, but we had been hampered by snow, our search was unsuccessful especially since it is very rugged terrain.

'In the past few weeks, we haven't been back to look specifically in this area. The Spanish investigators had surveyed this sector, but on the Spanish side.

'Esther's Dingley's body was found at the northern slope of Pic de Glere.

'Her skull was discovered not far from the Port of Glere, about 100 meters from where the rest of the body was found. It is a very hilly area.

'The most probable hypothesis is that the skull was moved by an animal.'

Last month, human remains later confirmed to be Esther's were found by Spanish hikers at Port de la Glere, a mountain pass on France 's border with Spain , just south of Bagneres-de-Luchon. The trail is known as Puerto de la Glera in Spanish

The hotel, near the Spanish town of Besanque in The Pyrenees from where Esther set off on her hiking expedition last November before she disappeared

The camper van used by Esther Dingley and her boyfriend on the European tour remains in a compond belonging to the Spanish Civil Guard, in Besanquein, The Pyrenees

The 37-year-old Oxford graduate had numerous pieces of kit with her at the time of her disappearance, including a bright red and grey rucksack and a distinctive yellow tent

Oxford graduate Esther Dingley parked the couple's campervan in a car park in Benasque, Spain, on November 21 and started the solo hike from the Spanish town of Benasque to Pic de Sauvegarde, a mountaintop in the Pyrenees, before she disappeared

Search teams directed to the area by Mr Colegate on Monday found Ms Dingley's grey rucksack and a water bottle. Her yellow tent has not been found.

Police recovered her mobile phone - a 270 Redmi Note 9 Pro - and sent the camera to forensic officers for examination.

The phone was switched off for much of the walk to conserve battery, but police hope pictures stored in the memory and signals sent from the device may hold clues to the case.

A source told the Sun: 'Phones are always crucial to solving cases like this. This is why the device will be picked over by the forensics officers working on the case.

'As far as the ongoing investigation is concerned, it is easily the most important bit of equipment.'

The Oxford graduate had set out to hike alone from the Porte de la Glere to the Port de Venasque, a trek which follows the border between France and Spain.

She parked the couple's campervan in a car park in Benasque, Spain, on November 21 and started the solo hike from the Spanish town of Benasque to Pic de Sauvegarde, a mountaintop in the Pyrenees.

Her last contact with anyone was when she sent Mr Colegate a selfie picture from the Pic de Sauvegarde mountain on November 22.

She was seen by several witnesses including an Olympic Spanish skier asking for some fruit hiking on the path leading up to the summit.

From there she planned to walk between Port de la Glere and Port de Venasque - a route of some eight miles - before hiking back down from the mountains.

The pass where Esther Dingley went missing was part of an area described as an 'easy' walk for the British hiker by her boyfriend

The 37-year-old from Durham was on a month-long solo trip and was supposed to return on November 24

She turned her phone off after that to save the battery and was planning to spend that night at the Refuge de Venasque in France, which is unmanned.

In her last known message, sent to Colegate on November 22, Esther wrote: 'Might dip into France. Hoping Refuge Venasque has a winter room. Keep you posted when can. Love you xxx'

No one knows if she stayed there and no one has reported seeing Esther alive after that.

Mr Colegate, who was staying at a farm in Gascony, France, raised the alarm on November 25, three days after he received her Whatsapp.

Police from Spain and France took part in the search in an area covering almost 700 miles.

Soldiers from the High Mountain Gendarmerie Platoon from Luchon as well as local hikers and mountain guides took part in the search.

But with area blanketed by snow the search was called off until Spring and warmer weather had melted the snow along the twisting trails.

Colegate has expressed disbelief at the theory that Esther may have died after becoming injured during her solo hike as she was an experienced hiker who should have had no problem with the route she is believed to have taken.

He wrote a 23-page report about Esther's plans to do a circular hike between Spain and France which involved sleeping at a mountain refuge.

He said in his dossier: 'An individual that Esther met on November 19 came forward to say he had specifically suggested this route through France, between Port de Venasque and Port de la Glere, to Esther when he met her. There is no reason to think that Esther did not stick to this plan.'

Esther went missing on November 22 while out hiking in the Pyrenees, and last month, human remains were found by Spanish hikers at Port de la Glere, a mountain pass on France 's border with Spain

Dingley's boyfriend Dan Colegate (left) has expressed disbelief at the theory that Esther may have died after becoming injured during her solo hike as she was an experienced hiker who should have had no problem with the route she is believed to have taken

Dingley (pictured with boyfriend Colegate) was seen by several witnesses including an Olympic Spanish skier asking for some fruit hiking on the path leading up to the summit

In a section titled 'Esther's Planned Onward Route', he suggested she reached the mountain refuge in France and slept there overnight before continuing a hike to return to her initial starting point in Spain.

He said: 'Her onward route would have involved a descent northwards towards the Hospice de France, a flat traverse westwards around the Imperatrice Way, and a climb southwards to the border at Port de la Glere. From the border the route descends back towards Hospital de Benasque.

'This route would have been well within Esther's capabilities for a day hike, in addition to the fact she had a tent, camping equipment and significant experience using it.

'Distance was 16km with 1202 yards (1100m) of ascent, five to seven hours of hiking time. The weather remained excellent that Monday. The route is very obvious on the ground and also from the terrain when starting from Refuge de Venasque.

'It's basically impossible to get lost in good visibility here. The entire route is a well-made and easy to follow path. Although Esther believed and had warned family that there was poor signal in the area, in fact the signal is very good on the French side.

'Within half an hour of leaving the refuge, Esther should have been able to use her phone for most of the rest of the day.'

The couple, both Oxford graduates, had been travelling around Europe in a camper van for years after quitting their careers and Durham home.
Rip-off Covid PCR tests for travel that can cost up to 400 each should be capped at 40, MPs have urged the Government.

Senior Conservative politicians called on Health Secretary Sajid Javid to crack down on the 'Wild West' testing market.

Henry Smith, chairman of the all-party Future of Aviation group, said the PCR testing regime looked 'increasingly dubious'.

And chairman of the transport select committee Huw Merriman published a letter to the Health Secretary urging him to give 'serious consideration' to making tests more affordable.

Mr Javid wrote to the Competition and Markets Authority watchdog last week, asking it to urgently investigate firms profiteering off testing requirements.

The agency responded yesterday, announcing it would report its recommendations 'within the month'  meaning the fiasco may not be fixed for several weeks.

Even the Government's own Health Department is charging four times more than the cheapest private provider, it was revealed today.

A Mail analysis found this ratio has increased from earlier this summer, when its PCR swabs were twice as expensive as the least expensive option on the market.

Critics branded ministers 'hypocrites' and labelled the fiasco 'a national scandal'.

Henry Smith (left), the Tory chairman of the all-party Future of Aviation group, said the testing regime is looking 'increasingly dubious'. Chairman of the transport select committee Huw Merriman (right) published a letter to the Health Secretary urging him to give 'serious consideration' to making tests more affordable

Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Mr Smith said tests should not be sold for greater than 40.

He said: 'The rationale for the testing regime looks increasingly dubious.

'Why not, instead, sample a random group of arrivals rather than require everyone to pay for tests frequently run by shoddy companies failing to deliver tests on time and guilty of making hugely misleading price claims?'

And Mr Merriman wrote: 'The high cost, poor quality and lack of sequencing from PCR tests needs to be urgently addressed by the Government.

'They are an unnecessary barrier to affordable international travel.'

Fellow transport committee member Simon Jupp branded test providers 'rip-off merchants'.

Pictured: Oxford University student Seth Thomas performs a test before travelling to the US

Meanwhile, former Brexit minister David Davis said capping costs would be 'perfectly sensible' and ministers should scrap the 20 per cent VAT on them.

Chairman of the 1922 Conservative backbench committee Sir Graham Brady said the Government should ensure tests are sold at a 'reasonable cost'.

It came as it emerged that health ministers have not assessed the potential benefits to hard-working families of capping test costs despite pledges to drive down prices.

The disclosure came in an answer to a written parliamentary question from Mr Davis, who asked health minister Jo Churchill if her department had assessed 'the potential benefits' to British holidaymakers of capping costs.

She replied: 'The department has not made a specific assessment.' She also insisted testing costs 'have fallen significantly' in recent months.

But the Mail's analysis revealed the Government is continuing to demand 88 for a post-arrival PCR test  the same as it was charging in June.

Research by airline consultancy Skytrax shows airport PCR tests were available for as little as $8 (5.70) in Mumbai, India, in April. The cost in Britain was nearly 100

This is more than four times the 20 being advertised by the cheapest private firms on the Government's list of approved providers.

In June the amount was double what the cheapest private firm was advertised as charging, then 44.

It means the Government's prices could add more than 350 to the cost of a foreign break for a family of four to a green or amber list country, as even the double-jabbed are required to take a PCR swab by day two of their return.

And its price for a two-test package, required for non-fully vaccinated people arriving from amber countries, remains 170.

This could add nearly 700 to the cost of a family getaway.

Boris Johnson previously pledged to make it 'as easy as possible' for families to travel abroad this summer. But critics last night said ministers' failure to reduce their prices meant this promise had been broken.

WHAT COMPANIES ARE ADVERTISING 20 TESTS? Test For Now claims to offer a self-swab Covid test for 21 on the Government website but the cheapest available on its website is for travelers to take on their second day back in the UK and costs 89 for a self-swab version, while it costs 97 for the same test at its clinic. Meanwhile, Everything Genetic's 20 offer is only available to NHS staff, with others charged 60. Pillhub-Feltham Pharmacy and 0-100 Travel 19's 20 tests are currently sold-out and their other PCR tests cost 80. ArrivingUK advertising 'self swab at home' day two kits for 20 on the Government portal. But on the firm's website this was only available to people who could collect them from Wembley in north London. The real cost was 89 plus 10 postage. Abicare Health was listed at the same low price but its website says this is only available if you can travel to Manchester  and not until November. The real cost for a posted kit is 75. Advertisement

Labour MP and former minister Ben Bradshaw said: 'It is quite clear that despite Boris Johnson's promises, the Government has no intention of doing anything to bring down the cost of tests.

'While separated families can't afford to travel to see one another and thousands of jobs in the travel industry are being needlessly sacrificed, mates of ministers are raking it in with these outrageous prices.'

Paul Charles, chief executive of travel consultancy the PC Agency, said: 'Ministers are absolutely hypocrites. Actions speak louder than words and sadly, as this demonstrates, there have been very few actions by ministers.

'The PCR testing regime is not only a national embarrassment, but a national scandal.'

There is no obligation to choose the Government's post-arrival testing package instead of a private provider's.

Although some private providers are advertised on the Government website as offering single-swab packages for 20, the Mail yesterday revealed how these rates are often not realistically obtainable for many, as when clicking through to each firm's website they are mostly out of stock or only offered in centres, meaning many would have to travel hundreds of miles.

The 399 PCR test listed on the UK Government's approved list of providers is offered by the Mayfair GP, a small private practice based in London.

The Department of Health says the tests  which can be performed in a matter of minutes  are carried out by people in their own home. But they are supervised by medical staff, meaning the firm may factor in some travel and labour costs.

The Mayfair GP uses Oncologica's laboratory to carry out the testing, suggesting the provider likely has to pay to get samples analysed. Labs use a machine and array of chemicals to decipher whether a sample contains Covid.

A price in the region of 20 would be reasonable for the swabs according to Professor Stephen Bustin, a world-renowned expert on PCR at Anglia Ruskin University. Research by the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change suggests the whole test process can cost as little as 15.

Mr Merriman demanded to know why returning travellers can't take cheaper rapid tests when so few positive cases are being sequenced. He pointed to NHS figures showing sequenced cases fell from 49 per cent during late February to early March.

For the first three weeks of July, there were 6,977 cases with 354 sequenced  just 5 per cent.

He also asked why more than 90 per cent of Government-approved private testing companies are yet to be accredited as competent operators.

Only around 38 of the more than 400 firms on the list have been fully approved by the UK Accreditation Service, responsible for vetting the firms.

A Health Department spokesman said: 'Companies that fail to meet the high standards required will be removed from our list of approved suppliers without hesitation.'
A furious road rage incident saw a man hurl an ax into another car's windshield after first chasing its driver off the highway and blocking her escape, cops have said.

The 47-year-old suspect was driving a Jeep on the Interstate 5 in the Seattle area on July 27 when he honked at the victim, according to incident reports.

King County deputies say the victim took an exit off the highway in an attempt to avoid confrontation, but the Jeep followed her, passed her vehicle and blocked the road in front of her, Seattle-based Q13 Fox reported.

A furious road rage incident saw a man hurl an ax into another car's windshield (pictured) after first chasing its driver off the highway and blocking her escape, cops have said

Dashcam video footage of the incident shows the Jeep's driver then getting out of the car and quickly hurling an ax at the victim, which smashes against her windshield as she tries to escape.

The unnamed suspect was then shown driving over the median and fleeing back the way the two cars arrived from.

The incident occurred in Shoreline, about 10 miles north of downtown Seattle, according to King County Sheriff's Office who released the footage.

A few days later, the same suspect was accused of yelling threats and racial slurs at another man in Everett, also in Washington State, on July 29.

Soon after the incident, a theft was reported at a nearby Home Depot store, with police dispatchers noting the suspect was seen getting into a silver Jeep Cherokee.

On July 30, the suspect was taken into custody while sunbathing at a Seattle park, with Kings County officers having identified the suspect using other surveillance video and catching up with him in jail.

Pictured: Still grabs from the dashcam footage - shared by King County Sheriff's Office - showing the suspect getting out of his car, moments before hurling an ax at the victim's windshield

Pictured: The ax is shown mid-air as the driver of the car attempts to put it into reverse to escape the suspect's attack. Reports said the confrontation occurred after the suspect started honking at the suspect as they merged onto Interstate 5 near Seattle

Pictured: The split-second before the ax hit the victim's windshield

He was wanted for Felony Hate Crime, Felony Eluding, and Theft, in addition to an outstanding Felony warrant for First-Degree Robbery outside of King County.

Video, captured on the victim's dashcam, begins as the suspect blocks the road ahead of the victim next to what appears to be a gas station.

The suspect is shown getting out of the vehicle on the driver's side, and as the victim attempts to put the car into reverse, the man quickly hurls the ax in her direction.

The video shows the ax flying through the air and smashing into the victim's windshield. It glances off, but visibly sends shock-waves through the car as it collides with the glass, sending dust flying into the air.

As the victim continues to try and drive away from the scene, the shirtless suspect is shown getting back into his car without retrieving the ax. He then drives across the road's median and back in the opposite direction.

Pictured: The ax glances off the windshield, but visibly sends shock-waves through the car as it collides with the glass, sending dust and other particles flying into the air

As the victim continues to try and drive away from the scene, the shirtless suspect is shown getting back into his car without retrieving the ax. He then drives across the road's median and back in the opposite direction

Pictured: The statement released by King County Sheriff's Office, along with the video of the road rage incident

'This video nearly says it all,' King County Sheriff's Office said in a post on Facebook on Tuesday, sharing the video.

'The driver of this Jeep, according to incident reports, began honking at the victim as they merged onto the NE 145th St I-5 on-ramp.

'As they traveled northbound. the Jeep's driver continued to honk so our victim took the Ballinger Way exit to avoid a freeway confrontation,' the post said.

'Only moments later the Jeep passes him, blocks the roadway and the driver hurls a hammer before fleeing.' The 'hammer' later transpired to be an ax.

'Using additional surveillance, King County detectives identified the Jeep's driver. They learned that only three days after this incident he was apprehended for multiple felonies after fleeing from deputies in Snohomish County,' the officials said.

'It's easy to find - and charge - a suspect when they are already [in] jail. Charges are pending in Shoreline, but once filed our hammer-thrower should be off our roads for some time,' the post added.

The Sheriff's Office then advised anyone involved in a road rage incident to try and drive to the nearest police or fire station for their protection.
Canberra has recorded three new cases of coronavirus just hours after it was announced the city would enter a snap seven-day lockdown after a surprise local case emerged.

The three new cases are all close contacts of the Covid-infected man aged in his 20s, who marked the territory's first case of the virus in more than a year.

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr announced the hard seven-day lockdown would begin from 5pm on Thursday.

Chief Health Officer Kerryn Coleman confirmed the territory's current Covid-19 cluster had surged to a total of four cases on ABC radio.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has responded to the small cluster of cases by declaring the ACT a 'hotspot' starting from 1am on August 14 - forcing Queenslanders to hot foot it back across the border.

ACT residents are set to plunge into a seven day snap lockdown after a confirmed case of Covid-19 (pictured, health workers in Canberra)

Ms Palaszczuk announced on Twitter that anyone who arrives in Queensland from the ACT from 1am on Saturday will be required to enter hotel quarantine for 14 days.

The premier said anyone who returns to Queensland from the ACT between 5pm on Thursday and 1am on Saturday must immediately undergo mandatory home quarantine for two weeks.

The same rules apply for anyone who has returned to the Sunshine State from the ACT since August 9.

Travellers must remain in quarantine for 14 days since their arrival in Queensland or since August 9, whichever is shorter.

Ms Palaszczuk urged any Queenslanders who were experiencing symptoms, however mild, to get tested and isolate immediately.

'All Queenslanders are urged not to travel to the ACT at this time,' the premier tweeted on Thursday.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has responded to the three new cases recorded in the ACT by declaring the territory a hotspot starting from 1am on Saturday, August 14

Long lines were seen outside the Weston Creek Community Centre in Canberra on Thursday just hours after the ACT was plunged into a snap seven-day lockdown

NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro (pictured) has warned of harsh penalties for any Canberrans found breaking the strict stay-at-home orders to enter NSW

Meanwhile, NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro has warned of harsh penalties for any Canberrans found breaking the strict stay-at-home orders to enter NSW.

Mr Barilaro said he had asked Police Commissioner Mick Fuller to 'ramp up' police resources on the South Coast keeping an eye out for ACT number plates.

The deputy premier also threatened a statewide lockdown in NSW if the current cluster in ACT was to spill into the surrounding regions.

'That could become problematic for southern NSW. If that was to breach there then I would absolutely be saying then maybe it is time for a statewide lockdown,' Mr Barilaro told 2GB radio.

'We've got to get tougher. Now's the time to go harder and tighter,' he said.

The deputy premier hinted some of the measures being considered included a 'ring of steel' around Sydney, increased fines, using truck stops to pull up all vehicles and a new permit system required to leave NSW.

Mr Barilaro said the intensified public health orders being drafted would go 'harder than anyone's gone before'.

Mayhem hit the major supermarkets across the Canberra as shoppers rushed to stock up on supplies ahead of the 5pm lockdown

Panic buyers have stripped shelves at Canberra supermarkets amid the city's first lockdown in more than a year

Delivery courier Deliveroo has offered Canberra residents free delivery from 5pm to help ease panic buying in some parts of Australia's capital city

Canberrans have flocked to testing centres across the capital city following the announcement with long lines seen stretching for hundreds of metres outside a walk-in clinic in Weston Creek.

Under the snap lockdown residents are still able to leave their homes for essential groceries and supplies but Minister Barr said the use of CBR check-in codes was 'critical'.

'The virus only transmits when people move around and the objective here is to reduce the transmission that is why we are entering a lockdown,' Barr said.

'It is critical to follow the public health orders over the next seven days, now is not the time to be popping over to mum and dad's or your sister's or brother's please stay at home.'

Queues of customers lined grocery aisles and some lines even spilled onto the streets outside shopping centres (pictured, long lines outside a Bakers Delight in the Woden area)

ACT residents seen queuing outside a walk-in clinic in Weston Creek in Canberra on Thursday

The territory confirmed its first case of the virus in over a year as Minister Andrew Barr announced a strict seven day lockdown would begin at 5pm on Thursday

He also confirmed masks would be made mandatory outside the home with exemptions around health conditions and exercise.

'When in doubt have your mask on, this is essential as a further risk reduction measure,' he said.

Testing clinics have been expanded in Exhibition Park with close contacts being encouraged to get tested immediately.

'We are asking Canberrans to be patient,' Barr said.

With expected longer wait hours for Covid-19 testing times as demand increases.

ACT Chief Health Officer Dr Kerryn Coleman confirmed the decision came as positive virus fragments were detected in wastewater on Wednesday night.

Dr Coleman revealed a man in his 20s residing in Gungahlin tested positive for the virus after an extensive time spent in the community while infectious.

The man had visited several venues including Canberra outlet centre, a JBHIFI, a pub and a Coles supermarket with all sites considered close contact venues.

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr described the initial case as the 'most serious public health risk' the territory has faced in over a year (pictured, people queue outside a walk-in Covid testing centre in Weston Creek, Canberra)

Canberrans are only allowed to leave their homes for essential groceries and supplies, essential employment which can't be done at home and healthcare including vaccination

Officials have been unable to trace the source of the infection, posing the most serious public health risk the territory has seen in over 12 months.

'This is by far the most serious public health risk the ACT has faced in the past 12 months, and that's why the ACT is entering a strict lockdown in response to this positive case,' Minister Barr said.

Minister bar confirmed the territory would act 'quickly and decisively after the outbreak in Greater Sydney.

'We have seen that a short and immediate lockdown limits the potential spread of the virus, and is the best path to avoiding longer and more damaging lockdowns.'

ACT Exposure Sites: Anyone who visited the listed venues are considered close contacts and must get tested then enter 14-day quarantine regardless of the result Sunday August 8 Fiction Bar in Canberra City, between the hours of 12am to 4.45 am Church of Pentecost, 19B Irving Street, Woden, between 10.30am to 1pm Freedom Furniture, Fyshwick, between 2pm to 2.20pm TK Maxx, Fyshwick, between 2.35pm to 2.50pm Canberra Outlet Centre between 2.30pm to 3pm The Assembly Pub, Braddon, between 9pm to 9.30pm Anyone who visited Canberra Outlet Centre on Sunday August 8 are urged to closely monitor symptoms and get tested Monday August 9 Stockade Training Centre, Fyshwick, between 7.30 to 1pm Tuesday August 10 Stockade Training Centre, Fyshwick, between 9am to 11am The Urban Pantry, Manuka, between 10.30 am to 1pm Harvey Norman, Fyshwick, between 11am to 12pm Wednesday August 11 The North Canberra Business Centre, Mitchell between 11.10am to 11.30am Companion House, Cook, between 11.30 to 11.45am Capital Chemist, Kingston, between 12pm to 12.15pm Coles, Manuka, between 12.15pm to 12.40pm Advertisement

ACT residents have not faced a lockdown since April last year, which lasted for five weeks.

Minister Andrew Barr said the raft of lockdown restrictions were taken as a precautionary measure due to the unknown source of the positive Covid-19 case.

During the snap lockdown residents are only allowed to leave their homes for essential groceries and supplies, essential employment which can't be done at home and healthcare including vaccination, with the use of CBR check-in codes remaining critical.

General retail will be closed but hospitality venues will be able to offer takeaway service.

Minister Andrew Barr said the use of CBR check-in codes were critical for the territory during this lockdown

Childcare will remain open for parents and guardians who need to undertake essential work or study.

ACT Deputy Chief Minister Yvette Berry outlined how public schools will work over the next seven days saying, 'If you can keep your children at home, you must keep your children at home.'

Essential workers, vulnerable members of the community or parents unable to keep their children at home are still able to send them to their local public school.

In the meantime public school teachers are preparing for a transition to online remote education.

'That means normal schooling won't happen during this week' Berry said

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT RESTRICTIONS: - Only allowed to leave their homes for an essential shop, essential work which can't be done at home and to be vaccinated. - Outdoor exercise would be limited to an hour - General retail will be closed but hospitality venues will be able to offer a takeout service - Childcare would remain open for parents and guardians who need to undertake essential work or study - Masks mandatory while outside the home - Public schools remain open but parents are urged to keep children at home if they are able Advertisement

Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith, ACT Chief Health Officer Dr Kerryn Coleman and Deputy Chief Minister Yvette Berry joined Minister Barr at midday's press conference after the ACT government's cabinet met for an emergency meeting earlier Thursday morning.

Canberra has entered a 'pause and assess' period under a plan developed the ACT government amid Sydney's Covid-19 outbreak.

This comes as the NSW Government announced a lockdown for eight additional local government areas overnight.

The seven day lockdown now applies to the following LGAs of Bogan, Bourke, Brewarrina, Coonamble, Gilgandra, Narromine, Walgett and Warren.

On Thursday NSW has recorded 345 new cases of and two deaths of men in their 90s - as more suburbs are slapped with harsher restrictions in Sydney's west.
A two-year-old boy has been missing for five days along with a young woman, 24, with police are urgently appealing for public help to track them down.

Chloe Gargan, 24, and toddler Tobius Chalmers, were last seen in Bernadotte Street, Riverwood, in Sydneys south west on Saturday.

Police and family fear for their safety as a desperate investigation into their whereabouts gets underway.

Chloe Gargan, 24 (right), and toddler Tobius Chalmers (left), were last seen in Bernadotte Street, Riverwood, in Sydneys south west on Saturday

Police and family fear for their safety as an desperate investigation into their whereabouts gets underway. Pictured: Two-year old Tobius

There are unconfirmed reports that Ms Gargan has recently visited Echuca, or other towns on the Victoria and NSW border.

Anyone in the area is urged to keep and eye out for the pair.

'Ms Gargan is described as being of Caucasian appearance and between 170cm to 175cm tall, with brown hair, of thin build,' police said.

'Tobius is described as being of Caucasian appearance with blond hair.'

Anyone who may have any information about their whereabouts is urged to contact police immediately.
The pandemic is fuelling a 'them and us' culture in the workplace with a 'two-tier' system between office staff and those still working from home - who are also risking pay and opportunities by working remotely, employment experts have warned.

More and more employers are expected to persist with flexible working arrangements going forward, with staff allowed to work from home for some days of the week as the pandemic eases.

However, some workers still want to continue working from home full time, despite a drive from ministers for employees to return to the office.

Google hit the headlines this week after US staff agreed to take pay cuts to continue working from home - leading to fears of similar policies in the UK.

Employment law specialist Emma Bartlett told MailOnline that continuing to work from home, even in the face of pay cuts, could lead to divisions within the workforce and even widen the gender pay gap.

She said: 'The home working arrangement during the pandemic was only ever temporary because of government advice and requirements. Now the government has lifted those requirements, employers are entitled to require employers to return to the office.

'However, there is a real risk of employers creating a two tier system if they pay employees less because they work remotely.

'It has the propensity to widen the gender pay gap if inevitably those with child caring responsibilities elect to work from home and women continue to be the primary child carers, or indeed take in more general caring responsibilities.

More and more employers are expected to persist with flexible working arrangements going forward (stock image)

'Those with disabilities who may be concerned about an increased risk to their health of contracting Covid whilst commuting or being in the office may also elect to work remotely, and therefore suffer a pay reduction even though the value of their work will not have changed.

'Employers must ensure it is able to provide a safe working environment in line with its health and safety obligations and must undertake additional risk assessment before doing so and put in place appropriate measures to reduce the risk of Covid spreading in the work place.'

Professor Cary Cooper, a psychologist from Alliance Manchester Business School, added: 'Women will be working substantially from home and the men will go in more days a week than the women, and that will adversely affect their career.'

Joeli Brearly, founder of the charity Pregnant Then Screwed, said it was inevitable that those with caring responsibilities will continue to try and work from home.

She said those who choose to work from home will not have as good a relationship with their managers and could look 'less committed' to their job - damaging their chances of promotions.

However, others warned that employers desperate to get staff in the office could face legal troubles if they try and enforce pay cuts.

Ms Bartlett said: 'It may be difficult for employers to objectively justify such different rates or pay. Many businesses have performed well despite an almost 100% remote working workforce during the pandemic as employees continued to be productive, with many working longer hours than they would in the office and finding it difficult to switch off with their 'home office' now only yards away from home life.

'Employers will need to work hard to ensure that remote workers are not prejudiced in the long term by missing out on opportunities for career development, training and promotion, work allocation.'

Google headquarters in London. Google is planning to pay employees who work from home less because of the savings they make on commuting and costs like food

A running track at a site owned by property firm Derwent London. The firm's CEO said demand is rising for offices with appealing amenities

The cost of commuting: Mail Online analysis on the thousands of pounds and hundreds of hours people living outside London spend commuting to and from work in the capital. Hours calculated through average journey time multiplied by number of days average UK worker works

Daniel Zona, of the Employment Law Team at Collyer Bristow, said: 'Proposing to cut the pay of workers who refuse to return to the office part-time or at all may be lawful (even if it may not be seen as ethical) but certainly raises significant issues.

'Generally employers should aim for a consensual approach to this sort of policy. When it comes to changing terms and conditions of employment, compromise on both sides is often the way to reach agreement.

Workers returning to offices are 'struggling to cope with noise' Many workers returning to offices are struggling to cope with noise or problems with facilities such as video conferencing, a new study suggests. Research among 2,000 adults indicated that most of those who worked from home during the pandemic have now gone back to offices at least once. The Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management said only one in four of those it questioned noticed any changes to their office layout on their return. Seven in 10 home workers in the West Midlands, Northern Ireland and London have returned at least temporarily to the office, compared to half in the South West, Wales and North West, said the report. Scottish workers were said to be the least likely to have tried to return. Half of respondents believed they are more productive working from home, especially among younger workers. Linda Hausmanis, chief executive of the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management, said: 'We are now at a tipping point, where the majority of us have had the chance to sample working from the office once again. 'For far too many this has been a disappointing and frustrating experience. Employers must invest to allow workplaces to reflect new working realities, or risk a calamitous decline in productivity. 'As we move into new modes of working, businesses must adapt physical spaces, working culture and supporting technologies.' Seven out of 10 returning workers said they struggled to identify any changes to their offices since before the pandemic, and half felt their office needed modernisation. Almost one in three said they no longer felt comfortable sharing a desk with a colleague. Advertisement

'It may be difficult to justify any cut in pay where the worker continues to do the same amount and type of work as before, or as those who return to the office.

'An employer should also consider that a practice of paying staff who work from home less, even where the deductions themselves are implemented lawfully, could amount to indirect discrimination. Women tend to work from home more than other sexes, and by paying those who work from home less they could unlawfully disadvantage women. This could also widen the company's gender pay gap.

'The news that Google is considering this sort of policy may spur on other employers to do the same, particularly small businesses or those less fearful of litigation.

Malcolm Gregory, Partner in the Employment Law team at Royds Withy King, said: 'Employers cannot change the terms and conditions of an employment contract without first gaining consent from staff, and it is important to note that Google is not forcing staff to accept a lower salary to work remotely on a permanent basis. It seems as though Google employees are being given a choice and can continue to commute into its offices and remain on the same salaries.

'Whilst many employers, particularly banks and financial services businesses, have said they expect staff to work from their city offices, this carrot approach is interesting and one that is likely to be widely copied.

'Staff who are not expected to commute, particularly into central London, are effectively being asked to waive their London weighting.

'This is, however, an employment law minefield for businesses. If they want all staff to work from an office, they may face an increase in formal requests to work from home that cannot be ignored. If they offer fully remote working and wish to reduce salaries, they will need to gain consent. That may not always be given.

'And staff with protected characteristics under employment law  particularly, age, disability, and pregnancy - who find it challenging to commute, may believe they are victims of indirect discrimination and bring claims against their employer.'

Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures released in June showed home workers only spend six-and-a-half hours a day on work.

In comparison, people still commuting into an office or factory spent around seven hours and 15 minutes a day working  including half-an-hour at home.

The data was taken from a survey of thousands of Brits, who were quizzed about how they spent their time over the past year.

The ONS data showed that, overall, the average amount of hours people spent working at home in the UK increased from 55 to 74 minutes a day from March and April last year to March this year.

Retirees, stay-at-home mothers and unemployed people were included in the data.

It comes amid more debate over remote working after Google slashed the salaries of those refusing to return to the office.

The move is part of a Silicon Valley experiment and will see employees who work from home paid less because of the savings they make on commuting and costs like food.

Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures show home workers only spend six-and-a-half hours a day on work

Though the plans are being considered in the US for the moment, it is thought that Google could later apply them to its London office. The tech giant is preparing for UK staff to return to the office from October - though it expects about a fifth of staff to continue working from home.

And, according to research from CV Library and Reed, the number of working from home positions available are continuing to rise.

CV library carried nearly 70,000 postings which allowed remote working between March and July 2021  four times the number of the year before. On Reed, just 1% of jobs offered remote working in 2019, with the number now at 5%

However, Paul Williams, chief executive of property firm Derwent London, says he expects businesses to return to the office from September, with demand rising for offices with amenities such as gyms, bars and running tracks.

It comes after it was revealed that Whitehall officials are considering stripping civil servants of their London weighting if they continue working from home  a salary boost worth around 4,000.

Downing Street refused to condemn civil servants resisting a return to Whitehall, however, amid the calls for them to face a pay cut if they want to continue to work from home.
Voters are cancelling their Labour Party memberships after Sir Keir Starmer said Geronimo the embattled alpaca must be slaughtered.

The leader of the opposition said last night that there was no alternative but to kill the eight-year-old male after it tested positive for bovine tuberculosis, despite pleas from campaigners.

The animal, originally from New Zealand, is currently in isolation on owner Helen Macdonald's farm in south Gloucestershire.

Its a really sad situation and you can see why emotions are running really high, Sir Keir said.

'Its always tragic when it happens. I dont think we can make an exception in this case. Of course its sad  its sad for farmers as well when they lose their animals but we have to keep TB under control.

Sir Keir Starmer said there was no alternative but to kill the eight-year-old male over bovine tuberculosis fears despite pleas from campaigners

Labour voters say they have cancelled their membership to the party and suggest they will not vote for them going forward after leader Sir Keir Starmer backed the killing of embattled alpaca Geronimo

Geronimo supporters hoping for backing from the Labour Party were left sorely disappointed by the comments - with several saying they had cancelled their membership Thursday.

'I've just cancelled my direct debit and left the Labour Party,' one wrote on Twitter.

'They don't represent me any longer, I expected better than this. Where is the opposition, I can't contribute to party funds if this is what they believe is right.'

Another wrote in reply: 'Me too...sick of Starmer', while one simply said: 'So ashamed of my party.'

'Labour claim to love animals but they do this,' another chimed in, 'we now need a new political party.'

'Totally ineffective opposition,' blasted another, 'I'm appalled at the position of the Labour party on this critical issue. We cannot rely on labour to make ethical decisions.'

The animal's owner Helen Macdonald, 50, insists the TB results were false positives and is demanding a re-test from the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) - something the Government, including the prime minister himself, has repeatedly denied.

Animal Welfare campaigner Dominic Dyer said Sir Keir's decision to back Boris Johnson over Geronimo represented a 'sad night' for the Labour party and a 'missed opportunity' to raise concerns with the Government about the overall TB policy.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has backed the death sentence for doomed alpaca Geronimo. Pictured: Geronimo with his owner Helen MacDonald

'We need a new political party': Animal lovers' fury with the Labour party as they say they feel 'disgusted' and 'ashamed' of Sir Keir Starmer's support of Geronimo slaughter

On Sir Keir's comments he said: 'That in my view is an absolutely disgraceful decision, I think it will annoy a huge number of Labour supporters.

'It fatally undermines Labour's commitment to animal welfare, it puts it in a position where it is no better than the Government, and I am really really angry and disappointed.

'I am not certain where Keir Starmer thinks he is coming from, I am not certain which audience he thinks he is pleasing but I am certain he's made the wrong decision and I am certain it will reflect very badly when it comes to Labour getting support from people who care passionately about animals... a sad night for the Labour party.'

He told his more than 31,000 followers that he also found it 'incredible' that shadow environment secretary Luke Pollard and Angela Rayner who 'considers herself an animal welfare campaigner' had said 'absolutely nothing'.

The fury on Twitter continued, with one voter branding Sir Keir 'disgraceful', while another added: 'He's gone right down in my estimation.'

Another said: 'Corbyn would never have done that. That is despicable. I've seriously been considering my membership for some time - think this may be the end of the road.'

'Utterly disgusting,' wrote one, 'Yet another nail in the coffin of any real opposition to the circus in power.'

One voter vowed: 'Don't think I will vote Labour again, what a bunch of hypocrites.'

'I have supported Keir throughout, but there is no excuse for this,' warned another, 'If Labour are not going to be a party for animal welfare then I really will have to reconsider my support.'

Under a High Court warrant Defra has 30 days to slaughter Geronimo.

The body has repeatedly refused to retest Geronimo for bTB arguing its test is accurate despite the Daily Mails bombshell evidence of nine other camelids who were slaughtered following false positives for bTB.

Miss MacDonald said: We are just asking to have him tested with something appropriate.

'I get they have policy to follow but there are other ways, and they dont have to kill him.

The Prime Ministers spokesman said: The fact remains that Geronimo has sadly tested positive twice using a highly specific and reliable and validated test.

The warrant was issued to kill Geronimo following a 50,000 High Court battle.

Ms Macdonald this week received backing from the Prime Minister's father Stanley Johnson, who reiterated his support for Geronimo, but revealed that he had not phoned his son over the issue because he doesn't wish to 'invoke some privileged access mechanism' to advance his opinion.

Ms Macdonald has also had support from protesters who demonstrated outside the Defra headquarters in London and Downing Street on Monday, while a petition to save Geronimo has now brought in more than 115,000 signatures.

Geronimo had been given the vaccine tuberculin which, Ms Macdonald says, produced a false positive.

The petition claims: 'DEFRA had prior knowledge that giving multiple injections of tuberculin before the Camelid Enferplex blood test (known as priming) produces false-positive test results in healthy camelids. This happened to Geronimo in 2017 and DEFRA failed to declare this.'

Ms Macdonald told Good Morning Britain earlier this week: 'We've known that there's been problems with this test since 2016 but Defra didn't tell me that before the first test result in August 2017.

'The second round of testing by their own admission was biased, they actually said ''we deviated from protocol to ensure that the client understood that the first test was indeed positive for tuberculosis, so you know, I was discriminated against from the very get-go.

'And then a few months after that we found out that they already knew that there was a problem with this test, so there is no validity to their claims, there is a new test called Actiphage which looks for the embobis in the blood stream.

'What we've always been asking for is testing that's appropriate for an alpaca, and let's have a better answer because clearly he produced an antibody response to the tuberculin four years ago or he wouldn't be standing here today.'
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The blistering 'Lucifer' heat dome kept its grip on southern Europe today with temperatures of 100F (38C) and forecasters warn the mercury will soar again tomorrow.

The Saharan anticyclone hit Portugal and central Italy today after boiling Sicily to a record breaking high of 119.8F and causing over 500 fires across southern Europe yesterday.

It is the latest in a bout of extreme weather in Europe after flash floods hit northern Turkey on Wednesday as wildfires continued to burn in Greece, Italy, and Algeria, where at least 69 have died.

While temperatures topped 122.5F (50.3C) in Tunisia on Thursday, a record high for the country, and a resort near the Alicante was hit by a meteotsunami.

And the anticyclone's continued movement north across mainland Italy, Portugal, and Spain has increased fears of more life-threatening wildfires across the continent.

It comes after a damning UN report on Monday warned the world is already experiencing the effects of climate change and that they are set to get rapidly worse.

Flooding and wildfires have fast become the norm both in the Mediterranean - including the Greek islands, Alicante, Sicily, Turkey and Algeria in Northern Africa

The Saharan anticyclone has caused over 500 fires across Italy after pushing the mercury to a sweltering 119.8F - a record breaking high

A blistering heat dome dubbed 'Lucifer' was heading north to Portugal, central Italy, and towards Rome on Thursday as hot air from the Sahara continued to engulf large parts of the Mediterranean region

SICILY RECORDS EUROPE'S HIGHEST EVER TEMPERATURE

Sicily recorded Europe's highest ever temperature yesterday as it sweltered in a 119F 'heat dome' as hot air from the Sahara continued to engulf large parts of the Mediterranean region.

The region's agriculture-meteorological information service (SIAS) said a record-breaking 119.8F was recorded in the city of Syracuse, which lies on the southeast coast of the island, after an anticyclone, dubbed 'Lucifer', swept across the country.

The previous highest temperature ever recorded on the European continent was 118F in Athens in 1977. The temperature in Sicily is yet to be independently confirmed by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

A WMO spokesperson told the MailOnline researchers were 'actively looking into this observation'.

Stifling heat kept its grip on much of Southern Europe on Thursday, driving people indoors at midday, spoiling crops, triggering drinking water restrictions, turning public libraries into cooling 'climate shelters' and maki complicating the already difficult challenge firefighters faced battling wildfires.

The Italian agriculture lobby Coldiretti said Thursday that 20 per cent of the tomato crop in Italy's south was lost due to torrid heat and humidity. Italy exports nearly 2 billion euros ($2.4 billion) worth of tomatoes and tomato products like canned or bottled sauce throughout the world.

And in many places, forecasters said worse was expected to come.

In Italy, 15 cities including Rome, Florence, Palermor, and Bolzano, which is usually a refreshing hot-weather escape in the Alps, received warnings from the health ministry about high temperatures and humidity with peaks predicted for Friday.

The local National Health Service offices in Rome and Bologna telephoned older residents who live alone to see if they needed groceries or medicines delivered so they wouldn't venture out in the searing heat.

At the ancient Colosseum, Civil Protection volunteers distributed hundreds of bottles of water to visitors.

'I drink a lot of water, more water, more water and more water,' said Hank Heerat, a tourist from the Netherlands cycling down the broad boulevard flanking the Roman Forum.

The Italian air force, which oversees the national weather service, said the interior parts of the islands of Sardinia and Sicily could expect to see temperatures upwards of 104F (40C) by Friday. By early afternoon on Thursday in Rome, the city famous for its ornamental as well as strategically placed sidewalk drinking fountains sizzled in 100F (38C) heat.

Stifling heat kept its grip on much of Southern Europe on Thursday, driving people indoors at midday, and making sightseeing difficult for tourists

The local National Health Service offices in Rome and Bologna telephoned older residents who live alone to see if they needed groceries or medicines delivered so they wouldn't venture out in the searing heat

Stifling heat hit Rome on Thursday, driving people indoors at midday, triggering drinking water restrictions, and turning public libraries into cooling 'climate shelters'

In Italy, 15 cities including Rome, Florence, and Palermo, received warnings from the health ministry about high temperatures and humidity with peaks predicted for Friday

A young boy cools off in a fountain in Piazza Castello in Turin as temperatures topped 100F across much of southern Europe - and are expected to rise again on Friday

People enjoy a cool dip in the sea as anticyclone Lucifer swept through Italy on Thursday, bringing blistering heats of over 119F

People cools their pets down in a fountain in Catania, Sicily on Wednesday as temperatures hit 45C

A woman sits near a fountain in a street of Catania, Sicily, Southern Italy, as the country faces a heatwave

Sicilian residents on Wednesday described the heat as 'unbearable' and said the temperatures were making it difficult to breath.

'It's really difficult to breathe, so even going outside, there's a sort of warm wind - almost like a siroc of wind - and it makes it really really hard to breathe', Fabio Basile told BBC Newsnight.

Italy's health ministry on Wedneday issued 'red' alerts for extreme heat for several regions.

But Basile, who moved to the UK from Sicily 18 years ago, said residents had received little advice from authorities with only warnings 'for the elderly to stay inside and cool down.'

He said Sicily residents were relying on air-con in some of the homes but admitted 'it's not the best solution for the planet'.

Meanwhile Italy's health ministry issued 'red' alerts for extreme heat for several regions as large parts of the Mediterranean region continue to battle the extreme weather.

Firefighters in Italy said they had been involved in more than 3,000 fire-fighting operations in Sicily and Calabria in the last 12 hours as mercury levels continued to rise and bring severe changes in atmospheric pressure.

They said the situation was now 'under control' on the island but local media reported that trees and land were burning in the Madonie mountains some 100 km from the Sicilian capital of Palermo and in the small town of Linguaglossa, on the slopes of the Etna volcano.

'Our small town was really invaded by fire. It is a catastrophe ... We are living through some really sad moments,' said Giovanna Licitra, from the village of Giarratana in the south of the island which was hit by fires on Wednesday.

Serious damage has also been reported in Calabria, the toe of Italy's 'boot'.

The burned body of a 79-year-old man was found in the Reggio Calabria area on Wednesday, while another man, aged 77, died in the same region after trying to shelter his herd from the flames, news agencies reported.

Their deaths follow those of a 53-year-old woman and her 35-year-old nephew, also in Reggio Calabria, who died last Friday trying to save the family olive grove.

Last week Italy's fire service was also battling blazes in the southern town of Gravina in Puglia and San Giacomo degli Schiavoni, further to the north, after infernos in Sicily and Pescara at the weekend.

Regional authorities in Sicily have declared a state of emergency as a result of the fires, while 50 voluntary fire-fighting teams from around Italy have flown in to help battle the blazes.

Fires raged in Ragusa area, on Sicily, on Thursday after hot weather from anticyclone Lucifer and strong winds helped to ignite the blazes

Firefighters in Italy were battling hundreds of flames on the island of Sicily on Thursday as the blistering heatwave in southern Europe continued

Fires stoked by hot winds swept through southern Italy on Thursday and firefighters said they had carried out more than 500 operations in Sicily and Calabria in the last 12 hours

Regional authorities in Sicily have declared a state of emergency as a result of the fires, while 50 voluntary fire-fighting teams from around Italy have flown in to help battle the blazes

A volunteer helps firefighters control wild blazes in Fuscaldo, in Calabria, Italy, on Wednesday after flames were ignited by hot weather

HEAT WARNINGS FOR SPAIN, FRANCE, AND PORTUGAL

In Spain, the national weather service warned temperatures could hit 111F (44C) in some areas in coming days. Parts of the northeastern Catalonia region were forecast to reach 107.6F (42C) on Thursday.

Authorities in Barcelona, the Catalan capital, designated 162 museums, libraries, schools and other public places around the city as 'climate shelters.'

The sites offered an escape from the heat, cool drinking water and staff trained in dealing with heatstroke.

Spain's weather service, AEMET, on Wednesday recorded a temperature of 116F in the Costa Del Sol and said mercury levels could also surpass 111F in other areas later in the week.

As the temperatures across Europe continue to rise, lead forecaster at Severe Weather EU, Marko Korosec, said a 'more intense heatwave is expected to develop for Spain and Portugal' later this week.

He said: 'Towards the weekend, the heat dome and the upper ridge is expected to expand also across the Iberian peninsula.

'Coming into Friday, the heatwave significantly ramps up as much warmer air mass advects farther north and west across the Iberian peninsula.'

AEMET, said 'the maximum and minimum temperatures will reach levels far above the normal for this time of the year'.

The body warned heat 'could lead to adverse effects on people's health

Adding: 'Mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands are facing a probable heatwave.

'This could lead to adverse effects on people's health and to a significant risk of forest fires.'

Portugal's prime minister Antonio Costa warned on Wednesday the hot weather would increase the threat of wildfires, which in 2017 killed more than 100 people in the country.

Mr Costa urged people to take special care amid the scorching weather and wildfire danger, adding that many wildfires start with 'careless behaviour'.

He also said said 'the terrible images' from Greece and Turkey in recent days had brought back memories of the disaster in 2017.

'We don't want to see that scenario here again,' Mr Costa said in a videotaped message at his official residence.

Heat warnings were also issued on Wednesday in southern France, where forecasters warned of a 'very severe risk' of fires due to the combination of dry and windy weather.

And Greek authorities warned the public to avoid unnecessary journeys as temperatures rose to 113F in some parts.

The spell of hot, dry weather also prompted four municipalities in central Serbia to declare an emergency after Rzav River levels plummeted, endangering water supplies. Authorities imposed drinking water restrictions affecting some 250,000 people, while the Serbian army brought in water tanks for public use.

'We have a period of severe drought, we cannot take any more water from the river,' Zoran Barac, the head of a local water supply utility company, told Serbian state broadcaster RTS.

In Spain, the national weather service warned temperatures could hit 111F (44C) in some areas in coming days. Parts of the northeastern Catalonia region were forecast to reach 107.6F (42C) on Thursday

Authorities in Barcelona, the Catalan capital, designated 162 museums, libraries, schools and other public places around the city as 'climate shelters', but many residents were seen relaxing in shadows

A woman on a rowing boat protects herself from the sun with an umbrella in the Retiro park in Madrid, Spain, as a heatwave continues to scorch southern Europe

Children refresh themselves playing on a water-jets fountain in Zaragoza, northeast Spain, on Thursday after the mercury hit 100F

Workers on a construction site stop to have a drink in Madrid, Spain, as Europe roasts in a hear dome

A woman fans herself in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, as temperatures begin to rise at the start of the heatwave

Hundreds of tourists flood a beach in Barcelona as the country braces itself for a severe heatwave

TURKEY GRIPPED BY MUDSLIDES AND FIRES

Severe floods and mudslides triggered by torrential rain in northern Turkey have left at least five people dead and another person missing, the country's Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency said Thursday.

The floods battered the Black Sea coastal provinces of Bartin, Kastamonu, Sinop and Samsun on Wednesday, demolishing homes and bridges and sweeping away cars. Helicopters scrambled to rescue people stranded on rooftops.

The disaster struck as firefighters in southwest Turkey worked to extinguish a wildfire in Mugla province, an area popular with tourists that runs along the Aegean Sea. The blaze was one of more than 200 wildfires in Turkey since July 28. At least eight people and countless animals died and thousands of residents have had to flee fierce blazes.

As floodwaters began to recede across the affected regions in Turkey's north, a statement from the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency, or AFAD, said rescuers had recovered five bodies and were still searching for one missing person. It was not immediately clear if they expected to find more bodies in swamped homes or vehicles.

The worst-hit area appeared to be in Kastamonu, where flooding inundated much of the town of Bozkurt. At least 13 people were injured when a section of a bridge collapsed in Bartin province. In Sinop, helicopters lifted 19 people to safety.

Many of the affected areas were left without power and village roads were blocked. Turkey's Black Sea region is frequently struck by severe rains and flash flooding.

Meanwhile, Turkey's disaster and emergency agency said severe floods and mudslides had killed at least five people with another missing on Thursday.

The floods battered the Black Sea coastal provinces of Bartin, Kastamonu, Sinop and Samsun on Wednesday, demolishing homes and bridges and sweeping away cars as helicopters scrambled to rescue people stranded on rooftops.

The worst-hit area appeared to be in Kastamonu, where flooding inundated much of the town of Bozkurt. At least 13 people were injured when a section of a bridge collapsed in Bartin province.

In Sinop, helicopters lifted 19 people to safety. Many of the affected areas were left without power and village roads were blocked.

It is the latest in a series of extreme weather events in Turkey and came as firefighters were still working to extinguish wildfires in Mugla province, an area popular with tourists that runs along the Aegean Sea.

The blaze was one of more than 200 wildfires in Turkey since July 28. At least eight people and countless animals died and thousands of residents have had to flee fierce blazes.

Rescue teams helped evacuate residents in Bozkurt district of Kastamonu, Turkey, on Wednesday after their homes were flooded

Rescue teams carry a resident of Bozkurt district in Kastamonu, Turkey, to safety after heavy rains caused flash floods in the country's north

Turkey's disaster and emergency agency said severe floods and mudslides had killed at least five people with another missing on Thursday

TURKEY: The floods battered the Black Sea coastal provinces of Bartin, Kastamonu, Sinop and Samsun on Wednesday, demolishing homes and bridges and sweeping away cars as helicopters scrambled to rescue people stranded on rooftops

Debris litters the streets in a residential area in Bozkurt district of Kastamonu after heavy rains hit, causing flash floods

Flames rise after a forest fire broke out in Bucak district of Burdur, Turkey

TURKEY: Firefighters are still working to extinguish wildfires in Mugla province, an area popular with tourists that runs along the Aegean Sea

TURKEY: At least eight people and countless animals died and thousands of residents have had to flee fierce blazes

WILDFIRES IN GREECE

Greece has for over a week been ravaged by wildfires which, fanned by strong winds, have torn through forest dried out in a blistering heatwave.

Hardest-hit has been the island of Evia, where flames have now raged for nine days - racing from one side of the island to the other, reducing everything in their path to ash, and forcing thousands of residents to evacuate.

On Evia alone, almost half a million acres of tinder-dry forest has been torched while at least 1,000 homes have been burned to the ground in the village of Mantoudi.

Images coming from Evia have at-time seemed hopeless as residents battled to save their homes using tree branches - hitting out flames due to water shortages.

Some were refusing to evacuate on Tuesday, mounting a desperate defence of their livelihoods using whatever they could lay their hands on with no sign of fire crews.

The fires prompted Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to declare on Monday 'a natural disaster of unprecedented proportions'.

Noumidi said she was not bothered by the images, which were likened to Edvard Munch's The Scream, but said she hoped to one day wake up and 'see everything as I knew it'

Greek villagers have refused to evacuate and are working around the clock to save their homes as wildfires continued to ravage the island of Evia

The Evia fire is one of more than 500 blazes that have broken out in just a few days across Greece, which is in the midst of its worst heatwave in 30 years, but is by far the most widespread and severe

ALGERIAN FORESTS DECIMATED BY MEDITERRANEAN FIRES

The death toll climbed to at least 69 as firefighters, soldiers and civilian volunteers battled blazes in forests across northern Algeria on Wednesday, in the latest wildfires to sweep the Mediterranean.

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune declared three days of national mourning starting from Thursday, and authorities say they suspect widespread arson after so many fires erupted in such a short space of time.

In an update, state-run news agency APS said the rash of more than 50 fires that broke out Tuesday had claimed four more lives, in addition to state television's toll of 65 dead, including 28 soldiers deployed to help overstretched emergency services.

Several arrests have been announced, but the identities or suspected motives of those detained have not been disclosed.

Images of trapped villagers, terrified livestock and forested hillsides reduced to blackened stumps were shared on social media, many of them accompanied by pleas for help.

AFP journalists saw villagers desperately trying to put out the spreading fires with makeshift brooms in an effort to save their homes.

Villagers attempt to put out a wildfire, in Achallam village, in the mountainous Kabylie region of Tizi Ouzou, east of Algiers

Smokes rise from the wildfire at Beni Douala town in Tizi Ouzou Province in northern Algeria

Extinguishing works continue for the wildfire at Beni Douala town in Tizi Ouzou Province in northern Algeria

ALICANTE FLOODED BY 'METEO-TSUNAMI'

An Alicante resort has been hit by a meteotsunami which flooded streets and beaches and damaged cars after severe changes in atmospheric pressure.

Santa Pola was hit overnight on Wednesday by the freak weather incident, called a rissaga in Catalan Spanish.

These are large, tsunami-like waves are triggered by severe changes in atmospheric pressure caused by fast-moving weather events, such as a heatwave.

It comes as a blast of hot weather pushing north from the Sahara is expected to push temperatures to 47C in Spain , Portugal, and Italy , in the coming days.

The freak weather incident saw the sea level drop and then rise, washing over the beach and promenade around 2:30am on Wednesday.

Pictures showed the beach covered with white wash and water lapping over the promenade and around cars on nearby streets. Santa Pola police said the rare weather damaged the town's fishing fleet and left several boats adrift on Wednesday morning.

The Department of Climatology of the University of Alicante said the rare phenomenon was more common around the Balearic Islands, but had happened in Alicante before - though this was much stronger than usual.

Santa Pola was hit overnight on Wednesday by the freak weather incident, called a rissaga in Catalan Spanish

Alicante resort Santa Pola was hit by a meteotsunami which flooded streets and beaches and damaged cars after severe changes in atmospheric pressure

UN REPORT: MAN-MADE GLOBAL WARMING MUST BE REVERSED

The UN report, which as been dubbed a 'code red for humanity', said the Earth is likely to warm by 1.5C within the next 20 years  a decade earlier than previously expected  and heatwaves, flooding and droughts will become more frequent and intense.

Scientists had expected temperatures to rise by 1.5C above pre-industrial levels between 2030 and 2052 but now believe it will happen between this year and 2040.

'It's just guaranteed that it's going to get worse,' said report co-author Linda Mearns, a senior climate scientist at the US National Center for Atmospheric Research. 'I don't see any area that is safe Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide.'

The report by the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was produced by 200 scientists from 60 countries.

Drawing on more than 14,000 scientific papers, the review included the latest knowledge on past and potential future warming, how humans are changing the climate and how that is increasing extreme weather events and driving sea-level rises.

The authors said it was 'virtually certain' that heatwaves 'have become more frequent and more intense across most land regions'.

They also said a rise in sea levels approaching two metres by the end of this century 'cannot be ruled out', while the Arctic is likely to be 'practically sea ice-free' in September at least once before 2050.

If temperatures continue to rise, there could be devastating effects here on Earth, including a dramatic loss of sea-life, an ice-free Arctic and more regular 'extreme' weather

'We can't wait. The signs are unmistakable': Biden urges US action after doomsday UN report says global warming is ALREADY causing extreme weather and the world will heat up by 2.7F by 2040 - a decade earlier than forecast US President Joe Biden has sounded the alarm on climate change following the release of a bombshell United Nations report dubbed a 'a code red for humanity.' 'We can't wait to tackle the climate crisis. The signs are unmistakable. The science is undeniable. And the cost of inaction keeps mounting,' Biden said in a statement Monday, as he urged the US and world nations to swiftly limit greenhouses gasses. The Earth is likely to warm by 2.7F within the next 20 years - a decade earlier than previously expected - and heatwaves, flooding and droughts will become more frequent and intense, according to the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) assessment. On Monday, 234 experts warned in the report that the US is headed for disaster. Flooding, deadly fires and heat waves will not only become the norm but will intensify in a warming world, warns the 3,949-page assessment. Humans have already heated the planet by roughly 2 degrees Fahrenheit (1.1C), since the 19th century, largely by burning coal, oil and gas for energy  with the US being one of the world's top producers. Scientists had expected temperatures to rise by 2.7F (1.5C) above pre-industrial levels between 2030 and 2052 but now believe it will happen between this year and 2040. Advertisement

However, some experts say there is still hope that cuts in emissions of greenhouse gases could stabilise rising temperatures.

Scientists involved in the report said the 1.5C or 2C thresholds are not cliff edges the world will fall off, but that every bit of warming makes a difference, so it is important to curb temperature rises as much as possible.

Professor Richard Betts, from the Met Office Hadley Centre and a contributing author to the report, said: 'Like the speed limit on a motorway, staying below it is not perfectly safe and exceeding it does not immediately lead to calamity, but the risks do increase if the limit is passed.

'Limiting warming to 1.5C clearly needs much more urgent emissions cuts than is currently happening, but if the target is still breached we should not assume all is lost and give up - it will still be worth continuing action on emissions reductions to avoid even more warming.'

The report by the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was produced by 200 scientists from 60 countries.

Drawing on more than 14,000 scientific papers, the review included the latest knowledge on past and potential future warming, how humans are changing the climate and how that is increasing extreme weather events and driving sea-level rises.

The authors said it was 'virtually certain' that heatwaves 'have become more frequent and more intense across most land regions'.

They also said a rise in sea levels approaching two metres by the end of this century 'cannot be ruled out', while the Arctic is likely to be 'practically sea ice-free' in September at least once before 2050.

Following the report, Prime Minister Boris Johnson called it 'sobering reading' and said it was clear the next decade was going to be pivotal to securing the future of the planet.

'We know what must be done to limit global warming - consign coal to history and shift to clean energy sources, protect nature and provide climate finance for countries on the frontline,' he added.

And US President Joe Biden urged the country and world nations to swiftly limit greenhouses gasses.

He said in a statement: 'We can't wait to tackle the climate crisis. The signs are unmistakable. The science is undeniable. And the cost of inaction keeps mounting.'

Meanwhile UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the new report a 'code red for humanity'.

He warned: 'The alarm bells are deafening, and the evidence is irrefutable: greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel burning and deforestation are choking our planet and putting billions of people at immediate risk.'

And Anthony Blinken, US Secretary of State, said in a statement: 'Today, the United States joined nearly 200 IPCC member governments in approving the Working Group I contribution to the IPCC's Sixth Assessment Report.

'The report finds we are already edging closer to a 1.5 degrees Celsius [2.7F] warmer world, and every day emissions rise the prospects for averting the worst impacts of climate change become dimmer.

'This is why it is essential that all countries - in particular the major economies - do their part during this critical decade of the 2020s to put the world on a trajectory to keep a 1.5 degrees Celsius [2.7F] limit on warming within reach.

'This is why the United States has committed to a 50-52 percent reduction in emissions from 2005 levels in 2030 and is marshaling the entire federal government to tackle the climate crisis. We cannot delay ambitious climate action any longer.'

The UN scientists modelled the changes in annual mean temperatures worldwide based on 2.7F (1.5C), 3.6F (2C) and 7.2F (4C) global warming

These graphs show how human influence has warmed the climate at a rate unprecedented in at least the last 2,000 years
A maternity ward is on high alert after a new mum tested positive for Covid just hours after giving birth.

The woman tested positive at Auburn Hospital, in Sydney, on Wednesday, with she and her baby later moved to Westmead Hospital.

A Western Sydney Local Health District spokesperson confirmed the mother's positive test result but would not say whether the baby tested positive or negative for Covid.

A Sydney hospital is on high alert after a new mum tested positive for Covid hours after giving birth. It is not known if the newborn returned a positive or negative test result

A Covid-positive new mother and her baby are now in Westmead hospital and said to be 'doing well'

'Patient care is not affected at Auburn Hospital maternity ward following the diagnosis of one new mother with COVID-19 on August 10,' the spokesperson said.

'The mother and her newborn have been transported to Westmead Hospital for ongoing care and are doing well.'

All those who came into close contact with the mother and baby are self-isolating and have initially returned negative test results.

The maternity ward at Auburn Hospital is being deep-cleaned while staff are being tested for Covid.

Staff will be monitored and tested every 72 hours as a precaution, but have so far returned negative results for Covid.

Neither the new mum or her baby are displaying any serious symptoms, the spokesperson said.

In mid-July a pregnant woman tested positive to Covid after undergoing a caesarian section at Sydney's Liverpool hospital.

It is not yet known if the baby tested positive or negative for Covid after its mother returned a positive result

The Sydney woman tested positive after giving birth at Auburn Hospital in Sydney's west on Wednesday

According to the World Health Organisation 'the virus has not been found in samples of fluid around [any] baby in the womb or breastmilk'.

'We still do not know if a pregnant woman with COVID-19 can pass the virus to her fetus or baby during pregnancy or delivery,' a WHO fact sheet said.
A British anti-ageing scientist in Silicon Valley has been suspended by his firm after he allegedly ordered an intern to have sex with prospective donors.

Aubrey de Grey, 58, who went to Winston Churchill's old school Harrow, was suspended by the SENS Research Foundation after two women accused him of sexual harassment on Tuesday.

Celine Halioua, 26, claims that the Cambridge graduate plied her with drink, called her a 'glorious woman' and told her she had a responsibility to have sex with donors at a dinner she attended while working as an intern at SENS in 2016.

Laura Deming, 27, published a blog post on the same day, describing her own 'bad experience' with Mr de Grey when she was 17 who she had previously regarded as 'trusted mentor.'

Mr de Grey, who has been placed on administrative leave, has strenuously denied the allegations, claiming that 'Laura and Celine have been deceived into the view that I have done many things that I have in fact not done.'

Aubrey de Grey, who is a director at the SENS Research Foundation in Silicon Valley, was accused of sexual harassment by two women

Mr de Grey was on Tuesday accused of sexual harassment by Celine Halioua, 26, (left) and 27-year-old Laura Deming

Celine Halioua, 26, (left and right) claims that the Cambridge graduate plied her with drink, called her a 'glorious woman' and told her she had a responsibility to have sex with donors at a dinner she attended while working as an intern at SENS in 2016

Ms Halioua, who now runs her own biotech startup Loyal, wrote that SENS had funded much of her undergraduate and graduate work and she was 'often paraded in front of donors.'

She described one dinner where she was sat next to Mr de Grey by a SENS executive and 'told to keep him 'entertained.''

'Aubrey funneled me alcohol and hit on me the entire night. He told me that I was a 'glorious woman' and that as a glorious woman I had a responsibility to have sex with the SENS donors in attendance so they would give money to him,' Ms Halioua wrote.

She continued: 'I left that dinner sobbing. It has taken me years to shake the deep-seated belief that I only got to where I am due to older men wanting to have sex with me.'

Mr de Grey received an elite British education, first attending the 42,000-per-year Harrow School on the outskirts of London and then going up to Cambridge University to study computer science.

He has since become the foremost advocate of medical tech to slow or even halt the ageing process - a fascination of extraordinary wealthy tech businessmen in California.

The pioneering scientist often appears on podcasts and gives interviews to the press about his work in the field.

Ms Halioua published her post on the same day as Ms Deming who said she has known Mr de Grey since she was 14.

Ms Deming, who is now vice president at anti-ageing investment company firm The Longevity Fund, claims that the London-born scientist wrote to her about his 'adventurous love life' when she was 17.

'I didn't expect a trusted mentor I'd known since childhood to hit on me so blatantly, and insinuate that it had been on his mind for a while,' she wrote.

She added: 'I almost left the field several times as a teenager because of stuff like this happening.'

Ms Deming said she went public because she does not believe SENS will act to prevent Mr de Grey from harassing other women in future.

'It might be an open secret in the longevity community that this is a problem, but kids on the internet don't have access to that information, and Aubrey is still mentoring minors,' she wrote. 'So, we're making our experiences public.'

Mr de Grey was immediately placed on administrative leave by SENS pending an independent investigation into the claims by the two women.

He responded on his Facebook page on Wednesday, writing: 'Unsurprisingly, I deny these allegations.

'What may be more surprising to you is this: my belief is that both Laura and Celine have been deceived into the view that I have done many things that I have in fact not done.

'Nonetheless, since they have chosen to go public, I am left with no choice but to do the same.'

He added: 'The only basis of implausibility for this scenario is: who would have done this to them, and thence to me, and why? I have been vigorously advised to keep my counsel on that question for another day or two... but, as they say, watch this space.

'I can assure you that I will not allow this matter to end with the court of public opinion viewing the guilt as lying either with me or with Celine/Laura while the actual guilty parties laugh all the way to the bank thinking that only we will suffer.'

MailOnline has contacted Mr de Grey for further comment.

Lisa Fabiny, the acting executive director at SENS, said in a statement that the firm had hired a third party to investigate the women's claims.

'We respect the integrity of this investigative process, and it would not be appropriate to speculate on the outcomes while the process remains ongoing,' she wrote.

'We can promise that we will take seriously the findings and, if appropriate, take decisive action.

'We cannot and do not condone behavior that makes our colleagues and members of our scientific community feel victimized, targeted, or harmed.'
Blood clots from AstraZeneca's Covid vaccine are extremely rare but can kill up to a quarter of the few affected patients, a study has revealed.

The complication prompted UK health chiefs to recommend all under-40s get Pfizer or Moderna instead.

But researchers insist the link is rare, with the side effect thought to affect just one in 50,000 under-50s who are given the British-made jab.

Of those, 23 per cent died because of vaccine-induced immune thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (VITT)  the name of the side effect. Experts claimed it was deadlier than other similar clotting disorders.

Thrombocytopenia is a condition where the patient has a low count of cells that help the blood clot, known as platelets. Thrombosis occurs when blood clots block veins or arteries, and is a major cause of strokes and heart attacks.

No clots have been seen for over a month, academics at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust also revealed. But this is mainly because no-one is getting the first dose of the vaccine anymore.

The risk of developing VITT from the second jab  given eight to 12 weeks after the first  is significantly lower.

For this reason, the researchers who investigated the link argued a third dose would probably carry an even smaller risk of blood clots.

UK regulators saw 411 cases of vaccine-induced immune thrombocytopenia and thrombosis after AstraZeneca's jab up to July 28. Forty-three cases occurred after a second dose

Britain has bought another 35million doses of Pfizer's Covid vaccine (shaded on graph) for next autumn's boost jab drive but the deal will cost nearly 800million after the pharmaceutical company hiked prices by a fifth

Consultant haematologist Dr Sue Pavord says a third dose would probably carry a smaller risk of blood clots

Consultant haematologist Dr Sue Pavord said: 'If people have had their first doses and not developed VITT, their risk of getting it on their third dose would probably be very small.

'It can be devastating: it often affects young, otherwise healthy vaccine recipients and has high mortality.

Britain will buy another 35MILLION doses of Pfizer's Covid vaccine for next autumn's booster jab drive Britain has bought another 35million doses of Pfizer's Covid vaccine for next autumn's booster jab drive, it was claimed today. Whitehall sources say the deal will cost in the region of 1billion, after the drug giant hiked its prices by a fifth in response to demand. Ministers already ordered an extra 60million doses for this year's campaign to give out third doses, which would be enough to give top-ups to all 54million British adults and fully vaccinate the 1.4million 16- and 17-year-olds who are now eligible. Health Secretary Sajid Javid yesterday confirmed preparations were in place for the booster campaign to start next month. But experts have repeatedly questioned whether they are even necessary. One of No10's top scientific advisers today claimed top-ups may only be needed for anyone with a weak immune system, such as cancer patients, the elderly and transplant recipients. Professor Adam Finn, who sits on the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI)  which advises the Government on vaccine policy, said the evidence on whether all over-50s need them remains unclear. Pfizer has insisted a third dose of its vaccine is necessary and BioNTech  the German firm which produces the vaccine alongside the drug giant  has said double-jabbed people need another dose for a 'robust neutralization response'. Vaccine equity campaigners have slammed Pfizer for profiteering during the pandemic, calling the company's move to increase the price of its jabs 'shamefully unsurprising'. It comes after a study claimed Moderna's jab is better than Pfizer's at stopping people getting infected with the Delta variant. One expert behind the research said Moderna's jab would be better for top-ups. Advertisement

'It is particularly dangerous when the patient has a low platelet count and bleeding in the brain.'

She added: 'Vitt is a very new syndrome, and we are still working out what the most effective treatment is.'

UK regulators saw 411 instances of vaccine-induced immune thrombocytopenia and thrombosis after AstraZeneca's jab up to July 28. Forty-three cases occurred after a second dose.

At that time, 24.8million Britons had received their first AstraZeneca jab and 23.6m had already been fully-vaccinated.

Dr Pavord told a press briefing for health journalists: 'It's important to stress that this kind of reaction to the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is very rare.

'In those aged under 50, incidence is around one in 50,000 among people who have received the vaccine.'

She also medics had not seen any cases of VITT in the last four weeks, which she said was 'a tremendous relief'.

Their findings, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, showed the overall mortality rate was around 23 per cent.

The researchers evaluated 294 patients aged between 18 and 79. All the patients had received the first dose of AstraZeneca's vaccine.

They said treating VITT may involve administering immunoglobulins intravenously to increase platelet count, steroids to dampen the immune system and blood thinners to prevent further blood clots.

And treatments such as plasma exchange, which involves removing straw-coloured liquid known as plasma from the blood and replacing it with new plasma fluid, can dramatically increase survival chances for those with severe disease.

Professor Michael Makris, a thrombosis expert at University of Sheffield, who is one of the study authors, said the team were all 'strong pro-vaccination advocates'.

Professor Makris, who himself was vaccinated using AstraZeneca, said: 'I believe the whole world should be vaccinated against Covid.

'We are not here to say anything bad about AstraZeneca, it is a matter of targeting it.'

It comes after it was claimed Britain has already bought another 35million doses of Pfizer's Covid vaccine for next autumn's booster jab drive.

Whitehall sources say the deal will cost in the region of 1billion, after the drug giant hiked its prices by a fifth in response to demand.

Ministers ordered an extra 60million doses for this year's campaign to give out third doses, which would be enough to give top-ups to all 54million British adults and fully vaccinate the 1.4million 16- and 17-year-olds who are now eligible.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid on Tuesday confirmed preparations were in place for the booster campaign to start next month.
All 18 on board a British tourist yacht that sank off the Greek island of Milos this morning has been rescued.

Three naval vessels, two ships, a private vessel, a navy helicopter and an air force helicopter assisted the rescue operation, the coast guard said.

The passengers and crew - all Greek - were picked up from the sea by a passenger boat, a cargo ship and a launch and taken back to the island's main port.

A 58-year-old man suffered a head laceration and was taken to a local health centre for checks along with the rest of the passengers and crew. A coastguard spokeswoman said 'as far as we know', all are in a 'healthy' condition.

Officials received an SOS signal from the boat this morning after it overturned 16 miles off the northwest coast of Milos between the islands of Antimilos and Falconera.

Coastguard spokesman Nikolaos Kokkalas said all passengers, including three children who were on board, were picked up from the Aegean Sea in winds of between four and five on the Beaufort scale.

The passengers and crew - all Greek - were picked up from the sea by a passenger boat, a cargo ship and a launch and taken back to the island's main port.

The British flagged tourist boat sank off the Greek island of Milos (pictured)

The circumstances of the accident were not immediately known but it is thought the tourists were on board a British-flagged 98ft yacht.

Mayor of Milos, Manolis Mikelis, said: 'We have information for 17 people, we are in the process of collecting people from the sea.

'At the moment there is wind in the area and it is making a lot of waves, we were told about a yacht. With every reservation, the boat has been overturned.'

Milos is a popular destination for British tourists, boasting statues of Greek god Asclepius, Apollo, Poseidon and Aphrodite.
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Hundreds of thousands of people have fled their homes in Afghanistan with thousands being smuggled out of the country each day amid a taliban onslaught that has sparked fears of a new refugee crisis.

Smugglers in the city of Zaranj - a border crossing between Afghanistan and Iran that was captured by the Taliban last week - say the number of people looking to leave the country has trebled in recent months amid fears the Islamists will soon retake power.

One smuggler, speaking to MailOnline, said that on a 'good day' he takes now 150 people across the border to Tehran compared to 50 in recent years - with many hoping to escape Iran into Turkey and then onwards to Europe and the UK, where they intend to claim asylum.

The Taliban are sweeping through the country, taking Ghanzi and Herat today, taking to 11 the number of provincial capitals that have fallen in less than a week. With Ghanzi and Pul-e-Khumri, the Taliban now control the two cities on the main highway north and south of the capital Kabul.

The government offered a power-sharing deal on Thursday in the hope of stemming the offensive, although experts doubt the Taliban will accept it.

Most migrants make their way to the smuggling hub of Herat - which has come under attack by the Taliban in recent days - before they are either taken north to the Khosan border crossing with Iran, or south to Zaranj - which has also fallen into Taliban hands.

The northern route is the most expensive and also the most dangerous - with migrants forced to swim a river and then crawl for two hours to avoid security cameras - but carries the least risk of getting caught. A second route goes from Zaranj directly into a Iran and to a safehouse in Kerman, before a final journey to Tehran.

The third route - the cheapest and most commonly used - goes into Iran via Pakistan, then to Kerman and Tehran. It is also the safest route, but carries the greatest chance of getting caught.

Rapid advances by the Taliban has led to warnings from anti-migrant Turkish opposition that new refugee crisis mirroring 2015 is looming - with opposition leader Kemal Klcdaroglu saying up to a million Afghans could come.

Frontex, the EU's migration agency, said just yesterday that migration through the Balkans almost-doubled in the first half of this year compared to last, driven mostly by an increase in Afghans and Syrians. That prompted Greek migration minister Notis Mitarachi to warned the EU is 'not ready' for another migrant crisis.

The Foreign Office and Border Force refused to comment about whether they fear an influx to Britain of Afghan refugees fleeing the Taliban.

Thousands of Afghans are fleeing the country every day, smugglers have said, mostly on three routes all of which begin in Herat - a smuggling hub. The most direct, expensive, and dangerous route goes from there to Tehran via a crossing at Kohsan where migrants have to swim a deadly river, but stand the least chance of getting caught. A second route goes south to Zaranj before the crossing into Iran, to a safehouse in Kerman. From there, the migrants are taken to Tehran when the coast is clear of guards. The third and most-common route goes via Pakistan to Iran - it is the cheapest, but has the largest chance of capture

An Afghan family at the border crossing with Pakistan in Spin Boldack waits to cross after the border was shut when the Taliban took control of it a week ago

Afghan refugees sit in a camp in the capital Kabul, where thousands of people have fled fighting in the rest of the country

The UN estimates that 400,000 Afghanis have fled their homes since the start of the year due to fighting between the Taliban and Afghan army which is likely to intensify in the coming weeks

An Afghan child looks out of a tent in the capital Kabul where makeshift refugee camps have been springing up to house thousands of people displaced by fighting in the country

Pakistan's paramilitary soldiers stand guard in front of people who gather and wait to cross at the Friendship Gate crossing point in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border town of Chaman. Pakistan, which has seen the largest number of Afghan refugees cross its border, has refused to take any more

UN data reveals that 400,000 people have fled their homes inside Afghanistan since the start of the year, with almost 300,000 of those fleeing since May as fighting between the government and Taliban stepped up.

The vast majority of those are still inside the country, the UN says, but with Islamist fighters making rapid gains in almost every region and government forces in retreat, many are looking to leave the country.

Just how many is largely unknown. The UN says just 200 crossed the border into Iran on the weekend just gone, but only counts those who are officially registered as refugees.

But with the Taliban in control of most major border crossings and foreign nations shutting their doors - Pakistan, the largest recipient of Afghan refugees to date, has refused to take any more - it is perhaps not surprising that many, if not most, of those fleeing are doing so under the radar.

Speaking to the MailOnline by phone from Zaranj, one smuggler said: 'I and my team here used to send around 50 or even fewer people to Iran on our pickup trucks each day for years it now stands at 100 or 150 on a good day.

'I should thank Trump, Biden and the Americans. Many of these people are highly educated, sometimes I regret sending them out, but it may save their lives.

'We are responsible for getting these people to Teheran, and our job ends there.

'But I know through talking with many of them that their final destination is not Iran. Many have plans for Europe in their heads. Thousands are being sent out of Afghanistan each day through this city.'

But the perilous 1,500 mile journey across Iran holds its own dangers for the refugees as they must negotiate mountain ranges and canyons as they head west.

The reason they are leaving the war-torn country in a mass exodus is explained by 16-year-old Adul Tawab, who lost his uncle Saranwah Nadir in a brutal Taliban attack on his village.

Adul's graphic photographs, shot on his mobile phone, showed appalling scenes of carnage from the site in Mohammad Agha district, about two hours south of Kabul, with women and children among those slaughtered.

Adul told MaiOnline that people suspected of working with the government, including his uncle, who was a judge were tortured and executed. Some were beheaded and their heads displayed on stakes, while others were thrown into a wheat threshing machine. His uncle was shot, then his body dragged around, wrapped in barbed wire.

The Taliban has taken the city of Ghanzi, just 80 miles south of Kabul, and Herat in the west of the country. The fall of Ghanzi means Islamist fighters now control the main highways leading both north and south out of the capital Kabul. Herat is the country's third largest city and was the 11th provincial capital to fall in a week

Adul Tawab, a 16-year-old refugee, fled his village after a brutal Taliban attack which killed and wounded villagers - including children - before the jihadists murdered his uncle in cold blood for supporting the government

A blood-covered woman stands next to children who are also bloodied from a Taliban attack in images taken by 16-year-old Adul Tawab, underlining the reason why many want to flee Afghanistan

One migrant who spoke to MailOnline before leaving Afghanistan for Iran told us his final destination was Italy.

A second said he would go anywhere, but admitted that the UK would be top of his list, saying: 'That's always my favourite  I may decide to go there if possible.'

The smuggler explained the circuitous route followed by the caravan of pickup trucks carrying the migrants.

'We board around 20 to 25 people to each pickup, then we go through the desert towards the Pakistani border.

'After the border, we switch vehicles and hand over to our Pakistani colleagues. They transfer the people to near the Iranian border.

'This first stage takes around 24 hours. The drivers go as fast as possible. before reaching Iran, the people will have to walk for 3 hours, until they pass a deep ditch that the Iranians dug to mark the border.

'Once in Iran, the migrants board another vehicle and again speed through the Iranian desert, usually to the city of Kerman where the smugglers have guest houses. They lie low until the road is quiet with few security forces. Then they board around 12 people in each Peugeot pickup and head for Teheran. Added the smuggler:

'In the capital, again we have guesthouse, where we hold the refugees until they pay our money. After their relatives send us money, we let them go.'

The whole journey depends on the situation along the road, some days, they reach Teheran in three days and some in five.

It costs around 3 to 3,5 million Iranian Toman [$130] per person. Other smugglers will handle the journey from Teheran to Van in eastern Turkey.

But the climate in Turkey is becoming increasingly hostile for the refugees, with right-wing political parties threatening to 'send home' the refugees, whether Syrian, Kurdish or Afghan, who have swelled their population already.

A forbidding 3-metre high Trump-style concrete wall is being built on the border near Van and will stretch for 40 miles along the rugged borderland.

Along its length will be so-called 'smart towers' equipped with infra-red detection devices to spot people moving at night.

The vast majority of those displaced by fighting are still inside Afghanistan, while 90 per cent of those who leave the country go to Ian and Pakistan - but there are fears a significant number could head to Europe if the country falls to the Taliban

A woman carries her child through a refugee camp in the Afghan capital of Kabul where thousands are now living after being displaced by fighting elsewhere in the country

Makeshift camps are springing up around Kabul to house thousands of refugees who have fled their homes due to fighting

Families forced to flee their homes due to fighting in Afghanistan drink tea as they sit in a refugee camp in Kabul

Families rest in a camp in Kabul after they fled their homes due to fear of the Taliban and sought shelter in government areas

Pakistan's Army soldiers talk with people who gather to cross at the Friendship Gate crossing point in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border town of Chaman

The Turkish opposition Republican People's party (CHP) has been vocally anti-refugee, with leader Kemal Klcdaroglu pledging last month to 'send them home' if his party assumes power, reported the Guardian.

'The real survival problem of our country is the flood of refugees. Now we are caught in the Afghan flood,' he declared in a video released on social media, adding that he believed there could be between 500,000 and one million displaced Afghans coming to Turkey.

He has criticised the government for having agreed with the EU in 2016 to keep refugees in exchange for financial support.

In July, the CHP mayor of the north-west city of Bolu, Tanju Ozcan, announced plans to charge 'foreign nationals' 10 times more for water and waste services.

'We want them to leave. This hospitality has gone on too long,' he says, adding on Twitter that Turkey has 'become a dumping ground for migrants'.

The proposal drew both anger and support, and resulted in the launch of an investigation into Ozcan by the chief prosecutor's office.

Europe cannot cope with repeat of 2015's Syrian migrant crisis EU ministers have warned, as they nervously watch the growing flow of refugees from war-torn Afghanistan.

With up to 1 million Afghan refugees could be heading for Turkey, claimed opposition leaders in Ankara, stoking fears of another Syrian-style crisis on Europe's doorstep.

And inevitably, in that event many would head for Calais in the hope of joining the record 22,000 expected to have crossed the Channel to the UK in flimsy boats by the end of this year.

The rapidly deteriorating situation in Afghanistan as the Taliban sweep away western-trained government forces in several provincial capitals, has displaced more than 400,000 people within the country already this year, according to the UNHCR.

One of the main escape routes for those fleeing the Taliban is westwards into Iran, where around 1m Afghan refugees are already given shelter, following the last 40 years of turbulence in their country.

But an estimated 500 to 2,000 Afghans a day are now crossing Iran and entering Turkey to join the 4m or so mostly Syrian refugees on Europe's eastern flank.

A Taliban soldier holding a rocket launcher poses for the cameras in the town of Ghazni after it was captured on Thursday

A Taliban fighter stands on the streets in Ghazni, a strategically important provincial capital captured by the Islamists

A Taliban fighter in Ghazni, Afghanistan, which was today captured by the Islamist group which is sweeping the country
A notorious conman who seduced a divorcee out of 300,000 after posing as an MI6 spy is set to be released early from his five-year jail sentence.

Mark Acklom, 48, conned mother-of-two Carolyn Woods out of her life savings - leaving her on the brink of suicide - after posing as a millionaire Swiss banker and MI6 spy.

Acklom was jailed for five years and eight months in August 2019, but will now be released on licence in a fortnight.

He will be under tough conditions and will have to declare his earning, business dealings and assets, close any foreign bank accounts, stop using false names and also keep police informed of his movements.

If any restrictions are flouted, the con man could be jailed for another five years.

However, Ms Woods believes the conditions will not really 'affect' what he does.

The mother, who has given up hope of getting back any of the money Acklom stole, said: 'He always does what is best for him. I don't think having a Serious Crime Prevention Order in his name is really going to affect what he does, unless he is physically tagged or something like that.'

Mark Acklom, once an infamous schoolboy fraudster, posed as a Swiss banker and MI6 spy to seduce Carolyn Woods

Mark Acklom, 48, conned mother-of-two Carolyn Woods out of her life savings - leaving her on the brink of suicide

Acklom used an alias and posed as an MI6 agent and millionaire banker as he wooed Gloucestershire divorcee Ms Woods before isolating her from her family and friends, stealing 300,000 and leaving her heartbroken, destitute and suicidal.

Over the course of a year-long relationship, Acklom promised to marry the mother-of-two and tricked her into handing over her life savings.

At the time, he was actually married with two young children - telling Ms Woods he was flying to see her from his home in Switzerland.

But before they could walk down the aisle, he vanished with the cash, leaving her emotionally and financially ruined and on the brink of suicide.

He was initially charged with defrauding Ms Woods out of 850,000, however the CPS today accepted his guilty plea to fraud amounting to 299,000.

Avon and Somerset Constabulary began investigating Acklom, who told Carolyn his surname was Conway, after she reported the fraud.

At the time he was awaiting trial in Murcia, Spain for defrauding two brothers into paying him 200,000 as a deposit on the sale of buildings he did not own.

Ms Woods met Acklom in 2012 when he went into her boutique to buy a jacket (pictured), telling her he was a Swiss banker visiting the UK to buy a Cotswold airfield

Acklom was arrested in a plush apartment in Zurich where he was living with his wife and children, after five years on the run.

His arrest and extradition in 2019 followed 30 years of fraud which began as a public schoolboy at 16 when he was imprisoned for stealing his father's gold credit card.

In 2015, he was jailed for three years in Spain for defrauding two brothers who he conned into paying him for flats he claimed to own in London.

A timeline of Acklom's 299,000 long con Mark Acklom was jailed for five years and eight months in August 2019 after he pleaded guilty to five counts of fraud. He conned Carolyn Woods, with whom he was in a committed relationship at the time, out of her life savings. Between January 18 and March 22 2012, he asked Carolyn for a loan of 29,564.38.

Between January 18 and March 30 2012, he asked for a loan of 30,000.

Between January 18 and April 3 2012, he asked for a loan of 90,000.

Between January 18 and April 4 2012, he asked for a loan of 30,000.

And between January 18 and July 7 2012, he asked for a loan of 120,000. The court heard that Acklom told Carolyn that all the loans were to renovate a property that he owned and was developing. His guilty pleas were accepted by Judge Martin Picton. The remaining 15 charges on his original indictment will not be pursued. Advertisement

He was given temporary release halfway through his sentence and fled to Switzerland before changing his name.

Although he is now expected to be released in two weeks, Spanish authorities have asked for his extradition so he can complete the outstanding 18 months of his sentence.

A court hearing in London is expected to rule on the issue soon.

In sentencing Acklom to five years and eight months, Judge Martin Picton called him 'cruel and cynical' and said that he took advantage of Miss Woods in an 'utterly selfish manner'.

The court heard that he turned Miss Woods' life 'upside down' after she met him on January 19, 2012.

At the time, she was a 'happily single' and 'sociable' divorcee living in rented accommodation in Tetbury, near Bath, Somerset.

Charles Thomas, prosecuting, told how Miss Woods was looking to buy a property as a cash buyer, with 800,000 to her credit - but was not planning to spend all of that money on a property.

But just a month later, on February 29, Miss Woods had proposed to Acklom - who she knew as Mark Conway - and 'regarded the relationship as a permanent one', Mr Thomas told the court.

Miss Woods understood that they were to marry, and even spent 6,000 on a wedding dress - which she still has to this day, Mr Thomas said.

Sentencing Acklom, Judge Picton said: 'You took advantage of your victim in a cruel and cynical manner. I accept that you did not target your victim from the outset.

'But it is plain that once you knew what you might glean from her, you set about doing so in a ruthless and utterly selfish manner. You were quite prepared to spin a web of lies, and you cared not at all for the emotional impact.

'The money you did get from her slipped through your fingers like water. Having cut ties from her you escaped from this country, and since then you have not made any effort to make good for the harm that you did.

'Miss Wood has not seen a penny of the money you took from her, and it is pretty unlikely that she will.'

Acklom was sentenced to five years and eight months - with the 237 days he has already spent in custody since February counting towards this sentence.

Miss Woods understood that they were to marry, and even spent 6,000 on a wedding dress (left) which she still has to this day. Cards that Mark Acklom bought for Carolyn Woods (left)

Carolyn Woods (shown middle) is pictured arriving at Bristol Crown Court for the hearing in 2019

Heartbroken Carolyn, of Bath in Somerset, previously said: 'I was completely devastated, he left me destitute and destroyed my life.

'I felt as though I had fallen in love. He told me he had never felt this way about anyone and we must get married.

'I've still got the wedding dress I never wore.

'It was all a charade. At the time I actually wished he had killed me. I was suicidal.'

Carolyn met Acklom in 2012 when he came into her boutique to buy a jacket, chatted her up and said he was a Swiss banker visiting the UK to buy a Cotswold airfield.

They sparked up a relationship within days and moved in together, though she later discovered he had a second home nearby with his wife and two young children.

Carolyn, in her early 60s, said: 'He was flirtatious, charming and very entertaining.

'He has a great presence and charisma, he exudes confidence and the air around him was electric. I was caught up in a whirlwind of excitement.

In the early months of 2012, Acklom moved Miss Woods into an extensive Georgian property in Brock Street in Bath (pictured) which she believed was owned by him. In fact, Acklom was paying rent for the house, using the money that Miss Woods had paid, into his associate's account

Images taken from a brochure showing the inside of a house Acklom claimed he owned, in Bath, Somerset

Over the course of a year-long relationship, Acklom promised to marry the mother-of-two (pictured) and tricked her into handing over the huge sum

'He said he was doing things for The Prince's Trust and helping fundraising at Clifton College and everything was cloaked in respectability.

'One of the most extraordinary things he told me was that it was all a cover and he was an MI6 agent. It sounds very far-fetched, but he convinced me it was true.

'We were in London and he said he'd been called in by his boss, so he drove me to the MI6 building and I watched him walk down into a car park past two armed policemen.

'There are no photographs of us together because he said his handlers would not allow it because of his security.'

Carolyn said her two daughters believe she was brainwashed by Acklom, who she later learned had been jailed for fraud as a public schoolboy.

At 16 Acklom, who was studying in Eastbourne, East Sussex, stole his dad's gold Amex card, posed as a stockbroker and hired jets to fly his friends around Europe.

The youngster even convinced a building society to give him a mortgage of nearly 500,000 which he used to buy a small mansion in London.

He has since been jailed three times in Spain for a variety of fraud offences. He also changed his name to Marc Ros Rodriguez.
Tensions are simmering in the tiny Aussie town of Gordon after a beloved local cafe was forced to change its name after copping a grilling from a major French cooking school, 17,000km away.

Gordon Bleu in the central Victorian town of Gordon were served up a legal complaint by the Paris-based Le Cordon Bleu for infringing on their name and 'diluting' their world-renowned brand.

Cafe owners Scott Graham and business partner Saleh Alshamsi desperately wanted to take on the culinary giant in David and Goliath battle, but their lawyers advised that fighting the case would be a recipe for disaster.

The cafe's name Gordon Bleu is a pun on the classic French dish Cordon Bleu (pictured) - as well as similar to the famous French cooking school

The duo cooked up the clever name as a play on words that links the iconic chicken, cheese and ham dish - Cordon Bleu - with their quant, unpretentious town of Gordon.

But the world's largest cooking school Le Cordon Bleu, which has been around for 125 years, failed to see the humour.

'Well to me it's bullying, bullying from a big business to a very small low-key business,' Mr Graham told A Current Affair.

'(It's just) a pun, based on the dish, Cordon Bleu, the chicken dish. It's something quirky and memorable.'

Master chef Gabriel Gate said the legendary Le Cordon Bleu organisation has one of the best names in cooking on the planet.

'It is very good. It's run by a family called Quattro all from the Quattro family, they actually came from my region. And when I was a young chef, I used to cook for the family in the hotel in the restaurant,' the award-winning chef said.

'What the other people did, that small cafe, it was cheeky.'

Tensions are simmering in the tiny Aussie town of Gordon after a beloved local cafe (pictured) was forced to change its name after copping a grilling from a major French cooking school, 17,000km away

Gordon Bleu in the central Victorian town of Gordon were served up a legal complaint by the Paris-based Le Cordon Bleu (one of their properties pictured) for infringing on their name and 'diluting' their world-renowned brand

The prestigious organisation said it's simply protecting its international reputation and trademark.

'We do not believe that Scott Graham and Saleh Alshamsi intentionally named their cafe after Le Cordon Bleu. However, we are obliged to protect our interests and good name,' Le Cordon Bleu said in a statement.

'To allow this brand strength to be diluted would be negligent and potentially harmful to the many people who rely on the integrity of the Le Cordon Bleu brand.'

To avoid legal action the cafe has since changed its name to Gordons at Gordon.

Local diners say they prefer the old name, but will give the new title time to marinate.

'To be in such a small country town it's really unfortunate because the locals know it by its original name and it's just a shame that the big wigs over in France have forced them to change it,' a local Gordon resident said.
A mother from Tennessee has pleaded with anti-maskers to take Covid-19 seriously as her nine-year-old daughter fights for life having contracted the virus at a memorial service to her late father.

Mirsada Muric, 26, said she has spent the last couple of weeks in and out of the East Tennessee Children's Hospital visiting her daughter Blair.

During that time, she has been posted updates to Facebook, and while she has been receiving message of support, she says she has also seen the same people sharing misinformation about Covid-19 - despite her daughter's condition.

Mirsada Muric, 26, from Tennessee has pleaded with anti-maskers to take Covid-19 seriously in a post on Facebook in which she shared a picture of her nine-year-old daughter Blair (pictured) in hospital on a ventilator having caught Covid-19 at her own father's memorial service

'I'd get on their Facebook and see them posting memes or sharing things that they saw on Twitter about how much of a joke it is about being 'scared' of a virus and yes, I am scared of it,' Muric said, according to NBC news.

'I'm scared for my child and I can't wrap my head around the idea of not wanting to wear a mask or not wanting to wash your hands, when that could be the easiest helping hand that you can give to someone.'

Seeing the misinformation became too much for Ms Muric, who took to Facebook last month to share her anger at people who refuse to believe Covid is real and take steps to reduce the spread, such as wearing a mask.

'Today has been a day where I just feel angry,' she wrote in her July 31 post in which she also shared a picture of Blair lying in a hospital, hooked up to life support machines - including a ventilator - with a brown teddy bear under her arm.

'I want to share this photo because while I sit here praying and crying out to God that my baby pulls through I am STILL seeing people complain about the possibility of another mask mandate. Or they are making jokes about going on unemployment. Or they STILL think covid is a joke and is 'not that serious'.

'LOOK AT MY CHILD,' she wrote furiously. 'THIS is why people are afraid. THIS is why people beg for you to wear a mask. Who are you hurting by wearing one? What freaking rights are you losing?!

'Because, while I sit here and watch a machine breath for my baby, you are out living. I can't visit with my other child because I am here.. you think it's funny that people are so 'afraid of a harmless virus'??? Watch yourself around me. This is the harm you cause because you couldn't bring yourself to wear a freaking mask.'

As of Thursday, the post had received over 400 likes, more than 120 comments and had been shared more than 440 times, with people posting supportive messages.

Ms Muric (pictured left with her daughter Blair) said she spent the last couple of weeks in and out of the East Tennessee Children's Hospital visiting her daughter. During that time, she has been posted updates to Facebook, and while she has been receiving message of support, she says she has also seen the same people sharing misinformation about Covid-19

Seeing the misinformation became too much for Ms Muric, who took to Facebook last month to share her anger at people who refuse to believe Covid is real and take steps to reduce the spread, such as wearing a mask. Pictured: Ms Muric's Facebook post

Ms Muric explained that her daughter catching Covid-19 wasn't the first hardship faced by her family this year.

In February, Blair was diagnosed with a brain tumor, and later in July her father died unexpectedly. Muric believes Blair caught Covid-19 during a recent memorial service held for her father.

While at home, Muric realized that her daughter wasn't acting normally, and two days later, Blair tested positive for RSV - or respiratory syncytial virus.

Ms Muric explained that her daughter catching Covid-19 wasn't the first hardship faced by her family this year. In February, Blair was diagnosed with a brain tumor, and later in July her father died unexpectedly

RSV put her at high-risk of a severe illness, and she was taken into an intensive care unit where she was later placed on a ventilator diagnosed with Covid pneumonia.

'With her tumor, it was different  almost easier,' Muric wrote in a Facebook post on August 3. 'We had a game plan, plan B and a follow-through. This is just a waiting game.'

But while Blair was in the hospital, her mother also tested positive for Covid-19, meaning she was unable to visit her daughter.

Thankfully, Blair was eventually taken off the ventilator, giving her mother hope that she would make a recovery, although she is still in the ICU fighting for Covid. Her mother says that she is expected to recover.

According to the Tennessee Department of Health, youth cases of Covid-19 are on the rise, and currently make up 27 percent of reported infections. Since the start of the pandemic, the state has reported over 927,000 cases and 12,885 deaths.

Pediatricians have been pleading with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to authorize Covid-19 vaccinations for children under the age of 12 in order to combat the rising cases among children.

Muric says that she will have her daughters vaccinated as soon as possible.

'I don't want this to be a political thing and I understand that it's everyone's own personal choice and opinion, but do the research and don't get the research off of social media,' she said.

As the delta variant contributes to an increase in COVID-19 cases throughout the nation, school officials fear an outbreak is on the horizon, especially in states like Tennessee where vaccine rates are low

The state is facing a 12.6 percent COVID positivity rate, according to Tennessee Department of Health data, with just 43.7 percent of the total population receiving at least one dose of the COVID vaccine and 38.9 percent fully vaccinated

As the delta variant contributes to an increase in COVID-19 cases throughout the nation, school officials fear an outbreak is on the horizon, especially in states like Tennessee where vaccine rates are low.

The state is facing a 12.6 percent COVID positivity rate, according to Tennessee Department of Health data, with just 43.7 percent of the total population receiving at least one dose of the COVID vaccine and 38.9 percent fully vaccinated.

About 98 percent of those who have died of COVID recently and 97 percent of the recent hospitalizations are among those who have not been vaccinated, state officials announced earlier this month.

But the Tennessee's top immunization official, Michelle Fiscus, was fired on July 12 as she tried to encourage teenagers to get vaccinated.

She said in an interview that Tennessee Governor Bill Lee consistently resisted the state's promotion of the COVID vaccine, saying: 'I feel like the [health] department was gagged.'

As children across the state begin a new school year, the Tennessee Department of Health encourages parents to make sure routine vaccinations are part of that visit.

'Vaccinations prevent the spread of diseases and outbreaks,' said Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey, MD, MBA, FAAP. 'Tennessee has always done well at ensuring routine vaccinations for both children and adults are up to date.

'However, we know many Tennesseans got off-track with routine medical care during the pandemic and could be at risk for infection or disease, Piercey added.

However, children under 12 years old  roughly sixth-graders and younger  still aren't eligible to be vaccinated.

Vaccine companies are still in the process of testing the shots' effectiveness and safety for younger age groups, with a timeline for their approval being unclear.
Thousands of civil service jobs could be axed under plans to strip back numbers swollen by Brexit and the Covid crisis, it was revealed today.

The Treasury is demanding plans for reducing the UK Government's headcount are put forward by departments before a spending review in the autumn.

The number of mandarins has increased every year since 2016 as more were taken on to deal with the complex issues that have affected the UK over the past five years.

But a source told the Times: 'Cabinet ministers and permanent secretaries have been told by the Treasury that the headcount is unsustainable and needs to be significantly reduced.'

Chief Secretary Steve Barclay is concerned that all cost savings introduced by the coalition Government between 2010 and 2015 have been reversed in the time since.

It comes as civil servants find themselves at the centre of a furious row over working from home.

Downing Street and trade unions have hit back at some calls for them to return en masse or face punitive action like pay cuts, amid fears for the future of city center businesses.

Chief Secretary Steve Barclay is concerned that all cost savings introduced by the coalition Government between 2010 and 2015 have been reversed in the time since.

It comes as civil servants find themselves at the centre of a furious row over working from home.

Among the firms that have grown the most are the Cabinet Office, which took over many responsibilities from the Department for Exiting the EU (DExEU). But Transport, Education and the Treasury itself have also seen large increases in headcount. have also recorded big rises.

A Whitehall source told the Times: 'What we've seen has been a splurge on staff first for Brexit and then on Covid in response to the immediate pressures facing the government. This is a recognition that this has to be reversed.'

Unions are said to have been told that the redundancies will be achieved by a halt in external recruitment for vacancies.

It comes as civil servants' return to Whitehall faces further delay due to risk assessments for coping with unvaccinated staff.

All Government departments have been told to complete paperwork ahead of the larger scale return of up to 100,000 workers.

They are required to come up with plans on how to make offices safe despite the presence of staff who have not been vaccinated on medical or other grounds.

A source told the Telegraph there are fears 'people might refuse to come in if their colleagues aren't double jabbed'.

Union leaders blasted 'insulting and cowardly attacks' on civil servants after they suggested mandarins who want to continue to work from home should have their pay docked.

The FDA general secretary Dave Penman has demanded reassurances from politicians that it was not Government policy after anonymous briefings on Monday.

One minister suggested to the Mail cutting pay for those who want to continue to work from home, while another told the Times darkly that their promotional opportunities might be hampered.

Downing Street yesterday sided with civil servants, saying there was no plan to cut pay and that civil servants were gradually returning to their offices as planned.

They accepted that flexible working and splitting time between offices and home working would continue.
Three sisters who claim they stabbed their father to death in self-defence because he was sexually abusing them are unlikely to be jailed after new evidence shows they suffered deep trauma as a result of his relentless cruelty.

A fresh psychiatric evaluation improves the chances that none of the siblings will be jailed for stabbing patriarch Mikhail Khachaturyan, 57, with his own hunting knife as he slept in his Moscow flat in 2018.

Krestina and Angelina Khachaturyan, then 19 and 18, along with younger sister Maria, 17, admitted killing the 'tyrant' after facing 'years of abuse'.

They said they were raped and violated by their father in regular incestuous attacks, yet despite this, murder charges remain against the elder two siblings, while the third could also face punishment for his death.

However, the new evaluation demanded by the court will become key evidence at their upcoming trial, and found that their father had 'special sexual preferences' and abused them as a paedophile.

A fresh psychiatric evaluation improves the chances that none of the siblings will be jailed for stabbing patriarch Mikhail Khachaturyan, 57, with his own hunting knife as he slept in his Moscow flat in 2018. Pictured: Mikhail with Angelina

Krestina (left) and Angelina Khachaturyan (right), then 19 and 18, along with younger sister Maria, 17, admitted killing the 'tyrant' after facing 'years of abuse'

Maria is being dealt with separately by the legal system and, if convicted, faces time in a psychiatric hospital rather than jail after being judged temporarily insane at the moment her father was killed

Khachaturyan tortured the sisters and held them under his sway, say psychiatric experts at Russia's respected Serbsky Centre.

Lawyer Maria Davtyan said: 'The experts found that since 2014 each of the girls has suffered from abuse syndrome and post-traumatic stress disorder.

'All of these conditions in his daughters have a direct causal relationship from Khachaturian's actions.'

The sisters suffered from 'a violation of the ability to overcome (his) coercion' and 'they could not resist him'.

Then they killed him as he slept they were in an 'unstable' psychological state and felt 'hopeless', fearing for their lives. The sisters were all victims, she said.

Khachaturyan tortured the sisters and held them under his sway, say psychiatric experts at Russia's respected Serbsky Centre. Pictured: Mikhail with Maria (left) and Angelina (right)

Other family members have accused the sisters of lying about their father's sexual abuse, and killing him for his money.

Another lawyer Alexei Liptser representing the sisters said: 'Khachaturyan's relatives claim that the sisters invented everything because they suffer from a sexual disorder.

'But according to the experts, no such disorder was found in them.'

Maria is being dealt with separately by the legal system and, if convicted, faces time in a psychiatric hospital rather than jail after being judged temporarily insane at the moment her father was killed.

Now the elder sisters are more likely to be seen by the court as acting in self defence in Russian law.

The case has been seen as a litmus test in Russia for how the law deals with domestic sexual abuse with almost one million signing petitions calling for the sisters to go free.

In March, it was revealed that a new posthumous trial, in which the powerful Russian Investigative Committee has recognised the sisters as 'victims', will take place into the abuse allegations against Khachaturyan.

Angelina Khachaturyan's lawyer Maria Davtyan welcomed the move.

She said at the time: 'They are in fact victims because of the actions committed against them'.

The long running abuse they faced, Davtyan added, was 'the reason the girls were forced to do what they did'.

The case has been seen as a litmus test in Russia for how the law deals with domestic sexual abuse with almost one million signing petitions calling for the sisters to go free. Pictured: Mikhail Khachaturyan with his eldest daughter Krestina

The investigation earlier found they faced 'physical and mental suffering...over a long period of time'.

Evidence showed the father threatened one of his 'terrified' daughters: 'You will take the place of your mother.

'I will marry you and you will give birth to my baby.'

An experts' report said: 'He ordered them to get undressed in front of him, saying that he wanted to 'check' them.

'Then ordered them to masturbate him, saying that he had problems with his prostate and it would be a cure.'

He 'abused and humiliated' them 'with various weapons'.

Angelina had blood streaming from her face after one attack by her father who had links both to senior Russian officials and underworld kings, say reports.

But the sisters' aunt Naira Khachaturyan claimed the earlier official investigation found no evidence of sexual violence against the teenagers.

Medical tests showed two of the three were virgins, she claimed, while the third had a secret boyfriend.

'They knew they could live the way they wanted if they got rid of their father,' she told a TV programme.

They wanted to 'delete him from their lives' and enjoy a 'riotous lifestyle'.
The RNLI has appointed a full-time female coxswain for the first time in its 200-year history.

The role at the Harwich Royal National Lifeboat Institution in Essex has been handed to Di Bush.

Ms Bush had been the station's mechanic since 2017 after joining the organisation as a volunteer at Falmouth RNLI in Cornwall back in 2003.

'Di is a trail-blazer in this regard and for some years now has been an inspiration to other women,' said Sue Kingswood, RNLI inclusion and diversity manager.

The charity said it wanted more women to join its organisation in search and rescue roles.

Ms Kingswood added: 'Across our organisation, the more role models we have which represent a greater breadth of diversity, the more successful we will be in our core purpose of saving lives at sea.'

The role at the Harwich Royal National Lifeboat Institution in Essex has been handed to Di Bush (Pictured)

The charity's lifeboat crews now include over 600 women, the majority of lifeboat stations have a female crew member and about 20% of lifeguards are women (Pictured: An RNLI crew at work)

As Harwich's RNLI mechanic, Ms Bush also served as a helm and 2nd coxswain.

The highly-qualified mariner was previously the coxswain with South West Ambulance's service vessel, providing medical cover to the outer Scilly Isles.

Harwich RNLI manager, Peter Bull, said Ms Bush was, 'well respected on station and will command the Severn class all-weather lifeboat Albert Brown, as well as lead the team'.

The service said female representation had increased hugely since 1969 when Elisabeth Hostvedt became the first fully qualified woman on a lifeboat crew.

The charity's lifeboat crews now include over 600 women, the majority of lifeboat stations have a female crew member and about 20% of lifeguards are women.

The charity was founded in 1824 by Sir William Hillary and under the patronage of King George IV.

Sir William, who lived on the Isle of Man, was inspired to launch a 24/7 search and rescue service after seeing first hand how treacherous the Irish Sea was, with many ships at the time being wrecked.

It has recently been criticised by some for its work in rescuing migrants from the English Channel, with former UKIP leader Nigel Farage branding it a 'migrant taxi service.'

His comments inspired a mocking fundraiser which promises to buy the RNLI a new hovercraft which it will name 'The Flying Farage.'

The tongue-in-cheek GoFundMe page has raised more than 119,000 since being set up on Saturday, July 31 - with proceeds to go to the charity.
This is the horrifying moment a man is run over by a car in South London.

Video filmed by a passerby in Royal Arsenal, Greenwich on Sunday shows a man running and trying to jump on the back of a moving car, but falling off.

As he falls to the ground, he is run over by a second, black BMW and becomes trapped under the wheels as locals scream in terror.

Video filmed by a passerby in Royal Arsenal, Greenwich shows the man running and trying to jump on the back of a moving car, but falling off. As he falls to the ground, he is run over by a second, black BMW and becomes trapped under the wheels as locals scream in terror

A fight then ensues among the group of men, with one seen punching through the driver-side window of the car before he is pulled away

A fight then ensues among the group of men, with one seen punching through the driver-side window of the car before he is pulled away.

Amidst the chaos, the black car and a third, white vehicle drive away while two men can be seen tending to the injured man.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman told MailOnline: 'Police were called to Duke of Wellington Avenue, Woolwich, shortly before 06.30hrs on Sunday, 8 August to reports of a fight between a group of males.

'Officers attended along with paramedics from London Ambulance Service (LAS).

Amidst the chaos, the black car and a third, white vehicle drive away while two men can be seen tending to the injured man

A fight then ensues among the group of men, with one seen punching through the driver-side window of the car before he is pulled away

'A man in his 20s was found seriously injured. He was treated at the scene before being taken to hospital. His injuries have been assessed as non life-threatening.

'It was reported that the man had been run over by a car, which had then left a scene. Police are aware of video footage posted on social media of this incident.

'There have been no arrests, but enquiries are ongoing.'

A London Ambulance Service spokesman told MailOnline: 'We were called at 6.27am on Sunday 8 August to reports of an incident on Duke of Wellington Avenue, SE18.

'We sent an ambulance crew, who treated a man at the scene and took him to a major trauma centre as a priority.'
Hackers behind one of the largest-ever digital coin heists have now returned more than half of the $610 million-plus they stole, the cryptocurrency platform targeted by the hack said on Thursday.

Poly Network, a platform that facilitates peer-to-peer transactions, announced on Twitter that as of 1.20 a.m., hackers had returned $342 million of the currencies stolen.

The sum includes some $4.6 million returned in Ethereum, $252 million returned in Binance Smart Chain and $85 million in Polygon tokens.

Some $268 million worth of tokens are still outstanding, it said, noting later on Thursday morning that it is still communicating with the hackers, who were gradually transferring back the remaining assets.

As of 1.20am, hackers had returned more than half of the cryptocurrency it stole from Poly Network on Tuesday, the company announced on Twitter

The company later said it is still communicating with at least one hacker to retrieve the rest of the money, calling him a 'white hat' hacker as he has claimed he always intended to return the money it had stolen

The hacked $600 million is roughly made up of about $267m of Ethereum (pictured, stock photo) currency, $252m of Binance coins and roughly $85 million in USDC tokens, according to reports. The remaining $268 million is in Ethereum coins

The hackers started returning some of the stolen tokens on Wednesday, after the Poly Network, a decentralized finance platform that allows users transfer digital tokens across different blockchains, made a public plea to the thieves to 'establish communication and return the hacked assets.'

In a tweet on Tuesday, the company listed the details of digital wallets to which it said the money was being transferred, and urged people and coin traders to blacklist tokens from them.

The value of the tokens in the wallets cited by the platform was just over $600 million at the time of the announcement, crypto trade publication The Block said.

The sum was reportedly made up of about $267m of Ethereum currency, $252m of Binance coins and roughly $85 million in USDC tokens.

'The amount of money you have hacked is one of the biggest in DeFi history,' Poly Network said in its letter.

'Law enforcement in any country will regard this as a major economic crime and you will be pursued. The money you stole are [sic] from tens of thousands of crypto community members, hence the people.'

The platform tweeted it planned to take legal action and urged the hackers to return the stolen funds to several of its digital addresses.

The letter posted online from PolyNetwork announcing the hack on Tuesday, calling it the 'biggest one in DeFi history,' and warning legal action if the hackers do not return the money

In an unexpected twist, hackers started to return some of the stolen tokens on Wednesday following the public plea

Unregulated decentralized finance platforms, like Poly Network, known as DeFis, allow users to conduct transactions, usually in cryptocurrency, without traditional gatekeepers such as banks or exchanges.

Experts say the hackers may have started to return the stolen tokens because they found it too difficult to launder stolen cryptocurrency on such a scale.

The hackers sent a message to Poly Network embedded in a cryptocurrency transaction, telling the company they were 'ready to return' the funds, according to CNBC, and the platform requested the money be sent to three crypto addresses.

According to researchers at security company SlowMist, one the hackers stole the currency they initially started to send it to various other crypto addresses.

SlowMist said in a tweet that its researchers had 'grasped the attacker's mailbox, IP, and device fingerprints' and are 'tracking possible identity clues related to the Poly Network attacker.'

The researchers added that the heist was likely to have been planned for a long time, with the hack having the hallmarks of a 'organized and prepared' attack.

In its initial investigation, Poly Network said it had found that the hacker or hackers exploited a 'vulnerability between contract calls'.

The network operates on Binance Smart Chain, Ethereum and Polygon blockchains -digital ledgers of activities upon which various cryptocurrencies are based.

The tokens, or different digital 'coins' are swapped between block chains using a smart contract, which contains instructions on when to release the assets to the parties, according to Reuters, and these smart contracts maintain large amounts of liquidity to allow users to efficiently swap tokens.

According to an analysis of the transactions tweeted by Kelvin Fichter, an Ethereum programmer who called the hack 'pretty genius,' the hackers overrode the contract instructions for each of the three blockchains the network operates on and diverted the funds into three wallet addresses.

In total, the hacker or hackers stole more than 12 different cryptocurrencies.

DeFi refers to peer-to-peer cryptocurrency platforms that allow transactions without traditional gatekeepers such as banks or exchanges. Poly Network allows users to swap tokens across different blockchains. Pictured: A representation of various cryptocurrencies

It remains unclear whether the hack was conducted by a group or an individual, but a digital message shared by the block chain analyst firm Elliptic and Chainalysis revealed the heist was done 'for fun,' and the culprit or culprits wanted to 'expose the vulnerability in Poly Network's system.'

In the message, posted on Twitter, an unidentified hacker explained he had 'a mixed feeling' when he first spotted the security flaw in Poly Network's system, and had always planned on returning the money.

'Ask yourself what to do, had you been facing so much fortune - asking the project team politely so that they can fix it? Anyone could be the traitor given $1 billion! I can trust nobody,' the hacker wrote.

'The only solution I can come up with is saving it in a trusted account while keeping myself anonymous and safe.'

He added: 'I prefer to stay in the dark and save the world.'

Some other cryptocurrency experts, however, are skeptical the hacker or hacker was actually acting with the best intentions.

Gurvais Grigg, chief technology officer at Chainalysis and former FBI veteran, said it was unlikely that 'white hat hackers' would steal such a large sum.

He said on Wednesday that they had probably returned some of the funds because it had proved too difficult to convert them into cash.

'It's hard to know the motivation,' he said. 'Let's see the if they return the whole amount.'

Kelvin Fichter, an Ethereum programmer, called the hack 'pretty genius' on Twitter

The theft appeared to be one of the biggest ever in cryptocurrency markets and compares with the $530 million in digital coins stolen from Tokyo-based exchange Coincheck in 2018.

The Mt. Gox exchange, also based in Tokyo, collapsed in 2014 after losing half a billion dollars in bitcoin.

The latest attack comes as losses from theft, hacks and fraud related to decentralized finance hit an all-time high, raising the risk of both investing in the sector and of regulators looking to shake it down.

'It is a massive hack ... as large as Mt. Gox,' said Bobby Ong, co-founder of crypto analytics website CoinGecko, although he noted the fallout had not yet hurt major crypto prices.

'This project is finished in my opinion. (It is) going to take a lot to regain confidence,' Ong said.

The retrieval of some of the tokens underscored the difficulties of laundering large amounts of stolen crypto, said Tom Robinson, Elliptic co-founder.

'There's so much public attention on this, and exchanges will be on the lookout for customer deposits linked to this theft,' Robinson said.

'This demonstrates that even if you can steal cryptoassets, laundering them and cashing out is extremely difficult, due to the transparency of the blockchain and the broad use of blockchain analytics by financial institutions.'

Still, the stolen funds amount to more than the criminal losses registered by the entire DeFi sector from January to July of a record $474 million, according to a report from crypto intelligence company CipherTrace.

Proponents of DeFi say the technology will allow more people and businesses to access financial services. Yet it is mostly unregulated, with tech flaws and weaknesses in the code many platforms use leaving it vulnerable to hacks.

Still, a message embedded in transactions from one of the wallets controlling the missing funds said: 'I need a secured multisig wallet from you,' possibly in an attempt to try and return the loot.

'It's already a legend to win so much fortune,' read a subsequent message.

The chief technology officer of Tether, a stablecoin, also said on Twitter the company had frozen $33 million connected with the hack, and top management at large crypto exchanges responded to Poly on Twitter saying they would try to help.

Poly Network emailed Reuters a copy of its tweet in response to a request for further details of the latest return.

It did not immediately respond to questions on where it is based, or whether any law enforcement agency was involved.

According to the crypto website CoinDesk, Poly Network was launched by the founders of the Chinese blockchain project Neo, as a collaboration between Neo, crypto trading platform Switcheo and blockchain company Ontology.
The devastated wife of a man killed while defending their daughter from yobs has blasted his killers while adding that she's 'lost the heart of the family'.

Two boys, both 14, have been arrested after father-of-three Jamie Markham, 45, was knifed on his doorstep in Chingford, east London, on Monday night while protecting his daughter Chloe.

Now his wife Candice has revealed their family has lost its heart, while slamming the group of thugs for 'doing what they like'.

She said: 'They had metal poles, walking around with them. They were swinging them and shouting at my daughter. Its absolutely devastating.

'Ive lost the heart of the family. Its just disgusting. Its not the first time  you see them walking around and smashing bottles in the street, just doing what they like. My daughter didn't know them, one of her friends knew one of them from school.'

Neighbours say they spotted a teenage girl, who was wearing a grey vest top and leggings, being 'annoyed' by a group of boys she was with as it started raining heavily on Monday evening. They boys appeared to be swinging metal poles and shouting abuse at the girl.

One neighbour said she appeared to 'pull a face' and went to fetch her father, Mr Markham, who had just finished walking the family's pet dog. He then confronted the group of boys and was brutally stabbed, police say.

His heartbroken wife was apparently heard screaming when she found the 'kind family man' fatally wounded outside their home.

On Wednesday, a 14-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of his murder and a second boy, also 14, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder.

Tributes have now been left to Mr Markham and a family friend, who was tearful as she approached the scene of the stabbing today and did not want to be named, said: 'He was my friend, my neighbour. He was kind, a lovely man, a worker.

'He would wake up at 5am, come back 6pm, doing the daily routine with the kids, always with the kids.'

She added: 'We are devastated for Jamie. He was kind, a good person, someone who will always be there for you.

'Anything that you need, he'll always be there, fixing anything that you need from the house. He was always working. He was a very good person, a man with a good heart, a good soul, he didn't deserve that.'

Jamie Markham, 45, (middle) was knifed in Chingford, east London, by thugs who were reportedly swinging metal poles and shouting abuse at his daughter Chloe, 17

Despite the efforts of London Ambulance Service, the father-of-three was pronounced dead at the scene in Chingford Mount

A murder investigation is underway after a man was stabbed to death at the mount in Chingford on Monday evening

Bouquets of flowers and a card were laid in a parking area on Churchill Terrace, where the incident happened and where one police officer remained patrolling on Thursday.

A note with one bouquet read: 'Thinking of you all. You will be in our thoughts and prayers. Much love. 37th Chingford Scout Group xx.'

Detective Inspector John Marriott, of the Met's Specialist Crime Command, said: 'We believe that James confronted a group of youths causing a disturbance and was stabbed as a result.

'The brutality of this response is beyond shocking and our thoughts are with James' family who have been left devastated by their loss.

'The arrests of these two individuals is a significant development but we still need the public's help to build a full picture of exactly what happened on Monday evening.

'I know that there were a number of people present at the time of the murder. I want them to come forward.

'I also believe there will be parents who know that their child was there, or was involved. I am appealing for them to do the sensible thing and get in touch with us.

'A dedicated team of officers is working to piece together the tragic circumstances that led to this murder and to bring those responsible to justice.'

Despite the efforts of London Ambulance Service, Mr Markham was pronounced dead at the scene in Chingford Mount.

The area has now been cordoned off by police and detectives from the Metropolitan Police's Specialist Crime Command have launched a murder inquiry.

It came as bouquets of flowers were today left in tribute to the father, whose death has left the local community in shock.

A neighbour said 'the entire street could hear the screams' of Mr Markham's partner when he died.

Mr Markham's wife Candice (left with daughter Chloe) said she found the 'kind family man' fatally wounded outside their home

Neighbours have claimed Jamie Markham came out of his flat to defend his daughter

A man, who was sat in his car at the time, said he saw a group of eight or nine teenage boys 'run up and down' the street, but did not see the stabbing.

He said: 'I saw hooligans running up and down this way and that way.

'The police have got my dash cam because I was sitting in the car at the time.

'It was hammering down so you couldn't hear much of anything.

'I was shocked, especially seeing police doing CPR on him. I didn't realise who it even was until later.'

His partner, who also declined to be named, said: 'He was a family guy.

'He never bothered us, he just got on, and kept himself to himself and walked the dogs.

'He would come out of his place and be peacefully on his own. A day or two ago I saw him with his son chatting away.

'Yesterday everyone was just shell-shocked.'

She added: 'It's just heartbreaking when you think of it. His life is gone. Whoever done it, they've ruined the partner's life, the kids' life.

'He was the breadwinner of the family. It gets me that people think this is acceptable. People think that it's normal. I just think what do their family think they do when they get out and about?'

Alice McGill, 78, said she had spoken to neighbours about what happened.

The area has now been cordoned off by police and detectives from the Metropolitan Police's Specialist Crime Command have launched a murder inquiry

She said: 'All I know is that this girl was hanging out with these boys, one of them said something silly.

'She then went to go and get her father and her father came out and he died.

'It's a tragedy because this young girl is going to have to live with that for the rest of her life.

'It's not her fault. This girl was a proper daddy's girl - the poor, poor girl.'

Kerrie-Ann Lambert, 32, a mum of three, said: 'I was on my way back from the shops when I saw a large group of teenage boys and one girl wearing leggings and a grey vest top.

'It started really chucking it down and I was looking at the girl and I thought, 'wow you're going to get pneumonia'.

'There were loads of boys. There was one girl. It looked like a herd.

'I thought, should I offer her a jacket? I wish I had intervened.

'I thought it was a bit weird because it was one girl with a bunch of boys. I kept an eye on her for 10 minutes because I thought is she happy, is she safe with them? Is she being picked on by them?

'She seemed fine to me at first, but then I think one of the boys said something to her and she pulled a face. She looked like she'd been annoyed and she wanted to go home or something, but I'm not too sure.'

'I went home because it started chucking it down and I had to get dinner on.

'Later I just heard those screams. We all felt distraught and knew someone must have passed away.

'One of the police officers said that people can't come out this way because they're operating on him now.'

Ms Lambert added: 'I'm very upset about it. All he was doing was protecting his daughter.

'These boys thought they were big people and decided to play God.

'I've moved here to get away from all of this, it's ridiculous. I let my kids play where there's a swing.

'I'm worried they might see something. It's traumatic. I know no one is going to stab a nine year old or a 10-year-old.

'But it's disgusting. I feel really sorry for that lady and that family. Someone woke up with no dad yesterday.'

'I hope that person feels sorry for what they've done.

'One day you're going to have a daughter and someone is going to say something crap to her, and you're going to know what it's like to want to defend her. It's horrible. I really do hope the police find this person because they deserve to be put away.'

The Met Police said officers were called at 6.20pm on Monday night to reports of a disturbance in Churchill Terrace, Chingford.

They found Mr Markham there suffering with stab wounds but paramedics were unable to save him. His next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers.

Detective Inspector John Marriott, said: 'A dedicated team of officers are working to piece together the tragic circumstances that led to this man losing his life.

'The thoughts of all of us are with his family and friends as they come to terms with their loss.

'We have already spoken to a number of key witnesses and recovered CCTV from the area, although I would like to hear from anyone else who witnessed the attack, or a disturbance beforehand.'

Chief Superintendent Richard Tucker, responsible for local policing in Waltham Forest, said: 'The Met remains committed to tackling violence across London and I would like to reassure the community that we will do everything we can to track down those responsible for this attack.

'I understand the concern this incident will cause and I would like to reassure residents that you will continue to see additional officers in the area over the coming days.

'I would urge you to speak with them about any concerns you have.'
The world's first Covid-19 patient may have been infected by a bat while working for a Wuhan lab in China, a World Health Organization chief has admitted.

Dr Peter Embarek, who led the WHO probe into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic in China, made the shocking claim despite initially dismissing the notion that the virus escaped from a lab as extremely unlikely.

Now, Embarek has admitted that the lab leak theory could have happened, suggesting that a Chinese researcher could have been infected by a bat while taking samples in connection with research at a Wuhan lab.

The world's first Covid-19 patient may have been infected by a bat while working for a Wuhan lab in China, Dr Peter Embarek has admitted

Dr Peter Embarek, who led the WHO probe into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic in China, made the shocking claim despite initially dismissing the notion that the virus escaped from a lab as extremely unlikely. Pictured: Scientists in the Wuhan Institute of Virology

Embarek told Denmark's television station TV2: 'An employee who was infected in the field by taking samples falls under one of the probable hypotheses.

'This is where the virus jumps directly from a bat to a human.'

He explained: 'In that case, it would then be a laboratory worker instead of a random villager or other person who has regular contact with bats. So it is actually in the probable category.'

The Danish scientist stressed that the WHO investigators found no direct evidence of this.

But China have long been accused at home and abroad of covering up the initial outbreak and concealing information when it first emerged in Wuhan in December 2019.

Dr Embarek's comments are a marked reversal on those he made while still in China on the fact-finding mission when he called on scientists to stop investigating the possibility the virus escaped from a lab.

He also initially insisted there is no evidence of transmission 'in Wuhan or elsewhere' before December 2019.

But a week later he backtracked and said his team had discovered there were at least 13 Covid variants in Wuhan in December, suggesting the virus had been in development for some time to allow these different strains to develop.

He also revealed that up to 1,000 people in Wuhan could have been infected in early December - an estimate based on Chinese data that showed 174 severe cases of the disease.

Dr Peter Embarek visisted the Wuhan Institute of Virology Lab (pictured) during the probe. The lab is where scientists were reportedly conducting experiments on bats and studying bat-based coronaviruses similar to Covid-19 before the pandemic began

While China has tried to insist the virus originated elsewhere, academics, politicians and the media have begun to contemplate the possibility it leaked from a high-level biochemical lab in Wuhan - raising suspicions that Chinese officials simply hid evidence of the early spread

Chinese scientists and officials have been keen to point the finger of blame outside their own borders - variously suggesting that the virus could have originated in Bangladesh, the US, Greece, Australia, India, Italy, Czech Republic, Russia or Serbia

Did Covid originate in Chinese laboratory? The Wuhan Institute of Virology has been collecting numerous coronaviruses from bats ever since the SARS outbreak in 2002. They have also published papers describing how these bat viruses have interacted with human cells. US Embassy staff visited the lab in 2018 and 'had grave safety concerns' over the protocols which were being observed at the facility. The lab is just eight miles from the Huanan wet market which is where the first cluster of infections erupted in Wuhan. The market is just a few hundred yards from another lab called the Wuhan Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (WHCDC). The WHCDC kept disease-ridden animals in its labs, including some 605 bats. Those who support the theory argue that Covid-19 could have leaked from either or both of these facilities and spread to the wet market. Most argue that this would have been a virus they were studying rather than one which was engineered. Last year a bombshell paper from the Beijing-sponsored South China University of Technology recounted how bats once attacked a researcher at the WHCDC and 'blood of bat was on his skin.' One of the researchers at the WHCDC described quarantining himself for two weeks after a bat's blood got on his skin, according to the report. That same man also quarantined himself after a bat urinated on him. And he also mentions discovering a live tick from a bat - parasites known for their ability to pass infections through a host animal's blood. 'The WHCDC was also adjacent to the Union Hospital (Figure 1, bottom) where the first group of doctors were infected during this epidemic.' The report says. 'It is plausible that the virus leaked around and some of them contaminated the initial patients in this epidemic, though solid proofs are needed in future study.' Advertisement

The Huanan wet market, where scientists say the first cluster of infections were officially reported, is just a few hundred yards from the Wuhan Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

It is also only a few miles from the Wuhan Institute of Virology Lab, where scientists were reportedly conducting experiments on bats and studying bat-based coronaviruses similar to Covid-19 before the pandemic began.

Questions have since been asked about the role the Wuhan Institute of Virology lab has played in the Covid-19 pandemic.

In May, Joe Biden ordered US intelligence agencies to conduct a fresh probe of Covid's origins - admitting they are 'split' on whether the virus leaked from the lab.

The so-called lab leak theory has long been the subject of informed speculation among intelligence services and scientists, but was dismissed as little more than a conspiracy theory after it was touted by then-President Trump last year.

A WHO report into Covid's origins published earlier this year also dismissed the theory, saying it was 'extremely unlikely' and should not be investigated further.

Instead, researchers said the virus likely originated in a bat before transferring to an intermediary host and then into humans - while also giving credence to other theories emanating from Beijing, such as it being imported on frozen meat.

Their report was widely dismissed as a whitewash, including by the US - with diplomats telling the UN last month that the study was 'insufficient and inconclusive'.

But the WHO has changed their position as WHO director Tedros Ghebreyesus - who has been accused of cosying up to China - said the lab leak theory remained on the table and that all possible origins of Covid should continue to be investigated.

The report's release has been repeatedly delayed, raising questions about whether the Chinese side was trying to skew the conclusions to prevent blame for the pandemic falling on China.

Ghebreyesus also accused China of failing to share vital raw data during their investigation into the origins of Covid-19.

Dr Embarek has now laid bare just how difficult it was for his team to access documents and even discuss the lab leak theory with Chinese scientists and officials.

'Until 48 hours before we finished the whole mission, we still had no agreement that we would talk about the laboratory part of the report, so it was right up to the end that it was discussed whether it should be included or not,' he told the television network.

The team visited the Wuhan Institute of Virology, where scientists research bat coronaviruses, Wuhan Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. But during the visits, the WHO investigators were not allowed to look at laboratory documents or books.

'We did not get to look at laboratory books or documents directly from the laboratory,' Dr Embarek said.

'We got a presentation, and then we talked about and asked the questions we wanted to ask, but we did not get to look at any documentation at all.'

The Wuhan Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has not published a report about working with bats since 2013, but Dr Embarek warned that this 'does not mean they have not worked with bats since'.

And the lab was moved in December 2019 just hundred yards from the wet market where scientists found the first cluster of Covid-19 infections.

'It is interesting that the laboratory moved on 2 December 2019,' said Dr Embarek. 'This is the period when it all started, and you know what when you move a laboratory, it is disruptive to everything.'

He added: 'You also have to move the virus collection, sample collection and other collections from one place to another.

'This whole procedure is always a disruptive element in a laboratory's daily workflow, so at some point it will also be interesting to look at that period and this laboratory.'

The scientist joined the WHO in 2001 and worked at the agency's China office and advised the Chinese government on food safety and nutrition issues.

Embarek, who initially dismissed the lab leak theory now says that there should be further investigations into the idea.

He said: 'When I still think we should investigate the hypothesis of a laboratory leak, it is for several different reasons. One of them is the way the Chinese government has behaved.

'They have tried to suppress all research in this area. We do not know if it is because they just want to try to control the story, or if it is because they have something to hide.'

A member of a World Health Organization team is seen wearing protective gear during a field visit to the Hubei Animal Disease Control and Prevention Center for another day of field visit in Wuhan in central China's Hubei province

China's official timeline vs new evidence Official timeline Dec 8, 2019 - Earliest date that China has acknowledged an infection Dec 31 - China first reported 'pneumonia of unknown cause' to the World Health Organisation Jan 1, 2020 - Wuhan seafood market closed for disinfection Jan 11 - China reported its first death Jan 23 - Wuhan locked down Jan 31 - WHO declared 'outbreak of international concern' as China admitted having thousands of cases Feb 23 - Italy reports cluster of cases in first major outbreak in the West New evidence Sep 2019- Blood samples are taken in a lung cancer screening trial in Italy which later test positive for coronavirus Oct-Dec - Rise in 'flu and pneumonia' cases in northern Italy which could be linked to coronavirus Nov - Sewage samples taken in Florianopolis, Brazil, suggest virus was present Nov 10 - Milanese woman has a skin biopsy, producing a sample which later shows signs of the virus Nov 17 - Leaked documents suggest case detected in China on this date Dec 1 - Chinese researchers report an infection on this date in a peer-reviewed study, but it has not been acknowledged by Beijing Dec 18 - Sewage samples taken in Milan and Turin suggest virus was circulating in the cities Jan 2020 - Sewage samples from Barcelona suggest virus was in the city Advertisement

WHO Chief Ghebreyesus dismissed his own agency's expert report earlier this year after it described the lab-leak theory as 'extremely unlikely'.

Ghebreyesus accused China of withholding data from a WHO panel and said the lab-leak theory should be studied further, only moments after the publication of the long-awaited report which rejected the idea altogether.

'Although the team has concluded that a laboratory leak is the least likely hypothesis, this requires further investigation,' said Tedros earlier this year.

'I expect future collaborative studies to include more timely and comprehensive data sharing,' he added - in an astonishing rebuke to China for a figure who has long been accused of being too close to Beijing.

Others have suggested the source of the virus was the Wuhan Institute of Virology, a Chinese lab that is the world's largest centre of research on coronaviruses.

They believe the virus was either uncovered at the lab - which collects coronaviruses from wild animals - or else engineered through 'gain of function' research.

Such research involves adding properties such as increased transmissibility to already-existing viruses to study the effects and develop treatments before such diseases crop up in the wild.

But the research is hugely controversial, with many scientists arguing the risks of creating such viruses far outweigh the potential benefits.

According to proponents of this theory, the virus then leaked from the lab - possibly by infecting staff who then unwittingly passed it to the general population.

One intelligence report passed to agencies in Washington claims three members of staff at the laboratory sought hospital treatment in November 2019 - a month before the first official cases of Covid were detected, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Their symptoms were 'consistent with both Covid-19 and common seasonal illness', the report says, calling for further investigation.

That tallies with a body of evidence suggesting Covid may have been circulating for months before China first reported it to the world - either as a result of the often-mild disease going undetected, or the result of a cover-up.

Scientists in Italy claim to have detected evidence of Covid in blood samples taken as far back as September 2019, while researchers in Spain say the disease could have been present there in January 2020 - months before the first official case.

Even the authors of the much-derided WHO report admitted they could not rule out the possibility that Covid was circulating before December 2019.

But it was not until December 31, 2019 that the WHO's China office was informed of a mystery pneumonia which had sickened 44 people in Wuhan.

Later, the WHO was informed that at least one patient in Wuhan - a major transport hub - had been showing symptoms as early as December 8.

A separate WHO-backed report said it was 'clear' that 'public health measures could have been applied more forcefully by local and national health authorities in China' last January.

It said there was 'potential for early signs to have been acted on more rapidly' by both China and the WHO.

The criticism was at odds with the WHO's public statements at the time, when it praised China for the 'remarkable speed' with which it responded to the outbreak.

Beijing has touted its recovery from the early outbreak as a triumph for its Communist leaders, with China's economy the only major one to grow in 2020.

But numerous reports have detailed how China withheld key details about the virus in its early stages, including from the WHO which has praised China in public.

The WHO findings will be a PR coup for Beijing and leader Xi Jingping (pictured shaking hands with WHO leader Dr Tedros) with diplomats repeatedly jumping on any evidence that the pandemic which has blighted the world did not start in China

A young doctor, Li Wenliang, was reprimanded by police after trying to raise the alarm about the disease - and later died of it.

Human Rights Watch director Ken Roth said the WHO was guilty of 'institutional complicity' when it gave credence to some of Beijing's early claims about the outbreak.

'WHO has absolutely refused as an institution to say anything critical about China's cover-up of human-to-human transmission, or its ongoing refusal to provide the basic evidence,' he told reporters last month.

'What we need is an honest, vigorous inquiry rather than further deference to China's cover-up efforts.'

China has vehemently denied any suggestion that Covid leaked from the lab and has accused the US of 'playing politics' by reigniting suspicion in the theory.

Instead, Beijing has made a number of incendiary and unsubstantiated allegations that Covid actually originated outside of the country and was imported.

So-far, researchers and diplomats have pointed the finger of blame at nine countries including the US, Australia and India - all rivals of Beijing.

The Covid pandemic has so-far infected at least 175million people in virtually every country in the world and killed 3.7million, though both numbers are thought to be large under-estimates.

The first cases of the virus were identified in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019, in what was then reported as 'pneumonia of unknown origin'.

In January the infections were attributed to a novel virus which was eventually named by the WHO as SARS-CoV-2.

Many of the original cases were linked to a wet market in the city which sold a mixture of farmed and wild animals, leading to the theory that the disease originated in an animal host before crossing into humans.

But few now believe the wet market was the original source of the virus, and think the virus may have found its way there from another source before spreading.

The true source of the virus remains a mystery, with 'patient zero' - the first person to have caught the disease - yet to be identified.

That has led to competing theories about where, when and how the virus first crossed into humans - though researchers all agree that answering these questions are vital to understanding Covid, and preventing future pandemics.

Many researchers and a portion of the US intelligence community still back the 'zoonotic spillover' hypothesis which suggests the virus originated in animals before crossing into humans during contact between the two species.

Proponents of this theory say the virus likely originated in bats, because other similar viruses have been found in the animals before.

The virus is then said to have jumped directly from bats into humans - or, because contact between bats and humans is rare, it may have infected a secondary host that is more commonly found around people before making the jump.
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The number of people told to self-isolate by the NHS app or directly from Test and Trace has fallen by 20 per cent in a week, official figures show.

Data laying bare how the 'pingdemic' has started to fizzle out revealed 610,000 quarantine alerts were sent in the week ending August 4, down from 759,000 the week before. But the drop was partly fuelled by the five per cent fall in cases.

The figures come ahead of the Government's move to set double-jabbed adults and all children free from isolation rules on Monday.

Ministers have vowed to limit the disruption caused by the quarantine crisis, which saw supermarket shelves left empty because of a lack of staff in the supply chain. Bars and pubs also had to shut and trains were cancelled.

From next week, more than 33million people in England who have received both coronavirus vaccine doses will no longer have to self-isolate if someone they have been in contact with tests positive.

The restrictions will also be lifted for everyone aged under 18 as school bubbles are scrapped.

But ministers urged the double-jabbed to remain cautious if they get pinged and think about wearing a face mask in enclosed spaces and avoid others, particularly the elderly and those with health conditions.

Instead of having to isolate for up to ten days, those contacted by NHS Test and Trace or through the app will be advised to get a PCR test as soon as possible. They will not have to isolate while waiting for the result.

The number of people told to self-isolate by the NHS app or directly from Test and Trace has fallen by 20 per cent in a week

Pings made up around 40 per cent of all self-isolation alerts in the week ending August 4, with calls from Test and Trace making up 37 per cent and positive tests being 23 per cent

The number of people pinged by the NHS Covid-19 app in England fell 20 per cent to 310,887 in the week ending August 4, down from 388,265 the week before

The drop-off in the number of venue check-ins using the app was similar during the week, falling 26 per cent from 2.3million to 1.7million

Number of people falling ill with Covid in Britain IS ticking upwards The number of people falling ill with Covid every day in Britain has started to tick upwards, a symptom-tracking study has claimed. Data from the ZOE Covid symptom study shows daily cases fell 2.12 per cent in the week ending August 7 from the 46,905 recorded the previous week. But the rate of decline slowed down significantly, with experts suggesting infections could be levelling out or about to start rising again. Professor Tim Spector, an epidemiologist at Kings College London and lead scientist on the study, said it is too early to tell whether the levelling off of cases will turn into another spike. He warned the slight increase in cases in over-60s could be caused by 'waning immunity' among those jabbed earlier in the year but admitted it could be caused by more weddings and social events where the young and elderly have been mixing over summer. Professor Spector said: 'The decrease in cases that we saw last week appears to have faltered over the last few days, and were seeing signs of an uptick.' Advertisement

NHS data today shows the number of people being pinged is already falling ahead of the move to reduce self-isolation next week.

Pings directly from the app  which is not legally enforceable  fell from 395,971 to 317,132 (19.9 per cent).

The drop also takes into account the tweak to the app at the start of August.

It now only finds close contacts from up to two days before infected people tested positive. Previously, it had trawled through five days of a user's Bluetooth history.

The number of people reached by call handlers fell from 362,665 to 292,911 (19.2 per cent) while the number of people testing positive fell from 189,232 to 179,748 (five per cent).

In total, 789,791 isolation alerts were sent during the most recent week, when people testing positive are included. This was 16 per cent lower than last week's number of 947,868.

However, the figure only refers to the amount of alerts  not people.

A single person may be identified by the app and call handlers before going on to test positive themselves  or be asked to isolate multiple times in the same month.

The figures come after weeks of chaos that have seen millions of workers forced to stay at home and children kept away from school even if they are not infected.

Crippling staff shortages have led to empty supermarket shelves and forced businesses including restaurants and pubs to shut their doors.

Figures a fortnight ago showed that a record 1.2million were told to quarantine in just one week including nearly 700,000 who were pinged by the Covid-19 app.

The new isolation rules for England come after similar changes were made in Wales last Saturday and in Scotland on Monday.

Double-jabbed adults will have to wait until 14 days after their second dose before they are exempted from the isolation rules for close contacts.

'Stop mass testing and learn to live with virus' Only the sick should be tested for coronavirus and all but the most vulnerable should be freed from blanket control measures, a Government expert has said. Several leading scientists are setting out how Britain can shift towards living with Covid, calling for an end to disruptive measures such as mass testing and self-isolation. Professor Andrew Hayward, a member of the Governments New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (Nervtag), and others yesterday backed calls to scrap routine testing of asymptomatic people. He added that blanket lockdowns can no longer be justified as a way to control Covid and instead restrictions should only apply to the most vulnerable. Professor Hayward, a University College London epidemiologist, said: As we move into a sort of endemic rather than a pandemic situation then the potential harm that the virus can cause at the population level is much less. So you cant really justify such broad population-wide control measures and we tend to target the control measures more to those who are most vulnerable. Meanwhile, as another 29,612 cases and 104 deaths were reported yesterday, Professor Hayward warned that herd immunity was a mythical goal. He said: I think it is a pretty distant prospect and we need to get used to the concept that this will become ... a disease that is with us all the time and probably transmits seasonally, like influenza. Advertisement

Anyone who tests positive following a PCR test will still be legally required to isolate irrespective of their vaccination status or age.

Quarantine requirements for travellers returning from abroad will remain the same.

The removal of the isolation requirements for under-18s comes ahead of millions of pupils and students returning to school and college for the autumn term.

The bubbles system that has seen whole classes or year groups sent home will be axed.

Secondary school and college students will instead be required to take two on-site tests at the start of the new term, followed by twice weekly lateral flow tests at home.

Ministers have promised to review the testing requirements by the end of next month.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said last night: Asking the close contacts of people with Covid to self-isolate has played a critical role in helping us get this virus under control, and millions of people across the UK have made enormous sacrifices by doing this.

Every single one of these sacrifices has helped us protect the NHS and save lives.

He added: Getting two doses of a vaccine has tipped the odds in our favour and allowed us to safely reclaim our lost freedoms, and from Monday we can take another huge step back towards our normal lives by removing self-isolation requirements for double-jabbed people who are contacts of people with Covid-19.

'Double-jabbed people who test positive will still need to self-isolate.

Mr Javid continued: Vaccines are what will bring this pandemic to an end  the wall of defence provided by the rollout is allowing us to get even closer to normal life.

If you havent already, please make sure you come forward for your jab at the earliest opportunity.

Dr Jenny Harries, chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency, said: Thanks to the huge success of the vaccine programme, we are able to ease self-isolation requirements for double-jabbed people and under-18s.

It is important that close contacts continue to come forward for a PCR test, in order to detect the virus and variants of concern.

Although two doses of vaccine will greatly reduce your own risk of becoming unwell with Covid-19, it is still possible to contract the virus and pass it to others.

Dr Harries added: So if you develop symptoms at any time  vaccinated or not  you should get a test and be very careful in your contact with others until you have received a negative test result.
A former minister launched an extraordinary attack on the national cabinet's strategy of lockdowns, saying policy-makers are too 'embarrassed' to provide accurate financial data and accusing them of hiding behind 'weasel words'.

Matt Canavan, a Queensland Nationals senator, called for an 'immediate end' to Covid lockdowns this week and doubled down on Q+A, claiming the real cost of lockdowns was so 'eye-watering' that Treasury did not want to release the real costs.

On social media, Q+A viewers were furious the ABC featured Senator Canavan at all, who is a vocal critic of lockdowns, on its panel.

Some belligerent social media activists even refused to watch the show, harshly calling his choice as a guest 'an insult to intelligence'.

The ABC Q+A panel discussed Australia's current Covid situation with one guest saying Sydneysiders were suffering and needed clarity on when the current lockdown would be over (pictured, a Penrith pharmacist in full PPE on Thursday)

Queensland Nationals senator Matt Canavan launched an extraordinary attack on lockdowns, saying policy-makers are too 'embarrassed' to provide accurate data and accused them of hiding behind 'weasel words'

Senator Canavan's presence on the show was also slammed as 'a slap in the face to everyone doing the right thing' while many accused him of spreading 'misinformation'.

The former cabinet minister and economist raised eyebrows in a comment piece in The Australian Financial Review this week by claiming the cost of saving each life during pandemic lockdowns was '$330million'.

Senator Canavan bickered with Q+A host David Speers on Thursday over Treasury's recent finding that early intervention was the best way to get on top of the virus until we reach high vaccination rates.

When Speers tried to summarise the Treasury findings, Senator Canavan interrupted him saying 'where's the numbers?' and calling some of the findings 'weasel words'.

Matt Canavan (pictured with his wife Andrea) claimed that Treasury officials could not release accurate figures on the true cost of lockdowns because they would be 'eye-watering' and would 'embarrass' officials

'You can take that up with [Treasurer] Josh Frydenberg,' Speers shot back.

Senator Canavan, who is based at Rockhampton in central Queensland, maintained his claim that lockdowns had never been properly costed.

'There hasn't actually been a cost benefit study from our officials of lockdowns... compared to other policies,' the senator argued.

'That is a gross abrogation of their responsibilities as regulators and policy makers.'

Senator Canavan said lockdowns were probably 'the most costly policy that we've ever adopted in peace time'.

'I fear that the [actual] figures would be eye-watering and would embarrass the officials making these decisions.'

He also refused to condemn rogue fellow Nationals MP and Queenslander George Christensen who told Parliament face masks did not work to control the spread of Covid.

'I'm not going to condemn it, David,' Senator Canavan said.

'That's ridiculous, that's a crazy word. I disagree with it but condemnation comes with some kind of view that the statement should never have been expressed.'

ABC viewers attacked the public broadcaster for having Matt Canavan on the Q+A panel. Some called Canavan's place on the panel discussing climate change and Australia's Covid situation 'a slap in the face for everyone doing the right thing'

Sydneysiders have no spent 99 days in lockdown since the pandemic began as of Thursday (pictured, a local in Alexandria)

Thursday's Q+A panelists discussed how Australia could end the cycle of costly lockdowns, which health economist Angela Jackson said were causing too much 'suffering' to the people of Sydney.

She said it was time to give the people of New South Wales more clarity about how lockdown will end.

'Sydney needs to know what are the vaccination targets, what do the case numbers need to be at, at each level of vaccination, for them to come out safely.

'[The NSW government] should have that modelling and I think it is time to share it.'

'People need certainty and they need a plan.'

Labor frontbencher Catherine King, who holds the infrastructure, transport and regional development portfolios, slammed the Morrison government over the 'debacle' of the vaccine rollout.

She said the sacrifices made by Victorians during that state's long lockdown in 2020 'have been squandered'.

Long lockdowns around Australia have led to frustration with the strategy which Matt Canavan believes is far more expensive than we have been led to believe (pictured, police at an anti-lockdown protest on Wednesday)

'We've only got 19 per cent of the population fully vaccinated and were having this Hunger Games between priority populations versus states about how we manage this because frankly the Morrison/Joyce government did not do its job.'

ABC finance journalist Alan Kohler called Australia's Covid response in 2021 an 'epic stuff up'.

'We've learned the PM doesn't run the show any more, it's the states who do it.'

Mr Kohler said one of the major issues confusing the public and creating uncertainty was the projection of exactly how much of the population need to be vaccinated.

A recent theme has been the claim that with 70 per cent of the population fully vaccinated many restrictions could be eased.

'What percentages are we talking about? Is it the whole population or the adult population? Nobody really knows,' he added.
Alexander Kuranov, 73, a Russian rocket scientist, has been arrested and accused of spying for the West

Russia has detained one of its top hypersonic scientists on suspicion of high treason.

Professor Alexander Kuranov, 73, was held by the FSB counterintelligence service which accuses him of passing secrets to an unspecified NATO country.

He is due in Lefortovo court in Moscow today and is expected to be detained for two months pending investigations.

His arrest comes after Briton David Smith, a security guard at the British embassy in Germany, was taken for questioning on suspicion of passing confidential information to the Kremlin.

Smith - described by neighbours as short, overweight and a man who kept himself to himself - is accused of passing classified terrorism documents to a Russian spy.

His arrest comes as Russia is rushing forward its deployment of new-age hypersonic missiles as part of a major modernisation of the Kremlin's military machine overseen by Vladimir Putin.

Kuranov is a key figure in developing hypersonic technologies in Russia, but the FSB - formerly known as the KGB - believes he passed classified data to a Western intelligence source.

He is the general director and chief designer of the Scientific Research Enterprise of Hypersonic Systems (NIPGS).

Kuranov was one of Russia's top scientists working on its hypersonic missile programme (pictured, a test of the hypersonic Zircon missile)

An FSB source said: 'During the operational-search activities in the capital, the FSB officers detained the general director of the NIPGS Alexander Kuranov.

'Investigators plan to ask the court to ask for his arrest for two months.'

Open sources show Kuranov also to be Professor of the Department of Control Systems and Technologies of St. Petersburg State Polytechnic University, and general director of the Hypersonic Systems Research Institute of 'Leninetz' Holding Company .

He is author of over 120 scientific papers, including patents and copyright certificates.

For many years he has been the organiser of the Russian-American International Symposium 'Thermochemical and Plasma Processes in Aerodynamics'

Meanwhile Smith has been arrested in Postdam, near Berlin, accused of accepting a pile of cash to pass classified terrorism information to a Kremlin spy.

Smith, 57, was charged on Tuesday for handing over information obtained from the British embassy in Berlin.

The purported spy worked as a security guard inside the building and would have had access to the counter-terrorism tactics which would be deployed in the event of an attack.

Russia's hypersonic missiles have often been used for bragging rights by Putin, who claims they cannot be stopped by any current technology

Such details would be invaluable to enemy agents looking for weaknesses at an embassy in a city where Russian espionage is rife.

Smith was monitored by MI5, Scotland Yard and German intelligence for months before he was arrested, sources said.

A succession of senior - and often elderly - Russian academics have been detained on suspicion of spying for the West in recent years.

For many years Kuranov was the organiser of the Russian-American International Symposium 'Thermochemical and Plasma Processes in Aerodynamics'.

Russia has this week announced that its state trials on its new Tsirkon or Zircon hypersonic missile will be completed this year.

Its new Project 885M class submarine Severodvinsk is to test-fire the Tsirkon cruise missile around the end of August as part of this process.

Flight tests of its new deadly hypersonic 208-ton 'Satan-2' - known to the Russians as Sarmat- intercontinental ballistic missile will also begin soon.

The 15,880mph hypersonic weapon will become the biggest beast in Vladimir Putin's modernised nuclear arsenal following the state trials.
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Hochul was speaking on the Today show on Thursday morning when she was asked at the end of the interview if she'd enforce masks in schools for kids - a rule that is being debated hotly across the country

Incoming New York Governor Kathy Hochul will mandate masks in schools and might even shut classrooms down again if Delta 'spirals out of control'.

Hochul was speaking on the Today show on Thursday morning when she was asked if she'd enforce masks in schools for kids - a rule that is being debated hotly across the country.

Hochul said she would enforce masks because she thinks it's the only way to ensure schools can open full-time safely, and she wants to end remote learning.

However she couldn't promise that they'd be open for good and said she may make decisions now that 'won't hold in a couple of weeks.'

It raises the question of whether she may also lockdown businesses across the state, as her predecessor did last year before finally lifting all restrictions in the summer as more adults got COVID-19 vaccines.

'I believe there will end up being mask mandates. I just don't have the authority right now.I believe this is going to be the way we have to go in order to create an environment to get children back to school and that is going to be my number one priority: children have to be back in school.

'We cannot have this continuation of hybrid, work from home situation, anymore.'

She then said that she wouldn't make any promises about anything because Delta had become unpredictable.

'But again, these decision that I am talking about today, my opinion today, they have no bearing if this variant spirals out of control.

I believe that there will end up being mask mandates.



Incoming governor of New York @KathyHochul weighs in on masks mandates for schools. pic.twitter.com/iWpDue9nzl  TODAY (@TODAYshow) August 12, 2021

Hochul said mandating masks in schools was the 'safest way' to reopen them but that

This recent CDC chart shows hospitalizations among children under the age of 18. They are increasing but are not as high as they were in January or February of this year

Hospitalizations among people aged 18 and over are slowly rising but not to the level they did in December or even April last year

'I'm watching those numbers like a hawk and we'll have metrics to determine if we take a different course. We'll be flexible.

'There may not be a decision made now that may even hold in a couple of weeks because I don't know what the variant is going to do or any new variants,' she said.

Delta is rising and sending more people to the hospital than in recent months. Among adults, it is still not sending as many to the hospital as during the first or second wave of the pandemic.

Doctors say they are worried about the rising number of hospitalizations among kids, who are still not eligible for the vaccine.

In the state of New York, 69 percent of the adult population is fully vaccinated.

Hochul takes over from Andrew Cuomo who resigned on Tuesday after being labeled a serial sexual harasser.

She says she is 'ready' for the role and will seek election next November when the current term runs out.

'I am the most prepared... and I will fight like hell,' she said.

Other contenders for the job are Attorney General Letitia James, who took Cuomo down with her sexual harassment report, and wild cards like AOC.

Cuomo insists he is innocent of the sexual harassment allegations and is the victim of a political attack.

It's unclear if he will seek re-election. He is still able to run unless he is impeached first.
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Thousands of travellers from across the UK saddled up traditional horse and bow top carts as they headed to the Appleby Horse Fair today after last year's festival was suspended due to Covid restrictions.

The fair is an annual gathering for Gypsy, Romany and travelling communities and is billed as the biggest traditional Gypsy Fair in Europe.

Around 10,000 travellers are expected to attend the event who traditionally come to buy and sell horses and it offers an opportunity for the traveller community to come together to celebrate their heritage and culture.

The fair is usually held in early June outside the town of Appleby, in Cumbria, and attracts around 1,000 caravans, hundreds of horse-drawn vehicles, and around 30,000 visitors.

Over the years, the mass gathering has generated allegations of violent crime, animal cruelty and mess left in the town. However the RSPCA, which patrols the fair, has said just a small minority of visitors have ever shown scant regard for animal welfare.

Already travellers have clashed with locals in neighbouring market towns when they decided to set up an overnight camp at the Upper Eden Rugby Club when their camp was sprayed with cow manure and sectioned off with boulders.

But, despite the numbers being at what police said was a 'normal' level, incidents of crime and disorder were at an all time low as a new spirit of cooperation emerged between travellers and locals.

Attendees to the Appleyby Horse Fair cool off in the river on horseback in Cumbria on Thursday

Around 10,000 travellers are expected to attend the event who traditionally come to buy and sell horses (Pictured: Horses cooling off in the river Eden in town of Appleby)

The annual event had been cancelled last year due to the coronavirus pandemic (Pictured: Festivalgoers on the banks of the river Eden Thursday)

A policeman stands guard as horses and ponies gather in the streets of Appleby for the first day of the Appleby Horse Fair Thursday

Two girl friends dressed in their summer best as the Appleby Horse Fair gets underway

The sun was shining on the banks of the River Eden for the first day of the annual Appleby Horse Fair

A young lad leads his horse by its rein while others splash about on horseback in the River Eden Thursday

Incidents of crime and disorder were at an all time low as a new spirit of cooperation emerged between travellers and locals (Pictured: Festivalgoer relaxes on bank of River Eden)

The fair is usually held in early June outside the town of Appleby, in Cumbria, and attracts around 1,000 caravans, hundreds of horse-drawn vehicles, and around 30,000 visitors (Pictured: Two girls enjoy being ferried around Appleby in a carriage)

Youngsters thrash and play on horseback in the River Eden as the Appleby Horse Fair kicked off on Thursday

Two young boys take a stroll on their horses as festivalgoers pass by on the bridge above in the Cumbrian village of Appleby

Adam Clarke attends the Appleby Horse Fair in Cumbria, pictured with a small brown horse

A bow top wagon is driven through the centre of town on the first day of the Appleby Horse Fair

The historic event has existed under the protection of a charter granted by James II since 1685 (Pictured: Horses and carriages march through Appleby centre)

Young lad is all smiled as he rides his dark brown horse in the River Eden on first day of Appleby Horse Fair

Young woman embraces the cold as she goes waist deep while riding her white horse in the River Eden

Easy boy: Young lad pulls at the reins as he brings his horse to a halt on the bed of the River Eden in Appleby

Not their first rodeo: Group of young friends walk their horses with ease in the River Eden at the Appleby Horse Fair

Travellers begin to arrive at Appleby Horse Fair, Appleby-in-Westmorland in Cumbria. It is billed as the biggest tradition Gypsy gathering in Europe

Phil, four, and his sister Chantelle, six, from Southport look out from the rear window of their families bow top wagon on the first day of Appleby Horse Fair

Gareth Dunn (left) from Darlington and Kevin Hope from Seaton Burn drink tea as they sit next to their bow top wagons

Young travllerers wait for coffee with their horse on the first day of Appleby Horse Fair after last year's event was cancelled

In 2018 there were calls to cancel the fair completely after chaotic scenes in pubs in neighbouring Kirkby Stephen and a serious assault on a local businessman following a road collision involving a child from a travelling family.

But the Covid-enforced break has seen new dialogue and a changed attitude from both sides, according to those supervising this year's event.

Traditionally travellers wash their horses in the River Eden before taking them up the hill to the showground where they are put through their paces in the 'flashing lane,' giving potential buyers a chance to see them put through their paces.

Lee Roberts, 40, of Kendal, Cumbria, was washing his black and white pony Violet, with the help of son Rocky, five, and Rocky's friends Lola, eight and Jacob, 10.

Lee said: 'It's fantastic to be back at Appleby, it was such a miss last year. I love coming here and it's great to bring the kids with us.

'I've been giving Violet a wash to cool off but she's not for sale. She's 17 years old and part of the family now, we wouldn't know what to do without her.'

Pat McDonagh, 50, of Galway, southern Ireland, was back on his usual pitch selling towels and blankets on the showfield.

He said: 'Lockdown has been hard for everyone all over the country and that is no different for travelling people. 'We live to see our friends and our families and last year was just so difficult for us, it felt as though the world had come to a stop.

'Just like everyone else mental health is a big issue in the travelling community and we have worries about the levels of suicide we have been seeing as well.

'So to come back to Appleby feels such a huge relief, just to see people we have seen in months and in some cases years, it's a real celebration this year for us.'

Marie Thomas, 31, of Belfast was pushing her niece Doll, 12 months, in a buggy. Marie said: 'It's hard for people who aren't in the travelling community to understand how much this means to us.

'The only way I could describe it would be like Christmas and last year it felt as though Christmas had been cancelled.

'I've been coming here myself since I was no older than Doll and it feels good to be able to bring new generations of the family to Appleby, it's such a special place to us.'

John Lee, 26, and wife Pearl, 23, were with their two sets of twins - Young John and Henry Thomas, five and India and Emmalise, three.

The Fair is billed as the biggest traditional Gypsy Fair in Europe, and is commonly likened to a large family gathering

This year an agreement was reached that the organisers - the Appleby Horse Fair Multi-Agency Strategic Co-ordinating Group - would host the event subject to any potential changes in Covid regulations and guidance around large gatherings

John said: 'We've come from Epsom in a big family group of 30 caravans or more, it's massive for this family and I love the fact I can now bring my kids here as my parents did for me.

'They're loving it, it's a massive celebration for the travelling people, more this year than ever.'

Josie Campbell, 26, Faye Neil, 25, and Joanne Colling, 30, had travelled from Crook, County Durham, with their kids.

Josie said: 'My dad used to bring me to the fair when I was just a little girl and as a family we loved it.

'We've now lost my dad but it was important to me to carry on the tradition he started and I'll bringing my kids here this year and every year from now on.'

Out on the flashing lane carriages were being driven at break-kneck speed along what is a quiet country road for 51 weeks of the year. Joe Keane and Dan Curran leant on a railing casting a critical eye over the steed on show.

Joe, 65, said: 'Some of these horses will bring 20,000 to 30,000, this is the place where a lot of the business is done, especially for the smaller horses.

'The owners gallop them up and down the flashing lane so buyers can see what they can do, there have been some good horses coming by today.'

One carriage driver was mobbed by a crowd of would-be buyers after galloping his horse at alarming pace along the narrow road.

After a frenzied bidding war, which lasted all of 30 seconds, the deal was done with a slap of the buyer's hand.

Police said the traditional business was done this year in a peaceful atmosphere. Supt Matt Kennersley said around 10,000 travellers and a total of 20,000 visitors were estimated to be visiting the fair this year.

He said: 'The travelling community began to arrive slowly but over the last day or so numbers have risen to what we could call a normal level.

'Despite this there have been very few incident of crime or disorder to deal with, it's been very successful from that point of view.

'The calls we have had from local people have tended to be around concern about large gatherings of people being in one place, which of course stems from worries about the Covid pandemic.

'This is the biggest policing event in our calendar with hundreds of officers on duty in Appleby and the surrounding area.

A horse and trap is driven along the Flashing Lane on the first day of Appleby Horse Fair near Appleby in Cumbria this morning

Two men speak on the first day of Appleby Horse Fair. The traveller event has been likened to a large family gathering

Joe Cannon, 72, from Manchester arrived at the site with his horses and wagon for the first day of the fair this morning

A woman prepares breakfast outside her caravan on the first day of Appleby Horse Fair this morning

'But we're very pleased with how things have gone so far.'

Councillor Phil Dew of Eden District Council has in the past called for the complete cancellation of the event following trouble in Kirkby Stephen three years ago.

However travellers and local became involved in a multi agency group aimed at eradicating the problems of the past.

One of those on the group, Billy Welch is the Shera Rom, or Head Gypsy, has been credited with bring peace between travellers and locals.

Mr Dew said: 'I was in favour of this year's event being cancelled. It had to be postponed from its usual date in June because of Covid and now takes place at peak tourist time.

'I didn't feel that was fair on traders in Kirkby Stephen as it's their busiest time of year for tourism.

'And during Appleby some don't feel they can open because of the problems of the past.

'However I have to say that thanks to the efforts of the multi agency group and to Billy Welch, this year's event has been well organised and the first phase had gone as well as it possibly could.'

It is believed that the fair originated in the late 18th century as horse dealers and sheep and cattle drovers sold their stock on Gallows Hill, not far from Long Marton Road near where the Appleby Fair is held - and that by the 20th century it had morphed into a Gypsy event.

It has existed under the protection of a charter granted by James II since 1685 and it remains one of the key meeting points for these communities.

This year an agreement was reached that the organisers - the Appleby Horse Fair Multi-Agency Strategic Co-ordinating Group - would host the event subject to any potential changes in Covid regulations and guidance around large gatherings.

The fair is an annual gathering for Gypsy, Romany and travelling communities. The event has existed under the protection of a charter granted by James II since 1685

The fair is usually held in early June outside the town of Appleby, in Cumbria, and attracts around 1,000 caravans, hundreds of horse-drawn vehicles, and around 30,000 visitors

The horses are washed in the River Eden and trotted up and down the 'flashing lane'. Thousands of people attend the event

The fair is usually held in early June outside the town of Appleby, in Cumbria, and attracts around 1,000 caravans, hundreds of horse-drawn vehicles, and around 30,000 visitors

Les Clark, Chair of the Appleby Horse Fair MASCG and Deputy Chief Executive of Eden District Council, said: 'In reaching this decision the Multi-Agency Strategic Co-ordinating Group has had to weigh many factors.

'It is preferable for everyone involved - local settled people, Gypsies and Travellers and the local authorities - for Appleby Horse Fair to happen on a set date. Had no date been set, there would be an increased likelihood of ad hoc gatherings which nobody would be prepared for.

'Whilst the Government roadmap currently states that large events can take place from 21 June, it was the preference of the MASCG that a new date for Appleby Horse Fair be selected later into the summer to allow the vaccination programme valuable extra weeks to roll out.

'Selecting a date has been a difficult process. As the traditional date is not viable, there has had to be compromise on all sides. As Chair of the MASCG I would like to thank everyone for their patience and for their willingness to find common ground during what is a difficult time for everyone.'

Billy Welch, Gypsy and Traveller representative on the MASCG, said: 'Whilst the Gypsy and Traveller community would have been happier for the Fair to be held earlier in the summer, we are happy with the compromise date identified by the MASCG.

'Everyone will have the opportunity to plan a summer break in the UK so it is important that the Gypsies and Travellers who wish to do so have the same opportunity.'

Locals in Kirkby Stephen claimed threats were made against them as travellers blocked the road during a 'stand-off.' They also said there were left furious when police told them they could not close the gate to prevent more travellers coming through - in case those already trespassing on the site needed to leave in an emergency.

The gypsies said they were being victimised and forced off the site for no reason, questioning why the remote spot where they had planned to stay had been covered in manure.

One local said: 'It was a frightening and intimidating situation to have a camp suddenly set up right in the middle of the community. And to make it worse the rugby club was told it couldn't lock the gate in case any of them wanted to leave. It's madness.'

Some pubs and businesses in the town chose to close their doors until after the horse fair is over. But one traveller, Pauline Foster, who was a part of the group, said they 'were doing no harm' and the only reason they had pitched up at the rugby club was because the site they had stayed at for years was soiled with cow manure.

A horse and trap is driven along the Flashing Lane on the first day of Appleby Horse Fair today as the event returns after last year's was cancelled

Phil, four, and his sister Chantelle, six, from Southport check on their Shetland pony from the rear window of their families bow top wagon

Robert Dugdale (left), from Lancaster grooms his horse 'Chick' as Richard Ainley, from Lancaster brings water on the first day of Appleby Horse Fair

The 69-year-old said: 'There were four or five police vans called and we warned we'd be kicked off double quick. They took pictures of all our caravans and vehicles and said if we didn't move we'd be charged and if we didn't pay it they's follow us to Appleby to get it from us.

'We were doing no harm at all. The fair begins on Thursday so we'd quickly have moved on into Appleby. The only reason that we came here is because the site we've stayed at for years and years was soiled with cow manure and sectioned off with boulders by some farmer.

'It's outside the village of Nateby in the middle of nowhere and the travelling people do no harm there. The discrimination and harassment we suffer is getting worse and if this was any other race or culture there would be an outcry, but because it's our community people let it happen.'

Police were there to make sure the travellers moved on without any further disruption as the eviction notice demanded. One officer told MailOnline: 'They're moving without incident and we've found them somewhere else to stay.'

Traffic waits to enter the camping grounds on the first day of Appleby Horse Fair - the largest traveller gathering in Europe

It has existed under the protection of a charter granted by James II since 1685 and it remains one of the key meeting points for these communities

Although Appleby itself remained quiet, an influx of travellers arrived in Kirkby Stephen at the weekend ahead of the fair, which attracts around 10,000 gypsies and 30,000 visitors.

Scores of caravans and mobile homes were parked on roadsides leading into the town and horses were tethered to graze on verges as lorries rumbled by inches away on the main road between the A66 trans-Pennine route and the M6 motorway.

Long lines of traffic snaked off into the distance as youngsters driving carriages pulled by ponies raced up and down the A685.

A local businessman said: 'It feels as though we've had one year of peace before it all starts again with a vengeance. While Appleby gets all the visitors and the income that brings, we get nothing but disruption and so many problems that some businesses choose to close down.'

The travellers denied anyone had been intimidating.
Chart-topping rapper Nines is facing jail over a 98,000 money laundering plot, and plans to smuggle 28kg of cannabis into the UK from Spain and Poland.

The musician, real name Courtney Freckleton, 31, pleaded guilty to drugs and money laundering charges at Harrow Crown Court in north-west London today.

Nines, who last year topped the UK album chart with his third studio release Crabs In A Bucket, appeared alongside Jason Thompson, 35.

The pair admitted conspiracy to import the Class B drug cannabis into the UK from Poland and Spain and conspiracy to transfer criminal cash between March 10 and July 3 last year.

Chart-topping rapper Nines is facing jail over a 98,000 money laundering plot, and plans to smuggle 28kg of cannabis into the UK from Spain and Poland

The plot involved one successful importation and a second attempted one, with the total amount of cannabis said to be 28kg, the court heard.

Prosecutor Genevieve Reed said the money laundering charge related to a 98,000 debt as well as the value of the drugs.

Nines and Thompson both denied two further counts of conspiracy to supply cocaine and conspiracy to supply cannabis and Ms Reed said prosecutors will not be seeking a trial on the charges.

The men were arrested in June after police raids across London and Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, in an operation understood to have stemmed from the infiltration of encrypted messaging service Encrochat.

The network, which was used by thousands of criminals internationally, was brought down by law enforcement last year after being hacked by French investigators.

Nines, of Barbican, central London, and Thompson, of Barnet, north London, are facing lengthy jail sentences and were remanded in custody by Judge Rosa Dean, who adjourned the case for sentencing.

The musician, real name Courtney Freckleton, 31, pleaded guilty to drugs and money laundering charges at Harrow Crown Court in north-west London today

Nines is originally from Harlesden, north-west London.

His brother Wayne - also known as Brandszino or Zino - was gunned down and killed in an alleged gangland attack in 2008.

The rapper, who was jailed in 2013 for possession of cannabis with intent to supply, was named best hip hop act at last years Mobo Awards.

His chart-topping third album, which beat metal titans Metallica to the top spot on its release, secured album of the year, seeing off competition from Stormzy, J Hus, Lianne La Havas and Mahalia.
A 'rejected' handyman known as the 'Layby Lurker' was today found guilty of killing his love rival by smashing him over the head with a weapon before burning him alive.

Mark Chilman, 52, is facing life in prison after he was convicted of the murder of 66-year-old former company director Neil Parkinson in Cotheridge, Worcestershire.

He battered Mr Parkinson unconscious with an unknown weapon before putting him in his 4x4 car and setting it on fire in an attempt to cover up his crime as suicide.

Mr Parkinson's body was discovered in the flaming BMW X5 in a lay-by on December 12 last year. Jurors were told how the jealous thug murdered Mr Parkinson after finding out he was in a relationship with his ex-partner Juliet Adcock.

She had dumped Chilman in June last year but he remained 'obsessed' with the mother-of-three. He even used a tracker on her car to follow her and stole her knickers after breaking into her home which he 'cuddled every night'.

Chilman also earned the nickname 'Layby Lurker' because he parked on the side of the road after dark near to Ms Adcock's 800,000 farm in Bromyard, Herefordshire.

Mark Chilman (left), 52, has been found guilty of the murder of Neil Parkinson (right), 66

Chilmon murdered Mr Parkinson after finding out he was in a relationship with his ex-partner Juliet Adcock (pictured), the court was told

Chilman went on trial accused of murder at Worcester Crown Court and was found guilty this morning by a jury of nine men and three women.

The defendant from Pencombe, Herefordshire, dressed today in a checked shirt with rolled up sleeves, lowered his head and closed his eyes as he learned his fate. He is expected to be jailed for life when he is sentenced at the same court next Monday.

The court was told how Chilman lay in wait before he ambushed his victim striking him over the back of the head with a weighty object like a hammer.

Mr Parkinson had been on his way home to Clifton upon Teme, where he lived, caring for his elderly mother after spending the evening with Ms Adcock.

Chilman drove his unconscious body to a lay-by and used around 40 litres of petrol from two stolen jerry cans to set him on fire in the driver's seat of his car.

Police at the scene on Ankerdine Road in Cotheridge, Worcestershire, in December last year

Jurors were told how he deliberately centred the blaze around his body, staging it to look like he committed suicide.

A post mortem revealed Mr Parkinson had suffered a smashed skull and was alive when he was put in the driving seat of the car before it was torched.

Chilman later sent a 'suicide text' to Ms Adcock, purporting to be from Mr Parkinson, in which he wrote: 'I lead a double life. I use and abuse woman' (sic).

But Ms Adcock said she knew the message had not been written by her partner because of the 'appalling' spelling and grammar.

She also recognised other phrases that Mr Parkinson would never have used because he was 'a gentleman'.

The message, which took the form of a confession, read: 'I lead a double life.

A police van at the scene in Worcestershire last December following Mr Parkinson's murder

'I use and abuse woman (sic). It goes like this. I've been taking women of (sic) there (sic) partners and husband's (sic) for a very long time and I get a buss (sic) from it.'

He also sent other fake text messages pretending to be from Mr Parkinson claiming he was having sexual relationships with three other women.

The court was told how Chilman was still obsessed with his former lover and even bought the same perfume as her which he sprayed on clothes he stole from her.

Police found items of her clothing including her underwear which he 'cuddled' and used as a 'comfort blanket'.

When they were together, Chilman would write love messages in her lipstick on her bedroom and bathroom mirrors which said: 'I love you forever.'

Another read: 'I'm sorry, love forever my darling, sorry Mark xx'.

He also left a noose to 'hang himself' and a sledgehammer at the farm and put a tracking device on her car because he suspected she was 'having an affair'.

Chilman 'committed a senseless act that ended Neil's life prematurely', police said today

Chilman also sent a text he had sent to his friend Andy Underwood, telling him to say he was having a Chinese meal with him if he was asked.

Chilman told him: 'I'm ready to go down for it. I have nothing left.'

When interviewed by police he claimed Mr Parkinson had set himself on fire and that the decision to end his life was 'his choice'' and that it meant he was 'out of the way'.

Speaking after Chilman's conviction, Detective Chief Inspector Dean Jones, the senior investigating officer from West Mercia Police's Major Investigation Unit, said: 'I'm pleased that Chilman has been found guilty for the brutal murder of Neil Parkinson.

'Chilman committed a senseless act that ended Neil's life prematurely, and he will be sentenced on Monday.

'Neil Parkinson's family have understandably been left devastated, Neil was simply leaving his partner's home to return home to take care of his elderly mother when he was tragically killed in a senseless attack and my thoughts and condolences remain with them.'
Professor Danny Altmann said 'the idea of a bit of mix and match for the boosters is always going to be a good idea'

People should receive a different Covid vaccine for their third jab because it will boost their immunity, one Government adviser claimed today.

Professor Danny Altmann, an immunologist at Imperial College London and a member of SAGE's immunology taskforce, said a mix-and-match approach for booster jabs is 'always going to be a good idea'.

A different third jab will stimulate the immune system in a slightly different way and maximises the chance of a strong immune response, he said.

Scientists at Oxford University found in June that mixing and matching Covid jabs can give more protection and said their research could have a 'major impact' on the booster campaign being considered in the UK.

The Government told the NHS to prepare to dish out Covid booster injections to all over-50s and healthcare workers.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said this week officials are waiting on advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) before pressing ahead.

But the campaign is expected to begin in September, meaning it will be carried out at the same time as flu jabs.

Researchers found in June that one dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, followed by one Pfizer jab four weeks later, gave the best protection out of all the mix-and-match combinations they trialled

'No reason to panic': Top vaccine expert suggests booster jabs may NOT be needed An autumn Covid vaccine booster programme may not be needed, one of the country's leading vaccination experts has suggested. Data suggests the vaccines are holding out against the virus and are protecting the double-jabbed from severe disease and death, Sir Andrew Pollard said. He told the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Coronavirus that any waning of protection provided by the vaccines would be 'gradual' and would be picked up on quickly through UK surveillance systems. Sir Andrew said that 'there isn't any reason at this moment to panic'. And vaccine stockpiles would be better used in countries where vulnerable people are yet to be vaccinated ahead of booster programmes or vaccinating children, he suggested. Health officials have set out a timeline for a potential booster campaign, should one be needed. Under the plans, all over 50s and the clinically vulnerable could be offered a third Covid-19 vaccine at the same time as their flu shot. Health Secretary Sajid Javid today said he anticipates the programme will begin in early September. The proposals are not set in stone and have been announced so that the NHS can prepare for the programme while more information is gathered on whether or not a booster campaign is necessary. Sir Andrew told the group of parliamentarians: 'The decision to boost or not should be scientifically driven. 'The time which we would need to boost is if we saw evidence that there was an increase in hospitalisation or people dying amongst those who are vaccinated. 'That is not something that we're seeing at the moment. So there isn't any reason at this moment to panic.' Meanwhile, infectious disease expert Professor Paul Hunter told the meeting that it is 'absolutely inevitable' Covid variants will emerge that can get around the vaccines. Professor Hunter, from the University of East Anglia, said: 'It is absolutely inevitable that we are going to get escape variants coming in.' Mutations deemed variants of concern in the UK include the Kent 'Alpha' variant, the South African 'Beta' mutation, the Indian 'Delta' strain and the Brazil 'Gamma' variant. Vaccines are thought to be less effective against Beta and Delta. Advertisement

Asked about his thought on mixing and matching, Professor Altmann told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'I think myself and basic immunology principle is strongly in favour.

'We know that if you try and come back with the same vaccine over and over again, particularly a viral platform like Sinovac, in the end you are going to be inducing inhibitor antibodies that block the vaccine getting in in the first place and doing its stuff.

'So the idea of a bit of mix and match for the boosters is always going to be a good idea, also because you get to stimulate the immune system through slightly different pathways and maximise your chance of inducing a good immune response.'

It comes as Chile began offering an AstraZeneca booster vaccine to older people who were double-jabbed with China's Sinovac.

Professor Altmann said Sinovac was 'good enough on a good day, but near the bottom of the pile' when looking at all the available options.

He said there is no evidence yet on boosting two AstraZeneca doses with Sinovac, but he would be 'very, very optimistic' that it would produce a 'far better' immune response.

His comments follow a study by the University of Oxford, which found mixing and matching first and second doses can offer more protection that sticking to the same vaccine for both.

People who had been vaccinated with AstraZeneca's jab initially and then received a top-up with Pfizer's had nine times more antibodies than those who stuck to the UK vaccine.

Although antibodies are just one part of the immune response, the Oxford University researchers said the findings strongly suggested the approach could enhance immunity.

Experts who led the trial said the findings could have a 'major impact' on a booster regime and those who got two AstraZeneca jabs 'should probably be offered the Pfizer vaccine'.

Britain has already bought 60million doses of Pfizer's Covid vaccine as part of plans to launch a booster jab rollout this autumn.

But there is debate about whether a booster campaign is even needed in the UK.

Sir Andrew Pollard, one of the experts behind the Oxford jab, said there is no evidence immunity gained from two doses is waning and first jabs for people in other countries should be prioritised above third jabs for Brits.

Asked about when a booster jab is needed, Professor Altmann said: 'These are really difficult discussions at the moment.

'For example, the UK seems to be reaching slightly different answers to the FDA [Food and Drug Administration] in the US because the debate about how much waning is dangerous and how much of your population is vulnerable is a very difficult one.

'I think most of us most of the time, if we've had our two doses, might hopefully be safe against the variants we currently know about for a good little while to come.

'But that leaves all of us who aren't typical - who are old, or obese, or have cancer, who are immunosuppressed who will be vulnerable.

'And that's when you have these difficult conversations about when to boost.'

Commenting on Sir Andrew's remarks, Professor Altmann added: 'I think that's a really difficult and important debate and one that we so so desperately need to have.

'Not just on altruistic grounds, but in terms of how best we keep this at bay on a global level.

'And the answer is almost certainly, as Andy says, by sharing it out equitably because the fewer millions of lungs you have virus replicating in, the better off we're all going to be.'
American Express invited the great-grandson of the Nation of Islam's founder to tell its staff capitalism is 'racist' and has put workers through critical race theory (CRT) training to teach them to 'identify their privileges' and 'not speak over black colleagues'.

Internal documents, obtained by Manhattan Institute Fellow Christopher F. Rufo for the New York Post, show how the credit card giant - which saw its revenue swell to a whopping $31.36 billion last year - is telling its workforce behind the scenes that the same capitalist system that pays their salaries was founded on 'exploitative extractive systemic racism.'

The documents include a promo page and partial transcript for a company event where Khalil Muhammad, the great-grandson of Nation of Islam founder Elijah Muhammad, was invited to speak.

In it, Muhammad told Amex workers that capitalism was based on 'racist logics and forms of domination' and urged the credit card giant's execs and workforce to look at their own company's role in that system.

Amex's revenue grew 6.5 percent in the last fiscal year while profits for the last quarter topped $2.3 billion. CEO Stephen Squeri took home a total salary package of $24.2 million in 2020, including $7.8 million total cash, $15.9 million equity and $500,000 in other compensation.

Other documents, provided by whistleblowers, also reveal how Amex created an 'anti-racism initiative' for its workforce covering topics including 'systemic racism', 'white privilege' and 'microaggressions.'

American Express invited the great-grandson of the Nation of Islam's founder to tell its staff capitalism is 'racist' and put them through critical race theory (CRT) training to 'identify their privileges' and 'not speak over black colleagues'

Khalil Muhammad (left), the great-grandson of Nation of Islam founder Elijah Muhammad (right), was invited to speak to Amex staff. Muhammad told Amex workers that capitalism was based on 'racist logics and forms of domination'

The event with Muhammad, called 'A Conversation about Race in America: Reflecting on our History and 'the American Dream', took place in September via web stream.

In it, Muhammad described capitalism as 'racial capitalism' and said Amex and its staffers are 'complicit' in giving privilege to some races over others.

'We can't understand the actual capital that fueled the first industrial revolution and the second industrial revolution - the thing that the standard economist will tell you when you're in business school, that it's classical economics, the kind that Adam Smith celebrated as the best way to distribute resources in the world - without understanding that none of that happened without racist logics and forms of domination that affected the entire globe,' he said.

He continued: 'American Express has to do its own digging about how it sits in relationship to this history of racial capitalism.

'You are complicit in giving privileges in one community against the other, under the pretext that we live in a meritocratic system where the market judges everyone the same.'

Muhammad said the company has profited from 'exploitative extractive systemic racism' and that it, if the company 'cares about racial justice in the world', it needs to address societal imbalance.

Muhammad's speech is seen above where he said Amex and its staffers are 'complicit' in 'racial capitalism'

What the Amex anti-racism training teaches 'privileged' staff? To know when to speak up and act versus when to instead 'amplify' a minority member of the group

Identify the privileges or advantages you have

Don't speak over black colleagues

Don't use the phrase: 'Where are you from?'

Don't use other microaggressions including: 'I don't see color'; 'We are all human beings'; 'You are so articulate; 'I'm not a racist, I have black friends'; and 'Everyone can succeed in this society if they work hard enough' Advertisement

This means Amex being 'willing to accept smaller profit margins in certain business lines', he said, and forgo maximizing profits to be more inclusive to black communities.

'If American Express cares about racial justice in the world, it can't simply say the market's going to define how we price certain customers, who happen to come from low-income communities,' he said.

'If you want to do good, then you're going to have to set up products and [product] lines that don't maximize profit.'

The event was part of Amex's anti-racism initiative set up amid the nationwide racial justice reckoning sparked by the murder of George Floyd, reported Rufo, who is working on a series 'exposing critical race theory in America's Fortune 100 companies'.

The 'ECG Anti-Racism Initiative' appears to have been made in partnership between Amex's Colleague Experience Group - its new name for the human resources function - and an external diversity and inclusion consulting firm called Paradigm - with both mentioned in the documents.

In one of the training documents, Paradigm teaches staff what allyship is and why it is important.

In that section, employees are encouraged to map out their own social identities such as race, sexual orientation, body type, religion, disability status, age, gender identity citizenship onto a worksheet.

They then use this graphic to determine where they stand on a hierarchy of identity and privilege in the workplace.

Other documents also reveal how Amex created an 'anti-racism initiative' for its workforce covering topics including 'systemic racism', 'white privilege' and 'microaggressions'

The documents show Amex set up its 'Anti-Racism Initiative' with an external diversity and inclusion consulting firm called Paradigm

In one of the training documents, Paradigm teaches staff what allyship is and why it is important. In that section, employees are encourages to map out their own social identities to determine where they stand on a hierarchy of identity and privilege in the workplace

Another document then provides ways for employees to change their behavior in the office to become better allies based on their privilege

Another document then provides ways for employees to change their behavior in the office to become better allies based on their privilege.

Examples of this include embracing discomfort, noticing inequity and knowing when to speak up and act versus when to instead 'amplify' a member of a group who is more negatively impacted by hierarchies and privileges.

This relates to interacting with black, female and LGBT employees, reported the Post.

Another handout instructs white employees how to be an allies for their black and African-American colleagues.

These included examples such as 'identify the privileges or advantages you have'; 'don't speak over members of the black and African-American community', and 'when someone trusts you enough to share their personal experiences, believe what they're saying and don't make assumptions or give unsolicited advice.'

White employees were also taught about microaggressions - defined as 'brief statements or behaviors that, intentionally or not, communicate a negative message about a minority group.'

White employees were also taught about microaggressions - defined as 'brief statements or behaviors that, intentionally or not, communicate a negative message about a minority group'

CRITICAL RACE THEORY: WHAT DOES IT MEAN? The fight over critical race theory in schools has escalated in the United States over the last year. The theory has sparked a fierce nationwide debate in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests around the country over the last year and the introduction of the 1619 Project. The 1619 Project, which was published by the New York Times in 2019 to mark 400 years since the first enslaved Africans arrived on American shores, reframes American history by 'placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of black Americans at the center of the US narrative'. The debate surrounding critical race theory regards concerns that some children are being indoctrinated into thinking that white people are inherently racist or sexist. Those against critical race theory have argued it reduces people to the categories of 'privileged' or 'oppressed' based on their skin color. Supporters, however, say the theory is vital to eliminating racism because it examines the ways in which race influence American politics, culture and the law. Advertisement

One document listed such phrases and pointed out what they can imply to people of color.

These included: 'Where are you from?' suggesting that an individual's 'racial/ethnic ambiguity confuses me, you are not American, you are foreign.'

Other microaggressions listed were: 'I don't see color'; 'We are all human beings'; 'You are so articulate; 'I'm not a racist, I have black friends'; and 'Everyone can succeed in this society if they work hard enough.'

One phrase especially highlighted was: 'Why are we saying 'Black Lives Matter?' Don't all lives matter?'

Another training document points to additional resources and reading materials for learners including the 'Beyond Prisons' podcast, which calls for the abolition of the prison system, and articles called 'Children are not colorblind' and 'The case for reparations.'

It is not clear if the CRT training is voluntary or mandated for Amex staff.

DailyMail.com has reached out to Amex for comment.

However, it comes as the company announced a renewed focus on diversity and inclusion in recent months.

In October, Amex announced a $1 billion action plan to advance its diversity, inclusion and equity priorities.

This plan includes internal and external initiatives, a commitment to 100 percent pay equity and increasing diverse representation among its workforce.

The debate around anti-racist teachings and CRT has erupted in recent months across America, and has largely been focused on teachings in schools.

Conservatives claim it teaches children to regard themselves as 'privileged' or 'oppressed' based on skin color.

Meanwhile, liberals say it is vital to understand how race impacts society in order to eliminate racism.
A California mother-of-three was convicted on Wednesday of murdering her special-needs seven-month-old son by throwing him off a hospital parking garage a decade ago.

A jury found 41-year-old Sonia Hermosillo guilty of one count of first-degree murder and one count of felony assault of a child causing death, the Orange County District Attorney's Office announced in a news release.

Hermosillo, of La Habra, had pleaded not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity in connection with the August 2011 death of her infant son, Noe.

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Sonia Hermosillo, 41, pictured in Orange County Superior Court on Tuesday, was found guilty Wednesday of first-degree murder and assault of a child causing death for pushing her infant son off a parking garage in 2011

Hermosillo, a mom-of-three (pictured in her mugshot, left), told police she did not love her son, seven-month-old Noe Jr, because he was sick. The infant suffered from several medical conditions and wore a helmet to correct his flat head

'The most basic job of a parent is to keep their children safe from harm,' stated Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. 'This child didnt even have the chance to take his first steps, say his first word, or even celebrate his first birthday before he was murdered by the very person whose job was supposed to keep him safe.'

According to trial testimony, Hermosillo had struggled with mental health issues after the birth of her third child, baby Noe, who had been undergoing regular treatments at Children's Hospital of Orange County for several medical conditions, including congenital muscular torticollis that twisted his neck from being in utero too long.

'He was sick, and his mother didnt want him,' prosecutor Mena Guirguis told jurors at the trial. 'She made a cold-hearted decision to kill her child.'

On August 22, 2011, Hermosillo drove her son to the hospital, even though he did not have a scheduled appointment that day, and parked her car on the fourth floor of the garage.

At around 6.20pm, prosecutors said Hermosillo removed a medical helmet that Noe was wearing to correct his plagiocephaly, commonly known as 'flat-head syndrome,' and pushed him off the roof.

Pictured: the parking garage at the Children's Hospital of Orange County, where Hermosillo dropped her disabled infant son from the fourth story

'Hermosillo then walked inside the hospital, validated her parking, and drove away,' the DAs statement said.

A witness who saw the baby falling through the air called 911 and the Orange Police Department responded to the scene. Noe was taken to the trauma center at the University of California, Irvine Medical Center in critical condition. He died two days later.

Shortly after the deadly incident, Hermosillo's husband called the police to report his wife and son were missing.

Noe Medina told investigators that his wife had been diagnosed with depression and was not allowed to be alone with their baby. He said Hermosillo took off with the infant while he was watching the couple's two daughters.

Medina, who has forgiven his wife, said she did not accept their son for being sick.

'She didnt look at our son as normal,' he said of Noe Jr.

Hours later, a police officer spotted Hermosillo driving past the hospital and arrested her.

Hermosillo told police that she had 'hate, resentment and anger' toward the boy 'because hes sick,' authorities said.

Prosecutors argued that Hermosillo wanted her son dead because he was sick. She had 'hate, resentment and anger' toward the boy

Hermosillo's defense attorney claimed that the mom-of-three had struggled with depression and suffered from a psychotic break at the time of his death

Judge Kimberly K. Menninger listens to testimony during Hermosillo's murder trial in Orange County Superior Court on Tuesday

On Wednesday, defense attorney Jacqueline Goodman said the child actually was getting better and that Hermosillo suffered from a psychotic break at the time of his death, the Orange County Register reported.

During the police interview, she repeated 'I dont love him' dozens of times, the attorney said.

'That is not a confession. It is mental illness,' Goodman said.

The lawyer argued at trial that her client was suffering from 'full-blown psychosis' during interviews with police immediately after the crime, telling investigators that Noe Jr would 'always remain a baby,' and even as an adult she would have needed to 'change his diapers.'

The same jury that convicted Hermosillo will now have to decide whether she was legally insane at the time of the crime. The sanity trial is scheduled to begin on August 24.

If found sane, Hermosillo could be sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. She is currently being held without bail.
Alaska Airlines employees may have to get vaccinated against COVID once the federal government gives full approval to at least one of the vaccines, the company said in a memo to its staff.

Airlines issuing vaccine mandates are fueling a national debate on whether or not companies and government have the authority to do so, amid fears vaccine approval has been rushed.

Currently, the three vaccines available in the US - Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson - have been authorized under emergency approval. Pfizer and Moderna have applied for full FDA approval, and Pfizer is expected to get the green light by Labor Day, according to The New York Times.

Alaska Airlines may now join many of its rivals who have already issued companywide mandates.

On Friday, United Airlines became the first major US carrier to require jabs for all of its 67,000 staff by October 25. Hawaiian Airlines is giving their staff until November 1 to receive their second shot, if they are getting a two-dose vaccine.

While United and Hawaiian will only allow exemptions on the basis of religious or medical reasons, low-cost carrier Frontier said its employees can opt out of the vaccine through weekly testing.



Alaska Airlines reportedly sent a memo to employees announcing they were considering making vaccination mandatory once the FDA gave full approval to a vaccine

Alaska would join a slew of airlines issuing vaccine mandates. United, Frontier and Hawaiian have also made it a requirement for their staff

The Pfizer vaccine is 'under priority review' for full approval and could be authorized as soon as Labor Day

Southwest will 'continue to strongly encourage' employees to get vaccinated, however, its stance on requiring employees to get the jab has not changed, CEO Gary Kelly said in an internal memo obtained by CNN.

'Obviously, I am very concerned about the latest Delta variant, and the effect on the health and Safety of our Employees and our operation, but nothing has changed,' Kelly said.

Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian told Good Day New York on Tuesday that 75% of its workforce is vaccinated even without a companywide mandate.

It is unclear if Alaska will allow staff to opt out of vaccination through weekly testing, like Frontier has or if they will enforce a more rigorous mandate like United's

On Wednesday, Amtrak announced they will require more than 18,000 of their employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or submit to weekly testing

Despite issuing a mandate for new employees, Delta Airlines CEO Ed Bastian said that did not apply to all staff and that they have no vaccine mandate

While Southwest will 'continue to strongly encourage' employees to get vaccinated, their stance on requiring employees to get the jab has not changed, CEO Gary Kelly said in an internal memo obtained by CNN

The carrier did require all new hires to get vaccinated in May, with United Airlines following behind shortly after in June.

In a similar case, American Airlines will not require employees to show proof of vaccination, but will offer workers who get vaccinated by the end of August one extra day of vacation in 2022 as incentive.

'We certainly encourage it everywhere we can, encourage it for our customers and our employees, but we're not putting mandates in place,' American Airlines CEO Doug Parker said in a New York Times podcast interview.

Outside the airline industry, the US military, high-profile hospitals and more than 500 US universities have issued vaccine requirements.

Recently, California became the first state to mandate coronavirus vaccines for teachers, following advise from Anthony Fauci for state and local government.

In a similar case, American Airlines will not require employees to show proof of vaccination, but will offer workers who get vaccinated by the end of August one extra day of vacation in 2022 as incentive.

Amtrak also said on Friday that it will require more than 18,000 of its employees to be vaccinated or submit to weekly testing.

'Because vaccines are the best way to protect ourselves, our families, and our customers, we have made some important decisions regarding Amtrak vaccination requirements,' Amtrak's Chief Executive, William Flynn, wrote in a memo.

'Many employees have shared reasons why they are apprehensive about getting the COVID-19 vaccine. We understand these concerns and encourage everyone to consult with a medical professional and seek out facts from reputable sources.'

In addition to Amtrak, companies such as Google, Netflix and Facebook all issued companywide mandates to curb the spread of COVID.
'Can I just smoke a cigarette, please?' 26-year-old Jennifer Munoz asked an officer in body-cam footage released by the Albuquerque Police Department

A 'drunk' driver who ran a red light and plowed into another car, killing a mother-of-four, asked officers at the scene whether she could light up a cigarette in the immediate aftermath of the crash.

Jennifer Munoz, 26, is accused of driving drunk and speeding when she hit the vehicle driven by Janell Katesigwa, 41, in Albuquerque, New Mexico about 5am on May 23.

In bodycam footage released to KQRE by the Albuquerque Police Department, Munoz can be heard asking the officer: 'Can I just smoke a cigarette, please?'

'I would not do that right now,' the officer can be heard telling Munoz as her passenger, Christina Baker screams in pain.

'Please,' Munoz slurred, to which the officer said to 'let [EMTs] help your friend,'

Munoz was charged with DUI homicide and driving with an open container after plowing into the vehicle driven by Katesigwa, a mother-of-four, at 90 miles per hour, according to documents from the Albuquerque district court. She is being held in jail without bond.

Her car was littered with alcohol bottles, including a 50ml bottle of Jose Cuervo tequila, a 150ml flask with more tequila, an empty bottle of beer and 30mg of THC. Police also said that she 'smelled strongly' of alcohol.

Munoz, 26, is accused of driving drunk and speeding when she hit the vehicle driven by Janell Katesigwa, 41, in Albuquerque, New Mexico about 5am on May 23

Munoz's mother and sister arrived at the scene soon after the crash and asked officers if they could remove a child's car seat from the back. As officers discovered the car seats, one could be heard saying: '[She has] kids' Albuquerque police can be heard saying of the victim in the video. 'This is just awful This is terrible'

Her car was littered with alcohol bottles, including a 50ml bottle of Jose Cuervo tequila, a 150ml flask with more tequila, an empty bottle of beer and 30mg of THC. Police also said that she 'smelled strongly' of alcohol

Munoz's mother and sister arrived at the scene soon after the crash and asked officers if they could remove a child's car seat from the back, according to KRQE.

Janell Katesigwa, 41, was killed in the accident

As officers discovered the car seats, one could be heard saying: '[She has] kids' Albuquerque police can be heard saying of the victim in the video. 'This is just awful This is terrible.'

At the scene, Munoz told officers that she had drunk a few shots. Later in the video, at the hospital, an officer asked whether she was 'able to tell [him] how much she had to drink' and she did not respond.

A blood test, taken five hours after the crash, showed that her blood alcohol content was nearly twice the legal limit.

A judge called Munoz a danger to the public and ruled that she was not eligible for bail.

'She's done the most dangerous activity that you can and driving at those speeds on regular roads... it result[ed] in the loss of life of a completely innocent citizen,' said Judge Courtney Weaks, who ruled that Munoz could not be released on bail.

'There is no way even if I put her on the strictest conditions whatsoever, or tell her not to drive, put her on a GPS monitor, essentially put her on house arrest, I don't think that those are strict enough to prevent something like this happening to another citizen of our community.'

Katesigwa was driving to her job at McDonalds when she was fatally struck, followed closely in another vehicle by one of her four children. Although she saw that her mother was involved in a crash, she did not immediately realize that is was fatal.

At the scene, Munoz told officers that she had drunk a few shots. Later in the video, at the hospital, an officer asked whether she was 'able to tell [him] how much she had to drink' and she did not respond.

On the day of the crash, Katesigwa was driving to work a shift at a nearby McDonald's where she was a manager when she was fatally struck.

One of her daughters, Naomi, was following behind her when she was her mom's car on the scene of the crash but did not realize it had been fatal.

She told KRQE that her sister called their mother to see if she was at work, and when she didn't answer they checked her location, which put her at the crash scene.

'She was so proud of us - in a split second shes gone, and I cant get her back,' she said.

Katesigwa's husband, Silver, said that the family's world had been turned upside down by the crash.

'In the moment, my body was frozen. I couldnt believe that my wife was gone,' he told KRQE.

Janell Katesigwa, 41, (far right) was killed on impact in the 5 am crash as she commuted to her job at an Albuquerque McDonalds. She is pictured with her four children and husband, Silver (far left)

'In the moment, my body was frozen. I couldnt believe that my wife was gone,' Silver told KRQE

Munoz has a previous criminal record, according to court documents, including convictions for including speeding, driving without a license and failing to show up in court.

She also has past charges for drug possession and shoplifting as well as drug charges.

If convicted, Munoz could face 15 years behind bars.
Mandatory Covid vaccines for some Australian workers are a step closer after the county's industrial watchdog handed down legal guidance saying it would be 'lawful and reasonable' for businesses in hotspots to compel staff to get the jab.

Australia's Fair Work Ombudsman on Thursday evening unveiled a four-tier system on the controversial issue to provide more clarity on what the rights of bosses and employees are.

Many in the business world have been calling for the ability to make Covid vaccines a requirement of employment, as the Indian Delta outbreak continues to spread across Australia leaving millions living under stay-at-home orders.

One of the most worrying hallmarks of the current outbreak is that the mutated virus is infecting a significant number of children, with 44 kids under the age of nine struck down in just one day in NSW.

A special needs school in Sydney's north was the latest hit with a flurry of cases, leaving seven vulnerable children with autism infected, along with three of their teachers and eight family members.

Sydneysiders have been told gruelling lockdowns can end if enough people are vaccinated, with more incentives to do so slowly being put in place (pictured, a woman in Sydney's CBD on Thursday)

Mandatory Covid vaccines for some Australian workers are a step closer after the county's industrial watchdog handed down legal guidance (pictured, a woman being vaccinated at the new drive-through Covid-19 vaccination centre in Melbourne)

What are the four tiers of work that could decide if YOU need to get a vaccine if your boss says so? Guidance from the the Fair Work Ombudsman states it would be 'lawful and reasonable' for tier one and two workers to be compelled by their employers to get the jab. For workers in tier three, such as supermarkets, and tier four where there is little face-to-face contact with the public, workers may have greater recourse to protest or take legal action against mandatory vaccinations. However, in the case of a large outbreak, the employer's request is 'more likely to be reasonable'. Tier 1 work, where employees are required as part of their duties to interact with people with an increased risk of being infected with coronavirus (for example, employees working in hotel quarantine or border control). Tier 2 work, where employees are required to have close contact with people who are particularly vulnerable to the health impacts of coronavirus (for example, employees working in health care or aged care). Tier 3 work, where there is interaction or likely interaction between employees and other people such as customers, other employees or the public in the normal course of employment (for example, stores providing essential goods and services). Tier 4 work, where employees have minimal face-to-face interaction as part of their normal employment duties (for example, where they are working from home). Fair Work Ombudsman guidance states: 'Regardless of the tier or tiers which may apply to work performed by employees, the question of whether a direction is reasonable will always be fact dependent and needs to be assessed on a case-by-case basis.' Advertisement

Poll Should Australia companies be allowed to mandate Covid-19 vaccines for their workers? Yes No Should Australia companies be allowed to mandate Covid-19 vaccines for their workers? Yes 596 votes

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With children under the age of 16 having no access to vaccinations in Australia unless in exceptional circumstances, they made up more than one-third of cases in the last fortnight.

This includes 70 cases in those ages 10-19 on Thursday, with 400 youngsters infected in the past week, including 44 kids under nine in a single day.

While kids are far less likely to become seriously ill or suffer fatal complications, they can still become sick with their bodies deteriorating quickly.

Dr Stephen Warrillow, an intensive care specialist, said the rising number of cases in under 30s was a result of young people not having opportunities to be vaccinated.

Of the 62 people in intensive care in NSW on Thursday, three are in their 20s and seven are in their 30s,

'Essentially, this is a virus of the unvaccinated,' he told the Sydney Morning Herald.

Evidence the virus is spreading among kids is seen in the worrying outbreak at Giant Steps in Gladesville, which has about 80 students from kindergarten to young adults, many of whom suffer from severe autism.

Autism Awareness Australia chief executive Nicole Rogerson said the school has remained open during Greater Sydney's lockdown as it would be 'too confusing' for the vulnerable students to remain in isolation.

A woman carries a computer monitor in order to work from home in Canberra on Thursday, with a shock outbreak plunging the ACT into an unexpected lockdown

Businesses have called for the ability to make Covid vaccines a requirement of employment, as the Indian Delta outbreak continues to spread across Australia leaving millions living under stay-at-home orders (pictured, a worker at Sydney's Moore Park on Thursday)

'A lot of these children, a lot of the students, wouldn't understand what Covid is, what a pandemic is, or social distancing,' she told the the Daily Telegraph.

'At this point, the fallout is managing these kids in isolation at the moment, that's all anyone is thinking about.

'They need to keep them safe from themselves and keep their families safe when they don't understand what happened.'

A teacher at the school is thought to have ignited the cluster which has now climbed to 18.

Mrs Rogerson took aim at the federal government for not prioritising jabs for those with severe disabilities, pointing out that Year 12 students at St Joseph's College - a $35,000 a year private school in the same area - have all received vaccinations.

Giant Steps, a special needs school in Sydney's north (pictured) was the latest hit with a flurry of cases, leaving seven vulnerable children with autism infected, along with three of their teachers and eight family members

Workers carry computer monitors in order to work from home in Canberra on Thursday, as Australia's capital was ordered into a seven-day lockdown after a single Covid-19 case was detected. Three more have since been found

'The federal government stuffed the vaccine rollout so badly and now we are having a conversation about these children, some of the most vulnerable, in a Covid cluster,' she said.

Although the embattled Morrison government has ruled out legislating mandatory vaccinations for workers, unless they are in front line professions like hotel quarantine, healthcare and aged care facilities, the Fair Work Ombudsman advised that bosses may have room to move on the sensitive issue.

The new tiered system states that it would be 'lawful and reasonable' for tier one and two workers to be compelled by their employers to get the jab.

Tier one and two jobs include critical roles where there is a high risk of Covid transmission.

For workers in tier three, such as supermarkets, and tier four where there is little face-to-face contact with the public, workers may have greater recourse to protest or take legal action against mandatory vaccinations.

Sydney is entering its seventh week of lockdown (pictured, a quiet Central Station is patrolled by police on Thursday night)

Giant Steps in Gladesville (pictured) has about 80 students from kindergarten to young adults who suffer from severe autism

Parents are seen collecting their kids from St Charles' Primary School in Waverely after an outbreak hit the school (pictured) with more children now becoming infected across NSW

However, in the case of a large outbreak, the employer's request is 'more likely to be reasonable'.

'Regardless of the tier or tiers which may apply to work performed by employees, the question of whether a direction is reasonable will always be fact dependent and needs to be assessed on a case-by-case basis,' the guidance from the Fair Work Ombudsman said.

Federal Industrial Relations Minister Michaelia Cash said the updated advice will help Australia emerge from its relentless cycle of lockdowns.

'It is important that both employers and employees continue to work together to get vaccinated as soon as possible,' Senator Cash said.

'This will benefit not only our workplaces, but help our nation return to normal as soon as possible.'

Autism Awareness Australia chief executive Nicole Rogerson took aim at the federal government for not prioritising jabs for those with severe disabilities, pointing out that Year 12 students at St Joseph's College - a $35,000 a year private school in the same area as the infected school (pictured) - have all received vaccinations

Federal Industrial Relations Minister Michaelia Cash (pictured) said the updated advice will help Australia emerge from its relentless cycle of lockdowns

But while policymakers and health officials continue to debate the controversial subject, one food producer has taken matters into its own hands.

Canned fruit and vegetable processor SPC announced on Thursday it will ban its employees from the workplace unless they get booked in to be vaccinated against Covid-19 within six weeks.

All of its 450 on-site employees where given the ultimatum at the company's factory in Shepperton in regional Victoria and must now schedule their first dose before September 15.

By the end of November all of them must be double-jabbed.

Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie praised SPC for 'having the guts' to make vaccinations mandatory for its staff.

Canned fruit and vegetable processor SPC announced on Thursday it had given all of its 450 on-site employees until September 15 to schedule their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine (pictured, the SPC factory in Shepparton in central Victoria)

For workers in tier three, such as supermarkets, and tier four where there is little face-to-face contact with the public, workers may have greater recourse to protest or take legal action against mandatory vaccinations (pictured, a year 12 HSC student being vaccinated at Qudos Arena in Sydney)

'The last thing we need is for food suppliers, which are so crucial, to be shutting down,' she told the Today show on Thursday morning.

'I applaud them, [for] having the guts to come out and do that.'

SPC's edict followed tech giant Microsoft announcing all employees must show proof of vaccination before entering its US offices from September.

SPC is Australia's primary producer of packaged fruit and its brands include Ardmona, Goulburn Valley, SPC, ProVital, Kuisine, and PomLife.

Chairman Hussein Rifai said the emergence of the highly contagious Delta variant prompted the move - which is a first in Australia for non-health-related businesses.

'Lockdowns are not a sustainable solution and the Australian economy needs to open up again,' he said.

Cleaners are seen at Bondi Beach Public School on Tuesday (pictured) with more and more young Australians becoming infected with the virus

'The Delta variant poses a significant threat to our people, our customers and the communities we serve.

'The only path forward for our country is through vaccination.'

SPC Chairman Hussein Rifai said the emergence of the highly-contagious Delta variant had prompted the move - which is a first in Australia for non-health-related businesses

All SPC workers will be offered paid time off to get their vaccinations.

'Its not a matter of opinion. This is science. Vaccines work,' he told The Australian.

Staff will also get special paid leave of up to two days if they become unwell after vaccination.

SPC noted there might be some workers with a pre-existing condition who are unable to be vaccinated and their circumstances will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

SPC chief executive Robert Giles said the company was setting an example for others.

'Australian companies must go further by rapidly vaccinating their staff,' he said.

'By taking proactive steps now, we are shoring up our company for the future.

'We firmly believe that it will be manufacturers and innovators like SPC who will help drive Australia's post-Covid economic recovery.'

The ACT was also plunged into a seven-day lockdown on Thursday afternoon, with 80 per cent of neighbouring NSW also living under restrictions.
The family of an 18-year old North Carolina man shot dead by a plain clothes police officer amid a drive-by shooting outside of a funeral have filed a civil suit against the police as they call for the department to take accountability.

Fred Cox 18, was shot and killed by Deputy Michael Shane Hill of the Davidson County Sheriff's Office deputy in High Point last November.

As the crowd was leaving the funeral service for Jonas Thompson, Jr., 70 rounds were fired from at least two cars.

Deputy Hill was at the service at the request of the family to make contact with potential witnesses in the killing of Thompson, and immediately responded.

Police say Hill saw Cox with a handgun at the time he shot him four times.

Officials say other witnesses observed a handgun near Cox after he was shot.

But Cox's family dispute that claim, and say the 18-year-old was shot by Hill as he was holding open a door for a mother and her 12-year-old son, who were searching for cover.

They say Cox had been sitting in his car outside the church when the drive-by shooting began, and left his car to run into the church to help.

His family have now filed a federal lawsuit against the Davidson County Sheriff's Office and Deputy Hill.

18-year-old Fred Cox pictured at his graduation next to his proud mother Tenicka Shannon

Cox was shot and killed by Hill after a drive by shooting at the funeral service for Jonas Thompson, Jr. in November 2020

'Fred is dead for being a hero while Black,' famed civil right attorney Ben Crump, (pictured) who is representing the family, said on Wednesday as the family announced the suit

'Fred is dead for being a hero while Black,' famed civil right attorney Ben Crump, who is representing the family, said on Wednesday as the family announced the suit.

'Gone are the days when you could just kill black people and sweep it under the rug, and think that it doesn't matter,' Crump added. 'It does matter. Black Lives Matter and Tenicka son Fred Cox's life matters!'

Following an investigation by the North Carolina Bureau, a grand jury decided not to press charges against Hill.

But the family's lawyers said Hill's use of deadly use of force was 'not justified under any circumstances'.

Their suit seeks damages on six counts, including the use of excessive force, wrongful death battery and negligence, and the violation of Cox's Fourth and 14th Amendments, Buzzfeed News reported.

Fred Cox 18, (pictured) was shot and killed by Deputy Michael Shane Hill of the Davidson County Sheriff's Office deputy outside a funeral in High Point last November

'Just because the local district attorney has said that they are not going to give Fred Cox's mother her day in court, that doesn't mean she won't get her day in court,' Crump said Wednesday.

'We're turning to the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division to open up an investigation into this matter.'

A lawyer for the mother and the child who took cover inside the church said on Wednesday that it was not possible that Cox was holding a gun because used one hand to open the church door and his other to usher them inside during the shooting, Buzzfeed reported.

Crump said that Hill continued to shoot at all three of them and that the 12-year-old boy's hand was grazed by a bullet.

The autopsy report also noted that Cox did not fire a weapon, wmfynews2 reported.

'Fred Cox saved the mother and son's lives before he fell, making sure they were safe inside the church before he tried to enter,' the complaint states.

Additionally, attorney Antonio Romanucci went over Cox's official autopsy which showed that there were no frontal entry wounds, implying Cox was shot in the process of running away.

Shannon described her only child Cox (pictured) as a well-mannered man who 'would give you the clothes off his back'

Cox's mother Tenicka Shannon (pictured) could not hide her grief at Wednesday's press conference

'Make no mistake, there should have been no force,' Romanucci said on Wednesday. 'This was not justified in any way, shape, or form.'

Following the press conference announcing a civil suit against his office, Davidson County Sheriff Richie Simmons said he has not seen any suit.

'We haven't seen any lawsuit, we haven't been served anything,' Simmons told thetimenews.com. 'It's hard to comment on anything that we haven't even seen.'

Cox leaves behind two infants, a 1-year-old and a 9-month-old.

His mother, Tenicka Shannon could not hide her grief at Wednesday's press conference.

'I can't say enough times that Fred should not be dead,' Shannon said through her tears.

'Our family is still in deep grief,' Shannon added while breaking down. 'We will keep fighting for justice in his name for as long as it takes. We miss him so badly. Our sadness is compounded with sheer confusion about how this tragedy possibly could have happened.'

Shannon described her only child as a well-mannered man who 'would give you the clothes off his back.'
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A QAnon-obsessed killer dad who used a spear gun to fatally shoot both his children, believed he was 'saving the world' because his children were 'going to grow into monsters', but admitted to the FBI he knew what he did was wrong.

Matthew Taylor Coleman, 40, told the FBI he 'had to' kill his two toddlers because he was 'enlightened' by 'QAnon and Illuminata' conspiracy theories which claim the world is run by a group of Satan-worshipping pedophiles.

The Santa Barbara surf instructor murdered his son Kaleo, two, and daughter Roxy, 10 months, on a Christian ranch in Rosarito, Mexico on Monday morning after leaving his California home on Saturday and crossing the border without his wife Abby's knowledge.

According to court documents filed in LA, Coleman admitted to the crime and said that he did it because he was 'receiving visions and signs that his wife possessed serpent DNA and had passed it onto his children'.

If he didn't kill them, he 'believed his children were going to grow into monsters'.

Matthew Taylor Coleman (pictured left with wife Abby, two-year-old son Kaleo and 10-month-old daughter Roxy and right with a spear gun), 40, of Santa Barbara, admitted to the FBI that he 'believed his children were going to grow into monsters so he had to kill them'

And in social media posts which veer from biblical quotes to prophetic and revelatory language, Coleman openly talks about a new type of 'Great American Renaissance' that 'will empower each person's heart to come alive and explode'. He goes onto ask if 2020 could just be the 'birth pains' of what is on its way in 2021?

Indeed, the troubled father of two declares that his daughter Roxy Rain was 'hand picked by God to slay the giants of the land' and calls both his children 'gifts from God'.

In another post, Coleman says 'There is a truth buried in the heart of every man and woman which holds the key to God-likeness. This will open the door to a limitless flow of divine power and creativity'.

In another post that bears some similarity to the anti-establishment ethos of QAnon, Coleman says he is 'convinced at some point in our lives we will accumulate enough valid evidence for why we should stop trusting our government officials, bosses, coworkers, church, family and friends'.

He says doing so is a 'doorway to experiencing the most liberating reality on earth'.

The killer dad also waxes lyrical about The Renaissance and the Dark Ages. Wondering if we are living in our own Dark Age right now that is waiting to be lit up by a 'creative explosion'.

'The Crazy thing about history is that you don't know what your season will be labeled as until years down the road. And more so, sometimes your time period isn't labeled by what happens during it, but rather what happens after it.'

Back in October 2020 Coleman posted to Instagram a gushing post about his newborn daughter and his 'fearless wife Abby for bringing us baby Roxy'.

The caption reads: 'Another picture that came to me was of God reaching down into a river bed and picking up a small stone (rock), examining it intently. Just as David had done before slaying Goliath, God examined the stone and was confident that it was just the perfect one for the battle.

'Although it was small, smooth and somewhat harmless looking, he knew that it would become great when placed into the palm of a skilled hand.'

Federal agents will most likely be looking into the surf instructor's social media accounts, which grew increasingly devout since the pandemic. It is unknown how long Coleman was entrenched in QAnon

Investigators will no doubt note how he appears to use increasingly biblical, prophetic and revelatory language

Religious screed: Coleman posted this picture to celebrate the birth of his daughter and declared that his daughter Roxy Rain was 'hand picked by God to slay the giants of the land'

Coleman co-founded the surfing school Lovewater Surf Co in Santa Barbara, California - where he was born - with his wife. The site is still live with pictures of Coleman and his smiling family

Coleman was apprehended by authorities trying to re-enter the USA at the Ysidro Point of Entry after his wife alerted authorities to his whereabouts using the Find My iPhone app.

The surf instructor told federal agents he used a spear fishing gun to shoot both his children to death near Christian camp Rancho del Cielo around 5am Monday morning after traveling over two hundred miles.

Matthew, 40 is seen in a court sketch as he faces charges in the murder of his two young children.

He had checked into an Express Inn in Rosarito, Mexico with his two children on Saturday and checked out early on Monday morning where he took them to their deaths.

The surf instructor was taken into custody and investigators have now begun the process of trying to work out how and why the otherwise seemingly happy family man could have become so twisted as to murder both his children he described as his 'jewels' on social media.

And neighbors of Coleman exclusively told DailyMail.com that they are hey are 'sickened' after hearing the devastating news about the seemingly happy family next door.

Richard Galindo, 82, lives near surf school owner Coleman in the beachtown of Santa Barbara, California.

And while Galindo says that Abby was the 'sweetest mother' who would always stop by and say hello, he tells DailyMail.com that Matthew was less amiable.

'I've known Abby for the past year, she used to walk by with her two children. She would have one in a buggy and the older one would walk. I'd see her at least once a week as she passed by my house on the way to the beach. Her oldest child loved playing with the cement animal statues in my yard,' he said with a tear in his eye.

In 2017 Coleman wondered if 'at some point in our lives, we will accumulate enough valid evidence for why we should stop trusting our government officials'. He claimed doing so is a 'doorway to experiencing the most liberating reality on earth'.

'[Matthew] was never really the friendly type. When Matthew walked by my house with his kids, he seemed he was in another land, he never acknowledged me to say hi, he just looked straight ahead.'

The last time Galindo spoke with Matthew was just a few weeks ago. 'I brought a bag of avocados over to their house, Matthew answered the door and for the first time he was actually nice as I handed him the bag. He said thank you,' he said.

Matthew, 40, was detained on Monday by US Customs and Border Protection agents while trying to cross the US-Mexico border after his children's bodies were found on the property of a Christian camp on Monday morning.

The family lived in a modest 3-bedroom, 2 bath, 1300 square foot home with a two-car garage built in 1956.

The family lived in a modest 3-bedroom, 2 bath, 1300 sq foot home with a two-car garage built in 1956 and located just blocks from Arroyo Burro Beach in Santa Barbara

Located just blocks from Arroyo Burro Beach in Santa Barbara, the home is worth $1.4 million.

One neighbor said the young couple have a middle aged man and his mother living in their garage. It was a condition of their rent from the owners, they said.

Another neighbor told DailyMail.com, 'Abby was the social one of the two, but I was wary of Matthew. He seemed a little too happy and disingenuous, fake nice almost.'

Indeed, Coleman's social media is filled with picture-perfect images of a beautiful family, but investigators will no doubt note how his language has become increasingly troubled. It is unknown when Coleman became entrenched in QAnon.

Coleman murdered his toddlers on a Christian ranch in Rosarito, Mexico (above) on Monday morning after leaving his Santa Barbara home on Saturday and crossing the border without his wife's knowledge

The Mexican Christian ranch on which the bodies of the two children were found uses its social media to promote the group as a 'religious organization' seeking 'to provide the Church of Christ with a safe, secluded and high-quality space for the growth of the Body of Christ'.

It is a place where 'missionaries from around the world who come to our state with the intention of establishing the kingdom of heavens of Jesus Christ on earth'.

The murders are all the more baffling considering Coleman's very public love for Abby, Kaleo and Roxy.

The murder is all the more baffling considering Coleman's very public love for Abby, Kaleo and Roxy. He often fawned over his wife on birthdays, anniversaries or just because and the two appeared very happily married for the past four years

In a 2018 post Coleman said he 'can't wait to go spearfish' with Kaleo one day. It's unknown if he believed in QAnon and Illuminata conspiracy theories then but he would go on to kill his toddler son using a spearfish gun as the murder weapon

Before murdering his son over QAnon-inflicted fears he would grow into a 'monster,' Coleman said Kaleo was an 'amazing son'

He often fawned over his wife on birthdays, anniversaries, describing his spouse of four years as 'wifey'.

Coleman captioned Instagram photos of her saying he's 'deeply in love' and shared photos of father-son days spent with Kaleo, to which he said: 'When I'm with him, things that Ive experienced a thousand times start to feel new and awe-inspiring.

'He has this special gift in being able to recognize the glory all around him, and then bringing other people into it.'

'You could say I enjoy being a dad,' he wrote in an earlier post with his only son.

Coleman wrote in an Instagram post after a father-son day with Kaleo: 'You could say I enjoy being a dad'

Prior to the deaths Coleman posted frequently about his Christian faith online but his posts became increasingly devout since the beginning of the pandemic

Before captioning photos with long-winded biblical and prophetic language Coleman would gush over his wife and kids

Coleman admitted to murdering his son Kaleo (left), two, and daughter Roxy (right), 10 months. The court documents also noted that Coleman thought he 'was saving the world from monsters'

The investigation started after the children's mother Abby Coleman (pictured) reported her husband, son and daughter missing when Coleman didn't answer any of her phone calls or texts

The shocking chain of events began on Saturday when Coleman's wife Abby, 35, called police to report her husband and children missing after Coleman left their home in Santa Barbara with the two children and did not answer phone calls or texts from Abby or other family members.

According to the court documents Abby was 'concerned because Coleman did not have a car seat'.

Video footage showed Coleman (left), Kaleo (right) and Roxy (not seen in the picture) checking into the City Express Hotel in Rosarito on Saturday

CCTV footage shows Coleman leaving the hotel on Monday morning at 2.54am with his two children, Kaleo and Roxy

Coleman returned alone later Monday morning and then left the hotel for good in a Mercedes-Benz vehicle, authorities said. Investigators in Mexico believe that Coleman took his children to a ranch near to his hotel. It is not known why the surf instructor could have murdered his children

An affidavit was filed in LA following Coleman's arrest. In the court documents, Coleman told federal agents that he was 'receiving visions and signs that his wife possessed serpent DNA and had passed it onto his children'

Although she knew Coleman put 10-month-old Roxy in a box instead of a car seat she told authorities that she did not believe her children were in any danger.

She told police she believed Coleman 'would eventually return to their residence' and that 'she did not have any problems with Colemen'.

'They did not have any sort of argument prior to him leaving,' the affidavit said.

The next day Santa Barbara police used the Find My iPhone map to locate Coleman, who was at the open-air mall Pabellon Rosatiro in Baja California, Mexico.

A farmhand found the bodies when he saw splattered blood on the ground while walking the property near the Christian camp Rancho del Cielo. 'I immediately notified my manager to call the police to come investigate,' he said. The Baja California police received a 911 call about the discovery at 7.27am

The worker, who wished to remain anonymous, told Border Report that he 'teared up' when he saw the bodies. 'I was scared and sad because these are tiny children who don't know any better' he said

During the investigation police found that on Saturday, Coleman checked into the City Express Hotel on the Tijuana-Ensenada Freeway with his two children - 266 miles away from his home in Santa Barbara.

CCTV footage shows Coleman leaving the hotel with Kaleo and Roxy early Monday morning at 2.54am.

He returned to the hotel alone about three hours later and left the hotel for good just after 9.30am, as stated in the court documents.

Baja California Attorney General Hiram Sanchez Zamora said that a farmworker discovered the dead children's bodies while walking the property near the Christian camp Rancho del Cielo.

Coleman lives in Santa Barbara, California with his wife and two kids. He left on Saturday and checked into the City Express Hotel in Rosarito, Mexico. Two days later he was arrested after trying to get back in the US at the San Ysidro Point of Entry for the murder of his two children

Coleman's last-recorded location on 'Find My iPhone' was at the open-air mall Pabellon Rosarito in Rosarito, Baja California, Mexico, according to court documents

Coleman and his two children were staying at the City Express Hotel (pictured) in Rosarito, Mexico

SOME OF QANON'S THEORIES THE UNDERPINNING PEDOPHILE THEORY QAnon is founded on and operates under the belief that there is a deep-state organization of powerful, Democratic politicians who are pedophiles. Supporters of the theory think that for years, these pedophiles have been able to operate free from criticism by protecting each other. It also teaches that they are Satan worshipers who, after abusing children, drink their blood. None of it is true. FRAZZLEDRIP One theory that has been tied to QAnon but was not necessarily borne out of it is the idea that there is a video, found on the laptop of disgraced congressman Anthony Weiner, which shows his wife Huma Abedin and Hillary Clinton abusing a child and then drinking the child's blood. PIZZAGATE Pizzagate erupted as a theory during the first Trump election in 2016. It is the theory that the Comet pizza shop in Washington DC has been used for years as a base for the pedophile and child sex trafficking ring. Again, there is no evidence of it. Advertisement

He saw splattered blood on the ground and followed his dog to the scene. The worker, who wished to remain anonymous, told Border Report: 'To be honest I teared up. And I immediately notified my manager to call the police to come investigate.

'I was scared and sad because these are tiny children who don't know any better. Hopefully they find whoever is responsible because this is a terrible thing.'

During an investigation of the Mercedes Sprinter van officers found blood on the registration paperwork including Coleman's passport, his wife's old passport that stated her maiden name, Kaleo's birth certificate and a 'Verification of Pregnancy and Live Birth' for Roxy.

Coleman made his initial court appearance Wednesday afternoon in the US District Court of California in downtown Los Angeles.

US Magistrate Judge Jacqueline Chooljian ordered Coleman to be detained without bond, as reported by CBS 8.

His first hearing was scheduled to take place August 31 in Los Angeles.

Coleman is facing two counts of foreign murder of United States nationals and could spend up to 120 years in prison.

He first killed his son 'using a spearfishing gun to pierce Kaleo in the heart,' court documents said. Coleman told federal agents that he did not die right away.

He then 'described that he had to move the spear around, thereby cutting his hand in the process,' the affidavit said.

He told federal agents he discarded his children's slain bodies in some brush about 30 yards from where he killed them.

Coleman was taken to Santa Ana jail on Tuesday and the Mexican authorities found the murder weapon, bloody clothes and a baby's blanket.

The FBI, US Customs and Border Protection, the Santa Barbara Police Department and the Mexican authorities are working to return the children's bodies to California.

Back home Coleman co-founded the surfing school Lovewater Surf Co in Santa Barbara, California - where he was born - with his wife.

According to the surf school's website, 'Matt and Abby enjoy finding ways to better lives through surfing, experiential education and community-based projects'.

The site is still live with pictures of Coleman and his smiling family.

Baja California prosecutor Hiram Sanchez Zamora gave a press conference on Tuesday about Coleman's arrest. The FBI, US Customs and Border Protection, the Santa Barbara Police Department and the Mexican authorities are working to return the children's bodies to California

Coleman co-founded the surfing school Lovewater Surf Co in Santa Barbara, California, with his wife. According to the surf school's website, 'Matt and Abby enjoy finding ways to better lives through surfing, experiential education and community-based projects'
A TikTok star who exposed financial advisor for a racist internal memos says she is being forced to move after receiving death threats from the woman's husband who allegedly said, 'I'll put her in her grave.'

TikToker Denise Bradly, whose 'aunkkaren0' account has over 1.1 million followers, made a video showing purportedly leaked internal communication from Eileen Cure, who allegedly said, 'I specifically said no blacks' - referring to black job applicants.

Cure was an affiliated advisor for LPL Financial, which is the largest independent broker-dealer in the US, before she was fired after the video went viral last week.

Cure's husband allegedly responded by saying, 'Tell that TikToker to come down here to Texas, and I'll put her in a grave,' Bradley tweeted.

The social media influencer, who uses the platform to expose racism, said this threat and harassment from Cure and her husband has forced her to move, she said.

Eileen Cure (left), a financial advisor in Texas, has been accused of not wanting to interview black job applicants. A purported leak of racist messages were shared with Denise Bradley (right), whose 'auntkaren0' TikTok account has 1.1million followers

Bradley has moved after allegedly receiving threats like this from Cure's husband

Pictured here is the purported leaked internal communication where Eileen Cure allegedly said, 'I specifically said no blacks' - meaning no black applicants - was shared in Denise Bradley's TikTok video

Her friends set up a GoFundMe that was set up by Bradley's friends and has raised over $24,000 as of Thursday afternoon, a nearly $4,000 jump since Monday.

In TikTok video posted on Monday, she thanked her followers for the 'outpouring of love and support' and wanted to tell them where the money is going.

'First and foremost, I'm moving, and I'm going somewhere where I feel safe but I'm taking my time to do so. I have to make sure certain things are in place, so I'm upgrading my security in the meantime,' Bradley said.

She also said in the video that she's using the money to make sure her twin sister is safe and putting money to the side in case she has to defend herself in a legal battle, which Cure has threatened to do.

Max Schatzow, a partner at Stark & Stark who specializes in counseling investment advisers, broker-dealers, outlined the impending showdown for Investment Times.

If the memo turns out to be altered or fake, he said Cure has a case against the person who published the initial statement and 'might also have claims against TikTok and other news publications that rebroadcasted the statement.'

If the memo turns out to be true, the black applicant has a strong discrimination case, Schatzow said.

Following her termination, Cure issued an aggressive statement to Investment News, saying the video was 'false and defamatory' and that she is exploring her legal options.

Scroll down for video.

In this Monday TikTok video, 'auntkaren0' outlined what she plans to do with the money raised as part of the GoFundMe and said she is moving

'The entirety of this situation is based upon a TikTok video published by an unrelated individual without press credentials or affiliations using an unauthenticated photo of an alleged internal office chat without validation or context of any content,' Cure told Investment News.

'This published photo and along with subsequent related false and defamatory materials and statements, which have incited false commentary and threats of violence and bodily harm toward me and my staff and acts which are being investigated as criminal in nature, are being publicized on a social media platform by a third party who is not related or in any way affiliated with me or my office.'

Cure's husband joined the PR war and reportedly threatened to kill the TikToker.

Cure said she's also preparing to meet with Republican lawmakers like Sen. Ted Cruz, who are against Big Tech companies, to shut down TikTok.

The war of words continued last week when Bradley hit back in a statement to Investment News, calling Cure's response 'comical.'

'Here you have a white woman that has be caught being racist, in my opinion, but would rather look like the victim, up against a black woman,' Bradley said.

'We've seen this done in history time and time again. She doesn't want to admit fault but would rather try and make a Black woman the guilty party. I welcome any challenge that Eileen has. I will always stand up against racism and this issue is no different.'

But the damage is already done. So many people flocked to Cure's Yelp page and posted so many comments that Yelp shut it down last week.
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One of the survivors of Streatham terrorist Sudesh Amman's 62-second stabbing rampage in South London feared he would bleed to death, jurors at the inquest into the death of the jihadist heard today.

Jurors were told how the man - one of two people attacked by the Islamist fanatic on Streatham High Road on February 2 last year - overheard a paramedic warn 'he's not going to make it' while he bled in an ambulance after he was knifed in the right-side of his torso.

Amman, who was raised in Coventry and Birmingham before moving to Harrow, had stolen an 8in carving knife from the display in the Low Price hardware store while wearing a fake suicide belt before shouting 'Allahu Akbar' as he stabbed two passersby. He was then shot dead by armed police.

The 20-year-old had been released from Belmarsh jail just 10 days before he committed the atrocity after serving half of a 40-month sentence for a string of terror offences, and was put under police surveillance upon his release amid concerns that he was preparing an attack.

Sections of the victims' police statements were read to inquest jurors at the Royal Courts of Justice today, though - in a highly unusual move - their names were not mentioned during the hearing.

The man told police: 'I didn't realise I had been stabbed until I saw the blood. I felt something on my right-hand side, blood was spurting out and hitting my hand. I couldn't breathe when the knife went in.

'I looked but couldn't believe it until I saw the blood hitting my hand and realised it was me.'

Undated handout photos taken from a classified police intelligence report into Sudesh Amman when he was under surveillance, which have been shown to the jury in the inquest into his death

Image taken from handout body worn camera footage dated February 2, 2020 issued by the Metropolitan Police of police approaching the prone body of Sudesh Amman, who has been shot

Handout CCTV image dated February 2, 2020 issued by police of Amman running walking into Low Price Store before stealing a knife. He emerges and an undercover police officer on the street (outside the pharmacy next door) gives chase

Timeline: Streatham 2020 terror attack January 23, 2020 Sudesh Amman, a 20-year-old from Harrow in north-west London, is automatically released from prison having been handed a 40-month sentence for 13 counts of obtaining and distributing material used for terrorist purposes. He is released to a probation hostel in Streatham, south London. January 24 Amman, who is originally from Coventry, is under day-time surveillance by plain clothes officers. January 29 A decision is made to allow those surveillance officers to carry firearms. January 30 Amman's covert surveillance is relaxed slightly, meaning there would be no coverage between 6am and 10am due to intelligence about Amman's lack of movement at this time of the day. January 31 Amman is seen looking at knives in a shop and buying items that could be used to create a hoax suicide belt. These items include a roll of tape, aluminium foil and four bottles of Irn Bru soft drink. It is then decided to put Amman under 24-hour surveillance. February 1 Amman is placed on 'round-the-clock' - i.e. 24-hour - surveillance. This includes armed covert police, as well as uniformed officers nearby. February 2 1.22pm - Amman leaves his approved premises, the probation hostel, at Leigham Court Road. 1.50pm - Amman is seen on Streatham High Road. He is said to be walking 'very slowly'. 1.57pm - The 20-year-old enters a shop called Low Price Store. He is inside for barely a minute, and emerges with a knife which he has stolen. He is pursued by undercover police. Amman stabs two people - a man and a woman - before being shot at by an armed officer. 1.58pm - Amman, reaching the Boots shop, turns to face the police. Police shoot at him five times, with two shots hitting him. A total of 62 seconds after running from the shop, Amman falls to the ground. 2.40pm - A police explosives expert arrives on the scene to check the device around Amman's waist, which was identified as a hoax. 3.24pm - Sudesh Amman is pronounced dead by a paramedic. Advertisement

The man said he walked three or four metres before falling over, at which point he was tended to by two passersby, Katherine Day and Thomas Baldwin, who began performing first aid.

He said: 'They cut off my clothes, they saved my life. I will never forget. The woman was crying saying: 'Please don't go, where's the ambulance?' It really hurt when they put me on the ambulance bed. I heard someone say: 'We can't drive, he's not going to make it.'

'Then I don't remember anything until the hospital. I was awake until they put the mask on me. I didn't see the person who did this because they came from behind. I would have no idea why someone would do this to me.'

He added: 'Thank God for the doctors, or I would be dead.'

The man said he suffered five wounds including those from surgery, and could not lift things or turn his head properly following the stabbing.

The female victim was walking north just ahead of Amman when he ran out of the shop with the knife. She told police: 'All of a sudden I felt someone push me with their body on my shoulder, it was like someone pushing through a crowd.

'I looked towards my left shoulder, I remember seeing an Asian man's face. I suddenly felt pain in my right shoulder towards my upper back. I took about four steps forward when I heard people shout: 'She's been stabbed.'

'I thought if I had been stabbed, why were people walking past me? I doubted myself.

'Due to the pain I dropped my bike onto the floor. As I went into the kneeling position on the pavement I heard shots. I was scared because I thought they would shoot us, so I hid behind my bike.'

The woman suffered a 1in wound to her back and was sent home from hospital later that day.

Amman was seen buying four small bottles of Irn Bru, some parcel tape and kitchen foil from a nearby Poundland on January 31. It prompted police to call an emergency meeting at which it was decided to ramp up security rather than arrest him amid fears that he might use the materials to fashion a suicide belt.

The Islamist struck two days later and was found to be wearing a 'crude' explosive device replica, made out of the items he bought at Poundland.

The inquest was adjourned until Friday.

Jurors at the Royal Courts of Justice were previously shown CCTV footage depicting the dramatic final seconds of Amman's life, including the moment he suddenly charged at armed police before being shot and writhing wildly on the ground where he later died.

The inquest saw video compiled from CCTV cameras and public transport, police body-worn footage, and evidence from members of the public showing the terrorist's journey from his probation hostel in Streatham to the spot where he would be shot dead 30 minutes later.

Jonathan Hough QC, for the coroner, took the jury through CCTV that showed Amman leaving his probation hostel at 1.22pm on February 2, smiling and talking to a member of staff before walking across the back yard.

Members of the public could be seen scrambling for safety in shops as Amman sprinted along the busy street, before swiftly turning 180 degrees to face the officers with his knife raised at them.

He closed the short distance between them - reckoned to be around 3ft - within half a second, just as he was shot.

Footage then showed Amman spending around 10 seconds lying on his back and flailing his arms and legs wildly before he stopped moving. He was declared dead 90 minutes later.

One witness who filmed the incident from a 201 bus travelling south, muttered: 'This ain't real, this ain't real,' as Amman was shot in front of him. A police officer scrambled to the scene could be heard shouting: 'He's got a vest - move away.'

Council-operated CCTV directly above Boots, where Amman was fatally shot, showed the moment a bomb disposal expert arrived on scene around 40 minutes later, patting down Amman's body and carefully removing his hoax suicide belt.

One of the undercover officers described arriving on the scene and seeing Amman lying prone on the ground after being shot.

The officer, known only as BX114 to protect his identity, said: 'He turned towards me, his eyes were rolled to the back into the head, his arms were stretched out. His body was convulsing. He had what seemed to me an IED (improvised explosive device). I saw three cylinders wrapped in tape and wires.'

The inquest previously heard how Amman was deemed to be 'one of the most dangerous individuals' that police and MI5 teams had investigated

Handout CCTV image dated February 2, 2020 issued by the Metropolitan Police of Amman leaving his room in his probation hostel, locking his door, and then chatting to a member of staff at the approved premises

The inquest previously heard how Amman was deemed to be 'one of the most dangerous individuals' that police and MI5 teams had investigated.

There was also intelligence that he maintained an extremist mindset, wanted to carry out a knife attack in the future, and pledged allegiance to the leader of so-called Islamic State.

Amman spent his short time after being released from custody living in a bail hostel in Streatham, during which time undercover police teams monitoring him remarked on his 'concerning' behaviour.

He was seen buying four small bottles of Irn Bru, some parcel tape and kitchen foil from a nearby Poundland on January 31, prompting police to call an emergency meeting at which it was decided to ramp up security rather than arrest him amid concerns he might use the materials to fashion a suicide belt.

Amman struck two days later and was found wearing a 'crude' explosive device replica, made out of the items he bought at Poundland.

Streatham terrorist Sudesh Amman

On the day of the attack he was being watched by nine members of team three from the Metropolitan Police MO3 surveillance branch, one of them carrying what appeared to be a Waitrose bag.

The surveillance officer, referred to only as BX69, described a briefing at Mitcham Police Station on the morning of the attack in which he was shown photographs of Iron Bru bottles, parcel tape and foil similar to those that Amman had bought two days earlier.

At around 1.25pm on February 2, the officer saw Amman leave his probation hostel on Leigham Court Road and go to a bus stop, before walking back past the hostel and up towards Streatham High Road.

BX69 walked behind him on Valleyfield Road, then got into a car with one of his colleagues, BX75, and then picked up following Amman on Sunnyhill Road.

'He was walking and appeared to have a limp,' he told the inquest. 'I saw him look over his right shoulder. I handed over the eyeball to a colleague,' BX89.

BX69 went into the small newsagents on Sunninghill Road and then continued on the same route, emerging onto Streatham High Road, from Pinfold Road.

Amman was moving very slowly away from him and he followed, before turning into the Low Price hardware store as BX75 took over the 'eyeball'.

Amman walked up to Lidl and then turned around and walked back towards the hardware store, looking in the window of the White Lion pub to see if he was being followed.

The officer was in a charity shop on the opposite side of the road when he heard over the radio that Amman had gone into the same hardware store, watched by BX89.

'I heard BX89 saying Mr Amman had entered the Low Price Store. I said that this shop sold knives and other dangerous items.

Undated Metropolitan Police handout CCTV image of Sudesh Amman at his approved premises on January 31, 2020

Amman lies dead on the pavement on Streatham High Road after being shot dead

'I exited the store that I was in. I started going towards the Low Price Store. One of my colleagues, BX87, said they would enter the shop.'

As he passed the shop, he saw Amman 'halfway into the store facing towards the entrance' but could not see what he was looking at.

'I heard a shouted radio message that he's stabbing people,' he told the inquest. 'I immediately turned back towards the hardware store. I could see Mr Amman runing from the store having turned left from it.'

He could see BX87 chasing him but it was a 'busy shopping area and there were a large number of people.'

'I started running in the same direction towards my colleague and Mr Amman. I believe I was initially on the pavement an then in the road. While I was running I heard gunshots and people screaming.'

BX114, a former firearms officer who was also an operational commander, was deployed on a motorcycle.

He was equipped with a Glock 17 handgun, a Taser, CS spray and handcuffs and based himself at Cavendish Road police station in Clapham, about 2 miles away.

He started to move when there was sighting of Amman leaving the hostel at around 1pm, but Mr Hough said it 'looked like him but proved not to be and the sighting was discounted.'

The officer was parked near the former Streatham Police station when he heard over the radio that Amman had gone into the Low Price Store.

'I was aware it was somewhere he had been before and thought it might be a significant part of the operation in terms of him buying something,' he told the inquest.

Over the radio, the team leader asked one of the other officers to follow Amman in.

'I heard something on the transmission, something to the effect, he's stabbing people and then 'shots fired.' I knew it was north on Streatham High Road and I headed on the bike to somewhere I potentially thought it could be

'I then saw two colleagues with a man on the floor and I pulled up alongside them. They were both pointing guns at the man on the floor. As I got off the bike, I saw him roll towards me, his eyes in the back of his head, arms stretched out to me.

'He was incapacitated, he was convulsing. It looked to me like he had an improvised explosive device wrapped around his waist - three cylinders wrapped in tape and wires.

'I had initially thought of the briefing and the mention of fake suicide vest but very quickly I realised through my training there was no way I could establish if it was fake and we need to create distance until we establish otherwise.'

The inquest continues.
Nicola Sturgeon was accused of hiding behind Boris Johnson by green campaigners today as she demanded the Prime Minister decide whether a controversial new Scottish oilfield can be drilled.

The First Minister urged him to 'reassess' the licence for the proposed Cambo operation near Shetland in her first public intervention on the controversial issue.

But she declined to categorically say whether she wanted the plans, which have been in the pipeline for two decades, scrapped on environmental grounds.

The Scottish Government is under pressure to oppose the development of Cambo, which is estimated will produce 132 million tonnes of carbon during its lifetime - a figure that would need a land mass 1.5 times bigger than Scotland to counter.

Calls to oppose the development intensified after the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a report on Monday, painting a stark picture of the impact of humanity on the climate due to the burning of fossil fuels.

However today, in a letter to the PM, Ms Sturgeon asked for a summit of the devolved nations ahead of Cop26 in Glasgow in November, and for UK Government officials to 'provide clear leadership' before then.

Greenpeace UK slammed the First Minister, with campaigner Sam Chetan-Welsh saying: 'Nicola Sturgeon is deferring to Boris Johnson to check the climate impact of Cambo, but until she makes her own stance clear this is just a PR exercise.

'The experts couldn't be clearer- humanity is at ''code red'', and the last thing we can afford is a new oilfield which would pump out the equivalent emissions of 18 coal-fired power stations running for a year.

'The First Minister must stop hiding behind Boris Johnson. If she wants to show leadership on climate she must clearly say: stop Cambo.'

The First Minister urged Mr Johnson to 'reassess' the licence for the proposed Cambo oilfield near Shetland in her first public intervention on the controversial issue.

The Scottish Government is under pressure to oppose the development of Cambo, which is estimated will produce 132 million tonnes of carbon during its lifetime - a figure that would need a land mass 1.5 times bigger than Scotland to counter

Greenpeace UK slammed the First Minister, with campaigner Sam Chetan-Welsh saying: 'Nicola Sturgeon is deferring to Boris Johnson to check the climate impact of Cambo, but until she makes her own stance clear this is just a PR exercise.'

According to the IPCC findings, global warming will continue into at least the middle of this century, but failure to take action to limit CO2 emissions now would mean the target set by governments - of remaining below 1.5C of warming - will be missed.

But In her letter, the First Minister said: 'We are both well aware of the importance of oil and gas over many decades - not least in terms of jobs - to the Scottish and UK economies.

'We also understand that reducing reliance on domestic production of oil and gas, which we must do, without increasing imports - which would potentially increase emissions - depends on the development of alternatives.

'However, the answer to these challenges - given the urgency of the climate emergency - cannot be business as usual. Instead, we must take decisions and make investments now to support - and accelerate -the development of these alternatives and thereby secure a just, but appropriately rapid, transition for the oil and gas industry, and the workers and communities currently reliant on it.'

She added: 'Indeed, I am asking that the UK Government now commits to significantly enhancing the climate conditionality associated with offshore oil and gas production.

'Additionally, however, I am also asking that the UK Government agrees to reassess licences already issued but where field development has not yet commenced.

'That would include the proposed Cambo development.'

The First Minister continued: 'Such licences, some of them issued many years ago, should be reassessed in light of the severity of the climate emergency we now face, and against a compatibility checkpoint that is fully aligned with our climate change targets and obligations.'

While not a full-throated opposition to Cambo going ahead, the First Minister's intervention is her first on the issue.

She also pushed for the 'knowledge and experience' of the oil and gas sector, along with its supply chain, to be harnessed in the creation of more renewable opportunities.

Scottish Labour net-zero spokeswoman, Monica Lennon, who this week pressed the First Minister to come out against Cambo, said: 'Scottish Labour has been urging Nicola Sturgeon to get off the fence and oppose the Cambo oilfield plans in the face of climate catastrophe.

'In the wake of growing pressure from grassroots campaigners, she has taken a baby step towards having a position. Now is not the time to reassess.

'It's time for Nicola Sturgeon to firmly and loudly oppose Cambo, once and for all.'

While Scottish Green environment spokesman, Mark Ruskell, said: 'It is welcome to see the Scottish Government start to come off the fence when it comes to the Cambo oilfield, but it is clear there are still far too many hopes pinned on the oil and gas industry to get us out of the climate emergency.

'The IPCC report is very clear that we cannot wait for the development of new technologies, we must listen to the UN Secretary General and stop fossil fuel expansion entirely.

'That means revoking Cambo and no new oil and gas licences whatsoever, with a just transition ensuring no worker is left behind.'
U.S. federal agents and their counterparts in Mexico discovered a partially built 183-foot narco tunnel below a home near the border.

The 4-foot by 3-foot wide secret underground passageway was dug about 22 feet below the surface in Mexicali, Baja California in Mexico, according to Homeland Security Investigations.

While the subterranean tunnel extended three feet past the U.S.-Mexico border, it did not have an exit on the California border town of Calexico.

'These types of tunnels enable drug traffickers to conduct illicit activities virtually undetected across the U.S.Mexico border,' said Cardell T. Morant, a special agent in charge with HSI San Diego, in a statement.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations department and federal agents in Mexico discovered a partially built tunnel beneath a residence in Mexicali, Mexico. The 183-feet tunnel extended three feet past the international borderline in Calexico, California. It featured an electrical hoist (pictured) that would allowed the drug trafficking organization to lower narcotics into a cart on a rail line located 22 feet below the home

Cardell T. Morant, a special agent in charge with HSI San Diego, said in a statement that 'discovering and shutting down these tunnels deals a major blow to drug trafficking organizations because it denies them the ability to smuggle drugs, weapons and people across the border'

'Discovering and shutting down these tunnels deals a major blow to drug trafficking organizations because it denies them the ability to smuggle drugs, weapons and people across the border.'

The tunnel's entrance measured 12-feet by 10-feet and featured an electrical hoist that would have lowered the drug trafficking organization's shipments to a rail line below.

The criminal organization, which has not been identified, equipped the tunnel with an electrical and ventilation system as well as a cart to ferry the drugs on.

The 4-foot by 3-foot wide secret underground passageway was dug about 22 feet below the surface in Mexicali, Baja California, according to Homeland Security Investigations

It's the second tunnel unearthed at a Mexico home in nearly two weeks as authorities on both sides of the border work to stop drug cartels from smuggling drugs to the United States.

Security forces discovered the underground tunnel when six men were rescued from a home - just 100 yards from the international borderline - where they were held captive by members of a Mexican criminal organization that forced them to build a tunnel.

According to Mexican newspaper La Jornada, the tunnel, which went under construction at the beginning of the year, was located 52 feet below the ground surface and extended 262 feet out towards the Grand Plaza Outlets in the California border town of Calexico.
A stuntman who fractured his spine in a trapeze accident while playing a pirate at Legoland is fighting for 200,000 in compensation.

Freerunner Brendan Pollitt, 29, fell 30 feet and landed on his chest on wooden decking when he hurtled the wrong way off a 'Russian swing' while taking part in Legoland Windsor's 'Pirates of Skeleton Bay' show in July 2017.

The 29-year-old was fronting a three-man team on the swing and, as the 'flyer', was meant to dive into a pool of water below once the swing had picked up enough momentum.

But he fell backwards off the swing and broke his back and tore parts of his heart and liver after impacting with a wooden deck instead, his barrister Richard Wilkinson explained in court documents.

Mr Pollitt, of Rayleigh, Essex, is now suing show operators, SGA Productions Ltd, who were contracted by Legoland to put on the pirate show.

The stuntman's lawyers say his accident was the fault of the show's operators, and the company is not disputing negligence.

Stuntman Brendan Pollitt who is suing over injuries sustained in accident at Legoland

'The intention was that the swing would be manoeuvred so that Mr Pollitt would be projected upwards and forwards by the swing enabling him to jump or dive into a pool located beneath the swing,' says his barrister.

'However, on the occasion of his accident, the swing was pushed too high which caused the claimant to be projected backwards, rather than forwards.

'In consequence Mr Pollitt landed on the wooden decking surface that surrounded the pool, rather than in the water, having fallen from a height of around eight to 10 metres.

'He landed on his chest.'

Mr Pollitt says he was knocked out cold in the fall and suffered 'serious and life-threatening injuries' - including smashed ribs and a collapsed lung, a torn liver, fractured chest bone and a fractured spine.

The Russian Swing on which Brendan Pollitt was injured at Legoland, Windsor

The former professional free runner, needed open heart surgery to treat damage done to the valve of his heart and will be on heart medication for the rest of his life, court papers say.

Other injuries included damage to both elbows, soft tissue injuries to both knees and a head injury, he claims.

Before his fall, Mr Pollitt was 'extremely fit and enjoyed a range of very physical activities', said his barrister, but now he has to deal with chronic pain and has had to shelve many of his favourite pastimes.

But lawyers for SGA Productions Ltd say that Mr Pollitt must prove what, if any, injuries he suffered and how they have affected his life before any payout can be agreed.

No date has yet been fixed for the trial of his claim.
Britain's most hated landlord who has been accused of racism has offered to house asylum seekers - but only if the government pays.

Fergus Wilson, who tried to ban 'coloureds' from his properties, has gone to Priti Patel with the offer to sell four blocks of flats belonging to his wife Judith.

The 72-year-old sparked outrage in 2017 when details of his policy were leaked, revealing he had banned people due to the cost of removing the smell of curry.

Mr Wilson, a multimillionaire, also blocked 'battered wives' and single mothers from renting his properties.

And he was in trouble again at the start of this year when it emerged he had allegedly told council workers to kill themselves.

Britain's most controversial landlord Fergus Wilson (pictured with his wife Judith) who has been accused of racism has offered to house asylum seekers - but only if the government pays

Mr Wilson, who tried to ban 'coloureds' from his properties, has gone to Priti Patel with the offer to sell four blocks of flats belonging to his wife Judith. Pictured: Migrants in Folkestone today

He made the offer to sell some of the Kent properties to the Home Office this week but said 'no figures have been mentioned yet'.

Two blocks are at Littlestone, New Romney, with the landlord claiming to have seen asylum seekers coming ashore. Another is in Folkestone and one is in Wateringbury.

In an email, the Home Office responded: 'Thank you for your email correspondence to the Home Secretary and your offer of accommodation.

'Your correspondence has been passed to the relevant business area, and they will be in contact with you in due course.'

Mr Wilson's suggestion, which he claims to have also made to Kent County Council, comes as the number of people crossing the Channel spirals, passing 2020's total.

More than 10,000 people have so far made the perilous trip.

The 72-year-old (pictured with his wife) sparked outrage in 2017 when details of his policy were leaked, revealing he had banned people due to the cost of removing the smell of curry

The Home Office has come under increasing pressure to get a grip on the crisis, with hundreds of people risking their lives to navigate the world's busiest shipping lane.

They come on flimsy boats acquired by criminal gangs and ill-suited to the 20-mile stretch.

Charities last week upped calls for more safe routes, in the form of centres in Europe where refugees can go to claim asylum in Britain.

And Kent County Council has been feeling the strain more than most.

The authority is responsible for housing unaccompanied asylum-seeking children but has no more room and has threatened to sue the government for failing to help.

Mr Wilson, a multimillionaire, also banned 'battered wives' and single mothers from renting his properties

Meanwhile the Home Office has resorted to using hotels, as well as the much-criticised Napier Barracks, to house new arrivals.

Mr Wilson, from Boughton Monchelsea, near Maidstone, was arrested last week after allegedly assaulting a council worker.

He claims he called the Maidstone Borough Council employee a 'petty little Hitler' but vehemently denied his suggestion such a comment was racist.

He said he was later released without charge but Kent Police has refused to comment on the situation.

Mr Wilson was also in court in February amid claims he told council workers to kill themselves as part of an nine-year 'campaign of harassment'.

Ashford Borough Council, in Kent, applied to the High Court for a permanent injunction against him.

The court heard how legitimate inquiries would turn to him repeatedly belittling, insulting and abusing council workers as he tired to get his own way.

He has found found himself in the public eye numerous times over the last decade, notably in 2018 for butting heads online with comedian Danny Hyde and in 2017 when a court overturned his racist practice of banning 'coloured' tenants.

Mr Wilson and wife Judith once owned the largest portfolio of properties in Kent - believed to be around 1,000.

The High Court is yet to give its finding in the case between Ashford Borough Council and Mr Wilson.

The Home Office and KCC have been approached for comment.
A string of former Obama-era officials on Thursday added their voices to criticism that President Biden has turned his back on the Afghan government, undermining U.S. standing in the world and turning Afghanistan over to the taliban.

Insurgents have advanced rapidly across the country since Biden announced the withdrawal of all U.S. troops and now control about two thirds of its territory.

The result is urgent appeals from Afghan officials for more to help who feel they have been abandoned after 20 years on the front line of America's war on terror.

David Sedney, former deputy assistant secretary of defense for Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia under President Barack Obama, said the U.S. withdrawal sent a message to allies.

'The lesson here is that nobody should trust the United States, whether its Ukraine or Vietnam or Taiwan or any country,' he told Bloomberg.

President Biden is under intense pressure to justify the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan. The Taliban now holds 10 provincial after a rapid advance, and a string of ambassadors has demanded he rethink his decision

David Sedney, former deputy assistant secretary of defense for Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia under President Barack Obama, said: 'The lesson here is that nobody should trust the United States, whether its Ukraine or Vietnam or Taiwan or any country'

Afghan security forces take up position during fighting between Taliban and Afghan government troops in Herat province, west of Kabul, Afghanistan

The Taliban has taken the city of Ghazni, just 80 miles south of the capital Kabul, meaning Islamist fighters now control the main highways leading both north and south out of the city

The Taliban captured another strategic city on Thursday. Seizing Ghazi - their tenth provincial capital - cuts off a highway linking Kabul with southern provinces.

The latest U.S. intelligence assessments suggest the national capital could be cut off within 30 days.

Biden this week insisted he stood by his decision to pull out of the 20-year conflict and officials continue to say that stalled talks in Doha, Qatar, offer the best prospects for peace.

But diplomats who served in Afghanistan have accused Biden of selling out Kabul for domestic political considerations.

'This is a handover to the Taliban,' Ryan Crocker, ambassador to Afghanistan during the Obama administration, said in an interview on Bloomberg TV.

'The Afghan government, he said, now perceives rightly that we have hung them out to dry. We did a deal with their enemy.'

The Taliban's rapid advance has seen them take control of almost two thirds of the country since President Biden announced the withdrawal of all remaining U.S. troops

A family including women and children rest at a makeshift camp in the Afghan capital of Kabul after fleeing fighting

An internally displaced Afghan family, who fled from Takhar province due to battles between Taliban and Afghan security forces, sits inside their temporary tent at Sara-e-Shamali in Kabul

Afghan officials are demanding that Biden rethink a complete withdrawal, and are urging him to continue U.S. air support to beleaguered government troops after Aug. 31.

The Pentagon is planning 'over the horizon' strikes against terrorist targets but has not committed to an air support role after the withdrawal is complete.

Afghanistan's ambassador to Washington appealed for an increase in air strikes and sanctions on Taliban leaders.

But in an interview with News Nation, Adela Raz also expressed frustration that Kabul was being asked to fight on alone.

'We have been fighting for ourselves and for the peace and security of the rest of the world,' she said.

'That we are doing, and we will do it to the last minute.'

Others familiar with the Kabul government's thinking put it more bluntly.

'Now Afghans think they are thrown to the wolves and their 20 years partnership and sacrifices they made for defending the world against terrorist groups has gone in vain- they feel betrayed,' said a source.

While Kabul itself has not been directly threatened in the advance, the stunning speed of the offensive raises questions of how long the Afghan government can maintain control of the slivers of the country it has left.

Internally displaced Afghan families, who fled from Kunduz, Takhar and Baghlan province due to battles between Taliban and Afghan security forces, walk past their temporary tents at Sara-e-Shamali in Kabul

Private militia loyal to Ismail Khan, the former Mujahideen commander patrols after security forces took back control of parts of Herat city following fighting between Taliban and Afghan security forces in Herat province, west of Kabul, Afghanistan

The government may eventually be forced to pull back to defend the capital and just a few other cities as thousands displaced by the fighting fled to Kabul and now live in open fields and parks.

With the Afghan air power limited and in disarray, the U.S. Air Force is believed to be carrying out some series of strikes to support Afghan forces.

Aviation tracking data suggested U.S. Air Force B-52 bombers, F-15 fighter jets, drones and other aircraft were involved in the fighting overnight across the country, according to Australia-based security firm The Cavell Group.

It's unclear what casualties the U.S. bombing campaign has caused. The U.S. Air Force's Central Command, based in Qatar, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday.

The success of the Taliban offensive also calls into question whether they would ever rejoin long-stalled peace talks in Qatar aimed at moving Afghanistan toward an inclusive interim administration as the West hoped.

U.S. officials continue to say the talks offer the best hope for the country and have warned the Taliban they face international isolation if they continue their campaign of violence.
Former DEA Agent Chad Scott, 53, was sentenced Thursday to 13 years in prison for stealing money from suspects, falsifying government records and committing perjury in a federal trial

A prolific narcotics agent known as the 'white devil' among drug traffickers was sentenced Thursday to more than 13 years behind bars for stealing money from suspects, falsifying government records and committing perjury during a federal trial.

Chad A. Scott, 53, was convicted in 2019 of falsifying paperwork to convince a drug trafficker to purchase a truck he wanted so that the DEA could seize it and he could take hold of it, as well as perjury against a Houston-based heroin and cocaine trafficker that ultimately led to the man's release.

Then in June, Scott was again convicted in a scheme to steal from the suspected drug dealers he arrested.

Prosecutors have claimed Scott is more dangerous than the most hardened heroin dealers he locked up in his 17 years as a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agent, saying the Louisiana lawman 'broke every rule in the book' to enforce his 'own approximation of justice.'

And in her decision on Thursday, U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo said Scott has caused 'far reaching' damage 'to the administration of justice.'

Scott, seen here leaving court this week, was convicted in 2019 of of falsifying paperwork to convince a drug trafficker to purchase a truck he wanted so that the DEA could seize it and he could take hold of it, as well as perjury against a Houston-based heroin and cocaine trafficker that ultimately led to the man's release

His sentencing comes just one day after Scott, an avid water skier, took the stand in a packed New Orleans courtroom to plead for mercy.

He told Milazzo he was 'ashamed of being here,' adding he had long since been 'convicted in the press and public opinion.'

'I am not the monster that has been portrayed,' he said, according to NoLa.com, 'I'm married to Michelle and the proud father of these two boys.'

He said becoming a federal drug agent was an ambition he has had since he was in college and that he loved the work, seeking to underline his contributions to agency.

'I did work hard as a DEA agent, and I do believe in the DEA's mission,' he said. 'Over the years, I have put my life on the line every day.'

Scott also claimed he truly believed he was twice the target of murder-for-hire plots, 'an example of the length people will go to to remove me from drug trafficking investigations.'

One dealer even tried to take out a hit on the agent for $15,000, while Scott was was name checked by one Houston rapper, Scarface, in an album blasting the DEA, The Advocate reported after his arrest in 2016.

Scott has claimed to be loyal to the DEA, which he said he first wanted to join in college

He had once been seen as a 'model agent' for his drug busts from Atlanta to New Orleans

But some in the DEA began to question his allegiances, even as he made headlines as a 'model agent' for his drug busts from Atlanta to New Orleans.

More than a decade before his arrest, Scott was accused by a Washington Parish woman of supplying narcotics. She claimed to have seen the agent taking drugs from a property after an arrest.

There were also allegations surrounding the agent that he was involved with the disappearance of tens of thousands of dollars after a recent drugs raid.

He had also been accused of planting drugs and recruiting desperate informants from a halfway house - breaching DEA rules.

One law enforcement official, who would not be named, told The Advocate at the time that managers would turn a blind eye to indiscretions as long as agents were 'seizing a lot of dope and a lot of cash'.

'Case-makers are protected,' he added.

On another occasion, Scott was actually suspended for allowing an informant to use his own money during a sting to try and prove to the dealer that the deal was legitimate. That practice violates DEA policy.

However, he had been cleared in the past of the most serious charges during an internal investigation - such as allowing his informant to continue dealing drugs.

Arthur Lemann III, a veteran defense attorney who accused Scott of 'outrageous misconduct' in a federal drug case, told The Advocate: 'I've always felt that he was sort of off the books, that he was a guy who would go to extremes that I felt violated a sense of equal justice.'

But it wasn't until the arrest of former Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Deputy Johnny Domingue, whom Scott had worked with, that his wrongdoings really started coming to light, with allegations circulating that his crew shook down suspects, used the drugs they nabbed, and sometimes sold them.

Domingue and fellow deputy Karl Newman, 54, were arrested and pleaded guilty, admitting to stealing from suspects, and sometimes using or selling their drugs.

They would reportedly seize property in 'unsanctioned locations,' and would then 'unlawfully convert the property, including United States currency, for their own unlawful use and enrichment,' The Advocate reported at the time.

Domingue and Newman both testified against Scott and were sentenced to 34 and 42 months, respectively.

Hammond Police Officer Rodney Gemar was also indicted with Scott in June on counts of taking suspects' personal property and was found guilty of taking victims' wallets, phones and keys instead of logging them into evidence or returning them to their owners, according to FOX 8.

When they began to worry that they would be investigated, the Department of Justice announced, Scott and the others conspired to throw evidence of their wrongdoing into the swamps outside New Orleans. They also used approximately $4,800 in stolen money to pay for an attorney for one of their alleged co-conspirators in 2016.

Gemar has yet to be sentenced.

Scott was also a keen athlete and competitive water skier - winning the first stop of the Nautique Big Dawg World Tour in Acapulco, Mexico the April before his arrest

Prosecutors in Scott's case argued he should get time equal to the crime for which he obstructed justice - the case of Jorge Perralta, who could have been sentenced to more than 10 years in prison had he not been able to walk free due to Scott's perjury.

They also said he should get extra time for abuse of trust and for being in a leadership role, asking Milazzo to sentence Scott to nearly 20 years in prison.

'Scott proved himself to be a brazen criminal who hid himself behind the badge,' Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Duree argued, saying he 'did a staggering amount of damage.'

On Wednesday, prosecutors called for three witnesses who said they had also been wronged by Scott, including Julius Cerdes, who said that Scott planted a bag of marijuana in his truck in 2005 after 'ambushing' him as he arrived home late one night.

He said Scott threated him with more prison time because he was carrying a gun at the time, but he entered a plea deal, reportedly lying under oath that the marijuana was his.

Another alleged victim said Scott twice lashed his mouth with the medallion on a necklace he was wearing during a 1999 arrest that brought no charges, then confiscated the chain and took nearly a year to return it.

'This goes against everything that the Drug Enforcement Administration stands for,' Anne Milgram, the newly sworn-in DEA administrator, said in a statement. 'Scott betrayed the very people he was entrusted to protect and today he is being held accountable for his crimes.'

Scott was convicted in 2019 of orchestrating false testimony against a Houston-based heroin and cocaine trafficker - perjury that tainted the dealer's conviction and allowed him to walk free.

The same federal jury found Scott falsified paperwork for a Ford F-150 pickup - a vehicle he directed another drug trafficker to buy so the DEA could seize it and give it to Scott.

'He undercut law enforcement and he disgraced the entire judicial process,' federal prosecutor Timothy Duree told that first jury. 'He was sworn to uphold the law but instead, he broke it for his own selfish purposes.'

As a result of his actions, prosecutors claimed, a number of drug defendants were either released, or had their sentences reduced.

But in her decision to convict him to 13 years in prison Thursday, Milazzo noted he had already served 20 months of home confinement.

Scott is now among a growing list of DEA agents who have been accused of abusing their authority in recent years.

Another veteran agent, Jose Irizzary, pleaded guilty last year to conspiring with a Colombian cartel money launderer, filing false reports and ordering DEA staff to wire money slated for undercover stings to international accounts he controlled.

At least a dozen DEA agents across the country have been criminally charged since 2015 on counts ranging from wire fraud and bribery to selling firearms to drug traffickers, according to court records. That includes a longtime special agent in Chicago who pleaded guilty to infiltrating the DEA on behalf of drug traffickers and another accused of accepting $250,000 in bribes to protect the Mafia.
A man accused of impersonating an authorised officer to proposition a Melbourne woman in home quarantine for sex has been arrested.

The 25-year-old Carlton man is in police custody after allegedly entering the woman's Burwood home last month on the pretence he was an authorised officer.

He handed himself into a police station on Thursday, a Victoria Police spokesman confirmed to AAP. Charges are yet to be laid.

The man was wanted for stalking and attempting to procure a sexual act by fraud after allegedly asking for sexual favours to not send the woman to hotel quarantine.

The woman, named only as Phoebe, has told the Nine Network she was up to day four of home quarantine after returning from Sydney.

The woman, only known as Phoebe, said the man claimed to be doing a random check before entering her bedroom and becoming aggressive (stock image)

She says she received a call on the evening of July 14 from a man claiming to be an authorised officer doing a random check.

Half an hour later, he arrived at her Burwood house with a document containing her personal details, tricking his way into her bedroom, where he became aggressive.

'He said 'If you make me happy I will lie for you and no one needs to know',' Phoebe said, adding she then kicked him out of her house and reported the incident to police.

Victoria's COVID-19 Commander Jeroen Weimar said he was aware of the case, saying the situation must have been incredibly distressing.

'Home officers will always be in uniform, always have appropriate identification and they will never under any circumstances seek entry into your home,' he told reporters on Wednesday.

'Please, if you are being visited as part of the home visit program, by one of the authorised offers, ask for ID, check their uniform and if they ask to get into your home, shut the door.'
The New South Wales government has ruled out a statewide COVID-19 lockdown for the time being as the virus continues to bleed into the regions, with officials insisting low-risk areas of the state must remain open.

Additional military troops are likely to be called into virus-hit areas of NSW and may be used to help administer AstraZeneca vaccines.

NSW reported 345 new local COVID-19 cases in the 24 hours to 8pm on Wednesday. At least 91 were in the community while infectious, while 138 remain under investigation.

Two Sydney men in their 90s have also died, including one resident of Wyoming Aged Care in Summer Hill. One of the men had received one vaccination dose while the other was fully vaccinated.

80 per cent of people in New South Wales live in the locked down regions highlighted in red

'We can understand people in their 90s are frail and vulnerable,' Deputy Chief Health Officer Marianne Gale told reporters on Thursday.

More than six million people in Greater Sydney and surrounds are in lockdown at least until August 28 as authorities battle to contain the virulent Delta strain outbreak.

Northwest NSW, Dubbo, Armidale, Tamworth, Byron Bay and the Hunter region are also enduring snap lockdowns.

However, Health Minister Brad Hazzard says the government has no intention of implementing a statewide lockdown, despite a surge of COVID-19 cases leaking out of Sydney.

He admitted health systems in rural areas - particularly in northwest NSW, home to large Indigenous populations - were stretched.

Additional military troops are likely to be called into virus-hit areas of NSW and may be used to help administer AstraZeneca vaccines (pictured, a quiet Central Station on Thursday night)

'There is a defining difference between NSW and other states - we have always tried to keep as much of NSW open as possible,' he said.

'We will progressively look at those areas that have problems but at this stage I don't see any reason on the advice I've had to date why we would move further than (where) the problems are.'

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said from Thursday the local government areas of Bayside, Strathfield and Burwood would face restrictions akin to those in west and southwest Sydney.

There are now 12 council areas under the harsher restrictions, incorporating more than 50 per cent of Greater Sydney residents.

These people are unable to leave their council areas unless authorised workers and must shop and exercise within 5km of home.

Ms Berejiklian also flagged tougher lockdown compliance measures, anticipating more military assistance in the coming days.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said from Thursday the local government areas of Bayside, Strathfield and Burwood would face restrictions akin to those in west and southwest Sydney (pictured, shoppers in Strathfield on Thursday)

NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller was working with health officials on a range of measures to let the government know 'what he needs to clamp down on compliance', she said.

Mr Fuller will report back to the government by week's end.

The premier and NSW Health's Dr Gale both reiterated that all adults in Greater Sydney should urgently seek out any available vaccine.

'People are realising, you might think you are OK with the virus but your closest loved ones will not be,' Ms Berejiklian said.

The premier and NSW Health's Dr Gale both reiterated that all adults in Greater Sydney should urgently seek out any available vaccine (pictured, a quiet Central Station om Thursday)

Meanwhile, NSW Health says workers at Sydney Markets in Homebush have access to COVID-19 vaccinations this week, at overnight pop-up clinics set up on site.

The AstraZeneca clinics started on Wednesday night, running from 10.30pm to 5.30am, and will open again overnight on Thursday.

To make it easier for delivery drivers and stall operators to get vaccinated, day clinics will also open on Friday and Saturday for workers.

More than 6400 supermarket and food industry workers have so far been vaccinated at the NSW Health Vaccination Centre at Sydney Olympic Park.

There are 62 COVID-19 patients in intensive care, with 29 ventilated.
A conspiracy theorist who believed Covid was a ploy to 'create a new world order' and suffered a 'massive mental breakdown' after restrictions were first imposed took his own life, an inquest has heard.

Wayne Paul Galley, 47, died at a family member's house on Sycamore Drive in Skelmersdale, Lancashire on April 30 this year, where he had been carrying out some rendering work.

An inquest into his death at The Landmark in Burnley on Monday heard how builder had suffered a 'massive mental breakdown' during the pandemic and become obsessed with conspiracy theories.

Wayne Paul Galley, 47, died at a family member's house on Sycamore Drive in Skelmersdale, Lancashire (pictured) on April 30 this year, where he had been carrying out some rendering work

Area Coroner Richard Taylor read a statement from Mr Galley's wife of 21 years, Claire, who described how her husband 'believed Covid was the end of normal life and he had to protect his family by storing food'.

Mr Taylor said: 'She had been trying to get him to see a psychiatrist.

'He hadn't slept for five days.She says that during the first lockdown there was a significant change in his personality and he was obsessed that the Government was trying to control everyone through Covid.

'He believed the virus was a ploy to get rid of a large percentage of the population so there could be a new world order.'

Department of Health bosses yesterday posted another 29,612 positive tests. Scientists remain confused by the true state of the UK's third wave

Mrs Galley told how her husband also believed that electrical devices in his house were 'listening to him' and he thought people were 'coming for him'.

The conspiracy theorist put extra locks on the windows and doors and he was becoming 'more and more obsessed'.

'He said he was going to buy gold because there would be no money once the Government had carried out this plan,' Mr Taylor added.

'The day he died he told his wife he didn't need any help. She says she thought he had suffered a massive mental breakdown but she doesn't know what pushed him over the edge.'

After hearing all the evidence, the coroner reported a narrative conclusion of suicide.

Anyone seeking help can call Samaritans free on 116 123 or visit Samaritans.org.
The shark was then seen thrashing wildly from side to side and its body was almost entirely out of the water at one stage

Video footage shows beachgoers watching on as the shark swam in waters

Swimmers rushed to the shore after the blue shark appeared by Poniete Beach

Holidaymakers relaxing on a beach in Benidorm were forced to flee after an eight-foot long blue shark was spotted in the shallow waters.

Horrified swimmers rushed to the shore after the huge shark appeared in the sea by Poniente Beach, just yards away from them.

Video footage shows terrified beachgoers watching on as the blue shark swam in the shallow waters, with its fin clearly visible.

The creature was then seen thrashing wildly from side to side and its body was almost entirely out of the water as it touched the sand.

Police officers who were called to the scene on Thursday can be heard telling the beachgoers to stand back, before the shark eventually swam back into the shallow waters.

Horrified British swimmers rushed to the shore after the huge shark appeared in the sea by Poniente Beach, in Benidorm just yards away from them

Local police officers sent a helicopter and two police boats, and officers could be seen watching the shark from the vessels. Above: Coast guards wrestle with the blue shark

Police officers who were called to the scene on Thursday can be heard telling the beachgoers to stand back, before the shark eventually swam back into the shallow waters

British tourist Christine Kettley, 36, who was sunbathing with her family when she spotted the shark, told The Sun: 'This shark was massive, it was about 8ft long and jerking around in the water.'

The mother-of-three added: 'You wouldn't want to go anywhere near it or make it angry as it was large enough to cause someone serious injury.

'It was just swimming around where everyone had been paddling.

'Police and lifeguards rushed to the beach and immediately started getting people out of the water.'

Video footage shows terrified beachgoers watching on as the blue shark swam in the shallow waters, with its fin clearly visible. The creature was then seen thrashing wildly from side to side and its body was almost entirely out of the water as it touched the sand

Horrified swimmers rushed to the shore after the huge shark appeared in the sea by Poniete Beach, just yards away from them

What is a blue shark? Blue sharks are considered to be dangerous and have been known to be responsible for attacks on ship and air disaster victims. Blue sharks can grow to 13ft and 400lbs and are found in oceans across the world, especially the Atlantic but they do venture into British waters during the summer months and are usually spotted around the South West. It is an open-ocean species and reaches up to 3.8m in length. The shark, which has a metallic blue back, is listed as Near Threatened globally and is a Priority Species in the UK. They feed mostly on squid and small fish but can also eat smaller sharks and seabirds. Blue shark attacks on humans are extremely rare but have been recorded. Blue sharks have been thought to have been involved in just 13 biting incidents with only four of those being fatal since 1580. The largest blue shark ever recorded in Britain's waters weighed 256lbs and measured over 9ft. Source: The Wildlife Trusts Advertisement

Christine, who is from Great Dunmow in Essex, UK, added: 'It's been going up and down the coast all day and has come in really close to the beach.'

Local police officers sent a helicopter and two police boats, and officers could be seen watching the shark from the vessels. Others had formed a line on the beach to block holidaymakers from getting close to the shark.

Blue sharks can grow to 13ft and 400lbs and are found in oceans across the world, especially the Atlantic but they do venture into British waters during the summer months.

Blue sharks, which rarely attack humans, are registered as near threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Last month, a British postman came face-to-face with a huge blue shark while snorkelling off the coast of Cornwall.

Martin Yelland, 38, was diving just off the coast of Penzance when the blue shark swam straight towards him.

It stuck around for about an hour, before being scared off by a pod of 80 dolphins. Mr Yelland, who lives in St Erth, Cornwall, takes wildlife photographs in his spare time. He said: 'It was a really memorable encounter.

'I was apprehensive the evening before the shark snorkel, but once I saw the shark I was just amped to get in the water as they were so graceful and inquisitive.

'At no stage did I feel frightened, the sharks were curious but in no way aggressive.'

He added: 'The blue sharks come so close you sometimes need to get out of their way, as we were told never to touch them.'

Widespread fishing poses a risk to the population of blue sharks although the sharks' wide range buffers it from the effect of heavy fishing pressure. Despite this, population declines have been noted.

Its flesh is not highly valued but its fins are, meaning many Blue Sharks are finned at sea and subsequently discarded.
England's mammoth Covid vaccination roll-out has already saved more than 84,000 lives, health chiefs believe.

Public Health England also estimates the jabs have stopped 23.4million from getting infected and nearly 67,000 hospital admissions.

The Government-run agency said the figures  based on modelling by academics  prove just how well the vaccines work.

Dr Mary Ramsay, PHE's head of immunisations, said: 'These figures show the vaccine programmes remarkable impact on saving lives and reducing the spread of the virus.

'As cases have increased, the true scale of protection from the vaccine programme has become clear. Everyone who has come forward for the vaccine has played a part in this vital effort.

'Its important people under 30 continue to take up the offer of the vaccine. Infection rates are highest in this age group and Covid can be serious for some.'

Meanwhile, doctors hailed the 'brilliant' achievement of more than 70 per cent of 18-29-year-olds in England having now had their first dose.

And NHS England bosses began inviting 17-year-olds who are within three months of turning 18 for their first jabs.

PHE today also claimed cases have remained 'stable' since 'Freedom Day' on July 19  even though Government figures suggest infections are now creeping up again.

Graph shows: The number of hospitalisations in over-65s (brown line) plotted against the number of expected admissions without the vaccine programme (green line). The dotted lines show vaccine coverage in people aged 85 and above, 75 to 84 and 65 to 74 for first (D1) and second (D2) doses

More than 70 per cent of adults aged 18 to 29 in England have received a first dose of a Covid vaccine

Graph shows: Covid vaccine uptake among each age group for second doses

The latest estimates for deaths and infections prevented by the vaccine drive 'show the vaccine programme's remarkable impact on saving lives and reducing the spread of the virus', according to Dr Mary Ramsay, head of immunisations at Public Health England

Seven in 10 under-30s have had a first dose More than 70 per cent of adults aged 18 to 29 in England have received a first dose of a Covid vaccine, the latest figures show. A total of 5.9million people in the age group have received a first dose (70.2 per cent) and 2.7million have received both doses (32.4 per cent). Latest data from Public Health England and Cambridge University shows that vaccines have saved around 84,600 lives as well as preventing 23.4million infections and 66,900 hospitalisations in England up to 6 August. Frontline doctor and television personality Dr Emeka Okorocha praised the rollout among younger cohorts, saying he has seen the impact Covid has had on all ages and urged people to get both doses of the jab. Doctor and DJ Kishan Bodalia also encouraged people to continue to get both jabs and said it is not only protecting everyone but allowing people to get back to doing the things they have missed during lockdown. Advertisement

Case rates have risen in all regions of England except the north-east, according to Public Health England's weekly Covid surveillance report.

Yorkshire and the Humber had the worst infection rate in the week ending August 8, recording 372.4 positive tests for every 100,000 people.

At the other end of the coronavirus scale was the South East (255.0).

Rates in England have also risen among all age groups except 10 to 19-year-olds, PHE said.

The highest rate was among 20- to 29-year-olds (670.7).

But the lowest rate was among over-80s (66.6).

Dr Yvonne Doyle, medical director for PHE, said: 'Data suggests that Covid cases are currently stable, although rates remain high across the country.

'Vaccines are breaking the link between infections and serious illness, and on Monday the rules will change so that those who have been double jabbed for at least two weeks, or are under 18, don't need to isolate if they are a close contact.

'Even if you have had both doses, if you are a close contact you should still get a PCR test as soon as you can and consider wearing a face covering in enclosed spaces, and limiting contact with other people, especially with anyone who is clinically extremely vulnerable.'

She encouraged all eligible young people to get a jab 'so you can take your next steps in life safely'.

It comes after data revealed more than 70 per cent of adults aged 18 to 29 in England have received a first dose of a Covid vaccine.

A total of 5.9million people in the age group have received a first dose (70.2 per cent) and 2.7million have received both doses (32.4 per cent).

Latest data from Public Health England and Cambridge University shows that vaccines have saved around 84,600 lives as well as preventing 23.4million infections and 66,900 hospitalisations in England up to 6 August.

And teenagers as young as 17 can now book their first vaccine appointment if they are within three months of their 18th birthday.

In line with Joint Committee of Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) guidance issued last week, the NHS is already vaccinating people who are 16 and 17 with a single dose of the jab at GP and walk-in sites, and more than 16,000 in this age received theirs last weekend.

Vaccination sites across the country are working hard to complete the rollout with more than 300 sites already offering the jab to 16- and 17-year-olds including GP teams who began vaccinating eligible teens last week.

Children aged 12 to 15 who are clinically vulnerable or who live with adults who are at increased risk of serious illness from the virus are also being contacted by the NHS and invited for their vaccine.
California's Republican gubernatorial candidate Caitlyn Jenner kicked off her campaign tour by blaming Gov. Gavin Newsom for an 'epidemic of crime' afflicting the state.

For the final stretch of the campaign season, Jenner went to Venice Beach on Thursday to call attention to the homeless population and crime afflicting the area, which she says will be her first priority if elected.

'From what the residents here have told me, Gavin Newsom has never even been here to see for himself this devastating crisis, Jenner told DailyMail.com while walking up and down the tented streets.

Caitlyn Jenner made her way to California's Venice Beach as the Republican gubernatorial candidate claimed Gov. Gavin Newsom has not done enough to help the situation there

During her press conference on Thursday, Jenner promised to make the Venice Beach problem her first priority should she be elected in September

Jenner spoke with Soledad Ursua, to her right, of the Venice Neighborhood Council. Jenner said the homeless and crime situation at Venice Beach need to be fixed

Jenner, who will continue her tour in Orange County, at the border and of the Northern Californian wildfires, said addiction and mental illness need to be addressed in a way that actually helps people.

You just cant move these people into housing, and expect change. It doesnt work that way. Many need rehab, counseling. We need boots on the ground here, Jenner told DailyMail.com

The Las Angeles City Council had cleared up the majority of the tented cities across the boardwalk last month, but people continue to gather and live at the location.

Residents also worried about an increase in crime in the area.

With California's recent spike in thefts, assault and homicides, Jenner said Newsom should be declaring a state of emergency, noting that he has the power to call in the National Guard.

'Gavin is delusional and a failed leader. He wants to sweep the rampant crime and violence under the rug,' Jenner wrote on her Facebook page.

The former Olympic gold medalist and TV star through Venice Beach to learn about the city's problems. Jenner faces against Newsom in an upcoming recall election

A man was spotted riding his bike into a San Francisco Walgreens earlier this year, filling his bag with items and riding out. Brazen acts like these continue to plague the city

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is facing a recall election this September. He was criticized by opponents for not being tough amid a spike in homicides last year

Jenner claimed that Newsom was too busy worrying about the recall election to properly deal with the situation.

'It's legal right now to steal in San Francisco,' Jenner told Fox.

'He needs to stand up, support our police and support the communities and the safety of our cities.'

All Californians are set to receive their recall ballots by Aug. 21. The recall election is set for Sept. 14.

The Rescue California political group, which helped to lead the demand for the recall election, claims Newsom has not done enough to curb crime since he was elected in 2018, The San Diego Union Tribune reports.

According to the Los Angeles Times, 2020 saw more than 2,200 homicides last year, making it one of the most deadly years since 2,258 were killed in 2007.

The victims were predominantly black and Latino males.

However, 2019 saw the least number of killings and violent crimes committed in the state since 1966.

California's annual crime reports, from 1966 to 2020. The state saw an uptick in violent crime overall last year amid the pandemic. Homicides were also at its highest last year since 2007

A 91-year-old man was attacked and robbed in Oakland's Chinatown. Police said the ones responsible also committed three other assaults in the neighborhood

A good Samaritan who came to held the elderly man was pistol whipped by the suspects

State Attorney General Rob Bonta said it was unclear why the homicide rate jumped up, but he noted a record-breaking number of handguns were sold in 2020 amid the pandemic, a nationwide trend.

In 2020, more than 686,000 guns were sold, and nearly 75% of homicides that year involved firearms.

Larceny theft is the most common crime committed in the Bay Area, according to the San Francisco Police Department's Crime Dashboard.

As of Aug. 8, there were 16,214 instances reported this year, nearly 200 fewer than within the same time frame last year.

Burglaries, however, appear to be up this year with 4,477 cases reported so far, 47 more than last year. Assaults have also seen an increase.

Larceny is defined by the department as including 'thefts of bicycles, motor vehicle parts and accessories, shoplifting, pocket picking, or the stealing of any property or article that is not taken by force and violence or by fraud.'

Burglary is different from larceny because it involves unlawful trespassing to commit a crime.

Robberies are also down this week when compared to last year, with 1,339 incidents reported.

Larceny is the most common crime committed in the Bay Area, according to the San Francisco Police Department's Crime Dashboard

Crime continues to plague some of California's most populous cities. Year-end statistics for Los Angeles was not immediately available

The city had seen a spree of high-profile thefts in recent months.

In July, video emerged on social media showing shoplifters brazenly making off with stolen goods after ransacking a local Neiman Marcus store in the Union Square section of the city.

At least 10 people are seen in the video with armfuls of designer goods and then fleeing the luxury department store Neiman Marcus - without anyone trying to stop them.

The footage reveals the shoplifters leaving the Union Square store, each carrying bags of stolen items with the security tags still dangling off of them.

Walgreens has also seen an uptick in thefts this year.

Walgreens has closed 17 San Francisco stores, and theft in the pharmaceutical chain's 53 remaining stores is four times the average for stores elsewhere in the country, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

One Walgreens reportedly loses $1,000 a day to shoplifters, the news outlet reported.

Across the city, 18 Walgreens stores saw 94 shoplifting incidents between September 1 and December 31, 2020, according to data compiled by the San Francisco Police Department and obtained by news outlet Mission Local.
The Texas Senate passed the Republican voting bill on Thursday despite an almost 15-hour filibuster from a Democrat in protest.

Debate on the measure began Wednesday evening before State Senator Carol Alvarado began speaking continuously without being able to lean on her desk, drink water, eat or use the restroom.

She wrapped just before 9 a.m. local time on Thursday.

Lawmakers in Texas's upper house voted 18-11 in favor of the bill aimed at enhancing election security shortly after she stopped.

'Instead of making it easier to vote, [this bill] makes it easier to intimidate. Instead of making it harder to cheat, it makes it harder to vote,' Alvarado said in one of her last statements.

Its passage comes after Republican Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan issued arrest warrants for 52 Democratic lawmakers who broke quorum for the third time over voting rights.

The decision was approved after the Texas House voted 80-12 to move forward with the arrests for absent members, which enabled Phelan to issue the warrants. It's the second time that such a vote has been taking during ongoing quorum-bust.

The Texas Supreme Court on Tuesday also overturned a trial court judge's ruling that would have prevented absent Democrats from being arrested.

Texas Democrats fled their state for Washington, D.C. on two private jets chartered at $100,000 to both deny Republicans quorum - the minimum number of members needed present to conduct business - and to draw attention to the effort to expand voting rights.

Armed with a back brace, glasses and sneakers, Alvarado spoke through the night on the history of voter discrimination and read public statements decrying the bill and messages sent by supporters urging her to keep going, according to the Texas Tribune.

At one point she opened her drawer and held up a photo of her father.

'When I want to stop talking, Ive opened this drawer a few times and I look at this man who made me who I am today. Thank you dad,' Alvarado said.

Senator Carol Alvarado began speaking on Wednesday evening and finished on Thursday morning, shortly before the Senate passed the bill in an 18-11 vote

She wore a back brace and running shoes for her marathon protest

At one point she showed the chamber a photo of her father

Critics of the bill say is an attempt to disenfranchise people of color and other groups that historically vote Democrat.

The bill prohibits drive-through voting and 24-hour voting, both of which were heavily used in Alvarado's Harris County - which includes Houston.

It was first taken up in July but proceedings were paused when more than 50 Democrat lawmakers in the state's lower house took private jets to Washington, DC, leaving too few people to form a quorum for the vote.

The version that passed Thursday morning is the Texas Senate's third try, with only minor tweaks from the original.

The latest version would require partisan poll watchers to receive a neutral training manual from the secretary of state, in a bid to placate critics.

After Alvarado finished speaking her fellow Senator Bryan Hughes, who sponsored the bill, called its provisions 'simple, common sense reforms.'

Republican Senator Bryan Hughes, who is leading the charge on the voting bill, called its provisions 'common sense reforms'

Some of the runaway Democrats are still in Washington (pictured here holding a press conference on August 6th)

Meanwhile, Republicans promised they would be arrested upon their return to Texas and compelled to come to the legislature to move forward with their election security measures in special session.

The warrants were signed after Democrats failed to show up during the fifth day of the House's second special session, leaving the chamber eight members short of a quorum.

Democrats were hoping that their flit would deny the state house the minimum number of lawmakers required to conduct official business  by fleeing the state to stop Republicans' agenda to potentially ban drive-thru and 24-hour voting, among other sweeping restrictions.

The warrants, first reported by the Dallas Morning News, will be delivered to the House Sergeant-at-arms 'for service' on Wednesday morning, according to Marquez.

More than 50 state lawmakers fled Texas to avoid voting for a controversial election security bill

The Texas Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that the runaway Democrats can be arrested. The Texas House speaker signed their arrest warrants a day later

They were signed after Democrats failed to show up during the fifth day of the House's second special session, leaving the chamber eight members short of a quorum.

Texas Democrat State Rep. Gene Wu, one of the notorious group who fled for DC, temporarily avoided arrest on Wednesday.

State District Judge Chris Morton granted Wu's filing of a writ of habeas corpus, determining that his arrest was unlawful. The arrest would have compelled Wu to return to Austin so the legislature could conduct business.

Morton said he was concerned that Attorney General Ken Paxton hadn't been notified about the arrest warrant, according to ABC 13.

While no doubt a win for the state's Republicans, the bill is once again stalled until enough Democrats return to the Texas House floor. The standoff is now in its 32nd day.

If passed Texas will join 18 states that have enacted 30 election security measures, according to the Brennan Center's July count.
Alejandro Mayorkas announced on Thursday that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) encountered more than 212,000 migrants along the U.S.-Mexico border in July  yet another staggering increase as the border crisis prevails.

'Allow me to share with you the CBP enforcement numbers for July  212,672 persons were encountered attempting entry along the southwest border, a 13 per cent increase over June 2021.'

The new figures are a 21-year month high for encounters and nears Biden toward the 1 million mark as the encounter count hits 934,257 when counting the data between February and July.

In June, CBP reported it encountered 188,829 illegal immigrants at the border, which was the previous decade-long high before this month's figures were released.

Mayorkas, who heads Biden's Department of Homeland Security, visited the border on Thursday as images emerged overnight of a new batch of hundreds of illegal immigrants lining up to turn themselves into border patrol agents.

Donald Trump's former acting CBP Commissioner Mark Morgan said Thursday that border agents were directed to create the appearance of a lessened crisis ahead of Mayorkas' visit.

During a briefing hosted by conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation, Morgan claimed his sources revealed they were instructed to clear out overcrowded facilities and temporarily holding camps, as well as coordinate with the Mexican government to increase security and quell illegal crossings during the trip.

'Those pictures that we showed you under the bridge, you know, a couple thousands migrants, those facilities that we showed you of illegal aliens basically, you know, stacked on top of each other, laying on top of each other, crowded and dangerously overcrowded positions. I'm actually having sources report to me right now that they have been directed to clear out the illegal aliens under that bridge and start transporting illegal aliens out of those overcrowded facilities,' Morgan said.

'And why?' Morgan posed. 'In anticipation of Secretary Mayorkas' visit down there.'

DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas revealed Thursday that CBP encountered 212,672 migrants in July  a 13 per cent increase from June and 21-year month high

'I've got to tell you  I'm having sources report that to me, and I've got to tell you, that is simply  if that is, in fact, true, it is outrageous and it is disgusting, and I hope somebody on this call does a little bit more investigative work to find out exactly what's happened,' he said.

The former CBP acting commissioner added: 'I'm also hearing that they reached out to their Mexican counterparts to try and get them to increase their patrols right now as Secretary Mayorkas is going to visit there. And every time that happens, of course, the flow goes down in that area.'

'That's what I'm being told and I wanted to mention that to the folks on this call.'

Theresa Cardinal Brown, managing director of immigration and cross-border policy at the Bipartisan Policy Center, said: 'This report is sounding the alarm at the border. Its not only a record number of interactions, but one that is both counter-cyclical and whose composition includes a significant number from countries outside of Central America or Mexico. We are witnessing a global phenomenon in migration.

'This is an urgent situation and requires the direct attention of the Biden administration and Congress working togethernot pointing fingerson constructive solutions to prevent a humanitarian disaster.'

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham added: 'So much for the idea that there would be a seasonal downturn in illegal immigrant crossings at our southern border!

'Between the crisis at the border and the debacle in Afghanistan, one could argue that President Biden is the most incompetent national security president in modern history.

'The only thing worse than being incompetent is being stubborn to the point that you cant look at the facts and change your mind when necessary. When it comes to the border and situation in Afghanistan, the worst is yet to come.'

A fresh batch of asylum-seeking migrants lined up to be processed by Border Patrol after crossing the Rio Grande Valley into Roma, Texas in the early morning hours of Thursday

Migrants arrive each day along the U.S.-Mexico border. Here migrant families disembarks an inflatable raft after crossing the Rio Grande River overnight

Thousands of migrants are being held under the Anzalduas International Bridge in Mission, Texas in 100 degree-plus conditions as border facilities become overcrowded with the continued influx of border crossings

Trump's former CBP Acting Director Mark Morgan (left) said Thursday border agents were told to clear the temporary camps and overcrowded facilities ahead of DHS Secretary Mayorkas' (right) visit there Thursday

Thousands of migrants continue to arrive each day at Americas southern border.

Morgan said the administration can stop the flow if they just impose consequences on illegal immigrants, and those who help them commit the crime.

'Look, it's all about consequences, right? If you apply consequences, the flow will stop,' Morgan said.

'I mean, all this 'root causes' in Central America, it's all spin, mirrors and misdirection,' he added. 'We've been working on that for decades.'

He is referring to Vice President Kamala Harris' role as 'border czar', which when she was criticized for not doing enough to address the crisis was rebranded to put her in charge of addressing the 'root causes' of migration in Northern Triangle countries.

Harris visited Guatemala and Mexico earlier this summer in a trip dubbed a failure by pundits and politicians on both sides of the political aisle.

'This is about what our policies are on our borders. And if you apply effective consequences, if you close the loopholes like ending catch and release,' Morgan said. 'And on the backend you're actually deporting people and applying those consequences and you're detaining individuals who break into our country against the rule of law instead of releasing them into the country, I promise you, the flow will go down.'

'You don't have to be a rocket scientist.'

Morgan also said agents were instructed to coordinate with Mexico for an increase in security on their side of the border to create the illusion of a decreased migration flow during Mayorkas' trip. Here a migrant mother carries her sleeping child as she prepares to enter the U.s. illegally after crossing the Rio Grande River on August 12

Mayorkas previewed on Wednesday his trip to the southern border in Texas

Morgan and former DHS Acting Secretary Chad Wolf said during a briefing Thursday that human smugglers are making $1 million each day transporting people into the U.S. and face no consequences. Here smugglers guide rafts across the Rio Grande River to get asylum-seeking migrants to the U.S. side of the border on Thursday morning

After crossing the river, migrants turn themselves over to border agents to be transported to a processing and holding facility

These facility, however, have been flanked with migrants and continue to experience massive overcrowding. Here a facility for men shows the immigrants nearly on top of each other  many not wearing masks

Morgan was joined on the virtual briefing with Trump-era Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf and Lora Ries, former acting DHS Deputy Chief of Staff, who are all fellows with The Heritage Foundation.

Wolf called the crisis 'manufactured' and Morgan called it one of the most substantial 'public health emergencies'.

All three also claimed that the Biden administration can easily thwart the flow of illegal immigration by holding migrants to the same COVID restrictions as imposed on Americans.

Biden has assured his administration is using Title 42, a provision that allows expulsions of individuals who have recently been in a country where a communicable disease was present, to deport migrants arriving in the U.S. by way of Mexico.

Bur Morgan said the administration 'continues to openly defy' their own COVID guidelines when it comes to dealing with the border crisis.

The neighbors to the south have seen a 90 per cent increase in COVID-19 cases this month, reaching the same numbers it was experiencing in January of this year.

Texas communities also claim that thousands of migrants being released into their communities under Biden's policies are not being tested for coronavirus and are causing a massive spike in cases among citizens.

Early Wednesday morning, the Senate adopted in a 88-11 vote to adopt an amendment to its $3.5 trillion budget resolution that requires migrants receive a negative coronavirus test before they are transported or released into American communities.

The Lone Star State has the second highest daily average of cases with 14,117. It falls behind Florida, the state with the largest surge, which saw 21,169 in its seven-day rolling average.

Migrants line up at a portion of the border where Trump's wall ends

Migrants stand out in the hot Texas sun with little shade and line up to get water as they wait to be processed by border patrol

Areas across the U.S. are seeing case rates severely spike with the emergence of the Delta variant and the increase in breakthrough cases in vaccinated individuals.

Nearly all migrants arriving at the southern border are not vaccinated against COVID-19 and pictures of overcrowded facilities show it's impossible to socially distance  and some were seen not wearing masks.

Morgan said if Biden 'reinstitutes every policy under the Trump administration', he will be able to end the border crisis.

'Reinstitute every single effective tool, authority and policy that effectively worked under the Trump administration. Title 42, the ACAs, remain in Mexico program, and build the freaking wall system,' Morgan told DailyMail.com during the briefing when asked what can be done to end the crisis and stop overcrowding.

'We can start with that, and that would absolutely reduce the flow and address the crisis and help secure our border,' he added.

Wolf agreed, telling DailyMail.com 'this isn't a new phenomenon.'

'We saw overcrowding in 2018 and 2019,' he said. 'I mean, we have a playbook and, unfortunately, it was very difficult times then.'

'We did our homework and we put in place some programs and policies such as the migrant protection protocols, such as the ACAs and others that alleviate that crowding, specifically that crowding that you would see in border patrol facilities. Why? Because not only the cartels, but the migrants themselves understood that if they crossed illegally they would either wait in Mexico or they'd be returned back to their home country once they went through that due process. And the ability not to apply for asylum if they passed through a safe third country,' the former DHS acting head added.

'It's not that they have to come up with creative and unique ideas, we did that for them,' Wolf said. 'They can rename it, they can do whatever they want, they can call it something else. But the policy and the playbook is there, they just need to execute.'

He said cartels are making $1 million every day on smuggling people into the U.S. over the Mexican border  and without consequences, they feel emboldened to continue doing so.

'It's clear in my mind that the Biden administration doesn't have a strategy to effectively deal with this [crisis],' Wolf said.

'A new strategy needs to be in place.'
Iran summoned the Russian and British ambassadors on Thursday after they re-created a famous picture of Churchill, Stalin and Roosevelt at the Tehran Conference in 1943.

Britain's ambassador, Simon Shercliff, and Russian envoy, Levan Dzhagaryan, were pictured sitting where Joseph Stalin and Winston Churchill sat for a photo atop the steps of the then-Soviet embassy, during the Tehran Conference.

The place occupied by US President Franklin Roosevelt - the third member of the so-called 'Big Three' leading powers fighting Hitler's Germany in 1943 - was empty.

Iran summoned the Russian and British ambassadors on Thursday after they re-created a famous picture of Churchill, Stalin and Roosevelt at the Tehran Conference in 1943

Britain's ambassador, Simon Shercliff, and Russian envoy, Levan Dzhagaryan, were pictured sitting where Joseph Stalin and Winston Churchill sat for a photo atop the steps of the then-Soviet embassy, during the Tehran Conference

State media reported that Iran's Foreign Ministry summoned Dzhagaryan and Shercliff over the photo, even after the Russian embassy tweeted an explanation saying that it had posted the image only as a commemoration of the Allies' fight against the Nazis.

Iran's foreign minister-designate Hossein Amirabdollahian said the picture 'showed disregard for diplomatic etiquette and the national pride of the Iranian people'.

Iran's foreign minister-designate Hossein Amirabdollahian said the picture 'showed disregard for... the national pride of the Iranian people'

'During the meeting, the Russian ambassador stated that his intention to publish this photo was merely a reminder of Russia's alliance with Britain against the Nazi army during World War Two,' Iran's foreign ministry said in a statement.

'There was no anti-Iranian motive behind the photo,' the statement added, according to state TV.

While outgoing foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, called the photo 'inappropriate,' given that Russia and Britain had invaded Iran in 1941.

August marks the 80th anniversary of the campaign, when Soviet and British armoured divisions swept in largely unopposed to secure oil fields and Russian supply lines through Iran, officially neutral but considered pro-Germany at the time.

Zarif drew a connection between the photo and the stalled negotiations with world powers over Iran's nuclear program, aimed at capping Iran's uranium enrichment activities in return for a lifting of sanctions that have worsened the nation's already ailing economy.

'The Iranian people have shown-including during the JCPOA talks-that their destiny can NEVER be subject to decisions in foreign embassies or by foreign powers,' Zarif wrote on Twitter.

Outgoing foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, called the photo 'inappropriate,' given that Russia and Britain had invaded Iran in 1941

Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf called the photo 'immoral' and urged for a 'strong' diplomatic reaction if the two ambassadors do not apologise officially. Backlash also reverberated on social media.

While emphasising friendly relations between Iran and Russia, an Iranian foreign ministry official made clear that publication of the photograph 'was not acceptable', the statement said.

The Russian embassy said it had no wish to cause offence.

Did Britain and the Soviet Union occupy Iran in World War II? Britain and the then-Soviet Union invaded Iran, a neutral nation in World War II, in August 1941. The invasion, known as Operation Countenance, was largely unopposed and the Iranian government surrendered on August 31. The invasion was intended to secure Soviet supply lines and Iranian oil fields, but primarily to limit German influence over the country. Reza Shah abdicated after the invasion and was forced into exile. He was replaced by his son. The new Shah signed a treaty with the Britain and the Soviet Union in January 1942. The treaty said Iran was not an 'occupied' power but a member of the Allies - though many Iranians disagree with this categorisation. Iran joined the war against Germany in September 1943. Advertisement

'Taking into account the ambiguous reaction to our photo, we would like to note that it does not have any anti-Iranian context. We were not going to offend the feelings of the friendly Iranian people,' it tweeted.

'The only meaning that this photo has to pay tribute to the joint efforts of the allied states against Nazism during the Second World War. Iran is our friend and neighbour, and we will continue to strengthen relations based on mutual respect' the Russian embassy added.

Shercliff retweeted the comments.

The semi-official Tasnim news agency said the British envoy 'regretted the misunderstanding' over the picture and said that 'there was no bad intention behind it'.

Iranian authorities say they see Moscow as a 'strategic partner' in talks between Tehran and six powers to revive a 2015 nuclear deal that Washington abandoned three years ago.

Tensions between Iran and Britain have risen over an attack last month on a tanker in which a Briton died. Britain blamed Tehran, which denied involvement.



Russia, alongside Britain, France, China, Germany and the US, have not met for months at the Vienna negotiation site.

Tehran and Moscow have improved their relations in recent decades after Russia built Iran's sole nuclear power plant in southern Iranian port of Bushehr.

They have also increased military cooperation, and Russia delivered hundreds of thousand vaccines to Iran to fight Covid-19.

Winston Churchill, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Joseph Stalin, pictured here in Yalta in February 1945 had met for the first time in Tehran in November 1943 to discuss plans for the opening of the second European front

A meeting between the Big Three at the so-called Tehran Conference in Iran in 1943
A federal lawsuit alleges that after Ivan Street, 67 (pictured) died in January, a Baltimore funeral home defrauded his widow by ignoring her request to cremate him, and instead burying him on the orders of another woman claiming to be his wife

A widow is suing a Baltimore funeral home, claiming that it held a 'sham' service for her husband after pretending to cremate him, days after burying the deceased at the directions of another woman who claimed she was his wife.

The twisted tale involving Ivan Street and the two women in his life is the subject of a federal lawsuit that was filed last week in the US District Court for the District of Maryland, alleging breach of contract, negligence, malicious fraud, misrepresentation and intentional infliction of emotional distress, among other claims.

Street's wife, 52-year-old Demetra Street, is seeking $8.5million in damages, arguing that the entire ordeal has left her suffering from depression and nightmares.

The domestic saga began unfolding on January 9, when Ivan Street passed away from congestive heart failure, aged 67.

Four days later, Demetra, Street's wife of four years, approached Wylie Funeral Home in Baltimore and arranged for her husband's body to be cremated, in accordance with his wishes.

The complaint says Demetra Street, 52, had entered into a $2,500 contract with Wylie Funeral Home (pictured) to cremate her husband and hold a memorial service for him

The complaint alleges that the widow signed a contract for $2,500 for the cremation, followed by a memorial service, after presenting funeral home staff with her and Ivan's official marriage certificate bearing a gold seal.

But a few days later, according to the lawsuit, another woman who identified herself as Renee Cook went to the funeral home, also claiming to be Ivan's wife and seeking to have him buried.

Cook provided Wylie staffers with an unofficial marriage certificate dated October 24, 1997.

One of the funeral home employees called Demetra to tell her about Cook's claims and was told by the widow to ignore her and proceed with the cremation, the lawsuit states.

The court filing alleges that the funeral home disregarded her wishes and proceeded to lay the deceased man to rest after accepting payment from Cook for a coffin, cemetery plot and burial, and then faked his cremation in order to keep Demetra's fee as well.

Wylie Funeral Home President Brandon Wylie has denied any wrongdoing, telling the Baltimore Sun, which first reported the story, that 'the underlying matter was handled with the utmost sensitivity toward the loved ones of the deceased.'

When Demetra arrived at the funeral home for her late husband's memorial service on January 23, she allegedly had no idea that he had not been cremated but secretly buried on Cook's orders days earlier.

Demetra sang a tribute to Ivan while standing in front of a funerary urn purportedly containing her husband's ashes, the court document reads.

After the service, Wylie employees were said to have quickly removed the urn and refused to hand over Ivan's ashes to Demetra.

Two days later, Demetra said she received a puzzling email from a funeral home worker, revealing that Ivan had been laid to rest at Mt Zion Cemetery.

Renee Cook was said to have presented the funeral home with an unofficial marriage certificate from 1997. She paid to have Ivan Street (left and right) laid to rest, which was done

'Confused and surprised,' according to the complaint, Demetra called the funeral home seeking an explanation, and was told by one of the owners, identified as Mr Wylie, that Ivan had, in fact, been buried as requested by Cook.

'When [Demetra] told him what he had done was wrong and against her wishes, Wylie responded: Well, thats what we did or words to that effect. Then, he abruptly hung up the phone,' the complaint alleges.

When Demetra received her husband's death certificate from the Maryland Department of Health Division of Vital Statistics, she learned that a funeral home worker had 'falsely and intentionally reported the surviving spouse's name as "Unknown."'

The death certificate also confirmed that Ivan had been buried at Mt Zion Cemetery in Baltimore on January 20, three days before the 'sham' memorial service.

'Because Defendants concealed the Burial from [Demetra], she was excluded from attending Ivans Burial, paying her last respects, and participating in a graveside service,' according to the court filing.

'Through artifice and deception, Defendants conducted a sham Memorial Service by falsely, fraudulently, and maliciously misleading the Plaintiff and others to believe that Ivan had been cremated and that his ashes were contained in the funerary urn that Defendants displayed at the Memorial Service.'

The lawsuit also accuses Wylie Funeral Home of inflicting further embarrassment and humiliation on Demetra by failing to remove Renee Cook's tribute to Ivan from its website, which still reads: 'to the memory of my beloved husband. You were my best friend. The many loving memories I have of the tie we shared will forever comfort me in your absence. . . . You will be sorely missed my love.'

The complaint claims that in the wake of the incident, Demetra has been seeing a psychiatrist and taking prescription Zoloft for her depression, panic attacks, post-traumatic street disorder and social anxiety disorder.

The 52-year-old widowed mother was said to be suffering from uncontrollable crying and eating, headaches and nightmares.

Court records indicate that in 2018 Demetra had filed for a divorce from Ivan, but it was not finalized before his death.

Demetra's attorney, Alexander Coffin, told the Baltimore Sun that couple still had a close relationship with her husband at the time of her death.
A hospital has opened an internal investigation after a 94-year-old grandmother was discharged with compression fractures and told her family she wished she had died due to the poor care she received.

Doreen Radestock spent six days at Queen's Medical Centre in Nottinghamshire after being admitted with chest pains on July 3.

But when she was discharged on July 9, her family claimed she was 'absolutely filthy and looked a wreck' and had bruising on her back and pressure sores.

They said their mother was traumatised and 'could not get the experience out of her head'.

Doreen said at one point she wished 'the lord had taken her', as she claimed she was not lowered gently when she was taken to the toilet.

'The nurses would shout "what's the matter with you" and "what now",' claimed Doreen.

Doreen Radestock (pictured), 94, spent six days at Queen's Medical Centre in Nottinghamshire after being admitted with chest pains on July 3

She added: 'Before this happened I could do anything, I used to be able to make my bed, clean my bathroom, but I feel they have taken everything away from me.

'They've ruined my life and I'll never forgive them.'

Her daughter, June Lunt, 66, has criticised the treatment her mother received, claiming she was discharged with 'filthy, swollen and purple feet.'

She said: 'I don't know what they did to her on that ward.

'My mum says they left her waiting on the toilet even when she pulled the cord.'

She added: 'If they were washing and cleaning my mother as they should have, why didn't they see this bruising and tell us?

'It's not on her records.'

Doreen, from Melton Mowbray, now refuses to return to hospital, telling her daughter she'd 'rather die' and she 'can't live like this anymore'.

Doreen said at one point she wished 'the lord had taken her', as she claimed she was not lowered gently when she was taken to the toilet (Pictured: Queen's Medical Centre)

Once Doreen was discharged from Queen's Medical Centre, she complained of extreme pain from her pressure sores and fractures in her back.

The family called 111 and the doctor reported a safeguarding issue to PALS.

The family claim two nurses came out and took photos of Doreen, telling June they didn't know how she got like this and hadn't seen anything like it before.

After two weeks of being at home, Doreen contracted pneumonia and sepsis.

June added: 'She was too frightened to go into hospital.

'Thankfully, the ambulance allowed my daughter to go in with her.

Once Doreen (pictured) was discharged from Queen's Medical Centre, she complained of extreme pain from her pressure sores and fractures in her back

'We knew we'd lose her, so we begged her to go in.'

Doreen was then sent to Leicester Royal Infirmary July 31 after refusing to go back to Queens.

She is now back in the care of her family and June's daughter, Stacy MacTavish, 39, has quit her job as a carer to look after her grandmother full-time.

June said: 'I can fight for my mother, I can't give her life back but I can fight for her and those on the wards.

'It's absolutely traumatised her, I've had enough of this.'

The family made their own complaint and has been told it is being investigated.

Simon Dejonge, Divisional Nurse at Nottingham University Hospital Trust, said: 'We are looking into the concerns raised by Doreen's family.

'Patient safety is our biggest priority and the concerns raised around Doreen's care are not in line with the care that we pride ourselves as giving as a hospital.'
Sexual harassment allegations cost New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo his job.

Now, many want to see him answer for a the nursing homes scandal that cut to the heart of his reputation as a pandemic hero and may have had life-and-death consequences.

Months before a blistering investigation found Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women, state Attorney General Letitia James concluded that Cuomo's administration understated the true death toll in nursing homes by thousands and that fatalities may have been fueled by a state order that forced such homes to accept recovering COVID patients.

The families of the 15,745 New Yorkers who died in nursing homes say they want accountability, too, and are urging state lawmakers and the U.S. Justice Department to keep investigating Cuomo after he leaves office in two weeks.

'The nursing home people and their families have not had a day of reckoning,' said Vivian Zayas, who blames Cuomo for her mothers death in a West Islip, New York, nursing home. 'This not a victory yet.' 'A victory is when the whole nursing home scandal is blown open.'

Vivan Zayas, left, held onto the walker of her late mother, Ana Martinez, as her family continued to set aside a place at the Thanksgiving dinner table for her. Martinez was among the 15,745 New Yorkers who died in a nursing home due to COVID-19

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, right, prepared to board a helicopter after announcing his resignation in New York on Tuesday. The decision will take effect in two weeks

A nursing home patient was removed from the Cobble Hill Health Center, in Brooklyn, and loaded into the back of an ambulance in April 17.

New Yorks Assembly had been moving toward impeaching Cuomo before the Democrat announced his resignation, and his handling of nursing homes was set to be a part of that proceeding, with more than a half-million pages of evidence gathered.

PANDEMIC HERO TO ZERO - TIMELINE OF CUOMO'S RISE AND FALL 2006: Cuomo is elected AG of New York 2010: Cuomo is elected Governor of New York 2014: Re-elected, with Kathy Hochul as Lt. Gov 2018: Re-elected, defeating actress Cynthia Nixon March 2020: Cuomo becomes a pandemic hero with his daily press briefings on how New York, under his guidance, was responding to the crisis. He routinely sparred with then President Donald Trump and he basked in people calling him the people's real president in the time of crisis March 25: At the height of New York's COVID crisis, Cuomo signs a directive telling nursing homes they have to accept COVID-19 patients May 10: Cuomo rescinds the nursing home directive amid intense criticism of it as COVID deaths climb October 2020: Cuomo releases his book, Lessons in Leadership, about the pandemic November 2020: Cuomo is awarded an Emmy for his daily COVID briefings December 2020: Lindsey Boylan tweets that Cuomo abused her when she worked for him February 2021: The AP releases a damning report into how Cuomo's administration counted nursing home deaths as hospital deaths which made the numbers smaller March 2021: Letitia James launches sexual harassment investigation into Cuomo Assembly Judiciary Committee opens impeachment investigation August 3: AG releases her report finding Cuomo did sexually harass 11 women Cuomo issues statement insisting he is innocent but refuses to stand down August 10: Cuomo resigns, citing the good of the people as his reason for it Advertisement

James' report in January noted that while Cuomo's directive was in line with federal guidance, it 'may have put residents at increased risk of harm in some facilities.'

But the Cuomo administration has long contended that infected nursing home employees - not recovering COVID-19 patients - were the real drivers of infections and claimed that the order probably saved more lives than it cost by freeing up desperately needed hospital beds.

The order was reversed in May, and now only those who test negative for COVID-19 are allowed to enter nursing homes.

Cuomo further claimed that nursing homes could have contacted the state at anytime if they were not equipped to care for infected residents, NBC reports.

The administration also tallied nursing home deaths in a way that was out of step with nearly every other state: It counted only those residents who died on nursing home property, not those who succumbed after being sent to a hospital.

After James report came out, the Cuomo administration finally released data that confirmed what many suspected: The official death count was off by 50 percent, a difference of more than 4,200 victims.

The AP also obtained records this year showing more than 9,000 recovering coronavirus patients in New York State were released from hospitals into nursing homes under the order, more than 40% higher than what the state health department previously disclosed.

A top aide to the governor, Melissa DeRosa, tried to explain the administration's delays in releasing data on deaths by saying officials 'froze' over worries the information was 'going to be used against us' by Trumps Justice Department.

'So, let me get this straight! While my mom was alone, gasping for air and unable to cry out for her family's assistance, Gov. Cuomo and his team were worried about then-President Donald Trump's tweets,' Zayas wrote in the New York Post.

'My life has been turned upside down without my mother, Zayas said during a press conference in May. 'I will not let it stand.'

Cuomos office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday on the investigations.

The Justice Department inquiry into possible civil rights violations at government-run nursing homes ended without triggering a full-blown investigation.

But broader examinations by federal prosecutors and the FBI remain alive, three people familiar with the matter told the AP on condition of anonymity because they werent authorized to discuss the investigation publicly.

Lawmakers are now weighing whether they can and should push forward with impeachment once Cuomo is out of office in two weeks. One member of the Judiciary Committee said impeachment would amount to 'vengeance.' Other members of the committee have pushed to at least issue a report.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, seen during his press conferences at the Jacob Javits Center, was accused of underreporting the deaths taking place in nursing homes due to COVID-19

A family member of one of the seniors who died due to COVID-19 took part in a rally to impeach Cuomo on March 25. Cuomo still faces the possibility of impeachment

Protestors paid tribute to their loved ones outside Cobble Hill Health Center on March 21, 2021

'If he committed a crime, just because he resigns those investigations are not going to go away,' said Assembly member Ron Kim, a Democrat from Queens, whose uncle died in a nursing home. 'Justice for the women is the first step. Getting the justice for the families who lost loved ones is a longer journey because it involves a whole ecosystem.'

Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, who will become governor after Cuomos departure, vowed her administration will be 'fully transparent' when it comes to releasing data on nursing home deaths.

The ongoing investigations are seeing if the state intentionally manipulated data on nursing home deaths and whether Cuomo and his aides provided the Justice Department with false or incomplete information, which could constitute a federal crime, one of the people said.

Early in the probe, the Cuomo administration was not cooperative with prosecutors and for months did not produce documents and other requested data, the people said.

A Justice Department spokesperson did not respond Wednesday to requests for comment on the status of the investigation.

Assemblyman Ron Kim has continued to call out Cuomo for his alleged part in contributing to the staggering deaths in the state's nursing homes. Kim's uncle was one of the victims

During the height of the pandemic, Cuomo issued nursing homes to accept COVID-19 positive patients due to a lack of hospital beds

Vivian Zayas spoke out against Cuomo during a protest on March 25. She is part of the Voices for Seniors group, who have called for the governor's impeachment

Kathy Hochul, who will become New York's new governor, has vowed to be 'fully transparent' with the state's data regarding nursing home deaths

Among those who have been interviewed in the probe are Kim and another lawmaker who drew Cuomos ire for calling attention to the nursing home crisis, state Sen. Gustavo Rivera, who said he sat through three hours of questioning in May.

Rivera was flying to a conference on Tuesday as Cuomo was speaking and found himself having to muffle his delight as he watched the resignation unfold on a seatback TV. The Bronx Democrat who chairs the Senate's Health Committee said Cuomo's decisions on nursing homes were an instance of the governor 'doing something to make himself look good.'

As the virus engulfed New York in the early days of the pandemic, Cuomo did indeed look good, gaining a national audience for his tell-it-like-it-is daily briefings in which he lectured, cheerleaded and cajoled his constituents to stay 'New York tough.'

Many hailed him as a counterweight to the ineffective COVID-19 response they saw coming from the White House under President Donald Trump. Cuomo went on to write a book about leadership in a crisis.

Grace Colucci, whose father died of COVID-19 at a hospital after being released from a nursing home, found her immediate happiness about Cuomos resignation dissolve into tears. She said she is fearful he will evade any real punishment for what she believes he did that cost the sick and old their lives.

'I'm afraid that they won't find out why it happened,' Colucci said. 'This may all be brushed under the rug.'

Cuomo formally resigned on Tuesday, insisting that he is innocent and has never groped anyone, but is stepping aside in the interest of the people so government can focus on COVID.

In a 20-minute speech, he addressed his three daughters, calling them his 'jewels' and saying he had 'made mistakes and learned from them', but insisting he was not the serial abuser the report made him out to be.

Cuomo - the highest paid governor in American history who was paid $225,000-a-year - could still be impeached even though he has resigned; critics say they still want to go ahead with the proceedings because it would strip him of his pension and mean he won't be able to run again.

The judiciary committee which was investigating whether or not to launch impeachment proceedings has not indicated if Cuomo's resignation will bring its work to a halt.
A migrant has died after being airlifted to hospital as part of a huge air and sea rescue operation in the Channel today.

Rescue crews launched the rescue after a boat carrying around 40 people began taking on water as it headed to the UK from France this morning.

French prosecutors have launched a manslaughter investigation following the man's death.

This morning French coastguard officers were informed that a number of migrant boats were in difficulty, said a border force source in France.

The Elena cargo ship reported as many 40 migrants in the sea, 13 nautical miles off Dunkirk.

They were all on a flimsy boat that was thought to have been provided by people smugglers, before it sank.

A search and rescue operation was launched, and it included the fishing vessels Nicolas Jeremy and Notre Dame de Boulogne, as well as a fast rescue boat from the Elena.

French Army and Belgian Airforce helicopters were also scrambled, along with the French Navy ship Flamant.

The French helicopter NH90 hoisted a number of men onboard, as did the other vessels involved, said the source.

One of the men was unconscious when he was transferred to the Flamant, and so he was rushed to hospital in Calais by helicopter, but he did not survive.

The Dunkirk prosecutor's office was informed and opened an investigation for manslaughter, endangering the lives of others, and people smuggling.

There was no initial information about the identity or nationality of the man who died.

By mid-afternoon on Thursday a full-scale rescue operation was ongoing, and there may be more casualties, said a spokesman for the Channel Maritime Prefecture.

Illega crossing by small boats have multiplied this year, as people smugglers charge the equivalent of around 1,500 for a single crossing.

A group of around 12 migrants were also seen crammed on to a small boat in the Channel on Wednesday (Pictured: The group were rescued off the French coast yesterday)

A group of around 20 male migrants landed at the beach near to the Upmarket Hythe Imperial Hotel today

Police outside the Hythe Imperial Hotel in Hythe, near Folkestone in Kent today after a group of migrants landed nearby

It comes after an RNLI lifeboat carrying around 20 migrants was also seen in Dover harbour today, waiting to dock just before 2pm.

Police were also seen speaking to a group of around 12 migrants at the Hythe Imperial Hotel in Kent earlier today.

Meanwhile, a group of around 12 migrants were also seen crammed on to a small boat in the Channel off the French coast on Wednesday. They were rescued by the French coastguard.

The migrants seen arriving in Dover today could be seen in a line at the edge of the boat. All were wearing face masks.

Border Force patrol boat, Vigilant, pulled off from Dover Port at just after 2pm today at which point the orange RNLI lifeboat docked in its place.

Crew from the RNLI could be seen tying the boat up with the help of Border Force officers stationed on the dockside.

Meanwhile Border Force were seen escorting a group of around 20 migrants off the vessel, BF Hurricane, which is also docked at the port.

Immigration enforcement officials were later seen escorting migrants off the ship,

Women and children were directed off the vessel first. Border Force officials were seen carrying a small boy of about four years of age, wearing a blue parka-style coat and jeans, off the ship.

None of the migrants appeared to be wearing life jackets, but all were wearing light blue surgical masks over their mouths.

There have also been multiple reports of a small boat carrying a dozen migrants landing on a beach in Hythe, Kent.

Local residents reported seeing a boat landing at around midday today and a heavy police presence in the area afterwards.

It comes as over 100 migrants were rescued by French authorities in four boats after getting into trouble while trying to cross the channel to Britain in strong winds on Wednesday.

Two small boats, carrying a total of 64 migrants were spotted in difficulty off the coat of Dunkirk.

Fishermen sailing off the French port reported the first of the inflatable boats, carrying 29 migrants, in trouble yesterday morning.

Members of the coast guard sailed out to meet the boat, where they found one migrant among the group who had been taken ill.

They rescued the 29 migrants from the boat and a helicopter was scrambled from the seaside town of Le Touquet in the Pas-de-Calais region to evacuate the ill migrant.

The migrant was rushed by helicopter to Dunkirk Hospital, while the remaining 28 migrants were taken to the Port Dunkirk by the coastguard, where they were met by emergency services and Border Force officers.

All 35 migrants on the second small boat were rescued by the coastguard and brought to safety at Dunkirk Port.

A group of migrants were also seen in difficulty off the coast of Sangatte on Wednesday morning.

The French coastguard attended the scene and escorted the seven migrants and their boat safety back to Dunkirk, where they were met by emergency services and Border Force officers.

The coastguard were also called to a small boat carrying migrants in trouble off the coast of Calais.

There have also been multiple reports of a small boat carrying a dozen migrants landing on a beach in Hythe, Kent. Local residents reported seeing a boat landing at around midday today and a heavy police presence in the area afterwards. Pictured: Police speak to a group of migrants near the Hythe Imperial Hotel today

There have also been multiple reports of a small boat carrying a dozen migrants landing on a beach in Hythe, Kent. Pictured: Sunseekers and holidaymakers enjoy the nice weather at Hythe beach today

They attended the scene and took on board the 37 migrants, before taking them back to France.

Border Force officials and members of the emergency services met the migrants at Calais Port.

The Prefecture Maritime de la Manche said: 'All the migrants are safe thanks to the teams working daily to save lives: the navy, the coastguard and other boat users.

'We want to warn migrants who intend to cross the Channel that it's one of the busiest stretches of water in the world, where the weather conditions are often difficult and therefore pose a risk to life.'

It is understood another two boats tried the crossing today but conditions are said to be choppy at sea. It is understood they were escorted back to Calais.

Following days of bad weather in the Dover Strait, lighter conditions on Thursday have seen a flurry of crossing attempts.

The dangerous sea journey from France - made by more than 10,000 people including children so far in 2021 - has claimed many lives in the past.

Among them were Rasoul Iran-Nejad and his wife Shiva Mohammad Panahi, who died along with their three children when their boat capsized on October 27, 2020.

Their 15-month-old son Artin was reported missing following the tragedy and it was not until June this year that police confirmed a body found on the Norwegian coast was that of the young boy.
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The Pentagon is sending 3,000 troops back into Afghanistan to help evacuate personnel from the US embassy amid the Taliban's surging encroachment on the capital city of Kabul.

Those 3,000 troops, part of three infantry battalions, are in addition to the over 650 US service members still currently stationed in Afghanistan.

Another 3,500 to 4,000 reserve forces will be stationed in Kuwait on standby, and another 1,000 will go to Qatar to help with Special Immigrant Visa processing.

The latest move follows furious criticism of the Biden's administration troop withdrawal that has allowed the Taliban to run rampant across the country and capture 12 provincial capitals in a week. There are also reports the terrorists are executing Afghan troops the US left to fight.

On Thursday, Taliban fighters had captured Afghanistan's third largest city, Herat. Hours later, the militant group captured Kandahar, the nation's second largest city behind Kabul, giving them control of 12 of 34 provincial capitals.

By Friday the insurgents seized Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand Province in the south, with the Afghanistan government rapidly losing control of the country.

Just three major cities are believed to be under government control, and the terrorists are now in a position to advance on Kabul.

Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said on Thursday: 'We believe this is it the prudent thing to do given the rapidly deteriorating security situation in and around Kabul.'

The economic centres of Kandahar, Afghanistan's second biggest city, and Lashkar Gah - the capital of the southern province of Helmand - were the latest to fall to the insurgency, prompting questions over how long the capital Kabul will hold out. Pictured: Taliban fighters in a vehicle along the roadside in Herat on Friday

A Taliban fighter holds a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) along the roadside in Herat, Afghanistan's third biggest city, on Friday after the US announced it was sending 3,000 troops back into Afghanistan

Kirby said the mission is to reduce the civilian personnel presence at the US embassy in Kabul by the end of the month. He said he wouldn't speculate what the military 'footprint' would look like in Afghanistan beyond August 31. However, he said President Biden's Aug. 31 deadline to withdraw US forces still stands.

Kirby specified the new deployment was part of a 'narrowly-focused mission of safeguarding' but refused to say whether the 3,000 troops would be included in that deadline.

State Department spokesman Ned Price said the embassy would continue to focus on counterterrorism, furthering peace and security and consular work, especially facilitating Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) for Afghans who worked to help the US military over the past 20 years.

He said those who are leaving are 'those who might be able to perform functions elsewhere in the world' or who 'may not be necessary to perform functions.'

Price refused to classify the clear-out as an 'evacuation,' and stressed it's a withdrawal of civilian personnel.

Price also stressed that US troops were there strictly to help embassy personnel leave the country safely. 'This is not about re-engaging in military conflict in Afghanistan.'

At the same time, the United Kingdom is sending 600 troops back to Afghanistan to help British nationals to evacuate the nation.

'We are in no way abandoning the people of Afghanistan. Far from it. We are going to continue doing everything we can,' he added, when asked what kind of message the Taliban should take from the withdrawal.

Taliban militants are seen inside the Ghazni city, eastern Afghanistan, Aug. 12, 2021. Taliban militants Thursday overran Afghanistan's eastern Ghazni province's capital city Ghazni, 150 km from the national capital Kabul

Pleas to leave the embassy untouched seem to go against the president's public assurances that he has still has faith Afghan forces can hold on to Kabul.

The Taliban has taken the city of Ghanzi, just 80 miles south of Kabul, and Herat in the west of the country. The fall of Ghanzi means Islamist fighters now control the main highways leading both north and south out of the capital Kabul. Herat is the country's third largest city and was the 11th provincial capital to fall in a week

Still, with the US drawdown, Afghan interpreters for the US are terrified they may never get their chance to flee as the Taliban put a target on their backs.

James Miervaldis, board chairman of No One Left Behind, a non-profit that works to relocate foreign interpreters for the US, said the organization was disheartened by the escalating situation but had secured a $500,000 private grant to fly as many families out of Afghanistan as they can commercially.

'We have been trying to avoid this outcome in Afghanistan for eight years - through three presidential administrations, seven congresses, seven secretaries of defense, and five secretaries of state... yet here we are. No One Left Behind and patriotic private citizens will fly out as many SIV recipients as possible. We will keep our moral obligation to our allies.

Earlier, it was reported American negotiators were seeking assurances from the Taliban that the militant group will not go after the US embassy if they overtake Kabul.

The effort, led by Zalmay Khalilzad, the chief American envoy in negotiations with the Taliban, seeks to avoid an evacuation of the embassy's nearly 4,000 employees, including, 1,400 Americans, two US officials told the New York Times.

Khalilzad is working to convince the Taliban the embassy must remain open if they hope to ever receive any form of American aid as part of a future Afghan government.

The State Department last week warned US citizens to get out of the war-ravaged nation immediately.

Khalilzad arrived in Qatar on Tuesday to warn Taliban officials that their government would not be recognized.

Pleas to leave the embassy untouched seem to go against the president's public assurances that he has still has faith Afghan forces can hold on to Kabul.

Taliban fighters could isolate Afghanistan's capital in 30 days and possibly take it over within 90, a U.S. defense official told Reuters citing intelligence reports as the resurgent militants made more advances across the country.

'But it is not a foregone conclusion,' the official said, adding that Afghan Security Forces could reverse course by surging their resistance.

'They've got to fight for themselves, fight for their nation. The United States will insist to continue the commitments ... they've got to want to fight. I think there's still a possibility,' Biden said on Monday of the Afghan military.

'I do not regret my decision' to withdraw, the president continued.

The Biden administration has faced intensifying pressure as swelling Taliban advances draw more public condemnations of the decision to withdraw.

'All of this is a result of President Biden believing he knows more than his military advisors. President Biden apparently learned nothing from Iraq. When it comes to Afghanistan, the worst is yet to come.' Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., wrote on Twitter Thursday.

'A vacuum is being created in Afghanistan for the reemergence of ISIS and al-Qaeda who will attack U.S. interests. America is perceived as an unreliable ally throughout the world. Russia, Iran, and China will become stronger in the region,' he continued.

All of this is a result of President Biden believing he knows more than his military advisors.



President Biden apparently learned nothing from Iraq. When it comes to Afghanistan, the worst is yet to come.  Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) August 12, 2021

Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said in a statement Biden is 'completely detached from reality.'

'Instead of devising and implementing a strategy to responsibly withdraw our troops and ensure that Aghanistan never again becomes a safe harbor for terrorists, President Biden set an entirely arbitrary deadline.'

'Because of the president's disastrous decision, security within Afghanistan has collapsed to the point where the Department of State is evacuating embassy personnel from the country and the Department of Defense is deploying some 3,000 troops to assist in the evacuation process. We are now seeing the world's most powerful country pleading with Taliban terrorists not to attack American citizens or murder the Afghans who had worked toward a free and democratic future.'

Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., a notorious hawk who has long been opposed to leaving Afghanistan, called the withdrawal an 'unconditional surrender.'

'Americas enemies know that the slogan ending endless war actually means unconditional surrender. That is what we are seeing in Afghanistan today. American weakness is dangerously provocative,' Cheney wrote on Twitter.

U.S. warplanes have launched strikes in support of government troops in recent days but the Pentagon has yet to say whether they will continue to offer air support once Biden's withdrawal deadline has passed.

The recent onslaught represents a stunning collapse of Afghan forces and renews questions about where the over $830 billion spent by the US Defense Department on fighting, training those troops, and reconstruction efforts went - especially as Taliban fighters ride on American-made Humvees and pickup trucks with M-16s slung across their shoulders.

The insurgents have no air force and are outnumbered by U.S.-trained Afghan defense forces, but they have captured territory with stunning speed. The Taliban wants to defeat the U.S-backed government and reimpose strict Islamic law.

In just the latest warning of atrocities being perpetrated by jihadist fighters in areas they have seized, the US now claims that Taliban fighters are executing Afghan troops who surrender.

'We're hearing additional reports of Taliban executions of surrendering Afghan troops,' the US embassy in Kabul tweeted on Thursday. 'Deeply disturbing & could constitute war crimes.'

Taliban fighters are also going door-to-door and forcibly marrying girls as young as 12 and forcing them into sex slavery as they seize vast swathes of the Afghanistan from government forces.

Jihadist commanders have ordered imams in areas they have captured to bring them lists of unmarried women aged from 12 to 45 for their soldiers to marry because they view them as 'qhanimat' or 'spoils of war' - to be divided up among the victors.

Fighters have then been going door-to-door to claim their 'prizes', even looking through the wardrobes of families to establish the ages of girls before forcing them into a life of sexual servitude.

A family including women and children rest at a makeshift camp in the Afghan capital of Kabul after fleeing fighting

Young boys rest in a refugee camp in Kabul, Afghanistan, after fleeing fighting elsewhere in the country

Fighting has displaced hundreds of thousands of Afghan civilians who have fled their homes, with thousands of those heading for the safety of government-held Kabul (pictured)

Meanwhile, White House press secretary Jen Psaki came under fire for her overly-diplomatic attitude toward the brutal militant group.

'The Taliban also has to make an assessment about what they want their role to be in the international community,' she said in an effort to nudge them to the negotiating table.

In an attempt to stop the bloodletting, Afghan diplomats in Qatar said they had approached the Taliban with a deal today that would see the group included in a national unity government in return for halting the fighting.

But such talks have been stalled for years over Taliban demands to turn the country into an Islamic emirate - and there is little reason to believe they will have softened that stance after their battlefield triumphs.

Children forced to flee their homes due to fighting in Afghanistan drink tea as they sit in a refugee camp in Kabul
A British diplomat and former Ambassador has been cleared of a domestic violence charge after his estranged wife refused to give evidence against him.

Christopher Yvon, 51, who is the UK's Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe, was due to stand trial accused of assaulting Aneta Yvon at their north London flat.

She called police to their address in Hornsey two hours after the alleged incident when Yvon fell asleep in bed.

He has always denied the charge and was found not guilty when the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) offered no evidence against him at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court.

Christopher Yvon (pictured outside court), 51, who is the UK's Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe, has always denied the charge and was found not guilty

Yvon was Her Majesty's Ambassador to Macedonia between 2010 and 2014 and the Charge d'Affaires at the British Embassy in Slovenia between 2014 and 2015.

Police were called to the two-bedroom 700,000 flat on September 17, last year and the CPS decided not to proceed with six minutes of evidence from the officers' body-worn cameras and Mrs Yvon's 999 call.

They were persuaded by a solicitor's letter from lawyer's acting for Mrs Yvon, who feared the financial implications for the family if her husband's diplomatic career was destroyed.

Yvon joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1989 and has completed diplomatic postings in Prague; Bangkok; Riyadh and Mauritius.

An expert in the fields of human rights; war crimes policy and UN sanctions Yvon was also Deputy Head of the International Organisations Department at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

There his responsibilities included UK policy regarding the United Nations; Organisation for Security and Co-Operation in Europe; the Council of Europe and the Commonwealth.

Previously the CPS rejected an application from Yvon's lawyers to drop the case on the grounds it was 'not in the public interest.'

He has since left the marital home and is now living in Kent.

There have been Family Court proceedings and Yvon is subject to a non-molestation order.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) offered no evidence against him at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court

Mrs Yvon complained the continued prosecution was affecting the health of both her and the couple's 10 year-old daughter.

Prosecutor Vijay Khuttan told the court: 'In relation to the complainant there was a desire that she be summonsed to attend the trial and give evidence, but she has failed to attend on that summons.

'The police have carried out a welfare check and there does not appear to be anything untoward. It does not appear that she is in distress.

'It clearly is not in the public interest to drag her in handcuffs from north London to the court.

'There is a letter from the complainant's solicitors and she says she does not want to attend.

'There are detailed reasons why she does not want to come to court. They are legitimate and compelling reasons and she says she has moved on.

'This is a low-level offence and he is a man of good character and proceedings would effect his career and have an effect on the family finances.

'We believe the risk is now being managed and it is not in the public interest to proceed and I am going to offer no evidence.'

Yvon continues to be subject to a Family Court non-molestation order that was made on January 8 until October, this year.

His lawyer Ellis Sareen told the court: 'I think Mr. Khuttan took a look at the material and made, from my client's position, the right decision.

'He is not legally-aided and I ask for costs.'

The court awarded Yvon his private defence costs.
A permanent furlough system should be baked into the UK economy to help workers see off the impact of future crisis, union leaders demanded today.

The TUC called for a 'daughter of furlough' scheme based on Rishi Sunak's eye-wateringly expensive Job Retention Scheme.

It argues that climate change, technological change and the threat of future pandemics mean that such a scheme may be required in future.

It argues that such a scheme would lessen the impact on the economy in terms of lowering unemployment, boost recovery through support of retail spending and 'prevent widening inequalities', which see women, disabled workers and minorities become the first to lose jobs.

However the eye-watering outlay is likely to raise eyebrows at the Treasury. The furlough scheme has cost the taxpayer around 66billion over the past 18 months and is due to be wound down at the end of September - six weeks' time.

But TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said: 'The pandemic shows how an unexpected economic shock can wreak havoc on jobs and livelihoods with little warning.

The TUC called for a 'daughter of furlough' scheme based on Rishi Sunak's eye-wateringly expensive Job Retention Scheme.

Mr Sunak's furlough scheme has cost the taxpayer around 66billion over the past 18 months and is due to be wound down at the end of September - six weeks' time.

'In a changing and unpredictable world  as we battle climate change and new technologies emerge  a permanent short-time working scheme would help make our labour market more resilient and protect jobs and livelihoods.

'Too often in the past, periods of economic and industrial change have been badly mismanaged  increasing inequalities and leaving working people and whole communities abandoned.

'Setting up a ''daughter of furlough'' to provide certainty to workers and firms through future industrial change would be a fitting pandemic legacy.

'Furlough has been a lifeline for millions of working people during the pandemic. Now is the time for the government to build on the success of furlough with a short-time working scheme  not throw away its good work.'

Ms O'Grady's comments come after MPs warned taxpayers will pay the price of Covid 'for decades' to come with the cost of Government measures already surpassing 370 billion.

The TUC's plan includes:

Workers getting 80 per cent of their wages, plus a guarantee that their pay for normal hours will not fall below the minimum wage

Any worker working less than 90 per cent of their normal working hours must be offered funded training.

Agreements between firms and workers negotiated by unions of recognised internal consultation mechanisms.

A commitment by business that to get on the scheme they pay UK corporation tax and pay out no dividends to shareholders

Discussing the upcoming end to furlough, Ms O'Grady added: 'The jobs market is still fragile, with more than a million people still on furlough.

'An abrupt and premature end to the furlough scheme will needlessly cost jobs and harm our economic recovery.

'Instead of pulling the rug out from under the feet of businesses and workers, the chancellor must extend the furlough scheme for as long as is needed to protect jobs and livelihoods.'

The calls come just a month after MPs warned taxpayers will pay the price of Covid for decades.

The government racked up another 22.8billion of liabilities, the second highest on record for June - but down from 28.2billion a year earlier

The amount of debt sat at an eye-watering 2.2trillion at the end of June, or around 99.7 per cent of GDP, the highest ratio since the 102.5 per cent recorded in March 1961

Closely-watched PMI figures suggested the economy has drastically slowed down in June- with managers blaming shortages of workers and raw materials

Last month, two reports from the Commons Public Accounts Committee (PAC) released on Sunday slammed the Government's spending on unusable personal protective equipment (PPE).

The reports also warned that an inquiry into the pandemic and its handling by the government - expected next year - will not come quick enough to learn the lessons needed.

The PAC said the taxpayer would be exposed to 'significant financial risks for decades to come' - putting the Covid bill to date at 372 billion.

OBR says pension costs will fall due to Covid deaths Excess deaths as a result of coronavirus will reduce spending on the state pension and increase inheritance tax receipts, according to analysis of Budget data. More than 144,000 deaths involving Covid-19 have occurred in the UK since the start of the pandemic, figures published by the UK's statistics agencies show. Most coronavirus deaths have been in people aged over 65, many of whom will have been receiving the state pension. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) estimated that will partly cause the Government's pensioner spending to fall by 600million in 2020/21 and 900 million in 2021/22, relative to its March 2020 forecast. While the fiscal watchdog said the 'primary driver of lower spending is the weaker outlook for average earnings growth', excess coronavirus deaths have also reduced the number of people receiving pensions relative to previous assumptions. 'Indeed, with virus-related deaths rising sharply again in recent months, we have revised up the number of excess pensioner-age deaths in 2020-21 from 90,000 in our November forecast to around 100,000 in this one,' the OBR said in its report alongside the Budget. 'This revision may appear small given the severity of the current wave, but the lockdown brought in to control the coronavirus has also dramatically reduced the number of influenza deaths this winter relative to a normal year. 'Our forecast now also assumes some excess deaths in 2021-22, drawing on academic modelling published alongside the Government's road map. 'Excess deaths lower pensioner spending by 0.6 billion in 2020-21 and by 0.9 billion in 2021-22 relative to our March 2020 forecast.' On inheritance tax, the Treasury forecasts that receipts will increase from 5.1 billion in 2019/20 to 6 billion in 2021/22, before falling to 5.8 billion the following year. While the rise is attributed to the freeze of inheritance tax thresholds until April 2026 and the growth in the value of estates, higher Covid-19 deaths will also contribute. The OBR said it had 'revised up our assumption for excess deaths this year and next relative to November'. It said that 'higher virus-related deaths in the current wave of the virus have outweighed the effect of lockdown reducing deaths from other causes, particularly from influenza and other respiratory diseases'. However, the OBR said receipts have been 'revised down substantially relative to our pre-pandemic forecast thanks to lower equity prices and lower house prices'. 'The effect of these on growth in the value of estates more than offsets the small lift to receipts due to the increase in deaths this year,' the watchdog said. Advertisement

The committee also 'remains concerned that despite spending over 10 billion on supplies, the PPE stockpile is not fit for purpose'.

It added that as of May this year, out of 32 billion items of PPE ordered by the Department of Health and Social Care, some 11 billion had been distributed, while 12.6 billion remain in storage.

Meanwhile some 8.4 billion on order from other parts of the world have still not arrived to Britain.

But MPs were concerned the stockpile was costing around 6.7 million a week to store, with potential waste levels 'unacceptably high'.

Dame Meg Hillier, chairwoman of the Public Accounts Committee, said: 'With eye-watering sums of money spent on Covid measures so far, the Government needs to be clear, now, how this will be managed going forward, and over what period of time.

'The ongoing risk to the taxpayer will run for 20 years on things like arts and culture recovery loans, let alone the other new risks that departments across Government must quickly learn to manage.'

A promised public inquiry into the pandemic is not expected to start until spring next year, and will likely be long-running.

The PAC report said it was 'clear that Government cannot wait for the review before learning important lessons' and must instead present a Covid recovery plan in the autumn spending review.

Dame Meg added: 'If coronavirus is with us for a long time, the financial hangover could leave future generations with a big headache.'

It came as PMI figures suggested the economy has drastically slowed down last month - with managers blaming absence of workers and shortages of raw materials. Although the index indicated growth continuing, the reading was the lowest since the lockdown started easing in March.

In June figures revealed the UK debt pile hit 2.2trillion - the highest relative to GDP since 1961 - but borrowing started to ease as the economy recovered.

The government racked up another 22.8billion of liabilities, the second highest on record for June - but down from 28.2billion a year earlier.

Although the figure was slightly above the expectations of analysts, it was below the estimates from the OBR watchdog in the spring, giving Rishi Sunak some much-needed breathing room.

In a worrying sign, the official data showed that the government spent 8.7billion on interest payments for its debts - up from just 2.7billion in June 2020 as rates have increased.

The Chancellor pointed to the huge package of support he had implemented to shore up jobs and businesses, but stressed he was taking 'tough choices' to get debt back under control.

According to the Office for National Statistics, borrowing so far this financial year has reached 69.5billion since the end of March  49.8billion less than the same period a year ago

The ONS revised down estimates for borrowing in April and May, by 2.9billion and 3.7billion respectively, with National Insurance tax revenues higher than previously thought as pandemic restrictions have eased.

It also revised down borrowing for the financial year to the end of March again, by 1.5billion to 297.7 billion, though this was still the highest since the end of the Second World War and equivalent to 14.2 per cent of GDP.

The amount of debt sat at an eye-watering 2.2trillion at the end of June, or around 99.7 per cent of GDP, the highest ratio since the 102.5 per cent recorded in March 1961.

Speaking at the time Mr Sunak said: 'I'm proud of the unprecedented package of support we put in place to protect jobs and help thousands of businesses survive the pandemic, and that we are continuing to support those who need it.

'However, it's also right that we ensure debt remains under control in the medium term, and that's why I made some tough choices at the last Budget to put the public finances on a sustainable path.'

The ONS said central government receipts in June hit 62.2billion  a 9.5billion or 18 per cent increase year on year, which was driven higher by a 22 per cent jump in tax revenues to 45.5billion amid the wider economy rebound.

Borrowing in 2021-22 is looking likely to undershoot the 234billion predicted by the OBR at the March Budget due to the marked recovery.

But while debt levels are coming down from last year's highs, influential think-tank the Institute for Fiscal Studies warned separately that any respite will prove short-lived for the Chancellor.

The IFS said the economy will be 3 per cent smaller than official pre-Covid forecasts by the middle of the decade as the pandemic leaves permanent scars.

Official numbers published this year showed state debt was above 2.1trillion in January

The Budget Red Book showed that while the Budget decisions mean the government spends an extra 58billion in 2021-22, by 2025-6 it is bringing in nearly 30billion more than previously expected - with Treasury officials claiming that 'goes a long way' towards balancing the books

The Office for National Statistics has said over the whole of 2020 the economy dived by 9.9 per cent - the worst annual performance since the Great Frost devastated Europe in 1709

This year the Budget Red Book showed that while policy decisions mean the government spends an extra 58billion in 2021-22, by 2025-6 it is bringing in nearly 30billion a year more than previously expected - with Treasury officials claiming that 'goes a long way' towards balancing the books.

The OBR estimates that by the end of its forecast period the government's deficit will be almost eradicated, at 900million, finally stopping debt rising.

While upping the outlook for next year, the OBR also slashed its GDP forecast for every other year until 2025, including a cut for this year to 4 per cent from the 5.5 per cent growth previously pencilled in.

This follows the biggest plunge in the UK economy for more than 300 years in 2020, with GDP tumbling 10%.

The independent forecaster also laid bare the toll on the public finances from more than 400 billion of Covid-19 support to businesses and households.

It is predicting Government borrowing will soar to 355 billion in 2020/21  lower than the 394 billion first forecast but still 17 per cent of national income and the highest level since the Second World War.

Borrowing will remain at eye-watering levels in 2021/22 at 234billion, up from the 164.2billion pencilled in before and 10.3 per cent of GDP, but will fall gradually to 2.8 per cent in 2025/25.

In his budget the Chancellor said he knew the revenue-raising measures - which will take the burden to the highest since the 1960s - would be 'unpopular'.

But Mr Sunak insisted the alternative of 'doing nothing' was not right, pointing out the bulk of the measures will not be implemented until the recovery is well established.
The CEO of Time's Up has apologized for helping draft a letter to discredit one of Andrew Cuomo's accusers - but is still refusing to resign from the charity for sexual harassment victims.

Tina Tchen posted a lengthy statement on the organization's website Wednesday saying she was 'profoundly sorry' for backing the disgraced governor and asking for 'input from the survivor community' to help them do better.

Tchen claimed she had no knowledge the letter was 'part of an ongoing effort to undermine the survivors' until New York Attorney General Letitia James' office released its damning report last Tuesday.

Instead, she claimed the charity was 'used as cover for heinous actions' going on inside Cuomo's office and 'to distract and distort the actual legal and moral violations that occurred.'

'I would never participate in or condone, in any way, such an attack or strategy,' she insisted.

Tchen has been facing calls to stand down from the charity she founded in 2017 at the height of the #MeToo movement after her alleged ties to Cuomo's behaviors emerged.

James' report found that Cuomo's staff sought the help of Tchen and Time's Up Legal Defense Fund founder and board chair Roberta Kaplan while drafting a letter denying allegations made against the governor by former aide Lindsey Boylan.

Kaplan resigned from her role at Time's Up Monday in the wake of the scandal with the organization saying in a statement that her exit was 'the right and appropriate thing to do.'

The CEO of Time's Up has apologized for helping draft a letter to discredit one of Andrew Cuomo's accusers - but is still refusing to resign from the charity for sexual harassment victims. CEO Tina Tchen pictured

Cuomo announced his resignation Tuesday (above) after the release of NY AG James' report

Tchen made no reference of the mounting calls for her own resignation in Wednesday's apology as she admitted that her actions had caused 'added pain or harm to survivors.'

'To the survivors in our organization, the TIME'S UP network, and throughout our communityI am sorry,' she wrote.

'As someone working to combat sexual harassment and sexual violence, support survivors, and advance gender equity, the last thing I want any of my actions to do is to cause added pain or harm to survivors.

'And yet, I now know that some of my actions have done just that. For that I am profoundly sorry.'

Tchen said she found it 'deeply disturbing' to know she had caused 'harm' to the community the organization seeks to protect and understood that the 'news and events of the past week hurt, triggered, and disappointed many of you.'

She said the organization had worked closely with the governor because she genuinely believed 'his office was interested in doing the right thing for women.'

'In 2019, TIME'S UP worked with the New York Governor's office to ensure the passage of the New York Safety Agenda, legislation that has enacted major improvements in the state laws on sexual harassment, sexual assault, and sexual abuse,' she wrote.

Tina Tchen posted a lengthy statement on the organization's website Wednesday (above) saying she was 'profoundly sorry' for backing the disgraced governor

'When our then-Board Chair Robbie Kaplan contacted me about actions in Cuomo's office, I responded believing that, as they had been in the past, his office was interested in doing the right thing for women.'

She professed innocence over the letter's purpose of discrediting Boylan's allegations.

'The facts revealed in the Attorney General's findings  that the letter was drafted by Cuomo as part of an ongoing effort to undermine the survivors  were completely unknown to me until the investigation's report was released,' she said.

'I would never participate in or condone, in any way, such an attack or strategy.

'I believe we were used as cover for heinous actions going on behind the scenes and, more recently, being used to distract and distort the actual legal and moral violations that occurred.'

Despite her claims she was not aware of the letter's true purpose, Tchen admitted this 'in no way excuses my oversight and mistakes in failing to protect survivors and our work.'

She added: 'I recognize that similar scenarios may have played out in the past that I failed to see for what they were.'

Tchen went on to ask the Time's Up community for feedback to help the charity 'move into a chapter where we both fight for accountability externally and model it internally, and where we are moving in lockstep with our partners and allied communities toward the goals we're collectively trying to achieve.'

Cuomo's first accuser Lindsey Boylan called on Tchen to resign from the charity after she issued the apology

Her apology was dismissed by Boylan who called on the president and CEO to quit saying that 'no trust' can be regained.

'You can start by resigning @Tina Tchen],' Boylan tweeted.

'So too should any employees engaged in silencing & diminishing survivors. No trust can be built from this place.'

She added: 'No trust can be built from this place. @TIMESUPNOW should take a cold hard look at their benefactors and ask themselves if the real cost is worth the support.'

On Monday, a collective of about 30 sexual assault survivors and victims wrote an open letter calling for a third-party investigation into Time's Up and a return of donations following the findings of James' report.

'We write to you as a collective group of survivors and victims who believe TIME'S UP is failing the survivor community,' the letter said.

Tchen claimed she had no knowledge the letter was 'part of an ongoing effort to undermine the survivors' until James released the damning report last Tuesday (pictured)

'We believed in your mission and hoped that your investment in eradicating sexual assault and harassment in the workplace would change the tide to support us as we came forward, but we are disappointed.'

The letter said Tchen and Kaplan 'weaponized their knowledge of survivors experiences' to help Cuomo and his office discredit Boylan.

'Instead of helping survivors remain at the center of our own stories, we find out in the press that you were consulted by abusers to aid them in victim-blaming and undermining our ability to come forward,' the letter said.

'This behavior harms all survivors. This behavior discourages survivors from seeking support and speaking out and causes ripples of distrust felt throughout our movement.'

It also called for a third party investigation 'illustrating the full extent to which Time's Up board members and staff members have been approached by, offered advice to, or are representing perpetrators of harm' and a return of donations 'by individuals and corporations that have active allegations of sexual harassment, sexual assault, or are litigating in opposition to survivors.'

The Human Rights Campaign also said it was launching an internal investigation over the advocacy organization's leader Alphonso David's inclusion in the attorney general's report.

Kaplan stood down Monday, citing her work counseling Cuomo and his former top aide Melissa DeRosa throughout the attorney general's investigation in her resignation letter.

James' report found that Cuomo's staff sought the help of Tchen and Time's Up Legal Defense Fund founder and board chair Roberta Kaplan (pictured) while drafting a letter denying allegations made against the governor by Lindsey Boylan. Kaplan resigned Monday

Roberta Kaplan, Julianne Moore, Andrew Cuomo, Mira Sorvino and Michelle Hurd are seen during the signing of New York State legislation extending the stature of limitations for rape ni 2019

Cuomo's office drafted a letter discrediting Boylan and her allegations.

The letter, which was never published, 'denied the legitimacy of Ms. Boylan's allegations, impugned her credibility, and attacked her claims as politically motivated', James' report said.

The report said that DeRosa testified that Cuomo told her to seek help from Kaplan over the letter.

'According to Ms. DeRosa, Ms. Kaplan read the letter to the head of the advocacy group Times Up [Tchen], and both of them allegedly suggested that, without the statements about Ms. Boylan's interactions with male colleagues, the letter was fine,' James said in her report.

Cuomo also partnered with Time's Up on numerous occasions as governor as he publicly tried to create an image as a supporter of women's rights.

Lindsey Boylan (pictured) was the first woman to publicly accuse Cuomo of sexual harassment

Cuomo resigned Tuesday - one week after James' report found he sexually harassed at least 11 women - including nine state employees.

The report also found he retaliated against one woman - Boylan - for coming forward with her accusations.

Cuomo still faces at least three criminal investigations, with the District Attorneys of Manhattan, Albany and Westchester all opened criminal investigations into Cuomo's conduct last week and urged women to come forward.

Since then, one woman - Brittany Commisso - has filed a report with the Albany Sheriff's office.

Commisso is named as 'executive assistant number one' in James' report. She has accused the governor of groping her breast at the executive mansion in November.

Cuomo also faces lawsuits over his behavior with Boylan saying she intends to sue him.

He may also still be impeached by state lawmakers to prevent him ever taking office again.
Republican Rep. Dan Crenshaw was heckled Wednesday night by a member of his own party after he told a crowd at an Illinois fundraiser that former President Donald Trump wasn't a victim of election fraud.

'There's certain states with problems, but don't kid yourself into believing that's why we lost, it's not. It's not,' the Texas lawmaker said. 'It's not, I'll tell you openly.'

Bobby Piton, a fringe GOP Senate candidate trying to challenge Democratic Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth, shouted at Crenshaw, 'you're wrong.'

Rep. Dan Crenshaw was heckled Wednesday night at a GOP fundraiser in Illinois after he told the crowd that former President Donald Trump wasn't a victim of election fraud

'I have plenty of proof. I have proof in Arizona, Pennsylvania and Georgia,' Piton claimed.

Piton, a supporter of the QAnon conspiracy theory, launched a Senate bid after appearing as an 'expert witness' in Arizona at one of Rudy Giuliani's hearings promoting false claims of election fraud.

Going back-and-forth with Crenshaw, Piton said, 'And guess what, it's going to turn out and it's going to flip. You watch.'

Piton's pinned tweet proclaims, 'President Trump will be back in the White House this year!!!'

'It won't, it won't - and you've got to flip all five states,' Crenshaw said.

'Is there a lot of voter fraud? There probably is. Enough that Trump won? Absolutely not,' the Texas Republican continued.

'Five different states? Hundreds of thousands of votes. You're kidding yourself,' Crenshaw added.

Piton took to social media afterward to highlight the exchange.

Longshot Senate hopeful Bobby Piton trolled Crenshaw at the event and then took to social media to highlight the exchange

'I'm grateful I could expose yet another corrupt politician. Calling him a RINO is too polite. He seems to be crossing over to traitor status; putting globalist interests ahead of our United States of America,' Piton tweeted.

In another tweet Piton nicknames the Texas Republican #CommieCrenshaw and goes after him for blaming the right-wing Freedom Caucus for derailing immigration reform during the Trump years.

'Beyond disappointed in him and the GOP of IL is truly lost if this is who they think represents the future of the GOP,' Piton wrote.

Since being elected to Congress in 2018, Crenshaw has been considered a rising star of the Republican Party.

A veteran of the war in Afghanistan, serving on Seal Team 3, Crenshaw was wounded and lost his right eye, and now wears a trademark eye patch.

In April, he had emergency surgery to fix a detached retina in his left eye that was also a result of his injuries.

In the past, Crenshaw has tried to split the difference between those in his party who believe the so-called 'big lie' - that Trump was robbed a second term due to election fraud - and those like Rep. Liz Cheney, who have hammered the ex-president for pushing it.

On January 6, Crenshaw didn't join members of his party in a vote to invalidate election results in certain states.

He did, however, join in on a lawsuit by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton that challenged the results in Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan and Wisconsin because the states implemented pandemic-related voting measures that Texas claimed were unconstitutional.

A call to Crenshaw's D.C. Congressional office went to voicemail.
Lancaster Police charged Donald Meshey Jr. (pictured) with homicide after discovering his father's severed head his freezer and a his dismembered corpse in his home.

A Pennsylvania man faces homicide charges after police found his father's severed head on a dinner plate in a freezer at his home, and parts of his dismembered body all over the house.

Donald Meshey Jr., 32, allegedly stabbed father Donald Meshey, 67, to death before cutting up the body.

After being arrested, police say he told them that he had discovered a 'cadaver doll' which looked and sounded like his father, and attacked it with a knife.

Police initially came to Meshey Jr.'s home - a small apartment building near the central part of Lancaster - at around 8.50am Wednesday after a phone call from a woman asking for a welfare check on a relative, the department reported.

She allegedly told police in the call that Meshey Jr. had informed her he had found what he told her was a 'cadaver' in one of the bedrooms of his home and that there was a severed head in his freezer.

When an officer arrived on the scene, the woman told them she had personally checked inside Meshey Jr.'s home, and had seen what she believed to be the head of one of her family members in the freezer.

Police were initially called to Meshey Jr.'s home (pictured) by a relative who was concerned for his mental health

After the officer knocked on the door, police say Meshey Jr. took them into his kitchen, removed the head from the freezer and presented it to the officer on a white dinner plate, WGAL reported.

The officer then called for back-up.

Meshey Jr. was then brought to the Lancaster City Police Station, where officers say he told detectives that he had found a 'cadaver doll' that 'looked and sounded like his father' in his father's bedroom.

Cops say he admitted to then stabbing the 'cadaver doll' for 'two to three minutes' with an eight- or nine-inch knife, police said, before dismembering the body with a hand saw.

Meshey Jr. then allegedly put his father's severed arms, legs and head in garbage bags and placed them in his basement.

He later retrieved the head Wednesday morning, and placed it in his freezer, police say.

Officers say they discovered that Meshey Jr. had also placed his father's torso in a garbage bag and put it in a footlocker before transporting it to his car in a hand truck.

'You can't imagine running into something like this,' Lancaster Police Capt. Michael Winter told the WGAL.

'Obviously, it's a traumatic experience for anyone to experience, including police officers, so yeah, it's a horrific scene.'

The Lancaster County coroner confirmed that Meshey Sr. died from multiple stab wounds.

In addition to criminal homicide, Meshey Jr. is charged with abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence. He is currently being held for arraignment.


The body of Melissa Rendon, 15, was found in an Oak Park back alley around 8:30 am on August 7

The body of a Chicago teenager was found dumped in an alley after she had allegedly been drugged and raped.

Melissa Rendon, 15, recorded a series of Snapchat videos which show her in a car with three other people before she was found dead on August 6 in Oak Park.

Sergio Hernandez, 40, and Joslia Williams, 18, have been arrested in connection with her death. They've been charged with child pornography and concealment of death, according to the Chicago Tribune. Hernandez is also accused of sexual assault.

On the day she died, the trio and an unnamed witness were seen in Snapchat videos drinking and smoking in a car in Chicago's South Side, according to a bond court proffer obtained by the Tribune.

At a beach on Chicago's south side, Williams and Rendon allegedly took pills believed to be Xanax from a pill bottle containing Hernandez's blood pressure medication.

After dropping off the unidentified witness at their home around 11:30pm, Williams reportedly filmed several videos that were posted to Snapchat.

In one, the two girls are pictured drinking and smoking in the back seat of the vehicle. In another, Hernandez is allegedly filmed in the front seat of the car having sex with the 15-year-old.

Both Sergio Hernandez, 40, and Joslia Williams, 18, have been accused of child pornography and concealment of death, according to the Chicago Tribune. Hernandez was also charged with criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse

After allegedly attempting to revive Rendon when she stopped breathing, Hernandez and Williams redressed her corpse and left it in an alley (pictured) before leaving the scene, according to the Chicago Tribune.

In one, the two girls are pictured drinking and smoking in the back seat of the vehicle. In another, Hernandez is filmed in the front seat of the car having sex with the 15-year-old.

Prosecutors said that a subsequent video showed Rendon visibly unconscious, 'slumped over on the steering wheel facing [Hernandez] as[her] legs were straddled across [him],' while he had sex with her.

Still unconscious, Rendon was allegedly pushed to the back of the car in another clip. The Tribune reported that Rendon's mother was one of the recipients of this video.

Williams and Hernandez then fell unconscious, and when they awoke, Rendon was no longer breathing. After allegedly attempting to revive her, the pair redressed her corpse and left it in an alley before leaving the scene, according to the Tribune.

A resident found Rendon's body in their back alley around 8:30am on August 7.

Rendon's family said they confronted Hernandez and recorded him where he allegedly admitted to dumping the girl's body in the alley. They turned over the recordings to the Chicago Police Department, and Hernandez was arrested.

Prosecutors said that Rendon had been reported missing by her family before she was found dead.

Rendon's mother told Telemundo Chicago that she just met Williams once, and that she does not know how she and her daughter are acquainted. She told the outlet that she does not know Hernandez.

The two suspects were implicated in Rendon's death and sexual assault by Snapchat videos filmed by 18-year-old Joslia Williams

'There aren't words - I am trying to be strong for my daughter and my family,' Rendon's mother said to Telemundo Chicago. 'Honestly, I'm not sure how it happened so quick... just hug your children, support them, and tell them that you love them. I love my daughter. I miss her.'

'There aren't words - I am trying to be strong for my daughter and my family,' she said in Spanish. 'Honestly, I'm not sure how it happened so quick.'

'Just hug your children, support them, and tell them that you love them. I love my daughter. I miss her.'

'Melissa grew a love for piano over the two years of playing, she loved babies, snacking and was known for her delicious homemade chocolate chip cookies,' reads Rendon's obituary.

'She was loved and will truly be missed by many Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and friends.'

Williams was arrested by the Oak Park police department a short time later. They are both being held in Cook County Jail in lieu of $500,000 bail, according to the County Sheriff's Department.

Oak Park Police Commander Paul Kane told the Chicago Tribune that the department was waiting on a toxicology report from the Cook County Medical Examiner's office, and that additional charges could be pending for the pair.
Imagine your intimate financial details or medical conditions sitting on a complete stranger's kitchen table.

With three out four staff in government departments working from home that's exactly what's been happening.

Now wonder people fear security and confidentiality must have been compromised.

During the peak pandemic we stopped worrying about how our essential services- from issuing driving licences to renewing passports were carrying on - or in some cases barely carrying on.

There were more important things to think about, like staying safe, wearing a mask and protecting our families.

Civil servants, like the rest of us, were told to stay away from the office until it was safe. But now, with almost two thirds of the population double vaccinated, why are they so reluctant to return to work?

The government has been utterly feeble, refusing to order them to return to their desks, and a huge row is brewing in Westminster.

Civil servants, like the rest of us, were told to stay away from the office until it was safe. (Stock image)

Teachers may have finally gone back to work but the civil servants running the Department of Education seem to be operating to different rules.

Business leaders have been begging Boris to come up with a strategy or masterplan (potentially the first during his time in office) to encourage public sector workers to come back work to their offices and set an example to get Britain's economy back up to speed.

Gillian Keegan, Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills has admitted that just 25% of her staff have returned, in spite of social distancing restrictions being lifted. Next Monday marks 'freedom day' - so can we expect normal service to be resumed?

Hardly, because - according to Ms Keegan - the government is using the summer to 'sort of reintroduce people coming back'. What on earth does that mean? Why do people have to be guided through the challenges of working in an office?

It smacks of treating workers like big babies, toddlers in kindergarten. All you need to know about working in an office is where the toilets are situated, who is the office bully and who is the snitch.

Ms Keegan said that the government was allowing people to 'gradually return as they become accustomed'.

I want to weep.

Thousands of school-leavers will be looking for jobs this week, and they might well wonder why hundreds of thousands of civil servants who have already spent years in their jobs now need to be 'reintroduced' to them as if they are re-learning how to walk and use a potty.

Working in an office builds teams and social skills and reveals who is management material.

Working from home might allow you to fit in your work around child-care and school runs, but it can't be suitable for every job.

It might be acceptable for routine processing of data, but it can't be applicable to anything involving confidential information or telephone contact.

Meanwhile how do we know who is listening in to our calls about benefits, work placements, doctor's appointments or driving licence renewal? It might be someone's spouse, or their plumber, for all I know.

Business leaders have been begging Boris to come up with a strategy or masterplan (potentially the first during his time in office) to encourage public sector workers to come back work to their offices

Gillian Keegan, Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills has admitted that just 25 per cent of her staff have returned

Big businesses have been far more robust about telling workers to get back into the office, with bosses like Lord Sugar warning of the danger of allowing staff too much flexibility.

City Centres will wither and die, and thousands of small businesses that depend on office workers, like cafes and convenience stores will go under.

But it is extremely hard for the private sector to get 100% of their staff back to work if the government refuses to set any kind of example.

Flexible working is being introduced into Whitehall by stealth. There are no government guidelines, and so each ministry is making up their own.

And the FDA- the Civil Service Union - is determined that flexible working should become the norm, claiming that seven out of ten officials in Whitehall support WFH for at least three days a week.

There is no plan for how this will be achieved whilst managing to deliver the same output as before Covid came along.

After one Cabinet Minister said he thought that civil servants should be financially penalised if they choose to work from home (potentially losing the 4,000 extra 'London Weighting' they receive to offset higher cost of living), the Business Secretary was ordered to appear on the airwaves saying flexible working was perfectly ok.

Some Ministers disagree, publicly claiming that WFH damages chances of promotion.

Meanwhile it's business (or lack of it) as usual. The departments of Health, Culture, Work and Pensions and Education have all admitted only a quarter of staff are at work.

Working from home might allow you to fit in your work around child-care and school runs, but it can't be suitable for every job. (Stock image)

The other Ministries are trying to evade interrogation, only responding when forced to by Freedom of Information requests.

Can you imagine running Morrisons, Sainsbury or Tesco and allowing only a quarter of the staff to turn up? Somehow the civil service, unlike the loyal and hardworking people stacking our supermarket shelves and operating the checkout tills, are in a special category.

Last summer, there was a backlog of 400,000 applications at the Passport office, understandable in the circumstances.

As we celebrate 'freedom day' next week that mountain of mail seems to be diminishing at a very slow rate, in spite of the relaxation of travel restrictions.

A year later, it will still take at least ten weeks to renew your passport, instead of the usual three.

If you require a face-to-face interview it will take around several weeks instead of the normal three days. So don't plan a holiday abroad when it suits you, keep in mind the 'special' requirements of the civil servants working from home at the passport office.

Last year, the DVLA in Swansea was swamped, with a backlog of at least 800,000 letters waiting to be opened. So how are they coping now life is getting back to 'normal'?

It will still take six to ten weeks to renew your driving licence, even longer if you have a medical condition which requires officials to contact your GP.

This backlog - described as 'catastrophic'- is exacerbated by staff walkouts, with claims they were asked to work less than two metres apart during the peak of the pandemic.

With industrial action ongoing since last April, at least 2,000 workers are still working from home.

Surely someone in the Cabinet can see this dispute must be resolved ASAP? Or is the hapless Minister for Transport Grant Shapps on his summer holidays now?

Our supermarket chains are desperate for more lorry drivers in order to fill their shelves. Before the pandemic, the haulage industry reckoned they needed 45,000 more drivers to fulfill demand.

Now, that's grown to 76,000 - and the government needs to pass new laws making it simpler to gain an HGV licence. There's also a backlog of HGV testing appointments.

But don't hold your breath for a solution - the civil servants responsible for drafting those laws are probably working from home.

Should we pay people more to be brave and return to work?

That would be the worse possible outcome. Consumers and tax-payers - ie the public - will end up paying more for everything.

If Boris wants life to return to normal we need to go back to work. Especially privileged civil servants, with protected pensions, decent pay and zero chance of getting fired -- unless they say something unwoke.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued a denial Tuesday that his state asked the White House for a shipment of 300 ventilators, as Florida today sets a record for COVID-19 hospitalizations for the 11th day in a row.

A reporter at a COVID-19 press conference in Jacksonville confronted DeSantis about the state's hospital system being strained by the onslaught of Covid cases.

He began to push back on the question before the reporter added, 'Why are you asking for 300 respirators?'

'I didn't ask - I did not know about that so I have to check to see whether that's true or not,' the Republican governor stammered. 'I would honestly doubt that that's true, but I'll look.'

The state of Florida sent a request for the 300 ventilators to Joe Biden's government on, according to a Health and Human Services (HHS) document obtained by ABC News revealed on Monday.

The request noted that the state's supply was 'expended.'

In the same press conference DeSantis seemed to downplay the severity of Covid in his state, which by some measures is worse now than at the pandemic's peak in 2020.

DeSantis denied asking the Biden administration for the ventilators in a Monday press conference

'When they talk about Covid-positive patients in the hospital, that means anyone that's tested positive. And some - most are being treated for Covid of course - but if you go in for a procedure they're gonna test you, they test everyone that walks in, and so if you test positive you're considered a Covid-positive patient even though you may not be treated,' he said.

According to data from HHS, nearly 15,800 patients are hospitalized with Covid in Florida.

More than 30 percent of all patients in hospitals are sick with Covid as are over 50 percent of patients in intensive care units.

The surge has become so dire that officials in one county are telling residents to use 911 only if they have a 'life-threatening emergency.'

Florida's current situation demonstrates the dangers of being unvaccinated as the Indian 'Delta' variant dominates this new Covid wave.

Amid record-breaking COVID spikes, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) attempts to downplay surging hospitalizations in his state. pic.twitter.com/zOawJDcv43  The Recount (@therecount) August 10, 2021

Florida is now seeing more Covid patients in its hospitals than at any other time during the pandemic, with over 2,000 people admitted each day in the past week

Officials in Florida's Brevard County are telling residents to avoid using 911 unless in a dire emergency. Pictured: A young woman arrives outside a Covid treatment tent at one of the county's hospitals, in Palm Beach, July 20219

Florida is currently one of the nation's biggest Covid hotspots, with more patients now in hospitals than at any other time during the pandemic.

This state, along with Louisiana, has the highest Covid cases per capita of almost any state - or any country in the world.

On Wednesday, for the 11th day in a row, the state set a record for patients hospitalized with Covid at 15,796 patients.

About one-third of all hospitalized patients in the state right now are suffering from COVID-19, a higher share than any other state.

In s Brevard County county, the hospital system is so overwhelmed that local officials are asking residents to avoid emergency services if possible.

Brevard County is the tenth-most populous in the state and includes Cape Canaveral, Palm Bay, and other nearby cities.

'There is a capacity issue at our local hospitals dealing with this new surge in COVID-19,' Brevard County fire chief Mark Schollmeyer told CBS News.

'Crowding in the ERs has caused us to hold the wall and wait for our patients to offload before we run the next call.'

Schollmeyer recommended that residents try other options - such contacting a primary care physician or a telemedicine hotline - and only call an ambulance if the situation is truly dire.

'Leave emergency room and ambulance trips for those with life-threatening or serious emergencies,' he said.

The letter asking for ventilators reportedly seeks 'to replace expended state stores'

Brevard County has a case positivity rate over 20 percent, meaning that one in five county residents who get tested for Covid is receiving a positive result.

The county has seen 640 new cases for every 100,000 people in the last week, according to HHS data.

HHS classifies the county as a 'sustained hotspot.' Just 20 percent of overall hospital beds - and under 10 percent of intensive care beds - are currently available for new patients.

The number of COVID-19 patients in Brevard County has increased 25 percent in the past week.

All three hospital systems in the county have canceled elective surgeries and converted regular hospital space into Covid wards, CBS News reported.

Under half - about 49 percent - of county residents are fully vaccinated.

Over 30 percent of patients in Florida hospitals are sick with Covid, the highest share of any state

Florida's Covid spike is hitting teenagers and young adults particularly hard

While Brevard County's situation may be particularly dire, it's not unique in Florida right now.

The state overall saw about 2,300 new Covid patients yesterday alone - that's about one-fifth of all new Covid patients in the country.

At the peak of the winter Covid surge, Florida never saw more than 1,300 new Covid patients in a day.

Florida's intensive care units are particularly strained. According to the HHS, the state has 3,222 Covid patients in ICUs as of August 12.

That is more than half of all ICU patients in the state - 6,205 total.

During this crisis, 42 Florida hospitals are saying they have a critical staffing shortage right now, according to the HHS. These hospitals represent 21 percent of the total Florida facilities reporting this metric.

The recent hospitalization increase is impacting every age group, with a particularly concerning spike in young adults.

In the past week, hospitalizations in Florida's 18-29 age group have risen five-fold - from 0.8 new admissions for every 100,000 people to over 4 new admissions for every 100,000.

The dire situation in Florida demonstrates the dangers that the Delta variant poses for unvaccinated Americans, who make up the vast majority of those now hospitalized.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has banned mask mandates in schools and other settings.

Still, many local officials in the state continue to encourage residents to protect themselves against Delta through vaccination, masks, and other precautions.

'It is imperative that we pull together, we get through this and slow this curve to relieve the stress on our hospital system and our healthcare system so we can take care of everyone who gets sick,' Brevard County emergency director John Scott told CBS News.
The mother of a 23-year-old man who was allegedly beaten and raped by four police officers in Mexico claims she was bribed with $125,000 payout by the city's mayor to stop pursuing an investigation into her son's death.

Maria Ravelo alleges that Merida mayor Renan Barrera made the approach during a meeting Wednesday, exactly a week after Jose Eduardo Ravelo's death.

He died at Agustin O'Horan General Hospital last Tuesday - a week after he'd allegedly been raped and beaten to death by four police officers.

Jose Eduardo Ravelo was allegedly beaten and raped by cops in Merida, Mexico, on July 21. He died at a local hospital August 3. The 23-year-old cause of death was a result of 'multiple organ destruction syndrome and multiple trauma.' His mother, Maria Ravelo, claimed Tuesday that the mayor, Renan Barrera, offered her $125,000 so that she does not seek justice for her son's death. Four cops are in custody

Maria Ravelo said during Tuesday's meeting with Merida mayor Renan Barrera, city officials wanted 'to repair the damage. I want to think that what they were going to propose to me was to give me money and the thing that interested me the least was that'

'They told me they wanted to repair the damage. I want to think that what they were going to propose to me was to give me money and the thing that interested me the least was that,' Ravelo said, according Mexican digital news outlet La Silla Rota.

Ravelo added that she felt the mayor and city officials were looking to catch her without her lawyer present to make another proposal.

As part of the offer, she would have withdrawn the incident report she had filed with the Yucatan State Attorney General.

'I only want the guilty ones. I reiterate that there were not only four (officers responsible, there were more, including the witnesses, the bosses, they are all guilty,' Ravelo said. 'I do not have confidence in the authorities, only in the State Attorney General.'

DailyMail.com reached out to mayor Barrera for comment. Multiple text messages sent to a number listed for him were not returned.

DailyMail.com reached out to Merida, Mexico mayor Renan Barrera for comment. He reportedly offered $125,000 to Maria Ravelo, the mother of 23-year-old Jose Eduardo Ravelo, who died August 3, almost two weeks after he was allegedly raped and beaten by four cops, who are in custody. The alleged offer was made Wednesday during a meeting between Barrera, Maria Ravelo, her lawyer and city officials

Jose Eduardo Ravelo died at Agustin O'Horan General Hospital last Tuesday as a result of the injuries he sustained during the alleged July 21 attack.

In early July, he decided to move to Merida  considered one of the safest cities in all of Mexico  from Veracruz - one of the most dangerous states  as he sought new opportunities away from his hometown.

Ravelo was on his way to a job interview when the Merida Municipal Police agents stopped him near a park and tossed him inside a patrol car.

The cops allegedly beat him inside the vehicle and then continued the assault inside the police precinct before releasing him July 22.

Following the incident, Ravelo reached out to his mother seeking assistance. She eventually rushed to his side July 24 only to find him spitting out blood and took him to O'Horan General Hospital, where a doctor questioned the version of the events.

Four police offices from the Merida Municipal Police in Merida, Mexico, were arrested Saturday for their roles in the death of Jose Eduardo Ravelo. Each of the four cops were formally charged Monday with aggravated gang murder, aggravated rape and aggravated torture

Maria Ravelo recalled the doctor asking her son, 'How is it that the police raped you? Could it be that you are gay?' according to La Silla Rota.

Since the family did not have money to cover the expense of the required chest x-rays, the doctor instructed the family to visit they Yucatan State Attorney General's Office where they were told to file a report and see the prosecution's medical staff.

Tests done by a practitioner confirmed that Ravelo had been raped.

A hospital report showed he suffered extensive damage to his kidneys, skull and had blood in his lungs.

Ravelo was hospitalized several days later before dying.

A forensic report ruled his death was a result of 'multiple organ destruction syndrome and multiple trauma.'

Each of the four cops were formally charged Monday with aggravated gang murder, aggravated rape and aggravated torture.

Maria Ravelo learned her 'son was raped inside the same jail' after she spoke to a lawyer with the prosecutor's office, who showed her a video of the jail cell area in which loud screams were heard.

'He told me on the phone that it took place in the patrol car. With the facts that were presented, I understood he was raped several times in the patrol car and the jail. He only did not know how to explain everything to me.'

Mayor Barrera said there is video footage that captures the 24-hour period that Jose Eduardo Ravelo spent in police custody.

He told El Heraldo Radio on Tuesday that Ravelo was arrested for disorderly conduct in public, and added that police dispatchers had received two calls the night of incident to report that Ravelo was throwing rocks near a taxi stand in the Merida neighborhood of San Juan.
The family of a University of Maryland freshman who died in 2018 of adenovirus has filed a $100.4million wrongful death lawsuit against the school and two former officials, accusing them of concealing the respiratory infection outbreak for more than two weeks.

Olivia Paregol, 18, was immunocompromised, having been diagnosed with Crohn's disease, and developed pneumonia on November 9, 2018, as a complication of a severe strain of adenovirus - a common illness from which most people recover on their own, but which could be deadly to vulnerable patients.

Less than a week later, Olivia died in an intensive care unit at a Maryland hospital after suffering 'unimaginable pain,' according to a new court filing.

The family of University of Maryland freshman Olivia Paregol (left) is suing the school and two former officials for $100.4million, nearly three years after she died from adenovirus

The University of Maryland (pictured) is being sued for wrongful death and negligence

The 23-page civil complaint, which was filed by Olivia's parents, Ian and Margaret Paregol, on Wednesday in Prince George's County, Maryland, alleges the university had failed to inform students that the adenovirus was present on campus until after Paregol's death.

'Our family will never recover from the grief of losing our beloved, sweet Olivia,' Ian Paregol said in a statement. 'While this lawsuit seeks to bring a modicum of justice to Olivia, it is intended also to serve as a wake-up call for students and families of UMD and of other colleges and universities that have failed in their basic responsibilities to ensure the health and safety of students and staff.'

Adenovirus comes in more than 100 different strains.

WHAT IS ADENOVIRUS? Adenovirus is a respiratory infection that comes in more than 100 different strains. Like most viruses, some types can infect humans, while others cannot, some will cause nothing more than a common cold, while others can be pernicious The worst strains of a respiratory adenovirus infection can masquerade as the flu and its symptoms - sore throat runny nose, fatigue, fever, chest congestion and cough - may be every bit as miserable. Less common illnesses caused by adenovirus include bladder infection or inflammation and neurologic disease. But even then, the illness is rarely life-threatening. It typically only endangers very young children and the elderly. People with weakened immune systems, or existing respiratory or cardiac disease, are at higher risk of developing severe illness. Advertisement

Like most viruses, some types can infect humans, while others cannot, some will cause nothing more than a common cold, while others can be pernicious

The worst strains of a respiratory adenovirus infection can masquerade as the flu and its symptoms - sore throat runny nose, fatigue, fever, chest congestion and cough - may be every bit as miserable.

But even then, the illness is rarely life-threatening. It typically only endangers very young children and the elderly.

A compromised immune system, however, can change everything.

The Paregol family's lawsuit also accuses the University of Maryland, former University President Wallace Loh and former Health Center Director David McBride of failing to address a persistent mold problem at Elkton Hall, the dormitory where Olivia lived, and even covering it up by instructing maintenance workers to simply paint over the mold, or 'wipe it off.'

According to the complaint, the mold contamination in Olivia's room may have contributed to her untimely death from the adenovirus by making her cough and weakening her body.

The University Health Center previously disputed the claim that the mold problem was related to the virus outbreak.

More than 40 students were sickened by the infection, at least 15 of them requiring hospitalization, and nearly 600 students had to be temporarily relocated to hotels because of the mold contamination.

The lawsuit alleges the University of Maryland 'wantonly, recklessly and intentionally engaged in conduct with conscious disregard of applicable health and safety codes' when it placed 570 students in Elkton Hall designed to safely house about 530 students.

According to the filing, the defendants knew that the 50-year-old building's air conditioning and HVAC systems could not handle the 'excess capacity of students' and remove the higher volumes of moisture from the air, allowing for an overgrowth of mold.

The complaint alleges that university officials had failed to address a sever mold problem in Elkton Hall, the dorm where Olivia lived

Mold is seen on the ceiling of a room in Elkton Hall. The contamination had forced the school to temporarily relocated more than 500 students in 2018

'The excessive moisture created an optimal situation for hazardous mold to grow on and behind the walls and ceilings in Elkton Hall,' the lawsuit reads.

Within days of moving into her dorm room, Olivia reportedly began to see mold growth on personal items. Before long, the freshman and her roommate allegedly began to cough and experience difficulty breathing.

The student complained about the problem to university officials, who sent workers to clean off the mold.

'The Defendants knew at all time priors to the students moving in and while the students were living in Elkton hall that simply wiping off mold would do nothing to eradicate the mold infestations yet continued the pattern of willful and reckless deceit and engaged in this willful, wanton cover-up in disregard for the health, safety and welfare of the students,' the complaint alleges.

Olivia continued coughing and growing weaker through September and October, and was ultimately diagnosed with an upper respiratory infection.

A day before Olivia returned to the University Health Center on November 2 for a follow-up visit, Director McBride allegedly learned that there had been a confirmed case of adenovirus on campus, 'but he willfully and intentional [sic] withheld this critical information,' despite allegedly knowing of Olivia's compromised immune system.

The lawsuit names as defendants former University President Wallace Loh (left) and former Health Center Director David McBride (right)

Ian Paregol, Olivia's father, says he wants his lawsuit to 'serve as a wake-up call for students and families'

On November 6, Olivia was taken to Howard County General Hospital and was treated for what was believed to be bacterial pneumonia. She was released and given a prescription for antibiotics. Three days later, she was rushed back to the hospital as her condition deteriorated.

She was transferred to the ICU two days later, and was then airlifted to the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore.

On November 18, after going for 10 days with the adenovirus being untreated and enduring 'unimaginable pain,' Olivia succumbed to complications related to the illness.

The lawsuit contends that despite knowing of the adenovirus outbreak, it took Dr McBride, the head of the Health Center, 18 days to notify the students body, which he did a day after Olivia's death.

'The Defendants intentional and willful act of withholding this information from the student body was performed with reckless disregard for the lives, health and safety of Olivia Paregol and the entire student body at the University,' the complaint contents.

The lawsuit alleges negligence, gross negligence, civil conspiracy and wrongful death, and is seeking $100.4million in damages.

In the wake of the outbreak that claimed Olivia's life, the State of Maryland unanimously passed and enacted 'Olivias Law,' requiring colleges and universities to annually submit infectious disease response plans to the Maryland Department of Health.
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The British Government has said it will be sending 600 troops to Afghanistan to help British nationals flee as the taliban continue to seize territory around the country, with Kandahar and Lashkar Gah - the capital of the southern province of Helmand - the latest to fall to the insurgency.

'I have authorised the deployment of additional military personnel to support the diplomatic presence in Kabul, assist British nationals to leave the country and support the relocation of former Afghan staff who risked their lives serving alongside us,' Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said.

Wallace described the deployment was a 'pre-planned phase' to 'enable the next step of leaving'.

However, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) appeared to contradict this, saying that the additional deployment was 'in light of the increasing violence and rapidly deteriorating security environment in the country'.

Speaking on Friday morning, Wallace said was worried that Afghanistan was spiralling towards a failed state that could become a breeding ground for militants such as al Qaeda which would probably come back.

'I'm absolutely worried that failed states are breeding grounds for those types of people,' the Defence Secretary told Sky. 'al Qaeda will probably come back.'

Wallace said the West had to understand that it could not instantly fix countries such as Afghanistan but should manage situations.

He said that Afghanistan's second biggest city of Kandahar and the town of Lashkar Gah was 'pretty much now in the hands of the Taliban.'

Some 4,000 British nationals are estimated to still be in Afghanistan, according to the Foreign Office. The Sun reported that only a skeleton staff, including ambassador Sir Laurie Bristow, will remain in Kabul.

Troops will aim to secure the city's airport, where both the UK and US embassy will be relocated to, the paper reported.

The announcement from the Government came shortly before the Taliban captured Lashkar Gah, capital of the southern province of Helmand, after two weeks of heavy fighting, according to a police official on Friday.

Government and senior armed forces officials flew by helicopter out of the government's last stronghold in the city at about midnight on Thursday ahead of the capture, said the official, who declined to be identified.

'About 200 ANDSF members, who were left in the governor's compound, with the intervention of elders, surrendered to the Taliban,' said the official, referring to members of the national defence and security forces and tribal elders.

The fall of Lashkar Gah comes after Afghanistan's second and third biggest cites, Kandahar and Herat, fell on Thursday - further squeezing the country's embattled government just weeks before the end of the American military mission there.

The seizure of Kandahar and Herat marks the biggest prizes yet for the Taliban, who have taken 12 of Afghanistan's 34 provincial capitals as part of a week-long blitz.

While Kabul itself isn't directly under threat yet, the losses and the battles elsewhere further tighten the grip of a resurgent Taliban estimated to now hold some two-thirds of the nation.

The United States said on Thursday it will also send 3,000 troops to evacuate nationals from Kabul, as a rapid Taliban advance across Afghanistan saw more than a third of the country's provincial capitals fall in a week.

In this picture taken on August 13, 2021, a Taliban fighter holds a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) along the roadside in Herat, Afghanistan's third biggest city, after government forces pulled out the day before following weeks of being under siege

In this picture taken on August 13, 2021, Taliban fighters stand on a vehicle along the roadside in Herat. The British Government has said it will be sending 600 troops to Afghanistan to help British nationals flee the country

Pictured: Taliban fighters are pictured in a vehicle along the roadside in Herat, Afghanistan's third biggest city, on Friday

The Taliban has now seized around two thirds of the country from the government in a little over three months

The seizure of Herat - a strategic provincial capital near Kabul - marked the biggest prize yet for the Taliban, which has taken 11 of Afghanistan's 34 provincial capitals as part of a weeklong blitz.

Taliban fighters rushed past the Great Mosque in the historic city - which dates to 500 BC and was once a spoil of Alexander the Great - and seized government buildings.

Witnesses described hearing sporadic gunfire at one government building while the rest of the city fell silent under the insurgents' control.

An AFP correspondent filmed the Taliban flag flying over the police HQ in Herat, while the insurgents tweeted 'the enemy fled... Dozens of military vehicles, weapons and ammunition fell into the hands of the Mujahideen'.

'Right until this afternoon the situation in the city was normal,' Herat resident Masoom Jan told AFP.

'Late afternoon everything changed. They (the Taliban) entered the city in rush. They raised their flags in every corner of the city.

Herat had been under militant attack for two weeks, with one wave blunted by the arrival of warlord Ismail Khan and his forces. But on Thursday afternoon, Taliban fighters broke through the city's defensive lines.

Afghan lawmaker Semin Barekzai also acknowledged the city's fall to the Taliban, saying that some officials there had escaped.

Footage posted online showed heavily armed Taliban fighters rampaging through Herat today after they seized the strategically important third-biggest city in Afghanistan

The Taliban has captured Afghanistan's third biggest city, Herat, further squeezing the country's embattled government just weeks before the end of the American military mission there. Pictured: Taliban fighters pose for a photo in Ghazni on Thursday

Witnesses described hearing sporadic gunfire at one government building while the rest of the city fell silent under the insurgents' control. Pictured: A Taliban fighter poses for a photo in Ghazni on Thursday

Herat had been under militant attack for two weeks, with one wave blunted by the arrival of warlord Ismail Khan and his forces. But on Thursday afternoon, Taliban fighters broke through the city's defensive lines. Pictured: A Taliban fighter poses for a photo in Ghazni on Thursday

News of the capture of Herat came as the United States accused the group of executing Afghan government troops who had surrendered. A Taliban flag is seen flying in a square in the city of Ghazni on Thursday

Timeline of Afghanistan's provincial capitals falling to the Taliban Aug. 6 - ZARANJ - The Taliban take over the city in Nimroz province in the south, the first provincial capital to fall to the insurgents since they stepped up attacks on Afghan forces in early May. Aug. 7 - SHEBERGHAN - The Taliban declare they have captured the entire northern province of Jawzjan, including its capital Sheberghan. Heavy fighting is reported in the city, and government buildings are taken over by the insurgents. Afghan security forces say they are still fighting there. Aug. 8 - SAR-E-PUL - The insurgents take control of Sar-e-Pul, capital of the northern province of the same name. It is the first of three provincial centres to fall on the same day. Aug. 8 - KUNDUZ - Taliban fighters seize control of the northern city of 270,000 people, regarded as a strategic prize as it lies at the gateway to mineral-rich northern provinces and Central Asia. Government forces say they are resisting the insurgents from an army base and the airport. Aug. 8 - TALOQAN - The capital of Takhar province, also in the north, falls to the Taliban in the evening. They free prisoners and force government officials to flee. Aug. 9 - AYBAK - The capital of the northern province of Samangan is overrun by Taliban fighters. Aug. 10 - PUL-E-KHUMRI - The capital of the central province of Baghlan falls to the Taliban, according to residents. Aug. 11 - FAIZABAD - The capital of the northeastern province of Badakhshan is under Taliban control, a provincial council member says. Aug. 12 - GHAZNI - The insurgents take over the city, capital of the province of the same name, a senior security officer says. Aug 12 - FIRUS KOH - The capital of Ghor province, was handed over to the Taliban on Thursday night without a fight, security officials said. AUG 13 - QALA-E-NAW - The Taliban have captured the capital of the northwestern province of Badghis, a security official and the Taliban said. Aug 13 - KANDAHAR - The Taliban have captured Afghanistan's second biggest city of Kandahar, government officials and the Taliban said. Aug 13 - LASHKAR GAH - The Taliban have captured the capital of the southern province of Helmand, police said. Aug 13 - HERAT - Capital of Herat province in the west was under Taliban control after days of clashes, a provincial council member said. Provincial capitals being contested as of Aug. 13: FARAH - Capital of the western province of Farah. PUL-E-ALAM - Capital of Logar province in the east Advertisement

The Taliban has now seized around two thirds of the country from the government in a little over three months.

News of the capture of Herat came as the United States accused the group of executing Afghan government troops who had surrendered.

'We're hearing additional reports of Taliban executions of surrendering Afghan troops,' the US embassy in Kabul tweeted on Thursday. 'Deeply disturbing & could constitute war crimes.'

It was not immediately clear where the new reports had come from. Video taken in Faryab province last month did appear to show Taliban fighters massacring 22 Afghan commandos after they had surrendered, including the son of a prominent general.

Hundreds of government troops have surrendered to the Taliban since fighting escalated in May with the withdrawal of US troops - some without firing a shot, others after being cut off and surrounded with little or no chance of reinforcement or resupply from the government in Kabul.

In an attempt to stop the bloodletting, Afghan diplomats in Qatar said they had approached the Taliban with a deal today that would see the group included in a national unity government in return for halting the fighting.

But such talks have been stalled for years over 'unreasonable Taliban demands to turn the country into an Islamic emirate - and there is little reason to believe they will have softened that stance after their battlefield triumphs.

In a sign of the rapidly worsening situation, the US today told all of its citizens to leave the country as soon as possible by any commercial means. It comes a week after the UK gave its citizens the same advice, and after India pulled its diplomatic staff out.

On Thursday, the US said it would send troops to assist with the evacuation of civilians.

'We are further reducing our civilian footprint in Kabul in light of the evolving security situation,' US State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters, while noting the embassy would remain open.

Price added the US would also start sending in daily flights to evacuate Afghan interpreters and others who assisted the Americans and are fearful for their lives due to the Taliban's sweeping offensive across Afghanistan.

Earlier on Thursday, it was announced the jihadists had taken the city of Ghazni, located just 80 miles from Kabul and along the main highway to the south. The Taliban already controls the main highway going north, and is tightening the noose on what could soon become Ghazni's last stronghold.

The capture of Ghazni, meanwhile, cuts off a crucial highway linking the Afghan capital with the country's southern provinces, which similarly find themselves under assault as part of an insurgent push some 20 years after US and NATO troops invaded and ousted the Taliban government.

Thousands of people have fled their homes amid fears the Taliban will again impose a brutal, repressive government, all but eliminating women's rights and conducting public amputations, stonings and executions. Peace talks in Qatar remain stalled, though diplomats met throughout the day.

Lashkar Gah, capital of Helmand, appears on the verge of falling to the Islamists after a huge IED explosion destroyed part of the police headquarters on Wednesday and allowed fighters to capture it

The latest US military intelligence assessment suggests Kabul could come under insurgent pressure within 30 days and that, if current trends hold, the Taliban could gain full control of the country within a few months.

The Afghan government may eventually be forced to pull back to defend the capital and just a few other cities in the coming days if the Taliban keeps up its momentum.

The onslaught represents a stunning collapse of Afghan forces and renews questions about where the over $830 billion spent by the US Defense Department on fighting, training those troops, and reconstruction efforts went - especially as Taliban fighters ride on American-made Humvees and pickup trucks with M-16s slung across their shoulders.

Afghan security forces and the government have not responded to repeated questions from journalists over the days of fighting, instead issuing video communiques that downplay the Taliban advance.

The jihadists said Lashkar Gah was briefly captured on Wednesday, but later revised to say that fighting is still ongoing and the city is not fully under their control.

A huge IED exploded near the main police headquarters yesterday, sending a plume of smoke into the sky and partially destroying the outer walls - allowing Taliban fighters to stream inside.

Multiple police officers were killed, the jihadists said, but some government troops managed to escape the slaughter and made it to the governor's office, where they have resumed their fight.

Nasima Niazi, a lawmaker from Helmand, said she believed the Taliban attack killed and wounded security force members, but she had no casualty breakdown.

Another suicide car bombing targeted the provincial prison, but the government still held it, she said.

In Kandahar, the Taliban claimed to have captured the city's prison on Wednesday, freeing 'hundreds' of inmates which including some of its own fighters, who have now rejoined the ranks as reinforcements.

The loss of the jail is an ominous sign for government forces defending the city, which has been besieged for weeks by an assault that shows no sign of letting up.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani is trying to rally a counteroffensive relying on his country's special forces, the militias of warlords and American airpower ahead of the US and NATO withdrawal at the end of the month.

He was in the city of Mazar-i-Sharif, in the country's traditionally anti-Taliban northern strongholds, on Wednesday in an attempt to rally his men as jihadists approached its outskirts with a major offensive expected soon.

Fighting has displaced hundreds of thousands of Afghan civilians who have fled their homes, with thousands of those heading for the safety of government-held Kabul (pictured)

A woman carries her child through a refugee camp in the Afghan capital of Kabul where thousands are now living after being displaced by fighting elsewhere in the country

Children forced to flee their homes due to fighting in Afghanistan drink tea as they sit in a refugee camp in Kabul

Young boys rest in a refugee camp in Kabul, Afghanistan, after fleeing fighting elsewhere in the country

Makeshift camps are springing up around Kabul to house thousands of refugees who have fled their homes due to fighting

Families rest in a camp in Kabul after they fled their homes due to fear of the Taliban and sought shelter in government areas

With the Afghan air power limited and in disarray, the US Air Force is believed to be carrying out some series of strikes to support Afghan forces.

Aviation tracking data suggested US Air Force B-52 bombers, F-15 fighter jets, drones and other aircraft were involved in the fighting overnight across the country, according to Australia-based security firm The Cavell Group.

It's unclear what casualties the US bombing campaign has caused. The US Air Force's Central Command, based in Qatar, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday.

The success of the Taliban offensive also calls into question the outcome of long-stalled peace talks in Qatar aimed at moving Afghanistan toward an inclusive interim administration as the West hoped.

Instead, the Taliban appears to be aiming to seize power by force, threatening a split of the country into factional fighting like it did after the Soviet withdrawal in 1989.

In Doha, US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad has met with diplomats from China, Pakistan and Russia in an effort to as a group warn the Taliban they could again be considered international pariahs if they continue their offensive, State Department spokesman Ned Price said.

Khalilzad also plans to meet with Afghan government and Taliban officials as the fighting goes on without a sign of it abating.

The multiple battle fronts have stretched the government's special operations forces - while regular troops have often fled the battlefield - and the violence has pushed thousands of civilians to seek safety in the capital.

A family including women and children rest at a makeshift camp in the Afghan capital of Kabul after fleeing fighting

An internally displaced Afghan family, who fled from Takhar province due to battles between Taliban and Afghan security forces, sits inside their temporary tent at Sara-e-Shamali in Kabul

Internally displaced Afghan families, who fled from Kunduz, Takhar and Baghlan province due to battles between Taliban and Afghan security forces, walk past their temporary tents at Sara-e-Shamali in Kabul
A cadaver dog handler who searched a dorm room for signs of missing student Kristin Smart has said that the animal gave 'probably the strongest alert I've seen her do' when it entered the dorm room of her accused killer.

Handler Adela Morris told a court Wednesday how she searched Paul Flores' Cal Poly dorm room in 1996 with the animal, which is trained to detect human remains.

Paul, who was a 19-year-old Cal Poly student at the time of Smart's disappearance and is now 44, is accused of killing Smart during an attempted rape in his dorm room and has been charged with first-degree murder.

His father Ruben Flores, now 80, allegedly helped his son hide his victim's body and was charged with accessory to murder after the fact. Both have pleaded not guilty to their charges.

Smart was last seen on May 25, 1996. Her body has never been found.

Witness testimony continued Wednesday during the seventh day of the month-long preliminary hearing in the case against the father and son.

Morris testified that the cadaver dog she used to search the Cal Poly residence hall for any trace of Smart 'was absolutely one of the most trained dogs in California.'

Morris is an expert witness in cadaver dog handling having worked with her dog, Cholla, for 35 years, but the defense argued there's not enough foundation for her to testify and questions her qualifications.

Paul Flores looks on during the second day of his preliminary hearing Tuesday Aug. 3, 2021

Kristin Smart (pictured) was last seen on May 25, 1996, with Paul Flores while returning to her dorm at Cal Poly University

Adela Morris testified on Wednesday that her highly trained dog 'gave me probably the strongest alert I've seen her do' leading her straight to Paul Flores' room. Morris is pictured with one of her dogs - it is unclear whether it is Cholla, who was involved in the search

Paul and Kristin were both freshmen at Cal Poly in 1996 when she vanished. He was staying in Santa Maria Hall and she was in Muir Hall, which are 0.2miles apart - a four minute walk

Under cross-examination, Paul's defense attorney Robert Sanger asked Morris several clarifying questions about her certification.

She said that she has a certificate from CARDA (California Rescue Dog Association) and that the dogs have to be re-certified every year.

She said Cholla was first certified in 1995 and that she had to prove the dog's capabilities before earning her certification.

He also asked about her income, which is when Morris explained she founded two nonprofits - the Institute for Canine Forensics and the Canine Specialized Search Team (CSST).

She gets paid work through the Institute for Canine Forensics but CSST is all volunteer work.

In 1996, Morris and Cholla aided in the search of Paul's dorm and other locations following Smart's disappearance.

Paul (left) and Ruben Flores (right) have both pleaded not guilty to the charges in connection to Smart's murder

San Luis Obispo County Deputy District Attorney District Attorney Chris Peuvrelle argues to add to Paul's charges as he is also now suspected of other rapes

Robert Sanger is representing Paul Flores. He attempted to argue that Morris was not qualified to give her testimony which the judge denied

Morris testified on the stand that Cholla alerted her to a piece of plastic in a dumpster and showed interest around the Performing Arts Center and at the Arroyo Grande home of Paul's mother, Susan Flores.

Both defense attorneys questioned if cleaning agents could hinder a dog's detection of human remains, but Morris clarified that dogs can still pick up scent signatures.

She added that she didn't know Paul's dorm room had already been cleaned when she searched it.

Judge Craig van Rooyen also joined in the questioning and asked Morris if she thinks Cholla was reliable for detecting human remains. She responded, 'At the time, [Cholla] was one of the most trained dogs in the state.'

During cross-examination, Morris said she is unsure of Cholla's false-positive rate because they didn't track it at the time. 'I'm aware dogs can make mistakes. I'm assuming [Cholla] may have had some mistakes.'

Paul Flores, 44, was arrested in April for the murder of his former classmate Kristin Smart

Flores has previously invoked his Fifth Amendment right to not answer questions before a grand jury and in a deposition for a lawsuit that was brought against him in relation to the investigation

Sanger continued to argue that Morris doesn't have proper qualifications, was unsure of Cholla's false-positive rate, and wasn't able to testify about alerts leading to potential evidence; however, the judge ruled that her testimony would be permissible moving the discussions to the search of Paul's dorm room.

Morris says that her dog immediately alerted her to a door on the left side of Santa Lucia Hall, room #128 giving her 'the strongest alert she's ever seen her do.'

Morris says both of her dogs, Cholla and Cirque, 'strongly alerted' to the left side of the room, specifically having interest in the mattress and desk.

After searching each floor and open room in the dorm, Morris testified she returned with Cholla to Paul's room and again the dog alerted to the bed frame after detectives removed the mattress.

Sanger also questioned Morris about a letter she wrote about the dogs' alerts to a colleague before writing her report. Morris said that she was looking for advice saying she didn't speak with the other dog handlers at the scene to ensure a 'blind search.' She explained that searches are 'more powerful when you have multiple dogs alerting when the teams don't know the results.'

Ruben's attorney, Harold Mesick asked if Morris knew what the search was for at the time to which Morris replied that she knew it was in connection to Smart's disappearance, but she was not aware whose dorm room she was searching.

Flores was arrested and charged for Smart's murder in April. He had long been the top suspect in the case after being the last person to see her alive after a party during their freshman year at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo.

When Flores was arrested in April in Smart's murder, San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow revealed for the first time that investigators believed he killed the young woman during an attempted rape.

Investigators search Flores' fathers house in February of 2020 and again in March 2021

Investigators had found 'biological evidence' that Smart's body had been buried at the home but had recently been moved

Smart's family have since filed a lawsuit in San Luis Obispo County Superior Court claiming her body was buried in Ruben's yard but he moved it 'under the cover of darkness'

Paul's ex-girlfriend testified in court on Tuesday that she was told to get away from the avocado trees in Ruben's backyard during a visit to Paul's father's house

Smart, 19, was last seen alive at around 2 am on May 25, 1996 when she headed back to her dorm at the California Polytechnic State University University campus with Paul after attending an off-campus party. For 25 years, her disappearance remained a mystery while Paul was long regarded as the prime suspect.

During Tuesday's hearing, Paul's ex-girlfriend claimed he told her to 'get away' from the backyard of his father's home where cops now believe the college student's remains were buried.

The woman, identified only as Angie Doe, told the court about an incident where Paul and Ruben ordered her out of the yard of the home in Arroyo Grande sometime in the early 2000s. Prosecutors allege that, at the time, Smart's body was buried in the backyard before the father-and-son team recently moved her remains to an unknown location.

Speaking about a two-day visit at Paul's mother's house, she said she and Paul also visited his father at his home at 710 White Court in Arroyo Grande. She testified that she went for a stroll in the backyard 'just to look around' and was standing a couple of feet from the avocado trees in the yard.

She said there were about five golden retrievers under the deck at the time. At that point, she claimed both Paul and Ruben abruptly told her to get away from the area by the trees and out of the yard. 'I don't remember if it was Mr. Flores or Ruben, but they redirected me away from the avocado trees,' she told the court.

'They told me to come around [the house] and get away from that area.' She added that Paul 'just wanted me to get away from the [avocado] trees.'

Prosecutors have alleged in court documents that 'damning' biological evidence proves Smart's body was once buried in the backyard of the home. One month before Paul and Ruben's arrests in April, investigators searched the property and the grounds around it using ground-penetrating radar and cadaver dogs.

Following their arrests, investigators were seen searching the home again and dismantling a deck that leads underneath the house. Prosecutors say Smart's body was recently moved and that the two men know where her remains are. A temporary motion hearing is scheduled for August 25.
Gurkhas have been pictured on day six of their hunger strike outside Downing Street as a minister revealed he is 'not entirely sure' who from the Government has spoken with the group.

The Nepalese-born soldiers are campaigning for equal pensions for Gurkhas who retired before 1997 and are not eligible for a full UK armed forces pension.

The Support Our Gurkhas protesters reached their sixth day of not eating on Thursday, while demonstrating opposite Downing Street.

Schools minister Nick Gibb was asked on Thursday morning about what the Government is doing to help the Gurkhas.

Nepalese-born Gurkhas staging a protest outside Downing Street (above) are pictured entering their sixth day of hunger strike

The Support Our Gurkhas protesters are campaigning for equal pensions for Gurkhas who retired before 1997 and are not eligible for a full UK armed forces pension

He told Sky News: 'We do take very seriously the issue of pensions for Gurkhas.

'The Gurkhas' pension scheme, we've increased it between 10% and 25% since March 2019, we've added another 25 million in terms of providing health for Gurkhas in Nepal.

'Ministers are of course in touch with and will be in touch with those people who are concerned about pensions for Gurkhas - they are a very important part of the British Army and we've always taken very seriously the welfare and the pension of Gurkhas who have served in our armed forces.'

Serving Gurkhas, and those with service on or after July 1, 1997, could opt to transfer into the Armed Forces Pension Scheme.

The change was brought in after an amendment to immigration rules in 2007, backdated to July 1997, meant more retired Gurkhas were likely to settle in the UK on discharge, whereas the previous pension scheme had lower rates as it had assumed they would return to Nepal where the cost of living was significantly lower.

Dhan Gurung, 59, from Basingstoke, who has been protesting from his wheelchair in Whitehall said he received 20 in monthly pension whereas British counterparts received 400 or more

Change was brought in after an amendment to immigration rules in 2007, backdated to July 1997, meant more retired Gurkhas were likely to settle in the UK on discharge, whereas the previous pension scheme had lower rates

Dhan Gurung, 59, from Basingstoke, who has been protesting from his wheelchair in Whitehall near the gates to Downing Street, said: 'When I retired from the British Army, my pension was 20 a month, whereas my British counterpart received 400 or more.

'What a trick by the Government, it makes me hurt still.

'There are 5,000 veterans in Nepal living in poverty. They are working in dangerous, difficult and dirty jobs to feed their families.'

The veteran also said he and his fellow demonstrators had been 'harassed' by police, who then dismantled a gazebo.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said that on Tuesday, officers had 'engaged with the crowd and the gazebo was removed. No arrests were made'.

Dhan Gurung also said he and his fellow demonstrators had been 'harassed' by police, who then dismantled a gazebo

When asked to confirm that ministers have been in touch with the protesting group, Mr Gibb added: 'I'm not entirely sure who has met who but I do know that we are always keen to speak to people who are concerned about the welfare of our Gurkha regiment and the pensions arrangements for those soldiers.'

On Wednesday, Labour's shadow defence secretary Stephen Morgan wrote to the Government urging it to 'engage constructively' with the Gurkhas.

In a letter to Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, Mr Morgan said it had been 'over two years since the Government announced that they intended to increase pension rates for the Gurkha Pension Scheme', and over five years since the UK and Nepalese governments agreed to set up 'a process of dialogue on issues of concern to the Gurkha veteran community'.

He added: 'I would urge you to meet with these veterans, as I have in the past and will do so again this week. No veteran of the British Army should have to resort to a hunger strike to be heard.'

Gurkha men, recruited from the rugged Himalayan country of Nepal, have a reputation as hard and loyal fighters, and are known for the trademark curved kukri blades they carry sheathed on their belts

The Gurkha men, recruited from the rugged Himalayan country of Nepal, have a reputation as hard and loyal fighters, and are known for the trademark curved kukri blades they carry sheathed on their belts.

Around 200,000 Gurkhas fought in both world wars, and they have also served in places such as Hong Kong, Malaysia, Borneo, Cyprus, the Falklands, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Those who served from 1948 to 2007 were members of the Gurkha Pension Scheme until the Labour government of the time eliminated the differences between Gurkhas' terms and conditions of service and those of their British counterparts.
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The 2020 Census has revealed that America's white population is shrinking and is now less than 60 percent for the first time on record, with nearly 20million fewer white Americans alive today than ten years ago.

White Americans make up 57.8 percent of the country, according to the data that was released on Thursday, a decrease of over 6 percent since 2010.

That is the number of people who replied 'white alone, non Hispanic or Latino' to the survey. Another group who just answered 'white alone' make up 61 percent of the country, according to a data map.

The white population is still the largest in the country at 204.3 million, but that number is down from 223.6 million in 2010.

The second largest group is Hispanics which makes up 62million, or 18 percent. The third are African Americans, which represent 12.1 percent of the country. That is down from 13 percent in the 2010 census.

Generally, the population is becoming more diverse with people responding that they are of 'some other race' than white, black, Hispanic, native American, Asian, or Pacific Islander, than before.

The only states where the majority of the population is non-white are California (Hispanic majority of 39.4%), DC (black majority of 40.9%), Hawaii (Asian majority of 36.5%), New Mexico (Hispanic majority of 47.7%) and Puerto Rico, which has a population that is 98% Hispanic.

White Americans make up 57.8 percent of the country, according to the data that was released on Thursday, a decrease of over 6 percent since 2010. That is the number of people who replied 'white alone, non Hispanic or Latino' to the survey. Another group who just answered 'white alone' make up 61 percent of the country, according to a data map.

White Americans still make up the largest ethnic group in the country but it's a community that is shrinking in size. There are 19million fewer white Americans in this census than in the 2010 census

CENSUS SNAPSHOT - White population has shrunk by 5million from 2010 to 2020 and is now 57.8% - Phoenix has grown the fastest of any city in the country - NYC remains the largest city by population with 8.8million - Vermont is the whitest state, with 95.5% of the population - DC is the only state where the majority of residents are black Advertisement

Vermont is the whitest state, with 95.5% of residents reporting to be white.

'Twenty years ago if you told people this was going to be the case, they wouldnt have believed you.

'The country is changing dramatically,' William Frey, a researcher at the Brookings Institution told The Washington Post of the data.

The data also offered new details on the country's slowing rate of population growth, which is lower than it has been at any time aside from the 1930s.

More than half of all U.S. counties lost population from 2010 to 2020, census officials said.

New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston and Phoenix are the five largest U.S. cities; Phoenix, which grew faster than any other city in the top 10, surpassed Philadelphia.

The fastest-growing cities across the U.S. are in suburban areas, data showed. Buckeye, a suburb of Phoenix, saw its population increase by nearly 80% to lead the nation.

The Villages, a retirement community in Florida, is the fastest-growing metro area in the country, the census said.

The release arrived months later than originally expected after the census took longer to complete due to the coronavirus pandemic. The delay has forced some states to go to court to postpone their redistricting deadlines.

States use the data to redraw district lines for the U.S. House of Representatives after each decennial census, based on where people now reside.

The number of people who responded that they were 'white alone, not hispanic' represented 57.8% of the country but a map of the country shows 71 percent said 'white alone or in combination with another race'. This map shows where the highest white populations are

The highest African American populations are in the south. DC has the highest black population, at 40.9 percent

The largest hispanic populations are along the border and in Florida, where 25% or more of the state population is hispanic

The Asian population is among the smallest of any race. The only state where more than 20 percent reported being Asian was Hawaii

American Indian or Native American populations are in northern states like Montana and South Dakota and southern states like New Mexico and Oklahoma

In April, the bureau published state-level figures, showing that Texas, Florida and North Carolina - all states controlled by Republicans - will gain congressional seats next year based on increased populations.

Electoral analysts have said Republicans could potentially erase the Democrats' thin advantage in the House through redistricting alone.

Some experts have questioned whether the census data may have undercounted certain populations, given both the pandemic as well as the Trump administration's unsuccessful effort to add a citizenship question to the survey.

Civil rights groups had expressed concern that the failed attempt could nevertheless have dissuaded some immigrants from filling out census forms.

'While no data is perfect, we are confident that today's redistricting results meet our high data quality standards,' Ron Jarmin, the bureau's acting director, said on Thursday.
Jordan Wong, 37, was arrested on Tuesday afternoon in Honolulu

A Hawaii man has been arrested over an unprovoked attack on an elderly woman as she walked down a street in Honolulu.

Security camera footage shows a man - identified by police as Jordan Wong, 37 - intentionally knocking over Kristy Nguyen, 69, and sending her crashing into the street on August 7.

The man can be seen walking down the sidewalk of South Beretania Street at around 11:30am, wearing a blue shirt and black mask.

Nguyen is seen walking in the opposite direction, on her way home after running errands.

The man is then seen walking directly towards Nguyen, and shoving her off the sidewalk and into the street.

Nguyen is seen crashing to the floor and hitting her head before crying for help.

Nguyen was walking in the opposite direction of Wong when she was pushed off the sidewalk and fell on her head into the street

Nguyen is seen crashing to the floor and hitting her head before crying for help as the man walks away uunconcerned

But the man appears to walk away, unconcerned.

'The left side is very bad because I fell on the left side,' Nguyen told KHON2.

'At night I can't sleep. My body hurt very bad, when I move it's very painful.'

Nguyen added that she doesn't know why she was attacked and even avoided Wong as he came near her.

She claims she is now afraid to walk on that street as this is the second time within two months that she has been targeted.

Laura Lemar, an employee at Wong's Drapery, ran out to help Nguyen who sustained bruises on her wrist and complained of back pain

Another man had approached and threatened her as he held his fist to her face before he walked away.

Laura Lamar, a worker in a nearby store, witnessed the latest attack and ran to help Nguyen.



'Its horrible. I was shocked. I didnt eat for the whole day,' Lamar told Hawaii News Now.

'Shes so tiny and she was crying for a good 30 minutes. It was horrible, I was crying too.'

Nguyen said she tried to avoid Wong before he attacked her and does not know why she was targeted

She says she is now afraid to walk down that street as she has been targeted twice within two months

Another man had previously threatened her and shook his fist in her face before walking away

Lamar also reported that Nguyen sustained bruises on her wrist and was complaining about back pain.

Wong was charged on Wednesday for one count of second-degree assault and is being held on a $20,000 bail.

He is possibly looking at a five-year sentence if convicted but may face more after Gov. David Ige signed into law Act 147 on July 1.

The act makes intentionally or knowingly causing bodily injury to anyone 60 or older a Class C felony.

Steve Alm, a prosecuting attorney, said in a press release: 'Those who prey upon our kupuna will be prosecuted to the maximum extent of the law.

'We are thankful that the Legislature passed, and the Governor signed into law, Act 147, which provides much-needed protections for some of our most vulnerable residents.

'If Wong is convicted, we will be seeking the maximum prison term, not probation, to protect the safety of the public.'

A kupuna is an honored elder in Hawaii, according to Fox News.

Crimestoppers Sgt. Chris Kim told KHON2: 'Something like this, it angers people.

'The people of Hawaii definitely rallied together. They got very upset cause we all have mothers, sisters, grandmothers, aunts. It just really struck home for a lot of people.'
Pictures reveal the dramatic moment a suspected British spy was led away in handcuffs by police outside his home near Berlin after being accused of selling secrets to Russia.

David Smith, 57, who worked as a guard at the British embassy in the German capital, was arrested at his flat in Potsdam after a long running investigation by security services in Germany and the UK.

And more details about his past emerged - including his Ukrainian wife and a past job in the RAF.

German prosecutors said the Briton, who has been held on remand, is suspected of being a secret service agent and spying for the Russian intelligence service since at least November.

Before his arrest, he allegedly passed on documents he had received while at work over to the Russians, prosecutors said.

Pictures, taken by a neighbour from a nearby balcony, show Smith dressed in a blue t-shirt with his hands in cuffs in front of a uniformed and plain clothes officer.

The neighbour, who asked not to be identified, said she took the picture shortly after 3pm on Tuesday.

She said it was 'obvious' that Mr Smith was handcuffed in public and that this was an 'unusual' practice for German police.

David Smith, 57, (left in the blue t-shirt) worked as a guard at the British embassy in Berlin and was arrested at his flat in Potsdam after a long running investigation by security services in Germany and the UK

She said: 'He appeared to be in a plain silver van which was in a parking lot in the street.

'There were a lot of police and another man in civilian clothes. They were talking between themselves a lot.

'They took him out of the van and he was standing there, and then he got him back in the van.

'A short time later they took him out of the van again and led him around the corner to the area beside the flat.

'It was obvious he was in handcuffs. It is very unusual for German police to put people in handcuffs in public.

'That is when we heard some of the officers talking and saying that that they were going to have search the apartment.

'There was another black civilian van at the scene as well as a normal marked police car. Then after a short time he was returned to the van.'

The neighbour added: 'I just thought it was very strange. This is a quiet area and it is unusual to see anyone being arrested.'

The neighbour, who asked to not be named, took the picture from a balcony in Potsdam

Last night it emerged that Smith, 57, once served in the RAF before becoming a private security contractor.

He married a Ukrainian woman from Odessa around 20 years ago and they had a daughter together. The couple are understood to have separated.

A Home Office source told MailOnline that Smith worked as a G4S-style guard at the Berlin embassy.

The suspect 'on at least one occasion passed on documents he acquired as part of his professional activities to a representative of Russian intelligence,' the federal prosecutor's office said in a statement.

The Briton then received an unknown amount of cash in return, the statement said, adding that investigators have searched his home and office.

Smith was reportedly being monitored by MI5 as his alleged activities 'had been known about for some time' and it was not a 'snap arrest', according to Sky News.

The suspect worked as a 'local hire' at the embassy, which is a scheme available for UK citizens who want to work in Germany. It means that he was not a diplomat and therefore he does not have diplomatic immunity.

Pictures of Smith's flat purportedly show bookshelves crammed with Russian language books and military histories including two books about Hitler's feared SS 12th Panzer Division which committed war crimes in World War Two.

A large Russian red, white and blue flag on a pole could be seen today propped up in the corner of Mr Smith's living room with a smaller one on the floor beside a TV.

Soviet military caps showing hammer and sickle emblems on a red star surrounded by a wreath were also visible from the window.

Other memorabilia adorning the flat includes insignias of the Russian Baltic, Black Sea, Northern, and Pacific fleets, and a Russian military insignia - not fully visible - which partially reads 'technical battalion'.

Neighbours rarely saw Smith, but one said he once told her he had a military past.

The woman called Nina, who lives on the estate, said: 'He would talk about being [in the] army and things like that but never showed us medals.

'He seemed like a friendly man and loved learning about history such as that of Russia.'

On Wednesday afternoon, Smith appeared before an investigating judge at the federal court, who decided to keep him remanded in custody, reports Bild.

The Attorney General stated: 'On at least one occasion he forwarded documents that he had obtained in the course of his professional activity to a representative of a Russian intelligence service. In return for his information transfer, S. received cash in so far unknown amounts.'

As a security guard at the British embassy, Smith would have more access than other members of staff, Dr Victor Madeira, author of 'Britannia and the Bear: the Anglo-Russian intelligence wars', told MailOnline.

First images have emerged revealing the inside of suspected Kremlin spy David Smith's flat in Potsdam, Germany, which features a large Russian flag in the corner (left)

There is a Soviet officer's hat on top of his book case, with Russian-themed memorabilia on the top shelf along with a badge of the Ukrainian special police

Several Cyrillic-language books adorn the shelves, alongside insignia of the Russian Baltic, Black Sea, Northern, and Pacific fleets

The British embassy 'spy' could have done a 'lot of damage', says intelligence expert It has been revealed that the British man arrested in Germany on suspicion of spying for Russia and handing over documents for cash while working at the British Embassy in Berlin was a security guard. The 57-year-old suspect, identified as David Smith, was arrested on Tuesday in Potsdam, west of Berlin, based on cooperative investigations by German and British authorities. As a security guard at the British embassy, Smith would have more access than other members of staff, Dr Victor Madeira, author of Britannia and the Bear: the Anglo-Russian intelligence wars, told MailOnline. For instance, Smith could have access to security patrol schedules, how to arm and disarm alarm systems as well as emergency contact numbers for all staff, Dr Madeira said. 'He could potentially even have access to classified areas, depending on his own security clearance,' Dr Madeira, a Contributing Author at The Cambridge Security Initiative, told MailOnline. German online magazine Focus Online reported that he provided the Russians with documents containing information on counterterrorism. Dr Madeira, speaking about those reports, said: 'The reports that Smith passed on counter-terrorism documents suggests that Moscow could be trying see how much the UK is helping Germany tackle Russian assassinations on their soil. 'Russia could also be trying to find out what the UK and Germany may be discussing about counter-terrorism more generally, like the impact on Europe of the unrest in Afghanistan.' He explained: 'The information doesn't have to be specific to Russian activities in Germany to be of great interest to Moscow - information can be weaponised for influence operations of every kind.' Before his arrest, Smith worked as a local staff member, otherwise known as a 'local hire' at the embassy, which is a scheme available for UK citizens who want to work in Germany. It means that he was not a diplomat and therefore he does not have diplomatic immunity. Foreign embassies in most countries rely in part on these 'local hires' to fill a variety of roles. The positions are often advertised on generic job search websites in the host country - and the identity of the employer is kept vague until applicants pass an initial screening process. Local hire positions in embassies are usually in fields such as media affairs, maintenance or visa processing which do not usually give access to classified information - or if they were, it would be limited. But Smith could have been able to provide valuable information to Russia, such as WiFi passwords and staff lists including their addresses and mobile phones, Dr Madeira said. He could also have been able to form profiles of diplomats and MI6 officers stationed in Berlin. Dr Madeira said 'one of the biggest problems we have in the West is that we confuse seniority with access'. He said: 'Just because someone is 'just' a driver, 'just' a messenger, is utterly irrelevant. Just because someone is a local hire and therefore not formally a foreign service officer or a diplomat, that doesn't mean that the person couldn't have done a lot of damage. 'Anything - especially with cyber being so critical nowadays - from WiFi passwords, any sort of administrative lists like staff lists, addresses, mobile phones could be accessible. 'That would make it easier for the Russian intelligence services to track those mobile phones. 'They would be able to identify who is a genuine diplomat and who is not.' Dr Madeira warned: 'There's a real range of damage that a person like this could do. 'Let's not confuse seniority, title or status with access. It's incredible what someone who is teed up to look for certain things can pick up. 'It's a well-established, tried and tested method. Pretty much everyone does it. 'Every country will try and recruit someone working in a hostile embassy.' Advertisement

For instance, Smith could have access to security patrol schedules, how to arm and disarm alarm systems as well as emergency contact numbers for all staff, Dr Madeira said.

'He could potentially even have access to classified areas, depending on his own security clearance,' Dr Madeira, a Contributing Author at The Cambridge Security Initiative, told MailOnline.

German online magazine Focus Online reported that he provided the Russians with documents containing information on counterterrorism.

Dr Madeira, speaking about those reports, said: 'The reports that David [Smith] passed on counter-terrorism documents suggests that Moscow could be trying see how much the UK is helping Germany tackle Russian assassinations on their soil.

'Russia could also be trying to find out what the UK and Germany may be discussing about counter-terrorism more generally, like the impact on Europe of the unrest in Afghanistan.'

He explained: 'The information doesn't have to be specific to Russian activities in Germany to be of great interest to Moscow - information can be weaponised for influence operations of every kind.'

Germany's Foreign Ministry spokesman Christofer Burger said the German government took the spying allegations 'very seriously' and would follow the case closely, adding that spying on allied states on German soil is unacceptable.

Russia's embassy in Berlin said today: 'The Russian Embassy in Germany to date does not have any official information received from the German side on this issue.

'The embassy does not comment on press reports.'

Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) and Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) did not immediately reply to requests for comment.

A Western security source said the motivation of the British man was likely money. As a locally engaged staffer, he did not have access to highly classified material, the source said, adding Britain's MI5 counter-intelligence service was involved in catching him.

The Briton's arrest is the result of a joint investigation by the Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Command and their German counterparts. The investigation was 'intelligence-led', which means that investigators would have taken their time to gather evidence.

Foreign embassies in most countries rely in part on these 'local hires' to fill a variety of roles.

The positions are often advertised on generic job search websites in the host country - and the identity of the employer is kept vague until applicants pass an initial screening process.

Local hire positions in embassies are usually in fields such as media affairs, maintenance or visa processing which do not usually give access to classified information - or if they were, it would be limited.

But Smith could have been able to provide valuable information to Russia, such as WiFi passwords and staff lists including their addresses and mobile phones, Dr Madeira said.

He could also have been able to form profiles of diplomats and MI6 officers stationed in Berlin.

Dr Madeira said 'one of the biggest problems we have in the West is that we confuse seniority with access'.

He said: 'Just because someone is 'just' a driver, 'just' a messenger, is utterly irrelevant. Just because someone is a local hire and therefore not formally a foreign service officer or a diplomat, that doesn't mean that the person couldn't have done a lot of damage.

'Anything - especially with cyber being so critical nowadays - from WiFi passwords, any sort of administrative lists like staff lists, addresses, mobile phones could be accessible. That would make it easier for the Russian intelligence services to track those mobile phones.

'They would be able to identify who is a genuine diplomat and who is not.'

Dr Madeira warned: 'There's a real range of damage that a person like this could do. Let's not confuse seniority, title or status with access. It's incredible what someone who is teed up to look for certain things can pick up.

'It's a well-established, tried and tested method. Pretty much everyone does it. Every country will try and recruit someone working in a hostile embassy.'

The British embassy in Berlin is just around the corner from the iconic Brandenburg Gate and a short, 250-metre (273 yard) walk from the Russian embassy, which is on the famous Unter den Linden boulevard.

Before his arrest, he worked as a local hire at the British Embassy in Berlin and allegedly passed on documents he received at work to the Russians, the prosecutors said. Pictured: File image of the British Embassy in Berlin

The Met Police said in a statement: 'A 57-year old British national was arrested by German authorities on Tuesday, 10 August, as part of a joint investigation between the Met's Counter Terrorism Command and German counterparts.

'The man was arrested in the Berlin area on suspicion of committing offences relating to being engaged in 'Intelligence Agent activity' (under German law).

'Primacy for the investigation remains with German authorities. Officers from the Counter Terrorism Command continue to liaise with German counterparts as the investigation continues.

The Met's Counter Terrorism Command is responsible for investigating allegations and matters relating to alleged breaches of the Official Secrets Act.

A UK Government spokesperson told MailOnline: 'An individual who was contracted to work for the government was arrested yesterday by the German authorities.

'It would not be appropriate to comment further as there is an ongoing police investigation.'

In May, Britain set out plans to crack down on hostile activity by foreign states, introducing a proposed law to give security services and law enforcement new powers to tackle growing threats.

Security specialist Edward Lucas likened the arrest to an early spy novel by the British writer John le Carre.

'The fact that the arrest has been made in Berlin suggests it's a non-diplomatic member of the embassy, that's why the German judicial system has been brought to bear on it,' he told Times Radio.

Security specialist Edward Lucas (pictured) likened the arrest to an early spy novel by the British writer John le Carre

If the suspect was a diplomat, the British authorities would have been more involved, he added.

Lucas, a former foreign correspondent with The Economist covering eastern and central European affairs, said the arrest was 'a reminder of how much effort the Russians put in to trying to find out what Western alliances are up to'.

Germany has arrested a number of people in recent years accused of spying for Russia, but the capture of a suspect from a close ally is highly unusual.

In June, a Russian man who worked at a German university was arrested on suspicion of espionage for allegedly passing information to Russian intelligence, German prosecutors said.

The suspect, identified only as Ilnur N., was arrested and his home and workplace were searched.

Federal prosecutors said he worked as a research assistant for a science and technology professorship at a German university. They didn't identify the university or specify where in the country he was arrested.

The man is accused of meeting at least three times with a member of a Russian intelligence service, which prosecutors didn't identify, between October of last year and June. In two of those meetings, he is alleged to have handed over information on the university in exchange for an unspecified amount of cash.

And German prosecutors in February filed espionage charges against a German man suspected of having passed the floor plans of parliament to Russian secret services in 2017.

Moscow is at loggerheads with a number of Western capitals after a Russian troop build-up on Ukraine's borders and a series of espionage scandals that have resulted in diplomatic expulsions.

In June, Italy said it had created a national cybersecurity agency following warnings by Prime Minister Mario Draghi that Europe needs to protect itself from Russian 'interference'.

The move came after an Italian navy captain was caught red-handed by police selling confidential military documents from his computer to a Russian embassy official.

The leaders of nine eastern European nations in May condemned what they termed Russian 'aggressive acts', citing operations in Ukraine and 'sabotage' allegedly targeted at the Czech Republic.

Several central and eastern European countries expelled Russian diplomats in solidarity with Prague, but Russia has branded accusations of its involvement as 'absurd' and responded with tit-for-tat expulsions.

British spy chiefs say both China and Russia have sought to steal commercially sensitive data and intellectual property as well as to interfere in politics, while Russian agents are also accused of carrying out an attack on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal on British soil in 2018.

The Scripals were poisoned after two Russian agents smeared the deadly nerve agent on the door handle of Mr Skripal's home. Pictured: Russian agents Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov in Salisbury

Yulia Skripal (left) and her double agent father Sergei Skripal, 68, (right) were poisoned with novichok on March 4 2019

Beijing and Moscow say the West is gripped with a paranoia about plots. Both Russia and China deny they meddle abroad, seek to steal technology, carry out cyberattacks or sow discord.

The Berlin case has echoes of the shadowy world of espionage practised during the Cold War, when double agent Kim Philby and others in a ring of British spies known as the 'Cambridge Five' passed information to the Soviet Union.

The latest espionage case also comes at a time of highly strained relations between Russia and Germany on a number of fronts, including the ongoing detention of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, who received treatment in Berlin after a near-fatal poisoning.

Relations between London and Moscow have been at a low point since the attempted poisoning of former spy Sergei Skripal in British Salisbury in 2018.

The Kremlin has denied any involvement in either case.

Chancellor Angela Merkel's government has moreover worked to maintain a sanctions regime over Moscow's annexation of the Crimean peninsula.

And Germany has repeatedly accused Russia of cyberattacks and cyberespionage on its soil.

Despite the frictions, Berlin has pressed ahead with plans to finish the controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline, set to double natural gas supplies from Russia to Germany.
Foster has been charged with manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, and acting in a manner injurious to a child

Hyre called Foster's neglectful actions 'the ultimate betrayal' and said he should have known better than to leave the children unattended with a 'vicious' animal

Hyre told the Daily News the dog might have been triggered by Ryan getting in the way of his water bowl

Police said by the time they arrived they found the toddler 'bleeding heavily' from bite wounds to his neck and shoulder

Surveillance footage shows the moment one of Ryan's older siblings ran out of the building to ask strangers on the street for help

The child's father, Vernon Foster, 30, left the toddler with his two older siblings, home alone with the pet who had previously bitten their eldest son in 2019

Susan Hyre is mourning the death of her 19-month-old son, Ryan Francis Foster, after he was mauled to death by the family dog named Buster

The mother of a Brooklyn toddler who was mauled to death by his father's Rottweiler after he left his three young children home alone said that the dog had previously bitten her other son.

Ryan Francis Foster, 19-months, was killed after his father Vernon Foster left him home alone with his siblings, aged 11 and nine, and the the Rottweiler named Buster, who has a history of aggression.

Mom Susan Hyre - who is separated from 30-year-old Foster - is mourning her youngest son as she grapples with the loss of her 'miracle baby'.

Hyre told PIX 11. 'I never thought I would have children again because I had a very complicated pregnancy.'

'The fact that he was even here, and that he was so perfect and he was taken away from me like this, I just feel so numb,' Hyre added. 'I don't know what to do with myself right now.'

Hyre said the pet had previously bitten their eldest son in 2019.

Susan Hyre is mourning the death of her 19-month-old son, Ryan Francis Foster, (pictured) who she called her 'miracle baby' after he was mauled to death by the family dog named Buster

Vernon Foster, 30, was charged with criminal negligent homicide after leaving three sons with aggressive Rottweiler because he had to go to work

A toddler has been mauled to death by his family's Rottweiler in their New York City home last night. He had reportedly been left by his father with his two brothers - aged 11 and 9 - in the family's ground floor apartment at E. 17th St. at Cortelyou Road (pictured)

Hyre tells PIX 11 that Foster picked the kids up for regular visitation on Monday, but she was unaware he was going to bring the children to his parents' apartment where the dog was kept.

Hyre said her sons' grandparents were not even home at the time of the attack but were on a wedding trip to Antigua.

Foster left the boys alone Tuesday night to go to work at Home Depot and when he was gone the dog attacked.

Hyre told the Daily News the dog might have been triggered by Ryan getting in the way of his water bowl.

'The dog just lunged at him, he grabbed him by his collar and shirt,' Hyre said.

Hyre says her older sons were hitting the dog in an effort to save their younger brother when he attacked.

'The kids were trying to pull the dog away,' Hyre told the Daily News. 'As they were fighting the dog  that's when the dog bit him in the neck.'

Surveillance footage shows the moment one of Ryan's older siblings ran out of the building to ask strangers on the street for help.

Officers eventually arrive can be seen on footage carrying the toddlers limp body away from the scene.

Police said by the time they arrived they found the toddler 'bleeding heavily' from bite wounds to his neck and shoulder

A toddler was mauled to death by his family's Rottweiler in their New York City home last night

When the dog attacked the toddler, his terrified sibling are said to have run out into the street to flag a passerby down to help. The person pulled the injured baby out of the apartment, the news outlet reported. Pictured: File photo of a Rottweiler

Police said by the time they arrived they found the toddler 'bleeding heavily' from bite wounds to his neck and shoulder.

Ryan died at Maimonides Hospital - a roughly 15-minute drive away - and the dog was taken away by Animal Care and Control, officials said.

It is unclear if Buster has been destroyed.

Hyre says the brothers cried themselves to sleep after the traumatic incident, and that Jayden, who was bitten by the same dog two years ago, was particularly distraught.

'My child literally has bite marks from that dog and the marks are still there,' Hyre said. 'He was bit on the leg by the same dog.'

Hyre called Foster's neglectful actions 'the ultimate betrayal' and said he should have known better than to leave the children unattended with a 'vicious' animal.

'You know this dog is a vicious dog and you left the kids there,' Hyre told the Daily News. 'That's careless.'

'This dog is a vicious dog. It's very, very vicious, very much so,' she added. 'He just left the children and went to work and I'm really confused by this.'

Foster has been charged with manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, and acting in a manner injurious to a child.

Hyre says she has been left with more questions than answers in this tragedy as she struggles to make sense of the loss.

'I'm just puzzled as to how he can let this happen,' she said of Foster. 'He could've said anything, but he went to work like it was nothing. I don't understand why he didn't call anybody or go late to work.

'This would have never happened on my watch,' she added. 'This is crazy, this is really crazy.'
Jamel Danzy, 29, walked free on a $4,500 unsecured bond on Wednesday

Chicago's police chief has voiced his fury after a man accused of supplying the gun that killed one of his cops and gravely wounded another was set free on a light bond.

Jamel Danzy, 29, walked free on Wednesday after U.S Magistrate Judge Jeffery Gilbert gave him a $4,500 unsecured bond on charges in relation to the fatal shooting of Officer Ella French.

Danzy, who once dressed as a cop for Halloween, is accused of illegally supplying the semiautomatic handgun that brothers Monty Morgan, 21, and Eric Morgan, 22 allegedly used in the shooting during a traffic stop on Saturday on the South Side. The Morgan brothers are being held without bond.

'When I heard this afternoon that a federal judge had released the man who illegally purchased and then supplied the gun used to murder Officer Ella French, I could not believe it,' Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown said in a statement. 'It is an outrage.'

Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown slammed Danzy's release on bond as 'an outrage'. Danzy is accused of illegally supplying the semiautomatic handgun used to kill a cop

Photos from 2019 show Danzy dressed as a police officer for a Halloween costume, smiling broadly and posing for the camera in a moment of lighthearted fun

Monty Morgan, left, and his brother Eric were arrested and charged in connection with the fatal shooting of Chicago Police Officer Ella French on Saturday. Monty is the alleged triggerman and is facing a top charge of murder of a peace officer

Ella French's death was the first fatal shooting of a Chicago officer in the line of duty since Mayor Lori Lightfoot took office

Brown added that 'by allowing Mr. Danzy to walk free the court has done a disservice to Officer French's memory, to the entire Chicago Police Department, and to the thousands of men and women across the country who work around the clock, day in and day out to stem the violence that is plaguing our communities.'

U.S Magistrate Judge Jeffery Gilbert released Danzy on a $4,500 unsecured bond

Danzy is accused of buying the weapon from a licensed gun dealer in Hammond, Indiana, in March and provided it to an Illinois resident who he knew could neither buy nor possess guns because of a felony conviction.

He was arrested Sunday and charged with conspiracy to violate federal firearm laws.

In an interview with CBS Chicago, Danzy said that 'things happen for the wrong reason' and insisted: 'I'm not a criminal. I'm a good person.'

Danzy is a teacher's aide in a Head Start preschool program in Merrillville, Indiana and has a master's degree. He has no criminal record.

Photos from 2019 show Danzy dressed as a police officer for a Halloween costume, smiling broadly.

'I really don't want to talk more about it. It happened, so I'm out, and I'm happy that I'm out and everything  so I'm happy to see my family,' he said of making bond.

In an interview with CBS Chicago , Danzy said that 'things happen for the wrong reason' and insisted: 'I'm not a criminal. I'm a good person'

Danzy is a teacher's aide in a Head Start preschool program in Merrillville, Indiana and has a master's degree. He has no criminal record

Asked how he feels about the fatal shooting with the gun he is accused of buying, he responded, 'I don't even want to discuss it. I just feel truly bad about the situation and that's it,'

'I'm truly devastated still, because I wouldn't want that to happen to anybody,' he added.

Danzy's brother, Roderic Hopkins, also spoke to the CBS affiliate in his defense.

'My brother is not a criminal. He's a very educated person,' Hopkins said. 'My brother goes to work every day. He loves kids. He loves his family; loves his friends. He wouldn't hurt nobody.'

Monty Morgan - previously identified as Emonte Morgan - is jailed without bond on first-degree murder of a peace officer, attempted murder of two other officers, unlawful use of a weapon and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon charges.

His brother, Eric Morgan, also was ordered held without bond. He is charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful use of a weapon by a felon and obstruction of justice.

Danzy was not in the vehicle and was arrested later. As part of his bond, Danzy also was ordered to be under court supervision.

'This decision sets a dangerous precedent that straw purchasers like Danzy are not a danger to society, despite the fact that his alleged actions directly led to the murder of a Chicago police officer and left another in critical condition,' Brown said.

Officer Ella French (left and right) was killed during the shooting at a traffic stop, while her partner is in critical condition after being shot twice in the head

The new footage shows the moments before Emonte Morgan allegedly fired at the officers

Chicago police officers turned their backs as Mayor Lori Lightfoot tried to approach them during a vigil held at the University of Chicago Medical Center following the shooting of two police officers

The fatal shooting of French, which also left a male officer fighting for his life with two gunshot wounds to the head, has inflamed tensions between police and local leaders.

The local police union boss blamed Mayor Lori Lightfoot, a Democrat, for the tragedy, saying her 'soft' approach to crime and tough attitude towards cops emboldened criminals.

He also said that dozens of officers were justified in turning their backs on the mayor as she approached them at University of Chicago Medical Center on Saturday.

'A violent individual who was encouraged to do violent things by the people who run this city and state,' Catanzara told Fox News, implicitly referring to Lightfoot and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, both Democrats

He slammed Lightfoot, saying that she lost the respect of CPD rank-and-file despite the mayor's comments over the weekend that 'police officers aren't the enemy.'

'She's a flag in the wind,' Catanzara said, suggesting that Lightfoot lacks any political backbone.

'For two-and-a-half years that she's been mayor, she has vilified the police,' he said. 'Now because the political climate says that the defund policy and the police aren't the enemy - now she has to pivot and now she has to be our best friend? It's too damn late.'

He added: 'The men and women of this police department have no respect for this mayor and it was as palpable as you could possibly imagine outside that hospital at the University of Chicago.'

John Catanzara (left), the president of the Fraternal Order of Police Chicago Lodge #7, told Fox News that the dozens of officers were justified in turning their backs on the mayor, Lori Lightfoot (right), as she approached them at University of Chicago Medical Center on Saturday

Cops are seen mourning the shooting death of Ella French in images posted to Twitter

Catanzara said that Lightfoot was told by the grieving family of the fallen officer, Ella French, not to speak to them.

In a statement to DailyMail.com earlier this week, a spokesman for the mayor acknowledged that 'emotions run high' in a time of tragedy, but added 'now is not the time for divisive and toxic rhetoric or reporting.'

'The Mayor is focused on healing the wounds and will reject any and all that try to use this moment to drive further divisions in our city,' the spokesman said.

'The Mayor remains committed to continuing supports for our dedicated and heroic police officers who risk their lives every day to keep all our neighborhoods safe from senseless violence,' he added.

Meanwhile, a former top police official has slammed the Chicago Police Department after it was revealed that a 'sacred' ritual was skipped after the shooting death of Ella French over time concerns.

Garry McCarthy, the department's former superintendent, told Fox News that officers 'feel under attack by politicians' after French's body was taken directly to the medical examiner's office for her autopsy without a guard of honor.

He claimed they avoided drawing their weapons to honor their fallen colleague - as is tradition - over fears they'd have to file a report for doing so, as part of new police reform laws.

French, 29, was shot dead and her partner was critically injured during a routine traffic stop on Saturday.

After her death, First Deputy Police Supt. Eric Carter - the department's second-in-command - demanded the Chicago Fire Department ambulance carrying her body to head straight for the medical examiner's office, bypassing a bagpipe procession.

'We don't have 20 minutes for this s**t,' Carter can be heard saying on a recording obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times.

'We're not waiting on the bagpipes. Go ahead and get the vehicle inside. Take it all the way inside. Do not stop.'
Harvey Weinstein (pictured) - the 69-year-old convicted rapist and disgraced movie mogul - wears a face mask as he listens in court during a pre-trial hearing in LA on July 29

A Los Angeles judge on Thursday again rejected one of 11 sexual assault counts in an indictment of Harvey Weinstein.

Judge Lisa B. Lench first dismissed the count of sexual battery by restraint as too old and outside the statute of limitations two weeks ago, but allowed the district attorney's office to amend the allegation against the 69-year-old former movie mogul and convicted rapist.

On Thursday, she found that neither of two attempts at an amended complaint from prosecutors solved the problem, and rejected the count again.

Weinstein attended the hearing in LA County jail attire. He was brought into the courtroom shackled to a wheelchair, and was uncuffed as the proceedings began.

Lench gave prosecutors a glimmer of hope on the dismissed count, saying that if they reconvene the grand jury and get it to return a new indictment for it, she may accept it. But she offered no specific instructions - or guarantees.

Weinstein, the convicted rapist and disgraced movie mogul, wears a face mask behind a protective plexiglass screen, as he listens in court during a pre-trial hearing in LA on July 29

Judge Lisa B. Lench (pictured) first dismissed the count of sexual battery by restraint as too old and outside the statute of limitations two weeks ago

'I can't tell you what to do,' the judge said.

The rejected count dates to May 2010. Weinstein was first charged with it in January 2020, before the statute of limitations had expired.

Prosecutors then got an indictment from a grand jury on an identical count six months later, shortly after the statute of limitations had expired.

The judge agreed with Weinstein attorney Alan Jackson that the grand jury indictment was a new prosecution, and therefore was coming too late.

'The people are grasping to try to save something that is unsalvageable,' Jackson said in court. 'They did it, they blew it, they can't fix it.'

Prosecutors argued that it was a continuation of the same case.

While the count is a small part of the case, dismissing it removes one of five accusers from Weinstein's forthcoming trial.

Still intact are four counts of rape and six other sexual assault counts. Weinstein pleaded not guilty to all of them last month in his first court appearance in the California case.

The 69-year-old sits with his attorneys Mark Werksman, center, and Alan Jackson, right

He was extradited from New York, where he is serving a 23-year sentence for convictions of rape and sexual assault after a separate trial in February 2020.

Other charges against Weinstein are for even older incidents, but different statutes apply to them.

The defense also revealed at the hearing that they have been given a list of 248 witnesses for the forthcoming trial, for which no date has been set.

Weinstein's attorneys will seek to reject many of them, and more technical fights are likely to come as they attempt to erode the case against him.

'Today's a great example of why we need judges with a backbone,' Weinstein attorney Mark Werksman said outside court, 'and juries with a tough spine to stand up against false accusations.
Days after she was banished from Twitter for a week, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene continued to spread COVID-19 disinformation, denying that hospitals are seeing a surge in COVID patients and also claiming COVID vaccines aren't working.

During a Wednesday appearance on The Water Cooler on the right-wing Real America's Voice, the Georgia Republican told host Anna Perez she had talked to hospital administrators in her district and in her state.

'Yes, the waiting rooms get full. But guess what, the waiting rooms are full of all kinds of things, not just COVID - car accidents, trauma, other illnesses, cancer and so-forth,' Greene said.

During a Wednesday appearance on The Water Cooler on the right-wing Real America's Voice, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene claimed hospital waiting rooms are filling up with 'all kinds of things, not just COVID'

She claimed that while news reports said hospitals were 'slam-packed' with COVID, 'that's just not the case.'

'Everyone needs to get back down to common sense and remember that, you know, we're human, we can't live forever, we are going to catch all kinds of diseases and illnesses and other viruses and we get hurt sometimes,' the congresswoman argued.

News reports from Georgia, including one Tuesday from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, said hospitals are in 'crisis mode' because of the surge in COVID patients.

In five of the state's 14 hospital regions there were fewer than 10 ICU beds open for incoming patients.

'Our emergency room wait times have surpassed anything Ive ever experienced in my medical career,' said Dr. Mohsen Akhlaghi, the chief of emergency medicine in Southeast Georgia Health System.

And as of Tuesday, the statewide seven-day rolling average for hospitalizations - 3,214 - exceeded last summer's peak surge.

But during the interview Greene said she believed children shouldn't wear masks.

'No masking for children, I stand with parents. In fact I believe it's child abuse,' she said.

And she pushed that Americans should be skeptical of being vaxxed.

Doctor Carlos del Rio, an infectious disease expert at Emory University, participates in a press conference on the surge of COVID-19 cases in Atlanta earlier this month

Data from the Georgia Department of Health shows COVID cases spiking up in the state since late June

Greene argued, at the same time, that the FDA shouldn't approve the vaccines and people should be wary of the vaccines because they haven't been approved by the FDA.

She claimed family members who had received the vaccine ended up being more sick from COVID than family members who contracted coronavirus before being vaccinated.

'Biden would love to make it the law of the land. And I think that's completely wrong,' the Georgia Republican said.

'Again, I'm not anti-vax. I am completely for people being allowed to make choices, medical choices for themselves and their families,' she continued.

'And I don't think the FDA should approve a vaccine that doesn't seem to be that effective especially with COVID-19 raging all over the country - at least that's what the media tells us every single day,' the lawmaker added.

Recent data analyzed by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that in the states that track vaccinated versus unvaccinated COVID infections, 94-plus per cent of COVID cases were among those who were unvaccinated.

'Let's not turn into an authoritarian regime that forces shots in arms to people that don't want it,' Greene said, concluding the interview.

Earlier this week she had been suspended by Twitter for seven days for tweets she sent out Monday night claiming the COVID-19 vaccines were 'failing' because they 'do not reduce the spread of the virus'.

A Twitter spokesperson told DailyMail.com that Greene's account 'will be in read-only mode for a week due to repeated violations of the Twitter Rules.'

The Georgia Republican tweeted Monday night that the 'The FDA should not approve the covid vaccines. There are too many reports of infection & spread of #COVID19 among vaccinated people.'

'These vaccines are failing & do not reduce the spread of the virus & neither do masks,' she wrote.

'Vaccine mandates & passports violate individual freedoms,' the congresswoman added.

Fully vaccinated people are still contracting COVID-19, but data shows they're being protected against severe disease, hospitalization and death.

Greene tweeted Monday night that the FDA should not approve the COVID vaccines because there were 'too many reports' of breakthrough cases. Twitter marked the tweet misleading and blocked users from interacting with it

As of July 26, the latest date for which data is available, there were at least 6,587 so-called 'breakthrough' cases reported among 163 million fully vaccinated individuals.

Of those cases, 6,239 resulted in hospitalization and 1,263 peopled died.

Twitter flagged the tweet saying it contained misleading information. It also blocked users from retweeting or liking the message.

'The Tweet you referenced was labeled in line with our COVID-19 misleading information policy. The account will be in read-only mode for a week due to repeated violations of the Twitter Rules,' a Twitter spokesperson told DailyMail.com.

Twitter has a five-strike rule for users who spread COVID-19 misinformation.

CNN first reported her suspension.

Greene sent a statement to The Washington Examiner that continued to spread COVID-19 vaccine misinformation.

She also complained about conservatives being targeted by double standards.

'Why does Dr. Fauci only harshly criticize bikers at Sturgis riding in open air with no masks but is silent on Obama's "sophisticated" birthday party super-spreader event for Hollywood and Democrat elites? Why is it right and moral to allow tens of thousands of COVID positive "migrants" into our country and ship them all over to every state in the taxpayers dime yet force our children to mask up for school?' she mused.

'But if MTG dare says the truth, Twitter suspends me because the truth is so offensive to the fragile hypocrites all over Twitter!' she said, referring to herself in the third-person.

'They will allow porn on Twitter. They will allow posts about parents transitioning their children and changing their gender on Twitter. But Twitter wont allow any real discussion of the truth from an elected congresswoman because Twitter only cares about the Democrats communist agenda for America,' she continued.

'Good thing my voters could care less about Twitter,' the Georgia Republican added.

CNN estimated that Greene only had one strike to go before she was permanently banned from the platform.

In July, Greene was banned from Twitter for 12 hours after two of her tweets on COVID-19 were labeled misleading.

Twitter has a five-strike policy for users who spread COVID-19 misinformation. With Greene's seven day lock-out, it appears she only has one more strike to go before she's suspended from the site

On July 18 she posted: 'This is why no entity should force NON-FDA approved vaccines or masks. Instead help people protect their health by defeating obesity, which will protect them from covid complications & death, and many other health problems. We should invest in health, not human experimentation.'

And on July 19, she wrote: 'The controversial #COVID19 vaccines should not be forced on our military for a virus that is not dangerous for non-obese people and those under 65. With 6,000 vax related deaths and many concerning side effects reported, the vax should be a choice not a mandate for everyone.'

Twitter labeled the tweet misleading, adding 'Learn why health officials recommend a vaccine for most people.'

Greene got suspended from Twitter for 12 hours in July after Twitter said she violated their COVID misinformation policy with two tweets

Her second said that COVID is 'not dangerous for non-obese people and those under 65'

Prior to the July ban, Greene had to walk back comments she made in May comparing COVID-19 vaccinations and mask mandates to the Holocaust.

'I have made a mistake and it's really bothered me for a couple weeks now,' Greene said at a June news conference.

She said there was 'nothing comparable' to the Holocaust.

'I know the words I stated were hurtful and for that I am very sorry,' Greene said.

In January, Greene also got locked out of her Twitter account days after the January 6 Capitol riot as she falsely claimed that officials in Georgia were 'begged by Republicans to fix our elections' costing former President Donald Trump and two Georgia Republican senators their races.

Requests for comment to Greene's office by DailyMail.com on Tuesday morning were not immediately returned.
The boyfriend of British hiker Esther Dingley has been questioned at length after he discovered her body on Monday.

Dan Colegate, 38, concentrated on the rocky terrain near where part of Esther's skull had been found last month, police captain Jean Marc Bordinaro said, while maintaining that the most likely theory is that Esther died in an accident.

Colegate, who is not a suspect, found Esther's body about 437 yards (400m) from the remote peak of Pic de la Glere which straddles the French Spanish border in the Pyrenees. Her skull had been found 656 yards (600m) away further south down a twisting path that experienced hikers have described as 'treacherous'.

Esther, 37, went missing on November 22 while out on a solo hike in the Pyrenees.

Searches for her were called off due to bad weather but resumed in the spring. After the snow in the vast search area melted, Colegate covered hundreds of miles looking for the body of his girlfriend.

'As the person who discovered the corpse of a missing person, he was questioned again at length,' The Sun quoted 'an investigative source' as saying.

'It was routine. There is so far zero evidence of a crime'

Esther's body has now been taken to the French city of Toulouse to be examined by pathologists.

Dan Colegate (right), the boyfriend of British hiker Esther Dingley (left), has been questioned at length after he discovered her body on Monday. Police said the questioning was routine

Esther's body was found 437 yards (400m) below Pic de la Glere by her boyfriend Mr Copeland on August 9 - approximately 109 yards (100m) from where part of her skull was found 18 days earlier

This is a map showing Esther's route from when she parked her campervan in Benasque, Spain, on November 16 to August 9 when her remains were found 437 yards (400m) from Pic de la Glere

Forensics teams are also examining Esther's phone in the hopes it could reveal clues about the nature of her death.

As Esther's boyfriend, Colegate was among the first people authorities investigated after she was reported missing.

Data from his mobile phone along with credit card transactions confirmed that he had not left the village of Larroque-sur-l'Osse, 100 miles north of where Esther was found.

In an exclusive interview with MailOnline Captain Bordinaro defended his search team over their failure to locate the body ahead of Ms Dingley's 38-year-old partner.

Police sources and the French prosecutor responsible for the case have blamed recent poor weather for the failure to locate the body in rough terrain.

Public prosecutor Christophe Amunzateguy said high winds and rain prevented the use of drones and a helicopter in the search.

Captain Bordinaro, head of the police in St Gaudans, said Mr Colegate was best placed to locate the skeletal remains on the 2300metre high peak.

'Dan had paced the area up and down, taking Esther's abilities into account,' he said.

'He is a good hiker, a professional, and he has hiked in the Alps before.'

Last month, human remains later confirmed to be Esther's were found by Spanish hikers at Port de la Glere, a mountain pass on France 's border with Spain , just south of Bagneres-de-Luchon. The trail is known as Puerto de la Glera in Spanish

The camper van used by Esther Dingley and her boyfriend on the European tour remains in a compond belonging to the Spanish Civil Guard, in Besanquein, The Pyrenees

He blamed 'terrible weather' for failing to find Esther's corpse before it was pinpointed by Mr Colegate.

'We had already searched this area this winter with a helicopter and on foot, but we had been hampered by snow, our search was unsuccessful especially since it is very rugged terrain.

'In the past few weeks, we haven't been back to look specifically in this area. The Spanish investigators had surveyed this sector, but on the Spanish side.

'Esther's Dingley's body was found at the northern slope of Pic de Glere.

'Her skull was discovered not far from the Port of Glere, about 100 meters from where the rest of the body was found. It is a very hilly area.

'The most probable hypothesis is that the skull was moved by an animal.'

Search teams directed to the area by Mr Colegate on Monday found Ms Dingley's grey rucksack and a water bottle. Her yellow tent has not been found.

Police recovered her mobile phone - a 270 Redmi Note 9 Pro - and sent the camera to forensic officers for examination.

The phone was switched off for much of the walk to conserve battery, but police hope pictures stored in the memory and signals sent from the device may hold clues to the case.

A source told the Sun: 'Phones are always crucial to solving cases like this. This is why the device will be picked over by the forensics officers working on the case.

'As far as the ongoing investigation is concerned, it is easily the most important bit of equipment.'

The Oxford graduate had set out to hike alone from the Porte de la Glere to the Port de Venasque, a trek which follows the border between France and Spain.

The couple, both Oxford graduates, had been travelling around Europe in a camper van for years after quitting their careers and Durham home

She parked the couple's campervan in a car park in Benasque, Spain, on November 21 and started the solo hike from the Spanish town of Benasque to Pic de Sauvegarde, a mountaintop in the Pyrenees.

Her last contact with anyone was when she sent Mr Colegate a selfie picture from the Pic de Sauvegarde mountain on November 22.

She was seen by several witnesses including an Olympic Spanish skier asking for some fruit hiking on the path leading up to the summit.

From there she planned to walk between Port de la Glere and Port de Venasque - a route of some eight miles - before hiking back down from the mountains.

She turned her phone off after that to save the battery and was planning to spend that night at the Refuge de Venasque in France, which is unmanned.

In her last known message, sent to Colegate on November 22, Esther wrote: 'Might dip into France. Hoping Refuge Venasque has a winter room. Keep you posted when can. Love you xxx'

No one knows if she stayed there and no one has reported seeing Esther alive after that.

Mr Colegate, who was staying at a farm in Gascony, France, raised the alarm on November 25, three days after he received her Whatsapp.

Police from Spain and France took part in the search in an area covering almost 700 miles.

Soldiers from the High Mountain Gendarmerie Platoon from Luchon as well as local hikers and mountain guides took part in the search.

But with the area blanketed by snow the search was called off until Spring and warmer weather had melted the snow along the twisting trails.

The couple, both Oxford graduates, had been travelling around Europe in a camper van for years after quitting their careers and Durham home.
Parents of a former Marine turned journalist pleaded with President Joe Biden to engage in diplomatic talks to bring their son home after nine years in Syrian captivity.

A day after Secretary of State Antony Blinken demanded Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to free Austin Tice, who was kidnapped in August 2012, Tice's parents called on the president to make his safe return home a priority

Tice's parents continue to hold out hope that Austin - who turned 40 on Thursday - is still alive.

Tice's dad Marc told NBC's Lester Holt that Biden needs 'to tell the State Department that Austin's freedom is a priority.'

Blinken said on Wednesday that he was personally committed to bringing Tice - and all other detained Americans - home.

Debra Tice - Austin's mom - told Holt that 'words are easy.'

'We are measuring more by action, which we don't see. And the only thing that we have asked since 2012, nine years, three administrations, is direct diplomatic engagement with the Syrian government,' she said.

Scroll down for video.

Debra and Marc Tice, Austin's parents, want the US government to engage in the Syrian government to engage in direct diplomatic talks to bring Austin home

Marc Tice said, President Joe Biden needs 'to tell the State Department that Austin's freedom is a priority'

The State Department believes the reporter is still alive, although the Syrian government hasn't said so one way or the other.

Yesterday, Blinken said in a statement, Tice 'turns 40 years old today, having spent almost a quarter of his life in captivity.'

'We believe that it is within Bashar al-Assad's power to free Austin. We will continue to pursue all avenues to bring Austin home,' he said.

'Austin Tice must be allowed to return home to his loved ones who miss him dearly and to the country that awaits him eagerly.'

In 2012, at the time of his captivity, Tice, originally from Texas, was a law student at Georgetown University and freelance photojournalist working for Agence France Press, McClatchy News, The Washington Post, CBS and other news organizations.

He went missing on August 14, 2012, after being detained at a checkpoint near Damascus before being shown and held by unidentified armed men in a video, which was released five weeks later.

Biden administration officials have told McClatchy news service that they are operating 'with the sincere belief' that Tice is still alive.

They believe Tice is being held by the Syrian government itself, or its allies.

This undated photo obtained from the Tice family shows their son, Austin, who has been missing in Syria for nine years. At least 30 journalists from around the world have disappeared or been held as hostages and threatened with death by extremists or gangs seeking ransom

Freelance journalist Austin Tice was also a law student at Georgetown University and a former U.S. Marine Corps officer

Roger Carstens, the special presidential envoy for hostage affairs, is in charge of Tice's case along the Hostage Recovery fusion Cell according to a report by the Associated Press.

AP also claimed that Carstens travelled to Syria last summer for a meeting between the Syrian government and the then-Trump administration.

Washington planned to negotiate the return of multiple US citizens, including Tice.

However, the trip was deemed as unsuccessful as Syrian officials issued a list of demands, including lifting sanctions and withdrawing troops while sharing no information on Tice's precise location.

In a statement posted Wednesday marking the anniversary, Tice's parents, Debra and Marc Tice, say Biden should make it clear that his freedom is a priority.

'We are now imploring a third President of the United States to communicate to his administration that Austin's secure release and safe return is a priority,' they wrote. 'There are many capable people working in our government who are eager to see Austin walk free; they must have President Biden's authorization for significant and relevant diplomatic engagement with the Syrian government.'

Marc and Debra Tice (background), the parents of U.S. journalist Austin Tice, who's currently held as a hostage in Syria, give a press conference in the Lebanese capital Beirut in 2018. The parents have worked under three presidential administration to try to bring their son home

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken vowed 'to continue to pursue all avenues to bring Austin home' as Tice turns 40 years old today, having spent almost a quarter of his life in captivity

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden has ordered his administration to use all tools at its disposal to secure Tices freedom, including 'talking to anyone.'

'We are committed to following all avenues and talking to anyone who can help with Austins release and return home,' Psaki said. 'We dont speak about those publicly, because thats not in the interests of the outcome. But we are committed to using every tool at our disposal to bring Austin and all hostages held in Syria home.'

Biden 'is directing Syria to release Austin Tice, she added,' and 'he has asked his government to use every tool and tool of engagement available to bring him home.'

Tice was also an officer enrolled in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Currently, roughly half a dozen US citizens are estimated to be held by the Syrian government or forces allied with Damascus, including Syrian-American psychotherapist Majd Kamalmaz.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden has ordered his administration to use all tools at its disposal to secure Tices freedom, including 'talking to anyone.'

Syrian-American psychotherapist Majd Kamalmaz has gone missing in Syria since 2017. Like Tice, his whereabouts are unknown

Kamalmaz was stopped at a government checkpoint in Damascus less than 24 hours after landing in the country from Lebanon in 2017, according to his family, as it was the last time they heard from him.

A State Department spokesperson told Middle East Eye on Wednesday that Washington calls on Syria to 'help release Austin Tice, Majd Kamalmaz and every U.S. citizen held hostage in Syria.'.

Syria erupted into civil war almost a decade ago after Assad began a brutal crackdown in 2011 on protesters calling for an end to his family's rule.

At least 139 journalists have been killed while covering the conflict, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, a New York-based watchdog.
America's two largest teachers' unions are now coming out in support of vaccine mandates, as COVID cases continue to rise nationwide.

Late Wednesday night, the executive council for the American Federation of Teachers unanimously adopted a resolution encouraging its members to discuss vaccine mandates with their employers.

Then on Thursday, Becky Pringle, the president of the National Education Association, released a statement saying the organization is now encouraging teachers across the country to get vaccinated.

As the new school year starts, the heads of the nation's two largest unions have said they now support vaccination requirements for teachers

On Wednesday, the executive council for the American Federation of Teachers unanimously adopted a resolution encouraging its members to discuss vaccine mandates with their employers, and on Thursday, the NEA announced it is encouraging teachers across the country to get vaccinated

'As we enter a new school year amidst a rapidly-spreading Delta variant and lagging public vaccination rates, it is clear that the vaccination of those eligible is one of the most effective ways to keep schools safe, and they must be coupled with other proven mitigation strategies,' Pringle said.

She noted that 'appropriate employee accommodations must be provided and raid leave readily available,' with sites set up for teachers to get vaccinated, and claimed that 'employee input, including collective bargaining where applicable is critical.'

The NEA will also support regular COVID testing in lieu of vaccination 'for those not yet vaccinated or those for whom vaccination is not medically appropriate or effective.'

'We believe that such vaccine requirements and accommodations are an appropriate, responsible and necessary step to ensure the safety of our school communities and to protect our students,' the statement says.

The NEA represents about 3 million members across the country, including many in rural and suburban areas where adults are less likely to be vaccinated, the New York Times reports.

Pringle's statement was released just hours after the executive council for the American Federation for Teachers, the nation's second largest teachers' union, passed a resolution encouraging union members to discuss the mandates with their employers.

The resolution said the union will continue to work with schools to 'consider employer-proposed vaccination policies,' and will encourage all AFT members to meet with their employers to discuss these policies 'in order to get more people vaccinated in a just and expeditious way.'

Employees, it says, 'must have a voice in addressing the impact on workers through bargaining or other forms of consultation to ensure workers are treated fairly and that valid religious and medical exemptions are honored.'

Vaccine mandates are ultimately decided by state and local governments. Here, a teacher in California, told spoke to students before the governor announced it would require all its teachers and school employees to be vaccinated

But the AFT fell short of fully endorsing vaccine mandates.

'We believe that workplace policies should be done with working people, not to them,' President Randi Weingarten said in a statement to Politico on Thursday.

'While we still believe the best way to increase vaccinations is through education and voluntary adoption, we want to be in a position to work with our employers on workplace vaccination policies, including how theyre implemented,' she added, 'so people who need it can get accommodations, so everyone has access to vaccines and time to get them, and so no one is penalized for medical or religious reasons.'

Her remarks came just one week after she said the union was 'looking into vaccine mandates.'

'Our view has been that to create trust, [and] to start the school year off right with our communities, we should continue on the voluntary route and continue to persuade people,' Weingarten told Politico.

Still, the statements are a marked difference from last year, when both union presidents derided vaccine mandates, with Pringle saying last winter that she was even against prioritizing vaccines for teachers.

'We dont want to be in the business of putting a hierarchy in place, because some of our members are being bullied into returning back to classrooms,' she told the Seattle Times in December. 'Thats not safe, we dont want to support that.'

And just two months ago, Weingarten told the Nation: 'Teachers should have the right to decide whether they want the vaccine or not.

'We have been very careful in this early stage of pushing back when someone has said that the vaccine should be mandatory.'

Both American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten and NEA President Becky Pringle have now expressed their support for vaccine mandates, after previously deriding them in interviews

The difference now, she told Politico is the rise in COVID cases and the Food and Drug Administration's imminent approval of the Pfizer two-dose vaccine.

'The single biggest reason I hear repeatedly about hesitancy is that the FDA hasn't approved vaccines, and that approval seems to be forthcoming,' Weingarten said.

'So, we're in the midst of talking to people around the country, talking to our leadership around the country about this, because we believe that this is about keeping everybody safe.'

Weingarten added: 'The reason we have focused so much on doing this voluntarily is because there's such deep distrust that this is going to create yet another battlefield, not just in terms of educators but families and others.'

'The difference now is the Delta variant is surging,' she said. 'And it's very virulent, and there's a group of kids that can't get the vaccine.'

The nation saw 132,384 new cases on August 10, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control, with a seven-day rolling average of 113,357 new cases per day as the more virulent Delta variant continues to spread.

Meanwhile, there was a slight uptick in the number of deaths across the country, with 664 new deaths reported on August 10 and a seven-day rolling average of 452 new COVID-related deaths per day.

A majority of Americans, 59.1 percent, though, have now received at least one COVID vaccine, with the CDC reporting that 50.3 percent of the total eligible population is completely vaccinated.

Both teachers unions have also reported that 80 to 90 percent of their total memberships are vaccinated against the coronavirus

Ultimately, however, vaccine requirements may come down to state and local politics, with some states like California and Hawaii already mandating that their teachers be vaccinated against the coronavirus as it continues to spread.

Hawaii is requiring all county and state employees - including public school teachers- be vaccinated or face mandatory COVID testing, while Denver, Colorado, officials have said that all public school teachers in the city must be fully vaccinated by September 30.

California Governor Gavin Newsom, meanwhile, announced on Wednesday that California would become the first U.S. state to require that its teachers at both public and private schools, as well as other school staff members, be vaccinated or regularly tested for COVID-19.

Newsom called the move 'a responsible step' to ensure the safety of children.

The governor announced the new policy at a San Francisco Bay Area school that reopened earlier this week to in-person classes. Many California schools are back in session, with others starting in the coming weeks.

'We think this is the right thing to do and we think this is a sustainable way to keeping our schools open and to address the number one anxiety that parents like myself have for young children,' said Newsom, who is a father of four.
A Chicago social worker who was the victim of a botched police raid on her home, during which she was forced to stand naked and handcuffed, has said that slain officer Ella French was the only person who showed her 'any dignity or respect' during the incident.

French, 29, was shot and killed during a traffic stop on Chicago's South Side on Saturday.

Two brothers, 21-year-old Monty Morgan and 22-year-old Eric Morgan, have been arrested and charged in French's fatal shooting.

Anjanette Young (left) on Wednesday released a statement, mourning the loss of Chicago police officer Ella French (right)

Young, a social worker, said French was the only officer who treated her with 'dignity and respect' after a wrongful raid on her home in 2019, during which she was naked (pictured)

French (circled in red) was not part of the all-male raid team and arrived later

Back in February 2019, French was called to the scene after a dozen male officers acting on a bad tip from an informant barged into Anjanette Young's home on Chicago's South Side in search of a potentially armed 23-year-old felon who lived next door.

During the wrongful raid, which was captured on body camera video and first broadcast by WBBM after a protracted legal battle with the city, Young repeatedly pleads with officers that they have the wrong home and there are no guns in the home. She had returned home after work and was undressing for bed when police burst into her apartment.

A sobbing Young was forced to stand naked and handcuffed in front the all-male raid team for more than 40 minutes.

On Wednesday, Young, who is suing the City of Chicago for the raid, released a statement, saying she was mourning French's death, reported Fox 32.

'Officer French was called to Ms. Young's home on February 21, 2019 (after the raid-she was not on the raid team),' the statement reads. 'Officer French assisted Ms. Young and allowed her to get dressed, in the privacy of her bedroom.

'Officer French was the only officer who showed Ms. Young any dignity or respect on the night of the raid.

Young said French (circled above) allowed her to get dressed in the privacy of her bedroom

French (circled) is mentioned in Young's lawsuit against the City of Chicago, but not by name

'Ms. Young is praying for Officer French's family and offers her sincerest condolences to them and all of Officer French's friends and colleagues.'

Young's complaint mentioned French in passing, but not by name, instead referring to her as 'an unknown female Chicago officer' who walked the woman into her bedroom and removed her handcuffs, reported Chicago Sun-Times.

'The female Chicago police officer then turned off her bodycam to Anjanette Young could get dressed,' according to the lawsuit.

French could be seen in viral body camera footage leading away Young wrapped in a blanket as the emotional woman repeatedly tells the officers: 'You've got the wrong house!'

French was killed with a gunshot to the head and her partner was seriously injured after they pulled over a vehicle carrying the Morgan brothers and a woman on Saturday night.

French was shot and killed after pulling over a car carrying Eric Morgan (pictured), his brother and a woman

Monty Morgan (left) and his brother, Eric Morgan (right), were said to have been driving with expired license plates, prompting police to pull them over on Saturday night

A male passenger opened fire and officers returned fire, striking the suspect, police said.

Monty Morgan is charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder and other counts. His older brother, Eric Morgan, faces charges of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful use of a weapon by a felon and obstruction of justice.

French's death was the first fatal shooting of a Chicago officer in the line of duty since Mayor Lori Lightfoot, a Democrat, took office.
Former President Donald Trump's fundraising committee hired two Iowa politics experts in the latest sign he's planning to run for president for the third time in 2024.

Bloomberg News reported Thursday that Trump's Save America group had hired Eric Branstad and Alex Latcham, two Trumpworld veterans based in Iowa.

Historically, the Iowa caucuses kick off primary season during a presidential election year.

Former President Donald Trump, seen leaving Trump Tower this week, has hired two Iowa experts for his Save America group, leading to speculation he's readying a 2024 presidential run

Trump's America First group hired Eric Branstad (right), who first joined Trumpworld as part of his 2016 campaign effort and then joined the administration. Branstad's father Terry is a former governor of Iowa and served as Trump's ambassador to China

Branstad and Latcham, who are Iowa natives, first joined with Trump during his 2016 campaign.

Branstad, the son of Republican Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad - who ran the state in the 80s and 90s and again from 2011 to 2017 - previously served as Trump's Iowa State Director.

Terry Branstad served as Trump's ambassador to China.

Eric Branstad also worked for the Republican Party of Iowa and helped the Bush-Cheney campaign in the Hawkeye State during former President George W. Bush's re-election campaign in 2004.

He went into the administration, serving as a senior adviser to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross.

Latcham served as Trump's Iowa political director in 2016 and came from the Republican Party of Iowa.

He did advance work for now Sen. Mitt Romney and former Rep. Michele Bachmann when they ran for president in 2012.

A Save American spokesman, Taylor Budowich, confirmed to Bloomberg the duo had been hired and said they'll help on 'many political matters.'

In 2016, Trump came in second in the Iowa caucuses behind Sen. Ted Cruz. In 2024, he'll likely need to start out strong if he plans to win the GOP nomination again

During his first presidential bid, Trump came in second to Sen. Ted Cruz in the Iowa caucuses.

On the Republican side, the winner of the Iowa caucuses tends not to become the GOP nominee - but Trump will likely need to start strong if he plans to win the nomination again.

For months, Trump has been dropping hints he'll enter the 2024 race.

In May he told supporters they would be 'very happy' when they hear his decision.

He's held political ralles in Ohio, Florida, Arizona and he's traveling to Alabama before the end of the month.

In April during a podcast taping for the Dan Bongino show, Trump said the 'appropriate time' to announce a third presidential run would be after next year's midterm.
Children as young as four will be able to change their gender at school without their parents consent under guidance introduced in Scotland.

Any pupil who decides they want to switch gender must be supported and listened to in school following the Scottish Government advice.

The guidance applies in primary schools, where the youngest children are only four or five, because recognition and development of gender identity can occur at a young age.

It also tells teachers not to question a child who says they want to transition to live as a boy or a girl - and instead ask for their new name and pronouns.

Scottish education secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: This guidance outlines how schools can support transgender young people while ensuring that the rights of all pupils are fully respected'

Schools have been told they do not have to inform parents if a pupil informs them they wish to change gender

Primary and secondary schools have also been told to put books featuring transgender people on the curriculum, allow pupils to choose which changing room or toilets to use, and consider introducing a gender neutral uniform.

But the guidance was branded shocking and led to concerns that children are being allowed to make life-changing decisions at too young an age.

The advice says: Some young people are exploring their gender identity in primary school settings. Primary schools need to be able to meet the needs of these young people to ensure they have a safe, inclusive and respectful environment in which to learn.

A section on changing name and recorded sex says children simply need to tell others informally that they want to use a different name, and that they dont need to record this formally on their official school record. Advice to school staff on what to do if a child wants to discuss their gender includes asking what name and pronoun you should use to address them.

It also says that they should ask if their family are aware they are considering their gender identity  but does not suggest the teacher should contact them.

The guidance document also states that no Scottish law compels people to use the toilets that correspond to the gender they were assigned at birth.

Marion Calder, director of the For Women Scotland campaign group, said: To be transgender you have to have a diagnosis of gender dysphoria. What are they thinking? Parents will be very concerned to be reading this document.

Scottish education secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: This guidance outlines how schools can support transgender young people while ensuring that the rights of all pupils are fully respected.

It provides schools with practical suggestions. The guidance is not prescriptive and does not promote transitioning.
A personal injury lawyer is being probed by Louisiana state authorities after allegedly striking three children who were tubing while he drove his boat, before fleeing the scene.

The occupants on the party barge all fled the scene after the Aug. 8 crash at False River in New Roads, Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff Rene Thibodeaux told WBRZ-TV.

They did so despite two of the children in the crash requiring hospital treatment.

The victims, said to be aged between eight and 14, included an eight-year-old who was flown to the Baton Rouge hospital via AirMed with a broken pelvis, according to WAFB 9.

WBRZ says one man and some teenagers were on the boat at the time. They say he is a local personal injury lawyer, who has not been identified, and has yet to comment.

Pointe Coupee Sheriff's Office have been asked why no charges have been brought against the lawyer, but say it is now in the hands of state investigators.

Witness accounts were able to identify the boat involved in the crash to the police and said there were five juveniles and an adult on the boat.

An unidentified man was seen inspecting a boat on False River the day after the boating accident happened

A similar boat is pictured driving on the False River the day of the crash

This is the moment the AirMed helicopter landed near False River. An eight-year-old was airlifted to a Baton Rouge hospital with a broken pelvis after the accident

The sheriff stated that one of the adults, an attorney in the Lafayette area, who was the boat was located in his home.

State wildlife agents were able to located the adult.

The boat driver admitted to police that he was on False River that day, but didn't give an explanation as to why he rushed home. It has also been reported that the man refused a sobriety test, according to KATC 3.

Local news groups have been inundated with gossip about the incident, with many residents claiming to know the name of the man involved. DailyMail.com has contacted the sheriff's office for further information.

The Sheriff (above) said the police have passed on the case to the state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for the investigation

The sheriff believes the motorboat might have hit the children after getting into the path right behind the boat pulling the children on the tube.

The investigation has been turned over to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries because it happened on False River, Thibodeaux said.

In a statement, the agency said that its investigation is ongoing and agents are gathering statements from witnesses and those involved in the crash.

A day later, a man was seen inspecting the boat that was thought to have caused the crash.

The sheriff admitted to he flagged traffic until 6pm before the helicopter left the grounds, he told WBRZ 2. He believes the man was back in Lafayette by six or 6.30pm.

'Charges may be pending upon completion of the investigation,' the agency said.

The man has not been charged with anything yet, not even for leaving a crime scene.

The state department of wildlife and fisheries said they are still collecting statements and the investigation is ongoing.
A British entrepreneur who started an electric van-charging business in a pig shed is to become a multi-millionaire when it debuts on Wall Street.

Charlie Jardine founded EO Charging six years ago to provide charging infrastructure to firms that use electric cars, vans, buses and lorries.

After making a string of deals with firms including Amazon, Sainsbury's and Uber, he is now poised to list the firm on the New York Stock Exchange with a value of 488million.

It means that Mr Jardine  who is just 29  could see his stake in the company valued at 71million.

His parents John, 60, and Mary Jardine, 57, entrepreneurs in their own right, also own shares potentially worth another 75million.

The father, who previously owned and sold businesses involved in composting, and making artificial logs for fires, helped his son found the company and is still managing director.

Mrs Jardine, who previously founded luxury handbag brand Jardine of London, also works at EO Charging.

Charlie Jardine founded EO Charging six years ago to provide charging infrastructure to firms that use electric cars, vans, buses and lorries

The family, from Suffolk, started the electric van charging business in a former pig shed on a farm owned by Charlie's grandfather.

Mr Jardine, who went to independent Uppingham School and Leeds University, said: 'I had previously worked at another electric charging company but I'd always wanted to start my own business.

'My grandfather lent us the pig shed and we converted that into a factory, so we came from humble beginnings.

'And what we are doing has not just been my journey, it has been a family journey. We are all very proud of what we have achieved so far.'

The family, from Suffolk, started the electric van charging business in a former pig shed on a farm owned by Charlie's grandfather [Stock image]

After spending 12 months building its first charging station, the company secured an early breakthrough with a deal to install electric van chargers in the depot of London-based Gnewt Cargo, backed by 1million of funding from the Mayor of London's office. A string of deals followed, with firms ranging from Tesco and Sainsbury's to bus provider Go-Ahead and energy firm Octopus.

But the company's most notable success is a deal with Amazon to provide charging infrastructure for its vans across Europe, as well as software and maintenance services. EO Charging, based in Stowmarket, Suffolk, has installed some 50,000 charging stations so far  most of them in the UK  but plans to ramp this up in the coming years.

This expansion will also see its staff headcount rise from about 130 at present to about 400 by the end of next year. Being listed on the stock market will mean about 108million can be pumped into the business.

The firm will first merge with First Reserve Sustainable Growth Corp, a so-called 'blank cheque' company that is already listed in New York. This means EO can float on the public markets far more quickly than if it went through the usual process of applying for regulatory approval and wooing investors.

Mr Jardine said the market for electric vehicle infrastructure globally is expected to be worth about 65billion by 2026.

There is a rapidly growing appetite among firms that use fleets of vehicles to switch to electric due to green regulations, cheaper vehicles and customer pressure.

'Costs are coming down, there is growing government support and I think consumers are now more aware of the green agenda,' Mr Jardine said.
The teenage son of a Covid-denying Sydney businessman who plunged Byron Bay into a snap lockdown has been charged with a series of offences after allegedly joining his father on an illegal trip to the tourist town.

Zoran Radovanovic, 52, is battling Covid-19 in Lismore Hospital after he left a trail of potential contagion throughout Australia's hottest beachside town in northern NSW.

The businessman, from Rose Bay in Sydney's eastern suburbs, has been charged with breaching public health orders by ignoring lockdown to drive north for eight hours to the sun-drenched hangout.

His teenage son Kristian has now also been charged with a health order breach and ordered to face court after allegedly joining his father on the illegal 750km journey.

Police allege the 19-year-old - who was last year convicted of drink driving - flouted lockdown rules by leaving Sydney and then refusing to wear a face mask or follow QR code check-in procedures while in Byron Bay.

As a result of the father and son's trip, the area is now two days into a seven day lockdown as health officials battle to stem the spread of the virus before it takes hold.

This is the mysterious Sydneysider Zoran Radovanovic charged by police after he sent Byron Bay into a snap lockdown when he drove there with his kids while infected with coronavirus

His son Kristian has also been charged with a series of offences after allegedly joining his father on an illegal trip to the tourist town

Kristian is currently being treated for Covid-19 in the same hospital as his father, while his mother, who didn't go on the trip to Byron Bay, is in a Sydney hospital with the same virus.

Another teenage child of Radovanovic is also being treated in Lismore Hospital for Covid-19.

It isn't the first time Kristian has been in trouble with the law.

Last year, he was caught drink driving twice in three days while still on his red P-plates.

Described by police as a 'habitual traffic offender', officers caught the then-18-year-old doing burnouts in Forestville on Sydney's northern beaches in March 2020, The Manly Daily reported

Kristian Radovanovic has Covid-19 and is in self-isolation. The charges were laid 16 months after the younger Radovanovic was caught drink driving twice in three days while still on his red P-plates

He blew a blood alcohol reading of 0.089 - almost double the legal limit for fully-licenced drivers - after he was taken to Frenchs Forest police station.

But despite having his licence suspended he was caught driving at 80km/h in a 40km/h zone two days later in nearby Dee Why.

At the time he was sentenced to three community corrections orders and fined $800.

His father's history of drug and theft convictions was revealed to the Adminstrative Appeals Tribunal in 2000 when he successfully won a bid to stay in Australia with his wife, despite not having the correct visa.

Radovanovic was almost thrown out of the country 22 years ago when he was discovered to be living illegally in Australia with a string of convictions and a suspended jail sentence, an AAT judgement revealed.

He emigrated to Australia from the former Yugoslavia in April 1991 and had already overstayed his visa when he was convicted of two charges of burglary and car theft in Melbourne in February 1992.

He was sentenced to six months in jail on each charge but the sentence was suspended for 12 months.

The following month he appeared to have fled the country with his future wife Tiana Macdowell (nee Simic) when their passports were both scanned boarding an international flight from Melbourne Airport.

The former 'aimless' part-time plastics worker sold this home in Forestville in 2020 for $2.25 million before moving to Rose Bay in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs

Covid-infected Zoran Radovanovic left a trail of contagion throughout Byron Bay after he broke lockdown to drive eight hours to the beachside idyll, forcing it into a snap lockdown. Seen here are the quiet streets of the normally bustling resort on Tuesday

But Radovanovic insists he never left the country and instead moved to Lightning Ridge where he lived illegally for years under the false name of Zoran Cuk.

His future wife later returned to Australia and married Radovanovic - but his application for Australian citizenship was rejected when he was discovered to have been an illegal alien.

He then faced further drugs charges in 1998 when cops raided two addresses in Melbourne and found him with accomplices and 40 cannabis plants being grown.

A hearing by the AAT took place before the court date and decided to take pity of him, allowing him to stay in the country.

The hearing found Radovanovic 'does little to instill confidence that [he] has the inherent qualities of good character'.

There are currently 14 different Covid hotspots in Byron Bay (pictured here as a week-long lockdown began on Tuesday) and the surrounding area in the wake of his trip

The tribunal deputy president B.M. Forrest added: 'I am not satisfied that he passes the character test.'

The tribunal said the Serbian part-time plastics worker's life in 2000 was 'aimless' but hoped he would 'demonstrate his capacity to make a contribution to Australia' if he was allowed to stay.

Some 21 years later, Radovanovic sold his home in Forestville in 2020 for $2.25 million - which had been registered in his wife's name - and moved to the family's new home in Rose Bay.

Radovanovic is listed to appear in Lismore Local Court on September 13 to face the charges of breaching public health orders

It's understood police were frequently seen at the home in Forestville, and Radovanovic had AVOs taken out against on behalf of his now estranged wife, including one just last month.

He was due back in court next month on an AVO-related hearing and also charged with destroying an umbrella.

Radovanovic is also now listed to appear in Lismore Local Court on September 13 to face the charges relating to his trip to Byron Bay.
One in nine patients in hospital with Covid during the first wave caught it after being admitted for something else, a damning study reveals.

Researchers partially blame the tragic toll on early shortages of testing and PPE and a lack of understanding back then of how the virus spread.

But some hospitals had rates up to 25 times higher than others of a similar type, suggesting localised failings of infection control.

Professor Calum Semple, who worked on the study at the University of Liverpool, said: There will be tragedies behind the story. We do know of people that came into hospital for one problem, caught Covid and sadly died

Experts analysed data on 72,157 patients in 314 UK hospitals who developed symptomatic Covid before August 1 last year

Experts analysed data on 72,157 patients in 314 UK hospitals who developed symptomatic Covid before August 1 last year.

They estimate 11.3 per cent of these infections were acquired in hospital, given the time it takes for an infected person to show symptoms. It means 5,699 to 11,862 patients may have been infected during their hospital stay in the first wave, according to findings published in The Lancet journal.

But the authors write: This is, unfortunately, likely to be an underestimate, as we did not include patients who may have been infected but discharged before they could be diagnosed. Professor Calum Semple, who worked on the study at the University of Liverpool, said: There will be tragedies behind the story.

We do know of people that came into hospital for one problem, caught Covid and sadly died.

The proportion of hospital cases that were acquired after admission peaked at 15.8 per cent  one in six cases  in May last year.

It is now believed to have dropped to between 2 and 5 per cent as availability of testing and PPE has increased and the NHS has learned more about how to contain the spread of the virus. There were also substantial differences in rates. The proportion of cases acquired in hospital was as low as 1 per cent in the best performing acute hospital but as high as 74 per cent in the worst.

Professor Semple called for an urgent investigation to identify best infection control practice.

He said: Whats more concerning to me isnt so much the average, its the variation.

Professor Semple refused to name the hospitals that had performed well or badly, saying: This is about quality improvement, not a blame game

There were some outstanding examples of good infection prevention control practice and there were some examples of where that was not good. There are clearly some hospitals that are big, busy and have really nailed infection prevention control.

So there are lessons to be learned from what they doing so well, that a smaller, quieter hospital should probably have been able to do. He said rates have improved during more recent waves despite the emergence of more infectious variants, indicating the NHS has learned the lessons.

Professor Semple refused to name the hospitals that had performed well or badly, saying: This is about quality improvement, not a blame game.

Dr Annemarie Docherty, from the University of Edinburgh, stressed: Rates are considerably lower a year on, and people should not be deterred from attending hospital if they are unwell.

An NHS spokesman said: Outbreaks in hospitals are less common than in other settings. Hospital infection rates account for less than 1 per cent of all Covid cases since the pandemic began.

Data from the ZOE symptom study shows daily cases rose slightly in people who have had both vaccine doses in the week ending August 7, from 10,751 to 11,043  2.72 per cent. They also rose in people who have had one dose  6,534 to 7,168 (up 9.7 per cent)  and only fell in unvaccinated people  29,620 to 27,700 (down 6.5 per cent)  but this could be caused by the fact more people were given jabs across the weeks.
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) suffered a devastating loss Thursday morning following a launch that ended with the destruction of a new Earth-observation satellite.

The 12-story-tall Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) took off at 5:34am local time (8:13pm ET, August 11), but sometime around the five-minute mark, it began to tumble uncontrollably.

The event caused the upper stage and EOS-03 Earth observation satellite to crash back to Earth, though outside experts believe both objects landed in a nearby body of water.

The failed launch is due to a malfunction in GSLV's upper stage that did not ignite shortly after the rocket took off from the space center in Sriharikota in southern India, the country's space agency said.

ISRO said the cryogenic upper stage did not ignite due to a 'technical anomaly.'

'Since the third stage has not ignited, it has not attained the velocity which would keep it in orbit. It will fall back to Earth sometime soon. Tracking will tell that later,' Pallava Bagla, an outside expert, told AFP.

This was the fourth failure of 14 rocket launches of a geostationary platform since 2001.

Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) suffered a devastating loss Thursday morning following a launch that ended with the destruction of a new Earth-observation satellite

ISRO livestreamed the launch that initially took off as planned: the rocket ignited its massive engines and shot off toward space.

Footage of the rocket was no longer taken once it climbed higher in the sky, leaving the control center looking at an animation of the flight.

A commentator on the livestream announced the third stage ignited as planned, but officials later revealed it had failed to ignite, Space Flight Now reports.

'The mission couldn't be accomplished as intended,' ISRO said in a statement.

The 12-story-tall Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) took off at 5:34am local time (8:13pm ET, August 11)

But sometime around the five-minute mark it began to tumble uncontrollably. The event caused the upper stage and EOS-03 Earth observation satellite to crash back to Earth

Moments after the failure, the upper stage and EOS-03 spacecraft likely crashed into the Andaman Sea that sits west of Thailand, according to Jonathan McDowell, an astrophysicist and expert on spaceflight activity.

'I estimate that the EOS-03 satellite and the GSLV CUS third stage reached a -4500 x 140 km x 17.9 deg orbit and impacted the Andaman Sea near the second stage impact zone at 96E 9N at about 0023 UTC, 10 minutes after launch from Satish Dhawan Space Centre,' McDowell shared on Twitter.

However, ISRO has yet to disclose what would happen to the rocket and satellite after the ignition failure.

The satellite was to be geostationary, meaning it would orbit in sync with the Earth and remain over a fixed position.

It would provide images of cloud bursts and thunderstorms and obtain data for agriculture, forestry and marine purposes.

In 2010, India suffered another catastrophic rocket launch - but this incident happened within a minute of liftoff.

Another GSLV, which was also carrying a satellite into orbit, exploded shortly after taking flight toward space.

The failed launch is due to a malfunction in GSLV's upper stage that did not ignited shortly after the rocket took off from the space center in Sriharikota in southern India, the country's space agency said

In 2010, India suffered another catastrophic rocket launch - but this incident happened within a minute of liftoff. Another GSLV, which was also carrying a satellite into orbit, exploded shortly after taking flight toward space

A stunned ISRO did not give the reason for the blast in the sky but an officer told IANS that there was a fault in the second stage of the launch.

'The rocket's first stage seemed to have performed normally. The problem seems to have cropped up in the second stage as the rocket didn't get sufficient thrust,' he said.

India has an ambitious space program with decades of research allowing it to develop satellite, communications and remote sensing technologies that are helping solve everyday problems at home, from forecasting fish migration to predicting storms and floods.

The government has set a deadline of 2022 for India's first manned spaceflight.

In 2019, India sent a spacecraft to explore water deposits on the far side of the moon but couldn't successfully land the vessel on the lunar surface.
Modern-day people in the Philippines have the most Denisovan DNA in the world, a new study reveals.

Researchers in Sweden have found that the Philippine Negrito ethnic group known as the Ayta Magbukon have the highest level of Denisovan ancestry today.

The Ayta Magbukon people, who occupy the Philippines' Bataan Peninsula, have more Denisovan DNA than the Papuan Highlanders, who were previously known as the present-day population with the highest level of Denisovan ancestry.

Ayta Magbukon people have 5 per cent Denisovan ancestry, the experts say, which is around 30 to 40 per cent greater than that of Papuans and Australians.

Denisovans are a group of extinct hominins that diverged from Neanderthals about 400,000 years ago.

Although remains of these mysterious early humans have mostly been discovered at the Denisova Cave in the Altai Mountains in Siberia, DNA analysis has shown the ancient people were widespread across Asia.

Denisovans and Neanderthals bred with humans around 50,000 years ago, meaning the DNA of the early hominids survives today.

Denisovans are a group of extinct hominins that diverged from Neanderthals about 400,000 years ago. Pictured, a reconstruction of a juvenile female Denisovan who lived sometime between 82,000 and 74,000 years ago

The Ayta Magbukon people (pictured) who occupy the Bataan Peninsula, part of the Philippines

THE PHILIPPINE NEGRITO PEOPLE The Philippine Negrito ethnic group is composed of dark skinned people who are ethnically different from other people in the Philippines. The are believed to be the original inhabitants of the Philippines. Their origins are obscure. Some anthologists believe they are descendant of wandering people that formed an ancient human bridge between Africa and Australia. The Negritos of the Philippines are comprised of approximately 25 different ethnolinguistic groups, widely scattered throughout the archipelago, totalling an estimated 15,000 people Source: Factsanddetails / Culturalsurvival Advertisement

Scientists already know that Denisovans interbred with modern humans in the distant past, but the new study identifies the Ayta Magbukon people as the humans with 'the most Denisovan DNA'.

'We made this observation despite the fact that Philippine Negritos were recently admixed with East Asian-related groups  who carry little Denisovan ancestry, and which consequently diluted their levels of Denisovan ancestry,' said study author Maximilian Larena, from Uppsala University in Sweden.

'If we account for and masked away the East Asian-related ancestry in Philippine Negritos, their Denisovan ancestry can be up to 46 per cent greater than that of Australians and Papuans.'

For the new study, published in Current Biology, Larena and colleagues aimed to establish the demographic history of the Philippines.

They analysed about 2.3 million genotypes from 118 ethnic groups of the Philippines including diverse self-identified Negrito populations.

The Negritos of the Philippines are comprised of approximately 25 different groups, widely scattered throughout the archipelago, totalling an estimated 15,000 people.

The sample also included high-coverage genomes of AustraloPapuans and Ayta Magbukon Negritos.

Bataan is a province and peninsula on the Philippine island of Luzon. The Ayta Magbukon people who occupy the peninsula have the most Denisovan DNA from our ancient human ancestors - not those from Papua New Guinea as previously thought

Remains of the Denisovans have mostly been discovered at the Denisova Cave (pictured) in Siberia

The experts found that Ayta Magbukon possess the highest level of Denisovan ancestry in the world, consistent with an 'admixture event' into Negritos from Denisovans.

Genetic admixture occurs when previously diverged or isolated genetic lineages mix, leaving a characteristic signature in DNA.

The data suggests there were multiple archaic species that inhabited the Philippines prior to the arrival of modern humans, and that these archaic groups may have been genetically related.

This is corroborated by the discovery of a small-bodied hominin, called Homo luzonensis, in 2019 in the Philippines.

Denisovans are a group of extinct hominins that diverged from Neanderthals about 400,000 years ago. Pictured is a model of the phylogeny of H. sapiens over the last 600,000 years

Altogether, the researchers say that the findings unveil a complex intertwined history of modern and archaic humans in the Asia-Pacific region.

Distinct Islander Denisovan populations differentially admixed with incoming Australasians across multiple locations and at various points in time.

'This admixture led to variable levels of Denisovan ancestry in the genomes of Philippine Negritos and Papuans,' said study author Mattias Jakobsson, also at Uppsala University.

'In Island Southeast Asia, Philippine Negritos later admixed with East Asian migrants who possess little Denisovan ancestry, which subsequently diluted their archaic ancestry.

'Some groups, though, such as the Ayta Magbukon, minimally admixed with the more recent incoming migrants.

'For this reason, the Ayta Magbukon retained most of their inherited archaic tracts and were left with the highest level of Denisovan ancestry in the world.'

The researchers plan to sequence more genomes in the future to assess how inherited archaic tracts influenced our biology and contributed to our adaptation as a species.

It is thought that the shared ancestors of Denisovans and Neanderthals, which are unknown in the fossil record, likely split from the ancestors of modern humans around 800,000 years ago

Earlier this year, scientists reported that DNA discovered in Siberia's Denisova Cave suggests early modern humans lived alongside Denisovans and Neanderthals at least 44,000 years ago.

And last October another team reported the discovery of Denisovan DNA in the Baishiya Karst Cave in Tibet.

This discovery marked the first time Denisovan DNA has been recovered from a location that is outside Denisova Cave in Siberia, Russia.

In August 2020, researchers revealed that DNA from an unknown ancient ancestor of humans that bred with Denisovans is still around today.

In February 2020, researchers concluded that a 'super-archaic' human mated with the primitive ancestor of Denisovans and Neanderthals, 700,000 years ago, the earliest known episode of interbreeding between the species.
Unusually soft, powdery rock on the surface of Mars was to blame for a sampling fiasco that saw Perseverance fail to collect its first specimen, according to NASA.

Soon after starting its science mission on the Red Planet, the rover collected a core sample but when it pointed cameras into the titanium tube it was completely empty.

NASA found that it had drilled to the intended depth of nearly three inches, and the borehole itself looked good, but something clearly went wrong with collection.

Engineers have since determined that the sampled rock was not strong enough to produce a core sample, and the small, powdery fragments remained in the hole.

The rover has now begun its slow 0.01 mile per hour trudge to the next sampling site in its quest to find signs of ancient Martian life, arriving early in September.

The percussive drill, coring bit and sample tube processing all worked as intended, but data shows the sample tube was empty following extraction. Pictured is the hole Perseverance made to collect core samples

The rover carries 43 titanium sample tubes, and is exploring Jezero Crater, where it will be gathering samples of rock and regolith (broken rock and dust) for future analysis on Earth

PERSEVERANCE ROVER COMES WITH 23 CAMERAS There are 23 cameras mounted to the Perseverance rover including: Nine engineering cameras, seven science cameras and seven for entry, descent and landing. The engineering cameras give detailed information in colour about the terrain the rover has to cross. They measure the ground for safe driving, check out the status of hardware and support sample gathering. There are Hazcams for hazard detection and Navcams for navigation. Science cameras record in more detail and can even capture 3D images. The Mastcam-Z on a 2 metre arm has a zoom feature for focusing on distant objects and can film video. The Supercam fires a laser at mineral targets beyond the reach of the rovers arm to analysed the chemical composition of the rock. Advertisement

As well as having multiple on board instruments to study rocks, sand dunes and other features of the Martin surface, Perseverance will drill into the surface.

Once it drills out a sample of Mars the rover will store the rocks in tubes.

Later in the 2020s early 2030s these rock samples will be collected by a European Space Agency (ESA) Fetch rover and returned back to Earth for study.

The rover carries 43 titanium sample tubes, with NASA hoping to gather at least 32 samples during its time on the Red Planet.

Thanks to images by the Ingenuity helicopter, and the rover itself, NASA is confident the next sampling site has sedimentary rock that should be better for collection.

Louise Jandura, chief engineer for Perseverance's sampling campaign, said hardware for the failed mission performed as commanded but the rock didn't cooperate.

'It reminds me yet again of the nature of exploration. A specific result is never guaranteed no matter how much you prepare,' she wrote in an update.

This isn't the first time a Mars lander has run into ground resistance when trying to drill into the Martian soil to learn more about the planet.

Earlier this year a German digger on NASA's InSight lander failed to burrow more than a couple of feet, far short of its target.

The clumping soil didn't provide enough friction for the heat-measuring device, and experimenters gave up in January.

After analysing the initial data, the researchers revealed that the rock sample was softer than expected and didn't make it into the tube

Pictured is an animation of Perseverance using its robotic arm to collect core samples from Mars

The multi-billion dollar project to bring back a piece of Mars to Earth will involve three separate launches and would only be successful as soon as 2031. The mission will start when Perseverance, NASA's new exploration rover, launches this summer

The little helicopter, Ingenuity, meanwhile, is still wowing its team, having recently completed its 11th test flight, scoping out areas for Perseverance to explore.

The latest one lasted more than two minutes, and even conducted aerial surveys of Jezero Crater.

That is the ancient river delta where Perseverance and its hitchhiking chopper landed in February, following a nearly seven-month flight from Earth.

Scientists believe the area would have been prime for microscopic life billions of years ago, if it existed.

Later in the 2020s early 2030s rock samples will be collected by a European Space Agency (ESA) Fetch rover and returned back to Earth for study

Humankind has sent dozens of spacecraft and landers to Mars - those that have been successful have left their mark on the Red Planet such as these from Perseverance

WHAT IS MASTCAM-Z USED TO FILM THE INGENUITY FLIGHT The main purpose of Mastcam-Z, a camera mounted on a mast attached to Perseverance, is to take photos and video in high definition. It is also able to capture panoramic, colour and 3D images of features in the atmosphere and on the surface. It has a zoom lens so it can magnify distant targets, making it perfect to track the first Ingenuity flight. It is mounted at the eye level of a 6 and a half foot tall person with two cameras about 9.5 inches apart. NASA says it is the 'main eyes' of the Perseverance rover. Advertisement

Perseverance, nicknamed Perky, landed on Mars on February 18, following a 239-million-mile journey, it spent the first few months helping the Ingenuity helicopter.

It has now begun its primary mission on the Red Planet, to look for traces of ancient life signs that could suggest microbial life evolved on Mars billions of years ago.

As part of this is it hoping to collect samples to be studied in much more advanced laboratories back on Earth.

Perseverance is carrying seven instruments that analyse samples from the surface, including an advanced panoramic camera, a ground-penetrating radar and an X-ray fluorescence spectrometer for analysis of chemical elements.

Selected samples will be collected by drilling down to nearly three inches and then sealed in special sample tubes and stored on the rover.

When the rover reaches a suitable location, the tubes will dropped on the surface and collected by a future retrieval mission, which is currently being developed.

Currently, NASA and ESA plan to launch two more spacecraft that would leave Earth in 2026 and reach Mars in 2028.

The first will deploy a small ESA Fetch rover, being built in the UK, which will make its way to Perseverance, pick up the filled sampling tubes and transfer them to a Mars ascent vehicle  a small rocket.

Perseverance snapped a 'selfie' of it and Ingenuity on April 6. Perseverance is carrying seven instruments that analyse samples from the surface, including an advanced panoramic camera, a ground-penetrating radar and an X-ray fluorescence spectrometer for analysis of chemical elements.

NASA's Perseverance Mars rover used its dual-camera Mastcam-Z imager to capture this image of 'Santa Cruz' a hill about 1.5 miles (2.5 kilometers) away from the rover

This rocket will blast off  in the process becoming the first object launched from the surface of Mars  and place the container into Martian orbit, meaning it will essentially be floating in space

At this point, the third and final spacecraft involved in the tricky operation will manoeuvre itself next to the sample container, pick it up and fly it back to Earth.

Providing its re-entry into the Earths atmosphere is successful, it will plummet to the ground at a military training ground in Utah in 2031, meaning the Martian samples won't be studied for another 10 years, so Perky has plenty of time to get it right.
The BepiColombo spacecraft snapped 86 haunting images of Venus during its flyby of the hellish planet on Tuesday.

The European Space Agency (ESA) shared the stunning collection Thursday, which shows Venus in a glowing white as it hangs in the blackness of space.

The spacecraft captured the images as it skimmed past Venus for a gravity assist maneuver during its epic journey to Mercury.

During the approach, Venus filled the entire field of view, but as the spacecraft changes its orientation, the planet was seen passing behind the panels.

The sequence includes images from all three Monitoring Cameras (MCAM) onboard the Mercury Transfer Module, which provides black-and-white snapshots in 1024 x 1024 pixel resolution.

BepiColombo, a joint mission with ESA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), is on a seven-year mission to study the structure and atmosphere of Mercury and learn more about how it interacts with the sun.

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During the approach, Venus filled the entire field of view, but as the spacecraft changes its orientation, the planet will be seen passing behind the panels

JAXA tweeted: '[It] will not begin orbiting Mercury until the end of 2025, the spacecraft will make the first swing-by of Mercury this October. Stay tuned!'

These flybys, coupled with the spacecraft's solar electric propulsion system, is what is required to steer into Mercury's orbit against the gravitational pull of the sun.

However, it is not possible to take high-resolution imagery of Venus with the science cameras onboard either mission, which is why the images are simply black-and-white clips of the planet.

Thursday's series of images provides a view as if you were riding aboard BepiColomob as it skims past Venus and highlights each part of the gravity maneuver.

BepiColombo, a collaboration between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), snapped a black and white image of Earth's twin when it was 977 miles away

The European Space Agency (ESA) shared the stunning collection Thursday, which shows Venus in a glowing white as it hangs in the blackness of space

This includes and up close shot of Venus, which turns into a small glowing orbit in the distance until it completely disappears into space.

ESA released the first image of Venus snapped by BepiColombo on Wednesday, which also shows the craft itself, akin to a selfie.

The image, taken 977 miles away, shows just a small section of Venus, capturing the detailed curve of the planet, and a few of BepiColombo's components.

It includes the high-gain antenna of the Mercury Planetary Orbiter and part of the body of the spacecraft.

The crafts closest approach, however, was 340 miles from the planets surface.

Shortly after the flyby, data showed that BepiColombo's solar panels went from -148F to 50F, a sharp rise of 200 degrees, due to sunlight reflecting off of Venus.

Dr James O'Donoghue, a planetary scientist at JAXA, commented on the event via Twitter: 'Venus will find a way to be inhospitable to you, even when you fly by it from 550 km [341 miles] away.

This includes and up close shot of Venus, which turns into a small glowing orbit in the distance until it completely disappears into space

Pictured is a shot taken by the craft following its flyby, which shows Venus slowly disappearing into the darkness of space

BepiColombo arrived at Venus just 33 hours after fellow ESA probe, the Solar Orbiter, made its close approach to Venus - marking a double flyby.

The double flyby offers ESA astronomers a chance to study Venus from different locations at the same time, and places rarely visited by probes.

Solar Orbiter is on its way to study the polar regions of the sun in a bid to better understand its 11-year cycle, and made its approach at 12:42am ET, ESA said, coming within 4,967 miles of the planet.

Both Solar Orbiter and BepiColombo have one more flyby of Venus this year.

BepiColombo will see Mercury for the first time overnight on October 1, making its first of six flybys of Mercury  with this one from just just over 100 miles.

Shortly after the flyby, data showed that BepiColombo's solar panels went from -148F to 50F, a sharp rise of 200 degrees, which was due to sunlight reflecting off of Venus

BepiColombo arrived at Venus for its gravity assist as it travels to Mercury - and did so just 33 hours after fellow ESA probe, the Solar Orbiter, made its close approach to Venus - marking a double flyby

The double flyby offers ESA astronomers a chance to study Earth's sister-planet Venus from different locations at the same time, and places rarely visited by probes

The two planetary orbiters will be delivered into Mercury orbit in late 2025, tasked with studying all aspects of this mysterious inner planet.

This includes its core to surface processes, magnetic field, and exosphere, to better understand the origin and evolution of a planet close to its parent star.

On November 27, Solar Orbiter will make a final flyby of Earth, coming just under 300 miles from the surface, kicking off the start of its main mission.

Both NASA and ESA are sending spacecraft to study Venus in more detail in the 2030s, where they will explore how it became so different to the Earth, despite having a similar origin.
Experts have found a deep-water shark nursery filled with 'hundreds of the apex predators and innumerable amount of shark eggs near Tel Aviv, Israel that they believe could have important implications for understanding climate change.

The discovery, led by experts at the University of Haifa, the Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research and other institutions, was almost made by accident, as the researchers were looking at the Eastern Mediterranean Sea because of its vulnerability to climate change.

'This was happening under our noses for thousands of years, right next to Tel Aviv, one of the largest cities in Israel,' said Dr Yizhaq Makovsky, one of the leading researchers, in a statement.

'It was hiding in plain sight, which highlights how little we know about the deep sea  not just off the coast of Israel, but around the world. This is a global challenge.'

A deep-water shark nursery with 'hundreds' of sharks was found near Tel Aviv, Israel

The researchers also discovered deep sea brine pools and related habitat hotspots as part of their work.

The area had previously been thought of 'as an ocean desert,' according to Makovsky, with little in the way of marine life.

Israel is know for being a hotspot for sharks, according to the Jerusalem Post, including species such as dusky and sandbar sharks, both of which are endangered in the area.

It's possible the nursery could be the largest mating location for deep-sea sharks, experts believe.

The discovery was almost made by accident, as researchers were looking at the Eastern Mediterranean Sea because of its vulnerability to climate change

However, the size of the nursery surprised the researchers, not only for the discovery itself, but also what it means to the region as it pertains to rising sea temperatures.

'From a global marine research perspective, this discovery can have enormous implications,' Dr Makovsky added.

The research was done as part of the UN Sustainable Development Goals 'Life Below Water' initiative, which is designed to help save the ocean and biodiversity from the effects of climate change.

The Eastern Mediterranean 'can be regarded as an early-warning system' for climate change. It has experienced multiple climatic and anthropogenic changes at different time scales

It's possible the nursery could be the largest mating location for deep-sea sharks

This is due in part to the fact that the Eastern Mediterranean 'can be regarded as an early-warning system,' Makovsky explained.

'Therefore, we believe that our discovery of a previously unknown deep-sea hotspot of life could provide crucial information for the sustainability and resilience of the marine ecosystem not only in the Eastern Mediterranean, but also globally in other oceans.'

Makovsky continued: 'The deep sea is the Earth's climatic capacitor, mitigating short-term changes. Once the impact of surface synoptic changes migrates to the deep sea, the entire climate of the Earth changes. The Eastern Mediterranean Sea experienced multiple climatic and anthropogenic changes at different time scales.

'Investigating the geological and environmental records concealed in this hotspot will provide a high-resolution record of the impact of changes on the deep sea, which is essential for understanding local and global climatic changes.'

The new actions come in light of the United Nation's damning report that said global warming is already causing extreme weather and the world will see a temperature increase of 2.7F by 2040, compared to a previous forecast between 2030 and 2052.

It is 'unequivocal that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, oceans and land,' the report warned.

The lengthy report added that it is virtually certain' heatwaves 'have become more frequent and more intense across most land regions' and a rise in sea levels approaching 6 feet by the end of this century 'cannot be ruled out.'

In July, a number of blacktip reef sharks were spotted off New York's coastline that are not native area, with officials noting they likely moved north because of climate change.

In February, researchers in California found that great whites were moving north off the California coast, from Santa Barbara all the way to Bodega Bay, to seek cooler waters as a result of climate change.

Though climate change is impacting the migrations and hunting patterns of the apex predators, it's also impacting how they swim.

In March 2020, Australian researchers found that sharks became 'right handed,' swimming to the right, after swimming in tanks heated to simulate temperature changes that are expected by the end of the century.

Rising sea temperatures may also negatively impact young sharks by shortening their freeze response times they implement to keep from being eaten by predators such as large fish and other sharks, a recent study found.
Elon Musk has hit out at billionaire space rival Jeff Bezos, saying he would be on Pluto by now 'if lobbying and lawyers could get you to orbit'.

It is the latest barb in a war of words between the two that was kicked into overdrive when NASA awarded SpaceX a lunar lander contract over Bezos-owned Blue Origin.

SpaceX, owned and founded by Elon Musk, won a lucrative contract to develop a version of its Starship spaceship to take astronauts to the lunar surface in 2024.

Blue Origin was hoping NASA would pay two firms to develop alternative landers but funding cuts led the space agency to go with just SpaceX, prompting the firm to file a 50-page protest to the Government Accountability Office.

This appeal, that accused NASA of 'moving the goalposts at the last minute,' was denied by officials, prompting Musk to say: 'If lobbying and lawyers could get u to orbit, Bezos would be on Pluto [right now].'

The battle isn't a one way street though, as last week Blue Origin shared an infographic of the SpaceX lunar Starship and called it an 'immensely complex and high risk' approach for sending the first woman and next man to the moon in 2024.

NASA has chosen Elon Musk 's SpaceX to build the spacecraft that take the first woman and next man to the moon. SpaceX's HLS Starship will include the company's tested Raptor engines, along with pulling inspiration from the Falcon and Dragon vehicles' designs

Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin did have high hopes of winning its protest against NASA's decision and told DailyMail.com that 'there were fundamental issues with NASAs decision.' Elon Musk also responded to last week's decision by posting 'GAO' with the strong arm emoji on Twitter, which is the typical gesture of someone who won a fight

This appeal, that accused NASA of 'moving the goalposts at the last minute,' was denied by officials, prompting Musk to say: 'If lobbying and lawyers could get u to orbit, Bezos would be on Pluto [right now]'

ARTEMIS LANDER: A COMMERCIAL RETURN TO THE MOON NASA has chosen Elon Musk's SpaceX to build the spacecraft that will take the first woman and next man to the surface of the moon in 2024. The deal includes SpaceX's $2.9 billion contract to build the lunar lander that is reportedly much lower than what competitors bid. It isn't clear what Dynetics and Blue Origin bid to build the lander. The officials statement from NASA confirms SpaceX will be the only one to take humans back to the moon. NASA had originally planned to have two companies go forward to develop a lander, but budget cuts changed that and led to a single lander contract. This prompted Blue Origin to file a complaint against NASA for 'moving the goalposts' which failed. It found 'NASA did not violate procurement law or regulation when it decided to make only one award,' which was Blue Origin's defence. The Artemis mission, which is set for 2024, will see four spacefaring heroes board the Orion spacecraft that will be rocketed off to space by NASA's powerful Space Launch System (SLS). Once in orbit, two crew members will transfer to the SpaceX human landing system (HLS) and head to the moon. After a week exploring the surface, they will board the lander for their short trip back to orbit where they will return to Orion and their colleagues before heading back to Earth. Advertisement

It started in April 2020 when NASA announced it would award three initial research contracts to Blue Origin, Dynetics and SpaceX to develop a lander system.

Blue Origin received $579 million, Dynetics $253 million and SpaceX $135 million as part of that initial research contract with the hope of winning the final deal.

On April 16, 2021, NASA announced SpaceX was going to be the only company to construct a lunar lander, and being awarded less than either of the other two firms.

SpaceX received a $2.9 billion contract to develop the lander that will go to the lunar surface, possibly as soon as 2024.

Blue Origin's protest with the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) was rejected, after the 'congressional watchdog' found NS did nothing wrong.

It found 'NASA did not violate procurement law or regulation when it decided to make only one award,' which was Blue Origin's entire defence on the matter.

Last month, just before Bezos went to the edge of space on the Blue Origin New Shepard rocket, he published an open letter to NASA calling for competition to be restored to the Artemis mission.

He offered to cover billions of dollars of costs involved in developing the lander, saying he was fortunate to be in a position to do so.

This prompted Musk to tweet: 'Just want to say thanks to those in government who fight hard for the right thing to happen, despite extreme pressure to do otherwise. Therin lies the core goodness of the American state.'

The Artemis mission, which is set for 2024, will see four spacefaring heroes board the Orion spacecraft that will be rocketed off to space by NASA's powerful Space Launch System (SLS) rocket - due to make its debut launch early next year.

Once in orbit, two crew members will transfer to the SpaceX human landing system (HLS), an adapted version of the Starship spacecraft, and head to the surface.

Musk also responded to the decision by posting 'GAO' with the strong arm emoji on Twitter, which is the typical gesture of someone who won a fight

After a week exploring the lunar surface, they will board the SpaceX lander for their short trip back to orbit where they will dock with the Orion and their colleagues that remained on board, before heading back to Earth.

Eventually, possibly by 2028, both the Starship lander and Orion will dock with the Lunar Gateway space station due to be built in orbit around the moon.

Blue Origin's infographic, claiming the SpaceX solution would be unsafe and risky, cites the massive size of the Starship compared to the Blue Origin lander.

'There are an unprecedented number of technologies, developments, and operations that have never been done before for Starship to land on the Moon,' Blue Origin wrote in the infographic.

Blue Origin posted an infographic on its website , seen Wednesday, that calls SpaceX's lunar Starship an 'immensely complex and high risk' approach for sending the first woman and next man to the moon in 2024. The criticism comes just days after the Jeff Bezo-owned company's protest against NASA's decision to award SpaceX a contract to build the lunar was denied, and suggests Blue Origin isn't taking the loss lightly

Blue Origin highlights it would only need three National Team launches with proven systems. Starship's exit is 126 feet off the ground, which would likely use elevators to ferry astronauts down to the lunar surface, while the Blue Origin lander is 32 feet off the ground and would use a simple down a long ladder

SPACEX HUMAN LUNCH SYSTEM STARSHIP TO GO TO THE MOON IN 2024 SpaceX's HLS Starship will include the company's tested Raptor engines, along with pulling inspiration from the Falcon and Dragon vehicles' designs. It will feature a spacious cabin and two airlocks for astronaut moonwalks. Work started on designing the lunar vehicle in May 2020 and work will now begin to fully build it thanks to a NASA $2.89 billion contract. The initial contact covers an uncrewed demonstration mission, and a crewed lunar landing in 2024. It is also planned future lunar landings will be made using Starship HLS. It is equipped with a complement of thrusters used on the final descent and takeoff from the surface of the moon. The final design will have a 100 day loiter capability in lunar orbit allowing for more trips to the lunar surface. It also is designed to carry extra propellant to allow for an emergency ascent from the moon. Length : 50 m (164 ft 1 in)

: 50 m (164 ft 1 in) Width : 9 m (29 ft 6 in)

: 9 m (29 ft 6 in) Payload : 100200 t (220,000440,000 lb)

: 100200 t (220,000440,000 lb) Status : In development

: In development First launch : Uncrewed 2023

: Uncrewed 2023 Applications : Reusable lunar lander Advertisement

The infographic is designed as a comparison between the two company's lunar landers.

While it states SpaceX would need more than 10 Starship launches, Blue Origin highlights it would only need three National Team launches with proven systems.

The criticism continues with Blue Origin calling out SpaceX for not sending any craft into orbit from its own launch site.

However, Musk's company has sent more than 100 Falcon 9 rockets into orbit and Bezos' firm has only sent a crewed capsule 351,000 feet into the air and back.

The infographic also shows a comparison of the lunar landers, with Blue Origin's mirroring those of the past and Starships massive cylinder-like shape.

Starship's exit is 126 feet off the ground, which would likely use elevators to ferry astronauts down to the lunar surface, while the Blue Origin lander is 32 feet off the ground and would use a simple ladder.

What the image fails to include is the cost to construct the lunar lander and get it off the ground, which was a major part of NASA's final decision - SpaceX bid $2.9 billion, while Blue Origin was roughly double at $5.99 billion.

Blue Origin did have high hopes of winning its protest against NASA's decision and told DailyMail.com that 'there were fundamental issues with NASAs decision.'

'Well continue to advocate for two immediate providers as we believe it is the right solution,' the Blue Origin spokesperson continued.

'The Human Landing System [HLS] program needs to have competition now instead of later  that's the best solution for NASA and the best solution for our country.'

Musk also responded to last week's decision by posting 'GAO' with the strong arm emoji on Twitter, which is the typical gesture of someone who won a fight.

The American space agency is looking to develop two types of spacesuits: : intravehicular suits, which are worn inside a spacecraft, and extravehicular suits, which are worn for exploring outside of a spacecraft

NASA hopes to send the first woman and next man to the moon as early as 2024, although that date could be in doubt over issues with the spacesuit design.

An audit from the agency's Office of Inspector General found NASA is on track to spend more than $1 billion developing the suits by the time the first two are ready, which won't happen until 'April 2025 at the earliest,' according to the report.

Musk caught wind of the delay via a tweet posted by CNBC space reporter Michael Sheetz, in which the billionaire commented: 'SpaceX could do if need be.'

In the tweet thread, Sheetz also noted there are 27 different companies supplying components for the Artemis suits and Musk commented that the issue may bee that there are 'too many cooks in the kitchen.'

Sandra Johnson, public affairs officer for spacesuits at NASA, told DailyMail.com in an email: 'Artemis includes a collaborative effort between NASA, its international partners, and industry partners to return humans to the Moon.

'NASA is currently accepting industry feedback to a draft Request for Proposals (RFP) for the agencys strategy for purchasing commercial spacesuits, hardware, and services for use on Artemis missions and the International Space Station. NASA plans to release the formal RFP in early Fall.

'The opportunity will be open to all of industry.'
Having a lot of female friends can make men a less attractive prospect to women, a it makes them look like they have 'many options' to choose from, a study has claimed.

This makes the men in question look like they might be 'hard to secure'  and 40 per cent less appealing  the researchers from Australia's Monash University argued.

Furthermore, men who advertise have a lot of women as friends can be seen as lacking in humility, the team concluded.

Having a lot of female friends can make men a less attractive prospect to women, a it makes them look like they have 'many options' to choose from, a study has claimed (stock image)

The study was conducted by psychologists Ryan Anderson and Cagla Tekin of the Monash University in Melbourne, Australia.

'Saying one has a lot of female friends may seem boastful,' said Dr Anderson.

He added that men who report having particularly high numbers of female friends may seem to be exaggerating  which may elicit 'suspicion and/or distrust'.

In their study, the duo showed various women photos of four men and asked them to rate their attractiveness. Each man had previously been judged to be of a similar level of attractiveness by a separate panel of volunteers.

The participants were told that each man was single and had 300 friends on Facebook  and, in some cases, were also informed of how many of these friends were of the opposite sex.

The researchers found that the men with with most women in their social circles (comprising 9 out of every 10 friends) were rated around 40 per cent less attractive that the gentlemen for whom no friendship information had been provided.

When the genders in the experiment were flipped, the team found that having a lot of male friends similarly made women less attractive to men, albeit to a much lesser degree  reducing their perceived attractiveness by only 10 per cent.

In total, the psychologists ran their test of 224 heterosexual men and women.

While having too many friends of the opposite sex was seen as a turn-off, the researchers also found that there were also drawbacks in having too few of them.

Men with the smallest number of women as friends were rated as being 10 per cent less attractive than those for whom no friendship details were given.

Meanwhile, women with the least male friends were rated by men as being seven per cent less attractive.

The full findings of the study were published in the journal Evolutionary Psychological Science.
Humans have wiped out 469 bird species from the Earth over the last 50,000 years, a new study reveals.

Scientists at Tel Aviv University and the Weizmann Institute found avian endured a major extinction event starting 20,000 years ago that ended with up to 20 percent of species disappearing - but researchers say the real number is much higher.

The team found that most of the extinct species were very large, lived on islands and were flightless.

This includes the massive Moa that lived in New Zealand and went extinct in the 17th century and the infamous dodo bird, which were native to island of Mauritius off the coast of Madagascar - it went extinct in the 1600s.

The extinctions, according to the researchers were caused by the arrival of humans on islands who hunted the large birds to feed the entire community.

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Humans have wiped out 469 bird species from the Earth over the last 50,000 years, a new study reveals. This includes the moa (pictured) that once lived in New Zealand

Shai Meiri of the School of Zoology at The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences and the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History at Tel Aviv University, said in a statement: 'We conducted a comprehensive review of scientific literature, and for the first time collected quantitative data on the numbers and traits of birds worldwide.

'Those that became extinct in the last 300 years or so are relatively well known, while earlier species are known to science from remains found in archaeological and paleontological sites worldwide.

'Altogether we were able to list 469 that became extinct over the last 50,000 years, but we believe that the real number is much higher.'

The reason Meiri and his team are putting the blame on humans is due to the large amount of bird remains unearthed at ancient human sites, along with other evidence that shows the avian disappeared shortly after humans arrived on an island.

The study also includes the infamous dodo bird, which were native to island of Mauritius off the coast of Madagascar - it went extinct in the 1600s

'Extinctions mostly occurred in families of large-bodied birds, whilst lineages of small birds have fared better. Insular birds are overall larger than mainland birds, a trend that becomes even more evident when the extinct forms are analyzed,' reads the study published in the Journal of Biogeography.

'However, within lineages, sizes are only slightly larger on islands than on continents.'

The large birds were found to be 10 times the size of those that survived the arrival of humans.

The reason humans targets large birds, like the 9-foot-tall Mihirung, is because they provided more food.

The Mihirung, also known as thunder bird or demon duck, was a flightless bird that lived in Australia up to 50,000 years ago, but was killed off by human hunters.

Another feature among the extinct species is that 90 percent of them lived on islands that were either killed by humans who just arrived on the island or the animals they brought with them, pigs, rats and cats.

A large portion of the extinct bird species were flightless, and often unable to escape their pursuers, such as the Giant Moa that once roamed New Zealand.

The reason humans targets large birds, like the 9-foot-tall Mihirung, is because they provided more food. The Mihirung, also known as thunder bird or demon duck, was a flightless bird that lived in Australia up to 50,000 years ago, but was killed off by human hunters

The study found that the number of flightless bird species that became extinct is double the number of flightless species still existing today - 68 percent of the flightless bird species known to science became extinct.

'Our study indicates that before the major extinction event of the past millennia, many more large, even giant, as well as flightless avian lived on our globe, and the diversity of birds living on islands was much greater than today,' Meiri said in a statement.

'We hope that our findings can serve as warning signals regarding bird species currently threatened with extinction, and it is therefore important to check whether they have similar features.'
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JetBlue started transatlantic flights between New York and London on Wednesday, with the first flight pictured landing at Heathrow on Thursday afternoon.

The low-cost airline is planning to grab market share with low fares and drive recovery on what is usually one of the world's busiest and most lucrative international routes.

Transatlantic travel remains partially shut as the United States is still not allowing most travellers from Britain into the country because of the coronavirus pandemic. Anyone who does enter, including U.S citizens, must present a negative Covid-19 test. The UK only opened to fully vaccinated U.S travellers earlier in August.

New transatlantic player: The first JetBlue flight from New York to Heathrow touches down

JetBlue's long-range A321 taxis to the gate at Heathrow after its journey from JFK

JetBlue started transatlantic flights between New York and London on Wednesday. Pictured are passengers on the first service as it waits to depart JFK

Passengers wearing protective masks hold American and British flags on JetBlue's first flight to London

But New York-based JetBlue pressed ahead with the start of its daily John F. Kennedy (JFK) Airport to Heathrow service, counting on its new Airbus A321LR jets, a longer-range variant of the A321neo, to underpin profits.

JetBlue believes that by using the smaller, fuel-efficient Airbus jets it can undercut other airlines on price - and UK travellers get a special introductory rate.

Tickets start from 329 return ($599 on the U.S side) for one of 117 Core (economy main cabin) seats and 999 ($1,979) return for one of 24 individual business-class 'Mint' suites.

The aircraft will also feature two first-class 'Mint Studio' seats - for an extra $299 (211) each way - that the airline claims have 'the largest lie-flat bed of any U.S carrier'.

One of the two first-class A321 'Mint Studio' seats, pictured, which JetBlue says have the biggest lie-flat bed of any U.S carrier

The business-class seat offered on the JetBlue A321LR transatlantic service. It features tilting 17-inch Thales Avant screens, wireless charging capabilities, an integrated phone ledge 'for multitasking', 'easy-to-reach in-seat power', as well as laptop, shoe and handbag stowage

A flight attendant on the inaugural flight is pictured here helping passengers in the business-class section

The Mint Studio seat, which New York-based JetBlue says is the 'pinnacle of space and privacy', feature 22-inch Thales 'Avant' tilting seatback screens, an extra side table and a guest seat that can accommodate an additional passenger during flight at cruising altitude.

The 'regular' Mint suites, meanwhile, feature tilting 17-inch Thales Avant screens, wireless charging capabilities, an integrated phone ledge 'for multitasking', 'easy-to-reach in-seat power', as well as laptop, shoe and handbag stowage.

The designs for the 'Mint' suites and 'Mint Studio' seats were conceptualised by London-based Acumen Design Associates and developed in partnership with another UK studio, Aim Altitude.

Speaking at JFK before the first departure, JetBlue Chief Executive Robin Hayes said the launch was already driving a price war, with fares between New York and London falling since its flights went on sale.

'JetBlue is responsible for that,' he said.

At the JetBlue launch event at JFK, a section of the terminal was given a British-themed makeover

Passengers at JFK show their passports before boarding the first ever transatlantic JetBlue flight

UK-based airlines British Airways and Virgin Atlantic are struggling in the pandemic because, unlike U.S rivals American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, they do not have a large, buoyant domestic market to fall back on.

JetBlue, which plans to add flights to London's Gatwick in late September and between Boston and London next year, was more affected than other U.S airlines during the pandemic because its hub airports were heavily affected by lockdowns.

As domestic Covid-19 restrictions ease, it has seen an increase in revenues. It hopes its London service will provide a further boost and that it will fare better than other low-cost carriers that have tried and failed to conquer the transatlantic in the past.

'I want to congratulate JetBlue on its inaugural transatlantic flight to London and wish all the crew and customers a safe and pleasant journey,' said Dame Karen Pierce DCMG, U.K. Ambassador to the U.S. 'As vaccinated Americans can now come to the UK without the need to quarantine, this route will offer more Americans a path to doing business, holidays and family reunions in the U.K. Today's flight quite literally takes our Special Relationship to new heights.'

Speaking at JFK before the first departure, JetBlue Chief Executive Robin Hayes (pictured) said the launch was already driving a price war
The Bachelor star Jimmy Nicholson has hit back at claims he breached Sydney's strict lockdown rules, after being pictured sunbathing with friends at Bondi Beach.

The 31-year-old pilot has come under fire in recent weeks after being spotted out with a number of friends while maskless, not practicing social distancing, and at times simply lying down rather than exercising.

But Jimmy, who received the Covid-19 vaccine earlier this month, told Yahoo on Wednesday he hadn't planned to meet pals when he was pictured in Bondi, before claiming the eastern suburbs were being unfairly targeted.

Speaking out: The Bachelor's Jimmy Nicholson has denied claims he breached Sydney's strict lockdown, after being pictured sunbathing with friends at Bondi Beach. Pictured on July 28

'I live in the eastern suburbs of Sydney, so its perfectly fine to go and do some exercise with a friend. Even on the Bondi to Bronte walk, which I always do, there's a lot of people there,' he said.

'All it takes is for someone to be walking in the same direction as you, next to you, for it to look like you're in a big group of people walking around and that's it.'

Due to the highly contagious Delta strain of Covid, Sydney residents are only allowed to leave their homes to buy food, for health reasons, to help vulnerable people, for work or education if not possible to do so at home, and for outdoor exercise.

Response: Jimmy, who received the Covid-19 vaccine earlier this month, told Yahoo on Wednesday he hadn't planned to meet pals when he was recently pictured in Bondi

Response: 'I live in the eastern suburbs, so its fine to go and do some exercise with a friend. Even on the Bondi to Bronte walk, which I always do, there's a lot of people there,' he said

Sighting: In late July he was pictured swimming with a pal in Bondi before the pair sunbathed shirtless on the beach afterwards

Working out: Police were seen pulling up to Jimmy and his friend during an exercise session, checking they were adhering to lockdown rules

Fine: The two men were seen squatting and lunging in these photos, which is perfectly allowed under Sydney's lockdown rules

When it comes to exercise, you are able to do so with one other person outside of your household.

'There's a storyline saying you're "breaching Covid" and everyone's p***ed off because as soon as people see that now, people are genuinely really, really upset,' he added.

Jimmy was pictured in late July swimming with a pal in Bondi before the pair sunbathed shirtless on the beach afterwards.

He was later seen lunging and squatting during a workout session with the same friend. A police officer then stopped by to check they were adhering to the rules.

When gossip website The Wash published pictures of Jimmy with four other friends around this time, disappointed fans accused him of setting a bad example.

Defence: 'All it takes is for someone to be walking in the same direction as you, next to you, for it to look like you're in a big group of people walking around and that's it,' Jimmy said of an earlier set pictures in which he was seen with multiple friends

Narrative: 'There's a storyline saying you're "breaching Covid" and everyone's p***ed off because as soon as people see that now, people are genuinely really really upset,' Jimmy said

Rules: You are able to exercise with one other person outside of your household, according to Sydney's current lockdown laws

Not happy: When gossip website The Wash published pictures of Jimmy with four other friends at the beach, disappointed fans accused him of setting a bad example (pictured)

'Is it "celebrity" privilege to not follow the rules?' one wrote, while another added: 'Ugh. And people wonder why we cant get in under control.'

'How is the exercise rule not clear?? Your household or two people,' a third wrote.

A fourth commented: 'This is not okay. Im from Melb, half of Sydney wouldnt know a lockdown if it slapped them in the face and said "I'm a lockdown".

'Jimmy really needs to apologise for this blatant disregard of the rules. Its really upsetting to see someone living their best life while we spent four months (and the past two weeks) not being able to travel more than 5km or see family.'

Hard times: In the same interview with Yahoo, Jimmy said he was taking the Covid pandemic extremely seriously due to the effect it has had on his career

Challenge: The pilot said he had 'eight months off work with no pay' and was doing everything in his power to follow the rules

Only human: He said 'everyone slips up now and again' but insisted he wasn't 'throwing parties'

Reality star: Jimmy is currently appearing on Channel 10's match-making show The Bachelor

Looking for love: His journey to find The One is still ongoing, with two ladies leaving the competition on Wednesday night

Eastern suburbs fury: Bondi Beach in general has come under fire in recent weeks, with thousands flocking to bake in the sun despite the strict lockdown rules

Time to go: Jimmy later put on a tank top as the pair left the beach after a day in the sun

Indeed, Bondi Beach in general has come under fire in recent weeks, with thousands flocking to bake in the sun despite the strict lockdown rules.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel 10 for further comment.

In the same interview with Yahoo, Jimmy said he was taking the Covid pandemic extremely seriously due to the effect it has had on his career.

The Jetstar pilot said he had 'eight months off work with no pay' and was doing everything in his power to make sure he doesn't slip up.

He said 'everyone slips up now and again', but insisted he wasn't 'throwing parties'.
Love Island Australia's Matthew Zukowski and Anna McEvoy recently sparked dating rumours after they were seen hanging out together on social media.

But it didn't take long for his Bachelor star ex-girlfriend Keira Maguire to accuse him of 'faking' the romance to promote their new podcast.

Hitting back at the allegations, Matthew told Daily Mail Australia: 'Look, we've just been hanging out a lot and people write their own narratives, so we just didn't comment.'

Fake news: Love Island Australia's Matthew Zukowski, 26, and Anna McEvoy, 29, have hit back at claims they're faking a relationship to promote their new podcast

'We didn't lead anyone on,' the 26-year-old added. 'We literally just hung out and put Instagram Stories up together and the public wrote their own narrative.'

Anna, 29, added: 'I think me and Matt are longtime friends, and I think people, everyone close to us, knows what's going on.'

She said she was inspired to launch dating/relationship podcast Where's Your Head At? after spending hours dishing out advice to her co-stars.

'When I was on Love Island I was like the go-to advice girl,' she laughed.

Hitting back: 'Look, we've just been hanging out a lot and people write their own narratives, so we just didn't comment,' he said on Wednesday in response to 'showmance' claims

'Matt gets himself into bad situations and I try to give him the best advice possible, so we thought it would be a good dynamic,' she explained.

'Matt and I have been friends for a really long time and we always have crazy, wild conversations, and we thought we should share that with anyone who wanted to listen.'

It comes just weeks after Matt's ex Keira claimed the pair were in a 'fake relationship' to drum up publicity for their podcast.

Just friends: 'Matt and I have been friends for a really long time and we always have crazy, wild conversations,' Anna said of their friendship

'They aren't dating. They are pretending to be together as they want to get exposure for some podcast they are doing,' Keira told Daily Mail Australia last month.

'I had to block them both on socials as it was really hurtful to watch.

'I expressed to both of them, especially Anna, who was supposed to be my friend, that this was hurtful.

'But she told me I shouldn't care and still continued to do it. I guess people will do anything to get exposure, even if it hurts the people they are suppose to care about.'
When colourful property tycoon Robert Tchenguiz splashed 140 million on MI5s former Mayfair headquarters, he wanted to turn it into the highest-end hotel in the world with a swish members club to rival society hotspot, 5 Hertford Street.

But just months after getting the green light from Westminster council, his dreams have been shattered.

For the British entrepreneur, 60, has been told he cannot go ahead with his mammoth project, which would have seen Britains former spycatcher HQ transformed into a luxurious 65-bed hotel with ground-floor shops and three levels of basement - containing spa and swimming pool - and a spectacular rooftop restaurant under a glass dome.

Councillors voted to approve the plans in February but, two months later, and before formal consent was given, they introduced the City Plan - a set of policies designed to control development in central London via targets for housing, economic growth, public open space and greenery.

When colourful property tycoon Robert Tchenguiz splashed 140 million on MI5s former Mayfair headquarters, he wanted to turn it into the highest-end hotel in the world with a swish members club

They decided Tchenguizs scheme fails to comply with the new rules, while officials are not happy with the loss of office space in his proposals for Leconfield House in Curzon Street.

Boasting 96,000sq ft of commercial space, it was MI5s base from 1945 until 1976 when the service moved to Gower Street.

Tchenguiz bought the building for his Rotch property business in 2004.

Tchenguizs personal life is just as intriguing as his professional one: he shares the fourth floor of his 20million Kensington mansion with his mistress, 31-year-old Julia Dybowska, while his estranged American wife, Heather Bird, 52, sleeps three floors below.

Boasting 96,000sq ft of commercial space, Leconfield House in Curzon Street was MI5s base from 1945 until 1976 when the service moved to Gower Street

Planning officers have now said the owners of Leconfield House must advertise the office space for as long as a year to prove it is surplus to requirements.

Speaking at Westminsters planning meeting, Tchenguizs lawyer said: It is in no ones interest to pause the applications for a year of marketing to take place.

He added that last-minute objections late last year had the deliberate effect of forcing the application into the arms of a policy which it could never entirely comply with.

The Satanic Verses author Sir Salman Rushdie is proving to be Twitters new king of comebacks, triumphing over his critics with his caustic wit.

Yesterday, he had an online message, reading: As an agent of Satan, I assume you get ten per cent of his earnings.

To which Salman replied: And twenty per cent on translation rights.

HOLLYWOOD STAR SHINES FOR ALICE

Princess Beatrices close friend Alice Naylor-Leyland is proving popular with Hollywood royalty, too.

She launched her Mrs Alice tablescapes in The Hamptons this week, where she was joined by Oscar-winner Reese Witherspoon.

Alice Naylor-Leyland is proving popular with Hollywood royalty. She launched her Mrs Alice tablescapes in The Hamptons, where she was joined by Oscar-winner Reese Witherspoon

Alice, 35, whose company creates themed dining sets for posh social events, describes the actress as super smart and beautiful.

But no one could eclipse Alices husband Tom, heir to the 176 million Fitzwilliam land-owning fortune, whom she says is my biggest cheerleader.

She played the sweet-natured Professor Sprout in Harry Potter, but Miriam Margolyes has hit the roof over nasty greyhound racing - due to return to her home town next year.

I have many fond memories of growing up in Oxford but they dont involve watching gentle and sociable greyhounds run around a track for punters, fumes Miriam, 80.

This isnt sport - its animal abuse.

BOND GIRL DOES HEN DO IN BIKINI

Sir Sean Connerys granddaughter Saskia knows how to let her hair down.

The 25-year-old is on her hen do on the Greek island of Mykonos this week after becoming engaged to Hallstein Water heir Phillip Thomas Muhr, 33, in April  six months after the James Bond star died aged 90.

Embracing the party spirit, the swimwear designer  whose father is Seans stepson Stephane - at one point climbed onto the seat of her hotel restaurant to dance to ABBAs Voulez-Vous with her friends.

Embracing the party spirit, the swimwear designer  whose father is Seans stepson Stephane - at one point climbed onto the seat of her hotel restaurant to dance to ABBAs Voulez-Vous with her friends

Sir Sean Connerys granddaughter Saskia knows how to let her hair down. Above: The pair pictured together in 2010

But the pre-nuptial party, which she is comically referring to as Saskia Gets Muhried, does not mean her single days are over any time soon: she tells me the wedding will be next May.

We cant wait to spend the rest of our lives together, she says.

Tattooed TV chef Tom Brown has been served a devastating blow just months after his shock split from his wife of five months.

I hear the Saturday Kitchen star, 34, has been dropped from the National Restaurant Awards list of the top 100 eateries in Britain, which will be published next week.

Its surprising given he ranked third last time, says my culinary source.

Were all wondering why hes fallen out of favour so fast.

Toms Hackney Wick restaurant, Cornerstone, was awarded a Michelin star earlier this year  around the time he wed Glaswegian Julieanne Soto, 29.

The couple met last summer and she proposed just two months later as they lay in bed eating pizza.

COLIN FIRTH TURNS DOWN STREISAND...

Heart-throb Colin Firth has left Barbra Streisand in search of a leading man.

The Hollywood star, 79, has been trying to make a film about Americas first female photojournalist, Margaret Bourke-White, but is struggling after losing Firth, 60, who had been cast as U.S. novelist Erskine Caldwell.

Heart-throb Colin Firth, 60, (pictured above in 2020) has left Barbra Streisand in search of a leading man, after he had been cast as U.S. novelist Erskine Caldwell

When I first tried to make it [in 2012], I got Cate Blanchett and Colin Firth, says Streisand.

But it took so long to get off the ground that Colin and Cate then dropped out as they felt they were too old.
Tom Girardi has informed a judge he will not testify at an upcoming contempt hearing connected to the Lion Air Flight 610 case.

Girardi, 82, has told a Chicago federal judge on Monday that he will invoke his right to remain silent if he is called to the stand in the upcoming hearing, according to Law360.

Last year a judge held Girardi and his law firm in contempt, finding he misappropriated at least $2 million in client funds intended for the families of those killed in the devastating 2018 Lion Air crash. The upcoming hearing is related to the contempt finding.

Tom Girardi has informed a judge he will not testify at an upcoming hearing connected to the Lion Air Flight 610 case

US District Judge Thomas Durkin called Thomas Girardi's conduct 'unconscionable' and said he was referring him to the U.S. attorney's office for criminal investigation when holding him in contempt last year.

Girardi's assets were also frozen by the judge, as were the assets of his Los Angeles-based law firm, Girardi Keese.

Durkin warned the former lawyer that the 'simple way to cure all of this' is to pay at least four Illinois-based clients he said are each owed a half-million dollars.

Girardi, 82, told a Chicago federal judge on Monday that he will invoke his right to remain silent if he is called to the stand, according to Law360 (pictured 2019)

'These are widows and orphans,' the judge told Girardi, according to the Chicago Sun Times. 'Half a million dollars for any one of these families is a significant amount of money. Life changing, given the tragedy they went through.'

Girardi's attorneys claimed he did not currently possess the $2 million owed to his clients.

Attorney Evan Jenness told the judge her client's firm, Girardi Keese, had about $15,000 in its operating accounts, the LA Times reported.

Girardi's assets were also frozen by the judge, as were the assets of his Los Angeles-based law firm, Girardi Keese

Girardi's legal woes stem from the crash of Lion Air Flight 610, a Boeing 737 Max, which plummeted into the Java Sea, off Indonesia, in October 2018, killing all 189 passengers on board. The 737 Max has since been grounded indefinitely by Boeing after an investigation uncovered catastrophic issues with its anti-stall software.

The missing funds are part of a settlement Girardi and his firm negotiated from Boeing for four Illinois-based families, with primary terms reached by early 2020.

While the terms of the settlement are confidential, remarks made in court indicate that each of Girardi's clients was to be paid $2 million, however only received around 75 percent of the money owed to them.

A fifth client also may not have been paid, the judge noted, adding that he planned to refer the matter to the US attorney's office.

Jayne's extravagant lifestyle is well documented on the reality show Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

Edelson's firm filed a separate lawsuit against Girardi, accusing him and his estranged wife Erika Jayne of embezzling the Lion Air settlement funds to keep up their 'public image of obscene wealth', despite being over the 'verge of financial collapse'.

It further claims that last year's announcement Jayne had filed for divorce against Girardi is an act to protect their money from debt collectors.

'At the heart of this deception is Defendant Girardi and his need to fund outrageous lifestyles for himself and his soon-to-be ex-wife, Erika Jayne,' the complaint, obtained by DailyMail.com, reads.

It continues: 'Tom and Erika have reached celebrity status in the glitz-and-glam world of Hollywood and Beverly Hills...To keep up their celebrity status, Tom and Erika must project a public image of obscene wealth at all times, and at whatever the cost.

The lawsuit cited examples of her excessive spending, mentioning how she boasted in 2018 that she spends $40,000 a month her glamorous make-up

'While Erika publicly filed for divorce this month, on information and belief, that 'divorce' is simply a sham attempt to fraudulently protect Tom's and Erika's money from those that seek to collect on debts owed by Tom and his law firm GK.'

In his suit, Edelson stated that Girardi and his firm are ''are on the verge of financial collapse and locked in a downward spiral of mounting debts and dwindling funds', and allegedly owe tens of millions of dollars to clients, co-counsel, and others.

The suit claims that it's because of his purported financial turmoil that Girardi allegedly resorted to embezzling money intended for his clients.

Jayne's extravagant lifestyle is well documented on the reality show Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

The lawsuit cited examples of her excessive spending, mentioning how she boasted in 2018 that she spends $40,000 a month her glamorous make-up.

The suit also highlights a lyric from her 2017 hip-hop song 'Exxpen$ive' which features the phrase, 'it's expensive to be me.'
She starred for 11 seasons on the ABC sitcom Modern Family.

But there was disappointing news for Sarah Hyland on Wednesday when the network confirmed it wasn't moving forward with her new show.

The actress, 30, had spent time in Ireland in May filming a pilot for Epic, a fantasy drama from the creators of ABC's Once Upon a Time.

The show promised to 'reinvent fairytale for a new audience' but TV execs confirmed to Variety that Epic is no longer moving forward.

Not picked up: There was disappointing news for Sarah Hyland on Wednesday when ABC confirmed it wasn't moving forward with her new fantasy drama Epic

The network commissioned a pilot in January from Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis and other cast picked for the show included Eleanor Fanyinka, Brittany O'Grady and Alexander Hodge.

In May, Hyland had posted photos to her Instagram as she filmed the one-hour fairytale drama in Tullamore in central Ireland.

The shooting took place in the woods and grounds of Charleville Castle on the Shannon River.

Posting a photo of herself with a horse at some stables, the actress had shared: 'So excited to be working on a project for the first time in over a year! I've already been overseas for a month with the most amazing cast, we started shooting yesterday, and let's just say that this is going to be... EPIC.'

She also shared a couple of snaps in which she's seen walking barefoot through trees and explained in the caption: 'Just a little witch barefoot in the woods of Ireland.'

New project: In May, Hyland had posted photos to her Instagram as she filmed a pilot for the fairytale drama from Once upon A Time creators Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis in Ireland

Filmed in Ireland: She also shared a couple of snaps in which she's seen walking barefoot through trees and explained in the caption: 'Just a little witch barefoot in the woods of Ireland'

Hyland's filming schedule meant that she was apart from fiance Wells Adams when he celebrated his 37th birthday in May.

The couple postponed their planned nuptials due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The sitcom star told People last October the two 'definitely want to get married one day and have the wedding of our dreams and have everybody that we love there.

'But we postponed wedding planning because we want to be able to focus on what's important right now. There is a lot going on in the world right now and that's what we should be focused on,' she said.

The 30-year-old beauty and the Bachelor in Paradise star started dating in 2017 and got engaged two years later, before planning to marry on August 20 2020.

Set to wed: Hyland is engaged to Bachelor in Paradise alum star Wells Adams, 37, whom she started dating in 2017 (pictured in 201)
Zosia Mamet oozed elegance as she attended the star-studded premiere for The Night House in New York City on Wednesday night.

The 33-year-old Girls star posed on the red carpet with her husband Evan Jonigkeit, 37, who stars in the forthcoming horror film.

Mamet modeled a floor-length teal silk gown with a ruched mock neckline.

Elegance: Zosia Mamet oozed elegance as she attended the star-studded premiere for The Night House in New York City

Instead of rocking a pair of heels, the actress slipped her feet into some crisscross orange sandals.

Pulling the shades from her dress and shoes, Zosia dusted some teal shadow on her lids and a muted orange lipstick on her pout.

She wore her auburn tresses dow and styled in loose waves that flowed down her chest.

Evan looked handsome in a grey-blue suit jacket layered over a white dress shirt and a pair of matching trousers.

Supportive: The 33-year-old Girls star posed on the red carpet with her husband Evan Jonigkeit, 37, who stars in the forthcoming horror film

Striking: Mamet modeled a floor-length teal silk gown with a ruched mock neckline

The Pennsylvania native gave his red carpet ensemble a bit of added flair by rocking a necktie with a quirky print.

As they graced the red carpet, Zosia and Evan could hardly keep their hands off one another.

The posed closely, with Zosia placing her head on his shoulder for one sweet shot.

Handsome: Evan looked handsome in a grey-blue suit jacket layered over a white dress shirt and a pair of matching trousers

Happy in love: The couple married in 2016 during a rustic wedding in New York after three-and-a-half years of dating, as per Vogue

The couple married in 2016 during a rustic wedding in New York after three-and-a-half years of dating, as per Vogue.

The Night House's leading lady Rebecca Hall was also in attendance at Wednesday's screening in NYC.

The 39-year-old UK native looked ultra chic in an orange spaghetti strap gown with a plunging neckline, as well as a ruffled skirt.

Leading lady: The Night House's leading lady Rebecca Hall was also in attendance at Wednesday's screening in NYC

Sleek: The Vicky Cristina Barcelona star had her jaw-length brunette hair slicked back to expose her sparkling drop earrings

The Vicky Cristina Barcelona star had her jaw-length brunette hair slicked back to expose her sparkling drop earrings.

Rebecca's red carpet look was completed with a pair of unique black leather kitten heels.

While posing for shutterbugs, Hall schmoozed with her The Night House costars Evan Jonigkeit and Vondie Curtis-Hall. The trio beamed with pride over their soon-to-be released horror flick.

Chic chick: The 39-year-old UK native looked ultra chic in an orange spaghetti strap gown with a plunging neckline, as well as a ruffled skirt

Cast mates: While posing for shutterbugs, Hall schmoozed with The Night House costar Evan Jonigkeit (pictured right)

Pride: Vondie Curtis-Hall, Rebecca Hall and Evan Jonigkeit pose for shutterbugs on the red carpet

Fashion blogger Raquel Gerlani put on a fashionable display in a bright red suit jacket and flared high-waisted trousers.

She also donned a strapless corset top that coordinated with the chunky white boots on her feet.

Model-turned-actress Wakeema Hollis displayed her enviable physique in a grey fitted mock neck dress that stopped just above the knee.

Skate Kitchen star Dede Lovelace wore an eye-catching silk shirt dress boasting a multi-colored pattern.

Fashion forward: Fashion blogger Raquel Gerlani put on a fashionable display in a bright red suit jacket and flared high-waisted trousers

Stunning: Model-turned-actress Wakeema Hollis displayed her enviable physique in a grey fitted mock neck dress that stopped just above the knee

Ebony Obsidian dazzled in a retro striped blouse and a black pencil shirt for the film's big night in NYC.

The Night House, which was originally slated for a 2020 release, will hit theaters on August 20.

The horror-thriller follows widowed wife Beth (played by Rebecca Hall) who is left alone at the lakeside home her late-husband built for her, as per IMDB.

As she continues to reside in the home, she begins to uncover her recently deceased husband's disturbing secrets.

Eye-catching: Skate Kitchen star Dede Lovelace wore an eye-catching silk shirt dress boasting a multi-colored pattern
She has played the iconic character of Irene Roberts on Home and Away for almost three decades.

And now, fan favourite Lynne McGranger has announced she is releasing a new memoir, titled Acting Up, which will cover everything from her childhood to her career in television.

The 68-year-old will also give viewers an insight into her daily life on the set of the popular Channel Seven show in the tome.

New book: Home and Away star and fan favourite Lynne McGranger has announced a new memoir titled Acting Up, which will cover everything from her childhood to her career in television

Announcing the news on Instagram, Lynne told her fans: 'So I have written a book! Acting Up.'

'Out November and I am so excited! Pre orders are open NOW! Watch this space for my book cover reveal!'

According to publishers Allen & Unwin, Acting Up: Me, Myself & Irene is a 'warm, hilarious and intimate look inside the life of one of Australia's living TV legends'.

'With humour, honesty and self-deprecating charm, one of Australia's best known TV actresses lifts the lid on life - both on-screen and off.'

Big announcement: Announcing the news on Instagram in a video, Lynne said: 'So I have written a book! Acting Up,' she began

What to expect: According to the book publishers Allen & Unwin, Acting Up: Me, Myself & Irene is described as a 'warm, hilarious and intimate look inside the life of one of Australia's living TV legends'

Following her announcement, fans share their excitement about the upcoming book.

Among the comments were some of her fellow Home and Away stars, who shared messages of congratulations with the legendary star.

Support: Following her announcement, fans flocked to the post to share their excitement about the upcoming memoir. Among the comments were some of her fellow Home and Away stars, who shared messages of congratulations with the legendary star

'I've been very lucky to get a sneak peek at this book and its awesome!! So proud and I cant wait for everyone to read it,' shared long-time Home and Away star Ada Nicodemou, who plays Leah Patterson on the soap.

'OMG AMAZING Lynne! Cant wait xx,' added Emily Weir, who plays Mackenzie Booth.

Meanwhile, fellow Channel Seven star and Sunrise weatherman Sam Mac also chimed in, writing, 'Wonderful news! Congrats! #Lynnespirational.'

Acting Up by Lynne McGranger is available in November.
Malin Andersson has shared a nude photo of herself in the bathtub as she wrote a passionate message about domestic abuse.

The former Love Island star, 28, who is expecting a baby with boyfriend Jared, looked incredible as she showcased her growing bump in the Instagram snap.

Malin explained how she was living through domestic abuse at the hands of her ex Tom Kemp when she was pregnant with her first child Consy, who tragically passed away at four weeks old in 2019.

Radiant: Malin Andersson has shared a nude photo of herself in the bathtub as she wrote a passionate message about domestic abuse

She wrote: 'It isn't until you are amongst peace that you realise what your life used to be like.

'Sometimes my life right now feels too good to be true. I don't like delving into my past unless it's to make a point & help you all to understand transition and strength - and this time I would like to compare how different my pregnancies are.

'Firstly, I have never been with anyone so loving and attentive.. that makes my soul shine and brings out only the best in me.

'I know this sounds so cringe as I write it - but when something so pure lands into your life, it almost feels alien if you've never experienced it before.

Exciting: The former Love Island star, 28, is expecting a baby with boyfriend Jared

'My pregnancy so far has been stress free, calm and peaceful.. and a lot of that is down to me having a loving and stable relationship. One that has great communication and understanding - and most of all patience.

'I look back 3 years ago to when I was pregnant with Consy, and how volatile my relationship was then; and how I would wake up each day with severe anxiety, panic attacks and stress.

'With every argument and attack would come the tensing of my stomach and the knowing that my little girl could feel all the pain I felt too.

'It saddens me to think that I thought that was 'love' - and it breaks my heart knowing I let myself endure the emotional and physical pain whilst carrying something so precious - but this is what you call domestic abuse.'

Malin encouraged any of her followers who may be experiencing domestic abuse to go and seek help.

Candid: Malin explained how she was living through domestic abuse when she was pregnant with her first child Consy who tragically passed away at four weeks old in 2019

She wrote: 'Domestic abuse does not discriminate. If you are pregnant it can actually get worse.

'Domestic abuse during pregnancy puts a pregnant woman and her unborn child in danger. It increases the risk of miscarriage, infection, premature birth, low birth weight, foetal injury and foetal death.

'If you are pregnant and being abused, there is help. Your abusive partner is not only potentially endangering your life, but also the life of your unborn baby.

'With this, I am sending you all so much love. The transition my life has endured has been surreal - I never thought I would make it through the heartache and agony.

'But I'm here. I'm thriving. I'm smiling. And I've survived it.'

Speaking out: It comes after Malin revealed she was scared to reveal her pregnancy and sometimes fears her baby won't make it after she tragically lost daughter Consy

It comes after Malin revealed she was scared to reveal her pregnancy and sometimes fears her baby won't make it after she tragically lost daughter Consy.

Malin said she has been going to therapy to deal with 'unresolved feelings' around her daughter's passing.

She wrote: 'Hey. It feels like I've been here with you before. I have. I'll be honest, 3 years ago feels like a blur to me.. but feeling a new human growing inside me again feels so familiar. It scares me.

'So I'm here to welcome you on my journey with my rainbow baby. I know that sharing how I feel resonates.. and I want those that are struggling to conceive, or have lost a baby and are trying, pregnant with their rainbow baby or feel like their happy ending hasn't come yet - to see a clearer view through my life.

'And that actually we must trust the timing in everything. I haven't spoken to you much yet on how I've felt.. to be honest it's been a very weird journey so far. I was hesitant to even reveal my pregnancy.

'I have this inner hurt, this pain & that voice in my head that tells me this isn't real.. that my child won't survive - that something bad will happen. I've been very quiet.

Pregnancy: The star also shared a photo of herself in a vest and leggings on her Instagram Stories and wrote: 'Boobs - sore, big, veiny and for some reason the feeling of pregnancy feels so magical.'

'Malin quiet? That's strange - the queen of positive thinking.. waking up each day with not much to say. Just hope in her heart that baby will make it another day..'

Malin added that she appreciates every minute of life and is hoping for the best, adding that Consy is 'integrated' in her.

She said: 'See the reality is, we never really know what life can throw at us - we must remain present & mindful.. appreciate every minute. For sure I hope for the best, but I can't help past trauma creep up on me. She's integrated in me.

'Consy lives through me each day. I see her brown eyes open one last time.. and it gives me fear.. fear of the unknown. So what do I do? I've been going to therapy; remaining consistent.

'This has brought up a whole lot of unresolved feelings & pain that I seemed to have blocked out.. don't get me wrong I have the most amount of love and joy in my heart - but as I said.. I'm only human.'

The reality star added that she gets 'goosebumps' when she thinks about welcoming her child.

Relationship: Malin said she has been going to therapy to deal with 'unresolved feelings' around her daughter's passing (pictured with her boyfriend Jared)

She wrote: 'We tend to always think the worst. When I realise what's growing inside me, I get goosebumps, I have to have a double take. Isn't it sad that sometimes things seem too good to be true? Well maybe, just maybe they aren't.

'I keep telling myself that this is my time.. And for f****n' sure - it is. Believe in your time. I'm here to tell you that your ending is only your beginning. Ma.'

The star also shared a photo of herself in a vest and leggings on her Instagram Stories and wrote: 'Boobs - sore, big, veiny and for some reason the feeling of pregnancy feels so magical.'

Malin revealed she was expecting a baby earlier this month when she a snap of her baby bump, with her hands and her boyfriend Jared's hands resting on it.

Consy was born seven weeks premature in December 2018 and was being treated at Great Ormond Street hospital, but sadly passed away aged four weeks on 22 January 2019.

Malin wrote: 'I have this inner hurt, this pain & that voice in my head that tells me this isn't real.. that my child won't survive - that something bad will happen'

Since then Malin has struggled with further strife, reportedly left terrified after her violent ex recently broke his licence conditions meaning he has been sent back to prison.

Tom Kemp, 28, was jailed at Aylesbury Crown Court in September after admitting to actual bodily harm, which left the reality star 'black and blue' but was released three months later in January.

The Sun recently reported that Tom - who was serving the remaining term on Home Detention Curfew - recently visited the area that the Love Island star lives.

He was then reportedly sent back to prison after failing to comply with the rules he was set as he continued to serve part of his sentence in the community.

A source told the publication: 'Malin was really shocked when she heard he had been in her area.

Tragic: Her daughter Consy was born seven weeks premature in December 2018 and was treated at London's Great Ormond Street hospital, but sadly passed away on 22 January 2019

'She had really hoped his prison sentence would mark the end of having to think about him ever again.

'The whole thing has been incredibly stressful, but Malin is very strong and just hopes he's learnt his lesson now.'

A source also told MailOnline: 'Malin was glad to hear that Tom had been sent back to prison for breaching his license conditions, but to learn that he only returned for a week due to his sentence coming to an end concerns her.

'She feels that far too often the justice system fails survivors of domestic violence and ultimately believes that this contributes to the reason why perpetrators continue to abuse.'

Tom, was jailed at last year after following an attack in which he broke her hand.

Scary: Malin has struggled with strife, reportedly left terrified after her violent ex Tom Kemp recently broke his licence conditions meaning he has been sent back to prison (pictured together in 2019)

TV star Malin previously accused the 'narcissist' of being abusive in Instagram posts in 2019 and shared pictures of herself with a cut cheek and bloodied nose.

But Tom, from Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, denied the claims at the time, branding her a 'liar with mental health issues'.

The former couple had an on-off romance, splitting briefly during her pregnancy, amid claims Tom had been unfaithful to her, but reconciling shortly before the birth.

In March they split again, with Malin admitting it was better to end things between them as she and her partner struggled with their grief.

In October, Malin told how she believes the physical abuse Tom subjected her to while she was pregnant was a factor behind her daughter's death at just one month old.

Awful: Tom Kemp, 28, was jailed at Aylesbury Crown Court in September after admitting to actual bodily harm, which left the reality star 'black and blue' but was released three months later in January (Malin pictured with her injuries - taken at the time)

She revealed Kemp 'slapped and punched' her while she was six months pregnant, causing her to fall on her back and her stomach to hit the side of a bed.

Speaking to The Sun, Malin said she is convinced the incident contributed to Consy's death as after a few days, she noticed she wasn't moving around as much.

A month later, the movements reduced again and Malin insisted Kemp drive her to the hospital where doctors discovered Consy's irregular heartbeat, leading her to have an emergency cesarean that day at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

She said: 'When Tom threw me about, I'd tense my stomach so much, I could feel her pausing inside me. The doctors didn't understand what happened to her, but I know in my heart.'

Injuries: Tom left Malin with broken bones and bruises in a violent tirade

In June last year, Malin posted a lengthy Instagram post, captioned: 'The third and final lot, I am NOT a victim anymore.'

Calling their romance 'toxic and unhealthy', she said 'it has been an ongoing battle to emotionally let go as dealing with the grief from both my mum and daughter I've had him as my comforter.'

Accusing Kemp of emotional and physical abuse she said: 'Including being spat at, hit, pushed, kicked, scratched, spoken down to, controlled, manipulated, cheated and so much more I experienced the worst pain yet to come last night.'

Malin claimed she had received a phone call from a woman asking why the star had been texting her 'boyfriend.'

She wrote: 'After a calm and collected call with her we had finally came to the confirmation they have been speaking since January (when our daughter was in intensive care).'

Shocking: Tom, was jailed at last year after following an attack in which he broke her hand (pictured are the injuries to her face)

'While I've been focusing on my mental health I've been receiving multiple emails, calls, texts from one extreme to the other (I'm a bad mum, my mum hates me I'm going to hell to the extreme of I love you I can't be without you etc.

'This ladies is a fine example of a narcissistic man.

'I will NOT be another victim to domestic violence, I will not be beaten mentally or physically when I've fought through so much worse than this.

Adding that she was 'exhausted, heartbroken and confused' she urged her followers to 'listen to your gut and learn to love yourself.'

If you are a victim of domestic abuse, call Refuge's freephone, 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247

If you have been affected by the death of a baby please call Sands on 0808 164 3332 or email helpline@sands.org.uk
Kaley Cuoco and Pete Davidson goofed around Wednesday while filming their upcoming romantic comedy Meet Cute in New York City.

The 35-year-old actress and her 27-year-old co-star were dressed casually while shooting outdoors on the street in the Brooklyn area.

Kaley got into character and looked roughed up while filming an action scene with the help of a stunt double.

Movie star: Kaley Cuoco was spotted Wednesday filming her upcoming romantic comedy Meet Cute in New York City

The Big Bang Theory star had an abrasion on her cheek and unkempt hair as she filmed a scene wearing a purple T-shirt cinched at her waist along with a blue denim jacket and grey sweatpants.

Pete, meanwhile, wore a striped sweater and green pants.

Kaley and Pete later shared a laugh in-between scenes and she was seen cracking up amid photographers.

They were also spotted walking together with Kaley using a hand fan to keep herself cool.

On set: Pete Davidson filmed with Kaley in the Brooklyn area

Roughed up: The 35-year-old actress looked roughed up while filming

Leading lady: The Big Bang Theory star stars in the romantic comedy along with Pete

Funny guy: The Saturday Night Live star smiled between scenes

Pete smoked a cigarette and drank a Coca-Cola between scenes.

Meet Cute is a play on the film and television term for a scene in which two people who later will become a couple meet for the first time usually under a 'cute' circumstance.

The 'meet cute' scene has been a staple of romantic comedies in Hollywood for decades.

Casual style: Kaley wore a purple T-shirt cinched at her waist along with a blue denim jacket and grey sweatpants

Good times: Pete and Kaley enjoyed a laugh in between scenes

Staying cool: Kaley kept cool with a small hand fan

Shades on: The actress wore sunglasses while walking with Pete

According to Deadline, Meet Cute 'is a wildly inventive deconstruction of the romantic comedy built around the question: What would you do if you could travel to your loved ones past, heal their traumas, fix their problems, and change them into the perfect partner?'

Meet Cute is being directed by Alex Lehmann from a script by Noga Pnueli.

Alex previously directed the Netflix dramedy Paddleton that he co-wrote with Mark Duplass.

Rom com: According to Deadline, Meet Cute 'is a wildly inventive deconstruction of the romantic comedy built around the question: What would you do if you could travel to your loved ones past, heal their traumas, fix their problems, and change them into the perfect partner?'

Into it: Kaley got into character as she looked unkempt

Bruised up: The actress dances on the set with bruises

Touch up: A make-up artist touched up the actress

Kaley stars in the HBO Max series The Flight Attendant in the title role after her production company Yes, Norman Productions optioned the rights to the novel.

The Flight Attendant premiered in November 2020 and was renewed for a second season in December 2020.

Kaley has received nominations at the Primetime Emmy Awards, the Golden Globe Awards, the Screen Actors Guild Awards, and the Critics' Choice Award for her work on the HBO Max series.

Cute smile: Kaley flashed her cute smile for the cameras

Good times: The actress took a wide stance while laughing

Brooklyn set: The cast and crew filmed in Brooklyn and masked up amid the pandemic

Smoke break: Pete smoked a cigarette between scenes

Pete in April 2021 was cast as Joey Ramone in the upcoming Netflix biography I Slept With Joey Ramone.

The Saturday Night Live star recently played Blackguard in The Suicide Squad.

Pete also has the thriller Bodies, Bodies, Bodies currently in post-production.

Stunt double: Kaley and Pete looked on as a stunt double worked with them

Strong resemblance: The stunt double looked just like Kaley

Fooling around: Pete fooled around with photographers while on set
Robert Irwin is following in the footsteps of his late father Steve.

The 17-year-old is not only the spitting image of his dad, but he is also taking on his role when it comes to wildlife conservation.

He shared a video to Instagram on Wednesday as he embarked on Australia Zoo's annual crocodile research trip at the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve.

Like father, like son: Robert Irwin was the spitting image of his late father Steve as he embarked on a crocodile research trip on Wednesday

In the video, Robert explained his goal was to catch and study crocodiles.

'The more we can learn about them, the more we can do to protect them,' he added.

His followers were quick to point out Robert's resemblance to his father, with one writing: 'If that doesn't sound like Steve I don't know what does...

'Miss his enthusiasm for crocs. Great to see you carrying on his legacy, mate.'

Following in dad's footsteps: Robert shared a video to Instagram as he embarked on Australia Zoo's annual Crocodile research trip at the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve. Pictured: Steve Irwin

'I was a huge fan of your dad and I can see so much of him in you. Wish you would do a show like he had. I think you'd be amazing at it,' another said.

'You just like your father,' a third commented. 'Sounding like Steve,' a fourth agreed.

Robert was just two years old when his father was killed by a stingray barb to the heart while filming a wildlife documentary on the Great Barrier Reef.

'We can protect them': In the video, Robert explained his goal was to catch and study crocodiles

The Irwin family keeps Steve's memory alive by continuing his conservation work.

'We're also very lucky because through all of dad's amazing documentaries we basically have our life on TV,' Robert told ET last October.

'So all we have to do is put the DVD in the DVD player and rewind and press play and we can relive these amazing memories. So we are very, very lucky in that respect.'
Natalie Portman and her husband, Benjamin Millepied, have packed up their home in Sydney as they prepare to jet back to LA after spending almost a year in Australia.

The actress, 40, abruptly pulled out of her new movie Days of Abandonment, which was set to be filmed in Sydney, for 'unforeseen personal reasons' several weeks ago.

And it seems the family is wasting no time returning to America, as they were seen bundling their belongings from their Vaucluse property into a limo on Thursday.

Farewell: Natalie Portman, 40, and her husband, Benjamin Millepied, have packed up their home in Sydney as they prepare to jet back to LA after spending almost a year in Australia

Natalie kept a low profile in a navy jumper, grey trackpants and a black sun hat as she walked up and down the steps of her home.

She wore a protective face mask, and carried a tote bag to the car.

Filmmaker Benjamin, 44, was seen carrying two large hold-all bags which were filled with their belongings.

Ready to roll: Filmmaker Benjamin, 44, was seen carrying two large hold-all bags which were filled with their belongings

Cancelled: The actress abruptly pulled out of her new movie Days of Abandonment, which was set to be filmed in Sydney, for 'unforeseen personal reasons' several weeks ago

Casually clad: Natalie kept a low profile in a navy jumper, grey trackpants and a black sun hat as she walked up and down the steps of her home

He dressed casually in a black T-shirt, sweatpants, an orange cap and a face mask.

Benjamin reappeared minutes later with more of the family's possessions, including paperwork and a separate bag.

Another man packed an oversized quokka toy into the limousine, which was likely a souvenir for the couple's two children, son Aleph, nine, and daughter Amalia, four.

It was announced on August 2 that Natalie had quietly pulled out of her new movie just a day before filming was set to commence.

The move effectively put a stop to production on Days of Abandonment, as the project was left without a lead actress.

Change: It was announced on August 2 that Natalie had quietly pulled out of her new movie Days of Abandonment just a day before filming was set to commence

Belongings: Benjamin reappeared minutes later with more of the family's possessions, including paperwork and a separate bag

'Due to unforeseen personal reasons, Natalie Portman has stepped down from HBO's Days of Abandonment prior to the start of filming,' HBO said in a statement.

'Unfortunately, the production will not move forward. We are very sorry we won't be able to bring this beautiful story to the screen with our talented writer/director and cast.

'We send our sincere thanks to our cast, producers, and crew for all their passion and hard work.'

Natalie was also set to executive produce the film, based on the best-selling novel by Elena Ferrante.

Cute: Another man packed an oversized quokka toy into the limousine, which was likely a souvenir for the couple's two children, son Aleph, nine, and daughter Amalia, four

Comfortable: Benjamin dressed casually in a black T-shirt, sweatpants and orange cap

The film had been in pre-production, and centred around a woman named Tess, who abandoned her own dreams in favour of maintaining a stable home life, only for her husband to walk out on her.

The Federal Government had committed $3.4million to the project as part of its location incentive program, while Communication Minister Paul Fletcher had said he expected the production to generate more than $25million for the local economy.

While it's not known what 'personal reasons' prevented her from going ahead with the film, Natalie has deleted the majority of posts from her Instagram account.

Natalie, her husband and their two children had relocated Down Under in September last year ahead of her filming Thor: Love and Thunder in Sydney.

There were even rumours the Israeli-born actress was looking to make Australia her permanent home, after she and Benjamin inspected properties in Sydney this year.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Natalie Portman's representative for comment.
They sparked a buzz after revealing they only bathed their children once they became physically dirty.

And Ashton Kutcher hilariously poked fun at himself and wife Mila Kunis as they bathed their children on Wednesday evening.

In a video posted to his Instagram account, an incredulous Ashton, 43, joked over how 'ridiculous' it was that they were cleaning their kids.

'Are you trying to melt them!?' Ashton Kutcher hilariously poked fun at himself and wife Mila Kunis as they bathed their children on Wednesday evening

The video begins with an incredulous Ashton asking his giggling wife as their children bathed, 'What's going on?'

'It's water,' Mila replied, amused by her husband's reaction.

Ashton could not believe his ears as he joked about his wife attempting to 'melt' their two children, Wyatt six, and Dimitri, four, with the water.

'You're putting water on the children!?' he exclaimed. 'Are you trying to melt them!? Are you trying to injure them with water!? This is ridiculous!' Ashton said. 'What's going on!?'

'It's water': Kunis was obviously amused by her husband's over-the-top reaction

'This is ridiculous!' The That 70's Show actor could not believe that his children were taking a bath

'We're bathing our children,' Mila replied, laughing.

'That's like the fourth time this week!' Ashton replied with an incredulous tone. 'Four times this week!' he shouted at the camera.

'Their body oils are going to be destroyed!' he continued.

The video was hilariously captioned, 'This bathing thing is out of hand #KutcherBathroomTalks.'

'We're bathing our children': Ashton's reaction to the spectacle left his wife in stitches

'That's like the fourth time this week!' The actor was certain to have fans laughing with his hilarious commentary

Ashton and Mila are among a growing list of celebrities revealing their lax washing routines.

The couple kicked off the public conversation about celebrity hygiene during a podcast appearance last month, with Ashton telling Armchair Expert host Dax Shephard: 'I wash my armpits and crotch daily and nothing else ever.'

Mila said she washes her 'slits and t**s' and also revealed that she did not bathe her children 'everyday' when they were infants.

Meanwhile Jake Gyllenhaal, 40, shocked fans last week when told Vanity Fair: 'More and more I find bathing to be less necessary.'

Keeping it clean for once: Cardi B admitted she's baffled by the trend of celebrities who say they don't shower often

Confused: The X-Rated rapper took to Twitter to join in on the debate about washing habits

Not impressed: Cardi appears to be a fan of showering regularly after taking to Twitter to share her concern for her peers that have been speaking out against daily washing

He noted: 'I do also think that there's a whole world of not bathing that is also really helpful for skin maintenance, and we naturally clean ourselves.'

Dax Shepard's wife Kristen Bell also said she doesn't shower often for environmental reasons, explaining: 'California has been in a drought forever. It's just like, responsibility for your environment.'

'We don't have a ton of water, so when I shower, I'll grab the girls and push them in there with me so we all use the same shower water.'

'Slits and t**s': Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis kicked off the public conversation about celebrity hygiene during a podcast appearance last month

Meanwhile: Dax and his wife Kristen Bell then went on The View where she revealed she would 'wait for the stink' before bathing their daughters Lincoln, eight, and Delta, six

'We naturally clean ourselves': Jake Gyllenhaal joined the choir in a recent Vanity Fair interview saying: 'More and more I find bathing to be less necessary, at times'

But not everyone is a fan of the hygiene trend, with Cardi B expressing her confusion over the movement of celebrities refusing to keep things clean.

The X-Rated rapper seemed as mystified as everyone on Tuesday, when she tweeted 'Wassup with people saying they dont shower?' alongside a emoji with a raised eyebrow, adding: 'It's giving itchy.'

Joining Cardi in her thoughts about the situation was Game of Thrones star Jason Momoa.

The actor told Access Hollywood earlier this week that he is not part of the club, saying: 'I'm not starting any trends. I shower, trust me,.'

He added: 'I'm Aquaman. I'm in the f****** water. Dont worry about it. I'm Hawaiian. We got saltwater on me. We good.'

Dwayne Johnson has also assured his fans he is not in the same category.

Details: When a Twitter user brought up the subject Dwayne, 49, wrote: 'Nope, Im the opposite of a "not washing themselves" celeb'

When a Twitter user brought up the subject this week, Dwayne, 49, wrote: 'Nope, Im the opposite of a "not washing themselves" celeb.'

In fact the fighter turned movie star, who goes by the nickname The Rock, revealed that he showers three times a day.

'Shower (cold) when I roll outta bed to get my day rollin. Shower (warm) after my workout before work. Shower (hot) after I get home from work. Face wash, body wash, exfoliate and I sing (off key) in the shower,' he shared.
They star together in the upcoming drama Flag Day.

And Sean Penn continued enjoying some quality time with his daughter Dylan Penn as the duo attended a special screening of their new movie at The Directors Guild of America in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

While the Hollywood vet, 60, was looking sharp with a satin blue bomber jacket and jeans, all eyes were on his daughter, 30, and her dazzling silver dress.

Family first! Sean Penn continued enjoying some quality time with his daughter Dylan Penn as the duo attended a special screening of their new movie at The Directors Guild of America in Los Angeles on Wednesday

Dylan was a sight to behold in a shimmering silver sequin dress with fringe falling along the sleeves and skirt.

The beauty mesmerized wearing peep-toe silver heels and a captivating pair of dangling Anita Ko earrings and multiple rings.

Putting her stunning complexion on full display, she slicked her blonde locks up into a trendy high ponytail.

Pink lipstick, a dewy touch of blush, and a winged slick of eye liner brought out her naturally beautiful complexion.

Father-daughter outing: Penn and his daughter star in the upcoming drama, which was also directed by the actor

Sparkle and shine! Dylan was a sight to behold in a shimmering silver sequin dress with fringe falling along the sleeves and skirt

All eyes on her! Even while posing beside her famous father, Dylan stole the show in her flashy yet beautiful look

Even while posing beside her famous father, Dylan, whose mother is actress Robin Wright, stole the show in her flashy yet beautiful look.

Once inside the theater, Dylan, Sean, and costar Katheryn Winnick addressed the audience.

They stood in front of the screen with microphones in hand, undoubtedly bestowing praise upon the project.

In addition to directing the film, Sean stars in Flag Day as John Vogel, a magnetizing figure who charms his daughter Jennifer (played as an adult by Dylan).

She's a star: In Flag Day the actress plays Jennifer, a woman whose father turns out to be one of the most notorious counterfeiters in US history

Beaming: The father-daughter duo smiled for shutterbugs

Lights, camera, action! Dylan and Sean were joined by their Flag Day co-star Katheryn Winnick

However, what starts as a family drama takes a turn into thriller territory after it's revealed that John is one of the most notorious counterfeiters in US history.

As an adult, Jennifer has to struggle to find her own path in life while moving past the crimes of her father.

The fatherdaughter due were on hand at the Cannes Film Festival last month, where Flag Day premiered in competition.

Despite heavy anticipation for their new film, it was poorly received by critics when it premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, though more will weigh in before its official release in the US on August 20.

Famous offspring: Dylan's mother happens to be actress Robin Wright, whom Penn split from in 2010

Taking to the stage: Once inside the theater, Dylan, Sean, and costar Katheryn Winnick addressed the audience

Passion: They stood in front of the screen with microphones in hand, undoubtedly bestowing praise upon the project

Seemingly missing from the advance screening on Wednesday was Penn's new wife Leila George, 29.

The AustralianAmerican actress is only a few months younger than Dylan and just two years older than Sean's son Hopper Penn, 27.

The actor and director confirmed that he had married George last summer via a civil ceremony over zoom.

He showed off his gold wedding band during a visit to Late Night with Seth Meyers, where he divulged: 'We did a COVID wedding. By that, I mean it was a county commissioner on Zoom and we were at the house with my two children and her brother, and we did it that way.'

Not a fan favorite: Despite heavy anticipation for their new film, it was poorly received by critics when it premiered at the Cannes Film Festival

Heavily involved: In addition to directing the film, Sean stars in Flag Day as John Vogel, a magnetizing figure who charms his daughter Jennifer (played as an adult by Dylan)
Maggie Q looked sensational on Wednesday night as she attended a special screening of The Protege in Los Angeles.

The 42-year-old actress posed on the red carpet in an eye-catching mirrored pencil skirt with a dramatic slit that exposed her toned legs.

She paired the unique garment with a textured bustier bodysuit featuring long-sleeves and a halter strap.

Sensational: Maggie Q looked sensational on Wednesday night as she attended a special screening of The Protege in Los Angeles

To further keep her skirt the focus, the Nikita star slipped her feet into a pair of plain black stiletto heels.

She wore her long, brunette tresses styled in an effortless half up, half down hairstyle.

As for makeup, Maggie drew attention to her sultry peepers with a generous dusting of brown eyeshadow while amplifying her pout with some mauve lip gloss.

After getting in some striking solo shots, Maggie was later joined by several of the industry figures behind The Protege, including the film's director Martin Campbell.

Bringing the drama: The 42-year-old actress posed on the red carpet in an eye-catching mirrored pencil skirt with a dramatic slit that exposed her toned legs

Perfect pairing: She paired the unique garment with a textured bustier bodysuit featuring long-sleeves and a halter strap

Producer Jeffrey Greenstein was joined by Spanish model Salome Chandler, who dazzled in a satin jacket and matching maxi skirt.

Acclaimed producer Arthur M. Sarkissian donned a black blazer layered over a black dress shirt and a pair of dark wash denim jeans.

The 61-year-old, whose credits boast the likes of Rush Hour franchise, completed the ensemble with some beige suede boots.

Teamwork: After getting in some striking solo shots, Maggie was later joined by several of the industry figures behind The Protege; (L-R) director Martin Campbell, Maggie and producer Arthur M. Sarkissian

Smile! Maggie showcased her incredible smile as she posed with director Martin Campbell and producers Arthur M. Sarkissian and Jeffrey Greenstein

Hot date: Greenstein was joined by Spanish model Salome Chandler, who dazzled in a satin jacket and matching maxi skirt

Sarkissian was joined by family members Nicholas and Jaclyn Sarkissian, who posed proudly beside him on the red carpet.

Other attendees included Priscilla Vitel, Ryan Johnson, Michael Putnam and Darroch Putnam.

The Protege, according to IMDB and Lionsgate, follows the world's most skilled contract killer Anna (played by Maggie Q) who was 'rescued as a child by the legendary assassin Moody (played by Samuel L. Jackson) and trained in the family business.

Icon: Acclaimed producer Arthur M. Sarkissian donned a black blazer layered over a black dress shirt and a pair of dark wash denim jeans

Family affair: Sarkissian was joined by family members Nicholas and Jaclyn Sarkissian, who posed proudly beside him on the red carpet

'But when Moody - the man who was like a father to her and taught her everything she needs to know about trust and survival - is brutally killed, Anna vows revenge,' the synopsis continued.

'As she becomes entangled with an enigmatic killer (played by Michael Keaton) whose attraction to her goes way beyond cat and mouse, their confrontation turns deadly and the loose ends of a life spent killing will weave themselves even tighter.'

The action-thriller will premiere theatrically on August 20.

Date night? Priscilla Vitel and Ryan Johnson cozied up to one another on the red carpet
Kathy Griffin had filmed scenes for the fifth season of the HBO Max series Search Party prior to her recent lung surgery amid her cancer battle.

The 60-year-old comedian on the series will play the role of conspiracy theorist Liquorice Montague opposite the character Chantal (played by Clare McNulty) on the dark comedic series, Variety reported on Wednesday.

She shared a link to the story on Twitter Wednesday, writing, 'SURPRISE! This is what Ive been secret posting about! So excited!!!'

The latest: Kathy Griffin, 60, had filmed scenes for the fifth season of the HBO Max series Search Party prior to her recent lung surgery amid her cancer battle. She was snapped in LA last year

Sarah-Violet Bliss and Charles Rogers, the showrunners of the series, said in a joint statement that 'working with Kathy was a huge life moment for us.

'She brought so much warmth, humanity, and professionalism to set and delivered a performance that will delight the world.'

The show, which stars Alia Shawkat, Meredith Hagner, John Reynolds and John Early, will also feature Jeff Goldblum in its fifth season.

A source told the NY Post of Griffin: 'She loved the experience working on the show and it was a great creative outlet before undergoing her lung cancer surgery. She is still in recovery but getting better every day.'

She shared a link to the story on Twitter Wednesday, writing, 'SURPRISE! This is what Ive been secret posting about! So excited!!!'

The 60-year-old comedian on the series will play the role of conspiracy theorist Liquorice Montague on the dark comedic series

The Emmy-winning comic has kept fans in the loop on her stage one lung cancer via social media

The Emmy-winning comic has made headlines as of late amid her revelation earlier this month that she is battling stage one lung cancer, and had to undergo a surgery in which part of her lung was removed.

The Oak Park, Illinois native, who has never smoked cigarettes, took to Instagram Tuesday to update fans on her ongoing recovery.

Griffin, snapped in 2019, 'loved the experience working on the show and it was a great creative outlet before undergoing her lung cancer surgery' a source told the NY Post

'When you're a comedian - and I've been dealing with this for years - the doctors always want to be comedians too,' Griffin said in a clip on the social media site. 'So he goes like this, "You know, the thing about having a lobe removed from your lung is it's really not that big of a deal" - in the meantime, I feel like I could fall over any minute.'

She added, 'He goes, "You know, people don't realize we find the cancer and then we go in and, basically, we pop the lobe like a balloon and we take it out of a little incision on your side."'

Griffin noted she has 'like 17 incisions' as result of the critical operation.
The Bachelor's Jimmy Nicholson is about to hit a bump in the road on his journey to find love.

The 31-year-old is forced to say goodbye to one of his favourite bachelorettes over a Zoom call on Thursday's night's show.

'I've just received some bad news, someone has had to leave the mansion,' he says in a teaser trailer of the show, before telling the yet-to-be revealed contestant: 'I would have loved to have given you a big hug.'

Farewell to the fan-favourite: Bachelor Jimmy Nicholson says goodbye to a fan-favourite who abruptly leaves the mansion over a Zoom call, in the teaser trailer for Thursday's episode

The woman believed to be abruptly walking out on Jimmy is fan-favourite Brooke Cleal.

A production insider revealed to Daily Mail Australia last week: 'Brooke was so upset so the producers gave her permission to leave the mansion and fly back to Melbourne for her grandpa's funeral.

'Everyone understood she wasn't going to come back,' they added, before revealing the fellow bachelorettes were shocked to see her return after a few days.'

Sad circumstances: The woman believed to be abruptly walking out on Jimmy is fan-favourite Brooke Cleal. A production insider revealed to Daily Mail Australia last week that Brooke flew back home to Melbourne for for her grandpa's funeral

Return: The insider added it was 'understood' Brooke would not be returned, but she did to the surprise of her fellow bachelorettes. According to the source, producers got Jimmy to FaceTime her to ask how she was doing, before he 'begged' her to return to the show

According to the source, producers got Jimmy to FaceTime her to ask how she was doing, before he 'begged' her to return to the show.

'She was pretty close with her grandpa. Imagine grieving, and then being asked by producers to come back,' the insider said.

Elsewhere in the trailer, The Bachelor gets wind of a rumour that 31-year-old Jay 'didn't want to have kids' - a deal break for Jimmy who wants to start a family soon.

Rumours: Elsewhere in the trailer, Jimmy gets wind of a rumour that 31-year-old Jay (pictured) 'didn't want to have kids' - a deal break for Jimmy who wants to start a family soon. She dispelled the rumours telling him: 'No, what? Are you joking?'

Crane operator Lily calls the rumour about Jay a 'huge accusation'

'No, what? Are you joking?' a shocked Jay says of the speculation.

Crane operator Lily calls the rumour a 'huge accusation' as attention is drawn to rumoured winner Holly Kingston in the trailer. But it is unclear what her role is in the speculation.

Jimmy then tells producers: 'I really need to get to the bottom of this with her.'
Isla Fisher and her husband Sacha Baron Cohen may be two of Hollywood's biggest stars, but they've been stuck in Sydney's lockdown like the rest of us over the past few weeks.

And on Wednesday, the pair were seen stepping out in their sweats, with Wedding Crashers star Isla showing off what appeared to be an at-home dye job.

The 45-year-old signature tresses were a few shades deeper than her usual colour.

At-home dye job? On Wednesday, Isla Fisher showed off her new bright red hair as she stepped out in Sydney with her Borat star husband Sacha Baron Cohen

New look: The pair were seen stepping out in their sweats, with Wedding Crashers star Isla showing off what appears to be an at-home dye job. Pictured before and after

Isla cut a casual figure during the outing, wearing a Run DMC hooded jumper.

The Australian actress and former Home and Away star teamed the look with cropped leggings and white sneakers.

She carried a black Fendi bag and kept Covid-safe in a black face mask.

Low key: Isla cut a casual figure during the outing, wearing a Run DMC hooded jumper

The lockdown look: Borat star Sacha wore a pair of blue Adidas tracksuit pants with a grey sweater and black ugg boots

Back on home soil: Isla recently relocated back to her native Australia with her husband Sacha and their three children

Safety first: He also wore a face mask and a dark cap

Meanwhile, Borat star Sacha wore a pair of blue Adidas tracksuit pants with a grey sweater and black ugg boots.

He also wore a face mask and a dark cap.

Isla recently relocated back to her native Australia with her husband Sacha and their three children.

Reflective: The notoriously private actress told Marie Claire Australia in May about her marriage and their decision to relocate Down Under. She also said she felt 'very lucky to have met' the Borat star, 49, at a party in Sydney in 2002

The notoriously private actress told Marie Claire Australia in May about their decision to relocate Down Under.

She also said she felt 'very lucky to have met' the Borat star, 49, at a party in Sydney in 2002.

Isla was asked to reveal the 'secret' to her long-lasting relationship with the British comedian as they approach 20 years together, and she said that 'humour helps'.

'I wish I had an answer. I'm very lucky to have met him,' she added.

She also touched upon how grateful she is for everything in her life.

'I'm always surprised that I'm employed, married and have my family  everything else feels like a bonus,' the mother-of-three said.

Isla, who was born in Oman but grew up in Perth, also discussed moving back to Australia with her family after years spent living in Los Angeles.

While reports suggested she and Sacha had wanted to escape 'Trump's America', Isla said relocating to Sydney was a personal rather than a political decision.

Isla said it 'feels very magical' to be back home after spending so long in the U.S. and that she can 'be herself' in Australia.
Thomas Markle Jr. has officially signed with Australia's premiere talent agent, Max Markson.

Markle Jr., who is the estranged half-brother of Meghan Markle, recently travelled from the US to Australia ahead of his appearance on Channel Seven's upcoming series Big Brother VIP.

Markson, who is described as a 'black-belt master of the art of spin' announced the news via Instagram on Sunday, uploading a promo shot for Big Brother VIP alongside a caption that confirmed Markle Jr. was officially on his books.

Here to stay! Thomas Markle Jr. (left) has signed with top Australian celebrity agent Max Markson (right) after travelling Down Under to film Big Brother VIP

The talent guru also manages four other Big Brother VIP housemates: former Trump aide Omarosa Newman, Married At First Sight star Jessika Power, NRL player Matt Cooper and Kyle Sandilands' ex-girlfriend Imogen Anthony.

Unlike most of his fellow celebrity housemates, Markle Jr. has yet to finesse his online profile - as his Instagram page boasts a mere 83 followers.

Markle Jr. has posted on his Instagram page just once - a six-minute video uploaded in April describing what he believes to be the 'truth' about his estranged half-sister Meghan.

Making waves Down Under: Markle Jr., who is the estranged half-brother of Meghan Markle (right), recently travelled from the US to Australia ahead of his appearance on Channel Seven's upcoming series Big Brother VIP. Pictured: Prince Harry and Meghan Marke, 2017

It's official! Markson, who is described as a 'black-belt master of the art of spin' announced the news via Instagram on Sunday, uploading a promo shot for Big Brother VIP alongside a caption that confirmed Markle Jr. was officially on his books

In a promo for Big Brother VIP, Markle Jr. claims he 'warned' Prince Harry about the actress before their marriage.

'I'm Meghan Markle's brother, I'm the biggest brother of them all,' Thomas says while introducing himself in the video.

He then adds: 'I told Prince Harry, I think she's going to ruin your life. She's very shallow'.

VIPs galore! The talent supremo guru also manages four other Big Brother VIP housemates: former Trump aide Omarosa Newman, Married At First Sight star Jessika Power, NRL player Matt Cooper, and Kyle Sandilands' ex-girlfriend Imogen Anthony (pictured)

Markle Jr. does not have a relationship with his famous younger sister, who is married to Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex.

He was not invited to the Sussexes' wedding in May 2018, and at the time hadn't seen the Suits actress for about seven years.

Markson has earned a reputation for representing headline-grabbers over the years.

Introduction: In a promo for Big Brother VIP, Markle Jr. claims he 'warned' Prince Harry about the actress before their marriage

In the late 2000s, he famously repped the likes of Lara Bingle and Candice Warner (nee Falzon).

He was there to guide Lara, then known as the model in the 'So where the bloody hell are you?' tourism ads, through her scandalous early years in the limelight.

And he was Candice's manager at the time of her now-infamous 2007 'toilet tryst' with rugby union star Sonny Bill Williams.

He is also known for cashing in on the short-lived fame of viral internet celebrities, reality stars and Instagram influencers.
Young Talent Time will celebrate the 50 year anniversary of its premiere with a TV special.

The one-hour program, titled Young Talent Time: Unmasked, will be hosted by Toni Pearen and will air on Network 10 later this year.

The program's official Facebook page confirmed the news on Wednesday, writing: 'Good news everyone! We can confirm that Network 10 is producing a one hour YTT retrospective to mark the 50th Anniversary!'

TV special: Young Talent Time will celebrate the 50 year anniversary of its premiere with a TV special

'We have been talking with 10 since the Reunion Special streamed on-line, and the 'powers that be' listened to all the fans who wanted to see something on free-to-air.'

'Stay tuned for air date, but it shouldn't be too far away.'

The special is set to include a reunion with host Johnny Young and some of the show's biggest stars.

Exciting: The one hour episode titled Young Talent Time: Unmasked will be hosted by Toni Pearen and will air on Network 10

Young Talent Time featured a core group of young performers who would sing both classic songs and hits of the day while hopefuls competed in a weekly talent quest.

The series was hosted by Johnny Young and aired from 1971 to 1988.

The show proved hugely popular and spawned no less than 15 albums and a slew of merchandise including board games and swap cards.

Iconic: Young Talent Time featured a core group of young performers who would sing both classic songs and hits of the day while hopefuls competed in a weekly talent quest. Pictured Johnny Young and Kylie Minogue on Young Talent Time

Last year, veteran host Johnny reflected on the iconic Australian show ahead of its 50th anniversary.

'It is going to be a great year for Young Talent Time fans because it started in 1971 so [next year will be] 50 years and we are going to get together and have a fantastic reunion,' he said.

He added: 'We are going to do television specials and live concerts and it's just going to be mighty and you will see all of your favourites like Joey Perrone, all of them.'

Johnny went on to say it was 'wonderful' working alongside Tina Arena, who was the longest serving cast member on the show.
Natalie Portman fled Sydney with her family as she boarded a flight back to Los Angeles on Thursday morning shortly before new draconian lockdown rules were set to be enforced.

The actress, 40, left Australia after abruptly dropping out of HBO Films' Days of Abandonment for 'personal reasons'.

She made the announcement in a statement last week, just days after Sydney entered full lockdown for the first time in more than a year to fight the Delta variant.

And she's off! Natalie Portman fled Sydney with her family as she boarded a flight back to Los Angeles on Thursday shortly before new draconian lockdown rules are set to be enforced

On Thursday afternoon, the actress and her family were spotted making their way onto a huge aircraft in Sydney, ready for a 14-hour flight back to their home in Los Angeles.

The actress and her husband Benjamin Millepied had been pictured hours earlier packing up their rented property in Vaucluse, before they took their children Aleph, nine, and Amalia, four, in a limousine to the airport.

Before getting on the plane, Natalie was seen carrying her young daughter in her arms while her husband and son walked ahead in front.

She kept a low-profile in a navy jumper, grey trackpants and a black sun hat, and wore a protective mask on her face.

Heading home: In the pictures, Natalie was seen carrying her young daughter in her arms while her husband and son walked ahead in front

Filmmaker Benjamin, 44, dressed casually in a black T-shirt, sweatpants, an orange cap and a face mask.

Natalie's departure comes after she abruptly pulled out of her new movie Days of Abandonment for 'unforeseen personal reasons' on August 2.

The move effectively put a stop to production, as the project was left without a lead actress - one day before filming was set to commence.

Journey: The 40-year-old and her husband Benjamin Millepied had been pictured hours earlier packing up their home in Vaucluse, before they took their children Aleph, nine, and Amalia, four, in a limousine to the airport

'Due to unforeseen personal reasons, Natalie Portman has stepped down from HBO's Days of Abandonment prior to the start of filming,' HBO said in a statement.

'Unfortunately, the production will not move forward. We are very sorry we won't be able to bring this beautiful story to the screen with our talented writer/director and cast.

'We send our sincere thanks to our cast, producers, and crew for all their passion and hard work.'

Move: Natalie, her husband and their two children had relocated Down Under in September last year ahead of her filming Thor: Love and Thunder in Sydney

Natalie was also set to executive produce the film, based on the best-selling novel by Elena Ferrante.

The film had been in pre-production, and centred around a woman named Tess, who abandoned her own dreams in favour of maintaining a stable home life, only for her husband to walk out on her.

The Federal Government had committed $3.4million to the project as part of its location incentive program, while Communication Minister Paul Fletcher had said he expected the production to generate more than $25million for the local economy.

Speculation: There were even rumours the Israeli-born actress was looking to make Australia her permanent home, after she and Benjamin inspected properties in Sydney this year

While it's not known what 'personal reasons' prevented her from going ahead with the film, Natalie has deleted the majority of posts from her Instagram account.

Natalie, her husband and their two children relocated Down Under in September last year ahead of her filming Thor: Love and Thunder in Sydney.

There were even rumours the Israeli-born actress was looking to make Australia her permanent home, after she and Benjamin inspected properties in Sydney this year.

However she made a swift return to the States on Thursday, just beating even tighter lockdown rules that are set to come into force.

Love: Natalie Portman and her husband Benjamin Millepied married in 2012 and share two children together; Aleph, nine, and Amalia, four

THE CHANGES COMING TO SYDNEY'S LOCKDOWN A ban on Sydneysiders travelling to second residences intrastate

Greater policing powers to ensure compliance within singles bubbles

More ADF troops deployed across the city to help police the public health orders Advertisement

On Wednesday, it was revealed that sweeping changes are coming to Sydney's lockdown as police were given 48 hours to redraft the public health orders to bring the city's spiralling Covid crisis under control.

It came as Sydney recorded 344 cases recorded overnight.

Of the newly-acquired cases, 101 were out in the community for either part or all of their entire infectious period.

The isolation status of 100 cases is still under investigation, meaning it is possible as many as 201 were in the community while contagious.

NSW Health said 112 of the new cases were found in south-west Sydney, along with 110 infections in the city's west and 43 in the Nepean Blue Mountains region.

Commissioner Fuller and Police Minister David Elliott told a crisis cabinet meeting on Wednesday that greater powers would be needed to tackle Sydney's climbing cases numbers.

The pair said orders were proving increasingly difficult to enforce.

NSW Police and their legal team have been discussing amendments that will enable them to hone in on rule-breakers and breaches in virus hotspots.

The revisions are expected to include a ban on residents travelling to their second properties, such as beach houses, a bigger ADF presence, and heavier policing of singles bubbles to ensure only two people are coming into contact.

Police have been changing a rule that permits locked-down Sydneysiders to move between residences will stem the spread of Covid into regional areas.

Meanwhile, modifications to single bubbles - which allow two people who both live alone to visit each others' houses - will make it easier for police to check compliance.

Some 80 per cent of people living across New South Wales are in lockdown with 6.6 million affected.

The NSW Government is also expected to request more ADF troops to help oversee the orders.

The announcement came a day after Premier of New South Wales Gladys Berejiklian insisted she would not introduce harsher lockdown measures unless they have a proven impact on virus transmission.

But she warned the Sydney outbreak is threatening to spread out of the city's south-west and western suburbs after higher levels of the virus were detected in the south and inner-west.

There have been mounting calls for tougher measures as infection numbers in NSW have remained stubbornly high despite an increasingly tight lockdown, particularly in Sydney's west and southwest.

At least 43 people have so far died from Covid-19 as the city grapples with an outbreak of the highly contagious Delta variant.

Sydney and surrounds are in lockdown until at least August 28, while the Hunter, Byron Bay, Armidale and Tamworth are enduring snap lockdowns.
Married At First Sight villain Bryce Ruthven has slammed producers of the show for their 'manipulated' portrayal of him on the series.

He also gloated about his happy ending with fiancee Melissa Rawson, who is currently pregnant with twins.

'Reality TV: Manipulated storyline,' he wrote, then added: 'Reality: Engaged + pregnant.'

Hitting back: Married At First Sight villain Bryce Ruthven has slammed producers of the show for their 'manipulated' portrayal of him on the series

He then tagged the show's producers, including executive producer Tara McWilliams, and wrote: 'Apologies the narrative didn't work out the way you wanted.'

Meanwhile, Married At First Sight is being investigated by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) after receiving a high volume of complaints levelled against Bryce.

According to a report by The Daily Telegraph on Wednesday, the media watchdog received 67 complaints from viewers amid claims of mental abuse, gaslighting and domestic conflict during this year's season.

'The ACMA has commenced an investigation into episodes of the 2021 season of Married At First Sight,' an ACMA spokesperson told the publication.

Under investigation: Married At First Sight is being investigated by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) after receiving a high volume of complaints

'A significant proportion of the complaints alleged the program included personally abusive interchanges between participants through gaslighting, social, verbal and mental abuse, and that the program perpetuated and promoted the theme of domestic and emotional conflict.'

Channel Nine - the network behind MAFS - sent out an apology letter back in April after a Change.org petition garnered over 15,000 signatures.

The petition claimed that Channel Nine and production company Endemol Shine had failed in their duty of care to the show's participants, with viewers describing some scenes as 'distressing'.

Problematic: According to a report by The Daily Telegraph on Wednesday, the media watchdog received 67 complaints from viewers amid claims of mental abuse, gaslighting and domestic conflict during this year's season

'Nine takes seriously the concerns raised by its viewers and makes every effort to ensure that the material it presents is consistent with community standards and complies with Nine's regulatory obligations,' the network said in a letter.

The majority of the complaints were levelled against Bryce, who was paired with Melissa, with the couple now engaged and expecting twins.

Throughout the show, Bryce repeatedly told Melissa, both 32, that she wasn't his type because she didn't have blue eyes.

'The ACMA has commenced an investigation into episodes of the 2021 season of Married At First Sight,' an ACMA spokesperson told The Daily Telegraph

He also voted her the 'fourth hottest' out of this year's brides, flirted with co-star Beck Zemek at the gym and later lied about their conversation.

In addition to getting into a series of altercations with the show's other participants, Bryce was accused of emotional manipulation and gaslighting.

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Channel Nine for comment.
Chris Hemsworth rang in his 38th birthday in lockdown after Byron Bay became a potential Covid exposure site.

But the birthday boy made sure to grab at least some outdoor time on the big day, with the Avengers: Endgame star going for a surf with mates on Wednesday.

Daily exercise like that enjoyed by Chris and his pals is permitted during the NSW coastal town's week-long lockdown.

Happy birthday to you: Chris Hemsworth rang in his 38th birthday in lockdown after Byron Bay became a potential Covid exposure site

Hemsworth made the most of his gym-honed physique in a skintight wetsuit.

The Australian actor, who has been in training to play the famously muscular Hulk Hogan in a forthcoming Netflix biopic, showed off his toned arms and shoulders in the flattering garment.

He wore a handsome scruff on his chin as he expertly cut through Australia's east coast waves on his surfboard.

Fun in the sun: The birthday boy made sure to grab at least some outdoor time on the big day, with the Avengers: Endgame star going for a surf with mates on Wednesday

Following the rules: Daily exercise like that enjoyed by Chris and his pals is permitted during the NSW coastal town's week-long lockdown

Making it work: Hemsworth made the most of his gym-honed physique in a skintight wetsuit.

Gun show! The Australian actor, who has been in training to play the famously muscular Hulk Hogan in a forthcoming Netflix biopic, showed off his toned arms and shoulders in the flattering garment

Hemsworth was joined by two of his best mates for the seaside outing: personal trainer Luke Zocchi and childhood bestie Aaron Grist.

Both men joined Chris in the water for the surf.

Later, the trio chatted on the beach amid the rather overcast conditions.

Hanging ten: He wore a handsome scruff on his chin as he expertly cut through Australia's east coast waves on his surfboard

Great outdoors: The actor no doubt had a small celebration at his mansion with his family, after Byron Bay was plunged into a snap Covid lockdown this week

Splash: Chris plunges his board through the surf at his local Broken Head beach

Chris rang in his 38th birthday on Tuesday.

And to mark the occasion, his three children he shares with wife Elsa Pataky baked him a homemade cake.

Chris shared photos from their family celebration on Instagram on Thursday, while also thanking fans and friends for their well-wishes.

Hunk-ing out: Chris' Hulk Hogan biopic is set to be directed by Joker helmer Todd Phillips

Dividends: Hemsworth has been training hard for the role and it appears to be paying off

Birthday boy: Chris rang in his 38th birthday on Tuesday with his three children and wife Elsa Pataky

'Thanks for all the birthday messages!' Chris wrote in the caption.

'Had an epic day with the family and succeeded in devouring 75 per cent of this awesome cake that my kids made before collapsing into a giant sugary heap of joy.'

He concluded: 'Love you all! Cheers'.

Fanboys: 'Thanks for all the birthday messages!' Chris wrote in the caption of the grateful post

BFFs: Hemsworth was joined by two of his best mates for the seaside outing: personal trainer Luke Zocchi (pictured, left) and childhood bestie Aaron Grist

Lunges: Chris stretches his legs before getting back out into the chilly water

Chris marveled at the surfing-themed cake, which featured blue icing, sprinkles and a mini-replica of Chris on a surfboard.

He also blew out the candles on his cake as his children sang Happy Birthday.

The actor no doubt had a small celebration at his mansion with his family, after Byron Bay was plunged into a snap Covid lockdown this week.
Richard Bacon has been announced as the next stand-in host of Good Morning Britain following Piers Morgan's exit earlier this year.

The former Blue Peter presenter, 45, will host four episodes of the programme from next week.

This isn't Richard's first time on Good Morning Britain as he temporarily hosted the show two years ago.

Stand in: Richard Bacon has been announced as the latest temporary host of Good Morning Britain after he briefly hosted the show two years ago (pictured on GMB in 2019)

Richard will host the morning show with Charlotte Hawkins on Wednesday, Kate Garraway on Thursday and Friday, and Ranvir Singh on Monday, August 23.

The presenter told The Mirror of his comeback: 'Being back on British breakfast broadcasting feels like coming home.'

'I cant wait to see the team again and am very much looking forward to my time on the show with Kate, Ranvir and Charlotte.'

Richard has plenty of experience of presenting morning television, having hosted Channel 4s The Big Breakfast from 1999 to 2002.

Irreplaceable: Since Piers left the show amid a row concerning Harry and Meghan's Oprah interview, which aired in March, a rotation of co-hosts have joined Susann Reid (pictured on GMB in 2020)

Since Piers left the show amid a row concerning Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Oprah interview, which aired in March, a rotation of co-hosts have joined remaining anchor Susanna.

He will join a long list of hosts to stand in for Piers since his exit in March, including Ben Shephard, Bill Turnbull, Richard Madeley and Alastair Campbell.

The likes of Bill Turnbull - formally Susanna's BBC Breakfast co-star - as well as Alastair Campbell, Richard Madeley and Adil Ray have also been stepping into the role, yet no long-term replacement has been assigned yet.

An insider told The Mirror: 'ITV are using these guest presenter slots to decide what works and what doesnt. Bacon is an exciting prospect.'

Back at it: The former Blue Peter presenter will host four episodes of the programme from next week, the Mirror reports (pictured on GMB with Susanna Reid in 2019)

Richard's return to British TV comes three years after he was placed in a medically-induced coma for 11 days, after being rushed to hospital with pneumonia.

He spent 11 nights in a medically-induced coma while battling the potentially fatal disease pneumonia in 2018, revealing that his body went blue at one stage and doctors expected him to die.

The presenter said that coming out of the coma was the worst day of his life because it took 14 hours and he kept hallucinating.

While presenting GMB in 2019, Bacon revealed how doctors gave him four minutes to inform family members and get his affairs in order before they would place him in a medically-induced coma.

Explaining the hours before he went to hospital Richard said: 'It was bad luck; I breathed something in.

'The working theory, they never really worked out what it was exactly, is that I got on the plane at the wrong time and the pressurised cabin caused this infection in both of my lungs to explode everywhere.'

Scary: Richard's return to British TV comes three years after he was placed in a medically-induced coma for 11 days, after being rushed to hospital with pneumonia

'When I got off the plane I couldn't breathe properly. I did something really stupid which is, I believed that because I go to the gym a lot I'd kind of be fine.

'Obviously working on your biceps has no impact on what's going on in your lungs. So, I left it 18 hours. When I got to A&E that's when it all kicked off.'

'I was very, very close to death,' he said adding that doctors 'went from telling me I needed to be in an induced coma to being in a coma in 4 minutes'.

'They said to me afterwards, ''it wasn't that you might die, we expected you to die''. I was the illest person in Lewisham hospital.'

Earlier this year, Richard was forced to shut down rumours that he'd been fired from Blue Peter for snorting cocaine off of the shell of the show's tortoise.

The presenter reflected on the past drugs scandal which saw him sacked from the programme in 1998, during an appearance on Dave show Unforgivable.

Quick to put a stop to any more rumours, Richard revealed: 'I didn't give any tortoises coke... I got fired for taking drugs.'

Richard was just 18 months into his dream job at Blue Peter when he was fired at the age of 22 after admitting he took cocaine in a London nightclub.
She's a single lady after ending her romance with Emilio Vitolo Jr.

And Katie Holmes oozed Parisian chic in a Breton top and white midi skirt as she stepped out with a friend for dinner in New York City, on Wednesday.

The actress, 42, looked effortlessly stylish as she strolled along next to her pal, enjoying a lively conversation while on their way to a restaurant in NYC.

C'est chic! Katie Holmes, 42, oozed Parisian chic in a Breton top and white midi skirt as she stepped out with a friend for dinner in New York City, on Wednesday

Katie showcased her flair for fashion in the off-the-shoulder top, which elegantly hugged her curves.

The Dawson's Creek star's cotton skirt gently billowed as she pounded the pavement in a pair of off-white brogues while carrying her belongings in a navy tote.

In May, the Batman Begins actress ended her relationship with chef Emilio, who heads the popular ItalianAmerican restaurant Emilio's Ballato in New York with his father, Emilio Vitolo Sr.

Although she and the restaurateur were nearly inseparable in late 2020 and early 2021, they decided to go their separate ways.

Catch-ups: The actress looked effortlessly stylish as she strolled along next to her pal, enjoying a lively conversation while on their way to a restaurant in NYC

A spokesperson for Katie told Us Weekly that the two had parted 'amicably' and were 'still friends.'

Another insider who spoke to the publication added that their 'relationship fizzled.' 'They figured out theyre better off as friends. Theres no drama that went down with the breakup,' the source said.

According to them, Katie is now focused on prioritizing her private and professional lives at the moment.

The romance reportedly faded after she left for Connecticut to film her second feature as a director, The Watergate Girl.

According to ET, Katie took a 'wait and see' approach to her relationship while she was out of the state filming.

'Before she left, [Katie and Emilio] were inseparable, but their relationship was existing in a bubble,' said an insider. 'Because of the pandemic, she wasn't jet setting around the country for jobs and he wasn't tied up every night working at his family's restaurant.'

But once their regular social lives resumed, the couple found they were not 'as compatible anymore.
She's currently in lockdown at home in Melbourne.

But Arabella Del Busso proved she's not let letting the tough times get her down.

Taking to Instagram on Thursday, Arabella posed completely naked on her bed.

Raunchy! Ex-NRL WAG Arabella Del Busso [pictured] put on an eye-popping display on Thursday when she posed COMPLETELY naked on her bed

The brunette bombshell strategically covered her ample assets with her hand, as she flaunted her heavenly curves.

The former WAG had her extensive tattoo collection on full display for admirers.

'Lockdown feels,' Arabella captioned the photo.

Arabella's post comes after she recently sparked concern after sharing a photo of herself crying on social media last month.

Glamazon: 'Lockdown feels,' Arabella captioned the photo

She looked visibly upset in the Instagram post in which she stared at the camera with tears welling in her eyes.

Managing to look glamorous even in a moment of sorrow, Arabella sported a pair of pearl earrings and used a flattering filter.

While Arabella didn't explain why she was in tears, she did post a cryptic quote about the importance of removing toxic friendships from your life.

'As you mature, you will realise that many people only keep up with you because they want to know about you, not necessarily because they care for your well-being,' the quote read.

Is everything okay? Arabella's post comes after she recently sparked a wave of concern

'You'll find that people feed off the moments in your life only to hold comparisons between yourself and them or to discuss you elsewhere.'

The post went on advise the reader to 'keep their circle small' and be selective about the information they share with others.

'As you mature, you'll find that being selective in your speech and your company is best for you,' the quote concluded.
She recently wrapped filming Nine Perfect Strangers, based on the best-selling novel by author Liane Moriarty,

And on Thursday, Nicole Kidman was seen heading to her next project as she boarded a private jet in Sydney.

The 54-year-old looked every inch the Hollywood megastar as she took to the steps of the private plane that was headed to Hong Kong.

Flying high! Nicole Kidman [pictured] departed Australia on Thursday to begin filming her new Amazon series Expats in Hong Kong

Nicole looked casual-cool in a grey hoodie and a pair of always-fashionable black slacks.

The Hours star wore her signature strawberry blonde locks tied back in a low pony and appeared to be make-up free for the occasion.

Nicole is headed to Hong Kong where she will be the lead star in the limited TV series, Expats, which is based on Janice Y.K. Lee's novel The Expatriates.

Expats is being produced by Amazon Video with it following the vibrant lives of an expat community with friendships intense but temporary.

On the go: The 54-year-old looked every inch the Hollywood megastar as she took to the steps of the private plane that was headed to Hong Kong

Nicole recently wrapped filming Nine Perfect Strangers alongside Melissa McCarthy, Luke Evans, Asher Keddie, Regina Hall and Bobby Cannavale.

The limited series follows nine stressed city dwellers looking for a better way of living at a health-and-wellness resort.

According to Nicole, there's no easy way to categorise the program, which is based on Liane Moriarty's novel of the same name.

Comfort: Nicole looked casual-cool in a grey hoodie and a pair of always-fashionable black slacks. The Hours star wore her signature strawberry blonde locks tied back in a low pony and appeared to be make-up free for the occasion

Filming: Nicole is headed to Hong Kong where she will be the lead star in the limited TV series, Expats, which is based on Janice Y.K. Lee's novel The Expatriates

'When people say define what it is, we still can't, I mean I dare you to ask any of us, what genre this is, we have no idea,' Nicole told a TCA panel.

'I haven't actually done a show where you have different directors coming in and doing different episodes so for me it's more like that extended cinematic storytelling.

'At the same time, I started off in Australia, doing mini-series which is the equivalent of limited series so I've always embraced it.

'I just think now it's such a fantastic landscape because you have these writers and directors who are willing to work in this in this territory.'

New project: Expats is being produced by Amazon Video with it following the vibrant lives of an expat community with friendships intense but temporary

Megastar: The Australian star was masked up as she boarded her flight

Nicole's departure from Sydney coincides with growing fears over the new draconian lockdown rules that are set to be implemented in New South Wales.

On Wednesday, it was revealed that aweeping changes are coming to Sydney's lockdown as police were given 48 hours to redraft the public health orders to bring the city's spiralling Covid crisis under control.

Commissioner Fuller and Police Minister David Elliott told a crisis cabinet meeting the orders are proving difficult to enforce, and greater powers are needed to tackle Sydney's climbing case numbers.

NSW Police and their legal team have been discussing amendments that will enable them to hone in on rule-breakers and breaches in virus hotspots.

The revisions are expected to include a ban on residents travelling to their second properties, such as beach houses, a bigger ADF presence, and heavier policing of singles bubbles to ensure only two people are coming into contact.
She rose to fame when she started dating Ed Westwick in 2019.

And all eyes were certainly on Tamara Francesconi on Thursday as she wowed in a sexy green cut-out dress by PrettyLittleThing as she strolled through the streets of Santorini amid her working holiday.

The model, 25, later enjoyed some downtime at a beach in Mykonos with friends, where she displayed her incredible figure in a skimpy green bikini.

Wow: All eyes were certainly on Tamara Francesconi on Thursday as she wowed in a sexy green cut-out dress by PrettyLittleThing as she strolled through the streets of Santorini amid her working holiday

Tamara, who has been busy on photoshoots during her time in Greece, looked stunning as she gave a glimpse of her toned midriff in the racy cut-out gown which featured a daring split at the front.

She accessorised her holiday look with quilted tan mules and a matching handbag, while added a touch of bling with gold Celeste Starre earrings.

The South African beauty allowed her brunette locks to cascade down her back, while she shielded her eyes from the sun with black sunglasses.

Stunning: The model, 25, later enjoyed some downtime at a beach in Mykonos with friends, where she displayed her incredible figure in a skimpy green bikini

Tamara appeared in good spirits as she strolled through the pretty streets with a pal, before making their way to the Andronis Luxury Suites.

The stunner was also seen enjoying a relaxed break at Santanna Rose Beach in Mykonos with her pals, where she chilled out on a cosy day bed.

Tamara once again looked amazing as she flaunted her jaw-dropping body in a glittery green bikini by PrettyLittleThing.

She covered up with a pair of loose-fitting white trousers and was sure not to forget her accessories, adding an eye-catching gold necklace.

Radiant: Tamara, who has been busy on photoshoots during her time in Greece, looked stunning as she gave a glimpse of her toned midriff in the racy cut-out gown which featured a daring split at the front

Out and about: Tamara appeared in good spirits as she strolled through the pretty streets with a pal, before making their way to the Andronis Luxury Suites

The London-based influencer is dating former Gossip Girl star Ed - who is best known for playing Chuck Bass on the series also starring Chace Crawford, Leighton Meester and Blake Lively.

The pair have been together since October 2019, after Ed slid into Tamara's DMs on Instagram.

Recalling how she and Ed first got talking, Tamara revealed: 'He direct message me out of the blue saying ''Hi,'' and I nearly fell off my chair, we then chatted for a while and he asked me on a date, which I assumed would be a dinner.

Down time: The stunner was also seen enjoying a relaxed break at Santanna Rose Beach in Mykonos with her pals, where she chilled out on a cosy day bed

Beach babe: Tamara once again looked amazing as she flaunted her jaw-dropping body in a glittery green bikini by PrettyLittleThing

Looking good: Tamara looked amazing as she stretched out on a day bed while chatting with her pals

'Instead he took me to a butterfly sanctuary in Mayfair, we thereafter spent the whole day exploring London together, and the rest is history.'

Ed starred on Gossip Girl as Blair's love interest Chuck for its entire six-season run.

The show - which has now been given a reboot by HBO Max - wrapped in 2012 and since then, Ed has gone on to appear in TV series Snatch and movies Bone in the Throat, released in 2015 and starring The Crown's Vanessa Kirby, and The Crash.

Fans last saw Ed in American comedy thriller Me, You, Madness that was released in February, earlier this year.
He enjoyed a steak worth a whopping $130 on the evening before his 47th birthday.

And Karl Stefanovic didn't skimp when it came to the day itself either, with the TV host stepping out in a pair of very expensive sneakers on Thursday.

The Today anchor wore a pair of Nike Air Jordan 5 x Off-White sneakers, which can set the wearer back anything up to $1500.

The finer things in life: Karl Stefanovic didn't skimp when it came his birthday, with the TV host stepping out in a pair of very expensive sneakers

The rare high top sneakers rounded out Karl's casual ensemble, which consisted of Adidas shorts, T-shirt and cap, all in black.

The Gold Logie winning personality shielded his gaze behind a pair of dark shades.

Arriving home with his family, Karl played doting dad by carrying daughter Harper, one, into the house.

Well-heeled: The Today anchor wore a pair of Nike Air Jordan 5 x Off-White sneakers, which can set the wearer back anything up to $1500

Back to black! The rare high top sneakers rounded out Karl's casual ensemble, which consisted of Adidas shorts, T-shirt and cap, all in black

Wife Jasmine kept things similarly low key in leggings and a grey hooded sweatshirt.

Her blonde tresses were pulled back in a low maintenance bun and she too wore sunglasses for the bright Sydney day.

Later, a delivery consisting of a cake and a balloon arrived for Karl's birthday.

Sporty: Wife Jasmine kept things similarly low key in leggings and a grey hooded sweatshirt

Surprise! Later, a delivery consisting of a cake and a balloon arrived for Karl's birthday

Karl enjoyed an early birthday celebration alongside wife Jasmine on Wednesday night.

Taking to Instagram, the Channel Nine star showed off a special delivery from Bondi restaurant Icebergs ahead of his 47th birthday on Thursday.

'Best birthday eve ever,' Karl captioned the photo of himself as he grinned like a kid in a candy shop at the lavish culinary bounty waiting to be devoured.

Yum: Karl enjoyed a 'big surprise' from his 'favourite restaurant ever' on Wednesday night, ahead of his 47th birthday on Thursday

Before he tucked in, the Today show host took the opportunity to promote the hospitality industry, which has been struggling across Australia due to lockdowns.

'Restaurants are doing it tough. This is the biggest surprise ever from my favourite,' he wrote.

The loveable larrikin then revealed the delicious array of food from the venue, which included a pricey steak valued at $130.

On the menu for the evening was Icebergs' signature 150 day grain fed boneless rib eye served with condiments, a simple leaf salad, other sides and a bottle of red.

Tasty: Before he tucked in, the Today show host took the opportunity to promote the hospitality industry, which has been struggling across Australia due to lockdowns.

Karl is certainly no stranger to sharing his personal life on Instagram.

Last month, Karl shared a picture of daughter Harper on his Instagram for his 264,000 followers.

'What's a lockdown daddy chops?' Karl wrote in the caption as Harper is seen smiling in a close-up with food in her mouth.

Delicious: On the menu for the evening was Icebergs' signature 150 day grain fed boneless rib eye served with condiments, a simple leaf salad, other sides and a bottle of red

In the photo, Harper appears to have made a little mess as Vegemite got on her face and jumper.

Fans of Karl commented fondly on the sweet image. 'Sooo cute,' wrote one with a string of heart eyes emoji's.

Another said, 'So sweet! And growing so fast too!'

Cute: Last month, Karl shared a picture of daughter Harper on his Instagram for his 264,000 followers

That same month Jasmine, 37, shared a rare look at her private life at home in her Instagram Stories.

The shoe designer has been filling up a family album while in lockdown and has posted another series of photos with her daughter Harper.

In one picture she joked, 'Wiggles on repeat making me crazy,' while she told her followers that she was doing some 'lockdown arts and crafts.'

Lockdown: Jasmine Stefanovic (nee Yarbrough) shared a rare look at her private life at home in a series Instagram Stories that same month

Karl and Jasmine were married in Los Cabos, Mexico, in 2018.

They welcomed Harper, their first child together, in 2020.

Karl is already a father to sons Jackson, 20, and River, 12, and daughter Ava, 16, who he shares with ex-wife Cassandra Thorburn.
She recently reunited with her daughter Lily following two years apart due to the coronavirus pandemic.

And Kate Beckinsale, 48, took to Instagram on Thursday to share a heartwarming snap of the pair enjoying a warm embrace.

Going barefoot and donning a pair of green joggers along with a cream sweater, the Chiswick-born actress buried her face into her mini-me Lily's, 22, shoulder.

'Don't know how I got so lucky': Kate Beckinsale embraced her mini-me daughter Lily Sheen in a sweet Instagram post on Thursday, after the pair were recently reunited

Doting mum: Kate captioned the loved-up squeeze with this note

Her doppelganger kept things equally casual in grey joggers and a khaki sweater, which she accessorised with a black backpack.

She sported a pair of white trainers and had tied her caramel dip-dyed tresses into a tousled ponytail.

Kate captioned the loved-up squeeze with the note, 'Don't know how I got so lucky.'

Filmmaker Mark Adderley took to the comments to write, 'That's gorgeous,' while Tings Magazine editor Vas Morgan inserted a black heart.

Devoted: Kate (right) and Lily (left) were recently reunited after spending two years apart due to the pandemic (pictured in 2013)

It comes a week after the NYU educated student attended her superstar mum's 48th birthday party in LA, marking their reunion after two years apart due to the pandemic.

The daughter of actor Michael Sheen looked glamorous in a mint green gown with spaghetti straps and a daring thigh-high split as she presented a cake to her mother.

Her tresses were styled in soft waves while a radiant palette of make-up enhanced her pretty features.

Yay: Lily attended her mother's 48th birthday party in LA last week

Lily also posed for a sweet snap with her mother and fellow celebrity guests including Rita Ora and Taika Waititi, Damson Idris and Jai Courtney.

She was also seen posing with her boyfriend David Schechter and planting a sweet kiss on her mother's cheek after the cake was served.

The party comes not long after Kate revealed that she had not seen her daughter for a period of two years due to COVID-19 - with the pair recently reuniting in New York City.

Going strong! Kate and Lily also posed for a sweet snap with Taika Waititi, Rita Ora, Dave Schechter (crouching), Jai Courtney and Damson Idris

Beckinsale appeared on Live with Kelly and Ryan where she told the show's hosts that, as a result of the global pandemic, she had not been able to visit Sheen for an extended period of time.

'I haven't seen my daughter for two years because of everything. Also, I went to Canada working and she couldn't come see me,' she said.

The actress noted that they had been in contact during their time away from each other and joked that they were both concerned about how much they had aged in their respective absences.

'Two years of not seeing your child is the most preposterous thought. Thank god for FaceTime and all that, but we're both panicking that we'll look really old to each other,' she noted.

The Van Helsing actress shares her daughter with her former partner, Michael Sheen.

The two were first connected in 1995 and began a relationship soon after their initial meeting.

Cute: Lily planted a sweet kiss on her mother at the birthday party

The former pair went on to welcome their daughter in 1999 and collaborated on several stage and screen projects.

Although the two remained strong as a couple for several years, their relationship eventually came to an end in 2003.

Beckinsale and Sheen have remained good friends ever since the end of their romance and co-parented Lily throughout her younger years.
He set pulses racing as the suave businessman Christian Grey in the 50 Shades trilogy.

And Jamie Dornan showcased his bulging biceps as he stepped out for a romantic lunch with his wife Amelia Warner in London on Thursday.

The Northern Irish actor, 39, walked shoulder to shoulder with his wife of eight years as they headed for a bite to eat without their three daughters.

Hunk: Jamie Dornan showcased his bulging biceps as he stepped out for a romantic lunch with his wife Amelia Warner in London on Thursday

Jamie cut a stylish figure in a blue T-shirt and grey chinos as he strolled along the street in box fresh white trainers.

The actor accessorised with a pair of eye-catching yellow socks, some effortlessly cool black glasses and a chunky black-strapped watch.

Meanwhile, Amelia looked chic in a light pink cardigan with large gold buttons, a plain white T-shirt and blue and yellow striped trousers.

The gorgeous musician let her caramel tresses cascade past her shoulders in natural waves which she pushed back with a pair of brown shades.

Couple goals: The actor, 39, cut a stylish figure in a laidback blue T-shirt and grey chinos while Amelia opted for a chic pink cardigan

The romantic outing comes after Jamie returned from filming his new series, The Tourist, in Adelaide, Australia last month.

In the six-part Stan thriller, Jamie's character is known as 'The Man' and is pursued in the Australian outback.

Filmed in South Australia, his character is driven off the road by a tank trunk and ends up in hospital.

Upon waking, he struggles to make sense of his identity as those from his past continue to hunt him down.

In character: The romantic outing comes after Jamie returned from filming his new series, The Tourist, in Adelaide, Australia last month (pictured in the show as 'The Man')

Jamie will star alongside Danielle Macdonald of Dumplin' fame, Doctor Doctor's Shalom Brune Franklin, Alex Dimitriades and Damon Herriman.

Damon replaces Hugo Weaving's role as Agent Lachlan Rogers. Hugo pulled out of the project due to scheduling issues.

Jamie previously said of the role: 'The Tourist are some of the most exciting scripts I've ever read. I can't wait to go to Australia with such a talented group of people.'

Watch the Stan Original film The Tourist, exclusively on Stan next year.
She is set to tie the knot to her fiance William Lee-Kemp next month, after Covid postponed plans for their wedding.

And Jess Wright took to the skies on Thursday as she and her bridal party jetted off for her hen party to an undisclosed location abroad.

Joined by sister Natalya, 21, and mum Carol, 61, the former TOWIE star, 35, took to Instagram to share a slew of snaps with her girls as she arrived at the airport.

Bride-to-be: Jess Wright took to the skies on Thursday as she and her bridal party jetted off for her hen party ahead of her wedding to William Lee-Kemp next month

Donning a pearl studded 'Bride' hat, Jess and her entourage posed with monogram suitcases and matching holdalls.

In another snap, the reality star wore a white 'Bride-to-be' blazer and a veil as she posed with her younger sister Natalya.

Taking to Instagram, Jess penned: 'Here we go! Can't believe I'm finally going on my hen with all the girlies. A smaller crowd than the original planned trip in May but we made it happen and I'm so grateful to all involved.

'Last trip as Miss Wright! Let's go!!'

Here come the girls: Joined by sister Natalya, 21, and mum Carol, 61, the former TOWIE star, 35, took to Instagram to share a slew of snaps with her girls as she arrived at the airport

Exciting: Taking to Instagram, Jess penned: 'Here we go! Can't believe I'm finally going on my hen with all the girlies'

Apprentice star Luisa Zissman commented: 'Have an amazing time!!', while Helen Flanagan added: 'Ahhhhh have the best time angel x'.

The group quaffed on bubbly as they headed to the airport in a taxi, with Natalya writing: 'It's my sister's hen do!!! Finally!! Only a year and a half later'.

Jess' sister-in-law Michelle Keegan appears to not have joined the girls for the hen do as the actress is busy filming series four of Brassic.

The former TOWIE star was forced to postpone her June dream wedding in Mallorca to William, 38, due to the pandemic.

The reality star recently revealed she will now walk down the aisle with William in September.

Matching: In another snap, the reality star wore a white 'Bride-to-be' blazer and a veil as she posed with her younger sister Natalya

Happy: The group quaffed on bubbly as they headed to the airport in a taxi, with Natalya writing: 'It's my sister's hen do!!! Finally!! Only a year and a half later'

In an interview with Hello! Magazine she admitted she and William had considered scrapping plans to exchange nuptials in Mallorca and have a smaller ceremony in England, as pandemic regulations affect travel.

Noting that she's far from alone in her dilemma, Jessica told the publication: 'I really feel for all brides out there. Every day, we have been back and forth trying to decide what to do  I've been driving myself insane with it.'

Party time: Joined by sister Natalya, 21, and mum Carol, 61, the former TOWIE star, 35, took to Instagram to share a slew of snaps with her girls as she arrived at the airport

Wedding bells: Jess said: 'Last trip as Miss Wright! Let's go!!'

Cheers! The girls popped the bubbly as they made their way to the airport

She continued: 'We always wanted to get wed abroad with all our family and friends, but we have explored every option, different dates, different places. A few weeks ago I said to Will: "Shall we have a smaller wedding here in England?"

Of their autumn wedding, she explained: 'It gives more time for things to get back to normal and for all our nearest and dearest to be there. I have definitely relaxed since setting the new date. I can't wait to wear my dress  I just want to do it now.'

William popped the question on the snow capped peaks of Courchevel, France, in February 2020 after 13 months of dating.

Jess previously told Hello! that her sister-in-law Michelle Keegan, 33, the actress wife of her brother Mark, would be one of bridal party, as well as her sister Natalya.

TV personality Mark, 34, who tied the knot with Michelle in 2015, has been drafted in to serve as the master of ceremonies on his sister's big day.

While Jessica and Will have holidayed in many exotic locations, Jess explained that Majorca has been like a second home to her as her family have a house on the island.

Jess said: 'I've been dreaming of a fairytale wedding since I was little, when I used to dress up in my mum's net curtains.

'Now I can't wait for the moment I've been imagining for so long, walking up the aisle in a fabulous dress to marry Will.'
Hamish Blake has become the latest Australian celebrity to urge fans to get vaccinated.

The Lego Masters host, 39, took to Instagram on Thursday with a passionate and amusing plea to his followers to get the jab, along with a photo of himself setting the example at Homebush's vaccination hub.

The Hamish & Andy star began his caption, 'Jabba Dabba Done. Tried to get my vaccine right through the Olympic Rings, but understand correct needle placement overruled symbolic photo op.'

For his country: Hamish Blake has become the latest Australian celebrity to urge fans to get vaccinated

The photo showed Hamish with sleeve rolled up, exposing a series of tattoos, including one of the Olympic rings.

He continued, 'To be honest, I feel immensely grateful to live in an age where super smart people are able to do incredible things like make a vaccine for something that has ground the world to a halt.'

'Just as I do any time science solves something that could have easily killed you 100 years ago (or any time I use a phone, drive a car, have water come out of a tap, have a roof not fall on me etc, you know, #science).'

'Now, I know Im going to get heaps of comments like "Oh my god! Your tatts are amazing! Where did you get them!?" which is super flattering, thank you, but its not why Im posting this.'

Good humoured: The Lego Masters host, 39, took to Instagram on Thursday with a passionate and amusing plea to his followers to get the jab

He then issued his plea, writing, 'What I REALLY hope is that by posting this, it lands in front of the eyes of someone who is quietly unsure about getting vaccinated.'

'And if thats you sweet reader, my request is this: dont take medical advice from me.'

'I didnt go to medical school, Im not a doctor. But you know who is a doctor? Your doctor.'

Respect: He continued, 'To be honest, I feel immensely grateful to live in an age where super smart people are able to do incredible things like make a vaccine for something that has ground the world to a halt'

'Talk to them. And only them. Have a discussion with someone who has studied medical science for years and years and years about this, then see how you feel about participating in this effort. Thats all. Good on you.'

'Gotta say hats off to the staff of NSW Health, watching the massive effort being run and thousands of people out at Homebush fills you with hope.'

'Thanks to everyone whos working so hard at the front line. Go Australia.'

For his family: Hamish pictured with wife Zoe Foster Blake and their kids Rudy and Sonny

Hamish joins his fellow TV stars pushing for others to get the jab, including actress Ada Nicodemou, who is fully vaccinated against coronavirus.

Posting to her Instagram on Thursday, the popular Home and Away star announced she had had her second jab in Sydney.

Sharing picture of herself with her sleeve rolled up, Ada stood proud as she pointed to the freshly placed Band-Aid on her arm.

Fully vaxxed! Australian actress Ada Nicodemou is fully vaccinated against coronavirus. On Thursday, the popular Home and Away star announced she had had her second jab in Sydney

'Full vaccinated baby!! Go and get vaccinated Australia and let's get through this!' she urged fans.

While she did not confirm if she'd received the Pfizer of Astra Zeneca vaccine, Ada first received her first jab three weeks ago.

At the time, she documented the moment on Instagram, writing: 'Just got home from my first vaccination shot and feeling good.'

Fans were quick to flock to both posts to congratulate Ada, in particular fellow Home and Away star Lynne McGranger.

Doing her bit: While she did not confirm if she'd received the Pfizer of Astra Zeneca vaccine, Ada first received her first jab three weeks ago

'Yay!! That's ma girl,' Lynne, who plays fan-favourite Irene Roberts on the TV wrote.

Lynne revealed she was fully vaccinated in July.

Showing off a certificate confirming she received both jabs, the 68-year-old wrote cheekily: 'Fully vaccinated, all you flat earthers out there.

Done! Ada's co-star Lynne McGranger revealed she was fully vaccinated in July. Showing off a certificate confirming she received both jabs, the 68-year-old wrote cheekily: 'Fully vaccinated, all you flat earthers out there

She also shared photos as she got her first AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccination in June.

'So this just happened,' she captioned the snap, which showed her being injected at a doctor's office while wearing a face mask.
Alan Carr's husband Paul Drayton has insisted that he sustained a black eye after he punched himself in the face during a drunken binge because 'I hate myself.'

Paul, 46, who has been married to comedian Alan since 2018, posted a picture of himself with a black eye on Instagram telling a fan: 'We had a bad row.'

Within an hour, it was removed with Paul posting: 'I'm feeling very fragile at the minute and would like to say that Alan would not and has never hit me.

Shocking: Alan Carr's husband Paul Drayton has insisted that he sustained a black eye after he punched himself in the face during a drunken binge because 'I hate myself'

'And I'm devastated that he has to deal with this today.'

Paul, who has a history of alcoholism told MailOnline: 'I punched myself in the face because I hate myself. There was no fight.

'The Instagram post was just a joke, that's all.'

Paul admitted that he had 'fallen off the wagon' but that he was getting help.

Never: Paul, 46 - who has been married to comedian Alan since 2018 - removed the photo from Instagram within an hour on Wednesday after telling a fan 'We had a bad row' and took to Instagram the next day to insist the comedian, 45, 'has never hit me'

He added: 'I bet a lot of people are wondering what it's all about but I'm getting the help I need.'

As he was speaking at his house in West London, he was joined by an elderly woman who refused to identify herself.

She said: 'We are getting help for Paul from the people that matter.'

Alan confirmed in a statement shortly after his husband posted the black eye image the injury was a result of him 'being back on the wagon' and he had not been involved in the incident.

Statement: Paul, who has a history of alcoholism told MailOnline: 'I punched myself in the face because I hate myself. There was no fight (pictured with Alan in 2020)

He told The Sun: 'While I was away filming on location the past few weeks, Paul fell off the wagon and started drinking again.

'When I arrived back home from Wales, Paul was covered in scratches and bruises from a drinking binge.'

The Chatty Man host added: 'We are now working together to get the help he needs to get better which is our number one priority right now.'

After a concerned fan commented on Paul's photo asking: 'What the hell happened? Sending my love,' he replied: 'We had a bad row', and added a crying face emoji.

Married: Alan confirmed in a statement shortly after his husband posted the black eye image the injury was a result of him 'being back on the wagon' and he had not been involved in the incident - pictured on their wedding day back in 2020

Vegas nuptials: The pair are seen on their wedding night in Las Vegas

According to The Sun, Paul's famous friends were quick to share their concerns, with Carol Vorderman commenting: 'We love you Paul,' and Tamzin Outhwaite asking: 'When was this? Are you OK?'

The paper added that Paul's post comes three days after he shared a photo of himself wearing a vomit-stained T-shirt alongside the caption: 'This is what alcoholism does to you. My gorgeous husband took this pic.'

MailOnline has reached out to Alan's representatives for comment.

Last August, Alan revealed lockdown had tempted his teetotal husband to start drinking again.

The pair spent the pandemic isolating together on their farm outside London.

Paul went into rehab in 2018 for alcohol problems the same year he married Alan at Adele's home in LA.

Alan said: 'While I was away filming on location the past few weeks, Paul fell off the wagon and started drinking again' (pictured 2019)

Alan told the Kelly Hoppen podcast last year: 'It's been tough for Paul during lockdown. He's been saying, ''Oh, shall we get a bottle?'' and I say, ''No, we're not getting any rose wine in''.

'He's been so good and I'm so proud of him.'

The Chatty Man host went alcohol free to support his husband but has since started drinking again.

He said: 'I like eating and drinking, but it was ridiculous before - we were cracking open a bottle of rose because it was a Monday.

'We were out of control. It was a laugh, but looking at Paul, sometimes the party has to stop.'

He added: 'I enjoy a drink and I have it on special occasions now, it's a real treat for me.'

'With lockdown and the rise of podcasts it's reawakened my chatting.

'It's made me want to chat more to people, and I'm quite good at it and I like chatting to people.'

The couple wed in an idyllic ceremony in Los Angeles in front of just four guests in January 2018, before enjoying a relaxing honeymoon in Mexico - but have kept their relationship low profile.

His best pal Adele officiated the wedding ceremony, and he later revealed during an appearance on This Morning in April 2018 that she also paid for the entire wedding.

The couple became engaged in 2016 when they were on holiday in Indonesia.

When Paul popped the question, Alan thought he had had a dental accident while chowing down on his dessert - only to reveal his beau had hidden an engagement ring in the pudding.

Rehab: Paul went into rehab in 2018 for alcohol problems the same year he married Alan at Adele's home in LA (pictured together with Adele)

Alan has been open about Paul's battle with alcoholism and spoke about it in his book ALANATOMY.

He said: 'I want to be there for him because he's the best thing that's happened to me and I've got to support him and everything.'

Talking about his demons, Alan admitted: 'To be honest, it was a tough year for my Paul. He had a few issues with alcohol, and a lot of the time that was because I was away so much.

'I was out there, working hard, earning the money, and I neglected my personal life, really, so I feel a little bit to blame for that.'

However, Alan is adamant he has no interest in becoming a dad, and neither does Paul.

Setting the record straight on whether he planned a family back in 2015, the funnyman quipped: 'I am so not broody. I don't have a fatherly bone in my body. I struggle with two dogs, I forget to feed them sometimes, let alone a baby.

'Plus, everyone who has kids looks terrible. I see people and say, 'Are you on crack?' and they're like, 'No, I've got two kids'. Paul luckily isn't into kids either.'
Adil Ray looked solemn while taking on the role of Imran Khan in newly-released images from ITV's upcoming drama, Stephen.

First look pictures from Stephen Lawrence murder investigation drama show the 47-year-old wearing a navy suit while transforming into the solicitor.

Khan had only been working as a lawyer for 18 months when he took on the case and was awarded the rank of Queen's Counsel in 2018.

Serious: Adil Ray looked solemn as he took on the role of solicitor Imran Khan in the ITV drama which detailed Stephen Lawrence's murder probe

Working hard: Unseen pictures from the first episode of the Stephen Lawrence murder investigation drama show Steve Coogan (playing Clive Driscoll) with his team

Stabbed to death in a 1993 racist attack in South-East London, it was not until 2012 that justice was brought to the family of 18-year-old Londoner Stephen.

Two men were convicted of his murder only after a campaign for justice was launched by his parents Doreen and Neville.

Set in 2006 and due on ITV later this month, the drama tells the story of how detective chief inspector Clive Driscoll, played by Steve Coogan, led the probe that finally secured the convictions.

Hero: Khan had only been working as a lawyer for 18 months when he took on the case and was awarded the rank of Queen's Counsel in 2018 (Real-life Imran in 1998, right, Adil as Imran in 2021, left)

In character: Steve Coogan is playing the role of DCI Clive Driscoll - who put together an investigation that secured the convictions of the two gang members

Talented: Stephen's mother, now Baroness Lawrence, is played by Sharlene Whyte (right) and his father by Hugh Quarshie (left)

It also stars Sian Brooke as Met Police chief Cressida Dick  acting deputy commissioner at the time of the verdict  and Jorden Myrie as Stephen's brother Stuart.

Stephen's mother, now Baroness Lawrence, is played by Sharlene Whyte and his father by Hugh Quarshie.

Both actors said they did not meet the Lawrences while researching the roles as they felt it would be unfair to make them relive the case again.

The senior officer: It also stars Sian Brooke (right) as Met Police chief Cressida Dick (left)  acting deputy commissioner at the time of the verdict

In charge: Clive Driscoll (left) headed the Racial and Violent Crime Task Force and is played by Steve Coogan (right)

The family: Stuart Lawrence (left), Doreen Lawrence (middle) and Neville Lawrence (right)

'I was trying to keep a respectful space,' Miss Whyte added.

The drama is a sequel to The Murder Of Stephen Lawrence, which was screened in 1999.

Actor Quarshie said he spoke to Neville Lawrence 'the first time around'.

He added: 'I was very aware of the fact that I don't sound anything like him, I don't look anything like him so it was important to grab his essence or some aspect of it.

Respectful: Both actors said they did not meet the Lawrences while researching the roles as they felt it would be unfair to make them relive the case again (Hugh Quarshie plays Neville Lawrence, left, and Sharlene Whyte plays Doreen Lawrence, right)

Doting mum: Sharlene Whyte, in character, poses alongside a photo of Stephen Lawrence

Success: The drama tells the story of how detective chief inspector Clive Driscoll, played by Steve Coogan, led the probe that finally secured the convictions.

'This time around I felt that I had his impersonation in the bank, so to speak. But I had a feeling that it was going to be kind of intrusive to ask a man whose son had been murdered, 'how did you feel about the second investigation?'.

'And it was pretty clear that this script is less a reconstruction and more of a dramatic interpretation of events, so it was less about trying to imitate or impersonate Neville and more about trying to interpret the script.'

On not meeting Doreen, Miss Whyte added: 'I didn't feel that it was right that I go to her and start asking her questions and asking her to relive the experience yet again, because I can imagine how raw and traumatic that would be.

On the phone: Actor Quarshie said he spoke to Neville Lawrence 'the first time around'

Holding back: On not meeting Doreen, Miss Whyte added: 'I didn't feel that it was right that I go to her and start asking her questions'

Skilled: 'I was very aware of the fact that I don't sound anything like him, I don't look anything like him so it was important to grab his essence or some aspect of it,' Hugh said

Also in the cast is Richie Campbell as Duwayne Brooks, who was a friend of Stephen's and who was with him at the time he was murdered.

Stephen was killed on the evening of 22 April 1993 in a racially motivated attack whilst waiting for a bus in Well Hall Road, Eltham.

Even though Doreen and Neville Lawrence knew the identity of their sons killers, the original investigation had failed to convict those responsible.

Frustrating: Even though Doreen and Neville Lawrence knew the identity of their sons killers, the original investigation had failed to convict those responsible

Captivating: Yazmin Mwanza plays Georgina Lawrence, Stephen's sister

Spellbinding: Sharlene Whyte as Doreen Lawrence (left), Jorden Myrie as Stuart Lawrence (middle) and Hugh Quarshie as Neville Lawrence (right)

The killers: David Norris, played by Rob Witcomb (left) and Gary Dobson, played by Stephen Patten (right)

The family's extraordinary campaign for justice led to a public inquiry which branded Metropolitan Police institutionally racist.

It also brought about sweeping changes in the law and police practices, transforming thinking and understanding of racial inequality in the UK.

Yet six years on from the Inquiry no progress had been made into the case.

The ongoing struggle by Doreen and Neville to achieve justice is documented in the series.

Gripping: The drama tells the story of the ongoing struggle by Doreen and Neville to achieve justice

Justice: DCI Driscoll puts together an investigation that finally  more than 18 years after his death  secures the convictions of two of the gang who committed the murder of Stephen

The drama has been produced by HTM (Hat Trick Mercurio) Television in association with Baby Cow Productions and executive produced by Mark Redhead, who produced the original drama in 1999.

Paul Greengrass, award winning screenwriter and director, who wrote and directed the Murder of Stephen Lawrence will also serve as an Executive Producer. Jimmy Mulville and Jed Mercurio are also executive producers.

Stephen was directed by Alrick Riley and produced by Madonna Baptiste. The sequel is written by Frank Cottrell Boyce and Joe Cottrell Boyce.

Tragic: Stephen (pictured) was killed on the evening of 22 April 1993 in a racially motivated attack whilst waiting for a bus in Well Hall Road, Eltham

The production team are producing this sequel with the full support of the Lawrence family, most notably Baroness Doreen Lawrence and Dr Neville Lawrence, who have given the drama their blessing.

Producer Madonna Baptiste said: 'The Lawrences' campaign for justice totally transformed attitudes to race and equality in the UK and it's an honour to be able to help tell what is an untold chapter in their story.

'Current events only highlight how relevant and important Stephen's case remains and it is such a privilege to work with Hattrick, Frank and Joe Cottrell-Boyce, Alrick Riley and our amazing cast to bring this important story to screen.'

Stephen will air on ITV later this month.
After weeks of campaigning on Twitter, Love Island fans will be pleased to learn that the heart rate challenge is finally returning.

A teaser for Thursday's episode showed the Islanders strip down to very sexy ensembles as they did their best to try and set pulses racing.

Kaz Kamwi informed the Islanders of the challenge after receiving a text which read: 'Islanders, tonight you will get each other's hearts racing in a boys vs girls challenge #showusyourmadmoves #bringontheflutters.'

The heart rate challenge is BACK! Liberty Poole caught Tyler's eye in a sexy cowgirl outfit during Thursday's raunchy episode of Love Island

The group then rushed off to change into racy fancy dress before being challenged to perform routines that would raise the heart rates of their fellow Islanders.

The girls were first to show off their moves, with Liberty Poole wowing in a sexy cowgirl outfit consisting off a bikini top and hot pants.

Over the years, the heart rate challenge has caused tension between the couples after their pulses were raised by someone who is not their significant other.

No holding back: Elsewhere in the challenge Chloe Burrows let loose with a very raunchy lap dance as she rubbed herself onto partner Toby Aromolaran

Sizzling: A teaser for Thursday's episode showed the Islanders strip down to very sexy ensembles as they did their best to try and set pulses racing

Wow: Kaz Kamwi informed the Islanders of the challenge after receiving a text which read: 'Islanders, tonight you will get each other's hearts racing in a boys vs girls challenge'

Wolf whistle: The group then rushed off to change into racy fancy dress before being challenged to perform routines that would raise the heart rates of their fellow Islanders

And it seems things pan out the same way this year, as when speaking in the Beach Hut during Liberty's turn, Kaz's partner Tyler Cruickshank said: 'I'm used to the jokey, silly side of Lib but she comes out looking sexy and bossing it!'

One boy whose head didn't turn was new bombshell Brett Staniland, who was left with his jaw on the floor after partner Priya Gopaldas slipped into a sexy nurse outfit.

Commenting on her performance, Brett said: 'Priya definitely surprised me. I don't know what I'm going to say that won't get me into trouble!'

After the girls' turn, the boys then took to the stage as they each performed a sexy routine of their own.

Wowee: The girls were first to show off their moves, with Liberty wowing in a sexy cowgirl outfit consisting off a bikini top and hot pants

Tension: Over the years, the heart rate challenge has caused tension between the couples after their pulses were raised by someone who is not their significant other

Following the Islanders' performances, the results were revealed to show who had raised each of their heart rates the most.

Elsewhere in the episode, Tyler decided to make things official with Kaz after they reconciled following a rocky few days post-Casa Amor.

Tyler enlisted the help of Jake Cornish and Liam Reardon as he prepared to ask Kaz if she wanted to be exclusive.

Oops: And it seems things pan out the same way this year, as when speaking in the Beach Hut during Liberty's turn, Kaz's partner Tyler Cruickshank admits he was turned on by Liberty

Wow: One boy whose head didn't turn was new bombshell Brett Staniland, who was left with his jaw on the floor after partner Priya Gopaldas slipped into a sexy nurse outfit

Stripping down: After the girls' turn, the boys then took to the stage as they each performed a sexy routine of their own

Speaking in the Beach Hut, Tyler said: 'I usually have nerves of steel but I have never sweated so much over a girl like this before. Its crazy.'

After taking Kaz on a trip down memory lane, Tyler then text Kaz asking her to travel to different areas of the Villa that are significant to their relationship.

Will Tylers master plan impress Kaz enough for her to say yes?

Love Island airs at 9pm on ITV2 and ITV Hub.

Who did it best? Following the Islanders' performances, the results were revealed to show who had raised each of their heart rates the most

Cute couple: Elsewhere in the episode, Tyler decided to make things official with Kaz after they reconciled following a rocky few days post-Casa Amor

Love Island 2021 - Meet the contestants

Which Love Island couples are still together?

Where are the Love Island winners now - and what are they worth?
Her newest film Free Guy was met with solid reviews when it was released earlier this month.

But in a new interview, Jodie Comer revealed that her time on the Boston set of the blow-out blockbuster wasn't always smooth sailing, telling Glamour on Thursday: 'There was an accident one day and I got kicked in the face.'

Jodie, 28, was speaking on Josh's Reign podcast and also shared that the sheer force of the kick 'knocked her glasses off'. The Liverpudlian star said: 'I have no sense of coordination [and] I had to work a lot with the stunt department. I wanted to do as much as I possibly could. I did my best [but] my best wasn't good enough!'

Ouch: Jodie Comer, 28, has revealed that she was kicked in the face while filming new movie Free Guy in Boston

Gushing about the stunt team working on Free Guy, the blonde beauty added: 'I had an incredible stunt double who did all the really, really cool stuff.'

Elsewhere in the interview, Jodie revealed that her cover of Mariah Carey's Fantasy in the film 'wasn't planned'.

Explaining that her co-star Ryan Reynolds asked her whether she would be willing to record the cover 'months after' filming, Jodie said: 'That wasn't planned!

'That was something that happened months after. Ryan had messaged me and he was like, ''I'm just curious, would you be up for singing an alt version of Fantasy for a certain part of the film?''

Jodie explained: 'There was an accident one day and I got kicked in the face' she added that the sheer force of the kick 'knocked her glasses off'

'I went into my bathroom, did a couple of recordings just to check that I was good enough and then I was like, ''I'll give it a go!'' I went to LA and we recorded that in Capitol records where The Beatles and The Rolling Stones have recorded!'

Jodie - who has recently been filming the final season of Killing Eve - also candidly spoke about letting go of bad habits.

'Having to sit with myself in the last year, finding myself a little bit more and realising habits that don't serve me or things that don't make me feel good - I have actively been trying to remove myself from them,' she explained.

She added: 'That's something that I've really been trying to practice. I've definitely seen a difference in just taking control of those things. If I'm actively doing something that makes me feel bad I go, ''why am I doing that? Do something else that's going to make me feel good!'''

Jodie continued: 'Just tiny choices of just trying to be a bit more conscious of putting myself first in that way, like looking after myself, working out, feeling strong, feeling good. I have to literally be forced to exercise but it makes me feel so good.'

Spontaneous: Jodie also revealed her cover of Mariah Carey's Fantasy 'wasn't planned' and Ryan Reynolds asked her whether she would record the cover 'months after' filming

The award-winning star also shared that she tries not to let other people's opinions affect her.

'This is my first film and people know you a little bit more and they form opinions of you and it's just making sure that I can witness all that, but not take it on and let that affect my own views and opinions of myself,' she explained.

'There's been times when that line has gotten a little bit blurry and I think that's really dangerous,' added Jodie.

'It's about listening to your inner voice. I always felt like I was that person but then I was kind of falling away from that a little bit. I feel like I have re-found it and gained a lot of strength.'

Reviews: Jodie's new film Free Guy was met with solid reviews when it was released earlier this month

Jodie also admitted that over the last year she has noticed that her job has the power to affect her mental health.

She told Josh: 'I think in the last year, I've definitely just noticed how it affects my mood in the slightest way.

'It was my mum actually, who was like, ''I'm trying to have a conversation with you and you're just not, you're not listening! You're not giving me anything!'' It's my family who get the brunt of it because it's just that my head's in a completely different space.'

Jodie also spoke about her upcoming role in Ridley Scott's The Last Duel, which follows actor Alex Lawther as King Charles VI as the royal settles a dispute with one of his squires by challenging him to a duel.

Admitting that she hadn't yet read the script when she met with Ridley for the first time to discuss the role, Jodie said: 'It came through my agent that Ridley really wanted to meet me for this project.

'I went and met him in his offices in London and we just had the chat and there was a bit of miscommunication because he thought I'd been sent the script and I hadn't.

'And he was like, ''so what did you think?'' and I was like, ''about what?!'' He said, ''I want you to go away. I want you to read it. I want you to give me your honest opinion.'' Luckily I started reading the book because I was like, I should probably do homework once in your life.'

Jodie added that it had been a lifelong dream of hers to star in a costume drama, and when she first started out in the industry declared to her agent: 'I want to be like Keira Knightley!'

'I'd also dreamed since I was like 16 of doing a costume drama,' Jodie began.

'I had a flashback on set and I texted my agent and said, ''do you remember when I came to Oxford Street to meet you for the very first time?''

'She sat me on her couch and she was like, ''so what do you want to do?'' I think I actually said, ''I want to be like Keira Knightley.'' I think those were the words that came out of my mouth!' I was obsessed with period films!'
Lady Amelia Windsor lived up to her reputation as one of the 'coolest' royals by attending the launch of a new London nightspot.

The fashionista, who is cousins with Prince William and Harry, turned heads at Bar La Rampa near Oxford Street last night posing next to a red 1950s Cadillac while wearing a long tangerine snake-print dress.

The Dolce & Gabbana model, 25, is no stranger to premieres and launch parties, often winning praise for her fashion taste.

Indeed, Amelia 'rarely gets it wrong' according to experts, as she continues to set the style standards in royal circles.

Lady Amelia Windsor, a Dolce & Gabbana model, 25, looked stunning as ever as she posed in front of a 1950s Cadillac at the launch of new London restaurant Bar La Rampa

Ana Goncalves and Zijun Meng of TATA Eatery devised the menu at the new Cuban restaurant

Bar La Rampa is named after one of Havana's most famous streets. Signature dishes include twists on classics including the Cubano Sandwich

She regularly posts her fashion tips on her Instagram page, which has attracted over 90,000 followers.

Speaking about why it's her preferred social media platform, Amelia said: 'It allows anyone to be creative and imaginative.

'I also love that we can share all the beautiful and meaningful things we see and hear in the world. I find it so inspiring and uplifting.'

The eatery has a heavy focus on cocktails including transitional mojitos and daiquiris

Amelia has featured on the front of Tatler magazine and is also a regular at London Fashion Week, having first come to prominence at the Queen's 90th birthday party in 2016.

The party girl, granddaughter of the Duke of Kent - the Queen's first cousin, was joined at the bash by British actor Jack Brett Anderson, 30, who also posed alongside vintage motors outside the Cuban-themed bar.

The hunky star, who made his small screen breakthrough in teen BBC drama Wolfblood, embraced the dress code in a floral shirt, beige trousers and white trainers.

Jack expressed his delight at being invited by documenting his night on his Instagram stories in which he branded items on the menu 'delicious'.

The pair were also joined inside the launch by Ana Goncalves and Zijun Meng of TATA Eatery - who devised the menu.

Bar La Rampa is named after one of Havana's most famous streets.

Signature dishes include twists on classics including the Cubano Sandwich  served at La Rampa with Pork Belly, ham, and raclette cheese - foot-long Pork Chicharrones and Picadillo Empanadas.

Jack Brett Anderson, 30, who made his small screen breakthrough in teen BBC drama Wolfblood, also posed alongside vintage motors outside the Cuban-themed bar

As well as traditional Cuban food, the eatery also has a heavy focus on cocktails including transitional mojitos and daiquiris, as well as some new concoctions.

Just like the launch night, live music will be a big feature at Bar La Rampa with a house band at the heart of 'Cuban Nights' throughout the week.

Inspired by his early childhood years spent in Cuba, Jake Kasumov co-founder along with Marco Mendes, said: I lived in Cuba until I was six years old, and my father spent the majority of his life in Havana, meaning I travelled there often throughout my life.

'Ive always been enamoured with Cubas cultural heritage, but find it has often been misrepresented through cultural appropriation abroad. Marco and I are passionate about bringing Havanas beautiful history to life in a way that celebrates the countrys authentic food, drinks and design.

Jake, along with Marco, also own and operate Casa do Frango - a nod to Marcos Portuguese heritage - as well as KOL Restaurant & Mezcaleria, Bar Bolivar, and Vinegar Yard.
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The first full trailer for the hotly-anticipated Impeachment: American Crime Story, that depicts the Bill Clinton impeachment scandal and his sexual relationship with Monica Lewinsky, was released on Thursday.

It's the first time the full cast have been seen fully transformed in character, including Clive Owen as Bill Clinton, Edie Falco as Hillary Clinton, Billy Eichner as Matt Drudge, and Cobie Smulders as Ann Coulter.

One excerpt shows the re-enactment of an infamous hug between Lewinsky and Clinton at a White House staff rally after his re-election in 1996. The footage of the seemingly innocuous clinch with an intern would reappear two years later as the scandal about their affair grew.

In another scene, Owen, 56, appears to have donned prosthetics for his dramatic transformation as President Clinton, and is heard repeating the iconic line: 'I did not have sexual relations with that woman.'

At one point, The Sopranos star Falco, 58, is seen in an emotional fit of rage, hurling an object at her husband.

One excerpt shows the re-enactment of an infamous hug between Lewinsky and Clinton at a White House staff rally after his re-election in 1996. The footage of the seemingly innocuous clinch with an intern would reappear two years later as the scandal about their affair grew

Iconic: British actor Clive Owen (left) recreates the infamous moment Bill Clinton (right) addressed the nation claiming he did not have sexual relations with Monica Lewinsky in first full trailer for Impeachment: American Crime Story. Owen's costume fit Clinton down to his red tie, though he was covered with prostheses to adopt the embattled president's distinctive nose and face

As previously seen in the teaser, Beanie Feldstein plays Lewinsky, with Sarah Paulson as her confidante Linda Tripp, who famously exposed the affair.

Feldstein's Lewinsky is introduced in the trailer as a voiceover is heard explaining to a young group of White House interns the importance of their roles.

'As you no doubt heard, you get to work in the West Wing as of this morning. You're going to be working right beside the people who run the world. Please, be professional,' the voice says.

Tense viewing: Edie Falco's Hillary Clinton rages at Clive Owen as Bill Clinton over the Lewinsky affair

Big role: As previously seen in the teaser, Beanie Feldstein plays Lewinsky

Friend or foe? Sarah Paulson plays a sinister looking and sounds Linda Tripp, who exposed the affair. The role required extensive makeup and prosthetic effects for her face, and she also wore padding under her costume

Paulson as Tripp is then heard talking about the affair, saying dramatically: 'There's a woman I'm very close to... in the midst of an affair, with the President of the United States.

'How do I know it's true?' a man is heard asking Paulson as Tripp. She is then warned 'you will lose her as a friend' referring to Tripp's relationship with Lewinsky.

But a crazed-looking Paulson is seen saying, 'I have made my peace with that.'

Family affair: The Sopranos star Edie is seen for the first time in character with a young actress playing her daughter Chelsea Clinton

Prosthetics: Clive Owen transforms into Bill Clinton in the show with the help of makeup

An affair to remember: Beanie is seen in another dramatic moment from the FX show

Subtle transformation: Unlike her costars, Beanie Feldstein did wear noticeable prosthetics to play Monica Lewinsky. She achieved the former interns recognizable look with a wig and her business clothing

All-star cast: Cobie Smulders is seen as Ann Coulter in the first full trailer

Dramatic transformation: Another close-up shot of Owen as Clinton is seen in the trailer

'It all has to come out,' Paulson says, as she lays out her taped evidence of conversations with Lewinsky.

The drama then unfolds as Edie Falco is seen throwing things around the Oval Office as she plays Hillary reacting in fury to news of the affair.

Several historic moments are recreated for the series including when daughter Chelsea Clinton held the hands of both parents Bill and Hillary at the height of the controversy.

A previous clip from the show released yesterday featured an exchange of dialogue between the pair, as Feldstein's Lewinsky is heard saying, 'The president kissed me,' as Paulson responds, 'Tell me everything.'

Going: Falco as Hillary Clinton is seen flying into a fit of rage at Owen as Bill Clinton

Going: The Nurse Jackie star throws something aiming for Owen in the clip

Gone: Owen is seen ducking as he narrowly misses an object thrown at him by Falco

The infamous scandal saw the then US-President Bill Clinton accused of having a sexual relationship with a White House intern.

Lewinsky stated that she had nine sexual encounters in the Oval Office with Clinton between November 1995 and March 1997.

These involved fellatio and other sexual acts, but not sexual intercourse, according to her testimony.

Creepy: Paulson appears to be playing the character of Linda Tripp for scares in the show

Damning evidence: Tapes of recorded conversations between Trip and Lewinsky are shown

Putting her name on it: The trailer starts with a fresh-faced Beanie as Monica grabbing a Starbucks before heading to work at the White House

Reporting for duty: Billy Eichner is seen as Matt Drudge in the clip. He wore the Drudge Report founder's standard straw hat, but also appeared to go prosthesis-free

Tripp - who became a close confidante to Lewinsky - worked in the Pentagon during the Clinton administration.

The blue dress line in the dialogue refers to Tripp convincing Lewinsky to save the gifts that Clinton had given her during their relationship, and to not dry clean a blue dress that was said to be stained with Clinton's semen.

Clinton famously denied under oath that he ever had 'a sexual affair', 'sexual relations', or 'a sexual relationship' with Lewinsky.

Classic scenes: The show recreated the moment daughter Chelsea Clinton linked her parents arms at the height of the scandal

The original: Hillary, Chelsea, and Bill with their dog Buddy in 1999 amid the scandal

He stated, 'I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky' on a nationally televised White House news conference, after news of the affair broke in January 1998.

It is not yet clear who has directed the project, which started production in October last year, though it comes from creator Ryan Murphy.

The drama is based on Jeffrey Toobin's book A Vast Conspiracy: The Real Story of the Sex Scandal That Nearly Brought Down a President, that was released in 1999.

Unfolding: Tom Hanks' son Colin Hanks also stars in the drama (pictured, middle) though it is unclear who he is playing, or if it is a fictitious character

Fall out: Linda Tripp (Paulson) is seen watching President Bill Clinton deny the affair on TV

Bombshell: Owen is seen amid the unfolding drama of the shocking affair

'My life is ruined': Beanie is seen in another emotional scene

Ann Coulter, who detailed the scandal in her book High Crimes and Misdemeanors: The Case Against Bill Clinton, is also a presence in the narrative.

Lewinsky herself served as a hands-on producer for the series, and has since inked a production deal with 20th TV after impressing bosses with her work.

Impeachment: American Crime Story premieres Sep. 7 on FX.
Dylan Penn was spotted hanging out with Emile Hirsch after attending a screening of her new film, Flag Day.

The actress, 30, who stars in the film with her father Sean Penn, was spotted chatting with the actor, 36, at the Sunset Tower Hotel in Los Angeles on Wednesday evening.

The duo were spotted briefly together, chatting away as they left the iconic building.

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Walk and talk! Dylan Penn was spotted hanging out with Emile Hirsch after attending a screening of her new film Flag Day on Wednesday

Penn and Hirsch were pictured speaking closely to one another as they climbed down the stairs, before the actress took the lead and moved several paces ahead of the Into the Wild actor.

Perhaps the pair were discussing Penn's new role in the upcoming drama Flag Day.

Penn stars opposite her father Sean, who plays John Vogel, a magnetizing figure who charms his daughter Jennifer (played as an adult by Dylan).

However, what starts as a family drama takes a turn into thriller territory after it's revealed that John is one of the most notorious counterfeiters in US history.

Having a talk: Dylan and Emile were pictured speaking closely to one another as they climbed down the stairs, before the actress took the lead and moved several paces ahead of the Into the Wild actor

As an adult, Jennifer has to struggle to find her own path in life while moving past the crimes of her father.

The fatherdaughter due were on hand at the Cannes Film Festival last month, where Flag Day premiered in competition.

Despite heavy anticipation for their new film, it was poorly received by critics when it premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, though more will weigh in before its official release in the US on August 20.

Glam: Penn looked stunning in a gorgeous silver dress with fringe on the sleeves and skirt

Hirsch has quite the busy filming schedule as of late as well, with roles in a number of films including The Legitimate Wiseguy, Dig, and State of Consciousness. He also has lent his voice to the newly released animated film, Trollhunters: Rise of the Titans.

In addition to his acting career, Hirsch's legal woes have also landed him in headlines.

In 2015 Hirsch was sentenced to 15 days in jail and 50 hours of community service following an assault on a female studio executive during the Sundance Film Festival in January.

New role? Perhaps the pair were discussing Dylan's new role in the upcoming drama Flag Day

Daniele Bernfeld, an executive for the Paramount Pictures subsidiary Insurge Pictures, told police that Hirsch put her in a chokehold from behind, dragged her across a table and body slammed her to the floor.

The details were revealed in investigative documents obtained through a public records request by the Associated Press.

Hirsch said he didn't remember exactly what happened, saying only that she came at him and he was defending himself.

Bernfeld was initially apprehensive about pursuing charges the night of the January 25, 2015 incident at Tao Nightclub in Park City due to the 'sensitive nature' of her work and Hirsch's high profile, reports showed.

She said the next day that she changed her mind because word of the incident, and her name, had already leaked out to the public and media.

'I am fundamentally not OK with what happened,' Bernfeld said the night of the incident, red marks visible on her neck. 'It was insanely painful and absolutely terrifying.'

Hirsch was questioned and handcuffed the night of the incident, but released and not formally charged until nearly three weeks later.

He was charged with aggravated assault and intoxication. The felony assault was punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

That night, slurring his words and struggling to balance, Hirsch said he had had three or four drinks.

Several days after the incident, he entered rehab.
The government also has set a target of achieving $700 billion services exports by 2027-28. (AFP Photo)

Chennai: The central government has set an ambitious target of tripling merchandise exports to $1 trillion in flat six years. This fiscal, the target is to touch merchandise exports of $419 billion.

India's merchandise exports have remained almost stagnant between $290 billion and $330 billion for the last 10 years.

The government also has set a target of achieving $700 billion services exports by 2027-28.

The government is in the process of putting together various measures to accelerate the country's exports. It is likely that the RoDTEP incentive scheme will be announced by this Friday.

And the new Foreign Trade Policy is expected by August-end.

The country's merchandise exports are expected to touch $1 trillion by 2027-28, commerce secretary B.V.R. Subrahmanyam said at a CII summit. "We have actually laid down a road map on how we hit $500 billion in merchandise exports and when we hit trillion-dollar exports. Our guess is that, by 2027-28, very, very modest estimates, we should touch $1 trillion figure in exports of merchandise," he said.

As per the road map, districts will be treated as export hubs. About 100-150 districts will be funded well to develop quality export infrastructure. Each district will receive Rs 50 to 100 crore to develop itself as an export hub. Besides, the government also intends to set up a market intelligence network.

In order to improve the utilisation of land occupied by Special Economic Zones, the process of denotification will be eased. If the SEZ's land is used for industrial purposes, it could be hived off.

The Federation of Indian Export Organisa-tions said the target is achievable, though there are challenges. "In the first four months we have already achieved three-fourth of this year's target and August export orders are encouraging. How-ever, there are challenges with regard to cash flow and logistics," said Ajay Sahai, director general and CEO, Fieo.

"The industry needs a level-playing field. The government has to provide infrastructure facilities like large and small ports and availability of containers," said K. Unni-krishnan, Fieo deputy DG.

Subrahmanyam said the Centre will notify Remission of Duties and Taxes on Export Products (RoDTEP) rates probably by Friday.
Neither the operational guidelines nor any other details of the scheme have been announced by the ministry. (PTI Photo)

Chennai: Covid-affected sectors, including hospitality, have not been able to benefit from the Rs 60,000 crore Loan Guarantee Scheme announced on June 28 as the finance ministry has not notified the scheme yet.

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman had announced Rs 1.1 lakh crore loan guarantee scheme, of which Rs 50,000 crore was allocated to the healthcare sector and Rs 60,000 crore to other Covid-hit sectors.

Over a month has passed since announcing the scheme but it has not yet been notified by the finance ministry, the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) said.

Neither the operational guidelines nor any other details of the scheme have been announced by the ministry, it added.

However, the loan guarantee scheme introduced simultaneously for the health sector has been notified and guidelines have been introduced by National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company.

The hospitality sector is one of the worst affected sectors by the pandemic. But the governments negligence really compels us to doubt the seriousness in its approach towards the industrys hardships, said Gurbaxish Singh Kohli, vice president, FHRAI. It has sought intervention of the finance minister in the matter.

Further, many of its members have reported that the banks and financial institutions are not processing the applications submitted for loans under ECLGS 3.0.
Chennai: Tamil Nadu State BJP president K Annamalai on Thursday claimed that a pattern appears to unfold in the DVAC searches on former AIADMK ministers as the raids seem to have a connection to Chief Minister M K Stalin's speeches in the run up to the April 6 Assembly polls.

Insisting that the searches at the residence of former local administration minister S P Velumani could be for political reasons, Annamalai said he did not cast aspersion on the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) officials as they were duty bound to carry out the searches.

Ostensibly, the searches at the residences of former AIADMK ministers are being carried out for political reasons. Even the public are aware of this political vendetta, he told reporters when sought for his comments.

But, the BJP feels that there is a connection between the present searches by the DVAC officials and Chief Minister M K Stalin's speeches during the Tamil Nadu Assembly election accusing the AIADMK ministers of being tainted and assuring action against them. Let's wait for the chargesheet to be filed. Only then the truth will be known. Then we will react, he said.

Maintaining that the DVAC officials should be allowed to do their duty, Annamalai said, we are a responsible party. We will comment after the chargesheet is filed. But expressing comments now would amount to pressuring the officials, which we wish to refrain from.

The searches at the residences of Velumani, the Thondamuthur legislator and AIADMK bigwig, and his close associates, were the latest action against the former AIADMK ministers. He is one of the organisational secretaries of the AIADMK and the Coimbatore district secretary as well.

On July 22, the DVAC authorities initiated searches at the residence of former transport minister M R Vijayabasksar who is AIADMK's Karur district secretary.

On the Tamil Nadu government's white paper on the state finances during the decade of AIADMK rule, the BJP chief, an ally of the AIADMK, said it lacked a vision statement. Statistics can be reeled out by any consultant but officials and politicians differ from them as they have people's welfare in mind. It lacks a vision statement on the way forward. Politicians should involve in welfare politics, he said.
Mangaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj S Bommai on Thursday asked officials in border districts to to be extra cautious to check COVID-19 pandemic.

Bommai was here in this district headquarters town of Dakshina Kannada district (bordering Kerala) which has seen significant rise in coronavirus cases in recent days.

"I have come here to review the COVID-19 situation. Our objective is to completely control COVID-19 in Dakshina Kannada district. There is a need to take extra precautionary measures in the border regions," he told reporters after inaugurating the new intensive care unit at the Wenlock Madison Government Hospital here.

The Chief Minister said he has directed officials to allow people coming from neighbouring states only after COVID tests.

He also said that he would travel to other border districts. Recently, he paid a visit to Mysuru followed by the ongoing one to Mangaluru and Udupi on Thursday.

The Chief Minister congratulated district officials and others who set up the 'world class ICU' in Wenlock Madison Hospital.

He also said that the government intends to set up ICU units at district and Taluk hospitals across the state.

"We are increasing the number of ventilators, ICU beds and oxygen beds. We started the programme to be ready to deal with any challenge. We need to be more prepared," Bommai said.

The Chief Minister also told reporters that the government is planning to launch a new scheme for children.

"We have started the 'Vatsalya' scheme in Udupi and neighbouring areas, under which children will undergo all the (health) tests. It also includes setting up paediatric health centres. Once I reach Bengaluru, we will start it across the state," he said.

Explaining, he said there will be ICU wards in paediatric centres in the district and 100-bed Taluk hospitals.

Regarding resuming regular, offline classes for school students, the Chief Minister said, "We mulled over it a lot. For the students of 9, 10 and pre-university colleges we are thinking of resuming classes in a graded manner, like opening it on alternate days. Based on its outcome, we will decide our future course of action."

Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar, who accompanied Bommai, told reporters that there are very few instances of those who were vaccinated getting infected again.

"Even if they are getting infected by COVID-19, the intensity of infection is very less. There are extremely less chances of people going to the ICU," he added.

Bommai also chaired a meeting with the officials on the COVID-19 situation and gave them a set of directions.
This photograph provided by Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) shows a rescue operation at the site of a landslide in Kinnaur district in Himachal Pradesh, Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021. (Indo Tibetan Border Police via AP)

Shimla: Four more bodies were recovered from the landslide site in Himachal Pradesh's Kinnaur district where the search and rescue operation resumed early on Thursday, raising the death toll to 14, officials said.

Four more bodies were recovered from the spot after the rescue operation resumed, Kinnaur Deputy Commissioner Abid Hussain Sadiq told PTI.

He said 14 bodies have been recovered so far.

The Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus, which, along with other vehicles, was buried under the debris after the landslide, has been found in a badly damaged condition, State Disaster Management Director Sudesh Kumar Mokhta said.

However, a Bolero car still could not be traced, he added.

The HRTC bus was on its way from Reckong Peo to Haridwar via Shimla when it was hit by boulders after the landslide around Wednesday noon near Chaura village on national highway-5 in Nigulsari area of Nichar tehsil.

A video of the rescue workers at the site near the mangled remains of the bus has gone viral whereby a rescuer is heard saying that the bus was found by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) 17th Battalion personnel. Another rescuer states that gloves should be brought for further carrying the operation.

The rescue operation, being carried out jointly by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the ITBP and the members of local police and home guards, resumed at 6 am on Thursday, Mokhta said.

The authorities had suspended the operation on Wednesday at around 10 pm.

Ten bodies were recovered on Wednesday, while 13 others were rescued with injuries.

Several others are still feared buried under the debris. However the exact number was not known.

On Wednesday, the Bhawanagar station house officer (SHO) had said around 25 to 30 people were trapped under the debris.

When the initial reports came, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur had told the state assembly that 50-60 people were feared trapped under the debris but the exact number was not known.

The Kinnaur deputy commissioner had also told PTI that over 40 passengers were in the bus.

Eight of the dead were found trapped in a Tata Sumo taxi during the search and rescue operation on Wednesday.

A truck rolled down towards a riverside due to shooting stones and the driver's body has been recovered, officials said.

A car had also been found in the damaged condition on Wednesday but no one was found in it, they added.
As the Speaker did not budge to their demand, the opposition boycotted the proceedings and trooped out of the House raising slogans demanding the resignation of the Chief Minister. (ANI file photo)

Thiruvananthapuram: The opposition Congress-UDF members on Thursday boycotted the Kerala Assembly proceedings and staged a sit-in outside the main gate of the House as a mark of protest for denying them permission to move a notice seeking an adjournment motion over the controversial dollar scam case.

They also convened a symbolic "House" outside the Assembly building and presented the adjournment motion notice there as part of the protest.

The House witnessed the opposition protest a day after a section of the media reported that the Customs had issued a show-cause notice to the accused in the gold and dollar smuggling case indicating alleged involvement of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijyayan in smuggling dollars abroad.

The Customs notice was reportedly issued based on the alleged statement of the prime accused in the gold and dollar smuggling cases, that Vijayan and former Assembly Speaker P Sreeramakrishnan were involved in smuggling foreign currency to the UAE through the officials of its Consulate here.

Though the UDF members tried to present a notice for the adjournment motion demanding a discussion over the issue in the House during zero hour, Speaker M B Rajesh denied permission for it saying the matter is sub judice.

Supporting the Speaker, Law Minister P Rajeev also said the opposition tried to present the notice, violating Assembly rules and proceedings.

However, opposition leader V D Satheesan argued that permission had been granted for such notices in the House several times earlier, especially to discuss the topics like Kodakara hawala money heist case, self-financing fees issue and Sabarimala women entry and so on.

Saying that it was an opportunity for Vijayan to prove his part if he had not done anything wrong, he also asked where else such a matter could be discussed other than the Assembly.

As the Speaker did not budge to their demand, the opposition boycotted the proceedings and trooped out of the House raising slogans demanding the resignation of the Chief Minister.

They later staged a protest sit-in in front of the main gate of the Assembly building and conducted a symbolic presentation of the adjournment motion there.

The LDF government suffered another setback on Wednesday as the Kerala High Court stayed its order appointing a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) to look into any alleged attempt by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to implicate Vijayan in the gold smuggling through diplomatic channels case, saying a parallel inquiry would 'derail the investigation' in the matter.
Students with their hand painted in tricolour pose for photographs during rehearsal, ahead of the 75th Independence Day function at Blue Bells Public School, in Gurugram. (Representational Photo: PTI)

Hyderabad: The 75th year of Independence celebrations will be a low key-affair for educational institutions that were normally drawn into such events in a big way. In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, all school classes are now done through online mode.

Though school students are keen on taking part in the events, the celebrations will be shaping up in unusual ways. Some institutions have opted to have only a flag-hoisting ceremony and its celebrations limited to the virtual mode, while some other schools are allowing only the heads of department and fewer staff to be present in person.

For students, Independence Day celebrations have been a much bigger event. Those in NCC or Scouts will be taking part in the guard of honour. They used to begin the practice a month prior to Independence Day. This time, schools have planned cultural events via online so as to get the students indirectly involved in the celebrations. This however is the second consecutive year of Covid hit for the Independence Day celebrations overall.

Saket Acharya, a student of Class 5 at All Saints High School, is excited over his performance on this Independence Day. He recorded a song and posted it to his class teacher. All events will be compiled and telecast via online for the students that day, soon after the flag hoisting, the school authorities said.

Tasleem Khan, teacher at Nightingale High School, MS Maktha, said, Since schools are closed physically, the students will not be attending the celebrations this year too. We have arranged a two- hour Independence Day programme via online. After the flag hoisting, select students from each class will be taking part in patriotic speeches and a fancy dress competition in the garb of national leaders via online.

Renuka Reddy, a teacher at Vivek Vardhini School, said, Because of the present Covid situation, the presence for the flag hoisting is restricted to the school staff. There is no instruction from the government, but the management is abiding by the education departments instructions.
Is climate change the biggest health threat of the 21st century?

A 2009 joint report by Lancet and University College Londons Institute for Global Health thought so. Prof. Anthony Costello, the lead author of Managing the Health Effects of Climate Change, presciently noted the big message: Climate change is a health issue affecting billions of people, not just an environmental issue about polar bears and deforestation.

The impacts will be felt not just in the UK, but worldwide  and not just in some distant future but in our lifetimes and those of our children, he had said.

More than a decade has passed.

Now we have the latest report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) about the world as it is today and the shape of things to come. We are already seeing the effects of climate change in every part of the world  from the top of mountains to the bottom of oceans. There will be a huge increase in the number and intensity of heatwaves, storms, fires and floods around the world due to the climate change we have caused and are causing. No one is exempt, there is nowhere to hide  that is the core message from the sixth IPCC assessment report.

India, home to millions of the worlds poorest, should be worried and better prepared. Extreme weather in recent times made climate change a talking point in many middle-class homes. The future looks even more turbulent  more heatwaves worsened by higher humidity, erratic rainfall, more droughts, floods and forest fires.

The scariest finding of scientists from 66 countries is that some global warming impacts like glacier retreat and sea level rise are already irreversible. Many Indian scientists in and out of government have contributed to these findings.

What will be the impact on health, nutrition, food security, water and sanitation?

Climate change enhances the transmission season and expands the geographical distribution of vector-borne diseases (like dengue, malaria) as warmer temperatures and humidity favours the breeding of insect vectors and also alters the geographic distribution of existing vectors, says the National Health Portal of India.

Warmer average temperatures, it points out, can mean longer and hotter summers, earlier spring seasons, shorter and milder winters. These conditions favour carriers of many vector-borne diseases.

But infectious diseases arent the only challenge ahead. We are likely to have more and stronger heatwaves, which will get worse in cities due to all the concrete around. Construction workers and others who must work outdoors are at greater risk of heatstroke. Over 6,000 people have died between 2010 and 2018 in India due to heatwaves. Andhra Pradesh was among the worst-hit in 2013-15. A recent paper by the countrys leading meteorologists said around 17,000 people have died due to heatwaves in the last 50 years.

This will get worse.

Some Indian cities are better prepared than others to cope. Ahmedabad, which suffered a horrific heatwave in 2010, recording a temperature of 47C, leading to over 1,000 deaths, was the first to come up with a heat action plan. Around 30 cities in about a dozen states are implementing similar plans that can help people protect themselves against avoidable health problems during spells of very hot weather. But that wont be enough. Experts say Indian cities will need to find ways to cool down  creating more green spaces in cities is the best medicine.

India has a coastline of over 7,500 km. A large percentage of our population lives along the coasts. All are being hit. Salt water brought by the rising sea poisons all drinking water sources up to a kilometre inland in some places. The Indian Ocean is the worlds fastest-warming ocean; the situation is worse for us than for others. Only some can afford water purification machines or drink bottled water all the time. Most have to drink the increasingly salty water that can aggravate health problems like hypertension.

There arent many studies in India on this large-scale impact, or on the skin diseases and infections caused by regular bathing in contaminated pond water. Researchers Swayam Siddha and Paulami Sahu have written about the health impact of salinity contamination on the Gujarat coast. Their study was published in the SN Applied Sciences journal last year. They flag kidney stones, fluorosis, intestinal ailments and many other diseases.

There is a study from Dacope in Bangladeshs Khulna district which revealed a large segment of the population was consuming 5-16 grams of sodium (common salt is sodium chloride) per day, far exceeding WHOs recommended limit of two grams per day. The average sodium level in urine in a sample of healthy pregnant women was 3.4 grams per day and in some women as high as 7.7 grams per day. Equally worrying was the higher percentage of women diagnosed with hypertension and pre-eclampsia in the dry season. These dangerous conditions can become fatal during pregnancy.

Climate change will have its greatest impact on the poorest. It will deepen inequities. What can poor communities in the developing world do? For starters, there should be more awareness campaigns about the health impacts. For this, the health effects of extreme weather on Indians need to be much more rigorously documented.

Once people are aware of the problem, they do try to find solutions. In a fishers village on the outskirts of Visakhapatnam, women told me they had really cut down on the salt to be added during cooking because the water they had to use was so salty anyway. Making pregnant women aware of such risks can cut risks.

It is not just the coast. We are seeing an erratic monsoon all over India now  many days without rain, then heavy rainfall spells causing floods and landslides, killing people and destroying livelihoods. The IPCC says the monsoon variability will get worse. Its contributing authors who are from the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology emphasised this point.

When it rains more heavily, water flows down faster. This means less rainwater will percolate underground, ponds and wells will dry up earlier each year.

What can we do? Rainwater harvesting must become more than a slogan. If we want water, all of us must hold whatever rainwater we get.

Rising temperatures and variable rainfall hit agriculture. In turn, that hits nutrition. Governments at the Centre and states must ramp up their nutrition programmes.

Climate change impacts are not abstract, not in the future. They are here and now; the biggest impacts are on our health. Health must be at the centre of the climate change policy discussion.
US oil major Exxon Mobil Corp, along with Chevron Corp, is seeking to bulk up in the burgeoning renewable fuels space by finding ways to make such products at existing facilities, sources familiar with the efforts said.

The two largest US oil companies want to produce sustainable fuels without ponying up billions of dollars that some refineries are spending to reconfigure operations to make such products. Renewable fuels account for 5% of US fuel consumption, but are poised to grow as various sectors adapt to cut overall carbon emissions to combat global climate change.

Both Chevron and Exxon have massive refining divisions that contribute heavily to their overall carbon emissions. The companies have been criticized for a less urgent approach to renewable investments than European rivals Royal Dutch Shell Plc and TotalEnergies, and have generally spent a lower percentage of their capital than those companies on "green" technologies.

The companies are looking into how to process bio-based feedstocks like vegetable oils and partially-processed biofuels with petroleum distillates to make renewable diesel, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable gasoline, without meaningfully increasing capital spending.

Commercial production of renewable fuels is costlier than making conventional motor gasoline unless coupled with tax credits.

A task force was created at Exxon's request within international standards and testing organization ASTM International to determine the capability of refiners to co-process up to 50% of certain types of bio-feedstocks to produce SAF, according to the sources.

Exxon did not respond to a request for comment.

Chevron is looking into how to run those feedstocks through their fluid catalytic crackers (FCC), gasoline-producing units that are generally the largest component of refining facilities.

"Our goal is to co-process biofeedstocks in the FCC by the end of 2021," a Chevron spokesperson told Reuters, to supply renewable products to consumers in Southern California.

The company is partnering with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (CARB) to develop a path to produce fuel that would qualify for emissions credits.

A source familiar with the matter said if approved by the EPA and CARB, Chevron would be able to produce and generate credits for renewable gasoline. That product is not yet commercially available, but can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 61% to 83%, depending which feedstock is used, according to the California Energy Commission.

Chevron said on its earnings call earlier this month that in the second phase of its process, it would be the first US refiner to use the cat cracker to produce renewable fuels.

"We did it this way, in part, because it's very capital-efficient ... It's literally just a tank and some pipes," Chevron Chief Finance Officer Pierre Breber said on the call.

Congress is considering legislation for tax credits that would further spur refiners to process sustainable aviation fuel commercially.

Some refiners, like San Antonio-based Valero Energy Corp and Finland-based Neste, have ramped up production of renewable fuels from waste oils and vegetable oils to cash in on lucrative federal and state financial incentives. Several US refiners are in the midst of partially or totally converting plants to produce certain renewable fuels, particularly diesel.

If approved, new methods of producing renewable fuels at refineries could allow refiners to avoid lengthy environmental permitting processes. Many of these processes are still undergoing further testing to see which can make renewable fuels commercially, but without damaging refining units.
Hackers pulled off the biggest ever cryptocurrency heist on Tuesday, stealing $613 million in digital coins from token-swapping platform Poly Network, only to return $260 million worth of tokens less than 24 hours later, the company said.

Also read: Cryptocurrency platform loses estimated $600 million in cyberheist

Here's what we know so far about the heist.

What is Poly Network?

A lesser-known name in the world of crypto, Poly Network is a decentralized finance (DeFi) platform that facilitates peer-to-peer transactions with a focus on allowing users to transfer or swap tokens across different blockchains.

For example, a customer could use Poly Network to transfer tokens such as bitcoin from the Ethereum blockchain to the Binance Smart Chain, perhaps looking to access a specific application.

It was not immediately clear from Poly Network's website where the platform is based or who runs it. According to specialist crypto website Coindesk, Poly Network was launched by the founders of Chinese blockchain project Neo.

How did hackers steal the tokens?

Poly Network operates on the Binance Smart Chain, Ethereum and Polygon blockchains. Tokens are swapped between the blockchains using a smart contract which contains instructions on when to release the assets to the counterparties.

One of the smart contracts that Poly Network uses to transfer tokens between blockchains maintains large amounts of liquidity to allow users to efficiently swap tokens, according to crypto intelligence firm CipherTrace.

Poly Network tweeted on Tuesday that a preliminary investigation found the hackers exploited a vulnerability in this smart contract.

According to an analysis of the transactions tweeted by Kelvin Fichter, an Ethereum programmer, the hackers appeared to override the contract instructions for each of the three blockchains and diverted the funds to three wallet addresses, digital locations for storing tokens. These were later traced and published by Poly Network.

The attackers stole funds in more than 12 different cryptocurrencies, including ether and a type of bitcoin, according to blockchain forensics company Chainalysis.

A person claiming to have perpetrated the hack said they had spotted a "bug," without specifying, and that they wanted to "expose the vulnerability" before others could exploit it, according to digital messages posted on the Ethereum network published by Chainalysis. Reuters could not verify the authenticity of the messages.

Where did the money go?

As of late Wednesday, the hackers had returned $260 million of the assets, Poly Network said, but $353 million was outstanding. It is unclear where the remaining assets have gone.

Coindesk reported on Tuesday that the hackers had tried to transfer assets including tether tokens from one of the three wallets into liquidity pool Curve.fi, but that transfer was rejected. About $100 million has been moved out of another of the wallets and deposited into liquidity pool Ellipsis Finance, Coindesk also reported.

Curve.fi. and Ellipsis Finance could not immediately be reached for comment.

Who is the hacker?

The hacker or hackers has not yet been identified.

Cryptocurrency security firm SlowMist said on its website that it has identified the attacker's mailbox, internet protocol address, and device fingerprints, but the company has not yet named any individuals. SlowMist said the heist was "likely to be a long-planned, organized and prepared attack."

Despite the purported hacker posing as a so-called "white hat", an ethical hacker who aimed to identify the vulnerability for Poly Network and had "always" planned to give the money back, according to the messages published by Chainalysis, some crypto experts are skeptical.

Gurvais Grigg, chief technology officer at Chainalysis and former FBI veteran, said it was unlikely that white hat hackers would steal such a large sum. He said they had probably returned some of the funds because it had proved too difficult to convert them into cash.

"It's hard to know the motivation ... Let's see if they return the whole amount," he added.
With Karnataka imposing fresh curbs to contain the slow but steady rise in Covid-19 cases, there is a special focus on keeping things under control in Bengaluru. The state capital had reported a disproportionately high number of infections during the devastating second wave of Covid-19.

In line with the recommendations of the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), the government has intensified surveillance in Bengaluru and districts that border Kerala and Maharashtra. As the BBMP's special commissioner for health, D Randeep has been overseeing the civic body's response to the pandemic. DH caught up with him to get a bird's-eye view of the Covid situation in the city, the strategy to contain the possible third wave, the vaccination status and the state of public health infrastructure. Edited excerpts of the interview:

July was disappointing for vaccination. The BBMP administered only 19.25 lakh doses though it has the capacity to give 1.5 lakh doses a day. Has the BBMP set itself any target for August considering that the Centre has promised Karnataka one crore doses for the month.

We have been always ready to administer one lakh doses a day. If the supply is increased, we will administer 35-40 lakh doses a month. The current constraint is to have a micro plan ahead of time. The mobilisation has to happen via NGOs and RWAs. But if there is no consistency in vaccine supply, and if adequate time is not given for awareness and mobilisation, then we will fall short of the target set for ourselves.

Has the Covid third wave begun in Bengaluru?

The indications are that we are at the crossroads. The curve can go up very soon. The R0 (reproduction number) is almost touching 1, indicating that every Covid patient is infecting at least one other person. Generally, R0 of 1 is a critical mass to trigger the third Covid wave. There will be an increase in cases if we do not do a certain number of vaccinations daily.

Why is it that Bengaluru always reports more Covid cases a day than other metros like Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata?

More than the direct comparison with these metros, we actually need to compare the number of tests per lakh or per million population in these metros. Also, it is important to verify whether the testing was targeted. Bengaluru is doing 60,000 tests, which is a large number in a low-case scenario. Besides, we are testing micro-containment clusters, which is the lowest threshold in the country. We have 136 clusters in the city because we consider every three cases as a cluster.

What is the BBMP's strategy when it comes to children and Covid. The third wave is likely to impact children 13 times more intensely than the second wave did.

We have already held training sessions for regular MBBS doctors in paediatrics because we don't have many paediatricians. Paediatric beds have been identified in all private hospitals as well as in paediatric specialist hospitals. Among our own (BBMP) hospitals, some of our maternity homes are being converted into paediatric wards. The infrastructure would be ready in a week or 10 days. All put together, we may have 2,500 to 3,000 paediatric beds, of which, critical care beds are about 500-600.

Some zones have reported 80% vaccine hesitancy. How will the BBMP crack this?

Our door-to-door survey found that 22% of over-45s are yet to receive even one dose. The survey showed that vaccine hesitancy is a bigger reason than migration (for low vaccination). The areas that have reported low vaccination are slum pockets. Also, the seropositivity there is high, which indicates past exposure to the infection. Many people from lower-income groups were affected in the first wave but not as many in the second wave. DJ Halli, which reported many cases during the first wave, hardly has any cases now. We are working on micro-vaccination plans in these wards and raising awareness.

Has the BBMP put in place any mechanism to record infection among vaccinated people?

We did not have any mechanism until August 1, but now our triaging application has this feature where this data is captured. Some early data is flowing in now. Hospitalisation data is captured on the Covid Hospital Bed Management System whereas vaccination is captured on the Co-WIN portal. Unless there is an exchange of information between these two distinct portals, we won't be able to correlate (the data).

As many vaccinated people are being hospitalised for Covid, is the BBMP considering sequencing the genomes from their samples?

We did not consider testing the samples of hospitalised people, but now we plan to do that. What we are sequencing are the samples collected from clusters, apartments, representative samples of the elderly and the younger population just to see if they have new variants. Now, we plan to send samples of those who are under critical care without comorbidities and are aged under 50 to study whether they have any of the new variants.

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Since international troops began withdrawing from Afghanistan in May, the Taliban have carried out a sweeping military campaign and gained control of much of the countrys rural areas. But for months, the insurgents failed to capture major cities  until now.

Over the past six days, the insurgents have overrun nine provincial capitals across the country, most of them clustered in the north, in a major escalation of their military offensive and a devastating setback for the Afghan government.

The Talibans rapid victories have put enormous pressure on Afghan political leaders and the countrys beleaguered security forces, which have been overwhelmed by the insurgents unrelenting advance. The collapse of cities particularly in northern Afghanistan  once the heart of resistance to the Talibans rise to power in 1996  has stoked fears that the insurgents could encircle the countrys capital, Kabul, in a complete military takeover.

Now, the Afghan government must decide whether to reconstitute its forces around the territory it holds  including Kabul  or try to retake its fallen cities. Heres what we know and what questions will need to be answered in the coming days.

Read | Afghan leadership has to determine if they have the political will to fight back: White House

What areas do the Taliban now control?

Since the Taliban began their military offensive in May, the insurgents have captured more than half of Afghanistans 400-odd districts, according to some assessments. In recent weeks, after sweeping through much of the Afghanistans countryside, the insurgents started besieging multiple provincial capitals simultaneously for the first time in the 20-year war.

Then on Friday, those front lines broke: The Taliban captured Zaranj, a provincial capital near the border with Iran, after facing little resistance from Afghan security forces upon entering the city. A day later, they captured another capital, Sheberghan, the northern stronghold of warlord Marshal Abdul Rashid Dostum, whose militia forces were overrun.

On Sunday, Taliban forces seized three more northern capitals. They captured Taloqan, the capital of Takhar province, and Sar-e-Pul, the capital of the province with the same name. They also seized Kunduz, the largest city captured to date and a vital commercial hub that the group has long coveted as both a strategic and symbolic prize.

The Taliban continued their relentless drive Monday, overrunning Aybak, the capital of Samangan province that sits on the main highway that connects Kabul to Afghanistans northern provinces. Then on Tuesday, insurgents seized three more capitals: Farah city in the western province of the same name; Pul-e-Khumri, the capital of the northern Baghlan province; and Faizabad, the capital of remote and rugged Badakhshan province in the countrys far northeast.

The simultaneous sieges on provincial hubs overwhelmed Afghan security forces and stretched military resources dangerously thin. Resupply lines to government forces are severed. The cities and districts still under the governments control are even more cut off and isolated. And Afghan security forces are exhausted from the brutal offensive.

Read | US frustration mounts over Afghan failure to halt Taliban

How is the Afghan government responding?

Amid all the defeat, the administration of President Ashraf Ghani refused to acknowledge the falling capitals. Instead, the Afghan Ministry of Defense continued to promote its official talking points that emphasised Taliban deaths and the strength of the Afghan security forces.

The countrys acting finance minister, Khalid Payenda, resigned and left the country as the security situation deteriorated. Although he said on Facebook that he was leaving because of family issues, his departure was a sign to many Afghans that their political leaders had all but accepted a complete Taliban takeover.

The Afghan government strategy to slow down the Talibans advance aligns with long-standing US recommendations that the Afghans consolidate their remaining forces around key roads, cities and border crossings, and abandon most of the districts already seized by the Taliban, according to American and UN diplomats.

But it is not clear how that plan addresses the capture of now nine provincial capitals around the country  or accounts for the exhaustion of the countrys air force and commandos.

For months, those elite forces have been the backbone of the countrys defense against the Taliban. As the insurgents besieged cities, they have shuttled from one vulnerable position to another to flush the Taliban out of urban centers, hold territory under government control and retake some districts from the Taliban.

But that strategy is only a stopgap measure. There are simply not enough troops to defend all 34 of the countrys provincial capitals and 400-odd districts, and after months of nonstop fighting, those forces have been battered.

By Tuesday evening, Afghan security forces had not carried out any earnest operations to retake the seized capitals. In Kunduz, where military leaders had vowed to begin an operation to retake the strategic hub, Taliban forces on Wednesday captured Kunduzs airport, the last pocket of government control on the outskirts of the city.

In a bid to rally government troops and militia forces, Ghani flew to Mazar-e-Sharif, the capital of the northern Balkh province and the only major northern city still under government control. If the insurgents manage to capture the city, it would represent the near complete collapse of northern Afghanistan to the Taliban.

Could the Taliban stage a complete military takeover?

The Talibans breakthrough victories in northern Afghanistan, in particular, have stoked fears that the insurgents could envelop the nations capital, Kabul  opening the possibility for a complete military takeover.

After the Taliban emerged in the 1990s, the southern and predominantly ethnic Pashtun insurgency faced fierce resistance from militia groups in the north known as the Northern Alliance. Even when the Taliban seized control of Kabul in 1996, the Northern Alliance deprived the group of a complete takeover for the course of their five-year rule.

But now with the capture of seven northern cities in just five days, experts warn that if the insurgents are able to conquer the north  squashing the countrys best hope for a grassroots resistance strong enough to take on the Taliban  the country could fall in their hands completely.

The north is strategic for the Taliban, because they believe if they can capture these non-Pashtun areas, said Ramish Salemi, a political analyst in Kabul, then they can easily take control of the south and the capital, Kabul.

Will the Talibans advance affect the US military withdrawal?

The US military presence in Afghanistan is set to end by the end of the month, and the recent string of Taliban military victories has not moved President Joe Biden to reassess that plan, officials said.

Still the escalating violence is a predicament for Biden, who has toed the line between extracting the United States from the war while insisting that he is not abandoning Afghanistan to the Taliban.

The US withdrawal is already 95 per cent complete, officials say. But over the past three weeks, as the Taliban pushed their front lines deep into urban areas, the US military has carried out some airstrikes in Afghanistan to try to buy time for Afghan security forces to rally a defense around the major cities under siege.

Administration officials say the Pentagon will likely request authorisation from the president for additional airstrikes in the next months, should the key southern city of Kandahar or the nations capital, Kabul, appear on the verge of falling.

But on Sunday, as three northern cities fell to the insurgents, the US response was muted. It sent a clear message to Afghan leaders: In no uncertain terms, Americas 20-year war in Afghanistan is over, and the Afghan forces will have to retake the cities on their own, or leave them to the Taliban for good.
An asteroid known as Bennu will pass within half the distance of the Earth to the Moon in the year 2135 but the probability of an impact with our planet in the coming centuries is very slight, scientists said Wednesday.

OSIRIS-REx, a NASA spacecraft, spent two years near Bennu, an asteroid that is about 1,650 feet (500 meters) wide, observing its size, shape, mass and composition and monitoring its orbital trajectory around the sun.

Using its robotic arm, the spacecraft also collected a sample from the surface of the asteroid that will help researchers determine the future trajectory of Bennu.

The rocks and dust collected by OSIRIS-REx are scheduled to return to Earth on September 24, 2023.

Bennu was discovered in 1999 and is classified as a potentially hazardous asteroid.

It will make a close approach with Earth in September 2135.

Scientists want to figure out how Earth's gravity and a phenomenon known as the Yarkovsky effect will affect its future trajectory and the potential for an impact on a subsequent orbit.

"The OSIRIS-REx data give us so much more precise information, we can test the limits of our models and calculate the future trajectory of Bennu to a very high degree of certainty through 2135," said Davide Farnocchia, a scientist with the Center for Near Earth Object Studies at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California.

"We've never modeled an asteroid's trajectory to this precision before," said Farnocchia, lead author of a study published in the journal Icarus.

"The impact probability overall is very small," he stressed. "We shouldn't be worried about it too much."

Farnocchia said the risk from Bennu "is smaller than from the undiscovered population of objects of similar size."

Researchers determined Bennu's total impact probability between now and the year 2300 at about one in 1,750, or 0.057 percent.

"We are still looking for what we don't know out there -- the objects that haven't been found yet," said Lindley Johnson of NASA's Planetary Defense Coordination Office.

Johnson said researchers were studying ways to redirect the orbit of an asteroid should it ever become necessary to do so.

He said an asteroid impacting Earth would cause a crater about 10 to 20 times the size of the object and spawn an area of devastation about 100 times the size of the crater.

But, Johnson added, "We really don't think we need to do anything about Bennu."
Taliban fighters captured the strategic Afghan city of Ghazni on Thursday, taking them to within 150 km (95 miles) of Kabul following days of fierce clashes as the Islamist group ruled out sharing power with the government.

The speed and violence of the Taliban advance, including heavy fighting in their heartland and the second-biggest city of Kandahar, have sparked recriminations among many Afghans over US President Joe Biden's decision to withdraw US troops and leave the Afghan government to fight alone.

The gateways to the capital have been choked with people fleeing violence elsewhere in the country this week, a Western security source said. It was hard to tell whether Taliban fighters were also getting through, the source added.

With the last of the US-led international forces set to leave by the end of the month and end the United States' longest war, the Taliban now control about two-thirds of the country. On Wednesday, a US defence official cited US intelligence as saying the Taliban could isolate Kabul in 30 days and possibly take it over within 90.

Also read: Concerned over situation in Afghanistan: India

Al Jazeera reported a government source saying it had offered the Taliban a share in power, as long as the violence comes to a halt.

Afghan government spokespeople were not immediately available for comment and it was not clear to what extent the reported offer differed from terms already discussed at stalled talks in Qatar.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said he was unaware of any such offer but ruled out sharing power.

"We won't accept any offer like this because we dont want to be partner with the Kabul administration. We neither stay nor work for a single day with it," he said.

Under a deal struck between the United States and the Taliban last year, the insurgents agreed not to attack US-led foreign forces as they withdraw, in exchange for a promise not to let Afghanistan be used for international terrorism.

The Taliban also made a commitment to discuss peace. But intermittent talks with representatives of the US-backed government have made no progress, with the insurgents apparently intent on a military victory.

Route to Kabul

Ghazni, southwest of Kabul on the ancient route between the capital and Kandahar, was the ninth provincial capital the Taliban have seized in a week.

The militants on Thursday occupied Ghazni's government agency headquarters after heavy clashes, a security official said.

"All local government officials, including the provincial governor, have been evacuated towards Kabul," said the official, who declined to be identified.

Also read: Afghanistan developments may have Indian airlines changing course

Kandahar and other southern and eastern provinces bordering Pakistan have long been Taliban heartlands but they have made their biggest gains in recent weeks in the north. Even when the group ruled the country from 1996-2001, it never controlled all of the north.

There were heavy clashes in Kandahar. A Taliban commander told Reuters most parts of the city were in their control but fighting was still going on. In western Herat, a Taliban spokesman said their fighters had captured police headquarters.

Rallying Old Warlords

The Taliban said they had seized airports outside the cities of Kunduz and Sheberghan in the north and Farah in the west, making it even more difficult to supply government forces.

They said they had also captured the provincial headquarters in Lashkar Gah, the capital of the southern province of Helmand, a hotbed of militant activity.

Government officials there were not immediately available for comment. Fighting had also flared in the northwestern province of Badghis, its governor said.

President Ashraf Ghani flew to northern Mazar-i-Sharif on Wednesday to rally old warlords he had previously tried to sideline, now needing their support as the enemy closes in.

Also Read | Afghanistan: A security nightmare for India

The Taliban risk isolating the country if they do seize overall control.

"Attempts to monopolize power through violence, fear, and war will only lead to international isolation," the charge d'affaires at the US Embassy, Ross Wilson, said on Twitter.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said Berlin would not provide financial support to Afghanistan if the Taliban take over and introduce sharia religious law.

The violence has also raised concerns in Europe of more refugees arriving there.

The Taliban controlled most of Afghanistan before they were ousted in 2001 for harbouring al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden.

A generation of Afghans who have come of age since 2001 worry that the progress made in areas such as women's rights and media freedom over the past two decades will be lost.

The United Nations said more than 1,000 civilians had been killed in the past month, and the International Committee of the Red Cross said some 4,042 wounded people had been treated at 15 health facilities since Aug. 1.

On Wednesday, the Taliban denied https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taliban-denies-killing-civilians-calls-independent-inquiry-2021-08-11 targeting or killing civilians and called for an investigation.
Brussels on Thursday slammed Poland's planned new media law after it was backed by lawmakers, and called for an EU act to protect press freedom.

"Media pluralism and diversity of opinions are what strong democracies welcome, not fight against. The draft Polish broadcasting law sends a negative signal," European Commission vice-president for values and transparency Vera Jourova tweeted.

"We need a media freedom act in the whole EU to uphold media freedom and support the rule of law," she said. A European Commission spokesman later referred reporters to the tweet.

Media pluralism and diversity of opinions are what strong democracies welcome, not fight against.

The draft Polish broadcasting law sends a negative signal. #lexTVN

We need a #MediaFreedomAct in the whole EU to uphold media freedom and support the rule of law.  Vera Jourova (@VeraJourova) August 12, 2021

On Wednesday, Polish MPs voted in favour of the new law that critics say would curb media freedom by preventing companies from countries outside Europe holding a controlling stake in media outlets.

That would force US group Discovery to sell its majority stake in TVN, one of Poland's biggest private TV networks, and whose news channel TVN24 is often highly critical of Warsaw's government, led by the right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party.

Poland is an EU member, and opinion polls suggest solid public support for remaining so, but the government of Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki is increasingly at loggerheads with Brussels.

The European Commission has yet to approve Warsaw's plan to spend its share of the EU's post-coronavirus recovery plan and has challenged its judicial reforms and the anti-LGBTQ policies of some regional authorities.
A helicopter carrying 16 tourists and crew on a sightseeing trip in Russia's far east crashed into a lake on Thursday, leaving eight people including a child feared dead and two others in serious condition.

The Mi-8 helicopter crash-landed into the icy waters of Kuril Lake in the mountainous Kamchatka peninsula in poor visibility and sank, local authorities said.

Staff of the Kronotsky Nature Reserve dispatched boats to the crash site and saved eight people, two of whom are now in intensive care with various injuries. Survivors praised wildlife inspectors for coming to their rescue in a matter of minutes.

"This situation is close to a miracle," said governor Vladimir Solodov.

The other eight -- including the only child on board and the crew commander -- were missing and feared dead.

"We don't have any information about the rest," the governor's spokeswoman, Alla Golovan, told AFP.

The wreckage of the helicopter was now lying at a depth of more than 130 metres (420 feet) some 700 metres from the shore, the emergencies ministry said.

Rescuers and divers were dispatched to the scene but they did not have the necessary equipment to begin work at that depth.

Solodov said the authorities turned to the defence ministry, which sent the necessary underwater equipment.

"Robots will be studying the bottom of Kuril Lake at the site of the crash," the governor said.

Recounting the crash and subsequent rescue operation, wildlife inspectors said that the visibility at the lake was no greater than 100 metres, adding that they heard the helicopter but could not see it.

When staff of the reserve heard a loud "boom", they said they dispatched two motorboats with four inspectors, who reached the scene in about three to four minutes.

"Eight people were on the surface, who we immediately lifted onboard," inspector Yevgeny Denges said in a statement. The inspectors looked for other survivors but could not find anyone, Denges added.

Citing the survivors, the nature reserve said that the chopper began to sink nose first and the passengers managed to swim up to the surface from a depth of eight to nine metres.

"The water temperature in the lake is no more than 5-6 degrees (Celsius, 41-43 degrees Fahrenheit), it is impossible to remain in it for a long time," the reserve said.

The tourists were from Russia's second city Saint Petersburg.

One of the survivors, Viktor Strelkin, said that at the time of the accident he was sleeping and woke up when a stream of water hit him in the face.

"My friend's son was sitting next to me. He was fastened with a security belt and I did not have time to yank him out because I woke up too late," Strelkin said in remarks released by authorities.

Strelkin, who practices free-diving, managed to unfasten himself, breathe in some air before the cabin filled with water, get out of the aircraft and swim up to the surface.

Another survivor, state TV presenter Nikolai Korzhenevsky, appeared to blame the crew for the accident.

"For some reason we flew there even though we knew about the horrible weather conditions there," he said.

Kamchatka is a vast peninsula popular with adventure tourists for its abundant wildlife, live volcanoes and black sand beaches.

The aircraft belongs to a firm called Vityaz-Aero, co-owned by local lawmaker Igor Redkin.

Earlier this week, Redkin made headlines in Russia when he admitted to killing a man he mistook for a bear.

Officials said the helicopter had been in operation since 1984 but was in good condition.

The Investigative Committee, which probes major crimes, said it was looking into a potential violation of air safety rules.

The regional prosecutor's office launched a probe to study "the implementation of the legislation on the provision of tourist services".

In July, a small plane crashed on the peninsula, killing 19 people when it flew into a cliff.

Airplane crashes are fairly common in Russia due to poor maintenance and lax compliance with safety rules.
Germany said Thursday that it would stop sending financial support to Afghanistan in the event that the Taliban succeeded in seizing power in the country.

Speaking to the German broadcaster ZDF, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said the Taliban know that Afghanistan cannot survive without international aid.

"We will not send another cent to this country (Afghanistan) if the Taliban take complete control, introduce Sharia law and turn it into a caliphate," Maas said.

Germany sends Afghanistan 430 million euros ($504 million) in aid a year, making it one of the biggest donors to the strife-hit nation.

Since international troops began their withdrawal from Afghanistan in May, the Taliban have taken control of large swathes of territory.

Most recently, the Taliban seized the provincial capital Ghazni, 150 kilometres from the capital Kabul.

Also read: US keeping distance as Afghan forces face Taliban rout

Maas referred back to the decision of the United States to withdraw from the country, when asked about the gains made by Taliban insurgents in the country.

"This meant that all NATO forces had to leave the country as well, because without American capabilities... no one country can send their soldiers there safely," Maas said.

Germany's government had considered the idea of a longer mission in Afghanistan but "could not act outside of NATO", Maas said.

German soldiers were deployed as part of a NATO force in Afghanistan for nearly 20 years until June.
North Korea intends to strengthen cooperation with Russia to counter the United States, and peace on the Korean peninsula will not be possible until American troops are withdrawn, Pyongyang's ambassador to Russia told TASS news agency.

Ambassador Sin Hong-chol's comments come after senior North Korean leaders warned this week that South Korea and the United States would face repercussions for their decision to go ahead with annual joint military drills.

Also read: Pyongyang warns of 'serious security crisis' over US-Seoul drills

The drills are a "rehearsal for war" and prove the United States is responsible for destabilising the situation, he told TASS in an interview published on Wednesday.

"We will also boost cooperation between North Korea and Russia with the view to counter the US, a common threat," Sin told TASS.

Around 28,500 American troops are stationed in South Korea as a legacy of the 1950-1953 Korean War, which left the peninsula in a technical state of war when fighting ended with an armistice rather than a peace agreement.

Washington and Seoul say the joint drills are defensive in nature.
The Taliban captured a police headquarters Thursday in a provincial capital in southern Afghanistan teetering toward being lost to the insurgents as suspected US airstrikes pounded the area, an official said.

Fighting raged in Lashkar Gah, one of Afghanistan's largest cities in the Taliban heartland of Helmand province, where surrounded government forces hoped to hold onto the capital after the militants' weeklong blitz has seen them already seized nine others around the country.

Afghan security forces and the government have not responded to repeated requests for comment over the days of fighting. However, President Ashraf Ghani is trying to rally a counteroffensive relying on his country's special forces, the militias of warlords and American airpower ahead of the US and NATO withdraw at the end of the month.

While the capital of Kabul itself has not been directly threatened in the advance, the stunning speed of the offensive raises questions of how long the Afghan government can maintain control of the slivers of the country it has left. The government may eventually be forced to pull back to defend the capital and just a few other cities as thousands displaced by the fighting fled to Kabul and now live in open fields and parks.

The fighting around Lashkar Gah has raged for weeks. On Wednesday, a suicide car bombing marked the latest wave to target the capital's regional police headquarters. By Thursday, the Taliban had taken the building, with some police officers surrendering to the militants and others retreating to the nearby governor's office that's still held by government forces, said Nasima Niazi, a lawmaker from Helmand.

Also read: Could the Taliban take over Afghanistan? Heres what we know

Niazi said she believed the Taliban attack killed and wounded security force members, but she had no casualty breakdown. Another suicide car bombing targeted the provincial prison, but the government still held it, she said. The Taliban's other advances have seen the militants free hundreds of its members over the last week, bolstering their ranks while seizing American-supplied weapons and vehicles.

Niazi criticised ongoing airstrikes targeted the area, saying civilians likely had been wounded and killed.

The Taliban used civilian houses to protect themselves, and the government, without paying any attention to civilians, carried out airstrikes, she said.

With the Afghan air power limited and in disarray, the US Air Force is believed to be carrying out some series of strikes to support Afghan forces. Aviation tracking data suggested US Air Force B-52 bombers, F-15 fighter jets, drones and other aircraft were involved in the fighting overnight across the country, according to Australia-based security firm The Cavell Group.

It's unclear what casualties the US bombing campaign has caused. The US Air Force's Central Command, based in Qatar, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday.

Read | Afghan leadership has to determine if they have the political will to fight back: White House

Meanwhile, the Taliban appeared to be pressing into the capital of Ghazni province, some 130 kilometres (80 miles) southwest of Kabul. Wahidullah Jumazada, a spokesman for the provincial governor in Ghazni, acknowledged the insurgents had launched attacks from several directions on the capital, but insisted the government remained in control.

The Taliban posted a video online claiming they had made it inside the provincial capital.

The success of the Taliban offensive also calls into question whether they would ever rejoin long-stalled peace talks in Qatar aimed at moving Afghanistan toward an inclusive interim administration as the West hoped. Instead, the Taliban could come to power by force  or the country could splinter into factional fighting like it did after the Soviet withdrawal in 1989.

The multiple battle fronts have stretched the government's special operations forces  while regular troops have often fled the battlefield  and the violence has pushed thousands of civilians to seek safety in the capital.

The latest US military intelligence assessment is that Kabul could come under insurgent pressure within 30 days and that if current trends hold, the Taliban could gain full control of the country within a couple of months.
A Ghanaian bill criminalising LGBT+ people will establish "a system of state-sponsored discrimination and violence" against sexual minorities, UN human rights experts warned on Thursday, urging authorities to reject the proposed law.

The Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, 2021, was introduced in parliament on Aug. 2 and is expected to go before lawmakers for debate in October.

In a letter to Ghana's mission to the UN in Geneva, the experts - who include the UN's independent expert on sexual orientation and gender identity, Victor Madrigal-Borloz - said the bill violated Ghana's international human rights agreements.

"We express our grave concern about the draft bill, which seems to establish a system of state-sponsored discrimination and violence against LGBTI persons of great magnitude," said the letter dated Aug. 9 and publicly released on Thursday.

"Given that LGBTI people are present in every family and every community, it is not very difficult to imagine how, if it were to be adopted, this legislation could create a recipe for conflict and violence."

Ghanaian government officials were not immediately available for comment.

Gay sex is already punishable with up to three years in jail in Ghana, where homophobic persecution is widespread. The bill would also impose a penalty of up to five years imprisonment for being LGBT+ and of 10 years for advocating for their rights.

Online platforms or media companies publishing information deemed to support LGBT+ people or challenge traditional binary male and female gender identities could also be prosecuted.

The draft law promotes so-called conversion therapy by allowing flexible sentencing for an LGBT+ person if they request "treatment" to change their sexual orientation or gender identity, which the UN experts said "may amount to torture".

Some political analysts say there is enough cross-party support in the largely conservative Christian West African nation for the bill to become law.

However, the bill could face pressure from international donors and legal challenges, as the UN experts said it violated international conventions to which Ghana is party, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Danny Bediako of the human rights organisation Rightify Ghana said he hoped the UN statement would encourage lawmakers to vote against the bill.

"Just as some Ghanaians who have spoken against the hate bill, the international community is concerned about Ghana's democratic credentials being wiped out by this anti-LGBTQ bill," he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

"Within parliament, I don't think it would make much difference amongst MPs who support the bill. However, it could encourage other MPs to speak against it."
The failure of Afghan security forces to blunt the advance of the Taliban has left US officials deeply frustrated after spending billions to train and equip the country's military for two decades.

President Joe Biden and other officials have repeatedly called for Afghan leaders to unite and fashion a clear strategy amid mounting worries that the insurgents could besiege Kabul within months.

"We spent over a trillion dollars over 20 years. We trained and equipped with modern equipment over 300,000 Afghan forces," Biden said Tuesday after the Taliban captured several more provincial capitals with little resistance.

Read | Taliban capture eighth provincial capital in 6 days

"Afghan leaders have to come together," Biden said. "They've got to fight for themselves, fight for their nation."

Ahead of the completion of the US withdrawal on August 31, the Pentagon and the State Department closely echoed Biden's words, expressing concerns over the Taliban's gains in the absence of US and NATO troops for the first time since the 2001 invasion.

"The Afghan forces have the capability, they have the capacity, they have numerical advantage, they have an air force," said Defense Department spokesman John Kirby on Tuesday.

"It's really going to come down to the leadership and the will to use those capabilities."

Privately US officials express surprise at the speed of the Taliban's advance.

The United States has conducted bombing runs over the past two weeks to aid Afghan forces, possibly helping repulse the insurgents in Lashkar Gah in the south and Herat in the west.

But the Taliban have easily swept through several key cities in the north and now menace the strategic Mazar-I-Sharif.

US officials stress the results could be different if President Ashraf Ghani could unite his government and acted decisively.

"The Afghan Government has tremendous leverage... 300,000 troops, an air force, special forces, heavy equipment, training, a commitment of partnership, continued support from the United States," said State Department spokesman Ned Price.

Read | Afghan President Ghani flies into besieged northern city as Taliban extend gains

"There is unfortunately a sense of stasis, a freeze of government," said Andrew Watkins of the International Crisis Group.

Money and supplies are not flowing out to the regions and local security forces, Watkins said, leaving them more open to the Taliban.

"The one thing they do know is that they have not been getting sufficient support from their government."

Carter Malkasian, a former Pentagon official and author of "The American War in Afghanistan" said that the most capable military commanders, and many tribal and ethnic leaders, are staying in Kabul for political reasons when they need to be out on the front lines.

"They need some encouragement from the government and other major leaders like (former president) Hamid Karzai to get out there and to go fight for their communities and not sit in Kabul," Malkasian said.

The US also believes Ghani needs to work with regional strongmen and their tribal-based militias.

"When Washington says we need to see political unity, I think in fact that they are saying... Ghani and all the former warlords need to come together and cooperate," said Watkins.

Ghani could be getting the message. He traveled to Mazar-I-Sharif Wednesday for talks with local leader Atta Mohammad Noor and longtime warlord Abdul Rashid Dostum about defending the city.

Read | India brings back citizens, officials from Mazar-e-Sharif as Taliban continues advance

"One of the big problems is that Afghan forces in the field, they're not sure if they're just hanging out there alone," said Malkasian.

"Having those leaders at the front helps motivate people, helps rally people to fight, helps show them that the leaders are behind them, not abandoning them."

But the US finger-pointing at the government and Afghan forces is also somewhat disingenuous, experts say.

Defense specialist Anthony Cordesman said that the "nation-building" achievements US officials have touted in strengthening the central government and in training a modern army over the past 20 years have been vastly exaggerated.

"The US made far too optimistic claims about the Afghan government's progress in governance, progress in warfighting and in creating effective Afghan security forces," he wrote in a new report for the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.

Even as the US period neared its end, he said, "Afghan forces remained dependent on US support for virtually all operations."
As a string of Taliban victories show Afghan government forces in disarray, a young general is advancing his reputation on the battlefield and on social media.

Provincial cities in the north have fallen like dominoes this week -- in some cases after government forces retreated or surrendered without a fight -- but in Lashkar Gah, a Taliban heartland, the army appears to be providing stiffer resistance.

Leading them is Sami Sadat, 36, the highest-ranking army officer in southern Afghanistan, in an intense fight in defence of a provincial capital the Taliban are desperate to seize.

And as the insurgents flood social media with images of surrendering Afghan soldiers and snap selfies with locals, the young general is also using Twitter and Facebook as a slick PR tool in the fight against the hardline islamists.

Read | Police headquarters falls to Taliban in southern Afghanistan

He and the 20,000 men under his command in the 215th Corps have garnered thousands of followers, with their Twitter accounts awash with images of the general among the troops, posing for selfies with young civilians, and meeting local shopkeepers.

On Wednesday the defence ministry tweeted he had been promoted to lead the country's special forces, an announcement widely applauded on the platform.

Sadat remains optimistic despite the Taliban's advances.

"Because I know we are going to win," he told AFP in a phone interview from the frontlines of Lashkar Gah.

"I know this is our country, that the Taliban are failing, that they will fail sooner or later."

But there is more to him than meets the eye, say fellow officers and friends.

"He is anything but naive," said a security official who asked not to be named.

Also Read | Taliban move closer to capital after taking Ghazni city

"He has a very strategic vision and a very deep analysis of what is happening," said a general who was Sadat's colleague at the spy agency.

A graduate of the prestigious King's College in London, Sadat began his military career at the Afghan interior ministry.

He received military training in Germany, Britain, Poland and the United States, and also served in the National Directorate of Security -- Afghanistan's spy agency.

Sadat prefers to talk about his men rather than himself and family -- senior officers and their relatives are particular targets for Taliban hit squads -- and declines even to say where he was born.

But he is also keen to talk about the war, which he does confidently -- and ruthlessly.

"Any Taliban who comes to Lashkar Gah will die or leave disabled for life," he told AFP.

Still, he admits it will take time to fully secure the city.

Read | Could the Taliban take over Afghanistan? Heres what we know

On August 4, Sadat called on residents to leave Lashkar Gah so the military could launch an all-out counteroffensive.

But he has still held back, saying he is fearful of hurting those who chose to stay behind.

Sadat described how his forces were going house-to-house to secure neighbourhoods that the Taliban had infiltrated in Lashkar Gah.

"We still find civilians -- especially the elderly and trapped women -- who we take to safer places," he said.

NGOs and the United Nations have repeatedly expressed concern about the violence and the risks incurred by civilians -- threats that include aerial bombardment of suspected Taliban positions in Lashkar Gah by the Afghan military.

The loyalty and respect Sadat appears to command among the troops have been a key factor in the resistance to the Taliban in the city, despite their morale-damaging advances elsewhere in Afghanistan.

"He is not someone who gives orders from the rear while hiding in the humvee," an Afghan security source said.

"He will do anything for his soldiers".
The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has increased the cap on special flights that operate between India and the UK from 30 to 60 flights per week from August 16 onwards.

The ministry's decision has come five days after Sanjeev Gupta, Secretary, Inter-State Council Secretariat, Union home ministry, had complained on Twitter that an economy-class ticket on Delhi-London flights of British Airways, Air India and Vistara for August 26 was priced between Rs 1.2 lakh and Rs 3.95 lakh.

After Gupta's post, Vistara had said on Sunday that pricing is always a function of supply and demand.

"There are only 15 flights a week allowed currently on India-UK route for Indian carriers and when there is relaxation and more capacity allowed, it will automatically bring down prices," the carrier had said.

Currently, the two groups of airlines -- Indian carriers and British carriers -- are each allowed to operate 15 flights per week on the India-UK route. This will be doubled from August 16 onwards.

Also read: Canada extends ban on direct passenger flights from India till September 21 due to Covid

On Thursday, the MoCA said the increase in the cap "will be effective from August 16, 2021, and will remain valid till further orders or till the resumption of scheduled international commercial passenger services, whichever is earlier".

"Out of the 30 frequencies per week available to Indian carriers, 26 frequencies have been allotted to Air India and the remaining 4 frequencies have been allotted to Vistara Airlines," it mentioned.

Scheduled international passenger flights have been suspended in India since March 23 last year amid the coronavirus pandemic.

However, limited special international passenger flights have been operating since July 2020 under the air bubble arrangements formed with 28 countries, including the UK.

While there have been lower and upper limits on all domestic airfares in India since May 25 last year, no such limits have been imposed on international airfares.

After Gupta's Twitter post on Saturday, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) asked the airlines that operate India-UK flights currently to submit details about their fares.
India on Thursday said it does not have any immediate plan to shut down its embassy in Kabul and pressed for a comprehensive ceasefire to end the violent conflict in Afghanistan, noting that it is in touch with all the key stakeholders and regional players over the situation there.

The comments by Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi, came on a day India joined a regional meet in the Qatari capital Doha that is aimed at exploring ways to end violence in Afghanistan.

"It (situation in Afghanistan) is of concern. It is a rapidly evolving situation. We continue to hope that there will be an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire. We are supporting all peace initiatives in Afghanistan," Bagchi said at a media briefing.

To a specific question on whether India is holding talks with the Taliban, Bagchi said "we are in touch with various stakeholders."

The MEA spokesperson said notwithstanding the deteriorating security situation, India is not going to close its embassy in Kabul.

"There were some stories that we are shutting it down. It is not correct. It is speculation. We are monitoring the situation very carefully but there are no plans as such of the nature that you mentioned," he said when asked whether India was planning to shut down its mission in Kabul in view of a rapidly worsening security situation in the war-torn country.

People familiar with the developments relating to Afghanistan said contingency plans are being readied to evacuate Indians from the country if the situation deteriorates further.

Read | Taliban take Herat as Afghan forces retreat; insurgents capture gateway Ghazni

"We are closely monitoring developments in this regard. We are concerned about the deteriorating security situation. Our mission issued an advisory for Indian nationals earlier this week advising them to return by commercial flights," he said when asked about the safety of Indians living in that country.

To a question on circulation of a video on social media purportedly showing the Taliban seizing a military helicopter in Kunduz airport, believed to be donated by India to Afghanistan, Bagchi said it is an internal matter of that country.

"We are seeing different reports. The ground situation is difficult to understand what is the actual accurate report. There was a talk about a helicopter which we had given. This is not something for us to comment on...All I can say is that this is an internal matter of Afghanistan and I would not like to comment on that aspect," he said.

"Last year our mission in Kabul facilitated the return of more than 383 members of the Hindu and Sikh community from Afghanistan to India and the mission continues to remain in touch with Afghan Hindu and Sikh community members and we will ensure the provision of all necessary assistance to them," he said.

Asked about reports of Pakistan continuing to support the Taliban and the influx of hundreds of terrorists into Afghanistan from that country, he said,"the world know's what kind of role is being played and the kind of concerns they (the countries) have over what the terror elements from there have done in Afghanistan.

"The whole world knows it; We do not have to tell. The issue figures in our conversations," Bagchi added.

As the Taliban continues its offensive to capture new territories in Afghanistan, Pakistan has been under increasing international criticism over continuing to provide logistical and tactical support to the militant outfit.

Also Read | Did Imran Khan just admit Pakistan and Taliban are conjoined twins?

He said India's primary concern is to ensure peace and stability in Afghanistan.

"We hope that all stakeholders come and find a peace process. Our conversation with our partners is directed at that. We have been saying that for the peace in Afghanistan, we need to ensure that the external malign influences do not happen," he said, in an oblique reference to Pakistan.

"We clearly are aware of how it is happening and we will certainly hope that all parties including the regional countries understand this and work towards a situation where Afghans can have a process that is owned by them, controlled by them and led by them as we have been saying," he said.

The Taliban has been making rapid advances across Afghanistan by resorting to widespread violence since the United States began withdrawing its troops from the country on May 1.

The US has already pulled back the majority of its forces and is looking to complete the drawdown by August 31.

India has been engaged with a number of stakeholders and leading powers on the latest developments in Afghanistan.

India has been supporting a national peace and reconciliation process that is Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled.

It has also been calling upon all sections of the political spectrum in Afghanistan to work together to meet the aspirations of all people in the country, including those from the minority communities, for a prosperous and safe future.
A court in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj town has ordered a probe into the charges that some of the educational degrees of the state deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya were 'fake'.

Additional chief judicial magistrate Namrata Singh directed the police to launch a preliminary probe into the charges and submit a report to the court within a week. She posted the matter for further hearing on August 25.

The court's directive came on an application of BJP leader and RTI activist Diwakar Nath Tripathi on Wednesday.

Tripathi has alleged that some of the degrees of Maurya were 'fake' as they were obtained from the institution which was not recognised by the government.

He claimed that Maurya had submitted degrees like 'Pratahama, Madhyama' from Hindi Sahitya Sammelan, Prayagraj while contesting elections on several occasions and also for obtaining license for a petrol pump.

Also read: Nadda steps up OBC outreach, asks party to look out for unrepresented communities

He also alleged that he had approached the local police for launching a probe into Maurya's degrees but they refused to do so forcing him to file an application in the court. The court had earlier reserved its judgement on the matter.

The court's directive comes at a time when the next assembly polls in UP are barely seven months away.

Maurya, who was considered to be an influential OBC leader of the saffron party, was the top contender in the race for the post of chief minister after the BJP was swept to power in the state in 2017. The BJP high command, however, chose Yogi Adityanath for the top post.
The Finance Ministry vetoed the breakfast at school plan in the new National Education Policy.

The policy which was approved by the Union Cabinet noted that morning hours after a nutritious breakfast can be particularly productive for the study of cognitively more demanding subjects.

Read more
The Union Ministry of Tourism has urged all state governments to drop the provision of mandatory RT-PCR tests for visitors who have received both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.

In a letter to all states, the ministry said the matter was discussed at a virtual meeting with all state and union territory Tourism department principal secretaries and the Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism and Hospitality (FAITH) under the chairpersonship of the Union tourism secretary on August 5.

Currently, only some states like Maharashtra and Sikkim allow entry to fully vaccinated travellers without negative RT-PCR reports.

Also Read | Kerala rolls out bio-bubble system for vacationers to revive Covid-hit tourism sector

States such as West Bengal (for travellers from Mumbai, Pune and Chennai), Karnataka, Goa and Chhattisgarh still ask for negative RT-PCR reports, irrespective of double vaccination status.

The ministry said that the removal of the provision would help build confidence among travellers and boost tourism.

Sources indicate that the ministry took this step after various tourism stakeholders complained that such provisions seriously affected their businesses.
The Centre has sanctioned a "Z" category armed security cover to Soumendu Adhikari, the younger brother of BJP's Suvendu Adhikari, who is the leader of opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, officials said on Thursday.

A lower category of "Y+" security has also been extended to Greater Cooch Behar People's Association (GCPA) leader Ananta Maharaj, who has a considerable following among the Rajbangshi community, they added.

The Union home ministry has sanctioned the armed VIP security cover to the two and has asked the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) to undertake the task, the officials said.

This security cover has been extended following a recommendation made by central intelligence and security agencies that the two leaders require proper protection, they said.

Soumendu Adhikari joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in January, soon after his elder brother Suvendu Adhikari switched sides from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) to the saffron party.

Also read: Why is Mamata targeting Centre over Ghatal Master Plan?

In the West Bengal Assembly polls held in March-April, Suvendu Adhikari defeated West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee by a narrow margin from the Nandigram seat.

He himself is a protectee under the central security cover and armed CRPF commandos guard him under the top "Z+" category cover that involves about 20-22 commandos with the VIP and at his house at a given time.

Maharaj is considered to be close to the BJP and had supported it in the 2019 Lok Sabha election and this year's West Bengal Assembly polls. The saffron party won six of the seven Assembly seats in Cooch Behar district.

The GCPA has been agitating for a separate Greater Cooch Behar state by carving out portions of West Bengal and Assam.
Arunachal Pradesh government on Thursday approved a 'toy train' project for tourists in the picturesque town of Tawang, situated at 10,000 feet close to Indo-China border.

Chief Minister Pema Khandu gave his approval to the project proposal during his meeting with general manager of Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), Anshul Gupta, at state capital Itanagar.

The NFR would begin ground work for the project immediately and hopes to finish it in six months.

The project envisages a tourist-centric toy train service in and around Tawang township that would include a park with facilities like food centers, craft bazaar and others. As per the proposal the 'toy train' would have at least three bogies, each with capacities for 12 passengers," said a statement issued by Khandu's office on Thursday.

A team of NFR officials and engineers will visit Tawang next week for a joint survey and finalization of the project with Tawang district administration, the statement said.

Although, toy train service for tourists is not new in India, the same in Tawang may invite much attention as it is situated close to China border. China has several times objected to projects in Tawang as it claims entire Arunachal Pradesh as part of its South Tibet region. India, however, has countered such claims saying Arunachal Pradesh is part and parcel of the country.

The snow-clad Tawang is a popular tourist destination on the likes of Darjeeling in Bengal, Shimla in Himachal Pradesh, or Nilgiri in Tamil Nadu, where there is a toy train facility.

The project was initiated weeks after China launched fully electrified bullet train service in Tibet's Himalayan region, linking the provincial capital of Lhasa to Nyingchi, near Arunachal Pradesh.

Indian train to Tawang

The NFR is also constructing a broad gauge railway line from Bhalukpong in the foothills to Tawang covering a distance of 378-km reaching a height of 10,000 feet, of which about 80 per cent will pass through tunnels.

Khandu also called for resumption of rail services from the state capital Itanagar but at the moment they are stalled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. He pointed that while all other states have resumed rail services, Arunachal Pradesh is yet to open it.

Train to Bengaluru

Arunachal CM also requested NFR to introduce train services from Naharlagun to South Indian states. "With many travelling to southern states for studies, jobs, treatment, etc and having a large chunk of government employees hailing from these states, theres an urgent need to have direct train services at least till Bangalore via Chennai, the statement said quoting Khandu.

Gupta said the NFR was open to the proposal and would work on its feasibility and routes and inform the state government soon.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar and some other senior officials attended the meeting.
Government accommodation is meant for serving officials and not retirees as a "benevolence" and distribution of largesse, the Supreme Court has said while setting aside an order of the Punjab and Haryana High Court allowing a retired public servant to retain such premises.

Right to shelter does not mean right to government accommodation, the apex court said, observing that direction to allow a retired public servant to retain such premises for an indefinite period is distribution of state largesse without any policy.

While allowing the appeal filed by the Centre, a bench of justices Hemant Gupta and A S Bopanna set aside the high court order and directed the retired Intelligence Bureau officer, a Kashmiri migrant, to hand over vacant physical possession of the premises on or before October 31, 2021.

The bench also directed the Centre to submit a report of action taken against retired public servants, who are in government accommodation post their retirement by virtue of orders of the high courts, by November 15, 2021.

The officer, who was transferred to Faridabad where he was allotted a government accommodation, had attained the age of superannuation from service on October 31, 2006.

The right to shelter does not mean right to government accommodation. The government accommodation is meant for serving officers and officials and not to the retirees as a benevolence and distribution of largesse, the bench said in its judgement passed last week.

The top court was hearing a plea against the July 2011 order of a division bench of the high court which had dismissed a petition against its single judge order.

The single judge had said it was not possible for the retired officer to return to his own state due to which the order of eviction shall be kept in abeyance. The high court had also said the authorities were at liberty to provide alternative accommodation to him on nominal licence fee in Faridabad.

The officer had earlier given representation to the concerned authority to allow him to retain the government accommodation and he was allowed to retain the house for another one year.

Later, he submitted another representation in June 2007 to allow him to retain the house allotted to him on a nominal licence fee till the circumstances prevailing in Jammu and Kashmir improve and the government makes it possible for him to return to his native place.

He was served with a notice under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupant) Act, 1971 and later, an order for eviction was passed but it was stayed by a district court in Delhi.

When an objection was raised about territorial jurisdiction of Delhi court, he withdrew his appeal and filed it in Faridabad court which dismissed it in August 2009. Later, the matter reached the high court.

In its verdict, the apex court referred to several judgements delivered earlier and said it was held that government accommodation is only meant for in-service officers and not for the retirees or those who have demitted office.

The compassion howsoever genuine does not give a right to a retired person from continuing to occupy a government accommodation, it said.

It noted that according to a policy framed by the government, a displaced person is to be lodged in a transit accommodation and if it is not available, then cash compensation is to be provided.

There is no policy of the central government or the state government to provide accommodation to displaced persons on account of terrorism in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, it said. The hardship faced by them does not lead to a corresponding duty of the state to provide them alternative government accommodation.

It noted that a section of society, more so retired public servants who have earned pension and drawn retirement benefits, cannot be said to be in such condition where the government should provide government accommodation for an unlimited period.

A section of the migrants cannot be treated as preferential citizens to give them the right to shelter at the cost of millions of other citizens who do not have a roof over their heads, it said.

Read | SC pulls up states over vacancies in consumer fora

The bench said right of shelter to a displaced person is satisfied when accommodation had been provided in the transit accommodation.

The bench said in terms of the policy, which was considered in an earlier verdict of the apex court, Kashmiri migrants are entitled to transit accommodation and if transit accommodation could not be provided then money for residence and expenses.

It said the retired officer in the matter and such persons are not from the poorest section of migrants and have worked in the higher echelons of the bureaucracy.

To say that they are enforcing their right to shelter only till such time the conditions are conducive for their safe return is wholly illusory. No one is sure that at what point of time the condition will be conducive to the satisfaction of the migrants. Such benevolence and preferential right to section of the citizens is unfair to the serving officers, it said.

It set aside the high courts order and restored the writ petition challenging the order under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupant) Act, 1971.
Indian Space Research Organisation's second mission of the year to place an earth observation satellite by a GSLV rocket faced a setback as the mission could not be accomplished fully due to performance anomaly in the cryogenic stage of the rocket, the space agency said on Thursday.

The 51.70-metre tall rocket GSLV-F10/EOS-03 successfully lifted off from the second launch pad at the spaceport as planned at 05.43 hrs soon after the 26-hour countdown concluded. Ahead of the lift-off, the Launch Authorisation Board cleared the decks for a normal lift-off as planned. The performance of the rocket in the first and second stages of the rocket was normal, scientists at the Mission Control Centre said.

However, minutes later the scientists were seen in discussion and it was announced in the Mission Control Centre by the Range Operations Director "mission could not be accomplished fully due to performance anomaly". "Performance anomaly observed in the cryogenic stage. The mission could not be accomplished fully," the range operations director announced in the Mission Control Centre.

Read | GSLV-F10 carrying earth observation satellite EOS-03 lifts off from Sriharikota

Later, ISRO Chairman K Sivan said, "(The mission) could not be fully accomplished mainly because there is a technical anomaly observed in the cryogenic stage. This I wanted to tell to all my friends." After the countdown commenced, scientists were engaged in the filling of propellants for the four-stage rocket at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota about 100 kms from Chennai.

The objective of Thursday's mission was to provide near real-time imaging of large area regions at frequent intervals, for quick monitoring of natural disasters, episodic events and obtain spectral signatures for agriculture, forestry, water bodies as well as for disaster warning, cyclone monitoring, cloud burst and thunderstorm monitoring.

Before today's launch, ISRO had launched Brazil's earth observation satellite Amazonia-1 and 18 co-passenger satellites in February this year. Thursday's rocket launch was also planned to be held in April or May however, the outbreak pushed the scientists to resume it in August.
Senior Opposition leaders on Thursday met Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu to present their side on the ruckus in the Upper House and urged him to look into the deployment of large number of marshals, manhandling of MPs and the circumstances that led to the developments rather than unilaterally finding fault with them.

As Opposition leaders raised doubts about the presence of "outsiders" among marshals, the Rajya Sabha officials later informed Naidu that only marshals from Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, as permitted, were deployed and their maximum number was 42.

Fourteen leaders from 10 parties led by Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge told the Chairman that the "authoritarian attitude and undemocratic actions" of the government led to the trouble in the Upper House and that they remained committed to continue their "struggle against the assault on Parliamentary democracy" and protest on issues of national interest and people's concern.

The meeting came a day after Rajya Sabha witnessed Opposition MPs entering into a scuffle with marshals during the passing of a bill to enhance private sector participation in public sector general insurance companies, which the Opposition demanded be sent to a Select Committee.

On Tuesday, some MPs had climbed the reporters' table and one of them threw a file at the empty Chair, which Naidu had described as "sacrilege".

Opposition leaders told Naidu there was no consensus on bringing the insurance bill and took exception to the way in which it was passed.

Sources said Naidu told the Opposition leaders that the issue was "not pardonable" and "serious action" needed to be taken against erring MPs. While he expressed concern over even the Chairman not being allowed to make some important observations, Naidu assured the leaders that he would look into the incidents involving some MPs and marshals.

In a note submitted to Naidu on behalf of the leaders, sources said Kharge said that he was putting their "strongest possible condemnation" on how the House was conducted on Wednesday evening.

Letter by Opposition leaders to Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu pic.twitter.com/zo50tVbfRl  Shemin (@shemin_joy) August 12, 2021

"A very large number of security personnel, who were not part of the regular part of the watch and ward staff of Rajya Sabha Secretariat were deployed. They used unacceptable force and physically manhandled MPs, including women," the note said, adding that what happened was a "shocking, unprecedented insult" to democracy.

It said the Opposition MPs were prevented from registering their protest on the insurance bill on which there was a "wide consensus" that it should be sent to a Select Committee for further Parliamentary scrutiny.

Sources said Pawar told the meeting that he has been in Parliament for around five decades, spending time in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha as well as in Treasury and Opposition benches. He said he had never witnessed the way the Opposition was handled.

Congress Deputy Leader Anand Sharma said there were a number of people whom they did not recognise among marshals and expressed doubt that there could be "outsiders".

CPI(M) floor leader Elamaram Kareem said the MPs were outnumbered by the marshals and one should understand the circumstances that led to the Opposition protest.

Following this, sources said, Naidu asked Rajya Sabha officials about the claim after which they said no outsiders were deployed as marshals. The watch and ward staff of the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha Secretariats were deployed, which is permitted.

Only 14 marshals were deployed to start with and was gradually scaled up to 42, based on the situation in the House and in view of the incidents in the House on previous days, they said.

Besides Kharge, Pawar, Sharma, Ramesh and Kareem, leaders like RJD's Manoj K Jha, Shiv Sena's Sanjay Raut and Congress Chief Whip Jairam Ramesh also spoke during the meeting. The meeting was also attended by Ramgopal Yadav (Samajwadi Party, Tiruchi Siva (DMK), Binoy Viswam (CPI), Abdul Wahab (Muslim League) and M V Shreyams Kumar (LJD).

Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi, Piyush Goyal, Dharmendra Pradhan, Mukthar Abbas Naqvi, Anurag Thakur, Bhupender Yadav, V Muralidharan and Arjun Singh Meghwal also met Naidu separately and took took "serious objection" to what they called "pre-determined strategy of not allowing the House to function come what may" and the conduct of some MPs.

Naidu also held two meetings with Rajya Sabha officials during which he sought details about the turn of events in the House over the last few days, including the issue of deployment of marshals. The officials provided a detailed account of the events during the first meeting and were asked by the Chairman to report back to him on the manner and scale of deployment later in the day.

Amid a demand from the government that strict action should be taken, Naidu also enquired about the unruly incidents in the Parliament in the past, committees constituted on the same by the Presiding Officers and Houses, reports submitted and actions taken.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi may participate in the virtual Summit for Democracy, which President Joe Biden will host on December 9 and 10, notwithstanding unease over recent subtle attempts by the United States Government to nudge New Delhi to arrest the alleged backsliding in freedom of speech and religion in India.

New Delhi, however, is likely to make it clear to the Biden Administration that it would take part in the new initiative only if is not turned into another tool for assessing the state of democracy in India.

Arindam Bagchi, the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), on Thursday refrained from making any comment on the United States Presidents plan to host the virtual summit for democracy. A source in New Delhi, however, said that Modi would participate in the summit if the Biden Administration extend an invitation to him.

India shares with the United States a deep commitment to the democratic values, freedom and liberty and will always remain open to sharing its experience with others, the source told the DH, but indicated that the Modi Government would stonewall any attempt by the Biden Administration to goad New Delhi on issues like human rights, freedom of expression and religion. Ours is the largest democracy in the world and we do not need anyone else to tell us how we should manage our democracy.

Also read: Antony Blinken's Delhi visit a message to China

Biden on Wednesday announced his plan to bring together leaders from a diverse group of the worlds democracies at a virtual Summit for Democracy, to be followed in roughly a years time by a second, in-person Summit. The virtual summit will take place on December 9 and 10 and the US expects that it will galvanize commitments and initiatives across three principal themes  defending against authoritarianism, fighting corruption, and promoting respect for human rights.

Following a year of consultation (after December 8-9 virtual summit), coordination, and action, President Biden will then invite world leaders to gather once more to showcase progress made against their commitments, the White House stated.

Bidens Secretary of State Antony Blinken during his recent visit to New Delhi subtly nudged the Modi Government to support media, judiciary and civil society to freely uphold democratic principles in India, even as he noted that all democracies, including the one in the US, were works in progress and not perfect.

With the US lawmakers expressing concerns over the state of freedom of expression and religion in India, the Biden Administration of late started taking up issues related to democracy and human rights with the Modi Government.

The International Press Institute (IPI), a global network of editors, journalists and media executives, too had urged the US Secretary of State ahead of his visit to express concern over the stifling press freedom environment in which independent media is operating in India, amidst threats and legal harassment by the government at the Centre and in the States ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party.

The Modi Government was recently at loggerheads with Twitter and WhatsApp over implementation of the new Information Technology rules. The social media companies had reservations about the new IT rules and they argued that some sections of it might be in conflict with the right of privacy and freedom of speech of the users.
Asserting that the Trinamool Congress will overcome opposition from the BJP and win the assembly elections in Tripura, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday warned of repercussions in Delhi if there are atrocities against TMC workers in the northeastern state.

At least 14 leaders and workers of the TMC, including those injured in an alleged attack by BJP workers, were arrested in Tripura's Khowai district on August 8 for "violating Covid norms".

Senior TMC leaders from West Bengal are of late visiting the Northeast state where the assembly election is due in 2023. Claiming that around 2 lakh people owing allegiance to the BJP had come to West Bengal from outside the state and even from abroad during the assembly election held earlier this year, Banerjee wondered why TMC leaders cannot go to Tripura which is ruled by the saffron party.

"We will certainly go and win the election in Tripura. The fight in Tripura will continue," Banerjee, also the TMC supremo, said. "If there are atrocities in Tripura, its repercussions will be felt in Delhi," she said without elaborating. Banerjee was talking to reporters after visiting injured TMC workers, who had been flown to Kolkata for treatment from Tripura, at a state-run hospital in Kolkata.

Accusing the BJP of running an anarchic government in the Northeast state, she claimed that the Biplab Deb dispensation does not allow any voice of opposition to it. In a not so veiled threat of a tit for tat against the BJP, the chief minister said, "If they think that by registering an FIR, they will arrest them (TMC leaders) when they land there, they (BJP government) must remember that we also have the law in our hands here. We don't want to apply it and hope that charity begins at home."

The Tripura Police on Tuesday registered FIRs against TMC all India general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, minister Bratya Basu and other senior leaders of the party for allegedly preventing government servants from discharging their duties at Khowai police station on August 8. Abhishek Banerjee, who is the West Bengal CM's nephew and the de facto number 2 in the party, and others had gone to the police station to meet the apprehended TMC workers.

The TMC supremo said that state Education Minister Bratya Basu will go to Tripura on Friday. The Tripura Police had also arrested some TMC workers from West Bengal on various charges. They were later granted bail by a district court in Tripura. Claiming that the BJP government in the northeastern state was indulging in atrocities there, Banerjee said, "I want to ask the (Union) Home Minister (Amit Shah) what is he going to do now? How many human rights teams, tribal commission, women's commission teams have gone there and how many cases have been filed in courts?"

A committee formed by the National Human Rights Commission on the instruction of the Calcutta High Court had visited West Bengal last month to probe allegations of violations of human rights during post-poll violence in the state. Those who went to talk to officials at the police station were arrested as if they are criminals while those who attacked TMC workers in Tripura are roaming freely, the chief minister claimed.

To a question on the Election Commission seeking views of political parties on holding assembly by-polls in Covid time, she said, "We will inform (the EC)". Seven assembly seats are lying vacant in West Bengal due to deaths of candidates or resignation of MLAs. A TMC parliamentary party delegation met the EC in Delhi last month to press for its demand for holding by-polls to the vacant assembly seats in the state at the earliest.

The TMC is keen on the by-elections as Banerjee, who lost the assembly election from Nandigram, will have to get elected within six months to continue as the chief minister. In that case, the by-polls must be conducted by November 5. The by-elections are due in the constituencies of Khardah, Gosaba, Shantipur, Jangipur, Samserganj, Dinhata and Bhabanipur. Banerjee is expected to file nomination from Bhabanipur in Kolkata, which was vacated by winning TMC candidate Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay, days after the results were declared. Banerjee said that she will get a CT scan done of her leg which was injured during campaigning for the West Bengal assembly elections in March. The chief minister also visited her ailing sister at the state-run hospital.

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Opposition parties on Thursday upped the ante against the government, taking a joint march from Parliament and accusing it of "murdering democracy" and bringing in a sort of "martial law" to push through bills in Parliament, whose Monsoon session was adjourned sine die on Wednesday  two days before schedule  amid vociferous protests on Pegasus and farmers' protest issues.

Scaling up the united Opposition protest, Congress President Sonia Gandhi has also called a meeting of Opposition Chief Ministers on August 20, where the strategy for a joint Opposition campaign against the government at the state level will be finalised.

After a meeting in the Parliament office of Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday, leaders of 11 parties including former Congress President Rahul Gandhi marched from Parliament to Vijay Chowk and issued a joint statement, accusing the government of "authoritarian attitude and undemocratic actions" and alleged that opposition MPs, including women members, were "manhandled" by outsiders who were not part of Parliament security.

Rahul Gandhi said, "The voice of 60 percent of the population was crushed, humiliated in Parliament. As far as 60 percent of the country is concerned, there was no Parliament session. We raised the issue of Pegasus. We asked the government to discuss it. They did not accept.... This is nothing short of the murder of democracy."

Read | Rajya Sabha ruckus pre-planned, Opposition threatened with disastrous things: Govt

The joint statement issued by Opposition leaders said, "the Government stonewalled the Opposition demand for discussion. The present Government does not believe in Parliamentary accountability and was running away from debate on Pegasus which resulted in a deadlock. The Monsoon session of Parliament was deliberately derailed by the Government which has scant respect for the institution of Parliamentary democracy."

The statement signed by Gandhi, Kharge, Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Congress' Deputy Leader in the Upper House Anand Sharma, NCP's Sharad Pawar, DMK's T R Balu and T Siva, Samajwadi Party's Ramgopal Yadav, Shiv Sena's Sanjay Raut, RJD's Manoj Jha, CPI(M)'s Elamaram Kareem, IUML's ET Mohd. Basheer, CPI's Binoy Viswam, RSP's N K Premachandran, Kerala Congress (M)'s Thomas Chazhikadan, also accused the government of remaining "arrogant, insincere and obdurate" even as "the Opposition had been repeatedly requesting the Government to sincerely engage with the Opposition parties to break the impasse."

"It is the Government, which is squarely responsible for the stalemate, has refused to accept the oppositions demand for an informed debate in both the houses. The Government used its brute majority to push through its legislative agenda in violation of established procedures, conventions and spirit of Parliamentary democracy," it said.

The Opposition parties alleged the government used its brute majority to push through its legislative agenda in violation of established procedures, conventions and the spirit of Parliamentary democracy.

Also Read | 'Marshals used unacceptable force': Opposition leaders apprise Naidu of ruckus in Rajya Sabha

"To divert attention from its own conduct and actions, the Government has unleashed a state-sponsored, malicious and misleading campaign by blaming the combined Opposition for the disruption of Parliament," the Opposition statement said, hours before a battery of Union Ministers addressed a press conference that laid the blame at the ruckus in Parliament at the Opposition's door.

Kharge tweeted against the government saying "inside Parliament, they manhandle & suspend MPs and refuse to have debates on any issue of national importance. Outside Parliament, they arrest journalists & activists, lock SM accounts of the Opposition and unleash violent mobs. Why is PM Narendra Modi not fearful of debates?"

Inside Parliament, they manhandle & suspend MPs and refuse to have debates on any issue of national importance. Outside Parliament, they arrest journalists & activists, lock SM accounts of Opposition and unleash violent mobs. Why is PM @narendramodi so fearful of debates? pic.twitter.com/OKBRKVHrDA  Leader of Opposition, Rajya Sabha (@LoPIndia) August 12, 2021

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut alleged that the security marshals were called in on Wednesday during the passage of the Insurance Amendment Bill to privatise general insurance companies in the Rajya Sabha.

Also Read | Opposition MPs manhandled marshals, strict action should be taken: Parliamentary affairs minister

"I felt we were standing on Pakistan's border. It was not as if Marshals were brought in but martial law was being brought in," he said, ruling that even women MPs were mishandled.

DMK's T Siva said he had not witnessed in the last few decades what he saw happening in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday with the government calling in the Marshals. "Literally two women MPs were dragged. Rajya Sabha TV blacked out all that happened in the House. All Opposition parties are now united against this authoritarian government as democracy is in peril today."

Praful Patel of NCP said "Opposition's voice was not heard at all in this session. It is very shameful. Sharad Pawar is very saddened about it."

Manoj Jha of RJD, alleged "we were not allowed to speak in Parliament. Yesterday what we saw in Parliament was Martial law. The Insurance Bill was not passed by Parliament but Marital law. It's time to hit the streets."
Leaders of several opposition parties on Thursday marched in protest against the government on several issues, including Pegasus, farm laws and alleged manhandling of their MPs in Rajya Sabha, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi saying the voice of people was crushed in Parliament and democracy was "murdered".

Top leaders of several opposition parties met in the chamber of Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and then walked in protest from Parliament House to Vijay Chowk.

Those who attended the meeting included Gandhi, Sharad Pawar, Kharge, Sanjay Raut, Tiruchi Siva, Manoj Jha and other opposition leaders.

They met Rajya Sabha chairman M Venkaiah Naidu and complained against the alleged heckling of MPs including some women.

Some union ministers also met Naidu and complained against the alleged unruly behaviour of some opposition members in the House on Wednesday.

The protest comes a day after the passage of bills in Rajya Sabha amid charges of manhandling of opposition leaders including some women MPs.

The protesting MPs carried placards and banners against the government that read 'Stop murder of democracy' and 'we demand Repeal of anti farmers laws'.

Also read: 'Murder of democracy': Opposition leaders protest Centre's move to curtail Monsoon Session, handling of disruptions in Houses

"The Parliament session is over. Frankly, as far as 60 per cent of the country is concerned, there has been no Parliament session because the voice of 60 per cent of this country has been crushed, humiliated and yesterday in the Rajya Sabha (the MPs were) physically beaten," Gandhi charged.

He said the opposition was not allowed to speak inside Parliament and "this is nothing short of murder of democracy".

The former Congress chief said the opposition raised the issue of Pegasus, farmers' issues and price rise but were not allowed to speak inside Parliament.

"This is nothing short of the murder of democracy in this country," he alleged.

Gandhi also trained his guns on the prime minister, accusing him of "selling the country to big businessmen".

"For the first time in Rajya Sabha MPs were beaten up, after bringing people from outside," he alleged and added that "It is the Chairman's and Speaker's responsibility to run the House".

"Who is stopping the opposition in the House. I will tell you, India's prime minister is doing the work of selling this country. He is selling the soul of India to two-three industrialists and that is why the opposition is not allowed to speak inside Parliament," Gandhi alleged.

Echoing Gandhi, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut alleged that no Parliament session was held as the opposition was not allowed to raise issues of public importance.

"The way people were brought and deployed as marshals in Rajya Sabha. I felt like marshal law was imposed and I felt like I was standing at Pakistan border as I was stopped from going inside," Raut said.

Tiruchi Siva said one has never witnessed such behaviour in Parliament in more than two decades.

Praful Patel said his leader Sharad Pawar has stated that he has never seen such shameful incidents in Parliament in his long political career.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi had termed as "totally false" the opposition's allegations that marshals manhandled their MPs and said one can check facts from CCTV footage.

The tumultuous Monsoon session of Parliament was on Wednesday curtailed by two days even as an anguished Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu broke down over the huge ruckus in the House equating the act of some opposition MPs to "sacrilege in temple of democracy" and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla saying he was "extremely hurt" by continuous disruptions.

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The government on Thursday claimed that the disruptions in Parliament were pre-planned by the opposition leaders, who had even threatened union ministers with disastrous things if certain bills were pushed in the Rajya Sabha.

The government also rejected the opposition allegations that outsiders were brought into the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday to rein in unruly members and demanded an apology from opposition leaders for the unprecedented scenes in the Upper House.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi and Leader of the Rajya Sabha Piyush Goyal led a delegation of ministers to Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu and sought a thorough investigation into the turn of events in the Upper House and strict action against those found guilty of such harmful activity.

The Rajya Sabha had witnessed unruly scenes when opposition members climbed the reporter's table and flung books at the presiding officer's chair.

Goyal said 30 marshals  18 male and 12 women  had to be deployed in the Rajya Sabha to protect the secretary general's table.

Also Read  'Marshals used unacceptable force': Opposition leaders apprise Naidu of ruckus in Rajya Sabha

Opposition behaviour in the Rajya Sabha touched a new low on Wednesday. A lady marshal was manhandled by members and injured, Goyal told a press conference, flanked by six ministerial colleagues.

I&B Minister Anurag Thakur said the opposition members had brought anarchy of streets to Parliament during the monsoon session.

Joshi said the Opposition leaders had decided on the first day of the monsoon session itself that the entire session would be a washout.

He said the government was ready to extend the monsoon session by a day had the opposition agreed for debate on issues such as farmers issues and the state of the economy.

But, we were threatened by the opposition with more disastrous things if the government tried to pass any other bills other than the OBC bill. It was told to us in no unambiguous terms, Joshi said narrating his interaction with the Opposition leaders.

Goyal was dismissive of Congress leader Rahul Gandhis claims that the opposition was not allowed to speak in Parliament, pointing out that the House had discussed the Covid-19 situation and the OBC bill.

When it suits them, they will allow the house to function, else they will hold it hostage, Goyal said.

Goyal rejected NCP leader Sharad Pawars claim that he had never seen a woman member attacked in Parliament.

The contrary is true. A lady marshal was attacked by opposition members. Does Mr Pawar condone the Parliament Security Staff being strangled, Goyal asked.

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Congress on Thursday claimed that its official Twitter account as well as that of a number of its leaders have been blocked with the party claiming that the micro-blogging site was acting under Narendra Modi government's pressure and Rahul Gandhi saying that he is guilty if showing compassion and empathy is a crime.

Soon after, the Congress started a concerted campaign with supporters changing their handles to "I am Rahul Gandhi". Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi changed her profile picture with that of her brother Rahul.

Twitter's action of blocking former Congress president Rahul's account after he shared pictures of the family of a nine-year-old girl, who was sexually assaulted and murdered. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) had written to Twitter India seeking action against Rahul's account after he posted the pictures of the interaction he had with the girl's family.

As Congress picked up the campaign, Twitter also locked the party's handle. "If showing compassion and empathy is a crime, then I am guilty," Rahul posted on Instagram.

Priyanka targeted Twitter saying, "is Twitter following its own policy for the suspension of Congress leaders' accounts or the Modi government's? Why hadn't it locked the account of the SC commission that had tweeted similar photos before any of our leaders did? By locking Congress leaders' accounts en masse, Twitter is blatantly colluding with the stifling of democracy by the BJP government in India."

Congress social media department head Rohan Gupta claimed the Congress account and around 5,000 accounts of its leaders and workers have been blocked.

The Twitter accounts of Congress General Secretaries Randeep Surjewala, K C Venugopal, Ajay Maken, party's Whip in Lok Sabha Manickam Tagore, Assam in-charge and former Union minister Jitendra Singh and Mahila Congress president Sushmita Dev have also been locked among others.

Responding to the charges, a Twitter spokesperson said the company's rules are enforced judiciously and impartially for everyone in its service. "We have taken proactive action on several hundred Tweets that posted an image that violated our Rules and may continue to do so in line with our range of enforcement options. Certain types of private information carry higher risks than others, and our aim is always to protect individuals privacy and safety," the spokesperson said.

Also Read  Congress alleges Twitter handles of five senior leaders, including Randeep Surjewala, locked

In an Instagram post, the Congress said, "The official Twitter account of the Congress party has been locked by Twitter India. Modiji, just how afraid are you? Reminder: The Congress party fought for our nation's independence, equipped only with truth, non-violence and the will of the people. We won then, we'll win again."

"Twitter is clearly acting under government's pressure, as it did not remove the same pictures shared by the Twitter accounts of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes for a few days," Gupta said.

Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha floor leader Derek O'Brien came out in support of Congress and said they strongly condemned the blocking of accounts of the party and its leaders. "Whats going on @Twitter, @TwitterIndia, @jack? Whats going on ? We strongly condemn the blocking of the accounts of @INCIndia and senior leaders of the Congress party," he tweeted.

Congress Social Media Coordinator Nitin Agarwal said, "to support our leader who is raising voice and asking for justice for the victim, we have started a campaign and changed our handles to 'I am Rahul Gandhi'."

Congress Secretary in-charge of the party's Communications Department Pranav Jha, tweeted before his account was blocked on Wednesday night, ""So! After Rahul Gandhi, the Lord @narendramodi Ji and Vassal @Jack & @twitter have locked @rssurjewala, @ajaymaken & @sushmitadevinc. @INCIndia registers its protest and promises to continue the fight for each and all being wronged! We shall hold on @AshwiniVaishnaw-ji,"

"The list goes on. @Twitter locks @JitendraSAlwar and @manickamtagore and many more. Doesn't Modi Ji understand that we @INCindia'ns have a legacy of fighting even from behind the locks of kaala paani...He thinks the virtual locks of Twitter will deter us from fighting for India," he tweeted.

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Opposition members manhandled marshals amid ruckus in the Rajya Sabha, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi alleged on Wednesday while demanding stringent action against the lawmakers.

Joshi termed "totally false" the opposition's allegations that marshals manhandled their MPs and said one can check facts from CCTV footage.

"The opposition is spreading lies. Marshals can't dare to touch MPs, they can't even think about it. CCTV footage will establish that they are lying," he told reporters outside the Parliament building.

Joshi said the government demands that the Rajya Sabha chairman constitute a special committee to probe the misbehaviour and indiscipline by opposition members, and strict action should be taken against them.

Read | Poverty of wit and humour in Parliament

He said he has never seen such behaviour by MPs in his parliamentary career.

Leader of the House and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal alleged that an MP tried to "strangulate" a lady security officer.

The Rajya Sabha chamber witnessed ugly scenes of opposition members jostling with marshals as they tore papers, entered the Well of the house and attempted to go near the presiding officer's chair.

After a peaceful debate and the smooth passage of a bill to restore the states' powers to identify and notify their own lists of OBCs, all hell broke loose when the insurance amendment bill to privatise the state-run general insurance companies was taken up.

Calling it a sell-off, the opposition MPs stormed into the Well of the House shouting anti-government slogans.

They were, however, prevented from going anywhere near the table of the House or the chair by a wall of about 50 security staff that sort of cordoned off what Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu referred to as the "sanctum sanctorum".

A cross-gender staff deployment -- female officers where male MPs were protesting and male officers where female MPs were protesting -- was made.

But this did not deter the MPs belonging to a cross-section of opposition parties -- from the Congress to the Left to the TMC and to the DMK.

Read | Rajya Sabha too adjourned sine die, government seeks action against 'unruly' members

They tore papers, believed to be copies of the bill, and lofted those towards the chair and the House officers. Some tried to break the cordon and jostled with the security staff.

During the melee, the House passed the insurance bill by a voice vote, with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman not even replying to the limited debate that could take place.

The ruckus forced two adjournments and later, when two separate bills on homeopathy and the Indian system of medicine were taken up, the opposition MPs staged a walkout.

During the ruckus, the MPs carried placards and shouted slogans. Dola Sen of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) held a string tied around the neck of a fellow MP, who had a placard hung around her neck saying "Democracy Killed".

Ripun Bora of the Congress made unsuccessful attempts to climb over the marshals to reach the chair.

Some of the MPs whistled and a few others stood up on their seats.
As many as 386 students who graduated from the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies in Kochi have submitted a declaration that they will neither accept nor give dowry.

The anti-dowry declarations were given on the basis of a suggestion made by Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, who is also the university chancellor, that no-dowry declarations should be mandated by universities while awarding degrees. The call was given in view of a series of dowry deaths and harassment reported in Kerala recently.

The Governor who attended the convocation of KUFOS held in Kochi on Thursday appreciated the students for their firm decision against dowry and said that they stand as leaders of a campaign against the nefarious practice. University vice chancellor Riji John handed over the declaration by students to the Governor.

The Governor also urged that jewellery firms should keep off from advertisements featuring brides wearing ornaments as it was sending a wrong message.

Kerala is witnessing a strong campaign against dowry with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan urging political leaders to keep away from marriages in which dowry was involved. A government employee accused of dowry harassment leading to his wife's death recently was dismissed from service even as trial is pending.
The Opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front in Kerala staged a mock adjournment motion notice presentation in front of the state Assembly on Thursday over the statement of gold and dollar smuggling accused about Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's involvement in currency smuggling.

The demonstration was staged in protest against the denial of permission to present notice for an adjournment motion.

Congress MLA P T Thomas gave the adjournment motion notice on the basis of reports regarding the statement of gold and dollar smuggling case accused and former employee of UAE consulate Swapna Suresh to the customs that a packet containing currency was sent through a UAE consulate official from the Chief Minister's office to the Chief Minister who was on a UAE tour earlier.

Also Read  Embarrassments to Pinarayi Vijayan government over gold smuggling row

Speaker M B Rajesh denied permission to present the notice citing that it was a matter under court's consideration.

Subsequently, the Opposition MLAs, led by Opposition leader V D Satheesan, walked out of the House and staged a mock Assembly in front of the Assembly gate.

Satheesan said that the statement of an accused to customs has much legal value and could be even treated as evidence. Hence the statements linking the Chief Minister with currency smuggling assumed much significance.

The Congress had already demanded the resignation of Vijayan from the Cabinet in view of the fresh development.

The Left Front government had also suffered a setback on Wednesday as the Kerala High Court stayed a notification ordering a judicial probe against officials of the Enforcement Directorate and other central agencies probing the gold and dollar smuggling case. The state government alleged that the central agencies were hatching a conspiracy against Vijayan and others in the state government.
Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church in Kerala, Cardinal Mar George Alencherry, will have to face a trial in a land deal case as the Kerala High Court rejected his pleas against the orders of a lower court in this matter.

As many as six petitions filed by Alencherry were rejected by the court.

The fresh development came close on the heels of Income Tax Department issuing a notice to the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese headed by Alencherry to pay Rs 3.5 crore as capital gains tax.

A local court in Kochi had initiated proceedings against Alencherry and three others in 2019 in connection with the alleged corruption in land deals of the Catholic church. The court found prima facie evidence in a private petition alleging corruption to the tune of several crores in the sale of prime land of the church by undervaluing it.

The Income Tax department had earlier issued a notice to the church to pay income tax of Rs 3 crore in connection with the land deal.
With the Monsoon Session witnessing large-scale disruption and ruckus, Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday reviewed "unfortunate sequence of events in Parliament" and decided to examine in detail unruly scenes in the past and action taken for deciding future course of action.

The Vice President's official Twitter handle shared a picture of their meeting and said both "reviewed the unfortunate sequence of events in the Parliament, during the recent session".

They expressed deep concern at the disruptive behaviour of some parliamentarians. They strongly felt that such unruly behaviour should not be tolerated and appropriate action should be taken.  Vice President of India (@VPSecretariat) August 12, 2021

"They expressed deep concern at the disruptive behaviour of some parliamentarians. They strongly felt that such unruly behaviour should not be tolerated and appropriate action should be taken," the tweet said.

Also Read | 'Marshals used unacceptable force': Opposition leaders apprise Naidu of ruckus in Rajya Sabha

Birla met Naidu at the Vice President's official residence and discussed the "persistent disruptions that severely dented the productivity" of both the Houses during the session that ended on Wednesday, sources said.

Both felt that such "persistent disruptions in defiance of repeated appeals" from the Chair and in "violation" of the rules have "dented the dignity and stature" of Parliament. They both said that these vents need to taken a "serious view of".

Sources said both the presiding officers decided to undertake a detailed examination of such unruly scenes in the past and action taken for deciding on the future course of action in such cases.

Disruptions by a few are severely impacting the opportunities of large sections of the Houses to take up issues of public importance under available instruments besides making quality contribution to law making, both Naidu and Birla opined.
It is somewhat odd that a galaxy of Opposition leaders who want the Congress to be a part of a united Opposition formation for the 2024 General Election should meet at the residence of dissident Congress leader Kapil Sibal. It is even stranger that some of them criticised the Gandhi family and the Congress as if they had come prepared to bury Caesar, not to praise him.

One might be forgiven, therefore, for disagreeing with reports that celebrated the event as a great show of Opposition unity, preparing for 2024. Formally a celebration of Sibals birthday, it was attended not only by anti-BJP Opposition leaders but also by representatives of parties not averse to supporting the BJP-the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), the Telugu Desam Party and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). These parties and the YSR Congress, also represented at the dinner, have not been part of the Oppositions coordination effort in Parliament.

The dinner meeting took place exactly a year after 23 Congress leaders (G-23) had written a letter of dissent to Congress president Sonia Gandhi in August 2020. A year later, many of them have been accommodated by the party. Ghulam Nabi Azad was made chief of the partys Covid19 relief task force. Ashok Chavan was given charge of evaluating the Kerala, Assam, Puducherry and West Bengal state assembly election results. Manish Tiwari was also made a member of the election evaluation committee. Mukul Wasnik was nominated to a special committee to assist the Congress president in organisational and operational matters. Anand Sharma and Shashi Tharoor were nominated to the committee on foreign affairs, and Azad and Verappa Moily to the committee on national security. Manish Tiwari is a likely candidate for the post of Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha if the present incumbent is removed.

While the accommodation process has slowed down in the last two months, nothing suggests it is over. Apparently, it may be temporarily stalled till party deliberations over the possible induction of poll strategist Prashant Kishor are completed. That could necessitate changes in the party structure.

Although Sibal has not yet been accommodated, it may not be correct to view the dinner he hosted as expressing disgruntlement with the Gandhi family. More likely, his birthday was a moment for the dissidents to signal their unhappiness at the slow pace of party reform. An ostensible attempt at forging the Opposition only showcased their considerable political skills.

Still, Opposition coordination has not lagged for their absence. It was evidenced not only in the meeting of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi with Mamata Banerjee and the breakfast meeting hosted by Rahul Gandhi but also in parliamentary coordination meetings organised by Deputy Leader of the Congress in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge. At least three such well-attended coordination meetings have been held with Opposition leaders in the Monsoon Session with Rahul Gandhis participation.

Those who attended these meetings remark on the eagerness of an energised Opposition for coordinated action. They also note the new found respect amongst the attendees for the courageous stand taken by Rahul Gandhi on issues ranging from the disastrous mishandling of the pandemic, the dire state of the economy, growing unemployment, deliberately ignoring the farmers protest and his unequivocal stand on the use of Pegasus spyware. There is little substance to the argument that dissident leaders needed to push the party towards joint Opposition action.

Moreover, there were a few false notes struck by some political representatives. Naresh Gujral of the SAD suggested that the Congress and the Opposition would be better off without the Gandhis. Not much else could have been expected from the representative of a Sikh party at loggerheads with the Congress in Punjab. Nor was it appropriate for him to criticise dynastic politics as his own Rajya Sabha seat is thanks to the political capital inherited from his illustrious father, IK Gujral, once an Indira Gandhi acolyte.

Similarly hollow were BJD leader Pinaki Mishras claims that the Congress was not in a dialogue with his party. The BJD has yet to earn its anti-BJP spurs at a national level, as opposing it in Odisha is an electoral compulsion. Perhaps the host should have countered such accusatory views.

Despite underlining their unity efforts, the Opposition leaders got their optics slightly wrong. A parallel process seemingly initiated by Congress dissidents is unlikely to achieve Opposition unity. Even inadvertently, a Sharad Pawar or a Lalu Yadav cannot be seen as part of the internal factionalism of the Congress.

However, it is more ominous if the Congress dissidents were demonstrating their political acceptability among the wider political class. That may be read as a sign of where they may be forced to go in the post-2024 scenario unless their ambitions are accommodated in the Congress.

(The writer is a journalist based in Delhi)

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India has begun its presidential term at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on a positive note. Unlike the big powers in the UNSC the US, Russia and China which were preoccupied with trading accusations against each other during the virtual open debate on maritime security on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modis speech, as he chaired the meeting, focused on putting forward a framework of mutual understanding and cooperation that called on the international community to adopt a five-point approach to global cooperation in maritime security affairs  peaceful settlement of maritime disputes in accordance with international laws, removal of barriers to legitimate maritime trade, joint efforts in tackling maritime threats from natural disasters and non-state actors, preservation of the maritime environment and resources, and promotion of responsible maritime connectivity. In an endorsement of Indias cooperative approach, its presidential statement was unanimously adopted by the UNSC members. More importantly, for the first time ever, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) was recognised at the UNSC in the context of maritime security. New Delhi can take credit for this as it was the efforts of its diplomats that resulted in all the powers coming on board.

Mondays debate, which saw the participation of Russian President Vladimir Putin and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, among others, was the first time that the UNSC has discussed maritime security as an exclusive agenda item at such a high-level open debate. India did well to highlight the issue. The country has suffered repeatedly on account of insecurity on the high seas. Piracy along major trade routes has affected Indias trade significantly. Vessels with Indian personnel or commodities headed for markets in India or abroad have been hijacked. Piracy has also increased insurance premiums, making trade more expensive. Indias security has been undermined by terrorists who enter the country via the seas, as was the case with the November 2008 terrorist attack on Mumbai.

India holds the presidency of the UNSC for a brief one-month period. It should ensure that it is positive and productive. The US, with the worlds strongest navy and being an immense trading nation, has not ratified UNCLOS, though it recognises it as customary international law and expects other powers to abide by it. As New Delhi seeks to show the world what it can expect from India if it were to sit permanently at the security high table, it must make efforts to get the US to ratify UNCLOS. That, and the five principles that India has enunciated, will help draw a firm framework for a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Politicians use humour to imbue the audience with a particular image. Humour is sometimes used in the House to add levity and attract the attention of other members and a larger audience. It's also used to bring members closer together (especially on the opposition side). As a 2014 thesis noted, some MPs have used humour as a relational management strategy (and...) to procure more time from the Chair.

When in the Opposition benches, Indian lawmakers have generally used wit and humour more effectively. It allows them to pack more punch into their arguments while also alleviating tensions and tempers. This could lead to a productive debate in Parliament in a dignified atmosphere. Maybe members should try this during the next session.

But lets talk about what definitely were better times. In the 1950s and 1960s, when our Parliament was young and had stalwarts like Jawaharlal Nehru, Piloo Mody, Ram Manohar Lohia, et al, they were able to handle caustic comments and sharp-edged words with ease.

Lohia, the great socialist leader, would attack Nehru with violent wit, and the latter would counter with equally stinging words. Despite that, sessions were not disrupted because Lohia called Nehru a "bald man". Incidentally, that's ad hominem, since Nehru was bald.

Once, Lohia told the House that Nehru wasnt an aristocrat as he was portrayed. I can prove that the prime ministers grandfather was a chaprasi in the Mughal court, Lohia said. To which, Nehru smiled and replied: I am glad the honourable member has, at last, accepted what I have been trying to tell him for so many years: That I am a man of the people.

Not one Congressman rose up and screamed: You called our leader a grandson of a chaprasi. Shame, shame and caused disruption.

Nehrus Finance Minister T T Krishnamachari once depicted Feroze Gandhi as Nehru's "lapdog". Feroze Gandhi didnt take that lying down. He said since Krishnamachari considered himself a pillar of the nation, he would do to him what a dog usually does to a pillar.

Congress' JC Jain once kept mocking Piloo Mody. An aggravated Mody yelled, Stop barking! Jain was up on his feet yelling and pleading with the chair: Sir, hes calling me a dog. This is unparliamentary language.

Chairman Hidayatullah concurred and pronounced, This will not go on record. Piloo Mody corrected himself thus: All right then, stop braying. Jain did not know what the word implied. It stayed on the record.

On one occasion, Piloo Mody was censured for showing negligence to the seat by talking with his back to the Speaker. Mody shielded himself by saying, "Sir, I have neither front nor back, I am round." Such self-deprecating humour is the most effective instrument for managing tensions and keeping tempers cool.

In a parliamentary debate on the war with China in 1962, Nehru told Parliament that Aksai Chin, which the Chinese had occupied, was an area where not a blade of grass grows. Thereupon, Mahavir Tyagi, a senior Congress MP, pointed to his own bald pate and exclaimed: Not a hair grows on my head. Does it mean it should be cut off and given to China, too?

When Lohia was pleading for Stalins daughter Svetlana to be given asylum in India on the grounds of her marriage with an Indian, the charming lady member Tarkeshwari Sinha interjected to mock the bachelor Lohia as to how he could talk about conjugal sentiments when he didnt have any experience of it. Lohia hit back: "Tarkeshwari, when did you give me any chance."

Once while rejecting an amendment moved by Rajaji, Nehru said: "You see, Rajaji, the majority is with me." Rajaji countered: "Yes, Jawaharlal, the majority is with you, but the logic is with me". Nehru laughed with the House, realised that Rajaji had a point and accepted his amendment. Such gestures are hardly conceivable now.

Speaker Somnath Chatterjee lost his cool when Varkala Radhakrishnan, a fellow communist, was going on and on with his speech, despite the Speaker telling him that the time allotted to him had expired. Chatterjee shouted from the chair: Varkalaji, I know you have been a good Speaker, but you are a bad member. Pat came the response from Varkala: Sir, it is the opposite in your case. You have been a good member, but a bad Speaker.

In contemporary India, tremendous changes have occurred in parliamentary proceedings. Most of the time of Parliament is being lost on political controversies, disorder and theatrics due to the passing of a controversial bill hurriedly or the refusal to permit a discussion on what the Opposition considers to be a crucial issue, or ignoring the Oppositions demand to refer a matter to a committee for in-depth examination.

Nehru didnt engage in political jousts with Sardar Patel. Ambedkar didnt display a brisk no-nonsense manner with his colleagues. Though these great men, who shaped modern India, did have serious differences with their colleagues and opponents, the differences were argued out rationally, intellectually, and in civilised language. There was no personal vilification of each other. Arguments were always with the aim of convincing the other party, never with the aim of humiliating or disrespecting him/her. Of late, the fading away of wit and humour from the sacred temple of democracy is surprising since Indian literature and mythology, especially the indigenous cultures, are rich in humour and satire. The words spoken in Parliament are recorded for posterity. They provide an insight into the thinking of our elected representatives. They appear to be unable to lift the public discourse to the levels that a Nehru or a Lohia or an Ambedkar or a Vajpayee were able to. Listening to them, the public saw democracy as the path to a civilised society. Not any longer.

(The writer is retired Deputy Director of Boilers, Government of Karnataka)
A sort of samudra manthan seems to be taking place in Maharashtra politics with the state getting into election-mode already, perhaps preparing for polls as early as next year.

Over the past few months, contradictions within the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) the alliance of Shiv Sena, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Congress have intensified.

Besides, while the Shiv Sena and NCP are coming together electorally, the Congress is singing the ekla chalo re tune.

For Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray and NCP supremo Sharad Pawar, who cobbled up the MVA, the days ahead are going to be tough politically.

Meanwhile, the Opposition BJP is sending feelers to smaller parties, including the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).

In February 2022, more than a dozen municipal corporations of the state, including Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Nashik, Aurangabad, Nagpur and Amravati, are expected to go to polls. That would be a sort of mini-Assembly polls, during which the parties will test the political waters. It will also mark the beginning of the run-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.

As far as the road ahead is concerned, the Congress is not on the same page as the Shiv Sena and NCP, the two larger allies in the MVA, which came into existence in October-November 2019 after a fractured mandate in the Assembly polls led to the breakdown of the Sena-BJP alliance.

Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole and his Mumbai counterpart Bhai Jagtap have conveyed to the party high command that the party workers desire to go it alone in future polls at all levels, from local body elections to Assembly and Lok Sabha polls.

Following Patoles aggressive stance, Congress AICC in-charge of Maharashtra H K Patil and Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge had to rush to Mumbai and hold parleys with the state leadership and speak to the alliance partners.

In fact, recently, Patole was called to New Delhi, where he met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, after which he toned down his going solo talk for the civic polls, including for the Brihan Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), one of the richest civic bodies of Asia.

All this is happening at a time when Rahul Gandhi is trying to build up Opposition unity and take on the BJP.

Even other Congress leaders, including three former chief ministers Ashok Chavan, who is the Public Works Minister in the MVA government, Prithviraj Chavan and Sushilkumar Shinde, besides the states Revenue Minister Balasaheb Thorat, feel that the party needs to expand in the state.

Thackeray and Pawar, who often meet in Mumbai, are clear on a Shiv Sena-NCP tie-up for future polls, although they are yet to work out the modalities.

It is good that the BJP and the Congress are preparing to go it alone in the polls. That leaves two parties, Shiv Sena and NCP (They) will have to come together in the interest of the state. Statements to this effect have been made by Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar, said an editorial in Saamna, the Shiv Sena mouthpiece.

Patole had also been publicly slammed by the two architects of the MVA. While Pawar said, They are small people, why should I comment on them? If Sonia Gandhi had said something, then I would have commented on it, Thackeray warned that "people who only talk about contesting elections alone without really resolving people's woes will be beaten with footwear...

The BJP, on the other hand, has managed to keep the MVA on tenterhooks. Recently, Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly and former CM Devendra Fadnavis has intensified attacks on Thackeray and Shiv Sena. Besides, state BJP chief Chandrakant Patil met Raj, the estranged cousin of Uddhav.

The meeting raised eyebrows for several reasons as Raj is an ardent admirer-turned-critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, besides being in the suspect list of the significant chunk of North Indian communities in the Mumbai-Pune-Nashik belt and other urban conglomerates of the state. In fact, in 2019, Rajs party did not contest the Lok Sabha polls, but he addressed rallies targeting Modi and Amit Shah.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, political gatherings and rallies are banned. However, once the threat of the third wave is over, a flood of political meetings and activities are expected.

The state Congress unit is planning to hold a rally on December 28, the Congress foundation day, at which party Sonia and Rahul Gandhi would be present.

Meanwhile, Pawar has invited Amit Shah, now also the Union Cooperation Minister, to visit Vasantdada Sugar Institute in Pune, which is being run by the cooperative sugar industry of the state.

Even as the MVA has managed to keep the flock together, it is facing issues with Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari. The Raj Bhavan has become the hub of politics, and it is functioning like a BJP office, Shiv Sena chief spokesperson and Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut often says. Fadnavis and his counterpart in the Legislative Council, Pravin Darekar, and other BJP leaders often call on the Governor.

It may be mentioned that on November 6 last year, a ministerial delegation comprising Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anil Parab of Shiv Sena, Minority Affairs Minister Nawab Malik of NCP and Medical Education and Cultural Affairs Minister Amit Deshmukh of Congress called on Koshyari at the Raj Bhavan and submitted a list of 12 nominees for membership in the Legislative Council from the Governors quota. It has not been cleared till date.

Since the names have not been cleared, there is tremendous unrest within MVA. It will likely be kept open-ended, in case there are defections from the treasury benches to BJP, so that they can be accommodated, a senior political observer said.
This year, cold countries like Canada experienced heatwaves causing temperatures to soar to nearly 50 C, due to which hundreds perished and thousands were rendered homeless. Heavy rains and floods in Germany, Belgium wreaked havoc.

So have the floods in Maharashtra, Kerala and Karnataka. It is evident that these extreme weather conditions that have affected many parts of the world have been caused by climate change.

A recent report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has issued its strongest warning yet. If no action is taken, global temperatures could rise by 1.5C or 2C even before 2040. This could cause irreversible damage, spelling out more weather-related calamities, the report said.

Global warming is caused by the increasing amount of gases like carbon dioxide mainly resulting from human activity. Gases like carbon dioxide hang on in the atmosphere for several decades, trapping the infrared waves from the irradiating solar radiation.

The increase in trapped heat also evaporates more water from oceans, seas, etc and the water vapour traps heat. This explains why cloudy days are warmer than when the skies are clear. However, water vapour quickly condenses as it cools and does not stay for decades in the atmosphere, like carbon dioxide.

The amount of CO2 has considerably increased since the start of the industrial revolution.

The burning of fossil fuels, transportation, mainly on petroleum products, aviation and a whole host of perennial industrial activities pump around a whopping 50 gigatonnes of CO2 annually into the atmosphere.

All of our everyday appliances and devices consume power and disperse heat, the global power consumption of 20 Terawatts (1 Terawatt is a trillion watts); most of the heat is produced by fossil fuels.

Not the only cause

Carbon dioxide is however not the only global warming gas. Methane is more potent in this regard. Organic waste from animals and agriculture releases methane. For instance, 100 cows produce six tonnes of methane. T

hen there are other larger sources like the Greenland ice sheets which release tonnes of methane as they melt due to global warming, so also the Siberian permafrost. Unlike CO2, methane does not remain for a long time in the atmosphere.

Another common gaseous substance --Nitrous Oxide--is 300 times more potent than CO2 in heating the atmosphere. Like CO2, it hangs around in the atmosphere for a long time, spending about 120 years in the air before disintegrating. Moreover, it also depletes the ozone layer.

In short, the climate impact of laughing gas (N2O) is not a laughing matter! The IPCC panel estimated that nitrous oxide could comprise nearly 10% of greenhouse gases and three-quarters of it comes from agriculture which accounts for nearly a fourth of climate-warming emissions, much of the emissions is from nitrous oxides and not CO2.

Apart from indiscriminate industrialisation, humans have tipped the natural nitrogen cycle. The Haber-Bosch process led to the synthesis of ammonia, leading to a large production of ammonium fertilisers. This increased global food production but upset the natural nitrogen cycle of plants. The amount of nitrous oxide is also increasing in the atmosphere.

More potent greenhouse gases

While there is scope for getting more power from renewable sources of producing electricity like wind power, this has led to the production of an even more potent greenhouse gas, Sulphur hexafluoride or SF6 which is used in wind turbines. It is used as an insulator and interceptor agent in many power generating appliances.

However, the dismal fact is that SF6 has more than 20,000 times the global warming potential than CO2. Moreover, it is stable and has an extended lifetime of 3,000 years, making it the most potent chemically reacting greenhouse gas.

The concentration of this gas is increasing, though its presence contributes only a small fraction to global warming now.

Although CO2 is the most well-known culprit, there are other more potent gases lurking in the background and their presence is growing.
Former Minister M P Renukacharya, who was camping in Delhi for the past few days, said on Thursday that he is confident that soon he will get a place in the Karnataka Cabinet headed by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai.

I met many top leaders including BJP National General Secretary (Organisation) B L Santosh and General Secretary incharge Karnataka Arun Singh. Now I am confident that I will get a chance to become cabinet minister in the coming days, he told reporters.

"Since the BJP government still has 19 months' tenure, before that I may get an opportunity. I also met former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa and state BJP president Nalin Kumar Kateel and discussed this issue. Total 13 districts did not get an opportunity. Since Davangere is a major district, the party will reward the leaders from this region," he said.

An MLA from Honnali-Nyamathi and a confidant of Yediyurappa, Renukacharyahas been lobbying for ministership. In the previous Yediyurappa headed government, he served as Chief Minister's political secretary.
In an embarrassment to the ruling BJP, its Mudigere legislator M P Kumaraswamy on Thursday demonstrated all by himself in Vidhana Soudha, accusing the government of neglecting his flood-hit constituency.

Kumaraswamy's demand is that Mudigere should be brought under the ambit of flood relief through the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).

Kumaraswamy sat in protest in front of the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Vidhana Soudha with a placard addressed to Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai seeking NDRF/SDRF funds for Mudigere and compensation to those who lost their homes, land and crops.

"In 2019, we had severe floods in which six people got washed away along with their homes. It took us 15 days to recover their bodies. Not just homes, but even coffee estates got washed away. We asked for relief and (the government) showed extreme neglect. We kept quiet. Last year, there were floods again," he said.

"This time, I wont ask why funds were given to others. But, I will say that when Shivamogga City comes under NDRF, why not Mudigere, which is a forest area in the Western Ghats region that received 900 mm rainfall?" he said.

Kumaraswamy's reference to Shivamogga is seen as a dig at former chief minister B S Yediyurappa and RDPR Minister K S Eshwarappa; both of them belong to the Shivamogga district. Apparently, Kumaraswamy also holds a grouse against fellow MLA and BJP national general secretary C T Ravi, who comes from the same Chikkamagaluru district.

The BJP MLA even said that former JD(S) chief minister H D Kumaraswamy was more helpful. "When I was elected in 2018, Kumaraswamy was the CM. I requested him, with folded hands, for help. He gave grants and even reached out to me. But now, despite our own party being in power, there's neglect," said Kumaraswamy, a ministerial aspirant.

This monsoon saw Karnataka suffering floods for the fourth consecutive year.

Kumaraswamy withdrew his protest after Revenue Minister R Ashoka reached out to him. The MLA cried while explaining his ordeal to the minister. "I'm a senior MLA, but not a single minister reciprocates," he said. Ashoka calmed him down.

"He's a friend. I will discuss his demands with the CM and take steps towards providing compensation and rebuilding damaged infrastructure in Mudigere," Ashoka told reporters.
A surge in cases of children having speech development problems and behavioural changes due to lockdowns in the past one-and-a-half-years has resulted in a spurt in special helplines with child psychologists, behavioural, occupational and speech therapists dealing with such problems.

Doctors are currently seeing children born around 2018-19 and aged between two years and two-and-a half-years, who are still unable to speak even a few words properly in the absence of peers to communicate with.

Instead, they sound like cartoon characters having been exposed only to gadgets instead of other children at daycare, nannies or grandparents.

Inability to interpret, understand sensory input through the use of their senses, or adapt and interact with their environment, are other problems.

Read | Covid-19 Wrap-Up: Decline in cases calm before another wave?

Generally, children begin to babble from around the age of six months and say their first words between 10 months and a year and three months. Most start speaking after their first birthday.

Dr Meghna Kashyap, child and rehabilitation psychologist, Aster Little Bluejays Child Development Centre, said perceptual development refers to how a child takes in inputs by using all five senses of seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting and touching.

We used to get at least four paediatric cases every day of children not having age-appropriate development. Now, we have 50 cases. Since the second waves lockdown, we have treated at least 100. With 0 to 5-year-old kids, we observed that there is a lack of expression by the child. All communication basics, verbal and non-verbal, are learnt in the first five years.

But children have had only one-way input from phones, iPads, and laptops. They generally start picking up the language spoken at home but some, even though three years old, spoke only gibberish that cartoon characters do, she said.

Doctors suggest allowing 30-minute screen time per day only for children aged six and above, and if not possible, show them real-world videos of animals and nature, instead of allowing them to fantasise about them in the cartoon world.

Read | India isnt ready for another Covid-19 wave

Dr Supraja Chandrasekhar, Paediatric Intensivist, Columbia Asia Referral Hospital, Yeshwanthpur, said, Weve seen serious implications like sleep disturbance, irritability, and stubbornness because of increase in screen time. Toddlers grow with nature. Their lack of playtime under the sun, in the mud, in the park has negatively impacted their way of thinking and living.

Dr Yogesh Kumar Gupta, Head of Paediatric Intensive Care, Fortis Hospitals, Bannerghatta Road, said the hospital is seeing a lot of toddlers with speech regression due to lack of social contact and increased screen time.

Perceptual development is closely linked to physical development because childrens growing motor abilities allow them to explore their environments in new ways. As they are locked in the house, this has been affected. An increase in fatigue, headaches and aggressive behaviour can also be attributed to absence of playtime and schools.

We are seeing gaming addiction, depression, arguments, and fights with parents. Sensory perceptual development has been especially affected in toddlers since there are no pre-schools. Physical interaction and socialisation are essential for a childs sensory, speech and social development. Due to online classes, personal touch with teachers is also absent, he added.
Derry has been chosen as one of the most 'underrated' cities to visit in the UK.

Leading travel writer Monica Stott has included Derry in an article which focuses on cities which she believes do not get the attention they deserve.

On Derry, Monica writes: "Derry is one of the finest examples of a walled city in Europe and is the only intact walled city in Ireland. Derrys Craft Village is a small but perfect village within the walls with a quaint charm and boutique stores and creative crafters selling their wares.

"Keep an eye out for an array of festivals in the city, particularly the Halloween festival which was voted the best in the world by USA Today!

"Derry is also a perfect base for road tripping and from here you can explore the Wild Atlantic Way and the Causeway Coastal Route."

Other 'underrated' cities on the list are Chester, Exeter, Leeds and Aberdeen.

You can read the full article here - https://bit.ly/3xHb0Ge
A special commemorative plaque has been unveiled at St Lukes Hospital in Wolisso, Ethiopia in memory of Bishop Edward Daly, five years on from his passing.

Commissioned by Derry international development charity Children in Crossfire, the plaque recognises the Bishops support for their work in Ethiopia and Tanzania.

It has been placed at the therapeutic feeding unit at St Lukes, which provides life-saving treatment for hundreds of children with severe acute malnutrition each year.

Children in Crossfires Executive Director Richard Moore met in recent days with Bishop Dalys sister Anne Gibson to present her and long-time family friend Fr Eamon Graham with a copy of the plaque.

So many people in Derry and the wider Diocese hold Bishop Edward Daly close to our hearts because of the pastoral care and compassion that exemplified his long ministry.

He was a truly remarkable man who made an invaluable contribution to life here in the most challenging of times.

Bishop Daly was also a great friend of Children in Crossfire, especially our international programme work.

We are privileged to have benefited from his kindness and felt it was timely on his fifth anniversary to recognise that support.

We chose to install a commemorative plaque at St Lukes Hospital in Wolisso, Ethiopia because their work to keep profoundly ill children alive in partnership with us is one of the reasons he was a keen Children in Crossfire supporter.

Even now, five years after his passing, St Lukes and the therapeutic feeding unit continue to benefit from Bishop Edwards support.

One of his lasting legacies is that some of the worlds most vulnerable children receive life-saving medical support when they need it most.

His life was dedicated to care for others, and we are very proud to honour his memory with this small plaque.

Mrs Gibson said she was delighted with the honour for her brother.

Edward is very deeply missed by his family and friends, but it is very comforting for us to know that he continues to be so fondly remembered and highly regarded in Derry and beyond.

This plaque will ensure Edward will continue to be thought of for many years to come, and we are grateful to Children in Crossfire for thinking of him at his anniversary.

Fr Graham, Parish Priest of Greenlough and Lavey, added: We are all aware of how fond Bishop Daly was of Derry City and its people. His support for local charities and initiatives is well known.

It was his wish that, after his death, he could still in some way support these charities, especially Children in Crossfire. As one of his executors, I am delighted to see his wishes carried out. I know it would give him great satisfaction.
Students at a Derry school are being encouraged to apply for a bursary set up in memory of a much loved teacher.

Patricia Hughes, a teacher at St Columb's College for 24 years, died in 2016.

She was described as a 'passionate' teacher who had given everything to her pupils.

In 2018, Ms Hughes's family established a bursary in her memory.

It offers 4,000 each year to a St Columb's College student from a low income family to assist with their time at university.

The bursary has already supported four pupils from the school.

Applications are now open for this year's bursary.

Two of the pupils who have benefitted from the bursary took part in a recent video outlining how it helped them.

Billy Quigley was the first recipient of the bursary and he said it was a fitting tribute to Ms Hughes.

My first thought is she always had a happy aura around her.

That made her really approachable. There were a few times when I was struggling and I came to Miss Hughes and she was always willing to lend a hand.

Another bursary recipient, Odhran McGlinchey, said it had been a great help for his education.

It gave me the opportunity to work with such amazing people.

It takes the stress off the bills - if it wasnt for the bursary I dont know what I would do.

Ms Hughes's sister, Mary Delargy, said they were delighted to see the impact that the bursary has had.

We are looking forward to meeting the next recipient of the award.

We know that Patricia would be immensely proud of the boys and all that they have done to keep her memory alive.

Ms Hughes's nephew, Padraig Delargy (pictured above with his mother Mary), said qualifying students will receive an application form along with their A Level results.

The boys simply have to register their interest and outline why they feel they would be a good ambassador for the bursary.
Fatima Sana Shaikh celebrates her friend's work, and now we want a friend and cheerleader like her

Fatima Sana Shaikh who was last seen in the anthology film Ajeeb Daastaans is currently traveling in Northern parts of India. The actress recently visited a place that was designed by her friend and has now praised him for the same. Well, isnt that what real friends are and we totally deserve one Fatima as a true friend!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Fatima Sana Shaikh (@fatimasanashaikh)

Fatima took to social media to praise her friend for his work. The actress posted a picture with a group of friends while declaring how proud she was of her friend. Seeing someone like Fatima making it to the industry being an outsider and still hanging out with her friends outside the industry and praising them for their work reminds us all of our friends, true cheerleaders! Her caption in the photo read, "Ok, I am going to gloat a bit.. my friend is the architect and interior designer of this place @arjunujra so proud of you!"

'Aruvi' a female-centric Tamil film's remake and an untitled project alongside Anil Kapoor are the two projects that Fatima is currently working on.
Kareena Kapoor's unseen picture from her griha pravesh goes viral, have you seen it yet?

Kareena Kapoor Khan and Saif Ali Khan moved into their new home in Mumbai in January this year. While the actress has shared many pictures from the house on her Isntagram handle, an unseen picture of her from her griha pravesh ceremony in now going viral on social media.

In the picture, Kareena can be seen cooking something on a stove in the kitchen of her new apartment. The actress dressed in a sea-green kurta was 8 months pregnant with her son Jeh at the time. In the kitchen, one can see rose petals scattered around from the pooja.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kareena Kapoor Khan FC (@kareenakapoorteam)

Kareena and Saif moved into their spacious new home a month before Jeh was born moving out of their apartment in Fortune Heights. Their new house was renovated by designer Darshini Shah who also did the interiors of their Fortune Heights home and overlooked renovations at Saifs ancestral home the Pataudi Palace. The luxurious new pad of the couple is big than their old apartment and has a nursery for Jeh, space for Taimur, a library swimming pool, and ample outdoor spaces.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kareena Kapoor Khan (@kareenakapoorkhan)

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kareena Kapoor Khan (@kareenakapoorkhan)

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kareena Kapoor Khan (@kareenakapoorkhan)

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kareena Kapoor Khan (@kareenakapoorkhan)

The actress recently turned author with her book called Kareena Kapoor Khans Pregnancy Bible. She has summed up her journey of being a mother and turned guide for expecting mothers revealing everything about her two pregnancies and her experiences.
R Madhavan is the only passenger at the airport & in the flight to Dubai says, 'Aiesa lag raha hai bhoot bangle mein hoon'

R Madhavan flew to Dubai in July to resume shoot for the shoot of his film Ameriki Pandit there and quite literally had an interesting journey while getting there. He shared a series of videos from the airport and the flight revealing how everything was deserted due to the restricted travel during the ongoing pandemic.

Madhavan walked his fans through the flight to show how it was completely empty and he was the sole passenger. Not just the flight though, the actor was the only traveler at the airport, the terminal, and in the business lounge where he waited before boarding his flight. The actor while observing the silence in the lounge said, aiesa lag raha hai jaiese bhoot bangle mein hoon.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by R. Madhavan (@actormaddy)

In the caption, Madhavan while regaling his travel experience from July 26 said, Amusing but sad. Praying hard for this to end soon so loved ones can be with each other. .. #Amerikipandit shoot in Dubai.

The actors truly unique flight experience also stumped his fans who took to the comments to express their surprise.

Madhavan stars in the film with Manju Warrier and the project is being helmed by Kalpesh Garg. The actor while shooting for the same project in Bhopal in March had tested positive for Covid-19.
Salman Khan meets Olympian Mirabai Chanu, gives her best wishes

Bollywood actor Salman Khan surprised fans on Wednesday by sharing a picture with Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu, who secured the silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics 2020 in the 49 kg category. The 'Sultan' actor shared the photo on his Instagram handle, in which he gave Mirabai a hug and in the caption congratulated her on her win at the recently held Olympics.

Congratulating the Olympian, Salman wrote, 'Happy for u silver medalist @mirabai_chanu .. lovely meeting with u ... best wishes always!'In the photo, Salman wore a black T-shirt and ivory stole around his neck. Mirabai wore a pink shirt and smiled at the camera.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Salman Khan (@beingsalmankhan)

The 55-year-old star also shared the same photo on his Twitter handle, which was reposted by Mirabai, along with which she wrote, "Thank you so much @BeingSalmanKhan sir. I am a big fan of you and it was like a dream come true for me." Earlier in an interview, Mirabai had confessed that she was a fan of Salman Khan.

Mirabai won the silver medal win in the women's weightlifting 49 kg category. Earlier, actor Anushka Sharma had also expressed her admiration for Mirabai, sharing a picture of earrings that she wore to the match.

Anil Kapoor wrote in a tweet, "Congratulations @mirabai_chanu !! This is incredible!! #TeamIndia #Cheer4India." Abhishek Bachchan also tweeted, "Congratulations @mirabai_chanu on bringing India a silver medal in weightlifting and giving us a strong start!" Salman will be next seen in 'Kick 2' alongside Jacqueline Fernandez. He also has 'Tiger 3' with Katrina Kaif and a special appearance in Shah Rukh Khan-starrer 'Pathan'. He will also be seen in 'Antim' which co-stars his brother-in-law Aayush Sharma.
Sherlyn Chopra poses with Raj Kundra in a throwback photo from first day of shoot for her app: 'Umeed aur josh ka mahaul tha'

Sherlyn Chopra who has been one of the artists questioned by the Mumbai Police in the Raj Kundra case on Wednesday shared a throwback picture with the businessman on Instagram. The actress who was working with Raj Kundras company Armsprime on The Sherlyn Chopra app said that the picture was from March 29, 2019 when she did her first shoot for the app.

Dressed in a bikini top and black shorts and sneakers in the picture, Sherlyn posed with Raj Kundra for the camera. The actress in the caption said that up until that point she hadnt worked for any app and added, that on set umeed aur josh ka mahaul tha.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sherni (@sherlynchopraofficial)

Sherlyn who had earlier accused Raj Kundra of sexual assault recorded her statement with the police recently. She had lodged a complaint against Raj Kundra in April.

In the meantime, Raj Kundra remains in jail for his alleged involvement in running a porn racket out of Mumbai to produce content for one Hotshots app and his former company Armsprime. He was arrested on July 19 and is currently in judicial custody after his bail was denied by the court on Saturday. His next bail hearing is scheduled for August 20.
Sushant Singh Rajput's flatmate Sidharth Pithani denied bail in drugs case

A special NDPS court here on Wednesday denied bail to Siddharth Pithani, Sushant Singh Rajput's flatmate, in a drugs case linked to the Bollywood actor's death in June 2020.

Pithani was arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on May 28 this year from Hyderabad and he is currently in judicial custody. He has been booked under section 27 (A) (financing illicit traffic and harboring offenders) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, among other charges.

Pithani had sought bail claiming that he had been framed up in a false case. He was never found in possession of any drugs and nothing that could suggest he was involved in drug trafficking was recovered from him, the bail application said. But special public prosecutor Advait Sethna argued that incriminating photos, videos and other material were recovered from Pithani's cell phone which showed that he used to procure drugs in large quantity when he stayed with Sushant. Special judge V V Vidwans rejected the bail plea after hearing the arguments.

Following Sushant Singh Rajput's alleged suicide at his Mumbai residence, the NCB began a probe, based on some WhatsApp chats, into alleged drug supply rackets in the film industry. The Central agency also arrested several people including Rajput's girlfriend and actor Rhea Chakraborty. Most of those arrested are out on bail.
Shershaah Movie Review: Sidharth Malhotra does justice to Capt. Vikram Batras character; delivers his best performance yet

Movie: Shershaah(2021) Rated: 4.0/5.0 Cast: Sidharth Malhotra, Kiara Advani, Javed Jaffrey Director: Vishnuvardhan

Three years ago, filmmaker Karan Johar announced that he is making a biopic on Param Vir Chakra awardee and army captain Vikram Batra. When you make a film which traces someones life journey, casting can be a tricky business. Who do you select to play the role of an actual hero like Captain Batra? Well, Sidharth Malhotra bagged the role and after watching the film, we can confidently say that he was the perfect choice. The actor has not just played the character, but has lived it beautifully on-screen. What makes Shershaah even more special is the fact that along with telling us the story of Vikram Batras achievements, the film gives us a chance to get to know the man he was.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sidharth Malhotra (@sidmalhotra)

The film begins with a glimpse of the 1999 Kargil War, where Batra attacked an enemy bunker head on. The film then takes us back in time to the soldiers childhood where we learn that Vikram was never afraid to stand up for himself and for what he feels is right. His twin brother Vishal explains how Vikram grew up with just one passion-- to become a soldier one day and to protect his country. His dream finally came true when he became a lieutenant and was posted into the 13th battalion, Jammu and Kashmir Rifles (13 JAK RIF). Through his conversations with the locals and his fellow soldiers, we notice that Vikram was different from the rest-- warm, friendly and a tad bit filmy.

The audience is then introduced to the love of his life, Dimple Cheema portrayed by Kiara Advani. They met when they were in college and fell in love. Batra was even ready to join the Merchant Navy instead of the army, in order to get a higher salary and marry Dimple. However, he remembers his dream, his passion and sets off to be a soldier. Sidharth and Kiara, who are rumored to be a real couple, genuinely look like they are in love. Even the way the actress blushes on-screen makes you wonder if this is just acting or actual emotions! Whatever the reason may be, we salute director Vishnuvardhan for bringing the two actors together on-screen because they truly brought out the best in one another.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sidharth Malhotra (@sidmalhotra)

As it is a film based on the life of a true hero, it successfully manages to instill patriotism in you. The war sequences have been shot wonderfully and seem almost real, which fills your heart with pride and respect for the Indian Army and our brave soldiers. The casting, on the other hand, is perfect with Shiv Pandit, Nikitin Dheer, Himmanshoo A. Malhotra and Shataf Figar as Batras seniors. There is something about their on-screen camaraderie which makes you believe that they really are soldiers. Coming back to the lead stars-- while Kiara tugged at our heartstrings throughout and brought tears to our eyes when she broke down in the last scene, Sidharth delivered the best performance of his career yet! The scene in which Vikram Batra lost his life as he courageously fought till his very last breath has been helmed with sensitivity and will leave you with goosebumps. Kudos to Sidharth for his on-point expressions, body language and dialogue delivery. However, we do wish Kiara and Sidharths Punjabi was a little better.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sidharth Malhotra (@sidmalhotra)

Final thoughts: When I watched this film, I did not watch it for Sidharth Malhotra or Kiara Advani. I watched it for Param Vir Chakra awardee and army Captain Vikram Batra, who was a true hero to our country. Sidharth made it pretty easy for me to imagine the real Captain Batra on-screen thanks to his acting chops, and for that, hats off to him! Shershaah will fill your heart with love, pride and will inspire you. There is not even a minute where you would want to look away from the screen. I do wish that the makers had included a little more about Captain Batras early life to the film, but the story does not feel incomplete. It is a heartwarming tribute to our bravehearts, and that makes Shershaah a must watch. Yeh Dil Maange More!
Tisca Chopra: "The Male Gaze on actresses is finally shifting to strong female performances, thanks to OTT"

Tisca Chopras directorial debut Rubaru dealt with the sensitive issue of how actresses deal with trauma after a certain age as leading lady roles start drying up.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tisca Chopra (@tiscaofficial)

Talking of the psychological turmoils faced by an actress, Tisca Chopra reiterates, It isnt just me, almost all actresses have complained about the fact that leading roles dry up as one ages, as most of the writing is done by men. They see women in stereotypical roles such as - a mother, a girlfriend, a wife, and it stays limited to that. We are tiny pieces in a Jigsaw puzzle of a man's life.

However, she feels with OTT platforms coming in, the scene has changed drastically. The world has opened up so much with streaming platforms. Actresses like Kate Winslet, Sandra Bullock, Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, and many others, who are certainly no spring chickens and getting powerful roles. The male gaze is finally shifting towards strong performances. The change is slow in India but its happening for sure. Hostages, my series on Hotstar became a superhit. Delhi Crime with Shefali Shah is another example. show. Neena Gupta is a super example of somebody who is killing it! The shattering of set norms is so exciting for good actors, concludes Tisca Chopra.

We must say, very well put!
Statement by Ambassador Byrne Nason at the UNSC Briefing on the Situation in Somalia

Statement

Thank you very much Mr. President and thank you to our briefers for their invaluable insights. It is great to see the Special Representative in the chamber this morning, and I welcome the AU representative, Ambassador Madeira among us virtually. I also extend a welcome to Ambassador Abukar. I was particularly struck by the heartfelt presentation by Ms. Ahmed today.

Since our last meeting, I have been encouraged by the step-by-step progress we are seeing being made in Somalia towards the implementation of an agreed electoral model. And I want to commend the leadership of the Federal Government of Somalia and the Federal Member States in setting aside their differences in the past, working together, and putting the country and the Somali peoples interests first. This is the cooperation we wanted to see and it is essential for long-term stability in Somalia. It is essential, and I urge Somalias leaders to maintain this positive momentum, resolve outstanding issues in a spirit of consensus and compromise, and hold inclusive elections without further delay. This is vital to deliver on the demands of the people of Somalia for democracy and to tackle the major challenges the country faces. Time is now of the essence.

Mr. President,

At this crucial moment for Somalias political future, it is all the more critical that we see the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in the election process. Reports, and we heard from the briefings this morning, that women candidates have been intimidated, harassed, abducted, and killed in the past. It is imperative that we all work to ensure the safety and security of women running for office and to plan for the protection of women during the elections.

I am very concerned that there is still no established concrete mechanism established to ensure the minimum 30 per cent quota for women in the electoral process. As Ambassador Abukar knows, we have spoken many times about this quota - this is not rhetoric. I appreciate that you also discussed it with our Foreign Minister when you met in Mogadishu recently. The appointment of Goodwill Ambassadors and the presence here today of Ms. Gabale is very welcome. I think it is very disappointing, as Ms. Ahmed qualified, the establishment of a mechanism is elusive and challenging. I want to reiterate her calls for the establishment of concrete mechanisms to ensure the 30 per cent quota is met without delay. We need to see this commitment translated into practice.

I am also very alarmed by the reports of increased conflict related sexual violence, especially against women and girls, as outlined by SRSG Patten and SRSG Gamba recently. I have read and listened to these reports in detail, and to put it frankly, they are horrifying. The Irish Foreign Minister, Mr. Simon Coveney directly heard searing testimony on the tragic impact of conflict-related sexual violence from women activists in Mogadishu last month. The impact of violence on women must be addressed and Ms. Ahmed reminded us all of that today.

These acts are utterly unacceptable, and must immediately cease, whomever the perpetrators. I echo the call by SRSG Patten and Gamba for a swift adoption of a new national action plan on ending sexual violence in conflict. I welcome that the Human Rights Policy for the Somalia National Armed Forces was adopted in May. I call on all Somali authorities, however, to take immediate steps to protect women and girls from all forms of sexual and gender based violence including enacting the original 2018 Sexual Offences Bill.

It is also deeply shocking that children continue to be killed, abducted and recruited with apparent impunity. The Secretary General's report highlights the alarming scale of ongoing grave violations against the children of Somalia by all parties, including Al-Shabaab, clan militias and Federal Government and federal member state armed forces. I call on all parties to prevent and end all grave violations against children, and to hold the perpetrators accountable.

Mr. President,

The recent political impasse has diverted attention away from tackling the threat of Al-Shabaab. But we havent looked away. The reality is that Al-Shabaab are the only ones to have gained from the electoral impasse. I condemn in the strongest possible terms their continued attacks on civilians, government officials, and security forces.

The distraction of the political impasse has also aggravated the effects of a dire humanitarian crisis in Somalia. The negative impact of climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic are further exacerbating the serious humanitarian situation and having a disproportionate impact on the vulnerable, as always women and girls. While international partners need to step up funding and support in Somaliaand in that context it is indeed regrettable to see contribution to the 2021 Humanitarian Response Plan for Somalia at its lowest level in six yearsthe Government must also refocus on addressing humanitarian access constraints and address the fundamental challenges facing the people of Somalia.

Mr. President,

In conclusion I want to address AMISOM, and we heard in great detail from Ambassador Madeira today. The AU, through AMISOM, plays a major role in promoting peace and security in Somalia. I sincerely commend the bravery and sacrifices made by both AMISOM and the Somali security forces to promoting peace in Somalia. As a member of the EU, which has proudly contributed to AMISOM and Somali security over decades, I want to encourage the FGS, the UN and the AU to work to follow the timelines set out in resolution 2568. For the future security of the people of Somalia, it is absolutely vital to continue to work together towards the progressive transfer of security responsibilities from AMISOM to Somali security forces. This must happen as soon the security and political situation allows, and in a manner which prioritises the safety and security of all Somali citizens. Finding consensus between all of Somalias partners and Somali leaders on how best to achieve this is now critical and urgent.

Thank you.

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Photo by Equity Residential [enlarge] Equitys latest local acquisition is a short walk to the future light rail station.





The recently completed Zephyr on the Park, at 8020 161st Ave. N.E. in Redmond, has sold for $105.5 million, according to King County records. The seller, via an LLC, was Trammell Crow Residential, which acquired the land in 2016 for about $3.8 million, then developed it. The project began life as Alexan Central Park





. . .
Dundalk man Noel Sharkey has released a new collection of poems 'Testament'.

Noel wrote his eighth collection of poems 'Testament' between 2016 and 2021 with the 47 poems ranging from the author's childhood right up to the present pandemic and a fervent hope for a future free from the virus and a return to normality.

Early poems in the collection find Noel reminiscing about the simple, carefree times of late 1950s when Paddy Goodman's Butchers, Peter Wards and H.F & J.McCanns all delivered groceries to Haggardstown parish and how his parents cooked on a tiny primus stove in the family home's leaking scullery.

He also writes about gathering mayflowers in Jack Cottor's bog at Crumlin with his friends and about the terror his primary school class suffered when being grilled by the religious inspector when being prepared for Confirmation. 'We Forged A Bond In Childhood' is dedicated to all his former school-friends.

Noel devotes a whole section to his experiences of the coronavirus pandemic and eight of these poems have been published by our Trip Through Time columnist Peter Kavanagh in the Dundalk Democrat since March 2020.

Noel told how 'The Marlbog Field', which faces his home Pepper's Lane at Haynestown describes his walks there during the first lockdown.

He also writes in 'We Would Have Liked To Be There At The Funeral' on being unable to attend many such occasions due to restrictions, and also describes doing window visits to see his mother in Blackrock Abbey Nursing Home in another poem.

Other verses such as 'Social Distancing' and 'We Little Knew' were written in the run in to last Christmas as cases spiraled once again and Noel reflects on the monumental events of last year in '2020 VISION'.

Noel said that the really fraught and depressing spring, when so high were cases and fatalities in the Haggardstown area that Blackrock featured on the national news, led to such poems as 'Praying For A Better Tomorrow' and 'There's A Great Closeness Among Us' and Testament concludes with two upbeat pieces on a post covid universe.

There are also several nature poems in Testament which, having been requested by Peter Kavanagh,were originally included in Peter's 'Trip Through Time' in the Democrat, which has been featuring Noel's verse since 1996. And features one of Noel's poms in our paper this week.

Some pieces of fiction, such as 'Lucy And Her Sister Sadie And Her Parents And The Child She Had Out Of Wedlock During The 1940's And What Happened Afterwards' are included, as is 'Nice Of You Jim', Noel's tribute to the late Jim Craven.

Noel's books have so far raised 24,010 for the Birches Alzheimer Day Care Centre and also some 7,040 towards the carrying out of improvements to facilities at St. Fursey's Church, Haggardstown, and St. Oliver Plunkett Church, Blackrock.

Copies of Testament are available, priced 5 each at Pat Flanagan Mace, Dublin Road, Haggardstown, Centra, Blackrock, and also at Roe River Books, Park Street, with all monies from sales being donated by the author to the care of patients in The Birches at Priorland Road.


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Early adopters seeking a premature peek of Windows 11 via unauthorized channels may be in for a nasty surprise -- a dose of malware.

Kaspersky Lab on Friday reported that an unofficial installer is in the wild that promises to install the next version of Microsoft's ubiquitous operating system on a user's computer -- but actually contains a malicious payload.

One example cited by Kaspersky contains an executable file called 86307_windows build 21996.1 x64 + activator.exe. Adding to the file's credibility is its size: 1.75 gigabytes. However, most of the file is made up a single DLL file stuffed with useless information.

In the Kaspersky Daily blog, Anton V. Ivanov, the company's vice president of threat research, explained that opening the file starts an installer that looks like an ordinary wizard familiar to any Windows user. The purpose of this installer, though, is to download a second executable file.

That file -- download manager for 86307_windows 11 build 21996.1 x64 + activator -- offers a simulacrum of authenticity by asking a user to approve a licensing agreement to install some sponsored software on their machine.

"If you accept the agreement, a variety of malicious programs will be installed on your machine," Ivanov wrote.

"Those other programs can be very wide ranging -- from relatively harmless adware, which our solutions classify as not-a-virus, to full-fledged Trojans, password stealers, exploits, and other nasty stuff," he added.

Proven Technique

Offering a user a free installer for Windows 11 is a perfect announcement for a social engineer, maintained Tom Brennan, chairman of Crest USA, a global not-for-profit cybersecurity accreditation and certification body.

"It's like 'Did you see what happened at the Olympics last night when so-and-so did such-and-such. People will click on it," he told TechNewsWorld.

Windows has a history of attackers creating malicious installs of its operating system, noted Leo Pate, a consultant with nVisium, an application security provider in Herndon, Va.

"Hackers do this in order to create backdoors into a user's machine," he told TechNewsWorld. "By introducing this backdoor, attackers are able to control all aspects of a Windows user's environment, resulting in a full loss of privacy."

Jon Clay, vice president of threat intelligence at Trend Micro, a global cybersecurity company, added that disguising malware as a software installer is a tried-and-true technique for infecting computers.

"With Microsoft coming out with a new version of Windows, this is a big deal," he told TechNewsWorld. "This news will be used by malicious actors in their attacks moving forward, as many people will want to check it out."

"This kind of thing has happened for years," added Andrew Barratt, managing principal for solutions and investigations at Coalfire, a Westminster, Colorado-based provider of cybersecurity advisory services.

"Back in the old days it was dodgy game; installers or keygens that were used by those making illegal copies of software," he told TechNewsWorld. "They always ran the risk that their downloads were being wrapped with malware -- often trojans or other spyware."

Hardware Anxiety

To some extent, Microsoft may be contributing to the willingness of some enthusiastic users to download Windows 11 from sketchy sources.

"Microsoft has placed safeguards around people attempting to upgrade their machines to the latest platform version," Pate explained. "If their machines don't meet certain requirements, Microsoft won't allow them to upgrade those machines."

Among those requirements is the use of an Intel 8th generation or AMD Zen 2 processor or better, which has created anxiety about upgrading to Windows 11 among many owners of older machines.

"Because of this, users will look for other places where they can receive this upgrade," Pate said. "It's in these places where attackers will willingly provide the software that Microsoft won't -- along with their own backdoors, of course."

In addition, there are always users looking for ways to save money when it's time to upgrade. "If they are tricked that there is a cost to upgrade, and they can save money by downloading some software, they'll download the software," he noted.

He added that consumers are more likely to be tempted to go outside authorized channels for an upgrade than businesses.

"Corporate America typically will wait six to 12 months before deployment and after testing of all associated applications that run on it and drivers," he said. "The home user typically wants new and shiny stuff right away so they can be a victim of such a ruse."

Some users who ought to know better may also be inclined to take shortcuts to obtain Windows 11. "There is a large tech enthusiast community who will want to be getting their hands on this to learn about, critique and find flaws in it -- some of whom are probably IT professionals without access to the official beta or test copies," Barratt observed.

Secure Supply Chain

In recent months, malicious actors have successfully compromised software upgrades to spread their malware throughout a company's customers in so-called supply-chain attacks. That's not the case with this installer.

"I don't believe this is an example of a supply chain attack, as Microsoft would need to have their codebase compromised, which generally results in users downloading malicious platform upgrades through legitimate Windows services," Pate explained.

"At this time, I haven't heard of Microsoft's codebase being weakened or affected by this development," he added.

Mark Kedgley, CTO of New Net Technologies, a Naples, Florida-based provider of IT security and compliance software, agreed. "I wouldn't describe this as a supply chain attack because the genuine Microsoft supply chain hasn't been infiltrated," he said. "Instead, this is a malware producer exploiting the demand for 'cracked' Windows licenses."

Ironically, upgrading to Windows 11 is supposed to improve the security of machines running the operating system.

"The new added hardware requirements for Windows can provide protections against some specific attack scenarios when correctly configured," observed Chris Clements, vice president of solutions architecture at Cerberus Sentinel, a cybersecurity consulting and penetration testing company in Scottsdale, Ariz.

"Windows as a whole will still encounter the usual exportability risks as attackers find new methods of hacking into the system," he told TechNewsWorld.

"Microsoft's operating systems will constantly be targeted with exploits of any new vulnerabilities found within the code. That is a fact," Clay added.

"Microsoft continues to improve their code and try to minimize bugs, but this is difficult when you look at the amount of code within Windows 10 or 11," he said.

John P. Mello Jr. has been an ECT News Network reporter since 2003. His areas of focus include cybersecurity, IT issues, privacy, e-commerce, social media, artificial intelligence, big data and consumer electronics. He has written and edited for numerous publications, including the Boston Business Journal, the Boston Phoenix, Megapixel.Net and Government Security News. Email John.


Island students to receive GCSE results today

Hundreds of students on the Island are anxiously waiting for their GCSE results, which are being published this morning.



Grades are based on teacher assessments - after exams were scrapped for a second year in a row due to the coronavirus pandemic.



Mock exams, coursework and homework were some of the things taken into account.



The Manx Government says a range of extra support will be available for 850 pupils who are due results.
Amazon has reportedly scrapped a policy that claimed ownership rights to any games that employees created outside of work. Under the previous rules, the company required employees to using Amazon products while working on personal projects and to distribute those games on its storefronts.

Those policies are longer in place, according to Bloomberg . In an email to staff seen by the publication, Amazon Game Studios head Mike Frazzini said the company was dropping the rules immediately. "These policies were originally put in place over a decade ago when we had a lot less information and experience than we do today, and as a result, the policies were written quite broadly," Frazzini wrote. Engadget has contacted Amazon for comment.

Amazon received a backlash over the rules after an engineer who interviewed at the company disclosed the Amazon Personal Games policy . The rules granted Amazon a royalty free, worldwide, fully paid-up, perpetual, transferable license to the intellectual property of games its employees made off the clock. The policy was decried as "draconian" by some developers when a now-deleted tweet from the engineer gained traction.
Foxconn is getting more serious about its electric vehicle ambitions. The company told investors during an earnings call that it plans to build EV factories in the US and Thailand in 2022 and start mass producing vehicles the following year. Chairman Liu Young-way said the company is also in talks regarding possible locations for plants in Europe.

At its US facility, Foxconn will build vehicles for EV clients including Fisker. The companies signed a deal in May , and Foxconn plans to start making Fisker EVs by the end of 2023. The two are jointly investing in the Project Pear vehicle and will share revenue from it.

Foxconn is in discussions with three states, including Wisconsin, for the EV plant, according to Nikkei. Earlier this year, Foxconn drastically scaled back plans for its existing facility in Wisconsin. Liu has also suggested Foxconn may build EVs at the controversial plant .

The planned Thai factory will form part of Foxconn's joint venture with oil and gas conglomerate PTT. The two are working on a platform for EV and component production. Liu said Foxconn plans to build up to 200,000 EVs at that plant each year.
The Munich Animal Welfare Association has taken a unique approach to matching its resident adoptable pets with their new forever homes: putting their profiles on popular dating app, Tinder. The shelter hired a local advertising agency to snap professional headshots for 15 cats and dogs, then posted them with astonishing results.

"The response is insane," Jillian Moss of the MAWA told Reuters. "It's exploding everywhere."

The move comes amid concerns from animal welfare groups that the high rates of adoptions seen during the COVID lockdowns are slowing and could reverse as the pandemic ebbs. By putting posting the profiles on Tinder, the shelter can potentially connect these pets with motivated adopters.

Benjamin Beilke, who works on Tinder's communication team, added, "we hope that these animals really find a new partner, a 'purrfect match' in the long term and not just for a few weeks."
When the Galaxy Z Flip 3 goes on sale later this month, youll be able to buy it from Google Fi , marking the first time the MVNO has sold a foldable device. Moreover, if you decide to pre-order the clamshell phone from the search giant, you can get a $400 bill credit.

If youre new to the carrier, youll need to port your number to Fi from your current wireless provider. As part of the promotion, you can also get a $150 credit from Samsung, which you can use on its website, provided you order the foldable before its August 27th release date and then register your purchase through the Samsung Shop app before the end of September 26th. The credit is valid until November 9th. You can find the full details of the deal on Googles website .
Honor, the smartphone manufacturer that was, until late last year, Huaweis budget division, is back. Not that it ever really went away, you understand, since its already released the View 40 and Honor 50 in its homeland while under its new owners. But today marks the first time that it is launching a flagship phone to the global market as an independent company. Free from the US sanctions that rocked its former parent, Honor is once again able to use American software (hello, Android 11) and silicon (hello, Qualcomm). This then, is the start of Honors second life, which is beginning with the launch of the Magic3, its first  well, first  flagship.

Historically, Honor was Huaweis budget play, offering a surprising level of quality and tech for relatively low prices. The Honor 20, for instance, was the sort of phone that made you forget about the need to buy a flagship handset despite its modest sticker. Now, of course, with the freedom (read: obligation) to create high-end handsets, Honor is shuffling its brands. The high end will now be dominated by Magic-branded handsets, while the numbered line (like the Honor 50) will sit in the middle, and the low end now the domain of the X-Series.

Design-wise, Honors apple did not fall far from Huaweis tree. From several angles, the Magic3 looks like a Huawei Mate, and this is not the only time Ill bring this up. Given the sharing of IP and technology between the two companies before the split, this is not a huge surprise. Im sure that many of the handsets Honor releases over the next couple of years will have that whiff of shared DNA, and like the Mate this phone has a waterfall display, with an 89-degree curve down both sides of the screen.

Honor

There are three Magic3 handsets in the range, the vanilla Magic3, Magic3 Pro, and the Magic3 Pro+. Every member of this trio is packing a 6.67-inch, 2,272 x 1,344, always-on flexible OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR 10+. Theres a 94.82 screen-to-body ratio, the ideal fact to wheel out when you need to impress folks in bars, too. The cut-out for imaging plays host to a 13-megapixel, f/2.4 wide camera with a 100-degree wide-angle lens no matter what model you opt for. Although the higher end Pro and Pro+ models are the only ones that pair it with a 3D Time of Flight sensor for face unlocking.

The real interest, however, is in the lenses on the back of the phone, and Honor is throwing all but the dishwasher at this phone. Arranged in a setup the company is calling "The Eye of Muse," the regular handsets get a 50-megapixel, f/1.9 lens with Sony's IMX766 image sensor, a 64-megapixel, f/2.2 monochrome camera and a 13-megapixel, 120-degree f/2.2 ultra-wide camera.

The Pro, meanwhile, adds a 64-megapixel, f/3.5 OIS telephoto camera with a 3.5x optical zoom, 10x hybrid zoom and 100x digital zoom. The Pro+, meanwhile, swaps out that IMX766 for the larger, f/1.9 1/1.28-inch IMX700 with OIS. You'll get that 64-megapixel monochrome camera with an f/1.8 aperture, a 64-megapixel 126-degree, f/2.4 ultra-wide camera and that same telephoto lens. (You'll also get a TOF sensor and color temperature sensor for more accurate imaging.)

Honor also said that this IMAX-enhanced camera can be used to shoot your own cinema-quality films, a boast previously used to sell Huaweis Mate 30 and Mate 40 (told you Id mention this again). Honor says that, unlike those handsets, it has developed a custom, mobile-friendly version of the filming standard Log, dubbed MagicLog, which is designed to shoot high-quality video.

Broadly speaking, Log is a way of recording footage that preserves as much of the dynamic range and tone as possible. When viewed straight from the camera, the footage looks weird and it requires a lot of post-processing and grading. In order to save ordinary users from that agony, Honor teamed up with professional colorist Bryan McMahan to create eight pre-set grades which work like Instagram filters.

Honor said that one minute of MagicLog footage will take up around 500MB of memory, so if you want to shoot a film with one of these, invest in one with lots of storage. And this is a feature that wed love to test in depth in future, because if this in some crazy way does turn out to work, it could be a very big deal.

Beyond imaging, Honor wanted to talk up the various software engines that it has designed to help squeeze better performance out of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888+ 5G SoC found in the Pro and Pro+. (The regular Magic3 is using Qualcomm's Snapdragon 888.) Long story short, Honor (and Huawei before it) uses an AI layer which has been trained to monitor for challenging processes and adjust power to compensate. It says that, for the Magic3, you can expect to see faster and more stable 5G and gaming performance when using the phone. Then there is OS Turbo X (Apples lawyers, Im sure, will be taking notes) which, its claimed, will be able to keep the system running at peak performance for longer. Honors representatives said that this system alone will ensure that, after using it for 36 months, youll only experience a 3.8 percent drop in performance compared to the day you bought the phone.

And then theres Smart RAM, which sounds like the sort of RAM-doubling scamware that we saw back in the days of Windows 3.1. Honors representatives said that, in times of need, the Magic3 can bounce some of the data from its RAM to the phones flash memory. Now its not clear if the company is trying to pass virtual memory off as some sort of new-fangled innovation or if theres some clever new implementation here. Honor says that, no matter if you have the 8GB or 12GB variant, you can expect this system to offer you an additional 2GB of headroom when required. I have no idea if file transfer speeds between the SoC and flash memory are fast enough to make this a viable, boastworthy feature for a new flagship handset.

The company has also offered some smart privacy features, like obscuring message notifications when you cast video to a TV, as well as the ability to strip metadata from images before you share them to social media.

Honor hasnt said how long this device will last on a single charge, but that 4,600mAh battery should have plenty of staying power. All three variants support 66W wired SuperCharge, and you can get up to 50 percent of your battery re-juiced with just 15 minutes of connection. In addition, the Pro and Pro+ models both support 50W wireless charging, should you feel the need.

Magic3 is available in four colors: Black, White, "Golden Hour" and "Blue Hour," the latter pair are a pinkish-orangey hue, and a deep royal blue. The standard colors are available in Honor's usual coating, while the two hours are available in vegan leather. The 3 Pro+, meanwhile, comes in either a ceramic black or white ceramic body with pinstripe texturing which, at first blush, looks extraordinary. All of the handsets are IP68-rated for water and dust resistance, which is about the minimum you can expect from a phone these days.

The Honor Magic3 series will make its debut in Mainland China, with news about arrivals in western markets coming in short order. CEO George Zhao did, however, reveal pricing for the handset when it reaches Europe, at the very least. The Magic3, with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage, will retail for 899 ($1,054), while the Magic 3 Pro (8GB + 256GB) will set you back 1,099 ($1,289). Flagship-lovers, looking to grab the Magic3 Pro+ with 12GB RAM and 512GB Storage, meanwhile, will have to fork over at least 1,499 ($1,758).
With the launch of Samsung's Galaxy Watch 4 series and Google's new Wear OS version, Spotify has introduced a significant update to its Wear OS app, the company announced. Much like a feature it added to its Apple Watch app last May, Spotify's updated Wear OS app will let you stream and download music straight to your watch, so you can listen to it without the need for a smartphone or even a connection.

"In the coming weeks, Spotify users will be able to play their favorite playlists, albums, and podcasts with their smartwatches that run Wear OS," the company wrote on its blog. "By having Spotify on your wrist, youre more free to run, dance, shop, cook, and socializeand control your music and podcasts at the same time. Plus, were excited to unveil one of the most requested features by our users: the ability to download all of your favorite music and podcasts to your smartwatch."

Spotify noted that the update will arrive on smartwatches from Fossil, Mobvoi and Suunto, along with Samsung's latest devices. It should also work on older watches too, as Spotify notes that it "requires your smartwatch to run at least Wear OS 2.0 or higher."

Once you have the latest app on your Wear OS watch, you'll need to have headphones paired directly to your watch. From there, you can stream music, playlists and podcasts directly with no need for a phone. You can also choose content to download directly to your watch, and once that's done, you'll see a green arrow next to the items. Spotify said the new version would be rolling out "in the coming weeks."
Im not sold on foldable phones. Theyre expensive, have questionable durability and  at least so far  dont offer a compelling reason for the form factor. Having said all that, the Galaxy Z Flip 3, Samsungs new clamshell foldable, is almost enough to change my mind.

Revealed alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 3, which unfurls into a squarish almost-tablet display, its the $1,000 Flip 3 that had me considering buying a foldable.

Maybe its because Samsung seems to be trying to address those issues I have. Both phones are cheaper (if not cheap) compared to their predecessors, with the Z Fold 3 now $200 less than the Z Fold 2 was at launch.

Engadget, Mat Smith

After the broken screen debacle of the original Galaxy Fold, Samsung is keen to stress the hardiness of its new premium phone, which it says is 80 percent stronger. Im not sure how that increase was so precisely measured, but with IPX8 water resistance, a new stronger aluminum hinge and frame and a Gorilla Glass Victus coating, on paper at least, it sounds tougher.

The Z Fold 3 might have the tech advances, with S Pen support and an in-screen selfie camera that can camouflage itself, but the Z Flip 3 is the one that caught my attention when I had the chance to play with the phones at a London preview event. The Flip series seems like the foldable device for now, melding how we use our smartphones in 2021 with foldable screens that are, lets be honest, still not quite perfect.

Samsung has expanded the external screen so it functions better for checking notifications or using the cameras without opening the Flip 3. Not that I need an excuse to flip open the satisfying hinge on the thing. Ill wait for Cherlynn Lows full review on both phones, however, before I start getting into preorders. Expect those very soon.

We do have a full review on Samsungs newest true wireless earbuds to keep you occupied for now.

-Mat Smith

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 hands-on

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 hands-on

Here's everything Samsung announced at its August Unpacked event

Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 review: Premium features at an affordable price

Samsungs new wearable has a built-in body composition scanner.

Cherlynn Low / Engadget

Alongside the foldables, Samsung also had two wearables to reveal. These are the fruits of its renewed collaboration with Google. For the sake of clarification, Samsungs getting rid of the Active branding from its existing lineup  the Watch 4 is the spiritual successor to the Watch Active 2 (there wasnt an Active 3), while its adding the Classic moniker to the previous regular Watch line. The big differences between the two? A rotating bezel and a hundred bucks.

Continue reading.

The move comes after Apple suffered a major court loss in the dispute.

Apple has settled its 2019 lawsuit with Corellium, a company that builds virtual iOS devices used by security researchers to find bugs in iPhones and other iOS devices. The terms of the settlement weren't disclosed, but the agreement comes after Apple suffered a major court loss in the dispute in late 2020.

Corelliums software allows users to run virtual iPhones on a computer browser, giving them deep access to iOS without the need for a physical device. In addition to accusing Corellium of infringing on its copyright, Apple claimed the company was selling its product indiscriminately, and compromising the platforms security.

Continue reading.

The intruder stole about $611 million thanks to an exploit.

A hacker stole about $611 million in Ethereum, Shiba Inu and other digital currencies from the decentralized Poly Network finance platform on August 10th, by exploiting a vulnerability. Less than a day later, however, the intruder sent a token indicating they were "ready to surrender" and started returning millions in funds. Second thoughts?

Continue reading.

At least, if youre rocking a pair of AirPods Pro or Max.

Code inside the iOS 15 beta better explains how youll be able to locate any missing AirPods from your iPhone, at least if you have the Pro or Max versions.

9to5Mac says that those AirPods will be linked with your Apple ID and use Bluetooth to help you locate them when they go missing. Even if theyre not connected to your phone, you should still be able to find them on the map via the Find My network.

Continue reading.

It's promising 940 Mbps upload and download speeds and a WiFi 6 router.

T-Mobile has launched a pilot offering fiber optic home internet service in New York City. It's testing the service in select Manhattan residential buildings, offering 940Mbps upload and download speeds along with a WiFi 6 router. It appears to be a third-party service, and not T-Mobiles own.

Continue reading.

It's coming to Samsung phones first.

Facebook piggybacked on Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked event to introduce the option of importing your WhatsApp chat history between Android and iOS. It'll initially reach Android devices, starting with Samsung phones running Android 10 or newer (including the new foldables), but it'll eventually be available on both operating systems. The transfer includes photos and voice memos, and should reach users in the "coming weeks." Whats a few weeks after waiting years?

Continue reading.

But wait there's more

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Is Kylie Jenner pregnant with her second child? Is she hiding it until she pops, just like what she did when she was pregnant with Stormi Webster? Those who saw her promotions about her new Gold line believe she could be.

After the weeks of speculation that the just turned 24-year-old billionaire makeup mogul is with child, Kylie seemed to have attempted to shut down the rumors by posting photos that she claimed were just taken a day before - on the day of her birthday - with a champagne glass in hand.

It's as if she's deliberately telling her fans that since she has a champagne on her hand, people can now stop saying she's pregnant.

However, unless she can be seen drinking that champagne, speculations would continue. The rumors are also likelier to intensify the more Jenner pushes the idea that she is not pregnant. Some say her recent photos seemed to have shown a fuller chest, prrompting some to say she's pregnant.

According to Radar Online, there's more proof to claim the champagne shot as a half-thought out strategy to persuade fans she's not pregnant.

ALSO READ: Chet Hanks Embarasses Parents Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, Twitterverse Says After Anti-Vaxx Rant

Later in Kylie's birthday, the mogul and her famous sisters documented her celebrations with tons of IG stuff. One of them was the hands-only shot on Kim Kardashian's Instagram Story that showed all the girls - including Kylie - holding beverages in martini glasses. It can be seen that half of the crew had a style of beverage and the other group had another. One group had their glasses with a purple flower while the other group had none.

But Kylie's (she's part of the purple flower group), showcased a deeper and bigger purple flower than the rest.

This had people speculating that her purple flower signified that her beverage was nonalcoholic and safe for pregnant women.

But then, if she is truly hiding her pregnancy, she could have her own reasons. In the KUWTK reunion special, she answered the question why she hid the first pregnancy a secret.

"I shared so much of my life," Kylie answered. "I was also really young when I got pregnant, and it was just a lot for me personally. I didn't know how I would bring that to the public too and have everyone's opinion. I think it was just something that I needed to go through by myself."

This is quite valid.

READ ALSO: Trevor Moore Cause of Death: Asphyxiation, Overdose or Car Accident? [Report]
Travel and social media influencer Katlyn McCaffery is fighting for her life as she's currently in a coma after a tragic accident in Bali, Indonesia.

McCaffery is a California native who has been sharing her travel photos and videos to her thousands of followers on social media.

According to E! News, the influencer has been in a coma for over two weeks now; she's also suffering from a traumatic brain injury.

The reason behind her critical condition is because of a scooter accident while she was on her way to her place in Bali late last month. She was found unconscious and bleeding after the accident.

Following the news of her condition, a GoFundMe page was created, numerous people had already donated, and it surpassed the initial goal of $250,000.

The family is having a problem with McCaffery's international medical insurance, it was stated that the company refused to pay for her travel home.

Another big issue that Janine, the influencer's mom, is facing is the quarantine period in Indonesia, as visitors from abroad are required to undergo mandatory 8-day isolation because of COVID-19.

"The family risks getting to Bali and having Kaitlyn evacuated prior to their 8-day quarantine ending, meaning that the family will be trapped in Bali for multiple days while Kaitlyn is en route home." A description on the fundraising page reads.

READ NOW: Meghan Markle, Kate Middleton Feud Ends WAY Ahead of Prince Harry and Prince William's Because of This?

At the time of this writing, there are still no further updates regarding the family's decision.

In addition, the page stated that the MCafferys are grateful to all the donors and the friends who have been taking care of the influencer.

They also took the opportunity to thank the Indonesian government that granted the family's emergency Visas.

In addition, the influencer is expected to be back home in California as long as her condition is stable.

"Medical evacuation companies are working to get Kaitlyn home as soon as the medical team determines that she is stable enough to fly," the description reads.

Kaitlyn McCaffery's Last Instagram Post Before Accident

Before McCaffery suffered from a coma, she posted a heartwarming caption about Bali on her Instagram, saying she's treating it like her home.

"Two months in Bali! Loving where I live, the people I have met so far, and the warm warm air. So happy to call this place home." She wrote in the caption. (check out the post below)

Her page was filled with comments from her friends, fans, and family praying for her fast recovery.

"Praying for you love You're one of the strongest gals I know, you've got this and you'll be back together with your fam soon xo." Another travel influencer wrote.

READ ALSO: Prince Andrew Cannot Escape Sexual Allegation Lawsuit; Queen Elizabeth Leaving Him to Defend HImself?
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were not invited to Barack Obama's lavish 60th birthday party as they pay their respects to the queen, a royal biographer claims.

Speaking to The Sun, Angela Levin, a royal expert and author of "Harry: Biography of a Prince," claims that the former first family didn't send Prince Harry and Meghan Markle an invitation because they wanted to take a "step back" out of respect for Queen Elizabeth II.

Levin added that the Obamas could only handle "one brother and his wife" at a time, and they couldn't invite both because of the ongoing rift between the royal family members. If Obama could pick from one of the brothers, he will "go towards William."

In addition, as reported by Daily Mail UK, Meghan Markle is "desperate" to be included on Obama's guest list. Levin stated that she wanted to be the "special guest," but the former first family didn't invite her and the prince in the first place.

Other Reasons Why Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Weren't Invited

Per early reports, Camilla Tominey, another royal expert, claims that the Obamas didn't like how the Duke and Duchess of Sussex treated the Royal family.

In an article published by the Telegraph, Obama and his wife firmly believe in the phrase "blood is thicker than water," and they would put their families first regardless of the situation. Allegedly they think that the prince doesn't have the same principle as them.

The Obamas also allegedly disliked how Prince Harry attacks his family, especially his past interview with Oprah Winfrey, a documentary titled "The Me You Can't See," and an episode of the "Armchair Expert Podcast," to which he exposed the Royal family during those appearances.

READ NOW: Obamas Send Strong Message to Harry and Meghan Following Recent Royal Snub [REPORT]

Before the report, another expert, Dicki Arbiter, suggests that Prince Harry and Markle were not among the "double A-lister" personalities despite moving into the United States. It means they are not as wealthy as Oprah Winfrey, Rihanna, and more.

Daniela Elser also believes that the royal couple isn't in the same league as other famous personalities; what they're known for today is their rift with other royal family members.

Barack Obama's Lavish 60th Birthday In $11.75 Million Martha's Vineyard

Obama initially had more than 500 guests for his birthday, but the former first family scaled it down due to CDC guidelines. Levin believes that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle weren't included in both guestlists.

Markle's friend Gayle King was present in the event with Chrissy Teigen, Beyonce, Erykah Badu, and more.

The event caused significant controversy as the attendees were not wearing facemasks despite the highly contractive Delta variant of the Coronavirus.

READ ALSO: Real Reason Why Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Weren't Invited To Obama's Birthday Proves One Thing About the Royals: Report
2021-08-12

Maeci

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) is working with Italy and Greece to support young people in Albania. For International Youth Day, which the UN celebrates on August 12 to underline the fundamental role that young people must play in the common struggle to build a better world for all, Italy and Greece have co-financed a project to support the OSCE's commitment to the inclusion of young people in peace and security. With an editorial in the newspaper Albanian Daily News, Ambassador Vincenzo Del Monaco (Head of the OSCE Presence in Albania), Fabrizio Bucci, the Ambassador of Italy in Tirana, and Sophia Philippidou, the Ambassador of Greece in Tirana confirmed the commitment of the OSCE Presence in Tirana to work with young people to seek solutions to security problems by providing them with training in conflict resolution, violent extremism, domestic violence, and gender-based violence. As part of that initiative, young Albanians were also involved in electoral education projects during the run-up to the April 2021 general election. All of these activities fall within the "Youth Trail" project, which has already had three editions in 2017, 2018 and 2019 that helped Tirana to win the title of "European Youth Capital 2022". Young Albanians aged between 15 and 29 represent 23.2% of the total population, which makes Albania one of the youngest nations in Europe. For that reason, following more than a year of pandemic, the OSCE has renewed the YouthTrail initiative with the support of Italy and Greece. The new series of YouthTrail initiatives will begin this coming October, bringing together young journalists from the region in an effort to increase their understanding, to secure their collaboration in improving media freedom as it faces new challenges, and to safeguard the rights of journalists in the region. The outcomes of this work by the young journalists will then be made public in the course of a special session of the South Eastern European Media Conference.

You can read the editorial here. >>
2021-08-12

Maeci

A fascinating journey through the sounds and cultures of the Mediterranean, in search of a musical and lyrical language that unites the many different peoples who look out on the same sea: that is the idea that animates the Piccola Banda Ikona. Created by Stefano Saletti (the founder of Novalia) it consists of Barbara Eramo, Mario Rivera, Giovanni Lo Cascio, and Pejman Tadayon who, thanks to the commitment of the Italian Cultural Institute of Tirana, will be performing on the occasion of the Sofat Festival, at the palace of culture in Tirana on 13 August and in Nivice on 14 August. These two concerts are an opportunity for the Piccola Banda Ikona to present their latest work "Mediterraneo Ostinato" a CD that describes a Mediterranean that is fighting back, resisting, and not giving up, as in the lyrics of the song from which the album gets its title. Obstinate like the peoples of the Mediterranean: strong, ancient, stubborn, and resilient. Obstinate like the repetition in music, which becomes a daze, a trance, and a ritual in which one to abandon oneself.
In a development that underlines its leadership position in the communications industry, Value 360 Communications has announced its expansion into Singapore. Having established a strong foothold in the Indian market with key brand mandates such as MG Motor, MPL, QuickHeal, Indian Angel Broking, and Oriflame, among others, the agency is now set to take a pie in the Southeast Asian market.

The strategic expansion is driven by Southeast Asias growing stature as a hotbed for high-growth start-ups. As an agency that has created a decided niche in the start-up PR space, Value 360 is well-positioned to replicate its success in the Singapore market. In a bid to hit the ground running in the city-state, the agency is tapping into its own client base and identifying Indian partner brands operating in Singapore.

In line with this strategy, Value 360 Communications is already in talks with some of its notable clients with offshoots in Singapore. In doing so, the agency will lay the foundation for disrupting the Southeast Asian start-up ecosystem over the next few months.

Kunal Kishore Sinha, Founder-Director - Value 360 Communications, said, We are delighted to announce our foray into Singapore, especially since our very first steps in this new market will be in tandem with the brands that we helped build in India. Having worked with the biggest and most influential start-ups in the country and helping many of them grow into Unicorns, venturing into overseas markets was our next natural step. As the Southeast Asian economy is witnessing the emergence of several promising start-ups, it makes Singapore the perfect avenue for our strategic international expansion and we foresee hyper-growth on the horizon for Value 360 as well as its partner brands.

Headquartered in Delhi with principal offices in Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune and Hyderabad, Value 360 Communications handles an impressive portfolio of brands across industries such as fintech, proptech, lifestyle, hospitality, and more. On the back of its contributions to the Indian PR fraternity, the company has won several awards and accolades including those from ICCO Global Awards, PRovoke, SABRE, IPRCCA, ABBY Awards and Campaign India Award, etc. Its expansion into the Singapore market is set to unlock the agencys next phase of exciting growth.

Read more news about (internet advertising India, internet advertising, advertising India, digital advertising India, media advertising India)
For Immediate Release:

Thursday, August 12, 2021









(C) 2021 by Rych McCain, All Rights Reserved. No part of this column maybe reprinted, re-posted or duplicated without written permission from Rych McCain Media/Syndication. Violation is subject to applicable laws



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Wednesday, August 11, 2021

The Herman Trend Alert

August 11, 2021

Solving the Issues of Remote Employees

As I have detailed before, between 40 and 50 percent of workers want remote employment. Yet only about 9 percent of the posted jobs are characterized as "remote." Bridging the gap between employees who want to keeping working remotely and employers who want them in the office will be a major challenge for companies and an informed negotiation for workers.

The Great Resignation



Never before in the history of the world have we had a mass exodus of employees from their jobs of this magnitude. In fact, the term was originally coined by Texas A&M University professor Anthony Klotz in an interview with Bloomberg's Businessweek in May 2021. According to a Work Trends survey conducted by Microsoft, 41 percent of workers globally are thinking about leaving their current positions.

Childcare, a Major Problem for Parents



Within the last 2 years in the US alone, over 2 million women have left the workforce; many report that lack of reasonable, quality childcare is the cause. Employers can help address this issue however, few are doing so. As the labor market continues to tighten, expect to see childcare become a competitive advantage in the War for Talent.

Strategies and Tactics Employers Can Use to Bridge the Gap



Here are several ideas, companies can use to find common ground with their valued employees:

Talk about the Why. Have a conversation about why you want workers back and hear their reasons for wanting to stay home. If their why includes fear of infection, be sure you address those feelings.

Focus on the Quantified Results to Be Achieved. Wise leaders at all levels know that the work relationship functions best when they quantify the desired results and use a laser focus to build productivity.

Create an Always-Open Chat Platform. Facilitate communication between team members by using chat tools, like Slack, Base Camp or Proof Hub. These platforms enable dialogue and efficient communication between employees whether they are remote or on-site. The object is to replace the in-person water-cooler conversations and chance meetings onsite. Management must use this platform to communicate with the workers as well. People do not thrive in the dark; they are not mushrooms.

Compromise with Hybrid Work. Sometimes hybrid jobs, combining both on-site and remote work will be useful for all parties. Hybrid work can also satisfy the need to have a less-well-populated workplace, one of the factors that employees are looking for to make them feel more comfortable coming back to your congregate workspace.

Recognize and Reward Your Remote Employees. Out of sight, out of mind does not support an employee-centric culture. Be sure to acknowledge the great work your remote and hybrid employees are doing. Studies show they may be even more productive than your employees who are in the office full-time. You certainly don't want to lose them because you overlooked their contributions.

People Support What They Help to Create



All that said, the most important action an employer can take is to create a cross-level team of people dedicated to making work arrangements acceptable to all. People really do support what they help to create. They feel a vested interest in the success of their decisions, systems, and processes.

Next Week's Herman Trend Alert: The Best Kept Secret to Employee Engagement



A recent Gallup study uncovered the "golden key" to employee engagement. It is simple to talk about, and a bit more difficult to implement---but not rocket science. Next week, I will reveal all you need to know about making it happen in your organization.

 Copyright 1998-2021 by The Herman Group, Inc. -- reproduction for publication is encouraged, with the following attribution: From "The Herman Trend Alert," by Joyce Gioia, Strategic Business Futurist. 336-210-3548 or https://hermangroup.com. To sign up, visit https://HermanTrendAlert.com. The Herman Trend Alert is a trademark of The Herman Group, Inc."
A pair of San Antonio developers are aiming to finish construction next year of a mixed-use development off a major corridor heading into downtown.

The project  on a roughly 5-acre site off U.S. 281 and about two blocks north of the Pearl  replaces self-storage facilities and billboard-type signs long seen as a blight on the front door to downtown from the North Side.

Embrey Partners is building a 338-unit apartment complex on the 800 block of East Ashby Place, and Area Real Estate is renovating the former Borden Creamery warehouse for office and retail space.

Embrey and Area Real Estate plan to invest up to $90 million in the development, according to documents prepared for a Bexar County commissioners meeting Tuesday.

On ExpressNews.com: Mixed-use development with apartments proposed for storage facility near downtown San Antonio

They also will plug at least $3 million into improvements to the River Walk and East Ashby Place, including building a bridge over the river and a trail near the development.

County officials gave the green light Tuesday to a 60 percent tax abatement on eligible capital investments worth $1.3 million over a 10-year term. They also approved $750,000 for infrastructure improvements along the river.

The City Council in 2019 approved $4 million from the Midtown Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone for upgrades that include river work and tearing down billboards along the highway.

On ExpressNews.com: Alamo Colleges, developer selling troubled Tobin Hill student housing

Tax increment reinvestment zones reimburse developers for infrastructure upgrades from property tax revenue.

Embreys project is being built in phases and is expected to be finished by the end of 2022, said spokesman Jeff Cowart.

David Adelman of Area Real Estate is using federal and state tax credits to rehabilitate the mustard-colored Borden building, which he is also seeking to have designated a historic landmark.

The Art Deco-style building was constructed in 1933 and designed by Ayres and Ayres, according to materials city staff prepared for a Historic and Design Review Commission meeting earlier this summer.

The creamery was expanded over the years. It had been dormant except for refrigeration units that were leased before Star Storage purchased it in 1999 for storage facilities.

Courtesy of Gomez Vazquez International

Work to turn it into office and retail space is expected to wrap up in nine months, Adelman said.

The design process for the building was slowed due to the coronavirus pandemic and its effects on the leasing of office space, but Adelman said he is confident demand will bounce back.

He said employers have indicated that early gains in productivity from remote work have been lost and at least some workers are ready to return to their offices after more than a year.

I think in the long run it will come back, Adelman said.

The transformation of the former Pearl brewery has set off a wave of activity in the area. A flurry of other apartments, town houses and offices is in the works.

Jefferson Bank is constructing a headquarters building on Broadway, and Pearl developer Silver Ventures is eyeing more apartments across the San Antonio River from the complex.

SABOT Development, a firm based in the Austin area, plans to build a 10-story mixed-use development on most of a block bounded by Euclid, Myrtle, Elmira and Locust streets. The family behind Terry Blacks BBQ in Austin and Dallas recently bought about 1.4 acres at 2100 Broadway for a mixed-use development.

madison.iszler@express-news.net
AUSTIN  Callie Forsythe and her mother, Kristin Forsythe, were looking forward to Franklin Barbecues famed beef brisket last Sunday. But Amtrak got in the way.

The once-a-day Texas Eagle train left San Antonio on time at 7 a.m. However, it took 4 hours to get to Austin instead of the scheduled two hours and 23 minutes.

The 11:30 a.m. arrival meant it was too late for the Forsythes to get in line at Franklin Barbecue, which usually runs out of brisket by early afternoon.

The restaurant is closed Monday. Nevertheless, the mother and daughter from Cincinnati  San Antonio was their primary vacation spot  still enjoyed Austin on the second day of their visit. They found several good coffeehouses and brewpubs.

By Monday evening, they were ready to board the Eagle for their return trip to San Antonio. But their two-hour delay on Sunday morning now seemed like no big deal  the return train was more than five hours late.

The scheduled 6:30 p.m. departure time kept changing, the delay growing longer with each update. The Texas Eagle finally arrived in Austin at 11:20 p.m. It departed the station at 11:40.

We had a good time in Austin, Kristin Forsythe said. We just wish the train wasnt so late.

The southbound Texas Eagle arrived in San Antonio at 2:30 a.m. Tuesday.

William Luther /Staff

Amtrak schedules allow an extra hour or so for the trip  in case the train is delayed after leaving Austin. On this night, the train took almost three hours to get to San Antonio, beating its scheduled 3-hour time.

Last year, the Texas Eagle was only on time  within 15 minutes of its scheduled arrival  48 percent of the time, according to Amtrak data.

More trains ahead?

While the train between San Antonio and Austin isnt often on time, that could improve, and the frequency increase, under President Joe Bidens $1.1-trillion infrastructure plan  maybe.

The plan, approved Tuesday by the U.S. Senate, would pump $66 billion into Amtrak, the federally subsidized corporation that runs passenger train service in America. It would be an unheard-of windfall for the neglected intercity rail system whose current subsidy is $3 billion.

The once-daily Texas Eagle that goes from San Antonio to Austin and on to Chicago would be retained, and two more daily trains would be launched between San Antonio and Fort Worth or Dallas, each with a stop in Austin.

Service between San Antonio and Houston would also be increased from three times a week to three times a day.

The House of Representatives still must approve the plan.

The bill approved by the Senate, however, does not address a big issue for Texas passenger rail. Amtrak says railroads like Union Pacific, which own the tracks between San Antonio and Austin, are not fully complying with federal law, which gives passenger trains priority over freight trains.

William Luther /Staff

In an Amtrak report card for 2020, UP got the fifth-lowest score of the six major railroads Amtrak relies on to run its trains. UP scored a B-minus, or 2.7 on a scale of five.

A UP spokeswoman said the railroad is cooperating with Amtrak to improve its service, including working to update the schedule on this line, a schedule that hasnt been updated for several decades.

We are looking at the route and we are looking for ways to improve the schedule that will work for the customers as well as Amtrak and Union Pacific, the spokeswoman said, referring to the San Antonio-Austin line.

Beyond that, theres an even bigger obstacle to achieving Amtraks vision for more frequent train service in Texas: the Texas Legislature.

Under the infrastructure plan, the federal government would cover 90 percent of the operating costs in the first year of operation of new Texas trains and others nationwide. But by year six, Texas would have to pay 70 percent of the operating cost.

Over the past decade, however, the Legislature has refused to appropriate funds necessary to capture even a sliver of the $19 billion the federal government has made available to states for passenger and freight rail service.

This is an auto-oriented state, said Peter Espy, director of rail at the Texas Department of Transportation.

His department has no dedicated funds for rail service, so it would depend on the Legislature for such funding. What does that mean for the possibility of additional Amtrak trains if the infrastructure bill passes Congress?

Until were directed to do it and funding is provided, Espy said, I dont see anything happening along those lines.

Rail advocate Peter LeCody, president of Texas Rail Advocates, offered this assessment of TxDOT: Its a highway department.

The departments current budget allocates about $7 billion for highway construction and renovation.

What passengers see

Callie and Kristin Forsythe said theyd met a lot of train buffs and elderly, retired passengers on their 2-week train journey across America  mostly people who dont need to worry about getting somewhere on time.

Their fellow passengers were friendly, they said, and they were particularly impressed with service in California, where conductors were upbeat and buses met the trains at stops to facilitate local sightseeing.

In Texas, though, things were different. The Forsythes wondered why no city buses in San Antonio or Austin connected with the Amtrak trains. Or why the Uber driver who took them to the Austin train station after a day of sightseeing didnt know there was an Amtrak station in the city.

He said he has never taken anyone to the train station, Kristin Forsythe said.

She saw a missed tourism opportunity for San Antonio and Austin.

You would think they would offer tours from the stations to local wineries or attractions, she said.

She said she understood why Amtrak personnel in Texas seemed less lighthearted than elsewhere. As she spoke, a man walked repeatedly in and out of the one-room Austin Amtrak station to scream at ticket agents about the train being late.

Its little wonder the nerves of Amtrak workers might be frayed, she said.

Tracks an issue

Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari said the Texas Eagle is more often late leaving Chicago and heading south than it is heading the other direction from San Antonio.

The total travel time between Chicago and San Antonio is 20 hours and 10 minutes  assuming the train is on time. He said the Texas Eagle operates on the tracks of five different railroad companies, creating more potential for delay.

Even if the Texas Eagle is on time, the 7 a.m. train takes two hours and 23 minutes to get from San Antonio to Austin, about an hour longer than the typical driving time.

While riding the train can be more relaxing than driving on a congested Interstate 35, transportation consultants say no one is going to give up their car without more frequent service that arrives in Austin at least as quickly as a vehicle.

Why would anyone take a train that takes 2 hours to go from San Antonio to Austin? asked Dallas-based transportation consultant Karl Ziebarth.

He said more frequent and faster service could help get people out of their cars and out of the often bumper-to-bumper traffic on I-35 between San Antonio and Austin.

Last Monday, the 7 a.m. Texas Eagle from San Antonio to Austin did not have any delays, arriving on time on Austin at 9:23 a.m. But progress was erratic, with the train stopping and starting multiple times.

A Union Pacific spokeswoman said the maximum speed between San Antonio and Austin is 70 mph. There are over 25 specific locations, however, where the speed limit is much lower due to curvature and other environmental/safety issues, company spokeswoman Robynn Tysver said.

A train trip between San Antonio and Dallas takes about seven hours, three more than by car.

That wont change anytime soon.

We have no need for higher speed limits on any of our lines in Texas, Tysver said. Furthermore, no passenger agency has proposed funding a speed limit upgrade either.

Other states examples

Other states have worked with Amtrak to provide better train service between cities.

Wisconsin, for example, contributes $5.2 million and Illinois gives $1.6 million for train service between Chicago and Milwaukee.

The train runs seven times a day on the 92-mile route, which is 12 miles longer than the route between San Antonio and Austin. Last year, 403,112 riders used the service. The number of passengers had been steadily growing until the COVID-19 pandemic.

New rail cars for the trains, scheduled to be delivered next year, are owned by the state of Wisconsin. But the state didnt have to pony up any money from its regular budget for the cars; the Federal Railway Administration awarded $25.7 million to Wisconsin.

Texas state Rep. Leo Pacheco, an advocate of rail service between San Antonio and Austin, said he doubts there will be expanded train service between the two cities anytime soon. The Democratic House member from San Antonio said some of his colleagues are too focused on highway funding.

Pacheco understands why so few use the train between San Antonio and Austin.

Its not convenient or reliable, he said. Someone can bike faster from Austin to San Antonio.

Amtrak data shows 29,135 passengers departed from or arrived at the San Antonio train station on the near East Side in the 12-month period ending Sept. 30. The previous year, before COVID-19 reduced the number of passengers, the San Antonio station saw 50,272 passengers pass through the station.

Those numbers includes passengers taking the Texas Eagle and the Southwest Limited, which runs east from San Antonio to New Orleans, with a stop in Houston, and west to El Paso and ultimately to Los Angeles.

Good deal, long wait

Mike and Julia, a couple from Washington, D.C., who declined to give their last names, got off the train in Austin on Monday morning. They had toured the Alamo and River Walk their first two days in San Antonio and decided to take a day trip to Austin to see the Capitol and other attractions.

The couple said they didnt mind the trains slow speed and liked that there was plenty of legroom and that the seats reclined.

But 14 hours later was a different story. Waiting for a train that was now five hours late, they said they wished they were back in their hotel in San Antonio.

The $33 dollar Amtrak round trip was a good deal, and theyd had a good time in Austin. Still, enough was enough.

This is a long wait, Mike said.

The 15 people in the Austin Amtrak station had their choice of soda, water or cookies from two vending machines while they waited for the train to San Antonio. The nearest restaurant is more than a half-mile away. And when the train finally arrived, the cafe car  with its candy bars and Hebrew National hot dogs  was already closed.

Long an issue

The issue of regular train service between San Antonio and Austin has been in play for at least two decades. Various plans have been considered, with proposals ranging from high-speed rail to conventional trains.

In 2016, a 13-year effort to start regular commuter service between San Antonio and Austin was scrapped and the so-called Lone Star Rail District was dissolved.

Tracks again were the major issue: Union Pacific said it couldnt accommodate regular commuter trains on its freight line between San Antonio and Austin  meaning an expenditure of at least $60 million would be required to build new commuter tracks.

Since then, Espy said, transportation officials have had little appetite to renew efforts for regional rail between the cities.

The new federal funds in the infrastructure bill could give Texas another chance for improved rail service between San Antonio, Austin and other cities, said LeCody, the rail advocate.

Its a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, he said.

But its one Texas may miss, said Sean Jeans-Gail, vice president of policy and government affairs at the Rail Passengers Association in Washington, D.C.

Competition will be intense among states for new Amtrak routes under the infrastructure bill, he said. States such as North Carolina and Virginia are already lining up for routes and are willing to put up state money as matching funds.

State funding seems unlikely in Texas.

Unless you find state support, its likely going to stall, Jeans-Gail said.

He said states also may be asked to help pay portions of capital expenses for new trains for expansions, in addition to operating costs. Thats a bad omen for states like Texas that are already reluctant to commit funds for rail.

For now, the only thing certain is the one daily train between San Antonio and Austin  and its erratic schedule.

Callie and Kristin Forsythe got back to their San Antonio hotel near 3 a.m. Tuesday. They had only an hour or two of sleep before they were up for the 6:30 a.m. departure to New Orleans on the Southwest Chief.

Despite the challenges, they said they were enjoying their train vacation. And while the ride between San Antonio and Austin wasnt the most scenic, Callie Forsythe said looking out the train window is always interesting.

You dont normally get to see peoples backyards, these fields, these countless interesting junkyards, lumberyards, tires or boats, or different kinds of cars, she said. You never get that driving on the highway or taking a plane. Its a very different perspective of the U.S.

randy.diamond@express-news.net
In five years as a food writer in San Antonio, Id never been to Freds Fish Fry. Or Sea Island Shrimp House, for that matter. So when we cooked up the idea of a head-to-head showdown between these two San Antonio seafood institutions, I came to it with the eyes of a child.

Now my eyes have seen some things, man. Ive seen things you people wouldnt believe.

Ive seen 99-cent chicken burgers snatched up by the armloads at Freds. Ive seen a sailor mascot as creepy as a ventriloquist dummy at the foot of a Sea Island sign. Ive seen panhandlers inside and outside Freds, splitting their time between asking for food and money.

And so. much. fried. fish.

Ive also seen glimmers of why theyve been around so long, Freds since 1963 and Sea Island since 1965. Theyre both locally owned, both have multiple locations and both have their formulas down so you get a similar experience from one store to the next.

Freds and Sea Island are not alike. Not in quality, not in variety, not in pricing. But theyve been feeding San Antonians on Lenten Fish Fridays and every other day for more than 100 years combined. And they make a strong first entry in our new occasional series of showdowns between beloved San Antonio restaurants.

Well compare them for food, atmosphere and the intangibles that make each place unique. Today, may the best fish win.

On ExpressNews.com: San Antonios Freds Fish Fry dispelling drug-front rumors with tasty fish

Mike Sutter /Staff

Freds Fish Fry

On my first visit to Freds, there was only one employee and I was the only customer, feeding into that local legend that Freds must be some kind of a drug front because it never seems busy. But it got busy after a minute  way busy. This is fast food, so speed, convenience and price are all part of the draw. So, it seems, is the chaos.

The food: Freds Fish Fry lives up to the third word in its name with a vengeance, its menu a golden brown menagerie of fried fish, fried shrimp, fried oysters, fried chicken and fries. Aside from onion rings and corn on the cob, thats it. You just mix and match the pieces between the red-white-and-blue carryout boxes, throw in some white bread and youre done.

The most common thing to get is the prosaically named Regular Fish Order for around $7, with three fillets, greasy fries, white bread and packets of ketchup and tartar sauce. The staff calls it hot fish.

The fish is a rectangle that will flash you back to your grade-school cafeteria days, each piece exactly the same, with breading that sticks to the fish like it was welded in place. Theres no real flavor beyond the milquetoast breading, but thats maybe OK, because at this level, any fish flavor tends to be bad fish flavor. I figure they throw in the white bread to demonstrate how something can be even less interesting.

The Seafood Platter #1 suggests some variety, with two fish, two shrimp and two oysters. But the shrimp tasted like little round fish with tails, and the oysters tasted like something had wandered in and fallen into the fryers.

Freds also fries chicken, mostly in mushy strips that look like they came from a mold, but also wings, except I never got a shot at those. The first location was out, and the second location was out with extreme prejudice, along with half the menu. Order fish! came the helpful klaxon call from the kitchen. The South Zarzamora location did have bone-in fried chicken, and it was uplifting and good, but two other locations didnt even carry it.

Mike Sutter /Staff

The atmosphere: Freds is most recognizable for the boxy, beat-up little brick buildings in the middle of deserted patches of asphalt. They are boxes that offer just takeout and drive-thru, mostly.

The three Freds I visited had nowhere to sit down and eat. They used to, but all the tables, benches and chairs were shoved to the side like theyd been washed there by a flash flood, cordoned off with crime scene tape. I also got to witness things getting loud, honky and angry at a drive-thru on the South Side when nobody answered the speaker.

The intangibles: The 99-cent chicken burger is a metaphor for the Freds experience. Its not bad for a flat chicken patty fried hard and crunchy with mayo and pickle on a smashed picnic bun. And people added three, four, even nine to their orders, sometimes as an afterthought.

The beauty of Freds is that you can feed a lot of people on the cheap. And while its not 5-stars all the way, it doesnt pretend to be, and at least you know what youre getting.

Where to find them: 425 S. Zarzamora St., 108 W. Vestal Place and about a dozen more locations scattered around the West and South Sides. Theres no web page or social media presence, so Google Maps is the best way to scout.

Mike Sutter /Staff

Sea Island Shrimp House

You know those beachfront shanties with great seafood and rustic charm. Well, Sea Islands not exactly that, even if the buildings try to copy the look. But its a clean, consistent place to get decent seafood with lots of handmade touches in an unpretentious setting with lots of parking.

The food: The menu has see-sawed back and forth to fit the staffing and supply limits of the pandemic, but theres a variety of grilled, broiled, boiled and sauteed seafood to go along with the fried favorites. For the sake of this showdown, Ill focus on the fryers.

The two-piece Fried Fish Fillets #14 is a good place to start, because Sea Island starts with flaky whitefish, breads it by hand and serves it with big, crunchy hushpuppies and two sides. And the sides include things like coleslaw, corn on the cob, Southern green beans and red potatoes. A little color on the plate goes a long way, and at lunch, that plates a value-conscious $9.99.

The fish also anchors a nice Seafood Platter, with fried shrimp, fried oysters, stuffed shrimp, hushpuppies and two sides. The oysters tasted off, but the shrimp was fat and fresh, and the stuffed shrimp revealed a tangy filling like a broiled stuffed crab shell. Fried catfish adds another dimension to Sea Islands fryer game, with a country-style cornmeal crust.

On ExpressNews.com: Review: San Antonios best sushi restaurant is Shiro Japanese Bistro on the River Walk

The atmosphere: At first, I compared Sea Island to a nicer version of Long John Silvers. Thats not right. Its closer to Red Lobster without the table service. Or lobster. But the dining rooms are big and clean, the staff makes an effort, and theres always more mango peach iced tea up front when you want it.

Intangibles: Its hard to compare Sea Island point-by-point with Freds, because Sea Island has so much more. I tried and liked a modest ceviche with whitefish and avocado, a fish sandwich that took two hands and all the napkins and a grilled chicken sandwich with fries for less than $10. Theres also beer on draft and by the bottle, and a refreshing strawberry lemonade.

Where to find them: The originals at 322 W. Rector St., with five more in San Antonio and one in New Braunfels. Find them at shrimphouse.com.

Mike Sutter /Staff

The winner: Sea Island Shrimp House

This amounts to a David and Goliath story where Fred is David and this time David loses big. Never had a chance, really.

Id love to be the guy whos charmed by greasy institutional food for cheap for the sake of San Antonio street cred, but Im not. Freds has its place, but give me better customer service, fresher food and a clean place to sit, and Ill be happy to pay the difference. So will you.

msutter@express-news.net | Twitter: @fedmanwalking | Instagram: @fedmanwalking
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP)  The Taliban captured two major Afghan cities, the country's second- and third-largest after Kabul, and a strategic provincial capital on Thursday, further squeezing the embattled government just weeks before the end of the American military mission in Afghanistan.

The seizure of Kandahar and Herat marks the biggest prizes yet for the Taliban, who have taken 12 of Afghanistan's 34 provincial capitals as part of a weeklong blitz.

The capture of the city of Ghazni, meanwhile, cuts off a crucial highway linking the Afghan capital, Kabul, with the country's southern provinces, all part of an insurgent push some 20 years after U.S. and NATO troops invaded and ousted the Taliban government.

While Kabul itself isn't directly under threat yet, the losses and the battles elsewhere further tighten the grip of a resurgent Taliban, who are estimated to now hold over two-thirds of the country and continue to press their offensive.

With security rapidly deteriorating, the United States planned to send in 3,000 troops to help evacuate some personnel from the U.S. Embassy in Kabul. Separately, Britain said about 600 troops would be deployed on a short-term basis to support British nationals leaving the country, and Canada is sending special forces to help evacuate its embassy.

Thousands of Afghans have fled their homes amid fears the Taliban will again impose a brutal, repressive government, all but eliminating women's rights and conducting public amputations, stonings and executions. Peace talks in Qatar remain stalled, though diplomats met throughout the day.

The latest U.S. military intelligence assessment suggests Kabul could come under insurgent pressure within 30 days and that, if current trends hold, the Taliban could gain full control of the country within a few months. The Afghan government may eventually be forced to pull back to defend the capital and just a few other cities in the coming days if the Taliban keep up their momentum.

The onslaught represents a stunning collapse of Afghan forces and renews questions about where the over $830 billion spent by the U.S. Defense Department on fighting, training those troops, and reconstruction efforts went  especially as Taliban fighters ride on American-made Humvees and pickup trucks with M-16s slung across their shoulders.

Afghan security forces and the government have not responded to repeated questions from journalists over the days of fighting, instead issuing video communiques that downplay the Taliban advance.

In Herat, Taliban fighters rushed past the Great Mosque in the historic city  which dates to 500 BC and was once a spoil of Alexander the Great  and seized government buildings. Witnesses described hearing sporadic gunfire at one government building while the rest of the city fell silent under the insurgents control.

Herat had been under militant attack for two weeks, with one wave blunted by the arrival of warlord Ismail Khan and his forces. But on Thursday afternoon, Taliban fighters broke through the city's defensive lines and later said they were in control.

Afghan lawmaker Semin Barekzai also acknowledged the city's fall, saying that some officials there had escaped. Witnesses described seeing Taliban fighters once-detained at Herat's prison now freely moving on the streets.

It wasn't immediately clear what happened to Khan, who earlier had been described as under attack with his forces at a government building.

In Kandahar, the Taliban seized the governor's office and other buildings, witnesses said. The governor and other officials fled the onslaught, catching a flight to Kabul, the witnesses added. They declined to be named publicly as the defeat has yet to be acknowledged by the government.

The Taliban had earlier attacked a prison in Kandahar and freed inmates inside, officials said.

Earlier Thursday, the militants raised their white flags imprinted with an Islamic proclamation of faith over the city of Ghazni, just 130 kilometers (80 miles) southwest of Kabul.

Ghazni provincial council member Amanullah Kamrani alleged that the provincial governor and police chief made a deal with the Taliban to flee after surrendering. Taliban video and photos purported to show the governors convoy freely passing by insurgents as part of the deal.

Afghan Interior Ministry spokesman Mirwais Stanekzai later said the governor and his deputies had been arrested over that alleged deal. The officials could not be immediately reached for comment.

Stanekzai also acknowledged in a video message that parts of Ghazni had fallen, though he insisted government security forces do exist in the city.

The loss of Ghazni  which sits along the Kabul-Kandahar Highway  could complicate resupply and movement for government forces, as well as squeeze the capital from the south.

Already, the Talibans weeklong blitz has seen the militants seize nine other provincial capitals around the country. Many are in the countrys northeast corner, pressuring Kabul from that direction as well.

In southern Afghanistan, the Talibans heartland, heavy fighting continued in Lashkar Gah, where surrounded government forces hoped to hold onto the capital of Helmand province.

Nasima Niazi, a lawmaker from Helmand, criticized ongoing airstrikes targeting the area, saying civilians likely had been wounded and killed.

The Taliban used civilian houses to protect themselves, and the government, without paying any attention to civilians, carried out airstrikes, she said.

With the Afghan air power limited and in disarray, aviation tracking data suggested U.S. Air Force B-52 bombers, F-15 fighter jets, drones and other aircraft were involved in the fighting across the country, according to Australia-based security firm The Cavell Group.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Nicole Ferrara, a Central Command spokeswoman, acknowledged that American forces have conducted several airstrikes in defense of our Afghan partners in recent days. However, she declined to offer any details on the attacks or to discuss the Afghan complaints of civilian casualties.

Late Thursday night, an Afghan official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss developments, said the Taliban have also taken much of western Badghis province  but not the provincial army corps and the intelligence department. A Taliban tweet claimed the insurgents captured the seat of the provincial governor, the police headquarters and all other government offices.

Even as diplomats met in Doha, Qatar on Thursday, the success of the Taliban offensive called into question whether they would ever rejoin long-stalled peace talks aimed at moving Afghanistan toward an administration that includes members of the current Afghan government and the Taliban. Instead, the group could come to power by force  or the country could splinter into factional fighting like it did after the Soviet withdrawal in 1989.

___

Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Faiez from Istanbul. Associated Press writers Hamed Sarfarazi in Herat, Afghanistan, and Kirsten Grieshaber in Berlin contributed to this report.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Monday that he would order no later than mid-September that COVID-19 vaccinations be mandatory for all troops, an edict Pentagon leaders hope will prompt service members to voluntarily come forward for their shots before then.

A Pentagon spokesman stressed that mid-September was a possible deadline for the order to be finalized, not for troops to have received their vaccinations.

No deadlines been set yet for when service members would have to be vaccinated, spokesman Christopher Garver said.

The order had been expected. All active-duty and reserve component forces fall under it, including the Texas National Guard, which is led by Gov. Greg Abbott. He has barred local governments, schools, restaurants and other businesses from requiring people to wear masks or prove theyve been vaccinated.

Neither the governor nor the guard responded to questions Monday.

I have every confidence that service leadership and your commanders will implement this new vaccination program with professionalism, skill and compassion, Austin wrote in a memo to the force. We will have more to say about this as implementation plans are fully developed.

Austin expects the Food and Drug Administration to approve the Pfizer vaccine shortly, the Pentagon said. His memo said hell ask President Joe Biden for a waiver to begin mandatory vaccinations if that doesnt happen by mid-September.

Austins spokesman, retired Rear Adm. John Kirby, said in a Pentagon news conference that there was no evidence suggesting that refusal to take the vaccine is a widespread problem right now and noted that the Defense Department requires a fit and healthy force that is already inoculated against a variety of illnesses.

Jessica Phelps /San Antonio Express-News

Military officials have said the pace of vaccinations has been growing across the force, with some units  such as sailors deploying on a warship  seeing nearly 100 percent of their members get shots. But the rates are much lower in some parts of the armed forces, including among the National Guard and Reserve, which are much more difficult to track.

Defense officials said 73 percent of active-duty personnel have at least one dose of the vaccine, but percentages vary across the services. The Air Force said 61 percent of its active-duty force was fully vaccinated, while the Marine Corps put it at 59 percent (though only 21 percent of Marine reservists were vaccinated.)

The Army and Navy did not provide current figures, but Garver, the Pentagon spokesman, noted they were described as being 70 percent and 77 percent vaccinated, respectively, by the head of the Defense Health Agency as of June 30.

On ExpressNews.com: Masked and made over: Air Force basic training

Austins memo said the Defense Department would comply with Bidens direction regarding additional restrictions and requirements for unvaccinated federal personnel. The requirements, Austin said, apply to those of you in uniform as well as our civilian and contractor personnel.

We will also be keeping a close eye on infection rates  which are on the rise now due to the delta variant  and the impact these rates might have on our readiness, he continued. I will not hesitate to act sooner or recommend a different course to the president if I feel the need to do so.

Each service has its own implementation plans for administering the vaccine and will provide new plans to Austin in the coming days. Garver said the Army guidance includes counseling soldiers to ensure they understand the purpose of the vaccine and the threat the disease poses.

Troops can ask for an exemption to the vaccine for health or religious reasons.

Commanders have a range of disciplinary actions available against troops refusing to take the vaccine, potentially including booting them from the armed services. Officers can resign their commissions, but enlisted personnel cannot quit before the end of their contracts.

Those are certainly the commanders options, and I wouldnt want to speculate whether it would happen that way or not, Garver said.

It wasnt clear how the Air Education and Training Command would comply with the defense secretarys intention to vaccinate the force. Typically, vaccines are administered in the first days of basic military training on Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. Mandatory vaccinations against COVID-19 would simplify the complicated challenge the command has faced to minimize virus cases among new arrivals and keep them from spreading.

On ExpressNews.com: Abbott's border wall is a chain-link fence, built by soldiers in a community tired of political games

The health and well-being of our airmen are very important, and we will implement procedures as additional guidance is provided, said Col. Todd Vician, the commands chief spokesman.

Just how many airmen and soldiers have been vaccinated at bases in San Antonio isnt clear. Letitia Williamson, a spokeswoman for the Army Medical Center of Excellence at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, said units do not report numbers or percentages for COVID cases or vaccinated troops because of security concerns.

To defend this nation, we need a healthy and ready force, Austins memo stated. I strongly encourage all DoD military and civilian personnel  as well as contractor personnel  to get vaccinated now and for military service members to not wait for the mandate.

Kevin Wolf/AP

Kirby, his spokesman, echoed the thought.

You can consider this memo not just a warning order to the services but to the troops themselves, and we certainly hope that they will take advantage of the opportunity to get the vaccines now, that are available now to them on a voluntary basis, he said.

Thats obviously a potential effect that wed like to see achieved as a result of the secretarys message, but if they dont, eventually were going to get to a mandatory sort of a regimen and well take care of it then.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

sigc@express-news.net
Lt. Gen. Laura Richardson, now commander of U.S. Army North in San Antonio, will head the U.S. Southern Command and receive her fourth star.

In approving her promotion Wednesday, the U.S. Senate made Richardson the second female four-star officer currently serving in the nations military, and the second such officer in the Army's 246-year history.

The Southern Command is in charge of the militarys operations and relationships in most of Latin America. Richardson told the Senate Armed Services Committee last week that the United States should remain the partner of choice throughout the Western Hemisphere.

[The] Southern Command region is of strategic importance to U.S. vital interests, and, if confirmed, I will synchronize our approach to security cooperation, working across all combatant commands to narrow the gaps and seams our competitors are exploiting, said Richardson, who will replace outgoing Southcom commander Navy Adm. Craig S. Faller.

In approving Richardsons promotion, senators also closed the book on a tale of Pentagon intrigue from the final days of the Trump administration.

Preparing to recommend her advancement and that of another female general during the final months of President Donald J. Trumps term, two top Pentagon leaders were so concerned about his reaction that they decided not to tell him of their plans, the New York Times has reported.

That was an ironic twist for Richardson.

Im the daughter of great parents who always told me I could do anything and never put the typical gender norms on me, she told a crowd at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston after taking command of Army North in 2019. In fact, as the oldest of four kids, I think my dad thought I was his son for the first 10 years on earth.

On ExpressNews.com: Only gal in the room' - U.S. Army North commander in line to become nation's second female four-star general

Then-Defense Secretary Mark Esper and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army Gen. Mark Milley, decided to wait until after the Nov. 3 election to recommend Richardson for a fourth star  and both her and Air Force Gen. Jacqueline D. Van Ovost for new commands  because they worried that Trump would reject the women and substitute his own candidates, the Times reported.

Van Ovost already had four stars. The first four-star general in the Army was Gen. Ann Dunwoody, now retired. The first African American woman to command a ship in the U.S. Navy was Adm. Michelle Howard, and she, too, retired with four stars.

At the time her nomination was being delayed, Richardson was directing Army Norths efforts to shore up local hospitals to combat COVID-19 across the United States. a mission that lasted 18 months.

The command oversees the militarys role in homeland defense, support of civil authorities and security cooperation with Mexico and Canada. In that role, Richardson has supervised the militarys response to wildfires in California, the Southwest border mission and hurricane preparedness.

The coronavirus pandemic saw Army North direct military medical personnel to areas hard hit by the virus.

On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio-based U.S. Army North ends its long COVID mission

Units directed from San Antonio helped support civilian hospitals hard hit by the pandemic, and at one point in November had around 560 military medical personnel working alongside civilian healthcare providers in six states and the Navajo Nation.

It shifted the mission over time to help civilians vaccinate people in their communities. Acting as U.S. Northern Command's Joint Force Land Component Command, it sent personnel from all four service branches to 25 states and Puerto Rico, administering around 5 million vaccines since Feb. 4. The last military personnel assigned to a medical facility in Newark, N.J. were pulled out this summer.

Based in Doral, Fla., the Southern Command is one of the Pentagons 11 multi-service commands. Its area of responsibility spans 31 countries and 16 dependencies that constitute roughly one-sixth of the worlds land mass. It covers Latin America south of Mexico, waters adjacent to Central and South America and the Caribbean Sea.

sigc@express-news.net
North East Independent School District on Thursday said it will allow for virtual learning starting Aug. 30 for immunocompromised students under the age of 12.

The COVID-19 vaccine has not been authorized for children in that age group.

The school district made the announcement via Facebook on Thursday morning. It comes as the city of San Antonio and Bexar County are attempting to reestablish COVID-19 health measures for area schools. The change also comes just a day after a NEISD employee tested positive for COVID-19 after attending a 500-person event.

On Thursday, the district said that families can begin engaging with online educational resources on Aug. 18. The online learning option is provided to support immunocompromised students or those who live with immunocompromised family members.

Qualifying students will be considered for the Virtual Learning Bridge Program based on a specific criteria and medical documentation. For more information and application process, visit the program's website.

Applications must be submitted by Aug. 20. Additional updates and details will be provided to students and families when they are accepted into the program, the district said.

In the Facebook post, Chief Instructional Officer Anthony Jerrett said the district is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for students returning to in-person learning this fall.

While we have taken every precaution to ensure our schools are safe, we continue to hear from parents who have concerns about their immunocompromised children under the age of 12, Jerrett said. Though we recognize in-person instruction is the most impactful learning environment for student success, we also understand that our K-6 students do not have access to a vaccine at this moment."

Timothy.Fanning@express-news.net
Wow, Andrew Cuomo is really going.

Hard to remember when he wasnt all over the state. Impossible, really  he was managing his fathers campaign for governor in 1982, when he was 24.

Think about it. Cats was opening on Broadway, Michael Jackson was recording Thriller, and Andrew Cuomo was already in our lives.

Well, the Gov. Cuomo version, at least, is on the way out. He resigned Tuesday  effective in two weeks from the announcement. (You have to really wonder what those 14 tidying-up days are going to bring.)

It was a spectacular dive from the Cuomo the Hero version of the early pandemic, when he gave daily TV addresses that charmed the nation. (Masks work!)

On ExpressNews.com: Ayala: Even before the sexual harassment report, Cuomo had several reasons to resign

The last time I talked with Cuomo was during his top-of-the-charts glory. We were theoretically discussing whether China or Europe should be blamed for the pandemic spike, but the thing I most remember was how horrified he sounded when I told him I was calling from my home in Manhattan.

Youre where? he demanded, sounding as if I had been making a phone call from either a COVID ward or Siberia.

Now where do you think hell be living? Cuomo, who grew up mainly in Queens, had a very nice house in the suburbs while he was married to Kerry Kennedy. When they split, he moved into an even nicer suburban hideaway with his girlfriend, the cook-show star Sandra Lee. But since they broke up in 2019, its pretty much been the Governors Mansion.

Oh, dear. People, try to be sure whoever you elect to high office has a home somewhere. Otherwise, the difficulty in ever getting rid of him quadruples.

Other public figures can learn a lot of lessons from the Cuomo debacle. Many of which, of course, we presumed had already been absorbed. You keep your hands to yourself. Just because an employee doesnt slap you when you run your hand over her chest doesnt mean she enjoyed it.

New York voters certainly learned a long time ago how to steel themselves for sex scandals among our highest elected officials. Remember when Gov. Eliot Spitzer resigned in 2008 after the world learned he was patronizing a prostitution ring? When we discovered our chief executive was best known in certain circles as Client 9?

Remember Anthony Weiner, the star congressman who had to quit in 2011 after admitting he had exchanged messages and photos of an explicit nature with about six women over the last three years? Remember people saying, He did what? Remember when Attorney General Eric Schneiderman stepped down in 2018 after being accused of physically abusing women with whom he was having a sexual relationship? Schneiderman repented and moved on to become a meditation teacher. People, can I see a show of hands  how many of you would be prepared to learn meditation from Andrew Cuomo?

Yeah, I thought so.

On ExpressNews.com: Lowry: Media wrongly touted Cuomo while berating DeSantis

If you want to give Cuomo a little bit of a positive spin right now, naturally the best tactic would be to compare him to Donald Trump. There are some very practical differences. Working his way up, Cuomo had to spend a ton of time placating the Democratic Partys establishment base. Trump came from the opposite direction entirely: He was a prepackaged celebrity, and the Republican establishment had to learn to get along with him.

But like Trump, Cuomo couldnt take criticism, really hated his political enemies and never picked up on all the lessons of the #MeToo movement.

Actually, when you really think about these two  the most famous New Yorkers in recent political history  you will notice that their combined social skills would not qualify for a job as a restaurant reservations clerk.

As far as we know, Cuomo wasnt given to randomly bragging about the ways he used his celebrity to cop a feel. Unlike a certain president we remember.

And its very sad that this personal/political disaster will probably forever obscure all the things Cuomo accomplished in his 10 years as governor, from same-sex marriage to raising the minimum wage to a raft of construction projects.

So where do we go from here? The state will be run by Cuomos lieutenant governor, Kathy Hochul. This will give New York City an opportunity to recall there are parts of the state north of Poughkeepsie. And eventually we will talk about the political future. Just not immediately, since any discussion of the next gubernatorial election will force us to contemplate the candidacy of Andrew Giuliani.

But one great lesson the Cuomo debacle should teach the voting public is to never elect executives for more than two terms. Not only does their political life tend to atrophy, their nonoffice personal life fades away. Were all theyve got.

Hard to imagine where his talents could take him now. Cuomos governor-father, Mario, was famous for giving speeches, way more famous, in fact, than he was for governing. But absolutely nobody would turn up for an Andrew Cuomo speech  unless, of course, he was trying to explain why all those women were accusing him of sexual harassment.
WASHINGTON  Texas children were hospitalized with COVID-19 at the highest rate in at least a year during the first week of August as the delta variant tore through the state.

With back-to-school season beginning, the week ending Aug. 10 saw an average of 40 children newly hospitalized per day  a 25-percent leap from the week before, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It marked the states highest hospital admissions rate for children in a year.

The spike in youth hospitalizations in Texas, which have climbed rapidly since mid-July, comes as the White House, local leaders and political groups are ramping up pressure on Gov. Greg Abbott to drop his ban on mask mandates, especially in schools.

Its part of a national increase in child hospitalizations that the CDC says is driven by states with lower-than-average vaccination rates. Florida had even more pediatric COVID patients than Texas, with an average of 54 children admitted.

But the number of pediatric hospitalizations for both Texas and Florida is far higher than in other large states including California, with an average of 18 daily child hospitalizations, and New York, which is averaging six.

I think that people should understand, seeing little kids  I mean, four, five, six years old  in hospitals, on ventilators, and some of them passing  not many, but some of them passing  its almost, I mean, its just  well, I should not characterize beyond that, President Joe Biden said this week.

Biden administration officials are looking into whether the president has the power to intervene in Texas as local leaders in the states biggest counties begin to flout Abbotts rules. That could include action from the U.S. Department of Education, though its unclear what that might be.

The White House continues to apply pressure, saying on Thursday that Texas and Florida accounted for nearly 40 percent of all new COVID hospitalizations in the nation over the last week.

INTERVIEW: As schools reopen, Peter Hotez says Houston will pay the price for not doing more with masks, vaccines

The Republican political group the Lincoln Project put out an attack ad targeting Abbott and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. It depicts a child on a ventilator in a hospital bed and asks If you could prevent this, wouldnt you? Wouldnt anyone?

I think this is a central question that Abbott and his team are wrestling with right now, said Joshua Blank, a political scientist at the University of Texas at Austin. Bringing children into the conversation changes the calculus in peoples minds.

Its hard to be in the position of elevating a generic principle, in ones freedom not to wear a mask, against the health, safety, and welfare of children, who themselves are required to attend school  already under widely accepted and strict vaccination requirements and dress codes.

If Abbott is conflicted about his stand, he hasnt shown it. On Wednesday night, the governor threatened to sue any school district, public university, or local government that defies his order by requiring face coverings.

The path forward relies on personal responsibility  not government mandates, Abbott tweeted.

A spokeswoman for Abbott pointed to increasing vaccination rates in the state and said that school districts can use safety precautions they put in place last year, such as creating learning pods and providing enhanced hygiene efforts for school buildings, staff, and students.

Texans have learned and mastered over the past year the safe practices to protect themselves and their loved ones from COVID, and do not need the government to tell them how to do so, Renae Eze said. Every Texan has a right to choose for themselves and their children whether they will wear masks, open their businesses, or get vaccinated.

But health experts are increasingly concerned about the way the delta variant appears to be sending more children to hospitals. Only children 12 and up are eligible for vaccines, meaning when school starts thousands of unvaccinated children will be huddled together in classrooms, some without masks.

MASK REVOLT: Gov. Abbott moves to strike down mask mandates enacted by defiant local officials

Meanwhile, hospitals are also seeing an uptick in RSV, which can be life-threatening for babies and young children. The respiratory infection is usually at its highest rates during the winter, but it has had a rampant off-season run this summer.

All of this is the warmup act, Peter Hotez, who co-directs the Texas Childrens Hospital Center for Vaccine Development and is dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, told the Houston Chronicle. Were going to pay the price for not being better advocates for vaccinations and wearing masks.

Anthony Fauci, the federal governments top infectious disease expert, said on Thursday there is no doubt that there are more children getting infected.

He said it could possibly be the case that the delta variant is more severe in children than previous COVID variants  as some studies have suggested is the case for adults  but we are not seeing this in a definitive way.

The only thing we know for sure is that more infections mean more children will be in the hospital, Fauci said.

Later in the day in an interview with NPR, Fauci added that he would be very concerned about sending children to a school where teachers and students arent wearing masks and suggested parents should pressure politicians to rethink policies preventing them.

We're dealing with the safety of the children, not any theoretical, libertarian thought about telling people what they can do or not to do, Fauci said. The safety of the children comes first.

Abbott, who is heading into a primary and entertaining a 2024 run for president, isnt out of step with many members of his party.

Polling has shown masks remain a partisan issue. A University of Texas at Austin poll in June found 67 percent of Republicans said they did not wear a mask when in close contact with people outside of their household. Eighty six percent of Democrats said they did.

Matt Rinaldi, the chairman of the state GOP, was threatening to pull his 3-year-old child out of school after Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins issued an order requiring masks in Dallas County schools, businesses and county buildings.

Forcibly masking toddlers is child abuse, Rinaldi tweeted.

Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton moved to challenge the mandate within hours.

Editors note: An earlier version of this story misstated how many Texas children are currently hospitalized for COVID-19.

ben.wermund@chron.com
The National Abortion Federation has told doctors in Texas it will stop referring patients and sending money to clinics that offer abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy.

In North Texas, the Texas Equal Action Fund will likely pause its ride-share program that helps women reach abortion appointments.

Dr. Bhavik Kumar, an abortion provider for Planned Parenthood, has cleared his schedule to fit in as many patients as he can before the end of the month.

And online, the group Texas Right to Life has launched a website for whistleblowers who want to potentially help sue Kumar and doctors just like him, beginning Sept. 1.

With only days left until the countrys first six-week abortion ban rolls out in Texas, abortion clinics and their supporters are bracing for a virtual shutdown of legal access to the procedure, at least for several weeks. Some clinics in the state are preparing not only to abide by the new guidelines but to go beyond them, shuttering their abortion offerings entirely.

This law is senseless. Its not in the best interest of the people of Texas, Kumar said. But it is the law, and if it passes, we have to comply.

BACKGROUND: Texas restrictive new abortion law faces uncertain path

What unfolds over the coming weeks could have broad ripple effects. Even a brief pause in access in Texas, the second most populous state, could affect thousands of pregnant women and encourage similar laws across much of the South and Midwest, where abortion care is already limited.

This is a new approach, and its going to open up new opportunities, said John Seago, legislative director for Texas Right to Life, which opposes abortion access. Its a different battlefield than what we typically have with pro-life laws, and thats why were optimistic.

Abortion providers are trying to delay the rollout in federal court but are not counting on a win given the laws largely untested enforcement tool. Unlike similar bans in other states, which have all been blocked by judges, Senate Bill 8 allows ordinary citizens to sue doctors and others who defy the ban.

That makes it tough to challenge preemptively, because providers dont know whom to sue.

Hundreds of Texas lawyers have come out against the law, warning it contradicts provisions in the state constitution and would open the door to absurd outcomes beyond abortion if allowed to stand. Even proponents of the law expect many of the suits to be dismissed.

TEXAS TAKE: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox

But providers and the people who help women access abortions in Texas say they cant afford the risk of potentially endless litigation, even if hardly any of it is deemed credible. Under the law, defendants are unable to recoup legal expenses.

Thats why some are considering shutting down their abortion operations altogether, at least until it is clear whether the law will withstand scrutiny in the courts.

I have one physician whos for sure willing to provide abortions and comply with SB 8, said Amy Hagstrom Miller, the chief executive of Whole Womans Health. But the rest of my 16 physicians are still trying to figure out where their risks stop and start, and if theyre willing to provide.

Defying new law not a popular option

Most of the physicians at Whole Womans four clinics in Texas also work at universities and in other states, flying in regularly to provide abortions. Hagstrom Miller said she does not plan to shut down any of the sites, regardless of the law, and will continue at least providing nonabortion pregnancy care, as well as counseling and referrals to clinics in states where abortion access is more protected.

Dr. Lauren Thaxton, a Whole Womans provider and a researcher at the Texas Policy Evaluation Project who is still weighing her options, said she assumes she will be sued even if she tries to provide abortion care strictly within the parameters of the law.

Whether or not a case is found to be reasonable, or a true violation of SB 8, there are concerns about how that could affect someones other sources of employment, she said. How that could affect their medical licensing. How that could affect the patients that they see and their potential loss of privacy.

Thaxton and others said they were unaware of anyone who is planning to openly defy the law on Sept. 1, though that strategy has been discussed.

Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast, where Kumar works, will continue offering abortions for women before the fetal heartbeat has been detected, as allowed under the law. But most women dont know theyre pregnant at that point, typically about six weeks into the gestation period.

Spokeswomen at the nonprofits two other independent Texas affiliates, one based in San Antonio and the other in Dallas, declined to describe their plans.

Kumar said the vast majority of Planned Parenthood patients will need to leave the state for abortion care if the law proceeds, and that he is personally preparing to pitch in at out-of-state clinics that accept Texas patients, to help with their influxes.

Providers performed about 54,000 abortions last year and 56,000 in 2019, according to state data.

The chaos now forming may be the exact scenario that lawmakers were envisioning when they passed Senate Bill 8 this spring. Republicans, who control all branches of the Texas government, have tried for years to choke the industry out of existence, imposing restriction after restriction, many of them later overturned in federal court.

Past disruptions, including last year when Gov. Greg Abbott prohibited most abortions at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, have especially impacted low-income women and women of color, many of whom lack private insurance or the resources or time to travel out of state, according to groups that support abortion access.

They think they can go to jail

This upheaval could drag on longer, and its not clear that providers would be able to outright block the law even if they prove that it infringed on their federally protected right to abortion. Josh Blackman, a constitutional law professor at South Texas College of Law Houston, said the decisions in each suit will apply only to that case.

This is a law designed to prevent Planned Parenthood from going on offense, he said. It keeps them on defense.

In response, abortion providers and their support networks in Texas are scrambling to expand the out-of-state pipelines they pieced together last year and that many have feared will be needed if the conservative-led U.S. Supreme Court rolls back federal abortion protections. This fall, the justices are set to hear their first major abortion case in years.

At abortion clinics, employees are being retrained on what information they will be able to legally give patients on Sept. 1. Those who choose to comply with the law will have to update their websites and promotional materials.

Earlier this month, the National Abortion Federation, a coalition of abortion providers, notified clinics in Texas that it would be pulling support from clinics that defy the ban but would fund up to the full cost of patients seeking abortions within the new guidelines. Chief executive Katherine Hancock Ragsdale said in an interview that the organization is creating a special concierge team to assist women in Texas.

Small abortion funds that operate solely in Texas are also rethinking their approach and have been inundated with questions internally.

No one knows whats happening. Even our volunteers, they think they can go to jail when thats not what this is, said Kamyon Conner, who heads the Texas Equal Access Fund.

Despite the rhetoric, abortion opponents and others are not convinced that providers will comply with the law. Many of their supporters have been working for months to recruit women and employees at abortion clinics who would be willing to help sue. Successful claimants can win at least $10,000 in damages.

Theres a lot of people who are interested in this fight from different angles, said Seago, of Texas Right to Life. And youre going to see a lot of these people getting involved, now that they have the tools to do it.

jeremy.blackman@chron.com

twitter.com/jblackmanchron
Tara ONeill / Hearst Connecticut Media

NEW HAVEN  A city man was wounded in a daytime shooting on Ward Street over the weekend, police said.

Officers responded to a ShotSpotter gunfire notification and 911 calls about shots fired and a person shot on Ward Street, between Davenport and Sylvan avenues, shortly after 8 a.m. Saturday, according to Officer Scott Shumway.
Part Two of Two (Part One Here)

The national movement to eradicate what activists call systemic racism and white privilege from medicine and health care has few public critics in the medical profession. A possible reason: Skeptics who have questioned these efforts have been subject to harsh Twitter campaigns, professional demotions and other blowback.

A podcast of the Journal of the American Medical Association caused a furor this year when one of its editors suggested that discussion of systemic racism is an unfortunate distraction that should be taken off the table. In response to a protest petition, the AMA launched an internal investigation into the creation of the podcast (and a since deleted Tweet that promoted it). Eventually, the Journals top two editors, who are both white, resigned  the editor-in-chiefs departure coming after he issued a public apology in which he affirmed the existence of structural racism in the United States and in the health care field.

In Minneapolis, Hennepin Healthcare System removed gynecologist Tara Gustilo, of Filipino descent, from her position as chair of the OB/GYN department after members of her department questioned her ability to lead. The demotion followed her series of Facebook posts criticizing critical race theory, Black Lives Matter and How to Be an Antiracist author Ibram X. Kendi, and her insistence that her department must strictly adhere to race-neutral policies with regard to patient care.

Colleagues and other doctors on Twitter denounced as racist University of Pittsburgh cardiologist and professor Norman Wang, who is ethnically Chinese, after his peer-reviewed paper last year critiqued affirmative action as illegal and discriminatory. The Journal of the American Heart Association, which published the paper, soon retracted it, alleging deliberate misinformation or misrepresentation. Wangs employer demoted him from his role as director of a fellowship program for physicians, barred him from contact with fellows and residents, and temporarily prohibited Wang from contact with med students. Kathryn Berlacher, director of the cardiology fellowship program, reprimanded him in an email: It is clear to us that any educational environment in which you partake is inherently unsafe, increasing our learners risk for undue bias and harm."

In each case, the dissenting doctors broadcast opinions counter to the official positions and policies of their organizations. The American Heart Association and Pitt officials, on Twitter and in public announcements, said Wangs critique of affirmative action was inconsistent with their institutional values of diversity and inclusion.

Such incidents are noteworthy because of their eerily scripted language of moral outrage and public denunciation, coming from the nations highest levels of professional achievement, often on internal issues that would typically be handled with sensitivity and discretion as personnel matters.

Rise up, colleagues!Mayo Clinic cardiologist and diversity director Sharonne Hayes Tweeted in August in response to Wangs article. The fact that this is published in our journal should both enrage & activate all of us.

Berlacher announced Wangs demotion in a Tweet. We stand united for diversity, equity and inclusion, she proclaimed. And denounce this individuals racist beliefs and paper.

The American Heart Association chimed in: JAHA is editorially independent but thats no excuse. Well investigate. Well do better.

Those who are concerned by the social justice fervor sweeping through the medical profession say that such examples are evidence of the movements chilling effect on open debate of complex social issues.

Most in academic medicine who are troubled by this are keeping their heads down and keeping their mouths shut, said Thomas Huddle, who retired this year as professor at the medical school at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Theyre deeply afraid of social media mobs and of academic administrative superiors whove taken this stuff on.

In the wake of George Floyds killing last year, the social justice movement has generated tremendous support. Brittani James and Stella Safo, both African American doctors, drew more than 10,000 signatures for their petition to review and restructure JAMA in the aftermath of the February podcast.

They say the underrepresentation of people of color and the erasure of their perspectives on racism is typical of many elite institutions in medicine.

Racism was created with intention and must therefore be undone with intention, the petition states. Structural racism has deeply permeated the field of medicine and must be actively dissolved through proper antiracist education and purposeful equitable policy creation.

James, a Chicago-based physician and assistant professor in the College of Medicine at the University of Illinois, said she has little patience with accusations that social justice fosters cancel culture.

I have to chuckle, James said. As a black woman, I absolutely cannot express my opinion, ever.

I have to consistently think whom Im in the room with. And I will be fired quickly without fanfare, without anyone advocating for me, James said. This idea that theyre uniquely persecuted is totally divorced from reality. My entire life has been a tightrope of being careful what I say, because therell be retribution against me.

Wang has filed a federal lawsuit, alleging retaliation, defamation, discrimination and First Amendment violations, against the University of Pittsburgh and related entities; the American Heart Association; Wiley Periodicals, and Pitt med school leaders and professors. They have denied the allegations, saying this is a professional dispute between academics, not a question for the courts. JAHA accused Wang of inaccuracies, misstatements, and selective misreading of source materials, and cites two examples of alleged misquotes.

Gustilo has filed a discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, in which she describes critical race theory as a race essentialist ideology that presupposes zero sum racial conflict and seeks to remedy that by discriminating against individuals, so as to make group outcomes more equal.

A Hennepin spokeswoman said the organization cant comment during pending legal actions but said by email that the allegations are inaccurate.

Gustilo is receiving support from the Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism, or FAIR, an advocacy organization created to provide resources and support to parents who oppose critical race theory in K-12 schools. The nonprofit group is now planning to establish a medicine chapter to advise and support doctors who are troubled by the injection of CRT into medical training and medical ethics.

Erica Li, a West Coast pediatrician and FAIR volunteer active in the development of the medicine chapter, agrees that racism exists in some situations, but said that racial disparities could have multiple causes. She opposes using affirmative action and other race-based standards to achieve equity, a term that refers to mandating equal outcomes by race.

Li said she is not fearful of retaliation, but asked that her precise location not be disclosed in this article. She said she has taken great lengths to take my photos and contact information off the Internet after a colleague received death threats over an issue not related to critical race theory.

A growing frustration with racial disparities in American society is motivating the push for what activists call structural or systemic changes. On the JAMA podcast, however, the deputy editor, Edward Livingston, expressed skepticism that this was the wisest approach.

"Structural racism is an unfortunate term to describe a very real problem," Livingston said, acknowledging that poverty and economic inequality can lead to racial disparities. But we strive to have a society that's more equal, where everybody has the same opportunities.

Personally, I think taking racism out of the conversation would help. Many people like myself are offended by the implication that we are somehow racist, Livingston said, according to published reports. The focus must be on equal opportunity and making sure that that exists."

Safo, an assistant clinical professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, said the podcast struck a raw nerve. I think theres a real discomfort with our countrys reckoning around race. And theres a real desire by individuals in power to feel like, Well, not me, Im not one of them.

When asked about the implications for open debate and free expression, James, the Chicago physician and self-described activist, black feminist and anti-racism scholar, reframed the issue.

They call it cancel culture, but its actually accountability.

jmurawski@realclearinvestigations.com
Part of a Series on the 'Woking' of Medicine

Doctors are questioning the concept of colorblindness in patient care as a racist holdover that benefits white people. And some openly acknowledge that prioritizing non-whites for medical care to compensate for historical wrongs may result in a greater loss of life. But increasingly they say that society must take this route as a matter of medical ethics.

The colorblind standard, which says that race is an irrelevant consideration in providing medical treatment, has come under intense scrutiny during the COVID-19 pandemic, which disproportionately sickened and killed people of color.

Numerous academic papers reassessed the moral logic of triage, which sets policy on prioritizing emergency care, as coronavirus deaths surged and medical ethicists grappled with the moral tradeoffs of allocating scarce resources. For example, in March 2020, when the pandemic prompted fears that overwhelmed hospitals would run out of beds and equipment, two medical ethicists proposed an ostensibly race-neutral framework for rationing ventilators to save patients lives.

Writing in the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association, University of Pittsburgh bioethicist Douglas White and University of California, San Francisco, professor emeritus Bernard Lo reiterated the longstanding view that ventilators should not be allocated on the basis of morally irrelevant considerations, such as sex, race, religion, intellectual disability, insurance status, wealth, citizenship, social status, or social connections.

Less than a year later, race was no longer a morally irrelevant consideration for White and Lo. In a February 2021 paper about mitigating inequities in intensive care, they wrote: Although at first glance it seems unproblematic to focus on saving as many lives as possible with scarce critical care resources, this approach may disproportionately deny critical care treatment to persons of color and the poor.

Thus saving as many lives as possible in a colorblind manner becomes a classic example of systemic racism: a neutral standard that benefits white people. Thats because people of color, with lower life expectancies, are more likely to be downgraded in priority for emergency lifesaving measures.

In our view, when society is substantially responsible for creating disparities through unfair social policies, there is a special obligation to prioritize disparity mitigation, they wrote, even if doing so results in somewhat fewer overall lives saved compared with purely utilitarian triage.

Although White and Lo could not be reached for comment, the differences between the two papers published less than a year apart reflect the remarkable velocity of change that has occurred in medicine during the past year. Coinciding with the rise of Black Lives Matter and nationwide protests over the killing of George Floyd, the pandemics unequal death rates jolted medical ethicists to rethink how doctors and hospitals should prioritize the distribution of ventilators, intensive care beds and coronavirus vaccines.

The reevaluation of racially neutral standards as inherently discriminatory could ultimately expand to other areas of medicine as medical ethicists adopt critical race theory and assess the allocation of medical care through the prism of systemic racism, white privilege, and implicit bias.

To achieve equitable access and distribution of care, critical race theory must be a part of the process utilized to create broad, population-focused guidelines, four doctors wrote in a Health Affairs article last year.

According to critical race theory, facially neutral laws and colorblind social norms produce unequal outcomes that favor white people, and a socially just society should strive for fair outcomes by race by tipping the scales to help groups that lack power and privilege.

From how research is conducted, to the policies that expand access to health care, to the protocols we use to fairly allocate increasingly scarce medical resources, we must analyze how our actions or inactions will impact racial inequities, the doctors wrote in Health Affairs.

Others were already making the case that the traditional colorblind approach of prioritizing patients based on life expectancy is immoral because it automatically privileges white people. Decades of Jim Crow, redlining and other forms of discrimination produced the social conditions that gave whites advantages that resulted in longer lifespans. One such glaring disparity: The life expectancy in Harlem is 72.7 years, but right nearby the residents of the Upper East Side of Manhattan have life expectancies of 89 years, the four doctors noted in Health Affairs.

The black-white life expectancy in the United States differs by about 5 years for males and 3 years for females, according to federal data. Contributing factors include chronic conditions, unintentional injuries, suicide and homicide. Just last month, the National Center for Health Statistics reported that the racially disproportionate deaths caused by the coronavirus pandemic had the statistical effect of reducing the average life expectancy by 3 years for Hispanics and by 2.9 years for blacks, but just 1.2 years for white people.

The public may be receptive to race-based medicine. According to two independent online surveys conducted in September 2020, respondents endorsed prioritizing racial/ethnic communities that are disproportionately affected by COVID-19.

The tradeoffs involved in this moral rebalancing of competing interests encapsulate the underlying source of the tension: individual rights versus group rights. White and Lo seek to achieve the best of both worlds, but they acknowledge that improving outcomes for some groups in the name of racial justice comes with a price: It may result in a greater loss of life.

Others have articulated a similar moral position when deciding who should be prioritized for vaccinations: essential workers, who are disproportionately minority, or the elderly, who are disproportionately white.

"Older populations are whiter," Harald Schmidt, an assistant professor of medical ethics and health policy at the University of Pennsylvania, explained in The New York Times in December 2020. "Society is structured in a way that enables them to live longer. Instead of giving additional health benefits to those who already had more of them, we can start to level the playing field a bit."

In May 2020, Schmidt, who is white, characterized the current health care allocation system in unflattering terms, as "a let-me-use-my-connections-and-pointy-middle-class-elbows approach.

Ethical, epidemiological, and economic reasons demand that rationing approaches give priority to groups that have been structurally and historically disadvantaged, Schmidt wrote, even if this means that overall life years gained may be lower.

This year a number of states sought to give priority for vaccinations to black, Hispanic and other at-risk residents, but most states used proxies for race, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions Social Vulnerability Index.

They were following the October 2020 recommendation of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The national academies goal was to ensure that special efforts are made to deliver vaccine to residents of high-vulnerability areas, using the CDCs Social Vulnerability Index or another similar proxy. This would incorporate the variables that the committee believes are most linked to the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on people of color.

North Carolina allocated doses to counties with higher concentrations of older people and historically marginalized populations, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, while California planned to reserve 40% of vaccines for residents in the most economically disadvantaged areas of the state. Vermonts Republican governor, Phil Scott, announced an explicit race-based policy in April, tweeting that the state would prioritize vaccinations for residents age 16 and older who identify as black, indigenous or a person of color (BIPOC).

White and Los updated ethics triage guidance was posted online this year by the University of Pittsburghs Department of Critical Care Medicine in a paper examining how scarce health resources are allocated. The guidance notes that race-conscious medical ethics is gaining traction among some physicians, a development that sets the stage for an inevitable collision with prevailing jurisprudence, because the current state of U.S. law bans affirmative action and racial preferences except under limited circumstances on a case-by-case basis.

A University of Pittsburgh spokesman said that the triage protocol is not an official university position statement, and that the school is an educational and research institution that doesnt provide medical care.

U.S. courts have never considered a case over the use of race to allocate scarce health care resources, according to an October 2020 paper co-authored by Schmidt, who wrote that the U.S. Supreme Court is not likely to approve an explicitly race-based allocation policy. He urged public health agencies to devise proxies to achieve their intentions.

The Supreme Court is likely to uphold racially neutral vaccine allocation criteria, which are designed to capture worse-off minorities but not explicitly, Schmidt and his co-authors wrote. A vaccine distribution formula, therefore, could lawfully prioritize populations based on factors like geography, socioeconomic status, and housing density that would favor racial minorities de facto, but not explicitly include race.

Hesitating to proceed with this ethical tightrope act would amount to a dereliction of duty, the authors suggested.

Public health agencies will have considerable discretion in rationing scarce COVID-19 vaccines, they exhorted. They could become agents of change toward improving social and racial justice. Or they can become complicit in allocation strategies that, once again, disproportionately favor the better-off, White majority.

One active case study of explicit racial favoritism is a medical reparations pilot project at Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston that provides a preferential admission option for Black and Latinx heart failure patients to our specialty cardiology service.

The project, explicitly anchored in critical race theory, seeks to repay the outstanding debt from the harm caused by our institutions, and owed to our BIPOC patients. The two doctors, who have taught at Harvard University and are running the pilot, wrote in their description of their project in March that critical race theory has made clear that after five decades of trying colorblindness as a social ideal, the problem of racial inequality has only worsened.

One of the authors, Michelle Morse, is the chief medical officer of the New York City Health Department. The other author, Bram Wispelwey, is a physician at Brigham and Womens Hospital and also co-founder and chief strategist of Health for Palestine.

The stubborn persistence of racial inequities  both in health care and across society at large  gives the lie to the effectiveness of colorblind policies, they wrote.

They acknowledge that offering preferential care based on race may prompt legal challenges, but they say there is ample evidence that the current societal systems already unfairly preference people who are white. They further note: Our approach is corrective and therefore mandated.

jmurawski@realclearinvestigations.com
Part One of a Two-Part Series (Part Two Here)

The national racial reckoning over reparations and critical race theory is taking over the world of medicine and health care. Prestigious medical journals, top medical schools and elite medical centers are adopting the language of social justice activism and vowing to confront systemic racism, dismantle structural violence and disrupt white supremacy in their institutional cultures.

Some activist physicians describe the present-day health care system with such ominous terms as a medical caste system or medical apartheid, the latter locution taken from the title of a 2007 book about Americas history of medical experimentation on enslaved blacks and freedmen.

Modern American medicine has historical roots in scientific racism and eugenics movements, according to a February article in the New England Journal of Medicine titled How Structural Racism Works  Racist Policies as a Root Cause of U.S. Racial Health Inequities. Black communities became medical training grounds and a source of profit, reinforcing the American medical caste system that we have today.

Rare is the doctor who is willing to publicly question claims of white privilege and implicit bias in the healthcare system, and already several doctors who have publicly pushed back have been demoted and have filed legal actions alleging retaliation. This year the medical profession received an unequivocal message when two editors of the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association resigned under pressure over a podcast that aired opinions expressing skepticism that the United States is plagued by systemic racism.

While racialized politics has infused every corner of American life, the moral stakes in the health care arena go far beyond, say, the perceived slights called microaggressions. The medical literature, lately drawing on critical race theory, depicts the health care industry itself as a historical source of illness in  and even killing of  black and brown bodies. That would make medicine analogous to policing and criminal justice, the other social institutions directly blamed for maiming and murdering black people.

During the last year, more than 200 governmental bodies and private institutions have declared racism a public health care crisis, a step that potentially clears the way for taking more aggressive action to protect public health by hiring more black doctors, academics, administrators and editors as caretakers and gatekeepers.

If for no other reason than atonement  addressing racial equity is a just cause for academic medicine," Clyde Yancy, chief of cardiology and vice dean for diversity and inclusion at Northwestern Universitys Feinberg School of Medicine, wrote last year in the Journal of the American Medical Association, or JAMA, in a piece titled Academic Medicine and Black Lives Matter.

What exists today as the infrastructure for scientific discovery and medicine reflects structural racism that has evolved from a biased, stained, and oppressive history against Black individuals, Yancy wrote. All physicians, and particularly those in academic medicine, can and should address racial equality and engage with Black Lives Matter because atonement matters.

The movement is just beginning reshape the practice of medicine, but a primary assumption is that white doctors and institutions are pervaded with unconscious bias, and that black doctors, who are significantly underrepresented in the profession, would provide better care to black patients. But because black students typically get lower scores and lower grades, increasing the ranks of African American and other minority practitioners would likely require moving away from a reliance on conventional measures of academic qualification, such as undergraduate grades and standardized test scores.

According to this line of reasoning, grades and scores may not be a reliable measure of future potential for underrepresented minority groups because such students must first overcome an array of obstacles and challenges  from biased teachers to unprepared parents  to catch up to their more privileged white classmates, according to a piece written by a trio of black physicians in the New England Journal of Medicine last year.

Ultimately, physicians skill and quality are defined by the care they provide to patients over the span of a career  a value that no three-digit test score can anticipate, the New England Journal piece states.

Efforts to improve health outcomes for black patients are advancing on many fronts. They include a Boston hospital pilot project to offer preferential admissions to non-white patients for heart care; prioritizing non-whites for COVID-19 vaccinations; and the changing of a United States Medical Licensing Examination test from a graded score to pass/fail to help minority students succeed.

The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education is adding a diversity requirement for accrediting U.S. residency and fellowship programs for newly minted doctors; and Northwestern University and its Feinberg School of Medicine are seeking to improve diversity by eliminating a six-decade-old Honors Program in Medical Education.

Medical schools are adding units on critical race theory, intersectionality, implicit bias, identity, oppression, allyship, power and privilege to their curricula. Medical students are learning about medical exploitation and medical experimentation on enslaved blacks, black prisoners and other unwitting subjects. And staple reading assignments in med schools feature such non-medical polemics as Robin DiAngelos White Fragility and Ibram X. Kendis How to Be an Antiracist.

This year alone, six state medical boards have added a requirement for training in antiracism, implicit bias or cultural competency for doctors in some practice areas to be eligible for a medical license, raising the total to 13 jurisdictions that require such training; eight other board are reviewing such proposals, according to the Federation of State Medical Boards.

All of this comes at a time when medical schools are experiencing dramatic changes on the gender front as well, where it is becoming customary for medical professionals to announce their gender pronouns as a matter of standard etiquette, and some medical schools are replacing the phrase pregnant women with birthing people in the interest of inclusiveness. Indeed, the issues of race and gender are intersectionally linked in the world of social justice advocacy, and some anti-racist and equity manifestos include a sex and gender platform, such as adding more chest binders and gender-affirming practices, reducing heteronormative bias, and advocating for LGBTQIA2S+ causes.

These efforts, which have been building for years, seem to be moving the needle. Medical school applications from black and Hispanic students surged between 2013 and 2020, according to data from the Association of American Medical Colleges. As a result, black students accounted for 9.5% of all first-year med students in 2020, up from 7% in 2013, while first-year students identifying as Hispanic jumped to 12% from 9.1% over the same period.

Meanwhile, the percentage of white medical students is diminishing. The 2019-20 academic year marked the first time that self-identified whites accounted for less than half of the nations medical students.

The public health profession has long been in the vanguard of seeing medicine as a social science and politics as medicine on a grand scale. Last year, at a time when public gatherings were discouraged or banned to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, more than 1,200 public health officials signed a letter last year encouraging public participation in mass protests in support of Black Lives Matter.

"This should not be confused with a permissive stance on all gatherings, particularly protests against stay-home orders," the petition states. "Those actions not only oppose public health interventions, but are also rooted in white nationalism and run contrary to respect for Black lives."

Such developments trouble skeptics worried about the repercussions for patient care and for the training of physicians. They say the moral fervor reduces complex policy to simplistic slogans and indiscriminately blames all racial disparities on a nebulous menace  white supremacy or systemic racism  while discounting the influence of cultural differences and individual initiative. It then attacks the perceived problem through blunt weapons as such racial preferences, ideological conformity and emotional blackmail.

The fundamental problem with social justice in public health is that there are no limiting principles to it, American Enterprise Institute senior fellow and author Sally Satel wrote in the journal Liberties this year.

Differences of any kind  in income, education, school performance, and, of course, health  are manifestations of racism and racism alone, Satel wrote. The practice of equity, the enactment of critical race theory, permits, if not endorses, unequal treatment of the dominant group in order to arrive at equal group outcomes, even if it is to the detriment of ailing individuals.

Satel is among those who doubt equity is attainable, given the complex underlying factors that shape human health. But some medical ethics experts are pushing in the other direction and going so far as to argue that equalizing group outcomes between blacks and whites may necessitate tolerating a greater loss of life.

Whose Hippocratic Oath Is It?

The medical ethics quandary tests the foundational principle of medicine itself, the Hippocratic Oath, by which doctors take a vow to "do no harm." In the current cultural moment in which critical race theory is upending long-held assumptions about colorblindness, bioethics experts are reassessing the traditional understanding of harm and healing in ways that would have been unthinkable in the past.

For these reasons, the skeptics see the profession swept up in a moral panic and headed for a massive over-correction, while advocates see the stakes for minority patients in life-and-death terms.

Its a very ideological approach to things: People are going to die, so you have to agree with everything I say. And if you disagree with it, you want people to die apparently,  said William Jacobson, clinical professor of law at Cornell Law School and president of the Legal Insurrection Foundation, which runs the conservative websites legalinsurrection.com and criticalrace.org.

And it also is extremely lucrative for consultants and administrators who have a vested interested in perpetuating the problem and these efforts, said Jacobson, who is involved in litigation against SUNY Upstate Medical University for internal communications related to the schools planned equity strategy.

Lurking just under the surface of this debate is the sensitive question no one wants to discuss on the record: the quality of med students and doctors who have lower test scores and worse grades, and presumably would not have been admitted if not for affirmative action. Thats an issue broached by Norman Wang, a University of Pittsburgh cardiologist whose peer-reviewed article questioning the legality of racial preferences was, four months after publication, retracted, leading to Wangs demotion and public denunciation by his employer and by the journal that initially saw fit to run his article.

Long-term academic solutions and excellence should not be sacrificed for short-term demographic optics, Wang wrote in the article. Ultimately, all who aspire to a profession in medicine and cardiology must be assessed as individuals on the basis of their personal merits, not their racial and ethnic identities.

In last years JAMA piece, Yancy acknowledged the racial reckoning will require a period of trial and error.

What works is simply not clear, Yancy wrote. In the haste to achieve racial equity in medicine, many are rushing to embrace the same strategies: implicit bias testing; bias mitigation seminars; cluster hiring of diverse faculty members; eliminating any evidence of race-based medicine from curricula; hiring of chief diversity officers; no longer reporting race in research reports."

A more detailed sampling of several recent anti-racist initiatives shows the radical character of the transformation within the medical profession that is now underway.

The American Medical Association, the nations premier professional group with more than 270,000 member doctors, in May announced a racial justice strategy that would encourage all physicians to develop a critical consciousness and align with anti-oppressive and anti-racist praxis to dismantle what it described as white patriarchy and other systems of oppression. The AMA seeks to promote the invisible-ized collective narratives of black, Latinx, LGBTQ+ and other historically marginalized physicians and patients.

The AMAs 86-page strategic plan endorses critical race theory, intersectionality and equity as core elements of a medical school education. Consistent with those doctrines, the AMAs equity strategy repudiates equal treatment and meritocracy, denouncing them as malignant, white supremacist ideologies that serve to obscure true power and site of responsibility. The AMA condemns the detrimental effects of colonization, racial capitalism, and enduring forms of supremacism that contribute to a persistent cycle of structural violence.

The State University of New Yorks Upstate Medical University, in Syracuse, founded in 1834 and employing more nearly 11,000 people, last year assembled a diversity task force to advance the herculean task of eradicating racial health disparities. The task forces first recommendation: the creation of implementation and oversight Tiger Teams  echoing a term deployed by NASA in 1970 for the Apollo 13 space mission  to oversee and prioritize 65 proposed action items.

Among the 164-page task force reports charges: Health care professionals must explicitly acknowledge that race and racism are at the root of these health disparities. All students and staff are to receive training in bystander intervention for bias, all new faculty hires would be required to sign a written pledge affirming a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and staff with advanced training in anti-racism would be identified by wearable buttons. Medical school applications would add questions about the applicants commitment to social justice, and include a statement that if the student does not have this desire they may not want to consider [SUNY] Upstate.

WhiteCoats4BlackLives, a medical student organization that has grown to some 75 chapters out of the National White Coat Die-In demonstrations in 2014, represents up-and-coming leaders in the medical profession. The organization supports the Palestinian liberation movement, advocates the abolition of police forces, and urges medical schools to research the backgrounds of their founders and leaders for racist and oppressive pasts. WC4BLs 289-page report from 2019 says the med school curriculum must explicitly teach that it is the dominant groups pursuit of power that contributes to illness. Among the groups policy proposals: Medical schools must eliminate racial grading disparities, compensate community advocates and people of color for anti-racist activism, and equip physicians-in-training with tools to dismantle systemic racism, including training in activism and organizing.

Origins of a Movement

What has led up to this point? One place to start is the voluminous research on racial health disparities and the grim picture this body of work depicts. The 1985 Heckler Report, a nine-volume study issued by the Department of Health and Human Services, officially called the Report of the Secretary's Task Force on Black and Minority Health, reported a five-year difference in life expectancy between blacks and whites, and double the infant mortality rate for blacks compared to whites -- disparities that are similar to this day. The federal governments first study of the black-white health gap noted 59,000 black deaths a year caused by the disparities.

A 2003 report commissioned by the U.S. Congress and produced by the Institute of Medicine (since renamed to the National Academy of Medicine) referred to some 600 studies on racial disparities over the previous three decades. The 700-plus-page report, called Unequal Treatment: Confronting Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care, said black patients are less likely to receive appropriate cardiac medication, coronary artery bypass surgery, hemodialysis, kidney transplantation, pediatric care and many surgical procedures  even when accounting for variations in insurance status, income, age and other factors.

Unequal Treatment reported that black Medicare patients were more likely to receive overly aggressive treatment in several procedures: bilateral orchiectomy (i.e., castration) and amputation. Yancy said those two disparities hold true today.

The report found that racial and ethnic minority patients were more likely to refuse treatment, but the refusal rates among African Americans are generally small and that minority patient refusal does not fully explain healthcare disparities.

The 2003 report sounds presciently contemporary in its bleak assessment of the status quo.

These studies illustrate that much of American social and economic life remains ordered by race and ethnicity, with minorities disadvantaged relative to whites, the report said. The report also provided one of the axioms of systemic racism: There is considerable empirical evidence that even well-meaning whites who are not overtly biased and who do not believe that they are prejudiced typically demonstrate unconscious implicit negative racial attitudes and stereotypes.

A 2016 study on disparate pain treatment said that half of white medical students and residents have false and fantastical beliefs that black people have a higher pain tolerance. The study was seeking an explanation for why black patients are less likely to receive opioids for pain treatment or to receive lower doses, a pattern that holds even for children.

A 2019 study, referencing more than 300 papers on racial health disparities, noted that the racial outcomes are impervious to social class: At every level of education and income, African Americans have a lower life expectancy at age 25 than do whites and Hispanics (or Latinos), and blacks with a college degree or more education have a lower life expectancy than do whites and Hispanics who graduated from high school.

For the past quarter-century, public health experts had accepted a general explanation for these disparities  attributing them to social determinants of health  a term that covers living conditions and socioeconomic factors that ultimately determine ones life expectancy. But these social determinants existed somewhere out in the world, beyond the scope of doctors, and the medical solutions seemed speculative, unknown or ultimately unknowable.

Seizing On an Invisible Force

Over time, public health researchers began attributing the racial disparities with growing insistence to an anterior cause  an invisible force operating within American society, ranging from unconscious bias to policing patterns and even to the practice of medicine itself. In other words: systemic racism. Framing the disparities as the result of social determinants of health left the medical profession powerless  for how can a health care provider treat a patient suffering from social conditions? But zeroing in on systemic racism has thrown open the doors to a whole new set of interventions, which translate into the anti-racism movement now sweeping through the medical profession.

Its the thing that causes the adverse impact of social determinants of health on specific communities, said Matthew Wynia, a University of Colorado professor of medicine and director of the Center for Bioethics and Humanities. To just say its because they live in bad neighborhoods, that is not a full explanation. This is all about 400 years of history.

Wynia said there are only a handful of possible explanations for why black people have consistently worse health outcomes: bad genetics, irresponsible behavior, individual racism on the part of whites, or social structures. Wynia said the first two explanations  bad genes and bad choices  are the very definitions of racism, and individual white racists do exist but within the context of a larger problem: Societal factors have got to be the favorite there.

Satel agreed that increasing the ranks of the nations African American doctors and other practitioners would be a welcome development, especially if these doctors, physicians assistants, and nurse practitioners dedicated themselves to serving poor communities that have a shortage of doctors and clinics. She said a higher level of doctor-patient trust would very likely increase compliance with taking medications and following doctors orders.

But a common question that comes up is: What can a doctor or a hospital do to alleviate health conditions caused by substandard housing or a failing school system? How does diagnosing medical conditions with political theories guide a doctor in treating a patient? There is no single answer, but one advocate suggests a redefinition of a physicians scope of practice: Doctors have a moral obligation to become politically active so they can work to dismantle the social structures that harm their patients health.

Were often taught as doctors to be apolitical, be quiet, dont say anything, but that silence is just reinforcing the problems that got us here to begin with, said Stella Safo, assistant clinical professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, in New York City. Safo was one of the doctors who started the petition for JAMA to become more racially aware and restructure its leadership after it approved a podcast in which a JAMA editor questioned the existence of systemic racism (see sidebar).

Another doctor involved in the JAMA petition was Brittani James, a Chicago-based physician and assistant professor in the College of Medicine at the University of Illinois, who has developed a longitudinal anti-racism course that med students will take over four years; the course was piloted in the 2020-21 academic year.

What were trying to get them to understand is that its not going to stop until we get to the root of the problem, which is all of us are agents in the system, said James, who also treats low-income patients in an urban clinic, and describes herself as an activist, radical black feminist, and anti-racism scholar.

We do not name and acknowledge that we are built on a system designed to keep able-bodied white males alive, James said. If youre anybody but a straight able-bodied white male, our system is not optimized for you. Thats reality.

An underlying problem in health care, from the standpoint of critical race theory, is the profit motive that disincentivizes health care providers from caring for the uninsured and the poor.

This really rattles people because people really do not want to critique capitalism, but we have to look at it, James said. The resounding argument is essentially that capitalism requires a pool of dehumanized labor so they can be exploited for profit. I personally think that capitalism is an unsustainable system.

But the critics say that applying critical race theory to medicine too often devolves into an exercise in confirmational bias that seeks only the evidence that confirms the theory of systemic racism, ignores or disallows contradictory evidence, and imposes forced interpretations on complex data.

They start with the conclusion. And there can be no deviation from the conclusion, said Jacobson, the conservative law professor at Cornell. You cannot question the conclusion because the conclusion of systemic racism is the starting point. It stifles dissenting views. It stifles open inquiry.

Other scholars express similar frustrations. Satels article in the Liberties journal, titled Do No Harm: Critical Race Theory and Medicine, cites an anonymous colleague who related participating in a group discussion about stress and suicide among black youth. The tacit rule was that only fear of police aggression and subjection to discrimination were allowable explanations, the anonymous doctor recalled, not the psychological torture of bullying by classmates or the quotidian terror of neighborhood gun violence.

It will likely take years to know whether efforts to achieve equity  that is: equal outcomes by race -- and make amends for past wrongs will make a dent in medical treatment and lifespans for people of color.

There is no evidence that any one step necessarily minimizes that gap, said Yancy, past president of the American Heart Association, in an interview with RealClearInvestigations. As well, the disparities evolved over decades and so its difficult to think that a single intervention or set of interventions over just a few short years would begin to narrow those disparities.

It is a process that that were engaged with, a hypothesis that we hope to prove, Yancy said. So were beginning what is a very tough pivot. It will take generations to execute this pivot.

jmurawski@realclearinvestigations.com
Today, we tend to think about "climate" change when we contemplate extreme weather, but whatever you call it, this is bad. It's not entirely new, however. As I wrote five years ago during a stretch of difficult weather, on this date 125 years ago, the Washington Evening Times ran a banner headline: "Sun Is Slaughtering the People of the Great Cities." Newspaper readers in the nation's capital knew it was hot -- this was the 17th consecutive day of a fearsome heat wave -- but this story revealed the vast geographical extent of the deadly weather. The lethal "hot wave," as it was called, was causing suffering and death the length of the Eastern Seaboard, and inland all the way to Chicago.

"All nature was languid almost to prostration," The Washington Post had reported in the middle of the wave.

"Little Babies Will Die," screeched the headline of a drug store advertisement in the Washington Evening Star. The product being advertised was talcum powder, which, as I understand it, is now being litigated out of existence. Those actually most at risk were otherwise healthy men of all ages who labored outdoors. These were the days before refrigeration, let alone air conditioning, and as the heat kept up day after day -- with no relief at night -- the effects were cumulative.

Two weeks into the ordeal, on Aug. 9, 1896, the Evening Star carried the account of a 55-year-old Civil War veteran named Thomas Kelly who became listless at supper time and, in his desperation, skipped dinner and downed a quantity of ice water. He was seized with stomach cramps and died that night.

"When Will it Stop?" the Evening Star beseeched in an Aug. 11 headline. Newspapers offered safety tips and other suggestions. These ranged from riding the open-air streetcars and wearing light clothing to avoiding strenuous exercise (which included walking too far and engaging in "political arguments"). This last suggestion was a reference to the spirited presidential campaign that year between William McKinley and William Jennings Bryan.

The weather finally broke in Washington, D.C., on the evening of Aug. 13, 1896, thanks to a series of sustained thunderstorms. A cooling front followed behind it, providing relief from Virginia to New England. To this day, no one knows the death toll of the great "hot wave." No one did at the time, either.

Five years later, the Washington Post tried to piece the tragedy together in its annual Almanac. It noted that 2,038 deaths from sunstroke were recorded in the impacted areas, 1,461 of them in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington. St. Louis and Chicago contributed 310 deaths. Common sense dictates that the actual numbers were far higher, as the almanac authors noted.

How many of these deaths were preventable remains an open question. In New York City, conditions were especially unbearable: two weeks with the temperature at 90 degrees or higher, 90% humidity day and night, and dangerously still air. "No wind at all," noted historian Edward P. Kohn, "so at night there was absolutely no relief whatsoever."

On the crowded Lower East Side, people would try anything to escape the furnace-like effect of crowded apartments. Presumably because they feared the outbreak of disease, city officials did not lift its ban on sleeping in city parks.

"They took to the rooftops, and they took to the fire escapes, trying to catch a breath of fresh air," added Kohn, who wrote a book on how the heat wave was experienced in New York, and its political ramifications. "Inevitably, somebody would fall asleep or get drunk, roll off the top of a five-story tenement, crash into the courtyard below and be killed. You'd have children who would go to sleep on fire escapes and fall off and break their legs or be killed. People [tried] to go down to the piers on the East River and sleep there, out in the open -- and would roll into the river and drown."

At least one high-ranking official, the 37-year-old police commissioner, was appalled by the city's inaction.

He proposed giving away free ice to the poor New Yorkers packed in the city's densest tenements -- and then personally supervised its distribution. With only a small entourage he ventured into the dark alleys in the neediest neighborhoods and watched immigrant fathers chipping off chunks of ice and giving it to their young children to suck on. He witnessed the plight of the urban poor at closer quarters than most politicians did then -- or do now, for that matter. It informed his views on progressive politics in general and immigration policy in particular. It also launched a political career that would take him all the way to the White House. His name, of course, was Theodore Roosevelt.

Carl M. Cannon is the Washington bureau chief for RealClearPolitics. Reach him on Twitter @CarlCannon.
Farmers are being advised to consider a reactive approach to weed control in order to reduce risks during oilseed rape's establishment.

Buoyant prices for the 2021 crop are being underpinned by demand from processors and it is likely that more OSR will be drilled this August and September compared to last year.

Early predictions are that the circa-280,000 hectares of crop being harvested now will be comfortably exceeded.

But with the unpredictable nature of the weather, and the threat of pest damage, Corteva Agriscience is urging farmers to consider strategies which minimise risk.

John Sellars, OSR herbicides manager said: Research has helped improve knowledge around how to successfully establish a resilient crop, and new thinking has developed in the face of pest and weather challenges seen in recent years.

But oilseed rape growers will still be determined to minimise risk as much as possible, driven by variety choice, drilling dates, targeting soil moisture and an effective herbicide programme.

One tactic which has proven extremely effective in the UK over the past two seasons is to switch away from a broad acre pre-emergence approach to weed control.

Belkar, from Corteva, has become a part of these integrated strategies. The post-emergence herbicide deals with key weeds such as poppy, cleavers, shepherds purse, fumitory and cranesbill without the need to invest up-front in residual chemistry.

The Arylex active + picloram formulation allows growers to wait until a crop has established and weeds have germinated before deciding on their herbicide investment.

Demand for quality British rapeseed is unrelenting and the associated gross margins remain unrivalled, still making it the break crop of choice for a huge number of farms, Mr Sellars said.

However, those who grow it want to employ an establishment strategy that puts less investment up front in the programme, allowing them to see how the crop and weeds are emerging before making their next important decision on inputs.

Drilling dates are being altered and pest management plans are being revisited, and the same can be said for herbicides.

Belkar paves the way for growers to switch from higher-risk preventative to reactive autumn weed control strategies.

Growers can wait until the crop is out the ground  giving themselves time to assess the visible weed pressure plus the impact of pests such as cabbage stem flea beetle and slugs, he added.
Low-cost 3D Method Rapidly Measures Disease Impacts on Coral Reefs

Stony coral tissue loss disease is responsible for widespread coral death throughout the Tropical Western Atlantic. (Photo credit: Joshua Voss, Ph.D.)

Stony coral tissue loss disease manifests as lesions of necrotic tissue that spread across coral colonies, leaving behind dead coral skeletons. Since 2014, this highly virulent disease has contributed to substantial declines of reef-building coral in Florida, impacting more than 20 coral species. The need for widespread reef monitoring and novel surveys are imperative for disease mitigation strategies. However, the various techniques currently used all require individual evaluation and often rely on visual estimates by divers in the field.

A low-cost and rapid 3D technique is helping scientists to gain insight into the colony- and community-level dynamics of the poorly understood stony coral tissue loss disease. Researchers from Florida Atlantic Universitys Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute adapted Structure-from-Motion (SfM) photogrammetry to generate 3D models for tracking lesion progression and impacts on diseased coral colonies. By combining traditional diver surveys and with 3D colony fate-tracking, the team determined the impacts of disease on coral colonies at study sites throughout Southeast Florida in St. Lucie Reef, Jupiter, Palm Beach and Lauderdale-by-the-Sea.

Your browser does not support the video tag. FAU Harbor Branch researchers have developed a low-cost and rapid 3D technique to determine the impacts of disease on coral reefs. The 3D rotating model provides greater insights into the spatiotemporal dynamics and impacts of coral diseases on individual colonies and coral communities than surveys or visual estimates of disease progression alone.

Results of the study, published in PLOS One , demonstrated that the prevalence of stony coral tissue loss disease varied significantly across location, but not through time. St. Lucie Reef and Lauderdale-by-the-Sea sites were highly impacted by coral disease, while study sites in Jupiter and Palm Beach had lower disease prevalence. The highest disease values observed in this study were between 21 to 43 percent at St. Lucie Reef. However, no site reached the highest reported disease prevalence values of 60 percent observed near Miami in 2014.

We observed an increase in disease prevalence during the spring of 2018, which was honestly unexpected. Prevalence values for other described coral diseases such as white syndrome, white band, black band, and white pox often increase during the summer months as water temperatures increase, said Joshua D. Voss, Ph.D., senior author, an associate research professor at FAU Harbor Branch and executive director of the NOAA Cooperative Institute for Ocean Exploration, Research, and Technology. Stony coral tissue loss disease prevalence does not appear to have a strong positive correlation with temperature as has been observed for other coral diseases, but potential environmental cofactors that may drive disease prevalence need to be examined further.

Findings from the study also indicated that total colony area and healthy tissue area on fate-tracked colonies decreased significantly over time, capturing the amount of coral tissue lost to disease. However, disease lesions themselves did not change in size over time and were not correlated with total colony area. These results suggest that targeting intervention efforts on larger colonies may maximize preservation of coral cover.

Since stony coral tissue loss disease is a progressive and necrotic infection, the area of tissue loss, or proportion of tissue loss, may represent more impactful metrics for quantifying the severity of infection as opposed to disease lesion area or percent affected tissue, said Ian Combs, the studys lead author and recent M.S. graduate from Voss lab at FAU Harbor Branch. Traditional coral surveys combined with 3D photogrammetry can provide greater insights into the spatiotemporal dynamics and impacts of coral diseases on individual colonies and coral communities than surveys or visual estimates of disease progression alone.

Since 2014, Floridas Coral Reef has experienced an ongoing outbreak of the newly-described coral disease responsible for widespread coral death throughout the Tropical Western Atlantic. The disease first appeared in the summer of 2014 following the dredging of Government Cut in Miami-Dade County. In subsequent years, reports of stony coral tissue loss disease infections have increased and spread from Miami-Dade County along the Florida Reef Tract and into the wider Tropical Western Atlantic. To date, the disease has spread north to the northern terminus of the Floridas Coral Reef in Martin County and south to the Dry Tortugas in Monroe County, with additional outbreaks observed in at least twelve territories throughout the Tropical Western Atlantic.

The ultimate goal of this work is to increase widespread application of this and similar techniques to improve the design, implementation, and success of coral disease intervention, mitigation, and management strategies.

Quantitative 3D approaches such as the method we used can improve our understanding of the ecology and impacts of coral diseases on coral reef ecosystems, and may guide colony selection in future disease intervention strategies, said Voss. Well use this information to optimize our efforts to slow disease outbreaks in Southeast Florida and the Dry Tortugas.

Combs is now a coral reef ecosystem biologist at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium. Additional co-authors on the study include Michael Studivan, Ph.D., a graduate of FAUs integrative biology doctoral program and an assistant scientist at the University of Miami CIMAS/NOAA AOML; and Ryan Eckert, an FAU integrative biology Ph.D. student in the Voss Lab.

This research was supported by awards to Voss from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (B430E1 and B55008), the Environmental Protection Agency (South Florida Geographic Initiative award X7 00D667-17), and the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program (award NA16NOS4820052). Additional funding was awarded to Combs by the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Foundation through the Indian River Lagoon Graduate Research Fellowship.

Photographs vs. 3D modeling: the composite of photographs show stony coral tissue loss disease lesions on a colony of Montastraea cavernosa. (a) a photograph of fate-tracked, stony coral tissue loss disease-infected coral colony, (b) rendered SfM 3D model, (c) characteristic of stony coral tissue loss disease lesion, and (d) necrotic tissue. (Photo credit: Joshua Voss, Ph.D.)

-FAU-
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critic's rating: 3.5/5

In 1999, Pakistan started a series of skirmishes which resulted in a full-blown war between India and Pakistan. It started on May 3, 1999 and ended on July 26, 1999. Pakistani troops held the higher ground during the conflict but our brave soldiers were able to destroy each and every bunker of the enemy and recapture every position, ending the conflict with a decisive victory. Some of them paid the ultimate price in order to obtain the objective and one such braveheart was Captain Vikram Batra, who was posthumously awarded with Indias highest military honour, the Param Veer Chakra, for his valour displayed during the capture of a vital position, Point 4875. It was later named Batra Top in his honour. Captain Batras story was touched upon briefly in JP Duttas tribute to the Kargil war, LOC:Kargil (2003). He was already famous before that, thanks to a Barkha Dutt interview. His war cry, Yeh Dil Maange More, touched the nations imagination. Every teenager back then wanted to join the army because of that.

Captain Batra was a larger-than-life figure and his story has been faithfully reconstructed in Shershaah, which alludes to his code-name in the army. Writer Sandeep Srivastava and director Vishnuvardhan have recreated key elements from the brave officer's life. His fiancee, Dimple Cheema, was his emotional anchor and chose to remain unmarried after his death. They were together only for a brief period during the four years they knew each other but were fiercely devoted to each other. The film makes sure Dimples sacrifice too gets known. Their love story is an old-fashioned, slow burner romance which feels real. Dimple revolted against her family to be with Vikram and stood true to her convictions even after his death. The makers havent gone overboard with melodrama while depicting their relationship and it offers the right kind of balance to the action scenes depicted in the film.

The film is narrated by Vikrams twin brother Vishal, who is also played by Sidharth Malhotra. Vishal is a banker by profession and also became a motivational speaker after his brothers death. Vikram is shown to be a tenacious lad right from his childhood. He grows up idolising the army and later realises his dream, passing out as a lieutenant in 1997 gets a commission into the 13th battalion, Jammu and Kashmir Rifles (13 JAK RIF). Hes shown to be popular young officer, easily mixing with the locals, believing in winning over their hearts and minds as an effective tool against terrorism. He narrowly survives an ambush and later successfully hunts down a high-ranking commander. He comes home for holidays just before Kargil begins and goes back to the front voluntarily to be with his unit. He is successful in capturing Point 5140 and gets promoted to the rank of Captain for his bravery. Hes ordered to rest and recuperate after the successful operation but instead volunteers to lead the operation to capture the crucial Point 4875. Not caring for his own safety, he helps rescue two colleagues. He then leads the final offensive against the enemy bunker, even though gravely wounded by an enemy sniper and is successful in the end in his objective.

The scenes portrayed in the film may look over-the-top but if one reads the army dispatches about Vikram Batra, one realises that they happened more or less on the same lines as is depicted in the film. Some people are born warriors and Captain Batra was one such person. He was a staunch patriot and died defending his country with a smile on his face.

Soldiers live by their own masculine code. They are a band of brothers looking out for each other under harsh conditions and the bullet that takes a buddys life makes an impact on those left alive. Theyre not mere killing machines but have a life beyond their postings. But what sets them apart is their total dedication to the job, their devotion to their motherland. Vishnuvardhan has managed to capture the essence of it all impressively. The film has technical finesse as well, what with the well-researched combat scenes bringing the war right to your living room. The CGI is spot on, as are the action sequences. Kudos to cinematographer Kamaljeet Negi for bringing alive the harsh beauty of war and to editor A Sreekar Prasad for his deft scissor work. He has made sure the film flows on an even pace, which is so essential for an actioner.

Its Sidharth Malhotras best performance till date, who looks like Dharmendra from Haqeeqat in the film. His honest face symbolises the purity of a young soldier to a T. He has managed to capture every nuance of Vikram Batra personality and looks perfect in every frame. The infatuation he feels towards Kiaras character is bang on and so is the naivete he displays as a rookie. Later, the battle-hardened warrior shines through as well. You root for his character throughout the film and want him to have a happy ending, even when you know its not going to be possible. Kirara Advani too shines in her portrayal of Dimple Cheema. She makes sure to convey both the strength and vulnerability of Dimple. The last scene where she breaks down is bound to get a lump in your throat. Its another fine performance by Kiara, who is progressing as an actor with every film. Shiv Pandit, Sahil Vaid, Nikitin Dheet et al too have done their job well.

Shershaah is unlike anything Dharma Productions has ever made. It is a film made to be enjoyed on the big screen. It has blockbuster written all over it and its box-office success would have convinced Dharma to experiment more in terms of genres. Hopefully, they would still do that. One feels for Sidharth Malhotra in particular in the sense that his best work so far couldnt have a theatrical release. Captain Batra was an example to us all and kudos to the makers for doing wholesome justice to his extraordinary life...

Trailer : Shershaah
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 11, 2021) - Anton Novak acquired 8,000,000 common shares issued on a flow-through basis (each, a "FT Common Share") and 4,000,000 share purchase warrants (each, a "Warrant") of EnGold Mines Ltd. (the "Company") as a result of his subscription for 8,000,000 units of the Company (each, a "FT Unit") at a price of $0.50 FT Unit. Each FT Unit consisted of one FT Common Share and one-half of one Warrant, with each whole Warrant entitling the holder to purchase one common share in the capital of the Company (a "Common Share") at a price of $0.75 per Common Share for a period of two years.

Following the acquisition of the FT Common Shares and Warrants, Mr. Novak beneficially owns 11,484,005 Common Shares (including the FT Common Shares) and 4,441,668 share purchase warrants (including the Warrants) (collectively, the "Securities"), representing approximately 34.12% of the issued and outstanding voting securities of the Company on a non-diluted basis and 41.80% of the issued and outstanding securities of the Company, assuming exercise of the 4,441,668 Warrants held by Mr. Novak.

The Securities were acquired from treasury pursuant to a non-brokered private placement of the Company and Mr. Novak acquired them for investment purposes. Mr. Novak has a long-term view of the investment and may acquire additional securities either on the open market or through private acquisitions or sell the securities either on the open market or through private dispositions in the future depending on market conditions, reformulation of plans and/or other relevant factors.

This news release is issued pursuant to National Instrument 62-103 - The Early Warning System and Related Take-Over Bid and Insider Reporting Issues ("NI 62-103") of the Canadian Securities Administrators in connection with the acquisition of the FT Common Shares and Warrants by Mr. Novak, which also requires an early warning report to be filed with the applicable securities regulators containing additional information with respect to the foregoing matters. A copy of the early warning report of Mr. Novak will be available on the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. A copy of the early warning report can also be obtained by contacting David Brett (President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of the Company) at 604 682-2421.

For the purposes of NI 62-103, the address of Mr. Novak is PO Box 21095, RPO Spruceland, Prince George, BC V2M 7A5 and the head office address of the Company is Suite 488, 1090 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC V6E 3V7.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/92885
Deal establishes immediate presence in France and Spain and provides further densification in the UK

In addition to bringing on Dija's team of industry veterans, Gopuff expands its European senior leadership team to drive international growth strategy

Gopuff, the go-to solution for immediate everyday needs, today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Dija, a leading European delivery platform providing consumers daily essentials in minutes. Following Gopuff's recent acquisition of UK-based Fancy, after closing, this deal is expected to accelerate the company's international expansion by establishing an immediate presence in France and Spain and providing further densification in the UK.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210811005811/en/

"Combining Dija's team of industry veterans, extensive infrastructure, and local expertise will complement Gopuff's proprietary technology and unique customer experience, and advance our ability to scale rapidly as we create a leading platform in Europe," said Daniel Folkman, Gopuff SVP of Business. "Together, we will continue to innovate and define the Instant Needs economy across Europe and bring the category to more customers in the region."

Dija was founded in 2020 by delivery industry leaders Alberto Menolascina and Yusuf Saban and has continued to attract top talent across delivery, technology, logistics, and operations. Dija's experienced team of leaders has powered rapid expansion across the region: today, Dija operates dozens of micro-fulfillment centers across major metropolitan areas including London, Paris, Madrid, Valencia, and more.

"For the last eight years, Gopuff has been the market and category leader in the United States. Together, combined with our team's extensive experience of building and scaling food and delivery companies across Europe, we are perfectly positioned to lead the everyday essentials space in Europe and beyond," said Alberto Menolascina, Co-Founder CEO of Dija.

Through the acquisitions of Dija and Fancy, Gopuff plans to operate in three European countries with about 40 micro-fulfillment centers and 200 employees in the region, with additional plans for continued, rapid expansion.

After closing, Dija, which has a vertically integrated model similar to Gopuff, will continue to operate under the Dija name in the near-term as the two companies create an integration plan to enhance the customer experience across Europe and the UK.

The transaction is anticipated to close within 30 days, subject to customary closing conditions.

As Gopuff continues to grow its global presence and invest in the UK and Europe, the company has also brought on top talent to lead its strategic efforts internationally. This includes the appointments of Steven Harman, former Revolut Chief Operating Officer, as Senior Vice President of European Operations; and Alex Ootes, former VP of EU Category Management and Expansion at Amazon, as Vice President of European Category Management Product.

About Gopuff

Gopuff is the go-to solution for immediate everyday needs, fulfilling customer orders of cleaning and home products, over-the-counter medications, baby and pet products, food and drinks, and in some markets, alcohol and fresh made food in just minutes. With micro-fulfillment centers in every market it serves, the company delivers thousands of products quickly for a flat $1.95 delivery charge. Gopuff is open 24/7 in many markets and late night everywhere else to bring customers what they need, when they need it most.

Founded in 2013 by co-founders and co-CEOs Rafael Ilishayev and Yakir Gola, Gopuff currently operates more than 450 sites across North America and Europe, including nearly 300 micro-fulfillment centers and 185+ recently acquired BevMo! and Liquor Barn locations. To learn more, visit www.Gopuff.com or follow Gopuff on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Download the Gopuff app on iOS and Android.

About Dija

Founded by two former executives at Deliveroo, Dija delivers groceries and other household items in minutes. The company was founded in December 2020 and raised $20M seed funding from tier one investors, including Blossom Capital, Index Ventures and Creandum. To date, the company employs more than 100 people and is currently servicing customers in the United Kingdom, France and Spain.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210811005811/en/

Contacts:

Media

press@gopuff.com
LONDON, Aug. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Commonwealth of Dominica seeks to compete as the best cocoa producer in the international market by developing better agricultural practices and infrastructure. The Caribbean island has unique, fine-flavoured cocoa that has won prestigious recognition in product quality within the last decade. The initiative is being garnered through workshops held for stakeholders to improve the quality of products and services to increase selected value chains' productivity and export capacity. The Ministry of Agriculture encourages owners of abandoned cocoa lands to come on board and invest in their farms.

After the severe devastation to crops after Hurricane Maria in 2017, much of the country's ecosystem was destroyed. However, the island's resilience against climate change and determination to build back better have seen the Dominican economy thrive again.

Dr Reginald Thomas of the Ministry of the Blue and Green Economy, Agriculture and National Food Security underlined the vital role that cocoa plays in the agricultural sector as it contributes to the livelihoods of Dominican farmers and helps build resilience. "It's one of the true crops that can be placed in the production system, but importantly, cocoa has come from being an estate crop to an integrated crop, and as such, we see the importance of cocoa worldwide in terms of the market available, and it's agro-processed products," he said.

A sector that has greatly helped aid the island's agricultural recovery from Hurricane Maria is the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme. CBI confers second citizenship to those who invest in the nation's economy and is a route many take to attain greater travel mobility, business opportunities and a Plan B in times of crisis. Main applicants who invest USD$100,000 in the government's Economic Diversification Fund can gain full citizenship of Dominica and the right to work, study and live in the country also known as the 'Nature Isle of the Caribbean'.

According to a 2019 report compiled by PWC, between 2014/15 to 2018/19, close to EC$30 million was allotted from CBI funds to support agricultural and fishery sector projects. "Most of the projects were aimed at increased food production and security, which targeted specifically banana, coffee and cocoa plantations. Farmers and fishermen's employment was also boosted through training programmes and economic support," the report said.

Investors can apply individually or as a family and feel secure in passing their new citizenship on for generations to come.

pr@csglobalpartners.com, www.csglobalpartners.com
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 11, 2021) - CGX Energy Inc. (TSX: OYL) ("CGX Energy" or the "Company") announced today the release of its unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements for the second quarter of 2021, together with its Management, Discussion and Analysis - Quarterly Highlights ("MD&A"). These documents will be posted on the Company's website at www.cgxenergy.com and SEDAR at www.sedar.com. All values in this news release and the Company's financial disclosures are in United States dollars unless otherwise stated.

Operational Update

The Company and Frontera Energy Corporation ("Frontera"), majority shareholder of CGX Energy and Joint Venture Partner in in the Petroleum Prospecting Licenses for the Corentyne and Demerara blocks offshore Guyana (the "Joint Venture"), intend to spud the Kawa-1 well in the Corentyne block before the end of August 2021. The Maersk Discoverer, a sixth-generation semi-submersible drilling rig is on route from Trinidad and is expected to arrive at the Kawa-1 location on August 15, 2021. As part of its contract with Maersk, the joint venture also holds an option to drill an additional well.

The Kawa-1 well is located in the northeast quadrant of the Corentyne block, approximately 200 kilometers offshore from Georgetown. The water depth is approximately 355 meters (1,174 ft) and the expected total depth of the Kawa-1 well is 6,685 meters (21,932 ft). The primary target of the Kawa-1 well is a light oil, large Santonian slope fan complex with an overlying Campanian fan in a combination structural and stratigraphic trap. Trapping of hydrocarbons within Campanian to Santonian aged sandstone reservoirs is expected to be provided by a pinch-out of the reservoir section up-dip.

The Kawa-1 well will also penetrate secondary objectives in a shallower Campanian sand and a deeper Santonian sand which the Joint Venture believes has additional hydrocarbon potential. The stacked primary and secondary Kawa-1 targets are considered analogous to the discoveries immediately adjacent to the Corentyne block in Block 58 in Suriname.

Proximity of the Corentyne block to the Cretaceous Berbice Canyon sediment source is interpreted to have concentrated sandstone reservoirs in the North Corentyne area. Channelized, stacked internal fan geometries evident on 3D seismic are indicative of thick, stacked, coarser-grained sand reservoirs. The Joint Venture expects the Kawa-1 well will reach total depth in approximately 85 days.

The Joint Venture has assembled a highly qualified and experienced team for the drilling campaign, with extensive deep water drilling expertise from operations around the globe, including the Guyana Basin.

Progress on the construction of the Company's Berbice Deep Water Port through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Grand Canal Industrial Estates Inc. ("Grand Canal") continues to be on target for the Offshore Supply Base ("OSB") to be operational by mid-2022 and the Multi-Purpose Terminal (MPT) to be operational by the end of 2023. Until now, all contractors on the project have been local, maximising local content on the project.

Second Quarter and Recent Highlights

On June 30, 2021, Veronique Giry was elected to act as a new director of the Company, replacing Duncan Nightingale who did not stand for re-election.

On May 28, 2021, CGX Energy completed the loan agreement (the " Loan Agreement ") with Frontera related to the US$19 million loan (the " Loan ") previously announced on April 16, 2021. The Loan will enable CGX Energy to continue to finance its share of costs related to the Corentyne, Demerara and Berbice blocks, the Berbice Deepwater Port, and other budgeted costs. The Loan is a non-revolving term facility available to be drawdown in tranches until October 31, 2021 and accrues interest at an annual rate of 9.7% per annum until maturity on June 30, 2022, or such later date as determined by Frontera, at its sole discretion. Frontera in its sole discretion, may elect to convert all or a portion of the principal amount of the Loan outstanding into common shares of the Company at a conversion price per common share equal to US$0.712 (being the U.S. dollar equivalent of the C$0.89 closing price of the common shares on the TSX Venture Exchange (" TSXV ") prior to the announcement of the Loan), or any higher amount as required by the TSXV, beginning after July 15, 2021, in certain circumstances.

On April 22, 2021, CGX Resources Inc. (" CRI "), Operator of the Corentyne offshore block entered into an agreement (the " Drilling Contract ") with Maersk Drilling Holdings Singapore Pte. Ltd., a subsidiary of The Drilling Company of 1972 A/S, for the provision of a semi-submersible drilling unit, the Maersk Discoverer, and associated services to drill the Kawa-1 well on the Corentyne offshore block. This Drilling Contract also includes one optional well on the Demerara block. In conjunction with the Drilling Contract between CRI and Maersk, Frontera entered into a separate Deed of Guarantee (the " Deed ") with Maersk on April 30, 2021 for certain obligations in connection with the day rates under the Drilling Contract on behalf of CRI, up to a maximum of $25 million subject to a sliding scale mechanism in connection with payments made under the Drilling Contract. Frontera and the Company also entered into an agreement pursuant to which all amounts drawn under the Deed that are attributed to CRI's share of the Joint Venture costs, shall be guaranteed by the Company.

During the second quarter, CRI secured all necessary contracts for the drilling of Kawa-1 and commenced operational activities to meet the targeted spud window.

CRI contracted a pore pressure analysis of the Corentyne Kawa-1 prospect and the Demerara Makarapan-1 prospect. The Corentyne Kawa-1 prospect was completed by P-Ten in February 2021 and the Demerara Makarapan-1 prospect was completed by P-Ten in April 2021.

In February 2021, CRI contracted Petrostrat to perform a biostratigraphic study of all available paleontological and palynological data in the basin to create a standardized, sub-regional biostratigraphic understanding in an effort to enhance prospectivity for the Demerara and Corentyne Blocks. The study includes 22 wells from both Guyana and Suriname. The paleontological study was completed as of June 2021.

Grand Canal has commenced the Berbice Deep Water Port Project ("BDWP") on 30 acres of land on the eastern bank of the Berbice River. The deep water port facility intends to serve as an offshore supply base, OSB and cargo handling base, and agricultural import/export operations. The BDWP will enable provisioning of operators and vendors in territorial waters of both Guyana and Suriname.

Grand Canal has been engaged in civil works related to the constructions on its BDWP. Currently, on-going major constructions are the port laydown yard, a 200-meter rip rap shore protection, a 90-meter wharf and access trestle, an access road from Seawell bridge to the deep water port site, a bridge over a canal leading to Seawell Village, and relocation of utilities (water, power and communication). Construction of the wharf platform and access trestle are currently scheduled to begin in September 2021. The capital cost for the BDWP through to 2023 is currently estimated at approximately US$70 million. The port is expected to be built and completed by the end of 2023 and start operations in the beginning of 2024.

About CGX Energy

CGX Energy is a Canadian-based oil and gas exploration company focused on the exploration of oil in the Guyana-Suriname Basin.

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This news release contains forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that CGX believes, expect or anticipates will or may occur in the future (including, without limitation, statements regarding exploration and development plans and objectives with regards to the Kawa-1 well, including drilling plans, and the development of the BDWP and its future usage) are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect the current expectations or beliefs of CGX, as the case may be, based on information currently available to them. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements, and even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, the Company. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things: the need to obtain any required regulatory approval; the ability of the Joint Venture to successfully explore and develop the offshore blocks, and to fund such exploration and development and the impact thereof of unforeseen costs and expenses; changes in equity and debt markets; perceptions of the prospects and the prospects of the oil and gas industry in the countries where the Company operates or has investments; and the other risks disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in the Company's annual information form dated May 5, 2021 filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, CGX disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Although CGX believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements applicable to it are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.

For further information, please contact: Tralisa Maraj, Chief Financial Officer at (832) 300-3200.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/92899
12 August 2021

Share Buyback Report

On 11 August 2021, Acron's Board of Directors approved the report on shares tendered to Acron by its shareholders.

The total number of the tendered shares was 3,776,844 or 9.32 % of Acron's charter capital, including all 3,347,146 quasi-treasury shares tendered by Acron's subsidiaries. This means that once the share buyback is complete, Acron Group will no longer have quasi-treasury shares.

The repurchased shares shall be paid on or before 21 August 2021.

Chairman of Acron's Board of Directors Alexander Popov commented on the results: 'As part of our ESG strategy and in compliance with the Corporate Governance Code and international best practices, we are streamlining Acron's corporate structure and removing its quasi-treasury shares. Decision on the future of the resulting treasury stock will be made later. Russian law requires that it be cancelled or sold within one year'.

Media Contacts:

Sergey Dorofeev

Anastasia Gromova

Tatiana Smirnova

Public Relations

Phone: +7 (495) 777-08-65 (ext. 5196)

Investor Contacts:

Ilya Popov

Sergey Smirnov

Investor Relations

Phone: +7 (495) 745-77-45 (ext. 5252)

Background Information

Acron Group is a leading vertically integrated mineral fertiliser producer in Russia and globally, with chemical production facilities in Veliky Novgorod (Acron) and Smolensk region (Dorogobuzh). The Group owns and operates a phosphate mine in Murmansk region (North-Western Phosphorous Company, NWPC) and is implementing a potash development Project in Perm Krai (Verkhnekamsk Potash Company, VPC). It owns transportation and logistics infrastructure, including three Baltic seaport terminals and distribution networks in Russia and China. Acron subsidiary North Atlantic Potash Inc. (NAP) holds mining leases and an exploration permit for ten parcels of the potassium salt deposit at Prairie Evaporite, Saskatchewan, Canada. Acron also holds a minority stake (19.8%) in Polish Grupa Azoty S.A., one of the largest chemical producers in Europe.

In 2020, the Group sold 7.8 million tonnes of main products to 74 countries, with Russia, Brazil, Europe, and the United States as key markets.

In 2020, the Group posted consolidated IFRS revenue of RUB 119,864 million (USD 1,661 million), with EBITDA of RUB 35,311 million (USD 489 million). Acron's shares are traded on the Moscow Exchange, and its global depositary receipts are traded at the London Stock Exchange (ticker AKRN). Acron employs over 11,000 people.

For more information about Acron Group, please visit www.acron.ru/en.


THE HAGUE (dpa-AFX) - Dutch life insurer Aegon NV (AGN.L, AEG) reported that its second-quarter net result attributable to owners of the company was 842 million euros compared to a loss of 1.07 billion euros in the prior year, reflecting strong operating result and fair value gains on investments from favorable market movements.



Operating result grew to 562 million euros from 347 million euros in the prior year, with higher earnings across all segments. It was mainly driven by better claims experience in the Americas, expense savings, and increased fees due to higher equity markets. This more than offset the reclassification of the result of Central & Eastern Europe from operating result to Other income following the announced divestment of the business.



Aegon targets a dividend per common share of around 0.25 euros over 2023. It announced an interim dividend for 2021 of 0.08 euros per common share, which represents an increase of 0.02 euros compared with the interim dividend for 2020.



The company said it has made good progress on the implementation of its expense savings program, resulting in a 220 million euros reduction of annual addressable expenses through the second quarter. The strengthens its confidence in its ability to deliver on the targeted 400 million euros expense saving by 2023.



Aegon announced that it is exercising its right to redeem the $250 million floating rate perpetual capital securities with a minimum coupon of 4% issued in 2005. The redemption of the grandfathered Tier 1 securities will be effective September 15, 2021, when the principal amount will be repaid together with any accrued and unpaid interest.



After the redemption, Aegon will have reduced its gross financial leverage by about 700 million euros since the third quarter of 2020 to 5.9 billion euros. Aegon targets to reduce its gross financial leverage to between 5.0 billion euros to 5.5 billion euros by 2023.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

AEGON NV-Aktie komplett kostenlos handeln - auf Smartbroker.de
LONDON (dpa-AFX) - Aviva plc (AV.L, AV), on Thursday, reported a 6-month IFRS loss of 198 million compared to a profit of 874 million last year. On a per share basis, loss was 6.2p versus a profit of 20.0p earned a year ago. The company's operating profit was 825 million or 21.0p per share compared to 917 million or 23.4p per share in the prior year period. Aviva Investors revenue increased 7% to 192 million from 180 million generated a year ago. In a separate press release, the company said it would commence commence a share buyback programme of its ordinary shares for up to a maximum aggregate consideration of 750 million, commencing on 13 August 2021. Aviva has entered into a non-discretionary agreement with Citigroup Global Markets Ltd to conduct the Programme on its behalf and to make trading decisions under the Programme independently of Aviva. Shares acquired by Citi under the agreement would be sold on to Aviva and, to the extent permitted by law, such purchased shares would be cancelled. The purpose of the Programme is therefore to reduce Aviva's share capital. The maximum number of shares to be acquired under the Programme is 300 million and the Programme is expected to complete by 17 February 2022. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - GERRY WEBER International AG (GRYIF.PK) posted a narrower normalised EBITDA loss in the first half of 2021. The company's stores gradually reopened in full in the course of the second quarter. GERRY WEBER noted that the revenue trend in June was very positive. For the first half period, net loss was 24.2 million euros compared to a loss of 34.2 million euros, prior year. Loss per share was 19.8 euros compared to a loss of 28.0 euros. Normalised EBITDA was a loss of 10.2 million euros compared to a loss of 22.9 million euros, prior year. Total net sales were 107.7 million euros, approximately 23.4% below the level of the prior year period. The company's German stores were closed between 1 January and 7 March 2021. For fiscal 2021, the Managing Board continues to project consolidated net sales of between 260 million euros and 280 million euros. Normalised consolidated EBITDA is anticipated to be improved to a negative low double-digit million figure. 'Although we are currently seeing a recovery in online and physical sales that makes us confident, we do not expect to be able to offset the shortfall in sales incurred at the beginning of the current financial year 2021 in the further course of the year,' said Florian Frank, CFO. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Moscow, Russia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 12, 2021) - Synopsis is the world's largest blockchain, crypto, DeFi, and digital-art event. Top-level experts and blockchain industry stars speak at the summit to present the key trends and answer questions on the state of cryptocurrency market.





Figure 1



To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

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Airtime: September 20 to 24, 2021

Place: THETA.tv, YouTube, Verasity

Hosts: Maria Stankevich (EXMO), Yan Khavansky (Coindar, Colibri), and Yaroslav Kabakov (Finam),

Synopsis is held for the third time this year to recreate the spirit of full immersion in the digital economy and decentralized finance. Its agenda includes round tables, panel discussions, solo performances, AMAs, and interviews.

The summit is quarterly. Each time, it gathers hundreds of participants and hundreds of thousands of viewers across the world.

Synopsis features two activity zones:

The Interactive Zone where viewers can compete in skills, gain knowledge, and win prizes from top blockchain projects;

The NFT and Digital Art Zone where summit organizers and partners present NFTs. The official artist of Synopsis Edition 3 is Alien Bell.

Mark your calendars if you are an investor, trader, analyst, economist, marketer, developer, student, crypto enthusiast, and anyone who keeps track of the crypto world.

Speakers: Wes Levitt, Theta Labs; Felix Xu, ARPA and Bella Protocol; Gleb Kostarev, Binance Director for Russia and the CIS; Alexander Filatov, TON Labs; Justin Wenczka, Verasity CRO; Sergey Khitrov, Listing.help and Blockchain Life; Raghav Jerath, Gather Network; Nik Anikin, Colibri Group; Alex Sudadze, Blockchain Association of Georgia; Ksenia Oshurko, OKEx Russia; Nikolai Gadzhiev, VEROS and WIDCI; Artyom Kan, Gate io; Sota Watanabe, Astar Network (previously Plasm); Anri Gabaidze, Port of Royal CEO; Evgeniy Pavlov, Binance BDM for Russia and the CIS; and others.

Two months ahead, Synopsis already has 40 booked speakers and aims for 60+ by the airtime. They are bright and professional world-class figures ready to share their knowledge and vision of the industry.

Afterparty: The organizers have prepared an unforgettable afterparty for summit viewers in cooperation with the manufacturer of exclusive rum Port of Royal that owns the eponymic penthouse hotel and thematic loft bar in Batumi, Georgia. The afterparty will be streamed live from Port of Royal's headquarters 270 ft above the coast of the Black Sea.

Synopsis Sponsors: ARPA, Algorand Foundation, Verasity, Bella Protocol, Gather Network, Ethereum Pro, SubGame, Bingbon, Gate.io, TrustBase, MaNEKO Finance, Port of Royal.

Partners: THETA, Binance, TON Labs, Free TON, EXMO, MahaDAO, Astar Network (previously Plasm), Stake Technologies, Shiden Network, J2TX, Coffe.io, EXIP, AERGO, Curate, Digital Rights Center, Nano Future, Blockster, Delio, BeInCrypto, and other popular projects.

Organizers: Colibri Group, Coindar

Co-organizers: Investment Russia, Cryptus Media

Website: https://synopsis.events





Figure 2



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Media Contact

Company Name: Colibri Group

Contact Person: Daria Chernova

Email: info@colibri-group.org

City: Moscow

Country: Russian Federation

Website: https://synopsis2021.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/92911
Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Clean Invest Africa Plc

("CIA" or the "Company")

Trading Update and Financial Reporting

Financial Reporting

CIA announces that, further to the guidance provided by Aquis on 31 March 2020, due to logistical issues arising from continuing Covid-19 restrictions particularly in South Africa where the Company's subsidiary Coaltech is based, it has been granted a further extension of two months for the publication of its annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020 with the intention to publish the Report and Accounts by 30 September 2021. CIA will also be announcing and publishing on its website in September its unaudited financial results for the year ended 31st December 2020

The Company will highlight any material differences required to be reported that may occur between the unaudited and audited accounts, when the audited Report and Accounts are announced.

CIA trading update

CIA is also pleased to provide this trading update in relation to CASA and Coaltech, (together referred to below as "Coaltech"). Whilst the past year and more have been extremely challenging, Coaltech, as previously advised, is looking forward to the next period with significant optimism due to the substantial and strong pipeline and in addition a developing opportunity to expand beyond coal into higher value natural resources and potentially into the battery market. The Company can summarise that the impact of Covid-19 on Coaltech has effectively been an 18-month period of limited commercial progress with extensive ongoing unavoidable costs, but that the future prospects for its business model remain extremely lucrative and expandable if captured.

Bulpan Production facility

As announced on 26th March 2020 and 21st May 2020, Coaltech's production facility, like most other similar businesses in South Africa has been severely impacted by Covid-19. This severe impact has continued through to now. Management took measures early on to mitigate as far as practicable the consequences of the pandemic including complying with the mandatory regulations imposed across its operations. These measures have continued and whilst the business took measures to reduce costs and in particular where possible any variable overhead, it continued throughout to carry its fixed overhead burden.

Net creditor days has been extended beyond its normal anticipated ratio and management continues to closely manage impacted creditors, but overall, creditors, which are largely trade and routine, have and continue to be very supportive.

Extensive and solid pipeline of opportunities remains.

Notwithstanding the recent negative impacts discussed above, the Company and Coaltech are facing into the remainder of 2021 with caution and, into 2022, with reinvigorated optimism and with an extensive and solid pipeline of opportunities. It is worth reiterating that the strategy of Coaltech is to secure long term, large scale customer relationships with whom it would develop one or more full scale plants and with long term offtake arrangements. Securing one such customer would be transformative, with any such project likely to have a project value well in excess of $10 million and involve the processing of large scale fines or tailings, typically over 1 million tonnes.

The early stages of these commercial discussions typically also involve Coaltech running test batches. These batches are often initially small, for example 10's of kilos and then increase to sample production size batches of, for example, 10's of tonnes. Once batches are completed the outputs are exhaustively tested by Coaltech and by the potential client. This process is a considerable proportion of the Coaltech overhead and consumes the majority of the available production of the Bulpan production facility.

The Coaltech test production programme on the various ongoing client development opportunities has slowed to a very much reduced pace due largely to Covid-19.

Ongoing active commercial opportunities

However, the Coaltech pipeline for coal fines is substantial and robust and continually developing. As are the opportunities in higher value resources.

Coaltech, through its various subsidiaries, is currently involved with the following activities:

South Africa - Ilmenite project at Richards Bay; 10,000 tons trial project. Circa 30-35% of the project completed and proceeding at approximately 50-60 tons per day. Subject to successful completion of 10,000 tons trial, (which is priced at breakeven) Coaltech shall begin in-depth discussion about developing a 5,000 tons/month plant at Richards Bay. After very substantial delays, these discussions should commence by year end.

South Africa - Chrome project (client confidential) Currently finalizing a memorandum of understanding prior to testing and trial for processing of 20,000 tons of chrome at a breakeven price. If successful, a dedicated plant would be required and Coaltech would then start discussions with this client about the possibility to set-up a JV for a large scale chrome only plant.

- Chrome project (client confidential) Currently finalizing a memorandum of understanding prior to testing and trial for processing of 20,000 tons of chrome at a breakeven price. If successful, a dedicated plant would be required and Coaltech would then start discussions with this client about the possibility to set-up a JV for a large scale chrome only plant. South Africa - Coal fines cleanup project (client confidential). Proposal is to commence a 3-5,000 tons/month project for the realization and sale of coal pellets on the local market, within the context of an environmentally focused corporate social responsibility programme by the client. A financial model should be presented to the client in the autumn.

India - Thermal Coal project ( Jindal Steel , India ). Together with its Indian partner Exagogi, Coaltech has begun a gasification test work of minus 10mm coal fines coal fines materials but unfortunately this has been put on temporary hold due to the COVID situation in India . Should the project materialize it would require a large scale plant converting the minus 10mm coal to minus 25 plus 10mm coal pellets for feeding the steel plant gasifiers. This technology will also immediately be applied to a second steel plant owned by the same client.

- Thermal Coal project ( , ). Together with its Indian partner Exagogi, Coaltech has begun a gasification test work of minus 10mm coal fines coal fines materials but unfortunately this has been put on temporary hold due to the COVID situation in . Should the project materialize it would require a large scale plant converting the minus 10mm coal to minus 25 plus 10mm coal pellets for feeding the steel plant gasifiers. This technology will also immediately be applied to a second steel plant owned by the same client. India - Ore project ( Tata Steel , India ). Together with its Indian partner Exagogi, the testing phase of a project that should convert large quantity (20 to 50%) of minus 150-micron ultra-fines that causes transportation issues in that the ore often gets stuck in the train wagons during transportation into micro pellets of 1 to 5mm. Should this project materialize it would require a large scale ore pelletizing plant in India .

- Ore project ( , ). Together with its Indian partner Exagogi, the testing phase of a project that should convert large quantity (20 to 50%) of minus 150-micron ultra-fines that causes transportation issues in that the ore often gets stuck in the train wagons during transportation into micro pellets of 1 to 5mm. Should this project materialize it would require a large scale ore pelletizing plant in . Coaltech, through its ISS International JV is continuing work on the design of a "Mini Mobile plant", which will allow it to exponentially increase the capacity of commercial activities moving the technology to the mines of the various potential customers and enabling production on site of a much more significant quantity of pellets than is currently possible with trial material shipped to the plant in South Africa (50-60 tons vs 500-600 kg). This material will allow the customer to fully evaluate the technology and make a quicker decision on the desirability of building one to more plants for their production units. This project work is ongoing and subject to overall cashflow and resources.

(50-60 tons vs 500-600 kg). This material will allow the customer to fully evaluate the technology and make a quicker decision on the desirability of building one to more plants for their production units. This project work is ongoing and subject to overall cashflow and resources. Australia -Coaltech has signed a cooperation agreement with a consultant, globally recognized as one of the most prominent experts in coal, and other minerals such as iron ore. The agreement is to develop a commercial strategy: to approach Australian department of Mines, a well resourced government department, to build a Coaltech pilot plant in Australia and showcase its technology to all potential mine owners and Australian government and environmental authorities. to connect with a fund developed by the German government to address environment issues and social corporate responsibility associated with closure of coal mines in Germany . Their mission statement is "we bear responsibility for financing the perpetual obligations that the German hard coal mining industry has left behind, and we are generating the funds that are needed to fulfil these obligations. In addition, we promote projects in the areas of education, science and culture in order to support the transformation of the former mining regions" and this fits very well within Coaltech's technology scope of work to develop cooperation with a start-up that has made a significant break-through in long-duration battery production using iron pellets. Iron ore is one of the other minerals Coaltech is focused on in its R&D activities in South Africa . Whilst resources are limited this type of collaboration could develop into a whole new line of business in the burgeoning battery sector.

-Coaltech has signed a cooperation agreement with a consultant, globally recognized as one of the most prominent experts in coal, and other minerals such as iron ore. The agreement is to develop a commercial strategy:

China - Coaltech is in continuous dialogue with two large Chinese private mines, discussing the possible integration of our technology within their existing operation. This work is fully funded by Coaltech's partner, both a long term supporter of Coaltech, and shareholder in its Coaltech Far East JV, based in Singapore .

- Coaltech is in continuous dialogue with two large Chinese private mines, discussing the possible integration of our technology within their existing operation. This work is fully funded by Coaltech's partner, both a long term supporter of Coaltech, and shareholder in its Coaltech Far East JV, based in . Italy - Coaltech has ongoing initial interaction with the Italian Ministry of Ecological Transition, responsible for all activities associated with its post coalmining environmental program, funded by its significant Recovery Fund program recently finalized between Italy with the EU. Funds are expected to become available this calendar year and Coaltech shall actively seek a role.

with the EU. Funds are expected to become available this calendar year and Coaltech shall actively seek a role. Various - Coaltech has agreed testing programmes for customers in Uzbekistan , Siberia , Poland and Colombia . In some cases the required raw material coal fines are at the Bulpan production facility in South Africa , however these projects are on hold pending both an improved Covid-19 situation and cashflow.

The above is illustrative of the potential for Coaltech to commercially exploit its technology. The long and sometimes costly sales cycle is typical in this industry and is reflected in the long-term relationships that result if negotiations are successful. Successfully expanding beyond coal into other higher value and more desirable natural resources is a significant opportunity. The potential to participate in the battery industry may also, if realized, be transformational.

Fundraising

The Company engaged in discussion and negotiation with a prospective investor, a business with significant interests in the commodities market, oil and gas and renewable energy projects, marine and logistics sector, with a large network of relationships in the industry. A term sheet was signed in April 2021, execution documents have been exchanged and are currently being reviewed by legal advisors and the Company expects closing within a few weeks.

The Company is also in negotiations with the above mentioned investor in relation to the creation of a joint venture, with a company where the investor has a significant interest with HOA already on place and co-operation between with Coaltech already started. A further announcement will be made in due course.

Filippo Fantechi, Chief Executive Officer of Clean Invest Africa, commented:

"We are confident, notwithstanding the much longer than expected lead times, that CASA and Coaltech can turn some of the existing opportunities into commercial contracts and expand further in South Africa and globally. We have a very strong pipeline of commercial initiative and a good management team that has proven to be very resilient navigating the huge and lengthy challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. I am pleased to share with our investors the significant potential of the Coaltech business. CIA's Directors continue to believe that the Group's opportunities, including the potential to expand beyond coal are very substantial indeed."

The Directors of the Company accept responsibility for the content of this announcement.

ENQUIRIES :

Clean Invest Africa plc

Filippo Fantechi (Executive Director) +973 3969 6273

Shaikh Mohamed Abdulla Khalifa AlKhalifa (Non-Executive Chairman) +973 3969 2299

Peterhouse Capital Limited

Corporate Adviser +44 20 7469 0930

Guy Miller/Mark Anwyl
Amsterdam, August 12, 2021 - Arcadis (EURONEXT: ARCAD), the leading global Design & Consultancy organization for natural and built assets, announced today that it was awarded a contract by TenneT for power grid expansion, providing additional transport capacities between northern and southern Germany. The contract, earned in partnership with Bernard Ingenieure, includes the provision of planning and control systems for the 130 km long 380kV grid reinforcement and grid expansion project "Fulda-Main-Leitung". When complete, the project will ensure safe transport of regionally generated renewable energies into the supraregional transmission grid.

The new Fulda-Main line will eliminate an existing bottleneck, increasing the transmission capacity and ensuring a reliable energy supply. Arcadis Germany GmbH and Bernard Gruppe ZT GmbH will manage the control, planning and construction supervision (EPCM) for the power line project on behalf of the transmission system operator TenneT as a working group until its commissioning in 2031.

Peter Oosterveer, CEO of Arcadis said: "We are proud to participate in this important project that will enable a more efficient transportation of renewable energy in Germany. This grid expansion contributes to the 'Energiewende', Germany's effort to transform to renewable energy sources. With our capabilities in digital solutions, communication, infrastructure design and project management - as well as our extensive experience in the energy sector - we can play a significant part in this transition across the globe. This project plays perfectly to our strengths, and builds on our current strategy and our mission to improve quality of life."

-End-

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

ARCADIS CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS

Daan Heijbroek

Mobile: +31 6 10 26 19 55

E-mail: daan.heijbroek@arcadis.com

ARCADIS INVESTOR RELATIONS

Christine Disch

Mobile: +31 6 15 37 60 20

E-mail: christine.disch@arcadis.com

ABOUT ARCADIS

Arcadis is the leading global design & consultancy organization for natural and built assets. We maximize impact for our clients and the communities they serve by providing effective solutions through sustainable outcomes, focus and scale, and digitalization. We are over 27,000 people, active in more than 70 countries that generate 3.3 billion in revenues. We support UN-Habitat with knowledge and expertise to improve the quality of life in rapidly growing cities around the world. www.arcadis.com

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CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - The Australian and NZ dollars fell against their major rivals in the Asian session on Thursday, as worries about the spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19 across the region weighed on sentiment.



Australia's capital Canberra has moved to a lockdown after detecting first case of local transmission in more than a year.



Sydney and Melbourne are already under strict lockdowns amid a resurgence in the delta variant cases.



New South Wales has reported 345 new local cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, with more regional areas coming under tougher restrictions. Victoria recorded 21 locally acquired cases, with active cases now totalling 137 across the state.



China's central government published a five-year plan outlining more legislation on tech industries and digital fields.



The aussie dropped to 0.7355 against the greenback and 81.20 against the yen, off its early highs of 0.7377 and 81.46, respectively. The aussie is seen finding support around 0.70 against the greenback and 80.00 against the yen.



Retreating from its previous highs of 1.5907 against the euro and 0.9225 against the loonie, the aussie declined to 1.5958 and 0.9207, respectively. The currency is likely to find support around 1.61 against the euro and 0.90 against the loonie.



The kiwi weakened to 0.7019 against the greenback, 77.50 against the yen and 1.6720 against the euro, down from its prior highs of 0.7047, 77.79 and 1.6654, respectively. The next possible support for the kiwi is seen around 0.68 against the greenback, 74.00 against the yen and 1.70 against the euro.



The NZ currency eased off to 1.0482 against the aussie, from a day's high of 1.0456 seen at 11 pm ET. If the kiwi slides further, 1.06 is possibly seen as its next support level.



Looking ahead, Eurozone industrial production for June is due in the European session.



U.S. producer prices for July and weekly jobless claims for the week ended August 7 will be published in the New York session.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de
The 2021 annual general meeting ("AGM") of shareholders of Real People Investment Holdings Limited ("RPIH" or "the Company") was held on Friday, 6 August 2021 at 12:30 CET, at which the shareholders approved the following resolutions. The meeting was held via video conference, without physical presence.

Business of the meeting

The Company's audited consolidated annual financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2021, including the Directors' report, the Audit Committee report and the report of the independent auditors was presented.

Re-appointment of the independent auditors and appointment of the designated auditor

The AGM resolved that Deloitte & Touche Inc. South Africa be re-appointed as auditors of the Company to hold office until the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the Company, and that Llewellyn Marshall, or such other person as nominated by the Audit Committee, be appointed as the designated auditor of the Company until the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the Company.

Re-election and appointment of Peter Gerard de Beyer as non-executive Director of the Company

The AGM resolved that Peter Gerard de Beyer (independent non-executive director) be appointed as director of the Company.

Re-election of Audit Committee members Ralph Rowland Buddle, Derrick Thembinkosi Vusumuzi Msibi, Norman William Thomson and Peter Gerard de Beyer

The AGM resolved that Ralph Rowland Buddle, Derrick Thembinkosi Vusumuzi Msibi, Norman William Thomson and Peter Gerard de Beyer be re-elected as members of the Audit Committee, to hold office until the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the Company.

Amendment to the principal remuneration and employment framework of Company senior executives

The AGM resolved that the amendment to the principal remuneration and employment framework of Company's senior executives be approved.

Approval of the annual remuneration structure of the non-executive directors

The AGM resolved that the annual remuneration structure of the non-executive directors be approved.

General authority to provide financial assistance

The AGM resolved that the Board of Directors be authorised to grant direct or indirect financial assistance within the meaning of sections 44 and 45 of the Companies Act pursuant to granting of loans, entering into subordination agreements, providing letters of support, and any other financial assistance as may be required, between the Company and its subsidiary companies, as defined in the Companies Act.

* * * * * * *

For further information, please contact:

Carmen Taylor, Head of Governance and Secretarial

Email: ctaylor@realpeople.co.za

Phone number: +27 82 772 5481

The information was submitted for publication at 10:30 CET on 12 August 2021.

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Blackcatcard is a money management service created with the goal of providing a state-of-the-art payments' product for a global audience, without the limitation of jurisdictions.

The platform offers digital and physical Mastercard payment cards that can be accepted at any ATM or payment terminal that works with Mastercard. Each card is tied to a dedicated Euro IBAN account that is created for corporate and private users immediately upon completing a simple registration process. The creation of the account, the virtual and plastic cards, as well as card maintenance come free of charge for individuals.

Blackcatcard also provides an online payments' solution for users to store their funds and an app to manage all cards, accounts and services. Card holders can not only store and transfer money between each other without any limitations or commissions, but also earn money via cashback and bonus programs.

These include an annual 2.2% interest program on your holdings, 0.1% cashback on all card purchases and a profitable referral program. All bonuses are credited as cash and are delivered to customers' accounts, which means that the customers can spend this money as they wish. Also the upcoming projects will be available soon, including the 5% cashback at the Play Market and 2% cashback at Amazon. The bonus payments system is part of the loyalty program provided by the partner FINTECH ASSETS OU. Detailed terms and conditions can be found here.

As a fun extra service Blackcatcard also offers cards with a nickname printed on them instead of the holder's actual name. And there is also a Blackcatcard KIDS service for parents who want to give a card to their children. It comes with bright designs and has security options for adult oversight.

In addition to traditional fiat services, Blackcatcard offers cryptocurrency services as well. This service is rendered by a partner company DigiNord OU and is integrated into Blackcatcard. You can buy, sell, exchange, store and transact in a variety of cryptocurrencies. The crypto transfers between the Blackcatcard users do not have fees and limits. Due to the integration of the hot wallet into the same app as the IBAN account, the security standards meet the highest levels of regulation. It also cancels risks of losing passwords for the crypto wallet and does not require additional AML compliance for crypto transactions.

It is a modern-day solution for a modern society freelancers, digital nomads, internet entrepreneurs, immigrants, students, travellers, people not covered by classic banking, and many others will find Blackcatcard's services to be of great use in their daily lives.

About Blackcatcard

Blackcatcard is an international money management service that began in 2019 and is based in Europe with its teams' offices in Malta, Estonia, Serbia and other countries. It is issued by Papaya Ltd., licensed by the Malta Financial Services Authority as an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) with the registration number C55146. The service is available to clients and businesses, and places great emphasis on customer service and product features.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210812005290/en/

Contacts:

Alina Sisoeva

pr@blackcatcard.com
BRISTOL, England and BANGALORE, India, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Torry Harris Integration Solutions (THIS) wins the 'Best DevOps Services Company' of the year 2021, for successfully applying DevOps methodologies. Torry Harris was chosen as the winner for DevOps strategy, planning, maintenance, and implementation across application integration and API-driven transformation initiatives for its customers.

Computing's DevOps Excellence Awards showcase outstanding achievements from organizations, personalities and solutions that have successfully applied DevOps methodologies. There are many ways to move towards a DevOps culture, and these awards are designed to recognize and celebrate the best of every organization, team, individual, product and tool.

Shuba Sridhar, VP - Strategic Initiatives at Torry Harris, says, "We're glad to be recognized for our DevOps services excellence. We work hard to bring value to our customers across the DevOps lifecycle, from planning and implementation to testing and application monitoring. We bring tools to the mix, to improve productivity and reduce errors."

"The DevOps application development and services arm of THIS is strengthened by in-house tools such as Deplomatic, Automaton and AutoStub. These are provided to customers as solution accelerators to help accelerate their DevOps journey," she adds.

About Torry Harris

Torry Harris is a multinational provider of business, technology, and IT consulting services. For over two decades, it is focused on providing solutions in the areas of Integration for digital enablement, digital marketplace services, full life-cycle API management, IoT and digital ecosystem enablement. The company is headquartered in New Jersey (USA), with development centers in Bangalore, India. It has offices in Bristol (UK), Slough (UK), Dubai (UAE), Dublin (Ireland), Munich (Germany) and Paris (France). Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook. To know more, visit https://www.torryharris.com.

Media contact:

Diganta Kumar Barooah

marketing@thbs.com

+91-80-41827200
BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - German stocks were slightly higher on Thursday as investors reacted to a mixed set of quarterly numbers. The benchmark DAX rose 19 points, or 0.1 percent, to 15,844 after edging up 0.4 percent in the previous session. SGL Carbon fell 1.7 percent despite the carbon and graphite product manufacturing company delivering strong first-half results. Travel agency firm TUI AG gained 2 percent after it returned to cash flow for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic. Internal combustion engine manufacturer DEUTZ soared 4 percent after confirming its 2021 guidance. Chemicals and consumer goods company Henkel lost 3 percent after it voiced concern about rising prices and over-stretched supply chain. Delivery Hero tumbled 3.9 percent. The online food ordering company raised its gross merchandise value outlook for the full year after delivering strong performance in the second quarter. Deutsche Telekom rallied 2.2 percent. The telecommunications group raised its guidance for adjusted operating profit for the second time this year following strong second-quarter results. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
FREYR Battery (NYSE: FREY) ("FREYR"), a developer of clean, next-generation battery cell production capacity, today reported financial results of FREYR AS for the second quarter of fiscal year 2021. FREYR listed on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") following the completion of the Business Combination between Alussa Energy Acquisition Corp. ("Alussa") and FREYR AS on July 9, 2021 (the "Business Combination").

Highlights of the second quarter 2021 and subsequent events:

Completed the Business Combination and NYSE listing, raising $704 million in gross proceeds as equity financing for the development of low-cost, low-carbon battery cell manufacturing capacity

FREYR continues to progress towards the development of up to 43 Gigawatt hours ("GWh") of battery cell production capacity by 2025 with an ambition of up to 83 GWh in total capacity by 2028

Made the Final Investment Decision ("FID") for the Customer qualification plant ("CQP"), which is scheduled to commence operations from the second half of 2022

Announced ongoing negotiations to potentially build battery production facilities in North America

Announced two non-binding memoranda of understanding ("MoU") with Finnish Minerals Group and the City of Vaasa, respectively, targeting potential strategic collaborations and industrial scaling of clean battery cell technology in Finland

FREYR AS second-quarter net loss of $8.0 million, or ($0.04) per fully diluted share, reflects the costs of organizational expansion and preparations to start construction of the CQP

The combined balance sheet of FREYR and Alussa, presented as if the Business Combination had been completed as of June 30, 2021, had cash and cash equivalents of $652 million.

"FREYR is focused on executing our plan to develop clean, cost-efficient battery cell production capacity at scale by 2025, which we expect will position FREYR as one of Europe's largest battery cell suppliers. Our near-term priorities are to build our commercial portfolio, establish our operations in accordance with key milestones, and fund our continued expansion," said Tom Jensen, the CEO of FREYR. "The NYSE listing is a critical milestone that supports FREYR's long-term ambition to decarbonize transport and energy systems by delivering sustainable and cost-effective batteries to energy storage systems (ESS), electric vehicles and other applications, thereby generating returns for our shareholders and stakeholders."

Business Update

The ESS market represents a rapidly growing opportunity for FREYR. In May 2021, Rystad Energy forecasted that approximately 1,800 GWh of battery capacity or flexible energy sources will be required to back up solar and wind power in the U.S. by 2030 based on the Biden administration's announced decarbonization goals. In May 2021, FREYR announced that it entered into an MoU with ESS manufacturer Eguana Technologies Inc. for the potential offtake of high-density and cost-competitive battery cells over five years. Under the agreement, FREYR will also engage Eguana in designing and producing cost-optimized, standardized battery modules.

In June 2021, FREYR disclosed ongoing negotiations with a major multinational industrial conglomerate on a draft non-binding MoU for a potential joint venture in North America. The draft MoU provides a framework for FREYR and a subsidiary of a major multinational industrial conglomerate to build production facilities in North America using U.S.-developed solutions from 24M at a targeted scale of at least 50 GWh of annual battery cell capacity by 2030. The use of 24M process technology in the potential joint venture would require a modification to FREYR's existing 24M license agreement.

In June 2021, and in line with its strategy of developing local battery supply chains to access materials made responsibly with renewable energy, FREYR signed a non-binding MoU with Talga Group Ltd. ("Talga") for the supply of active anode materials based on natural graphite produced in Sweden. The parties intend to discuss binding long-term supply agreements as well as other business models and collaborations.

In July 2021, FREYR announced that it had reached FID to proceed with the construction of the CQP and first battery cell production line in Mo i Rana, Norway. Preparatory work on the facility is ongoing with a targeted start of initial operations in the second half of 2022. The CQP is expected to enable 24M technology implementation, testing of materials and battery cells, training of staff, and the supply of samples to potential customers across targeted market segments. The CQP investment will be higher than initially forecasted, reflecting both higher equipment and materials costs as well as production line design enhancements, based on feedback from potential customers, to increase flexibility. After making the FID, FREYR signed contracts for the supply of long lead items for the construction of the plant.

In July 2021, FREYR signed a contract with Mpac Lambert for the supply of the casting and unit cell assembly equipment package to the battery cell production line at FREYR's CQP in Mo i Rana, Norway.

Earlier today, FREYR announced two non-binding memoranda of understanding ("MoU") with Finnish Minerals Group for strategic collaboration on industrial scale battery cell production, and with the City of Vaasa for sustainable battery cell production in Finland, respectively. Finnish Minerals Group acts as a holding company in the Finnish mining and chemical industry providing low-carbon materials to the battery industry and is supportive of establishing local Nordic and European battery technology supply chains. The MoU with the City of Vaasa provides FREYR with the exclusive right to a 90-hectare (900,000 square meters) site for a potential battery cell plant and states that the parties will explore opportunities for joint site-development to accelerate supply of low-carbon and low-cost batteries in Finland subject to certain conditions being met.

FREYR is engaged in customer dialogues for offtake of clean, low-cost battery cells from the planned production facilities in Norway. The discussions represent an aggregate volume potential significantly above the up to 43 GWh of targeted battery cell production capacity by 2025 for applications across the energy storage system (ESS), electric vehicle and marine transportation segments.

Results Overview

FREYR AS reported a Net Loss for the second quarter of fiscal year 2021 of $(8.0) million or $(0.04) per share compared to FREYR AS's Net Loss of $(1.0) million or $(0.01) per share for the second quarter of fiscal year 2020.

FREYR AS reported a total operating loss for the second quarter of fiscal year 2021 of $(10.2) million compared to FREYR AS's total operating loss of $(1.0) million for the second quarter of fiscal year 2020.

Financing and Liquidity

The Business Combination was completed on July 9, 2021. The transaction provided $704 million of gross proceeds to FREYR, net of redemptions by Alussa Energy shareholders, and including a $600 million Private Investment in Public Equity ("PIPE") at $10.00 per share.

As of June 30, 2021, FREYR AS had cash and cash equivalents of $11.2 million. The combined balance sheet of FREYR and Alussa, presented as if the Business Combination had been completed as of June 30, 2021, had cash and cash equivalents of $652 million.

Business Outlook

FREYR looks forward to achieving the following milestones over the next 18 months:

Progress development of the CQP with a targeted start of operations in the second half of 2022

Complete CQP equipment tenders and advance tendering for the subsequent Gigafactories

Progress and announce customer offtake agreements

Develop and announce new decarbonized supply chain partnerships

Presentation of Second Quarter 2021 Results

A presentation will be held today, Thursday, August 12th, 2021, at 8:00 A.M. (EDT) to discuss financial results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2021. The results and presentation material will be available for download at http://www.freyrbattery.com.

To access the conference call, listeners should contact the conference call operator at the appropriate number listed below approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the call.

United Kingdom Toll: +44 3333000804

United States Toll: +1 6319131422

Switzerland Toll: +41 225809034

Spain Toll: +34 935472900

Norway Toll: +47 23500243

Luxembourg Toll: +352 27300160

Hong Kong Toll: +852 30600225

Germany Toll: +49 6913803430

France Toll: +33 170750711

Denmark Toll: +45 35445577

Canada Toll: +1 4162164189

The participant passcode for the call is: 14540890#

A webcast of the conference call will be broadcast simultaneously at https://streams.eventcdn.net/freyer/h1q2-2021/register on a listen-only basis. Please log in at least 10 minutes in advance to register and download any necessary software.

About FREYR Battery

FREYR plans to develop up to 43 GWh of battery cell production capacity by 2025 with an ambition of up to 83 GWh in total capacity by 2028 to position the company as one of Europe's largest battery cell suppliers. Five of the facilities will be located in the Mo i Rana industrial complex in Northern Norway, leveraging Norway's highly skilled workforce and abundant, low-cost renewable energy sources from hydro and wind in a crisp, clear and energized environment. FREYR will supply safe, high-energy density and cost competitive clean battery cells to the rapidly growing global markets for electric vehicles, energy storage, and marine applications. FREYR is committed to supporting cluster-based R&D initiatives and the development of an international ecosystem of scientific, commercial, and financial stakeholders to support the expansion of the battery value chain in our region. For more information, please visit www.freyrbattery.com

FREYR Battery reports in U.S. Dollars and in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

The information in this press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of present or historical fact included in this press release, including, without limitation, regarding the development, timeline, capacity and other usefulness of FREYR's CQP and planned Gigafactories; progress to complete CQP equipment tenders and progress of tendering for the subsequent Gigafactories; progress and development of customer offtake agreements and supply chain partnerships; the development and growth of FREYR's target markets; the scale and arrangements for any FREYR production facilities in North America; the progress and development of FREYR's partnerships and plans in Finland; the development and commercialization of 24M SemiSolid technology; FREYR's manufacturing capacity relative to other market participants; and the development of customer and supplier relationships are forward-looking statements.

These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Most of these factors are outside FREYR's control and are difficult to predict. Additional information about factors that could materially affect FREYR is set forth under the "Risk Factors" section in FREYR's Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 9, 2021, as amended, and available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Except as otherwise required by applicable law, FREYR disclaims any duty to update any forward-looking statements, all of which are expressly qualified by the statements in this section, to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release. Should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results and projections could different materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements.

FREYR AS UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In Thousands, Except Share and per Share Amounts) As of June 30, As of December 31, 2021 2020 Assets Current assets Cash and cash equivalents 11,279 14,749 Restricted cash 803 196 Prepaid assets 1,514 464 VAT receivable 477 442 Interest income receivable 8 Total current assets 14,081 15,851 Property and equipment, net 162 80 Other long-term assets 12 Total assets 14,255 15,931 Liabilities and shareholders' equity (deficit) Current liabilities Accounts payable 1,955 888 Accrued liabilities 4,214 2,153 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities related party 1,253 322 Redeemable preferred shares 15,000 7,574 Deferred income 1,421 Total current liabilities 23,843 10,937 Other long-term liabilities 38 Total liabilities 23,843 10,975 Commitments and contingencies (Note 5) Shareholders' equity (deficit) Ordinary share capital, NOK 0.01 par value, 209,196,827 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of June, 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 238 238 Additional paid-in capital 20,090 14,945 Accumulated other comprehensive income 892 658 Accumulated deficit (30,808 (10,885 Total shareholders' equity (deficit) (9,588 4,956 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity (deficit) 14,255 15,931 See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

FREYR AS UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (In Thousands, Except Share and per Share Amounts) For the three months ended June 30, For the six months ended June 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Operating expenses: General and administrative 4,006 413 11,138 1,007 Research and development 3,045 43 5,952 88 Depreciation 14 3 24 6 Other operating expenses 3,155 541 5,026 780 Total operating expenses 10,220 1,000 22,140 1,881 Loss from operations (10,220 (1,000 (22,140 (1,881 Other income (expense): Redeemable preferred shares fair value adjustment 69 75 Interest income 2 8 Warrant liability fair value adjustment (159 (225 Convertible notes fair value adjustment (59 (34 Interest expense (34 (42 Foreign currency transaction (loss) gain (209 1 (188 (4 Gain on settlement of warrant liability Other income 2,322 231 2,322 271 Loss before income taxes (8,036 (1,020 (19,923 (1,915 Income tax expense Net loss (8,036 (1,020 (19,923 (1,915 Other comprehensive income (loss): Foreign currency translation adjustments 177 (117 234 129 Total comprehensive loss (7,859 (1,137 (19,689 (1,786 Basic and diluted weighted-average ordinary shares outstanding 209,196,827 120,945,619 209,196,827 119,822,809 Basic and diluted net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders (Note 13) (0.04 (0.01 (0.10 (0.02 See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

FREYR AS UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (In Thousands) For the six months ended June 30, 2021 2020 Cash flows from operating activities Net loss (19,923 (1,915 Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash used in operating activities: Share-based compensation expense 4,688 Depreciation 24 6 Redeemable preferred shares fair value adjustment (75 Foreign currency transaction loss on redeemable preferred shares 28 Warrant liability fair value adjustment 225 Convertible notes fair value adjustment 34 Other 106 Changes in assets and liabilities: Prepaid assets (1,049 (142 VAT receivable (42 149 Interest income receivable (8 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 3,659 486 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities related party 950 (6 Deferred income 1,431 Net cash used in operating activities (10,317 (1,057 Cash flows from investing activities Purchases of property and equipment (107 (25 Purchases of other long-term assets (12 Net cash used in investing activities (119 (25 Cash flows from financing activities Capital contributions ordinary shares 1,000 Issuance cost (5 Proceeds from issuance of redeemable preferred shares 7,500 Proceeds from issuance of convertible debt 1,066 Proceeds from issuance of convertible debt related party 412 Net cash provided by financing activities 7,500 2,473 Effect of changes in foreign exchange rates on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash 73 (1 Net increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash (2,863 1,390 Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period 14,945 257 Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period 12,082 1,647 Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information Cash paid for interest 13 Cash paid for income taxes Significant non-cash investing and financing activities Settlement of accrued liabilities through issuance of non-employee warrants 460 Settlement of other long-term liabilities through issuance of employee options 38 Reconciliation to consolidated balance sheets Cash and cash equivalents 11,279 1,610 Restricted cash 803 37 Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash 12,082 1,647 See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

Source: FREYR Battery SA

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210812005372/en/

Contacts:

FREYR Battery

Steffen Freid, CFO, steffen.foreid@freyrbattery.com

Jeffrey Spittel, Vice President, Investor Relations, jeffrey.spittel@freyrbattery.com
Spoke connects vulnerable road users with vehicles using Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) solutions from Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.

DENVER and TURIN, Italy, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --

Spoke, a mobility platform for safety, connectivity and rich rider experiences, today announced plans to bring connected technology to vulnerable road users (VRUs), including bicyclists and scooter riders, using Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) solutions from Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. A first-of-its-kind, the Spoke hardware and software suite, which features the C-V2X solutions, is designed to be the industry's first reliable, robust connected system to offer secure, direct communication for contextual awareness and alerts between drivers and riders, enhancing safety for VRUs.

Reimagining the form factor, which has been engineered previously for automotive, Spoke's new hardware solution is designed to enable vehicles to identify VRUs using the same C-V2X technology used in vehicles. The Spoke solution is intended to provide direct communication between road users, vehicles and roadside infrastructure without the need for a cellular network, delivering the level of dependable real-time information critical for safety applications. This capability provides critical augmentation to other Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) sensors, such as cameras, radar, and Light Detection and Radar (LIDAR).

"This is game-changing connectivity for both safety and for the mobility experience overall," said Jarrett Wendt, Spoke CEO. "For the first time, Spoke will provide dedicated hardware and software, what we refer to as vulnerable road user-to-everything (VRU2X), to unlock V2X communication to the most vulnerable users. VRU2X unlocks location accuracy through direct digital communication that connects all users anonymously to each other and to the infrastructure."

C-V2X is uniquely designed to offer highly reliable, low-latency direct communication between VRUs, vehicles and roadside infrastructure in the 5.9 GHz ITS spectrum without reliance on cellular networks. C-V2X can provide highly reliable, low-latency broadcast to support advanced safety use cases and enhanced vehicle automation. C-V2X is also globally compatible with 5G networks and cloud-based APIs, enabling numerous capabilities with artificial intelligence/machine learning to enhance safety features.

C-V2X direct communication is an essential technology for safety and mobility applications, helping to reduce crashes and incident-related congestion for more efficient traffic flow.

Spoke is working with a number of stakeholders, including Qualcomm Technologies and vehicle, bicycle, scooter and motorcycle OEMs, for maximum scale, adoption and safety impact. Spoke's portfolio, which will also include modem-based communications, will be launching with their OEM bicycle, motorcycle and scooter partners in 2022.

"Spoke was born from a passion to reduce rider vulnerability, prevent crashes and save lives using an innovative adaption of technology that is available today. There is tremendous opportunity to deliver a safer, richer, more dynamic trip experience," added Wendt. "We are confident that through our work with various stakeholders, including Qualcomm Technologies, we will be able to reach our goal of including the most vulnerable road users in the intelligent transportation ecosystem equation. We expect Qualcomm Technologies' industry-leading C-V2X technologies to elevate Spoke's safety and mobility portfolio, helping us all arrive home safely."

For Spoke images and other assets, visit: https://qualcommtechnologiesinc.box.com/s/qbe94fqd830lffftle4pq32ugdr4m57v

About Spoke

Spoke is elevating road safety to an entirely new level. We are synergizing state-of the art technologies with market-leading partners to deliver transformative, first-of-its-kind CV2X and modem-based solutions that provide a new peace of mind on our daily rides, commutes and adventures. Spoke is dedicated to protecting the most vulnerable on our roadways by connecting them to the traffic participants and mobility ecosystem around them.

Amy Ford / External Affairs

amy.ford@spokesafety.com

+1 303-514-4913

www.spokesafety.com

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LANCASTER, PA / ACCESSWIRE / August 12, 2021 / OZFund, Inc ('OZFund'), a community-focused Qualified Opportunity Fund ('QOF') with a solution to help revitalize working family neighborhoods by acquiring and developing multi-use properties located in the 'Opportunity Zones' of Central Pennsylvania and Mid-Atlantic regions, announced it is now seeking funds through its Reg D, 506(c) offering on Fundopolis.com. Fundopolis Securities LLC is a registered Broker Dealer and FINRA member. Accredited investors are now able to invest in OZFund and help support its mission to build safe, affordable rental housing for America's working families.

Geared towards taxpayers looking to invest in real estate projects or in operating businesses, Opportunity Zones ('OZ') are tracts of land designated by the Federal government as areas offering special tax breaks to investors who invest in projects located in OZ's.

OZFund focuses on utilizing its wealth of investing knowledge and real estate experience to create safe, modern rental housing.

Those interested in investing in OZFund can visit: https://fundopolis.com/campaigns/ozfund

"We plan to design and build safe, reasonably-priced rental housing for America's working families," said Jeremy P. Feakins, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of OZFund, Inc. "Our team has a proven track record of real estate investing and property development from design through construction and execution. Our first project is underway at the former Rebman's Warehouse in South Queen Street, Lancaster, PA where we are building 72 apartments and about 15,000 square feet of commercial space for lease by businesses that offer products and services that benefit the community."

Fundopolis Securities LLC is a registered Broker Dealer and FINRA member that curates the right companies and investment opportunities for savvy investors. For individuals who choose to invest, Fundopolis aims to provide the highest degree of care and experience when guiding professional investors throughout the entire investment process. Entrepreneurs and businesses looking to raise funds via traditional private placements or through crowdfunding can feel confident that Fundopolis will help foster smart financial participation and meaningful connections intent on growth and future success.

"We are thrilled to have OZFund raising funds on our site," said Ben DiScipio, Chief Strategy Officer of Fundopolis. "We are proud and honored to support OZFund's campaign and hope that by giving them access to the capital they need - OZFund will thrive."

To learn more about OZFund, please visit: https://www.ozfundinc.com

About OZFund, Inc

OZFund, Inc., is a community-focused Qualified Opportunity Fund ('QOF') with a solution to help revitalize working family neighborhoods by acquiring properties located in the 'Opportunity Zones' of Central Pennsylvania and Mid-Atlantic regions for redevelopment into reasonably-priced rental housing and commercial space for businesses serving the community. Geared towards taxpayers looking to invest in real estate projects or in operating businesses, Opportunity Zones ('OZ') are tracts of land designated by the Federal government as areas offering special tax breaks to investors who invest in projects located in OZ's. OZFund focuses on utilizing its wealth of investing knowledge and real estate experience to create safe, rental housing for America's working families.

About Fundopolis

Fundopolis Securities LLC is a registered Broker Dealer and FINRA member. Fundopolis aims to help businesses and entrepreneurs gain access to the capital necessary to achieve their goals and flourish.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. We caution investors that forward-looking statements are based on management's beliefs and on assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management. When used, the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "might," "plan," "project," "result," "should," "will," "seek," "target," "see," "likely," "position," "opportunity," "outlook," "potential," "enthusiastic," "future" and similar expressions which do not relate solely to historical matters are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions and are not guarantees of future performance, which may be affected by known and unknown risks, trends, uncertainties, and factors that are beyond our control, including risks related to our ability to meet our estimated forecasts related to stabilized cap rates, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, our tenants and the national and local economies. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, estimated, or projected. We expressly disclaim any responsibility to update our forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law. Accordingly, investors should use caution in relying on past forward-looking statements, which are based on results and trends at the time they are made, to anticipate future results or trends.

Media Contact:

Jeremy P. Feakins

Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

Contact Address: 800 South Queen Street, Lancaster, PA 17603

Contact Email: jpf@ozfundinc.com

Contact Phone: 717 715 0238

Fund Website URL: www.ozfundinc.com

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SOURCE: OZFund, Inc

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/659375/OZFund-Now-Seeking-Community-Support-on-Fundopolis


BONN (dpa-AFX) - Shares of Deutsche Telekom were gaining around 3 percent in German trading after the telecom major reported Thursday significantly higher second-quarter profit, despite weak revenues. The company also raised its fiscal 2021 earnings view.



For the full year 2021, the company now expects adjusted EBITDA after leases of more than 37.2 billion euros. Adjusted EBITDA AL was originally expected to increase to over 37.0 billion euros.



Deutsche Telekom said the outlook revision is largely attributable to stronger-than-expected business performance in the United States operating segment, where it now anticipates adjusted EBITDA AL of around $26.1 billion, up from the most recent guidance of $25.9 billion.



The company continues to expect operations outside of the United States to generate adjusted EBITDA AL of 14.4 billion euros.



Deutsche Telekom also expects the free cash flow AL to come in at over 8.0 billion euros, in line with its most recent raised guidance.



Regarding its medium-term strategy and the financial outlook, the company said its forecast for growth through to 2024 remains at a consistently high level. The company expects revenue to grow annually by 1 to 2 percent and adjusted EBITDA AL by 3 to 5 percent. Free cash flow AL is to reach more than 18 billion euros by 2024.



Further, Deutsche Telekom said its dividend is expected to rise to more than 1.75 euros by 2024 from the 2020 level of 1.20 euros.



The company said it plans to secure the majority stake in T-Mobile US by 2025 and benefit from the return of capital announced by the U.S. subsidiary.



Deutsche Telekom added that it will continue to strategically review its holding in T-Mobile Netherlands and its cell tower portfolio with an eye to leveraging value potential and strategic opportunities.



For the second quarter, net profit surged almost 150 percent to 1.88 billion euros from 754 million euros in the prior year. Earnings per share were 0.40 euro, up from 0.16 euro last year.



Adjusted net profit for the quarter grew to 2.11 billion euros from 1.28 billion euros in the prior year. Adjusted earning per share were 0.45 euros, compared to 0.27 euros last year.



Profit from operations or EBIT climbed 19.5 percent from last year to 3.69 billion euros, and EBITDA grew 4.4 percent to 10.47 billion euros.



EBITDA AL was 8.79 billion euros, up from 2.4 percent a year ago, and adjusted EBITDA AL fell 4.2 percent to 9.42 billion euros. Adjusted EBITDA AL margin declined to 35.4 percent from 36.3 percent a year ago.



Net revenue for the quarter was 26.59 billion euros, down 1.7 percent from 27.04 billion euros in the previous year. Organic revenue growth of 6.8 percent in the second quarter to 26.6 billion euros



Mobile customers grew 4.7 percent to 246.6 million, Fixed-network lines edged up 0.1 percent to 27.4 million, and the growth was 3.4 percent in Broadband customers to 22.1 million.



In Germany, Deutsche Telekom shares were trading at 18.37 euros, up 2.6 percent.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

DEUTSCHE TELEKOM-Aktie komplett kostenlos handeln - auf Smartbroker.de
SellerX Becomes One of Europe's Fastest Growing Companies Going from Zero to 250+ Employees in the First Year of Operation

BERLIN, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- SellerX, Europe's leading aggregator of third-party e-commerce businesses, announced today it has raised 100 ($118) million in primary equity funding, the largest such sum announced in a funding round by a Europe-based Amazon FBA aggregator. The investment marks an exciting new strategic partnership for the company being led by the Growth Fund of L Catterton, the world's largest consumer-focused private equity firm. Additional participants include Belgian investment company Sofina, as well as existing investors Cherry Ventures, Felix Capital, and 83North.

In its short 12 months of operation, SellerX is delivering on its mission to acquire and scale third-party Amazon FBA and other e-commerce businesses and grow them into category-winning brands. The company has already raised almost a quarter of a billion EUR in debt and equity, and has gone from zero to 250+ employees centered around hubs in Berlin, London, and Miami. It currently incorporates 30+ evergreen brands across diversified verticals. With its aggressive approach to hiring top talent, SellerX is able to apply strong operational expertise to manage and scale its portfolio of brands. It invests in deep market research, as well as innovative technology platforms to enable successful product launches, growth via new channels, and expansion into new markets.

"Money raised in financing rounds in this space is typically heavily debt based," said SellerX co-founder Philipp Triebel. "What's so exciting about this round is that all of the 100 million is equity. It puts us in an incredibly strong position to raise further debt and to keep building our portfolio by acquiring the best Amazon sellers in Europe, the US, and China."

The calibre of the new investors is another decisive win for SellerX, as co-founder Malte Horeyseck explained: "L Catterton has unmatched expertise in the consumer goods sphere. This will be invaluable to us as we continue to grow. Together, we have an opportunity to cement our place in the future of consumer products."

Christopher North, managing partner of L Catterton's Growth Fund, added: "We see tremendous opportunity in the SellerX model. Philipp and Malte have impressed us with their vision, ambition, and aptitude for finding and investing in lasting franchises. The leadership position they have achieved only one year after launching SellerX is truly remarkable. We believe that SellerX is well-positioned not only to continue its category leadership, but also to establish an innovative new model for the future of consumer goods globally."

L Catterton has significant experience investing globally in fast growing, disruptive digital brands. Current and former investments include Better Mortgage, Vroom, Peloton, ClassPass, Tonal, Hydrow, Cazoo, Freetrade, Savage X Fenty, Hungryroot, Tula, Eco, and Public Goods.

About L Catterton

With approximately $30 billion of equity capital across its fund strategies and 17 offices around the world, L Catterton is the largest global consumer-focused private equity firm. L Catterton's team of nearly 200 investment and operating professionals partners with management teams around the world to implement strategic plans to foster growth, leveraging deep category insight, operational excellence, and a broad partnership network. Since 1989, the firm has made over 250 investments in leading consumer brands. For more information about L Catterton, please visit lcatterton.com.

About Sofina

Sofina is a family owned and run investment company listed on Euronext Brussels, managing its own assets of circa 10 billion. Sofina aspires to be the preferred partner of entrepreneurs and families who lead growing companies by backing them with patient capital and supportive advice. Common vision and strong alignment of interests with its partners are paramount in the deployment of its strategy. For more information, visit www.sofinagroup.com.

About SellerX

SellerX was founded in September 2020 by Harvard Business School graduates Malte Horeyseck and Philipp Triebel with the backing of top investors. It quickly became a leading acquirer of third-party brands on the Amazon marketplace in Europe bringing 30+ brands under its umbrella in under a year. The company's goal is to be the Buyer of Choice for top Amazon FBA and other e-commerce sellers and to establish itself as a global leader in direct-to-consumer products.

Contacts

L Catterton

Andi Rose / Kate Thompson

Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher

+1 212-355-4449

Sofina

Wauthier de Bassompierre

dbw@sofinagroup.com

SellerX

Tess McGowan

+49 30 3977 0997

press@sellerX.com

www.sellerX.com

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1593584/SellerX_Logo.jpg


OTTAWA (dpa-AFX) - While announcing weak profit and higher revenues in its second quarter on Thursday, Canadian Solar Inc. (CSIQ) issued third-quarter revenue and gross margin view, and backed fiscal 2021 outlook.



For the third quarter, total revenues are expected to be in the range of $1.2 billion to $1.4 billion. Gross margin is expected to be between 14% and 16%.



On average, five analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expect revenues of $1.62 billion for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.



For the third quarter, the company expects total module shipments to be in the range of 3.8 GW to 4.0 GW, including approximately 275 MW of module shipments to the Company's own projects.



For fiscal 2021, the company reiterated its expectation that revenue will be in the range of $5.6 billion to $6.0 billion, but slightly reduced total module shipment guidance to 16 GW to 17 GW from 18 GW to 20 GW expected previously. Analysts expect revenues of $5.9 billion for the year.



The company also backed its project sales guidance of 1.8 GW to 2.3 GW and total battery storage shipment guidance of 810 MWh to 860 MWh for the full year 2021.



Shawn Qu, Chairman and CEO, said, 'While we continue to navigate volatile market conditions, we expect Canadian Solar's performance to improve through the remainder of 2021 both in shipment volume, profitability and project sale execution. The wider-than-usual revenue and profitability range for the third quarter reflects the timing of certain project sales which may be recognized towards the end of the quarter or early in the following one.'



Canadian Solar said it continues to expect market share gains in 2021 as the trimmed shipment guidance is reflective of marginally softer global demand expectations as a response to higher equipment costs.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

CANADIAN SOLAR-Aktie komplett kostenlos handeln - auf Smartbroker.de
- A first in the carbon black industry

- Aligned to The Paris Agreement along with its customers and suppliers' commitments

-4Rs approach - Research, Reduce, Replace, Repurpose

MUMBAI, India and MARIETTA, Ga., Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Birla Carbon, one of the leading manufacturers of carbon black globally, has announced its intent to bring down its net carbon emissions to zero by 2050. The announcement is seen as a natural progression in Birla Carbon's leadership in the area of Sustainability and circularity. Birla Carbon recently announced the availability of Sustainable Carbonaceous Materials (SCM) through the launch of its Continua brand.

Birla Carbon's net zero announcement aligns with The Paris Agreement, signed as part of the United Nations Framework Convention on climate-change mitigation, adaptation, and finance. It also aligns with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development's Tire Industry Project SDG Roadmap aimed at addressing health and environmental impacts associated with the life cycle impact of tires towards a sustainable future. Within the Aditya Birla Group, Birla Carbon is collaborating with sister companies to develop decarbonization initiatives through the Aditya Birla Science and Technology Center.

Over 160 years of extraordinary innovation in the carbon black industry coupled with decades of focus on achieving Sustainability makes this net zero goal not just aspirational, but achievable. Creating a league of partnerships with leading sustainability solution providers, Birla Carbon is exploring new and advanced technologies that will be used to achieve its goal. Birla Carbon will also reference the Science-Based Target Initiative (SBTi). Over the next 12 months, Birla Carbon will commit to evaluate and release interim targets that are in alignment with the SBTi.

Sharing his thoughts on this announcement, Dr. Santrupt B. Misra, Group Director, Carbon Black; Director, Chemicals and Director, Group HR, Aditya Birla Group, shared, "Climate change is the biggest challenge we face today as a human race, and the burden of it will be carried by our future generations, unless we choose differently. By setting its aspiration to be Net-Zero by 2050, Birla Carbon is making its choice with the rest of the industries that have chosen to step up to the challenge." He further added, "Sustainability has always been a key driver and a symbol of our success. We will focus on Sustainable Operational Excellence (SOE), combined with sustainable materials for our customers, and many more solutions to make our aspiration a reality in the years to come. Birla Carbon is rooted in its Purpose to - 'Share the Strength', and we hope that our peers and the industry at large, recognize our efforts and partner with us. I wish the entire leadership team the very best as they begin this journey."

Speaking at the announcement, John Loudermilk, Chief Executive Officer, Birla Carbon, said, "All businesses have a responsibility to drive improvements for the global environment; however, only by working hand-in-hand with our customers, suppliers, and partners through the supply chain can we truly build a greener and brighter future." He further added, "By the nature of our business, we at Birla Carbon have our own carbon stewardship responsibility and we are choosing to lead through bold commitment and industry-first initiatives for a more sustainable tomorrow. Our aim is to constantly innovate and evolve our capabilities through our purpose, 'Share the Strength', to have a positive impact on the ecosystem and society at large."

Commenting on the announcement, Joe Gaynor, Chief Sustainability Officer, Birla Carbon, said, "As a responsible industry leader, Birla Carbon is fully committed to help mitigate the effects of climate change. For us, it was never a question of if, but when? We already laid the foundation for this commitment, some of which can be seen through our sustainability and circularity efforts over recent years." He further adds, "The launch of Continua 8000, a Sustainable Carbonaceous Material, opened our doors to the possibility of a net zero world. We are confident we will achieve this goal along with our customers."

Birla Carbon will focus on all three scopes in the measurement, reduction, and offsetting of carbon emissions. A majority of its carbon footprint reduction is expected to come from Scope 1 and 2 based on its direct and indirect emission reduction initiatives. A smaller portion of its reduction will come from scope 3 based on the operations of upstream and downstream industries in the value chain.

Birla Carbon's goal of net zero carbon emission by 2050 will be achieved by focusing on four over-arching segments. These 4R segments are;

Research - to discover new ways for the capture and conversion of carbons

A significant part of Birla Carbon's net zero target will come from future technologies that will capture and convert carbon dioxide into valuable carbon products. Birla Carbon will focus on the investment and development of such technologies and assets.

Reduce - the dependence on traditional processes in manufacturing

Emphasis on process efficiencies that will convert carbon to carbon black. In addition, Birla Carbon will continue to prioritize energy efficiencies throughout its operations. To date, 80% of its manufacturing facilities are housing co-generation facilities for conversion of waste gases to energy for export to the electrical grid.

Replace - with alternative energy and feedstock

Some Birla Carbon locations have introduced renewable energy sources to power parts of their facilities; the focus moving forward will be on adding renewable energy solutions towards Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.

Birla Carbon is also pursuing the development of new process technologies that will shift a portion of its production to include alternate feedstocks derived from biomass as a key contributor to net zero.

Repurpose - carbon solutions for Sustainability through circularity

Through its Continua brand, Birla Carbon will lead sustainability and circularity programs at scale, enabling our customers to develop the next generation of sustainable products. For example, Birla Carbon recently announced the availability of low-carbon footprint Sustainable Carbonaceous Materials (SCM) through the launch of its brand Continua, a game-changer for the industry.

Birla Carbon is in the process of mapping its existing and future technologies. The next steps will be the development of partnerships with customers and suppliers, engage experts, and create long-term associations and programs, including its collaboration within the Aditya Birla Group, to achieve the goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

About Birla Carbon

Birla Carbon is a leading global supplier of carbon black. As one of the flagship businesses of the leading Indian multinational conglomerate, the Aditya Birla Group, Birla Carbon provides innovative sustainable carbon black solutions that enhance the performance of paints and coatings, inks and toners, plastics, adhesives, sealants, textile fibers, mechanical rubber goods, and tires. The company's footprint extends across 12 countries with 16 manufacturing facilities and two state-of-the-art technology centers in Marietta (USA) and Taloja (India), providing industry-leading innovation. Its Sustainable Operational Excellence (SOE) strategy focuses on employee safety, environmental stewardship, efficient use of carbon sources, and operating in a socially and ethically responsible manner.

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1593517/Birla_Carbon_Logo.jpg

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1593518/Birla_Carbon_Continua.jpg
Partners Group, a leading global private markets firm, has agreed, on behalf of its clients, to sell Hortifruti Natural da Terra ("Hortifruti" or "the Company"), Brazil's largest fresh food retail chain, to Brazilian conglomerate Americanas S.A. ("Americanas"). The transaction values Hortifruti at an enterprise value of BRL 2.4 billion.

Founded in 1989 and headquartered in Rio de Janeiro, Hortifruti is Brazil's largest retail chain specializing in fresh products such as fruits, legumes, and vegetables ("FLV"), with 73 stores. Hortifruti is the most technologically advanced fresh food retailer in the country, with 16% of sales stemming from digital channels in 2020, providing a critical service to customers during the COVID 19 outbreak as people increasingly relied on online delivery services to obtain food and other everyday items. The Company has a loyal customer base, with more than 1.4 million members in its loyalty program, and clients who, on average, shop at Hortifruti stores more than 34 times annually.

Over the last five years, Partners Group employed its entrepreneurial governance approach at Hortifruti to support the implementation of several transformational value creation initiatives and drive the Company's strong growth. Partners Group helped the business almost double its store base through both organic expansion and add-on acquisitions, created and expanded its online capabilities, the need for which was further accelerated by the pandemic, and optimized its delivery of fresh products to homes within two to six hours, ensuring the same high level of service and product quality that shoppers are accustomed to when buying in person.

Tiago Andrade, Head of Sao Paulo, Private Equity, Partners Group, says: "We are extremely proud of our successful work with Hortifruti Natural da Terra. During our ownership period, we transformed a family business into a fully professional enterprise, significantly improving the quality of management, processes, and systems. We have built a strong foundation for Hortifruti to enter its next phase of growth and believe it is the ideal time to exit the business on behalf of our clients. We are confident that Americanas is the right institutional partner for all stakeholders to advance the Company, given its omnichannel ecosystem capabilities, which will allow Hortifruti to accelerate both its brick-and-mortar and digital growth. We look forward to seeing the business and its employees continue on this upward trajectory going forward."

Thiago Picolo, Chief Executive Officer, Hortifruti, comments: "During our partnership with Partners Group, Hortifruti experienced strong growth and a cultural transformation, becoming the leading omnichannel fresh foods retailer in Brazil, which local communities have counted on during the pandemic. Partners Group's global platform and operational expertise, combined with the high-quality Operating Directors that it appointed to Hortifruti's Board, were valuable resources as management led the transformation process. We are grateful to Partners Group for their years of hard work and feel well-positioned to continue growing as part of the Americanas family."

Banco J.P. Morgan S.A. acted as exclusive financial advisors, Lefosse Advogados served as legal advisors, and Alvarez & Marsal served as vendor due diligence advisors to Partners Group.
OLD BRIDGE, NJ / ACCESSWIRE / August 12, 2021 / Blonder Tongue Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE American:BDR) announced its sales and results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2021.

Blonder Tongue Laboratories, Inc. net sales increased $507,000 or 13.2% to $4,338,000 for the second quarter of 2021 from $3,831,000 for the comparable period in 2020. Net income for the three months ended June 30, 2021, was $1,626,000 or $0.11 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $(1,194,000) or $(0.12) per diluted share for the comparable period in 2020.

Commenting on the second quarter results, Ted Grauch, Blonder Tongue Laboratories' President and CEO noted, "In Q2 the Company saw several elements of our long-term strategy begin to come together yielding a positive first half in terms of income and net cash provided by operating activities. Our continued multi-year R&D investment in cutting edge digital IP and OTT video products led to significant year on year growth in our Clearview transcoder and NXG IP video processing product lines, helped by new customer wins by both product lines this year. Our expanded network of channel partners and direct service operator customers resulted in broader sources of revenue over the first half that we expect will continue for the foreseeable future. Also helping us along has been a continued steady improvement in the telecommunications and video service provider technology marketplace during the first half compared with the first 9 months of the pandemic in 2020. Our CPE programs are showing a planned reduction in revenue, as we transform those products and associated customer base into a service and fulfillment model. We will be transitioning a majority of future CPE COGS onto our product partners with a goal of greatly increasing the margins and cash-efficiency of those products going forward. Although the hospitality industry has been improving the last few months, it has lagged the recovery of the telecommunications sectors and so we will be working to improve our DOCSIS product line performance in the second half of the year to the extent allowed by hospitality market capital investment improvements. Finally, we are already working hard in the second half with a goal to keep up the momentum created in first half of 2021; expanding our broadband, ISP data delivery and ATSC off-air video related product lines, as well as bringing new technology to modernize a selection of Blonder Tongue headend and central office distribution products, already well-known for decades-long reliability in the field."

The increase in sales for the second quarter is primarily attributable to an increase in sales of video transcoder products, NXG IP video signal processing products and digital video headend products, offset by a decrease in sales of DOCSIS data products and CPE products. Sales of transcoder products were $1,337,000 and $279,000, NXG products were $470,000 and $285,000, digital video headend products were $968,000 and $745,000, DOCSIS data products were $327,000 and $701,000, and CPE products were $288,000 and $1,026,000 in the second three months of 2021 and 2020, respectively.

For the six months ended June 30, 2021, net sales decreased $292,000 or 3.7% to $7,589,000 in 2021 from $7,881,000 for the comparable period in 2020. Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2021, was $1,212,000 or $0.08 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $(3,274,000) or $(0.34) per diluted share for the comparable period in 2020. Net cash provided by operating activities was $126,000 for the first six months of 2021, compared to net cash used in operating activities of $(2,029,000) for the comparable period of 2020.

The decrease in sales for the six months is primarily attributable to a decrease in sales of DOCSIS data products, digital video headend products, HFC distribution products and CPE products, offset by an increase in sales of transcoder products and NXG products. Sales of DOCSIS data products were $355,000 and $1,572,000, digital video headend products were $1,511,000 and $1,802,000, HFC distribution products were $923,000 and $1,170,000, CPE products were $983,000 and $1,672,000, transcoder products were $2,073,000 and $394,000 and NXG products were $891,000 and $481,000 in the first six months of 2021 and 2020, respectively.

The Company expects bookings of transcoder products to remain healthy as market exposure to, and acceptance of those products continues. The Company expects sales of CPE products to continue to trend lower than in prior periods as the Company, consistent with its business plan, transitions those products into a higher margin but lower revenue services, fulfillment, and support business model, and works to promote an expanded array of distribution, content delivery and processing technologies to those service provider customers.

The Company's primary sources of liquidity have been its existing cash balances, cash generated from operations and amounts available under the MidCap Facility. At June 30, 2021, the Company had $487,000 available under the MidCap Facility.

As disclosed in the Company's 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K, last year the Company experienced a decline in sales, a reduction in working capital, a loss from operations and net cash used in operating activities, in conjunction with liquidity constraints. These factors raised substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. The above factors still exist. Accordingly, there still exists substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability of the recorded assets or the classification of the liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.

Conference Call Reminder

Details of the live teleconference :

Date: Thursday, August 12, 2021

Time: 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time (10:00 a.m. CT, 8:00 a.m. PT)

Investor Dial-in (US & Canada Toll-Free): 888-506-0062

International: 973-528-0011

Entry Code: 705019

The audio replay will be available under Investor Related Information on the Blonder Tongue Investor Relations webpage.

About Blonder Tongue

Blonder Tongue Laboratories, Inc. is the oldest designer and manufacturer of telecommunications and cable television video transmission technology in the USA. The majority of our products continue to be designed and built in our state-of-the-art New Jersey facility, which has been the Company's home for more than 50 years. Blonder Tongue Labs offers U.S.-based engineering and manufacturing excellence with an industry reputation for delivering ultra-high reliability products. As a leader in cable television system design, the Company provides service operators and systems integrators with comprehensive solutions for the management and distribution of digital video, IPTV and high-speed data services, as well as RF broadband distribution over fiber, IP, and Coax networks for homes and businesses. Additional information on the Company and its products can be found at www.blondertongue.com .

Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: The information set forth above includes "forward-looking" statements. The forward-looking statements relate to future events regarding such matters as anticipated financial performance, business prospects, technological developments, new products, research and development activities and similar matters. In order to comply with the terms of the safe harbor provisions, the Company notes that a variety of factors could cause our actual results and experience to differ materially and adversely from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties that may affect the operation, performance, development and results of the Company's business include, but are not limited to, those matters discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 in the sections entitled "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Risk Factors," and in the same sections of the Company's subsequently-filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as may be further updated by any Current Reports on Form 8-K that we may file. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project," "target," "intend," "plan," "seek," "estimate," "endeavor," "should," "could," "may" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements that refer to projections for our future financial performance, anticipated growth trends in the Company's business and other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the Company's ability to continue as a going concern and the Company's ability to maintain the listing of its shares on the NYSE American. Readers also should carefully review the risk factors included in other documents the Company files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, or, in the case of other documents referred to herein, the dates of those documents. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise or update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof, except as may be required under applicable law. The Company's actual results may differ from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements.

Contacts

Eric Skolnik

Chief Financial Officer

eskolnik@blondertongue.com

(732) 679-4000

Ted Grauch

Chief Executive Officer

ted@blondertongue.com

(732) 679-4000

Press Contacts:

Bob Gold

Bob Gold & Associates

bob@bobgoldpr.com

(office) 310-320-2010

Blonder Tongue Laboratories, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Summary of Operating Results

(unaudited, in thousands, except per share data)

Three months ended Six months ended June 30, June 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Net sales $4,338 $3,831 $7,589 $7,881 Gross profit 1,605 1,235 2,990 1,788 Loss from operations (617) (1,108) (1,480) (3,127) Net income (loss) $1,626 $(1,194) $1,212 $(3,274) Basic net income (loss) per share $0.14 $(0.12) $0.10 $(0.34) Diluted net income (loss) per share $0.11 $(0.12) $0.08 $(0.34) Basic weighted average shares outstanding 11,984 9,766 11,818 9,766 Diluted weighted average shares outstanding 15,254 9,766 15,186 9,766

Blonder Tongue Laboratories, Inc

Condensed Consolidated Summary Balance Sheets

(in thousands)

(unaudited) June 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 Current assets $7,113 $6,104 Property, plant and equipment, net 648 429 Total assets 11,908 11,130 Current liabilities 5,515 5,534 Long-term liabilities 2,903 4,359 Stockholders' equity 3,490 1,237 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $11,908 $11,130

SOURCE: Blonder Tongue Laboratories, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/659422/Blonder-Tongue-Announces-Second-Quarter-and-Six-Months-2021-Results
MONTREAL, QC / ACCESSWIRE / August 12, 2021 / Quebec Precious Metals Corporation ("QPM" or the "Company") (TSXV:QPM)(OTCQB:CJCFF)(FSE:YXEP) reminds its shareholders (the "Shareholders") that its annual general meeting (the "Meeting") will be held on August 17, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern time), solely by means of remote communication, rather than in person, at the time and for the purposes set forth in the Notice of Meeting available on SEDAR under the Company's profile and also on QPM's web site.

Registered shareholders and duly appointed proxyholders can virtually attend, participate, vote or submit questions at the virtual Meeting online by registering before August 13, 2021 at the following link:

https://bit.ly/3igw3do

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with access instructions. A Shareholder will not be able to attend the Meeting without first registering on the link indicated above. To ensure a smooth process, the Company is asking registered participants to log in by 09:45 a.m..

(Eastern time) on August 17, 2021.

About Quebec Precious Metals Corporation

QPM is a gold explorer with a large land position in the highly-prospective Eeyou Istchee James Bay territory, Quebec, near Newmont Corporation's Eleonore gold mine. QPM's flagship project is the Sakami project with significant grades and well-defined drill-ready targets. QPM's goal is to rapidly explore the project and to advance the project to the mineral resource estimate stage.

For more information, please contact:

Jean-Francois Meilleur

President

Tel.: 514 951-2730

jfmeilleur@qpmcorp.ca

Normand Champigny

Chief Executive Officer

Tel.: 514 979-4746

nchampigny@qpmcorp.ca

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider

(as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange)

accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Quebec Precious Metals Corporation

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/659427/Quebec-Precious-Metals-Corporation-Reminder--Annual-General-Meeting-of-Shareholders
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 12, 2021) - Goldsource Mines Inc. (TSXV: GXS) (OTCQB: GXSFF) (FSE: G5M) ("Goldsource" or the "Company") is pleased to announce additional infill and expansion drill results for the Company's 100%-owned Eagle Mountain Gold Project in Guyana, South America. Newly reported results represent 43 core holes totaling 3,786 metres from the Zion and Bacchus areas, located in the eastern and northern locations of the Eagle Mountain deposit (see attached Figures and Tables below).

Year to date, the Company has drilled 14,891 metres in 123 shallow drill holes and is 90% through the 2021 base program of 16,500 metres. As the Company is preparing for an updated Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") anticipated later in 2021, the focus has been on infill and expansion drilling of the Eagle Mountain deposit, which is defined by a series of sub-horizontal mineralized zones that are laterally extensive and start at surface. This drilling was designed to upgrade a significant portion of Inferred mineral resources to the Indicated category and to test for lateral extensions of the zones. The current Mineral Resource Estimate is contained in a report titled "Eagle Mountain Gold Project, Potaro - Siparuni Region Guyana, NI 43-101 Technical Report", dated April 7, 2021 with an Effective Date of February 17, 2021 ("February 2021 MRE").

In terms of sequencing of drilling activities, the Company has front-end loaded the infill and expansion drilling of the Eagle Mountain deposit in 2021 to prepare for the delivery of the MRE update in late 2021. With these activities progressing well with respect to the objectives for the MRE update, drill results through the balance of the year will reflect a higher proportion of exploration drilling, which is also a primary objective of the 2021 drill program. This will encompass follow-up drilling of prospects along the Salbora-Powis structural corridor, including the Toucan Prospect where the Company recently intersected 6.0 metres (estimated true width ("ETW") of 3.5 metres) grading 18.14 grams per tonne ("gpt") gold starting 100.5 metres down the hole (see the Company's June 17, 2021 news release), and testing of known geophysical targets. Based on preliminary success with the Toucan Prospect and the presence of a number of high priority targets, management has approved an expanded scope for exploration drilling. The net result is an approximate 5,000 metre increase to the 2021 drill program, bringing planned drilling to an estimated 21,500 metres.

Highlights (Eagle Mountain deposit):

Zion Area:

Results for 24 core holes totaling 2,100 metres (Table 1).

Expansion hole EMM21-041 intersected 6.0 metres (ETW of 5.3 metres) grading 15.73 gpt gold starting 57 metres down the hole, immediately below and outside of the February 2021 MRE outline (Figure 3).

Expansion drilling has extended near surface mineralization laterally by at least 150 metres north with holes EMM21-035 to EMM21-039 intersecting the continuation of the zone in saprolite (within 25 metres of surface) with the highest-grade interval in EMM21-038 intersecting 2.5 metres (ETW) at 10.13 gpt gold, 22 metres from surface (Figure 2 and 3).

Infill hole EMM21-031 intersected 46.5 metres (ETW of 35.6 metres) grading 1.00 gpt gold from surface, confirming the thick shallow mineralized zone in this area, as previously defined by historical hole EMD11-077, which intersected 42.2 metres at 1.00 gpt gold (ETW of 32.3 metres) approximately 30 metres to the northwest (Figure 3).

Expansion drill hole EMM21-027 intersected 3.0 metres (ETW of 2.3 metres) grading 9.61 gpt gold at 30.0 metres depth in a thin near surface zone not previously modelled (Figure 3).

Bacchus Area:

Results for 19 core holes totaling 1,686 metres (Table 2).

Infill hole EMD20-150 intersected 21.0 metres (ETW of 16.0 metres) grading 1.44 gpt gold from surface. At 76.5 metres down the hole, an estimated vertical depth of 58 metres, the hole also intersected 3.0 metres (ETW of 2.3 metres) grading 5.32 gpt gold, a zone not modelled in the February 2021 MRE. This zone is now understood to extend 150 metres to the northwest in Bacchus where expansion hole EMD21-167 intersected 7.5 metres (ETW of 5.7 metres) grading 1.06 gpt gold at an estimated vertical depth of 15 metres (Figure 2 and 4).

Infill hole EMD20-149 intersected 37.5 metres (ETW of 28.8 metres) grading 1.02 gpt gold starting 9.0 metres down the hole enhancing the thickness of mineralization by 15 metres from the previously modelled resource outline (Figure 4).

Steve Parsons, P. Eng., and CEO of Goldsource, commented, "We remain very pleased with the progress of the drill program. The results are providing added definition to the near surface sub-horizontal mineralized zones of the Eagle Mountain deposit, showing continuity of mineralization and expanding zones, at this time, in the Zion and Bacchus areas. Importantly, of the 83 infill, expansion and exploration core holes released so far in 2021, 88% have returned significant mineralized intervals with gold grades above the cut-off used in the February 2021 MRE. In the coming weeks, we anticipate releasing more infill and expansion drill results, specifically for the Baboon and Friendly areas of the Eagle Mountain deposit.

With favourable progress on the infill program, we look forward to shifting gears with the exploration program, specifically getting back to testing some of the new target areas and under drilled prospects such as Toucan and Powis, which sit adjacent to existing mineral resource but along a separate structural trend."

The following table shows the most significant results (uncut, undiluted):

Table 1: Zion Infill and Expansion Intercepts (Eagle Mountain Deposit)

Hole ID (1) From (m) To (m) Drilled Interval (m)(2) Gold (gpt)(3) EMM21-018 22.5 24.0 1.5 2.06 30.0 33.0 3.0 0.45 EMM21-019 24.0 36.0 12.0 0.52 EMM21-020 16.5 21.0 4.5 0.81 EMM21-021 39.0 46.5 7.5 0.65 EMM21-022 16.5 24.0 7.5 1.91 Incl. 16.5 21.0 4.5 3.00 58.5 60.0 1.5 0.55 EMM21-024 1.5 4.5 3.0 0.40 EMM21-025 0.0 16.5 16.5 0.46 EMM21-026 3.0 9.0 6.0 0.75 EMM21-027 30.0 33.0 3.0 9.61 EMM21-028 1.5 3.0 1.5 0.54 7.5 9.0 1.5 0.57 12.0 15.0 3.0 0.57 33.0 36.0 3.0 1.24 EMM21-031 0.0 46.5 46.5 1.00 Incl. 15.0 27.0 12.0 1.83 54.0 55.5 1.5 1.29 61.5 66.0 4.5 0.42 EMM21-032 0.0 22.5 22.5 0.66 30.0 46.5 16.5 0.50 52.5 57.0 4.5 0.59 99.0 100.5 1.5 0.49 EMM21-033 6.0 21.0 15.0 0.98 Incl. 16.5 21.0 4.5 2.50 31.5 33.0 1.5 0.50 EMM21-034 4.5 12.0 7.5 0.46 16.5 25.5 9.0 0.59 33.0 36.0 3.0 8.35 EMM21-035 31.5 33.0 1.5 0.42 EMM21-036 15.0 16.5 1.5 2.51 46.5 48.0 1.5 0.60 132 133.5 1.5 0.42 EMM21-037 25.5 28.5 3.0 1.62 36.0 37.5 1.5 1.52 112.5 114.0 1.5 1.03 139.5 144.0 4.5 2.35 EMM21-038 22.5 25.0 2.5 10.13 EMM21-039 21.0 22.5 1.5 0.71 34.5 36.0 1.5 1.98 42.0 43.5 1.5 0.50 69.0 70.5 1.5 0.57 73.0 74.5 1.5 0.50 EMM21-040 31.5 33.0 1.5 1.41 EMM21-041 18.0 21.0 3.0 1.57 51.0 52.5 1.5 2.17 57.0 63.0 6.0 15.73 Incl. 57.0 58.5 1.5 60.37

Note: All numbers rounded.

(1) EMM defines core holes completed by drilling contractor.

(2) True widths are estimated to be 70 to 100% of drilled widths.

(3) Saprolite and hard rock cut-off grades of 0.3 and 0.5 gpt gold, respectively.

Table 2: Bacchus Infill and Expansion Intercepts (Eagle Mountain Deposit)

Hole ID (1) From (m) To (m) Drilled Interval (m)(2) Gold (gpt)(3) EMD20-146 0.0 7.5 7.5 0.51 EMD20-149 9.0 46.5 37.5 1.02 EMD20-150 0.0 21.0 21.0 1.44 42.0 43.5 1.5 0.59 58.5 60.0 1.5 0.40 76.5 79.5 3.0 5.32 EMD20-151 0.0 30.3 30.3 0.92 Incl. 0.0 19.5 19.5 1.26 EMD20-152 3.0 25.5 22.5 0.76 40.5 48.0 7.5 0.56 67.5 69.0 1.5 0.88 103.5 112.5 9.0 0.67 EMD21-160 3.0 4.5 1.5 0.47 7.5 9.0 1.5 0.69 19.5 27.0 7.5 0.45 67.5 72.0 4.5 0.71 EMD21-161 12.0 15.0 3.0 0.69 EMD21-162 12.0 13.5 1.5 1.06 21.0 22.5 1.5 0.92 81.0 95.2 14.2 0.40 Incl. 81.0 87.0 6.0 0.50 And 91.5 95.2 3.7 0.52 EMD21-163 9.0 13.5 4.5 0.54 33.0 34.5 1.5 0.80 EMD21-164 6.0 7.5 1.5 0.60 16.5 19.5 3.0 0.64 EMD21-165 33.0 36.0 3.0 0.79 EMD21-166 12.0 13.5 1.5 0.97 58.5 60.1 1.6 0.67 EMD21-167 0.0 1.5 1.5 0.74 12.0 13.5 1.5 0.51 19.5 27.0 7.5 1.06 31.5 33.0 1.5 1.13 52.5 54.0 1.5 0.53 EMD21-168 9.0 10.5 1.5 2.26 13.5 15.0 1.5 0.62 36.0 42.0 6.0 0.96 70.5 72.0 1.5 2.31 78.0 79.5 1.5 1.33 EMD21-169 4.5 7.5 3.0 0.50 67.5 69.0 1.5 0.76 76.5 78.0 1.5 0.91 EMD21-170 3.0 4.5 1.5 0.56

Note: All numbers rounded.

(1) EMD defines core holes completed by in-house drill rig.

(2) True widths are estimated to be 70 to 100% of drilled widths.

(3) Saprolite and hard rock cut-off grades of 0.3 and 0.5 gpt gold, respectively.

All sample preparation and geochemical analyses were completed by Actlabs Guyana Inc. in Georgetown, Guyana. Holes EMM21-023, EMM21-029, EMM21-030, EMM21-042, EMD20-147 and EMD20-148 intersected mineralization below the Company's saprolite cut-off grade of 0.3 gpt gold.

Zion and Bacchus Areas - Eagle Mountain Deposit

Consistent with the other areas of the Eagle Mountain deposit, gold mineralization at Zion and Bacchus areas is characterized by a series of tabular, shallow, dip-slope shear zones developed within a granodioritic host rock. Zion and Bacchus exhibit at least three discrete zones of alteration and mineralization, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. Zone 1 is the shallowest and outcrops with surficial saprolite. Zones 2 and 3 are separated by unaltered granodiorite, extending to a maximum depth of 80 to 100 metres in these areas.

For both Zion and Bacchus, recent drill results have intersected mineralization where it is being modelled as Inferred and has also expanded the zones laterally. Moreover, at depth immediately outside of the modelled resource outline (within 20 metres), drilling has intersected narrower mineralization, but with higher gold grades. These high-grade zones have now been intersected in several holes.

In the Zion area, infill holes EMM21-018 to EMM21-028 have confirmed continuity of mineralization in an area measuring 100 by 200 metres on the east side of Zion that was classified as Inferred in the February 2021 MRE (Figure 2). Drilling in this area has identified new high-grade, but narrower intersections below the modelled areas, such as in drill hole EMM21-027 (ETW of 2.3 metres grading 9.61 gpt gold at 30.0 metres depth). Expansion drilling outside the modelled area for Zion has confirmed that near surface mineralization continues at least 150 metres north with holes EMM21-035 to EMM21-039 intersecting the continuation of the zone in saprolite (within 25 metres of surface) with the highest-grade interval in EMM21-038 intersecting 2.5 metres (ETW) grading 10.13 gpt gold, 22 metres from surface (Figure 3).

At Bacchus, drilling to the north and north-west was intended to test the area where the main Eagle Mountain granodiorite contacts the adjacent mafic volcanic units into which the granodiorite has intruded. This contact is further north than expected with a larger area covered by the main Eagle Mountain granodiorite, which is mineralized. While drilling has confirmed lateral extensions of the sub-horizontal zones (Zones 3 and 4), intervals are narrower and appear to show a lessor tenor of mineralization. Positive, however, is that the zones trend closer to surface further down slope and to the north-west and there are still intervals showing favourable widths and grades, such as in hole EMD21-167 which intersected 7.5 metres grading 1.06 gpt gold within 25 metes of surface with mineralized material above it (Figure 4).

2021 Drill Program Overview

The four primary objectives for the 2021 drill program are unchanged. Year to date, significant progress has been made on the first two objectives.

Infill drilling to upgrade a significant portion of the mineralization currently classified as Inferred Resource to Indicated Resource. Re-classification to be used as the basis for a prefeasibility study, which is targeted to be delivered in 2022;

Testing for new lateral extensions of the sub-horizontal zones of the Eagle Mountain deposit, notably to the north, west and southwest currently outside of the February 2021 MRE outline, as defined in Figure 1;

Follow-up exploration of several new target areas along the prospective Salbora-Powis trend, such as the Toucan, Powis, Ann and Montgomery prospects where the potential exists for Salbora-style mineralization; and

Using the above information, announce another MRE update later in 2021.

Goldsource currently has three core drills active at the Eagle Mountain Project and a fourth drill will be operational by mid-August.

The Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects for this news release is N. Eric Fier, CPG, P.Eng., Executive Chairman and VP Finance for Goldsource, who has reviewed and approved its contents.

ABOUT GOLDSOURCE MINES INC.

Goldsource Mines Inc. (www.goldsourcemines.com) is a Canadian exploration company focussed on the 100%-owned Eagle Mountain gold project in Guyana, South America. The Company is led by an experienced management team, proven in making precious metals exploration discoveries and executing on phased project development in the Americas.

Steve Parsons

CEO

Goldsource Mines Inc.

For Further Information:

Goldsource Mines Inc.

Contact: Steve Parsons, CEO

Yannis Tsitos, President

Telephone: +1 (604) 694-1760

Fax: +1 (604) 357-1313

Toll Free: 1-866-691-1760 (Canada & USA)

Email: info@goldsourcemines.com

Website: www.goldsourcemines.com

570 Granville Street, Suite 501

Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3P1





Figure 1: Eagle Mountain Gold Project - Completed Drill Holes

To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4977/92900_figure1.jpg





Figure 2: Bacchus and Zion - Infill and Expansion Drill Summary

To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4977/92900_figure2.jpg





Figure 3: Zion - Cross-Section through line A-A' Looking towards East

To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4977/92900_figure3.jpg





Figure 4: Bacchus - Cross-Section through line B-B' Looking towards North East

To view an enhanced version of Figure 4, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4977/92900_figure4.jpg

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT AND FORWARD-LOOKING DISCLAIMER

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Such forward-looking statements concern Goldsource's strategic plans, timing of preparation of an updated MRE, timing and expectations for the Company's exploration and drilling programs at Eagle Mountain; and information regarding high grade areas projected from sampling results and drilling results. Such forward-looking statements or information are based on a number of assumptions, which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things: conditions in general economic and financial markets; accuracy of assay results and availability of mining equipment; availability of skilled labour; timing and amount of capital expenditures; performance of available laboratory and other related services; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on operations and future operating costs. The actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of the risk factors including: the timing and content of work programs; the ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on operations and results, results of exploration activities and development of mineral properties; the interpretation of drilling results and other geological data; the uncertainties of resource estimations; receipt, maintenance and security of permits and mineral property titles; environmental and other regulatory risks; project costs overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses; delays in release of an updated mineral resource, availability of funds and general market and industry conditions. Forward-looking statements are based on the expectations and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. The assumptions used in the preparation of such statements, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statements were made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements included in this news release if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as otherwise required by applicable law.

Neither TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/92900
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 12, 2021) - UGE International Ltd. (TSXV: UGE) (OTCQB: UGEIF) (the "Company" or "UGE"), a leader in the commercial and community solar sector, announces that it plans to release its second quarter 2021 financial statements on August 19, 2021 prior to market open.

UGE will host a webinar later that day where the Company's CEO, Nick Blitterswyk, and CFO, Marissa Lauder, will run through the results and host a question-and-answer session. The webinar details are as follows:

Date: Thursday, August 19, 2021

Time: 11:00am EDT

Register: www.ugei.com/register





About UGE

UGE develops, owns, and operates commercial and community solar projects in the US and strategic markets abroad. Our distributed energy solutions deliver cheaper, cleaner energy to businesses and consumers with no upfront cost. With over 500MW of global experience, we work daily to power a more sustainable world. Visit us at www.ugei.com.

For more information, contact UGE at:

+1 917 720 5685

investors@ugei.com

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/92864
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 12, 2021) - Ethos Gold Corp. (TSXV: ECC) (OTCQB: ETHOF) (FSE: 1ET) ("Ethos" or the "Company") has appointed Jodie Gibson to its technical advisory team, and will be focused on the Toogood project in Newfoundland.

Mr. Gibson is an exploration geologist with over 15 years mineral exploration experience throughout the North American Cordillera from Alaska to Mexico; including syngenetic and epigenetic precious and base metal systems. He was the Project Manager of the Underworld Resources Inc. exploration team that discovered and defined the Golden Saddle and Arc deposits. These assets were subsequently sold to Kinross in 2010 for $139 million., Mr. Gibson also served as Vice President Exploration for White Gold Corp where he oversaw over $30 million in exploration activities over the previous three years with highlights including expansion of the Golden Saddle and Arc deposits and five new discoveries across the White Gold district; including the high-grade Vertigo discovery on the JP Ross property. Jodie was recognized as the 2020 Yukon Prospector of the Year and is currently Vice President Exploration for K2 Gold Corp

Dr. Rob Carpenter stated, "Jodie has a significant track record of success and discovery for high grade gold deposits and his experience and skillset will fit perfectly with our technical team. Ethos has now assembled a diverse technical team that is as good as any group in junior mining today and I look forward to the coming months at Toogood."

About Ethos Gold Corp.

Ethos Gold, a Discovery Group company, has accumulated a portfolio of district-scale projects in British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, and Newfoundland that have large scale discovery potential. The Company has a solid technical team led by Dr. Rob Carpenter, formerly the CEO of Kaminak Gold Corporation, who led the Kaminak team from initial listing in 2005 through acquisition and discovery of the multiple-million-ounce Coffee Gold Project. In Ethos, he has assembled a senior technical advisory team with a strong record of discovery success and includes Dr. Robert Brozdowski, P.Geo., Dan MacNeil, M.Sc., P.Geo., Dr. Alan Wainwright, P.Geo, and Dr. Quinton Hennigh, an economic geologist with 25 years of exploration experience formerly with Homestake Mining Company, Newcrest Mining and Newmont Mining Corp. Ethos is advancing its nine projects throughout Canada under the stewardship of Vice President of Exploration, Jo Price, P.Geo., MBA, with work programs underway this summer with dedicated teams on each project.

Ethos engages proactively with Indigenous rightsholders and seeks to develop relationships and agreements that are mutually beneficial. The Company's community relations efforts are led by Michelle Tanguay who has over 25 years experience in indigenous and stakeholder engagement and environmental program design and management.

With approximately C$11 million in working capital, Ethos is well funded to advance its portfolio of Canadian projects.

Ethos Gold Corp.

Per: "Alex Heath"

Alex Heath, CFA, President and CEO

For further information about Ethos Gold Corp. or this news release, please visit our website at ethosgold.com or contact Alex Heath at 604-354-2491 or by email at alexh@ethosgold.com.

Ethos Gold Corp. is a proud member of Discovery Group. For more information please visit: discoverygroup.ca.

Forward-Looking Statement Cautions:

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the Company's plans with respect to the Company's projects and the timing related thereto, the merits of the Company's projects, the Company's objectives, plans and strategies, and other project opportunities. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "aims," "potential," "goal," "objective,", "strategy", "prospective," and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "can," "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include the risk of accidents and other risks associated with mineral exploration operations, the risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological factors, or the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permitting and other agency or governmental clearances, necessary to carry out the Company's exploration plans, risks and uncertainties related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the risk of political uncertainties and regulatory or legal changes in the jurisdictions where the Company carries on its business that might interfere with the Company's business and prospects. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's reports, publicly available through the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedar.com for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/92909
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 12, 2021) - Constantine Metal Resources Ltd. (TSXV: CEM) (OTCQX: CNSNF) ("Constantine" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed a non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement"), consisting of 8,569,131 units (each a "Unit") at a price of $0.23 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of $1,970,900. Each Unit consists of one common share of the Company (each a "Share") and one transferable share purchase warrant of the Company (each a "Warrant"). Each Warrant is exercisable to acquire one Share at an exercise price of $0.30 for a period of two years from the date of closing of the Private Placement. All securities to be issued pursuant to the Private Placement will be subject to a statutory hold period in Canada of four months and one day following the closing date.

Proceeds from the Private Placement will be used for exploration expenditures for the Big Nugget Gold project and the Bouse project exploration in Arizona later in the year, new project acquisitions and general corporate purposes.

Garfield MacVeigh, President and CEO states, "We welcome new shareholders to the Company who participated in the Private Placement and in the recent acquisition of the Electrum Group share position. We are very pleased to welcome Michael Gentile as a major strategic investor and supporter at a critical period for Constantine, post-HighGold spinout, as we work to advance the Palmer Project towards feasibility and add value with exploration and identification of new projects. Constantine would also like to thank Electrum Group for their investment in Constantine, which contributed to the discovery of the Palmer Project's AG zone in 2018."

Michael Gentile, CFA, added: "I'm very pleased to make this strategic investment in Constantine, a story in my opinion that is dramatically undervalued at its current market capitalization pre-financing of $21 million. Constantine currently has a 46.7% working interest in the advanced PEA-stage Palmer asset in Alaska, with a US$500 million NPV at current spot prices, and a strong and motivated joint venture partner in Dowa Metals & Mining Co., Ltd. This copper/zinc/silver VMS system has significant regional and near mine exploration potential that in conjunction with plans to advance the current resources to feasibility has the potential to dramatically expand the economic opportunity for shareholders over time. Constantine has demonstrated the ability to identify and create significant shareholder value through discovery and the spinout of high quality assets into HighGold Mining Inc. With the recent acquisition of the Bouse copper-gold project in Arizona and the potential acquisition of new assets, Constantine offers shareholders a significant upside over the short and long term."

On closing of the Private Placement Mr. Gentile owns 11.5% of the Company's issued and outstanding Shares, and on a partially-diluted basis (i.e. assuming full exercise of all of his Warrants and no other issuances of Shares by the Company) Mr. Gentile will own 19.4% of the Company's issued and outstanding Shares.

Mr. Gentile is an active and strategic investor in the junior mining sector owning significant top 5 stakes in over 15 small cap-mining companies. Michael is currently a strategic advisor to Arizona Metals and a director of Northern Superior Resources, Roscan Gold, Radisson Mining Resources and Solstice Gold.

In connection with the Private Placement, the Company issued 348,969 Shares and 457,488 finder warrants (the "Finder Warrants") to a qualified finder (Agentis Capital Markets Canada Limited Partnership). Each Finder Warrant shall be exercisable or deemed exercisable to acquire one Unit at the financing price, with each Unit comprised of one Share plus one Warrant. Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one additional Share at a price of $0.30 per Share for a period of two years from the date of closing.

One insider of the Company subscribed for a total of 870,000 Units under the financing, which is a "related party transaction" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The issuance to the insider is exempt from the valuation requirement of MI 61-101 by virtue of the exemption contained in section 5.5(b) as the Company's shares are not listed on a specified market and from the minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 by virtue of the exemption contained in section 5.7(a) of MI 61-101 in that the fair market value of the consideration of the shares issued to the related parties did not exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization.

About the Company

Constantine is a mineral exploration company led by an experienced and proven technical team with a focus on the Palmer copper-zinc-silver-gold-barite project being advanced as a joint venture between Constantine and Dowa Metals & Mining Co., Ltd., with Constantine as operator. A positive preliminary economic assessment was completed on the Palmer project in 2019 at conservative metal prices relative to today's markets. This year's Palmer joint venture budget announced in March, 2021 is US$8.8 million and includes up to 6000 meters of diamond drilling.

In 2020, the 100% owned Big Nugget Gold project, located 8 kilometers east of the Company's flagship Palmer Joint Venture Project, was recognized as a potential gold lode source area, immediately upstream from the +80,000 ounce Porcupine Gold Placer operations and is an attractive drill target opportunity.

In May 2021, Constantine announced the acquisition of the Bouse Property in southwest Arizona, that will be explored for its copper-gold potential (see news release dated May 13, 2021).

Management is committed to providing shareholder value through discovery, meaningful community engagement, environmental stewardship, and responsible mineral exploration and development activities that support local jobs and businesses.

On Behalf of Constantine Metal Resources Ltd.

"Garfield MacVeigh"

President

For further information, please visit the Constantine website at www.constantinemetals.com, or contact:

Garfield MacVeigh, President

Email: info@constantinemetals.com

Phone: +1 604 629 2348

Notes:

Forward-looking statements: This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively "forward looking statements")." Forward-looking statements include predictions, projections and forecasts and are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "forecast", "expect", "potential", "project", "target", "schedule", budget" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions and includes the negatives thereof. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the private placement financing and the proposed use of proceeds. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Company's expectations include actual exploration results, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resource estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause such actions, events or results to differ materially from those anticipated. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and accordingly readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/92910
OTTAWA (dpa-AFX) - Brookfield Asset Management Inc. (BAM, BAM.A.TO) reported Thursday that its second-quarter funds from operations or FFO grew to $1.60 billion from last year's $1.16 billion. FFO per share was $1.01, up from $0.73 last year. Distributable earnings were $1.23 billion, up from $1.08 billion last year, supported mainly by a 49 percent increase in fee-related earnings. Net income attributable to common shareholders was $816 million or $0.49 per share, compared to loss of $656 million or $0.43 per share a year ago. Revenues grew to $18.29 billion from last year's $12.83 billion. Further, the Board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.13 per share, payable on September 29 to shareholders of record as at the close of business on August 31 The Board also declared the regular monthly and quarterly dividends on its preferred shares. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
TORONTO and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Aug. 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ProMIS Neurosciences, Inc. (TSX: PMN) (OTCQB: ARFXF) ("ProMIS or the Company"), a biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of antibody therapeutics targeting toxic oligomers implicated in the development of neurodegenerative diseases, today announced its operational and financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021.



ProMIS Neurosciences is applying its patented technology platform to build a portfolio of antibody therapies, therapeutic vaccines, and diagnostics in neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other dementias, Parkinson's Disease (PD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). These diseases share a common biologic cause - misfolded versions of proteins, that otherwise perform a normal function, kill neurons and produce disease.

ProMIS' technology platform is an example of the advances in drug discovery enabled by computational power, in silico discovery, and/or artificial intelligence. This platform provides an advantage in either selectively targeting the toxic misfolded proteins with therapeutics or detecting them with diagnostics. This capability has given ProMIS a growing portfolio of potential "best in class" monoclonal antibodies (or corresponding therapeutic vaccines), including our lead program PMN310, targeting toxic oligomers of amyloid in AD.

Corporate Highlights

On May 21, 2021, we re-initiated the path to Investigational New Drug application for PMN310 in AD with the start of producer cell line development. This key first step in the manufacturing of antibody therapeutics is being carried out by Selexis, SA, using Selexis' proprietary SUREtechnology Platform.





On June 3, 2021, the Company announced that it had filed a preliminary Prospectus with the securities regulators in each of the provinces and territories of Canada, except Quebec. The Prospectus will allow the Company to make offerings of common shares, warrants, units, debt securities, subscription receipts, convertible securities or any combination thereof for up to an aggregate total of US$50 million during the 25-month period that the Prospectus is effective.





On July 8, 2021, the Company announced that it had filed, and obtained a receipt for the Prospectus with the securities regulators in each of the provinces and territories of Canada, except Quebec.





On July 2, 2021, the Company announced the voting results of the Company's annual meeting of shareholders held on June 30, 2021, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. All resolutions described in the Management Proxy Circular and placed before the meeting were approved by the shareholders.



People

On May 12, 2021, Dr. Rudolph Tanzi, Ph.D., was appointed as the Chair of the Company's Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Tanzi is the Joseph P. and Rose F. Kennedy Professor of Neurology at Harvard University and Vice-Chair of Neurology, Director of the Genetics and Aging Research Unit, and Co-Director of the Henry and Allison McCance Center for Brain Health at Massachusetts General Hospital.





On May 13, 2021, we appointed Neil K. Warma, to the Company's Board of Directors. Neil Warma has been a healthcare entrepreneur for over 25 years having managed and advised numerous biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.





On May 25, 2021, the Company appointed Owen Dempsey to lead the commercialization program for its COVID-19 serology assay.





On May 27, 2021, Dr. David Wishart, Distinguished University Professor in the Departments of Biological Sciences and Computing Science at the University of Alberta, was appointed as Chief Physics Officer at ProMIS.



Financial Results

Results of Operations - Three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020

Net Loss for the three months ended June 30, 2021 were $297,346 compared to $1,650,218 for the three months ended June 30, 2020. Included in the net loss amount for the three months ended June 30, 2021, was non-cash expenses/(income) of ($1,049,745) representing the change in the fair value of the embedded derivative of ($1,245,388), share-based compensation of $180,392, amortization of property and equipment and an intangible asset of $12,252 compared to $76,310 for the three months ended June 30, 2020, consisting of share-based compensation of $74,642 and amortization of an intangible asset of $1,668.

Operating loss for the three months ended June 30, 2021 was $1,378,603, as compared to $1,650,218 in the three months ended June 30, 2020. The decrease in the operating loss for the three months ended June 30, 2021, reflects decreased contracted salaries and associated costs of $350,622 due to reduction in compensation to management and attrition of contract staff, decreased investor relations of $203,971 due to scale down of investor relations activities and consultants and foreign exchange gains of $233,874 due to the foreign exchange on US denominated assets and liabilities offset by increased costs associated with external contract research organizations for internal programs of $172,518 as the company restarts the internal programs, share-based compensation of $105,749 due to the grant of share options, increased patent expense of $40,162 due to increased maintenance fees, increased legal expense of $45,752, increased consulting expense of $137,522, increase in amortization of property and equipment and intangible asset of $13,584 and decreased revenue of $1,565.

Research and development expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2021 were $1,065,197, as compared to $898,887 in the three months ended June 30, 2020. The increase in research and development expense for the three months ended June 30, 2021, compared to the same period ended June 30, 2020, is primarily attributed to increased costs associated with external contract research organizations for internal programs of $172,518 as the company restarts the internal programs, increased share-based compensation of $28,579 due to the grant of share options, increased patent expense of $40,162 due to increased maintenance fees ,increased outside consultants of $137,706 and increase in amortization of property and equipment and intangible asset of $13,584 offset by decreased contracted research salaries and associated costs of $226,238 due to reduction in compensation to management and attrition of contract staff.

General and administrative expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2021 were $313,406, as compared to $752,896 in the three months ended June 30, 2020. The decrease for the three months ended June 30, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020, is primarily attributable to a reduction in contracted corporate salaries and associated costs of $124,383 due to reduction in compensation to management and attrition of contracted staff, decreased investor relations of $203,971 due to scale down of investor relations activities and consultants and foreign exchange gains of $233,874 due to the foreign exchange on US denominated assets and liabilities offset by share-based compensation of $77,171 due to the grant of share options, and increased legal expense of $45,752.

Results of Operations - Six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020

Net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2021 were $7,896,763 compared to $3,412,137 for the six months ended June 30, 2020. Included in the net loss amount for the six months ended June 30, 2021, was non-cash expense $5,909,542, representing the change in the fair value of the embedded derivative of $5,766,915, share-based compensation of $112,123, amortization of property and equipment and an intangible asset of $30,504 for the six months ended June 30, 2021, compared to $290,048 for the six months ended June 30, 2020, consisting of share-based compensation of $286,712 and amortization of an intangible asset of $3,336.

Operating loss for the six months ended June 30, 2021 was $1,960,934, as compared to $3,412,137 in the six months ended June 30, 2020. The decrease in the operating loss for the six months ended June 30, 2021, reflects decreased contract salaries and associated costs of $924,565 due to reduction in compensation to management and attrition of contracted staff, decreased investor relations of $380,959 due to scale down of investor relation activities and consultants, decreased share-based compensation of $174,589 due to forfeiture of unvested/vested share options due to termination of consulting arrangement and foreign exchange gains of $293,012 due to the foreign exchange on US denominated offset by increased costs associated with external contract research organizations for internal programs of $88,673 as the company restarts the internal programs, increased patent expense of $3,617 due to increased maintenance fees, increased legal expense of $99,572, increased consulting expense of $101,315, increase in amortization of property and equipment and intangible asset of $27,168 and decreased revenue of $1,578.

Research and development expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2021 were $1,259,120, as compared to $1,872,473 in the six months ended June 30, 2020. The decrease in research and development expense for the six months ended June 30, 2021, compared to the same period ended June 30, 2020, reflects the conservation of cash resources and decreased contract salaries and associated costs of $673,785 due to reduction in compensation to management and attrition of contracted staff and decreased share-based compensation of $145,459 due to forfeiture of unvested/vested share options due to termination of consulting arrangement offset by increased costs associated with external contract research organizations for internal programs of $88,673 as the company restarts the internal programs, increased patent expense of $3,617 due to increased maintenance fees, increased consulting expense of $86,435 and increase in amortization of property and equipment and intangible asset of $27,168.

General and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2021 were $701,814, as compared to $1,541,242 in the six months ended June 30, 2020. The decrease for the six months ended June 30, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020, is primarily attributable to a reduction in contract salaries and associated costs of $250,780 due to reduction in compensation to management and attrition of contracted staff, decreased investor relations of $380,959 due to scale down of investor relation activities and consultants, decreased share-based compensation of $29,129 due to forfeiture of unvested/vested share options due to termination of consulting arrangement and foreign exchange gains of $293,012 due to the foreign exchange on US denominated offset by increased legal expense of $99,572 and increased consulting expense of $14,880.

Outlook

Going forward ProMIS will focus on accelerating or re-initiating programs in our core business area, best in class therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases. In addition, we will continue to expand the application of our unique discovery platform, with which we can "rationally design" antibodies or vaccines to be selective for only mis-folded, pathogenic proteins involved in disease.

In Alzheimer's we will restart IND enabling work for PMN310, our antibody highly selective for toxic oligomers of amyloid. That selectivity may prove to give PMN310 significant competitive advantages in safety and efficacy over products from Biogen, Lilly, and Eisai that appear to provide benefit slowing the progression of Alzheimer's disease. In addition, starting with the same proprietary technology that creates selective antibodies ("passive" immunotherapy), we are moving forward our program to create therapeutic vaccines ("active" immunotherapy) targeting toxic oligomers of amyloid. Therapeutic vaccines may be a preferred therapy for Alzheimer's prevention; the ultimate goal in Alzheimer's treatment is to detect disease in the ~20 year window before symptoms arise and treat to prevent symptoms of cognitive decline.

In ALS we will advance our program targeting toxic TDP-43 with further in vitro and in vivo validation, and we will build on the significant scientific advances we have made targeting RACK1 (Receptor for A Activated C Kinase 1). We will also further advance our alpha-synuclein program with further in vivo and in vitro validation, targeting diseases like Parkinson's disease and Multiple System Atrophy.

About ProMIS Neurosciences, Inc.

ProMIS Neurosciences, Inc. is a development stage biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing antibody therapeutics selectively targeting toxic oligomers implicated in the development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases, in particular Alzheimer's disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinson's disease (PD). The Company's proprietary target discovery engine is based on the use of two complementary techniques. The Company applies its thermodynamic, computational discovery platform -ProMIS and Collective Coordinates - to predict novel targets known as Disease Specific Epitopes on the molecular surface of misfolded proteins. Using this unique approach, the Company is developing novel antibody therapeutics for AD, ALS and PD. ProMIS is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, with offices in Cambridge, Massachusetts. ProMIS is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol PMN, and on the OTCQB Venture Market under the symbol ARFXF.

Visit us at www.promisneurosciences.com, follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn

For Investor Relations please contact:

Alpine Equity Advisors

Nicholas Rigopulos, President

nick@alpineequityadv.com

Tel. 617 901-0785

The TSX has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This information release contains certain forward-looking information. Such information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by statements herein, and therefore these statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. All forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to it as well as other factors. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Due to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties identified by the Company in its public securities filings, actual events may differ materially from current expectations. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.




WEST MELBOURNE, FL / ACCESSWIRE / August 12, 2021 / BK Technologies Corporation (NYSE American:BKTI) today announced financial and operating results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2021. The Company will host a conference call today, August 12, 2021, at 9:00 AM eastern time.

Recent Financial and Operational Highlights

Second quarter revenue increased 14% to $11.3 million compared to $9.9 million in the second quarter of 2020 and grew by 32% sequentially compared to the first quarter of 2021

Company experienced strong order activity for second quarter and first six months including multiple orders for new BKR 5000 Digital P25 portable communications technology ("BKR 5000")

New Technology Innovation Center in South Florida tracking toward launch of BKR 9000 multiband communications technology ("BKR 9000") for the public safety market later this year

Closed a public offering generating aggregate gross proceeds of $12.7 million

John Suzuki, BK's Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Solid revenue growth of 14% in the second quarter reflects the strong demand we're seeing for our communications technology, particularly as existing customers and new customers deploy our BKR 5000 portable communications platform. Government entities like forest and park services as well as fire rescue and emergency management agencies continue to turn to BK for the exceptional performance and reliability our technology provides. Our technology and equipment extend real-time communications capabilities in any terrain or setting - urban, suburban, rural or remote - helping ensure the safety of field personnel as they maintain and protect public lands, or fire and other first responders as they provide emergency services. During the second quarter we continued to experience certain material shortages and extended lead-times in the supply chain which impacted our ability to convert customer orders to shipments and we expect to encounter continued headwinds through the balance of the year as our supply chain partners work through the aftermath of operational disruptions related to the pandemic. However, we're energized by the interest and order activity we're seeing for our products.

Mr. Suzuki concluded, "In addition to the robust demand around our legacy communications technology, we remain focused on the development and launch of our multiband BKR 9000 product, which is anticipated by the end of this year. With its multiband capabilities, the BKR 9000 can address a much larger portion of the LMR market, positioning us to compete for larger contracts in new verticals."

Second Quarter 2021 Financial Review

Revenue grew 14% to $11.3 million, compared with $9.9 million for the second quarter of last year. The gross profit margin was 37% compared to 44% in the same prior year period largely due to customer mix, cost increases for material and freight and expenses related to the ramp-up of internal manufacturing.

Selling, General & Administrative expenses totaled $4.6 million, compared with $4.4 million for the same quarter last year, reflecting the timing of engineering expenses as well as increased sales commissions.

Operating loss totaled approximately $342,000 compared with an operating loss of $36,000 in the second quarter of last year.

The Company achieved net income of $1.7 million or $0.13 per basic share and $0.12 per diluted share, compared with a net loss of $(302,000) or $(0.02) per basic and diluted share, for the second quarter of last year. In the second quarter of 2021 the Company recognized an unrealized gain of $2.3 million on its investment in FG Financial Group (FGF), compared with an unrealized loss of ($200,000) in the second quarter of 2020.

First Six Months 2021 Financial Review

Revenue for the first six months of 2021 totaled $19.9 million, compared with $20.8 million for the first six months of 2020. The gross profit margin was 37% compared with 40% for the same period last year largely due to customer mix, cost increases for material and freight and expenses related to the ramp-up of internal manufacturing.

Selling, General & Administrative expenses totaled $8.5 million, compared with $9.1 million for the same period of 2020.

Operating loss totaled approximately $1.2 million, compared with an operating loss of $884,000 for the first six months of last year.

The Company achieved net income of $1.0 million or $0.08 per basic and diluted share, compared with a net loss of $1.5 million, or $(0.12) per basic and diluted share, for the first half of 2020. In the first six months of 2021 the Company recognized an unrealized gain of $2.5 million on its investment in FG Financial Group (FGF), compared with an unrealized loss of ($506,000) in the first six months of 2020.

Working capital totaled approximately $24.9 million, of which approximately $22.9 million was comprised of cash, cash equivalents, and trade receivables. This compares with the working capital total, at year-end of last year, of approximately $15.1 million, of which $13.3 million was comprised of cash, cash equivalents, and trade receivables.

Conference Call and Webcast

The Company will host a conference call and webcast for investors today, August 12, 2021, at 9:00 AM eastern time.

Shareholders and interested parties may participate in the conference call by dialing (844) 407-9500 and international participants should dial (862) 298-0850 and ask to be connected to the BK Technologies Corporation Conference Call. The call will also be webcast at www.bktechnologies.com. Please allow extra time prior to the call to visit the site.

An online archive of the webcast will be available on the Company's web site for thirty (30) days following the call at www.bktechnologies.com. A replay of the conference call will be available one hour after completion of the call until August 19, 2021 by dialing (877) 481-4010 and international participants should dial (919) 882-2331. All callers must use passcode 42133 to access the replay.

About BK Technologies

BK Technologies Corporation manufactures high-specification, American-made communications equipment of unsurpassed reliability and value for use by public safety professionals and government agencies. BK Technologies is honored to serve these heroes with reliable equipment when every moment counts. The Company's common stock trades on the NYSE American market under the symbol "BKTI". Maintaining its headquarters in West Melbourne, Florida, BK Technologies can be contacted through its web site at www.bktechnologies.com or directly at 1-800-821-2900.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the "Safe Harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements concern the Company's operations, economic performance and financial condition and are based largely on the Company's beliefs and expectations. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors and risks, some of which have been, and may further be, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, include, among others, the following: changes or advances in technology; the success of our land mobile radio product line; successful introduction of new products and technologies, including our ability to successfully develop and sell our anticipated new multiband product and other related products in the planned BKR Series product line; competition in the land mobile radio industry; general economic and business conditions, including federal, state and local government budget deficits and spending limitations, any impact from a prolonged shutdown of the U.S. Government and the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic; the availability, terms and deployment of capital; reliance on contract manufacturers and suppliers; risks associated with fixed-price contracts; heavy reliance on sales to agencies of the U.S. Government and our ability to comply with the requirements of contracts, laws and regulations related to such sales; allocations by government agencies among multiple approved suppliers under existing agreements; our ability to comply with U.S. tax laws and utilize deferred tax assets; our ability to attract and retain executive officers, skilled workers and key personnel; our ability to manage our growth; our ability to identify potential candidates for, and consummate, acquisition, disposition or investment transactions; risks incumbent to being a noncontrolling interest stockholder in a corporation; impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the companies in which the Company holds investments; impact of our capital allocation strategy; risks related to maintaining our brand and reputation; impact of government regulation; rising health care costs; risks related to our business with manufacturers located in other countries, including changes in the U.S. Government and foreign governments' trade and tariff policies, as well as any further impact resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic; our inventory and debt levels; protection of our intellectual property rights; fluctuation in our operating results and stock price; acts of war or terrorism, natural disasters and other catastrophic events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic; any infringement claims; data security breaches, cyber-attacks and other factors impacting our technology systems; availability of adequate insurance coverage; maintenance of our NYSE American listing; risks related to being a holding company; and the effect on our stock price and ability to raise equity capital of future sales of shares of our common stock. Certain of these factors and risks, as well as other risks and uncertainties, are stated in more detail in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 and in the Company's subsequent filings with the SEC. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements.

Company Contact:

IMS Investor Relations

John Nesbett/Jennifer Belodeau

bktechnologies@imsinvestorrelations.com

(203) 972-9200

# # #

(Financial Tables to Follow)

BK TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

( In thousands, except share and per share data ) ( Unaudited )

Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 June 30, 2020 June 30, 2021 June 30, 2020







Sales, net $ 11,335 $ 9,937 $ 19,899 $ 20,826 Expenses Cost of products 7,124 5,609 12,592 12,603 Selling, general and administrative 4,553 4,364 8,526 9,107 Total expenses 11,677 9,973 21,118 21,710 Operating loss (342 ) (36 ) (1,219 ) (884 ) Other income (expense) Net interest (expense) Income (14 ) (6 ) (18 ) 3 Gain (loss) gain on investment in securities 2.262 (200 ) 2,467 (506 ) Other expense (26 ) (32 ) (44 ) (79 ) Total other income (expense) 2,222 (238 ) 2,405 (582 ) Income (loss) before income taxes 1,880 (274 ) 1,186 (1,466 ) Income tax expense (184 ) (28 ) (184 ) (28 ) Net income (loss) $ 1,696 $ (302 ) $ 1,002 $ (1,494 ) Net income (loss) per share-basic: $ 0.13 $ (0.02 ) $ 0.08 $ (0.12 ) Net income (loss) per share-diluted: $ 0.12 $ (0.02 ) $ 0.08 $ (0.12 ) Weighted average shares outstanding-basic 13,563,763 12,495,707 13,043,477 12,525,407 Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted 13,625,095 12,495,707 13,101,635 12,525,407

BK TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

( In thousands, except share data)

June 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 (Unaudited) ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 15,661 $ 6,826 Trade accounts receivable, net 7,210 6,466 Inventories, net 12,036 9,441 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 1,866 1,878 Total current assets 36,773 24,611 Property, plant and equipment, net 4,426 3,566 Right-of-use (ROU) asset 2,594 2,887 Investment in securities 4,481 2,014 Deferred tax assets, net 4,116 4,300 Other assets 101 112 Total assets $ 52,491 $ 37,490 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 6,316 $ 5,119 Accrued compensation and related taxes 1,481 1,635 Accrued warranty expense 644 791 Accrued other expenses and other current liabilities 364 307 Dividends payable - 250 Short-term lease liability 428 525 Credit facility 1,470 - Note payable-current portion 262 82 Deferred revenue 934 757 Total current liabilities 11,899 9,466 Notes payable, net of current portion 740 247 Long-term lease liability 2,498 2,702 Deferred revenue 2,327 2,551 Total liabilities 17,464 14,966 Commitments and contingencies Stockholders' equity: Preferred stock; $1.00 par value; 1,000,000 authorized shares;

none issued or outstanding - - Common stock; $.60 par value; 20,000,000 authorized shares; 18,236,121 and 13,962,366 issued and 16,785,721 and 12,511,966 outstanding shares at June 30, 2021, and December 31, 2020, respectively 10,941 8,377 Additional paid-in capital 35,534 26,346 Accumulated deficit (6,046 ) (6,797 ) Treasury stock, at cost, 1,450,400 shares at June 30, 2021, and December 31, 2020, respectively (5,402 ) (5,402 ) Total stockholders' equity 35,027 22,524 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 52,491 $ 37,490

SOURCE: BK Technologies Corporation

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/659330/BK-Technologies-Announces-Second-Quarter-2021-Results
Merger includes retail, distribution and cultivation capabilities in the limited license market where adult-use sales are expected to reach up to US$230 million in 2023

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 12, 2021) - SLANG Worldwide Inc. (CSE: SLNG) (OTCQB: SLGWF) ("SLANG" or the "Company"), a leading global cannabis consumer packaged goods (CPG) company with a diversified portfolio of popular brands, today announced that it has closed its previously announced acquisition (the "HI-FI Acquisition") of High Fidelity, Inc. ("HI-FI"), Vermont's largest medical cannabis company.

"The integration of HI-FI into our nationwide platform will allow us to expand our operational footprint and add Vermont to our existing core markets of Colorado and Oregon," said Chris Driessen, Chief Executive Officer of SLANG. "Hi-Fi's vertically integrated business model enhances our capacity and operational capabilities through its cultivation, production, and retail, including home delivery services, adding significant value to our full portfolio of assets. For Vermont, this partnership will bring revenue to the local and state economy while also providing quality jobs with competitive salaries and benefit packages. We are fully committed to nurturing Vermont's value-driven culture as well as the High Fidelity team's core values, standing by the principles of quality, collaboration and best consumer and employee experience."

Key Transaction Benefits:

HI-FI generated positive adjusted EBITDA in fiscal year June 2021, and on this basis, is expected to be accretive to SLANG's earnings in calendar 2021 and onward. HI-FI's trailing twelve month revenue is $6.9 million USD and trailing twelve month adjusted EBITDA is $1.1 million 1

Broadens SLANG's core market footprint, adding Vermont to its existing core markets of Colorado and Oregon

Expands SLANG's operational footprint with the addition of Vermont's leading vertically integrated cannabis company, which includes a 28,000-square-foot cultivation, production, lab, and retail distribution facility, with a planned 50,000-square-foot expansion expected to be completed in 2022

Adds two of the five medical cannabis licenses in Vermont with four fully operational dispensaries, including in the Burlington area, with ability to add two new retail dispensaries upon receipt of licenses

Strengthens SLANG's experienced leadership with the integration of engaged local management teams including a proven and profitable operator with an eight-year history

Key Vermont Market Benefits:

Helps build infrastructure to meet market demand in the state, providing fresh capital investment to the area

Provides new job opportunities with competitive wages and benefit packages

SLANG's 2200-outlet retail pipeline provides immediate opportunity for Vermont-branded product distribution to a larger US market

Creates strong partnership in supporting the social justice initiatives in Vermont's cannabis laws

Adds leadership and expertise to support innovation, best manufacturing practices and compliance

About High Fidelity

HI-FI is Vermont's premier vertically integrated cannabis company, founded in 2012 in Burlington. The Company owns two of the five medical cannabis licenses in Vermont and services approximately 70 percent of registered patients2. In June 2021, both licenses commenced operating under a new brand name, CeresMED. In the upcoming licensing process for adult use, current medical license holders will have early access to the market alongside Vermont's craft growers, giving them a significant opportunity to build consumer loyalty. In addition to the four dispensaries, HI-FI operates statewide home delivery services and wholesale distribution of its own branded products as well as SLANG branded products. Furthermore, HI-FI is awaiting approval of a social equity application for a retail medical cannabis license in New Jersey.

HI-FI also owns and operates Ceres Natural Remedies, Vermont's original CBD store. Since 2016, Ceres has grown to include three retail stores and a portfolio of Ceres branded products with distribution in over 1,200 retail locations, which will expand the SLANG network to over 3,400 total points of retail distribution.

About SLANG Worldwide Inc.

SLANG Worldwide Inc. is a global leader in the cannabis CPG sector with a diversified portfolio of popular brands distributed across the United States. The Company specializes in acquiring and developing market-proven regional brands as well as launching innovative new brands to seize global market opportunities. For more information, please visit www.slangww.com.

To be added to SLANG's email distribution list, please email SLNG@kcsa.com with "SLNG" in the subject.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements." Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements, or developments in the industry to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Forward-looking statements included in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements in respect of the manufacture and distribution of SLANG branded products in Vermont and the expansion of SLANG's facility in Vermont.

Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management of SLANG at this time, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive risks, uncertainties and contingencies that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Applicable risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to regulatory risks, risks related to the COVID-19 global pandemic, changes in laws, resolutions and guidelines, market risks, concentration risks, operating history, competition, the risks associated with international and foreign operations and the other risks identified under the headings "Risk Factors" in SLANG's annual information form dated April 29, 2021 and other disclosure documents available on the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. SLANG is not under any obligation, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law.

Financial Outlook

This press release contains a financial outlook within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. The financial outlook has been prepared by management of the Company to provide an outlook for the revenue and adjusted EBITDA of HI-FI during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021 and may not be appropriate for any other purpose. The financial outlook has been prepared based on a number of assumptions including the assumptions discussed under the heading "Forward-Looking Statements" above and assumptions with respect to market conditions, pricing, and demand. Actual results may vary from the amounts set forth in these projections and such variations may be material. The Company and its management believe that the financial outlook has been prepared on a reasonable basis. However, because this information is highly subjective and subject to numerous risks, including the risks discussed under the heading "Forward-Looking Statements" above, it should not be relied on as necessarily indicative of future results.

Non-IFRS Measures

Adjusted EBITDA is a non-IFRS financial measure that the Company uses to assess its operating performance. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net earnings (loss) before net finance costs, income tax expense (benefit) and depreciation and amortization expense, adjusted for other non-cash items such as the impact of unrealized fair values, share based compensation expense, impairments, one-time gains and losses, and one-time revenues and expenses. This data is furnished to provide additional information and is a non-IFRS measure and does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS. The Company uses this non-IFRS measure to provide shareholders and others with supplemental measures of its operating performance. The Company also believes that securities analysts, investors and other interested parties, frequently use this non-IFRS measure in the evaluation of companies, many of which present similar metrics. As other companies may calculate this non-IFRS measure differently than the Company, this metric may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. We caution readers that Adjusted EBITDA should not be substituted for determining net loss as an indicator of operating results, or as a substitute for cash flows from operating and investing activities.

Third Party Information

This press release includes market and industry data that has been obtained from third party sources, including industry publications. The Company believes that the industry data is accurate and that its estimates and assumptions are reasonable, but there is no assurance as to the accuracy or completeness of this data. Third party sources generally state that the information contained therein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but there is no assurance as to the accuracy or completeness of included information. Although the data is believed to be reliable, the Company has not independently verified any of the data from third party sources referred to in this press release or ascertained the underlying economic assumptions relied upon by such sources

Media and Investor inquiries

Investors@SLANGww.com

KCSA Strategic Communications

Phil Carlson / Elizabeth Barker

SLANG@kcsa.com

1 Calculated from HI-FI's June 30, 2021 fiscal year-end prepared in accordance with US GAAP on a preliminary unaudited basis. See "Financial Outlook" and "Non-IFRS Measures".

2 Source: Vermont Marjiuana Registry

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/92857
Urovant Sciences, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sumitovant Biopharma Ltd., today announced the appointment of Betzy Estrada as executive vice president and chief human resources officer. In her new role, Estrada reports to Urovant President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Robinson and is based at the company's headquarters office in Irvine, Calif.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210812005174/en/

Betzy Estrada, EVP and Chief Human Resources Officer, Urovant Sciences, Inc. (Photo: Business Wire)

"Betzy Estrada joins Urovant Sciences at a time of significant growth and evolution for our company and our people as we accelerate the launch of our first commercial product as a treatment option for adults with overactive bladder, and as we continue to advance our clinical development pipeline," Robinson said. "I believe Betzy embodies our shared values of integrity and compassion, bold innovation, and achievement through collaboration. Her leadership will be key to the continued advancement of our core initiatives and bring to life our philosophy that Urovant is 'Powered by People and Possibilities,'" Robinson said.

"I am very grateful for the opportunity to join Urovant Sciences at this exciting time for the company and our people," Estrada said. "Urovant is undertaking important progress toward achieving a vision of becoming a leading specialty company that is recognized and trusted for our commitment to urology."

Estrada brings to Urovant her extensive experience leading impactful human resources teams in the biotechnology and medical device industries. Most recently, she was vice president, human resources, and chief compliance executive for Nihon Kohden, a leading manufacturer, developer and distributor of medical electronic equipment headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Earlier in her career, she held human resource leadership positions with Claremont University Consortium, Medtronic, Johnson Johnson Advanced Sterilization Products, and Beckman Coulter, Inc.

Estrada earned a B.S. degree in business administration, with emphasis in human resources, from the Marshall School of Business of the University of Southern California. She is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management, Professionals in Human Resources Association and Healthcare Corporate Compliance Association.

About Urovant Sciences

Urovant Sciences is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing innovative therapies for urologic conditions. The Company's lead product, GEMTESA (vibegron), is an oral, once-daily (75 mg) small molecule beta-3 agonist for the treatment of adult patients with overactive bladder (OAB) with symptoms of urge urinary incontinence, urgency and urinary frequency. GEMTESA was approved by the U.S. FDA in December 2020 and launched in the U.S. in April 2021. GEMTESA is also being evaluated for the treatment of OAB in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia. The Company's second product candidate, URO-902, is a novel gene therapy being developed for patients with OAB who have failed oral pharmacologic therapy. Urovant Sciences, a subsidiary of Sumitovant Biopharma Ltd., intends to develop novel treatments for additional urologic diseases. Learn more about us at www.urovant.com.

About Sumitovant Biopharma Ltd.

Sumitovant is a global biopharmaceutical company with offices in New York City and London. Sumitovant is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma. Sumitovant is the majority shareholder of Myovant Sciences and wholly owns Urovant Sciences, Enzyvant Therapeutics, Spirovant Sciences, and Altavant Sciences. Sumitovant's promising pipeline is comprised of early-through late-stage investigational medicines across a range of disease areas targeting high unmet need. For further information about Sumitovant, please visit https://www.sumitovant.com.

About Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd.

Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma is among the top-10 listed pharmaceutical companies in Japan, operating globally in major pharmaceutical markets, including Japan, the U.S., China, and the European Union. Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma aims to create innovative pharmaceutical products in the Psychiatry Neurology area, the Oncology area and Regenerative medicine/Cell therapy field, which have been designated as the focus therapeutic areas. Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma is based on the merger in 2005 between Dainippon Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., and Sumitomo Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. Today, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma has more than 7,000 employees worldwide. Additional information about Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma is available through its corporate website at https://www.ds-pharma.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210812005174/en/

Contacts:

Mary-Frances Faraji

For Urovant Sciences, Inc.

media@urovant.com

1-908-334-7693
DURHAM, NC., Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The world's largest integrated clinical trial site organisation, Velocity Clinical Research ("Velocity"), today announces it has strengthened its management team as it embarks on European expansion.

Pharmaceutical industry heavyweights have joined the team, including Dominic Clavell, Executive Vice President, Europe, Erin Williams, Vice President, Contracts and Regulatory and Charles-Hubert Devaux, Senior Director, Patient Recruitment.

Dr G. Paul Evans, Chief Executive and President of Velocity Clinical Research, said, "Velocity is carving out a new category of pharma services. The clinical trials site landscape will look very different in the next 12 months and Velocity is well placed to take advantage of this consolidation in the market.

"When US companies try to expand into Europe, they tend to do this remotely, attempting to manage operations from the States. We're breaking the mould by putting boots on the ground."

Dominic Clavell joins Velocity to head up its European operations after a decorated career in some of the top clinical research organisations, site management organisations and pharmaceutical companies in the world, such as Parexel, IQVIA, Synexus and Novartis.

Dominic Clavell, Executive Vice President, Europe, commented, "The experience of COVID has markedly changed attitudes in Europe towards commercial clinical research, which is why this expansion in Europe is so timely. We recognise that Europe poses a different set of challenges to the United States because of public healthcare structures, hence why a physical presence on the continent is paramount."

Velocity is simultaneously strengthening its senior management team in the US as the company prepares for its next stage of growth, following its sale to GHO Capital in April this year.

Erin Williams joins Velocity as Vice President of Regulatory and Site Contracting from Parexel, where she was Global Head of site contracting and was previously in the same role for PPD. Williams commented, "Accelerating study start-up is key to speeding up clinical trials and bringing drugs to market quicker. The integrated nature of the Velocity site model puts us in a unique position to drive that, for example by providing a single site contract no matter how many sites we use."

Newly appointed Senior Director of Patient Recruitment, Charles-Hubert Devaux, was previously at Clinical Trial Media, a digital patient recruitment provider, and prior to that Clariness, said, "I'm looking forward to bringing my experience from previous roles held in France and Germany at a pivotal time for Velocity's European strategy. The past 12 months has demonstrated the power that speeding up patient recruitment to trials has, particularly as the industry did some outstanding work, recruiting hundreds of thousands of people to COVID vaccine trials. But there is still a lot of work to do. We have to get better as an industry at engaging minority populations and I look forward to leading that for Velocity."

Headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, Velocity operates 18 fully owned sites across 12 US states. The company serves biopharmaceutical and contract research organisation (CRO) clients in primarily conducting phase II and phase III clinical trials in support of their global drug development programs. In just three years, Velocity has worked with over 200 biopharmaceutical clients, including all the top 10 pharma sponsors, and its sites have collectively conducted over 5,500 clinical trials.

All of Velocity's sites are fully integrated via a centralized infrastructure and common technology backbone, allowing for superior patient enrollment and consistent, high quality data delivery.

Notes to editors

Dominic Clavell ( LinkedIn )

( ) Erin Williams ( LinkedIn )

( ) Charles-Hubert Devaux ( LinkedIn )

( ) A full list of Velocity's sites can be found on its website.

Velocity has extensive experience in vaccines, general medicine, neurology, dermatology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, and women's health.

About Velocity Clinical Research

Velocity Clinical Research, headquartered in Durham, NC, is a leading integrated site organization for clinical trials, offering dedicated site capabilities to help biopharmaceutical and contract research organization customers find the right patients for their studies. The company has 18 sites across 12 US States.

We place the care of the patient at the heart of everything we do. With over 35 years of experience running sites and more than 5500 studies completed, Velocity has refined its patient recruitment strategies while maintaining a focus on delivering timely and reliable data quality. For more information visit our website at https://velocityclinical.com .

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1332237/1045132_Logo.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1592178/Velocity_Clinical_Research_team.jpg
Finalists announced for awards recognizing global leaders in digital innovation for their transformative use of enterprise low-code

-- Winners to be announced at Mendix World 2021 on September 7

BOSTON, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Mendix , a Siemens business and global leader in low-code application development for the enterprise, today announced the finalists for the 2021 Customer Impact Awards. The awards recognize the achievements of Mendix customers in developing and deploying custom low-code software solutions that solve business challenges in five categories: Digital Workplace, Customer Experience, Innovation, Digital Transformation, and Market Impact.

The Customer Impact Award winners will be unveiled at Mendix World 2021 , the premier global conference for business and IT leaders and "makers" focusing on low-code application development to drive digital innovation. The three-day virtual conference, beginning September 7th, is the world's largest annual low-code event, where everyone with a role in enterprise digitalization comes to discover, network, share knowledge and learn about the tools, techniques and strategies propelling the low-code software development movement forward.

"Mendix World is an annual celebration of the low-code maker community, and part of that celebration is the Customer Impact Awards, where we recognize some of the most transformative low-code applications being assembled by Mendix customers this year," said Derek Roos, CEO and co-founder of Mendix. "In 2020, our customers showed us some of their most inspiring work - from helping citizens access critical financial aid to ensuring safer travel for passengers during the pandemic. We want to celebrate how our customers' businesses continue to evolve and grow with digital-first solutions and show the rest of the world how they're making an impact with low-code. Congratulations to all the finalists for making the shortlist!"

The finalists for the Customer Impact Awards include:

Digital Workplace

Agristo, a family-run company headquartered in Belgium , created a custom, user-friendly quality control (QC) tool using low-code. With its Mendix app "QC Reporting," they substantially improved their quality control management process, enabling QC master data organization in a few clicks, and managing quality control registration in a user-friendly and time-efficient way. "The main aim of the project was to shorten the time needed for configuring new products for the quality control division, together with increasing workplace happiness for all people working with the application. Work that used to take several days is now done in a few minutes - up to 50 times faster! The maintenance and support of several small programs is no longer necessary," said Charles Bronzwaer, ICT Applications Manager at Mendix partner Bizzomate.

, created a custom, user-friendly quality control (QC) tool using low-code. With its Mendix app "QC Reporting," they substantially improved their quality control management process, enabling QC master data organization in a few clicks, and managing quality control registration in a user-friendly and time-efficient way. "The main aim of the project was to shorten the time needed for configuring new products for the quality control division, together with increasing workplace happiness for all people working with the application. Work that used to take several days is now done in a few minutes - up to 50 times faster! The maintenance and support of several small programs is no longer necessary," said Charles Bronzwaer, ICT Applications Manager at Mendix partner Bizzomate. NS, a Dutch state-owned company and main passenger railways operator in the Netherlands , transports nine million passengers per year. Requiring a new, user-friendly application to replace and expand a legacy application responsible for scheduled maintenance, NS built a Mendix application, known as Gids. The new tool provides NS employees with a central platform to consult and update all relevant information and documents about planned railroad maintenance across their over 6,800km of tracks.

, transports nine million passengers per year. Requiring a new, user-friendly application to replace and expand a legacy application responsible for scheduled maintenance, NS built a Mendix application, known as Gids. The new tool provides NS employees with a central platform to consult and update all relevant information and documents about planned railroad maintenance across their over 6,800km of tracks. Makro Nederland, a wholesale retail organization, deployed low-code to digitalize its customer order process. The company launched the Makro Customer Ordering App within 17 stores, which is being used by 500 Makro store team members. The app has improved both insights and accuracy into the customer ordering workflow and reduced the use of paper and potential for human error, resulting in savings of more than $250,000 .

Customer Experience

AZL, a pension administration provider serving more than 50 pension funds in the Netherlands with 1.5 million participants, developed a user-friendly and transparent pension planning portal to help participants make the best choices for their retirement in an interactive way. Referencing the way these participants were serviced before, Edward Heijkers, CIO at AZL shared, "Previously, four employees worked full time on calculating pension scenarios. With the participant portal, that's no longer necessary. The traditional question-answer communication between an AZL employee and a pension participant is also changing as a result. The employees are more focused on being pension consultants than administration specialists."

with 1.5 million participants, developed a user-friendly and transparent pension planning portal to help participants make the best choices for their retirement in an interactive way. Referencing the way these participants were serviced before, Edward Heijkers, CIO at AZL shared, "Previously, four employees worked full time on calculating pension scenarios. With the participant portal, that's no longer necessary. The traditional question-answer communication between an AZL employee and a pension participant is also changing as a result. The employees are more focused on being pension consultants than administration specialists." Rabobank IDB, an online savings bank, built a mobile banking app for customers in Germany and Belgium using Mendix native mobile technology. Now, 500,000 customers who have trusted Rabobank IDB with billions in savings can access their accounts via a mobile app that enables login and transaction signing using native device features like pin code or biometrics, significantly improving customer satisfaction to the tune of a 4.7 rating in the Apple App Store.

and using Mendix native mobile technology. Now, 500,000 customers who have trusted Rabobank IDB with billions in savings can access their accounts via a mobile app that enables login and transaction signing using native device features like pin code or biometrics, significantly improving customer satisfaction to the tune of a 4.7 rating in the Apple App Store. Agentschap Integratie en Inburgering (AGII) is an agency of the Flemish government focusing on public service interpreters and translators as an essential communication tool with non-native speakers. The AGII needed a quick, reliable and versatile app to keep Belgian residents up-to-date on COVID measures and vaccination procedures and built the Crisis Information Translated app using Mendix native technology, enabling speakers of 18 different languages to get up-to-date guidance on public health measures.

Innovation

Cirkl, a property portal for the Dutch housing market, built a platform using low-code to help address the all-time low inventory of available properties in the residential real estate market by matching those who are selling and buying homes with others who are doing the same. With Mendix as a partner, Cirkl was able to quickly build the core of their proposition, a matching module that integrates with financial software and real estate data providers. The Cirkl team now plans to build a connection to leading CRM software to further improve their customers' experience.

Collin Crowdfund, a Dutch financial service provider, connects entrepreneurs and investors on its innovative, first-to-market low-code investment platform. The Collin Crowdfund platform provides both end-to-end automated support for entrepreneurs and their funding needs, and a one-stop-shop portal for individuals to vet and invest in these opportunities. More than 99.5 percent of loans placed on the platform are fully funded, to the tune of more than 250 million.

Washington Federal Bank, a bank with a market cap of nearly $2.5 billion and more than 200 branches across eight US states, redefined the online banking experience with a new online banking portal built on low-code. "We put Mendix through some difficult proof-of-concept tests during the evaluation period, which it passed with flying colors," said Dustin Hubbard , CTO at Washington Federal Bank.

Digital Transformation

Brighton & Hove City Council built a platform using low-code that provides a single login for local residents to view and transact all council services online. The company chose low-code for their development tools to be able to develop solutions more quickly and consistently.

K-Electric is the only vertically integrated power utility in Pakistan managing all three key areas of energy: generation, transmission, and distribution. It is the sole power provider to one of the most populous cities in the world, Karachi , with a customer base of around 3.3 million accounts. The company used low-code to build an application to enable communication between operational technology (OT), including SCADA systems and sensors, and information technology (IT) solutions, including reporting tools and work scheduling.

managing all three key areas of energy: generation, transmission, and distribution. It is the sole power provider to one of the most populous cities in the world, , with a customer base of around 3.3 million accounts. The company used low-code to build an application to enable communication between operational technology (OT), including SCADA systems and sensors, and information technology (IT) solutions, including reporting tools and work scheduling. Medtronic, a global leader in medical technology, services and solutions, created a Product Shipment Release Authorization (PSRA) Form on the Mendix platform to automate the process of ensuring that regulatory requirements have been met before shipping medical devices to customers. With customers around the world, Medtronic has different regulatory requirements for different countries. Using low-code, Medtronic developed a platform that simplifies the regulatory compliance process by building in logic that automatically prompts required user input. This has created efficiency with their employees and increased accuracy by pulling data from the company database, which determines the documents required for certain countries, and automates workflows for notifications and approvals related to regulations.

VDL Nedcar, the largest automotive factory in the Netherlands with a production capacity of 240,000 vehicles a year, optimized its existing application landscape and expanded it with a diverse spectrum of new applications to support production processes, including configurations, bill of material, planning, supply chain logistics, and shop floor management.

Market Impact

IntelliHubSC is the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) non-foods industry solution for supply chain compliance serving companies like Procter & Gamble and Johnson & Johnson. Using low-code technology, the company built a platform which enables the FMCG industry to aggregate supply chain compliance data. Previously, FMCG companies had to either manage compliance manually, or use disparate solutions that were not integrated with each other or the company's ERP systems, resulting in gaps of data, non-compliance, and unnecessary risk.

Tulpenfonds provides disability insurance for self-employed residents of the Netherlands . The company built a platform that enables residents to choose insurance to cover themselves against any financial consequences of disability.

. The company built a platform that enables residents to choose insurance to cover themselves against any financial consequences of disability. WRSTBND, a full-service event technology company, uses low-code to offer a portfolio of applications that make it easy for event organizers to manage events, from point of entry to vendor sales, user upgrades, VIP experiences, and everything in between. "Mendix offered the flexible functionality we needed to meet the demands of our clients," said WRSTBND CEO Conway Solomon .

Register for Mendix World to find out about the winners.

Coming in September: Mendix World 2021

Mendix World 2021 is on track to be the largest worldwide gathering of low-code experts, technology and business leaders, industry analysts, and software developers, who will share their first-hand experiences tackling enterprise digitalization using low-code software development. Attendees focused on digital solutions across multiple economic sectors can attend live Q&As, learning tracks, demonstrations, and small group gatherings during the three-day-long virtual conference to learn how to leverage low-code to advance their own digital initiatives.

Register for Mendix World

Early registration will ensure that attendees are up-to-date about speaker announcements and other key news heading into the conference as it happens. For more information about Mendix World and to register, please visit Mendix World 2021 Registration .

Connect with Mendix

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About Mendix

Mendix, a Siemens business and the global leader in enterprise low-code, is fundamentally reinventing the way applications are built in the digital enterprise. With the Mendix platform, enterprises can "Make with More" by broadening an enterprise's development capability to conquer the software development bottleneck; "Make it Smart," by making apps with rich native experiences that are intelligent, proactive, and contextual; and "Make at Scale," to modernize core systems and build large app portfolios to keep pace with business growth. The Mendix platform is built to promote collaboration between business and IT teams and dramatically accelerate application development while maintaining the highest standards of security, quality, and governance. Mendix World is the premiere low-code event of the year, attracting nearly 10,000 Mendix enthusiasts and from every business segment.

Press Inquiries

Sara Black

sara@bospar.com

(213) 618-1501

Dan Berkowitz

Senior Director of Global Communications

Mendix

Dan.Berkowitz@mendix.com

(415) 518-7870

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NORTH YORK, ON / ACCESSWIRE / August 12, 2021 / ZTEST Electronics Inc. ("ZTEST" or the "Company")(CSE:ZTE) is pleased to announce that Conversance Inc. ("Conversance"), a private company in which ZTEST owns a 25.29% equity interest, has acquired an initial 28% interest in 3955 Trading Inc., operating as Cannamerx ("Cannamerx"), pursuant to a Purchase Agreement dated August 1, 2021 with Cannamerx and various shareholders of Cannamerx. Conversance has the opportunity to acquire a controlling interest in Cannamerx provided specific milestones are achieved.

Cannamerx, a Canadian company based in Ottawa, Ontario, was launched in November 2017. Cannamerx operates an international cannabis and hemp exchange platform and facilitates trade in bulk cannabis, hemp, and cannabis and hemp products, between licensed producers worldwide. Cannamerx' international transaction capability was launched in October 2018, while trading of hemp and hemp products commenced in March 2019.

It is intended that Conversance will; (i) put in place an interim platform, ("TRADEX Alpha") by completing a re-write of the existing Cannamerx platform to automate certain brokering functions; and (ii) develop a new, improved trading exchange platform ("TRADEX Gamma") based upon its proprietary Chronicle technology. Conversance will receive additional shares of Cannamerx upon completion of each of these objectives as well as when Cannamerx achieves a certain level of operations based upon these new platforms. Based upon Cannamerx' current share structure, Conversance would hold a controlling interest in Cannamerx after these shares are issued.

It is also expected that the Chronicle distributed ledger and matching engine will replace the current auction process. The current process is limited to seller-initiated "English" style auctions while the Chronicle engine is intended to enable many other forms of specialized auctions, including buyer-initiated auctions, "Dutch" auctions, or partial-fill auctions.

Joseph Chen, CEO of Conversance, stated "Chronicle's distributed ledger technology is expected to significantly increase the volume of transactions per second in comparison to the legacy software. With successful integration, Chronicle will also appreciably simplify record keeping and resource planning, helping to ensure accuracy, compliance, and ease of use in a very guarded industry."

Steve Smith, President and CEO of ZTEST stated, "we are very pleased that Conversance has chosen to launch its commercial operations by enhancing the Cannamerx existing platform while simultaneously customizing Chronicle, its proprietary distributed ledger platform, to supersede that enhanced platform. This launch should represent a commercial demonstration of Chronicle which can also be customized to facilitate numerous other applications."

About ZTEST Electronics Inc.

ZTEST Electronics Inc., through its wholly owned subsidiary Permatech Electronics Corp. ("Permatech"), offers Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS) to a wide range of customers. Permatech's offering includes Materials Management, Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Assembly, Testing and Design services. Permatech operates from a 20,000 square foot, ISO 9001:2015 certified facility in North York, Ontario, Canada. The company serves customers in the Medical, Power, Computer, Telecommunications, Wireless, Industrial and Consumer Electronics markets requiring high quality, quick-turnaround, small and medium size production runs. ZTEST also holds a 25.29% equity interest in Conversance Inc. ("Conversance").

About Conversance Inc.

Conversance, a private company based in Waterloo, Ont., founded by Mr. Chen, is focused on developing and marketing Chronicle, a proprietary artificial-intelligence supported distributed ledger technology. Conversance has successfully completed initial internal testing of Chronicle, which is being built for speed, scalability, low power consumption, and intermittent connectivity.

Chronicle was built to enable distributed ledger applications with high levels of performance, without giving up network decentralization. Chronicle provides parallel asynchronous transaction processing in a fabric using a dynamic sharding approach.

Mr. Chen has a deep background in information theory, digital signal processing, and software and hardware architectures ranging from embedded to data centre scale. He also made key contributions to the creation and popularization of smart phones through his R&D involvement at Research in Motion (RIM). Mr. Chen has long been a resolute advocate for a digital world where personal privacy and rights can be guaranteed, despite encroachment by national and business interests who seek to mine and use private, personal information.

About Cannamerx

Developed in close collaboration with the legal cannabis industry, Cannamerx was designed to facilitate trade in bulk cannabis, hemp, and cannabis & hemp products between licensed producers worldwide.

Cannamerx, launched in November 2017, is the first international cannabis and hemp exchange platform of its kind - a true mercantile exchange for this emerging industry.

For more information contact:

Steve Smith, CEO

(604) 837-3751

email: stevesmith15@shaw.ca

The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. The CSE does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: ZTEST Electronics Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/659438/ZTEST-Announces-That-Conversance-Acquires-Interest-in-Cannamerx
VANCOUVER BC / ACCESSWIRE / August 12, 2021 / MAS Gold Corp. ("MAS") (TSXV:MAS) has successfully initiated its summer drill program designed to continue testing the down dip extension of the North Lake deposit. In addition, geological and soil geochemical surveys are ongoing on areas of known occurrences on the Preview-North and Henry Lake Properties with the objective of identifying new drill targets. The current North Lake drill program is a continuation of the successful winter 2021 drilling work (see MAS Gold news releases dated June 17, 2021).

PREVIEW-NORTH PROPERTY - North Lake, Advanced Gold Project

The focus of the corporation remains the Preview North Property, North Lake deposit area in particular, where MAS Gold has commenced drilling 10 to 12 new core drill holes at depths ranging from 100-250 meters, totalling approximately 4,000 metres.

In addition to the drilling, our team plans to conduct geological surveys, mapping and further prospecting with the goal of identifying new drill targets and continuing to define the envisioned Hub and Spoke mining model.

GREYWACKE PROPERTY - Greywacke North Project - Near Term Production Viability Tested

As part of the summer development activities, MAS plans to advance metallurgical testing on the high grade Greywacke North project. The historical preliminary metallurgical test results obtained by the Company suggested an excellent extraction potential of 81.3% using a simple gravity concentrator and 94% with additional cyanidation circuit added (see News Release dated October 30, 2013).

The current metallurgical testing is part of the ongoing Greywacke focused Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") of which the goal is to establish the viability of the near-term gold production at Greywacke North. LiDAR survey is also being completed in support of the PEA work.

HUB AND SPOKE MINING MODEL - A New Model for the LaRonge Gold Belt

The hub and spoke mining model is based on the idea that the mineralized material from various satellite deposits would be co-mingled at a centrally located facility, most likely positioned around North Lake, creating an opportunity for an efficient operation. The highly positive preliminarymetallurgical results (see MAS Gold News Releases dated September 24, 2019, November 12, 2019 and April 27, 2020) have been supportive of the concept.

As part of the currently ongoing Preliminary Economic Assessment work, MAS is working towards upgrading the current Mineral Resource estimate by incorporating the winter drill data. Management anticipates that the new Mineral Resource will be publicly available in fall 2021. A LiDAR survey is also currently being completed to support the PEA work.

The upgraded resource model is anticipated to be released in the 3rd quarter, 2021.

MAS gold CEO Jim Engdahl says " the ongoing exploration and acquisition strategy within the highly mineralized La Ronge Greenstone Belt provides shareholders with a tremendous opportunity for growth and value creation. The Hub and Spoke business model ensures consistency with a view towards adding significant resource numbers within a concentrated area with established historical production and recently discovered high grade gold concentration"

Qualified Person (QP) The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been prepared, reviewed, verified and approved by David Tupper, P.Geo. (British Columbia), Southern Empire's VP Exploration and a Qualified Person within the context of Canadian Securities Administrators' National Instrument 43-101; Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About MAS Gold Corp.

MAS Gold Corp. is a Canadian mineral exploration corporation focused on exploration projects in the prospective La Ronge Greenstone Belt of Saskatchewan.

In the belt, MAS Gold Corp. operates the Greywacke and Preview North Properties that include North Lake and Point advanced gold projects, each hosting drill-intercepted zones of gold mineralization.

With the addition of the Elizabeth Lake VMS deposit and Henry Lake , MAS controls four properties totaling 45, 660 hectares (105, 414 acres) along geologically prospective sections of La Ronge, Kisseynew and Glennie Domains of the La Ronge Gold Belt.

The Greywacke North deposit, which hosts several known stratabound, high-grade gold-bearing zones, has 255,500 tonnes at 9.92 g/t Au (cut-off grade of 5 grams gold/tonne) plus an Inferred Mineral Resource of 59,130 tonnes at 7.42 g/t Au (NI 43-101 Technical Report, June 1, 2016).

The North Lake deposit located at Preview North Property is estimated to contain an Inferred Mineral Resource of 14,110,000 t grading 0.92 g/t Au, hence 417,000 contained ounces of gold (NR March 25, 2020)

MAS Gold Corp.

Jim Engdahl

President & CEO

306-262-4964

For further information about MAS Gold please visit both www.masgoldcorp.com or contact: Lubica Keighery, (778) 889-5476, lubica@masgoldcorp.com

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information and Statements:

Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. MAS Gold cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond their respective control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to MAS Gold's limited operating history, the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations, results of exploration programs on their projects and those risks and uncertainties identified in each of their annual and interim financial statements and management discussion and analysis. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, MAS Gold undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

SOURCE: MAS Gold Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/659449/MAS-Gold-Corp-Announces-Commencement-of-Summer-Drill-Program-and-Other-Exploration-Activitieson-La-Ronge-Gold-Belt-Properties-Saskatchewan
On-going Pandemic Has Raised Importance for Employers to Implement Preventive Measures

VANCOUVER, BC and LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESSWIRE / August 12, 2021 / (CSE:OVAT)(OTCQB:OVATF) - Ovation Science Inc. ("Ovation" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has secured Pivot Protection Resource as a new national distributor for its non-alcohol hand sanitizer lotion, DermSafe. Pivot Protection will be targeting their extensive business contacts across Canada. This Canadian PPE company, with vast experience in B2B including the healthcare industry, is committed to providing innovative products that are designed to aid in the protection of people in their work environment. With the pandemic continuing to spread due to the Delta variant, employers are looking for proven solutions to help employees feel safe about returning to work.

"There are many government campaigns and initiatives that are spreading awareness about the importance of preventive measures against the coronavirus as everyone returns to work," said Lyle Mills, President of Pivot Protection Resource. "We felt there was a great need for a non-alcohol hand sanitizer and one that had the science to back its effectiveness. We were therefore excited to learn about the unique benefits of DermSafe and look forward to making it available to our contacts across Canada. Pivot Protection Resource is committed to and excited about representing products that will truly make a difference."

"According to a recent New York Times article, on average we touch our face about 16 times per hour, and each time this exposes us to germs including the Delta variant," said Terry Howlett, President of Ovation Science. "The CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) recommends we wash our hands for at least 20 seconds with soap or to use a hand sanitizer. People however are under the impression that alcohol hand sanitizers are all the same and will protect them against this virus. The fact is that many products do not have the recommended alcohol level of 70%. As well, people often do not use enough alcohol hand sanitizer for it to be effective. A whole 'palm full' is the recommended amount or 3 ml., making a 60 ml hand sanitizer bottle last only 20 applications." (Source: The New York Times: "The pandemic habit we should not break"; July 12, 2021). He continued, "DermSafe is different. It has no alcohol; it is proven effective against a host of germs and it requires only 1 ml per application so a 60 ml bottle lasts a whole month (2 applications/day). It is the perfect solution for employers looking for effective solutions when bringing their staff back safely to work."

DermSafe protects your hands against germs without the drying effects of alcohol. DermSafe uses 4% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG), an ingredient used for over five decades in hospital scrub-up rooms. CHG has demonstrated long-term persistence in its ability to kill both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria and viruses. Additionally, DermSafe is made with Invisicare skin technology that helps the product bind to the skin, DermSafe has also been tested against a host of infectious germs, including the human coronavirus (Beta Coronavirus strain OC43, a surrogate for SARS-CoV-2); the virus that causes COVID-19 which was previously announced. The independent tests that were conducted showed a 99.97% reduction in the virus at 2 time points. Also, the Company previously announced that DermSafe is the only hand sanitizer that is a recipient of the Canadian Dermatology Review Panel's "Seal of Approval". This is an independent review by Canadian dermatologists.

The pandemic has raised awareness about the importance of personal hygiene including washing your hands frequently and using a hand sanitizer. This has led to increased sales worldwide, with hand sanitizer sales predicted to surpass USD 6.4 billion by 2027 according to Global Market Insights Inc.

To order from Pivot Protection visit https://pivotprotection.com/

For information about DermSafe and how to order visit https://dermsafe.com

For information about Ovation Science visit https://ovationscience.com.

Statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration or Health Canada. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

About Ovation Science Inc.

Ovation Science Inc. is a research and development company that develops topical and transdermal consumer products including its unique DermSafe hand sanitizer and secondly its CBD/THC cannabis formulations including ARLO CBD Beauty and InVibe MD ("health & wellness" line); all made with its patented Invisicare skin delivery technology. The technology enhances the delivery of ingredients to and through the skin. With over twenty years of topical and transdermal drug delivery experience in the pharmaceutical market, Ovation's management and science team have created a unique pipeline of over twenty-five patent-protected medical / wellness topical and transdermal products along with a line of anti-aging / beauty formulas. Ovation earns revenues from licensing and development fees, royalties, the sale of Invisicare to its licensees along with revenue from its own product sales. Ovation has its head office in Vancouver, BC Canada and its laboratory and operations in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Ovation trades on the CSE under the symbol OVAT and in the USA on the OTC Markets under the symbol OVATF. Visit our website www.ovationscience.com for more information.

Forward-Looking Statements

Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. In particular there is no assurance that the Company's DermSafe product will have increased sales,and that any additional exposure will result in sales. Although DermSafe has been tested against other envelope viruses there is no assurance that it will kill or be as effective against COVID-19 or the Delta variant. In addition, there is no assurance the Company's level of sales will continue or will not be negatively impacted by increased competition and recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. There is also no evidence it works better than alcohol. Other examples of the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to those related to: strategies, potential sales, distribution and manufacturing of the Company's product as well as its effectiveness against COVID-19, the Company's ability to receive regulatory approval outside of Canada. There are no guarantees of future performance. Ovation Science Inc. cautions that all forward looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual results may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond Ovation Science Inc.'s control. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking information. Ovation disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking information to reflect future results, events or circumstances, except as required by law.

Statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration or Health Canada. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Ovation does not sell or distribute any products that are in violation of the United States Controlled Substances Act (US.CSA).

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Contact:

INVESTOR RELATIONS:

Kin Communications: ovat@kincommunications.com

Phone: 604-684-6730 or Toll Free at 866-684-6730

FOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & CORPORATE INQUIRIES:

Doreen McMorran: doreen@ovationscience.com

Phone: 604-283-0903 ext. 4

SOURCE: Ovation Science Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/659389/Ovation-Science-Announces-Expanded-Distribution-of-DermSafe-Hand-Sanitizer
Bermuda, 12 August 2021 - Avance Gas Holding Ltd (ticker: "AGAS"), will on Thursday 19 August 2021 release its unaudited results for the second quarter of 2021. In connection with the earnings release, an audio webcast and conference call will be held at 15:00 (CEST). The webcast can be accessed at Avance Gas' website www.avancegas.com. Dial-in details are: +44 (0) 2071 928338 (UK and International), +16467413167 (US) and +47 21563015 (Norway). Please quote the confirmation code ?9893329. Phone lines will open 10 minutes before the conference call. For further queries, please contact: Randi Navdal Bekkelund, CFO. Tel: +47 22 00 48 29 Email: randi.navdal@avancegas.com ABOUT AVANCE GAS Avance Gas operates in the global market for transportation of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The Company is one of the world's leading owners and operators of very large gas carrier (VLGC) and operates a fleet of thirteen modern ships and six Dual Fuel LPG newbuildings due for delivery in Q4 2021, Q1 2022, Q4 2022 and Q1-Q4 2023. For more information about Avance Gas, please visit www.avancegas.com. This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Markham, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 12, 2021) - Mary Agrotechnologies Inc. (CSE: MARY) ("Mary AG" or "the Company") announces that it has signed a memorandum of understanding ("MOU") to form an in-depth partnership with CBDer Biotechnology ("CBDer"), headquartered in Yunnan China. This partnership marks Mary AG's first application of farm-level technology, taking its knowledge in automated systems and applying that expertise to a holistic, controlled growing condition that incorporates automated plant health assessment.

Mary AG's joint venture Yunnan Moquan and CBDer are currently the only companies licensed for indoor industrial hemp cultivation in China's only legalized province for cannabinoid extraction. A founding member of the Industrial Hemp branch of China National Narcotic Drugs Association, CBDer is also an R&D partner with KPC Pharmaceuticals (SSE: 600422) in breeding high CBD potency hemp cultivars.

The MOU mainly encompasses:

Working with CBDer to further develop China's industrial hemp market. Working with CBDer on potential non-China greenhouse projects. Forming a joint R&D project in the fields of photobiology, artificial climate, sensors, computer vision, automated cultivation, etc. Exploring the possibility of using CBDer's greenhouses to grow indoor industrial hemp to produce extracted or isolated cannabinoids for domestic and international markets.

"The partnership with CBDer is the first major step of our expansion into China. Compared to traditional cultivation methods, we anticipate significant increase in crop yields, lowered labour costs, as well as more consistent potency. The partnership will also give us many competitive advantages to become a leader in China's nascent cannabinoid industry," stated Frank Qin, Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

New Manufacturing Partner and Inventory Update

The Company recently entered a new partnership with a manufacturer to produce Model Z.

The new manufacturing partner is a nationally recognized "high-tech enterprise," located in Guangdong, China. The partner occupies an industrial park of over 80,000m with 150 assembly lines of various sizes. The partner also is compliant with ISO9001:2015, ISO14001:2015, OHSAS18001:2011 to meet high international quality standards.

Once the transition is fully complete, expectedly in October 2021, Model Z's manufacturing output is expected to increase to 4,000 units a year, up from 200. The partner will also provide a scalable capacity for future production up to 50,000 units per year by end of 2023.

As of June 30, 2021, the Company has 110 units of backorders. On July 23rd, a new round of inventory was received at the Company's Markham, ON warehouse. This latest delivery contains 52 fully assembled, ready-to-ship Model Z units and marks a return to shipping for 2021, following updated supplier and manufacturing partnership agreements. The next shipment of 60 fully assembled units is currently in transit and expected to arrive in Markham by the end of August 2021. Additionally, two more shipments are expected to be ready, 142 units and 250 units respectively, by the end of October 2021.

About Mary Agrotechnologies Inc. (CSE: MARY)

Mary Agrotechnologies Inc. is a data driven agriculture technology company developing innovative, cost-effective, automated and efficient growing systems for both the at-home consumer as well as commercial operators.

Find out more at www.mary.ag

For further information, please contact:

Frank Qin, Chief Executive Officer

Tel: +1 (844) 504-5234

Email: investors@mary.ag

Forward-Looking Statement

This news release contains statements and information that, to the extent that they are not historical fact, may constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking information may include financial and other projections, as well as statements regarding future plans, objectives, or economic performance, or the assumption underlying any of the foregoing. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terms such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "likely", "except", "anticipate", "believe", "intend", "plan", "forecast", "project", "estimate", "outlook", or the negative thereof or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Examples of such statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the Company's supply chain and business plan going forward.

Forward-looking information is subject to important risks, uncertainties and assumptions a description of which is as described in the Company's non-offering prospectus dated April 23, 2021 (available on www.sedar.com) under the heading "Risk Factors". Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking information. Further, any forward-looking information speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company's management to predict all of such factors and to assess in advance the impact of each such factor on the Company's business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking information to reflect information or events after the date on which it is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law, including securities laws.

The CSE does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/92871
EEG Study to be incorporated into Entheon IQ, developing data-driven treatment algorithms for psychedelic treatments

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 12, 2021) - Entheon Biomedical Corp. (CSE: ENBI) (OTCQB: ENTBF) (FSE: 1XU1) ("Entheon" or the "Company"), a biotechnology company focused on developing psychedelic medicines to treat addiction, today announced the sponsorship of a clinical research study with Heading Health LLC ("Heading Health") as institution and Dr. Steve Levine, MD, as principal investigator to determine the electroneurophysiologic effects of ketamine.

Entheon previously announced its business arrangement with Heading Health on January 4, 2021, a psychiatric clinic platform focused on the administration of psychedelic-assisted therapy to treat mental health disorders which includes Spravato, an FDA approved Ketamine product that is eligible for insurance reimbursement. Entheon is sponsoring the study in order to gain deeper insight into patients' electroneurophysiologic response to psychedelic drug treatment. This study will gather EEG biomarker data and patient experience insight from individuals receiving ketamine for the purpose of testing two hypotheses: that clinical response to drug treatment can be accurately assessed during ketamine administration, and that EEG changes can predict long term response to drug treatment. The data obtained from the study will be incorporated into Entheon's development efforts with the aim of creating treatment algorithms founded on objective measurements of response to treatment. This program, named Entheon IQ, forms one of the pillars of Entheon's efforts in drug development, genetics research, and EEG biomarker research, seeking to develop robust treatment algorithms through the analysis of data.

"We are delighted to be working with the amazing team at Heading Health to advance our understanding of the unique electroneurophysiological qualities of therapeutic drug states," said Chief Executive Officer of Entheon, Timothy Ko. "We believe that EEG-based biomarkers will add a necessary element of empiricism to therapies and contribute to personalization and safety with which care is delivered."

Simon Tankel, co-founder of Heading Health, commented, "Heading is pleased to further our partnership with Entheon, advancing psychedelic therapeutic research and enhancing patient access to affordable evidence-based treatments."

About Entheon Biomedical Corp.

Entheon is a biotechnology research and development company committed to developing and commercializing a portfolio of safe and effective N,N-dimethyltryptamine based psychedelic therapeutic products ("DMT Products") for the purposes of treating addiction and substance use disorders. Subject to obtaining all requisite regulatory approvals and permits, Entheon intends to generate revenue through the sale of its DMT Products to physicians, clinics and licensed psychiatrists in the United States, certain countries in the European Union and throughout Canada.

About Heading Health LLC

Founded in Austin, Texas, Heading Health delivers mental healthcare which is high quality, affordable and accessible. A comprehensive set of evidence-based, insurance covered therapeutics and technologies are available through Heading, including Spravato (esketamine), Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), telepsychiatry and Intramuscular (IM) ketamine.

For more information, please contact the Company at:

Entheon Biomedical Corp.

Joseph Cullen, Investor Relations

Telephone: +1 (778) 919-8615

joe@entheonbiomedical.com

https://entheonbiomedical.com/

For media inquiries, please contact Crystal Quast at:

Bullseye Corporate

Crystal Quast

Telephone: +1 (647) 529-6364

quast@bullseyecorporate.com

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements relate to future events or future performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements or information. More particularly and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements and information relating to a strategic investment, the performance of such investment and other matters. The forward-looking statements and information are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by management of the Company. Although management of the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements and information are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements and information since no assurance can be given that they will prove to be correct.

Forward-looking statements and information are provided for the purpose of providing information about the current expectations and plans of management of the Company relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such statements and information may not be appropriate for other purposes, such as making investment decisions. Since forward-looking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to, the design and commencement of the study of the electroneurophysiologic effects of ketamine, the effects of ketamine, obtaining regulatory approvals, subject enrollment, obtaining meaningful data, if at all, and the outcome of the study. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and no undertaking is given to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. The forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

Neither the CSE nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/92895
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / August 12, 2021 / Sarama Resources Ltd. (" Sarama " or the " Company ") is pleased to report that it has been issued (5) the Exploration Permit for the Djarkadougou II Property (" Djarkadougou II " or the " Property ") which covers 169km 2 and hosts the high-grade Bondi Deposit and several high-quality exploration targets. The Property forms part of Sarama's 100%-owned Sanutura Project (the " Project ") which covers approximately 1,400km and is located in the prolific Hounde Belt in south-western Burkina Faso (refer Figure 1).

The Exploration Permit is valid for an initial term of 3 years and is renewable for a further two 3-year terms, subject to satisfaction of routine conditions regarding execution of work programs and minimum expenditure thresholds.

The Bondi Deposit is located within trucking distance of Sarama's 100%-owned Tankoro Deposit (mineral resource of 0.6Moz Au (indicated) and 1.9Moz Au (inferred) (1,4) ) and adds a substantial amount of high-grade and free-milling material to the development proposition.

Bondi Deposit

The Bondi Deposit has a Historical Estimate of mineral resources of 282,000oz @ 2.1g/t Au (measured and indicated) and 150,000oz @ 1.8g/t Au (inferred) (2) at 0.5g/t Au cut off. This Historical Estimate includes a high-grade component (reported at a cut-off grade of 2.0g/t Au) of 186,000oz @ 4.2g/t Au (measured and indicated), which reflects several shoot-controlled, high-grade zones within the lodes.

Drill-defined mineralisation currently extends over a 4.1km strike length and mineralised lodes are up to 24m in width and have been intersected to a vertical depth of approximately 320m (refer Figures 2 and 3). A majority of the mineralisation reported is well defined by 25-40m x 25m spaced drilling with approximately 90,000m drilling (reverse circulation and diamond core) having been completed.

Metallurgical testwork concluded that the mineralisation is amenable to processing using a standard cyanidation flowsheet, with gold extractions of 97% and 91% being achieved for composite samples of oxide and fresh mineralisation respectively at a conventional grind size of P 80 75 micron.

The Company is currently in the process of remodelling the Bondi Deposit with a view to incorporating it into an update of the Project's mineral resource estimate and to assist extensional and regional exploration targeting.

Djarkadougou II Exploration Potential

The Property has seen significantly less exploration and drilling activity outside the main mineralisation at the Bondi Deposit and there remains ample opportunity for new discoveries. The re-interpretation by Sarama of the geology underlying Djarkadougou ll includes the recognition of a major regional shear zone with secondary fault splays within a mixed volcanic and volcano-sedimentary package cut by late intermediate to felsic intrusions. These geologic features accentuate a number of exploration targets with good potential to host gold mineralisation in addition to that previously outlined for the Bondi Deposit.

Reconnaissance drilling undertaken by Sarama targeted three areas including (i) the Zanawa Prospect, a new discovery lying 4km to the north-east of the main part of the Bondi Deposit, (ii) the southern strike extent of the main mineralisation at the Bondi Deposit, and (iii) the Malbus Prospect, a south-east zone representing a distinct splay from the main north-south trending mineralization (refer Sarama news release September 12, 2017).

Drill defined mineralisation at the Zanawa Prospect starts at surface and trends north-south over a distance of approximately 1km and remains open along strike and at depth, with several mineralised zones requiring further drilling to be better understood. Intersected mineralisation included significant gold grades with highlights including 22m @ 3.85g/t Au from 5m, 29m @ 1.44g/t Au from 1m, 10m @ 1.24g/t Au from 67m and 5m @ 4.54g/t Au from 15m (refer Figure 4). Drilling has confirmed that mineralisation is associated with a mafic volcanic-intermediate intrusion contact that extends for at least 3km across the north-eastern part of Djarkadougou II and is not dissimilar to mineralisation seen at Endeavour Mining's Golden Hill Project approximately 20km to the north (refer Sarama news release September 20, 2018).

Drilling on the southern limits of the main Bondi Deposit mineralisation extended the south-east splay (Malbus Prospect) and identified several high-grade zones which remain open at depth. Shallow intersected mineralisation included significant gold grades and widths including 11m @ 3.08g/t Au from 22m, 10m @ 3.07g/t Au from 7m, 8m @ 4.23 g/t Au from 28m, 4m @ 12.39 g/t Au from 40m and 14m @ 1.68 g/t Au from 29m. One drill fence of note included downhole intersections of 3m @ 4.71g/t Au from 51m plus 3m @ 19.86g/t Au (EOH) from 69m (same hole), 7m @ 2.43g/t Au from 62m and 6m @ 3.46g/t Au from 44m. The high-grade intercepts in this fence are within, and proximal to, a granitoid dyke that cuts mafic volcanic host rocks and further drilling will be carried out to follow-up on these results (refer Sarama news release September 20, 2018).

In addition to drilling in the southern limits of Bondi, the southern extension zone of the main Bondi Deposit has been extended at depth with notable downhole intersections including 13m @ 1.50g/t Au from 86m and 6m @ 1.93g/t Au from 134m. Mineralisation is spatially associated with a north-striking, mafic volcanic-volcano-sedimentary contact and proximal to a north-striking fault. This zone warrants further investigation as it is open along strike and at depth (refer Sarama news release September 20, 2018).

Looking forward, Sarama will continue its multi-pronged strategy of systematic regional exploration for discovery of new mineralisation and extension of known mineralisation at the Zanawa Prospect, and validation of the large amount of historical data concentrated in the main part of the Bondi Deposit and generated by Orezone Gold Corporation, with a view to generating extensional targets.

Corporate Activities

Sarama remains fully engaged with leading Australian resources broker, Euroz Hartleys, for its proposed dual listing on the Australian Securities Exchange (" ASX "). Given the progress on the re-issue of key permits in Burkina Faso, the Company has recommenced the ASX listing process which remains well advanced and prerequisite documentation is largely complete.

Proceeds raised pursuant to the dual listing on the ASX will primarily be used to expedite an extensive drilling campaign totalling approximately 50,000m at the Sanutura Project. The planned drill programs aim to augment and upgrade the currently defined oxide and free-milling mineral resources, to test high-priority targets identified through previous grassroots exploration that have the potential to significantly impact project growth, and to evaluate early-stage targets.

Sarama's CEO, Andrew Dinning, commented: "We are very pleased to have the Djarkadougou II Exploration Permit issued which will now enable us to re-commence work on a number of high-priority targets within the Property. We have commenced an update of the mineral resource for the high-grade and free-milling Bondi Deposit which we anticipate will provide a significant lift in oxide and free milling pit-shell constrained resources for the Project, which already sit at close to 900,000 ounces of gold.

With the re-issue of Djarkadougou ll and good progress being made on the permit re-issue process in Burkina Faso, we have taken the decision to recommence the ASX listing process and continue to work with Euroz Hartleys ahead of the planned listing."

For further information on the Company's activities, please contact:

Andrew Dinning or Paul Schmiede

e: info@saramaresources.com

t: +61 (0) 8 9363 7600

Figure 1 - Location Map of Sarama's 100%-Owned Sanutura Project

Figure 2 - Geology Map of Djarkadougou II Property

Figure 3 - Cross Section of Bondi Deposit Mineralisation

Figure 4 - Cross Section of Zanawa Prospect Mineralisation (1209900mN)

ABOUT SARAMA RESOURCES LTD

Sarama Resources Ltd. ( TSX-V:SWA ) is a West African focused gold explorer and developer with substantial landholdings in south-west Burkina Faso. Sarama is focused on maximising the value of its strategic assets and advancing its key projects towards development.

Sarama's 100% owned Sanutura Project is located within the prolific Hounde and Boromo Greenstone Belts in south-west Burkina Faso and is the exploration and development focus of the Company. Its exploration programs have successfully discovered a mineral resource of 0.6Moz gold (indicated) and 1.9Moz gold (inferred) (1,4) which is complemented by the Bondi Deposit (historical estimate of mineral resources of 0.3Moz Au measured and indicated and 0.1Moz Au inferred (2) ).

Together, the deposits present a potential development opportunity whereby a significant, long-life CIL project can be established and paid for by the significant oxide resource base.

Sarama has built further optionality into its portfolio including a 600km exploration position in the highly prospective Banfora Belt in south-western Burkina Faso. The Koumandara Project hosts several regional-scale structural features and trends of gold-in-soil anomalism extending for over 40km along strike.

Sarama also holds approximately 18% participating interest in the Karankasso Project Joint Venture (" JV ") which is situated adjacent to the Company's Sanutura Project in Burkina Faso and is a JV between Sarama and Endeavour Mining Corp (" Endeavour ") in which Endeavour is the operator of the JV. In February 2020, an updated mineral resource estimate of 709koz gold (3) was declared for the Karankasso Project JV.

The Company's Board and management team have a proven track record in Africa and a strong history in the discovery and development of large-scale gold deposits. Sarama is well positioned to build on its current success with a sound strategy to surface and maximise the value of its property portfolio.

FOOTNOTES

Sanutura Project, Tankoro Deposit - mineral resource estimate - 9.4Mt @ 1.9g/t Au for 0.6Moz Au (indicated) plus 43.6Mt @ 1.4g/t Au for 1.9Moz (inferred), reported at cut-off grades ranging 0.2-1.6g/t Au, reflecting the mining methods and processing flowsheets assumed to assess the likelihood of the mineral resources to have reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction. The effective date of the Company's inferred mineral resource estimate is September 8, 2020. For further information regarding the mineral resource estimate please refer to the technical report titled "NI 43-101 Technical Report, Sanutura Project, South-West Burkina Faso", dated October 20, 2020 (effective date: September 8, 2020) and prepared by Paul Schmiede, Adrian Shepherd & Fred Kock. The technical report is available under Sarama's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Bondi Deposit - 4.1Mt @ 2.1g/t Au for 282,000oz Au (measured and indicated) plus 2.5Mt @ 1.8g/t Au for 149,700oz Au (inferred), reported at a 0.5 g/t Au cut-off. The historical estimate of the Bondi Deposit reflects a mineral resource estimate compiled by Orezone Gold Corporation ("Orezone") and has an effective date of February 20, 2009. The historical estimate is contained in a technical report titled "Technical Report on the Mineral Resource of the Bondigui Gold Project", dated date of February 20, 2009 and prepared by Yves Buro (the "Bondi Technical Report"). Yves Buro is an employee of Met-Chem Canada Inc and is independent of Orezone and Sarama. The technical report is available under Orezone's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com Sarama believes that the historical estimate is relevant to investors' understanding of the property, as it reflects the most recent and substantive technical work undertaken in respect of the Bondi Deposit. The historical estimate was informed by 886 drillholes, assayed for gold by cyanidation methods, which were used to interpret mineralised envelopes and geological zones over the area of the historical estimate. Gold grade interpolation was undertaken using ID methodology based on input parameters derived from geostatistical and geological analyses assessments. Field measurements and geological logging of drillholes were used to determine weathering boundaries and bulk densities for modelled blocks. The historical estimate uses the mineral resource reporting categories required under National Instrument 43-101. No more recent estimates of the mineral resource or other data are available. Sarama is currently undertaking the necessary verification work in the field and on the desktop that may support the future reclassification of the historical estimate to a mineral resource. A qualified person engaged by Sarama has not undertaken sufficient work to verify the historical estimate as a current mineral resource and Sarama is therefore not treating the historical estimate as a current mineral resource. Karankasso Project current mineral resource estimate - the current mineral resource estimate for the Karankasso Project of 12.74Mt @ 1.73g/t Au for 709koz Au (effective date of December 31, 2019) was disclosed on February 24, 2020 by Semafo Inc ("Semafo", since acquired by Endeavour Mining Corp. "Endeavour"). For further information regarding that mineral resource estimate, refer to the news release "Semafo: Bantou Project Inferred Resources Increase to 2.2Moz" dated February 24, 2020 and Semafo: Bantou Project NI43-101 Technical Report - Mineral Resource Estimate" dated April 3, 2020. The news release and technical report are available under Semafo's and Endeavour's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com . The mineral resource estimate was fully prepared by, or under the supervision of Semafo. Sarama has not independently verified Semafo's mineral resource estimate and takes no responsibility for its accuracy. Semafo, and now Endeavour, is the operator of the Karankasso Project JV and Sarama is relying on their Qualified Persons' assurance of the validity of the mineral resource estimate. Additional technical work has been undertaken on the Karankasso Project since the effective date but Sarama is not in a position to quantify the impact of this additional work on the mineral resource estimate referred to above. The Tankoro Exploration Permit which hosts the Tankoro Deposit is going through a re-issue process with the Government of Burkina Faso after which the Company anticipates it to be re-issued as new, full-term exploration permit. The Company is in discussion with senior government officials to expedite this process and anticipates the permit will be issued in due course, though there can be no assurance that the process will be successfully completed on a timely basis, or at all. The Government of Burkina Faso has processed the requisite documents to facilitate the grant of the new, full-term Djarkadougou ll Exploration Permit (the " Permit ") and subsequently issued the invitation to pay the permit issuance fee (the " Fee ") and the Fee was paid within the requisite 10-day timeline. Following the payment of the Fee, the issuance of the Permit's arrete and related paperwork becomes an administrative process during which time the Company may undertake work on the Djarkadougou II Property. The Company expects the arrete and related paperwork to be issued in due course. The Property was formerly known as "Djarkadougou", but has been renamed as part of the process of re-issuing the Permit.

CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Information in this news release that is not a statement of historical fact constitutes forward-looking information. Such forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, timing, prospects and any conditions that may be imposed on the re-issuance of the Tankoro Exploration Permit and timing on the issuance of the arrete for the Djarkadougou ll Exploration Permit by the Government of Burkina Faso, the Company's intention to recommence work on a planned dual listing on the ASX and the use of proceeds from an offering of securities on the ASX, the Company's future exploration and development plans (including its planned drilling campaign), the completion of its ASX listing, the potential for the Sanutura, Koumandara and Karankasso Projects to host economic mineralisation, the potential to expand the present oxide component of the existing estimated mineral resources at the Sanutura Project, the reliability of the historical estimate of mineral resources at the Bondi Deposit, and the potential for the receipt of regulatory approvals. Actual results, performance or achievements of the Company may vary from the results suggested by such forward-looking statements due to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors. Such factors include, among others, that the business of exploration for gold and other precious minerals involves a high degree of risk and is highly speculative in nature; mineral resources are not mineral reserves, they do not have demonstrated economic viability, and there is no certainty that they can be upgraded to mineral reserves through continued exploration; few properties that are explored are ultimately developed into producing mines; geological factors; the actual results of current and future exploration; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be evaluated, as well as those factors disclosed in the Company's publicly filed documents.

There can be no assurance that any mineralisation that is discovered will be proven to be economic, or that future required regulatory licensing or approvals will be obtained. However, the Company believes that the assumptions and expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the Company's ability to carry on its exploration activities, the sufficiency of funding, the timely receipt of required approvals, the price of gold and other precious metals, that the Company will not be affected by adverse political events, the ability of the Company to operate in a safe, efficient and effective manner and the ability of the Company to obtain further financing as and when required and on reasonable terms. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

Sarama does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except as required by applicable laws.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

QUALIFIED PERSONS' STATEMENT

Scientific or technical information in this disclosure that relates to the preparation of the Company's mineral resource estimate for the Tankoro Deposit within the Sanutura Project is based on information compiled or approved by Paul Schmiede. Paul Schmiede is an employee of Sarama Resources Ltd and is a Fellow in good standing of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Paul Schmiede has sufficient experience which is relevant to the commodity, style of mineralisation under consideration and activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101. Paul Schmiede consents to the inclusion in this disclosure of the information, in the form and context in which it appears.

Scientific or technical information in this disclosure, in respect of the Bondi Deposit relating to mineral resource and exploration information drawn from the Technical Report prepared for Orezone on that deposit has been approved by Guy Scherrer. Guy Scherrer is an employee of Sarama Resources Ltd and is a member in good standing of the Ordre des Geologues du Quebec and has sufficient experience which is relevant to the commodity, style of mineralisation under consideration and activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101. Guy Scherrer consents to the inclusion in this disclosure of the information, in the form and context in which it appears.

Scientific or technical information in this disclosure that relates to the quotation of the Karankasso Project's mineral resource estimate and exploration activities is based on information compiled by Paul Schmiede. Paul Schmiede is an employee of Sarama Resources Ltd and is a Fellow in good standing of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Paul Schmiede has sufficient experience which is relevant to the commodity, style of mineralisation under consideration and activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101. Paul Schmiede consents to the inclusion in this disclosure of the information, in the form and context in which it appears. Paul Schmiede and Sarama have not independently verified Semafo's (now Endeavour's) mineral resource estimate and take no responsibility for its accuracy.

SOURCE: Sarama Resources Ltd.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/659457/Sarama-Resources-Issued-Djarkadougou-II-Permit-Hosting-Bondi-Deposit
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / August 12, 2021 / Jackpot Digital Inc. (the "Company" or "Jackpot") (TSXV:JJ)(TSXV:JJ.WT.A)(TSXV:JJ.WT.B)(TSXV:JJ.WT.C)(OTCQB:JPOTF)(Frankfurt:LVH3)(Berlin:LVH3). Further to the Company's news releases dated June 16, 2021 and July 27, 2021, Jackpot is pleased to provide an update on its proposed strategic reorganization of its business by way of a transfer of its online gaming software assets (the "Spinout") to its wholly-owned subsidiary Yo Eleven Gaming Inc. ("Yo Eleven") through a plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia). In consideration of the transfer of Jackpot's online gaming assets, Yo Eleven will issue common shares (the "Yo Eleven Shares") which will be distributed to Jackpot's non-dissenting shareholders upon satisfaction of all closing conditions. Each registered non-dissenting shareholder of Jackpot will receive one Yo Eleven Share for every five common shares of Jackpot held. The Company and Yo Eleven have signed a formal Arrangement Agreement which governs the terms and conditions of the Spinout and which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Non-dissenting Jackpot shareholders are eligible to receive Yo Eleven Shares as long as they are shareholders of Jackpot as of the record date which will be determined after Jackpot shareholders have voted on and approved the Spinout at the Company's scheduled Annual General and Special Meeting on September 16, 2021 (the "Meeting").

On August 6, 2021, the Company obtained an Interim Order from the Supreme Court of British Columbia containing declarations and directions related to the Spinout and the holding of the Meeting. On August 9, 2021 the Company received conditional approval of the Spinout from the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange").

Closing of the Spinout is still subject to receipt of Jackpot's shareholders' approval, which must be approved by not less than two-thirds of the votes cast by the shareholders at the Meeting, final Court Approval, and final Exchange approval.

Detailed information relating to the proposed Spinout, the online gaming software assets and information concerning Yo Eleven post-Spinout will be contained in a management information circular prepared for Jackpot's shareholders in connection with the Meeting. Jackpot elected to use the "notice and access" provisions under National Instrument 54-101 for the Meeting and has decided to deliver the Meeting materials to Shareholders by posting the Meeting materials on its website (www.jackpotdigital.com) on August 16, 2021 or earlier. The Meeting materials will remain on the website for one full year thereafter. The Meeting Materials will also be available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com on August 16, 2021 or earlier.

About Jackpot Digital Inc.

Jackpot Digital Inc. is a leading electronic table games manufacturer and mobile gaming provider for the cruise ship industry and regulated casino industry. The Company specializes in multiplayer gaming products, including poker and casino games, which are complemented by a robust suite of backend tools for operators to efficiently control and optimize their gaming business.

For more information on the Company, please contact Jake H. Kalpakian, President and CEO, at (604) 681- 0204 ext 6105, or visit the Company's website at www.jackpotdigital.com.

On behalf of the Board of

Jackpot Digital Inc.,

"Jake H. Kalpakian"

Jake H. Kalpakian,

President & CEO

Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the management information circular to be prepared in connection with the Spinout, any information released or received with respect to the Spinout may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of the Company should be considered speculative.

The TSX Venture Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Certain statements contained herein are "forward-looking" such as the Company's proposed spin-out of its online gaming software assets to Yo Eleven. Forward-looking statements may include, among others, statements regarding future plans, costs, objectives, economic or technical performance, or the assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. In this News Release, words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "likely", "enable", "feel", "seek", "project", "predict", "potential", "should", "might", "objective", "believe", "expect", "propose", "anticipate", "intend", "plan", "estimate", and similar words are used to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. Although management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, projections and estimations, there can be no assurance that these assumptions, expectations, projections or estimations are accurate. Readers, Shareholders and Investors are therefore cautioned not to place reliance on any forward-looking statements as the plans, assumptions, intentions or expectations upon which they are based might not occur. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that the Company's proposed spin-out transaction will receive shareholder, and final court approval, and the acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange.

SOURCE: Jackpot Digital Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/659436/Jackpot-Receives-TSXV-Conditional-Approval-and-Interim-Court-Order-for-Yo-Eleven-Spinout
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 12, 2021) - Goldshore Resources Inc. (TSXV: GSHR) (FSE: 8X00) ("Goldshore" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce that it has launched its new website in an effort to keep its current investors and potential investors up to date on all historic, current and future activities of the Company. www.goldshoreresources.com

About Goldshore

Goldshore is an emerging junior gold development company, and owns the Moss Lake Gold Project located in Ontario. Wesdome Gold Mines Ltd. is currently a strategic shareholder of Goldshore with an approximate 30% equity position in the Company. Well-financed and supported by an industry-leading management group, board of directors and advisory board, Goldshore is positioned to advance the Moss Lake Gold Project through the next stages of exploration and development.

About the Moss Lake Gold Project

The Moss Lake Gold Project is located approximately 100 km west of the city of Thunder Bay, Ontario. It is accessed via Highway 11 which passes within 1 km of the property boundary to the north. The Moss Lake Gold Project covers 14,292 hectares and consists of 282 unpatented and patented mining claims.

Moss Lake hosts a number of gold and base metal rich deposits including the Moss Lake Deposit, the East Coldstream Deposit (Table 1), the historically producing North Coldstream Mine (Table 2), and the Hamlin Zone, all of which occur over a mineralized trend exceeding 20 km in length. A historical preliminary economic assessment was completed on Moss Lake in 2013 and published by Moss Lake Gold1. A historical mineral resource estimate was completed on the East Coldstream Deposit in 2011 by Foundation Resources Inc2,3. In addition to these zones, the Moss Lake Gold Project also hosts a number of under-explored mineral occurrences which are reported to exist both at surface and in historically drilled holes. The Moss Lake Deposit is a shear-hosted disseminated-style gold deposit which outcrops at surface. It has been drilled over a 2.5 km length and to depths of 300 m with 376 holes completed between 1983 and 2017. The last drilling program conducted in 2016 and 2017 by Wesdome Gold Mines Ltd. ("Wesdome"), which consisted of widely spaced holes along the strike extension of the deposit was successful in expanding the mineralized footprint and hydrothermal system 1.6 km to the northeast. Additionally, the deposit remains largely open to depth. In 2017, Wesdome completed an induced polarization survey which traced the potential extensions of pyrite mineralization associated with the Moss Lake Deposit over a total strike length of 8 km and spanning the entire extent of the survey grids. Historic drill hole highlights from the Moss Lake Deposit include 11.3 g/t Au over 70.4m in ML-08-01, 2.55 g/t Au over 71.3 m in 89-172, and 1.19 g/t Au over 163.1 m in 87-101.

The East Coldstream Deposit is a shear-hosted disseminated-style gold deposit which locally outcrops at surface. It has been drilled over a 1.3 km length and to depths of 200 m with 138 holes completed between 1988 and 2017. The deposit remains largely open at depth and may have the potential for expansion along strike. Historic drill hole highlights from the East Coldstream Deposit include 4.86 g/t Au over 27.3 m in C-10-15.

The historically producing North Coldstream Mine is reported to have produced significant amounts of copper, gold and silver4 from mineralization with potential iron-oxide-copper-gold deposit style affinity. The exploration potential immediately surrounding the historic mining area is not currently well understood and historic data compilation is required.

The Hamlin Zone is a significant occurrence of copper and gold mineralization, and also of potential iron-oxide-copper-gold deposit style affinity. Between 2008 and 2011, Glencore tested Hamlin with 24 drill holes which successfully outlined a broad and intermittently mineralized zone over a strike length of 900 m. Historic drill hole highlights from the Hamlin Zone include 0.9 g/t Au and 0.35% Cu over 150.7 m in HAM-11-75.

The Moss Lake, East Coldstream and North Coldstream deposits sit on a mineral trend marked by a regionally significant deformation zone locally referred to as the Wawiag Fault Zone in the area of the Moss Lake Deposit. This deformation zone occurs over a length of approximately 20 km on the Moss Lake Gold Project and there is an area spanning approximately 7 km between the Moss Lake and East Coldstream deposits that is significantly underexplored.

Table 1: Historical Mineral Resources1,2,3



INDICATED INFERRED Deposit Tonnes Au g/t Au oz Tonnes Au g/t Au oz Moss Lake Deposit1 (2013 resource estimate) Open Pit Potential 39,795,000 1.1 1,377,300 48,904,000 1.0 1,616,300 Underground Potential - - - 1,461,100 2.9 135,400 Moss Lake Total 39,795,000 1.1 1,377,300 50,364,000 1.1 1,751,600

East Coldstream Deposit2 (2011 resource estimate) East Coldstream Total 3,516,700 0.85 96,400 30,533,000 0.78 763,276

Combined Total 43,311,700 1.08 1,473,700 80,897,000 0.98 2,514,876

Notes:

(1) Source: Poirier, S., Patrick, G.A., Richard, P.L., and Palich, J., 2013. Technical Report and Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Moss Lake Project, 43-101 technical report prepared for Moss Lake Gold Mines Ltd. Moss Lake Deposit resource estimate is based on 0.5 g/t Au cut-off grade for open pit and 2.0 g/t Au cut-off grade for underground resources.

(2) Source: McCracken, T., 2011. Technical Report and Resource Estimate on the Osmani Gold Deposit, Coldstream Property, Northwestern Ontario, 43-101 technical report prepared for Foundation Resources Inc. and Alto Ventures Ltd. East Coldstream Deposit resource estimate is based on a 0.4 g/t Au cut-off grade.

(3) The reader is cautioned that the above referenced "historical mineral resource" estimates are considered historical in nature and as such is based on prior data and reports prepared by previous property owners. A qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimates as current resources and Goldshore is not treating the historical estimates as current resources. Significant data compilation, re-drilling, re-sampling and data verification may be required by a qualified person before the historical estimate on the Moss Lake Gold Project can be classified as a current resource. There can be no assurance that any of the historical mineral resources, in whole or in part, will ever become economically viable. In addition, mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. Even if classified as a current resource, there is no certainty as to whether further exploration will result in any inferred mineral resources being upgraded to an indicated or measured mineral resource category.

Table 2: Reported Historical Production from the North Coldstream Deposit4

Deposit Tonnes Cu % Au g/t Ag Cu lbs Au oz Ag oz Historical Production 2,700,0000 1.89 0.56 5.59 102,000,000 44,000 440,000

Note::

(4) Source: Schlanka, R., 1969. Copper, Nickel, Lead and Zinc Deposits of Ontario, Mineral Resources Circular No. 12, Ontario Geological Survey, pp. 314-316.

Peter Flindell, MAusIMM, MAIG , Vice President, Exploration of the Company, a qualified person under NI 43-101 has approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release.

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For More Information - Please Contact:

Brett A. Richards

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

Goldshore Resources Inc.

P. +1 604 288 4416 M. +1 905 449 1500

E. brichards@goldshoreresources.com

W. www.goldshoreresources.com

Facebook: GoldShoreRes |Twitter: GoldShoreRes | LinkedIn: goldshoreres

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements." Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements, or developments to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could" or "should" occur.

Forward-looking statements in this news release include, among others, statements relating to expectations regarding the exploration and development of the Moss Lake Gold Project, including planned drilling activities, and other statements that are not historical facts. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors and risks include, among others: the Company may require additional financing from time to time in order to continue its operations which may not be available when needed or on acceptable terms and conditions acceptable; compliance with extensive government regulation; domestic and foreign laws and regulations could adversely affect the Company's business and results of operations; the stock markets have experienced volatility that often has been unrelated to the performance of companies and these fluctuations may adversely affect the price of the Company's securities, regardless of its operating performance; and the impact of COVID-19.

The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of the Company as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE U.S.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/92884
FEops, a leader in predictive planning for structural heart interventions, is proud to announce that its simulation technology supported TRiCares from initial design concept to a successful first-in-human of the Topaz Tricuspid Valve Replacement (TTVR) system, developed by TRiCares SAS. This is a major step forward towards predictive simulation-based TTVR procedure planning.

The digital twin simulation technology for TTVR was developed by FEops and already utilized by TRiCares from the early R&D phase onwards of the Topaz TTVR device. FEops created a complete virtual environment in its FEops HEARTguide research version allowing to implant a faithful device replica (validated through experimental tests) into the patients' digital twin extracted from the medical images over the full cardiac cycle. The cyclic motion of the heart applied to the device model gives unique insights into possible migration of the implant and the identification of critical spots in the design of the device. "This is a unique approach to assess fatigue safety of artificial heart valves in vivo", says Francesco Iannaccone, Key Account Manager at FEops.

"FEops simulation technology has been a valuable addition to our R&D group at every step of our device development, providing crucial anatomical insights, preventing fatigue issues in the early design of our device, assisting with the development of appropriate fatigue bench tests, and finally giving additional confidence for a successful Topaz TTVR first-in-human through their simulated preoperative implantations", Coralie Marchand, Senior Engineer R&D at TRiCares commented.

"This milestone will foster the future expansion of our portfolio of structural heart planning tools in the right heart and reinforces the unique value FEops brings in assisting valve manufacturers with its innovative simulation technology", says Gianluca De Santis, FEA Services Director at FEops.

About FEops

Privately held FEops, headquartered in Gent, Belgium, is a digital health player offering cloud-based procedure planning solutions in the structural heart space. It's FEops vision that combining digital twins with AI-enabled anatomical analyses generates data-driven insights aspiring to enhance and improve procedure planning and periprocedural guidance.In September 2017, FEops announced that it closed a 6 million euros financing, led by Valiance, and joined by existing investors Capricorn Partners and PMV. In December 2019, FEops has been awarded a grant of Euro 3.2 million from the European Innovation Council (EIC) accelerator programme.

www.feops.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210812005033/en/

Contacts:

Press

Matthieu De Beule, PhD

CEO

Tel: +32 9 292 80 30

Email: matthieu.debeule@feops.com
- Fujifilm, a leader in diagnostic imaging products and medical information solutions, to provide AI-powered chest X-ray software 'CXR-AID' in Japan with PMDA approval

- Developed with core AI technology from Lunit, a partner of Fujifilm since 2018

SEOUL, South Korea, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Fujifilm Corporation, a global medical imaging device provider, today announced its AI-powered product for analyzing chest X-ray 'CXR-AID' will be commercially available across Japan.

CXR-AID is designed to better detect major abnormal findings such as chest nodule, consolidation, and pneumothorax from chest X-ray images. Findings detected by the AI software are shown in color as a heatmap display, with each score included. Through this solution, doctors and medical professionals are able to reduce missed cases and effectively diagnose chest diseases from chest X-ray.

The PMDA approved AI-powered software is developed with the core AI technology of Lunit, the company's solid partner since 2018. The software is provided with Fujifilm's PACS system( SYNAPSE ) and to be distributed across hospitals and medical institutions of Japan for more efficient diagnosis. A leading medical AI company, Lunit provides deep-learning based AI technology called ' Lunit INSIGHT CXR ' that analyzes chest X-rays.

With Lunit AI connected to Fujifilm's PACS system and X-ray devices, the AI products are distributed across its global customers and networks. The company has also invested in Lunit as a strategic investor.

"As a software company, collaborating with global medical device companies like Fujifilm is one of the key strategies for us to achieve successful market expansion," said Brandon Suh, CEO of Lunit. "Fujifilm is one of our very first global partners, where we started our journey together in RSNA 2018. Thanks to this long trusted partnership, we were able to expand worldwide for the past 2.5 years to support medical professionals. Now we are very delighted to be introduced in hospitals and medical institutions of Japan."

"We try to listen to our customers' voice and Lunit's AI software is gaining very positive feedback from the actual users across the world," said Naoya Yamakawa, Senior Manager, IT solutions division of Medical Systems Business Division, Fujifilm Corporation. "For example, one of our customers Salud Digna, known as the largest medical institution of Mexico, uses our AI-embedded PACS to analyze more than 800,000 X-ray images per year. From the initial installation stage, the radiologists showed satisfaction for its accurate detection, and retention rate is growing higher."

Based on this market needs, the two companies are expanding their scope of collaboration. Lunit AI is also applied in Fujifilm's mobile X-ray device ( FDR nano ) and portable X-ray devices ( FDR Xair ), General X-ray device ( FDR Smart X ), and is in use in clinical settings to detect COVID-19 symptoms and tuberculosis in regions where there are a limited number of doctors. The products are installed worldwide including the UK, Thailand, Vietnam, Turkey, Middle East and Africa. Recently, Lunit's AI solution for breast cancer detection, Lunit INSIGHT MMG, has been implemented in NURA , Fujifilm's AI-based healthcare center in India.

"We strongly believe that sooner or later AI will become the new standard of care, and AI will be used everywhere as a must-use product," added Suh. "Not only will it be used as a tool to make the workflow more efficient, but it will ensure better diagnosis and healthier life for patients. We are glad to make this happen with Fujifilm, and will accelerate our expansion with its global network."

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ATLANTA, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Essex Furukawa has been awarded a contract to be the sole supplier of magnet wire for a premium brand of the world's largest automaker, as part of a project that includes 33,000 tons of High Voltage Winding Wire (HVWW), specifically designed for 800V-applications.

The investment will be fulfilled exclusively at the Arolsen (Germany) plant and is an important signal that there is a rapidly approaching, sustainable future in the Automotive segment. The contract will also lead to an expansion for the plant and new machines to aid in production.

"As we look towards the next generation of automobiles it has become increasingly clear that innovations within the EV market will be on the frontline of growth," Klaus Borstner, President of Essex Furukawa Magnet Wire Europe, said. "We believe that HVWW will walk hand in hand with that evolution as automakers create ways for their EV lines to match the performance capability of internal combustion engines."

When it was initially released, HVWW earned first place in the 2017 Magna Innovation Award after it had been proven to enable more durable, efficient and to create the downsizing of electric traction motors allowing them to run at higher voltages and currents. It is unique in the European automotive market, paving the way for further electric vehicle innovation by meeting tight market tolerances with no room for imperfections.

HVWW is coated with extruded engineering plastic for the improved performance of EV and other products, also allowing for high voltages of over 1000V and partial discharge free wire (PDIV).

Borstner adds that there are some simple truths that will lead to more companies investing in the product.

"The reason why HVWW will become the industry standard is that high voltage creates high heat. In the electric vehicle industry, heat resistance, flexibility and repeated stress are ongoing obstacles to magnet wire performance. Our engineers accepted the challenge to perfect every design element for an exceptional product," he said. "We anticipate that this will be the first of many manufacturer investments."

HVWW is highlighted by three key attributes:

Highly Customizable: It is designed to meet specific customer requirements and can be created in a variety of thickness, as well as height and width, to allow for implementation within new and existing motor technology.

Flexibility: HVWW has a highly flexible design that improves the installation process. This also enables new design innovation otherwise not possible with more rigid materials.

Temperature: The extruded outer layer provides excellent heat resistance and reliability. The unique design can run at a constant temperature of 240C without any reduced performance.

The automaker plans to expand its full-electric lineup to 20 models globally by 2025, and it has announced projections that includes 7 million EVs sold on its new platform by 2030.

There is the potential for this project to extend up to the parent group and its expanding line of EV products.

Essex Furukawa is the only magnet wire provider able to completely source, develop, and deliver products to our customers, worldwide. We work with our customers to develop high efficiency, custom solutions with industry exceeding thermal tolerances.

With a focus on strategic acquisitions centering on enamel and wire development, distribution, and a concentration on the automotive sector expansion, Essex Furukawa has positioned itself as the leader in magnet wire product innovation and manufacturing.

About Essex Furukawa

Essex Furukawa Magnet Wire LLC is the leading, global provider of magnet wire that is used by most major OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and industry leaders in the automotive, energy, industrial, and commercial & residential sectors. The Atlanta-based company is a global joint venture formed in 2020 between Essex Magnet Wire and Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd., both leaders in magnet wire product development, and custom solutions. The combined entity, relying on the strengths of both Essex Magnet Wire and Furukawa Electric, draws on more than two centuries of combined experience and knowledge to push forward innovation while also remaining focused on delivering manufacturing excellence and outstanding customer service. www.essexfurukawa.com

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MONTREAL, Aug. 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bombardier Inc. ("Bombardier") today announced that it has successfully closed its previously announced offering of US$750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes due 2028 (the "New Notes"). The New Notes carry a coupon of 6.000% per annum, mature on February 15, 2028 and were sold at 100.000% of par.



Bombardier intends to use the net proceeds of this offering of New Notes, together with cash on hand, for the repayment and/or retirement of outstanding debt, including to redeem all of its outstanding 6.000% Senior Notes due October 2022, of which there is $514 million aggregate principal amount outstanding on the date hereof, and all of its outstanding 6.125% Senior Notes due 2023, of which there is $534 million aggregate principal amount outstanding on the date hereof, for related fees and expenses and for other general corporate purposes.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or buy or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any security and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation, sale or purchase of any securities in any jurisdiction in which such offering, solicitation, sale or purchase would be unlawful.

The New Notes mentioned herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, any state securities laws or the laws of any other jurisdiction, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. The New Notes mentioned herein were offered and sold in the United States only to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers in accordance with Rule 144A under the U.S. Securities Act and outside the United States in reliance on Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act. The New Notes mentioned herein have not been and will not be qualified for distribution to the public under applicable Canadian securities laws and, accordingly, any offer and sale of the securities in Canada was made on a basis which is exempt from the prospectus requirements of such securities laws. The New Notes were offered and sold in Canada on a private placement basis only to "accredited investors" pursuant to certain prospectus exemptions.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements based on current expectations. By their nature, forward-looking statements require us to make assumptions and are subject to important known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause our actual results in future periods to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

For information
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / August 12, 2021 / Sativa Wellness Group Inc. (CSE:SWEL) ("Sativa Wellness" or the "Company") announced today its first quarterly profit for Q2 2021. The company has filed the Financial Statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis for Q2 June 2021 with exceptionally strong results which demonstrates the continued growth.

The Company has exceeded all targets set to meet its ambition of diversifying within the Wellness sector through the rollout of additional COVID testing clinics and as at the date of this announcement, the Company has 57 clinics in operation. The Company is actively looking at different tests to expand the clinic portfolio and opportunities to grow the testing business.

The Company has been pursuing growth opportunities in the CBD arena while continuing to produce quality isolate and distillate in Poland and a range of quality end products through its 'Goodbody' brand in the UK.

The UK Government Chemist team has published a report summarizing the findings of a ring trial to assess laboratories' performance in measuring CBD and controlled cannabinoids. 32 national and international laboratories participated in the ring trial. We are very proud that, based on the average reported scores PhytoVista, the Sativa Wellness Group ISO accredited laboratory, ranked 2nd out of 32 UK and international laboratories.

Q2 2021 Highlights compared to Q2 2020:

Revenue 828% higher Q2 2021 vs comparative quarter 2020. C$6.0m (3.48m) revenue, C$5.3m (3.10m) more than the equivalent period the previous year, making it the highest revenue quarter since inception, the second quarter in succession to exceed the turnover of previous quarters. The half year was up 563% with C$8.3m (4.86m) revenue, C$7.1m (4.12m) more than the equivalent period the previous year. The half year revenue already exceeds any previous full year.

(3.48m) revenue, (3.10m) more than the equivalent period the previous year, making it the highest revenue quarter since inception, the second quarter in succession to exceed the turnover of previous quarters. The half year was up 563% with (4.86m) revenue, (4.12m) more than the equivalent period the previous year. The half year revenue already exceeds any previous full year. Gross profit 804% higher Q2 2021 vs comparative quarter 2020. C$3.3m (1.92m) which is C$2.9m (1.70m) more than the equivalent period the previous year. The gross profit percentage margin at 55.0% was in line with the previous year of 56.5%

(1.92m) which is (1.70m) more than the equivalent period the previous year. The gross profit percentage margin at 55.0% was in line with the previous year of 56.5% First net profit C$79k (46k) compared to C$2.4m (1.43m) loss in the same period the previous year. The resulting half year loss of C$1.5m (874K) compared to C$4.0m (2.35m) the previous year was a 63% improvement.

(46k) compared to (1.43m) loss in the same period the previous year. The resulting half year loss of (874K) compared to (2.35m) the previous year was a 63% improvement. First quarter profit per share, 1.30 pence improvement. 0.02 cents (0.01 pence) profit compared to (2.21) cents (1.29) pence loss in the same period the previous year.

(0.01 pence) profit compared to (1.29) pence loss in the same period the previous year. Phytovista Laboratories Granted ISO Accreditation, the Group UK Laboratory, Phytovista Laboratories was granted accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025:2017, General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories achieved ISO17025.

the Group UK Laboratory, Phytovista Laboratories was granted accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025:2017, General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories achieved ISO17025. Goodbody Botanicals was listed on the UK government website to offer 2- and 8-day quarantine tests for travelers returning to the UK, offering a significant opportunity for the COVID testing clinics.

to offer 2- and 8-day quarantine tests for travelers returning to the UK, offering a significant opportunity for the COVID testing clinics. Two tranches of the Company's non-brokered private placement were issued at a price of C$0.07875 per Unit of 45,888,730 Units for gross proceeds of C$3,613,737.49 and 12,701,557 Units for gross proceeds of C$1,000,247.61.

were issued at a price of C$0.07875 per Unit of 45,888,730 Units for gross proceeds of C$3,613,737.49 and 12,701,557 Units for gross proceeds of C$1,000,247.61. The appointment of a new, highly experienced CEO - Marc Howells - to further support the business expansion program.

of a new, highly experienced CEO - Marc Howells - to further support the business expansion program. The appointment of a new, highly experienced CFO - Anne Tew - to the Board.

of a new, highly experienced CFO - Anne Tew - to the Board. Highlights Subsequent to Q2 2021:

Announced the Group strategy to restructure the business into three strategic business units (SBU's) to drive highly focused activity and development. Each SBU has a clear business head and strategic plan supported by central resources: Goodbody Botanicals (SBU) - CBD. Manufacturing to Consumer range of 'gold-standard' CBD based products. Phytovista (SBU) - ISO Accredited, European Cannabinoid & Hemp testing facility. Goodbody Wellness (SBU) - Clinic Testing Services, Direct to consumer (B2C), and Direct to business services (B2B).

to restructure the business into three strategic business units (SBU's) to drive highly focused activity and development. Each SBU has a clear business head and strategic plan supported by central resources:

Geremy Thomas, Executive Chairman, says; "I am absolutely delighted by the fantastic revenues driven by strong growth following the changes made in Q1. The changes I laid out in my last announcement have started to impact the overall business performance and this profit is the result we have worked very hard to achieve. Cash flow remains strong and positive and the strengthened management team continue to focus on implementing the strategy laid out for the three business units to deliver even more success."

The 2020 Financial Statements and Management Discussion and Analysis, the Q2 2021 Financial Statements and Management Discussion and Analysis and further information regarding the Company can be found under the Company's profile on www.sedar.com.

The directors of the Company accept responsibility for the contents of this announcement.

The Q2 2021 Financial Statements are available under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

The Directors of the Company accept responsibility for the contents of this announcement.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Marc Howells

Chief Executive Officer

Sativa Wellness Group Inc.

+44 (0) 20 7971 1255

enquiries@sativawellnessgroup.com

www.sativawellnessgroup.com

Anne Tew

Chief Financial Officer

Sativa Wellness Group Inc.

+44 (0) 20 7971 1255

enquiries@sativawellnessgroup.com

www.sativawellnessgroup.com

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release contains certain 'forward-looking information' within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and may also contain statements that may constitute 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking information and forward-looking statements are not representative of historical facts or information or current condition, but instead represent only the Company's beliefs regarding future events, plans or objectives, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of Sativa's control. Generally, such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as 'plans', 'expects' or 'does not expect', 'is expected', 'budget', 'scheduled', 'estimates', 'forecasts', 'intends', 'anticipates' or 'does not anticipate', or 'believes' 'plan is' or variations of such words and phrases or may contain statements that certain actions, events or results 'may', 'could', 'would', 'might' or 'will be taken', 'will continue', 'will occur', 'will be achieved' or 'shortly'. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to information concerning the Financials Statements and plans to build on the financial strategy.

Although Sativa believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing, and the expectations contained in, the forward-looking information and statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and statements, and no assurance or guarantee can be given that such forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information and statements. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this press release, and Sativa does not undertake to update any forward-looking information and/or forward-looking statements that are contained or referenced herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

SOURCE: Sativa Wellness Group Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/659385/Sativa-Wellness-Group-Announces-First-Quarterly-Profit-in-Filing-Q2-2021-Half-Year-Financial-Statements
NASHVILLE, TN / ACCESSWIRE / August 12, 2021 / Insight Optix, a legal technology company, is proud to announce national certification as a Women's Business Enterprise by the WBEC South, a regional certifying partner of the Women's Business Enterprise Council (WBENC).

"We are honored to join this prestigious network of women-owned businesses and celebrate this milestone," said Mandi Ross, CEO and Managing Director of Insight Optix. "WBENC has played a vital role in breaking down barriers and encouraging women to pursue the dream of owning their own business. For Insight Optix, exposure to WBENC's corporate members is an important piece of our growth plan and will help us secure new business with companies committed to diversity."

As one of the few women-owned businesses in the legal technology industry, Insight Optix is the proud inventor of its patented Evidence Optix technology. A discovery scoping, data source tracking, and proportionality assessment tool, Evidence Optix is changing the landscape of eDiscovery and helping corporations achieve the reduction in costs and risk that they have been seeking for the past decade.

The WBENC standard of certification implemented by the WBEC South is a meticulous process that includes an in-depth review of the business. The certification process is designed to confirm the business is at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled by a woman or women.

By including women-owned businesses among their suppliers, corporations and government agencies demonstrate their commitment to fostering diversity and the continued development of their supplier diversity programs.

About Insight Optix

Insight Optix is a legal technology company with the first and only solution in the market that addresses the root cause of excessive eDiscovery. Evidence Optix's patented workflow empowers early discovery scoping, budget projections, proportionality analysis, and data source tracking throughout the litigation lifecycle. This revolutionary tool disrupts the traditional and expensive eDiscovery process through a simple, yet powerful, SaaS-based solution that commences in the gap between legal hold and collection - where early decisions significantly impact cost and burden downstream.

You can learn more about Evidence Optix by visiting insightoptix.com or connecting with us on LinkedIn. To speak with a representative, please contact us at info@insightoptix.com.

About WBENC

Founded in 1997, WBENC is the nation's leader in women's business development and the leading third-party certifier of businesses owned and operated by women, with more than 17,000 certified Women's Business Enterprises, 14 national Regional Partner Organizations, and more than 350 Corporate Members. More than 1,000 corporations representing America's most prestigious brands as well as many states, cities, and other entities accept WBENC Certification. For more information, visit www.wbenc.org.

CONTACT:

Linda Kish, CMO

(512) 202-7372

lkish@insightoptix.com

SOURCE: Insight Optix

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/659386/Insight-Optix-Certified-by-The-Womens-Business-Enterprise-National-Council-WBENC
Rapid urbanization, growth in construction sector, and rise in spending on home remodeling and retrofitting activities drive the global rainscreen cladding market

PORTLAND, Ore., Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research recently published a report, titled, "Rainscreen Cladding Market by Material (Composite Material, Metal, Fiber Cement, Ceramic, and Others), Application (Residential, Commercial, and Industrial), and Construction (New Construction and Renovation): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2030". As per the report, the global rainscreen cladding market was pegged at $113.31 billion in 2020, and is estimated to reach $206.63 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 6.0% from 2021 to 2030.

Key determinants of the market-

Rapid urbanization, growth in the construction sector, and rise in spending on home remodeling and retrofitting activities drive the global rainscreen cladding market. In addition, increase in adoption of IoT-enabled connected devices fuels the market growth even more. On the other hand, unreliability in harsh weather conditions and fluctuation in raw material prices hamper the market growth. Nevertheless, rise in construction of green buildings projected to unlock new opportunities for the market in the coming years.

Download Sample PDF (148 Pages with More Insight): https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/8224

Covid-19 scenario:

The COVID 19 outbreak affected the growth of the global rainscreen cladding industry due to several lockdown measures.

Suspended manufacturing and production and the disrupted supply chain management of rainscreen cladding panels further impacted the market. In addition, declined demand from industrial, residential, and commercial spaces impacted the sales negatively.

Nevertheless, the government bodies all across the region are supporting the industry to recoup by relaxing regulations as well as initiating vaccinations drives.

Composite material segment to dominate the market throughout the forecast period-

Based on material, the composite material segment dominated the market with the largest share in 2020, holding more than two-fifths of the market. This is owing to the benefits associated with composite materials such as long durability, chemical resistance, corrosion resistance, design flexibility, and high performance at elevated temperatures. Conversely, the ceramic segment is expected to exhibit the highest CAGR of 6.9% during the forecast period. The fact that ceramic rainscreen cladding has higher absorption rate and a special coated layer with a glaze, which seals and protect it from rainwater, and avoid moisture control drives the growth of the segment.

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Commercial segment lead the trail throughout the forecast period-

Based on application, the commercial segment held the highest market revenue in 2020, accounting for ore than two-thirds of the market. Increase in commercial construction activities is the major factor propels the growth of the segment. On the other hand, the residential segment is anticipated to cite the highest CAGR of 6.9% during the forecast period. The economic growth and high urbanization in developing countries augment the growth of the segment.

Europe to lead the trail, North America to grow at a significant pace-

Based on region, the global rainscreen cladding market across Europe accounted for the largest share in 2020, holding more than one-third of the market. However, the market across Asia-Pacific region is estimated to portray the highest CAGR of 6.8% from 2021 to 2030. This is due to urbanization and economic development in the emerging countries such as Japan, China, the U.S, and others. Moreover, the market across North America is expected to grow significantly.

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Key Market players-

Rockwool International A/S

Kingspan Group

Sika AG

SFS Group AG

CGL Systems Ltd

Trespa International B.V.

Valcan

Sotech Optima ALL

The Clarison Group Ltd (Alucraft Ltd)

Euro Panels Overseas N.V.

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Allocates 89,800 acres of forested land in Maine for carbon sequestration and storage helping progress Manulife's climate action plan

BOSTON, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Hancock Natural Resource Group, a Manulife Investment Management company, today announced the acquisition of 89,800 acres of timberland in the U.S. state of Maine. The impact-first investment was made on behalf of John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A), and its parent, Manulife (collectively "Manulife"). The acquisition is an opportunity for Manulife to integrate natural climate solutions into its investment decisions and work towards its climate action plan.

This investment is classified as impact-first with the core of the investment thesis centered on the timberlands being used primarily to store carbon. Manulife reserves the option to sell the carbon credits as offsets or use the carbon removals as insets for the purpose of meeting the firm's net zero commitments .

"We are well-positioned to seek positive climate impact and to invest in assets to create carbon sequestration and other conservation opportunities derived from forests for the benefit of our clients," said Tom Sarno, global head of timberland investments, Manulife Investment Management. "We believe impact-first investments can meet the needs of those who are interested in offsetting carbon emissions and who may value other positive environmental or social impacts as well as generating financial returns."

"We are pleased to have the opportunity to acquire a significant impact-first asset which continues the execution of our climate action plan we shared in May when we committed to accelerate the development of investment strategies for those interested in natural climate solutions that capture even more carbon per dollar invested," said Sarah Chapman, global chief sustainability officer, Manulife. "We're proud to share that Manulife is net zero in our operations due to the carbon removals from our substantial owned and operated forests and farmland outweighing emissions. We are confident this asset will continue to meet the objectives of carbon sequestration and positive climate impact for our portfolio."

Manulife Investment Management's global timberland and agriculture portfolios have removed an average of 2.24 million metric tons of CO2 from the atmosphere annually over the past 5 years.

"The amount of carbon a forest can store is directly proportional to the volume of timber in that forest," added Brian Kernohan, chief sustainability officer, Private Markets, Manulife Investment Management. "Advanced light detection and ranging technology for timber volumes in our forests now allow us to measure forest carbon sequestration with improved accuracy - providing investors with even more quantifiable data for carbon storage. We are committed to the proactive management and stewardship of these timberlands to help meet both return and sustainability objectives."

The acquired property is a contiguous block of timberlands located in Somerset County, Maine along the border of the province of Quebec, Canada with a diverse mix of naturally regenerated spruce-fir and northern hardwood tree species. It has been named "Blueback" for the highly sought-after subspecies of Arctic char native to the lakes there. A portion of the lands will also be used for sustainable stewardship practices as a working forest. Additionally, the lands are subject to a working forest conservation easement and offer unique recreation opportunities given the scenic lakes, rivers, and ecological features of the region.

About Manulife Investment Management

Manulife Investment Management is the global wealth and asset management segment of Manulife Financial Corporation. We draw on more than a century of financial stewardship and the full resources of our parent company to serve individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. Headquartered in Toronto, our leading capabilities in public and private markets are strengthened by an investment footprint that spans 18 geographies. We complement these capabilities by providing access to a network of unaffiliated asset managers from around the world. We're committed to investing responsibly across our businesses. We develop innovative global frameworks for sustainable investing, collaboratively engage with companies in our securities portfolios, and maintain a high standard of stewardship where we own and operate assets, and we believe in supporting financial well-being through our workplace retirement plans. Today, plan sponsors around the world rely on our retirement plan administration and investment expertise to help their employees plan for, save for, and live a better retirement.

As of June 30, 2021, Manulife Investment Management's assets under management and administration, including assets managed for Manulife's other segments, totaled CAD $1.0 trillion (US $834 billion). Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulifeim.com.

Media contacts: Asia, Carl Wong, Carl_KK_Wong@ManulifeAM.com; Canada, Odette Coleman, odette_coleman@manulife.com; U.S. and Europe, Elizabeth Bartlett, Elizabeth_Bartlett@Manulife.com
- In order to widen the application base, manufacturers in the montan wax market are focused on making manufacturing process cost effective

- Montan wax is commonly utilized in fruit coatings, furniture coatings, and automobile coatings. It is also widely used to polish automobiles, leather, furniture, and floors.

ALBANY, N.Y., Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Montan wax is used in a broad range of sectors, including electrical, mechanical, chemicals, cosmetics, wax polish, etc. Countries attempting to capitalize on the economic potential of montan wax are reliant on the sophisticated extraction technology. A pre-treatment of raw materials is required, since the resin content must be varied in order to meet the desired criteria of end-use industries. In order to expand its application base, manufacturers in the global montan wax market are focused on making the manufacturing process cost efficient. The demand for high-quality synthetic wax is increasing, which is driving up industry investments in this market.

The global montan wax was worth US$ 118 Mn in 2017 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of over 4.19% CAGR during the forecast period from 2018 to 2026. The market is expected to reach the valuation of US$ 172 Mn by 2026.

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Key Findings of Market Report

Increase in Use of Montan Wax in Polishing Applications to Drive Global Market

The montan wax market is expected to grow during the forecast period, due to rise in the utilization of montan wax in coatings. There has been a steady increase in the demand foruse of montan wax in the form of a coating agent, since it consistently offers exceptional benefits and performance. It is frequently employed as a coating agent in fruit coatings, furniture coatings, and automobile coatings, among other applications. As this wax is utilized as a lubricant in many machineries as well as plastic processes, particularly for engineering plastics, the lubricants category accounts for a substantial proportion of the global montan wax market.

Similar Characteristics Make Montan Wax Excellent Substitute to Carnauba Wax

Montan wax is utilized to polish a variety of surfaces, including automobiles, leather, furniture, and floors. Wax products might be made as solid dispersants, gel-like wax, watersolvent-based liquid or water-based mainly according to the requirement of applications. Montan wax is similar to carnauba wax in its characteristics. Montan wax can be used in place of Carnauba wax in places where color is not of utmost importance. Carnauba wax is lighter in color, whereas montan wax is much darker.

Europe to Remain Key Market for Montan Wax

Most of the crude montan wax is sourced from Europe and North America, which collectively account for a large share of the market. Increase in the usage of montan wax in developed countries such as Russia, Germany, and the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) is expected to strengthen the montan wax market in Europe. Moreover, due to China's abundant supply of montan wax ores, the market is expected to grow at a steady pace in the near future. As the largest producer and user of montan wax, China is likely to remain a dominant country in the market.

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Montan Wax Market: Growth Drivers

Fruit wax demand is increasing, which is raising the demand for montan wax. Montan wax is in high demand since it is used to in edible coatings and film fruits. Vegetables and fruit benefit from a wax coating because it extends their shelf life and improves their quality.

Producers in major regions are putting green extraction technologies to test to remove the maximum amount of wax content possible. Solid-liquid extraction is one instance of such a technique.

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Montan Wax Market: Key Competitors

Some of the key market players are

MUNZING Corporation

Frank B. Ross Co., Inc.

Mayur Dyes & Chemicals Corporation

ROMONTA GmbH

Volpker Special Products GmbH

Carmel Industries

Montan Wax Market: Segmentation

Function

Emulsions

Lubricants

Thickening Agents

Release Agents

Coating Agents

Nucleating Agents

Dispersants

Industry

Cosmetics

Pharmaceuticals

Rubbers

Plastics

Electricals

Wax Polishes

Machinery

Agriculture and Forestry

Leather and Textiles

Chemical & Materials Industry battles Tangible Impact of Economic and Cultural changes, Explore Transparency Market Research's award-winning coverage of the global Chemicals & Materials Industry:

Polyethylene Wax Market - In terms of value, the global polyethylene wax market was stood around US$ 300 Mn in 2018 and is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of more than to 3.0% from 2019 to 2027. In terms of application, plastic additives & lubricants segment held a major share of the market in 2018 owing to the wide application of plastics in various end-use industries where plastic additives such as plasticizers, flame retardants, antioxidants are widely used in making plastics for various application.



Slack Wax Market - In terms of value, the global slack wax market is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of ~2% from 2019 to 2027. Slack wax is a petroleum product that is used as a key raw material in the production of paraffin wax. Slack wax is derived from lubricating oils, which possess high oil content. The oil content in slack wax ranges from 5.0% to 35%. In terms of grade, the light segment accounted for a major share of the slack wax market in 2018. Slack wax is primarily used in the production of paraffin wax. Paraffin wax is expected to remain the dominant application segment in the slack wax market during the forecast period. Rise in the demand for paraffin wax in various applications such as candle making, anti-caking agents for fertilizers, and wood impregnation products is a key factor that drives the slack wax market.



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Funds will support $900,000 project to demonstrate the operation of Hydrogen Optimized's RuggedCell water electrolysers with intermittent solar, wind and electrical grid connections

OWEN SOUND, ON / ACCESSWIRE / August 12, 2021 / Hydrogen Optimized today announced that it will receive $300,000 in funding from NGIF Industry Grants, a division of NGIF Capital Corporation, to optimize the operation of its unique RuggedCell water electrolysers using an unstable electrical supply. The funding will be applied to a $900,000 project to demonstrate the company's large-scale Green Hydrogen production technology under solar panel, simulated wind turbine and intermittent electrical grid conditions.

"We thank NGIF Industry Grants for providing funding support for the advancement of our innovative RuggedCell water electrolysis technology," said Andrew T.B. Stuart, President and CEO of Hydrogen Optimized. "The funding will help us obtain critical data on the performance of RuggedCell electrolysers in conjunction with unstable renewable electricity sources and, ultimately, to achieve our goal of driving down the cost of producing Green Hydrogen at scale. It will also help us support the work of Canada's natural gas industry to reduce the carbon emissions intensity of natural gas."

Green Hydrogen produced from renewable energy can be blended with natural gas for industrial and residential applications. In addition, Green Hydrogen when reacted with CO2 can produce Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) through the methanation process.

"Next-generation hydrogen technologies including Hydrogen Optimized's high-current water electrolyser can enable the production of hydrogen that can be blended with natural gas and ultimately lower its emissions profile," said John Adams, President and CEO of NGIF Capital Corporation and Managing Partner of NGIF Cleantech Ventures. "The NGIF model offers industry validation which is key to customer creation and market commercialization for startups who are leading in the emerging hydrogen industry."

Hydrogen Optimized's RuggedCell water electrolysers have a unique unipolar design which overcomes the historic difficulties of bipolar electrolysers in effectively using all the available energy from intermittent electricity sources. This, in turn, makes the RuggedCell an ideal solution for industrial end users to significantly reduce emissions from their processes using Green Hydrogen.

Hydrogen Optimized's Green Hydrogen production systems are targeted to major industrial, chemical, utility and energy end users. According to a 2020 Goldman Sachs report, the Green Hydrogen market in Europe alone could reach US$12 trillion by 2050*.

"I am pleased to see NGIF Industry Grants supporting Hydrogen Optimized's work in advancing green hydrogen production," said Timothy M. Egan, President and CEO of the Canadian Gas Association and Chair of NGIF Capital Corporation, which operates NGIF Industry Grants. "The versatility of natural gas and its energy infrastructure help explain how the natural gas industry is ideally suited to lead on efforts to integrate hydrogen and intermittent renewable electricity sources in the energy system. It is exciting to see innovative Canadian startups leveraging the affordability and reliability of natural gas in order to advance the industry's environmental performance and support Canadians' daily energy needs into the future."

About Hydrogen Optimized

Hydrogen Optimized is a private hydrogen technology company that develops and commercializes large-scale Green Hydrogen production systems. It is part of Key DH Technologies Inc., a group of innovation-driven businesses in the deuterium and hydrogen industries. As a sustainable energy conversion company, Hydrogen Optimized enables the conversion of green electricity into Green Hydrogen and the transformation of heavy fossil fuel-use industries into sustainability leaders. We seek to be the first water electrolysis company to supply an aggregate of 10 GW of hydrogen production equipment. For more information on Hydrogen Optimized, please visit www.hydrogenoptimized.com

About NGIF Industry Grants

Natural Gas Innovation Fund (NGIF) Industry Grants is a first-of-kind, industry-led grant organization created by the Canadian Gas Association to fund early-stage startups developing solutions to environmental and other challenges facing Canada's natural gas sector. NGIF Industry Grants develops, demonstrates and de-risks these technology solutions through field trials and pilot projects to drive innovation and support environmental goals in Canada. NGIF Industry Grants' investment focus is on existing natural gas production, transmission, distribution, storage, and end-use applications, as well as projects that will lead to the expanded production of emerging gaseous fuels like renewable natural gas and hydrogen. The organization has built a portfolio of startups, trusted partnerships with government for co-funding opportunities, and a robust technical evaluation investment model. NGIF Industry Grants is operated by NGIF Capital Corporation.

Hydrogen Optimized Media Contact: Don Hogarth

Director of Communications

416-565-8920

Don.Hogarth@hydrogenoptimized.com

NGIF Media Contact: Sarah Robinson

Manager, Communications

NGIF Capital Corporation

613-282-1126

srobinson@cga.ca

* Goldman Sachs https://www.goldmansachs.com/insights/pages/gs-research/green-hydrogen/report.pdf

SOURCE: Hydrogen Optimized

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/659141/Hydrogen-Optimized-Awarded-300000-NGIF-Grant-to-Advance-Large-Scale-Green-Hydrogen-Technology
Thunder Bay Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 12, 2021) - Metals Creek Resources Corp. (TSXV: MEK) (OTCQB: MCREF) (FSE: M1C1) (the "Company" or Metals Creek), is pleased to announce the Company has commenced exploration activities at the Ogden Gold Project in Timmins, Ontario. The Ogden Gold Project is a 50/50 Joint Venture with Newmont Corporation ("Newmont"), with the Company serving as the operator.

Diamond Drilling is expected to commence as soon as a drill rig becomes available. The Thomas Ogden Zone will be the main focus of the upcoming drill program with emphasis on further defining the orientation of high-grade cross cutting veins and mineralization as well as determining the special association of high-grade mineralization associated with cross-cutting structures as seen down plunge along the Thomas Ogden fold structure. Core orientation will be utilized.

Ground geophysics consisting of Deep Section Induced Polarization (IP) will take place over Naybob South, Thomas Ogden (TOG) and Thomas Ogden West (TOGW) to help further define the down plunge orientation of the fold axis and mineralization at depth of both TOG and TOGW as well as further defining the plunge direction of known sulfide mineralization within Naybob South below existing drill data. Commencement of this program is expected to take place the latter portion of September.

A crew has been mobilized to Timmins and Spatiotemporal Geochemical Hydrocarbon (SGH) sampling has been initiated for the remaining portion of the property based on the success of the initial SGH program (See Metals Creek News released dated 22 Feb 2021). This SGH sampling program (Phase 2) will continue to fill in gaps between TOG and South Zone, as well additional sampling to both the eastern and western boundaries. SGH can greatly expedite the target generation process, potentially resulting in substantial cost savings when evaluating and ultimately delineating these potential targets with the extensive overburden coverage on the property.

Alexander (Sandy) Stares states, "The Metals Creek team is excited to restart exploration at the Ogden Gold Project. With funding recently secured from Crescat Capital, we have the required capital to kick start exploration in the Timmins Camp. This should prove to be an exciting summer/fall for Metals Creek shareholders as we will be active at both Dona Lake and Ogden".

About the Ogden Gold Project

Work on the property by Metals Creek since 2009 has consisted of ground geophysical surveys which include magnetics and induced polarization (IP), down-hole IP, as well as 137 diamond drill holes totaling 35,830 meters.

The Ogden Gold Project covers 8 kilometers of the Porcupine Destor Fault, which is the key conduit for gold mineralization in the Timmins Gold camp. (See figure 1 Timmins Gold Camp) There are five known gold zones on the property, with TOG and Naybob South seeing the majority of the work. (See Figure 2, Known Gold Zones). Drilling in 2012 and 2013 on TOG greatly enhanced the company's understanding of the geological and structural complexity within TOG and their control on gold mineralization. The gold mineralization is associated with alteration zones within porphyry dikes and Timiskaming sediments. The alteration consists of strong albitization and silicification, with varying amounts of pyrite, arsenopyrite mineralization and commonly with associated visible gold. Significant folding is present with enhanced gold grades along the fold hinges. These fold hinges have a gentle plunge to the east. Select results from these drill programs include:

6.08 grams per ton (g/t) gold (Au) over 21.85 meters (m) including 11.76g/t Au over 9.00m (TOG-12-03)

9.46g/t Au over 18.55m and 6.17g/t Au over 6.62m (TOG-12-07)

2732.64g/t Au over 0.93m which is a part of a broader zone of mineralization of 210.19g/t Au over 12.53m. (TOG-13-25). (See figure 2 TOG 12-25 210 g/t Au over 12.5 meters).

Upon performing a re-interpretation of the ground geophysical data in conjunction with applying known structural trends known for hosting gold mineralization in the Timmins Gold Camp, a new discovery (TOG West), 1 kilometer west of TOG resulted in an intercept of 5.20g/t Au over 2.90m. More importantly, this intercept resulted in the identification of a second fold structure parallel to that of TOG.

The Naybob South Zone is described as a zone of intensely albitized mafic/ultramafics with abundant pyrite and arsenopyrite. Drill intercepts for South Zone include;

9.24g/t Au over 6.61m (OG09-012) and

6.21g/t Au over 6.63m (OG11-002) with both being within 100m of surface.

Newmont's Dome mill is located approximately 8 km east of the property.

All above mentioned drill intercepts are within 150m of surface.

Michael MacIsaac, P. Geo and VP Exploration for the Company and a qualified person as defined in National Instrument 43-101, is responsible for this release, and supervised the preparation of the information forming the basis for this release.

About Metals Creek Resources Corp.

Metals Creek Resources Corp. is a junior exploration company incorporated under the laws of the Province of Ontario, is a reporting issuer in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario, and has its common shares listed for trading on the Exchange under the symbol "MEK". Metals Creek has earned a 50% interest in the Ogden Gold Property from Newmont, including the past producing Naybob Gold mine, located 6 km south of Timmins, Ontario and has an 8 km strike length of the prolific Porcupine-Destor Fault (P-DF). In addition, Metals Creek has signed an agreement with Newmont, under which Metals Creek can earn a 100% interest in the past producing Dona Lake Gold Project in the Pickle Lake Mining District of Ontario.

Metals Creek also has multiple quality projects available for option in Ontario and Newfoundland which can be viewed on the Company's website. Parties interested in seeking more information about properties available for option can contact the Company at the number below.

Additional information concerning the Company is contained in documents filed by the Company with securities regulators, available under its profile at www.sedar.com.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Alexander (Sandy) Stares, President and CEO

Metals Creek Resources Corp

telephone: (709)-256-6060

fax: (709)-256-6061

email: astares@metalscreek.com

www.MetalsCreek.com

Twitter.com/MetalsCreekRes

Facebook.com/MetalsCreek

Figure 1 - Timmins Gold camp

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/943/92928_8bdf69aaf4cdcbb5_002full.jpg





Figure 2 - TOG 12-25 210 g/t Au over 12.5 meters

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/943/92928_8bdf69aaf4cdcbb5_003full.jpg

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/92928
Checkpoint Surgical, Inc. has announced an expansion of their intraoperative nerve care product line with the introduction of the NeuroShield Chitosan Nerve Wrap. The NeuroShield Wrap marks Checkpoint's first product in a planned line of chitosan-based biological implants to support nerve healing. This addition complements Checkpoint Surgical's existing product portfolio, including the company's flagship Checkpoint Nerve Stimulator/Locator, the leading nerve stimulation device for intraoperative nerve protection and repair.

"With the addition of NeuroShield, Checkpoint takes a significant step toward a more comprehensive intraoperative nerve care solution," said Len Cosentino, CEO of Checkpoint Surgical. "Adding a second innovative product platform to our unique nerve stimulation platform fits squarely in our nerve care mission and helps us realize our vision to be the leading research and technology resource for peripheral nerve care surgeons."

NeuroShield is the first commercial nerve wrap made from chitosan, a non-protein, resorbable, material that has been used successfully for more than 20 years in a variety of medical applications worldwide. NeuroShield's chitosan hydrogel structure supports and protects the underlying nerve structure during soft tissue healing. Over time, the chitosan membrane naturally resorbs and degrades into compounds that may be beneficial for nerve regeneration.

NeuroShield offers several additional advantages for surgeons. Notably, the transparent material is designed to offer better visualization of the surgical site compared to semi-opaque and opaque collagen-based wraps. The chitosan hydrogel conforms to tissue and is easy to suture yet resists suture pull-out.

NeuroShield was recently recognized as the 2021 Nerve Wrap Innovation of the Year by Global Health Pharma's annual Healthcare Pharmaceutical Awards.

Acquisition of Monarch BioImplants GmbH

Checkpoint Surgical acquired NeuroShield from Monarch BioImplants GmbH, a Swiss company ("Monarch"), in March 2021, along with substantially all the company's assets. In connection with the acquisition, Monarch's founders, Dr. Thomas Freier and Dr. Rivelino Montenegro, have joined the Checkpoint team.

"We are pleased to welcome Dr. Freier and Dr. Montenegro, two of the world's foremost experts on chitosan technology, to our team," added Mr. Cosentino. "With their expertise in chitosan technology, Checkpoint can offer another unique, clinically valuable technology to help nerve care surgeons deliver the quality of life outcomes they seek for their patients."

"With its deep expertise in peripheral nerve repair, strong nerve surgeon customer base, and specialized sales force, we found Checkpoint Surgical to be the ideal partner to help us realize our vision for chitosan in nerve repair," said Monarch CEO Dr. Montenegro.

About Checkpoint Surgical

Checkpoint Surgical is a privately held medical device company based in Cleveland, Ohio. The company works alongside surgeons to advance the science and practice of peripheral nerve care through research, education and innovative product development. Checkpoint Surgical's state of the art nerve stimulation devices inform intraoperative decision making to help surgeons safely and effectively protect, assess and repair motor nerves during surgery. For more information about Checkpoint Surgical, visit www.checkpointsurgical.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210812005068/en/

Contacts:

Jan Weaver

jweaver@checkpointsurgical.com
Laboratorios Richmond has delivered 995,125 doses of the first component of Sputnik V to the Ministry of Health of Argentina. The Company has also supplied 152,500 doses of the second component of the vaccine out of 3 million doses to be produced and supplied in August.

MOSCOW, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF, Russia's sovereign wealth fund) and Argentina's Laboratorios Richmond SACIF pharmaceutical company today announced the first batch of over 1 million doses of the Sputnik V vaccine produced in the country has been delivered to the Ministry of Health.

In total, Laboratorios Richmond delivered 995,125 doses of the first component and 152,500 doses of the second component of the Sputnik V vaccine produced at Company's facilities. This is the first delivery of the second component of Sputnik V out of 3 million doses to be produced and supplied by Laboratorios Richmond in August.

The vaccine supplied will become part of the Strategic Vaccination Plan of the Ministry of Health. Locally produced Sputnik V was supervised and verified by the National Administration of Drugs, Foods and Medical Devices of Argentina (ANMAT) and complies with all quality requirements.

Argentina was the first country in Latin America both to authorize Sputnik V and to start its production. The vaccine was registered in the country under the emergency use authorization procedure and vaccination against coronavirus with the Russian vaccine started on 29 December 2020. RDIF and partners facilitated the technology transfer to Laboratorios Richmond for the local production of the vaccine with the first batch manufactured in April 2021.

To date, the Sputnik V vaccine has been registered in 69 countries globally with a total population of over 3.7 bn people. The data obtained by regulators of a number of countries during the vaccination of the population, including in Argentina, Serbia, Bahrain, Hungary, Mexico, San Marino, UAE and others, demonstrates that Sputnik V is one of the safest and most effective vaccines against coronavirus. In particular, Sputnik V demonstrates higher efficacy against the Delta variant of coronavirus than many other vaccines. The vaccine is 83.1% effective and shows 6x reduction of infection risk. Sputnik V is also 94.4% effective against hospitalisations with 18x reduction in hospitalisation risk.

In addition to technology transfer for production of Sputnik V in Argentina, RDIF is also a partner of studies on combination of the first component of Sputnik V (Sputnik Light vaccine based on human adenovirus serotype 26) with other vaccines approved in the country.

The heterogeneous boosting approach ("vaccine cocktail" using human adenovirus serotype 26 as the first component and human adenovirus serotype 5 as the second component) was at the core of Sputnik V, the world's first registered vaccine against coronavirus. With this approach proving successful in creating a longer and more durable immunity against the coronavirus, RDIF took the lead in November 2020 in initiating partnerships with other vaccine producers to conduct joint studies of a combination of the first component of Sputnik V with foreign vaccines.

Initial safety results of the randomized, single-blind study for the evaluation of the immune response and safety of heterogeneous regimens combining Sputnik Light and vaccines produced by AstraZeneca, Sinopharm and Moderna in the Buenos Aires province confirm a high safety profile of combinations with no serious adverse events related to vaccination.

Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, said:

"The second component of Sputnik V produced by Laboratorios Richmond in Argentina is delivered just as announced in the beginning of August. Cooperation between RDIF and Laboratorios Richmond support the national vaccination program in Argentina through supplying one of the best COVID vaccines in the world. More batches of the locally produced second component will follow in coming weeks.

"Russia and Argentina have established a comprehensive partnership in the fight against coronavirus including local production and supplies of Sputnik V, as well as conducting studies on combination of Sputnik Light with other vaccines. This demonstrates a perfect example of joining forces in a number of key areas to protect people of Argentina and help the country return to normal life soon."

Sputnik V has a number of key advantages:

Efficacy of Sputnik V is 97.6% based on the analysis of data on the coronavirus infection rate among those in Russia vaccinated with both components of Sputnik V from December 5, 2020 to March 31, 2021 ;

The Sputnik V vaccine is based on a proven and well-studied platform of human adenoviral vectors, which cause the common cold and have been around for thousands of years.

Sputnik V has pioneered the use of heterogeneous boosting (two different vectors for the two shots in a course of vaccination among COVID vaccines). This approach provides for immunity with a longer duration than vaccines using the same delivery mechanism for both shots.

The safety, efficacy and lack of negative long-term effects of adenoviral vaccines have been proven by more than 250 clinical studies over two decades.

There are no strong allergies caused by Sputnik V.

Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) is Russia's sovereign wealth fund established in 2011 to make equity co-investments, primarily in Russia, alongside reputable international financial and strategic investors. RDIF acts as a catalyst for direct investment in the Russian economy. RDIF's management company is based in Moscow. Currently, RDIF has experience of the successful joint implementation of more than 80 projects with foreign partners totaling RUB 2.1 tn and covering 95% of the regions of the Russian Federation. RDIF portfolio companies employ more than 1 mn people and generate revenues which equate to more than 6% of Russia's GDP. RDIF has established joint strategic partnerships with leading international co-investors from more than 18 countries that total more than $40 bn. Further information can be found at rdif.ru.

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1140939/Russian_Direct_Investment_Fund_Logo.jpg
Japan's second-largest city to welcome IEEE ICRA 2024

Yokohama has been chosen to host the 2024 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (IEEE ICRA 2024). Organized by the IEEE Robotics Automation Society, the renowned event will return to Japan for the first time since 2009.

Yokohama Convention Visitors Bureau (YCVB), PACIFICO Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, City of Yokohama, Japan Tourism Agency, and Japan National Tourism Organization attracted the conference, whose economic spillover is expected to be approximately JPY 1bn (USD 9.2m)*.

Japan's high standard of research and Yokohama's safety and convenience were among the deciding factors. An Innovation City**, Yokohama will facilitate exchange between researchers and Yokohama-based businesses and academia at IEEE ICRA 2024.

Professor Zhidong Wang of Chiba Institute of Technology said: "We are looking forward to collaborations that will generate innovative programs and inspiring networking."

Hiroko Kano of YCVB said: "Yokohama is a relaxing port city. Less congested than other cities, we are able to secure social distancing for delegates."

Makoto Batori of PACIFICO Yokohama said: "We are confident we can provide a safe environment and the right technical support."

IEEE ICRA 2024 will be a hybrid conference with 25,000 participants (5,000 in-person including 4,000 from overseas) and 20,000 online, drawing on Yokohama's expertise in holding hybrid conferences since 2020.

Notes

The IEEE Robotics Automation Society supports the exchange of scientific and technological knowledge in robotics and automation. IEEE ICRA 2024 will be held May 13-17, 2024 at PACIFICO Yokohama. Its format transitioned from in-person in 2019 (Montreal, Canada) to online in 2020 (Paris, France) to hybrid in 2021 (Xi-an, China). https://www.ieee-ras.org/conferences-workshops/fully-sponsored/icra

Based on a MICE measurement developed by Japan Tourism Agency

** https://businessyokohama.com/blog/innovation-city-yokohama-declaration/

About Yokohama Convention Visitors Bureau:

The role of the Yokohama Convention Visitors Bureau (YCVB) is to make use of the wealth of resources at the disposal of the City of Yokohama and the wider Kanagawa Prefecture, and promote the region as an ideal destination for both tourists and international conventions. In doing so, the YCVB aims to reinvigorate the City of Yokohama and its surrounding areas, while driving its globalization.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DISCOVERYOKOHAMA.JAPAN

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yokohama_visitors_guide/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3s7Mt89lyvTZVl1x5_Mr_g

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210812005268/en/

Contacts:

Hiroko Kano,

Yokohama Convention Visitors Bureau

Phone:+81-45-221-2111 E-mail: mice@ycvb.or.jp
Collaboration Provides Grants for the Sustainability and Climate Risk (SCR) Certificate

The Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP) announced today that its Sustainability and Climate Risk (SCR) Certificate is eligible for government funding in Ireland through Sustainable Finance Skillnet as part of a commitment to promote the benefits of climate risk education in Ireland.

Employees of Irish-based financial services companies that financially support climate risk training are eligible for matched funding from Sustainable Finance Skillnet for up to 60% of the cost associated with earning GARP's Sustainability and Climate Risk (SCR) Certificate. The grant is limited to the first 30 applicants.

The SCR is the preeminent certificate in climate risk management, with more than 3,000 professionals from 58 countries registered for the program since its introduction in 2020. With a comprehensive curriculum developed by leading industry practitioners from top global organizations, the SCR equips candidates with the knowledge necessary to advance change and lead the implementation of sustainability and climate initiatives within their firms.

Sustainable Finance Skillnet is Ireland's leading national platform for the advancement of the sustainable finance agenda at home and abroad. It aims to upskill Ireland's financial services workforce, in line with the Government of Ireland's sustainable finance agenda. Other program offerings include the Climate Finance Week. It is part of the Skillnet Ireland learning network.

"Support of the SCR Certificate through Sustainable Finance Skillnet helps us deliver on our goal of building awareness around the importance of sustainability and climate risk knowledge," said William May, global head of certifications and educational programs at GARP. "At a time when many firms still lack a formal approach to assessing, measuring, and reporting climate risk, we believe this educational funding program is another step forward in preparing an upskilled workforce for the future."

Registration for the October 2021 SCR Exam cycle ends September 30. Early registration for the May 2022 SCR Exam opens December 1.

To register for the SCR Certificate and schedule an Exam, visit GARP's website. To learn more about SCR funding and eligibility requirements email skills@sustainablefinance.ie.

About the Global Association of Risk Professionals

The Global Association of Risk Professionals is a non-partisan, not-for-profit membership organization focused on elevating the practice of risk management. GARP offers role-based risk certification the Financial Risk Manager (FRM) and Energy Risk Professional (ERP) as well as the Sustainability and Climate Risk (SCR) Certificate and on-going educational opportunities through Continuing Professional Development. Through the GARP Benchmarking Initiative and GARP Risk Institute, GARP sponsors research in risk management and promotes collaboration among practitioners, academics, and regulators.

Founded in 1996, governed by a Board of Trustees, GARP is headquartered in Jersey City, NJ, with offices in London, Washington, D.C., Beijing, and Hong Kong. Find more information on garp.org or follow GARP on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210812005699/en/

Contacts:

Louise Holden

press@garp.com
- Survey of 1,000 C-Level executives reveals awareness doesn't line up with breathless predictions about technology's growth

- Surprisingly, nearly 40% of chief technology officers (CTO) in North America acknowledged never hearing of low-code and no-code software development

- This is a sharp contrast to Europe, where only 24% of CTO's are unaware of the technology

AMERSFOORT, Netherlands, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- CLEVR , the company that helps enterprises accelerate their digital transitions through the enormous power of the Mendix low-code and no-code (LCNC) development solutions, today announced the results of a survey that shows a shockingly high number of executives from North America have yet to hear about no-code and low-code software development.

More than a quarter (27%) of the C-suite executives from North America surveyed revealed that they were unaware of the technology. The level of knowledge about LCNC was even low when it came to chief technology officers (CTO) in North America, traditionally the savviest tech people within an organization. Of those surveyed in North America a whopping 38% acknowledged not knowing anything about LCNC. That contrasted sharply with their European counterparts. Only 24% of CTOs based in Europe were unfamiliar with the technology.

Angelique Schouten, CLEVR's CEO, warns that companies that haven't incorporated LCNC into their development stack are simply operating at a disadvantage. Schouten is a member of the team that enabled the first banks in the world to operate fully in the cloud based on Ohpen's AWS cloud-native core banking engine. She knows plenty about the headaches involved with traditional development within organizations. Schouten maintains that LCNC is at the forefront of a silent revolution among developers and managers who seek to cut back development time and cost. Software has become the beating heart of business and countless companies around the globe are in one stage or another of digitizing their processes. LCNC is a visualization-based "drag-and-drop" development technology that eliminates the need to create code from scratch and is a far faster, more flexible and a less costly way to build solutions.

"The environment feels a little like when cloud technology was beginning to take off and many businesses thought it was the same thing as iCloud or Dropbox," Schouten said. "They had no understanding of the kind of impact it would have on their organizations. Back then, there was little understanding of the cloud's power and what it could bring to larger organizations and start-ups alike. LCNC is on the same track. Only through better understanding of LCNC can leaders extract all the value the technology has to offer."

The power of LCNC to transform the building of software solutions is on its way, according to the experts. By 2024, Gartner predicts that 75% of large enterprises will use at least four low-code development tools for IT and citizen development initiatives. Another sign of that is those executives surveyed who are aware of LCNC, apparently heard enough positive things to try it. According to CLEVR's survey, no less than 78% of the C-level executives surveyed and who indicated that they were aware of the LCNC trend, confirmed that they are using some form of the development tool within their organization. In another testimonial for LCNC's effectiveness, those respondents who are using LCNC were asked to list the top five reasons why: 71% indicated the technology's superior speed; 45% said it was less expensive; 44% said it was more adaptable to change; 36% indicated that it was easier to train people to develop apps and 33% said it was more scalable (33%). Interestingly, 16% stated that one of the reasons they chose to develop with LCNC was that it was more fun.

About CLEVR
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / August 12, 2021 / Aegis Capital Corp., Aegis Capital Corp. (www.aegiscapcorp.com) a full-service wealth management, financial services and investment banking firm is pleased to announce the addition of Farmer Financial located in Newark, Delaware. The group is led by Phillip Farmer, Managing Director. Prior to joining Aegis Capital, Phil worked at Merrill Lynch

Mr. Farmerhas more than 30 years of experience, specializing in wealth management services and currently manages in excess of $110 million in client assets. Phillip Farmer is the founder of Farmer Financial1. Phil began his career in the financial industry with Lehman Brothers Inc., then went on to gain his experience working at brokerage firms such as Prudential Securities, Morgan Stanley, UBS Financial and Merrill Lynch before establishing his own wealth advisory practice in partnership with Aegis Capital Corporation. Serving high-net-worth individuals as well as businesses and families, Phil's focus is customizing portfolios designed to help grow and conserve wealth by delivering an exceptional level of personalized service and experience. Phil has also served on the boards of Union Hospital, Faithful Friends Animal Rescue and Lions International.

Robert Eide Aegis' CEO commented:"It is my pleasure to welcome Phil to Aegis. Phil is widely recognized as an outstanding leader with many years of experience. His client focus, his deep understanding of markets and his people leadership skills will put him in a strong position to exceed his clients' expectations. Aegis is dedicated to adding quality advisors to our firm and expanding our wealth management platform."

Michael Pata Aegis' Head of Business Development commented:"Phil brings decades of highly successful client-relationship and business leadership capabilities to Aegis. His holistic approach to financial planning fits seamlessly with our culture. We look forward to leveraging our resources to help him continue to grow his business and support his clients."

About Aegis Capital Corporation

Aegis Capital Corporation "Aegis" has been in business for over 35 years catering to the needs of private clients, institutions and corporations. Aegis was founded in 1984 and offers its investment representatives a conflict free service platform and is able to provide a full range of products and services including investment banking, wealth management, insurance, retirement planning, structured products, private equity, alternatives, equity research, fixed income and special purpose vehicles.Aegis is able to provide quality service through its primary clearing relationship with RBC Correspondent Services whose parent company, Royal Bank of Canada (NYSE:RY), is one of the world's leading diversified financial services companies. Member: FINRA / SIPC

1Farmer Financial - Brokerage and investment advisory services are offered through Aegis Capital Corporation, a Member: FINRA/SIPC

Any questions contact:

Michael Pata, Head of Business Development

Telephone: 1-212-813-1010

mpata@aegiscap.com

www.aegiscapcorp.com

SOURCE: Aegis Capital Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/659533/Aegis-Capital-Corp-Announces-the-Hiring-of-a-New-Managing-Director-in-Newark-DE
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 12, 2021) - West Oak Gold Corp. (CSE: WO) ("West Oak") is pleased to announce that it successfully completed its initial public offering (the "Offering") of 4,025,000 common shares (the "Shares") for gross proceeds of $402,500 through its agent, Research Capital Corporation (the "Agent"). In connection with the Offering, the Agent, and members of its selling group, received a cash commission equal to 10% of the gross proceeds of the Offering and non-transferable agent's warrants to purchase up to 402,500 Shares at a price of $0.10 per Share which may be exercised for a period of 36 months from the day the Shares are listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "Exchange"). The Agent was also paid a corporate finance fee for its services in connection with the Offering.

West Oak's common shares will commence trading on the Exchange on August 16, 2021 under the trading symbol WO.

About West Oak

West Oak is focused on gold exploration in Canada. It is currently actively exploring the Hedge Hog gold project located 15km north of the town of Wells in the Caribou Mining Division of central British Columbia. Investors are encouraged to review West Oak's prospectus and the technical report for the Hedge Hog Property available at www.sedar.com.

Management and the board of directors of West Oak consists of Paul John (Chief Executive Officer and director), Paul Reynolds (director), Kevin Dodds (director) and Robert Doyle (Chief Financial Officer).

For further information, please contact:



Paul John

Chief Executive Officer

West Oak Gold Corp.

Tel: (778) 874-6619

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as the term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/92965
The National Transportation Master Plan (NTMP) lays out a mid- and long-term transportation strategy that includes 36 north-south and 45 east-west highway projects across seven regions and seven states. In terms of investment, the government intends to devote MMK28 trillion ($21.4 billion) on road, rail, port, and aviation projects between now and 2030. Targets include $11.7 billion for road improvements, $6.6 billion for railway expansion, and $8.5 billion for inland water, marine, and airport projects, all with the goal of developing efficient, modern, and ecologically friendly systems. The plan has dedicated 87% of anticipated capital formation between 2014 and 2020 to putting in large city-to-city expressway systems, making rail and highway enhancements the most essential near-term goal.

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Beca Black Veatch (B&BV) have announced a collaboration to deliver sustainability and decarbonisation solutions, combined with a strong local presence, to service minerals and metals operations across Australia.

"Clients recognise the need for more sustainable operations and more efficient resource management approaches from extraction and processing through to delivery. Our collaboration brings sustainability expertise, at scale, to mining operations across Australia," said Paul Language, a Business Director at Beca. "We understand what it takes for miners to succeed in Australia".

"Clients have set ambitious sustainability and decarbonisation goals and we are helping them develop and implement the sustainability roadmaps that will make these goals attainable," said Jim Spenceley, Senior Vice President of Black Veatch's mining business. "For many years B&BV have collaborated for the benefit of clients in New Zealand and we look forward to extending our services to Australia."

Part of B&BV's strength is a strong shared culture. Both are employee-owned, a business model that has been delivering success for more than a century for each organisation. Both companies are committed to the safe delivery and management of critical infrastructure, and embracing reconciliation in the minerals and metals sector. Sustainability and responsible corporate stewardship are core to both companies' operations, in the way they act and the projects they deliver.

About Beca

Beca is an employee-owned professional services firm that has been delivering community-shaping Engineering, Advisory and Management Consulting services across the Asia-Pacific Region for over 100 years.. We have more than 3,300 people in 21 offices who are delivering projects in over 70 countries. We have had offices in Australian since 1969 and we're proud to be supporting our customers across market segments including Minerals and Metals, Transport and Infrastructure, Energy, Water, Food and Life Sciences, Advanced Manufacturing, Health and Defence.

Creative people together transforming our world' is our vision. It reflects our culture, our aspirations and our purpose to make everyday better. We create value through understanding and delivering successful solutions, exceptional service and our enduring relationships and use our skills and systems to empower innovation; helping our clients shape communities, optimise their assets and streamline their operations. Follow us on www.beca.com

About Black Veatch

Black Veatch is an employee-owned global engineering, procurement, consulting and construction company with a more than 100-year track record of innovation in sustainable infrastructure. Since 1915, we have helped our clients improve the lives of people around the world by addressing the resilience and reliability of our most important infrastructure assets. Our revenues in 2020 exceeded US$3.0 billion. Follow us on www.bv.com and on social media.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210812005004/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact Information, Beca:

Cameron Menzies I +61 421 055 486 I cameron.menzies@beca.com

Media Contact Information, Black Veatch:

MALCOLM HALLSWORTH +44 1483 319287 p +44 7920 701764 m HallsworthM@BV.com

24-HOUR MEDIA HOTLINE +1 866 496 9149
CARLSBAD, CA / ACCESSWIRE / August 12, 2021 / OPTEC International, Inc. (OTC Ticker:OPTI) today announced the company's Z2O division now based at the new OPTEC Vista Headquarters, hired 3 new additional full time administrative staff to accommodate the San Diego and Miami launch of the Z2O program along with additional administrative support for the expanding Austin territory. Z2O's project manager forecast's additional personal hiring during the new few months to support the launch and future growth of additional territories across the USA.

Z2O is planning on launching a minimum of 10 additional locations before the end of the year with an additional 20+ locations in 2022.

 Both Z2O and OPTEC management are confident that now is a perfect time to launch these new locations as the conditions of the world are changing. The goal is to provide these essential services to communities and at the same offer employment opportunities in the locations being launched.

Furthermore, launching these new Z2O locations can provide tremendous support to schools re-opening nationwide.

 Z2O has recently been approached by real estate organizations to support the new sales of properties, pre-listings, pre-open market showings, post-closing and for the rental division., The post vacating cleaning and pre-occupancy cleaning has become an expanding industry where Z2O can provide immense support, especially with the rapidly increasing spread of the new strain of the pandemic.

Relative Links: The CDC has in depth information about cleaning and disinfecting. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/disinfecting-building-facility-H.pdf

Greece Wildfires Update:

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/09/world/europe/greece-fires.html

https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/09/europe/greece-wildfire-warning-climate-intl/index.html

As previously announced in the past few weeks, Z2O is also launching in other countries. The software team has been working diligently to finalize the Greek version of the software in anticipation of opening in Greece as soon as possible as part of the agreement with Rafina Innovations (VICA) to be prepared for major assistance with the massive clean-up operations both during and after the wildfires devastation in all regions of Greece.

About OPTEC International, Inc.

With Locations in Carlsbad and Vista, California, OPTEC International is a developer and manufacturer of the OPTEC Fuel Maximizer products along with electronic LED, Ultraviolet (UV) & UV-C safety products and related advanced technologies and PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) products. The company's Temperature Scanning product line is being launched at a time when HR directors and facilities managers are experiencing extreme concern with respect to keeping environments safe during the global pandemic crisis and the safe reopening of the U.S. economy. For more information, visit: www.optecintl.com

Safe Harbor Statement: Safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by phrases such as Opti, OPTEC or its management 'believes,' 'expects,' 'anticipates,' 'foresees,' 'forecasts,' 'estimates' or other words or phrases of similar import. Similarly, statements herein that describe the Company's business strategy, outlook, objectives, plans, intentions, or goals also are forward-looking statements. All such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. OPTEC International Inc.

Investor Relations Contact:

Michael Lorlano

(760) 621-0062 / Mike@MountaintopMedia.net

SOURCE: Optec International, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/659550/Optec-Internationals-Z2O-Division-Hires-Additional-Adminstrative-Staff-At-Companys-Headquarters-For-San-Diego-Miami-Launches
OTCQX: SHWZ

DENVER, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Schwazze, (OTCQX: SHWZ) ("Schwazze" or the "Company"), announces that it will host a second quarter 2021 conference call and webcast on August 16, 2021 at 4:30 p.m. ET.

Q2 2021 Webcast

Investors and stakeholders may participate in the conference call by dialing 416 764 8650 or by dialing North American toll free 888-664-6383 or listen to the webcast from the Company's website at https://ir.schwazze.com. The webcast will be available on the Company's website and on replay until August 30, 2021, and may be accessed by dialing 888-390-0541 / Code 605725#.

Following their prepared remarks, Chief Executive Officer, Justin Dye and Chief Financial Officer, Nancy Huber will answer investor questions. Investors may submit questions in advance or during the conference call itself through the weblink: https://produceredition.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1481988&tp_key=212e8e52ee This weblink has been posted to the Company's website and will be archived on the website. All Company SEC filings can also be accessed on the Company website at https://ir.schwazze.com/sec-filings

About Schwazze

Schwazze (OTCQX: SHWZ) is building the premier vertically integrated cannabis company in Colorado and plans to take its operating system to other states where it can develop a differentiated leadership position. Schwazze is the parent company of a portfolio of leading cannabis businesses and brands spanning seed to sale. The Company is committed to unlocking the full potential of the cannabis plant to improve the human condition. Schwazze is anchored by a high-performance culture that combines customer-centric thinking and data science to test, measure, and drive decisions and outcomes. The Company's leadership team has deep expertise in retailing, wholesaling, and building consumer brands at Fortune 500 companies as well as in the cannabis sector. Schwazze is passionate about making a difference in our communities, promoting diversity and inclusion, and doing our part to incorporate climate-conscious best practices. Medicine Man Technologies, Inc. was Schwazze's former operating trade name. The corporate entity continues to be named Medicine Man Technologies, Inc.

Schwazze derives its name from the pruning technique of a cannabis plant to enhance plant structure and promote healthy growth.

Investors, Joanne Jobin, Investor Relations, Joanne.jobin@schwazze.com, 647 964 0292; Media, Julie Suntrup, Schwazze, Vice President; Marketing & Merchandising, julie.suntrup@schwazze.com, 303 371 0387


LONDON (dpa-AFX) - UK's competition regulator, the Competition and Markets Authority, said on Thursday that the acquisition by Facebook Inc. (FB) of popular GIF website Giphy raises competition concerns.



The competition regulator said that it has come to the conclusion that the acquisition will have a negative impact on the competition between social media handles. The acquisition will also lead to the elimination of a potential threat in the display advertising market.



The Competition and Markets Authority said that if needed it may ask Facebook to undo the deal and sell off Giphy, if the regulatory body feels that its competition concerns do come true. Facebook had acquired Giphy in a deal worth $400 million.



Almost all the social media platforms like Twitter, Snapchat and TikTok, e-mails and text messages, make use of GIFs from Giphy's database of GIFS. The regulatory authority also feels that the takeover by Facebook will deny access to GIFs to other social media platforms.



The CMA said, 'Any reduction in the quality or choice of GIFs could impact how people use social media sites and whether or not they switch to a different platform, such as Facebook, which already has significant market power.'



This move is the latest in the series of incidents where the regulatory authority is not happy with the sweeping authority of American tech giants. This is also a rare case where a foreign regulator is intervening in a deal between two American companies.



Stuart McIntosh, chair of the independent inquiry group carrying out the latest phase of the investigation, stated that Facebook could pull GIFs from competing platforms or ask users to hand over more data in order to access them.



The main issue, McIntosh said, is that the deal removes from the 5.5 billion pound display ad market a future competitor.



He said, 'While our investigation has shown serious competition concerns, these are provisional. We will now consult on our findings before completing our review. Should we conclude that the merger is detrimental to the market and social media users, we will take the necessary actions to make sure people are protected.'



Even though both Facebook and Giphy are Silicon Valley companies, the UK regulatory authority has the power to look into mergers when the business being acquired has an annual turnover of at least 70 million pounds or $88 million, or when the combined businesses have at least 25 percent share in any 'reasonable' market.



Commenting on the regulator's decision, a Facebook spokesperson completely denied the MA's preliminary findings.



The spokesperson said, 'As we have demonstrated, this merger is in the best interest of people and businesses in the UK and around the world who use GIPHY and our services. We will continue to work with the CMA to address the misconception that the deal harms competition.'



When the acquisition happened, Facebook revealed plans to further integrate Giphy into the Instagram app 'so that people can find just the right way to express themselves.'



The UK regulatory authority has called the interested parties to comment on its preliminary findings ahead of the publication of its final report on October 6.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

FACEBOOK-Aktie komplett kostenlos handeln - auf Smartbroker.de
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL / ACCESSWIRE / August 12, 2021 / Swisher Hygiene Inc. (the "Company" or "Swisher") today announced that it has settled the last remaining claim against the Company now permitting the Company to proceed with its final dissolution and liquidation.

On August 6, 2021, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (the "Delaware Court") approved a settlement agreement dated August 3, 2021 (the "Settlement Agreement"), between Swisher Hygiene Inc., a Delaware corporation in dissolution, and Honeycrest Holdings, Ltd. and its affiliates (collectively, "Honeycrest"). The Settlement Agreement settles all claims, demands and causes of action of any kind or nature whatsoever, whether known or unknown, that Honeycrest has made or could have made previously, now, or hereafter against the Company, its stockholders, or its affiliates, arising from a 1990 license agreement entered into between Honeycrest and two frozen desert licensors that were subsequently acquired as a subsidiary by Coolbrands International Inc., Swisher's predecessor.

The Settlement Agreement resolves over 23 years of litigation represented by three New York cases, Honeycrest Holdings, Ltd. v. Integrated Brands, Inc., New York Supreme Court, Queens County (Index No. 5204/1998) ("Honeycrest I"); Honeycrest Holdings, Ltd. v. Swisher Hygiene Inc., et al., New York Supreme Court, Queens County (Index No. 29666/01, renumbered as an e-filed case under Index No. 705039/2020) ("Honeycrest II"); and Honeycrest Holdings, Ltd. v. Swisher Hygiene Inc., Integrated Brands, Inc., 7624026 Canada Inc., and John and Jane Does #1 through #99, New York Supreme Court, Queens County (Index No. 706482/2017) ("Honeycrest III"). The Settlement Agreement also terminates all appeals, including Honeycrest's 2018 appeal of the dismissal of the Honeycrest III complaint, and Honeycrest's 2021 appeal of the denial of Honeycrest's motion to strike Swisher's Answer and Counterclaim in Honeycrest II, both of which were pending at the time of the Settlement Agreement.

The Settlement Agreement includes a payment by Swisher to Honeycrest of $5.3 million, and removes the final obstacle to the Company's dissolution and final liquidation.

As previously reported, in June 2020 the Delaware Court permitted the Company to make a $10 million interim distribution to the Company's stockholders. At that time, however, the Delaware Court ordered the Company to establish a reserve (the "Reserve") of $6.9 million for the Honeycrest claim. In March 2021, the Delaware Court denied the Company's request for a second interim distribution to stockholders of $5 million. In May 2021, the Delaware Court denied the Company's request to utilize a portion of the Reserve for defense costs associated with the Honeycrest claim. With this background, and given the 23-year history of the Honeycrest litigation extensively discussed in prior Company filings, we believe a resolution of this dispute by any means other than a settlement agreement was highly unlikely in the foreseeable future. Moreover, the cost of prolonged litigation and unrelated administrative, legal and accounting costs would have continued to deplete the Company's remaining assets, threatening any further distribution to the Company' stockholders. Accordingly, the Company, seeking to bring this matter to a close on the best available terms for its stockholders, entered into the Settlement Agreement.

The Company intends to make its final payment to vendors and creditors on or before August 31, 2021, after which the Company, with the approval of the Delaware Court, will make a final distribution to the Company's stockholders. The amount and timing of this final distribution has not yet been finalized, but once approved by the Delaware Court, the Company will announce the timing and terms of the final distribution to stockholders through a public release, and the filing of a Form 8-k with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information

All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release constitute "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws and the Securities Act (Ontario) and are based on the expectations, estimates and projections of management as of the date of this press release unless otherwise stated. All statements other than historical facts are, or may be, deemed to be forward looking statements. The words "plans," "expects," "is expected," "scheduled," "estimates," or "believes," or similar words or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may," "could," "would," "might," or "will be taken," "occur," and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company as of the date of such statements, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. All of these assumptions have been derived from information currently available to the Company including information obtained by the Company from third-party sources. These assumptions may prove to be incorrect in whole or in part. All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by the above cautionary statements. The forward-looking information set forth in this press release is subject to various assumptions, risks, uncertainties and other factors that are difficult to predict and which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events and circumstances, except to the extent required by applicable law.

About Swisher Hygiene Inc.

Swisher Hygiene Inc. closed on the sale of its U.S. operations on November 2, 2015 and since then has had no remaining operating assets. On Friday, May 27, 2016 (the "Final Record Date"), the Company filed a Certificate of Dissolution. Pursuant to the Plan of Dissolution, and under Delaware law, the dissolution of the Company was effective as of 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the Final Record Date. Under Delaware law, the dissolved corporation is continued for three (3) years from the date on which the Certificate of Dissolution was filed, unless extended by direction of the Court of Chancery, to enable the Company's directors to wind up the affairs of the corporation, including the discharge of the Company's liabilities and to distribute to the stockholders any remaining assets. The Court of Chancery has extended the Company's corporate existence several times, most recently through December 31, 2021.

For Further Information, Please Contact:

Swisher Hygiene Inc.

Investor Contact :

Garrett Edson, ICR

Phone: (203) 682-8331

SOURCE: Swisher Hygiene Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/659589/Swisher-Hygiene-Inc-Announces-Court-Approved-Settlement-of-Final-Claim-Removing-Last-Obstacle-to-Companys-Final-Liquidation-and-Stockholder-Distribution
BLDUP, Inc.

BLDUP, a Boston, MA-based market intelligence platform for the Commercial Real Estate, Construction, and Development industry, raised $2m in pre-seed funding round.

The backers were not disclosed.

Led by founder and CEO Noah Coughlin, BLDUP provides CRE industry players with a platform to get real-time information on construction and real estate information in-market.

Beyond statistics and opportunities, the system highlights the relationship between build sites and the entities that make them possible, offering access to the contact information and project histories of industry players, facilitating business connections.

FinSMEs

12/08/2021
ByondXR, a Tel Aviv, Israel-based company providing virtual shopping solutions, raised $7M in seed funding.

The round was led by Firstime and OurCrowd, with participation from angel investor Peter Chu, founder and former CEO of XR platform HTC.

The company intends to use the funds to expand customer success and continue research and development.



Led by Noam Levavi, CEO and co-founder, ByondXR provides a platform that creates virtual showrooms and stores for beauty, fashion and home decor brands using extended reality, allowing them to enhance customer experience and increase conversion rates.

The company works with major international brands, including Lancome,Target, Coca-Cola, LOreal, P&G, and Caesarstone, among others.

FinSMEs

11/08/2021
Fable Food Co, a Sydney, Australia-based meat alternative company, raised $6.5m in seed funding.

The round was led by Blackbird Ventures with participation from AgFunder, Aera VC and Better Bite Ventures, Ban Choon Marketing Pte Ltd and Warren Hogarth.

The company will use the funding to increase research and development and expand its production and manufacturing capabilities in Australia and abroad, to accelerate the launch of new meaty mushroom products to market. The funding will also be used to continue the companys growth and expansion in international markets. Fable has already launched into Singapore and the United Kingdom, and will be launching in the United States by the end of this year.

Launched in December 2019 by Michael Fox, CEO, Fable Food Co is a meat alternative company known for its meaty food made from mushrooms, which are clean label, minimally processed and made with all natural plant-based ingredients. The products are available in Harris Farm Markets, Coles and Woolworths, as well as Marley Spoon and Dinnerly meal delivery kits, and in various restaurant menus around Australia, Singapore, and the UK.

Within its first year of launching, the company signed deals with supermarket giants Woolworths and Coles and specialty grocery chain Harris Farm Markets. Featured on the menus of restaurants in Australia, Singapore, and the UK, and in meal delivery services Marley Spoon and Dinnerly, Fable has launched a range of ready meals to help make plant-based eating more accessible and mainstream.

Earlier this month, the company launched their proprietary Meaty Mushroom Burger Pattie in partnership with healthy burger chain, Grilld. Fables Meaty Mushroom Burger Pattie is featured on 3 plant-based burgers on all 136 Grilld restaurants stores across the country, as well as on a limited edition burger created by Heston Blumenthal, exclusively available in select Grilld restaurants for 2 weeks.

The company has also appointed Dan Joyce as Chief Growth Officer, who will head up sales and marketing globally and play a key role in expanding the business in the United Kingdom, the United States and Asia. Joyce previously held the position of General Manager of Europe, the Middle East and Africa for SafetyCulture, where he led the go-to-market efforts in the region, growing the customer base to over 10,000 business customers with a team of 100 employees located in the UK.

FinSMEs

12/08/2021
Hagar, a Tel Aviv, Israel-based developer non-invasive continuous glucose monitoring technology that uses RF waves to measure glucose levels in the blood, raised $11.7m in Series B funding.

The round, which brings total funding to $17.1m, following the $4.4m in Series A funding it received in March 2021, was led by a returning investor, Columbia Pacific.

The company intends to use the funds for upcoming trials for Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approval and for completing international patents.

Led by General Guy Zur, CEO, and co-founder, and Br. General Bentzi Gruber, Chairman and Cofounder, Hagar is the developer of GWave, a non-invasive continuous glucose monitoring technology solution that uses RF waves to measure glucose levels in the blood continuously. GWave First Generation is a third of the size of a smartphone, and GWave Second Generation, currently in development, will be a sensor built into a watch the size of a smartwatch that sends glucose readings to the user via a smartphone app that can be shared with their healthcare provider.

The technology was conceived by Dr. Gerry Waintraub.

FinSMEs

12/08/2021
Sonys Bravia line up of televisions is known for its stunning picture quality. Expanding the line up, Sony has launched two new OLED televisions in India  BRAVIA XR 77A80J 77-inch and 85X85J 77-inch 4K models, which come with support for Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, IMAX Enhanced, and more.

Both the televisions are powered by Cognitive Processor XR and X1 4K HDR picture processor and have support for 4K at 120fps, HDMI 2.1, ALLM, and VRR. These televisions also support Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, IMAX Enhanced along with Ambient optimization and Acoustic auto-calibration technology.

Further, Sony says that these OLED televisions support XR TRILUMINOS Pro and TRILUMINOS Pro along with a 3D colour algorithm that offers true-to-life colours. Regarding the audio, the 77A80J model supports 3D Surround Sound, while the 85X85J model supports X-Balance Speaker. Lastly, both have support for Google TV, Apple AirPlay 2, and HomeKit.

Pricing and availability

The Sony Bravia XR 77A80J is priced at Rs. 5,49,990 and will be available starting 25th August 2021. The 85X85J model is priced at Rs. 4,99,990 and is already available.

As a part of pre-booking offer, users can avail a cashback of Rs 20,000 on select cards along with 2 years warranty between 11th August 2021 to 16th August 2021 when booked via Sony retail stores (Sony Center and Sony Exclusive) or www.ShopatSC.com portal or any major electronic stores in India.
Google today released the Android 12 beta 4 which has reached Platform Stability with final APIs and all app-facing behaviors. Google asks all app and game developers to start the final compatibility testing now and prepare to publish the compatibility updates as soon as possible ahead of the final release.

Android 12 Beta 4 is now available for Pixel 3 and later and is also available for Android TV with the ADT-3 developer kit. You can get it from Android developer website here manually, or you can enroll here to get the OTA update to your device. Google said that it will release one more Beta coming in the weeks ahead as a release candidate for the final testing. We can stable release sometime in September.

Pixel 6 with Samsung 50MP GN1 sensor?

Google already confirmed that it will launch the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro smartphones in the fall 2021. Earlier rumours revealed that both the phones will feature a 50MP main camera. Now, a code from the Android 12 beta 4 reveals that Google will use a 50MP Samsung GN1 sensor, compared to 12.2MP Sony IMX363 sensor in the Pixel 5.

Pixel 6 to use Exynos 5123 modem?

Google recently confirmed that it will use its own Tensor SoC for the first time. A recent rumour revealed that the SoC is nothing but a Samsung Exynos 9855 SoC that will offer similar performance as the Exynos 2100 SoC. The new Android 12 beta release also has reference to the g5123b modem, so this will likely be the Samsungs Exynos Modem 5123, a 5G modem that was introduced with the Exynos 990 back in 2019 and is used in the Galaxy S20 series.

The modem is based on 7-nanometer (nm) extreme ultra-violet (EUV) processing technology and supports a range of networks such as 5Gs sub-6GHz and mmWave spectrums. It offers up to 7.35Gbps 5G NR mmWave and 5.1Gbps Sub-6GHz download speeds. This is definitely faster than the Qualcomm Snapdragon X52 5G modem in the Snapdragon 765G powered Pixel 5 series, that offered up to 3.7 Gbps download speeds.

We should know more details in the coming weeks, before the Pixel 6 series go official sometime in October.

Source 1, 2 | Via
Yesterday, Samsung gave us a peak into Googles new Wear OS 3 platform that will be running on the Galaxy Watch 4. While many of the improvements are coming to the new platform, a few updates are coming to the older Wear OS 2, such as improved Messages app that syncs with the users smartphone, new third-party Tiles and more.

Contactless payment via Google Pay on Wear OS is getting a minor redesign and will soon be supported in more countries, including Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Hong Kong, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, Slovakia, Sweden, Taiwan, Ukraine and United Arab Emirates.

The new Messages app syncs with the users Android phone, and there is now the ability to receive and reply to messages directly from the watch.

The third update that is coming to Wear OS 2 over the next few weeks are the new experience from third party apps such as Calm, Komoot, Period Tracker, Sleep Cycle, Spotify, and Strava. A lot of these apps will also be introducing third-party Tiles, providing users with a quick way to access the information.
Google is introducing a couple of new updates to their video conferencing platform, Google Meet, that will improve upon many meeting moderation controls. Meeting host privileges can now be shared with up to 25 other participants, quick access control will be on by default, and the People panel in meetings have received a couple of minor updates.

Along with increase in supported number of meeting hosts to up to 25, Google also added new controls for meeting hosts. They can now:

Limit who can share their screen,

Limit who can send chat messages,

Mute all with one click,

End the meeting for all,

Control who can join the meeting and how they can join with the Quick access setting

The quick access control will be turned on by default, which will allow meeting participants from your domain can automatically join the meeting from a mobile or desktop device, and by dialing in.

The People panel in Google Meet now has a Search feature that will allow hosts to quickly navigate to a specific user to mute them, kick them, or assign host privileges.

These updates will be rolling out to Google Meet on web and Android starting from August 16th, while Google Meet on iOS will be receiving these updates starting from August 30th.
Paxton, IL (60957)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun. Areas of patchy fog. High 86F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph..

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Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 69F. Winds light and variable.
Learning how lung cancer co-opts the immune system  and how to fight back



McGarry Houghton, lung cancer immunologist



Sometimes Dr. McGarry Houghton wakes up the middle of the night thinking of neutrophils. Its probably safe to say most other people wouldnt include these immune cells on a top-10 list of dream-worthy material. But if they saw what Houghton sees, maybe they would. The doctor and scientist at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center is a leading expert in these poorly understood immune cells and their role in lung cancer, the deadliest cancer in the U.S. His research is demonstrating how neutrophils actually help cancers grow, rather than fight them. And his studies are paving the way for potential new therapies that could put an end to this betrayal, allowing the immune system to rally against cancers. Im trying to figure these suckers out, Houghton says with traces of his native Oklahoman drawl. In all the time Ive given to it I havent quite been able to put all the pieces together. But its accomplishable.



Dr. McGarry Houghton speaks with Seattle Mariner Mitch Haniger and his wife, Amanda during a campus tour at Fred Hutch on January 25, 2019. Robert Hood / Fred Hutch

Neutrophils and lung cancer Your body makes legions of neutrophils to serve as front-line troops against infections, a role they play with gusto. When theres a problem, they respond fast, their innards packed full of the cell-dissolving chemical weaponry theyre born with.

But they have a big weakness: Theyre kind of dumb. Theyre not making sophisticated decisions about their environments  they react to them, Houghton explained. Unlike other immune cells whose killing abilities are finely tuned to particular enemies and particular circumstances, neutrophils are more of the kill-first-ask-questions-later school. And as Houghtons science has demonstrated, they can be manipulated by wily cancers and turned against you. Houghton and colleagues published some of the seminal research demonstrating how tumors co-opt neutrophils for their own ends. Like the legendary Sirens of Greek mythology, cancer cells can emit an irresistible call to neutrophils by using the same signals that beckon these immune cells to fight infection. Then, once lured into your tumor, neutrophils switch sides and start working for the cancers, instead of for you. This spells bad news: On average, the more neutrophils a patient has in their lung tumor, the shorter their survival time. Exactly why the neutrophils go Benedict Arnold and what all they do in that role is the focus of intense research by Houghtons team at Fred Hutch, where he leads the centers lung cancer research group. Their next step, which is already underway, is developing targeted therapies that can prevent this turncoat behavior. The goal, Houghton says, is to try and restore some order so that the immune system works better against cancer.



[Neutrophils are] not making sophisticated decisions about their environments  they react to them, Houghton explained.



An accidental cancer biologist Houghton didnt intend to become an expert in cancer biology. His medical training is in noncancerous lung diseases like emphysema, in which the lungs air sacs are damaged, typically by long-term cigarette smoking. He began his research career studying the neutrophils and other immunological links that connect tobacco smoke exposure and emphysema in mice. Early on, a colleague asked for his help with a mouse study about smoking and lung cancer biology. Houghton didnt know much about cancer at the time. So when he looked under the microscope at those mouse tumors, what popped out at him was not the cancer cells. It was the neutrophils. Lots and lots of neutrophils. The cancer biologists who had been studying the same mice for years had never reported neutrophils in these tumors. They simply had glossed over the cells as background noise. But Houghtons eyes were focused differently. What were those cells doing there, he wondered? His career, and his dreams, would never be the same.





 By Susan Keown, Nov. 27, 2018


Among the cases cited was that of a patient with an autoimmune condition called antiphospholipid syndrome . Researchers identified in viruses from this person 31 substitutions of letters in SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences, as well as three deletions  unreplaced dropouts of letters or phrases in the genetic code.

Its not the way Darwin taught us the evolution occurred, Corey said. Saltational evolution is sort of an evolutionary jump that is not common. Its as if you all-of-the-sudden go from walking to flying, with nothing in between.

They include patients with immune system disorders, solid organ transplant patients, cancer patients undergoing long-term chemotherapy or radiation, people with blood cancers who have had CAR T-cell therapy, and people living with HIV not controlled by antiviral drug regimens. What they have in common is long term, persistent infection, which can allow the constantly replicating virus to pile up lots of mutations. Some of those mutations can lead to marked shifts in the genome of SARS-CoV-2, and if they give the virus a survival advantage, that may result in the emergence of a threatening new variant.

The report, whose co-authors include Hutch computational biologist Dr. Trevor Bedford , references several studies of immune compromised patients whose COVID-19 infections lingered for months and in which the SARS-CoV-2 virus underwent large numbers of mutations.

Im very disappointed in the pace of research on whats going on with COVID-19 in immunosuppressed persons, and you know, we deserve better, Corey said in an interview prior to release of the paper.

Renowned virologist Dr. Larry Corey of Seattles Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and five colleagues in the field raised their concerns in commentary published Wednesday by the New England Journal of Medicine .

In the wake of findings that COVID-19 virus variants are more likely to spring from patients with weakened immune systems, leading medical experts are calling for heightened precautions in the treatment of such individuals and better, more intensive therapies to help them fully recover from their disease.

Coreys Hutch colleague and coauthor Bedford is an expert in evolutionary biology and has been tracking the family trees of SARS-CoV-2 since the earliest days of the pandemic. He notes that the multiple mutations that have created most of the alarming variants of interest and variants of concern, now designated by Greek letters such as beta and gamma, appear to have emerged in a kind of normal, stepwise accumulation of mutations. But the so-called alpha variant, which popped up in the United Kingdom, is different.

Basically, the entire suite of mutations associated with the alpha variant appears at the same time. While its possible that a transmission chain percolated along and gathered multiple mutations before taking off, this pattern is consistent with emergence from a single persistent infection, Bedford said.

The precise origins in India of the delta variant, the most worrisome to date, have yet to be determined. But the authors note that it is characterized by a constellation of mutations that were identified in previous variants of concern or interest. This mashup of nasty traits has emerged rapidly with an evolutionary advantage of higher transmissibility and is quickly out-competing other variants. It is now dominant in the U.S. and worldwide.

Changes needed to address concerns

In the New England Journal of Medicine article, the authors call for steps to address their concerns about saltational evolution of SARS-CoV-2 in immunosuppressed patients. They include tightening the precautions taken within medical settings to reduce the risk of such patients transmitting the virus to staff, family or other patients.

Immunosuppressed patients should also be informed about the need to self-isolate until testing shows they are no longer shedding virus, and about the need for their household contacts to be vaccinated.

One step would be to prioritize those patients for immunizations, and to carry out studies of antibody and T-cell responses in such patients who are vaccinated. There are strong indications in recent studies that a third mRNA vaccination (such as the Moderna vaccine) may be beneficial to people who have difficulties generating an immune response to the first two.

The authors also recommend that nursing homes, where vaccination rates are high, provide monoclonal antibody infusions to patients who show low antibody responses to vaccines, as well as to their family members. Co-author Dr. Myron Cohen, of the University of North Carolina, helped design and run a study supporting that approach. He is a longtime collaborator with Corey, and both are co-principal investigators of the COVID-19 Prevention Network, which manages trials of vaccines and monoclonal antibody drugs to prevent the disease.

Given that some variants have begun to show resistance to currently available monoclonal antibody drugs, the authors note that new COVID-19 antiviral drugs in development, such as Mercks molnupiravir  now in large-scale testing  do not target the rapidly evolving spike proteins that endow new variants with possible evolutionary advantages. Instead, these drugs  which interfere with the viruss ability to copy itself  provide an alternative mechanism of protection that should be unaffected by mutations that compromise monoclonal antibodies.

Finally, the authors call for development of rapid tests to identify variants with potential to escape vaccines and therapies. Together, these steps may improve the care of immunosuppressed patients who are struggling with COVID-19 and protect public health by helping to head off the rise of future variants of concern.
Rep. Senfronia Thompson, dean of the Texas House of Representatives, is joined by Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., left center, and other Texas Democrats, as they continue their protest of restrictive voting laws, at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Galveston, TX (77553)

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A mix of clouds and sun. High 91F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph..

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A few passing clouds, otherwise generally clear. Low 84F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph.
RAZER LAUNCHES CORTEX INSTANT GAMES  A TOURNAMENT PLATFORM WITH HUNDREDS OF CASUAL GAMES FOR MOBILE DEVICES AND PC





[This unedited press release is made available courtesy of Gamasutra and its partnership with notable game PR-related resource Games Press.]

For Release on August 12th, 2021, at 4pm BST / 8am PDT / 5pm CEST / 11pm SGT: HAMBURG, Germany  Razer, the leading global lifestyle brand for gamers (Hong Kong Stock Code: 1337), today announced the launch of Cortex Instant Games Tournaments, a brand-new tournament platform focused on instantly playable casual games  available now for Android devices and coming soon to Razer Cortex on PC. Instant Games are playable directly from the Razer Cortex app with no need for additional downloads. Each of the hosted tournaments offers tiered levels of Razer Silver prizes, which are redeemable for a variety of Razer hardware, accessories and digital rewards. Releasing simultaneously with Cortex Instant Games Tournaments, Razer is launching the first ever Sneki Snek game featuring Razers iconic, environmentally conscious mascot . Sneki Snek Adventure is playable today and will be running charity tournaments, exclusively on Razer Cortex. The Instant Game challenges users to steer Sneki Snek away from poison obstacles and grab seeds to plant trees to score bonuses. The tournament leaderboard is updated real-time so players can see their standings for a chance to win Razer Silver prizes. All proceeds generated from Sneki Snek Adventure will be donated directly to Conservation International as part of Razers continued commitment towards more sustainable business practices and reducing its global carbon footprint.





At launch, Cortex Instant Games will host 4 to 6 concurrent tournaments at any time, with over 100 more games available for free-play across a variety of genres. Additional games and tournaments will constantly be added and rotated onto the platform in order to spur consistent and varied competition for all players. Through interacting with our millions of users in the Razer Cortex app, we know that gamers love a challenge  wherever they are and regardless of what platform theyre playing on. This offered us a great opportunity to introduce competitive casual gaming directly to a ready and eager player base, said Quyen Quach, Senior Director of Software at Razer. Razer Cortex creates experiences and offers rewards in a way that only Razer can, harnessing the full potential of our interconnected ecosystem of hardware, software, and services. For Cortex Instant Games Tournaments, Razer has partnered with Goama to tap into its vast library of hypercasual games and tournament hosting capabilities. Goama delivers an advanced gamified environment turning any app into a gamified powerhouse unleashing more opportunities to engage users, increase new user acquisition and retain existing ones. We are proud to be working with Razer to create more ways for players to improve their gaming skills and be rewarded for their performance, said Taro Araya, CEO of Goama. Razer Cortex enhances and customizes your gaming experience on both mobile and PC devices. The app taps directly into your existing gaming library and optimizes the performance of your mobile or PC for a faster, smoother gaming experience. Through must-have features like this as well as rewarding players for playing various games across mobile and PC with Razer Silver, Razer Cortex is the essential companion app for any gamer at home or on the go. For more information on Razer Cortex, please see here . For more information on Razer Cortex Instant Games Tournaments, please see here . ABOUT RAZER CORTEX INSTANT GAMES TOURNAMENTS: More than 100 games available at Launch

4-6 tournaments concurrently running at all times

Tournaments run from 1-day to weeks (varies)

10K to over 60K in Razer Silver awarded in each tournament

Exclusive instant game featuring Sneki Snek All proceeds generated from Sneki Snek Adventure will be donated to Conservation International

Play instantly in the app. No additional downloads needed to play.

Playable through Razer Cortex Games Available for Android Phones on Google Play Coming soon to Razer Cortex on PC

PRODUCT ASSETS Please find the press kit here . ABOUT RAZER Razer is the worlds leading lifestyle brand for gamers. The triple-headed snake trademark of Razer is one of the most recognized logos in the global gaming and esports communities. With a fan base that spans every continent, the company has designed and built the worlds largest gamer-focused ecosystem of hardware, software and services. Razers award-winning hardware includes high-performance gaming peripherals and Blade gaming laptops. Razers software platform, with over 125 million users, includes Razer Synapse (an Internet of Things platform), Razer Chroma RGB (a proprietary RGB lighting technology system supporting thousands of devices and hundreds of games/apps), and Razer Cortex (a game optimizer and launcher). Razer also offers payment services for gamers, youth, millennials and Gen Z. Razer Gold is one of the worlds largest game payment services, and Razer Fintech provides fintech services in emerging markets. Founded in 2005 and dual-headquartered in Irvine (California) and Singapore, Razer has 17 offices worldwide and is recognized as the leading brand for gamers in the USA, Europe and China. Razer is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (Stock Code: 1337). PRESS CONTACTS United Kingdom Nick Haywood [email protected] Americas Will Powers [email protected] EMEA Maren Epping [email protected] China Evita Zhang [email protected] Asia Pacific Vanessa Li [email protected] Global Jan Horak [email protected] Razer - For Gamers. By Gamers. # # #
Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2021.
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 11, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Los Angeles based Ag-Tech startup ProducePay is revolutionizing the way Growers of fresh produce in Mexico and South America transact w/ Distributors in the USA with the launch of their Preferred Network online marketplace.



In the business of growing, exporting, and marketing fruits and vegetables for the North American market, if there is not continuous improvement, there will simply be no future. This is a demanding and unforgiving industry, where meeting expectations simply allows you to stay in business.

What historically makes the produce industry so complex, is that to achieve success, strategic allies related to your business model are required. In other words, a grower can achieve control of productivity, efficiency, competitiveness, quality and even sustainability, but to achieve profitability, your distribution partner needs to be equally committed to their effort. Otherwise, even with total dominance in your business, a poor choice of who will represent you commercially, could be the difference between success and failure.

Because when the goal is excellence, the work will be tireless. Continuous improvement is mandatory, and investments in technology, supplies and methodology to achieve the goals in a timely manner will never cease. And this is why the need to be in the right circle of allies is key.

The traditional model of importing fruits and vegetables to the United States already needs to evolve, and because of this need, ProducePay has launched it's Preferred Network. This online marketplace consists of a network of companies committed to excellence, and changes the antiquated way in which growers and distributors carry out their transactions, an outdated model that dates back more than 60 years.

The difference lies in the concept, since this is not a model of intermediaries, but rather a nucleus of alliances supported by the commitment of those who make it up; including the production, distribution, input suppliers and financial follow-up services to operations, and the benefits that ProducePay offers to strengthen commercial relationships within the core of its network, and thus, promote the success of all the parts that comprise it.

The ProducePay network of allies was conceived as a membership full of services, benefits and advantages for those who make it up, but at the same time, making clear the rights and obligations that allow the model to create the conditions that precisely make the difference.

A producer who joins the network is entitled to various benefits and services that are grouped into the following categories:

1 Trust

Within the circle of allies of ProducePay, there is a network of reliable growing operations, who have been selected and validated for their good business practices, certifications, quality, and social responsibility. This allows the distributor to select the one that suits him best, within a group of companies that will not fail.

Likewise, there is a selection of input suppliers, equipment and infrastructure, which have not only been validated and selected for their effectiveness and quality, but also offer preferential rates and the support of ProducePay in financing systems and payment terms for the grower.

2 Efficiency

The model is transparent and efficient, since to enter the group, a validation is required. This validation is carried out as a registration fee in the amount of one thousand dollars for the grower and no fee for the distributor. The cost for the grower for the commercialization of his product is only 1% of the value of the transactions carried out and for the distributor is .25% per shipment (in comparison to competitors options where the average commission is in the 10% range). An account executive responsible for monitoring each of the operations is assigned, ensuring that these flow correctly and that payments are executed on time within a maximum period of 30 days.

3 Security

ProducePay guarantees payments. As the main benefit of the network, any invoice pending payment will be paid through ProducePay, trying to respect the agreed period of 30 days. That, in case of falling into any type of controversy, the arbitration service is provided for a fair resolution, backed by the PACA Law ("Perishable Agricultural Products Act of 1930"), which is supported by the Department of Agriculture of the United States of America (USDA). ProducePay has the corresponding operating licenses, which supports any operation between its associated network, as if they were its own, under the laws and guidelines of the United States.

4 Ease

The model allows timely financing for both, agricultural operations, or working capital commonly referred to as the pick and Pack for up to 80% of the value of total sales, and / or for the purchase of inputs and equipment, financing up to 10% of the total value of production for the current season.

5 Peace of mind

In ProducePay's network of allies, there are no surprises or secrets, there is total transparency. The destination of the merchandise, the end customer, market conditions and timely feedback on the qualities and packaging conditions are always known. Therefore, timely and complete information becomes the source of peace of mind for the members of the network.

What are the conditions to enter this Network?

For growers, the membership fee must be paid, which is invested in its validation, since all members must go through this process, which guarantees the integrity of the model.

Payment of 1% on the total billing as a fee, and payment of services and rights.

Growers must be direct exporters with experience, comply with the requirements of the destination market, both legal and commercial, that is, be competitive in terms of safety and food safety, social responsibility, and have the minimum capacity to export a full shipment per week, maintaining their integrity, quality, and safety of the product during the life of the agreed season.

They must present a production program, consistent with their infrastructure, technology, protocols, and facilities for postharvest, and commit to the conditions and regulations of the network of allies of ProducePay.

ProducePay's vision goes beyond being just another company in the market that connects fruit and vegetable exporters with distributors in the United States. Its vision goes further. It is about innovating, changing and completely revolutionizing the way in which distributors and producers interact commercially. It is about creating harmonious conditions, so that each one dedicates himself to what he should, and can continue to develop excellence.

"The ProducePay Preferred Network will revolutionize an antiquated fresh produce commercialization model that hasn't changed in 60 years" says Pablo Borquez Schwarzbeck

About ProducePay

ProducePays mission is to bring transparency, predictability, and fairness to the fragmented and opaque $300 billion global fresh produce market. For more information, visit https://producepay.com/marketplace/
CALGARY, Alberta, Aug. 11, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Middlefield Group, on behalf of Discovery 2021 Short Duration LP (Discovery 2021 or the Partnership), is pleased to announce that it has filed a preliminary prospectus relating to the initial public offering of Discovery 2021 Class A and Class F units. The offering will be made in each province of Canada.



The objectives of the Partnership are to provide investors with capital appreciation and significant tax benefits to enhance after-tax returns to limited partners, including the deductibility of 100% of their original investment. The Partnership intends to achieve these objectives by investing in an actively managed, diversified portfolio comprised primarily of equity securities of Canadian gold mining companies.

Middlefield is a leading provider of flow-through share funds in Canada and has a strong track record of delivering positive after-tax returns. Since 1983, Middlefield has sponsored 64 public and private flow-through funds and has acted as agent or manager for over $2.5 billion of resource investments.

The syndicate of agents for the offering is being co-led by RBC Capital Markets and CIBC Capital Markets and includes BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., National Bank Financial Inc., Scotiabank, TD Securities Inc., Manulife Securities Incorporated, Richardson Wealth Limited, iA Private Wealth Inc., Canaccord Genuity Corp., Middlefield Capital Corporation, Echelon Wealth Partners Inc. and Raymond James Ltd.

For further information, please visit our website at www.middlefield.com or contact Nancy Tham in our Sales and Marketing Department at 1.888.890.1868.

A preliminary prospectus containing important information relating to these securities has been filed with securities commissions or similar authorities in each of the provinces of Canada. The preliminary prospectus is still subject to completion or amendment. Copies of the preliminary prospectus may be obtained from members of the syndicate of agents listed above or from your IIROC registered financial advisor using the contact information for such agent or IIROC advisor. There will not be any sale or any acceptance of an offer to buy the securities until a receipt for the final prospectus has been issued.
New Delhi, India, Aug. 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The NFT craze is gaining massive momentum this year. The crypto world has witnessed NFT artwork selling for up to $69 million and there is no sign of the momentum stopping anytime soon. One of the newest NFT collections to hit the market are PolygonPunks - which have quickly become one of the most popular & sought after NFTs on the Polygon (Matic) network.



PolygonPunks, The 1st NFT Punks on Polygon (Matic) Experiencing Explosive Growth

PolygonPunks are a unique Non-Fungible Token (NFT) on the Polygon blockchain. The entire collection of 10,000 punks were officially minted on August 3rd, 2021 via the polygonpunks.io website  solidifying their history as the 1st CryptoPunks on Polygon. PolygonPunks have clear intentions to be unique while simultaneously recognizing and giving homage to the original CryptoPunks NFT collection, whose floor price currently resides at $64,000. Each PolygonPunk has attributes that make them unique according to a defined rarity system.

Once the PolygonPunks minting finished, a buying frenzy ensued. In less than 24 hours the PolygonPunks emerged as the 2nd most popular collection on Opensea by volume. Fast forward a week and the PolygonPunks have over $500,000 in trading volume across all NFT marketplaces, which is 50%+ of the volume CryptoPunks had in 3 years. With Crypto Punks becoming unattainable due to their skyrocketing value, PolygonPunks present an alluring alternative. Not only is the price of PolygonPunks significantly lower, but they are built on Polygon - one of the most scalable, fast, and cost-efficient networks ever built.

The high trade volume of PolygonPunks was primarily achieved from the buying, selling, and trading on NFTrade a truly decentralized NFT marketplace. PolygonPunks are now the #1 Traded NFT on the platform with $339,000+ in trade volume to date:

To celebrate the successful launch of PolygonPunks and help those in need, PolygonPunks donated 10% of all gross profits from minting to Crypto Relief. Crypto Relief is the result of the global crypto community mobilizing to help India combat the COVID19 crisis, and to help it prepare for future outbreaks. The fund was started by Sandeep Nailwal (co-founder of Polygon) and has since been supported by Vitalik Buterin (co-founder, Ethereum) and Balaji S. Srinivasan (former CTO at Coinbase).

All the PolygonPunks are visible on the Polygonpunks.io interface and will also be exchangeable on a proprietary NFT marketplace. You can collect as many PolygonPunks as you want but there are only 10,000 in existence and there will never be any more. The minting may be finished but the trading has just begun. Dont miss out on your chance to own a part of the PolygonPunks legacy!

Media contact: contact@polygonpunks.io

Join the PolygonPunks community:

Website: polygonpunks.io



Twitter: https://twitter.com/PunksOnPolygon



Telegram: https://t.me/PolygonPunks



Discord: https://discord.com/invite/qHmfuzYgpn
LONG BEACH, Calif., Aug. 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cartel Blue, Inc. a Nevada Corporation founded in 1992, announced that an Agreement in Principle to commence with design, construction and managing of the first three new CARTEL Premium Cigar Lounges.



Cartel Blue, Inc., announced the build out of the next three locations in Nashville, TN, followed by Cathedral City, CA, and the third location in Honolulu, HI. The new Hemp locations allow the Premium Hemp smoker to enjoy the Cartel products in a comfortable and secure setting. Company CEO, Philip Moreb believes purchasers of these high-quality Cigars should be allowed to try not just the cigars, but open inventory of products manufactured, produced by selected vendors and other Cartel brands.

Additionally, Cartel Blue, Inc. will also be licensed to offer products with Hawaii Grown and "Product of the Kingdom of Hawaii Trademarks wherever Cartel Blue products are marketed and sold globally. The added convenience of a showroom will aid in the marketing and sales of products via Catalog and onsite displays. This will allow for products to be sold under Cartel brand in wholesale and retail outlets.



All future products of Cartel Blue, Inc., which include but are not limited to Cartel Premium Cigars, RX3 Hydrate water, Cartel Accessories, hemp nutraceutical, medicinal, clothing and building products made from hemp, will be more available to the global markets.



Cartel Blue, Inc. is the first and only hemp apparel company listed on the Major Marijuana | Hemp Stock Index.



Cartel Blue, Inc., has selected Mr. Alan Ada of Pointe West Pacific Development, whose efforts will be focused on the expansion, construction and management of all facilities to aid in the growth of Cartels business model.

SAFE HARBOR DISCLAIMER

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements and information, as defined within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is subject to the safe harbor created by those sections. This material contains statements about expected future events and/or financial results that are forward-looking in nature and subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Cartel International, Inc. to materially different from the statements made herein.

For Additional Information, please contact us at:

Cartel Blue, Inc. Investor Relations (310) 955-0099

Email: philip@cartelscigars.com

Web: www.cartelscigars.com

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9180c6e6-0665-40b9-9db4-e030ee3e8970

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cff6d5dc-0d7b-4621-a681-304ba3b5431b

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8c2cf98c-a99a-4d42-b01a-1a7d8cfc5697

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2fc8f66e-b496-4732-89a4-65b80c24fe47

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/da80340d-f685-4779-93ac-ba53ddac513a

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/19cbd3d3-a3c7-40fe-8919-e85ded8d3be8
Dublin, Aug. 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Social Sciences and Humanities Services Global Market Report 2021: COVID-19 Impact and Recovery to 2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global social sciences and humanities services market is expected to grow from $39.06 billion in 2020 to $40.93 billion in 2021 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.8%. The market is expected to reach $56.52 billion in 2025 at a CAGR of 8.4%.

The growth is mainly due to the companies rearranging their operations and recovering from the COVID-19 impact, which had earlier led to restrictive containment measures involving social distancing, remote working, and the closure of commercial activities that resulted in operational challenges.

Major players in the social sciences and humanities services market are Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research, University of Northern Iowa(Center for Social and Behavioral Research), Association for the Social Sciences and Humanities in HIV, Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, East View, Archaeological Research Services Ltd, and Historical research associates Inc.



The social sciences and humanities services market consists of the sales of social sciences and humanities services and related goods by entities (organizations, sole traders, and partnerships) that engage in research on cognitive development, sociology, psychology, language, behavior, economic and other social science and humanities research.

Most of the social sciences and humanities organizations are funded by public sector organizations. Some private companies also fund research activities of social sciences and humanities organizations. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.



Methodological advancements such as big data is a major trend gaining popularity in the social sciences and humanities services market. Researchers can access real-time and fine-grained data in growing amounts across the globe. Different sources are becoming the medium for data, such as social media and mass media activities, event data, and geographic information systems. Although only a small group of social scientists is using big data simulation for research, establishing a formal institution that provides the required environment will encourage more researchers to use big data for simulation.



The social sciences and humanities services market covered in this report is segmented by type into archaeological research and development services; sociology research and development services; behavioral research and development services; economic research and development services; humanities research and development services; social science research and development services; other research and development services.



The relegation of humanities and social sciences theory and methodology is expected to hinder the social sciences and humanities services market. Humanities and social science are relegated to an auxiliary, advisory, and non-essential status due to foggy responses and unscientific approaches followed by the researchers.

In the era of unobservables, such as genes and electrons could be translated into observable effects, simplistic approaches are not helping anymore. The approaches made by the social sciences and humanities are based on philosophical assumptions and without scientific evidence and are relegated thereby, hindering the market.



The growing need to understand human behavior, identify societal problems, and finding their solutions is driving the social sciences and humanities services market. Behavioral analysis is needed to look for solutions to social, business, personal, governmental, and environmental problems. They help in knowing people's perception, motivation, and priorities, decision-making methods, and learned habits which are unconsciously controlled.

According to behavioral studies, it is found that people end up doing what is more convenient. For instance, a study on behavior published in Forbes magazine in 2019, found that people consume food which is convenient even if they have a healthy lunch box with them. The need to understand human behavior to know the society and find solutions is therefore driving the market.



Key Topics Covered:



1. Executive Summary



2. Social Sciences and Humanities Services Market Characteristics



3. Social Sciences and Humanities Services Market Trends and Strategies



4. Impact of COVID-19 on Social Sciences and Humanities Services



5. Social Sciences and Humanities Services Market Size and Growth

5.1. Global Social Sciences and Humanities Services Historic Market, 2015-2020, $ Billion

5.1.1. Drivers of the Market

5.1.2. Restraints on the Market

5.2. Global Social Sciences and Humanities Services Forecast Market, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion

5.2.1. Drivers of the Market

5.2.2. Restraints on the Market



6. Social Sciences and Humanities Services Market Segmentation

6.1. Global Social Sciences and Humanities Services Market, Segmentation by Type, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion

Archeological Research and Development Services

Sociology Research and Development Services

Behavioral Research and Development Services

Economic Research and Development Services

Humanities Research and Development Services

Social Science Research and Development Services

Other Research and Development Services

6.2. Global Social Sciences and Humanities Services Market, Segmentation by Mode, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion

Online

Offline

7. Social Sciences and Humanities Services Market Regional and Country Analysis

7.1. Global Social Sciences and Humanities Services Market, Split by Region, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion

7.2. Global Social Sciences and Humanities Services Market, Split by Country, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion



Companies Mentioned

Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research

University of Northern Iowa(Center for Social and Behavioral Research)

Association for the Social Sciences and Humanities in HIV

Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council

East View

The University of Melbourne

Archaeological Research Services Ltd

Historical research associates Inc.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/rwsj1e
New York, Aug. 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Oil Conditioning Monitoring Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis By Sampling, Sensor Type, Product, Measurement, and Industry" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06128426/?utm_source=GNW

Hundreds of oil samples are analyzed every day by specialist service laboratories and large plant operators for a variety of constituents to detect component wear and the presence of foreign materials that may accelerate wear.The study of lubricating oils in use helps in lowering operating costs, reducing downtimes, increasing plant and equipment lives, and making effective maintenance plans.



Lubricating oil analysis is also being used to check the condition of engines and other machinery.It is used to lubricate most lubricated mechanical systems, such as engines, gear gearboxes, hydraulics, and the like, and has a wide range of applications in industries such as construction, power production, and transportation, including aircraft, fleet operations, and public transit.



In addition, under fault circumstances, many additional changes may occur in oils, such as dilution by fuels or contamination by water or anti-freeze.For example, oxidation can cause changes in lubricant characteristics such as viscosity, resulting in faster wear rates.



Because elemental analysis cannot identify all these processes, a combination of physical and chemical measuring techniques is required for complete condition monitoring, although elemental analysis has emerged as the most important instrument for wear detection. As a result, efficient oil monitoring aids in the provision of cost-effective services in a variety of industrial surroundings.



The oil conditioning monitoring market is segmented on the bases of sampling, sensors type, product, measurement, industry, and geography.Based on sampling, the global oil conditioning monitoring market is segmented into on-site and off-site.



In 2020, the off-site segment led the oil conditioning monitoring segment accounted for a larger share in the market.Based on sensor type, the oil conditioning monitoring market is segmented into oil quality sensors, metallic particle sensors, and density/viscosity sensors.



In 2020, the oil quality sensor segment led the oil conditioning monitoring segment accounted for a larger share in the market.Based on product, the oil conditioning monitoring market is segmented into turbines, compressors, engines, gear systems, and hydraulic systems.



In 2020, the turbines segment led the oil conditioning monitoring segment accounted for a larger share in the market. Based on measurement, the oil conditioning monitoring market is segmented into temperature, pressure, density, viscosity, dielectric, TAN/TBN, water dilution, fuel dilution, soot, and wear particles. In 2020, the viscosity segment led the oil conditioning monitoring segment accounted for a larger share in the market. Based on industry, the oil conditioning monitoring market is segmented transportation, industrial, oil and gas, energy and power, and mining. In 2020, the transportation segment led the oil conditioning monitoring segment accounted for a larger share in the market. Geographically, the market is broadly segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC), the Middle East & Africa (MEA), and South America (SAM). In 2020, North America accounted for the significant share in the global market.



In Europe, the COVID-19 pandemic has a different impact on different countries, as only selective countries have witnessed the rise in the number of cases and subsequently attracted strict, as well as prolonged, lockdown periods or social isolation norms.However, Western European countries such as Germany, France, Russia, and the UK have seen a comparatively modest decrease in their growth activities because of their strong healthcare systems.



These countries have been investing significantly to make the diagnosis and treatment of the disease more effective and less time-consuming.Even though Europe is in a state of emergency, many nations are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.



Traditional corporate frameworks have been swiftly replaced by more innovative business concepts. Even though everything is unlikely to return to normal very soon, the oil and gas industry is projected to rebound quickly.



The overall oil conditioning monitoring market size has been derived using both primary and secondary sources.To begin the research process, exhaustive secondary research has been conducted using internal and external sources to obtain qualitative and quantitative information related to the market.



The process also serves the purpose of obtaining an overview and forecast for the oil conditioning monitoring market with respect to all the segments.It also provides the overview and forecast for the market based on all the segmentation provided with respect to five major regionsNorth America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and South America.



Also, primary interviews were conducted with industry participants and commentators to validate data and gain more analytical insights into the topic. The participants of this process include industry experts such as VPs, business development managers, market intelligence managers, and national sales managers, along with external consultants such as valuation experts, research analysts, and key opinion leaders, specializing in the oil conditioning monitoring market.



The key companies operating in the oil conditioning monitoring market include CM Technologies GmbH, Des-Case, Hydac Technology Limited, Intertek Group Plc., Poseidon Systems, Rheonics Group, SGS SA, Special Oilfield Services Co. LLC, TAN Delta Systems Limited, and Veritas Petroleum Services.

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06128426/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



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New York, Aug. 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Saudi Arabia Dairy Market, By Type, By Distribution Channel, By Region, Competition Forecast & Opportunities, 2026" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06128262/?utm_source=GNW



Saudi Arabia dairy market was valued at USD5726.42 million in 2020, and is estimated to grow with a CAGR of 5.66% in the forecast period, to reach USD7940.77 million by the end of 2026. Rapid gains in the combined incomes of family members has resulted in additional disposable income of consumers, thereby boosting their purchasing power significantly. As a result, a growing number of consumers are unwilling to compromise on product quality regardless of price and are preferring dairy products that are good for their health and have high nutritional content.



Saudi Arabia dairy market is expected to undergo formidable growth during the forecast period owing to flourishing dairy industry and increasing consumption of milk and dairy products.Further, rising awareness towards benefits of milk and related products and growing trend of fitness is anticipated to drive the market growth by 2026.



Regulations regarding halal beverages and increasing popularity of packaged dairy products is further fueling the dairy market growth in Saudi Arabia. The market is witnessing entry of several international companies as the country relies heavily on imports for its dairy requirements.



Ghee, butter, cheese, ice cream, probiotic drinks, and other value-added dairy products are becoming increasingly popular in Saudi Arabia dairy market. Increasing disposable income, population growth, changing eating habits due to influence of western culture, etc. are driving the demand for value-added dairy products in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, value added foods are often "ready to eat," therefore, they are preferred as a quick snacking option by the working population for on the go eating. Furthermore, product improvements in value added dairy products, such as reduced fat cheese, sugar free ice creams, and flavored yogurts, are likely to stimulate the demand for value added goods in Saudi Arabia during the forecast period.



Saudi Arabia dairy market is categorized based on type, distribution channel and region.Based on type, the market is segmented into drinking milk, cheese, yogurt, ghee & butter and others.



The drinking milk segment held the largest market share and is expected to dominate the market by 2026 owing to the growing number of health-conscious population who are aware about the benefits of milk consumption.Based on distribution channel, Saudi Arabia dairy market is categorized into supermarket/hypermarket, grocery retail, online and others.



The supermarket and hypermarket segment dominates the dairy market in the country as top dairy manufacturers are selling their products in these stores. Also, with the governments effort to increase dairy productivity, there are variety of dairy products available in supermarkets and hypermarkets.



Some of the major players operating in the Saudi Arabia dairy market are Almarai Company, Al Safi Danone Ltd., The National Agricultural Development Company (NADEC), NADA DAIRY, SAUDIA DAIRY & FOODSTUFF COMPANY (SADAFCO), Danya Foods Ltd., Forsan Foods & Consumer Products Company Ltd., Modern Dairy Plant Company (BADR DAIRY), Wardat Al Mashreq Food Factory, Ornua Ingredients International. The market is highly competitive and leading companies are focusing on new product innovation to increase their market share.



Years considered for this report:



Historical Years: 2016-2019

Base Year: 2020

Estimated Year: 2021

Forecast Period: 20222026



Objective of the Study:



 To analyze the historical growth in market size of Saudi Arabia dairy market, in terms of value and volume from 2016 to 2020.

 To analyze and forecast market size of the Saudi Arabia dairy market, in terms of value and volume from 2021 to 2026 and growth until 2026.

 To define, classify and forecast the Saudi Arabia dairy market on the type, distribution channel and regional distribution.

 To identify drivers and challenges for the Saudi Arabia dairy market.

 To examine competitive developments such as expansions, new product launches, and mergers & acquisitions in the Saudi Arabia dairy market.

 To evaluate competitor pricing, average market selling prices and trends in the Saudi Arabia dairy market.

 To strategically profile the leading players, which are involved in the supply of dairy products in market.

The analyst performed primary as well as exhaustive secondary research for this study.Initially, the analyst sourced a list of dairy manufacturers and suppliers in Saudi Arabia.



Subsequently, the analyst conducted primary research surveys with the identified companies.While interviewing, the respondents were also enquired about their competitors.



Through this technique, the analyst was able to include manufacturers that could not be identified due to the limitations of secondary research. The analyst examined product offerings and end user of all major dairy suppliers across the country.

The analyst calculated the market size for the Dairy market using a bottom-up approach, where manufacturers value sales data for different types of dairy was recorded as well as forecast for the future years. The analyst sourced these values from industry experts and company representatives, and externally validated through analyzing historical sales data of respective manufacturers to arrive at the overall market size.



Various secondary sources such as company annual reports, white papers, investor presentations and financial reports were also used by the TechSci Research.



Key Target Audience:



 Dairy manufacturers, dairy suppliers, distributors, and end users

 Market research and consulting firms

 Government bodies such as regulating authorities and policymakers.

 Organizations, forums, and alliances related to dairy products.



The study is useful in providing answers to several critical questions that are important for the industry stakeholders such as manufacturers, distributors, end-users, etc., besides allowing them in strategizing investments and capitalizing on market opportunities.



Report Scope:



In this report, Saudi Arabia dairy market has been segmented into following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

 Saudi Arabia Dairy Market, By Type:

o Drinking Milk

o Cheese

o Yogurt

o Ghee & Butter

o Others

 Saudi Arabia Dairy Market, By Distribution Channel:

o Supermarket/Hypermarket

o Grocery Retail

o Online

o Others

 Saudi Arabia Dairy Market, By Region:

o Central

o Western

o Eastern

o Southern

o Northern



Competitive Landscape



Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in Saudi Arabia dairy market.



Available Customizations:



With the given market data, we offers customizations according to a companys specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:



Company Information



 Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06128262/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



__________________________
Washington, D.C., Aug. 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On August 6, the District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency (DCHFA) issued $10.3 million in tax-exempt bond financing and underwrote $8.9 million in four percent Low-Income Housing Tax Credits for the construction of 41 new affordable rental homes at 17 Mississippi Avenue Apartments. Congress Heights has become one of Ward 8s most sought after neighborhoods for commercial development and homebuyers. As development and home values increase, DCHFAs investment helps to ensure that residents at all income levels will be able afford to live here and enjoy the neighborhoods growth, stated Christopher E. Donald, Executive Director/CEO, DCHFA. The DC Department of Housing and Community Development is providing a $9.1 million loan from the Housing Production Trust Fund for the construction of 17 Mississippi Avenue Apartments, which will move the District closer to achieving Mayor Bowsers goal of 36,000 new homes and 12,000 affordable by 2025.

The construction of 17 Mississippi Avenue is a joint venture partnership between National Housing Partnership Foundation, The Peebles Corporation, and West End Capital Group. The new $23 million apartment community will consist of 16 efficiency, 12 onebedroom, and 13 threebedroom units. Nine of the units (two studios and seven onebedrooms) will be Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) units. Community Connections of DC will provide supportive services for the PSH unit residents. All units will be restricted to residents earning no more than 50 percent of the area median income (AMI). The nine PSH units will be reserved for residents earning no more than 30 percent AMI and will be supported by a project based Local Rent Supplement Program contract. Planned amenities at 17 Mississippi Avenue include a rooftop community area, onsite management, an exercise facility, interior community room, bicycle storage and 12 offstreet surface parking spaces.

Through its Multifamily Lending and Neighborhood Investment and Capital Markets divisions, DCHFA issues tax-exempt mortgage revenue bonds to lower the developers costs of acquiring, constructing and rehabilitating rental housing. The Agency offers private for-profit and non-profit developers low-cost predevelopment, construction and permanent financing that supports the new construction, acquisition, and rehabilitation of affordable rental housing in the District.

The District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency is an S&P A + rated issuer, serving Washington, D.C.s residents for more than 40 years. The Agencys mission is to advance the District of Columbias housing priorities; the Agency invests in affordable housing and neighborhood development, which provides pathways for D.C. residents to transform their lives. We accomplish our mission by delivering the most efficient and effective sources of capital available in the market to finance rental housing and to create homeownership opportunities.

Attachment
Edmonton, Aug. 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Say hello to Cherry, the most affordable mattress in GoodMorning.coms ever-growing collection of Canadian-made sleep products. Starting at just $199 CAD, Cherry is an all-Canadian, all-foam mattress and aims to make great sleep even more accessible by appealing to the value-driven customer in quality and price.

As the demand for GoodMorning.com mattresses exploded during the pandemic, we were presented with an incredible opportunity to expand our mattress catalogue even further, says Sam Prochazka, CEO and Founder of GoodMorning.com. With Cherry, we aim to emulate the success of our other value and award-winning foam mattresses but reach even more Canadians; in our current economic climate, that means offering even more affordable pricing. Cherry is GoodMorning.coms best mattress if youre on a budget.

As the inventors of the in-home sleep trial and an early global adopter of the direct-to-consumer business model, GoodMorning.com has extended the same sweet, risk-free benefits to Cherry as the rest of its seven online mattress brands. Customers enjoying the convenience and safety of shopping online will have 120-nights to sleep on the mattress before committing to it. A 15-year warranty, plus free shipping and returns are also included.

Measuring 6 inches high, some of Cherrys best features include:

1-inch gel foam layer to help you sleep cool

5 inches of high-density support foam to provide structure, motion isolation, and edge support

Medium-firmness for universal comfort

Six mattress sizes

A lightweight box thats easy to move and unpack

And the cherry on top: its now available to purchase in Canada, exclusively at GoodMorning.com and BonMatin.com.





About GoodMorning.com

GoodMorning.com is Canadas largest independent online mattress retailer and was one of the first online mattress-in-a-box companies in the world. With eight mattresses brands to choose fromincluding Douglas, Logan & Cove, Brunswick, Recore, Juno, Apollo, and now CherryGoodMorning.com designed and shipped its first memory foam mattress, Novosbed, in 2009, after Founder and CEO Sam Prochazka had a negative in-store mattress shopping experience. At the time, buying a mattress online without being able to try it first was an unthinkable idea. So, GoodMorning.com created the mattress world's first risk-free home sleep trial and set up a continent-wide network of charities to ensure returned mattresses dont go to waste. Soon GoodMorning.coms ideas and inventions were adopted as the new standard around the world. Using the same premium materials as any luxury store mattressbut for substantially lessover 190,000 GoodMorning.com mattresses have been sold to Canadians nationwide. And that number grows daily.

For more information visit GoodMorning.com, or on social media:

Facebook facebook.com/goodmorning

Instagram @goodmorning

Twitter @goodmorning

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HAMILTON, Ontario, Aug. 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen), the industry-led organization behind Canadas Advanced Manufacturing Supercluster, has announced a call for projects as part of a new challenge program to position Canada for success in the global shift to zero emission vehicles (ZEVs). NGen will invest $20 million in projects with a 50% industry match resulting in $40 million of new innovation spending.



The automotive industry is undergoing the most important transformation in its history as manufacturers and consumers shift to ZEVs. The North American production of traditional powertrain components is expected to decline significantly by 2030. Production of EV powertrain components, on the other hand, is expected to grow from $6B USD in 2019 to $26B USD in 2030, partially offsetting the losses in traditional components. To seize the opportunities that come with this transition, Canada needs a well-informed and properly articulated strategy. To do otherwise is to risk being relegated to the back seat of the global automotive industry.

Advanced manufacturing is the key to unlocking Canadas potential in this globally competitive market, says John Laughlin, CTO, NGen. The new production capabilities must be the cutting edge, the most efficient, the highest quality and the greenest if we are to enter this market, gain share and stay competitive.

Canada is poised to chart a new path in zero-emissions, advanced technology automobiles of the future, says Flavio Volpe, President of Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association. The NGen funding is another sharp arrow in the quiver of companies that have the people and ideas to lead us through 2035 and beyond.

These opportunities fall into key categories such as:

ZEV Manufacturing. Perhaps the best way Canada can participate in this transportation and mobility revolution is through mandates to assemble ZEVs, including passenger vehicles, buses, and heavy trucks. These mandates have high economic impact and help secure large portions of the automotive supply chain. Canada is in a better position today than one year ago following recent announcements by Ford, GM, and Lion Electric, but there is still a long way to go in securing additional mandates from established and emerging manufacturers.



Perhaps the best way Canada can participate in this transportation and mobility revolution is through mandates to assemble ZEVs, including passenger vehicles, buses, and heavy trucks. These mandates have high economic impact and help secure large portions of the automotive supply chain. Canada is in a better position today than one year ago following recent announcements by Ford, GM, and Lion Electric, but there is still a long way to go in securing additional mandates from established and emerging manufacturers. ZEV Systems and Components. Canada is home to a well-developed automotive supply chain that features such globally competitive companies as Magna, Linamar, and Martinrea and hundreds of innovative SMEs capable of producing motors, power electronics, and other EV systems and components. Supporting these companies as they adopt the latest advanced manufacturing technologies to manufacture EV systems and components is critical.



Canada is home to a well-developed automotive supply chain that features such globally competitive companies as Magna, Linamar, and Martinrea and hundreds of innovative SMEs capable of producing motors, power electronics, and other EV systems and components. Supporting these companies as they adopt the latest advanced manufacturing technologies to manufacture EV systems and components is critical. Batteries. Canada has an opportunity to leverage its wealth of natural resources and knowledge to develop the worlds most environmentally, socially, and technologically advanced and vertically integrated EV battery supply chain. This ambition is getting under way through the collaborative efforts of mining companies, manufacturers, and a diverse network of other private and public sector stakeholders.



The coming years will define Canadas role in this transformation. Building on our research, technology, and manufacturing strengths, the creation of new materials and components, together with advanced manufacturing practices, processes and technologies, promise many new business and investment opportunities. They will also have many positive social and environmental impacts, driving down GHG, particulate and VOC emissions, creating sustainable materials, reducing land degradation and water use, improving energy management, and reducing manufacturing footprints, all of which will enhance the position of Canadian companies in the automotive supply chains of the future.

In the coming months, NGen will release the findings from a collaborative study of the ZEV landscape in Canada done in conjunction with, Porsche Consulting, the Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing, and the APMA. This initiative will help develop an understanding of the opportunities and risks associated with the transition to ZEVs. Moreover, and importantly, it will provide a roadmap and a timeline to help enable manufacturers in Canada to deploy advanced manufacturing technologies to capitalize on this revolution in transportation and play a leading role in the automotive industry of the future.

About NGen  Next Generation Manufacturing Canada

NGen is the industry-led, not-for-profit organization that leads Canadas Advanced Manufacturing Supercluster. Its mandate is to help build world-leading advanced manufacturing capabilities in Canada for the benefit of Canadians. NGen works to strengthen collaboration among its membership of 3,900 manufacturers, technology companies, innovation centres, and researchers, and provides funding and business support to industry-led initiatives that aim to develop, apply, or scale-up transformative manufacturing solutions in Canada for commercialization in global markets.

Automotive Zero-Emissions Manufacturing Challenge

Media Contact:

Robbie MacLeod

Director, Strategic Communications

robbie.macleod@ngen.ca

+1-613-297-3578
San Francisco, Aug. 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Adasina Social Capital (Adasina), an investment and financial activism firm that serves as a critical bridge between financial markets and social justice movements, today announced an important update to the acclaimed Racial Justice Impact Data Set, a list of publicly-traded companies whose practices exacerbate systemic racial injustice.

In addition to updating their public list of companies that fail Adasinas racial justice investment criteria, the data set has been expanded to include new metrics and data for companies invested in prison bonds, which are also used to fund detention center infrastructure and services, and lobby for racially unjust policies such as harsher policing and longer sentencing for non-violent offenders.

All of the companies included on Adasinas Racial Justice Impact Data Set are believed to contribute to systemic racism through practices identified by social justice movements, such as prison involvement, money bail, surveillance, and other practices. A total of 71 companies were flagged for prison bond investment (labeled as Prison Funding within the data set), resulting in 31 additional companies being added to the list and, as such, are now excluded from Adasina investment portfolios.

If people are asking what they can do to fight for racial justice, one of the most immediate and accessible steps they can take is to stop giving their investment dollars to companies that exacerbate racial inequities, said Rachel Robasciotti, Founder and CEO of Adasina. Weve continued to make this data set available to the public to mobilize investors and others to use their money, and their voices, to influence companies and governments who are on the wrong side of history.

In addition to conducting their own research from SEC Form 10-Q filings, stock exchange market activity, and media reviews, Adasina compiled this data set using research from social justice partner AFSC (American Friends Service Committee), a Quaker organization that promotes a world free of violence, inequality, and oppression.

Data aggregation and list construction were performed by Adasina in partnership with YourStake, an ESG/Impact data platform that equips financial advisors and asset managers with the tools, data, and reporting metrics to serve impact investing clients, and EQM Indexes, a women-owned index development firm  both of which helped create the Adasina Social Justice Index (JUSTICE) as a standard for all stock portfolios that seek to advance social justice.



How investors and advisors can use the Adasina Racial Justice Impact Data Set:





Invest with Adasina: This data set, as well as all of Adasinas Impact Data Sets, are already integrated into the Adasina Social Justice All Cap Global ETF (JSTC).













Talk to your financial advisor about how youre invested: Investors should consider excluding these companies from their investment portfolios or conducting shareholder engagement to urge companies to end racially unjust practices.









For more information about Adasina, visit www.adasina.com. To learn more about the Adasina Social Justice All Cap Global ETF (JSTC), visit www.adasinaetf.com. For media inquiries, contact media@adasina.com.

About Adasina Social Capital

Adasina Social Capital (Adasina) is an investment and financial activism firm that serves as a critical bridge between financial markets and social justice movements for the benefit of people and our planet. Adasina uses four interlocking levers to enact large-scale, systemic change: People, Investments, Campaigns, and Education.

We believe that community-sourced impact data should set the standards for how publicly traded companies participate in racial, gender, economic, and climate justice. With Adasina, investors can seek both financial and social returns that are accountable to the well-being of the people and planet they impact.

We are majority-owned and operated by women, people of color, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Adasina is headquartered in San Francisco and maintains client relationships throughout the United States. For more information visit www.adasina.com.





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Important Information

Before investing you should carefully consider the Funds investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. This and other information is in the prospectus. A prospectus may be obtained by calling (833)743-0080 or visiting www.adasinaetf.com. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest.

Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. There is no guarantee that the Funds investment strategy will be successful. Shares may trade at a premium or discount to their NAV in the secondary market, and the fund's holdings and returns may deviate from those of its index. These variations may be greater when markets are volatile or subject to unusual conditions. The Fund is new and has a limited operating history. The Fund has a limited number of financial institutions that are authorized to purchase and redeem shares directly from the Fund; and there may be a limited number of market makers or other liquidity providers in the marketplace.

Foreign and emerging market investing involves currency, political and economic risk. Applying climate, economic, gender, racial, and movement aligned justice domain criteria to the Fund's investment selection process may exclude securities of certain issuers for non-financial reasons and therefore, the Fund may underperform the broader equity market or other funds that do not utilize similar criteria when selecting investments.

DISCLOSURE

Adasina Social Capital is a newly registered investment advisor and has no long-term track record that an investor may judge. Investments made in small and mid-capitalization companies may be more volatile and less liquid due to limited resources or product lines and more sensitive to economic factors. The securities of large-capitalization companies may be relatively mature compared to smaller companies and therefore subject to slower growth during times of economic expansion.

It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

Shares of the Fund are distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC.

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The fully-integrated digital marketing campaign will be featured across select portions of the web and on social media

WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Aug. 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LGBTQ Loyalty Holdings, Inc. (OTC PINK: LFAP) ("LGBTQ Loyalty" or the Company''), a diversity- and inclusion driven financial methodology and data company, announced through its wholly owned subsidiary, Loyalty Preference Index, Inc., the launch of a fully integrated marketing campaign with E5A Integrated Marketing, a NYC-based investor acquisition agency.

This is an incredibly exciting time at LGBTQ Loyalty. We are excited to partner with E5A Integrated Marketing to amplify our message to an even broader audience, said Bobby Blair, CEO of LGBTQ Loyalty. We have been thrilled about the positive reception we have received since the launch of the LGBTQ+ ESG100 ETF and strongly believe that this is another positive step toward advancing equality and building assets under management.

E5A Integrated Marketing is launching a digital advertising campaign for the LGBTQ + ESG100 ETF. The goal of the campaign is to convey that it is now feasibleand in fact desirableto aim to build personal wealth while also building a meaningful voice for the LGBTQ community and its allies. The campaign, by attracting investors, seeks to directly support public companies that promote fair treatment and active recruitment of their LGBTQ employees, suppliers, and customers.

We are proud to support the community and even prouder to assist with building assets under management for this ETF with a triple bottom line, stated Andrew Corn, E5A CEO, and a former ETF designer. E5A is targeting investors within the LGBTQ community, along with its allies.

The launch media will be featured on Facebook, Instagram, select portions of the web, and narrow groups on Reddit.

About LGBTQ Loyalty Holdings, Inc.

LGBTQ Loyalty is a diversity- and inclusion-driven financial methodology and data company that quantifies corporate equality alignment with the LGBTQ community and minority interest groups. The Company has benchmarked the first-ever U.S. Loyalty Preference Index, which it believes empowers the LGBTQ community to express their preferences for the nation's high-performing corporations most dedicated to advancing equality. The Loyalty Preference Index, branded as LGBTQ100 ESG Index, is an environmental, social and governance (ESG) index, offering an added perspective for those seeking to align with equality-driven, ESG-responsible corporations. LGBTQ Loyaltys leadership includes seasoned authorities in the financial industry and LGBTQ community. For more information, please visit www.lgbtqloyalty.com .

About E5A Integrated Marketing

E5A Integrated Marketing is a systematic, data-driven investor-acquisition agency that assists firms with raising assets under management or capital. The firm leverages data science to develop custom audiences, programmatic media placement, and develops strategic creative to optimize results.

Please consider the Funds investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses carefully before you invest. This and other important information is contained in the Funds summary prospectus and prospectus, which can be obtained by visiting www.PALETFs.com or calling 1- 866-690-3837. Read carefully before you invest.

Investing involves Risk. Principal loss is possible. Shares of any ETF are bought and sold at market price (not NAV), may trade at a discount or premium to NAV and are not individually redeemed from the funds. Brokerage commissions will reduce returns. Additional Fund risks include: Technology Sector Risk, Healthcare Sector Risk, Finance Sector Risk, Concentration Risk, Cyber Security Risk, and Liquidity Risk. For additional information please see the prospectus.

This information should not be relied upon as research, investment advice, or a recommendation regarding any products, strategies, or any security in particular. This material is strictly for illustrative, educational, or informational purposes and is subject to change.

A strategy or emphasis on environmental, social and governance factors ("ESG") may limit the investment opportunities available to a portfolio. Therefore, the portfolio may underperform or perform differently than other portfolios that do not have an ESG investment focus. A portfolio's ESG investment focus may also result in the portfolio investing in securities or industry sectors that perform differently or maintain a different risk profile than the market generally or compared to underlying holdings that are not screened for ESG standards.

Please read the ETFs prospectus and its risk disclosure before investing.

Certain statements may constitute a forward-looking statement, including those identified by the expression expect and similar expressions (including grammatical variations thereof). The forward-looking statements are not historical facts but reflect the author's current expectations regarding future results or events. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations. These and other factors should be considered carefully and readers should not place undue reliance on such forward looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the authors do not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that is contained herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by applicable law.

Distributed by Quasar Distributors LLC

MEDIA CONTACT:

Sam Marinelli

Gregory FCA for LGBTQ Loyalty Holdings

LGBTQL@gregoryfca.com

610-246-9928

ETF CONTACT:

ProcureAM, LLC

info@PALETFs.com

INVESTOR RELATIONS:

Larry Roan

IR@lgbtql.com
MONACO, Aug. 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Scorpio Tankers Inc. (NYSE:STNG) (Scorpio Tankers, or the Company) announced that the President of the Company, Robert Bugbee, has purchased call options on an aggregate of 100,000 common shares (or 1,000 call option contracts) of the Company for total consideration of $465,000. The call option contracts have a strike price of $15.00 and an expiration of January 2023.



About Scorpio Tankers Inc.

Scorpio Tankers Inc. is a provider of marine transportation of petroleum products worldwide. Scorpio Tankers Inc. currently owns, finance leases or bareboat charters-in 131 product tankers (42 LR2 tankers, 12 LR1 tankers, 63 MR tankers and 14 Handymax tankers) with an average age of 5.6 years. Additional information about the Company is available at the Companys website www.scorpiotankers.com, which is not a part of this press release.

Forward-Looking Statements

Matters discussed in this press release may constitute forwardlooking statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides safe harbor protections for forwardlooking statements in order to encourage companies to provide prospective information about their business. Forwardlooking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts. The Company desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. The words believe, expect, anticipate, estimate, intend, plan, target, project, likely, may, will, would, could and similar expressions identify forwardlooking statements.

The forwardlooking statements in this press release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, managements examination of historical operating trends, data contained in the Companys records and other data available from third parties. Although management believes that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond the Companys control, there can be no assurance that the Company will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections. The Company undertakes no obligation, and specifically declines any obligation, except as required by law, to publicly update or revise any forwardlooking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In addition to these important factors, other important factors that, in the Companys view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forwardlooking statements include unforeseen liabilities, future capital expenditures, revenues, expenses, earnings, synergies, economic performance, indebtedness, financial condition, losses, future prospects, business and management strategies for the management, the length and severity of the ongoing novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, including its effect on demand for petroleum products and the transportation thereof, expansion and growth of the Companys operations, risks relating to the integration of assets or operations of entities that it has or may in the future acquire and the possibility that the anticipated synergies and other benefits of such acquisitions may not be realized within expected timeframes or at all, the failure of counterparties to fully perform their contracts with the Company, the strength of world economies and currencies, general market conditions, including fluctuations in charter rates and vessel values, changes in demand for tanker vessel capacity, changes in the Companys operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs, the market for the Companys vessels, availability of financing and refinancing, charter counterparty performance, ability to obtain financing and comply with covenants in such financing arrangements, changes in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities, potential liability from pending or future litigation, general domestic and international political conditions, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents or political events, vessels breakdowns and instances of offhires, and other factors. Please see the Companys filings with the SEC for a more complete discussion of certain of these and other risks and uncertainties.

Contact Information

Scorpio Tankers Inc.

(212) 542-1616
TORONTO, Aug. 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gran Colombia Gold Corp. (TSX: GCM; OTCQX: TPRFF) announced today the release of its unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying managements discussion and analysis (MD&A) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021. All financial figures contained herein are expressed in U.S. dollars (USD) unless otherwise noted.



Second Quarter and First Half 2021 Highlights

Gran Colombia has completed a major step forward in its strategy to grow through diversification , completing the acquisition on June 4, 2021 of all the shares of Gold X Mining Corp (Gold X) it did not already own and then closing a $300 million offering on August 9, 2021 of 6.875% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026 (the 2026 Notes) to fund the development of the Toroparu Project in Guyana, to prepay the remaining $18.0 million balance of its Gold Notes and for general corporate purposes. The Company is nearing completion of an updated preliminary economic assessment (PEA) for the Toroparu Project incorporating the recently announced high-grade results from the 2020-2021 drilling program undertaken by Gold X.





, completing the acquisition on June 4, 2021 of all the shares of Gold X Mining Corp (Gold X) it did not already own and then closing a $300 million offering on August 9, 2021 of 6.875% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026 (the 2026 Notes) to fund the development of the Toroparu Project in Guyana, to prepay the remaining $18.0 million balance of its Gold Notes and for general corporate purposes. The Company is nearing completion of an updated preliminary economic assessment (PEA) for the Toroparu Project incorporating the recently announced high-grade results from the 2020-2021 drilling program undertaken by Gold X. The Company added a 27% equity interest in Denarius Silver Corp. (Denarius) to its portfolio in the first half of 2021, giving it exposure to the Lomero-Poyatos polymetallic deposit located in Spain, in close proximity to the Matsa JV project in the Iberian Pyrite Belt, and to the Guia Antigua and Zancudo Projects in Colombia.





In February 2021, Gran Colombia also successfully brought its spin out of the Marmato Mining Assets to a conclusion, one in which the Company has a continuing equity ownership of 44% in Aris Gold Corporation (Aris). The Marmato operating and financial results are only consolidated up to February 4, 2021 and thereafter the Company equity accounts for its investment in Aris.





Gran Colombia published its inaugural sustainability report in June 2021. The report reflects a focused effort on measuring and disclosing the Companys Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) priorities and performance moving forward. The Company remains committed to the health and safety of its employees, and through COMFAMA Colombia, was the first mining company in Antioquia to secure vaccines for employees and their families. Gran Colombia has purchased 8,000 vaccines (16,000 doses), created educational vaccine campaigns, and has administered over 5,000 first doses with second doses beginning mid-August.





Gran Colombias gold production from its Segovia Operations totaled 52,198 ounces in the second quarter of 2021 compared with 44,377 ounces in the second quarter of 2020. Total gold production from Segovia for the first half of 2021 amounted to 101,256 ounces compared with 94,723 ounces in the first half last year. In July 2021, Segovias gold production, which reflected the impact of a planned four-day maintenance shutdown at the plant, was 15,258 ounces. This brings the Companys trailing 12-months total gold production from its Segovia Operations at the end of July 2021 to 201,688 ounces, up 3% over 2020. The Company remains on track with its annual production guidance of 200,000 to 220,000 ounces of gold from Segovia in 2021. Including Marmato production up to February 4, 2021, consolidated gold production for the first half of 2021 was 103,684 ounces compared with 104,475 ounces in the first half last year.





from its Segovia Operations totaled 52,198 ounces in the second quarter of 2021 compared with 44,377 ounces in the second quarter of 2020. Total gold production from Segovia for the first half of 2021 amounted to 101,256 ounces compared with 94,723 ounces in the first half last year. In July 2021, Segovias gold production, which reflected the impact of a planned four-day maintenance shutdown at the plant, was 15,258 ounces. This brings the Companys trailing 12-months total gold production from its Segovia Operations at the end of July 2021 to 201,688 ounces, up 3% over 2020. The Company remains on track with its annual production guidance of 200,000 to 220,000 ounces of gold from Segovia in 2021. Including Marmato production up to February 4, 2021, consolidated gold production for the first half of 2021 was 103,684 ounces compared with 104,475 ounces in the first half last year. Consolidated revenue amounted to $96.4 million and $198.3 million in the second quarter and first half of 2021, respectively, up from $77.1 million and $178.1 million in the second quarter and first half, respectively, of 2020. The year-over-year increase in revenue largely reflects an increase in the Companys realized gold price (1) which averaged $1,805 per ounce sold in the first half of 2021 compared with an average of $1,622 per ounce sold in the first half last year.





amounted to $96.4 million and $198.3 million in the second quarter and first half of 2021, respectively, up from $77.1 million and $178.1 million in the second quarter and first half, respectively, of 2020. The year-over-year increase in revenue largely reflects an increase in the Companys realized gold price which averaged $1,805 per ounce sold in the first half of 2021 compared with an average of $1,622 per ounce sold in the first half last year. At the Segovia Operations, total cash costs (1) averaged $767 per ounce in the second quarter of 2021, compared with $654 per ounce in the second quarter of 2020, bringing the average for the first half of 2021 to $796 per ounce compared with $625 per ounce in the first half last year. The year-over-year increase in Segovias total cash cost per ounce in the second quarter and first half of 2021 reflects (i) an increase in contractor and artisanal mining payment rates (which had not changed since 2017) implemented in the third quarter of 2020 in response to the current gold market conditions, (ii) higher spot gold prices which increased production taxes on a per ounce basis and (iii) additional costs to maintain the necessary COVID-19 protocols required to protect the health and safety of Segovias workers and the local communities. Including Marmato, consolidated total cash costs were $816 per ounce in the first half of 2021 compared with $686 per ounce in the first half last year.





averaged $767 per ounce in the second quarter of 2021, compared with $654 per ounce in the second quarter of 2020, bringing the average for the first half of 2021 to $796 per ounce compared with $625 per ounce in the first half last year. The year-over-year increase in Segovias total cash cost per ounce in the second quarter and first half of 2021 reflects (i) an increase in contractor and artisanal mining payment rates (which had not changed since 2017) implemented in the third quarter of 2020 in response to the current gold market conditions, (ii) higher spot gold prices which increased production taxes on a per ounce basis and (iii) additional costs to maintain the necessary COVID-19 protocols required to protect the health and safety of Segovias workers and the local communities. Including Marmato, consolidated total cash costs were $816 per ounce in the first half of 2021 compared with $686 per ounce in the first half last year. All-in sustaining costs (AISC) (1) per ounce sold for the Segovia Operations were $1,101 and $1,110 in the second quarter and first half, respectively, of 2021 compared with $965 and $890 in the second quarter and first half, respectively, of 2020. The year-over-year increase in Segovias AISC in 2021 reflects (i) the increased total cash costs as described above and (ii) an increase in mine development and other sustaining capital expenditures. Sustaining capital expenditures at Segovia amounted to $19.9 million in the first half of 2021, up from $13.0 million in the first half last year which reflected a slowdown in activity in the second quarter of 2020 during the early stages of the COVID-19 national quarantine in Colombia that delayed many of the Companys initiatives until later in 2020. Including Marmato, consolidated AISC in the first half of 2021 was $1,133 per ounce compared with $954 per ounce in the first half last year.





for the Segovia Operations were $1,101 and $1,110 in the second quarter and first half, respectively, of 2021 compared with $965 and $890 in the second quarter and first half, respectively, of 2020. The year-over-year increase in Segovias AISC in 2021 reflects (i) the increased total cash costs as described above and (ii) an increase in mine development and other sustaining capital expenditures. Sustaining capital expenditures at Segovia amounted to $19.9 million in the first half of 2021, up from $13.0 million in the first half last year which reflected a slowdown in activity in the second quarter of 2020 during the early stages of the COVID-19 national quarantine in Colombia that delayed many of the Companys initiatives until later in 2020. Including Marmato, consolidated AISC in the first half of 2021 was $1,133 per ounce compared with $954 per ounce in the first half last year. Adjusted EBITDA (1) amounted to $48.0 million for the second quarter of 2021 compared with $37.6 million in the second quarter last year. This brings the total adjusted EBITDA for the first half of 2021 to $94.3 million, up from $88.0 million in the first half of 2020. The Companys trailing 12-months adjusted EBITDA at the end of June 2021 stood at $194.1 million compared with $187.8 million in 2020.





amounted to $48.0 million for the second quarter of 2021 compared with $37.6 million in the second quarter last year. This brings the total adjusted EBITDA for the first half of 2021 to $94.3 million, up from $88.0 million in the first half of 2020. The Companys trailing 12-months adjusted EBITDA at the end of June 2021 stood at $194.1 million compared with $187.8 million in 2020. Net cash provided by operating activities in the second quarter of 2021 was $12.8 million compared with $7.0 million in the second quarter last year. Operating cash flow in the second quarter each year typically bears the heaviest impact of income tax payments in Colombia which amounted to $49.3 million in the second quarter of 2021, up from $35.3 million in the second quarter last year. For the first half of 2021, net cash provided by operating activities amounted to $26.4 million compared with $38.9 million in the first half last year reflecting the increased level of income tax payments in 2021 and $8.8 million of change of control payments made by Aris related to the Aris Transaction.





in the second quarter of 2021 was $12.8 million compared with $7.0 million in the second quarter last year. Operating cash flow in the second quarter each year typically bears the heaviest impact of income tax payments in Colombia which amounted to $49.3 million in the second quarter of 2021, up from $35.3 million in the second quarter last year. For the first half of 2021, net cash provided by operating activities amounted to $26.4 million compared with $38.9 million in the first half last year reflecting the increased level of income tax payments in 2021 and $8.8 million of change of control payments made by Aris related to the Aris Transaction. Free Cash Flow (1) in the second quarter of 2021, which reflected the increased levels of sustaining capital expenditures and income tax payments this year, was negative $3.0 million compared with negative $3.8 million in the second quarter of 2020. Free Cash Flow for the first half of 2021 was negative $0.5 million compared with $14.1 million in the first half of 2020. The Companys Free Cash Flow, adjusted to exclude Aris, in the first half of 2021 was $11.8 million compared with $20.1 million in the first half last year, reflecting an increased level of income tax payments and capital expenditures at Segovia in the first half of 2021 compared with the first half last year.





in the second quarter of 2021, which reflected the increased levels of sustaining capital expenditures and income tax payments this year, was negative $3.0 million compared with negative $3.8 million in the second quarter of 2020. Free Cash Flow for the first half of 2021 was negative $0.5 million compared with $14.1 million in the first half of 2020. The Companys Free Cash Flow, adjusted to exclude Aris, in the first half of 2021 was $11.8 million compared with $20.1 million in the first half last year, reflecting an increased level of income tax payments and capital expenditures at Segovia in the first half of 2021 compared with the first half last year. The Companys balance sheet continued to reflect solid liquidity with total cash of $57.8 million and working capital of $59.3 million at the end of June 2021.





continued to reflect solid liquidity with total cash of $57.8 million and working capital of $59.3 million at the end of June 2021. The Company returned a total of $7.6 million to shareholders in the first half of 2021 with payment of its monthly dividends totaling $4.4 million and the repurchase of 702,000 shares at a cost of $3.2 million.





totaling $4.4 million and the repurchase of 702,000 shares at a cost of $3.2 million. Income from operations in the second quarter of 2021 was $39.6 million, up from $30.4 million in the second quarter last year largely on the strength of higher realized gold prices and higher production volume offset partially by the increase in Segovias total cash cost per ounce compared with the second quarter last year. Income from operations in the first half of 2021 amounted to $78.7 million compared with $71.3 million in the first half of 2020 despite including five fewer months of operating results from Marmato due to the loss of control of Aris at the beginning of February 2021. In the first half of 2021, the increase in realized gold prices together with lower G&A and share-based compensation expense more than mitigated the impact of Segovias higher cash costs per ounce on income from operations.





in the second quarter of 2021 was $39.6 million, up from $30.4 million in the second quarter last year largely on the strength of higher realized gold prices and higher production volume offset partially by the increase in Segovias total cash cost per ounce compared with the second quarter last year. Income from operations in the first half of 2021 amounted to $78.7 million compared with $71.3 million in the first half of 2020 despite including five fewer months of operating results from Marmato due to the loss of control of Aris at the beginning of February 2021. In the first half of 2021, the increase in realized gold prices together with lower G&A and share-based compensation expense more than mitigated the impact of Segovias higher cash costs per ounce on income from operations. The Company reported net income of $29.8 million ($0.41 per share) in the second quarter of 2021 compared with a net loss of $18.6 million ($0.27 per share) in the second quarter of 2020, reflecting the $9.2 million improvement in income from operations as noted above and a gain on financial instruments of $1.5 million in the second quarter of 2021 compared with a loss on financial instruments of $35.4 million in the second quarter of 2020. For the first half of 2021, net income amounted to $148.1 million ($2.31 per share) compared with $5.7 million ($0.13 per share) in the first half last year. Net income in the first half of 2021 reflected the $7.4 million improvement in income from operations as noted above and also benefitted from the $56.9 million gain on loss of control of Aris, the $44.3 million gain on financial instruments (compared with a $18.9 million loss on financial instruments in the first half last year) and the $8.9 million gain on sale of the Zancudo Project. Net income in the first half of 2021 included Aris Transaction costs of $9.8 million while net income in the first half of 2020 included Bluenose RTO Transaction costs of $16.7 million.





of $29.8 million ($0.41 per share) in the second quarter of 2021 compared with a net loss of $18.6 million ($0.27 per share) in the second quarter of 2020, reflecting the $9.2 million improvement in income from operations as noted above and a gain on financial instruments of $1.5 million in the second quarter of 2021 compared with a loss on financial instruments of $35.4 million in the second quarter of 2020. For the first half of 2021, net income amounted to $148.1 million ($2.31 per share) compared with $5.7 million ($0.13 per share) in the first half last year. Net income in the first half of 2021 reflected the $7.4 million improvement in income from operations as noted above and also benefitted from the $56.9 million gain on loss of control of Aris, the $44.3 million gain on financial instruments (compared with a $18.9 million loss on financial instruments in the first half last year) and the $8.9 million gain on sale of the Zancudo Project. Net income in the first half of 2021 included Aris Transaction costs of $9.8 million while net income in the first half of 2020 included Bluenose RTO Transaction costs of $16.7 million. Adjusted net income (1) for the second quarter of 2021 was $23.6 million ($0.33 per share) compared with $17.5 million ($0.29 per share) in the second quarter last year. For the first half of 2021, adjusted net income improved to $45.5 million ($0.69 per share) from $38.7 million ($0.66 per share) in the first half last year. The year-over-year improvement in adjusted net income in the second quarter and first half of 2021 largely reflects the factors noted above regarding income from operations partially offset by an increase in income tax expense.





for the second quarter of 2021 was $23.6 million ($0.33 per share) compared with $17.5 million ($0.29 per share) in the second quarter last year. For the first half of 2021, adjusted net income improved to $45.5 million ($0.69 per share) from $38.7 million ($0.66 per share) in the first half last year. The year-over-year improvement in adjusted net income in the second quarter and first half of 2021 largely reflects the factors noted above regarding income from operations partially offset by an increase in income tax expense. The Companys ongoing drilling program at Segovia continues to provide encouraging results as announced in press releases dated June 9, 2021 and July 12, 2021. Gran Colombia is carrying out 60,000 meters of drilling at Segovia in 2021 with 40,000 meters dedicated to the ongoing in-mine and near-mine drill program at its four operating mines and the other 20,000 meters is aimed at testing its highest priority brownfield targets on the 24 known veins in its mining title that it is not currently mining.



Selected Financial Information

Second Quarter First Half 2021 2020 2021 2020



Operating data Gold produced (ounces) 52,198 48,228 103,684 104,475 Gold sold (ounces) 52,838 45,078 108,155 108,779 Average realized gold price ($/oz sold) (1) $ 1,797 $ 1,696 $ 1,805 $ 1,622 Total cash costs ($/oz sold) (1) 767 713 816 686 AISC ($/oz sold) (1) 1,101 1,045 1,133 954 Financial data ($000s, except per share amounts) Revenue $ 96,353 $ 77,134 $ 198,272 $ 178,110 Adjusted EBITDA (1) 47,995 37,563 94,318 88,000 Net income (loss) 29,799 (18,578 ) 148,104 5,677 Per share - basic 0.41 (0.27 ) 2.31 0.13 Per share - diluted 0.28 (0.27 ) 1.47 0.13 Adjusted net income (1) 23,556 17,504 45,504 38,736 Per share - basic 0.33 0.29 0.69 0.66 Per share - diluted 0.28 0.25 0.58 0.56 Net cash provided by operating activities 12,786 6,992 26,403 38,860 Free cash flow (1) (2,984 ) (3,814 ) (487 ) 14,074 June 30,

December 31, 2021 2020 Balance sheet ($000s): Cash and cash equivalents $ 57,803 $ 122,508 Gold Notes, including current portion  principal amount outstanding (2) 19,750 35,525 Convertible Debentures  principal amount outstanding (3) CA18,000 CA20,000

(1) Refer to Non-IFRS Measures in the Companys MD&A.

(2) The Gold Notes are recorded in the Interim Financial Statements at fair value. At June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the carrying amounts of the Gold Notes outstanding were $21.6 million and $38.5 million, respectively. Refer also to Subsequent Event  Early Redemption on page 9.

(3) The Convertible Debentures are recorded in the Interim Financial Statements at fair value. At June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the carrying amounts of the Convertible Debentures outstanding were $19.2 million and $28.4 million, respectively.



Second Quarter 2021 Results Webcast

As a reminder, Gran Colombia will host a conference call and webcast on Friday, August 13, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the results.

Webcast and call-in details are as follows:

Live Event link:

Canada Toll / International:

North America Toll Free:

Colombia Toll Free:

Conference ID: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/8pi4h8ou

1 (514) 841-2157

1 (866) 215-5508

01 800 9 156 924

50186481



A replay of the webcast will be available at www.grancolombiagold.com from Friday, August 13, 2021 until Friday, September 10, 2021.



About Gran Colombia Gold Corp.

Gran Colombia is a mid-tier gold producer with a proven track record of mine building and operating in Latin America. In Colombia, the Company is currently the largest underground gold and silver producer with several mines in operation at its high-grade Segovia Operations. In Guyana, the Company is advancing the Toroparu Project, one of the largest undeveloped gold projects in Latin Americas. Gran Colombia also owns an approximately 44% equity interest in Aris Gold Corporation (TSX: ARIS) (Colombia  Marmato), an approximately 27% equity interest in Denarius Silver Corp. (TSX-V: DSLV) (Spain  Lomero-Poyatos; Colombia  Guia Antigua and Zancudo) and an approximately 26% equity interest in Western Atlas Resources Inc. (TSX-V: WA) (Nunavut  Meadowbank).

Additional information on Gran Colombia can be found on its website at www.grancolombiagold.com and by reviewing its profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information:

This news release contains "forward-looking information", which may include, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the continuation of operations during the COVID-19 situation, production guidance, and other anticipated business plans or strategies. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Gran Colombia to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements are described under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Information Form dated as of March 31, 2021 which is available for view on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this press release and Gran Colombia disclaims, other than as required by law, any obligation to update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, results, future events, circumstances, or if management's estimates or opinions should change, or otherwise. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

For Further Information, Contact:

Mike Davies

Chief Financial Officer

(416) 360-4653

investorrelations@grancolombiagold.com
Waukesha, WI (53187)

Today

Sunshine and a few clouds. Areas of patchy fog. High near 85F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Mainly clear. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 67F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.
Adrian Newey has worked with many greats in his Formula 1 career. He designed the winning cars for Alain Prost, Damon Hill, Nigel Mansell, Mika Hakkinen and Sebastian Vettel. Now, however, he is working with Max Verstappen, and he is lyrical about it.

Verstappen as champion

Newey switched from McLaren to Red Bull Racing in 2006. At that time, Red Bull was a new team, where Newey left a top team like McLaren. However, the Briton would prove to be an important link in Red Bull Racing's success. After four world titles with Sebastian Vettel, Newey is now chasing titles with Verstappen.

''He has the same steely grit that any world champion needs to dig in and keep going in the face of adversity. If things go wrong he can put that behind him and look forward to the next one. His driving ability is obviously superb, his ability to live with a neutral car where the rear end moves around a little bit, is exceptional,'' Newey said opposite The Race.

''And hes matured into a great racer. Hes really not made any mistakes this year. If you include Hungary, which was semi-effectively a DNF, then hes had three DNFs through no fault of his own. But hes kept his head and bounced back from all of those.''

Newey praising Max

''His natural speed is very clear. His feedback is very good. Ive seen it all in terms of driver feedback which is a huge variable, you get some drivers who talk endlessly and start with the first stage of entry into Turn 1 finishing at the last stage of exit of Turn 20. Ive fallen asleep by then, Ive lost concentration. Whereas Max has got a very good balance of concentrating on the key parts he needs to make the car fast," says the top designer.

Newey also talks easily with Max about other things than the car. ''Hes very easy to chat to. Hes got a range of interests, which I think is very important for an F1 driver. If your only interest is F1, that can almost make it too important when the pressure comes on. Max has a very good balance in that sense,'' the Red Bull Racing designer concludes.

Read more Jeremy Clarkson opens another attack on Hamilton
ChargePoint Holdings, a leading electric vehicle (EV) charging network operating in North America and Europe, has acquired ViriCiti, a leading provider of electrification solutions for eBus and commercial fleets. ChargePoint acquired ViriCiti for a total purchase price of approximately 75 million (US$88 million) in cash, subject to adjustments.

The ViriCiti team, customer accounts and technology will become part of ChargePoints operations. Along with the pending acquisition of leading European e-mobility technology provider hastobe, this transaction confirms ChargePoints commitment to the electrification of fleet and commercial segments in North America and Europe.

ViriCiti will enhance the ChargePoint fleet solution portfolio of hardware, software and services by integrating information sources to optimize electric fleet operations, including battery management, charging station monitoring, OEM-agnostic telematics, vehicle maintenance and vehicle operations data.

The combined solution will enable fleets to identify what routes to electrify, monitor and report on uptime, optimize fueling to ensure operational readiness at low cost, and integrate vehicle and charging station management. Working with existing systems of record enables ChargePoint to deliver a complete set of solutions for electric fleet operators, enabling success from initial infrastructure buildout to optimization and growth.

The future of fleets is electric, and integrating charging solutions with the many business systems already in place in todays depots is essential to successful electrification. Adding ViriCitis vehicle management capabilities to our fleet portfolio allows ChargePoint to deliver more functionality to eBus and commercial fleet operators, while remaining open to integration with existing telematics systems. The combined solution underscores the importance of software to EV charging and will ensure operational readiness at low cost as fleets of all types across North America and Europe continue to electrify. Pasquale Romano, President and CEO of ChargePoint

Founded in 2012, ViriCiti today has more than 50 employees in the Netherlands and United States, and established market share in North America and Europe with approximately 150 fleet operators, 3,500 connected vehicles and 2,500 networked ports under management. ViriCiti customers include prominent fleet operators and OEMs, such as Arriva, Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe, Chicago Transit Authority, GILLIG, Keolis, King County Metro, Metropolitan Transit Authority (New York), PicNic, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Authority and Toronto Transit Commission.

The need for efficient software tools to gather, analyze and recommend vehicle types, charging hardware, site energy requirements and other operational strategies has never been greater. Software, analytics and advisory are expected to be key portfolio components for any industry actor wishing to provide a holistic suite of electrification services in a B2B setting and help accelerate fleet electrification over the next decade. With this acquisition and their recently announced global fleet solution portfolio, which already includes a scalable EV charging platform with hardware, installation and fleet management services, ChargePoint is now well positioned to offer fleet managers large and small a full range of tools required to start planning and executing their electrification journeys. Dr. Jose Serras-Pereira, Director  Advisory, Mobility Group, Frost & Sullivan

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC served as exclusive financial advisor to ChargePoint. IMPROVED Corporate Finance B.V. served as the exclusive M&A advisor to ViriCiti and its shareholders.
On Wednesday, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan issued a statement calling on OPEC+ to increase oil production:

While OPEC+ recently agreed to production increases, these increases will not fully offset previous production cuts that OPEC+ imposed during the pandemic until well into 2022. At a critical moment in the global recovery, this is simply not enough.  President Biden has made clear that he wants Americans to have access to affordable and reliable energy, including at the pump.  We are engaging with relevant OPEC+ members on the importance of competitive markets in setting prices. Competitive energy markets will ensure reliable and stable energy supplies, and OPEC+ must do more to support the recovery.





OPEC+ had agreed at a 18 July meeting to boost production by 400,000 barrels per day on a monthly basis through until December. OPEC+ is a group of 24 oil-producing nations, made up of the 14 members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), and 10 other non-OPEC members, including Russia.

On the same day as the statement from the Biden White House, the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) noted that in its August Short-Term Energy Outlook, it forecast larger than previously expected world petroleum inventory draws in 2021 and larger inventory builds in 2022. The changes are driven mostly by forecast changes to production from OPEC and Russia as a result of the 18 July agreement.

The EIA noted that concerns about decreased demand because of increasing COVID-19 cases have recently driven crude oil prices down, offsetting some initial price increases due to larger inventory draws. As a result, EIAs crude oil price forecast remains mostly unchanged from the July STEO. However, it revised down its forecast for total world petroleum production.

In the August STEO, we forecast that total world petroleum production will average 98.9 million barrels per day (b/d) in the second half of 2021 (2H21), down from a forecast of 99.4 million b/d in the July STEO. We decreased our forecast for world petroleum production in 2021 because of lower forecast production from OPEC, which is only slightly offset by increased forecast production in Russia. In 2022, we forecast that global petroleum production will average 101.8 million b/d20,000 b/d less than we forecast in the July STEO. US Energy Information Administration (EIA)





The Biden Administration immediately drew sharp criticism for the statement from a wide spectrum.

The North Dakota Petroleum Council issued the following statement:

Feeling pressure from consumers faced with high gas prices and trying to recover from the economic devastation of 2020, the Biden Administration is now urging OPEC+ to increase production to ensure competitive energy markets. If the White House actually cared about Americans having access to affordable and reliable energy, as they claim in their statement, they would be taking every step necessary to facilitate increased production here in America and ease off their plans to regulate our domestic industry out of business. Ron Ness, President of the North Dakota Petroleum Council

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen said:

This is an insult to Americans in rural communities who would have benefited from the Keystone XL pipeline and the energy workers in states like mine who are suffering from the effects of the Biden administrations ongoing federal lease ban. Montana consumers are also hurting, paying almost 50 percent more for gas than they were a year ago. If President Biden truly wants affordable and reliable energy like he claims, his administration needs to encourage more energy development and infrastructure in America, not continue to illegally restrict it. Until he changes course, we will all continue to pay the price.

Writing in Forbes, David Blackmon said:

U.S. President Joe Biden issued a request on Wednesday to OPEC+ leaders, urging them to  produce more oil? Really? Just one day after the U.S. Senate voted to approve a massive $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill loaded up with incentives, mandates, subsidies and slush funds designed to stimulate the buildout of electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy in the U.S., the President wants the rest of the world to pump more oil.  It seems instructive at this point to note that neither Biden or Sullivan issued any similar request to Americas own producers of oil and gas, who could, if they wanted to, significantly ramp up oil production here in the United States. Of course, this administration has been working at ensuring these domestic producers find it as hard as possible to increase their own production over the last 8 months, and plans to continue that work for at least three more years, so asking for more production from them would have been even more ironic than asking other nations to damage their own economies for Americas benefit, which is exactly what the White House is asking the OPEC+ nations to do with this request.

However, Blackmon noted, given the efforts that US producers have put into reining in drilling programs in favor of improving free cash flow and maximizing investor returns, they would likely be unwilling to raise production in response to a White House request.

On the other side, Kassie Siegel, director of the Center for Biological Diversitys Climate Law Institute, told The Independent in a statement:

If Bidens going to urge OPEC to increase oil production one day after the UNs code red climate report, he may as well come to California and personally light more wildfires. This US statement is horrifying, and we wont stand for it. Well hold Biden accountable to his promises to lead on climate. There is no way to address the climate emergency without limiting oil production. They are one and the same.

In Canda, Alberta Energy Minister Sonya Savage told the Calgary Herald:
Students and employees at Sweetwater County schools will not be required to wear masks when they return to the classroom this month.

Both Sweetwater County School Districts released statements at the end of July saying in the new school year the option to utilize masks or other face coverings will be left to the discretion of families and employees.

Western Wyoming Community College removed its mask mandate for the summer semester, and said that the fall semester will open as normal.

On August 4, Governor Mark Gordon announced he will not implement a state-wide mask mandate for schools.

My focus is on supporting local school boards as they take into account conditions in their community and work to assure students learn safely this year too, Governor Gordon said.

Also on August 4, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revised their Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools. The update states: Due to the circulating and highly contagious Delta variant, CDC recommends universal indoor masking by all students (age 2 and older), staff, teachers, and visitors to K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status.

Despite the updated CDC recommendations, Sweetwater County schools are sticking to the decision to not require masks.

We are going to go forward with our current plan as approved, Craig Barringer, superintendent of Sweetwater County School District No. 2, said.

The districts Smart Start Plan, which outlines COVID-19 protocols for the new school year, including the optional mask guidelines, was voted on and approved by the school board during their August 10 meeting.

Barringer explained that this years Smart Start plan is a modified version of last years. The plan was first put together in 2020 when Wyoming schools were required to present their plans and protocols in order to open for in-person learning. The plan was then approved by the Wyoming Department of Education and the Wyoming Department of Health. Over 30 people helped put the original plan together, including board administrators, teachers, and community members, according to Barringer.

The revised Smart Start Plan will include many of the same safety protocols followed this past school year, including: handwashing, social distancing when possible, thorough cleaning of facilities, and remaining home when there are signs of any infectious illness, a press release explained.

Although masks arent required under the updated plan, it includes guidelines that specify that mask wearing may be implemented again if there is an increase in positive COVID-19 cases within the district.

According to the updated plan, if a specific school in the district reaches a 15% positivity rate among staff and students for COVID-19, that school will be required to reinstate a mask mandate until they return to a lower positivity rate. If a school reaches a 30% positivity rate it will be closed to in person learning and instruction will be provided remotely until the positivity rate among the students and staff drops to a level where they can continue with a mask mandate or without masks once they are below a 15% positivity rate.

Barringer said the changes to this years Smart Start Plan were made by the districts administration working together and all decisions have to be approved by the school board. Barringer also noted that the changes were discussed with other school districts across the state, and nearly all of Wyomings schools are choosing to make masks optional. The changes to the plan were carefully discussed with multiple people and information from multiple sources was considered, according to Barringer. He also noted that he hopes the plan will be able to answer peoples concerns, and he values input.

We just want to get it right, Barringer said.

While the plan has been approved, it is designed to be flexible and is subject to change as needed. The Smart Start plan states: The District Leadership team will continue to meet regularly to evaluate the plan and to make adjustments as needed. This team will be comprised of Central Office staff, building principals, and Sweetwater School District #2 School Board representative.

Last year we talked about where we were at every week, and we will do the same this year, Barringer said.

Despite the possibility for change, Barringer expressed his confidence that the current plan is a safe one.

Sweetwater County School District No. 1 has also kept to the decision to make masks optional. In a statement released August 11, the district outlined this years COVID-19 protocols, which include encouraging those who are sick to stay home, disinfecting high contact areas and using ionizers and ultraviolet lighting in schools.

As we look forward to the upcoming school year, we want our students, parents, and staff to know that safety and wellness will remain our top priority, the district said in the statement. We will continue our efforts to monitor the community and school transmission of COVID related illnesses throughout the school year, and work to ensure that all district stakeholders are safe while promoting protocols that aim to limit potential exposure.

Western Wyoming Community College announced on August 11 that the fall semester will have a normal opening, but the college will continue to follow local, state, and national health directives regarding COVID-19. The schools COVID-19 Task Force will meet regularly, and procedures may change if there is an influx of cases on campus.

Local health leaders expressed concerns about the rise in COVID-19 cases the new school year could bring. During the monthly COVID-19 update Zoom meeting held for local officials, County Health Officer Dr. Jean Stachon noted the schools decision to go unmasked.

I guess well just see what happens, Stachon said. She added that she will be surprised if there isnt an increase in cases that affects the way schools operate this year.

Public Health Director Kim Lionberger noted that kids in school tend to spread germs, and with the Delta variant of COVID-19 being more easily spread, she also believes our county could see an increase in new COVID-19 cases following the start of school.

Sweetwater County School District No. 1 starts classes on August 17, Sweetwater County School District No. 2 starts classes on August 18, and Western Wyoming Community College starts classes on August 23.
A portion of East Teton Boulevard between Bridger Drive and Alabama Drive will be closed for the next few weeks for a project that will make the area more accessible and compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations.

DeBernardi Construction Company is the contracted company completing the project. Work began on August 10 and is expected to last 2-3 weeks.

Detours around the area will include routes on West Teton, Alabama Drive, and Bridger Drive. Commuters traveling to the north side of the city can also take Colorado Drive to Upland Way.

The project will install ADA compliant ramps at the corner of East Teton and Alabama Drive and where East Teton and the Greenbelt intersect, according to City of Green River Public Works Director Mark Westenskow. This project is a follow-up to a previous ADA improvement project that installed ramps where East Teton intersects with Bridger Drive, Westenskow said.

Harrison Elementary School, which is close to the area where the project is being completed, has an accessible playground, so its especially important to make the area around the school accessible, Westenskow said. He hopes the project will make the East Teton safer and easier to use for wheelchairs as well as things like strollers and bicycles.

Widening sidewalks and installing storm inlets will be part of the project as well. Westenskow explained that the sidewalk dipped in spots and stormwater would flow over the sidewalk, so the storm inlets will help the water drain properly and make the area safer.

This project is funded with grants through the Wyoming Department of Transportation Transportation Alternatives Program. According to WYDOT, Transportation Alternatives (TA) are federally funded, community-based projects that expand travel choices and enhance the transportation experience by integrating modes and improving the cultural, historic, and environmental aspects of our transportation infrastructure. Funding for TA projects is matched 80/20, which Westenskow said is a good investment for the city.
COVID-19 cases are on the rise again throughout Wyoming, and local health officials are dealing with both the impact of increased cases and burnout among health care workers, all while still trying to encourage the public to take the situation seriously.

I think the impression in our county is that its all gone away, but it hasnt, Sweetwater County Health Officer Dr. Jean Stachon said during the monthly COVID-19 update meeting held through Zoom for local health officials and county leaders.

Dr. Stachon said things are heating up across the state. After months of relatively low case numbers, Wyoming is again seeing increases in new cases. Most Wyoming counties are now in red and orange zones, meaning they have high or moderate to high transmission levels of COVID-19.

Sweetwater County had around 40 active cases on Monday when the meeting was held and was in the red zone with high transmission levels. Dr. Stachon noted our county is not leading the state in active cases or transmission levels, as it has at times in the past, but that doesnt mean things wont get worse again.

Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County has seen an increased number of COVID-19 patients, according to Kim White, the hospitals incident commander, and its not just the elderly or immunocompromised anymore. White said the hospital has been admitting patients in their 30s and giving oxygen to people who would not be considered high risk. There is no rhyme or reason to who COVID affects and how, and even those who survive may have to deal with long-term effects, according to White.

In addition to rising cases, local health officials are facing the effects the pandemic has had on health care workers. Dr. Cielette Karn of Sweetwater Memorial said there is a nursing shortage across the country, and she believes we burned a lot of them out during the first wave of COVID-19 and this next wave could be as bad if not worse. White said the hospital is not immune to the nursing shortage, and the staff is dealing with the difficulties of dealing with the pandemic.

Its getting heart wrenching, White said, explaining that hospital staff have to deal with pressure and exhaustion that make it hard to come to work.

Public Health Director Kim Lionberger agreed, saying that health workers have had to deal with burnout, anxiety, and despair since the pandemic began, and its not going away.

Burnout among health workers can lead to staffing shortages that make it difficult to deal with increased cases. Dr. Karn noted that hospitals in Salt Lake City are experiencing this reality. Doctors from Utah are reporting that their Intensive Care Units are down to a more limited number of beds because they dont have enough nurses, and increased numbers of patients mean the ICUs are maxed out most of the time. Dr. Karn said many ICUs in Salt Lake City have to refuse to take patients, whether theyre COVID-19 patients or not.

As far as the recent rise is COVID-19 cases, Lionberger said she believes both the presence of the Delta variant of COVID-19 and the relatively low vaccination rates in Wyoming play a part. Many of the cases in Sweetwater County have been identified as the Delta variant, Lionberger said.

State Health Officer Dr. Alexia Harrist said in a press release that the Delta variant is dominant in Wyoming right now, with most new cases in the state likely linked to the variant.

The Delta variant must be taken seriously because it spreads much more easily between people than the COVID-19 weve become familiar with, Harrist said. There are also concerns from experts that as the Delta variant spreads the number of breakthrough cases will increase.

Breakthrough cases refer to cases of COVID-19 in people who have been fully vaccinated. Dr. Stachon noted that, currently, most of the cases of COVID-19 in Sweetwater County are among those who are unvaccinated. White said that the Wyoming Department of Health reported about 5% of cases in Wyoming have been breakthrough cases. Dr. Karn pointed out that breakthrough cases are usually milder and typically dont result in hospitalization or death.

Health officials continue to encourage the public to get vaccinated if they have not yet. Dr. Karn said its distressing from a physicians point of view to know that we have an effective solution for dealing with COVID in the vaccine and people wont get it.

Please reconsider, Dr. Karn said to those who arent vaccinated. This is not a political decision, its about public health.

Despite overall low vaccination rates in Wyoming, the vaccine does continue to be distributed in Sweetwater County, and is readily available. Public Health has walk-in vaccine clinics on weekdays, Sweetwater Memorial has a drive-thru vaccine clinic every Wednesday, and vaccines are available through local pharmacies.
When state officials unveiled in June that a nuclear demonstration project is slated for Wyoming, they touted it as an advanced technology. But critics of the Natrium project say weve been here before  with the same technology and the same assurances made  only to see hopes dashed and massive public investments go to waste.

The multi-billion dollar Natrium project is a joint effort of PacifiCorp, TerraPower and the U.S. Department of Energy that is expected to place a 345-megawatt power plant in Wyoming. Behind TerraPower is none other than Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft and co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Gates has injected vast sums from his enormous wealth into finding a solution to the worlds climate crisis that can be implemented in the near future. The investment in Natrium, Gates said during a recorded statement in June, would allow Wyoming to continue being a leader in U.S. energy.Based on stipulations of the federal grant that makes the project possible, the plant is to be completed within seven years.

The unexpected announcement in early June brought rosy projections and big grins from Gov. Mark Gordon and U.S. Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), along with representatives from TerraPower and Rocky Mountain Power. (Rocky Mountain Power is a unit of PacifiCorp.)

Gordon declared it game-changing and monumental for Wyoming, a state suffering massive budget shortfalls and economic ennui from a long-term downturn in fossil-fuel markets.

The advanced nuclear energy demonstration plant is slated to replace one of four coal-fired plant units in PacifiCorps Wyoming power system: either at Jim Bridger near Rock Springs, Naughton in Kemmerer, Dave Johnston near Glenrock or WyoDak near Gillette. Leaders in those communities have expressed hope to the Casper Star Tribune that they will land the jobs and tax revenues expected of the massive project.

Critics familiar with the technology and its history, however, doubt whether a commercially operating nuclear power plant will manifest in the next seven years  or ever  in Wyoming.

It would be quite a feat to pull off, Allison Macfarlane, Nuclear Regulatory Commission chair from 2012-2014, told WyoFile.

The history and current state of nuclear energy in the U.S. is long and complicated, but Edwin Lyman, Union of Concerned Scientists nuclear power safety director, said one thing is abundantly clear: No U.S. nuclear power project has been successfully completed on time and on budget in recent decades.

To attempt to build and operate a commercial unit without first taking the time to do all the necessary safety testing is a recipe for disaster, Lyman said of the Natrium project.

TerraPower declined a request for an interview.

The nuclear reactors that supply roughly 20% of American electricity are known as light-water reactors. These thermal neutron reactors use water as both coolant and neutron moderator. Heat generated by controlled nuclear fission turns the water into steam, which drives the power-generating turbines.

The proposed Natrium reactor, by contrast, belongs to a broad class of non-light-water reactors. Sometimes called advanced reactors, they are cooled not by water but by other substances, such as liquid sodium, helium gas or even molten salts.

Natriums specific design is known as a fast reactor. This type of nuclear reactor does not require a moderator material to slow down fission neutrons. Natrium uses liquid sodium as its coolant. (The name Natrium comes from the Latin word for sodium.) The solid sodium melts into a liquid form when it gets hot enough. That molten metal is whats inside the core cooling the reactor vessel and  via a molten salt loop  ultimately allowing a steam turbine to generate electricity.

Its significantly different from light-water reactors, Jeff Navin, TerraPowers director of external affairs, told Wyoming lawmakers June 25 in Casper. The design makes the system safer, he said, and inherently prevents meltdowns.

That liquid metal has a very high boiling point, and what that means is the reactor cant get hot enough to boil the coolant off, Navin said. So in the event of an accident happening, or loss of power, we dont have to touch anything to keep the reactor from melting down.

Though significantly different from the more-established light-water reactors, Natriums sodium-cooled approach isnt new.

Its new technological development is the molten salt storage component, which has the potential to boost the systems power up to a maximum of 500 megawatts, Navin said. A megawatt of capacity produces electricity thats equivalent to powering between 400 and 900 homes for a year, according to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

That energy storage component is four times larger than the biggest lithium ion battery plant that is currently deployed around the world, Navin said. This is a real massive and a real big gamechanger on that front. So what makes it valuable, what makes us valuable, is the ability to respond to that supply and demand on the energy system.

The Natrium reactor would be roughly one-third of the size of a traditional light-water-reactor design, resulting in cost savings and reducing the scale in the event of an accident, Navin said. Additionally, proponents assert it would produce two-thirds less spent radioactive waste than a traditional light water reactor. Radioactive waste from the Natrium reactor would be stored on-site as the federal government continues to develop plans for permanent nuclear waste storage  an endeavor that has eluded policy makers since the inception of U.S. nuclear power generation.

Fast breeder reactor designs such as Natrium date back to 1944 with the Manhattan Project. The worlds first nuclear reactor to generate electricity was the Experimental Breeder Reactor-I, built in Idaho, which powered four lightbulbs in 1951.

According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, five sodium-cooled fast reactors are operating today in India, Russia and China. Four are experimental, testing features of the power systems. One commercial demonstration reactor is in Russia, where operators are assessing its ability to generate enough power consistently to serve electrical customers. A demonstration sodium-cooled fast reactor in India is slated to go online in 2021, but Lyman of the Union of Concerned Scientists said theres some doubt as to whether that timeline will pan out. The only fast breeder reactors ever connected to electrical grids were the French Superphenix and the Russian BN-600 and BN-800.

None of these fast reactors are currently operating as commercial reactors serving power customers.

The U.S. Department of Energy in 2017 identified sodium-cooled fast reactors as one of two non-light-water reactor technologies it would focus on for demonstration. Two sodium-cooled fast reactor concepts were submitted to the federal agency for evaluation.

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One of those was the General Electric-Hitachi PRISM (Power Reactor Innovative Small Module) fast reactor, based on the Experimental Breeder Reactor-II.

Three companies, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists, are developing reactors that are based, to varying extents, on the PRISM reactor design. One of those is TerraPowers Natrium reactor.

There have been high degrees of enthusiasm at various times in U.S. history for investing in nuclear power. Such endeavors have always come with baggage. Its expensive, technically complex and dogged by safety concerns. Public concerns about the prospects of a core meltdown, proliferation or security breach require constant management.

Nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism risk is the danger that nations or terrorist groups could illicitly obtain nuclear-weapon-usable materials from reactors or fuel cycle facilities, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists.

Persistent problems continue to plague ambitions to incorporate more light-water reactors into the power grid. The Vogtle plant in Georgia, for example, is years behind schedule with projected costs standing at more than twice the initial estimate of $14 billion. Another example, the Levy County nuclear plant in Florida, scheduled to go online in 2016, was abandoned after costs ballooned from $5 billion to $22 billion and it was clear it would be roughly a decade behind schedule.

Proponents of nuclear energy understand there are public perception problems with continued government subsidization of light-water reactor projects, Lyman said. The interest in non-light-water reactors is, in part, a reaction to these perception problems, with supporters seeing the technology as a potential breakthrough in the nuclear industry.

But the term advanced reactor, when applied to non-light-water reactors, is something of a misnomer, Lyman said. Designs of today, he said, are largely descended from decades-old models.

There may be some variations on them, but you know its not like this hasnt been tried [in] many different countries for many decades, Lyman said.

In the mid-20th century, the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission supported demonstration plants of non-light-water reactors at sites throughout the United States. One of those, a liquid-metal-sodium-cooled fast reactor called FERMI-1, suffered a partial fuel meltdown in 1966. It went back online years later, but was shut down permanently in 1972. Another example is the Fort St. Vrain high temperature gas cooled reactors in Colorado that experienced operational problems. Established in 1979, those failed after about a decade.

Several critics who spoke to WyoFile were reminded of the nuclear demonstration project that never was at Clinch River, Tennessee. In the early 1980s, it was the largest public works project in the United States.

The project  a joint effort of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission and the U.S. electric power industry  was intended to demonstrate the sodium-cooled fast reactor technology. It received an injection of government money with the idea it would be commercially viable after that initial boost. The Congressional appropriation came in 1972 after President Richard Nixon established it as the nations highest research and development priority. Cost estimates that started in the hundreds of millions grew to billions. There was opposition from the political left and right, and it lost lawmakers confidence. Construction that broke ground in 1981 under Reagan ceased in 1983.

Henry Sokolski, now executive director of the Nonproliferation Policy Education Center, worked in the 1980s for the conservative Washington, D.C., think-tank the Heritage Foundation. When he first came to the foundation, it was in support of the Clinch River fast breeder nuclear project. Under Sokolskis direction, the think-tank would change course, condemning and eventually helping kill the project.

In Sokolskis view, pursuing another fast reactor is akin to swimming upstream against history, with the chances it will be commercially viable vanishingly small. Looking at predictions, and promises of the past, Sokolski said the federal government is again going down a fraught path.

Attempts at implementing fast breeder reactors have failed, Sokolski said, pointing to the SNR-300 in Germany; Dounreay in Scotland; Superphenix in France; Joyo and Monju in Japan; and more.

The PRISM design that the Natrium is based on has not had real-world experience, Lyman said.

The Versatile Test Reactor  a sodium-cooled fast reactor funded by the Department of Energy originally intended for operation in Idaho in 2026 and already projected to see cost overruns  and Natrium are intended to serve as the first large-scale demonstrations of PRISM technology.

All non-light-water reactor designs, Lyman wrote in a March 2021 Union of Concerned Scientists report, will require testing to understand and address new safety issues that come with the technology. To determine whether non-light-water reactors are, in fact, safer than light-water reactors, the reactor must achieve an advanced stage of technical maturity, undergo complete comprehensive safety testing and analysis, and acquire significant operating experience under realistic conditions.

Because of the questions about safety and reliability, Lyman wrote that proceeding with construction of the VTR and the Natrium without conducting prototype testing could pose unacceptable risks to public health, safety, and security, as well as to the success of either project.

Eight countries in the past 60 years have collectively spent more than $100 billion unsuccessfully trying to produce a commercially competitive sodium-cooled fast reactor, Macfarlane wrote in a July column in Foreign Affairs. The economic, technical and logistical hurdles that stand in the way of building safer, more efficient and cost-competitive reactors are too great to succeed in the required timeline for reducing fossil fuel emissions in the fight against the global climate crisis, she told WyoFile.

Im a realist and a pragmatist, Im a scientist, Im a geologist by training, and its just not possible for nuclear to have any kind of significant impact on reducing climate change in the next 20 years, she said.

TerraPower is hoping its Natrium reactor project in Wyoming will be the first of 100 advanced nuclear reactor power plants operating commercially in the U.S., Navin told lawmakers in June. Wyoming, as a global leader in energy for more than a century, was a natural choice with several advantages, he said.

But critics are uncertain whether Natriums timeline, Wyomings workforce, and natural resource utilization projections are realistic.

Sen. Barrasso introduced and was the lead Senate author of the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act, which has facilitated greater investment in research and development of advanced reactor technology and reaffirms congressional support for nuclear energy. The legislation directs the NRC to be much more aggressive in bringing resources to the table to help get these advanced reactors licensed.

The licensing phase would likely take two to three years, TerraPower president and CEO Chris Levesque said during the June announcement.

TerraPower estimates that once construction is allowed to begin, there could be 2,000-3,000 workers needed, with another 300-400 permanent jobs projected through the 60-year life of the plant, Navin told lawmakers June 25.

There is a conflict, however, between economic viability and maximized on-site employment, Lyman said. On one hand, he said companies are telling audiences at conventions they are finding ways to cut capital costs, including labor, to make sure new nuclear power is competitive with other forms of power generation. On the other, Lyman said its advantageous to give politicians in Wyoming the higher end of labor projections.

Many small reactor vendors are banking on the ability to reduce both construction and operating costs radically in order to compete with lower-cost sources of generation, he told WyoFile in an email. TerraPower cant have it both ways.

TerraPower repeatedly told lawmakers June 25 that the company hoped it would take advantage of the existing Wyoming workforce for its labor needs, citing its experience and motivation. Lyman, however, is skeptical local workers would be the most economical choice, he said.

For instance, welders need to have special qualifications to work on nuclear projects, and I believe they are in short supply even in parts of the country where there is a workforce with nuclear experience, Lyman said in an email. And many of the jobs for plant operation would require professional training and skills, as well. Is TerraPower factoring in the time and resources needed for this retraining of the local workforce?

Barrasso, Gordon and the Wyoming Mining Association have all expressed enthusiasm at the prospect of using the states uranium for nuclear reactors in the U.S. Critics contend that prospect is exaggerated.

TerraPower and Rocky Mountain Power reached out to uranium operators in the state prior to the Natrium public announcement, Travis Deti, Wyoming Mining Association director told lawmakers June 25. For an industry in dreadful condition, Deti said it was welcome news.

And when the announcement was made  we had representatives from all nine of our uranium companies in Wyoming  it was met with applause, Deti said. Our guys are very excited about this.

Currently, theres little demand for uranium beyond that for existing reactors, and demand wont likely increase for decades, if at all, Macfarlane said.

The U.S. gets most of its uranium from imports, with domestic supply dropping from a peak in 1980. Deti said Wyoming operators mined 27,000 pounds of uranium in 2020, comparing it to about 12 million pounds a year back in the 1970s.

Russia is the only realistic source of the large quantity of high-assay, low enriched uranium that the Natrium will need, Lyman said.

There is virtually no chance that U.S. uranium will be used if this reactor is to start up on schedule, Lyman said in an email.

Finally, Navin said Congress was clear it expected a seven-year timeframe. While he acknowledged that as very aggressive, he believes it could be done, he said.

Again, Lyman doubts this is achievable. Recent history, Lyman said, does not support the notion that new nuclear plants, even those based on proven technologies, can be built on time and on budget  let alone on an accelerated schedule.

The Natrium demonstration projects cost will be split 50-50 between the Department of Energy and TerraPower with an overall cap of $4 billion. TerraPowers Navin said the company is assuming the risk of cost overruns, assuring lawmakers thats not going to be something thats going to be put either on the state of Wyoming or on Rocky Mountain Powers ratepayers.

So even with Wyoming not on the hook financially, what do residents of the Equality State stand to lose with the Natrium project?

For a community struggling economically, Lyman said he can see why the Natrium proposal would appear to have merits for Wyoming.

If it employs some people for some period of time, its better than nothing. But there are also the larger considerations, as well, he said. From a national perspective, not every pork barrel project that gives people employment is going to be a worthwhile expenditure of taxpayer money.

Wyoming could be left with a complicated cleanup from a project that doesnt go anywhere, and if the plant is operational for a period of time, there would be radioactive waste. A bottleneck in Congress is holding up a permanent geological solution for permanent spent nuclear waste disposal Theres no clear answer for where the waste is supposed to go.

The plan, Navin said, is to store nuclear waste on the plant site until there is a federal determination as to where it will be permanently stored.

The issue of waste is concerning whether the plant is commercially successful or not, Noah Miterko, Health Environmental Alliance of Utah policy associate, said.

If this plant ends up outside of Kemmerer [for example], then the downside for them is they have thousands of pounds of radioactive waste in their backyard, and if the time comes to move it, they have hundreds of trucks moving through their town with high-level radioactive waste, Miterko said. Theres been no innovation on how to deal with radioactive waste.

Miterko is closely following the NuScale project, a potential 720-megawatt nuclear power plant being developed by the Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems for Idaho Falls, Idaho. The Department of Energy in October approved a $1.3 billion award for the NuScale project.

Miterko, whose organization advocates nuclear abolition, said Wyoming should proceed with caution in approaching the Natrium project.

I have a lot of empathy for these communities in Wyoming that are losing their economic engines in fossil fuels, Miterko said. Communities have been through this before and it doesnt always have a happy ending.

One of the key risks, Macfarlane said, is that humans are running out of time to address climate change in a meaningful way. The resources being funneled to nuclear energy could go elsewhere in the climate crisis fight, she said.

We cant pin our hopes on [nuclear] as the thing thats going to get us out of the next 20 years, and the next 20 years are absolutely crucial, Macfarlane said. And so we absolutely have to just throw what we have behind renewables  because we know that technology works.

Despite assurances that TerraPower would assume any potential cost overruns, Lyman said he could picture a scenario where the company is back lobbying Congress to try to raise the $4 billion cap.

Were just speculating here, but unless they make a solemn pledge to the people of the state and the country that theyre not going to accept another dime of public money, anything goes, he said.

This story is supported by a grant through Wyomings Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) and the National Science Foundation.

WyoFile is an independent nonprofit news organization focused on Wyoming people, places and policy.
Sexual harassment allegations cost New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo his job. Now, many want to see him answer for a scandal that cut to the heart of his reputation as a pandemic hero and may have had life-and-death consequences  his administration's handling of outbreaks in nursing homes.

Months before a blistering investigation found Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women, the same attorney general concluded that the administration understated the true death toll in nursing homes by thousands and that fatalities may have been fueled by a state order that effectively forced such homes to accept recovering COVID-19 patients.

Whatever action may lie ahead on the harassment claims, families of the more than 15,000 New Yorkers who died in nursing homes say they want accountability, too, and are urging state lawmakers and the U.S. Justice Department to keep investigating Cuomo after he leaves office.

The nursing home people and their families have not had a day of reckoning," said Vivian Zayas, who blames Cuomo for her mothers death in a West Islip, New York, nursing home.

This not a victory yet, she said. A victory is when the whole nursing home scandal is blown open.

New Yorks Assembly had been moving toward impeachment of Cuomo before the Democrat announced his resignation, and his handling of nursing homes was set to be a part of that, with more than a half-million pages of evidence gathered.

Lawmakers are now weighing whether they can and should push forward with impeachment once Cuomo is out of office in two weeks. One member of the Judiciary Committee said impeachment would amount to vengeance. Other members of the committee have pushed to at least issue a report.

If he committed a crime, just because he resigns those investigations are not going to go away, said Assembly member Ron Kim, a Democrat from Queens, whose uncle died in a nursing home. Justice for the women is the first step. Getting the justice for the families who lost loved ones is a longer journey because it involves a whole ecosystem.

Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, who will become governor after Cuomos departure, vowed her administration will be fully transparent when it comes to releasing data on nursing home deaths.

A federal investigation could also bring answers. The Trump Justice Department began requesting nursing home records from New York a year ago and widened its inquiry last summer after a report by The Associated Press found the states official toll of COVID-19 deaths in long-term care facilities was probably a significant undercount.

A narrow Justice Department inquiry into possible civil rights violations at government-run nursing homes ended without triggering a full-blown investigation. But broader examinations by federal prosecutors remain alive, three people familiar with the matter told the AP on condition of anonymity because they werent authorized to discuss the investigation publicly.

Its focus includes whether the state intentionally manipulated data on nursing home deaths and whether Cuomo and his aides provided the Justice Department with false or incomplete information, which could constitute a federal crime, one of the people said.

Early in the probe, the Cuomo administration was not cooperative with prosecutors and for months did not produce documents and other requested data, the people said.

A Justice Department spokesperson did not respond Wednesday to requests for comment on the status of the investigation.

Among those who have been interviewed in the probe are Kim and another lawmaker who drew Cuomos ire for calling attention to the nursing home crisis, state Sen. Gustavo Rivera, who said he sat through three hours of questioning in May.

Rivera was flying to a conference on Tuesday as Cuomo was speaking and found himself having to muffle his delight as he watched the resignation unfold on a seatback TV. The Bronx Democrat who chairs the Senate's Health Committee said Cuomo's decisions on nursing homes were an instance of the governor "doing something to make himself look good.

As the virus engulfed New York in the early days of the pandemic, Cuomo did indeed look good, gaining a national audience for his tell-it-like-it-is daily briefings in which he lectured, cheerleaded and cajoled his constituents to stay New York tough.

Many hailed him as a counterweight to the ineffective COVID-19 response they saw coming from the White House under President Donald Trump. Cuomo went on to write a book about leadership in a crisis.

That resolute image prevailed even as some of the governors apparent missteps began gaining notice.

Early in the pandemic, the administration moved to free up hospital space by issuing a directive barring nursing homes from refusing people just because they had COVID-19. The directive was ultimately reversed but was blamed by advocates for spreading the virus and contributing to deaths.

After the administration refused to release data and answer questions about the policy for nine months, AP obtained records this year showing more than 9,000 recovering coronavirus patients in New York state were released from hospitals into nursing homes under the order, more than 40% higher than what the state health department previously disclosed.

New York Attorney General Letitia James' report in January noted that while Cuomo's directive was in line with federal guidance, it may have put residents at increased risk of harm in some facilities.

But the Cuomo administration has long contended that infected nursing home employees  not recovering COVID-19 patients  were the real drivers of infections and that it was incumbent upon nursing homes under state law to refuse COVID-19 patients if they were not equipped to care for them safely.

The administration also tallied nursing home deaths in a way that was out of step with nearly every other state: It counted only those residents who died on nursing home property, not those who succumbed after being sent to a hospital.

After James report came out, the Cuomo administration finally released data that confirmed what many suspected: The official death count was off by 50 percent, a difference of more than 4,200 victims.

A top aide to the governor, Melissa DeRosa, tried to explain the administrations delays in releasing data on deaths by saying officials froze over worries the information was going to be used against us by Trumps Justice Department.

Cuomos office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday on the investigations.

Grace Colucci, whose father died of COVID-19 at a hospital after being released from a nursing home, found her immediate happiness about Cuomos resignation dissolve into tears. She said she is fearful he will evade any real punishment for what she believes he did that cost the sick and old their lives.

Im afraid that they wont find out why it happened, Colucci said. This may all be brushed under the rug.

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Associated Press writer Michael Balsamo in Washington contributed to this report.
BRANFORD  A U.S. Coast Guard member and former member of a Branford fire company was killed last week when police say she confronted a car burglar in Florida.

Caroline Schollaert was shot Aug. 3 after a man attempted to break into her vehicle, authorities said. The man was later arrested, the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office announced Tuesday.

Schollaert was stationed in New Haven and lived in Branford from around 2014 to 2017, according to Patch.

While here, she was a member of the Indian Neck/Pine Orchard Volunteer Fire Company.

She was an absolute great person, the fire company said on Facebook. She was always up for a challenge and ready to learn more. More importantly, she was a great friend to many.

Schollaert served the U.S. Coast Guards Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron, according to Patch. She was originally from Powhatan, Va., according to Chesterfield County.

Early on Aug. 3, Schollaert called the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office and reported a suspect actively burglarizing her vehicle, according to T.K. Waters, chief of investigations for Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.

While on the phone with the sheriffs office, Schollaert held the suspect at gunpoint and ordered him to remain until police arrived, Waters said in a news conference.

The suspect, 22-year-old Tyree Levon Parker, allegedly fired several shots at Schollaert. She later died from her injuries.

What was originally a crime of opportunity in the burglary of a vehicle escalated within seconds, resulting in the violent killing of a woman who dedicated her life to serving her country, Waters said.

Parker later turned himself in to police. He was arrested Tuesday and charged with second-degree murder. Waters said other possible charges are pending.

Police said Parker used a handgun that was stolen from an unlocked vehicle in the same neighborhood 11 days before.

Parker was allegedly going through the neighborhood and checking door handles. There were eight other burglaries in the area that night, Waters said.

A GoFundMe was created to offer reward money to find Schollaerts killer. The original goal of $9,000 was at more than $18,700 Wednesday evening. Additional funds outside of the $9,000 for a reward will go to Schollaerts family for funeral expenses.

She was brave, bold and gone far too soon, wrote GoFundMe organizer Nadine Lynn. She is missed by many and loved by all.
The COVID-19 surge that is sending hospitalizations to all-time highs in parts of the South is also clobbering states like Hawaii and Oregon that were once seen as pandemic success stories.

After months in which they kept cases and hospitalizations at manageable levels, they are watching progress slip away as record numbers of patients overwhelm bone-tired health care workers.

Oregon  like Florida, Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana in recent days  has more people in the hospital with COVID-19 than at any other point in the pandemic. Hawaii is about to reach that mark, too.

This, despite both states having vaccination levels higher than the national average as of last week. Arkansas and Louisiana were significantly below average, while Florida was about even. Mississippi, meanwhile, ranks at the very bottom for vaccination rates.

Its heartbreaking. People are exhausted. You can see it in their eyes," said Dr. Jason Kuhl, chief medical officer at Oregon's Providence Medford Medical Center, where patients are left on gurneys in hallways, their monitoring machines beeping away. Others needing treatment for cancer or heart disease are being turned away.

In other developments, the Food and Drug Administration is expected to authorize a third COVID-19 shot for certain people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients and organ transplant recipients, to give them an extra dose of protection.

The U.S. is seeing the virus storming back, driven by a combination of the highly contagious delta variant and lagging vaccination rates, especially in the South and other rural and conservative parts of the country.

New cases nationwide are averaging about 123,000 per day, a level last seen in early February, and deaths are running at over 500 a day, turning the clock back to May.

For the most part during the pandemic, Hawaii enjoyed one of the lowest infection and death rates in the nation. In recent days, though, it reported record highs of more than 600 new virus cases daily.

On its worst day in 2020, Hawaii had 291 patients hospitalized with the coronavirus. Officials expect to hit 300 by the end of this week.

Despite the promising demand for COVID-19 shots early on, it took three weeks  much longer than expected  to get from 50% to 60% of the vaccine-eligible population fully vaccinated. Vaccinations have since plateaued. Nationally, the rate is about 59%.

The biggest hospital on Hawaiis Big Island is feeling the pressure. Out of 128 acute beds, 116 were taken Wednesday at Hilo Medical Center, and the hospitals 11 intensive care unit beds are almost always full these days, spokeswoman Elena Cabatu said.

If someone out there has a heart attack or a sepsis or gets into a bad accident that requires intensive care, we will have to hold that person in the emergency department, Cabatu said.

Im surprised we landed here, she lamented. The hope during the mass vax clinics was just so high.

Hilton Raethel, president and CEO of the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, disputed any notion that the rebound in tourism in Hawaii is largely to blame.

The tourists have been a source for infection, but theyve never been the predominant source of infection, Raethel said. Theres a lot more concern about people from Hawaii, residents who go to the South, go to Vegas, to other places, and they come back and spread it.

In Oregon, a record number of COVID-19 hospitalizations  670  was reported for a third straight day Thursday. ICU beds across the state remain about 90% full with COVID-19 patients occupying 177 of them, the Oregon Health Authority said. The previous peak of 622 hospitalizations came during a November surge.

"Our doctors and nurses are exhausted and rightfully frustrated because this crisis is avoidable. It is like watching a train wreck coming and knowing that theres an opportunity to switch tracks, yet we feel helpless while we watch unnecessary loss of life, said David Zonies, associate chief medical officer at Portlands Oregon Health & Science University.

Public health officials in the southern part of the state said they fear the situation will only get worse as the delta variant spreads through a region where fewer than half the residents have been fully vaccinated.

Im fearful that the darkest days of this pandemic may still be ahead of us, said Chris Pizzi, CEO of Providence Medical Center in Medford.

In a renewed effort to stop the spread, Gov. Kate Brown announced this week that nearly everyone will have to wear masks again in indoor public spaces, regardless of their vaccination status.

Throughout the pandemic, health officials have described Oregon as a success story, largely because of its tight restrictions, which were lifted at the end of June.

California, which is below the national vaccination rate, is also seeing alarming spikes in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Los Angeles County, the nation's largest county, faced 1,573 hospitalizations as of Wednesday  the highest since the end of February. The city of Los Angeles is working out a possible vaccine requirement to enter indoor spaces.

Meanwhile, White House coronavirus coordinator Jeff Zients said more people are getting vaccinated in states with the highest infection rates, including Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi.

Were getting more shots in the arms in the places that need them in the most. Thats what its going to take to end this pandemic," he said.

Mississippi broke its single-day records of COVID-19 hospitalizations, intensive-care use and new coronavirus cases. The state Health Department said 1,490 people were hospitalized Wednesday and 388 were in the ICU because of COVID-19. It also confirmed 4,412 new cases. The state health officer, Dr. Thomas Dobbs, said a majority of the cases are in the unvaccinated.

In Florida, where Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has steadfastly blocked mandatory mask-wearing, some emergency rooms are so overcrowded that doctors are sending patients home with oxygen and small, portable oxygen-monitoring devices to free up beds for sicker patients.

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Associated Press writers Sara Cline, Adriana Gomez Licon, Eileen Putman, Terry Tang and Emily Wagster contributed to this report.
A candidate who is running for an elected position in the state legislature should have a deep knowledge of the district they represent. That level of familiarity can only be learned by having lived and volunteered in the district for an extended period of time. With long roots in place comes civic participation to those who are interested.

Participation in local government is a natural extension.

Deep community roots grow with time, and in the case of the upcoming special election for state Senate, one of the two main candidates has them, while the other does not.

Ryan Fazio grew up in Greenwich and chose to stay and make a life here. He has worked and volunteered locally for many years and he serves in local government. By contrast, his main Democratic opponent just moved to Greenwich two years ago from San Francisco.

Over many years, Ryan has also maintained a steady civic involvement in our community. Whether acting as a tutor for underprivileged school children, delivering meals to homebound seniors, becoming an elected member of the Greenwich Representative Town Meeting, or serving as a member of the First

Selectmans Energy Committee, Ryan has demonstrated a willingness to get involved not only as a community activist but also as an elected member of the local government. This cannot be said of his main Democratic opponent  although the petition Democrat candidate has been involved in town government for years. Outside the main Democratic candidates political activity, there has been no consistent involvement in the town, because she has lived here for only two years.

I respect that she is running for office, which is not easy. However, when we are considering sending a state senator to Hartford who will represent the best interests of our community, that person should have a certain depth of knowledge about the community they represent.

It is questionable that someone who has spent as little time in Connecticut as Mr. Fazios main Democrat opponent would have a pulse on the issues that matter most to us.

Our current state representatives, Board of Selectmen members, our tax collector and town clerk have each entered office with deep roots in our community. At a time when major local issues  such as local zoning rights, school regionalization, and the demonization of Fairfield County (specifically Greenwich) as a bastion of injustice by Democrat leaders in CT  have resonated with constituents, it is paramount that our local elected leaders have a profound understanding of what matters to us.

Ryan Fazio has clearly demonstrated that he does.

Lolly Prince is former first selectwoman of the Town of Greenwich
Honor is making its return to the flagship segment with the three-strong Magic3 lineup. The vanilla and Pro models are joined by an Honor Magic3 Pro+, which is the top dog in the series. This phone brings four cameras with very large sensors and gorgeous looks while sharing its screen and internals with its siblings.

This means the Magic3 Pro+ has a 6.67 Flex OLED with 89-degree curvatures on the sides and a 120Hz refresh rate. HDR10+ support is also part of the deal and unlike the other two Magic 3 phones here Honor used a Nano Crystal Shield that is three times tougher than typical protective panels.

The hexagon camera setup is arguably where most of the upgrades for the Pro+ took place. Instead of Sony IMX766, Honor has placed a 50MP IMX700 1/1.28 sensor by Sony with a 1.22um pixel size. It sits behind a 23mm f/1.9 lens and supports Full Pixel Octa PD AutoFocus.

The ultrawide camera is also a major step forward compared to the other Magic3 devices - it has a 1/2" 64MP sensor and f/2.4 aperture.

The other two snappers are shared with the Magic3 Pro - 64MP f/1.8 monochrome shooter and 64MP telephoto lens with 3.5x optical zoom. The fifth camera cutout is for an 8x8 dTOF for clear portrait shots.

The front-facing camera in the pill-shaped punch hole has 100-degree FoV and sits next to a ToF sensor.

Honor calls the design iconic, and while some might say it is a lot similar to the Huawei Mate 40 Porsche Design, we cant blame them for seeking inspiration from the once-mightier parent company. The device looks great and features a Nano Ceramic back panel that is supposed to be really durable.

The rest of the specs sheet is pretty much transferred from the Magic3 Pro - IP68-graded water and dust resistance, Snapdragon 888+ chipset, video editing tools from IMAX Enhanced and 66W SuperCharge charging through the wire for the 4,600 mAh battery.

The Magic Pro+ runs Magic UI 5 on top of the Android 11 OS, but no word from the Honor execs on stage about Google services, since the phone is first heading to China.



Honor Magic3 Pro+

The Honor Magic3 Pro+ has only one memory option - 12/512 GB. Offered in either Ceramic Black or Ceramic White, it will cost 1,499. The global rollout of the phone is expected at a later date.




Haiti - COVID : The Ministry takes stock of the vaccination campaign





On Wednesday, Dr. Laure Adrien, Director General of the Ministry of Public Health, provided an update on the progress of the Covid-19 vaccination campaign in Haiti.



As of August 10, 2021, 16,597 doses of "Spikevax" vaccine (official name since June 21, 2021) from the MODERNA Laboratory have been injected in total in Haiti since July 16, 2021, date of the first injection https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34253-haiti-covid-first-injections-of-vaccines.html according to the latest information available dated August 10, 2021.



Dr, Adrien invited the entire population to go to one of the 37 health centers and hospitals that have the vaccine available so that they can be vaccinated List of centers: https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-34462-icihaiti-covid-list-of-37-vaccination-centers-opened-by-department.html



Note that as of August 5, 2021, the total of the 3rd wave of Covid (beginning of May 10, 2021) amounts to 7,202 confirmed cases and 305 deaths.



In addition, he said that a vaccination card is available for each person who is vaccinated. This card contains the person's personal information, registration number, vaccine type and vaccine number and the date of the next dose.



He recalled that vaccination has been underway across the country since July 16, 2021 and that the Ministry currently has a first batch of 500,000 doses of vaccines donated by the US Government as part of the fight against COVID-19. and its variants https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34237-haiti-covid-500-000-vaccines-in-haiti-75-of-haitians-do-not-want-to-be-vaccinated.html



Note that despite the vaccine being stored in the cold conditions required by the laboratory, these vaccine doses will expire in November 2021,



Dr. Adrien had recently estimated that "according to an analysis produced within the ministry, we must have between 50 and 100 vaccination sites functioning in the country to use the 500,000 doses of vaccines within the deadline. Each site will have to operate for 5 to 6 days and vaccinate an average of 50 to 100 people per day."



Based on the initial figures for the first 25 days of the vaccination campaign and taking into account the gradual opening of the centers, the vaccination rate remains well below estimates. It should be remembered that 76% of the Haitian population declares that they would refuse to be vaccinated if the vaccine against the Covid-19 was available in Haiti according to the survey of "Safitek Research" carried out between April 5 and April 19, 2021 Download the survey from "Safitek Research" : https://www.haitilibre.com/docs/Safitek-COVID-19-2021-EN.pdf



See also :

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-34462-icihaiti-covid-list-of-37-vaccination-centers-opened-by-department.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34253-haiti-covid-first-injections-of-vaccines.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34237-haiti-covid-500-000-vaccines-in-haiti-75-of-haitians-do-not-want-to-be-vaccinated.html



HL/ S/ HaitiLibre


















Korean Movie | 2016

 Drama

Directed by Lee Sang-woo-IV ()

Written by Lee Sang-woo-IV ()

89min | Release date in South Korea: 2016/11/17

Synopsis

Find true love on the streets of desire!

Tae-seong (Baek Seong-hyeon), who dreamt of a fancy life as a martial arts fighter, goes to Thailand with his brother Tae-gi (Lee Si-gang) who has no hopes or dreams and causes trouble wherever he goes. On Working Street where there are drugs and prostitutes, they meet Jenna (Lee Song-i) and their lives turn upside down.

Escape, roam and sex...the passion of youth erupts!

Source
Havre is going to court to answer a petition by the Montana Federation of Public Employees that represents Havre police officers saying the city needs to make up for a shortage of payments in an arbitrated agreement over the officers health insurance.

MFPE filed a petition for enforcement Friday.

The petition says when the city made a payment in March to officers to make up shortfalls in what it was supposed to pay for health insurance premiums under a July 1, 2018, to June 30, 20202 collective bargaining agreement, it did not pay the full amount.

The recent actions by Havres city leaders are not only illegal, they are also just deplorable, MFPE President Amanda Curtis said in a press release. By refusing to honor the contract bargained between the city and its police force, city politicians are demonstrating an incredible lack of respect for Montanas police officers, their families, and our communities. Its unfortunate that its come to this, but the city has left its police officers little choice.

Havre Mayor Tim Solomon said he could not comment on an ongoing court case and referred questions to the attorney representing the city on the issue, Jean Faure.

Faure had not responded to a message requesting comment by print deadline this morning.

The petition says the collective bargaining agreement provides that the city will pay some or all cost of medical insurance for the covered officers and will cover the increase of insurance premiums during the term of the agreement.

The Havre police unit, through MFPE, submitted a grievance for arbitration Nov. 7, 2019.

The grievance concerned the proper amount of the citys contribution for police employee health insurance, specifically police officers who elect family coverage, the petition says.

The arbitrator, James A. Lundberg, issued his decision and award Jan. 15 of this year, the petition says, holding that the city had agreed to pay increases in health insurance premiums but did not do so for officers employed before 2017 who had elected family and dependent health insurance coverage.

He ordered the city pay the difference beginning 20 days before the issuing of the grievance and going forward, the petition says.

When officers received reimbursement checks on or about March 12, the petition says, the affected officers did not believe the amounts were correct.

MFPE brought the issue back to the arbitrator.

A letter to Lundberg from the attorney representing MFPE, Karl Englund, said the city used the wrong base amount to figure the increases it should pay and also did not pay the difference after June 30, 2020, although a new agreement was not reached and the previous agreement still was in effect.

In a letter to Lundberg, Faure argued that because the ruling set a 20-day look-back from the filing of the grievance for payment and that was what was used, no additional payment was due. She also argued that the agreement in question expired June 30, 2020, and that is the date through which the city agreed to cover the increase

Lundberg found in favor of the police officers in a decision issued May 7, requiring the city to make up the difference.

The petition says the city still has not followed Lundbergs requirement and requests the court to enforce his decision.
A Havre man was sentenced in state district court for the second charge after being convicted for the second time of negligent homicide in the shooting death of his brother.

Shane Clark Johnson, born in 1968, was convicted of negligent homicide in 2014 in the Nov. 9, 2013, death of his brother, Travis Johnson, and was convicted of the offense again June 15 after a six-day trial in District Court in Havre.

Judge Matthew Cuffe sentenced Shane Johnson Friday to 50 years in Montana State Prison as a persistent felony offender with no time suspended followed by a five-year sentence for a weapons sentencing enhancement.

Cuffe credited Johnson with 2,827 days served and ordered him to pay $6449.76 in fees and trial costs, cost of assigned counsel and costs incurred to witnesses.

The prosecution said that the two had been drinking together upstairs in the house where they lived.

After Johnson and his brother got into an argument hat led to his brother striking Johnson and giving him a bloody nose, Johnson went downstairs to his bedroom, took out a case from under his bed and took a gun out of the case and began shooting at his brother.

Johnsons defense argued that his brother, drunk and in a state of rage, was the one who took the gun from under the bed and Johnson followed him into his bedroom  the two lived in separate rooms in the basement of the house  to try to get the gun back. During the struggle, his brother was shot and he went back to his room and collapsed on his own bed in a state of shock, the defense said.

Johnson originally was charged with deliberate homicide but at the end of his 2014 trial the prosecution added the alternate charge of negligent homicide.

The 2014 jury found him not guilty of deliberate homicide but convicted him of negligent homicide.

Judge Daniel Bouche sentenced him to 50 years in prison as a persistent felony offender with 10 years suspended and added two years in a weapons sentencing enhancement.

Johnson appealed, arguing that that the court made errors in allowing the jury unrestricted access to all of the states testimonial audio and video exhibits during deliberations and by allowing the state to add a negligent homicide charge at the end of trial that was not included within the deliberate homicide charge for which the state tried Johnson.

The Supreme Court agreed that select errors had been made and overturned the verdict, sending the case back to District Court in Havre for the new trial.
While the classic image of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep is of them in craggy ranges of the Rockies, populations thrive east of the Divide into Midwestern states, and in Montana some of the largest populations are found in the Missouri River Breaks.

Scott Hemmer, Fish, Wildlife and Parks Region 6 wildlife biologist, said that hunting district 680 that stretches north of the Missouri River across Chouteau, Blaine and Phillips counties has regular sheep counts of around 450.

"We're generally not counting all the sheep, so we probably have more likely 6, 700 sheep down there," he said.

"It's one of the more productive (herds)," he added. "It's a little bit more recently reintroduced than some places in the state, but now that's probably one of the bigger herds in the state."

South of the Missouri, Fergus County's hunting district 482 has up to about 450 sheep, he said.

The Missouri River Breaks offers plenty of suitable terrain for the bighorn sheep, he said.

"On that steep habitat, how they can not just stand there but also run up and down some of that stuff is pretty impressive," he said. "... Historically, there was sheep in these areas, but they were extirpated at some point historically, there were no longer any sheep in the Breaks."

History

Heavy commercial, unregulated hunting and agricultural encroachment cut the bighorn sheep population in the U.S. to about 20,000 head by 1940, the National Park Service website said, but by the early 1920s the badland bighorn sheep, also called the Audobon bighorn sheep, was extinct from states like North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska.

Translocation of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep started in the 1920s to the northern Badlands of North Dakota, and sometime after that to Black Hills of South Dakota and Panhandle area of Nebraska, each states' websites said. This, coupled with conservation efforts, has rebuilt sheep populations enough to allow for very limited hunting in those three states.

Bighorn sheep have been transplanted into historical ranges in the Breaks and other areas with suitable habitat in the eastern part of the Montana, including a herd the Chippewa Cree Tribe transplanted to and actively monitors on Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation in the Bear Paw Mountains.

Hemmer said bighorn sheep had been transplanted into the Breaks different times in the 1900s, also, but the herds didn't take off until the last introduction sometime around the 1980s. There's no clear reason why the last herd thrived and others didn't, he added, but they may have benefited from sheep left over from earlier transplant efforts with established territory and habits.

The population has remained pretty much disease free, as well, he said, and that helps.

Herd health

As part of an overall sampling in the state, Fish, Wildlife and Parks recently completed a study in which some of the sheep in district 482 had tracking collars attached to collect data on travel patterns, disease risk and causes of mortality. The district 680 population has had some regular captures for health surveys, he added.

"There's a lot of different pathogens, different bugs that can cause pneumonia. That's the big risk in bighorn sheep," Hemmer said. "... Sometimes you may get a bad pneumonia outbreak and you may lose half the population, they die within a year or two, then there's some areas that they don't ever seem to kind of totally kick it. All the animals aren't dying, but the lambs every year, you have very poor lamb production. The lambs don't seem to make it."

Some herds, not necessarily in Montana, have the disease hang on for 10 to 20 years, he said, and management of these populations is one of the big research questions surround bighorn sheep in North America.

In Montana, the Tendoy sheep population near Dillon, devastated by chronic pneumonia, was down to something like 15 to 25 sheep, he said, so FWP held a liberal hunting season and then worked of the next few years getting all of the sheep out of the area. Just last year, the state started reintroducing sheep into the area.

But this isn't a workable solution for areas with sheep populations that can reach into the hundreds.

"What some other states have started doing now is (operate under) the theory that the reason they never fully kick it is that there are some chronically sick ewes that they call super spreaders," Hemmer said, "They don't get really sick but they keep spreading it."

In these areas biologists are capturing and testing several sheep, sometimes multiple times, and if a sheep comes back positive on multiple occasions for one of the pathogens, most likely the Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae bacteria these days, he said, that animal will be removed from the herd. And this testing and culling continues until they herd health becomes stable.

Some of the early research looks promising, he said, with signs of success.

This can be an expensive and labor-intensive management choice, Hemmer said, but there's really no simple solution to this type of problem.

Preservation of large, established sheep populations is a major selling point for solutions because the sheep bring in tourists and the hunting licenses are coveted by residents and non-residents alike.

Hunting

Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep are relatively large among the species. Older rams can exceed 300 pounds with ewes staying about half that weight. The large curled horns of the rams coupled with the challenging hunting terrain make them a coveted prize among hunters.

District 680 offers more bighorn sheep tags than any district in the state, Hemmer said, and it and district 482 are two of the most popular if counting the number of people who apply for the available tags.

District 680 has an annual draw for 25 either sex tags and 80 ewe tags, while 482 offers 20 either sex and 20 ewe tags. Archery-only season in both districts runs Sept. 4-14, and general hunting season from Sept. 15 to Nov. 28.

Hemmer said an average of about 95% of ram tags get filled annually, but generally around 40 to 50% of ewe tags are filled, though these numbers vary a little bit from year to year.

Courtesy Lita Thisselle A herd of bighorn ewes and lambs graze on Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation in the Bear Paw Mountains. The ewe at the forefront displays a radio tracking collar to help with data collection.

In 2020, the FWP website says, 25 rams and 28 ewes were harvested in district 680 and 20 rams and 15 ewes came from 482.
The Syrian crisis continues without any expected solutions for the foreseeable future, amid the failure of the central government of Damascus and the so-called opposition to resolve the conflict in favor of one of them.

Years of conflict changed the course and content of the Syrian homeland which became impossible to return to before 2011, due to the number of victims of the war which claimed nearly 400,000 people, and caused the migration and displacement of millions of Syrians.

In its latest statistics, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights documented the death of 389,000 people, including 117,000 civilians among them 22,000 children, 14,000 women, and 81,000 men.

Damascus government areas sharing influence and sectarian weighting

With the beginning of the Syrian crisis, the Damascus government's goal was to preserve what was called a useful Syria, but after the Russian and Iranian intervention in full, it began to regain control over the areas it had lost.

These two countries strengthened their presence in Syria by sharing the areas of the Damascus government.

The Iranian intervention and the recruitment of Shiite factions from Iraq, Lebanon and Afghanistan led to the growing sectarian dispute in Syria, and this was offset by the dominance of extremist Sunni groups over the so-called Syrian opposition until there was no longer any opposition and all there were mercenary groups working for Turkey and behind it Qatar, the largest supporter of political Islam groups.

This war between the two sides led to the destruction of the Syrian state, where the areas of the Damascus government are under two rules, the first is the rule of the Shiite factions and is concentrated in the areas of the Syrian capital Damascus, Homs, the Syrian coast and Deir ez-Zor, and the second rule is the rule of the Russian forces which are concentrated in the coastal areas and areas in the capital Damascus.

Turkey's occupied areas... hotbeds of terrorism and crimes

As time passed, the presence of the so-called Syrian opposition, under the direction of the Turkish occupation, was confined to the areas of Idlib and the countryside of Aleppo, Latakia and Hama.

These areas are controlled by the mercenaries of Hayet Tahrir al-Sham (formerly Jabhet al-Nusra) which is on the international terrorist lists.

These areas are witnessing widespread crimes against civilians, and in 2019, a report by Human Rights Watch spoke of torture practices carried out by mercenaries of Hayet Tahrir al-Sham in the Idlib areas in northern Syria.

North and east Syria a different path and hopes for survival

The situation in north and east Syria was different, as an autonomous administration was established and the Syrian Democratic Forces fought terrorism.

The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria administers its areas through executive bodies that implement a social contract, in its discussion representatives from the various components of the region participated.

Former Member of Syrian People's Assembly and Islamic preacher Mohamed Habash spoke about this, saying, "The Autonomous Administration was born within the framework of the Syrian democratic project, and it provided a clear reading of the Syrian scene, established an Autonomous Administration in a region of Syria, after long decades of marginalization of Arabs and Kurds, until the regime itself has called the region developing governorates, which is a euphemism to describe them as neglected and backward, and despite all the political transformations in recent decades, the only constant has remained neglecting and marginalizing these areas despite being a storehouse of bounties and blessings."

He continued, "In addition to the poor services and the prevailing living reality in all of Syria, the suffering of Kurds in their areas in particular regarding the issue of nationality and residency was terrible, and I engaged in a series of dialogues in the Syrian Parliament and with decision-makers to help Kurds obtain Syrian citizenship, but to no avail."

He added, "Therefore, I believe that the Autonomous Administration model was a humanitarian necessity to preserve a reasonable degree of decent life for the people of the region within the framework of a united and democratic Syria."

Daraa and As-Suwayda... Voices calling for autonomous administration

As for As-Suwayda, there is talk of a nucleus of an autonomous administration, and there were factions that were able to curtail the security and military institutions of the central government, and they also managed to confront ISIS' attacks.

In Daraa, and in light of the continuation of the repeated escalation between the forces of the Iranian-backed Damascus government and the factions that refused to leave Daraa to the north of Syria, and the failure of the Russian guarantor to play its role, voices calling for the establishment of an administration in Daraa and southern Syria rose.

The Horan Clans' Council issued a statement addressing the latest developments in Daraa Governorate, denouncing Damascus's recruitment of increasing military crowds to the land of Horan, and the siege imposed on the people of Daraa, and denounced the threats made by Damascus officers to kill, storm and displace its residents.

He added, "Accordingly, the time of centralization in Syria has passed forever," calling for the system of government to be "decentralized" so that provinces and municipalities choose their representatives and hold them accountable through transparency and correct institutional work.

Coordinator of the Democratic Secular Syrians Gathering in As-Suwayda, Samir Azzam, spoke about this, saying, "We in As-Suwayda view the Autonomous Administration in North and East Syria as a valid model for the final solution to the Syrian crisis, if this model is circulated throughout Syria, and this will only happen through the final solution to the Syrian crisis."

'The clearest experience of conscious opposition'

About some attacking the Autonomous Administration regime, Former Syrian Parliament Member, Mohamed Habash said, "I think we can say with impartiality that what was achieved in the Syrian east was the clearest experience of the conscious and responsible opposition, and the administration has succeeded in building a necessary military force to confront ISIS."

He added, "I personally strongly believe in the project of the Kurdish homeland a real and dignified dream for the people of this nation on the historical land of Kurdistan in the face of the unjust oppression against this nation that Sykes-Picot promised of a democratic homeland in which people would be equal with their nationalities."

He continued, "But the surprise was that Kurds found themselves in their historical land within three nationalities with extreme fanaticism; the Arab nationalism in Iraq, Syria, the Persian nationalism in Iran and Turkification in Turkey, and he did not find anything that they promised him of ideal citizenship, equality and welcome in their language, heritage and aspirations."

He said: "It is the responsibility of every free person to seek to lift the oppression of oppressed peoples, regardless of the political reality."

He added, "The establishment of this homeland must be a real demand that grows over years in the parliaments of these countries and that it is voted on and implemented in a manner of peace, cooperation and democracy, even if that takes long decades in which there is real maturity in democracy and human rights."

Autonomous Administration is the most appropriate system that preserves minimum rights

Mohamed Habash stressed that "during this period, the most appropriate system that can preserve the minimum rights is the system of the Autonomous Administration based on a true partnership with the Syrian homeland and careful preservation of its unity and national fabric."

On the possibility of the Syrian situation returning to before 2011, the former parliamentarian said, "I think that the administration program which lasted for ten years preserves people's lives and provides them with a decent life. It is a good system, and it is quite realistic that we maintain a social and political experience with this attendance and performance.

He added, "Of course, this is not a perpetuation of the current reality. Today, we are in a state of necessity imposed by horrific events and security and societal chaos, but what is required is further development in the constitutional and legal aspect, building a correct relationship with the Syrian society in the regime and the opposition, in addition to responding to many demands that may not be in the passion of the Autonomous Administration, but it is in the depth of the national condition for Syria to remain united and free

Concerning the accusations leveled by some parties to the Autonomous Administration regime, Mohamed Habash said, "What the people of the Syrian Jazira did is the duty imposed on them by the terrible events in the region, and the project was not born until after the collapse of the ruling regime and its inability to provide security and life for people.

He added, "There is need for more initiatives with the two partners in Syria, the regime in the capital and the opposition in northern Syria, so the relationship with the regime is within the framework of affirming Syria's unity and its national territory on the basis of exchanging services and responsibilities and providing human rights."

He continued, "I also blame the Autonomous Administration for the failure of its programs and initiatives to build real trust with the Syrian opposition factions, and it is not a secret that the Syrian opposition factions still view the Autonomous Administration project as a project of Kurdish transgression over the Arab presence, and this view is certainly supported by the Turkish state, which further complicates the situation.

In this context, Mohamed Habash said, "If I were a decision-maker in the Autonomous Administration, I would have prepared a high-level committee that would propose creative initiatives to meet, cooperate and visit with moderate opposition parties and build joint projects in education, agriculture and services, as the regions are intertwined, as well as in cooperation in managing the disputed areas in the vicinity of Aleppo, and undoubtedly, the continuation of conflicts with the main opposition factions leads to the weakening of both sides and gives the enemies of Syria more ambitions in its dispersion and division."

Autonomous Administration... an inspiring experience

On the possibility of applying the experience of the Autonomous Administration in North and East Syria as a solution to the Syrian crisis, Mohamed Habash said, "The success of the Autonomous Administration in the Syrian east is an inspiring experience and not necessarily a valid copy of imitation everywhere in Syria, but in any case it is a dignified and wonderful experience."

He added, "Therefore, it is also required to take advantage of mistakes and lack of courtesy in corruption and administrative failure, as the region cannot tolerate more failures, and we are all responsible."

We view with hope and optimism

At the conclusion of his speech, Islamic Preacher Mohamed Habash said, "We in the Islamic street look at the experience of the Autonomous Administration with hope and optimism, and I find an appropriate opportunity to commend the role of a team of religious leaders who work in the institutions of the Autonomous Administration in northern Syria in the programs of democratic Islam, following the guidance of Martyr Imam Mashuq Al-Khaznawi, and I am happy that my books participate in the programs of this pioneering institution, as we are all partners in building a democratic society that cherishes Islam and does not embalm the predecessors' choices."

D.H

ANHA
Oscar Isaacs, a barber and friend to all, dies at age 83

Oscar Isaacs, who considered customers to be his family, died Saturday at age 83

Much of southern Henderson County is mourning the loss of longtime barber and community icon, Oscar Isaacs.

Isaacs, 83, died on Saturday after a battle with Covid-19. By Sunday night tributes of flowers had piled up outside his East Flat Rock barbershop and condolences stacked up on social media.

I never looked at Oscar as a competitor, fellow barber Josh Ballard said. He was a mentor. He was always a good man just to stop and talk to even if you didnt need a haircut. He is definitely someone who is going to be missed in the community.

Ballard, 41, described Isaacs as a fixture in the community for years and someone he looked to for guidance when he began his career as a barber almost 20 years ago.

He never forgot what Isaacs told him: Just make sure people are appreciated when they come in. Be there for them the way they are for you.

Isaacs also told Ballard to make sure he shakes hands with each customer after he is finished with their hair.

Ballard, who operates Helms Barbershop near Mud Creek Baptist Church in Flat Rock, said he made a commitment to go to clients homes and even nursing homes because that was something Isaacs did.

That was something I wanted to do too, he said.

Ballard left a tribute to Isaacs on Facebook, along with many others. All described their barber as a friend and kind man. One man commented that Isaacs had been his barber for 25 years while another said Isaacs had cut the hair of many generations of his family.

Oscar is a blessing to our East Flat Rock community. We are so sad to hear that he has passed away and know he has been a hard-working, humble and nice man, one woman commented. He gave our son his first haircut, another said.

Several flower bouquets were propped against the door of Isaacs barbershop on Lamplighter Lane in East Flat Rock over the weekend.

A sign on the building next to the red, white and blue striped barbers pole reads simply Barber Shop with Isaacs name in smaller letters near the bottom.

'Everyone is devastated'



The outpouring of love and support from the community has been overwhelming, Isaacs children said.

Its been incredible for all of us, said his daughter, Deborah Isaacs. Were learning an incredible amount about Dad. It makes you feel good inside to know how much he meant to people.

The stories his former customers are sharing also bring comfort to the family, his daughter, Jennifer Thiessen, said.

Many say Isaacs gave them their first haircut while others say he cut their hair for their entire life. Isaacs was the barber for several generations of many families, Thiessen said.

Everyone is devastated, she said. They cant believe this has happened. They cant believe hes gone.

A native of Kentucky, Isaacs served for a time in the Merchant Marines before moving to Henderson County decades ago to marry his late wife, Joan Gaynelle Isaacs. He began training as a barber shortly after leaving the Merchant Marines.

Isaacs worked as a barber for more than 50 years in the Tuxedo and East Flat Rock communities. For many of those years, he ran the Tuxedo Community Store and later Hills General Store in East Flat Rock while also working as a barber. He never thought about retiring, his daughters said.

Deborah Isaacs said she talked with her father two weeks before he fell ill with Covid and asked if he might retire soon.

He said he enjoyed it. I think his customers motivated him and kept him going, she said.

Her dad gave a similar response recently when a doctor suggested he might want to get off his feet and retire, Thiessen said.

He said, I dont go to work to stand on my feet. My customers are like my family, Thiessen said.

Isaacs knew his customers by name, knew their families and often knew when they needed a little help.

He went to customers homes when they could not get out to the barber shop. And he refused to charge people when he thought they might be struggling financially. When he ran the community store and later the general store, Isaacs often boxed up groceries and donated them to families in need.

Ive seen him give money to people in grocery stores, Thiessen said, adding that he once bought a ball for a little boy he saw standing in line at a store.

Isaacs had a way with kids, especially when they came to the barber shop for a first haircut, his son, Brad Isaacs, recalled.

He was one of the best at that, Brad Isaacs said. Hed whisper so theyd have to pay attention to hear him. He just had a way with them."

Isaacs son, Rex, said never knew anyone who could match his father's character.

"He was the most selfless, forgiving, generous man I've ever known," he said. "I loved him, and I will deeply miss him until I see him again."

Brad Isaacs said he hopes to one day have the kind of reputation his father has.

I hope people would talk about me at least half that good, he said. He was one of a kind.

In addition to his children, Isaacs is survived by a brother, Tex Isaacs; the spouses of his children and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Services for Isaacs will include at visitation from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. followed by a funeral service at 5 p.m. on Wednesday at Tuxedo First Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon. The service will also be made available later on the churchs Facebook page.

A private graveside service will follow. The family decided to have the graveside service at the same time of day that Isaacs always visited and left flowers at his wifes grave.

The family asks that all guests wear a mask and maintain social distance. Anyone with photographs or stories about Isaacs are welcome to share them on the Facebook page dedicated to his memory. Forest Lawn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
THOUSANDS of visitors descended on Henley on Wednesday when it hosted its first royal regatta in two years.

The five-day rowing event didnt take place last summer because of the coronavirus pandemic and earlier this year there were concerns that it would have to take place without spectators at Dorney Lake near Eton.

However, following a series of announcements by the Government, it was able to proceed on the usual reach of the River Thames five weeks after the usual July date and with additional restrictions to stop the disease spreading.

There were no public enclosures on Lion Meadow to allow the stewards enclosure to be enlarged, creating more space for social distancing, and spectators had to bring proof of a recent negative covid test, full vaccination or natural immunity.

The boat tents and athletes area was moved to Fawley Meadows, on the other side of the river, off Marlow Road.

The dress code in the stewards enclosure was also revised to allow women to wear trousers and jumpsuits, although few appeared to be taking advantage of this. Sir Steve Redgrave, the regatta chairman, said it was too soon to give exact attendance figures but about 30,000 people were expected to enter the enclosure over the week, when usually more than 20,000 would visit on the busiest day.

He said: Were really pleased with the way things have started. It was difficult not knowing what the rules would be until the last minute and it was pretty hectic ensuring everything was right for the guests.

Moving the boat tents was definitely the right choice and some athletes even said the atmosphere was nicer so theyd be happy for it to stay there, though I doubt it will be a permanent move. Every spectator Ive spoken to has thanked us profusely for allowing it to go ahead because theyve missed it so much.

I hated to be the chairman of a cancelled regatta but that was the right decision a year ago and its great to be returning to normal.

Coronavirus isnt going to go away and were going to have to learn to live with it, which will take time but life has to go on.

David Thomas, from Whitchurch, was attending as a member of the stewards enclosure together with several family members, including his brother Peter Thomas, who is a steward. The 83-year-old has visited the regatta almost every year since he was 17 and competed several times in his youth.

Mr Thomas said: I absolutely love it so its wonderful to be back and Im sure most people feel the same way.

Its nice that it isnt as crowded as usual, although I dont know whether the regatta committee will feel the same way.

I wonder whether the covid checks and restrictions are putting people off, although I fully accept that theyre necessary, and I think the August date might clash with some peoples holidays.

Ian Mills, who is honorary secretary of the Henley Town and Visitors Regatta, said: Its so lovely to be here and feel a little bit of normality coming back.

Until recently, there was a sense that everything was in suspended animation. Everyone is out and the sun is shining so all feels well with the world.

The concern about covid is understandable but theyre taking sensible measures and were going to have to learn to live with it in the longer term.

Ed and Maggie Atkinson, of Queen Street, Henley, were on the water on their floating lawn, a colourful raft made from two canoes lashed together which they have been taking to the regatta for 20 years.

It was decorated as usual with flowers and artificial turf and the couple enjoyed picnics while giving river trips to friends whom they have met through organising host families for visiting rowers.

Mrs Atkinson said: Were so delighted to return. Its very exciting after a year of missed opportunities for fun.

People have come to expect it and we always get some lovely compliments. Were definitely going to be out on all five days.

Despite the reduced number of crews, the couple have helped to find accommodation for almost 600 rowers during this years regatta.

Mrs Atkinson said: The crews have had to be flexible and so have the hosts because there have been positive covid tests on both sides.

Weve had to recruit about 90 new families to make up for shortfalls.

However, people have been very understanding when either a crew or a host has been forced to pull out.

Henley Mayor Sarah Miller attended as a guest of the stewards enclosure with her partner Carolyn Ahara.

She said: Were bringing guests later in the week but today were just having a quiet look by ourselves. Were delighted that the regatta is back and, like most people, we just want to get out and enjoy it.

It has clearly been scaled back but I dont think anybody is too concerned about that. The sun is shining and the forecast for the week is good so hopefully it will all go well.

I do hope Henleys retailers do well after a challenging year, although historically the regatta hasnt brought that many people into the town centre.

Rowing commentator Robert Treharne Jones, from Middle Assendon, who recently returned the Olympics in Tokyo, said: Its great to be back despite the added challenges and a different look and feel from the one we know.

I was commentating this morning and Ill be doing some more, including some on finals day. Its great seeing lots of my old rowing friends and weve already had some close encounters with interesting steering in the opening races.

Dr Treharne Jones, who is a qualified GP, added: People are making their own minds up about coming to an area with more people and there are many covid measures in place to add to peoples confidence.

However, after the past years events, its understandable that some people are saying, Not for me, thanks.

Businesswoman Grace Leo, who recently relaunched the former Red Lion hotel in Hart Street as the Relais Henley, visited the stewards enclosure with a group of colleagues.

She said: This is my first time at the regatta and Im really enjoying it. It was a big part of the reason why I came to Henley so I cant quite believe its finally here.

I think people are reassured by the covid rules, which have been made very clear. Ms Leo added: Its been a hectic few months but Im relieved that we got up and running in time for the regatta and really pleased with the trade weve had. Id hoped to be in greater demand but its difficult with fewer overseas visitors.

Friends Ella Wandless, from Harpsden, and Katy Marshall, from Shiplake, returned to their usual routine of watching the racing from the towpath downstream from the enclosures.

Miss Wandless, 22, said: We love having a glass of Pimms so its great to be back and well be going into the stewards enclosure at the weekend.

Were glad the weather has turned out lovely on the first day and it feels almost normal, apart from the massive covid warning signs.

Miss Marshall, 22, added: Some people are more worried about covid than others. We know were less at risk because of our age but were still careful out of consideration for others.

Aspen Weatherburn, of Albert Road, Henley, walked her daughter Romy Brant, 10, and friend Stanley Upshire along the towpath to watch the racing.

She said: I was interested to see how busy it would be and it was relatively busy, which was nice to see.

People have been reassured by the covid measures and its just nice that it has all gone ahead as wed have been so sad to miss out on the regatta for yet another year.

Ted Aplin, 18, Rotherfield Road. Henley, was working on the regatta site as a parking attendant after finishing his A-levels at Reading Blue Coat School in Sonning.

He said: Im having a surprisingly good day. It has been well-attended and everybody has been in a great mood as Ive chatted to them while they park. Everyone is really glad to be back.

Weve got people coming from all over the country, as far as Cornwall. I guess its drawing people who want to treat themselves to something a bit fancy after being cooped up for a year.
PUPILS at schools across the Henley area have celebrated a strong year of GCSE results.

Nationally, students have achieved record numbers of top grades with 30 per cent of entrants in England achieving a grade 7 or above, the equivalent of the older A* and A grades.

The figure for 2020 was 27.5 per cent and in 2019, the last year in which formal exams were held, it was 22 per cent.

Students didn't sit examinations this year but were instead assessed by teachers on a range of evidence including mock exams, coursework and other class assignments.

These were assessed by independent examiners who adjusted grades where necessary.

The results followed a year in which schools were mostly closed between November and March in a bid to prevent the spread of coronavirus. During this time, the teenagers were taught remotely.

High achievers at Gillotts School in Henley included Rufus Tubb, 16, of Caversham, who scored 9s in biology, chemistry, English literature, geography, history, maths, physics and religious studies, 8s in English literature and a 7 in German.

He is yet to choose his sixth-form college but wants to study history, maths and economics.

Rufus said: "I was very pleased with how I did because those results were similar to what I'd been expecting or maybe even a little better.

"It was a tough year because we never knew what was going to happen next or whether we would be sitting exams until a fairly late stage, which made it all the more stressful although the school was very supportive.

"Our teachers knew it was going to be difficult and they gave us all the help that we needed."

Will Bonser, who lives in Binfield Heath, got 9s in biology, chemistry, physics, maths, religious studies, French, drama, English language and history and an 8 in English literature.

He will be studying A-level biology, chemistry and maths at The Piggott School in Wargrave and hopes to pursue a career in medicine.

He said: I worked really hard and obviously I was aiming to get as many 9s as possible but I still surprised myself.

I found lockdown difficult because Im quite an interactive person and like to have a teacher in the room but I was able to stay motivated because I wanted to do well.

Im on holiday on the Essex coast with my family at the moment so well probably have fish and chips on the beach to celebrate.

At Maiden Erlegh Chiltern Edge School in Sonning Common, 26.17 per cent of all grades awarded were at grade 7 or above while 60.42 per cent were at grade 5 or above.

Standout performers included Isabelle Fulford Perez, who scored eight 9s and two 8s, Daniel Hughes, who got seven 9s and two 8s and Molly Beech, who got five 9s, three 8s and one 7.

Headteacher Andy Hartley said: "Every member of the Maiden Erlegh Chiltern Edge family should feel a great pride in the GCSE and BTEC results that the students have received today.

"We would like to thoroughly congratulate our students on their hard work, determination and resilience which led them to receiving these results.

"The uncertainty of the past 16 months must have been incredibly stressful but we are incredibly proud of how our students have managed themselves and stayed engaged across the different periods of lockdown and isolation that they endured.

"These grades demonstrate the positive attitude which allowed them to work hard and progress despite the challenges they faced.

"Our staff were phenomenal during this year and the live lessons, extra catch-up sessions and extra-curricular opportunities really exemplified this.

"I would also like to express our gratitude to the parents who've supported the students and the school so robustly and we wish everyone involved all the best for the future."

At The Piggott School in Wargrave, 86 per cent of pupils got five or more 4s or above including English and maths compared with 88 per cent last year and 85 per cent in 2019.

A total of 91 per cent passed English language while the same figure passed maths and the combined pass rate was 87 per cent.

The pass rate in nine subjects including biology, chemistry, computer science and physics was 100 per cent.

Headteacher Derren Gray said: "We are pleased to announce another outstanding set of GCSE results this year. Our students and staff have worked incredibly hard and this year's grades are testament to that.

"The vast majority of our students will be returning in September to study at our sixth form, which is a centre of excellence for academic, applied general and technical learning.

"I would like to thank all the teaching and support staff for their continued hard work, dedication and professionalism.

"Congratulations to all our students on their richly deserved success, and thank you to all of their parents for their unstinting support."

Star pupils at Icknield Community College in Watlington included head boy Alex Wooster, who got all 9s in subjects including geography, biology, chemistry and politics.

He hopes to study environmental science at university after completing his A-levels at Wallingford School.

He said: "I feel really happy because I wasn't expecting it. It was hard going from online learning to exams in school with different subjects but spreading them out helped a lot with the pressure."

Anna Streatfield, 16, scored 9s in English and French, which are the subjects she will study at Wallingford.

She said: "I was really surprised with them, but happily. Learning from home and then coming back in was a very different experience but I tried working as hard as I could."

Meanwhile, at the independent Shiplake College, 97 per cent of all grades fell between 4 and 9 while 27 per cent were either an 8 or a 9.

Headmaster Tyrone Howe said: Congratulations to all the pupils for excellent exam results which reflect the focus and strong work ethic that they have shown throughout all the challenges and disruption.

"They responded well to the need to work hard over a long period in order to provide their teachers with strong evidence of their abilities and performance.

"Thank you to those teachers and heads of departments who worked so hard collecting evidence and preparing grades.

"The process added additional pressure on top of everything else, but as we have done throughout, everyone responded so positively and all that hard work has paid off. In short, it has been a superb effort from everyone."

Reading Blue Coat School in Sonning celebrated its best ever GCSE results, with an overall pass rate of 100 per cent and 85 per cent of grades awarded being a 7 to 9.

Twenty-five candidates achieved all 8s or 9s including Thomas Heath, of Charvil, who obtained nine 9s and two 8s.

He said: "I'm very happy right now - I was expecting high grades because I've worked hard this year but I didn't expect results this good."

Scott Yates, director of the middle school, said: "We're immensely proud of the results that the boys have achieved - from speaking to them, it's clear that hard work leads to excellent results.

"They embraced the challenges of lockdown with focus and good humour and have laid an excellent foundation which I'm sure will lead to further success."

Headmaster Pete Thomas added: "Most GCSE courses have been disrupted but the boys coped maturely and worked diligently and their efforts and ability have been rewarded.

"They have certainly shown how they can deal with difficulties and I will be excited to see them throw themselves into life in and out of the classroom when they return in September."

At the Oratory School in Woodcote, 100 per cent of pupils achieved at least five A* to C grades including English and maths, up on last year's figure of 99 per cent.

Ninety-five per cent of all grades a were 4 or higher, with 60 per cent falling between 7 and 9 and 44 per cent between 8 and 9. Twenty-three per cent of all grades were a 9.

High achievers included Josh Sidhu, who scored 11 grade 9s, and fellow Caversham resident Oliver Rae, who achieved five 9s, four 8s and one 7.

Headmaster Joe Smith said: "Like their sixth-form counterparts whose achievements were celebrated earlier this week, these pupils have coped magnificently with the demands of remote learning and other pressures caused by the pandemic.

"These fine grades are a fitting testament to their approach as well as the outstanding work and pastoral care of their teachers and other staff.

"We look forward to welcoming almost all of this year group into our sixth form, where they will be joined by a large number of new pupils."

One hundred per cent of all grades at Queen Anne's School for girls in Caversham fell between 9 and 4 while 59 per cent were either a 9 or an 8.

Headmistress Julia Harrington said: "Many congratulations to the girls on their outstanding GCSE results but also for their attitude to learning and the wonderful support they have shown each other.

"I'm proud of the tremendous effort that the girls have shown and of the tireless dedication of the Queen Annes staff to see them through the many challenges of the last 18 months."

Grace Pavey, of Sonning, received straight 9s and will proceed to the sixth form to study history, English literature and religious studies.

Poppy Winters, who lives in Crazies Hill, will go on to study chemistry, biology and geography after achieving eight 9s and one 8 grade.

Hettie Walker, from Peppard, scored all grades between 7 and 9 and will study chemistry, biology and psychology with the aim of studying medicine at university.
"Where Is Anne Frank" reimagines the famous diarist's life in animated form, with Israeli director Ari Folman partnering with the foundation that holds the copyright to her diary.

AMSTERDAM (JTA) - A disoriented teenage girl lies on Anne Frank's bed as people swarm the family house. But these people are not Nazis; they're modern-day tourists. And the girl on the bed isn't Anne, but Kitty - the imaginary friend to whom she addressed her now world-famous diary.

Magically resurrected from the page and transported into modern-day Europe, Kitty is appalled by how society has fetishized her best friend Anne, hawking cheap merchandise and endless inaccurate reinterpretations of her words. Eventually she takes it upon herself to reclaim Anne's legacy, by any means necessary.

This is the bold reimagining of Anne Frank's story found in the new animated film "Where is Anne Frank," which premiered last week at the Cannes Film Festival. The film was made by acclaimed Israeli director Ari Folman, best known for his 2008 Oscar-nominated animated documentary hybrid "Waltz With Bashir," about the lasting memories of Israel's first Lebanon War. Now Folman has tackled what many consider the sacred text of the Holocaust - rewriting Anne Frank in order to interpret her true lasting legacy.

Made in partnership with the Anne Frank Fonds, the Swiss nonprofit founded by Anne's father, Otto, that holds the copyright to her diary, the film is aimed at younger audiences. But it also enters surprising political territory, as Kitty comes to understand Europe's modern-day immigration crisis and begins to consciously relate the continent's millions of asylum seekers to Anne's story.

"The main goal of the film is to help young audiences today connect with Anne Frank's story the way that previous generations connected with the diary," Yves Kugelmann, a member of the Fonds board and a key producer of the film, told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. "Frankly, that's mostly how I look at the film. If this objective is achieved, then it's a success."

A fiery redhead with rosy cheekbones, Kitty is not just a silent observer - she speaks her mind, loudly, about the creeping commercialization of her best friend as a brand.

"Anne did not write this diary so that you can worship her," she tells Dutch police in a climactic scen, following an incident in which she heckles a stage production of the diary. "Or name bridges and schools and theaters and train stations after her."

Kitty also begins dating a boy who pickpockets tourists at the Anne Frank House and later becomes a pro-immigration activist.

As he did with "Bashir," Folman blends spectacular fantasy sequences with a factually grounded narrative. Kitty's journey through 2021 Amsterdam and a meticulously detailed Anne Frank House is paired with allusions to Greek mythology and the Roman Empire, both of which fascinated Anne. In flashbacks, the Nazis are portrayed as robot-like ghouls wearing death masks, patrolling the streets of Amsterdam with neither hate nor pity for the people they hunt and victimize - a reference to how Anne herself never met a Nazi prior to her capture and wrote about how she had trouble visualizing them.

Folman, who declined a pre-arranged interview with JTA, told the Hollywood Reporter that his own mother, a Holocaust survivor from Lodz, Poland, was eager for him to take the project.

"I actually didn't want to do it at all," Folman said. "I thought there were too many adaptations and she was too iconic. But I read the diary again, the first time since I was a teenager, and I also went to visit my mother - both my parents were Holocaust survivors. She said, 'Look, we never interfered in your choices, but if you don't take this project, I will die over the weekend, you can come and collect my body on Sunday. But if you do it, I will stay around until the premiere.'"

Another twist Folman learned while doing research for the project: His parents arrived in Auschwitz the same week as Anne's parents, Otto and Edith.

Though Kitty continually decries the endless modern-day reinterpretations of Anne's story that exist to burnish her status as a symbol rather than a person, it could be argued that the film in which she appears is another such effort, keen on drawing simplistic parallels between the Holocaust and the modern refugee crisis.

The film differs from the text in other ways, too: Although Anne's diary contains a good deal of humor, the film has at least one character in distress in every scene, be it in modern-day Amsterdam or during the Holocaust. "Where Is Anne Frank" also alleges, without proof, that Auguste van Pels, who also hid with the Franks, concealed an expensive vase in the house, conceivably to avoid having to sell it for food.

But then Folman's vision for the film was never about merely relaying the facts of the story.

"I was looking for a new dimension, a new way to tell the story," he told the Hollywood Reporter. "And I tried to figure out how to bring it to the youngest audience I could. And when you start a movie with a miracle, like with this creation of Kitty, you build the fairy tale."

In addition to the film, Folman also collaborated with the Anne Frank Fonds on a graphic novel adaptation of Anne's diary, illustrated by David Polonsky and published in 2017. The film and the book will be part of a new educational package that the Fonds will share with hundreds of schools worldwide to which it provides Holocaust-education programs and materials.

In keeping with the charter of the nonprofit and Otto Frank's wishes that none of the Fonds projects be commercial, any proceeds from the film will go to supporting the Fonds' work, which includes many educational programs and projects with UNICEF, the United Nations agency for children's welfare, Kugelmann said.

In Kitty, the project hopes it has found its newest ambassador to a younger generation - straight from the 80-year-old pages of Anne's diary.
Birthright's open-tent approach to recruitment has meant that many of its participants have a hyphenated identity, either ethnically or religiously.

JERUSALEM  Arel Moodie, the son of a white Jewish mother and a Black father, experienced a core identity struggle through most of his teenage years.

"It was one of the biggest pieces of turmoil in my adolescence," said Moodie, who was raised in a predominantly African-American neighborhood in Brooklyn and attended Jewish camps every summer.

"I asked myself, 'Who am I? Where do I fit in?' I felt like I had to make a choice between the Jewish side, the white side, the Black side."

Moodie, now 37, began to find some answers during a Birthright Israel trip several years ago, where a chance encounter changed the way he thought about himself. Excited at seeing a Black Israeli soldier wearing a kippah, Moodie decided to approach him.

"I went up to him expecting that this incredible, long-lost brother would hug me," he said. "It was like, 'Omigosh there's more of us!' I sort of pantomimed, 'You're a Brown Jew, I'm a Brown Jew. That's amazing!' But he told me, 'No, we're just Jewish.'"

Moodie said the encounter led him to "own" his Jewishness, whereas previously he would elide the issue by telling himself and others that he was simply raised Jewish or that his mother was Jewish.

"I had always put a qualifier to my Jewish identity," Moodie said. "I realized I can just be Jewish while honoring my African-American identity. I don't have to choose between my identities."

Today he goes to synagogue regularly and his children attend Jewish day school.

Since its inception in 1999, Birthright has had a mission to ensure Jewish continuity by strengthening the Jewish identity of Jewish young adults as well as their connections to Israel and each other through an all-expenses-paid trip to Israel.

Birthright's open-tent approach to recruitment has meant that many of its participants have a hyphenated identity, either ethnically or religiously, or both. So being a Black Jew or Asian Jew or Latino Jew or Persian Jew has made their lives richer - but often more complicated.

"For some Jews of color, what seems to be society's insistence on choosing one identity over another - for example, you're Black in one space and Jewish in another - has led to internal identity struggles," said Tema Smith, a diversity advocate and Jewish community builder. "What is needed now is for the Jewish community to broadcast loudly that Jews can hold multiple identities and that there is no conflict between a Jewish identity and being from another group."

From its outset, Birthright enthusiastically welcomed Jewish young adults regardless of their racial or ethnic background, affiliation with Jewish institutions or religious observance.

Zohar Raviv, Birthright's vice president of educational strategy, described it this way: "We believe that whereas unity among Jews has always been a value, uniformity between Jews has never been a value."

Amy Albertson, a Chinese-Jewish resident of Sacramento, California, who came on Birthright in her early 20s and ultimately lived in Israel for several years, said the experience exposed her to a Jewish diversity she never knew existed. Ultimately that made her feel more comfortable in her own identity as both a Jewish and Chinese American.

"I grew up around Jews who looked a certain way: Eastern European," Albertson said. "Until I went to Israel I didn't know there were so many other types of Jews. In Israel, there were Jewish people from everywhere: I was able to interact with Mizrahim, Russians, Ethiopians and so many others."

For Albertson, now 30, the opportunity to meet a diversity of Jews in Israel was a happy revelation.

"I didn't grow up with a lot of Jewish tradition, and I would always get nervous in Jewish spaces because I didn't know how to do this or that" religious ritual, she said.

Although Albertson became very Jewishly active in college, it wasn't until she traveled to Israel for the first time with Birthright that she realized "to feel Jewish, all you have to do is exist. In Israel, Shabbat feels like Shabbat. It doesn't matter if you go to shul or light Shabbat candles."

Albertson recalled a Birthright activity with the Israel soldiers who accompanied the group.

"We were asked to share a Jewish memory, but I was like, 'I don't have many Jewish memories,'" she said. "The soldier I was paired with said, 'I guess all my memories are Jewish, but I'm secular.' That's when I realized that I don't need to do anything to be Jewish. I am Jewish."

Benjamin Sklar, 29, visited Israel several years ago on Birthright Excel, a 10-week professional experience designed to foster economic and social partnerships between Jews from the Diaspora and Israel. An experience on the trip inspired him to decide to move to Israel and join the Israeli army (he later moved back to the United States and become a lawyer).

The group met with the Arab-Israeli CEO of Jerusalem's YMCA and learned about how the Y builds bridges between Palestinians and Israelis in Jerusalem.

"It was valuable to be exposed to an Arab living in Jerusalem and not just Ashkenazi Jews," said Sklar, who is Mexican American and was raised in an interfaith home in Houston by his Catholic mother and Jewish father. "I felt the organizers made an effort to expose us to Reform, ultra-Orthodox, Sephardim, Ashkenazim. We experienced all the different angles of Israel."

Even as he decided to join the army, Sklar said he wanted to devote his career to helping the Palestinian-Israeli relationship.

"I just had a feeling on Birthright that I wanted to be an Israeli soldier; I felt they were superheroes," Sklar said. "I wanted to serve the country and be part of the team. I thought to myself, 'Are they more Jewish than me?' I served in the paratroopers."

For Emily Nassir, whose mother is an American-born Ashkenazi Jew and her father a Persian Israeli, growing up in a diverse home helped her appreciate the various customs and rituals practiced by different communities.

"It taught me to respect other people's ways of living," said Nassir, 25, of New York.

Nassir's trip to Israel with Birthright in March 2019 exposed her to an even wider swath of Israeli culture.

"My favorite part of the trip was sleeping overnight in a Bedouin tent, engaging with Arab culture," she recalled. "It was the most eye-opening experience, immersing for a time in another culture, watching someone in their own space. I realized that so many peoples and cultures exist in this one small country."

At a time when antisemitism is rampant, Nassir said that engaging with Israelis with different viewpoints, as she did during her Birthright experience, "is the only way to understand" Israel as a living, breathing place.

Albertson said experiencing Israel and Israelis firsthand has enabled her to fight antisemitism and anti-Zionism with facts.

"When people are yelling lies about Israel, I can feel more confident that I know they aren't true," she said.

"Israel as a Jewish country and homeland is not just a story or an idea. I've seen it, tasted it, touched it. I've witnessed and felt the Jewish connection to the land, and that is a powerful feeling.

"When I face antisemitism," Albertson said, "I know that I am part of this legacy and this nation. And I know that in the worst possible case scenario, I always have a home as a Jewish person."

This story was sponsored by and produced in partnership with Birthright Israel, which aims to give every young Jewish adult around the world the opportunity to visit Israel on an educational trip. This article was produced by JTA's native content team.
In an interview with David Poland for "DP/30: The Oral History of Hollywood," director Ari Folman expressed that the reactions he received in Israel toward his 2008 adult animated film, "Waltz with Bashir," were the most shocking out of every country he visited. He expected to be accused of being anti-Zionist and his film being written off as just a pile of liberal propaganda. Little did he expect the overwhelming praise from audiences and critics alike. And no one could blame him for his shock, the Sabra and Shatila massacre has long been a sensitive topic in Israeli, Palestinian, and Lebanese circles - the blame for the massacre being split between the Lebanese right-wing Christian Kataeb party (also known as the Phalanges), who carried out the massacre in 1982, a radical response to the assassination of Bashir Gemayel, and the Israeli military for not doing anything to stop it. Regardless of the details of Israel's complicity to the massacre and the Phalanges' revenge rampage, one fact remains: Anywhere between 460 and 3,500 Palestinian refugees and Lebanese Shiites were murdered in cold blood.

The film opens with an image: a deranged pack (26, to be exact) of dogs run rampant through the streets of Beirut, their attention drawn to a man in a window - an animated Boaz Rein, a friend of the writer/director. The dogs have come to kill him. They tell his boss, "Give us Boaz, or we'll eat your customers. In one minute!" It is here where the dream ends. Boaz has had this dream for two and a half years, who they are or why they are after him remains unsaid in the dream, but he knows. Back in the IDF, when his division was sent to retrieve Palestinian fugitives in Lebanese villages, it was his job to kill the dogs that would bark and wake up the village. His fellow soldiers knew he couldn't kill a person, so they put him on dog duty. He killed 26 of them and he remembers every face, every expression as they died.

Folman admits to his friend that he has not had a single flashback or dream of his time in Beirut - he was around 200 to 300 yards away from where the massacre took place. That very night, in the winter of 2006, Folman has the first flashback of his time in Beirut. A young man of 19, he emerges from the ocean, flares coming down onto the city in front of him, along with a group of other young men, wearing nothing but the weapons at their sides.

Why Boaz's dream? Why was that what jogged Folman's memory in over 20 years?

"Memories are dynamic, they're alive. If some details are missing ... memory fills the holes with things that never happened."

Is this memory real or is he just filling in the blanks? This question sets Folman on a quest to remember, truly remember, what happened and his involvement in the massacre. He visits various friends of his who also fought in the Lebanon War, with the hope that they will help piece together his fragmented mind.

All the elements of a typical documentary are here, with Folman's subjects front and center. What he does differently is how he constructs the hallucinations and memories, the past and present, using animation. Aided by Max Richter's beautifully haunted score, reality mixes with fantasy as their stories unravel and the truth of Folman's role in the massacre is revealed.

In a moment where Shmuel Frenkel runs in the middle of the street, bullets raining down on top of him, posters of the newly assassinated Bashir Gemayal all around him, he shoots his gun anywhere he can, dancing to the tune of Chopin's Waltz in C-Sharp minor. This scene gives some of the finest moments in war cinema a run for their money - it is this particular waltz that gives the film its title.

Ari Folman is himself the son of Holocaust survivors, Auschwitz survivors to be exact. It is difficult seeing him confront his own participation in a massacre and the guilt and responsibility he feels toward it.

"You can't remember the massacre because in your opinion, the murderers and those in the outer circles are one in the same. You feel guilty because at 19, you unwillingly took the role of a Nazi. But to keep you sane you must keep in mind that you were firing flares, not massacring people."

There is an interesting aspect of this film where a commentary arises on how we see war as an audience. As we know, Folman does not remember even being in the war due to him disassociating during that time. A psychologist tells him the story of a photographer who had gone to war and saw horrible images. He avoided confronting the images by telling himself, essentially, that he was outside of it and simply viewing it through the lens of his camera. As far as he was concerned, he was on vacation in Lebanon. At one point, his camera breaks and he is forced to confront the full reality of the situation. As an audience to this film, we can say the same. All we see are animated interpretations of the documentary's subjects and their experiences. At the end of this film, in a stunning sequence, our camera breaks, and we are forced to confront the actual images of the massacre.

"Waltz with Bashir" was the first feature-length Israeli animated film to be released theatrically since the stop-motion film "Joseph the Dreamer," released in 1962. "Waltz with Bashir" is an essential film, not just because of its historical relevance in understanding the Sabra and Shatila massacre or its unique exercise in animation, but as a first-hand look into the deception of memory and our responsibilities toward each other. Sometimes it is the actions we don't take that are the greatest crimes we could commit.

"Waltz with Bashir" is currently streaming on The Criterion Channel.

Ari Folman's next film, the animated "Where is Anne Frank," just premiered at Cannes last month and we can expect a release later this year in the U.S.

Zachary Aborizk is an independent filmmaker and writer based out of Orlando, FL. His work has appeared in such publications as Adelaide Magazine in New York as well as the Tampa Bay Underground Film Festival.
(TCJewfolk via JTA)  A Jewish summer camp in Wisconsin sent its campers and staff home three days early following a COVID outbreak affecting nine cabins.

Herzl Camp in Webster primarily serves Jews from the Twin Cities area and, as of 2019, had about 500 campers ranging from third to 11th grade. Its summer began in mid-June and was due to end on Aug. 4, but camp administrators made the decision to close early on Saturday night.

Out of an abundance of caution and with the health of your children our number one priority, our Medical Committee and Board of Directors have made this difficult decision to limit further spread of the virus, Executive Director Gary Kibort wrote in an email to families.

Herzl is one of a string of camps nationwide that saw COVID outbreaks in July as case numbers in the United States surged due to the Delta variant. Camp Pontiac in New York state recently saw 31 cases of COVID, and Camp Tawonga in California canceled a 200-children session after an outbreak in cases.

Its unclear if any other Jewish sleepaway camps have had COVID outbreaks. Ramah Darom, a Georgia camp affiliated with the Conservative movement, announced on July 30 that it was COVID-free and would be consolidating all of its camper pods into one.

In 2020, nearly all Jewish sleepaway camps closed due to the pandemic. Most opened this year with special public health arrangements and many, like Herzl, encouraged campers 12 and older to be vaccinated.

The outbreak at Herzl was detected on July 28 when a camper exhibited COVID-like symptoms and tested positive for the virus. Four other children in the campers program subsequently tested positive. By Saturday afternoon, there had been more positive tests in other programs.

At the beginning of the summer, campers were restricted to podding with their cabins. But campers were tested for COVID five days into each of the summers two sessions, and those tests had come back negative, so the pods were expanded from cabins to full age-group programs. Staff members also were allowed to leave camp for certain destinations on their days off.

We thought our biggest exposure risk was that, [on] day five testing, wed see a positive, said Dr. Hope Frisch, Herzls co-medical director. So we werent expecting this, almost three weeks in, to have a positive.

The camp doesnt know if the positive tests are the result of the Delta variant, which appears to be more contagious than the initial strain of the virus. New information from the CDC, which came out Friday afternoon after six campers tested positive, showed that vaccinated people could also spread the virus. The camp does not yet know how COVID began spreading among its campers.

I think weve all felt it in our own lives, where it seemed like the COVID was leaving, and now its maybe coming back, said Holly Guncheon, Herzls director of advancement.

Kibort also wrote in his email: All of us at Herzl Camp are both sad and disappointed that camp will end early. We are deeply grateful for these joyful days at the camp we love. We are also deeply grateful to you  our camp families  for your understanding and support.

A version of this story originally ran in TC Jewfolk. Used with permission.
When Chabad of Greater Orlando, under the leadership of Rabbi Sholom and Devorahleah Dubov, saw the need for a Chabad House to service the Jewish student community, they asked Rabbi Chaim and Rivkie Lipskier to join them and establish Chabad at UCF. When the Lipskiers moved to Orlando in the fall of 2006, they knew there was an urgent need to service the Jewish students on campus, but couldn't imagine how rapidly they would be moving from one location to the next to accommodate that need.

UCF is the largest university in the United States, and is home to more than 6,000 Jewish students. Within a few months, the Chabad Center quickly outgrew its first home and moved into a second home. The new location allowed for exponential growth, with regular activities and dinners, but soon they were once again bursting at the seams.

It is said that "necessity is the mother of invention," and indeed, the day arrived, when a new Chabad Student Center for the Jewish students at UCF was born.

Through a seed grant spearheaded by Moris and Lilian Tabacinic and many generous donors, a two-acre property was purchased in 2015 paving the way for this dream to come to fruition. Construction will begin with groundbreaking on Sunday, Aug. 22, with the plan of building completion in the fall of 2022, culminating in the Tabacinics dedicating the campus.

Recently, Alan Ginsburg and the Ginsburg Family Foundation generously offered a matching grant of up to $500,000 for the building fund. Chabad is seeking partners in the community to help meet the Ginsburg Family Foundation challenge, where each and every dollar donation will be matched up to 500K. The Lipskiers are deeply grateful to Ginsburg and the Ginsburg Family Foundation for partnering in Chabad's sacred work, and quite literally investing in igniting the souls of Judaism's future.

This new location has, first and foremost, the necessary space Chabad needs to host hundreds of students comfortably. It is also prominently located on Alafaya Trail, a main road right across campus, and conveniently near numerous student housing developments and hotels, maximizing Chabad's ability to reach every student.

Chabad has been serving Jewish students for the past 15 years with free Mezuzahs, stimulating Torah classes and discussions, counseling, holiday programs, social events, their legendary Shabbat dinners, and tailored programs like Sinai Scholars, Pizza and Parsha, Mayanot Birthright, Weekly BBQ's and more.

The community is warmly invited to attend the groundbreaking of the future location of the Chabad Student Center on Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, at 1 p.m., at 3144 N. Alafaya Trail, Orlando, Fl 32826.

For more information, dedication opportunities, and to RSVP for the groundbreaking celebration, please visit jewishucf.com/groundbreaking.
WASHINGTON (JTA) - President Joe Biden is set to nominate Deborah Lipstadt, the Emory University Holocaust historian, to be the State Department's antisemitism envoy.

The White House alerted top Biden supporters of the pick, which has been expected for weeks, on Thursday night, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency has learned.

Lipstadt is perhaps best known for defeating Holocaust denier David Irving after he sued her in a British court for defamation for calling him a Holocaust denier. Her 2005 book, "History on Trial: My Day in Court with a Holocaust Denier," was made into a 2016 movie with Rachel Weisz starring as Lipstadt.

Lipstadt, 74, has been for years a go-to expert for the media and for legislators on Holocaust issues, particularly on how the genocide's meaning should be understood in the 21st century, and whether it had any cognates among anti-democratic forces in the current day. She twice endorsed Barack Obama for president but has been on call for her expertise across the political spectrum.

Last year, during the election, she broke a longstanding taboo on comparing present-day American politicians to the Nazis and endorsed an ad by the Jewish Democratic Council of America likening the Trump administration to 1930s Germany. Lipstadt said Holocaust analogies were still off-limits, but she could see parallels to the rise of the Nazis.

"I would say in the attacks we're seeing on the press, the courts, academic institutions, elected officials and even, and most chillingly, the electoral process, that this deserves comparison," she said at the time. referring to the JDCA ad. "It's again showing how the public's hatred can be whipped up against Jews. Had the ad contained imagery of the Shoah, I wouldn't be here today."

Jewish organizations, alarmed by a spike in antisemitism, have been pressing the Biden administration to name an envoy and to name a Jewish liaison to the community - another post that White House officials said would be filled soon. The Trump administration took two years to name an envoy.

Lipstadt will be the first nominee who will need to be confirmed by the Senate since Congress first created the position in 2004. Congress last year elevated the role to ambassador-level, granting the position more funding and easier access to the secretary of state and the president. If Lipstadt is confirmed, she will be the fifth person in the position.

The antisemitism monitor's role is tracking and reporting on the phenomenon overseas, and lobbying governments to address anti-Jewish bigotry within their borders. The position does not have a domestic role, although Elan Carr, Trump's appointee, sometimes criticized domestic actors, including J Street, the liberal Jewish Middle East policy group. His attack on J Street drew a rare rebuke from one of his predecessors, Hannah Rosenthal.
(Israel Hayom via JNS)  Ecuadors largest supermarket chain, owned by El Rosado Group, has announced that it will no longer sell ice-cream manufactured by Unilever, which owns Ben & Jerrys.

The company has more than 180 stores across Ecuador and is joining other supermarket stores worldwide that are protesting the decision by Ben & Jerrys not to sell ice-cream beyond Israels pre-1967 Green Line.

For us, [the] decision is worrying and scandalous, El Rosado Group CEO Johnny Czarninski wrote in a letter to Unilever. He also contacted Israeli Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked to let her know about the decision after she approached him on the matter.

Discrimination against some Jews harms all Jews worldwide, he wrote.

Unilever is also receiving blows in the United States, with Illinois having announced last week it intends to take sanctions against the company. Illinois joins other states, like Texas, New York and New Jersey, which have already proposed similar measures.

Meanwhile, the co-founders of Ben & Jerrys, Bennett Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, published an opinion piece in The New York Times on Wednesday (July 28) defending the companys decision.

We are also proud Jews. Its part of who we are and how weve identified ourselves for our whole lives. As our company began to expand internationally, Israel was one of our first overseas markets. We were then, and remain today, supporters of the State of Israel. But its possible to support Israel and oppose some of its policies, just as weve opposed policies of the U.S. government, they wrote.

This article first appeared in Israel Hayom.
(JNS)  The state of Florida notified Unilever, the parent company of Ben & Jerrys ice-cream, on Tuesday that it has 90 days to cease its boycott of Israel or face a ban on contracts and investments with the Sunshine State.

The move is in response to the July 19 announcement that the ice-cream maker will stop selling its product in areas it calls Occupied Palestinian Territory, which includes the West Bank and parts of Jerusalem.

It comes after Florida state officials held talks with Unilevers investor-relations department on July 28 and received an indication that the parent company has no current plan to prevent Ben & Jerrys from terminating business activities in Israeli-controlled territories.

As a matter of law and principle, the state of Florida will not tolerate discrimination against the State of Israel or the Israeli people, said Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. By placing Ben & Jerrys Fortune 500 parent company Unilever on our List of Scrutinized Companies That Boycott Israel, Florida is sending a message to corporate America that we will defend our strong relationship with the Jewish state. I will not stand idly by as woke corporate ideologues seek to boycott and divest from our ally, Israel.

In a letter to the governor, the State Board of Administration of Florida, which manages the assets of the states retirement plan and provides investment services to governmental entities, said Ben & Jerrys actions violate state statutes.

Those statutes define a boycott of Israel as refusing to deal, terminating business activities or taking other actions to limit commercial relations with Israel, or persons or entities doing business in Israel or in Israeli-controlled territories in a discriminating manner.

Jimmy Patronis, CFO of the State Board of Administration, said Israel is a friend of Florida. Its a thriving democracy with incredible people and culture, and Ben & Jerrys decision to very publicly discriminate against Israel was a shortsighted attempt to virtue signal to folks on the radical left. The second Ben & Jerrys decided to discriminate against Israel, it affected Floridas ability to make investments with its parent company.

Rabbi Efrem Goldberg of Boca Raton Synagogue in Palm Beach County, Fla., praised the states decision. BDS practiced in any form is not only anti-Israel, but is a form of anti-Semitism and must not be tolerated, he said. Decent people who protest hate and bias in all forms should make their voices heard in protest to Unilever and Ben and Jerrys.

The rabbi and members of his congregation held a protest last week outside a Ben & Jerrys shop, although they made clear that their target was the corporate offices of the ice-cream maker and not the local franchise owners.
(JNS)  Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett blamed Iran on Sunday, Aug. 1, for the attack that left two dead on the oil tanker in the Arabian Sea on Thursday night.

Speaking during the weekly Security Cabinet meeting, Bennett was quoted by Maariv as saying that while Iran is denying responsibility for the incident, I state here absolutely: Iran is the one that carried out the attack on the ship.

The intelligence evidence for this is there and we expect the international system to make it clear to the Iranian regime that they have made a serious mistake, said Bennett, who called the attack cowardly and piratical.

Regardless, he added, Israel knows how to convey the message to Iran in our own ways.

The Japanese-owned vessel Mercer Street is managed by Zodiac Maritime Ltd., a London-based company owned by Israeli tycoon Eyal Ofer. It sails under a Liberian flag.

According to Zodiac Maritimes website, when the incident occurred the vessel was in the northern Indian Ocean, en route to Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, with no cargo aboard.

A Briton and a Romanian died in the attack, and AP reported that a hole had been punched through the top of the tankers bridge.

The U.S. aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan and the guided-missile destroyer USS Mitscher escorted the Mercer Street to a safe harbor following the attack, the U.S. Fifth Fleet said in a statement on Friday.

Upon arrival, U.S. forces determined through clear visual evidence that an attack had occurred, the statement said, adding that initial findings indicated the ship had been hit by a drone strike.

Iran and Israel have accused each other of multiple attacks on each others vessels in recent months.

The Israeli-owned cargo ship Hyperion Ray sustained light damage in an attack off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, near Fujairah, on April 13. On April 6, the Iranian ship Saviz, reportedly used by Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a command and surveillance ship, was reportedly struck in the Red Sea by a limpet mine, causing damage and leaving the vessel stranded, but causing no casualties.

In mid-March, U.S. sources told The Wall Street Journal that Israel had attacked 12 ships illegally carrying Iranian oil to Syria since 2019, using weapons such as naval mines to damage the vessels.
(JNS) - A group of Senate Republicans led by Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) introduced a bill on Thursday that would prevent the Biden administration's State Department or U.S. Customs and Border Protection from rescinding late 2020 federal guidelines that allow goods produced in Judea and Samaria to be labeled "Made in Israel."

If passed, the bill titled the Anti-BDS Labeling Act, would require that current laws regarding the marking of products with "Made in Israel" codified by executive order on Dec. 23, 2020, to be enforced and cannot be changed without an act of Congress.

In a news release supporting the bill, the senators said that the bill intends to fight back against efforts to delegitimize Israel through the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement and to allow all products made in areas under Israel's authority to proudly state "Made in Israel" on its label.

"Left-wing activists abuse country-of-origin labels in order to stigmatize products made in Israel," Cotton said in a release. "Our bill will defend the integrity of the Jewish state by ensuring that Israeli products may proudly bear the label 'Made in Israel.'"

The bill has so far been co-sponsored by eight other Republican senators including Sens. John Boozman (R-Ark.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa).

"The antisemitic [BDS] movement is engaged in discriminatory economic warfare targeting the Jewish state of Israel. Last year, President [Donald] Trump dealt a serious blow to the BDS movement when he ended the U.S. government's discriminatory treatment of Israeli goods produced in Judea and Samaria and required these imported goods to be labeled as 'Made in Israel.'" Hagerty said in a release. "I'm proud to support Senator Cotton's important legislation to counter efforts by the BDS movement and its anti-Israel supporters to pressure the Biden administration into reversing President Trump's pro-Israel policy changes."

According to Cotton's release, the United States first began requiring products made in Judea and Samaria to bear the label "Made in the West Bank" in 1995 during the Clinton administration. The guidelines were again republished in 2016.

Trump's executive order was lobbied for by Cotton in November 2020 in a letter sent to the president, shortly before the administration created the new guidelines.

"We must not allow the Biden administration to roll back existing policy and allow the singling out and discrimination against products made in Israel," said Blackburn. "It is a double standard that is not applied to other sovereign nations involved in territorial disputes."

Despite the bill's introduction on the floor, it is unlikely to move any further due to Democratic Party control of the Senate and House of Representatives.
(ORLANDO, FL)  Investing two years of research and commitment, Laurie Cardoza-Moore, founder and president of Proclaiming Justice to the Nations is grateful as both Civics and Holocaust Standards submitted by PJTN were approved late last week for adoption and use in Florida classrooms. She noted on the vote, Our work in preserving Americas Judeo-Christian heritage and values in our childrens Civics education amid the national push towards Critical Race Theory will benefit the more than 1.8 million students in Florida classrooms  as will the Holocaust Education materials that will be a national gold standard for Florida.

She went on to praise Governor DeSantis for his commitment in developing curriculum standards for the State of Florida that provide Holocaust Education that honors historical accuracy as well as honoring the memory of the more than 6 million victims of the Nazis War on the Jews.

In an official press statement released today she stated, I want to congratulate Governor Ron DeSantis, Commissioner Richard Corcoran and the entire Florida Department of Education team for their outstanding work in developing the most comprehensive Civics and Holocaust Standards in the United States. I also want to recognize the Florida Citizens Alliance and State Representative Randy Fine for their invaluable support. These standards are not only groundbreaking but historical as well. Governor DeSantis has once again proven his commitment to ensuring 1.8 million students in Florida will not be indoctrinated with propaganda. The newly revised Civics Standards will ensure that children in Florida know the Judeo-Christian foundations of the birth of this incredible nation. He has sent a resounding message loud and clear that he will not tolerate revisionist history, antisemitic content or Holocaust revisionism in Florida classrooms. This effort has been almost two years in the making and on behalf of the whole team at PJTN, we are humbled and grateful to have been invited to collaborate on this important endeavor for the future of the State of Florida and the United States! Well done Gov. DeSantis!

Noted Donna Render, Florida Chapter director for PJTN: We are very affirmed and encouraged by Gov. DeSantis commitment to make Florida the national gold standard for curriculum standards in America. The young people sitting in Florida classrooms are the real benefactors of our work.

Under Cardoza-Moores direction, in 2018 PJTN launched a major national campaign, Taking Back Americas Children, aimed at educating, motivating and activating concerned Americans on the indoctrination happening in American education. The victory with Florida curriculum is the latest success in a national push in the PJTN state-by-state ground game in the education crisis facing American classrooms. Not to speak up and push back means we face the possibility of losing our next generation of leadership for our nation  our children, states Cardoza-Moore. It was gratifying to see the appreciation of teachers, parents and students throughout the state of Florida who stepped up to support PJTNs efforts.
(JNS)  The Republican Jewish Coalition publicly stated on Monday that it will not comply with a threat from the Jewish Democratic Council of America of legal action if a tweet it posted last month criticizing the JDCA is not deleted.

The tweet questioned the Jewish Democrat group and its executive director, Halie Soifer, on their silence following the latest round of anti-Semitic rhetoric by Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), who following the 11-day May conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, compared the United States and Israel to the Taliban and Hamas terror organizations, and said that Jewish lawmakers were not partners in seeking justice while retweeting JCDAs tweet condemning Islamophobia.

Islamophobia is awful and must be condemned. Anti-Semitism is awful and must be condemned. So why is it that @USJewishDems and @HalieSoifer fail every single time to condemn @Ilhan Omars anti-Semitism? the RJC tweeted on July 21.

In a July 28 letter to the RJC attorney Jeffrey Altman, Ezra W. Reese, the attorney for the JDCA and Soifer, stated that the parties considered the tweet defamatory and pointed to an instance when JDCA condemned Omar.

In February 2019, JDCA tweeted that Omar had absolutely the wrong response, to criticism after Omar (in a tweet that has since been deleted) said that political support for Israel in the United States was due to moneythe Its all about the Benjamins, baby comment.

Enough is enough with the anti-Semitic tropes, JDCA tweeted.

The letter continues by linking an article on the JDCA website where Soifer is quoted condemning Omar and calling for her to apologize.

Reeses letter demanded that RJCs tweet be immediately deleted and for the RJC to no longer make the claim that JDCA and Soifer have never condemned Omar.

In its public response, the RJC said it will not remove the tweet, and that it will not be silenced, canceled, or intimidated.

They stressed that the JCDAs letter could point to just one condemnation of Omar two-and-a-half years ago. Where were their condemnations of [Omars] other recent anti-Semitic comments and tweets? the RJC said in a news release.

Taking a consistent stand against anti-Semitism

In contrast, the RJC said that it had been condemning anti-Semitic rhetoric and Holocaust comparisons among the Republican and Democratic party lawmakers for decades and even supported Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa) in a successful primary challenge to former Rep. Steve King because of Kings record of racist statements.

The RJC does not shy away from taking on anti-Semitism and bigotry wherever they appear, the release stated. Instead of demanding the RJC delete its tweet that asked why JDCA does not stand up against anti-Semitic rhetoric by political figures the way the RJC does, it would have been better for JDCA to try and give examples of their organization taking a consistent stand against anti-Semitic rhetoric from Ilhan Omar and her ilk.

In a response letter sent to Reese, Altman also cited a tweet from Soifer from April 29, where she claimed that the RJC was silent for four years of the Trump administration when democracy was persistently [and] overtly attacked by [President Donald] Trump.

By your standard, the first statement is clearly false, because there are many examples where the RJC has been outspoken when it has disagreed with President Trump and elements of the Republican Party, Altman wrote, citing a 2017 article in The Washington Post of the RJC condemning Trumps actions in the aftermath of the deadly riots in Charlottesville, Va.

Soifers tweet stated that the RJCs lack of acknowledgment of the results of the 2020 election until 60 days after gave fodder to the Jan. 6 riots at the U.S. Capitol.

Altman wrote that the tweet accused RJC of a crime by feeding the violent insurrection and that the accusation had no merit.

The RJC believes that a careful examination of the record will show that the JDCA consistently remains silent in the face of vicious anti-Semitism from leading Democrats. In contrast, the RJC has a decades long track record of acting forcefully and speaking out whenever anti-Semitism has reared its ugly head in the Republican Party, as well as the Democratic Party, among independents and in the media, wrote Altman. The RJCs tweet is in the nature of protected political speech and hyperbole. It posed a rhetorical question that could have been answered simply that the JDCA did condemn such anti-Semitism in February 2019.  The public will be best informed by making the record clear and having a free exchange of ideas and positions unfettered by intimidation and legal threats.

Concluded Altman: If forced to do so, the RJC is prepared to respond in kind, but will not be silenced.
Southwest Orlando Jewish Congregation will hold a Meet and Greet for its new part-time interim rabbi, David Shmidt Chapman, on Aug. 22, 2021.

Rabbi Chapman has served as rabbinic intern at Sutton Place Synagogue in New York City as well as a chaplaincy Intern for Project ORE for the homeless.

In the fall, he will be entering his final year at Jewish Theological Seminary, where he is a Wexner Graduate Fellow. He originally hails from Chicago and received a Bachelor of Arts with the highest honors in Dramatic Arts from The University of North Carolina.

Chapman is a recipient of a U.S. Fulbright Grant for a yearlong study in Budapest, Hungary, as well as a Henry Luce Scholarship for a yearlong study in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, where he professionally directed and taught theater. At the time, he never imagined combining his love of the arts with Jewish culture.

In 2008, Chapman became interested in how he could use his background in the arts and theater to "explore Jewish community" in the context of "authentic, sincere Jewish engagement."

"I didn't grow up with my eyes set on a Jewish professional career or even expecting to have any active Jewish involvement, necessarily," Chapman told the New York Jewish Week.

After receiving a master's in nonprofit leadership from Fordham in 2015, Chapman realized he not only had a place within the broader social justice world, but a responsibility to the Jewish community.

Prior to starting rabbinical school Chapman worked for several Jewish organizations, including serving as associate director for Programs and Partners at the New Israel Fund, an organization that supports religious pluralism in Israel. In addition, Chapman is a member of ROI (the Schusterman Foundation's leadership network) and was included in the Jewish Week's list of "36 Under 36" New York Jews making a difference.

Chapman is the founding director of "PEW-ish," which launched in 2014 in the Loft at Judson Memorial Church in New York. The project features a group of short plays inspired by the ubiquitous Pew Research Center study that details declining Jewish engagement in America; some of the plays offer a direct commentary on the Pew study while others were more focused on personal interpretations of Judaism.

He also created and starred in "Raoul Wallenberg: Letters from Young Men," a solo play that interweaves selections from Chapman's childhood diaries and the published archive of the letters of Wallenberg, who rescued thousands of Hungarian Jews during World War II.

"A lot of things I just sort of absorbed from growing up in a liberal home and going to a liberal arts college," he said. "But [now, I do] those things specifically as [a] Jew ... thinking about Jewish tradition, text, wisdom and communal obligation drives those commitments."

Chapman and his husband, Jonathan, have a son, Elior Samuel Chapman, who was named after relatives, as well as Elie Wiesel.

For more information about the Meet and Greet, email the synagogue at office@sojc.org or call (407)-239-5444.

Portions of this article are from the New York Jewish Week.
(JTA)  Over the last year, Jewish college students took it upon themselves to combat antisemitism at their schools. Now, two major Jewish organizations are working together to play a stronger role in fighting antisemitism on campus.

Some of the student activists documented incidences of antisemitism at colleges nationwide, often submitted anonymously, while others have taken a confrontational tone on social media. With some portraying themselves as the ideological successors to early Zionist activists, the students often argue that anti-Zionism and antisemitism overlap.

In a new partnership, Hillel International and the Anti-Defamation League are aiming to take a more traditional approach to the same issues  one that they say will not always treat anti-Israel activity as antisemitism.

Hillel and the ADL will together create a college-level curriculum on antisemitism and jointly document antisemitic incidents on campuses in the United States. But not every student government resolution endorsing the movement to Boycott, Divest from and Sanction Israel, known as BDS, will wind up in the groups database.

Anti-Israel activism in and of itself is not antisemitism, an ADL spokesperson told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Situations vary widely with BDS, we will carefully evaluate each one and make a determination based on our criteria for antisemitism.

For example, the ADL spokesperson told JTA, a BDS resolution alone would not count as antisemitism, but if a student was excluded from the debate because he or she was Jewish, then it might be counted.

The Hillel-ADL partnership, which will begin in the coming academic year, follows a spike in reported antisemitic incidents on campus. In the school year that ended in 2021, the ADL tallied 244 antisemitic incidents on campuses nationwide, an increase from 181 the previous school year. Hillel has a presence on more than 550 campuses and says it serves more than 400,000 students.

Accusations of antisemitism on campus have received significant attention from large Jewish organizations for years. Some Jewish leaders have long said anti-Zionist activity on campus constitutes antisemitism, especially as a string of student governments endorsed BDS.

Hillel International prohibits partnerships with, and the hosting of, campus groups that support BDS. Anti-Zionist groups have at times targeted Hillel; last week, Students for Justice in Palestine at Rutgers University criticized the schools Hillel in a statement endorsed by other campus groups.

In addition, the ADL has documented white supremacist propaganda campaigns on campuses nationwide.

Multiple national groups have filed complaints with the Department of Educations Office of Civil Rights based on campus antisemitism allegations. In 2019, President Donald Trump signed an executive order mandating robust enforcement of civil rights protections for Jews on campus and including some anti-Israel activity in the definition of antisemitism. Pro-Palestinian activists said the order would have a chilling effect on free speech on campus.

The ADL and Hillel International plan to develop a curriculum about the history of antisemitism and how it manifests currently. They will also survey schools nationwide to provide a better picture of the state of antisemitism on campus, and will create a dedicated system to tally incidents of antisemitism at colleges and universities, including a portal for students to report incidents confidentially.

The ADL did not detail how it would verify whether confidentially submitted incidents actually occurred, beyond telling JTA they would be judged by the methodology the group uses in its annual audit of antisemitic incidents. The methodology states that ADL carefully examines the credibility of all incidents, including obtaining independent verification when possible.

In recent months, the student activists have formed their own organizations to further their online activism, called the New Zionist Congress and Jewish on Campus. The New Zionist Congress hosts an online book club and discussions about Zionism, while Jewish on Campus records stories of college antisemitism on its Instagram account, which has posted more than 400 times and has 32,000 followers.

The ADL said its partnership with Hillel would complement student activism and that the group will firmly support well-meaning student-led efforts to push back against antisemitism on campus.

The effort with Hillel is also the third partnership with an external organization that ADL has announced in the past two weeks. It recently launched a partnership to combat antisemitism with the Union for Reform Judaism, and last week began an initiative with PayPal to research how extremists use online financial platforms.
(JNS)  The United States transferred $135 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees on Saturday. This was in addition to the nearly $33 million that it gave to the organization in May to help the Gaza Strip, ravaged by Hamas rockets and Israels response to them during Operation Guardian of the Walls.

The latest cash bonanza also came three months after Washington provided an initial gift of $150 million to restore the aid that was cut in 2018 by then-President Donald Trump.

Its not necessary to do the math in order to calculate how nicely the coffers of UNRWA have been padded since April alone. Nor is the reopening of the faucet for the flow of funds into the corrupt U.N. agency the least bit surprising.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken had announced with great fanfare that doing so would be part of the new administrations efforts to repair Americas relations with the Palestinian Authority. You know, the ones that Trump supposedly destroyed by holding the P.A. accountable for its actions, chief among them its pay for slay policy.

As UNRWAs largest donor, the United States has sway that it hadnt bothered to leverage until Trump came along and made the money contingent on comprehensive reforms. Not only did the humanitarian body abuse its original mandate, which wore out its welcome and purpose a short time after its inception more than 70 years ago, but it worked tirelessly to perpetuate the problem that it was established to solve.

Furthermore, its entire existence is based on a contrived U.N. definition of refugee that enables Palestinians to be categorized as such for generations. Its this special status that has led to an outrageous situation, whereby the number of Palestinian refugees hasnt declined over the decades but has increased exponentially. So, UNRWA continues to provide relief, human development and protection services to people who arent refugees by any measure other than a fabricated one.

As if this werent sufficient cause to shutter the self-serving political entity, UNRWA has another claim to infamy: its passive and active abetting of terrorists. This takes the form, among others, of allowing Fatah, Hamas and Islamic Jihad to stockpile weapons in and under its schools, whose revisionist textbooks indoctrinate Palestinian children to hate and aspire to kill Israelis.

Many of the teachers employed in these disgraceful institutions of lower learning post-antisemitic cartoons on Facebook. These include caricatures of Israeli soldiers committing atrocities and, more recently, of the Jewish state intentionally infecting Palestinians with COVID-19. Oh, and of denying them vaccines.

This isnt the only reality that the Biden administration conveniently ignored when it signed a Framework for Cooperation with UNRWA on July 7, which establishes shared goals and priorities in support of humanitarian assistance, human development and protection of Palestine refugees.

According to UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini, the inking of the agreement and additional financial support demonstrates we once again have an ongoing partner in the United States that understands the need to provide critical assistance to some of the regions most vulnerable refugees.

Really.

Frameworks for cooperation are the traditional mechanism by which the United States and international agencies establish shared goals and priorities, he stated. The agreement between UNRWA and the United States reaffirms both parties commitment to the United Nations humanitarian principles, including the principle of neutrality.

Though such pontification is par for press releases from NGOs in general, this particular description of the deal would be funny if it werent so sad. Nevertheless, media outlets in Israel and abroad pounced on the item by highlighting a specific element of a single paragraph in the framework document and reporting on it as some kind of encouraging hot-news flash.

The passage in question reads: UNRWA commits to take all possible measures to ensure funding by the United States  does not provide assistance to, or otherwise support, terrorists or terrorist organizations. Further, the United States and UNRWA condemn without reserve all manifestations of religious or racial intolerance, incitement to violence, harassment or violence against persons or communities based on ethnic origin or religious beliefs, including antisemitism, Islamophobia, anti-Catholicism, anti-Arabism or other forms of discrimination or racism against Palestinians, Israelis or other individuals or communities based on ethnic origin or religious belief.

Leaving aside the fact that every syllable of this ostensible commitment on UNRWAs part is a lie, journalists were bowled over by the inclusion of anti-Semitism and Israelis in the long list of false denunciations of practices in which the organization has never ceased engaging.

How quickly everyone has forgotten the fate of now-former UNRWA Gaza director Matthias Schmale, for example. Schmale was first raked over the coals  and then ousted from his job in disgrace  for presenting a more complex view of Operation Guardian of the Walls than his U.N. and Hamas bosses could tolerate.

In an interview in May with Israeli Channel 12s Arad Nir, he said: During the 11 days of war, we did not run out of food, water and supplies, [though] we would have if Kerem Shalom and the border would have stayed closed. So, from my point of view, there is no acute or serious shortage of medical supplies, food or water, as long as this now starts  continues  to come in.

Asked by Nir for his opinion on claims by Israeli officials that the IDF bombardments were very precise, Schmale replied: Im not a military expert, but I would not dispute that. I also have the impression that there is a huge sophistication in the way the Israeli military struck.

The angry reaction was fast and furious.

We were shocked by the statements of Mr. Matthias Schmale  where he installed himself as a military analyst or spokesman for the occupation army, declared Hamas, according to a tweet by its official mouthpiece, Al-Aqsa TV.

Realizing that he was in hot water, Schmale accused those who had praised him for his honesty of blatant manipulation of [his] interview, and tweeted: Recent remarks I made on Israeli TV have offended & hurt those who had family members & friends killed & injured during the war that has just ended. I truly regret to have caused them pain, & reiterate following points I have made through countless interviews & tweets.

Responding to Twitter users who suggested that he had been coerced into backtracking, he announced: No one has forced me into an apology. Responsible leaders listen carefully to people they serve  in my case Palestine refugees; civilians, not political or military actors  and accept and correct errors of judgment.

Within less than a week, UNRWA said in a statement that Schmale would be taking a long leave of absence. Someone ought to look into whether hes still among the living, but it wont be President Joe Biden, thats for sure.

After all, hes too busy looking the other way while tax dollars get shipped to the bad guys.

Ruthie Blum is an Israel-based journalist and author of To Hell in a Handbasket: Carter, Obama, and the Arab Spring.
(Jewish Journal, JNS)  Five months ago, with his back to the wall and facing calls from his own allies to resign, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo had a ready answer to the accusations of sexual misconduct that were engulfing him: Lets wait for the investigation.

I ask the people of this state to wait for the facts from the attorney generals report before forming an opinion, he pleaded. It almost sounded reasonable. It bought him precious time. So, New York Attorney General Letitia James promptly called Cuomos bluff by initiating the investigation he endorsed.

Yesterday, with the release of the report, Cuomo ran out of time to buy.

After an investigation that included interviews with 179 people and the reviewing of more than 74,000 documents, investigators concluded that Cuomo engaged in conduct constituting sexual harassment under federal and New York State law. The report found at least 11 credible accusations of sexual harassment against the governor.

The calls for him to step down are growing by the hour. Even President Joe Biden has called on him to resign.

But the governor is a scrappy survivor, and hes refusing to go, calling the very report he endorsed biased and saying the facts are much different from what has been portrayed. Who can believe him now?

I wonder what his classy late father  former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo  would say to him if he were alive. Actually, Im pretty sure he would tell him to salvage whatever dignity he has left and resign. He would have told him, in fact, to resign five months ago, when his reputation was already in tatters.

In any case, Cuomo is now modeling the very opposite of dignity. At a time when confidence in politicians is already near rock bottom, hes sending a message that personal political survival comes before everything. Ironically, because hes been digging in his heels for so long, his fall will be greater. His stubbornness has bought him zero goodwill.

Today, as he ponders his next move, his own words from last March have come back to haunt him: I ask the people of this state to wait for the facts from the attorney generals report before forming an opinion.

The people of your state have waited for the facts, Andrew. Now theyre waiting for you to go.

As Heritage went to press, it was announced that Andrew Cuomo resigned as governor of New York, effective Aug. 24.

This article was first published by the Jewish Journal.
(JNS)  For many of us, the worlds hypocrisy when it comes to Israel is self-evident, and the double standards applied to the only Jewish state are clearly anti-Semitic. Typically, we think about these biases when issues arise directly related to Israel, but it may be even more obvious to others if we consider the likely response if Israel engaged in some of the policies and activities of other countries.

Imagine the reaction if 

Israel announced it was planning to ban halal slaughter.

The European Unions highest court ruled in 2020 that countries can ban ritual slaughter (including by Jews) to promote animal welfare. How loud do you think the condemnation would be if Israel told Muslims how to practice their religion?

Israel moved to disband Muslim civic groups and shut down a mosque where thousands worship as the French have done?

Look at the furor over Israels activities related to the Temple Mount even as tens of thousands of Muslims were praying there on their most recent holy day.

Israel banned Muslims from wearing headscarves?

In another ruling, the E.U. court said companies could ban the hijab if justified by an employers need to present an image of neutrality to customers. France has prohibited the wearing of headscarves in state schools since 2004. Unlike the Europeans, Israel does not feel threatened by Muslim attire, and women can be seen in hijabs at the beach in Tel Aviv and the streets of Jerusalem.

Israel made it illegal for Muslim women to wear the full-face veil?

France first enacted a ban in 2010. In April, Switzerland became the latest European country to ban the niqab. Other countries with full or partial bans include Belgium, Bulgaria, Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway. It is inconceivable that Israel would consider, let alone get away with, fining or arresting women for wearing veils.

Israel prohibited Muslims from building minarets?

In 2010, the Swiss constitution prohibited the construction of minarets. Israel would never do this, of course, but we have an indication of the reaction from what happened when Israel temporarily silenced the loudspeakers from minarets in the Old City so they would not drown out Yom HaZikaron ceremonies at the Western Wall. A Jordanian official called the action a provocation against Muslims around the world and a violation of international law and the historical status quo. UNESCOs executive board unanimously adopted a resolution condemning Israel.

Israel prohibited non-Muslims from converting to Islam.

According to Human Rights Watch, Indias Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Ordinance requires anyone wishing to convert to seek approval from the district authorities, carrying a punishment of up to 10 years in prison for converting another person through coercion, fraud, misrepresentation or inducement. While this law ostensibly applies to all forced religious conversions, enforcement has largely targeted Muslim men in Hindu-Muslim relationships. The law is aimed at discouraging Hindu women from converting to marry Muslim men. Jews and Christians are not barred from converting to Islam in Israel.

Again, we have an inkling of how Israel would be treated based on the criticism of Israels security-based law (which recently failed to be renewed) barring Palestinians from the West Bank who are married to Israelis (in most cases Muslims) from becoming Israeli citizens.

Israel passed a law designed to prevent Islamic separatism by allowing greater surveillance of Muslims, requiring strict religious neutrality for civil servants and private contractors of public services, and making it more difficult for Muslims to educate their children at home?

France passed just such a law last week. The Israeli government is certainly concerned with Islamic extremism; nevertheless, there are no restrictions regarding Muslims in employment (outside of some national security sectors), education is compulsory, but parents can obtain exemptions to homeschool, and Jewish extremists are surveilled as well as radical Muslims. The best indication of Israels tolerance of the type of separatism the French fear is the presence in the Knesset of Arab politicians who object to Israel being a Jewish state and an Islamist who was welcomed into the government coalition.

Alas, we dont hear calls for a jihad against Europe. The United Nations does not pass resolutions condemning the various ways in which Muslims are discriminated against outside of Israel. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International do write reports to promote the narrative of widespread Islamophobia, but unlike those published about Israel, they get little attention. Progressives and advocates for Muslims who scream Islamophobia at the faintest criticism of Islam or Muslims are silent. Students on college campuses do not rally for an end to the discriminatory practices of European governments against their Muslim citizens.

Advocates of Israel can complain about the double standards, but they are not going away. This is the battlefield on which they must fight.

Mitchell Bard is a foreign-policy analyst and an authority on U.S.-Israel relations who has written and edited 22 books, including The Arab Lobby, Death to the Infidels: Radical Islams War Against the Jews and After Anatevka: Tevye in Palestine.
(JNS)  The plot was audacious: Agents of the Islamic Republic of Iran would kidnap an American citizen on American soil. Masih Alinejad, an Iranian-born journalist and human rights activist, was to be grabbed, spirited out of Brooklyn to Venezuela, and then on to Tehran where she would have been imprisoned, tortured, and, almost certainly, executed.

Earlier this month, the FBI, to its enormous credit, foiled the plot. Not on our watch, FBI assistant director William Sweeney told reporters.

Spokesmen for the Islamic Republic dismissed the charges as ridiculous and baseless....
In columns recently published by The Heritage, Ben and Jerrys Ice Cream was excoriated for deciding not to sell ice cream in what the company calls the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Mel Pearlman equates the decision with antisemitism, stating This action is part of the BDS effort to delegitimize the existence of the Jewish State, and to deny the indigenous right of the Jewish people to their homeland. And Jim Shipley titles his column, Anti-Israel equals antisemitism.

Whether you agree with Ben and Jerrys stance or not (and my personal feelings are mixed), the idea...
Now Open

12 August 2021

Urban hotel collection Brown Hotels, has today announced the official launch of its first propertie in Athens, Greece, marking the third international location for the Tel Aviv-born hotel group. Expanding into the Greek capital, Brown Hotels has opened unique hotel in the heart of Athens, ushering in a new wave of hospitality to the increasingly popular destination.

DAVE Red Athens is the fourth property from Brown Hotels' affordable urban collection following DAVE Gordon, DAVE Levinsky and DAVE Downtown in Tel Aviv. Situated on the opposite side of Omonia Square just a stone's throw away from Brown Acropol, DAVE Red Athens breathes fresh, young energy into the recently redesigned area, offering fun and budget-friendly accommodation to the modern tourist.

The 87-room boutique hotel features the DAVE brand's distinguishable, punchy decor, with an industrial style interior design and fiery red branding. DAVE Red Athens boasts a retro design aesthetic with each room featuring exposed pipes, bare concrete walls, marble top surfaces and oak wood furnishings, and finished with nostalgic gadgets including a vinyl player. The building, which formerly served as the KKE (Communist Party of Greece) headquarters, is honored beautifully through a wall mural at the entrance of the hotel's mezzanine area, which features pool tables, original Nintendo and Packman consoles, hammocks to relax in and an intimate bar.

The ground floor of the hotel features a bar and restaurant, and a soon-to-launch underground nightclub accessed through a secret door imbedded in the iconic Brown Hotels library, both operated by Six D.o.g.s hospitality group. With an all-day-dining concept, guests are invited to enjoy the breakfast buffet and a la carte menu, offering the signature Six D.o.g.s beef burger and an indulgent cocktail list. The roof terrace is the perfect place for guests to relax and unwind, with sweeping views across the ancient city. Presenting a spacious sundeck, pool table, jacuzzi hot tub, massage room and complimentary sparkling wine on tap, DAVE Red Athens is an unparalleled, urban bolthole for the younger traveler in Athens.
Press Release

12 August 2021

Harry Javer, Producer and Founder of The Lodging Conference, one of the industrys leading events for Hotel Owners, CEOs and Deal Makers, announced today that Arne Sorenson, the beloved former President & CEO of Marriott International, has been selected posthumously as the recipient of the 2021 Above and Beyond Lifetime Achievement Award. The award will be presented at The Lodging Conference on September 29, 2021.

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The prestigious Above and Beyond Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an individual who has provided outstanding, life-long contributions to the hospitality industry. Past recipients include Minaz Abji, Executive Vice President, Host Hotels & Resorts; Jack DeBoer, Chairman, Value Place; Tom Corcoran, President & CEO, TCOR Hotel Partners; Patrick H. Ford, Chairman, CEO and Founder, Lodging Econometrics and New England Hotel Realty; John Q. Hammons, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts; Michael Leven, Chairman and CEO, Georgia Aquarium and former President and COO, Las Vegas Sands Corp.; Joe McInerney, President & CEO, McInerney Hospitality International; Gary Mendell, CEO & Founder, Shatterproof; Leland C. Pillsbury, Co-Chairman & CEO, Thayer Lodging

Group; Hasmukh (H.P.) Rama, CEO & Chairman of the Board, JHM Hotels; Randy Smith, Chairman and Founder, STR; Jonathan M. Tisch, Co-Chairman of the Board and a member of the Office of the President of Loews Corporation, and Chairman and CEO of its subsidiary, Loews Hotels & Co.

Arne Sorenson was a leader of vision, compassion and achievement. He joined Marriott in 1996 and held a number of positions before serving as President and Chief Operating Officer. He was elected to Marriotts Board of Directors in 2011. In 2012, he became the third CEO in Marriotts history, a position he held until his passing in February 2021, and was the first person to hold the post without the Marriott family name.

Mr. Sorenson led the acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide in 2016, resulting in a dramatic expansion of Marriotts ability to provide unparalleled guest experiences around the world. An outspoken corporate leader, Mr. Sorenson advocated for environmental sustainability, human rights, diversity and inclusion. Under his tenure, Marriott International was recognized extensively, including by Fortune in 2020 as one of the Worlds Most Admired Companies and by Diversity Inc as one of the Top 50 Companies for Diversity. In 2019, Mr. Sorenson was named CEO of the Year by Chief Executive magazine and was placed on Forbes list of Americas Most Innovative Leaders and Barrons list of Worlds Best CEOs.

Mr. Sorenson was active on multiple boards. He joined the Microsoft board of directors in November 2017. He was also a member of the board of directors of the Business Roundtable, serving as chair of its Health and Retirement Committee, co-chair of its COVID-19 Taskforce and as a member of its Special Committee on Racial Equity and Justice. He served on the board of trustees for The Brookings Institution and the board of directors for The Special Olympics and The Warrior-Scholar Project.

Arne was one of the most caring, thoughtful and innovative leaders of our lifetime. He loved the hotel industry and is deeply missed by friends, colleagues and associates around the world, said Harry Javer, Producer and Founder of The Lodging Conference. Arnes optimism, advocacy and inclusiveness lifted the entire hospitality community and made all of us better. With heavy hearts, we invite you to join us this September as we celebrate Arnes legacy.
Supplier News

12 August 2021

The Hotels Network (THN), a full-stack direct growth platform for hotels, has released the first BenchDirect Insights Report, a global hotel study that benchmarks direct channel performance by region in Q2 2021 versus Q1 2021. To shine a light on how todays hotel direct channel scene looks, the report analyzes the key metrics related to an effective direct booking strategy - from website traffic acquisition and conversion rates to price disparities and visitor profile.

The aim of the report is to share the trends the THN team observed when analyzing data from BenchDirect, the companys latest product launch and the industrys first benchmarking platform focusing on the direct booking channel. Based on anonymized data from THNs global network of hotel clients, the analysis shows aggregated data from hotel websites and is independent of what technology they use.

With this new report, as with the BenchDirect platform, hoteliers can now compare their performance along every step of the booking funnel, going beyond just occupancy and rates. In an effort to support the recovery of the hospitality industry, the report also includes commentary and key takeaways to provide more value and ensure hoteliers are able to use the insights to step up their direct booking channel strategy.

Looking at the evolution from Q1 to Q2 2021, there are some positive signs of recovery for the hotel industry. However, there are also clear opportunities for hotel brands to boost their direct bookings. Below are just a sample of the insights, please read the full report here.

In terms of website traffic, the volume of unique visitors per room increased in Q2 versus Q1 across all regions, apart from Latin America and Southeast Asia. North America had the highest volume of unique visitors per room in both quarters, predominantly domestic.

Website conversion rates increased in the majority of regions, with the exception of Australasia, Middle East & Africa and Southeast Asia. Breaking down the booking funnel, in Q2 North America had the highest Visitor to Booking Engine conversion rate (55.6%) while Northern Europe had the highest Booking Engine to Booking conversion rate (13.7%).

Price disparities continued to be an issue for hotel brands. Disparities frequency results varied widely by region, ranging from 13.1% in Southern Europe to 30.4% in Middle East & Africa while Disparities Amount had a much lower variance, from 9.7% to 12.9%.

Mobile-first thinking is prevalent as mobile was the top device when it comes to traffic acquisition in almost all regions, while desktop was the preferred device when completing the booking process.

Despite some decreases in volume in Q2, Search was still the dominant source in terms of traffic acquisition for hotels. Search conversion rates increased in Q2 across all regions except Southeast Asia and Australasia.

Overall, hotel website traffic increased in Q2 2021 but with around 97% of visitors leaving hotel websites without booking, there is a huge opportunity for hotels to increase their direct bookings by focusing on improving conversion rates. Understanding how your properties are performing compared to the market should be an essential part of every brands direct channel growth strategy. BenchDirect provides these benchmarking insights and is free for hoteliers, forever. If you dont have your account yet, be sure to request it today and join a unique network of 10,000+ hotels worldwide who are already benchdirecting.
Opinion Article

12 August 2021

To fully understand how the practice of revenue management evolved within the hospitality industry, we have to start with what was a chance encounter between two people named Smith on an American Airlines flight from Los Angeles to New York in 1953.

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Cyrus Rowlett C.R. Smith, then president of American Airlines, and R. Blair Smith, a senior salesman for IBM based in the Santa Monica office, happened to be seated next to each other on this fateful flight. And C.R. Smith had been grappling with a problem.

At that time, airlines mainly took reservations in person at the airport, in ticket offices and by telephone. Agents used hand-written cards, which meant the system was both inefficient and error-prone. C.R. Smith knew that once a plane took off, the seat inventory was gone. The problem was how to effectively match passenger demand with the number of seats available for any flight, or leg in airline parlance, before a plane departed the runway.

At the time, IBM was involved in an air-defense project called SAGE (Semi-Automatic Ground Environment) in conjunction with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. This project allowed real-time interactivity across a computer network using an electronic brain.

The two men discussed how American Airlines could solve the passenger demand/seat availability equation by ensuring real-time seat inventory data was available electronically to agents regardless of their location. By 1964, after 400 human years of effort and at the cost of around $40 million, the Semi-Automated Business Research Environment (SABRE) was born. Yes, that Sabre. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it ran on two IBM 7090 mainframe computers connected to 1,500 terminals across the U.S. and Canada.

In the U.S., the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978 meant that airlines needed to think more carefully about pricing. They now had the flexibility to add or eliminate city pairs from their routing system, and pricing for those flights was no longer under government regulation. The addition of virtual fare classes, additional booking restrictions, plus origin-destination pricing of multi-leg journeys meant that airlines suddenly had to deal with an exponential number of factors to optimize "passenger revenue per available seat mile" (PRASM). Thus, the practice of yield management was born.

Ten years later, the field of yield management in the hospitality industry, a precursor to what many refer to as revenue management today, began to emerge.

In February of 1988, Eric B. Orkin, who later founded his namesake management-consulting firm, published an article in The Cornell Quarterly. It explained why emphasizing one metric such as occupancy, average rate or results vs. budget as the primary indicator of success in hospitality might have some limitations. While Orkin didnt specifically mention the term revenue per available room (RevPAR), he highlighted a yield statistic of revenue realized divided by revenue potential and astutely illustrated how this was closely related to the combination of occupancy and average rate. The time was ripe for industry-wide performance benchmarking.

In January 1988, at the behest of Holiday Inn, Smith Travel Research (now STR, Inc., a division of CoStar Group) published the first Smith Travel Accommodations Report (STAR), which shows a hotels operating performance relative to its competitive set. The husband-and-wife team of Randy and Carolyn Smith founded STR three years earlier when they came up with the idea of creating a database that housed the names of all hotel properties in the U.S. Randy Smith was previously director of research for Laventhol & Horwath, once the seventh most prominent accounting firm in the country.

On September 3, 1988, the New York Times published an article titled Hotels, Like the Airlines, Offer Discounts. That article referenced a new sophisticated computer technique known as yield management that was recently developed and implemented in a joint effort between the accounting firm Laventhol & Horwath and Eric B. Orkin Associates, a Durham, New Hampshire-based software company. The article stated other programs using yield management were also under development. AMR, the former name of the Dallas-based parent of American Airlines (and then owner of SABRE), was planning a new system to be in full operation by 1991 with three major companies: the Hilton Hotels Corp., the Marriott International Corp. and the Budget Rent A Car Corp.

The concept of dynamic pricing models within the hospitality industry was met with a healthy dose of optimism, but also fraught with trepidation. Many felt that the hospitality industry could avoid the mistakes that the airline industry had made. Surely, discounts wouldnt have to be as steep! Adam Aron, then senior vice president of marketing for Hyatt Hotesl Corp., shared his concerns that people were likely to resist certain conditions placed on a discounted reservation, such as length-of-stay or advance booking requirements. He contended that hotel guests preferred pricing that was simple to understand. At the time, he was completely right.

In 1994, Sheryl Kimes of Cornell University, another early pioneer in the field, conducted research on consumer reactions to demand-based pricing practices, indicating that consumers were more accepting of those practices by airlines than by hotels. By 2001, Kimes follow-up research confirmed that there was no perceived difference between the two. Dynamic pricing was here to stay.

The practice of revenue management in the hospitality industry has continued to evolve since those early years. Modern-day practitioners owe a debt of gratitude to the pioneers who forged a path through the unknown. Through the efforts of these individuals, our chosen profession was able to grow into what it has become today.
Some of Houstons largest energy companies are reinstating mask requirements, offering COVID-19 testing and delaying the return to offices as they try to halt the spread of the coronavirus amid a new surge of cases.

The highly contagious delta variant pushed the nations seven-day average of new cases to almost 110,000 last week, a 35 percent increase over the previous week, according to Johns Hopkins University.

The new wave has Houston liquefied natural gas company Cheniere Energy and chemical company LyondellBasell reinstating mask and social distancing requirements, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

LyondellBasell, with headquarters in Houston and Rotterdam, Netherlands, is offering voluntary COVID-19 testing at its office and facilities.

Tracking coronavirus: Interactive maps, charts show spread of COVID-19 across Houston, rest of Texas

The company also has implemented new travel restrictions in line with CDC guidance.

Houston oil refiner Phillips 66 is strongly encouraging employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Additionally, the company has updated protocols at its headquarters, requiring all employees to wear masks while moving around the building, reducing the occupancy of conference rooms and limiting the number of employees in elevators.

We will continue to adjust as needed, a company spokesperson said.

Some companies that were planning to bring workforces back to offices have begun pushing back the return dates.

While some employees at merchant power company Calpine continue to work remotely, the company has halted plans to bring back other workers this summer.

COVID-19: Greater Houston Partnership encourages companies to require vaccinations

Most employees at Westlake Chemical Corp. continue to work from home, although the office is open for workers up to 25 percent of its capacity. The Houston chemical manufacturer is not mandating vaccinations and has relaxed its mask policy.

The only masking adjustment we have made is to allow fully vaccinated employees to remove masks at their workstations or in meetings where all others in the immediate vicinity have been fully vaccinated, a Westlake representative said. Disclosure of vaccination status is strictly voluntary.

The Woodlands chemical-maker Huntsman Corp. is encouraging social distancing and temperature checks for visitors, instituting additional cleaning measures and requiring masks for unvaccinated employees. While the company offers flexibility for employees to work remotely, most of its staff has returned.

At this time, most of our Houston-area staff have returned to the office, a company representative said. We continue to offer flexibility for our employees with extenuating circumstances that prevent them from returning to the office.

At NRG Energy, workers are required to wear face coverings inside company facilities when not at their desks, which are spaced for social distancing. Also, visitors must obtain approval before visiting NRG facilities and wear masks, regardless of vaccination status.

Almost 65 percent of Texans are vaccinated, according to the Department of State Health Services. Health experts say more than 75 percent of state residents would need to be vaccinated to reach herd immunity.

marcy.deluna@chron.com
President Joe Bidens federal ban on oil and gas leases in the Gulf of Mexico threatens more than 345,000 jobs tied to the offshore industry paying an average wage of almost $70,000, according to a report from the National Ocean Industries Association.

The offshore oil and wind trade group commissioned Energy & Industrial Advisory Partners to provide an analysis of the jobs and investments generated during the 30-year lifespan of a typical offshore oil project. The trade group and research partner found that the average deepwater oil project requires $8.8 billion in investment, including $3 billion in wages, while the average shallow-water oil project requires a $1.3 billion investment, including a half-billion dollars in wages.

Stopping leases has major long-term impacts, said NOIA President Erik Milito. The only way to produce oil and gas offshore is to have access to acreage, and as long as theres a ban on leasing, youre unable to get those opportunities to move forward with plans to develop fields and bring the energy to market. Its a problem.

The offshore jobs report comes less than a week before tens of thousands of industry members are expected to gather in Houston for the annual Offshore Technology Conference. The offshore sector has been challenged by recent oil busts, the pandemic, worsening hurricane seasons and looming government regulations to curb the effects of climate change. Biden in January issued a one-year moratorium on new leases for fossil fuel extraction on federal lands and waters, which was blocked in June by a federal judge in Louisiana.

LEASE BAN: Biden's ban on oil and gas leases could be the 'nail in the coffin' for Houston's economic engine

There are more than 200 types of jobs in offshore oil and gas production, which on average pay 29 percent more than the national average. Most of these jobs are along the Gulf Coast, but NOIA said every state has jobs and investments tied to the Gulf.

Deepwater projects employ on average more than 1,435 direct jobs over its 30-year lifespan, while shallow-water projects employ on average about 230 direct jobs.

Milito said the federal ban on new drilling leases offshore has already cost geology and seismic companies work opportunities discovering oil and gas reservoirs offshore. NOIA last year commissioned a report, which found that 800 jobs could be lost after the first year of a federal lease ban, 10,000 after two years and more than 30,000 after three years.

It looks pretty grim if you continue to withhold leasing opportunities, Milito said. The longer it goes, the more likely companies will cut jobs.
Courtesy of The Taste of the Midwest

Courtesy of The Taste of the Midwest

Since its inception 7 months ago, The Taste of the Midwest has been on the road to success in Houston's food scene.

Husband and wife owners, Trayon and Tiffany Myers, were living their dream serving Houstonians their signature Italian beef sandwiches, pizza puffs and mild sauce, a nod to their Chicago roots, and had worked their way around town from gas stations to apartment complexes and weddings.

They even recently landed a spot in Houston's newest Black-owned food truck park, Houston Grub Park. The park, which highlights diverse cuisine from more than 30 Black-owned food trucks, opened in July near NRG stadium, and organizers say it's already a big hit.

BLACK BUSINESS BOOM: Houston's Black neighborhoods saw a surge of new businesses. Experts point to COVID and BLM.

The Taste of the Midwest was off to a great start, but that momentum was short lived.

On Saturday night, a car suddenly T-boned the truck near Chimney Rock Road and Southwest Freeway, leaving it completely inoperable with damage to the front of the vehicle and all of the equipment inside.

"The other driver blew through a red light probably doing almost 100 miles per hour," Tiffany said.

Police officers later informed them that the driver was intoxicated, she said.

Trayon, who was driving at the time, suffered bruised ribs from the accident, but is recovering.

"Were so blessed that the accident happened on that passenger side."

After the accident, the couple went back to attempt to salvage all the food, but couldn't even open the door.

Courtesy of The Taste of the Midwest

"Our truck is so strong, and theyre built to last," Tiffany said, "so to do that much damage in one second, we were taken back."

"It was like a bomb went off inside. Everything (was) bolted so everything was loose."

The couple's dream  one that came to fruition after Trayon lost his job with an oil and gas company when it closed, and that took a year of hard work and cost them thousands to build  was derailed in just a matter of seconds.

Now, they are forced to start over.

"Thats the hardest part," Tiffany said. "How do we rebuild when were still in debt with all the initial investments? And quicker this time. No one has another year to build the truck."

Their startup debt amounts to about $50,000, she said, and a new truck could easily cost at least another $40,000, not including any additional equipment they would need.

And with five children, two of whom are preparing to start college next week, Tiffany said it's been very stressful financially as the truck would've been the main source of tuition income. But she remains hopeful that this is just an obstacle that they will eventually push through.

"All we want to do is be able to open our doors and start making a living again," she said. "We just want to go back to work. Its a waiting game and thats the worst part because everyday that the doors are closed its just a loss of income."

SAVING ALFREDA'S: How a Third Ward restaurant mainstay survived COVID, an explosion and heartache

Christopher Bush, who serves as the director of Black Service Chamber, the organizer of Houston Grub Park, took to a private Facebook group Tuesday, calling on the community to help the couple get back on their feet.

"One of our own is in desperate need," Bush wrote.

"They have lost their livelihood and will endure serious financial hardships without an operating food truck."

He ended the post with a link to the couple's GoFundMe page.

Rather than support, the post was largely met with criticism from many questioning whether the business had insurance and adequately prepared for such a loss.

Tiffany said the couple reached out to their insurance immediately after the accident but haven't heard back yet. Even with full coverage, she said, the amount they'll get $10,000  is minute to what they actually need.

The comments became so negative that Bush later turned them off.

GOFUNDME CAMPAIGN: Houstons Big Easy blues club reopens after community saves it from closing permanently

But some showed their support by donating, and others quickly came to the Myers' defense citing some shortcomings of insurance companies.

Trina Brooks-Hamilton, who identified herself as a current food truck owner and former insurance adjuster, shared her experience.

"The insurance company will low ball, take their time and sometimes hold out on paying," she wrote.

"As a food truck owner, buying a vehicle, building it out, replacing the contents and everything else can cost up to $100k. Please stop bashing people. Your support of $5 could be a blessing. If you can't or won't, that's your decision but stop being so critical."

As of Wednesday afternoon, the GoFundMe page has raised just over $3,000 of the $40,000 goal.
For many local students and parents, back-to-school implies shopping both for clothes and supplies. The Houston Galleria, a Simon mall and popular destination to fulfill classroom-ready needs, wanted to something special for educators, too.

"We thought, 'Who can we do something nice for?'" says Chris Lane, director of marketing and business development. "Teachers have had it so hard this past year, year-and-a-half. We wanted a nice and friendly way to celebrate their contributions."

His team came up with the idea to gift complimentary floral bouquets to Houston-area educators as a thank-you for their dedication and resiliency throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. For three Saturdays this month -- Aug. 14, Aug. 21 and Aug. 28 -- beginning at 2 p.m., fresh flower arrangements provided by DeMartino Design Group will handed out to the first 100 educators who stop by the pop-up shop, while supplies last. The setup is on level one near Saks Fifth Avenue. Proof of education identification will be required.

"We gave (Taylor) DeMartino so thought-starters to make the flowers fun, festive and celebratory-looking," Lane says. "These aren't just one little carnation, but full bouquets that will make someone feel warm and excited to receive them."

There are opportunities to commemorate the moment on social media as well. "He also designed a mock schoolhouse with two apple trees that flank it to make a cute vignette to take a photo," Lane adds.

ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Harris County Public Library began with $6,500 and 3,455 books. Now it's celebrating 100 years.

The Galleria and Houston Premium Outlets are teaming up for another back-to-school themed selfie opportunity on Aug. 21 across town at Downtown Aquarium. In partnership with the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation, a Simon Mall-branded Volkswagen bus will distribute backpacks stuffed with school supplies and surprises for up to 1,500 students. Simon Malls will donate $5 to BBHLF for every person who tags @houstongalleria, @houstonpo, @bushhoustonlit, and @aquariumhouston on Instagram during the giveaway event, up to $5,000.

Lane says that all students and educators from the Greater Houston area are eligible to participate in both events. "All of Houston, from the entire metro area, shops with us. We want to touch every corner of Houston that we can."

amber.elliott@chron.com
Some Houston police officers are learning new ways to handle stress.

With the help of a collaboration between Houston City Council Member Edward Pollard and the Houston Police Officers Union, instructor Jazmin Porter is at the forefront of an initiative aimed at reforming and enhancing the department through mindfulness and yoga classes.

Called Police Enlightenment and Collective Education, the program serves as an opportunity for team building, stress management, emotional processing and physical release. The classes are 90-120 minutes and have prompted discussions, journaling, mindfulness teachings, meditation, sound therapy, breath work and yoga.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Blossom plans to open its first U.S. hotel in the Medical Center later this summer

Porter, who is also known as Yogi Jaz Porter, has been a yoga instructor and wellness entrepreneur for about five years, specializing in Vinyasa and Tantra with a focus on collective healing and expanded consciousness. She has a psychology degree, is a Yoga Alliance Certified Yoga Instructor and is the host of a podcast called Ascend with Yogi Jaz.

The idea for the program came to Porter in 2020 amid the social unrest that came after the murder of George Floyd.

A lot of what I saw going on felt like it was missing a collective approach to understanding each other and moving together, said Porter. I thought if we had more of those tools to do that, we would be able to handle things differently.

Porter started researching how police are trained and found a way to implement her yoga and healing experience. With information from police and criminal psychologist Troy Rodgers, she created a program that would equip officers with some of the tools Porter believes they need.

After putting together the program she reached out to Pollard, who contacted Houston Police Union President Douglas Griffith.

I met with her, Council Member Pollard, and fell in love with the idea, said Griffith. Its so simple, its great. Officers find ways to self-medicate sometimes through alcohol or through this or that, and its one of those things where they just have to come up with something else.

Porter has been teaching the class for a little over a month and both she and Griffith believe it has had a positive effect on participating officers. According to Griffith, 23 officers signed up for the first class and more than 30 for their latest.

The classes start with a yoga session, where Porter helps officers, explore their own body-mind connection. Then she takes them into a sound therapy session with crystal sound bowls, intending to put the officers in a deep state of mediation.

A lot of them come out of it and realize its really difficult for them to relax to that point, said Porter. Its definitely completely new to a lot of them. A couple of them have practiced yoga on their own, but its completely different to have a class created for them, and its filled with them.

P.E.A.C.E. is not the first program that teaches yoga and meditation techniques to first responders. In Chicago, the Cop to Yoga Peace Force is run by Tiffany Seybert and trains volunteers to lead seven-minute yoga classes before morning roll call in departments across the city.

Its a quick way for these folks to completely find resilience in about four breaths, said Seybert. Doing this work is experiential and you feel the benefit almost immediately.

There is also Yoga For First Responders, founded by Olivia Mead, that treats yoga like any other type of police training, making sure their instruction is job-specific and culturally informed. To date, YFFR has trained over 300 instructors and has taught yoga to thousands of first responders and military personnel in the U.S., Canada, Australia and the Netherlands.

Mead says the biggest obstacle they face is the misconceptions about what and who yoga is for.

I have found that theres a lot of cultural appropriation of the yoga practice here in the west, said Mead. And because its sort of inauthentic, it comes across as what we like to say as woo-(sah). That turns a lot of people in public safety off because a lot of people in public safety see a lot of crap every day and they just want to get to brass tacks, they dont need all of these bells and whistles.

Marketing and branding of yoga in our Western culture is marketed toward a certain demographic, Mead continues. If you dont look a certain way, if you dont have a calming beach readily available, and if you cant do those poses or have a trendy outfit, youre unconsciously going to think that yoga is not for you. So when first responders first hear yoga, they cannot make the connection and why that would be good for cops. We help dispel those misconceptions.

When instructing yoga, YFFR ensures the instruction is branded in alignment with the culture of public safety by wearing similar uniforms, not playing any music and focusing on training.

Ive had people point their fingers at my throat going this is bull****, said Seybert. Im still having to win them over after five years.

Porter recalls an experience where an officer she instructed possibly had a misconception about yoga. An officer who was new to the program was reserved at first and has never done yoga before.

Although some Houston officers are skeptical when they join the program, Porter is happy that many of them give it a chance after experiencing P.E.A.C.E.

I could feel his resistance a little bit, and I dont force it, I didnt push him to engage, and he went through the class, said Porter. And afterward he was completely different in his energy and he thanked me and was like, I had no idea how difficult it was for me to relax.

ryan.nickerson@hcnonline.com
Daddys still dying and his family still hasnt found his will in a Del Shores comedy that actors at Pearl Theater have been waiting almost 18 months to perform.

I only had to replace three actors out of eight, and I replaced one of them with myself, said director Jeff Merriman, who will portray Orville Turnover in Daddys Dyin: Whos Got the Will? now planned for Aug. 27 through Sept. 12.

Like the title character, five original cast members are still holding on, said their director, explaining that the show was set to open the week that Houston entered the pandemic lockdown in March 2020.

It was a kick in the stomach, the director said, but in the meantime, my perspective on the play has changed. Here I am doing a play with dying in the title, but we are bringing out more of the comedy in it. We all need to laugh a little more after the year weve been through.

Among those helping provide more laughter is Pasha Goodman as Orvilles long-suffering wife, Marlene. The Missouri City resident replaced an actress who wasnt available to return to her role.

At tryouts, Pasha said she hadnt acted in a long time and wanted to see if she still has the chops, said Merriman. Let me tell you, she does.

Daddys Dyin: Whos Got the Will? What: Pearl Theater's production of the Del Shores comedy "Daddy's Dyin': Who's Got the Will?" Where: Pearl Theater, 14803 Park Almeda Drive, Houston 77047 When: 8 p.m. Friday through Saturday, 3 p.m. Sundays, Aug. 27 through Sept 12 Admission: $16-$18 (buy-one, get-one free show at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 2) Information: 832-459-4674; https://bit.ly/37BX31T. See More Collapse

The third replacement actor is Tad Eccles as Harmony Rhodes, the hippie, younger boyfriend of Turnover sibling Evalita. The 2021 graduate of Shadow Creek High School didnt get to act much during his senior year, and Merriman decided to cast him even though Eccles has to be aged a little bit with hair and makeup.

Original cast members returning to grace the stage are Heather Miller Atkins of Pearland as Lurlene Turnover; Julie Owen of Clear Lake as Lois Mamma Wheelis; Cassie Wright of Seabrook as Sara Lee Turnover; Hayley Beiermeister of Houston as Evalita; and Steve Lassiter of Houston as Buford Daddy Turnover.

Making its stage debut will be a handmade quilt that Owens cousin, Becky Whitehead, gifted her a few years ago.

After designing the set, Merriman felt that it was too masculine since its the home of a man and two women; so Owen contributed the quilt and other knickknacks to better convey a living room of a farmhouse in tiny Lowake.

Steve Harrison of Pearland heads the backstage crew.

During its run, the show will be performed at 8 p.m. Friday through Saturday and 3 p.m. Sundays. Admission is $16-$18 with a buy-one-ticket-get-one-free show at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 2.

For more information, call 832-459-4674 or visit https://bit.ly/37BX31T.

Don Maines is a freelance writer who can be contacted at donmaines@att.net Want to go?
PHOENIX (AP)  Arizona on Thursday reported 2,970 additional COVID-19 cases, the most reported in a single day in the past six months, as the number of virus patients occupying hospital beds continued to climb.

The climbing cases have prompted colleges and universities to impose renewed mask mandates and a plea from hospitals in northwestern Arizona for more people to be vaccinated against the coronavirus.

Along with reporting over 2,000 additional cases for the ninth day so far this month, the state also reported six more virus deaths as the pandemic totals increased to 955,767 cases and 18,412 deaths.

The last time Arizona reported more cases on a single day was 4,381 on Feb. 9.

All three of the state's public universities announced Wednesday that they were again requiring masks to be worn in classrooms and most other indoor settings. On Thursday, the state's largest community college district and a second large district did the same.

The Maricopa County Community College District, which has 10 colleges across metro Phoenix that serve over 168,000 students annually, said its decision is allowed by state law. Pima Community College, which has five campuses in the Tucson area and had nearly 40,000 students in 2019-2020 school year, said it was following guidance issued by federal, state and local health agencies.

Arizona State University had a public dispute with Republican Gov. Doug Ducey in June prompted by the universitys decision to require unvaccinated students to be regularly tested for the virus and wear masks. The governor blocked the policy by an executive order applying to public colleges and universities that was later added into law in the state budget.

But unlike a budget provision banning K-12 schools from requiring masks to be worn, the budget does not ban universities from imposing universal mask mandates. Some school districts are openly defying the new law because it does not take effect until late next month, although it contains a retroactivity clause.

According to Johns Hopkins University data, the rolling average of daily new cases rose over the past two weeks from 1,424 new cases on July 27 to 2,450 new cases on Tuesday.

There were 1,527 virus patients occupying hospital beds as of Wednesday, a level last seen in February as the winter surge wound down, the state's dashboard reported.

The dashboard also reported the administration of 28,947 additional vaccine doses.

While the daily reports of additional cases and hospitalizations rose steadily in July and so far in August, they remain below numbers seen during the surges last summer and last winter. Deaths are far fewer than the previous surges.

In Mohave County, the county health director and the CEOs of the area's four major hospitals took the rare step of holding a joint news conference urging people to get vaccinated.

The heads of Havasu Regional Medical Center, Western Arizona Regional Medical Center, Kingman Regional Medical Center and Valley View Medical Center said unvaccinated people make up over 90% of their COVID-19 patients.

We are again asking the community out there to reconsider getting vaccinated, said Feliciano Jiron, Valley Medical Center CEO. Work with others around you that may need help and your neighbors and friends that may not understand. Have some of these conversations with them.

Mohave County has among the lowest vaccination rates among Arizona's 15 counties at just 35% of the population getting at least one shot compared with 53% statewide and nearly 60% nationally. Only 58% of Mohave County residents over age 65 who are more at risk of serious illness are vaccinated, compared with 89% statewide.

In contrast, Pima County has vaccinated 59% of its population and more than 93% of those over age 65.

All four Mohave County hospital systems have asked federal officials to deploy teams of nurses to help it deal with a surge of patients, according state health officials. The state Health Services Department is working to get the federal government to fill the request, spokesman Steve Elliott said.

There are already 15 professionals from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services deployed to Mohave County to run infusion centers providing monoclonal antibody therapy, Kingman Regional Medical Center spokeswoman Teri Williams said. The therapy can reduce the length of COVID-19 symptoms and cut the risk of severe illness requiring hospitalization.

Kingman Regional had 154 patients in all on Thursday and was treating 25 people with COVID-19, six of them in intensive care, Williams said. Those patients are more labor-intensive to care for and drain resources from the hospital.

When you get a large influx of people with COVID and this has been happened for 18 months, hospital staff are not only exhausted," Williams said. "We just dont have enough staff to take care of them as well as other patients that need hospital care.
The frequency of anti-Asian incidents  from taunts to outright assaults  reported in the United States so far this year seems poised to surpass last year despite months of political and social activism, according to a new report released Thursday.

Stop AAPI Hate, a national coalition that became the authority on gathering data on racially motivated attacks related to the pandemic, received 9,081 incident reports between March 19, 2020, and this June. Of those, 4,548 occurred last year, and 4,533 this year. Since the coronavirus was first reported in China, people of Asian and Pacific Islander descent have been treated as scapegoats solely based on their race.

Lawmakers, activists and community groups have pushed back against the wave of attacks. There have been countless social media campaigns, bystander training sessions and public rallies. In May, President Joe Biden signed the bipartisan COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, expediting Justice Department reviews of anti-Asian hate crimes and making available federal grants. Those supporters should not feel discouraged because the data hasnt shifted much, Stop AAPI Hate leaders said.

When you encourage hate, its not like a genie in a bottle where you can pull it out and push it back in whenever you want," said Manjusha Kulkarni, co-founder of Stop AAPI Hate and executive director of the Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council. Theres too much perpetuating these belief systems to make them go away.

Several factors contributed to the data, from an increase in incidents to a greater desire to report, according to Kulkarni. As the economy opened up more in the past few months, it meant more public interactions and opportunities to attack, she said. Also, a bump in reporting typically occurs after a high-profile incident like the March 16 Atlanta-area spa shootings that left six Asian women dead.

There, too, is where we saw some that were incidents that had taken place weeks or months before, but they just were either not aware of our reporting center or didn't take the time to report, Kulkarni said.

The reports aggregated by Stop AAPI Hate are from the victims themselves or someone reporting on their behalf, like an adult child. Overall, the report found verbal harassment and shunning  interactions that dont qualify legally as hate crimes  make up the two largest shares of total incidents. Physical assaults made up the third. But their percentage of the incidents this year increased from last year  16.6% compared to 10.8%.

More than 63% of the incidents were submitted by women. Roughly 31% took place on public streets, and 30% at businesses.

Many Asian Americans and others blame former President Donald Trump for ratcheting up the danger by talking about the virus in racially charged terms. While Biden has demonstrated allyship, there is concern that a U.S. investigation into the origins of COVID-19 could lead to more hostility and treatment of Asian Americans as enemy foreigners.

We understand that other nation-states are competitors to the United States, and a number of them do have authoritarian regimes, Kulkarni said. "But the ways in which we talk about the people and the ways in which blame is assigned somehow looks different for communities of color than it does for, say, the Russian government or the German government."

Many of the headline-making attacks over the past year and a half have been against elderly Asian people on both coasts. In most of those cases, a senior was beaten, kicked, shoved or even stabbed out of nowhere. Several such incidents have been caught on video.

A U.S. Census survey released earlier this month found Asian American households were twice as likely as white households to admit they didn't have enough food throughout the pandemic because they were afraid to go out  not due to affordability or transportation issues. In contrast, other racial groups' households said they were experiencing food insecurity because of the pandemic. Asian American respondents didn't say specifically if it was fear of racial attacks that kept them at home.

Anni Chung, president and CEO of San Francisco-based Self-Help for the Elderly, says the seniors they help were hit by a "second virus that is a hate virus. The nonprofit provides food and programs to more than 40,000 older adults in the Bay Area, most of them Asian. The organization went from transporting a pre-pandemic load of 400 meals daily to over 5,000 per day. Last year, they gave out 963,000 meals overall compared with 436,000 typically.

Sometimes when we talk to seniors, they say this hatred drove them to be stuck in their house even worse than the pandemic," Chung said.

For them, the fear is more than a headline but something in their own backyard.

One of our clients was on the bus. Right before the man got off the bus, he just punched her, Chung said. She said no one  not the bus driver and a number of Chinese on the bus  went to her care.

Giving into that fear means seniors have missed important things like doctor's appointments or exercise routines at the park. So, in June, with some funding from the city, Self-Help for the Elderly expanded a volunteer escort service to accompany seniors on errands or outings around Chinatown and other neighborhoods. It had more than 200 requests that month.

The onslaught of verbal and physical assaults has drawn more skepticism than sympathy from some. Peter Yu, a Republican U.S. Senate candidate in Colorado who is also Chinese American, came under fire last month for characterizing anti-Asian hate crimes as exaggerated.

I would welcome him to look at the data and see there has been a significant increase, Kulkarni said. This may be a situation when people refuse to see racism or misogyny. I think theyre just really refusing to see reality and how unfortunately, in the U.S, we have allowed those forces to prevent people from living their lives.

___

Tang reported from Phoenix and is a member of The Associated Press Race and Ethnicity team. Follow her on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ttangAP
OMAHA, Neb. (AP)  The number of coronavirus cases and hospitalizations across Nebraska has significantly increased in recent weeks as the highly contagious delta variant spreads.

Dr. James Lawler, who is one of the leaders of the Global Center for Health Security at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, said Nebraska is following the pattern of states like Florida, Louisiana and Texas, where relatively low vaccination rates have allowed cases to surge. Lawler said Nebraska is about three or four weeks behind those other states.

Unless something changes, well probably follow directly on that path, Lawler said.

A little over half of Nebraska's population is fully vaccinated  in line with the national rate  but the percentages are believed to be much lower in rural areas.

Nebraska said Wednesday that 2,575 new virus cases were reported in the past week, which is up from 1,976 the week before and more than 10 times higher than the 253 cases a week the state was reporting in late June when officials lifted the last of Nebraskas remaining virus-related restrictions.

The seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in Nebraska has more than quadrupled over the past two weeks from 76 new cases per day on July 26 to 353.29 new cases per day on Monday.

When Gov. Pete Ricketts allowed Nebraskas state of emergency related to the virus to end on June 30, a total of 28 people were hospitalized with the virus. The state said Wednesday that 217 people were now hospitalized with the virus, up from 158 the week before.

The number of hospitalizations in the state declined steadily throughout the spring, but it has been increasing since late June. It is now more than 20% of the peak of 987 hospitalizations the state saw last November. Lawler said that in the Omaha area, the number of hospitalizations doubled over the past two weeks, and he expects that trend to continue.

Im not sure where we are going to put all these patients because our hospitals are all full, Lawler said.

Over the past year, Ricketts relied on the number of hospitalizations to determine when to impose more restrictions to limit the virus' spread, but he hasn't said whether he will consider reinstating some of the social distancing restrictions he imposed last year to limit the spread of the virus.

Ricketts has repeatedly encouraged Nebraskans to get vaccinated against the virus, but he has said he believes everyone needs to take personal responsibility for their own health and government shouldn't be telling people how to live their lives. So he doesn't expect the state to impose mask or vaccination requirements.

Also Wednesday, the state released new details about the number of virus cases among people who were fully vaccinated. State health officials said 17 people who were fully vaccinated against COVID-19 have died since January. The number of breakthrough deaths and cases remains a relatively small number of the total cases that have been reported in the state.

Nebraska health officials didn't immediately provide many additional details about the 1,616 virus cases among people who had been vaccinated. Health officials said 79 people who had been fully vaccinated against the virus had been hospitalized between the start of the year and the end of July.

COVID-19 vaccines greatly reduce the chance of severe illness and death and remain effective against the variants, including the delta variant. Like many other vaccines, they are less effective in people with weakened immune systems and frail elderly.

Lawler said he thinks the number of breakthrough virus cases in Nebraska is similar to what has been reported elsewhere.
KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii (AP)  The trial against a Big Island woman charged with murder in the 2017 death of a foster child she was caring for is being postponed for three weeks.

Chasity Alcosiba-McKenzie opted to go to trial before a judge instead of a jury. She has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder for the death of 3-year-old Fabian Garett-Garcia.
CHESTERFIELD, Va. (AP)  A central Virginia house fire this week that left two children dead and two others in critical condition is still under investigation, emergency officials said Wednesday.

Cody Slayton, 8, and Liam Slayton, 4, died in early Mondays fire in Chesterfield County, a Chesterfield Fire and EMS spokesmans news release said.
Houston Police Department

Police on Thursday shared body-worn camera footage of officers shooting and killing a man last month in southeast Houston after they say he appeared to reach for a firearm in his crashed car.

The video from the July 14 incident shows the driver repeatedly flashing his empty hands while also rummaging through the front of his vehicle after crashing into a pillar along Monroe Boulevard at a Gulf Freeway underpass. The driver, David Salinas, was fleeing what authorities said was a prostitution investigation.
Fort Bend ISD will not mandate masks, despite emergency guidance from the county health authority recommending its necessary that anyone in school buildings wear face coverings to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

In a statement released by the district Thursday night, officials said that the school system would not implement a mask mandate because Fort Bend County Health Authority Dr. Jacquelyn Johnson-Minter did not order one.

After consulting with our legal counsel to ensure our mitigation efforts are within the confines of the law, the District continues to highly encourage wearing masks and doing so remains optional, reads the statement released around 8 p.m. Thursday. The District continues to monitor the latest legal developments while carefully watching internal COVID-19 data and reinforcing our COVID mitigation protocols.

Lamar Consolidated ISD also released a statement Thursday night saying that the district would not require masks for the same reason.

Johnson-Minter issued the guidance to all five superintendents of Fort Bend ISD school systems.

Dr. Minter recommends that it is necessary that all students over the age of 2 years old, educators and school staff, and all visitors to school campuses and district facilities, wear face coverings while indoors or while in proximity closer than 3 feet where possible, reads a statement issued Thursday by Fort Bend County Judge KP George.

Earlier in the day, Fort Bend ISD officials said in an email sent to parents that the school system will require masks in its buildings once the health director issued an official order.

We understand that many of you may have questions about this order, as the new school year is already underway, reads the email. We ask for your patience as we determine how the countys order will change our COVID 19 mitigation efforts.

The district is currently not requiring masks but strongly encourages their use for both vaccinated and unvaccinated people on its campuses. The district began the 2021-22 school year Wednesday.

A statement released by the school system on Wednesday night said it is monitoring fast-moving legal developments.

The districts communication about the prospect of a mask mandate was confusing and frustrating, said Sonia Rash, parent of two kids in Fort Bend ISD.

Its a lot of stress on us as parents, she said. We don't know if our children will go into school and come out healthy.

Fort Bend County Judge KP George on Wednesday night said masks would be required in all Fort Bend County schools and county buildings. The announcement came as the county is legally challenging an order by Gov. Greg Abbott that bans mask mandates by local governments and school districts.

I did what I needed to do to protect our community, especially our children, said George Thursday evening over the phone. This has nothing to do with politics. Its simply about saving our children's lives.

Also on Wednesday, a Fort Bend County district court judge signed a temporary restraining order prohibiting enforcement of the governors order for two weeks.

In the event there is an announcement made in the coming days from Fort Bend County regarding any new data or trends that result in updated guidance or mandates, we will consult with our legal counsel to ensure our mitigation efforts are within the confines of the law, reads a statement released by Fort Bend ISD officials Wednesday night.

The Fort Bend ISD board and administration continue to monitor these fast-moving legal developments and any new court decisions, while the administration monitors the internal COVID-19 data and reinforces district mitigation protocols.

George said before the injunction was in place, many school district leaders in the state said they would not mandate masks because their hands were tied due to Abbotts order.

Now, nobody can say that in Fort Bend County, said George. Our school districts have the freedom to decide what they want to do.

Officials from Stafford Municipal SD and Needville ISD, all situated in Fort Bend County, did not respond to requests for comment Thursday on whether the districts would require the use of face masks. Stafford MSD began its school year on Tuesday. Lamar CISD starts on Aug. 23 and Needville begins Aug. 24.

Before Lamar CISD announced it would not require masks, Stephanie Chenoweth, a parent of two students in the district, said she is grateful for the legal challenge to Abbotts order.

Im cautiously optimistic that Lamar CISD will comply, she said.

Katy ISD, which spans three counties including Fort Bend, still was keeping masks optional as of Thursday morning, according to its website. The district's school year begins Aug. 18.

Rash said she wishes the Fort Bend ISD board of trustees would vote on the matter so that the public can know where board members stand.

We keep pushing and asking our school board members, she said.

There were five operational ICU beds available in Fort Bend County hospitals over the weekend, health officials said. Nearly a quarter of ICU beds were filled with COVID-19 patients and more than 90 percent of cases are the Delta variant.

"The injunction is the only action we are left with," said George. "It is absolutely necessary."
The delta variant is running loose and wreaking havoc. Houston-area ERs and ICUs are filling, and hospitals are erecting tents in their parking lots. And all of that is before the Texas school year begins, with unvaccinated children attending in-person classes where masks may not be required.

Peter Hotez, one of the countrys most visible scientists during the pandemic, has been a regular presence in the Chronicle since early March 2020. Hotez co-directs the Texas Childrens Hospital Center for Vaccine Development and is dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. Hes also known for fighting anti-science disinformation on Twitter , cable news networks and elsewhere.

This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Could you give us an overview of the COVID surge in Houston now?

I was looking back at my comments with you last April. I painted a pretty optimistic picture then: Based on the trajectory of where we were going with vaccinations, and the performance of the vaccines, things were looking really good.

But then things stalled down here. Vaccinations continued in the Northeast, but they abruptly fell off here in the South, and including here in the eastern half of Texas. Thats one of the reasons why were in this situation.

When you look at the pattern of vaccinations, its quite distinct. If you look at the level of vaccinations among individuals over the age of 65, the difference between a place like Texas or even Louisiana, which has the lowest vaccination rate, is not too different from the Northeast: Its around 80 percent versus 95 percent or 99 percent in the Northeast. Its not a huge disparity.

But with young people, the bottom falls out. In this part of the country 20 or 25 percent of adolescents are vaccinated. Compare that to 70 percent now in Massachusetts and Vermont. And we also have a dramatic disparity among young adults.

VACCINE NEWS: Texas Children's Hospital to become fourth Houston health system to require employee COVID vaccines

And now, the delta variant is so highly transmissible that essentially any young unvaccinated person across the South is getting swept up in this firestorm.

Lots of young people are coming into hospitals. Were even seeing pediatric hospitalizations. Weve never seen this many childrens hospitals fill up like they are now. We also hadnt seen pediatric ICU admissions before. So this is a yet another scary period.

Its an unforced error. We didnt have to get here. Had we not not had the disinformation campaign, had we had more support from members of the U.S. Congress and other elected leaders, had they promoted vaccinations instead of tearing them down and yet here we are.

The childrens hospital admissions and the pediatric ICU admissions are not all COVID. Theres also a component of other respiratory pathogens, including respiratory syncytial virus, RSV. Usually its a winter virus. Maybe its hitting now because this winter the kids were not interacting with each other very much, so now they didnt have immunity to RSV.

I dont have a good rundown yet as to the proportion of hospitalizations of COVID versus RSV versus both  were seeing co-infections  but its clear that COVID is going up among kids. That really worries me.

And all of this is the warmup act. Schools are opening now across the South. Louisiana, I think, opened earlier this week with some of the parishes. Houston, Independent School District opens Aug. 23. Youre going to have a lot of other young people in close contact with each other and with teachers. I worry thats going to be a big accelerant. So as tough as things are now, its going to be even worse.

You and your family are fully vaccinated. What do your days look like now? How should people go about their daily lives while delta is running loose in Houston?

You need to be mindful and have situational awareness as to whats going around you right now.

Theres a screaming level of virus transmission going on. If youre unvaccinated, youre asking for trouble because youre going to get COVID. So your No. 1 priority should be to make certain that youre vaccinated, and that everyone that you care about is vaccinated if theyre eligible.

Priority number two is recognizing that with this level of transmission, even if youre vaccinated, youre not invincible. There are breakthrough cases. Its true that 95 to 99 percent of people in the hospital are unvaccinated. But you dont want to press that too hard.

So even though Im vaccinated, Im very cautious again. At Baylor College of Medicine, Im wearing a mask unless Im inside my office with the door closed. Im not going into a lot of stores, but when I do, Im masked.

The big difference now, which Im very sad about, is that Ann and I like to take our youngest son and his girlfriend out for dinner on the weekend. Last time, we decided maybe well just stay home and do Doordash. It was still fun, but its not as much fun as going to a restaurant.

Im still doing Saturdays at Cafe Brasil with my daughter Rachel. Theres a lot of outdoor spaces at Brasil. We mask when were ordering, but we can sit outside without a mask. Obviously dining outdoors in our August weather is not always the best, but at night its definitely doable, and its fun for me.

Hopefully the the peak will start to come down. I cant tell you when, but I do know that if we had done a better job vaccinating, it would not have risen as high, and it would come down a lot sooner.

The U.K. has already gone through a wave of delta-variant infections. What does that say about how quickly the U.S. will move through this wave?

In the U.K., the delta variant started accelerating in June, peaked by July, and has started to come down now. But its come down and plateaued. Its not really gone down. Its just kind of stuck there. I think it went from 5,000 new cases a day in the U.K. to 45,000, and now its down to 20,000 new cases a day and kind of staying there.

So Im wondering if we may see something like that, especially with schools open and not enough kids masked or vaccinated. Thats going to prolong this surge for a good chunk of the fall school year, andhow we manage thats going to be really important.

The problem that we face here in Texas is, were very heterogeneous in terms of our ability to vaccinate. So I think Fort Bend county is doing among the best in terms of vaccinating adolescents; I think almost half of the adolescents are vaccinated. Even thats not great compared to the northeast, but its the best in our area.

If you go up to Waller County or San Jacinto County, basically none of the adolescents are vaccinated. Its really terrible. And not many young adults. Factor in that many of the kids will be unmasked, and I think this is a toxic stew. Its going to put a lot of young people into the hospital, and I worry about a big surge.

A teddy bear forced into battle: Peter Hotezs fight against the anti-science conspiracy

There may not be as many deaths because theres fewer unvaccinated older people. But can you imagine being a 30-year-old and having an ICU nurses telling you, Look, Mister So-and-So, it could go either way right now in terms of whether were gonna have to intubate you. I cant think of anything more terrifying.

Thats going to play out, not tens of times or hundreds of times, but thousands of times across the state of Texas. The state has already lost 53,000 people to COVID. Our nursing staff, physicians and respiratory therapists are exhausted. If there was ever a time we needed a break, it was this summer, and unfortunately thats just not in the cards. Having surges on top of that exhaustion will contribute to an increased number of deaths.

On Twitter Ive joked that Im known as the Dark Prince of COVID Doom, and there you are.

Does the delta variant behave differently than the original COVID-19 virus with infants or young children? What are we seeing in pediatric hospitals?

Im frequently asked two questions about kids and delta. One, is COVID selectively targeting kids and adolescents? I dont think so. I think whats happened is, this delta variant is highly transmissible. It has the ability to replicate at much higher numbers than the original strain  at least, in the upper airway, where we can test that pretty easily.

So essentially, anyone whos unvaccinated is getting swept up in this firestorm. Thats partly because we have so few vaccinated individuals. Vermont right now has vaccinated pretty much all the adults and all the adolescents. That has a protective effect for the community. It slows transmission across the community. But we dont have that buffering here, because we did such a terrible job vaccinating the population.

So delta has crossed the South. Its a firestorm sweeping up everyone whos unvaccinated, including the kids and adolescents.

There are reports, but its still not well documented, that with delta the severity of illness is worse. And also, anecdotally, we hear that people are getting sicker faster, which makes sense given what we know about deltas viral load. In the past, when someone came into the hospital, theyd be sick, but there was time for medical staff to watch the trajectory of the virus. Now people are hitting emergency rooms and getting admitted to the hospital already very sick with very high viral load. Thats also quite concerning.

Is the reason the delta variant is believed to be more transmissible just that it has such a higher viral load? Theres nothing different about its ability to survive in the air or on surfaces?

I dont think we know. There is that observation, which came out of southern China a few months ago and was pretty well documented, that the amount of virus particles in your upper airway was maybe 1,000 times more than wed seen previously. So the prevailing hypothesis is that when people are coughing, or sneezing or speaking loudly, that theyre putting out a lot more virus into the environment.

Were learning more all the time, and well learn more in the coming weeks. But thats the prevailing thought right now.

What do you expect as Texas schools reopen?

Were going to pay the price for not being better advocates for vaccinations and wearing masks.

Everybody talked about how important it is to do in-person classroom learning this fall. Im the parent of four adult kids. When our kids were little, no one knew the importance of having kids in school better than we did. I get that.

But the problem is, people in positions of power would make these pronouncements about the importance having kids in school, but then it was left there, as though its supposed to happen by magic. There was no interest in rolling up sleeves and saying, Okay, if were serious about making this happen safely, what do we do? The pronouncements were never translated into policy.

Thats why I think were going to get hit hard, not only in Texas, but in Florida and other states in the South. There wasnt the situational awareness or the ability to connect the dots  to look at it from the perspective of a systems engineer, to look at the whole entity and say, Okay, what do we need to do to make this successful?

On HoustonChronicle.com: Texas Childrens identifies 25 cases of kids with both RSV and COVID

The answer is, if we want to reopen schools and also keep kids safe, we have to keep community transmission down. We dont have vaccines approved yet for kids under 12. That means we have to maximize the tools that we have.

That means having everybody masked and having everybody eligible vaccinated. Reopening schools wont go well if we dont have all the adolescents vaccinated  the 12- to 17-year-olds  and if we dont have all the teachers and staff vaccinated.

Its not a question of ideology. Its just practical, pragmatic understanding of the virus.

But our leaders werent focusing on that. I think people were operating under the assumption that delta is similar to previous virus lineages. But deltas transmissibility is so different from anything weve seen before, you have to throw out all the old rules.

You have to realize that if you want our kids to go back to school, its got to be all hands on deck. Its not fun to talk about mandates. But if you really want to make in-person schooling work, you have to have everybody masked in school, and everybody vaccinated whos eligible to be vaccinated. Thats just the reality.

To deny it and say, This interferes with our health freedom or whatever is nonsense. Weve already seen what happened in Mississippi and Arkansas, where people just let it rip. What happened was, so many kids got COVID, they had to shut it down.

Godofredo A. Vasquez, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

Is there still time to make those policies and open schools safely?

Being the eternal optimist, I think yes. But it means all the kids, all the staff, all the bus drivers, and the teachers have to be masked. Everybody over the age of 12 who walks into that school needs to be vaccinated. If we do that, we can give our kids a fighting chance.

But if fold your arms and stamp your feet and say, This interferes with my health freedom, its going to be lights out. Its just not going to work. People have to be adults about it. You cant simply will a virus away.

When a pandemic is underway, leaders have to pick and choose their victories. You cant be everything to everybody. You have to ask yourself and your colleagues, Okay, what are the one or two things we want to accomplish?

On HoustonChronicle.com: Big Texas cities are in open revolt over Gov. Abbotts ban on mask requirements

If kids in-person learning is your top priority, its doable. But it takes work. It means talking to virologists and epidemiologists and people who understand air flows in schools, and people who understand the transmissibility of virus pathogens. You put these people together and you say, Okay, if this is our number one priority for the state of Texas, what do we need to do? Help us figure this out.

And you know what? Texas is really good at that. Our state is built on science and engineering, At the beginning of the pandemic, I said, I dont understand. Weve got all these amazing engineers at the oil and gas companies and the chemical industry. These are the smartest people out there. Why arent they in a room figuring out how were going to protect our state? Why arent we using app-based systems for syndromic surveillance to detect rises in fevers?

We never did that. Texas has the best and brightest, and we didnt consult them. But thats what we should be doing now.

You recently told me that Texas is now a world leader in vaccine diplomacy  the kind of diplomacy normally done by an entire nation. Could you explain that?

Vaccine diplomacy is a concept that Ive been thinking about for a couple of decades. I finally had the opportunity to put it in practice when I served as U.S. science envoy in the State Department in 2015 and 2016.

The idea is to use vaccines and vaccine development as an instrument of foreign policy. This is one of the great features of the United States, right? Why do people love the U.S.? Its because of our research institutes and universities and our commitment to science and technology. But we dont put that foot forward as ambassadors enough.

So I served to build vaccine-development initiatives between countries in the Middle East and North Africa. It was really exciting.

The U.S. still has the ability to do that, especially now with our COVID vaccine.

By our COVID vaccine, you mean the vaccine that your lab developed here in Houston?

Right. At the lab co-led by me and Dr. Maria Elena Bottazzi, weve developed a low-cost recombinant-protein COVID vaccine.

Just to state the obvious, why is it in the United States national interest to help the rest of the world get vaccines?

Remember where delta came from? Delta came because of unabated virus transmission in India. And where did B.1.1.7, the cause of our last wave, come from? That one came from the UK.

So if you dont vaccinate the world  and that includes doing a better job of vaccinating ourselves  the virus runs rampant and mutates. Thats a recipe for creating new variants all over the world.

Theres a myth out there that COVID is coming from our southern border. Its not. Its coming in from Asia and Europe. The B 1.351, which we now call beta, came in from South Africa. So its coming in from outside the Western Hemisphere, and we need to vaccinate the world.

So whats going on with your labs vaccine?

Were being contacted by countries all over the world. Weve licensed it now to a Biological E, a big vaccine producer in India thats scaling it up for India, and hopefully for the world if Prime Minister Modi allows some those vaccines to be exported. Were hoping that will be released for emergency use in the coming weeks in India. Thats exciting.

But whats really interesting is that word is getting out. Were in discussions with Indonesia about a halal version of it for the Muslim world.

Wait wait wait: How do you make a halal vaccine?

It turns out, its not that much different from our original vaccine. Our vaccine is produced by microbial fermentation in yeast, similar to the hepatitis B vaccine that weve been giving kids for decades. So you just have to make certain that any protein for the yeast is from a non-porcine source.

Okay: So your lab is negotiating with countries around the world

Were being approached by countries all over Asia and elsewhere because theyre bereft of vaccine. They have no vaccine. Despite all this discussion about international sharing mechanisms, the vaccine doses arent there to share. Even if the United States were to give up its entire vaccine stockpile  which it wont do  it still would not be nearly enough to cover the 6 billion doses that we need to vaccinate the low- and middle-income countries.

So countries are coming to us  coming from Africa, from Asia, from Latin America  and asking for our help in doing technology transfer for our vaccine. Were on early-morning and late-night Zoom calls with ministers of science or health, or with embassies, or with the scientific leadership of the countries. Its very exciting for our lab. Its a real privilege for us to make such a difference.

But if you think about it, its crazy, right? I mean, theres all of this infrastructure for global vaccine governance. Yet it still requires a moderate-sized research center in Texas to actually make this happen.

Its troubling that were just not getting the help from the U.S. government like we should. Were not getting help from the big global governance mechanisms like we should. Were kind of on our own with with Texas.

Its been that way since the beginning. Its a testament to why this  Texas and the Texas Medical Center  is such an amazing place to do science. Its Texas philanthropy. When the pandemic began, wed been working on coronavirus vaccines for 10 years. When we saw the genetic sequence, we knew we could make a COVID-19 vaccine.

On HoustonChronicle.com: A rare COVID side effect caused his tongue to swell, forcing a Houston surgeon to step in

Im disappointed that weve not gotten more help from the U.S. government and from the global mechanisms. We got some but not nearly enough. The funding that came through for us was overwhelmingly from private philanthropies in Texas: the Kleberg Foundation, Titos Vodka, the Dunn Foundation, M.D. Anderson and others. There were a few from New York, like the JPB Foundation, but its the Texas philanthropies that really came through.

Outsiders dont understand that side of Texas. I still love telling that story when Im on the cable news outlets that have a flyover view of the country, that think its all about the Northeast and the West Coast. I tell people, no, that I came to Texas to do big things  to be part of the Texas Medical Center in Texas Childrens Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, which are research powerhouses. If our lab hadnt moved to Texas, we would not now be making a COVID-19 vaccine for the world.

So: This is a Texas-based vaccine that that could really fill the gaps and rescue the worlds low- and middle-income countries from COVID-19. Were just doing it on our own, through the Texas Medical Center and Texas philanthropy.

Houston is one of the few places left where you can still pursue that old-fashioned American dream. If youre willing to work hard, you can do things here the cant do anywhere else.

My sister-in-law says that I sound like Im a tour guide for the city of Houston. Im happy with that.

The chamber of commerce isnt paying you off?

[Laughs.] They dont have to. I work for breakfast tacos.

lisa.gray@chron.com, twitter.com/LisaGray_HouTX
Employees at St. Lukes Health will need to be vaccinated for COVID-19 by the fall to keep their jobs, the hospital system said Thursday, joining four other Houston hospital systems in requiring a vaccine.

All workers must be fully vaccinated by Nov. 1. The vaccine requirement also applies to volunteers on-site.

Houston Methodist became the first hospital in the nation to announce it would require its staff to be fully vaccinated  a mandate that went into effect in June. And since late July, Memorial Hermann and Baylor College of Medicine have also announced their own immunization requirements. Texas Childrens Hospital announced its vaccine mandate on Wednesday, amid a surge in pediatric COVID-19 cases.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Texas, Houston Methodist see rush for vaccines, as COVIDs fourth wave approaches

Several Houston health systems are still actively considering vaccine mandates as a condition for employment. Kelsey-Seybold Clinic said it is waiting for full vaccine approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration before asking employees to provide proof of immunization.

Harris Health System and UTHealth strongly encourage the vaccine and wearing masks, but are unable to require it due to Gov. Greg Abbotts executive order barring public institutions from issuing their own COVID-19 restrictions.

People can qualify for a medical or religious exemption to not receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

St. Lukes, which employs more than 16,000 people across its hospitals, freestanding emergency rooms and outpatient services, cited the threat of variants as a contributing factor in the decision to require immunization.

The delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 is now the dominant strain in the U.S. as the country faces a fourth surge of the virus. The Texas Department of State Health Services reported Thursday afternoon that 10,791 patients were hospitalized statewide for COVID-19 Wednesday, a 32.7 percent increase from the same time last week.

Just 50 intensive care unit beds are available in Houstons trauma service area, forcing several hospital systems to shift other patients into hallways and tents as the pandemic worsens.

Q&A WITH LISA GRAY: As schools reopen, Houston will 'pay the price' for not doing more with masks, vaccines

Our decision to require the COVID-19 vaccination for our teams is rooted in a commitment to keeping our community safe  and bringing an end to this pandemic as quickly as possible, Vanessa Astros, a spokesperson for St. Lukes Health, said in a statement.

The conflation of several factors  low vaccination rates among young adults, the ineligibility of young children to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and low mask-wearing compliance  have led Texas to hospitalization rates that have not been seen since early February, at the tail end of the holiday surge. With schools preparing for the full return of in-person learning, health experts worry infection rates will continue to climb.

St. Lukes Health operates 16 hospitals in the Greater Houston, East Texas and Brazos Valley areas.

gwendolyn.wu@chron.com

twitter.com/gwendolynawu
Gender-affirming surgery, a procedure to alter a persons genitalia to match their gender identity that has long been a target of Texas Republicans, will now be considered a form of child abuse, the Texas Department for Family and Protective Services on Wednesday declared.

The state agency made the determination after Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday directed the agency, tasked with protecting children from abuse, to please issue a determination of whether genital mutilation of a child for purposes of gender transitioning through reassignment surgery constitutes child abuse.

In its Wednesday reply, the agency agreed with Abbotts redefinition of gender-affirming surgery as a form of genital mutilation, a technical term used by human rights activists to refer to a procedure performed on girls at a young age to prevent them from experiencing sexual pleasure.

The terms female genital mutilation and female genital cutting gained legal weight with a 1998 federal law criminalizing the practice for girls under 18, followed by a Texas state law in 1999. But federal and state laws apparently have never used genital mutilation to refer to gender-affirming surgery, a procedure advocates say is almost never performed for children.

Equality Texas, an advocacy group for gender equality, said in a Wednesday release that Abbott was seeking to investigate a healthcare practice that doesnt exist, in his continued attempt to incite fear around vulnerable transgender children.

The current best-practice healthcare approach for transgender children is a social transition which requires no medical intervention, the group said. For older adolescents and teens, the prevailing standards of care, best practices, and guidelines look nothing like the contents of these recent letters.

Abbott, who does not have a medical background, had promised to find other ways to make gender-affirming surgery for minors illegal after the state legislature in May did not outlaw the procedure for the second time this year.

As you have described, this surgical procedure physically alters a childs genitalia for non-medical purposes potentially inflicting irreversible harm to childrens bodies, the DFPS stated in its Wednesday letter. The agency made exception for surgeries it deems medically necessary, including procedures to correct what it calls medically verifiable genetic disorders of sex development, namely children who are born intersex.

The American Medical Association is among groups that disagree with Abbott and the DFPS. The national organization in April said gender-affirming surgery is accepted as one of a wide range of procedures deemed medically necessary when part of gender transition-related health care to treat gender dysphoria in those under 18. The American Psychiatric Association defines gender dysphoria, a condition diagnosable in adolescence, as psychological distress and anxiety due to a mismatch between a persons sense of their gender and their sex assigned at birth.

Empirical evidence has demonstrated that trans and non-binary gender identities are normal variations of human identity and expression, the American Medical Association said in an April letter to the National Governors Association opposing bills to outlaw gender-affirming surgery for patients under 18. We believe this legislation represents a dangerous governmental intrusion into the practice of medicine and will be detrimental to the health of transgender children across the country.

YOUTH VOICES: Houston kids confront anti-trans legislation that targets them

The DFPS ruling, which Abbott said was effective immediately, means doctors, nurses, teachers, daycare employees, and other professionals who work with children are now required to inform the agency within 48 hours if they have reason to believe a child has or may undergo gender-affirming surgery. Those who do not make a report can be charged with a class A misdemeanor.

In accordance with child abuse laws, the agency will now be duty-bound to investigate parents and other agencies must investigate medical practitioners who perform the surgeries, though it is unclear if any surgeons in Houston offer gender-affirming surgery for children.

Staff writer Gabrielle Banks contributed to this report.

charlie.zong@chron.com
2 1 of 2 Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Show More Show Less 2 of 2 Congressman Al Green Show More Show Less



Free COVID-19 vaccines, backpacks and school supplies will be doled out to Houston students this week at several back-to-school events.

U.S. Rep. Al Green and several community partners are hosting a drive-thru event from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday Aug. 12 at Westbury High School on Chimney Rock Road, according to the congressman's office.
Appearing at a GOP fundraising dinner in Illinois on Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw clashed with a conservative activist after insisting there was not enough election fraud to account for Donald Trumps loss in the 2020 presidential race.

Crenshaw, a Republican from Houston who is considered a rising GOP star, told attendees during a Q&A session not to kid yourself into believing thats why we lost. His statement runs contrary to claims by Trump and many of the former presidents supporters, who contend the election was stolen through a massive voter fraud scheme, of which they have yet to display proof.

Its just something you have to accept, Crenshaw said. Is there a lot of voter fraud? Yeah, there probably is. Enough that Trump won? No, absolutely not. Absolutely not. Five different states? Hundreds of thousands of votes? Youre kidding yourself.

As Crenshaw pushed ahead with his explanation, Bobby Piton, a Republican who is running for Senate in Illinois, heckled the Houston congressman, telling him he was wrong while vowing President Joe Bidens win would be overturned in Maricopa County, Arizona  where officials last month finished recounting the 2.1 million ballots cast during the 2020 election.

TEXAS TAKE: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox

I have plenty of proof, Piton said, interrupting Crenshaw. Its gonna flip. You watch.

Last December, Crenshaw was one of 126 Republicans to sign an amicus brief in support of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxtons lawsuit seeking to delay the certification of presidential election results in Georgia, Michican, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, all swing states won by Biden. The U.S. Supreme Court  which grew more conservative as three Trump nominees were placed on it during his term  tossed the lawsuit without a hearing.

Crenshaw told the Houston Chronicle editorial board his decision to sign the brief was aimed at putting pressure on states to actually fix their election systems but not actually overturning the results.

The amicus itself does not talk about delaying electoral votes or overturning the electoral votes, Crenshaw said at that time. It doesnt go so far as to say that. If it did, I would have a lot more reluctance to be signing on to it. I would fully admit this was not an easy decision either way.

While some minor cases of election fraud have been identified in local Texas elections, multiple academic studies, a nationwide investigation by the U.S. Justice Department and Paxtons own Election Fraud Unit have yet to discover widespread fraud on the scale alleged by Trump and other Republicans.

After video of Crenshaws comments spilled onto social media, some conservative media figures praised him, as did Democrats who were astonished to find themselves agreeing with a frequent antagonist.

Good for Crenshaw, tweeted Stephen Hayes, editor of The Dispatch, a Trump-critical conservative site. It shouldn't take courage to dismiss loony conspiracies, but in today's GOP it often does.

Crenshaw recently was on the opposite side of Trump in a North Texas congressional election, supporting the winner of the election, Republican Jake Ellzey, while Trump backed the second place candidate, Susan Wright.

A critic of Trump before embracing him following the 2016 election, Crenshaw famously omitted any mention of Trump in the speech he delivered during the 2020 Republican National Convention.

jasper.scherer@chron.com
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo on Thursday issued a mandatory mask order for Harris County schools and day cares, joining the chorus of elected officials in Texas larges cities in defying Gov. Greg Abbotts order prohibiting local COVID-19 restrictions.

Hidalgos order requires students, teachers, staff and visitors to K-12 schools and daycare centers to wear face coverings. Schools also are required to notify parents when a student has close contact with someone who tests positive for the virus.

Theres an unwritten contract between parents and their schools  and its that when our children are under the care of their schools, they do everything they can to keep them safe, Hidalgo wrote in a letter to superintendents.

Houston ISDs board of trustees already is expected to vote Thursday on a mask mandate proposed by Superintendent Millard House II. House announced he would bring such a proposal to the board last week.

Earlier on Thursday, County Attorney Christian Menefee filed a lawsuit challenging Gov. Greg Abbotts executive order prohibiting local authorities from issuing COVID-19 restrictions, such as mask and vaccine mandates.

Menefee told the Houston Chronicle Tuesday evening that he believes the July 29 order violates the Texas Disaster Act of 1975, which he said grants the governor the power limited authority to suspend laws.

In his orders, hell suspend two to three laws specifically by name, and then hell say any other laws that could allow a local official to do something inconsistent with what Im doing, Menefee said. Thats not how a democratic society works. You have separation of powers.

Attorney General Ken Paxton, who on Wednesday filed a petition in a Texas appeals court to strike down a mask mandate Dallas County issued, is also a defendant in the suit.

Other local governments and school districts, including in Austin and San Antonio, have issued mask mandates in defiance of Abbotts order.

If the past is any guide, the local governments are unlikely to prevail in court, said University of Texas School of Law Adjunct Professor Randall Erben. Governors have broad power under the Disaster Act, he said, noting that the state Supreme Court sided with Abbott when Travis County attempted to enact a New Years Eve curfew for restaurants.

Given the precedent and given the broad discretion the governor has under that act, hes probably on pretty solid ground, Erben said.

The three Democrats on Commissioners Court, on a party-line vote, gave Menefee the green light on Tuesday to file the suit in a Travis County state district court.

Abbott has clashed repeatedly with local leaders, including Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, throughout the pandemic. This past April, he gutted her mask mandate during his first attempt to reopen the state.

Last summer, he refused Hidalgos requests to let her issue a new stay-home order as COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths surged. And in March, when Abbott removed all virus restrictions in Texas, Hidalgo said the move was premature.

zach.despart@chron.com
Regarding Texas Children's identifies 25 cases of kids with both RSV and COVID; hospitalizations rising, (Aug. 11): At Texas Childrens Hospital, weve treated children from all over the world for more than 65 years. The past 18 months of the COVID-19 pandemic have been, by far, the most difficult season in our entire history. We are, therefore, taking a stand to protect the vulnerable populations we serve, and those who place their trust in us, by requiring our entire workforce to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

However, we cannot do this alone. The FDA can and should take important steps to help communities combat the virus including fully approving the COVID-19 vaccine, granting emergency-use authorization for children ages 5 to 11, and approving COVID-19 vaccine boosters. Texas Childrens also recommends that everyone, regardless of their vaccination status, wear a mask indoors  including at school.

As a community, nation and world, we will never finish fighting this battle if we do not work together to protect ourselves and those around us. We plead with all of you who are not yet vaccinated to get the vaccine. All of us at Texas Childrens firmly believe in the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine  it is the most powerful and effective tool we have to win our battle against the virus. At Texas Childrens, we will protect our most vulnerable patients who do not yet have access to the vaccine. Our mission  and our moral responsibility  is to do all we can to keep the children and women we serve safe, and to advocate for their health and future.

Mark A. Wallace, president and CEO at Texas Childrens Hospital

Regarding Houston ISD to consider mask mandate next week, superintendent says, (Aug. 5): HISD trustees are in a unique position to change our future. We all agree that it is critical that our children return to in-person school and do so safely. We are all tired of this pandemic, but a leader cannot just put his hands up and say do what you want when our community spread is abnormally high. We already know that if only half of us get vaccines, social distance and wear masks, the virus adapts and spreads more virulently. One positive case can require over 100 exposed students to quarantine at home for 14 days, missing instruction and interaction. What is the plan when our students and teachers are repeatedly absent for weeks at a time? Chaos.

Youve seen the headlines. Youve seen the drastically increasing medical center numbers. Without a mask mandate and other safety measures, were exposing our kids to unnecessary and potential long-term health consequences. I implore HISD to do all it can: impose a district-wide mask mandate, continue social distancing, temperature checks, contact tracing, and testing; utilize outdoor areas for lunchtime and as much as possible; and have masks available in each classroom.

We cannot allow political differences to undermine our safety.

Naomi Wittlin, Houston

Regarding Lina Hidalgo urges mask mandates in HISD schools: Its a moment of necessary civil disobedience. (Aug. 9): As an educator in public schools, it just astounds me as I read all the articles on how horrible it is that students and staff in public schools shouldnt be required to wear masks in schools. I challenge anyone to step into a school and see how well students, especially elementary age, really keep those masks on. I have personally picked up over a dozen masks discarded on the playground, seen them chewed on, and cannot tell you how many times I have told students to put their masks on. If parents want their kids to mask up, then it should be their responsibility to see that they do, and not take away valuable teaching time in the classroom.

Taffy Dineen, Houston

Tuesdays editorial incorrectly stated that U.S. track and field sprinter Raevyn Rogers was a member of the 4x400 meter relay team that won a gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Rogers earned a bronze medal in the 800 meters.
The Texas Supreme Court on Thursday overruled a Houston judge who had provided Texas House Democrats with the legal shelter they requested to avoid civil arrest for absconding from the state Capitol.

After Houston Rep. Gene Wu successfully challenged his warrant in Harris County state district court on Wednesday, 44 additional Democrats had followed in his footsteps, hoping for the same outcome.

The stay from the states highest civil court came swiftly, potentially scrambling the plans of those Democrats and others whod made plans to return home.

A dwindling number of House members remain in Washington, D.C., where they have spent a month rallying for federal voting rights legislation that would supersede existing Texas elections laws as well as bills that Republicans are pushing in Austin. The Democrats have until Monday to respond in court.

Despite the high courts ruling, Texas House Democrats remain committed to fighting back with everything we have to protect Texans from Republicans repeated attacks on our freedom to vote, Wu said in a statement on behalf of the caucus. Instead of trying to calm the situation and find ways to peacefully resolve the situation, Texas Republicans continue to add more fuel to this fire. We will not be deterred. If anything, this action continues to solidify our resolve to stand up for Texans.

ALSO THURSDAY: Houston state Sen. Carol Alvarado ends 15-hour filibuster of GOP voting bill

In his motion to the high court, the states Solicitor General Judd E. Stone had warned that Wus court order could have a domino effect.

Without this courts intervention, every truant member of the House will follow the lead of Representative Wu, file habeas petitions in trial courts throughout the state, disrupt the ability of the Legislature to obtain a quorum, and undercut this courts ability to achieve an orderly and efficient resolution of identical issues presented, Stone wrote.

Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan, a Beaumont Republican, on Tuesday had ordered law enforcement to round up the Democratic members whose walkout has brought a special session of the Legislature to a standstill. The House needs 100 members present to vote on legislation; this week upwards of 90 have reported to Austin each day as the Democrats continue their holdout, which began July 12.

BACKGROUND: Heres what happens when Texas lawmakers flee the state to derail legislation

Wus attorneys on Wednesday told district court Judge Chris Morton that a House vote to issue the warrants was not above board because a quorum wasnt present in the chamber. The Democratic lawmakers attorneys have also criticized Gov. Greg Abbott, who has pledged to have the absent Democrats arrested and cabined at the Capitol so the legislative session can resume.

We have an oppressive order from a tyrannical king, attorney Brent Mayr said.

Several Houston-area representatives, including Reps. Senfronia Thompson and Hubert Vo, were pre-emptively released from potential custody on Thursday as a result of the newest writs, attorney Romy Kaplan said.

Three hearings tomorrow concern non-Houston-area representatives, who will be appearing via Zoom to put themselves in Harris Countys jurisdiction, Kaplan said.

A hearing is also scheduled for next Thursday in district Judge Chris Mortons court. He said his approval of Wus writ on Wednesday was conditional, and he will further explore his jurisdiction over the case and over the House of Representatives sergeant-at-arms in Austin.

samantha.ketterer@chron.com
U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported more than 212,000 encounters with migrants crossing the southern border in July  another record and the largest month-to-month increase since March  as pressure is mounting again on the Biden administration to find better ways to handle the surge.

The Border Patrol reported 212,672 encounters with migrants in July, up from 188,934 the month before.

The agency said 45 percent of those encounters, 95,788, were with migrants who were immediately processed for expulsion under a public health order. The agency said 27 percent of the encounters were with individuals who had tried to cross at least once before, continuing a trend in which single adults who are immediately expelled to Mexico repeatedly try to cross into the U.S.

While most of the encounters reported by the agency were with single adults  about 52 percent  encounters with families and unaccompanied children continued to climb.

WE HAVE TO COMPLY: Texas abortion clinics brace for near shutdown as new law is enacted

The family and unaccompanied children encounters, which began to fall during the spring months, have now been on the rise for two straight months. The agency reported nearly 19,000 encounters with unaccompanied children, reaching record peaks for the second time this year. It reported nearly 83,000 encounters with families, nearing previous peaks set under the Trump administration in 2019.

The data comes as the Biden administration is under increasing pressure to do more to address the surge.

A coalition of mayors, county judges and business leaders along the South Texas border signed a resolution Thursday asking the administration to turn away new asylum-seekers, citing the resurging pandemic.

The group said their communities need every available resource to combat rising hospitalizations from the coronavirus and that they are not looking for a permanent blockade, just a pause until a more streamlined asylum processing system is in place. The group also asked for money and assistance to help them serve recently arrived asylum-seekers.

TEXAS TAKE: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox

We need more resources to help us handle this situation. Because right now, its not under control, Cameron County Judge Eddie Trevino Jr., chairman of the coalition, said in a statement.

This month in McAllen, officials reported more than 1,500 migrants testing positive for COVID-19 in one week, out of 7,000 tested.

Local officials have said the administration is failing to provide enough facilities for the migrants, who are here legally while the U.S. considers their asylum claims. Asylum-seekers are asked to quarantine, many at local hotels, before they can be transported to their next destination.

jeremy.blackman@chron.com | ben.wermund@chron.com
Gov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton on Wednesday filed their first court action to strike down a mask mandate enacted by local officials in defiance of Abbotts ban on them.

Abbott and Paxton asked an appellate court to nullify Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins order requiring masks at businesses, schools and county facilities, which Jenkins issued a day after securing a temporary restraining order against Abbott.

In a joint statement, the two Republican leaders argued that the sweeping Texas Disaster Act of 1975 clearly states that the Governor has the power to guide the state through emergencies, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

They did not mention a similar mask order issued Tuesday by the San Antonio-area health authority, nor those announced by a handful of large school districts in what has become an uprising led by urban Democrats against the governors disaster order. Abbott and Paxton did, however, vow that any school district, public university, or local government official that decides to defy the order will be taken to court.

Jenkins said he has authority to require face coverings after a Dallas state district judge ruled that Abbotts ban on such orders could not be enforced because it is not a necessary action to combat the pandemic.

Paxton, speaking in a radio interview Wednesday, predicted a quick ruling in his favor from the Texas Supreme Court as he challenges the Dallas mask order, in particular.

Im hopeful by the end of the week or at least early next week well have a response from the Texas Supreme Court, Paxton told conservative radio host Dana Loesch. Im going to tell you right now, Im pretty confident were going to win that.

Abbott says government mandates are no longer needed at this point in the pandemic, arguing that Texans have mastered the safe practices that help to prevent and avoid the spread of COVID-19, whether that means getting the vaccine or wearing a mask indoors if they want.

Texas school district and local government officials in favor of mask requirements say the mandates are a necessary tool to protect children under 12, who cannot yet be vaccinated. They also argue that under Abbotts laissez-faire approach, Texas is undergoing one of its worst surges of the pandemic, including among children.

ALSO WEDNESDAY: Texas Childrens identifies 25 cases of kids with both RSV and COVID; hospitalizations rising

Austin, Houston and Fort Worth ISDs also are requiring masks as they reopen campuses, meaning the five largest school districts in Texas have announced plans to defy the governors mask policy.

Hes going to lose

Paxton argued on the talk show Wednesday that the Texas Legislature had intended to give Abbott wide-ranging power to handle the states response to disasters when it passed the 1975 disaster law, including authority to preempt local orders. Jenkins and others have noted that the law allows Abbott to override local measures only if those policies would prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with a disaster, which they say Abbott is guilty of himself by barring local mask orders.

Still, Paxton downplayed the early court win by Jenkins.

The reality is, hes going to lose, Paxton said. He may get a liberal judge in Dallas County to rule in his favor, but ultimately I think we have a Texas Supreme Court that will follow the law. They have in the past.

While every justice on Texas highest civil court is a Republican  and the court frequently sides with Abbott and Paxton on legal matters  the 5th Court of Appeals is controlled by Democrats after they flipped eight seats in 2018. It was the first time a Democrat was elected to the court since 1992.

Paxton acknowledged that district and appellate courts often side against his office, making clear that he is pinning his hopes on the high court, which has final say.

Even if the local governments and school districts prevail in court, any penalties they levy for noncompliance would be open to challenge. Mask orders enacted earlier in the pandemic were made largely unenforceable when Abbott banned any fines for breaking them. Even when they had to the authority to issue fines, local leaders generally took a more lenient approach, opting to distribute masks instead of issuing citations to violators.

TEXAS TAKE: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox

Abbotts most recent order, in July, calls for fines of up to $1,000 for Texas government officials who implement mandatory mask rules.

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden said his administration is checking whether he has the power to intervene in Texas and other states where Republican leaders have banned mask mandates. Biden has been critical of Abbotts COVID policies, most notably calling the governors decision to drop his statewide mask mandate in March Neanderthal thinking.

Asked whether he has the power to step in on the battle over mask mandates, Biden said Tuesday: I dont believe that I do thus far. Were checking that.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki clarified on Wednesday, saying the administration is looking into ways we can help the leaders at the local level who are putting public health first continue to do their jobs. She said those include efforts to keep students safe and keep students in school and that the U.S. Department of Education and others are working on it.

Though Paxton has not directly addressed the issue raised by Biden, he covered similar ground in an opinion issued Wednesday in response to state Rep. Senfronia Thompson, a Houston Democrat who had asked how Abbotts ban on mask orders would affect an existing federal mandate that people don face coverings when using public transit.

In his opinion, Paxton said courts could find that federal agencies lack statutory authority to issue the face covering orders, particularly with respect to intrastate public transit systems, though he said his office was unable to definitively conclude that those orders preempt the Governors Executive Order.

jasper.scherer@chron.com
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Pittsfield Street Improvement Project Paving and Parking Updates

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  Please note the following paving and parking updates for Thursday, Aug. 12 through Monday, Aug. 16, as part of the City of Pittsfield's 2021 Street Improvement Project.

The schedule is as follows:

Thursday, Aug. 12: crews will be applying hydro-seed to the following locations, Velma Avenue, and Waverly and Arlington streets.

Friday, Aug. 13: paving on Atmer Avenue.

Monday, Aug. 16: paving on Grand Avenue.

On-street parking is prohibited during this work between the hours of 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Please note the schedule is subject to change based on weather conditions.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has today launched an international solidarity campaign with Afghan journalists as the threat of violence grows and media are forced to close in the wake of the Taliban taking control of large parts of the country.

Over the past few weeks, the Taliban have made huge territorial gains across Afghanistan accompanied by a surge in violence and threats against journalists and independent media. In regions that the Taliban have seized, media outlets have been forced to close or carry Taliban propaganda. Staff have fled or have gone in to hiding. Over 1,200 journalists and media workers have already lost their jobs with many more under threat. On 11 August, 10 media outlets were forced to close when the Taliban took control of Baghlan province.

Everywhere across the country, journalists are facing threats and intimidation because of their work. Women journalists are particularly targeted, both for their work and because of the Talibans perception of social norms. In recent months, hundreds of women journalists have been forced to flee, have been banned from working or have even been subjected to targeted murderous attacks.

All media professionals covering the situation in Afghanistan are currently risking their lives. On 8 August, the Taliban reportedly killed journalist Toofan Omar in Kabul in a targeted attack. Omar worked as the station manager of Paktia Ghag radio, and was an officer for Nai, an organisation supporting independent media in Afghanistan. Two days earlier, on 6 August, the Taliban murdered the head of Afghanistans Media and Information Centre Dawa Khan Minapal, also in Kabul.

According to a report the Nai published in July, at least 30 media workers have already been killed, wounded or tortured in Afghanistan since the beginning of 2021.

The IFJ is working urgently with its affiliates the Afghan Independent Journalists Association (AIJA) and Afghanistans National Journalists Union (ANJU) to provide emergency support to help journalists take protective measures and seek safety. IFJ affiliates are also lobbying governments in a number of countries to provide emergency visas and logistical support to enable those most at threat to leave the country. Those in neighbouring countries are working to ensure safe passage for journalists forced to leave Afghanistan.

Unions in several countries are negotiating directly on behalf of journalists with international media to ensure staff and freelance workers can be relocated or provided with security or protection where necessary.

The IFJ has established a special Afghanistan Solidarity Fund within the IFJ Safety Fund to channel further support and is urging those who can to make a donation. All funds raised will go directly to providing support to Afghan colleagues.

IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said: Violence against media workers is increasing daily in Afghanistan. We have a duty of care but also a moral duty to support journalists who are working and risking their lives to cover the conflict in Afghanistan. It is time for the authorities, rights groups, media outlets, governments and the international community to do everything in their power to keep journalists, their colleagues and their families safe. Solidarity and assistance are urgently needed.
The threat of extradition grew for Julian Assange yesterday as a judge ruled that the US could expand the basis of its appeal.

At the High Court, lawyers for the US government and Wikileaks founder Mr Assange made preliminary arguments before Lord Justice Holroyde and Mrs Justice Farbey.

After a multi-week extradition hearing, District Judge Vanessa Baraitser ruled in January that Mr Assange should not be sent to the US, citing a real risk of suicide.

The US government was allowed a limited appeal against her decision on three grounds, but the latest ruling adds two further points which open significant elements of the psychiatric evidence to challenge.

From the early hours, supporters gathered outside the central London court to demand that Mr Assange be set free.

Arriving at the court, Mr Assanges partner Stella Moris said: The US is exploiting the inherently unfair extradition arrangements with this country in order to arbitrarily prolong his imprisonment  an innocent man accused of practising journalism.

Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn was also present, and told protesters: The United States seems to have a sort of obsession with people who uncover the truths about US military presence around the world.

They should wind their necks in and let Julian Assange go.

Mr Assange, who has been denied bail despite Judge Baraitsers ruling, attended the hearing by videolink from Belmarsh prison.

He appeared more gaunt than at his last court appearance, with straggling white hair and new large-frame glasses.

The US wants to try the Australian for 18 alleged offences relating to leaks, including the Afghan and Iraqi war logs that were published in 2010.

Clair Dobbin QC, for the US government, told the court that Mr Assange had hoodwinked medical experts and Judge Baraitser at his previous hearing.

Ms Dobbin told the court there was a need for anxious scrutiny of Mr Assanges reported mental health.

The barrister said that part of the US governments appeal will focus on the requirement in law that an individual must be so ill that they are unable to resist suicide for a decision to be taken not to prosecute  or in Mr Assanges case, extradite  them.

It really requires a mental illness of a type that the ability to resist suicide has been lost, she said.

Part of the appeal will be that Mr Assange did not have a mental illness that came close to being of that nature and degree.

Ms Dobbin also accused key expert witnesses at last Septembers extradition hearings of misleading the court.

Her fire was directed at Professor Michael Kopelman, head of the neuropsychiatry department at Kings College London, who provided the extradition hearing with two written reports and gave evidence in person over several hours in September.

His reports describe in great detail Mr Assanges psychological and familial history, but the first of them did not mention that the Wikileaks founder had a partner and two small children  facts it has since transpired Prof Kopelman knew at the time.

He has since explained that he left out these details for fear that putting them in the public domain would create needless risk, particularly as Mr Assange had been threatened with kidnap and poisoning.

Edward Fitzgerald QC, for Mr Assange, told the court that Judge Baraitser had been made aware of the omission and the reasons for it and had accepted that it in no way affected the report, concluding that it was impartial and dispassionate.

But Lord Justice Holroyde ruled that reconsideration of this evidence was appropriate in the circumstances. He set the full appeal hearing for October 27 and 28.

It means that Mr Assange must now wait nearly three months to learn his fate, while remaining in Belmarsh prison.

He could apply for bail before that date, but previous applications have been denied.
The first full-length trailer for Impeachment: American Crime Story has been released, teasing Clive Owens forthcoming performance as Bill Clinton.

For its third season, the FX anthology series is dramatising Clintons affair with Monica Lewinsky, a former White House intern, and his subsequent impeachment in 1998. Lewinsky is portrayed by Beanie Feldstein.

The trailer, unveiled on Thursday (12 August), includes the shows recreation of the then-presidents infamous denial of his affair with Lewinsky.

I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Owens Clinton says towards the end of the video. The scene is a recreation of a televised address given by Clinton on 26 January 1998, which includes the same sentence.

Clinton was eventually impeached by the House of Representatives on the grounds of perjury to a grand jury and obstruction of justice on 19 December 1998. The US Senate acquitted him in February 1999 and Clinton remained in office until the end of his second term as president, until January 2001.

Impeachment: American Crime Story will start airing on 7 September on FX in the US. A UK air date has yet to be announced, though the shows first two seasons aired on BBC Two shortly after being broadcast in the US.

It will also star Sarah Paulson as Linda Tripp, Margo Martindale as Lucianne Goldberg, Billy Eichner as Matt Drudge, Edie Falco as Hillary Clinton, and Cobie Smulders as Ann Coulter.
Politicians in South Korea are considering making amendments to existing laws to make semen terrorism a punishable sex crime.

It comes after a number of court cases of men ejaculating on womens belongings were categorised as property damage rather than as a sexual offence, as reported by The Guardian.

The meagre fines awarded in these cases, societal attitudes to sex, and womens rights in South Korea have all come under scrutiny in recent years as the #MeToo movement has gathered global momentum.

One area that policymakers in the country are now focusing is the act of semen terrorism, which is the process by which ejaculate is smeared or delivered to a person without them knowing.

South Koreas sex crime laws currently state that a perpetrator must exercise violence or intimidation for an offence to count as a sex crime.

Baek Hye-ryun, a lawmaker of the ruling Democratic party is trying to change the law to ensure that sex crimes can include non-physical contact, to capture offences such as semen terrorism.

The bill is currently pending before being debated in parliament.

The prospective law change comes after a number of court cases that have infuriated feminists and womens rights campaigners in the country.

In one incident in May 2021 a male civil servant was handed a 3m won (1,865) fine and found guilty of property damage after ejaculating into his female colleagues coffee cup six times over a period of half a year.

In another case in 2019 man was handed a fine for putting semen on a womans shoes. This was also classed as property damage, rather than a sex crime.

Choi Won-jin, secretary general of the civic group Korean Womenlink, said these acts are hate crimes against women.

She told The Guardian: Every sex crime is a crime. This isnt a random act of violence in the street, its targeting a specific gender.
Indias main opposition party, the Indian National Congress, has criticised Twitter for locking them out of their accounts on the platform, claiming the decision was taken due to pressure from Indias Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.

The Congress party, an opponent of the ruling right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), on Thursday claimed its official account and around 5,000 accounts belonging to its members and workers were locked.

The action came hours after the opposition party posted photos of their leader Rahul Gandhi visiting the family of a nine-year-old girl belonging to the marginalised Dalit community, who was allegedly raped and killed in Delhi last week.

The party has alleged that Twitter acted under pressure from the Narendra Modi government.

A post on the Congresss Instagram account on Thursday contained a screenshot of a message from Twitter saying the account had been locked for violating Twitter rules relating to publishing or posting other peoples private information without their express authorisation and permission.

Modi ji, just how afraid are you? Reminder: The Congress party fought for our nations independence, equipped only with truth, non-violence and the will of the people. We won then, well win again, the post by the Congress said.

Earlier, the account of Rahul Gandhi  the partys former president who is also an elected member of the countrys Parliament  was locked by Twitter. Twitter said this was also due to the posting of private information.

In an email statement to The Independent, a Twitter spokesperson confirmed the action against INCs official account and others related to it.

Twitter said Indias National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) alerted them about specific content on our platform that allegedly revealed the identity of an alleged sexual assault victims (and a minors) parents.

We reviewed it against Twitter Rules and policies, as well as the concerns expressed as a matter of the Indian law, the email said.

On allegations of bias and pressure from the Indian government, the company reiterated that their rules are enforced judiciously and impartially for everyone.

We have taken proactive action on several hundred Tweets that posted an image that violated our rules, and may continue to do so in line with our range of enforcement options, the emailed statement said.

Rohan Gupta, the Congresss information technology cell head, however, alleged Twitter was taking selective action.

Speaking to The Independent, Mr Gupta questioned why a tweet by the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, a government body under the jurisdiction of the federal social justice ministry, was allowed to stay up.

If it is violation of the police, then why was SC commissions tweet allowed to be on Twitter? Mr Gupta questioned, referring to a tweet that showed photos of an official from the government body visiting the family.

In India, the terms Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe are used to refer to marginalised groups of people who are protected from caste-based atrocities under special laws.

According to Mr Gupta, the commission posted the photos before Mr Gandhi, with no action initiated from Twitter. But after Mr Gandhi posted a photograph last week, he was locked out of his account and the tweet was taken down.

If you are working under government pressure, then you should come out and tell us clearly that we are are not doing this for policy violation, he said.

We are very clear, we are not going to delete our post, it is upon you [Twitter] to correct your mistake and unlock our account, he added.

Several other politicians from the party have also dubbed the move by the social media giant as an attempt to placate the Modi government.

Over recent months, a rift between Modi government and Twitter had opened up. The company has, in some cases, taken a stand and called out incorrect information posted by members of the ruling party, terming such posts as manipulated media.

Twitter has, however, often had to soften its stance and comply with government directives. In May, the Indian government sent notices to the social media giant to drop tags calling out misinformation.

Earlier, the Indian government came up with a new set of guidelines for social media platforms to comply with authorities. These guidelines included demands of censorship and setting up of a compliance team to work with Indian authorities. Twitter was openly criticised by government ministers for not initially complying.

During the farmers protests in India, the government asked Twitter to remove 1,178 handles it alleged were backed by Pakistan. Several activists also alleged that the accounts of vocal citizens posting in support of the demonstrations were taken down by the company.
A former US ambassador to Afghanistan has accused president Joe Biden of abandoning the countrys government in its hour of need.

Ryan Crocker, who was the US ambassador to Afghanistan during Barack Obamas presidency said on Wednesday that withdrawing troops from the country at this hour is akin to giving the country to Taliban fighters.

In an interview with Bloomberg TVs Balance Of Power with David Westin, the former ambassador said that this is a handover to the Taliban. He added that the Afghan governments perception is that the US hung them out to dry.

Mr Crocker said: We did a deal with their enemy.

The Taliban have captured ten provincial capitals in less than a week, with the latest being the strategic capital of Ghazni in a rapid offensive over recent weeks. According to US intelligence, they could take over the capital Kabul within the next 90 days.

This has led to widespread criticism of the Biden administration that is withdrawing the remaining troops by the end of this month, just ahead of the 11 September anniversary.

Mr Crocker said: It is ironic that as we approach the 20th anniversary of those attacks, we are handing the country over to those who sheltered the Al-Qaeda planners who put the whole thing together for 9/11.

He said that We are watching history repeat in a very bad way.

Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary said on Wednesday that the US is closely watching the deteriorating security conditions in parts of the country, but no particular outcome, in our view, is inevitable. She also added that the Taliban has to make an assessment of what they want their role to be in the international community.

During the interview, Mr Crocker also criticised the presidents argument that the Taliban would need to form an inclusive government or lose international legitimacy. He said: The Taliban was the one Islamic group that could force the United States to retreat. That is worth way more to them than any level of international legitimacy.

Meanwhile, tens of thousands of ordinary Afghans have had to flee their homes amid the fighting between Taliban and Afghan security forces. Hundreds have been killed and injured in recent weeks.

The Afghan government has also offered the Taliban a power-sharing deal to end violence, AFP reported. Kabul has also demanded an immediate halt to attacks on cities in a new peace plan. A government source was quoted by AFP on Thursday as saying: Yes, the government has submitted a proposal to Qatar as mediator. The proposal allows the Taliban to share power in return for a halt in violence in the country.
The Taliban appears to have gained their biggest prize so far in their military offensive, with reports that they had captured Herat, a huge symbolic and strategic gain which gives them control of the west of the country.

Ismail Khan, the veteran mujahedin commander, who had been leading a volunteer militia against the Islamist group, is believed to have left the city along with military commanders and members of the provincial government.

The reported seizure of Herat, the countrys third largest city, came in a sudden and sustained attack after the insurgents had been pushed back from the areas they held by an Afghan government operation earlier in the week.

Residents sent pictures and videos of Taliban fighters in the centre of the city and at the governors palace, and the Taliban flag flying at the main police station. One woman, whose husband is in Kabul, said: We are terrified, we dont know whats going to happen, there are Taliban checkpoints everywhere, we cannot leave our homes.

The Islamists also made gains in two southern cities, Kandahar and Lashkar Gah, where there have been ongoing battles for days. The central police station at the Helmand capital was captured after an attack using suicide bombers. Another prison was taken in Kandahar, with the inmates released, although it is believed most of the senior insurgents being held there had been moved to Kabul. Reports late on Thursday suggested Kandahar had fallen, or was on the brink of falling, to the Taliban advance.

The Taliban gains came on the same day that Ghazni was captured, further tightening the noose around Kabul, with the Taliban seemingly aiming to isolate and then attack the capital in the coming weeks.

Ghazni is just 80 miles from Kabul, and on the main route to Kandahar in the south. Its capture came 48 hours after the seizure of Pul-e-Khumri, 140 miles north of Kabul, in what appears to be a rapidly progressing encirclement of the capital.

Ghazni was the tenth provincial capital to fall in less than a week, with government forces unable to contain the Islamists advance. Strife, and fear of the approaching jihadists, has driven thousands of people from across the country to flee to Kabul where there is now a growing refugee crisis.

Facing the relentless onslaught, the government is said to have offered power sharing with the Taliban in return for an end to violence. According to a number of diplomats, the approach was made through the Qatari government at the talks being held between the two sides in Doha.

The head of the Afghan government, Abdullah Abdullah, told a meeting of the delegations: We are committed to end the conflict through negotiations, we are seeking political settlement and want a third party to mediate the peace talks. We have presented our scheme to the host nation and you will also be provided with it.

The position of the Afghan government until now has broadly been that the Taliban should contest elections to gain power, with ministers complaining that the terms being offered by the Islamist group were effectively a demand for surrender.

We are paying the price for our government not securing the border with Pakistan and also the Americans leaving us the way they did Rafi Bikzad, an Afghan resident from Takhar

While the talks are between the Taliban and the Afghan government, they are also attended by diplomats and envoys from the US, UN, EU, Britain, Pakistan, China and Uzbekistan, with most of them urging the two sides to come to a compromise to end the bloodshed.

The US administration has warned that a Taliban regime which seized power by force would face international isolation. Washingtons Special Representative to the talks, Zalmay Khalilzad, maintained that they will become a pariah state.

Germany has warned that it will not provide any aid to a Taliban regime if it takes over through violence and imposes oppressive religious rules. Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said: We provide 430 million Euros every year, we will not give another cent if the Taliban takes over the country and introduces Sharia law.

But as well as Pakistan, its main backer, the Taliban has received support from a number of states, including Russia and China, and it is unlikely that Western censure would make it halt its military momentum.

The Taliban took control in Ghazni after a night of fighting. The governor, who handed over control, left the city on Thursday afternoon. As they had done in other cities they had captured, the Islamist fighters opened the prison gates, freeing around 300 inmates.

A resident, who only wanted his first name, Rahimtullah, made public, said: People are staying in their homes, no one wants to risk going out. We are hearing that the Taliban are asking public officials to report for work and saying they wont be harmed. But everyone is very suspicious of their promises.

The conflict has resulted in around a million people being displaced in the past few months, according to the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC), with the vast majority of them moving to Kabul.

Displaced Afghan families flee northern provinces due to clashes between Taliban and Afghan government forces (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

The refugees are sleeping in parks as well as mosques and public buildings, with a tented camp set up on the Shomali Plains outside the city. The State Ministry for Disaster Management said it was building camps for up to 10,000 people in the next week, with more to follow.

More than 500 people have been put up at the main mosque in the Wazir Akbar Khan district of the capital after arriving in the past week.

Izatullah Watanwal arrived from Kabul from the northern city of Kunduz after the Taliban took over the city, arriving by bus last Saturday. The normal fare was 800 Afghanis ( 7) for each person, but the company took advantage of the situation to raise the price to 2,000 Afghanis each, but we paid to get away, we came in the clothes we were wearing at the time, he said.

Mr Watanwal, 31, worked as an engineer for Kunduz municipality. I got a call from a Talib in Kunduz after I had arrived in Kabul, he said. They must have got details of employees from the records. This man said: Come back, we need people like you to keep the city running, dont worry we have forgiven those who worked for the government.

But I had heard that they killed people in other areas who went back to work, and I refused. The Talib threatened that Id be punished if I stayed away.

Izatullah Kamily and his family were forced out of their home by Islamist fighters who used the building as a firing point. He made up his mind to leave Kunduz with his family after seeing a neighbour hit by shrapnel and bleed to death.

We held drills for this kind of situation, but we did not expect so many people to come so quickly Hasibullah Hashimi, Natural Disaster Management Ministry

He was not that badly hurt and would have lived if he received medical treatment, but he couldnt be taken to the hospital because of the fighting. We decided then that we must get away before anything happened to us, said Mr Kamily, a 28-year-old cook.

Neither of the men expected to go back to Kunduz in the near future, and neither knew what the future held for them. Others in the same position are angry at both the Afghan government and the West.

We are paying the price for our government not securing the border with Pakistan and also the Americans leaving us the way they did, said Rafi Bikzad from Takhar. Even now we dont see the political unity needed if we are to have any hope of recovering what we lost.

Hasibullah Hashimi, who worked at the State Ministry for Disaster Management, acknowledged that officials had been unprepared for the scale of the problem being faced.

We held drills for this kind of situation, but we did not expect so many people to come so quickly. We are providing these people with food and bedding for three days, another government will take over after that. The situation is difficult for everyone, including people in Kabul.

While people have been coming into Kabul, supplies of goods, including food, are being restricted and prices are going up sharply. Shopping in the Sherpur district, Amir Wardak complained the cost of shopping for my familys dinner has gone up by 50 per cent. It is hard for us, but much harder for people who are poor.

Officials need to act to stop this kind of price exploitation. The Taliban go into places they take and order merchants to lower prices, and of course thats what happens. The Taliban gain popularity that way. The government needs to remember that fast.
Europe may have just experienced its highest temperature on record. Regional authorities on the Italian island of Sicily recorded temperatures of 48.8C on Wednesday. If verified by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), this would break the previous record of 48C set by Athens in 1977.

The potential record is the latest unprecedented event in a summer of extremes across the northern hemisphere. In the last few months, parts of North America, Europe and the Middle East have experienced record-smashing heat  fanning the flames of extreme wildfires, while countries including Germany, India and China have faced deadly floods.

It comes just days after a landmark UN climate report concluded that humans are the main driver of increasing episodes of extreme heat across the world and that such events will continue to become more likely and more intense.

Research by the Met Office has also found that the risk of 40C heat is rapidly increasing in the UK, which experienced its highest temperature on record  38.7C  during an intense heatwave in 2019.

And on Thursday, Prof Peter Stott, one of the study authors and a leading expert in extreme weather at the Met Office, warned that parts of Europe should prepare for the possibility of 50C heat as the climate crisis worsens.

We cant say exactly when it is likely to happen, but Europe will need to prepare for the eventuality of further records being broken with temperatures above 50C being possible in Europe in future, most likely close to the Mediterranean where the influence of hot air from North Africa is strongest, he said.

Despite repeated warnings from scientists, many European countries like Italy and the UK are not doing enough to prepare for rapidly rising heat extremes, says Prof Dann Mitchell, Met Office joint chair in climate hazards at the University of Bristol.

With heatwaves, there are two timescales to prepare on, he tells The Independent.

Theres the forecast timescales to prepare on  where, if you forecast that a heatwave is occurring a week ahead of time, you can alert the hospitals and road services to let them know that they will see higher numbers.

The other timescale is more long-term. For example, when we build new houses, we expect them to last at least for decades and so we can build them to be more resilient to heat.

The UK is succeeding in preparing for heat in the short term, says Prof Mitchell. The Met Office is responsible for the UKs heat alert system. Last month, it issued its first-ever extreme heat warning as parts of England faced temperatures of more than 30C.

However, the UK is falling behind when it comes to making preparations for the longer term, he says.

A recent assessment from the governments own climate advisers warned that the UK is less prepared for the climate crisis than it was five years ago as a result of inaction in the face of rising risks.

The report, from the UKs Climate Change Committee, said that, in the last five years, the country has built more than 570,000 new homes that are unequipped to deal with increasing extreme heat.

In the UK, we are not building heat-resilient homes, says Prof Mitchell.

Its very hard to adapt in these older cities in Italy and the UK because we dont have space to put new buildings in.

We generally build upwards, for example, by building loft conversions. But, of course, heat rises in buildings and so were building rooms that will be hotter than the ones downstairs.

Studies show that painting buildings white can help to reduce heat (AP)

To better prepare for increasing heat, the UK will need to bite the bullet when it comes to installing air conditioning, Prof Mitchell says.

Air conditioning is now something were going to need to plan for, especially in hospitals where there are very vulnerable patients  particularly the elderly, he says.

Other groups known to be particularly vulnerable to heat stress include prisoners and psychiatric patients, he adds. Though the science is not yet settled, emerging evidence suggests there could be a link between heatwaves and poor mental health.

Further strategies that could help urban populations deal with increasing heat include introducing more green spaces, such as green roofs, and painting buildings bright white  which helps to reflect away sunlight.

I think well increasingly see these sorts of strategies in the UK, says Prof Mitchell. Theres enough empirical analysis out there and more theoretical studies which show that painting roofs white to make them more reflective can reduce heat a lot.
The chief executive of fast fashion company Boohoo has insisted that its brands, which list thousands of items including tops as cheap as 2 apiece, do not make throwaway pieces.

In an appearance on BBC Radio 5 Lives Wake Up to Money podcast on Thursday, CEO John Lyttle said the retailers data does not suggest that their average customer is buying items to only wear once.

I look across all of our brands and I look at the number of items and the average number of times a year that somebody buys, we dont see that as a throwaway.

Sometimes fast fashion is seen as an I buy it, I wear it once and then I throw it away. Certainly, from the data that we have, we wouldnt correlate with that, he said.

Aside from its namesake brands, Boohoo and BoohooMan, it also owns PrettyLittlething, NastyGal, MissPap, Coast, Karen Millen, Dorothy Perkins, Warehouse, Oasis, Wallis, Burton and Debenhams.

Boohoo has faced criticism from workers rights groups that raise concerns about poor working conditions and pay, while environmental organisations have warned more widely of the fast-fashion industrys contribution to the climate crisis.

Lyttle said the retailer has outlined a clear strategy to become more sustainable.

20 per cent of all our ranges will be sustainable this autumn... 40 per cent next spring/summer, he said.

I think were adapting because were becoming more educated about the impact of some of these items.

As a business its for us to adapt and make sure that we are doing everything we possibly can to make that the best product for the consumer, but equally to think about the life cycle of that product as well, he added.

Clean Clothes Campaign, an alliance of unions working to improve labour conditions in the garment industry, has rebuked Lyttles pledge, arguing that fast fashion is inherently unsustainable.

Of course people need clothes, but not the enormous amounts that companies such as Boohoo are currently producing; polluting waterways, sending CO2 in the air and keeping workers in perpetual poverty in the process, Christie Miedema, campaign and outreach coordinator for the organisation, told The Independent.

Aligning 20 per cent of that production with a business definition of sustainability isnt going to make a difference. Actual systemic changes are needed.

Laura Young, an environmental scientist who campaigns against waste, told BBC Radio 5 Live that a key issue with Lyttles statement is that there is no industry-wide agreement on what is sustainable.

There isnt a sort of standard that Boohoo needs to meet for that. So when they talk about being 20, 30 or 40 per cent more sustainable, what does that mean to them, to their workers and what does that mean to the environment, she said.

They havent said in detailed steps what they are going to do, so until then its just another fancy word they are using to deflect away from the real problem, which is this increasingly rapid scale at which they are producing.

This need for transparency was also highlighted by Miedema. As long as Boohoo remains untransparent about its supply chain, it can make every promise in the world without anyone being able to check. Without supply chain transparency, its promises are just empty words, she said.

Kierra Box, a campaigner at Friends of the Earth, told The Independent: Fast fashion sells more clothes to more people. At rockbottom prices its no surprise they sell, but the costs paid elsewhere are much higher, and too often hidden.

Whether its cheap, synthetic materials made from fossil fuels, or the tiny plastic fibres shed each time clothes are washed, the environmental impact is really surprising. Even after they arent worn anymore they continue to pollute when burnt or lumped in landfill, she added.

In June 2020, an investigation by The Sunday Times found that a factory in Leicester producing Boohoo clothing had continued to operate during lockdown without social distancing measures in place.

Additionally, an undercover reporter who worked at the factory for two days was told they would be paid just 3.50 an hour. The UK living wage for people aged 25 and over is 8.72.

In its response, Boohoo said the conditions at the factory, Jaswal Fashions, were totally unacceptable and fall woefully short of any standards acceptable in any workplace.

Our investigations have shown that Jaswal Fashions is not a declared supplier, and is no longer trading as a garment manufacturer.

It therefore appears that a different company is using Jaswals former premises and we are currently trying to establish the identity of this company. We are taking immediate action to thoroughly investigate how our garments were in their hands, and we will ensure that our suppliers immediately cease working with this company, it added.

The Independent has contacted Boohoo for comment.
Figures released this morning suggest the UKs GDP increased by just under 5 per cent in the second quarter of this year, after most Covid restrictions eased. But the British Chambers of Commerce has warned the bounce could be temporary as staff shortages, supply chain disruption and consumer caution to spend in the coming months may limit gains. Back at Westminster, Gavin Williamsons stock could well further decline today as GCSE results are released, with record results expected again. Elsewhere, a British citizen is accused of spying for Russia in Germany and Prince Andrews unwillingness to cooperate with US authorities is straining diplomatic relations.

Inside the bubble

Adam Forrest on what to look out for today:
A mother-of-seven has opened up about her discomfort over giving birth to her first child while 20 medical students watched, despite the hospital not receiving her permission.

Jessica Enslow, an influencer from Utah who regularly documents life as a parent on her social media accounts, reflected on the 1994 birth of her and her husbands first child, which took place in a military hospital because her partner was in the armed forces, in a recent TikTok.

The clip, which follows a trend that sees users share things they regret, saw Enslow caption the video: Military hospital brought in 20 med students to watch me give birth to my first child without asking me.

As she shook her head, Enslow continued: And I didnt say anything because I thought my husband would get in trouble.

In the caption of the TikTok, Enslow then expressed her hope that military hospital policies have changed since the birth of her first child.

Hopefully, military hospital policies and bedside manner have improved since 1994, she wrote, adding the hashtags #MilitaryWife and #BirthStories.

The video, which has since been viewed more than 18,000 times, prompted many of Enslows followers to share similar experiences.

Same thing happened to me with my first! I tore and they had an intern stitch me up! Of course I was so exhausted that I didnt even realise it, one woman commented, while another said: This also happened to me in 2009 when I had my son in a military hospital.

Multiple women also revealed that they experienced similar occurrences while giving birth at Fort Hood, a United States Army post located near Killeen, Texas.

Nope, sadly it hasnt changed. In 2018, the same thing happened to me at Fort Hood, someone else commented, while another woman added: Omg the same thing happened to me at Fort Hood.

In response to one comment who described the hospitals behaviour as a massive violation, Enslow, who was just 20 at the time of the birth, agreed, adding that it was disturbing.

While many commiserated with the story, others encouraged Enslow to remind viewers that they can say no in situations such as the one she experienced.

You can always say no! Spread that message, one viewer urged.

According to Everyday Health, medical students, especially those in a teaching hospital, can observe patients under the supervision of the attending physician to improve their skills. However, according to Rebecca Parker, chair of the board of the American College of Emergency Physicians and an attending emergency physician at Presence Covenant Medical Center in Urbana, Illinois, the attending physician typically asks for the patients permission.

With an alert patient, the medical student and attending [physician] would introduce the student, define their role, and ask for permission for involvement, she said.

The Independent has contacted Enslow for comment.
KFC has warned its UK customers that some of its menu items are currently not available at restaurants due to ongoing disruption.

In a statement posted to its Twitter account on Wednesday, 11 August, the fried chicken maker said the issue is affecting its food supplies as well as packaging.

Just a heads up that across our country, theres been some disruption over the last few weeks  so things may be a little different when you next visit us.

You might find some items arent available or our packaging might look a little different to normal, the fast-food restaurant said, adding that the situation is not ideal.

KFC said it is working hard to keep things running smoothly in its restaurants.

In the meantime, please be patient with our incredible teams theyre doing a brilliant job despite the disruption.

We cant wait to see you soon for your next friend chicken fix, it added.

The statement did not say which items on its menu have been affected, or the cause for the disruption.

It is not the first time KFC has dealt with disruptions to its supply chain. In 2018, it was forced to close more than 500 outlets after a new delivery contract with DHL led to a chicken shortage.

At the time, DHL said operational issues had delayed its KFC deliveries.

The closures caused an uproar amongst fried chicken aficionados, forcing Londons Metropolitan Police to issue a public appeal for people to stop calling them about the problem.

Please do not contact us about the #KFCCrisis - it is not a police matter if your favourite eatery is not serving the menu that you desire, the statement said.

The UK is currently experiencing disruption to food deliveries due to a shortage in HGV lorry drivers after huge numbers of employees from the EU returned to their home countries during the pandemic and after Brexit.

On Thursday, industry figures told The Independent that supermarkets could be at risk of closure unless the government acts quickly.

One unnamed source at a major supermarket chain said the shortage in drivers, coupled with the amount of staff self-isolating after being pinged by the NHS Covid-19 app had created a perfect storm.

Alongside that, with the hot weather, sales of certain items went through the roof. We dont have the levels of stock in the system that we need to replenish that, they said.

The Independent has contacted KFC.
Elon Musks SpaceX will put an advertising satellite in the sky where companies can display logos and other promoted content.

The space company is working with a Canadian startup Geometric Energy Corporation (GEC) to launch the satellite on a Falcon 9 rocket, which will release the advertising platform before the rocket reaches the moon.

Samuel Reid, CEO and co-founder of GEC, told Business Insider that the satellite would be released in 2022. People and companies would buy tokens to locate and design a pixel on the screen.

Five tokens affecting the pixels are purchasable: Beta and Rho for the adverts placement on the screen, Gamma and Kappa for the colour and brightness, and XI for its duration. These tokens will be purchasable via cryptocurrencies.

"Im trying to achieve something that can democratize access to space and allow for decentralized participation," Mr Reid said. "Hopefully, people dont waste money on something inappropriate, insulting or offensive.

"There might be companies which want to depict their logo ... or it might end up being a bit more personal and artistic. Maybe Coca-Cola and Pepsi will fight over their logo and reclaim over each other, he said.

It is currently unclear how large the ads will be, how many ads will be shown at any one time, the environmental impact of bright advertising on local flora and fauna, and the energy use of the satellite. Neither SpaceX nor GEC responded to The Independents request for comment before time of publication.

GEC is also the group behind the satellite Doge-1, which Mr Musk said would be the first crypto in space and the first meme in space.

The satellite will "obtain lunar-spatial intelligence from sensors and cameras", according to CNN. "This is not a joke," Reid said, but refused to comment further.

Dogecoin has proven to be a fast, reliable, and cryptographically secure digital currency that operates when traditional banks cannot and is sophisticated enough to finance a commercial Moon mission in full," a press release sent in May 2021 read.

"It has been chosen as the unit of account for all lunar business between SpaceX and Geometric Energy Corporation and sets precedent for future missions to the Moon and Mars."

Since then, however, Elon Musks tweets  generally seen as market-movers in the crypto space  have failed to affect dogecoins performance.
People who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 (two doses) or under the age of 18 no longer have to self-isolate if they are pinged by the NHS app, as of Monday.

Under new guidance from the Department of Health and Social Care, people in England who have had both doses of a Covid-19 vaccine will no longer have to spend 10 days in quarantine.

The government is also removing self-isolation for under-18s ahead of pupils returning to schools and colleges in September. It described the move as a crucial step to reduce disruption to education and keep children in the classroom.

However, both children and fully vaccinated adults are still being advised to consider taking other precautions to limit the potential spread of the virus, particularly among the clinically extremely vulnerable.

The new guidance applies to adults who had their last dose of an approved vaccine at least 14 days before coming into contact with a positive case.

Heres everything you need to know:

If I dont isolate, will I have to take a test?

If you are fully vaccinated and come into close contact with a positive Covid case, you will not have to self-isolate but you will be advised to take a PCR test. However, this is not compulsory.

If you choose take a PCR test, you will not have to stay in isolation until the result comes back. However, people who test positive for the virus will be legally required to self-isolate.

The government has said that people will still be encouraged to do rapid lateral flow testing twice a week to find asymptomatic cases of the virus.

Does this apply to everyone?

No, it depends on your job. Health and social care staff will be required to provide a negative PCR test to return to work if they are in contact with a positive case.

They will also have to take daily lateral flow tests for 10 days as a precaution. Those working with clinically extremely vulnerable patients will have to undergo a risk assessment before going back to work.

How can I get a PCR test?

You can get a free PCR test kit if you have been in contact with someone who tested positive via the government.

This service is available whether or not you have symptoms. You can order a PCR test kit to be sent to your home or book an appointment at a walk-in or drive-through test site.

However, you cannot use this service if you are getting a PCR test in order to travel.

What other precautions should be taken?

The government is advising double-jabbed people who come into close contact with positive Covid cases to continue wearing a face mask in enclosed spaces and limit contact with other people.

This is because people may still be at risk of being infected and can pass the virus on to others even if they are fully vaccinated.

Why is the government making these changes?

The change to self-isolation requirements for fully-vaccinated people and people under the age of 18 comes after the number of workers who were pinged to stay home via the NHS Covid app increased significantly following the full re-opening on 19th July.

DHSC said in the new guidance that the changes are a result of the remarkable success of the UKs vaccine programme, with 75 per cent of UK adults having received both doses of a Covid vaccine.

It also comes after the latest data from Public Health England and Cambridge University showed that around 600,000 deaths, 22 million infections and 66,900 hospitalisations have been prevented by the vaccines.

Health secretary Said Javid said: From Monday we can take another huge step back towards our normal lives by removing self-isolation requirements for double jabbed people who are contacts of people with Covid-19.

Vaccines are what will bring this pandemic to an end  the wall of defence provided by the rollout is allowing us to get even closer to normal life.
Lebanons caretaker prime minister on Thursday called a decision by the central bank to end subsidies to fuel products illegal, and called for an emergency Cabinet meeting to discuss the move.

The Wednesday night announcement by the central bank is likely to send prices soaring in a country already in the throes of an unprecedented economic crisis.

The move had been anticipated for months as the bank's reserves dry up, but on Thursday politicians distanced themselves and blamed central bank governor Riad Salameh.

Outgoing Prime Minister Hassan Diab whose government has rarely held meetings since its resignation a year ago, called for an emergency meeting later on Thursday. He called on the finance minister to inform Salameh that his decision is illegal.

The central bank later issued another statement on Thursday, standing by its decision. It said that subsidies over the past weeks have only helped businessmen, not people in need. Despite subsidies worth $800 million in July alone, fuel products remained scarce in the market, it added.

The shortages are blamed on smuggling, hoarding and the cash-strapped governments inability to secure deliveries of imported fuel.

Most petrol stations were closed on Thursday as it was not clear how much the price of gasoline and diesel will rise, with some experts saying it will increase five fold. Several major roads were closed by angry protesters opposed to the decision.

In June, parliament approved a ration card system that would give some 500,000 poor families an amount of money in U.S. dollars for a period of one year. It is not yet clear how the estimated $556 million project, which aims to replace the subsidy system, will be financed.

Diabs office said work on the mechanism of the ration card is almost done and it will be implemented soon.
The Parana River, one of the main commercial waterways in South America has reached its lowest level in nearly 80 years due to a prolonged drought in Brazil that scientists attribute to climate change.

At peril is a vast ecosystem that includes potable water for 40 million people, the livelihood of fishing communities and farmers, and the navigability of a major grain export hub.

The National Water Institute of Argentina has defined the low water level of the Parana River, which goes through Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina, as the worst since 1944.

This natural asset is clearly giving us signs that its not infinite, said environmentalist Jorge Bartoli, coordinator of the organization El Parana No Se Toca (Parana Should Remain Untouched).

The low water level is due to a record drought in Brazil, where the river begins.

The midwestern and southern regions of Brazil are in a big water crisis. Water reservoirs, including the giant Itaipu dam, are at their lowest levels in many years and Brazilian authorities have issued an emergency alert for five states: Minas Gerais Goias, Mato Grosso do Sul, Sao Paulo and Parana.

Reduced water levels are part of a natural cycle, but specialists warn that the scenario is more extreme because of climate change.

These climate changes that were less frequent before are becoming more frequent, said Brazilian climatologist Jose Marengo.

Environmentalists say deforestation is contributing to the problem.

The Parana waterway and its aquifers supply fresh water to some 40 million people in countries including Brazil and Argentina.

In turn, it receives water from the Paraguay River, which has among its main sources the Pantanal area, a huge wetland located in the Mato Grosso region of southern Brazil.

The drought of the river is impacting the transport of goods.

Guillermo Miguel, president of the port of the city of Rosario, said vessels had to reduce their tonnage by approximately 20% to continue moving. He said transport costs are increasing.

___

Calatrava reported from Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Students are getting their GCSE results in what is another record day for top grades.

Pupils are being awarded qualifications based on teacher assessments after the cancellation of officials exams due to the Covid pandemic.

Nearly half a million teenagers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are getting grades based on mock exams, homework and coursework.

In years gone by students in England were given grades A-E based on their marks.

But the system was changed by the Conservative government in 2014 as part of new curriculum plans for England.

A numerical system is now in place, with students given grades 1-9.

Michael Gove, the Cabinet Office minister who was education secretary at the time, said the changes were aimed at driving up performance.

According to Ofqual, the exams regulator, grade 7 is equivalent to an A. Grade 8 is considered a strong A and grade 9 an A*.

Grade 4, a "standard pass", is equivalent to a C while grade 5 - also a C - is deemed a "strong pass" and grade 6 is equivalent to a B.

The reforms were phased in over a number of years and not fully implemented until summer last year.

Ofqual said the changes were introduced to keep pace with universities and employers demands.

The majority of students in Northern Ireland and Wales are still graded using an alphabetical system. Scotland uses its own exam system, known as Nationals and Highers.

The proportion of GCSE entries awarded top grades has surged to an all-time.

Overall, 28.9 per cent of UK GCSE entries were awarded one of the top grades this year, up by 2.7 percentage points on last year when 26.2 per cent achieved the top grades, figures for England, Wales and Northern Ireland show.

In 2019, when exams were last held, only a fifth (20.8 per cent) of entries achieved at least a 7 or an A grade.
Two 14-year-old boys have been arrested after a man was stabbed to death in east London.

James Markham, 45, was attacked after confronting a group of young people in Chingford on Monday night, the Metropolitan Police said.

The force said 14-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of murder while another boy, also 14, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder.

Both are in custody at an east London police station.

Emergency services were called to the scene in Churchill Terrace at 6.20pm and found Mr Markham with stab injuries.

He was treated by paramedics but was pronounced dead at the scene. A post-mortem examination found he died of a stab wound to the lung.

Detective Inspector John Marriott, of the Mets specialist crime command, said: We believe that James confronted a group of youths causing a disturbance and was stabbed as a result.

The brutality of this response is beyond shocking and our thoughts are with Jamess family, who have been left devastated by their loss.

The arrests of these two individuals is a significant development but we still need the publics help to build a full picture of exactly what happened on Monday evening.

Former Conservative Party leader and MP for Chingford & Woodford Green, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, visited the scene with the forces borough commander.

He tweeted afterwards: A dedicated team of officers are working to piece together what happened that led to this man losing his life. The thoughts of all of us are with his family and friends as they come to terms with their loss. I would like to thank officers, paramedics and members of the public who helped.

Additional reporting by PA
British police had for months been working on the case of a UK national accused of spying for Russia in Germany, Metropolitan Police commissioner Dame Cressida Dick has said.

The suspect, named as 57-year-old David Smith, had been working at the British embassy in Berlin.

He is alleged to have passed on sensitive documents to Russia in return for cash and was arrested by German authorities on Wednesday.

We have been involved for a number of months in the Met, Dame Cressida told LBC radio.

I think it's a very good example of international co-working. We will continue to work closely with them and through the next steps.

Mr Smith appeared in court in Germany on Wednesday following his arrest in a joint operation by the German and British authorities, including the security service MI5.

Officially he has been identified only as David S, in line with Germanys strict privacy laws

He is currently being held under German counter-espionage laws on suspicion of intelligence agent activity.

Prosecutors said he was suspected of working for Russian intelligence since at least November 2020.

He is alleged to have exchanged documents for money on at least one occasion, prosecutors said.

There has been no suggestion so far that the British authorities will seek to extradite him to stand trial in the UK.

Dame Cressida, head of Scotland Yard, said that if charges are brought, the Met stands ready to support any criminal proceedings, wherever that may be.

She added: At the moment the Germans are most certainly handling it.

The case has led to calls from MPs for a review of the security arrangements for contractors working at UK embassies, amid fears that sensitive counter-terrorism operations may have been compromised.

The former national security adviser Lord Ricketts said the suspect was unlikely to have had access to highly classified information.

However, he said the case served as a reminder that the Russians continued to deploy traditional espionage methods to prise secrets from their rivals.

We all think now about the Russians stealing secrets by hacking and providing disinformation by social media and so on  it is a reminder that the Russians havent given up also on the old-fashioned ways of suborning individuals through money," he told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme.

He added: I think the Russian intelligence threat to all our countries has grown again.

It probably dipped at the end of the Cold War but it is absolutely back in all our countries, and so vigilance is essential, not only in these new areas but also in the old-fashioned areas of good physical security around embassies and ensuring loyalty in staff.

Additional reporting by Press Association
Self-isolation for fully vaccinated people who come into contact with a person who tests positive for Covid-19 will end on 16 August, the government has announced

Double-jabbed people contacted by NHS Test and Trace currently have to self-isolate for 10 days if they come into contact with someone who has the virus.

But the government has been keen to alter the rules after vast numbers of people were pinged by the app in recent weeks, causing businesses to complain that staff were unable to return to work.

Health secretary Sajid Javid has now said if fully vaccinated people are contacted by NHS Test and Trace after on or after 16 August they do not have to self-isolate and are instead advised to get a PCR test.

If that test is positive, the individual is still legally required to self isolate, even if they have received both vaccine doses. Those who develop Covid symptoms after being pinged by the app will also be required to self-isolate until the results of their PCR test comes back.

Mr Javid said: Getting two doses of a vaccine has tipped the odds in our favour and allowed us to safely reclaim our lost freedoms, and from Monday we can take another huge step back towards our normal lives by removing self-isolation requirements for double-jabbed people who are contacts of people with Covid-19.

He added that vaccines will bring this pandemic to an end and urged people to come forward and get their jab at the earliest opportunity.

The change in policy was originally announced last month by Mr Javid as part of step four of the governments Covid roadmap.

UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) chief executive, Dr Jenny Harries, said: Thanks to the huge success of the vaccine programme, we are able to ease self-isolation requirements for double-jabbed people and under 18s.

It is important that close contacts continue to come forward for a PCR test, in order to detect the virus and variants of concern. Although two doses of vaccine will greatly reduce your own risk of becoming unwell with Covid-19, it is still possible to contract the virus and pass it to others.

So if you develop symptoms at any time  vaccinated or not  you should get a test and be very careful in your contact with others until you have received a negative test result.
A retired Met police detective involved in a decade-long dispute with his neighbour over guttering took his own life, an inquest has heard.

Firefighters found the body of Edwin Williams, 74, in a burning car in the village of Cavendish in Suffolk on 6 March.

His remains were formally identified as Mr Williams by dental records.

Suffolks senior coroner, Nigel Parsley said fire investigation officers believe the most likely cause of the fire was it was started deliberately from inside the vehicle and a fire service report found there was no indication Mr Williams had been trapped.

PC Emma Stacey told the inquest in Ipswich a friend who had been staying with Mr Williams in the days before his death said that he was involved in an ongoing neighbour dispute which had been going on for 11 years and was due to be heard in court.

The dispute was said to have involved guttering, roofing and water ingress.

Mr Williams cousin, Layton Williams, said the dispute had put the former officer under enormous psychological pressure.

The coroner said Mr Williams had started the legal proceedings with his previous neighbours and then with the new owners of the house.

Mr Williamss wife Jean Williams, who was separated from him, said she thought that leaving the police force had a considerable effect on Ed.

I believe he found it quite hard to adjust to the outside world, she said.

She said he had a distinguished career, working on high profile cases before retiring from the Met in 1995 after 30 years of service, then working as a teacher.

His GP notes said he had a history of depression.

A post-mortem examination found that he died of immolation as a consequence of a car fire and Suffolk senior coroner Nigel Parsley recorded a conclusion of suicide.

If you or anyone you know needs to talk to someone, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 or by email at jo@samaritans.org.
US authorities are growing increasingly frustrated with Prince Andrews failure to cooperate into their probe into the network surrounding convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, exacerbating tensions between Washington and London, The Independent understands.

People familiar with authorities investigations into Mr Epsteins business affairs told The Independent that the lack of information-sharing had caused diplomatic strain, with US law enforcement and diplomats raising the matter with their British counterparts.

They said a new civil case brought by Virginia Giuffre, alleging the Duke of York had sexually abused her, will add further strain over the issue, along with the prosecution of Espteins former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell, who is set to go on trial for sex trafficking charges later this year.

There are fears that the issue could sour broader efforts to collaborate on high profile legal cases.

The prince has consistently denied the allegations, while Ms Maxwell denies the charges against her.

The lack of cooperation now spans three years of reported attempts by the US authorities to gather facts from the royal who, in a statement from 2019, said he would be willing to help US law-enforcement with investigations. However, in January last year, Manhattan US attorney Geoffrey Berman said the countrys authorities had received zero cooperation from the prince, who no longer carries out royal duties.

In June 2020, The Wall Street Journal reported that an application had been made by the Department of Justice (DoJ) under a US-UK mutual legal assistance treaty in order to win cooperation from the Duke of York.

This avenue has not been effective, according to sources. They contend that Prince Andrew has failed to share details of the extent of his ties to Mr Epstein, whose death in a Manhattan prison in 2019 was ruled a suicide. The extent and nature of Mr Epsteins financial network is still being explored in several jurisdictions, including the US.

Of particular interest to the US authorities is how money transfers may be linked to the movement of young women and girls. The various interested bodies, including the FBI, believe these may offer insights into ongoing organised criminal operations.

These probes are significant not only for legal proceedings related to Epstein, but also to ongoing investigations surrounding Ms Maxwell, who is currently in prison awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges.

It is also alleged that multiple authorities are seeking details of flights that the Duke of York used to visit Epstein in a range of locations, so that they can better understand how people may have travelled into and out of the disgraced financiers orbit. The authorities interests are understood to include multiple trips by the royal to Epsteins Caribbean island, Little St James, as well as Florida and New York.

Last year, prosecutors in the US Virgin Islands, which includes Little St James, alleged Mr Epstein abused hundreds of young women and girls up until 2018.

The frustration over the Duke of Yorks lack of cooperation is said to be amplified by the fact that it appears unlikely that the royal would be extradited. His cooperation would therefore be a matter of bolstering diplomatic relations and sharing any information which could help avoid future trafficking of young women and girls.

The lawyer representing Ms Giuffre has accused the prince, who is facing the Queen after arriving at Balmoral on Tuesday, of stonewalling appeals for information after the 15-page lawsuit was filed in New York. The prince is the only defendant in the suit, which alleges she was lent out for sexual purposes by Epstein. David Boies said his client ultimately wanted vindication from the legal action.

In 2019, Prince Andrew told the BBC that he had not had sex with Giuffre. It didnt happen, he said. He also said that he had no recollection of having met her.

In an interview with the Financial Times last week aimed at promoting her novel, Prince Andrews ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, suggested that he would make a future public statement about Giuffres allegations. The newspaper reported that she said, He will say, when the time is right. She added that she was not legally allowed to discuss the matter further.

A representative for Prince Andrew declined to comment on the fresh allegations regarding cooperation. A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace declined to comment and referred The Independent to Prince Andrews representatives. Similarly, both the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and the US DoJ declined to comment.
The UK is sending around 600 troops to Afghanistan to carry out an emergency airlift of civilians, as the Taliban closes in on the capital Kabul after seizing several key cities in the last week.

Most embassy staff, other British nationals, and Afghans who have been given refuge in Britain, are among several thousand people who will be evacuated to the UK in an operation that commences at weekend and is expected to be completed by the end of the month.

The British embassy  already in the heavily fortified green zone  will be moved to a more secure location, with the ambassador, Sir Laurie Bristow, staying on with a skeleton staff.

The British government insisted that the evacuation and its timing has been long planned. But Afghan officials said the operation was brought forward as the security situation rapidly deteriorated.

The Taliban strengthened their grip on the country by capturing the symbolic and strategic prize of Herat on Thursday, while reports suggested it had also taken Kandahar  Afghanistans second largest city.

The UK evacuation force will be led by by a senior officer from 16 Air Assault Brigade which spearheads military operations and supervised by the Joint Force Headquarters. The unit will comprise of paratroopers, medics, logisticians . The force will start to deploy by the end of the week.

The US administration urged American citizens to leave Afghanistan immediately, using commercial flights. The embassy offered help to citizens unable to leave immediately for financial or other reasons but warned given the security conditions and reduced staffing, the Embassys ability to assist US citizens in Afghanistan is extremely limited even within Kabul.

 President Biden has no regrets over US withdrawal from Afghanistan

The British troops will provide force protection  armed support for the acceleration of the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP) under which interpreters and other Afghans who worked with the military are being flown to the UK.

The British force will not engage in combat alongside Afghan government troops against the insurgents, and senior military officers said they hoped that the Taliban would not interfere with the mission as it is hastening the end of foreign presence in Afghanistan.

The plan currently is to use charter aircraft for the evacuation using Kabul airport which is still open with commercial airliners flying. Military aircraft will be used however if that becomes impossible, with planes put on standby.

The evacuation is another grim reminder of the failure of the Doha Agreement, backed by Britain, under which US-led international forces withdrew from Afghanistan in haste with the Taliban allegedly willing to end violence and join the political process.

Instead the Islamists launched a military campaign inflicting brutality in some of the areas they occupied.

Ben Wallace, the defence secretary, said: I have authorised the deployment of additional military personnel to support the diplomatic presence in Kabul, assist British nationals to leave the country and support the relocation of former Afghan staff who risked their lives serving alongside us.

The security of British nationals, British military personnel and former Afghan staff is our first priority. We must do everything we can to ensure their safety.

The Ministry of Defence in London maintained the UK remains committed to Afghanistan and will continue working as part of the international coalition to support the countrys government through our diplomacy, development and counter terrorism work. This year the UK will provide Afghanistan with more than 100m of support to improve critical health and education services.

Many products of international aid, especially girls schools and colleges, have been destroyed by the Talibs in areas under their control. Others have been abandoned by staff amid the ferocious violence of the conflict and fear of the jihadists.
Almost half a million European citizens living in the UK are still awaiting a decision over their status six weeks on from the June deadline for the settlement scheme.

European nationals and their families were asked to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme by 30 June so they could carry on living and working in Britain after Brexit.

But 483,200 applications to the scheme were still pending in July, according to the latest Home Office data.

Campaigners said the governments failure to clear the huge backlog had left a large number of people in limbo and facing a series of practical difficulties proving their legal status in the UK.

The 3million group, which advocates for the rights of EU citizens, said people waiting on a decision were having problems in applying for jobs, moving house and  in some cases  getting in and out of the country.

Luke Piper, the groups head of policy, said: The backlog remains incredibly high, and its worrying that the rate of decision making by the Home Office appears static.

He added: While people are left in this limbo situation they are experiencing very real problems with proving their status in the UK.

Bhavneeta Limbachia, an immigration lawyer at Russell-Cooke solicitors, criticised delays in providing EU citizens with a certificate of application  the document which helps people show they still have the right to live and work in the UK while waiting on a decision.

This bottleneck in the system is failing EU nationals, especially when employment has had to be temporarily suspended, she told the BBC.

The delay is also prejudicial to landlords and employers, who are left in a predicament when assessing whether an applicant is legally permitted to continue renting or working in the UK.

The Independent has previously spoken to EU nationals who have been held up in airports since Brexit because they have been unable to provide physical proof of their residency in the UK.

Just over 58,000 European nationals applied late for settled status in the month after the deadline passed, the latest Home Office figures also show.

The government has said there is no cut-off point for submitting late applications, and insisted that those who apply late will have their existing rights protected, pending later decisions and appeals.

But campaigners have warned that the government decision to cut off benefits to European nationals who have not applied to the scheme  many of whom remain unaware of the need to apply for settled status  could soon push the most vulnerable into destitution.

The Independent revealed earlier this week that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will next month start the process of cutting benefits to all those who have not applied for settled status.

An internal DWP report reveals that final warning letters will be sent out in September to EU benefit claimants. The group will then be given one month to sign up late to the settlement scheme before their benefit payments are cut.

More than 6 million applications were submitted between the launch of the scheme in March 2019 and the closing date this summer.

More than 2.8 million of those were granted settled status. A further 2.3 million were granted pre-settled status, meaning they need to reapply after living in the country for five years to gain permanent residence.

It is not known how many people in the UK are eligible for the settlement scheme but could remain in the country undocumented. Those who do not apply have been warned they could face enforcement action.

Campaigners have previously called for the law to be changed to automatically protect the rights of EU citizens and their families continuing to live in the UK so they do not face discrimination or lose access to services such as healthcare.
The government should establish a permanent part-time furlough scheme to protect workers jobs during recessions and downturns, unions have said.

A policy paper drawn up by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) calls for the creation of a short-time work scheme that would allow employers to temporarily reduce workers hours, but have the state cover most of the lost wages.

The TUC says the the approach could be a legacy of the furlough scheme during the pandemic  widely credited with protecting jobs during the sharp recession that battered the British economy but left unemployment relatively low.

Similar schemes have long been operating in countries like Germany, where it is known as kurzarbeit and is credited with saving jobs and cushioning firms productivity during economic crises.

Under the TUCs proposals, employers could partly furlough workers if they could demonstrate that they were were facing a temporary reduction in demand for their products or services.

Workers could then have their hours reduced, but top-up payments by the state would ensure that they would still receive at least 80 per cent of their existing wages for time furloughed, with nobody falling below minimum wage.

Employees would also be offered free training to help them move job if they would rather do so. Economists have argued that such schemes keep skilled teams together and can be cheaper and more productive than simply paying someone unemployment benefits.

To benefit from the scheme companies would have to commit to paying corporation tax in the UK and come to an agreement with their workers  either thought a union or consultation.

In a changing and unpredictable world  as we battle climate change and new technologies emerge  a permanent short-time working scheme would help make our labour market more resilient and protect jobs and livelihoods, said TUC general secretary Frances OGrady.

Too often in the past, periods of economic and industrial change have been badly mismanaged  increasing inequalities and leaving working people and whole communities abandoned.

Setting up a daughter of furlough to provide certainty to workers and firms through future industrial change would be a fitting pandemic legacy.

Furlough has been a lifeline for millions of working people during the pandemic. Now is the time for the government to build on the success of furlough with a short-time working scheme  not throw away its good work.

The call comes six weeks before the furlough scheme is set to end. Ms OGrady said the jobs market was still fragile, with more than a million people still on furlough.

An abrupt and premature end to the furlough scheme will needlessly cost jobs and harm our economic recovery, she added.

Instead of pulling the rug out from under the feet of businesses and workers, the chancellor must extend the furlough scheme for as long as is needed to protect jobs and livelihoods.

The governments Job Retention Scheme scheme initially required workers to either be fully furloughed for three consecutive weeks or fully at work, but in July last year it was enhanced to allow workers to be partly furloughed.

Under this approach workers had had the Treasury cover 80 per cent of their lost wages, up to a maximum of 2,500 a month.

Labour declined to comment on the TUCs proposal, but Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesperson Christine Jardine said: The Government must show its learnt from the experience of the pandemic, and create a scheme that will properly support workers in future times of need.

With the climate emergency and technological change on the horizon, its clear this wont be the last challenge well face. Ministers have a duty to prepare for that, and furlough has shown that this kind of support is possible.

First and foremost, the government must start by extending the furlough scheme beyond September to avoid a wave of job losses.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 17 August 2021 Military personnel board the RAF Airbus A400M at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, where evacuation flights from Afghanistan have been landing Reuters UK news in pictures 16 August 2021 Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer takes part in a minute's silence at Wolverhampton police station for the victims of the Plymouth mass shooting last week PA UK news in pictures 15 August 2021 2Storm, a ten-metre tall puppet of a mythical goddess of the sea created by Edinburgh-based visual theatre company Vision Mechanics, makes its way alongside the seafront at North Berwick, East Lothian, during a performance at the Fringe By The Sea festival PA UK news in pictures 14 August 2021 A woman and two young girls look at floral tributes in Plymouth where six people, including the offender, died of gunshot wounds in a firearms incident PA UK news in pictures 13 August 2021 Forensic officers in the Keyham area of Plymouth where six people, including the shooter, died of gunshot wounds in a firearms incident on Thursday evening PA UK news in pictures 12 August 2021 Children ride horses in the River Eden in Appleby, Cumbria, during the annual gathering of travellers for the Appleby Horse Fair PA UK news in pictures 11 August 2021 Stella Moris (left) reacts after talking to the media outside the High Court in London, following the first hearing in the Julian Assange extradition appeal, n London, following the first hearing in the Julian Assange extradition appeal. The US government has won the latest round in its High Court bid to appeal against the decision not to extradite Julian Assange on espionage charges PA UK news in pictures 10 August 2021 Students react after they receive their A-Level results at the Ark Academy, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 9 August 2021 The final athletes from Great Britain arrive home including Jason Kenny, Laura Kenny and Katie Archibald (front left-right) at Heathrow Airport, London following the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games PA UK news in pictures 8 August 2021 Great Britain's Laura Kenny during the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic stadium in Japan PA UK news in pictures 7 August 2021 People from the Glasgow Southside community take part in the Govanhill Carnival, an anti-racist celebration of pride, unity and the contributions immigrants have made to the community in Govanhill, at Queen's Park, Glasgow PA UK news in pictures 6 August 2021 Chijindu Ujah of Britain, Zharnel Hughes of Britain, Richard Kilty of Britain and Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake of Britain celebrate winning silver as they pose with Asha Philip of Britain, Imani Lansiquot of Britain, Dina Asher-Smith of Britain and Daryll Neita of Britain after they won bronze in the women's 4 x 100m relay during Olympic Games Day 14 Getty UK news in pictures 5 August 2021 A protester places flowers on a photograph of an executed man during a demonstration organised by supporters of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) to protest against the inauguration of Iran's new president Ebrahim Raisi in central London AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 4 August 2021 England's Joe Root looks on as India's KL Rahul doesn't make it to a catch during day one of Cinch First Test match at Trent Bridge, Nottingham PA UK news in pictures 3 August 2021 Great Britain's Laura Kenny and Jason Kenny with their silver medals for the Women's Team Pursuit and Mens Team Sprint during the Track Cycling at the Izu Velodrome on the eleventh day of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Japan PA UK news in pictures 2 August 2021 Great Britains Charlotte Worthington competes during the Womens BMX Freestyle Final at the Tokyo Olympics PA UK news in pictures 1 August 2021 EPA UK news in pictures 31 July 2021 James Guy, Adam Peaty and Kathleen Dawson celebrate winning the gold medal in the mixed 4x100m medley relay final at the Tokyo Olympics AP UK news in pictures 30 July 2021 Great Britain's Bethany Shriever and Kye Whyte celebrate their Gold and Silver medals respectively for the Cycling BMX Racing at the Ariake Urban Sports Park on the seventh day of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Japan PA UK news in pictures 29 July 2021 Team GB's Mallory Franklin during the Womens Canoe Slalom Final on day six of the Tokyo Olympic Games. She went on to win the silver medal Getty UK news in pictures 28 July 2021 Canoers on Llyn Padarn lake in Snowdonia, Gwynedd. It was announced that the north-west Wales slate landscape has been granted UNESCO World Heritage Status PA UK news in pictures 27 July 2021 A view of one of two areas now being used at a warehouse facility in Dover, Kent, for boats used by people thought to be migrants. PA UK news in pictures 26 July 2021 A woman is helped by Border Force officers as a group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, onboard a Border Force vessel, following a small boat incident in the Channel PA UK news in pictures 25 July 2021 Vehicles drive through deep water on a flooded road in Nine Elms, London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 24 July 2021 Utilities workers inspect a 15x20ft sinkhole on Green Lane, Liverpool, which is suspected to have been caused by ruptured water main PA UK news in pictures 23 July 2021 Children interact with Mega Please Draw Freely by artist Ei Arakawa inside the Turbine Hall at the Tate Modern in London, part of UNIQLO Tate Play the gallery's new free programme of art-inspired activities for families PA UK news in pictures 22 July 2021 Festivalgoers in the campsite at the Latitude festival in Henham Park, Southwold, Suffolk PA UK news in pictures 21 July 2021 A man walks past an artwork by Will Blood on the end of a property in Bedminster, Bristol, as the 75 murals project reaches the halfway point and various graffiti pieces are sprayed onto walls and buildings across the city over the Summer PA UK news in pictures 20 July 2021 People during morning prayer during Eid ul-Adha, or Festival of Sacrifice, in Southall Park, Uxbridge, London PA UK news in pictures 19 July 2021 Commuters, some not wearing facemasks, at Westminster Underground station, at 08:38 in London after the final legal Coronavirus restrictions were lifted in England PA UK news in pictures 18 July 2021 A view of spectators by the 2nd green during day four of The Open at The Royal St George's Golf Club in Sandwich, Kent PA UK news in pictures 17 July 2021 Cyclists ride over the Hammersmith Bridge in London. The bridge was closed last year after cracks in it worsened during a heatwave Getty UK news in pictures 16 July 2021 The sun rises behind the Sefton Park Palm House, in Sefton Park, Liverpool PA UK news in pictures 15 July 2021 Sir Nicholas Serota watches a short film about sea monsters as he opens a 7.6 million, 360 immersive dome at Devonport's Market Hall in Plymouth, which is the first of its type to be built in Europe PA UK news in pictures 14 July 2021 Heidi Street, playing a gothic character, looks at a brain suspended in glass at the worlds first attraction dedicated to the author of Frankenstein inside the Mary Shelleys House of Frankenstein experience, located in a Georgian terraced house in Bath, as it prepares to open to the public on 19 July PA UK news in pictures 13 July 2021 Rehearsals are held in a car park in Glasgow for a parade scene ahead of filming for what is thought to be the new Indiana Jones 5 movie starring Harrison Ford PA UK news in pictures 12 July 2021 A local resident puts love hearts and slogans on the plastic that covers offensive graffiti on the vandalised mural of Manchester United striker and England player Marcus Rashford on the wall of a cafe on Copson Street, Withington in Manchester Getty Images UK news in pictures 11 July 2021 England's Bukayo Saka with manager Gareth Southgate after the match Pool via Reuters UK news in pictures 10 July 2021 Australias Ashleigh Barty holds the trophy after winning her final Wimbledon match against Czech Republics Karolina Pliskova Reuters UK news in pictures 9 July 2021 England 1966 World Cup winner Sir Geoff Hurst stands on top of a pod on the lastminute.com London Eye wearing a replica 1966 World Cup final kit and looking out towards Wembley Stadium in the north of the capital, where the England football team will play Italy in the Euro 2020 final on Sunday PA UK news in pictures 8 July 2021 Karolina Pliskova celebrates after defeating Aryna Sabalenka during the women's singles semifinals match on day ten of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London AP UK news in pictures 7 July 2021 The residents of Towfield Court in Feltham have transformed their estate with England flags for the Euro 2020 tournament PA UK news in pictures 6 July 2021 A couple are hit by a wave as they walk along the promenade in Dover, Kent, during strong winds PA UK news in pictures 5 July 2021 Alexander Zverev playing against Felix Auger-Aliassime in the fourth round of the Gentlemen's Singles on Court 1 on day seven of Wimbledon at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club PA UK news in pictures 4 July 2021 Aaron Carty and the Beyonce Experience perform on stage during UK Black Pride at The Roundhouse in London Getty for UK Black Pride UK news in pictures 3 July 2021 Englands Jordan Henderson celebrates after scoring his first international goal, his sides fourth against Ukraine during the Euro 2020 quarter final match at the Olympic stadium in Rome AP UK news in pictures 2 July 2021 Dan Evans serves against Sebastian Korda during their mens singles third round match at Wimbledon Getty UK news in pictures 1 July 2021 Prince William, left and Prince Harry unveil a statue they commissioned of their mother Princess Diana, on what would have been her 60th birthday, in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, London AP UK news in pictures 30 June 2021 Dancers from the Billingham Festival and Balbir Singh Dance Company, during a preview for the The Two Fridas, UK Summer tour, presented by Billingham International Folklore Festival of World Dance in collaboration with Balbir Singh Dance Company, inspired by the life and times of female artists Frida Kahlo and Amrita Sher-Gil , which opens on July 10 at Ushaw Historic House, Chapel and Gardens in Durham PA UK news in pictures 29 June 2021 A boy kicks a soccer ball in front of the balconies and landings adorned with predominantly England flags at the Kirby housing estate in London AP

Commenting on the TUCs report, a Treasury spokesperson said: As a key part of our Plan for Jobs, the furlough scheme has been vital in supporting livelihoods in unprecedented circumstances over the pandemic  already protecting 11.6 million jobs at a cost of 67bn  with this support in place until September.

Our Plan is working  there are now fewer than 2 million people on furlough  as the economy reopens and people get back to work, the numbers continue to fall.

As the labour market adapts, we will continue to take the necessary steps to support people find and maintain work through other schemes that form our 352bn package  including through generous apprenticeships incentives, tripling the scale of traineeships, doubling the number of work coaches and the Kickstart scheme.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has backed the Governments decision to cull Geronimo the alpaca.

The fate of Geronimo, who has tested positive twice for bovine tuberculosis, has become a national talking point as celebrities including Joanna Lumley and Chris Packham have backed a campaign to save the animal.

The Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra) has ordered the alpacas destruction, but its owner, Helen Macdonald, believes the tests are returning false positives, but has been refused permission to carry out a third test.

Last week, Ms Macdonald lost her final appeal to save her pet at the High Court in London and now a warrant has been signed for his death.

However, the alpacas plight has received an outpouring of support from the public, with more than 110,000 people signing a petition calling on Boris Johnson to halt the killing.

On Wednesday, Labour leader Sir Keir described Geronimos case as tragic but agreed with the Governments stance that the animal should be euthanised.

Helen Macdonald holds tightly onto Geronimo the alpaca (PA)

Its a really sad situation and you can see why emotions are running very high, but farmers around here and across Gloucestershire will be familiar with having to lose their animals because of TB, he told ITV News during a visit to Stroud, Gloucestershire.

Its always tragic when it happens. I dont think we can make an exception in this case.

Of course its sad - its sad for farmers as well when they lose their animals but we have to keep TB under control.

When asked if the Governments stance was right, he added: I think theres no alternative, sadly.

I do actually understand why emotions are so high as they would be with farmers as well who, on a not-irregular basis, have to lose animals that are very valuable to them.

Lawyers acting for Ms Macdonald have written to environment secretary George Eustice to suggest Geronimos life could be saved and instead he could be studied for research.

On Monday around 30 people - including fellow alpaca farmers who had lost animals in similar circumstances - gathered outside Defras headquarters in Smith Square, Westminster, to march to Downing Street.

Speaking from her farm in South Gloucestershire, Ms Macdonald criticised the government for refusing to change its mind.

Unfortunately they are still misquoting data, she said.

What they did to Geronimo was not a validated test - they knew what they were doing.

We are just asking to have him tested with something appropriate. I get they have policy to follow but there are other ways, and they dont have to kill him. He is safe in isolation here.

Theyve always been happy with that and hes not a public health risk. They wont test his friends, so they are obviously not worried that he is going to give them TB.

No-one has died here from TB in four years, so I just dont understand why it has to be this drastic.

Ms Macdonald said that when Defra officials do attend her farm to euthanise Geronimo she will not break the law.

The prime ministers official spokesman said earlier this week: We know how distressing losing animals to TB is for anyone. That is why the environment secretary has looked at this extremely carefully and interrogated all the evidence.

The fact remains that Geronimo has sadly tested positive twice using a highly specific and reliable and validated test.

This is something the environment secretary has looked at very carefully.

Additional reporting by PA
A disgraced former Conservative MP suspended for sexual harassing a member of staff is still receiving office support from a party research group.

Rob Roberts has already escaped a by-election in his marginal North Wales constituency, after Boris Johnson refused to close a loophole to force him to face his voters.

Now it has been revealed the MP is being helped with correspondence to his constituents by the Policy Research Unit (PRU), a group for Tory MPs  despite sitting as an Independent.

A letter he sent rebutting calls for an immediate public inquiry into the governments handling of the Covid crisis is near-identical to that sent by some Conservative MPs, the Insider website discovered.

A Parliamentary aide confirmed the letters follow the format prepared by the PRU, which provides briefing, research, correspondence and related support to Tory MPs.

They subscribe to the unit through their taxpayer-funded Parliamentary expense accounts, paying 3,049 a year.

Mr Roberts and the two Tories who sent very similar letters  Felicity Buchan and Craig Mackinlay  all claimed expenses for subscription to the PRU in May 2020, the last available figures.

There was fury last month when the government announced it would close the loophole that stopped Mr Roberts facing a by-election  but only in future, not retrospectively.

That meant it would not have applied to the Delyn MP, who was suspended for six weeks and lost the Tory whip for sexual misconduct towards a staff member.

Labour put forward an amendment to apply the rules retrospectively, which meant the motion was abandoned for the day and is still unresolved.

The prime minister  who suffered a shock by-election defeat in Chesham and Amersham in June  is thought to be keen to avoid a likely repeat in Delyn, where Mr Roberts has a majority of just 865.

The staff member in the case claimed they were subjected to persistent sexual harassment by Mr Roberts. An Independent Expert Panel ruled he had abused his position.

In his letter, in precise wording echoed in the other letters, Mr Roberts has written: The Covid-19 outbreak has been one of the most significant and consequential periods of our lifetimes.

It has led to a tragic loss of life in this country and around the world and gave rise to previously unthinkable restrictions to our way of life.

The PRU says it is independent of any political party and does not engage in, or assist with, party political activities, but works for Conservative MPs.

Mr Roberts has been asked to comment on his apparent use of the unit. The Conservative Party declined to respond.
Californias homelessness problem has spread to the site where Apple has planned to build its North San Jose campus.

The company has pledged to make a series of investments to mitigate the homelessness crisis in the Bay Area, but two years after pledging $2.5bn to combat homelessness and the lack of affordable housing, a homeless encampment is now taking over Apples own property.

Over the course of the last year, the camp has grown from a few motorhomes to a camp where dozens of people live, with broken-down vehicles and heaps of trash littered across the vacant lot owned by the tech giant. People live in tents and self-built wooden structures, with at least two children staying at the property.

Apple is trying to find a solution, but the issue poses ethical and logistical problems. They first acquired the property in early 2018 and planned to build a tech campus, but so far little has been done to develop the vacant lot.

There are approximately 30-35 unhoused people living in the area with an estimated 200 tonnes of hazardous trash and debris on the private property, making this a complicated and challenging situation, spokesman Daniel Lazo at the San Jose Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services, told the Bay Area News Group in a statement. There are also an estimated 65-75 operable and inoperable vehicles at the site.

But those who live on the property say as many as 75 people live on the site.

Apple spokesperson Chloe Sanchez Sweet told the outlet that the company is in talks with the city on a solution.

In the Bay Area, which includes five counties, its estimated that around 30,000 people are homeless. Cities pulled back on their efforts to clear homeless encampments during the Covid-19 pandemic, allowing camps to grow and settle.

As the housing problem has become worse, some tech giants have felt pressure to step in. Both Google and Facebook pledged $1bn to combat the problem in 2019, and Apple later promised to invest $2.5bn.

The vacant property off Component Drive just north of Norman Mineta San Jose International Airport is part of that investment, but little has been done as of yet.

Apple promised in 2019 to make $300m worth of its land in San Jose available for affordable housing, part of which would be on the Component Drive lot. But theres no telling when any of it may be built.

Richard Scott is a retired Santa Clara County homeless outreach worker. He now volunteers to help the homeless, and he hopes Apple will use part of the vacant lot to create a sanctioned encampment.

My bet is that Apple will not want to be the private company that chases the homeless out, he told the Bay Area News Group.

The city of San Jose is planning to start clearing one of the largest homeless encampments in the Bay Area this month. The encampment is located and just south of the airport. The move to clear the area was prompted by the Federal Aviation Administration and could displace more than 200 people. Some could move to the encampment at the vacant lot owned by Apple.

A new temporary housing site next to the San Jose police headquarters has been proposed and is up for consideration to house some of those forced to leave.

Mr Lazo wrote that moving the people living at the Apple lot will understandably create stress for many residents.

It is important to City staff that the process be handled with compassion and respect for the people displaced, he added.
Dr Anthony Fauci has confirmed that Covid-19 booster shots will be available for the immunocompromised starting as soon this week.

When speaking to NBCs TODAY, Dr Fauci said he expected booster shots to become available imminently to those with weaker immune systems.

People who could fall into the category of being immunocompromised include organ transplant recipients, cancer patients, or those with other debilitating conditions.

Inevitably there will be a time when well have to give boosts to the general population, Dr Facui said. What were doing literally on a weekly and monthly basis is following cohorts of patients to determine if, when and whom should get it.

But right now at this moment, other than the immunocompromised, were not going to be giving boosters to people. But we will be following them very carefully and if they do need it, we will be ready to give it to them, he added.

Federal regulators with the Food and Drug Administration were expected to authorise the third shot of the coronavirus vaccine as early as Thursday for the immunocompromised.

This decision, which has been debated for months among health agencies, was in an effort to give people with immune deficiencies an added boost with an additional jab from Pfizer or Modernas vaccine.

No vaccine is going to have indefinite protection, Dr Fauci said.

The FDAs decision to authorise a booster shot will first be considered by an advisory committee for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which is scheduled to meet on Friday. While the two federal health agencies were independent from each other, they have typically waited until after committee discussions to roll out a new authorisation for the public.

The CDC committee was expected to support the authorisation as early as Friday after the meeting.

Expanding the vaccines to include a booster shot comes as the United States has experienced a surge in infections and hospitalisations due to the highly contagious Delta variant.

More breakthrough cases have been recorded of fully vaccinated individuals contracting Covid-19. Although the percentage of these breakthrough cases was still low, it has caused concern about a vaccines waning immunity over time.

While this was a concern, data currently indicates that the vaccine prevented severe disease and death in almost every individual who was fully vaccinated. Those who experienced a breakthrough case were typically asymptomatic or experienced mild symptoms.

Already countries in Europe, such as France, Hungary, and Germany, have offered booster shots to certain people with weaker immune systems.
The Brazilian church empire leader  and a celebrity superstar  has been ousted from congress over her alleged role in her husbands barbaric murder.

The Brazilian lawmakers voted to strip Flordelis dos Santos de Souza of her mandate as a result of her conduct that they deemed incompatible with parliamentary decorum.

Ms De Souza, the gospel-singing evangelical church leader-turned-politician was accused of masterminding her 42-year-old husband, Anderson do Carmos murder in August 2020. She was accused of having tried at least six times to kill him with poison or staged robberies.

Anderson do Carmo was shot dead in June 2019 as he was returning from church.

The 60-year-old Ms De Souza raised more than 50 children together with her husband; at least 46 of them were adopted. She claimed that by adopting them she was saving them from lives of deprivation and violence. However, she was later also accused of adopting the children without following the proper legal procedures.

Born in one of Rio de Janeiros most violent favelas, Jacarezinho, Ms De Souza was elected to Congress in 2018.

On Wednesday when the verdict was read, she covered her face with her right hand and begged for mercy. Her expulsion from congress means that she can now be arrested as she no longer has parliamentary immunity.

Last year, five of her children and one granddaughter were arrested for their alleged involvement in the murder.

When her husband was murdered, Ms De Souza had claimed that her husband was a victim of a bungled robbery. By August 2020, she was formally accused of masterminding his barbaric murder.

Allan Duarte, who is heading up the murder investigation had earlier this year told The Guardian that he believed that Ms De Souza was the head of an intra-family criminal organisation set up solely to kill Do Carmo.

He was quoted as saying: Shes cold. Shes calculating. Shes sly  I consider Flordelis a psychopath.

But the evangelical leader has maintained that she is innocent. On Wednesday, she told reporters that I have committed no crime.

In one of her interviews earlier, she had also said: Give me one reason  just one  why I would kill my husband? He was more than just my husband, he was my friend.

Meanwhile, the head of the murder investigation, Mr Duarte told the media that I will only be fully satisfied when she is convicted, jailed and pays for the crime she committed.
Last year on 12 August, three years after her 32-year-old daughter was murdered, Susan Bro reflected on the waves of grief and pain that followed, offering guidance for a nation which by then had seen more than 160,000 people die from coronavirus.

It is common to the human experience to lose a loved one, and knowing I am not alone gives me comfort, she wrote in a column in Fortune. Waves crash over or lap gently from time to time, and the tears fall. But I keep looking ahead. I have work to do. I have a purpose for being here, and I choose to survive.

Ms Bros daughter  antiracist activist Heather Heyer  was murdered on 12 August, 2017 when a white supremacist accelerated his car into a crowd of counter-protesters at a far-right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. He killed Ms Heyer and injured 35 others.

James Alex Fields Jr, 22, was convicted of first-degree murder and pleaded guilty to 29 of 30 federal hate crime charges. He was sentenced to life in prison in 2019. A civil trial against the far-right rally organisers is scheduled to begin in Charlottesville this October.

Following her death, Ms Bro endured a flood of press attention; as she does today, she faced it directly, remaining forthright and engaged, and with compassion and humor, across countless public appearances and press interviews, careful to steer their attention from her daughters murder to the nations legacy of pervasive racist violence, white supremacy and systemic injustice, from policing to public health.

She established the Heather Heyer Foundation, which provides scholarships to students dedicated to progressive social change, and agreed to lend her daughters name to a hate crime law that President Joe Biden signed in front of her.

Ive gotten an unfair advantage, privilege, whatever word you want to use, as the mother of white girl who was killed in a hate crime because Ive had all this press and attention for the past four years, she told The Independent.

So what Im doing is using it to bring attention to others who dont have that platform and giving them a platform, handing the mic, and bringing attention to their issues as well, she said. Heather got justice, but a lot of mothers dont.

After Charlottesville, where the Unite the Right rally four years ago sought to protest the removal of a statue to Confederate General Robert E Lee, activists, city and state officials have removed similar monuments across the US. Charlottesvilles statues to Lee and Confederate General Thomas Stonewall Jackson were removed from their pedestals last month.

I see a lot more interest in people wanting me to come talk to them about white privilege. I say thats fine, but I will only come if the next person to come behind me [tells] them what they can do about it Susan Bro

The removal of the nations Confederate statues  part of a decades-long effort to dismantle monuments to advance the Lost Cause narrative in the Civil Wars Jim Crow-era aftermath  was revived by 2020s international demonstrations following the police killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, among other Black Americans.

Heather didnt march for statues. She marched for Black lives, Ms Bro said during a video call from her home in Virginia. Am I glad theyre gone? Yes, I thought they should never have been put up in the first place.

In a video released on 25 April 2019, Joe Biden announced his presidential campaign, invoking the white supremacist march and violence in Charlottesville, where he said a brave young woman was killed.

He did not check with me first, which is fine, because Heathers story is a very public story, its not a private story, Ms Bro said. The first I knew he had used her name in Charlottesville in the announcement was a reporter who reached out to me at 7 in the morning, and asked how did I feel about it. I said  I honestly dont know because I do not know what happened yet. Let me have some coffee and Ill call you back.

That afternoon, the president called the former school teacher after she left the foundations office.

We talked for a good bit, and I said, I dont mind you using her name as long as you make some good of it, not just speak it, she said.

During a bill signing ceremony at the White House on 20 May, the president said: Susan, progress is possible. Were moving.

Seated behind Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff and Attorney General Merrick Garland was Ms Bro.

I was so nervous about being there I didnt even register he was talking to me, because Susan Collins was behind me, she said.

The president signed the Covid-19 Hate Crimes Act, which included provisions from the Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act, aimed at collecting more accurate hate crime data and helping victims report them. The measure is named after Ms Heyer and Khalid Jabara, whose murderers were prosecuted for hate crimes but not reported in hate crime statistics.

The NO HATE Act provides federal grants for state and local governments to improve hate crime data collection into the National Incident-Based Reporting System and establish hotlines for victims to report them.

It also requires people convicted under the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr Hate Crimes Prevention Act  which expands federal hate crime laws to include LGBT+ and disability protections  to participate in educational programmes or community service as a condition of supervised release.

I said, OK, I will lend my voice and my daughters name in that case because otherwise we certainly dont need her name on anything else, Ms Bro said.

Heather Heyer worked full time as a paralegal at a bankruptcy firm, and worked part time as a bartender, a server, or for a food-delivery service. Her activism was in talking to people in small groups or one-on-one, or on social media, Ms Bro said.

If she talked with you face to face, she would start out gently  can you talk to me about why you believe in what you believe, what are you basing this on, why do you feel this way  and she would try to gently tug you along, she said.

I dont know how she would be if you insisted on being bullheaded, she added. That was her style of activism: Plant the seed and hope it brought fruit forward.

Susan Bro, the mother of Heather Heyer, addresses a crowd in Charlottesville, Virginia on 12 August, 2020. (Getty Images)

After widespread uprisings demanding accountability for police violence, federal police reform legislation to be named after Mr Floyd has languished in Congress.

Meanwhile, Republican state lawmakers have advanced so-called anti-riot legislation to criminalise dissent or provide civil or criminal immunity to drivers who hit demonstrators with their cars.

Similar bills were passed in Florida, Oklahoma and Iowa. Legislation in Indiana barred residents from holding state employment if theyre convicted of unlawful assembly. A Minnesota bill prohibits them from receiving student loans, unemployment benefits or housing assistance.

Under Floridas sweeping anti-riot law, a public gathering of three or more people can be classified as a riot, and anyone who willingly participates can be charged with a felony.

Ms Bro told Democracy Now that such laws amount to open season on protesters in the wake of massive protests against police violence in 2020.

We dont like what youre saying so youre therefore a criminal  thats not exactly American, she told The Independent. Suddenly were allowing and encouraging all the same things we have decried in so many countries  control of womens bodies, control of whether or not you protest, control of the media.

A bipartisan group of congressional lawmakers has stalled on negotiations for a George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which the president demanded Congress pass by the anniversary of his death on 25 May. Nearly three months later, its prospects are unclear.

A House-passed version of the bill would change the threshold for permitting use of force, prohibit police chokeholds at the federal level, ban no-knock warrants in federal drug cases, and create a national registry of police misconduct cases under the auspices of the Justice Department, among other reforms.

It also would overhaul qualified immunity policies, which can shield officers from civil lawsuits and make it easier to prosecute police for killing people or engaging in misconduct  which Republicans have rejected.

In talking about how to get past some of this legislation, we need to find out whats causing the holdups, Ms Bro said. What are peoples fears about this? What are the consequences they fear? If police and unity is the key issue, lets look at the good and bad of that.  Who are they healthy for? The community or the police?

Asked whether she finds a kind of comfort in telling her daughters story to advance racial justice, Ms Bro clarifies that there is no closure with this.

Part of me is hopeful, because we at least get these brief rises in public attention. Prior to Heathers murder, there would be very brief outcries, and they would kind of go away, she said. Unfortunately, as always happens, the energy has kind of died off again, we still dont have the George Floyd bill signed, we still have people actively opposing it.

Police have killed more than 500 people in the US in the first half of 2021, holding a steady pattern of police violence that saw 1,020 police killings in 2020, according to an analysis from The Washington Post.

I see a lot more interest in people wanting me to come talk to them about white privilege. I say thats fine, but I will only come if the next person to come behind me [tells] them what they can do about it, she said.

Weve become very aware  weve read a lot of books, weve read a lot of articles, weve gathered all sorts of information  but weve let it sit in our brains and not put it in our feet, she continued. Im hoping to move the needle forward.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has demanded Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad release an American journalist who was abducted in the country nine years ago.

Austin Tice had travelled to Syria to cover the civil war and went missing in August 2012 after being detained at a checkpoint near the capital, Damascus.

On Wednesday, which marked Mr Tices 40th birthday, Mr Blinken issued a fresh appeal for his release and said that he was personally committed to bringing the former Marine home.

He turns 40 years old today, having spent almost a quarter of his life in captivity, Mr Blinken said in a statement.

We believe that it is within Bashar al-Assads power to free Austin. We will continue to pursue all avenues to bring Austin home.

Austin Tice must be allowed to return home to his loved ones who miss him dearly and to the country that awaits him eagerly.

Originally from Texas, Mr Tice had been working as a freelance photojournalist for news organisations including The Washington Post, McClatchy Press, Agence France Press and CBS.

He had served in the US Marines from 2005 to 2015, serving two tours in Afghanistan and Iraq, rising to the rank of captain before becoming a reservist.

He was also enrolled as a law student at Georgetown University in Washington DC.

Austin Tices parents Marc and Debra appealed for direct diplomatic engagement between the US and Syrian Governments (NBC Nightly News)

On August 14, 2012, Mr Tice was taken hostage by a Syrian militia allied to the Government while trying to pass through a checkpoint.

Five weeks later, his captors released a video of Mr Tice. The footage is the last time he has been seen.

Despite no official word of his condition or whereabouts since then, the Biden administration continues to believe that the 40-year-old is still alive, and successive administrations have worked to secure his release.

A special envoy for hostage affairs, Roger Carstens, reportedly travelled to Syria last year for a meeting with officials.

The meeting failed to yield any progress after the Syrian Government demanded the lifting of sanctions and troop withdrawals, while not producing any evidence of Mr Tices whereabouts.

A video of Mr Ticewearing a blindfold was released weeks after he was taken into captivity (NBC News)

His parents Debra and Marc Tice told NBC News in an interview this week that they continue to hold out hope for their sons release.

Addressing her son directly, Mrs Tice said: All my heart Austin, I hope you get this message... Im so grateful to be your mom, and I can hardly wait to hold you again.

They are calling for direct diplomatic engagement between the US and Syrian Government.

Fred Ryan, publisher of the Washington Post, wrote on Thursday that Mr Tice had always embraced the ethos of service to others.

He said President Biden had an obligation to bring Mr Tice home safely.

Unfortunately, his plight has now extended into a third presidential administration, Mr Ryan wrote.

Obama was not able to free him. Trump was reportedly determined to bring Austin and other hostages home but was thwarted by obstacles that included his own bureaucracy.

Today, President Biden has an opening to succeed where his predecessors failed. From Syrias point of view, a new negotiating partner can offer a fresh start.
Three brothers died after being overcome by fumes when they got trapped in a manure pit on the family livestock farm.

Authorities say that rescue crews found the three men unconscious and unable to escape from the pit at the farm in Ohio.

Officials believe they were working to fix a manure pump when they passed out from the fumes, said St Henry fire chief MattLefeld.

The three men have been named as Gary Wuebker, 37; Brad Wuebker, 35, and Todd Wuebker, 31.

All three victims were taken to hospitals in the area where they were pronounced dead.

Manure pits are used on livestock farms to store waste before it is used as fertilizer on fields.

But the pits themselves can produce hazardous gases, such as hydrogen sulfide, methane, carbon monoxide and ammonia.

And some of those gases can lead to headaches, dizziness, breathing trouble and deaths, according to the Ohio State University Extension

The brothers all worked alongside their father at GBT Wuebker Farms, LLC.

A number of local farmers expressed condolences for the Wuebker family on social media after news of the tragedy.

Our hearts are with the Wuebker Family, wrote one fo the farms, Mercer Landmark, Inc.

Brad, Gary and Todd Wuebker lost their lives doing what they loved - working on the family farm. Brad and Gary were members of our team and had a work ethic like no other.

The Ohio Holstein Association said in a Facebook post, that their condolences go out to the Wuebker family on the loss of their three sons, Brad, Todd, and Gary Wuebker of Mercer County.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A McDonalds franchise has settled a lawsuit in which workers claimed they were given masks made from dog diapers and coffee filters during the height of the coronavirus pandemic.

In one of the more bizarre disputes from the early rush to control spread of the virus, five employees from a McDonalds restaurant in Oakland, California, forced the restaurant to shut down in May 2020.

In a letter to the states Division of Occupational Safety and Health, employee Yamile Osoy wrote that she and her 10-month-old son contracted Covid after the franchise failed to implement proper protocols. The lawsuit alleges that at least 25 people were infected from an outbreak at the Oakland restaurant.

In April, they gave us dog diapers and told us to make our own masks at work, Ms Osoy wrote.

The settlement does not involve an admission of wrongdoing from the California restaurants owner and operator, Michael Smith.

Mr Smith denied the allegations in a statement to The New York Times, and said that the company had begun implementing safety measures outlined in the settlement more than a year ago.

We will continue to take all necessary steps to ensure that our stores remain as safe as possible, he said.

The settlement reportedly included the establishment of a committee for management and workers to discuss compliance with mandated safety measures, social distancing, contract tracing and paid sick leave.

An attorney for the workers, BJ Chisholm, told the NYT that they chose not to sue the McDonalds Corporation, which was not a defendant in the lawsuit, because they wanted to resolve the grievance more quickly with the franchise owner.

The attorney did not confirm whether a payout was included in the settlement but said the corporation should take responsibility for the safety of workers at all their stores.

Its clear McDonalds could have helped creating conditions here that would have led to a safer work environment sooner, she said.

McDonalds said in a statement: While were confident that any outlier conduct like that alleged in these complaints does not reflect what has broadly happened and continues to happen across 14,000 U.S. McDonalds locations, were no less focused on ensuring that we have clear processes and the right resources to promote the safety and well-being of crew and customers.
A group of anti-mask parents aggressively confronted doctors and nurses leaving a school board meeting in Tennessee night after a school mask mandate just passed, surrounding their cars and threatening them.

You can leave freely, but we will find you, and we know who you are, one man says, in video captured by journalist Matt Masters.

Youll never be allowed in public again, another man says, as a crowd nearby chants, Will not comply! and No more masks!

Police had to restrain the crowd.

I was told by deputies to stay inside for my own safety because I was wearing a mask, NewsChannel5 reporter Kelsey Gibbs wrote of the experience. I covered stories where I feared for my safety but a school board meeting on mask mandates was a first.

The outrage was in response to a Tuesday night meeting of the Williamson County School Board, which voted 7 to 3 to require masks for all students and teachers at the elementary school level in the district, which resumed classes last week and where most students arent old enough to get vaccinated. The county, one of the wealthiest in the country, previously had a mask mandate, which it dropped at the end of the previous school year as Covid cases declined.

Though many parents testified about how they desperately wanted a mask mandate, and school board chair Nancy Garrett said she got twice as many emails in support of a mandate than against it, similar hysterics drowned out their comments.

A man in blue scrubs, believed to be a nurse at a Nashville-area hospital, interrupted the proceedings and was escorted outside by deputies, where he falsely told Tennessee Holler, Theres no pandemic, and, Masks dont work.

A woman inside the meeting threatened to sue the school board, and held up a sign that said, I dont care what you vote  my kids will be as masked as an Obama b-day, a reference to the former presidents controversial recent birthday party on Marthas Vineyard.

Since the school district resumed classes on Friday, 25 children have tested positive for Covid. State health officials recently warned that pediatric cases nearly doubled in July, mirroring national trends, where doctors in areas with low vaccination say theyre seeing increasing levels of young Covid patients during the Delta surge.

It is scary, especially for kids who dont fully understand whats going on. Theyre air hungry, struggling for breath, and its just scary, Dr Kelechi Iheagwara, medical director of the pediatric intensive care unit at the Our Lady of the Lake Childrens Hospital in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, recently told NBC News. You have the illness, the fear, they cant breathe, theyre isolated  thats hard for anyone to understand, but can you imagine what its like for a kid?

The school board in Tennessee, even with these grim realities, has limited ability to enforce public health guidance. Its mask mandate allows for religious and healthcare exemptions to the rule, and officials have said they wont ask parents follow-up questions if they request a waiver. And an April change in state policy means that the school cant switch back to distanced learning if cases increase.

Though a Kaiser Family Foundation poll on Wednesday found that 63 percent of parents of school age children support mask mandates for unvaccinated students, coronavirus has been deeply politicized in deep-red Tennessee, which overwhelmingly voted for Donald Trump in 2020.

Less than half the population has received even one shot of the vaccine, more than 10 per cent lower than the national average. The states governor has banned counties from extending mask mandates, while the Republican US Senator for Tennessee, Marsha Blackburn, cheered on the anti-mask protesters on her Twitter as common sense, even though the CDC recommends universal mask wearing in schools.
Members of the public have raised over $300,000 for an American travel blogger who was left stranded in Bali following a scooter accident that left her in a coma.

Kaitlyn McCaffery suffered a traumatic brain injury along with multiple other serious injuries following the crash on 31 July 2021, a GoFundMe set up on behalf of her family said.

While the young woman had reportedly paid for international medical insurance, the insurance company purportedly refused to pay for the cost of evacuating her back to California, the page explains.

The costs to evacuate her using an experienced international medevac company, such as Air Med or International SOS, are extremely daunting, the GoFundMe page reads.

Donors have now raised above and beyond the $250,000 needed to fly Ms McCaffery home and care for her thanks to the campaign. The blogger is now scheduled to return to the US on Wednesday, according to an update posted on her sisters Instagram story.

Kaitlyn no longer requires mechanical ventilation and is breathing on her own, the temporary post reads. She does have a lung infection, which they are treating with antibiotics.

Ms McCaffery set off to travel the world five years ago after graduating with a degree in business entrepreneurship from Cal State Fullerton.

Kaitlyn McCaffery suffered a traumatic brain injury along with multiple other serious injuries following a terrible motor scooter accident on 31 July 2021 (Dena Gustus Cruz/GoFundMe)

The tragic accident is said to have occurred when she was returning home to her apartment. Two young men found her on a remote road, alone, unconscious, broken and bleeding, the GoFundMe says.

Her family has apparently faced many hurdles in their attempts to travel out to Bali as a result of strict coronavirus restrictions.

An update from the campaign organiser said that the family had been granted emergency visas but were still told they would need to quarantine for eight days, at which point Ms McCaffery may already have been evacuated home.

Congresswoman Anna Eshoo and the State Department have been working with the family to reunite the young woman with her family, according to The Mercury News.

We are doing everything possible with the State Department and the Indonesian government to assist Ms McCaffery [to] reunite with her daughter as quickly and as safely as possible, Ms Eshoos spokesperson told the newspaper.

The McCaffery Family is very thankful to all of the donors who have helped us reach our goalraising the funds to Bring Kaitlyn Home, the campaign organiser said.
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has spoken out against Rand Paul and other congressional members who have bought and sold stocks while in politics.

It is absolutely wild that members of Congress are still allowed to buy and sell individual stock. It shouldnt be legal, she said in a tweet on Thursday.

Weve introduced legislation to end the practice, but as one can imagine its a very uphill battle to pass, the New York congresswoman added. This shouldnt even be controversial though!

The statement came after Senator Rand Paul, a Republican of Kentucky, revealed that his wife bought stock in a company that makes a drug to treat Covid-19 back in February 2020. But Mr Paul waited more than a year to disclose that information to the public.

Mr Paul made a mandatory filing to the Senate that showed his wife purchased between $1,000 to $15,000 of stock in Gilead on 26 February, 2020.

Gilead makes the antiviral drug Remdesivir, which became the first to receive emergency use authorisation from the Food and Drug Administration in May 2020 to help treat those with Covid.

The STOCK Act, which was enacted in 2012 to address congressional insider trading, requires members of Congress to disclose their trades within 45 days. Mr Paul submitted his disclosure 16 months past that deadline.

A spokesperson for the congressman told CNN he waited to disclose the investment because the initial filing wasnt properly transmitted.

Last year Dr Paul completed the reporting form for an investment made by his wife using her own earnings, an investment which she has lost money on. This was done in the appropriate reporting time window, spokesperson Kelsey Cooper said.

In the process of preparing to file his annual financial disclosure for last year, he learned that the form was not transmitted and promptly alerted the filing office and requested their guidance. In accordance with that guidance he filed both reports today.

The news of the filing has spared swift backlash for the senator, both among his congressional colleagues and with the public.

The senator ought to have an explanation for the trade and, more importantly, why it took him almost a year and a half to discover it from his wife, James Cox, a law professor at Duke University, told The Washington Post, which first reported on Pauls disclosure.

Already the coronavirus pandemic has put a spotlight on congressional members and their stock portfolios.

The Justice Department investigated several members of Congress who sold off their stocks in January and February 2020 ahead of the stock market falling over the pandemic. Those probes have since been closed.
What began as an investigation into how election equipment passwords from a rural Colorado county got posted on a right wing blog has turned into a feud between the state's Democratic secretary of state and the county's conservative clerk.

The elections chief for the northwestern county that includes the city of Grand Junction, Mesa County Clerk and Recorder Tina Peters, escalated the dispute this week with an appearance at an event hosted by one the biggest backers of baseless election fraud conspiracies promoted by Trump supporters, My Pillow company CEO Mike Lindell

Peters slammed the investigation of her office, claiming that Griswold is attempting a takeover of Mesa County's elections in one of Colorado's last Republican strongholds.

Colorados Democratic Secretary of State Jenna Griswold then took her turn in the war-of-words Thursday at a news conference, when she said that Mesa County would have to replace its voting equipment and that Peters was responsible for the security breach.

Griswold said evidence showed that Peters' office directed staff to turn off video surveillance of its voting equipment before a May 25 software update and that the video was not turned back on until August. No elections were held during that period, but officials are required by state law to maintain video surveillance to ensure no one tampers with the equipment.

Griswold said Peters also allowed a non-employee into the office during the software update after misleading my office on the person's employment status, she added.

Griswold's office identified the man, but refused to say anything more about who he is or why he was there. The Associated Press isnt naming him until more information becomes available about him. He has not been charged with a crime.

The dispute is the latest illustration of how the November 2020 election that is a distant memory for many remains front and center for some far-right supporters of former President Donald Trump A Republican-led audit of Arizona ballots has been going on for months despite any evidence to support the review.

The Colorado feud started to unfold on Monday, when Griswold announced that passwords for Mesa County's voting equipment had been posted on a far-right blog and that an investigation had been launched to find out what happened.

Griswold called the event a a serious breach in a statement, but said it did not happen during the past election or create any risk to state elections.

On Monday, Griswold ordered Peters to hand over Mesa County's election equipment, video footage of the equipment and other relevant materials to state officials. Peters has not responded, Griswold said Thursday.

But Peters traveled to South Dakota, where she spoke Tuesday at the event hosted by Lindell, the My Pillow chief executive who has become well-known for his unwavering support of Trump and efforts to overturn the 2020 election because of widespread fraud, which a range of election officials across the country including Trumps former attorney general, William Barr, have confirmed did not take place.

We would be a big jewel in our governor and our Secretary of States crown to take over my office and control the way you vote, said Peters, according to an online video of her appearance.

Colorado has a Democratic governor and a Democrat-dominated Legislature and Peters called Mesa County the state's last bastion of freedom.

At the event with Lindell, Peters said that Griswolds staff raided the county's office after presenting a search warrant and that state officials wouldnt let Mesa Countys chief deputy clerk observe the investigation being conducted by Griswold and Dominion Voting Systems,

After several hours, they allowed my chief deputy to come in and they go Oh, Look at this. Look! Look! See we found this, this, this! Peters said. I dont know what they did, but I can tell you I dont trust them.

Peters office did not respond to an email message Wednesday requesting an interview.

Griswold, in describing the investigation, said: "To be very clear, Mesa County Clerk and Recorder allowed a security breach and by all evidence at this point, assisted it.

Griswold said the majority of Colorado's election clerks are Republicans which shows how untrue that statement is.

Griswold has been a national leader in the fight for voting rights and against misinformation, including leading a multi-state lawsuit against the U.S. Postal Service and Postmaster General for distributing flyers with misleading information to Colorado voters.

In June, she issued orders further restricting third parties from accessing voting machines  a response to what she called sham audits. She pointed to an ongoing audit of 2020 election results in Arizonas most populous county commissioned by Arizona Senate Republicans and conducted by a Florida-based cybersecurity firm known as Cyber Ninjas. The firm is led by a chief executive officer who tweeted support for conspiracy theories claiming Trump won Arizona.

Mesa County District Attorney Dan Rubinstein said Griswold contacted his office Monday for an inquiry into potential criminal matters. Rubinstein said his investigator who handles elections was present at the clerk's office with the Secretary of States team. Rubinstein did not comment on the specifics to avoid compromising the investigation.

In February of 2020, Griswold's office announced a Mesa County elections investigation after nearly 600 ballots were forgotten in a drop-box outside Peters' office front door for months following the 2019 general election, a year after Peters was elected.

That event prompted an effort by Democrats to recall Peters, but they didn't get enough signatures to force a recall election.

Griswold's investigation lead to heavier oversight of the Mesa election's office by requiring the county to submit a business process for retrieval and recording of mail ballots to be approved by Griswold's office.

Colorado's voting system has been praised by officials, including former Trump-appointed Homeland Security Secretary Kristjen Nielsen, as some of the safest in the nation. The state's election procedures were developed under both Republican and Democrat-appointed Secretary of States.

Across the nation we are seeing a coordinated effort to undermine democracy and suppress the right to vote, Griswold said. We will not allow Colorado or our elections system to be used as a tool to undermine confidence to set the road for voter suppression

___

Nieberg is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
When Dr Britt Maxwell and his wife left the Williamson County School District Board meeting earlier this week, they expected some push back.

The recent surge in Delta variant coronavirus cases around Tennessee left the couple worried. They had children in the district, including one with respiratory issues, and wanted to ensure their safety during the upcoming school year.

During the meeting, Dr Maxwell  who has been working on the front lines of the pandemic since it began  decided to share his expertise with the gathered board members and audience. He explained that "in the hospital we're seeing otherwise healthy people in their 30s and 40s getting sick," noting that case counts were exponentially climbing and that some people were dying.

It was no secret to the doctor that a sizable portion of the audience attending the meeting were there to oppose mask mandates for students. He spoke to them directly during his address.

"We're going to have to do everything we can to protect this community. That means that people in this room who don't agree with me and their kids in the classroom," he said. "If we don't do this, we're going to have school shutdowns and quarantines and needless tragedies and I don't want that for my community."

After the meeting, Dr Maxwell and his wife, also a medical professional, were greeted by a mob of angry anti-mask protesters just outside the building.

The group was chanting "we'll not comply" and held signs declaring their opposition to masking.

Once the parents who supported masking were out of the building, the anti-mask protesters began yelling at them, with one man even threatening they would "find" the parents who backed a mask mandate.

"I was approached and someone put their hand in my face and called me a traitor," Dr Maxwell told CNN.

The accusation infuriated him, as he had been working with Covid patients since the pandemic started.

"I don't see anyone can say that when I've been on the front lines of this pandemic since the beginning, treating patients in rooms, unvaccinated for the vast majority of it, hoping I wouldn't take it home to my family," he said. "For someone to say that is mind blowing."

He said that despite the encounters outside the meeting, he still believes that the safest way for schools to resume is by masking up.

His view falls in line with the latest guidance issued by the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, which recommends all students, teachers and support staff wear masks during the school day.

While children are less likely to suffer the worst symptoms of Covid-19  like the need for hospitalisation, or dying from the disease  the American Academy of Pediatrics has reported an 85 per cent increase in cases in children for the week ending 29 July.

The AAP has also called on the US Food and Drug Administration to fast-track vaccine approval for children under 12, arguing that the benefits outweigh the risks of leaving them unvaccinated.

Despite the recent surge in childhood coronavirus cases, some Republican state leaders have blocked efforts to mandate masks in schools. Republican Governor of Florida Ron DeSantis used his executive powers to stop all emergency mandates in the state that restricted businesses or schools, and has banned educators from forcing students to wear masks in the classroom.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott enacted a similar ban.
The White House shot down a question from Fox News by recalling that Donald Trump once suggested Americans inject themselves with bleach.

The trip down memory lane began when Pete Doocy , a reporter for the conservative network, asked White House press secretary Jen Psaki on Wednesday whether a comment Joe Biden made in 2020 is causing vaccine hesitancy today.

At the time, Mr Doocy asked, when Donald Trump is out there saying were gonna have a vaccine in the next couple weeks, next couple months, and Joe Biden is out on the campaign trail saying, Dont trust Donald Trump, did that create any kind of vaccine hesitancy?

In September 2020, then-candidate Biden said at a town hall , I trust vaccines, I trust scientists, but I dont trust Donald Trump. And at this moment, the American people cant either.

Mr Doocy asked if that comment may have caused some Americans to refuse the Covid-19 vaccines, which were developed during President Trumps term.

Not that weve seen in the data, Ms Psaki responded. I would note that at the time, just for context, the former president was also suggesting people inject versions of poison into their veins to cure Covid. So I think thats a relevant point.

Mr Trump made this infamous comment at a coronavirus briefing in April 2020.

I see the disinfectant that knocks it out in a minute, one minute, the former president said then. And is there a way we can do something like that by injection inside or almost a cleaning? Because you see it gets in the lungs and it does a tremendous number on the lungs, so it would be interesting to check that.

As doctors and scientists immediately pointed out, injecting a person with a disinfectant was very dangerous and could potentially lead to death.

Under the Biden administration, vaccinations began at a rapid pace, with about three million doses being administered per day by mid-April. Then the rate began to slow. By mid-July, the country was down to about 500,000 doses per day.

Many experts have pointed to right-wing disinformation as a cause of vaccine resistance, which may be why conservative states have particularly low vaccination rates  and have been hit hardest by the latest wave of Delta coronavirus infections.

In recent weeks, vaccination rates have modestly increased as the Biden administration has laid out new incentives and requirements for people to get the shot  and as the virus situation in red states has grown more deadly.

Mr Bidens trust in Mr Trump, meanwhile, has not improved.

I think its safe to say he still doesnt trust Donald Trump, Ms Psaki said on Wednesday. "So that hasnt changed.
House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy is selling his supporters T-shirts emblazoned with the word moron in a gesture of patriotic defiance  the latest in a series of clothing-related stunts by Republicans opposing mask mandates.

The shirt was created in response to a derogatory remark from Nancy Pelosi. Asked by a reporter what she thought of Mr McCarthys claim that the House of Representatives mask mandate was unscientific, she replied: Such a moron.

The T-shirt is an effort to take this remark and throw it back at Ms Pelosi and pro-mask Democrats (and others) who insist that wearing masks in accordance with CDC guidelines can help the US beat back a resurgence in Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations.

Mor-on, the shirt reads in dictionary style, A term coined by Nancy Pelosi referring to freedom-loving Americans who oppose mask mandates. But because the word moron is disproportionately large, some of the intended effect is lost, and not to the wearers benefit.

The shirt is not the first anti-mask item to draw unwanted ridicule, including in the House of Representatives. Shortly after the January insurrection at the US Capitol, extremist GOP Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene wore a mask reading CENSORED while she spoke into a microphone in the House chamber during a session broadcast on live TV.

Another far-right member of Congress, Madison Cawthorn, earlier this year sold masks emblazoned with the word useless, again to benefit his campaign fund. It is unclear how many were bought, but it is unclear who would want to wear a context-free face covering apparently proclaiming themselves useless in public.

Also peddling hubristic Covid-related garments is Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who has become a dogged opponent of mandatory anti-Covid measures. As he bans local mask mandates and threatens to withhold the salaries of school boards that vote to impose them, Mr DeSantis is selling T-shirts and koozies reading Dont Fauci My Florida and How the hell am I going to be able to drink a beer with a mask on?

Florida is seeing a major surge in Covid-19 infections, and its hospitals are reportedly under more pressure than at any point since the pandemic began.
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem is under pressure from educators and community leaders in her state over a proposed school curriculum that eliminates many draft sections related to Native American history.

The row comes as Republican statehouses and governors  Ms Noem included  rail against the notion that history curricula should include subjects such as racism, slavery or the theft of land from Native peoples.

The latest bone of contention in South Dakota is a document recently released by the South Dakota Department of Education setting out content standards for social studies teachers. The standards were informed by recommendations from a working group appointed by the department; that group submitted a draft of the standards, and its recommendations are largely carried over to the latest version  but there are some startling exceptions, particularly when it comes to Native American history.

The fifth grade history standards, for example, no longer include the original requirement that students be able to Describe the impact other countries had on Indigenous Native Americans in North and South America through exploration, conflict, and colonization. Instead, students have a more generic standard to meet: Evaluate the physical and social effects of key conflicts with other countries on North America, from the Age of Exploration through the Revolutionary War.

In economics, fifth graders will still have to Analyze the role of trade in early North American History  but the standard no longer includes trade among Indigenous Native American groups and Europeans, as the original draft did.

And while the rubric for eighth grade is largely carried over, the final document omits one key part of the draft: Students will acknowledge the ancestral home of the Oceti Sakowin Oyate and recognize the historical and contemporary voices of South Dakotas Indigenous Native Americans.

Perhaps most strikingly, the preface to the departments version of the document eliminates any reference to Native Americans at all.

As one of the working group members told the Associated Press, Here we are again; the Native population is not worthy of being taught.

In a statement to the agency, the department said it made certain adjustments before the release of the draft to provide greater clarity and focus for educators and the public, and described the standards as a balanced, age-appropriate approach. The standards will eventually be reviewed and approved by a Board of Education Standards, whose members are appointed by the governor.

Ms Noem is now something of a star on the right of the Republican Party, having raised a national profile over the last 18 months by resisting many suggested Covid-19 social distancing measures, including by allowing large events to go ahead.

She has joined the ranks of Republican leaders taking a stand against progressive, so-called woke curriculum proposals by signing up to the 1776 Pledge To Save Our Schools, a bulleted list of statements that align with a conservative view of what history is for. As one item reads: Teaching children to hate their country and each other is immoral and deeply harmful to our society and must be stopped.

Ms Noem recently signed an executive order banning officials within the South Dakota Department of Education from applying for civics or history grants until after the 2022 election, a move her office said was designed to ban any and all grants related to critical race theory  a school of social and historical thought largely taught at college level that the hardline right has lately misrepresented as a project of hardcore left-wing indoctrination.
Parents and teachers are on a collision course as schools mandate students wear masks in defiance of state bans in Florida, Texas and Arizona.

While governors and state legislatures enshrine the bans in executive orders and laws, school boards are voting to force children to wear masks despite threats of losing funding.

The emboldened educational bureaucracy comes amid court injunctions from Democratic judges, urging from Democratic lawmakers, and signals from the White House they would have their back if governors enforce the bans.

The Dallas Independent School District, the states second-largest, ordered both employees and students to wear masks starting Tuesday as did Bexar County public schools, in a direct rebuke to Texas Governor Greg Abbotts executive order.

Two state district judges granted local authorities the temporary power to issue the mandates. Dallas Countys Judge Clay Jenkins, a Democrat, sued in an effort to overturn the states ban on mask mandates.

Governor Abbotts order does not limit the districts rights as an employer and educational institution to establish reasonable and necessary safety rules for its staff and students, the Dallas district said in a statement.

Stephanie Elizalde, superintendent of the Austin ISD, said at a school board meeting on Monday that she is responsible for the health and welfare of students.

If I err, I must err on the side of ensuring that weve been overly cautious, not that we have fallen short, she said.

The Texas schools followed Floridas Broward County School Board voting 8 to 1 on Tuesday to implement a mask mandate under threat of governor Ron DeSantis withholding salaries.

Leon County and Alachua County previously announced they would ban masks, with Alachua superintendent Carlee Simon writing in The Washington Post it was "better a loss of funding than a loss of lives".

Miami-Dade County Public Schools superintendent Alberto Carvalho said in a statement that his decision would be made from consultation with public health experts, and that it would not be influenced by the threat to his paycheck.

Their defiance came after backing from the Democratic party establishment. Florida senator Lauren Book said in a statement if the governor defunded public education, they would "fill the gap to support them in this fight".

White House press secretary Jen Psaki, meanwhile, said the Biden administration could cover their payroll out of the American Rescue Plan.

Certainly paying for salaries is a part of that, or could be a part of that, and could cover those needs for these officials, said press secretary Jen Psaki.

Department of Education is looking at options, Im not making a threat of withholding. Certainly, we dont want to hurt the people of Florida but were looking at a range of options to support the public health officials, the leaders, teachers and officials who are trying to protect students and their communities."

In Arizona, about 10 school districts in Phoenix, Tucson and Flagstaff, representing more than 130,000 students at 200 schools, filed a lawsuit challenging an anti-mask-mandate law passed by the states Legislature, The Associated Press reported.

While the law is being tested in court, Arizona schools that have already announced mask mandates in defiance of Governor Doug Duceys ban include, among others: Alhambra Elementary School District, Creighton School District, Littleton Elementary School District, Phoenix Elementary School District, Phoenix Union High School District, Roosevelt Elementary School District, and Washington Elementary School District.

Legal challenges are also being rolled out in states banning mask mandates, such as Utah, Iowa and Oklahoma and South Carolina, which banned mask mandates in a budget provision.

The states attorney general Alan Wilson, a Republican, said a school mask mandate passed by Columbia, the states capital, must be rescinded or amended to comply with state law.

"Otherwise, the city will be subject to appropriate legal actions to enjoin their enforcement, he wrote to the citys council members.
MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell was seen hurrying off the stage at his Cyber Symposium in Sioux Falls, South Dakota as the news broke that a judge had ruled that the defamation lawsuit against him by Dominion Voting Systems could move ahead.

During a June hearing, Mr Lindell tried to get the suit dismissed, but US District Judge Carl Nichols ruled on Wednesday that the defamation lawsuits against Mr Lindell and pro-Trump lawyers Sidney Powell and Rudy Giuliani should be allowed to proceed. Dominion is seeking more than a billion dollars in damages from each of the defendants.

Judge Nichols said in his decision that the First Amendment doesnt provide blanket immunity to Mr Lindell. Dominion is arguing that they were defamed by Mr Lindells baseless claims that the election was rigged by the company to thwart former President Donald Trump.

The voting machine manufacturer also filed further lawsuits earlier this week against right-wing networks One America News and Newsmax, alleging that they have been airing false narratives surrounding the election.

Mr Lindell is in South Dakota hosting a three-day Cyber Symposium from 10 to 12 August, trying to prove the validity of his election conspiracy theories.

After the news that the judge in his case had ruled against him had broken, Mr Lindell could be seen leaving the symposium stage at around 6pm on Wednesday.

Mr Lindell previously pledged to stay on stage for three days straight, saying that he wouldnt break for lunch.

Theres no breaks!... You guys can go eat. Thats fine, but I aint eating! Im staying up here for 72 hours, he said.

He left the stage shortly after and came back to call out The Daily Beasts Contributing Editor Justin Baragona for tweeting about his outburst about not leaving the stage, suddenly claiming it had never occurred.

Do you remember me saying that? Does anybody remember me saying that now?! Mr Lindell said.

A lot of the audience had left by day two of the three-day event.

Judge Nichols said in his written opinion that Mr Lindell and Ms Powell made their false claims that the voting machine companys technology was used to rig the election knowing that they were false or with reckless disregard for the truth.

Referencing Mr Lindells claim that a spreadsheet he posted on Twitter was evidence former President Donald Trump actually won the election, Judge Nichols wrote that a sensible juror could conclude that Mr Lindells insisting on the existence of a vast international conspiracy that is ignored by the government but proven by a spreadsheet on an internet blog is so inherently improbable that only a reckless man would believe it.

 My Pillow CEO Mike Lindell delays start of cyber symposium claiming he has been hacked

Mr Lindell has claimed that Dominion was behind the biggest crime ever committed in election history against our country and the world.

Lawyers for Dominion voting systems told The Washington Post that they are pleased to see this process moving forward to hold Mike Lindell, MyPillow, Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell, and Defending The Republic accountable.

The Independent has reached out to Mr Lindell for comment.
The office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has condemned former President Donald Trump for his repeated threats and menacing comments towards the Capitol police officer who shot Ashli Babbitt during the 6 January riot.

Enough is enough. These attacks are disgusting, wrong and a wholly unacceptable way to treat the men and women who went through hell to protect our democracy from armed insurrectionists, Robyn Patterson, a spokesperson for Ms Pelosi, said in a statement.

Earlier, a California representative accused Mr Trump of putting the life of the Capitol police officer who shot Babbitt in danger.

Babbitt was part of the mob of pro-Trump rioters that stormed the US Capitol on 6 January in an attempt to overturn the 2020 election results.

The air force veteran was shot by a Capitol police officer as she was forcing her way through a broken glass door near the Speakers Lobby and later died of her injuries.

That officers life sadly is in danger, Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell, who was present at the Capitol during the riots, said in an interview with MSNBC on Wednesday.

The congressman described the officer as a hero, saying: I am alive today and my colleagues are alive because he had to make that fateful decision, one that no officer wants to make.

Mr Swalwell continued: A mob was crashing through the doors into the Speakers Lobby. I saw them, I heard the smashing, the pounding, the breaking of glass, the chanting.

The lawmaker said if the mob had made it past security that many of our more vulnerable members who were the last to leave would have been overrun had that officer not acted so bravely.

In April, the US attorneys office for Washington DC and the Department of Justice (DOJ) closed the investigation into Babbitts shooting, ruling they would not pursue criminal charges against the Capitol police officer. The officer has not been identified.

To want to out this person after being cleared is only intended to put that persons life in danger, Mr Swalwell said.

Following the death of Babbitt, a number of conservatives, including Mr Trump, have come to paint her as a patriotic martyr and have pushed a racist conspiracy theory surrounding the officer who shot her.

Mr Swalwells comments come in response to a particular statement from Mr Trump on Wednesday during which he said he knew the identity of the officer who fatally shot Ms Babbitt on 6 January.

"I spoke to the wonderful mother and devoted husband of Ashli Babbitt, who was murdered at the hands of someone who should never have pulled the trigger of his gun," the former president said. We know who he is.

Mr Trump has increasingly made reference to Babbitt in recent months and has also made inaccurate claims that she was shot right through the head. The DOJ ruled that Babbitt was shot in the shoulder.

While investigating the shooting, the DOJ examined video footage posted on social media, statements from the officer involved and other officers and witnesses to the events, physical evidence from the scene of the shooting, and the results of an autopsy.

Based on that investigation, officials determined that there is insufficient evidence to support a criminal prosecution, they said.
The United States plans to send an additional 3,000 troops to Afghanistan to assist with evacuation as the Taliban advances on Kabul.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said three battalions, one US Army and two Marine, will go to Hamid Karzai International Airport where military transport planes would be waiting.

The Department of Defence is preparing to possibly evacuate the US embassy and US citizens in the capital of Kabul as the Biden administration considers the possibility that capital could fall within 30 days, administration and military officials have said, according to The New York Times.

The Talibans unexpectedly fast gains have led to the Defence Department speeding up its plans to get Americans out of Afghanistan.

These forces are being deployed to support the orderly and safe reduction of civilian personnel at the request of the State Department, Mr Kirby said, as well as to accelerate the processing of applications for Special Immigrant Visas for Afghan translators and interpreters.

Officials say a possible evacuation would involve the forceful use of US military force to protect people as theyre taken to Hamid Karzai International Airport where military transport planes would be waiting.

Mr Kirby said these new troops will have some defence equipment.

They have some defence capabilities, he said. They will obviously have the capabilities they need to defend themselves.

Mr Kirby said the mission was a very narrowly defined and temporary mission and estimated there would be fewer than 1,000 troops.

Nobodys abandoning Afghanistan, Mr Kirby said. At the same time, he added that the drawdown will continue on schedule for the end of August.

The drawdown itself is still on track to be complete by August 31st, he said. Our job here now is to help facilitate the same movement of civilian personnel out of Afghanistan.

The Pentagon is also moving 2.000 Marines closer to the air route over western Pakistan, from where it could begin to evacuate the embassy within a day of receiving orders to take action, according to officials.

To prepare for the possibility that the evacuation becomes a battle with the Taliban, thousands of Marines have been started a training exercise that can be changed into an evacuation if that becomes necessary.

A Biden administration official told The New York Times that the Taliban might soon take the economically important city of Mazar-i-Sharif, and added that the fall of that city along with the overtaking of Kandahar, which is on the precipice of collapse, could lead to the end of the Afghan government by September.

Another official said White House staff felt a mix of alarm and resignation at the rapid gains of the Taliban and at the possible dire future for the country. The official said there has been constant video calls this week about the state of the conflict.

Hundreds of Marines are already on the ground of the embassy complex in Kabul and are responsible for evacuating the embassy, which has a staff of 4.000  including 1.400 Americans.
A group of more than 800 doctors signed a letter calling on Republican Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida to repeal an executive order he issued prohibiting local officials from requiring students to wear masks when they return to school.

Mr DeSantis used his executive power to head off any attempts by local officials to force students to wear masks in the classroom. The order came in the wake of updated CDC guidance recommending that all students, teachers and support staff wear masks when the school year begins.

The governor has also used his executive powers to end local emergency mandates restricting businesses.

The letter comes at a time when the Delta variant of the coronavirus is ravaging Florida, which has one of the highest average infection rates on the planet.

Mr DeSantis has called on residents to take the coronavirus vaccines. The state is currently slightly behind the national average, with 49 per cent of adults fully vaccinated, but the doctors called on Mr DeSantis to "do much more" to encourage residents to take the shot.

The doctors claimed in their letter that Mr DeSantis' order "exposes every child to a virus that is deadlier than the flu, as contagious as smallpox and preventable with two basic mitigation measures: mask use and vaccinations.

"What's heartbreaking and infuriating for us as doctors is watching children needlessly suffer while Gov DeSantis rejects simple protections such as masks and vaccinations," the doctors said.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recently reported an 85 per cent increase of coronavirus cases in children for the week ending 29 July. The AAP has also called on the US Food and Drug Administration to fast-track an emergency authorisation allowing children under 12 to take the coronavirus vaccines. The group said the risk of the Delta variant to children was enough to warrant the emergency approval.

Despite the AAP's stance, Mr DeSantis has downplayed the risk of Covid-19 in children, claiming that another respiratory disease, RSV, is more of a threat.

COVID, I view, is a very minor risk, he said during a press briefing. RSV is more or more serious. That is something that I would say, just as a parent of young kids, thats a much more significant risk than COVID has proven to be.

RSV is a leading cause of bronchitis, and is spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Much like the coronavirus, the infection is spread through droplets in the air or on surfaces.

It is not clear why, if Mr DeSantis is concerned with RSV, he would not support mask use in schools, as masks would also reduce the spread of RSV between children.

Some school districts in Florida have already signified that they plan to defy the governor's order and require mask use in their schools.

Mr DeSantis has threatened to withhold educator salaries if they defy his order. At least two lawsuits from educators challenging the governors order on the grounds of constitutionality have already been filed.
Republican Senator Ted Cruz is under fire for arguing that some participants in the Capitol riot should be spared prosecution.

Mr Cruz told HuffPost that people who "assaulted a police officer" should spend "a long, long time in jail, but balked at criminal charges for participants who entered the Capitol but did not harm anyone.

If, on the other hand, the Biden administration is targeting and persecuting people for exercising political speech that is nonviolent and simply expressing their peaceful support for a political party different from that in power, that is not the purpose of our criminal justice system, he said.

So far, 570 people have been arrested in connection to the Capitol riot. The FBI is reportedly seeking hundreds more.

While some defendants are facing conspiracy charges  particularly those involved with the Proud Boys and Oath Keeper gangs that allegedly planned to attack the Capitol  many others are facing misdemeanors like unlawful picketing.

The senator faced blowback on social media for calling the arrest of Capitol rioters persecution.

Mr Cruz's views on prosecution of protesters has been somewhat inconsistent. In June, Mr Cruz and Senator Tommy Tuberville sent a letter to US Attorney General Merrick Garland complaining that Capitol rioters are facing harsher treatment than people who protested during the George Floyd demonstrations in 2020.

DOJs apparent unwillingness to punish these individuals who allegedly committed crimes during the spring and summer 2020 protests stands in stark contrast to the harsher treatment of the individuals charged in connection with the January 6, 2021 breach of the US Capitol, the duo wrote.

It's important to note that Mr Cruz's position was not that Capitol rioters should be let off the hook, but that he wanted more severe punishments for racial justice protesters. That argument stands in contrast to his current position, which is that those who "peacefully" voice their First Amendment rights should not face prosecution.

What Mr Cruz either is not aware of, or willfully ignores, is that protesting inside the Capitol is prohibited.

In May 2019, 80 disability rights advocates were arrested for protesting outside the headquarters for the US Department of Health and Human Services. Those protesters were arrested, but none of them entered the Capitol, broke through barricades, broke windows, assaulted police officers, or tried to disrupt the certification of an election.

Mr Cruz and many of his Republican colleagues have repeatedly tried to downplay the insurrection on 6 January. The senator has a vested interest in doing so, as he led the charge to reject the electoral ballot count the day the riot occurred.

Republican Congressman Andrew Clyde suggested that the riot was no different than a "normal tour group, despite all evidence to the contrary and images of him barring the doors of the Capitol on the day the attack occurred.

Others, like Representatives Matt Gaetz and Marjorie Taylor Greene, tried to undermine a House inquiry into the riot by holding a press conference immediately after the session ended. The conference was meant to spotlight what the lawmakers viewed as unfair treatment of Capitol rioters, but protesters forced the Republicans to flee the area.

Senate Republicans also shut down the establishment of a Capitol riot commission by voting it down during a vote.

There's little evidence suggesting the Capitol rioters are being treated any worse than any other federal defendant. Only 13 per cent were incarcerated pre-trial. That number is much smaller when compared to all federal defendants, of which 75 per cent are held before their trials begin.
A new poll from Fox News shows that just under a third of those who voted for former President Donald Trump in the 2020 election dont plan on ever getting vaccinated against the coronavirus.

The survey also revealed that Trump voters are about ten times more likely to refuse inoculation than supporters of President Joe Biden.

Among Trump supporters, 32 per cent said they dont plan on ever getting vaccinated  three per cent of Biden voters said the same.

In the Biden camp, 86 per cent said they had already been vaccinated, while 54 per cent of Trump voters said the same.

The figures display the stark partisan divide in fighting the pandemic as the highly transmissible Delta variant spreads across the country, putting hospitals mainly in the South on high alert.

Around half of all Floridians remain unvaccinated, and the Sunshine State is now averaging around 20.000 new cases every day, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Vaccine mandates and requirements was also a significant dividing factor between Republicans and Democrats, the poll showed. Among Trump supporters, 77 per cent said it was more important that people be allowed to choose whether to be vaccinated, compared to 16 per cent among Biden voters.

Biden supporters, by a large majority of 81 per cent, instead thought that its more important to prioritize overall public health by mandating vaccinations for those wishing to take part in everyday activities. Only 21 per cent of Trump voters agreed.

Last month, the Biden administration announced that federal employees would have to be vaccinated or submit to regular testing and wearing masks while at work. On Monday, the administration said that the Pentagon will look to make vaccinations mandatory for all 1.3 million active-duty troops no later than the middle of next month.

The Fox News poll was conducted 7 to 10 August, included 1,002 registered voters across the US, and has a margin of error of three percentage points.
The results of the once-a-decade survey of American households reveal the most-detailed picture yet of the state of the nations population, providing a trove of demographic information used to redraw voting districts and inform lawmakers and policy-informing research over the next 10 years.

US Census results from the controversial 2020 survey show population growth fuelled largely by Hispanic and Asian populations, with the nations non-Hispanic white population dropping below 60 per cent for the first time.

While white people make up the largest population share, at 57.8 per cent, the nations non-Hispanic white population declined by 8.6 per cent since the agencys 2010 count. Overall, more than 235 million people reported white alone or in combination with another group in the survey.

The nations multiracial population was measured at 9 million people in 2010  it spiked to nearly 34 million in the 2020 count, marking a 276 per cent increase. Multiracial populations account for most of the changes in each race category.

Those changes may not necessarily reflect a surge in population growth but in how survey respondents list other races following changes to the questionnaire.

As the country has grown, we have continued to evolve in how we measure the race and ethnicity of the people who live here, said Nicholas Jones, the agencys director and senior adviser for race and ethnicity research and outreach.

Changes in how the survey allows people to report their ethnicity yield a more accurate portrait of how people self-identify in response to two separate questions on Hispanic origin and race, revealing that the US population is much more multiracial and more diverse than what we measured in the past, he said in a statement.

The nations population has reached 331,449,281  a 7.4 per cent increase from the 2010 census. It is also the second-slowest population growth in US history, slightly above the growth between 1930 and 1940 in the decade following the Great Depression.

But the Census data reveals a growing US population largely fuelled by metropolitan areas, with all ten of the nations most populous areas seeing population spikes.

More than half of all US counties had a smaller population in 2020 than in 2010, while cities have grown faster than the nation as a whole, seeing metro area growth by 8.7 per cent from 2010.

Three Texas cities  Houston, Dallas and San Antonio  are among the nations 10 largest; the top five are now New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston and Phoenix, knocking Philadelphia from the fifth-largest into the sixth-largest. Phoenix saw the largest growth among the nations top 20 largest cities with a population spike of 9.4 per cent from 2010.

Complications, including performing the survey in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic that has upended American life, have likely shaped data that will be instrumental to the future of American democracy over the next decade.

The 2020 Census may include an undercount of communities of colour, and Donald Trumps failed attempt to add a citizenship question and exclude undocumented immigrants and end counting early may have had a chilling effect in participation.

The bureaus acting director Ron Jarmin said that the data we are releasing today meet our high data quality standards, and I am proud to present them to the American public.

He said it is too early to determine over- and undercounting, with granular data to be released in 2022.

The survey also does not reflect the deaths of more than 600,000 people who died after 1 April 2020 from Covid-19.
Algeria's president says five firefighting planes from European countries are expected by Saturday to help battle wildfires that killed at least 69 people through the mountainous Berber region, amid a heat wave like the ones fueling fires in Southern Europe

Two French water-dropping airplanes on Thursday joined the effort to tame the fires in the Kabyle region, one day after Algeria appealed to the European Union Civil Protection framework for help.

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said Thursday in a televised address to the nation that two other planes from Spain are expected on Friday and another from Switzerland on Saturday.

In response to criticism over the slow response from the state, he said that Algeria "mobilized all the means of the military, the Civil Protection, forests services, but all these means happened to be insufficient given the multitude of fires.

The victims of the blazes include at least 28 soldiers who were deployed to fight the fires, according to authorities.

Tebboune said a solidarity fund will provide some financial aid to families affected by the fires, which have destroyed homes, olive groves and animals that provide a livelihood for the region.

He said authorities believe that the blazes started from illegal activity, especially in the Kabyle region.

The heat wave is part of it, but we have formal evidence that criminals have set devastating fires and 22 people have been arrested by security forces.

Tebboune declared a three-day mourning period for the fire victims starting Thursday.

Prime Minister Aimene Benabderrahmane, who visited on Thursday Tizi-Ouzou, the regional capital of Kabyle, said for the moment, the most important is to extinguish (the fires) and above all, to take care of the population.

Like southern Europe, North Africa has been sweltering under searing heat. Temperatures hit 50 C (122 F) in Tunisia, a record high for the country. The last previous high was 48.2 C (nearly 119 F) in 1968.

Algerias National Meteorology Office said extremely hot weather was forecast through Thursday in nearly a dozen regions, including around Tizi-Ouzou. In some places, the temperature was expected to hit 47 degrees Celsius (116.6 F.)

Climate scientists say theres little doubt climate change from the burning of coal, oil and natural gas is driving extreme events such as heat waves, droughts and wildfires, which they say are likely to happen more frequently as Earth warms.

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Follow AP's coverage of climate change issues at https://apnews.com/hub/climate-change
The arrest of a Russian spy in Berlins UK embassy has provoked furious questions about British vetting procedures and the ambitions of the Kremlins secret operations overseas.

In recent years, polonium, Novichok and hacking have dominated western headlines. But this episode appears to demonstrate the continued importance of more traditional modes of spycraft  namely, human intelligence.

Every nation tries to persuade insiders to work for the other side. Some do it with more success than others. For former spy handler Vladimir Putin, its a particularly personal business. He has invested significant resources building and re-building spy networks.

Vladimir Putin has placed importance on building spy networks (Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images)

The fact that the Kremlin was able to install a mole inside an embassy represents considerable success for his resurgent operations.

As a local-hire security guard, the alleged spy is unlikely to have had access to highly sensitive documents. But he will have had access to lists of privileged entry and security protocols. Telephone numbers. He will have seen the comings and goings of embassy life.

From there, it would not have been too difficult to work out which of the diplomats and occasional visitors are working undercover as spooks.

With recruits, youre always looking at a jigsaw puzzle, says the intelligence expert Philip Ingram. A hundred tiny pieces are often as good as five big pieces. A position like embassy security guard is actually very useful.

Ingram, who previously coordinated for British military intelligence in Germany, says the development isnt all bad news for UK national security.

He drew attention to a statement made by Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick that suggested British secret services had been watching the man for many months. That, Ingram says, likely produced serious information about interactions with Russian intelligence  and may well lead to more arrests.

When I was running counterintelligence operations, I always wanted to see if we could let a situation run, Ingram says. The longer you let it run, the more control you get, the more links you discover, and the more likely you can turn it round to your advantage.

A hundred tiny pieces are often as good as five big pieces. A position like embassy security guard is actually very useful Philip Ingram, intelligence expert

In Russia, western counterintelligence is facing an increasingly committed adversary. Starting after a humiliating defeat in the Cold War, which saw many leading officers defect or sell information to the highest bidder, Moscows security chiefs are hungry for retribution.

As far as the head of German domestic intelligence is concerned, Russian espionage in Europe is already back at the level it was during the Cold War. Vasco Da Cruz Amador, a former Portuguese national intelligence commander, suggests that presence is only going to increase.

The focus is on compromising political leaders, getting access to research and development centres and collecting and gathering information regarding cyber and digital disciplines, he says.

With little love lost between Moscow and London, Britain remains a particularly high-priority target for Russian intelligence activity.

In 2007, a few months after double agent Alexander Litvinenko was murdered, Russias then-security chief Nikolai Patrushev singled out the UK for nurturing plans aimed at destabilising Russia.

A flurry of suspicious murders, all strangely under-investigated by the UK, followed. Then, in 2018, came the Skripals, the doorknob, the Bow bedsit, the tragicomic alibis of Petrov, Boshirov and Salisbury cathedrals 123m spire.

People are complicated, and there are always opportunities to find spies - people who hate the West or have some other personal need like money, revenge John Sipher, former head of CIA Russian operations

It isnt difficult to imagine the motives that drove two Russian operatives to serve the Kremlin, promoted from rural obscurity to a privileged patriotic class. It is much harder to understand why a British national might decide to work for the same side in 2021.

John Sipher, who used to run CIA Russian operations, suggests Kremlin recruitment was more effective when it had communism behind it  especially during the 1930s and 1940s when it was seen as a counterbalance to Nazism. Today, intelligence officers carry the extra burden of recruiting for a regime widely understood as corrupt.

That doesnt mean Russian intelligence is finding it impossible to build sources today, he says: "People are complicated, and there are always opportunities to find spies  people who hate the west or have some other personal need like money, revenge against their bosses or even blackmail."

Photos of the alleged spys flat certainly suggest a fascination with Russia and pro-Russian military regalia. Cash payments also appear to have played a role. But intelligence expert Ingram says it is likely handlers would have tried to tickle another sensibility: the buzz of a double life.

Its amazing how many people find this thing exciting," he says. "They think theyre James Bond.
The Polish parliament descended into chaos on Wednesday as a controversial new law was passed limiting foreign ownership of Polish media companies.

A key vote on a media law threatening the future of government-critical broadcaster TVN appeared to have been scuppered by a motion to delay the vote until early September, which won by two votes in the early evening.

But, to the outrage of opposition MPs, the speaker of the house decided to re-run the vote on delaying the session, arguing the length of the delay hadnt been made clear.

At the same time, three MPs from the populist centre-right Kukiz15 party claimed they had voted for the delay by mistake the first time around.

The second motion to delay the vote was then narrowly rejected  leading to cries of shame and treason from opposition politicians. The vote on the media law itself later passed by 12 votes, with ten abstentions.

The fractious nature of the session deepened public anger over a law that is being seen as an attempt to undermine press freedom in Poland.

This media law is a way for the government to gain more propaganda power by killing off a powerful opposition voice, Piotr Buras, head of the Warsaw office of the European Council for Foreign Relations, told The Independent.

PiS would not have put the law to a vote if they had not been certain of winning. But it was still a very risky bet for the party, he added.

Law and Justice (PiS), by far the largest party in the ruling coalition, had earlier been left scrambling to shore up support following the departure of the Agreement party from the coalition.

13 Agreement MPs left following the dismissal of the partys leader, Jaroslaw Gowin, as deputy prime minister and minister of development, labour and technology

Gowin said his dismissal was the result of his opposition to the new media law, which was the subject of nationwide protests on Tuesday evening.

There is something symbolic in the fact that my dismissal was announced simultaneously with the beginning of protests against the law throughout the country, the Agreement leader said.

Agreement had asked the government to consider allowing member states of the OECD international economic grouping to own majority shares in Polish media companies.

With the future of the popular broadcaster TVN, owned by American company Discovery Inc., in danger due to the new law, Agreements proposal would have allowed continued investment from US companies. But PiS dismissed this solution as ridiculous.

It is feared that the new media law threatens to permanently damage Polands relations with Washington  while opposition politicians have described it as gagging freedom of debate.

After the law passed late on Wednesday, US secretary of state Antony Blinken said the Biden administration is deeply troubled about the Polish legislation, which targets the most-watched independent news station, which is also one of the largest US investments in the country.

TVN management, meanwhile, responded by saying the law is an unprecedented attack on freedom of speech and the independence of the media in Poland.

With the vote billed as a crucial test of the governments ability to rule following the departure of Agreement from the coalition, PiS politicians were left stunned when opposition MPs seemed to have defeated them through the vote to delay the session.

If this law had failed to pass, it would have meant trouble for the government, Buras said.

But MPs who voted for the law can be considered reliable partners for the future - and in passing the law, the government has shown it has the ability to go on, he added.

Failure in Wednesdays session would have been calamitous given the need to prove that the departure of Agreement would not affect the governments legislative agenda.

Claims of corruption were rife after the re-vote on delaying the session. 2020 presidential candidate Szymon Hoownia said on Twitter that the speaker of the house and PiS had committed a coup detat, which turned Polish parliamentarianism into a political cesspool.

Meanwhile, furious protests erupted outside the Sejm, the parliament office, in Warsaw and in cities throughout the country.

The extraordinary events seemed to bring to end speculation about the future of the PiS government, suggesting that, by hook or by crook, it will continue to press ahead in implementing controversial reforms.

The government will survive somehow; the media law was a very important test of this, Buras said.

It has been yet another way for PiS to polarise debate in Poland, something on which the party always thrives.

Wednesdays events underscored the polarised nature of Polish politics. PiSs eventual success means the party is likely to press ahead with the divisive strategy that has brought it success until now.

The media law is abhorred by the Polish opposition as well as allies within the EU and across the Atlantic, but PiS have made it a top policy priority which they see as key to the survival of the current government. Wednesday nights dramatic events have heightened fears for the future of freedom of speech in the country.
The Afghan war appears to be approaching its endgame faster than anyone expected. The Taliban, having taken swathes of the countryside have started capturing cities with ten provincial capitals falling in less than a week.

The latest setback for the Afghan government, the fall of Ghazni, has further tightened the noose around Kabul, with the Taliban seemingly aiming to isolate and then attack the capital in the coming weeks.

The city, just 80 miles away from Kabul, is on the main route to Kandahar in the south. Its capture came 48 hours after the seizure of Pul-e-Khumri, 110 away, linking Kabul to the north and west, in what appears to be a rapidly progressing encirclement of the capital.

Government forces seem unable to contain the insurgent advance. The strife, and fear of the jihadists, has driven thousands of people from across the country to flee to Kabul where there is now a growing refugee crisis.

There is now a sense of panic among the people here about if and when, and now more when than if, the Taliban take over.

Kim Sengupta, the Defence and Diplomatic Editor of The Independent, has been covering the Afghan conflict for more than 20 years. He is in Kabul now having spent the last week in Herat.

He will be available to answer your questions on 13 August at 1pm BST.

Register to submit your question in the Comments below. If youre not already a member, click sign up in the Comments box to leave your question.

Dont worry if you cant see your question  they will be hidden until he joins the conversation to answer them.

Then join us live on this page from 1pm as he tackles as many questions as he can within an hour.
Palestinian militants in Gaza committed war crimes during a recent 11-day conflict with Israel by indiscriminately firing thousands of rockets at civilian areas, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has said.

In total, the New York-based rights groups said Palestinian militants in Gaza fired more than 4,360 unguided rockets and mortars towards Israeli towns.

HRW concluded that the unprecedented barrage of rocket fire not only killed 13 people in Israel, including two children and a soldier, but a misfired rocket also killed seven Palestinians when it fell short in the Gaza Strip.

In Gaza, Hamas issued an angry reaction to the HRW report, calling it an injustice to our people.

Last month HRW accused Israel of also violating the laws of war in three Israeli strikes on Gaza in May that killed 62 Palestinian civilians  allegations Israel vehemently denied.

Palestinian armed groups during the May fighting flagrantly violated the laws-of-war prohibition on indiscriminate attacks by launching thousands of unguided rockets towards Israeli cities, HRW acting Middle East and north Africa director Eric Goldstein said.

It based its conclusions on an investigation into Hamas rocket attacks that killed 12 civilians in Israel.

The war erupted on May 10 after Hamas, the militant group that runs Gaza, fired a barrage of rockets towards Jerusalem in support of Palestinian protests against Israels heavy-handed policing of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, which is sacred to both Jewish people and Muslims.

It had followed weeks of violence partially ignited by the threatened eviction of dozens of Palestinian families by Jewish settlers in a nearby neighbourhood in Jerusalem, an action the UN said could constitute a war crime.

Around 260 people, including at least 67 children, were killed in the intense Israeli bombardment of Gaza  which saw Israeli warplanes strike more than 1,000 targets. Israel and Hamas differ on how many of the 260 were civilians.

HRW said that Palestinian rocket attacks resulted in the death of 10 civilians in Israel, that mortar fire killed 2 more, and that several hundred people were injured. Nine of the civilians were Israelis, including 2 children and 2 Palestinian citizens of Israel, and 3 were foreign nationals.

The rights group also determined that a misfired Palestinian rocket killed seven people in Jabalya in the Gaza Strip on May 10, adding that they based this on witness interviews, site visits, an inspection of rocket remnants, and a review of video footage.

Israel has claimed that around 20 per cent of the rockets Palestinian militants launched fell inside the Gaza Strip, and said that most of the remaining rockets were intercepted by the militarys iron dome aerial defence system, or fell in open areas.

"The rockets and mortars that Palestinian armed groups fired lack guidance systems and are prone to misfire, making them extremely inaccurate and thus inherently indiscriminate when directed toward areas with civilians," the report said. Launching such rockets to attack civilian areas is a war crime.

Hamas issued a strong response to the claims: The only beneficiary of such a report is the Israeli occupation, because it equated the victim with the real criminal, while our Palestinian people are exercising their legitimate right to resist the occupation.

The International Criminal Court is investigating possible war crimes by Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

In a separate development, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, said it had uncovered militant tunnels near one of its facilities and that Hamas had taken over one of its schools, undermining the agencys neutrality.

It said it condemned the existence of these tunnels in the strongest possible terms and has sent protest letters to Hamas officials.

The agency has also protested the takeover by the de facto authorities of one of these schools, which undermines the inviolability and neutrality of UNRWA premises, it said.

HRWs Mr Goldstein said: Hamas authorities should stop trying to justify unlawful rocket attacks that indiscriminately kill and injure civilians by pointing to Israels violations.
VICTORIA, British Columbia, Aug. 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CE Brands Inc. (TSXV: CEBI; CEBI.WT) ("CE Brands"),a data-driven consumer-electronics company, and its wholly-owned subsidiary eBuyNow eCommerce Ltd. ("eBuyNow"), are pleased to announce 4 new distribution and retail agreements, in line with the goal to become leaders in manufacturing, brand licensing, and global product distribution.



The retail and distribution agreements cover India, Japan, Central Europe and Eastern Europe:

A direct vendor relationship between eBuyNow and The Flipkart Group , one of India's leading digital commerce entities and includes group companies Flipkart, Myntra, and PhonePe. Started in 2007, Flipkart has enabled millions of consumers, sellers, merchants, and small businesses to be a part of India's e-commerce revolution. With a registered customer base of over 200 million, offering over 150 million products across 80+ categories. Flipkart will begin ranging the Motorola Smartwatch line of products in August 2021 with long term proposals around the new range of Motorola Smartwatches and Wearables for 2021 and beyond.





, one of India's leading digital commerce entities and includes group companies Flipkart, Myntra, and PhonePe. Started in 2007, Flipkart has enabled millions of consumers, sellers, merchants, and small businesses to be a part of India's e-commerce revolution. With a registered customer base of over 200 million, offering over 150 million products across 80+ categories. Flipkart will begin ranging the Motorola Smartwatch line of products in August 2021 with long term proposals around the new range of Motorola Smartwatches and Wearables for 2021 and beyond. An exclusive distribution agreement between eBuyNow and GT COMPANY for Germany, Italy, France, Austria, Netherlands, Belgium and the UK as well as non-exclusive in The Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary. GT COMPANY has grown a powerful distribution network with specialized retailers, e-tailers and mail order companies demonstrating an in-depth knowledge of the market to distribute innovative products. GT COMPANY has completed their initial order and forecasts with eBuyNow and will distribute to its extensive network of European retailers all Kodak products licensed by eBuyNow under the agreement.





for Germany, Italy, France, Austria, Netherlands, Belgium and the UK as well as non-exclusive in The Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary. GT COMPANY has grown a powerful distribution network with specialized retailers, e-tailers and mail order companies demonstrating an in-depth knowledge of the market to distribute innovative products. GT COMPANY has completed their initial order and forecasts with eBuyNow and will distribute to its extensive network of European retailers all Kodak products licensed by eBuyNow under the agreement. A distribution agreement with eBuyNow and SYNNEX Japan for the Motorola range of branded Smartwatches and Wearables manufactured under the eBuyNow License agreement. SYNNEX Japan is a Japanese subsidiary of SYNNEX Corporation in the United States, SYNNEX Japan provides added value as a "hybrid distributor" by proposing solutions that combine domestic and overseas products and services in order to solve customers' problems in addition to the conventional wholesale business. SYNNEX Japan has listed immediately the Moto360 in Japan on Amazon.jp and Moto360.jp





for the Motorola range of branded Smartwatches and Wearables manufactured under the eBuyNow License agreement. SYNNEX Japan is a Japanese subsidiary of SYNNEX Corporation in the United States, SYNNEX Japan provides added value as a "hybrid distributor" by proposing solutions that combine domestic and overseas products and services in order to solve customers' problems in addition to the conventional wholesale business. SYNNEX Japan has listed immediately the Moto360 in Japan on Amazon.jp and Moto360.jp A distribution agreement for the Kodak range of Baby Monitors, Security Cameras and Air Purifiers between eBuyNow and FORMA VS for Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Montenegro and Romania, Serbia, Kosovo and Croatia. FORMA VS has completed its initial order and forecasts with eBuyNow and will distribute to their extensive network of Eastern European retailers all Kodak products licensed by eBuyNow under the agreement.



"CE Brand's objective to achieve 192 product categories in the next 5 years means we need a strong supply chain and an equally strong distribution and retail network," said eBuyNow's Chief Executive Officer and Chairman Craig Smith. "By adding Flipkart in India, Synnex in Japan, GT COMPANY in Europe and Forma in Eastern Europe, we continue to expand our ability to distribute licensed products to end-users in 71 countries around the world. With these additions, our strategy to reach 192 product categories at a minimum of $2mm per category by 2026 is on track, and with these additional partners we plan to increase our minimum peak monthly target from $1mm per product category to $1.15mm."

CE Brands uses internal software to analyze market sales data to ensure that it only begins production in a new category if it believes it has the forecasts and ability with the distribution and retail channels to generate an average of over $1mm a month in gross revenues per product category. With these new distribution and retailer additions, CE brands intends to increase this minimum target to $1.15mm.CE Brands' plans related to category expansion are set out in more detail in the following table:

Targets FY2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 Managing demand Industrializing Purchasing Executing North Star Factories engaged 8 12 24 36 48 Categories per Factory Average 1 2 3 4 4 Brands Required 2 4 12 24 32 Total Categories Being Sold 8 24 72 144 192

Further, CE Brands announces the filling of the year end financials of both CE Brands and eBuyNow, which can be found on www.sedar.com .

For more information, please see CE Brands' corporate presentation at www.cebrands.ca .

About CE Brands

CE Brands (TSXV: CEBI; CEBI.WT) develops products with leading manufacturers and iconic brand licensors by utilizing proprietary data that identifies key market opportunities. With sales today in over 70 countries, our innovative, highly repeatable process, which we call the CE Method, has created an optimal growth path for CE Brands to be the premier global licensed brand manufacturer.



Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provider (as defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. In general, forward-looking information refers to disclosure about future conditions, courses of action, and events. The use of any of the words "anticipates", "believes", "expects", "intends", "plans", "will", "would", and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information. More particularly and without limitation, this press release contains forward looking information concerning CE Brands' five-year brand strategy. The forward-looking information is based on certain key expectations and assumptions more particularly described in the prospectus of CE Brands dated June 3, 2021. Although CE Brands believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking information is based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking information because CE Brands cannot give any assurance that they will prove to be accurate. By its nature, forward-looking information is subject to various risks and uncertainties, which could cause the actual results and expectations to differ materially from the anticipated results or expectations expressed in this press release. These risks and uncertainties are more particularly described in the prospectus of CE Brands dated June 3, 2021. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is given as of the date of this press release, and to not use such forward-looking information for anything other than its intended purpose. CE Brands undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities legislation.

Further Information

For further information about CE Brands or its principal operating subsidiary, eBuyNow, please contact:

Kalvie Legat

Chief Financial Officer

778-771-0901

ir@cebrands.ca

Via GlobeNewswire RSS Feed https://ift.tt/3jYjx2z
Sale  the one word that all of us love to hear.

Now combine it with travel and imagine the unhinged excitement and thrill of it all.

Fuelling our dormant (thanks to the pandemic) wanderlust, Indias leading online travel company, MakeMyTrip combined the two things we love  travel and sale  and announced The Great Indian Travel Sale.

But heres what you need to know  this travel sale is not about your regular run-of-the-mill discounts, these travel deals are SUPER MEGA deals, and we have all the details.



Free Holiday Packages To Maldives, Dubai, Goa & More!

(Do we have your attention now? Good. Read on.)

One of the bumper deals is a free holiday package to top international and domestic destinations. If international travel in the upcoming months has been something you have been thinking of, now would be a good time to take the chance to try and win a free package to one of those destinations. Now who wouldnt want to take a break at luxurious properties like Taj Coral Reef Resort and Spa in the Maldives, Crowne Plaza in Dubai, or Hard Rock in Goa. And its super easy too. All you have to do is Spin a Wheel, and leave it all to the gods of fates. Who knows, you might just get super lucky!





Home Away From Home, At Unbelievable Prices!

Who doesnt like to travel to destinations where you can stay in the lap of luxury but with the sweet nostalgia of home. At the Great Indian Travel Sale, deals worth INR 20,000 for alternate accommodations such as villas and independent stays are at the reach of a click. Now might be a good opportunity to try and win a great deal and plan a trip with family, friends or just yourself to these exclusive stays.

Premium Hotels In India At Slashed Prices

If you are looking for deals for premium domestic hotels like Radisson, Clarks, Lemon Tree, or The Park, it cant get better than this. Play Spin the Wheel on the MakeMyTrip and stand a chance to win instant discount vouchers worth INR 15,000 to these properties and more. Isnt it great  one click, one spin, and INR 15,000 dropped just like that! We surely think thats a steal deal worth taking the chance for.





Bollywood Buffs, Get Ready For Filmy Bus Rides With This Deal

Remember when Aditya and Geet took a bus ride across those beautiful towns in Jab We Met? Didnt you feel like taking one yourself? Well, if thats the case then the Great Indian Travel Sale has something for you too. To make your bus rides sweeter, deals on bus tickets worth INR 1,000 (Wheel Gold) and INR 500 (Wheel Silver) are up for grabs. We dont know about you, but we can definitely see the changing scenic view outside our bus windows already!

Oh-So-Good Discounts On Luxurious International Hotels

Are you dreaming of beach-bumming at Maldives or dune-bashing at Dubai? At MakeMyTrips Great Indian Travel Sale, we got news for you  international hotels at flat 25% discount (Wheel Gold), flat 12% discount (Wheel Silver), and flat 10% discount (Daily Wheel) deals are on offer. Play Spin the Wheel and you could end up with one of these vouchers. And if youre an MMT Black customer, you could also get up to 30% discount on your international hotel bookings. What can we say, dreams do come true after all.





Excited to be back on the travel wagon? We sure are!

The Great India Travel Sale is only up till 16th August. So hurry, head to MakeMyTrip, and start spinning the wheel to make the most of these unbelievable deals.
The death toll in the landslide that hit Himachal Pradesh's Kinnaur district on Wednesday has risen to 13 as three more bodies were recovered on Thursday morning.

Three bodies were recovered from the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus, which, along with other vehicles, was buried under the debris, State Disaster Management Director Sudesh Kumar Mokhta said.

AFP

The bus was found in a badly damaged condition, he added. Another vehicle, a Bolero, still lies buried under the rubble.

The HRTC bus, which had been on its way from Reckong Peo to Haridwar via Shimla, was hit by the boulders after a landslide around Wednesday noon near Chaura village on national highway-5 in Nigulsari area of Nichar tehsil and fell into a 500-metre deep gorge.

Shocked by the another tragic incident at Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh. 13 dead, around 60 others feared trapped under debris after several vehicles were hit by a landslide.



I offer my condolences to their families. Requesting @IYCHimachal workers to provide all possible assistance pic.twitter.com/cKsiJAu2i4  Srinivas B V (@srinivasiyc) August 12, 2021

Ten bodies were recovered on Wednesday, while 13 others were rescued with injuries.

AFP

Eight of the dead were found trapped in a Tata Sumo taxi during the search and rescue operation on Wednesday.

#Kinnaur landslide update: ITBP troops of 17, 19 & 43 Battalions are undertaking search & rescue operations with sister organizations. 3 dead bodies were retrieved since morning. Total 13 dead bodies have been retrieved till now.#kinnaurlandslide pic.twitter.com/ri3KMN4T3b  ITBP (@ITBP_official) August 12, 2021

"Wreckage of the bus found by ITBP troops of 17, 18 and 43 Battalions at first light (0525 Hrs) at approximately 500 metres below the road and 200 meters above Sutlej river. One more dead body retrieved. Total 11 dead bodies retrieved till now," the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) said in a tweet.

The wreckage of the Bus found early morning today.#kinnaurlandslide pic.twitter.com/b0y5CS8pHy  ITBP (@ITBP_official) August 12, 2021

Over 20 more trapped under debris

At least 20 more people are feared to be trapped in the debris.

"A few boulders started rolling down just ahead of the disaster. Sensing trouble, I ran towards the other side and managed to save myself," a survivor said.

Witnesses said the administration had a tough time extricating the victims from the badly-mangled bus.

AP

It took hours for rescuers to climb down the mountain and bring up the bodies. Even the rainfall and time and again landslips on Tuesday hampered the rescue operation, police officials said.

Kinnaur is one of remotest places in the state and scarcity and low frequency of passenger buses in the district leads to overcrowding of the vehicles.

Second major disaster in a month

This is the second major natural disaster in Kinnaur in less than a month. Nine people, most of them tourists, were killed by a landslide as boulders fell and hit the vehicle they were travelling in on July 25.

All India Radio News

This monsoon also caused major landslides in the state's Kangra district, claiming 10 lives.

Terrifying videos capturing massive landslides in Sirmaur district are common these days.

Seven people died in the exceptionally high rainfall across the cold desert of Lahaul-Spiti district on July 27-28.
With an aim to strengthen its fight against poaching, the Kaziranga National Park (KNP) has become the first in India to provide satellite phones to its guards.

The decision to provide satellite phones to KNP guards was taken by the Assam government in May and 10 such devices were handed over by Chief Secretary Jishnu Baruah to the park authorities on Tuesday.

As per HCM Shri @himantabiswas direction, @sdma_assam handed over 10 satellite phones to @kaziranga_ yesterday. Chief Secretary Sh Jishnu Barua,IAS graced the event.Our deepest gratitude to HCM, HFM @ParimalSuklaba1 & CS for adding a milestone in protection of WL. @assamforest pic.twitter.com/xSoqlbSZW8  Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve (@kaziranga_) August 10, 2021

The forest personnel will use the satellite phones in six ranges of the UNESCO world heritage site where mobile connectivity is poor.

The initiative will be of tremendous help in curbing rhino poaching in the park, the officials said.

AFP

Kaziranga is perhaps the first in the country to get satellite phones for its forest personnel, they said. This facility is generally used by security and law enforcement agencies.

The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) procured the satellite phones for the park at an estimated cost of Rs.16 lakh.

The satellite phones will give an edge to the forest personnel over the poachers and also during emergencies like a flood," Assam Environment and Forest Minister Parimal Suklabaidya said.

AFP/ Representational Image

KNP which is spread over 430 sq km is home to the endangered one-horned rhinos.

According to the last rhino census conducted in 2018, there are 2,413 one-horned rhinos in the protected area.

Poaching for their horn, which is falsely believed to have medicinal properties and are used in some traditional Chinese medicines had brought the one-horned rhinos to near extinction.

AFP

However, conservation efforts at KNP and the strict vigil by the alert guards there have seen their population making a recovery.

Though the number of rhinos killed for their horn in KNP has come down significantly in the past few years, they still remain under a constant threat.

AFP

Nine of the animals were killed in 2017, seven in 2018, three in 2019, two in 2020, and one in 2021 so far.
More than 100 villages are marooned amid flood fury in Uttar Pradesh, and at least 600 villages have been affected so far. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday took a stock of the situation in Varanasi, his parliamentary constituency, and assured all help to the officials.

Houses are partially submerged

Of the state's 75 districts, 24 are battling floods. Houses are partially submerged in parts of Prayagraj that has, according to officials, received "12 times excess rain" in the last 24 hours. Visuals captured locals' plight in several parts of the state as their daily lives are heavily impacted.

Varanasi | Ganga river flowing above danger mark, floods low-lying areas; National Disaster Response Force continues to conduct rescue and relief operation pic.twitter.com/vaCCbV5nAd  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) August 12, 2021

In the last 24 hours, "154 per cent excess rain" was received across the state, officials said. Water levels are above danger-mark in Prayagraj, Ghazipur and Ballia where Ganga flows.

PTI

Rescue teams of NDRF deployed

Yamuna is flowing above the danger-mark in five places. In Varanasi, cremations were shifted to rooftops because of the flooding at the iconic Ganga ghats. Rescue teams of the NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) are deployed to carry out relief operations.

Prayagraj: Houses partially submerged in Chhota Baghada area, as it faces flood-like situation due to rise in water level of river Ganga. Stray dogs that had taken refuge in buildings, rescued with the help of boats. pic.twitter.com/lEAxesKfgR  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) August 11, 2021





The Prime Minister on Wednesday had a detailed conversation with the Varanasi administration about the situation, and he assured the local administration of all help. In southern UP, Hamirpur, Banda and Jalaun districts are the worst-hit while 67 villages in central UP's Etawah are caught in the aftermath.



PTI

800 shelters set up in UP

The Indian Air Force (IAF) had deployed three helicopters for flood relief operations in the Jalaun district. On Monday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had visited Etawah to distribute relief material; he also held a meeting with officials. He also conducted an aerial survey to take a stock of the situation.

BCCL

The state government has set up over 800 shelters, officials said earlier this week. Madhya Pradesh and Bihar are among other states that are battling floods.


The world's biggest threat appears to be climate change, and we are seeing the evidence of it, time and again. Wildfires, floods, heatwaves and other natural catastrophes, planet earth is facing it all.

If you needed any more reason to be worried, this is it. The Italian island of Sicily may have set an all-time heat record for Europe, hitting a temperature of 48.8 degrees Celsius (119.8 degrees Fahrenheit).

AFP

The previous hottest temperature 48 degrees Celsius was recorded in Athens in 1977 by the World Meteorological Organisation(WMO), BBC reported. The current readings which were recorded by local authorities need to be corroborated by the WMO.



The latest heatwave in Italy is being caused by an anticyclone - nicknamed Lucifer - moving up from Africa. Anticyclones are areas of high atmospheric pressure where the air is sinking.

Meteorologists in June had predicted temperatures in Italy's southern areas would rise to 44 or 45 degrees Celsius amid the heatwave.



AFP

The Mediterranean heatwave, which has seen some countries record their highest temperatures in decades, has led to the spread of wildfires across southern Italy, with Sicily, Calabria and Puglia the worst-hit regions.



As per BBC, Italian firefighters on Wednesday said they had been involved in 300 operations in Sicily and Calabria over a 12-hour period, battling through the night to control blazes burning thousands of acres of land.

They said the situation was now under control on the island.

The fires have had a fatal impact with as many as four deaths being linked to wildfires over the past week.



Reuters

Fuelled by hot weather, fires have erupted across southern Europe in recent weeks with huge damage to the landscape on the Italian island of Sardinia.



In Greece, many villages on the Peloponnese Peninsula were evacuated on Wednesday as exhausted firefighters battled wildfires for a ninth consecutive day.

At the other end of the Mediterranean, fires tore through forested areas of northern Algeria on Wednesday, killing at least 65 people, state television reported.
When people start copying you, you can be sure that you are getting successful in life! The story of water bottle company Bisleri is proof of that belief.

Right now Bisleri is the most popular water bottle brand across the country and due to the companys huge success, a lot of other companies have come up with copied water bottles in the market.

So, if you are going to buy a bottle of Bisleri, then you need to keep your eyes open because the bottle in your hand can be Belsri, Bilseri, Brislei or Bislaar instead of Bisleri. This is one of the reasons why Bisleri has framed its tagline this way:

Har paani ki bottle Bisleri nahi hoti! (Not every bottle of water is Bisleri)

Bisleri copied water bottles | Twitter

When travelling, many of us have asked a shopkeeper Bhaiya, Ek Bisleri Dena when all we wanted was a bottle of water. In fact, some of us wouldve also possibly got another brand in return when asked for a Bisleri. But have you ever wondered, what went behind the success of Bisleri? A brand that holds a 60 per cent share in the water bottle industry and dared to be synonymous with water, what could be the reason for its success? We got you covered. Heres everything you need to know about Bisleri - one of the most popular brands for bottled water.

Beginning of Bisleri

Bisleri was founded by an Italian businessman, inventor and chemist- Signor Felice Bisleri. Bisleri was born on November 20, 1851, in Verolanuova. At first, Felice Bisleri developed Bisleri with the intention of an alcohol remedy that is made up of cinchona, herbs and iron salts.



Dr. Cesare Rossi | sothebys.com

Dr Rossi was a family doctor of Felice Bisleri and both were very close family friends. But after the demise of Felice Bisleri on September 17, 1921, Dr Rossi became the owner of the Bisleri company.

Man behind Bisleri in India

Dr. Rossi used to have a very close friend, who was also a lawyer by profession and a legal advisor for the Bisleri company. Rossi's friend son Khushroo Suntook was also a lawyer like his father and he played an important role in establishing a Bisleri in India.

Khushroo Suntook: The man behind Bisleri in India | laughingcolours

India had just become independent and the demand for new types of business was increasing in the country. In the meantime, Rossi's business mind had discovered a business idea. He thought that the water business could be very successful in the coming days. However, it's hard to believe because water availability during that time was very easy but many still struggled for clean and mineral water and hence Dr Rossi started working on his business plan at the root level and also took support from Khushroo Suntook.

Bisleri first water plant set up in Thane, Mumbai

Rossi's idea took off in 1965. This was the year when Khushroo Suntook established the first 'Bisleri Water Plant' in Thane, Mumbai. Although, Rossi and Suntook were declared mad because during that time selling water in India was nothing less than madness, but Rossi and Santook continued to start working on their plans and start producing the bottled water.

Bisleri India

During that time quality of drinking water in India's financial capital was very bad. The poor and middle class used to digest this water somehow, but it became very difficult for the rich family and foreign tourists who stayed in big hotels. In such a situation, this water was not less than any nectar for the affluent. This was the reason why Bisleri's owner Dr Rossi was completely sure about the success of the Bisleri water business.

Journey of Bisleri: From five-star hotels to the common people home

Bisleri entered the Indian market with Bisleri mineral water and Bisleri soda. In the early days of Bisleri in India, both products of Bisleri were limited only to the reach of the rich people and were available only in five-star hotels and expensive restaurants. And Rossi and Santook also knew that it would not be able to achieve success by keeping its products in a limited range, so the company gradually started taking its products to the common people.

Bisleri/Facebook

The news of Khushroo Suntook selling the Bisleri company spread like wildfire in the Indian business world and reached the 'Chauhan Brothers', the masterminds of 'Parle Company'. Just 4 years after the start of the Bisleri water plant in 1969, Ramesh Chauhan bought Bisleri for just Rs 4 lakh.

Parle gave life to Bisleri

Bisleris thirst expansion happened after 1969, where Parle and Bisleri concurrently produced various products to the markets such as beverages, soft drinks and soda. The brand became renowned across India and proposed to expand its brand overseas. The company came up with a different concept of selling soda in two categories - Carbonated and non-carbonated mineral water, this spiked up the production of mineral water in India.

Bisleri became the life of public places

Over the years Bisleri has introduced a lot of products that have shaped the popularity of the brand and has multiplied its customer base. The company had also changed from blue colour bottle labels to its signature colour green in 2006 to stand out from its competitors.

Bisleri

Despite the increasing competition in the packaged drinking water industry, Bisleri holds the largest market share of 60 per cent. Even though Bisleri has diversified its products, it is widely known for its packaged drinking water. The company uses the 4Ps of marketing to keep its consumers satisfied and also increase its customer base. The research team of Parle was constantly in search of how to make Bisleri accessible to the common people. Now most of us found the Bisleri's quality of drinking water in different public places across the country like railway stations, bus stations and roadside dhabas.

Bisleri/Facebook

Bisleris products are affordable and offer more quantity with less cost. Bisleri uses a location-based pricing strategy. Bisleris products sold in restaurants, theatres, etc are costlier compared to retail shops.

Bisleri's consumer-friendly marketing strategy

Bisleri has adopted several forms of promotional activities from advertising on television, print forms to personal selling and usage of billboards, posters and hoardings. The brand also has a complete website detailing its various products. The famous one-liner Biasleri is veri veri extraordinari in Bisleris first advertisement has captured the attention of a substantial number of consumers. The different campaigns Bisleri has initiated have given the brand a great deal of exposure. Notable campaigns include the one nation, one water where labelling was done in different languages to connect with people from different regions; Har Pani ki bottle Bisleri Nahi where they promote the idea that not all water is pure and hygienic like Bisleri.

Bisleri has conquered the Indian market with a huge product collection in terms of packaged drinking water for over two decades. Today, it not only dominates the Indian market but has also reached out overseas, with its 103 plants across India and neighbouring countries. The green-capped bottle is found in almost every store in India.

Bisleri ad | YT

With the idea that was once called madness, Bisleri has gained a 60 per cent stake in India's sealed water bottle industry. The market value of Bisleri in India in 2019 was $24 billion, it is believed that by 2023, the market value of Bisleri will be $60 billion.

Bisleris growth from 1969 to 2021 is magnificent. The growing number of its customer base and the brands ability to maintain its lead in the industry speaks for itself in terms of the success of the brand.
In celebration of the 75th anniversary of India's Independence Day, a leading Indian diaspora organisation in the US will hoist the biggest tricolour unfurled at the famous Times Square in New York on August 15.

Starting with the unfurling of the tricolour at Times Square, Federation of Indian Associations - New York, New Jersey and Connecticut will host day-long celebrations on August 15.

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The first India Day billboard at Times Square will be displayed for 24 hours, the Empire State Building will be lit in the hues of the Indian tricolour and the day will end with a gala cruise on the Hudson River to be attended by top government officials, special guests and members of the Indian-American community. The tricolour will be 6 feet by 10 feet. The height of the pole is 25 feet.



The association had hoisted India's National Flag at Times Square on the country's independence day last year, the first time the Indian tricolour was unfurled at the iconic New York City destination.



The organisation's chairperson Ankur Vaidya said they want to hoist the tricolour at Times Square every year. We want to continue this tradition. This year, we are hoisting the biggest tricolour unfurled at Times Square so far, Vaidya told news agency PTI.



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PTI reported that Indian American sporting icons Abhimanyu Mishra, who at 12 is the youngest Grandmaster in chess history, and 17-year-old Samir Banerjee who made history by winning the Wimbledon boys singles final last month will be honoured at the event. Mishra and Banerjee, who are from New Jersey, are expected to be present at the event Sunday. Artists Jonita Gandhi and Mickey Singh will also be among the guests.



Vaidya said as India marks 75 years of independence, the FIA is launching a campaign focussed on Unified Diaspora in America.

We have to bridge the gap, unify the community. We have to be the force in action, he said.

Watch: Indian Flag hoisted at New York's times square https://t.co/rIv4TyG9Um pic.twitter.com/nUCwGdmogJ  Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) August 15, 2020

As the world continues to grapple with the COVID19 pandemic and its emerging variants, the chairperson emphasised that the relationship between India and the US will be the most important and most vital relationship as we move into the new normal in a post-pandemic world. This relationship between the world's oldest and largest democracies will drive multiple aspects" of global growth and progress. Anil Bansal, current President of FIA, said India is launching a year-long celebration from August 2021 to celebrate the 75 years of independence and FIA will also start the celebration on August 15, 2021, by flag hoisting at Times Square and at the State Capital in Rhode Island.

The FIA also organises its annual flagship event - the India Day Parade to mark India's Independence Day in August.

Top US political leaders, lawmakers as well as prominent members of the Indian-American community and celebrities from India have participated in the annual parade that draws a crowd of thousands in the heart of Manhattan each year. However, like last year, the parade will not be held this year too due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bansal also congratulated all the people who have been appointed in the administration of US President Joe Biden.
We all know someone or the other who thinks that the vaccine is a hoax. They not only are against the idea of injecting the vaccine against coronavirus but also push other people to not get jabbed.

One such 'anti-vax' nurse is accused of injecting more than 8,000 people with a useless saline injection instead of the Covid vaccine.

This nurse from Red Cross is suspected of injecting a harmless salt solution into people's arms instead of genuine doses at a vaccination centre in Friesland.

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After this was revealed, authorities in northern Germany have now appealed to thousands of people to get another jab.

While a saline solution is not harmful, most people who got vaccinated in Germany in March and April - when the suspected switch took place are elderly people who are at high risk of catching the disease.



Sven Ambrosy, a local councillor, said on Facebook as local authorities issued the call on Tuesday to about 8,600 residents who may have been affected. He said, Today I had the sad duty to inform around 8,600 people who may have been affected that it cannot be ruled out they may have received a saline solution instead of their vaccination at their vaccination appointment. "For peace of mind, we would recommend people get an additional vaccination.

The nurse was able to replace the vials because she was responsible for the preparation of vaccines and the preparation of syringes during her working hours in the vaccination centre, health authorities in Lower Saxony said.

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Police investigator Peter Beer, speaking earlier at a news conference covered by German media, said that based on witness statements there was a reasonable suspicion of danger. The motive of the nurse, who has been not named, was not clear but it's reported that she voiced sceptical opinions about vaccines on social media.



CBS News reports that after the incident, authorities carried out antibody tests on more than 100 people who had visited the vaccination centre that day. They were also invited to receive a follow-up inoculation because it was no longer possible to trace to who the six syringes had been administered.

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During the police investigation, it was said that there were increasing fears that a much larger group might have been affected. The investigations of the police have shown the person (involved) was motivated to oppose the vaccination."

According to the authorities, the case involves vaccinations administered between March 5 and April 20 at specific times.
Is your handwriting so bad that it threatens to ruin your career prospects?

That's what happened to one man in England whose attempt to rob a bank backfired as the bank staff were unable to read the illegible note he had handwritten. Isn't that a tale for the centuries?

Alan Slattery, 67, has been given a six-year extended sentence after being arrested for the failed attempt at robbery, LADbible reported.



Credit: Sussex Police

Slattery reportedly entered three banks in the space of two weeks, where he would give notes to ask the cashiers to hand over money.



According to police, his first attempt was at the Nationwide Building Society in Terminus Road, on March 18, 2021. However, due to poor handwriting, the employee was unable to read the note and Slattery left empty-handed.

A Sussex Police spokesperson said: "Staff at the bank later managed to read the note, which said, 'Your screen won't stop what I've got, just hand over the 10s and the 20s. Think about the other customers.'"

"They then rang police, who attended and seized the note and CCTV footage from inside the bank," they added.

Sussex Police

Slattery had later entered the Nationwide Building Society branch on March 26, in London Road, St Leonards where he handed a threatening note over to the cashier. This time he was given 2,400 by the terrified cashier.



As per LADbible, while Sussex Police were still investigating the robbery, they received a call from staff at a branch of NatWest in Hastings.

The Sussex Police spokesperson said: "Staff at the bank reported a man entering the branch and handing over a threatening note demanding money. The cashier challenged the man, who then left empty-handed."

Upon receiving this report, officers said they attended the last known address for Slattery and identified him walking in the vicinity.



Sussex Police

He was arrested on suspicion of robbery and two counts of attempted robbery,



The spokesperson said, A search of his address found some sticky labels identical to the label that had been handed to staff at NatWest bank, and a jacket that matched that of the man seen in CCTV from NatWest.



Slattery pleaded guilty to all three offences, and was given a six-year extended sentence, consisting of four years in custody and two years on licence.

Whatever you do in life, make sure your handwriting is good. Pun intended. Just don't do anything silly, please!
Historically, under normal market conditions, China is only a medium-sized buyer of processed South African foundry material. This is because Chinese foundry sand buyers tend to source foundry-grade material domestically, by screening and washing metallurgical-grade product (coarse ore grades at 44% or slightly higher) through Chinese wash plants.

These operations normally extract a grade that is both usable by local foundries and more competitively priced than material sourced from South Africa.

The performance of the foundry market in China is, therefore, largely linked to domestic metallurgical grade material. So a strong metallurgical grade market could add support to the quiet foundry sector in China, albeit slowly, sources said.

The foundry wet bulk market has been stable since the start of June, as has the foundry dried and bagged market, although both markets did tick up slightly in the week to Tuesday July 27. Fastmarkets price assessment for chromite, foundry, 46% Cr2O3 min, wet bulk, fob South Africa, rose to $200-225 per tonne on July 27, up by 2.41% from $195-220 per tonne, where it had been steady for the previous one-and-a-half months.

Also on July 27, the price for chromite, foundry, 46% Cr2O3 min, dried and bagged, fob South Africa, was assessed at $285-330 per tonne, a rise of 2.5% from $275-325 per tonne, where it had been unchanged since the middle of June.

In contrast with the slow movement in foundry chromite prices, a price rally for chrome ore 42-44% has been reported in recent months. Prices for deals concluded in late June were around $200 per tonne cif Tianjin port, versus $180 per tonne in late May. The offer price was $210 per tonne cif Tianjin port on July 19, and liquidity was heard at $230 per tonne on July 28, sources reported.

Fastmarkets chrome ore South Africa UG2 concentrates index, basis 42%, cif China, rose throughout July. Its sharpest increase occurred in the week to July 27 when it rose by $8 per tonne to $174 per tonne, from $166 per tonne one week earlier, marking a 10.83% increase from the start of June.

Bullish metallurgical market

Energy-consumption restrictions in Chinas Inner Mongolia, in effect since late December 2020, caused the high-carbon ferro-chrome market to surge throughout the first quarter of this year.

The ferro-chrome spot price soared by 45% in the first couple of months of 2021 to peak at 8,800-9,100 yuan ($1,357-1,403) per tonne on March 2.

Although the ferro-chrome spot price depreciated from April to early June in response to looser restrictions in Inner Mongolia and improved supply for smelters in central and southern China, it lurched upward again after several main production regions experienced power cuts in late May. By the end of July, it had jumped to its highest level since September 2008.

Fastmarkets price assessment for ferro-chrome, spot, 6-8% C, basis 50% Cr, ddp China, was 11,000-11,500 yuan per tonne on July 27, up by 49% from 7,400-7,700 yuan per tonne at the start of June.

Fast-rising ferro-chrome prices have encouraged smelters to consider shifting to high-grade chrome ore, not only to improve alloy output, but also to reduce power use amid energy-consumption restrictions, market participants told Fastmarkets.

"Everyone is rushing to produce material thanks to the amazing profits," a ferro-chrome producer said. "Chrome ore with higher chrome content can help us to get more alloy output per kilowatt-hour we consume."

Market participants have also suggested that chrome ore 42-44% could remain in tight supply in the foreseeable future amid robust downstream demand.

"Immediate availability of chrome ore 44% is limited given the lasting strong demand, especially from the south," a chrome ore trader said, "and we are holding the cargoes for now until a further price rise, which we believe will come soon."

Chinese buyers face a choice

Given the expected increased consumption of high-grade metallurgical chrome ore and the rally in chrome ore prices, foundry chromite market participants in China are expecting a demand shift to processed foundry sand in South Africa. This is because the material used in washing and screening is similar to that used in ferro-chrome production.

With a bullish high-grade metallurgical chrome market, material will mainly be shipped to ports such as Tianjin and Qinzhou and less often to Lianyungang, a washing hub for foundry material in China, a China-based supplier of foundry sand said. "This means that we may expect a shortage of screenable material," the supplier added.

Chinas energy restrictions are another factor. "Should they continue," a chrome ore producer said, "ferro-chrome producers will definitely prefer high-grade material with higher alloy output. This will result in a declining supply of screenable material in China."

In addition, with South African miner Chrometcos mining and chrome wash operations on care and maintenance, an expected supply reduction could also lend some support to the market, participants said.

"Chrometco used to mainly supply the foundry sector. Therefore, it is possible that foundry buyers could start to look for material from the metallurgical sector once supply in the foundry sector falls short," a second chrome ore trader said.

Given the remarkable price increase for 44% grade material, the domestic foundry chromite market is bound to go up, a second supplier of foundry sand in China told Fastmarkets on July 27. The supplier reported hearing an offer price at 40 yuan per dry metric tonne unit (dmtu) compard with its previous price of 33 yuan per dmtu.

"Should the price at 40 yuan per dmtu for 44% grade material be a tradable level, we might get a price of $250 per tonne cif China," the same supplier added. "The price differential is narrowing when compared with the foundry sand processed in South Africa. And it would be possible for Chinese foundry buyers to source directly from South Africa."

Nevertheless, there are some that want to stand on the market sidelines, given that Chinas chromite foundry market could still be under pressure from sluggish demand during the slow summer season and amid ample inventory.

"Its difficult to say how the market will perform in the near term. But we have enough inventory for the second half, and there are seaborne materials to come in the following months," a foundry sand supplier in China told Fastmarkets. "Hence, chances for a shortage of material could be slim."

There are 100,000 tonnes of screenable material at Lianyungang port, indicating that supply could be adequate for at least three or four months. With seaborne materials yet to arrive, a supply shortage in the foundry sector is unlikely, a Chinese chromite trader said.
Suppliers of chemical and foundry grade chromite materials have been in an uncomfortable position in 2021 after chrome ore and ferro-chrome counterparts have raised their prices twice in the past six months. Chromite suppliers are largely unable to follow in the same direction with their own quotes.

Prices for metallurgical grade UG2 chrome ore rose by almost 40% during the first quarter of 2021, driven by Chinese demand and a gap in local supply. Chromite prices showed much smaller movements.

Fastmarkets assessment of the foundry wet bulk price rose by 13% between January and March, while the dried-and-bagged price assessment increased by 7% in the same period. Both prices fell from April to May following their short-lived increase. Sellers were largely unsatisfied with this performance, since the rally in chrome ore prices had been of a much larger magnitude.

Chrome ore prices rose from June and continue to be firm. Chromite prices also increased slightly, but remain unable to follow the sharper upward movement of the metallurgical market.

Sources attribute this to both supply and demand issues. "Demand continues to be the main driver of price performance for chemical and foundry chromite," one South African producer said. "Inconsistent buying patterns are making it difficult to raise offers in a meaningful way."

Lower supply

Supply has already reduced from 2020. From the first Covid-19-related lockdown in South Africa in April 2020 onward, several mines  particularly small- and medium-sized operations  closed and did not reopen. Likewise, some independent third-party processing facilities that used to process the material from the smaller mines closed.

"While its true that some supply has fallen by the wayside, that lower total volume has still been too much, given the current state of demand in some destinations," one trader said. "That has affected the international pricing pattern."

Recent developments may have ripple effects on the supply structure of the global market, several sources said. In early July, South African miner Chrometco filed for a restructuring of its business and put its chrome mining and washing operations  which were run by Sail Group  on care and maintenance due to financial pressure.

Sail and Chrometco were supplying both the metallurgical market and the non-met foundry market. Sources estimated that Sails monthly shipments to China averaged 90,000-100,000 tonnes.

Market participants suggest that the effect on the foundry sand market may be more pronounced than the effect on the large chrome market. A substantial amount of foundry sand consumed in China originated, directly or indirectly, from the coarse chrome ore that Sail shipped. The company operated its own screening plant in China, where it processed ore into foundry sand to supply the local market. It also supplied ore to other third-party wash plants, again for screening foundry material sold domestically.

"Once you consider that Sail was behind not just the volumes their own wash plant had to sell, but was also serving other screen plants in the country, you see that their weight on the Chinese foundry market was significant," a second trader said. "If those units dont come back, youll have a large consumer, China, where a gap would open up quite quickly."

Chinese consumers tend to buy much larger volumes than other destinations  such as Europe, the rest of Asia or North America  so buying patterns in China have acted as a leveller to the market in the past, scooping up extra tonnages and balancing supply elsewhere.

While there may at times be differences in exact product specifications, because Chinese consumers can normally handle less strict specifications for their usage compared with other destinations, the countrys volume of demand gave it a weight in the global chromite market.

Foundry consumers in the country have been telling Fastmarkets for several months that their demand for South African sand remained low because they had sufficient and cheaper domestic supply from screened material, plus enough port-side inventories to cover existing and impending short-term needs. Reported sales of South African foundry material to China over the past six months have been few and far between.

This might change after Chrometco/Sail put its chrome mining and washing operations on care and maintenance, if those operations were to remain shut in the future. Domestic wash plants would find it difficult to source alternative volumes, requiring other suppliers from outside. Foundry consumers may also find it harder to cover their needs solely with locally screened material, and may have to resort to more expensive source units directly from South Africa.

This may set several supply wheels in motion. Higher demand from China may tighten supply in other areas. "We kept saying that something had to give on the supply front, and a hole being created suddenly, for the market to reset into a new workable balance," a second seller said. "Maybe this is it."

"Any volumes that move toward China from [South Africa] wouldnt be heading anywhere else, and would take away from what will be available in Europe [and] in the US," a third trader said. "If the lions share of foundry in the Chinese market is not here any more, that will have some kind of effect."
Since breaking ground in May 2012 and shipping its first ore in April of the following year, the Kudumane Manganese Mine has established itself among South Africas largest manganese miners, producing 1.8-2 million tonnes per year of ore.

The mine is operated by Kudumane Manganese Resources (KMR) in South Africas Northern Cape Province, 80km northwest of Kuruman. The project has 250 million tonnes of resources and includes an open-pit mine, a mobile crushing and screening plant, and a chemical analysis laboratory. It ships its ore from the ports of Durban and Port Elizabeth, counting China, India and Russia among its export markets.

KMR is headed by Thembelani Gantsho, a former investment banker who swapped investment banking "glamour" for the grit of manganese ore, a darling of South African mining that imparts strength in steelmaking. A finance graduate of Cape Town University in the mid-noughties, Gantsho has a varied resume, with stints at blue-chip banking and mining giants, having alternated between those sectors for a few years.

"One gets lured by the glamour of investment banking. And it is lovely to watch a mining project from the ground up and navigate the difficulties of funding," he said.

After starting his banking career at Barclays-affiliated South African bank Absa Capital, Gantsho was eventually headhunted into Xstrata Alloys, a unit of FTSE-100 listed mining giant Xstrata, which went on to merge with trader-miner Glencore in 2013. In his two years at Xstrata, he looked after platinum in a business development and strategy role, setting the foundations for a mining career. "Thats where I cut my teeth in mining. I enjoyed it; it was great fun," he said.

He was later headhunted back to Absa and is candid about finding his way back again to resources and a longer term career at a miner, working his way up from head of sales, marketing and logistics to the helm of the company.

"I did it for a while and banking was not for me, I guess. Stroking egos to get business for the banks - I didnt really enjoy it," Gantsho said. "The mining industry has given me vast opportunities to travel the world, meet international players and network. Its the opportunities that it has given me that have kept me stable in this company."

Gantsho readily reviews his career development, but it is clear that what really impassions him is discussing the wider manganese market and, even more so, the future of South Africas mining industry.

His financial mind is ticking throughout the conversation, but he is balancing miners funding considerations and profit margins against how they fit into South Africas wider strategy and future, which comes with other responsibilities.

"Once youre done, you need to leave a lasting legacy," he said. "We must leave an impact and make sure the community is better off. The benefit must not just be to the owners, and the area must not be a barren land with the community in abject poverty.

"KMRs shareholders have set aside as much as 10% of the economic benefit derived from the business for the benefit of our employees and the local community. This goes beyond our current requirements but embraces the spirit of the latest Mining Charter," he said.

Surviving the pandemic

It is his workforce that is his first thought when he expresses his relief at surviving the Covid-19 pandemic.

South Africa imposed two national lockdowns, the first in March 2020 and the second in June this year. The first lockdown triggered a series of force majeure declarations across the countrys mining sector, while mines were forced to temporarily close and staff were unable to get to work.

For KMR, efforts to mitigate the effects of the pandemic included fixing water pipes, providing water tanks, serving healthcare centers and enabling online learning for grade-12 students by providing computer tablets and data. The company also directed its existing collaboration with other Northern Cape miners, including rivals in the manganese space, toward the Covid relief effort.

"Covid-19 forced us to be in survival mode because we had to prioritize the safety of our workforce," Gantsho said.

"We were fortunate in that, as an industry, we were allowed to operate, thus enabling us to safeguard jobs and be in a position to meet our obligations to our employees. In addition, we played our part in ensuring that we assisted our local communities, focusing on improving service delivery within the local water infrastructure and education," he said.

"We also partnered with our neighbouring mines Kumba, Assmang and South32 under the Shared Value Initiative to collectively direct our efforts toward having a meaningful effect with our Covid relief initiatives," he said.

South African mining

Alongside his commitment to corporate social responsibility, Gantsho recognizes a need for South African mining to attract fresh capital, having lost some of its appeal in recent years. He sees these priorities as inextricably linked and in line with the South African Mining Charter.

The proportion of investment in Africa that goes to South Africa has shrunk drastically in less than a generation, Gantsho pointed out. "Over a decade to a decade-and-a-half ago, South Africa used to get the lions share of Africas mining capital investment. However, this has shrunk to less than 5% based on Africas latest mining capital internment figures. This is both for new and prospecting projects," he said.

"We have a sense that mining is a sunset industry, but there is lots of opportunity for it to be a sunrise industry. For mining to grow, you need to invest in prospecting. South Africa creates great opportunities, but capital has dried up," he said.

He blames the capital drought on frequent changes to the regulatory framework, which continue to spook investors despite the country being relatively stable politically.

South Africas Mining Charter aims to radically improve black economic empowerment (BEE), community benefits and competitiveness under a number of transformation goals. It has been revamped twice, most recently in 2018, and although the government frames the charters evolution as progression and agility, many, including Gantsho, believe that the changes have meant uncertainty for investors, even though the intention was right.

"Its to do with regulatory uncertainty, constant changing of the rules," he said. "We are on our third iteration of the Mining Charter; even ministers have admitted some flaws, and that creates uncertainty. The essence of the Charter is needed; it drives transformation and we need not be apologetic about that. But there needs to be stability in the rules."

The kind of fears some investors have around political instability in some emerging economies, and potential loss of assets, should not apply to South Africa, Gantsho added. "When capital is deployed, its protected. Youre not going to have assets taken by the government," he said.

Recent unrest in South Africa  riots and looting following the jailing of former president Jacob Zuma  has drawn international concern and knocked the value of the countrys rand down from its strong recent performance among emerging market currencies.

Great opportunities still remain and investors can look beyond the unrest to the growth in the Northern Cape in particular, according to Gantsho.

"The recent unrest highlights the disgruntled state of the masses with regard to the massive inequality and high levels of unemployment and poverty in the country," he said. "This does not diminish the opportunities that the country possesses, only if they are supported by enabling policies and a willingness from the government to execute those policies. Mining still has great opportunities, especially demonstrated by the massive growth in mining operations over the past decade in the Northern Cape Province, where we operate."

South African mining  and downstream industries in particular  also continue to operate under the shadow of limited power supply and frequent load shedding, which means controlled blackouts aimed at reducing the pressure on the national grid.

This presents another challenge for government by making added-value downstream manufacturing difficult to establish or maintain. "Power is a constraint the country has on any ambitions of the government for beneficiation," Gantsho said.

Producer discipline

Gantsho shares the frustrations of many other senior executives and marketing managers of manganese miners amid what has long been seen as poor producer discipline on output levels.

While commodity market participants elsewhere debate the emergence of a new supercycle, many with stakes in the manganese market fear exclusion from this kind of upside. Gantsho believes that ifSouth African manganese producers continuing to push ever higher volumes into an already-oversupplied market, it will cost manganese a place among the winners of any such event.

Gantsho stops short of declaring a new commodity supercycle in todays market himself, but he says that manganese producers will be ruling themselves out of significant upside as long as they continue to export at todays rate.

"The South African producers are really pumping, and we are going to miss an opportunity to benefit from any cycle. The only way is to get stocks down and for South Africa to exercise restraint," he said.

Stocks of manganese ore in Chinese ports have been declining throughout 2021, but those inventories are still about a million tonnes larger than they were 12 months ago, as high as 5.67 million tonnes in mid-July this year.

Manganese ore prices have been relatively volatile this year amid weather-related disruptions, logistical constraints and soaring freight rates, and the market has remained under pressure from the high stocks in China and rising exports volumes from South Africa. Preliminary data shows South African manganese miners exported about 2 million tonnes of ore in June this year, up from 1.7 million tonnes in May and 1.8 million tonnes in June 2020. As recently as the second half of 2019, 1 million or 1.3 million tonnes was a normal monthly volume.

Preoccupation among manganese miners with being the top producer, or among the top producers, is leading to decisions that weigh on market conditions, Gantsho believes. "Producers need to see reason and not think about market position. Its a balancing act; we need to be disciplined as producers and position ourselves to take advantage of any cycle," he said.

Since January, prices for South Africas 37% semi-carbonate ore have risen by more than 11% on a cif basis, reflecting higher freight costs, but have fallen by nearly 12% on an fob basis to $3.10 per dry metric tonne unit as of July 21, meaning producer netbacks are down.

Road and rail

The use of more expensive road transport to boost export volumes beyond South Africas constrained rail capacity has been particularly controversial in recent years. Manganese ore producers use trucks to ramp-up exports when prices are high, but many in the industry complain that these increased exports continue for too long after prices settle down.

"We still have guys who are dogmatic about putting material onto trucks, and you have to question how theyre making money. Theyre focused not on margins but on being the number one or two producer at any cost," Gantsho said. "We dont ship more than our Transnet [South African rail] allocation. We have only trucked one or two shipments since 2016."

The year when Kudumane stopped trucking was one of unprecedented volatility that started with fob prices for 37% semi-carbonate ore at $1.35 per dmtu and ended with a three-month rally that took prices as high as $7.96 per dmtu.

And the market has been vulnerable to rallying and crashing, with little warning, ever since.

Although Kudumane has only trucked one or two shipments since 2016, according to Gantsho, it started out with trucking as its only transportation option before securing a rail allocation. "We started out trucking ore and were offered an opportunity with an entity in Port Elizabeth to partner, and thats how we got into rail. In 2015," he said, "thats when our railing kicked off."

Gantsho helped bring Kudumane into existence in partnership with Dr Mandla Gantsho, former chairman of Sasol, Kumba Iron Ore and Impala Platinum, and a relative of Thembelanis, as well as Hirotaka Suzuki, founder of Hong Kong-based Asia Minerals Ltd (AML), the majority owner of KMR.

AML provides technical and marketing services for the mine, which also has a black economic empowerment (BEE) partner, Afris Capital. "I partnered with Dr Gantsho," the CEO said. "He knew funding and I knew mining. We invested in Kudumane Manganese Resources and I moved up the ranks. Then we partnered with Mr Suzuki of AML and the relationship has gone from strength to strength.

"We found an asset we fell in love with. It came up and we got to understand it and its applications. Once you understand it, its easy to fall in love with it," he said. "You get to see the whole value chain; opening up the pit, doing your first shipment. We had no Transnet allocation, we had to find solutions. I started with no experience in logistics, but we had a great team. We found operators ready to work with us, and there was a big push to get Transnet onboard."

Securing Transnet allocation is always a huge step for South African miners, which have to share the countrys constrained capacity and often complain that they would export much greater volumes by rail if they could do so. Gantsho said that achieving rail allocation was something he did through perseverance - "Being in their face all the time until you build those relationships," he said.

AMLs support

Seeing the project through its early days has given Gantsho a great appreciation for AMLs support, which came at a time when the risk profile of junior miners was unattractive to many investors.

"In the beginning, when the operation started, AML still came to the party and funded from their own cashflows, and theyve been rewarded. The funding was a challenge from the banks, but our partner stepped up and allowed us to do it without debt from banks. Due to the risk profile at the time, mining was not sexy for banks unless you were a major," Gantsho said.

"I applaud AML; they bet everything on developing KMR, having invested in excess of $150 million, and that investment has paid off. It is thanks to Mr Suzukis visionary leadership that AML ventured into manganese mining, and thats how KMR came to be," he added.

In handling Kudumanes ore marketing, AML has not been among those who Gantsho believes are pushing volumes at any cost, he said, adding that a solid client base has been established without such practises.

"Ive enjoyed the partnership with AML and I appreciate the mentality of AML; not chasing volume, and clients are with us whether the market is down or the market is up," he said. "They dont look to play the market; even when the temptation is there, they exercise restraint. Its not about what the market is doing, its about what the business needs."

Gantsho believes his experiences rising through the company have made him a better leader, better able to understand the challenges of his workforce. He is also more confident aboout letting them grow into their roles.

"Fernando Voges looks after our logistics. He is a real treasure. He has done an exceptional job in that role to ensure that we minimize our reliance on road hauling and grow our rail allocation," Gantsho says.

"My experience in logistics allows me to understand the challenges the guys have, and I am able to advise and provide solutions," he concluded. "You see the mistakes you made at the beginning. Im privileged enough to have had direct involvement with elements of the business and allow them to be their own boss, and not stifle their decisions."
Two professional dancers have filed a lawsuit alleging that the husband of a former principal dancer with the Boston Ballet sexually assaulted young dancers he was instructing, and that his wife aided in the abuse.

Boston Ballets Sage Humphries and another dancer, Gina Menichino, allege in the suit filed in federal court in Nevada that Mitchell Taylor Button and his wife, Dusty Button, used their standing in the dance community to gain the trust of young dancers, then exploit those relationships to coerce sexual acts by means of force and fraud, The Boston Globe reported.

The Associated Press does not typically identify victims of sexual assault unless they publicly identify themselves.

The lawsuit also alleges that Mitchell Button sexually abused at least five students while working as a dance instructor in Florida, one beginning when she was 13. It alleges the abuse started a decade ago.

Dusty Button is not named as a defendant but the suit accuses her of engaging in sexual abuses against Humphries, including holding Humphries down during an assault by her husband.

A lawyer for the Buttons said her clients deny the allegations.

Taylor and Dusty Button categorically deny these baseless claims, and they look forward to the opportunity to disprove all of the plaintiffs allegations through court proceedings, Ken Swartz said in a statement.

An attorney for the dancers said her clients are trying to protect other young dancers.

This is a pair of perpetrators who are highly sophisticated, highly manipulative, and are continuing, which is exactly what my clients were concerned about, Sigrid McCawley said.

The Boston Ballet in a statement said it supported Humphries.

Boston Ballet supports Sage Humphries who is bravely coming forward, sharing her experience to protect others, and seeking accountability and justice, the statement said. The Ballet will continue to do everything in its power to create and promote a safe and supportive culture for its students, dancers, staff, and community.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Abuse Molestation
Three firefighters were hospitalized and several pet dogs and cats were missing as a fire heavily damaged a historic building in New Hartford, Connecticut, officials said. All 22 residents were accounted for and unharmed.

Nearly 100 firefighters from more than 30 departments responded to the blaze, which was first reported shortly before 2:30 a.m., said Jon Barbagallo, a spokesperson for regional emergency response agencies. Two firefighters suffered minor injuries and a third suffered a serious medical problem, he said.

The three-story building known as New Hartford House dates from 1850 and had six businesses on the ground floor and 14 apartments above, Barbagallo said.

The 20 adults and two children who lived in the building were accounted for, but were left homeless, he said. The blaze destroyed much of the building, leaving only parts of the brick facade still standing.

We were sleeping and we heard a beeping noise, Christine Civitello, a resident of the building, said. We grabbed our kid and we all just ran out the door without anything. I had a tank top on. The firemen gave me some clothes. But yeah, it was really intense.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Numbers Connecticut
A Massachusetts construction worker pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and will serve an 18-month sentence for the punch that killed his friend and co-worker last year.

Robert Clarke and Elliott Fama came to Maine in October last year for a construction job. Police said Clarke hit Fama during a fight over a cigarette. Video evidence showed that Fama lost consciousness after he was hit and hit his head on a curb. He died days later in the hospital, The Portland Press Herald reported.

Clarke was originally charged with aggravated assault but a grand jury indicted on a manslaughter charge after Fama died.

But the Maine Attorney Generals Office agreed to dismiss the charge as a part of an agreement. Superior Court Justice Thomas McKeon suspended all but 18 months of a 10-year sentence Clarke could have potentially faced in prison.

The judge ordered Clarke pay $6,000 in funeral expenses and serve three years of probation.

At the hearing, Clarke apologized for his actions.

I honestly didnt mean to hurt him, he said. It was just stupid, and Im sorry.

Clarkes sentence will begin in the fall, coinciding with the anniversary of Famas death.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Massachusetts
Aviva Plc plans to return at least 4 billion pounds ($5.6 billion) to investors using proceeds from the recent sale of non-core businesses.

The UK-based insurer and asset manager will start with an immediate 750 million pound share buyback, and the balance will be returned to investors by the end of the first half of 2022, Aviva said in an earnings statement Thursday.

Avivas shares rose as much as 3.7% in early Thursday trading in London.

We are delivering on our commitment to make a substantial capital return to our shareholders, Chief Executive Officer Amanda Blanc said in the statement. The company will provide further details about the payout in March next year, she said.

Since joining Aviva just over a year ago, Blanc has focused the firm on its U.K., Ireland and Canada businesses while selling off eight units in other markets. The firm has retained operations in China, India and Singapore.

While Aviva had previously flagged the proposed return to shareholders, the company has recently been targeted by an activist investor seeking higher payouts. Sweden-based Cevian Capital AB revealed in June that it owned a stake of around 5% and said it would push for bigger cost cuts and investor returns.

The payout marks Blancs commitment to move at pace to overhaul the insurer after years of lackluster returns. Shares have risen about 50% since she took the reins in July 2020 as the firm steadily raised some 7.5 billion pounds from its divestment program. Aviva will also use those proceeds to pay down debt.

Aviva posted a drop in first-half operating profit to 1.1 billion pounds versus 1.2 billion pounds a year earlier. The firms investment unit saw net inflows of 829 million pounds, taking total assets under management to around 260 billion pounds.

Copyright 2021 Bloomberg.
The worst wildfires in decades have killed at least 65 people in Algerias forested mountains, making it the latest Mediterranean nation to be struck by devastating blazes as temperatures have risen to unprecedented highs.

France offered help, including two Canadair firefighting aircraft, but it wasnt clear if officials had accepted the assistance from Algerias former colonial ruler.

Twenty-eight soldiers were among the dead, with the mountainous and historically restive region of Kabylie, east of the capital, the worst hit, state news agency APS reported.

Only 17 of 103 fires that erupted across 17 governorates since Monday have been extinguished, it quoted Ali Mahmoudi, director general of the Forestry Department, as saying.

While wildfires are a relatively regular occurrence in Algeria, this weeks were the countrys biggest and deadliest in several decades. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune announced three days of national mourning on Wednesday.

pic.twitter.com/yXLoqtjhF8

 ALGERIE PRESSE SERVICE |    (@APS_Algerie) August 10, 2021

French-language TSA Algerie, which visited Kabylie on Wednesday, said the wildfires left a trail of desolation all along the usually lush road linking Tizi Ouzou to Bouira. Several villages were abandoned.

Residents in one village, Ath Yenni, said in text messages that four people had been killed there, while five-meter-high flames had reduced the sole clinic to ashes. Food, water and medicines were scarce.

41 fires across 13 wilayas [provinces] in #Algeria. The country is going through difficult times (fires, water + oxygen shortage #COVID19). #AlgeriaIsBurning and it is as important as #Greece #Italy and #Turkey. https://t.co/7sMHn3fdeD

 Dr. Dalia Ghanem (@DaliaZinaGhanem) August 11, 2021

The leader of Rally for Culture and Democracy, an opposition party which counts the region as its main support base, said the wildfires had destroyed hundreds of homes and forced the evacuation of dozens of villages in a horrific scene. It urged authorities to seek international assistance given the shortage in fire trucks and the near total absence of airborne means to control the blazes.

Authorities in the closely controlled country have blamed arsonists for the fires. But soaring temperatures have triggered blazes across the Mediterranean in Greece, Turkey and Italy, triggering debate over the impact of man-made climate change. Neighboring Tunisia has also been battling wildfires since Tuesday.

Photograph: A man looks on as smoke rises from a wildfire in the forested hills of the Kabylie region, east of the capital Algiers, on Aug. 10, 2021. Photo credit: Ryad Kramdi/AFP/Getty Images.

Copyright 2021 Bloomberg.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Trends Wildfire
Zurich Insurance Groups on Thursday joined other big European insurers in reporting a strong rebound in earnings as the impact from COVID-19 on their businesses eased.

Buoyant markets along with higher policy sales helped the insurers profits to roar back after a tough 2020.

In the Netherlands, NN Group reported a doubling in its first-half net profit, while Aegon recovered from a loss a year earlier to post a second-quarter net profit of 849 million euros ($996.13 million).

Zurichs shares gained around 3%, whilst Aegon rose 6% and NN was up 2.4%.

Zurichs operating profit jumped 60% to $2.7 billion in the first half of 2021, which compared with expectations for first-half business operating profit of around $2.5 billion, based on a company-compiled consensus.

Zurich Chief Executive Mario Greco had told Reuters in June that Europes fifth-largest insurer expected a strong rebound in profits in 2021.

We achieved outstanding results in the first six months of 2021 with profits back to the levels of 2019, when we reported our best first half in a decade, Greco said in a statement.

This is a remarkable achievement considering the elevated natural catastrophe losses in the period and the ongoing public health crisis.

The groups Chief Financial Officer George Quinn said Zurichs exposure to last months severe German floods was around $150-$200 million, although he said the claims process was still at an early stage.

Zurichs net income attributable to shareholders rose 86% to $2.19 billion thanks to the operating profit boost and higher levels of realized capital gains.

Its Swiss Solvency Test (SST) ratio of 206% showed strong capitalization, it said, adding it remained on track to achieve 2022 targets.

The Swiss company took a $73 million hit to operating profit from COVID-19, down from $686 million in the first half of 2020.

Higher mortality-related claims in life insurance offset a net favorable impact in property and casualty, where reduced claims frequency associated with COVID-19 restrictions more than compensated for COVID-19 related claims, it said.

It saw significant rate increases in commercial business across all regions, with these trends expected to continue through the second half of the year.

($1 = 0.8523 euros) ($1 = 0.7213 pounds) (Reporting by Michael Shields, editing by Kirsti Knolle, John Revill, Kim Coghill and Jane Merriman)

Topics COVID-19 Profit Loss
Avalon Risk Management

Avalon Risk Management (Avalon) in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, named Michael S. Brown president and CEO.

Brown succeeds Lisa M. Gelsomino who, after 23 years as a founding partner and 13 years as Avalons president and CEO, is stepping down to spend more time with her family.

Gelsomino will continue to serve Avalon as a senior advisor focusing on her continued role in the Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) through various working groups including AD/CVD, bond, forced labor, in-bond, IPR, 1USG, the 21st Century Customs Framework Task Force, and others. She will also continue to participate in the Trade Support Network (TSN) and various government affairs on behalf of Avalon and the trade.

Brown joined Avalon in 1998, opening the companys Boston office. He has served as senior vice president, sales, and most recently as executive vice president where he oversaw sales and marketing activities nationwide, as well as Avalons Eastern and Midwest divisions, national account and marketing departments.

Avalon Risk Management provides insurance and surety solutions to the logistics industry. Local service is provided through 10 offices throughout the U.S. and Canada.

International Medical Group

Indianapolis-based International Medical Group (IMG), a medical insurance, global assistance and travel insurance company, named Steve Paraboschi CEO, effective immediately. Paraboschi will continue to serve as president of IMG.

Paraboschi succeeds Brian Barwick, who remains engaged with the company as an executive advisor

Paraboschi joined IMG in 2017 as executive vice president and was appointed president in 2020. With over 25 years of experience within the broad financial services industry, Parabosch came to IMG from AXA Assistance USA, where he served as CEO.

J.M. Wilson

Wholesale insurance broker and managing general agent, J.M. Wilson, promoted Nicole Lloyd to transportation underwriter in its Westerville, Ohio, office and added Eric Chalus as assistant transportation underwriter in Arlington Heights, Illinois.

Lloyd is responsible for underwriting a wide variety of new and renewal transportation risks, as well as strengthening relationships with independent insurance agents and company underwriters in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.

She joined J.M. Wilson in 2018 as an assistant transportation underwriter. Prior to joining J.M. Wilson, Lloyd was a casualty liability adjuster, large loss field contents adjuster, and centralized property adjuster for 10 years.

Chalus assists underwriters with a wide variety of new and renewal commercial transportation accounts, while maintaining relationships with carriers and independent insurance agents in Illinois and Iowa.

Prior to joining J.M. Wilson, Chalus worked professionally in journalism and sales.

Founded in 1920, J.M. Wilson is a managing general agency and surplus lines broker providing independent insurance agents access to specialty markets.
The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) announced that Dr. Sebastian Negrusa has joined the Cambridge, Mass.-based Institute to manage its research programs and accelerate WCRIs focus on new topics in workers compensation.

An economist and expert in labor and health policy, Negrusa has conducted multiple health workforce studies funded by the federal government, state agencies, and professional organizations. Other outcomes he studied encompass health care utilization and spending, labor market outcomes, and integrity of Medicare programs. He has published peer-reviewed research on the job satisfaction of health providers, substitutions across alternative sources of health insurance, the impact of military deployment on divorces, and the effect of federal subsidies on veterans demand for higher education.

Before coming to WCRI, he spent 10 years at the Lewin Group, a Virginia-based analytics subsidiary of OptumServe, as an associate director. Before that, he worked at the RAND Corp. as an associate economist. He has a PhD in Economics from Clemson University and a BA in International Economics from Babes-Bolyai University.

WTWs Atkinson, Pokora Move to Marshs Senior Housing and Long-Term Care Practice

Insurance broker Marsh announced that John Atkinson and Michael Pokora will join to co-lead a new Senior Housing and Long-Term Care Practice for the U.S. and Canada. Based in Chicago, they will report to Jeffrey Alpaugh, Marshs U.S. and Canada Growth and Industry Leader.

In this newly created dual leadership role, Atkinson and Pokora will head a team of Marsh industry specialists responsible for transactional and advisory products and services that address risk financing, risk management, and human capital needs of operators and equity providers within the senior housing and aging services industry.

Atkinson also will serve as chairman of Marshs Chicago office, where he will lead civic and community engagement and support Marshs growing business in the Midwest working alongside the current leadership team.

Atkinson and Pokora join Marsh from Willis Towers Watson where they previously served as executive vice presidents and managing directors of the Senior Living Practice Group. Together they bring decades of risk management experience in the senior living and long-term care space.

Willis Towers Watson Appoints Drummond to Head Broking North America; Names Romano to Mid-Market Team

Insurance broker Willis Towers Watson announced the appointment of Jon Drummond as its new head of Broking North America. In his new role, Drummond will be responsible for leading the companys North America broking operations and strategy, as well as driving the transformation of digital broking.

Drummond joined Willis Towers Watson in 2014 and was previously head of Casualty Broking for the North America Casualty Broking business. Prior to joining Willis Towers Watson, Drummond worked at Aon within their national casualty practice.

Based in Chicago, he will report into Mike Liss.

The broking leadership team has been further strengthened by the appointment of Matt Romano as its new head of Mid-Market Broking Solutions (MMBS) business which includes Differentiated Broking Solutions (DBS) facilities, Panels, Select Broking, Premium Finance, and the Homestead Group Captive. MMBS is a core component of its overall Middle Market (MM) strategy with businesses having annualized premiums approaching $500 million.

Romano joined Willis Towers Watson in 2007 in the Scottsdale, Arizona market, as a broker, before becoming a client advocate specializing in Healthcare. In 2017 he returned to broking to run several broking operations in the West Region.

Topics Willis Towers Watson
The resurgence of COVID-19 cases in the United States due to the Delta variant and the new guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that requires fully vaccinated individuals to wear masks have led companies to change their plans on vaccinations and masking. Here are some of the companies that have taken action following the CDC guidance.

Walmart Inc Reinstated mask mandate for workers in U.S. counties deemed at high risk of COVID-19 transmission and said it required corporate staff to be vaccinated

Inc Reinstated mask mandate for workers in U.S. counties deemed at high risk of COVID-19 transmission and said it required corporate staff to be vaccinated Apple Inc Mandated masks at most of its U.S. retail stores

Inc Mandated masks at most of its U.S. retail stores Amazon.com Inc Asked all U.S. employees to wear masks at work, regardless of their vaccination status

Inc Asked all U.S. employees to wear masks at work, regardless of their vaccination status Target Corp Mandated masks for employees and recommended masks for all customers in areas with a high risk of transmission

Mandated masks for employees and recommended masks for all customers in areas with a high risk of transmission Home Depot Inc Mandated employees, contractors and vendors to wear masks in all stores, distribution centers, office locations and customers homes, regardless of vaccination status. Will also ask customers to wear masks while in stores

Inc Mandated employees, contractors and vendors to wear masks in all stores, distribution centers, office locations and customers homes, regardless of vaccination status. Will also ask customers to wear masks while in stores Alphabe t Inc Mandated vaccinations for all employees to step into offices and extended work-from-home policy through Oct. 18

t Inc Mandated vaccinations for all employees to step into offices and extended work-from-home policy through Oct. 18 F acebook Inc Mandated vaccinations for all employees to step into offices

Inc Mandated vaccinations for all employees to step into offices Twitter Inc Shut its reopened offices and paused future office reopenings

Inc Shut its reopened offices and paused future office reopenings Lyft Inc Mandated vaccinations for employees returning to office and postponed office reopenings to February from September

Inc Mandated vaccinations for employees returning to office and postponed office reopenings to February from September Netflix Inc Mandated vaccinations for cast and crew on all its U.S productions

Inc Mandated vaccinations for cast and crew on all its U.S productions Salesforce .com Mandated vaccinations for employees to return to some of its offices

.com Mandated vaccinations for employees to return to some of its offices Walt Disney Inc Mandated mask requirements beginning July 30 for all guests while indoors regardless of their vaccination status, and that all salaried and non-union hourly U.S. employees working at any of its sites be fully vaccinated

Inc Mandated mask requirements beginning July 30 for all guests while indoors regardless of their vaccination status, and that all salaried and non-union hourly U.S. employees working at any of its sites be fully vaccinated LinkedIn Corp To allow most employees to opt for full-time remote work as offices gradually reopen U.S. automakers

Corp To allow most employees to opt for full-time remote work as offices gradually reopen U.S. automakers General Motors Co, Ford Motor Co and Stellantis NV to reinstate the wearing of masks at all U.S. plants, offices and warehouses, regardless of vaccination status

Co, Ford Motor Co and Stellantis NV to reinstate the wearing of masks at all U.S. plants, offices and warehouses, regardless of vaccination status McDonalds Corp Mandated all U.S.-based office workers to be vaccinated, and all customers and staff to wear masks inside its U.S. restaurants in areas with high or substantial transmission

Corp Mandated all U.S.-based office workers to be vaccinated, and all customers and staff to wear masks inside its U.S. restaurants in areas with high or substantial transmission New York Stock Exchang e Anyone accessing its trading floor at 11 Wall Street needs to be fully vaccinated

e Anyone accessing its trading floor at 11 Wall Street needs to be fully vaccinated Morgan Stanley Staff and clients will not be allowed to enter the banks New York offices if not fully vaccinated

Staff and clients will not be allowed to enter the banks New York offices if not fully vaccinated Jefferies Group Will allow only fully vaccinated individuals into offices and events hosted outside offices

Will allow only fully vaccinated individuals into offices and events hosted outside offices Uber Technologies Inc Mandated full vaccination for all employees to step into office and pushed back its back-to-office date to late October globally

Inc Mandated full vaccination for all employees to step into office and pushed back its back-to-office date to late October globally Tyson Foods Inc Mandated full vaccination for its workforce

Inc Mandated full vaccination for its workforce Gap Inc Employees entering its office buildings in Bay Area, New York, and Albuquerque hubs must show proof of vaccination starting Sept. 7

Inc Employees entering its office buildings in Bay Area, New York, and Albuquerque hubs must show proof of vaccination starting Sept. 7 Kohls Corp Employees in counties with high risk of transmission need to wear masks while in store

Corp Employees in counties with high risk of transmission need to wear masks while in store CVS Health Corp All employees to wear a face mask or covering in all CVS health worksites

Corp All employees to wear a face mask or covering in all CVS health worksites Gilead Sciences Inc All its employees and contractors in the United States need to be vaccinated

Inc All its employees and contractors in the United States need to be vaccinated Pfizer inc All U.S. employees and contractors must get vaccinated or participate in weekly COVID-19 testing

inc All U.S. employees and contractors must get vaccinated or participate in weekly COVID-19 testing Microsoft Corp All employees, vendors and guests will be required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter companys U.S. buildings

Corp All employees, vendors and guests will be required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter companys U.S. buildings United Airlines Inc Mandated all its U.S.-based employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and show proof of vaccination

Inc Mandated all its U.S.-based employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and show proof of vaccination Citigroup Inc U.S. employees returning to its New York headquarters and offices in some cities required to be vaccinated

Inc U.S. employees returning to its New York headquarters and offices in some cities required to be vaccinated JPMorgan Chase & Co Mandated masks for employees in U.S. offices regardless of their vaccination status

& Co Mandated masks for employees in U.S. offices regardless of their vaccination status Centene Corp All employees will have to show proof of vaccination or undergo regular COVID-19 tests and wear masks at all times while in company offices

All employees will have to show proof of vaccination or undergo regular COVID-19 tests and wear masks at all times while in company offices Caterpillar Inc Reintroduced mask mandates for employees, suppliers and visitors to the companys facilities regardless of their vaccination status

Reintroduced mask mandates for employees, suppliers and visitors to the companys facilities regardless of their vaccination status Deere & Co Mandated masks for employees, suppliers, and visitors to its facilities regardless of their vaccination status

(Compiled by Dania Nadeem, Uday Sampath, Ankit Ajmera, Mrinalika Roy and Shreyasee Raj in Bengaluru; Edited by Shounak Dasgupta, Shailesh Kuber, Shinjini Ganguli and Vinay Dwivedi)

Related:

Topics USA
A Louisiana man pleaded guilty of participating in insurance fraud scheme involving staged accidents with commercial trucks in the New Orleans area.

The U.S. Justice Department said Dewayne Coleman, age 22, of Marrero, Louisiana, entered a plea of guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud, arising out of staged automobile accidents with tractor-trailers occurring in New Orleans.

Colemans guilty plea brings to 27 total number of defendants convicted in Operation Sideswipe, a long running scheme to defraud trucking and insurance companies.

According to Colemans plea, he and co-defendants Erica Lee Thompson, Donisha Lee, Donreion Lee, and Aisha Thompson, conspired to commit a staged accident with Cornelius Garrison, occurring on Sept. 6, 2017.

Coleman admitted that on Sept. 6, 2017, on the I-10 near the Almonaster exit, he was a passenger in co-defendant Erica Lee Thompsonss 2015 RAV4 being driven by their former co-defendant, when he intentionally crashed into a tractor-trailer owned by Averitt Express.

After the staged accident, the driver exited the RAV4 and told Erica Lee to get behind the wheel of the RAV4 to make it appear that Erica Lee was driving the vehicle at the time of the staged accident. The defendants contacted the NOPD and falsely claimed that Erica Lee was the driver at the time of the collision. Coleman retained counsel and made a claim for damages. The total settlement for the Averitt accident was $30,000.

Coleman, along with other defendants, testified falsely in depositions about the nature of the accident and the extent of their injuries, the U.S. Justice Department said.

Coleman faces a maximum sentence of five years of incarceration. Upon release from prison, Coleman also faces a term of supervised release up to three years, and/or a fine of $250,000 or the greater of twice the gross gain to the defendant or twice the gross loss to any person under Title 18, United States Code, Section 3571, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.

Sentencing is scheduled for Jan.5, 2022, before United States District Judge Sarah S. Vance.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Louisiana State Police, and the Metropolitan Crime Commission assisted with the investigation. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Chief of the Financial Crimes Unit; Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward J. Rivera; Assistant U.S. Attorney Shirin Hakimzadeh; Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Carboni; and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Long.

Source: U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana

Topics Auto Louisiana
Ireland has donated more than 1,250,000 Covid-19 vaccines to some of the worlds poorest countries, Unicef has announced.

Companies and individuals in Ireland raised more than 2.5m weeks after the official launch of the Unicef Get a Vaccine, Give a Vaccine campaign.

The campaign invites people in Ireland getting vaccinated to give a vaccine to someone in need, meaning one million doses will now be delivered to healthcare workers and vulnerable people in countries that have limited access to vaccines.

Speaking on RTE Radio One's Morning Ireland, Peter Power, executive director of Unicef Ireland, said the response from people across Ireland has been inspiring.

"I'm very pleased to say that through the generosity of the Irish people, that number has just gone up in the last number of days from 1m to about 1.25m," he said.

"When people get their vaccine in their arm, the feedback we're getting certainly is they feel a real sense of euphoria he said.

"They feel protected, obviously, and then they feel a real sense of well, not everybody has it, and they want to give something back."

Mr Power added: "There is a huge appetite amongst Irish people to share vaccines with the countries around the world which just don't have any access."

The donation of more than 1m vaccines from Ireland has helped Unicefs aim to support the delivery of 2bn Covid vaccines this year.

Mr Power said it was astonishing that some countries have vaccination rates of less than 5%, while wealthy countries have vaccinated the vast majority of their populations.

"People have been vaccinated, double vaccinated now they're talking about triple vaccination, but in Africa, the average rate is 2% in some countries it's less than 1% so we as a country now, as a people, we have to ask ourselves a very simple question, is it right that we hoard vaccines?

"What Unicef is saying very clearly is that we can do both. We can roll out our programme, but we can also share approximately 20% of our vaccines to these countries."

As Ireland progresses through its vaccination rollout aiming to have 90% of the adult population vaccinated by September, and 75% of the population aged 16 now vaccinated, Covid-19 remains a global threat to poorer countries around the world.

This is the most critical mission in the world right now, and we simply could not do this without the incredible generosity of people and companies in Ireland.

Donations to the campaign help ensure that vaccines get to the most remote and isolated places in the world.

Every donation helps us store vaccines safely using secure cold chain equipment.

They mean more health workers are vaccinated and protected against Covid-19 and that vulnerable families and children receive the life-saving care they need to survive, Mr Power said.

Irelands support in the campaign is aiding Unicef lead the largest-ever vaccine procurement and supply operation as part of the global Covax Facility.

Covax has already delivered over 175m doses to 138 countries, since March this year.

However, Unicef says more funding is needed in order to achieve its historic mission.

If you wish to donate to Unicef'S Get a Vaccine, Give a Vaccine campaign, you can do so via the Unicef Ireland website
Registration for the vaccination of 12- to 15-years-olds opened last night, with two thirds of the total population now fully vaccinated against Covid-19. The registration process was scheduled to begin today, but the online portal opened ahead of schedule.

Some 6.2m doses of the vaccines have been administered to August 10, meaning almost 90% of adults and 88% of people aged over 16 have received at least one dose.

Some 78% of adults and 76% of those over 16 are fully vaccinated, according to Professor Brian MacCraith, chair of the vaccine task force, who hailed the amazing response of the Irish people with regard to vaccine uptake.

HSE guide to getting your child vaccinated Parents can now register their 12- to 15-year-olds to receive an mRNA vaccine, the HSE has confirmed. Dr Lucy Jessop, the director of the HSE's National Immunisation Office said the mRNA jabs now being offered to 12- to 15-year-olds 'are particularly recommended for children who have a health condition that puts them at higher risk of severe illness from Covid-19'. Picture: Colin Keegan/Collins Parents can read the HSE's online guide to registering your child for a free Covid-19 vaccine, which includes the live link to the registration portal. Dr Lucy Jessop, director of the national immunisation office, said vaccines will be offered to all children in this age bracket. They are particularly recommended for children who have a health condition that puts them at higher risk of severe illness from Covid-19, or if they live with someone who is at higher risk of Covid-19, she said: Parents of healthier children can read all about the benefits and risks of the vaccine on HSE.ie, and make an informed choice about vaccinating their child against Covid-19.

Meanwhile, health services in the west and north west of the country are urging the public to keep up their guard, following increasing cases and a high number of hospital attendances.

Tony Canavan, chief executive of the Saolta Hospital Group said hospitals are continuing to deal with record numbers of attendances at emergency departments.

All the while, the number of Covid-19 infections in our communities is growing and resulting in greater numbers of hospitalisations, he said.

Latest Nphet numbers

Mr Canavans comments come as 1,819 additional cases of Covid-19 were reported to the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) yesterday.

There were 206 Covid-19 patients in hospitals, of whom 36 were in ICU as of yesterday morning.

Getting vaccinated, combined with basic public health measures, is the most effective way to protect the community against Covid-19, said deputy chief medical officer, Dr Ronan Glynn. Stock picture

Deputy chief medical officer, Dr Ronan Glynn, said that vaccination, combined with basic public health measures, is the most effective way to protect the community against Covid-19, he said.

With over 6m vaccine doses administered to date, each week we reach another important milestone in our journey out of this pandemic.

"If you are pregnant and you have concerns about taking the vaccine, speak to your GP, obstetrician, or midwife for guidance and for bespoke health advice for your pregnancy."

Monaghan appeal to follow guidance

The Department of Public Health North East has appealed to people in Monaghan to continue to follow public health advice due to concerns over an increase in Covid-19 cases in the county in recent weeks.

The most recent 14-day incidence rate for the local electoral area is 625.7 cases per 100,000 population, almost double the national rate.

Dr Augustine Pereira, director of Public Health North East, described the current situation as concerning, with case numbers increasing rapidly.

We have not seen this level of infection since early February, which is a worrying trend and shows that this virus is prevalent in our communities.
There will be a "continuing requirement" on people to provide proof of vaccine status for at least another year, a Government minister has indicated.

Minister of State Ossian Smyth has said the EU's Digital Covid Cert scheme is due to expire at the end of June 2022, but he expects it will be required beyond that.

"I think that there will be a continuing requirement for vaccination status, if not in Ireland, certainly to travel," he said.

"And what we have seen with the Delta threat is that a new variant can emerge without warning which is stronger or more contagious and requires new vaccinations to deal with it. So with that in mind, I would expect the Covid certification is going to continue."

Mr Smyth said problems with the issuing of Covid certificates are being worked out and the HSE has established a "resolver group" to address any missing medical records which have prevented the issuing of a small number of certs.

"If your record is missing it is being repaired and you will be included."

However, the Green Party minister could not provide clarity to Irish citizens who were vaccinated in Northern Ireland and who still cannot get a Covid digital certificate, despite promises that they would be entitled to use the system.

He said the digital certificate will be issued to Irish passport holders living in Northern Ireland and the UK, but could only say that this will happen "shortly".

"There are many Irish passport holders who are living in Northern Ireland, who are Irish citizens, entitled to travel with an EU passport wherever they want to go. They were vaccinated by the NHS or by the Northern Ireland health care system. We are working on a way to issue them with digital Covid certificates.

"We have been working on it for a number of months and we have issued three million certificates in a joint programme and it has been massively successful at allowing people to travel internationally.

"Many have been able to reunite with loved ones abroad. 20,000 were able to return to work in indoor hospitality as a result. It has been an incredibly successful situation. But we will extend it to Irish passport holders in the UK," he told RTE radio.
A prominent international human rights group on Thursday accused Hamas of committing war crimes during a recent 11-day conflict with Israel by indiscriminately firing thousands of rockets toward Israeli population centres.

In its report, Human Rights Watch also said it had concluded that a misfired rocket launched by Hamas killed seven Palestinians when it fell short in the Gaza Strip.

In a separate development, a UN agency said it had uncovered militant tunnels near one of its facilities and that Hamas had taken over one of its schools, undermining the agencys neutrality.

The New York-based rights group has repeatedly come under fire by Israel and its supporters over reports accusing Israel of war crimes against the Palestinians as well as apartheid and persecution.

Palestinian armed groups during the May fighting flagrantly violated the laws-of-war prohibition on indiscriminate attacks by launching thousands of unguided rockets towards Israeli cities Eric Goldstein, Human Rights Watch

But in this report it agreed with most legal experts  and Israel itself  that indiscriminate rocket fire from Palestinian population centres directed at Israeli civilian areas is a violation of international law.

Palestinian armed groups during the May fighting flagrantly violated the laws-of-war prohibition on indiscriminate attacks by launching thousands of unguided rockets towards Israeli cities, Human Rights Watch acting Middle East and North Africa director Eric Goldstein said.

It based its conclusions on an investigation into Hamas rocket attacks that killed 12 civilians in Israel.

Last month the group issued a report that accused the Israeli military of carrying out attacks during the conflict that apparently amount to war crimes after investigating three Israeli airstrikes that it said killed 62 Palestinian civilians.

The group said there were no clear military targets in the airstrikes and said Israel had not taken sufficient precautions to avoid civilian casualties.

The war erupted on May 10 after Hamas fired a barrage of rockets toward Jerusalem in support of Palestinian protests against Israels heavy-handed policing at Jerusalems Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and the threatened eviction of dozens of Palestinian families from their homes by Jewish settlers in a nearby neighbourhood.

Israel has said it struck more than 1,000 targets in the Gaza Strip during the fighting, while Hamas launched more than 4,300 rockets and mortar rounds at Israel, including barrages directed around Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

The rockets and mortars that Palestinian armed groups fired lack guidance systems and are prone to misfire... launching such rockets to attack civilian areas is a war crime Human Rights Watch report

In all, some 254 people were killed in Gaza, including at least 67 children and 39 women, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Hamas has acknowledged the deaths of 80 militants, while Israel has claimed the number is much higher. Twelve civilians, including two children, were killed in Israel, along with one soldier.

The rockets and mortars that Palestinian armed groups fired lack guidance systems and are prone to misfire, making them extremely inaccurate and thus inherently indiscriminate when directed toward areas with civilians, the report said. Launching such rockets to attack civilian areas is a war crime.

Israel has claimed that around 20% of the rockets Palestinian militants launched fell inside the Gaza Strip, and said that most of the remaining rockets were intercepted by the militarys Iron Dome aerial defence system, or fell in open areas.

Human Rights Watch concluded that a Hamas rocket fired on May 10 killed seven people, including two children, in the Gaza Strip city of Jabaliya. It said the number of Palestinians killed by errant Hamas fire might be higher.

The May conflict was the fourth war between Israel and Hamas since the Islamic militant group seized control of Gaza in 2007, a year after winning the Palestinian parliamentary elections. Founded in the 1980s, the group rejects Israels existence, is responsible for scores of deadly attacks on Israeli civilians and is considered a terrorist group by the United States, European Union and Israel.

The International Criminal Court is investigating possible war crimes by Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

This week, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, said it had discovered underground structures, including tunnels near UN facilities in Gaza. It said it condemned the existence of these tunnels in the strongest possible terms and sent protest letters to Hamas officials.

The agency has also protested the takeover by the de facto authorities of one of these schools, which undermines the inviolability and neutrality of UNRWA premises, it said.

In Gaza, Hamas issued an angry reaction to the HRW report, calling it an injustice to our people.

The only beneficiary of such a report is the Israeli occupation, because it equated the victim with the real criminal, while our Palestinian people are exercising their legitimate right to resist the occupation, it said.

But Mr Goldstein said, Hamas authorities should stop trying to justify unlawful rocket attacks that indiscriminately kill and injure civilians by pointing to Israels violations.
Burma Bruneis Business Links With Myanmar Military Raise Questions Over ASEAN Envoys Fitness

Myanmar military chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing (right) meets Bruneian Foreign Minister Erywan Yusof in Naypyitaw on June 4, 2021. / MNA

Campaign group Justice for Myanmar has released a statement warning that the appointment of Erywan Yusof as ASEAN Special Envoy to Myanmar is not suitable because of Bruneis state business ties with the Myanmar junta.

Bruneis fully state-owned oil company Brunei Energy Services & Trading, or BEST (formerly Brunei National Petroleum Company, or PetroleumBRUNEI) holds licenses for onshore oil and gas blocks in partnership with International Group of Entrepreneurs (IGE), a crony conglomerate. Licenses were awarded in 2014 under the Myanmar militarys former proxy government led by the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), the press release said.

Bruneis oil business in Myanmar is carried out through BRUNEI Energy Myanmar (formerly PB Myanmar), under revenue sharing arrangements with Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE).

MOGE is under military control and believed to generate a significant source of income for the junta and the military.

IGE was once owned by the late army officer and minister Aung Thaung. Known to be notoriously corrupt and the mastermind of the infamous Depayin massacre in May 2003, Aung Thaung was extremely unpopular among the public and died in 2015. He was sanctioned by the US Treasury in 2014 for undermining Myanmars reform process and perpetuating violence, oppression and corruption.

IGE is now headed by Nay Aung, son of Aung Thaung. Nay Aung holds shares in Mytel, a mobile operator controlled by a subsidiary of Myanmar military conglomerate Myanmar Economic Corporation, and runs the Lotte Hotel.

Nay Aungs brother Admiral Moe Aung is commander-in-chief of the Myanmar Navy and a former director of the military conglomerate Myanma Economic Holdings Limited.

The family is close to former dictators Senior General Than Shwe and his deputy General Maung Aye, and remains one of the wealthiest in Myanmar.

This is not the first time activists, campaign groups and media have scrutinized the alleged conflict of interest and business ties of an envoy to Myanmar.

Razali Ismail, former UN special envoy to Myanmar, was accused of using his position to seal deals for IRIS Technologies, the Malaysian-based firm he partly owned, to provide technology in Myanmar in the early 2000s.

The Malaysian diplomat-cum-executive has denied any conflict of interest and claims he never spoke to Myanmars leaders about his business dealings in his capacity as special envoy. He served as UN special envoy to Myanmar from 2000 to 2005. He said the UN looked into the case and found there was no conflict of interest.

However, several Western diplomats including the US questioned his business ties with the military regime. Razali quit the post in 2005.



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Burma China Complains After Shell, Gunfire From Myanmar Hit Border Town

Trucks line up on the Kyukoke-Panseng road in the border town of Muse, northern Shan State. / The Irrawaddy

Chinese authorities have sent a complaint letter to the Myanmar military after an artillery shell and gunfire from Myanmar struck the Chinese border town of Wanding in Yunnan Province on two occasions last week. The incidents occurred amid fierce fighting between regime troops and ethnic armed groups in northern Shan State.

In the letter, Chinese authorities said they were highly concerned about the recent incidents, describing them as breaches of the China-Myanmar border agreement. China also warned the regime that if stray bullets and artillery landed in Chinas territory again, it would make the necessary response, as the lives and properties of Chinese civilians in border areas were threatened.

Photos on WeChat showed Chinese troops dispatched to the border areas immediately after the incidents. Moreover, the Chinese Foreign Ministry summoned Myanmar Ambassador U Myo Thant Pe on Aug. 5 and urged the regime to stop the fighting immediately in border areas.

In the letter, China demanded that Myanmar investigate the incident and notify Beijing of the results as soon as possible.

According to Chinese authorities, an artillery shell landed in Wanding on Aug. 4 and bullets hit a private house there on Aug. 6, causing damage to buildings and fear among local residents. The clashes occurred near the border gate in Wanding, one of the major trade portals between the two countries.

In the letter China told the regime, We hope that Myanmar would strictly follow the consensus between the two countries: put an end to the clashes and work together to maintain the security of the China-Myanmar border areas.

According to Chinese citizens in border areas quoted by Chinese media, since early August, a series of clashes have occurred near the border in northern Shan State, with bullets and artillery from Myanmar landing in China quite often.

In response, the regime said the incident occurred during a clash after the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) launched an attack on a military convoy in the Kyukoke-Panseng area. It claimed the artillery shell and bullets were fired by the MNDAA, according to a leaked statement from the military.

It said in a statement that the military did not breach the border agreement, adding that the military would attack armed groups that threatened the lives of people and the stability of the border areas.

It also urged China to collaborate with the Myanmar militarys activities to fight against armed groups and prevent them from occupying bases in border areas.

In early August, hundreds of civilians from Kyukoke-Panseng and Mongkoe sub-townships were forced to flee their homes after clashes broke out between regime troops on one side, and the MNDAA and the Kachin Independence Army on the other.

The MNDAA said it launched attacks on regime troops after the military entered territory where Northern Alliance members are active.



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Burma Chinese-Made COVID-19 Vaccines to go on Sale in Myanmar

COVID-19 vaccines from China arriving at Yangon International Airport on August 8, 2021 / Chinese Embassy in Myanmar

Myanmars Chinese Chamber of Commerce (MCCOC) is expected to launch its own independent COVID-19 vaccination program soon, through which people will be able to receive Chinese-made Sinopharm jabs for 50,000 kyats per person at designated hospitals.

The organization announced its vaccination program in June and people who registered that month will receive the jabs first, a volunteer working at the MCCOC told The Irrawaddy.

We are asking those who registered in June to pay for their vaccines now. We are also working to supply vaccines for those who are newly-registered, said the volunteer.

However, the volunteer declined to go into details about the vaccination program, saying that the MCCOC chairman had asked them not to tell the media when the vaccines will arrive or how many doses the MCCOC will receive.

In China, the Sinopharm vaccine is sold for US$30, or around 50,000 kyats, per dose.

A member of a Yangon-Yunnan Chinese charity organization said, The vaccination program is led by the MCCOC and we dont know the details. We are just helping them with registration and payments.

The organization is arranging for newly-registered people to take the places of those who havent made their payments yet and those who caught coronavirus after they had registered, she added.

The MCCOC said it has already received permission from the military regime for its vaccination program.

The Sinopharm vaccine has been approved by the World Health Organization for emergency use.

Beijing has provided 4.5 million COVID-19 vaccination doses so far to Myanmar: 2.5 million donated free and two million purchased by the junta, according to Chinas embassy in Myanmar.



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Burma Scores of Rights, Media Groups Urge Telenor to Halt Sale of Myanmar Business

A prepaid Telenor SIM card in Myanmar

A group of 45 global and Myanmar human rights, media and other organizations on Thursday called on Norways Telenor Group to halt the controversial sale of its Myanmar operation to M1 Group, a Lebanese company with ties to Myanmars junta.

Our organizations are writing to express alarm regarding the announcement by Telenor Group to sell off their Myanmar business to M1 Group, and to strongly urge you to reconsider this decision and institute human rights safeguards, the group, which includes ALTSEAN-Burma, Free Expression Myanmar, Global Witness, PEN America, Justice for Myanmar and dozens of other international and Myanmar organizations, said in a letter to Gunn Waersted, the chair of Telenor Groups board.

Telenor announced on July 8 that it had agreed to sell its Myanmar operations to M1, which was added to the Burma Campaign UKs Dirty List in 2019 for doing business with the Myanmar military. M1 is a major shareholder in Irrawaddy Green Towers, which has almost 4,000 telecom towers across the country and works for military-owned telecom operator Mytel.

Saying they were surprised and dismayed by Telenors deal with M1, the organizations said the Norwegian state-controlled telecom giant had acted without seeking the views of the civil society stakeholders with whom it previously significantly engaged on responsible business, including some of our undersigned organizations. Furthermore, we see no evidence that Telenor has undertaken the credible assessment of potential adverse human rights impacts of disengagement from Myanmar required under the UNGPs [UN Principles on Business and Human Rights]. This appears to be a hurried disposal rather than a responsible exit.

While acknowledging the difficulties of remaining in the Myanmar telecom market after the Feb. 1 coup, in which Myanmars military overthrew the countrys elected government, the organizations told the Telenor chair that they are of the view that  it might still be more positive from a human rights perspective for Telenor to stay in the market, rather than sell to a buyer such as the M1 Group. We have several serious concerns about M1 Groups acquisition of your license, infrastructure, employees, and customers  including their data.

Telenor confirmed in July that as part of the deal it would transfer the call records of its more than 18 million subscribers to the Lebanese company. Rights activists say allowing the junta to access such information would be dangerous, pointing out that phone subscribers in Myanmar must supply ID cards and addresses when registering SIM cards. The call data records, according to Myanmar Now, include details of who you called, when and where. Together with the customer database, the junta stands to gain access to unprecedented data on individuals in Myanmar as a result of the sale.

Pointing to M1s business dealings with authoritarian regimes in Syria, Sudan and Yemen, the organizations add in the letter: We see no evidence that M1 Group intends to respect human rights in Myanmar.

We, therefore, call upon you to cancel or pause the sale of Telenor Myanmar to M1 Global and to conduct human rights due diligence that is transparent and constitutes the credible impact assessment called for by the UNGPs, the letter continues.

The letter follows a Dutch non-profit organizations filing in late July of a complaint on behalf of hundreds of Myanmar-based civil society groups alleging that Telenor Groups planned sale of the Myanmar unit to M1 violates the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Developments responsible disengagement rules.

In their letter to Waersted, the 45 organizations reminded her of the allegations in that complaint, filed by the Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations, that Telenor had failed to conduct appropriate risk-based due diligence, failed to seek to prevent or mitigate adverse human rights impacts potentially arising from the sale of its Myanmar operations, failed to meaningfully engage with relevant stakeholders and not been transparent in its decision to disengage.

Telenor Group has been one of Myanmars largest investors since launching its operations in the country in 2014. It reported 18.2 million subscribers in its first quarter financial report for 2021. The company agreed to sell its Myanmar operation to M1 for US$105 million. M1 Group is owned by the billionaire Mikati family, who have a history of doing business in authoritarian countries and face unresolved allegations of corruption and terrorist financing.

Closer to home in Norway, in a recent editorial published under the headline Telenor may endanger the opposition in Myanmar, Norwegian business newspaper Dagens Nringsliv recently called for a suspension of Telenor Myanmars sale to M1 Group.

The story of Telenor in Myanmar cannot end with the juntas repressive apparatus using traffic data from Telenor to track down and crush the opposition in the country. If it is true that the customer database is part of the sale, the transfer of it to the new owners should be put on hold until it has been assessed whether it is in fact the case that it must be handed over in its entirety. If there is a possibility of not doing so, it must be used, Dagens Nringsliv concluded.

On July 23, another Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten also published an editorial slamming Telenor over the Myanmar sale and apparent lack of preparation. Telenor knew when they entered 2014 that this was a risky project. Therefore, it is strange that they do not seem to have been better prepared for such a crisis.

Domestic criticism of Telenors Myanmar sale comes as Norway approaches a parliamentary election on Sept. 13, with incumbent Prime Minister Erna Solberg of the Conservative Party seeking a third term in office. Norways parliament has not been in session since June 18, allowing Telenor to escape parliamentary scrutiny of its Myanmar sale.



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US holds Talks Over US$50 Million Aid Package to Myanmar
Burma US holds Talks Over US$50 Million Aid Package to Myanmar

Dr. Cynthia Maung and the US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield talk on August 11 at a virtual meeting regarding the facilitation of humanitarian aid to the people of Myanmar. / Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield / Twitter

The United States Ambassador to the United Nations (UN), Linda Thomas-Greenfield, has talked online with the renowned Myanmar physician Dr. Cynthia Maung about facilitating US$50 million in emergency humanitarian aid to the people of Myanmar.

Dr. Cynthia Maung has provided free healthcare services to vulnerable communities on the Thailand-Myanmar frontier for three decades. She is the founder of the Mae Tao Clinic based in the Thai border town of Mae Sot.

Dr. Cynthia Maung said that the ambassador discussed how they can work together to facilitate providing assistance inside of Myanmar and how to strengthen the border healthcare system by providing cross-border aids.

Different groups including the Mae Tao Clinic, community-based organizations and domestic and international non-governmental organizations shared their views with the ambassador and spoke of the work being done by ethnic health organizations in rural areas, the doctor told The Irrawaddy.

Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield said on Tuesday during her visit to Thailand that the US is providing more than $50 million in critical humanitarian assistance to the vulnerable people of Myanmar, including refugees, internally displaced people and those forced to flee violence and persecution following the militarys Feb.1 coup.

She told reporters during a virtual press briefing on Wednesday that the aid is to provide emergency food assistance, life-saving protection, shelter, essential healthcare, water, sanitation and hygiene services to vulnerable people from Myanmar, including over 700,000 refugees and internally displaced people.

These funds will flow directly through international non-governmental organizations and our partners to meet the needs of vulnerable people, including those that are in the Thai-Myanmar border area, said the ambassador. And these funds will be used to respond to the COVID-19 crisis and meet the needs of people, including those at the Thai-Myanmar border.

Dr. Cynthia Maung, who is also the leader of the parallel National Unity Governments (NUG) COVID-19 Task Force, said she didnt specifically discuss with the ambassador the prospect of the US providing coronavirus vaccines to Myanmar.

Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield visited Japan and Thailand this week to strengthen alliances, deepen cooperation in the fight against COVID-19, and advance opportunities for peace, security, and stability in support of an open and free Indo-Pacific. The US also provided US$5 million in aid to Thailand to help fight COVID-19.

She tweeted on Thursday that the US is proud to support a robust COVID-19 and humanitarian response in the region.

Myanmar is facing a deadly third wave of coronavirus, even as the country copes with post-coup economic turmoil and the people continue to reject military rule.

The ambassador added that the United States continues to engage with Myanmars full range of civil society organizations and pro-democracy groups and had recently held conversations with the NUG.

The U.S. will continue to support all those working peacefully to restore Myanmar to the path of democracy and urge the military to cease its violent actions and release all those who have been detained, said the ambassador.



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As of 5 a.m. Thursday, portions of Miami-Dade are still in the forecast cone of what is now Tropical Depression Fred as the mountains of Hispaniola weakened the storm.

Version en espanol

Fred is now emerging back over water and located between Haiti, eastern Cuba, and the southeastern Bahamas.

Beginning Friday into next week, 3 to 5 inches of rain is anticipated across the Keys and South Florida, with isolated maximum totals of 8 inches

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Fred is moving west-northwest near 16 mph and a decrease in forward speed is expected, followed by a turn to the northwest. Fred should move across the SE Bahamas today, along, or just north of Cuba later into Friday, and be near the Florida Keys and South Florida on Saturday.

Maximum sustained winds remain near 35 mph with higher gusts. While little change in strength is forecast today, slow strengthening is expected Friday and this weekend.

For more click here.

The NHC was also monitoring a tropical wave located about 1500 miles east of the Lesser Antilles end conditions are expected to become more conducive for development, and a tropical depression could form by early next week.

The system is moving westward at 20 mph. The system is expected to reach portions of the Leeward Islands late Saturday or early Sunday. The NHC says it has a 60 percent chance of formation into a tropical system in the next 5-days.

If it developed into a named storm, it will be called Grace

For more, click here.
Drivers of economic growth

Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) are the bread and butter of an economy. They comprise anything from tradespeople to hairdressers, freelancers to larger companies with a turnover in the millions. Some have bigger workforces; others employ fewer than ten. Stephan Klingebiel, Director of UNDP Seoul Policy Centre, speaking at a webinar in July 2020 co-hosted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Korean International Trade Association, described SMEs as driving national output, jobs and capital flow.

Unleashing the capacity of the private sector would have been impossible without SMEs, he said. But global challenges, like the COVID-19 crisis, affect businesses and livelihoods and it is in all our interests to address these challenges.

In these unpredictable and uncertain times, businesses large and small have taken a battering, but the prospects for many MSMEs around the world look cloudy at best. A report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) on the impact of COVID-19 on SMEs finds that, from being at the centre of the disruptions at the start of the pandemic, one year later they stand in an even more precarious position, in particular young firms and start-ups, the self-employed, as well as women-led or minority-owned businesses.

This point was underscored in a session at the World Economic Forums virtual Global Technology Governance Summit in April this year. Before the health emergency, SMEs in OECD countries represented 99 % of all businesses, 60 % of employment, and up to 60 % of value added in the economy. Yet, despite the crisis, their potential remains untapped.

Building trusted relationships

So how can we build back better and create an environment that facilitates access to finance and continuous investment in MSMEs to realize their full potential? If we have learned just one lesson from the past year, it is that collaboration, working together and building trusted relationships have never been more important. That is why the publication in April this year of ISO 44003, Collaborative business relationship management  Guidelines for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises on the implementation of the fundamental principles, could not have been more timely.

The standard is the latest in the ISO 44000 series which includes ISO 44001, Collaborative business relationship management systems  Requirements and framework, and ISO 44002, Collaborative business relationship management systems  Guidelines on the implementation of ISO 44001.
Software for technology solution providers company ConnectWise has announced several new hires for roles across the APAC region as part of its focus on driving strategic alignment with partners in the Australian channel.

ConnectWise has announced that Harry Guy, most recently the APAC lead for LogicMonitor, moves into the role of Senior Manager, Sales APAC, joining Vikas Uberoy, who joined the company in late 2020 in the role of Senior Manager, APAC, and is directly responsible for account management, and Katrina Evans employed to the position of Senior Manager for Marketing in APAC.

ConnectWise says the new positions will focus on driving strategic alignment with partners in the Australian channel and the roles will also provide locally-based support for partners, expanding the footprint of ConnectWise significantly across Australia and New Zealand.

ConnectWise says Vikas Uberoy has more than 25 years of channel experience, much of which involved working with cybersecurity organisations and moved to ConnectWise from MalwareBytes, and has extensive contacts and experience working across Australia and New Zealand as well as the rest of the Asia-Pacific region.

Harry Guy joins the company after building out the APAC region for monitoring platform LogicMonitor where he was first employed in late 2018.

ConnectWise says that as the first man on the ground in region, Harry Guy established a strong presence across go-to-market functions and successfully grew the team to over 15 staff whilst significantly improving new customer acquisition and customer retention.

Prior to that, Guy held senior roles at Oracle NetSuite and Autotask in the UK.

Katrina Evans joins ConnectWise and most recently held the role of Senior Marketing Manager at SolarWinds for APAC. Prior to that, she was a Senior Manager, Integrated Marketing at Symantec (now Broadcom).

Katrina Evans, ConnectWise APC Senior Marketing Manager

ConnectWise announced that it has also expanded its portfolio of partner success resources, which are aimed to facilitate growth in the region by empowering Managed Services Providers to enhance their technical expertise and enable them to provide additional resources to end users without a major investment in capital, time and effort.

To that end, ConnectWise says that the APAC Implementation and Support Teams at ConnectWise have also been expanded, with the addition of two dedicated Implementation Specialists and three Technical Support Specialists - and team members have also been added to both the Partner Success and Sales Engineering teams.

Vikas Uberoy, ConnectWise Senior Manager, APAC

ConnectWise says that with these new hires and expansion of resources, it plans to provide a strong platform for partner growth across APAC, offering existing and new customers a greater degree of support.

We have a laser focus on helping our current partners develop and enhance their cybersecurity and managed services practices. By offering them the tools and training to develop new and better services, ConnectWise is enabling service providers to innovate, offer better value and enhanced services, said Harry Guy.

I am very excited to be joining ConnectWise at such a pivotal stage of the companys development in the region.

Gregg Lalle, SVP of International Sales at ConnectWise, said of the appointment: We are very happy to have someone of Harrys pedigree join our team in APAC. He is a dynamic professional with an excellent, diverse skillset and extensive contacts in the region.

Katrina brings extensive marketing knowledge and skills to our team and is highly regarded in the infotech community and channel across ANZ. Together with Vikas, who joined us late last year, they will be a major asset to our organisations growth in the region.
Taiwanese computer hardware manufacturer Gigabyte has been hit by a ransomware attack, forcing the shutdown of systems, and with the group responsible threatening to release 112GB of stolen data from Gigabyte, Intel, AMD, and American Megatrends.

Gigabyte is well known for its motherboards and other components. Gigabyte also releases its own line of laptops and other devices all the way to data centre servers.

The ransomware attack occurred late Tuesday and into Wednesday, forcing the company to shut down systems in Taiwan. Customer-facing websites were also affected. Customers have reported issues in accessing support documents and receiving updates about RMAs.

Gigabyte has confirmed a security event in Chinese media however has not publicly disclosed the details of the attack. The Bleeping Computer asserts it has received information confirming the attack is from Malware group RansomEXX, and that RansomEXX has threatened to publicly release 112GB of stolen data from Gigabyte, Intel, AMD, and American Megatrends if the ransom is not paid. The data from the non-Gigabyte companies appears to be data held by Gigabyte under NDA, and does not imply the other organisations have themselves been breached.

RansomEXX claims to not only target Windows devices via ransomware but can also allegedly attack and encrypt Linux machines too.

Other attacks by RansomEXX include Konica Minolta, the Texas Department of Transportation, and the Brazilian government.

Ric Longenecker, CISO at Open Systems said, With this latest cyberattack on Gigabyte, were seeing a new trend with ransomware attacks. Its no longer just about ransomware and encryption, but now simply blackmail and release of very sensitive information. Though we don't know the ransom amount being demanded, the threat of RansomEXX leaking highly confidential data from Intel, AMD and American Megatrends is alarming enough to startle anyone involved into taking swift action.

"It is critical for companies to turn to cybersecurity solutions like managed detection and response (MDR), which combines human expertise, AI and advanced threat detection to react early in the cyber kill chain and protect sensitive information vital to their businesses and customers."
This Week in Review

A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more.
Teton County Reporter

Billy Arnold has covered government and policy since January 2020, sitting through hours of Teton County meetings so readers don't have to. He moonlights as a ski reporter, helps with pandemic coverage and sneaks away to climb when he can.
Evan Robinson-Johnson covers issues residents face on a daily basis, from smoky skies to housing insecurity. Originally from New England, he has settled in east Jackson and avoids crowds by rollerblading through the alleyways.
The Venezuelan government is unwilling to investigate crimes against humanity by security forces, the International Criminal Court prosecutors office said in a declassified document that could pave the way for charges.

The Hague-based court opened a preliminary investigation in 2018 into alleged rights abuses by the regime of President Nicolas Maduro, notably for the violent repression of anti-government protests in 2017.

Former prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said in December 2020 there was a reasonable basis to believe that crimes against humanity were committed, but that she needed to see whether Caracas was bringing perpetrators to justice.

However the prosecutors office, in a report which was issued when Bensouda stepped down in June but only made public on Tuesday, reached the conclusion that the authorities are unwilling genuinely to investigate and/or prosecute such cases.

Venezuelan authorities had only brought a highly limited number of criminal cases relating to the mass protests, in which around 100 people died, the prosecutors report said.

Domestic proceedings have been undertaken or national decisions made for the purpose of shielding persons from criminal responsibility, it said.

Under the Rome Statue that underpins the ICC, the court has the authority to investigate crimes on the soil of member states like Venezuela if they are either unwilling or unable to probe them themselves.

New ICC prosecutor Karim Khan will have to make the decision on whether to ask judges to open a full-blown investigation.

A full probe could eventually lead to criminal charges against individuals, although any trial could be years away.

The ICCs investigation so far had found that Venezuela security forces and pro-government militia had committed the crimes of imprisonment, torture, rape and persecution, the report said.

It had focused in particular on the ill treatment of people in detention since there was evidence available for those allegations, but could extend further, the report added.

Venezuela has rejected the accusations as a farce.

Venezuelas Attorney General Tarek William Saab in May announced the indictment of 12 members of the National Guard over the death of a 20-year-old man in Caracas in 2017 from the impact of a tear gas cannister.

A Venezuelan policeman was sentenced to 25 years in prison, also in May, over the murder of a youth during an anti-Maduro demonstration in 2017.
Lattice Exchange, a decentralized finance (DeFi) platform that connects all blockchain networks, today announced the release of Lattice Launchpad, which is a one-stop shop for blockchain projects, taking their business to a new level.

Under the management of LTX tokens, Lattice Exchange will soon migrate to Constellations almost free and infinitely scalable Hypergraph network.

Launchpad further serves as an important step in other Hypergraph Secure Communication Protocol (HGTP)-based projects, including projects currently incubated by Constellation, and participants in the Constellation Flight Program queue launched at the end of July 2021.

Lattice Launchpad welcomes token projects based on alternative networks and the L_0 state channel (the token standard of the Constellation Network), which utilize Hypergraphs infinitely scalable DAG architecture. State channels are serverless and run in a distributed and decentralized manner, making them faster, more versatile, and more scalable than Ethereum smart contracts.

The main functions of the platform include:

Transparency is achieved through the use of smart contracts stored on the chain, and the distribution is visible to everyone.

Perform consistent smart contract audits on versions to prevent backdoors from entering project distribution.

Lattice LTX token holders will be able to submit their LTX tokens, called staking, to ensure a place in the private pre-sale of listed projects.

In addition to collateralizing LTX to ensure a place in the private pre-sale, the community of LTX holders democratically manages the entry and listing of the project, and the development of the project through the governance platform.

Funding is ultimately done using ETH or stable currency (USDC/USDT).

Launchpad project tokens are distributed in a democratic way, not just to a few participants, so as to achieve sustainable and organic growth.

Integrate KYC/AML solutions through Veriff. Can be customized according to project permissions and needs.

The first project listed: Alkimi Exchange

The first project to be listed and funded on Launchpad was Alkimi Exchange, which officially unlocked its pledge allocation on Lattice Launchpad at 19:45 UTC on August 11, 2021.

Alkimi Exchange started working with Constellations incubation team in March 2021, with the goal of disrupting the outdated digital advertising industry now worth $340B.

Therefore, Alikimi is building the first decentralized advertising exchange platform on top of Constellations Hypergraph, taking advantage of the networks scalability, speed, and low transaction fees. Alkimi will use ADS to reward users, publishers and advertisers who participate in advertising transactions.

ADS tokens and Lattice LaunchPad

Lattice Exchange users who hold LTX tokens will be able to use the tokens on the Lattice LaunchPad to reserve the allocation of Alkimis ADS tokens in their private pre-sales.

Regarding why Alkimi chose to partner with Constellation, Ben Putley, CEO of Alkimi Exchange, said: We are always looking for a free, high-speed, and infinitely scalable solution to host digital advertising auctions on the blockchain, and Constellations Hypergraph enables this become possible.

As the first project incubated by Constellation, the decision to launch through Lattice is simple, because without the Constellation community, we would not be in this position. We are building an ecosystem based on transparency, efficiency and fairness, all of which are key parts of Lattices vision

There are currently a series of new projects that will be released on Lattice Launchpad in the next few months. Lattice LaunchPad is the beginning of many new features and functions of the decentralized financial platform. Ben Jorgesen, CEO of Constellation and Lattice Exchange said: Lattice LaunchPad is the first point of contact connecting quality projects with the crypto community and traders. This will pave the way for projects to discover the Lattice Exchange and help Their tokens are free to trade and pave the way without the high gas fees that other DeFi platforms tend to incur.
Sign up for myFT Daily Digest and become the first person to learn about Foxconn Technology Group news.

Apple supplier Foxconn reported that due to strong demand for smartphones and computing products, net profit in the second quarter increased by 30% year-on-year.

Net income for the three months to June was NT 29.8 billion (US$ 1.1 billion), exceeding the Taiwanese companys expectations and analysts expectations, and setting a record for the same period. Revenue increased by 20% year-on-year to NT$140 million, which also hit a new high.

Most of the worlds largest contract electronics manufacturers revenue comes from the assembly of Apples iPhone. The company stated that demand for its products will remain strong, and predicts that its revenue in the third quarter will increase by 3% to 15% over the same period in 2020.

But Chairman Young Liu warned that Covid-19 could cause another disruption in the supply chain. The pandemic seems to be spreading in Asia again. We will do everything we can to control its impact on our operations, but since Asia is the main manufacturing base for electronic components, we must wait and see, he said.

Foxconn expects consumer electronics manufacturing revenue in the third quarter to decline slightly from the second quarter, but it will still show strong growth year-on-year. The company said that demand for cloud and network products is strong, but due to a high base last year, revenue in this segment may decline slightly. Component shortage.

Apple predicted last month that its revenue growth would slow down and warned that global chip shortages would begin to affect iPhone production.

Respected

Foxconn, which has traditionally focused on downstream electronics manufacturing, is building its own semiconductor capabilities. In the past few months, it has invested in DnEx, the parent company of Malaysian chip manufacturer SilTerra, indirectly invested in chip manufacturer KoreSemi in Qingdao, China, and acquired a 6-inch chip manufacturing plant from Taiwanese company Macronix.

Liu said that Foxconns semiconductor business is expected to start contributing revenue next year, generating NT$2 billion in 2022 and NT$50 billion each year by 2025.These chips are mainly used to supply the groups just-started business Manufacturing electric cars (EV).

Except one Previously announced It plans to build an electric car factory in the United States. Liu said the company also plans to build a factory in Thailand to supply the Southeast Asian market and build a factory in Europe. We are currently negotiating with our European partners, Liu said.

Foxconn expects that the revenue of its electric vehicle parts business will reach NT$10 billion this year, an increase of 40% over 2020. The business currently mainly includes manufacturing machinery and plastic parts. It expects that sales in this segment will grow even faster next year.
Just a few days ago, the Texas Court of Appeals issued its opinion on smoking marijuana. Before entering the ruling, let us review what happened in Texas after the enactment of the 2018 Farm Bill.

In 2019, the Texas Legislature issued regulations regulating certain cannabis products. One of the regulations prohibits any state agency from authorizing a person to manufacture cannabis-containing products for smoking. The legislature also instructs the Ministry of Health Services (the Ministry) to adopt rules and procedures to manage and enforce these statutory regulations, including regulations and procedures related to smoking for the manufacture of cannabis-containing products.

In 2020, the department passed rule 300.104, which stipulates that the manufacture, processing, distribution, or retail of cannabis consumer products used for smoking is prohibited. Therefore, rule 300.104 prohibits smokeable cannabis products in Texas.

Several cannabis companies (cannabis companies) filed suits against the U.S. Department of Commerce, alleging two claims for declarative relief. (Look here, here, and here Background of declarative relief claims). In the first claim, the cannabis company asked the court to declare that the regulations prohibiting the processing and manufacturing of cannabis products are unconstitutional. In the second claim, the cannabis company asked the court to declare that rule 300.104, which prohibits the distribution and retail of cannabis products for smoking, is invalid under Texas law. The cannabis company also asked the court to issue an injunction to prevent the department from enforcing the statewide ban on the manufacture, processing, distribution, and retail of smokeable cannabis products.

The cannabis company subsequently applied Temporary restraining order (TRO) opposed to the department. After the evidence hearing, the court partially approved the TRO and instructed both parties to prepare the proposed order. But the two parties could not agree on the wording and raised concerns to the court. The court entered a TRO that prohibited the department from fully implementing Rule 300.104.

The department appealed. The department first believed that the scope of the TRO was too broad. The department argued that the cannabis company has never asked the court to prohibit the department from implementing rule 300.104 because it applies to the manufacture and processing of cannabis products for smoking, but only asked the court to prohibit the department from implementing rule 300.104 because it involves the prohibition of smoking cannabis. Distribution and retail of products. The Court of Appeal agreed and overturned the TRO because it prevented the department from enforcing the rules prohibiting the manufacture and processing of smokeable cannabis products. (The first lesson here is that parties seeking a TRO must be very careful to determine the exact relief requested.)

The department then argued that the Texas Legislature authorized it to issue a rule prohibiting the distribution and sale of smokeable cannabis products. Therefore, it argued that the court of first instance had gone too far in prohibiting the enforcement of this part of 300.104.

The appellate court did not agree with the departments opinion for two main reasons. The first is that the legislature has clearly stipulated a statutory ban on the manufacture and processing of cannabis-containing products. But the legislature has not explicitly prohibited the distribution or retail of smokable cannabis products.The appellate court stated that it may have, which means that the department did not expressly act within its rule-making authority when it passed a rule return The distribution and retail of smokeable cannabis products is prohibited. This analysis led to another reason: when looking at the regulations that gave the department the power to make rules, the legislature did not give the department broad and comprehensive powers. Instead, the Court of Appeals found that the Texas legislature narrowly restricted the departments power to make rules to enforce various marijuana regulations.

These reasons together led the Court of Appeals to believe that the court of first instance was not wrong in prohibiting the department from enforcing the ban on the distribution and retail of smokable marijuana.

This is good news for distributors and retailers of smoking marijuana, but what is certain is that the case is not over yet. The ruling means that TRO may continue to be valid through the court of first instance. Of course, this case is not good news for companies in Texas that want to process or manufacture smokable cannabis products.

As we wrote before, in Texas and elsewhere, the issue surrounding smokeable marijuana continues and is far from certain. For more information, see:
NEW IBERIA, La. - The Louisiana State Police Special Victims Unit (Baton Rouge Field Office) was contacted by the Iberia Parish Sheriffs Office in reference to a possible child abduction, which occurred in New Iberia shortly after 5:00 pm on August 11th, 2021.

Louisiana State Police Special Victims Unit, along with the Louisiana State Police Fugitive Apprehension Unit, immediately began an investigation into the abducted 18-month-old child and deployed all available resources.

During the course of this investigation, Troopers learned that the child was possibly located at a residence in East Baton Rouge Parish. Troopers arrived at the residence shortly after 6:00 pm on August 11th, 2021, and observed the suspect, 25-year-old John Michael Mason of New Iberia, outside the residence with the child.

Troopers immediately took Mason into custody and safely recovered the child. Mason was arrested and booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Jail for violating LRS 14:44.2 Aggravated Kidnapping. The incident remains under investigation.
In preparation for his upcoming small-screen return, actor Park Hae Jin starts to learn a new skill and makes an effort to fully immerse himself in the role of a magician.

Park Hae Jin Starts to Learn Magic with Lee Eun Gyul

Korean news outlet, Newsis reported on August 12 that the "Kkondae Intern" star met the Korean Illusionist Lee Eun Gyul to familiarize himself with a new skill.

Park Hae Jin teamed up with Lee Eun Gyul to unleash the hidden magician in him. They met at the production company somewhere in Seoul. The Korean Illusionist has spent hours in class with Park Hae Jin in order to further discuss every detail and information that the actor needs to know.

Lee Eun Gyul also prepared various magic video clips and simple hand movements for Park Hae Jin to learn. The K-drama actor was focused and very determined in learning everything first hand.

According to the report, this is not the only class that Park Hae Jin will attend. The "Cheese in the Trap" actor is scheduled to learn magic through weekly classes to fully immerse himself into becoming a real magician.

Park Hae Jin to star as a magician named Cha Cha Woong in MBC's new drama "From Now, Showtime." It is a fantasy-romance drama that illustrates the stories of a famous and loving magician and a strict female police officer.

Recently, "The Secret Life of My Secretary" actress Jin Ki Joo confirmed her participation in the upcoming drama with actor Park Hae Jin. She takes the role of a mysterious police officer.

This is the first time that Park Hae Jin will be playing the role of a magician, far from his previous romance dramas. The actor himself is also excited for the drama, same as with the K-drama enthusiasts who are waiting for his small-screen comeback.

"From Now, Showtime" is scheduled to premiere in the first half of 2022.

K-drama that Revolves Around Magic and Fantasy

The upcoming Netflix's original series "The Sound of Magic" will also center its story about magicians. In addition, actor Ji Chang Wook will lead the said drama project.

Meanwhile, the ongoing TVING drama "The Witch's Diner" is also giving a dark fantasy vibe where the main character Jo Hee Ra (Song Ji Hyo) has the power to grant someone else' wish but it comes with a hefty price.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: 'The Witch's Diner' Team Reveals How They Achieve Flawless and Realistic Visual Effects in Every Episode

What are your thoughts about Park Hae Jin's preparation for his new drama role as magician? Share it with us in the comments!

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news and updates, keep your tabs open here at Kdramastars.

Kdramastars owns this article.

Written by Shai Collins.
KBS2's new coming-of-age romantic comedy series "Police University" released an exclusive sneak peek behind the scenes of the two previous episodes of the new drama.

"Police University" stars "Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds" actor Cha Tae Hyun, B1A4 member and "Love in the Moonlight" actor Jung Jinyoung, and f(x) member and "Sweet & Sour" actress Krystal Jung. The trio showed great chemistry on the small screen as students and professors who are co-existing in the harsh world of police officers and aspiring police officers alike.

Cha Tae Hyun, Jinyoung, and Krystal Display Perfect Synergy in New Drama 'Police University'

On August 12, the new drama "Police University" released the behind-the-scenes videos of episodes one and two which aired on the 9th and 10th day of August.

The much-awaited drama started off great and reached a blissful viewership rating of 5.2 percent on its pilot episode, succeeded by a new record of 6.5 percent on the second episode.

In the released video, the delicate directing skills and unconventional developments were shown. Clearly, one of the reasons for the success of the first two episodes of the drama is the perfectly curated directing skills of Yoo Gwan Mo.

Cha Tae Hyun, Jinyoung, and Krystal perfectly synchronized with their respective characters and gave their superb acting skills and perfect synergy during the filming.

Veteran actor Cha Tae Hyun worked systematically with Jinyoung and Choi Woo Sung, who is Jinyoung's adoptive brother in the drama. The three men showed their intense action skills and deep emotions, which created a great atmosphere and result for the drama.

On the other hand, Krystal read the script and showed off her extreme passion for acting. In order to portray the role of her character, she even learned Judo which made her synchronize a hundred percent with her character.

Despite her rough and frigid character and charismatic seriousness during filming, actress Krystal always jokes around and has a bright smile on her face.

While filming the famous scene in the pilot episode where Krystal threw Jinyoung across the room, the actress applauded her co-star for perfectly performing the wire and harness scene brilliantly, showing off their great chemistry on and off-screen.

On the other hand, Jinyoung creates a pleasant atmosphere and a great impression on his fellow actors. He immerses in his emotions and character as soon as filming starts. Jinyoung always carries out his scenes perfectly, while still including even the smallest details and facial expressions.

With this, fans and avid Korean drama viewers immediately fell in love with the drama series and its unconventional yet quirky characters. The dazzling dynamics of the actors entice the viewers to look forward to the next episodes of "Police University".

Jinyoung Shows Off His Youthful Aura in New 'Police University' Stills

"Police University" released a new set of stills featuring the vibrant and youthful glow of B1A4 member and actor Jinyoung.

The "Police University" actor displayed his glowing visuals while wearing his middle school's uniform.

Jinyoung plays the role of an 18-year-old police student in Korean National Police University despite actually living in his early 30s.

One of the easiest to love characters in the new drama is Jinyoung's character, Kang Seon Ho. Because of this, fans' clamor and excitement are raised on a different level. Viewers couldn't wait to watch the new drama's succeeding episodes to see more of him.

'Police University' Synopsis and Further Details

"Police University," tells the stories of students and professors' day-to-day lives in National Police University as professor Yoo Dong Man (Cha Tae Hyun) teams up with his students Kang Seon Ho (Jinyoun) and Oh Kang Hee (Krystal) in a collaborative investigation.

B.A.P.'s Yoo Youngjae, rookie actors Lee Dal, Chu Young Woo, "A Gentleman's Dignity" actor Lee Jong Hyuk, and actress Hong Soo Hyun also appear in the drama series.

The drama series is directed by Yoo Kwan Mo, written by Moon Min Jung, and produced by KBS Drama Production.

"Police University" airs every Monday and Tuesday at 9:30 p.m. KST on KBS2.

Watch the exclusive behind-the-scenes here:

Follow KDramastars for more Kdrama, KMovie, and celebrity news updates!

KDramastars owns this article.

Written by Elijah Mully.
ETNA, Calif.  High temperatures and renewed winds are testing fire crews still working to contain the Antelope Fire and River Complex fires in Siskiyou County this week, spreading spot fires and breaching lines built by firefighters over the past week.

The Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office lowered evacuations on the Antelope Fire this week, including for the embattled community of Tennant, but fire officials warned that there is still danger in the area with the firefight far from over.

"A strike team from the California Office of Emergency Services has been posted at the fire station in Tennant to provide 24-hour coverage for the town," officials said Thursday. "A single tree flared up and ignited a small section of vegetation in Tennant, however, firefighters were able to extinguish the fire quickly with no further damage."

Residents are being allowed back into Tennant, Bray, and Antelope Sink, but they remain under an evacuation warning. Residents have to show proof of residency to gain access to their homes.

Firefighters are working to contain a 400-acre spot fire that crossed fire lines at Picadilly Ridge and spread into the Antelope Canyon area. A structure protection group was deployed to Duck Lake to install sprinkler systems and wrap buildings in fire-resistant material to lower the chances that they'll burn if the fire continues to encroach.

The main fire made a run across control lines on Garner Mountain, heading southeast toward Tamarack Flat during the late afternoon on Wednesday. Aircraft from other nearby fires came in to help suppress fire activity in the area.

The Antelope Fire was estimated at 44,839 acres with containment at 24 percent as of Thursday morning.

To the southwest, evacuation orders remain in place for multiple communities around the River Complex fires, including Cecilville, Summerville, and Petersburg. The areas of Sawyers Bar and Coffee Creek past Sugar Pine Campground in Trinity County remain under an evacuation warning.

Fire officials said that crews are working to maintain the gains that they made over the prior two weeks, while also shoring up structure defense in the Cecilville and Summerville communities as they brace for the change in weather.

The most fire growth is expected on the east side of the Haypress Fire, the largest in the complex, with rapid spread toward the ridge between the Klamath and Shasta-Trinity National Forests.

As of Thursday morning, the River Complex fires were estimated at a total of 32,649 acres, with containment at 10 percent.
MEDFORD, Ore.  Representatives from Asante, Providence, and Jackson and Josephine County Public Health held a press conference on Thursday to outline the dire COVID-19 situation in southwest Oregon.

"We have surpassed anything we've seen before, in terms of this disease," said Dr. Jim Shames, Jackson County health officer.



Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center

Jackson County reported a dizzying 416 new cases on Thursday, another new record for daily cases after hitting 267 earlier this week. Across Jackson and Josephine counties, 150 people are currently hospitalized with COVID-19. Of those patients, 41 were in an intensive care unit (ICU) and 13 were on a ventilator. There were only four ICU beds available across the region as of Thursday morning.

Dr. Shames underlined that both cases and hospitalizations continue to break records, and the only way forward is for the local community to come together and help bend the curve by getting vaccinated and masking in public spaces. Only 5 percent of current hospitalizations are vaccinated, Shames said.

Michael Weber, director of Josephine County Public Health, said that the counties are lobbying the state for some form of pressure relief with hospitals full.

"This is the worst condition our hospitals have seen, likely ever," Weber said.

Hospitalizations are also hitting younger groups than seen earlier in the pandemic, which Dr. Shames attributed to the high vaccination rate among seniors. About 7 percent of hospitalizations are among people 70 or older.

For Asante and Providence, the sustained rise in hospitalizations means that their hospitals are essentially operating at maximum capacity. In some cases, healthcare workers are working around beds and medical equipment set up in hallways, some of them pulling 20-hour shifts to helps serve the needs of patients.

"We're out of beds, our staff are stretched, and we're running out of resources," said Amanda Kotler, Vice President of Nursing at Asante in Ashland.

Kotler said that Asante has had to cancel more than 350 surgeries to make room for the surge in COVID-19 patients, denying more than 200 patient referrals, and daily have between 10 and 40 patients waiting for available Emergency Room beds. Kotler also clarified that the kind of "elective" surgeries being canceled are not merely cosmetic  many of them are vital, life-altering procedures.

While the state's metrics on hospital capacity for the region show some available beds, Kotler indicated that looks are deceiving. Asante Ashland's critical care beds have been full, and other beds freed up to serve as contingency critical care are filled up as quickly as they're made available.

"We are beyond full," Kotler said.

At Asante Three Rivers Medical Center in Grants Pass, staff have erected a tent outside of the emergency department entrance. Officials said that that the tent is available during the day for emergency patients with lower-acuity needs, like sprains and minor stitches, to reserve the indoor area for more critical cases.

Dr. Jamie Grebosky, Asante's chief medical officer, said that 28 percent of Oregon's COVID-19 patients within the last 30 days have been at Asante facilities in southern Oregon. 35 percent of those patients have needed critical care.

Though Providence has a statewide system of hospitals, officials said that they are seeing the same challenges as those seen at Asante in southern Oregon. Staff have been working through a pandemic for 18 months, and there are not enough beds or staff to serve this number of patients at this level of care.

"It's cause for great concern with an already overburdened situation in our community," said Providence Medford Medical Center chief executive officer Chris Pizzi, commenting on the upward trajectory of cases in Jackson County. "I'm fearful that the darkest days of this pandemic may be ahead of us."

Jackson County has made a request to the state for the establishment of a field hospital to handle hospital overflow in the region, in addition to requests for more ventilators and solutions to the crisis in staffing.

Statewide, hospitalizations for COVID-19 reached 670 as of Thursday. Of those patients, 177 were in an ICU. Both numbers continue to rise on a daily basis.

Our hospitals are full. Patients are boarding and being cared for in emergency departments when they should be admitted to hospital beds. Our ICUs are full," said Dr. David Zonies, associate chief medical officer and professor of surgery at OHSU. "Our doctors and nurses are exhausted and rightfully frustrated because this crisis is avoidable. It is like watching a train wreck coming and knowing that theres an opportunity to switch tracks, yet we feel helpless while we watch unnecessary loss of life. That is why it is essential that we all do our part to get vaccinated and wear a mask indoors.
GRANTS PASS, Ore.  Just hours after joining hospital representatives and Jackson County Public Health in a dire warning about the coronavirus situation in southern Oregon, officials from Josephine County Public Health put out a call for patrons of the Josephine County Fair to mask up and use precautions this week.

The Josephine County Fair started this week and runs through August 15 at the fairgrounds, with carnival rides, live music, and more vents scheduled.

Everyone should wear masks, indoors and outdoors, even if they are vaccinated, said Dr. Leona OKeefe, Josephine County Public Health deputy health officer. Our COVID-19 cases are at an all-time high and still climbing. This a result of relaxed mitigation strategies, the Delta variant and the countys low vaccination rate.

JCPH pointed to the Delta variant as the primary reason for concern. In the past weeks, the Delta variant emerged as the dominant strain in Oregon, adding to the virulence of the original COVID-19 virus.

The fair is a fun place to be, but it could contribute to further spread during a time when our hospitals are already at capacity, OKeefe said. For those who choose to go, please wear a mask and maintain six feet of distance between you and other visitors. This will help protect you and those around you. It will also help decrease hospitalizations for COVID-19, which in turn will allow everyone to access hospital care if needed, whether for COVID-19 disease or other medical issues.

Friday marks the beginning of the renewed statewide mask mandate issued by Governor Kate Brown. While the requirement is to wear a face covering indoors, masks are also strongly recommended in crowded outdoor situations.

JCPH will have a COVID-19 vaccination booth set up at the Commercial Exhibit Building throughout the County Fair, the agency said. It will be open from from 6-10 p.m. Aug. 12; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Aug. 13; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Aug. 14; and 1-8 p.m. Aug. 15. The public is invited to stop by, ask questions, address concerns or receive a no-cost vaccination. Those receiving a first or second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine will receive a $25 Visa Reward Card.

"The number of COVID-19 cases in Josephine County is higher than at any other point in time and is continuing to rise at a dramatic rate," the agency said. "Prior to this surge, the largest number of cases seen in a week was 252 last winter; as of Aug. 11, there were already 384 cases."

Josephine County's number of cases per 100,000 people is currently 617  the previous record high prior to this surge was 252. As of August 11, 145 people were hospitalized for COVID-19 between Josephine County and Jackson County. The previous record high prior to this surge was 69.
Mike McNaney, President and CEO of the National Airlines Council of Canada which represents Air Canada, Air Transat, Jazz Aviation and Westjet, speaks during a news conference held by the Canadian Travel and Tourism Roundtable, a coalition of airports, airlines, hotels, boards of trade and chambers of commerce, to urge the federal government to implement a re-opening plan for travel and tourism, at the Ottawa Airport in Ottawa on Monday, June 14, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
I had a nightmare last Christmas. I thrashed in bed for at least an hour before slipping into a seat at the start of a medical lecture. Some of my classmates were present, and while standing next to a friends desk, he said, Wow, your knee is red and throbbing, did you know? Before acknowledging his comment, I became aware that the lateral side of my right knee was red, with a tiny indurated spot at the center. It didnt hurt, but it throbbed as though my heart were inside my knee. I told my classmate it was fine, although I recognized that it was because of a bee sting that I hadnt notice happened.

No sooner than I returned to my desk, the indurated area burst, like pressure applied to a blackhead. The expulsion left a deep hole in my flesh at the joint, which somehow had relocated to be on the medial aspect of my right knee. I also saw a dark, bloodied, fleshy doorknob that fell out of my knee, which looked like the head of a femur that has undergone severe avascular necrosis. Fully acknowledging that the true anatomy of the knee is inconsistent with what I saw and felt in my dream, I knew what fell out was the head of my knee bone.

Additionally, out of the hole in my leg stuck a long bone, perfectly perpendicular to the limb. I could manually push it back in, but I had to keep my hand over it to prevent it from popping out again. The professor, suddenly seated beside me, said, You have osteomyelitis, which has become necrosed now. Despite the lack of pain, I began to feel a sense of dread. I was sweating and hyperventilating, and I asked the professor to take me to the hospital. On the way, I realized that four teeth on the lower left side of my mouth, which had become loose some days prior, were literally hanging by a thread of gingival tissue. I also realized that earlier, other teeth had come loose and fallen out, but I hadnt thought anything of it. I held onto my knee joint tight to keep the bone in the whole way to the hospital.

When we arrived, it was decided that I needed a full-body MRI, and I was in the line of sight and hearing as my team discussed the results. They said that my legs were riddled with metastases in the muscle tissue, and there was cancer on the back of my tongue. It hasnt quite reached the back of the throat and structures there, so thats good, they said. But as they kept looking, they saw that my pituitary gland and stalk had been consumed and consolidated into one huge tumor, and I saw brain metastases riddled throughout. Throughout the discussion, they muttered a host of comments pertaining to how screwed I was. I laid flat on the narrow table and cried, feeling the weight of mortality.

And then I woke up flat on my face in the dark. I was initially paralyzed, which added to my panic upon awakening, though eventually, I was able to wiggle my right leg in the bed, and I felt no hole, nor shifting or sliding of bones. I was sweating and very hot, much like I had been in the dream. I looked at the clock: 6:20 a.m. Laying there wide awake, I pondered how every individual in the dream, from my classmates to the health care workers, were either visions of real people, or were based on a combination of real people that Ive known. The personalities of those in my dream were complex, but the negative qualities were those that I had perceived from individuals that I had worked with in the past. For example, one resident who helped interpret my dream MRI had the dismissive quality of a surgical resident I had interacted with, whom it was clear did not want to interact with me because he was busy, but had to because it was his job.

I wondered what it meant, if anything, though acknowledging that it may have been a conglomeration of completely random visions  the product of neurological crosstalk as my brain underwent synaptic remodeling and memory formation. However, what I came away with was that it was an allegory of subconscious experiences Ive had in medicine. The rotting of flesh and bone began with subtle findings  a tiny hard spot from a painless bee sting which was found to be connected with teeth falling out, and later manifested as fulminant osteonecrosis and disseminated cancer.

Like some insidious conditions, feelings can fester. They can spread like cancer, and sap the spirit of nourishment until it starts to die, riddled with doubt and sensations of inadequacy. They can degrade the soul, as though it were suffering from a systemic inflammatory disease. But this progression, like many conditions of the flesh, is treatable. With early detection, the process can be arrested and cured. Talking about feelings, journaling, praying, or finding an outlet in wellness activities that channel joy is as essential to academically thriving as studying, practicing, and pushing to meet the demands of a health care provider. Academic tasks can end up taking precedence over mental and emotional health, but can result in losing a sense of mindfulness. This is equivalent to becoming numb to the bee sting, comparable to diabetic neuropathy that leads to a painless foot ulcer that festers, and eventually requires limb amputation. But no one, including we who find our calling in caring for others, are born as dead or dying souls. We cannot allow complacency to creep in and find ourselves living robotically, even if only transiently. We must take care to give ourselves grace and acknowledge our feelings to remove bee stingers. Joy is our antibiotic  we apply it when we remain mindful to keep it as our baseline. Let not your stings fester.

Stephanie Wottrich is a medical student.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
EUGENE, Ore.  School is almost back for your children, but theres still time for them to learn a new skill during the summer to possibly set them on a new career path before they head back to the classroom.

Lane Community College is offering a free summer welding camp for middle school and high school students.

The first class  which is just for high school students -- started Monday, Aug. 9.

But dont worry if you missed it. The next classes go from Aug. 16 through Aug. 19 for middle and high school students. The classes run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

There are some things youll need to bring, like a lunch, mask, leather gloves, leather shoes, and long pants.

If you want to send your kids or if your kids are interested, make sure to RSVP before the first day of the next camp. To learn more and sign up, CLICK HERE.
SALEM, Ore.--The director of the Oregon Department of Education told school leaders to be ready for remote learning this fall if COVID-19 conditions warrant it.

Colt Gill held a conference call with superintendents and other officials this week. He also urged them to comply with mask mandates and other mitigation efforts.

At this time, districts are planning full-time, in-person classes throughout the school week.

Gov. Kate Brown has already mandated mask wearing for all students and staff in grades K-12 this fall.
JUNCTION CITY, Ore.  After being canceled due to COVID-19 last year, the Scandinavian Festival in Junction City is back. The festival kicked off Thursday morning for its 60th year.

According to the festival organizers, the Scandinavian Festival is one of the oldest festivals in Oregon and began in 1961. This years festival includes more than 80 vendors as well as music, dancing, crafts, food and beverages.

Rebecca MacDonald, a board member in charge of publicity for the event, said a typical year draws between 80,000 and 100,000 people. However, because of extreme heat and a raging pandemic, shes not sure what will happen this year.

We're expecting the heat to probably keep a lot of people away. But at the same time, a lot of people said they're going to be here, MacDonald said.

Organizers have placed misters throughout the festival and placed extra tents this year for more shade.

As for concerns over coronavirus, most of the festival is outdoors, meaning masks wont be required.

We put out hand sanitizing stations. Of course, we will make sure everyone knows about the indoor masking mandates, but we only have a little bit of indoor space most of our festivals outdoor. So, that's really great, MacDonald said.

Shirley Garner, who sells Scandinavian crafts at the festival, said the event is some much-needed fun after a rough year.

I think it's fantastic. Everybody's excited, Garner said. The weather is going to be hot, but you know, you just kind of stay in the shade and you walk around and you have a lot of fun looking at everything and eating all the good food.

Melissa Rice, who works in her brothers business The Wurst Food Cart, said the festival is also an economic boon for vendors.

Last year, we had like one gig that we were doing - which was the Lane County movies in the park, Rice said. But other than that, none of the other normal festivals we did were going on. So, this is a huge difference in terms of economics and everything for us.

The event is free and runs through Sunday.
SCOTTSBURG, Ore. -- A United Parcel Service worker rescued a retired couple after their home caught fire in Scottsburg this month.

When the smoke was billowing, UPS driver Jed Massey happened to be making his usual route.

"I rolled into the driveway and as I came up and turned around and I went into the back of my truck to get a package," said Massey. "When I exited the vehicle, I walked into a bunch of smoke."

Massey said when he tried to enter the garage where one of the homeowners was trying to put out the fire, a large explosion pushed him back several feet away. But he decided to go back to try and save him.

"Eventually after yelling for a little bit, he stumbled forward and I was able to see him towards the entrance of the garage," Massey said. "I grabbed ahold of him."

The couple, Pat and Shelly Ryan, have lived in Scottsburg for nearly 15 years. Before the fire, they had been using their home as a bed and breakfast called Daybreak Haven in the summer, even taking guests out fishing on the water.

"I'm still getting calls for people wanting to book rooms now," Pat said.

The fire destroyed all the rooms, everything inside, their boat and their garage. On Facebook, Daybreak Haven posted that they are "closed for good."

"It's a house we used to deliver to all the time," Massey said. "It's really sad seeing it all burned to the ground."

The couple has been faced with hardship since the incident.

"I just got [Shelley] out of the hospital yesterday," Pat said. "She just had heart surgery. Lots of stress on her heart, obviously."

But they said the community has been giving them all the help they could need, such as providing clothes and offering them a place to stay temporarily.

Currently, the Ryans are staying at Best Western Inn in Roseburg, courtesy of State Farm Insurance. At this time, they are not looking to rebuild.

"First of all, [Shelley] can't do the stairs," Pat said. "Now that she's done heart surgery, there's no way."

But the Ryans said they are doing well and are just glad they and their two dogs, Blackjack and Casino, made it out safe and alive.

"We're going to be fine" Pat said. "We'll build a new place somewhere."
By Ritah Kemigisa

President Museveni is set to address the nation on Saturday.

This has been announced by the senior presidential press secretary Lindah Nabusayi.

She says the president will give a Security Situation brief to the country on Saturday at 8pm.

His security address a month after government launched a second phase of the disarmament exercise of the Karamojongs, in a bid to mitigate growing cases of insecurity within and outside the region.

Two weeks ago, the president partially reopened the economy allowing public and private transport and businesses including arcades, malls among others to resume operations.

His address meanwhile comes at a time there is renewed fighting in south Sudan that threatens its 2018 peace deal and power sharing agreement and a possible spill over to Uganda and other countries.

He is also most likely to also talk about the contentious Mailo land and the arrest of popular Blogger who faces 15 charges.
3cea, the local energy agency, has launched The Greener HGV Programme which will see 1,000 fleet vehicles fitted with technology that will enable drivers to reduce carbon emissions by 10% and save around 10% of their fuel costs, benefitting local businesses.

3 Counties Energy Agency has partnered with Corcra Ltd to launch The Greener HGV Programme. Having secured 1.4 million funding under the Government's Climate Action Fund, The Greener HGV Programme will see 1,000 fleet vehicles across Ireland fitted with the innovative technology. The Climate Action Fund is a Project Ireland 2040 investment fund.

3cea, a non-profit sustainable energy agency, is now accepting applications under the SEAI's National Home Retrofit Scheme from homeowners across Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford and Waterford.

3ceas pilot project1 indicated a potential saving of 17,000 per vehicle over five years based on an investment of 2,800 per vehicle. A previous trial resulted in savings of 1,766.79 tonnes of CO2, similar to removing 866 cars from our roads for one year.

The participating fleet companies saw an increase in fuel efficiency arising from the reduction in over-revving, harsh braking and engine idling time by the drivers, leading to a significant reduction in energy consumption.

The Greener HGV Programme will run for two years. 3cea is coordinating the subsidy grant available for Irish fleet companies to install the innovative technology and providing driver efficiency training. Data collected from the newly installed tech coupled with the development of a conscious driving culture of HGVs will result in a reduction of the businesss carbon footprint and fuel costs. Irish fleet companies can apply to this program via www.greenerhgv.ie to avail of a 30 per cent technology software and hardware grant.

Under The Greener HGV Programme the transport sector will reduce fuel consumption and emissions from vehicles by driving smarter and by embracing new technologies," said Paddy Phelan, CEO of 3cea.

"The results from our initial test cases show that the benefits and cost savings are clear. Over two years with our partners Corcra, telematic equipment will be installed in over 1,000 HGV vehicles. With technology, and training to improve driver efficiency, the scheme is expected to deliver a significant reduction in CO2 and an average of 10 per cent fuel saving for participating fleet companies.

Smart telematics including tracking, fuel, remote tachograph downloads and compliance software, live footage cameras and driver awareness panels are all part of the technology that will be used to deliver these sustainable measures. 3cea has partnered with Corcra, a leading Irish fleet communications company for The Greener HGV Programme.

We use the hardware to gather real-time data which allows us to record baseline driver and vehicle information," said Robert Steele from Corcra.

"After approximately six weeks, the data is analysed and we arrange the professional driver training and activate the in-cab Driver Awareness Panel, which is a driver aid. The new technology with gained knowledge from the driver training helps drivers to achieve more efficient driving and long-term sustainable energy practices.

"Techniques that reduce engine revolutions can have a major impact on the vehicles fuel consumption and therefore its CO2 emissions. The project received final approvals in April and to date, we have fitted and commenced baseline data gathering on around 100 HGVs. We expect to see increases in miles per gallon and reduction in fuel costs following the professional driver training that we offer.

A case study carried out by Corcra using similar conditions to the Greener HGV Project between January 2017 and September 2020 revealed the following results.2

MPG(Miles per Gallon) - Improved from 7.75MPG to 8.95MPG

A 15.4% increase in performance/ MPG

Saving of 658,365 litres of road diesel across 60 vehicles.

Emissions saving of 1,766.79 Tonnes of CO2. The equivalent of removing 866 cars from our roads for a year.

Every fleet vehicle in the country will benefit from this cost and emissions saving exercise. We have funding for 1,000 vehicles and have already fitted 100 HGVs with telematic equipment. Any fleet company that is interested in saving fuel and reducing their CO2 emissions needs to act now as we anticipate this scheme will be extremely popular. Concluded Paddy Phelan of 3cea.

Some terms apply, see www.greenerhgv.ie for more.

The Greener HGV Programme is funded by Project Ireland 2040, the governments long-term overarching strategy to make Ireland a better country for all of its people. See: https://www.gov.ie/en/ campaigns/09022006-project-ireland-2040/ for more.
ALBERT LEA, Minn. - A 53-year-old was taken into custody Wednesday night after he allegedly tried to burglarize a garage before displaying a tire iron to the victim.

Michael Hubers, of Albert Lea, is facing multiple felony charges, including burglary, fleeing in a motor vehicle, drug charges and DUI. He was also wanted for felony domestic assault/violating a no-contact order.

Authorities were dispatched to the 400 block of Ulstad Ave. at 10:24 p.m. when a man was found going through a detached garage.

After displaying a tire iron, Hubers got into a vehicle and fled. The vehicle was observed driving in reverse on Johnson St. and officers attempted to make a traffic stop. The vehicle fled and a pursuit ensued and ended in the 200 block of Charlotte Ave. Hubers fled on foot before he was taken into custody.
AUSTIN, Minn.  A Mower County arrested for possession of drugs and counterfeit cash is pleading guilty.

Danio Dorres, 31 of Austin, was arrested in June 2021 after Austin police say he was reported to be in possession of a methamphetamine pipe. Police say when Dorres emptied his pockets, officers found a meth pipe and four counterfeit $100 bills.

Court documents state that when Dorres was booked into the Mower County Jail, 1 gram of meth was found on his person.

Dorres has pleaded guilty to third-degree drug possession. His sentencing is set for October 13.
AUSTIN, Minn. - The Austin Police Department is asking for the public's help in locating a wanted murder suspect.

Police said Wednesday they are looking for Me'Darian "Solid" McGruder, who is wanted for second-degree murder.

Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is asked to contact the police at 507-437-9400 or to submit a tip at www.crimestoppersmn.org.

This is in relation to a homicide that occurred July 31 in Austin.
ROCHESTER, Minn. - Amid an increase in local coronavirus cases, Med City businesses are weighing the return of pandemic safety protocols.

The CDC says 10% of COVID-19 tests in Olmsted County have produced positive results over the past seven days, deemed a "high" rate of community transmission. Health experts are now recommending everyone mask indoors while in public settings countywide, regardless of vaccination status.

While there is no local mask mandate in effect at this time, Executive Director of Rochester Downtown Alliance Holly Masek says Med City businesses are monitoring coronavirus conditions closely.

"There's a lot of concern from government, from everyone, to have to put new restrictions out there and shut things down," Masek told KIMT. "It's a fine balance - people want these businesses to recover and thrive, businesses want to as well, but we also want to be safe."

Downtown businesses are nevertheless prepared to do whatever necessary to keep people safe. Many, bringing lessons learned throughout the pandemic with them into the uncertain days ahead.

"Certainly, we know a lot more," Masek said. "We have a lot more put in place - better ventilation, buckets and buckets of hand sanitizer, better outdoor dining opportunities, better ways to communicate with customers. Customers seem to understand a little bit more about what the expectations may be, and how to make their own decisions about how to be safe."

Regardless of what's to come, Masek believes the downtown business community will find ways to pull through, and adapt for the good of everyone.
ST. PAUL, Minn.  Some southeastern Minnesota communities are sharing in over $35 million in pandemic relief grants.

$34,656,956 is going to 15 cities and counties from the Small Cities Coronavirus Community Development Block Grant Program. Most of the money will be used for broadband internet improvement projects. Other grants will go toward housing assistance, food shelf assistance, retrofitting buildings, and commercial rehabilitation projects.

The pandemic has made clear how vital broadband is to the lives of Minnesotans and to the economic vitality of our state, says Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Steve Grove. These grants will help communities fund broadband and other important projects as we write the next chapter of our economy.

Among those receiving grants are:

Dodge Center - $3,142,747 for broadband improvement

Harmony - $2,245,849 for broadband improvement

Faribault County - $2,886,206 for broadband improvement

Wabasha - $107,350 for commercial rehabilitation
MASON CITY, Iowa - After some bumps in collecting Cenus data last year due to the pandemic, the numbers are in. And while many Minnesota communities are seeing growth, some North Iowa communities shrunk between 2010 and 2020.

While Rochester saw their population skyrocket, adding 13,183 residents over that 10 year time frame, Mason City saw a decline of 1,397 residents. Communities like Forest City, Osage, Charles City and Clear Lake saw minor drops. Regardless of community size, the numbers are a concern for North Iowa Corridor EDC President and CEO Chad Schreck.

"Population is a nationwide issue right now. We're seeing this all over the place."

The agency has been actively promoting assets like quality of life to potential residents and employers, such as opportunity availability, the number of job openings available, schools, strong entrepreneurial support and other factors. Schreck says his office is still fielding calls from potential residents and investors who are looking at planting roots in North Iowa.

"We look at the metrics and what people say they want in a community, we line up with those so well in North Iowa."

He also points to projects like the River apartments and townhomes, which saw units fill up even before completion, and now a spin-off housing development nearby, as fuel for interest in the region. In addition, he's noticed a trend within the last year of people relocating from bigger cities like Chicago to smaller communities like Clear Lake to work remotely while looking for a safer, more slower paced community to live.

"If people are moving somewhere, it's because they're looking for opportunity. Whether it's for a job, quality of life, schools or whatever it might be, every person has a quality they're looking for."

During a tour of Winnebago Industries on Wednesday, Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg touched on the benefits Iowa has, including opportunity availability, having a reasonable or no commute, good schools and safe neighborhoods, as well as the state's response during the rise of the pandemic by not mandating lockdowns and keeping business flowing. But he says there is one issue that serves a detractor: the lack of available housing stock. He points to the work Forest City has done on utilizing workforce housing tax credits for housing developments.

"It impacts workforce, as employers need to have a workforce readily available. In order to do that, we've got to have housing available."

In addition, he says the Hawkeye State clearly needs to do better to market their message as a relocation destination.

"We definitely want to do a better job of communicating to Iowans about the opportunities that are available right here in Iowa. That may also mean former Iowans as well or folks on the fence considering Iowa."

Schreck and Gregg are hopeful improved messaging will prompt more people to consider Iowa.

"There's no silver bullet to that issue, it's all the above. It's the housing, the marketing, the recruitment, the training, it's creating the opportunities that people want and need."

Schreck adds that a new marketing campaign encouraging folks to consider North Iowa is set to roll out soon.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP)  A group of Iowa mothers of young school-age children held a rally and sit-in at the Iowa Capitol on Wednesday pushing Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds to issue an executive order reversing a state law that prohibits school boards from implementing mask requirements in schools.

The parents were among about 150 people to attend the event along with some physicians expressing concern that children will attend classes at schools with little protection since masks cannot be required and children under 12 cannot get a vaccination.

Republican lawmakers passed a bill in May that prohibited school boards and other local officials from mandating mask-wearing. Reynolds shows no signs of reconsidering. She continues to say she trusts Iowans to do the right thing.
TOLEDO, Iowa (AP)  An east-central Iowa county sheriff has confirmed that Tama County inmates have not been given COVID-19 vaccines, saying only one inmate has asked for it.

Tama County Sheriff Dennis Kucera said Thursday his jail has no onsite medical staff that could give the vaccine and would have to take inmates out of the jail to get one, "which is not in the best interest of the inmates health and security.

Kucera says inmates have little risk of exposure, because each prisoner is quarantined for 14 days before being placed into the general population. Kucera also noted that no Tama County Jail inmate or staff member has contracted the virus since the pandemic began.
ALBERT LEA, Minn.  The wearing of facemasks will be required in all Albert Lea city facilities, starting Monday.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the COVID-19 transmission rate in Freeborn County is high, the highest level of transmission. The city says that is why its going to mandate the wearing of masks regardless of vaccination status in all city buildings, including City Hall, Public Library, City Garage, Fire Station, Police Station, City Arena, and the Senior Center starting Monday and until further notice.

Freeborn County Public Health reported 11 new cases of COVID-19 infection on Wednesday, with one additional hospitalization. The county has had 3,625 COVID cases since the start of the pandemic and 59 cases are still active. 189 Freeborn County residents have been hospitalized by the coronavirus and 36 have been killed so far.

The State of Minnesota reported 1,632 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday and 10 additional deaths, bringing those totals to 622,216 cases and 7,715 deaths respectively.
CERRO GORDO COUNTY, Iowa - A Mason City man is facing a felony charge for allegedly burglarizing a residence on Aug. 9 and 10.

Alan Valdez, 20, is being held in the Cerro Gordo County Jail on $5,000 bond. He's accused of breaking into a residence in Meservey by climbing through a window on back-to-back days.

Court documents state he stole a total of $900. The money was recovered and returned to the residents.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  Minnesota state government employees will be required to prove theyve been vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo weekly testing before they can return to the office.

Gov. Tim Walz has ordered that state agency employees who work in person must show proof of vaccination and attest to their immunization status by Sept. 8.

Employees who havent been vaccinated by then will be required to test negative for the coronavirus at least once a week in order to work on-site.

The two biggest unions representing state government workers say they still have questions about how the new requirements will be implemented.
FREEBORN COUNTY, Minn. - A motorcyclist was injured Wednesday following a crash on Interstate-90.

The Minnesota State Patrol said a Harley Davidson was westbound on I-90 when it left the road at a curve near mile marker 149.

Randy Ptacek, 64, of Conrath, Wis., suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to the Albert Lea Hospital.
AUSTIN, Minn.  The man arrested in South Dakota for a murder in Mower County is pleading not guilty.

Miguel Nunez Jr., 18 of Sioux Falls, is charged with second-degree murder for the killing of David Harris, 45, in Austin on June 5.

Investigators say Nunez shot Harris multiple times in the chest during an attempted drug robbery. He then left the scene and was apprehended July 15 in Sioux Falls. Authorities say Nunez was found hiding in an attic.

No trial date has been set. Nunez next court hearing is scheduled for September 24. He remains in the Mower County Jail on $500,000 bond.
MASON CITY, Iowa  A section of South Federal Avenue in Mason City is being closed for emergency repairs on a water main.

The closure between 6th Street South/Highway 122 eastbound and 5th Street South/Highway 122 westbound started Thursday and is expected to last a week.

A detour will be established and signed for the duration of the work using 6th Street SE/Hwy 122 Eastbound, South Delaware Avenue, and 5th Street SE/Hwy 122 Westbound.

Drivers are being asked to avoid the area if possible and expect delays when traveling near the construction zone.
ROCHESTER, MINN. - Just after 4 a.m. Wednesday, a Rochester woman was assaulted in her bedroom after waking up to a man in the room in the 1200 block of 3rd Ave. SE.

Police said the 43-year-old woman was attacked with an unknown object and was taken to St. Mary's Hospital with non-life-threatening facial injuries.

A Kwik Trip employee from across the street heard the victim yelling for help and notified the Rochester Police.

Moka employee Clay Ebertowski mentioned how his arrival to work this morning was a little different than usual.

"I actually wasn't the first one to get here," said Ebertowski. "There're openers that come at about five o'clock and they saw a bunch of police cars in the parking lot and they didn't give us any specific details but asked us some questions about if they could get security footage and stuff and so our manager helped them out with that."

Greg Parker has lived right down the street for twenty years. While he acknowledges that incidents like this can happen anywhere, he has a little more hope for the future.

"I'm proud of all the people who are making a difference," said Parker. "And the most important thing is to reach out to your neighbor, care for your neighbor, love your neighbor - and I think everyone will be a lot happier."

At this time, there have been no suspects arrested.

Police said the investigation to locate the suspect is ongoing.
WASHINGTON (AP)  With security rapidly deteriorating in Afghanistan, the United States is sending in an additional 3,000 troops to help evacuate some personnel from the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, officials said Thursday.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said one Army and two Marine infantry battalions will enter Afghanistan within the next two days to assist at the Kabul airport with the partial embassy evacuation.

State Department spokesman Ned Price said diplomatic work will continue at the Kabul embassy.

Our first responsibility has always been protecting the safety and the security of our citizens serving in Afghanistan, and around the world, Price said at a State Department briefing, calling the the speed of the Taliban advance and resulting instability of grave concern.

Price insisted Thursday's move shouldn't be seen as encouraging an already emboldened Taliban and said, We are committed to supporting Afghanistan and its people. That commitment remains.

But the move suggests a lack of confidence by the Biden administration in the Afghan government's ability to provide sufficient diplomatic security in Kabul as a series of provincial capitals have fallen to a Taliban offensive this week.

Kirby said an additional 1,000 members of an Army-Air Force task force were going to the Gulf country of Qatar to help with visa processing for the ongoing evacuation of former translators and other Afghans who had worked with Americans in Afghanistan.

And an Army brigade combat team of up to 4,000 troops from North Carolina's Fort Bragg was going to Kuwait to be on standby in case more troops were needed for the embassy mission.

Kirby stressed the new deployments were a temporary mission focused only on the embassy drawdown and helping the State Department accelerate the visa processing for Afghan translators and others, not a move to get involved in the war again.

The U.S. has withdrawn most of its troops and formally ends its role in the war on Aug. 31. The Pentagon had kept about 650 troops in Afghanistan to support U.S. diplomatic security, including at the airport.

Afghan government forces are collapsing even faster than U.S. military leaders thought possible just a few months ago when President Joe Biden ordered a full withdrawal.

The Taliban, who ruled the country from 1996 until U.S. forces invaded after the 9/11 attacks, captured three more provincial capitals Wednesday and two on Thursday, the 10th and 11th the insurgents have taken in a weeklong sweep that has given them effective control of about two-thirds of the country. The insurgents have no air force and are outnumbered by U.S.-trained Afghan defense forces, but they have captured territory, including the country's third-largest city, Herat, with stunning speed.

In a new warning to Americans in Afghanistan, the second it has issued since Saturday, the U.S. Embassy in Kabul on Thursday again urged U.S. citizens to leave immediately. The advisory was released before the announcements in Washington about further reducing already limited staff at the embassy.

The United States continues to support the Afghan military with limited airstrikes, but those have not made a strategic difference thus far and are scheduled to end on Aug. 31. Biden could continue airstrikes beyond that date, but given his firm stance on ending the war, that seems unlikely.

The most recent American military assessment, taking into account the Taliban's latest gains, says Kabul could be under insurgent pressure by September and that the country could fall entirely to Taliban control within a couple of months, according to a defense official who discussed the internal analysis Wednesday on condition of anonymity.

Military officials watching the deteriorating situation said that so far the Taliban haven't taken steps to threaten Kabul. But it isnt clear if the Taliban will wait until they have gained control of the bulk of the country before attempting to seize the capital.

The security of the U.S. diplomatic corps has been talked about for months, even before the Taliban's battlefield blitz. The military has long had various planning options for evacuating personnel from Afghanistan. Those options would largely be determined by the White House and the State Department.

A key component of the options would be whether the U.S. military would have unfettered access to the Kabul international airport, allowing personnel to be flown systematically out of the capital. In a grimmer environment, American forces might have to fight their way in and out if the Taliban have infiltrated the city.
Shenandoah, IA (51601)

Today

Sun and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 88F. Winds SSE at 15 to 25 mph..

Tonight

Thunderstorms during the evening will give way to partly cloudy skies after midnight. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low 62F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%.
President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev delivers a speech during the "Central and South Asia: Regional Connectivity. Challenges and Opportunities" conference in Tashkent, Friday. Courtesy of Presidential Office of Uzbekistan



By Kwon Mee-yoo



Uzbekistan hosted an international conference, discussing regional security, economic integration and the culture of Central and South Asia, from Thursday to Friday.



About 250 participants from 44 countries took part in the conference, including Afghanistani President Ashraf Ghani and Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan.



President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who initiated the conference, emphasized how Central and South Asian states serve as a bridge for the countries in the Middle East, Europe and China.



"Today the world has entered the era of global geopolitical transformations, which bring both challenges and new opportunities. In these conditions, the revival of mutual ties between Central and South Asia, where about 2 billion people live today, is an even more in-demand process," Mirziyoyev said.



"I think that the time has come, based on the huge historical, scientific, spiritual and cultural heritage of our peoples, the complementarity of economies and the availability of intellectual potential, to consolidate our joint efforts, which will undoubtedly have a powerful synergy effect."



Mirziyoyev also mentioned the importance of strengthening peace and friendship, trust and neighborliness, enhancing mutually beneficial cooperation and building an open and constructive policy to meet the common interests of all Central and South Asian states.



He presented some initiatives to achieve these goals, such as a railway connecting Termez, Mazar-i-Sharif, Kabul and Peshawar, along with measures to implement digital connectivity in trade, transit and border crossing.



An annual interregional forum was proposed by Mirziyoyev to discuss the current issues of enhancing the economic agenda items of deepening cooperation and investment interaction between the countries of the two regions.



Delegations from the C5+1 countries  or Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and the U.S.  also adopted a jointed statement affirming their commitment to enhancing engagement through a regional diplomatic platform and strengthening connectivity.





Delegations from 44 countries participated in the "Central and South Asia: Regional Connectivity. Challenges and Opportunities" conference in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Friday. Courtesy of the Presidential Office of Uzbekistan
The Incheon District Court / Korea Times file



By Jung Da-min



Two men have been fined 1 million won ($860) each after being found guilty of insulting a woman of mixed Korean Bangladeshi heritage, by suggesting that she had COVID-19. This is the first time for a court to recognize that using hate speech against someone with the insinuation of a relationship between the coronavirus and an individual of migrant background constitutes committing an insult, which is punishable under Korean law.



The Incheon District Court issued a summary order Wednesday stating that the two men, aged 56 and 52, must each pay a 1 million won fine. A summary judgment is a court order issued without holding a full trial.



On Oct. 27 last year, the two men, who were drinking alcohol in front of a convenience store in Incheon at around 11 p.m., made the remarks to the 29-year-old woman, whose mother is Korean and father is from Bangladesh.



They shouted to her, "Hey, coronavirus!" After she protested, they taunted her with comments such as, "I guess people like you are all illegal migrants, aren't you," and "Why do you bother to come to someone else's country and live such a tiring life?" while swearing at her.



The woman filed a complaint with the Incheon District Prosecutors' Office, with the support of 73 migration-related human rights groups, Dec. 10.



In a press conference held at the time of the complaint filing, she said, "I felt like my human rights were being violated as I was being discriminated against during such a sensitive time, due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation." She also urged people to stop discriminating against people with different skin colors from theirs.



As the country has no laws specifically banning racism, xenophobia or hate speech, the men were charged with having "insulted" the woman. "This is the first case to recognize that hate speech related to the COVID-19 situation against someone of migrant background constitutes a form of insult and is punishable," said the Yoon & Yang Pro Bono Foundation, which represented the woman.






Korean Air Lines, South Korea's biggest carrier by sales, said Thursday it plans to resume flights to Hawaii in November, in line with South Korea's aim to achieve herd immunity against COVID-19.







Korean Air plans to operate three flights a week on the route from Incheon to Hawaii starting in November and expand the number of flights to five in December depending on the pandemic conditions, a company spokeswoman said over the phone.







The national flag carrier made the decision as it expects outbound travel demand to improve late this year.







Inbound passengers are exempt from a mandatory 10-day quarantine in Hawaii if they submit documents that prove they tested negative for COVID-19.







Smaller rival Asiana Airlines Inc. said it does not have a plan to resume flights to the U.S. state.







Jeju Air, the country's biggest low-cost carrier, resumed flights to the U.S. Pacific island of Saipan on June 8 in a preemptive measure to absorb post-coronavirus travel demand. Asiana and T'way Air took off for Saipan starting July 24 and July 29, respectively.







South Korea has been in talks with Guam and Singapore to sign travel bubble deals in preparation for an increase in outbound travel demand as early as late this year. (Yonhap)


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The first graduates of Trines Registered Nurse to Bachelors of Science in Nursing program are, from left, Nadeena Frye, dean of Trine Universitys College of Health Professions; Angel Jennings, assistant professor for the RN-to-BSN program; BSN graduates Shannon Tew and Kristin Hake; and Sharon Willey, director of nursing.
ROME, AUG 12 - Firefighters are battling hundreds of blazes that are being helped by the Lucifer heatwave and are devouring many hectares of forest in various parts of Italy on Thursday, with Calabria, Sicily, Sardinia and Campania hit especially hard. The wildfires claimed three lives on Wednesday, two in Calabria and one in Sicily. The Lucifer heatwave saw a temperature of 48.8C registered in the province of Siracusa on Wednesday by Sicily's SIAS agency in what, if confirmed, will be a new European record. What's more, according to forecasts, the heatwave has not reached its peak yet. That is is expected to come on Friday, when 15 cities are set to be on red alert. When a city is on red alert it means the heat is so intense it is a danger to the health of the general population and not just the elderly and the fragile. The 15 cities that will be on red alert on Friday are Bari, Bologna, Bolzano, Brescia, Cagliari, Campobasso, Florence, Frosinone, Latina, Palermo, Perugia, Rieti, Rome, Trieste and Viterbo. Ten of those cities were on red alert on Thursday. Scientists say the climate crisis is causing heatwaves and extreme weather events, such as wildfires, to be more frequent and more intense. (ANSA).
ROME, AUG 12 - Italy's alarming spate of femicides has continued with the murder of two women in quick succession, one in the northern town of Vigevano, near Pavia, and the other in the Tuscan province of Grosseto. In the first case Marco De Frenza, a 59-year-old with a criminal record, turned himself into police late on Wednesday and confessed to killing his 39-year-old partner, Marylin Pera, by cutting her throat with a kitchen knife. He stayed at home with the woman's body lying in a pool of blood for 24 hours before turning himself in, the sources said. He told police that he killed the woman when he was drunk, the sources said. He has been taken to Pavia prison. The case in Tuscany was similar. A man called the Carabinieri police at about midnight and confessed to killing his partner near the town of Monterotondo Marittimo. The police found the woman's body had a cut to the throat while the man was covered in blood and weeping. In the Gargano area of Puglia, meanwhile, a 36-year-old man was arrested after kicking and punching his partner in the face. The woman managed to get away from the man and, with her clothes still torn, get help from passers-by and the Carabinieri. She told the police that he partner had been subjecting her to violence for seven months. Photo: an image of Marylin Pera taken from Facebook. (ANSA).
ROME, AUG 12 - Firefighters are battling hundreds of blazes that are being helped by the Lucifer heatwave and are devouring many hectares of forest in various parts of Italy on Thursday, with Calabria, Sicily, Sardinia and Campania hit especially hard. The wildfires claimed three lives on Wednesday, two in Calabria and one in Sicily. The European Commission said Thursday that two French Canadair water-bomber aircraft will be sent to help the firefighting effort in Italy via the European Civil Protection Mechanism, once they have completed their operations in Greece, The Lucifer heatwave saw a temperature of 48.8C registered in the province of Siracusa on Wednesday by Sicily's SIAS agency in what, if confirmed, will be a new European record. What's more, according to forecasts, the heatwave has not reached its peak yet. That is expected to come on Saturday when 17 cities are set to be on red alert. When a city is on red alert it means the heat is so intense it is a danger to the health of the general population and not just the elderly and the fragile. The 17 cities that will be on red alert on Friday are Ancona, Bari, Bologna, Bolzano, Brescia, Cagliari, Campobasso, Florence, Frosinone, Latina, Naples, Palermo, Perugia, Rieti, Rome, Trieste and Viterbo. Ten of those cities were on red alert on Thursday. Scientists say the climate crisis is causing heatwaves and extreme weather events, such as wildfires, to be more frequent and more intense. (ANSA).
ROME, AUG 12 - The regions of Sardinia and Liguria are suspending health workers who have not been vaccinated for COVID-19, sources said Thursday. Liguria has suspended without pay or transferred 71 health workers at the moment, the sources said. The Ligurian regional health system employs around 25,000 people. Sardinia's Health Protection Agency has prepared letters informing 57 health workers who have not been vaccinated for COVID-19 that they are being suspended, sources said. The regional authorities there, however, are looking at a total of over 700 health workers in the private and public sector who have not been vaccinated for the coronavirus, sources said. Regional commissions are looking at the cases of people who have produced medical certificates to justify not having a jab. Many other unvaccinated health workers on the island have refused to accept the registered letter asking them to justify the failure to get a jab. (ANSA).
Utah Governor Spencer Cox has responded to a constituent who suggested changing his "obscene" last name.

Cox shared his response to a tweet, saying he was really grateful for the criticism and constructive feedback he gets from his constituents who demand he should change his name, The Hill reported.

The Utah governor shared a letter from someone who had signed it as "a very concerned citizen." The letter said that when people say his surname, "it sounds like the word c---."

Really grateful for the criticism and constructive feedback I get from constituents that demand I



*checks notes*



change my name?  pic.twitter.com/RavFip8U4M  Spencer Cox (@SpencerJCox) August 7, 2021

The writer of the letter said, "I will not stand for it." The person noted that due to Cox's reluctance to change his "foul, dirty, and obscene" last name, thousands of other Utahns would be sitting in protest until he changes his "heinous surname to something less offensive."

The constituent warned that they would recall Cox if his name is not changed, adding that it is not a communist dictatorship. The writer further noted that Utah does not accept sick jokes to run rampant in their civil institutions, ABC 4 News reported.

Some Twitter users asked if it was a joke. However, Spencer Cox responded and said his constituent affairs director "thinks it's serious."

READ NEXT: Utah Man Kills Ex-Girlfriend Before Shooting Himself After Long Police Standoff

Life and Career of Utah Governor Spencer Cox

Spencer Cox was elected Utah's newest governor in November after he defeated Democrat Christ Peterson by about 64 percent of the votes.

The Utah governor has served as lieutenant governor since 2013. He replaced Gov. Gary Herbert, who retired as the state's governor at the end of his term. Utah Sen. Deidre Henderson is Cox's lieutenant governor, Fox 13 News reported.

According to Deseret News, Cox's family has been known and continues to work on the fields, mostly growing and selling alfalfa to livestock owners.

Spencer Cox said he can remember farm chores as part of his life and had grown to hate it. That was when he became mad at the world and claimed that he was on a dark path, heading in the wrong direction.

He published an online essay in 2018 titled "Let's Talk About Suicide," wherein he talked about his own struggles at a community suicide prevention meeting. He was also candid about his parents' divorce in the '80s.

Spencer Cox admitted that at first, he did not want to run for governor. He added that they were just kind of sick to their stomachs because they knew what it meant. His wife, Abby Cox, said it was a decision that they prayed about and talked to their family about.

Cox's father, Eddie Cox, said he knew his son had a future in politics and would one day be the governor. He added that he was not surprised that his son won.

Abby said that when her husband won, there were a lot of shocks. Meanwhile, Spencer Cox said it was not exactly a moment of jubilation.

The Utah governor noted that it was more of a relief, kind of an exhale. Cox had gained criticism when he said in a debate that he supported former President Donald Trump as the Republican's presidential bid. However, he said that it did not mean he liked him.

READ MORE: Father Stabs 9-Year-Old Daughter To Death Before Killing Self in Murder-Suicide in Illinois

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Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Utah Governor Spencer Cox "Working Hard" to Get Young People Vaccinated - From Face The Nation






A California dad has admitted to killing his two kids in Mexico over QAnon and "serpent DNA" conspiracy theories, federal officials said.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California, Matthew Taylor Coleman, 40, was charged Wednesday with foreign murder of U.S. nationals in connection with the death of his two-year-old son and his 10-month-old daughter.

Authorities said the California dad was a follower of QAnon and Illuminati conspiracy theories who thought his kids would "grow into monsters."

A criminal complaint noted that Coleman confessed to killing his kids using a spearfishing gun to stab them. The California dad also told authorities on Monday the location of the murder weapon and the bloody clothing that he discarded.

Matthew Taylor Coleman also identified the two bodies recovered by authorities in Mexico as those of his children. Prosecutors in the state of Baja California in Mexico said that Coleman was arrested by U.S. border agents on Monday when he attempted to return to the United States.

Chief prosecutor for central Baja California, Hiram Sanchez Zamora, confirmed the arrest and detention of the California dad. Coleman attempted to enter the border in San Diego via Tijuana in his vehicle.

On Wednesday, Matthew Taylor Coleman appeared before a judge who ordered that he be held without bond and set his arraignment for August 31.

READ NEXT: Montana Grandfather Admits to Torturing His 12-Year-Old Grandson to Death

California Dad Kills His Kids in Mexico

The kids' bodies were discovered on Monday morning after Mexican officials responded to a 911 call. The caller found the children's bodies near a ranch about 18 miles from a hotel in Tijuana, Mexico, where the California dad was reported to have checked in with his kids two days before discovering the bodies.

Mexican authorities said the kids were found with "large puncture wounds" to their chests. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) got involved in the case after Coleman's wife notified the Santa Barbara Police that her husband took the kids out on Saturday but did not tell her where they were going.

The wife said the California dad was also not responding to her messages. On Sunday, a missing report was filed by the wife.

With the use of an app, authorities learned that Coleman's last known location was in Rosarito, Mexico. Police then alerted the FBI about the incident as it became a case of suspected parental kidnapping.

Matthew Taylor Coleman Believer of QAnon and 'Serpent DNA' Conspiracy Theories

The complaint noted that Matthew Taylor Coleman acknowledged that what he did to his children was wrong. However, he argued that killing them was the only way to "save the world."

The California dad told authorities that conspiracy theories led him to believe that his wife passed her "serpent DNA" to the kids.

According to reports, the "serpent DNA" is likely to reference the "lizard people" conspiracy theory, which falsely conveys that reptilian aliens secretly run the world and hold important positions in government and banks, among others.

The complaint revealed that Coleman learned about the said theory through QAnon and Illuminati conspiracy theories.

NBC News reported that believers in each conspiracy blended together over the past years as conspiracy theory influencers on social media frequently combined the theories.

READ MORE: Ex-Los Angeles Police Charged With Manslaughter After Shooting Mentally Challenged Man

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Written By: Joshua Summers

WATCH: Santa Barbara Man Accused of Killing His two Kids in Mexico - From ABC 10 News
Weeks after his nomination, Ken Salazar, a former Senator and interior secretary from Colorado, was approved unanimously by the Senate on Wednesday to become the new U.S. ambassador to Mexico.

Colorado Governor Jared Polis said in a press release Wednesday that the state of Colorado was very proud that one of their great statesmen would be representing the U.S. in Mexico, Denver Post reported.

Polis congratulated his good friend Salazar on his confirmation and said he was looking forward to working with him in expanding the economic and cultural ties between Mexico and Colorado.

Joe Biden Nominates Ken Salazar

Ken Salazar, 66, is the first of President Joe Biden's ambassador nominees to be confirmed. He became the first Latino elected to a statewide office in Colorado when he was elected as the Colorado attorney general in 1998.

Salazar also served in the Senate, where he represented the state of Colorado from 2005 until 2009. He retired from the Senate after former President Barack Obama nominated him to serve as the secretary of the Interior Department.

READ NEXT: Texas House Speaker Signs Arrest Warrants for Democratic Lawmakers Who Fled State to Block Voting Bill

Ken Salazar Gets Support From Colorado Senators

Ken Salazar was a fifth-generation Coloradan and was born in the municipality of Alamosa. He was raised on a family ranch. Salazar, in 2013, joined WilmerHale, a law firm with a branch in Denver, according to the firm's website.

On June 15, Joe Biden announced that Salazar was among the nine individuals he would submit to the Senate for confirmation as ambassadors. The nomination of Salazar was supported by two Colorado senators, namely Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper.

Hickenlooper earlier said in a press release that Ken Salazar was an exceptional leader who has served the state of Colorado and the U.S. at the highest levels.

He added that as an American ambassador to Mexico, Salazar would revitalize the relationship with an ally, neighbor, and one of the country's biggest trading partners.

On the other hand, Bennet said that Joe Biden had made a terrific choice in nominating Ken Salazar as the next ambassador to Mexico. He noted that Salazar was a tremendous public servant with a strong record of bipartisanship in the Senate.

Bennet added that Salazar has always led with integrity, and he "have great confidence" in Salazar's ability to represent the U.S. in Mexico.

According to the National Museum of American Diplomacy, an ambassador is the president's representative to a country who usually leads the embassy in the country he or she is assigned to.

Salazar's confirmation came at a time when the Biden administration is dealing with a large influx of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border, which is an issue that poses logistical and humanitarian challenges.

READ MORE: Pres. Joe Biden 'Sad' Over Andrew Cuomo's Resignation, Says the NY Official Did a 'Hell of a Job' as Governor

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Written by: Jess Smith

WATCH: Ken Salazar Confirmed By U.S. Senate To Serve As U.S. Ambassador To Mexico - From CBS Denver
President Joe Biden said he does not regret his decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan despite the Taliban making rapid territorial gains in the country.

Joe Biden told reporters at the White House Tuesday that Afghan leaders "have to come together" as the Taliban takes control of two thirds of the country, Sky News reported.

The president said Afghans have to "fight for themselves" and "for their nation," adding that the Afghan troops outnumber the Taliban.

According to reports, nine out of Afghanistan's 34 provinces are now under the Taliban's hand as U.S. troops continue to exit the country.

There are mounting fears that Taliban fighters could isolate Afghanistan's capital in around a month and possibly take it over in 90 days.

Joe Biden noted that Washington had already spent more than $1 trillion over 20 years while losing thousands of troops. He said the U.S. would continue with its commitments of providing food, salaries, equipment, and significant air support to Afghan forces.

Joe Biden ordered in April the withdrawal of all U.S. troops from Afghanistan by September 11.

READ NEXT: Former Pres. George W. Bush Says Withdrawal of U.S. Troops in Afghanistan Is a Mistake

U.S. Troops Withdrawal From Afghanistan

John Kirby, a spokesman for the Pentagon, confirmed that the current administration will still provide air support to Afghanistan. However, Kirby noted that there was not much else the U.S. military could do, CNBC reported.

Kirby also said that the Afghan military must now use the years of training from the U.S. and NATO coalition forces. The Pentagon spokesman noted that the Afghan military has an Air Force, while the Taliban does not.

Kirby also said that the country possesses modern weaponry and organization skills. He noted that they have the said advantages, and it is now the time to use those advantages.

Meanwhile, the State Department is looking for ways to downsize the U.S. Embassy in Kabul. Ned Price, who is the spokesman for the State Department, said they are evaluating the threat environment on a daily basis, adding that the embassy is in regular contact with Washington.

Taliban Forces Advancing

According to the United Nations (UN), over 1,000 civilians were reported to be killed in the middle of fighting between the Taliban and government forces in the past month.

The UN children's agency Unicef warned that atrocities against children were rising by the day, BBC News reported. In 24 hours, the Taliban militants had seized three more provincial capitals, namely Faizabad, Farah, and Pul-e-Khumri.

The militant group also seized the key northern city of Kunduz, which is considered a gateway to mineral-rich provinces. Kunduz is in a strategically important location, with it being close to the border with Tajikistan. The border is usually used for the smuggling of heroin and opium.

Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani has flown to Mazar-i-Sharif on Wednesday to rally the defenders in Kunduz.

One woman, who left Kunduz as the Taliban took the area, said they saw bodies lying near a prison with dogs near them. According to residents, government forces retreated to the airport while shops continue to open around the area.

A ceasefire was not in sight as the militant group has rejected calls from international leaders. UK Chief of the Defense Staff Gen. Sir Nick Carter said that conditions could rise to international terrorism and violent extremism.

In Kabul, many families chose to stay in the capital as the Taliban continue to advance. Families were living in parks and streets with little to no food or water.

READ MORE: U.S. Military Launches Airstrikes Against Iran and Syria, Targets Militia Groups Behind Drone Attacks on U.S. Personnel

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Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: President Biden Urges Afghanistan to "Fight for Themselves" as Taliban Seizes More Territory - From CBS This Morning






Arizona man Brandon Lujan is facing charges of three counts of first-degree murder after he confessed to killing his parents and brother following an argument.

Phoenix police said the 34-year-old suspect has yet to enter any pleas on charges against him, People reported.

Police officers went to East Pinchot Avenue in Phoenix on Saturday at around 11:30 p.m. after receiving reports of shots fired. However, they did not find any victims or evidence of a shooting.

Phoenix police were called the next day to a local veterans hospital after a patient, who was identified as Lujan, confessed to hospital staff that he killed his brother and parents, AZ Family reported.

The Arizona man went to the hospital to seek medical treatment for a twisted ankle.

READ NEXT: Arizona Carnival Owner Arrested for Taking Mexican Workers' Passports to Prevent Them From Leaving

The Killing of Lujan Family

Officers arrived at the hospital and spoke to Brandon Lujan. The suspect then told investigators that he killed his family at their home, which was in the same neighborhood officers were called at the night before.

Authorities visited the house and found all three victims dead with multiple gunshots wounds. The Arizona man was arrested at the hospital and was taken to a police station.

Brandon Lujan admitted to detectives that he had an argument with his 63-year-old father, Lewis Lujan, and his 56-year-old mother, Irene Lujan, at their home on Saturday and agreed to resolve it at a later time.

However, his 30-year-old brother, Matthew Lujan, reportedly got involved, pushed the Arizona man, and twisted his ankle. Matthew had also allegedly punched him twice in the face.

Brandon Lujan said he pulled a gun from his waistband and shot his brother. He then shot him additional times as he tried to get up from the ground.

Brandon's father had come out of a bedroom when he heard the gunshots. He then lunged at him. The Arizona man said that he shot both of his parents because they lunged at him.

Court documents noted that Brandon Lujan was not under the influence of drugs. However, incidents of violence had occurred before the killings, AZ Central reported.

Court records also showed that despite knowing that his family members were dead, he did not try to call for help or give first aid.

Brandon told police that he could not recall what he did with his clothes or handgun after the killings. However, he said that he remembered reloading his gun before shooting his family.

The suspect is currently held in custody at a Maricopa County jail. The Arizona man is being held on a $1 million bond.

Familicide in the United States

Experts said men are often driven to murder their families by intense feelings of shame brought by a job loss or a perceived inability to provide.

However, forensic psychologists and criminologists noted that these murderers do not simply snap but usually have records of mental illness, ABC News reported.

Dr. John Bradford, head of the forensic psychiatry department at the University of Ottawa, said that women are more likely to kill their children than men. However, men are more likely to kill both their children and their spouse.

Law enforcement officials and agencies do not specifically track familicides, which has created discrepancies in how the crimes are classified.

READ MORE: Arizona State Senator Arrested for Sexual Conduct With Underage Boy, Fellow Democrats Call For His Resignation

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Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Phoenix Neighborhood in Disbelief After Man Allegedly Kills Family - From 12 News






Key Takeaways

Maritime Law focuses more on the private business aspect while sea laws focus more on the public law.

There are four aspects under Maritime Law, namely: The Merchant Marine Act of 1928, The Death on the High Seas Act, (DOHSA), The Longshore and Harbour Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA), and The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA).

The Law of the Seas covers three aspects: Jurisdiction for Coastal Waters, Natural Resources Ownership, and The Longshore and Harbour Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA).

Introduction

Maritime Law and The Law of The Seas are two terms that are often confused and used as synonyms. Long story short  they literally have nothing to do with on another, no matter how similar they might sound. If you are planning to practice Maritime Law, you should know about the difference that exists between both of these fields.

The key difference is that Maritime Law deals with domestic issues while The Law of The Seas deal with international affairs.

However, this is not all. It is just the beginning of the concept.

In this article, you will find the basic things you need to know about when it comes to comparing Maritime Law vs. The Law of The Sea. Apart from the difference in their jurisdictions, there are other things also that force them to stay apart.

What Is Maritime Law

Maritime Law has a much narrower jurisdiction that The Law Of The Sea. Maritime Law usually applies to private entities like ship owners, their employees, and any clients that ships might have on board. Many of these laws have been around for years, constantly developing from various sets of rules and customs. The following is what is majorly covered under Maritime law. These are the statutes that are a part of Maritime Law.

The Merchant Marine Act of 1928  Otherwise known as the Jones Act this law permits men injured at sea to sue negligent shipowners for their injuries they face. An essential ingredient of this law is that it also requires that American ships and crews transport passengers or goods between American ports.

The Death on the High Seas Act, (DOHSA)  The relatives of a dead worker can sue the employer of the worker if they are on high seas (more that 3 nautical miles away from shore). The employer might have to be responsible for financial support loss, funeral expenses, and the emotional and care the deceased cannot provide.

The Longshore and Harbour Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA)  This legislation grants non-sailors the right to sue those involved in the maritime industry.

The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA)  This act provides compensation for oil rig workers who are hurt on the job and non-sailor professionals working in the United States EEZ.

What Is The Law Of The Seas

The Law of The Seas deals was introduced to establish boundaries in regards to maritime movement and conduct. The principles and the rules were established centuries ago to avoid the wars and conflicts that occurred at the sea. Although theyve been ratified over the centuries, the laws are still only the guidelines that ships and vessels have about what they can and cannot do when they are in international waters.

The law of the sea governs the interaction between different nations that fall under maritime affairs. These rules and principles were developed over centuries until being codified in the 1994 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, or UNCLOS. The United States did not ratify the convention, although it recognizes UNCLOS as a part of customary international law and follows these set guidelines in most cases.

The Law of The Seas generally covers the follows aspects:

Jurisdiction for Coastal Waters  For centuries, the territory of each country extended three nautical miles into the ocean. Many countries have extended their territorial waters beyond the 12 nautical mile mark, also called the baseline, since the beginning of the 20th century. UNCLOS establishes 12 nautical mile territorial waters and a contiguous area of 24 nautical miles. This allows nations to still enforce their laws regarding customs, taxation and pollution.

Natural Resources Ownership  Each country can claim an Exclusive Economy Zone of up to 200 nautical mile from the baseline. If the continental shelf extends that far, it will be 350 nautical miles. Each nation has the right to exclusive exploitation of fisheries and mineral resources within its EEZ.

Navigational Rights  Vessels of other nations, even military ones, have the right to pass through territorial water but only in the way that is necessary to reach their destination. Foreign vessels cannot violate any laws or cause harm to the country to which the territorial waters belong.

A Few Case References

Here are some cases that include the application of both maritime and sea laws.

People of Rull ex rel Ruepong v MV Kyowa Violet

In the above case, the question of who owns the rights to the seabed and coastal sea resources was raised. A cargo vessel from Micronesia was damaged after its collision into a reef while it was trying to navigate into the harbour.

There was oil in the harbour waters as well as the reef was damaged. The harbour disallowed fishing and swimming. Three traditional chiefs, representing the coastal residents of the affected municipalities, presented a lawsuit for damages for maritime tort. The court ruled that the plaintiffs were entitled to damages.

This was based on the provisions of the Constitution that recognizes the traditional rights and ownership natural resources and areas within the state's marine space within 12 miles of the island baselines. According to the court, "ownership" meant an exclusive right to exploit and use the resources in the area.

Tokyo Corp. vs. Mago Island Estate Ltd.

Fiji's High Court ruled that the state has rights to the water, seabed and foreshore. Although the judgement offers interesting historical perspectives, the parties did not agree to resolve the issue of fisheries rights. A resort owner filed a claim against Kosrae State to have his beachfront damaged by state road work. The court ruled that the private landowner could not sue the state for rocks that were deposited below the normal high-water mark, as that territory is state land.

Chuuk v Secretary of Finance

This case also involved a customary right argument and federalism. The FSM and its four member states requested a declaratory judgment stating that they had the right to control and ownership of the EEZ's living marine resources. They also received revenues from the sale and renewal of fishing licenses, which allowed fishing within the EEZ. The states argued that the Micronesian customary and traditional practices vested ownership over the off-shore fishing resources within the EEZ. Based on language in the Constitution, and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which was ratified by the FSM, the States' claim fell apart. The constitution gave the sole right to the national government to regulate the exploitation within the EEZ. Although there was no ownership of the resources, the position taken by the national government was in line with international treaty obligations. It is interesting that, while the FSM Constitution states that half of the EEZ-generated revenues must be paid to state governments, the provision for the living resources is not applicable.

Conclusion

The difference between these overlapping terms have been briefly covered. Even though they are different, when you are practicing either of the areas of law, you should know about the other. For instance, if you are practicing Maritime Law, you should be aware about The Law of The Seas. They are different, yes, but you should certainly know about what each aspect has. Once that is known, the jurisdiction of the crime or incidence that has occurred will also be clear.



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A young Laois artist has been shortlisted for this years Zurich Young Portrait Prize at the National Gallery of Ireland.

Ayesha Siddique (aged 14) from Portlaoise has been shortlisted for her portrait Ayeshas portrait.

The work was created using acrylic and pencil on canvas, and will be on display at the Gallery later this year.

From hundreds of entries, 24 artists made it through to the final stage of the Zurich Portrait Prize, while 20 young artists aged between five and eighteen years old have been shortlisted for the Zurich Young Portrait Prize.

The winner of the Zurich Portrait Prize will receive a cash prize of 15,000 and will be commissioned to create a work for the national portrait collection, for which they will be awarded a further 5,000. Two additional awards of 1,500 will be given to highly commended works.

Judges for the Zurich Portrait Prize are: artist Eamonn Doyle; Roisin Kennedy, art critic and Lecturer/Assistant Professor in the School of Art History & Cultural Policy, UCD; and Sean Kissane, Curator at IMMA.

The Zurich Young Portrait Prize returns for its third year in 2021. Five winners (one from each age category and an overall winner) will be selected from a shortlist of hundreds of entries by children and young people aged up to 18 from across the island of Ireland.

Winners will receive a bespoke art box and a cash prize. This years Zurich Young Portrait Prize judges are: visual artist Aideen Barry; artist, art teacher and activist Joe Caslin; and Tadhg Crowley, Senior Curator: Education + Community at the Glucksman.

Exhibitions of shortlisted works in both competitions run at the National Gallery of Ireland between 13 November 2021 and 3 April 2022.

The exhibition will travel to Crawford Art Gallery, Cork, where it will be displayed between 23 April and 17 July 2022.
Daring Alison Dyer, the reigning Miss Laois, is all set to parachute out of an aeroplane for a local suicide support charity.

Alison, 24, from Portarlington, is about to represent Laois in the Miss Ireland pageant on September 5.

In the meantime the science student is waiting for the right weather to do a parachute jump at Clonbullogue Airfield, for the SOSAD charity.

The right weather is hard to find, as she told the Leinster Express.

"I have gone out twice, the first time I waited for six or seven hours and the second time for a couple of hours, with all my family waiting to see me jump too, my mam and dad Phil and Martin and my sister Melanie. I hope to go again soon, but it all depends on the weather. If it's too cloudy they won't do the jumps because they can't see through the cloud where to land.

"I am really looking forward to it, I get all excited to do it, the next time I am definitely bringing food though!" she said.

Below: Alison with her dad at the airfield.

Alison is asking people to donate to her Gofundme account, to raise money for SOSAD, who are going to open a Laois drop in centre in Portlaoise for people in mental distress or experiencing suicidal thoughts.

"I have worked with several charities so far as part of the Miss Ireland journey. SOSAD feels so important, it is giving directly to our own community. Laois is always falling through the cracks for mental supports, the nearest Pieta is in Mullingar and there is a waiting list there. We really do need to have something in every county," she said.

She has paid the 350 cost out of her own pocket to do the parachute jump, so that every cent donated will go to her cause, with 515 raised so far.

Alison is a qualified nurse but returned to study a Masters in biotechnology. She is now on work placement with Astra Zeneca.

"I am a medical affairs intern, I am much happier now, nursing wasn't for me," she said.

She is busily preparing for the high stakes Miss Ireland final where she will be among 30 finalists. The new Miss Ireland will go on to the glittering Miss World festival in Puerto Rico in December, plus a lucrative agency contract and a host of prizes including jewelry, gowns, a professional photo shoot, beauty and hair products.

"We are doing photoshoots and dance rehearsals and I'm getting my dress fitted with a designer in Dublin. Everyone has been very supportive. We have all met each other now. Much of the preparations were online but now it is all starting to happen in real life. I've made so many friends already and am working with charities and that's what it's all about," she said.

Alison is a graduate of Colaiste Iosagain in Portarlington, and she thanks Lydia Maher, her local sponsor who helped her to win the Laois title is Blush Beauty Bar in the town.

Sponsor Alison for her parachute jump below.

See Alison's fundraising account here.

You can still vote for her with the votes going towards judges decisions on the night, by downloading the Miss Ireland app.

Follow Alison's progress on instagram here.
On Monday August 2, thirty socially distanced members of Newbridge Gospel Choir joined forces with Relay for Life Kildare Team Songbirdies Captain Niamh Curley to do a Drive-In Car Park Performance in the Multi-storey car park at the Whitewater Shopping Center, Newbridge.

The whole event was livestreamed on Facebook to ensure no gathering of crowds due to Covid restrictions, but some audience members attended in person while sitting in their cars!

The aim was to bring awareness and raise much needed funds for Relay for Life Kildare 2021. Normally both the choir and Niamh do lots of fundraising events in person, but this year we had to be much more creative.

"The support was incredible! It was so great to be able to sing in person even while social distant and outdoors! Every penny raised last night will go directly to the cause so that we can continue to CELEBRATE those who have survived cancer, REMEMBER those who we have lost and FIGHT BACK to continue working towards a cure! You can find our link for donations on Newbridge Gospel Choir's Facebook page along side the video from Monday night in case you missed it," said the organisers.

This is just one of many fundraisers that Team Songbirdies will be doing this month. More info coming soon on the other fundraisers once all details are confirmed!

Team Captain Niamh Curley in full song
Three Kildare artists have been shortlisted for this years Zurich Young Portrait Prize at the National Gallery of Ireland.

Della Cowper-Gray (aged 14), Joanna Lipska (aged 14) and Ross McHale (aged 16) have been shortlisted for the annual competition. Their artworks will be on display at the Gallery later this year.

From hundreds of entries, 24 artists made it through to the final stage of the Zurich Portrait Prize, while 20 young artists aged between five and eighteen years old have been shortlisted for the Zurich Young Portrait Prize.

The winner of the Zurich Portrait Prize will receive a cash prize of 15,000 and will be commissioned to create a work for the national portrait collection, for which they will be awarded a further 5,000. Two additional awards of 1,500 will be given to highly commended works. Judges for the Zurich Portrait Prize are: artist Eamonn Doyle; Roisin Kennedy, art critic and Lecturer/Assistant Professor in the School of Art History & Cultural Policy, UCD; and Sean Kissane, Curator at IMMA.

The Zurich Young Portrait Prize returns for its third year in 2021. Five winners (one from each age category and an overall winner) will be selected from a shortlist of hundreds of entries by children and young people aged up to 18 from across the island of Ireland. Winners will receive a bespoke art box and a cash prize. This years Zurich Young Portrait Prize judges are: visual artist Aideen Barry; artist, art teacher and activist Joe Caslin; and Tadhg Crowley, Senior Curator: Education + Community at the Glucksman.

Exhibitions of shortlisted works in both competitions run at the National Gallery of Ireland between 13 November 2021 and 3 April 2022. The exhibition will travel to Crawford Art Gallery, Cork, where it will be displayed between 23 April and 17 July 2022.

Sean Rainbird, Director of the National Gallery of Ireland, said, The Zurich Portrait Prizes at the National Gallery of Ireland continue to go from strength to strength. Our aim is to encourage interest in and excitement about contemporary portraiture, and were thrilled to have Zurich partnering with us once again as we do so. A terrific selection of works has been shortlisted this year for both competitions, and we look forward to the exhibitions later this year at the Gallery and next year in Crawford Art Gallery in Cork.

Neil Freshwater, CEO of Zurich, said, After such extraordinary competitions and exhibitions in 2020, Zurich are delighted to see another impressive selection of works in this years shortlist. The Zurich Portrait Prize and Zurich Young Portrait Prize exhibitions are a highlight of the cultural calendar and we are very proud to continue to sponsor these competitions and to support Irish talent of all ages, now more than ever.

Find out more at www.nationalgallery.ie.
LIMERICK is one of a handful of priority areas where the Peter McVerry Trust is looking to quickly ramp up its delivery of social housing.

The commitment was given at the launch of a new five-year strategic plan which will see the charity deliver 1,200 new social housing units across the country before the end of 2025.

The charity, which operates a number of homeless services and provides social housing across Limerick, says the county will be one of the primary target areas for delivery under the new plan.

Earlier this year, it began work on two developments - at Moyross and Southill - in Limerick city.

The new strategic plan was launched by An Taoiseach, Micheal Martin, at Peter McVerry Trusts new southern regional office in Cork City.

Speaking at the launch, Pat Doyle, CEO of Peter McVerry Trust, said the plan is ambitious: This plan sets ambitious targets to significantly grow our delivery of new homes and also ensures that the organisation remains well-governed, innovative and continues to deliver each and every day for those on the margins of Irish society.

While homes will be delivered across the country Limerick has been identified as one of a handful of priority areas for the Trust.

"In May of this year, we started work on a major new housing project in the Moyross and Southill areas of Limerick city, in partnership with Limerick City and County Council, where a total of 38 new homes will be delivered by the end of this year. The challenge is to secure opportunities which are value for money and can be delivered quickly, said Mr Doyle.

He added that he hopes the plan will allow for the continued growth of Housing First in Limerick, a programme designed to tackle rough-sleeping and long-term homelessness.

In particular, the plan sees Peter McVerry Trust set the largest target yet by an AHB for homes through the Housing First model in Ireland, as we set out to deliver 600 additional Housing First units by the end of 2025. Working in partnership with Limerick City and County Council, we hope to grow the Housing First numbers in the county, meaning more rough sleepers will be housed and supported to maintain their housing.

The Peter McVerry Trust aims to offer as many sustainable housing pathways for people out of homelessness as it can.

"If we are successful in delivering our target we will become a leading voluntary provider of one-bedroom social housing units in the State over the next 5 years. This is very important for the people we work with and the wider homeless population, as the vast majority of homes needed to tackle homelessness are one-bedroom homes," said Mr Doyle.

He added that the newly-launched strategic plan will only be successfully delivered through a partnership approach - with various State agencies and local authorities.

Peter McVerry Trusts strategic plan 2021-2025 is the charitys fourth strategic plan to date. The new plan sets out 8 high-level objectives, 30 key drivers and 52 outcomes. The charity is now active in 28 of Irelands 31 local authorities.
Huntsman spiders are large, fast spiders that live in warm climates throughout the world. They are named for the way that they catch their prey.

Unlike many spider species, huntsman spiders "don't build webs to catch prey," said Christy Bills, an entomologist and the invertebrate collections manager at the Natural History Museum of Utah. Instead, these spiders hunt down their prey.

There are thousands of subspecies in this family (Sparassidae). The average huntsman spider species is about 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) long with a leg span of up to 5 inches (12.7 cm). The giant huntsman spider (Heteropoda maxima), however, has a leg span of up to 12 inches (30 cm), making it the largest spider by diameter; it is often described as being "the size of a dinner plate." (The largest spider by weight is probably the goliath birdeater tarantula (Theraphosa blondi), according to the American Association for the Advancement of Science.)

Peter Jager, head of the arachnology department at the Senckenberg Research Institute in Frankfurt, Germany, discovered the giant huntsman in a cave in Laos in 2001, according to his research published in the journal Zoosystema. Only a few people in the world have seen this behemoth arachnid.

Related: Huntsman spiders eat tree frogs after luring them into leaf traps

What do huntsman look like?

Because of their size, huntsman spiders are sometimes incorrectly identified as tarantulas. One way to tell a huntsman from a tarantula is by the position of the creature's legs. Most spiders' legs bend vertically under the body. "Huntsman spiders usually have legs that are splayed out to the sides, crablike," Bills said. In fact, huntsman spiders are also referred to as giant crab spiders.

Huntsman spiders' legs have twisted joints, which allow the appendages to extend forward like a crab's and their alignment allows the spider to move side-to-side, also similar to a crab. Males have longer legs, although females have larger bodies. "Colors and patterns vary," Bills said. The spiders' legs are typically gray or brown, and banded.

An image of a female huntsman spider (Heterpoda venatoria) taken in a home in West Bengal, India. (Image credit: Getty Images )

Many huntsman species' bodies have a flattened appearance, ideal for squeezing into tight places, according to the Australian Museum.

Classification/taxonomy

According to the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS), the taxonomy of giant huntsman spiders is:

Kingdom : Animalia

: Animalia Subkingdom : Bilateria

: Bilateria Infrakingdom : Protostomia

: Protostomia Superphylum : Ecdysozoa

: Ecdysozoa Phylum : Arthropoda

: Arthropoda Subphylum : Chelicerata

: Chelicerata Class : Arachnida

: Arachnida Order : Araneae

: Araneae Family : Sparassidae

: Sparassidae Genus & species: Heteropoda maxima

Where are they found?

The giant huntsman was found in Laos, and most huntsman species are native to Asia. They are also prevalent in Africa, Australia and South America, according to Science Alert. They live in some warm American states such as Florida, California and Texas, and, according to the University of Florida, it is presumed that they were introduced from Asia. Folklore stories claim the spiders traveled from Asia in boxes of bananas, and because of that, they are sometimes called banana spiders.

Where environments so they live in?

Bills extolled the huntsman's speed: "They can often be quite large and very quick." In fact, the huntsman spider can move up to a yard (almost 1 meter) a second, she said. The spider typically lives under loose bark on trees, under rocks, in crevices and under foliage. Huntsman spiders, especially Australian species, are notorious for entering houses and cars. According to the Australian Museum, they have been "found hiding behind sun visors or running across the dashboard." These spiders can be social, and dozens will sometimes sit together on dead trees or stumps.

What do huntsman eat?

The huntsman runs after or ambushes its prey, killing it with venom and strong mouthparts, called the chelicerae. Once captured, the prey will be injected with deadly venom from glands within the spider's body, according the University of Florida. The huntsman can also be a valuable spider because it eats cockroaches, in addition to other spiders and domestic insect pests.

Related: Huntsman Spider Devours Possum in Viral (and Terrifying) Photos

Huntsman are not deadly to humans. According to the Australian Reptile Park, although huntsman are venomous and their bites can be painful to humans, they do not cause anything more serious than mild nausea or headaches. Usually localized swelling and pain are the only symptoms of a huntsman spider bite.

Huntsman spiders kill their prey with venom and strong mouthparts, called the chelicerae. Here's a closeup of the chelicerae. (Image credit: Shutterstock)

How do huntsman reproduce?

Compared to other spider species that eat their mates, huntsman spiders are downright romantic. According to the Australian Museum, their mating ritual can last for several hours and involves lengthy caresses and other demonstrations of interest. The male drums his pedipalps  antennae-like appendages near the mouth  against tree trunks before inserting them into the female to fertilize her eggs.

A female huntsman clutching onto a silk sac filled with hundreds of spider offspring. (Image credit: Elliekay/Public Domain )

After mating, the female lays up to 200 eggs and encases them in a large, oval, spun-silk sac. "Some huntsmans are dedicated mothers," Billa said. They "look after their egg sacs, guarding them fiercely."

According to the University of Florida's Entomology and Nematology Department, some females carry the sac with them under their bodies, which severely restricts their movements. Others place the sac under a rock or piece of bark and stand over it, without eating, for up to three weeks. In both cases, females may become aggressive when guarding their egg sacs.

According to the Australian Reptile Park, at birthing time, the mother may tear the egg sac open to help her spiderlings emerge. She'll then stay with the babies for several weeks. Baby huntsmen are pale in color and darken with each molt. Huntsman spiders can live for more than two years.

Additional resources

Learn more about the giant huntsman at the Encyclopedia of Life.

Here is a handy guide to identifying huntsman spiders and other arachnids

Check out the World Spider Trait database for more information and research about spiders from around the world

This article was updated on Aug. 11, 2021 by How It Works staff writer Scott Dutfield.
A close-up view shows a split mammoth tusk at the Alaska Stable Isotope Facility. Blue stain is used to reveal growth lines. Samples were taken along the tusk using lasers and other techniques, allowing an isotope analysis that provided a record of the mammoth's life.

A mammoth that lived in Alaska about 17,000 years ago traveled so far and wide that, if it had walked in a straight line, it would have gone all the way around the world  nearly twice.

Recent analysis of the woolly ice age beast's preserved tusk revealed that in 28 years, it walked almost 50,000 miles (80,500 kilometers). To retrace the adult mammoth's steps, researchers did something that had never been done before: They sliced open a mammoth tusk along its length, investigating the chemistry of the layers that built up in the tusk year after year during the animal's lifetime.

Then, they compared that data to chemical signatures in locations across Alaska that were identified from the teeth of small ice age mammals. By matching chemical element ratios in different parts of the tusk to similar ratios from the small-mammal teeth, scientists were able to create a regional map that showed where the mammoth lived from year to year.

Related: Photos: A 40,000-year-old mammoth autopsy

In woolly mammoths (Mammuthus primigenius) and their elephantine relatives (living and extinct), tusks preserve information about their habitats in an element called strontium , which the tusks absorb from plants the animals eat. Ratios of strontium isotopes  versions of the element with different numbers of neutrons  vary between geographic locations, and incremental records of local isotope ratios in tusks can reveal where the animals were dining during different stages of their lives, researchers reported in a new study.

However, most prior analyses of mammoth tusks relied on short cores drilled vertically from tusks. Those cores reveal some of the tusk layers, "but you're not getting the whole record," said study lead author Matthew Wooller, director of the Alaska Stable Isotope Facility and the Water and Environmental Research Center at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), and a professor in the UAF College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences.

At the base of a mammoth's tusks are cone-shaped cavities coated by enamel layers that resemble inverted ice cream cones, Wooller told Live Science. New layers coat this cavity every day, and over years and decades, tusks grow longer as new layers build up from the bottom, much as a tower of ice cream cones gets taller if you keep inserting new cones into the open end of the stack. Reading the record of a mammoth's life from infancy to death therefore required splitting a tusk lengthwise, so that all the internal "ice cream cone" layers would then be exposed for sampling, Wooller explained.

A view of a split mammoth tusk at the Alaska Stable Isotope Facility at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Karen Spaleta, deputy director of the facility, prepares a piece of mammoth tusk for analysis in the background. (Image credit: Photo by J.R. Ancheta, University of Alaska Fairbanks)

Six scientists, one band saw

For the study, the scientists used one of the tusks of an adult mammoth in the collection of the University of Alaska Museum, collected on Alaska's Arctic Coastal Plain above the Arctic Circle in 2010. DNA analysis revealed that the mammoth was male; it lived about 17,000 years ago and its tusk measured 7.9 feet (2.4 meters) long. Figuring out how to bisect the enormous, spiraling tusk evenly (and without damaging it) took the researchers about a year, and splitting the tusk ultimately required six people, an enormous band saw and nearly an entire day of very, very careful cutting, Wooller said.

"We may have broken a blade or two along the way," he said.

After splitting the tusk, the scientists collected about 400,000 individual data points on the concentrations of strontium and other isotopes, such as oxygen and nitrogen , taken from the center of the preserved "timeline" covering the animal's entire life span. The tip of the tusk represented the mammoth as a baby and juvenile, and the base of the tusk showed the last years of the mammoth's life.

To know where, exactly, the mammoth had been walking, the study authors compared their data to a map of the same isotopes for the mammoth's Arctic habitats, preserved in the teeth of tiny plant-eating rodents from the Pleistocene epoch (2.6 million to about 11,700 years ago). Because small rodents like shrews and voles remain in very localized habitats throughout their lives, the regional data could then be used to identify locales where the mammoth lived or visited.

The scientists then generated mammoth "walks" that spanned 28 years and contained 1,133 data points, called "steps," with 40 steps representing approximately one year of life.

An illustration of an adult male woolly mammoth navigating a mountain pass in Arctic Alaska 17,100 years ago. The image was produced from an original, life-size painting by paleoartist James Havens that is housed at the University of Alaska Museum of the North. (Image credit: Illustration by James Havens)

Step by step

As a baby, the mammoth lived mostly in the lower Yukon River basin. During the mammoth's juvenile years, it moved into the lowlands of interior Alaska, probably traveling with a herd, where it stayed until it was about 15 years old. The mammoth's range broadened as it reached sexual maturity at age 15 and left the herd, as young male elephants also do, according to the study.

And then, during its last two years of life, the mammoth stayed at higher elevations, in the western end of Alaska's Brooks Range. A spike in nitrogen isotopes before the animal died hinted at a period of starvation, perhaps because of an exceptionally harsh winter, the researchers reported.

"Until this point, we didn't have this level of detail about the movement patterns of mammoths at all," Wooller said. Future studies of other mammoth tusks could fill in even more details about their travels, including how their migration behavior may have changed as the last ice age waned and Earth's climate became wetter and warmer  a challenge that large animals in Alaska are confronting right now, Wooller added.

"Megafauna that are living in the Arctic today are actually facing very substantial and significant climate change," he said. "I think it shines a light on concerns of how all those animals will adapt their behavior in response to very unprecedented changes that we're seeing in the Arctic today."

The findings were published Aug. 12 in the journal Science .

Originally published on Live Science.
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A force on Europes film archive scene, the Cinematheque Suisse is near to finishing a restoration of The Written Face, regarded as one of the best films by one of Switzerlands most prominent filmmakers, Daniel Schmid.

News of the reissue comes as heritage becomes an ever more familiar part of the major festival landscape  as a promotion agency, the Cinematheque Suisse is at Locarno with six titles, far more than any sales agent.

Switzerland, moreover, has been chosen as the Guest Country of the Lumiere Festivals 9th International Classic Film Market, running Oct.12-15; and, post COVID-19, audiences are warming to heritage fare, says Frederic Maire, director of the Cinematheque Suisse and president of the International Federation of Film Archives (FIAF).

A close friend of Rainer Werner Fassbinder, who starred in his 1976 Cannes competition entry Shadow of Angels, Schmid was known for his tales of romantic obsession and scathing satires, such as Beresina, Or the Last Days of Switzerland, his penultimate film, which played Cannes Un Certain Regard. Schmid himself claimed, however, that all his films in some way, were all about illusions and dreams that dissolve.

The Written Face would be a case in point, an attempt to portray, from the point of view of an outsider, Tamasaburo Bando, star of the vanishing Kabuki theater. Part documentary, part performance, The Written Face is one of Schmids masterpieces, says Maire. It was shot on 16mm, so rarely screened. The 4k restoration has been carried out in Paris at LImage Retrouvee.

The Cinematheque Suisse will also use Switzerlands Locarno Festival to premiere its latest big Swiss reissue, Derborence, directed by Francis Reusser. The screening is offered as part of both the fest section Histoire du cinema and A Season of Classic Films, an initiative of the Association des Cinematheques Europeennes (ACE). The film will be introduced by Emmanuelle de Riedmatten, the directors son Jean Reusser and Maire.

Derborence is described by the Locarno Festival as a sensual Alpine Western. Set in the high Alps, it also questions then current models of masculinity and marks Reussers first adaptation of an author, Charles Ferdinand Ramuz, who was to become a touchstone for the now disillusioned 1968 rebel.

Further Cinematheque Suisse Locarno titles takes in Jean-Luc Godards King Lear, the film which Godard signed with Cannon on a napkin at Cannes, and two Henry Brandts docs, 1954s Nomads of the Son, and 1964s Switzerland Ponders.

Made up of five shorts examining not only Switzerlands economic health but its conscience  via issues such as immigration and xenophobia  the latter anticipates the concerns of a young generation of Swiss filmmakers who broke through from last decade.

Brandt made highly important films in the 1950s to 70s which are now really hugely forgotten, says Maire. I had a lot of people coming to me and saying, Oh, they were great. And there was a lot of people in the cinemas, he added.

Opening after COVID-19, given capacity restrictions, the Cinematheque Suisse had to turn away spectators from screenings, Maire recollects. In this time of crisis, he adds, my sensation is that people want to go to those films which have already the medal from their time, though they may not remember them at all and so, when we show them in restored versions, they have the feeling of seeing a new film.

Theres also a bigger picture. Some archives have grown. In April 2019, the Cinematheque Suisse opened a new archive, a state-of-the-art facility, and hosted the International Federation of Film Archives annual congress. One reason for choosing Switzerland as its guest country is its emblematic cinematheques, the Lumiere Festivals Classic Film Market said this July.

Digital restoration means that when your restore a film, you have the impression youre seeing a new one, Maire observes. Digital distribution, including streaming platforms, as VHS before them, has expanded access to classic titles. Cannes Classics and the presence of heritage film at other major festivals has stoked interest in films from the past, Maire argues. A whole new world of cinema has opened up, he enthuses.

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The Directors Guild of Japan has called on authorities in Myanmar to release filmmaker Maung Thein Dan. He has been detained and jailed pending a trial.

Myanmar was wracked by a military coup on Feb. 1, 2021 which toppled the civilian government of Ang San Suu Kyi. The army has since mounted a brutal crackdown that notably involves control of most media within the country, the arrest of celebrities, and other efforts to eliminate dissent.

Variety has previously reported on the arrest in June and detention of Ma Aeint, who produced Money Has Four Legs, a satirical feature about no-budget filmmaking and film censorship that recently played at the Udine and Locarno festivals. She is currently in Insein Prison, held in a section for political prisoners.

Maung Thein Dan, who has lived in Japan since a child, was arrested while in Myanmar in April. He has been charged with supporting anti-government protests by selling footage that documented anti-coup protests to a Japanese journalist.

The journalist, Kitazumi Yuki was arrested in Myanmar and detained for a month. He denies either receiving content from Maung Thein Dan or paying for it.

The DGJ statement was published on July 21 and called for the immediate release of Maung Thein Dan and all other political prisoners in Myanmar.

A military coup detat that broke out in Myanmar on February 1, this year, has left many cultural figures, artists, film directors and actors, as well as citizens, unfairly detained for more than five months in the country, resulting in serious human rights violations. We are in a critical situation. Among them is Mr. Maung Thein Dan, a Burmese film director raised in Japan.

Daisuke Tengan, the president of Japan Institute of the Moving Image, Daisuke Tengan, described Maung Thein Dan, a graduate of the 18th class of the JIMI, as loving Japan and working to become a bridge between the two countries using movies.

On July 24, 2021, the DGJ held a public seminar to discuss the issues in Myanmar. At the event, it screened Maung Thein Dans graduation film, Ain a short whose Burmese title translates into English as Home.

Kitazumi, now in Japan, told the DGJ symposium that he saw Maung Thein Dan while they were both detained. Kitazumi says that Maung Thein Dan claimed to have been tortured into signing a false confession.

Maung Thein Dan is now being held in Insein Prison awaiting trial. If found guilty, he faces a potential three-year prison sentence.

Insein was notorious for its harsh conditions and extreme overcrowding long before the coronavirus outbreak. In recent months it has been reported that the prison is an epicenter of the disease.

According to statistics from Myanmar citizen groups, as of July 14, 911 people were killed by the armed forces, and a total of 6,694 citizens were unfairly arrested and detained and tortured. Life is at stake and there is no time to spare.

The Directors Guild of Japan is deeply concerned about this situation as a cooperative aiming to defend and acquire all rights of film directors, including freedom of expression, and strongly condemns inhumane crackdowns, and (our) Myanmars colleagues involved in film. We call for the immediate liberation of citizens, the restoration of freedom of expression and liberty, and the revival of democracy, said the DGJ statement signed by well-known filmmaker Sai Yoichi.

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Early in The Lost Leonardo, there is one of those whoa! moments that can make you think that no movie is more gripping than a great documentary mystery about the art world. In 2005, two dealers stumble onto an obscure painting of Jesus Christ, his hand raised in a sacramental gesture, thats being offered at auction in New Orleans. They think the painting hassomething. So they team up to purchase it for $1,175. Much of the canvas has been painted over, and after they bring it to the noted art restorer Dianne Modestini, she goes to work on it, removing layers of varnish and overpainting to uncover an image that is striking but damaged, dotted with white blotches and streaks, like emanations of a lightning flash. But as she starts the process of restoration, filling in the colors, teasing out a buried layer that shows the thumb in a different position (an indication that the painting is not a copy), then gets to Jesuss mouth, she is struck by a revelation. The lips are drawn with no line  an invisible dark touch of suggestion. The mouth perfectly matches that of the Mona Lisa. She declares, right then and there, that this is a Leonardo. For art lovers, its like witnessing a virgin birth.

The painting is called the Salvator Mundi (it depicts Christ as the savior of the world), and for a while  a very short while  The Lost Leonardo allows us to be swept up in the dream that its a freshly discovered masterpiece from 1500, one to place alongside the roughly 15 paintings that are known to be Leonardos. We dont have to take Dianne Modestinis word for it. The opening credits have already teased us by charting, on a graph, how the painting will increase in value over the next decade  from $1,175 to $83 million (2013) to $450 million (2017), which remains the record sale for a work of art. The painting will be authenticated by a team of renowned Leonardo scholars at the National Gallery in London, displayed there in triumph, and ultimately exhibited at the Louvre.

At the same time, the films Danish director, Andreas Koefoed, is busting this bubble. Here are some of the expert comments the movie blitzes you with in response to his initial question of why the Salvator Mundi caused so much fuss: Everbody wanted it to be a Leonardo. And perhaps it is a Leonardo. This is simply a matter of economics, when you boil down to it. And greed. Basic human foibles. Money. Or this comment from Jerry Saltz, the Pulitzer Prize-winning art critic of New York magazine, who emerges as the films scrappy bard: Its not even a good painting!

Many, of course, became convinced that it was a great painting. Yet one of the enthralling things about a first-rate art-world documentary  and The Lost Leonardo is a sensational one  is that it can take the regally forbidding and rarefied world of high-art knowledge, put it on display, and at the same time sweep all that to the side. These movies tell the audience, The experts arent everything  you can also use your own eyes.

If you look at the Salvator Mundi, it is obvious, from the start, that it probably isnt a genuine Leonardo (much as we would want it to be), for the simple reason that the image is too flatly head-on and two-dimensional. The Mona Lisa is also a head-on portrait, yet even with its subject seated in that staid position it creates a depth of effect, a vibrance of presence, that every other Leonardo has. The Salvator Mundi does not. Beyond that, the original painting was so damaged that when we look at the restored version that wowed the world, 85 percent of what were seeing is Dianne Modestinis painted-over restoration work. Did she effectively recreate the softly shadowed, melting-candle flesh tones of Leonardo? For sure. But when you look at all the art masters whove been brilliantly imitated over the years in fakes, that she did so is not really such a big deal. The painting is like a well-done replication of a fifth-rate Leonardo. Thats all it is.

Yet The Lost Leonardo shows us a world in which the power of suggestion has become a collective addiction: for the entrenched, for the greedy, for the art version of the starstruck (which is maybe all us). The movie convinces you that Dianne Modestini, who first heralded the painting and, in a sense, created it, did so innocently. Yet her desire to have found a Leonardo was like a tidal wave: It knocked a lot of judgment out of the way  and as we learn, many benefits would accrue. A lot of wheels got greased.

For a while, we think the movie will go back and forth, turning the issue of the paintings identity  real Leonardo or not?  into its central mystery. But while The Lost Leonardo always has us craning our necks to see around the next corner of what one wag calls the most improbable story that has ever happened in the art market, the movie doesnt play coy. Koefoed combines a bubbly sense of play with a gravity of purpose with a master interrogators ability to let people hang themselves with their own words. Is the movie about a mystery? Yes. But its not the one you think. Its the mystery of how in the viral global cosmos of the 21st century, the reality of an image  even if its a lie  will take on a transcendent life of its own.

The art market, as Oliver Stone captured in Michael Douglass greatest monologue in Wall Street (its one that now looks more telling than Greed is good), has a perception/reality rubberiness about it. The auction houses (Sothebys, Christies) are high-end businesses more than they are holy temples of art scholarship, but when a painting that once sold for $5 million suddenly sells for $75 million, you cant, in a sense, argue with the statement that has just been made about its value.

From the moment the Salvator Mundi got put out there, there were questions about its authenticity (which is why, for a good while, no one wanted to buy it). But once it tapped into that jacked-up nerve of auction fever, the price became the story. For a while, the film embroils us in the tale of two wheeler-dealers: the Russian oligarch art collector Dimitri Rybolovlev and the awesomely shady Swiss businessman Yves Bouvier, who purchased paintings, including the Salvator Mundi, and sold them to Rybolovlev for outrageous markups. The movie uses these two men to sketch in the the lawless hedge-fund jungle the art market has become. Remember the freeport in Christopher Nolans Tenet? Bouvier owned a chain of freeports, in which the wealthy could hide their priceless paintings and sell them without being taxed, because the paintings were technically in transit.

But this is about more than good old greed. The world now looks at a painting like the Salvator Mundi and thinks, Of course its a real Leonardo! Otherwise why would someone have paid $450 million for it? For a while, the identity of that particular buyer remained secret. Was it a businessman? A nation? Actually, both: It was Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto ruler of Saudia Arabia. Why did he buy it? Its suggested by one observer that he looked at the painting and saw himself in it. But he also insisted that the painting be exhibited in the Louvre in the same room as the Mona Lisa, thus validating the manufactured media hype that the Salvator Mundi was the male Mona Lisa. The Louvre refused. So MBS locked the painting away. His grand plan? The film suggests that he might make the Salvator Mundi his Mona Lisa in the desert: a draw to the world as he reconfigures the image of Saudi Arabia for the post-oil age. The Lost Leonardo is the first art-world documentary Ive seen that captures what art becomes once it goes through the looking glass of greed: not just a commodity, but a way of transferring and manipulating power. Its enough to make the Mona Lisa stop smiling.

Reviewed online, Aug. 11, 2021. MPAA Rating: PG-13. Running time: 100 MIN.

Production

A Sony Pictures Classics release of a Dogwolf production, produced with the support of Danish Film Institute, Swedish Film Institute, Nordisk Film & TV Fond, in co-production with Mantaray Film, Nika Media, Mitten Media, Alba Collis, Hot Docs Partners, TDog, Diamond Docs. Producers: Andreas Dalsgaard, Christoph Jorg.

Crew

Director: Andreas Koefoed. Screenplay: Duska Zagorac, Andreas Dalsgaard, Christian Kirk Muff, Mark Monroe, Andreas Koefoed. Camera: Adam Jandruo. Editor: Nicolas Nrgaard Staffolani. Music: Sveinung Nygaard.

With

Dianne Modestini, Jerry Saltz, Yves Bouvier, Robert Simon, Kenny Schachter, Alexander Parish, Robert K. Wittman, Warren Adelson, Evan Beard, Martin Kemp, Luke Syson, Antoine Harai, Alison Cole, Doug Patteson, David Kirkpatrick.

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DOVER, Del. (AP)  An attorney for the Boy Scouts of America told a Delaware judge on Thursday that the groups national board never adopted a resolution approving an $850 million agreement that is the linchpin of the Boy Scouts' proposed bankruptcy plan.

Despite that acknowledgment, the Boy Scouts are asking the judge to rule that the organization properly exercised its business judgment in entering into the agreement and should be allowed to proceed with it as the foundation of a final bankruptcy plan.

The agreement involves the national Boy Scouts organization, the roughly 250 local Boy Scout councils, and law firms representing some 70,000 men who claim they were molested as youngsters by Scoutmasters and others. It also includes the official victims committee appointed by the U.S. bankruptcy trustee.

The agreement is opposed by insurers that issued policies to the Boy Scouts and local councils, other law firms representing thousands of abuse victims, and various church denominations that have sponsored local Boy Scout troops.

The Boy Scouts, based in Irving, Texas, sought bankruptcy protection in February 2020 amid an onslaught of lawsuits by men who said they were sexually abused as children. The filing was part of an attempt to reach a global resolution of abuse claims and create a compensation fund for victims.

Under the agreement presented to U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Laura Selber Silverstein, the Boy Scouts have proposed contributing up to $250 million in cash and property to a fund for abuse victims. Local councils, which run day-to-day operations for Boy Scout troops, would contribute $600 million.

The national organization and councils also would transfer their rights to Boy Scout insurance policies to the victims fund. In return, they would be released from further liability for abuse claims.

If approved, the agreement could result in one of the nation's largest settlements in a sex abuse case.

Silverstein expressed surprise Thursday when Glenn Kurtz, an attorney for the Boy Scouts, said during arguments over what board materials had been provided to the insurers that the board never approved a formal resolution approving the agreement.

Isnt it a little unusual that a board doesnt actually authorize the actual agreement? the judge asked.

Kurtz replied that the board authorized deal terms, but delegated the documentation to the professionals.

I dont know it was the worlds most formal procedure in terms of documenting the approvals, but you got a yes vote from all 72 board members on these deal terms, Kurtz said.

Silverstein suggested that the lack of board authorization for the agreement was particularly surprising given that several members of the board are lawyers.

Well see whether the debtor is able, without an authorization, to convince me that theyve met the business judgment standard or theyre entitled to the business judgment standard and they made informed decisions, she said.

Under Delawares business judgment rule, courts typically give strong deference to a corporate boards decision-making unless there is evidence that directors shirked their duties, had conflicts or acted in bad faith.

As part of the proposed agreement, the Boy Scouts are seeking permission from Silverstein to back out of a settlement reached in April with one of their insurers, The Hartford. The Hartford agreed to pay $650 million into the victims fund in exchange for being released from any further obligations, but victims attorneys have said their clients wont support a reorganization plan that includes it.

The hearing, which is scheduled to resume Friday, is for the judge to examine whether the settlement agreement provides a basis for the Boy Scouts to move forward with a proposed reorganization plan.
At an emergency Laredo City Council meeting on Wednesday night, officials discussed mask mandates across the city amid the surge of COVID-19 locally.

With numbers continuing to rise and hospitals even starting to have patients waiting for beds, council decided to approve a motion to file a lawsuit against Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and the state of Texas.

The decision was another in recent days as large Texas cities continue to defy the governors executive order  although most have been based more on children returning to schools. San Antonio issued a mask mandate for all schools on Tuesday while Austin, Dallas and Houston made similar moves Monday.

After Laredo leaders met in executive session, councilmember Alberto Torres addressed the public.

Torres said that Laredos lawsuit will seek to repeal executive order GA-38 in an effort to restore power to the mayor and health authority over their city and allow the use of mandates by city governments. He added that if the city does not hear anything about the lawsuit by Friday, another emergency meeting will be called with the intention to go against the order by enacting a mask mandate.

The motion was approved unanimously.

Coincidentally, Abbotts office sent out a press release during the executive meeting that was read by councilmembers. It stated that GA-38 prohibits governmental entities and officials from mandating face coverings and it has the force and effect of state law and supersedes local rules and regulations. Additionally, it cites the Texas Disaster Act saying that it clearly states that the governor has the power to guide the state through emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and that any school district, public university or local government official that decides to defy the order will be taken to court.

Torres stated that this was an attempt to intimidate school districts and city governments away from using their judgment in protecting their community.

Under Executive Order GA-38, no governmental entity can require or mandate the wearing of masks, Abbott said. The path forward relies on personal responsibility  not government mandates. The state of Texas will continue to vigorously fight the temporary restraining order to protect the rights and freedoms of all Texans.

Despite the CDC stating that masks for both vaccinated and unvaccinated will save lives, Abbott and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton refuse to budge on their stance against mask mandates. The latter also stated that county judges and mayors supporting mask mandates are looking for attention and said the current wave of defiance is similar to 2020s bouts between city governments and the state.

Attention-grabbing judges and mayors have defied executive orders before, when the pandemic first started, and the courts ruled on our side  the law, Paxton stated. Im confident the outcomes to any suits will side with liberty and individual choice, not mandates and government overreach.

There are currently 824 estimated active cases in Laredo with 82 hospitalized. The city stated on Tuesday that 87 were hospitalized which was beyond maximum capacity as 43 patients were waiting for a bed. The city said that of its current active cases which have been investigated, 78.8% were unvaccinated. It added that only 46 people this year who were fully vaccinated have been hospitalized locally as a breakthrough case.

Laredo Health Authority Dr. Victor Trevino requested an emergency meeting early Wednesday during the citys COVID-19 media briefing, and a mask mandate was discussed in a closed executive meeting.

cocampo@lmtonline.com
An Andrews man was awarded $5.5 million on July 27 after he filed a civil suit against La Fogata Mexican Grill, claiming the restaurant and bar was negligent when they overserved him alcohol, which he alleges later caused him to be injured in an altercation with another customer.

Daniel Rawls filed a lawsuit through his attorney, Odessa-based Lane Haygood, on May 17 regarding an incident at the 708 E. Broadway St. restaurant (in Andrews) that occurred in May of 2019, according to court records.

Rawls was awarded a total of $5.5 million for five claims, including premises liability, negligence and damages arising from foreseeable criminal conduct. The Andrews County 109th District Court ruled in Rawls favor in a default judgment, meaning the owner of La Fogata did not respond to the suit or attend the hearing. The court did not rule on whether Rawls claims were true.

After drinking at La Fogata on May 21, 2019, Rawls was in an altercation with another customer, Robert Henrickson, in the parking lot of the restaurant, according to a copy of the lawsuit. Rawls alleges he sustained a head injury during the argument with Henrickson, who had also been drinking heavily.

The lawsuit states La Fogata, its owner Lourdes Galindo and an unknown bartender are responsible for the injury because they allowed the two men to drink excessively and leave the restaurant together. The restaurant was also negligent by not calling an ambulance after Rawls was injured, according to the suit.

The bartender, identified in the suit as John and/or Jane Doe, was not adequately trained by Galindo to detect when patrons had been overserved, according to the suit. Rawls also alleges that Galindo failed to ensure the parking lot didnt include obstacles that would pose a tripping or falling hazard to intoxicated patrons.

Rawls sustained a serious and debilitating head injury after he was assaulted by Henrickson and fell over an uneven parking lot, according to the suit.

La Fogata has 30 days to file a notice of appeal if they intend to seek a new trial, according to the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure.

Rawls allegedly has a history of excessive drinking. Andrews jail records show he was arrested twice, in February 2019 and May of this year, on charges of public intoxication.
CANBERRA, Australia  Australias capital Canberra will remain locked down until there are no more COVID-19 infections in the city, a government leader said on Friday.

The Australian Capital Territory, which comprises Canberra and two villages, locked down for a week after a man tested positive on Thursday.

The tally of infections rose to six on Friday, with more than 1,800 people identified as close contacts of the original case since he became infectious, officials said.

Australian Capital Territory Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the lockdown would last until all new cases had been in isolation throughout their entire infectious period.

We would want to see no additional community transmission, we want to go back to zero, Barr said.

The recent infections are the first cases of community transmission in the city of 460,000 since July 10 last year.

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MORE ON THE PANDEMIC:

 San Francisco mandates proof of vaccination when indoors

 WHO expert had concerns about lab near 1st COVID cases

 Dr. Fauci: Booster shot recommended for weakened immune systems; expect more children to get the virus

 US Health & Human Services orders shots for it workers in patient care

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 Find more AP coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine

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HERES WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:

SYDNEY - The government of Australias most populous state on Friday reported a daily record 390 new locally-acquired COVID-19 infections and warned that the high infection rate would continue for days.

Two people had died overnight, bringing the death toll in New South Wales from an outbreak of the delta variant first detected in Sydney in mid June to 38.

The previous highest infection tally was 356 reported on Tuesday.

New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian said at least 60 of the new cases had been infectious in the community before they were isolated.

I anticipate, given the large number of cases weve had in the last few days, that unfortunately this trend will continue for at least the next few days, Berejiklian said.

Im not going to shy away from the fact that increasing case numbers is a horrible situation and not one we want to be in. But please be reassured that our absolute commitment is to reduce those case numbers whilst were increasing the vaccination rate, she added.

Sydney has been in lockdown since June 26 and the government had hoped that the spread would be halted by Aug. 28.

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LAS VEGAS -- A coronavirus pandemic mask mandate in Nevada has drawn a federal lawsuit from attorneys seeking class-action status for claims that the constitutional rights of thousands of parents and children at Las Vegas-area schools are being violated.

The complaint filed Thursday against Gov. Steve Sisolak, state Attorney General Aaron Ford and the Clark County School District invokes rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

It seeks an immediate court order to invalidate a directive the governor enacted last week requiring K-12 students and school employees in the Las Vegas and Reno areas to wear masks on buses and inside school buildings, regardless of vaccination status.

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ATLANTA  Fights over masks in schools continue to tear at Georgia communities even as hospital leaders again warned of shrinking bed space amid rising COVID-19 cases.

More than 100 protesters gathered Thursday at the Cobb County school board headquarters in Marietta. Most of them were trying to push Georgias second largest school district, with 110,000 students to mandate masks.

The district, which has a sharp division on its school board, has stuck to its mask-optional policy, like the majority of other Georgia school districts, even as infections led the district to send the fifth grade home at one of its elementary schools earlier this week.

Djenaba Pershay, who lives in Mableton, said her daughter, now in fifth grade, had attended remotely all last year. When she chose in the spring to send her back to school in person this year, Pershay said the 107,000-student Cobb County district was still requiring masks. It dropped that requirement shortly afterward.

Im here not just fighting for her, Pershay said. Im fighting for all the kids.

But there were counter-protesters Thursday holding signs saying My body, my choice. In Monroe County, between Atlanta and Macon, school board members voted 6-0 on Wednesday to roll back a mask mandate that had been in place for only 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the Fulton County district, which currently mandates masks for all its students, announced it would open a school for up to 500 students who wouldnt have to wear masks, a concession to parents and students angered over the masking order.

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JACKSON, Miss.  Mississippi has broken its single-day records of COVID-19 hospitalizations, intensive-care use and new coronavirus cases.

The state Health Department said Thursday that 1,490 people were hospitalized Wednesday and 388 were in intensive care because of COVID-19. It also said 4,412 new cases were confirmed.

The states previous record for hospitalization was 1,444 on Jan. 4 and for intensive care was 360 on Jan. 12  before COVID-19 vaccinations were widely available.

The new cases reported Thursday are a 26% increase over the 3,488 cases the department reported in the state Tuesday. The numbers reported Wednesday also exceeded 3,000.

The state health officer, Dr. Thomas Dobbs, said based on trends, the new virus cases reported Thursday are likely to cause about 93 more deaths, more than 300 new admissions to already-strained hospitals.

Let us be very clear that the vast majority of cases and hospitalizations and deaths are unvaccinated, Dobbs said.

COVID-19 cases in Mississippi have risen sharply in recent weeks because of the highly contagious delta variant of the virus.

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SEATTLE -- Local health officers throughout Washington state have issued a joint statement recommending all residents wear facial coverings in indoor public settings where the vaccination status of other people is unknown.

The health officers from all local health jurisdictions in Washington on Thursday urged everyone to wear masks, regardless of vaccination status.

Thurston County health officials went a step further Thursday, joining Snohomish County in requiring residents ages 5 and up to wear masks in indoor public settings.

Officials say masking will help reduce the risk of COIVD-19 to the public, will help stem the rise in cases and hospitalizations, and decrease the spread of the delta variant.

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LOUISVILLE, Ky.  Kentuckys governor says any local education officials choosing to defy masking requirements in schools will be held accountable if their students or staff get infected as the fast-spreading delta variant drives up COVID-19 cases.

Gov. Andy Beshear issued an emergency regulation requiring anyone inside a public K-12 school to wear a mask. The state school board backed up his mandate.

Beshears executive action came after some Kentucky school districts left it up to parents to decide whether their children should mask up. Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron has called the order an unlawful exercise of power and challenged it in the states Supreme Court.

Statewide, daily COVID-19 cases surged from about 200 a month ago to nearly 3,000 on Wednesday.

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SAN FRANCISCO  San Francisco will require proof of full vaccination against coronavirus for indoor activities, including restaurants, bars and gyms.

Mayor London Breed made the announcement Thursday, saying it is needed to protect the health of workers, customers and the city overall. The move is more stringent than the requirement announced by New York Citys mayor last week. San Francisco will require proof of full vaccination for all customers and staff, while New York is requiring proof of at least one shot for indoor activities.

It will take effect next Friday, but businesses will have two months to verify employees vaccination status to preserve jobs while giving time for compliance. It doesnt apply to people ineligible for vaccines, including kids under 12.

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PHOENIX  Arizona reported 2,970 new coronavirus cases Thursday, the most reported in a single day in the past six months.

Along with reporting over 2,000 additional cases for the ninth day this month, the state reported six more virus deaths as the pandemic totals increased to 955,767 cases and 18,412 confirmed deaths.

The last time Arizona reported more cases on a single day was 4,381 on Feb. 9.

According to Johns Hopkins University data, the rolling average of daily new cases rose in the past two weeks from 1,42 cases on July 27 to 2,450 cases on Tuesday.

There were 1,527 virus patients occupying hospital beds as of Wednesday, a level last seen in February.

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JACKSONVILLE, Fla.  Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says hes launching a rapid response unit to expand the use of monoclonal antibodies and relieve pressure at hospitals with COVID-19 patients.

This is probably the best thing that we can do to reduce the number of people that require hospitalization, DeSantis said at a news conference in Jacksonville, noting vaccines were still encouraged and effective at preventing hospitalizations and deaths.

The drugs are delivered intravenously or by injection and made by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. It concentrates doses of lab-made antibodies to fight COVID-19 and are geared toward people who are at high risk.

DeSantis mentioned good candidates were elderly people and those with chronic kidney disease, diabetes, morbid obesity and sickle cell.

The Republican governor says he believes the monoclonal antibody treatment isnt as well known because it received federal emergency use authorization about the same time as the mRNA vaccines were approved.

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JACKSON, Miss.  Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves says hes extending the state-of-emergency order that gives public health officials and other government leaders some flexibility in responding to the coronavirus.

The Republican governor says he would extend the order for 30 days. It was set to expire Sunday.

There will be no lockdowns and there will be no statewide mandates, Reeves wrote on Twitter.

He said extending the order will allow the state to continue coordinating the transfer of patients to hospitals where treatment is available. He also says it will keep options open for Mississippi National Guard members to be called back into service, if needed, for pandemic duties. Guard members spent months running COVID-19 vaccination drive-thru sites until Reeves ended that in mid-July.

On Thursday, the state reported 4,412 cases, its largest single-day total, an increase from the 3,488 cases it reported Tuesday.

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BUENOS AIRES, Argentina  Argentina says it has begun to produce and distribute the Russian-developed Sputnik V vaccine.

Chief Cabinet Minister Santiago Cafeiro says more than 1 million doses of the vaccine will be produced by the local Laboratorios Richmond, calling it a reason for pride.

Argentina was the first country to authorize Sputnik V in December 2020 and the first to enter full production, although Mexico produced a pilot lot of the vaccine last month.

More than 6 million Argentines, most over 60, have received at least the first dose of Sputnik V. The government recently said those who had received a first shot of Sputnik V could use a different vaccine, from AstraZeneca or Moderna, as the second dose.

The large majority of the shots initially produced in Argentina will be of the first dose.

The government says 26.4 million of Argentinas nearly 45 million people have received a first dose of a vaccine, although only 10 million have received both.

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WASHINGTON  The Biden administration is applauding the efforts of private employers, state governments and universities to require vaccination against COVID-19.

However, the federal government will not facilitate a registry of vaccinated people, which some experts say would greatly help verify individuals claims to have gotten their shots.

There will be no federal database, White House coronavirus response coordinator Jeff Zients said at Thursdays briefing. As with all other vaccines, the information will be held at the state and local level, he added.

Earlier in the briefing, Zients praised employers, colleges, hospital systems, and government entities requiring vaccine mandates.

Clearly vaccination requirements are gaining momentum across the country, Zients said. Employers have the power to help end the pandemic.

___

NEW YORK  Federal officials are poised to OK an additional dose of coronavirus vaccine for people with weakened immune systems, according to the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday.

Dr. Rochelle Walensky says the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is considering allowing another dose for cancer patients, organ transplants recipients and other conditions.

A CDC expert advisory committee is scheduled to discuss the matter Friday, following FDAs decision, according to Walensky.

Growing evidence suggests a benefit of an additional dose of vaccine for vulnerable people who have already received the two recommended doses of the Pfizer and Moderna shots. The FDA is working with the two companies to allow third shots for those patients who are most vulnerable to COVID-19, she says.

She stressed a small proportion of people would be eligible for the extra doses -- less than 3% of adults.

___

CHICAGO  Chicago health officials say theyve found 203 cases of coronavirus connected to Lollapalooza, but arent yet reporting any hospitalizations or deaths.

The four-day music festival, which started two weeks ago, drew about 385,000 people to the citys lakefront. Critics questioned holding an event with packed crowds during the pandemic.

But city officials have defended the decision, saying there were enough safety protocols in place. Festival goers had to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test.

Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady says the number of cases wasnt a surprise or considered a superspreader.

Among those who tested positive, city officials say 138 were Illinois residents from outside Chicago, 58 were from the city and seven were from out of state. Nearly 80% of those who tested positive were under 30, and about 62% were white, Arwady says.

___

LONDON  Britain reported 33,074 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, the highest daily rate since July 23.

The numbers are fueled by the delta variant, which is dominant throughout the U.K. Health experts say Britain needs to achieve a much higher level of vaccination if it hopes to control the disease. About 60% of the U.K. population has been fully vaccinated.

Cases have risen to an average of around 25,000 a day, more than 10 times higher than early May. The seven-day average for coronavirus-related hospital admissions is about eight times higher than in May and deaths are 15 times higher.

British scientists are warning the public not to be complacent, saying high levels of coronavirus infection in the community may lead to another spike in cases this fall.
The beginning of the school year when you got to show off your new duds, new cars, new looks!

Sports! Playing, cheering, watching high school athletics.

The arts: Dramatic arts, musical groups and shows, graphic arts groups, debate, etc.

The prom! No dancing the night away or punch bowl antics.

The daily interactions. Just being with the group, hanging with friends and classmates.

Access to college recruiters and advisors  its harder to line up higher education.

Walking onstage to get a diploma while all the family is watching with everyone elses family.

Vote

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Farmer representative organisations are calling for a July milk price of at least 36cpl. Both the IFA and ICMSA say the price should reflect the marketplace.

IFA National Dairy Chairman Stephen Arthur says that milk processors must pay more than 36cpl for July milk.

The Ornua PPI for July equates to 35.5cpl. However, when the figure is adjusted for the Ornua Value Payment worth 3.22cpl (including VAT), the milk price equivalent is 38.72cpl. A sustained milk price above 36cpl is achievable from the marketplace, and farmers should receive it for the rest of 2021.

Mr Arthur said: The EU and NZ futures markets have returned price rises in the past week for butter and SMP with the GDT showing increases of 3.8% and 1.5%, respectively in these two key commodities for Ireland.

Farmers have been faced with a difficult season of poor grass growth and rapidly rising input costs. Its high time farmers got what the market is returning; we have to balance our books too.

The call has been echoed by ICMSA.

Based on current markets, the base milk price paid by all processors for July milk must be at least 36.5cpl according to Gerald Quain, Chairperson of ICMSAs Dairy Committee.

Mr Quain said that processors must stop holding back on the milk price paid to their supplier-farmers, many of whom are experiencing substantial cost increases on inputs often purchased from the same milk processor.

The facts speak for themselves: the base Ornua PPI is at 35.5cpl for July milk and with an additional 10.05 m paid to processors on top of this, and dairy markets broadly stable, farmers are fully entitled to expect a base price of 36.5cpl for the milk supplied in July. We think that is entirely reasonable and does not even take into account the demonstrable fact that milk processors have been holding back on milk price for a number of months and increasing their own profits at the expenses of their suppliers, said the ICMSA spokesperson.

Mr Quain noted that for June milk, no less than nine milk processors failed to even pay the equivalent of the base Ornua PPI, while five processors were only marginally ahead of it.

We want Co-op boards to insist that management pay out in full the market return, including the Ornua Value Payment. Its time  and past time  that farmers got their fair share of strong dairy markets, said Mr. Quain.
A barrister defending a Romani gypsy who is accused of murder has asked the trial jury to put prejudice out of their minds and to give the accused the same justice they would expect for themselves, their fathers or their brothers.

Padraig Dwyer SC told the jury of eight men and four women at the Central Criminal Court that his client, Feri Anghel, is a foreigner being tried "in an alien nation in an alien language". He was described during the trial, counsel said, as a Romani gypsy. Mr Dwyer added: "That might spark prejudices in your mind and I am saying to you, put that prejudice out of your mind."

Mr Anghel (40) has pleaded not guilty to murdering Romanian national Ioan Artene Bob (49) at a location in Co Dublin on April 13, 2018.

Citing the wrongful convictions of the Guildford Four, Birmingham Six, Maguire Seven and Juidith Ward, Mr Dwyer said: "We as Irish people should know what it is like to be put on trial in a foreign country where the bias is against you."

He asked the jury to put themselves in Mr Anghel's shoes, dismissed as "just a drinker, just a fighter" because of his background, in the same way that Irish people in England were labelled as "just a Paddy, just a drunkard, just a bomber."

Counsel said the prosecution had asked them to convict based on "imagination, fantasy, speculation, prejudice and bias" and had asked them to ignore possible alternative scenarios that pointed to his client's innocence. Juries have made mistakes over the years, counsel said, and in many cases they did so based on convincing evidence where there were no "red flags" in the prosecution's case. In this case, he said, there are "many warning signs which would give you cause to pause."

Asking the jury to return a verdict of not guilty, Mr Dwyer said that if they do so, they can be sure that based on the evidence presented to them, they are doing the right thing.

Cathleen Noctor SC for the Director of Public Prosecutions had earlier told the jury that Mr Anghel was captured on CCTV "leading" Mr Artene Bob onto a Luas tram shortly after midnight on the night or early morning before Mr Artene Bob was beaten to death. Two men dressed similarly to those seen on the Luas footage were later captured in Tallaght walking towards Sean Walsh Park. The deceased had recently won money at a casino and had e400 in his wallet, Ms Noctor said, but when he was found injured and dying in Sean Walsh Park at about 7:30am that morning, Mr Artene Bob had no cash, no phone and his ATM card was missing.

On that same morning, Ms Noctor said, "a man who is uncannily similar" to the man identified as the accused from other CCTV footage was captured at The Square in Tallaght attempting to withdraw cash from an ATM using the deceased's bank card. The following day, Ms Noctor said, the accused traveled to Slane, Co Meath where he used Mr Artene Bob's ATM card to make two tap transactions at a Gala shop and a Topaz garage. There was further evidence, Ms Noctor said, that Mr Anghel was in possession of the deceased's phone.

Ms Noctor also told the jury that the accused lied to gardai when he was interviewed as a suspect for the murder of Mr Artene Bob.

Mr Dwyer said the prosecution has not proven beyond reasonable doubt that Mr Anghel went into Sean Walsh Park with the deceased. Nobody knows what happened to Mr Artene Bob between entering the park at about 1am and 7.30am when he was found, Mr Dwyer said. He added: "The prosecution floated a theory to you that Mr Anghel must have killed him, that is an invitation to speculate. They are inviting you to make jumps and draw inferences without fixing a basis for it, asking you to jump because the finger of guilt is pointing at him from the prosecution."

Mr Dwyer said the prosecution has not been able to establish who else was in the park at the relevant time and pointed out that forensic evidence, including DNA belonging to two unknown people on the deceased's glasses, suggested the presence of other people who were not the accused. Mr Dwyer reminded the jury that the woman who found Mr Artene Bob still conscious but dying in the park asked him, "who did this to you?" The dying man responded by putting up four fingers in a gesture the witness interpreted as meaning that four people had attacked him.

Counsel said there are a lot of reasonably possible alternatives to the case put forward by the prosecution, including that the accused took Mr Artene Bob's bank card, left the park, and others then carried out the assault.

Mr Dwyer told the jury that they must set the same standard that they would want for themselves or their families if they were on trial. "The most important thing is to avoid a mistake that would lead to a wrongful conviction," he added.






Weather Alert

HURRICANE WATCH IN EFFECT... ...STORM SURGE WATCH IN EFFECT A Hurricane Watch means hurricane-force winds are possible somewhere within this area within the next 48 hours A Storm Surge Watch means life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, is possible somewhere within this area within the next 48 hours * LOCATIONS AFFECTED - Huntington - Smithtown - Port Jefferson * WIND - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Below tropical storm force wind - Peak Wind Forecast: 10-20 mph with gusts to 30 mph - THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for wind 39 to 57 mph - PLAN: Plan for hazardous wind of equivalent tropical storm force. - PREPARE: Efforts to protect property should now be underway. Prepare for limited wind damage. - ACT: Act now to complete preparations before the wind becomes hazardous. - POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Limited - Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about. - Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over. - A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on bridges and other elevated roadways. - Scattered power and communications outages. * STORM SURGE - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Localized storm surge possible - Peak Storm Surge Inundation: The potential for 1-3 feet above ground somewhere within surge prone areas - Window of concern: Around high tide - THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for storm surge flooding greater than 1 foot above ground - PLAN: Plan for storm surge flooding greater than 1 foot above ground. - PREPARE: Efforts should now be underway to prepare for storm surge flooding, especially in low-lying vulnerable areas. - ACT: Take actions to protect life and property. Prepare to leave if evacuation orders are given for your area. - POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Limited - Localized inundation with storm surge flooding mainly along immediate shorelines and in low lying spots, or in areas farther inland near where higher surge waters move ashore. - Sections of near shore roads and parking lots become overspread with surge water. Driving conditions dangerous in places where surge water covers the road. - Moderate beach erosion. Heavy surf also breaching dunes, mainly in usually vulnerable locations. Strong and frequent rip currents. - Minor to locally moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. A few small craft broken away from moorings. * FLOODING RAIN - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: - Peak Rainfall Amounts: Additional 1-3 inches, with locally higher amounts - THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for moderate flooding rain - PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for moderate flooding from heavy rain. Evacuations and rescues are possible. - PREPARE: Consider protective actions if you are in an area vulnerable to flooding. - ACT: Heed any flood watches and warnings. Failure to take action may result in serious injury or loss of life. - POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Significant - Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations and rescues. - Rivers and streams may quickly become swollen with swifter currents and may overspill their banks in a few places, especially in usually vulnerable spots. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may overflow. - Flood waters can enter some structures or weaken foundations. Several places may experience expanded areas of rapid inundation at underpasses, low lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Some streets and parking lots take on moving water as storm drains and retention ponds overflow. Driving conditions become hazardous. Some road and bridge closures. * TORNADO - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: - Situation is unfavorable for tornadoes - THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Tornadoes not expected - PLAN: Tornadoes are not expected. Showers and thunderstorms with gusty winds may still occur. - PREPARE: Little to no preparations needed to protect against tornadoes at this time. Keep informed of the latest tornado situation. - ACT: Listen for changes in the forecast. - POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Little to None - Little to no potential impacts from tornadoes. * FOR MORE INFORMATION: - http://scoem.suffolkcountyny.gov - https://weather.gov/nyc - https://ready.gov/hurricanes
(Alliance News) - The following is a round-up of updates by London-listed companies, issued on Thursday and not separately reported by Alliance News:







Colefax Group PLC - London-based luxury furnishing fabrics and wallpapers distributor - Says sales decreased by 1% in the financial year to April 30 to GBP77.9 million, but on a constant currency basis, sales increased by 2%. Pretax profit jumped to GBP5.4 million from GBP2.2 million year-on-year, mainly driven by a strong recovery in core Fabric division sales, and also lower new product investment. The company is not proposing a final dividend but intends to restart dividends in the new financial year.







MJ Hudson Group PLC - Jersey-based asset management consultancy - Says underlying revenue grew over 25% in the twelve months ended June 30. This includes maiden contributions from recent acquisitions, PERACS and Bridge. The company says it continued to invest in technology aimed at improving infrastructure, creating long term cost efficiencies and launching new software-driven products. The company expects to announce its maiden dividend with its preliminary results.







Riverstone Credit Opportunities Income PLC - closed-ended investment company - Declares quarterly dividend of 1.8 US cents per share. The company reports net asset value per share as at June 30 of 103.49 cents, down from 104.35 cents posted the year earlier. The company reports a pretax profit of USD2.6 million for the six months to June 30, up from USD2.5 million reported the year ago, as a result of income received from the investment portfolio and changes in the portfolio's valuations.







Sativa Wellness Group Inc - Vancouver, Canada-based therapeutic life science company - Reports its first quarterly profit in 2021. Revenue in the three months to June 30 jumped to GBP3.5 million year-on-year, up by GBP3.1 million versus the equivalent period the previous year. The half-year revenue was up to GBP4.9 million, GBP4.1 million higher than a year earlier. Sativa also recorded first net profit of GBP46,000 compared to GBP1.4 million loss a year ago.







STM Group PLC - Isle of Man-based life insurer - Continues to trade in line with management's expectations for 2021. The company says the focus for the second half of 2021, and going into 2022, is the acceleration of new business revenue. The second half of 2021 has already seen progress being made in relation to additional distribution through partnership collaborations and the relaunch of STM's short-term annuity product, both of which will contribute to new business revenue for 2021, the company says.







Ocean Wilsons Holdings Ltd - Pembroke Parish, Bermuda-based - Reports a swing to pretax profit of USD66.2 million in the six months to June 30 from USD1.8 million loss a year ago. Revenue, meanwhile, rises to USD188.9 million from USD174.2 million year-on-year. Revenues were up for all lines of business compared to the first half of the prior year. Dividends paid to shareholders in the period total USD24.8 million, up from USD10.6 million a year ago.







Tribal Group PLC - Bristol, England-based education software and services firm - Reports revenue for the three months to June 30 of GBP39.3 million versus GBP38.2 million posted a year earlier. Tribal pretax profit jumps 17% year-on-year to GBP4.4 million. The company notes continued strong sales performance, adding four new SIS customers across Tribal's range of software offerings in the first six months of the year. Looking ahead, the company says it expects to beat market expectations for full year.







Checkit PLC - Cambridge, England-based cloud-based workflow, monitoring and analytics services provider - Says revenue for the six months to the end of July grew by 13% to GBP4.3 million and recurring revenue by 31% to GBP1.5 million compared to a prior year. Cash as at July 31 was GBP8.5 million versus GBP11.5 million on January 31.







Caledonia Mining Corp PLC - Saint Helier, Jersey-based gold producer - Reports revenue of USD30.0 million for the three months to June 30, a 31%increase on the USD22.9 million achieved in the second quarter of 2020. Gross profit rises by 51% year-on-year to USD13.9 million. Total dividend paid in the quarter were 12 cents per share, a further dividend at the increased rate of 13 cents per share was paid in July. Turning to operations, the company says 16,710 ounces of gold produced in the quarter, 24% higher than the 13,499 ounces produced a year earlier and a new production record for a second quarter. Production in July was 5,995 ounces, which is a further increase in average monthly production, the company notes.







Vaalco Energy Inc - Texas, US-based hydrocarbon exploration company - Reports strong second quarter of 2021 net income of USD5.9 million and adjusted net income of USD8.4 million. Vaalco sells 642,000 barrels of oil in the three months to June 30, an increase of 4% over the first quarter of 2021 and above the high end of second-quarter guidance. The company says second quarter results reflect the positive impact for a full quarter of the acquisition of the Sasol interest at Etame that closed in February.







Arrow Global Group PLC - Manchester, England-based firm purchasing debt from banks, credit card companies and telecommunications businesses - Says pretax profit before takeover costs for the six months to June 30 was GBP22.9 million, a swing from a loss of GBP135.9 million a year ago. Arrow shareholders voted in favour of the recommended all cash offer by TDR Capital at the court and general meetings on May 21. Completion, subject to regulatory approvals, expected by the end of the third quarter of 2021. Arrow Global reports resilient third-party income growth, up 13% to GBP44.8 million in the half year.







Clean Invest Africa PLC - investor in energy firms - Looks forward to the next period with significant optimism due to the substantial and strong pipeline and in addition a developing opportunity to expand beyond coal into higher value natural resources and potentially into the battery market. "We have a very strong pipeline of commercial initiative and a good management team that has proven to be very resilient navigating the huge and lengthy challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic," says Chief Executive Filippo Fantechi.







By Evelina Grecenko; evelinagrecenko@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
(Alliance News) - The following is a round-up of London-listed company director and manager changes announced on Thursday and not separately reported by Alliance News:







IDE Group Holdings PLC - Edinburgh-based network, cloud and IT managed services - Chief Financial Officer David Templeman resigns immediately, with no reason provided by company. Templeman had only joined IDE in April. He had been CFO of Orbian, a provider of supply chain finance originally set up as a joint venture between Citigroup Inc and SAP SE. IDE says it will recruit another CFO "in due course". IDE's annual general meeting is coming up on August 23. IDE shares are down 15% on Thursday at midday in London.







B&M European Value Retail SA - Luxembourg-based food and homewares retailer - Hires Paula MacKenzie as non-executive director, starting November 9. MacKenzie was managing director for fast-food chain Kentucky Fried Chicken in the UK and Ireland and before that CFO for the region. She also has worked for drug maker GlaxoSmithKline PLC and distiller Diageo PLC.







Norman Broadbent PLC - London-based recruitment - Angela Hickmore moves to non-executive director, starting Thursday. Hickmore currently is the company's managing director, having joined Norman Broadbent in 2016. The company is looking for a new chief executive officer, and once one is found, Hickmore will hand over her executive responsibilities, it explains. Last month, Mike Brennan resigned as CEO after five years at the company. Peter Searle remains executive chair.







Griffin Mining Ltd - operator of the Caijiaying zinc-gold mine in China - Appoints Clive Whiley as senior independent director. Notes Whiley has more than 35 years experience as an executive and as a non-executive director, including business experience in China. Whiley was chair of funeral services provider Dignity PLC until ousted in a general meeting vote in April called by major shareholder Phoenix Asset Management Partners.







Eleco PLC - London-based construction software - Executive Chair Serena Lang will return to non-executive chair role in September. Kevin Craig and David Dannhauser both will step down from the board at the end of August, while Anders Karlsson will step down as an executive director but remain managing director for Nordics. Eleco hires two new independent non-executive directors. Annette Nabavi joins the board immediately. Nabavi, who will replace Craig as senior independent director, was a non-executive director of AIM-listed cloud services firm Maintel Holdings PLC. She is managing director of Anchusa Consulting and partner at AHV Associates, advising on corporate finance in both roles. Mark Castle joins on September 20. Castle is a non-executive director of Mace Group and previously was the construction and facilities management firm's chief operating officer.







By Tom Waite; thomaslwaite@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
(Alliance News) - Gemfields Group Ltd on Thursday reported a record revenue achievement from its auction of rough emeralds held from July 28 to August 11.

At the auction, which saw 49 companies place bids, the London-based coloured gemstones supplier said that of the 32 lots offered, 31 were sold at a record average price of USD6.61 per carat, achieving revenue of USD23.1 million.

Shares in Gemfields were up 4.2% at 11.30 pence on Thursday in London, while its Johannesburg shares were 7.0% higher at ZAR2.30.

The proceeds of the auction will be fully returned to Zambia-based Kagem Mining Ltd, a joint venture between Gemfields and the Zambian government, where Gemfields holds a 75% stake.

"Our most recent auction of commercial quality emeralds generated the most fervent bidding activity we've seen in the last decade. Multiple new records were set for this auction category including the highest ever auction revenue, the highest ever average price per carat achieved and the highest number of companies participating in the bidding. We've witnessed a step-change in both market demand and in the prices bid by our clients, paving the way for an exhilarating cycle in the coloured gemstone sector," said Adrian Banks, managing director of Product & Sales.

By Dayo Laniyan; dayolaniyan@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
(Sharecast News) - London equity markets were still a little weaker by midday on Thursday, with ex-dividend stocks proving to be a drag as investors digested the latest UK GDP reading.



The FTSE 100 was down 0.2% at 7,209.43.



AJ Bell financial analyst Danni Hewson noted that the top-flight index remains above the 7,200 mark and is in touching distance of Wednesday's post-pandemic highs.



"For now there appear few big catalysts to shift the index in either direction amid a lull in major corporate and economic updates - however that's often when something emerges from leftfield to upset the apple cart."



Data released earlier by the Office for National Statistics showed the economy grew by 4.8% between April and June as lockdown restrictions eased, in line with expectations.



This was close to the 5% growth predicted by the Bank of England last week and left the economy 4.4% below its pre-pandemic peak.



In the month of June, GDP rose 1%, which was ahead of the 0.8% expected by economists. However, May's increase was revised down to 0.6% from 0.8%.



The services sector was the biggest contributor to growth. In June, health, hospitality, and advertising services were the main contributors to the growth in services. The ONS said visits to GPs increased in June compared with recent months, while NHS Test and Trace services and vaccine schemes across also continued to contribute positively to overall output levels in health.



ONS deputy national statistician Jonathan Athow said: "The UK economy has continued to rebound strongly, with hospitality benefiting from the first full month of indoor dining, while spending on advertising was boosted by the reopening of many services."



ING economist James Smith said: "The latest UK GDP data confirms what we already knew - that the economy was on fire through the second quarter.



"Admittedly, a large part of the 4.8% quarterly growth is a simple function of the re-openings. And indeed, if we look at June data specifically, 0.45% of the 1% monthly growth came from health, which is linked to people visiting their doctor more.



"Still, quirks aside, we saw a clear increase in optimism among both consumers and businesses through the spring, and that will undoubtedly have helped drive a faster recovery in activity."



In equity markets, Rio Tinto, Barclays, Shell, Next, BP, Evraz, Fresnillo, Jupiter Fund Management, Hiscox, NatWest, Pearson and Standard Chartered were among the stocks trading without entitlement to the dividend. Rio was particularly weak as it went ex-interim and special dividend.



On the upside, Aviva rallied after saying it would return at least 4bn to shareholders over the next year as the insurer reported a 17% increase in adjusted interim profit.



Cineworld jumped to the top of the FTSE 250 after it posted an interim operating loss of $208.9m as the Covid pandemic forced the closure of cinemas in the opening months of the year, but said trading since reopening had been "encouraging".



Holiday company TUI also gained after it reported a sharp rise in third-quarter revenue but said sales were down almost 80% for the first nine months of 2021.



Market Movers



FTSE 100 (UKX) 7,209.43 -0.15%

FTSE 250 (MCX) 23,782.87 0.11%

techMARK (TASX) 4,748.16 0.27%



FTSE 100 - Risers



Aviva (AV.) 424.90p 4.45%

Hargreaves Lansdown (HL.) 1,509.50p 1.96%

Polymetal International (POLY) 1,510.50p 1.79%

Ashtead Group (AHT) 5,688.00p 1.57%

Vodafone Group (VOD) 121.70p 1.43%

BT Group (BT.A) 178.95p 1.19%

AstraZeneca (AZN) 8,266.00p 1.05%

Coca-Cola HBC AG (CDI) (CCH) 2,746.00p 1.03%

Admiral Group (ADM) 3,620.00p 1.00%

Tesco (TSCO) 241.10p 0.92%



FTSE 100 - Fallers



Rio Tinto (RIO) 5,654.00p -7.33%

Evraz (EVR) 601.80p -6.55%

London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) 7,966.00p -1.63%

Legal & General Group (LGEN) 275.40p -1.54%

Spirax-Sarco Engineering (SPX) 15,530.00p -1.49%

Anglo American (AAL) 3,387.50p -1.30%

Royal Dutch Shell 'B' (RDSB) 1,462.40p -1.28%

Entain (ENT) 1,943.00p -1.14%

DCC (CDI) (DCC) 6,158.00p -1.03%

Pearson (PSON) 791.20p -1.03%



FTSE 250 - Risers



Cineworld Group (CINE) 64.22p 4.83%

Trustpilot Group (TRST) 387.80p 2.48%

Tullow Oil (TLW) 47.92p 2.46%

Harbour Energy (HBR) 370.80p 2.37%

Capita (CPI) 48.50p 2.30%

Savills (SVS) 1,260.00p 2.27%

Cairn Energy (CNE) 181.80p 2.25%

PZ Cussons (PZC) 258.00p 2.18%

IntegraFin Holding (IHP) 567.50p 2.16%

Spire Healthcare Group (SPI) 234.00p 1.96%



FTSE 250 - Fallers



Ferrexpo (FXPO) 418.20p -4.78%

Jupiter Fund Management (JUP) 267.20p -3.19%

Just Group (JUST) 102.80p -3.02%

Trainline (TRN) 361.00p -2.75%

Genesis Emerging Markets Fund Ltd Ptg NPV (GSS) 870.00p -2.25%

Vivo Energy (VVO) 103.80p -1.89%

Hill & Smith Holdings (HILS) 1,778.00p -1.88%

Fidelity China Special Situations (FCSS) 361.50p -1.63%

Syncona Limited NPV (SYNC) 214.50p -1.61%

Hammerson (HMSO) 36.26p -1.60%
(Alliance News) - Aviva PLC on Thursday said it will return at least GBP4 billion to shareholders in dividends and buybacks in the next 12 months, after reporting "strong growth in key areas" in the first half of 2021.

Shares were up 2.4% to 415.80 pence in London on Thursday morning.

Total income more than doubled year-on-year to GBP14.78 billion from GBP6.98 billion, as Aviva swung to net investment income of GBP7.35 billion from a net investment expense of GBP1.28 billion.

But pretax profit from continuing operations dropped 46% to GBP396 million from GBP739 million. The company booked a GBP8.45 billion hit on changes in investment contract provisions, having recorded a GBP5.72 billion gain a year ago. Net earned premiums declined by 12% to GBP6.65 billion from GBP7.51 billion a year ago.

Aviva said it has made good progress on all fronts in the 12 months since it launched its new strategy to focus on the UK, Ireland and Canada, having sold operations elsewhere.

The firm declared an interim dividend of 7.35 pence a share, up 5.0% from 7.00p a year before, in line with its policy to grow the dividend by low- to mid-single digits over time. The interim dividend is worth a total of GBP289 million.

What's more, Aviva plans to buy back up to 300 million shares for up to GBP750 million, in a programme starting on Friday. Overall, the company plans to return at least GBP4 billion to investors by the end of the first half of 2022.

Looking ahead, Aviva said its expects growth in UK Savings & Retirement to continue after record flows in the first half, with the bulk purchase annuity business starting the second half strongly. There are "excellent opportunities" for commercial insurance growth, although personal insurance is expected to be hit by a softer rate environment.

"Alongside delivering growth, we continue to focus on reducing controllable costs, which are down 2%. We are on track to deliver our GBP300 million savings target in 2022 and are focused on achieving top quartile efficiency in all our businesses," Chief Executive Amanda Blanc said.

By Ivan Edwards; ivanedwards@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
(Alliance News) - Vectura Group PLC on Thursday backed Philip Morris International Inc's takeover bid, despite concern about the ethics of the asthma treatment firm coming under the marquee of the tobacco company.

On Tuesday, private equity firm Carlyle Group decided against raising its takeover offer for the FTSE 250 firm, meaning a proposed auction was cancelled.

As a result, it meant the Marlboro maker's takeover offer of 165 pence per share, which values Vectura at GBP1.02 billion, remained the highest bid.

Vectura shares closed flat at 163.20p each in London on Thursday in London, valuing the company at GBP977.0 million. Philip Morris was trading marginally lower at USD99.74 in New York.

Vectura on Thursday said it was advised that the 165p offer is "fair and reasonable" and as a result, its directors "intend to unanimously recommend" it.

Last week Friday, buyout firm Carlyle offered 155p per Vectura share, an offer which at the time, bested PMI's previous 150p tilt.

Vectura last week backed Carlyle's raised offer. When setting out its recommendation for the private equity firm's bid, Vectura said it "may be better positioned under Carlyle ownership to meet both the company's existing strategy, and the interests of a number of its current stakeholders".

On Tuesday, when Carlyle announced it would not raise the stakes in response to the 165p offer from Philip Morris, it also hinted that while its bid may be lower it could prove a more popular owner of the inhaled medicines firm.

"In the August 6 announcement, the Vectura directors also noted the reported uncertainties relating to the impact on Vectura's wider stakeholders arising as a result of the possibility of the company being owned by PMI," Carlyle said on Tuesday.

Vectura makes inhaled treatments, including the Flutiform asthma drug, and drug-delivery devices. Since 2019, it has been moving towards a contract business model in which it supplies services to pharmaceutical firms, rather than developing its own drugs.

The intended acquisition of Vectura comes as part of Philip Morris' new strategy to diversify into what it calls "beyond nicotine" products, with Chief Executive Jacek Olczak saying last month that Marlboro cigarettes "will disappear" from UK shelves over the next 10 years.

In July, Philip Morris bought pharmaceutical firm Fertin Pharma AS for an enterprise value of USD820 million.

On Tuesday, Philip Morris switched its bid for Vectura to a takeover offer from a scheme of arrangement.

Earlier in August, the British Thoracic Society a UK charity focused on the treatment of those with lung disease, hit out at the Philip Morris and Vectura deal.

"BTS aligns with lung and cancer charities and medical societies in the UK as well as with our counterpart in the United States, the American Thoracic Society, in highlighting the inappropriateness of this deal and calling for this takeover to be prevented, given the unresolvable ethical conflict that would be generated by such an arrangement," the BTS said.

By Eric Cunha; ericcunha@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Editor

Darren Marcy, a journalist since 1992, is the editor of the Manchester Journal. A New Mexico native, he previously worked for newspapers in the Land of Enchantment before moving to Vermont in 2004. He joined the Journal in October 2018.
What Does This Study Add?

Group-1: Diagnosed with IA before the peak of reproductive age (30 years)

Group-2: Diagnosed with IA during the peak of reproductive age (between 31 and 40 years)

Group-3: Diagnosed with IA after the peak reproductive age (41 years)

Men diagnosed with IA before the age of 30 had significantly fewer children than men in the two other age groups

About 12% of men from group-1 had involuntary childlessness, whereas 10% and 4% of men from group-2 and group-3 had the same condition

What Could be the Reason Behind this?

Perez-Garcia LF, Roder E, Goekoop RJ, Hazes JMW, Kok MR, Smeele HTW, Tchetverikov I, van der Helm-van Mil AHM, van der Kaap JH, Kok P, Krijthe BP, Dolhain RJEM. Impaired fertility in men diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis: results of a large multicentre study (iFAME-Fertility). Ann Rheum Dis. 2021 Aug 9:annrheumdis-2021-220709. doi: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-220709. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34373257. Inflammatory Arthritis - (https://www.hss.edu/condition-list_inflammatory-arthritis.asp)

Studies have shown that this inflammatory condition is associated with sexual dysfunction and reproductive health issues like male Infertility, erectile dysfunction , insufficient testosterone, and sperm production. The impact of inflammatory arthritis (IA) on male fertility remains unexplored.To explore the link between inflammatory arthritis (IA) and male infertility, the team conducted a multicentre cross-sectional study in eight Dutch hospitals across the Netherlands. Based on the age at which IA is diagnosed, the participants they divided participants into three study groups:A self-reported questionnaire that is designed based on the 'fertility experiences questionnaire (FEQ)' was answered by all the participants enrolled in this study. It contained four sections: general demographic information, medical history, family planning , and fertility outcomes.After adjusting for potentially influential factors, including current age, educational attainment, history of cardiovascular disease , a partner's infertility, researchers found thatThe team suggests two possible causes behind this. The first one is arthritis drugs that cause side effects like hypogonadism (sex glands produce little or no sex hormones) and poor sperm quality. It has been estimated 1 in 10 who take these drugs are associated with impaired fertility.They also opine that several psychosocial factors associated with the diagnosis of this condition might also impact the fertility rate of men.highlights the team.Source: Medindia
24 years ago on this day, Gulshan Kumar, the legendary founder of the T-Series music label was assassinated in Andheri West suburb in Mumbai city, which is the heart of the Bollywood film industry.



 Twitter

The murder sent shockwaves through the entire nation and outside it, especially due to the involvement of such a high profile name in it with the perpetrators of the operation to be the Mumbai underworld organization D-Company.



Popularly known as the 'Cassette King', the late Gulshan Kumar had achieved tremendous success after moving to Mumbai from the streets of Delhi earlier, manufacturing audio cassettes and then started his own label, T-Series.

 Instagram

Kumar, through his music label, introduced glorious Indian musicians like Sonu Nigam and others, however, his journey was cut short after he was murdered in cold blood following a tiff with the underworld.



Well, here are some disturbing things about his assassination that would feel like something straight out of a Bollywood film.

1. He Was Killed For Not Paying Extortion Money

 iStock

We have seen so many movies where businessmen or heroes' parents get extortion threats from gangsters in order to save their lives. Well, this is quite exactly what happened with Gulshan Kumar as well.



According to reports, on August 5, 1997, Kumar had received calls from notorious gangster Abu Salem where he told him to pay extortion money.

However, after Kumar refused to pay the money demanded, just a week later on August 12, he was gunned down in Mumbai.

2. Shot By Sharpshooters. In Broad Daylight. Outside A Temple!

 YouTube

Our earliest concepts of ideas around sharpshooters or assassins come from Bollywood movies, where often the hero saves the day by taking on them in a gunfight.



Gulshan Kumar, known to be a god-loving man, had been off to Jeeteshwar Mahadev Mandir in Andheri on a regular temple visit.

However, before he could make his way to his car, two sharpshooters hiding near the temple fired three bullets at him in broad daylight.

It was reported that Gulshan tried to take shelter but before he could, the assassins then fired 15 more bullets and fled. He was then rushed to the hospital but passed away en route to the hospital.

3. The People He Knew Conspired Against Him

 BCCL

A lot of times, in Bollywood movies, the police or the hero does not have to go far away to investigate or take revenge for the death of a person as the people closest to him are involved in the killing.



This was similar in the murder of Gulshan Kumar as Nadeem Saifee of the Nadeem-Shravan fame, was declared as a co-conspirator in the murder.

Nadeem, who along with partner Shravan, had given everlasting music hits from movies like Dil Hai Ke Maanta Nahin, Saajan, Sadak, Deewana, Phool Aur Kaante, Pardes, Raaz, and others, had been handpicked by Gulshan Kumar during Nadeem's struggling years.

However, it was later reported that a personal enmity led to Nadeem conspiring against him, resulting in the murder of the T-Series head.

At the time of the killing, Nadeem had been in London and hasn't returned to India since.

4. His Killing Was Planned Overseas In Dubai

 iStock

Uusally in Bollywood movies, plans for things to happen in India are often hatched overseas. Well, this was reportedly no different.



It was alleged that the conspiracy to murder Gulshan Kumar was actually formulated in Dubai.

As per reports, the police in November of 1997, had filed a 400-page charge sheet where 26 people were accused, 15 were arrested.

The charge sheet stated that the plot to assassinate had been designed in Dubai, in the office of Dawood Ibrahim's brother, Anees.
A [total of] 22 smelters are now operating and are shared among nine foreign and local companies, Zimbabwes minister of information Monica Mutsvangwa said in a post-cabinet press briefing on August 3 . Unless chrome mining capacity is expanded, the smelting operations could soon face the challenge of insufficient feedstock in the form of chrome ore. Miners such as Europe-based Tharisa have been attracted to Zimbabwe by its large chrome ore reserves and would not have been expecting a ban on foreign sales.Zimbabwe has the worlds second-largest reserves of high-grade chromium ore after South Africa, with deposits of about 10 billion tonnes, equivalent to around 12% of the global total, according to the Zimbabwean Ministry of Mines & Mining Development.

After the announcement was made, ore investors were seeking clarification about the implications of the ban, such as what products were involved and how Special Economic Zones would...
EGLE grant helps revitalize blighted, former fueling facility in Bad Axe

EGLE grant helps revitalize blighted, former fueling facility in Bad Axe

A Brownfield Redevelopment Grant from the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) will help the Huron County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority and the Huron County Community Foundation (HCCF) redevelop a contaminated site at 101 West Huron Avenue in Bad Axe, Michigan. This 0.28-acre site is contaminated with petroleum compounds from its former use as a gasoline filling station.

The property began operation as a gasoline filling station in 1928, with one underground fuel tank. By 1939, the business had expanded to include four storage tanks and continued to operate as a filling station until the early 1970s. The site was then utilized as retail and office space until 2014. Since that time, the property has remained vacant.

As a result of the former gas station operations on the property, soil and groundwater became contaminated with petroleum compounds and other solvents. A $600,000 brownfield redevelopment grant from EGLE will be used to evaluate and address this contamination. The grant will pay for environmental site assessment, building demolition activities, removal and disposal of contaminated soil, removal of suspected underground storage tanks, and the design and installation of a system to prevent subsurface vapors from migrating into the remaining structure.

Overall, this summer EGLE will provide $15.6 million in brownfield funding to 21 projects statewide.

HCCF started in the mid-1990s with an initial gift of $1,000, a part-time director, and no permanent home, often sharing office space with other community organizations. Over time, the organization established an identity and reputation within the community, growing the initial $1,000 gift into endowed assets of over $6 million.

Expected Outcomes

 $1.2 million in capital investment

 Removal and disposal of contaminated soil

 Design and installation of a system beneath the building to prevent vapors from entering the structure

 Community hub workspace and residential units

 Reuse of vacant, blighted building in downtown Bad Axe

In 2018, the HCCF conducted a Strategic Priorities process to determine the needs of the community and their future role in addressing those needs. In doing so, HCCF outlined a strategic vision and priorities that will provide dynamic support for the region by:

Retaining and attracting a talented, trained workforce

Creating vibrant communities with a focus on downtown revitalization, support for public recreation initiatives, and the activation of public spaces

Cultivating an environment for business development, including support and resources for local entrepreneurs

With the strategic vision and priorities in mind, the HCCF began looking for a space that would serve as an office and community hub to support and catalyze their priorities. The vacant blighted buildings located on the heavily trafficked corner of 101 West Huron Avenue were quickly identified as the ideal location for HCCF's first permanent home. The site will be redeveloped into a community hub that includes coworking and office space on the first floor. Residential units will be located on the second floor. One part time job will be created with the investment of $1.2 million.

The project is a true community initiative that includes multiple partners. In addition to support from EGLE, the HCCF is also partnering with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the Huron County Economic Development Corporation, the Bad Axe Downtown Development Authority, and Private Sponsors and Donors to make this project a reality.

Photo caption: Redeveloped building on former contaminated site in Bad Axe.

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MECOSTA COUNTY  One Mecosta County municipality received funding from the Transportation Economic Development Fund to help with road repairs.

On Wednesday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced $3.7 million in road funding grants will be awarded to 25 villages and small cities across the state.

Grant awards range from $34,000 to $250,000 for road resurfacing, culvert replacement, pavement crack sealing and shoulder paving.

Local municipalities approved for funding in 2021 include the villages of Morley and Shelby, and the city of Grant.

In Mecosta County, the village of Morley was approved for a grant of $99,000 for improvements to Webster, East, 4th, 1st, and 2nd streets as well as Deyo Drive Loop.

(The) transportation grants will help us fix the damn roads in villages and small cities across Michigan as we continue our economic jumpstart and put people back to work, Whitmer said during the press conference. With these dollars, communities can get started on fixing their roads to meet their most critical infrastructure needs at the local level right now."

In Newago County, the city of Grant was approved for $94,250 for projects on Front Street, West Gordon Avenue, West Divina Street, East Brink Street, and North Lake Street.

In Oceana County the Village of Shelby was approved for $136,750 for improvements to Hawley Street, Rankin Street, 4th Street, Pine Street, and Sessions Road.

The village of Marion in Osceola County has received approval for a 2022 grant in the amount of $48,000 for improvements on Morton Drive and Blackledge Drive.

Established by the state legislature and administered by the Michigan Department of Transportation, the TEDF, Category B is a stop-gap program to help fund road projects in small communities.

Successful projects were selected, in part, because they are paired with planned infrastructure work, coordinated with other road agencies, focused on extending the useful life of the road and lacked other funding sources.

The TEDF helps finance highway, road and street projects that are critical to the movement of people and products.

The grants provide $3 million each year, through fiscal year 2023, to be allocated for road improvements in cities and villages with a population of 10,000 or fewer.

The application window for FY2022 grant funding is closed. The application submission period for FY2023 will be announced in early 2022.

The maximum grant is $250,000 with a 50% minimum cash match. Any road construction work, other than routine maintenance, is eligible for funding.

For more information visit michigan.gov/mdot.
The real estate market in northwest Michigan is hot right now, with listings getting multiple offers and selling for over the asking prices in just days.

So what can people looking to buy or sell a home do to increase their chances of success?

Kerri Mackey, a real estate agent with Lighthouse Reality in Manistee, said her number one tip for people looking to buy is that they should go with an experienced agent to increase their chances of finding a home.

"You can search on your own, but it is better to work with an established agent," Mackey said. "They can also search, and they often know of listings before they come up on searches, and they can put you on new listings right away."

RELATED: Hot housing market pricing many out of northwest Michigan

She said pre-qualifying with lenders is a must.

"This lets buyers pull the trigger when a house comes on the market if they have a prequalification letter," Mackey said. "It's almost impossible to have an offer accepted with out one right now."

Prequalification letters are a note from a lender letting sellers know the interested buyer has qualified for a loan to purchase the property.

Mackey also said negotiating price is not an option in the current market.

"It is 100% a seller's market," she said. "There's no room for coming in with low offers or any back and forth. You need to come in with your biggest, best offer."

RELATED: See inside this $7.25 million, 43-bedroom ranch on Pere Marquette River

She also said people should expect to pay more than the listed price, and that sellers aren't likely going to want to deal with people using certain types of loans.

"People looking to use VA Home Loans, USDA Rural Development Home Loans or U.S. Federal Housing Administration loans won't even be able to get involved in making an offer. Right now it is just conventional loans or cash."

As for sellers, even though it is a seller's market, Mackey suggest going with a established real estate agent just like when looking for a home.

"You want to get somebody who will work for you; don't think that just because the market is hot you can just throw up a home and it will sell," she said. "You still want advertising. You want them to do the best they can to help you sell."

RELATED: See inside this $750,000 'land yacht' in Au Gres

Mackey also said that sellers should know that they're selling high, but will also be buying high.

"If you're selling and then buying somewhere else, prepare to pay a higher price," she said. "You might have a hard time finding a place to buy."
BEIRUT (AP)  Protesters closed roads in different parts of Lebanon on Thursday, angry over the central banks decision to end subsidies for fuel products. The decision was likely to lead to a hike in prices of almost all commodities amid a paralyzing economic crisis.

Outgoing Prime Minister Hassan Diab described the decision by the central banks governor as irresponsible and illegal. His government later pledged to keep the subsidies.

Many petrol stations were closed Thursday, with some experts predicting fuel prices would increase fivefold.

Several major roads were closed by angry protesters. In the southern village of Zahrani, a motorist trying to plow through protesters, drove over one person and seriously injured him, the state news agency reported.

The move to end subsidies had been anticipated for months as the banks reserves dry up, but on Thursday politicians distanced themselves, and criticized the central bank's governor, Riad Salameh.

Diab, whose government has rarely held meetings since its resignation a year ago, was quoted as saying that he was taken by surprise by Salamehs decision. His Cabinet, which acts in caretaker capacity, said it will not adopt new prices necessary to translate the central bank's decision into policy until a full program for lifting subsidies, including ration cards, is approved. This signaled a standoff that is likely to deepen the fuel crisis.

The central bank's decision, announced late Wednesday, came hours after a meeting attended by the president, and senior government and security officials in which they were reportedly told by the central bank governor that he can no longer maintain subsidies of fuel imports. Diab did not attend that meeting, saying he was in isolation because he had earlier met a person who tested positive for coronavirus.

It remained unclear how the caretaker government would continue the subsidies if the central bank does not open credit lines for new fuel supplies. Diab's government said gas stations will have to continue selling gasoline and diesel in the coming days at subsidized prices. It also lashed out at the central bank and the governor, saying that they will be responsible for the catastrophic consequences of their unilateral decision.

The central bank on Thursday reiterated its decision, saying subsidies over the past weeks have only helped businessmen, not people in need. Despite subsidies worth $800 million in July alone, fuel products remained scarce in the market, it added.

The shortages are blamed on smuggling, hoarding and the cash-strapped government's inability to secure deliveries of imported fuel.

In June, the parliament approved giving half a million poor families an amount in dollars for a period of one year. It is not yet clear how the estimated $556 million project, which aims to replace the subsidy system, would be financed. Diabs office pledged the mechanism was being worked out and would be implemented soon.

The central bank's move may ease some of the shortages but it is likely to heighten tensions in the small Mideast country where over half the population has fallen below the poverty line. The financial crisis  rooted in years of corruption and mismanagement  took hold in 2019.

It has been made worse by the failure of political leaders to agree on a new government to chart a path out of the crisis and negotiate a recovery package with the International Monetary Fund. Diab's caretaker government has remained in charge.

The fuel crisis has turned violent before, with motorists clashing at gas stations after long waits and fuel running out. On Monday, gunshots and violence at gas stations killed at least three people.
Between the big box stores and limited job opportunities, smaller rural communities like Cass City are pulling out all of the stops to keep their villages vibrant and progressive.

Over the last couple of years the council made several changes and upgrades to ordinances to make the community better, and to have programs to help with business development.

The latest effort is to allow outside dining for restaurants in the downtown area.

Christine Anthony, who owns The Petal N Bean Company, is very interested in having the option for outdoor dining for her business.

She attended the last village meeting where there were public hearings on outside dining in order to learn more, and now she is ready to move forward with that option for her business.

Im waiting on an application to do that, but the forms are not ready yet, and I havent decided if we are going to offer outside dining in the front, in the back or both yet, said Anthony. There are different regulations that have to be met for the front and for a back dining area. There are different guidelines for both.

Anthony said she wants to see the completed guidelines that are required for front and back dining areas.

I would love to do both, but I will have to see what the guidelines on both are first," she said. If possible, I would love to do both. It is an exciting opportunity.

The holdup with moving forward is the village is putting together the ordinance package and then it has to have a legal review of it done.

A legal review is necessary because sidewalks are considered village property and have to be identified for insurance, Powell said about the application delay. Also, if a business has the ability to sell liquor, they have to comply with the Michigan Liquor Control Commission requirements.

The Liquor Control Commission is a state agency.

Some of the questions on the application include the location of where the seating would be and if alcohol would be served. If it is, that would require such things as fencing and being cordoned off so the area is only accessible from the business.

Powell estimated it will be about a week before the application form is ready. Once it is complete, a business just has to notify the village office to receive one. They will be free.

Im excited for our town and our community and for us to be able to have outside dining, said Anthony, who opened The Petal N Bean Company, in June 2019 at at 6450 Main St.

The business is wheelchair accessible, offers deliveries, and has an app where coffee, pastries, lunches and breakfasts can be ordered online. The hope is to add outside dining soon.

There was one business that embraced outside dining before it was a proposed option.

Gilligans, at 6444 Main St., created an outside dining area back in April.

Gilligans took advantage of the area outside behind the building for a dining area," Powell said. "It looks exceptional. He did it right with the fencing, cement pad, tables and adding Edison outdoor lighting. It is very attractive. I think weather permitting it will get a lot of use. It is really an inviting area.

Not all of the eating establishments in the downtown area are going to take advantage of developing an outside eating area.

This is something proactive that we can do," Powell said. "We are looking forward to implementing it in the village for the businesses that would like it."

Tony Nicke who owns Nicks County Oven at 6209 Main St., said he isnt interested in developing an outside dining area.

The newest restaurant, Revive Ministries Common Grounds Cafe at 6414 Main St., also isnt interested in developing an outside eating area.

According to the restaurants manager Rob Sanster, they dont have the extra tables.

And, no, because there are times when we have a difficult time getting volunteers, Sanster said.

Revive is operated totally by volunteers and the price of a meal is based on what a person can pay.

Also, as for the Village Grill and Chill 6628 Main St., they have always had a grassy picnic area for customers to sit and eat.
Army Lt. Gen. Laura Richardson was confirmed by the Senate in a unanimous voice vote on Wednesday to become the next commander of U.S. Southern Command, which will make her just the second woman in history to lead a combatant command.

Richardson, who now leads U.S. Army North, will receive a fourth star before taking command of SOUTHCOM, which oversees U.S. military operations across South and Central America and the Caribbean. She will become just the second female four-star general in the Army's history.

Richardson will replace SOUTHCOM's outgoing chief, Navy Adm. Craig Faller, who has led the combatant command headquartered just outside Miami since November 2018. The Defense Department has yet to set a date for the change of command, a SOUTHCOM spokesman said Thursday.

SOUTHCOM leaders have traditionally faced challenges in the region such as drug trafficking, narcoterrorism, providing humanitarian and disaster relief, and overseeing the controversial detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Richardson will also inherit responsibility for operations in a portion of the globe that has been devastated by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. She will also have to work to ensure the United States retains its long-held influence throughout the vast majority of the region, where Russia and China in recent years have increased efforts to work with and influence nations in the Western Hemisphere.

Richardson told senators last week during her confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill that her priorities included expanding training exercises and other security cooperation operations with partner nations in the region and increasing opportunities for partner nations in the region to send their troops to U.S. military training and education programs.

"We must hasten to pick up the pieces left by the pandemic and transform our relationships to meet 21st century security challenges. Put simply, winning together with our allies and partners matters," Richardson told senators. "Whether [it is working] against [the coronavirus], transnational criminal organizations, the predatory actions of China, the malign influence of Russia, or natural disasters, there's nothing we cannot overcome or achieve through an integrated response with our interagency allies and partners."

Richardson commissioned into the Army as an aviation officer in 1986 and flew UH-60 Black Hawks, according to her official biography. She commanded a 101st Airborne Division aviation battalion in Iraq and has also served in Afghanistan.

She took command of U.S. Army North at Joint Base San Antonio in July 2019 after serving as the deputy commander of U.S. Army Forces Command at Fort Bragg, N.C.

Richardson could soon be followed by the third female to lead a combatant command. President Joe Biden nominated Air Force Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost to lead U.S. Transportation Command. The Senate has yet to formally consider her nomination.

Air Force Gen. Lori Robinson was the first woman to lead a combatant command. She led U.S Northern Command from 2016 until her retirement in 2018.

Biden nominated Richardson and Van Ovost for those top jobs in April, after they were recommended by top Pentagon leaders during President Donald Trump's administration. The New York Times reported in February that former Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, slow rolled their recommendations of the two women for those jobs until after the November 2020 election, fearing the White House might nix their selections because of their genders.

Esper, who was fired shortly after Trump's election loss, told The Times that he and Milley agreed Richardson and Van Ovost were the best, most qualified choices for the positions. He confirmed their recommendations were delayed until after Biden had been elected.

"They were chosen because they were the best officers for the jobs, and I didn't want their promotions derailed because someone in the Trump White House saw that I recommended them or thought [the Defense Department] was playing politics," Esper told The New York Times in February. "This was not the case. They were the best qualified. We were doing the right thing."
The operations officer for I Corps, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington, has become the U.S. military's 29th COVID-19 casualty.

Army Lt. Col. Scott Flanders, 56, died Aug. 2 in San Antonio, Texas, at Brooke Army Medical Center, where he was being treated, according to an I Corps press release. He had been serving with the unit since February.

The officer, who previously was enlisted in the U.S. Navy, hailed originally from Boston and deployed twice to Afghanistan, according to Army officials.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Lt. Col. Scott Flanders's family," said Brig. Gen. William Ryan, special assistant to the deputy commanding general of I Corps. "Our priority is to take care of his family, ensuring they have all the resources they need during this difficult time."

Read Next: COVID-19 Was More Widespread in US Military Earlier in the Pandemic Than Previously Thought, Report Finds

Flanders earned his commission as an air defense artillery officer in 1994 through the Reserve Officer Training Corps at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

His awards included the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and Navy Good Conduct Medal, according to the Army.

The Army did not respond to an inquiry about Flanders' vaccination status.

To date, 29 U.S. service members have died from COVID-19, including 12 active-duty personnel. Flanders is the fourth active-duty and highest-ranking soldier to die from the coronavirus.

COVID-19 cases among U.S. service members have soared with the spread of the Delta variant. In the past week, the Defense Department has recorded 5,167 new cases among troops.

To combat the rising infection rate, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced Monday that he will ask President Joe Biden to issue a mandatory vaccine order for U.S. service members in mid-September or will require the immunizations as soon as they receive full approval from the Food and Drug Administration, whichever comes first. Biden said Monday that he would approve the request.

Nearly 218,000 U.S. service members have contracted the coronavirus since the outbreak began, and 1,962 have been hospitalized.

As of Wednesday, 1.06 million service members across all DoD services and components were fully vaccinated, or roughly 51% of the total force.

-- Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@Monster.com. Follow her on Twitter @patriciakime.

Related: The Military Faces of COVID-19: 5 Stories of Lives the Community Lost to the Virus
LOS ANGELES  An Army veteran who plotted to bomb a white supremacist rally in Southern California was convicted Wednesday of federal charges that could send him to prison for life.

A jury found Mark Steven Domingo, 28, guilty of providing material support to terrorism and attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction, the U.S. attorney's office said. He is scheduled for sentencing Nov. 1.

Domingo schemed to bomb a planned April 2019 rally in Long Beach before he was arrested, prosecutors said.

Domingo, a former combat infantryman, had recently converted to Islam and over several months discussed several plots to kill scores of people in Southern California in revenge for the March 2019 attacks on two New Zealand mosques that left 50 people dead, prosecutors said.

Domingo posted one online message saying America needs another Vegas event, an apparent reference to the October 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas that killed 59 people, documents show. He said it would spark civil unrest to weaken America by giving them a taste of the terror they gladly spread all over the world.

The terror plot was foiled by the FBI and police using an undercover officer and informant Domingo thought were his accomplices.

Military records show Domingo served about 16 months in the Army, including a four-month stint in Afghanistan in fall 2012. A U.S. official told The Associated Press in 2019 that Domingo was demoted and discharged before completing his enlistment contract for committing an unspecified serious offense.

He left with a rank of private, the lowest possible grade.
A new Defense Health Agency report shows that the coronavirus was circulating on domestic U.S. military installations by late February 2020 -- in some cases, weeks before the first positive cases were identified at those locations.

New testing of samples collected last year for flu surveillance show that a patient at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, had COVID-19 on Feb. 24, 2020, the same day as the first known case identified by the Defense Department -- a dependent widow in South Korea -- and the day before an Army soldier, also in Korea, was listed as the first service member to have contracted the illness.

The Wright-Patterson sampling preceded the first publicly identified case on the Dayton installation by nearly a month. The first official positive case occurred March 22, 2020.

Likewise, surveillance found that a patient at Robins Air Force Base in Georgia had COVID-19 on March 4, 2020, while the first case at the installation wasn't identified until nearly three weeks later, on March 21.

Read Next: Coast Guard, National Guard Bureau Prepping for Mandatory COVID Vaccines

And, according to the study, a patient at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, had COVID-19 on March 20, 2020, but the first positive case wasn't identified until May 6, 2020.

The first identified case of COVID-19 in the U.S. was a Snohomish County, Washington, man who tested positive Jan. 21, 2020, after traveling from Wuhan, China.

The first case of "community spread" -- not tied directly to travel or to contact with a person known to have the virus -- was identified Feb. 26 in a Vacaville, California, woman.

Vacaville is located near Travis Air Force Base, where evacuees from Wuhan were temporarily housed from Feb. 5 through Feb. 21, 2020.

The coronavirus was circulating in the U.S. before that first identified case of community spread, however. A review in April 2020 by the Santa Clara, California, Public Health Department confirmed that a resident died Feb. 6, 2020, of the virus.

The Armed Forces Health Surveillance Department conducted the retrospective study to help establish a timeline for when the virus began circulating in the U.S. military population. Of 7,000 samples tested, just 24 contained genetic code, or RNA, for the coronavirus.

In addition to the cases at Wright-Patterson and Warner Robins, the study identified:

A case at Lakenheath Air Base, United Kingdom, on March 12, while the first official case was March 20, 2020

A case at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, on March 13; the first official case was March 22, 2020

And a case at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, where the first official case occurred March 31, 2020

The study found no positive samples in the military community before Jan. 21, 2020, when the first case was identified in the U.S. -- results that appear to debunk a lingering conspiracy theory that the virus was brought to Wuhan by U.S. military personnel attending the Military World Games in October 2019.

Seeking to deflect criticism of his government's handling of a local outbreak in Wuhan, a Chinese government official in mid-March 2020 tweeted that it "might be the U.S. Army who brought the epidemic to Wuhan."

In the report, defense health experts noted that the data was limited, as samplings were sporadic from services other than the Air Force and were unavailable entirely for U.S. Southern Command. Just 10 samples were submitted for U.S. Central Command, leaving the early impact "of the epidemic in military members stationed in those regions as unknown."

The authors also said that to better prepare for the next pandemic, "a more detailed and thorough understanding of the early emergence of this pandemic in the U.S. and DoD-associated populations is required."

More than 326,000 Defense Department beneficiaries, including military members and their families, civilian employees and contractors, have tested positive for the coronavirus since the beginning of the outbreak.

Nearly 400 have died, including 29 service members.

-- Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@Monster.com. Follow her on Twitter @patriciakime.

Related: Pentagon Requiring COVID-19 Vaccine For US Troops
BERLIN  Germany and the Netherlands have suspended any deportations of migrants to Afghanistan due to the tense security situation as Taliban insurgents make sweeping gains in the Central Asian country.

Almost 30,000 Afghans in Germany, many of them failed asylum-seekers, are currently required to leave the country.

Germany's interior minister said the decision was taken due to concerns for the safety of those involved in the deportation. A deportation of six Afghan citizens to Kabul planned for Aug. 3 was canceled at short notice due to a bomb attack in the Afghan capital.

The security situation on the ground is changing so quickly at the moment that we can't fulfill (our responsibility for the safety) of the deportees, the staff accompanying them or the flight crews, Interior Minister Horst Seehofer said.

But he defended the deportations in general as an important part of migration policy, adding that the expulsion of convicted criminals and people considered a security threat would resume as soon as the situation allows.

The decision was welcomed by German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, who noted that the government of Afghanistan had previously asked Germany to suspend flights until the end of October.

Were doing so now now, he told reporters in Berlin. "I think thats right, too.

In the Netherlands, Justice State Secretary Ankie Broekers-Knol wrote to parliament that changes in Afghanistan were so unpredictable that a decision was taken to impose a departure moratorium.

She said the decision was justified by the worsening situation and the possibility to wait for a decision until there is a more stable assessment of the situation.

Germanys Foreign Ministry is updating its new asylum evaluation report, which usually provides the main criteria for deciding whether rejected asylum-seekers can be deported. Since 2016, more than 1,000 Afghan migrants who unsuccessfully applied for asylum in Germany have been sent back to their home country, according to dpa.

Last week, six other European Union member countries argued that the forced deportation of migrants back to Afghanistan must continue despite the government in Kabul suspending such non-voluntary returns for three months.

In a letter dated Aug. 5, the interior ministers of Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece and the Netherlands urged the EUs executive branch to intensify talks with the Afghan government to ensure that the deportations of refugees would continue.

Stopping returns sends the wrong signal and is likely to motivate even more Afghan citizens to leave their home for the EU, the ministers wrote to the European Commission.

The commission confirmed Tuesday that it had received the letter and would reply when ready. Asked whether Afghanistan was a safe place to forcibly send people, spokesman Adalbert Jahnz said: It is up to each (EU) member state to make an individual assessment of whether a return is possible.

Emboldened by the Biden administrations decision to pull American troops out of Afghanistan and end NATOs troop training mission in Afghanistan, Taliban insurgents have captured five out of the countrys 34 provincial capitals in less than a week.

Afghan security forces, which have been backed, trained and financed with billions of dollars in a 20-year-long Western military effort that included many EU countries, appear unable to cope with the Taliban offensive.

More than 1 million migrants came to Germany in 2015 looking for asylum, most of them from countries ravaged by civil wars such as Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq.
ANNAPOLIS, Md.  The groundwater of at least nine military installations near the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland and Virginia is contaminated with high levels of toxic fluorinated forever chemicals, according to a report Wednesday by an environmental group that cites Defense Department records.

The Environmental Working Group's report focuses on installations along the bay and concerns about contamination mostly from chemicals in firefighting foam containing PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. They are known as forever chemicals because they do not break down in the environment.

The group says its the first time an analysis of the concerns has been conducted publicly at military sites across the nations largest estuary, whose large watershed includes the six states of Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New York. The bay also is troubled by pollution from nitrogen fertilizer runoff and other pollutants.

The EWG report notes that records show PFAS may be present in groundwater at several other installations near the bay, where the Defense Department has not tested to confirm the presence of chemicals.

For years, the military used a film-forming foam in training to fight aircraft fires on flight lines. The Defense Department no longer uses foam with the chemicals for firefighting training, unless it can be contained.

I think the real take home here is the DOD has been very slow to identify those places where PFAS is present and threatening crabs and oysters and has been very slow to clean up these legacy plumes of PFAS pollution that continue to threaten our crabs and oysters," said Scott Faber, senior vice president for government affairs for EWG.

The Maryland installations cited in the report include the Aberdeen Proving Ground, Martin State Air National Guard Base, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory Chesapeake Bay Detachment, Blossom Point and the Patuxent River Naval Air Station.

The Virginia installations include Langley Air Force Base, Fort Eustis and Naval Weapons Station Yorktown.

The EWG report cited dangerous levels of PFAS, with amounts up to 2.2 million parts per trillion  the highest amount reported at the Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, Virginia.

The potential threat to bay shellfish and seafood from PFAS contamination at Defense Department sites is a local example of a U.S.-wide problem, the group said. Nationally, PFAS have been detected at more than 300 military installations, and they may be present at hundreds of other installations.

Last month, the department held an online forum for the first time between the department and stakeholders affected by PFAS.

Richard Kidd, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for environment and energy resilience, said that while it may take years for the department to fully define the cleanup requirements for PFAS  and possibly decades to actually do the cleanup  the department would remain committed to the effort and to communicate with those affected.

We are intent on making sustained progress on all PFAS challenges, Kidd said, according to a Defense Department news release about the event. We will continue to invest in science and technology, and we will demonstrate a commitment to clear and constructive dialogue with all stakeholders, such as ... the participants today.

An internal audit made public last month by the Pentagon's inspector general concluded that the department dragged its feet on protecting service personnel from forever chemicals at military installations and isn't doing enough to track health effects from exposure to the toxic compounds.

Officials have taken steps to find and clean groundwater contaminated with firefighting foam containing PFAS, the departments inspector general found. But its report said the Pentagon has fallen short on dealing with other sources of the chemicals as its rules require.

Also last month, the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee included an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act to take steps to address PFAS contamination at military sites.
The U.S. is sending thousands of additional troops into Afghanistan to assist with partially evacuating the embassy in Kabul, in response to the Taliban's rapid advance that places the nation's capital at risk.

The decision serves as a reversal from months of gradual withdrawal as the military had sought to remove the last handful of troops from Afghanistan by the end of August and bring the nearly 20-year-old war to a close.

Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said in a briefing with reporters Thursday that three infantry battalions -- two Marine and one Army, totaling about 3,000 troops -- already stationed in the Middle East will move to Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul in the next 24 to 48 hours, augmenting the 650 U.S. troops remaining in Kabul.

"This is a temporary mission with a narrow focus," Kirby said.

He declined to call the deployment a combat mission, but said the infantry battalions will bring weaponry including mortars, machine guns and troops' personally carried weapons.

Read Next: Army Lieutenant General Gets Fourth Star and Becomes Second Female Combatant Commander in History

The troops will head to Afghanistan to provide security for embassy personnel and other Americans leaving the country, and to help Afghans trying to get to America under the Special Immigrant Visa, or SIV, program.

Kirby said he would not speculate as to what the U.S. military footprint will look like beyond the end of August, though he said the original drawdown mission is still on track to be completed by Aug. 31.

The Taliban issued a statement earlier Thursday saying it had assumed control of Herat, the third largest city in Afghanistan and a strategic provincial capital not far from Kabul. The situation in the country is deteriorating rapidly following President Joe Biden's April announcement of plans to withdraw U.S. forces.

The Taliban also seized three more provincial capitals in Badakhshan, Baghlan and Farah provinces Wednesday, as well as a local army headquarters, The Associated Press reported.

CNN reported Thursday that intelligence assessments of the situation in Afghanistan are dire. While the estimated time frames differ, multiple assessments suggest that Kabul could be isolated and fall into Taliban hands in just a few months. An analysis cited by The New York Times estimated that the Taliban could control Kabul within a month, or mere days after U.S. forces were set to withdraw from the country.

In April, Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks said she did not expect the U.S. military withdrawal to result in a "fall of Saigon"-type evacuation. But the apparent danger now faced by the Kabul embassy potentially recalls those iconic and devastating scenes from the former capital of South Vietnam in April 1975, during which the U.S. chaotically evacuated personnel from its embassy, along with thousands of Vietnamese civilians.

In this April 29, 1975 photo, South Vietnamese civilians scale the 14-foot wall of the U.S. embassy in Saigon, trying to reach evacuation helicopters as the last Americans depart from Vietnam. (AP Photo/File)

"We're not walking away from our commitments to the Afghan forces," Kirby said when asked how the military would avoid parallels to the fall of Saigon. "We're not completely eliminating our diplomatic presence on the ground. ... Nobody is abandoning Afghanistan."

When Biden was asked about the country's deteriorating security situation last month, he stressed that "the likelihood there's going to be the Taliban overrunning everything and owning the whole country is highly unlikely."

Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani on Wednesday fired his army's chief of staff, Gen. Wali Ahmadzai, in the wake of the Taliban's rapid advancements. The Afghan army's head of special operations, Gen. Haibatullah Alizai, was appointed to replace him. Afghanistan's special operations, along with its air force, have been practically the only parts of the nation's military demonstrating resistance against Taliban advances.

A joint U.S. Army-Air Force support element of roughly 1,000 personnel also will deploy to Qatar in the next few days to help speed up the processing of SIV applicants, though Kirby said it then could move elsewhere if needed, not ruling out a shift into Afghanistan. Qatar is one of the sites being considered for temporarily housing Afghans who served in interpreter and other jobs for the U.S. over the last two decades, and who now are trying to get to America because they face Taliban reprisal.

An infantry brigade combat team, which typically includes 3,500 to 4,000 troops, with the 82nd Airborne Division from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, also will deploy to Kuwait in the next week, in case additional security is needed at the airport.

Kirby said there was not one specific event that led the administration to deploy these additional troops to the region. "We believe this is the prudent thing to do, given the rapidly deteriorating security situation," he said.

The United Kingdom on Thursday also announced a deployment of about 600 troops "in light of the increasing violence and rapidly deteriorating security environment in the country." Like the extra U.S. forces, the troops will focus on helping the British embassy in Kabul and British nationals to leave the country.

Earlier Thursday, the U.S. State Department issued a warning for U.S. citizens to leave Afghanistan immediately, the second such announcement since Saturday. The message also offered information on loans for those who might not be able to afford the cost of commercial flights.

The agency warned that "given the security conditions and reduced staffing, the Embassy's ability to assist U.S. citizens in Afghanistan is extremely limited even within Kabul" and directed Americans to a Q&A on its website titled "What the Department of State Can and Can't Do in a Crisis."

State Department spokesman Ned Price said Thursday that the embassy is not conducting a "full evacuation."

"We will continue to have a diplomatic presence on the ground," Price said during a briefing. "It's a very important distinction between planning and contingency planning."

The U.S. has continued to provide air support to Afghan forces as they try to hold back the Taliban's advances.

"We have the authority and the capabilities in the region to conduct airstrikes if needed," Kirby said, though he did not answer a question as to whether more drones or fighter jets would be sent. "That's not going to change as a result of these new missions."

The sudden collapse of Afghanistan's army mirrors what happened in Iraq in the wake of the U.S. withdrawal in 2011. Carrying through on a campaign promise, President Barack Obama pulled U.S. troops from the country, with the resulting power vacuum in the region giving the Islamic State an opening for a brutal offensive. ISIS took over large swaths of the country and imposed draconian rule on the local population while executing those it saw as allied with western powers or western cultural norms.

In 2014, Obama launched a massive air campaign in Iraq consisting of more than 150 airstrikes followed by multiple small deployments of troops back on the ground, virtually in the same spots U.S. forces had controlled just a few years before.

The New York Times reported Thursday that the United States is in talks with the Taliban to safeguard the embassy -- an effort to stave off the evacuation of the facility.

According to the Times, Zalmay Khalilzad, the chief American envoy, is engaged in discussions and seeking assurances from the Taliban that it will not attack the embassy should it overrun the capital.

Kirby, however, said the Pentagon has not been in contact with the Taliban.

The Defense Department previously estimated that it had completed more than 95% of the withdrawal process and has officially transferred seven facilities to the Afghan government.

In a July 21 briefing at the Pentagon, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Mark Milley said the Taliban controlled roughly 212 of the nation's 419 district centers. He acknowledged that the "strategic momentum appears to be sort of with the Taliban" and said the militant group was trying to isolate major population centers such as Kabul.

Milley said that the U.S. government was looking at several different outcomes for the declining security situation, including a negotiated settlement, a complete Taliban takeover, a national breakdown, or return to "warlordism."

"I don't think the end game is yet written," he said.

-- Stephen Losey can be reached at stephen.losey@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StephenLosey.

-- Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@Monster.com. Follow her on Twitter @patriciakime.

-- Steve Beynon can be reached at Steve.Beynon@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StevenBeynon.

-- Konstantin Toropin can be reached at konstantin.toropin@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @ktoropin.

Related: US Keeping Distance as Afghan Forces Face Taliban Rout
Starting Friday, the Department of Veterans Affairs will require nearly all health care personnel, support staff, volunteers and contractors in the Veterans Health Administration to be vaccinated against the coronavirus. That means almost every one of the 360,000 employees of the VHA will be required to get the vaccine by Oct. 8.

VA Secretary Denis McDonough announced Thursday that the employees who work under the designations "Hybrid Title 38" and "Title 5" must be vaccinated in the next eight weeks or face disciplinary action.

The personnel include psychologists, pharmacists, social workers, nursing assistants, physical therapists, respiratory therapists, peer specialists, medical support assistants, engineers, housekeepers and other clinical, administrative and infrastructure support employees, according to a VA press release.

In addition, volunteers and contractors who work in VA medical centers or clinics, "visit VHA facilities or otherwise come into contact with VA patients and healthcare workers" must be immunized, the release adds.

"We're now including most VHA employees and volunteers and contractors in the vaccine mandate because it remains the best way to keep veterans safe, especially as the Delta variant spreads across the country," McDonough explained in the release.

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"This pandemic is not over and VA must do everything in our power to protect veterans from COVID-19, he added. With this expanded mandate, we can once again make -- and keep -- that fundamental promise."

The new mandate expands on one issued last month that required roughly 115,000 workers, known as Title 38 employees -- including physicians, dentists, podiatrists, optometrists, registered nurses, physician assistants, some dental employees and chiropractors, to be vaccinated.

With that July 26 announcement, the VA became the first federal agency requiring workers to get vaccinated.

McDonough said July 27 that roughly 90,000 of all 360,000 VHA employees had not yet gotten their COVID-19 vaccines. Thursday's new mandate would require that nearly all of those remaining be vaccinated, although there are "processes in place" to request a medical or religious exemption.

All others refusing the vaccine are "protected under due process," he said, but could lose their jobs.

"Those in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service," VA spokesman Terrence Hayes confirmed Thursday.

McDonough said the move was necessary because cases of the illness increased 37% in July -- a result of the highly contagious Delta variant. Four VA employees have died since mid-June, at least three of whom were sickened by the Delta strain; all were unvaccinated.

"Nearly every death from COVID from this day on is apparently preventable," McDonough said.

VA officials said the decision is supported by numerous medical organizations, including the American Hospital Association, American Medical Association, American Nurses Association, American College of Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, Association of American Medical Colleges and National Association for Home Care and Hospice.

COVID-19 vaccines in the U.S. have been distributed under a Food and Drug Administration emergency use authorization, beginning last December with shots made by Pfizer and Moderna.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said Sunday on Meet the Press that he expects the FDA to issue full approval of the Pfizer vaccine by the end of the month.

VA employees can get their vaccines for free at any VA vaccination site and receive four hours of paid administrative leave after they are fully vaccinated. They also can take uncounted sick leave for side effects, according to the department.

Active coronavirus cases in the VA health system have multiplied five-fold in the last month, from 1,803 on July 12 to 10,101 Thursday. VA medical centers in Texas, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana and Nevada are seeing a surge in patients, according to data published by the department.

Since the start of the pandemic, 12,950 veterans in the VA health system have died from COVID-19, as have 148 VA employees.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct the overall number of Veterans Health Administration employees.

-- Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@Monster.com. Follow her on Twitter @patriciakime.

Related: COVID-19 Vaccines Could Soon Be Mandatory for VA Employees
Key

The Pinos Altos mining district is located in the Pinos Altos Mountains about 8 mi northeast of Silver City. Placer gold was discovered there in 1860. Later that same year, the Pacific vein was the first lode discovered in the district. Within two years, 30 mines were being worked by 300 men. Mining continued as disruptions, such as the Civil War and plundering by Apaches, would allow. During World War I, Pinos Altos contributed a considerable tonnage of zinc ore containing sphalerite, chalcopyrite, and galena. The Pacific mine was the largest producer in the area having a total production to 1905 of over $1 million. By 1940, roughly 7.5 to 12% of the area's past production value was accounted for by placer gold, and the district had yielded over a total of $8 million worth of gold, silver, copper, lead, and zinc.

Select Mineral List Type Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Dana Chemical Elements

Fossils

References

Sort by Year (asc) Year (desc) Author (A-Z) Author (Z-A) In-text Citation No.

McLemore, V.T., Sutphin, D. M., Hack, D. R., and Pease, T. C. (1996) Mining History And Mineral Resources Of The Mlmbres Resource Area, Dora Ana, Luna, Hidalgo, And Grant Counties, New Mexico. New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral Resources, Openfile Report OF-424, 204. Beeson, D.L. (2009) Site Characterization Report, Pinos Altos Mining District, Grant County, New Mexico. Ecology and Environment, Inc. report prepared for: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District, Fort Worth, Texas, Contract No. W9126G-06-D-0025, Task Order No. 0005.

Localities in this Region
The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) Chennai has dismissed the C Sivasankaran application and ordered the liquidation of Siva Industries.

NCLT said that Sivasankaran application under section 12 (A) does not stand. NCLT has also dismissed the SBI application.

Siva Industries and Holdings Limited (Siva Industries) will go into liquidation after the NCLT rejected the application.

This is as per provisions of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code where 90% of the lenders had not given approval.

Lenders of Siva Industries and Holdings Limited (Siva Industries), founded by C Sivasankaran (the former promoter of Aircel) had filed application under Section 12A of Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code 2016 (IBC) in National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Chennai Bench for withdrawing the insolvency proceedings against Siva Industries.

Siva Industries and Holding owes Lenders approx Rs5,000 crore.

Disclaimer: Information, facts or opinions expressed in this news article are presented as sourced from IANS and do not reflect views of Moneylife and hence Moneylife is not responsible or liable for the same. As a source and news provider, IANS is responsible for accuracy, completeness, suitability and validity of any information in this article.
The Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) is witnessing a pandemonium with the Union government, which is asking some members of Parliament (MPs) to submit proposals, while not releasing funds for works in constituencies of those who are repeatedly sending request letters. Further, the parliamentary standing committee on finance has sharply criticised the ministry of finance (MoF) for releasing Rs2,200 crore under the MPLADS and has asked for this money to be spent within a week!

In March this year, Rao Inderjit Singh, minister of statistics and programme implementation, told the Rajya Sabha that the Union government had decided to release the pending instalments of 2019-20 under MPLADS on priority basis. On 19 July 2021, MPLADS division in the ministry sent letters to chief secretaries of all states soliciting proposals for the release of pending instalments of FY2019-20.

Mr Rao, the minister, also told the Rajya Sabha that the ministry has received demands and requests from MPs and nodal district authorities for the release of pending instalments due up to 31 March 2020, to resume the ongoing works and clear the committed liabilities under MPLADS.

However, the reply received under the Right to Information (RTI) Act shows that six MPs from Maharashtra, including a former Cabinet minister in the Union government, sent requests to release the MPLADS fund for pending works for even FY2018-19.

The RTI reply received by Pune-based Praful Sarda shows that Prakash Javadekar, former minister of information and broadcasting and a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), sent a letter to Mr Rao seeking release of Rs2 crore under MPLADS. Interestingly, the letter from Mr Javadekar shows that all the three works sanctioned under MPLADS, for which he was seeking release of funds, were suspended by the ministry of statistics and programme implementation.

Mr Sarda says, "Information sought about MPLADS funds release clearly states that despite several requests from MPs, most of them have not received funds and former cabinet minister Prakash Javadekar's request to release funds has been suspended by the concerned ministry and the minister of state (MoS). This might be the first time in history where the MoS suspended the funds of a cabinet minister and recently Mr Javadekar had to resign from the cabinet as well."

Data published by the ministry of statistics and programme implementation (MoSPI) on its website shows that from Maharashtra 51 MPs (including former MPs) from the Lok Sabha and 12 MPs from the Rajya Sabha are waiting for release of funds under the MPLADS. Many of them, including another cabinet minister Nitin Gadkari, are waiting for fund release for projects sanctioned in FY18-19.

In April 2020, the Union Cabinet decided to suspend MPLADS funds during FY20-21 and FY21-22 in view of the adverse impact of the outbreak of COVID-19 in India. Mr Javadekar, the then Union minister had said, "The consolidated amount of MPLADS funds for two years is about Rs7,900 crore and will go to the Consolidated Fund of India.

Coming back to the parliamentary committee, which, in its report submitted last week, observed that the demand for grant by MoSPI under MPLADS was left unfinished midway, despite the sanction letters having been issued and funds for these were withheld, citing the suspension of the scheme.

On 16 March 2021, the department of expenditure (DoE) informed MoSPI about its intent to allot Rs2,200 crore for projects under MPLADS. However, the department of economic affairs (DEA) released the funds only on 22 March 2021 with a condition to spend the funds allotted for eligible projects within FY20-21 itself, so that the amount does not lapse. This means, the DEA wanted MoSPI to spend the released funds in about eight days or before 31 March 2021.

The parliamentary committee stated, "The Committee are unable to comprehend the reason as to why Rs2,200 crore was allotted to MoSPI barely one week before the end of FY20-21 This constitutes a serious lapse in fiscal management with negative consequences for communities across India.

The MoSPI cleared eligible proposals worth Rs1,107.5 crore, which it received till 31 March 2021, leading to the balance Rs1,092.5 crore lapsing.

The MPLADS is a centrally-sponsored scheme fully funded by the government of India under which funds are released in the form of grants in-aid directly to the district authorities.

Launched in December 1993, MPLADS provides a mechanism for the MPs to recommend works of developmental nature for the creation of durable community assets and for provision of basic facilities including community infrastructure, based on local needs.

During 1994-95 and 1997-98, MPs were entitled to Rs1 crore funding each under MPLADS, which was later increased to Rs2 crore. In FY11-12, the united progressive alliance (UPA) government increased the annual entitlement under MPLADS to Rs5 crore per MP.
Billionaire Anil Agarwal-led Vedanta Ltd managed to survive voting during its annual general meeting (AGM) held earlier this week with support from the promoters and votes from public non-institutional shareholders. However, during the AGM, institutional shareholders made their presence felt by overwhelmingly voting against some resolutions, like passing financial accounts of the company for FY20-21 and re-appointment of UK Sinha, former chairman of SEBI as non-executive independent director of Vedanta.

In its regulatory filing, Vedanta revealed details of the votes received for its resolutions by all shareholders.

The resolution to appoint Mr Sinha as independent director of Vedanta for three more years was rejected by institutional shareholders by 70.70% out of their percentage of votes polled of 75.78%. However, with full support from promoters including Mr Agarwal and public non-institutional shareholders, this resolution was passed by 84.65% votes in favour.

For the resolution on audited stand-alone financial statements of Vedanta for financial year ended 31 March 2021, institutional shareholders, however, were divided. This, as well as the resolution for adopting consolidated financial statements for FY20-21, was passed with full support from promoters and public non-institutional shareholders.

During the AGM, institutional shareholders also voted against appointment of Dindayal Jalan and Akhilesh Joshi as non-executive independent director for two years. While majority institutional investors voted against these proposal, Vedanta promoters and public non-institutional shareholders voted in favour of it resulting in the resolution getting passed.

Earlier, Institutional Investor Advisory Services India Ltd (IiAS) too had recommended voting against the resolutions on financial statements, as well as appointment of Mr Sinha, Mr Jalan and Mr Joshi. Mr Sinha has been on the Vedanta board since 13 March 2018.

In a report, it says, "We believe the current independent directors have not protected the minority shareholder rights by maintaining a passive stance and allowing cash flow support to the group through the company and Hindustan Zinc Ltd. We therefore do not support Mr Sinhas reappointment as an independent director to Vedantas board."

According to IiAS, both Mr Jalan and Mr Joshi were former employees of Vedanta group and it was not sure of both of these executives have completed three-year cooling period.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP)  Doctors in Florida say they're seeing many more coronavirus infections among children just as students begin to return to classrooms.

There has been an enormous increase" in COVID-19 cases among children in July and August at Joe DiMaggio Childrens Hospital in Hollywood, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ronald Ford said.

Most of these children have been treated in the emergency room and sent home, but "those that are admitted are sicker than what weve seen before, and many of them are requiring care in our intensive care units," Ford said.

But Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says the share of pediatric hospitalizations is still between 1.1% and 1.4% in the state, which is how it has behaved throughout the pandemic. On Wednesday, 177 of the 15,071 patients with COVID-19  about 1.2 %  were children, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

There's been no change in the proportion of pediatric patients who are COVID positive, he said. Obviously we have more people that are COVID positive in hospitals than we did six weeks ago, so the raw numbers are increasing for everybody."

About 20 children who had the virus sought treatment at the South Florida hospital's emergency department in June, Ford said.

That number went to well over 200 in July and, even at this point in the month of August, we are already up to over 160. So were well on the way to breaking Julys record," Ford said.

On Tuesday, the hospital had nine positive patients admitted, with five in the ICU, Ford said.

Ford's advice to parents sending their children back to school: Get information from authoritative sources.

There's a lot of misinformation out there about COVID-19, about testing, about the vaccine," Ford said. The best thing you can do to protect your child is to keep them away from the virus. This virus is extremely infectious. And it doesnt take much virus to infect and cause symptoms and disease."

Masking works, reducing the incidence of transmission and the chances of children getting the virus, he said.

So first and foremost, masking is going to be one of the best defenses we have," Ford said.

DeSantis has attempted to block school districts from imposing public health protections on students, saying parents should decide whether their child should wear a mask at school.

At a press conference in a St. Petersburg elementary school, DeSantis maintained his stance and said the federal government was considering imposing a nationwide mandate for kindergarteners, first-graders and other students. The governor had previously raised the possibility the Biden administration could seek a mask mandate.

Obviously if you are talking about the federal government coming in and overruling parents in our communities, that would be something we would fight back vociferously against, the Republican governor said.

The U.S. government, through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has issued guidelines recommending masks be worn indoors at schools nationwide, but hasnt said it could order a federal school mask mandate. However, President Joe Biden said Tuesday hes checking whether he could intervene to prevent governors from blocking school districts from imposing such mandates, though he also said he didnt believe he had the authority thus far.

At least three school districts  in Alachua, Broward and Leon counties  have appeared to defy the governor's order.

Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran has sent their superintendents letters saying their adopted policy appeared not to comply with the new rules. He demanded a response by Wednesday and said he may recommend the states Board of Education withhold the salaries of the superintendent and school board members.

The Broward school board, after waffling for several weeks, voted Tuesday to require masks for students, teachers and staff when their school year begins on Aug. 18.

Miami-Dade's superintendent, Alberto Carvalho, said Florida's largest district will decide what to do after consulting with experts in public health and medicine as the county's 334,000 students prepare to return to classrooms Aug. 23. He said he won't be influenced by the governor's threats.

At no point shall I allow my decision to be influenced by a threat to my paycheck; a small price to pay considering the gravity of this issue and the potential impact to the health and well-being of our students and dedicated employees, his statement said.

___

Gomez Licon reported from Miami. Associated Press writers Brendan Farrington in Tallahassee and Kelli Kennedy in Fort Lauderdale contributed to this report.

___

The number of COVID-19 hospitalizations in the state has been corrected. Officials reported 15,071 hospitalizations, not 15,077.
NEW YORK (AP)  Larry Heinzerling, a 41-year Associated Press news executive and bureau chief who played a key role in winning freedom for hostage Terry Anderson from his Hezbollah abductors in Lebanon, has died after a short illness. He was 75.

Heinzerling, who passed away at home in New York on Wednesday night, served as AP bureau chief in South Africa during a time of popular revolt against apartheid and in West Germany before the fall of the Berlin Wall. He was deputized by then-AP President and Chief Executive Officer Lou Boccardi to seek contacts with governments and international intermediaries to obtain the release of Anderson, the AP bureau chief in Beirut who had been kidnapped by the extremist group in 1985.

He worked behind the scenes for nearly seven years to win Andersons release in 1991.

At AP headquarters in New York, Heinzerling was director of AP World Services and later deputy international editor. He was the son of the late Lynn Heinzerling, a Pulitzer Prize-winning foreign correspondent for the AP in Europe and Africa.

Larry followed in the footsteps of his illustrious AP correspondent father but he walked his own widely admired path  reporter, editor, bureau chief, headquarters executive and, in one painful period in AP history, my personal envoy as we searched across the world for the key to freedom for Terry Anderson," Boccardi said in an email Thursday.

Larry epitomized the enduring values of honor, trust, grace under pressure and talent. He was a joy to have in the AP family."

Brian Carovillano, AP vice president and co-managing editor, said: Larry was a rock of the AP, someone who believed completely in our mission and the power and importance of eyewitness journalism. He also did as much as anyone to help transform this company into the global organization it is today. His impact on AP and its journalism will endure."

Heinzerling grew up partly in Elyria, Ohio, and partly overseas in Johannesburg, Geneva and London among other cities where his father was posted. His father was a World War II correspondent for AP and won his Pulitzer in 1961 for coverage of the 1960 Congo crisis as the country emerged from Belgian colonial rule.

Heinzerling graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University before joining the AP in Columbus in 1967, simultaneously acquiring a master's degree in international journalism at Ohio State.

After a stint at AP's New York international desk, Heinzerling was posted to sub-Saharan Africa, first in 1971 to Lagos, Nigeria, recently torn by civil war as West Africa correspondent, and then to Johannesburg as South African bureau chief in 1974. There he covered the 1976 Soweto uprising and ongoing cycles of violence and repression as the white minority government sought to maintain its racist system of apartheid.

In 1978, Heinzerling was named bureau chief in Frankfurt, West Germany, overseeing AP's newsgathering from central Europe and directing the large AP German service, then the second-largest news agency in Germany. Berlin was a divided city and East-West tensions seethed in Europe and in the country struggling to overcome the legacy of World War II.

His acumen at running a complex news and business operation resulted in his being called back to New York in 1983 to become deputy director and then director of World Services, the department that managed all of AP's non-U.S. businesses and the distribution of news and photos outside of the United States.

When Anderson was kidnapped in March 1985, one of a string of hostage-takings by Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants, Heinzerling became the AP's point man in secret, backdoor diplomacy to find a way to persuade the kidnappers to let Anderson go. In later years, he declined to talk about his efforts, honoring the promises of secrecy he made at that time.

Larry Heinzerling was an extraordinary man in a great many ways. He was a special person for me both for his efforts on my behalf during my captivity, and the friendship we enjoyed after my return, Anderson said. He also happened to be an excellent journalist, and a kind and gentle man. I will miss him, as will we all.

Ian Phillips, APs director of international news, agreed.

Larry was the type of boss you loved to work for, Phillips said. He had a contagious laugh that would resonate around the newsroom and elicit smiles even on the toughest of days. He had high standards, but also knew how to bring a sense of fun to the workplace and was held in such high regard by all. He had a global perspective and delighted in sharing stories from when he worked in the field in Africa and Europe.

Within the AP, Heinzerling was known for fostering dozens of careers over the decades, and tributes to him poured in from around the world at news of his passing. Longtime AP writer Maureen Johnson in London recalled when he hired her in 1977 in South Africa.

Larry was clever, a born journalist, a skilled linguist  and much else. He was kind, amusing, courageous and to me, who counted for nothing in the scope of his career, totally supportive. He gave me a crack at the many world class stories which Southern Africa served up at the time: the ending of Rhodesias bloody civil war and with it the collapse of white minority rule; the last years of apartheid strung with famous names: the Mandelas, Steve Biko, P.W. de Klerk."

He remained for me a guiding light," she said.

Sally Buzbee, AP's former executive editor, said Heinzerling was known to AP journalists around the globe for his commitment to front-line journalism and wide knowledge of the world.

He never lost his optimism, despite covering many terrible things, and his smile, friendliness and that optimism were appreciated by everyone he worked with, said Buzbee, who is now executive editor of the Washington Post.

Retiring from the news cooperative as deputy international editor for world services in 2009, Heinzerling spoke of his career.

I have had a wonderful career at AP and in no small way it has been my life, he wrote. I am thankful for a magical childhood in Europe and Africa as the son of an AP foreign correspondent, and I am even more grateful for the many exciting professional opportunities and adventures AP has offered me over the past 40 years. Where else can you travel the world, report historical events, work with great people every day in a common cause and be proud of what you do?

Heinzerling is survived by his wife of 20 years, Ann Cooper, the former director of the Committee to Protect Journalists and a retired Columbia Graduate School of Journalism professor.

After retirement, he and Cooper volunteered around the world to build homes for Habitat for Humanity and he taught journalism and mentored students as an adjunct assistant professor at Columbia's journalism school and its school of public and international affairs.

More recently Heinzerling was completing a history of the AP in Germany during and after Hitler's rule: Newshawks in Berlin: Nazi Germany, The Associated Press, And the Pursuit of News," with an AP colleague, investigative researcher Randy Herschaft. Set mostly in wartime Berlin, the book examines how the AP covered Nazi Germany with news and photos from inside the Third Reich throughout World War II.

Heinzerling's illness emerged suddenly in late June, after the couple finished a cross-country car trip to visit her son and his stepson Artyom (Tom) Keller in California. Heinzerling was diagnosed with cancer shortly after, complicated by an attack of pneumonia last week.

Cooper, Keller, and Heinzerling's two children, Kristen Heinzerling and Benjamin Heinzerling, were with him at his death. Other survivors include their spouses, Thomas Minty and Gabriela Lopez Heinzerling; two more stepchildren, Andreas Klohnen and Eva Klohnen; and five grandchildren. A son, Jesse Heinzerling, passed away earlier.
NZ Agency TRA Expands to Australia

New Zealand-based insights agency TRA Group (The Research Agency) has opened its first Australian office, in Melbourne, and appointed Mark Hobart as a Partner to lead it. In addition, John Shanahan and Rob McLachlan join the firm's Australian Advisory Board.



Auckland-based TRA's offer includes research, strategy, behavioural science, cultural analysis, data and analytics, design and new ventures development. Founded in 2007 by Andrew Lewis and Amber Coulter, the firm has already recruited more than 25 new employees in 2021, and says the drive will continue in Australia.



Hobart brings twenty years of experience in insights, brand and innovation roles, including work in Australia and Europe across a broad range of sectors. He joins from cultural insights and strategy company The Lab, where he was Strategy Director.



Supporting the Australian expansion, Rob McLachlan and John Shanahan will join Coulter and Lewis on the Australian Advisory Board. McLachlan's decades of MR experience include work at Kantar, where he managed 60 creative, research and digital businesses; and AC Nielsen. Shanahan has more than 50 years' of international market research experience with Colmar Brunton and Nielsen, and is the current owner of The Advantage Group.



Lewis says of Hobart's appointment: 'Mark's deep local knowledge and hands-on experience, inquisitive mind and passion for using insight to solve complex business challenges for clients, immediately singled him out for the role... We're excited to have him at the helm of this key market and as a member of the TRA leadership team'. He adds: 'TRA is excited to bring our proposition and capabilities to Australia. Our client base is strong, and the unique offering of a boutique client experience backed by a large-scale insights provider positions us well in Australia'.



Web site: www.theresearchagency.com .




Its the art of moving playing cards in and around ones hand, making it look smooth and fluid, almost hypnotic. Its an art, and talent, called Cardistry that Jacksonville High School graduate Andrew Coats has turned into a business that helps other artists find their audience, too.

With Cardistry being the art, Coats, along with an underworld of people across the globe, are called Cardists.

A 2006 graduate of JHS, Coats was always in and around playing cards  whether he was doing magic or playing poker  during high school, but after graduating, and immersing himself in the arts community, he didnt play too often.

His first year at Lincoln Land Community College paved his way to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville that landed him jobs managing businesses like a law firm and book stores. But it was during college where Cardistry did become part of my college life, the 32-year-old said.

With Cardistry making waves in places like Europe, Asia and the U.S. around 2015, Coats continued to work after college until the COVID-19 pandemic hit, leaving him without work, which ended up being a blessing in disguise.

What am I going to do?, Coats said of his time off during the pandemic. I took a moment to think about what I really wanted to do, he said, adding that he decided to combine his love of cards, his experience in business and form a company along with magician Greg Lewis, co-owner.

Creating his business plan, both Coats and Lewis formed their company, Legerdemain, which means sleight of hand in French, according to Coats.

Whats unique about their company, and the industry, is they create custom decks of cards that are designed by artists, similar to the skateboarding industry, for example, Tony Hawks brand of skateboard decks.

But these deck of cards or not your run-of-the-mill cards, theyre custom made, using high grade finish and heavier, high quality card stock  also providing a canvas for artists.

We going to build them their platform, Coats said.

Coats and Lewis currently have one custom deck, but are working with a graphic artist to launch their second deck later in August.

Our biggest goal is to support as many artists as possible, Coats said.

As conventions are opening up, Coats and Lewis will soon be traveling to card conventions to promote their brand and designs, but also see hand in hand other cardists.

His first convention, which was in New York and called Cardistry-Con, was an eye opener for Coats.

It was really scary, he said of his experience, adding that it allowed him to see other talent and almost giving him a gauge if his.

Now, owning his own business, Coats and Lewis will be heading to Niagara Falls for another conventions called Joker Plus 52, and plan on stopping in other cities along the way to promote their brand.

With Lewis heading of the creative side, and Coats taking care more of the business side, it has opened up opportunities where all of his experiences, from JHS, college and employment to move in a direction that is healthy.

It finally feels like Im setting up my life, Coats said. My life flows a lot better now, adding that this business is a big win to be able to help other artits and like-minded people.
Illinois taxpayers can expect billions in federal tax dollars coming back to the state for various infrastructure projects over several years from the $1.2 trillion bill approved by the U.S. Senate this week. While one congressman from Illinois says its a historic and needed measure, another says it's too much spending.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Springfield, said the measure is historic.

Americans have asked us to fix crumbling roads and bridges, expand public transit and rail, and provide clean drinking water in their communities for decades. That moment has finally arrived in the Senate, Durbin said in a statement. This bipartisan bill represents the largest long-term investment in our infrastructure in nearly a century.

The White House says Illinois is in line for $9.8 billion in highway programs and $1.4 billion for bridges. Thered be $4 billion for public transit and $149 million years for electric vehicle charging stations. About $100 million would be set aside for broadband installation.

The measure is now up to the Democratic-controlled U.S. House, where it is expected to pass. U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Illinois, said hell be reviewing the bill, but worries it could be too costly for taxpayers.

Some of it is paid for with leftover COVID money, thats a good thing, but theres also a huge cost, about $260 billion over ten years, that is deficit spending, LaHood told WMAY. That frankly concerns me.

Durbin said Democrats want to go further than infrastructure spending with a $3.5 trillion plan for things like more unemployment benefits, child care, housing and green energy programs.

If we dont embark on an ambitious plan to deal with climate change and to move this economy in the right direction for working families in this country, then frankly were ready and prepared, some are, to accept a second place finish for the United States of America, Durbin said.

LaHood said taxpayers cant afford more spending.

These are all things we should have a debate about, individually and separately, but to lump them with a $3.5 trillion bill thats really a Christmas list of Democrat and progressive wish-list items, I think is the wrong approach, LaHood said.

The Congressional Budget Office says the current federal budget has deficit of $3 trillion.

With all of the money weve spent on COVID, were almost $29 trillion in debt, LaHood said. So this is significant deficit spending at a time when our national debt is skyrocketing.
Students returning to the Illinois College campus later this month still will be greeted with coronavirus-related safety precautions as school officials continue to try to provide a safe atmosphere for in-person learning.

Students move in beginning Aug. 26.

Stephanie Chipman, vice president of external relations for IC, said the school is committed to keeping students in the classroom and avoiding a shift to remote learning.

Illinois College is so happy to have in-person learning taking place, Chipman said. We believe in-person learning is vital to student success.

Chipman said those who have not shown proof of vaccination will be required to wear masks while inside buildings on campus, though the school is recommending everyone wear a mask, despite their vaccination status.

The school will require unvaccinated faculty, staff and students to be tested for the virus through the SHIELD Illinois program twice a week. Student athletes also will have to be tested to participate and will have to follow all school policies and NCAA regulations.

Students will be required to show proof of vaccination and are being asked to submit that proof prior to move-in.

School officials are trying to adapt as many activities and traditions as possible to make things as normal as possible while keeping things safe, Chipman said.

Things such as spectators at games, annual events and activities all are expected to happen, though details still are being discussed, Chipman said.

We are preparing our plans and are following recommendations by local, state and federal health organizations, Chipman said. We are just trying to keep people in the classrooms where they can benefit the most.

Tours and admission events also are expected to happen, though they will look different than in previous years.

Chipman said Illinois College was able to maintain in-person schooling during the 2020-21 academic year, even as many others had to switch to remote learning and is thankful that the schools community has been willing and able to adapt.

As the situation evolves, we will watch it closely and adapt our plans as necessary, Chipman said. We are trying to keep everyone safe and things are looking positive and we are looking forward to an exciting school year.

Chipman said the school will host vaccination clinics for those who would like to get vaccinated.

At Lincoln Land Community College, unvaccinated staff, faculty and students are required to wear masks while on campus, according to Kyla Kruse, LLCC director of communications.

LLCC strongly encourages vaccination among its students, faculty and staff, including offering vaccination clinics on campus and educational resources regarding the vaccine, Kruse said. All faculty, staff and students complete a screening process before coming to campus.

The school also will offer vaccination clinics.

A clinic for students will be Aug. 23-24 at the Jacksonville campus.
PITTSFIELD  Like most of west-central Illinois, Pike County health officials had hoped the worst of the pandemic was in the rear-view mirror.

New cases of COVID-19 plummeted from 219 in January to 43 in February. March through June saw infections clipped to dozens instead of hundreds  44 in March, 36 in April, 16 in May, and 36 in June.

Weeks later, it would explode. In July, Pike County Health Department reported 211 confirmed or probable coronavirus cases; more than February through June combined.

Five of those cases were deadly, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

The first week of August, the health department was notified of 65 new diagnoses. Six of those required hospitalization.

Adding to the concern is that the average age of the new infections is 43. Although cases were seen among all age groups, those 55 and older accounted for the majority of Illinois cases during the initial wave of the pandemic, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As of February, an estimated 0.2% of cases nationwide were among people 25 and younger.

CDC data show that, at the end of July, most COVID-19 hospitalizations were for those ages 18 to 49.

Health authorities believe part of the shift can be attributed to the rise in the Delta variant virus, which they said is significantly more transmittable. Some estimates put the number of Delta variant cases as high as 80% of all new infections.

The extent of the Delta variant in Pike County is not known at this time, according to Pike County Health Department. But there have been three confirmed cases of the variant in Pike County since June.

Since March 2020, there have been more than 2,000 COVID-19 cases and almost 60 deaths in Pike County.

About 30.5% of Pike County residents have been vaccinated, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. Thats the lowest percentage in west-central Illinois, according to department statistics, although only slightly below Greene County, where 30.6% of the population has been vaccinated.

Health departments in both counties having standing vaccination clinics: Pike County from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. today and Aug. 19 and from 9:30 a.m. to noon Aug. 26; and Greene County from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. every Wednesday.

Health officials in both counties have expressed frustration at vaccination hesitancy.

Cases continue to rise drastically in our community, largely due to our lower vaccination rate. While Illinois has (a) relatively high vaccination rate compared to other states, there is still a large percentage of Greene County residents unvaccinated, according to Greene County Health Department.

Greene County saw 53 new cases in less than a week, according to an update Tuesday.

Like Pike County, its case rate seemed to be on a downward trajectory after being hit particularly hard at the pandemics start.

Nearly 40% of recent infections in Greene County have been among those 19 years old and younger. The majority of its new cases and all of the deaths in the county have been among those not vaccinated, according to the health department.

Some misinformation out there focuses on breakthrough cases among the fully vaccinated people. The percentage of breakthrough cases in Greene County is extremely low. Among the nearly 4,000 fully vaccinated residents, roughly 0.05% of those people have been hospitalized, and none have died due to COVID-19, according to a statement from the department.

Since March 2020, there have been 1,451,094 COVID-19 and 23,551 deaths in Illinois.
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP)  Danish lawmakers have agreed to evacuate 45 Afghan citizens who worked for Denmark's government in Afghanistan and to offer them residency in the European country for two years.

The plan approved Wednesday applies to people who worked at the Danish Embassy in Kabul and as interpreters for Danish troops. Demark, like other Western nations including the U.S., recently pulled its remaining troops out of Afghanistan. Denmark opened its embassy in Kabul in 2006.

Current and former embassy employees from within the past two years are eligible for evacuation along with their spouses and children. The effort to get them out of Afghanistan must begin as soon as possible but be carried out gradually so that the embassy still can function, according to a foreign ministry statement.

The security situation in Afghanistan is serious. The Taliban are gaining ground and (this) development is accelerating more than many had feared, the Danish Foreign Ministry said after the evacuation plan received broad political support.

We have a common responsibility to help the Afghans who are now threatened due to their connection and contribution to Denmarks involvement in Afghanistan, the ministry said.

Those evacuated will be screened both in Afghanistan and upon arrival in Denmark where they will undergo a security interview with the immigration authorities and other relevant Danish authorities.

It will be a condition for the right to the two-year stay in Denmark that the evacuated persons are not considered to pose a danger to Denmarks security, the statement said.

A vote in the 179-seat Folketing legislature later in October when lawmakers reconvene after the summer break, is considered a formality.

Meanwhile, in an e-mail Thursday to The Associated Press, Danish Immigration Minister Mattias Tesfaye said the Afghan government informed Copenhagen last month that due to the instability in the country it had decided to temporarily suspend forced deportations to Afghanistan for a period of three months.

The Afghan governments decision means in practice that we cannot forcibly deport to Afghanistan until October 8 this year, as forced repatriations require that Afghan authorities are ready to receive the individual deported person at the border, Tesfaye said. However, Denmark will continue to be able to carry out voluntary repatriations.

According to Danish authorities, a single voluntary repatriation of a rejected asylum seeker to Afghanistan has been carried out, while a forced repatriation last month was postponed due to the Afghan authorities decision.

Some 45 rejected asylum seekers from Afghanistan have been in a deportation position as of July 31.

Finland, which on July 9 became one of the first countries to halt deportation of migrants to Afghanistan, has not employed local staff since 2008, the press spokesman for the Nordic countrys forces told Finnish broadcaster YLE.
With August bringing heat waves and severe weather, Illinois State Fair officials remind fairgoers to be safe in terms of weather while visiting the 2021 Illinois State Fair. The Illinois State Fair staff works collaboratively with the National Weather Service, Illinois State Police and local emergency responders to stay ahead of changing weather patterns.

In the event of severe weather, the Illinois State Fairs emergency action plan details coordination between the NWS, the Illinois State Police and fair officials. The NWS will provide telephone notifications of imminent hazardous weather threats and/or high-impact weather events immediately and around the clock to ensure all necessary personnel are informed of the changing weather conditions.

Should severe weather occur during the fair, fairgoers will be alerted by announcements over the public-address system and via push notifications from the Illinois State Fair mobile app.

If severe weather were to occur, fairgoers will be directed to shelter in place. Its important to note that fairgoers should never attempt to ride out a storm in a tent, State Fair Manager Kevin Gordon said. Find a permanent structure such as the Dairy Building, Grandstand, Emmerson Building, or a building that has clear signage marking it as a designated shelter for thunderstorms or tornadoes.

During hot summer days, it is important to stay safe while enjoying outdoor events. This includes staying hydrated, applying sunscreen, and recognizing the signs of heat illness. The Illinois State Fair offers many activities in air-conditioned buildings and water misters throughout the fairgrounds. There are more than half a dozen different cooling stations located on the fairgrounds, each clearly identified on fairground maps and the mobile app.

Additionally, volunteers from SIU Medicine operate a First Aid station in the Emmerson Building Annex, on Central Avenue near the Dairy Building. Volunteers are trained to respond to victims of injury or illness. The First Aid station is open from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

The Lost and Found Children's Center is located south of the grandstand on Grandstand Avenue. The Illinois State Police broadcasts emergency announcements from its booth on Illinois Avenue and from its headquarters on Grandstand Avenue. The center is open daily during regular fair hours.

The Illinois State Fair is planned for Aug. 12-22 in Springfield.
On Thursday, Illinois extended the deadline to apply for the Illinois Fire Department COVID Assistance program to Friday, Aug. 20.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Illinois State Fire Marshal Matt Perez announced a funding opportunity specifically addressing Illinois fire departments impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of $1 million will be available to assist approximately 80 impacted fire departments that operate in diverse communities throughout the state.

Under the one-time grant opportunity, eligible departments could receive up to $15,000 in order to make up for lost donation revenues stemming from their inability to host local fundraising events during 2020. These events pay for necessities like fuel for fire trucks, utilities and insurance.

To ensure that all eligible fire departments had an opportunity to participate, the deadline was extended.

"The COVID-19 pandemic really put a strain fire department budgets across the state but impacted smaller combination or volunteer fire departments/districts the hardest," Perez said. "These smaller departments rely on fundraising activities to help keep fuel in their trucks and the lights on in the firehouse. The OSFM is proud to help provide funding to ensure residents in the areas, served by these departments, know that when they need help someone will be there."

To be eligible for the assistance grant, fire departments must be an Illinois combination or volunteer fire department; operate within a jurisdiction at or less than 7,500 people; have an annual budget at or less than $150,000; have an OSFM Fire Department Identification Number and be current with their National Fire Incident Reporting System reports at the time of application.

The OSFM will collaborate with the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association, which will create a special committee to review the grant applications utilizing a blind review needs-based analysis. The OSFM will facilitate and directly oversee the distribution of grant awards to the recipients. The grant is financed through the Illinois Fire Prevention Fund, which is supported by a 1% assessment of the gross fire risk premium receipts of all insurance companies operating in the state.

All grant applications must be received by Aug. 20, 2021. The application review process will begin on Aug. 23, 2021 and end on Sept. 3, 2021. Grant recipients are expected to receive awards by October 2021.
Morgan County

Sheriff

ARRESTS, CITATIONS

 Jeremiah T. Panter, 22, of 31 Nob Hill Drive was booked into the Morgan County jail at 2:41 a.m. Sunday on charges of driving under the influence and illegal possession or transportation of liquor by a driver.

Jacksonville Police

ARRESTS, CITATIONS

 Rebecca Ann Hoyle, 38, of 903 N. Prairie St. was arrested at 1:22 p.m. Wednesday on a domestic battery charge after being accused of hitting someone during an argument.

 Kellie M. Stephenson, 37, of 1042 E. Morton Ave. was booked into the Morgan County jail at 5:20 a.m. Aug. 5 on a charge of criminal damage to property.

THEFTS, BURGLARIES

 A bicycle was stolen between 9 p.m Tuesday and 7:30 a.m. Wednesday from the 100 block of Kentucky Street.

 About $2 in change was stolen during the past week from a car in the 200 block of Westminster Street, according to a report filed at 8:39 a.m. Wednesday.

Compiled by David C.L. Bauer
JERUSALEM (AP)  A prominent international human rights group on Thursday accused Hamas of committing war crimes during a recent 11-day conflict with Israel by indiscriminately firing thousands of rockets toward Israeli population centers.

In its report, Human Rights Watch also said it had concluded that a misfired rocket launched by Hamas killed seven Palestinians when it fell short in the Gaza Strip. In a separate development, a U.N. agency said it had uncovered militant tunnels near one of its facilities and that Hamas had taken over one of its schools, undermining the agency's neutrality.

The New York-based rights group has repeatedly come under fire by Israel and its supporters over reports accusing Israel of war crimes against the Palestinians as well as apartheid and persecution. But in this report it agreed with most legal experts  and Israel itself  that indiscriminate rocket fire from Palestinian population centers directed at Israeli civilian areas is a violation of international law.

Palestinian armed groups during the May fighting flagrantly violated the laws-of-war prohibition on indiscriminate attacks by launching thousands of unguided rockets towards Israeli cities, Human Rights Watch acting Middle East and North Africa director Eric Goldstein said.

It based its conclusions on an investigation into Hamas rocket attacks that killed 12 civilians in Israel.

Last month the group issued a report that accused the Israeli military of carrying out attacks during the conflict that apparently amount to war crimes" after investigating three Israeli airstrikes that it said killed 62 Palestinian civilians. The group said there were no clear military targets in the airstrikes and said Israel had not taken sufficient precautions to avoid civilian casualties.

The war erupted on May 10 after Hamas fired a barrage of rockets toward Jerusalem in support of Palestinian protests against Israels heavy-handed policing at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and the threatened eviction of dozens of Palestinian families from their homes by Jewish settlers in a nearby neighborhood.

Israel has said it struck over 1,000 targets in the Gaza Strip during the fighting, while Hamas launched more than 4,300 rockets and mortar rounds at Israel, including barrages directed at major population centers around Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

In all, some 254 people were killed in Gaza, including at least 67 children and 39 women, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Hamas has acknowledged the deaths of 80 militants, while Israel has claimed the number is much higher. Twelve civilians, including two children, were killed in Israel, along with one soldier.

The rockets and mortars that Palestinian armed groups fired lack guidance systems and are prone to misfire, making them extremely inaccurate and thus inherently indiscriminate when directed toward areas with civilians, the report said. Launching such rockets to attack civilian areas is a war crime.

Israel has claimed that around 20% of the rockets Palestinian militants launched fell inside the Gaza Strip, and said that most of the remaining rockets were intercepted by the military's Iron Dome aerial defense system, or fell in open areas.

Human Rights Watch concluded that a Hamas rocket fired on May 10 killed seven people, including two children, in the Gaza Strip city of Jabaliya. It said the number of Palestinians killed by errant Hamas fire might be higher.

Munitions apparently directed toward Israel that misfired and fell short killed and injured an undetermined number of Palestinians in Gaza, the report said, adding that Hamas has not provided information about how many rockets misfired or how many people died as a result in Gaza and there are no precise independent estimates.

The Israeli military has claimed another incident on May 10, in which eight Palestinian civilians died in an explosion in the northern Gaza town of Beit Hanoun, was the result of a misfired Hamas rocket. Human Rights Watch said in its earlier report that the explosion appeared to have been caused by an Israeli missile.

The May conflict was the fourth war between Israel and Hamas since the Islamic militant group seized control of Gaza in 2007, a year after winning the Palestinian parliamentary elections. Founded in the 1980s, the group rejects Israel's existence, is responsible for scores of deadly attacks on Israeli civilians and is considered a terrorist group by the United States, European Union and Israel.

Human Rights Watch, other rights groups and U.N. officials have accused both sides of committing war crimes in all of the conflicts, and HRW said both parties have a long track record of failing to investigate" alleged violations.

The International Criminal Court is investigating possible war crimes by Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Goldstein has urged the ICC to include Palestinian rocket attacks and Israeli airstrikes during the most recent Gaza war in its ongoing investigation.

The failure of both Hamas authorities and the Israeli government to provide accountability for alleged war crimes by their forces highlights the essential role of the International Criminal Court," Goldstein said.

Israel does not recognize the courts jurisdiction and says it is capable of investigating any possible wrongdoing by its forces. It says the ICC probe is unfair and politically motivated. Israel blames Hamas for the high civilian casualty count in Gaza, accusing the group of using civilians as human shields by launching attacks and military activity from residential areas.

This week, the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, said it had discovered underground structures," including tunnels near U.N. facilities in Gaza. It said it condemned the existence of these tunnels in the strongest possible terms and sent protest letters to Hamas officials. The agency has also protested the takeover by the de facto authorities of one of these schools, which undermines the inviolability and neutrality of UNRWA premises, it said.

In Gaza, Hamas issued an angry reaction to the HRW report, calling it an injustice to our people."

The only beneficiary of such a report is the Israeli occupation, because it equated the victim with the real criminal, while our Palestinian people are exercising their legitimate right to resist the occupation, it said.

But Goldstein said, "Hamas authorities should stop trying to justify unlawful rocket attacks that indiscriminately kill and injure civilians by pointing to Israels violations.
MOSCOW (AP)  A helicopter carrying tourists plunged into a deep volcanic crater lake on the Kamchatka Peninsula in far eastern Russia early Thursday, leaving eight people missing and feared dead.

The Mi-8 helicopter crashed and sank in Kurile Lake, which was formed in a volcano caldera and crater and is located in the Kronotsky nature reserve. Another eight people who are known to have survived had to swim about 9 meters (29.5 feet) up to the lake's surface from the sinking helicopter in water that was 5-6 degrees Celsius (41-42.8 F), spokespeople for the reserve said.

Russia's Emergencies Ministry said 13 tourists and three crew members were aboard the helicopter when it crashed in deep fog. Rangers in the nature reserve heard the helicopter flying low over the lake and then the sound of it hitting the surface and immediately rushed in boats to the crash site, reaching it minutes after the helicopter sank.

Two of the eight survivors were badly injured and have been taken to the intensive care unit at a local hospital, officials said. Officials said most of the tourists on the flight were from Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Rescue teams rummaged the lake until dark and were set to resume the search Friday morning, but officials said the missing people likely got trapped in the sunken helicopter and died.

One of the survivors, Viktor Strelkin, said he had been asleep on the helicopter when a stream of water hitting his face woke him. After unfastening his safety belt, he was thrown to the top of the helicopter, where an air bubble allowed him to take a breath before he escaped through a broken cockpit window.

I do free diving, and that allowed me to remain calm, Strelkin said in a video released by Kamchatka authorities. The water was really cold. The fog was low. People on the surface were crying for help.

He said he barely managed to take off his sneakers, which were dragging him down, and immediately realized that he and others wouldn't survive long in the frigid water.

It was cold, and it was clear that we were all going to die quickly, Strelkin said. The first two boats arrived in just five minutes. If they took another five minutes to arrive, people would likely drown.

The Emergencies Ministry said that the sunk helicopter was found lying at a depth of 137 meters (449 feet), about 700 meters (2,296 feet) away from the shore of the lake. Kurile Lake is up to 316 meters (1,037-feet) deep and covers an area of 77 square kilometers (30 square miles).

The helicopter, manufactured during the Soviet era 37 years ago, was operated by Vityaz-Aero, a local private carrier. Its director said it had recently undergone maintenance and was in good shape.

Regional prosecutors were investigating a possible violation of flight safety rules.

The Mi-8 is a two-engine helicopter designed in the 1960s. It has been used widely in Russia, ex-Soviet countries and many other nations.

The area where the crash occurred can only be reached by helicopters, and fog complicated rescue efforts until the skies cleared hours after the crash.

Kamchatka, the pristine peninsula which is home to numerous volcanoes is known for its rugged beauty and rich wildlife. The Kronotsky reserve, which has Russias only geyser basin, is a major tourist attraction on Kamchatka and helicopters regularly carry tourists there.

Quickly changing weather often makes flights risky. Last month, an An-26 passenger plane crashed on Kamchatka while approaching an airport in bad weather, killing all 28 people on board.

Russian news reports said Vityaz-Aero is half-owned by Igor Redkin, a millionaire businessman who is a member of the Kamchatka regional legislature. Redkin was placed under house arrest earlier this week after he shot and killed a man who was rummaging in a garbage bin. Redkin said the shooting was accidental after he mistook the victim for a bear.

There are an estimated 20,000 bears on Kamchatka, and they occasionally roam into settlements looking for food.



Associated Press writer Daria Litvinova in Moscow contributed.
LAME DEER, Mont. (AP)  Wildfires tearing through Montana and elsewhere in the U.S. West are devouring vast rangeland areas that cattle ranchers depend upon, setting the stage for a potential shortage of pasture as the hot, dry summer grinds on.

On the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, firefighters and local authorities scrambled to save hundreds of homes in the path of a fire that started Sunday and exploded across more than 260 square miles (673 square kilometers) in just a few days, triggering evacuation orders for thousands of people.

Some ranchers stayed behind to help fight it. Yet as flames charred mile after mile of rangeland and forest, they could do little to protect cattle pastures that are crucial to economic survival for families on the remote reservation.

As the fire raged across rugged hills and narrow ravines, tribal member Darlene Small helped her grandson move about 100 head of cattle to a new pasture, only to relocate them twice more as the flames from the Richard Spring fire bore down, she said Thursday. An extreme drought that's blanketing the West has made matters worse by stunting vegetation untouched by fire.

Theyve got to have pasture where theres water. If theres no water, theres no good pasture, Small said. Particularly hard hit were some ranchers already depending on surplus grass after a fire burned them off their normal pasture last year, she said.

Meanwhile, California's Dixie Fire  which started July 13 and is the largest wildfire burning in the nation  threatened a dozen small communities in the northern Sierra Nevada even though its southern end was mostly corralled by fire lines.

The fire has burned 790 square miles (2,000 square kilometers), destroyed about 550 homes and nearly obliterated the town of Greenville last week. It was 30% contained.

The Montana blaze was primed over the last several days by swirling winds and hot temperatures. It has spread in multiple directions, torching trees and sending off embers that propelled the flames across the dry landscape.

The fire crept within about a mile (3.2 kilometers) of the eastern edge of the evacuated town of Lame Deer Wednesday night, Northern Cheyenne Tribe spokesperson Angel Becker said. It passed over a highway where officials had hoped to stop it, putting the southern portion of the reservation at increased risk, officials said.

As it closed in on the east side of town and a second fire ignited to the west, tribal officials late Wednesday urged residents who did not heed an earlier evacuation order to flee. Buses moved people to a school about 15 miles (24 kilometers) away and to a shelter set up on the nearby Crow Indian Reservation.

Lame Deer, a town of about 2,000 people, is home to the tribal headquarters and several subdivisions.

We had some people who refused, but the majority of our elders and women and children definitely left with that last push, Becker said.

With 40-foot (12-meter) flames visible from parts of Lame Deer, firefighters worked into early Thursday morning to keep the fire from destroying houses. None were reported lost, but officials continued assessing the damage. More than a dozen sheds and other outbuildings were lost, they said.

As smoke choked the air, rancher Jimmy Peppers sat on his horse east of town, watching an orange glow intensify over the site of his house as the night wore on.

I didnt think it would cross the highway, so I didnt even move my farm equipment, said Peppers, who spent the afternoon herding his cattle onto a neighbors pasture closer to town.

Also ordered to leave were about 600 people in and around Ashland, a small town just outside the reservation. It remained under an evacuation order, but officials said the danger appeared to have eased for now.

Around the perimeter of Lame Deer, crews were building fire breaks and conducting intentional burns  or burnouts"  in hopes of lessening the amount of fuel available on the ground, fire spokesperson Jeni Garcin said. Officials were cognizant of the need to protect pastureland, she said.

We fully recognize the value of grass around here, Garcin said. There's enough lost in this fire that we will be very strategic about how we do any of these burnouts.

Extreme drought conditions have left trees, grass and brush bone-dry throughout many Western states, making them ripe for ignition.

At the same time, California and some other states face flows of monsoonal moisture that were too high to bring real rain but could create thunderstorms that bring the risk of dry lightning and erratic winds.

In Northern California, a number of wildfires and the threat of more prompted three national forests to close down the Trinity Alps Wilderness Area, a 780-square mile (2,000-square kilometer) area of granite peaks, lakes and trails, into November.

Climate change has made the region warmer and drier in the past 30 years and will continue to make the weather more extreme and wildfires more destructive, according to scientists. The more than 100 large wildfires in the American West come as parts of Europe are also burning.

New research indicates wildfire smoke may be part of a vicious cycle making clouds rain less, which makes it hotter and plants drier and easier to catch fire.

Scientists flew a research plane into smoky skies six times in the U.S. West in 2018 and found five times the water droplets, but they were half the size, according to a study in Wednesdays Geophysical Research Letters. The smaller droplets arent big enough to fall as rain, said study lead author Cynthia Twohy, a cloud physicist at NorthWest Research Associates.

This is not the main cause for the lack of rain, but it could be a factor, Twohy said. The clouds are being affected. We saw that pretty clearly.

The study has worrisome implications that drought and fire can cause more drought and fire.

The main cause of the drought  a huge factor in worsening wildfires  is natural weather changes with some possible climate change, said Park Williams a hydrology and fire scientist at the University of California, Los Angeles, who wasnt part of the research.

___

Weber reported from Los Angeles.
Tourist helicopter crashes in Russian crater lake; 8 missing View Photo

MOSCOW (AP)  A helicopter carrying tourists plunged into a deep volcanic crater lake on the Kamchatka Peninsula in far eastern Russia early Thursday, leaving eight people missing and feared dead.

The Mi-8 helicopter crashed and sank in Kurile Lake, which was formed in a volcano caldera and crater and is located in the Kronotsky nature reserve. Another eight people who are known to have survived had to swim about 9 meters (29.5 feet) up to the lakes surface from the sinking helicopter in water that was 5-6 degrees Celsius (41-42.8 F), spokespeople for the reserve said.

Russias Emergencies Ministry said 13 tourists and three crew members were aboard the helicopter when it crashed in deep fog. Rangers in the nature reserve heard the helicopter flying low over the lake and then the sound of it hitting the surface and immediately rushed in boats to the crash site, reaching it minutes after the helicopter sank.

Two of the eight survivors were badly injured and have been taken to the intensive care unit at a local hospital, officials said. Officials said most of the tourists on the flight were from Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Rescue teams rummaged the lake until dark and were set to resume the search Friday morning, but officials said the missing people likely got trapped in the sunken helicopter and died.

One of the survivors, Viktor Strelkin, said he had been asleep on the helicopter when a stream of water hitting his face woke him. After unfastening his safety belt, he was thrown to the top of the helicopter, where an air bubble allowed him to take a breath before he escaped through a broken cockpit window.

I do free diving, and that allowed me to remain calm, Strelkin said in a video released by Kamchatka authorities. The water was really cold. The fog was low. People on the surface were crying for help.

He said he barely managed to take off his sneakers, which were dragging him down, and immediately realized that he and others wouldnt survive long in the frigid water.

It was cold, and it was clear that we were all going to die quickly, Strelkin said. The first two boats arrived in just five minutes. If they took another five minutes to arrive, people would likely drown.

The Emergencies Ministry said that the sunk helicopter was found lying at a depth of 137 meters (449 feet), about 700 meters (2,296 feet) away from the shore of the lake. Kurile Lake is up to 316 meters (1,037-feet) deep and covers an area of 77 square kilometers (30 square miles).

The helicopter, manufactured during the Soviet era 37 years ago, was operated by Vityaz-Aero, a local private carrier. Its director said it had recently undergone maintenance and was in good shape.

Regional prosecutors were investigating a possible violation of flight safety rules.

The Mi-8 is a two-engine helicopter designed in the 1960s. It has been used widely in Russia, ex-Soviet countries and many other nations.

The area where the crash occurred can only be reached by helicopters, and fog complicated rescue efforts until the skies cleared hours after the crash.

Kamchatka, the pristine peninsula which is home to numerous volcanoes is known for its rugged beauty and rich wildlife. The Kronotsky reserve, which has Russias only geyser basin, is a major tourist attraction on Kamchatka and helicopters regularly carry tourists there.

Quickly changing weather often makes flights risky. Last month, an An-26 passenger plane crashed on Kamchatka while approaching an airport in bad weather, killing all 28 people on board.

Russian news reports said Vityaz-Aero is half-owned by Igor Redkin, a millionaire businessman who is a member of the Kamchatka regional legislature. Redkin was placed under house arrest earlier this week after he shot and killed a man who was rummaging in a garbage bin. Redkin said the shooting was accidental after he mistook the victim for a bear.

There are an estimated 20,000 bears on Kamchatka, and they occasionally roam into settlements looking for food.



Associated Press writer Daria Litvinova in Moscow contributed.

By VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV

Associated Press
Greek wildfires a major ecological catastrophe, PM says View Photo

ATHENS, Greece (AP)  Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Thursday described the devastating wildfires that burned across the country for more than a week as the greatest ecological catastrophe Greece had seen in decades.

The fires broke out as the country roasted during the most intense and protracted heat wave experienced since 1987. Hundreds of wildfires erupted across the country, stretching Greeces firefighting capabilities to the limit and leading the government to appeal for help from abroad. Hundreds of firefighters, along with planes, helicopters and vehicles, arrived from 24 European and Middle Eastern countries to assist.

We managed to save lives, but we lost forests and property, Mitsotakis said, describing the wildfires as the greatest ecological catastrophe of the last few decades.

Speaking during a news conference in Athens, his first since the fires broke out, Mitsotakis said authorities had faced around 100 active blazes each day. By Thursday, the situation was much improved, with most large wildfires on the wane.

But the prime minister warned the danger of more blazes was still present.

We are in the middle of August and its clear we will have difficult days ahead of us until the main season during which fires break out is over, he said.

The climate crisis  Id like to use this term, and not climate change  the climate crisis is here, and it shows us everything needs to change he said, adding he was ready to make the bold changes needed.

This is a common crisis for all of us, he said.

Several Mediterranean countries have suffered intense heat and quickly spreading wildfires in recent weeks, including Turkey, where at least eight people have died, and Italy. In Algeria, wildfires in the mountains have killed at least 69 people.

Worsening drought and heat  both linked to climate change  have also fueled wildfires this summer in the Western United States and in Russias northern Siberia region. Scientists say there is little doubt that climate change from the burning of coal, oil and natural gas is driving more extreme events.

Greeces largest fire broke out on the countrys second-largest island of Evia on Aug. 3 and was still smoldering on Thursday, after having destroyed most of the islands north.

More than 50,900 hectares were damaged in northern Evia, according to mapping from the European Unions Copernicus Emergency Management Service. Entire mountains of mainly pine forest have been reduced to wastelands of blackened stumps, while olive and fig tree plantations and vineyards were also destroyed.

More than 850 firefighters, including hundreds from the Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Poland and Moldova, were continuing efforts to prevent flare-ups in the area, assisted by nine helicopters and eight aircraft, including two massive Ilyushin 11-76 water-dropping planes sent by Russia.

Two major fires were also still burning in the southern Greek region of the Peloponnese, while the fire department said Thursday evening that 106 blazes had broken out across Greece in the previous 24 hours.

The government prioritized protecting lives in its fire response, issuing dozens of evacuation orders for villages in the path of the flames. In that respect, the policy appears to have worked. One volunteer firefighter died while working in an area north of Athens hit by a major fire, after being hit by a falling electricity pole. Four volunteer firefighters have been hospitalized with burns, including two in critical condition in intensive care.

Greek authorities had been anxious to avoid a repetition of the summer of 2018, when a fast-moving wildfire engulfed a seaside settlement near Athens, killing more than 100 people, including some who drowned trying to escape by sea.

But the current tactic of evacuation orders has come under criticism by many residents and local officials in areas affected by this years fires, who have argued the orders were premature. They point to those who ignored the evacuation messages, staying behind to fight the flames and managing to save their homes.

We managed to protect thousands of people. But we lost forests and property, Mitsotakis said during his press conference. And we are here to talk about everything  (including) where nature found us unprepared.

The government has also come under criticism for not deploying enough firefighting planes and helicopters, and not sending them soon enough, particularly to Evia. Authorities have countered that the aircraft were flying wherever possible, but that the entire firefighting fleet cannot be airborne at the same time, as some need to land for essential servicing.

Asked about the cause of the fires, and whether an organized campaign of arson was suspected, Mitsotakis said it was certain that some of the fires in the last few days were the result of arson. Several people have been arrested over the past few days on suspicion of attempting to start fires, including some who are accused of doing so deliberately.

However, he added it was unclear whether this was a result of an organized plan, and noted that the hot, dry conditions had aided the spread of wildfires.

___

Follow all AP stories on climate change issues at https://apnews.com/hub/climate

By ELENA BECATOROS

Associated Press
Media, Holocaust bills test Polands ties with US, Israel View Photo

WARSAW, Poland (AP)  Poland is looking at a more difficult relationship with two allies, the United States and Israel, after lawmakers approved separate bills  on foreign ownership of media and affecting the property rights of Holocaust survivors families  which the Polish government had been warned to drop.

The European Union also slammed the media bill on Thursday as undermining media freedom, adding to pre-existing strains between Warsaw and Brussels from the EUs perception of democratic backsliding in member nation Poland.

The bills passed the lower house of the Polish parliament on Wednesday, and still require approval of the president, who supports the right-wing party that has governed the country since 2015.

The two proposals threaten to further isolate Poland, whose geographic position in Central Europe has often left it at the mercy of stronger neighbors. Polands membership of the EU and NATO and its relationship with the U.S. are considered key guarantees of the countrys security.

One of the bills that passed would push Discovery Inc., the U.S. owner of Polands largest private television network, to sell its large and popular Polish network, TVN. It follows the state broadcasting authoritys ongoing refusal to renew the license for TVNs all-news station TVN24, which expires in September.

Discovery accused Poland of violating a U.S.-Polish investment treaty, and said it notified the Polish government on Thursday that it was initiating legal action at an international arbitration court over the discriminatory campaign.

We are deeply committed to safeguarding our investment in Poland and its people, defending the publics interest in independent media and the rights of freedom of expression, said Jean-Briac Perrette, the president of Discovery International, adding that we will aggressively defend our rights.

The other bill in an administrative amendment which would result in former owners, including Holocaust survivors and their descendants, from regaining property expropriated by the countrys communist regime.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a statement late Wednesday about what he called the troubling legislation.

These pieces of legislation run counter to the principles and values for which modern, democratic nations stand, Blinken said.

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki responded Thursday by suggesting the U.S. officials do not understand the Polish bills and should analyze them more closely.

On the media bill, Morawiecki said: We do not have any intentions regarding a specific television channel. It is just about tightening the regulations so that there is no situation in which companies from outside the European Union would freely buy media in Poland.

The media bill triggered nationwide protests Tuesday. Among the participants expressing fear that their right to independent information was under attack were older Poles who remember the censorship of the communist era.

By contrast, the law which would affect the former property owners  both Jewish and non-Jewish  got almost no media coverage in Poland. But it sparked a fast and angry response from Israel, with Foreign Minister Yair Lapid saying it damages both the memory of the Holocaust and the rights of its victims.

The EU Commission said it will follow the media issue very closely while the head of the EUs top watchdog for democratic values, Vera Jourova, tweeted that the foreign ownership bill sends a negative signal.

Media pluralism and diversity of opinions are what strong democracies welcome, not fight against, Jourova wrote. We need a #MediaFreedomAct in the whole EU to uphold media freedom and support the rule of law.

European Parliament President David Sassoli also weighed in on the media vote, calling it very worrying and said if it comes into force, it will seriously threaten independent television in the country.

Michael Roth, a German government member in charge of European affairs, said democracy and the rule of law need critical and free media like the air to breathe. Laws should protect a colorful, diverse media landscape and not restrict it  and that everywhere in the EU.

The development looked to many like a crucial move in a step-by-step dismantling of the democratic standards that Poland embraced when it threw off communism in 1989.

Hungary had already set the trail for such an illiberal political direction, and the EU has shown little ability so far to do much to ensure adherence to its values either there or in Poland, both previously models of democratic transformation.

After communism ended more than three decades ago, many foreign investors entered Polands media market. Polands ruling party, led by the countrys de facto leader, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, has long seen this as a problem and sought to repolonize the media. The party argues that keeping Polish entities in control of the media is a matter of national security and that such regulations are in line with Western European standards.

However, the partys critics see the efforts to nationalize media as a pretext for silencing independent voices. The effort is well on its way. Soon after winning power in 2015, Law and Justice transformed tax-funded public media into a party mouthpiece. Last year the state oil company bought a large German-owned private media group and has since moved to change the editors.

___

Raf Casert in Brussels and Kirsten Grieshaber in Berlin contributed.

By VANESSA GERA

Associated Press
COVID-19 Regional Report Wednesday View Photo

Sonora, CA  Tuolumne County reports a COVID-19 death of a man in his 60s who was recently hospitalized. Public Health is reporting 23 new community cases and 2 new Sierra Conservation Center inmate cases. There are 229 active cases including 17 who are hospitalized. Public Health notes one individuals case has been transferred to their home jurisdiction and was removed from Tuolumnes case count.

Tuolumne Testing The State testing site, currently at Tuolumne Memorial Hall, will begin operations 7 days a week beginning this Friday, August 13th, from 7 AM to 7 PM.

The site is in the process of being relocated back to the Mother Lode Fairgrounds in Sonora and is planned to begin operating there on Wednesday, Aug. 18th.

Due to increased demand, appointments should be made rather than walking in. Appointments can be scheduled at www.lhi.care/covidtesting or by calling 888-634-1123. Testing is also available through Rapid Care or the hospital emergency department if you are experiencing any symptoms, or contact your healthcare provider.

Tuolumne Report Continues The total current case rate, a 14-day rolling average for Tuolumne County is 47.8 per 100,000 population, as noted in the Board of Supervisors meeting today here it is double the state average case rate of California. The case rate for vaccinated individuals is 13.6 and for unvaccinated is 71.8. Tuolumne County Health Director Michelle Jachetta stated about 1/3 of Adventist Health Sonora beds are being utilized by COVID patients, and it is putting a strain on the local healthcare system. The countys public building closures are here.

The gender and age breakdown for the 35 community cases is; 1 female and 1 male age 0-11, 2 females and 3 males age 12-17, 1 female and 2 males age 18-29, 1 female and 1 male age 30-39, 3 females and 1 male age 40-49, 3 females and 1 male age 50-59, 2 males age 60-69, and 1 female age 80 to 89.

Two of the new cases were vaccinated with Pfizer. Out of 706 cases, since June 15 when the first vaccinated individual was reported to have a break-through Covid infection, 68 total have been identified; 36 Moderna, 21 Pfizer, 5 J&J, 2 not identified and 2 others partially vaccinated. Public health notes that 72% of the vaccine doses administered by Public Health have been the Moderna vaccine. They state The small number of cases among vaccinated individuals does not necessarily demonstrate a lesser level of protection of one vaccine over another.

A total of 21,987 Tuolumne residents are fully vaccinated and 3,573 are partially vaccinated. The vaccination rate is 52% of eligible people in Tuolumne, those age 12 and older.

The California department of corrections reports 89 active cases at the Sierra Conservation Center (SCC). A total of 68% of the 3,310 inmates the prison manages, which includes all southern fire camps, are fully vaccinated and 1,470 inmate cases have been resolved. There have been no deaths of any inmates due to Coivd-19.

Calaveras County Public Health is reporting 27 new cases since yesterday, 123 active cases, and three active hospitalizations. Three of the cases are age 0-17 and there are six new cases in individuals 65 years and older. Since the pandemic began they have had 270 Covid-19 positive people who are 17 and under and 490 Covid-19 positive people 65 and over. Calaverass highest active cases peaked at 123 during the first COVID-19 surge in December/January.

Mariposa Public Health reports 9 new cases, 71 active cases, and four hospitalizations. Mariposa notes It was only 12 days ago that we reported our 500th case. Today they have 601 total cases. Mariposas highest active case count from the previous surge was 54 on January 4th.

Public Health continues to strongly encourage everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated, as the most important step to reduce the spread of disease and prevent serious illness and death. The California Department of Public Health and local County Health Department issued masking guidance for universal masking indoors as detailed here. Adventist Health detailed their response to the situation here. Tuolumne County has reinstated the mask mandate for those entering its county government buildings detailed here. Public Health stated on August 9 they received 8 results from Whole Genome Sequencing of COVID test samples and all results were the Delta Variant. No further details were released. Information and guidance on isolation and quarantine is available at https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/Guidance-on-Isolation-and-Quarantine-for-COVID-19-Contact-Tracing.aspx Guidelines for self-care and more tips from the CDC are here.

Vaccine appointments can be made at local pharmacies and through myturn.ca.gov or by calling 833-422-4255. Anyone 12 and older is eligible for the COVID vaccine, Pfizer is approved for children ages 12 to 17. If you have questions about MyTurn and the registration process, call Tuolumne Public Health at 533-7440 or email Health@tuolumnecounty.ca.gov

County/Date

Tier Color Active

Cases New Cases

Total Cases COVID

Deaths Amador 8/10 176 10 2,193 40 Calaveras 8/11 123 27 2,485 58 Mariposa 8/11 71 9 601 7 Mono 8/11 34 0 1,103 5 Stanislaus 8/11 1,620 167 61,228 1,102 Tuolumne 8/11 229 25 4,945 74 For other county-level statistics view our page here.
As Senate Democrats move forward on the budget reconciliation process, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), a member of the Budget Committee and Chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, continued to make the case for the inclusion of immigration reform measures to his colleagues and to the Senate parliamentarian.

Padilla was Thursdays KVML Newsmaker of the Day. Here are his words:

Madam President, I rise to speak on the Budget Resolution that will soon come before us, and the opportunity it represents to finally provide a pathway to citizenship for millions of our neighbors, friends, and family members.

I rise today on behalf of the people who are the subject of our immigration debate.

The immigrants who have lived and worked in communities throughout the United States for yearssometimes decadeswhile stuck in the limbo Congress created.

Our nation depends on the labor of immigrants.

There has been bipartisan agreement on this for generations.

But while our nation depends on the labor of immigrants, we do not provide the pathways to citizenship that these individuals and their families have earned. Today, we stand on the brink of a historic opportunity to adopt long-overdue reforms to our immigration system.

I rise to share just a few stories of the people on whom our nation depends and for whom we need to act.

In May, I had the honor of welcoming Rose Tilus to testify before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Safety, which I chair. Rose was born in Haiti, but fled gang violence and political instability at the age of 17. Alone, in an unfamiliar country, she dreamed of becoming a nurse.

But Roses immigration status kept that dream out of reach. For ten years, she sustained herself working as a housekeeper and as a babysitter. Roses life changed in 2010, when a devastating earthquake in Haiti allowed her to obtain a work permit under a program called Temporary Protected Status, or TPS. She seized this opportunity to return to school and fulfill her dream of becoming a nurseserving and caring for others in nursing homes, hospitals, and community health centers.

While Roses story is the story of the American dream  her legal status in our country is all too temporary.

Our nations economy has always depended on the dreams, the dedication, and the contributions of immigrants.

No state knows this better than California, the fifth largest economy in the world, where nearly a quarter of Americas immigrants live and call home. Immigrants make up 27% of Californias population, and they are essential to our success in every industry.

From farmworkers in the Central Valley to tech innovators in Silicon Valley.

From construction and domestic workers to nurses and teachers.

In fact, during the COVID-19 pandemic, our country has relied even more on the essential work of immigrants. More than 5 million undocumented workers have held jobs that the federal government deems essential during the pandemic.

TPS-holders like Rose care for our loved ones in hospitals and nursing homes.

DACA recipients like Erika Henriquez, a medical assistant, help to distribute COVID tests and life-saving vaccines.

Farmworkers like Vicente Reyes and his parents show up to work every day to keep grocery store shelves stocked and put food on our tables.

As has been the case since the founding of our nation, immigrants are serving at the heart of the American story.

An overwhelming, bipartisan majority knows that people like Rose, Erika, and Vicente have earned the right to live here without fear of deportation. 70% of Americans support creating a pathway to citizenship for TPS holders, Dreamers, and farmworkers. That includes a majority of Democrats, Republicans, and Independents.

Colleagues, right now, we have an opportunity to provide stability and security for the very workforce that the Department of Homeland Security, beginning with the Trump Administration, has deemed essential to our nations economy and security. As we write a reconciliation bill to create an equitable and sustainable economic recovery, we must include immigration reform.

We have strong arguments and precedent from this very body in our corner.

The logic is simple.

Providing a pathway to citizenship is a direct government action, not some carrot and stick approach involving private businesses and private actors. Newly eligible immigrants would pay fees  directly to the U.S. Government  as part of this direct government action, which would then be processed by government employees. Every step of this process involves direct government action and direct government revenues, expenditures, and personnel. And by expanding pathways to citizenship, we will grow our economy and improve workplaces for all.

Thats precisely the spirit and intent of the infrastructure investments that we are developing as part of the budget reconciliation bill.

Research by the Center for American Progress shows that providing a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, TPS holders, farmworkers and other essential workers will boost GDP by $1.5 trillion over 10 years. It will raise wages for all American workers. It will create over 400,000 new jobs. And it will generate billions of dollars of spending and tax revenue, fueling our economic recovery.

Madam President, we have more than an opportunitywe have an obligation  to pass meaningful immigration reform as part of the upcoming reconciliation bill.

For Rose, Erika, and Vicente.

For the millions of essential workers and long-term residents who lack permanent status.

For the bipartisan majority of Americans who support reform for their immigrant friends, families, and neighbors.

And for every one of our constituentsbecause ALL Americans will see the economic benefits of immigration reform.

Senora Presidente, hoy no solo tenemos una oportunidad, tenemos una obligacion de tomar accion e incluir un camino a la ciudadania para inmigrantes en el proyecto de ley de reconciliacion.

Para los millones de trabajadores esenciales y miembros de nuestras comunidades que aun buscan la residencia permanente.

Para la mayoria bipartidista de estadounidenses que apoyan estas reformas para sus familias, amigos y vecinos inmigrantes.

Y para todas nuestras comunidades, porque TODOS los estadounidenses veran los beneficios economicos de estas reformas migratorias.

Madam President, I recently met with President Biden in the Oval Office to discuss Californias immigration needs. Im thankful for President Biden and Vice President Harriss unequivocal support for including immigration reforms in the budget reconciliation process. We have an opportunity and responsibility to bring security to millions of essential workers and their families.

I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the essential work and economic contributions of immigrantsby opening their pathway to citizenship, and the American Dream.

The Newsmaker of the Day is heard every weekday morning on AM 1450 and FM 102.7 KVML.
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP)  Danish lawmakers have agreed to evacuate 45 Afghan citizens who worked for Denmarks government in Afghanistan and to offer them residency in the European country for two years.

The plan approved Wednesday applies to people who worked at the Danish Embassy in Kabul and as interpreters for Danish troops. Demark, like other Western nations including the U.S., recently pulled its remaining troops out of Afghanistan. Denmark opened its embassy in Kabul in 2006.

Current and former embassy employees from within the past two years are eligible for evacuation along with their spouses and children. The effort to get them out of Afghanistan must begin as soon as possible but be carried out gradually so that the embassy still can function, according to a foreign ministry statement.

The security situation in Afghanistan is serious. The Taliban are gaining ground and (this) development is accelerating more than many had feared, the Danish Foreign Ministry said after the evacuation plan received broad political support.

We have a common responsibility to help the Afghans who are now threatened due to their connection and contribution to Denmarks involvement in Afghanistan, the ministry said.

Those evacuated will be screened both in Afghanistan and upon arrival in Denmark where they will undergo a security interview with the immigration authorities and other relevant Danish authorities.

It will be a condition for the right to the two-year stay in Denmark that the evacuated persons are not considered to pose a danger to Denmarks security, the statement said.

A vote in the 179-seat Folketing legislature later in October when lawmakers reconvene after the summer break, is considered a formality.

Meanwhile, in an e-mail Thursday to The Associated Press, Danish Immigration Minister Mattias Tesfaye said the Afghan government informed Copenhagen last month that due to the instability in the country it had decided to temporarily suspend forced deportations to Afghanistan for a period of three months.

The Afghan governments decision means in practice that we cannot forcibly deport to Afghanistan until October 8 this year, as forced repatriations require that Afghan authorities are ready to receive the individual deported person at the border, Tesfaye said. However, Denmark will continue to be able to carry out voluntary repatriations.

According to Danish authorities, a single voluntary repatriation of a rejected asylum seeker to Afghanistan has been carried out, while a forced repatriation last month was postponed due to the Afghan authorities decision.

Some 45 rejected asylum seekers from Afghanistan have been in a deportation position as of July 31.

Finland, which on July 9 became one of the first countries to halt deportation of migrants to Afghanistan, has not employed local staff since 2008, the press spokesman for the Nordic countrys forces told Finnish broadcaster YLE.

By JAN M. OLSEN

Associated Press
NAACP: Justice must probe arrest threats against Texas Dems View Photo

WASHINGTON (AP)  The NAACP, one of the nations leading civil rights groups, is urging the Justice Department to investigate whether a federal crime was being committed when Texas Republicans threatened to have their Democratic colleagues arrested for refusing to attend a legislative session in an effort to try and block a sweeping elections overhaul bill that makes it harder to vote in the state.

NAACP President Derrick Johnson sent the letter late Wednesday to Kristen Clarke, who runs the Justice Departments civil rights division. In the letter, Johnson said he had conferred with at least three of the Democrats who had been threatened with arrest and agreed that federal authorities should step in to investigate.

At this time when political minorities are threatened with being rounded up and imprisoned in Texas, the eyes of the country and the world are upon DOJ and how it deals with Texass actions, Johnson wrote.

Earlier Wednesday, officers of the Texas House of Representatives delivered civil arrest warrants for more than 50 absent Democrats as frustrated Republicans ratcheted up efforts to end the standoff. Refusing to attend legislative sessions is a violation of House rules  a civil offense, not a criminal one, leaving the power the warrants carry to get Democrats back to the chamber unclear, even for the Republicans who invoked it. But Democrats would not be jailed.

Republican Travis Clardy, who helped negotiate an early version of the voting bill that Democrats first stopped with a walkout in May, told ABC News he believed they can be physically brought back to the Capitol.

Johnson urged the Justice Department to determine whether their actions violate federal civil rights laws, including an offense that prohibits conspiring or threatening to deprive someone of their constitutional rights. The letter says the Justice Department could determine that the Texas governor and Republican members of the Texas House have openly conspired to violate civil rights law.

Without DOJs protection, it is more than likely that those intent upon subverting democracy in Texas will be successful in their efforts, the letter says. Furthermore, reminiscent of authoritarian regimes, Texass government will be able to jail and detain those who stand up to those in power.

Texas is among several states where Republicans have rushed to enact new voting restrictions in response to former President Donald Trumps false claims that the 2020 election was stolen. The current bill is similar to the ones Democrats blocked last month by going to Washington. It would ban 24-hour polling locations, drive-thru voting and give partisan poll watchers more access, among other things.

In June, the Justice Department sued Georgia over that states new election law, alleging Republican state lawmakers rushed through a sweeping overhaul with an intent to deny Black voters equal access to the ballot.

A Justice Department spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Johnsons letter.

By MICHAEL BALSAMO

Associated Press
GUATEMALA CITY (AP)  Central American migrants being expelled by the United States and flown deep into Mexico for deportation to their homelands drew concerns from U.N. agencies Wednesday about the treatment of vulnerable migrants needing humanitarian protection.

Details of the highly unusual bilateral effort also began trickling out, with a Guatemalan official saying that Mexico is busing Guatemalans, Hondurans and Salvadorans to remote border crossings with Guatemala after they arrive on U.S. government flights. Mexican immigration agency buses are unloading migrants from those flights at international crossings in El Carmen and El Ceibo. The latter is a particularly remote outpost where there is a small shelter, but little else.

The migrants were expelled by the U.S. after being denied a chance to seek asylum under a pandemic-related ban.

Guatemala is not participating in the joint campaign, said the official, who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

A spokesperson for Mexicos immigration agency said they had no information.

Guatemalas immigration agency confirmed in a statement later that groups of migrants had arrived at the border posts of El Ceibo and El Carmen. The agency said it always tries to maintain a process of migratory control and emphasized the need to follow such controls as well as pandemic-related health requirements. It did not mention the U.S. flights to southern Mexico.

The U.S. Homeland Security Department confirmed last week that it had begun expelling migrants by air to Mexico under a pandemic-related authority that prevents migrants from seeking asylum at the border. Officials speaking on condition of anonymity told The Associated Press the flights include Central American families who are to be deported by Mexico to their homelands after landing.

Matthew Reynolds, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees representative to the United States and Caribbean, said returning asylum-seekers to their countries without proper screening for the dangers they are fleeing would violate international law.

Individuals or families aboard those flights who may have urgent protection needs risk being sent back to the very dangers they have fled in their countries of origin in Central America without any opportunity to have those needs assessed and addressed, Reynolds said in a statement.

The flights to southern Mexico also strain limited humanitarian resources there and raise the risk of coronavirus infection, he said.

The refugee agency was one of five U.N. agencies, including UNICEF, its human rights office, womens agency and the International Organization for Migration, that expressed concern for the U.S. governments continued use of the public health justification for not allowing the normal asylum process.

Natalia Lorenzo, from Guatemalas Human Rights ombudsman office in Peten, said that on Wednesday the migrant shelter in El Ceibo was packed and she saw at least 15 Hondurans walking after being dropped off by Mexican officials at the border.

The people are walking along the highway because they say they dont have money to return to their country by bus, Lorenzo said. Its abusive how they are just leaving them at the border.

The U.S. Homeland Security Department, which has not responded to questions about the flights since the first one last Thursday, said the frequency of repeat crossers and transmissibility of the delta variant of the coronavirus necessitated resumption of flights to Mexico.

Daniel Berlin, deputy director of the nongovernmental organization Asylum Access, said that his organization is the largest legal services provider for asylum-seekers in Mexico, yet they have not been given any access to the people being flown into southern Mexico, despite having an office in Villahermosa where U.S. flights have landed this week.

Flying asylum-seekers to Mexico where Mexican authorities then deport them to Guatemala is unlawful, Berlin said.

If Mexico is going to forcibly return anybody from Mexico to Guatemala, it has international obligations to ensure that the people who they are returning do not need international protection, dont need refugee status, Berlin said. As far as we understand, that is not happening at all.

For years, the U.S. government has intermittently flown deported Mexican migrants back home to make it more difficult to try to cross the border again, but this appears to be the first time it has flown Central Americans to Mexico instead of their home countries.

The move comes after President Joe Biden jettisoned many of his predecessors hardline immigration policies, describing them as cruel or unwise, including one that made asylum-seekers wait in Mexican border cities for hearings in U.S. immigration court.

Biden also scrapped agreements with Central American countries for asylum-seekers to be sent there to have their claims heard, denying any prospect of settling in the United States.

Berlin said what is happening now is worse than those Trump administration agreements.

All theyre doing is dropping people off in Peten, I mean in the jungle, at the border, he said. So theres not even a pretense of process. Its just a forcible return to the poorest part of a country that in general is ill equipped to deal with these kind of protection needs.

Repeated efforts by Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and other top U.S. officials to discourage Central Americans from making the journey to the U.S. border have fallen flat.

July will likely mark the highest monthly count of unaccompanied children picked up by U.S. agents at the border with Mexico and the second-highest number of people arriving in families, David Shahoulian, Homeland Security assistant secretary for border and immigration policy, said in a court filing last week.

___

Associated Press writer Christopher Sherman in Mexico City contributed to this report.

By SONIA PEREZ D.

Associated Press
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  The California Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to consider reining in Gov. Gavin Newsoms emergency powers during the coronavirus pandemic, leaving in place a lower courts ruling that the governor acted within his authority.

The justices unanimously denied the petition for review filed by Republican Assemblymen James Gallagher and Kevin Kiley, without giving an explanation beyond the one-line order.

The lawmakers had wanted the high court to overturn a decision in May by three judges from the 3rd District Court of Appeal in Sacramento who ruled unanimously that Newsom did not illegally usurp the Legislatures power with his broad use of emergency powers to make far-reaching policies during the pandemic.

Newsom, a Democrat, faces a Sept. 14 recall election driven largely by anger over his handling of the pandemic, including his unilateral imposing of restrictions such as the nations first stay-at-home order in March 2020.

Kiley is one of the 46 candidates who will be listed on the ballot to replace him if a majority of voters decide to oust the governor in mid-term.

Gallagher tweeted that it means that the highest court in CA has taken a pass on providing any legal review of perhaps the greatest example of executive overreach in modern history. They literally have nothing to say about it. Sad.

But Newsom spokeswoman Erin Mellon called their lawsuit a misguided attack on a state law signed by then-Gov. Ronald Reagan, a Republican, that governors of both parties have relied on for a half-century while responding to emergencies.

Its a law that carefully balances the Legislatures and Governors roles, and were glad the state Supreme Court recognized there was no need to entertain fringe legal theories that sought to upset that balance, she said in an email.

The governor used his emergency powers to suspend school deadlines, block evictions, suspend medical privacy rules and push back tax filing deadlines, amid dozens of other decisions. They ranged from allowing grocery stores to once again hand out free single-use plastic bags to allowing marriages to be conducted by video or teleconference.

The lawsuit itself centered on just one executive order, where Newsom required election officials to open hundreds of locations statewide where voters could cast ballots.

The appeals court said that portion of the claim was moot because the governors order was superseded by a subsequent state law that was in turn directed at an election that has already occurred.

The appellate judges twice rejected findings by two Sutter County superior court judges that Newsom had done too much unilaterally. Both judges had more broadly attempted to bar the governor from issuing any orders under the California Emergency Services Act that amended state laws or legislative policy.

The appeals court relied on a section of the law that gives the governor complete authority over all agencies of the state government and the right to exercise within the area designated all police power vested in the state by the Constitution and laws of the State of California.

Kiley and Gallagher said then that the ruling essentially gave the governor the power to legislate in what they said was a violation of the state Constitution.

By DON THOMPSON

Associated Press
SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP)  A Southern California woman was convicted Wednesday of pushing her 7-month-old son to his death from the fourth story of a hospital parking garage.

Sonia Hermosillo, 41, of La Habra, was convicted by a jury of one felony count of first-degree murder and one felony count of assault on a child causing death, the Orange County district attorneys office said in a statement.

The jury will now decide whether Hermosillo was legally sane when she pushed Noe Medina Jr. from the parking structure of the Childrens Hospital of Orange County on Aug. 22, 2011.

According to trial testimony, Hermosillo had struggled with mental health issues after the birth of the boy, who had been undergoing treatments at the hospital for several medical problems, including a congenital issue that twisted his neck.

He was sick, and his mother didnt want him, prosecutor Mena Guirguis told jurors at the trial. She made a cold-hearted decision to kill her child.

After driving to the hospital, Hermosillo took off a helmet that the boy was wearing for one condition and pushed him from the building, prosecutors said.

Hermosillo then walked inside the hospital, validated her parking, and drove away, the DAs statement said.

The boy died two days later.

Arrested hours after her sons fall, Hermosillo told police that she had hate, resentment and anger toward the boy because hes sick, authorities said.

On Wednesday, defense attorney Jacqueline Goodman said the child actually was getting better and that Hermosillo suffered from a psychotic break at the time of his death, the Orange County Register reported.

During the police interview, she repeated I dont love him dozens of times, the attorney said.

That is not a confession. It is mental illness, Goodman said.

Hermosillo pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. The sanity phase of her trial was scheduled to begin on Aug. 24. If found sane, she could be sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.
ANKARA, Turkey (AP)  Turkish authorities said Thursday the death toll from the severe floods and mudslides that struck the north of the country has risen to 17, and one more person is still reported missing.

The floods battered the Black Sea coastal provinces of Bartin, Kastamonu, Sinop and Samsun on Wednesday, demolishing homes and bridges and sweeping away cars. Helicopters scrambled to rescue people stranded on rooftops.

As floodwaters began to recede across the affected regions in Turkey's north, a statement from the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency, or AFAD, said rescuers had recovered six bodies in Kastamonu.

Later Thursday, nine more bodies were found in the worst-hit town of Bozkurt, in Kastamonu, and two bodies were found in Sinop. An 80-year-old woman was reported missing in Bartin province.

The disaster struck as firefighters in southwest Turkey worked to extinguish a wildfire in Mugla province, an area popular with tourists that runs along the Aegean Sea. The blaze, which was brought under control on Thursday, was one of more than 200 wildfires in Turkey since July 28. At least eight people and countless animals died and thousands of residents have had to flee fierce blazes.

Climate scientists say there is little doubt that climate change from the burning of coal, oil and natural gas is driving more extreme events, such as heat waves, droughts, wildfires, floods and storms. Such calamities are expected to happen more frequently on our warming planet.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan issued a message of condolences for the 17 victims and said his ruling party was postponing Saturday's celebrations for the 20th anniversary of its founding due to the disasters we lived through in the past days.

Floodwaters inundated much of Bozkurt. One building collapsed and a second building was damaged in the town, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported. In Bartin province, at least 13 people were injured when a section of a bridge caved in.

The military said its helicopters airlifted 80 people to safety in the region. Overall, more than 1,400 people were evacuated to safe areas, and hundreds were being housed in student dormitories, AFAD said.

Hundreds of villages in the affected areas were left without power and several roads were blocked.

Turkeys Black Sea region is frequently struck by severe rains and flash flooding. At least six people were killed in floods that hit the eastern Black Sea coastal province of Rize last month.

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Follow AP's coverage of climate issues at https://apnews.com/hub/climate-change
NEW DELHI (AP)  An Indian rocket failed in its attempt Thursday to put a satellite into orbit to provide real-time images used to monitor cyclones and other potential natural disasters.

A technical fault occurred in the third and final ignition stage shortly after the rocket was launched from the space center in Sriharikota in southern India, the country's space agency said.

The satellite was to be geostationary, meaning it would orbit in sync with the Earth and remain over a fixed position. It would provide images of cloud bursts and thunderstorms and obtain data for agriculture, forestry and marine purposes.

The space agency did not disclose what would happen to the rocket and satellite after the ignition failure.

Since the third stage has not ignited, it has not attained the velocity which would keep it in orbit. It will fall back to Earth sometime soon. Tracking will tell that later, said Pallava Bagla, an outside expert.

This was the fourth failure of 14 rocket launches of a geostationary platform since 2001, the Economic Times newspaper said.

India has an ambitious space program with decades of research allowing it to develop satellite, communications and remote sensing technologies that are helping solve everyday problems at home, from forecasting fish migration to predicting storms and floods.

The government has set a deadline of 2022 for Indias first manned spaceflight.

In 2019, India sent a spacecraft to explore water deposits on the far side of the moon but couldn't successfully land the vessel on the lunar surface.
Canned wine is having a moment right now: According to the Wine Industry Advisor, the market share of canned wine (in relation to the larger wine industry) went up during the pandemic, and experts projected that by 2025, canned wine will make up 10% of the market.

If youre a purist, there may not be much canned wine can do to get your attentionbut if youre open-minded and in the market for easily tote-able wines, its a great option to have on the shelves now. According to Thomas Andersen, the expert celler master of the acclaimed wine cellar at Brittania Hotel in Trondheim, Norway, the Wine World is probably really split between those who are embracing canned wine and those who arent: Classic drinkers, or classically oriented professionals, are probably less intrigued, whereas more forward-thinking consumers might find it quite interesting.

Canned wine is also often positioned as a more sustainable alternative to traditional wines that come in glass bottles (because of the highly recyclable nature of aluminium), and it also has the added benefit of being portable.

But what canned wine should you go with? I assembled an international crew of regular-people wine enthusiasts, including my mother in Kansas, a wine-curious Welshman, a wine-conservative Tuscan, and of course myself, to figure out which canned wines were actually worth our while (and cash). If youre going to spend your hard-earned dollars on wine to take to a neighbors barbecue or a friends birthday picnic, it shouldnt taste like youve licked a magnet.

Canned red wine

Revelshine 2019 Red

Sure, weve been talking about cans here, but one sibling away from them is the aluminum bottleand what this one holds is organic, too. The aluminum bottle concept when it comes to wine makes sense: Its a bit more than a can (the Revelshine holds three glasses), has a screwtop so you can easily close it and not worry about bringing a wine opener, and has all the unbreakable and eco-friendly advantages of a can (this one bills itself as infinitely recyclable). It comes from a fourth-generation winemaker who wanted to invent something to go where glass bottles cant.

Of the three Revelshine varieties the Tuscan and I sampled, the 2019 red stood up the best and tasted exactly like what it was: a light California red. Its best served close to room temperature (theres a little edge when its chilled), and unlike a lot of canned reds, theres little to no metallic flavor that carries over from the can.

It was a pleasant wine, easy to drink, says Tuscan taster Daniele Ianniello. For being the idea of the bottles in the aluminium, the wine was something I would drink...it was really nice.

Acclimated to ambient temperatures, its got a lot of blackberry and cherry in it with some acidity that lingersthough its not complex, it succeeds in its job of being easy-drinking, and its acidity and simplicity allow it to set off, versus take center stage against, summer and falls rich, fatty barbecue flavors.

Canned bubbly wine

Black Girl Magic Bubbly Rose

For brunches when you want a couple of mimosas or afternoons when you want to have a prosecco but dont want the fuss of re-corking a bottle, Black Girl Magic Prosecco Rose is a great pick. McBride Sisters is the United States largest Black-owned winery, and when it comes to their canned Black Girl Magic Prosecco Rose, what the winemakers have created is pretty magical indeed.

While some canned proseccos I tried for this article remained metallic on the finish, my mother found that the limited edition (i.e. dont wait to order some) is shy of sweetness with great bubbles that stand up in the glass and noted that it does go down fast! :D (One can of this equals about half a bottle.) Expect aromas of strawberry and tangerine zestjust make sure to serve it chilled.

McBride Sisters Black Girl Magic Rose McBride Sisters totalwine.com $17.99 Shop Now

Canned white wine

Kim Crawford Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc drizly.com $16.99 Shop Now

Kim Crawfords Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc has been a go-to for dry white-wine-lovers for years  and now its available in canned form. It retails in packs of two 250-ml. cans, which equals one-third of a bottle. Thats about a glass and a half according to current health advice, or one glass poured by someone who just got home from work on a Monday. Per my mother, who tasted this for the greater good, theres not a lot of canny taste if you just want to crack it open, but once it goes into the glass, she noticed the grapefruit tones took a backseat. In addition to citrus, youll also get flavors of melon and stone fruit. Bring it to a seafood boil  it goes great with summer food, my mom said: Think lobster and oysters and summers fresh, light salads  or just drink it alone.

The wildcard

Archer Roose Rodi Rose

Archer Roose Rodi Rose drizly.com $16.99 Shop Now

Archer Roose isnt one vineyard, but rather a company that features different varieties of wine from around the world. The rose is a white wine made from 100% Greek Roditis grapes thats made with native yeasts and fermented while still in contact with the grapes skin. It was, in the opinions of the Welshman and this writer, the standout from the company  dry and tart, with some cidery funk on the nose and a lot of grapefruit and melon in the sip. The flavors rounded out after a few minutes the glass, and it offered more complexity than many other wines. At 10.5%, its light enough for a lunch wine, but it would pair well with vegetables and a range of meats on the grill. It stood out especially well against the dry, salty flavors of arugula- and prosciutto-topped Neapolitan pizza without overwhelming them.
San Antonio is full of charismatic, passionate, and hilarious people. Some of San Antonio's own have used their dazzling personalities and various interests to gain fame on TikTok, the video-sharing social network where you can spend hours and not even scratch the surface.

While there is no doubt that there are more up-and-coming stars from the Alamo City, here's a look at some of the most recognizable TikTok stars representing San Antonio.

Anyone who gets lost down a rabbit hole watching videos of delicious food should definitely be following Jerry Yguerabide. From creating inventive foods to showing how to make basic essentials, Yguerabide has found his stride on TikTok, where he has nearly 682,000 followers. His presence on the platform has also led to him working his way up in San Antonios culinary scene, H-E-B deals, and even collaborations with Buzzfeed.

After going viral in 2020, Isabella Sosa has become a content creator across multiple platforms, though she keeps the TikToks coming (and each with more than an ounce of satire). Expect fashion looks, self-deprecation, and other goofy content if you join Sosas 684,000 followers on TikTok.

Casey Hamilton

Though previously based in Florida, San Antonio transplant Casey Hamilton is a name widely recognized on TikTok, which is no surprise given that he has 6 million followers. The former teacher first posted content for other educators, then shifted to dance videos, clips of his voice acting talents, and other positivity-heavy videos that show off Hamiltons goofy side.

Arguably the most widely recognized TikTok star from the Alamo City, Adam Martinez is known for his puro videos as Rosa, a character based on the girls he grew up with (hey, you might be one of them). Though hes since expanded his content to include clips of him looking legitimately glam (and always with fierce nails) and dancing as a TikTokers do, Martinez keeps the laughs coming with his Rosa videos.

With sponsorships from Fenty Beauty and Anastasia Beverly Hills, Belinda Salazar has a vast audience across her social media profiles. On TikTok, where she has nearly 130,000 followers, Salazar shows off her glam beauty looks in tutorials and clips of her jamming out while getting ready (expect lots of rap).

Courtesy, Katie McRose

While you may not be about that farm life in the real world, giving Katie McRose a follow on TikTok lets you take in her oddly satisfying videos of her shearing sheep, alpacas and llamas. Along with her wife, McRose has shorn more than 6,000 animals on 600 farms across nine different states. McRose has nearly 1.6 million followers on the platform.

With a collection of wigs and jokes at the ready, Southsider Alex Aj Rivas makes puro content for any local who loves starting cumbia circles. Though he has a dedicated character named Yessica who makes up the best of puro culture, Rivas also spoofs scenes from Selena, collaborates with other TikTok stars, and dishes out all sorts of Latino-inspired content. Rivas has nearly 200,000 followers on the platform.

TikTok screenshot

Born in Brownsville and now based in San Antonio, Gabriel Salazar has amassed more than 1.3 million followers on TikTok. Like many influencers, his content  which is mostly lip-syncing clips and short skits  has taken off on the platform. Though he doesnt share content related to San Antonio living, you can see shots of the Alamo City in some of his TikToks.

Love magic tricks? Youll see plenty if you follow Chris Avallone, who has 340,000-plus followers on the platform. Since hes practiced magic since he was a kid, learning from his father, Avallone knows lots of tricks, so youre bound to be amazed by something youve never seen before.

Brought to you by Nina Duran and Samantha Najera, this comedy duo keeps the puro content coming  and always with terrible eyebrows that may or may not look familiar. With their alter egos of Frijolita and Lil Chismosa, these puro chicas will make you crack up  and feel seen.
LAS VEGAS (AP)  A homeowner accused of shooting three tenants, killing two of them, after an argument over unpaid rent at his Las Vegas home told a witness that he didnt want to go through the eviction process, a prosecutor said Wednesday.

Arnoldo Lozano-Sanchez wanted to handle it, quote-unquote, his way, Chief Deputy District Attorney Tim Fattig told a judge.

The judge decided Lozano-Sanchez, 78, should remain jailed without bail pending his arraignment on murder and attempted murder charges in the slayings of two women and the wounding of a man who authorities said was shot nine times.

Lozano-Sanchez made statements about the victims not paying rent and that he was certainly upset about it, Fattig said.

Police reported arriving at his small home early Tuesday to find one woman dead outside, the wounded man stumbling out the front door and another woman dead in a bedroom.

The wounded man was hospitalized in critical condition but is expected to survive, police said.

Lozano-Sanchez refused to speak with police after his arrest. A police report obtained by the Las Vegas Review-Journal said he told a witness, Adria Ortega, several days ago that he was angry about his tenants not paying rent.

Ortega suggested Lozano go to court to evict the people living inside his home. Lozano Sanchez told the witness he would handle it his way, the report said.

Fattig revealed that another tenant, a man identified in the police report as Carlos Lopez, was in the house during the shooting but was not shot.

Lopez told police that he saw Lozano-Sanchez go into a bedroom where a woman pleaded for her life, multiple gunshots were fired and the wounded man ran out.

The surviving roommate heard and saw the defendant enter into another bedroom in the house, and he heard cries for help from the occupants and thereafter heard the defendant shoot them, Fattig told the judge. He also saw the defendant exit that bedroom, smiling.

The names of the victims, all in their 50s, were not immediately released.

Sarah Hawkins, a deputy public defender representing Lozano-Sanchez, protested that reading a police arrest statement in court did not amount to evidence. She lost a bid to have him freed on $10,000 bail and house arrest.

The judge set Lozano-Sanchezs next court date for Monday.

Police say they had no immediate information linking the rent dispute with a nationwide eviction moratorium that expired last week but was reinstated for areas with high transmission of COVID-19, including Nevada.

The modified ban from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention faces legal challenges and lasts until Oct 3.

Fattig told the judge that Lozano-Sanchez asked a neighbor to help him dispose of the gun, but police found it in a nearby bush.
LM Otero /Associated Press

Gov. Greg Abbott has formally responded to local governments and school districts that are defying his executive order banning face mask mandates.

More for you News What mask is best for the delta variant of COVID-19?

In a news release on August 11, Abbott announced any school district, public university, or local government official that decides to defy the order will be taken to court. He notes the Texas Disaster Act states that the governor has the power to guide the state through emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
When body-positive advocate Fallon Melillo traveled to Miami for a fun trip with her girls, she didn't expect to be turned away and shamed for her size by a "fat-phobic" Miami party bus service on July 31.

"It was humiliating and embarrassing," the San Antonio woman tells MySA. "If this would've happened to somebody else, I probably would have gone off right then and there, but I was shocked and uncomfortable. You never think this is something that would happen to you."

With nearly 50,000 followers on TikTok, the 27-year-old isn't holding back and using her platform to call out the Spring Break Miami Party Service Bus for discriminating against plus-size women. In her viral video explaining the experience, she has reached more than half a million views.

Melillo says she and her friends bought tickets through a club promoter to board the Spring Break Miami Party Service Bus, which would take them to the Daer Night Club at the Hard Rock Hotel. Melillo tells MySA she sent her friend $40, thinking all was well.

However, when Melillo, 27, looked at the business' Eventbrite, she noticed the party bus service notes how it does not accept "big girls" on its bus. It read, "Sorry, no big girls for this party! The doorman is very strict on appearance. If you have had problems getting into exclusive clubs before, then this is not for you! Please don't waste your time nor ours thinking that we can get you inside if you do not meet the qualifications."

Fallon Melillo

Melillo says she brought it up to her friends, but none thought it could be true as the club promoter didn't relay that message to them. On arrival at the meet-up location, Melillo says the staff member took one of her friends aside and informed her that they would not allow her on the bus.

The group received refunds and ended up taking an Uber to Daer Night Club, where Melillo says she had no problem getting into the pool party. She says she contacted the club via chat to see if they don't allow plus-size women, and the business said they do. Melillo also noted the party bus service isn't affiliated with the nightclub.

Since her viral video, the party bus service has not posted any upcoming events on Eventbrite under Spring Break Miami Party Service Bus. The business also deleted its original event from July 31. Melillo believes they may have changed their name.

Melillo says she wouldn't be surprised if other services use the same discrimination towards plus-size individuals. In an Eventbrite page from "The Camp," there's a note included where it states the event is "very exclusive" and has the right to "deny service."

"Nobody should be basing thing off looks ... we are people. We are good-paying customers. We're just like normal people. Just because we're not small or not straight-sized doesn't mean we should be denied access to events or party buses."

"It's not only this company," she continues. "Lots of other promoters are changing their name and saying fatphobic things as well. It's just wrong, and I hope this brings awareness of how they are making others feel."

MySA reached out to Daer, "The Camp" business, and Eventbrite for comments. None have responded as of press time.
Three state district judges in Houston have signed orders to temporarily protect more than 40 Texas Democrats from civil arrest for being absent from the state House, state Rep. Gene Wu, D-Houston, told The Texas Tribune on Thursday.

House Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, signed warrants earlier this week for those lawmakers, many of whom have refused to return to the chamber for weeks to block a GOP elections bill. But on Wednesday, Wu was granted the same order by one of those state district judges, Judge Chris Morton of the 230th Criminal District Court, which the lawmaker said temporarily shields him against the warrant should law enforcement track him down.

"Now, 44 of my colleagues have the same protections I have, at least temporarily," Wu said in a statement. "Nobody can detain or drag us back to the House floor against our will."

It's unclear how long the orders will remain in place.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has already said he plans to fight Wu's order in a similar manner to how the state fought a previous temporarily restraining order by a state district judge in Travis County that sought to block the arrest of the quorum-breaking Democrats. In that case, the all-GOP court voided the order temporarily on Tuesday. Those Democrats have said they plan to push forward with their request for a temporary injunction in Travis County on Aug. 20. That injunction, if granted, could again grant them protection from arrest.

"If we have to take it to the Texas Supreme Court," Paxton told Lubbock radio host Chad Hasty on Wednesday, "we'll do it."

Asked about Thursday's additional legal challenges to the warrants, Phelan's office also pointed to the Texas Supreme Court.

The Texas Supreme Court will be the ultimate arbiter on this issue," said Phelan spokesperson Enrique Marquez. "Speaker Phelan feels confident in the arguments that were made and we expect a timely resolution of this issue in the immediate future. The Supreme Courts ruling will be binding across the entire state.

A spokesperson for Gov. Greg Abbott, who joined Phelan in asking the Supreme Court to overturn that ruling from a Travis County judge, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Wu told the Tribune that he and his 44 colleagues would appear either in-person or via Zoom before the courts for hearings scheduled Friday and next week as the judges weigh questions about jurisdiction over the civil arrest warrants.

"We will not be willing participants in the silencing of our communities," Wu said in his statement. "We will do what's right for the Texans we were elected to represent and we will continue our patriotic duty defending our republic."

The Texas Tribune is a nonpartisan, nonprofit media organization that informs Texans  and engages with them  about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.
Yves here. Every cloud has a silver lining. The surge in US Covid cases is pretty much eating up the airways, with the Cuomo defenestration running a distant second. That means the US press is paying scant attention to the Taliban quickly moving in after the US left Afghanistan. The rout of our Afghan allies is making the end of our engagement in Vietnam look good by comparison. But as this post explains, the US is unable to control its impulse to shore up appearances, and is so wasting materiel and killing more civilians.

By Medea Benjamin, cofounder ofCODEPINK for Peace<, and author of several books, includingInside Iran: The Real History and Politics of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Nicolas J. S. Davies, an independent journalist, a researcher with CODEPINK and the author of Blood On Our Hands: the American Invasion and Destruction of Iraq



American flag is lowered as U.S. soldiers leave Helmand province, southern Afghanistan, May 2, 2021. Photo: Afghan Ministry of Defense Press Office

Nine provincial capitals in Afghanistan have fallen to the Taliban in six days  Zaranj, Sheberghan, Sar-e-Pul, Kunduz, Taloqan, Aybak, Farah, Pul-e-Khumri and Faizabad  while fighting continues in four more  Lashkargah, Kandahar, Herat & Mazar-i-Sharif. U.S. military officials now believe Kabul, Afghanistans capital, could fall in one to three months.

It is horrific to watch the death, destruction and mass displacement of thousands of terrified Afghans and the triumph of the misogynist Taliban that ruled the nation 20 years ago. But the fall of the centralized, corrupt government propped up by the Western powers was inevitable, whether this year, next year or ten years from now.

President Biden has reacted to Americas snowballing humiliation in the graveyard of empires by once again dispatching U.S. envoy Zalmay Khalilzad to Doha to urge the government and the Taliban to seek a political solution, while at the same time dispatching B-52 bombersto attack at least two of these provincial capitals.

In Lashkargah, the capital of Helmand province, the bombing has already reportedly destroyed a high school and a health clinic. Another B-52 bombed Sheberghan, the capital of Jowzjan province and the home of the infamous warlord and accused war criminal Abdul Rashid Dostum, who is now the military commander of the U.S.-backed governments armed forces.

Meanwhile, the New York Times reports that U.S.Reaper drones and AC-130 gunships are also still operating in Afghanistan.

The rapid disintegration of the Afghan forces that the U.S. and its Western allies have recruited, armed and trained for 20 years at a cost of about $90 billion should come as no surprise. On paper, the Afghan National Army has 180,000 troops, but in reality most are unemployed Afghans desperate to earn some money to support their families but not eager to fight their fellow Afghans. The Afghan Army is also notorious for its corruption and mismanagement.

The army and the even more beleaguered and vulnerable police forces that man isolated outposts and checkpoints around the country are plagued by high casualties, rapid turnover and desertion. Most troops feelno loyaltyto the corrupt U.S.-backed government and routinely abandon their posts, either to join the Taliban or just to go home.

When the BBC asked General Khoshal Sadat, the national police chief, about the impact of high casualties on police recruitment in February 2020, he cynically replied, When you look at recruitment, I always think about the Afghan families and how many children they have. The good thing is there is never a shortage of fighting-age males who will be able to join the force.

But a police recruit at a checkpoint questioned the very purpose of the war, telling the BBCs Nanna Muus Steffensen, We Muslims are all brothers. We dont have a problem with each other. In that case, she asked him, why were they fighting? He hesitated, laughed nervously and shook his head in resignation. You know why. I know why, he said. Its not really ourfight.

Since 2007, the jewel of U.S. and Western military training missions in Afghanistan has been the AfghanCommando Corps or special operations forces, who comprise only 7% of Afghan National Army troops but reportedly do 70 to 80% of the fighting. But the Commandos have struggled to reach their target of recruiting, arming and training 30,000 troops, and poor recruitment from Pashtuns, the largest and traditionally dominant ethnic group, has been a critical weakness, especially from the Pashtun heartland in the South.

The Commandos and the professional officer corps of the Afghan National Army are dominated by ethnic Tajiks, effectively the successors to the Northern Alliance that the U.S. supported against the Taliban 20 years ago. As of 2017, the Commandos numbered only 16,000 to 21,000, and it is not clear how many of these Western-trained troops now serve as the last line of defense between the U.S.-backed puppet government and total defeat.

The Talibans speedy and simultaneous occupation of large amounts of territory all over the country appears to be a deliberate strategy to overwhelm and outflank the governments small number of well-trained, well-armed troops. The Taliban have had more success winning the loyalty of minorities in the North and West than government forces have had recruiting Pashtuns from the South, and the governments small number of well-trained troops cannot be everywhere at once.

But what of the United States? Its deployment of B-52 bombers, Reaper drones and AC-130 gunships are a brutal response by a failing, flailing imperial power to a historic, humiliating defeat.

The United States does not flinch from committing mass murder against its enemies. Just look at the U.S.-led destruction of Fallujah and Mosul in Iraq, and Raqqa in Syria. How many Americans even know about the officially-sanctioned massacre of civilians that Iraqi forces committed when the U.S.-led coalition finally took control of Mosul in 2017, after President Trump said it should take out the families of Islamic State fighters?

Twenty years after Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld committed a full range of war crimes, from torture and the deliberate killing of civilians to the supreme international crime of aggression, Biden is clearly no more concerned than they were with criminal accountability or the judgment of history. But even from the most pragmatic and callous point of view, what can continued aerial bombardment of Afghan cities accomplish, besides a final but futile climax to the 20-year-long U.S. slaughter of Afghans by over 80,000 American bombs and missiles?

The intellectually and strategically bankrupt U.S. military and CIA bureaucracy has a history of congratulating itself for fleeting, superficial victories. It quickly declared victory in Afghanistan in 2001 and set out to duplicate its imagined conquest in Iraq. Then the short-lived success of their 2011 regime change operation in Libya encouraged the United States and its allies to turn Al Qaeda loose in Syria, spawning a decade of intractable violence and chaos and the rise of the Islamic State.

In the same manner, Bidens unaccountable and corrupt national security advisors seem to be urging him to use the same weapons that obliterated the Islamic States urban bases in Iraq and Syria to attack Taliban-held cities in Afghanistan.

But Afghanistan is not Iraq or Syria. Only 26% of Afghans live in cities, compared with 71% in Iraq and 54% in Syria, and the Talibans base is not in the cities but in the rural areas where the other three quarters of Afghans live. Despite support from Pakistan over the years, the Taliban are not an invading force like Islamic State in Iraq but an Afghan nationalist movement that has fought for 20 years to expel foreign invasion and occupation forces from their country.

In many areas, Afghan government forces have not fled from the Taliban, as the Iraqi Army did from the Islamic State, but joined them. On August 9th, the Taliban occupied Aybak, the sixth provincial capital to fall, after a local warlord and his 250 fighters agreed to join forces with the Taliban and the governor of Samangan province handed the city over to them.

That very same day, the Afghan governments chief negotiator, Abdullah Abdullah, returned to Doha for further peace talks with the Taliban. His American allies must make it clear to him and his government, and to the Taliban, that the United States will fully support every effort to achieve a more peaceful political transition.

But the United States must not keep bombing and killing Afghans to provide cover for the U.S.-backed puppet government to avoid difficult but necessary compromises at the negotiating table to bring peace to the incredibly long-suffering, war-weary people of Afghanistan. Bombing Taliban-occupied cities and the people who live in them is a savage and criminal policy that President Biden must renounce.

The defeat of the United States and its allies in Afghanistan now seems to be unfolding even faster than the collapse of South Vietnam between 1973 and 1975. The public takeaway from the U.S. defeat in Southeast Asia was the Vietnam syndrome, an aversion to overseas military interventions that lasted for decades.

As we approach the 20-year anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, we should reflect on how the Bush administration exploited the U.S. publics thirst for revenge to unleash this bloody, tragic and utterly futile 20-year war.

The lesson of Americas experience in Afghanistan should be a new Afghanistan syndrome, a public aversion to war that prevents future U.S. military attacks and invasions, rejects attempts to socially engineer the governments of other nations and leads to a new and active American commitment to peace, diplomacy and disarmament.
Yves here. While we are all shocked, shocked to learn that Big Pharma pays Big Bucks to get what it wants in the Beltway, even the jaded might be a bit surprised to learn that theyve also suborned the National Academy of Science. Even worse, this isnt the first instance of influence-peddling via the National Academies to be called out.

This story is important original reporting and I hope you circulate it.

By Christina Jewett, Kaiser Health News Senior Correspondent whose reporting on secretive FDA device-reporting loopholes resulted in the release of 5.7 million records and was recognized with the Barlett & Steele Gold award, the SPJ Sunshine Award and an Edward R. Murrow award and was a Goldsmith Award finalist, among others. She previously worked at Reveal/The Center for Investigative Reporting, ProPublica and The Sacramento Bee. Originally published at Kaiser Health News

To several U.S. senators, it looked wasteful, even outrageous. Every year, taxpayers pay for at least $750 million worth of expensive pharmaceuticals that are simply thrown away. Companies ship many of the drugs in Costco-size vials, one lawmaker said, that once opened usually cannot be resealed or saved for other patients. Yet pharma gets paid for every drop.

So Congress turned to the prestigious National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine for advice, given its reputation for independent, objective reports on such matters. The national academies influential report, released in February, struck physicians whove tracked the issue as distinctly friendly to Big Pharma. It advised against an effort to recoup millions for the discarded drugs. It concluded that Medicare should stop tracking the cost of the drug waste altogether.

Yet the report left out a few key facts, a KHN investigation has found.

Among them: One committee member was paid $1.4 million to serve on the board of a pharmaceutical corporation in 2019 and in 2020 joined the board of a biotechnology company that lists government cost containment efforts as a risk to its bottom line.

Another committee member reported consulting income from 11 to 13 pharmaceutical companies, including eight that Medicare records show have earned millions billing for drug waste. His pharma ties were disclosed in unrelated publications in 2019 through this year.

Those committee members said they reported relevant relationships to the national academies and that the information is readily available outside of the report.

Whats more: The National Academy of Sciences itself for years has been collecting generous gifts from foundations, universities and corporations, including at least $10 million from major drugmakers since 2015, its treasurer reports show. Among the donors are companies with millions to retain or lose over the drug waste committees findings.



The fact that those relationships were not disclosed in the final report by an organization charted in 1863 to advise the nation amounts to egregious failures, said Sheldon Krimsky, a Tufts University professor and expert on conflicts of interest in science.

The amount of money youre reporting is really substantial, he said. It really raises questions about the independence of the national academies.

In a statement emailed to KHN, the national academies said the two members with undisclosed board and consulting roles had no current conflicts of interest during the time the [drug waste] study was being conducted from January 2020 through February. The report did disclose conflicts for two others on the 14-member board. The report in question was paid for by federal officials, and funds from for-profit organizations with a direct financial interest in the outcome of a study may not be used to fund advisory consensus studies, except in rare circumstances, national academies spokesperson Dana Korsen said in the emailed statement.

She also said the organization is implementing a new conflict-of-interest policy that will be fully in place this fall.

Protecting the integrity, independence, and objectivity of our study process is of the utmost importance to the National Academies, her statement said.



The committees failure to call for concrete changes  and the millions in gifts from pharmaceutical companies to the national academies  looked familiar to David Mitchell, president of Patients for Affordable Drugs and a cancer patient who relies for his survival on a drug with high waste costs.

We have found in our work that pharma is like an octopus, he said, and at the end of each tentacle is a wad of cash.

Waste Shocked Policymakers in 2016

Dr. Peter Bach and colleagues published an explosive paper in 2016 that for the first time showed that taxpayers and health insurance rate payers were bankrolling an estimated $2.8 billion a year in drug waste. The findings encompassed all U.S. health care  not just whats reported by doctors offices to Medicare  and were covered widely in the news.

Bach, a researcher with the Center for Health Policy and Outcomes at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, found that medications infused in doctors offices often arrived in vial sizes fit for a linebacker but might be given to a waif. Given sterility and other concerns, the extra milligrams, often for cancer therapies that can cost thousands of dollars per dose, were typically discarded.

Congress and policymakers took notice.

In 2017, Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) introduced a billurging health care agencies to develop a joint action plan to address the waste. Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) introduced an even stronger measure in 2019 and again this year that would allow Medicare to recoup the cost of the wasted drugs. None of the bills has passed.

The refund mandate made it into a broader drug pricing measure that also failed, but not before the Congressional Budget Office took a close look in 2020 and estimated $9 billion could be saved over a decade.

Medicare officials also urged doctors to use a billing code to document the amount taxpayers were spending on wasted drugs each year  which amounted to $753 million in 2019 alone, Medicare data shows.

Before and while Bachs paper was making waves, physicians who would eventually be on the national academies committee were forging alliances with the pharmaceutical industry.

Dr. Kavita Patel reported earning a speaking fee in 2015 from the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, or PhRMA, of $5,001 to $15,000. She also accrued assets valued at more than $50,000 for her role as a pharmaceutical company board member, according to 2015 and 2018 disclosures filed with the Government Accountability Office.



Dr. Kavita Patel appears on MSNBC to discuss the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in December 2020. ( Dr. Kavita Patel appears on MSNBC to discuss the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in December 2020. ( YouTube

Dr. Anupam Jena, who also served on the committee, wrote a 2018 article with staff members of PhRMA arguing that medications should be valued not for their actual benefit, but rather for the potential for innovation that comes with making new therapies.

The Kiss of Death

In 2016, lawmakers called for an independent study of the drug waste. In September 2019, the National Academy of Sciences was awarded $1.2 million to complete the report.

At the outset of its study in January 2020, national academies committee members declared their potential conflicts of interest in a closed session, according to the meeting agenda.

Bach was among the physicians and other experts who later presented to the national academies committee. He said his team had laid out two possible solutions from the start: Have companies make a variety of vial sizes to minimize waste, or pursue refunds.

Former Medicare administrator Donald Berwickpresented to the committee at a June 2020, virtual meeting, exhorting its members to defy the expectation that theyd be one more committee that failed to do anything meaningful about health costs.

Someones got to begin to set a standard and say, Nope, this money is too important for  us to accede to this, Berwick told the committee.

The reports recommendations were the result of extensive fact-finding, full committee discussions and unanimous consensus, said committee chairperson Dr. Edward Shortliffe, chair emeritus and adjunct professor in the Department of Biomedical Informatics at Columbia University.

The report, though, did not meet Berwicks call to action. In a webinar summarizing the report findings, Jena described the drugs as valuable enough to justify the total cost of each vial, completely used or not. Patel and others summarized the findings in a STAT opinion piece, saying the committee argued against tracking the money wasted and instead called for a whole of government approach.

Bach said the conclusions were better than pharma could have ever hoped for and called the whole-of-government idea the kiss of death.

Berwick said that he was disappointed by the conclusions and that all committee members industry relationships should have been reported. He noted that, in his experience, committee members have been very open about conflicts and the national academies dismissed those who had them.

Presented with KHNs findings about certain committee members undisclosed pharmaceutical company income and consulting relationships, Bach said they raise serious concerns.

The conflicts align just way too closely with the results, he said. Thats what makes it hard to ignore.

Current Conflicts Dont Tell Full Story

Conflicts of interest became a hot topic more than a decade ago, amid a series of scandals over Big Pharma quietly backing influential doctors.

Reforms followed, with countless medical journals, nonprofits and government agencies strengthening their conflict-of-interest policies.

The national academies came under scrutiny in 2014 and 2016 for failing to disclose conflicts among committee members advising federal officials on opioid use and in 2017 on genetically modified crops.

Its webpage on conflicts underscores why strong disclosure rules are important: The institution should not be placed in a situation where others could reasonably question, and perhaps discount or dismiss, the work of the committee simply because of the existence of such conflicting interests.

Yet conflict-of-interest experts interviewed by KHN said the national academies stands out by considering only current conflicts and not those going back three years, as is more typical. Korsen said the National Academy of Sciences is working toward requiring five years of disclosures.

Several experts said that, given the trust placed in  and $200 million in federal funding awarded to  the national academies, a number of conflicts should have been disclosed in the report.

They include those of Patel, who is described in her report biography as a Brookings Institution fellow, a primary care physician in Washington, D.C., and former Obama administration policy adviser.

The national academies declined to provide the conflict-of-interest form that Patel or any other member filled out at the outset of the committees work in early 2020.

Unrelated Securities and Exchange Commission records show that, before she joined the committee in 2020, Patels role as a board member for Tesaro, a developer of cancer medications, became very lucrative when GlaxoSmithKline bought the company. At the time of the 2019 sale, Patel was in line to receive an estimated $1.4 million for her shares and stock options, according to a December 2018 Tesaro securities filing.

Also in 2020, Patel was appointed to the board of Sigilon Therapeutics, a biotech company with no product on the market. The company awarded her stock options then worth an estimated $369,000, an SEC filing shows.

Sigilon described state and federal efforts to control costs as a risk to its business in an annual report to investors: Any cost containment measures could significantly decrease  the price we might establish for our products.

The national academies lack of disclosure of those roles to me is a violation of almost all the standards that Im aware of for disclosing conflicts of interest, said Krimsky, of Tufts.

Patel told KHN she fully and transparently participated in the disclosure process and provided all of the information requested. She said: In addition, many of the financial relationships incurred over the course of my work had already been disclosed in the public record.

Patel was the lead writer on the Feb. 25 opinion piece in STAT that summarizes the committees report as focusing on the need to reduce inefficiencies, rather than on trying to recover from pharmaceutical companies the financial worth of the portion of drug that was not used.

Patel said she was objective in all of my contributions to the national academies report.

The national academies  as an organization  reported in its 2016 treasurer report that while 84% of its funding in 2011 was from federal agencies, the amount was failing. So it was working to grow the non-federally sponsored work.

It will be very important for the future of the institution to continue vigorous efforts to diversify its sources of income, the treasurer report says.

A KHN review of treasurer reports from 2015 through 2020 shows that pharmaceutical companies have given consistently to the national academies. Drugmakers donated at least $10 million over those years. Their giving is reported in ranges, often $100,000 to $500,000, and that total assumes they gave the lowest amount in each range each year.

A 2018 treasurer report recognized Merck & Co. for more than $5 million in cumulative giving and 10 other drugmakers for donating more than $1 million.

None of those donations was listed in the drug waste report. But listing them would reassure readers, said Genevieve Kanter, a University of Pennsylvania assistant professor of medical ethics and health policy.

If the national academies is interested in producing a credible, independent report, she said, I think they would report all of those donations in the report itself.

Jena, a Harvard Medical School associate professor, physician at Massachusetts General Hospital and an economist, also had no conflicts disclosed in the report.

Jena has disclosed consulting fees from a dozen major pharmaceutical companies, articles in the Journal of the American Medical Association and The BMJ show. Most of those companies have a direct financial interest in the drug waste matter, a KHN review of Medicare data shows. He said he disclosed all his consulting relationships to the national academies.

After the report came out, he took the lead on a Health Affairs article that says Medicare should stop tallying the waste money.

Attempts by public payers to recoup overpayments are unlikely to be successful since they may simply end up paying higher prices if drugmakers raise the price tag for the medications.

That article initially omitted his consulting relationships with numerous pharmaceutical companies  but journal editors updated the disclosures after KHN inquired.

Jay Hancock and Megan Kalata contributed to this report.
On the evening of July 1, as the streetlights were starting to come on, a small crowd was gathering in front of Davidson County District Attorney Glenn Funks Hillsboro-West End home. The group, which included a number of the citys most visible Black activists, was there to protest a just-announced plea deal that would see former Metro Nashville Police Officer Andrew Delke serve a year-and-a-half of a three-year sentence for the killing of Daniel Hambrick in 2018.

Funk and his family did not appear to be home that night, but the message coming from the street was loud and clear.

Were calling on anyone who wants to run against Glenn Funk, come holler at us, said former public defender and onetime congressional candidate Keeda Haynes during a passionate address to the crowd gathered just beyond Funks front yard. Similar calls rang out the following day as a courtroom erupted into chaos when Delkes plea deal was being finalized.

In 2014, Funk was elected to succeed longtime DA Torry Johnson after spending 25 years as a defense attorney. He defeated Johnsons hand-picked successor, Rob McGuire, by 10 points in a victory propelled in large part by support from Black voters. Seven years later, Funk is preparing to run for re-election in 2022 and assuming he wont be alone.

I hear people say that Im going to have competition, Funk tells the Scene. I am preparing to run a contested race.

If he is going to have competition, its not clear yet who its going to be. One obvious potential candidate is Haynes, an attorney with name recognition and credibility among those who want to see dramatic change in the citys criminal justice system. But she tells the Scene that as of right now she is not running.

Haynes does add, though: Nashville definitely deserves better than Glenn Funk. Particularly Black Nashville deserves better than Glenn Funk.

Another name bandied about by Metro insiders is Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Beth Myers. Shes gotten buzz for the top prosecutor job in the Middle District but would also make a natural candidate for DA. Reached by the Scene, though, Myers says she cant comment, citing the legal restrictions associated with her job as a federal prosecutor. (The Hatch Act prohibits federal employees like her from engaging in partisan political activity.)

Other candidates could emerge. For now, Funk will be making his case and, of course, raising money. Beside his status as an incumbent, thats another obstacle a challenger would have to overcome: Funks latest financial disclosure shows he has more than $310,000 on hand. (Disclosure: One max donor is Bill Freeman, the real estate executive and longtime Democratic donor who owns the Scene.)

The Delke deal was, to activists and supporters of the Hambrick family, a stark example of the way that Black lives are devalued in the criminal justice system even under supposedly progressive-minded prosecutors. Asked whether he needs to repair his relationship with Black Nashvillians, Funk acknowledges that the way the Delke case ended was undoubtedly triggering emotionally for a number of reasons. He says it was a hard call, but one he believes was right based upon the facts and the law that were going to apply to that case.

What I am expecting is that folks will realize an officer for the first time in history was held accountable, he says. An officer for the first time in Tennessee history, maybe in the history of the country, was not only convicted of a killing where the person who was shot had a handgun in their hand, but pled guilty to that offense.

Its true, as Funk notes, that he also angered organizations like the Fraternal Order of Police by charging Delke with murder in the first place. But the FOP will be happy with at least one of his other positions. He agrees with Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake that the police department needs more funding, not less. He argues better policing will require more cops.

To get to a place where folks are out of their cars and positioned in the proper zones, to drive down violent crime, were gonna need more police officers, Funk says. How many more? Im not the police chief. But it is going to require more police officers trained correctly and doing the job in a way where theyre part of a community and theyre actually preventing crime. You cant have a statistic where the metrics of a good police officer is how many arrests you make. Its impossible to quantify how many crimes did you prevent through your presence? But I think well see it community-wide if we have those extra resources put into the police department, and theyre deployed correctly under Chief Drakes leadership.

Many see Funk as a progressive prosecutor, though, and thats not completely without merit. He established a Conviction Review Unit, which has acted on several wrongful convictions; against opposition from the Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery, he sought to have the death sentence of a Black Nashville prisoner, Abu-Ali AbdurRahman, replaced with a life sentence because of racism and prosecutorial misconduct during his original trial; he directed his office to stop prosecuting people for simple possession of marijuana; and he has defied the state legislature by announcing he would not enforce one law that requires doctors to tell women that chemical abortions can be reversed, nor would he enforce legislation requiring businesses and public facilities to post signage if they allow transgender people to use bathrooms matching their gender identity.

If re-elected, he says he wants to see restorative justice programs expanded into adult courts and continue work around determining and addressing root causes of domestic violence.

Yet there are some  including the people who gathered on Funks street earlier this summer, and more beyond that  who say his progressive stances only paper over a system that still disproportionately ensnares poor and nonwhite Nashvillians. Theres no doubt that theyll continue to push whoever leads the DAs office. Whats not clear is if someone will step forward and try to take the job.
(Natural News) Theres an expression credited to French writer Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr, who wrote in 1849, The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Often used sardonically, the phrase is meant to mean, simply, that often, things remain very consistent even as change happens around us. Think of it in this way: You may move into a new office at work but the Internet is still horrible. Or you may get a new, faster car, but the traffic to and from work still sucks.

Or this: Even as our country fought a civil war, passed anti-slavery legislation, and, a century later, ditched poll taxes and other Jim Crow laws in the Deep South, there is still segregation even today. And its being committed by black people.

BizPac Review notes:

A black Atlanta mother has filed a federal lawsuit against a black principal and public school after her daughter and other students were separated by race and then taught in separate classrooms.

Kila Posey filed her complaint against Mary Lin Elementary School in which she said Principal Sharyn Briscoe informed her that she instituted the segregated classroom concept because she felt that would be best for students.

In her complaint, Posey (pictured above) said that Briscoe told her that she put black students in their own classrooms, separate from white students, because she thought that somehow they would get a better education, apparently.

But to her credit, Posey, who is also black, wasnt having that.

Posey, who is vice president of operations for the local Parent Teachers Association (PTA), told local media that she learned about the segregated classrooms when she asked Briscoe to put her daughter in a certain classroom with a specific teacher. In response, Briscoe said that wouldnt be possible because the teacher that Posey requested for her daughter was not head of a classroom designated for black students.

[The principal] said thats not one of the black classes, and I immediately said, What does that mean? I was confused, Posey recounted in an interview with WSB-TV, a local station, after discovering what was going on last year.

I asked for more clarification. I was like, We have those in the school? And she proceeded to say, Yes. I have decided that Im going to place all of the black students in two classes, Posey continued.

Weve lost sleep like trying to figure out why would a person do this, Posey said.

First, it was just disbelief that I was having this conversation in 2020 with a person that looks just like me  a black woman, Posey told the station. Its segregating classrooms. You cannot segregate classrooms. You cant do it.

Shes absolutely right, of course; forced segregation is so against federal law (not to mention every standard of equality and decency Americans claim to care about and cherish).

Posey and her attorney, Sharese Shields, believe that Briscoe clearly violated the Civil Rights Act.

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 says that you cannot treat one group of people differently based upon race, and that is what is going on at Mary Lin, Shields told the local station.

Posey went on to say that despite Briscoes highly illegal act, she nevertheless insisted that her daughter be placed into a classroom that also had white students.

I explained to [Briscoe] she shouldnt be isolated or punished because Im unwilling to go along with your illegal and unethical practice, Posey added.

But this outrage gets worse.

Posey confidentially recorded a phone call with an unnamed assistant principal who told her that the decision to segregate was up to Briscoe, adding this incredibly racist nugget: I just wish we had more black kids, and then some of them are in a class because of the services that they need.

What services? We can only guess because the unnamed official didnt expound.

In a statement, Atlanta Public Schools officials put a lot of distance between itself and Briscoes actions.

Atlanta public schools does not condone the assigning of students to classrooms based on race. The district conducted a review of the allegations. Appropriate actions were taken to address the issue and the matter was closed, said a statement to WSB-TV.

Sadly, the district didnt announce that Briscoe was quickly fired upon learning about what shed done, which is exactly what should have happened.

Sources include:

BizPacReview.com

WSBTV.com

EndGame.news
(Natural News) Americans who are deemed to be high risk for spreading the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) will soon have a new home in one of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) shielding initiative internment camps.

According to a CDC document published last year, the private corporation posing as a federal agency outlined plans to isolate unclean Americans in camps or community settings for a period of time no shorter than six months, and up to forever, to purge them of Tony Fauci and Peter Daszaks made-in-China coronavirus.

The CDC maintains that dirty people who are possibly teeming with said Chinese Germs must be held in these concentration camps until sufficient hospitalization capacity is established; effective vaccine or therapeutic options become widely available; or the COVID-19 epidemic affecting the population subsides.

In the event that hospitals across the country become overwhelmed with sick patients, the CDC wants to load Americans into trains to have them hauled off to the nearest shielding facility to be cured.

The shielding approach aims to reduce the number of severe COVID-19 cases by limiting contact between individuals at higher risk of developing severe disease (high-risk) and the general population (low-risk), the document explains.

Elderly, children and other vulnerable people to be hauled off to CDC concentration camps

In what is shaping up to become a second Holocaust, the CDC says that old people, those with underlying health conditions, and children must be taken to its concentration camps to be cleansed of the Fauci Flu  whether they want to or not.

It is no longer up to individuals to make their own health decisions as the CDC has decided that it, and only it, can determine whether or not a person is safe or dangerous. Those who are dangerous must be dealt with in safe or green zones,' the CDC document reveals.

People in green zones would have been limited to no contact with the outside world, explains Claire Marie Merkowsky, writing for Life Site News.

Green zones are defined as being at the household, neighborhood, or camp level. A camp or sector level is defined as a group of shelters such as schools, community buildings within a camp/sector (max 50 high-risk individuals per single green zone) where high-risk individuals are physically isolated together.'

The CDC document specifically outlines how each camp will only have one entry point through which food and supplies can be brought in for the unclean. There is also a designated meeting area where residents can interact with visitors, just so long as they stay six feet apart at all times.

Isolation / separation from family members, loss of freedom and personal interactions may require additional psychosocial support structures / systems, the document explains. Separating families and disrupting and deconstructing multigenerational households may have long-term negative consequences.

According to DeAnna Lorraine, who ran against Democrat Nancy Pelosi in Californias 12th Congressional District, the CDCs green zones are, in fact, concentration camps where the medical fascists hope to corral the herd for the next phase of the plandemic.

They are about to unleash this on us, she told Stew Peters during a recent episode of his talk show. We know that a lot of people have been talking about how Biden is probably going to issue another lockdown. Going along with that is what they are calling the shielding approach.

And what the shielding approach is, is removing people from their households, from their families, even separating couples, who they believe are high risk. The camps will be built in different communities all across the nation. Every city will have these camps.

To keep up with the latest about Chinese Virus tyranny, be sure to visit Fascism.news.

Sources for this article include:

LifeSiteNews.com

CDC.gov

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) A 33-year-old German farmer found a way to grow fruits beneath solar panels, proving that a solar farm can harvest more than just electricity.

Fabian Karthaus grew up with solar energy. My father built the first photovoltaic system on the barn roof and you could see that it worked, he said. Now, he owns two large solar power systems with berries growing underneath one of them.

Karthaus took over his fathers farm near the western German town of Paderborn five years ago. But the trained electrical engineer still works during the day as a product manager for agricultural electronics. I cant feed a family with the earnings from growing 80 hectares of field beans, grain, rapeseed and corn crops, he said.

There was also a significant drop in yield over the past few years because of heat and drought. My wife and I started thinking about how we could continue to operate the farm in a meaningful way, Karthaus said.

Thats how the idea of growing berries under a solar roof with translucent modules was born.

We thought about which kind of berry goes with what sort of light and shade. Blueberries and raspberries are woodland plants, so that works really well, he said.

The first harvest from the seedlings last year was good.

Roofs made of solar modules save water

Usually, the plants are grown outdoors or in foil tunnels. But Karthaus thought the shade under the modules could increase yields. Extremely hot summers are now an increasing problem for plants, even in Germany. Roofs made of solar modules reduce evaporation, saving water in the process.

We once measured it here. The evaporation is about a quarter compared to plants in the open field, he explained. (Related: Solar panel farm grows 17,000 tons of food without soil, pesticides, fossil fuels or groundwater.)

Of course, the solar modules also provide electricity. With 750 kilowatts of power, the system generates about 640,000 kilowatt-hours a year, which is equivalent to the electricity needs of 160 households.

Karthaus wants to use part of the solar power to operate his own refrigeration and freeze-drying systems. If he had to buy the electricity from the energy supplier, that would cost him around 0.25 ($0.29) per kilowatt-hour.

Its a win-win situation for everyone. It means that we can generate green power locally, decentralized, where the energy is consumed, said Karthaus.

In Germany, this method of cultivation works well for soft fruits, apples, cherries, potatoes and produce such as tomatoes and cucumbers. Differing plants and module designs might be more suitable in other parts of the world.

Experts see huge potential for agrivoltaics worldwide

One has to estimate the optimal light conditions for the plants as well as local demand for electricity.

There are big regional differences. It depends on what is being grown, what the climate zones are, what the rural structures are, said Max Trommsdorff, an expert in agrivoltaics at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems.

Agrivoltaic is the approach to use or develop the same area of land for both solar photovoltaic power and agriculture. (Related: Installing solar panels on farmland could change how we generate power and produce food.)

Trommsdorff and his colleagues advise governments worldwide about agrivoltaics and recently organized an international conference on solar energy and farming. They see huge potential for agrivoltaics worldwide. The vast majority of agrivoltaic plants are found in Asia, but some can also be found in Europe, Mali, Gambia and Chile.

The worlds largest agrivoltaic plant, with a capacity of around 1,000 megawatts and covering 20 square kilometers (about 8 square miles), is located on the edge of the Gobi Desert in China. The cultivation of goji berries under the module roofs is intended to make the dry earth fertile again.

Farmers in Japan are already harvesting from more than 2,000 agrivoltaic systems.

The aim here is to support structural change, stop the rural exodus, and create prospects for the rural population, said Trommsdorff.

France pioneered wine growing under the agrivoltaic system in Europe. The French government provides subsidies for modular roofs that are intended to protect vines.

Many grape varieties get too much sun and heat due to climate change, Trommsdorff said. Shade can bring some benefits here.

Renewables company builds one of Europes largest agrivoltaic projects

German renewables company BayWa r.e. and its Dutch subsidiary GroenLeven have built one of Europes largest agrivoltaic projects at the Piet Albers fruit farm in Babberich.

This latest extension to the project involves the installation of 10,250 solar panels across 3.2 hectares of raspberry crops, generating enough clean energy to power close to 1,250 households, said Stephan Schindele, agrivoltaic project manager at BayWa r.e.

Careful monitoring throughout the pilot study showed that the climate under the panels is in fact more stable than under traditional plastic arches. The panels created a more favorable lower temperature and better protected the crops from the weather.

The project had to overcome a number of challenges in its development, including the fair distribution of scarce photons from the light spectrum for raspberry growing and solar power generation in the same area. BayWa r.e. designed a unique semi-transparent solar module allowing sufficient sunlight for the plants to pass through while at the same time protecting the crop from hail, heavy rain and direct sunlight.

BayWa r.e. and GroenLeven also teamed up with Wageningen University & Research in the Netherlands to investigate four additional test projects that involve other berry crops, including red currant, blueberries, blackberries and strawberries.

Our new study will investigate the effect of the solar panels on these soft fruits and sensors will monitor the climate under the panels. In addition, we will monitor the plants health and fruit growth, Schindele said.

The ultimate goal is that through research and monitoring, the agrivoltaic projects will show that the solar panels actually improve the quality of the fruits and reduce the cost of production.

Follow SolarPanels.news for more news and information related to solar panels and solar energy.

Sources include:

EcoWatch.com

EnergetskiPortal.rs
(Natural News) Democrats make it obvious by the day that they are a lawless party filled with members who have no respect for the processes of government if they arent in the majority, demonstrating that they are literally willing to blow the system up for their own selfish political purposes.

Case in point: Democrats in the Texas legislature.

Nationally, we saw how Democrats literally worked to steal President Donald Trumps reelection last year. And now, in the Lone Star state, Texas Democrats fled their Capitol to deny majority Republicans a quorum so they could pass an election integrity bill that would stop Democrats from stealing elections in that state the way they did in states like Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Georgia and Arizona.

Thankfully, Republicans in Texas have a spine and are fighting back. Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan is using state law to issue arrest warrants for 52 House Democrats who walked out on the current special legislative session for a third time, leaving him and the remaining lawmakers little choice.

USA Features News reports:

Phelan moved forward with the warrants after the Texas House voted 80-12 to have the errant Democratic members arrested. It was the second time that a similar vote was taken during the Democrats ongoing efforts to deny majority Republicans a quorum.

Also Tuesday, the Texas Supreme Court overturned a lower state courts ruling that barred the legislature from issuing arrest warrants for the absent Democrats.

Democrats were hoping that their flit would deny the statehouse the minimum number of lawmakers required to conduct official business  by fleeing the state to stop Republicans agenda to potentially ban drive-thru and 24-hour voting, among other sweeping restrictions, the Daily Mail added.

The Supreme Court of Texas swiftly rejected this dangerous attempt by Texas Democrats to undermine our Constitution and avoid doing the job they were elected to do, Abbott spokesperson, Renae Eze, told Fox News. We look forward to the Supreme Court upholding the rule of law and stopping another stall tactic by the Texas Democrats.

Naturally, Democrats remained arrogant despite the fact that they are in the wrong, not Republicans.

In a video posted to Twitter, fugitive Rep Ron Reynolds said he and his Democratic colleagues would be going to a jail, we would be going to the House chambers where they would basically be forcing a quorum.

They would take us against our will to the House floor, he noted further.

FIGHTING BACK: Rep. @ronereynolds says they are not done fighting arrest warrants. He says they have a full hearing coming up to get the judge's ruling. He's in D.C. & doesn't think the House will get quorum today. Here's what he says would happen if a Rep. gets arrested. @KHOU pic.twitter.com/RqRMzqgOpY  Janelle Bludau (@JanelleKHOU) August 10, 2021

Rep. Celia Israel, who serves the 50th district of Texas, returned to her home district on the outskirts of the capital of Austin and sounded a defiant note, claiming that Republicans would not follow through on they arrest warrants because shes a woman of color.

I think theyre bluffing. Do they really want to arrest a woman of color? she said. Theyre just thumping their chests.

When she was asked by the Daily Mail if she planned to return to the Capitol, she responded, hell no, and added that Texas House Democrats have a legal team working on their behalf punching and counter-punching happening by the hour.

I just question whether [the Texas Department of Public Safety] or anyone can break down my door to come and put me in shackles and drag me there, noted a defiant Democratic state Rep. Vikki Goodwin. I feel certain that I can stay in my home, and stay off the House floor.

State Rep. Chris Turner, chair of the Texas House Democratic Caucus, added in his own statement Tuesday its fully within our rights as legislators to break quorum to protect our constituents.

Mind you, these people were elected by voters of their districts to show up to the Capitol and be the voice of the voters who sent them. By running like cowards, they deny their voters the voice they deserve, even if legislation outcomes arent what they want.

Thats how the process works. But Democrats would rather blow up our system than be in the minority  which they wouldnt be if they had superior policies.

Sources include:

USAFeatures.news

DailyMail.co.uk

FoxNews.com

VoteFraud.news
(Natural News) Dr. Dan Stock is a practicing physician in Indiana, specially trained in immunology and inflammation regulation. He is blowing the whistle, big time, on how were dealing with this pandemic in all the wrong ways, which is just making it worse. Here are just a few of the questions and answers posed and shared by this amazing, courageous doctor willing to tell the truth at a school board meeting. Heres Dr. Dan Stock blowing the lid off all the lies and propaganda in just a few minutes time:

Ask yourself, why is a vaccine that is supposedly so effective having a breakout in the middle of the summer, when respiratory viral syndromes dont do that?

Everything being recommended by the CDC and State Board of Health is actually contrary to all the rules of science.

Things you should know about coronavirus and all other respiratory viruses  they are spread by aerosol particles which are small enough to go through every mask, by the way (supported by 3 cited and sourced studies run by the NIH).

In under 7 minutes, one speaker, a physician attending a Mt. Vernon School Board Meeting, blows your mind about the truth of the whole pandemic

Dr. Stock explains the pandemic, in laymens terms, to a large audience at the Mt. Vernon School Board meeting about Covid, citing and sourcing science and comprehensive studies done (and he provides them all on a thumb drive before the meeting): That is why you keep struggling with this, is because you cannot make these viruses go away  the natural history of all respiratory viruses is that they circulate all year long, waiting for the immune system to get sick through the winter, or become deranged, as has happened recently with these vaccines, and then they cause symptomatic disease.

We cant make this go away, like we did with smallpox, because this virus has animal reservoirs, the physician informs us. Just like we cant rid ourselves of influenza, the common cold, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), or adnoviral respiratory syndromes, because they are viruses with animal reservoirs.

Plus, nobody should even be considering a vaccine unless there were no other remedies available, but there are great ones, including vitamin D, zinc, and Ivermectin (anti-parasidic agents), and remedies this doctor has actively used for 15 of his patients that he swears have not even come close to needing to go to the hospital. He even sources all of this with data from active treatment trials.

The vaccines are ENHANCING coronavirus during the summer when human vitamin D levels are at their highest  any questions?

Vaccines are not working for Covid-19, just like they did not work in every coronavirus study done in animals, where the vaccine fought the virus wrong and thus let the virus become worse than it would with native infection, explains Dr. Stock.

Thats why were seeing this outbreak right now, in the summer, from a respiratory virus, in people who are fully vaccinated. Theyre catching it from each other, spreading it to each other, and spreading it to the unvaccinated, rather than the other way around.

The advice we are getting from the NIH, WHO, CDC and state boards of health is actually counter-factual, and this physician is citing and sourcing the science and research to prove it. It makes sense, why Covid is not going away, but rather spreading, even after hundreds of millions of people have been vaccinated, wearing masks, social distancing, and spraying and rubbing disinfectants and antibacterial-everything everywhere, including all over their bodies.

This doctor has volunteered to testify in any court what hes saying he knows and has cited as research for anyone who is worried about NOT following the useless rules and regulations or the CDC, NIH, or any State Board of Health regarding Covid-19 and its variants. Realize that the vaccines have created this outbreak of Covid in the middle of the hot summer when human vitamin D levels are at their highest. Think about that for a minute.

Check out Pandemic.news for updates on these crimes against humanity and the upcoming Delta and Covid booster-vaccine Holocaust. Also, if you know someone who already got pricked with the blood-clotting Covid inoculations, and theyre suffering from lethargy, pain, clouded thinking or an inflamed heart, thats called CoVax Syndrome, so tell them to report it to VAERS.

Sources for this article include:

Pandemic.news

NaturalNews.com

TruthWiki.org
(Natural News) To truly understand why the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) is still being reported as a problem almost two years after it was first announced, look no further than the vaccines, which Dr. Richard Fleming says are the true bioweapon.

Appearing in a recent Brighteon Conversation with Mike Adams, the Health Ranger  watch below  Fleming talked about his new book, Is COVID-19 a bioweapon? A scientific and forensic investigation, as well as the history of coronavirus biological weapons and how we got to this point.

The mass vaccination protocol being pushed by the likes of Tony Fauci is having a disastrous impact on public health, Fleming explained. This thing would have been long gone had the virus simply been allowed to run its course without Donald father of the vaccine Trumps Operation Warp Speed injections, which are fueling the mutation and spread of new Chinese Virus variants.

If you take a drug vaccine that is directed towards just a part of one type of variant of a species of coronavirus, and you make an immune response to that, youll make an immune response, but when you dump billions of that into the body, youll make a massive immune response and have very adverse effects, which is what were seeing, Fleming explained to Adams about the surge in new variant cases.

We were able to put pressure on the virus to promote one of the variants, in this case delta  that if you actually attack one part of, in this case, the virus, youll promote the spread of the other types that are immune because the antibodies are completely different for that type of spike protein.

Fauci guilty of violating Biological Weapons Convention Treaty by introducing COVID-19 into the world

This pressure of which Fleming speaks is selective pressure induced by the injections. Much like how antibiotic drug use fuels the mutation and spread of oftentimes deadlier superbugs, Fauci Flu shots are doing the same thing to the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19).

The virus is like antibody-resistant bacteria: those bacteria are already resistant, but if you dump antibiotics into the system indiscriminately, youll kill off the ones that cant handle that, but the antibody-resistant ones will flourish, is how Fleming put it.

When they talk about the unvaccinated having problems as well, well of course, because its all been selected out to produce these slightly more infective delta variants.

What this means is that Fauci and friends are created another new pandemic from the shots, which piggybacks on the last pandemic they created with the much-less problematic SARS-CoV-2 virus that came from the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV).

All of this was done with American taxpayer dollars, by the way, funneled by Fauci into a number of different channels both here and abroad. Fort Detrick in Maryland is said to have been involved, as was the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. And everyone involved, including Fauci, has violated the Biological Weapons Convention Treaty in the process.

Now these people are criminally culpable, says Fleming. They have violated the Biological Weapons Convention Treaty. They have violated the Informed Consent with the Declaration of Helsinki. They have violated the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights Treaty. They have violated the Nuremberg Code. Physicians in the United States that are vaccinating people who have not read the package inserts to obtain the information about the drugs are violating their Hippocratic Oath  but wait a minute, theres nothing on those package inserts because they are intentionally blank.

Be sure to watch the full interview at Brighteon.com

You will also find the latest news coverage about the new vaccine-induced Wuhan coronavirus pandemic at Pandemic.news.

Sources for this article include:

Brighteon.com

Archive.is
(Natural News) As part of its recently-passed $1 trillion infrastructure bill, the Democrat-controlled Senate has included a provision that will allow the government to expand financial surveillance on cryptocurrency.

The cryptocurrency provision does several things to extend government oversight over cryptocurrencies. One of its first provisions is to extend certain bank reporting laws to crypto transactions that are over $10,000.

More importantly, the provision seeks to expand the definition of a broker in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Such an expansion will include anybody who is responsible for and regularly providing any service effectuating transfer of digital assets on behalf of another person.

This means that brokers that handle cryptocurrency assets have to comply with the Internal Revenue Services (IRS) existing reporting requirements for brokers. (Related: New infrastructure bill contains Orwellian surveillance provision targeting cryptocurrency users, spelling DOOM for the crypto markets if passed.)

The cryptocurrency provision was inserted into the infrastructure bill as a way of explaining how the Democrats plan to cover the cost of its $1 trillion plan. They argue that the improvements in tax compliance will be able to cover around $28 billion of the plan.

Making cryptocurrency brokers follow the same standards as other brokers may seem like it would address some of the problems of cryptocurrencies. The cryptocurrency provision in the bill makes it clear that there is substantial harm in what the Democrats plan to do. (Related: Investigation: Many cryptocurrencies are nothing but a massive Ponzi scheme promoted by paid influencers.)

This is a clear ratcheting up of financial surveillance that will require the government to keep an eye on all cryptocurrency users. The IRS will be able to get the names and addresses of people who own cryptocurrencies.

At the same time, the provisions will force the developers of cryptocurrency trading software to create cumbersome and invasive systems to spy on their users. The only alternative they have is to not offer cryptocurrency services in the United States.

The provision will also create more honeypots of private information about cryptocurrency users. This could attract malicious actors who looking to steal financial data from Americans.

These added layers of government surveillance and legal complexity will make any future innovations into cryptocurrency move overseas. The red tape future blockchain developers and the hoops people with cryptocurrency transactions have to go through will just be too much.

Attempts to amend cryptocurrency provision defeated

Before the bill was passed, some senators attempted to amend the cryptocurrency provision in the infrastructure bill. But all of these efforts were defeated.

There was even one amendment that was proposed after several days of negotiations between a bipartisan group of three Republicans  Sens. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming and Rob Portman of Ohio  and two Democrats, Sens. Mark Warner of Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona.

The amendment the five senators came up with would have addressed concerns from cryptocurrency industry lobbyists. Their main concern was that cryptocurrency miners and software developers would be forced to report tax data to the IRS that they did not have access to.

The Lummis-Warner Compromise, as it was called, was brought up in the Senate on Monday afternoon by Toomey.

Toomey called for the amendment to be voted upon by unanimous consent. This means all 100 Senators have to support it.

Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama objected. He wanted the cryptocurrency provision to include his amendment for $50 billion in additional military construction money.

Socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont objected to this, and Shelby refused to consent to the cryptocurrency compromise without the additional military funding.

Because theres a difference of opinion on whether or not the senator from Alabama should get a vote on his amendment, because that is not agreed to, the body is refusing to take up an amendment that has broad bipartisan support, said Toomey on the Senate floor, criticizing his Republican colleague. In what universe does this make any sense?

Learn more about how the cryptocurrency provision in the infrastructure bill will speed up the collapse of the cryptocurrency market by reading the latest articles at BitcoinCollapse.news.

Sources include:

News.Yahoo.com

EFF.org

Bloomberg.com 1

Bloomberg.com 2

CNBC.com
(Natural News) Unvaccinated individuals have been accused of being responsible for the spread of vaccine-resistant Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) variants. Authorities and mainstream media outlets have pointed their fingers at Americans refusing to get the vaccine even as the delta variant spreads throughout the country. However, a new study said people vaccinated against COVID-19 are the ones to blame.

In a study published July 30 in Scientific Reports, Researchers from Austria, Switzerland and Spain used statistical modeling to determine how variants of SARS-CoV-2  the virus behind COVID-19  mutate and bypass vaccine-induced immunity.

The study authors found in their model that the highest risk of resistant strain establishment occurs when a large fraction of the population has already been vaccinated, but the transmission is not controlled. They also noted that when a large fraction of the population is inoculated, especially those at high risk for COVID-19, policy-makers and individuals will be driven to return to pre-pandemic guidelines and behaviors conducive to a high rate of virus transmission.

When most people are vaccinated, the vaccine-resistant strain has an advantage over the original strain, stated co-author Simon Rella to media outlets on August 6. This means the vaccine-resistant strain spreads through the population faster at a time when most people are vaccinated.

According to Childrens Health Defense, the findings of the July 30 study followed the concept of selective pressure  which refers to the force that drives the evolution of organisms. Study co-author Fyodor Kondrashov explained: Generally, the more people are infected, the [higher] the chances for vaccine resistance to emerge.

By having a situation where you vaccinate everybody, a vaccine-resistance mutant [strain] actually gains a selective advantage, explained Kondrashov, adding that this was the reason for the delta variants more infectious nature. (Related: Breakthrough cases of Covid-19 caused by the VACCINATED as Joe Rogan reveals the peer-reviewed science behind it on his world-famous podcast.)

Authorities INSIST on booster shots against vaccine-resistant strains

Belgian medical expert Dr. Geert Vanden Bossche previously voiced concern over mass inoculation campaigns against COVID-19. He said back in March 2021 that continued mass vaccinations campaigns will enable new, more infectious viral variants to become increasingly dominant and cause a sharp increase in new cases.

There can be no doubt that this situation will soon lead to complete resistance of circulating variants, he said.

Despite these findings, authorities in the U.S. have doubled down on the need for booster shots.

In July of 2021, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky expressed concern that SARS-CoV-2 may evolve and bypass vaccines. She told reporters during a July 27 teleconference: The largest concern  [we] are worried about is [the SARS-CoV-2] virus and the potential mutations. We have a very transmissible virus, which has the potential to evade our vaccines in terms of how it protects us from severe disease and death.

But Walensky warned that their big concern is the next variant that might emerge, just a few mutations  away, could potentially evade our vaccines. The CDC director reiterated the need for COVID-19 vaccination to keep the virus and its mutations under control.

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Director Dr. Anthony Fauci also defended the need for booster shots against the delta variant. During a July 8 Face the Nation appearance, he said that a third COVID-19 vaccine dose may be needed for Americans.

Certainly. It is entirely conceivable, maybe likely, that at some time we will need a boost, Fauci said. (Related: IT NEVER ENDS: Anthony Fauci says booster dose of coronavirus vaccine will be necessary in the future.)

The NIAID director clarified, however, that a booster shot may be differentially needed depending upon the age of individuals and their underlying conditions. He continued that an official, final recommendation for booster shots will be based on data from both laboratory and clinical studies. According to Fauci, the National Institutes of Health  NIAIDs parent agency  was in charge of conducting the studies alongside the CDC and other agencies.

VaccineDamage.news has more articles about COVID-19 vaccines contributing to the rise of resistant SARS-CoV-2 strains.

Sources include:

NaturalHealth365.com

Nature.com

ChildrensHealthDefense.org

TheEpochTimes.com

DailyCaller.com
(Natural News) Under the control of anti-American, anti-human globalists, the Pentagon is now waging biological warfare against the nearly two million active duty soldiers that currently serve in the defense of the United States of America.

This is being accomplished through the mandating of spike protein injections, misleading labeled vaccines, with the knowledge that the covid spike protein was developed as a biological weapon and causes widespread vascular damage, blood clots, neurological damage, autoimmune disorders, infertility and other severe damage to the human body. In essence, US troops are being injected with a biological weapon that was jointly developed by the United States military working in partnership with the communist Chinese PLA military, all developed as a weapon against humanity.

This also means the Pentagon is carrying out the biological warfare goals of the CCP, injecting active duty troops with a deadly cocktail that will devastate military readiness by likely injuring or killing hundreds of thousands of active duty US troops.

The development of this bioweapon by the United States military (US Army) is detailed in this bombshell interview with Dr. Richard Fleming who concludes, The vaccine is the bioweapon. You can see this full interview here:

Brighteon.com/1ea82016-5615-4184-a56a-2cd8cec6370b

Additionally, Dr. Judy Mikovitz has direct, firsthand knowledge of the military development of SARS-CoV-2, which was spearheaded by Dr. Fauci in conjunction with the communist Chinese military (PLA) through US taxpayer funding that was funneled through the NIH and its non-profit partners.

Dr. Mikovitz confirms that the origins of this bioweapon all trace back to the United States military:

Brighteon.com/dc43ea4a-e64b-42a4-8737-1efb436751b5

Under treasonous Defense Secretary Austin, the Pentagon is mass murdering its own troops to prepare America for a foreign invasion and occupation under communist rule

Why is the Pentagon murdering active duty US troops with spike protein bioweapons? The answer is obvious: The Pentagon, at the highest levels, is now run by active traitors who are carrying out treasonous acts of sabotage against the United States of American is order to destroy the nations military readiness.

Never forget the communist Chinese hack of the OPM records from several years ago: They acquired all the detailed personnel records of military personnel, enabling them to blackmail and control high-level military officials. The CCP is running the show here. Theyre calling all the shots, and the shots are the clot shots.

The Pentagon has been infiltrated and compromised by communist enemies of America, and if the Pentagon is allowed to continue murdering troops with spike protein attacks, this nation is doomed.

Get full details in todays Situation Update podcast, via Brighteon.com:

Brighteon.com/a1cc4294-ae0c-4e38-a00a-5e7a2a8aa6c2

Discover a new podcast each weekday (and powerful interviews with top experts) at:

https://www.brighteon.com/channels/hrreport
(Natural News) Another American school, the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), has been outed for murdering babies and harvesting their vital organs in the name of science.

Just like the University of Pittsburgh, UCSF is engaging in gruesome medical experiments that involve both unborn and recently born babies bring torn limb from limb while they are still alive, only to be murdered after the dirty deed is done.

UCSF would not be doing this were it not for the large government grants coming from Tony Fauci, who we now know is funneling millions of American taxpayer dollars into the coffers of these baby butcher mills.

Pro-Life San Francisco found that the baby body parts are being harvested from living children at two different UCSF-affiliated Womens Options Center locations in the California Bay Area.

Studies show that the labor induction abortion techniques used in these facilities to procure fresh parts can result in live births as often as 50% of the time, according to pro-life group Live Action, explaining why organs are harvested while the children are still alive.

Under the California Public Records Act, Pro-Life San Francisco was able to make requests for the following information:

Any and all UCSF protocols and procedures for determining the viability of a neonate after labor induction abortion procedures including  in instances where the neonate is born alive after the procedure is performed,

UCSFs protocols and procedures regarding the delivery of medical care to neonates born at the Womens Options Center[s], and

Human fetal tissue procurement logs.

The group also made several other requests that have yet to be fulfilled, and all of them contain gruesome details about the atrocities taking place at UCSF. Eleanor Drey, a UCSF professor and director of one of the Womens Options Center locations, has already referenced some of it in medical research, but Pro-Life San Francisco is digging for more.

UCSFs Womens Options Centers are a free-for-all where babies are murdered like they are nothing

In correspondences with UCSF, Pro-Life San Francisco was told that there are no documents to turn over because the Womens Options Centers have no protocol for determining the viability of abortion survivors, nor do they provide care to them.

This is a tacit admission of the possibility that abortion survivors are simply left to die, without so much as the basic humane provision of palliative care, Live Action explains.

The situation at UCSFs Womens Options Centers is essentially a free-for-all, where each abortion survivors life hinges upon the whim of the abortionist paid to kill him or her.

What this just goes to show is that the concept of viability, which is often thrown around in pro-abortion circles, is meaningless. It is little more than a moving target which will inevitably vary from individual to individual, Live Action warns. Depending on the political and religious leanings of an abortionist, viability can mean terminating a perfectly healthy baby for the greater good or doing everything possible with the latest science to save him or her. In practical terms, it is subjectively applied.

So, viability is a complicated medical construct, admitted Colleen McNicholas, chief medical officer for Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region in Southwest Missouri, during a testimony before Congress.

There is no particular gestational age. There are some pregnancies in which a fetus will never be viable. There are a number of different factors that we think about when were considering if a pregnancy is or isnt viable.

The latest news about the abortion industry and its bloodlust for baby tissue and profit can be found at Abortions.news.

Sources for this article include:

LiveAction.org

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) The American Hospital Association (AHA) revealed that around 1,500 hospitals in the U.S. are requiring all workers to get vaccinated against the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) as a condition of employment. That number represents nearly 25 percent of hospitals in the country.

The first major hospital system to introduce vaccine mandate was the Houston Methodist Hospital system in Texas back in March 31. The hospitals decision was met with backlash from employees, and 117 filed a joint lawsuit against the hospital. But the lawsuit was dismissed and more than 100 employees lost their job. (Related: Over 100 Houston Methodist Hospital employees sue over covid vaccine mandate.)

Meanwhile, one of the latest to require COVID-19 vaccination for employees is Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare  a Memphis-based health system with 13,000 employees. It said on Aug. 9 that it is requiring all of its employees to be fully vaccinated by Oct. 31. The requirement applies to employees across hospital and outpatient locations in West Tennessee and North Mississippi.

Healthcare unions oppose vaccine mandates

Healthcare unions have spoken up against vaccine mandates. We have a right to bargain over a new work rule, said Debbie White, president of Health Professionals and Allied Employees  New Jerseys largest healthcare union. Most union contracts will prevent employers from imposing mandates without negotiating.

After the New York-Presbyterian Hospital in New York City gave all of its employees until Sept. 1 to get vaccinated against COVID-19 or be terminated, the 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East union announced that it would oppose vaccine mandates. 1199SEIU is composed of more than 450,000 members across six states and the District of Columbia.

We are not in agreement with a mandate of the COVID-19 vaccine, George Gresham, president of 1199SEIU, said in a statement. We agree that vaccination is an important tool to help us move forward, but mandating vaccination is not, nor will it ever, be the answer. (Related: Influential American Postal Workers Union opposes federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate.)

States have different takes on vaccine mandates

While it is federally legal for employers to demand that their staff get vaccinated, individual states can pass laws banning vaccine mandates in the workplace. Some states already have.

Ten states have enacted laws with prohibitions on vaccine mandates with Arizona and Arkansas each enacting two. Some were introduced back in February and March and the most recent took effect in late June. The other states that have enacted laws prohibiting vaccine mandates on different sectors were Michigan, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas and Utah

Some of the laws are tied only to vaccinations that have emergency use authorization, so the prohibition will no longer apply if the COVID-19 vaccines get full approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Some apply only to state and local governments. Meaning, private schools and employers in those states can still pass vaccine mandates.

Ohio not implementing law against vaccine mandate

Ohio is one of the states that prohibits both private and public entities from requiring an individual to receive a vaccine for which the FDA has not granted full approval. But it didnt deter Summa Health in Cleveland, Ohio from requiring all of its employees to get their final COVID-19 vaccine dose two weeks before Oct. 31. The health system said on Aug. 5 that those who refuse will be disciplined or fired and those who receive medical or religious exemptions will be asked to wear a mask.

Premier Health, Kettering Health and Dayton Childrens in Dayton, Ohio have also required COVID-19 vaccines for all employees.

Dayton Childrens was the first locally to announce a vaccine mandate for its workers, setting an Oct. 1 deadline for its employees to become fully vaccinated; Kettering Health has required employees, medical staff, students, volunteers and vendors conducting business in their facilities to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by Oct. 4; and Premier Health has set a Dec. 1 deadline for its employees to be fully vaccinated.

Montana blocks health systems vaccine mandate

Montana offered more resistance as state legislators blocked an attempt by Benefis Health System to put a vaccine mandate in place last April. Montanas Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte signed a law that prohibits discrimination based on vaccination status.

This includes prohibiting an employer to refuse employment to a person, barring a person from employment or discriminating against a person in compensation or in a term, condition or privilege of employment.

The law sponsored by Montanas Republican Rep. Jennifer Carlson also states that an individual may not be required to receive any vaccine whose use is allowed under an emergency use authorization or any vaccine undergoing safety trials.

California all-in on vaccine mandate

California went the opposite route. The states Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on July 26 that all state healthcare workers would either have to get vaccinated or be subjected to regular testing to keep their jobs.

In line with Newsoms announcement, the California Department of Public Health issued an order on Aug. 5 requiring healthcare workers to be vaccinated.

The order applies to workers in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities, ambulatory surgery centers and in most other healthcare settings. Workers who do not qualify for a medical or religious exemption need to receive their second dose by Sept. 30. Unvaccinated exempt workers must meet testing and safety requirements.

Follow Immunization.news for more news and information related to coronavirus vaccines.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

MSN.com

WHIO.com

NASHP.org

BeckersHospitalReview.com
New findings which Tel Aviv University and the Weizmann Institute of Science released show a great number of bird species are extinct with humans being the major cause, TAU said in a press release.

The researchers said some significant characteristics made birds easily available to humans and animal hunters who go in search of them for food, resulting in the extinction of 469 avian species.

Extinct Bird Species

In the last 20,000 to 50,000 years, about 10%-20% of all avian species has vanished, as per the research, released in the Journal of Biogeography.

Prof. Shai Meiri of the School of Zoology at the George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences and the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History at TAU, and Amir Fromm of the Weizmann Institute, led the study which noted that the extensive majority of the extinct species have several likenesses - they were big in size, they inhabited islands, and most of them were unable to fly.

The researchers said these features made these birds easily available to humans and other animal hunters who go in search of them for food, resulting in the extinction of 469 avian species.

The researchers showed hope that their discoveries will help avoid further bird extinction.

Also Read: Simple Steps You Can Do to Help Conserve Birds

Major Cause for Species Extinction

Meiri said: "Our study indicates that before the major extinction event of the past millennia, many more large, even giant, as well as flightless avian lived on our globe, and the diversity of birds living on islands was much greater than today."

Meiri said they hope that their discoveries can play the role of warning signals concerning bird species presently threatened with extinction, and also it is crucial to discover whether they possess similar characteristics.

But it must be recognized that conditions have changed greatly, and presently the major cause for species extinction by man is not hunting but instead it is the destruction of natural habitats.

Wildlife Protection

Israel notices great inundation of feathered visitors moving into the country yearly, as a large number of birds return to the shores of Eilat following the patterns of migration in the middle of April.

But over the last eight years, the number of birds arriving in Eilat, the southernmost tip of Israel, has sharply reduced, as per data which the International Birding and Research Center Eilat compiled, alarming experts that the rate of extinction is rising.

At the beginning of this month, Tamar Zandberg, Israel's Environmental Protection Minister made an announcement that the country would stretch wildlife protections to two kinds of birds, prohibiting turtle doves hunting for three years and prohibiting the hunting of quail entirely as experts hope to prevent the further decrease of birds' populations.

Birds are warm-blooded vertebrates and they belong to the class Aves.

Related Article: Bird Buildup Along Great Lakes During Migration Season

For more news, updates about avian species and similar topics don't forget to follow Nature World News!
Climate change is defined as a long-term shift in the average circumstances of a region, such as a temperature and rainfall. According to the IPCC study, India is the world's third greatest carbon emitter, releasing hazardous compounds that all add up to one thing: climate change.

To avoid global catastrophic climate change, the Paris climate objective is to keep the world average temperature rise well below 2 degrees Celsius, with a goal of 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Despite the worldwide drive to reduce carbon emissions and waste management, India continues, contributing to global warming. But there's something in this IPCC report that the world's second-most populous country and was placed seventh in a key climate risk index in 2019 should not be ignored.

Changes That Are Irreversible as a Result of Unchecked Global Warming

Continuing global carbon emissions has been a problem for decades, and it continues to be a problem now. Experts don't appear to check on it until major changes have been noticed and felt by humans. Being able to safeguard what is left may be just what we require right now.

According to climate experts, this might indicate that extreme weather occurrences impacted by such disrupted climatic systems, will continue to worsen, as will their consequences.

As a result, because the harm has already been done, it is irreparable. It is within our power to prevent things from deteriorating further. Being able to preserve and save what is left may be just what we require right now.

"Some climate systems have locked in [because of the warming humans have caused],"

"So, even if we stopped all carbon emissions, there will be some damages."

Professor Jonathan Bamber of the University of Bristol, a glaciologist who was one of the writers of the most recent IPCC report, told the BBC.

Also read: India's Heavy Rains and Floods Bring Death Toll to 150, Many Victims Still Missing

Sudden Changes to Asia Due to Immense Global Warming

Heatwaves and humid heat stress are expected to become more extreme and frequent in South Asia over the twenty-first century, according to the IPCC study. As the Glaciers melt and water levels increase globally, Asia will be the most affected due to its geographic location and natural landforms. Flashfloods from the extreme rainfall is expected, landslides from the affected areas, as with the extreme heat causing droughts affecting farmers, and possible wildfires across Asia's great forests.

As all the possible consequences have been laid out. The most affected aspect of each country is its economic stability. Natural occurring phenomenon ranges from light to extreme results economic losses. The government will be giving aids to the affected people and areas which can be used for other uses if not because of the climate changes in the vicinity.

Southeast Asia, according to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), might incur worse losses than the rest of the globe. Climate change is expected to slash 11% off the region's GDP by the end of the century, since it has a larger impact on agriculture, tourism, and fisheries.

Also read: 300 Stray Dogs Found Dead from Poisoning in Southern India
Experts have been warning tourists of Iceland who have been taking photos and selfies of its active volcanoes to watch out for still-molten magma, but some 'clout-chasing' tourists don't seem to get the message.

Last month of June, a 'searingly stupid stunt' of a man standing in front of an advancing river of lava on an active crater in the Geldingadalur Valley was recorded from a volcano-monitoring webcam. This was found as reckless for experts as the dormant volcano had been 'coming to life' after it sparked a series of earthquakes in the region.

The Iceland volcano on the Reykjanes Peninsula first erupted nearly 800 years ago, and just recently 'flared to life', spilling lava down its two sides.

Risky Behavior at the Volcano Site

"Hello everyone. I am that crazy man from the Iceland news who went up the cone, only to run down when a torrent of lava was unleashed. Pile on the hate!" said American tourist Vincent Van Reynolds from Denver, Colorado, who risked his life to take 'foolhardy stunt' volcano selfies.

Experts and people in social media did not find it pleasing at all and even found it both dangerous and 'disrespectful' when the tourists recorded multiple POV videos on Facebook, while shouting profanities as molten magma cascades down the caldera, attempting to get closer to the big crater in Geldingadalur, and running away when the volcano started emitting huge flows of lava.

"I was told by rescue workers not to do this," Reynolds told local media outlet Visir. "Some people say I wish I was dead or that I'm the biggest fool in the world."

Authorities say this is not the first incident of risky behavior at the volcano site.

Also read: Even Minor Volcanic Eruptions Could 'Lead to Global Catastrophe,' New Research Says

The Danger Lies Underneath

Vincent told reporters that he has a bachelors in geology, and that his act was actually not as dangerous as it looked. "I have a lot of experience in this field and it suited me well where I stepped and where the lava would flow," said the daredevil. "I was actually in rather little danger. I know what it looks like."

On the other hand, experts say this was not the case, and the "danger lies in the magma flowing underneath the hardened lava field."

Undoubtedly, stepping on the solidified lava fields and formation of the crust is 'pretty foolish', as molten lava underneath reaches over 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit and still flowing, which poses a major risk to anyone walking on the surface.

Kristin Jonsdottir, group leader of nature monitoring at the Icelandic Meteorological Office, condemns these careless behaviors of people at the eruption site for a mere social media post and hopes that no one dies in Geldingadalur.

On Twitter, Kristin wrote, "This is careless behavior! On behalf of all those who have worked to keep the area open and safe, by giving advice and laying footpaths, I hope that no one will die in the eruption in Geldingadalur."

Vincent apologized if he had disappointed anyone with his post, but he plans to visit Iceland again soon.

Also read: Farmer Vows to Stand in Way of Any Gunman For His Alpaca With Bovine Tuberculosis
Maritime forces from 21 Indo-Pacific partner nations including the U.S. Navy, U.S interagencies, and international organizations began the 20th iteration of Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) in Singapore and virtually, Aug. 10.

Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link

The exercise scenarios are designed to encourage countries to use maritime forces to enhance understanding of the operational environment, build capacity for humanitarian support missions, and uphold international laws and norms (Picture source: US Navy)

SEACAT is a multilateral exercise designed to enhance cooperation among Southeast Asian countries and provide mutual support and a common goal to address crises, contingencies, and illegal activities in the maritime domain using standardized tactics, techniques, and procedures.

In this region, the strength of our partnerships matter and our ability and willingness to work together is paramount, said Vice Adm. Karl Thomas, commander, U.S. 7th Fleet. This years SEACAT aims to enhance our interoperability as we address our shared maritime security concerns and preserve rules-based international order.

The exercise scenarios are designed to encourage countries to use maritime forces to enhance understanding of the operational environment, build capacity for humanitarian support missions, and uphold international laws and norms.

SEACAT promotes shared commitments to maritime partnerships, security, and stability in Southeast Asia. Signifying the largest iteration to date, 21 nations will participate, including Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Canada, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, New Zealand, Philippines, South Korea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, United Kingdom, United States, and Vietnam.

A maritime operations center in the International Fusion Center in Singapore will serve as a centralized hub for crisis coordination and information sharing in the tracking of contracted merchant vessels simulating suspicious vessels of interests throughout Southeast Asian seas. Countries will work with all available maritime domain awareness (MDA) tools to provide cueing and contact information to another countrys operations center and maritime patrol reconnaissance aircraft or surface assets with the stated goal of enforcing international rules, laws, and norms.

The scenarios are designed to encourage countries to work together though maritime domain awareness assets to better understand operations and adherence to international norms, said Capt. Tom Ogden, commander, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7. Practicing multilateral, multi-platform intercepts help our Southeast Asian partners prepare for possible real-world engagements in the future.

In all, SEACAT includes 10 ships and more than 400 personnel. U.S. Navy participants include USS Tulsa (LCS 16), staff of DESRON 7, P-8A Poseidon aircraft assigned to Task Force 72, and personnel from Task Forces 73, 76, U.S. 7th Fleet, and U.S. Pacific Fleet.

This year incorporates U.S interagencies of Joint Interagency Task Force West (JIATF-West), U.S Indo-Pacific Commands executive agent for counter-narcotics; and Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), Department of Defenses official combat support agency for countering weapons of mass destruction. Their role is aimed at providing greater understanding of the operational environment and adherence to established rules, laws, and norms across the joint environment.

For the first time, international organizations and non-governmental organizations play a role in SEACAT by providing greater understanding of the operational environment through scenario injects designed to simulate real world situations that enhance understanding and adherence to accepted rules, laws, and norms. Participants include United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC), EU Critical Maritime Route Wider Indian Ocean (CRIMARIO), and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Application of Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) principles ensure respect for principles that align with accepted standards for human rights and fair treatment of women.

As the U.S. Navys destroyer squadron forward-deployed in Southeast Asia, DESRON 7 serves as the primary tactical and operational commander of littoral combat ships rotationally deployed to Singapore, functions as Expeditionary Strike Group 7s Sea Combat Commander, and builds partnerships through training exercises and military-to-military engagements.

Under Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with 35 maritime nations in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.


Joy as Norwich minister baptises prodigal son Joy as Norwich minister baptises prodigal son

Rev Nigel Fox, former minister at Wroxham Road Methodist Church, had the joy of baptising his son Tom, who dramatically returned to faith from a criminal lifestyle.

Speaking at the baptism on August 1, Nigel said: Ive often struggled in ministry. Ive often struggled in parenthoodBut today is a testimony to the power of prayer. Its a testimony of the power of the grace of God to turn things around in ways which are beyond our understanding.



The celebration took place at Bowthorpe Road Church, home to the Chinese Methodist congregation in Norwich, where Nigel was joined by Rev Andy Burrows in the baptistry. Afterwards Tom, or Tomasio as he prefers to be called, shared his testimony:



I was born to John and Stevi back in 1977. But they split up soon after I was born. My Mum then met Nigel, and they married when I was two years old. He adopted me and raised me as his son.



Although I was raised in a loving Christian family I always felt torn. I struggled with authority and felt like the black sheep of the family. The shame I felt made me rebel, and after the family moved to Oldham in Manchester I ran away from home while studying for my A levels.



With my southern accent, smart appearance and good schooling, I found it easy to con, lie and deceive my way into any job or womans life and to gain money fraudulently. I was drawn into a life of drugs, and to finance my party lifestyle I started to sell drugs and to steal.



During this dark period my Mum died of cancer. Her faith in God made me feel I didnt want to carry on living like I was, but I was scared to face the problems: the list was so long by now. I smoked weed to get some sleep, ecstasy to feel loved and cocaine to stay awake.



Now I look back Im amazed Im alive. There were so many points where I could have been shot dead, stabbed or overdosed. I had what I used to think at the time were spider senses: dont do that deal here, not yet, and it literally saved my life on several occasions. Now I look back I realise it was Gods hand on my life, and those people that were praying for me.



I met Shelley, who was the first woman to see through my lies, and she told me I could leave my act at her door. I opened up to her, telling her honestly about my life and feelings.



I had been on the run from the police for several years and ended up sleeping rough on Mousehold Heath. I was hungry and felt completely hopeless.



One evening I arranged to go to Nigels house. At the door he said: Come in, son, lets put the kettle on. People who know me wouldnt believe I said, No thanks. I dont want a coffee. I need prayer. I knew I needed to give my life to Jesus and make things right. That night I experienced deliverance and such a sense of peace.



I moved into the House of Genesis, a home for ex-offenders, and received treatments that almost cleaned up my life. Months later I bumped into Shelley and after a few years of ups and downs, we were married at Wroxham Road Methodist Church by Nigel. We were blessed with holidays all over the globe, a house in the countryside with views to die for, nice cars and a business in building and carpentry.



But the years of abuse of my body started to catch up. I had an MRI on my spine and my GP told me it was red marrow proliferation. Shelley and I googled it, and every answer came out as cancer. I was in incredible pain and lost the feeling in both arms.



I took enough painkillers to put an elephant down, and we went to Mauritius for a two-week break. I was a wreck in paradise. A Hindu lady noticed I was up every morning, and asked me to join her on the beach, where she ritually prayed for me.



A few days later I went back with her to the hotel, where she brought me a coffee. To my surprise, I could feel the heat. I was in shock. I started to jump up and down. A miracle had happened. I was like a child all day, swimming, throwing water about, running.



On our return to the UK the Covid pandemic was just breaking. I carried on working but found that some jobs nipped my nerves. This kept happening until one day I couldnt move or see daylight. I got to my knees and started to pray. I said: God, Ive made such a mess of my life. Its your turn.



Nigel came round a few days later and just before he left, he said the Priests Blessing in Hebrew over me. Then he said, Let me know what happens.



Well, my eyes were opened to the spiritual realm. I saw angels and demons. The Holy Spirit started guiding my Bible studies. I started to do things like sell my beloved Mercedes to pay for someones care and give my designer clothes to homeless people.



I have died to my old self. My whole life has changed. I have Jesus at my centre. He is my Lord, Saviour and friend.



Pictured top are Nigel Fox (left) and Andy Burrows (centre) baptising Tomasio Fox (also above).





Eldred Willey, 11/08/2021
A private 5G platform designed to offer the latest-generation licensed wireless technology to enterprise users as a service was announced today by Japanese telecom giant NTT.

The company said its private 5G-as-a-service platform, which it calls P5G, would use CBRS, 4G/5G frequencies available as public licenses, and sub-6GHz bands in the US to provide businesses with their own 5G networks. The company said also that its platform is highly flexible, working with a wide variety of software standards and networking partners to ensure availability around the country.

Private 5G, at least in the context of enterprise use, is just beginning to hit the upward curve of the hype cycle, according to a report published last month by Gartner Research. The upsides for private 5G, Gartner argued, are potentially immense. In combination with edge computing, the technology creates the possibility of transformative use cases in the industrial, automotive, and energy sectors. Thats because a private 5G network or even one that includes a virtual private network over public infrastructure for part of its functionality can guarantee throughput and latency levels that next-generation uses cases require.

5G supports network-slicing that can subdivide network bandwidth into multiple virtual networks to handle different types of traffic at the same time. It allows a company to, for example, route IP network traffic from employee phones and laptops via one network slice, while maintaining an interference-free second slice to handle traffic from its operational technology, whether thats medical devices, asset tracking or something else entirely.

The importance of slicing is hard to overemphasize, according to IDC research manager Patrick Filkins. He said that a critical part of NTTs P5G platform is its investment in Celona, a startup that takes the slicing concept a step further by automating the application of advanced networking functionality like QoS and access control to slices, making them operate even more like their own full-fledged networks.

Enabling this capability natively in the platform will appeal to organizations desiring control and insight into what and how applications are performing on each slice as well as those coping with data traversing multiple networks, Filkins said.

There are still plenty of headwinds. 5G spectrum availability isnt a guarantee in some areas, according to Gartner, and 5G deployments often have to be very dense and therefore can become expensive quickly. However, the demand for machine-to-machine communications and the rapidly increasing availability of phones and laptops with 5G radios mean that the technologys use is likely to continue to rise.

The service is available now in the US. NTT said that the service will be priced on a tiered subscription model, but didnt offer specific dollar figures as of this articles publication.
NEW YORK (AP)  We're accustomed to movies  usually adventures, like Indiana Jones  with lines that traverse the globe and pinball between global capitals, showing us where our characters are traveling. The Lost Leonardo, a documentary about the rediscovery of a Leonardo da Vinci painting, begins with such a line. But its international stops, chronicling the painting's sales, are baffling leaps.

New Orleans, 2005: $1,175.

London and Geneva, 2013. $83 million, then $127 million.

Saudi Arabia, 2017. $450 million.

Such is the winding journey of the Salvator Mundi, a painting of Jesus Christ attributed to Leonardo da Vinci that has been enveloped in mystery and intrigue ever since it was first acquired, restored and celebrated as a lost original of the Renaissance master. The Lost Leonardo, which Sony Pictures Classics releases in theaters Friday, engrossingly frames the unlikely saga like an international thriller as opaque as any John Le Carre novel.

To its director, the Danish filmmaker Andreas Koefoed, it's also a kind of dark fairy tale, complete with a prince and a lost treasure. Above all, perhaps, it's a portrait of an art world where masterworks can serve as global capital.

You have this romantic idea of art as something pure and a beautiful expression of human beings through history, and then it meets this very cynical, capitalistic world, says Koefoed, speaking by Zoom from Copenhagen. "Its an explosive cocktail together.

The painting in 2017 obliterated art-sale records. But it was first acquired, like a far-fetched episode of Antiques Roadshow," at a Louisiana estate sale. While browsing, a pair of New York art dealers believed it worth buying to get a better look. They brought it to one of the field's top conservators, Dianne Dwyer Modestini, who carefully removed the heavy overpainting that coated it and mended other mistreatments from the intervening centuries. Gradually she and others began to think the painting wasn't the work of a Leonardo pupil, as once suspected, but of the master, himself.

Modestini's bond with the painting was especially strong. She worked on it for three years following the death of her husband, Italian conservator and art buyer Mario Modestini.

Its not just a painting. Its more than that, Modestini says, speaking by phone from her New York apartment. Its an object infused with power. That sounds a little weird and corny but I believe that. When I was working on it, I had this experience of feeling my husband was right by my side the whole time. And I couldnt have done it without him.

Many art historians and institutions  like Londons National Gallery, which exhibited the painting in 2011  have arrived at the same attribution. (Modestini created a website with technical detail s on her findings.) But not everyone agree with her conclusions. In the film, art critic Kenny Schachter jokes that its a contemporary painting for how heavily it was restored. The art critic Jerry Saltz calls it no more real than any of the dreamed-up scams and schemes by people that may not mean to be flim-flamming, but in the end, they all went along for the ride.

In Lost Leonardo, it's a ride through an art world peopled by colorful characters and eccentric billionaires. The painting was first sold to Swiss businessman Yves Bouvier, who expanded the use of freeports as tax-free stations for high-priced goods, like artwork. He paid $83 million but he was really acting on behalf of Russian oligarch Dmitry Rybolovlev, whom Bouvier immediately flipped it to for $127.5 million. ( A high-profile lawsuit resulted when Rybolovlev learned of Bouvier's negotiating tactics.)

In the art market as seen in Lost Leonardo, it's seldom clear who's buying and who's selling. One person calls it the most unregulated market after drugs and prostitution. Even once the Salvator Mundi was auctioned by Christie's, the winning bidder of $450 million was unknown. Only later did reports leak out that the ruler of Saudi Arabia, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was behind the purchase.

The Salvator Mundi was later expected to be shown at the Louvre, but was ultimately absent from a major exhibition reportedly due to the museum's refusal to exhibit it, as Mohammed requested, alongside the Mona Lisa. Since 2017, the painting hasnt been seen publicly.

It proves a point of the story that the truth is somehow lost in all this, says Koefoed. Theres so much at stake, so many power interests, so many money interests that the truth disappears. Not only do we have a lost painting, we also have lost the truth somehow.

Koefoed, a veteran documentary filmmaker, has no fine arts background and was only drawn into the story of the Salvator Mundi after its headline-making auction. He and cinematographer Adam Jandrup shot many of the subjects head-on, as if they're sitting for a portrait, and lit them a little like a Renaissance painting. The movie refuses to take sides in the still simmering disputes over the Salvator Mundi.

I decided to remain open to both possibilities, says Koefoed. I think its more interesting to let the viewer become their own detective in the story.

The National Gallery, the Louvre and Christie's declined to participate. But of the many players that did none has a role like Modestini. Her experience with the painting and its contested reputation is rendered intimately. She has only praise for Koefoed and his film, but debates over the Salvator Mundi Modestini no longer has energy for.

I dont really care. I know what I know about the painting and it seems to me a no-brainer to me, the attribution. If people have other ideas, thats fine. But I really would like to get on with my life. Its been so consumed by this. I will never make another film, Modestini says. This is it for me.

The painting, though, still looms large in her mind. Its power, she says, is only really conveyed in person. The effect can't be photographed. It can't be reproduced.

It just emanates this extraordinary sense of something totally beyond human understanding, Modestini says. It's a tragedy that it was so abused," she adds, before reflecting on it being out of sight. It's a continuing tragedy.

___

Follow AP Film Writer Jake Coyle on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/jakecoyleAP
GREENWICH  This years selection for the Greenwich Reads Together program is described as an uplifting fiction title that would engage the community in programs and discussions as part of the community-wide reading event.

The choice of Deacon King Kong, a novel by award-winning author James McBride, was announced Wednesday morning as organizers invited residents to dig into the story.

Greenwich Library said the book is a story of New York City, a story of the universal struggles we all face, and a story that demonstrates that love and faith live in all of us.

The novel was chosen by the Greenwich Reads Together selection committee, led by librarian Siobhan Schugmann.

We briefly solicited suggestions from the community, but most of the 20 books we considered came from the selection committee itself, said Kate Petrov, Greenwich Librarys public relations officer. We asked them to bring one to two books published within the last two years that they thought would best meet the criteria and engage the community. This resulted in better qualified suggestions and allowed us to compress the timeline. All of the members are avid and active readers with deep literary knowledge.

To qualify for Greenwich Reads Together, a book must be of literary quality, reflective of universal issues and capable of generating thought-provoking discussions. It also must lend itself to engaging public programs and appeal to a diverse population. The selection must be in print and available in large quantities and in multiple formats, including eBook, audiobook and large print.

The committee felt strongly that in the midst of a difficult year, an uplifting fiction title would fit the mood and engage the community, Petrov said. Right from the start, Deacon King Kong was a favorite.

McBride is also the author of The Color of Water, the memoir that launched his literary career, as well as The Good Lord Bird, the winner of the National Book Award for Fiction that was turned into a Showtime limited series starring Ethan Hawke and Daveed Diggs.

McBride will come to Greenwich as part of the programming for Greenwich Reads Together. He is slated to speak before an in-person audience in the librarys new Berkley Theater on Oct. 27.

The library is absolutely thrilled to host McBride, Petrov said. Registration will open in October.

His appearance will also be live-streamed from the new theater, which was a major part of the recently completed reimagining project at Greenwich Library.

The bestselling Deacon King Kong won the Ansfield-Wolf Book Award for fiction and the Gotham Book Prize. It was also a recommended title from former President Barack Obama and the legendary Oprahs Book Club.

The library said the book is a funny, moving novel that begins when a cranky old church deacon known as Sportcoat walks into the courtyard of the Cause Houses housing complex in south Brooklyn in 1969 and shoots a drug dealer at point-blank range.

The reasons for and consequences of his actions make up the plot of Deacon King Kong.

The book brings to vivid life the people affected by the shooting: the victim, the African American and Latinx residents who witnessed it, the white neighbors, the local cops assigned to investigate, the members of the Five Ends Baptist Church where Sportcoat was deacon, the neighborhoods Italian mobsters, and Sportcoat himself, the library said.

Greenwich Reads Together, sponsored every year by the Friends of Greenwich Library, is designed as a community wide reading experience that engages all of Greenwich in exploring a single book.

In 2020, two books were chosen, the nonfiction titles Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder and Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson. More than 20 community organizations held events, with thousands of residents participating, according to Greenwich Library. But this year, there will be fewer events.

In a change from years past, were looking to center this initiative around an exciting talk delivered by this nationally recognized author rather than complementary programs, Petrov said. With the in-person and streaming option, we hope to extend the reach of this event to as much of the community as possible.

Copies of the book are available at the Greenwich Library and all of its branches. It is also available in an ebook format.

A discussion guide for the book along with interviews, reviews and suggestions for additional reading can be found at www.greenwichreadstogether.org.

kborsuk@greenwichtime.com
NEW YORK (AP)  The threat of impeachment helped push New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to resign. But with Tuesday's announcement that he would step down in two weeks, it remained an open question whether state lawmakers could nevertheless push ahead with impeachment proceedings and try to bar him from future statewide office.

Just as questions swirled over the second impeachment of former President Donald Trump in his final days in office, there is uncertainty over the practicality of trying to impeach the three-term Democrat partly over allegations he sexually harassed at least 11 women.

Some legal and political experts said that while people still may be interested in a process that holds Cuomo accountable, it is unclear whether lawmakers would have either the political will or the legal authority to impeach him on his way out the door.

Im not sure what the purpose of impeachment is. Impeachment is to remove him from office, said Bennett Gershman, a law professor at Pace University. Hes got to be impeached and then then convicted by the Senate, and thats a lot of work, a lot of hours. You'd think that these New York state representatives have better things to do than sit in judgment of a governor whos already resigned.

Although he has apologized for some of his behavior with women, Cuomo has denied any wrongdoing.

A lightning-round effort to impeach Cuomo before he leaves seems unlikely. The state Assembly's Judiciary Committee  the first stop for any impeachment matter  has been exploring whether there are grounds to impeach him since March, examining the harassment allegations but also other issues, like the governor's handling of COVID deaths in nursing homes.

After Cuomo announced his plan to resign, the committee said it intended to finish that inquiry before deciding how to proceed. Its next meeting is set for Monday. In the meantime, the committee has asked lawyers to look into whether impeachment could move forward.

Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, who will succeed Cuomo, declined to weigh in on the matter during a press conference Wednesday.

The end result  Cuomo out of office  is already a certainty, said Assembly Judiciary Committee Chair Charles Lavine, a Democrat.

Impeachment itself is going to be moot. Its not going to be meaningful, Lavine said, unless to "prohibit him from ever again occupying statewide office.

The state Legislature  both chambers are controlled by Democrats  would have to muster the political will to quickly move forward with impeachment hearings, Gershman said, and would only do so as a punitive act to bar Cuomo from again seeking state office and possibly strip him of the perks accorded to elected officials who leave under normal circumstances.

I think that scenario is incredibly unlikely, said Ross Garber, an attorney who has represented four recent U.S. governors facing impeachment proceedings in their respective states.

His reading of state law is that a person must be in office at the time of impeachment, citing discussions in 1853 by the Assembly Judiciary Committee.

But that interpretation has never been tested. Only once before has a New York governor been impeached. In 1913, during the states notorious Tammany Hall era, Gov. William Sulzer was impeached  just 10 months after being sworn in.

It would take a simple majority of the Assembly to advance articles of impeachment to the High Court of Impeachment, which comprises members of the Senate and the state's highest court. To convict, two-thirds of the impeachment court must agree.

But the state constitution doesn't spell out much else, including the grounds for impeachment.

Now the guys resigned and you want to impeach him, and you have to define his offenses as impeachable to do it, and that has a precedential consequence, said Gerald Benjamin, a longtime scholar and expert on New York state government. Are you defining only those things he did as impeachable, or are you defining all impeachable things, one of which is what he did?

He agreed that its unclear if lawmakers can impeach a governor whos resigned.

Theres very little in the Constitution about impeachment, and the language is really quite vague, added Richard Rifkin, who has worked in state government for 40 years, including in the attorney generals office and as a special counsel to former Gov. Eliot Spitzer.

There really isnt any definitive precedent to say that you may or may not continue with the impeachment after the removal, Rifkin said. If you spoke to a number of lawyers, you could very well get different answers, and nobody would be wrong.

Six Republican members of the Assemblys Judiciary Committee said in a statement that they wanted the body's impeachment investigation to continue.

The people of the state of New York deserve a full, public disclosure of the information obtained during our search for the truth," they said.

The director of the Working Families Party, an influential progressive group that has feuded with Cuomo, also called for the impeachment process to continue.

Resignation is not accountability, and we urge the Legislature to continue with impeachment proceedings so that Andrew Cuomo is never again elevated to a position of power, party director Sochie Nnaemeka said.

Trump's second impeachment proceeded in near-lightning speed, just a week after the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol that triggered it. A month later, three weeks after Trump left office, Democrats in the U.S. Senate failed to muster the requisite votes to convict him.

There doesn't seem to be the same kind of political urgency with Cuomo.

The pressure has been for Cuomo to resign from the beginning, that was what everybody has been talking about from President Biden on down, Gershman said.

As it stands, Cuomo would anyway have at least 30 days to mount a defense against any articles of impeachment  meaning the outcome wouldn't be known until long after he's left office.

___

Associated Press writer Marina Villeneuve contributed to this report from Albany, New York.
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP)  Puerto Rico's governor announced Wednesday that employees of restaurants or other enclosed places that serve food or drinks will have to get vaccinated against the coronavirus, and customers will have to show a vaccination card or a negative virus test.

The new rules, which take effect Aug. 23, come as the U.S. territory faces a spike in coronavirus infections blamed largely on the delta variant. Those who do not comply face up to six months in jail or up to a $5,000 fine.

As governor, I have the responsibility ... of taking the necessary measures to guarantee everyone's health, said Gov. Pedro Pierluisi.

Customers at other enclosed places including theaters, coliseums and convention centers also will have to present proof of vaccination or a negative test. Pierluisi said another option will soon be available: a QR code that vaccinated people can obtain if they enroll through a new government system.

While the vaccination requirements are mandatory for employees, restaurants and other places that decide not to request proof from customers must lower their maximum capacity to 50%, the governor said.

Pierluisi added that if employees do not get vaccinated, they must present negative coronavirus tests.

If these measures do not have a significant impact, I will be forced to implement additional restrictions, Pierluisi said.

The former and future presidents of Puerto Rico's Restaurant Association said they fully support that employees be vaccinated but raised concerns about asking clients for proof of vaccination or a negative test.

Mateo Cidre, the association's upcoming president and owner of several restaurants, said that the logistics will be complicated and that he had hoped they would be given time to see how New York City implements such measures.

He wondered what he should do if a customer shows up and says he cannot be vaccinated for health reasons.

Am I supposed to ask him why not, what does he have? Cidre said.

Ramon Leal, the association's former president, said restaurants will likely end up losing money and opt to operate at 50% capacity because employees are scarce and owners can't afford to have a worker exclusively posted at the door to check customers.

There's a shortage never before seen in the restaurant industry, he said of workers, adding that scenario could change once federal pandemic funds run out in upcoming weeks.

Wednesday's announcement follows recent ones in which Puerto Rico's governor has said that vaccinations are required of public employees, government contractors, hotel guests and staff and all health facility workers, among others.

The goal here is for everyone to get vaccinated, he said.

The U.S. territory of more than 3.3 million people has reported more than 130,000 confirmed coronavirus cases and more than 2,600 deaths from COVID-19. Some 76% of people have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine.
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Catastrophic flooding in Gibson City led the Harvest Moon Drive-in Theatre to announce Thursday that it will be closed for the weekend and possibly the near future.
A recent study published on the preprint server medRxiv* discusses the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs) who were previously vaccinated against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which is the virus responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Study: Clinical characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 breakthrough infections among vaccinated patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Image Credit: Arunporn Thanapotivirat / Shutterstock.com

What are SARDs?

SARDs are autoimmune diseases that include Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) (and subsets of Lupus), Sjogrens syndrome (SjS), Systemic Sclerosis (SSc), Polymyositis (PM), and Dermatomyositis (DM). The common theme in each of these diseases is the dysregulation of the immune system that causes the immune cells to attack autoantigens.

SARD patients are more susceptible to infections due to either active autoimmune disease or the types of medications they are prescribed. More specifically, many SARD patients are prescribed disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs).

COVID-19 and SARDs

Throughout the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, SARD patients remain at a higher risk of developing severe symptoms of this disease. It is reported that a small percentage of COVID-19 cases among SARD patients in a large United States healthcare system occurred among fully vaccinated patients. The use of DMARDs in this population, particularly glucocorticoids, methotrexate, mycophenolate mofetil, and rituximab, may reduce the immunologic response activated by COVID-19 vaccination.

Post-vaccination, the risks associated with breakthrough COVID-19 infections among SARD patients are unknown. A breakthrough infection is defined as when a vaccinated individual becomes infected with the virus they are immunized against. Ultimately, the pathogen breaks through the protection given by the vaccine.

About the study

To understand the COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough infection rate among SARD patients, a group of Massachusetts researchers extracted the clinical details of SARD patients who received the COVID-19 vaccination 14 days or more prior to a positive SARS-CoV-2 molecular test. They found that, as compared to the outcomes of breakthrough infections among the general population, a larger number of immunized SARD patients required hospitalization or died.

Between December 11, 2020 and July 30, 2021, the researchers identified 340 confirmed COVID-19 infections among SARD patients. Of these patients, 16 (4.7%) patients had breakthrough infections.

In this study, the researchers considered the final vaccination dose as either the first dose in a one-dose series (Janssen/J&J) or the second dose in a two-dose vaccination series (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna).

Study results

Among the 16 SARD patients who had breakthrough COVID-19 infections, 93% presented with symptoms. The most common symptoms reported by these individuals included fever, cough, and malaise, which affected 56%, 44%, and 38% of the patients, respectively. Six of the 16 patients were hospitalized, of which four required supplemental oxygen and one required mechanical ventilation.

The researchers observed that the most common SARDs included RA, inflammatory myositis, and SLE. The most frequent immunosuppressive medications that were being taken prior to first vaccine dose included rituximab, glucocorticoids, mycophenolate mofetil or mycophenolic acid, and methotrexate. Notably, one SARD patient was medication-free (no DMARD or glucocorticoid) at the time of their COVID-19 vaccine, yet still presented with a COVID-19 breakthrough infection.

This study complements observations regarding the attenuated antibody response to COVID-19 vaccination in patients with SARDs by identifying serious clinical outcomes from breakthrough infections in patients receiving DMARDs that have been reported to have blunted vaccine responses.

Study limitations

The current retrospective study cohort is small; therefore, further studies will need to be conducted to determine the rate of breakthrough infections associated with SARD treatments. It is also possible that SARDs patients with asymptomatic or less severe breakthrough infections were not included in the current study.

To conclude, a small minority of COVID-19 cases are reported among COVID-19-vaccinated SARD patients in a large healthcare system. Collectively, this study suggests that the blunted SARS-CoV-2 antibody response following COVID-19 vaccination in certain DMARD users may be associated with an increased risk of breakthrough infections that may be severe and even fatal.

The current study identifies characteristics of COVID-19 breakthrough infections that may guide the prioritization of booster vaccines and other risk-mitigating strategies in patients with SARDs.

*Important notice

medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
Within the next few years, as the SARS-CoV-2 virus becomes endemic in the global population, COVID-19 may behave like other common-cold coronaviruses, affecting mostly young children who have not yet been vaccinated or exposed to the virus, according to new modeling results. Because COVID-19 severity is generally lower among children, the overall burden from this disease is expected to decline.

Following infection by SARS-CoV-2, there has been a clear signature of increasingly severe outcomes and fatality with age. Yet, our modeling results suggest that the risk of infection will likely shift to younger children as the adult community becomes immune either through vaccination or exposure to the virus." Ottar Bjornstad

Bjornstad explained that such shifts have been observed in other coronaviruses and influenza viruses as they have emerged and then become endemic.

"Historical records of respiratory diseases indicate that age-incidence patterns during virgin epidemics can be very different from endemic circulation," he said. "For example, ongoing genomic work suggests that the 1889-1890 pandemic, sometimes known as the Asiatic or Russian flu -; which killed one million people, primarily adults over age 70 -; may have been caused by the emergence of HCoV-OC43 virus, which is now an endemic, mild, repeat-infecting cold virus affecting mostly children ages 7-12 months old."

Bjornstad cautioned, however, that if immunity to reinfection by SARS-CoV-2 wanes among adults, disease burden could remain high in that group, although previous exposure to the virus would lessen the severity of disease.

"Empirical evidence from seasonal coronaviruses indicates that prior exposure may only confer short-term immunity to reinfection, allowing recurrent outbreaks, this prior exposure may prime the immune system to provide some protection against severe disease," said Bjornstad. "However, research on COVID-19 shows that vaccination provides stronger protection than exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, so we encourage everyone to get vaccinated as soon as possible."

The U.S.-Norwegian team developed what is known as a "realistic age-structured (RAS) mathematical model" that integrates demography, degree of social mixing, and duration of infection-blocking and disease-reducing immunity to examine potential future scenarios for age-incidence and burden of mortality for COVID-19.

Specifically, the researchers examined disease burden over immediate, medium and long terms -; 1, 10 and 20 years, respectively. They also examined disease burden for 11 different countries -; including China, Japan, South Korea, Europe, Spain, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, United States, Brazil and South Africa -; that differed widely in their demographics. They used data from the United Nations for each of these countries to parameterize the model.

"Regardless of immunity and mixing, the population-level burden of mortality may differ among countries because of varying demographics," said Ruiyun Li, postdoctoral fellow, University of Oslo. "Our general model framework allows for robust predictions of age-dependent risk in the face of either short or long-term protective immunity, reduction of severity of disease given previous exposure, and consideration of the range of countries with their different demographics and social mixing patterns."

According to Li, social distancing is well documented to affect transmissibility, and many countries implemented interventions, such as "shelter in place," during the build-up of the virgin COVID-19 epidemic. Therefore, the team's model assumes that the reproduction number (R 0 ) -; or the level of transmissibility -; on any given day is linked to the amount of mobility on that day. The model also incorporates a variety of scenarios for immunity, including both independence and dependence of disease severity on prior exposure, as well as short- (either three months or one year) and long-term (either 10 years or permanent) immunity.

The team's results appear today (August 11) in the journal Science Advances.

"For many infectious respiratory diseases, prevalence in the population surges during a virgin epidemic but then recedes in a diminishing wave pattern as the spread of the infection unfolds over time toward an endemic equilibrium," said Li. "Depending on immunity and demography, our RAS model supports this observed trajectory; it predicts a strikingly different age-structure at the start of the COVID-19 epidemic compared to the eventual endemic situation. In a scenario of long-lasting immunity, either permanent or at least 10 years, the young are predicted to have the highest rates of infection as older individuals are protected from new infections by prior infection."

Jessica Metcalf, associate professor of ecology, evolutionary biology and public affairs, Princeton University, noted that this prediction is likely to hold only if reinfections produce only mild disease. However, she said, the burden of mortality over time may remain unchanged if primary infections do not prevent reinfections or mitigate severe disease among the elderly.

"In this bleakest scenario, excess deaths due to continual severe reinfections that result from waning immunity will continue until more effective pharmaceutical tools are available," she said.

Interestingly, due to variations in demographics, the model predicts different outcomes for different countries.

"Given the marked increase of the infection-fatality ratio with age, countries with older population structures would be expected to have a larger fraction of deaths than those with relatively younger population structures," said Nils Chr. Stenseth, professor of ecology and evolution, University of Oslo. "Consistent with this, for example, South Africa -; likely due, in part, to its younger population structure -; has a lower number of deaths compared to older populations such as Italy. We found that such 'death disparities' are heavily influenced by demographics. However, regardless of demographics, we predict a consistent shift of the risk to the young."

The researchers said that they designed their model so that health authorities will have a powerful and flexible tool to examine future age-circulation of COVID-19 for use in strengthening preparedness and deployment of interventions.

Bjornstad said, "The mathematical framework we built is flexible and can help in tailoring mitigation strategies for countries worldwide with varying demographics and social mixing patterns, thus providing a critical tool for policy decision making."
Immunocompromised individuals who are also of older age, obese, and/or have cardiovascular disease are at a greater risk of developing severe cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) that can even lead to death. In addition, disease-specific factors including disease activity and treatments, particularly those that include glucocorticoid, mycophenolate mofetil, and/or rituximab, are also risk factors for the severe symptoms of COVID-19.

Study: Immunogenicity of BNT162b2 vaccine Against the Alpha and Delta Variants in Immunocompromised Patients. Image Credit: Sabrina Bracher / Shutterstock.com

SARS-CoV-2 variants

COVID-19 vaccines using a novel liposomal messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA)-based delivery platform helps to induce persistent and strong B-cell and T-cell responses. As a result, these responses by the immune system aid in preventing the infection by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which is the virus responsible for COVID-19 infection. Although these responses can also determine an individuals risk of hospitalization and death, they have only been reported to occur following infection from the wide-type and Alpha strains of SARS-CoV-2.

The emergence of other SARS-CoV-2 variants has led to increased immune escape and viral fitness. The most prominent SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern (VoC) is the Delta variant. The SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant, which was first identified in India in October 2020, has rapidly spread across the globe and become the dominant circulating strain in most countries.

To date, in vitro data indicates a reduced sensitivity of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant to antibody neutralization. However, only modest differences in vaccine effectiveness have been observed in response to the Delta variant as compared to the Alpha variant.

Patients with systemic inflammatory diseases who are prescribed methotrexate and rituximab for remission have been found to have decreased seroprotection rates post-vaccination. With this data in mind, the researchers behind a study recently published on the preprint server medRxiv* measured seroconversion and cross-neutralization of Alpha and Delta variants and T-cell responses induced by BNT162b2 in immunocompromised patients with systemic inflammatory diseases according to their treatments.

About the study

The current study included one group of participants who had a systemic inflammatory disease and a control group that consisted of individuals who did not have a systemic inflammatory disease. These individuals were further divided into four groups, which included:

Patients who received methotrexate Patients who received rituximab Patients who received conventional Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic drugs (cDMARDs) who did not involve methotrexate Patients who received other strategies had a lower impact on vaccine immunogenicity.

All patient groups were given two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 vaccine 28 days apart. To determine vaccine immunogenicity, blood samples were collected before the participants received the first dose of vaccine, as well as one and three months after receiving the first vaccine dose.

The study included B-cell and T-cell immunotyping, S-Flow assay to determine antibodies bound to T-cells, S-Fuse neutralization assay for assessment of neutralizing activity of the sera against different variants, and the EliSpot assay to determine the presence of SARS-CoV-2 specific T-cells.

Study findings

The study reported that rituximab and methotrexate led to the depletion of B-cells which, in turn, led to a loss of humoral response. Notably, the T-cell response was not affected.

Additional observations included a delayed and reduced induction of anti-spike immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgA as compared to controls. This observation was much more pronounced in individuals who were receiving rituximab.

A neutralizing response was observed after two doses of BNT162b2 in 100% of control individuals. This is comparable to 95% of patients who were treated with rituximab, whose sera did not neutralize these variants.

Taken together, the SARS-CoV-2 specific T-cell responses were similarly measured in controls and individuals with systemic inflammatory diseases. The exception to this observation was reported in methotrexate-treated patients.

This impairment of the BNT162b2 vaccine immunogenicity in patients who are receiving certain treatments, especially methotrexate and rituximab, should support the optimization of vaccine strategies for such patients.

Each dots represent the mean of all patients in the indicated groups. Bars are the standard deviation. X axis is the neutralization titer (ED50) for Alpha (left panel) or the levels of IgG (right panel). Y axis is the levels of S1-specific T-cell responses measured by ELISPOT. Dotted lines indicate the limit of detection.

Conclusion

Overall, we found that rituximab and methotrexate differentially impact the immunogenicity of BNT162b2 vaccine, by impairing B-cell and T-cell responses, respectively.

The impaired immunogenicity can be countered by the administration of a third dose of the mRNA vaccine. In fact, the researchers found that a third dose could also increase specific cellular responses, even in patients who remained seronegative.

*Important notice

medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused the infection of over 204 million individuals with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV2) and claimed more than 4.3 million lives worldwide. Scientists believe that rapid vaccination of the worlds' population is the only effective measure to contain the pandemic.

Several vaccines developed by Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, and others have received various regulatory bodies' emergency use authorization (EUA). Subsequently, vaccination programs have commenced in many countries around the world. As a result, many studies have reported a decline in the number of COVID-19 cases and mortality owing to vaccination.

Pfizer-BioNTech had developed the first COVID-19 vaccine to receive EUA in the USA. The clinical trials demonstrated the BNT162b2 vaccine's effectiveness against severe disease or death to be 95%.

However, scientists believe that there is a high risk of continuous outbreaks, surges in the transmission of the disease, and an increase in mortality until the majority of the global population is vaccinated.

Unfortunately, a wide disparity between wealthy and developing countries has been prominently reflected in the vaccination rates, i.e., there are not enough vaccines are available in developing countries.

How does vaccine wastage occur?

Vaccine wastage refers to the doses of vaccines that are not administered and are supposed to be rejected. Vaccine wastage occurs under certain circumstances, for example, (a) when vials are not kept at the prescribed temperature for prolonged periods, (b) when vials are opened and not used within the stipulated period, (c) when it reaches the expiry date before usage, and (d) when the total volume of vaccine present in the vial is not used. Previous studies have reported that the COVID-19 vaccine wastage in the US is extremely low (less than 1%).

A new study

A new observational study, published on medRxiv* preprint server, has evaluated the unused residual Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in vials. Bainbridge Prepares (BP), an organization consisting of community medical and non-medical volunteers, supported the research.

Since January 2021, BP has been involved with COVID-19 vaccinations, including administering the Moderna vaccine (delivered pre-prepared for usage). Soon after, they received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which required dilution before use. The Bainbridge Island Medical Reserve Corps (BIMRC, a branch of Bainbridge Prepares) assisted in vaccine preparation. This organization comprises volunteers with a medical background, such as licensed doctors, registered nurses, veterinarians, etc.

The BIMRC helped prepare the Pfizer vaccine to be injected into individuals by diluting and mixing the vaccine. This study soon realized that a significant amount of unused vaccines stayed in the vials after the usual six-seven doses containing 0.3 ml each were withdrawn.

Due to the shortage of vaccine supply, researchers tried to quantify the residual vaccine that remained in the vials. The residual vaccines were supposed to be discarded as waste after specific numbers of doses were withdrawn.

Researchers revealed that each vial of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine contains 0.45 ml of vaccine after thawing, diluted with 1.8 ml of sterile saline. Therefore, the final volume of the vaccine in each vial becomes 2.25 ml. After the final dose is withdrawn, less than 0.3 ml remains in the vial, which is discarded.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Pfizer regulations, vials containing not enough doses must be discarded, and mixing of residual vaccines from multiple vials must be avoided.

The present observational study was conducted in April 2021 at a mass vaccination site in Bainbridge Island, Washington. The researchers estimated the amount of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, which remained in 172 vials after the recommended six doses were withdrawn. They found that a total of 30.68 ml of the leftover vaccine was discarded as medical waste. Hence, theoretically, another 102 doses could be administered using all the residual vaccines in the vials. The use of which could reduce the total number of vials required by around 10%.

Conclusion

The reason provided by Pfizer to avoid using this residual vaccine is the possibility of contamination by mixing vaccines from different vials. Vaccine contamination poses a high risk of infection. Another reason to avoid using residual vaccines is that excessive handling of the vaccine may cause damage to lipid nanospheres used to contain mRNA.

One of the limitations of this study is the small sample size. Thereby, researchers recommended further tests before drawing solid conclusions.

A second limitation is that more precise estimates of residual vaccines could be obtained if researchers adopted better techniques. For instance, a more sophisticated syringe and removal technique could be used to recover vaccines that remained in crevices around the stopper or around the vials.

*Important Notice

medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is doubling down on its recommendation that people who are pregnant get the covid-19 vaccine, in light of new data underscoring its safety and effectiveness throughout pregnancy.

This recommendation comes at a time when doctors across the country are reporting an uptick in the number of unvaccinated pregnant people getting hospitalized with severe cases of covid.

The low vaccination rate in this group is striking, doctors note. As of July 31, only 23% of those who are pregnant had received at least one dose of vaccine against the coronavirus, according to CDC statistics.

CDC recommends that pregnant people should be vaccinated against COVID-19, based on new evidence about the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines, the agency said in updated guidance that echoes the urgent recommendation of leading medical societies. COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for all people 12 years and older, including people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to get pregnant now or might become pregnant in the future.

According to the agency, concerns among some people that the messenger RNA vaccines might increase the risk of miscarriage when given early in pregnancy are not borne out by the data.

Officials said miscarriage rates after getting vaccinated were similar to the expected rate of miscarriage in any group of pregnant people. Getting a covid vaccine is also safe later in pregnancy and while breastfeeding, the agencys new analysis indicates.

Dr. Alison Cahill, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist and professor at the Dell Medical School at the University of Texas-Austin, said she has been telling all within earshot to get vaccinated. She works mostly with pregnant individuals who are sick with covid and sees the damage the coronavirus can do.

Cahill recalled treating an unvaccinated woman who came into her hospital with shortness of breath. Within 24 hours, she said, things got much worse, and the woman needed a tremendous amount of oxygen to stay alive.

She was pregnant in her mid-trimester. So, if she had needed to be delivered, she would have had an extremely preterm baby with a high risk of having lifelong disability or even death, Cahill said.

She said that within two days of being admitted to the hospital the woman could no longer breathe on her own. She was intubated and then put on a ventilator.

Eventually, the woman needed ECMO, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, which is a machine that bypasses her lungs and oxygenates her blood for her. Cahill said she was on ECMO, which is often a bridge to a heart or lung transplant for critically ill people, for several weeks.

She was eventually able to come off all of those things, Cahill said. She miraculously did not require a preterm delivery. She remained pregnant and after 2 months in the hospital was able to go home.

The baby was born healthy, but the woman was sent home and may face a lifetime of disabilities from covid. Cahill said it all could have been prevented if the woman had gotten vaccinated.

I think that its just an incredible opportunity that we have in the United States, and everybody should avail themselves of this tremendous vaccine to prevent those types of things happening to people, she said. Its really tragic.

Such cases are why the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, or ACOG, and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine  the two leading organizations representing physicians and scientists who specialize in obstetric care  recommended on July 30 that all who are pregnant get a covid vaccine.

Its kind of a perfect storm situation, said Dr. Mark Turrentine, an obstetrics professor at Baylor College of Medicine, who is also the co-chair of a covid workgroup for ACOG. We have a highly infectious variant of covid-19 virus in a group of individuals that the majority are not immunized. So yeah, we are seeing a lot of sick people.

ACOG encourages its members to enthusiastically recommend vaccination to their patients, Dr. J. Martin Tucker, president of ACOG, said in a written statement. This means emphasizing the known safety of the vaccines and the increased risk of severe complications associated with COVID-19 infection, including death, during pregnancy.

Vaccinating those who are pregnant has become especially urgent in states such as Texas, where the highly contagious delta variant currently makes up more than 75% of new cases. The percentage of people in Texas who are fully vaccinated is 44.6%, compared with 50.3% of the entire U.S. population. As infection rates climb in the state, Dr. Jessica Ehrig, obstetrics chief at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Temple, Texas, said she's seen a significant increase in the number of pregnant women being hospitalized and intubated; some have died. And those severe cases of covid are also dangerous for the fetus, she noted.

Complications include preterm birth and prematurity, increased risk of preeclampsia for these moms  which can require preterm delivery, Ehrig said recently at an Austin press conference on the topic. And, unfortunately, also increased risk of stillbirth.

Its an especially dangerous situation when someone whos pregnant gets a symptomatic case of covid, Turrentine noted.

There is a threefold increase of intensive care unit admission, he said, two-and-a-half-fold increased risk of being put on mechanical ventilation or bypass support, and theres even, you know, a little over a one-and-a-half-fold increased risk of death.

Medical professionals and scientists dont know exactly why those who are pregnant are at such high risk when they become infected with the virus, but they are concerned this population is especially vulnerable because so many of them remain unvaccinated.

Since April, the CDC has recommended vaccines for those who are pregnant as the best way to protect them and their babies from the coronavirus. Although people who are pregnant were excluded from the initial clinical trials of the three covid vaccines authorized for emergency use in the U.S., significant data gathered since then has shown the shots to be safe and effective in this group.

Turrentine said its important to stress that the benefits of getting vaccinated far outweigh any kind of risk. Especially for someone who is pregnant, he said, the costs of not getting vaccinated are just too high.

I have seen some pregnant women get really sick. I mean, I have seen some die, he said. And, you know, you go into this business as an obstetrician-gynecologist because patients are young and they are healthy. And most of the time you have great outcomes. This is a bad virus.

This story is from a reporting partnership with KUT, NPR and KHN.
To several U.S. senators, it looked wasteful, even outrageous. Every year, taxpayers pay for at least $750 million worth of expensive pharmaceuticals that are simply thrown away. Companies ship many of the drugs in "Costco"-size vials, one lawmaker said, that once opened usually cannot be resealed or saved for other patients. Yet pharma gets paid for every drop.

So Congress turned to the prestigious National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine for advice, given its reputation for "independent, objective reports" on such matters. The national academies' influential report, released in February, struck physicians who've tracked the issue as distinctly friendly to Big Pharma. It advised against an effort to recoup millions for the discarded drugs. It concluded that Medicare should stop tracking the cost of the drug waste altogether.

Yet the report left out a few key facts, a KHN investigation has found.

Among them: One committee member was paid $1.4 million to serve on the board of a pharmaceutical corporation in 2019 and in 2020 joined the board of a biotechnology company that lists government "cost containment" efforts as a risk to its bottom line.

Another committee member reported consulting income from 11 to 13 pharmaceutical companies, including eight that Medicare records show have earned millions billing for drug waste. His pharma ties were disclosed in unrelated publications in 2019 through this year.

Those committee members said they reported relevant relationships to the national academies and that the information is readily available outside of the report.

What's more: The National Academy of Sciences itself for years has been collecting generous gifts from foundations, universities and corporations, including at least $10 million from major drugmakers since 2015, its treasurer reports show. Among the donors are companies with millions to retain or lose over the drug waste committee's findings.

The fact that those relationships were not disclosed in the final report by an organization charted in 1863 to advise the nation amounts to "egregious" failures, said Sheldon Krimsky, a Tufts University professor and expert on conflicts of interest in science.

"The amount of money you're reporting is really substantial," he said. "It really raises questions about the independence" of the national academies.

In a statement emailed to KHN, the national academies said the two members with undisclosed board and consulting roles had "no current conflicts of interest during the time the [drug waste] study was being conducted" from January 2020 through February. The report did disclose conflicts for two others on the 14-member board. The report in question was paid for by federal officials, and "funds from for-profit organizations with a direct financial interest in the outcome of a study may not be used to fund advisory consensus studies, except in rare circumstances," national academies spokesperson Dana Korsen said in the emailed statement.

She also said the organization is implementing a new conflict-of-interest policy that will be fully in place this fall.

"Protecting the integrity, independence, and objectivity of our study process is of the utmost importance to the National Academies," her statement said.

The committee's failure to call for concrete changes  and the millions in gifts from pharmaceutical companies to the national academies  looked familiar to David Mitchell, president of Patients for Affordable Drugs and a cancer patient who relies for his survival on a drug with high waste costs.

"We have found in our work that pharma is like an octopus," he said, "and at the end of each tentacle is a wad of cash."

Waste shocked policymakers in 2016

Dr. Peter Bach and colleagues published an explosive paper in 2016 that for the first time showed that taxpayers and health insurance rate payers were bankrolling an estimated $2.8 billion a year in drug waste. The findings encompassed all U.S. health care  not just what's reported by doctor's offices to Medicare  and were covered widely in the news.

Bach, a researcher with the Center for Health Policy and Outcomes at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, found that medications infused in doctors' offices often arrived in vial sizes fit for a linebacker but might be given to a waif. Given sterility and other concerns, the extra milligrams, often for cancer therapies that can cost thousands of dollars per dose, were typically discarded.

Congress and policymakers took notice.

In 2017, Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) introduced a bill urging health care agencies to develop a "joint action plan" to address the waste. Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) introduced an even stronger measure in 2019 and again this year that would allow Medicare to recoup the cost of the wasted drugs. None of the bills has passed.

The refund mandate made it into a broader drug pricing measure that also failed, but not before the Congressional Budget Office took a close look in 2020 and estimated $9 billion could be saved over a decade.

Medicare officials also urged doctors to use a billing code to document the amount taxpayers were spending on wasted drugs each year  which amounted to $753 million in 2019 alone, Medicare data shows.

Before and while Bach's paper was making waves, physicians who would eventually be on the national academies committee were forging alliances with the pharmaceutical industry.

Dr. Kavita Patel reported earning a speaking fee in 2015 from the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, or PhRMA, of $5,001 to $15,000. She also accrued assets valued at more than $50,000 for her role as a pharmaceutical company board member, according to 2015 and 2018 disclosures filed with the Government Accountability Office.

Dr. Anupam Jena, who also served on the committee, wrote a 2018 article with staff members of PhRMA arguing that medications should be valued not for their actual benefit, but rather for the potential for innovation that comes with making new therapies.

The 'kiss of death'

In 2016, lawmakers called for an independent study of the drug waste. In September 2019, the National Academy of Sciences was awarded $1.2 million to complete the report.

At the outset of its study in January 2020, national academies committee members declared their potential conflicts of interest in a closed session, according to the meeting agenda.

Bach was among the physicians and other experts who later presented to the national academies committee. He said his team had laid out two possible solutions from the start: Have companies make a variety of vial sizes to minimize waste, or pursue refunds.

Former Medicare administrator Donald Berwickpresented to the committee at a June 2020, virtual meeting, exhorting its members to defy the expectation that they'd be one more committee that failed to do anything meaningful about health costs.

"Someone's got to begin to set a standard and say, 'Nope, this money is too important for  us to accede to this,'" Berwick told the committee.

The report's recommendations were "the result of extensive fact-finding, full committee discussions and unanimous consensus," said committee chairperson Dr. Edward Shortliffe, chair emeritus and adjunct professor in the Department of Biomedical Informatics at Columbia University.

The report, though, did not meet Berwick's call to action. In a webinar summarizing the report findings, Jena described the drugs as valuable enough to justify the total cost of each vial, completely used or not. Patel and others summarized the findings in a STAT opinion piece, saying the committee argued against tracking the money wasted and instead called for a "whole of government" approach.

Bach said the conclusions were "better than pharma could have ever hoped for" and called the whole-of-government idea the "kiss of death."

Berwick said that he was "disappointed" by the conclusions and that all committee members' industry relationships should have been reported. He noted that, in his experience, committee members have been very open about conflicts and the national academies dismissed those who had them.

Presented with KHN's findings about certain committee members' undisclosed pharmaceutical company income and consulting relationships, Bach said they raise serious concerns.

"The conflicts align just way too closely with the results," he said. "That's what makes it hard to ignore."

'Current' conflicts don't tell full story

Conflicts of interest became a hot topic more than a decade ago, amid a series of scandals over Big Pharma quietly backing influential doctors.

Reforms followed, with countless medical journals, nonprofits and government agencies strengthening their conflict-of-interest policies.

The national academies came under scrutiny in 2014 and 2016 for failing to disclose conflicts among committee members advising federal officials on opioid use and in 2017 on genetically modified crops.

Its webpage on conflicts underscores why strong disclosure rules are important: "The institution should not be placed in a situation where others could reasonably question, and perhaps discount or dismiss, the work of the committee simply because of the existence of such conflicting interests."

Yet conflict-of-interest experts interviewed by KHN said the national academies stands out by considering only "current" conflicts and not those going back three years, as is more typical. Korsen said the National Academy of Sciences is working toward requiring five years of disclosures.

Several experts said that, given the trust placed in  and $200 million in federal funding awarded to  the national academies, a number of conflicts should have been disclosed in the report.

They include those of Patel, who is described in her report biography as a Brookings Institution fellow, a primary care physician in Washington, D.C., and former Obama administration policy adviser.

The national academies declined to provide the conflict-of-interest form that Patel or any other member filled out at the outset of the committee's work in early 2020.

Unrelated Securities and Exchange Commission records show that, before she joined the committee in 2020, Patel's role as a board member for Tesaro, a developer of cancer medications, became very lucrative when GlaxoSmithKline bought the company. At the time of the 2019 sale, Patel was in line to receive an estimated $1.4 million for her shares and stock options, according to a December 2018 Tesaro securities filing.

Also in 2020, Patel was appointed to the board of Sigilon Therapeutics, a biotech company with no product on the market. The company awarded her stock options then worth an estimated $369,000, an SEC filing shows.

Sigilon described state and federal efforts to control costs as a risk to its business in an annual report to investors: "Any cost containment measures could significantly decrease  the price we might establish for our products."

The national academies' lack of disclosure of those roles "to me is a violation of almost all the standards that I'm aware of for disclosing conflicts of interest," said Krimsky, of Tufts.

Patel told KHN she "fully and transparently participated" in the disclosure process and "provided all of the information requested." She said: "In addition, many of the financial relationships incurred over the course of my work had already been disclosed in the public record."

Patel was the lead writer on the Feb. 25 opinion piece in STAT that summarizes the committee's report as focusing on the need to reduce inefficiencies, "rather than on trying to recover from pharmaceutical companies the financial worth of the portion of drug that was not used."

Patel said she was "objective in all of my contributions" to the national academies report.

The national academies  as an organization  reported in its 2016 treasurer report that while 84% of its funding in 2011 was from federal agencies, the amount was failing. So it was working to "grow the non-federally sponsored work."

"It will be very important for the future of the institution to continue vigorous efforts to diversify its sources of income," the treasurer report says.

A KHN review of treasurer reports from 2015 through 2020 shows that pharmaceutical companies have given consistently to the national academies. Drugmakers donated at least $10 million over those years. Their giving is reported in ranges, often $100,000 to $500,000, and that total assumes they gave the lowest amount in each range each year.

A 2018 treasurer report recognized Merck & Co. for more than $5 million in cumulative giving and 10 other drugmakers for donating more than $1 million.

None of those donations was listed in the drug waste report. But listing them would reassure readers, said Genevieve Kanter, a University of Pennsylvania assistant professor of medical ethics and health policy.

"If the national academies is interested in producing a credible, independent report," she said, "I think they would report all of those donations in the report itself."

Jena, a Harvard Medical School associate professor, physician at Massachusetts General Hospital and an economist, also had no conflicts disclosed in the report.

Jena has disclosed consulting fees from a dozen major pharmaceutical companies, articles in the Journal of the American Medical Association and The BMJ show. Most of those companies have a direct financial interest in the drug waste matter, a KHN review of Medicare data shows. He said he disclosed all his consulting relationships to the national academies.

After the report came out, he took the lead on a Health Affairs article that says Medicare should stop tallying the waste money.

"Attempts by public payers to recoup overpayments are unlikely to be successful since they may simply end up paying higher prices" if drugmakers raise the price tag for the medications.

That article initially omitted his consulting relationships with numerous pharmaceutical companies  but journal editors updated the disclosures after KHN inquired.

Jay Hancock and Megan Kalata contributed to this report.
The Centre for Health Protection today said it is investigating five additional imported COVID-19 cases.

The patients arrived in Hong Kong from Thailand, South Korea, Switzerland and Singapore.

A total of 40 cases were reported in Hong Kong in the past 14 days, one of which is a local case with an unknown infection source while the rest are imported.

The centre reminded specified people linked to Tower 6, Harbour Place in Hung Hom, Bohemian House in Sai Ying Pun and Sea View Mansion in Sheung Wan to undergo compulsory testing tomorrow in accordance with the compulsory testing notice.

Additionally, a compulsory testing notice published today requires those who had come into contact or handled the fish sold by a fish stall or had been at four premises during the specified period to undergo a COVID-19 nucleic acid test. This also applies to those who have completed a COVID-19 vaccination course.

For information and health advice on COVID-19, visit the Governments dedicated webpage.
(Newser)  New rules being drafted by the Biden administration could speed up the processwhich essentially is stuckfor museums and other institutions to return the remains of Native American to their tribes. The government set up a system in 1990, but institutions still have possession of the remains of more than 116,000 Native Americans, the New York Times reports. In nearly every case, the institutions have not been able to connect the remains to a tribe. Regulatory changes could make museums complete identification and streamline repatriation, a process that tribes say gives too much control to the institutions. "The right to protect the graves of your ancestors and relatives is one of the most fundamental human rights on the planet," said Veronica Pasfield, who's involved in the process for Michigan's Bay Mills Indian Community.

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Deb Haaland, the first Native American to lead the Interior Department, said changes to the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act are overdue. Institutions have complained that identifying the remains' cultural affiliation can be difficult and expensive, saying that remains sometimes appear to be too old to be connected to a present-day tribe. Tribes have argued that, per the Times. "If you know there are human remains from a burial site, and you know their location and age, it's relatively simple to identify what tribe that person is from," Pasfield said. "Not affiliating remains is a way for universities and museums to hold onto what they want to conduct research on." Harvard's Peabody Museum alone has the remains of more than 6,400 Native Americans. A repatriation and reburial in Michigan involving the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe in 2014 was moving, one participant said: "It's a deeply spiritual and emotional thing that comes from the heart." (The law facilitated the reburial of a chief who signed a treaty with the Pilgrims.)
(Newser)  A judge agreed Wednesday that a House committee has a right to see former President Trump's tax records, within limits. US District Judge Amit Mehta in Washington said the House Oversight Committee may subpoena some of the documents from Trump's accounting firm, Mazars. The former president has fought the release, and an aide said he'll probably appeal, the Wall Street Journal reports. The House Oversight Committee's Democratic chairwoman, Rep. Carolyn Maloney, said she was pleased by much of the opinion but found it "disappointing that the Court, despite finding that the entire subpoena served valid legislative purposes, narrowed the subpoena in some respects." Trump lost a separate round in the long battle over his financial records on July 30, when the Justice Department decided the Treasury Department has to turn over tax returns to the House Ways and Means Committee.

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The case has been to the Supreme Court and back. This time, Mehta applied the considerations that Chief Justice John Roberts' opinion articulated last year, supporting parts of the subpoena related to the emoluments clause, per CNN, including the Trump hotel lease for Washington's Old Post Office. The committee provided substantial evidence that Trump "likely received foreign payments during the term of his presidency," the judge wrote. That shows the panel "is not engaged in a baseless fishing expedition," the ruling says. But on separation of powers grounds, the judge decided the House panel cannot see Trump's personal financial records as part of a reconsideration of financial disclosure rules for presidents. Mehta was appointed by President Obama. (Read more Trump tax return stories.)
(Newser)  A massive amount of information on criminal cases dating to July 2020 has been lost from the Dallas Police Department computer database, authorities revealed on Wednesday. In a statement, the Dallas County District Attorney's Office said the loss occurred in early April as the police department performed a data migration from a computer network drive, the AP reports. About 14 terabytes of the 22 terabytes lost were recovered, but the remaining eight terabytes are believed lost forever, according to the statement, and would have to be restored by new investigative work. City information technology officials became aware of the problem on April 5. The police and city IT departments did not reveal the loss to the district attorney's office until Friday, after prosecutors inquired why they could not find computer files on pending cases. Police and the district attorney's office are trying to figure how many cases are affected.

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The lost data included images, video, audio, case notes, and other information gathered by police officers and detectives, according to a police statement. A city IT employee was migrating the files, which had not been accessed for six to 18 months, from an online, cloud-based archive to a server at the city's data center. "While performing the data migration, the employee failed to follow proper, established procedures, resulting in the deletion of the data files," according to the police statement. The district attorney said he and the police chief "are committed to ensuring justice is served on each case. Amanda Branan, president of the Dallas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, said she was thankful for the disclosure so defense attorneys could request trial postponements. Branan also said she was concerned that evidence that might strengthen defendants' cases might have been lost, so the police department needed to identify which cases the data loss affects. Investigators then will have to retrace their steps and restore the lost evidence.

(Read more computer glitch stories.)
(Newser)  Two Black men from New York City who each spent more than 30 years in prison for murder were freed Monday after state judges found their convictions were unjust. "I'm not the only innocent person in there," Carlton Roman said, per the New York Times, following his exoneration during a hearing at Queens Supreme Court. A college graduate with no criminal record, Roman was convicted of shooting two men, one fatally, in Queens in 1989 in a drug dispute. There was no forensic evidence, and Roman's then-fiancee said he'd been running errands with her at the time. But two eyewitnesseswhom Roman's lawyer claims were involved in the drug tradeblamed the 26-year-old. Thirty years later, one of them recanted, saying Roman wasn't at the crime scene at all. The Queens Conviction Integrity Unit ultimately found the man had told six different versions of events, per KABC.

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Similarly, Christopher Ellis' conviction for fatally shooting a man in Hempstead, NY, in 1990, when he was only 20, was vacated last month after his lawyer argued police failed to inform defense lawyers and prosecutors about multiple suspects and a witness who denied Ellis was at the crime scene. He was reportedly DJing his brother's birthday party during the shooting. Arrested in connection with an armed robbery the following year, he only confessed after an 18-hour interrogation in which he was allegedly denied food, water, and repeatedly roused from sleep. He later recanted. While Ellis' case is "appalling," the two cases together are "a terrible tragedy," Ellis' lawyer, Ilann Maazel, tells Fox News. "The police railroaded these young men and treated them as if they were nobody." Nassau County's district attorney will decide whether to retry Ellis by Sept. 20. (Read more wrongful conviction stories.)
(Newser)  A federal judge cleared the way Wednesday for a defamation case by Dominion Voting Systems to proceed against Sidney Powell, Rudy Giuliani, and Mike Lindell, allies of former President Trump who had all falsely accused the company of rigging the 2020 presidential election. US District Judge Carl Nichols ruled that there was no blanket protection on political speech and denied an argument from two of the defendants that the federal court in Washington wasn't the proper venue for the case, the AP reports. As an initial matter, there is no blanket immunity for statements that are 'political in nature, the judge wrote in the 44-page ruling. While courts have recognized there are some hyperbolic statements in political discourse, it is simply not the law that provably false statements cannot be actionable if made in the context of an election, Nichols wrote.

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The judge also rejected Powell and Lindells arguments that Dominion had failed to meet a legal burden that their statements were made with actual malice. He outlined several instances where the trio made outlandish and blatantly false claims, including when Powell stated that the company was created in Venezuela to rig elections for the late leader Hugo Chavez and that it can switch votes. Dominion has sought $1.3 billion in damages from the trio. Nichols said "a reasonable juror could conclude that [Powell made] either statements of fact or statements of opinion that implied or relied upon facts that are provably false," and issued a similar statement against Lindell. The judges ruling came just a day after the vote-counting machine maker filed defamation lawsuits against right-wing broadcasters Newsmax Media Inc. and One America News Network, as well as Patrick Byrne, a prominent Trump ally and former chief executive of Overstock.com.

(Read more Dominion Voting Systems stories.)
(Newser)  Australias capital will go into lockdown for a week from Thursday after a single case of COVID-19 was detected and the virus was found in wastewater. Canberra joins Sydney, Melbourne, and several cities in New South Wales state that are locked down due to the delta variant. Canberra residents can only leave home for essential reasons from 5pm on Thursday, general retail stores will be closed, and hospitality venues will only to able to sell takeout, an Australian Capital Territory government statement issued hours before the lockdown said. Schools will be open to students who cannot stay at home. The infection is the first locally-acquired case in the city of 460,000 since July 10 last year.

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A Canberra resident, a man aged in his 20s, had been infectious in Canberra since Sunday and tested positive on Thursday, Australian Capital Territory Chief Health Officer Kerryn Coleman said. The source of the infection was unknown, she said. Coronavirus was detected in wastewater late Wednesday, Coleman said. Three more cases, all contacts of the man, were detected later Thursday, the Canberra Times reports. The lockdown starts on the final day of a two-week sitting of the Federal Parliament. In Sydney, some 580 military personnel are helping police enforce lockdown regulations and authorities are considering calling in reinforcements, the BBC reports. (Across the Tasman Sea, New Zealand has announced plans to gradually reopen its borders, starting in 2022.)
(Newser)  Rand Paul's headline-making week isn't over yet. First the Republican senator from Kentucky was booted from YouTube for a week for spreading misinformation on face masks. Now Paul, one of the most vocal lawmakers to break with federal health officials on how to handle COVID, has made a revelation raising eyebrows among securities and ethics experts. On Wednesday, Paul disclosed in a Senate filing that his wife, author Kelley Paul, in February 2020 bought up to $15,000 in stock in Gilead Sciences, the company behind the antiviral drug remdesivir, the first drug approved by the FDA to treat COVID, per CNN. The STOCK Act, designed to combat insider trading by members of Congress, requires such filings to be completed within 45 days of the trademeaning Rand Paul's filing is 16 months late. Kelsey Cooper, a spokesman for the senator, says Kelley Paul lost money on the investment, and that Rand Paul actually had filled out reporting paperwork on time.

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"In the process of preparing to file his annual financial disclosure for last year, he learned that the form was not transmitted and promptly alerted the filing office and requested their guidance," Cooper says. Why rumblings of insider trading have started, per the Washington Post: Although Kelley Paul bought the stock two days after the WHO publicly touted remdesivir as the only drug that "may have real efficacy" in treating the virus, Rand Paul is part of the Senate's health panela committee that hosted Trump administration officials in January 2020 for a COVID briefing. "There could have been information about interest that certain individuals within [the] administration may have had in the product," says a Columbia University securities law expert. Cooper says Paul never attended any COVID briefings. Some say the heightened scrutiny on other Congress members for insider trading in early 2020 should have caused Paul to be even more careful about filing on time. (Read more Rand Paul stories.)
(Newser)  If dogs are man's best friend, alpacas must not be far behind, given that more than 100,000 people are appealing to save an alpaca in England from execution. Geronimo, an 8-year-old who came to Gloucestershire from New Zealand four years ago, tested positive for bovine tuberculosis when his owner had him voluntarily tested soon after his arrival, per the BBC. A rep for the British Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs on Tuesday described the contagious disease as "one of the greatest animal health threats we face today." Hence why, after years of appeals, the isolated Geronimo is to be culled, per the New York Times. Supporters, however, say the TB tests produce false positives. And Geronimo's owner, veterinary nurse Helen Macdonald, says that, four years on, the camelid isn't showing any symptoms of the disease, which usually triggers severe weight loss.

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Environment Secretary George Eustice says Geronimo has tested positive twice. Authorities say the chance of a false positive is less than 1%. But a veterinary surgeon who's examined Geronimo disagrees. Bob Broadbent tells the Times that DEFRA's test requires an injection of "tuberculin" as "a primer" up to 30 days in advance, and the tests, when used on alpacas, detect the tuberculin rather than a legitimate case of bovine tuberculosis. While Macdonald has already exhausted her appeals in the case, supporters have come to her defense, creating a 24-hour-a-day human shield meant to protect Geronimo from executioners, who could arrive at Macdonald's farm anytime in the next three weeks. They're backed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson's father and more than 115,000 signers of a petition asking Johnson to intervene. (Read more alpaca stories.)
(Newser)  "COVID is no joke," Topeka Mayor Michelle De La Isla warned at a city council meeting this week. The 45-year-old mayor said she has been suffering from long-haul COVID since being infected in January and will be fitted with a pacemaker Monday because of heart damage caused by the virus, reports the Washington Post. De La Isla, a mother of three, was hospitalized for six days after she was initially diagnosed and spent another five days in the hospital and had her gallbladder removed after the virus attacked her gastrointestinal system, WIBW reports. She was hospitalized for another two days last month after experiencing dizziness and nausea.

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De La Isla told the council she will continue to be open about her condition. The mayorwho received a first dose of COVID vaccine before becoming infected by a family member who is an essential workertells WIBW that she never thought the illness would last for so long or do so much damage. "Im a runner. I ride my bike. Im one of the healthiest people youd come across, and I thought I was going to beat it, she says. She has decided against running for re-election this year, the Topeka Capital-Journal reports. At a visit to a vaccination clinic Monday, she warned that the delta variant is hitting young people hard and urged people to get vaccinated. "You just dont know," she said. "You dont know if youre gonna have it like the flu or if you dont know if youre gonna have it and youre gonna end up in the hospital." (Read more coronavirus stories.)
(Newser)  If your mother always told you give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport, or to your Olympic 110-meter hurdling competition, we hope you've listened. Hansle Parchment will likely leave the house way early from now on, after the Jamaican hurdler almost missed his chance to compete in the 110-meter finals in Tokyoan event that ended up earning him the gold. Per the Guardian, Parchment got on the wrong bus on Thursday and found himself at the aquatics venue, not the track and field venue where he was set to compete. To take an official Tokyo 2020 car, one had to book the car beforehand, and Parchment says organizers were "very strict" about that rule. That means he would've had to have hopped on a bus back the Olympic Village, then found the correct bus to take him to his race venue, without any guarantee he'd make it in time.

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At the very least, "I wouldn't get there in time to even warm up," the 31-year-old Olympian says. "I had to find another way." And so Parchment approached a volunteer, known only as "Tiana"the Washington Post has since identified her as Trijana Stojkovicand begged her for money for a taxi, which she gave him. He made his race and took the top prize. Later, Parchment tracked Stojkovic down, posting a video on Saturday on Instagram of him returning to the spot where he'd met her, paying her back for the cab and giving her a yellow Jamaican Olympic tee. He also showed her his gold medal and told her she was "instrumental" to his win. "Really? You got this?!" she exclaimed. Stojkovic may have an even bigger token of appreciation coming her way: Jamaica's tourism minister has invited her to visit the Caribbean island. "It is selfless what she did," Edmund Bartlett tells the Sunday Gleaner. "We want to reciprocate the kindness shown to one of our own." (Read more uplifting news stories.)
(Newser)  Mississippi's hospital system is buckling under a record-breaking load of COVID infections, a University of Mississippi Medical Center official is warning. Dr. Alan Jones, UMMC's COVID response leader, said Wednesday that case numbers and hospitalizations have soared over the last week, and "if we continue that trajectory within the next five to seven to 10 days, I think we're going to see failure of the hospital system in Mississippi," per the Mississippi Free Press. "Hospitals are full from Memphis to Natchez to Gulfport. Hospitals are full." Federal authorities have sent health care workers to the state and are helping set up a field hospital in UMMC's parking garage. Mississippi has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the country, and Gov. Tate Reeves says there are no plans to bring in a mask mandate.

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The governorwho hasn't held a press conference on the pandemic since Aprilsaid in a Facebook post on Wednesday that the "real challenge" is a shortage of health care workers, not hospital beds, but his administration is not "panicking," the Sun Herald reports. In Texas, which is also dealing with a surge in cases and a shortage of hospital beds and health care workers, Gov. Greg Abbott announced this week that he plans to bring in additional out-of-state medical personnel, reports the Houston Chronicle. He has also asked hospitals to delay elective procedures. Dr. Esmaeil Porsa, president of Harris Health System in Houston, tells CNN that the speed with which hospitals have filled up is frightening. If COVID numbers keep rising at the same rate, and "I don't see ... any mitigating interventions being put in place to try to slow this down, this would be a disaster," he says. (Read more coronavirus stories.)
(Newser)  The legacy of the infamous 40-year Tuskegee experimentin which Black men in Alabama told they were getting free medical care were actually being used for a study of untreated syphilislingers to this day in New York City, where young Black people are far more reluctant than white or Latino residents to get vaccinated. In interviews with the New York Times, dozens of Black New Yorkers said distrust of the government made them wary of COVID vaccines, and many cited Tuskegee. According to city figures, only 27% of Black residents between 18 and 44 years old are vaccinated, compared to 48% of Latinos and 52% of whites. Some Black residents say their mistrust grew when there were issues with the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which was used at many pop-up clinics in minority neighborhoods.

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"It reaffirmed my hesitance, it reaffirmed everything," Jazmine Shavuo-Goodwin, who helps manage Medicaid dental clinics, tells the Times. "It just shows Black lives don't matter. You can test that on us just like you tested syphilis on us." With the delta surge expected to hit Black New Yorkers hard, the city has stepped up programs reaching out to that group, and many of the vaccine-hesitant say they'll probably get vaccinated eventually because of the city's strict new vaccine mandate, which will require proof of vaccination to enter indoor spaces such as gyms and restaurants. The Washington Post reports that a recent Kaiser poll found that nationwide, Black Americans make up around 13% of the unvaccinated population and are only slightly more hesitant than white Americans about COVID vaccines. (Read more coronavirus stories.)
(Newser)  You may not have recognized his face, but you probably knew his voice. Neal Conan, who hosted the popular NPR show Talk of the Nation for 11 years until its 2013 end, died Tuesday at age 71. Conan's son, Connor, revealed the longtime radio journalist died of glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer, at his home in Hawaii, per the Hill. He'd started on the air as a volunteer at his local public radio station at just 17. He joined NPR as a producer in 1977 before turning correspondent, per the Washington Post. He covered Olympic Games, Supreme Court nominations, a presidential impeachment, and wars in the Middle East and Northern Ireland. It was while covering the 1991 Gulf War in southern Iraq that he became one of 40 journalists taken hostage by the Iraqi Republican Guard. They were released nearly a week later.

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He later became NPR bureau chief in New York and London and an executive producer of NPR's evening news program All Things Considered. Its longtime co-host, Robert Siegel, described him as a "funny, smart and 100% radio, with an incurable curiosity and the silvery voice of an Irish tenor" in an on-air tribute. He said Conan told his nephew, former NPR journalist JJ Sutherland, earlier this year that he wanted to be remembered for his part in establishing "a really important news organization in this country," which is more vital now than ever. In a statement, Sutherland noted Conan was "NPR's second foreign correspondent ever." Talk of the Nation was airing on 407 stations when it came to an end in 2013. Conan then moved to Hawaii, where he farmed macadamia nuts and hosted Pacific News Minute on Hawaii Public Radio. (Read more obituary stories.)
(Newser)  Another day, another major city captured by the Taliban. And this time's it's the biggest prize to date. The militant group on Thursday overran Herat, Afghanistan's third-largest city and a strategic provincial capital near Kabul, further squeezing the country's embattled government just weeks before the end of the American military mission there, per the AP. The Taliban has now taken 11 of Afghanistan's 34 provincial capitals as part of a weeklong blitz. Taliban fighters rushed past the Great Mosque in the historic citywhich dates to 500 BC and was once a spoil of Alexander the Greatand seized government buildings. Witnesses described hearing sporadic gunfire at one government building while the rest of the city fell silent under the insurgents' control.

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The Taliban on Thursday also captured Ghazni, southwest of Kabul, which cuts off a crucial highway linking the Afghan capital with the country's southern provinces. While Kabul itself isn't directly under threat yet, the losses and the battles elsewhere further tighten the grip of a resurgent Taliban estimated to now hold some two-thirds of the nation. Thousands of people have fled their homes amid fears the Taliban will again impose a brutal, repressive government, all but eliminating women's rights and conducting public amputations, stonings, and executions. Peace talks in Qatar remain stalled, though diplomats met throughout the day. (Kabul could fall in weeks.)
(Newser)  If the Taliban successfully storm Kabul, the US is asking that they please spare the American Embassy. In the meantime, troops are being sent to Afghanistan to help evacuate Americans stationed at the embassy. Other diplomatic stations in the country already have been closed as the Taliban overrun the nation. The US recommended Americans not working for the government take commercial flights out on Thursday, the New York Times reports. The State Department issued a statement saying the US will continue to have diplomatic involvement with the Afghan government. "We are withdrawing our forces from Afghanistan, but we are not withdrawing from Afghanistan," the statement said. The Taliban have not answered the US about the embassy's security, so officials there are assessing how long they have to get out.

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These steps would indicate the US lacks faith in the security provided by the Afghan government, per the AP. Americans in the embassy reportedly are worried, as is the diplomatic corps in general; the head of the foreign service officers' union said about one-fourth of the corps served in Afghanistan or Iraq over the past 20 years. Those people are still emotionally connected to their old postings, Eric Rubin said. "There was a lot of sacrifice," he said. "Everyone who served there for the most part served without their families, and under difficult conditions, at times under mortar fire." It's been 20 years since Marines reclaimed a burned-out building in Kabul for the US Embassy. "If the military goes too early, it may be unnecessary, and it may cost you a lot politically," said former Ambassador Ronald Neumann. "If the diplomats wait too late, it looks like Saigon off the roof." (US officials say Kabul could fall in a month.)
(Newser)  The Census Bureau is out with more stats from the 2020 count, and one big takeaway is that the white population dipped for the first time in history. All in all, the nation is much more multiracial and much more racially and ethnically diverse than what we measured in the past, says the Census Bureau's Nicholas Jones. Early details:

The Washington Post highlights this historic development: The nation's white population shrank for the first time since the census began in 1790from 224 million in 2010 to 204 million in 2020. White people now account for 57.8% of the population, down from 63.7% in 2010. The AP notes this is the smallest share on record.

The census also shows that the US is more city-centric. Almost all growth took place in metro areas, and the 10 biggest cities all have at least 1 million people for the first time, reports Axios. At the same time, more than half of all counties, or 52%, saw their populations shrink from 2010.

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Amplifying the point about growth in metro areas: "Texas is a good example of this, where parts of the Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Dallas Fort Worth, Midland, and Odessa metro areas had population growth, whereas many of the state's other counties had population declines," says the Census Bureau's Marc Perry, per CNN. Generally speaking, the South and Southwest continued to grow rapidly relative to the rest of the nation.

The overall population grew 7.4% over the decade, the second-lowest growth rate in history, reports the Wall Street Journal. And a bit more than half all growth, or 51.1%, was among Hispanic or Latino residents. (The Census Bureau revealed in April that the overall population is now 331 million.)

New York City remains the biggest city, with its population up 7.7%. Among the 10 biggest cities, only Phoenix, Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio had stronger growth rates, notes the Journal.

But the fastest growing metro area was The Villages, a mecca for retirees in central Florida. It grew 39% in the last 10 years.

(Read more US Census stories.)
Fairbanks, AK (99707)

Today

Rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers in the afternoon. High 52F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

Showers early, then cloudy overnight. Low 43F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain is joining the world today in celebrating the 2021 International Youth Day with high hopes for the Kingdoms youngsters to enhance their contributions in nation-building, prosperity and for a bright future.

The United Nations marks the event every year on August 12, with this years theme Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health. On this day, governments and citizens across the world come together to recognise and bring attention to the problems faced by the youth.

In Bahrain, top senior officials have expressed gratitude to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for their strong support to the youth.

True national wealth

His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the representative of His Majesty the King for Humanitarian Works and Youth Affairs and Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, affirmed that His Majesty has always believed in the capabilities of Bahraini youth and made them an integral part of his ideology and approach.

HH Shaikh Nasser stressed the royal leaderships philosophy to invest in the youth as the true national wealth. He affirmed that the Kingdom implements many initiatives and strategies that enable young people to take their true position as partners for progress and leaders of the future.

HH Shaikh Nasser lauded HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister for implementing the directives of His Majesty the King to make the Bahraini youth among the governments priorities.

Deep pride

Shura Council Chairman Ali bin Saleh Al Saleh emphasised deep pride in the achievements accomplished by the Bahraini youth in various fields in a way that reflects HM the Kings vision and aspirations. The Shura Council has stated that Bahraini youths innovations and initiatives are among the important tributaries of the progress and prosperity process, currently witnessed by the kingdom under His Majesty King Hamads comprehensive development march.

The Council expressed deep pride in the great status enjoyed by the Bahraini youth, thanks to the unwavering support of HM the King, making them essential partners in implementing the development programmes across various fields.

Accomplishments

Council of Representatives Speaker Fawzia bint Abdullah Zainal lauded the royal support from HM the King that has made youth innovations, creativity and excellence a solid and genuine approach to achieving development and civilisational accomplishments. The Speaker praised the efforts of the government headed by HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister and its supportive projects and programmes for Bahraini youth.

She highlighted the support in the areas of food security and youth innovations, and in harnessing all possibilities for optimal investment in promising youth energies and competencies and motivating them to contribute actively to building the nation and its progress.
Agencies | Dubai

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

New President Ebrahim Raisi named an anti-Western diplomat as foreign minister on Wednesday as Iran and six world powers seek to restore their 2015 nuclear deal.

Raisi, a hardliner under Western sanctions over allegations of human rights abuses when he was a judge, was sworn into office on Aug. 5 with the Islamic Republic's clerical rulers facing growing crises at home and abroad.

The mid-ranking Shi'ite cleric replaced pragmatist Hassan Rouhani as president after an election in June when most prominent rivals - including moderates and reformists - were barred from standing.

Presenting his cabinet to parliament for an expected vote of confidence, Raisi chose Hossein Amirabdollahian as foreign minister and Javad Owji, an ex-deputy oil minister and managing director of the state-run gas company, as oil minister.

"Amirabdollahian is a hardline diplomat...

If the foreign ministry remains in charge of Iran's nuclear dossier, then obviously Tehran will adopt a very tough line in the talks," said an Iranian nuclear negotiator who asked not to be named.

Reports in semi-official Iranian media suggested that the Supreme National Security Council, which reports directly to hardline Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would take over the nuclear talks in Vienna from the foreign ministry, which had been led by relative moderates during Rouhani's administration.

Iran and world powers have been negotiating since April to revive the pact that was repudiated in 2018 by the-U.S. President Donald Trump, who also reimposed sanctions that have devastated Tehran's economy by squeezing its oil exports.

A sixth round of the talks was held on June 20, with Iranian and Western officials saying major gaps remained to be resolved in returning Tehran and Washington to full compliance with the pact.

Iran has violated limits on its enrichment of uranium, a possible pathway to nuclear weapons, since 2019.

Parties involved in the talks have yet to set a date for the next round of negotiations.

Amirabdollahian is believed to have close ties with Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards, Lebanon's powerful Hezbollah movement and other Iranian proxies around the Middle East.

"Raisi's choice shows that he gives importance to regional issues in his foreign policy," a former Iranian official said.

A former ambassador to Bahrain, Amirabdollahian was deputy foreign minister for Arab and African affairs between 2011 and 2016.

He was deputy chief of mission at Irans embassy in Baghdad from 1997-2001.

Iran's hardliner-dominated parliament is not expected to challenge Raisi's picks for sensitive ministries such as foreign affairs and oil, as presidents only select them with the approval of Khamenei.

The powers of the elected president are limited in Iran by those of the supreme leader, who is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, appoints the head of the judiciary and decides major policies of the Islamic Republic.

While he spoke about womens rights during his campaign, Raisi did not nominate any woman for the cabinet.
REDDING  Redding Elementary School principal Natalie Hammond handed in her letter of resignation to the Easton-Redding-Region 9 district Monday, as she took an new job outside the district.

The resignation led First Selectwoman Julia Pemberton to write a letter to the community addressing the news after a tumultuous year.

Hammond, who was principal at Redding Elementary for four years, will move to Guilfords A.W. Cox Elementary School. Before Redding, Hammond worked as a lead teacher at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown including during the school shooting, in which she was shot in the foot. She was also an assistant principal at Emma Hart Willard Elementary School in Berlin.

Pemberton said her letter was meant to reassure a community that has seen much change and controversy in recent months  including the resignation of the new district superintendent this summer and contention over the schools diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.

Pemberton said Hammond leaving is unrelated to Superintendent Rydell Harrisons departure.

Interim Superintendent Tom McMorran said Hammond spoke with him last week about the possibility of the new job being offered to her, and it was his understanding that the position offered a good step in her career.

During her four years, she constantly emphasized and worked towards engaging our children not only as students but as wonderful and valuable children. Her focus on physical and emotional safety and wellbeing will be a legacy for her time at Redding Elementary, McMorran wrote in an email.

I am glad that Natalie Hammond was here to share her love with her friends. She never referred to the children as students. They were always her friends.

Hammonds four years was an average tenure for an administrator, Pemberton said.

Its one of the hardest jobs there is, Pemberton said. Shes leaving for a school district upstate that is, again, a fantastic school district and we will have an equally remarkable new principal at Redding Elementary School in what Im sure is a short amount of time.

Pembertons letter addressed parents concerns over the leadership change ahead of a new school year.

Our students will return to classrooms that are warm and welcoming with teachers who are among the best educators anywhere, the letter reads.

The letter also ensures parents that McMorran knows our district and the high bar we set for academic achievement as well as the value we place on educating the whole child. As such, Pemberton said that McMorran would be working with the Board of Education to meet the high expectations of the Redding community and to provide the best learning environment for our children.

Pemberton also wrote that McMorran has been in communication with a very experienced, very kind, retired elementary school principal about serving as an interim principal for Redding Elementary.

The interim superintendent said he worked with the Connecticut Association of Schools to find an interested candidate, and that the retired elementary principal has previously served as an interim principal in several districts.

The Board of Education will ultimately take the lead in the permanent principal search, McMorran said. There is not yet a timeline for that search process.

This is not the only major position the district will be seeking to fill.

In the middle of July, there were roughly 24 open positions, including a new head of school for Joel Barlow High School, a new director of finance and operations, and a permanent superintendent.

McMorran came out of retirement in July to fill the position after Harrison resigned this summer after less than a year in his current position.

Its no secret weve had some controversy in town recently, Pemberton said. Its really important that families who have moved to town, families with children in the schools, know that this community is committed to providing a warm, welcoming and inclusive environment in our schools.

The district has been using Joe Erardi to conduct their administrator searches. Erardi, who was previously a school superintendent in the state, recently helped place new principals at both middle schools, according to McMorran.

Parents and other members of the community are properly concerned about who will serve as their children's educational leaders, McMorran wrote. Easton, Redding and Region 9 enjoy an excellent reputation in Connecticut; it is known that this community has been and will continue to be a great place to work as an administrator.

Reporting from staff writer Julia Perkins was included in this story
DANBURY  The city is poised to join a number of communities around the state implementing mask mandates to try to stop the rise of COVID-19 cases.

Mayor Joe Cavo said Wednesday that he plans to make masks mandatory indoors, regardless of vaccination status, beginning 12:01 a.m. Sunday. City attorneys are working on language for the order, which he expected to officially announce later on Wednesday.

It just seems to me by all projections this is going to get worse, he said. Id rather be ahead of it than behind it.

Other cities, such as Bridgeport, Hartford, New Haven, Norwalk and Stamford, have issued mask mandates, but Danbury is the first in its area of the state.

Cavo said he spoke with first selectmen in neighboring towns and that they are in heavy consideration in issuing these rules in their communities.

Its something I want to get out ahead of and sort of take the lead on in our region, Cavo said. Im hoping our regional partners will follow suit and help us really approach this, since the governor is not doing it on state level.

Masks were already required in city buildings, but Cavo had held off on a larger mandate because he didnt think rules by individual municipalities would be as effective. The governor last week allowed towns to decide on their own, rather thing issuing a statewide mandate.

I wish he would have taken a statewide approach to this, rather than 169 municipalities doing something different, Cavo said.

But the mayor changed his mind after discussions with the local health department and state that suggested the COVID-19 conditions could worsen. He said the citys positivity rate is just over 2 percent, which is below the states 3.15 percent on Wednesday.

Our health director seems to think those (Danbury) numbers are low compared to whats actually happening in the community, he said.

Public COVID-19 testing sites in the city closed at the end of June, which may be causing under-reporting in cases, he said. The city is working with partners, including the state and Nuvance Health, to bring back testing sites.

The indoor-mask order is expected to start Sunday so that people have a couple of days notice, Cavo said. He said he wishes people could decide to wear masks on their own, but that the requirement isnt much of a burden in the grand scheme.

Asking people to put a mask on, which is something weve doing for the last 15, 16 months, I dont think its the most horrible thing that could happen, he said.
Editors note: This story has been updated to reflect new information from Danbury police, including that the victim is 15 years old and that she was part of one of the groups involved in the altercation. For the latest information, follow this link .

DANBURY  Police said an altercation involving at least eight people Wednesday night at the Danbury Fair mall led to the shooting of a 15-year-old girl.

Danbury Police Chief Patrick Ridenhour said officers responding to a shots fired call found a 15-year-old girl suffering from a gunshot wound to her upper chest area around 7 p.m. He said the girl was conscious and alert.

Ridenhour said an altercation occurred inside the mall near the Macys entrance between two groups involving at least eight people. One person pulled out a gun and fired at least one shot, possibly two, aiming for someone in the group and wounding the girl, Ridenhour said.

She got in the way, Ridenhour said.

Ridenhour said a male, who may have been the intended target of the shooting, was seen running away with a hammer.

Ridenhour said video footage confirmed all of the people involved in the incident fled the mall quickly after the shooting. The suspect left in a vehicle, but Ridenhour was unable to immediately provide a description and no arrests had been made as of late Wednesday night.

When Danbury police arrived, the girl was found outside of the mall. Danbury Police Capt. Mike Sturdevant said she was taken to Danbury Hospital with what appeared to be non-life-threatening injuries. An update on her condition was not immediately known late Wednesday.

The mall was locked down immediately following the shooting.

Outside the mall, a large police presence was focused near the entrance to Macys. State, Danbury, Bethel and Brookfield police as well as the Putnam County Sheriffs Office from New York as well as the FBI were among those who responded to the scene. Some of the officers kept their weapons drawn outside of Macys.

About 50 people milled around the mall parking lot waiting to hear from family members or co-workers who were still inside late Wednesday.

People who were inside the mall were slowly permitted to leave around 8:30 p.m. as police cleared each of the stores. Shoppers and mall employees were still being released as of 10 p.m.

Jojo Keane, a Newtown resident, said she was inside Macys when the shooting occurred. As she was returning a suit for her son and looking at jewelry, Keane said she heard a loud noise. At first, she said, she thought something large fell from upstairs.

I dont know what I thought, she said.

Once she realized the noise couldve been a gunshot, she quickly left the store.

A mall employee said he heard the gunshot and started to lead people out of the building through a back door. He said he later saw police in tactical vests and assault rifles.

Olivia Navario, 16, was at Build-a-Bear Workshop making a stuffed animal when she heard the gunshot.

I just remember hearing boom, she said.

She then saw everyone running. She fled and hid in the back of another store.

State Rep. Raghib Allie-Brennan, D-Danbury, said he was helping to serve as a resource for concerned parents of teens who work at the mall. He called the incident "unfortunate" and expected there will be an examination of the root causes of the shooting after the immediate crisis has been resolved.

"I'm allowing law enforcement to do their job," he said.

Anyone with information related to this shooting can submit a confidential tip by calling 203-790-TIPS (8477).

Lisa Backus contributed to this story.
GREENVILLE, Calif. (AP)  Californias largest single wildfire in recorded history continued to grow Wednesday after destroying more than 1,000 buildings, nearly half of them homes, while authorities in Montana ordered evacuations as a wind-driven blaze roared toward several remote communities.

The dangerous fires were among some 100 large blazes burning across 15 states, mostly in the West, where historic drought conditions have left lands parched and ripe for ignition.

Burning through bone-dry trees, brush and grass, the Dixie Fire has destroyed at least 1,045 buildings, including 550 homes, in the northern Sierra Nevada. Newly released satellite imagery showed the scale of the destruction in the small community of Greenville that was incinerated last week during an explosive run of flames.

The Dixie Fire, named after the road where it started on July 14, by Wednesday morning covered 783 square miles (2,027 square kilometers) and was 30% contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. At least 14,000 remote homes were still threatened.

The Dixie Fire is the largest single fire in California history and the largest currently burning in the U.S. It is about half the size of the August Complex, a series of lightning-caused 2020 fires across seven counties that were fought together and that state officials consider Californias largest wildfire overall.

The fires cause was under investigation. Pacific Gas & Electric has said it may have been sparked when a tree fell on one of its power lines.

California authorities arrested a man last weekend who is suspected in an arson fire in remote forested areas near the Dixie Fire.

The 47-year-old suspect was charged with setting a small blaze in Lassen County, which is among the counties where the larger blaze is burning, around July 20.

In southeastern Montana, the uncontrolled Richard Spring Fire continued to advance Wednesday toward inhabited areas in and around the sparsely-populated Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, after several thousand people were ordered to evacuate the previous night.

Two homes caught fire Tuesday but were saved, authorities said.

The fire began Sunday and powerful gusts caused it to explode across more than 230 square miles (600 square kilometers).

A few miles from the evacuated town of Lame Deer, Krystal Two Bulls and some friends stuck around to clear brush from her yard in hopes of protecting it from the flames. Thick plumes of smoke rose from behind a tree-covered ridgeline just above the house.

Were packed and were loaded so if we have to go, we will, Two Bull said. Im not fearful; Im prepared. Here you dont just run from fire or abandon your house.

Some of the people who fled the fire Tuesday initially sought shelter in Lame Deer, only to be displaced again when the fire got within several miles.

The town of about 2,000 people is home to the tribal headquarters and several subdivisions and is surrounded by rugged, forested terrain. By late Wednesday a second fire was closing in on Lame Deer from the west, while the Richard Spring fire raged to the east.

Also ordered to leave were about 600 people in and around Ashland, a small town just outside the reservation with a knot of businesses along its main street and surrounded by grasslands and patchy forest.

The flames were within several miles of town and came right up to a subdivision outside it.

Local, state and federal firefighters were joined by ranchers using their own heavy equipment to carve out fire lines around houses.

Heat waves and historic drought tied to climate change have made wildfires harder to fight in the American West.

Scientists have said climate change has made the region much warmer and drier in the past 30 years and will continue to make the weather more extreme and wildfires more frequent and destructive. The fires across the West come as parts of Europe are also enduring large blazes spurred by tinder-dry conditions.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The NAACP, one of the nations leading civil rights groups, is urging the Justice Department to investigate whether a federal crime was being committed when Texas Republicans threatened to have their Democratic colleagues arrested for refusing to attend a legislative session in an effort to try and block a sweeping elections overhaul bill that makes it harder to vote in the state.

NAACP President Derrick Johnson sent the letter late Wednesday to Kristen Clarke, who runs the Justice Departments civil rights division. In the letter, Johnson said he had conferred with at least three of the Democrats who had been threatened with arrest and agreed that federal authorities should step in to investigate.

At this time when political minorities are threatened with being rounded up and imprisoned in Texas, the eyes of the country and the world are upon DOJ and how it deals with Texass actions, Johnson wrote.

Earlier Wednesday, officers of the Texas House of Representatives delivered civil arrest warrants for more than 50 absent Democrats as frustrated Republicans ratcheted up efforts to end the standoff. Refusing to attend legislative sessions is a violation of House rules  a civil offense, not a criminal one, leaving the power the warrants carry to get Democrats back to the chamber unclear, even for the Republicans who invoked it. But Democrats would not be jailed.

Republican Travis Clardy, who helped negotiate an early version of the voting bill that Democrats first stopped with a walkout in May, told ABC News he believed they can be physically brought back to the Capitol.

Johnson urged the Justice Department to determine whether their actions violate federal civil rights laws, including an offense that prohibits conspiring or threatening to deprive someone of their constitutional rights. The letter says the Justice Department could determine that the Texas governor and Republican members of the Texas House have openly conspired to violate civil rights law.

Without DOJs protection, it is more than likely that those intent upon subverting democracy in Texas will be successful in their efforts, the letter says. Furthermore, reminiscent of authoritarian regimes, Texass government will be able to jail and detain those who stand up to those in power.

Texas is among several states where Republicans have rushed to enact new voting restrictions in response to former President Donald Trumps false claims that the 2020 election was stolen. The current bill is similar to the ones Democrats blocked last month by going to Washington. It would ban 24-hour polling locations, drive-thru voting and give partisan poll watchers more access, among other things.

In June, the Justice Department sued Georgia over that states new election law, alleging Republican state lawmakers rushed through a sweeping overhaul with an intent to deny Black voters equal access to the ballot.

A Justice Department spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Johnsons letter.
ALBANY  In March 2020, hundreds of thousands of people were preparing to fan out across the country to knock on doors to collect data for the federal governments pivotal, once-a-decade population count: the census. Then, the pandemic struck.

Everyone else is bulk buying toilet paper and my first response was, Oh my god, what are they going to do with field work? said Beth Jarosz, a senior research associate at the Population Reference Bureau, a nonprofit demography organization. This was the hardest census the U.S. has ever had to do, and there were times when I wondered whether we would be able to do it.

After unprecedented challenges, the U.S. Census Bureau published more detailed information from its 2020 count on Thursday afternoon, revealing population numbers at the county, city and census tract level, including race, age and housing information. The data will be used by states to draw political lines for federal and state offices and it will shape the flow of more than $1.5 trillion in federal funding.

No census is perfect, experts said. Its meant to count every person in the nation once, and in many years its fallen short of that goal, in particular by undercounting children and people of color. But a number of factors in 2020 have scholars and government watchdogs worried the 2020 census is at risk for more error than usual.

The pandemic changed multiple data collection processes. Debate over adding a citizenship question to the census created fear among undocumented immigrants and other groups that is believed to have lowered participation. Data processing was completed under tight timelines and with changing administrative directives. The agency is underfunded, according to some researchers. And a new privacy initiative has obscured some data to the public.

From 2010 to 2020, self-response to the census rose from 66.5 percent of the population to 67 percent, with the remaining people accounted for by other follow up means. The Census Bureau said in October over 99 percent of all households and addresses were counted by the time data collection concluded in October.

The Census Bureau says ensuring the quality of its results is built into every step of conducting the census.

Once we release the results, we continue to do an even deeper dive to evaluate the quality of the census, the bureau said on its website. When we release numbers, we make sure they meet our quality standards.

Experts agreed the bureau is deeply committed to data quality and has numerous checks in place. But 2020 delivered a historic strain on the agency. Just how far off could the results be?

The answer to that question is likely to take years to unravel, multiple experts said.

Zack Almquist, assistant professor of sociology at the University of Washington, said it could take another 10 years  until the 2030 census  to really understand it.

There are a number of scholars who spend a bunch of time trying to understand the errors in the census in a normal period, Almquist said. This [census] is inducing such a different set of errors this year, combined with the data collection strategies, that pulling apart exactly how the directions go and where things happen is going to take a lot of work.

Response hesitancy

In most census years, some population groups are undercounted by the census and some groups can be overrepresented in the data. Generally, children under 5 years old, people of color, people in dense urban areas or extremely rural areas and people in transient housing are most likely not to be counted.

Well before the 2020 census count started, former President Donald Trump pressed to add a question to the survey asking whether the respondent was a citizen. The U.S. Census is intended to count all people who live in the nation, whether or not they are a citizen, legal resident or living in the country with undocumented status.

Multiple groups sued to block Trump from adding a citizenship question, mostly motivated by concerns that the question would drive down participation among undocumented immigrants who might be concerned their response would be used to deport them and causing an undercount of those groups. The U.S. Supreme Court ultimately ruled in June 2019 that the Trump administration could not include the question.

Even though the question wasnt on the census, many people still believe that it was, Jarosz said. [There was] also worry that Hispanic, Latino or Asian communities might be targeted anyway. That even just responding to the race and ethnicity question might be enough to get you on [Immigration Customs and Enforcements] target list.

In a challenge for all surveyors, its becoming a general trend that some people are less willing to share information with the federal government, said Jan Vink, extension associate with the program on applied demographics at Cornell University. Some respondents may skip the entire census or individual questions within it for that reason.

Pandemic counting

Then COVID-19 swept the globe. The Census Bureau suspended door-to-door enumeration for three months in the spring of 2020 and when it resumed the process  a key part of counting those hard-to-reach populations  it shortened the work by two weeks.

Although the census has other fallback methods, this change could have contributed to an undercount of some groups, especially populations that were facing natural disasters like wildfires and hurricanes in 2020, Vink and Jarosz said.

At the same time, the Census Bureau deployed new techniques for the first time to ensure more people were counted, even with the pandemic limitations.

The 2020 Census was the first in which the Census Bureau allowed people to complete the survey online. Responding online became the most common way to answer the survey and it may have helped drive up overall participation and participation among younger people, said Jennifer L. Van Hook, professor of sociology and demography at Pennsylvania State University.

The Census Bureau canceled in-person events, but advertised the survey in online, radio and other media ad campaigns to urge Americans to participate.

The Census Bureau also collected more information than ever before from colleges and universities about their students to ensure students were counted as residents of the city where their school is located. Many college students returned home when the pandemic struck so later the bureau had to ensure these students were not counted twice  at their home and at their schools. Its possible some college students were missed depending on the quality of information shared by schools or they were overcounted.

The AP reported the Census Bureau collected no data for as many as one in five college dorms, nursing homes and prisons, requiring the agency to use statistical methods and backstopping to fill in the gaps.

Additionally, the bureau used administrative records like tax filings and Medicaid documents as a further way to learn about people who did not self-respond to the census. Thats a good way to catch nonresponders, but its more likely to capture wealthier, white and older people than poor, young people of color, Jarosz said.

Data collection was chaotic during the pandemic, but the bureau did make big efforts to count everyone it could, Van Hook said.

There were genuine efforts to improve what was going on despite the headwinds they were facing, Van Hook said. There is reason to be concerned. [But] Im hopeful that many of the other things that the Census Bureau did to make up for that will have helped.

Data cleaning

After data collection, the bureau embarked on cleaning, processing and analyzing the data.

Trump ordered the agency to meet a Dec. 31 legal deadline to deliver reapportionment totals to Congress, despite the delays it faced in the spring. That would have left census staff scrambling to get the work done in half the time they usually took.

One reason Trump pressed the agency to get the work done quickly, experts said, was he wanted to eliminate undocumented immigrants from the state populations for apportioning seats for the U.S. House of Representatives. Although that effort was not ultimately accomplished, Census Bureau staff worked on it, transferring resources away from other census work, according to Van Hook, who serves on the Census Scientific Advisory Committee.

All of sudden, all of these people and staff were shifted to a whole different project, which hadnt been vetted and the quality was unknown, Van Hook said. They were squishing that all into a matter of months. It was just a little crazy.

Eventually, the Census Bureau blew past the December deadline and kept working on the data until its first release of apportionment data in April.

Moreover, as it cleaned up the data, the Census Bureau did find problems. In Nov. 2020, Census Bureau Director Steve Dillingham said During post-collection processing, certain processing anomalies [had] been discovered.

The next month, the U.S. House Oversight Committee obtained internal documents from the bureau showing 15 different data errors, impacting more than a million records and every state, U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y. said. The documents laid out an 11-step intensive process to fix the errors, Maloney said, but rushing that procedure could lead to further problems.

Jarosz said she is confident the Census Bureau corrected these errors before any data was released by virtue of the fact that the problems were identified and announced.

The errors that were not known are a bigger concern than those that were on that list of anomalies, said Jarosz.

Finally, when releasing the data to the public, the Census Bureau plans to use a new technique called differential privacy to obscure some of the numbers in low population areas so they could not be used to identify individuals.

In the beginning, [I was] very afraid of the usability of the data, Vink said. Later the bureau made some improvements, but researchers still noted some concerns about how differential privacy will impact how some data can be used accurately.

A dated snapshot

Demographers emphasized that even with errors, the census data is important; its the best possible picture of the composition of the nation.

The census is a snapshot of the population on April 1, 2020, however, and the population has changed a lot since then  even more than it usually does in a 16-month period due to the pandemic. The nation saw more deaths, fewer births and migration out of cities, among other trends, demographers agreed. The 2021 American Community Survey released by the Census Bureau next year will be able to capture some of these trends.

The census data is still useful because the vast majority of people are still alive, Jarosz said. Most people are still where they were in the spring of 2020.
ITBP officials informed that the number of corpses recovered from the landslide site of Himachal Pradesh's Kinnaur has climbed to 13.

Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) officials informed that the number of corpses recovered from the landslide site of Himachal Pradeshs Kinnaur has climbed to 13.

We have located the remnants of the bus and one body has been recovered from the site, Deputy Commandant of ITBP Dharmender Thakur told the media personnel here.

Thakur also said that the rescue operation was halted last night because of another landslide hit in the area and resumed at 3:30 in the early morning on Thursday and it is underway.

A 30-seater Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus, a truck and four cars were among the vehicles that came under the rubble, as the landslide hit the Reckong Peo-Shimla Highway around 12 noon on Wednesday.

The HRTC bus, which was moving from Murang to Haridwar was believed to have fallen into the Sutlej river after rescue officials could not locate it under the debris. As per ITBP spokesperson Vivek Pandey, over 30 people were said to be travelling in the bus.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the next of kin of those who were killed and Rs 50,000 for those injured in the tragedy.

President Ram Nath Kovind also expressed his anguish at the deaths in the landslide. It is sad to hear that many people have died and others are in danger due to landslides in Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh. I express my condolences to the bereaved families and pray for full success in the relief and rescue work.

Earlier Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah both spoke to chief minister Jairam Thakur and assured of all possible help in the rescue and search operations. (ANI)
Pressure is mounting on Pak to get the Taliban to stop the onslaught but Pakistan as usual has chosen to remain defiant.

As the world watches in horror, the latest developments in Afghanistan, with Taliban taking control of the city of Ghazi & inching closer to Kabul. The world is calling out Pak for its double standards. While Afghanistan Govt has openly slammed Pak for harbouring Taliban. US Defence Secretary sent a strong message to Pakistans leadership asking them to take steps for eliminating Taliban terrorists safe havens along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. Many are blaming Pak for the insurgents success.

Amid unabated violence in Afghanistan, a three-day conference is underway in Doha, Qatar to discuss the peace process in the war-torn country, with attendance from the Taliban, the US, and a host of other countries.

India is set to participate in a meeting of key countries being hosted by Qatar on Thursday to discuss the situation in Afghanistan. People familiar with developments said on condition of anonymity that India will be represented at the meeting in Doha that will also be joined by nations such as Indonesia and Turkey.

The invitation to join the meeting was extended by Mutlaq bin Majed Al-Qahtani, Qatars special envoy for counter-terrorism and conflict resolution when he visited New Delhi last week. On Tuesday, Qatar had hosted a meeting of representatives from China, the US, the UK, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, the UN and the European Union (EU) to assess the rapidly evolving situation in Afghanistan.

The focus of these meetings has been reviving the stalled Afghan peace process amid the Talibans campaign of violence and attacks that have already resulted in the fall of nine provincial capitals in just five days. Afghanistan government has executed a three-phase plan to defeat the Taliban in the country as the fighting intensified in recent days and the terror group captured nine provincial capital in Afghanistan.

The Afghan government is now focusing to secure key infrastructures as main highways, large cities, and border crossings in an attempt to stop the Taliban from capturing other cities.
Beijing has strongly opposed the meeting of US Charge d'Affaires to India Atul Keshap to a representative of Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama.

Beijing has strongly opposed the meeting of US Charge dAffaires to India Atul Keshap to a representative of Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama, saying that any contact between the two sides is a violation of the US commitment to acknowledging Tibet being part of China.

@USAmbIndia Strongly opposed to repeated provocative acts by the US. Tibetan affairs are purely Chinas internal affairs that allow no foreign interference, said Wang Xiaojian, Spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in India.

Any form of contact between the US side and the Dalai clique is a violation of the US commitment to acknowledging Tibet being part of China, to not supporting Tibetan Independence, and to not supporting attempts to split China.

The Chinese Embassy spokesperson said that Tibetan government-in-exile is a separatist political organization with the agenda of pursuing Tibetan independence.

It is completely in violation of Chinas Constitution and laws, and is not recognized by any country.

This reaction from China comes after the US Charge dAffaires to India met with a Tibetan representative on Tuesday and affirmed support to religious freedom and the preservation of Tibetans cultural identities.

Enjoyed meeting with Ngodup Dongcheng, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The US supports the religious freedom and the preservation of Tibetans unique cultural and linguistic identities, and respects the @DalaiLamas vision for the equal rights of all people, Keshap tweeted.

The meeting holds significance as it comes days after US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken met Ngodup Dongcheng. China, which considers Tibet as its integral part and accused the Dalai Lama of seeking to separate Tibet, reacted sharply to Blinkens meeting.

Blinken met with Ngodup Dongchung, who presented him with a scarf from the Dalai Lama. A State Department spokesperson said, Secretary Blinken had an opportunity to meet briefly this morning in New Delhi with a representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Following the meeting, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian had said the contact between the US side and the Dalai clique goes against the US promise to recognising Tibet as being part of China.

Chinese troops occupied Tibet in 1950 and later annexed it. The 1959 Tibetan uprising saw violent clashes between Tibetan residents and Chinese forces. The 14th Dalai Lama fled to neighbouring India after the failed uprising against Chinese rule. The Dalai Lama, the supreme Tibetan Buddhist leader, established a government-in-exile in India.

There are at present more than 10,000 Tibetans living in Dharamsala alone, and an estimated 160,000 Tibetan exiles around the world.

Since becoming President in 2013, Xi has pursued a firm policy of stepping up security control of Tibet. Beijing has been cracking down on Buddhist monks and followers of the Dalai Lama.

The United States has been raising the issue of human rights violations in Tibet on various platforms. (ANI)
Sino-Canadian relations soured after the arrest of Meng and two Canadian nationals in China. Canada condemned China's conviction and sentencing of its citizen Michael Spavor in "the strongest possible terms."

Canada condemned Chinas conviction and sentencing of its citizen Michael Spavor in the strongest possible terms.

Canadas Spavor, who was detained by China in 2018, has been sentenced to 11 years in prison by a Chinese court on charges of espionage.

This decision is rendered after a legal process that lacked both fairness and transparency, including a trial that did not satisfy the minimum standards required by international law, Canadian Foreign Minister Marc Garneau said in a statement on Tuesday.

We have maintained for more than 2 and a half years that the detentions of Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig are completely arbitrary, he added.

Canadian Michael Spavor, detained by China in 2018, has been sentenced to 11 years in prison by a Chinese court in Liaoning Province on charges of espionage, local media reported.

Spavor will be deported, but it was not clear when. The local court also said 50,000 yuan of Spavors personal assets will be confiscated, China Global Television Network (CGTN) reported.

China detained Spavor in December 2018, a few days after Huaweis Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou was arrested in Vancouver. Along with Spavor, another Canadian national Michael Kovrig was detained. Kovrig is also awaiting a verdict following his trial, which ended in March.

Canadian nationals  former diplomat Kovrig and businessman Spavor  have been in Chinese detention on espionage charges. Ottawa, however, maintains that these are retaliatory measures for Canadas detention of Meng Wanzhou, who was detained in Vancouver in 2018 at the request of the United States.

This decision on Michael Spavor comes a day after a Chinese court on Tuesday upheld the death penalty for another Canadian Robert Schellenberg for drug smuggling, local media reported. Canada had strongly condemned Beijings decision to uphold the death sentence against Schellenberg.

Sino-Canadian relations soured after the arrest of Meng and two Canadian nationals in China. The extradition process against Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou could not be any fairer, Crown attorney Robert Frater told a British Columbia Supreme Court judge, rejecting the defenses appeal to end the proceedings.

The final arguments in the nearly 19-month extradition process against the Huawei executive continued Tuesday, with lawyers representing the Attorney General of Canada (AGC), on behalf of the United States, making the case before Associate Justice Heather Holmes that the Huawei executives defence is nothing more than a concoction of mostly baseless assertions, at times, held together loosely by conspiracy theories. Mengs legal team, which counts more than half-dozen lawyers, is arguing that the United States bid to have her extradited south of the border to face justice for fraud charges should be denied because she is the victim of an abuse of process.
EAGLE Bill deliberated upon by the US Congress can impact American diplomacy in Southeast Asia and beyond and would give the region a fillip needed amid Chinese repressive measures in the Indo-Pacific.

The Ensuring American Global Leadership and Engagement, or the EAGLE Bill deliberated upon by the US Congress can impact American diplomacy in Southeast Asia and beyond and would give the region a fillip needed amid Chinese repressive measures in the Indo-Pacific.

Peter Brian M Wang and Dr Rahul Mishra, writing in New Straits Times said that the initiatives reflect an interest in the US to reinvigorate relations with ASEAN. Nevertheless, there is little doubt that the bill has been drafted with China in mind

Moreover, the statement by congressman and chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Gregory Meeks, who introduced the bill, makes this obvious.

I am proud to introduce the EAGLE Act, ground-breaking legislation that reinvigorates American institutions and competitiveness at home and American diplomacy abroad to effectively respond to the China challenge.

There is growing consensus in Washington that China poses the most significant challenge to its global leadership today. The Bill will commit Washington to be more involved with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) states, reported New Straits Times.

A commitment to support ASEAN members in addressing maritime and territorial disputes also finds a mention in the bill, said Wang and Mishra.

More importantly, mentions achieving peaceful, diplomatic, and, as necessary, legitimate regional and international arbitration mechanisms, consistent with international law.

This would entail the US support for the adoption of a code of conduct in settling the South China Sea (SCS) dispute.

There is also a provision that calls for the demilitarisation of the SCS, which would be in line with and support ASEANs current stand, reported New Straits Times.

Most importantly, the bill acknowledges the ASEAN Centrality. Provision 18 of Section 25 provides for the allocation of appropriate resources across the US government to articulate and implement an Indo-Pacific strategy that respects and supports the crucial role of ASEAN and supports ASEAN as a source of well-functioning and problem-solving regional architecture in the Indo-Pacific community.

China has for the most part of the 21st century, attempted to tone down tensions. Initially changing the narrative of its rise i.e., replacing the phrase peaceful rise to peaceful development and then working to address some of these concerns, say Wang and Mishra.

However, China is no longer agreeable to a place inferior to the US in any way, manifested in Wang Yis statement just before the Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Shermans China visit, reported New Straits Times.

The Chinese foreign minister said China would not accept the US taking a superior position in the relationship. With failed talks at Alaska in March and Tianjin last month, and now the passage of the EAGLE Bill in full swing, one wonders what Chinas reaction will be.

The bill is certainly promising for ASEAN, especially if it leads to positive participation and contribution from those outside the region. It could contribute to keeping ASEANs central and strategic equilibrium a paramount feature of Southeast Asia and the wider Indo-Pacific region, say Wang and Mishra.

There are also additional provisions to address issues such as human smuggling and trafficking, refugees and migrants, and regional development (the Mekong Basin), under the EAGLE Bill.

Other priority initiatives include the US-ASEAN Smart Cities Partnership, ASEAN Policy Implementation Project, US-ASEAN Innovation Circle and US-ASEAN Health Futures, reported New Straits Times. (ANI)
Pentagon has said the continued advance by the Taliban is evidence its leaders believe they can take over Afghanistan by force rather than engaging in negotiations.

Pentagon has said the continued advance by the Taliban is evidence its leaders believe they can take over Afghanistan by force rather than engaging in negotiations.

This comes as US intelligence report suggests that the Taliban could isolate Kabul in 30 days and possibly take it over within 90.

Addressing a presser on Wednesday, US Defense Department spokesperson John Kirby said, The Taliban continues to advance and to assume control of district and provincial centers that clearly indicate that they believe it is possible to gain governance through force, through brutality, through violence, through oppression, which is at great odds with their previously stated goal of actually wanting to participate in a negotiated political solution.

The spokesperson was answering questions about the Talibans growing offensive and the role that the US can play to fix the deteriorating security situation.

We continue to monitor the situation in Afghanistan closely. We are mindful of the deteriorating security situation. And our focus right now remains on supporting the Afghan forces in the field where and when feasible we can from the air, as well as completing our drawdown in a safe and orderly way, Kirby said.

He said it is primarily up to Afghan forces to use the resources and advantages available to them to maintain control of the country.

Earlier this week, US President Joe Biden had said that he does not regret his decision to withdraw American forces from Afghanistan amid the Taliban offensive which till now has captured eight provinces. Biden urged Afghanistans leaders to unite and fight for their nation against the Taliban.

On Wednesday, the United Nations reported that nearly 390,000 Afghans have been displaced by conflict this year, with a huge spike since May, when the United States initially agreed with the Taliban to withdraw its troops from the country. (ANI)
Mark Zaretsky / Hearst Connecticut Media file photo

EAST HAVEN  A 71-year-old man is facing animal cruelty charges after a dog was found dead in a vehicle at the Quality Inn on Frontage Road, according to police.

According to police Capt. Joseph M. Murgo, town Animal Control Officer Emily Higgins responded to the hotel at 30 E. Frontage Road Aug. 10 on a report of a deceased animal.
MIDDLETOWN  A 29-year-old city man was sentenced Thursday for distributing cocaine and crack cocaine while on probation.

U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport gave Derrick Stokes of Middletown 72 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, according to a press release issued by Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut Leonard C. Boyle.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in July and August 2019, the DEA New Haven Task Force made four controlled purchases totaling more than 100 grams of crack cocaine from Stokes.

He was on state probation at the time of the sales, Boyle said. After Stokes was incarcerated on a state felony drug conviction and probation violation in early September 2019, he instructed his associate, Rayshon Frazier, to take over his drug distribution activity, court records show. Between September and November 2019, investigators made three controlled purchases of crack, totaling approximately 40 grams, from Frazier in Waterbury, the news release said.

Subsequent analysis of Stokes cellphone records revealed that between January 2017 and September 2019, Stokes sold a total of nearly 600 grams of cocaine to two individuals, the release said.

Stokes has been detained since Sept. 4, 2019. On March 24 of this year, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base.

On Dec. 22, 2020, Frazier pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, cocaine base. On March 18, 2021, he was sentenced to 27 months of imprisonment, Boyle said.

The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force and the Middletown Police Department. The DEA New Haven Task Force includes participants from the U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division, Connecticut State Police and the New Haven, Hamden, West Haven, North Haven, East Haven, Branford, Ansonia, Meriden, Derby, Middletown, Naugatuck and Waterbury Police Departments.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. attorneys Amanda S. Oakes and Sarala V. Nagala.
LAS VEGAS (AP)  The top local prosecutor in Las Vegas said Thursday that he will seek reelection in 2022.

In a campaign announcement, Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson pointed to policy changes he has made since he was appointed in 2012, elected in 2014 and reelected in 2018.

"I am proud of what we have accomplished, and I feel strongly that there is still work to be done, the Democrat said.

Efforts have included criminal prosecution and incarceration diversion programs and a Conviction Integrity Unit that reviews inmates claims of innocence, Wolfson said.

He said he wants to cut down on a backlog of criminal prosecutions that built up during the coronavirus pandemic, including 450 murder cases.

Wolfson, who began the job promising to limit death penalty prosecutions to the most serious cases, has been pushing for a man convicted of killing four people in 1999 to become the first person executed in Nevada in 15 years.

State and federal courts have paused that effort against Zane Floyd, pending reviews of the constitutionality of the states lethal injection drugs and execution method.

Wolfsons previous bid to schedule the execution of two-time convicted killer, Scott Dozier, was blocked twice, in 2017 and 2018. Dozier killed himself in prison in 2019.

Wolfson endorsed a background check ballot initiative that passed the state in 2016, requiring most private gun sales to go through a licensed gun dealer.

The Democratic primary is in June. Wolfson is the first to announce he is running.

Democratic former state lawmaker Ozzie Fumo, a trial attorney and death penalty opponent who last year sought a seat on the state Supreme Court, said Thursday that he's considering a bid to challenge Wolfson.
NEW HAVEN  Authorities allegedly intercepted more than $100,000 in cash and two kilograms of cocaine and then arrested two New Haven men, charging them with conspiracy to possess and distribute the drug, according to federal officials.

Jose L. Gerena, 31, and Brian I. Cruz-Rodriguez, 29, face up to 20 years in prison if convicted on the charges, according to the Connecticut U.S. Attorneys Office.

Officials said the money was confiscated when the U.S. Postal Inspection Services Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force executed a federal search warrant on a suspicious package that had been sent through the U.S. Mail from New Haven to an address in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, in November and found $102,450 in cash.

Investigators also intercepted two parcels, each allegedly containing a kilogram of cocaine that had been sent through the U.S. Mail from Puerto Rico to 365 Poplar Street and 206 Exchange Street and made a controlled delivery of a parcel containing a kilogram of cocaine to 365 Poplar Street before executing search warrants and making the arrest, federal officials said in a statement.

The investigation revealed that Gerena, with the assistance of Cruz-Rodriguez and others, was supervising the receipt of numerous parcels containing kilogram quantities of cocaine that had been shipped from Puerto Rico, the resale of the cocaine to others, and the shipment of narcotics proceeds to individuals in Puerto Rico, officials said in the statement.

During the investigation, the organization allegedly regularly received cocaine shipments at 365 Poplar Street, 206 Exchange Street and other addresses in New Haven, according to federal officials.

Gerena is currently detained, officials said, while Cruz-Rodriguez is free on a $150,000 bond.

The case is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Services Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration, with the assistance of the New Haven Police Department, officials said, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Konstantin Lantsman through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces program. according to federal officials.

The Task Force includes members from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Postal Service  Office of the Inspector General, Connecticut Army National Guard, and the Hartford, New Britain, Meriden and Town of Groton police departments, officials said.

william.lambert@hearstmediact.com
NEW CANAAN  A police officer has filed a lawsuit against the town, claiming he was racially discriminated against when he was evaluated to be a member of the departments Special Response Team.

In the lawsuit filed last month in state Superior Court in Bridgeport, New Canaan police officer David Rivera claims he was not selected to be a member of the SRT team because of his skin color and race.

The town does not comment on pending litigation, Director of Human Resources Cheryl Jones said Wednesday.

On Thursday, Police Chief Leon Krolikoswki said: The New Canaan Police Department does not believe that the legal claims asserted against it by Mr. Rivera have any merit, and we will demonstrate this at the appropriate time, in Court.

The lawsuit claims Rivera, who has been with the department since July 1, 2014, was among five members of the department who applied for an SRT opening in May 2018. The candidates consisted of three men who identified as being white, one who identified as Jewish and Rivera, who identified as being Hispanic and brown, the lawsuit stated.

The men were evaluated by their physical agility performance, firearms test and an oral interview in 2019, according to the suit.

According to the lawsuit, Rivera passed the physical agility and firearms tests, but failed the oral interview based on improper questioning about his performance on the obstacle course portion of the exam.

The question directed to plaintiff was intended to specifically embarrass him before the review board and attempt to establish that although the plaintiff passed the agility test, he allegedly did not try hard enough. No non-basis candidates were posed similar questions, the lawsuit states.

The lawsuit also states the three candidates who identified as white failed the firearms test, while the Jewish candidate and Rivera passed the exam.

The lawsuit also claims the selection process violated the departments policy. According to the lawsuit, members of the SRT are supposed to be selected at the discretion of the chief of police or his designee.

However, the lawsuit claims members of the SRT voted to not accept Rivera to the squad. The lawsuit also claims three white officers were previously appointed to the SRT after failing the firearms test, but were provided remedial training and were allowed to retake the exam even though no testing criteria authorizes such remedial training and retesting.

The SRT is an elite squad comprised of tactical, intelligence and SCUBA units. Members of the unit earn higher salaries and enhanced benefits that include compensation for specialized training, which benefits members in their police career advancement and for promotion, the lawsuit states.

The lawsuit also claims New Canaans SRT is comprised of all white officers.

Rivera, who is represented by attorney John Bochanis, of Bridgeport-based Daly, Weihing & Bochanis, is seeking at least $15,000 for lost wages and benefits. The lawsuit claims he is suffering from extreme humiliation, mental anxiety and emotional distress.
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP)  New Mexico is on the cusp of finalizing prison takeovers that will reduce private prison operations to 25% of inmate beds, amid a plunge in prison population numbers statewide.

Corrections Secretary Alisha Tafoya Lucero briefed a panel of state lawmakers Wednesday on negotiations by her agency to take over day-to-day prison operations from CoreCivic at the 744-bed Northwest New Mexico Correctional Center in Grants, and from GEO Group at the 590-bed Guadalupe County Correctional Facility at Santa Rosa in southern New Mexico.

In November 2019, New Mexico took over a prison operations in Clayton at a facility previously run by GEO Group.

Once we complete the takeover of these next two institutions, we will have reduced New Mexico's private prison dependency to less than 25%, Tafoya Lucero said. Private operators oversaw nearly 50% of available prison beds in early 2019.

She said the state takeovers at Grants and Santa Rosa are scheduled for completion in November, and they will result in increased entry-level salaries for corrections officers of just over $20 an hour, up from as low as $15.50 at private facilities. Lease agreements will likely leave private operators in control of facility ownership and maintenance.

The administration of Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has rebuffed calls by state legislators for an immediate exit from the for-profit prison industry, aiming instead to negotiate a gradual withdrawal and avoid potentially costly disruptions.

Democratic state Sen. Linda Lopez of Albuquerque applauded the shift away from for-profit prison operations.

It's so encouraging to hear about the state, what I call, reclaiming our facilities," she said. This gives hope.

In January, President Joe Biden ordered the Department of Justice to wind down its reliance on privately run prisons, directing the attorney general not to renew contracts.

At the same time, New Mexico's prison population has undergone a precipitous decline in numbers since the outset of the coronavirus pandemic that leaves more than one-fourth of available beds empty, amid precautions against the spread of the virus at lockups and in the court system, state corrections officials said at the a wide ranging hearing on prison initiatives.

More than 550 prisoners have been released since April 2020 under an executive order from the governor to commute sentences for prisoners who are eligible for early release, with the exception of several serious crimes.

Tafoya Lucero said the state prison population has declined overall to 5,619, from 6,567 at the outset of the pandemic in March 2020. The population exceeded 7,300 as recently as 2017.

At Santa Rosa, half the prison building is closed for lack of inmates and staff.

The state has said it can do without at least one prison at Springer, as economic development officials explore alternative plans at the site to support local employment.

But Tafoya Lucero cautioned against further prison closures because the state could see a surge in new inmates as courts resume criminal proceedings that were delayed by the pandemic.

She highlighted the state's obligation to provide adequate prison cell space for each inmate under a legal settlement in early 2020.

What will happen when we do start to see additional prosecutions take place  does that mean that we have more people? Tafoya Lucero said. Ultimately it is very important that we made sure there is enough space for everybody who is incarcerated.
LONDON (AP)  As Britain enjoyed a summertime lull in COVID-19 cases, the nations attention turned to the end of pandemic-related restrictions and holidays in the sun.

But scientists are warning the public not to be complacent, saying high levels of infection in the community are likely to lead to another spike in cases this fall.

The reason for their pessimism is the delta variant of COVID-19, now dominant throughout the U.K. Vaccines are less effective against this more transmissible variant, meaning Britain needs to achieve a much higher level of vaccination if it hopes to control the disease. About 60% of the U.K. population has been fully vaccinated.

If youre going to rely on the vaccines, OK, then vaccinate everybody, said Ravi Gupta, a University of Cambridge professor who did some of the pioneering studies on the delta variant. But theyve done a half vaccination job and then theyve opened everything up. And this is a recipe for  things not going well in the next few months.

Despite an early summer surge in COVID-19 infections, the government on July 19 removed most remaining restrictions on social and business interactions. Prime Minister Boris Johnson trumpeted the moment as Freedom Day, saying Britains successful vaccination program meant people were much less likely to get seriously ill or die from COVID-19.

But after a drop in confirmed new infections following July 19, cases have plateaued at an average of around 25,000 a day, more than 10 times higher than in early May. On Thursday, the U.K. reported 33,074 new cases, the highest daily rate since July 23.

The seven-day average for coronavirus-related hospital admissions is about eight times higher than in May and deaths are 15 times higher.

All of the figures remain well below their winter peaks, when more than 60,000 people a day were testing positive for the disease.

Professor Julian Tang, an expert in respiratory diseases at the University of Leicester, is concerned infection levels in the community may actually be higher than the figures suggest. Human factors  such as a drop in testing now that school is out and people who avoid getting tested because they dont want to miss out on their summer vacations  may mean that new infections are being undercounted and will rise rapidly in September, Tang said.

He thinks part of the problem is the governments reduced emphasis on social distancing measures since the end of lockdown.

The virus is not going to go away unless you vaccinate everybody, including the children, Tang said. So I think that theres too much optimistic, over-confident messaging and people get the wrong idea that you can go out and do everything  dont wear your mask, go and have a barbecue, have fun indoors. But then when you want to pull back from that, people dont want to do it because theyve had that taste of freedom and they dont trust you anymore.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said Tuesday that the vaccine rollout had created a wall of defense that has massively reduced hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19. The government is now considering offering booster shots to the most vulnerable groups beginning in early September.

While Britain has achieved relatively high levels of vaccination compared to other countries, the shots havent been delivered evenly throughout society.

The U.K. initially targeted older people and others who were particularly vulnerable to COVID-19. As a result, over 90% of people over 60 have received at least one dose of vaccine, compared with less than 65% for adults aged 18 to 35.

Britain last week expanded the program to 16- and 17-year-olds. Government advisers are still considering whether to extend it to younger children.

The government may be forced to act because the delta variant has reduced the likelihood that Britain will ever be able to achieve herd immunity," the point at which enough people are resistant to the disease  either through vaccination or previous exposure  to prevent it from spreading through the population.

Because the delta variant can infect people who have already been vaccinated, anyone who is unvaccinated is likely to, at some point, come into contact with the virus, Professor Andrew Pollard, director of the Oxford Vaccine Group, told lawmakers this week. That means the vaccines may slow transmission of the disease, but they cannot stop it completely, he said.

We know very clearly with coronavirus that this current variant, the delta variant, will still infect people who have been vaccinated and that does mean that anyone whos still unvaccinated, at some point, will meet the virus, Pollard said.

I think we are in a situation here with this current variant where herd immunity is not a possibility because it still infects vaccinated individuals," Pollard said. And I suspect that what the virus will throw up next is a variant which is, perhaps, even better at transmitting in vaccinated populations."

That means Britain must learn to live with COVID-19, adjusting to a situation where the virus is always present, he said.

All of which means it's not time to celebrate Britain's victory over COVID-19, said professor Gupta, from the Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology and Infectious Disease.

We are going to see a resurgence in September of similar proportions to what weve just seen, if not worse. I think," he said. Thats why all this optimism is just misplaced right now.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Senate Judiciary Committee met privately Wednesday with a former U.S. attorney in Georgia who resigned in January as then-President Donald Trump waged a pressure campaign on state and federal officials to overturn his presidential defeat  part of a larger probe into Trumps actions after the November election.

The interview was with Byung J. BJay Pak, who resigned as a U.S. attorney in Atlanta the day after a call between Trump and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger became public, according to a person familiar with the committee meeting.

In a recording of the call between Trump and Raffensperger, obtained the day after by The Associated Press and other outlets, Trump is heard urging Raffensperger to find enough votes to overturn Joe Bidens win in the state. He also appeared to criticize Pak, whom he had appointed, indicating Pak hadnt done enough to try and overturn the election. Trump called Pak a never Trumper.

Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, who sits on the Judiciary Committee, said after Wednesday's interview that Pak "answered all questions in a seemingly honest and candid way, and my impression is that he believes in the rule of law and that he stood up for it. Blumenthal did not provide details of the conversation.

The interview is part of efforts by Democrats in the House and Senate to investigate the former presidents baseless claims about widespread election fraud  refuted by election officials and courts across the country  and his push within the Justice Department to investigate the matter. Trump's pressure on the department came just before the Jan. 6 insurrection, when hundreds of his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol and interrupted the certification of Bidens victory. Months later, Trump is still pushing the false fraud claims.

As part of its investigation, the Judiciary Committee spent several hours on Saturday interviewing Trumps acting attorney general at the time, Jeffrey Rosen. Senators also interviewed his former top deputy, Richard Donoghue, virtually on Friday. It is unclear if the committee will interview more officials.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said Sunday that Rosen was very open" during the interview "and theres a lot there.

Durbin said the pressure from Trump on Justice Department officials after Attorney General William Barr resigned was real, very real and very specific. Barr resigned in December after telling the AP that the Justice Department had found no evidence of the widespread fraud, leaving others at the department vulnerable to Trumps repeated demands.

I think its a good thing for America that we had a person like Rosen in that position, who withstood the pressure, Durbin said Sunday on CNNs State of the Union. He said he thinks history is going to be very kind to Mr. Rosen when its all over.

Rosen also met on Friday with the Justice Departments inspector general, whose office is investigating Trumps claims and the internal pressure on Justice officials. His testimony to investigators in both interviews was described to the AP by five people with direct knowledge of the interviews and Trumps efforts to influence the Justice Department. All spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the private details of those conversations.

Rosen told both the inspector general and Congress that Jeffrey Clark, then in charge of the Justice Departments civil division, pressed others in the department to make false statements about the election in an effort to push Trumps baseless claims that the election was fraudulent. Rosen also spoke of efforts by both Clark and Trump to oust him as the acting attorney general because he was refusing to go along with their plan.

Trump demanded Rosen appoint a special counsel to investigate his baseless election fraud claims  something Barr had pointedly refused to do. He continued calling Rosen to say he didnt understand why the Justice Department wasnt uncovering evidence supporting his claims and complained that Rosen wasnt fighting hard enough for him.

Rosen also told investigators that Clark met with Trump and crafted a letter that Trump wanted Rosen to send to Georgia state lawmakers. It told them to void Bidens electoral win and claim that the Justice Department was investigating fraud in the states election. But Rosen and his top deputy, Rich Donoghue, refused to send it, those familiar with the interview said.

Rosen told them that he and Donoghue decided to resign if Rosen were fired, and eventually informed Trump of that plan in a White House meeting. Trump backed down and allowed Rosen to stay, he said.

Durbin has said he would also like to speak to Clark and Trumps chief of staff, Mark Meadows, but its unclear whether they would appear. The other officials received specific clearance for the interview from Bidens Justice Department.

The House Oversight committee has also been investigating the Justice Department pressure, and last week interviewed Patrick Hovakimian, a former associate deputy attorney general who had also been given clearance to testify, according to a person familiar with the congressional investigation. The person was not authorized to discuss it publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Hovakimian discussed with the committee a Jan. 3 document he drafted for public dissemination in the event that Trump fired Rosen. In the letter, reported by Politico last week, Hovakimian described how Rosen had over the last week repeatedly refused the Presidents direct instructions to utilize the Department of Justices law enforcement powers for improper ends. It said that he and Donoghue were resigning, effective immediately.

The letter, which was never sent, was intentionally addressed to Justice Department component heads and other senior officials so that a broad audience of employees could understand what had happened and who precisely had stood up for the Justice Departments institutional interests, according to the person familiar with the investigation who was granted anonymity to discuss it.

The Oversight panel has now turned over parts of their probe to a new House panel investigating the insurrection. Leaders of that committee have said they plan to conduct extensive interviews about events that led up to the violent attack, including Trumps falsehoods about the election.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP)  A Texas Democratic senator who spoke for more than 15 hours against GOP voting restrictions knew she was just delaying the inevitable. Still, Carol Alvarado saw the filibuster as one more tactic she could use to spotlight her party's marathon clash with Republicans over voting rights.

And much like her Democratic colleagues who have derailed both chambers of the Texas Legislature by skipping out on work, she did it with dramatic flair.

Alvarado, chair of the Texas Senate Democratic Caucus, took questions from some other senators  mostly Democrats  while standing on the Senate floor from Wednesday evening to Thursday morning. She said the Republican legislation that would increase liberties for poll watchers and prohibitions on 24-hour and drive-thru voting would disproportionately disadvantage disabled voters and minorities. Most of her words were spoken into an empty room, after senators left as the maneuver dragged on.

Texas Democrats in both chambers draw the line in the sand and say unapologetically and in one accord for the world to hear that voter suppression anywhere is a threat to democracy everywhere, Alvarado said as she closed out her speech, with Democratic allies forming a line behind her.

Minutes later, the bill passed the Senate in an 18-11 party-line vote. It now goes to the House for a vote, but the legislation can't move forward as minority Democrats there continue their walkout that has stretched into 32 days.

A filibuster can last indefinitely, and the current special session is only on day six of 30. That timeline was not lost on Senate Republicans.

If she can speak on the bill until Sept 1, it dies, tweeted Sen. Kel Seliger.

But buying time has been a theme of the Democrats summer revolt, including when House members decamped to Washington, D.C., in hopes of pressing President Joe Biden and Congress to pass federal legislation that would protect voting rights. In Americas largest red state, they have little choice besides a filibuster or a walkout because they are outnumbered. Republicans wont budge on their partys national priority, as seen by the way tightened voting restrictions have been approved in states such as Georgia and Florida.

The standoff in the Texas House even led to Republican leaders calling on law enforcement Thursday to round up the wayward Democrats and bring them back to the Capitol.

In the Texas Senate, where Republicans hold a majority, making quorum would be possible even if the Democrats walked out. But filibusters have remained an option for minority parties in Texas and at the federal level because senators typically have fewer rules governing how long members can speak.

Alvarado's filibuster  during which she was not allowed to sit or take bathroom breaks  was reminiscent of then-Texas Sen. Wendy Davis' use of the delay tactic in 2013 to stop legislation that would have restricted woman's access to abortion. Davis filibustered for nearly 13 hours and became a Democratic star. But that hasn't translated to more success for her or the party; she ran for governor but lost badly to Republican Greg Abbott in 2014 and she lost to the GOP's Chip Roy in November when she ran for Congress.

Alvarado's ambitions are unknown. But for her colleagues, that's not necessarily the point.

At the end of the day, what this bill is trying to do is shave points in close elections, isnt that right? Democratic state Sen. Ronald Gutierrez asked Alvarado in his late-night questioning.

___

Acacia Coronado is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
EAST HAVEN  The towns Democrat mayor and Republican state representative might not agree on everything, but the two made it clear they are united on the subject of Tweed New Haven Regional Airport expansion, saying it is not a done deal.

Facing the possibility of runway lengthening, the announcement of the immediate investment in the existing New Haven terminal by private investors, expanded flight services as early as October 2021 and a master plan that proposes moving the Tweed airport terminal to the East Haven side of the airport, Mayor Joe Carfora and Rep. Joe Zullo, R-East Haven, announced their hardline positions in the duos first joint release.

The two made a joint call for specific, detailed information about the effect that Tweed expansion would have on East Haven, including tax benefits, environmental concerns and impacts, health concerns, noise, traffic, flight patterns, ticket fares and state subsidies.

A Tweed official responded that all the concerns will be taken into consideration.

Since assuming office, Ive never wavered on Tweed. The expansion of this airport will not be placed on the backs of East Haven taxpayers, said Carfora in a statement.

Further, while the benefits of an enhanced Tweed are often discussed in regional benefit terms, they are rarely discussed in the context of the traffic, noise, environmental, public service, and health burdens that East Haven will be asked to shoulder, Carfora said.

East Haven expansion is NOT a foregone conclusion, he said.

Zullo said in the same statement, As I recently noted, the path to Tweeds ideal expansion plans runs through the Town of East Haven. We hold the cards and East Haven will NOT be steamrolled by state, regional, or private actors when it comes to Tweed.

I am not an obstructionist, Zullo said, but I am here not only posing the tough questions, but also demanding the tough answers so that our local leaders and residents can make informed decisions on an issue that we all recognize will affect generations to come.

Tweed New Haven Airport Authority Executive Director Sean Scanlon, who also is a colleague of Zullo as a state representative representing Guilford and Branford in Hartford, responded, I appreciate the sentiments the mayor and state representative are expressing regarding their desire to make sure the expansion takes into account the needs and concerns of their constituents.

As I have said repeatedly, we are committed to meeting with, listening to, and working with East Haven officials and residents throughout this process, Scanlon said. We have been doing that and will continue doing that and Im very confident we can move this expansion forward while also addressing community concerns.

Zullo said hes still waiting for information he previously requested regarding Tweed.

At past hearings and in recent comments, I have requested and have yet to receive economic pro formas delineating the exact economic benefits to East Haven, Zullo said in the release.

To his credit ... Scanlon immediately contacted me to follow-up on those comments last week and offered a sit-down, Zullo said. State officials have also reached out to discuss the millions in funding that are currently subsidizing the airport, and which Mayor Carfora and I believe should be allocated to those impacted by potential airport expansion.

Along with the Mayor, I look forward to those meetings and to receiving not only a hard analysis of the economic benefits we can expect, but also a gauge of whether investors in Tweed will guarantee those benefits if plans dont pan out, Zullo said.

While Thursdays statement marked their first joint release, Carfora and Zullo said theyre in regular contact on Tweed and other issues.

The Mayor and I wont always agree on everything. However, we fundamentally agree that we need to protect East Haven, Zullo said.

Carfora agreed.

Were both committed to pursuing aggressive fact-finding and public awareness campaigns to ensure we get the information we deserve, disseminate it to residents, and provide them meaningful opportunities to sound off and contribute to the conversation, he said.

I vowed from early on in my term to work with Rep. Zullo on all Tweed issues, Carfora said. Together, we are much stronger, and we are in full agreement that we must protect the interests of our community and its residents.

Ive tasked our legal team with exploring every possible option, including those raised by Rep. Zullo, and we continue to review those options, he said. Most critically, Rep. Zullo and I agree that Tweed is not a partisan political issue, but one of generational importance to East Haven and one that we will work together on for the benefit of our community.

Zullo said he gives Carfora credit for keeping an open mind on exploring litigation on the memorandum of understanding that the City of New Haven and (former) Mayor (Toni N.) Harp terminated a few years ago, a move I continue to feel strongly about.

I also respect the economic and strategic decisions that Mayor Carfora needs to make, Zullo said. His position is thoughtful and well-informed. The town attorney, to the extent permissible, has committed to keeping me updated on the towns due-diligence in exploring this option.

The airport, owned by the city of New Haven, run by the Tweed New Haven Airport Authority and managed by Avports LLC, a private company, straddles the border between New Haven and East Haven, with much of its property located in the town.

Avports, a subsidiary of Goldman Sachs, would fund a total of $100 million in improvements, including an extended runway, a new 74,000-square-foot terminal and a new airport entrance on the East Haven side as part of a deal that also would include a 43-year lease and extension of Avports management contract.

A new start-up airline, Avelo Airlines, has announced plans to begin flying out of Tweed in the fall. It has yet to announce where it might fly to. Tweed currently has one airline, American Eagle, which flies between Tweed and Philadelphia.

Avelo has agreed to pay for $1.2 million in improvements to Tweeds existing terminal as part of an agreement between Tweed, Avelo and Avports LLC. Thats in addition to $2.8 million that Avports would provide.

mark.zaretsky@hearstmediact.com
LUSAKA, Zambia (AP)  Zambian polling places stayed open after dark Thursday, as voters at some waited in long lines to cast their ballots while in others officials began counting the results.

Large turnouts were seen in the capital, Lusaka, and other parts of the southern African country in tense elections that the president and his main rival have said are a test of the stability of the nation's democracy.

More than 7 million people, or over 83% of Zambia's eligible voters, have registered to vote in the presidential and legislative elections at more than 12,000 polling stations, according to the Electoral Commission of Zambia.

Verification of votes has started at some polling stations in Lusaka, marking the beginning of the counting process. Verification and ballot counting takes place at the polling stations where the results are posted on the walls according to Zambias political system. The tallies from each polling station then go to the central results center, which announces the national count.

At a church that served as a polling station, political party agents watched with hawk eyes as electoral officials opened plastic ballot boxes. Ballot papers were held out one by one for verification before being placed on a wooden counting table. Some political party supporters peeped through windows to witness the process, resisting attempts by police officers to get them to leave the station.

We have to see everything, we are here to protect our vote so we are not going anywhere, said Robson Nyirenda in Lusaka's Chawama township.

At many other polling stations, voting continued by the light of lamps and mobile phone flashlights, as officials worked to cope with the overwhelming number of voters who turned out.

As feared by many, internet access and many social media and messaging platforms including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger were restricted. This appears to be the government's attempt to prevent people from communicating about the vote until the official results are announced. Such internet restrictions have become common in many elections in African countries.

President Edgar Lungu voted early Thursday and urged people to stay at home and wait patiently and peacefully for the outcome."

I hear some politicians are advocating for people to hang around the polling centers, that will just bring chaos, said Lungu. "I have voted. I am going home, and will listen to the radio, newspapers, television and wait for the results to be declared. Thats what a good citizen does. Please dont hang around polling stations, you will just cause unnecessary anarchy.

His main rival is 59-year old Hakainde Hichilema who is making his sixth run to be president of the country of 18 million people. He touts his background as a businessman, saying he will be able to attract investment, better manage the stuttering economy and eradicate alleged corruption.

When Hichilema voted in Lusaka, excited voters abandoned their spots to see him and many chanted: We want change! We want change!

Speaking to the press after voting, Hichilema said, You can see the mood. ... People want change, you can see it. The important thing is that the decision of who becomes president, who will lead this country, must be determined by the Zambian people. The voters, not the people who count the votes.

The electoral commission earlier this week said although officially voting ends at 6 p.m., everyone in the line before that time will be allowed to cast their votes.

Analysts say like previous contests between the two men in 2015 and 2016, this vote will be closely fought.

Violence flared between supporters of Lungus PF party and Hichilemas United Party for National Development during a heated campaign period.

Both Lungu and Hichilema have urged citizens to vote peacefully but it is what happens after the vote that has many people worried. Results will be announced on Sunday at the latest, the electoral commission said earlier this week.

In total, 16 candidates are vying for the presidency. Zambia will go for a second-round vote if none of the candidates get more than 50% of the votes cast.

More than 800 candidates will battle for the elected 156 seats in the National Assembly. Mayoral and council seats are also up for election.
Watertown, NY (13601)

Today

Some sun this morning with increasing clouds this afternoon. High 83F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 66F. Winds light and variable.
Another domino fell in the sweeping federal corruption probe of New Orleans City Halls permitting office Wednesday as former inspector Brian Medus pleaded guilty to conspiracy.

Medus is the second municipal inspector to plead guilty in a bribery scheme involving falsified permits and inspection records. Former building inspector Kevin Richardson admitted guilt in 2019 in a scheme that dates from 2014.

Several other inspectors working for City Hall or as third-party inspectors working on New Orleans' behalf have also been charged this year with falsifying inspection records or been implicated in criminal investigation reports.

Medus, 45, was the assistant chief mechanical inspector for City Hall, approving permits and inspecting work on heating and air conditioning systems across New Orleans. He resigned in April just before he was indicted along with James Mohamad, Kenner's code enforcement director.

On Wednesday, Medus told U.S. District Judge Lance Africk he was guilty of conspiracy in a bribery scheme with Mohamad. As a part of a plea agreement, Medus signed court documents laying out the scheme, which started in 2011 and continued through 2019.

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The records say Mohamad ran an HVAC company but didnt have a license to work in New Orleans, so he paid Medus $300 a pop to issue permits using other contractors names and licenses. Mohamad then paid contractors $500 per instance to use their names and licenses to get the HVAC work for himself, according to the documents signed by Medus and the government.

The records say Mohamad paid Medus and others $93,000 in the scheme.

In one instance, Medus admitted issuing fraudulent permits for Mohamads company to do work in 2019 at a house in the Lower 9th Ward, then let Mohamad inspect and approve his own firms handiwork as a third-party inspector on behalf of New Orleans.

The contractor whose license was used, identified in court records as Contractor 2, signed paperwork stating that his crew installed the HVAC system even though federal prosecutors allege it was really Mohamads company.
There was nobody onshore monitoring the weather to alert Capt. David Ledet and the rest of the crew aboard the Seacor Power as a line of thunderstorms descended off the Louisiana coast on April 13, a Seacor Marine supervisor testified this week.

That was standard, said Paul Fremin, an operations manager for the company in Morgan City. Once underway, it was on the captain to track weather changes over the VHF radio, the internet or other gear aboard the oil services vessel, or to call in with a request.

The crew has all the tools in front of them to do that, he said.

Fremin was among several officials with Seacor Marine who have testified this week, defending the companys actions at a Marine Board of Investigation hearing into the circumstances behind the deadliest sea wreck off the Louisiana coast in decades.

The Seacor Power flipped seven miles offshore, with 19 crewmen and contractors aboard, a little more than three hours after leaving port. Six aboard survived, rescued from the Gulf by Coast Guard and private boats.

In their testimony, Fremin and other Seacor Marine officials detailed the companys safety protocols while claiming Ledet held final say about when the lift boat would leave port, as well as with how cargo was stored on deck -- another focus of the investigation.

They also insisted that there were no incentives or repercussions weighing on Ledet should he stay in port or pause mid-trip to jack up in bad weather.

The Seacor Power would run into an unexpectedly severe line of thunderstorms, trailed by an unusually potent wake low, a circular low-pressure system that kept the winds heavy and seas high into the next morning, a National Weather Service forecaster testified earlier.

The lift boat capsized south of Port Fourchon at 3:41 p.m. as Ledet and first mate Bryan Mires made a last-ditch attempt to lower its massive legs to the sea floor and stabilize the top-heavy vessel. Company officials acknowledged that in 2012, the Seacor Power's legs were extended by 15 feet, making it even more top-heavy while in transit.

High winds and violent seas thwarted early rescue efforts, though Coast Guard officials also leveled blame for early confusion in the search for the capsized vessel on a Seacor Marine dispatcher who told them the boat was still moored.

Seacor Marine officials downplayed that early mistake, while also dismissing allegations that another company official at first severely understated the number of people who were aboard the jack-up barge, claiming there were seven.

Fremin said he spoke with Ledet twice by phone that morning before the Seacor Power left Port Fourchon shortly after noon, headed to a coil-tubing job at a Talos Energy platform 40 miles east of Venice.

They went over a weather forecast provided through an internet subscription service that predicted normal wind and seas. Ledet expressed no concerns, Fremin said.

I remember him  saying, Before we leave, well look out the window and well go from there, Fremin said of the second call. Meaning he was going to check the weather and proceed on if he felt necessary.

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Fremin insisted there was never a set time where we had to leave by this time and this date.

One Coast Guard commander testified earlier that a connectivity issue that morning halted weather alerts through its Navtex system, and that it only got fixed after the Seacor Power had capsized. In the meantime, the National Weather Service had issued several special marine warnings as the line of thunderstorms moved south. Each message warned of tropical storm force winds -- 39 mph or greater -- accompanied by "suddenly higher waves."

Whether Ledet saw any of those alerts is in doubt. Company officials downplayed the loss of the Navtex transmissions this week. They described several other technologies on board to hear updated forecasts, including NOAA weather on VHF, the Inmarsat C system, or the internet.

An inspection this year showed those systems in working order on the Seacor Power, a company official testified.

Michael Cenac, the designated person ashore for Seacor Marine, testified that once the company realized the Seacor Power had turned over, they quickly set up a command center and coordinated the search and rescue with the Coast Guard, while enlisting divers from Donjon-Smit Salvage.

But there were delays in getting a suitable boat to Port Fourchon for those divers, and the Coast Guard needed to approve the plan, which it did the following day. Cenac said that those delays didnt matter in the end, because the seas were too rough to search the underwater wreckage anyhow.

The diver operations were considered high-risk because of the nature of the capsizing of the vessel and the wind and sea conditions we were experiencing, he said. Even if you had a dive plan approved, the weather conditions throughout that week would not have allowed them to dive.

Cenac fielded questions from the marine board over why the company didnt reach further in seeking help for the search-and-rescue operation.

A private Bristow Group helicopter rescue crew stepped in to try saving three men seen clinging to the deck of the toppled boat, but not at Seacor Marines behest. The effort, however, did not succeed.

More than a dozen lawsuits have been filed in federal or state court by survivors or family members of the men who perished after the lift boat capsized in an unexpectedly violent storm, arguing that Seacor Marine placed the crew in peril.

The marine board investigation may result in recommendations on how to prevent similar accidents and could determine if anyone committed misconduct or failed to perform their duties, said Capt. Tracy Phillips, the presiding officer.

The National Transportation Safety Board, which is conducting a parallel investigation, is participating in the hearing.
New Orleans residents and visitors must show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination or a recent negative test to go inside restaurants, bars and other indoor venues, including the Caesars Superdome, Mayor LaToya Cantrell announced Thursday.

The citywide vaccine mandate, one of the first in the United States, will take effect Monday and enforcement will begin Aug. 23. It comes amid a Louisiana surge in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations driven by the highly transmissible delta variant and the state's low vaccination rate.

+2 Need proof of COVID vaccine? LA Wallet app can store your vaccine card on your phone Many New Orleans bars, restaurants and other indoor venues will soon require proof of a COVID-19 vaccination or a recent negative coronavirus 

"Were here today because we really have no choice. The situation is dire and we are simply out of time," Cantrell said at a news conference.

The requirement covers anyone currently eligible for the vaccines. In addition to eating and drinking establishments and the Saints' upcoming preseason games at the Superdome, the rule will be enforced at fitness centers, casinos, strip clubs and race tracks, as well as events at the Smoothie King Center.

It also covers outdoor gatherings of more than 500 people if the total attendance is greater than 50% of the venue's capacity. Masks will continue to be required indoors.

A vaccination card from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or digital pictures of the card's front and back are acceptable forms of proof, as is a card in the LA Wallet smartphone app or the equivalent app provided by other states.

The measures are aimed at stemming a ferocious COVID-19 outbreak that has pushed the New Orleans area's healthcare system toward to its breaking point. In recent weeks, hospitals in New Orleans and across the state have been overwhelmed by coronavirus patients - almost all unvaccinated - seeking treatment. Infections have skyrocketed, as have the number of people who have died from the virus.

Cantrell said enforcement will be "aggressive" but that details are still being worked out. She said business owners with whom she's spoken are largely supportive, although they wanted a longer grace period.

"I do expect to see more in compliance. We arent seeing that same level of pushback that we experienced on the front of this, Cantrell said, referring to public health restrictions she imposed 2020.

Cantrell reinstated New Orleans' mask mandate July 30, along with a requirement that municipal workers and contractors show proof of vaccination as a condition of employment. Since then, major upcoming events, including the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, have been canceled or postponed, threatening to upend a hoped-for rebound in the city's tourism sector later this year.

Jazz Fest cancellation amid COVID surge sends a shiver through New Orleans hospitality sector The cancellation of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival set for October has sent a shiver through the city's hospitality industry jus

Health Director Jennifer Avegno said the mandate could help put New Orleans back on track towards festivals and other gatherings even as she acknowledged the recent setbacks.

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"Like me, I suspect you are tired, you are frustrated, you are disappointed that the promise of an end to the pandemic this summer is now out of reach," Avegno said. This is truly the worst-case scenario: A variant of the virus exponentially more infectious and a large statewide and regional population of unvaccinated individuals.

Cantrell said she decided on requiring vaccines to avoid a return to the lockdowns and other business curtailments of 2020.

"One of the things I am definitely not in favor of is a shutdown," Cantrell said. "Unlike this time last year, we have a tool that we did not have."

Many businesses are already using it. Over the past few weeks, restaurants and music venues across the city have started to require vaccinations for entry.

+5 Here's what New Orleans restaurants and bars already requiring vaccinations have seen The motto at Seals Class Act is where the grown folks act a damn fool. But founder Cecile Dalton was not messing around with the COVID surge.

The vaccine mandate will make New Orleans the only city in the South and one of the few in the U.S. to require private businesses to check for vaccines. New York City and San Francisco both announced mandates in recent days, and Los Angeles officials have started drafting a vaccine mandate law.

New York City will require proof of one shot while San Francisco will require full vaccination. New Orleans' rule will require customers only to have started a two-shot vaccine regimen, city officials said. Unvaccinated people would need to show a negative PCR test from within the previous 72 hours.

The first Saints home game is a preseason contest against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Aug. 23, when the city is set to begin enforcement. The club said "fans will simply need to" comply with the new rules. The team will partner with Ochsner Health System to provide free vaccination shots outside the Superdome during home games.

Need a COVID test or a vaccine? Here are free community testing centers in New Orleans area In the wake of a coronavirus surge driven by the confluence of the infectious delta variant and a high percentage of unvaccinated residents, o

"We understand some will be frustrated, as are we, that we find ourselves in this position," the club's statement reads.

Louisiana set COVID-19 hospitalization records for 10 consecutive days on Wednesday, when there were 2,901 inpatients across the state. The New Orleans-area COVID-19 inpatient census was 592, the highest since April 2020 but still well below the spring 2020 peak.

Anthony McAuley, Jessica Williams, Gordon Russell, Jeff Duncan and Ian McNulty contributed to this report.
A last-minute extension of the federal eviction moratorium earlier this month gave a longer reprieve to thousands of New Orleans residents behind on their rent.

But local housing advocates, worried that the federal courts will kill the moratorium before its Oct. 3 expiration date, are pushing for a permanent change that they say could put a dent in the city's 5,000 or so annual evictions.

The proposed solution is to guarantee to tenants in eviction cases what criminal defendants automatically get as a constitutional right: a lawyer.

During a City Council committee hearing this week, representatives of Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center, Southeast Louisiana Legal Services and Jane Place Neighborhood Sustainability Initiative presented a $2 million proposal that would ensure tenants receive publicly-subsidized legal representation.

Who would pay the cost is up for debate. Other jurisdictions have tapped taxes on rental units, philanthropic contributions and stimulus money. Some cities have determined that savings in other areas, such as homeless services and incarceration, make it worthwhile to pay for tenant legal representation from annual budgets.

Philadelphia, for example, is appropriating $3 million after an analysis by Stout, an investment bank, found that the city will save nearly $13 for every dollar it spends on legal representation for renters.

Its just exponentially more expensive to pay for beds in a jail than it is to pay for an attorney to keep someone housed in a home they already rent, said Maxwell Ciardullo, policy director at the fair housing center.

For one thing, tenants are more likely to show up to court if they know a lawyer will be available to help, advocates say. For another, tenants with lawyers are more likely to come to terms with landlords on structured payments, delayed move-out dates, or other arrangements.

Consent agreements are about four times more likely in New Orleans eviction cases with represented tenants, according to the Jane Place Neighborhood Sustainability Initiatives eviction court monitoring project, which began in September 2019. Court-ordered evictions are more than four times as likely when tenants lack representation.

Case dismissals, meanwhile, are about the same regardless of whether a renter has a lawyer or not, according to Janes Place.

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Having an attorney doesnt change the facts of the case. I cant protect someone that is damaging property or not paying rent when they have the money, Hannah Adams, a staff attorney at Southeast Louisiana Legal Services, said at the Tuesday City Council committee meeting. Having an attorney doesnt allow us to sidestep the law, it just allows us to ensure that where legal protections exist, they are enforced.

The right to counsel movement in local eviction courts dates back about a decade, and has gained popularity during the pandemic. Other cities, including Milwaukee, Baltimore and Louisville, have started programs this year aimed at providing legal representation to all renters facing evictions, or at least to those unable able to afford private lawyers.

The concept is still taking flight in New Orleans. City Council members Kristin Gisleson Palmer and Cyndi Nguyen voiced general support for the proposal. A query to Mayor LaToya Cantrells office was pending on Thursday.

Southeast Louisiana Legal Services already provides free representation to low-income tenants, defined as those with incomes of no more than 200% of the poverty line. Yet only about 6% of tenants are represented in New Orleans eviction cases, according to Jane Place.

So far, the city has spent nearly half its federal rental assistance allotment of $41 million, which has helped 3,000 tenants and landlords largely cover back rent. There have been around 16,000 applications, although some of them are duplicates or ineligible because the applicants do not live in Orleans Parish, according to Marjorianna Willman, the citys housing director.

Still, the available federal assistance isnt likely to match the demand. For the moment, the city is capping the number of applications it will process at 11,000, with each applicant receiving a number indicating their place in line.

Algiers resident Nicole Hicks, 28, said she is number five thousand, thirty something on the citys list. She spoke on Tuesday at Joe Brown Park in New Orleans East, while waiting to meet with city staff to answer questions about her application.

Hicks said she desperately needs the help. Shes diabetic and her four children ages 2 to 12 are asthmatic. Her parents died shortly before the pandemic, and she barely had time to grieve before the virus forced her to sell her inflatable party rental business. She then had to sell the house her parents left her, since she couldnt pay the note.

Now Hicks lives in an apartment, and she is behind on rent payments for the last four months. She received an eviction notice as soon as the eviction moratorium briefly expired earlier this month. Hicks said she doesnt know what she will do if the rental assistance money doesnt materialize.

I have no next step, she said. Im just hoping and praying.
Chad Scott, once a decorated U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration officer beloved by higher-ups but known as the "White Devil" among traffickers, was sentenced to just over 13 years in prison Thursday, a day after he took the stand in a packed New Orleans courtroom to plead for mercy.

Scott has been in jail in St. Charles Parish since his June conviction on two charges related to accusations that he took the property of arrestees for his personal use. U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo's sentence included those two counts, plus seven more stemming from an August 2019 conviction on seven charges, including perjury, obstruction of justice and falsifying government records.

Milazzo delivered the 160-month sentence Thursday morning, a day after she heard witnesses and arguments in a five-hour long hearing in front of a courtroom packed on one side with federal agents and on the other with Scott's family, friends and supporters. An overflow courtroom across the hall also drew several dozen spectators.

Scott, clad in an orange jail jumpsuit and shackled at the ankles, stood quietly as Milazzo announced his sentence. His wife, sons and mother stood feet behind him in the courtroom's front row.

On Wednesday, Scott, 53, spoke in his defense in court, the first testimony he had offered during his trials.

"I am not the monster that has been portrayed," he said, his voice breaking. "I'm married to Michelle and the proud father of those two boys."

Scott said becoming a federal drug agent was an ambition he developed in college, and that he loved the work.

+2 Former DEA star agent Chad Scott handcuffed in courtroom after conviction Chad Scott, once the hotshot agent of Drug Enforcement Administration's New Orleans regional office, left a federal courtroom in the same type

"I did work hard as a DEA agent, and I do believe in the DEA's mission," he said. "Over the years, I have put my life on the line every day."

He asked Milazzo to show mercy.

"My fate lies in your hands," he said. "I hope you will give me a second chance at life."

Scott's sentencing caps one of the biggest scandals in Louisiana federal law enforcement in decades. The case burst into public view in February 2016, soon after the arrest of former Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Deputy Johnny Domingue. Scott's team, including Domingue, often worked the Interstate 12 corridor between Baton Rouge and the Mississippi state line, making busts and nabbing dozens of kilos of drugs and hundreds of thousands of dollars.

But allegations also surfaced that Scott's crew shook down suspects, used drugs and sometimes sold them. Domingue and fellow deputy Karl Newman were arrested and pleaded guilty, admitting to stealing from suspects and sometimes using or selling drugs. Hammond Police Officer Rodney Gemar was indicted with Scott on counts of taking suspects' personal property. He was tried in June with Scott and found guilty.

Domingue and Newman both testified against Scott. They served 34 and 42 months, respectively. Gemar has yet to be sentenced.

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Scott's son also spoke in his defense, saying that the once-decorated agent in the DEA's New Orleans office had been a loyal soldier in the drug war, a tireless worker and a devoted father.

"The last four years have been filled with agony, sadness and anger," Tyler Scott, 29, said. "My father is a man of honor and courage."

"He woke up every day with a purpose, to make the world a better place," Tyler Scott said.

Prosecutors asked Milazzo to sentence Scott to the maximum possible time: just shy of 20 years. They argued that Scott should get time equal to the crime for which he obstructed justice. That case, against an accused trafficker named Jorge Perralta, could have netted Perralta more than 10 years, but was dismissed. Scott also should get extra time for abuse of trust and for being in a leadership role, they argued.

"Scott proved himself to be a brazen criminal who hid himself behind the badge," Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Duree argued. "Defendant Scott did a staggering amount of damage."

Prosecutors called three witnesses Wednesday who recounted how they had been wronged by Scott. Julius Cerdes, a Ponchatoula man who has served prison time for drug crimes, said that Scott planted a bag of marijuana in his truck in 2005 after "ambushing" him as he arrived home late at night.

Scott also threatened Cerdes with more prison time because Cerdes was carrying a gun at the time, Cerdes testified. Cerdes later agreed to a plea bargain in which he said the marijuana was his.

One of Scott's attorneys, Stephen Garcia, conceded that Scott could be an "arrogant bastard" but hammered at Cerdes over the contradictions in his plea bargain and his testimony, eventually getting him to concede that he had lied to the judge in the earlier case.

Milazzo, who has presided over this case since Scott was indicted in 2017, said she had to take into account the more than a dozen cases in New Orleans that were affected by the investigation into Scott. A number of drug defendants were either released or had their sentences reduced due to Scott's involvement.

Citing a letter she had received from Acting U.S. Attorney Duane Evans, Milazzo said the damage to the administration of justice had been "profound." But, she noted, she took into account the 20 months of home confinement that Scott has already served.

The sentence drew praise from DEA Administrator Anne Milgram, who said "Scott betrayed the very people he was entrusted to protect and today he is being held accountable for his crimes."

CORRECTION: Jane Triche Milazzo's first name was omitted from earlier versions of this story.
A Marrero man is facing as long as five years in prison after he pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court to scheming to obtain insurance payouts by staging vehicle accidents with tractor-trailers in New Orleans.

Dwayne Coleman, 22, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Sarah Vance to conspiracy to commit mail fraud, the U.S. attorney's office said.

In scheme to crash cars into big rigs, New Orleans lawyer Danny Keating Jr. pleads guilty New Orleans attorney Danny Patrick Keating Jr. pleaded guilty on Thursday to a wire and mail fraud conspiracy, admitting that he helped orches

He's the 27th defendant to be convicted in Operation Sideswipe, a large-scale federal investigation into the "slammers" who intentionally crashed into big rigs, the "spotters" who helped spirit the brazen drivers away from crash scenes before police arrived and other co-conspirators, including lawyers and recruited passengers. The convicted include New Orleans lawyer Danny Patrick Keating Jr., who pleaded guilty in June to coordinating with prolific slammers to stage crashes then handling their lawsuits seeking money for the bogus accidents, according to court records.

Coleman was charged with taking part in a Sept. 6, 2017, crash on Interstate 10 near the Almonaster Avenue exit. He was a passenger in a sport utility vehicle when a slammer targeted a tractor-trailer, court records said.

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After the crash, the slammer left while Coleman's co-defendant and fellow passenger, Erica Lee Thompson, slid behind the wheel and told police she'd been the driver, authorities said.

+2 Killing of staged-accident 'slammer' puts spotlight on 'crazy' Louisiana fraud scheme When he wasnt packing vehicles with extra people and crashing them into big rigs and buses for the insurance money -- as federal prosecutors 

Coleman, Thompson and two other passengers filed suit against the trucking company and the driver. Another of Coleman's co-defendants, Aisha Thompson, was also a plaintiff in the suit even though she wasn't in the vehicle at the time of the crash, authorities said.

Due to false statements made by the defendants in depositions, the insurance company paid a $30,000 settlement in the case. Coleman's cut was $7,500, authorities said.

In addition to a maximum five-year sentence, Coleman could be fined as much as $250,000. He is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 5.
An attempt at bag-snatching in Gentilly led to a shooting Tuesday, when police say the bag's owner pulled a gun and shot the would-be thief and a woman in the car with him.

The shooting was reported to police around 3:30 p.m. in the 3100 block of Elysian Fields Avenue.

According to preliminary information from NOPD, a man snatched a bag from another man, who then pulled out a handgun and started firing into the would-be thief's vehicle. The would-be thief was shot in the arm, police said, and a woman in the vehicle was hit in the ankle.

2 shot on Elysian Fields Avenue in Gentilly Tuesday afternoon, NOPD says New Orleans police are investigating a shooting Tuesday afternoon in Gentilly that left two people wounded.

EMS took both injured people to a hospital, and their conditions were not immediately available.

No other details were immediately available, including the ages of the people. Police have not said what kind of bag was involved or what charges they might pursue.

Anyone with information is asked to call NOPD Third District detectives at 504-658-6030 or Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111.
A 23-year Slidell police officer has been arrested on charges of obscenity, voyeurism and indecent behavior with a juvenile.

The Police Department said Wednesday that Donald Nunez, 66, was placed on unpaid leave as a result of an investigation by the Louisiana Attorney General's Office. Police said they asked the state agency to lead the investigation after receiving a complaint about Nunez on Tuesday.

"When I was informed about this complaint yesterday, we did not waste any time stripping this officer of his badge and placing him under arrest," Police Chief Randy Fandal said. "This is a black eye on us all.

The Police Department said it hired Nunez in 1998. Among other assignments, he was a member of the agency's equestrian unit, which Fandal formed after taking office in 2011.

Police did not immediately release more details on the case against Nunez.
Two thirds of southeast Louisiana voters say they feel the effects of climate change, and even more agree that its stronger hurricanes, more intense rains and increased coastal flooding carry serious consequences for the state, according to a new poll for the Environmental Defense Fund.

Such a strong response could bode well for Gov. John Bel Edwards' ambition for Louisiana to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050, said Steve Cochran, the nonprofit's associate vice president for coastal resilience.

"The ability to have a conversation about reducing greenhouse gas emissions is fundamentally based on understanding, a deeper understanding of the impacts that we face," said Cochran, who also serves on the equity advisory group for the governor's Climate Initiatives Task Force.

Released by Democratic polling firm Global Strategy Group and the Environmental Defense Fund, the telephone survey gauged how 1,058 registered voters across 17 parishes felt about environmental issues ranging from extreme weather and land loss to Louisiana's coastal restoration efforts. It was conducted July 14 through July 20 and carries a margin of error ranging from 3.5% to 8.0%, depending on the geographic area surveyed.

The results were released three days after the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change forecast a dire future for Louisiana unless the state and world begin cutting their greenhouse gas emissions immediately.

Since the Environmental Defense Fund's first Louisiana-centered poll in 2015, each subsequent survey has found broad bipartisan support for coastal restoration efforts as the Gulf of Mexico swallows more of the state's lower third each year. The national environmental group is one of five in the Restore the Mississippi River Delta Coalition, a New Orleans-based organization aimed at bolstering public awareness of the land loss and supporting the use of river diversions to rebuild land.

In 2019, the coalition's statewide poll of chronic voters found just 50% of respondents said climate change had a direct effect on their lives. The 2021 southeast Louisiana survey shows 66%.

"It matters a great deal that people are really beginning to understand the relationship in a general way between climate change and impacts that we're facing because it provides the basis for action that maybe we haven't had before you," Cochran said.

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The 2021 poll found that more than two thirds of respondents supported sediment diversions proposed in the state's 50-year, $50 billion Coastal Master Plan. Two major diversions would send freshwater and sediment from the Mississippi River into Barataria Bay and Breton Sound to restore wetlands.

The $2 billion Mid-Barataria Sediment Diverson project, in particular, has sparked controversy because of its predicted harm to oyster and shrimping grounds and to bottlenose dolphins. The Plaquemines and St. Bernard Parish councils oppose it, as does Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser, a former Plaquemines president who is considered a potential candidate for governor in 2023.

Yet most poll respondents from those parishes said they supported the diversions, and 46% said they would look more favorably on elected officials who also support the diversions. Overall, 56% of respondents in the 17 polled parishes said they would view those officials more favorably.

Given the results, Global Strategy Group's pollster, Andrew Baumann, said he would advise political clients that they have more to gain by supporting diversions and a lot to lose by opposing them.

+13 Here's why Mississippi River diversion was proposed, how it might work Picture an hourglass lying on its side, the top resting in the Mississippi River to capture the sands of time floating downstream from the Mid

"Aggressively opposing these projects clearly puts them at odds with an overwhelming majority of coastal Louisiana voters, and thats true across partisan lines," he said.

+4 Billy Nungesser, coastal officials square off over diversion projects at Jefferson Parish Council Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser continued his tour of southeast Louisiana Wednesday in opposition of the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project, at
The latest climate change warning, dubbed code red for humanity, contains especially troubling predictions for Louisiana. Combined with sinking land, the state's lower third - everything between New Orleans and Lake Charles - will likely see the Gulf of Mexico rise by more than 1 feet in the next three decades, the steepest increase in the United States.

Directly on the Gulf Coast, it could be worse. At Grand Isle, the water level will rise almost 2 feet by 2050 compared to todays heights, according to a NASA estimate combining subsidence and new sea level projections.

And it won't stop there. The global sea level will continue its alarming ascent for generations to come, says the latest report from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, or IPCC. It declares that all evidence shows climate change to be caused by human influence and that its effects are unmistakable today.

In addition to rising sea levels, Louisiana residents already are experiencing key effects of global warming, including more intense rains, stronger hurricanes striking the coast and higher temperatures, said Virginia Burkett, chief scientist for climate and land use change with the U.S. Geological Survey, who reviewed this latest IPCC report for the U.S. State Department.

Burkett, who co-chairs of the science advisory committee of Gov. John Bel Edwards Climate Initiatives Task Force, said the new report warns that the level of environmental change from today to the end of this century depends on whether and how quickly the world halts greenhouse gas emissions. That's particularly important in Louisiana, a state that produces an estimated 4% of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions and one where industry accounts for two thirds of the gases, much more than it does in the rest of the country.

The carbon emission reduction discussions under way in Louisiana are illustrative of the type and scale of the actions that are being discussed globally to reach a net zero emissions target by 2050 that would avoid warming of greater than 1.5 to 2 Celsius, Burkett said.

That net zero goal means any carbon or carbon-equivalent emissions must be offset by reductions, or be removed from the atmosphere and permanently stored.

The latest IPCC report only confirms what we are experiencing here in Louisiana: hotter days, higher seas and more frequent and extreme weather events, Edwards said. The IPCC report further underscores the need for serious climate action aimed at avoiding more extreme impacts from a hotter planet."

IPCC WGI Interactive Atlas: Regional information This interactive site allows users to toggle between different climate change scenarios and understand how various weather patterns would be i

Federal, state and local officials are working to counter the effects of climate change, with proposals to reduce carbon emissions, forestall flooding, improve construction planning and raise the height of hurricane protection levees.

Whether its enough remains to be seen. But clearly the states 20 southernmost parishes, including Calcasieu, Lafayette, Orleans, Jefferson and St. Tammany, are under siege. Other parishes also will be affected by interior flooding from both hurricanes and more intense rains.

In the coming years, Louisianans will experience more of what the IPCC and scientists such as Burkett and Linda Mearns, a lead author on the international report, call compound extreme events: a Category 3, 4 or 5 hurricane accompanied by extreme rainfall and higher temperatures amid a trend of rising seas.

Such a combination would mean higher storm surge along the coast and greater chances of inland flooding in more populated areas, such as occurred in Houston during Hurricane Harvey. Evacuees and storm survivors would face hotter temperatures, similar to those that were blamed for killing residents in attics in the Lower 9th Ward after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

"Southern Louisiana could very well be subjected to these three extremes that could very well happen at the same time," Mearns said. "The Gulf Coast area in general is really not in a great position in terms of climate change."

Released Monday, and written by 234 scientists synthesizing information more than 14,000 research papers, the global climate assessment delivered more precise projections for a warmer world, using improved models and more on-the-ground observations of conditions attributed to climate change than were available for the panels previous report in 2013.

Worst-case scenario: Louisiana could see the Gulf of Mexico rise more than 4 feet if the world - and the state - continues a business as usual approach and make no carbon reductions.

"It's unavoidable that the sea level is going to rise for many centuries to come, and that's going to create an escalating hazard for coastal communities," said Robert Kopp, a lead author of the report and a professor of earth and planetary sciences at Rutgers University in New Jersey. "But when we look at the second half of the century and beyond, how much sea level rise we get is increasingly sensitive to the emission choices we're making."

Burkett said sea level rise is more significant in Louisiana because of the underlying rates of subsidence, which is largely a consequence of the Mississippi River being leveed in the first half of the 20th century.

Ive worked on this for 30 years, and that sinking of the delta has become less and less of an influence, compared to the main global rate of sea level rise, Burkett said. Twenty years ago, that sinking made up 80% to 90% of the total, but now actual water rise has overtaken subsidence, she said.

The report casts doubt on the world's ability to minimize global warming to an increase of 1.5 Celsius, or 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit, when compared to temperatures between 1850 and 1900. But the 2015 Paris Agreement's primary goal of limiting the increase to well below 2 Celsius remains within reach. Kopp stressed that any reduction in greenhouse gases entering the air will help prevent the reports gravest projections should the heated planet reach a catastrophic tipping point.

"Under the most extreme future emissions, we can't rule out that the ice sheets could shrink so rapidly we could have about 7 feet of sea level rise by the end of the century and about 16 feet by 2150, he said. Whereas if we can limit warming to well below 2 Celsius, we're still going to get to 7 feet eventually, but it's going to take many centuries, which would be a far more manageable outcome."

In Louisiana, a 7-foot rise in water levels, when combined with subsidence, would likely result in the loss of another 2,250 to 4,150 square miles of coastal wetland, the amount predicted by state officials in Louisiana's 2017 coastal Master Plan for a worst-case global warming scenario, Burkett said. Restoration projects in the 50-year plan are forecast to reduce that land loss by between 802 and 1,159 square miles.

Significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions will also stave off 6 inches of global, or eustatic, sea level rise by the end of the century and limit warming, said Kopp, echoing the report's findings. In Louisiana, it could prevent almost 1 foot of sea rise by 2100.

"To stabilize the climate and to slow the rate of sea level rise, we need to get greenhouse gas emissions to net zero. And to meet the goals laid out in the Paris Agreement, we need to start getting there immediately and rapidly, reaching net zero globally before the middle of the century," Kopp said.

The IPCC report reviewed five future scenarios forecasting 2,000 years out with various levels of greenhouse gas emissions. The two scenarios with the lowest level of change will require strong climate policies to mitigate the effect of more greenhouse gases entering the atmosphere, Mearns said, and that won't be easy. To date, much of the human influence on climate has resulted from burning fossil fuels and deforestation.

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"They, quite frankly, will require a lot of effort very, very soon. Like now," she said. "Even waiting something like 10 years is really waiting too long."

At the state level, Edwards task force is reviewing more than 170 proposals for reducing, or capturing and permanently storing, carbon emissions to reach net zero by 2050. A final version of that plan is expected by early 2022.

Much of the reductions must come from either petrochemical plants or oil refineries, which were responsible for about 65% of the states carbon emissions in 2018, according to a recent emissions inventory by David Dismukes, executive director of LSU's Center for Energy Studies. In that year, the state emitted about 217 million metric tons of greenhouse gases, equivalent to about 4% of the U.S. total, his study says.

Louisiana state and local officials said this week they are taking steps to address the effects of climate change.

Ghassan Korban, executive director of the New Orleans Sewerage & Water Board, warned that the city is among the worlds most vulnerable to climate change. The intense rains of which the IPCC report warns have already stressed the New Orleans 100-year-old pipe-and-canal drainage system.

While we are proud to operate one of the largest stormwater pumping systems in the world, this system isnt enough to mitigate flooding from the increasingly intense and more frequent storms were seeing today and are likely to continue to see in the future, Korban said. Adapting our city to capture stormwater where it falls, to relieve the pressure on our drainage system, is the only way we can maintain our quality of life in the face of these massive challenges.

Ramsey Green, chief resilience officer and deputy chief administrative officer for Mayor LaToya Cantrells administration, agreed.

Its jarring. Its unmistakable whats happening. It almost feels like nowhere is safe, Green said. It reminds me a little bit of during the BP oil spill, me screaming at my television, saying Cap it! Cap it! Cap it!

The people who can cap [global warming] are all of us as a global society, he said.

New Orleans has dedicated $300 million to projects to hold rainfall, instead of simply directing runoff into the pipes and canals, he said.

It takes billions of dollars to upgrade pipes, to upgrade pumps, Green said, but it takes millions of dollars - low millions of dollars - to turn parks into bioswales and sponges to keep water from the low-lying parts of our city.

One such project will find ways to hold as much as 52 million gallons of stormwater in different parts of City Park, to offer some relief for the drainage system, he said.

Individual residents can help by making similar, smaller efforts in their own front and back yards.

Im sort of practicing what I preach, Green said. Im finishing a project at my own home right now, holding at least a couple thousand gallons on my own property because it makes it beautiful, and its better for the city.

The Louisiana Watershed Initiative, created in part to address the number of more intense rains across the state, is investing in technological improvements that will eventually help planners adapt to flood risk, said Pat Forbes, executive director of the state Office of Community Development.

One project is developing a combined water flow model for the coastal zone, to tie together the results of existing river flow models and the models being used by the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority to predict storm surge effects.

The state also is working with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to update that agencys atlas of intense rainfall events. The data in the current atlas are over 10 years old, he said. We are providing them with additional rain gauge data.

The result will eventually be used by state Department of Transportation and Development contractors who are developing new river flooding models to help predict when and where future intense rain flooding will occur.

Such data will be useful if the state takes Burketts advice to apply the IPCCs new findings to all of the states infrastructure. And not just the levees on the coast, but also the size of culverts and the base elevation of highways and bridges access the state, she said.

Keeping the states existing and future levee systems elevated in the face of subsidence and rising seas will likely be a task for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. A hint of its strategy is contained in its recent reports on the proposed $1.7 billion, 50-year east bank and West Bank hurricane levee elevation plan.

As long as the levee lifts are frequent and include some overbuild and are based on the latest available surge hazard data, the project should be able to maintain its ability to withstand topping by a flooding event, including hurricane storm surges, that have a 1% chance of occurring in any year, the east bank report said.

Keeping up with the increased sea level rise will require maintenance and money, said Corps spokesman Ricky Boyett. Nevertheless, with long-term maintenance and the necessary funding, we can adapt designs and elevations to account for any change in actual or projected relative sea level rise rates, he said.

Chris Humphreys, engineering director for the east bank levee authority, said the Corps levee lift project reports do include good news: Concrete structures such as the Lake Borgne Surge Barrier and the West Closure Complex were built to anticipate 30 years of sea level rise and subsidence, so there will be at least some time to adapt to more rapid sea rises.

Green also pointed to provisions in the $1.2 billion infrastructure bill that the U.S. Senate approved Tuesday. They could be used by private industry to come up with innovative methods of reducing carbon or adapting to climate change.

If we can shoot Jeff Bezos to barely space for 10 minutes that costs billions of dollars, what can we do that costs billions of dollars to create a for-profit mechanism for reducing the impacts our lifestyle have? he said.
What little growth occurred in Louisiana over the past decade was disproportionately focused in cities and suburbs in the southern half of the state and among non-White residents.

The trends in Louisianas population mirror the changes underway on a national scale: growth of metropolitan areas, particularly in exurban areas like St. Tammany and Ascension parishes; an ongoing decline of rural communities; and more diversity, driven both by changes in the population and in the way people conceive of their own identities.

The official U.S. Census Bureau count for 2020, released on Thursday, shows only 19 of the states 64 parishes grew at all over the preceding decade. Only 13 of those exceeded the states sluggish 2.7% growth rate, which brought its total population up to about 4.66 million residents.

But the growth seen in the state was far from evenly dispersed.

Dividing the state by a horizontal line starting at toe of the boot in Washington Parish, the 35 southern parishes gained more than 161,200 residents over the past decade, increasing their populations by a total of 4.8%. Those were largely concentrated in urban and suburban parishes: Ascension saw an impressive 18% increase, St. Tammany jumped by 13%, Lafayette by more than 9% and East Baton Rouge is now 4% larger.

The growing parishes also include Orleans, which grew by nearly 12%, and St. Bernard, which led the state with a 22% growth rate. But those gains came as both parishes were still recovering from flooding in 2005's Hurricane Katrina, and the end of the decade found them both still well below their populations 20 years ago. New Orleans' population now stands at less than 384,000, less than 80% of its pre-storm level, and St. Bernard has only 43,800 residents, about two-thirds its size before the storm.

Calcasieu Parish also posted large gains, though the census officially counts the population in April 2020, well before Hurricanes Laura and Delta dispersed much of the area's population.

The 29 parishes in the state's northern half, meanwhile, lost about 3.4% of their population and declined by 36,800 residents. That more than reversed the 2.7% gain they had seen in the prior decade.

The most dramatic losses were along the Mississippi border, in the Delta region. Tensas Parish, already the state's least populous parish, lost 21% of its population  leaving it with about 4,150 people  and Claiborne Parish fell by 17%, to about 14,200 residents.

Only four of the 29 parishes in northern Louisiana grew at all, led by suburban Bossier Parish, which added about 10% to its population.

A growing south and a shrinking north could have significant impacts on Louisiana's redistricting process, when it will redraw the boundaries for its six congressional seats as well as myriad other districts on the local level. The reapportionment of Congressional seats between the states, and the adjustment of their borders within them, is the primary purpose of the once-a-decade Census process.

Exactly how redistricting will play out between a Republican legislature and Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards remains to be seen, however.

Allison Plyer, chief demographer for the Data Center in New Orleans, said those changes are in line with a national shift toward urban areas.

Those are the same trends that are happening all over the country," she said. "The greatest growth is in metro areas, but specifically in exurbs, and the decline in rural populations nation-wide is notable."

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The state has also grown more diverse in the past decade. More than 60% of Louisiana residents described themselves as non-Hispanic Whites in 2010. But that population is now smaller by nearly 138,200 people and its share of the population has fallen to 55%.

The states Black population grew about on pace with the state as a whole and makes up about 31% of the population, roughly the same as it was in 2010.

The state also saw a surge in growth in its Hispanic population, which grew by nearly 130,000. At 7%, Hispanics still make up a relatively small portion of Louisiana's population, though their share has increased by 3 percentage points since 2010.

Then theres a more complicated demographic change that happened sometime after 2010: the explosion in people describing themselves as belonging to two or more races. Nationally, the number of people describing themselves as multiracial jumped from 9 million to nearly 34 million people.

Louisianas population now includes about 156,100 residents who describe themselves as multiracial, roughly triple the number from a decade ago. That almost exactly mirrors the national trend.

The increased diversity is not solely confined to urban areas: Traditionally White suburbs are becoming increasingly diverse. In a sign of the shifting demographics, when taken together, New Orleans and the six suburban parishes surrounding it are no longer majority White.

At the same time, in the city itself, the Black population fell to the lowest proportion it has seen in decades.

Thats only partly due to a shift in the makeup of the population itself. It also likely owes to tweaks the Census Bureau made to its forms to that make it easier to pick multiple races and changes in how people conceive of their own identity.

The latter may mean that people are embracing their heritage in ways they hadnt in the past or thinking about themselves in different ways, Plyer said.

Thats not surprising, societal norms are changing, she said.
When the U.S. Census Bureau releases its latest count Thursday afternoon, the data will almost certainly count New Orleans among the U.S. cities that have grown most rapidly since 2010.

But that simple snapshot of two points in time will obscure the complicated realities of the citys long and rocky recovery from the engineering failures that flooded it during Hurricane Katrina, and what may be a return to a decades-long trend of decline.

The decennial census is eagerly awaited by social scientists, journalists and others for the light it can shed on what is happening within communities across the country, providing a detailed and granular look that no other data can match. But the timing of the storm  directly between two of the counts - and the long recovery that didn't have a clear endpoint, mean there is much about what happened to the people of New Orleans over the last 16 years will remain shrouded in questions.

There is unanimous agreement on one point: while the census numbers will show substantial growth from the 343,829 residents in 2010, the first count conducted after the storm, they will remain far below the 484,674 who lived here in 2000. That reflects the realities of a disaster that scattered hundreds of thousands of people across the state and country, many of whom found they could not return home.

The number released this week will doubtless show a smaller city -- and one that has particularly lost a significant percentage of its Black residents.

+4 Analyzing the Census: Louisiana saw one of the slowest growth rates in the U.S., but why? Louisianas population grew by a mere 2.75% between 2010 and 2020, only a little more than a third as quickly as the U.S. as a whole, accordin

This will help tell us what was the permanent population loss, said former Mayor Marc Morial, now head of the National Urban League. I think itll be in the 50,000 to 70,000 range. Maybe more, maybe less. But its going to be pretty significant. As someone who comes back and forth to New Orleans a lot, I can feel the city is smaller.

But, he said hell be looking to the census data to see whether connections to the city kept people within the New Orleans area or the state.

One of the interesting elements will be how much of the movement was within the state  to Jefferson Parish, to the River Parishes, to Baton Rouge, even across the lake  versus places like Dallas, Houston and Atlanta, where you have huge populations of New Orleanians, Morial said. Its important to remember that these people are still tethered to the city in ways. They drive back and forth, to festivals, to Saints games, to parades. Theyre still really connected.

081221 Census- New Orleans 1950-2019 A misleading increase: New 2020 census figures will show that New Orleans population has grown substantially since 2010. But the numbers actu

While exactly how New Orleans fared will not be known until the new numbers are released Thursday, yearly census estimates give a sense of what has happened to the citys population over the last 10 years. Those stats, based on official records of birth, death and migration, showed a steady climb to 2016  when officials estimated the city had 392,265 residents.

That peak, about 80% of New Orleans pre-Katrina population, was followed by the start of a decline that saw about 1,100 people leave over the course of the next three years, according to the estimates.

Clearly the problem of poverty did not abate after Katrina, despite all the rebuilding, Morial said. And now you have a gun violence problem, which isnt unique to New Orleans, but its a real threat. And its tied to the poverty problem. If you think you can address gun violence without addressing that underlying poverty ... youre repeating yesterdays policies and expecting to get a different result.

Census data, coming Thursday, may not be much to count on in storm-hit Lake Charles LAKE CHARLES  Its one of the most pressing questions facing the Lake Charles area after the recent run of storm devastation: How many people

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In some ways, thats a return to a familiar trend for a city whose population had been dwindling for four decades before the flood, falling from a peak of 627,525 residents in 1960.

While urging caution over reading too much into the estimates  which are, after all, fallible  Allison Plyer, chief demographer for The Data Center in New Orleans said they do point to the conclusion that most of the growth that will appear in the new figures was driven by the return of New Orleanians and a growth in new residents that largely occurred in the first part of the decade.

We dont know that our growth is now declining, although leaders should be aware that it might be and be thinking about that possibility, Plyer said. But one shouldnt look at the 2010 to 2020 growth rates and think that in the next decade well grow at the same rates.

The time since the storm is arguably among the most important period in charting New Orleans' future. But because the 2010 census was a half-decade after the flooding and the 2020 was years after the recovery had tapered, many questions about what happened in the intervening years will remain unclear.

The ambiguities in the data will be most apparent on the neighborhood level, leaving questions that can perhaps be answered anecdotally but not with the certainty that many come to expect in the modern, data-driven world. How much to attribute a neighborhoods population losses to a recovery that left many unable to come home? How many people fought their way back, only to be pushed out by gentrification or displaced by short-term rentals? And how much of the changing face of the city is due to the uneven recovery, as opposed to more nebulous national and regional trends?

Add to that the uncertainties about last years census across the country, and in Louisiana in particular.

The national effort was just about to move to a door-to-door count last April, when the coronavirus delayed those plans. Thats raised questions about how well the numbers will reflect the reality on the ground, particularly as people moved, Plyer said.

The problems were even more severe in Louisiana, where Hurricane Laura struck right as the count was about to start up. Tens of thousands of people were displaced, and it's not clear they will be properly counted as having lived in the Lake Charles area on April 1, before the storm hit, Plyer said.

As a result of all those complications, Louisiana was originally the only state where the Census Bureau didnt initially meet its goal of counting 99% of the population by mid-October.

Louisiana is absolutely the largest concern among the 2020 census results, Plyer said.

Meanwhile, the census is likely to show a variety of changes in southeast Louisiana. Trends suggest that even as New Orleans is becoming Whiter, suburban parishes have been growing more diverse. And, combined with greater connectivity between the city and surrounding areas, that may point to a more regional approach going forward.

One of the stories here is in Jefferson Parish, Morial said. Jefferson Parish is not the Jefferson Parish of 1990. It now has the characteristics of an inner ring suburb, similar to the ones around Chicago and New York. Its older, its Browner and Blacker. There are bigger numbers of working poor.

Id encourage you to look at is the demographics of the metropolitan area as a whole, and see how those have change, he added. The whole river corridor, all the way to Baton Rouge, plus St. Tammany. The community has really become a region.
Honor has launched its new Magic3, 3 Pro and 3 Pro+ top-end smartphones today (August 12, 2021). Their large central ring-style camera humps contain up to 5 lenses each, which also contain new 50MP sensors in some cases. The OEM claims they are capable of delivering cinema-grade videography as well as Snapdragon 888+ performance.

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Samsung may have captured the tech world's attention yesterday (August 11, 2021) by making the new Galaxy Z Fold3 official; however, Honor asserts that today is its day. This brand may have officially parted ways with Huawei, but you'd hardly know it from the esthetics of the new Magic3 series.

It has, as implied in several teasers prior to launch, debuted with circular camera humps that dominate their rear panels. On that note, the promised Magic Hour-inspired colorways are here, although only the vanilla 3 model gets both of these (Blue Hour and Golden Hour), which are finished in vegan leather as opposed to the glass of the black and white alternatives.

This base variant's ring-cam could easily house 5 cameras; however, it only gets 3 active lenses, 1 of which is for a 50MP main sensor with an f-stop of 1.9 and a 1.0 micron (m) pixel size. Its secondary lens is a monochrome lens, which goes even bigger than that of the Huawei P50 series in that it is all of 64MP in resolution. They are rounded off with a 13MP, 13mm and f/2.2 ultra-wide angle shooter.

All 3 are also found in the Magic3 Pro, and contribute to a penta-cam array in this variant, even if 1 of these lenses is actually an "8x8" dToF sensor for enhanced depth-perception. Then again, the 5th one is a telephoto lens that is, again, 64MP in size, with OIS and the 100x digital zoom hinted at in an earlier leak.

The OEM has also imbued the Magic3 line with advanced camera prowess on the software side as well. It has prepared the "Honor Imagine Engine" suite of AI enhancements, not to mention an impressive-sounding "Full Pixel Octa PD Auto Focus" for rapid shots, not to mention alleged "3D look-up-table (LUT)" functions that works right on these new smartphones and support for the LOG format.

On the opposite side of these devices, Honor continues the authentically cinematographic buzz-words by introducing the Magic3s as the world's first officially IMAX Enhanced mobile devices. This feature involves 8 "Hollywood-grade" 3D LUT color profiles for content consumption, and will act on 6.76-inch FHD+ 10-bit OLED displays that have 120Hz refresh rates and 89 curvature.

The Magic3 line also retain punch-hole selfie cameras for these displays - dual punch-holes, in fact, which support ultra-wide angle selfies and 3D ToF Face Unlock. On that note, the series will run the latest Magic UI 5 based on Android 11 with Google Mobile Services for the international market.

This skin is apparently inherently privacy-focused, and also contains tweaks such as nature-inspired always-on displays and user eye-tracking-dependent behaviors such as ringtones that drop in volume should the user look at the phone.

The Magic3 series also have 4,600mAh batteries that support Honor's premium 66W charging rates, as well as up to 50W Qi wireless charging. The most extreme end of this feature spectrum ends with the Pro+ variant, introduced toward the end of Honor's show with looks that will frankly be familiar to RS Design enthusiasts.

These rear panels are finished in black or white Nano Crystal Ceramic, and also have displays reinforced with the same Nano Crystal Glass as in the iPhone 12 series, albeit with a more pronounced curve compared to Apple's efforts.

It also steps up to triple 64MP sensors: the same monochrome and ultra-wide angle sensors as the Pro, as well as one for telephoto (90mm with a periscope lens) functions. Furthermore, its 50MP module is a Sony IMX700, as opposed to the 766 of the other 2 variants.

This new CMOS is larger, at 1/1.28 inch as opposed to 1/1.56in in the IMX766. The Pro+ also packs the dToF sensor and a dedicated color-temperature sensor into its even larger, vaguely octagonal hump. This top-end model has just 1 12GB/512GB configuration, priced at 1,499 (or ~US$1,759: still slightly less than a new Galaxy Z Fold3).

The Pro+ and Pro also have just 1 8/256GB SKU apiece, and come in at 1,099 (~$1,289) or 899 (~$1,055). Then again, Honor never mentioned a release date for the Magic3 series in the course of its launch, or how one might shop for it outside of China as yet.
Roseburg, OR (97470)

Today

Morning clouds will give way to afternoon sunshine. High around 80F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

A few passing clouds. Low 58F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph.
After a series of failed relationships on both ends, Mr. Hsu and Ms. Jeong took the time to ask themselves what it was they were truly looking for in a romantic relationship. Each credits these periods of self-reflection to the success of their relationship, as they felt comfortable and ready to approach one another from a place of deep honesty. What kept me going on that second and third date was that I felt safe, Ms. Jeong said. I didnt have to doubt whether he was saying something to make me happy or impress me. He just came as he was and that emboldened me to truly come as I am.

The couple met via the dating app the League in April 2019 and began seeing one another at least once a week immediately following that first date, where they met at the Bryant Park fountain and strolled over to Le Pain Quotidien, a nearby restaurant, and drank tea for two hours. At the six-month mark of their relationship, they knew that what they were experiencing was a deep and enduring love.

On Oct. 11, 2020, Mr. Hsu proposed to Ms. Jeong at the Bryant Park fountain.

As the couple planned their wedding through the Covid-19 pandemic, they incorporated what Ms. Jeong called Covid-friendly events into the day. This included an outdoor ceremony in Central Park for close family and friends in the morning, followed by two evening parties, one in Manhattan and the other in Brooklyn, for 90 guests.
The timing of the appointments is crucial to Mr. Bidens bid to curb gun violence and prosecute gun trafficking, the White House said in a statement announcing the nominations. The president pledged this summer to make federal tools available to the state and local authorities to combat an uptick of violent crime in big cities.

These individuals were chosen for their devotion to enforcing the law, their professionalism, their experience and credentials in this field, their dedication to pursuing equal justice for all, and their commitment to the independence of the Department of Justice, the White House said.

Mr. Biden also tapped Carla B. Freedman, a prosecutor in the U.S. attorneys office for the Northern District of New York, to lead the office, setting her up to be the first Senate-confirmed woman to fill the position. The other nominations include William J. Ihlenfeld II as the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia, Christopher R. Kavanaugh as the U.S. attorney for the Western District of Virginia, Darcie N. McElwee as the U.S. attorney for the District of Maine, and William S. Thompson as the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia.

Many of the nominations were expected after senior lawmakers this year advised Mr. Biden on their picks for judges and U.S. attorneys. Presidents typically defer to such recommendations when selecting top prosecutors.

In March, Senator Chuck Schumer, the majority leader, asked Mr. Biden to nominate both Mr. Williams and Mr. Peace, who is also Black, after a year in which mass protests across the country cast attention on racist policing tactics.
LOS ANGELES  California regulators voted Wednesday to require builders to include solar power and battery storage in many new commercial structures as well as high-rise residential projects. It is the latest initiative in the states vigorous efforts to hasten a transition from fossil fuels to alternative energy sources.

The five-member California Energy Commission approved the proposal unanimously. It will now be taken up by the states Building Standards Commission, which is expected to include it in an overall revision of the building code in December.

The energy plan, which would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2023, also calls for new homes to be wired in ways that ease and even encourage conversion of natural-gas heating and appliances to electric sources.

The future were trying to build together is a future beyond fossil fuels, David Hochschild, the chair of the Energy Commission, said ahead of the agencys vote. Big changes require everyone to play a role. We all have a role in building this future.
Some women remained conflicted about the decision.

Im highly considering getting vaccinated, I feel like its the more responsible thing to do, said Raeshel Contreras, 29, who lives in the Bay Area. She is 28 weeks pregnant and worries that the vaccine could disrupt fetal development, though there is no scientific evidence of this. I dont know what I would do if I got vaccinated and something happened to the baby.

She has given herself two weeks to make a decision, she said, but the timing of the new C.D.C. directive, during a surge, concerned her.

Why was this not recommended before? she asked. Now theres this new variant, and now the C.D.C. is jumping, but it wasnt recommended, Im like Why is that?

The data on birth outcomes is limited, considering the vaccine has only been available since December, but the small number of pregnancies of immunized obstetric patients followed to term have not identified any safety issues, according to Sascha R. Ellington, an epidemiologist who leads the emergency preparedness response team in the division of reproductive health at the C.D.C.

A study of 827 people who gave birth after being vaccinated found the rates of adverse events and poor outcomes were similar to prepandemic rates, but called for more long-term follow-up of such pregnancies. The study was published in April in the New England Journal of Medicine.

At this time, the benefits of vaccination, and the known risks of Covid during pregnancy and the high rates of transmission right now, outweigh any theoretical risks of the vaccine, Dr. Ellington said.

I think its pretty clear with everything weve learned that you do have more severe disease in pregnancy, and there is concerning data from other countries that pregnant women are being more severely affected with the Delta variant, compared with the earlier strains, said Dr. Denise Jamieson, an obstetrician at Emory University in Atlanta.
On Wednesday, a day after Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced his resignation, New York woke up to the prospect of a future without him for the first time in more than a decade. Across the state, Democrats moved urgently to fill the vacuum created by the absence of a man who spent years seeking to exert total control over their party.

At the State Capitol in Albany, Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul held her first news conference as governor-in-waiting, sending a message about the importance of maintaining government continuity. Democrats buzzed in private conversations about whom she might appoint to her team, as she promised turnover from Mr. Cuomos administration after he resigned in disgrace.

Many people expressed hope for a stronger working relationship between the executive and legislative branches, following a period during which Mr. Cuomo  who never shied away from using intimidation as a tactic  often had toxic or nonexistent relationships with state lawmakers and sought to govern on his own terms instead.

This is a moment of great opportunity for the executive branch and, frankly, state government to reset, said State Senator Shelley B. Mayer, a Yonkers Democrat. Culturally, its an opportunity to reset.
So much of this brings Biden to mind. I am particularly concerned that the Senate went into recess without moving forward on voting rights. I am also concerned that opponents of filibuster reform will point to the bipartisan support for infrastructure as proof that the Senate isnt broken and the rules dont need to be altered to pass voter protections.

Furthermore, much of the funding in the infrastructure bill will likely need to be funneled to states, and even if the bill is passed, it could be years before workers break ground on many of these projects. That work could  and will likely  extend well beyond the Biden administration.

Funds through laws sloppily written during one administration can be commandeered and diverted during another. As LawFare reported, a month before leaving office, President Barack Obama signed a nearly 1,000-page bill giving the secretary of defense authority to build roads and fences and install lighting to block drug smuggling corridors into the United States. This was meant to combat a societal ill. But President Donald Trump used this language to siphon off $2.5 billion to fund his border wall, a monument to hate and xenophobia. The Trump administration was sued over this, but the Supreme Court affirmed his right to do it.

Most Black people in America still live in Southern states, now controlled by Republicans. The oversight and regulatory mechanisms for Bidens infrastructure package will need to be bulletproof to prevent Republican lawmakers from abusing the funding or directing it away from its intended targets. Biden designed his infrastructure plan to help undo discrimination. As the White House put it in a statement, the bipartisan bill will address economic disparities in our economy and the consequences of decades of disinvestment in Americas infrastructure that have fallen most heavily on communities of color, investing in jobs, affordable internet, reliable public transit, clean drinking water and other resources to ensure communities of color get a fair shot at the American dream.

Those are good goals, worth striving for, but not even that is worth losing momentum in the fight to protect the rights of Black and brown people to vote. Public works are great. Job creation is great. But if you are left disenfranchised, you are exposed and in danger. It would be a devils bargain. In the end, you would still be vulnerable to being offered up for the flaying.
American politicians often warn that if Iran obtains a nuclear weapon, it will spark a nuclear stampede across the Middle East. Allowing Tehran to get the bomb, Senator Robert Menendez, the current chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, predicted in March 2020, could set off a dangerous arms race in the region. In an interview in December, President-elect Joe Biden cautioned that if Iran went nuclear, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt might too, and the last goddamn thing we need in that part of the world is a buildup of nuclear capability.

Such statements are so familiar that its easy to overlook their artifice. In warning that Iran could turn the Middle East nuclear, American politicians imply that the region is nuclear-free now. But its not. Israel already has nuclear weapons. Youd just never know it from Americas leaders, who have spent the last half-century feigning ignorance. This deceit undercuts Americas supposed commitment to nuclear nonproliferation, and it distorts the American debate over Iran. Its time for the Biden administration to tell the truth.

American officials began hiding the truth about Israeli nuclear weapons after Israeli leaders hid the truth from them. In the early 1960s, writes Avner Cohen in his book The Worst Kept Secret, Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion repeatedly told President John F. Kennedy that the reactor Israel was building in the desert town of Dimona was for peaceful purposes only. When the United States sent inspectors to the site, the Israelis concocted an elaborate ruse, which included building fake walls to conceal the elevators that led to an underground reprocessing plant. By decades end, the die was cast. The C.I.A. concluded that Israel already possessed nuclear warheads.

So Richard Nixon and Prime Minister Golda Meir hatched a deal. Neither Israel nor the United States would acknowledge that Israel had nuclear weapons, and Washington would not pressure Israel to submit them to international oversight. For 50 years now, American presidents have abided by the bargain. Scholars believe that when Israel tested a nuclear weapon in the Indian Ocean in 1979, the Carter administration covered it up. In 2009, when a journalist asked Barack Obama if he knew of any country in the Middle East that has nuclear weapons, Mr. Obama responded, I dont want to speculate.
In 2019, the high court ruled that gerrymandering for partisan gain was beyond the reach of federal courts, leaving such claims to be argued at the state level. Gerrymandering to dilute minority voting power is still illegal under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, but experts worry that now it could be possible to disguise a racial gerrymander as a partisan one.

More concerning for voting rights groups was the 2013 rulings removal of the preclearance requirement in Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act. While preclearance scarcely prevented all gerrymandering, experts argue that it created a deterrent and that its absence this year opens the door to abuse.

I am up late at night often, unable to sleep, pondering how bad or how aggressive some of those states might be in undoing the protections that were granted from Section 5 that no longer are in effect, said Jonathan Cervas, a postdoctoral fellow at Carnegie Mellon University who studies gerrymandering. And I can imagine that a particularly aggressive legislature, where it benefits them, may not draw minority districts.

As Republican maps are drawn, Democratic and civil rights watchdogs will especially scrutinize them for two gerrymandering tactics commonly known as cracking and packing. Cracking splits a minority community into many different districts to water down its impact, and is often a fear in cities. Packing combines many minority voters into a single district, diluting their overall voice in a state, and is more commonly tried in rural areas.

While diluting the votes of minority communities remains illegal, Mr. Cervas said that without preclearance, such tactics could be used anyway, and that the resulting legal challenges were increasingly unlikely to be resolved in time to affect the 2022 elections.

Mindful of the calendar, the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, a group founded by former Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr., has already begun litigating in Louisiana, Minnesota and Pennsylvania.

Kelly Ward Burton, the groups president, said it was not about to wait. If and when they gerrymander, which we expect them to, we will be ready to sue them, she said. We will use all of the legal tools at our disposal, which is everything from federal litigation to state-based litigation based on state law.
The state of Wisconsin on Wednesday authorized the killing of 300 wolves as part of a hunt this fall, far exceeding the recommendations of its own biologists for the once-protected species and drawing criticism from conservationists.

In a 5-to-2 vote, the states Natural Resources Board cast aside the quota that had been proposed by the states natural resources agency, which had called for a limit of 130 wolves to be killed.

The decision followed several hours of intense public debate by dozens of people over the scope of the hunting program, with animal rights activists calling it inhumane and hunting groups seeking even higher quotas.

The debate represented the latest flashpoint over the status of the gray wolf, which lost its Endangered Species Act protections under the Trump administration.
Only days after wildfires ripped through southern Turkey, razing whole villages and forcing thousands to flee, rescue crews struggled on Thursday to evacuate scores of people and find the missing after heavy rain caused flash flooding in the northwestern region of the country.

At least nine people have been killed in the floods, which have affected three provinces, according to Turkish authorities, and at least five children are missing.

In the small town of Bozkurt, in the Kastamonu Province, four young children from the same extended family were missing.

Fatih Karaalioglu, an uncle of the children, made a plea for help on Twitter.

Our children are under the ruins, he wrote. Help us.
Across New York the Delta variant has caused a surge of new cases and rising hospitalizations, presenting New Yorks incoming governor, Kathy Hochul, with a major public health challenge that is likely to grow between now and the day she officially takes office in two weeks.

Ms. Hochul, who is currently the lieutenant governor, declined to say much that was concrete about the direction she would take on the states Covid-19 policies when Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo steps down. Mr. Cuomo announced his resignation on Tuesday after a sexual harassment scandal.

But Ms. Hochul, a moderate Democrat from the Buffalo area who has kept a low profile as lieutenant governor, will soon confront a raft of difficult decisions on everything from guidance on mask rules to vaccine mandates.

In her first news conference on Wednesday as the soon-to-be-governor, Ms. Hochul did not say whether she would declare a new state of emergency to respond to rising transmission, as Mr. Cuomo did last year in March at the height of the pandemic, a restriction that was only lifted in late June of 2021.
EDUARDO VILARO One specific thing was that we decided to band together around the election. We crafted a message about the importance of voting, and what the election meant for our community. It was the first time the five organizations have put something out together, and we refrained from using the word turnout!

VIRGINIA JOHNSON Of course the biggest concrete outcome is the BAAND Together festival. It was such fun to program together with other artistic directors; youre on an island usually with that task!

ROBERT BATTLE As much as specific outcomes, like the election policy or these performances, I feel like the meetings really helped by giving us a space where you could say, I dont have the answers. That can be terrifying if you are the one who is supposed to know what to do. It was good to unburden that, and to discover that maybe you do have some answers if the right questions are asked.

George Floyds death and the explosion of the Black Lives Matter movement happened when your organizations were closed and dancers scattered. What were your conversations about then?

VILARO We understood that we were very different organizations and had to address these issues differently. But we were able to talk to each other openly, and that was really helpful in deciding on our own approaches.

STAFFORD We were asking one another, how do we talk about this? It wasnt about being of color or not, but about having the difficult conversations that we have never had before about becoming an inclusive art form. We need to do better: how are we going to do that?
Theyre also Black, and the choice to render their skin tones in an unnaturally jarring palette and crown them with electric-pink glitter-encrusted hair gives them the exalted air of religious icons by way of a Lisa Frank fever dream, or a Kehinde Wiley construction where the dream has died a little. Niless subjects (often himself) stare through the plane with a mix of stolidness and mild annoyance, male figures often shirtless and amply paunched. Theyre portraits of friends and family where trauma and regret have hardened into a callus.

Interior scenes, absent of their inhabitants, are still psychically dense: a urine sample glinting in a blue-washed public bathroom; a night stand piled with liquor bottles and sport drinks. Dont Think I Wont Take a Good Thing Too Far (Maybe Im Looking for Something I Cant Have), a still life of takeout containers, spent liquor minis, a money counter and a half-eaten pie is almost unbearably sad.

In that composition, theres the faint whisper of a female figure, one of Niless seekers, as he calls them: puckish imps that creep in the corners of his paintings, brandishing shivs, rutting or both; or are more rawly defined, skeletal versions that haunt the edges of the frame, short-circuiting the classical formality. These creatures are either imperceptible to the human subjects or simply tolerated  manifestations of pure id, destructive tendencies barely suppressed, and ghosts that hang in the air.

MAX LAKIN

Counter Flags

Through Aug. 22. Abrons Arts Center, 466 Grand Street, Manhattan. 212-598-0400; abronsartscenter.org.
Around the corner Locke opens the conversation by putting the shape of a slave auction block at the center of concentric-square color studies a la Josef Albers, in a series of small acrylics he calls his Homage to the Auction Block. Thinking about color without reference to race is a luxury not everyone gets in our society. But you dont have to throw out Albers or his Homage to the Square to say so. We can keep it all  and in fact, Modernism will only look sharper if, like Locke, were honest about its shadow.

Hilary Pecis and Becky Suss, young artists working in Los Angeles and Philadelphia, respectively, both paint well-ordered interiors with plenty of books and no people. Their paintings are similar enough to cause a moment of confusion when hung together. But while Peciss work is lush and expressive, Susss is drier and more prim, and the differences are enough, when you encounter them one after the other, to set up an entrancing visual dissonance. You see how much context changes a paintings effect, and how it can even transform what might otherwise have seemed like definitive statements. Both painters look better in the others company.
BOSTON  With its small supernova of a show, Titian: Women, Myth & Power, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum here scores an art historical coup that institutions many times its size should envy, and audiences, hungry for old master dazzle, can count themselves lucky to see. Yet the same exhibition raises troubling questions about how, in art from the distant past viewed through the lens of the political present, aesthetics and ethics can clash.

The show first appeared at the National Gallery in London, moved on to the Museo del Prado in Madrid, and is making its last, and only American stop at the Gardner. At its core is a cycle of six monumental oil paintings of mythological scenes that Titian, who died in Venice in 1576, produced, late in his career, for the Spanish king Philip II.

Originally displayed in a single room in the imperial palace in Madrid, the pictures were gradually dispersed. One stayed in Spain; four went to England; and, in 1896, one ended up in Boston, initially in the Beacon Street drawing room of the local art collector Isabella Stewart Gardner, then in her faux-palazzo on the Fenway. Its arrival detonated an explosion of buzz. It was widely advertised as the most expensive painting in the United States (Gardner bought it for what was then about $100,000, or around $3.2 million today), which automatically made it, for some, the greatest painting anywhere.
Sometimes, Platt  a former actor  is involved before filming begins, helping writers turn harrowing autobiographical material into scripts. Other times, she introduces herself to the cast and crew at the start of filming, and lets them know they can call her. Shes also there for film editors who have to watch harrowing scenes over and over while finishing off a show.

The presence of on-set and on-call therapists is particularly notable in British film and TV, which has been involved in an industrywide discussion about mental health since 2017, when Michael Harm, a location manager who had worked on numerous movies including the Harry Potter franchise, killed himself.

The day he died, Harm sent a letter to a colleague, Sue Quinn, saying he had nowhere to turn for help with struggles at work, and urging her to change that for others in the industry.

Youre pushed, pushed, pushed and pushed to the limit, all the time, said Quinn, also a location manager, about the experience of working on a typical set. Thats especially true, she said, when producers prioritize remaining on budget over mental health. Actors and crew work exhausting hours and many experience bullying, she added.

After receiving the letter, Quinn approached a British nonprofit that supports movie and TV workers experiencing financial troubles, and asked it to develop a help line for workers experiencing issues including depression, anxiety and bullying as well as financial stress. The following year, that organization, the Film and TV Charity, started a 24-hour phone line: It received around 7,000 calls in 2020, said Valeria Bullo, a member of the charitys mental health team.
What is the song of the summer? The musicologist Nate Sloan and the songwriter Charlie Harding, who host the podcast Switched on Pop, arent in the business of issuing superlatives. Theyre more likely to ask why some of this years contenders  songs by BTS, Lorde, Olivia Rodrigo, City Girls and more  resonate the way they do.

This question animates their Summer Hits mini-series, which continues their podcasts project of explaining pops tricks in laymans terms and providing context for musical trends. In one Summer Hits episode, Sloan, Harding and their guest Hanif Abdurraqib discuss the structure of Lordes ebullient Solar Power and parse the debate about originality that it has inspired; in another, they locate Olivia Rodrigos good 4 u within the long arc of punk and emo, with help from the critic Jessica Hopper. Their analysis may help you find new dimensions in these ubiquitous songs  even if youve already heard them a few hundred times.

OLIVIA HORN

Dance

The Pros and Cons of Being Virtual
John Williams

Assistant Editor

YEAR OF PLAGUES: A Memoir of 2020, by Fred DAguiar. (Harper/HarperCollins Publishers, $26.99.) I LIVE A LIFE LIKE YOURS: A Memoir, by Jan Grue. (FSG Originals, $17.) BLIND MANS BLUFF: A Memoir, by James Tate Hill. (W. W. Norton & Company, $25.95.) Three new memoirs about affliction have a lot to say, our critic Dwight Garner writes, about desire and pain and depression and shame and unlikely sources of joy, among other topics. When DAguiar, a poet, novelist and playwright, learned he had prostate cancer, he had no idea what was in store: a year of tests and probes and radiation treatments and surgery that had to take place under fear of Covid, and under strict Covid protocols. His is the wildest of these books, Garner says. His rage to live shivers in every sentence. Grue, a Norwegian writer and academic, lives with spinal muscular atrophy, diagnosed at age 3. With a shrewd, pared-down and epigrammatic prose style, he has written a quietly brilliant book that warms slowly in the hands. Hills memoir is about how, while in high school, he learned he had a condition that left him legally blind. Garner writes of this amiable book: Its been a long time since I met such a thoroughly normal guy in a memoir.

ALL THE FREQUENT TROUBLES OF OUR DAYS: The True Story of the American Woman at the Heart of the German Resistance to Hitler, by Rebecca Donner. (Little, Brown and Company, $32.) Donners new book is a biography of Mildred Harnack, an American woman sentenced to death by the Nazi regime for her resistance activities while living in Berlin. Donner is Harnacks great-great-niece, so this is a family history too. It is also a story of code names and dead drops, a real-life thriller with a cruel ending. Our critic Jennifer Szalai calls it an astonishing book that uses present-tense narration as an effective device for conveying what it felt like in real time to experience the tightening vise of the Nazi regime.

NEW TEETH: Stories, by Simon Rich. (Little, Brown and Company, $27.) The latest collection by Rich, a screenwriter, novelist and former writer for Saturday Night Live, includes, among other comic treats, The Big Nap, a brilliant parody of hard-boiled noir fiction in which a toddler looks for a lost stuffed unicorn. Rich has an antic imagination and a delicious wit, our reviewer Sarah Lyall writes, and his humor is enhanced by his generous, hopeful heart.

PUTTING IT TOGETHER: How Stephen Sondheim and I Created Sunday in the Park With George, by James Lapine. (Farrar, Straus & Giroux, $40.) A fascinating and rigorous, no-punches-pulled account of Lapines first collaboration with Sondheim. Despite the hilarious anecdotes, this is not a collection of gossip. It is actually a story of artistic steadfastness. Not so much a book at all, our reviewer Alan Cumming writes, but a post-mortem, a forensic investigation into what surely must be one of the most unlikely and chaotic journeys to a Pulitzer Prize and a place in the highest echelons of the American musical theater canon.

CLARK AND DIVISION, by Naomi Hirahara. (Soho, $27.95.) Part crime novel, part generational saga, Hiraharas gutting new novel explores the aftermath of a familys imprisonment in Manzanar, the World War II internment camp for Americans of Japanese descent. This is as much a crime novel as it is a family and societal tragedy, filtering one of the cruelest examples of American prejudice through the prism of one young woman determined to assert her independence, whatever the cost, our reviewer Sarah Weinman writes.
In a more contemporary vein: Kirstin Valdez Quades The Five Wounds has a scene that reminded me why the term heart-wrenching is such a favorite of reviewers. The novels hapless protagonist has set his hopes for a new life on a windshield repair kit that he believes will launch him into the heady ranks of the gainfully self-employed. No customers appear until his doting mother arranges for him to repair a nick in the windshield of her employers BMW. He botches it  comically, painfully. The scene is so well drawn that as it unfolds you find yourself sending appeals to the author  please let this go well for the poor guy  even as you know it wont, of course it wont. Mercilessness being, I suppose, as much a component of the truth (and of any creators prerogatives) as luck or grace.

Has a book ever brought you closer to another person, or come between you?

My father gave me a brand-new hardcover edition of W. B. Yeatss Collected Poems when I was in my mid-20s. I think it must have been the most expensive book hed ever purchased (he and my mother both were advocates of the public library), and it signaled to me that he had resigned himself to my troubling ambition to write. Troubling to both my parents, who feared Id end up starving in a garret. Yeah, they said that.

Whats the most interesting thing you learned from a book recently?

From my friend Roger Rosenblatts Cold Moon: Jazzmen like Bill Evans and Miles Davis (as if there could be anyone like them) are masters of the ostinato, the repeated phrase or theme. So practiced are they in this art that five levels of ostinatos can be reached and detected at once. The effect is a mystery. You remember hearing something that you hear for the first time.

Novelists have a lot to learn from jazz musicians.

What moves you most in a work of literature?

The indelible image that transforms the familiar world. Language working its magic.

Whats the best book youve ever received as a gift?

A first edition of Joseph Conrads Arrow of Gold, signed by the author. It was given to me by the late Washington, D.C., lawyer E. Barrett Prettyman Jr., presented at a small dinner party hed arranged to celebrate Charming Billys National Book Award in 1998. All the attendees, Washington luminaries of their day, signed the back of the Conrad book as well, among them the columnist Mary McGrory, TV journalist Roger Mudd, NPRs Diane Rehm.

When I am old and gray and full of sleep, nodding by the fire, I will take down this book and remember the kindness of readers.

What kind of reader were you as a child? Which childhood books and authors stick with you most?

I read all the Hardy Boys mysteries because my older brothers were reading them. Also, and for the same reason, war books like New Yorks Fighting Sixty-Ninth or Guadalcanal Diary, and adventure stories like Treasure Island and Robinson Crusoe. Boy books. When they started high school (all male, Catholic), I read the books they were assigned: Call of the Wild and White Fang, Kon Tiki, Drums Along the Mohawk, Up From Slavery, Heart of Darkness, Red Badge of Courage. By the time I was ready for my own high school summer reading list, I was grateful for girl books: Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre and Rebecca, Silas Marner, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Of course, we were also assigned classics like The Great Gatsby and A Farewell to Arms and Great Expectations, but I knew by then that not everyone read books in the same swooning way I read them. I had begun to recognize that there were more profound categories of readers than boy readers and girl readers. There were, for instance, those who read books because they are required; there were those who read books because they are everything.
U.S. prepares for evacuation from Afghanistan

The Pentagon is moving thousands of Marines into position for an evacuation of the American Embassy and citizens in Kabul. Officials say the city could fall to the Taliban within 30 days.

The sharply deteriorating situation in Afghanistan  Kandahar and Herat, two of the countrys cultural capitals, were on the verge of falling  has forced the Defense Department to accelerate plans to get Americans out.

Officials say the troops will deploy in the next two days to Hamid Karzai International Airport to help evacuate Americans and embassy personnel. An additional 1,000 Army personnel will be heading to Qatar, the Pentagon said, to help process the visa applications of Afghans who helped the U.S. military during the war.

American negotiators are also trying to get the Taliban to agree that they will not attack the embassy if the group overruns the capital, two American officials said. On Thursday, the embassy sent the latest in a series of alarming alerts, urging Americans to leave Afghanistan immediately using available commercial flight options.
The budget, which aims to transform social policy in the United States, is still far from official, and the challenges to passing it became clear almost immediately, with Senator Joe Manchin III, Democrat of West Virginia, saying he had serious concerns about spending so much. The Biden administrations agenda on child care includes extending the enhanced tax credit to parents offered as part of the American Rescue Plan, which Columbia University researchers say could cut child poverty by 45 percent. It also calls for expanding various forms of paid leave, up to 12 weeks per year for parental, family care and medical leave, as well as three days of bereavement per year.

The meeting on Thursday underscored the administrations efforts to get business on board, particularly on issues not traditionally viewed as business matters, though increasingly discussed as such. More than two million women have left the work force since the beginning of the pandemic, and companies, already scrambling to fill open positions, have struggled to bring them back. The share of women in paid work is at the lowest level since 1986.

The White House selected the executives because of their companies policies on child care and paid leave, a senior administration official said. In the meeting, Ms. Harris emphasized the importance of child care as both a personal and a business matter.

The United States is the only member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development that does not have statutory paid leave for new parents. On Thursday, roughly 300 business leaders from companies including Salesforce and Spotify called for federal paid family leave. In a letter, they said paid leave leads to better retention, personal health and improved morale, which contributes to greater stability and viability for our businesses, ultimately helping our bottom line.
There have been many confrontations over workplace safety since the pandemic began. One of the strangest has just been resolved: the case of the dog diapers.

Workers at a McDonalds restaurant in Oakland, Calif., said their employer provided them with masks made from the diapers in lieu of bona fide masks at the start of the pandemic last year. They were also given masks made from coffee filters, they said.

After complaining, the employees said, they were given proper disposable masks but were told to wash and reuse them until they frayed. The allegations were included in a subsequent lawsuit, which contended that the franchise owners inattention to safety had resulted in a Covid-19 outbreak among workers and their families.

Now the workers and the franchise owner are announcing a settlement in which the restaurant has agreed to enforce a variety of safety measures, including social distancing, contact tracing and paid sick leave policies. The settlement also calls for a management-worker committee to meet monthly to discuss compliance with the mandated measures and whether new ones are needed.
The New York Times said on Thursday that it would make a slate of newsletters available only to subscribers, including new offerings from John McWhorter, Kara Swisher and other writers.

The Times, which has produced free newsletters for 20 years, now has about 50 newsletters, which are read by 15 million people each week. Eleven of those will become subscriber-only, alongside seven new newsletters, said Alex Hardiman, The Timess chief product officer.

We have to make sure that were adding much more distinctive value to what it means to feel like you are a subscriber, she said in an interview. So a lot of the work now is about making sure that every single time you experience The Times as a subscriber, you know it and you feel it.

The Times has been devoting more resources to converting readers of its apps and website into paying subscribers. The company has eight million subscriptions and 100 million registered users, who provide their email address but do not pay for a subscription, it reported in its most recent financial results.
A monitoring station on the Italian island of Sicily reached a scorching temperature of 48.8 degrees Celsius, or 119.84 degrees Fahrenheit, on Wednesday. If verified by the World Meteorological Organization, it would mark the hottest temperature ever recorded in Europe, topping the previous record of 48 degrees set in Athens in July 1977.

Though long accustomed to the summer heat, Sicilians dont need an official record to tell them that this season has been particularly oppressive.

I have no memory of such an unbearable heat, said Francesco Italia, the mayor of the ancient city of Syracuse, near where the station recorded the potential heat record, in a phone interview. It is so humid that you just cant be outside after a certain hour.

Elsewhere around the Mediterranean, after 10 days of battling blazes across the country, firefighters in Greece managed to contain most of them on Thursday, although a thunderstorm was a mixed blessing: The rain doused some of the smoldering fires, but lightning sparked new ones.
In the late 1990s, when Daniel A. Spitz was a student at the Watchmakers of Switzerland Training and Educational Program (better known as WOSTEP) in Neuchatel, Switzerland, he visited the Audemars Piguet factory in nearby Le Brassus.

I was trying to explain to them, Do you have any idea how much disposable income and how many watch collectors there are in music? Mr. Spitz said on a recent video call from his home in Gun Barrel City, Texas, about an hours drive southeast of Dallas. If you collaborated with musicians, how many more people would have an awareness of what a really good timepiece is? They just looked at me as if I was nuts.

Oh, how times (and tunes) have changed!

Over the past few years, many Swiss watchmakers, including Audemars Piguet, have struck partnerships with artists, D.J.s, award shows, music festivals and even recording studios that underscore the fundamental link between music and timekeeping. (Lets not forget the Italian word tempo comes from the Latin tempus, meaning time.)
How did you find this story?

I have some family in Miami, so Im familiar with the areas large Orthodox Jewish community. There were lots of folks in the building. I also have been documenting Orthodox Jewish communities in New York for over five years.

How did you find the families you interviewed?

I started by speaking to some of my contacts at Chesed Shel Emes, a New York-based nonprofit Jewish burial society. I had embedded with them over the last year as part of an article I worked on about Covid in ultra-Orthodox communities in New York. When I got to Miami, I reached out to people at different organizations with chapters based in Florida, including Chesed Shel Emes, which handled the remains and washed the bodies of the Surfside victims. In terms of access, it was one of the hardest stories Ive ever worked on  the collapse site was managed by so many different authorities that getting to the right people took a long time.

How did you navigate all the sensitivities of the religion, and of grief, to get the access that you did?

I told people that this wasnt a news story that was going to come out right away; it was a bigger-picture story about dignity and faith that was going to take time. This was a really tough story because Surfside is a tight-knit community. People can be very media-averse, especially in sensitive stories such as this one, which was so horrific and tragic. I just wanted to spend as much time with these families as possible to make them comfortable. I made it known I had done as much research as possible, so I wasnt coming in blind.

How much about Orthodox Judaism did you know going in?

I know quite a lot at this point, having worked on multiple projects within Orthodox Jewish communities for half a decade. Many of my contacts are people I have been in touch with for some time across many different networks, and so I thought my experience could help shepherd this story. In terms of this specific subject matter, I learned a good amount about the burial process through the Covid reporting I did last year.
In Beckett, John David Washington plays a guy who keeps stumbling into trouble. Hes an ordinary man, or so were to believe. This conceit, though, is soon torpedoed both by a story that grows more implausible with each passing second and by his characters gift for self-preservation. Especially impressive in this respect are his legs, which pump like pistons as he sprints through bullets and other dangers that keep getting in his way.

In genre terms, Beckett is a thriller, if one thats light on thrills. Mostly, it is a Running Man Movie. Men and women have been running  literally or metaphorically, on foot or by car  as long as movies have been around. Sometimes, the runners seem directionless (and go in circles), yet even when they dont know their final destination (Mexico? Canada?), they adhere to a few rules of the road. They tend not to respect borders or boundaries, including those of genre, and rush in wherever they can, in comedies, noirs, westerns, you name it. Invariably they head toward danger.

When you first meet Washingtons character, Beckett, hes traveling on the Greek mainland with his girlfriend, April (Alicia Vikander), where theyre poking around some ruins in what seems to be off-season. (A negligible presence, Vikander seems to have been cast because shes a name.) Beckett, who works in tech, doesnt seem interested in the scenery; his eyes and attention are fixed on April. Their smiles and coziness are stiff and unpersuasive, as is the dialogue. But the two of them are pretty and like to smooch, and its agreeable or at least pleasant enough watching movie people nuzzle each other.

Something happens and Beckett is soon alone and on the move, crossing a land that resembles an obstacle course. Filled with enigmatic villains, good Samaritans, Mediterranean scrub and little else (not even racial prejudice), the Greece that Beckett traverses is a destabilizing, putatively exotic backdrop for our hapless hero. In shrewder hands, this could read as a critique of the tourist-board shilling of certain movies. Here, however, the absence of blue seas, charming goats and dimensionally rendered locals seems like indifference, to the point that its hard not to think the countrys appeal rests entirely in the tax breaks it grants filmmakers who shoot there.
The film maintains a tight structure, beginning on the first day of school and ending with graduation day. The director Peter Nicks shows these students to be socially engaged and thoughtful, and his camera patiently watches as teenagers articulate what they want from their education. School board meetings become a central focus of the film, as Denilson pushes for changes in policy, including a motion to remove police officers from Oakland schools.

Nicks does not disrupt his observations to introduce every pupil by name, nor are there talking-head interviews to pause the action. The editing finds what is harmonious in how these teenagers express themselves, creating the impression of a class that speaks with a unified voice. When the pandemic forces the students into sudden isolation, the loss of their collective energy curbs the films momentum, and the contemporaneity of these events means that there is little suspense or surprise in the films second half.
In 2016, Ady Barkan was working as an advocate for economic justice when he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or A.L.S., a neurological disease that deteriorates motor function. Doctors told him he had only three or four years to live. The documentary Not Going Quietly begins shortly after this grim diagnosis, as Barkan embarks on a new political campaign, this time focused on public health policy.

In the film, Barkan leaves the comfort of home and family to travel across the United States on a speaking tour as part of his Be a Hero campaign. He leads rallies in Congressional districts where politicians support what Barkan deems inhumane health policies. In Washington, his push for health care access leads Barkan to protest Brett Kavanaughs Supreme Court appointment. Through this fight, his illness progresses, limiting his ability to move and speak.
Not every documentary features its director calling his subject kind of a terrible person. But Ira Deutchmans Searching for Mr. Rugoff happily looks at the man in full: Donald S. Rugoff, the influential distributor, New York City theater impresario and certifiable piece of work (to quote one testimonial).

During a blazing run in the 1960s and 1970s, Rugoff went after visionary movies that made audiences sit up and take notice: Z, The Sorrow and the Pity, Gimme Shelter, Scenes From a Marriage, The Man Who Fell to Earth, Harlan County USA, Nothing but a Man, Putney Swope, WR: Mysteries of the Organism, and, yes, Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
Mr. David has repeatedly told staff that he did nothing wrong. After the attorney generals report was issued last Tuesday, Ms. Patterson and Mr. Cox released a statement stating full confidence in Mr. David. They also announced a five-year extension of his contract, by coincidence, on the same day.

But since then  in part because the recording of last weeks meeting was leaked to the press  the board has announced that it had retained the law firm Sidley Austin to conduct an independent investigation of Mr. Davids role in what the attorney generals report said was an attempt to discredit one of Mr. Cuomos victims.

After the announcement, Mr. David said he supported the move. He said in a statement that he had no knowledge of any incidents of misconduct involving the 11 survivors referenced in the attorney general report, and that he had learned about these allegations by reading the report.

Outside the organization, supporters are also stepping forward. We are unaware of any evidence that indicates Mr. David had knowledge of the inappropriate allegations that have been made against his former employer, wrote 40 prominent Black leaders, including Hazel Dukes, president of the New York Chapter of the NAACP, in an open letter this week. We are acutely aware, the letter added, that he is a principled leader and a champion that can meet this moment.

The attorney generals report said Mr. David provided advice to the governors office on how to respond to allegations against three of the 11 women described as victims of sexual harassment: Lindsey Boylan, Kaitlin (whose last name is not given) and Charlotte Bennett. His primary involvement was with Ms. Boylans case.

Ms. Boylan, who had served as the governors deputy secretary for economic development and special adviser, has accused Mr. Cuomo of making repeated sexual comments to her between 2016 and 2017 and kissing her once on the lips. Mr. David became involved in the case in part because he had counseled Ms. Boylan about unrelated complaints made by some staffers against her in 2018, shortly before she resigned. He had retained a memo documenting those conversations even after he left the governors office, the report said.
In interviews, Black men and women said that much of their distrust of the coronavirus vaccine was shaped by their own experiences with discrimination or their identity as Black Americans.

Im supposed to worry about getting sick when I go outside, versus getting killed by a cop or something like that? said Jayson Clemons, 41, the construction site safety manager from Queens. After years of trying to be careful not to give the police a reason to stop him  avoiding cars with window tint or rims, and making sure when commuting that his attire clearly marked him as a construction worker  he said he refused to be preoccupied by Covid-19.

He said he would rather put his trust in masks and hand sanitizer  which he credits with keeping him healthy as he worked at construction sites throughout the pandemic  than a new vaccine that the government is pushing people to take. They came out with one so fast for Covid, and now they want to pay you to take it, he said. It seems fishy.

Some Black women described the need they felt to conduct their own research  and ask around  before deciding if the coronavirus vaccine was safe.

It takes a little bit of hyper-vigilance when youre a woman of color, said Jazmine Shavuo-Goodwin, 31, who believes she encountered medical racism when doctors were dismissive of her severe stomach problems. Theres a lot of homework you have to do, because your doctors may not truly listen to you, to your full complaint, before theyve already diagnosed you.

Ms. Shavuo-Goodwin helps manage dental clinics for Medicaid patients and is studying to be a clinical therapist. Both her job and school require her to be vaccinated against coronavirus, but she has yet to get a shot.

Im out of compliance, said Ms. Shavuo-Goodwin, who is Black and lives in the South Bronx. I have done heaps of research looking for things that would make me confident and comfortable getting the vaccine, but honestly I havent.
Latrice Walker, a Democratic member of the Judiciary Committee, said she also opposed impeachment, saying that for someone who had been hailed as Americas governor at the height of the pandemic, resignation was punishment enough.

Others, such as Catalina Cruz, a Democrat from Queens and a member of the committee, said they were still grappling with the issue. I think there are very valid reasons to continue and very valid reasons not to. Im taking the weekend to think through it, Ms. Cruz said.

Even if there is enough political will to impeach, there is no precedent in New York for impeaching a governor after he leaves office. Lawmakers would have to navigate a process riddled with open-ended and complicated constitutional questions.

Until two days ago, there was no debate because I dont think this had ever come up, said Richard Briffault, a professor at Columbia University and an expert on state constitutional law. There is no doubt that they can impeach while he is in office. If he ceases to be in office, can he be impeached? I just dont know. The Constitution doesnt address it.

Legislators could rush to impeach Mr. Cuomo before he steps down in 12 days, but a Senate trial would still happen after he leaves. And even then, it is unclear if Mr. Cuomo could legally be barred from running for office again, some scholars said, since that stipulation appears to be tied to his being impeached while in office.

Lawmakers could make the argument that since they began the proceedings, then theyre entitled to in fact complete the impeachment process, said Leonard M. Cutler, a professor of political science at Siena College. Undoubtedly, it would wind up in the courts.

Though impeaching a governor is incredibly rare  about a dozen governors in U.S. history have ever been impeached  impeaching a former governor is almost unheard of. James E. Ferguson of Texas was impeached and tried in 1917 while he was governor, but resigned right before he was convicted. He was nonetheless barred from holding office again.
Frank Torres, a former New York State Supreme Court justice who, as the son of a Family Court jurist and later the father of a federal judge, championed greater Hispanic representation in the legal profession and on the bench, died on Thursday in the Bronx. He was 93.

His death, in a hospital from complications of pneumonia, was confirmed by his daughter Judge Analisa Torres of the United States District Court in Manhattan.

To help increase the proportion of Hispanic lawyers and judges, Justice Torres encouraged high school and college students to study law and lawyers to aspire to judgeships, both elected and appointed. And he publicly called for law firms to cast their nets wider when hiring, and for judicial screening committees to seek out more Hispanic candidates.

In 1991, in an article in The New York State Bar Journal, he complained that with 1.8 million Hispanic people in New York City and 2,000 Hispanic lawyers practicing in the state, there was, conspicuously, not one Hispanic federal judge in New York.
On Wednesday, in her first public address since Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced his resignation, Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul projected an image of confidence as she spoke at the State Capitol.

I want people to know that Im ready for this, said Ms. Hochul, a Democrat. Its not something that we expected or asked for, but I am fully prepared to assume the responsibility as the 57th governor of the State of New York.

[Read more about her remarks and her time as a politician.]

Heres what to know about Ms. Hochul:

Her transition

Mr. Cuomo has promised a smooth change of leadership to Ms. Hochul, who is set to be sworn in on Aug. 24.

Ms. Hochul, 62, is from western New York, where she worked in local politics after serving as a staffer on Capitol Hill in Washington. She won a special election in 2011 following the resignation of a congressman in one of the states most conservative districts, and joined the governors team in 2014.
Mr. Byrne found himself unnerved by the mystery car. He sent his daughter, Mary, to a police precinct a few blocks from their home. She told officers there that her family feared two hit men were lying in wait on their block.

Like Mr. Lynch, Mr. Byrne was an immigrant from rural Ireland, in his case a village called Taughnarra. In other respects, Mr. Byrne, a 53-year-old limousine service operator, was the opposite of Mr. Lynch. He was about 5-foot-4 and known for theatrical blarney, greeting friends with a top o the morning while on walks with his dogs. A family man and joiner of civic groups, he attended Mass with his wife every Sunday.

The police quickly realized the hit men in the idling car were F.B.I. agents, and they all converged on the Byrne family home. Mr. Byrne confessed on the spot, telling officers and agents that he had been forced into participating in the kidnapping. He persuaded officers that storming Mr. Lynchs apartment could lead to violence, whereas following his normal protocol by giving Mr. Lynch a call to say he was on his way would smooth over the moment of their entry.

But on the phone, Mr. Byrne took a deep breath and tipped off his partner. Its all over, Mel, he said. They are coming over.

Mr. Lynchs place was two blocks away, and when the officers burst into the apartment, they found him and a blindfolded Mr. Bronfman sitting next to each other on the couch.

After being arrested, Mr. Byrne and Mr. Lynch explained that they had been friends for years and formally confessed to the crime. Their statements, coupled with a corroborating account from Mr. Bronfman, enabled the authorities to piece together a clear story about what had happened.

With the Bronfman kidnapping, The Times editorial board wrote, the men of the F.B.I. did the job that American society expects and needs them to do.
I was looking through the window of a Covid I.C.U. And thats when I realized I might see someone die. I didnt even know who she was. But I was filled with immense grief as she edged closer to death by the hour. What I didnt know yet was that by the time I left just two days later, at least three patients would be dead. The vaccine offers hope, but the sad truth is that the virus continues its brutal slaughter in I.C.U.s like this one in Phoenix, Ariz. The only people allowed in are health care workers. Theyre overworked and underpaid in a deluged hospital. I wanted to know what it is like for them now, after a year of witnessing so much death. Eager to show us their daily reality, two nurses wore cameras so that for the first time we could see the I.C.U. through their eyes. Unless youre actually in there, you have no idea. Nobody can ever even imagine what goes on in there. [MUSIC PLAYING] This I.C.U. contains 11 of the hospitals sickest Covid patients. Most of them are in their 40s and 50s. And they are all on deaths door. Its an incredibly depressing place. I blurred the patients faces to protect their privacy. But I also worried that blurring would rob them of their humanity. The family of this patient, the one who is rapidly declining, allowed her face to be shown. And they readily told me about her. Her name is Ana Maria Aragon. Shes a school administrator and a 65-year-old grandmother. Sara Reynolds, the nurse in charge of this I.C.U., organized a video call with Anas family to give them a chance to be with her just in case she didnt make it. It just breaks my heart when I hear families saying goodbye. You might expect the doctors to be running the show. But it is really the nurses who are providing the vast majority of the care. We do everything. We give them baths every night. Rubbing lotion on their feet. Shave the guys faces. Cleaning somebody up that had a bowel movement. It doesnt even register as something gross. Look, I walk into the room. I say, hey, sounds like you have Covid. And I might order a chest X-ray. I might order blood work. I might order catheters. All that stuff is done by the nurse. I may have spent 10 minutes. The nurse might spend seven or eight hours actually in the room, caring for them. Lets say there was a day that nurses didnt come to the hospital. Its like, why are you even opening? Ibuprofen. 12-hour-plus shifts, isolated in this windowless room, these nurses survive by taking care of each other. Aww, thank you. And by finding small doses of levity. [MUSIC - JAMES BAY, LET IT GO] (SINGING) Wrong. Breeze. Im getting older now, and theres all these new young nurses coming out. And I feel like a mom to all of them. Morgan, shes got big aspirations. She loves to snowboard, and shes so smart. And Deb, Debs just shes funny. I tease her all the time. I can tell her to do anything, and shell just do it because I think shes scared of me because I just always say, make sure you have no wrinkles in those sheets. The patients spend most of their time on their stomachs because it makes it easier to breathe. But the nurses have to turn them often to prevent pressure sores. There was one woman in her 50s who was so critical that this simple procedure risked killing her. Even just turning them on their side, their blood pressure will drop. Their oxygen levels will drop. Her heart had actually stopped the day before. And so the concern was if it was going to make her heart stop again. Then come over. Push. We were all watching the monitors. I felt relieved like, whew, we did it. Arizonas a notoriously anti-mask state. And it faced a huge post-holiday surge in Covid cases. In January, the month I was there, Arizona had the highest rate of Covid in the world. As a result, I.C.U.s like this one have too many patients and not enough nurses. Because theyre so critical, they need continuous monitoring, sometimes just one nurse to one patient with normally what we have is two patients to one nurse. But there definitely are times when were super stretched and have to have a three-to-one assignment. A nurse shortage has plagued hospitals over the past year. To help, traveler nurses have had to fly into hotspots. Others have been forced out of retirement. Especially strained are poorer hospitals like Valleywise, which serves a low-income, predominantly Latino community. Many of our patients are uninsured. Some of them have Medicaid, which pays something but unfortunately not enough. This means they simply cant compete with wealthier hospitals for nurses. There is a bidding war. The average nurse here, give or take, makes about $35 an hour. Other hospitals, a short mile or two away, might pay them $100. We lost a lot of staff because they took the travel contracts. How can you blame them? Its sometimes a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make a lot of money. Every single day Im off, I get a call or a text. Hey, we desperately need help. We need nurses. Can you come in? This nursing shortage isnt just about numbers. Physically its exhausting. Were just running. We dont have time to eat or drink or use the restroom. They have kids at home, doing online school. And I think, gosh, they havent even been able to check on their kids to see how theyre doing. My days off, I spend sleeping half the day because youre exhausted. And eating because we dont get to eat here often. Nurses have been proud to be ranked the most trusted profession in America for nearly two decades. But during Covid, many worry they arent able to uphold the standards that earned them such respect. I cant give the quality of care that I normally would give. Its absolutely dangerous. Thats demoralizing because we care. Were nurses. Its our DNA. Ana had been in the hospital for over a month. Her family told me she was born in Mexico. She came to the States 34 years ago, first working in the fields before eventually landing her dream job in education. Shes beloved at her school. Former students often stop her in town and excitedly shout, Miss Anita. She was very cautious about Covid. She demanded her family always wear a mask and yelled at them to stay home. Yet, tragically, she somehow still caught it. She had been declining over the course of several days. Its a picture we have seen far too often that we know, this one is going to be coming soon. Because there is no cure for Covid, the staff can only do so much. Once all the ventilator settings and the medications are maxed out, keeping a patient alive will only do more harm than good. So Anas family was forced to make a tough decision. And I talked to family and let them know that we have offered her, we have given, we have done everything that we can, theres nothing more that we can do. The family made the decision to move to comfort care. If Im there while someones passing, I always hold their hand. I dont want somebody to die alone. Thats something that brings me peace. Thank you. Thank you. Dance floor is packed. People hugging, holding hands, and almost no one wearing a face mask. I think like many health care workers, Im angry a lot. And my faith in humanity has dwindled. How can you think this isnt a real thing? How can you think that its not a big deal? Free your face. Free your face. Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey has advocated for personal responsibility over mask mandates even though hes been photographed maskless at a gathering and his son posted a video of a crowded dance party. Even on the outside, they go, I dont care. Im not wearing a mask. Im not getting the vaccine. Thats bullshit. The second they come into the hospital, they want to be saved. Never do they say, I made the decision. Im accepting this. Dont do anything, doctor. Half a million people in this country have died from Covid. Many have been in I.C.U.s with nurses, not family members holding patients hands. I always wonder, are they still going to be there when I get to work? Its on my mind when I get home. Are they going to make it through the night? Theres one that I can think of right now. One patient in his late 50s was so critical that he required constant supervision. Each of his breaths looked painful. There was one day that he was kind of he was looking a little bit better. And so he was able to shake his head and smile. And we set up a video call for him. And it was just the sweetest thing ever. I could hear his little grandson he was probably 4 years old or so. And I saw him on the screen, too. And he was just jumping up and down, so excited. Youre doing it, Grandpa. Youre doing it. We love you. Look at you. Youre getting better. It just broke my heart. It broke my heart. Hes one that I dont think is going to be there when I get back on Sunday. But Id already been told something Sara hadnt. The patients family had decided to take him off life support. Yesterday they did? Oh. And I just think of his little grandson. And youre doing it, Grandpa. Youre doing it. He wasnt the only patient who didnt make it. When I went back to the hospital, I noticed that the bed of the patient Id seen get flipped over was empty. My heart sank. I knew this meant shed passed away. Whats sad is when I go back, those beds will be full. Theyll have somebody else there just as sick with another long stretch of a few weeks ahead of them before its time for their family to make that decision. Id never before seen someone die. And even though I didnt know these people, witnessing their deaths left me sleepless, exhausted, and depressed. Its unfathomable to me that these nurses have gone through that every single week, sometimes every single day for an entire year. I assumed the nurses must block out all the deaths to be able to keep going, but they dont. They grieve every single one. Ive always loved being a nurse. Its what Ive always wanted to do. And these last couple months, its definitely made me question my career choice. And what makes their situation so tragic is that many of these nurses hide their trauma, leaving them feeling isolated and alone. Were the only ones that know what were going through. I dont really want to tell my family about everything because I dont want them to feel the same emotions that I feel. I dont want them to know that I carry that burden when it that it is a lot. Im Mom. Im strong. I can do anything. And I dont want them to see that. Leadership in the pandemic hasnt come from elected officials or spiritual guides but from a group that is underpaid, overworked and considered secondary, even in their own workplaces. As so many others have dropped the ball, nurses have worked tirelessly out of the spotlight to save lives, often showing more concern for their patients than for themselves. I worry their trauma will persist long after we re-emerge from hibernation. Covids legacy will include a mass PTSD on a scale not felt since World War II. This burden should not be ignored. Thank you. Thank you. I feel, yeah. And youre all amazing. [MUSIC PLAYING]
But its the third phase when crypto advocates become most starry-eyed: They believe crypto is the basis for a better internet, what some now call Web 3.0.

Think about it this way: The internet we have allows for the easy transfer of information. We costlessly swap copies of news articles, music files, video games, pornography, GIFs, tweets and much more. The internet is, famously, good at making information nearly free. But for precisely that reason, it is terrible at making information expensive, which it sometimes needs to be. What the internet is missing, in particular, are ways to verify identity, ownership and authenticity  the exact things that make it possible for creators to get paid for their work (for more on this, I highly recommend Steven Johnsons article Beyond the Bitcoin Bubble).

Thats one reason the riches of the web havent been more widely shared: You get rich selling access to the internet or by building companies that add convenience and features to the internet. So Facebook got rich by building a proprietary infrastructure for identity, and Spotify created a service in which artists could eke out payment from works that were otherwise just being pirated. The actual creators who make the internet worth visiting are forced to accept the exploitative, ever-changing terms of digital middlemen.

This is the problem that the technology behind crypto solves, at least in theory: If the original internet let you easily copy information, the next internet will let you easily trade ownership of digital goods. Crypto lets you make digital goods scarce, which increases their value; it lets you prove ownership, which allows you to buy and sell them; and it makes digital identities verifiable, as thats merely information you own. Together, they unlock the potential for a true economy for digital goods, where creators actually get rewarded for what they make. I will admit to some skepticism that this is how itll play out, because many of the financiers funding crypto also founded and sit on the boards of the companies that set the terms of todays internet, but well see.

To the extent this new economy for digital goods is visible now, its in the strange, frothy market for NFTs  non-fungible tokens, like the digital art being sold for tens of millions of dollars. But as people begin to spend more and more time in online metaverses  yes, all these sentences are as weird to write as they are to read  were going to see an explosion of online economies with goods and services that no one can currently predict. The key words there, however, are going to. These are nascent technologies. Regulating them would be, in the eyes of the crypto community, disastrous. And some in Congress agree. Which brings us to the fight over the infrastructure bill.

Who Trusts the Treasury Department?

Lets recognize if we gathered all 100 senators in this chamber and asked them to stand up and articulate two sentences defining what in the hell a cryptocurrency is, that you would not get greater than five who could answer that question, Senator Ted Cruz, Republican of Texas, said on Monday. His point was simple: Congress doesnt understand crypto, so it shouldnt regulate it.

Ill be generous and say Cruz has this one half right. Congress doesnt have the expertise to directly regulate the crypto markets, but then, Congress isnt proposing to directly regulate the crypto markets. Its empowering the Treasury Department to do so. Tucked inside the trillion-dollar infrastructure bill is a provision reinforcing the Treasury Departments authority to force tax compliance from the brokers who are part of those transactions. This was a rare bit of tax policy members of both parties could agree on. It was added to the legislation by Senator Rob Portman, an Ohio Republican, and backed by the Biden administration.
Despite the raging variant, which prompted the C.D.C.s recent recommendation that all Americans, regardless of vaccination status, wear masks indoors in most of the country, asking for proof still feels uncomfortable to some. Brides like Mariah Hughes of Bangor, Maine, would rather use the honor system.

I think Ill be able to make an educated assumption about whether my family and friends are vaccinated, she said. Ms. Hughes and her fiance, Stephen Cormier, had planned to be married in September but pushed their date to next June because the photographer they wanted to work with was booked solid. They are less frustrated than relieved. With the Delta variant so prevalent, we feel like we made the right decision, she said.

Not that she, or anyone, can count on Covid being history next year. In Denver, Brittney Griffin, the venue director at the wedding site Blanc, is prepared to start pulling out masks again even though vaccination rates are high in Colorado. We havent had to yet, but new mandates could be coming, she said. Sadly weve already been through this before, so if it becomes a requirement again, at least were prepared.

Niche vendors like McKenzi Taylor, the founder of Cactus Collective Weddings in Las Vegas, may be one of the few whose business picked up because of Delta. Ms. Taylor plans small weddings in remote outdoor settings.

Were usually peoples second choice, she said, meaning that most couples who contact her do so because Covid spoiled their original plans. She saw a 30 percent swell in bookings with the onset of the virus in 2020. Now, business is booming again. Unfortunately, I think were in a whole new cycle with Delta. Im getting a lot of calls about, How quickly can we get married?

Timing may not be everything, though. Four years from now, were still going to be having breakthrough infections, said Dr. Amesh Adalja, an infectious disease specialist and senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security. Its still going to be an issue.
Early in My Unorthodox Life, the Netflix reality series about Julia Haart, the fashion executive who turned her back on her strict religious upbringing for the high life in Manhattan, Batsheva, her elder daughter, strolls onto the set in a trim pair of jeans.

What are you wearing? Batshevas husband, Ben, asks dourly. I got used to you not covering your hair. But pants?

She has upended not just his sense of decorum but a stringent, and oft-misunderstood, dress code dating from biblical times. Ben, who has been slower to abandon the traditions of his Orthodox upbringing, pleads for time to process her choice. Plainly, she is not having it.

The idea that a woman can wear short skirts but not pants  its really just a mind-set that youre brought up with, Batsheva said the other day. I thought it was time to deprogram that thought.
For years, as Alibaba turned from a scrappy Chinese start-up into an e-commerce behemoth, some of its business units welcomed new employees with an ice-breaking ceremony that alarmed many of those who endured it.

Fresh hires were required to answer deeply personal questions in front of their colleagues, according to former employees: about their first loves, their first kiss and their first sexual encounters. The questions were phrased in ways that arent printable in this newspaper, they said.

The Chinese technology giant has denied such claims. But last weekend, a female employee alleged on the companys internal website that she had been sexually assaulted by a company client then raped by her manager  and the disclosure unleashed a slew of stories about ice-breaking activities. Former employees said online that they, too, had gone through them.

And in a letter to management signed over the weekend by more than 6,000 Alibaba workers, employees urged the company to forbid sexual remarks and games in ice-breaking and other business events. (Alibaba has said it fired the employee accused of rape and will take other steps to stop sexual misconduct. It did not respond to requests for comment.)
Among the remaining workers  people working from home, but planning to return eventually, either part time or full time  19 percent said that they would be back by September.

Only 2 percent of those surveyed said their return-to-office date was in October. The number of people who indicated their return date was in November and December rounds to zero. And only 1 percent said that it was in 2022.

September is still a jumping-off point for workers coming back to work, said John Leer, economist at Morning Consult. The anxieties were seeing have not yet trickled down to the broader workplace.

The survey was not able to break out workers by industry, but it does have information on education. Splitting the survey by education shows that as educational attainment increases, theres a significant decline in the share of workers who are in the office. Yet even among workers with graduate degrees, return dates are still concentrated in August and September.
John Rizzo, the reflective but resolute Central Intelligence Agency lawyer who sanctioned the secret detention and torture of suspected Islamic militants after the attacks on New York and Washington on Sept. 11, 2001, and who approved drone strikes that targeted terrorists abroad but that were also blamed for killing and wounding countless civilians, died on Aug. 6 at his home in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington. He was 73.

The cause was apparently a heart attack, his son, James W. Rizzo, said.

Mr. Rizzo, a 34-year C.I.A. veteran, presumed from the beginning that the morality and legality of waterboarding, sleep deprivation, starvation and other techniques, euphemistically described as enhanced interrogation, would later be second-guessed.

Preventively, he insisted on first getting the Justice Department to stipulate formally that no American laws or foreign treaties would be violated by the techniques, and that no one working for the C.I.A. would be subject to prosecution. The stipulation concluded that only pain linked to organ failure would constitute illegal torture.

Mr. Rizzo later recalled that in early 2002, after Abu Zubaydah became the first high-level Al Qaeda operative to be captured, he left his office, strolled around C.I.A. headquarters smoking a cigar and pondered the possibility of a second terrorist attack after which Mr. Zubaydah would gleefully tell our interrogators, Yes, I knew all about them, and you didnt get me to talk.
A senior official in the Biden administration said in an interview that the Taliban might soon take Mazar-i-Sharif, the capital of Balkh Province and the countrys economic engine, which is now effectively surrounded by the Taliban. The fall of Mazar-i-Sharif and Kandahar, the official said, could lead to a surrender of the Afghan government by September.

Another senior U.S. official described the mood in the White House as a combination of alarm and resignation  at the rapid pace of the Taliban offensive and the collapse of Afghan national forces, and over how the situation could continue to worsen. There has been a constant stream of video teleconference calls every day this week, the official said.

American officials conceded that they greatly overestimated the ability of the Afghan national forces to hold off the Taliban for at least a year or so. The collapse, they said, was almost instantaneous. But they argued that Mr. Biden accurately assessed the ultimate outcome: that if Americans stayed, they would get caught in the crossfire of yet another Afghan civil war.

The Pentagon press secretary, John F. Kirby, said that two Marine infantry battalions and one Army battalion, some 3,000 troops altogether, would deploy in the next two days to Hamid Karzai International Airport to help evacuate Americans and embassy personnel. The troops are coming from areas in the Middle East, the Central Command area of responsibility, Mr. Kirby said.

An additional 1,000 Army personnel will head to Qatar, the Pentagon said, to help process the visa applications of Afghan who worked with American military during the war and who could be targeted by surging Taliban forces.
A California surfing instructor confessed to killing his two children with a spearfishing gun after abducting them, telling investigators that his belief in the conspiracy theories known as QAnon made him do it, the authorities said on Wednesday.

The father, Matthew Taylor Coleman of Santa Barbara, drove his 2-year-old son and 10-month-old daughter to Mexico over the weekend and fatally shot them on Monday, according to an F.B.I. investigator.

In a nine-page criminal affidavit that was filed in the U.S. District Court in Los Angeles on Wednesday, the F.B.I. special agent wrote that Mr. Coleman told the authorities that he knew what he did was wrong, but that it was the only course of action that would save the world.

M. Coleman stated that he believed his children were going to grow into monsters so he had to kill them, the special agent, Jennifer Bannon, wrote. M. Coleman explained that he was enlightened by QAnon and Illuminati conspiracy theories and was receiving visions and signs revealing that his wife, A.C., possessed serpent DNA and had passed it on to his children.
His solution was the now familiar two-track strategy where he allowed the seekers of bipartisanship to go their own way on the infrastructure bill while the progressives could pursue their social policy agenda through a budget bill that would be protected from a Republican filibuster. It seemed counterintuitive that the tracks could coexist, but Mr. Schumer said both factions came to the realization that the strategy served their interests.

There was a sort of equipoise to make it happen, he said.

To move things along, Mr. Schumer applied the chief tool at hand for a Senate leader: control of the floor. At selected moments, Mr. Schumer strategically scheduled votes to force the issue, most notably when he set a crucial vote on the infrastructure legislation even though Republicans said they were not ready and the bill was not yet written.

Extremely wary of Mr. Schumer, who has tried to unseat many of them, Republicans suspected he was trying to blow up the deal, and the effort to bring the infrastructure debate to an early conclusion failed. But Mr. Schumer saw the exercise as a success even though, he said, Republicans howled about it. He said even key Republican negotiators conceded to him later that had he not acted, a final deal would not have emerged so quickly.

Republicans credited Mr. Schumer with not smothering the infrastructure talks and allowing about two dozen votes on amendments to the bill. It was a sharp break with recent Senate practice when such votes have been almost nonexistent as leaders sought to limit the political exposure of their members.

I dont think you can complain too much about the process, said Senator John Thune of South Dakota, the No. 2 Senate Republican who ultimately voted against the bill.
The Department of Veterans Affairs will require nearly every worker, volunteer and contractor within its vast health care system to be vaccinated against the coronavirus over the next eight weeks, in stark contrast to the Pentagon which has resisted immediate mandates for the countrys 1.3 million active-duty troops.

Last month, the department began requiring shots for 115,000 of its frontline health care workers, making it the first federal agency to mandate that employees, including doctors, dentists, registered nurses, be inoculated. Those who refuse face penalties including possible removal.

The expansion, which will impact about 245,000 new workers, was announced on Thursday by Denis McDonough, the secretary of veterans affairs, as the highly contagious Delta variant of the virus continues to rapidly spread throughout the nation, threatening hundreds of thousands of veterans seeking care. Both mandates together will cover 360,000 workers and contractors.

This pandemic is not over and V.A. must do everything in our power to protect Veterans from Covid-19, Mr. McDonough said in a statement. With this expanded mandate, we can once again make and keep that fundamental promise.
NAIROBI, Kenya  The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, in his first visit to the capital of Sudan, said Thursday he was hopeful that the Sudanese government would turn over former President Omar Hassan al-Bashir to face charges of genocide and war crimes in the region of Darfur.

Mr. al-Bashir, 77, was ousted two years ago and has been imprisoned since then. He has been wanted by the international court in The Hague since 2009 over atrocities committed by his government in Darfur, where at least 300,000 people were killed and 2.7 million displaced in a war from 2003 to 2008, the United Nations estimates.

The court has been pressing Sudans transitional government, which took over after Mr. al-Bashir was deposed, to hand him over along with other leaders accused of crimes in Darfur.

It will not be an easy decision.

The transitional government is made up of both civilian and military leaders, and some of those military leaders, once allied with Mr. al-Bashir, were also implicated in the atrocities in Darfur, a western region. If he is extradited, he might give evidence that could expose them to prosecution.
KABUL, Afghanistan  Three major cities in western and southern Afghanistan were confirmed on Friday to have fallen to the Taliban, as the insurgencys race to seize control of the country accelerated.

In seizing Kandahar and Lashkar Gah in the countrys southern Pashtun heartland, as well as Herat, a vital cultural and economic hub, the insurgents appear to be nearing a complete military takeover. Only three major cities  including the capital, Kabul  remain under government control, and one is under siege by the Taliban.

With both Kandahar and Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand Province, in their hands, the Taliban now effectively control southern Afghanistan.

Over the past week, the insurgents have toppled city after city in a stunning advance that has well positioned them to attack Kabul. It has also laid bare the Afghan security forces near complete collapse less than three weeks before the United States is set to completely withdraw. Some American officials fear the Afghan government will implode within 30 days, and are preparing for an evacuation of the U.S. Embassy in Kabul.
Toronto  the city labeled the lockdown capital of North America by the national federation of small businesses  was giddy with liberty and freedoms that many had considered chores back in February 2020.

Since December, gatherings in the city  even outdoors  had been banned, filling the city with a sense of loneliness. No one felt this more acutely than residents of Torontos nursing homes. Ground zero for the pandemics cruel ravages, they account for 59 percent of the countrys Covid-19 deaths. As a result, they also became the most fortified. Locked down since last March, most facilities refused all visitors for months.

For all but five weeks between March 2020 and June 2021, care home residents in Toronto were not permitted to leave their buildings for nonmedical reasons, not even a stroll. Many compared themselves to caged animals or prisoners. The lucky ones lived in residences with attached courtyards, where they could at least feel the sun on their faces.

Mr. Freeman-Attwood was not among the lucky ones.

Im bored to tears, he said in January, two weeks after hed received his first dose of the Moderna vaccine. I do virtually nothing. Today, nothing awful happened, nothing half-awful happened, nothing brilliant happened, nothing half-brilliant happened.
Whole parts of British Columbia are shrouded in opaque clouds of billowing smoke sent churning by the hundreds of wildfires that have been raging in the provinces interior region.

With more fires burning this season than any since 2018, British Columbia is scorching, trapped in a record-breaking heat wave driven in part by climate change.

In June, the relentless wildfire season claimed the small town of Lytton, after three consecutive days of extreme heat broke national temperature records, rising to 121 degrees Fahrenheit (about 49 degrees Celsius). Two people died, the only casualties of the provinces wildfire season, which is mainly affecting sparsely populated areas.

Since April, more than 1.6 million acres have burned, data released by the province this week show. That is about 80 percent more than what would normally have been expected at this time in wildfire season, based on the provinces 10-year average.
New Zealand, a global standout in its success at fighting the coronavirus, unveiled a cautious plan for reopening on Thursday, vowing to retain its goal of zero coronavirus cases even as it begins to unseal its borders.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said New Zealands border restrictions would ease starting early next year, allowing vaccinated travelers from low-risk countries to enter without having to quarantine. The countrys borders have been closed to almost all foreign travelers since March 2020.

In a new program beginning in October, vaccinated New Zealanders returning to the country may also be able to self-isolate at home and skip the 14-day hotel quarantine that is currently required.

Ms. Ardern warned, however, that the countrys borders would not return to their pre-pandemic norm, when passengers did not face vaccination or testing requirements.
The nations largest teachers' union on Thursday offered its support to policies that would require all teachers to get vaccinated against the coronavirus or submit to regular testing.

It is the latest in a rapid series of shifts that could make widespread vaccine requirements for teachers more likely as the highly contagious Delta variant spreads in the United States.

It is clear that the vaccination of those eligible is one of the most effective ways to keep schools safe, Becky Pringle, president of the National Education Association, said in a statement.

The announcement comes after Randi Weingarten, the powerful leader of the American Federation of Teachers, another major education union, signaled her strongest support yet for vaccine mandates on Sunday.
Happy August, everybody. Great to be in the month when everything sort of shuts down so that people can just stay home and hang out with their families and 

OK, maybe thats December. Or life as we now know it.

Anyhow, its a good time to look back on whats been happening in the world of politics. Lets see what you remember:
Ram Kand Mool, a drum-shaped tuber that has been sold as a hearty snack on Indian street corners for at least several decades remains a mystery to scientists, as no one can figure out what plant produces it.

Indian botanists developed an interest in ram kand mool in the 1980s, after trying and failing to find out the origins of the almost paper-thin snacks cut out of giant reddish tubers by street vendors. None of them were willing to reveal the plant that produced it, and those that did gave conflicting answers. Some claimed that it was a root, others that it was the stem of a plant, but most either refused to answer or claimed that they bought the tubers from third parties and genuinely didnt know the source. Stranger still was the fact that not even science could provide a clear answer to the botanists questions.

Ram kand mool is often advertised as the only food source of Lord Ram when he was exiled to forests along with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman, and vendors claim it can cool you down during the summer, quench both hunger and thirst, and provide all sorts of medicinal relief. It is served with all sorts of seasonings, from chili and salt, to lime and sugar. Its cut and served as very thin slices out of tubers that can reportedly weigh up to 300 kilograms.

Photo: Kailash Mohankar/Wikimedia Commons

Writing for Atlas Obscura, Indian journalist and food blogger Bartha Kumari tackled the mystery that is ram kand mool, from the early attempts of botanists to reveal its source, to present day. Apparently, they only started making some headway in 1994, when intrigued ethnobotanist Dr. Koppula Hemadri started going around India digging out roots in an attempt to finally solve the enigma of ram kand mool. His search ended with agave, but he himself admitted that he did not find irrefutable proof that this was the right answer.

At around the same time that Dr. Hemadri was conducting his research, botanist Dr. Ali Moulali tried paying a ram kand mool vendor Rs1,000-2,000 to reveal the source of the snack. After hesitating, the man said that it was the base of Kitta Nara, the name used to describe agave fiber. Interestingly, he added that it wasnt the root, but something that grew above ground.

A real breakthrough in the botanists quest to solve the mystery of ram kand mool came in 2010, when a team of scientists conducted DNA tests on a slice of tuber, which revealed that it matched the DNA of agave by 89 percent. Whatever evidence had been gathered until then pointed at agave, and the more scientists thought about it, the more sense it made. Agave contains lots of alkaloids, so its poisonous in large quantities, and that may be why vendors only sell it in thin slices.

In 2011, narrowed down the source of ram kand mool to Agave Sisalana, one of several species of agave, by chopping off the leaves to reveal a large, white tuber-like stem similar to that sold by street vendors. A paper on this significant finding was published in the Current Science journal that same year. Only that is not the end of the story

Because there are several species of agave, some very similar to each other, scientists cant figure out exactly what the source of the popular street snack is. It could be Sislana or Americana, or some other foreign species.

We cant conclude until the vendors show the plant to us. They keep this as a business secret to create curiosity around it, Dr. Vinod B. Shimpale, co-author of the aforementioned 2011 study, admits.

Some scientists arent even convinced that the tubers are from the agave plant. Dr. Chenna Kesava Reddy Sangati, an assistant professor of nutrition & technology in Bengaluru, who has studied agave extensively, is sure that ram kand mool is not made from agave. He claims the alleged source of the snack is highly sweet, astringent, fibrous, and hard to bite, whereas the snack itself has a smoother mouthfeel, is softer to bite, and is not very sweet. Something doesnt add up.

Wikipedia describes the root of the shrub Maerua oblongifolia as the source of the ram kand mool snack, but acknowledges that the root is brought to the shops in a very secretive manner, in that where it is either collected or obtained is kept secret, and that there are doubts amongst botanists as to whether the described plant is Maerua oblongifolia. In short, no one actually knows.

Keeping the source of ram kand mool a secret is a key characteristic of the business. Forest officials in Maharashtra have tried spying on vendors, to no avail, buying the product in bulk is never accepted, and revealing any sort of real information or contact information regarding the source of the tubers is considered taboo.

Ask anything but this, please. Nobody will tell you anything. This is how this business is, one vendor told Bartha Kumari when she asked him to reveal his ram kand mool source.
We left Tullamore on Sunday early morning of July 18 and preferred to travel by train to the City of the Tribes. Traveling by train in Ireland is both comfortable and safe. The only downside of this journey is that train transportation in Ireland is relatively expensive. At a time when we feel the effects of global warming and witness the world disasters, the public transportation has to be provided more and the impact of individual vehicles on our lives has to be reduced. For this reason, it should be organized public transportation better and this service should be offered to people as cheaply as possible. This is important not only for the benefit of the public, but also for the future of the world. Of course, I must state that I made all these evaluations without ignoring the destructiveness of industrial production. It's not a good sign that my second summer in Ireland has been surprisingly hot.

We arrived at Galway train station at 11 o'clock. Enjoying the sun, we took a long walk towards Dun Roamin where we stayed. As we passed Eyre Square/Kennedy Park, we let ourselves go to the crowd we missed. In Galway, we found everything we missed a lot during the pandemic. The intensity of the people and the music played in the square was like a therapy against the stress of a whole year. By this means, we remembered once again that human beings are inherently social creatures. As I walked the historic streets and passed by Oscar Wilde and Eduard Vilde's statues, the legendary words of the great poet Oscar Wilde in The Ballad of Reading Gaol were reviving.

Yet each man kills the thing he loves

by each let this be heard,

some do it with abitterlook,

some with aflatteringword,

thecowarddoes it with a kiss,

the brave man with a sword!

---

While I was walking around the historical streets of Antalya, the same line of poetry revived in my mind, and I was feeling like touching the thousands of years old stone walls. What you call history is the messages your ancestors left in the bottle. That's why it is quite important to protect the historical texture of a city. Galway, with its long coastline and narrow streets, reminded me a lot Roman Emperor Hadrian's Antalya. Galway was founded by 14 merchant families at the time the Normans ruled the region. It can be said that the foundations of the city were laid in 1124. The Latin name of the city is Galvia. The inhabitants of the city are called as Galwegian. The city also has the nickname "City of Tribes" (Cathair na dTreabh) because of the fourteen merchant families called the "Galway tribes" who ruled the city during the Hiberno-Norman period. The families that built the city are: Athy, Blake, Bodkin, Browne, Darcy, Deane, Font, Ffrench, Joyce, Kirwin, Lynch, Martin, Morris, Skerrett. One of the families draws attention in particular. It is Patrick Lynch who was born in Galway in 1715 and one of Che Guevara's ancestors.

The place we stayed was very close to the coastline, the area known as Salthill. As I was walking towards here, I saw Che Guevara's poster on a lighting column on the street. This poster references his Galway roots.

Raven Terrac/ Che Guevara- Lynch

That's why I talked to Dun Roamin's owner, Larry to know about it. We were very happy with the place we stayed and especially the location. Being quite close to the city center is a great opportunity to do research and answer your questions. Accommodation was very affordable, including breakfast. I was also amazed the old Irishman Larry's determination to work and his communication with people. I can say that I have gained great experience in every communication I have, especially with older Irish people. Maybe we make a big mistake when we describe people with various adjectives. The Irish are very young in spirit and I learn a lot from them every time. When I asked questions about Che, Larry showed me what he brought as a souvenir from his Cuba travel. He also gave me a book he brought from Cuba about Che's life so that I wouldn't get bored while spending time in the room. Everyone I spoke to and asked in the city said that there was no museum or cultural center that reflects the spirit of Che, whose origins were in Galway. Despite this, I care that Galway is the intersection point of his historical spirit and an important name that shapes the world history. when I passed under the Spanish Arch, I was fascinated with young people dancing under the arch.

Historical Spanish Arch/ Spanish Arch

With black men, white and beautiful women, they passionately reminded us of the Irish spirit, despite the world going badly. This passion under the hot sun should be a lesson to all racists. In the city, where the wind carries salt water to our lips, it was very special to hear the cry of seagulls and the vivacious sound of people in pubs. While trying to warm up in the cold waters of the ocean and walking around this city we fell in love with every moment of time we spent there. Among all these poetic memories, also we took a fantastic time travel inside the Galway City Museum. The most impressive part of the museum was the section where artifacts from the Easter Uprising and the Civil War were exhibited. Seeing the uniforms and weapons of all these men and women who believed in their idea transports one back to that unique moment of the rebellion. It was a nice feeling to observe the architectural gifts that people left to nature and humanity while visiting one of the largest cathedrals in Europe after the museum.

Galway Cathedral

The cathedral was built in 1965 using local limestone. The cathedral, which has Renaissance and Gothic features, also draws attention with its huge dome and curved arches. The cathedral acoustics is incredibly good and various concerts are held here. At that moment, I imagined St. Antuan Catholic Church in Istanbul and the concert given by Gevende Turkish band in this church. It is quite tragic that Turkey is now far from this beautiful atmosphere. When leaving Galway on July 21, Dun Roamin's owner and a big fan of Elvis Presley, Larry wanted to give me the book he lent me. Although I reminded him that it was a precious memory for him and that he had gotten the book from Cuba, he insisted that I accept this gift. The sharing and kindly spirit of the Irish people once again gave me a unique memory that it will be never forgotten.

Cagdas Gokbel is a journalist from Turkey and a political asylum seeker based in Tullamore
Laxman Pai, Opalesque Asia:

A commodity-focused fund managed by Neuberger Berman, a multi-billion-dollar asset manager, has opened the door to exposure to Bitcoin and Ethereum derivatives and investment vehicles through a subsidiary.

The private investment management firm with $402 billion in assets under management (AUM) disclosed this information in Form 497 in order to comply with the Securities and Exchange Commission's EDGAR filing system.

Following the collapse of Lehman Brothers on September 15, 2008, Neuberger Berman continued to operate and spun itself away from the parent company. The filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) shows the firm permits exposure to cryptocurrencies now and mentions the leading crypto assets Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) in the filing.

The New York-based investment management firm said in a regulatory filing on Wednesday: "Neuberger Berman Commodity Strategy Fund's investment strategy will permit actively managed exposure to cryptocurrency investments and digital assets through (i) cryptocurrency derivatives, such as Bitcoin futures and ether futures, and (ii) investments in Bitcoin trusts and exchange-traded funds to gain indirect exposure to Bitcoin."

The so-called Neuberger Berman Hedged Cryptocurrency Volatility Fund LLC had, as of July 29, made no sales to investors, per the filing. The filing notes a minimum investment of $5 million.

The statement also follows Neuber......................

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Opalesque Industry Update - If 2020 was a year of great change and volatility, it was also a year of two halves. Many of the hedge fund industry's largest managers saw AUM hit by poor performance and outflows in H1 2020, said HFM. But many also saw those assets return in H2 2020 when the trading environment and allocations turned back in their favour. And when the dust settled (on the calendar year at least) and 2021 began, a snapshot of the hedge fund industry's top 100 firms featured new names and dramatic shifts - just not quite as dramatic as it might have been. Of the 28 firms this year that HFM classified as specialists in equity hedge, 24 have either seen their ranking improve or were new entrants on the list (86%). Of the remaining 76 firms, 33 saw their ranking improve or were new entrants (43%). Furthermore, equity specialists among this year's top 100 account for $724bn in hedge fund AuM. Last year, equity specialists accounted for $366bn. Overall, the top 100 hedge fund firms managed hedge fund AuM totalling $1,825bn on 1 January 2021, up from $1,740bn on 1 January 2020, growth of 5% during a year that featured some of the most challenging periods for trading and capital raising in the past decade. Current indicators suggest that the economic environment is well suited to many hedge fund strategies. 70 of the top 100 firms have a majority of their AuM in hedge funds 70% of top 100 managers have a majority of AuM in hedge funds, and 47% have more than 95% of AuM in hedge funds. These numbers are slowly coming down. As firms have diversified to compete, so too have their AuMs reflected this adjustment. If there is a key difference, it is regionally. In North America, only a handful of top 100 firms have < 5% of their AuM outside of hedge funds. In Europe, one-quarter do - belying an industry in which asset managers play as large role as hedge fund managers. The rest of the world offers a distinctly different prism from North America and Europe, with managers allocating less of their resources to purely hedge fund management. This is due to both less developed capital markets allied to political and cultural legacies. Top 100 firms accounted for 56% of US pensions' hedge fund commitments in 2020 US public pensions' reliance on brand-name hedge fund managers during the market ructions of 2020 is evident. In H1 2021, 36% of their hedge fund commitments went to a top 100 manager. In 2020, 56% did. Hedge fund capital raising with US public pensions in H1 2021 ($4.8bn) was off the pace for recent years. In 2020, managers raised $11.1bn, approximately $5.5bn per half. In the six halves since H1 2018, the average was even higher: $5.7bn. When the going gets tough, institutional allocators are more incentivised than ever to seek the relative safety of brand-name fund managers. That was 2020. In 2021, and with volatility less extreme, there will be more fundraising opportunities for smaller funds.
James and Donna Vaccaro are celebrating their 60th anniversary. James married the former Donna DeWalt on Aug. 12, 1961 at Muhlenbereg Chapel in Allentown, Pennsylvania. They raised two children, Lori Parsons and Dan Vaccaro. They also have three grandsons and four great-grandsons. Jim is retired from the industrial hygiene department of Dow Chemical. Donna is a homemaker. The couple will celebrate with a family picnic on Aug. 14.

How they met: They met through friends at a dance in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Jim and Donna give thanks to God that they are able to celebrate 60 years of marriage.
Midland welcomed a new business to town on Wednesday morning when the Valley Organization for Improved Communications and Equality for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (VOICE Inc.) relocated its offices from Saginaw.

VOICE Inc. began in 1984 with a mission to provide American Sign Language assistance between the hearing and the deaf and hard-of-hearing (HOH) communities in Michigan. According to its website, there are over 33,000 deaf/HOH individuals that reside in the state, over 4,000 of which are in Midland, Bay and Saginaw counties.

Over the years, the organization expanded to include video remote interpreting and interpretation services for Spanish. In Midland, VOICE Inc. staffs about 47 individuals, both hearing and deaf, and 60 direct care professionals.

The Midland Business Alliance member Greg Crawford read a letter from Mayor Maureen Donker, who could not attend the ceremony.

Congratulations VOICE of Michigan. The City of Midland welcomes you and joins you in celebrating the grand opening of your new business here in our community, the letter read.

We love supporting businesses as they come to Midland, Crawford said.

David Scholl, executive director of VOICE Inc. took a few moments to address the crowd, thank them for their support and introduce the office staff and board of directors.

Moving to Midland has been a goal of mine for several years. To see it come to fruition and to especially see the enthusiasm and motivation with which our agency staff has been welcomed in this transition does my heart good, Scholl said.

After the ceremony, visitors were invited inside to tour the building and partake of refreshments.

VOICE Inc. is now located at 3200 James Savage Road in Midland. For more information about VOICE Inc., visit voiceinc-mi.org.
LOS ANGELES (AP)  A California surfing school owner was charged Wednesday with killing his two young children with a spear gun in Mexico because he believed they would become monsters, authorities said.

Matthew Taylor Coleman, 40, of Santa Barbara is facing a federal charge of the foreign murder of U.S. nationals, the U.S. attorney's office said in a statement.

It wasn't immediately clear whether he had an attorney to speak for him.

Coleman confessed to the FBI during an interview that he took his 2-year-old son and 10-month-old daughter to Rosarito, Mexico, where shot a spear fishing gun" into their chests, according to an affidavit filed by an FBI agent with the criminal complaint.

Coleman said that he believed his children were going to grow into monsters so he had to kill them, according to the court document.

A farmworker found the children's bodies on Monday at a ranch near Rosarito in Baja California, authorities there have said.

Coleman and the children had checked into a Rosarito hotel on Saturday, but video footage showed them leaving before dawn on Monday, Mexican authorities said.

The man returned alone later that morning and then left the hotel for good, authorities said.

Coleman's wife reported to Santa Barbara police on Saturday that her husband had left with the children in the family's van, she didn't know where they were going, and he hadn't answered her text messages.

Coleman's wife said she didn't believe the children were in any danger, that she hadn't had any problems with Coleman, and they did not have any sort of argument before he left, according to the court affidavit.

An iPhone-finding application placed Coleman's phone in Rosarito on Sunday, and on Monday it was traced to an area of Mexico near the San Ysidro Port of Entry in San Diego, according to the affidavit.

Coleman was detained at the border checkpoint, where during an interview with an FBI agent he explained that he was enlightened by QAnon and Illuminati conspiracy theories and was receiving visions and signs revealing that his wife, A.C., possessed serpent DNA and had passed it on to his children," according to the affidavit.

Coleman is the founder of the Lovewater surfing school in Santa Barbara.
Midlanders will have the opportunity to receive free comic books from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 14, at the former Midland Area Farmers Market location near the Tridge. Collectors Corner Comics will host the 20th annual Free Comic Book Day.

Owner Andrew Iwamasa said there will be over 50 different free comic books, while supplies last. Non-members of Collectors Corner are limited to two comic books per person. Members of Collectors Corner Inc. can get up to one per available comic book for free.

The nationally recognized day, which aims to celebrate the comic book industry, was moved from May 4 (Star Wars Day) to Aug. 14 due to the pandemic. Iwamasa said the goal of the Midland event is to celebrate comic book artists, writers and readers while finding a sense of community. He said he hopes this event becomes a doorway for attendees to be exposed to the industry.

Tables will be six feet apart and hand sanitizer will be available for attendees and other participants. Iwamasa said high-touch points will be limited as much as possible to mitigate the potential spread. He said if policies change ahead of the event, Collectors Corner will be following recommended COVID-19 guidelines.

The event, located at 825 East Main St. near the Tridge, will spotlight Midland small businesses and first responders.

Local comic book creators will include a Saginaw-based comic book creator, Source Point Press. There will be a costume contest and a raffle with local businesses products and/or services.

Collectors Corner plans to honor local first responders through a not all heroes wear capes theme. Local police and fire departments will be in attendance at the event. Iwamasa said children will have the opportunity to receive a bike helmet for free with a fitting by MidMichigan Medicals trauma program which helps youth with bicycle helmets.

Collectors Corner Inc. closed its physical location at 4011 North Jefferson Avenue due to the initial cases of COVID-19 in March last year. Despite briefly opening to the public when pandemic precautions allowed, Iwamasa said he decided to permanently close to the public but will remain open as an online business.

In the future, Iwamasa said Collectors Corner is working on placing kiosks in businesses and shops in the area as an effort to keep the business visible within the community.
Port Huron native and Midland resident Kimberly Zimmer has received the 2021 Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Director's Award, the department's highest employee honor for outstanding service. MDOT established the annual award more than 30 years ago to recognize those who exhibit leadership and exemplary public service.

"Kim's outstanding leadership and commitment to quality make her a cornerstone of public service," stated State Transportation Director Paul C. Ajegba. "Director's Award recipients like Kim help make MDOT the dynamic and responsive organization that it is, and we are all grateful for her service."
More charges have been issued against members of The Base  the white nationalist hate group that attempted to establish itself in Bad Axe.

According to a press release issued by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, new charges were filed against Justen Watkins, the self-proclaimed leader of The Base, as well as against Thomas Denton and Tristan Webb.

Nessel said the new charges against the members is in a case that will be co-prosecuted with Tuscola County Prosecutor Mark Reene and stems from the members reportedly breaking into "two former Michigan Department of Corrections sites  MDOC Camp Tuscola Annex and MDOC Tuscola Residential ReEntry Program  which were, and are, vacant in the city of Caro on Oct. 3, 2020."

"The properties are owned by the Michigan State Land Bank Authority," the release reads.

The new charges brought against Watkins 25, Denton, 32, and Webb, 19, include one count of larceny in a building, a four-year felony; one count of gang membership, a 20-year felony; one count of conspiracy to commit teaching use of firearms for a civil disorder, four-year felony; and one count of felony firearm, two-year felony.

Watkins is currently being held without bond in Washtenaw County Jail on charges in connection to a December 2019 incident in Dexter.

Watkins and his co-defendant Alfred Gorman were charged in Washtenaw County last year by Attorney General Dana Nessel on that incident. The drug possession charge against Watkins was also issued by the attorney general.

The suspects are linked to a December 2019 incident in Dexter, in which a family was terrorized at their home after the men allegedly used intimidation tactics on the premises and posted messages to other The Base members targeting the home, a 2020 attorney general press release read.

According to the release, on Dec. 11, 2019 around 11:30 p.m., the victims reportedly witnessed Watkins and Gorman around their home, shining a light and taking photos from the front porch of the home.

The photos were then uploaded to The Bases channel on the social media platform Telegram with the caption, The Base sends greetings to Daniel Harper of the Antifa podcast 'I Dont Speak German.'"

Watkins was arrested following the execution of an arrest warrant Oct. 29, 2020 at a Sullivan Road address where he was living. The home was owned at the time by Eric Webb, Tristan's father.

The recent charges were the first brought against Denton and Tristan Webb. Tristan Webb spoke to the Tribune last November about how he became involved in The Base and how his family's heritage property became a location for the group.

Tristan Webb said he wanted to build a community of like-minded individuals, settle down and get married, so he asked to move to the home in the spring of 2019 with Eric Webb's ex-wife.

Tristan Webb told the Tribune he had been friends with Watkins for more than a year, but Watkins didnt move to the homestead until late winter or early spring last year.

According to Tristan Webb, he met Watkins online and the two shared similar views and ideologies. Tristan Webb said he is a white nationalist, or a Nazi.

Before becoming a member of The Base, Tristan Webb said he went through a vetting process conducted by leaders of The Base to determine if he could join the organization. During that process, Tristan Webb shared that he had the Bad Axe homestead, which had 3 1/2 acres in a rural location. The homestead was reportedly selected as the location of Huron Countys cell of The Base.

Tristan Webb said he felt The Base could help with the process of building a community of like-minded people. He said he planned to focus on the community aspect and Watkins would focus on the training.

I was involved because I thought The Base would be good for the training aspect of that, Tristan Webb told the Tribune last November. He was more going along with my idea with homesteading and racial separation, which is what the original goal was of the farm. It wasnt supposed to be a training place but a community.

Tristan Webb's recent arrest and charges were a shock to his father Eric Webb. Eric Webb said his son has continued to turn his life around, had severed all ties to The Base, and was in the process of buying his own home.

"I don't think he is involved in any of this," Eric Webb said, not realizing the charges stem back to his son's time at The Base. "He has really been working to get all of this behind him. I was working with him to buy a house and he was just approved for an FHA loan."

"He hasn't been involved in anything since (The Base)," he continued.

During Watkins' original arrest, authorities reportedly found tactical gear, surveillance equipment, and various items adorned with Nazi symbolism.

The new charges allege Watkins, Denton and Webb broke into the MDOC properties and stole state-issued clothing from one of the locations. It is also alleged the sites were assessed as potential future training grounds for hate camps, which is what the group named its paramilitary firearms training exercises.

This isn't the first time Watkin's was charged with such a crime. He is currently facing charges in Huron County for one count of breaking and entering after he reportedly broke into the Sullivan Road home while out on bond. Because of these charges, along with alleged contact with Denton while he was out, Watkins' bond was revoked in 14A-1 District Court.

Denton and Webb were arrested and arraigned Aug. 11 in Tuscola Countys 71B District Court. Both men were given the following bond terms: $250,000 cash or surety, no 10%; cannot leave the state; cannot posses firearms or dangerous weapons; cannot possess internet-connected devices; no alcohol or drugs; no contact with co-defendants; and no contact with other members of The Base.

The men will receive a GPS tether if they post bond and will remain under house arrest except for traveling to and from work and court appearances.

According to the attorney general, details on Watkins' arraignment on the new charges are not set, but it will be conducted by video from the jail where he is being held.

Denton and Webbs next court dates are Aug. 25 at 8:15 a.m. for a probable cause conference and Sept. 1 at 9 a.m. for preliminary exam. Both will be in 71B District Court.

As Michigan's chief law enforcement officer, it is my duty to protect the public from those who act upon dangerous anti-government and white supremacy ideologies," Nessel said in the release. I appreciate the multiagency coordination that took place to secure these charges and I look forward to working with Prosecutor Reene as the case progresses.

"Our office wishes to recognize the extraordinary work completed on this case by the investigators at both the federal and state level, Reene said in the release. We tremendously appreciate the leadership Attorney General Nessel has repeatedly demonstrated in matters of this type and will work with her to protect our communities and State against all forms of violence."

According to Nessel and other agencies throughout the country, The Base is a white supremacy organization that openly advocates for violence and criminal acts against the U.S., and purports to be training for a race war to establish white ethnonationalist rule in areas of the U.S., including Michigans Upper Peninsula. The group also traffics in Nazi ideology and extreme anti-Semitism.

Watkins claims to be the leader of The Base, and reportedly ran a hate camp for members of the group, where he led tactical and firearms training for participants with the goal of being prepared for the violent overthrow of the government.

Watkins and Gorman are due for preliminary exam in the Dexter case in front of Judge Cedric Simpson in Washtenaw Countys 14A-4 District Court on Aug. 24-25 at 9 a.m.

While Watkins remains incarcerated, Gorman is currently out on bond.
This article has been updated since publication. It previously read that the footing drain disconnect program would cost $49.5 million. That is not the cost of the FDDP, but the whole of Concept Five. It should have said that it will cost about $20,000 per house.

Midland City Council is at odds with many residents over what to do with flood mitigation.

Council met on Monday, Aug. 9 to discuss its wastewater plan, also known as Concept Five. More specifically, council had a public hearing section regarding the most contentious part of the plan: the footing drain disconnect program (FDDP).

Many residents took to the public forum to ask question, express their concerns, or vent their frustrations toward council, which voted on the framework of the FDDP during the meeting.

Concept Five would improve the sanitary sewer collection system by increasing the sizes of certain sewers, adding off-line sanitary sewage storage, repairing structurally defective sewer pipes, and the FDDP. This is in hopes to prevent wastewater backing up into homes during flood events.

The current waste and stormwater system consists of a pipe, or lateral, coming off a sewer line that connects to a footing drain at the house. The footing drain collects wastewater from the house while two other openings collect storm water that drains from plastic tubes around the house.

The FDDP would disconnect the openings that collects storm water and connect it to another lateral, keeping wastewater separate. City Manager Brad Kaye said this is intended to prevent backups into peoples homes during heavy rain and flood events. Sump pumps would also be installed into homes to help collect water coming in from under peoples homes.

At Monday's meeting, council voted on a resolution to outline the FDDP plan. Kaye said this does not put the plan in stone and there will be more community input moving forward.

The pilot program would apply to about 330 homes in the Moorland and Whitewood districts of Midland, and the cost of each home would be about $20,000 per house. Midland Director of Wastewater Services Jared Driscoll said the city will pay for $7,500 for any damages or home disruptions on someones house. Backup generators, battery backups, additional pumps, and water backup connections can be installed and paid for by the homeowner separately.

While the program is voluntary, Driscoll said the current plan is to charge about $95 a month to any of the residents who choose not to opt in. The city needs at least 70% participation from the 330 homes in the Moorland and Whitewood districts in order for the program to work.

This was one of the points of contention, with many residents questioning where the money will go or be used for.

On the ($95) a month, that is nothing more than blackmail, said noted resident to council.

Another resident, Jim Johnson, questioned the legal basis of the $95. He said many other homes with footing drain connections will not be fined. Midland City Attorney Jim Branson said this fee is done through an ordinance and is not discriminatory." He said other municipalities have done this.

Residents also questioned the viability of a FDDP.

I know this is not going to change the direction that you are going, but this, this project is doomed to fail, resident Brian Mills said to council. I can guarantee you that that is going to happen.

Mills said he has heard about other communities where this kind of program was implemented. He said people who had houses that never flooded began flooding after their drains were disconnected and their sump pumps were installed.

Resident John Lynn said he specifically bought his house because it did not have a sump pump. He said even though it is the cheapest option, it is not the best.

He said if the system is not removing more water from his area, it is doomed to fail.

During the previous four months, (council) has suggested this is a pilot program, Lynn said. If it is a pilot program, engineers like myself think of that as something we dont know whether it will work or not.

He also asked if there is a Plan B if the city does not get to 70% compliance. Kaye said if this happens, the city will have to consider options.

Many residents said the city should address what they consider to be the root cause of flooding backups: the Moorland pump station and the citys wastewater treatment plant. Many said the Moorland pump is insufficient to deal with flood events and the citys growth over the years.

Many said the city should do the right thing and replace the pump and upgrade the wastewater plant.

Council member Steve Arnosky said upgrading the plant would have many financial and regulatory hurdles to cover to a point where these upgrades are not viable.

Mayor Maureen Donker said the city is trying to help these residents with this program. Arnosky said residents have good points when it comes to fairness and wanting the city to be as flexible as possible when working with them, and he shares many of Donker's sentiments.

We are using taxpayer money to help improve your property to help protect you, Arnosky said.

The city passed the framework in a 5-0 vote.
TUNIS, Tunisia (AP)  Six migrants, including four children, have died of thirst in Tunisia's part of the Sahara Desert near the border with Algeria, the governor of Tunisias Tozeur region said Thursday.

The migrants from sub-Saharan Africa died amid the heat wave currently baking Tunisia and the entire Mediterannean region, Aymen Bejaoui told a local radio station.
The following list includes recent reports from the Midland County Sheriffs Office and the Midland Police Department. Compiled by reporter Andrew Mullin.

Thursday, Aug. 5

10:47 p.m.  A 34-year-old male inmate was at the MidMichigan Medical Center ER for treatment. While at the ER, the male became combative and assaulted police. A report will be forwarded to the Midland County Prosecuting Attorneys Office for review. No injuries were reported.

10:01 p.m.  Officers responded to a disorderly conduct on Bay City Road.

9:20 p.m.  Officers responded to a revoked drivers license in the area of Fitzhugh Street & West Indian Street.

7:32 p.m.  Deputies were dispatched to a Mount Haley Township residence for an unwanted subject. Upon arrival, Deputies contacted a 34-year-old Mount Haley Township woman and a 34-year-old Mt. Haley Township male. The male advised the female was intoxicated and destroying items around the house. The male advised he would like the female to leave the property. The female contacted a ride and was picked up from the residence by sober family members.

7:27 p.m.  Officers responded to a revoked drivers license in the area of Waldo Avenue & Bay City Road.

4:25 p.m.  Deputies responded to a Lee Township residence for a possible overdose of a 47-year-old male. The male later fled on a motorcycle prior to deputies arriving. Deputies checked multiple locations for the male and were unable to locate him. A be-on-the-lookout was aired requesting if contact was made with the male to check his wellbeing.

2:29 p.m.  Officers responded to a case of retail fraud on Joe Mann Boulevard.

1:32 p.m.  Officers responded to a two-vehicle crash on Dartmouth Drive.

11:00 a.m.  A deputy was dispatched to the area of North Stark Road near East Beamish Road for the report of a two-vehicle traffic crash.

9:05 a.m.  Deputies responded to a Edenville Township residence, regarding a crash that occurred overnight in front of the complainants residence. Deputies contacted the driver, a 19-year-old Edenville Townhip male, who advised he fell asleep and did not report the accident. No injuries were reported. A report will be forwarded to the prosecutor's office for review.

8:34 a.m.  A 46-year-old female requested assistance in contacting her 61-year-old landlord. The complainant requested access to water on the property she was renting. Deputies spoke to the landlord who allowed the complainant access to water.

3:11 a.m.  A deputy initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle in Lee Township for a traffic violation. The driver, a 26-year-old Porter Township male, was subsequently arrested for a warrant out of Isabella County. The male was turned over to the Isabella County Sheriff's Office and he was lodged at their jail.

1:10 a.m.  Deputies conducted a traffic stop at a Jerome Township location for an equipment violation. Deputies contacted the 36-year-old male driver. Upon further investigation, it was discovered the male didn't have a valid driver's license. The male was cited for driving with a suspended license and was given a warning for a defective brake light. A report is being sent to the prosecutor's office.

12:26 a.m.  Deputies were dispatched to an Ingersoll Township residence regarding a suicidal 15-year-old Ingersoll Township female. Deputies contacted the female, who had consumed an unknown amount of medication. The female was transported by EMS to Covenant Hospital in Saginaw to receive treatment. Midland Township Fire and Mid-Michigan EMS assisted.
Director of Content and Operations

Spencer McKee is OutThere Colorado's Director of Content and Operations. In his spare time, Spencer loves to hike, rock climb, and trail run. He's on a mission to summit all 58 of Colorado's fourteeners and has already climbed more than half.
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - Libyan Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Najla Al-Mangoush on Wednesday reviewed with Libyan Prosecutor General Seddik Al-Sour the issue of illegal migration and the threat it poses to Libya's national security, an official source said here
Photo: (Photo : Nathan Howard/Getty Images)

A member of the Oklahoma School Board expressed her apologies to concerned families who didn't want their kids wearing a face mask after she commented that maskless children could murder each other.

Linda Sexton, a member of the Norman Public Schools Board of Education, said that she's "very sorry" to the parents who were against the move to let their kids wear a face mask. She said that she made the comment because of her worries about the spread of the Delta virus.

In a message via Fox News, Sexton admitted that she got very emotional during the school board meeting, prompting her to make such a controversial comment that some children "will commit murder by coming to school without a mask." She said that she deeply regretted her choice of words.

Read Also: COVID-19 vs Colds? How To Tell if a Child Has Coronavirus From School

Care for the Norman Community

Sexton has been a member of the Norman Public Schools Board of Education for three decades and has worked to ensure the community's safety, happiness and health, alongside providing the best possible education for the kids. However, when Gov. Kevin Stitt refused a mask mandate for schools and passed a law (SB 658) banning such a rule unless, in a state of emergency, Sexton was one of the proponents who called on the community to stand up against the government's decision.

Sexton said that as children under 11 years old cannot choose to get vaccinated yet, a layer of protection through wearing a face mask is necessary. However, the governor said that parents are not prevented from sending their kids to school with face masks if it's their personal choice, as they did last year.

Stitt's decision, however, isn't in line with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidance stating that children under two years old should wear a mask if they are in school to reduce virus transmission. Members of the AAP in Oklahoma also support the said guidance.

Oklahoma's Vaccination and Infection Rates

To date, Oklahoma's vaccination program is below the national target. However, Stitt said that 85 percent of the state's above 65 years old, who used to be the most vulnerable population at the start of the pandemic, have had their jabs. Some 77 counties across the state also have vaccines ready for anyone eligible and willing to get vaccinated.

Stitt confirmed that he got vaccinated more than three months ago. He said that Oklahoma was one of the first states to roll out the program. However, as the Delta variant continues to spread, hospitals across the U.S. have been filled with patients. The governor said that 95 percent of these patients are not vaccinated.

Meanwhile, KFOR reported that no Oklahoma schools had challenged the governor's ban on mask mandates. While there is no penalty for breaking this law, some school officials said their district legal counsel advised them to follow SB 658.

Related Article: Parents Nervous and Worried As School Resumes Amid Delta Variant Surge in the U.S.
Photo: (Photo : OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images)

South Carolina, Illinois, and Arizona are just some of the states that have enacted laws that will make it legal to print the Suicide Prevention Lifeline number on student ID cards. The move has the support of parents amid the rising cases of teen suicides in the country.

One mother, Jenny Morales, believes that having the Suicide Prevention Lifeline number - 1 (800) 273-TALK (8255) - on the kids' ID cards will be lifesaving. The mother knows the intense pain of losing a child as her 16-year-old daughter, Tiera, took her own life.

Tierra had told friends she was struggling with thoughts of suicide but didn't have an adult to talk to about her feelings. Morales didn't know that her daughter needed help, and even as her friends told a teacher, the notion was brushed off and forgotten until it happened.

So, when South Carolina lawmakers succeeded in passing the law that would make the Suicide Prevention Lifeline number visible on the student ID cards for seventh to 12th grade, the mother breathed a sigh of relief and said that it's a huge win for families and the state. She also noted that the number should be advertised all over high schools.

Read Also: Family Tragedy Sparks Official Random Acts of Kindness Day in Missouri

Someone is Listening

Jennifer Butler of the state's Department of Mental Health said that it's important for teens to know that there is someone listening to them and that it can help lessen the stigma that prevents them from talking about their struggles. Butler was instrumental in putting together South Carolina's law about the suicide hotline number after noticing a rise in suicide cases among the young.

Taylor Piver, a junior high school student who advocated for the bill, also said that putting the number on the kids' IDs sends out a message that someone cares for them. She has been helping raise awareness for suicide prevention as a member of Teens 4 Hope.

In Illinois, the law to print the number on school IDs was passed in July and will take effect immediately. One of the bill's sponsors, Senator Scott Bennett, said that it's a key to early intervention in saving lives.

Arizona has also passed the law in the same month, with Tucson Unified School District leading the rollout of the ID prints.

"Having this availability right there on their ID, that they're with all day, is going to make a big difference," said Justin Freitag, a high school counselor.

Suspected Suicide Attempts Uptick

In June 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published new data indicating that emergency room visits for suspected suicide attempts rose to 50 percent from February 2021 to March 2021 compared to the previous year. Most of the victims have been kids between the ages of 12 to 17 years old. In May 2020, just as the pandemic was spreading and killing millions in the U.S., the attempted suicide rate for 12 to 17-year-old girls rose to 26.2 percent.

By June 2020, at least 25 percent of the kids in the survey admitted that they'd had suicidal thoughts within the last 30 days. The experts said that the pandemic's disruption and need for social distancing or staying at home contributed to this worrying trend.

National Syndromic Surveillance conducted the survey across 49 states. However, the study authors said that the actual numbers might be underrepresented because many teenagers are scared to go to the emergency room or a mental health professional for fear of COVID-19 transmissions.

Related Article: Study Says 1.5 Million Children in 21 Countries Lost Parents, Grandparents to COVID-19
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During Apple's Financial Conference Call in late July Apple's CEO warned analysts about a component shortage and that supply constraints would affect the iPhone and iPad in the current quarter. Cook clarified at the time that the shortages weren't in the high-powered processors that Apple has manufactured for its devices, but in whats called "legacy nodes," or chips that do everyday functions like driving displays or decoding audio, and can be manufactured using older equipment.

Today, Apple's assembly partner Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. projected sales of gadgets like smartphones will drop sequentially this quarter, spurring concerns that chip and component shortages may affect iPhone production before the holiday season.

Sales at the Taiwanese manufacturers consumer electronics business, which includes the iPhone, will decline this quarter compared with the previous three months, the company said Thursday. The downbeat projection caught analysts by surprise, given the third quarter is often the peak production season for a global electronics industry that scrambles every year to get devices in front of shoppers before the year ends.

The forecast raises questions about whether brands such as Apple, which is preparing to bring out the latest iPhone, will be able to meet demand fueled by the pandemic.

On Thursday, Liu said high comparison numbers in the previous quarter as well as product transitioning will result in the slight sequential sales decline in the consumer electronics unit. Total revenue will be little changed sequentially, Hon Hai said. Component shortages will last into the second quarter of next year, and the issue is having a limited impact on Hon Hai, Liu said.

To ensure sufficient supplies going forward, Hon Hai, the worlds largest contract electronics manufacturer and main assembler of iPhones, has struck various semiconductor pacts. It agreed to acquire a mature 6-inch wafer plant from Macronix International Co., and is setting up a chip joint venture with Yageo Corp. For more on this, read the full Bloomberg report on Yahoo! Finance.

Supply Chain Shift for Camera Modules

On a different front today, we're learning that Korea's Hyvision System will supply Foxconn with camera module inspection equipment.

(Click on image to Enlarge)

The South Korean firm clinched deal from Apples change to how its camera modules for iPhones are assembled.

The kit inspections are for wide, ultra wide and telephoto cameras optical axis and image sensors to ensure they're aligned correctly. An incorrect axis can result in what the customer sees through the camera and the picture taken to be different.

Up to last year, Apple had procured double and triple camera modules from its suppliers LG InnoTek, Sharp and OFilm that are pre-assembled. But it is now procuring these camera modules individually and gave the job of assembly to Foxconn. The measure is being done to save cost.

Hyvision will be supplying its inspection kits for camera and 3D time of flight modules to LG InnoTek, while providing alignment inspection kits to Foxconn. For more on this, read the full report by THE ELEC.
Secretary of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG-Legon), Prof Ransford Gyampo says in as much as the lecturers respect the court, they are embarking on a "positive defiance" "to protect the public interest".



UTAG is currently on a nationwide strike over the failure of the government to improve the condition of service of its members.



According to the Association, they have been in talks with government since 2012 yet there have been no results.



Meanwhile, the National Labour Commission (NLC) on Friday secured an interlocutory injunction from the Labour Court 1 to compel UTAG to call off their strike.



Speaking in an interview on Peace FM's morning show 'Kokrokoo' programme, Prof Gyampo queried, "what kind of condition of service is negotiated in perpetuity"?



"Today leaders have again been invited to discuss a roadmap for another negotiation; we have been toyed with for long . . . it seems they're taking advantage of us but that can't continue . . . we've been talking about conditions of service since 2012".



Positive Defiance



Prof Gyampo further noted that the decision for a positive defiance didn't come from the Association but from the lecturers who feel they're being treated unfairly.



"The resolution of the ordinary lecturers; not UTAG on the various campuses is that we'll continue with the strike despite the court injunction. It is not a deliberate act to disobey the court but sometimes we need positive defiance to project a certain common good, because here we are with Article 71 officeholders enjoying good conditions of service and they don't want to meet ours. The least act then they threaten you with court action.

We respect the court but sometimes if some people would want to use establishment to undermine or intimidate public, good positive defiance must come in to protect the public interest or public good," he added.







Source: Rebecca Addo Tetteh/Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) has been removing tree stumps from inland waterways on Volta Lake. So far, the authority has removed 21,000 of these tree stumps from various routes mostly on the Volta Lake, Director General, Thomas Kofi Alonsi has disclosed.



He said since the removal of the stumps on these waterways, transport services have greatly improved, yielding huge economic and social dividends to the people who live around these communities.



He was speaking at a press briefing in Accra on Wednesday, August 11, 2021.



He said: apart from the human element, the main causes of accident on the Volta Lake include the absence of safe navigational channels. The Authority has therefore embarked on the removal of submerged tree stumps that constitutes hazards to navigation. The main reason for removing these tree stumps is to create navigational channels in order to enhance the safety of navigation.



The Authority has therefore selected some routes along the Volta Lake and undertaken this exercise of ensuring that we remove these tree stumps which in all, 21,000 from various routes on the Volta Lake have been removed, he added.



This he said includes the removal of 2,200 tree stumps on 2.5 kilometers of waterways from Dambai to Dodoikope, 3,550 tree stumps on 8 kilometers of waterways from Yeji to Makango, 4,800 tree stumps on 11 kilometers of waterways from Yeji to Awujakope, and 10,490 tree stumps on 30 kilometers of waterways from Tumpunjah to Kodorkope to Dambai TO Njare all along the Volta Lake.



He said previously, ferries and boats could not operate in these waterways after 5pm due to poor visibility, often leaving commuters stranded and desperate but that has now changed noting that ferries and boats are now able to navigate safely on the lake up to 8 pm.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Twenty-four members of the same family have died after consuming a suspected poisoned meal in north-western Nigeria.



The incident happened in Danzanke village - a remote community in the north-west Sokoto state.



The state's health commissioner, Ali Inname, told journalists that the family mistakenly used fertiliser chemicals that looked like salt in preparing a meal on Monday.



He said medical personnel tried to save the victims lives without success.



But two members of the family who only tasted the food are now receiving treatment in a hospital.



Following the incident, officials have once again advised people to always keep poisonous chemical substances away from their food stores for safety reasons.



Similar incidents involving families have happened in the past in Nigeria but the number of those who died in the latest case is unusually high.

Source: BBC









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Former President, John Dramani Mahama together with some National Democratic Congress( NDC) party faithfuls joined the family and friends of the Late Lionel Kukondap Molbila to morn the former statesman.



A special Memorial Mass was organised yesterday August 9, 2021, on his behalf by the Dansoman Star of The Sea Catholic Church in Accra to celebrate the one week passing of the former NDC man.



The gathering was also graced by the family members, the umbrella family, players in the Insurance industry and loved ones who travelled far and near to pay their respect to the former Managing Director of SIC Insurance.



Delivering his sermon, the Parish Priest in charge of Star of The Catholic Church, Dansoman, Rev Fr Albert Gyenapin said the problem the world is facing today is the absence of love.



Rev Fr Gyenapin said now everything is about 'I and not we' adding that many young people especially Christian's have abandoned their relations or parents and leaves them to suffer during their old age a situation he said does not portrals the character of a good Christian.



He called on all young people to pay particular attention to their relations who in one way or the other are suffering in life as the late Molbila's family paid much attention to him till his last breath.



The late Lionel Molbila was a recipient of the highly prestigious award 'Officer of the Order of the Volta.'



He served under former President Dr Kwame Nkrumah in the first Republic as a District Commissioner in the now Upper East Region (Nandom) and again served in the administration of the late Jerry John Rawlings.



The late NDC stalwart held many respectable positions in the Insurance industry and in government.



After the coup, he came back and got appointed into the then State Insurance Corporation in 1967 now State Insurance Company (SIC), by dent of hardwork rose to become Managing Director of the company.



He served as Board Chairman of the following corporate institutions; Consolidated Diamonds, Akwatia, Ghana Supplies Commission, Ghana Reinsurance, National Insurance Commission, member of The Social Security and Insurance Trust and Chairman of the Trust Hospital.



He again served as president of the West African Insurance Company Association and Ghana Insurers Association



Upon retirement, he was called to head Phoenix Insurance which he agreed to do for two years.



He was born in 1935 at Shia Tongo in the Upper East Region of Ghana and died on August 2, 2021 at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.



He left behind a widow, Mrs Florence Azumah Molbila and four children, two males and two females.



In attendance at today's Memorial Mass was former President John Dramani Mahama, some NDC executives both current and former members of Parliament, staff of the SIC Insurance, Phoenix Insurance, National Insurance Commission, Ghana Reinsurance, family members, other government institutions, loved ones and congregants of Star of The Sea Catholic Church.



The family said the final funeral rites would be held in-a-yet to anniunce date in November this year.

Source: Philip Antoh









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has broken his silence on the public backlash against the embattled health minister, Mr Kwaku Agyeman-Manu.



There are calls for President Akufo-Addo to crack the whip on Mr Agyeman-Manu who confessed not to have followed due process in his purchase of Sputnik V for the country.



President Akufo-Addo joked about Mr Agyeman-Manu being slapped left and right by Ghanaians, as he addressed the chiefs and people of Dormaa.



Speaking in the Bono Region last Tuesday during his two-day tour of the region, President Akufo-Addo said: There are a lot of people from the Bono Region in my government; including the minister of health, who is currently receiving slaps [from Ghanaians]. He is an indigene of Dormaa. He has really suffered in that Health Ministry and is still suffering, he said amid laughter.



Exit clamour



As the clamour for his exit reaches a climax with threats of demonstrations over the issue, Mr Kwaku Agyeman-Manu has been granted a two-week leave for personal reasons.

Reports, last Monday, indicated the leave was approved by the Chief of Staff, Mrs Frema Osei-Opare, last week.



Citizens support



Meanwhile a private legal practitioner, Mr Martin Kpebu, is soliciting citizens support to petition Parliament to charge Agyeman-Manu with perjury.



The contract he signed means that payment was to be made soon after the 20,000 vaccines were delivered so on what basis could the Minister go to Parliament to say that nothing had been paid? Is Al Maktoum Father Christmas that he would give you vaccines and not receive payment?



That is why I believe we have to press the issue of perjury very hard because Agyeman-Manu is not leaving and they have to make the law bite. I want citizens to join me so that we will present a joint petition to Parliament so that he will be tried for perjury, he said on Joy FMs Newsfile.



Finance Minister



On August 5, 2021, in an interview with Asaase Radio, Finance Minister, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, defended Mr Agyeman-Manu and pleaded with Ghanaians to be empathetic with his colleague whose actions, he said, were out of good faith.



I kind of have listened to the argument and with hindsight  I think there is so little empathy in appreciating what my colleague minister must have been going through.



To be so unsympathetic to someone who felt like what can I do to ensure that there is continuity and to sit now comfortably . I am empathising with him and I expect that others will realise the type of pressure that he was under and his commitment to ensure that the Ghanaian people are safe.



Deputy Majority Leader



For his part, Deputy Majority Leader, Mr Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who was the chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee that probed the scandal, spoke more to the issues and admitted the minister erred but not to the extend that he needed to be punished.



Afenyo-Markin in an August 10, 2021 interview on Accra-based Citi FM, said all his readings pointed to the fact that: there is no such law that I have read that implicates the minister, adding that the embattled minister was at best a victim of circumstance and political mischief.



Unfortunately, Mr Agyeman-Manu has become a victim of circumstance and that is the price you pay when you come into public service.

It is expected. People can misconstrue you. The public has not received the full facts. People are twisting the story to embarrass him.



Bilateral sources



The point is that when he was referring to that figure, at the point in time, he was responding to questions on the Government of Ghana sources, bear in mind that for bilateral sources there is no third-party distributor. So he said that on that score, he would not pay more than that.



In our findings, we said it would have been prudent for him to seek the Attorney-Generals advice, come to Parliament, and go to PPA before signing the agreement. We dont want the impression to be that the NPP side of the committee is defending the minister.





Source: graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr Godfred Yeboah Dame, has described the late Supreme Court judge, Justice Samuel Kofi Marful-Sau, as a judge who exuded inspiring attributes that other judges must emulate.

He said the late Justice possessed boldness of character, spirit, integrity and intellectual strength that allowed him to deliver some of the excellent judgments that would stand the test of time.



For me, what strikes me more is his integrity and incorruptibility. He was one judge who was never scandalised in any way and I believe that posterity and the law practice will look kindly upon him, the Attorney-General said.



Rare virtues



Speaking to the media after commiserating with the late Justices family at his Roman Ridge residence in Accra yesterday, Mr Dame said: I am proud that Justice Marful-Sau allowed honesty and integrity to permeate all his life and his simplicity and modesty in dealing with people as well as the courtesy he exhibited on the bench and relations with lawyers made him stand out.



These are virtues these days you will hardly find in some judges but Mr Justice Marful-Sau exuded all of them, he said.



Mr Dame was accompanied by the Deputy Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Ms Diana Asonaba Dapaah, to the residence, where the family asked the media to allow them some privacy.



Passing



The 64-year-old Justice of the apex court passed away last Tuesday at the Ga East Hospital in Accra.



Justice Marful-Sau was one of the seven justices of the apex court who heard the 2020 election petition filed by former President John Dramani Mahama to challenge the validity of the election of President Akufo-Addo.



He was the fifth most senior judge of the 16-member Supreme Court.



Shock, sadness



Mr Dame noted that the late Justice of the Supreme Court had intellectual strength that was so immense and almost limitless.



He described him as a very good Law teacher who taught in the Ghana School of Law for 10 years and he was reputed for his strength in civil procedure, mentoring many students as well.



He, therefore, described the passing of Mr Justice Marful-Sau as shocking and sad.



He was a classic, excellent common law judge, he said, and commended him for coming up with solid judgments.



Mr Dame recalled two remarkable cases that Justice Marful-Sau adjudicated on at the Supreme Court, which were Gregory Afoko vs Attorney-General and the famous Republic vs High Court ex-parte Attorney-General, and said Justice Marful-Sau delivered excellent judgment.



In the latter case, Justice Marful-Sau delivered a judgment that preserved the mineral resources of the nation. So, in a way, he has contributed to the preservation of the nations resources and this was a judgment I am sure will stand the test of time and he ought to be remembered for it, the Attorney-General said.



Rare attributes



For her part, Ms Dapaah said the attributes of the late Supreme Court judge were valuable assets that the nation would miss.



She said his invaluable attributes of godliness, integrity, knowledge and humility were rarely found in any one human being.



And for us and many, he has been a mentor who has contributed immensely to the jurisprudence of Ghana. The combination of all these attributes is that Ghana is poorer for his demise, Ms Dapaah said.



Unwavering faith



The Deputy Attorney-General said the late judge was one person who never shied away from his faith which reflected strongly in his personal life.



He had faith that is bordered on certain principles and virtues that are needed in the justice systemfairness, justice and humility are all things we should remember him for, she said.









Source: graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), Dr. K.K Sarpong, has debunked speculations that President Nana Akufo-Addo has dismissed him from office.



Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo' programme host, Kwami Sefa Kayi, in an interview with the GNPC Boss on Thursday, August 12, 2021, asked him about some rumours circulating around that the President has sacked him from office over some issues.



The rumormongering is said to have emanated from a certain website.



In his response, Dr. K.K Sarpong stated emphatically that he remains the substantive boss of the GNPC and that there has been no official statement from the President.



"So far as I'm concerned, President Nana Akufo-Addo hasn't dismissed me," he said.





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Governance Lecturer at Central University, Dr. Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah has fired shots at the National Labour Commission following their court injunction against the striking University lecturers.



The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has laid down their working tools and embarked on strike, registering their displeasure with the Akufo-Addo administration over the conditions of service.



They complain about their remuneration and other challenges.



But as the negotiations between the UTAG executives and government were in progress, the National Labour Commission (NLC) secured an injunction from an Accra High Court to compel the lecturers to resume work.



In response, the UTAG have refused to comply with the injunction with their President indicating they have instructed their lawyers to take up the matter.



"We were almost reaching a consensus until the government's court issue arose. Now, a whole new ballgame has started because we're also asking our lawyers to go to court . . . we were getting there. We were pushing; now this argument I'm making is lost," he said.



Making his submissions on the issue on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo', Dr. Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah slammed the Labour Commission saying they don't do any work but wait for matters to escalate, then threaten with court action.



''They don't do their work well. They wait for matters to escalate and then hurriedly jump to court," he stated.



He cautioned the labour authorities to stop sleeping on their responsibilities and up their performance with regard to resolving labour-related issues.





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Indonesian government has expressed regret over the incident in which some of its immigration officials were filmed assaulting a Nigerian diplomat in Jakarta.



Footage circulating on social media showed Abdulrahman Ibrahim, a consular officer based in the Indonesian capital, being held down in a vehicle by several men.



Nigeria called it "an egregious act of international delinquency by the Indonesian state".



A statement by the Indonesian foreign ministry - made available to journalists in Nigeria's capital, Abuja - said what happened on 7 August was an isolated incident and that it did not affect Jakartas commitment to carry out its obligations as a host country to diplomats.



The assault sparked outrage in Nigeria, with the government demanding punishment for the immigration officials.



Nigeria has subsequently threatened to review its bilateral ties with the south-east Asian nation.

Source: BBC









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Three persons, including a Cameroonian national, have been gunned down by a team of police officers from the Accra Regional Police Command during an attempt to rob a businessman at Opeibea, near the Kotoka International Airport in Accra.



The Cameroonian has been identified as Akika Christian-Robert while the other two suspects have been identified only as Alhassan and Alhaji.



The operation also led to the arrest of two other suspects, Abdul Latif, 47, and Prosper Kokou, 27, who are also said to be connected to the attempted robbery.



Alhassan is said to be the hitman who is contracted for murder operations by a businessman based in Kumasi who has been identified only as Hakeem, while Alhaji is said to trail victims and inform the gang.



The Police officers had laid ambush following intelligence of a plot by the gang to rob a businessman at a bank at Opeibea.



The police retrieved a Taurus Pistol loaded with 15 rounds of ammunition and 12 rounds of extra ammunition loaded in a magazine.



One police officer who sustained gunshot wounds is currently receiving treatment at the Police Hospital in Accra while the bodies of the deceased have also been taken to the Police Hospital morgue.



The gang is said to be behind a number of robbery incidents including an attack on forex bureau operator who was robbed of GH3 million in December 2020, and a number of murder cases under investigations by the police since 2020. They have since been on the police wanted list.



Intelligence

Briefing the Daily Graphic, the Acting Director General of the Public Affairs Directorate of the Ghana Police Service, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Mr Kwesi Ofori said the police officers had laid ambush following the gathering of intelligence about a plan by the gang of five to rob a businessman at a bank at Opeibea.



When the police attempt to arrest the suspects, the Cameroonian, Christian-Robert, armed with the Taurus Pistol, attempted to shoot the police officers but he was gunned down before he could discharge his pistol.



Alhassan and Alhaji also attempted to escape amidst firing at the police officers. The police returned fire and in the process, the three were gunned down. They were pronounced dead on arrival at the Police Hospital, in Accra.



The suspects have been linked to other robberies and murders in Accra and Kumasi over the last year. Mr Ofori assured the public of the determination of the police to rid the streets, residential areas and highways throughout the country of robberies.









Source: graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Ashanti Region has recorded a 20.4 percent decrease in fire outbreaks for the first half of this year as compared to 2020.



Assistant Chief Fire Officer (ACFO) Henry Giwah, the acting Regional Commander of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), said a total of 622 fire outbreaks were recorded between January and June, this year, as against 749 recorded within the same period last year.



The incidents covered domestic, industrial, vehicular, institutional, commercial, and bush fires.



ACFO Giwah, who was addressing a press conference in Kumasi, said nine people perished in the fire cases for the first half of this year, while three lost their lives in last years cases recorded within the same period.



The estimated cost of these outbreaks, according to him, covered tens of thousands of Ghana Cedis, adding that more than 150 people sustained various degrees of injuries in the incidents.



ACFO Giwah warned that fire outbreaks in whatever form could be devastating if measures were not put in place to reduce their occurrence.



He affirmed the GNFSs resolve to continue to engage stakeholders to reduce fire outbreaks to the barest minimum, thereby avoiding the related negative consequences.



He appealed to the public to avoid assaulting firefighters as happened in some Zongo communities in the Region recently.



It is unfortunate the way some of our men and fire tenders were attacked in their line of duty for no justifiable reasons, the acting GNFS Regional Commander lamented.



The issue, he said, had been officially reported to the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) for the necessary action to be taken.

Source: GNA









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As a representative of the people of Builsa South which is predominantly a farming district, I have been inundated and in fact overwhelmed, with calls from farmers in my constituency about the acute shortage of fertilizer since this years' crop season begun.



Farmers who invested heavily in farming activities in anticipation that government through Planting for Food and Jobs will supply fertilizers at subsidized prices have already started counting their losses as their crops turn pale and yellowish on their farms due to the unavailability of fertilizer.



Agronomists hold that, within the first two to three weeks of germination, maize and rice require the first dose of NPK fertilizer. The second dose of fertilizer should be applied two weeks after the first application. At the point of tussling, which is two weeks after the first dose, the second dose of fertilizer should be applied to rice as well. Sadly, we are into the second month of sowing and farmers are having great difficulty accessing both NPK and Ammonia.



The period when the crops need the fertilizers to help promote growth has elapsed and the one to promote good yield is almost elapsing but subsidized fertilizers are nowhere in sight in Builsa South.



The only fertilizer available to farmers is the non-subsidized fertilizer in the open market, which is in limited supply and cost two times the price of the subsidized fertilizer. Currently, a 50kg of NPK costs between 190 and 200 cedis in Fumbisi market. Despite an increment in the subsidized price from 96 cedis last year to 106 cedis for a 50kg NPK and 90 cedis to 100 cedis for Urea, Builsa South has not received even a single bag of subsidized fertilizer under the all Planting Food Jobs programme this year.



Contrary to the disclosure by the sector Minister of Agriculture, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, on the floor of Parliament, that fertilizer distribution in the northern sector has improved following an emergency meeting between suppliers and the ministry, Builsa South is yet to receive a single bag of any kind of subsidized fertilizer as at now. Could it be the case that Builsa South has been blacklisted? If that is the case, the people of Builsa South deserve to know in fine detail the reasons for the blacklisting which is threatening their source of livelihood.



The exorbitant cost of fertilizer in the market and unavailability of subsidized fertilizer has compelled most smallholder farmers to cut down the number of acreages they intended to farm this year. Those who had not anticipated the shortage and high cost are at risk of abandoning some parts of their farms due to the high cost of fertilizers. If this shortage of fertilizer persists over the next few weeks, food shortage and high cost of food commodities is imminent.



The shortage of subsidized fertilizer is going to increase the cost of production of farmers, especially smallholder farmers who do not have the muscle to compete with large scale farmers. This means that constituents of Builsa South, and similar constituencies, largely smallholder or peasant farmers, are going to be hit harder.



On the average, agronomists say, an acre of maize or rice requires two 50kg bags of NPK and 50kg of ammonia, which cost between 190 cedis and 200 cedis on the market. Just imagine the financial burden on a peasant farmer who cultivates about 10 to 15 acres of maize and 10 to 15 acres of rice, and needs to buy fertilizers at the market prices. For every 10 acres, a peasant farmer needs 20 bags of NPK and 10 bags of ammonia. When you do the calculations of the market price, a peasant farmer would have to cough up between 3,800 cedis and 4,000 cedis for NPK, and an amount of between 3,000 cedis and 3,400 cedis for Urea or Ammonia at the prevailing market prices for every 10 acres.



For peasant farmers in Builsa South and other rural communities who cannot afford fertilizers at the market price, their crops are bound to yield poorly. This has the propensity to cause hunger and poverty among peasant farmers this year. Employment for those in the agricultural value chain especially 'aggregators' would be negatively impacted. Since farmers do not have enough to feed, they would not consider selling some of the produce. This means aggregators businesses would suffer a great deal. The above situation will certainly contribute to unemployment and poverty. Another consequence of all this is the increase in rural-urban migration as more young men and women will troop to urban areas to enhance thier survival. In other words, we can expect more kayayee, scrap collectors and truck pushers in the cities.



The impending poor crop yield will impact the economy in adverse ways. It will worsen the already existing food supply deficit and further burden the import bill of the state. This will affect balance of payment and the wobbly stability of the cedi.



In all of this, government cannot be absolved from blame for the shortage of fertilizer across the country. In abnormal times like these, governments over the world have been proactive especially in matters relating to food security. Government ought to have anticipated the impact of COVID-19 on every sphere of life and ought to have planed ahead of time.



Smuggling of subsidized fertilizer to other neighbouring countries is a factor which has contributed to the acute shortage of fertilizers across the country. Despite the shortage of subsidized fertilizer, there are reports of the sea of subsidized fertilizer carted in articulated trucks out of the country to neighbouring countries.



What is shocking is how trucks carrying hundreds of bags of fertilizers can cross our land borders which have been supposedly closed since the onset of COVID-19. Clearly, donkey carts alone cannot be responsible for the quantum of fertilizers smuggled across our borders. The inability or refusal by the security agencies and government to crackdown on the activities of smugglers is not a mark of incompetence but reveals complicity on the part of government officials.



If not that, how can the Minister of Agriculture with all powers vested in him throw his hands in despair over donkeys carting fertilizers across our borders when trucks move hundreds of fertilizer bags across closed borders from fertilizers depots; where there are records and documents on which suppliers and distributors were/are given what quantities for specific destinations.



It is sad that NaBCo recruits are being used as scapegoats in the fertilizer smuggling syndicates. These recruits are just errand boys of those they work under. A serious investigation by the police or NIB will reveal the hidden big personalities behind the smuggling and hoarding syndicates, but will it ever be done?



In early June this year, Upper West Regional Minister, Dr Hafiz Bin Salih, lamented that over 45 rhino trucks, not donkey carts, each carrying 300 bags of subsidized fertilizer valued at GHS1,602,000 had been smuggled out of the country to Burkina Faso through the Sissala West District. What investigations have been conducted into this? Who is being prosecuted?



The shortage of fertilizers ought to be treated as a national emergency and prompt attention should be given it. The farming season and for that matter the right time for fertilizer application would not wait for us.



Let me conclude by reminding the Minister for Agriculture that Builsa South is still waiting for fertilizer under the Planting for Food and Jobs programme in this crop season. Yes, many farmers are already counting thier losses, but, should the fertilizer get to Builsa South immediately, the situation could be ameliorated. The consequences of a lost farming season will not be borne by the people of Builsa South alone but Ghana as a whole.









Source: Dr. Clement Apaak, M.P, Builsa South









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Peoples National Convention (PNC) has stated that the delay in the appointment of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives by the President is slowing down development and economic growth at the various metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies across the country.

The party said since metropolitan, municipal and districts formed the base of governance at the local government level and the fulcrum around which development was engineered, the President should have by now made his nominees known.



In an interview with the Daily Graphic, the General Secretary of the PNC, Ms Janet Asana Nabla, while urging the President to fast-track the appointment process, also underscored the need to consider competent people irrespective of their political affiliation.



"It is our request that the appointment should not be limited to party members alone but to other competent citizens who live in the locality and understand the plight of the people." she said.



Gender balance



The party also stressed the need for a good gender balance in the nomination and appointing processes.



"We want to appeal to the President to facilitate and ensure a gender balance in the ongoing MMDCEs appointment to create equity for all taking into consideration article 35(6b) of the directive principles of state policy that enjoins the President to recruit with a gender lens." she said



Election of MMDCEs



The PNC also called on the government to revisit the issues of electing MMDCEs, stressing that the policy, when fully implemented, will promote democracy by affording local people the opportunity to choose their own leaders, giving meaning to popular participation to governance.



The PNC believes that there should be an election of MMDCEs to allow the people to choose their choice of persons to push for development in their localities just like the assembly members and be voted out when they are not performing. It should be done in a non partisan election



Ms Nabla indicated that just as citizens at the local level voted for candidates contesting parliamentary seats at the national level, same could be done at the local level to give citizens a voice in local governance.









Source: graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Former Central Regional Chairman of the largest opposition National Democratic Congresss (NDC), Bernard Allotey Jacobs has called on government to hold a stakeholder engagement with the striking lecturers to resolve the impasse.



The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has complained bitterly about their conditions of service, therefore embarking on a strike action with the hope of getting government to address their grievances.



One paramount concern they share is about their remuneration as the Association is demanding a little over $2,000 as an entry-level salary for lecturers.



Speaking on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo' programme, Allotey Jacobs believed there are some political actors benefiting from the UTAG strike and other labour union actions arising currently.



According to him, those political actors are stirring tensions to advance their political ambitions.



"Is an act of trying to create tension in the country so that we will use it as a platfrom to launch our campaign for the next election? . . . If you allow room for agitation, it will not do the current government very good or well," he said, adding, "some people, it's like launching the 2024 campaign in 2021 and the mainstream strategy is to create agitation in this country".



He advised government not to allow the political schemers to succeed saying, "there is the need for government to engage labour . . . look, the labour front is anew or I will say that one of the largest constituencies in our political space. So, you don't leave them alone''.



Watch video below





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Social commentator, Bernard Allotey Jacobs has implored President Nana Akufo-Addo to direct the Council of State to engage Health Minister, Dr. Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, with regard to the resignation calls on the latter.



The Health Minister has come under a barrage of criticisms due to his involvement in a shady deal to purchase Sputnik V vaccines for Ghana.



The Minister, during a Parliamentary Committee probe, stated why he went into the controversial deal without Parliamentary and Cabinet approvals.



I was in a desperate and helpless situation with the management of the covid numbers. In February, we had 78 deaths; by March, we had 56 deaths, and these were the numbers that pushed me to act . . . if you were the Health Minister, I think you might have taken certain decisions that in hindsight you may not have done those things. The country was not in normal times . . . this was the environment I found myself in and out of desperation, frustration, and so many things.



"I was seriously in a situation that could not make me think properly. I dealt with the Sheikh before the frantic efforts to get the vaccines from the right source. I made efforts, but I did not juxtapose the timing with the efforts that I made. I made that error and in hindsight, it wont happen again, he told the Committee.



Discussing the Minister's gaffe during Peace FM's morning show 'Kokrokoo', Allotey Jacobs iterated that the Minister should step down.



He stressed that, "things should be settled as quickly as possible'', therefore ''the President must let the Council of State advise the man to go home".







Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Dubai-based Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum, the middleman from whom the government of Ghana tried procuring 300,000 doses of the Sputnik V vaccine, has refunded $2,470,000 to Ghanas coffers after the deal fell through.



Sheikh Al Maktoum, according to a correspondence via which he communicated the refund to the government of Ghana, said no money was drawn under the letter of credit, which, he noted, expired as of June 2021.



Sheikh Al Maktoum says he is expecting a payment receipt once the funds hit the countrys account.



Pressure has been mounting on Mr Agyeman-Manu to resign for sidelining parliament in the deal.



An initial sum of $2,470,000, being 50 per cent of the total sum, was paid to the middleman but the deal was cancelled after Sheikh Al Maktoum supplied 20,000 doses of the vaccine.



It followed reports by the Norwegian press that Ghana was paying $19 per dose instead of $10.



Mr Agyeman-Manu subsequently wrote to the Sheikh for a refund, to which the Sheikh agreed.



Meanwhile, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has said instead of being hard on Mr Agyeman-Manu and calling for his resignation over the botched deal, Ghanaians should rater empathise with the Dormaa Central MP, as he had the best of intentions for Ghanaians, thus, the deal.



Speaking in an interview with Asaase Radio, Mr Ofori-Atta jumped to the defence of Mr Agyeman-Manu, saying: To be so unsympathetic to somebody who felt like, what can I do to ensure that there is continuity and to sit now comfortably and kind of just [castigate him is unfair]



Mr Ofori-Atta said: I am empathising and I expect that others will realise the type of pressure that he [Mr Agyeman-Manu] was under and his commitment to ensure that the Ghanaian people are safe.



According to him, some of the critics have no moral right to question the deal.



I got interviewed by a number of European [media] and I was asking: You dare to ask me about me paying more for vaccines when you are hoarding those vaccines? And I have one out of 100 people being vaccinated and you have 80 [out of 100], [but] sit there and ask: why are you doing this? wheres the moral authority? he asked.



Asked if he thought Mr Agyeman-Manu had no other options, Mr Ofori-Atta said: Im not sure he did. I mean the issue [about] would we get our money back? I mean we will. It will be my responsibility to make sure that I get the money back and I will.









Source: classfmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Peoples National Convention (PNC) has called on the President to handle issues surrounding the status of the Minister of Health in a way that will sustain the confidence of citizens in the laws of the country.



A section of the public and civil society organisations have been demanding the resignation of the Minister of Health, Mr Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, following revelations by the Parliamentary Committee that probed the Sputnik V contract that he breached constitutional and procurement regulations.



Others are also urging the President to relieve the minister of his post should he fail to resign.



Speaking to the Daily Graphic yesterday, the General Secretary of the PNC, Ms Janet Asana Nabla, said to the extent that the minister had not followed regulations in Article 181(5) on procurements as reported by the parliamentary adhoc committee, and for the fact that he could not confirm payment of the 50 per cent of the cost to the middle man, it made it difficult for him as minister to exonerate himself from what the PNC described as a mess.



"This is one of the many issues that boils down on procurement breaches which has led to increasing corruption cases in the country," Ms Nabla said.



The PNC General Secretary indicated that for a minister who once chaired the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament, he was fully aware of the procurement regulations and the negative effects of such breaches on our public purse.



The Health Minister, Mr Agyemang Manu, is currently under intense criticism for breaching procurement processes while trying to secure the Sputnik V for Ghana, and has admitted he signed the agreement without parliamentary or cabinet approval, or the approval of the Public Procurement Authority (PPA).



Following a public outcry over the deal after a parliamentary probe, Parliament made a recommendation to the Ministry of Finance to take all measures to recover the $2.85 million (GH16.3 million) advance payment made to Sheikh Al Maktoum by the Ministry of Health.



Meanwhile, the businessman and member of the ruling royal family of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum, has decided to refund the money after a request from the Minister of Health, Mr Agyeman-Manu.



That notwithstanding, some members of the public are demanding the resignation of the Minister of Health who currently is on a two-week leave.

Source: graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Eric Jeshrun is set to hold the 11th edition of his annual August Worship event on 29th August 2021, at the Accra International Conference Centre.



The worship event will also have ministrations from Cynthia Appiadu of Daughters of Glorious Jesus fame, Efe Grace, Kofi Karikari Cwesi Oteng, Irene Logan and Onos Ariyo from Nigeria.



This edition, organised by the Jeshurun Okyere Global Outreach (JOGO) is under the theme, 'Jesus Christ Our Hope'.



Due to COVID-19 measures participants would be required to register ahead of the programme with registration details available on all Eric Jeshrun social media pages.



The General Overseer of The Maker's House Chapel International, Dr. Michael Boadi Nyamekye will join in worship and bless all gathered.



According to Eric Jeshrun, We seek to assure the world that Jesus is still the anchor of life in the midst of the uncertainties of our times. There is already a whole COVID-19 Compliance team made up of astute medical personnel in place to ensure full adherence to the protocols.



The programme is powered by Team RAS Productions.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Veteran Ghanaian broadcaster, Mike Eghan has expressed concern over the dwindling levels of discipline amongst the nations youth.



According to him, every Ghanaian child back in the day was afraid to carry themselves in a poor manner and checked themselves even when there was no one around.



Comparing the levels of discipline between his time and the present, he noted: Discipline was of great essence to everyone nationwide and parents even compared notes on discipline. Discipline was almost a norm and the young ones misbehaving will even check themselves before they finished with their misbehaviour."



He described himself as a good boy who was hardly found in trouble. You could hardly pick up any issues with me, he told Rev Erskine on Y107.9FMs Leaderboard Series hosted on the Myd Morning Show.



Mike Eghan admitted that although there were people who misconducted themselves back in his day, that cannot be compared to the youth of today. The young ones of today are smoking, drinking and doing other bad things.



The one time Emperor of Ghanas airwaves believes discipline is the core of every society and expressed hopes that it will be brought back into Ghanas society.



Mr Mike Eghan worked with GBC as a show host. He also had a successful stint with the BBC in the late 60s and early 70s where he served as a freelance broadcaster and a presenter for the BBC World Service.



He has won several awards, including the Grand Medal Civil Division, for his meritorious service in the media.

Source: Graphic Showbiz









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Mike McNaney speaks during a news conference held by the Canadian Travel and Tourism Roundtable, a coalition of airports, airlines, hotels, boards of trade and chambers of commerce, to urge the federal government to implement a re-opening plan for travel and tourism, at the Ottawa Airport in Ottawa, on Monday, June 14, 2021. McNaney, president and CEO of the National Airlines Council of Canada, said a standardized digital certification of vaccine status is critical to restart the country's travel and tourism sectors. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
The Montreal police logo is seen on a police car in Montreal on July 8, 2020. Two brothers charged in connection with an alleged kidnapping of their teen sister that triggered an Amber Alert have been denied bail. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
PN Podcast: What Do COVID Rules Mean for WSOP? Francisco Estrada Wins Big on ClubGG

August 12, 2021 Chad Holloway

On the latest special episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway and Jeff Platt talk about winning "Content Provider of the Year" at the Gulf Coast Poker Awards, what the new COVID rules might mean for the 2021 World Series of Poker (WSOP), and recap recent bracelet winners from both the WSOP.com and GGPoker events.

They also talk about British poker player Ashley Locker going to jail for 26 months on drug charges, preview the upcoming MSPT Black Hawk Main Event, and chat with Colorado's Francisco Estrada, who recently won a $10,000 seat into the 2021 WSOP Main Event by playing on ClubGG.

Big thanks to the special sponsor this week in Elite Chip Care, which you can learn more about here.

Time Stamps

Tell us who you want to hear from. Let us know what you think of the show  tweet about the podcast using #PNPod, and be sure to follow Sarah Herring, Jeff Platt and Chad Holloway on Twitter.

Subscribe to the PokerNews Podcast on Apple Podcasts here!

Check Out Past Episodes of the PN Podcast Here!
Moncks Corner, SC (29461)

Today

Sun and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 90F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms this evening followed by occasional showers overnight. Low 72F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.
A Charleston food company is looking to expand its market and grow its workforce after a Colorado investment firm injected $15 million into the business.

The New Primal, a producer of grass-fed meat snacks and organic seasonings, dressings and condiments, secured the funding from Vail-based Manna Tree.

The infusion will be used to enhance the Daniel Island-based company's organizational design, distribution and marketing reach.

Founded by Jason Burke in 2012, The New Primal started after Burke's mission to make a lean, healthy variety of beef jerky.

The brand has since expanded outside meat snacks and has grown to 33 products in three years nationwide at Whole Foods Market and many other supermarkets that serve the Charleston area. In 2020, the firm added 12 new items amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Five more products, including new seasoning mixes and a meat stick, will be introduced by October, said Burke, the firm's CEO.

The company's cornerstone of clean ingredients helped land a partnership with the nutrition-focused investment firm.

In addition to helping expand The New Primal's distribution and retail network, the investment will be used to support new employees.

Prior to the new funding, the company had 16 employees at its 4,600-square-foot Daniel Island site and working remotely. Five new hires have been added recently, including a new chief financial officer. About nine more are expected to come on the payroll over the next 18-24 months, Burke said.

"We need to hire people across the board at the executive level, mid level and support level," he said.

Besides adding more workers, Burke said the company plans to invest in brand awareness through various marketing channels.

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"We have a great brand with a national reach," he said. "We need to let people know that we exist. Having some funds to market the brand is paramount at this inflection point."

The money also provides funding to make sure adequate inventory is on hand to fill orders.

The New Primal believes the investment firm's experience working nationally with retail items will serve it well as it tries to extend its reach.

"We have gone this alone until now and not had anyone on our team with a significant background in consumer products on a national level," Burke said. "This investment is invaluable to us right now."

He called Manna Tree an "ideal partner" to elevate the brand.

"The synergies between their team and ours were unparalleled through our exploration process," Burke said.

An investment firm representative said the Charleston company has proven it can expand from meat snacks into different product categories.

"Not only is The New Primal an excellent investment from a growth standpoint, but the company's innovative, clean-ingredient platform supports Manna Tree's vision for a future where health, well-being and longevity is attainable," said Pam Shepherd, managing director of Manna Tree.

Initial backers of The New Primal included individual investors as well as the early-stage venture capital firm, Third Prime Capital.

The food maker previously was located near Park Circle in North Charleston before moving to Daniel Island in late 2019.
My personal interest in music developed at an early age, and by the time I was 9 years old had evolved to the point where I was persistently bugging my parents for an instrument and/or music lessons of some sort.

A young man who used to help out my grandparents played drums on the side. He used to show me different time signatures and rhythms using nothing more than his hands on a nearby counter and his feet on the floor.

Drums are great, he once told me (sometime in the mid-60s). You can make all the noise you want and sound like youre breaking stuff and have a fun time doing it. And before long youll start learning something about music.

Thats all it took. Its a mystery how it happened exactly, but somehow my parents artfully sidestepped my request for a drum kit and suggested a non-percussion instrument. Although rock 'n' roll and other forms of contemporary music were all the rage and the U.S. was besieged by the British Invasion, wind instruments stuck me as particularly awesome, so I requested a trombone.

Too big. In order to settle this dilemma, my parents took me to confer with Pat Leonard, owner and operator of the Leonard School of Music, which was then located on James Island at the corner of Maybank Highway and Howle Avenue. That was back when Maybank Highway was two lanes, relatively quiet and flanked by moss-laden live oaks. There was a Red & White grocery store at Riverland Terrace. I dont believe the James Island Shopping Center had even been developed. Just to the east of Leonards was the legendary Dr. Otto M. Strocks veterinary clinic (later Strock-Wise), and our house was literally a few doors further to the east of both and on the Wappoo Creek.

Mr. Leonard, jocular, ruddy-faced and full of Irish laughter and charm, somehow got me to understand that the clarinet was the ideal instrument for me. I vividly recall those first few private lessons and Leonards enthusiastic encouragement, with me learning how to blow a sustained note and read elementary music, and then later joining a band filled with kids my age.

Talk about teamwork and fun  that was it  until the music ended when I went away to Aiken Prep School in the sixth grade. I took piano but never really liked it (wish I did) and later rebelled and picked up the guitar, which has been a joy. But, on some level, had I figured out a way to continue the clarinet, I would have had 55 years of clarinet experience under my belt at this writing. Now that would have been pretty cool.

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I got to thinking about this the other day in conversation with Michael Davis of Ye Olde Music Shop in Hanahan, one of the last great neighborhood music stores in the style of Fox Music during its King Street days. (I could write an entire and separate column about Fox Music House back in the day, which has long since relocated and has a contemporary emphasis on keyboards.)

The Leonard School of Music (as with Fox Music) is part of the Lowcountry Music Hall of Fame, which Davis and others including Bubba Taylor, Joe Wilson, Bobby Alvarez and Wayne Mitchum founded about six years ago. The goal was to honor local musicians, instructors and establishments across a variety of genres that have made significant and lasting contributions over the decades to Charlestons burgeoning, exciting and creative music scene.

A sampling includes Larry Walker and Al Goff of Myskyns (a separate column needs to be devoted to Myskyns, as well), Oscar Rivers and Lonnie Hamilton (jazz), Eddie Hogan (a huge music advocate through his small community newspaper, The Charleston Free Time), Tommy Gill (jazz), Bert Floyd (country), radio personalities TJ Phillips and Jim Bowers, James Jamerson (Motown bassist), Ann Caldwell, The Parrots, Capn Harry Cochran (of the great Blue Marlin Bar) and more recent additions such as the Blue Dogs.

Meaningful inductees from my generation would further include Johnny Cathcart and other members of Free Mountain Standstill. (To get an idea of how fine a guitarist Johnny is, pull up Jessica on the Porch, captured locally years ago and with a little help from Chuck Leavell himself on keyboards.) And Im still trying to remember the name of that band that used to play at Sgt. Peppers (I think?) on East Bay just above the old Channel 5  a band that was young, virtuosic and could play covers by the group Yes unlike any other.

Michael Davis of Ye Olde, who has been in the music retail business for over 30 years, is a professional musician and an Allman Brothers aficionado. His interest in the LMHOF is to showcase not only those who have achieved lots of recognition but, even more important, those who havent. Because it is they who most likely provided the stairs upon which the more famous would ascend.

Information regarding upcoming events and how to submit nominations for induction into the Hall can be found at lowcountrymusichalloffame.com.
The number of hospital patients with COVID-19 who need a ventilator to help them breathe has more than tripled in South Carolina in less than two weeks.

According to data published by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental on Aug. 12, 177 COVID-19 patients are now ventilated, compared with 49 on July 29.

Meanwhile, cases are still climbing.

Statewide numbers

New cases reported: 2,181 confirmed, 974 probable.

Total cases in S.C.: 531,483 confirmed, 120,304 probable.

Percent positive: 16.2 percent.

New deaths reported: 9 confirmed, 3 probable.

Total deaths in S.C.: 8,832 confirmed, 1,187 probable.

Percent of ICU beds filled: 77.24 percent.

S.C. residents vaccinated

DHEC's vaccine dashboard shows that 53.1 percent of the state's residents have received at least one shot of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 45.4 percent have completed vaccination.

Hardest-hit areas

In the total number of newly confirmed cases, Charleston (366), Greenville County (196) and Lexington County (160) saw the highest totals.

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What about tri-county?

Charleston County had 366 new cases on Aug. 12, while Berkeley County had 158 and Dorchester County had 136.

Deaths

DHEC releases county-level data regarding COVID-19 deaths and the ages of those who have died from the virus on Tuesdays. According to the data published on Aug. 10, 51 people in South Carolina died from the virus Aug. 1-7 and their ages ranged from young adult (18-34 years old) to elderly (65 and older). Richland County recorded seven COVID deaths that week  the highest number in the state. Across South Carolina, at least three of the deaths occurred among young adults. Health officials have reported that the vast majority of patients who are dying from the coronavirus at this stage of the pandemic are unvaccinated.

Hospitalizations

Of the 1,166 COVID-19 patients hospitalized as of Aug. 12, 317 were in the ICU and 177 were using ventilators.

Variants of concern

DHEC sequences a small, random sample of positive COVID-19 cases each week to determine which "variants of concern" (alpha, beta, gamma and delta) are circulating in the state. Data published by the agency on Aug. 4 shows that 1,495 samples have been identified as "variants of concern" over the course of the pandemic. Nearly 250 of those samples have been identified as the delta variant, which health officials say is now the predominant strain in South Carolina.

What do experts say?

At a regular meeting on Aug. 12, health officials at Medical University of South Carolina told the Board of Trustees that Dorchester and Berkeley counties were the two fastest growing counties for confirmed COVID cases in the tri-county area.

Both counties have lower vaccination rates than Charleston County.

Millions of eligible South Carolina residents have yet to be vaccinated. If you're one of them, DHEC encourages you to get a vaccine as soon as possible. Find one online: vaxlocator.dhec.sc.gov.
Charleston County has one of the highest rates of completed COVID-19 vaccinations in South Carolina, according to the state health department.

And while that's notable, its Lowcountry neighbors' rates in Dorchester and Berkeley counties trail significantly behind in comparison.

According to the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control, Dorchester and Berkeley County each have a vaccination rate of a little more than 5,000 vaccine recipients per 10,000 residents. In Charleston, it's nearly 7,000.

This concerns tri-county health officials because there is a lot of exchange between the counties. A spike in cases in one area could feed over into another.

Dr. Aretha Powers, the CEO of Fetter Health Care Network, looked to her own life as an example. She works in Charleston County but lives in Berkeley County.

People frequently come into highly populated areas and then go back into their community, she said.

Its a very close-knit community sometimes," she said.

Other health advocates recognize the mobility of the area.

"We're all dependent on each other," said Dr. Danielle Scheurer, a hospitalist and chief quality officer with the Medical University of South Carolina. "It's kind of an all-or-none phenomenon."

Scheurer said a low vaccination rate in an area should be a regional concern.

Theres just constant commingling," she said.

After a couple of months of excitement during the early days of vaccine distribution, health officials said vaccine hesitancy has replaced initial enthusiasm. This has been especially present in counties with large rural pockets, like Dorchester and Berkeley.

Since vaccine supply hasn't been a concern in South Carolina for weeks, health officials point to the increased skepticism and misinformation surrounding the vaccine and the pandemic in general.

Dr. Lee Biggs is the chief medical officer for Trident Health. One of his team's theories on why there has been so much hesitancy, especially in rural communities, is the decline in communication with doctors.

Many residents have missed out on those routine primary care visits with doctors where they could have someone they trust addressing their vaccine concerns, he said.

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In a vaccination study by the Kaiser Family Foundation, researchers found that the unvaccinated population broke down into two groups. One was a group open to getting the vaccine at some point, a "wait and see group," and the other was not.

The most common age for both groups was between 30 and 49. As the ages gets higher, the percentage of unvaccinated people decreases.

Biggs said older patients are more likely to have a relationship with a primary care physician. In the earlier days of the pandemic, they were also the demographic described as being the most at risk with COVID-19.

So now, he said, there has to be a shift to getting local health officials the opportunity to communicate the value of the vaccine and the risks of getting COVID-19 to a younger demographic.

At the end of the day, were offering something people dont want," Biggs said about the vaccines.

Officials point to a number of reasons why Dorchester and Berkeley counties are seeing a difference in vaccination rates in comparison to Charleston.

One is the rural pockets in the counties.

There are fewer pockets in Charleston County in comparison with Dorchester and Berkeley counties," Scheurer said.

In Dorchester County, for example, DHEC reports tens of thousands of vaccine recipients around the growing Summerville zip codes. When branching out to some of the county's rural outskirts, it drops to a couple hundred.

The same is seen in Berkeley and Charleston counties, the latter of which has only a handful of rural communities.

Internet access may also be a reason for the difference in vaccine rates, Powers said. While health officials may be getting a lot of vaccine safety information online, some of the residents may not be able to see it.

But one of the best ways a community can combat some of the skepticism is through connecting with community leaders. Powers said oftentimes whether those leaders support or are against vaccines can determine a rural community's vaccine success.

Officials also suggest sharing vaccine testimonials, since it's often an individual decision. If a person is skeptical because they want to pursue pregnancy, then it might be best to hear from a pregnant woman who received the vaccine.

Overall, the goal is to reach a herd immunity through a 70 percent vaccination rate in South Carolina. This is increasingly important as high COVID cases continue and around 90 percent of COVID hospital patients are unvaccinated, Biggs said.

Right now, the rate is at a little over 50 percent, according to DHEC. But health officials said the 70 percent will be reached, whether it's through vaccines or people being hospitalized from COVID.

We know the answer," Scheurer said. The solution to the pandemic is vaccination.
CONWAY  Horry County Democratic leaders and several Black residents said they feared getting less representation as a Republican-dominated General Assembly again redraws legislative lines.

"I'm making the claim that this district is racially gerrymandered and diluting the votes of minorities, particularly," said Antonious NeSmith, a Black resident of Conway.

The concerns were aired during a meeting held in Conway by state senators and other officials who are conducting listening sessions across the state ahead of a special session of the General Assembly in September to redraw state and congressional legislative districts.

Political boundaries for state and congressional seats are changed every 10 years when new U.S. Census Bureau data is revealed. The latest population numbers were released Aug. 12 and as expected South Carolina's population, especially in Horry County, grew sharply since 2010.

Of the close to 20 residents who attended the redistricting session on Aug. 11, most were Black and many who spoke expressed concerns about gerrymandering that could benefit incumbents, especially White Republicans, who oversee much of the county.

"I'm puzzled trying to figure out how minorities could ever have the chance to elect our candidate of choice with these kinds of racial disparities," NeSmith said.

Horry Countys working class is built on the backs of Black South Carolinians, and while those residents contribute to the system, they arent seeing the system contribute to them, Horry County Democratic Party Committeeman Cedric Blain-Spain said.

State Senate Judiciary Chairman Luke Rankin, a Myrtle Beach Republican expected to have hand in redrawing districts, said the lawmakers plan to take residents concerns regarding gerrymandering and racial disparities into consideration.

"Race will not drive this," Rankin said during the Aug. 11 redistricting meeting.

While there are three Black state senators, they are the minority, holding three of eight seats as the only Democrats across the region. Additionally, none of them have a strong hold on Horry County as their sections of the county are small and few in between.

Some speakers questioned how towns, some of which have heavier concentrations of minority populations, are split up among several state lawmakers.

And those issues are not just in Horry County, but in Georgetown County as well.

NeSmith pointed to Andrews, a predominantly Black town, which has been excluded from the city of Georgetowns district instead placing it within Williamsburg County, an already diverse area represented by Black lawmakers.

Doing this takes away Black votes from Georgetowns district, which is represented by state Sen. Stephen Goldfinch, a White Republican.

Though many residents who showed up spoke about gerrymandering, a few expressed their desire to see Myrtle Beach and Conway remain within the same senatorial district, including Conway Mayor Barbara Blain-Bellamy.

"(Myrtle Beach) Mayor Brenda Bethune and I have a rich  if brief  history of seeing our cities as one," Blain-Bellamy said. "I can't fail to mention the reliance that the two cities have on each other. The wonderful hospitality and other industries that are so well provided by Myrtle Beach cannot happen without the workforce that comes largely from Conway."

She did not say what might cause the rift, but development and growth in the Carolina Forest area could lead to district lines needing to be redrawn.

Residents who were unable to speak at the Aug. 11 public hearing can visit South Carolina's redistricting website to share comments.

S.C. House representatives have a meeting scheduled from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 8 in Myrtle Beach at the Ted C. Collins Law Enforcement Center.
ORANGEBURG  The National Park Service is distributing nearly $3 million in grants to civil rights projects across South Carolina, including the renovation of All-Star Bowling Lanes.

The bowling alley initiative will receive $500,000  a badly needed injection of capital that will be used to improve the dilapidated building. This was the site of student protests in February 1968 that led to the Orangeburg Massacre, an explosion of violence on the campus of S.C. State College that killed three and injured at least 28.

The nonprofit Center for Creative Partnerships is spearheading the restoration project, which also includes an adjacent storefront, an outside space and a portion of the parking lot. The bowling alley has been included in the National Park Service's African American Civil Rights Network.

The plan is to create a functioning bowling alley, and to commemorate the events of Feb. 8, 1968, while also fostering a dialogue about civil rights in the present, according to center Executive Director Ellen Zisholtz.

We want it to be a tribute to history, and we want to commemorate all the civil rights events that happened in Orangeburg and South Carolina that people dont really know about, Zisholtz said. And we want to honor the people who made an impact on civil rights.

It can also be a place that encourages truth and reconciliation, and helps bolster the city of Orangeburgs current revitalization effort, she added.

We want it to be a place that moves into the future, Zisholtz said. We want people to come and bowl and have a good time  but also learn about the civil rights struggle. We think this will be the first-ever civil rights bowling alley.

The grant money propels the project forward, she said. The center now can hire an architect to design the space; get rid of any hazardous materials; construct a new roof; restore the facade; install new wiring, HVAC and plumbing; and begin the process of rebuilding the bowling lanes.

I want to do it so that we retain the history but also make it modern and really nice to be there, Zisholtz said.

The venue likely will include a community meeting area and a Wall of Tolerance modeled after the one at the Southern Poverty Law Center in Montgomery, Ala. Visitors can enter their names and a phrase such as I commit myself to racial justice, which are displayed on a lighted wall. And it will host film screenings and book talks.

Millicent Brown, chairwoman of the centers board of trustees and a retired history professor who taught at Claflin University in Orangeburg, said its important for the enterprise to generate revenue and become self-sustaining. In so doing, it can create a few jobs and fuel the citys revitalization.

I think there are enough examples across the county, certainly in the South, to show that sometimes just historical preservation isnt enough, Brown said, adding that a flourishing Orangeburg can only help improve the experiences of students attending Claflin and S.C. State University.

Given its history, good and bad, and the presence of two historically black campuses, why is (the city) languishing? she asked.

The Orangeburg Massacre

On Monday, Feb. 5, 1968, S.C. State student John Stroman and a group of friends challenged All-Star Bowling Lanes owner Harry Floyd to let them bowl. But this was no public venue, and Floyd insisted he had the right to keep it segregated. Police showed up, the bowling alley was closed for the night, and the group of Black students was sent away.

On Tuesday, Feb. 6, Stroman returned with another group of students. They were met by 20 officers, including members of the state Highway Patrol. An arrest or two for trespassing would have triggered a court challenge to Floyds policy, but things quickly got out of hand. After 15 or so were arrested, word got to students on campus, and a large number of them rushed to the bowling alley.

Stromans pleas to calm down and disperse went ignored. More law enforcement officers arrived, and soon batons were swinging. Several young women were among the injured, which enraged many of the protestors. On their way back to campus, students broke shop windows.

Thats what galvanized the student body, Bill Hine, a retired history professor who taught at S.C. State, told The Post and Courier last year. If things had dissipated that night, maybe nothing much would have happened.

On Thursday, Feb. 8, all of Orangeburg was under lockdown and full of National Guardsmen, state troopers, police and FBI agents. The students were confined to the two campuses  and frustrated. That evening, about 200 of them lit a bonfire, provoking a response from law enforcement. Nine troopers lined up along a bluff on the edge of campus and readied their rifles, loaded with deadly buckshot.

A piece of wood from a nearby worksite was hurled toward the officers, striking one in the face. Everyone was on edge. Then an officer fired what was perhaps a warning shot into the air and, suddenly, there was a burst of shotgun fire. It lasted no more than 10 seconds.

The students, unarmed, scrambled up the bluff, some shot in the back or in the soles of their feet. Three were killed; at least 28 injured. It was the first-ever campus shooting involving law enforcement.

The social and emotional wounds have not yet healed. The troopers were acquitted at trial. The state of South Carolina never arranged for a formal investigation or a community-based truth and reconciliation process.

More than an historic site

Other South Carolina projects receiving a portion of the federal grant money are:

The historic Hutchinson House on Edisto Island ($171,000)

A Reconstruction Era initiative on Hilton Head called Three Properties, Three Lenses ($487,000)

Trinity United Methodist Church in Orangeburg ($500,000)

The Brookland Lakeview Empowerment Center in West Columbia ($321,000)

Booker T. Washington High School auditorium in Columbia ($500,000)

The Lincoln High School Civil Rights Preservation Project in Sumter ($500,000)

A total of $15 million will be distributed to 53 projects across 20 states, a granting process administered by the National Park Services African American Civil Rights Grant Program.

I applaud the National Park Service for supporting the preservation of important civil rights sites across the country, Rep. James Clyburn, an advocate of the grant funding, said in a statement. Each of the projects funded in South Carolina tells the story of a different chapter in the struggle for racial equality in our state and our nation. The preservation of these sites will help future generations learn from our complicated past and help us strive for a more perfect union moving forward.

Another $16 million will become available via the African American Civil Rights Grant Program later this year. Applications open in the fall.

Brown said the All-Star Bowling Lanes renovation effort offers an opportunity to engage the community, partner with other organizations and interpret an important chapter of history afresh.

We want to first and foremost create a space that honors the historic role that the All Star played, she said. We want to interpret the Orangeburg Massacre in its entirety, but we are not going to limit ourselves to just being a historic site. ... There is no limit to the kin of connections and partnerships that can be made throughout the state, and interstate, as well.
SUMMERVILLE  Another option is being added to the growing school choice model in Berkeley County.

On Aug. 12, officials with the new Berkeley Preparatory Academy welcomed Gov. Henry McMaster, parents and other state and local education representatives as they celebrated the site's grand opening.

The K-6 grade school is located off Black Tom Road in the growing Cane Bay Plantation area and is Berkeley County's second Charter Schools USA offering. The other is the Mevers School of Excellence in Goose Creek.

During the ribbon cutting ceremony at the new academy, Stewart Weinberg, president of the Berkeley Charter Education Association, said that some would assume a pandemic probably wasn't the best time to open a new school.

"I would say this is exactly when we should be doing innovation," he said.

About 750 students are registered to attend when classes begin Aug. 16.

In addition to a new state-of-the art one-story academic space, the school will follow a community based model. In each grade level, teachers will share a common learning space. From there, students will be placed in specific classes based on individualized need.

The goal of sharing the learning space, or creating a grade-level community, is to promote collaboration. Parents of special education students will also have the opportunity to join the school's nontraditional program.

"I can't tell you how supportive our parent-teacher community has been," said Jessica Brown, special education director for Berkeley Preparatory Academy and the state.

It's a model McMaster commended the institution on for its innovation.

"We want these children to be asking questions," he said.

During a speech celebrating the school's completion, McMaster emphasized the need to invest in education in South Carolina to support its growth and innovation, which help attract different companies to the state is the people.

"Our duty is to make sure that they're educated," he said.

Officials also highlighted the growth of charter schools in South Carolina. Around four years ago, they said, the Charter Institute at Erskine was just an idea. It has since grown to 26 schools and 25,000 students across the state.

William Roach, the state director for Charter Schools USA, will serve as the founding principal of the Berkeley Preparatory Academy. Mary Matney will join him as assistant principal.

"We're just excited about the community," Roach said.

Prior to the Aug. 12 ceremony, he said they had hosted community events to allow future students and parents to be comfortable with him before the first day of school.

"So it's not as scary," he said.

With Berkeley County being one of the fastest growing counties in the state, school officials are also hoping that local infrastructure can keep up with the community's growth.

Christopher and Rachel Smith have two children who will attend Berkeley Preparatory Academy this year. They were one of the first families to sign up for the new school.

Their motivation was the nontraditional school model. Their son RJ and daughter Charity both attended Mevers last year, so they are familiar with charter schools. They decided to transfer them to the new academy since it was closer to their home.

"To say that we're excited is a gross understatement," Christopher said.
AWENDAW  A conservation group wants to drop a lawsuit it filed last year against the federal government over the commercial harvest of horseshoe crabs from the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge.

The motion to dismiss the complaint was prompted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's recent decision to soon require permits to conduct commercial activities at the refuge.

The Southern Environmental Law Center filed the complaint last year on behalf of Defenders of Wildlife and accused the wildlife department of allowing and facilitating the collection of horseshoe crabs since 2014. In turn, it has disturbed countless birds, killed chicks and destroyed eggs, critics contend.

One group cited in the suit, Charles River Laboratories International Inc., harvests horseshoe crabs from the refuge for their blood to test the safety of injectable pharmaceutical drugs and vaccines.

Beginning Aug. 15, the service will require interested parties to apply for a special use permit if they wish to solicit or conduct commercial activities, including horseshoe crab harvesting, within Cape Romain's boundaries, a coastal estuary covering some 66,000 acres along 22 miles of the South Carolina coast.

In a memorandum earlier this week, the National Wildlife Refuge System's regional chief, David Viker, said those who are granted permits must comply with all the special conditions attached to it.

The refuge is closed from sunset to sunrise, and specific areas within Cape Romain are subject to periodic closures, the memorandum said. These closures would take precedence over authorizations contained in a special use permit.

Catherine Wannamaker, a senior attorney for the Southern Environmental Law Center, said the move by the Fish and Wildlife Service is a positive result of the litigation and is what the center has advocated for since the beginning.

"Commercial activities aren't supposed to happen in a wildlife refuge without a permit by the service and a whole host of other considerations under the Endangered Species Act," Wannamaker said.

In May, a federal judge blocked Charles River Laboratories from harvesting horseshoe crabs for blood from Cape Romain until the lawsuit had been decided. But the lab appealed, and a short while later a motion granted by the federal Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the order.

Sam Jorgensen, a spokesman for the lab, said in a statement in May that the animals are returned to their native waters where they thrive and reproduce after the blood procedure. But an estimated 30 percent of the animals die as a result of the procedure, according to Defenders of Wildlife.

Horseshoe crabs are an important food source for migratory shorebirds, like the threatened red knot.
MOUNT PLEASANT  Leaders in the Phillips community, fresh off an apparent win in the fight to keep S.C. Highway 41 from being widened through the middle of the area, now fear annexations could harm efforts to win historic recognition.

The community has been seeking a historic designation from Charleston County, which would add a layer of regulatory review to development projects, and inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places that would give the community higher standing when federal projects  including road projects  are reviewed.

At issue now are requests to annex about 19 acres of land into the town of Mount Pleasant. Most of Phillips sits in unincorporated Charleston County, and the annexations could seriously damage the community's application to the National Register of Historic Places, according to consultant Brittany Tulla.

The fear, she said, is that if enough of the community is transformed by modern development, it could fail to win recognition from the federal government as historic.

Phillips was settled in the late 1800s by Black residents, many of whom had previously been enslaved, and their descendants make up most of the residents today. It's a small community with a rural feel  modest homes on large lots  that's surrounded by modern subdivisions in one of the Charleston area's hottest real estate markets.

Community leaders want to see Phillips treated as a historic community, just like parts of the Charleston peninsula or Mount Pleasant's Old Village, with extra levels of protection built in to the development review process.

They want to have future developments reviewed to make sure they fit with the communitys historic character," said Jason Crowley of the Coastal Conservation League. The group, along with the Historic Charleston Foundation and Charleston Preservation Society, hired Tulla to consult.

Charleston County Council has been moving to designate the 259-property, 422-acre community as historic, and a final vote could come at a meeting Aug. 24. Some council members have expressed reservations.

"I'm in favor of the concept, but I'm concerned about private property rights," Councilman Herb Sass said at a June meeting. "I'm worried about unintended consequences."

At the June County Council meeting, real estate agent Jay Satterfield told County Council members that he has two properties in Phillips that are for sale, but potential buyers have been scared off by the proposed historic district designation.

"It happened three or four times," he said.

The owners of nine properties have asked to be excluded from the potential historic district, and the owners of three have sought annexation into Mount Pleasant. So far, the county has not excluded any properties, and Mount Pleasant Town Council on Tuesday postponed action on the annexation requests.

In Mount Pleasant, properties that are adjacent to the town limits are required to seek annexation  becoming part of the town and subject to its development rules  in order to get water and sewer service. They get access to the utilities regardless of the town approving the annexation, but they are required to apply.

Richard Habersham, president of the Phillips community, said approving the nearly 19 acres for annexation "would help destroy the community." The land is adjacent to the Park West subdivision.

"These two or three parcels should not ... destroy our hopes of being on the National Register," he said.

Efforts to reach the property owners Wednesday were unsuccessful. All three were owned by Jimmy R. Martin until 2001, county records show, then by different individuals with the same last name.

In Phillips, properties are often passed down through families, and in some cases have multiple owners as a result.
The state's animal shelters have declared a "state of emergency" as a summer influx of abandoned pets and a lull in adoptions threaten to overwhelm the facilities.

Nearly every shelter in the state, including the largest shelters, are "critically overcapacity," according to Abigail Appleton, chief project officer for No Kill South Carolina 2024.

Kay Hyman, director of community engagement for the Charleston Animal Society, said that the society's shelter can physically house approximately 230 animals, depending on size and species. Currently, the society has 700 animals in its system of care, which includes foster animals, sanctuary animals and animals housed in its shelter.

Shelly Simmons, president of the South Carolina Animal Care and Control Association (SCACCA), said the state's shelters were experiencing a "perfect storm" of factors contributing to high intake of animals this summer. That includes a slowdown in adoptions, the peak of hurricane season and the resurgence of COVID-19.

We dont declare a 'state of emergency unless the situation is dire, and we know that if we work together, thousands of lives can be saved, Simmons said.

In response, the state's shelters, led by No Kill South Carolina 2024 and the SCACCA, have launched the Summer Slam Emergency Rescue Operation.

The shelters are asking for residents to visit local shelters now to adopt or foster at-risk animals.

Residents can also pay adoption fees to help other families take on a new pet, or help lost animals find their homes rather than taking them to a shelter, where they are less likely to be returned to their family.

This is a community crisis, not only an animal shelter crisis, just as COVID is a community crisis, not only a hospital crisis," Simmons said. "Everyone has a role to play."

Further information about the initiative can be found at nokillsouthcarolina.org.
COLUMBIA  The federal Department of Education has approved South Carolina's plan for how it will spend $2.1 billion in aid for the classroom tied to the COVID-19 recovery.

The money, which is allocated to the state through the American Rescue Plan Act, is meant to support the safe return to in-person learning and address learning loss incurred throughout the pandemic. In total, the federal department is allocating $81 billion to all 50 states and the District of Columbia as part of the act.

The money is the third package of federal aid allocated to states in response to the pandemic. In total, South Carolina received around $3 billion.

The department released an initial two-thirds of the $2.1 billion to the state earlier this year. With the approval of South Carolina's plan coming Aug. 12, the state now has access to the remaining one-third of the money  about $705 million.

Most of that money will go directly to local school districts. Each district is required to submit a plan for how it will spend its allocation by Aug. 24. The districts will receive the remaining one-third of their funding once those plans are approved, said Ryan Brown, spokesman for S.C. Department of Education.

Charleston County School District is receiving the largest chunk of that funding, about $163.1 million. So far the district has only received two-thirds of those funds. After its plan is approved the district will receive the remaining third.

The districts are required to spend at least 20 percent of that money to address learning loss.

"It is quite a windfall of money and presents some really great opportunities for school districts to be innovative and work to get students back to where they need to be," Brown said.

About 10 percent of the funding is set aside for the Education Department to use to address learning loss, establish summer programs and support state-level activities. The agency has already developed plans for how it will use that money, which amounts to $211.2 million.

So far, the agency has announced two initiatives that will be funded by the federal aid. Around $20 million of those funds will be used in a partnership with the S.C. Arts Commission to expand arts education throughout the state. The department also plans to use $15 million in a partnership with S.C. First Steps to School Readiness to boost early childhood education.

According to South Carolina's approved plan, the Education Department also plans to partner with the S.C. Commission on Higher Education and Technical College Board to provide pathways to post-secondary education for students throughout the state. The partnership will also engage adults who have not earned a high school diploma to help them get on their General Education Degree.

To address the state's growing teacher shortage, the department also plans to partner with the commission on higher education to employ college students as summer teaching interns beginning in 2021. The department plans to develop a pipeline to build teacher diversity throughout the state, according to the approved plan.

The greatest impact of the funds will be on the local level, however. Each district is required to received public input on how it should spend the funds. Brown encouraged parents, educators and community members to get involved with the districts and voice their opinions.

"The public has a big role to play in this," Brown said. "These are ultimately their tax dollars that are going into these schools."

The federal department also approved plans for Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, New Jersey and North Dakota on Aug. 12.
The riverfront cities of North Augusta and Augusta are going head to head in an environmental contest.

The first annual Trash Bash at the Border, being held on both sides of the river on Sept. 18 from 9-11 a.m., will promote a cleaner river by picking up litter.

The city that wins the event will receive a newly minted Mayor's Cup, which will be presented by the losing city's mayor during a city council meeting.

"In our eyes, it's a win-win for everyone and people get to come out and support the team that they enjoy, clean up the community, and the river is going to be cleaner for it," Keep Aiken County Beautiful organizer Kandace Cave said. "There really is no losing in this event.

This event follows the spirit of the South Carolina Gamecocks vs. Georgia Bulldogs college rivalry weekend, with prizes and giveaway packages going to the winners. Lunch will be provided to volunteers.

The city of North Augusta, city of Augusta, Keep America Beautiful and more are pitching in to sponsor the effort.

Volunteers can choose to clean the banks or the river for bragging rights and prizes. Participants are encouraged to wear their favorite Gamecocks or Bulldogs shirts, closed-toe and sturdy shoes, and long pants.

"These natural resources belong to everyone and it's up to everyone to protect them and keep them as pristine as possible," Cave said. "When the environment is healthy, we all benefit and I think this is an awesome way to get large groups of people involved."

"I'm all about collaboration," North Augusta Mayor Briton Williams said. "I think to have our two communities come together in a friendly competition, the river is just a huge asset for both of us and too often we think that river is a wall and it's not.

"Our growth and benefits are going to help Augusta and what happens in Augusta absolutely helps us in North Augusta," Williams continued. "I think for us to use this to work together towardssomething bigger than themselves, which is the litter and the trash pickup of this community, I think (it's) awesome."

To work in the river, volunteers are responsible for bringing their own watercraft and lifejacket. These participants must take a 15-minute course on litter pickup prior to entering the water.

Volunteers for South Carolina will meet in North Augusta at the Sharon Jones Amphitheater. Volunteers for Georgia will be meeting at the Jessye Norman Amphitheater.

Those interested in volunteering can sign up online. There are currently over 450 spots available, and the first 50 volunteers enter a raffle to receive tailgate packages and gift cards.

This is a community effort. This is an all-hands-on-deck situation," Cave said. "There cannot be too many volunteers. There cannot be too many people coming to this event. We want to do great work in the community and we need community involvement and support to make this happen."
Charleston, SC (29403)

Today

Mostly sunny skies this morning will give way to mostly cloudy skies during the afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 91F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

A shower or two around the area early, then partly cloudy overnight. Low near 75F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%.
The Guam Visitors Bureau Air V&V, or vaccination and vacation, program, which has so far brought more than 1,400 visitors from Taiwan alone, is not only facing tough competition from Palau but is now having difficulty getting more funds to sustain the program, based on discussions at the GVB board meeting on Thursday.

Guam's tourism continues to struggle and officials are projecting only 50,000 arrivals for fiscal 2021, far less than the 80,000 projected earlier. The new projection represents a 97% decrease compared with more than 1.6 million visitors the year before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Taiwan's long-suspended travel bubble with Palau will resume on Aug. 14, with Palau offering $50 travel subsidies to each visitor from Taiwan and providing 2,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

More importantly, and causing GVB officials to worry, Taiwanese tourists who visit Palau can opt to self-quarantine at home for five days and not necessarily at a self-paid hotel upon their return to Taiwan.

On the other hand, Taiwanese tourists who visit Guam are required to stay at a self-paid quarantine hotel for nearly 15 days, which is an added cost of $2,000 to more than $5,000 per Taiwanese family, GVB officials said.

Palau remains COVID-19-free and has an established travel bubble relationship with Taiwan, GVB officials said.

That's why GVB continues to press the Taiwanese government to relax restrictions for Taiwanese citizens coming back from Guam, GVB President Carl Gutierrez and GVB Vice President Gerry Perez told the board.

"We're running into competition now. Not Saipan, not Hawaii, but Palau," Gutierrez told the board. "Right now, I believe, there's 39 charters already to Palau and they're giving vaccinations and so we're trying to stave that off and not be left in the dark."

The visitors bureau is negotiating with Lion Travel "to see what we can do to have them guarantee charter (flights) all the way to the end of December," Gutierrez said.

Gutierrez and Perez asked the board to allow GVB management access to additional funding for the Air V&V program to help ensure at least 19 additional charter flights from Taiwan between August and December.

"If you don't allow management to act on time, we will be left with no Air V&V because we're losing directly (to Palau)," Gutierrez said.

Some board members, including Sam Shinohara, managing director of operations Asia/Pacific at United Airlines and chairman of GVB's Reopening Task Force, raised concern that GVB may be sharing much of the anticipated cost of each charter flight from Taiwan at a time when GVB's budget has fallen short.

After a lengthy back-and-forth, the board held off on deciding whether to give the management additional funding for Air V&V. The management, however, has leftover funds from the initial $1 million given and from other programs that it said it could use.

GVB board Chairman Milton Morinaga shared the GVB management's concern about the competition from Palau, but also highlighted some factors that he said continue to make Guam a destination of choice for tourists from Taiwan.

He said these include Guam offering Taiwanese tourists COVID-19 vaccination in a hotel, rather than in a public gymnasium, which is the case in Palau.

GVB officials said Guam has a relatively high vaccination rate, with more than 80% of its adult population being fully vaccinated. It's much better than the full vaccination rates in Guam's main tourism markets of Taiwan, Korea and Japan.

Tourism officials also expressed concern about the spate of vandalism in the tourist district of Tumon, including streetlight photocells that have been tampered with, as well as defaced bus shelters, trash bins and business signage. Some board members said some visiting military members have been confirmed responsible for some of the vandalism.

Impact of tourists' return

Gutierrez, during a presentation Wednesday before the Rotary Club of Northern Guam, said the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention decision Monday to list Guam as a high-risk travel destination could be more damaging to tourism than the recent increases in new COVID-19 cases.

To give Rotarians an idea of how big of an impact a plane full of tourists is on Guam businesses, especially after the devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Gutierrez shared a story from a store manager at Lotte Duty Free at the airport.

The flight that came in on July 6 from Taiwan and the passengers who left on July 10 back to Taiwan spent so much money shopping at the airport that Lotte called more employees to start working again, Gutierrez said, quoting the store manager.

Gutierrez also urged more optional tours and other tourism-related businesses to reopen.

Guam is now receiving four flights a week from Korea from three airlines, Jin Air, Korean Air and T'way, Gutierrez said.

He said there have been a number of American expatriates from the Philippines, as well as other countries, who have traveled to Guam to get their COVID-19 vaccinations while enjoying the island for more than 20 days.
In early June, our brother suffered a stroke and was rushed to Guam Memorial Hospital. When found in his home, he was unconscious and unrespon Read more
The resignation in disgrace of Andrew Cuomo has led to renewed calls that his fathers name be removed from what used to be named the Tappan Zee Bridge. This bridge, built in the early 1950s, spans the Hudson River north of Midtown Manhattan.

Tappan Zee had to be one of the coolest names for a structure anywhere in America. Tappan comes from an American Indian tribe that once inhabited the area. Zee is Dutch for sea.

One might have thought that identity politics would enable the name, or at least the first part of it, to stick. However, in 2017, then-governor Andrew Cuomo caused the bridge, which was being decommissioned and replaced by a modern structure, to be renamed for his father. This was accomplished through omnibus legislation, known as the Big Ugly, that was passed in the dying embers of the 2017 legislative session.

The move didnt sit well, especially with residents of the area. Why would it? The original name is great, and the way it was changed reeked.

Cynthia Nixon, the actress who challenged Andrew Cuomo for governor from the left in 2018, argued that the name change was at least in part a way for the governor to promote his brand. This seems like a fair conclusion.

Now, with Andrew Cuomos brand under water, I guess its natural to hear calls for changing the name back to Tappan Zee. It does seem unfair to punish Mario Cuomo, a formidable New York governor, for the sins of his son. On the other hand, arguably it was only through the sons effort at self-promotion that the bridge came to be named for the father, in the first place.

Its worth noting that the 2017 name change hasnt caught on. According to reports Ive read, just about everyone still calls the bridge Tappan Zee.

Thats not surprising. In the 1990s, the name of a former governor, Malcolm Wilson, was added to the bridge. But hardly anyone used Wilsons name  not at the time and not decades later.

Maybe Andrew Cuomo should hope that, even without action by the legislature, the Cuomo name isnt popularly associated with the bridge. Otherwise, parents who cross it may use the occasion to tell their children about Andrews disgrace and about how, in the end, the son failed to measure up to the father.
The Washington Post is upset that Facebook isnt censoring a perfectly legitimate point of view presented by some Republican politicians  that Joe Bidens immigration policies are contributing to the spread of the coronavirus in the U.S. The Post accuses Facebook of allowing elected Republicans to indulge in hate speech, spread coronavirus misinformation, and raise funds in the process.

The Post asserts that the central claims of the ads in question have been rejected by doctors and fact-checkers. Post reporter Isaac Stanley-Becker declines to identify these doctors and fact-checkers and fails to show that the claims in question are false in any respect.

Heres the first example of content the Post would like Facebook to censor. Its from Sen. John Barrasso, a doctor:

The CDC & Joe Biden are telling Americans to MASK UP but are letting THOUSANDS of COVID-19 positive illegal immigrants into our country!

Heres another example, this one from Rep. Ted Budd:

If Joe Biden really wanted to get COVID-19 under control in our country, he would address the crisis at our southern border. Letting unvaccinated ILLEGAL immigrants come into our country is a threat to American citizens.

Whats false about these statements? Nothing. There is no dispute that Biden is letting unvaccinated illegal immigrants into the country and that doing so presents the very real threat that they will transmit the coronavirus to Americans.

Late in the article, when Stanley-Becker finally gets around to addressing the truth of what the ads say, the best he can do is this:

[B]order authorities are denying entry to people more easily than is possible under ordinary immigration law because of an emergency order put in place by Trump in March 2020;. . . people crossing the border are screened more rigorously for the coronavirus than are members of the general population; and. . .the positivity rate among migrants in McAllen, Tex., which is at the center of the outcry, is lower than in the surrounding county.

All of this may be true. However, none of it contradicts the reality that many unvaccinated illegal immigrants are being let into America by the Biden administration and that they pose a health threat to Americans.

Suppose for the sake of argument that the positivity rate among illegal entrants is lower than the positivity rate among citizens in the area. So what?

Citizens who test positive have a right to be here. Illegal immigrants dont. No American should become ill because of exposure to someone who is here illegally. By permitting such exposures, and on a large scale, Joe Biden is putting the health of Americans in unnecessary danger.

So far, Facebook has rejected efforts by the Post and other leftists to censor statements like those of Barrasso and Budd. Stanley-Becker claims that this is inconsistent with the companys practices of censoring conservative views about the immigrants and the virus.

Such censorship is deplorable. In any case, there is no inconsistency.

The ads the Post doesnt like are directed against Joe Biden, not against illegal immigrants. And although they do point out that unvaccinated illegal immigrants are putting Americans at risk, they dont criticize the illegals based on their nationality or immigration status, but rather for not being vaccinated.

The unvaccinated arent a group protected by Facebook policy. If they were, an awful lot of Democrat talking points would have to be censored under a consistent application of such a policy.

What we see here is yet another attempt by the left, with the assistance of organs like the Washington Post, to pressure big tech to censor legitimate conservative speech. Yesterday, I wrote about another such attempt  one directed at Google.

Media outlets like the Post no longer have the power, acting alone, to keep conservative views from gaining currency. Do they have the power to accomplish this indirectly, by pressuring tech companies like Google and Facebook?

Well see.
Politico has a report today about how then-attorney general William Barr upset career Justice Department employees by ordering the Justice Department to investigate claims of voter fraud and how the investigation he ordered debunked one such claim relating to Georgia. Ed Morrissey speculates about Barrs motives in this affair.

Here is my understanding of the Justice Departments probe of election fraud claims in the period after the November 2020 election:

Almost immediately after it became clear that he would be deemed the loser of the election, Donald Trump began demanding that Barr investigate voter fraud. Barr agreed to do so.

Barr issued a memo instituting the investigation. He designated Richard Donoghue, a top DOJ official in whom he had a high degree of trust, to lead the investigation.

Not surprisingly, career DOJ personnel opposed the investigation. This comes through clearly in Politicos report.

Nonetheless, Barr and Donoghue pushed the FBI and other relevant personnel to proceed.

By the beginning of December, Barr had concluded that no evidence of voter fraud sufficient to influence the outcome of the election had been uncovered. He told Trump so. He also told Trump that the president was being poorly advised by the people pushing voter fraud allegations.

Trump didnt take this news/advice well. Its likely that he berated Barr.

The discouraged attorney general decided to leave the Department early. Like his berated predecessor Jeff Sessions, Barr left with dignity and class, choosing not to criticize the president.

At least two questions arise from this broad outline. The first is: Did Barr play the investigation straight? My information is that, yes, Barr acted in good faith, neither tilting the investigation in favor of finding fraud nor covering up or averting eyes from it.

The second question, though is: Did the investigation truly debunk allegations of significant, potentially outcome determinative voter fraud? Did it support the conclusion that fraud was an insignificant factor in the outcome of the election?

The Politico story centers on one allegation of fraud from Georgia. This was an allegation the DOJ focused on because it was drawing lots of attention at the time. The investigation did, indeed, debunk that allegation.

But in the time frame involved, I dont see how the DOJ could have fully investigated fraud claims from all of the key states in the election, especially given the lack of enthusiasm, if not resistance, on the part of career staff.

Thus, I dont believe Barr was in a position in early December fairly to say that the election wasnt stolen, and I dont understand Barr to have said that. I understand him to have said only that the DOJ hadnt found evidence of fraud widespread enough to influence the elections outcome.

But this statement was a meaningful evaluation of the elections fairness only to the degree that the investigation was comprehensive. I dont know how comprehensive the investigation was, but I see no way it could have been thorough enough to put a full seal of approval on the result.

In saying this, I dont mean to criticize Barr. He didnt have the time, the resources, and (probably) the level of internal cooperation needed to give the election a full thumbs up or thumbs down.

Its important to note that our system isnt designed to enable a review that can lead to a full thumbs or thumbs down in close elections. The system is designed to install a winner in less than three months following election day. Its not designed to accommodate endless challenges and the running to ground of every potentially meaningful fraud claim in every state that played a key role in the outcome.

Barr is a realist. My guess, for what its worth, is that Barr understood early on, as most intelligent people did, that even if the election had been stolen, there was probably no way to prove it in time to change the outcome. If an investigation showed otherwise  if it revealed instances of fraud that could form the basis for a challenge that might succeed  Barr would act accordingly. When the investigation didnt reveal such instances, it confirmed Barrs initial sense that the initial outcome would be the final outcome.

Later in December, Jeff Clark, one of the assistant attorney generals, reached a different conclusion. He came to believe that there was enough evidence of fraud to keep hope alive.

Jeff Clark is an outstanding lawyer. Maybe he found things that others at DOJ missed. Maybe he evaluated the same evidence more astutely than everyone else.

However, at an early January showdown meeting with Trump at which Clark was present along with Jeff Rosen (who had succeeded Barr) and Richard Donoghue, Clarks position did not prevail. But this might have had more to do with threats by Rosen, Donoghue, and other high-level DOJ political appointees to resign than with the merits of fraud claims.

In any case, with Inauguration Day quickly approaching, peaceful options for preventing Joe Bidens ascension were severely limited, if not non-existent.

Since Bidens inauguration, there has been more time to run voter fraud allegations to ground. As far as I can tell, the evidence doesnt support Trumps claim that his loss was attributable to voter fraud, although this remains a possibility.

I agree with John Hinderaker that we may never know for sure. We still dont know whether Richard Nixons loss to John Kennedy in 1960 was attributable to voter fraud, and we probably would not have found out even if Nixon hadnt let the matter drop.

My view is that Trumps loss has more to do with Democrat machinations prior to the voting than with fraud in the counting of votes. In key states, Democrats re-wrote election laws and voting procedures in their favor.

They were able to this with the help of Democratic state attorneys general and through the wonders of forum shopping. The Dems would file suits, the attorneys general would agree to consent decrees, and the hand-picked judges would approve them.

The Justice Department was monitoring these developments, but lacked jurisdiction to stop them. Federal voting rights give the DOJ power to become involved when there are civil rights violations, but what the Dems were doing did not violate federal civil rights laws, which are designed to prevent racial discrimination. The DOJ can send in people to monitor voting and it did. However, this effort could do nothing to overcome the effects of the changes to voting procedures the Dems had finagled.

Could Trump and his reelection legal team have done a better job of preventing the finagling? I dont know. But to the extent that Trump lost the election due to voting irregularities, I believe he lost it on this front, not later on.
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The naira fell against the U.S dollar at the unofficial market on Wednesday after it remained stable in the last three market sessions respectively.

However, the local unit gained slightly at the Investors and Exporters (I&E) window of the forex market.

According to abokiFX.com, the local currency closed at N515.00 per $1 at the parallel market, which implies a N5.00 or 0.97 per cent devaluation from the N510.00 rate it traded in the past three market sessions.

The last time it closed at N515.00 per $1 on the dot was July 30 last month, three days after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) banned forex sales to Bureau De Change operators.

Meanwhile, data posted on the FMDQ Security Exchange where forex is officially traded showed that the naira closed at N411.40 per $1 on Wednesday after it maintained stability in the last three consecutive sessions of the market.

This represents a N0.10 or 0.02 per cent appreciation from the N411.50 rate it has traded in the last three market sessions.

The currency hit an intraday high of N400.00 and clinched a low of N412.50 before settling at N411.40 at the Nafex window on Wednesday.

This occurred as forex turnover remained unchanged at $122.52 million, the same amount recorded in the previous session on Tuesday.

The spread between the Nafex and black market rates is pegged at N103.6, leaving a margin of 20.11 per cent as of the close of business Wednesday.
The indigenous direct-to-home TV service provider, TStv, has reached an agreement with Strong Technology Ltd. to migrate its MyTV customers on SRT 497S-HEVC decoders to TStv Africa pay TV platform.

The perception manager, TStv, Yemi Adebowale, who disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, said MyTV would cease broadcasting on September 1.

Mr Adebowale said that due to the HEVC-encoded nature of TStv broadcasts, it was only SRT 497S-equipped MyTV viewers that would qualify to get access to TStv channels, at this stage.

He said that the migration process was simple and seamless, as TStv broadcasts were relayed by the same satellite used by MyTV in February 2020.

The manager said that a simple blind scan of that satellites frequencies would tune in and store all TStv channels.

According to him, TStv offers 104 high-definition channels that duly equipped My TV viewers can start enjoying immediately.

STRONG/MyTV dealers are ready and eager to assist MyTV viewers with the migration process, he said.

An interested SRT 497S owner will be required to pay N12,000 in contribution toward migration costs including the simultaneous encryption (simulcrypt) of TStv channels with MyTVs encryption tools (Conditional Access System, or CAS).

Against said payment, TStv will credit the new subscriber its wallet with N12, 000 to spend, however, he wishes.

The N12, 000 payment may be completed in up to three equal payments of N4, 000 each, over a period not exceeding six months.

Upon each payment, TStv will credit the subscribers TStv wallet with N4, 000.00 to spend, however, she/he wishes.

Mr Adebowale said the managing director of TStv Africa, Bright Echefu, promised migrating MyTV viewers and promised that this would be a whole new TV experience for them.

We thank God that we have indeed delivered on our promise to Nigerians regarding our novel pay TV offerings.

Today, Nigerians can truly testify that TStv has implemented pay-preview, pay-as-you-go, A La Carte and Pause Subscription.

We are excited over our agreement with STRONG Technologies and look forward to serving MyTV viewers.

Eventually, non-HEVC MyTV-compliant set-top boxes (STB) may be granted access to TStv channels as well.

Joseph Torbey, the managing director of MyTV, said the company was delighted to offer viewers as well as dealers, an alternate pay TV service, offering a wider choice of channels.

Mr Torbey said this had also created ways for composing their subscription by prepaying for it and scheduling it.

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STRONG will continue to serve Nigerian consumers with ever more innovative digital TV receiving equipment, outstanding technical support and efficient after-sales service.

MyTV viewers are invited to reach out to a MyTV or TStv dealer close to them or contact TStv customer service on (+234) 099 040 900 any time of the day, as it operates round the-clock, Mr Torbey said.

(NAN)
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the Federal Roads and Bridges Tolling Policy and Regulations aimed at reintroducing tollgates on Nigerian roads.

The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, made this known to journalists after the weekly meeting on Wednesday in Abuja.

According to Mr Fashola, the policy and regulations were developed after extensive consultations with various stakeholders within and outside the government.

The minister, in 2019, announced that the government had concluded designs for the return of toll plazas on federal roads.

He said at the time that though the government dismantled toll plazas in the past, there was no law abolishing tolls.

How it works

According to the minister, a Willingness-To-Pay Survey was carried out to arrive at the recommended pricing framework and existing tolled roads were taken into consideration to arrive at the prices.

You recall that about two years ago, you had asked me several times here when roads will be tolled. And I told you, there is a lot of work. So we have taken another step.

 So let me be clear, tolls are not going to start tomorrow. So let us be clear about that. But the big step to actual tolling was taken today by presenting for approval the broad policy that will guide the tolling so that local people, states, local governments, all those who manage roads, investors who want to come in, will know what our tolling policy is. And that will form the basis of their financial modelling, their investment decision, he said.

He said the tolls will not start until the roads are motorable and this will affect only federal dual carriage roads. The proceeds from the tolls would be used to maintain and construct roads, he said.

He added that most of the dual carriageways also have alternative roads, which are single carriageway which is why the government left them out of the policy.

We presented and council approved that only dual carriageways of the 35,000 kilometers should be eligible for tolling by the federal government.

We also got approval that the toll will be used to maintain roads, to construct new roads as they accrue and also to pay the investors who invest in building or completing a road and then take a concession on it. Those are the uses.

On the billing, Mr Fashola said some vehicles have been exempted. He also announced the fares according to vehicle types.

Bicycles, pedal cycles, tricycles, motorcycles, and others have two or three wheeled transport use mainly by disadvantaged members of our community, they will be entitled to a fully 100% exemption, as will be diplomatic vehicles and military and paramilitary vehicles.

So weve classified vehicles into five categories  the cars, the SUVs and the jeeps as a second category. Private bus and commercial bus as third and fourth categories. And then luxury buses and trucks as a fifth category.

So the start off tolls that we have for financial modelling and investment decision making, cars will pay N200, SUVs and Jeeps will pay N300, private buses will pay N300, commercial buses will pay N150, luxury buses and trucks will pay N500, he said.

Now I think it is important to share with you how we arrived at these prices. Some of these prices were recommended by the operators themselves that I said we met.

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Some of them were also obtained from a survey we did across the six geopolitical zones, talking to households and talking to people in the garages, motor parks and all of that, which was quite extensive. We covered about 17 or so states or 22 states out of the national framework just to get a sampling of what people felt.
An audit of the accounts of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) has revealed that N1.6 billion (1,596,803,859.97), being the over recovery due from the oil marketers in 2015 is yet to be collected by the agency.

Although the state oil company, NNPC, is now the main importer of petrol in Nigeria, oil marketers used to import petroleum products with their funds and recover their money afterwards, through the PPPRA. But in 2015 the oil marketers recovered N1.6 billion more than was required, the audit report noted.

Over a year after the money was overpaid to the marketers, the PPPRA did not recover it, contrary to usual practice in the industry, the auditors noted

This is contained in the in the annual report of the Auditor-General of the Federation (AuGF) for 2015.

The report was submitted to the Senate by its Committee on Public Account in June.

The PPPRA is part of the 114 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) indicted and queried by the auditor-general for incessant violation of extant rules, some of which include non-retirement of personal advances within a financial year and grant of cash advances above approved limit.

In the report obtained by PREMIUM TIMES, all 114 MDAs were queried by the auditor-general. About 84 responded, made submissions and appeared before the Senate panel to defend the queries raised. Another 21 MDAs sent in written reports but did not appear before the committee.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how seven MDAs including the Ministries of Information, Police and Health, refused to appear before the Senate Committee.

This paper also reported how the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) was queried by the Senate for spending N995 million on store items and paying salaries to dead officers.

The Query

Although the names of the oil marketers involved were not mentioned in the report, the auditor-general stated that they were overpaid and required to explain the non-collection of the over-recovered amount.

The practice has been that Oil Marketers will pay for the product and later recover their money from the federal government (through PPPRA). In the case under review, the Oil Marketers over recovered what was due to them by N1,596,803,859.97 and that amounted to over payment to the marketers.

Consequently, the Management of PPPRA is required to provide explanation for the non-collection of the over recovered amount by the Oil Marketers for over two years since this occurred and show evidence of the recovery of N1,596,803,859.97 outstanding amount from the Oil Marketers and forward to the Auditor-General for the Federation for appropriate verification, part of the report read.

However, in its response, the PPPRA stated that over recovery under the Petroleum Support Fund (PSF) scheme was the period at which the PPPRAs recommended ex-depot price was higher than the landing cost of products.

Marketers were therefore required to pay back the differentials between the landing cost and the ex-depot price to the government. On the other hand, under recovery was when the recommended ex-depot price was lower than the landing cost of products.

In this case, marketers were reimbursed by the government with the differentials (subsidy).

The agency further explained that in 2015, the PSF scheme experienced a brief period of over recovery for which the sum of N1,576,382,310.61 was computed.

Marketers, they said, were duly advised and the sum of N938,933,616.17 recovered and paid into the PSF Account domiciled with the CBN.

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The delay in full recovery of the over recovery was due to the marketers insistence of settlement or of netting-off on their long outstanding claims (Subsidy, Interest charges and Foreign Exchange Differentials) with Government.

However, the total over-recovery is N1,576,382,310.61 as against N1,596,803,859.97 reported and that over-recovery is not overpayment to the OMCs as stated in the report, the PPPRA said in its response.

But the Senate Committee chaired by Matthew Urhoghide (PDP, Edo), observed that the PPPRA was not diligent and proactive on what it termed over recovery under the PSF Scheme.

It, therefore, recommended that the agency recover the outstanding sum of N1.6 billion from the indebted oil marketers within six months and forward the recovery particulars to the auditor-general for audit and also to the committee for its note.

More discrepancies in other MDAs

Apart from frivolous spendings, failure to recover necessary funds and payment of salaries to dead officers, many other MDAs flouted key rules which, according to the report, required urgent parliamentary and executive attention to enable easier audit process.

Some of the violations include consistent contravention of relevant constitutional provisions and other extant laws by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and late submission of the Annual Financial Statement  a violation of the provisions of Section 49 (1) and (2) of Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007 and Section 85 (5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The panel also said the executive withdrew funds from Special Fund Accounts for purposes other than the objectives the funds were created, and without recourse to the National Assembly for authorisation  contrary to Section 80 (4) of the Constitution.

The lawmakers noted the lack of collaboration between the two key agencies involved in the management and review of public funds; that is, the Office of the auditor-general and the Office of the accountant-general.

They said such attitude of lack of cooperation between the offices, constitutes a barrier to efficient, effective, economic and transparent audit process of the nations federation account and thus gives room for negative corruption perception index, thereby rubbishing government efforts in fighting grafts in the society.

The committee also discovered the prevalence of unwholesome financial practices by some principal revenue agencies which, it said, have negative implications on the revenue generation efforts of the government.

They faulted the deliberate delay in the submission of financial transcripts by the Accountant-General of the Federation to the Auditor-General for the Federation  describing it as a conscious effort at undermining the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation and by extension, the supreme law of the land.

Empty threats

Although recommendations were made and some agencies were given a timeframe to correct the issues they were queried about, this is not the first time.

The Senate, especially its Public Accounts Committee, is known for issuing threats to heads of MDAs over one discrepancy or the other, but not much is done to carry out these threats.

The panel in February 2020, threatened to demand the sack of heads of agencies like Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), among others.

In June of the same year, it threatened to order the arrest of the ministers of information, petroleum resources, power, women Affairs, solid minerals and the head of the National Population Commission (NPC) for failing to appear before it.

Apart from the committee, the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, had also vowed to publish the names of the MDAs that failed to respond to the queries and account for public funds. However, two months later, nothing has been done to that regard.

One of the major recommendations by the committee is the passage of the Audit Service Bill into law which the panel said, will help strengthen and streamline the audit process with a view to ensuring prudence in public finance and transactions.
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The Nigerian government said Thursday that it is not considering a lockdown of any part of the country despite the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases.

The health minister, Osagie Ehanire, who spoke to journalists in Abuja, said a lockdown can only be considered as a last measure because lockdown stifles economic activity, restricts your own freedom and your business: corporate business, government business, private business all are affected.

Nigeria implemented a nationwide lockdown for a few weeks last year in the early period of COVID-19. Mr Ehanire said the government has learnt its lessons from that lockdown.

When we were compelled to have that lockdown at the beginning, we learnt a lot of lessons, he said.

You know, at that time, government provided palliatives to reduce the impact of it: if you couldnt go to market if you couldnt do your business.

But this is not what government is aiming to do, no government wants to do a lockdown, he said.

Nigeria is currently experiencing the third wave of COVID-19 that has seen the country experience relatively high figures.

On Wednesday, Nigeria recorded 790 cases of COVID-19, the nations highest daily figure in the last six months.

According to the update by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the last time the country recorded a higher daily figure was on January 18, at the peak of the second wave of the disease.

Nigeria on that day recorded 877 cases.

Nigeria has so far recorded over 179,000 infections with a fatality toll of 2,195.

Since the discovery of the highly transmissible delta variant of the disease, there has been a consistent spike in infections in Nigeria, with the figure of the countrys active cases currently standing at 11,500.

Health experts and authorities have cautioned Nigerians to take preventive measures against the disease to avert its further spread.
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President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the family of the late lawyer, Gani Fawehinmi, over the death of their son, Mohammed.

Mr Buhari, in a statement by his special adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, urged the family to find comfort in God, who gives and takes and to draw consolation in the fact that the departed robustly fought a debilitating condition, which confined him to the wheelchair for many years.

Mohammed, 52, who is also a lawyer and human rights advocate, died on Wednesday.

His body may have been broken, but his spirit was virile, agile, and he kept the flag of the family flying, doing justice to the memory of his late father, the statement quoted the president as saying.

While praying for the repose of the soul of the departed, President Buhari urges strength for all those who mourn Mohammed Fawehinmi.

Similarly, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State commiserated with family and friends of the deceased, describing his death as a colossal loss to the civil society movement in Nigeria.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, on Wednesday, said like his father, the late Mohammed stayed the course with his persistent fight for the rights of the Nigerian people.

Mr Sanwo-Olu added that the late Mohammed did not live under the shadows of his father as he had grown to become a dependable comrade.

Mr Sanwo-Olu also commiserated with Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, and the entire people of Ondo State on the demise of their illustrious son.

It is with a deep sense of sorrow that I commiserate with the family, friends, and associates of the Late Mohammed Fawehinmi. He was undoubtedly a great Nigerian, passionate human rights activist, and champion of a true Nigeria.

As a civil rights activist, he spent his life in the service of humanity and particularly for the emancipation of the Nigerian people. Mohammed Fawehinmi was as consistent as his father, the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi. He kept the flame of his father burning by fighting for the masses even on his wheelchair.

On behalf of my family and the people of Lagos State, I express my heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, associates, and members of the Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria. I pray that God will grant Mohammed Fawehinmi eternal rest and give the immediate family and friends the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss, the governor said.
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An appeal court sitting in Lagos has dismissed an appeal filed by a suspected kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans, against a decision of the Federal High Court over his 25 trucks allegedly seized by the Nigeria Police.

The three judges of the appeal court dismissed Evans appeal on Thursday for lacking in merit.

A Lagos high court judge, Rabiu-Shagari, had in 2019 also dismissed Evans suit for lacking in merit.

Dissatisfied with the judgment, Evans through his lawyer, Olukoya Ogungbeje, approached the appeal court.

Mr Ogungbeje, in a suit marked FHC/L/CS/1515/17, accused the Inspector-General of Police, Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), and two others of unlawfully seizing his clients 25 trucks and converting them to personal use.

Other respondents are the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Inspector-General of Police Response Team (IRT), and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police.

The alleged kidnap kingpin had claimed that the police confiscated his trucks without a court order.

He requested that the court award N200 million as general and exemplary damages against the police for the alleged violation of his rights under sections 36, 43, and 44 of the 1999 constitution.

Meanwhile, the police, through its legal counsel, Emmanuel Eze, urged the court to dismiss the suit as the trucks were proceeds of crime and were taken as exhibits.

The police in a counter-affidavit deposed by Haruna Idowu, an inspector, said the suspect acquired 11 trucks with proceeds of crime but the police recovered 10. He said the trucks were listed as exhibits in the criminal charges filed against Evans at the Lagos high court.

The applicant is the notorious and most dreaded armed robber and kidnapper known as Evans, who defied police arrest for over 10 years and who had terrorised many states of Nigeria with his various gang members. The applicant has no other source of livelihood except armed robbery and kidnapping as so many arms and ammunition were recovered from the applicant during his arrest, Mr Idowu said.

The applicant had purchased various properties with proceeds of armed robbery and kidnapping. He purchased 11 trucks with proceeds of crime. The police recovered 10 in Lagos while they were not able to tow the remaining one from Anambra State to Lagos because the applicants brother-in-law, Mr Okwuchukwu Obiechina, and his wife had tampered with the brain box of the truck in a bid to pervert the course of justice.

Delivering judgment on the appeal, the judge, Joseph Ikyegh, in his lead judgment, held that there was a search warrant issued and executed in line with section 144 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act of Nigeria, 2015, empowering the Police to recover the trucks. He added that section 153 of the Act permits the police to retain proceeds of crime until the case is disposed of.

The judge also held that the sections are in line with section 44(1)(k) of the Constitution of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), which permits the temporary seizure of property for investigation or restitution.

He also held that since the trial is still pending and that the word confiscate as used by the learned counsel for the appellant was not appropriate in this circumstance.

Consequently, the judge upheld the decision of Justice Rabiu-Shagari of Federal High Court and dismissed Evans appeal for lacking in merit.

Other members of the panel include Abubakar Umar and Onyekachi Otisi.
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The chairman of the House of Representatives committee on power, Magaji Aliyu, has blamed Nigerias poor electricity on the misuse of political power by organs of government.

Mr Aliyu said this at the annual general meeting of the Association of Rural Electrification Contractors of Nigeria on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said that some agencies were created under the power ministry without the knowledge of the supervising minister.

The sector has underperformed for decades, with low electricity generation and poor transmission network. Despite the poor distribution, electricity tariff continues to rise.

Last year, the Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, said the country had installed a generation capacity of 13,000 megawatts but distributed less than 6,000 MW.

As you know we are in the parliament to make laws for the good governance of this country and to ensure we do our oversight, the power sector is in a big problem due to lack of efficient and dynamic policies, Mr Aliyu said Wednesday.

There must be a desired formula that the politicians will use to allow the Ministry of Power to drive electricity in this country. There are agencies which are supposed to be under the Ministry of Power but they are not. There is a new agency called the Federal Power Company but the Ministry of Power is not aware of it. I think the politics is getting heated and Nigerians are getting the disadvantages of it, he said.

Giving another example of some of the issues he said, At the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company there is a war on where the organisation belongs; is it in the power or finance ministry? There is an issue with the Hydropower Development Authority on whether it should be in the Presidency or the power ministry? Where do we place these agencies that help generate electricity? he asked.

We have written severally(sic) even to the president on the need to do things the way they should be correctly, we cannot have a Ministry of Power that cannot oversee agencies under it. Some of these supposed agencies of power are under the Ministry of Finance and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

I believe that there are political machinations not to allow electricity to grow in this country. There are machinations to interfere with the power sector generally. We have multidimensional problems.

Mr Aliyu said findings by the committee showed that many Nigerians were paying for electricity that they did not consume.

He also said the sector has been faced with the problems of power distribution, generation and transmission.

The former Chairman of NERC, Sam Amadi, said the reform of the electricity industry has not delivered quality service because of what he called disciplines, which include the discipline of right pricing and the discipline of effective project management.

He said the industry has to protect the independence of the regulator so that both customers and operators will have confidence in the long term viability of the sector.

Mr Amadi urged the regulator to be more transparent in tariffs and to require operators to drastically improve service delivery including consultation with consumer groups to ensure prices are just and fair and to the adverse consequences of reckless pricing.
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The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, turned down Rochas Okorochas application seeking to stop the Imo State Government from taking further steps concerning his marked properties in Owerri, the state capital.

Mr Okorocha, the immediate-past governor of Imo State, has been locked in a legal battle with the current Imo State government and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) since they started investigating his eight-year administration as governor of the state.

To stop the investigations or any steps aimed at his assets and those of his family members, Mr Okorocha, who is the incumbent senator representing Imo West, sued the EFCC, the Attorney General of Imo State, and all the members of seven different panels set up by Imo State government to investigate his administration.

Okorocha seeks preservative orders

At Wednesdays proceedings, Mr Okorocha, through his lawyer, Oba Maduabuchi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), told the judge, Ahmed Mohammed, that his properties had been marked for confiscation.

But Mr Okorochas lawyer said he only sought the court order to preserve his properties pending the resolution of ongoing issues in the case.

He said further that unless the court issued a preservative order against the EFCC and the Imo State, he would be prejudiced.

All the respondents, through their counsel, challenged the jurisdiction of Mr Mohammed to hear the suit given that he is a vacation judge, and the substantive case already adjourned during the regular court session till September 22, 2021.

Both the EFCC and the Imo State government said the court, not being in its regular session, had no jurisdiction to hear Mr Okorochas suit and grant his prayers during the court vacation reserved for only some designated cases.

They further argued that Mr Okorocha did not meet the condition precedent for the matter to be heard during vacation, adding that the fiat of the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court ought to be sought and obtained before such matter could be heard during vacation.

They also cited Order 46 Rule 5 of the Federal High Court Civil Procedures Rule 2019, which they held was allegedly breached by Mr Okorocha while filing the fresh motion.

Ruling

In a ruling, the judge held that making an order was tantamount to assuming jurisdiction in the suit.

Mr Mohammed stated that it was clear that the bone of contention was whether the court can make an order when the issue of jurisdiction was still pending.

My simple response is that since making an order is akin to remotely assuming jurisdiction, the court cannot make the order as requested by the applicant.

I adjourn this matter to August 24 to hear applications challenging the jurisdiction to hear the matter during vacation, Mr Mohammed said.
The lawyer to the 12 detained associates of Sunday Igboho has faulted an application filed by the State Security Service (SSS) for courts cancellation of the bail earlier granted them.

The 12 detainees were arrested at Ibadan, Oyo State home of Sunday Igboho, a Yoruba secession agitator, whose real name is Sunday Adeymo, on July 2.

They were granted bail by the Federal High Court in Abuja on August 4.

Still being held in the custody, the detainees were in the process of perfecting the bail conditions when SSS filed a fresh application on Monday asking the court to reverse the bail.

Their lawyer, Pelumi Olajenbesi, told PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday that the application filed by the secret police is strange and constitutes an abuse of court process.

The application is an abuse of court process. It is strange to our law. You can only go to a court to vary the bail conditions, not to ask for the cancellation. I dont know which law they are reading, Mr Olajengbesi said.

He added that the application is speculative as no charge has been filed against the detainees.

Before they can even approach the court, there must be a charge that has been filed against them in court. But the SSS has not filed any charge but wants the court to reverse the bail of my clients based on their speculation that a charge will be filed. The court of law does not act based on speculation, he said.

Application for bail reversal

The SSS, in its application filed on Monday, specifically urged the court to nullify the bail granted to four of the detainees: Amudat Babatunde, Abideen Shittu, Jamiu Oyetunji, and Bamidele Sunday.

The judge, Obiora Egwuatu had in his ruling granting bail to the 12 detainees overruled SSS objection to the bail applications of the four persons.

In recognition of SSS concerns, the judge staked the bail for the four detainees whose bail applications were opposed on a higher bond.

While he granted bail to the four singled out by the SSS in the sum of N10 million, with two sureties each, he pegged the bail bond for the rest eight at N5 million.

The rest eight are: Abdullateef Ademola Onaolapo, Tajudeen Irinloye, Diekola Jubril Ademola, Ayobami Donald, Uthman Opeyemi Adelabu, Olakunle Oluwapelumi, Raji Kazeem and Taiwo Opeyemi Tajudeen.

Urging the court to reverse the bail granted the four detainees in its application, the secret police said investigation disclosed a high-level of complicity in their part in the offence of arms stockpiling and other criminal activities against national security.

In an affidavit deposed to by Abdulsalam Magaji, an SSS operative, and filed in support of its application, the SSS said The raid that resulted to the arrest of the respondents witnessed a gun battle with security agencies.

That Adeyemo (Igboho) and his supporters, including the 2nd, 5th, 6th and 12th respondents are known to have called for violence against persons perceived to be enemies of the Yorubas in the South-West, Nigeria.

That further investigation in the matter is still ongoing, the affidavit read in part.

Concerning the four detainees, the spy agency urged the court to grant an order of court varying upward the conditions of bail granted the 2nd, 4th, 5th and 12th respondents.

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Mr Olajengbesi told PREMIUM TIMES that he would be filing his response to the SSS application on points of law before the end of the week.

Earlier, SSS had disobeyed the courts order for the production of the 12 detainees before reluctantly bringing them to court on August 2.

Sunday Igboho, arrested weeks ago in Republic of Benin, is facing proceedings in the neighbouring country.
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The Sudanese government will hand Omar Al-Bashir over to the International Criminal Court (ICC), along with two other officials wanted over the Darfur conflict, officials said.

The former Sudanese president is facing charges of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity at the ICC.

He has been on the wanted list since 2009 in relation to the conflict in Sudans Darfur province.

The cabinet decided to hand over wanted officials to the ICC, Foreign Minister Mariam al-Mahdi was quoted as saying by CNN.

The cabinets decision to hand him over came during a visit by ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan, but it still needs the approval of Sudans ruling sovereign council, composed of military and civilian figures.

On Wednesday, Mr Khan met the sovereign councils leader, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, its deputy chair.

Mr Al-Bashir, 77, ruled Sudan for three decades before being overthrown and arrested by the armed forces in April 2019.

The ICC issued two arrest warrants for the former strongman, first in March 2009 and then in July 2010.

He was the first sitting president to be wanted by the ICC, and the first person to be charged by the ICC for the crime of genocide, according to the courts website.

In 2019, Mr Al-Bashir was sentenced to two years in prison after being found guilty of corruption and illegitimate possession of foreign currency.

He has been on trial in Khartoum since July 2020 for the 1989 coup which brought him to power and faces the death penalty if found guilty.

The Darfur war broke out in 2003 when rebel groups took up arms at alleged government discrimination.

Non-Arabs were said to have grievances over land and historical marginalization by Sudanese Arabs.

The United Nations says 300,000 people were killed and 2.5 million displaced in the Darfur conflict.
Nigerias Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, has asked doctors in the country to be humble and carry themselves with dignity, rather than try to compete with God.

His statement is in reaction to the ongoing strike by members of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).

Mr Ngige, while speaking at the 2nd Summit of Medical Elders Forum (MEF) with the theme, Medical Profession: a Look into the Past, Present, and Future, on Thursday in Abuja, said Nigerias medical profession is in great danger.

He said: At no time in the history of medical association am I seeing our association and our profession in danger as I am seeing now. Many people will not see it but from where I am sitting and standing, I can see danger ahead.

We are one of the oldest professions on earth, metamorphosing from natural and traditional healers to take away pain from people and consequently save lives.

We dont create lives, God creates, we only preserve peoples lives through the act of God. In doing so, God has given us some powers and those powers are near his own to create.

But there is something God does not want, God does not want when he gives you powers you use it to try to say that you are like him or you are competing with him. God loves you to do that which he has asked you to do; to use that power with humility.

Repeated strikes

On the incessant strike actions, the minister said doctors in the country only embark on strikes when their colleagues are in political position.

He said: Doctors should ask themselves questions; why is it that it is when your colleagues are in government that you go on the greatest number of strikes. Some of these colleagues were Presidents, Secretary Generals of NMA and even NARD.

Dr. Onyebuchi Chukwu, Dr. Isaac Adewole faced plenty of strikes, since our government came I have consolidated four strikes. Something is wrong.

We must start by telling ourselves the truth. You say they dislike doctors, what did you do that they disliked you? Yes, there is peer envy, yes some wanted to study medicine and they couldnt, we know it, and if you know it, you carry yourself with dignity and humility.

Doctors woes

Earlier, President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Innocent Ujah, said a good number of people within and outside the health sector were envious of doctors, without appreciating the tedious academic process of becoming a doctor.

Everybody is envious of doctors and what have we done? Is it a sin to be intelligent? By the way we are the most intelligent, he said.

Mr Ujah also raised concerns over the release of certain circulars by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), and the National Universities Commission (NUC).

He said they were contradictory and form part of the reasons behind the disharmony in the nations health sector.

Circular from the Salaries and Wages Commission is coming out saying that there is no more CONMESS for doctors who are lecturers but it is there as a circular so why is the doctor singled out? In Lagos state university, a doctor with fellowship cannot contest vice-chancellorship.

Without Ph.D, you cant teach at the clinical level, you can only teach biochemistry or physiology and then you are saying that the best can no longer be a vice-chancellor, he can be a professor but he cant be a vice-chancellor, what kind of contradiction is that?

Background

The NARD on Monday, August 2 resumed indefinitely the strike it had suspended earlier in April, saying having observed things for more than 100 days, the union realised that the government was taking its members for granted.

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The doctors grievances are contained in a Memorandum of Action (MOA) endorsed in April by both the striking doctors and the government representatives including Mr. Ngige.

The doctors had demanded, amongst other things, the immediate payment of COVID-19 inducement allowance to some of its members in federal and state tertiary institutions.

They also demanded the review of hazard allowance for health workers due to the risk associated with their profession.

The association also decried the undue hardship its members on GIFMIS platform are facing due to the delays in payment of their salaries ranging from three to seven months.

No work, no pay

Following the strike, Mr. Ngige had invoked the no work, no pay rule, against the striking doctors.

Mr Ngige, while appearing on a Channels Televisions programme  Politics Today  said the doctors were taking the country for a ride.

He also threatened that the doctors would be sacked by their various employers if the seven-day ultimatum he issued them expires.

The ultimatum, according to the minister, expired on Monday.

But in his reaction, the NARD President, Okhuaihesuyi Uyilawa, said the strike would continue until their demands are met.

Let him sack all of us, we are not begging him. He is just the minister of labour and not President Muhammadu Buhari.

Hes not even the first to sack doctors. Onyebuchi (Chukwu), the health minister between 2010 and 2014 , sacked doctors during his time. The only thing that happened was that it brought the sector down.

When Ngige does the same thing, it will only appear in his legacy as the labour minister that sacked doctors because they are demanding their wages and welfare packages.

About NARD

The body is an association of resident doctors, who are undergoing training to become consultants in various fields of medicine.

They are described as residents because by virtue of their training, they are expected to be available in the hospitals with their patients every day.

They make up the largest percentage of public medical practitioners in Nigeria and they are closer to the patients in terms of the management of cases.

Since the beginning of the strike, Nigerians who need medical attention are relying on private hospitals for medical services.
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I owe it as a citizenship duty to say the truth. This will be pleasant to God, King and Country. No matter how inconvenient the truth is, it must be spoken because like the great Shehu Usmanu ibn Fodiyo said, conscience is an open wound, only truth can heal it.

I love the English patriotic rally cry, For God, King and Country. This is a British subjects ultimate declaration of fidelity to the established order in his country, with God being at the apex of the pyramid.

Let me make it clear from the onset that I do not conceive this declaration to mean servitude, sycophancy or blind followership. Apart from God who sits atop the patriotism pyramid, the other two elements, King and Country, are composed of mere mortals who are by no means infallible.

The assertion that the king can do no wrong is an existential fallacy and a negation of the course of nature. The King is human, he has emotions, he makes mistakes and is also subject to the numerous calls of nature. The country is made up of a broad spectrum of citizens with varying characters, beliefs, tendencies, political and economic statuses. You can never find perfection in this kind of climate.

A citizen, as the most critical unit of any society, has an obligation to play his own part in the attainment of a desirable social order. He is bound by the values that will guarantee not just his own well being but the overall well being of the community to which he belongs. It begins with expressing fidelity to that community. It continues with observing the laws and values of whatever society he finds himself in. It is advanced by pointing out pitfalls and criticising actions or inactions of those in authority, for the inappropriateness of those actions and inactions, not for wether we like them or not.

I am a Nigerian citizen from Benue State. I have a citizenship responsibility to ensure the general well-being of the smaller (Benue) and larger (Nigeria) entities. I am a Christian of the ancient Roman Catholic Order. I therefore have the burden of faith, truth and kindness to my fellow man to shoulder.

In Benue State, where I proudly hail from, an alternative truth is being cultivated, while the objective truth is cannibalised. Those who have chosen not to be conscripted into the apostleship of these alternative truths are viewed as traitors and called all sorts of names. In carrying out this vicious campaign against those on the side of truths, not even bonds of friendships are respected. An old friend of mine and professional colleague whom we shared hearty moments together has suddenly began to question my own paternity because I have decided against spewing alternative truths. This is understandable because he bears a grandiose title in the service of a governor who is the chief purveyor of alternative truths.

I have taken time to pen this rather long preamble in order to paint a clear picture of my perspective. I have always advocated that criticisms must be truthful, dispassionate, objective and solution-driven. Any criticism that discounts any of these elements is at best an emotive road trip intended to appeal only to the negative biases of the audience. This cannot be good citizenship.

Recently, the governor of Benue State, His Excellency Dr Samuel Ortom has been preoccupied with venting expletives against the government of a country he also part governs. Any opportunity in front of cameras is not missed in hurling claims and frightening pronouncements against his country. Wether he is receiving political decampees, hosting multilateral agencies, alighting from aircraft, addressing press conferences or hosting meetings, the chorus is the same: the Buhari government has failed. Fulani are waging a Jihad to take over Benue lands. Buhari is arming Fulani against Benue people. Buhari hates Tiv people. Etc.

Although Governor Ortom can draw justification from his being a leader of an opposing political party to that of the Federal Government, he ought to be reminded that governance transcends partisanship. When you are elected into the astronomically high office of governor, you automatically are conferred with the status of a statesman.

Even in the midst of daunting challenges, a governor should never descend into the arena but must be a bridge builder and mediator between opposing tendencies. A governor, by his public conduct, must mirror hope, and not join the multitude in expressing helplessness. A leader is not worth a following the moment his people see the absence of hope in him. What then do we make of a leader who is perpetually playing the victim?.

Governor Ortom and his handlers will never engage you in a discussion where facts are in contest. If you do not consume their poisonous narrative of a sustained campaign of apartheid and internal xenophobia against other Nigerians, you are viewed as a paid agent of Fulanis, a Buhari slave, or as it is in my own case, a eater of crumbs. They will never address the substance of the matter.

The governor of Benue State is no doubt a passionate person and this can be seen in his dogged stance on the implementation of the Prohibition of Open Grazing law. I join His Excellency in this advocacy because the open grazing of cattle has been the tipping point in the wanton carnage, destruction, terrorism, mass murder, rape and maiming of innocent farmers in not just Benue State but also other parts of Nigeria.

However, a law to curtail these dastardly occurrences must engender confidence and must have universality of application. It must be founded on good faith. A good law must never have separate rules for citizens residing in the same State. This will be a violation of the Constitution and is therefore null and void. My advice here will be for our governor to insist on ranching, which is a global best practice but with a mindset to encourage the establishment of ranches and not to openly advocate for it but make it impossible to have them.

Recently, Governor Ortom in his numerous political outings maintained consistently that President Muhammadu Buhari has failed in his three key pillars of Economy, Security and Anti-corruption. For a politician, he can be excused but can he defend these pronouncements within the realm of facts?.

Ortom himself has admitted in previous comments that the current security situation predates the Buhari government. The  Fulani  incursion ( read herders/farmers conflict) was a regular occurrence in Ortoms Guma Local Government while his party was in power. I remember his testimony in 2013 when 276 people were killed by rampaging criminals. Buhari wasnt President then, so one can understand the relative muted outrage.

Yes Buhari has the responsibility to arrest the trend. Afterall he promised to do so. Has there been an escalation of insecurity since Buhari took over?. YES. One of the reasons could be that the humongous funds in the hands of those who were displaced from power are being channeled to arming unemployed youths to de-market the government. Has there been an improvement in the insecurity challenge? Absolutely yes. If in doubt, ask citizens in Abuja who were used to meandering through sandbags on roads and who panicked in shopping malls, motor parks, churches, mosques, UN buildings, Police headquaters, media houses, etc.

You can also ask Nigerians who have been celebrating festivities without bomb blasts.

No government has equipped the military like this one. A marked departure is a government to government engagement in arms procurement and not a black market negotiation using the private plane of some clergy.

On the economy, inspite of the debilitating effect of COVID-19 on the global economy, Nigeria has never failed to meet its balance of payment obligations under Buhari. Ortom himself has benefitted from Buharis several stimulus interventions. Is it the bailouts and budget support funds? Paris Club refunds? Regular FAAC? COVID-19 grants? Social intervention programmes? Schools feeding? Lets be fair, even in our mission to sow distrust.

No government has liberalised access to micro credit in agriculture like this one. Fertiliser rackets have been eliminated. The rice revolution is real, except that in Benue, it is a near monopoly by a dominant farmer. States like Ebonyi, Niger, Nasarawa, Jigawa and Kebbi have excelled from the opportunities that abound in the agricultural sector.

It is appalling when holders of high office become rumour peddlers. The new Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) recently mentioned that a female minister purchased a property worth $37 million and advanced $20 million for this in cash. Without bothering to find out the facts, Ortom went berserk, citing this as evidence of Buharis corruption. It turned out that the said property is the Le Meridien Hotel Ogeyi Place in Port Harcourt, purchased by Deziani Allison Madueke, former petroleum Minister. But Ortom is still digging in this obvious lie.

Ortom talks about Buharis nepotism. I want the reader to embark on an independent fact finding mission to find out who have been occupants, since 2015 ,of the biggest cash cows in the State viz the Bureau of Local Government and SUBEB. It is a known fact that these two offices have been micro zoned to particular kindreds related to the governor. These are just two examples among many.

Governor Ortom has exclusive jurisdiction over Benue State as the elected leader of the executive arm of government. I want to challenge his handlers to make public his projects since he mounted the saddle. I also want to challenge anyone in Benue to mention which President has sited more federal projects in the state than Buhari since 1999.

Talking about citizens and workers welfare, it is a fact that Buhari does not owe salaries to federal workers. Rather he bails out states to pay salaries. Buhari has cleared pensions of former staff in public establishments like NITEL, the defunct National Electric Power Authority (NEPA), the Nigerian Airways and even those of Biafran soldiers. I challenge the handlers of our dear governor to say the same in good conscience. I say this as a son of a living pensioner who cant remember the date of her last pay cheque.

The prices of food at getting out of hand no doubt. My weekly kitchen budget has quadrupled. However, is the President responsible for this? How does the President or his government benefit from spiraling prices of food items? Should he order a price cap by fiat? Have those who have become the biggest farmers in the North-Central been selling their products below current market rates to mitigate the sufferings? Its called hypocrisy .

I owe it as a citizenship duty to say the truth. This will be pleasant to God, King and Country. No matter how inconvenient the truth is, it must be spoken because like the great Shehu Usmanu ibn Fodiyo said, conscience is an open wound, only truth can heal it.

I accord my governor his rights to criticise but let him speak the truth. After all he trusts in God. It is beneath his status to give the impression that he is lying and mobilising his citizens to hate other Nigerians.

He can fault a policy of government but must also show the alternative in his own conduct. You cant act as if responsibility of governance only ends at the federal level. I still believe Benue can be better than what it currently exhibits.

I hope I have fulfilled my citizens duty. I pray it is well recieved. I have developed a thick skin against comments that wont address this content but will question my Gyadoship or will emphasise my feeding from crumbs.

Kenneth Gyado writes from Abuja, Nigeria.
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SYNLAB Nigeria becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of the SYNLAB Group

Together with its business in Ghana, SYNLAB expands its market-leading position in diagnostics in West Africa

SYNLAB, the leading provider of medical diagnostic services in Europe, today announces the acquisition of the remaining minority shareholding in SYNLAB Nigeria, the largest private medical laboratory group in Nigeria. Prior to this share purchase, SYNLAB held 51 per cent of the share capital of SYNLAB Nigeria, while the founders held a 49 per cent minority share. With this step, SYNLAB concludes the acquisition following the acquisition of an initial majority share in PathCare Laboratories (now SYNLAB Nigeria) in 2017.

The Board of Directors has appointed Kenneth Okolie, former Chief Operations Officer of SYNLAB Nigeria, as Chief Executive Officer. His understanding of the business will ensure a smooth transition.

The news follows just a few weeks after the company won the Nigeria Health Excellence Award (NHEA) 2021 for Most Outstanding Covid-19 Support Private Laboratory Company of the Year. An award that recognises the tremendous impact and contribution it has made in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

SYNLAB is a market leader in Nigeria in the field of human and environmental laboratory diagnostics, with a special focus on public private partnerships. Its strong market position is based on its high-quality service, the breadth of its test portfolio, and its nationwide network. With more than 200 employees, SYNLAB Nigeria operates 9 laboratories and 28 collection points across Nigeria.

SYNLAB Nigeria remains committed to its purpose to make trusted diagnostics available to more Nigerians. Its customers will continue to benefit from an extended portfolio of specialised tests being sourced from the SYNLAB network. The company will benefit from the Groups technological advancements and comprehensive cost-effective solutions to enhance the local business with hospitals and other customers.

SYNLAB wishes to acknowledge and appreciate the significant effort of the founders, Drs Richardson and Pamela Ajayi who had a leading role in the change in medical diagnostic care in Nigeria over the past 17 years.

The Group remains optimistic about the economic future of the country and committed to the excellent standards of the SYNLAB brand in Nigeria.

About SYNLAB

SYNLAB, (ISIN: DE000A2TSL71, SYMBOL: SYAB) is the largest European clinical laboratory and medical diagnostic services company and offers a full range of innovative and reliable medical diagnostics for patients, practising doctors, clinics and the pharmaceutical industry.

Providing the leading level of service within the industry, SYNLAB is the partner of choice for diagnostics in human and veterinary medicine. The Group continuously innovates medical diagnostic services for the benefit of patients and customers.

SYNLAB operates in 36 countries across four continents and holds leading positions in most markets. Around 20,000 employees, including over 1,200 medical experts, as well as a large number of other specialists such as biologists, chemists and laboratory technicians, contribute every day to the Groups worldwide success. SYNLAB carries out ~500 million laboratory tests per year and achieved revenues of EUR 2.6 billion in 2020.

More information can be found on www.synlab.com
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The Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council has outlawed girl-child marriage and other forms of gender-based harmful practices in the state.

This is contained in a communique issued at the end of a multi stakeholders strategic conference between the council and WomenAid Collective.

The conference was organised in partnership with the Ford Foundation with support from Enugu State Ministries of Gender Affairs, Chieftaincy Matters and Justice and the 50/50 Action Women of the state.

The communique, signed by the Chairman of the council, Lawrence Agubuzu, stated that the council was committed to the abolition of the obnoxious practice of sacrificing the girl child to shrines.

Mr Agubuzu said the council condemned all forms of violence against women and girl child and was committed to their empowerment in the state.

He further said the council was committed to the abrogation of harmful traditional widowhood practices, including disinheritance of widows.

We are committed to implementing the Supreme Court judgment that females have a right to inherit property from the family estate, whether married or not.

We are also committed to actions to codify communal laws and regulations that will protect women and girls, he said.

The royal father said the council supported the inclusion of women in the process of decision making on issues that affect them.

He also said the council encouraged the inclusion of women in community leadership.

He said the traditional institution would, henceforth, mediate in human and womens rights cases, in line with state, national, regional and international human rights laws.

He said the council had begun to sensitise residents of the state to do away with anti-human customs that still existed in Southern Nigeria.

Subsequently, we will have an Enugu State that is free from all forms of violence against women and girl child, Mr Agubuzu said.

(NAN)
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The Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Imo State, Michael Arimanwu, has warned lecturers and other members of staff against sexual harassment, extortion and other vices.

Mr Arimanwu gave the warning on Thursday at the orientation programme organised for new members of staff employed between late 2020 and early 2021.

The rector, while congratulating the new staff, said the institution would not hesitate to dismiss anyone who flouted the rules and regulations of the polytechnic.

Ensure transparency, commitment, diligence, hard work and efficiency. Do not let anyone teach you short cuts to success, he said.

The rector urged the new staff to see their employment as a call to leadership.

He advised them to key into the digitalisation process going on in the institution by equipping themselves with Information Communication Technology (ICT) training.

Mr Arimanwu commended President Muhammadu Buhari and agencies of government that made the employment possible for the new intakes.

He said the orientation was organised to prepare them so they would not commit fundamental errors that might lead to their dismissal.

The Registrar of the institution, Eucharia Anuna, said 509 persons, who were employed within the period, was the highest in the history of the institution.

Ms Anuna said the figure included lecturers, technologists, administrative officers and secretaries, amongst others.

The registrar urged the new intakes to familiarise themselves with the extant rules guiding the institution.

She said the polytechnic has zero tolerance for fraud and sharp practices.

A resource person and a former commissioner of police, Emmanuel Ojukwu, who spoke on Power of Focus, urged the employees to focus attention on things that would improve their stay at the institution.

Be selective in your perception by minding what you see, hear or say. Do not broadcast unverified information that will bring down the reputation of the polytechnic, he said.

(NAN)
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The Lagos State Ministry of Health through a Taskforce on Counterfeit, Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods has shut 20 pharmacies and patent medicine stores for illegal practices.

This was contained in a statement released on Thursday by Tunbosun Ogunbanwo, the spokesperson for the ministry.

Mr Ogunbanwo said in the statement that affected pharmacies and patent medicine stores were shut for contravening regulations guiding the operations of pharmacies and patent medicine stores, including indulging in illegal practices and failing to comply with regulatory standard.

He said the enforcement and compliance raid was a joint operation by the Task force on Counterfeit, Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods, the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Federal Taskforce on fake drugs and the Police Officers from Environmental and Special Offences Unit (Task Force) of Lagos Police Command.

According to the Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, the affected pharmacies and patent medicine shops were sealed for offences including inappropriate storage conditions of drugs, absence of licenced pharmacists during business hours, selling of drugs not on the approved list and the display of expired drugs for sale.

The pharmacies affected are located at Shomolu, Bariga and Oworonshoki areas of the State.

Mr Abayomi said the operation of the taskforce was in continuation of the war being waged against fake drugs and illegal drug shops in the state.

The sealing of the affected pharmacies and patent medicine stores was in accordance with the provisions of Section C34 of the Counterfeit, Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods Miscellaneous Provision Act of 1999, he said.

The Commissioner said only licensed patent medicine vendors are authorised to sell drug products in their original and approved pack size as produced by the manufacturing companies.

He disclosed that the operations of the Taskforce on Fake Drugs will be sustained and intensified until all parties in the pharmaceutical value chain adhere strictly to the provisions of the law.

Speaking on the development, Oyenusi Omolambe, director, Pharmaceutical Services, said the state government will not relent in its efforts to stop the inherent dangers associated with the operations from unlicensed pharmaceutical outlets and drug shops.

She said the Taskforce has been re-energised to intensify the on-going war against fake, expired and substandard drugs being peddled by unlicensed and illegal premises.

This closure is thus part of the governments renewed efforts to sanitize the drug distribution system and curb proliferation of fake drugs in the state, she said.

A total number of 103 health facilities in Lagos had been shut by the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) for quackery and contravening medical rules.

Similarly, the ministry in February shut 16 unregistered pharmacies and patent medicine stores in Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state for unethical practices.

The ministry assured that it will continue enforcement operations to ensure sanity in the pharmaceutical value chain in the state.
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The Lagos State government on Thursday said it has set up ten oxygen treatment centres and 20 sample collection centres as part of its efforts to mitigate the third wave of coronavirus in the state.

This development was contained in a statement released on Thursday by Tunbosun Ogunbanwo, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Health.

The oxygen treatment sites and sample collection centres were established during the first and second waves of COVID-19.

Speaking on the state of the centres, Akin Abayomi, the commissioner for health, said the centres have been rejigged and reinvigorated to provide swift oxygen therapy to residents who require it and easy access to COVID testing for citizens who needed to test for COVID infection, in the wake of the third wave of COVID-19 in the country.

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and the health minister, Osagie Ehanire, confirmed the third wave of COVID-19 in the country on August 2.

Mr Sanwo-Olu, while giving update on the infection in the state, said an average of six deaths has been recorded daily from the disease in Lagos, being the epicentre of the infection.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that Nigeria on Wednesday recorded 790 cases of coronavirus disease, the nations highest daily figure within the last six months.

In order to mitigate the spread of the virus in the third wave, the ministry of health in the state said the dual-purpose facilities are located in 20 local government areas identified as high burden areas for COVID-19 infection.

As part of efforts to mitigate the effect of the third wave of COVID-19 infection in Lagos State, the State Government through its Incident Command Structure has fully activated 10 COVID Oxygen Treatment and Sample Collection Centres as well as 20 Local Government Area (LGA) Based COVID Sample Collection Sites.

The 20 Local Government Area (LGA) Based COVID Sample Collection Sites are community-based sites operated by the Medical Officers of Health in each of the 20 LGAs and supervised by the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board in collaboration with the Lagos State Biobank to increase the ease of access of residents to testing, the ministry disclosed in the statement.

With the reactivation of the centres, the state seeks to improve response to the recent increase in COVID-19 infection occasioned by the third wave of new strains.

The commissioner said the oxygen treatment centres would support patients with oxygen while the LGA-based sample collection sites will service patients with any of the COVID symptoms or who are exposed to a confirmed COVID case.

Mr Abayomi said the state government was making efforts to ramp up testing and improve on its management of COVID-19 cases, by providing citizens with support and seamless access to COVID-19 care.

The commissioner urged citizens who will be visiting these centres to observe and adhere strictly to all non-pharmaceutical interventions of face mask use, social distancing and hand hygiene as part of the protocols to prevent spread of the infection at the sites.

He added that officials at the sites have been instructed to ensure full compliance to COVID protocols.
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The police in Ogun State have arrested three suspected robbers for looting a warehouse at the Agbara area of the state on Tuesday.

Abimbola Oyeyemi, the police spokesperson, said in a statement on Thursday that the suspects were arrested with stolen properties of Sky Industry Limited situated at OPIC Estate, Agbara.

The suspects, Jelili Waheed, 33, Otun Taye, 44, and Olu Adeniran, 46, were arrested following a piece of information received at Agbara Divisional Headquarters that some hoodlums were vandalising and looting the warehouse of the company, Mr Oyeyemi said.

He said following the information, police officers were mobilised to the scene where the three-member syndicate was rounded up at about 4 p.m.

The police said they recovered one Iveco Truck with registration number AKD 747 XZ which they used to convey one Forklift, one 300KVA Generator and one 25 KVA generator, all properties of the company.

Men of Ogun state police command on Tuesday 10th of August 2021 arrested three suspects for looting a warehouse belonging to Sky Industry Limited situated at OPIC Estate Agbara in Ado odo ota local government area of Ogun state.

Recovered from them is one Iveco Truck with registration number AKD 747 XZ which they used to convey one Forklift, one 300KVA Generator and one 25 KVA Generator property of the company, the statement reads.

Mr Oyeyemi said the commissioner of police in the state, Edward Awolowo, has ordered a thorough investigation into the past activities of the suspects with a view to charging them to court as soon as the investigation is concluded.
The Osun House of Assembly on Thursday in Osogbo passed the Osun Animal Gracing Regulation and Cattle Ranches Establishment Bill 2021 after its third reading.

The Speaker of the Assembly, Timothy Owoeye, explained that the bill, when assented to by the state governor, would regulate animal grazing and establishments of cattle ranches in the state.

Mr Owoeye also added that the bill would also prevent the destruction of farms and farmers crops brought about by open rearing and grazing of livestock.

He said the bill would also criminalise and prevent killing of farmers, sexual molestation, environmental degradation and pollution.

He said that when the bill becomes law, no person or group of persons shall rear, herd, or graze any livestock in any part of the state except within permitted ranches.

Osun State becomes the last state in the south-west region (with the exception of Lagos) to pass the anti-grazing bill after Ogun, and Ondo.

The move comes months after the 17 southern governors met in Asaba and resolved to ban open grazing in their states.

Ekiti and Oyo States already have anti grazing laws since 2016 and 2019 respectively.

Mr Owoeye said any herdsman or group of herdsmen, who grazed, herded or reared cattle or livestock outside permitted ranches after the bill had been signed into law, shall be guilty of an offence.

The bill stipulates a three-year imprisonment without option of fine for the contravention of the law.

It also stipulates the forfeiture of cattle or any livestock under the control of the offender to the state government.

It states that a minor is prohibited from grazing, rearing or herding livestock except under the supervision of an adult.

A minor who contravenes the provision of the law committed an offence, and the guardian or parent of the minor or owner of the livestock as the case may be, shall be vicariously liable upon conviction to a fine of N300,000 only.

Permits shall only be issued to a Nigerian who is authorised to conduct business under the bill.

Preference shall be given in issuance of ranching permits to those within or near districts that are landowners interested in livestock business.

Any herdsman or pastoralist who attacks or threatens to track any farmer, person or commuter whether or not injury is occasioned by the attack shall be guilty of an offence and liable upon conviction to a term of imprisonment of not less than one year without an option of fine.

Conveyance of livestock on foot from one destination to another in the state is prohibited, except such movement is by rail, truck or pick-up wagon and is within 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., the bill states

The assembly equally passed the Violence against Persons (Prohibition) Bill 2021, after its third reading.

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(NAN)
A former governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu, has commiserated with the family of the late Gani Fawehinmi over the death of the eldest son, Mohammed.

Mr Tinubu, in a condolence message by his media aide, Tunde Rahman, in Lagos on Thursday, described Mr Mohammed as a committed activist.

Mr Mohammed died after a brief illness on Wednesday in Lagos at the age of 52.

According to him, Mr Mohammed, like his father, was a lawyer committed to engendering societal change and development through the instrumentality of the law.

Mr Tinubu, a leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), expressed sadness over the death of the deceased.

He noted that the late Mr Mohammed had kept the activists fire of his dad burning since his passing.

But for the incapacitation arising from his devastating road accident, Mohammed would surely have risen to the full stature of his potential.

Even then, he refused to be constrained by his physical state or confined to the wheelchair.

Rather, he continued to battle in court defending the poor, weak and oppressed Nigerians like his dad.

Like his father also and like activists they both were, Mohammed also mounted the streets to agitate for democracy and good governance, he said

The former governor extended his condolences to the matriarch, Ganiat Fawehinmi, and eldest daughter Bashirat.

He prayed the family and the people, saying that both father and son fought for all through their lives.

I urge the Fawehinmi family to continue to advance those noble ideals propagated by both father and son.

May Almighty Allah grant the soul of Mohammed eternal rest,Mr Tinubu prayed.

Huge vacuum

Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti described the death of Mr Mohammed as shocking and unfortunate.

Mr Fayemi, in a statement on Thursday in Ado-Ekiti signed by Yinka Oyebode, his Chief Press Secretary, said Mr Mohammeds death is a loss to the generality of Nigerians.

According to him: It is a great loss not only to the late Fawehinmis family and the Civil Society Organisations, but also the masses whose rights Mohammed fought to protect.

Mr Fayemi said the late Mr Mohammed, like his father, was very passionate about getting Nigeria to work better for the citizenry.

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He said the deceased always sought a better Nigeria through constructive criticisms of the government.

The Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), said the late civil rights activist spent his life in the service of humanity, despite being confined to the wheelchair.

He said the Nigerian masses would sorely miss Mr Mohammed whom he described as a champion of the oppressed and defender of the defenceless.

In spite of his health challenge, Mohammed continued in the acts of his father who also fought for the masses as their advocate.

His vision, courage and patriotism were just like his fathers. His demise will definitely create a huge vacuum in the fight for the liberation of the masses.

On behalf of the government and the people of Ekiti State, I commiserate with the family of the deceased, the civil society organisations in Nigeria, as well as the government and the people of Ondo State on this irreparable loss.

Our prayer is that God will grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss and grant the deceased eternal rest, Mr Fayemi added.

Also, Joe Okei-Odumakin, president , Women Arise for Change Initiative, in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos, described the deceased as a chip off the old block in every way.

Mohammed attended rallies and kept the flame of activism burning in the Fawehinmi clan and indeed, the national circle of activists.

He relegated the designs of a fateful accident aside and performed all his obligations creditably.

We are devastated by the sudden death of our dear Mohammed Fawehinmi. This one death too many, was communicated to us quite early but the shock was arresting, alongside the need to find the best way for the immediate family to absorb the effect of this tragedy, she said

The late Mr Mohammed had a law degree from the University of Buckingham, England and was called to Nigerian bar in 1998.

In 2003, he had a terrible accident in Lagos, which affected his spinal cord, confining him to a wheel chair.

(NAN)
Awz X-Seed I closed last week, raising more than US $75Moversubscribed from its target of $50Mand has already identified 10 potential investment opportunities in cloud security, quantum, aerospace, deep tech, robotics, artificial intelligence, and cyber security. Every 18 months, Awz Ventures will raise subsequent $75M Awz X-Seed funds to invest in its next cohort of 15 companies, which will take up residence in the hub for enrichment and growth.

Each portfolio company will receive a non-dilutive business package including office space in the Awz X-Seed hub and advanced marketing, business development, and technology mentorship services provided by the hub's in-house professional team. Portfolio companies will further benefit from Awz Ventures' business development offices in Canada, the US, and UAE that will support the companies in expanding their global client base. This strategy will also allow Awz X-Seed to support its portfolio companies in accelerating their commercialization and technology development to reach series A at a higher valuation.

Awz X-Seed will initially invest an average of $3M  $5M in each portfolio company. Additionally, the best performing companies will be considered for follow-on investment rounds by Awz Ventures' growth-stage funds, alongside third-party investors.

Managing Partner and Founder of Awz Ventures Mr. Yaron Ashkenazi explained, "Awz Ventures' unique strategic partnership with MAFAT and Israel's other security agencies will allow our hub to have the most advanced deal flow that stems from the real recognized needs within the security industry that also have multiple applications within the commercial sector." Ashkenazi added, "We will address these needs and gaps in the marketplace both by investing in existing companies and by creating companies together from scratch."

Awz X-Seed will be led by Yaron Ashkenazi, as Managing Partner, and Daniel Mak, a seasoned Canadian high-tech investor and Awz Ventures General Partner, alongside two Israel-based General Partners: Roni Alsheich, former Deputy Director of the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet), and Sharon Gal, former Head of Technology Innovation at the Israel Prime Minister's Office. In addition, the hub will be advised by Awz Ventures' prestigious partners and advisory committee members that include Canada's 22nd Prime Minister, The Rt. Hon. Stephen J. Harper, former Mossad Chief of Intelligence Mr. Haim Tomer, former Commander of Israel's elite Unit 8200 Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Ehud Schneorson, and numerous global industry leaders as well as finance and investment experts. As in its previous funds, Awz Ventures will leverage its advisors' expertise and networks to identify target clients and investment entities to support the portfolio companies' growth.

The Rt. Hon. Stephen J. Harper added, "I am proud to be an advisor in residence at the Awz X-Seed hub, a ground-breaking and differentiated initiative. Together, Awz and MAFAT will uniquely evaluate and develop early-stage technologies, creating a model that is unmatched anywhere."

Awz Ventures was founded in Canada in 2016 by Mr. Yaron Ashkenazi, a former officer in Israel's Shin Bet, and Chairman Mr. Edward Sonshine, Founder and Chairman of one of Canada's largest real estate investment trusts, RioCan REIT. Sonshine explains that "Awz Ventures provides the gateway to the North American market for its Israeli portfolio companies. To date, Awz Ventures has over US $250M in assets under management across four funds focused on inception to early-growth-stage Israeli start-ups in the AI, intelligence, physical security, deep tech, and cybersecurity sectors."

MAFAT is the Israel Ministry of Defense DDR&D, responsible for supporting the entire Israel defense infrastructure in scientific and technological projects and finds solutions to Israel's most pressing security challenges.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1592991/Yaron_Ashkenazi.jpg

SOURCE Awz Ventures Inc.
Integral to the local community and the most well-paid job in agriculture, the harvest takes place every year from the end of May to the end of August. A cork oak tree is first harvested once the trees are mature, which takes around 25 years. Protected by Portuguese law, each tree is then harvested every nine years, which is how long it takes for the bark to grow back thick enough for it to be useful for making corks  the trees are never cut down.
MIT Centre for Future Skills Excellence had organised the Global Blockchain Colloquium in association with India Blockchain Forum, Global Blockchain Business Council, & AIC-MITADT Incubator Forum from August 7 to 9, 2021. The Global Blockchain Colloquium was co-hosted by Blockchain ThinkLab of University at Buffalo, DCB Bank, Association for Emerging Technologies, IDEALABS Future Tech Ventures, EarthID, Stezy.io, SettleMint, Snapper FutureTech, Future Money WALLET and Aurigraph.io. The Global Blockchain Colloquium was an exemplary 3-day conclave on the most quintessential concepts related to Blockchain, Crypto, Tokens and Cybersecurity. Over a period of three days, the colloquium captivated the participants from over 21+ countries around the world. The colloquium is among the first of many efforts to transform India into a global blockchain powerhouse. The international event, one of its own kind, witnessed around 500+ blockchain enthusiasts including UG & PG Students, research scholars, faculty members, startup owners, and industry professionals.

The Global Blockchain Colloquium was aimed at bringing thought-provoking conversations on blockchain for enterprises, next generation financial services, developing blockchain applications, decentralized applications, and decentralized finance (DeFi), digital identity, sustainability & blockchain technologies for Central Bank Digital Currency, blockchain for trade finance, and blockchain platforms.

"MIT Art, Design & Technology University, Pune, India has always been a flag-bearer of engineering and technology in the country and has been at the forefront of offering innovative & industry relevant programmes including disruptive technologies," said Prof. Dr. Mangesh Karad, Executive President & Vice Chancellor. "Continuing this tradition, we have also been deeply involved in blockchain, AI & ML, Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, Robotic Process Automation development & have been fostering a powerful support ecosystem across India", he said.

Global Blockchain Leader & Digital Strategist, Mr. Anthony Day congratulated & appreciated the endeavours by the MIT Centre for Future Skills Excellence for organising this one of its own kind Global Blockchain Colloquium during the valedictory address. He shared his insights on use cases for accelerating post-pandemic transformation in supply chain, identity & sustainability. He also expressed his best wishes to MIT-ADT University that had taken up the mammoth task of promoting future skills for today's and future generation.

Mr. Andrea Frosinini from Hyperledger TF-SIG deliberately answered how blockchain can be applied in an effective and cost-efficient way within trade finance. He said, "Blockchain technology holds the potential to change business processes by redefining value chain interactions, reducing operational complexity, and reducing transaction costs."

Mr. Prasanna Lohar, Head Digital Innovation &Architecture, DCB Bank pointed out that the journey of emerging technologies is going really at a very fast pace in India. He reiterated, "Along with educational giants like MIT-ADT University, we are looking forward to taking the first step, i.e. creating a superior curriculum for a better ecosystem for emerging technologies and specifically in blockchain technology. He complimented the team MIT Centre for Future Skills Excellence (MIT-FuSE) for bringing the Global Blockchain Colloquium 2021 with more synergy & relevant keynote sessions for the common benefit of global workplaces, as well as challenges in emerging technology for generation Z.

Dr. Mohit Dubey, CEO-AIC MITADT Incubator Forum stated, "Thanks to Fintech, technologies speak for finances, and innovations are only the beginning. Fintech is disrupting nearly every area of startups & businesses. A future where AI-boosted investment and advising platforms, blockchain-technology-enabled cryptocurrencies, are prevalent in every area of commerce and finance might be a way off." He pointed out that the time was right for sessions like these to create awareness in these emerging technologies and congratulated MIT-FuSE on its 3-day exclusive deliberations. This would shape up the future generation and economy.

Blockchain is not new to India. It is being highlighted more with the introduction of e-RUPI & CBDC. India has a lot to gain from embracing blockchain technology and exploring it further. The first pre-requisite is creation of new career opportunities. Considerable job growth has been seen for positions like Blockchain Developers & Blockchain Architects in government agencies and other sectors such as retail, eCommerce, supply chain management, healthcare, education, agriculture, banking, etc. Blockchain developers can earn more than 50% than the other jobs in the IT market today. It means that there are innumerable high-paying jobs from all over the world now available to Indian developers in blockchain technology.

Prof. Suraj Bhoyar, Project Director summarised the gist of the sessions which were conducted over the period of three days. He specified that MIT Centre for Future Skills Excellence is connecting and aligning with leading industries with the sole purpose of providing students and working professionals from all walks of the life, access to quality education and industry-relevant curriculum to ensure that they succeed in their careers. As the first step towards this, MIT Centre for Future Skills Excellence will be commencing with its Post Graduate Programme in Blockchain Technology soon. He said, "We are so humbled and overwhelmed by the huge response to this GBC 2021. And we had a great time interacting with the participants from countries like USA, England, Singapore, Switzerland, Nigeria, Morocco, Cyprus, Brazil, Italy, Ireland, Belgium, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa, Germany, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Israel, etc."

The colloquium highlighted the latest& upcoming trends in the blockchain industry, provided an opportunity to meet industry leaders, helped to network with like-minded people & observed collaboration opportunities. The participants had a great fortune to listen to the distinguished keynote speakers across the globe on topics like viz. Blockchain Technology -Implementation & Governance, Blockchain Platforms, Digital Identity with KYC-Use Cases, Sustainability with Blockchain, Blockchain & Decentralized Applications, Crypto Metrics, Indexes & Stacks, Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), Blockchain Platforms as a Service, Global View of blockchain use-cases, Blockchain Reality vs Hype, Blockchain and Security, Decentralized Finance (DeFi),How Blockchain and Trade Finance delivering Global Solutions, Enterprise Blockchain for use cases in Supply Chain, Identity and Sustainability.

About MIT-ADT University



MAEER's Trust which is known to set the strong precedence for the privatization of Engineering education in Maharashtra had taken a first mover's advantage by establishing the Maharashtra Institute of Technology (MIT-Pune), in 1983, which continues to remain the flagship institute of the group.



MIT Art, Design and Technology University, Pune has been established under the MIT Art, Design and Technology University Act, 2015 (Maharashtra Act No. XXXIX of 2015). The University commenced its operations successfully from 27th June 2016. The University is a self-financed institution and empowered to award the degrees under section 22 of the University Grants Commission act, 1956. The University has a unique blend of Art, Design, and Technology as the core of its academics.



Recently, MIT Art, Design and Technology University, Pune has accomplished the following accolades:



Ranked 26th for ARIIA 2020 by the Ministry of Education, Govt. of India. Received 5 Star rating for exemplary performance by the Ministry of Education's Innovation Council, Govt. of India. Conferred with Best University Campus Award by ASSOCHAM, New Delhi Granted with Atal Incubation Centre under ATAL Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, Govt. of India

MIT Art, Design and Technology University has been taking a holistic approach towards imparting education wherein the students are being motivated to build a complete winning personality which is "physically fit, intellectually sharp, mentally alert and spiritually elevated". The students are being encouraged to participate in yoga, meditation, physical training, spiritual elevation, communication skills, and other personality development programmes. Currently, we have 7500+ students studying in various schools of higher education under the University viz. Engineering and Technology, Food Technology, Bioengineering, Arts, Design, Marine Engineering, Journalism and Broadcasting, Film and Television, Music (Hindustani Classical Vocal and Instrumental), Teacher Education, and Vedic Sciences

Find out more about the colloquium on https://mitfutureskills.org/blog/events/global-blockchain-colloquium/

Photo : https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1593410/MIT_Centre.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1479539/MIT_ADTU_Logo.jpg

Related Links

mit.edu.in



SOURCE Mit Art Design And Technology University Pune
Empowers partner merchants with industry-leading payments operations efficiencies

BENGALURU, India, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --

Innoviti Payment Solutions, India's largest provider of payment solutions to offline enterprise merchants , today shared that its recently implemented Manthan process which is now at the epicenter of the company's operations strategy has yielded monumental results to both Innoviti as well as its merchant partners, in record time. As an outcome of this, Innoviti has successfully achieved 100% terminal uptime at its esteemed partner, Fortis Hospitals.

largest provider of payment solutions to offline enterprise merchants today shared that its recently implemented Manthan process which is now at the epicenter of the company's operations strategy has yielded monumental results to both Innoviti as well as its merchant partners, in record time. As an outcome of this, Innoviti has successfully achieved 100% terminal uptime at its esteemed partner, Fortis Hospitals. Manthan leverages distinctive capabilities and processes to improve payment operations efficiencies and effectiveness on Innoviti terminals deployed at Fortis Hospitals. With 15 nodal warehouses across the country, support via toll-free line, email & WhatsApp, automated ticketing systems, centralized incident resolution & technical resolution teams, a pan- India field force of Store Relationship Officers; Manthan is institutionalized at the core of Innoviti's operations to ensure all Innoviti terminals at our partner merchant outlets remain operational with zero-downtime at any given point of time.

field force of Store Relationship Officers; Manthan is institutionalized at the core of Innoviti's operations to ensure all Innoviti terminals at our partner merchant outlets remain operational with zero-downtime at any given point of time. With Manthan, cashiers can log tickets for issues using Business WhatsApp number/ email/ toll-free phone number and instantly receive a service ticket with turnaround times (TAT). The ticket gets auto-allocated to the store relationship officer (SRO) located closest to the store via WhatsApp, thereby saving valuable merchant time. The SRO enabled with inventory (accessories & terminals) immediately visits the store and resolves the issue within the stipulated TAT. For hardware issues, he replaces the terminal during the same visit.

Manthan mandates that after terminal with an issue starts transacting, a complete health check of every other Innoviti terminal present in the merchant's premises is done by the visiting SRO. Only after this check, the parent ticket gets automatically closed by the system.

A testament to this obsessive focus on ensuring transaction success reliability is the SOC3 seal of excellence that Innoviti received from an independent third-party CPA firm (Ernst & Young Associates LLP) as per AICPA's SSAE 18 standards after a thorough evaluation of transaction speed, reliability, privacy, security, confidentiality, availability, and processing of transactions on Innoviti's terminals. Innoviti is India's only payments SaaS company to be award the SOC3 seal of excellence.

only payments SaaS company to be award the SOC3 seal of excellence. Innoviti uses payment technology in unconventional ways to turn payment transactions into customer acquisition and retention tools for merchants, bank, and brands, by bringing them on to a common platform, and helping them deliver unique customer experiences. Each business gets access to 3X loyal consumers at 1/3rd the cost, accelerating sales with unmatched efficiencies.

Innoviti had raised a Series C in 2020 to further its differentiated strategy of servicing the retail market through category and segment-specific products.

Quotes:

"At Innoviti, we believe in putting our merchant partners at the center of everything we do. Manthan, designed in-line with our customer-centric ethos helps us set realistic customer expectations, and systematically exceed them while adding tremendous value at every opportune moment," said Mr. Hemant Taware, Chief Business Officer, Merchant Ecosystem Development, Innoviti. "Initiatives such as this have helped us achieve industry-leading reliability metrics on our payment terminals - something widely recognized as best-in-class, which we are extremely proud of," he added.

About Innoviti Payment Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore, India.

https://www.innoviti.com

Innoviti Payment Solutions Pvt. Ltd. is India's largest provider of payment solutions to Enterprise merchants with a 76% market share of all payments happening in this segment. It has been a pioneer in using technology to help businesses extract better value from retail transactions than anyone else. The company processes over 10B$ of merchant payments from over 1000+ cities with a volume throughput per installation that is 2X of the country's average. Bessemer Venture Partners, USA, FMO, Netherlands, and Catamaran Ventures, India are investors in the company. The company has several patents filed for with two awarded. Innoviti is the winner of Mastercard's Innovation Wizards Award, Reliance's Most Promising Growth Consumer Finance Award and Deloitte Fastest Growing Companies in Asia award in 2020. Innoviti is the only Indian payments SaaS company to be awarded the coveted SOC3 seal of excellence for adherence to principles of trust in privacy, security, confidentiality, availability, and processing of transactions.

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1041869/Innoviti_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Innoviti Payment Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
GURUGRAM, India, Aug. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Key Findings

E-Commerce penetration in Australia increased to 10% by December 2020 , although the global average is around 14.1% showcasing a huge potential growth for the Australian Economy, in terms of E-Commerce penetration and in turn Logistics Industry.

increased to 10% by , although the global average is around 14.1% showcasing a huge potential growth for the Australian Economy, in terms of E-Commerce penetration and in turn Logistics Industry. Increasing Number of Logistics service providers are focussing on improving their Value Added Services and streamlining their business operations using Big Data, Data Analytics Tools, IoT, AI and others.

Overall National Population of Australia has been growing consistently by 1.3% Y-o-Y. This has led to rise in consumption of Food and Beverages and higher demand for supermarket retailing leading to increase the demand for cold chain solutions in the country.

Rising Investment in technology: Major Logistics Players of Australia are increasingly focussing on improving IT and investing in technology in order to retain their customers in the highly competitive market of the country. Australia's freight networks are already responding to the advent of big data, open data and digital technologies. Micro freight has become an increasingly important part of the country's freight and supply chain networks. Technologies such as 3D Printing, Autonomous Vehicles, Artificial Intelligence, Alternative Fuel Vehicles, Drones and more adoption levels are expected to increase in the future in the country.

Improving Infrastructure: Australian Government is investing heavily for improving infrastructure in the country and this trend is expected to be the highest during 2020-2023, with lot of transport infrastructure and increase in government expenditure expected to take place. ~ A$ 15 Bn worth projects are expected to be undertaken during the period.

Rising Demand for Omni-Channel Grocery: Growing middle class population is generating robust demand for high quality groceries sourced from home and abroad. The growing consumption is being facilitated by the expansion of Omni channel distribution leading to increasing demand for cold chain solutions in the country.

Analysts at Ken Research in their latest publication "Australian Logistics Market Outlook to 2025- Led by Growth in Road Freight Services and rising demand for Cold Storage Facilities", the Australian Logistic Market has been evolving in the country due to factors such as increasing E-commerce penetration due to changing consumer patterns and increasing consumer expenditure; improving transportation and warehousing infrastructure due to multiple government projects; rising investment in technologies such as IoT, Big Data Open Data, AI, Automation and more; growing international trade with other major economies such as China, Japan, Republic of Korea, India and more. The market is expected to register a positive CAGR of 3.4% in terms of revenue during the forecast period 2020-2025.

Key Segments Covered:-

By Mode of Service- Freight Forwarding Market (Revenues)

Road Freight



Sea Freight



Rail Freight



Air Freight

By Type of Load- Freight Forwarding Market (Revenue and Volume)

LTL



FTL

By Business Model-Warehousing Market (Revenues)

Industrial Retail



Cold Storage



IFS/ICD



Agriculture

By End User-Warehousing Market (Revenues)

Food and Beverages



Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices



Textile and Footwear



Electronics



Chemicals



Others

By Regions-Warehousing Market (Space)

New South Wales



Sydney



Brisbane



Perth

By Service- Cold Chain Market (Revenues)

Cold Transportation



Cold Storage

By Temperature-Cold Chain Market (Revenues and Number of Pallets)

Freezers and Chillers



Ambient

By End User-Cold Chain Market (Revenues)

Food and Beverages



Meat and Seafood



Dairy Products



Pharmaceuticals



Bakery and Confectionery



Others

Companies Covered:-

(Freight Forwarding and Warehousing Companies)

Linfox

DB Schenker

SCT Logistics

CEVA Logistics

DHL Freight Forwarding

Panalpina

Bollore

Yusen Logistics

Aurizon Logistics

Toll Holdings

QLS Group

MJ Logistics

Qube Logistics

K & S Corporation

CTI Logistics

Freight Management Holdings (EFM)

Lindsay Australia

Wiseway Group

Mainfreight Limited

Kings Transport

Glen Cameron Group

Centurion

(Cold Storage Companies)

Cannon Logistics

Lineage Logistics

Karras Cold Logistics

Americold

Scott's RL

OFE Refrigerated Transport

Minus1 Refrigerated Transport

Victoria Cold Storage

ACIT Group

Berle Transport

Laverton Cold Storage

Freezex Refrigerated Transport

QMC Logistics

Acacia Transport

ColdRex Transport

(Co-Packing Companies)

Ferndale

Total Package

Multipack LJM

Pack Centre

Finishing Services

Tripak

Trublu Beverages

Austchilli Group

Fantastick

Assemco

Packlogica

Arrowpack

Key Target Audience:-

E-commerce Companies

Third Party Logistic Providers

Potential Market Entrants

Freight Forwarding Companies

Warehousing Companies

Cold Storage Companies

Industry Associations

Consulting Agencies

Time Period Captured in the Report:-

Historical Period : 2015-2020

: 2015-2020 Forecast Period: 2020-202

Key Topics Covered in the Report:-

Comprehensive analysis of Australia Logistics Market and its segments.

Listed major players and their positioning in the market.

Identified major industry developments in last few years and assessed the future growth of the industry.

Australia Logistics Market Revenue

Australia Number of Logistic Companies

Australia Logistic Market Size

Australia Transportation Market Size

Australia Warehousing Market Size

Australia Cold Storage Market Size

Australia Logistics Market Growth Drivers

Warehousing Hubs Australia

Gross Domestic Product Australia

Australia Third Party Logistics

Australia Road Freight Network

Australia Sea Freight Network

Australia Air Freight Network

Australia Road Freight Supply Chain

Australia Warehousing Market Growth

Australia Transportation Industry Growth Drivers

Australia Logistics Market COVID-19 Impact

Australia Warehousing Market Future Technologies

Australia Cold Chain Industry

Australia Co-packing Industry Market Size

Australia major Road Freight Companies

major Road Freight Companies Australia Courier, Express and Parcel Service

Major Players Australia Logistics Market

Australia Logistics Market Competition Share

Australia Railway Network

Australia major Logistics Hubs

major Logistics Hubs Australia Drone Technology

Major Pharmacy Chains Australia

Warehousing Automation Australia

Australia Transport Industry Cost Structure

Road Freight International Companies Australia

Road Freight Domestic Companies Australia

Australia Transportation Industry Future Technologies

Australia Grade A and Grade B Warehousing Space

Australia Logistics Future Revenue

Australia Transportation Industry Future Revenue

Australia Warehousing Market COVID Impact

Australia Warehousing Industry Future Revenue

Australia Transportation Market COVID Impact

Australia Cold Chain Industry COVID Impact

For More Information on the research report, refer to below link:-

Australia Logistics Market Outlook to 2025

Related Reports:-

Philippines Cold Chain Market Outlook To 2025: Driven By Rising Processed Food Consumption Owing To Growing Millennial Population Albeit Infrastructure Challenges

Philippines cold chain market was evaluated grow at a CAGR of 12.7% during 2014-2019 owing to the launch of 'Philippines National Cold Chain Program' in 2004 which helped in establishment of cold chain facilities in major areas of North, Central and South Philippines. Government initiatives such as 'Philippines Cold Chain Project' launched in 2014, 'Build, Build, Build' initiative in 2018 and the annual Philippines cold chain expos conducted by CCAP have been vital for the market growth. The market has been driven primarily by the cold storage over transport business. Correspondingly, the cold chain industry has also been driven by rising meat consumption, consistent seafood production and rise in preventable diseases among Filipinos thereby augmenting the demand for vaccines and pharmaceuticals.

India Logistics Market Outlook To FY24Driven By Government Infrastructure Push, New Age Logistics Startups, And Technology Innovation

India has been ranked at 4th position in the world in railway freight traffic after China, the US, and Russia. Under the land freight corridors, 65% of domestic freight volume carried through the road; high compared to ~50% in developed countries. India Logistics Market has witnessed an average CAGR during FY14-FY19 due to favorable policy reforms from the government, continued investment in infrastructure by both the government and the private sector; the influx of foreign players in the market in recent years, increasing consolidation, and investing in innovative technologies has stimulated the growth in the market.

Turkey Logistics And Warehousing Market Outlook To 2025  By Domestic And International Freight Forwarding Throughput, Revenue & Flow Corridor (Road Freight And Pipelines, Sea, Air And Rail Freight), By Warehousing (Industrial / Retail, Container Freight / Inland Container Depot & Cold Storage), By 3PL, Courier Express & Parcel, Domestic And Cross Border E-Commerce Logistics

Turkey logistics and warehousing market displayed a consistent growth during the period 2013 to 2018. The growth in the automotive exports coupled with rising e-commerce sector was witnessed to drive the Turkey logistics market. The country also has a robust manufacturing sector that contributes to almost 25% of the country's GDP and provides the boost to the logistics industry in Turkey. In addition to this, the implementation of Vision 2023 and Logistics Master Plan 2023 by the government also indicates a positive outlook for the industry. The market has increased owing to high domestic consumption and the efforts of government to boost infrastructure. The investments in infrastructure and technology have impacted Turkey logistics market positively.

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Arlington Capital Advisors, a leading consumer-focused investment bank, announced today that its principals acted as exclusive financial advisors to College HUNKS Hauling Junk and Moving ("CHHJM") in its minority equity recapitalization from Susquehanna Private Capital ("SPC") and two former Chairs of the International Franchise Association, David Barr and Shelly Sun. CHHJM co-founders Nick Friedman and Omar Soliman continue to maintain majority ownership and governance control of the Company.

"We are extremely grateful to the Arlington team for helping us find the right investment partners to accelerate our journey of becoming an iconic consumer services brand," said Nick Friedman. "Arlington's commitment to helping us achieve our objectives never wavered, and their knowledge of both transaction execution and the franchising sector were invaluable to us."

"We are thrilled to have SPC, David and Shelly as partners. Their extensive franchising experience is unmatched, and we look forward to quickly becoming a brand with $1 billion in systemwide sales with our new partners," added Omar Soliman.

"We were honored to have served as advisor to College Hunks and thrilled at the Company's resulting partnership with SPC, David and Shelly," said John Goldasich, Managing Director at Arlington Capital Advisors. "This is a tremendous outcome for one of the most exciting and fastest growing franchising brands in the consumer services sector. We look forward to watching Nick, Omar and Roman Cowan continue the Company's significant momentum alongside their new partners."

About Arlington Capital Advisors

Arlington Capital Advisors is a boutique investment bank that specializes in providing consumer-focused businesses with advisory services. Arlington focuses on providing strategic advice to its clients including sell-side and buy-side mergers and acquisitions, sourcing growth capital, minority recapitalizations, debt raises and other capital-centric strategic alternatives. Securities offered through Arlington Capital Services, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. For more information, visit www.arlingtoncapitaladvisors.com.

About College HUNKS Hauling Junk and Moving

College HUNKS Hauling Junk and Moving is a leading franchisor of stress-free moving and junk-hauling services. Founded in 2005, the Tampa, Florida-based franchisor serves residential customers through its nationwide system of franchisees and with its signature bright orange and green trucks. CHHJM now has over 160 franchises in the USA and Canada and is on pace to reach over $200M systemwide sales this year. For more information, visit www.collegehunkshaulingjunk.com.

SOURCE Arlington Capital Advisors
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- As thousands of students return for another school year this August, local nonprofit Bible in the Schools (BITS) celebrates the start of the 100th school year that Bible History elective courses have been offered in Hamilton County's public schools.

Since 1922, public school students in Hamilton County have taken Bible elective courses as part of their regular school day. A 100-year-old institution, Bible in the Schools is the byproduct of the vision of Dr. J. Park McCallie, founder of The McCallie School.

100 Years of Bible History

After observing the benefits of Bible History classes on McCallie School youth, Dr. McCallie was convinced that Bible classes are "altogether the most worthwhile courses we have." He wanted all students, public and private, to have the opportunity to study the Bible at their school. In 1922, Dr. McCallie organized a group known as the Public School Bible Study Committee, later referred to as Bible in the Schools, and argued before the City Commission that Bible classes should be taught in the public schools.

"Today, we stand on the shoulders of one man who, in 1922, understood the academic benefit of the rigor required from students when studying such a complex text, but who also recognized that when students studied the Bible, it had a transformative impact in their lives as well as on the integrity and climate of the entire school," said Cathy Scott, the current president of Bible in the Schools.

Bible History classes follow guidelines established by a 1980 federal court ruling, which affirmed that the teaching of for-credit non-sectarian Bible History elective classes in Hamilton County's public middle and high schools is constitutionally permissible. Before 1980, elementary students throughout Hamilton County were eligible to take Bible courses; since the court ruling, the elective courses are only taught in middle and high schools.

The Hamilton County Bible History curricular framework is court-approved, taught from a historical and literary perspective, and aligns with the standards of the Tennessee State Department of Education. The Hamilton County Schools Bible History program continues to lead the nation with the largest concentration of public school students in any one school district studying the Bible.

Entering its 100th school year, Bible in the Schools now reaches 29 public schools and over 4,600 students. Demand for Bible History grows each school year: 2021 boasted the highest Bible History enrollment numbers since the program's inception. Hamilton County Schools' data reports that of the 19,006 students in the county who had access to Bible History in 2020-2021, approximately one in four students took and completed a course.

Bible History elective courses provide public school students with the opportunity to receive a viewpoint-neutral, foundational study  at no cost to taxpayers  of one of the cornerstone texts of world history. Courses like Bible History encourage responsible citizenship and contribute to a broad education. They develop cultural literacy in young minds and equip students to thrive in and contribute to a global world.

Bible in the Schools has provided public school students in Hamilton County with Bible History classes for 100 years, funded entirely by charitable community donations. Because of the generosity of the community, Bible in the Schools provided the largest community-funded donation to Hamilton County Schools in the 2020-2021 academic year.

More information is available at www.bibleintheschools.com.

Please direct any inquiries to [email protected].

Related Images

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100 Years of Bible History

100 Years of Bible History

SOURCE Bible in the Schools
BEIJING, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- CPE is proud to announce that it has become an official signatory to the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (the "UN PRI"). As a capital management company driven by social responsibility, CPE will continue to leverage its expertise and work with sophisticated international investors to promote Environmental, Social and Governance values within the investment management industry.

The company believes that ESG management is essential to helping it and the broader industry achieve sustainable development. When it was established in 2008, CPE formed an ESG policy to help guide its deal team in evaluating ESG factors during the investment process. In recent years, an ESG Committee has promoted the firm's ESG practices further by optimizing its governance system, enhancing its ESG capabilities, strengthening its information exchange and promoting the influence of ESG values in the industry. While actively supporting internal ESG practices within the company, CPE also encourages ESG education among all industry players.

In addition, CPE integrates ESG considerations into the entire investment management lifecycle and allocates dedicated resources to this purpose. At the same time, it aims to improve the governance system of its portfolio companies. Through building long-term partnerships with its portfolios, CPE is able to bring them advanced ESG concepts and professional management solutions, and supports a comprehensive "green" business philosophy to help them achieve their business and societal goals.

ESG management requires keeping pace with the times and continually improving its ESG standards. CPE intends to work towards these ESG management concepts and standards at a global level. Launched in 2006 by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the UN PRI works to help investors understand the investment implications of ESG factors and supports its international network of investor signatories in incorporating these aspects into their investment and ownership decisions to enhance returns and better manage risks. Over 4,000 institutions around the world have signed the UN PRI, of which over 60 are Chinese signatories. CPE's signatory to the UN PRI in 2021 is an important step in its commitment to responsible investment.

In light of the increased global attention on ESG investing and the implementation of national "carbon neutral" goals, CPE considers the UN PRI signatory an opportunity to make further ESG improvements and innovations. It will adopt smart ESG tools to ensure more efficient, proactive and collaborative internal ESG management and also for its portfolio companies. At the same time, it will continue to promote ESG principles in its investment practices and with other organizations in the industry that share a similar vision, leveraging the power of green finance to help promote long-term sustainable development goals and a comprehensive transformation and upgrading of a range of different industries.

Click below link to browse the list of PRI signatories:

https://www.unpri.org/signatories/signatory-resources/signatory-directory

###

About CPE

CPE is an alternative asset manager with extensive China experience and an international perspective. With a long-term vision and value investment strategy, CPE provides innovative investment solutions to leading firms from the following four key sectors  healthcare, consumer and internet, technology and industrial, and software and enterprise services. Over the past 12 years, CPE's core team has had an outstanding track record in multiple USD and RMB funds with a total AUM exceeding USD22 billion. The team has completed more than 200 investments, enabling CPE to accumulate key sector knowledge and a widespread network. Currently, CPE's funds under management are supported by over 200 institutional investors worldwide, including sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, funds of funds, family offices and endowments from China and the additional markets of North America, Europe, Middle East and Asia. CPE was placed 59th on PEI 300 ranking for 2021, and the company was also ranked 5th among private equity firms in Asia Pacific on the list.

SOURCE CPE
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Linux Foundation, the nonprofit organization enabling mass innovation through open source, today announced that it is hosting the eBPF Foundation. Founding members include Facebook, Google, Isovalent, Microsoft and Netflix. This comes in advance of the eBPF Summit , a free and virtual event taking place August 18-19, 2021.

eBPF allows developers to safely and efficiently embed programs in any piece of software, including the operating system kernel. As a result, eBPF is quickly becoming the method of choice for achieving a wide range of infrastructure use cases, delivering significant efficiency and performance gains and dramatically reducing the complexity of the system. For example, Facebook is using eBPF as the primary software-defined load balancer in its data centers, and Google is using Cilium to bring eBPF-based networking and security to the managed Kubernetes offerings GKE and Anthos.

"eBPF is a revolutionary technology that allows us to modify operating system behavior in real time without risky or expensive kernel code changes. It's had a remarkable impact on our ability to iterate quickly on everything from networking to security to containerization," said Alexei Starovoitov, Co-creator and Maintainer of eBPF, Kernel Developer at Facebook.

eBPF changes the way operating systems and infrastructure services are designed. It bridges the boundary between kernel and user space. It encourages and accelerates innovation and is a significant leap forward in open source technology for networking, security, application profiling/tracing and system observability use cases. eBPF enables users to even combine and apply logic across multiple subsystems which were traditionally completely independent.

"eBPF has redefined the way we think about the operating system and has led to a massive wave of innovation in networking, security, and observability. Because of its deep relevance in the cloud native world, eBPF adoption has been accelerating at an incredible pace," said Daniel Borkmann, Co-creator and Maintainer of eBPF, Kernel Developer at Isovalent.

By making the OS kernel programmable, infrastructure software can leverage existing layers, making them more intelligent, scalable and feature-rich without continuing to add additional layers of complexity to the system. eBPF has resulted in the development of a completely new generation of tooling in areas such as networking, security, application profiling/tracing and performance troubleshooting that no longer rely on existing kernel functionality but instead actively reprogram runtime behavior without compromising execution efficiency or safety.

The eBPF Foundation will expand the significant level of contributions being made to extend the powerful capabilities of eBPF and grow beyond Linux. It will be the home for open source eBPF projects and technologies and nurture the community through a variety of activities, including summits and other collaboration events in order to further drive the growth and adoption of the eBPF ecosystem.

"eBPF is one of the greatest examples of the kind of innovation that happens in the Linux community and encompasses technologies that are natural for us to host. It also represents the future of operating systems and microservices delivery," said Mike Dolan, general manager and senior vice president of projects at the Linux Foundation. "We look forward to supporting the work of the eBPF Foundation and community."

For more information, please visit: https://www.ebpf.io

Member Quotes

Facebook

"For many years, eBPF has played a critical role in accelerating the kernel development -- thanks to the tireless work of many dedicated developers and maintainers," said Chris Mason, Kernel Maintainer and Engineering Director at Facebook. "We're excited to support the work of the eBPF community, enabling them to build the tools needed to power the next generation of Linux system development."

Google

"We are excited to see the Linux Foundation announce their decision to host eBPF," said Chris DiBona, director of open source at Google. "eBPF is the future of networking for the Linux kernel and Google is pleased to be part of the evolving standard it has created."

Isovalent

"The programmability of eBPF has enabled a revolution in security, observability, and networking. In particular in the area of containers and the cloud native space more broadly. We are proud to have played a central role in developing and co-maintaining eBPF from its early days to the industry standard it has become. We are looking forward to continuing to work with the community," said Thomas Graf, Chief Technology Officer, Isovalent. "Even though eBPF has already found its ways into the production stacks of countless enterprises, we are still at the beginning of the innovation curve that eBPF as a technology unlocks."

Microsoft

"eBPF has resulted in a new generation of tooling that allows developers to easily diagnose problems, innovate quickly, and extend operating system functionality," said Mark Russinovich, Chief Technology Officer, Microsoft Azure. "Microsoft looks forward to partnering with the community in further expanding the use of eBPF in new scenarios and platforms. We're excited to collaborate with the other founding members and hope additional organizations will join."

Netflix

"eBPF is a new type of software that provides superpower capabilities, birthing an industry of networking, performance, and security technologies," said Brendan Gregg, senior performance engineer at Netflix. "Netflix has pioneered uses of eBPF for observability, providing insight into countless areas that were previously difficult or prohibitively expensive to instrument. eBPF has helped us lower application latency and find cost savings. Netflix is delighted to join the eBPF Foundation to collaborate and develop more exciting technologies."

Supporting Quote

Intel

"Intel welcomes the creation of the eBPF Foundation. Technologies including eBPF have the potential to revolutionize critical applications and use cases across compute, storage, networking, and next generation infrastructure. We are excited to continue to contribute to eBPF and look forward to working with the new eBPF Foundation to accelerate customer workloads and unlock innovation," said Jesse Brandeburg, a Principal Software Engineer in the Ethernet Products Group at Intel.

About The Linux Foundation

Founded in 2000, The Linux Foundation is supported by more than 1,000 members and is the world's leading home for collaboration on open source software, open standards, open data, and open hardware. The Linux Foundation's projects are critical to the world's infrastructure including Linux, Kubernetes, Node.js, and more. The Linux Foundation's methodology focuses on leveraging best practices and addressing the needs of contributors, users and solution providers to create sustainable models for open collaboration. For more information, please visit us at linuxfoundation.org.

The Linux Foundation has registered trademarks and uses trademarks. For a list of trademarks of The Linux Foundation, please see our trademark usage page: https://www.linuxfoundation.org/trademark-usage . Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.

Media Contact

Jennifer Cloer

for the Linux Foundation

503-867-2304

[email protected]

SOURCE The Linux Foundation

Related Links

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SAN MATEO, Calif., Aug. 10, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Freshworks Inc. , a leading software company empowering businesses to delight their customers and employees, has been named to the Forbes 2021 Cloud 100, the definitive ranking of the top 100 private cloud companies in the world, published by Forbes in partnership with Bessemer Venture Partners and Salesforce Ventures.

This is the fifth consecutive year that Freshworks has been named to the Forbes Cloud 100 list . Freshworks CRM and ITSM software solutions are designed to be modern, powerful, and easy-to-use for our more than 50,000 customers around the world. Freshworks first appeared on this list in 2017 at number 95, moving up to number 60 in 2018, number 40 in 2019, number 16 in 2020 and number 10 in 2021.

"Rising through the ranks of the Cloud 100 five years in a row is an honor, and we believe it illustrates how well our vision resonates with customers," said Girish Mathrubootham, chief executive officer and founder of Freshworks. "This market recognition reflects our focus on delivering modern and intuitive products designed for the user, thus empowering businesses to delight their customers and employees."

The Cloud 100 reviews submissions from hundreds of cloud startups and private companies each year. The Cloud 100 evaluation process involved ranking companies across four factors: market leadership (35%), estimated valuation (30%), operating metrics (20%), and people & culture (15%). For market leadership, the Cloud 100 enlists the help of a judging panel of 34 public cloud company CEOs who assist in evaluating and ranking their private company peers.

"The companies of the Cloud 100 list represent the best and brightest emerging companies in the cloud sector," said Alex Konrad, senior editor at Forbes. "Every year, it gets more difficult to make this list  meaning even more elite company for those who do. Congratulations to each of the 2021 Cloud 100 honorees and to our 20 Rising Stars up-and-comers poised to join their ranks."

The Forbes 2021 Cloud 100 and 20 Rising Stars lists are published online at www.forbes.com/cloud100. Highlights of the list appear in the September 2021 issue of Forbes magazine.

Bessemer Venture Partners

Bessemer Venture Partners is the world's most experienced early-stage venture capital firm. With a portfolio of more than 200 companies, Bessemer helps visionary entrepreneurs lay strong foundations to create companies that matter, and supports them through every stage of their growth. The firm has 130 IPOs, including Pinterest, Shopify, Twilio, Yelp, LinkedIn, Skype, LifeLock, PagerDuty, DocuSign, Wix, MindBody, and Fiverr. Bessemer's team of investors and partners are positioned all over the world in Silicon Valley, San Francisco, New York, Boston, Tel Aviv, Bangalore, and Beijing. Follow @BessemerVP and learn more at bvp.com .

About Forbes

The defining voice of entrepreneurial capitalism, Forbes champions success by celebrating those who have made it, and those who aspire to make it. Forbes convenes and curates the most influential leaders and entrepreneurs who are driving change, transforming business and making a significant impact on the world. The Forbes brand today reaches more than 140 million people worldwide through its trusted journalism, signature LIVE events, custom marketing programs and 40 licensed local editions in 70 countries. Forbes Media's brand extensions include real estate, education and financial services license agreements. For more information, visit the Forbes News Hub or Forbes Connect .

About Freshworks

Freshworks makes it fast and easy for businesses to delight their customers and employees. We do this by taking a fresh approach to building and delivering software that is affordable, quick to implement, and designed for the end user. Headquartered in San Mateo, California, Freshworks has a dedicated team operating from 13 global locations to serve 50,000+ customers including Bridgestone, Chargebee, DeliveryHero, ITV, Klarna, Multichoice, OfficeMax, TaylorMade and Vice Media. For more information visit www.freshworks.com.

 2021 Freshworks Inc. All rights reserved. Freshworks and the associated logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of Freshworks Inc. All other company, brand and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

SOURCE Freshworks

Related Links

https://www.freshworks.com


Strong Performance Amid Robust Demand Environment

Second quarter revenues of $305.3 million , up 67.1% year-over-year

, up 67.1% year-over-year IFRS Diluted EPS of $0.48 for the second quarter

for the second quarter Non-IFRS Diluted EPS of $0.88 for the second quarter

LUXEMBOURG, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Globant (NYSE: GLOB), a digitally native technology services company, today announced results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021.

Please see highlights below, including certain Non-IFRS measures. Note that reconciliations between Non-IFRS financial measures and IFRS operating results are disclosed at the end of this press release.

Second Quarter 2021 Financial Highlights

Revenues rose to $305.3 million , representing 67.1% year-over-year growth compared to the second quarter of 2020.

, representing 67.1% year-over-year growth compared to the second quarter of 2020. IFRS Gross Profit margin was 38.0% compared to 36.3% in the second quarter of 2020.

Non-IFRS Adjusted Gross Profit Margin was 39.3% compared to 38.2% in the second quarter of 2020.

IFRS Profit from Operations Margin was 10.1% compared to 8.1% in the second quarter of 2020.

Non-IFRS Adjusted Profit from Operations Margin was 16.2% compared to 13.5% in the second quarter of 2020.

IFRS Diluted EPS was $0.48 compared to $0.26 in the second quarter of 2020.

compared to in the second quarter of 2020. Non-IFRS Adjusted Diluted EPS was $0.88 compared to $0.45 in the second quarter of 2020.

Six months ended June 30, 2021 Financial Highlights

Revenues rose to $575.4 million , representing 53.7% year-over-year growth compared to the first six months of 2020.

, representing 53.7% year-over-year growth compared to the first six months of 2020. IFRS Gross Profit margin was 38.1% compared to 37.0% in the first six months of 2020.

Non-IFRS Adjusted Gross Profit Margin was 39.4% compared to 38.9% in the first six months of 2020.

IFRS Profit from Operations Margin was 10.6% compared to 8.9% in the first six months of 2020

Non-IFRS Adjusted Profit from Operations Margin was 16.4% compared to 14.6% in the first six months of 2020.

IFRS Diluted EPS was $1.01 compared to $0.60 in the first six months of 2020.

compared to in the first six months of 2020. Non-IFRS Adjusted Diluted EPS was $1.71 compared to $1.04 in the first six months of 2020.

Other Metrics as of and for the quarter ended June 30, 2021

Cash and cash equivalents and Short-term investments totaled $465.0 million as of June 30, 2021, an increase of $166.8 million from $298.2 million as of December 31, 2020. During the second quarter of 2021, we raised approximately $286.2 million in net proceeds from our equity offering of 1.38 million shares. As of June 30, 2021, our credit facility was fully undrawn.

as of June 30, 2021, an increase of from as of December 31, 2020. During the second quarter of 2021, we raised approximately in net proceeds from our equity offering of 1.38 million shares. As of June 30, 2021, our credit facility was fully undrawn. Globant completed the second quarter of 2021 with 19,428 Globers, 18,350 of whom were technology, design and innovation professionals.

The geographic revenue breakdown for the second quarter of 2021 was as follows: 63.8% from North America (top country: US), 21.6% from Latin America and others (top country: Argentina ), 13.2% from Europe (top country: Spain ) and 1.4% from Asia (top country: Japan ).

(top country: US), 21.6% from and others (top country: ), 13.2% from (top country: ) and 1.4% from (top country: ). In terms of currencies, 76.4% of Globant's revenues for the second quarter of 2021 were denominated in US dollars.

During the twelve months ended June 30, 2021, Globant served a total of 941 customers and continued to increase its wallet share, having 154 accounts with more than $1 million of annual revenues, compared to 113 for the same period one year ago.

of annual revenues, compared to 113 for the same period one year ago. Globant's top customer, top five customers and top ten customers for the second quarter of 2021 represented 10.3%, 26.4% and 39.8% of revenues, respectively.

"Organizations continue to face the need to adapt to new demands. According to the IDC, the number of companies that embrace a digital transformation strategy is up 43% since 2019. This continues to present a unique opportunity to us, as we help our clients seek reinvention and create their way forward", said Martin Migoya. "As a reflection of our vision, we have seen an amazing expansion during the first half of the year, and it's the first time Globant's revenues have surpassed $1 billion over the last twelve months. We will continue working to scale our dream of reinventing this industry."

"In the second quarter we recorded a robust 67.1% year over year revenue growth, with strong margins, leading to both top and bottom line beats. In addition, we accelerated our hiring in Q2, with IT professionals up 58.6% year over year and 12.7% quarter over quarter. Our revenues, adj. EPS and IT headcount, all recorded the strongest year over year growth since we are a public company. We also materially raised our full-year guidance. As we exit the Covid-19 pandemic, we are witnessing a demand environment stronger than before the pandemic. Moreover, our robust pipeline makes us believe we can deliver strong and elevated levels of growth for the foreseeable future," explained Juan Urthiague, Globant's CFO.

2021 Third quarter and Full Year Outlook

Based on current market conditions, Globant is providing the following estimates for the third quarter and the full year of 2021:

Third quarter 2021 Revenues are estimated to be at least $325 million , or 56.8% year over year growth.

, or 56.8% year over year growth. Third quarter 2021 Non-IFRS Adjusted Profit from Operations Margin is estimated to be in the range of 15.5%-17%.

Third quarter 2021 Non-IFRS Adjusted Diluted EPS is estimated to be at least $0.92 (assuming an average of 42.7 million diluted shares outstanding during the third quarter).

(assuming an average of 42.7 million diluted shares outstanding during the third quarter). Fiscal year 2021 Revenues are estimated to be at least $1,236 million , or 51.8% year over year growth.

, or 51.8% year over year growth. Fiscal year 2021 Non-IFRS Adjusted Profit from Operations Margin is estimated to be in the range of 15.5%-17%.

Fiscal year 2021 Non-IFRS Adjusted Diluted EPS is estimated to be at least $3.58 (assuming an average of 42.0 million diluted shares outstanding during 2021).

Conference Call and Webcast

Martin Migoya and Juan Urthiague will discuss the second quarter 2021 results in a video conference call today beginning at 4:30pm ET.

Video conference call access information is: https://more.globant.com/F2Q21EarningsCall

Webcast http://investors.globant.com/

About Globant (NYSE:GLOB)

We are a digitally native company that helps organizations reinvent themselves to create a way forward and unleash their potential. We are the place where innovation, design and engineering meet scale.

We have more than 19,400 employees and we are present in 18 countries working for companies like Google, Rockwell Automation, Electronic Arts and Santander, among others.

We were named a Worldwide Leader in CX Improvement by IDC MarketScape report. We were also featured as a business case study at Harvard, MIT, and Stanford. We are a member of the Cybersecurity Tech Accord.

For more information, please visit www.globant.com

Non-IFRS Financial Measures

While the financial figures included in this press release have been computed in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB") applicable to interim periods, this announcement does not contain sufficient information to constitute an interim financial report as defined in International Accounting Standards 34, "Interim Financial Reporting" nor a financial statement as defined by International Accounting Standards 1 "Presentation of Financial Statements". The financial information in this press release has not been audited.

Globant provides non-IFRS financial measures in addition to reported IFRS results prepared in accordance with IFRS. Management believes these measures help illustrate underlying trends in the company's business and uses the non-IFRS financial measures to establish budgets and operational goals, communicated internally and externally, for managing the company's business and evaluating its performance. The company anticipates that it will continue to report both IFRS and certain non-IFRS financial measures in its financial results, including non-IFRS measures that exclude share-based compensation expense, depreciation and amortization, impairment of non-financial assets, acquisition-related charges, COVID-19 related expenses and the related effect on income taxes of the pre-tax adjustments. Because the company's non-IFRS financial measures are not calculated according to IFRS, these measures are not comparable to IFRS and may not necessarily be comparable to similarly described non-IFRS measures reported by other companies within the company's industry. Consequently, Globant's non-IFRS financial measures should not be evaluated in isolation or supplant comparable IFRS measures, but, rather, should be considered together with its condensed interim consolidated statements of financial position as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 and its condensed interim consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard ("IAS") 34, Interim Financial Reporting.

Globant is not providing a quantitative reconciliation of forward-looking Non-IFRS Adjusted Profit from Operations Margin or Non-IFRS Adjusted Diluted EPS to the most directly comparable IFRS measure because it is unable to predict with reasonable certainty the ultimate outcome of certain significant items without unreasonable effort. These items include, but are not limited to, share-based compensation expense, impairment of assets, acquisition-related charges COVID-19 related expenses and the tax effect of non-IFRS adjustments. These items are uncertain, depend on various factors, and could have a material impact on IFRS reported results for the guidance period.

Forward Looking Statements

In addition to historical information, this release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "believe," "may," "will," "estimate," "continue," "anticipate," "intend," "should," "plan," "expect," "predict," "potential," or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our future financial and operating performance, including our outlook and guidance, and our strategies, priorities and business plans. Our expectations and beliefs regarding these matters may not materialize, and actual results in future periods are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Factors that could impact our actual results include: the impact and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic; our ability to maintain current resource utilization rates and productivity levels; our ability to manage attrition and attract and retain highly-skilled IT professionals; our ability to accurately price our client contracts; our ability to achieve our anticipated growth; our ability to effectively manage our rapid growth; our ability to retain our senior management team and other key employees; our ability to continue to innovate and remain at the forefront of emerging technologies and related market trends; our ability to retain our business relationships and client contracts; our ability to manage the impact of global adverse economic conditions; our ability to manage uncertainty concerning the instability in the current economic, political and social environment in Latin America; and other factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in our most recent Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and any other risk factors we include in subsequent reports on Form 6-K.

Because of these uncertainties, you should not make any investment decisions based on our estimates and forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements for any reason after the date of this press release whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Globant S.A. Condensed Interim Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (In thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts, unaudited)













Six months ended

Three months ended



June 30, 2021

June 30, 2020

June 30, 2021

June 30, 2020

















Revenues

575,427



374,280



305,257



182,708

Cost of revenues

(356,249)



(235,836)



(189,276)



(116,467)

Gross profit

219,178



138,444



115,981



66,241



















Selling, general and administrative expenses

(154,097)



(101,454)



(82,206)



(49,582)

Net impairment losses on financial assets

(4,003)



(3,544)



(2,904)



(1,927)

Other operating income

11













Profit from operations

61,089



33,446



30,871



14,732



















Finance income

330



707



7



451

Finance expense

(5,943)



(5,106)



(3,331)



(2,651)

Other financial results, net

(655)



3,624



(1,526)



907

Financial results, net

(6,268)



(775)



(4,850)



(1,293)



















Share of results of investment in associates

(233)



(82)



(233)



(82)



















Other income and expenses, net

(443)



43



(481)



27

Profit before income tax

54,145



32,632



25,307



13,384



















Income tax

(12,531)



(9,443)



(5,360)



(3,365)

Net income for the period

41,614



23,189



19,947



10,019



















- Exchange differences on translating foreign operations

(2,438)



(1,537)



(714)



567

- Net change in fair value on financial assets measured at FVOCI





(23)







91

- Gains and losses on cash flow hedges

96



(834)



(74)



1,235

Total comprehensive income for the period

39,272



20,795



19,159



11,912



















Net income attributable to:















Owners of the Company

41,614



23,189



19,947



10,019

Net income for the period

41,614



23,189



19,947



10,019



















Total comprehensive income for the period attributable to:















Owners of the Company

39,272



20,795



19,159



11,912

Total comprehensive income for the period

39,272



20,795



19,159



11,912

Earnings per share















Basic

1.03



0.62



0.49



0.27

Diluted

1.01



0.60



0.48



0.26

Weighted average of outstanding shares (in thousands)















Basic

40,212



37,347



40,522



37,686

Diluted

41,354



38,420



41,664



38,759



Globant S.A. Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 (In thousands of U.S. dollars, unaudited)













June 30, 2021

December 31, 2020 ASSETS







Current assets







Cash and cash equivalents

431,373



278,939

Investments

33,673



19,284

Trade receivables

281,422



196,020

Other assets

7,097



8,146

Other receivables

58,485



31,633

Other financial assets

2,265



1,577

Total current assets

814,315



535,599











Non-current assets







Trade Receivables





5,644

Investments

823



615

Other assets

5,429



6,954

Other Receivables

12,874



9,629

Deferred tax assets

42,906



41,507

Investment in associates





3,154

Other financial assets

26,233



15,147

Property and equipment

108,388



101,027

Intangible assets

89,082



86,721

Right-of-use assets

97,899



90,010

Goodwill

450,946



392,760

Total non-current assets

834,580



753,168

TOTAL ASSETS

1,648,895



1,288,767











LIABILITIES







Current liabilities







Trade payables

42,135



35,266

Payroll and social security taxes payable

121,114



111,881

Borrowings

250



907

Other financial liabilities

47,103



19,822

Lease liabilities

8,950



15,358

Tax liabilities

14,383



11,804

Income tax payable

10,199



10,511

Other liabilities

472



81

Total current liabilities

244,606



205,630











Non-current liabilities







Trade payables

4,528



5,240

Borrowings

902



25,061

Other financial liabilities

51,151



74,376

Lease liabilities

84,333



72,240

Deferred tax liabilities

8,337



13,698

Provisions for contingencies

21,529



12,583

Total non-current liabilities

170,780



203,198

TOTAL LIABILITIES

415,386



408,828











Capital and reserves







Issued capital

49,856



47,861

Additional paid-in capital

853,460



541,157

Other reserves

(5,016)



(2,674)

Retained earnings

335,209



293,595

Total equity attributable to owners of the Company

1,233,509



879,939

TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

1,648,895



1,288,767



Globant S.A. Supplemental Non-IFRS Financial Information (In thousands of U.S. dollars, unaudited)









Six months ended

Three months ended

June 30, 2021

June 30, 2020

June 30, 2021

June 30, 2020















Reconciliation of adjusted gross profit













Gross Profit 219,178



138,444



115,981



66,241

Depreciation and amortization expense 5,883



4,639



3,082



2,349

Share-based compensation expense 1,830



2,328



815



1,207

Adjusted gross profit 226,891



145,411



119,878



69,797

Adjusted gross profit margin 39.4 %

38.9 %

39.3 %

38.2 %















Reconciliation of selling, general and administrative expenses













Selling, general and administrative expenses (154,097)



(101,454)



(82,206)



(49,582)

Depreciation and amortization expense 21,745



9,897



11,907



5,003

Share-based compensation expense 15,791



10,485



8,109



5,327

Acquisition-related charges (a) 6,596



4,248



3,962



1,490

Adjusted selling, general and administrative expenses (109,965)



(76,824)



(58,228)



(37,762)

Adjusted selling, general and administrative expenses as % of revenues (19.1) %

(20.5) %

(19.1) %

(20.7) %















Reconciliation of Adjusted Profit from Operations













Profit from Operations 61,089



33,446



30,871



14,732

Share-based compensation expense 17,621



12,813



8,924



6,534

Acquisition-related charges (a) 13,473



5,040



7,399



1,878

COVID-19-related charges (b) 2,228



3,185



2,228



1,469

Impairment of assets (11)













Adjusted Profit from Operations 94,400



54,484



49,422



24,613

Adjusted Profit from Operations margin 16.4 %

14.6 %

16.2 %

13.5 %















Reconciliation of Net income for the period













Net income for the period 41,614



23,189



19,947



10,019

Share-based compensation expense 17,621



12,813



8,924



6,534

Acquisition-related charges (a) 16,202



5,143



9,549



1,926

COVID-19-related charges (b) 2,228



3,185



2,228



1,469

Impairment of assets (11)













Tax effect of non-IFRS adjustments (c) (6,928)



(4,415)



(4,169)



(2,482)

Adjusted Net income 70,726



39,915



36,479



17,466

Adjusted Net income margin 12.3 %

10.7 %

12.0 %

9.6 %















Calculation of Adjusted Diluted EPS













Adjusted Net income 70,726



39,915



36,479



17,466

Diluted shares 41,354



38,420



41,664



38,759

Adjusted Diluted EPS 1.71



1.04



0.88



0.45



(a) Acquisition-related charges include, when applicable, amortization of purchased intangible assets included in depreciation and amortization expense line on our condensed interim consolidated statements of comprehensive income, external deal costs, acquisition-related retention bonuses, integration costs, changes in the fair value of contingent consideration liabilities, charges for impairment of acquired intangible assets and other acquisition-related costs. We cannot provide acquisition-related charges on a forward-looking basis without unreasonable effort as such charges may fluctuate based on the timing, size, and complexity of future acquisitions as well as other uncertainty inherent in mergers and acquisitions.

(b) COVID-19 related charges include, when applicable, bad debt provision related to the effect of COVID-19 on our customers businesses, donations and other expenses directly attributable to the pandemic that are both incremental to charges incurred prior to the outbreak and not expected to recur once the crisis has subsided and operations return to normal and clearly separable from normal operations. Moreover, these charges also include rent concessions that we were granted due to the pandemic environment.

(c) Non-IFRS Adjusted net income and adjusted Diluted EPS for Q2 of 2020 reflects the tax impact of non-IFRS adjustments. Non-IFRS Adjusted net income and adjusted Diluted EPS for Q2 2020, previously presented were recast to conform to the current presentation.

Globant S.A. Schedule of Supplemental Information (unaudited)

Metrics Q2 2020 Q3 2020 Q4 2020 Q1 2021 Q2 2021











Total Employees 12,333

14,340

16,251

17,267

19,428

IT Professionals 11,573

13,436

15,290

16,284

18,350













North America Revenues % 72.8

70.0

65.9

63.1

63.8

Latin America and Others Revenues % 20.8

22.4

24.3

23.6

21.6

Europe Revenues % 6.4

7.6

9.8

12.0

13.2

Asia Revenues %





1.3

1.4













USD Revenues % 87.0

84.5

85.8

77.7

76.4

Other Currencies Revenues % 13.0

15.5

14.2

22.3

23.6













Top Customer % 10.7

10.8

10.7

10.5

10.3

Top 5 Customers % 31.9

32.2

30.0

28.4

26.4

Top 10 Customers % 44.9

45.0

42.9

41.0

39.8













Customers Served (Last Twelve Months) 805

893

798

860

941

Customers with >$1M in Revenues (Last Twelve Months) 113

118

129

139

154















Investor Relations Contact:

Amit Singh, Globant

[email protected]

+1 (877) 215-5230

Media Contact:

Wanda Weigert, Globant

[email protected]

+1 (877) 215-5230

SOURCE Globant

Related Links

http://www.globant.com


SEATTLE, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Headset, the leading provider of data and analytics to the cannabis industry, announced today the launch of its competitive intelligence tool, Headset Insights Premium, in Michigan. This will be Headset's eleventh retail-derived cannabis market read based on aggregated Point of Sale data at the receipt level for the U.S. and Canadian markets. Headset Insights Premium is also currently available in California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and most recently Pennsylvania.

The expansion of Headset Insights into Michigan will provide the rapidly-expanding U.S. cannabis industry with even more valuable consumer trend insights and real-time market data. The platform will help cannabis businesses in Michigan better understand changes within the market, identify potential opportunities, and develop data-driven strategies to stay competitive. Michigan is the 10th largest state by population and became the first Midwestern state to allow both medical and recreational marijuana use in 2018.

"Now that we have every legal recreational market in the Western U.S. covered, we are thrilled to bring Headset Insights Premium into the Midwest," said Cy Scott, Founder and CEO of Headset. "Data from both the Eastern and Midwestern U.S. markets will further complete our profile of the U.S. market as a whole and give new and existing Michigan businesses the information they need to succeed."

Even though Michigan is a young market, it has surpassed Oregon and Washington sales already this year and is only $145M behind Colorado. Michigan stands out among other US cannabis markets with the second to largest average basket size so far this year, at $81.04; 2.3x larger than Washington's average basket size, which has the smallest baskets of any state. Michigan has sold more edibles than Colorado by 416k so far this year and is selling their edibles at an average item price of $14.48 which is 11% lower than California's average item price of $16.23. Headset Insights will help companies track Michigan's cannabis market growth, product category sales and shares, basket size and make more accurate projections for the U.S. cannabis market.

To learn more about Headset Insights, please click here . For more Michigan market insights, please read the recent industry report, "The Michigan cannabis market: a high-level overview" here .

About Headset:

Headset is a data analytics company in the cannabis industry with a mission to help businesses make better-informed decisions through data. Headset focuses on collecting and analyzing consumer transaction information. Headset's models and dashboards help cannabis retailers better optimize their day-to-day operations. In addition, product manufacturers, processors and distributors leverage the aggregated, standardized and anonymized receipt-level sales data in real-time to identify trends and opportunities, stay competitive and collaborate with retail customers. Learn more at https://www.headset.io/.

Contact:

Renee Cotsis

[email protected]

SOURCE Headset

Related Links

https://www.headset.io/


"We're pleased to share how we're serving all of our stakeholders after a year of enormous challenges across the globe," said Steve Steinour, chairman, president and CEO. "Our purpose of making people's lives better, helping businesses thrive and strengthening the communities we serve continues to guide us in all we do. Stories about how our colleagues live our purpose every day are woven throughout the ESG report. This is especially meaningful as we examine our performance as a company and our larger role to be a catalyst for progress on economic and environmental sustainability, as well as social equity."

The ESG report provides a comprehensive review of Huntington's progress on performance dimensions that drive sustainable, long-term value for investors and support economic empowerment for customers and communities. Progress includes:

Increased spending with diverse suppliers to $161.1 million , accounting for 26.6% of total spending, supporting more than 2,350 jobs and representing $125 million in supported wages.

, accounting for 26.6% of total spending, supporting more than 2,350 jobs and representing in supported wages. Implemented a bank-wide minimum wage increase from $16 per hour to $17 per hour, and has a strong, ongoing focus on colleague engagement, development, retention, and attraction.

per hour to per hour, and has a strong, ongoing focus on colleague engagement, development, retention, and attraction. Delivered positive operating leverage for the eighth consecutive year, earned a 9% return on tangible common equity, and increased the cash dividends paid to our shareholders for the tenth consecutive year.

Reporting Includes First-Time SASB Index and Second Annual TCFD Disclosure

Huntington's commitment to strong corporate governance is also reflected in its efforts to continually improve ESG reporting. This is Huntington's fifth ESG report, along with first-time reporting to the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) standards for Commercial Banks and Consumer Finance, and second annual reporting to the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) framework.

Additional 2020 areas of focus that enabled Huntington's response on behalf of its stakeholders include:

Investing in Communities and Driving Economic Impact : Huntington's commitments to financial education, to serving the underbanked, and economic inclusion programs provide a platform to help reduce poverty and drive economic empowerment for all.





: Huntington's commitments to financial education, to serving the underbanked, and economic inclusion programs provide a platform to help reduce poverty and drive economic empowerment for all. Completed the $16.1 billion community development plan a year ahead of schedule and announced a new $40 billion Community Plan to address economic, social, environmental and racial equity challenges.

community development plan a year ahead of schedule and announced a new Community Plan to address economic, social, environmental and racial equity challenges.

Provided $984 million in community development loans and investments.

in community development loans and investments.

Located 23.5% of branches in low-to-moderate income neighborhoods.



Assisted nearly 3,600 mortgage-distressed customers through the Home Savers program.



Partnered with more than 100 organizations to help address food security and other social determinants of health.



Provided more than 38,000 customers with relief, including loan deferrals and modifications, resulting in more than $6.8 billion of forbearance relief.



of forbearance relief. Helping Small Business Thrive : As the No. 1 originator of SBA 7(a) loans by volume in its footprint for twelve consecutive years, Huntington leveraged its expertise to develop creative, inclusive lending options and a variety of other features to assist with the recovery across the Midwest.



: As the No. 1 originator of SBA 7(a) loans by volume in its footprint for twelve consecutive years, Huntington leveraged its expertise to develop creative, inclusive lending options and a variety of other features to assist with the recovery across the Midwest. Funded approximately 84,000 loans to small- and medium-sized businesses, helping to keep thousands of people employed, totaling nearly $11.2 billion through the federal Paycheck Protection Program.

through the federal Paycheck Protection Program.

Launched Huntington Lift Local Business, a small business program that provides greater access to credit, business planning services, and educational resources, with a focus on minority-, woman-, and veteran-owned businesses.



Started 24-Hour Grace for Business, which gives additional time to cover overdrafts and returns on checking accounts. Huntington will automatically waive the overdraft fee as long as the customer makes a deposit during the next business day to resolve the overdraft or pending return item.



Building a Diverse Workforce and Governance Structure : Huntington is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in its workforce, as well as to doing business with a diverse supplier base.



: Huntington is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in its workforce, as well as to doing business with a diverse supplier base. 38% board diversity



66% total workforce diversity, and 45% diversity in middle and executive management



Average base pay for women colleagues with the same job titles as men was 98% of that paid to men, and the average base pay for minority colleagues with the same job titles as non-minority colleagues was 99% of that paid to non-minorities.



27% spend with diverse-owned companies



Promoting Environmental Stewardship: Huntington acknowledges that climate change is a serious issue and is committed to doing more to accelerate meaningful progress by reducing its corporate carbon footprint and addressing the environmental challenges faced by under-resourced communities.



Huntington acknowledges that climate change is a serious issue and is committed to doing more to accelerate meaningful progress by reducing its corporate carbon footprint and addressing the environmental challenges faced by under-resourced communities. Reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 35% since 2017 benchmark.



Established a renewable energy goal to shift 50% of its electricity usage to renewable sources by 2035.



Implemented 284 environmental sustainability projects.



Achieved 75 new ENERGY STAR certifications.



Provided comprehensive, customized solutions for businesses innovating in the green technology market.



Established climate risk governance and reporting structure, including the formation of a Climate Risk Management Working Group.

"Huntington is driven by its purpose and guided into action through its core values to be a top-tier performing bank that creates long-term value for its stakeholders," said Dave Porteous, Lead Director, Huntington Board of Directors. "ESG priorities play an important role at Huntington and across our industry. We're confident our enhanced strategy and ESG reporting transparency will further our brand and helps us stand out to our shareholders, customers, colleagues and communities. This report illustrates Huntington's belief that doing good is good for business."

About Huntington

Huntington Bancshares Incorporated is a $175 billion asset regional bank holding company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. Founded in 1866, The Huntington National Bank and its affiliates provide consumers, small and middlemarket businesses, corporations, municipalities, and other organizations with a comprehensive suite of banking, payments, wealth management, and risk management products and services. Huntington operates more than 1,200 branches in 12 states, with certain businesses operating in extended geographies. Visit Huntington.com for more information.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, certain plans, expectations, goals, projections, and statements, which are not historical facts and are subject to numerous assumptions, risks, and uncertainties. Statements that do not describe historical or current facts, including statements about beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as expect, anticipate, believe, intend, estimate, plan, target, goal, or similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as will, may, might, should, would, could, or similar variations. The forward-looking statements are intended to be subject to the safe harbor provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and are based on information available at that time. We do not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements were made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events except as required by federal securities laws. As forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, caution should be exercised against placing undue reliance on such statements. Please carefully review and consider the various disclosures made in this document and in our other reports filed with the SEC for more information about the risks and other factors that may affect our business, results of operations, financial condition or prospects.

SOURCE Huntington Bancshares Inc.
CTAC will hold an Extraordinary Special Meeting ("Special Meeting") of its shareholders on September 16, 2021 at 10 a.m./Eastern Time. CTAC has established August 9, 2021 as the record date for such meeting ("Record Date"). The business combination is expected to close shortly after the Special Meeting, subject to shareholder approvals and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions.

CTAC shareholders of record at the close of business on the Record Date are entitled to vote the shares of common stock of CTAC owned by them at the Special Meeting. If the business combination is approved by CTAC shareholders, CTAC anticipates closing the business combination shortly after the Special Meeting, subject to the satisfaction or waiver (as applicable) of all other closing conditions. CTAC shareholders that wish to exercise their redemption rights must do so no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Time on September 14, 2021 by following the procedures specified in the definitive proxy statement/prospectus for the Special Meeting.

Upon completion of the business combination, CTAC common stock and warrants willtrade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols "KORE"; "KORE WS". At the closing of the business combination, all remaining CTAC units will separate into their components consisting of one share of CTAC common stock and one-third of one warrant and, as a result, will no longer trade together as a separate security.

"Today's announcement marks a significant milestone on our journey to going public," said KORE President and CEO Romil Bahl . "KORE is one of the best kept secrets in IoT because we have been focused on building a strong business for the past 18 years, and during the last three years, we have been adding to our product and services portfolio, getting ready for the decade of IoT. Our market opportunity is being accelerated by eSIM, 5G, Edge Compute and AIoT, and we have transformed the business into being the leading independent global IoT enabler."

"I'm delighted to be part of the team that selected KORE as our merger target and elated to celebrate today's news, which is one step closer to this company becoming a publicly listed entity," said CTAC CEO and former Executive Chairman of Sprint Nextel Tim Donahue .

As announced previously, the transaction is expected to provide approximately $484 million of gross cash proceeds to the combined company, assuming no redemptions by CTAC's shareholders, and includes a $225 million PIPE investment. The PIPE, which was oversubscribed and upsized due to high demand, is anchored by leading institutional investors, including Koch Strategic Platforms, LLC, a subsidiary of Koch Industries and part of the Koch Investment Group, as well as funds and accounts managed by BlackRock.

As part of the transaction, KORE's majority shareholder Abry Partners has agreed to roll 100% of its common equity into the combined company. Assuming no public shareholders of CTAC exercise their redemption rights, Abry and existing KORE equity holders will own approximately 38.3%, CTAC shareholders will own approximately 36.8%, and PIPE investors will own approximately 24.9% of the issued and outstanding common stock of the combined company at closing.

"KORE is a foundational building block for the IoT ecosystem globally, being led by an executive team that has deep public company and IoT experience, a combination that is rare these days," said Abry Partners Partner Tomer Yosef-Or . "KORE is expert in reducing deployment complexity, which is the No. 1 hurdle organizations must overcome to experience a successful IoT initiative. Now that we have crossed the S-4 effectiveness threshold, KORE is closer to becoming a publicly traded company, which will open doors for continuing to service customers in newly innovative ways, while providing the marketplace a chance to invest in a long-standing company that has significant revenue generated by a stable and growing customer base."

The Special Meeting will take place in person at Ugland House, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104, Cayman Islands, and virtually via live webcast at 10 a.m. Eastern Time on September 16, 2021. It can be accessed by visiting https://www.cstproxy.com/ctac/sm2021. The proxy statement is available in the "Documents" section of the CTAC website as well as on www.sec.gov.

CTAC recommends that its shareholders wishing to vote at the Special Meeting log in at least 15 minutes before the Special Meeting starts, if attending virtually. CTAC encourages its shareholders entitled to vote at the Special Meeting to vote their shares via proxy in advance of the Special Meeting by following the instructions on the proxy card.

A list of CTAC shareholders entitled to vote at the Special Meeting will be open to the examination of any CTAC shareholder, for any purpose germane to the Special Meeting, during regular business hours for a period of 10 calendar days before the Special Meeting.

For assistance voting your shares, please contact Morrow Sodali LLC, CTAC's proxy solicitor, toll-free at (800) 662-5200 or via email at [email protected].

About KORE

KORE is a pioneer, leader, and trusted advisor delivering mission-critical IoT solutions and services. We empower organizations of all sizes to improve operational and business results by simplifying the complexity of IoT. Our deep IoT knowledge and experience, global reach, purpose-built solutions, and deployment agility accelerate and materially impact our customers' business outcomes. For more information, visit www.korewireless.com.

About CTAC

Cerberus Telecom Acquisition Corp. ("CTAC") is a blank check company formed by an affiliate of Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. ("Cerberus"), a global leader in alternative investing. CTAC is led by CEO Tim Donahue, former Executive Chairman of Sprint Nextel and former CEO of Nextel Communications, and is proud to have the support of a distinguished advisory board comprised of senior executives and business leaders from the information and communications technology sector. For more information, visit www.cerberusacquisition.com.

About Cerberus

Founded in 1992, Cerberus is a global leader in alternative investing with approximately $50 billion in assets across complementary credit, private equity, and real estate strategies. Cerberus invests across the capital structure where its integrated investment platforms and proprietary operating capabilities create an edge to improve performance and drive long-term value. Cerberus's tenured teams have experience working collaboratively across asset classes, sectors, and geographies to seek strong risk-adjusted returns for its investors. Cerberus has a dedicated focus on next-generation technologies and telecommunication solutions. Its team of technologists and network of advisors collaborate across its investment and operating platforms to identify opportunities and manage investments in critical IoT, edge computing, artificial intelligence, private wireless networks, network equipment, autonomy, aerospace, and ecosystem development. For more information about its people and platforms, visit Cerberus at www.cerberus.com.

Contacts

KORE

Media and Investors:

Jean Creech Avent

Vice President, Investor Relations and Public Relations

[email protected]

+1-843-986-8229

Investors

[email protected]

Or



Investors:

Matt Glover and Cody Slach

Gateway Group, Inc.

[email protected]

+1-949-574-3860

Important Information and Where to Find It

This press release references the proposed merger transaction announced previously involving Cerberus Telecom Acquisition Corp. ("CTAC") and KORE. CTAC and King Pubco, Inc. ("Pubco") filed a registration statement on Form S-4 with the SEC, which includes a proxy statement of CTAC and a prospectus of Pubco, and CTAC will file other documents regarding the proposed transaction with the SEC. A definitive proxy statement/prospectus will also be sent to the shareholders of CTAC, seeking required shareholder approval. Before making any voting or investment decision, investors and security holders of CTAC are urged to carefully read the entire registration statement and proxy statement/prospectus, when they become available, and any other relevant documents filed with the SEC, as well as any amendments or supplements to these documents, because they will contain important information about the proposed transaction. The documents filed by CTAC with the SEC may be obtained free of charge at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. In addition, the documents filed by CTAC with the SEC may be obtained free of charge from CTAC's website at www.cerberusacquisition.com or upon written request to Cerberus Telecom Acquisition Corp., 875 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022.

This press release, similar to the previous announcement, does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of any securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such other jurisdiction.



CTAC, KORE and certain of their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the shareholders of CTAC, in favor of the approval of the merger. Information regarding CTAC's and KORE's directors and executive officers and other persons who may be deemed participants in the transaction may be obtained by reading the registration statement and the proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant documents filed with the SEC when they become available. Free copies of these documents may be obtained as described above.



Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes certain statements that are not historical facts but are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as "believe," "may," "will," "estimate," "continue," "anticipate," "intend," "expect," "should," "would," "plan," "predict," "potential," "seem," "seek," "future," "outlook," and similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding estimates and forecasts of revenue and other financial and performance metrics and projections of market opportunity and expectations. These statements are based on various assumptions and on the current expectations of CTAC or KORE's management. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on by any investor or other person as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of CTAC and/or KORE. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including general economic, financial, legal, political and business conditions and changes in domestic and foreign markets; the potential effects of COVID-19; risks related to the rollout of KORE's business and the timing of expected business milestones; changes in the assumptions underlying KORE's expectations regarding its future business; the effects of competition on KORE's future business; and the outcome of judicial proceedings to which KORE is, or may become a party. If the risks materialize or assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that KORE presently does not know or that KORE currently believes are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect KORE's expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this press release. KORE and CTAC anticipate that subsequent events and developments will cause these assessments to change. However, while KORE and/or CTAC may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, each of KORE and CTAC specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing KORE's assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements.

SOURCE KORE Wireless

Related Links

www.korewireless.com


The partnership, which is anticipated to launch later this year, will serve Louisiana Healthcare Connections' most clinically complex and vulnerable Medicaid members in and around New Orleans. It aims to enhance quality of care through AbsoluteCare's unique care model.

AbsoluteCare relies on its teams of diverse healthcare and other professionals to transform the patient experience and address each person's unique medical, behavioral, and life challenges, such as social determinants of health. By serving patients in its centers and in patients' homes and communities, AbsoluteCare aims to improve clinical and health outcomes, increase patient satisfaction, and reduce costs.

"We are pleased to partner with AbsoluteCare to provide our members personalized, integrated, primary care to best meet their whole-health needs," said Dr. Dana Lawson, Vice President of Population Health & Clinical Operations, Louisiana Healthcare Connections.

AbsoluteCare's centers offer a robust range of urgent care, preventive care, and other clinical services including primary care, infectious disease, infusion and labs, radiology services, behavioral health and nutritional counselling, and onsite pharmacy.

The organization also assists with life services many individuals struggle with such as housing and transportation. In response, Louisiana Healthcare Connections and AbsoluteCare will work together to address members' daily challenges such as homelessness, food insecurity, and lack of transportation. Louisiana Healthcare Connections and AbsoluteCare will also work with community-based organizations to address inequities exacerbated by COVID-19, which has disproportionately impacted vulnerable populations.

"AbsoluteCare welcomes the opportunity to partner with Louisiana Healthcare Connections," said Michael P. Radu, CEO, AbsoluteCare. "Together, we share a vision to provide integrated, patient-centered care to enhance the overall health of our communities. Our integrated care teams take a proactive approach to engage our members where they are and provide high-quality, cost-efficient care as well as a great member experience."

About Louisiana Healthcare Connections

Established to deliver quality health care through local, regional, and community-based partners, Louisiana Healthcare Connections is a Healthy Louisiana plan headquartered in Baton Rouge. Louisiana Healthcare Connections exists to improve the health of its members through focused, compassionate, and coordinated care. Because Louisiana Healthcare Connections believes healthy is a way of life, its members benefit from programs and services designed for their personal well-being. For more information, visit www.LouisianaHealthConnect.com.

About AbsoluteCare

Headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, AbsoluteCare is a leading value-based integrated healthcare provider, focused on providing comprehensive and preventative care to the most vulnerable and chronically ill populations. AbsoluteCare offers concierge health services using a risk-bearing, PCP-driven care model. We treat the most clinically complex and vulnerable members of the communities we serve - many of whom face behavioral health, substance use, and SDoH challenges. AbsoluteCare tends exclusively to the needs of the top four to six percent of the population who persistently represent a disproportionate amount of unnecessary utilization and cost, whether or not they are engaged with other PCPs. We deliver this care in our comprehensive care centers as well as in the communities we serve. In our more than 20 years, AbsoluteCare has focused on fulfilling the needs of this population. And we have consistently achieved unprecedented outcomes by addressing medical and psychosocial issues, as well as life's hardships that exacerbate chronic health conditions and complicate access to care. AbsoluteCare currently operates out of five facilities: Atlanta, Georgia; Baltimore and Prince George's County, Maryland; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Since 2000, the Company has treated tens of thousands of chronically ill individuals - living up to the mission that care goes beyond medicine. For more information please visit: www.absolutecare.com

SOURCE AbsoluteCare

Related Links

absolutecare.com


Vista will offer a total of twelve culinary venues which is unprecedented for a ship of its size. Of the twelve, four are brand new and exclusive to Vista.

"We have never been content to rest on our laurels, so even the expected has become the unexpected. A dramatic re-inspiration of every dining space from decor to table setting to menu offerings has resulted in a new pinnacle of diversity and creativity for our guests to enjoy," added Binder.

Ember is the signature addition to Oceania Cruises' family of restaurants. Open for lunch and dinner, Ember is the ideal place to warm your culinary soul. Featuring a menu of inventive American creations blended with time-honored classics, this inviting dining spot will instantly charm you with its alluring ambiance and tantalizing menu. Whether you are looking forward to a leisurely evening of dining or a quick dinner before catching the headline show, Ember is where you want to be. Braised Short Ribs on Polenta, Grilled Swordfish with Asparagus, Crab Cakes with Spicy Aioli, and a Cobb Salad with Smoked Chicken are just a few of the delights designed to tempt the palate.

Aquamar Kitchen presents a decidedly fresh perspective on dining and the pursuit of wellness. Whether you are a dedicated flexitarian or a die-hard foodie, Aquamar Kitchen offers an abundance of indulgence with none of the guilt. Breakfast selections include cold-pressed raw juices and super-food smoothies, hearty homemade granolas and avocado toasts, organic power bowls, and savory breakfast wraps. For lunch, dozens of tempting, healthy dishes are offered such as Slow-Roasted Organic Salmon with quinoa tabouleh and lemon tahini, Yellowfin Tacos with white cabbage slaw, or even a Crunchy Chicken Sandwich on a freshly baked whole grain bun.

The Grand Dining Room is the luxurious grand dame of Oceania Cruises' culinary world. Here, guests will savor a leisurely dining experience in a truly magnificent and inspired room whose ambiance soars to equally lofty heights as the cuisine. This signature dining experience has always offered a bevy of delicious Continental dishes, and now a fresh and new array of options brings even more exciting possibilities. Every day presents a realm of choices from signature Jacques Pepin classics to an incredible spectrum of global flavors and an all-new Executive Chef's Tasting Menu. Menus change daily with an expansive choice of at least 10 appetizers, soups and salads and 10 dinner entrees, along with healthy options such as Aquamar Vitality Cuisine.

Polo Grill delights diners with the ultimate classic steakhouse experience presented with timeless reverence. Richly layered decor and an abundance of custom millwork create an imaginative rendition of tradition set against crisp white linen tablecloths while a cadre of black jacketed servers set the tone for an evening of gracious dining. Each course stands as the very definition of time-honored favorites, most notably the beef dishes, all of which are 28-day dry aged certified Black Angus USDA Prime, while succulent seafood dishes such as grilled swordfish and whole Maine lobster gratinee are also classics in their own right.

Toscana presents an evolution of Tuscan cuisine in a truly Italian setting of rich Chianina leather, hand-blown Venetian glass and Carrara marble. Evolved from generational family traditions, many of our recipes originated with the mothers and grandmothers of our own Italian culinary staff. Presented on elegant, custom-designed Versace china, masterfully prepared dishes exemplify the essence of Tuscany and celebrate Italy's culinary passion. Perhaps the evening begins with the octopus carpaccio with Champagne vinaigrette or the artichoke and parmesan cheese timbale with black truffle sauce, followed by classic dishes such as the hand-rolled gnocchi with pesto, a rich risotto with lobster medallions and shallots, or a pan-seared sea bass filet finished with Sorrento lemon, chardonnay and capers.

Red Ginger radiates harmony and tranquility while evoking the boldness and subtleties of the extraordinary Pan-Asian dishes our talented chefs have created. Much like the room itself, the Thai, Korean, Japanese and Malaysian rooted specialties are a melange of spicy and soothing, savory and sweet to please virtually every palate. Begin with a salad of spicy roast duck and watermelon with cashews, mint and Thai basil. Savor a Malaysian beef penang with coconut rice and paratha roti. Or try Thai vegetable curry with sweet potatoes, aubergine, mushrooms and basil in green curry sauce. In Red Ginger, the gustatory pleasures are as striking as the visual ones.

Terrace Cafe is the ultimate informal dining experience any time of day, whether inside the plushily adorned dining room or alfresco at one of the shaded tables on the stylish terrace. At breakfast, Terrace Cafe features a seemingly never-ending selection of sumptuous savory and sweet temptations including made-to-order eggs, omelets, pancakes and waffles. Come lunch, an expansive menu of international-inspired dishes is complemented by flavorful roasted and rotisserie meats and the magic of the pizzeria's oven. In the evening, you'll enjoy dinner in decidedly relaxed comfort as our chefs serve up an astounding array of dishes. Revel in a bounty of selections from grilled-to-order lobster tails, fish, filets and steaks to freshly made, hand-cut sushi and sashimi. A varied menu of hot and cold specialties changes daily along with our hallmark Chef's Market Dinners featuring locally inspired specialties from the ports of call.

Waves Grill is a casual, colorful, and perhaps a bit playful setting for dining on all-American favorites. Located in a spacious, shaded area steps from the swimming pool and Terrace Cafe, Waves Grill offers an extensive and mouthwatering menu during lunch and late into the afternoon for that much-desired snack or meal after an adventurous day of touring ashore. Watch the chefs grill gourmet burgers, succulent seafood and sandwiches to order in the open galley, accompanying them with sides like fresh salads, coleslaw and crispy, hand-cut fries. There is always room for dessert and the selection here is too good to pass up. Try a homemade sorbet, a made-to-order hot fudge sundae or a thick, hand-dipped milkshake.

The Culinary Center ascends to a new level of gustatory immersion as our passionate Chef Instructors share their enlightening perspectives on culture and cuisine through the lens of food and wine. Here, guests may not only partake in lively hands-on instruction  they may also indulge the pleasures of the palate in the new oceanview Culinary Center Dining Room with private group dinners or one of our many exclusive and highly acclaimed food and wine pairing experiences.

Privee is our marquee venue for bespoke, intimate culinary celebrations for a maximum of 10 privileged guests. Dramatic backlit, debossed walls and a blooming flower petal ceiling from which a dramatic chandelier descends over the polished marble slab dining table set the stage for a memorable evening while a wall of floor-to-ceiling glass provides an exhilarating view to complement a most memorable private dinner party that can literally traverse continents.

Baristas offers the ultimate vistas aboard Vista with its commanding 270-degree views over the sea while guests enjoy complimentary illy espressos, cappuccinos and lattes prepared by our master baristas as well as the delicious pastries, finger sandwiches and homemade biscotti. Just steps away, the new Bakery, with its freshly baked French and Italian pastries, is certain to be an instant hit. As the delicate yet rich scents fill the air, you'll be drawn from the adjacent coffee bar or Library for an indulgent chocolate-almond croissant or sinfully sweet bombolini while enjoying the lost art of people watching or simply gazing out at the azure blue sea.

Coming Soon

Owner's Suite - Details on Vista's Owner's Suites will be revealed on August 30th.

Inaugural Season Itineraries - Vista's inaugural season itineraries will open for viewing on September 9, 2021, and go on sale the following week, on September 15, 2021.

About Oceania Cruises

Oceania Cruises is the world's leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line. The line's seven small, luxurious ships carry no more than 1,250 guests and feature the finest cuisine at sea and destination-rich itineraries that span the globe. Expertly curated travel experiences aboard the designer-inspired, small ships call on more than 450 marquee and boutique ports across Europe, Alaska, Asia, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, New England-Canada, Bermuda, the Caribbean, the Panama Canal, Tahiti and the South Pacific in addition to the epic 180-day Around the World Voyages. The brand has an additional 1,200-guest Allura Class ships on order for delivery in 2025.

With headquarters in Miami, Oceania Cruises is owned by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., a diversified cruise operator of leading global cruise brands which include Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

About Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: NCLH) is a leading global cruise company which operates the Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands. With a combined fleet of 28 ships with nearly 60,000 berths, these brands offer itineraries to more than 490 destinations worldwide. The Company has nine additional ships scheduled for delivery through 2027, comprising of approximately 24,000 berths.

SOURCE Oceania Cruises
TORONTO, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - IXACT Contact is thrilled to welcome its newest partner, Pemberton Holmes Real Estate. Headquartered in Vancouver Island, BC, Pemberton Holmes has served the Greater Victoria area and other local communities since 1887.

Offering a wide array of features and services catered to real estate agents and brokers all over North America, IXACT Contact was chosen by Pemberton Holmes as its exclusive CRM partner to further increase to their already existing service offering and commitment to agent development and success.

Shannon McGee, Sales Director of IXACT Contact states, "CRM is the cornerstone of an agent's business and by providing a robust system in IXACT Contact, Pemberton Holmes is helping their agents to become the organized real estate professionals that past clients remember and refer, and prospects choose to list with."

As IXACT Contact's newest CRM partner, Pemberton Holmes is excited to offer IXACT Contact's robust real estate CRM to over 300 REALTORS. "We are still a family-owned company six generations later and are proud to be one of the largest independently owned real estate brokerages in North America," says Steve Kopnyitzki, Managing Broker in Charge of Recruiting and Training. "We want to continue providing exceptional service to our customers which is why we stress the importance of providing our sales representatives the best tools and services at the best price."

About Pemberton Holmes:

Pemberton Holmes Real Estate is a Canadian real-estate company located in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. It is considered one of the oldest family-owned real estate companies in North America; in continuous operation since 1887. Pemberton Holmes currently has 300 REALTORS in offices all across Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands specializing in both residential and commercial real estate. Pemberton Holmes also offers property management services and rental properties.

About IXACT Contact:

IXACT Contact is an easy-to-use real estate CRM that gives real estate agents all the tools they need to manage their contact information, keep in touch communications, active business, and online presence. All in a single, easy-to-use solution. With its unique marketing automation and content, IXACT Contact helps agents become the real estate professional that past clients never forget and prospects choose to work with. Agents who use IXACT Contact see an average increase in their GCI of 55%.

SOURCE IXACT Contact Solutions Inc.

Related Links

https://www.ixactcontact.com/contact/


Centered Upon the Rritual product line, in-depth profile to be filmed onsite at The Mung Bean Natural Foods and Vitamins Store in New York State reaching up to 540 million homes in the US and international markets

VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Rritual Superfoods Inc. ("Rritual" or the "Company") (CSE: RSF) (FWB: 0RW) (OTCQB: RRSFF) is excited to announce that the Company's product line and CEO will be featured in a live shoot at The Mung Bean Natural Foods and Vitamin Store in New York State conducted by "New to the Street," to serve as a vendor showcase and for wide distribution to outlets including NEWSMAX, FOX and Bloomberg. The programming be recorded on August 22nd and will air on Newsmax August 29th and September 5th and on Fox Business on August 30th.

The Mung Bean Natural Foods and Vitamin Store is an institution in the Health and Wellness food store category in New York State, and will provide Rrtiual with a vendor showcase through the fall sales season amongst independent health food and vitamin stores throughout the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

"We are taking advantage of the opportunity to showcase Rritual's product line instore at The Mung Bean, a top independent health and wellness retailer, delivering insights into our products and their uses, along with live customer testimonials as we focus a strong sales initiative with independent health and wellness stores to compliment our national placement with stores such as CVS and Rite Aid," said Mr. David Kerbel, Rritual CEO and Director.

In addition, "New to the Street" will be producing a segment that will be distributed for airing on Television to NEWSMAX, FOX Business, Fox Broadcasting, and Bloomberg amongst others.

Rritual product offerings are all USDA-certified organic and are a caffeine-free option that can be mixed with other beverages or enjoyed by itself. Rritual's proprietary Immune-Synergy Six Mushroom Blend is the only functional health product on the market that contains a daily prebiotic blend which nourishes a healthy gut microbiome and facilitates balanced digestive function.

About (New to the Street) FMW Media:

FMW Media operates one of the longest-running U.S and International sponsored and Syndicated Nielsen Rated programming T.V. brands "New to the Street," and its blockchain show "Exploring The Block." Since 2009, these brands run biographical interview segment shows across major U.S. Television networks. The TV platforms reach over 540 million homes both in the US and international markets. FMW recently added Newsmax to its broadcasting platform with its first show broadcasted Sunday, December 27th. The NEWSMAX New to The Street show is syndicated on Sundays at 10 AM EST. FMW is also one of the nation's largest buyers of linear Television long and short form-

https://www.newsmaxtv.com/Shows/New-to-the-Street

https://www.newtothestreet.com/

About Rritual

Rritual is a fast-growing functional superfood company that creates natural wellness products which support a holistic approach to a healthy lifestyle. The company is poised to dominate a segment where demand and sales are growing exponentially. Under the executive leadership with over 100 years of CPG pedigree, Rritual has launched distribution to major retailers and is positioning itself as a leader in the functional health and wellness industry as a superfood platform. Rritual markets organic wellness products in the United States through initial retail rollout which includes over 10,000 points of sale and through www.rritual.com.

Follow Rritual on Twitter , LinkedIn , Facebook , and Instagram .

Functional Foods Market

According to Grandview Research*, it is estimated that the global functional food market is projected to reach $275 billion by 2025, growing at 7.9% each year with consumers putting more emphasis on health and wellness.





*https://www.grandviewresearch.com/press-release/global-functional-foods-market

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking statements") that relate to Rritual's current expectations and views of future events. Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases such as "will likely result", "are expected to", "expects", "will continue", "is anticipated", "anticipates", "believes", "estimated", "intends", "plans", "forecast", "projection", "strategy", "objective" and "outlook") are not historical facts and may be forward-looking statements and may involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. No assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this news release should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release. In particular and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements relating to the Company's plans to leverage third party manufacturing and logistics, the Company's broader retail distribution plans and the Company's other plans, focus and objectives.

Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Rritual's control, which could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the impact and progression of the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors set forth under "Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" in the final long form prospectus of the Company dated February 26, 2021 and available under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Rritual undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for Rritual to predict all of them or assess the impact of each such factor or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Any forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

SOURCE Rritual Superfoods Inc.
GREENWICH, Conn. and PALO ALTO, Calif., Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Sageview Capital LP, a private investment firm focused on providing growth capital and operational support to leading tech-enabled businesses, announced the final closing of Sageview Capital Partners III ("Fund III"). The Fund exceeded its target of $600 million and was oversubscribed, closing at $710 million. Consistent with prior funds, the Sageview Capital team is the largest single investor in Fund III, creating strong alignment with the firm's investors and the entrepreneurs it backs.

Fund III will continue Sageview Capital's successful strategy of providing growth capital and operational support to fast-growing software and tech-enabled businesses that are well-positioned to be industry leaders, with ambitious management teams and category-leading products and services. Sageview Capital manages a concentrated portfolio of roughly 15 investments to ensure high-level focus and involvement in each company. As active partners, the Sageview Capital team leverages its industry experience, extensive Global 2000 network, and deep operational expertise to help its companies grow and reach their potential.

"We are grateful for the support received from both our existing and new investors and look forward to executing our proven investment strategy. The Fund has already made six compelling investments. We are currently evaluating many more, each with the potential to realize strong returns for our investors and all stakeholders," said Scott Stuart, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Sageview Capital.

Select Highlights:

- Fund III is off to a strong start, with roughly 25% of the capital deployed across six investments including, Drivewyze, CallRail, Carewell, Pax8, Specright, and XSELL Technologies.

- Sageview Capital most recently announced that its portfolio company Pantheon raised $100 million from Softbank's Vision Fund II at a $1 billion-plus pre-money valuation, making it one of Silicon Valley's latest unicorns.

- Sageview Capital is generally the first institutional capital within each portfolio company investment. For instance, the firm was an early investor in Avalara (2011), when the company had roughly $25 million in revenue. Today, Avalara has grown its annual revenues to over $500 million.

- Across its first two funds, five portfolio companies of Sageview Capital have had initial public offerings, including Avalara and GoPro, and six portfolio companies have been exited via strategic sales, including the recent sale of Reflexis Systems to Zebra Technologies for $575 million.

"We're proud of the team we've built and the success we've had to date. With this new pool of capital, we're excited to build on our record of investing in exceptional software and tech-enabled businesses. We will continue to leverage the firm's expertise to support our entrepreneurial partners and scale companies that are well-positioned to become the industry leaders of tomorrow," said Ned Gilhuly, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Sageview Capital.

About Sageview Capital

Sageview Capital LP is a private investment firm focused on providing growth capital and operational support to leading tech-enabled businesses. As active partners, we leverage our decades of industry experience, operational expertise, and extensive network to drive long-term value for our portfolio companies. The firm's investments include 360insights, Aceable, Brandwatch, CallRail, Carewell, Demandbase, Drivewyze, Elastic Path, Ezoic, MetricStream, NAM, Pantheon, Pax8, Specright, Theatro, Womply, and XSELL Technologies, among others. Sageview Capital was founded in 2006 and has deployed over $1.1 billion across 28 growth capital investments. The firm has offices in Greenwich, Connecticut, and Palo Alto, California.

Media contacts:

Daniel Yunger / Emma Prenn-Vasilakis

Kekst CNC

[email protected] / [email protected]

SOURCE Sageview Capital LP
SACRAMENTO, Calif., Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Impact Venture Capital, a leading early-stage venture capital firm based in Silicon Valley, announced it will host its fourth IMPACT GLOBAL VENTURE SUMMIT on October 7th, 2021 at the brand new Safe Credit Union Convention Center in Sacramento, California. This Summit serves as one of the preeminent events in the Western US focused on innovation and investment in today's leading technologies and the impact those innovations have on society.

More than one thousand investors, entrepreneurs, corporate executives, and students will meet to share insights and deliver hands-on demonstrations of cutting-edge innovations and early prototypes. Attendees will have access to the leading innovators and active investors shaping technology adoption in global markets.

For more program details, www.impactventuresummit.com

After completing a merger between Sprint and T-mobile then a role as a Partner at Softbank and Board member at Boston Dynamics, Jan Geldmacher will be a keynote speaker at the Summit to share his experiences and perspective on key technology trends in the coming years.

Other Keynotes in the 2021 summit program include Kate Renwick-Espinosa (President of VSP Vision Care  the leader in health-focused vision benefits with more than 80 million members), and Ken Coleman (former executive at Silicon Graphics and current advisor for Pinterest, the $45B visual discovery engine). Key industry partners for the Summit include leading organizations such as The Kauffman Fellows, Entrepreneurs Organization, with sponsorship from Insperity.

The summit's unique, open-floor format is purposefully designed to mobilize attendees so they can easily attend programs most relevant to them. It features three live stages, two keynote speakers and a fireside chat, scores of exhibiting startups, and Epic Office Hours which is best described as speed dating between startups and investors. Highlighted panel discussions of industry thought-leaders and investment experts will address investments into new technologies and their societal impacts.

"With tailwinds for innovation in artificial intelligence applied to security, finance, and digital healthcare, this Summit will kick start amazing opportunities to solve global challenges for the next decade with new companies that are launching this year," said Jack Crawford, Founding General Partner of Impact Venture Capital and Chairman of the Summit.

"By bringing bold creative innovators, world-class investors, market innovators, and industry thought leaders and policymakers together, the Impact Global Venture Summit is the platform for attracting global investors to new technology solutions. We're thrilled to support Impact Venture Capital with their Summit for a 4th year," said Jeff Harbach, CEO of Kauffman Fellows.

In 2019 the Summit included more than 1,100 investors, corporate innovators, and entrepreneurs.

About Impact Venture Capital

Impact Venture Capital is a Silicon Valley-based early-stage venture capital firm that invests alongside corporate venture groups and top-tier investors in early-stage technology startups with a focus on artificial intelligence applied to security, finance, digital health, and other fast-growing industry sectors.

SOURCE Impact Venture Capital

Related Links

http://impactvc.com/


Revenue Up 45.7% Year-Over-Year to RMB10,537 Million

Net Profit Attributable to Owners of the Company Up 55.8% Year-Over-Year to RMB2,675 Million

Diluted EPS Up 46.8% Year-Over-Year to RMB0.91

Adjusted Non-IFRS [1] Net Profit Attributable to Owners of the Company Up 67.8% Year-Over-Year to RMB2,448 Million

Adjusted Non-IFRS Diluted EPS Up 58.5% Year-Over-Year to RMB0.84 [2]

SHANGHAI, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- WuXi AppTec (stock code: 603259.SH / 2359.HK), a company that provides a broad portfolio of R&D and manufacturing services that enable companies in the pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device industries worldwide to advance discoveries and deliver groundbreaking treatments to patients, is pleased to announce its financial results for the first half of 2021 (Reporting Period).

This document serves purely as a summary and is not intended to provide a complete representation of the relevant matters. For further information, please refer to the 2021 interim report and relevant announcements published on the websites of the Shanghai Stock Exchange (www.sse.com.cn) and the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (www.hkexnews.hk), and the designated media for dissemination of the relevant information. Investors are advised to exercise caution and be aware of the investment risks in dealing in the shares of the Company.

All financials disclosed in this press release are prepared based on International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), in currency of RMB.

The 2021 Interim Report of the Company has not been audited.

1H 2021 Financial Highlights

Revenue grew 45.7% year-over-year to RMB10,537 million. The strong revenue growth was mainly attributable to the Company's continued focus on leveraging its unique integrated end-to-end platform to achieve synergy and strong growth across our business segments.

Our China -based laboratory services revenue grew 45.2% to RMB5,487 million .

-based laboratory services revenue grew 45.2% to . Our CDMO services revenue grew 66.5% to RMB3,599 million .

. Our U.S.-based laboratory services declined 15.7% to RMB659 million.

Our clinical research and other CRO services revenue grew 56.5% to RMB783 million .

IFRS gross profit increased 46.1% year-over-year to RMB3,884 million . Gross profit margin was 36.9%. [3]

. Gross profit margin was 36.9%. Adjusted Non-IFRS gross profit increased 44.1% year-over-year to RMB4,102 million . Adjusted Non-IFRS gross margin was 38.9%.

. Adjusted Non-IFRS gross margin was 38.9%. EBITDA increased 51.6% year-over-year to RMB3,942 million .

. Adjusted EBITDA increased 53.4% year-over-year to RMB3,649 million .

. Net profit attributable to owners of the Company increased 55.8% year-over-year to RMB2,675 million . The strong net profit growth is mainly attributable to robust revenue growth, continuous improvements to the Company's operating efficiencies and gains from our venture capital investment portfolio, partially offset by the fair value losses of RMB1,493 from derivative component of convertible bonds as a result of significant H-share price increase during the Reporting Period. In the first half of 2021, the net gain from venture and fund investments contributed RMB2,148 million , due primarily to fair market value gains post certain portfolio companies' IPO and gains from the sale of shares of certain companies within our venture investment portfolio during the Reporting Period.

. The strong net profit growth is mainly attributable to robust revenue growth, continuous improvements to the Company's operating efficiencies and gains from our venture capital investment portfolio, partially offset by the fair value losses of from derivative component of convertible bonds as a result of significant H-share price increase during the Reporting Period. In the first half of 2021, the net gain from venture and fund investments contributed , due primarily to fair market value gains post certain portfolio companies' IPO and gains from the sale of shares of certain companies within our venture investment portfolio during the Reporting Period. Adjusted non-IFRS net profit attributable to owners of the Company increased 67.8% year-over-year to RMB2,448 million .

. Diluted EPS increased 46.8% year-over-year to RMB0.91 , while adjusted diluted non-IFRS EPS increased by 58.5% year-over-year to RMB0.84 .

[1] To better reflect the operation results and key performance, we adjusted the scope of Non-IFRS, and the comparative financial figures for the comparable periods have been adjusted to reflect this change. [2] Half-year 2020 and 2021, we had a fully-diluted weighted average share count of 2,761,121,569 and 2,924,395,370 ordinary shares, respectively. [3] If prepared under Accounting Standard for Business Enterprises of PRC, the gross profit grew 46.1% year-over-year to RMB3,897 million. Gross profit margin was 37.0%.

1H 2021 Business Highlights

In 1H 2021, we continued to grow our customer base by adding over 1,020 new customers, increasing our customer base to more than 5,220 active accounts. The demand for our services was very strong across our customer base. We continued to optimize cross-platform synergies and increased our presence globally, strengthening our unique competitive advantage as a fully integrated CRDMO (Contract Research Development and Manufacturing Organization) and a true one-stop service provider that is able to fulfill all our clients' discovery, development and manufacturing service needs.

Revenue from international clients increased 45% to RMB8,035 million and revenue from China clients grew 48% to RMB2,501 million .

and revenue from clients grew 48% to .

We continued to expand our customer base and retain existing clients. During the Reporting Period, revenue from existing clients grew 42% to RMB9,688 million and new clients contributed RMB849 million in revenue.

and new clients contributed in revenue.

During the Reporting Period, revenue attributable to global "long-tail" and China clients grew 54% to RMB7,570 million ; revenue from Top 20 global pharmaceutical companies grew 29%, up to RMB2,967 million in revenue.

clients grew 54% to ; revenue from Top 20 global pharmaceutical companies grew 29%, up to in revenue.

Our unique positioning across the pharmaceutical development value-chain allowed us to "follow-the-molecule" and enhance synergies across our business segments. Clients using services from more than one of our business units contributed RMB8,631 million in revenue, growing 40% year-over-year.

China-based Laboratory Services: Growing demand from domestic and international markets

Our China -based laboratory segment has seen a significant uplift in market demand and overseas orders; revenue grew 45.2% year-over-year to RMB5,487 million . The segment remains a significant value-driver for our medium to long term business growth, enabling us to "follow-the-molecule" from the earliest stages of drug discovery to preclinical development.

-based laboratory segment has seen a significant uplift in market demand and overseas orders; revenue grew 45.2% year-over-year to . The segment remains a significant value-driver for our medium to long term business growth, enabling us to "follow-the-molecule" from the earliest stages of drug discovery to preclinical development. We strengthened our research services and capabilities for new modalities, growing revenue in this area by 52% year-over-year in 1H 2021.

We continued to engage and increase new "long-tail" customers, adding 544 new clients in 1H 2021; "long-tail" customer revenue contributions reached a historical high of 65% in 2Q 2021.

Toxicology services achieved strong revenue growth of 85% year-over-year. We are the industry leader in China for drug safety assessment.

for drug safety assessment. We leveraged our integrated WuXi AppTec Investigational New Drug (IND) program (WIND) to prepare and facilitate global regulatory submissions of IND packages, expediting the IND application process for many of our global and China customers. 81 WIND service packages were signed during 1H 2021 and the average revenue per WIND package ranges from USD1.1 million to 1.5 million.

customers. 81 WIND service packages were signed during 1H 2021 and the average revenue per WIND package ranges from to 1.5 million. Our success-based drug discovery service unit filed INDs for 7 new-chemical-entities and obtained 8 Clinical Trial Applications (CTA) for domestic customers. As of June 30, 2021 , we have cumulatively submitted 126 new chemical entity IND filings with the NMPA and obtained 99 CTAs, with 2 projects in Phase III clinical trials, 12 projects in Phase II clinical trials, and 68 projects in Phase I clinical trials.

CDMO Services: Accelerated growth supported by increased capacity and capabilities

Revenue attributed to CDMO services grew 66.5% year-over-year to RMB 3,599 million . During the reporting period, our CDMO services provided process development, formulation development and manufacturing services for 1,413 small molecules, including 48 molecules in Phase III clinical trials and 32 molecules in commercial manufacturing. Our subsidiary WuXi STA supplies clients with quality drugs that meet global standards, empowering clients worldwide to enter global markets.

. During the reporting period, our CDMO services provided process development, formulation development and manufacturing services for 1,413 small molecules, including 48 molecules in Phase III clinical trials and 32 molecules in commercial manufacturing. Our subsidiary WuXi STA supplies clients with quality drugs that meet global standards, empowering clients worldwide to enter global markets. During 1H 2021, we added 341 new molecules into our CDMO pipeline. As of June 30, 2021 , molecules in our CDMO pipeline account for 14.1% of the innovative chemical drugs in clinical stages globally, an increase from 11.5% at the end of 2019.

, molecules in our CDMO pipeline account for 14.1% of the innovative chemical drugs in clinical stages globally, an increase from 11.5% at the end of 2019. Among the 341 newly added molecules, we have provided our second full CMC integrated manufacturing services for HUTCHMED's Savolitinib (MET inhibitor). We provide end-to-end manufacturing services for Savolitinib from API manufacturing to spray drying, tablet manufacturing and packaging. We believe this is another important testament to our full capabilities, from drug substance to drug product manufacturing for commercial products.

We also continued to expand our capabilities in developing new modalities for global clients. The number of compounds for oligo and peptide drug candidates in our pipeline increased 129% and the number of ADC clients increased by 57%. In June 2021 , WuXi STA and WuXi Biologics formed WuXi XDC, a joint venture to provide integrated end-to-end CDMO services for ADC and other drug conjugate products.

drug candidates in our pipeline increased 129% and the number of ADC clients increased by 57%. In , WuXi STA and WuXi Biologics formed WuXi XDC, a joint venture to provide integrated end-to-end CDMO services for ADC and other drug conjugate products. Our Wuxi site began operations in May 2021 , marking the company's second site for integrated formulation development and drug product manufacturing.

, marking the company's second site for integrated formulation development and drug product manufacturing. WuXi STA also announced the construction of a new API and Drug Product manufacturing facility in Delaware, USA . The facility will be the second site for STA in the U.S. and its eighth manufacturing facility globally.

. The be the second site for STA in the U.S. and its eighth manufacturing facility globally. WuXi STA closed the acquisition of Bristol Myers Squibb's commercial drug product production facility in Couvet, Switzerland end of July 2021 . The Couvet site is STA's first facility in Europe , expanding WuXi AppTec's global presence with large scale capsule and tablet production capabilities.

U.S.-based Laboratory Services: Continued impact from COVID-19 pandemic, but expect to see recovery in 2H 2021

Our cell and gene therapies CTDMO services enabled customers globally. During the Reporting Period:

Our Philadelphia site provided services for 38 clinical stage projects, including 22 projects in Phase I clinical trials and 16 projects in Phase II/III clinical trials. Revenue decline year-over-year largely due to the impact of COVID-19 and subsequent delay or cancellation of certain late stage client projects.

site provided services for 38 clinical stage projects, including 22 projects in Phase I clinical trials and 16 projects in Phase II/III clinical trials.

We acquired OXGENE, an Oxford, U.K. -based company, in the first half of 2021 and are in the process of developing and promoting its cutting-edge TESSA technology (for greatly improved yield and manufacturability of AAV products) and XLenti (for lenti-viral vector production) to global clients.

-based company, in the first half of 2021 and are in the process of developing and promoting its cutting-edge TESSA technology (for greatly improved yield and manufacturability of AAV products) and XLenti (for lenti-viral vector production) to global clients.

We are signing more clients and cell and gene therapy projects, which will grow this segment of our business from 2H 2021 and beyond.

Our Medical Device Testing segment was negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. and the shifting of business mix of large medical device manufacturers in the U.S., and the delay of MDR. However, the new EU MDR (EU 2017/745) has been officially enforced starting May 26, 2021 . Consequently, we expect the medical device testing business will gradually recover second half of 2021 and into next year.

Overall, we expect our U.S.-based Laboratory Services to recover in 2H 2021 and to further improve in 2022.

Clinical Research CRO/SMO Services: Strong growth in SMO and clinical CRO as the pandemic situation improved 1H 2021

Revenue attributed to clinical research CRO/SMO services achieved robust growth of 56.5% year-over-year to RMB783 million . Our clinical research services continued to enable customers in China and the U.S. during the Reporting Period:

. Our clinical research services continued to enable customers in and the U.S. during the Reporting Period: In the first half of 2021, the clinical research CRO team provided services to 170+ projects for our clients in China and the U.S., completing registration trials for 3 products and enabling 5 ADC products to reach development milestones.

and the U.S., completing registration trials for 3 products and enabling 5 ADC products to reach development milestones.

Our clinical CRO services unit continued to enhance cross-border clinical trial capabilities. In the first half of 2021, we began conducting clinical trials and enrolled the first patient in a Phase I trial in Australia for a China -based biotech client.

for a -based biotech client.

During the Reporting Period, our Chengdu site provided its inaugural first-in-human Phase I clinical trial for an innovative drug candidate and revenue generated from this Chengdu Phase I center grew 162% year-over-year.

site provided its inaugural first-in-human Phase I clinical trial for an innovative drug candidate and revenue generated from this Chengdu Phase I center grew 162% year-over-year.

Our SMO maintained its leadership position in China with around 4,000 staff in 147 cities, providing services for hundreds of clinical trials across about 960 hospitals. Team size increased 43% year-over-year, demonstrating continued strong market demand for our SMO services.

with around 4,000 staff in cities, providing services for hundreds of clinical trials across about hospitals. Team size increased 43% year-over-year, demonstrating continued strong market demand for our SMO services.

During the Reporting Period, SMO supported regulatory approval of 14 products in China , exhibiting a significant increase from 17 product approvals in total for all of 2020.

Continuous Improvements in ESG Performance

In the first half of 2021, while working to manage the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, we continued to improve our ESG performance to meet our sustainability goals and expectations. We aimed to reduce carbon emissions and enhance our business' resilience to climate change. The intensity of our greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption decreased by 6.5% and 6.9%, respectively. At the same time, we have sought to improve diversity and inclusion within our workplace and to make investments in our people. As a result, we have been awarded the "Most Attractive Employers for Medical Graduates in China" by Universum for the past three consecutive years. By the end of June 30, 2021, the number of female employees remained at 53% of our workforce. These efforts and practices are recognized by our investors and clients, as well as various ESG rating agencies. We remain committed to "doing the right thing and doing it right," and will focus on delivering our commitments to our customers, employees, investors, communities and the environment to operate in a sustainable way both today and in the future.

Management Comment

Dr. Ge Li, Chairman and CEO of WuXi AppTec, said, "During the Reporting Period, our revenue increased 45.7% over the prior year to RMB10,537 million and our adjusted non-IFRS net profit attributable to owners of the Company increased 67.8% year-over-year to RMB2,448 million. We are proud that over our more than twenty-year history, WuXi AppTec has earned a solid reputation due to our track record of continuously delivering stable and outstanding results for our stakeholders, and that trend has continued in 2021."

"Relentlessly focused on serving our customers better, we are making changes to the organization of our business segments starting from Q3 2021. We have integrated our capabilities to form three new business divisions WuXi Chemistry, WuXi Biology, and WuXi Testing which now possess the end-to-end capabilities needed to provide integrated services to customers.

"Dr. Minzhang Chen was named as a Co-CEO and will lead the newly-formed WuXi Chemistry division, which now encompasses all chemistry services, including research, development and commercial manufacturing under one roof. This is our new business model that we have named CRDMO (Contract Research, Development and Manufacturing Organization). After this integration, WuXi Chemistry will have 10,190 research scientists, 3,741 API process development and formulation development scientists, and 4,036 manufacturing staff. It is the largest and most comprehensive chemistry services organization in the world with a workforce of 17,967 as of June 30, 2021."

"Dr. Steve Yang continues to serve as a Co-CEO and will lead our WuXi Testing and WuXi Biology divisions. WuXi Testing now integrates our preclinical testing services (DMPK, Toxicology, Bioanalytical) and clinical testing services (clinical CRO and SMO) to provide customers with seamless drug testing services from preclinical testing to clinical trials. WuXi Biology provides a full spectrum of biology-related discovery services from in-vitro and in-vivo biology, high throughput screening, DEL, and many other biology services."

Dr. Ge Li concluded, "We believe that these three new integrated business divisions plus the existing WuXi ATU and WuXi DDSU will allow WuXi AppTec to better serve our global customers. The fundamentals of our business and its future outlook both remain very strong. Looking ahead, we will further increase investment in our R&D services in both capacity and capabilities, particularly in new modalities. We are confident that this will better enable our customers to bring innovative medicines to patients in need  realizing our vision that 'every drug can be made and every disease can be treated."

Reconciliation of Non-IFRS and Adjusted Non-IFRS Net Profit Attributable to the

Owners of the Company[4]

RMB Million Six Months Ended

June 30, 2021 Six Months Ended

June 30, 2020 Profit Attributable to the owners of the

Company 2,675.1 1,717.2 Add:



Share-based compensation expenses 310.6 275.3 Issuance expenses of convertible bonds 1.8 2.5 Fair value losses from derivative

component of convertible bonds 1,493.3 486.8 Foreign exchange related

losses/(gains) 66.8 (39.8) Amortization of intangible assets

acquired in business combinations 26.2 17.6 Non-IFRS Net Profit Attributable to the

owners of the Company 4,573.8 2,459.6 Add:



Realized and unrealized gains from

venture investments (2,148.2) (1,013.2) Realized and unrealized share of

losses from joint ventures 22.3 12.4 Adjusted non-IFRS net profit attributable

to the owners of the Company 2,447.9 1,458.8

[4] If the sum of the data below is inconsistent with the total, it is caused by rounding.

EBITDA[5]

RMB Million Six Months Ended

June 30, 2021 Six Months Ended

June 30, 2020





Profit before tax 3,179.9 1,922.0 Add:



Interest expense 68.9 110.8 Depreciation and amortization 693.6 567.6 EBITDA 3,942.4 2,600.3 % EBITDA margin 37.4% 36.0% Add:



Share-based compensation expenses 375.0 334.7 Issuance expenses of convertible bonds 2.4 3.3 Fair value losses from derivative

component of convertible bonds 1,493.3 486.8 Foreign exchange related losses/(gains) 79.0 (45.6) Realized and unrealized gains from

venture investments (2,266.0) (1,013.2) Realized and unrealized share of losses

from joint ventures 22.3 12.4 Adjusted EBITDA 3,648.5 2,378.7 % Adjusted EBITDA margin 34.6% 32.9%

[5] If the sum of the data below is inconsistent with the total, it is caused by rounding.

Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss[6]

RMB Million Six Months

Ended June

30, 2021 Six Months

Ended June

30, 2020 Year-over-

Year

Change Revenue 10,536.6 7,231.4 45.7% Cost of services (6,652.8) (4,572.8) 45.5% Gross profit 3,883.7 2,658.6 46.1% Other income 206.1 128.0 61.0% Other gains and losses 740.6 721.8 2.6% Impairment losses under expected credit

losses ("ECL") model, net of reversal (21.6) (8.1) 166.7% Selling and marketing expenses (355.3) (274.5) 29.4% Administrative expenses (995.3) (829.3) 20.0% Research and development expenses (404.4) (333.4) 21.3% Operating Profit 3,053.8 2,063.1 48.0% Share of profits/ (losses) of associates 217.3 (17.9) -1314.0% Share of losses of joint ventures (22.3) (12.4) 79.8% Finance costs (68.9) (110.8) -37.8% Profit before tax 3,179.9 1,922.0 65.4% Income tax expense (487.7) (194.5) 150.7% Profit for the period 2,692.2 1,727.5 55.8%







Profit for the period attributable to:





Owners of the Company 2,675.1 1,717.2 55.8% Non-controlling interests 17.1 10.3 66.0%

2,692.2 1,727.5 55.8%

[6] If the sum of the data below is inconsistent with the total, it is caused by rounding.

Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss (continued)[7]



Six Months

Ended June 30,

2021 Six Months

Ended June 30,

2020 Year-over-

Year

Change







Weighted average number of ordinary

shares for calculating EPS (express in

shares)





 Basic 2,903,298,268 2,740,032,558 6.0%  Diluted 2,924,395,370 2,761,121,569 5.9%







Earnings per share attributable to

ordinary shareholders of the Company

(expressed in RMB per share)[8]





 Basic 0.92 0.63 46.0%  Diluted 0.91 0.62 46.8%

[7] If the sum of the data below is inconsistent with the total, it is caused by rounding. [8] In 2021, pursuant to the 2020 Profit Distribution Plan considered and approved by the shareholders'

general meeting, the Company issued 2 shares for every 10 shares of the Company by way of

capitalization of reserve. In accordance with the regulations of the China Securities Regulatory

Commission, the Company has adjusted the basic earnings per share and diluted earnings per share

for the comparative period according to the 2020 Profit Distribution Plan.

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position[9]

RMB Million June 30, December 31,

2021 2020





Non-current Assets



Property, plant and equipment 12,235.1 10,137.1 Right of use assets 1,743.6 1,519.9 Biological assets 631.3 418.9 Goodwill 1,952.6 1,391.8 Other intangible assets 912.7 585.3 Interest in associates 930.8 712.3 Interest in joint ventures 52.4 52.5 Deferred tax assets 315.0 300.9 Financial assets at fair value through profit or

loss ("FVTPL") 9,467.3 6,717.2 Other non-current assets 2,134.8 1,395.6 Amount Due from Related Parties 1.6 0.4

30,377.0 23,231.8





Current Assets



Inventories 2,777.8 1,933.8 Biological assets 523.9 501.7 Contract costs 336.4 250.3 Amounts due from related parties 25.2 56.9 Trade and other receivables 5,120.2 4,337.9 Contract assets 680.1 542.0 Income tax recoverable 0.2 19.1 Financial assets at FVTPL 2,180.5 4,617.7 Derivative financial instruments 341.7 562.8 Pledged bank deposits 8.7 9.1 Bank Balances and Cash 9,805.7 10,228.1

21,800.3 23,059.3





Total Assets 52,177.4 46,291.2

[9] If the sum of the data below is inconsistent with the total, it is caused by rounding.

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position (continued)[10]

RMB Million June 30, 2021 December 31, 2020





Current Liabilities



Trade and other payables 5,374.0 4,550.3 Amounts due to related parties 12.9 23.8 Derivative financial instruments 10.2 0.9 Contract liabilities 2,010.7 1,581.0 Borrowings 2,271.2 1,230.0 Income tax payables 368.0 340.4 Financial liabilities at FVTPL - 16.5 Lease liabilities 166.1 177.4

10,213.2 7,920.3





Non-current Liabilities



Convertible bonds-debt component 946.9 1,819.0 Convertible bonds-embedded derivative

component 1,757.1 1,582.1 Deferred tax liabilities 357.3 283.0 Deferred income 679.5 682.0 Other long-term liabilities 180.2 219.1 Lease liabilities 1,059.6 1,067.1 Total Non-current liabilities 4,980.7 5,652.3





Total Liabilities 15,193.8 13,572.7





Net Assets 36,983.5 32,718.5





Capital and Reserves



Share capital 2,949.0 2,441.7 Reserves 33,782.6 30,052.1 Equity attributable to owners of the Company 36,731.6 32,493.7 Non-controlling interests 251.9 224.7 Total Equity 36,983.5 32,718.5

[10] If the sum of the data below is inconsistent with the total, it is caused by rounding.

About WuXi AppTec

WuXi AppTec provides a broad portfolio of R&D and manufacturing services that enable companies in the pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device industries worldwide to advance discoveries and deliver groundbreaking treatments to patients. As an innovation-driven and customer-focused company, WuXi AppTec helps our partners improve the productivity of advancing healthcare products through cost-effective and efficient solutions. With industry-leading capabilities such as R&D and manufacturing for small molecule drugs, cell and gene therapies, and testing for medical devices, WuXi AppTec's open-access platform is enabling more than 5,200 collaborators from over 30 countries to improve the health of those in need  and to realize our vision that "every drug can be made and every disease can be treated." Please visit: http://www.wuxiapptec.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain certain "forward-looking statements" which are not historical facts, but instead are predictions about future events based on our beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to our management. Although we believe that our predictions are reasonable, future events are inherently uncertain and our forward-looking statements may turn out to be incorrect. Our forward-looking statements are subject to risks relating to, among other things, the ability of our service offerings to compete effectively, our ability to meet timelines for the expansion of our service offerings, our ability to protect our clients' intellectual property, unforeseeable international tension, competition, the impact of emergencies and other force majeure. Our forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law or listing rules. Accordingly, you are strongly cautioned that reliance on any forward-looking statements involves known and unknown risks and uncertainties. All forward-looking statements contained herein are qualified by reference to the cautionary statements set forth in this section. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release and are based on assumptions that we believe to be reasonable as of this date, and we do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

Use of Non-IFRS and Adjusted Non-IFRS Financial Measures

We provide non-IFRS gross profit, exclude the impact in revenue and cost from effective hedge accounting, share-based compensation expenses and amortization of intangible assets acquired in business combinations, and non-IFRS net profit attributable to owners of the Company, which exclude share-based compensation expenses, issuance expenses of convertible bonds, fair value gain or loss from derivative component of convertible bonds, foreign exchange-related gains or losses, amortization of intangible assets acquired in business combinations and goodwill impairment. We also provide adjusted non-IFRS net profit attributable to owners of the Company and earnings per share, which further exclude realized and unrealized gains or losses from our venture investments and joint ventures. Neither is required by, or presented in accordance with IFRS.

To better reflect the operation results and key performance, the Company has adjusted the scope of the foreign exchange related gains or losses by adjusting only the gains or losses that the management believes irrelevant to the core business. The comparative financial figures for the comparable periods have been adjusted to reflect the change of the scope.

We believe that the adjusted financial measures used in this press release are useful for understanding and assessing our core business performance and operating trends, and we believe that management and investors may benefit from referring to these adjusted financial measures in assessing our financial performance by eliminating the impact of certain unusual, non-recurring, non-cash and non-operating items that we do not consider indicative of the performance of our core business. Such adjusted non-IFRS net profit attributable to owners of the Company, the management of the Company believes, is widely accepted and adopted in the industry the Company is operating in. However, the presentation of these adjusted non-IFRS financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with IFRS. You should not view adjusted results on a stand-alone basis or as a substitute for results under IFRS, or as being comparable to results reported or forecasted by other companies.

SOURCE WuXi AppTec

Related Links

www.wuxiapptec.com


LARAMIE, Wyo., Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- WyoTech, a Laramie, Wyoming-based diesel tech and auto mechanic trade school, is one of many institutions that have been invaluable to the American economy since the COVID-19 outbreak. WyoTech has been actively providing students with the building blocks of success to help them achieve career growth at a fraction of the price of a four-year institution.

WyoTech

According to analysis by staffing leader PeopleReady, most in-demand skilled trade jobs are remaining unfilled for extended periods of time due to the shortage of qualified workers. This is an increasingly concerning reality, as the major pharmaceutical companies producing the COVID-19 vaccine rely on trade workers to manage the packing, temperature monitoring, and transportation of these essential substances.

"America was built on the trades and depends heavily on them to this day. The transportation industry is hitting an all-time high for both personal and commercial use. As a result, the demand for technicians serving dealerships, agriculture, transportation companies and factories, is also at an all-time high," said Jim Mathis, President of WyoTech. "Whether they know it or not, Americans rely on truck drivers, diesel semi-truck drivers and other skilled workers for their groceries, vaccines, package deliveries and much more."

"America needs trade education more than ever and WyoTech is focused on delivering the best education for automotive technology, collision and refinishing and diesel technology," said Mathis.

While major universities work to prepare students for entry-level positions, trade schools' goals are the same, but with a specialized interest. The primary goal of trade schools is to get graduates ready for an entry-level position as a technician. A common misconception is that trade schools and diesel tech schools are meant to produce perfect workers. This is inaccurate. The truth is, trade schools aim to provide students with the fundamentals to succeed within a technician role, not mass-produce experts within the field.

"Students and their families should really think about what their long-term goals are. If you are seeking the all-around collegiate experience, then a four-year university is for you. If you are passionate about the trades and interested in earning a paycheck sooner than later, spending time with people in the field, contacting local business owners in the trades you want to pursue and learning about the professional behaviors desired by employers, then trade school is the hands-on experience you need," said Mathis.

"At WyoTech, we strive to offer the best student experience and the best training to give them the foundation for the best possible outcome. I truly believe WyoTech prepares its students for an entry-level job; it is the individual's responsibility to show up and put in the work. WyoTech is not a walk-in-the-park type of training. We are in school five days per week, eight hours per day, with a strict attendance policy. It is all meant to prepare students for the real world, with real-world experience," Mathis said.

WyoTech holds quarterly job fairs for students, during which companies from across the country come to recruit candidates for technician roles in a variety of industries. Every WyoTech student is unique in terms of their background, skillset and interests. Regardless, the WyoTech instructors make it a priority to give each individual student a chance to succeed and secure a job after graduation.

"WyoTech loves to see its graduates doing well in their field, taking care of their families and living the life they choose. We know that if we keep our vision of building a school with the best experience, the best training and the best outcomes, our students have all the tools they need to be successful. Ultimately, it is their attitude and commitment that determine the end result," added Mathis.

Another misconception that seems to be associated with trade schools and diesel technician programs is that the value of the education is inferior when compared to a four-year college. In reality, trade schools offer students a comprehensive curriculum designed to help them secure a position in a prosperous and recession-proof job market.

"Somewhere along the way, America has created a 'less than' story about people entering the trades in lieu of a traditional university path. I believe COVID exposed the reliance we have on skilled workers in this country and brought awareness to the earning potential available in the trades. Parents need an education on the different paths that their kids can explore with career outcomes in high-demand fields," said Mathis.

"The truth is, whether it is a four-year university, a diesel mechanic school, or automotive schooling, students are being prepared for entry-level positions in the field of their choice. The difference with WyoTech is that we are doing it in nine months with full time days versus 12-15 hours a week for four years," said Mathis.

For more information about WyoTech, please visit https://www.wyotech.edu.

About WyoTech

WyoTech, formerly known as Wyoming Technical Institute, is a for-profit, technical college founded in Laramie, Wyoming in 1966. WyoTech provides training programs that prepare students for careers as technicians in the automotive and diesel industry with nine-month training programs that focus on hands-on experience.

Contact Information

Mike Albanese: [email protected]

Related Images

wyotech-students.jpg

WyoTech Students

wyotech-students-in-action.jpg

WyoTech Students in Action

SOURCE WyoTech
"Joining 33 Holdings LLC is an incremental progression in our quest to build a world class mortgage field services and construction service business," commented Chad Beers, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Beers Housing Inc. "As part of 33 Holdings LLC, we will be able to serve 33's existing portfolio as well as attract new industry-wide clients. This is truly an exciting relationship for our customers, vendors and employees and will help position our business for strong growth in the future," he stated.

"This investment in Beers Housing Inc., presents a great opportunity for 33 Holdings LLC to add a leading mortgage field services & construction services business to our platform," stated Sanjay Raghavaraju, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of 33 Holdings LLC.

"With this merger, it will create a fully functional private equity real estate company that will create higher returns and faster delivery of real estate projects to our clients," stated Corey Oldknow, Broker & Chief Acquisitions Officer of 33 Holdings LLC.

Under the terms of the agreement, Beers Housing Inc., will operate under the Beers Construction Partners (BCP) name and under the current leadership. In addition, Heather Beers, Managing Partner of Beers Housing Inc., will take on the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO) at 33 Holdings LLC & Beers Housing Inc., helping with the integration of the two companies while ensuring value to Investors and Clients over the next few months. Both Chad Beers & Heather Beers will join Corey Oldknow & Sanjay Raghavaraju as Principals of 33 Holdings LLC.

"Beers Housing Inc., is excited to join the 33 group of companies," said Heather Beers, Managing Partner of Beers Housing Inc. "Our respective cultures, goals and investment philosophies are very much aligned. Beers Construction Partners (BCP) will remain a leading Mortgage Field Services & Construction Services firm, now benefiting from the support of 33's significant financial and operational resources. The partnership with 33 ensures that BCP's principals will remain majority-owners of the firm. With this integration, we see a growth opportunity given the seismic shifts in the real estate market, which our partners and staff will thrive, enabling us to better serve our investors and impact the communities we operate in."

About 33 Holdings LLC (33)

33 Holdings LLC specializes in real estate investment, acquisition, development, construction and asset management across the Southeast US with a concentration on primary and secondary markets. Sanjay Raghavaraju founded 33 Holdings LLC on the premise that investment in real estate should be driven by sound market fundamentals, a flexible time horizon and strong alignment of interest between investors and managers. 33 Holdings has a strong track record of driving investment results. 33 Holdings differentiates itself by providing hands-on real estate investment management, creative deal structuring, and transparent communication with investors.

For more visit http://www.33holdings.com

About Beers Construction Partners (BCP),

Beers Construction Partners specializes in maintaining and adding value to bank and investor assets throughout the Southeast by using a hands-on approach with a hybrid employee/subcontractor base model. Chad Beers, founded Beers Housing in 2007 with a strong focus on the mortgage field service space as well as fix and flip and has been able to adapt to various services lines with the strong leadership and client relationships brought in by Heather Beers to not only meet but exceed the industry and economical needs in the housing market. Beers Housing now has multiple service lines to include mortgage field services, maintenance, rehab, ground up construction and development.

For more visit http:// www.beershousing.com

Media Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE 33 Holdings, LLC

Related Links

http://www.33holdings.com


This is not bad news for new hires, however, as more than 62 percent of organizations are planning to increase base salaries to attract new hourly and salaried employees within the next six months, which will increase their labor costs. Even more promising news for job seekers: 67 percent said their starting base salaries are above their market reference point.

Snapshot: Signing and Retention Bonuses

With 82 percent of employers saying they perceive a talent shortage, the prevalence of signing bonuses is not surprising. Signing bonuses have been deployed in relatively equal measure to both salaried and hourly workers, with hourly employees getting a median bonus of $1,000 and salaried employees getting a median bonus of $5,000.

Retention bonuses have been leveraged by 21 percent of companies surveyed. Of those, 38 percent offer these bonuses to both salaried and hourly workers.

Median retention bonus rates and lengths of service:

Hourly employees: $1,000 Months: 6 Salaried employees: $7,500 Months: 12

Snapshot: New Hire Salary Increases

Both hourly and salaried new hires stand to benefit from salary increases: 65 percent of organizations surveyed are likely, or very likely, to increase base salary rates for hourly employees in the next six months. Sixty-two percent plan to do so for salaried workers.

"The prevalence of signing bonuses to attract workers in high demand and short supply has proven to be a short-term phenomenon, as organizations move to a post-pandemic reality," said Garry Straker, compensation consultant at Salary.com. "The shift to salary increases for new hires will have greater long-term impact, so organizations will have to move with care to attract new hires while retaining existing employees. Retention of current employees will require proactively monitoring and addressing salary compression. Incumbent employees who see new hires making as much, or more than themselves may feel they are being treated unfairly and be tempted to look elsewhere to attain a higher pay rate."

According to Straker, as companies work to address internal and external labor market dynamics, there will be an increased focus on HR metrics, the benchmarking of market data, as well as gauging employee sentiment. He noted this is particularly true in an environment where employee expectations have changed and there is heightened awareness of pay equity issues. In states such as California and Connecticut, where pay transparency is required, the challenges and risks become greater.

"It's important to realize it's not just about pay for today's employees, many of whom have expressed a strong preference for flexible work arrangements, advancement opportunities, greater diversity and alignment of cultural values that can make an employer attractive," said Straker.

Survey Methodology

Data was collected between June 9 and July 15, 2021. 405 organizations, located in the U.S. and Canada, participated in the survey, with data collected from seven different roles, including executive, HR Manager, Compensation Professional, Director, and individual contributor. Almost 50 percent of respondents work for companies with 1-500 employees, with almost 24 percent working for companies with 5,000-10,000 full-time employees.

ABOUT SALARY.COM

Salary.com is the leading SaaS provider of compensation market data, software, and analytics, bringing more of the trusted data and intuitive software organizations need to get pay right. The industry's fastest-growing compensation management company, Salary.com serves over 30,000 survey participant organizations, over 8,000 business-to-business software subscribers, and over 45 million employees globally. For more than 20 years, Salary.com has empowered confident decisions by aligning compensation practices with recruiting, performance, and development initiatives through easy-to-access data and meaningful insights.

The market-leading CompAnalyst SaaS platform accelerates compensation workflows, delivers real-time data, and powers accurate, equitable, and competitive compensation. Through its Salary Wizard and pioneering website, Salary.com delivers continually updated, reliable market pay data and career content to over 30 million visitors each year. For more information, please visit the company website at www.salary.com .

Media Contact:

Julie Murphy

[email protected]

617-967-5426

SOURCE Salary.com, Inc.

Related Links

https://www.salary.com


PHOENIX, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Advisor Group, the nation's largest network of independent wealth management firms, today announced the successful recruitment to its network of Neal Watson, an independent financial advisor based in Marietta, Ohio, who oversees $110 million in total client assets.

Mr. Watson is joining Advisor Group through Arbor Point Advisors, a registered investment adviser (RIA) and subsidiary of Advisor Group network member firm Securities America. He has affiliated as an investment advisory representative (IAR). Mr. Watson is joining Parkersburg, W.Va.-based advisory practice Commonwealth Financial Services, an Arbor Point branch office, doing business under the Commonwealth brand.

Mr. Watson was previously affiliated with Securities America from 1996 until 2004.

Jim Nagengast, CEO and President of Securities America, said, "We welcome Neal Watson, an advisor with a stellar track record of client service and business growth. In addition to creating powerful growth opportunities for his book of business, Neal's decision to join us as an investment advisory representative serves as validation that Advisor Group, Securities America and Arbor Point continue to lead the industry in supporting the full range of business models across the independent advisory profession and the unique needs of each. As we always have, we stand ready to support financial advisors in their efforts to reach their full potential."

Advisor Group also includes FSC Securities Corporation, Royal Alliance Associates, Inc., SagePoint Financial, Inc., Triad Advisors, LLC and Woodbury Financial Services Inc.

The announcement extends Advisor Group's strong momentum thus far in 2021. Through the end of July, the firm brought $8.2 billion in assets under administration to its platform, versus $6.9 billion for the same period in 2020 (a year-over-year increase of approximately 19%). It also brought in $3.2 billion in assets under management, versus $2.1 billion in the prior year period (a YOY increase of 52%).

Prior to joining Advisor Group, Arbor Point and Commonwealth Financial Services, Mr. Watson operated an independent RIA firm called Fleming Watson Financial Advisors, which was co-founded by his father in 1986. Mr. Watson joined the practice in 1996 and in 2016 transitioned it into a pure RIA, serving only fee-based accounts.

Mr. Watson said, "In Advisor Group, Arbor Point, and Commonwealth Financial Services, I have gained a set of strategic partners whose goals align flawlessly around my success as a financial advisor. Together, they offer a powerful combination of infrastructure, technology, support services and expertise that I can leverage to take my client-service capabilities to the next level. I'm excited for what the future will bring as I take the next step in my career."

Greg Cornick, Advisor Group's President, Advice & Wealth Management, said, "I offer my congratulations to Arbor Point Advisors and Commonwealth Financial Services for bringing aboard a successful financial advisor of Neal Watson's caliber. The landscape of the independent wealth management industry is always evolving, and as a network of firms that spans the country, we are continually making strategic investments to help the thousands of financial advisors we support operate their businesses  whichever model they choose  as efficiently as possible while further accelerating their growth. We're in their corner, now and in the future."

About Securities America

Securities America is part of Advisor Group, the nation's largest networks of independent wealth management firms. Headquartered in Omaha and founded in 1984, Securities America supports approximately 3,200 independent financial professionals with innovative technology and wealth management platforms, practice management and business growth tools and a personalized service culture. The firm's flexible, multi-custodial approach supports a range of business models including Super OSJs, independent RIAs, RIA-only advisors, hybrid advisors and financial institutions. For more information visit https://www.securitiesamerica.com/.

Securities offered through Securities America, Inc., member FINRA / SIPC. Advisory Services offered through Securities America Advisors, Inc. and Arbor Point Advisors, LLC.

About Advisor Group

Advisor Group, Inc. is the nation's largest network of independent wealth management firms, serving approximately 10,100 financial professionals and overseeing over $475 billion in client assets. The firm is mission-driven to support the strategic role that advisors can play in the lives of their clients. Cultivating a spirit of entrepreneurship and independence, Advisor Group champions the enduring value of financial professionals and is committed to being in their corner every step of the way. For more information visit https://www.advisorgroup.com.

Securities and investment advisory services are offered through the firms: FSC Securities Corporation, Royal Alliance Associates, Inc., SagePoint Financial, Inc., Triad Advisors, LLC, and Woodbury Financial Services, Inc., broker-dealers, registered investment advisers, and members of FINRA and SIPC. Securities are offered through Securities America, Inc., a broker-dealer and member of FINRA and SIPC. Advisory services are offered through Arbor Point Advisors, LLC, Ladenburg Thalmann Asset Management, Inc., Securities America Advisors, Inc., and Triad Hybrid Solutions, LLC, registered investment advisers. Advisory programs offered by FSC Securities Corporation, Royal Alliance Associates, Inc., SagePoint Financial, Inc., and Woodbury Financial Services, Inc., are sponsored by VISION2020 Wealth Management Corp., an affiliated registered investment adviser. Advisor Group, Inc. is an affiliate of these firms. 20 E. Thomas Rd., Ste. 2000, Phoenix, AZ, 85012. 866.481.0379.

Media Inquiries

Joseph Kuo / Chris Clemens

Haven Tower Group

424 317 4851 or 424 317 4854

[email protected] or [email protected]

SOURCE Advisor Group
RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Aliansce Sonae Shopping Centers S.A. (B3: ALSO3), one of the largest shopping mall owners and operators in Brazil, announces its results for the second quarter of 2021 (2Q21).

2Q21 Highlights

95,4% occupancy rate at the end of the quarter. The high demand for commercial spaces, strong recovery in sales, and omnichannel solutions for retailers contributed to the increase in occupancy rate compared to 1Q21.





The high demand for commercial spaces, strong recovery in sales, and omnichannel solutions for retailers contributed to the increase in occupancy rate compared to 1Q21. Sales close to the pre-pandemic level. Total portfolio sales reached 92% in both May and June, compared to 2019. The highlights were the malls in the Northern region, which posted growths of 13% and 15% in the last two months of 2Q21 vs. 2Q19, respectively.





Total portfolio sales reached 92% in both May and June, compared to 2019. The highlights were the malls in the Northern region, which posted growths of 13% and 15% in the last two months of 2Q21 vs. 2Q19, respectively. Strong operating cash generation. Aliansce Sonae closed 2Q21 with a cash balance of R$1.0 billion and Net Debt / EBTIDA of 1.8x. In the first half of the year, the Company achieved operating cash generation of R$192 million , demonstrating its resilience even in the most challenging periods.





Aliansce Sonae closed 2Q21 with a cash balance of and Net Debt / EBTIDA of 1.8x. In the first half of the year, the Company achieved operating cash generation of , demonstrating its resilience even in the most challenging periods. Recovery in both EBITDA and AFFO. In 2Q21, EBITDA reached R$126.6 million , and FFO was R$86.4 million , both recording a significant recovery in May and June, despite operating restrictions in April.





In 2Q21, EBITDA reached , and FFO was , both recording a significant recovery in May and June, despite operating restrictions in April. Raising of R$415 million . In August, Aliansce Sonae completed the raising of R$415 million in simple debentures, with bullet amortization, maturity in 7 years, and IPCA + 4.6% yield. The debenture backed real estate receivables certificates ("CRI"). Additionally, the Company signed a swap contract to CDI + 1.2%. The new funding marks the continuity of the liability management strategy.

For a full version of 2Q21 Earnings Release, please, refer to https://ri.alianscesonae.com.br/en

Aliansce Sonae will hold its conference call and webcast on August 12th, at 10:00 a.m. US ET (in portuguese) / 11:00 a.m. US ET (in english). To access the call, dial +1 (412) 717-9627 / +55 11 3181-8565 / +55 11 4210-1803, code "Aliansce Sonae". Webcast is available at https://ri.alianscesonae.com.br/en

For more information, please, contact Daniella Guanabara, IRO, at + 55 21 2176-7272 or [email protected]

SOURCE Aliansce Sonae Shopping Centers

Related Links

http://ri.alianscesonae.com.br


NEW YORK, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- ARGO Real Estate, one of NYC's largest residential property owners, has hired Okada & Company to lease 50 West 17th Street, a commercial office building in the Flatiron section of Midtown South, Manhattan.

50 West 17th Street, Okada & Company

"We are thrilled and excited to have the opportunity to assist the Argo team in leasing 50 West 17th Street." says Christopher Okada, CEO of Okada & Company. "Although this is a very challenging environment, we're optimistic about the general recovery of NYC, and will turn over every stone to ensure that tenants and their brokers are aware of this leasing opportunity. Every deal counts" he said.

Located in one of NYC's most coveted neighborhoods, 50 West 17th Street is a full-service 87,000 SF office building. Each floor contains 7,200 rentable square feet, with high ceilings and a lot of natural light. For tenants seeking larger blocks of space, there is 28,800 square feet of contiguous space on floors 9 - 12. The top floor has a private roof deck.

Okada & Company is a leading commercial real estate brokerage and investment company in the Midtown & Midtown South submarkets of New York City. The company combines 52 years of NYC commercial real estate experience with modern & creative digital marketing strategies.

Argo Real Estate owns and manages over 12,000 apartments in New York City, and for more than half a century Argo has set the standard for hands-on, consumer-focused, and ethical service as an owner/manager, third-party manager, and broker.

For more information please visit www.okadaco.com

SOURCE Okada & Company

Related Links

http://www.okadaco.com


MARINA DEL REY, Calif., Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Armata Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE American: ARMP) ("Armata" or the "Company"), a biotechnology company focused on pathogen-specific bacteriophage therapeutics for antibiotic-resistant and difficult-to-treat bacterial infections, today announced results for the second quarter of 2021 and provided a corporate update.

Second Quarter 2021 and Recent Developments:

Announced that Todd R. Patrick , Chief Executive Officer, has retired from the company. Armata's Board of Directors has appointed Brian Varnum , PhD, the company's former President and Chief Development Officer, to succeed Mr. Patrick. Mr. Patrick will retain his seat on Armata's Board and has agreed to serve as an advisor to the company at least through 2022.

, Chief Executive Officer, has retired from the company. Armata's Board of Directors has appointed , PhD, the company's former President and Chief Development Officer, to succeed Mr. Patrick. Mr. Patrick will retain his seat on Armata's Board and has agreed to serve as an advisor to the company at least through 2022. Continued to advance the SWARM- P.a . trial and received a milestone payment of $750,000 pursuant to the Company's previously announced Therapeutics Development Award from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The award, up to $5 million , is intended to partially fund Armata's Phase 1b /2a clinical trial of its lead clinical candidate, AP-PA02, as a treatment for chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa airway infections in people with cystic fibrosis.

. trial and received a milestone payment of pursuant to the Company's previously announced Therapeutics Development Award from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The award, up to , is intended to partially fund Armata's Phase /2a clinical trial of its lead clinical candidate, AP-PA02, as a treatment for chronic airway infections in people with cystic fibrosis. Progressed IND-enabling activities in preparation for a Phase 1b /2 clinical trial evaluating AP-SA02 as a potential treatment for Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia.

"We continue to make good progress advancing our lead phage product for chronic Pseudomonas airway infections in people with cystic fibrosis. We are very appreciative of the continued support from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Therapeutics Development Network as we have navigated the challenges of conducting a clinical trial in the respiratory space during COVID-19," stated Brian Varnum, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Armata. "In addition, our pipeline programs are advancing. With the support of the U.S. Department of Defense, our phage product for Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia, AP-SA02, is progressing towards an IND filing. We are also leveraging our lead products and our proprietary phage library to identify the next clinical indication to prioritize."

Anticipated 2021 and 2022 Milestones:

Complete the SWARM- P.a. Phase 1b /2a clinical trial

Phase /2a clinical trial Initiate a Phase 1b /2 clinical trial evaluating AP-SA02 as a potential treatment for Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia

/2 clinical trial evaluating AP-SA02 as a potential treatment for bacteremia Initiate at least one additional clinical trial in a new indication

Second Quarter 2021 Financial Results

Grant Revenue. The Company recognized grant revenue of $1.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021, which represents Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium (MTEC)'s share of the costs incurred for the Company's AP-SA02 program for the treatment of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia. The Company expects to receive $15.0 million in grant funding from MTEC over a three-year period administered by the U.S. Department of Defense and the Defense Health Agency and Joint Warfighter Medical Research Program. The Company recognized $31,000 of revenue in the comparable period in 2020.

Research and Development. Research and development expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2021 were approximately $5.2 million as compared to $2.6 million for the comparable period in 2020. The increase was primarily related to the increase in clinical trial and personnel related expenses.

General and Administrative. General and administrative expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2021 were $2.1 million as compared to $2.0 million for the comparable period in 2020.

Loss from Operations. Loss from operations for the three months ended June 30, 2021 was $(6.2) million as compared to a loss from operations of $(4.6) million for the comparable period in 2020.

Cash and Equivalents. As of June 30, 2021, Armata held approximately $17.5 million of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents, as compared to $9.7 million as of December 31, 2020.

As of August 12, 2021, there were approximately 24.9 million shares of common stock outstanding.

About Armata Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Armata is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development of pathogen-specific bacteriophage therapeutics for the treatment of antibiotic-resistant and difficult-to-treat bacterial infections using its proprietary bacteriophage-based technology. Armata is developing and advancing a broad pipeline of natural and synthetic phage candidates, including clinical candidates for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and other pathogens. In addition, in collaboration with Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, Armata is developing proprietary synthetic phage candidates to target an undisclosed infectious disease agent. Armata is committed to advancing phage with drug development expertise that spans bench to clinic including in-house phage specific GMP manufacturing.

Forward Looking Statements

This communication contains "forward-looking" statements, including, without limitation, statements related to Armata's bacteriophage development programs, Armata's ability to meet expected milestones, Armata's ability to be a leader in the development of phage-based therapeutics, and statements related to the timing and results of clinical trials, including the anticipated results of clinical trials of AP-PA02 and AP-SA02, and Armata's ability to develop new products based on bacteriophages and synthetic phages. Any statements contained in this communication that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon Armata's current expectations. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Armata's actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, risks related to the ability of Armata's lead clinical candidates, AP-PA02 and AP-SA02, to be more effective than previous candidates; Armata's ability to expedite development of AP-PA02; Armata's ability to advance its preclinical and clinical programs and the uncertain and time-consuming regulatory approval process; Armata's ability to develop products based on bacteriophages and synthetic phages to kill bacterial pathogens; the Company's expected market opportunity for its products; Armata's ability to sufficiently fund its operations as expected, including obtaining additional funding as needed; and any delays or adverse events within, or outside of, Armata's control, caused by the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19. Additional risks and uncertainties relating to Armata and its business can be found under the caption "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in Armata's filings and reports with the SEC, including in Armata's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on March 18, 2021, and in its subsequent filings with the SEC.

Armata expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in Armata's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based.

Media Contacts:

At Armata:

Steve Martin

Armata Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

[email protected]

858-800-2492

Investor Relations:

Joyce Allaire

LifeSci Advisors, LLC

[email protected]

212-915-2569

Armata Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

















June 30, 2021

December 31, 2020











Assets











Cash and cash equivalents

$ 17,536,000

$ 9,649,000 Award receivable



1,168,000



561,000 Prepaids and other current assets



1,005,000



636,000 Total current assets



19,709,000



10,846,000 Property and equipment, net



12,739,000



12,837,000 Other long term assets



2,087,000



2,087,000 Intangible assets, net



13,746,000



13,746,000 Total assets

$ 48,281,000

$ 39,516,000













Liabilities and stockholders' equity











Total current liabilities

$ 5,903,000

$ 6,705,000 Long term liabilities



10,682,000



10,877,000 Deferred tax liability



3,077,000



3,077,000 Total liabilities



19,662,000



20,659,000 Stockholders' equity



28,619,000



18,857,000 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$ 48,281,000

$ 39,516,000















Armata Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations





















Three Months Ended June 30,

Six Months Ended June 30,



2021

2020

2021

2020



(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

























Revenue

$ 1,168,000

$ 31,000



2,234,000



31,000 Operating expenses:























Research and development



5,225,000



2,648,000

$ 9,575,000

$ 5,398,000 General and administrative



2,139,000



1,973,000



4,290,000



4,144,000 Total operating expenses



7,364,000



4,621,000



13,865,000



9,542,000 Loss from operations



(6,196,000)



(4,590,000)



(11,631,000)



(9,511,000) Other income (expense):























Other income (expense), net



2,000



(120,000)



(58,000)



(277,000) Total other income (expense), net



2,000



(120,000)

$ (58,000)



(277,000) Loss before income taxes and Net Loss

$ (6,194,000)

$ (4,710,000)



(11,689,000)

$ (9,788,000) Net loss per share, basic and diluted

$ (0.25)

$ (0.26)



(0.52)

$ (0.68) Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted



24,762,818



18,347,051



22,622,477



14,399,399



























Armata Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows





















Six Months Ended June 30,





2021

2020













Operating activities:













Net loss

$ (11,689,000)

$ (9,788,000)

Adjustments required to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:













Change in fair value of derivative liabilities













Stock-based compensation



1,749,000



1,950,000

Depreciation



578,000



575,000

Non-cash interest expense



62,000



300,000

Payment of accreted interest for deferred consideration for asset acquisition



(586,000)



-

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net



(127,000)



(1,125,000)

Net cash used in operating activities



(10,013,000)



(8,088,000)

Investing activities:













Purchases of property and equipment, net



(494,000)



(377,000)

Net cash used in investing activities



(494,000)



(377,000)

Financing activities:













Principal payment of deferred consideration for asset acquisition



(1,414,000)



(1,000,000)

Proceeds from Paycheck Protection Program Loan



-



718,000

Proceeds from warrant and option exercises



445,000



81,000

Procees from private placement financing, net



19,363,000



22,919,000

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities



18,394,000



22,718,000

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents



7,887,000



14,253,000

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period



10,849,000



6,733,000

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period

$ 18,736,000

$ 20,986,000

















































Reconciliation of Cash and cash equivalents:



Six Months Ended June 30,







2021



2020

Cash and cash equivalents

$ 17,536,000

$ 19,786,000

Restricted cash



1,200,000



1,200,000

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

$ 18,736,000

$ 20,986,000



SOURCE Armata Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Related Links

https://www.armatapharma.com


ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill., Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. today announced that it has purchased a majority stake in Turkish specialty broker Brokers' House (BH Sigorta ve Reasurans Brokerligi A.S.). Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Based in Istanbul, Brokers' House is a commercial insurance and facultative reinsurance broker offering clients a broad range of commercial and specialty coverages, including property, financial lines, energy, engineering and marine cargo. Brokers' House has been a Gallagher Global Network partner since 2014. The current leadership team of Gunduz Tezel and Levent Ozbilen will remain with the business.

"This is a unique opportunity for Gallagher to directly enter the Turkish specialty broking market with a team that is already well known to us," said J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr., Chairman, President and CEO. "We look forward to working more closely with Gunduz, Levent and their colleagues to expand their client product and service offerings."

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG), a global insurance brokerage, risk management and consulting services firm, is headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. The company has operations in 57 countries and offers client service capabilities in more than 150 countries around the world through a network of correspondent brokers and consultants.

Investors: Ray Iardella Media: Linda J. Collins VP  Investor Relations VP  Corporate Communications 630-285-3661/ [email protected] 630-285-4009/ [email protected]

SOURCE Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

Related Links

http://www.ajg.com


PARSIPPANY-TROY HILLS, N.J., Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- On Saturday, August 14, Morris County criminal defense attorney Robert A. Bianchi will be sworn in as President of the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America (OSDIA), the nation's largest Italian-American organization. The event will be livestreamed on the OSDIA YouTube Channel starting at 10:15 a.m.

Mr. Bianchi currently serves as the group's National First Vice President. OSDIA officers frequently meet with White House officials, members of Congress, and other senior federal officials on issues of concern to Italian-Americans.

Robert Bianchi

The Order Sons of Italy in America (OSIA) was established in 1905 to create a support system that would help Italian immigrants with becoming citizens, provide health and death benefits and educational opportunities, and offer assistance with assimilation. In 2017, the Order Sons of Italy in America was renamed the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America (OSDIA).

To date, OSDIA members have given more than $164 million to educational programs, scholarships, charity donations, disaster relief, cultural advancement, and medical research. The group has lodges and chapters throughout the United States, Canada, and Italy.

As Morris County Prosecutor, attorney Robert A. Bianchi was the county's chief law enforcement officer from 2007 through 2013. He now leads a team of distinguished and dedicated New Jersey criminal defense attorneys (all of whom have served as prosecutors previously) at the Bianchi Law Group, LLC in Parsippany.

Mr. Bianchi is a host/anchor at the Law & Crime Network and is frequently seen as a legal analyst on CNN, ABC, FOX, NBC, CBS and MSNBC. He has also appeared on legal documentary programs including The Geraldo Rivera Show, Due Process, and New Jersey Capitol Report.

Saturday's swearing-in ceremony for Mr. Bianchi will be livestreamed on the OSDIA YouTube Channel: Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America starting at 10:15 a.m.

For More Information:

The Bianchi Law Group, LLC

8 Campus Drive, Suite 105

Parsippany-Troy Hills, New Jersey 07054

(862) 210-8570

[email protected]

https://bianchilawgroup.com/

Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America: https://www.osia.org/

SOURCE Robert A. Bianchi

Related Links

https://bianchilawgroup.com/


DURANGO, Colo., Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Aurum Labs (https://aurum-labs.com/) is now certified by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to conduct hemp compliance testing for manufactured industrial hemp products and is in the final stages of Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) registration. ISO Accredited and a leader in cannabis and hemp testing since 2014, Aurum Labs is expected to be the first testing lab to be both DEA registered and Colorado State Certified.

Aurum Labs

"Aurum has always been at the forefront of cannabis and hemp testing. We strive to meet and exceed the requirements of the state, ISO, and the federal government by innovating quickly," says Aurum's Owner and Lab Director Luke Mason. "Being nimble makes it possible for us to get certified by the state while simultaneously working our way through DEA registration."

The CDPHE's Industrial Hemp Lab Certification is the first of its kind for any state and Aurum Labs is one of only two CDPHE Certified Hemp Testing Labs in the nation. Colorado is requiring industrial hemp manufacturers and wholesalers to conduct a robust suite of compliance tests that includes potency, microbial contaminants, pesticides, heavy metals, residual solvents, and mycotoxins. This panel of tests is required for industrial hemp products intended for human consumption which is anything ingested or applied topically. Aurum Labs adheres to the most stringent hemp testing lab standards in the nation.

The process to become DEA registered poses additional challenges because of Aurum Labs' classification as a Colorado Marijuana Testing Facility. With Schedule I substances on premises, Aurum had to postpone DEA inspection to avoid potential criminal charges and is now navigating a more rigorous registration process.

Current DEA registered labs received approval because they were either new to cannabis and hemp testing or they recently opened a new location without Schedule I substances already on site. Registering operational labs with cannabis samples on site has forced the DEA to redesign how they register existing labs, putting Aurum at the center of this groundbreaking development.

"The CDPHE hemp testing requirements are the most extensive in the nation and we are excited to provide this quality of testing to the national market ahead of federal regulations," says Liz Mason, Aurum Labs' Director of Operations. "I believe that our DEA registration will be a testament to our commitment to the hemp industry. We want to continue to provide comprehensive compliance testing to an industry that is still managing risk in a turbulent legal environment."

About Aurum:

Aurum Labs is one of the most experienced analytical cannabis and hemp testing laboratories in the country. Aurum provides fast, accurate and affordable results with outstanding customer service. Aurum's commitment to integrity and consumer safety set Aurum apart from other labs and clients receive an honest, collaborative approach to testing.

Learn more at https://aurum-labs.com/

Media Contact:

Rachel Frederico

Aurum Labs

970-422-1867 X1

[email protected]

SOURCE Aurum Labs
VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. (TSX: ASM) (NYSE American: ASM) (FSE: GV6) ("Avino" or "the Company") released today its consolidated financial results for the Company's second quarter 2021. The Financial Statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) can be viewed on the Company's web site at www.avino.com, on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.

"During the second quarter, the Company focused on the steps necessary for resumption of operations. These included hiring mine workers, upgrades to improve recoveries at the mill, testing the mill circuits, and clean-up of equipment, grounds, and facilities" said David Wolfin, President and CEO. "We were extremely pleased to announce last week, that mining operations had resumed at the Avino Mine. I wish to extend our sincere appreciation to the management team in Mexico for their tireless efforts as they prepared the way over many months for this positive outcome. Further, I am excited about the released initial drill results from our ongoing 2021 drill program. To date, we have completed 9,200 metres of drilling across the property at various targets. I am also pleased to report that our debt position has been reduced by a further $1.7 million, and our working capital remains above $30 million, as we ended the quarter with a robust balance sheet. Finally, and above all, we are very much looking forward to ramping up production and getting back to normal operation levels as quickly as possible."

Second Quarter 2021 Financial Highlights

Ending cash balance of $26.8 million

Ending working capital of $30.4 million

Reduction in debt liabilities by $1.7 million since the beginning of the year

since the beginning of the year Mine operating losses of $1.7 million

Net losses from continuing operations of $2.7 million , or $0.03 per share

, or per share Losses before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization ("EBITDA") 1 of $2.9 million

of Adjusted losses1 of $0.8 million

Financial Highlights

HIGHLIGHTS

(Expressed in 000's of US$) Second

Quarter 2021 Second

Quarter 2020 Change YTD

2021 YTD

2020 Change Financial Operating Performance





Revenues $ - $ 4,840 -100% $ 29 $ 11,956 -100% Mine operating (loss) income $ (1,017) $ 787 -229% $ (1,697) $ 1,630 -204% Net loss from continuing operations $ (2,654) $ (1,111) 139% $ (4,472) $ (1,343) 233% Net loss including discontinued operations $ (2,654) $ (1,276) 108% $ (4,472) $ (1,508) 197% Earnings (loss) before interest, taxes and $ (2,866) $ (797) 260% $ (4,606) $ (425) 984% amortization ("EBITDA")1 Adjusted earnings (losses)1 $ (778) $ 1,958 -140% $ (1,722) $ 2,349 -173% Per Share Amounts





Loss per share from cont. operations  basic $ (0.03) $ (0.01) 200% $ (0.05) $ (0.02) 150% Loss per share  basic $ (0.03) $ (0.02) 50% $ (0.05) $ (0.02) 150% Cash Flow per share1  basic $ (0.01) $ 0.00 -100% $ (0.02) $ 0.01 -200%











HIGHLIGHTS

(Expressed in 000's of US$) June 30,

2021 June 30,

2020 Change June 30,

2021 December 31,

2020 Change Liquidity & Working Capital



















Cash $ 26,814 $ 10,386 158% $ 26,814 $ 11,713 129% Working capital $ 30,416 $ 13,797 120% $ 30,416 $ 14,680 107%

1. 1. The Company reports non-IFRS measures which include cash cost per silver equivalent payable ounce, all-in sustaining cash cost per payable ounce, EBITDA, adjusted earnings, and cash flow per share. These measures are widely used in the mining industry as a benchmark for performance, but do not have a standardized meaning and the calculation methods may differ from methods used by other companies with similar reported measures. See Non-IFRS Measures section for further information and detailed reconciliations

Costs and Capital Expenditures:

Capital expenditures company-wide for the first half of 2021 were $1.0 million compared to $0.7 million for H1 2020.

Capital expenditures at the Avino property relate to exploration drilling costs and costs related to the construction of the dry-stack tailings storage facility. We expect to see a continued increase into Q3 and Q4 2021.

Operational Highlights and Overview

HIGHLIGHTS

(Expressed in US$) Second

Quarter 2021 Second

Quarter 2020 Change1 YTD

2021 YTD

2020 Change1 Operating





Tonnes Milled 3,533 40,190 -91% 3,533 204,286 -98% Silver Ounces Produced 3,504 50,581 -93% 3,504 317,299 -99% Gold Ounces Produced 45 404 -89% 45 1,935 -98% Copper Pounds Produced 55,043 459,767 -88% 55,043 2,267,939 -98% Silver Equivalent Ounces1 Produced 15,477 158,286 -90% 15,477 842,230 -98% Concentrate Sales and Cash Costs





Silver Equivalent Payable Ounces Sold2 - 322,886 -100% - 897,953 -100% Cash Cost per Silver Equivalent Payable

Ounce1,2,3 $ - $ 10.92 -100% $ - $ 10.22 -100% All-in Sustaining Cash Cost per Silver Equivalent Payable

Ounce1,2,3 $ - $ 16.37 -100% $ - $ 15.42 -100%

1. In Q2 2021, AgEq was calculated using metal prices of $26.98 oz Ag, $1,835 oz Au, and $4.36 lb Cu. In Q2 2020, AgEq was calculated using metals prices of $16.38 oz Ag, $1,707 oz Au and $2.45 lb Cu. No ounces were sold in Q1 or Q2 2021; therefore, cash costs and all-in sustaining cash costs per AgEq ounce were Nil for the 3 months and 6 months ended June 30, 2021.

2. "Silver equivalent payable ounces sold" for the purposes of cash costs and all-in sustaining costs consists of the sum of payable silver ounces, gold ounces and copper tonnes sold, before penalties, treatment charges, and refining charges, multiplied by the ratio of the average spot gold and copper prices to the average spot silver price for the corresponding period.

3. The Company reports non-IFRS measures which include cash cost per silver equivalent payable ounce, all-in sustaining cash cost per payable ounce, EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, and cash flow per share. These measures are widely used in the mining industry as a benchmark for performance, but do not have a standardized meaning and the calculation methods may differ from methods used by other companies with similar reported measures. See Non-IFRS Measures section for further information and detailed reconciliations.

During Q2 2021, there was limited production mining activities as the mill circuits were being tested for ongoing preparations for resumption of operational activities.

Exploration Update  2021 Drill Program

In July 2021, the Company announced initial drill results from its exploration program. The full results were released on July 15, 2021 and can be found on our Company website as well as on our SEDAR and Edgar profiles under the company name.

Drill results from Phase 1 were released on the El Trompo Vein, the Santiago Vein, and the La Malinche Vein.

We are in the process of integrating the information from the initial drill results into the geological model to improve our understanding as we continue to focus on determining potential target areas.

Current Drilling Results

To date, 9,200 metres have been drilled, and the breakdown of this drilling is as follows:

2,469 metres at the Avino vein



1,717 metres at the Santiago vein

vein

1,568 metres at El Trompo vein



820 metres at the La Malinche vein

vein

340 metres at the Neustra Senora vein



133 metres at the San Jorge vein

vein

2,160 metres at the oxide tailings

The focus for the next quarter is to ramp up the production levels and operating activities at the mine and to keep moving forward with the exploration program. We are focused on locating new mineralized zones within the property and confirming continuity of mineralization in the current Avino ET production area.

Non-IFRS Measures

The financial results in this news release include references to cash flow per share, cash cost per silver equivalent ounce, and all-in sustaining cash cost per silver equivalent ounce, EBITDA, and adjusted earnings/losses, all of which are non-IFRS measures. These measures are used by the Company to manage and evaluate operating performance of the Company's mining operations, and are widely reported in the silver and gold mining industry as benchmarks for performance, but do not have standardized meanings prescribed by IFRS, and are disclosed in addition to the prescribed IFRS measures provided in the Company's financial statements and MD&A.

Conference Call and Webcast

In addition, the Company will be holding a conference call and webcast on Thursday, August 12 at 8:00 am PST (11:00 am EST). Shareholders, analysts, investors and media are invited to join the webcast and conference call by logging in here Avino Second Quarter 2021 Financial Results Conference Call and Webcast or by dialing the following numbers five to ten minutes prior to the start time:

Toll Free Canada & USA: 1-800-319-4610

Outside of Canada & USA: 1-604-638-5340

No passcode is necessary to participate in the conference call or webcast; participants will have the opportunity to ask questions during the Q&A portion.

The conference call and webcast will be recorded, and the replay will be available on the Company's web site later that day.

Qualified Person

Peter Latta, P.Eng, MBA, Avino's VP Technical Services, who is a qualified person within the context of National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical data in this document.

About Avino

Avino is primarily a silver producer from its wholly owned Avino Mine near Durango, Mexico. The Company's silver and gold production remains unhedged. The Company's mission and strategy is to create shareholder value through organic growth at the historic Avino Property and the strategic acquisition of mineral exploration and mining properties. We are committed to managing all business activities in a safe, environmentally responsible, and cost-effective manner, while contributing to the well-being of the communities in which we operate. We encourage you to connect with us on Twitter at @Avino_ASM and on LinkedIn at Avino Silver & Gold Mines .

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"David Wolfin"

________________________________

David Wolfin

President & CEO

Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd.

Safe Harbor Statement - This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (together, the "forward looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including the updated mineral resource estimate for the Company's Avino Property located near Durango in west-central Mexico (the "Property") with an effective date of January 13, 2021 prepared for the Company, and referenced to Measured, Indicated, Inferred Resources referred to in this press release. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and the dates of technical reports, as applicable. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the future circumstances, outcomes or results anticipated in or implied by such forward-looking statements will occur or that plans, intentions or expectations upon which the forward-looking statements are based will occur. While we have based these forward-looking statements on our expectations about future events as at the date that such statements were prepared, the statements are not a guarantee that such future events will occur and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors which could cause events or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. No assurance can be given that the Company's Property has the amount of the mineral resources indicated in the updated report or that such mineral resources may be economically extracted.

Such factors and assumptions include, among others, the effects of general economic conditions, the price of gold, silver and copper, changing foreign exchange rates and actions by government authorities, uncertainties associated with legal proceedings and negotiations and misjudgments in the course of preparing forward-looking information. In addition, there are known and unknown risk factors which could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Known risk factors include risks associated with project development; the need for additional financing; operational risks associated with mining and mineral processing; fluctuations in metal prices; title matters; uncertainties and risks related to carrying on business in foreign countries; environmental liability claims and insurance; reliance on key personnel; the potential for conflicts of interest among certain of our officers, directors or promoters with certain other projects; the absence of dividends; currency fluctuations; competition; dilution; the volatility of the our common share price and volume; tax consequences to U.S. investors; and other risks and uncertainties. Although we have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. We are under no obligation to update or alter any forward-looking statements except as required under applicable securities laws.

Cautionary Note Regarding Non-GAAP Measures

This news release includes certain terms or performance measures commonly used in the mining industry that are not defined under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"), including silver equivalent ounces (AgEq oz) of production. Non-GAAP measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS and, therefore, they may not be comparable to similar measures reported by other companies. We believe that, in addition to conventional measures prepared in accordance with IFRS, certain investors use this information to evaluate our performance. The data presented is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. Readers should also refer to our management's discussion and analysis available under our corporate profile at www.sedar.com or on our website at www.avino.com.

SOURCE Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd.

Related Links

http://www.avino.com/


HARTLAND, Wis., Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Batteries Plus, the nation's largest and fastest-growing battery, light bulb, key fob and repair franchise, is continuing with its booming growth with its most recent 10-unit signing. Having already set multiple brand records in the first half of 2021, the specialty retail brand is gearing up for an expected 75+ additional franchise signings by the end of the year.

Existing multi-unit franchisee Danny Moos, who already owns six Batteries Plus stores in the Las Vegas DMA and a recently-opened store in Prosper, Texas, has just signed on to open 10 additional units throughout Nevada and Utah.

These new stores will be located in; Las Vegas, Henderson, and Mesquite, Nev., as well as Cottonwood Heights/Sandy, Bountiful, Ogden, Spanish Form, Farmington, Tooele, and Logan, Utah. The first of these, in the Northwest Las Vegas area, is set to open by July of 2022.

The brand boasts an attractive investment model, given its multiple industries that generate $652 billion a year globally, the low labor costs associated with their average of 4-7 employees per store, and their multiple revenue streams- from retail to commercial, ecommerce and national accounts.

"We like businesses that have a multi-faceted approach where there is retail and commercial component," Moos explained. "Most impressive is that everyone at Batteries Plus we came into contact with, starting with the franchisees, all the way up to the most senior levels of the organization and meeting with people on the investor side are all very, very classy people."

Batteries Plus's proactive and supportive approach has allowed the brand to drive multi-unit growth at a rapid rate, even throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The Batteries Plus team continues to spare franchisees of many of the obstacles brought about by recent market fluctuations, including inventory shortages. The brand's open communication, solid leadership team and resources available for franchisees is what has prompted so many to open multiple units and grow their portfolios with the brand.

In fact, of the franchise agreements signed within the past 10 months, 90 percent have been multi-unit investments. For Moos, who also owns several UPS stores, his impressive portfolio is now inked with 16 Batteries Plus stores open or in development in three states.

With over 700 store locations nationwide, Batteries Plus franchise owners are passionate about providing essential products and services for their local communities. Batteries Plus has also carved out a unique niche in the industry with its 'plus' services  including battery installation and key fob programming  capitalizing on both its knowledge and service offerings. Positioned for the battery-powered future, Batteries Plus supplies fundamental products that power people's lives  wheelchairs, mobility scooters, thermometers, etc.

To learn more about Batteries Plus, including information on the franchise opportunity or tour a store virtually, visit batteriesplusfranchise.com.

ABOUT BATTERIES PLUS:

Batteries Plus, founded in 1988 and headquartered in Hartland, WI, is a leading omnichannel retailer of batteries, specialty light bulbs and phone repair services for the direct-to-consumer and commercial channels. The retailer also offers key programming, replacement and cutting services. Through a nationwide network of stores, the company offers a differentiated value proposition of unrivaled product selection, in-stock availability and customer service. Batteries Plus is owned by Freeman Spogli, a private equity firm based in Los Angeles and New York City. To learn more about one of Forbes' Best Franchises to Buy in America, visit https://www.batteriesplusfranchise.com.

MEDIA CONTACT: Julianne Stevenson, Fishman Public Relations, [email protected] or 224-558-2510

SOURCE Batteries Plus

Related Links

https://batteriesplusfranchise.com/


BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich., Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Best Life Brands, LLC ("Best Life Brands"), a family of companies focused on the well-being of clients along the continuum of senior care, announced today the name of their newest franchise in the portfolio, Boost Home Healthcare. Boost is a home health company which provides superior in-home nursing, therapy, and home care services. Franchising will begin immediately.

"Boost Home Healthcare is the next step in our vision to have a comprehensive portfolio of brands that serve older adults in a more effective and holistic way," said J.J. Sorrenti, CEO of Best Life Brands. "A home health company complements our other brands and allows us to offer skilled nursing and occupational and speech therapy. The pandemic has amplified the value of in-home health care, and we are looking forward to expanding this brand nationwide."

Boost Home Healthcare is dedicated to offering compassionate in-home health care by skilled professionals who respect their patients, address their needs, and work closely with their doctors to promote their physical and emotional well-being. From administering medication to monitoring serious illnesses, Boost Home Healthcare can tailor its services to fit any patient's specific needs.

Bill Porrock, RN, BS, MHA, brings 25+ years of home health industry experience and will serve as brand president of Boost Home Healthcare within the Best Life Brands organization.

To learn more about Boost Home Healthcare, visit www.boosthomehealth.com.

About Best Life Brands, LLC

Based in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., Best Life Brands, LLC is a holding company that includes ComForCare and At Your Side , premier franchised providers of home care; CarePatrol , the nation's largest franchised senior placement organization; Blue Moon Estate Sales , the leading estate sale franchise in the U.S.; and Boost Home Healthcare , a home health company which provides superior in-home nursing, therapy, and home care services, which together include more than 400 franchise locations across the U.S. and Canada. With a private equity investment from The Riverside Company, Best Life Brands is a platform of award-winning complementary businesses that serve people along the continuum of care.

SOURCE Best Life Brands
SAN DIEGO, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- BioFluidica, a privately held biotechnology company in conjunction with the University of Kansas, today announced they have been awarded a grant from the Midwest Biomedical Accelerator Research Consortium on behalf of the National Institutes of Health's Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx Tech) program. The grant is in support of BioFluidica's single liquid biopsy platform, LiquidScan to expand the supply of precise, handheld, at-home COVID-19 testing devices.

LiquidScan, BioFluidica's next-generation diagnostic platform, is a clinically validated, minimally invasive procedure applied to many diseases, including six different cancer types, prenatal diagnostics, stroke, and infectious diseases. Whereas a CT or MRI scan surveys the whole body to detect diseases, LiquidScan can search a blood sample for rare biomarkers in the bloodstream, such as circulating tumor cells, cell-free DNA, and exosomes. The platform, expanded to saliva sample diagnostics, can be used for point-of-care testing in hospitals, CLIA labs, research institutes, and now in the comfort of home.

"A self-administered rapid test produces confidential results at home and in minutes, while laboratory tests take longer and at increased cost," said Steven A. Soper, Ph.D., co-founder and chief technology officer of Biofluidica, Kansas University's Foundation Distinguished Professor in Chemistry and Mechanical Engineering, and director of the Center for BioModular Multi-scale Systems for Precision Medicine. "The hope is that easier access to tests and faster, accurate test results will make frequent testing more desirable and encourage people to protect themselves and others in the community."

For COVID-19 testing, as well as other infectious diseases, BioFluidica's LiquidScan generates results in 15 minutes, does not require cold storage, and enables improved commercial and home diagnostics at lower costs. The leap in technological advantages provided by BioFluidica's method was made possible by developing a patented microfluidic chip. This chip offers efficient capture, release, enumeration, and molecular analysis of viral particles, such as SARS-CoV-2. BioFluidica's technology allows high-throughput and low-cost manufacturing, which results in low test costs that can be readily covered by insurance and is suitable for large-scale screening.

The RADx initiative was launched in April 2020 to speed innovation in the development, commercialization, and implementation of technologies for COVID-19 testing. The RADx initiative partners with federal agencies, including the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Health, Department of Defense, the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The initiative has four programs: RADx Tech, RADx Advanced Technology Platforms, RADx Underserved Populations, and RADx Radical. In an April 2021 NIH news release that described the program he leads, Bruce Tromberg, Ph.D., director of the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering said, "NIH's RADx Tech program has turbocharged the development, scale-up, and deployment of powerful testing platforms. Accessible screening and surveillance testing will continue to help the community manage COVID while providing essential new capabilities for responding to future pathogens, variants, and other diseases."

BioFluidica and Dr. Soper's KU group are planning production with two commercial companies experienced in large-scale medical device manufacturing to produce the chip consumables and the handheld units. Users will be able to buy cost effectivetests and the reader, which can be reused many times over. The project will require emergency use authorization from the FDA. The aim is to begin production and distribution in 2021.

BioFluidica received $250,000 in funding through MBArC from the prestigious RADx Tech program. The project is for the development of non-traditional viral screening approaches, such as biological or physiological markers, new analytical platforms with novel chemistries or engineering, rapid detection strategies, point-of-care devices, and home-based testing technologies. MBARC, in turn, is supported in part with federal funds from the National Institutes of Health, under Grant No. U01HL152410.

About University of Kansas and MBArC

The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. The university's mission is to lift students and society by educating leaders, building healthy communities and making discoveries that change the world. The KU News Service is the central public relations office for the Lawrence campus. For more information, please visit http://www.ku.edu/.

The Midwest Biomedical Accelerator Consortium (MBArC) was established in 2019 as a 4-year, $3.9 million partnership between the University of Missouri, Columbia (lead)/ University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC), Kansas City and the National Institutes of Health Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hubs (NIH REACH). The goal of MBArC is to provide funding, training, and education to academic researchers to accelerate the transition of discoveries originating from research labs into products that improve health. For more information, please visit www.medicine.missouri.edu/offices-programs/midwest-biomedical-accelerator-consortium.

About BioFluidica

BioFluidica is a privately held biotechnology company that has developed a revolutionary liquid biopsy platform allowing for disease detection, all from a simple blood test. The Biofluidica platform is able to precisely capture and isolate disease biomarkers, such as Circulating Tumor Cells, CTC's, and has been clinically validated. Their ability to scan blood for the first signs of a disease, finding the rarest biomarkers with unmatched sensitivity, means fulfilling the promise of a true liquid biopsy. For more information please visit https://www.biofluidica.com.

Media Contact:

Julie Ferguson

[email protected]

(312) 385-0098

SOURCE BioFluidica

Related Links

https://www.biofluidica.com/


HAMILTON, Bermuda, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The board of directors of Borr Drilling Limited (the "Company") (OSE: BORR) (NYSE: BORR) has resolved to grant 10,300,000 share options under the Company's approved share option scheme to 23 of its employees, including two persons discharging managerial responsibilities ("PDMRs") as defined by the Market Abuse Regulation.

Each share option gives the right to subscribe for one share in the Company. The options will have a strike price of $1.00 which compares to a current market price of $0.70. The options will vest equally over a three-year period commencing two years from the date of grant and will expire after five years.

The following PDMRs have been granted options:

Patrick Schorn - Chief Executive Officer -2,400,000 options

- Chief Executive Officer -2,400,000 options Magnus Vaaler - Chief Financial Officer - 1,100,000 options

The board of directors, through this multi-year option grant, aims to establish an incentive reward that creates the optimum long-term alignment between the Company's shareholders and management.

Please see the attached form of notification and public disclosure by primary insiders.

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements in article 19 of the Regulation EU 596/2014 (the EU Market Abuse Regulation) and section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

Media Contact:

Magnus Vaaler

[email protected]

Phone: +4722483000

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/borr-drilling-limited/r/borr-drilling-limited---grant-of-share-options,c3395240

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Public/16983/3395240/9da7c4944c8dc623.pdf PDMR Forms

SOURCE Borr Drilling Limited
PHOENIX, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Desert Medical Campus in Payson, Arizona, is proud to announce that its Chill Pill brand of cannabis gel caps has been nominated as one of the best edibles in Arizona. The brand was selected by Phoenix New Times, and voting is now open to the public to select the winner.

The Chill Pill Collection is the first artisan-crafted cannabis-blend gel cap in Arizona. Formulated with the highest quality ingredients, the easy-to-swallow Chill Pill has four distinct blends:

Day Caps  a sativa dominant formula that is a great way to start your day and keep you motivated, energized, and focused.

 a sativa dominant formula that is a great way to start your day and keep you motivated, energized, and focused. Anytime Caps  contains a mixture of cannabinoids and terpenes from both sativa and indica plants to create the perfect balance any time of day or night.

 contains a mixture of cannabinoids and terpenes from both sativa and indica plants to create the perfect balance any time of day or night. Night Caps  helps you unwind and relax with an indica dominant formula that is rich with terpenes and active co-factors.

 helps you unwind and relax with an indica dominant formula that is rich with terpenes and active co-factors. Anytime Caps + CBD  features the perfect 1:1 blend of THC and CBD to create a feeling of bliss that heals and rejuvenates.

The company also offers Chill Pill "Extreme" that offers a higher dose for experienced users; as well as a convenient sample pack for those who are traveling or who may want to try just a few gel caps.

Chill Pill's unique full spectrum softgels preserve the naturally occurring oils in the plant, allowing each cannabinoid to fully activate and deliver a desired "entourage" effect. Additionally, Chill Pills are calorie-free, with no added sugar.

"People love our products because they are predictable and they work," explained Pam Donner, Chief Operating Officer of Desert Medical Campus. "Our Chill Pill Collection offers a natural, high quality, and consistent formulation that helps adults of all ages get the most out of life."

Desert Medical Campus also makes the Uncle Herb's award-winning line of edibles, which is a previous winner of the Best Edible competition.

To vote, visit www.bestofphoenix2021.com and navigate to the "CANNABIS & MORE" page. Scroll to "Best Edibles" and click on Chill Pill, and submit.

Anyone can vote once per day, per email address. Voting is open now through September 12.

For more information on where to find Chill Pills, visit: bit.ly/ChillPillLocator

Media Contact

Innovation Agency

[email protected]

SOURCE The Chill Pill Collection; Desert Medical Campus
THUNDER BAY, ON, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Clean Air Metals Inc. ("Clean Air Metals" or the "Company") (TSXV: AIR) (FRA: CKU) (OTCQB: CLRMF) is pleased to announce new assay results from the drilling campaign currently underway at the Company's Thunder Bay North Project (the "Project"). Highlights (from Table 1) include:

Hole CL21-004 from the Current Lake Deposit infill program which intersected 13.0m grading 2.9 g/t PdEq 1 composed of 0.96g/t Palladium (Pd), 1.03g/t Platinum (Pt), 0.30% Copper (Cu) and 0.25% Nickel (Ni) from 168.0  181.0m downhole and 3.0m grading 4.9 g/t PdEq composed of 1.96g/t Palladium (Pd), 2.21g/t Platinum (Pt), 0.51% Copper (Cu) and 0.26% Nickel (Ni) from 158.0  161.0m downhole.

composed of from 168.0  downhole and composed of from 158.0  downhole. Hole ELR21-070 from the Escape Lake Deposit exploration program which intersected 8.0m grading 3.3g/t PdEq composed of 1.25g/t Palladium (Pd), 1.15/t Platinum (Pt), 0.43% Copper (Cu), 0.20% Nickel (Ni) from 318.0m - 326.0m downhole.

The Escape Lake Deposit has an overall Indicated mineral resource of 505,369 ounces at 3.67g/t PdEq in 4,286,220 tonnes and is geologically open along trend. The adjacent Current Lake Deposit has an Indicated mineral resource of 1,328,789 oz PdEq at an average grade of 3.44 g/t PdEq in 11,999,177 tonnes.

Mineral resource endowment and palladium-equivalents are quoted pursuant to the NI 43-101 Technical Report and Mineral Resource Estimate for the Thunder Bay North Project, Thunder Bay, Ontario, effective date January 20, 2021, posted to SEDAR March 4, 2021. Prepared by Nordmin Engineering Ltd.- QP Glen Kuntz, P.Geo. Ontario.

____________________ 1 Palladium equivalency formula can be viewed in the following Link (Click Here)

Update on Metallurgy and PEA

Metallurgical optimization studies continue with Blue Coast Research of British Columbia. The results of the studies and independent analysis of smelter recoveries and smelter payables are expected to input directly into a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) mine model planned for publication in early Q4/2021.

Abraham Drost, CEO of Clean Air Metals stated that "initial assay results from the Current Lake deposit infill drilling ("CL" holes) are ongoing and will supplement the understanding of resource continuity and mine stope planning for the upcoming preliminary economic assessment (PEA). The Company is looking forward to publication of a PEA in Q4/21 solely on the Current Lake Deposit. The PEA will be based on a ramp-access underground mine model constraining the existing mineral resource.

The present round of assay results is also being added to the Escape Lake deposit database ("ELR" holes) which will result in a revised resource estimate in Q1/22. The future potential to add scale to the Thunder Bay North Project with feed from the Escape Lake Deposit is potentially accretive to overall project economics."



Hole ID From,

m To,

m Length,

m Pt+Pd

(g/t) Cu+Ni

(%) Pt

(g/t) Pd

(g/t) Cu

(%) Ni

(%) PdEq ELR21-068 170.70 171.94 1.24 2.52 0.26 1.19 1.33 0.17 0.10 2.68 ELR21-069 171.17 173.05 1.88 1.61 0.13 0.78 0.84 0.07 0.06 1.66 ELR21-069 255.00 259.00 4.00 1.31 0.43 0.59 0.72 0.27 0.16 2.03 ELR21-070 318.00 326.00 8.00 2.39 0.63 1.15 1.25 0.43 0.20 3.25 ELR21-071 169.70 171.65 1.95 1.74 0.16 0.84 0.90 0.09 0.06 1.82 ELR21-074 181.40 182.80 1.40 1.54 0.18 0.77 0.77 0.12 0.06 1.67 CL21-003 153.00 156.00 3.00 1.68 0.39 0.88 0.80 0.20 0.19 2.26 CL21-003 162.00 163.87 1.87 1.26 0.39 0.67 0.59 0.20 0.18 1.91 CL21-004 158.00 161.00 3.00 4.16 0.78 2.21 1.96 0.51 0.26 4.94 CL21-004 168.00 181.00 13.00 1.99 0.55 1.03 0.96 0.30 0.25 2.86

Note: 1) All intercepts are estimated to be >95% of true width based on drill hole inclination 2) Mineralized intervals calculated at 1 ppm Pt+Pd cutoff

Please see the link below for Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 1: 2021 Drill Hole Intercepts in the Escape Lake Deposit Area  Link (Click Here)

Figure 2: 2021 Drill Hole Intercepts in the Current Lake Deposit Area  Link (Click Here)

COVID Policy

Clean Air Metals has adopted COVID-19 avoidance and personal protection measures for its geological staff, drilling contractor and service suppliers. Personnel are required to maintain physical distance, use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), self-monitor and self-isolate or elect to work from home. Management had previously eliminated plans for a camp setup to service a planned diamond drill campaign on the Escape Lake Project. The Company is aware of Thunder Bay Health Unit guidelines that provide for "mandatory" self-isolation for returning overseas travel. The guidelines also "strongly recommend" self- monitoring and self-isolation as needed after travel into the Northwest region from other areas of the province and interprovincially. Mineral Exploration and Development has been deemed an essential service in the Province of Ontario (http://www.netnewsledger.com/2020/03/23/ontario-covid-19-business-allowed-to-remain-open-list-march-23-2020/ ).

Qualified Person

Mr. Allan MacTavish, P.Geo. a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 and VP, Project Manager of the Company, has reviewed and approved all technical information in this press release.

Social Engagement

Clean Air Metals Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary Panoramic PGMs (Canada) Ltd. acknowledge that the Thunder Bay North Project is on the traditional territories of the Fort William First Nation, Red Rock First Nation and Biinjitiwabik Zaaging Anishinabek. The parties together are the Cooperating Participants in a Memorandum of Agreement dated January 9, 2021 and the issue of Warrants, reported January 28, 2021.

The Company is also in discussions with Red Sky Metis Independent Nation and the Metis Nation of Ontario. Woodland Heritage Northwest, a Metis-owned consultancy has been retained to conduct archaeological studies on the Thunder Bay North Project and surrounding areas.

About Clean Air Metals Inc.

Clean Air Metals' flagship asset is the 100% owned, high grade Thunder Bay North Project, a platinum, palladium, copper, nickel project located near the City of Thunder Bay, Ontario and the Lac des Iles Mine owned by Impala Platinum. The Clean Air Metals project hosts the Current Lake deposit and magma conduit and the Company is actively exploring the Escape Lake deposit, a twin structure to the Current Lake deposit. Executive Chairman Jim Gallagher and CEO Abraham Drost lead an experienced team of geologists and engineers who are using the Norilsk magma conduit stratigraphic and mineral deposit model to guide ongoing exploration and development studies. As the former CEO of North American Palladium Ltd. which owned the Lac des Iles Mine prior to the sale to Impala Platinum in December 2019, Jim Gallagher and team are credited with the mine turnaround and creation of significant value for shareholders.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

"Abraham Drost"

Abraham Drost, Chief Executive Officer of Clean Air Metals Inc.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note

The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, including statements regarding the potential of the Thunder Bay North Project and the Escape Lake and Current Lake deposits and timing of technical studies and mineral resource estimates. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of feasibility studies; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; results of prefeasibility and feasibility studies, and the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the Company's disclosure record. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations or projection.

SOURCE Clean Air Metals Inc.

Related Links

https://www.cleanairmetals.ca/


JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Newfold Digital, a leading web technology provider backed by Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. (together with its affiliates, "Clearlake"), and Siris Capital Group, LLC, has acquired Yoast, the leading search engine optimization (SEO) plugin provider for WordPress. The acquisition is a part of Newfold Digital's long-term strategy to connect Newfold Digital customers with world-class web presence tools and services to empower online success in a digital world.

"SEO is a growing need in our customer base and essential to online success, especially as we see more businesses expand their online presence," said Sharon Rowlands, President and CEO of Newfold Digital. "Yoast is a well-known and respected brand in the WordPress community. We are excited to welcome them to the Newfold family and to help improve SEO and drive visitors to our growing customer base."

Yoast is a WordPress plugin powering more than 12 million websites. The plugin helps website owners generate more visitors from search engines such as Google and Bing, increase readers' engagement, and attract more visitors from social media. Additionally, the brand offers a robust online academy with SEO training courses. With Yoast's expertise, Newfold Digital will look to expand its SEO offerings to better serve the company's nearly seven million customers.

"We're excited to join Newfold Digital to continue our mission of SEO for everyone by leveraging the leading global portfolio of web presence brands," said Marieke van de Rakt, CEO of Yoast. "We are confident that the strength and leadership Newfold Digital provides will help to ensure Yoast remains the most used SEO plugin for WordPress for many years to come and will fuel future innovation."

Yoast will continue to deliver the same great service as it has for years while joining Newfold Digital's portfolio of brands including Bluehost, Web.com, Domain.com, and Network Solutions. All Yoast employees, including its leadership team, will join Newfold Digital.

"We are delighted to welcome Yoast to the Newfold Digital family," said James Pade, Partner, Clearlake, and Tyler Sipprelle, Managing Director at Siris. "We want Newfold Digital to be the partner of choice for online presence companies that want to work with an established leader in the space as they seek their next stage of growth."

RBC Capital Markets served as financial advisor and Morrison & Foerster LLP acted as legal counsel to Yoast. Raymond James served as financial advisor and Sidley Austin LLP acted as legal counsel to Newfold Digital.

About Newfold Digital

Newfold Digital is a leading web technology company serving nearly seven million customers globally. Established in 2021 through the combination of leading web services providers Endurance Web Presence and Web.com Group, our portfolio of brands includes: Bluehost, CrazyDomains, HostGator, Network Solutions, Register.com, Web.com and many others. We help customers of all sizes build a digital presence that delivers results. With our extensive product offerings and personalized support, we take pride in collaborating with our customers to serve their online presence needs. Learn more about Newfold Digital at Newfold.com.

About Yoast

Yoast was founded in 2010 and is one of the fastest-growing companies in the WordPress industry. Yoast SEO, the well-known plugin for WordPress with over 12 million active installs, is the flagship product of Yoast. Based in The Netherlands, Yoast makes it easier for everyone to get great results from their websites. For more information visit yoast.com.

About Clearlake

Founded in 2006, Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. is an investment firm operating integrated businesses across private equity, credit and other related strategies. With a sector-focused approach, the firm seeks to partner with experienced management teams by providing patient, long term capital to dynamic businesses that can benefit from Clearlake's operational improvement approach, O.P.S. The firm's core target sectors are technology, industrials, and consumer. Clearlake currently has approximately $39 billion of assets under management, and its senior investment principals have led or co-led over 300 investments. The firm has offices in Santa Monica and Dallas. More information is available at www.clearlake.com and on Twitter @ClearlakeCap.

About Siris

Siris is a leading private equity firm that invests primarily in mature technology and telecommunications companies with mission-critical products and services, facing industry changes or other significant transitions. Siris' development of proprietary research to identify opportunities and its extensive collaboration with its Executive Partners are integral to its approach. Siris' Executive Partners are experienced senior operating executives that actively participate in key aspects of the transaction lifecycle to help identify opportunities and drive strategic and operational value. Siris is based in New York and Silicon Valley and has raised nearly $6 billion in cumulative capital commitments. www.siris.com.

Media Contacts

For Newfold Digital:

Emily Watkins

[email protected]

For Clearlake:

Jennifer Hurson

Lambert & Co.

845-507-0571

[email protected]

For Siris:

Dana Gorman / Blair Hennessy

Abernathy MacGregor

212-371-5999

[email protected] / [email protected]

SOURCE Newfold Digital

Related Links

http://www.newfold.com


NEW YORK, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Colbeck Capital Management today announced that it provided $125 million in financing to Woodward Pharma Services, LLC ("Woodward") and its affiliate Future Pak Ltd. ("Future Pak").

Woodward and Future Pak, headquartered in Wixom, MI, are headed by industry veterans, David Risk and Ray Canole. Woodward is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on acquiring, licensing, and commercializing branded and generic prescription drugs for the U.S. market. Future Pak is a pharmaceutical and over-the-counter contract manufacturing and packaging organization.

The funding from Colbeck Capital is being used to accelerate company growth by expanding the platform and acquiring branded pharmaceutical products from long-standing relationships.

"We couldn't be more excited to partner with David, Ray, and the entire Woodard team as they look to grow the business into a premier pharmaceutical platform," said Jason Colodne, Managing Partner and co-founder of Colbeck Capital.

"Upon meeting the Woodward team, I knew they could be a dependable partner as demonstrated by their high standards in quality and customer service. These are attributes which we look for in businesses we invest in," added Jason Beckman, Managing Director and founding partner of Colbeck Capital.

Bourne Partners served as exclusive advisor to Woodward in conjunction with the financing and the transactions.

About Woodward Pharma Services LLC and Future Pak Ltd.

Woodward Pharma Services LLC is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on acquiring, licensing, and commercializing branded and generic prescription drugs for the U.S. market. The Company has a diverse portfolio of products distributed across multiple channels. Future Pak Ltd. is a pharmaceutical and over-the-counter contract manufacturing and packaging operation.

About Colbeck Capital Management

Colbeck Capital Management is a strategic lender that partners with companies during periods of transition, providing creative capital solutions to meet their evolving needs. Founded in 2009 by Jason Colodne and Jason Beckman, Colbeck Capital has offices in New York City and Los Angeles. To learn more about Colbeck Capital, visit www.colbeck.com .

To learn more about Colbeck Capital, visit www.colbeck.com, or contact us directly: Tony Hokayem (212.603.2806).

SOURCE Colbeck Capital Management

Related Links

http://www.colbeck.com/


HOUSTON, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- As Texans approached the summer months, A/C companies like Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning and Electrical , reached out to the community to make them aware of the impending HVAC system and part shortages related to COVID-19 factory shutdowns. That warning is now a stark reality for many A/C companies in the Houston area, causing long delays for repairs and replacements. The impact is so large, that it's causing some A/C technicians to search employment with companies that were better prepared for the shortage.

Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning and Electrical Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning and Electrical

To better serve the Houston community, Abacus heeded those warnings and ensured that they had enough parts and units in stock to make sure their customers received the help they needed without having to wait weeks in uncomfortable situations for new parts to arrive. "I've been in the HVAC industry for 20 years and have seen minor equipment shortages in the past," said Zach Cooper, an Abacus Technician. "I have never experienced the shortage we are seeing today."

Many A/C technicians also feel a responsibility to help their community and even left their jobs to join companies, like Abacus, that were prepared for the shortage. "In order to take care of my clients and my family, I seeked out a company who had inventory, integrity and the means to take care of clients in need," said Cooper. "I found that Abacus was proactive in finding materials and acquiring equipment to ensure quality service and installations for their customers."

Abacus is currently hiring new A/C technicians in the Houston area and continues to grow in the midst of a pandemic. For more information on employment or service, head to www.abacusplumbing.net .

ABOUT ABACUS PLUMBING

Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electrical has been serving Texas since 2003. Founded by master plumber Alan O'Neill, Abacus Plumbing maintains an A+ rating and has earned multiple years of Awards for Excellence with the Better Business Bureau. Abacus only hires licensed and certified technicians who pass a rigorous drug and background check. All pricing is provided up front and offers a 100 percent job satisfaction guarantee. Abacus is part of Wrench Group, LLC, a national leader in home repair, replacement and maintenance services specializing in heating, ventilation and air conditioning, plumbing, water, and electrical services. Wrench Group collectively serves over 700,000 customers annually across twelve markets and sixteen brands in the United States. For more information, please visit us at wrenchgroup.com. To learn more about Abacus Plumbing in Houston, visit abacusplumbing.net or for Austin,

visit abacusplumbing.com.

Licenses: ALAN O'NEILL M-20628 | TACLB82488E | TECL39119

Media Contact:

Michelle J. Lamont

214-228-9135

[email protected]

SOURCE Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning and Electrical
Download Our Free Sample Report and gain access to a detailed customer landscape matrix comparing key industry-driven parameters.

The report identifies the emergence of cost-effective e-learning training modules as one of the major factors driving the growth of the market. In addition, the rise in expatriate assignments and the growth of SMBs in the corporate market are other crucial factors anticipated to accelerate the market toward registering considerable growth. However, costs associated with inconsistent cross-cultural training are likely to hinder the market growth in the long run.

The cross-cultural training market covers the following areas:

Cross-cultural Training Market Sizing

Cross-cultural Training Market Forecast

Cross-cultural Training Market Analysis

This cross-cultural training market report presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources by an analysis of key parameters. This research report classifies the market by deployment (workshop and online) and geography (North America, Europe, APAC, MEA, and South America).

The workshop deployment segment held the largest market size in 2020 and the report offers further analysis on the key factors leading this segment to maintain its market position during the forecast period. In terms of geography, 31% of the market's growth will originate from North America with the US being the key contributing economy in the region to the overall market growth.

Related Reports:

Corporate Compliance Training Market by Type and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025

Corporate E-Learning Market by End-user, Deployment, and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025

Corporate Training Market by Product and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2020-2024

Corporate M-Learning Market by Type and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2020-2024

Key Topics Covered:

Executive Summary

Market Landscape

Market ecosystem

Value chain analysis

Market Sizing

Market definition

Market segment analysis

Market size 2020

Market outlook: Forecast for 2020 - 2025

Five Forces Analysis

Bargaining power of buyers

Bargaining power of suppliers

Threat of new entrants

Threat of substitutes

Threat of rivalry

Market condition

Market Segmentation by Deployment

Market segments

Comparison by Deployment

Workshop - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Online - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Market opportunity by Deployment

Customer landscape

Geographic Landscape

Geographic segmentation

Geographic comparison

North America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Europe - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 APAC - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

MEA - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

South America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Key leading countries

Market opportunity by geography

Market drivers

Market challenges

Market trends

Vendor Landscape

Overview

Landscape disruption

Vendor Analysis

Vendors covered

Market positioning of vendors

Babel Language Consulting Ltd.

Commisceo Global Consulting Ltd.

Coursera Inc.

Cross Cultural Consulting

Global Integration Inc.

GROVEWELL LLC

Learnlight

Pearson Plc

Udemy Inc.

Wolfestone Translation Ltd.

Appendix

Scope of the report

Currency conversion rates for US$

Research methodology

List of abbreviations

Technavio suggests three forecast scenarios (optimistic, probable, and pessimistic) considering the impact of COVID-19. Technavio's in-depth research has direct and indirect COVID-19 impacted market research reports.

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SOURCE Technavio
 Based on the book series of the same name by New York Times bestselling author and Virgin River scribe, Robyn Carr 

 All new original series to be produced by Reel World Management, the creative team behind the worldwide hit series VIRGIN RIVER 

TORONTO, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - CTV and Crave announced today the straight-to-series order for the all-new original drama, SULLIVAN'S CROSSING. From the team behind the internationally renowned hit series, VIRGIN RIVER, and adapted from the Sullivan's Crossing novels by Virgin River's bestselling author Robyn Carr, production and casting details will be revealed in the coming months. With broadcast details still to be announced, the 10-episode, one-hour series will air and stream in both English and French.

"We are thrilled to collaborate with Reel World Management to adapt Robyn Carr's beloved Sullivan's Crossing novels to series," said Justin Stockman, VP, Content Development & Programming, Bell Media. "The creative team behind SULLIVAN'S CROSSING have a proven record of adapting and producing relatable, emotional stories that make for highly addictive, must-see content. We cannot wait to bring Canadian viewers their new soon-to-be favourite drama series."

"We are excited to be partnering with CTV and Crave to bring to life yet another of Robyn Carr's bestselling novels," said Roma Roth, Showrunner and Executive Producer, Reel World Management. "We look forward to delivering another series that will resonate deeply with the dedicated fan base who have helped make Virgin River such an international success."

"I'm delighted that Roma and the creative forces at Reel World Management are partnering with CTV and Crave to develop Sullivan's Crossing," said author, Robyn Carr. "With such a dedicated and talented team on board, this latest adaptation is certain to be a success in Canada and around the world."

In SULLIVAN'S CROSSING, Maggie Sullivan's world is turned upside down after her husband is indicted for fraud and she finds herself caught in the middle of a media storm. She returns home to Sullivan's Crossing, a scenic mountain town where her estranged father still runs an outpost that caters to hikers, bikers, and mountain climbers. The hour-long emotional drama explores fresh starts, budding relationships, embracing past mistakes, and living outside one's comfort zone, on the journey to finding true happiness.

Click here for the full press release.

SOURCE CTV
STERLING, Va., Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC), a division under the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel & Readiness (OUSD P&R), awarded REI Systems a Software Quality Assurance contract valued at $76 million over five years. REI Systems will support DMDC's mission-critical systems, which support everything from verifying military entitlements and benefits to managing Department of Defense (DOD) identification benefit cards to helping identify fraud, waste, and abuse.

DMDC manages personnel authentication and information for DOD entitlements, benefits, and medical services for all service members and their families. REI Systems will be testing hundreds of applications that are being modernized for migration to cloud infrastructures. Additionally, REI Systems will build and integrate cloud-based automated testing pipelines into DMDC's DevSecOps processes to realize increased software quality and productivity and to decrease expenses.

"REI Systems is very excited to bring innovative automation testing capabilities to DMDC in the cloud so they can better serve those military personnel and veterans who have given so much to America," said Samidha Manu, Vice President of REI.

REI Systems CEO Shyam Salona said, "We are honored to support the Defense Department in their mission to serve military members around the globe. Our DMDC contract win is reflective of REI's growing impact on helping modernize mission-critical systems across government."

About REI Systems

REI Systems has delivered innovative solutions that empower people and impact millions of lives since 1989. Our nearly 650 problem-solving technologists and consultants are passionate about modernizing the government to fulfill its missions more effectively. Our customers include healthcare, national security, science and technology, and government operations in the federal, state, local, and nonprofit sectors. We take a Mindful Modernization approach in providing Application Modernization, Government Data Analytics, Grants Management Systems and Products, and Advisory Services. Delivering domain expertise, best-fit technologies through agile execution, and a commitment to customer service is the REI Way. To learn more, visit www.reisystems.com.

Contact

Gene Zapfel

Chief Growth Officer

[email protected]

SOURCE REI Systems

Related Links

http://www.reisystems.com


NEW YORK, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- According to new research study on "Digital Pathology Market to 2028  Global Analysis and Forecast  by Product, Application, and End User" the digital pathology market was valued at US$ 852.08 million in 2021 and is projected to reach US$ 1,892.40 million by 2028; it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.1% during 20212028. The growth of the market is attributed to technological advancements in digital pathology systems, growing preference for telepathology in remote areas, and digital pathology for cancer.

Technological Advancements in Digital Pathology Systems Contributes to Growth of Digital Pathology Market

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Get in-depth details on " Digital Pathology Market " (88 - Tables, 73 - Figures, 160 - Pages)

In 2020, North America dominated the global digital pathology market. The market growth in the region is attributed to increasing focus of digital pathology market players in the US and Canada, increasing number of conferences and meetings, rising prevalence of Cancer in Mexico. For instance, FDA have cleared a digital pathology and whole slide imaging (WSI) system for use in primary diagnosis. In April 2017, first whole slide imaging system for digital pathology was allowed for primary diagnostic use in the United States. This has helped the pathologists in digitizing the workflow, and gather, store & transfer patent's data from remote places. A second system was authorized for marketing in the US in 2019. As a result, 100% of labs in the US are likely to go digital in the near future. Many industry players are focusing in digitization of the pathology labs. Approval of WSI systems by US FDA has enabled the research institutes in US, to increase its efficiency and workflow. Similarly, with increasing benefits of digital pathology, many companies in Canada are focusing on digital pathology market and taking initiatives in this field. For instance,

in January 2018, GE announced an agreement to establish its first Global Pathology Imaging Centre of Excellence in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. GE along with Omynx (GE's digital pathology joint venture), invested US$ 7.75 Mn. This collaboration is likely to invest more US$ 7.2 Mn in next 3 years for R&D to create best practices and develop digital technologies to address critical issues. Further, Health Technology Commercialization Program created by HTX (Health Technology Exchange), Canada granted fund of US$2.2 Mn.

Get Sample Copy of Digital Pathology Market Research: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPHE100000855/

Technological Advancements in Digital Pathology Systems Across the Globe Fuels Digital Pathology Market Growth

Advancements in the healthcare sector are encouraging research and development pertaining to imaging devices and software required for digital pathology devices. The advanced systems help labs and hospitals to add value to the testing services. The healthcare information technology (IT) helps physicians in maintaining optimal workflow, along with allowing them to meet the continuously changing patient expectations. The Aperio ePathAccess software offered by Leica Biosystems enables the sharing of digital pathology images and case data with experts outside the IT network. Computerization, robotic light microscopy, multiple fiber-optic communications, and digital imaging are among the modern technologies contributing to the digital pathology market growth. Rapid advancements in whole-slide imaging (WSI) technology as well as software applications, LIS/LIMS interface, and high-speed networking. As a result of these technical improvements, pathologists are now able to fully integrate digital pathology into their workflows.

The growing use of microarrays as well as a wide range of predictive models, such as API algorithms, and hybrid models bolster the demand for digital image analysis. A computer-aided diagnosis integrates image processing, physics, mathematics, and computational algorithms to aid in illness identification, anatomical evaluation, and disease progression quantification and risk assessment, thus adding to its popularity. Thus, the increasing popularity of computer-aided systems is contributing to the digital pathology market growth.

Get more Discount on Digital Pathology Market Research: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/discount/TIPHE100000855/

Digital Pathology Market: Segmental Overview

In terms of product, the scanners segment is anticipated to register a higher CAGR in the digital pathology market during the forecast period. Scanners helps in producing quick, reliable and high-resolution images of cells. It helps pathologists, histologists and other medical professionals to scan slides and upload the images on the network for remote access and to collaborate it among the peers. The scanners provide automated cellular imaging for both fixing cell assays and for fluorescence, phase contrast and transmit light. The technological advancement has added integrated software along with the scanners for further analysis, edit, manage and share the virtual slides. The scanners segment accounted for more than 55.37% share in the digital pathology market in 2021. In terms of application, the market for the drug discovery segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. In terms of end user, the digital pathology market for the recombinant vaccines segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period.

Digital Pathology Market: Competition Landscape and Key Developments

Koninklijke Philips N.V., Nikon Corporation, Perkin Elmer, Inc., Indica Labs, 3DHISTECH Ltd., Danaher, Hamamatsu Photonics K.K., F. HOFFMANN-LA ROCHE LTD., Visiopharm A/S, and Glencoe Software, Inc. are among the key companies operating in the digital pathology market. Leading players are focusing on the new product launch, expansion and diversification of their market presence, and acquisition of new customer base, thereby tapping prevailing business opportunities.

Purchase a copy of Digital Pathology Market research report @ https://www.theinsightpartners.com/buy/TIPHE100000855/

In May 2020, Danahar (Leica Biosystems) launched the Aperio GT 450 DX, its next generation digital pathology scanner, in the APAC region. With continuous loading, no-touch operation, and 32 second scan time at 40x magnification, the Aperio GT 450 DX, registered as CE IVD and TGA, allows healthcare organizations to scale up digital pathology so they can meet ever-increasing demands without sacrificing quality.

In June 2020, Indica Labs, and Octo, a premiere information technology systems provider to the U.S. Federal Government, are announced the online COVID Digital Pathology Repository (COVID-DPR), a virtual collection of high resolution microscopic COVID-related human tissue images hosted at the National Institutes of Health. COVID-DPR is underpinned by Indica Labs' HALO Link software.

Browse Related Reports:

Anatomic Pathology Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis By Product & Services and Geography

https://www.theinsightpartners.com/reports/anatomic-pathology-market/

Global Pathology Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis By Product, Type, Application, End User and Geography

https://www.theinsightpartners.com/reports/global-pathology-market/

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The Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We specialize in industries such as Semiconductor and Electronics, Aerospace and Defense, Automotive and Transportation, Biotechnology, Healthcare IT, Manufacturing and Construction, Medical Device, Technology, Media and Telecommunications, Chemicals and Materials.

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Content Source: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/pr/digital-pathology-market

SOURCE The Insight Partners
RICHMOND, Va., Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Dominion Energy is encouraging nonprofit and educational organizations to apply for $1.5 million in environmental grants to be distributed this year through the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation. This competitive grant process is designed to support work to improve the environment and provide educational experiences in communities served by Dominion Energy.

"Protecting and conserving our environment is an important focus of our company. Each year, our foundation supports many organizations that offer innovative and engaging environmental programs in our communities," said Hunter A. Applewhite, president of the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation. "These grants help groups truly make a difference for natural resources in places we all call home."

Since 2003, nearly $37 million has been donated to projects that protect and improve the environment. A recent recipient is Pink Space Theory in Prince William County, Virginia. The group teaches underserved girls science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) concepts by building wind turbines.

"This was huge for our girls! This program is vital because there continues to be a lack of women in STEAM careers across our country," stated Monica Nichols, executive director and president of Pink Space Theory. "Exposing these middle school girls to an experience such as this will help them see the long-term value of STEAM, plus it gives them that competitive edge!"

Clear Dot Charter School in Columbia, South Carolina is another past recipient. The school focuses on grooming future marine biologists and used the Dominion Energy Environmental grant to purchase an aquarium to allow the students to create an in-school biome of ocean life.

"With the environmental stewardship grant we've set up a native reef that is going to mirror what you would see off the South Carolina coast," stated Dr. Lindsey Ott, principal of Clear Dot Charter School.

Nonprofit organizations are invited to apply for grants to support specific short-term projects that promise measurable results to improve the environment. Also, public and private K-12 schools in eligible regions can apply for classroom grants for environmental education programs.

Eligible organizations in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, West Virginia, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Connecticut, and other areas in Dominion Energy's footprint are encouraged to apply.

Dominion Energy will consider grant requests that focus on one or more of the following priorities:

Educating K-12 students and the public about environmental science

Protecting and preserving natural habitats

Improving open spaces and making nature accessible

For more information and to apply visit https://www.dominionenergy.com/envirogrants

About the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation

More than 7 million customers in 16 states energize their homes and businesses with electricity or natural gas from Dominion Energy (NYSE: D). Through its Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation, as well as EnergyShare and other programs, Dominion Energy contributed more than $58 million in 2020 to community causes. The Foundation supports nonprofit causes that meet basic human needs, protect the environment, promote education, and encourage community vitality. Please visit www.DominionEnergy.com to learn more.

SOURCE Dominion Energy

Related Links

http://www.dominionenergy.com


Enlightened's chocolate syrup is a low-carb take on nostalgic chocolate syrup but with none of the sugar.

"You can't have a classic ice cream sundae without a little chocolate syrup on top," Enlightened CEO and founder Michael Shoretz said. "We're thrilled to offer a zero-sugar option that doesn't compromise on taste or texture, two aspects that are so important when it comes to chocolate syrup. Now, we have everything you need to build an ideal ice cream sundae--a cone, a scoop of creamy ice cream, a handful of dough bites and a drizzle of syrup--with way less sugar."

Thick and rich, sweet and satisfying, Enlightened's sugar-free chocolate syrup is a welcome addition to a rapidly expanding offering of impossibly indulgent desserts. The brand took its first step beyond the frozen aisle earlier this year with Sugar-free Cones . In addition to its wide array of iconic ice cream pints and bars, the brand portfolio includes snackable cookie dough bites, keto-friendly cheesecakes and adaptogen-infused fruit bars.

Enlightened's Sugar-Free Chocolate Syrup is available now on Amazon and will be rolling out in Whole Foods, Sprouts, Pavilions, Albertsons, Fresh Thyme and many others in the coming months.

About Enlightened

Enlightened is the first and largest brand within Beyond Better Foods, a New York City-based company founded by Forbes Under 30 alum Michael Shoretz in 2012. A pioneer in the frozen dessert category, Enlightened was one of the first low-sugar light ice creams on the market. The brand is widely distributed in US retailers, such as Sprouts Farmers Market, Whole Foods, Kroger, Shoprite, Publix, Walmart and Target. Enlightened is recognized for producing innovative feel-good frozen desserts, including its dairy-free and vegan line introduced in 2018 and the Keto Collection in 2019. Enlightened expanded into new categories in 2020 with collections of Fruit Infusions, keto-friendly Cheesecakes and snackable Dough Bites. Shoretz founded Beyond Better Foods from inspiration from his personal training clients' desire for healthy alternatives to their favorite sweet, salty, spicy and savory treats. Beyond Better Foods now includes Enlightened, Bada Bean Bada Boom and Cloud10.

For more information on Enlightened, visit eatenlightened.com .

SOURCE Enlightened Ice Cream

Related Links

http://www.eatenlightened.com


PALO ALTO, Calif., Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), in collaboration with Georgia Power and Southern Company, announced the opening of the Ash Beneficial Use Center at Georgia Power's Plant Bowen. The center will allow for testing and validation of emerging, pilot-scale technologies for repurposing coal combustion products (CCPs), which include coal ash.

The center will work with technology developers to provide third-party evaluations and cost profiles of emerging technologies. Repurposing coal ash stored in landfills and ash ponds presents the potential for long-term economic and environmental benefits.

"Developing cost-effective technologies to recycle coal ash is an important aspect of the clean energy transition," said Neva Espinoza, EPRI vice president of energy supply and low-carbon resources. "This unique research center provides an opportunity for utilities, researchers, and vendors to collaborate and advance technologies from benchtop to commercial operation."

"As a part of our ash pond closure efforts, Georgia Power is always looking for opportunities to reuse coal ash that are not only beneficial to our customers, but for our communities and environment as well," said Dr. Mark Berry, vice president of environmental and natural resources for Georgia Power. "The Ash Beneficial Use Center is paving the way for the latest coal ash technologies to be used productively. We hope to eventually see closed ash ponds and landfills become resources as new and improved uses are developed and proven through this center."

CCPs, particularly fly ash, are commonly used as a cement replacement. Emerging technologies may allow CCPs to replace mined virgin materials in a wide range of products, such as tiles, zeolites, and plastics. Early-stage, independent evaluations of these technologies, including feedstock specifications and operational experience, are key to understanding technical feasibility and cost.

EPRI is seeking technologies for evaluation at the Ash Beneficial Use Center. The Center will host pilot-scale demonstrations in one of two outdoor technology test bays. The center provides access to a range of CCPs, including an onsite testing laboratory, along with expertise in beneficial use technology development and power plant operations. The Center's evaluation of pilot technologies will focus on monitoring test bay inputs and outputs (CCP, energy, water, waste), enabling technology developers to retain control of their intellectual property.

The Ash Beneficial Use Center is a natural progression in EPRI's decades-long research and development on CCP beneficial use. For more information on demonstration opportunities at the Ash Beneficial Use Center, please contact us.

Contact:

Aimee Mills

(704) 519-7486

[email protected]

About EPRI

The Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. (EPRI, www.epri.com) conducts research and development relating to the generation, delivery and use of electricity for the benefit of the public. An independent, nonprofit organization, EPRI brings together its scientists and engineers as well as experts from academia and industry to help address challenges in electricity, including reliability, efficiency, health, safety and the environment. EPRI's members represent more than 90 percent of the electricity generated and delivered in the United States, and international participation extends to 40 countries. EPRI's principal offices and laboratories are in Palo Alto, Calif.; Charlotte, N.C.; Knoxville, Tenn.; and Lenox, Mass.

SOURCE Electric Power Research Institute

Related Links

http://www.epri.com


Each profile is free to view and packed with high-quality insights, providing businesses with detailed company information. Users can take advantage of these insights to identify, target, and connect with the right kiln manufacturers and suppliers. This company information includes employee insights, company competitors, the impact of emerging trends and challenges, the latest news, and more.

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List of product and service category offerings and primary operating industries

Risk of doing business score across four different metrics

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Kiln Companies on BizVibe

BizVibe's platform contains 10M+ company profiles, spanning across 200+ countries, categorized into 40,000+ products and services. There are 100+ company profiles related to kiln manufacturers and suppliers on BizVibe, covering 30+ product and service categories. Each company profile contains detailed insights dedicated to helping procurement and sales teams find trusted suppliers and target sales prospects.

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BizVibe has been conceptualized and built by a team based out of Toronto, Bangalore, and London. We are a branch of Infiniti Research and have dedicated units in all three locations. BizVibe helps buyers find the most relevant suppliers from around the world and help sellers target prospects who need their products and/or services. For more information, please visit www.bizvibe.com and start for free today.

Contact

BizVibe

Jesse Maida

Email: [email protected]

+1 855-897-5880

Website: https://www.bizvibe.com/

SOURCE BizVibe

Related Links

http://www.bizvibe.com


KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa., Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Evolve IP, a leading international service provider of Work Anywhere solutions, today announced that it has further expanded international coverage for its Evolved Office UC and Teams Enterprise Voice products. This expansion enables our customers to acquire and port local numbers with inbound and outbound telephony in 10 additional countries.

Highlights of this recent expansion include two-way calling for China, Japan, and the Philippines in the Asia Pacific region and Brazil, Mexico, and Ecuador in Latin America. This now brings Evolve IP's total to over 40 countries for full PSTN replacement and over 50 countries for inbound and toll-free calling with plans to continue expansion through the rest of 2021.

Evolve IP's Communication Solutions:

Provide enterprise-class voice features to Microsoft Teams and Cisco Webex Collaboration including features such as Business SMS, Recording & Analytics, Contact Center, Multi-level Auto-Attendants, Advanced Hunt Groups, Overhead Paging, Receptionist Clients and more

to Microsoft Teams and Cisco Webex Collaboration including features such as Business SMS, Recording & Analytics, Contact Center, Multi-level Auto-Attendants, Advanced Hunt Groups, Overhead Paging, Receptionist Clients and more Support hybrid deployments including Teams and non-Teams use cases and traditional phone needs

including Teams and non-Teams use cases and Delivers best-in-class high availability, business continuity, and disaster recovery

and Provides a native platform-level integration without 3 rd party bots or browser concerns

without 3 party bots or browser concerns Delivers crystal-clear voice services powered by Evolve IP's global Cisco Broadworks Voice Network

powered by Evolve IP's global Cisco Broadworks Voice Network Runs seamlessly with Evolve IP's award-winning DaaS Solution, including Real-Time Audio and Video  creating a seamless Work Anywhere solution for remote workers

"We are excited to expand the delivery of our Microsoft Teams and Cisco Voice solution even further to ten additional countries  especially China and Mexico  where our customers have demonstrated need," said Scott Kinka, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer at Evolve IP. "Businesses today need the flexibility of collaborating and communicating with employees globally. Evolve IP has a solution that will exceed your expectations. Our solutions can be tailored around specific business needs, varied deployment locations, and technology integrations that enhance productivity and deliver crystal-clear voice services around the world,"

Click here to learn more about Evolve IP's Multinational Microsoft Teams Voice solution.

About Evolve IP

Evolve IP enables employees to Work Anywhere productively and securely. Our enterprise solutions seamlessly integrate collaboration & communications, digital workspaces and contact center  all delivered from a browser on any connected device. Evolve IP's technologies free IT to focus on business innovation, not systems and infrastructure, and enable their employees to contribute even more to the enterprise -- no matter where or when they are working. Businesses that choose Evolve IP have selected a true technology partner. A company that becomes an expert extension of their IT team, an organization that listens to their needs to tailor solutions just for their business and is responsive and engaged in every interaction.

Photo(s): https://www.prlog.org/12881058

Press release distributed by PRLog

SOURCE Evolve IP
FORT WORTH, Texas, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) today announced that Tom Trkla, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Yesway, was named an Entrepreneur Of The Year 2021 Southwest Award winner. The Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards program is one of the preeminent competitive awards for entrepreneurs and leaders of high-growth companies. The award recognizes those who are unstoppable entrepreneurial leaders, excelling in talent management; degree of difficulty; financial performance; societal impact and building a values-based company; and originality, innovation and future plans. Tom was selected by an independent panel of judges, and the award was announced during the program's virtual awards gala on August 2, 2021.

"I am sincerely honored to have been named an Entrepreneur Of The Year 2021 Southwest Award winner," said Tom. "This is not an award I have won on my own. Nothing that I have accomplished in my career has been done without the collaboration and support of my family and friends, and my business colleagues, partners, and employees. Yesway's rise as a leading convenience store chain and tremendous success are a direct result of their collective hard work, loyalty, and dedication. This is truly an award for them."

For 35 years, EY US has honored entrepreneurs whose ambition, courage and ingenuity have driven their companies' success, transformed their industries and made a positive impact on their communities. Tom will go on to become a lifetime member of the esteemed multi-industry community of award winners, with exclusive, ongoing access to the experience, insight and wisdom of fellow alumni and other ecosystem members in over 60 countries  all supported by vast EY resources.

As a Southwest award winner, Tom is now eligible for consideration for the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2021 National Awards. Award winners in several national categories, as well as the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner, will be announced in November at the Strategic Growth Forum, one of the nation's most prestigious gatherings of high-growth, market-leading companies.

The Entrepreneur Of The Year program has honored the inspirational leadership of entrepreneurs such as:

Brian Niccol of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.

of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. Saeju Jeong of Noom

Joe DeSimone of Carbon , Inc.

of , Inc. Howard Schultz of Starbucks Corporation

of Starbucks Corporation Jodi Berg of Vitamix

of Vitamix Reid Hoffman and Jeff Weiner of LinkedIn

and of LinkedIn Hamdi Ulukaya of Chobani

of Chobani Kendra Scott of Kendra Scott LLC

of Kendra Scott LLC Andreas Bechtolsheim and Jayshree Ullal of Arista Networks

and of Arista Networks James Park of Fitbit

of Fitbit Daymond John of Fubu

Editor note: Contact Erin Vadala, [email protected]; 978-468-3076 to arrange interviews. High-resolution images, graphics available on request.

About Yesway  BW Gas & Convenience Retail, LLC d/b/a Yesway is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. Yesway has recently been named the "2021 Convenience Store Chain of the Year" by CStore Decisions and is currently ranked #19 on the "2021 CSP Top 202 Chains" list by total portfolio size. Yesway ranked #2 in year-over-year relative store growth on the Convenience Store News "2020 Top 20 Growth Chains" list, after being co-ranked #1 on the "2019 Top 20 Growth Chains" list, was named a "2017 Chain to Watch" by Convenience Store Decisions, was awarded a Bronze for Loyalty & Advocacy in the 2018 Loyalty360 Customer Experience Awards, and its CEO has been named a "CSP 2020 Power 20 Deal Maker." Yesway's portfolio currently consists of 402 stores located in Texas, New Mexico, South Dakota, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Wyoming, Oklahoma, and Nebraska, including Allsup's Convenience Store chain. www.yesway.com

Sponsors

Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards are nationally sponsored by SAP America and the Kauffman Foundation. In the Southwest Region, sponsors also include Colliers International, Haynes and Boone LLP, PNC, Donnelley Financial Solutions, RHSB, Smith Frank & Partners and D CEO Magazine.

About Entrepreneur Of The Year

Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world's most prestigious business awards program for unstoppable entrepreneurs. These visionary leaders deliver innovation, growth and prosperity that transform our world. The program engages entrepreneurs with insights and experiences that foster growth. It connects them with their peers to strengthen entrepreneurship around the world. Entrepreneur Of The Year is the first and only truly global awards program of its kind. It celebrates entrepreneurs through regional and national awards programs in more than 145 cities in over 60 countries. National overall winners go on to compete for the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year title. ey.com/us/eoy

Contact: Erin Vadala, Warner Communications; (978) 468-3076; [email protected]

SOURCE Yesway

Related Links

http://www.yesway.com


Patches released for one high severity bug so far, CVE-2021-34514

OTTAWA, ON, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Field Effect , a global cyber security company specializing in intelligence-grade protection for small and mid-sized businesses, recommends Microsoft Windows users take fast action to make updates following the discovery of a tranche of critical zero-day security vulnerabilities by the company's security research team. The vulnerabilities  in Windows Vista/Server 2008 and above  could be exploited to gain kernel-level privilege to facilitate ransomware or other serious cyber attacks. The first of these vulnerabilities was recently patched by Microsoft.

After Field Effect responsibly disclosed its research findings to Microsoft in early May 2021, Microsoft issued patches for the first vulnerability CVE-2021-34514, in its Patch Tuesday update on July 13, 2021 . CVE-2021-34514 has a high severity score of CVSS: 3.0 score 7.8. Patches for the remaining vulnerabilities will be scheduled by Microsoft in the fall.

"The potential impact from these native kernel privilege escalation vulnerabilities, if exploited, would be similar to upgrading an attacker's weaponry from a tank to a nuclear weapon," said Matt Holland, Founder, CEO, and CTO of Field Effect. "Once attackers have access to the kernel, they can bypass traditional security controls and move deeply into operating systems, applications, and more. The attack scenarios are limitless with this level of access and control."

The CVE-2021-34514 vulnerability was discovered by Erik Egsgard, Field Effect's principal security researcher. It is a race condition vulnerability and resides in the Advanced Local Procedure Call (ALPC) facility of the Windows kernel (ntoskrnl.exe). ALPC was introduced with

Windows Vista, which was released in 2007. Field Effect has confirmed that the vulnerability has been present since then, making almost every computer running Windows in the world vulnerable.

Patches issued for CVE-2021-34514 also included 19 for Windows 10 and two for Windows 7 versions, as well as associated Windows Server versions. Windows 7, no longer supported by Microsoft but known to be the second most popular Windows operating system, is still running on an estimated 100 million PCs. Outdated operating systems have been shown to be more vulnerable to cyber threats, enabling cyber criminals to take advantage of security gaps and launch attacks.

Today's news underscores the importance of keeping software and systems updated and prioritizing security. At Field Effect, more than 50% of the company's revenue is invested in R&D to continually support innovation for its cyber security products and services. As a result, Field Effect customers using the company's Covalence threat monitoring, detection, blocking, and response (MDR) solution , are protected from these vulnerabilities.

"This vulnerability, along with others, were discovered over a one-week period while doing R&D for Covalence, our MDR solution. This is a testament to the deep expertise of our threat intelligence team, operating with an attacker's mindset," said Holland. "We continuously push the limits on attacker techniques and methodologies and build counter-measures right into our products and services, ensuring our clients are fully protected. This ensures that Covalence is always ready for when actual attackers discover and weaponize these techniques."

To download the CVE-2021-34514 patches, access the Microsoft Security Update Guide here.

About Field Effect

Field Effect believes businesses of all sizes deserve powerful cyber security solutions to protect them. The company's threat monitoring and protection, incident response, security training, and consulting services are the result of years of research and development by the brightest talents in the cyber security industry. For more information, visit www.fieldeffect.com.

SOURCE Field Effect
THOMASVILLE, Ga., Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Flowers Foods, Inc. (NYSE: FLO), producer of Nature's Own, Dave's Killer Bread, Wonder, Canyon Bakehouse, Tastykake, and other bakery foods, today reported financial results for the company's 12-week second quarter ended July 17, 2021.

Second Quarter Summary:

Compared to the prior year second quarter where applicable

Sales decreased 0.8% to $1.017 billion compared to record results in the prior year period that were driven by the pandemic.

compared to record results in the prior year period that were driven by the pandemic. Net income decreased 2.7% to $56.4 million . Adjusted net income decreased 1.7% to $68.8 million .

. Adjusted net income decreased 1.7% to . Adjusted EBITDA (1) decreased 5.0% to $122.1 million . Adjusted EBITDA represented 12.0% of sales, a 50-basis point decrease.

decreased 5.0% to . Adjusted EBITDA represented 12.0% of sales, a 50-basis point decrease. Diluted EPS decreased $0.01 to $0.26 . Adjusted diluted EPS(1) decreased $0.01 to $0.32 .

(1) Adjusted for items affecting comparability. See reconciliations of non-GAAP measures in the financial statements following this release.

CEO's Remarks:

"Flowers' strong second quarter performance reflects the power of our leading brands and our sustained investment in sales growth and network optimization," said Ryals McMullian, Flowers Foods' president and CEO. "We are delivering results well ahead of pre-pandemic levels as we continue to grow our market share, and I thank our team for their perseverance in navigating the uncertainty caused by the pandemic.

"By executing on our four strategic pillars  developing our team, focusing on brands, prioritizing margins, and smart M&A  we are continuing to develop the structure and capabilities necessary to achieve our goals," he continued. "I have never been more optimistic about Flowers' potential. We have taken important steps forward and remain committed to achieving our financial targets and creating shareholder value in the current year and beyond."

For the 52-week Fiscal 2021, the Company Expects:

Sales in the range of approximately $4.256 billion to $4.300 billion , representing a decrease of approximately 2.0% to 3.0% compared to the prior year period. The new guidance represents an increase over prior guidance of approximately $4.234 billion to $4.300 billion . This change includes a 1.8% reduction in sales due to one fewer week in fiscal 2021.

to , representing a decrease of approximately 2.0% to 3.0% compared to the prior year period. The new guidance represents an increase over prior guidance of approximately to . This change includes a 1.8% reduction in sales due to one fewer week in fiscal 2021. Diluted EPS in the range of approximately $1.17 to $1.22 , an increase over prior guidance of $1.10 to $1.17 . The effect of one fewer week in fiscal 2021 impacts EPS by approximately $0.02 .

The company's outlook is based on the following assumptions:

Depreciation and amortization in the range of $135 million to $140 million

to Net interest expense of approximately $8 million

An effective tax rate of approximately 24.5%

Weighted average diluted share count for the year of approximately 213 million shares

Capital expenditures for the year in the range of $125 million to $135 million

Matters Affecting Comparability:

Reconciliation of Earnings per Share to Adjusted Earnings per Share





For the 12 Week

Period Ended



For the 12 Week

Period Ended





July 17, 2021



July 11, 2020

Net income per diluted common share

$ 0.26



$ 0.27

Project Centennial consulting costs









0.02

Business process improvement consulting costs



0.05







Acquisition consideration adjustment



0.01







Restructuring and related impairment charges









0.04

Adjusted net income per diluted common share

$ 0.32



$ 0.33



Consolidated Second Quarter Operating Highlights

Compared to the prior year second quarter where applicable

Sales decreased 0.8% to $1.017 billion compared to record results in the prior year period driven by the pandemic.

compared to record results in the prior year period driven by the pandemic. Percentage point change in sales attributed to:

Pricing/mix: 3.1%



Volume: -3.9%

Branded retail sales decreased $14.1 million or 2.0% to $674.7 million , store branded retail sales decreased $13.6 million or 9.4% to $131.0 million , while non-retail and other sales increased $19.1 million or 9.9% to $211.5 million .

or 2.0% to , store branded retail sales decreased or 9.4% to , while non-retail and other sales increased or 9.9% to . Branded retail sales decreased primarily due to difficult prior year comparisons, partially offset by favorable price/mix.



Store branded retail sales decreased primarily due to volume declines as consumer purchasing shifted to branded retail products.



Non-retail and other sales increased compared to weak sales in the prior year period due to the pandemic.

Net income decreased $1.6 million to $56.4 million due primarily to lower operating income, partly offset by a lower tax rate and lower interest expense. Adjusted net income decreased 1.7% to $68.8 million .

to due primarily to lower operating income, partly offset by a lower tax rate and lower interest expense. Adjusted net income decreased 1.7% to . Adjusted EBITDA decreased 5.0% to $122.1 million , representing 12.0% of sales, a 50-basis point decrease.

, representing 12.0% of sales, a 50-basis point decrease. Materials, supplies, labor and other production costs (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) were 49.5% of sales, a 20-basis point increase. These costs increased as a percentage of sales due to moderating sales and increased returns of unsold products, partially offset by $1.5 million of start-up costs in the year-ago period related to the conversion of our Lynchburg, Virginia facility to an organic bakery. Rising commodity costs were partially offset by positive price/mix and improved promotional efficiency.

of start-up costs in the year-ago period related to the conversion of our facility to an organic bakery. Rising commodity costs were partially offset by positive price/mix and improved promotional efficiency. Selling, distribution and administrative (SD&A) expenses were 40.1% of sales, a 140-basis point increase, impacted by higher business process improvement consulting costs. Excluding matters affecting comparability, adjusted SD&A expenses were 38.4% of sales, a 30-basis point increase from the prior year period. Higher logistics costs and an increased investment in marketing were partly offset by lower distributor distribution fees, due to the mix shift, and higher scrap income.

Depreciation and amortization (D&A) expenses were $31.6 million , or 3.1% of sales, a 10-basis point decrease.

Cash Flow, Capital Allocation, and Capital Return

Year-to-date, through the second quarter of fiscal 2021, cash flow from operating activities decreased by $52.4 million to $223.4 million, capital expenditures increased $11.7 million to $58.3 million, and dividends paid increased $4.4 million to $87.0 million. Cash and cash equivalents were $292.3 million at the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2021.

There are 6.1 million shares that remain authorized for repurchase under the company's current share repurchase plan. The company expects to continue to make opportunistic share repurchases from time to time under this plan.

Pre-Recorded Management Remarks and Question and Answer Webcast

In conjunction with this release, Flowers Foods will post pre-recorded management remarks and a supporting slide presentation to its website. The company will host a live question and answer webcast at 8:30 a.m. (Eastern) on August 13, 2021. The pre-recorded remarks and the webcast can be accessed at flowersfoods.com/investors and will be archived on the company's website.

About Flowers Foods

Headquartered in Thomasville, Ga., Flowers Foods, Inc. (NYSE: FLO) is one of the largest producers of packaged bakery foods in the United States with 2020 sales of $4.4 billion. Flowers operates bakeries across the country that produce a wide range of bakery products. Among the company's top brands are Nature's Own, Dave's Killer Bread, Wonder, Canyon Bakehouse, and Tastykake. Learn more at www.flowersfoods.com.



FLO-IR FLO-CORP

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this filing and certain other written or oral statements made from time to time by Flowers Foods, Inc. (the "company", "Flowers Foods", "Flowers", "us", "we", or "our") and its representatives that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements relate to current expectations regarding our future financial condition and results of operations and the ultimate impact of the novel strain of coronavirus ("COVID-19") on our business, results of operations and financial condition and are often identified by the use of words and phrases such as "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "predict," "project," "should," "will," "would," "is likely to," "is expected to" or "will continue," or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions we believe are reasonable. Forward-looking statements are based on current information and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those projected. Certain factors that may cause actual results, performance, liquidity, and achievements to differ materially from those projected are discussed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K (the "Form 10-K") and may include, but are not limited to, (a) unexpected changes in any of the following: (1) general economic and business conditions; (2) the competitive setting in which we operate, including advertising or promotional strategies by us or our competitors, as well as changes in consumer demand; (3) interest rates and other terms available to us on our borrowings; (4) energy and raw materials costs and availability and hedging counter-party risks; (5) relationships with or increased costs related to our employees and third-party service providers; (6) laws and regulations (including environmental and health-related issues); and (7) accounting standards or tax rates in the markets in which we operate, (b) the ultimate impact of the COVID-19 outbreak and measures taken in response thereto, including additional variants of the virus and the efficacy and distribution of vaccines, on our business, results of operations and financial condition, which are highly uncertain and are difficult to predict, (c) the loss or financial instability of any significant customer(s), including as a result of product recalls or safety concerns related to our products, (d) changes in consumer behavior, trends and preferences, including health and whole grain trends, and the movement toward more inexpensive store branded products, (e) the level of success we achieve in developing and introducing new products and entering new markets, (f) our ability to implement new technology and customer requirements as required, (g) our ability to operate existing, and any new, manufacturing lines according to schedule, (h) our ability to execute our business strategies which may involve, among other things, (1) the integration of acquisitions or the acquisition or disposition of assets at presently targeted values, (2) the deployment of new systems and technology, and (3) an enhanced organizational structure, (i) consolidation within the baking industry and related industries, (j) changes in pricing, customer and consumer reaction to pricing actions, and the pricing environment among competitors within the industry, (k) disruptions in our direct-store-delivery distribution model, including litigation or an adverse ruling by a court or regulatory or governmental body, or other regulatory developments, that could affect the independent contractor classifications of the independent distributors, (l) increasing legal complexity and legal proceedings that we are or may become subject to, (m) labor shortages and turnover or increases in employee and employee-related costs, (n) the credit, business, and legal risks associated with independent distributors and customers, which operate in the highly competitive retail food and foodservice industries, (o) any business disruptions due to political instability, pandemics, armed hostilities, incidents of terrorism, natural disasters, labor strikes or work stoppages, technological breakdowns, product contamination, product recalls or safety concerns related to our products, or the responses to or repercussions from any of these or similar events or conditions and our ability to insure against such events, (p) the failure of our information technology systems to perform adequately, including any interruptions, intrusions or security breaches of such systems or risks associated with the planned implementation of a new enterprise resource planning ("ERP") system; and (q) regulation and legislation related to climate change that could affect our ability to procure our commodity needs or that necessitate additional unplanned capital expenditures. The foregoing list of important factors does not include all such factors, nor necessarily present them in order of importance. In addition, you should consult other disclosures made by the company (such as in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") or in company press releases) for other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected by the company. Refer to Part I, Item 1A., Risk Factors, of the Form 10-K and Part II, Item 1A., Risk Factors of the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 17, 2021 for additional information regarding factors that could affect the company's results of operations, financial condition and liquidity. We caution you not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as they speak only as of the date made and are inherently uncertain. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise or update such statements, except as required by law. You are advised, however, to consult any further public disclosures by the company (such as in our filings with the SEC or in company press releases) on related subjects.

Information Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The company prepares its consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). However, from time to time, the company may present in its public statements, press releases and SEC filings, non-GAAP financial measures such as, EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, EBITDA margin, adjusted EBITDA margin, adjusted net income, adjusted EPS, adjusted income tax expense, adjusted selling, distribution and administrative expenses (SD&A), gross margin excluding depreciation and amortization, free cash flow, and the ratio of net debt to adjusted EBITDA. The reconciliations attached provide reconciliations of the non-GAAP measures used in this presentation or release to the most comparable GAAP financial measure. The company's definitions of these non-GAAP measures may differ from similarly titled measures used by others. These non-GAAP measures should be considered supplemental to, and not a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.

The company defines EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. Earnings are net income. The company defines free cash flow as operating cash flow minus capital expenditures. The company believes that free cash flow provides investors a better understanding of the company's liquidity position. The company believes that EBITDA is a useful tool for managing the operations of its business and is an indicator of the company's ability to incur and service indebtedness and generate free cash flow. EBITDA is used as the primary performance measure in the company's 2014 Omnibus Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan. Furthermore, pursuant to the terms of our credit facility, EBITDA is used to determine the company's compliance with certain financial covenants. The company also believes that EBITDA measures are commonly reported and widely used by investors and other interested parties as measures of a company's operating performance and debt servicing ability because EBITDA measures assist in comparing performance on a consistent basis without regard to depreciation or amortization, which can vary significantly depending upon accounting methods and non-operating factors (such as historical cost). EBITDA is also a widely-accepted financial indicator of a company's ability to incur and service indebtedness.

EBITDA should not be considered an alternative to (a) income from operations or net income (loss) as a measure of operating performance; (b) cash flows provided by operating, investing and financing activities (as determined in accordance with GAAP) as a measure of the company's ability to meet its cash needs; or (c) any other indicator of performance or liquidity that has been determined in accordance with GAAP.

The company defines adjusted EBITDA, EBITDA margin, adjusted EBITDA margin, adjusted net income, adjusted diluted EPS, adjusted income tax expense and adjusted SD&A, respectively, excluding the impact of asset impairment charges, Project Centennial consulting costs, business process improvement costs, lease terminations and legal settlements, acquisition-related costs, and pension plan settlements. Adjusted income tax expense also excludes the impact of tax reform. The company believes that these measures, when considered together with its GAAP financial results, provides management and investors with a more complete understanding of its business operating results, including underlying trends, by excluding the effects of certain charges.

The company defines net debt as total debt less cash and cash equivalents. Net debt to EBITDA is used as a measure of financial leverage employed by the company. Gross margin excluding depreciation and amortization is used as a performance measure to provide additional transparent information regarding our results of operations on a consolidated and segment basis. Changes in depreciation and amortization are separately discussed and include depreciation and amortization for materials, supplies, labor and other production costs and operating activities.

Presentation of gross margin includes depreciation and amortization in the materials, supplies, labor and other production costs according to GAAP. Our method of presenting gross margin excludes the depreciation and amortization components, as discussed above.

The reconciliations attached provide reconciliations of the non-GAAP measures used in this presentation or release to the most comparable GAAP financial measure.

Flowers Foods, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets



(000's omitted)





July 17, 2021



January 2, 2021

Assets















Cash and cash equivalents

$ 292,270



$ 307,476

Other current assets



518,753





502,300

Property, plant and equipment, net



701,637





699,393

Right-of-use leases, net



345,087





334,131

Distributor notes receivable (1)



194,969





204,839

Other Assets



18,315





14,722

Cost in excess of net tangible assets, net



1,254,895





1,260,162

Total assets

$ 3,325,926



$ 3,323,023

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity















Current liabilities

$ 454,168



$ 452,197

Long-term debt



889,878





960,103

Right-of-use lease liabilities (2)



358,671





345,762

Other liabilities



198,079





191,967

Stockholders' equity



1,425,130





1,372,994

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$ 3,325,926



$ 3,323,023





















(1) Includes current portion of $28,949 and $28,427, respectively. (2) Includes current portion of $55,599 and $51,908, respectively.

Flowers Foods, Inc.

Consolidated Statement of Operations



(000's omitted, except per share data)





For the 12 Week

Period Ended



For the 12 Week

Period Ended



For the 28 Week

Period Ended



For the 28 Week

Period Ended





July 17, 2021



July 11, 2020



July 17, 2021



July 11, 2020

Sales

$ 1,017,309



$ 1,025,861



$ 2,319,477



$ 2,375,305

Materials, supplies, labor and other production costs (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)



504,062





506,033





1,147,638





1,176,906

Selling, distribution and administrative expenses



407,707





396,904





909,680





918,939

Loss on inferior ingredients















122







Restructuring and related impairment charges









10,535











10,535

Depreciation and amortization expense



31,619





33,180





73,005





77,843

Income from operations



73,921





79,209





189,032





191,082

Other pension (benefit) cost



(93)





(72)





(218)





71

Pension plan settlement and curtailment loss





















116,207

Loss on extinguishment of debt















16,149







Interest expense, net



1,070





2,869





5,271





6,183

Income before income taxes



72,944





76,412





167,830





68,621

Income tax expense



16,586





18,493





39,817





16,474

Net income

$ 56,358



$ 57,919



$ 128,013



$ 52,147

Net income per diluted common share

$ 0.26



$ 0.27



$ 0.60



$ 0.25

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding



213,056





212,284





212,897





212,192



Flowers Foods, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows



(000's omitted)





For the 12 Week Period Ended



For the 12 Week Period Ended



For the 28 Week Period Ended



For the 28 Week Period Ended





July 17, 2021



July 11, 2020



July 17, 2021



July 11, 2020

Cash flows from operating activities:































Net income

$ 56,358



$ 57,919



$ 128,013



$ 52,147

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities:































Total non-cash adjustments



40,766





49,862





96,604





193,513

Changes in assets and liabilities and pension contributions



28,311





61,828





(1,187)





30,134

Net cash provided by operating activities



125,435





169,609





223,430





275,794

Cash flows from investing activities:































Purchase of property, plant and equipment



(30,992)





(24,894)





(58,270)





(46,594)

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment



252





590





2,411





1,452

Acquisition of trademarks



(10,200)











(10,200)







Other



3,086





5,342





9,088





9,363

Net cash disbursed for investing activities



(37,854)





(18,962)





(56,971)





(35,779)

Cash flows from financing activities:































Dividends paid



(44,539)





(42,342)





(87,042)





(82,628)

Payment of contingent consideration





















(4,700)

Stock repurchases















(1,058)





(783)

Net change in debt borrowings









(61,250)





(81,858)





142,500

Payments on financing leases



(443)





(1,720)





(866)





(3,900)

Other



(899)





1,544





(10,841)





(1,986)

Net cash (disbursed for) provided by financing activities



(45,881)





(103,768)





(181,665)





48,503

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents



41,700





46,879





(15,206)





288,518

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period



250,570





252,683





307,476





11,044

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$ 292,270



$ 299,562



$ 292,270



$ 299,562



Flowers Foods, Inc.

Sales by Sales Class and Sales Bridge



(000's omitted)

Sales by Sales Class

For the 12 Week

Period Ended



For the 12 Week

Period Ended





















July 17, 2021



July 11, 2020



$ Change



% Change

Branded Retail

$ 674,749



$ 688,869



$ (14,120)





(2.0) % Store Branded Retail



131,022





144,574





(13,552)





(9.4) % Non-Retail and Other



211,538





192,418





19,120





9.9 % Total Sales

$ 1,017,309



$ 1,025,861



$ (8,552)





(0.8) %



Sales by Sales Class

For the 28 Week

Period Ended



For the 28 Week

Period Ended





















July 17, 2021



July 11, 2020



$ Change



% Change

Branded Retail

$ 1,536,622



$ 1,579,950



$ (43,328)





(2.7) % Store Branded Retail



293,462





334,858





(41,396)





(12.4) % Non-Retail and Other



489,393





460,497





28,896





6.3 % Total Sales

$ 2,319,477



$ 2,375,305



$ (55,828)





(2.4) %







Sales Bridge

For the 12 week period ended July 17, 2021

Volume

Net Price/Mix

Total Sales Change Flowers Foods

(3.9)%

3.1%

(0.8)%











For the 28 week period ended July 17, 2021

Volume

Net Price/Mix

Total Sales Change Flowers Foods

(5.6)%

3.2%

(2.4)%

Flowers Foods, Inc.

Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures



(000's omitted, except per share data)





Reconciliation of Earnings per Share to Adjusted Earnings per Share





For the 12 Week

Period Ended



For the 12 Week

Period Ended



For the 28 Week

Period Ended



For the 28 Week

Period Ended





July 17, 2021



July 11, 2020



July 17, 2021



July 11, 2020

Net income per diluted common share

$ 0.26



$ 0.27



$ 0.60



$ 0.25

Loss on inferior ingredients













NM







Project Centennial consulting costs









0.02











0.03

Business process improvement consulting costs



0.05











0.06







Legal settlements





















0.01

Acquisition consideration adjustment



0.01











0.01







Restructuring and related impairment charges









0.04











0.04

Pension plan settlement and curtailment loss





















0.41

Other pension plan termination costs



















NM

Loss on extinguishment of debt















0.06







Adjusted net income per diluted common share

$ 0.32



$ 0.33



$ 0.73



$ 0.74

NM - not meaningful.







































































Reconciliation of Gross Margin





For the 12 Week

Period Ended



For the 12 Week

Period Ended



For the 28 Week

Period Ended



For the 28 Week

Period Ended





July 17, 2021



July 11, 2020



July 17, 2021



July 11, 2020

Sales

$ 1,017,309



$ 1,025,861



$ 2,319,477



$ 2,375,305

Materials, supplies, labor and other production costs (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)



504,062





506,033





1,147,638





1,176,906

Gross Margin excluding depreciation and amortization



513,247





519,828





1,171,839





1,198,399

Less depreciation and amortization for production activities



17,814





18,113



$ 40,944



$ 42,371

Gross Margin

$ 495,433



$ 501,715



$ 1,130,895



$ 1,156,028

Depreciation and amortization for production activities

$ 17,814



$ 18,113



$ 40,944



$ 42,371

Depreciation and amortization for selling, distribution and administrative activities



13,805





15,067





32,061





35,472

Total depreciation and amortization

$ 31,619



$ 33,180



$ 73,005



$ 77,843







Reconciliation of Selling, Distribution and Administrative Expenses to Adjusted SD&A





For the 12 Week

Period Ended



For the 12 Week

Period Ended



For the 28 Week

Period Ended



For the 28 Week

Period Ended





July 17, 2021



July 11, 2020



July 17, 2021



July 11, 2020

Selling, distribution and administrative expenses (SD&A)

$ 407,707



$ 396,904



$ 909,680



$ 918,939

Project Centennial consulting costs









(5,584)











(8,976)

Business process improvement consulting costs



(13,205)











(18,163)







Legal settlements





















(3,220)

Acquisition consideration adjustment



(3,400)











(3,400)







Other pension plan termination costs





















(133)

Adjusted SD&A

$ 391,102



$ 391,320



$ 888,117



$ 906,610



Flowers Foods, Inc.

Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures



(000's omitted, except per share data)





Reconciliation of Net Income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA





For the 12 Week

Period Ended



For the 12 Week

Period Ended



For the 28 Week

Period Ended



For the 28 Week

Period Ended





July 17, 2021



July 11, 2020



July 17, 2021



July 11, 2020

Net income

$ 56,358



$ 57,919



$ 128,013



$ 52,147

Income tax expense



16,586





18,493





39,817





16,474

Interest expense, net



1,070





2,869





5,271





6,183

Loss on extinguishment of debt















16,149







Depreciation and amortization



31,619





33,180





73,005





77,843

EBITDA



105,633





112,461





262,255





152,647

Other pension (benefit) cost



(93)





(72)





(218)





71

Pension plan settlement and curtailment loss





















116,207

Other pension plan termination costs





















133

Loss on inferior ingredients















122







Project Centennial consulting costs









5,584











8,976

Business process improvement consulting costs



13,205











18,163







Legal settlements





















3,220

Acquisition consideration adjustment



3,400











3,400







Restructuring and related impairment charges









10,535











10,535

Adjusted EBITDA

$ 122,145



$ 128,508



$ 283,722



$ 291,789

Sales

$ 1,017,309



$ 1,025,861



$ 2,319,477



$ 2,375,305

Adjusted EBITDA margin



12.0 %



12.5 %



12.2 %



12.3 %





Reconciliation of Income Tax Expense to Adjusted Income Tax Expense





For the 12 Week

Period Ended



For the 12 Week

Period Ended



For the 28 Week

Period Ended



For the 28 Week

Period Ended





July 17, 2021



July 11, 2020



July 17, 2021



July 11, 2020

Income tax expense

$ 16,586



$ 18,493



$ 39,817



$ 16,474

Tax impact of:































Loss on inferior ingredients















31







Project Centennial consulting costs









1,396











2,244

Business process improvement consulting costs



3,301











4,541







Legal settlements





















805

Acquisition consideration adjustment



850











850







Restructuring and related impairment charges









2,634











2,634

Pension plan settlement and curtailment loss





















29,052

Other pension plan termination costs





















33

Loss on extinguishment of debt















4,037







Adjusted income tax expense

$ 20,737



$ 22,523



$ 49,276



$ 51,242



Flowers Foods, Inc.

Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures



(000's omitted, except per share data)





Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted Net Income





For the 12 Week

Period Ended



For the 12 Week

Period Ended



For the 28 Week

Period Ended



For the 28 Week

Period Ended





July 17, 2021



July 11, 2020



July 17, 2021



July 11, 2020

Net income

$ 56,358



$ 57,919



$ 128,013



$ 52,147

Loss on inferior ingredients















91







Project Centennial consulting costs









4,188











6,732

Business process improvement consulting costs



9,904











13,622







Legal settlements





















2,415

Acquisition consideration adjustment



2,550











2,550







Restructuring and related impairment charges









7,901











7,901

Pension plan settlement and curtailment loss





















87,155

Other pension plan termination costs





















100

Loss on extinguishment of debt















12,112







Adjusted net income

$ 68,812



$ 70,008



$ 156,388



$ 156,450







Reconciliation of Earnings per Share - Full Year Fiscal 2021 Guidance



Range Estimate Net income per diluted common share

$1.04 to $1.09 Business process improvement consulting costs

0.06

0.06 Loss on inferior ingredients

NM

NM Acquisition consideration adjustment

0.01

0.01 Loss on extinguishment of debt

0.06

0.06 Adjusted net income per diluted common share



$1.17 to $1.22

NM - not meaningful.

SOURCE Flowers Foods, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.flowersfoods.com


MONROVIA, Calif., Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority (Construction Authority) announced that the 9.1-mile, four-station Foothill Gold Line light rail project segment from Glendora to Pomona reached a major milestone. As of August, the design for the $1.5 billion light rail project reached substantial completion. The design-build project was awarded to Kiewit-Parsons, a Joint Venture (KPJV) in October 2019, and the first year of the contract was spent focused on completing enough design to start major construction. Major construction began in July 2020; and as of this month, the project is now 36 percent complete overall.

"In addition to reaching substantial completion on the design for this important project this month, the project is now more than one-third complete overall - an extraordinary achievement accomplished during extraordinary times," stated Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority board chair, Pomona Mayor Tim Sandoval. "More than 300 people have been working full time on the project, including dozens of engineers that have focused on completing the design for nearly two years. Altogether, their efforts have allowed the project to move forward at an impressive pace - even as Covid-19 presented unique and unprecedented challenges."

The project design is a significant element of this complicated design-build project. It is completed in packages, totaling tens of thousands of pages of engineering drawings that go through multiple reviews. Disciplines - like track, stations and systems - are completed in packages covering the entire 9.1-mile alignment; while civil design elements - like roadways, lighting, drainage and walls - are completed in segments, often relating to the corridor city in which those elements will be built. The 19 bridge structures being built on the project are each designed individually. And all design elements go through multiple levels of approval  30%, 60%, 85%, 100% and then "Approved for Construction" or AFC  and are often reviewed by multiple agencies at each stage. Today's announcement means that all elements of the project have reached the final level of approval  Approved for Construction.

"It has taken an incredible effort by the Construction Authority team, the design-builder KPJV and our project partners at the corridor cities, Metro and others to reach this month's historic milestone," added Sandoval. "We thank them all for their hard work and dedication to completing this project that is creating jobs, economic development opportunities, and ultimately mobility options for our region and its residents."

Work on the Foothill Gold Line from Glendora to Pomona has been able to continue on schedule through 2020 amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The base project from Glendora to Pomona is currently six months ahead of the contractual substantial completion deadline of January 2025. The design-build contract does include an option to have the KPJV team complete the entire project from Glendora to Montclair if additional funding is secured by early October 2021. If that is achieved, the entire 12.3-mile, six-station project will be completed altogether in early 2026.

About the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority  The Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority is an independent transportation planning and construction agency created in 1998 by the California State Legislature to plan, design and build the Metro Gold Line (currently referred to as the L Line) light rail system from Union Station to Montclair. The agency completed the first segment from Union Station to Pasadena in 2003 and the Pasadena to Azusa segment in 2015; both on time and under budget. The agency began work on the Glendora to Montclair segment in 2003. The Glendora to Montclair segment was environmentally cleared in March 2013 under CEQA and again in 2019 to allow the potential for phased construction. When completed, the extension will add new light rail stations in the cities of Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne, Pomona, Claremont and Montclair. The project may be built in phases, due to funding constraints. Major construction on the project segment from Glendora to Pomona began in July 2020 and is anticipated to be completed in 2025. If additional funding is secured by October 2021, the entire segment from Glendora to Montclair will be completed altogether in 2026.

The portion of the project in Los Angeles County portion is funded mostly by Measure M, along with residual funds from Measure R not used to complete the Pasadena to Azusa segment. San Bernardino County is responsible to fund their portion of the project to Montclair (in San Bernardino County). The State of California has provided $300 million in funding through a TIRCP grant awarded in 2018 to both counties.

SOURCE Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority
WASHINGTON, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- USO of Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore announced today the donation receipt of $1,250,000 from Giant Food, the leading greater Washington D.C. food retailer.

For the sixth consecutive year, USO-Metro served as the main charity beneficiary of the 2021 Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle which was a month-long virtual event due to the COVID-19 pandemic. USO-Metro was also the beneficiary of funds raised through in-store event promotions across Giant's 164 stores from Memorial Day Weekend through June.

"One group we can never turn our backs on is our military. Their lives consist of transition, readiness, and sacrifice for our country. Giant has set the gold standard for actions, not words, with their annual in-store campaign to round up for the USO the entire month of June. Thanks to Giant's unwavering commitment to our men and women who serve, the USO has maintained troop-support without interruption. This partnership has been critical to our success." said Lisa Marie Riggins, Executive Director of USO Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore.

This year's Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle Virtual Experience was a huge success and saw over 150,000 viewers from across the country. The website featured several cooking competitions, contests, giveaways, and live music.

"We are honored to be close partners with the USO-Metro, an organization that takes tremendous care of the military service members and their families across our region," said Ira Kress, President of Giant Food. "I'd like to thank our Giant store associates and our amazing customers who supported our local military to make this year's in-store campaign a success. I'm also thrilled with the success of the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle Virtual Experience as it safely brought the community together for an excellent cause, while celebrating delicious food. We are already looking forward to hosting a live event in downtown Washington, D.C. next year for the 30th anniversary of the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle."

As part of its commitment to supporting the local community including military service members, Giant has donated over $5.7 million to USO-Metro to-date since 2016.

About USO of Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore

The USO strengthens America's military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country, throughout their service to the nation. USO of Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore (USO-Metro)'s Centers serve as a home-away-from-home for troops and their families. Throughout the year, hundreds of events take place at USO-Metro facilities and aid in boosting morale, building a sense of community and helping to ease the burdens of a transient military lifestyle. Staffed by trained volunteers, USO-Metro supports the specific needs of single service members, couples, spouses, families, children, teens, wounded, ill and injured service members and their caregivers.

About Giant Food

This year, Giant Food is celebrating 85 years as a community grocery store. Since opening its first location on Georgia Ave. in Washington, DC in 1936, Giant has been an integral part of its customers' lives and the communities it serves. Giant is committed to being a Better Neighbor and has designated four main giving pillars that address local Food Insecurity, Military Support, Pediatric Cancer Research and Social Equality. Giant is headquartered in Landover, Md. and operates 164 supermarkets in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia with approximately 20,000 associates. Included within the 164 stores are 152 full-service pharmacies, 82 full-service PNC Banks and 24 Starbucks locations. Giant fits all the ways today's busy customers want to shop - whether in store or online. With 151 Giant Pickup locations and Giant Delivery available to all market areas in DC, MD, VA and DE, customers have even more convenient options right at their fingertips to get the best product and prices, whenever and however they want. For more information on Giant, visit: www.giantfood.com.

Media Contacts:

Daniel Wolk

Communications & Community Relations Manager, Giant Food

(301) 980-3762

[email protected]

USO POC - TBD

SOURCE USO

Related Links

http://www.uso.org


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Key Highlights Offered in the Report:

Information on how to identify strategic and tactical negotiation levels that will help achieve the best prices.

Gain information on relevant pricing levels, detailed explanation on pros and cons of prevalent pricing models.

Methods to help engage with the right suppliers and discover KPI's to evaluate incumbent suppliers.

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Insights into buyer strategies and tactical negotiation levers:

Several strategic and tactical negotiation levers are explained in the report to help buyers achieve the best prices for the Data Visualization Applications market. The report also aids buyers with relevant Data Visualization Applications pricing levels, pros, and cons of prevalent pricing models such as volume-based pricing, spot pricing, and cost-plus pricing and category management strategies and best practices to fulfil their category objectives.

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Key Drivers and Trends Fueling Market Growth:

The pressure from substitutes and a moderate level of threat from new entrants has resulted in the low bargaining power of suppliers.

Price forecasts are beneficial in purchase planning, especially when supplemented by the constant monitoring of price influencing factors. During the forecast period, the market expects a change of 2.00%-5.00%.

Identify favorable opportunities in Data Visualization Applications TCO (total cost of ownership).

Expected changes in price forecast and factors driving the current and future price changes.

Identify pricing models that offer the most rewarding opportunities.

Some of the top Data Visualization Applications suppliers listed in this report:

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Table of Content

Executive Summary

Market Insights

Category Pricing Insights

Cost-saving Opportunities

Best Practices

Category Ecosystem

Category Management Strategy

Category Management Enablers

Suppliers Selection

Suppliers under Coverage

US Market Insights

Category scope

Appendix

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SOURCE SpendEdge
DUBLIN, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Glacial Acrylic Acid Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis by Application (Nappies; Adult & Feminine Hygiene; Detergents; Adhesives, Coatings & Sealants; Water Treatment; and Others)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The glacial acrylic acid market was valued at US$ 2,607.67 million in 2021 and is projected to reach US$ 3,351.24 million by 2028; it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.6% from 2021 to 2028. Glacial acrylic acid is an unsaturated carboxylic acid co-monomer. It readily copolymerizes with acrylic and methacrylic esters, ethylene, vinyl acetate, styrene, butadiene, acrylonitrile, vinyl chloride, maleic esters, and vinylidene chloride. Glacial acrylic acid is majorly used as a building block for the production of acid-functional and crosslinked acrylic copolymers and polyacrylic acids. The other name of glacial acrylic acid is 2-propenoic acid. Glacial acrylic acid offers notable advantages as a co-monomer in an extensive range of acrylic and vinyl acrylic polymer-based finishes, coatings, sealants, adhesives, inks, thickeners, flocculants, and lubricants, among others. Besides, GAA is used to make polymers utilized in applications ranging from medical hydrogels to superabsorbent polymers to detergents.

Based on application, the global glacial acrylic acid market is categorized into nappies; adult & feminine hygiene; detergents; adhesives, coatings & sealants; water treatment; and others. The nappies segment dominated the market during the forecast period. Further, the nappies segment is the fastest growing segment with the highest CAGR. Glacial acrylic acid is utilized in superabsorbent polymers which are extensively used in disposable baby diapers. Superabsorbent polymers are cross-linked polyacrylates that absorb and retain over a hundred times their own weight in liquid.

The global glacial acrylic acid market is segmented into five main regions-North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC), Middle East & Africa (MEA), and South America. Asia Pacific accounted for the largest share of the global glacial acrylic acid market during the forecast period. The increasing demand for baby diapers in emerging nations such as South Korea and China has contributed to the demand for superabsorbent polymers (SAPs). Moreover, glacial acrylic acid finds multiple applications in adhesives, paints, construction, water treatment, detergents, leather treatments, and textile chemicals, among others. Consequently, these factors have led to the glacial acrylic acid market growth in the region.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Glacial Acrylic Acid Market

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has drastically altered the status of the glacial acrylic acid market and has negatively impacted its growth. The outbreak has declined operational efficiency and interrupted the value chains, owing to the sudden closure of national and international boundaries, thereby creating revenue loss and damage. The disruptions in value chain have restricted the supply of raw material, which, in turn, is hindering the growth of the market and affecting the development of the end-use industries. However, as the economies are planning to revive their operations, the demand for glacial acrylic acid is expected to rise globally in coming months. With the growing consciousness toward sustainability and diversification of application bases in postopandemic times, the demand for glacial acrylic acid is expected to take huge leaps in the future.

According to International Finance Corporation, the COVID-19 outbreak is forecasted to slow down investments in the water sector globally. A survey by Global Water Leaders Group predicted that industrial water demand will fall by approximately 27% due to the outbreak. Further, the Global Water Leaders Group stated that water and wastewater utilities worldwide are expected to see revenue collection reductions of 15% on average due to the COVID-19 crisis. Thus, the water sector is anticipated to witness decline in the demand for water treatment chemicals, which would negatively impact the glacial acrylic acid market. Nevertheless, effective measures taken by associations-such as Industrial Fabrics Association International-backed by positive government initiatives to safeguard their frontline health care workers are expected to boost the textile industry, which would bolster the demand for glacial acrylic acid in coming years.

Glacial Acrylic Acid Market, by Application

Nappies

Adult & Feminine Hygiene

Detergents

Adhesives, Coatings & Sealants

Water Treatment

Others

Glacial Acrylic Acid Market, by Geography

North America

US

Canada

Mexico

Europe

Germany

France

UK

Italy

Russia

Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific (APAC)

(APAC) Australia

China

India

Japan

South Korea

Rest of Asia Pacific

Middle East & Africa (MEA)

& (MEA) South Africa

Saudi Arabia

UAE

Rest of Middle East & Africa

& South America

Brazil

Argentina

Rest of South America

Reasons to Buy

Highlights key business priorities in order to assist companies to realign their business strategies.

The key findings and recommendations highlight crucial progressive industry trends in the global glacial acrylic acid market, thereby allowing players to develop effective long-term strategies.

Develop/modify business expansion plans by using substantial growth offering developed and emerging markets.

Scrutinize in-depth the market trends and outlook coupled with the factors driving the market, as well as those hindering it.

Enhance the decision-making process by understanding the strategies that underpin commercial interest with respect to products, segmentation and industry verticals.

Key Topics Covered:



1. Introduction

2. Key Takeaways



3. Research Methodology



4. Glacial Acrylic Acid Market Landscape

4.1 Market Overview

4.2 PEST Analysis

4.2.1 North America

4.2.2 Europe

4.2.3 APAC

4.2.4 MEA

4.2.5 SAM

4.3 Expert Opinion



5. Glacial Acrylic Acid Market - Key Market Dynamics

5.1 Market Drivers

5.1.1 Increasing Use of Superabsorbent Polymers in Diapers and Hygiene Products

5.1.2 Wide Range of Applications for Glacial Acrylic Acid

5.2 Market Restraints

5.2.1 Toxic Nature of Glacial Acrylic Acid

5.3 Market Opportunities

5.3.1 Production of Glacial Acrylic Acid from Renewable Resources

5.4 Future Trends

5.4.1 Technological Advancements

5.5 Impact Analysis of Drivers and Restraints



6. Glacial Acrylic Acid - Global Market Analysis

6.1 Glacial Acrylic Acid Market Overview

6.2 Glacial Acrylic Acid Market - Revenue Forecasts to 2028 (US$ Million)

6.3 Market Positioning



7. Glacial Acrylic Acid Market Analysis - By Application

7.1 Overview

7.2 Glacial Acrylic Acid Market, By Application (2020 and 2028)

7.3 Nappies

7.3.1 Overview

7.3.1.1 Nappies: Glacial Acrylic Acid Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)

7.4 Adult & Feminine Hygiene

7.4.1 Overview

7.4.1.1 Adult & Feminine Hygiene: Glacial Acrylic Acid Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)

7.5 Detergents

7.5.1 Overview

7.5.1.1 Detergents: Glacial Acrylic Acid Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)

7.6 Adhesives, Coatings & Sealants

7.6.1 Overview

7.6.1.1 Adhesives, Coatings & Sealants: Glacial Acrylic Acid Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)

7.7 Water Treatment

7.7.1 Overview

7.7.1.1 Water Treatment: Glacial Acrylic Acid Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)

7.8 Others

7.8.1 Overview

7.8.1.1 Others: Glacial Acrylic Acid Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)



8. Glacial Acrylic Acid Market - Geographic Analysis



9. Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Global Glacial Acrylic Acid Market

9.1 Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Glacial Acrylic Acid Market

9.2 North America: Impact Assessment of COVID-19 Pandemic

9.3 Europe: Impact Assessment of COVID-19 Pandemic

9.1 Asia-Pacific: Impact Assessment of COVID-19 Pandemic

9.2 Middle East and Africa: Impact Assessment of COVID-19 Pandemic

9.3 South America: Impact Assessment of COVID-19 Pandemic



10. Global Glacial Acrylic Acid Market -Industry Landscape

10.1 Overview

10.2 Partnership

10.3 Market Initiatives



11. Company Profiles

11.1 The Dow Chemical Company

11.1.1 Key Facts

11.1.2 Business Description

11.1.3 Products and Services

11.1.4 Financial Overview

11.1.5 SWOT Analysis

11.1.6 Key Developments

11.2 Arkema

11.2.1 Key Facts

11.2.2 Business Description

11.2.3 Products and Services

11.2.4 Financial Overview

11.2.5 SWOT Analysis

11.2.6 Key Developments

11.3 BASF SE

11.3.1 Key Facts

11.3.2 Business Description

11.3.3 Products and Services

11.3.4 Financial Overview

11.3.5 SWOT Analysis

11.3.6 Key Developments

11.4 Sasol

11.4.1 Key Facts

11.4.2 Business Description

11.4.3 Products and Services

11.4.4 Financial Overview

11.4.5 SWOT Analysis

11.4.6 Key Developments

11.5 Tasnee

11.5.1 Key Facts

11.5.2 Business Description

11.5.3 Products and Services

11.5.4 Financial Overview

11.5.5 SWOT Analysis

11.5.6 Key Developments

11.6 HAITUNG CHEMICALS CO.,LTD.

11.6.1 Key Facts

11.6.2 Business Description

11.6.3 Products and Services

11.6.4 Financial Overview

11.6.5 SWOT Analysis

11.6.6 Key Developments

11.7 Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation

11.7.1 Key Facts

11.7.2 Business Description

11.7.3 Products and Services

11.7.4 Financial Overview

11.7.5 SWOT Analysis

11.7.6 Key Developments

11.8 NIPPON SHOKUBAI CO., LTD.

11.8.1 Key Facts

11.8.2 Business Description

11.8.3 Products and Services

11.8.4 Financial Overview

11.8.5 SWOT Analysis

11.8.6 Key Developments

11.9 FORMOSA PLASTICS CORPORATION

11.9.1 Key Facts

11.9.2 Business Description

11.9.3 Products and Services

11.9.4 Financial Overview

11.9.5 SWOT Analysis

11.9.6 Key Developments

11.10 BASF PETRONAS Chemicals Sdn. Bhd

11.10.1 Key Facts

11.10.2 Business Description

11.10.3 Products and Services

11.10.4 Financial Overview

11.10.5 SWOT Analysis

11.10.6 Key Developments



12. Appendix



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/4a7ek5

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904

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SOURCE Research and Markets

Related Links

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DUBLIN, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Social Services Global Market Report 2021: COVID-19 Impact and Recovery to 2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global social services market is expected to grow from $4538.57 billion in 2020 to $4830.58 billion in 2021 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.4%. The market is expected to reach $6641.02 billion in 2025 at a CAGR of 8%.

Major companies in the social services market include Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; World Food Programme; UNICEF; University of California System and The Salvation Army.



The social services market consists of the revenues generated from services and related goods by entities (organizations, sole traders and partnerships) that provide benefits and facilities relating to food supplies, education, health care, disaster relief activities and housing services and are offered by private or government establishments to improve the living conditions and social well-being of under privileged children, disabled, elderly and the poor in a community. The social services market is segmented into educational services and social assistance.



Asia Pacific was the largest region in the global social services market, accounting for 35% of the market in 2020. Western Europe was the second largest region accounting for 32% of the global social services market. Middle East was the smallest region in the global social services market.



Child day care centers are leveraging technologies to facilitate parents to stay connected with their children. Many daycare centers are using apps to provide video streaming of classroom activities and send pictures of kids to parents. This technology enables parents to monitor their child at the care center by accessing videos and pictures of kids at child day care centers.

For instance, in Canada, Trust Child Care Centers partnered with Parent Care Network to provide video over the internet to parents to help them monitor child activities at the daycare center. Bloomz, Eleyo, OnCare, myKidzDay, KidCheck are some of the companies providing child care software, applications and technologies utilized by care service providers.



The outbreak of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has acted as a restraint on the social services market in 2020 as governments globally imposed lockdowns that restricted the gathering of people in public places such as schools, colleges, child care and community centers.

However, some of the social services markets remained relatively unaffected as the outbreak did not impact their operations. It is expected that the social services market will recover from the shock across the forecast period as it is a 'black swan' event and not related to ongoing or fundamental weaknesses in the market or the global economy.



Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental disability. Symptoms of this disorder typically appear during early childhood and affect a person's ability to communicate and interact with others. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 1 in 59 children are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the US. Studies show that early diagnosis and intervention lead to significantly improved outcomes.

To address this, many autism research organizations are expected to invest more time and money for the betterment of this condition. Training social service employees for autism child care counsellors, number of therapists and psychologists will increase and they are expected to serve more individuals and eventually generate more revenues.



Key Topics Covered:



1. Executive Summary



2. Report Structure



3. Social Services Market Characteristics

3.1. Market Definition

3.2. Key Segmentations



4. Social Services Market Product Analysis

4.1. Leading Products/ Services

4.2. Key Features and Differentiators

4.3. Development Products



5. Social Services Market Supply Chain

5.1. Supply Chain

5.2. Distribution

5.3. End Customers



6. Social Services Market Customer Information

6.1. Customer Preferences

6.2. End Use Market Size and Growth



7. Social Services Market Trends And Strategies



8. Impact Of COVID-19 On Social Services



9. Social Services Market Size And Growth

9.1. Market Size

9.2. Historic Market Growth, Value ($ Billion)

9.2.1. Drivers Of The Market

9.2.2. Restraints On The Market

9.3. Forecast Market Growth, Value ($ Billion)

9.3.1. Drivers Of The Market

9.3.2. Restraints On The Market



10. Social Services Market Regional Analysis

10.1. Global Social Services Market, 2020, By Region, Value ($ Billion)

10.2. Global Social Services Market, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, Historic And Forecast, By Region

10.3. Global Social Services Market, Growth And Market Share Comparison, By Region



11. Social Services Market Segmentation

11.1. Global Social Services Market, Segmentation By Type, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion

Educational Services

Social Assistance

11.2. Global Social Services Market, Segmentation By Type of Operator, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion

Public Operator

Private Operator

12. Social Services Market Segments

12.1. Global Educational Services Market, Segmentation By Type, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, Value ($ Billion) - Other Educational Services; Colleges, Universities, And Professional Schools; Elementary And Secondary Schools

12.2. Global Social Assistance Market, Segmentation By Type, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, Value ($ Billion) - Child Day Care Services; Community And Individual Services



13. Social Services Market Metrics

13.1. Social Services Market Size, Percentage Of GDP, 2015-2025, Global

13.2. Per Capita Average Social Services Market Expenditure, 2015-2025, Global



Companies Mentioned

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

World Food Programme

UNICEF

University of California System

System The Salvation Army

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/eymki9

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

SOURCE Research and Markets

Related Links

http://www.researchandmarkets.com


Grow Glide CEO, Travis Schwartz, remarked, "Grow Glide is honored to have been chosen by Nature's Medicines for their newest expansion. This facility is a phenomenal example of Grow Glide's commitment to provide custom solutions for each of our horticultural customers. Moreover, Nature's Medicines is a leader in the cannabis space and it's clear that after a rigorous evaluation of all companies on the market, they chose Grow Glide because of our innovative vertical growth solutions and grower first perspective. We look forward to many more projects with Nature's Medicines and a long lasting partnership."

Nature's Medicines CEO Jigar Patel added, "Here at Nature's Medicines, we have a passionate appreciation and relationship with science and technology. Partnering with Grow Glide ensures we have a partner who understands those values and will constantly be growing and innovating alongside us. The future of cannabis is maintaining consistency for our customers and delivering ROI for our investors. This partnership delivers on both."

About Grow Glide

Grow Glide was founded in California to accomplish one mission: to find solutions that fit the needs of cultivators affordably and seamlessly. We didn't simply study a market, we lived it. And when we couldn't find a solution we needed, we went out and created it, utilizing a decade of growing knowledge and spending years in research and development. Grow Glide was built by growers, for growers.

Follow Grow Glide here:

Grow Glide on Instagram: instagram.com/growglide

Grow Glide on Facebook: facebook.com/growglide

Grow Glide on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/grow-glide/

GrowGlide Contact:

Greg Dunaway

[email protected]

SOURCE Grow Glide

Related Links

https://www.growglide.com


MIAMI, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Haber Law is pleased to announce Rebecca Newman Casamayor, Esq. as a partner with the Firm. Previously a Senior Associate, Ms. Casamayor started her career at Haber Law and has excelled in the areas of complex business and commercial litigation, appeals, and community association law.

Ms. Casamayor has expertise in representing condominium and homeowners' associations in connection with the various issues that regularly confront those entities, such as unit owner and vendor disputes and lawsuits, collections and foreclosures, enforcement of governing documents, and compliance with rules, bylaws, and the Florida Condominium Act. Ms. Casamayor has also handled contract and business dispute cases and appeals, probate litigation matters, and shareholder's derivative lawsuits.

"Rebecca has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills as the attorney in charge of mentoring the Firm's younger associates, as well as her work with the University of Miami Moot Court teams over the past several years. Her brilliant work is well-known in the legal community, and we are simply blessed to have her become our partner and to serve as Co-Chair of our Condominium and HOA practice group," says David B. Haber, managing and founding shareholder at Haber Law. "Mentoring is so important, especially with the challenges of COVID. Rebecca, as usual, met the challenge and has gone well beyond what was expected of her in mentoring the younger attorneys."

Along with Ms. Casamayor's promotion, Haber Law has also named three new additions to the Firm.

Melissa Groisman will serve as of counsel at the Firm. Ms. Groisman concentrates her practice on real estate law, corporate law, and community association representation. She received her J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law in 2007.

Ariella Gutman joins the Firm as a senior associate. Her practice focuses on all types of business litigation matters, in addition to drafting and negotiating business contracts and construction agreements. In her practice, Ariella represents owners, developers, general contractors and/or subcontractors for residential and commercial projects. She received her J.D. from Nova Southeastern University's Shepard Broad Law Center in 2011.

Annie Schneider joins the Firm as an associate in the business litigation department. Her practice focuses on litigation matters including business fraud, contractual disputes for various individuals and corporate entities, complex commercial cases, partnership disputes, and probate litigation matters. She received her J.D. from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York in 2016.

As to the three new hires, Haber says: "As a leader, you look for certain qualities in all new hires. In our Firm, we focus on people with tremendous intellect, a great work ethic and integrity. All three of these women hit the bullseye in all of these categories. We are proud of their achievements to date and expect great things from them in the years to come."

For more information on Haber Law, visit www.haber.law .

About Haber Law

Haber Law is a 16-attorney boutique law firm based in Miami, Florida that focuses on construction law, including design and construction defects litigation, complex business litigation, condominium and homeowners association law, and all aspects of real estate law. Additional practice areas include aviation law, bankruptcy and creditors' rights, and family law. The firm is committed to its core values of integrity, service, dedication, innovation, diversity, and success. Haber Law is located on the internet at www.haber.law and can be reached at 305-379-2400.

Media Contacts

Velocitas Interactive Marketing + Public Relations

Patricia Beitler / Abbi Sierra [email protected], 305-735-9845

SOURCE Haber Law
These results are due to the strong performance of most business units, notably Highmark health plan's strong commercial and government business results, driven by continued focus on value creation initiatives; stable results in the Diversified Business due to continued strong performance in the dental business, as well as sustained solid margins at HM Insurance Group. These positive results were offset by the anticipated negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patient volume at Allegheny Health Network, although patient volume levels rose considerably year-over-year as vaccinations increased.

Total consolidated revenues were $10.4 billion for the first six months of the year. Highmark Health maintained a strong balance sheet with $12 billion in cash and investments and net assets of $10.3 billion as of June 30, 2021.

"Thanks to our steady progress, momentum and customer focus, we believe we're well-positioned for even more success in 2021 and beyond. Our go-forward, Living Health strategy continues to be focused on re-inventing health care for our customers  building an operating model and health system that delivers differentiated value, and creates a remarkable health experience for them  across the full spectrum of their needs," said David Holmberg, president and chief executive officer of Highmark Health.

"In the first half of 2021, Highmark Health delivered strong results driven by positive operational performance primarily in our insurance businesses despite market pressures and rebounding AHN patient volumes related to the COVID-19 pandemic. This strong financial performance and stability has allowed us to continue to invest in providers, support our community during the pandemic, and execute on our Living Health strategy. We will remain committed to making the health and well-being of our members, patients, and employees a priority by actively addressing COVID-19, seeing this pandemic through to its end," added Saurabh Tripathi, chief financial officer and treasurer of Highmark Health.

The Highmark Health Plan reported an operating gain of more than $480 million for the period ended June 30, primarily driven by effective performance in the commercial and government business and a continued focus on clinical transformation activities.

The commercial business experienced high retention rates as customers in all regions continue to choose the exceptional value of Highmark coverage despite pressures related to the pandemic and recession. Core health plan membership remains steady with approximately 6.6 million Highmark members through June 30, which includes former HealthNow members in Western and Northeastern New York.

Highmark's diversified businesses reported strong combined earnings of more than $100 million through June 30. United Concordia Dental continues to perform well in both government and partner business, delivering an operating gain of $69 million. Highmark Health's stop loss business, HM Insurance Group (HMIG), reported an operating gain of $34 million.

HM Health Solutions, our information technology services company which serves about 11 million lives across the country, reported an operating gain of approximately $9 million driven by strong client engagement revenue.

Allegheny Health Network delivered an operating loss of $9 million through June 30, an improvement of over $100 million compared to the same period last year, due to volumes rebounding as COVID-19 vaccinations increase.

For the six-month period ended June 30, patient volumes increased year over year in several key categories, including a 9 percent increase in discharges and observations, an 18 percent increase in emergency department admissions, an 18 percent increase in physician visits, and a 68 percent increase in outpatient registrations.

About Highmark Health

Highmark Health, a Pittsburgh, PA-based enterprise that employs more than 37,000 people who serve millions of Americans across the country, is the parent company of Highmark Inc., Allegheny Health Network, and HM Health Solutions. Highmark Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates provide health insurance to more than 6 million members in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Delaware and New York as well as dental insurance, and related health products through a national network of diversified businesses. Allegheny Health Network is an integrated delivery network comprised of thirteen hospitals, more than 2,500 affiliated physicians, ambulatory surgery centers, an employed physician organization, home and community-based health services, a research institute, a group purchasing organization, and health and wellness pavilions in western Pennsylvania. HM Health Solutions is focused on meeting the information technology platform and other business needs of the Highmark Health enterprise as well as unaffiliated health insurance plans by providing proven business processes, expert knowledge, and integrated cloud-based platforms. Lumevity, a wholly owned subsidiary of Highmark Health, helps companies transform in ways that drive direct financial benefits while improving quality and increasing employee engagement. To learn more, visit www.highmarkhealth.org.

1 excess revenue over expenses = ~$1.5B including a one-time gain

SOURCE Highmark Health
The annual AIAA Aerospace Spotlight Awards Gala recognizes the most influential and inspiring individuals in aerospace, whose outstanding contributions merit the highest accolades. This year, AIAA held the 2021 Spotlight Awards Gala virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The clean-sheet aircraft design conceived by Fujino introduced innovations in aviation technology, including the Over-The-Wing Engine Mount and Natural Laminar Flow wing and fuselage. The HondaJet is the first, and only, business jet to include these technologies.

"I was very surprised, honored, and very grateful to be recognized with the 2021 Reed Aeronautics Award," said Fujino. "I've worked on airplane design for the past 35 years - it has been challenging, but also very exciting. On behalf of Honda Aircraft Company, I'd like to express my sincere appreciation to everyone who supported the HondaJet project."

About AIAA Reed Aeronautics Award

The Reed Aeronautics Award is the highest honor AIAA bestows for notable achievement in the field of aeronautics. Named after Dr. Sylvanus A. Reed, an aeronautical engineer, designer, and founding member of the Institute of the Aeronautical Sciences in 1932. Past recipients of the award include Clarence L. Johnson for the SR-71, Ben R. Rich for the F-117, Preston A. Henne for the MD-80 and Gulfstream aircraft, and Elbert L. Rutan for the Voyager.

About the HondaJet Elite S

The HondaJet Elite S is the fastest, farthest and highest-flying plane in its class. The HondaJet Elite S incorporates Honda Aircraft's many technological innovations, including the unique Over-The-Wing Engine Mount (OTWEM) configuration, Natural Laminar Flow (NLF) nose and wing, and composite fuselage. All of these advancements contribute to the aircraft's superior performance, unparalleled efficiency and maximized fuselage space, making the aircraft's cabin the largest in its class. The aircraft sets the standard in safety and human-machine interface technology with an ergonomically designed cockpit and highly customized Garmin G3000 avionics suite.

SOURCE Honda Aircraft Company

Related Links

http://www.hondajet.com


NEW YORK, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Housing Works, a NYC non-profit organization that provides advocacy, support, and lifesaving services to those impacted by homelessness and HIV/AIDS, announced a host of special offerings, in-store and online, for National Thrift Shop Day on August 17, 2021. Housing Works' chain of social enterprise Thrift Shops which help fund the organization's mission, consists of 10 brick and mortar locations throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn as well as the eShop which debuted in 2020.

Housing Works will kick off its National Thrift Shop Day programming with the launch of "Tavi Hearts Housing Works," an online collection curated by actor and writer Tavi Gevinson on August 12, 2021. Gevinson, a frequent supporter of Housing Works, donated a variety of items ranging from clothing, shoes and accessories that will be showcased on The Housing Works eShop (eshop.housingworks.org ). The collection includes cherished vintage pieces, playful prints, and more, and features many items priced under $50. Additional merchandise, inspired by Gevinson's iconic personal style, will also be included to incorporate a larger variety of sizes.

"I'm a longtime thrifter, Housing Works frequenter, and believer in the secret lives of clothes, so I am thrilled that some of my personal favorites can find new homes through Housing Works and raise money for Housing Works' advocacy work. I hope people who followed my blog and Rookie, or just really like clothes, can find something they love from this group of pieces curated from my closet and HW's extensive collection," said Tavi Gevinson.

On August 17th, National Thrift Day, Housing Works Thrift Shops with the support of Donate NYC, assembled a lineup of style ambassadors, handpicked for each location, to showcase sustainable fashion. The ambassadors will each put together a small collection of expertly-picked items for customers to shop, and will also be on site throughout the day to share their thrift expertise with shoppers. Among the ambassadors includes artist, entrepreneur, and vintage collector, Poppy King, who will be onsite at the Soho Shop sharing her style wisdom.

All Shops will also feature an exclusive illustrated map of New York City made by local illustrator and fashion designer Tanu Vasu ( @NycCurated ). The map will feature Vasu's whimsical drawings that depict iconic neighborhoods, portrayals of city life, as well as an outline of Housing Works retail locations and clinics. The maps are complimentary and will be available in-store.

"I'm so excited to partner with Housing Works and support their profound work with New Yorkers affected by homelessness and HIV/AIDS. I wanted to draw attention to their efforts in a creative and engaging way," said Tanu Vasu. "I celebrated each Housing Works retail location by illustrating the most popular item at each store. National Thrift Shop Day is very special to me as I love vintage clothing and Housing Works' Chelsea and West Village locations are some of my favorites to go thrifting and find unique pieces."

"We are excited to team up with these incredible partners to celebrate the amazing impact Housing Works Thrift Shops has on the environment and all of the communities we serve through our services and advocacy. If the COVID pandemic has taught us anything, it is about how interconnected we all truly are. Supporting mission-driven thrift stores on National Thrift Shop Day (and every day!) is one way we all can do our part to care for the environment, and each other," said Housing Works' Creative Director, Elizabeth Koke.

Housing Works Thrift Shops are well-known by discerning fashionistas, stylists, and interior decorators for their selection of top-quality discounted designer merchandise. Each retail location is expertly stocked with high-quality items that are thoughtfully displayed to showcase clothing and accessories from the biggest names in fashion as well as unique home decor.

All sales benefit Housing Works, which has been fighting homelessness and HIV/AIDS through healthcare and housing services and advocacy for 30 years.

About Housing Works

For 30 years, Housing Works has fueled the fight to end HIV and Homelessness through fashion. Our Thrift Shops and signature events directly benefit our trailblazing work in grassroots activism, healthcare, and housing. Housing Works led the way during the height of the AIDS crisis in New York City, and continues to lead advocacy efforts across the country in support of social justice.

For more information about Housing Works visit housingworks.org . Join Housing Works on Facebook . Follow Housing Works on Twitter and Instagram .

SOURCE Housing Works

Related Links

http://www.housingworks.org


SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The global hysteroscopy procedures market size is expected to reach USD 6.34 billion by 2028, registering a CAGR of 6.7% over the forecast period, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Surge in prevalence of gynecological disorders, technological advancements, increasing adoption of minimally invasive surgeries, and favorable reimbursement policies are the key driving factors for the market. In addition, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been significant on the market.

Key Insights & Findings:

The hospitals end-use segment held the largest revenue share in 2020. The segment growth is credited to the high number of cases of gynecological disorders

Asia Pacific is expected to witness the fastest CAGR over the forecast period due to the presence of a large patient pool coupled with the rising aging population in the APAC region

Integrating hysteroscopy into office practice will provide a lucrative opportunity for key market players. Several players have launched office hysteroscopy and associated devices

For instance, Aveta System (office hysteroscopy), recently launched by Meditrina Inc. in March 2020 , is an all-in-one tissue removal solution for intrauterine pathology, which offers wide-angle HD hysteroscopy

Furthermore, in-office hysteroscopy is beneficial over traditional hysteroscopy procedures as it is efficient & clinically beneficial and offers a patient-centric approach

It is also a simple and quick tool for retrieving intrauterine devices. Thus, physicians will consider investing in equipment and adopting an in-office approach for hysteroscopy.

Read 125 page market research report, "Hysteroscopy Procedures Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By End Use (Ambulatory Surgical Centers, Hospitals, Clinics), By Region (Asia Pacific, Europe, North America), And Segment Forecasts, 2021 - 2028", by Grand View Research

The pandemic has affected companies' ability to develop and commercialize new & advanced products. Almost all companies are affected by reduced procedure volumes due to the pandemic, as all hospital resources are being diverted to fight the disease. Furthermore, the restrictions and functioning of a limited number of government offices are expected to delay clinical trials of products, which is expected to result in delayed product launches by companies.

The increasing prevalence of uterine fibroids is a key factor driving the market. For instance, as per the research article published in Dove Press Ltd., the prevalence of uterine fibroid disease ranges from 5.4% to 23.6%, depending upon the age group. Moreover, uterine fibroids can cause serious problems in 25% of women. Hysteroscopy is used to diagnose abnormalities, such as excessive bleeding, severe stomach cramps, recurrent miscarriages, or difficulties in conceiving. Thus, the presence of such a large patient pool leads to increased demand for hysteroscopy procedures.

Grand View Research has segmented the global hysteroscopy procedures market on the basis of end use and region:

Hysteroscopy Procedures End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028)

Hospitals



Clinics



Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs)

Hysteroscopy Procedures Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028)

North America



U.S.





Canada



Europe



U.K.





Germany





France





Italy





Spain





Norway





Sweden





Russia



Asia Pacific



Japan





China





India





Australia





South Korea





Singapore



Latin America



Brazil





Mexico





Argentina





Colombia



MEA



South Africa





Saudi Arabia





UAE





Turkey





Qatar

List of Key Players of Hysteroscopy Procedures Market

Medtronic

Stryker Corp.

Hologic, Inc.

KARL STORZ SE & Co. KG

& Co. KG Medical Devices Business Services, Inc. (Ethicon, Inc.)

Olympus Corp.

Delmont Imaging

B. Braun Melsungen AG

Richard Wolf GmbH

CooperCompanies

Maxer Endoscopy GmbH

Boston Scientific Corp.

MedGyn Products, Inc.

Lina Medical APS

Luminelle

Meditrina, Inc. (Aveta).

Check out more studies related to uterine disorders and treatments, conducted by Grand View Research:

Hysteroscope Market  The global hysteroscope market size was valued at USD 205.8 million in 2018 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.0%. Increasing use of hysteroscopes for fertility examinations, checkup for abnormal uterine bleeding, & transcervical sterilizations are some key factors driving growth.

The global hysteroscope market size was valued at in 2018 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.0%. Increasing use of hysteroscopes for fertility examinations, checkup for abnormal uterine bleeding, & transcervical sterilizations are some key factors driving growth. Myomectomy Market  The global myomectomy market size was valued at USD 555.1 million in 2019 & is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.1% from 2020 to 2027. Patients suffering from uterine fibroid problem represent a major factor.

Browse through Grand View Research's coverage of the Global Medical Devices Industry.

Gain access to Grand View Compass, our BI enabled intuitive market research database of 10,000+ reports

About Grand View Research

Grand View Research, U.S.-based market research and consulting company, provides syndicated as well as customized research reports and consulting services. Registered in California and headquartered in San Francisco, the company comprises over 425 analysts and consultants, adding more than 1200 market research reports to its vast database each year. These reports offer in-depth analysis on 46 industries across 25 major countries worldwide. With the help of an interactive market intelligence platform, Grand View Research helps Fortune 500 companies and renowned academic institutes understand the global and regional business environment and gauge the opportunities that lie ahead.

Contact:

Sherry James

Corporate Sales Specialist, USA

Grand View Research, Inc.

Phone: 1-415-349-0058

Toll Free: 1-888-202-9519

Email: [email protected]

Web: https://www.grandviewresearch.com

Follow Us: LinkedIn | Twitter

SOURCE Grand View Research, Inc.
"The 5 millionth vehicle represents a tremendous achievement for Hyundai Motor North America. We could not have achieved this success without the strong leadership and commitment of our team members in Alabama. Hyundai will continue to invest and grow throughout the region," said Jose Munoz, Global COO of Hyundai Motor Company and president and CEO of Hyundai Motor North America.

"Reaching today's milestone in HMMA's storied history in Alabama would not have been possible without the energy and enthusiasm of our valued team members, the dependability of our supplier network and unwavering support of state and local governments," said HMMA President and CEO Ernie Kim.

HMMA recently completed a plant expansion to support the addition of its fourth and fifth models, the Tucson and Santa Cruz, that joined Sonata, Elantra and Santa Fe. The addition of these models further enhances HMMA's ability to adjust its vehicle production with market demand.

Quotes from Alabama Officials

"Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama is an integral member of not only the River Region, but the entire state of Alabama. I'm thrilled to celebrate the 5 millionth vehicle rolling off the line in our great state. Alabama has become a major player in the automotive industry and today's milestone proves we will maintain our status as an industry leader. Congratulations to the HMMA family on an incredible achievement!" said Alabama Governor Kay Ivey.

"I am so pleased to celebrate with the team members and leadership of Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama for having produced 5 million vehicles right here in Montgomery," said Rep. Sewell. "Over the last two decades, HMMA has become an essential part of our community, and I applaud their continued commitment to growing our local economy and creating jobs for hard-working Alabamians. I wish them success on this momentous occasion and for years to come!"

"Congratulations to Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama on the tremendous accomplishment of producing 5 million vehicles here in Montgomery. We pledge to help HMMA and the supplier network achieve continued success. It is an honor to have forged a lasting partnership with Hyundai and we are grateful for their sincere commitment to our community," said Montgomery Mayor Steven L. Reed.

"It has been over 15 years since Hyundai realized our shared dream of opening its first North American manufacturing facility in Montgomery, Alabama. Tremendous success has followed, and we want to take a moment to celebrate the amazing achievement of producing 5 million vehicles in Montgomery, and the incredible team members that have made it possible. We are honored to be Hyundai's home and part of the Hyundai family," said Montgomery County Commission Chairman Elton N. Dean.

Hyundai Motor America

Hyundai Motor America focuses on 'Progress for Humanity' and smart mobility solutions. Hyundai offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs and electrified vehicles. Our 820 dealers sold more than 620,000 vehicles in the U.S. in 2020, and nearly half were built at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama. For more information, visit www.HyundaiNews.com.

Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

SOURCE Hyundai Motor America

Related Links

www.hyundainews.com


Sean Hritz joined the company in 2018 as Director of Underwriting and, prior to that, held multiple senior underwriting roles in the lending industry. Sean is a proud Miami Hurricane where he graduated with his Master of Business Administration in Finance. In his new role, Sean will continue leading the Underwriting department and will guide the strategy for the company's product lines. This includes the launch of LevelEsq, a bespoke insurance and lending solution for lawyers working in contingency arrangements.

"Sean has made many important contributions to the company as Director of Underwriting," said Justin Leto, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer. "From the moment he joined Idea Financial, Sean has made vast improvements to our underwriting processes and has been an integral part of our success. This new role more adequately represents Sean's value to Idea."

"Sean's keen instincts, rich experience and leadership skills play a key role in Idea Financial's growth and success" added Larry Bassuk, Co-Founder and President. "As we enhance our core Line of Credit product and enter the litigation finance vertical with our LevelEsq brand, Sean's contributions to Idea Financial underwriting strategies and processes will continue to buttress our exceptional performance."

Expansion to 36 months lines of credit and term loans

Idea Financial is the industry leader in providing true revolving lines of credit to small businesses throughout the United States. With term loans and lines of credit now available up to 36 months, Idea Financial continues to expand its services for Main Street USA. With guidance from Sean Hritz and his team, Idea Financial will continue its mission to provide the most flexible options for small business finance.

"Throughout the pandemic, we were able to improve upon our underwriting by expanding our automated systems as well as our human approach," said Joe Salvatore, Chief Risk Officer of Idea Financial. "We now feel comfortable providing longer terms, which significantly enhance our client's cash flow."

Added Carlos Martelo, Senior Vice President of Product and Technology, "With 36-month terms, we strengthen our focus on providing flexible access to working capital. Longer payments terms allow us to offer more financing options to customers, and they help customers manage cash flow with lower loan payments."

Idea Financial is a provider of small business solutions, providing a unique line of credit as well as term loans to small businesses. IDF provides up to $250K in funds with same day approval and funding. In addition, IDF is expanding its product line to include case expense loans exclusive for attorneys as well as small business insurance products. IDF has funded thousands of American small businesses and is proud to help businesses #ChargeForward.

PR provided by Salina Erazo, Director of Marketing

Phone: (805) 300-9109

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Idea Financial

Related Links

https://www.ideafinancial.com


ROCKFORD, Ill., Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Kikifers K-12 Academy is a new program in Illinois designed to prepare students for success. Created by two entrepreneurs who desired to help more people have access to quality education and opportunity. The school offers comprehensive curricula that work towards developing entrepreneurship, leadership, social development, teamwork, and physical wellness. With programs designed so all students can achieve their fullest potentials while learning how to become successful entrepreneurs or leaders on any level. With this new institution opening its doors, it hopes to change lives through high-quality educational opportunities and create a culture where everyone strives for excellence.

Henry McDavid & Keshondia Williamson, Founders Honor Roll Students of Kikifer's Entrepreneurial Academy, 2021

By donating here to Kikifer's Entrepreneurial Academy, your support will help them provide the best opportunity and skills for neighborhoods that suffer from poverty, high crime rates, and unemployment. They provide them with the tools and skills for success through education that is tailor-made to their needs to be successful where there was once an absence of hope. This video from their students explains the difference Kikifer's continues to make in their lives.

"We are here to change young lives and close the gap on generational wealth. We teach our students how to become a published author and open up their own business that generates revenue while working towards life-changing goals."

- Henry McDavid, KEA Co-Founder, Entrepreneur, Author & Business Consultant.

About Kikifer's:

With only a 2-year history, Kikifer's Entrepreneurial Academy (KEA) has had time to develop new traditions that will ripple continually in years to come. Regardless of their short history, they are committed not just because it is what future leaders need but also because education is key to progress throughout generations.

Contact Information:

Henry McDavid

3424 N Main St., Suite E

Rockford, IL 61101

http://www.kikifersacademy.org

[email protected]

(779) 232-9571

SOURCE Kikifer's Entrepreneurial Academy

Related Links

http://www.kikifersacademy.org


DUBLIN, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Filament LED Bulb Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis by Product (0-25-Watt Type, 25-40-Watt Type, 40-60-Watt Type, and Above 60-Watt Type); Application (Residential, Restaurants and Bars, Hotels, Cafe, and Others)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

According to this report the global filament LED bulb market is projected to reach US$ 6621.39 million by 2028 from US$ 1433.19 million in 2021; it is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 24.4% from 2021 to 2028.

Rising Awareness about Advantages of Filament LED Bulbs Drives Market Growth.

LED light sources such as COB plug patches and integrated high-power LED lamps could only be used as a plane light source in optical devices without lenses. However, the LED filament bulbs have broken this barrier, and the porous metal substrate single crystal welding technology truly realized 360 degrees of solid light source, avoiding the influence of light plus lens effect and optica. Instead of using traditional blue and green phosphors to raise the brightness in the process, the blue + red chip package is used to create the conventional lighting effect as well as to improve light efficiency and brightness through filament LED bulbs.

Additionally, compared to other LED lamps, LED filament lamps primarily use sapphire substrates and wicks instead of nonrenewable aluminium and nonbiodegradable plastic. As per the present trends, mainstream models are often just 25, 28, 32 chip packages, compared to the same number of common packages, the use of LED chip is also less, resulting in a cheaper overall cost than usual LEDs. The rising awareness about the abovementioned benefits of filament LED bulbs through constant marketing and advertisements campaigns by manufacturers is influencing the adoption of the same for lighting purposes, which contributing to the growth of the market.

Russia, the UK, France, Italy, Spain, and Germany are among the worstoaffected countries by the COVID-19 outbreak in Europe. Businesses in the region face severe economic difficulties as they had to suspend their operations or substantially reduce their activities. Due to lockdowns, travel bans, and supply chain disruptions, the region experienced an economic slowdown in 2020, and to some extent, the effect is likely to persist in 2021 as well. COVID-19 first manifested itself in Europe as a "supply-side" shock, as Chinese producers cut their exports dramatically. Moreover, lockdown imposed in several European countries has hampered the adoption of filament LED bulbs.

However, following an extraordinary downturn in March and April (-25.5%) in the EU, construction output rose dynamically in May 2020 (21.8%), and it continued to rise further, though at a slower pace; by January 2021, 97.9% recovery was reported in construction output compared to its pre-crisis output levels in February 2020.

Key Findings of the Study:

The global filament LED bulb market is segmented into five major regions-North America, Europe, APAC, MEA, and SAM. In 2020, Asia Pacific led the market with a substantial revenue share, followed by North America and Europe. Crompton Lamps has become a full member of the Lighting Industry Association (LIA). The LIA was created following the merger of the Lighting Industry Federation (LIF) and the Lighting Association (LA) in January 2012. Moreover, Coresential would be representing Verbatim Lighting in Florida territory, and North and South Carolina. Verbatim Lighting provides LED lighting solutions featuring excellent quality, high performance, and high value addition.

Reasons to Buy

Save and reduce time carrying out entry-level research by identifying the growth, size, leading players and segments in the global filament LED bulb market.

Highlights key business priorities in order to assist companies to realign their business strategies.

The key findings and recommendations highlight crucial progressive industry trends in the global filament LED bulb market, thereby allowing players across the value chain to develop effective long-term strategies.

Develop/modify business expansion plans by using substantial growth offering developed and emerging markets.

Scrutinize in-depth global market trends and outlook coupled with the factors driving the market, as well as those hindering it.

Enhance the decision-making process by understanding the strategies that underpin commercial interest with respect to client products, segmentation, pricing, and distribution.

Key Topics Covered:



1. Introduction



2. Key Takeaways



3. Research Methodology

4. Filament LED Bulb Market Landscape

4.1 Market Overview

4.2 PEST Analysis

4.2.1 North America

4.2.2 Europe

4.2.3 APAC

4.2.4 MEA

4.2.5 SAM

4.3 Ecosystem Analysis

4.4 Expert Opinion



5. Filament LED Bulb Market - Key Market Dynamics

5.1 Market Drivers

5.1.1 Rising Number of Commercial and Residential Construction Projects

5.1.2 Rising Awareness About Advantages of Filament LED Bulbs

5.2 Market Restraints

5.2.1 Common Difficulties Faced in Filament LED Bulbs

5.3 Market Opportunities

5.3.1 Surge in Product Innovations and Launches Coupled with High Expansion Strategies

5.4 Future Trends

5.4.1 Increase in Adoption of Filament LED Bulbs Across Restaurants, Hotels, Bars, and Cafes

5.5 Impact Analysis of Drivers and Restraints



6. Filament LED Bulb Market - Global Analysis

6.1 Global Filament LED Bulb Market Overview

6.2 Filament LED Bulb Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)

6.3 Market Positioning - Five Key Players



7. Filament LED Bulb Market Analysis - By Product

7.1 Overview

7.2 Filament LED Bulb Market, By Product (2020 and 2028)

7.3 0-25-Watt Type

7.3.1 Overview

7.3.2 0-25-Watt Type: Filament LED Bulb Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)

7.4-40-Watt Type

7.4.1 Overview

7.4.2-40-Watt Type: Filament LED Bulb Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)

7.5-60-Watt Type

7.5.1 Overview

7.5.2-60-Watt Type: Filament LED Bulb Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)

7.6 Above 60-Watt Type

7.6.1 Overview

7.6.2 Above 60-Watt Type: Filament LED Bulb Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)



8. Filament LED Bulb Market Analysis - By Application

8.1 Overview

8.2 Filament LED Bulb Market, By Application (2020 and 2028)

8.3 Residential

8.3.1 Overview

8.3.2 Residential: Filament LED Bulb Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)

8.4 Restaurants and Bars

8.4.1 Overview

8.4.2 Restaurants and Bars: Filament LED Bulb Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)

8.5 Hotels

8.5.1 Overview

8.5.2 Hotels: Filament LED Bulb Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)

8.6 Cafe

8.6.1 Overview

8.6.2 Cafe: Filament LED Bulb Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)

8.7 Others

8.7.1 Overview

8.7.2 Others: Filament LED Bulb Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)



9. Filament LED Bulb Market - Geographic Analysis



10. Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Filament LED Bulb Market

10.1 North America

10.2 Europe

10.3 Asia-Pacific

10.4 Middle East and Africa

10.5 South America



11. Industry Landscape

11.1 Market Initiative

11.2 New Development



12. Company Profiles

12.1 Crompton Lamps Ltd

12.1.1 Key Facts

12.1.2 Business Description

12.1.3 Products and Services

12.1.4 Financial Overview

12.1.5 SWOT Analysis

12.1.6 Key Developments

12.2 Wipro Consumer Lighting

12.2.1 Key Facts

12.2.2 Business Description

12.2.3 Products and Services

12.2.4 Financial Overview

12.2.5 SWOT Analysis

12.2.6 Key Developments

12.3 Havells India Ltd.

12.3.1 Key Facts

12.3.2 Business Description

12.3.3 Products and Services

12.3.4 Financial Overview

12.3.5 SWOT Analysis

12.3.6 Key Developments

12.4 MEGAMAN

12.4.1 Key Facts

12.4.2 Business Description

12.4.3 Products and Services

12.4.4 Financial Overview

12.4.5 SWOT Analysis

12.4.6 Key Developments

12.5 Feilo Sylvania Europe Limited

12.5.1 Key Facts

12.5.2 Business Description

12.5.3 Products and Services

12.5.4 Financial Overview

12.5.5 SWOT Analysis

12.5.6 Key Developments

12.6 UKLED

12.6.1 Key Facts

12.6.2 Business Description

12.6.3 Products and Services

12.6.4 Financial Overview

12.6.5 SWOT Analysis

12.6.6 Key Developments

12.7 Verbatim Americas LLC

12.7.1 Key Facts

12.7.2 Business Description

12.7.3 Products and Services

12.7.4 Financial Overview

12.7.5 SWOT Analysis

12.7.6 Key Developments

12.8 OSRAM GmbH

12.8.1 Key Facts

12.8.2 Business Description

12.8.3 Products and Services

12.8.4 Financial Overview

12.8.5 SWOT Analysis

12.8.6 Key Developments

12.9 Signify Holding (Philips)

12.9.1 Key Facts

12.9.2 Business Description

12.9.3 Products and Services

12.9.4 Financial Overview

12.9.5 SWOT Analysis

12.9.6 Key Developments

12.10 Seoul Semiconductor Co., Ltd.

12.10.1 Key Facts

12.10.2 Business Description

12.10.3 Products and Services

12.10.4 Financial Overview

12.10.5 SWOT Analysis

12.10.6 Key Developments



13. Appendix



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/imavlw

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



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SOURCE Research and Markets

Related Links

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NEW YORK, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) has launched a contest in collaboration with The New York Times offering travel enthusiasts a chance to visit Japan when it's safe to do so and more.

To enter, participants must share a photo or video on Instagram of a memorable moment during a previous trip to Japan with #PictureYourJapanGetaway. Participants who haven't visited Japan yet can post a photo or video that conveys what Japan means to them. Participants must include #PictureYourJapanGetaway and #VisitJapanUS in the post, and follow @visitjapan.us. For bonus entries, participants can comment #VisitJapanUS and tag friends on the @visitjapan.us contest announcement post.

PRIZES INCLUDE:

One Winner will be featured in JNTO's Ad Contents on The New York Times : The New York Times will personally interview the winner and share their story of traveling to Japan . The interview will be included in JNTO's ad contents on The New York Times, "Travelogues from Japan  EXPERIENCES WORTH THE WAIT". Note: To be eligible, applicants must have visited Japan in the past.

will be featured in JNTO's Ad Contents on The : The will personally interview the winner and share their story of traveling to . The interview will be included in JNTO's ad contents on The New York Times, "Travelogues from Japan  EXPERIENCES WORTH THE WAIT". Note: To be eligible, applicants must have visited in the past. One Winner will receive 130,000 JAL Mileage Bank (JMB) Miles (Equivalent to Two JAL Premium Economy Class Award Tickets to Japan ).

will receive 130,000 JAL Mileage Bank (JMB) Miles (Equivalent to Two JAL Premium Economy Class Award Tickets to ). 20 Winners will receive a $50 Bokksu Digital Gift Card. Bokksu delivers the best authentic Japanese snacks and candy. You can try their 1-month subscription or purchase any of the delicious snacks from their marketplace.

For full contest details and how to submit photos and videos for consideration visit: www.japan.travel/en/us/picture-your-japan-getaway

To check out The New York Times' Travelogues from Japan visit: www.nytimes.com/paidpost/jnto/travelogues-from-japan-experiences-worth-the-wait.html

To learn more about vacation in Japan as well as updates on travel restrictions, please visit: https://www.japan.travel/en/coronavirus/

ABOUT JAPAN NATIONAL TOURISM ORGANIZATION (JNTO)

As the official tourism board of Japan, JNTO is involved in a wide range of promotional activities to encourage international travelers to visit Japan. Through a variety of campaigns and initiatives, JNTO is inspiring more American travelers to visit Tokyo, Kyoto and beyond.

For more information about travel to Japan, visit JNTO on its Website, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. To contact the New York office of the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) directly, please e-mail [email protected]p.

SOURCE Japan National Tourism Organization

Related Links

us.jnto.go.jp


RADNOR, Pa., Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The law firm of Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP reminds investors that securities fraud class action lawsuits have been filed on behalf of those who purchased or acquired DiDi: (a) American Depositary Shares ("ADSs") pursuant and/or traceable to the registration statement and prospectus (collectively, the "Registration Statement") issued in connection with DiDi's June 2021 initial public offering ("IPO"); and/or (b) securities between June 30, 2021 and July 21, 2021, inclusive (the "Class Period").

Deadline Reminder: Investors who purchased or acquired DiDi ADSs pursuant and/or traceable to the Registration Statement issued in connection with the IPO and/or DiDi securities during the Class Period may, no later than September 7, 2021 , seek to be appointed as a lead plaintiff representative of the class. For additional information or to learn how to participate in this litigation please contact Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP: James Maro, Esq. (484) 270-1453; toll free at (844) 887-9500; via e-mail at [email protected]; or click https://www.ktmc.com/didi-global-class-action-lawsuit?utm_source=PR&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=didi

DiDi is a mobility technology platform, providing ride hailing and other services in the People's Republic of China ("PRC"), Brazil, Mexico, and internationally. DiDi is often called "the Uber of China."

On July 2, 2021, the Cyberspace Administration of China ("CAC") stated that it had launched an investigation into DiDi to protect national security and the public interest. Following this news, DiDi's share price fell $0.87, or approximately 5.3%, to close at $15.53 per share on July 2, 2021.

Then, on July 22, 2021, before market hours, Bloomberg published an article entitled "China Weighs Unprecedented Penalty for Didi After U.S. IPO" which reported, in part, that "Chinese regulators are considering serious, perhaps unprecedented, penalties for Didi Global Inc. after its controversial initial public offering last month." Following this news, DiDi's share price fell $3.44 per share, nearly 30%, over the next two trading days to close at $8.06 per share on July 23, 2021.

The complaint alleges that the Registration Statement was materially false and misleading and omitted to state that: (1) DiDi's apps did not comply with applicable laws and regulations governing privacy protection and the collection of personal information; (2) as a result, DiDi was reasonably likely to incur scrutiny from the CAC; (3) the CAC had warned DiDi to delay its IPO to conduct a self-examination of its network security; (4) as a result of the foregoing, DiDi would face "serious, perhaps unprecedented, penalties" from relevant authorities; (5) as a result of the foregoing, DiDi's apps were reasonably likely to be taken down from app stores in the PRC, which would have an adverse effect on its financial results and operations; and (6) as a result of the foregoing, the defendants' positive statements about DiDi's business, operations, and prospects, were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.

DiDi investors may, no later than September 7, 2021 , seek to be appointed as a lead plaintiff representative of the class through Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP or other counsel, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of all class members in directing the litigation. In order to be appointed as a lead plaintiff, the Court must determine that the class member's claim is typical of the claims of other class members, and that the class member will adequately represent the class. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision of whether or not to serve as a lead plaintiff.

Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP prosecutes class actions in state and federal courts throughout the country involving securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duties and other violations of state and federal law. Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP is a driving force behind corporate governance reform, and has recovered billions of dollars on behalf of institutional and individual investors from the United States and around the world. The firm represents investors, consumers and whistleblowers (private citizens who report fraudulent practices against the government and share in the recovery of government dollars). The complaint in this action was not filed by Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP. For more information about Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP please visit www.ktmc.com.

CONTACT:

Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP

James Maro, Jr., Esq.

280 King of Prussia Road

Radnor, PA 19087

(844) 887-9500 (toll free)

[email protected]

SOURCE Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP

Related Links

http://www.ktmc.com


NEW YORK, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Lafayette Square, an impact investment platform, announced today that Britt Stackhouse has been appointed managing director, concentrating on origination and business development for Lafayette Square's credit strategy along the Gulf Coast. In this role, Stackhouse will help Lafayette Square source opportunities to provide capital to local businesses within Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.

"Britt's twenty years of credit, banking, and wealth management experience makes him well suited to help expand our origination network  especially as he comes from a family-owned business himself," said Damien Dwin, founder & CEO of Lafayette Square. "His passion for supporting local companies that drive long-term, positive impact for their employees and communities aligns with the mission of our firm."

Prior to joining Lafayette, Stackhouse served as managing director for Lampert Debt Advisors, a debt structuring, placement, and strategic advisory firm working with privately held middle market companies located along the Gulf Coast and across the Southeastern United States. Over the years, he has advised hundreds of clients and companies facing decisions involving transitional capital as a key driver of business and economic growth, holding positions at financial institutions including CapitalSource (now PacWest Bank), Nations Equipment Finance (now SLR Capital Partners), and SunTrust Bank (now Truist) in Atlanta, GA.

"I am thrilled for the opportunity to work with Damien and the growing Lafayette Square team," added Stackhouse. "I know firsthand the role that middle-market, independent businesses play within a community and I am excited to help local business owners source new capital and financial resources."

Originally from Pensacola, Florida, Stackhouse grew up assisting with the management of his family's third generation ice manufacturing business, People's Crystal Ice Company, until it was sold to the largest distributor of packaged ice products in the U.S. He holds a BA in Economics from the University of Georgia, in Athens, GA.

About Lafayette Square

Lafayette Square is an impact investment platform working locally to create an inclusive American economy. Our mission is to be the leading provider of impact-driven capital. We believe deploying capital and curating services will create economic opportunity for all.

As we make investments, we work with a mission-aligned network to provide impactful services that improve the wellbeing of underserved people and communities. For more information about Lafayette Square, please visit www.lafayettesquare.com.

Media Contact:

Shree Dhond/ Doug Allen

Dukas Linden Public Relations

646-722-6531

[email protected]

SOURCE Lafayette Square Holding Company

Related Links

http://www.lafayettesquare.com


MELBOURNE, Australia, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Linktree, the market-leading linking platform, announced the winners of the Passion Fund to award creators, business owners, activists, or anyone with a big dream with an investment and tools to help turn their passion into a career.

To further pursue their passions and work towards their goals, all winners will receive exclusive use of Linktree benefits including lifetime PRO access, marketing workshops with the Linktree team and zero transaction fees on their Commerce Links.

After the panel of influential, self-made business leaders, creators, and founders who include Karamo, Li Jin, Grace Beverly, Alex Zaccaria, and Lauren Weinberg evaluated thousands of submissions from 90 countries, the standout creators and entrepreneurs chosen as winners in the Gold category and the recipients of $20,000 each, include:

AsylumConnect : A non-profit organization providing online resources for LGBTQ+ people fleeing persecution.

: A non-profit organization providing online resources for LGBTQ+ people fleeing persecution. Book Bunk : A social impact firm based in Kenya , focused on reclaiming, restoring, and revitalizing Nairobi's most iconic public libraries for inclusive use.

: A social impact firm based in , focused on reclaiming, restoring, and revitalizing most iconic public libraries for inclusive use. EPRUM : A Bolivian small business dedicated to creating sustainable children's toys. Employees are indiginous women working to support their families.

: A Bolivian small business dedicated to creating sustainable children's toys. Employees are indiginous women working to support their families. Made by Blitz : A UK based creator passionate about veganism, his goal is to be the go-to resource for plant-based cooking.

: A UK based creator passionate about veganism, his goal is to be the go-to resource for plant-based cooking. Mumkin App : An AI- driven app, makes difficult conversations possible by providing simulated in-app mock conversations. Co-Founded by Prita Goswami , Mumkin is available worldwide for survivors of female genital cutting/mutilation.

: An AI- driven app, makes difficult conversations possible by providing simulated in-app mock conversations. Co-Founded by , Mumkin is available worldwide for survivors of female genital cutting/mutilation. Wright Dance Studi o: A dance studio based in Jamaica committed to being a safe haven for the community and helping young women experience the joy that dance can bring.

o: A dance studio based in committed to being a safe haven for the community and helping young women experience the joy that dance can bring. Signhow : is an app to make learning sign language more accessible to people around the world to help better support the deaf community.

: is an app to make learning sign language more accessible to people around the world to help better support the deaf community. Collettey's : Entrepreneur Collette Divitto started her own cookie shop, Collettey's, after years of rejection from job interviews due to her disability. Her experience led her to develop an inclusive hiring policy that gives everyone a fair chance.

: Entrepreneur Collette Divitto started her own cookie shop, Collettey's, after years of rejection from job interviews due to her disability. Her experience led her to develop an inclusive hiring policy that gives everyone a fair chance. De Nsentip Twins : A project aimed at teaching girls basic life skills, Adolescent, Sexual, and Reproductive Health (ASRH), self-advocacy, security and self defense skills, and sponsoring their education.

In addition, the winner of the People's Choice Award, who will receive $20,000 is:

Jaguar Siembra : A non-profit foundation that works with indigenous people in the "Heart Of The World"the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia . The community works to restore the ecosystem, tree planting projects and reforestation efforts that heal the earth and preserve ancient cultures.

A list of all winners including those in the Silver and Bronze categories can be found HERE .

About Linktree

Linktree enables creators, brands, artists, publishers, agencies, and businesses of all sizes to curate an online ecosystem, engage with their audience and monetize their passion. The platform is utilized by more than 16 million users globally including TikTok, Selena Gomez, Red Bull, Alicia Keys, Facebook,the Los Angeles Clippers, Jessica Alba, Comedy Central and HBO. Founded by brothers Alex and Anthony Zaccaria and Nick Humphreys in 2016, Linktree is headquartered in Melbourne, Australia. For more information visit https://linktr.ee/ .

Media Contact:

Nadav Avidan

[email protected]

SOURCE Linktree
VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Local Security, a Canadian security technology company, today announced a partnership with EyeQ Monitoring to foster growth in the video monitoring sector. Established in 2007, EyeQ Monitoring is one of the largest providers of live video monitoring in the United States.

Local Security

With this partnership, solutions providers will be able to access capital from the 25 million dollar fund to grow their video monitoring portfolios. Investments by EyeQ into customer acquisition, system design, and implementation are planned, as is the eventual growth of the fund itself.

The fund will also support organizations with non-profit status by allowing them to access special capital for facilities improvements and lone worker solutions. Pilots are currently underway in Canada with expansion to the USA planned for Fall 2021.

"Local Security is committed to partnerships with communities and the organizations that use cutting-edge technology to secure them," said Adam Power, CEO, Local Security. "Our partners can now access the critical funding required to meet their goals. EyeQ is a clear thought leader in the marketplace, with a reputation for service delivery excellence. We are excited to bring their expertise into our partner ecosystem."

"We are incredibly excited to be able to partner with Local Security and other innovative solution providers who have wanted to better serve their customers with remote video solutions but previously didn't have access to reliable partners to do so," said Markus Scott, CEO, EyeQ Monitoring. "Although we have been excited about making this investment in the industry for several years, we felt it critical to first ensure we had a high-quality product and training team available to assist our partners not only sign-up customers; but also ensure their long-term satisfaction. With more than a decade in remote video solutions, we are now excited to not only offer those operational resources and experience but also to provide much-needed capital to help our partners grow their business well. We are even more excited for the partnership with Local Security as they also are building solutions that not only differentiate their partner ecosystem but that will enhance the efficacy of our services and all emergency responders."

To learn more about the partnership, visit: http://go.localsecurity.io/partners/eyeq

ABOUT LOCAL SECURITY:

The Local Security suite integrates best-in-class cloud video management, AI computer vision, and a proprietary workflow management technology. The platform creates a robust connection between video operators and emergency responders in 6500+ jurisdictions. Together, these products and services enable local security organizations to deliver best-in-class security services.

Sought-after products include Bounty Hunter and Camera Glue. Bounty Hunter helps service providers make every mission a success. Camera Glue connects to virtually any stream source including IP cameras, NVRs, hybrid encoders & more. The toolkit allows Surveillance Operations Centers an end-to-end solution for managing incidents from a video-first perspective.

ABOUT EYEQ MONITORING:

Established in 2007, EyeQ Monitoring is one of the largest providers of live video monitoring in the United States. EyeQ installs and maintains the latest video surveillance technology across the U.S. and employs and trains agents to monitor those systems remotely at all hours. In 2017 alone EyeQ Monitoring issued more than 5,000 police reports, saving customers an estimated $20 million in potential losses. EyeQ Monitoring has grown rapidly to its current 33-state footprint. For more information, visit eyeqmonitoring.com and follow EyeQ on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Devon Thomas

President, Local Security

[email protected]

Markus A. Scott

Chief Guard Dog, EyeQ Monitoring

[email protected]

Related Images

local-security-platform.png

Local Security Platform

SOURCE Local Security
KITTERY, Maine, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- pumpspotting, the leading community-driven breastfeeding support platform, today announced a partnership with the State of Maine to establish a breastfeeding-supportive climate for its more than 11,000 employees while also extending new lactation support benefits to an additional 20,000 employees of state-affiliated agencies. In a separate announcement, pumpspotting announced a $1.15M seed funding round, which includes a number of Maine-based investors.

The State of Maine will join pumpspotting's Guild, a group of businesses in the U.S. that are committed to empowering women by enabling parents to achieve their breastfeeding goals. The State of Maine will first participate in research to establish existing employee attitudes regarding current breastfeeding support available, then install pumpspotting's software and services, and finally measure change with a second employee survey. As a Luminary in pumpspotting's Guild, the State of Maine is leading the way in the establishment of such workplace cultures, as well as demonstrating a breastfeeding support model for U.S. state and federal governments of all sizes.

"As a Maine startup, we are thrilled to announce this partnership," said pumpspotting Founder & CEO Amy VanHaren. "The State of Maine's commitment to supporting feeding parents is indicative of its commitment to innovation and to attracting a diverse workforce. We look forward to our home state being a model for breastfeeding supportive climates nationwide."

Establishing a breastfeeding supportive climate differs from a breastfeeding-friendly climate, where employers tolerate breastfeeding, offer lactation space, are legally compliant and rely on employees to advocate for what they need. pumpspotting will provide the State of Maine with evidence-backed ways to anticipate breastfeeding employees' needs and actively endeavor to join parents in the achievement of breastfeeding goals with facilities, policy, procedure, culture, access to experts, encouragement and community.

"We pride ourselves on being an inclusive workplace and look forward to building a breastfeeding-supportive climate that makes working for the State of Maine a top notch experience for our employees," said Executive Director Shonna Poulin, of the State of Maine's Office of Employee Health & Benefits. "The initiative is doubly exciting as we partner with pumpspotting, a startup from our very own Maine innovation community and a member of Maine's Early Adopter Program, designed to accelerate innovative Maine startups. We look forward to showing the world how well Maine supports working parents."

State employees, as well as their partners and spouses, will be provided with access to the pumpspotting mobile app, a community-driven platform that allows them to tap into a global community of feeding parents as well as an exclusive community of fellow State of Maine employees and their families. pumpspotting provides feeding parents with access to timely, evidence-based content, uplifting love notes and supportive articles, a crowdsourced map of places to nurse and pump worldwide, one-on-one support from IBCLC-certified lactation consultants and, perhaps most importantly, a network of fellow parents to connect with 24x7.

As part of pumpspotting's Guild, the State of Maine will receive employer guidance on the elevation of their breastfeeding support, including a sample best-in-class milk expression policy, inspiration for taking lactation spaces to the next level, an internal communications campaign to promote adoption of and engagement with the program, as well as regular insights into their user community. The work pumpspotting is doing with the State of Maine is part of an academic research project led by a team from the University of Wisconsin - Madison, researching the topic of breastfeeding-supportive climates in the workplace.

As women's workforce participation hits its lowest rate in decades, forward-thinking employers are increasingly looking towards more comprehensive family-friendly benefits and lactation support is a major area of growth.

Half of women in a recent survey said they felt the need to choose between breastfeeding and work, with the average woman spending 35 hours a week breastfeeding. One in five breastfeeding workers report having felt pressure from their companies to stop. (Aeroflow)

Companies that provide lactation benefits have better retention rates and a 50% reduction in absenteeism, with 83% of parents feeling more positive about the company (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services)

Companies see an enormous savings in medical claims for mom and baby, while also enjoying a 50% reduction in absenteeism when they help working mothers achieve breastfeeding goals. (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services)

Since its founding in 2015, pumpspotting has developed a virtual community of more than 40,000 working parents. pumpspotting is working with employers, retailers, universities and other business partners to establish paths for widespread systemic change in breastfeeding benefits and accommodations; pumpspotting's Guild is an effective channel for accelerating that change. In addition to its work with the State of Maine and other large companies, pumpspotting has also launched pumpspotting for employees, which enables businesses of all sizes, including small and startup businesses with perhaps only 1 or 2 employees who need support, to provide breastfeeding support to all their employees for only $499 per year.

About pumpspotting

pumpspotting empowers women by enabling nursing, pumping, and breastfeeding parents to achieve their feeding goals. The company's software and services, deployed by employers, retailers, universities and other companies, elevate basic accommodations to best-in-class experiences that build brand-exclusive communities, extend the experience beyond physical space, and create opportunities while positioning companies as heroes. Moms love pumpspotting because its encouraging community reduces isolation and anxiety while connecting them with peers, experts and places to feed. For more information, visit pumpspotting.com

Contact:

Kristen Elworthy

[email protected]

978 590 0442

SOURCE pumpspotting
VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - MANTARO SILVER CORP. (TSXV: MSLV) (OTC: MSLVF) (FSE: 9TZ) (the "Company" or "Mantaro") is is pleased to announce that its common shares are now eligible for electronic clearing and settlement through the Depository Trust Company ("DTC") in the United States.

DTC is a subsidiary of the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation, a U.S. company that manages the electronic clearing and settlement of publicly traded companies. Securities that are eligible to be electronically cleared and settled through DTC are considered to be "DTC eligible". DTC eligibility is expected to simplify the process of trading and enhance liquidity of the Company's common shares in the United States.

With the Company's shares now traded electronically, existing investors benefit from potentially greater liquidity and execution speeds, while we've also opened the door to new investors that may have been previously restricted from our stock.

About Mantaro Silver Corp.

Mantaro Silver Corp. is a British Columbia company that holds a 100% interest in its flagship Santas Gloria Silver Property as well as a 100% interest in the San Jose, La Purisima, Cerro Luque and Huaranay Properties.

Forward-Looking Statements

Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. The Company cautions that all forward looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to Company's limited operating history and the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Resulting Issuer undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE Mantaro Silver Corp.

Related Links

https://mantarosilver.com/


NEW YORK, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Matthijssen Business Systems proudly announced it was the recipient of the coveted Customer Satisfaction Award honor presented by the Channel Partner Insights MSP Innovation Awards New York. Matthijssen is a multiple award-winning, full-spectrum IT and office services company that has faithfully served clients for over 60 years.

Customer Satisfaction award winners 3 years in a row

"With great excitement we announce our recent accomplishment in acquiring the MSP Innovation Awards Customer satisfaction Award," said Scott Matthijssen. "We've been recognized for Excellence in Customer Satisfaction in the New York Metro area for the 3rd year in a row! Specifically, this award recognizes our technical department's success in excellence for its service operations. Channel Partners kindly applauds our commitment to customer service, responsiveness, participation in technical training, technical promotions, and our commitment to assist in their company's success. We consider this award affirmation that our company routinely delivers the highest caliber of service we intend to provide. Thank you tremendously to the members at Channel Partners for this notable recognition of our dedication. Moving forward, we're determined to continue the improvement of our customer service efforts and remain a company our clients can rely on."

Learn more about the many services provided by Matthijssen by visiting them online. Or follow Matthijssen on social media: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn.

About Matthijssen Business Systems

Founded in 1958, Matthijssen Business Systems is a New Jersey company that works exclusively with small and mid-sized firms helping them navigate the challenges of today's high-tech environment. Whether it's assisting companies in gaining remote access to information, VoIP communications, data sharing, integrating departments into a network, or just replacing an old copier, the Matthijssen approach is the same: no preconceived ideas, no pushing products, and no grandiose schemes. Learn more at: www.mattnj.com.

Media Contact:

Neil Campbell

[email protected]

973-887-1100

SOURCE Matthijssen Business Systems
CHICAGO, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In-depth analysis and data-driven insights on the impact of COVID-19 included in this global medical glove market report.

The medical glove market is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 11.64% during the period 20202026.

Key Highlights Offered in the Report:

1. In terms of unit shipment, 178 billion medical gloves were shipped in 2020 and is expected to reach 468 billion by 2026.

2. COVID-19 impacted the medical glove market positively, the demand skyrocketed in the market. Many vendors are already filled with the orders for 2020, and 2021. The vendors are working with full capacity continuously to supply the orders.

3. Nitrile medical gloves dominated the market by the material type. Due to COVID-19 pandemic there was increased demand for the Nitrile medical gloves as it was largely consumed in the healthcare segment.

4. Powder free medical gloves segment dominated the market. This is due to the restriction of using the powdered medical gloves in the market. This made people to shift towards the usage of the powder free medical gloves. The powder free glove segment is expected to grow at a faster CAGR of 11.86% in the market

5. Examination medical gloves dominated the market in the application segment. However surgical medical glove is expected to grow at a CAGR of 14.24% in the market. The pandemic further increased the usage of the examination glove across the globe and demand increased largely in the market.

6. Hospital's dominated end-user segment the market. Large volume of gloves was consumed in the hospitals for examining the COVID-19 patients.

7. North America dominated the market in terms of revenue and Europe dominated in terms of consumption of medical gloves. The APAC is expected to grow at a faster rate in terms of revenue with a CAGR of 13.35% in the market, due to the large population and increasing COVID-19 cases has increased the consumptions of medical gloves in the market.

Key Offerings:

Market Size & Forecast by Revenue | 20202026

Market Dynamics  Leading trends, growth drivers, restraints, and investment opportunities

Market Segmentation  A detailed analysis by category, application, end-user, material, and geography

Competitive Landscape  6 key vendors and 60 other vendors

Get your sample today! https://www.arizton.com/market-reports/medical-gloves-market

Medical Gloves Market  Segmentation

By material, the global medical nitrile gloves market dominates with 54.59% of the market share and is primarily due to its increased usage in medical applications. Nitrile glove offers a key advantage over latex as some people suffer from latex sensitivity, resulting in latex allergy and other skin problems.

The COVID-19 pandemic increased the demand for the examination glove a hundred times more than the normal demand in the industry at about 82.32%. A lot of surgeries were also delayed, and this caused slow growth in the surgical gloves market.

The hospital's segment accounted for more than half of the shares because hospitals are the primary contact for people's health issues. In addition, hospitals are the preferred place to undergo surgeries as they are equipped with the required technology, and skilled professionals handle complex cases.

Medical Gloves Market by Category

Powder Free

Powdered

Medical Gloves Market by Application

Examination

Surgical

Medical Gloves Market by Material

Nitrile

Latex

Vinyl

Neoprene

Others

Medical Gloves Market by End-User

Hospital

Diagnostic Labs

ASCs

Clinics

Others

Medical Gloves Market  Dynamics

Many manufacturers are moving quickly away from the powdered gloves to powder-free gloves, low protein latex gloves or synthetic gloves. Latex is causing potentially severe allergic reactions in healthcare workers and patients, so many patients are shifting from latex to alternative sources, which has dramatically reduced allergic reactions in surgical gloves. Most healthcare providers still experience allergic reactions on hands and wrists, primarily from irritant contact dermatitis, a non-immunologic response to an irritant or skin damage. Vendors have come up with solutions to reduce latex allergies by lowering the protein content in gloves which helps reduce both patient complications associated with powdered gloves and the incidence of asthma and latex allergy in health care providers. New powder-free gloves have been leached to protein levels less than 50g/g the level of sensitization is above 100g/g.

Key Drivers and Trends fueling Market Growth:

Introduction of Biodegradable Gloves

Growing Demand for Non-Medical Powdered Gloves

Increasing Number of Surgeries

Availability of Innovative Medical Gloves

Medical Gloves Market  Geography

In 2020, North America accounted for 34.34% of the global medical glove market. The number of surgeries performed in North America is increasing due to the developed healthcare infrastructure and proportionate rise in the geriatric population, demanding many surgeries. This has drastically increased the patient pool, requiring effective treatment and surgical procedures. This is expected to propel market growth. In addition, benefits such as no cut or incision on body parts, less or no blood loss, enhanced patient care, and overall improved patient experience associated with non-invasive surgical procedures are expected to further spur the market growth over the next few years. Moreover, the chances of HAIs are minimal with these surgeries. This has increased the demand for non-invasive surgical procedures. Furthermore, technological advances such as robotic assistance during surgery help physicians handle complex surgeries and reduce risks and increase success rates.

Get your sample today! https://www.arizton.com/market-reports/medical-gloves-market

Medical Gloves Market by Geography

Europe

Germany



Italy



France



UK



Spain

APAC

China



Japan



India



Australia



South Korea

North America

United States



Canada

Latin America

Brazil



Mexico



Argentina



Colombia



Chile

Middle East & Africa

South Africa



Saudi Arabia



Turkey



Iran

Major Vendors

Top Glove

Ansell

Kossan Rubber Industries

Hartalega Holdings

Supermax

Mercator

Other Prominent Vendors

Indoplas

Tan Sin Lian Industries

Innovative Gloves

Happy Hand Glove

Phoenix Rubber

Hycare

Meditech Gloves

I-Care

Spenser Glove Manufacturing

Glove Resources

UG Healthcare

Quality Latex Products

Bergamot

B.Braun Melsungen

A1 Glove

Acteon

Adventa Health

Akzenta International

AlboLand

Asid Bonz

Berner International

Body Products

BSN Medical

Ceabis

Cardinal Health

Didactic

Demophorious Healthcare

Elcya

Erener Medikal

Franz Mensch

Gemma

Hepro.us

Hum GmbH

Hygeco

Intco Medical

International Biomedical

Kaltek

Kanam

Leboo

Low Derma

Medadv

Medibase

Molnlycke Health Care

MRK Healthcare

Neomedic

Pidegree Industrial

Polyco Healthline

RFB Latex

Riverstone Holdings

Robinson Healthcare

Shield Scientific

Smart Glove

Sri Trang Agro Industry

Symperit

Troge Medical

Unigloves

Winmed Group

WRP Asia Pacific

Wujiang Evergreen

YTY Group

Explore our healthcare & lifesciences profile to know more about the industry.

Read some of the top-selling reports:

About Arizton:

Arizton Advisory and Intelligence is an innovation and quality-driven firm, which offers cutting-edge research solutions to clients across the world. We excel in providing comprehensive market intelligence reports and advisory and consulting services.

We offer comprehensive market research reports on industries such as consumer goods & retail technology, automotive and mobility, smart tech, healthcare, and life sciences, industrial machinery, chemicals and materials, IT and media, logistics and packaging. These reports contain detailed industry analysis, market size, share, growth drivers, and trend forecasts.

Arizton comprises a team of exuberant and well-experienced analysts who have mastered in generating incisive reports. Our specialist analysts possess exemplary skills in market research. We train our team in advanced research practices, techniques, and ethics to outperform in fabricating impregnable research reports.

Mail: [email protected]

Call: +1-312-235-2040

+1 302 469 0707

SOURCE Arizton Advisory & Intelligence
MIAMI, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- On August 3, Fitch Ratings upgraded its outlook for Miami International Airport's and PortMiami's general revenue bonds from negative to stable, making it the third top rating agency this year to improve the outlook for MIA and PortMiami because of their recovery from the pandemic. In May, Kroll Bond Rating Agency (KBRA) also improved their bond rating outlook from negative to stable, following Standard & Poor's Global Ratings (S&P) doing the same in April.

"The strong financial health of our community's leading economic engines, as affirmed by several bond rating agencies, is extremely encouraging news," said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. "Their safe increase in passenger and cargo traffic this year continues to pay dividends for our local tourism industry, small businesses and job market  while we work as hard as ever to slow the spread and protect our community, to continue supporting a strong economic recovery. Congratulations to the MIA and PortMiami teams for successfully steering our two global gateways back to growth and financial stability."

In its ratings report last week, Fitch noted that the airports and ports with outlooks upgraded to stable reflected "the diminished operational and financial risks that have challenged airports since early 2020 due to a combination of improving passenger volumes in recent months, the effective management oversight of budgets, and the financial relief accommodated by federal aid that appear to mitigate revenue impairments."

KBRA based its revised outlook on "a pattern of recovering airport passenger activity, as the national economic re-opening proceeds, vaccination distribution increases, and travelling public confidence levels grow."

"We view the business conditions and landscape for U.S. transportation infrastructure issuers as markedly improved since the beginning of the year," said S&P in its April 2021 report that upgraded its outlook for MIA and PortMiami. "Specifically, we believe current positive trends - combined with substantial amounts of federal grants to the transit and airport sectors - have reduced the likelihood of weakened credit quality among the issuers that we rate."

At five million international passengers through June, MIA is America's busiest airport for international travelers halfway through 2021. MIA has also served 10.6 million domestic passengers through June, which was down only 12 percent compared to its 2019 number during the same time frame. At 15.6 million total travelers midway through 2021, MIA is on pace to finish the year only 25 percent below its 2019 passenger count.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Greg Chin

786.251.0588

[email protected]

www.iflymia.com

SOURCE Miami International Airport
BELLEVUE, Wash., Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- MN CUSTOM HOMES, the state's largest private homebuilder specializing in single-family, infill homesites, is pleased to announce that proceeds from the recent sale of its home at 1304 142nd Place SE in Bellevue, Washington will be donated to Bellevue-based nonprofit Jubilee REACH for its in-school and community outreach programs. Thirty-four subcontractors and vendors contributed discounts and donations to further increase the gift.

MN Custom Homes recently gifted profits from the sale of a new home in Bellevue, Washington to Jubilee REACH. MN Custom Homes and Jubilee REACH celebrate the completion of the home.

Jubilee will turn those funds into game-changing assistance for local families, and students who normally struggle to make ends meet. The nonprofit helps local schools host safe and enriching before- and after-school programs, providing English as a Second Language (ESL) families with access to classes, health care and legal services. Its thrift store offers affordable household goods, clothing and groceries to families, and Jubilee hosts community-building events, such as its annual Festival of the Trees holiday fundraising celebration.

In addition to this financial gift to Jubilee, MN Custom Home's entire staff and many subcontractors volunteer their time during Jubilee's annual Service Days, refurbishing tired homes for the elderly or disabled. When the COVID pandemic began, Jubilee added new services to its mission, including providing basic needs, like groceries and personal-hygiene items, to hundreds of families in the community, as well as continuing to provide some financial assistance to eligible families.

"It's our strong desire to invest in our Eastside community where we live and work," MN's co-founder Shaun McFadden explains. "We have a heart for improving schools and assisting families in need, so the perfect partner is Jubilee REACH, because they share those values, partnering with Bellevue schools, helping struggling families and students."

Founded in 2011 by Bellevue natives McFadden and Joe Naeseth, MN Custom Homes is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. During that time MN has built 157 single family homes throughout the Greater Puget Sound's Eastside communities of Kirkland, Bellevue and Redmond. With housing in short supply in the region and demand at an all-time high, the company expects to add another 70 homes to that figure in 2021 alone and is projecting more than 100 to come online in 2022.

Recognized as one of Washington's top 100 best workplaces in 2021, MN Custom Homes currently employs more than 70 people throughout the organization and is looking to hire additional staff.

"We've got a long-term approach to our business model and plan on serving the Greater Eastside for the next 50 years," says McFadden.

About MN Custom Homes

MN Custom Homes builds luxury, single family residences among Greater Seattle's Eastside communities. Focusing on quality craftsmanship and cutting-edge innovations, MN Custom Homes' designs include a blend of modern innovation and timeless style with open floor plans, great spaces for entertaining and outdoor covered living areas for life in the Pacific Northwest. In 2021 the company was recognized as one of the 100 best workplaces in Washington.

Contact:

Margaret Nicoll

206-310-5750

[email protected]

SOURCE MN Custom Homes
LONDON, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Modulaire Group (together with its subsidiaries, the "Group"), Europe and Asia Pacific's leading business services company specialising in modular services and infrastructure, is pleased to announce another strong performance for the second quarter of 2021.

For the three months to 30 June 2021, the Group delivered total revenues of 347 million, up 24% versus the prior year including acquisitions. Prior to acquisitions, total revenue grew by 15% driven by growth in both modular space leasing and sales.

Utilisation rose to 87% at the end of the second quarter (83%: Q2, 2020) while units on rent increased by 12% (up 25,400 to 233,000). Units on Rent increased by 12,800 excluding acquisitions. Organic revenue per unit grew by 10%, and by 15% including acquisitions.

Organic EBTIDA increased 22% driven by continued progress against the Group's strategic objectives. Including M&A, EBITDA grew 35% to 113 million, as the integration of recent acquisitions continues to progress well. Cash conversion remained strong at 84% before growth and non-fleet capex.

Net leverage reduced to c. 4.5 times Pro-Forma Underlying EBITDA, down from 5.2 times at the end of the second quarter of 2020. The liquidity position remains strong with 193 million of cash on the balance sheet at 30 June 2021, alongside 100 million of bank availability and 76 million ABL availability.

The Group continues to have positive momentum across its four strategic objectives through granular management of branch level performance to optimise volume and margin, an efficient cost base, effective capital investment and a targeted acquisition strategy.

On June 27, Modulaire announced that its shareholders have entered into an agreement to sell the Group to investment funds managed by Brookfield Business Partners L.P. The transaction, which is subject to customary regulatory and competition clearances, is expected to close in Q4 2021.

Mark Higson, Modulaire Group's Chief Executive: "Executing against our strategy continues to drive our strong operational and financial performance. Excluding M&A, organic EBITDA grew by 22% in the quarter and revenue per unit grew 10%.

Our data-led commercial and operational focus combined with the stimulus packages announced by Governments in our key markets, means that we are well placed for the future. We have a strong pipeline of M&A and, with a healthy balance sheet and proven ability to execute are well positioned to capitalise on these opportunities.

Finally, I'm delighted to welcome Brookfield as a new investor in the business. We are all hugely excited about driving Modulaire's continued growth and we look forward to the opportunities ahead."

About Modulaire Group

Modulaire Group is a leader in European modular services and infrastructure. We create smart spaces for people to live, work and learn. Our business is designed to help customers find the right space solution, no matter what their requirements. Modulaire Group has operations in 25 countries with approximately 267,000 modular space and portable storage units and 3,400 remote accommodations rooms. The company operates as Algeco in Europe and Scandinavia, Elliott, Advante, Carter and ProComm in the United Kingdom, BUKO Huisvesting, BUKO Bouw & Winkels and BUKO Bouwsystemen in The Netherlands, Tecnifor and Locabox in Italy, Ausco in Australia, Portacom in New Zealand, and Algeco Chengdong in China.

For further information:

Investor relations: Phil Vellacott

[email protected]

07841 563541

Media enquiries: Tulchan Communications

[email protected]

0207 353 4200

SOURCE Modulaire Group
CHICAGO, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In-depth analysis and data-driven insights on the impact of COVID-19 included in this Myanmar crawler excavator market report.

The Myanmar crawler excavator market is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 7.57% during the period 20212027.

Key Highlights Offered in the Report:

The market value is expected to reach USD 53.5 million by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 7.68% during the forecast period. Myanmar is the biggest country in mainland Southeast Asia , with direct access to China , India , ASEAN, and other foreign markets via ports along the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea, in addition to its local market of more than 50 million people. The Myanmar government is prioritizing the establishment of efficient national and international supply chains for future economic growth, particularly in terms of power infrastructure, road, rail, air, and ports, after decades of international isolation prevented the modernization and expansion of infrastructural networks. Over the forecast period, the government's continued investment in transportation infrastructure, energy, and residential projects through flagship programs such as the National Education Strategic Plan (NESP), National Electrification Plan (NEP) and the Million Homes Plan is expected to drive the industry's growth. Myanmar relies on import of crawler excavators majorly from China , Japan , and Korea. Since no brands are produced domestically, distributors or dealers import a range of new and used crawler excavators to deliver a variety of machineries and brands. Myanmar's economy is still suffering from the COVID-19 epidemic, with growth expected to fall to 1.7 percent in FY19/20, down from 6.8 percent the year before. Consumption and investment have been harmed by the epidemic, which has also affected company operations and the supply of workers and materials. Although the global COVID-19 outbreak has had a limited impact on Myanmar , the country's reliance on international trade, including border trade with neighboring countries, investment, and technology, means it will face near- and medium-term economic challenges, including the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative and the ChinaMyanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC). The Myanmar authorities released the "Overcoming as One: COVID-19 Economic Relief Plan" (CERP) which diagnosed a set of policy measures to sell funding from domestic and overseas buyers which might allow enlargement of monetary activities. Easing of the permits, approvals, and licenses, helping PPP version for short and essential infrastructure initiatives, are a number of the moves that might returned the financial system on the track.

Key Offerings:

Market Size & Forecast by Revenue | 20212027

Market Dynamics  Leading trends, growth drivers, restraints, and investment opportunities

Market Segmentation  A detailed analysis by excavator type and operating weight, application, and gross power output

Competitive Landscape  9 key vendors and 6 other vendors

Get your sample today! https://www.arizton.com/market-reports/myanmar-crawler-excavator-market-opportunities-assessment-forecast

Myanmar Crawler Excavator Market  Segmentation

Small excavators vary in size and capacity for various applications. The power output of these excavators can range from less than 60HP to more than 200HP. Thus, Myanmar's small crawler excavator market is expected to reach USD 9.2 million by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 8.17%.

small crawler excavator market is expected to reach by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 8.17%. Myanmar's crawler excavator market by construction is expected to reach 357 units by 2027. The market by construction accounts for 61.1% of the overall crawler excavator market in 2020.

crawler excavator market by construction is expected to reach 357 units by 2027. The market by construction accounts for 61.1% of the overall crawler excavator market in 2020. Myanmar's <60HP crawler excavators are largely used for landscaping, excavating, demolishing, and material handling in cities and farms. Thus, such projects will drive up the demand for these excavators.

Myanmar Crawler Excavator Market by Excavator Type and Operating Weight

Mini (>6 tons)

Small (6-15 tons)

Medium (15-30 tons)

Large (above 30 tons)

Myanmar Crawler Excavator Market by Application

Construction

Mining

Agriculture

Forestry

Others

Myanmar Crawler Excavator Market by Gross Power Output

61-101 HP

102-200 HP

>201 HP

Myanmar Crawler Excavator Market  Dynamics

The National Transportation Master Plan (NTMP) lays out a mid- and long-term transportation strategy that includes 36 north-south and 45 east-west highway projects across seven regions and seven states. In terms of investment, the government intends to devote MMK28 trillion ($21.4 billion) on road, rail, port, and aviation projects between now and 2030. Targets include $11.7 billion for road improvements, $6.6 billion for railway expansion, and $8.5 billion for inland water, marine, and airport projects, all with the goal of developing efficient, modern, and ecologically friendly systems. The plan has dedicated 87% of anticipated capital formation between 2014 and 2020 to putting in large city-to-city expressway systems, making rail and highway enhancements the most essential near-term goal.

Key Drivers and Trends fueling Market Growth:

Myanmar permits local and foreign investment in mining

permits local and foreign investment in mining Myanmar , a promising investment destination

, a promising investment destination High sensitivity of end-users to global and regional economic conditions

Government's changing monetary & fiscal policies impacts crawler excavator demand

Get your sample today! https://www.arizton.com/market-reports/myanmar-crawler-excavator-market-opportunities-assessment-forecast

Major Vendors

Caterpillar

Komatsu

Hitachi

Hyundai

Doosan

Volvo

JCB

Sany

Kobelco

Other Prominent Vendors

Kubota

Sumitomo

Ingersoll Rand

Liebherr

XCMG

LeeBoy

Explore our industrial machinery profile to know more about the industry.

Read some of the top-selling reports:

About Arizton:

Arizton Advisory and Intelligence is an innovation and quality-driven firm, which offers cutting-edge research solutions to clients across the world. We excel in providing comprehensive market intelligence reports and advisory and consulting services.

We offer comprehensive market research reports on industries such as consumer goods & retail technology, automotive and mobility, smart tech, healthcare, and life sciences, industrial machinery, chemicals and materials, IT and media, logistics and packaging. These reports contain detailed industry analysis, market size, share, growth drivers, and trend forecasts.

Arizton comprises a team of exuberant and well-experienced analysts who have mastered in generating incisive reports. Our specialist analysts possess exemplary skills in market research. We train our team in advanced research practices, techniques, and ethics to outperform in fabricating impregnable research reports.

Mail: [email protected]

Call: +1-312-235-2040

+1 302 469 0707

SOURCE Arizton Advisory & Intelligence
Nine drills are currently running on Queensway north, eight on the Appleton fault zone and one on the JBP fault zone. To date a total of 301 holes have been completed, totalling 75,025m or approximately 37.5% of the planned 200,000m drill program. Of this total, results have been received and reported for 34,398m with results for 40,627m still pending.





fault zone and one on the JBP fault zone. To date a total of 301 holes have been completed, totalling or approximately 37.5% of the planned drill program. Of this total, results have been received and reported for with results for still pending. At Keats three drills are continuing step out holes down plunge to the south and one drill is focused on mineralization and veining between the high-grade dilation zone and surface. Two drills are turning at the newly discovered Golden Joint, while one drill is continuing step-outs at Lotto.





Drilling is now underway at Zone 36, a recently discovered grass roots target located on the west side of the Appleton Fault, approximately 700m north of Lotto (see Figure 1). The presence of vuggy quartz, antimony sulphosalts, and visible gold is suggestive that it has a similar epizonal style of mineralization to the Keats and Lotto zones. Limited surface sampling of the zone resulted in grab samples up to 47.0 g/t Au and channel samples up to 18.9g/t Au over 1.0m .





north of Lotto (see Figure 1). The presence of vuggy quartz, antimony sulphosalts, and visible gold is suggestive that it has a similar epizonal style of mineralization to the Keats and Lotto zones. Limited surface sampling of the zone resulted in grab samples up to 47.0 g/t Au and channel samples up to 18.9g/t Au over . One drill is sequentially testing multiple targets along the JBP fault zone approximately 5km to the east of the Appleton fault zone. Assays are pending from drilling at 1744, H-Pond, and Pocket Pond.





fault zone. Assays are pending from drilling at 1744, H-Pond, and Pocket Pond. Drill intervals including from Keats, Golden Joint and Lotto have been submitted for assay on a rush basis. The Company has continued to experience significant backups at the assay laboratories but expects to receive and release further assay results in the coming weeks.





The Company is pleased to share a recently released video showing a discussion of preliminary 3-D modelling of high-grade gold found at Keats, Lotto, and Golden Joint along 2 Km of the Appleton Fault Zone. Click here to watch the video: 3D Model of Appleton Fault North - New Found Gold.

Greg Matheson, P.Geo., COO New Found, stated: "Despite a lag in assay results, drilling at Queensway has continued uninterrupted. Three drills are currently focused on step-out holes down plunge at Keats, with several sample intervals from this drilling having been sent to the lab on a rush basis. A fourth drill is focused on better understanding the mineralization above the main plunge and towards surface with several intervals also being sent to the lab on a rush basis. The Keats zone continues to demonstrate great continuity and remains open in all directions and at depth. We anticipate additional results from this Keats drilling as well as from the Lotto and Golden Joint in the near future."

Sampling, Sub-sampling and Laboratory

Host structures along the Appleton Fault Zone are generally interpreted to be steeply dipping and true widths are estimated to be 85% to 95% of reported widths at Keats, 80% to 90% at Lotto, 70% to 90% at Golden Joint, 65% to 75% at Dome, unknown at Cokes, 85% to 95% at Road, unknown at Little-Powerline, and unknown at Knob. In some areas infill veining in secondary structures with multiple orientations crosscutting the primary host structures are commonly observed in drill core which could result in additional variability in true width. Assays are uncut, and calculated intervals are reported over a minimum length of 2 meters using a lower cut-off of 1.0 g/t Au. All HQ split core assays reported were obtained by either complete sample metallic screen/fire assay or standard 30-gram fire-assaying with ICP finish at ALS Minerals in Vancouver, British Columbia, or by entire sample screened metallic screen fire assay at Eastern Analytical in Springdale, Newfoundland. The complete sample metallic screen assay method is selected by the geologist when samples contain coarse gold or any samples displaying gold initial fire assay values greater than 1.0 g/t Au. Drill program design, Quality Assurance/Quality Control and interpretation of results is performed by qualified persons employing a Quality Assurance/Quality Control program consistent with National Instrument 43-101 and industry best practices. Standards and blanks are included with every 20 samples for Quality Assurance/Quality Control purposes by the Company as well as the lab. Approximately 5% of sample pulps are sent to secondary laboratories for check assays.

Qualified Person

The technical content disclosed in this press release was reviewed and approved by Greg Matheson, P. Geo., Chief Operating Officer, and a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Matheson consents to the publication of this news release dated August 12, 2021, by New Found. Mr. Matheson certifies that this news release fairly and accurately represents the information for which he is responsible.

About New Found Gold Corp.

New Found holds a 100% interest in the Queensway Project, located 15km west of Gander, Newfoundland, and just 18km from Gander International Airport. The project is intersected by the Trans-Canada Highway and has logging roads crosscutting the project, high voltage electric power lines running through the project area, and easy access to a highly skilled workforce. Queensway is host to an extensive epizonal orogenic gold system, one capable of generating very high-grade gold mineralization. To date, New Found has discovered three robust structurally controlled high-grade gold deposits: Keats, Lotto and Golden Joint. More than 15 additional targets are or will be drill tested along 7.8km of strike length on the Appleton fault and 12.4km of strike on the JBP fault. To date the Company has completed approximately 37.5% of its planned 200,000m drill program at Queensway North. Nine rigs are in operation at Queensway with the drill count planned to increase to ten rigs by Q3 2021. With a current working capital balance of approximately $68 million, New Found is well funded for this program.

Please see the Company's website at www.newfoundgold.ca and the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.

Acknowledgements

New Found acknowledges the financial support of the Junior Exploration Assistance Program, Department of Natural Resources, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Contact

To contact the Company, please visit the Company's website, www.newfoundgold.ca and make your request through our investor inquiry form. Our management has a pledge to be in touch with any investor inquiries within 24 hours.

New Found Gold Corp.

Per: "Craig Roberts"

Craig Roberts, P.Eng., Chief Executive Officer

Email: [email protected]

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking Statement Cautions

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation relating to further exploration and drilling on the Company's Queensway gold project in Newfoundland; interpretation of results of the drilling program and funding of the drilling program; future discoveries of high-grade gold mineralization; the merits of the Queensway project. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "aims," "target," "suggestive," "probability," "appear," "pursuit," "potential," "goal," "objective," "prospective," and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "can," "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made, and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include risks associated with possible accidents and other risks associated with mineral exploration operations, the risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological factors, the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permitting and other governmental clearances necessary to carry out the Company's exploration plans, the risk that the Company will not be able to raise sufficient funds to carry out its business plans, and the risk of political uncertainties and regulatory or legal changes that might interfere with the Company's business and prospects. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's Annual Information Form and Management's discussion and Analysis, publicly available through the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedar.com for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects.

SOURCE New Found Gold Corp.

Related Links

https://newfoundgold.ca/


JSI named Authorized Marketing Representative of NorthStar's services in Japan

MONTREAL, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - NorthStar Earth & Space of Montreal, Canada, has entered into an agreement with Japan Space Imaging Corporation (JSI) to tailor product offerings for Japanese customers based on NorthStar's space-based precision Space Situational Awareness (SSA) services. The agreement designates JSI act as Authorized Marketing Representative for NorthStar's suite of services with the government of Japan and with Japanese commercial entities.

JSI and NorthStar will promote valuable space information and intelligence services to Japanese government and commercial customers to safely navigate in an ever contested and congested space environment. Together, the two companies desire to greatly enhance current capabilities to ensure safe access to and operations in space and notably to protect the global satellite community from collisions.

"NorthStar is proud to partner with Japan Space Imaging Corporation- to tailor our services to Japanese Customers. As an established partner of the global space community, JSI is the ideal partner for NorthStar to promote the safety, security and sustainability of the space environment for a host of Japanese stakeholders" said Stewart Bain, CEO of NorthStar Earth & Space.

Commercial space is forecast to grow into a $2.7 trillion industry. New satellites and planned mega-constellations are launching into an environment ever more congested with traffic and space debris. Increased risks must be mitigated with precision information that fuel better Space Situational Awareness (SSA) services. The combination of NorthStar's Space Information and Intelligence services (Si2) and JSI's established expertise will ensure Japanese commercial and government customers have access to NorthStar services to ensure safe access to space.

"JSI is delighted to partner with NorthStar to promote their SSA services in Japan. We feel enthusiastic to contribute to our customers in Japan and their indispensable missions with NorthStar's unique space-based SSA capabilities powered by their cutting-edge processing algorithms" said Koji Ueda, CEO and President of Japan Space Imaging Corporation.

About NorthStar Earth & Space

Starting in 2023, NorthStar will begin operation of Skylark, its debut constellation for SSA services, to enable the delivery of near real-time high-fidelity tracking services, elevating traditional SSA to the level of Space Information & Intelligence (SI2). With a comprehensive view of all near-earth orbits, Skylark's space-based sensors will deliver precise observations of more space objects than any current system with higher revisit frequency per object. The result is unprecedented coverage, custody and enhanced predictive capabilities, to meet critical Space Traffic Management challenges such as tracking space debris and preventing collisions in space.

NorthStar's Space-Based Data Platform and Data Processing Engine will deliver contextualized data from multiple sources, augmented by NorthStar's own satellite infrastructure.

NorthStar's investors comprise a global coalition of strategic partners, including Telesystem Space (a co-enterprise of the Sirois family office, Telesystem and the Roger's Family Trust of Canada), the Space Alliance (Thales Alenia Space and Telespazio) of Europe, KinetX (USA), the Government of Quebec and the Government of Canada.

About the Japan Space Imaging Corporation

Founded in 1998, Japan Space Imaging Corporation, of which Hitachi Ltd is a large shareholder, has been a pioneer of satellite remote sensing commercial services in Japan and serves satellites data and services to a wide range of customers. JSI also provides customers with value added products and services such as 3D imagery products, base maps, and imagery analysis.

For more information:

https://northstar-data.com/

https://www.jsicorp.jp/en.html

SOURCE NorthStar Earth & Space Inc.

Related Links

https://northstar-data.com/


The National University Health System (NUHS) has embarked on a research and development programme within the academic healthcare cluster to explore the use of MR technology in clinical care. The research programme hopes to support the development of next-generation clinical applications and improve patient safety. This would augment clinical processes, and enhance both undergraduate and postgraduate education. While the use of holographic technology in operating theatres is still nascent, NUHS hopes to apply it in multiple fields of surgery.

"Holographic technology may radically transform the way we practice medicine. Early adoption will place NUHS at the forefront of medical MR research and position us as a pioneer in the clinical use of this technology," said Associate Professor Ngiam Kee Yuan, NUHS's Group Chief Technology Officer, who is overseeing the research and development of the holomedicine programme in NUHS.

While holomedicine is new in the field of medicine, it has become increasingly prominent in the past year. "It leverages the concept of MR not only to augment our physical environment, but permits interaction with virtual objects superimposed onto the real world. The virtual objects can also be manipulated relative to the real world using natural hand gestures," explained Dr Gao Yujia, Associate Consultant with the Division of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgery, National University Hospital (NUH), and the programme lead for holomedicine at NUHS.

Potential of holographic technology in brain surgery

A team of neurosurgeons at NUH has initiated a study to assess the feasibility of using holographic technology to spatially locate brain tumours when operating on patients.

Using holographic visors[1], a three-dimensional (3D) hologram of a patient's brain scan is projected into space and superimposed onto the patient's head during surgery. This hologram is generated from the patient's own brain CT scan using a 3D medical software created by apoQlar, called Virtual Surgery Intelligence (VSI). When the hologram is set in place on a patient's head, surgeons are able to view the 3D holographic images of the brain from different angles.

They can also pull up information and alter the images in the visor by gesture and speech recognition, allowing them to interact with, and control the holographic image that is superimposed onto the patient.

Clinical Associate Professor Yeo Tseng Tsai, Head and Senior Consultant with the Division of Neurosurgery, NUH said, "With this holographic technology, you are able to see inside the brain. You will be able to see the blood vessels and most importantly identify the tumour quickly and precisely, as well as to know which angle and the exact location to make the incision. For over thirty years now, we have been using a handheld navigation system to navigate and identify the location of the tumour. In comparison, this new mixed reality system is more intuitive as we can now see inside the patient's head without the need to look up and refer to a computer screen while performing a procedure."

With the potential of higher precision and quicker localisation, patient care and safety can be improved. Furthermore, with the MR headset weighing only around 500 grams, it may one day replace existing bulky operation theatre equipment and even reduce the exposure to radiation in procedures such as spine operations, where X-rays are currently used to guide the insertion of metallic implants.

NUHS has completed the first phase of the research programme involving a proof of concept study, where various disciplines such as neurosurgery, plastics surgery and ophthalmology at NUH have evaluated the MR devices and brainstormed on future areas of development. The headsets were used for evaluation purposes to identify use cases, understanding of clinicians' acceptance level, system evaluation, as well as assessing its long-term deployment sustainability.

NUHS has developed a holistic holomedicine roadmap, including short- and long-term research projects, integration with existing hospital systems, and procedures to onboard users and enhance the hospital's infrastructure to support the system. Some potential use cases include streaming of live data from image acquisition machines, and the employment of artificial intelligence and machine learning for advanced image processing and predictive analytics. In addition, the HoloLens 2 device may also be used by patients to help them better understand the procedures they are to undergo. This is achieved by projecting a 3D rendering of a patient's scan to better illustrate the steps of their procedure.

Clinical validation studies and trials will be necessary prior to the adoption of this holomedicine solution as a primary clinical method. This involves comparing MR technology to current gold standards of clinical practice and outcomes measured, including data on accuracy, stability, and potential risks and limitations of this capability. Registration with the necessary governing bodies including the Health Science Authority (HSA) will also be needed before this solution can be used in a direct patient intervention role.

Collaboration with industry

The NUHS team, in collaboration with the Engineering Design & Innovation Centre under the National University of Singapore's (NUS) Faculty of Engineering, has also been awarded a grant of $100,000 from the Engineering in Medicine Grant under NUHS and NUS in March 2021. The grant will enable the team to embark on a project on real-time volumetric rendering and positioning of ultrasound scans.

Industry collaboration is an integral part of the research and development of holomedicine in NUHS. NUHS has been collaborating with Microsoft and apoQlar in its holomedicine efforts. Moving forward, NUHS will continue to build on its existing partnerships and explore new industry collaborations to push the boundaries of MR technology in the healthcare environment.

NUHS is also privileged to be a founding member of The Holomedicine Association, an international organisation comprising clinicians, scientists and industry partners who are engaged in active research and development of holomedicine. With 12 members on the founding committee including the executive board of the association, NUHS is well poised to participate in collaborations with other hospitals, research institutes, and industry partners around the world.

"We are not just an end-user of holomedicine; we hope to be an active developer and to validate its use in medicine. We will work with our partners to make holomedicine customisable, more user-friendly and clinically applicable," said A/Prof Ngiam Kee Yuan.

"The experience of the past year shows us that technology can empower healthcare workers and assist them to help protect and save the lives of patients. NUHS's holomedicine study bears further testament to how innovative use of technology, such as Mixed Reality solutions and Microsoft HoloLens 2, may have a truly transformational impact in healthcare. Technology-enabled neurosurgeons may be able to perform safer procedures, enable improved outcomes and ultimately provide better patient care. We are proud to work with NUHS and other clinicians in the region to explore the full potential of digital technology in holomedicine across multiple therapy areas in the years to come," said Dr. Keren Priyadarshini, Regional Business Lead, Worldwide Health, Microsoft Asia.

"Holomedicine has the potential to sustainably revolutionise medical standards in most - if not all - medical fields. We are very excited to join forces with NUHS, a world-renowned academic health system, to achieve our mission of further improving patient outcomes and safety," said Mr Sirko Pelzl, CEO, apoQlar.

The software by apoQlar has successfully obtained HSA's Class A License and the Singapore Standard SS620 certification in April 2021. NUHS hopes to promulgate holographic technology to all its hospitals and institutes within the healthcare cluster in the near future.

"The advancements in technology, especially in the field of MR, has opened new horizons to the medical profession. By merging other technologies such as artificial intelligence, real-time image recognition, and predictive modelling, these MR devices offer clinicians capabilities that were once thought impossible," said A/Prof Ngiam Kee Yuan.

For media enquiries, please contact:

YUANYI LI

Communications Office

National University Health System

Email: [email protected]

[1] Microsoft HoloLens 2 was used as part of the proof of concept study.

About the National University Health System (NUHS)

The National University Health System (NUHS) aims to transform how illness is prevented and managed by discovering causes of disease, development of more effective treatments through collaborative multidisciplinary research and clinical trials, and creation of better technologies and care delivery systems in partnership with others who share the same values and vision.

Institutions in the NUHS Group include the National University Hospital, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, Jurong Community Hospital and Alexandra Hospital; three National

Specialty Centres - National University Cancer Institute, Singapore (NCIS), National University Heart Centre, Singapore (NUHCS) and National University Centre for Oral Health, Singapore (NUCOHS); the National University Polyclinics (NUP); Jurong Medical Centre; and three NUS health sciences schools  NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (including the Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies), NUS Faculty of Dentistry and NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health.

With member institutions under a common governance structure, NUHS creates synergies for the advancement of health by integrating patient care, health science education and biomedical research.

As a Regional Health System, NUHS works closely with health and social care partners across Singapore to develop and implement programmes that contribute to a healthy and engaged population in the Western part of Singapore.

For more information, please visit http://www.nuhs.edu.sg.

SOURCE National University Health System (NUHS)

Related Links

http://www.nuhs.edu.sg


IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- ATTOM, curator of the nation's premier property database, today released its second-quarter 2021 Opportunity Zones report analyzing qualified low-income zones established by Congress in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (see full methodology below). In this report, ATTOM looked at 5,236 zones across the United States with sufficient sales data to analyze, meaning they had at least five home sales in the second quarter of 2021.

The report found that median single-family home prices increased from the second quarter of 2020 to the second quarter of 2021 in 75 percent of Opportunity Zones and rose by at least 15 percent in about half of them. Price patterns in Opportunity Zones continued to roughly track trends in other areas of the U.S., even surpassing them in some ways, much as they did in the first quarter of this year.

Home values in Opportunity Zones did continue to lag well behind the national median of $305,000 in the second quarter of 2021. About three-quarters of the zones with enough data to analyze had typical second-quarter prices below the national figure. Some 39 percent also still had median prices of less than $150,000 in the second quarter of this year. But that was down from 47 percent a year earlier as values inside some of the nation's poorest communities kept surging ahead with the broader national housing market, despite the Coronavirus pandemic remaining a threat to the U.S. economy.

Even as the national economy was gradually recovering during the Spring of 2021 from the economic damage that came after the pandemic hit early last year, the impact continued to hit hardest in lower-income communities that comprise most of the zones targeted for tax breaks designed to spur economic redevelopment. Nevertheless, Opportunity Zones largely kept pace with national home-price trends as increases roughly paralleled the nationwide boom now in its 10th year.

Opportunity Zones are defined in the Tax Act legislation as census tracts in or along side low-income neighborhoods that meet various criteria for redevelopment in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories. Census tracts, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, cover areas that have 1,200 to 8,000 residents, with an average of about 4,000 people.

"Housing markets kept chugging along in some of the nation's poorest neighborhoods during the second quarter of this year in another sign that the decade long home-price boom across the nation knows pretty much no boundaries. Values kept rising inside specially designated Opportunity Zones at around the same rate as they did in other areas even as the Coronavirus pandemic continued causing economic hardship," said Todd Teta, chief product officer with ATTOM. "For sure, property values in Opportunity Zones remain depressed. But the price spikes there not only suggest that those communities are a very viable option for households priced out of more-upscale neighborhoods. They also indicate the ongoing potential for the economic revival that underpins the Opportunity Zone tax breaks."

High-level findings from the report include:

Median prices of single-family houses and condominiums rose from the second quarter of 2020 to the second quarter of 2021 in 2,901 (75 percent) of the Opportunity Zones with sufficient data to analyze and increased in 2,916 (64 percent) of the zones from the first quarter to the second quarter of this year. By comparison, median prices rose annually in 81 percent of census tracts outside of Opportunity Zones and quarterly in 70 percent of them.

(Of the 5,236 Opportunity Zones included in the report, 3,850 had enough data to generate usable median prices in the second quarters of both 2020 and 2021; 4,577 had enough data to make comparisons between the first quarter of 2021 and the second quarter of 2021).

(Of the 5,236 Opportunity Zones included in the report, 3,850 had enough data to generate usable median prices in the second quarters of both 2020 and 2021; 4,577 had enough data to make comparisons between the first quarter of 2021 and the second quarter of 2021). Measured year over year, median home prices rose at least 15 percent in the second quarter of 2021 in 2,011 (52 percent) of Opportunity Zones with sufficient data. Prices rose that much during that time period in 51 percent of other census tracts throughout the country.

Opportunity Zones did even better when comparing areas where prices rose at least 25 percent from the second quarter of 2020 to the second quarter of 2021. Measured year over year, median home prices rose by that level in 1,366 (35 percent) of Opportunity Zones but in only 30 percent of census tracts elsewhere in the country.

Typical home values in four of every 10 Opportunity Zones increased annually in the second quarter of 2021 by more than the 22-percent increase in the overall national single-family median home price during that time period.

Among states with at least 20 Opportunity Zones, those with the largest percentage of zones where median prices rose, year over year, during the second quarter of 2021 included New Hampshire (median prices up, year over year, in 95 percent of zones), Massachusetts (94 percent), Idaho (91 percent), Utah (90 percent) and Arizona (89 percent).

(median prices up, year over year, in 95 percent of zones), (94 percent), (91 percent), (90 percent) and (89 percent). Of all 5,236 zones in the report, 2,021 (39 percent) still had median prices in the second quarter of 2021 that were less than $150,000 and 914 (17 percent) had medians ranging from $150,000 to $199,999 . The total percentage of zones with typical values below $200,000 was down from 65 percent in the second quarter of 2020 to 56 percent in the second quarter of 2021.

and 914 (17 percent) had medians ranging from to . The total percentage of zones with typical values below was down from 65 percent in the second quarter of 2020 to 56 percent in the second quarter of 2021. Median values in the second quarter of 2021 ranged from $200,000 to $299,999 in 1,081 Opportunity Zones (21 percent) while they topped the national median of $305,000 in 1,183 (23 percent).

to in 1,081 Opportunity Zones (21 percent) while they topped the national median of in 1,183 (23 percent). The Midwest continued in the second quarter of 2021 to have the highest portion of Opportunity Zone tracts with a median home price of less than $150,000 (63 percent), followed by the South (45 percent), the Northeast (41 percent) and the West (6 percent).

(63 percent), followed by the South (45 percent), the Northeast (41 percent) and the West (6 percent). Median household incomes in 88 percent of Opportunity Zones were less than the medians in the counties where they were located. Median incomes were less than three-quarters of county-level figures in 56 percent of zones and less than half in 16 percent.

Report methodology

The ATTOM Opportunity Zones analysis is based on home sales price data derived from recorded sales deeds. Statistics for previous quarters are revised when each new report is issued as more deed data becomes available. ATTOM compared median home prices in census tracts designated as Opportunity Zones by the Internal Revenue Service. Except where noted, tracts were used for the analysis if they had at least five sales in the second quarter of 2021. Median household income data for tracts and counties comes from surveys taken the U.S. Census Bureau (www.census.gov) from 2015 through 2019. The list of designated Qualified Opportunity Zones is located at U.S. Department of the Treasury. Regions are based on designations by the Census Bureau. Hawaii and Alaska, which the bureau designates as part of the Pacific region, were included in the West region for this report.

About ATTOM

ATTOM provides premium property data to power products that improve transparency, innovation, efficiency and disruption in a data-driven economy. ATTOM multi-sources property tax, deed, mortgage, foreclosure, environmental risk, natural hazard, and neighborhood data for more than 155 million U.S. residential and commercial properties covering 99 percent of the nation's population. A rigorous data management process involving more than 20 steps validates, standardizes, and enhances the real estate data collected by ATTOM, assigning each property record with a persistent, unique ID  the ATTOM ID. The 20TB ATTOM Data Warehouse fuels innovation in many industries including mortgage, real estate, insurance, marketing, government and more through flexible data delivery solutions that include bulk file licenses, property data APIs, real estate market trends, and more. Also, introducing our latest solution, that offers immediate access and streamlines data management  ATTOM Cloud.

Media Contact:

Christine Stricker

949.748.8428

[email protected]

Data and Report Licensing:

949.502.8313

[email protected]

SOURCE ATTOM
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Optima Dermatology is pleased to announce the opening of their new practice in the Easton area of Columbus on August 30th. The practice is conveniently located 3 miles from Easton Town Center at 1375 Cherry Way Drive, Suite 210 and is currently accepting new patients.

Optima Dermatology takes great pride in offering convenient access to expert dermatology care and in providing an exceptional experience for patients. With industry-leading dermatologists and providers, Optima Dermatology treats a broad range of medical dermatology conditions and diseases including skin cancer, eczema, acne, psoriasis and much more. In addition to general dermatology, Optima Dermatology offers cosmetic services including neurotoxin injections (such as Botox and Dysport), fillers and more.

Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Natalie Meeks has been providing patients in the Dayton area with her expert care since 2015 and is excited for the launch of the Columbus practice: "I am thrilled to be joining Optima Dermatology and look forward to serving the Columbus community," she says. "At Optima Dermatology, our guiding principle is to treat every patient as we would want our friends and family to be treated, an intention that I have emulated with my patients since day one."

Optima Dermatology looks forward to partnering with the local medical community and strives to create a collaborative approach to all aspects of patient care with seamless referral process. If you are a healthcare provider interested in learning more about Optima Dermatology, please contact our medical community team at [email protected]. You can also call the Columbus practice at (380) 208-4630, or fax at (380) 201-1050.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Meeks please call (380) 208-4630. The Patient Support Team is available Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 6:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. and Wednesday and Friday from 6:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

For more information, including a full list of services, please visit: https://optimadermatology.com/locations/oh/columbus-oh

About Optima Dermatology

Optima Dermatology is revolutionizing skin care. Our mission centers on creating greater access to expert dermatology care and delivering an unparalleled patient experience. With a focus on excellence and innovation, our world class team is highly engaged, mission-driven, and inspired to set the new standard in dermatology. Our guiding principle is to treat each and every patient as we would want our friends and family to be treated, and we are committed to being your trusted experts in all aspects of skin care.

SOURCE Optima Dermatology
LIMA, Peru, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Orazul Energy Peru S.A. (f/k/a Orazul Energy Egenor S. en C. por A.) ("Orazul") today announced the final tender results for its previously announced tender offer (the "Tender Offer") for its 5.625% Senior Notes due 2027 (CUSIP Nos. 68559B AA5; P7372B AA1) (the "Notes"). The Tender Offer was made pursuant to the terms and conditions of the offer to purchase dated June 25, 2021, as amended by the press releases dated July 12, 2021, July 26, 2021 and July 29, 2021 (collectively, the "Offer to Purchase").

As of the previously announced expiration date and time of 11:59 P.M., New York City time, on Wednesday, August 11, 2021, (the "Expiration Date"), according to information provided by D.F. King & Co., Inc., the Information Agent and Tender Agent for the Tender Offer, a total of $362,521,000 aggregate principal amount of the Notes had been validly tendered and not validly withdrawn in the Tender Offer. Since the aggregate principal amount of the Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn would result in an aggregate purchase price that exceeds the previously announced maximum tender amount of $150.4 million, Orazul will accept for purchase $145,314,000 aggregate principal amount of the Notes, using a proration factor of approximately 40.1%.

The Total Consideration for the Notes validly tendered and accepted pursuant to the Tender Offer is $1,035.00 per $1,000 principal amount of Notes. In addition to the Total Consideration, holders will receive accrued and unpaid interest on all Notes tendered and accepted for payment in the Tender Offer from the last interest payment date up to, but not including, August 13, 2021 (the "Settlement Date"), together with additional amounts thereon.

The Tender Offer constitutes an asset sale offer pursuant to the requirements of the Indenture, which will be satisfied upon the purchase of the accepted Notes on the Settlement Date, in connection with Orazul's sale in August 2020 of its indirect ownership in the transmission business companies, Etenorte S.R.L. and Eteselva S.R.L.

Orazul retained Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and Santander Investment Securities Inc. to act as Dealer Managers for the Tender Offer. D.F. King & Co., Inc. is the Information Agent and Tender Agent for the Tender Offer. Questions regarding the Tender Offer should be directed to Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC at (800) 820-1653 (toll-free) or (212) 538-2147 (collect), or Santander Investment Securities Inc. at (855) 404-3636 (toll-free) or (212) 940-1442 (collect). Requests for documentation should be directed to D.F. King & Co., Inc. at (800) 370-1749 (toll-free) or (212) 269-5550 (for banks and brokers). This press release is for informational purposes only.

Neither the Offer to Purchase nor any related documents were filed with or reviewed by any federal or state securities commission or regulatory authority of any country, and the Offer to Purchase or any related documents were not reviewed or approved by the Peruvian Superintendency of the Securities Market (Superintendencia del Mercado de Valores) or the Lima Stock Exchange (Bolsa de Valores de Lima). No authority passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of the Offer to Purchase or any related documents, and it is unlawful and may be a criminal offense to make any representation to the contrary. The Tender Offer was made solely on the terms and conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase.

This press release is not an offer to purchase or a solicitation of an offer to purchase with respect to any Notes or any other securities. The Tender Offer was made solely pursuant to the terms of the Offer to Purchase. The Tender Offer was not made to holders of Notes in any jurisdiction in which the making or acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities, blue sky or other laws of such jurisdiction. None of Orazul, the Dealer Managers or the Information Agent made any recommendation as to whether holders should tender or refrain from tendering their Notes. Holders were advised to carefully read the Offer to Purchase and the related materials, because they contained important information, including the various terms and conditions of the Tender Offer.

Forward-Looking Statements

This document may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are not based on historical facts and are not assurances of future results. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and estimates about future events and financial trends, which affect or may affect Orazul's businesses and results of operations. The words "believe," "may," "will," "estimate," "continue," "anticipate," "intend," "expect" and similar words are intended to identify estimates and forward-looking statements. These statements include but are not limited to forward-looking statements about the Tender Offer. Although Orazul believes that these forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, these statements are subject to several risks and uncertainties and are made in light of information currently available to Orazul. Estimates and forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. Any changes in such assumptions or factors could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations and Orazul's future results may differ materially from those expressed in these estimates and forward-looking statements.

All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and you should not place reliance on any forward-looking statement contained in this document. Orazul undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or future events or for any other reason.

SOURCE Orazul Energy Peru S.A.
MILWAUKEE, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Outreach Community Health Centers (OCHC) today announced plans to build a new 58,000 square-foot addition west of its existing 210 W. Capitol Drive location. The building, estimated at a cost of $15 million, will connect to the current clinic building. OCHC is working with bond and corporate counsel at Husch Blackwell LLP and the Cities of Glendale and Milwaukee to introduce, authorize and utilize tax-exempt bond financing for the Project.

Outreach Community Health Centers

The addition will expand OCHC's capacity to serve more patients and provide critical behavioral health and primary care services to Milwaukee's uninsured, underinsured and homeless populations.

"Our organization's long-term strategic plan has included a new building for a number of years," said Constance Palmer, President and CEO for Outreach Community Health Centers. "Now that we have assembled a dynamic leadership team and established a solid financial foundation, there is no better time than now to invest in our future."

This new innovative space will be patient-friendly and community-focused. It will offer underground parking and three floors of space to house all the programs currently operated out of the 711 W. Capitol Drive building, as well as provide for the expansion of behavioral health services, care coordination and case management.

When completed, the building will be one of the first WELL Certified buildings in the state of Wisconsin. The WELL Building Standard was developed by the International WELL Building Institute as a vehicle for buildings and organizations to deliver more thoughtful and intentional spaces that enhance human health and well-being. Certification takes place through the International WELL Building Institute.

Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2022 with anticipated occupation of the new building in summer of 2023. All current patient services will continue to be provided during construction. The project team currently includes: Continuum Architects + Planners, Emem Group and JCP Construction.

"Consolidating into one location will position our organization to effectively respond to the critical needs of our community, while delivering the highest quality care," Palmer added.

Over the last 38 years, OCHC's programs have grown to provide a strong continuum of care which respond to the whole life needs of clients and patients. For more information, please visit www.ochc-milw.org or call 414.727.6320.

About Outreach Community Health Centers

Outreach Community Health Centers www.ochc-milw.org provides high-quality primary, family and behavioral health services to people throughout the Greater Milwaukee area, while maintaining our founding mission to serve the homeless, people experiencing extreme poverty, and the uninsured. For more information about supporting OCHC's mission through time, talent or treasure, please visit https://www.ochc-milw.org/donation.

Media Contacts:

Nepherterra Estrada Best

C: 414.704.9932

E: [email protected]

Laura Monagle

C: 414.517.6076

E: [email protected]

SOURCE Outreach Community Health Centers
NEW YORK, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- CyberMDX , a leading cyber security provider dedicated to protecting IoT and medical devices for health delivery worldwide, today announced the release of the Perspectives in Healthcare Security Report. The report, done in collaboration with Philips , examines attitudes, concerns, and impacts on medical device security as well as cybersecurity across large and midsize healthcare delivery organizations. Insights include how they correlate and diverge.

Healthcare is one of the most targeted industries. A recent report from HHS cited a total of 82 ransomware incidents so far this year worldwide with 60% of them impacting the United States health sector. Recent headlines from notorious gangs such as REvil or Conti contribute to the impact where hospitals now account for 30% of all large data breaches and at an estimated cost of $21 billion in 2020 alone.

"With new threat vectors emerging every day, healthcare organizations are facing an unprecedented level of challenges to their security," said Azi Cohen, CEO of CyberMDX. "Hospitals have a lot at stake -- from revenue loss, to reputational damage, and most importantly patient safety. Our new report provides a critical look into the current state of medical device security and will help raise awareness of key issues and disconnects healthcare organizations are facing with their cybersecurity."

The study, conducted by global market research leader Ipsos, surveyed 130 hospital executives in Information Technology (IT) and Information Security (IS) roles, as well BioMed technicians and engineers. The respondents, who averaged 15 years of experience in their fields, provided insight into the current state of medical device security within hospitals as well as highlighted the challenges their organizations face.

Key Findings:

Ransomware is Attacking the Bottom Line - 48% of hospital executives reported either a forced or proactive shutdown in the last 6 months as a result of external attacks or queries.

- 48% of hospital executives reported either a forced or proactive shutdown in the last 6 months as a result of external attacks or queries. Midsize hospitals feeling more pain - Of respondents that experienced a shutdown due to external factors, large hospitals reported an average shutdown time of 6.2 hours at a cost of $21,500 per hour while midsize hospitals averaged nearly 10 hours at more than double the cost or $45,700 per hour.

- Of respondents that experienced a shutdown due to external factors, large hospitals reported an average shutdown time of 6.2 hours at a cost of per hour while midsize hospitals averaged nearly 10 hours at more than double the cost or per hour. Cybersecurity Investment Not a High Priority - Despite continuing cyber-attacks against healthcare and roughly half of respondents experiencing an externally motivated shutdown in the last 6 months, more than 60% of hospital IT teams have "other'' spending priorities and less than 11% say cybersecurity is a high priority spend.

Despite continuing cyber-attacks against healthcare and roughly half of respondents experiencing an externally motivated shutdown in the last 6 months, more than 60% of hospital IT teams have "other'' spending priorities and less than 11% say cybersecurity is a high priority spend. Dangerous Vulnerabilities Persist - When asked about common vulnerabilities such as BlueKeep, WannaCry and NotPetya, the majority of respondents said their hospitals were unprotected. 52% of respondents admitted their hospitals were not protected against the Bluekeep vulnerability, and that number increased 64% for WannaCry and 75% for NotPetya.

When asked about common vulnerabilities such as BlueKeep, WannaCry and NotPetya, the majority of respondents said their hospitals were unprotected. 52% of respondents admitted their hospitals were not protected against the Bluekeep vulnerability, and that number increased 64% for WannaCry and 75% for NotPetya. Lack of Automation Creates Gaps in Security - 65% of IT teams in hospitals rely on manual methods for inventory calculations with 7% still in full manual mode. In addition, 15% of respondents from midsize hospitals and 13% from large hospitals admitted they have no way to determine the number of active or inactive devices within their networks.

65% of IT teams in hospitals rely on manual methods for inventory calculations with 7% still in full manual mode. In addition, 15% of respondents from midsize hospitals and 13% from large hospitals admitted they have no way to determine the number of active or inactive devices within their networks. Is there a Staffing Disconnect? - While 2/3 of IT teams believe they are adequately staffed for cybersecurity, more than half of Biomed teams believe more staff is needed. Conversely, the industry has been experiencing a cybersecurity talent shortage and 100+ day lag to fill jobs.

While 2/3 of IT teams believe they are adequately staffed for cybersecurity, more than half of Biomed teams believe more staff is needed. Conversely, the industry has been experiencing a cybersecurity talent shortage and 100+ day lag to fill jobs. Cyber Insurance and Compliance are Popular Options - 58% of IT teams consider compliance "almost always" and rate it a high impact on their jobs. Similarly, 58% also said they had cyber insurance.

"No matter the size, hospitals need to know about their security vulnerabilities," said Maarten Bodlaender, Head of Cyber Security Services at Philips. "Proper cybersecurity begins with a clear understanding of the evolving landscape, and this survey is part of our ongoing efforts to provide insight into cybersecurity needs across healthcare organizations."

The report is a continuation of the partnership between Philips and CyberMDX announced in November 2020 and represents their joint commitment to provide solutions to protect connected medical systems and devices. Attendees at HIMSS in Las Vegas can catch a live presentation of the results today beginning at 10:45am PST located in Theater A at the Cybersecurity Command Center in Caesars Forum Conference Center.

Details are provided in the Perspectives in Healthcare Security report.

About CyberMDX

CyberMDX is an IOT security leader dedicated to protecting the quality care of health delivery worldwide. CyberMDX provides cloud-based cybersecurity solutions that support the advancement of The Internet of Medical Things. The CyberMDX solution identifies endpoints and assesses vulnerabilities to detect, respond to, and prevent cyber incidents. Deployed worldwide, CyberMDX is designed to integrate with our customers' existing environments through its scalable, easy-to-deploy and agentless solution.

For more information visit cybermdx.com and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn .

Media Contact for CyberMDX

Lazer Cohen

[email protected]

347-753-8256

SOURCE CyberMDX

Related Links

https://www.cybermdx.com/


"I am a 67-year-old man with Poland Syndromethough up until a few years ago I had no idea that is what it is called," writes Richard Walker, one of several contributors to PIP-UK's blog.

Poland Syndrome's status as a rare disease means many doctors do not know it exists. It is a birth difference mainly characterized by the absence of an underdeveloped or missing pectoral muscle. However, other signs, such as webbed fingers or missing digits on one hand, may also be present. The cause is unknown, though reduced blood flow to the affected part in the womb is suspected. When a patient presents with these signs, a long journey of visits with specialists follows, usually ending with inconclusive diagnoses.

"This project is the key to unlocking the uncertainty and information gap that people living with Poland Syndrome experience every day," says Sam Fillingham, CEO of PIP-UK. "This is the foundation to changing perceptions and influencing public health strategy to improve the lives of everyone with Poland Syndrome: giving Poland Syndrome a stronger voice and robust evidence with medical professionals. It is not uncommon to receive a late diagnosis and to have nowhere to go to seek treatment for your Poland Syndrome symptoms. This register will help inform us so we can improve the diagnosis and therapeutic interventions to ensure people are no longer left alone seeking their diagnosis and treatment. This will enable us to conduct research and improve the health outcomes for the Poland Syndrome community. We are excited to get started."

An international patient registry dedicated to Poland Syndrome will help ensure that stories like Walker's no longer happen. Because Poland Syndrome is rare, researchers have few resources to study it. Rare Central, as a rare disease platform that can house data from multiple rare disease communities, allows researchers to study commonalities across diseases and conditions, thereby giving researchers a richer set of data. This in turn can increase the opportunities for effective treatments for several rare diseases at once.

"The patient's voice and their experiences are key to developing any effective treatments," says Dr. Femida Gwadry-Sridhar, founder and CEO of Pulse Infoframe. "By creating a global patient registry using a platform designed specifically for rare diseases, PIP-UK will be able to not only reach out to people around the world who live with Poland Syndrome, but they will also be able to attract the attention of researchers who study similar congenital birth differences, which can provide further insights into possible treatments."

For more information about PIP-UK and to sign up to receive updates on the UK Poland Syndrome Community Register, visit pip-uk.org. For more information about Pulse Infoframe, visit pulseinfoframe.com.

About PIP-UK

PIP-UK's primary goal is to be visible and raise awareness of Poland Syndrome. Very little is known about the rare birth difference and it's hard to find the right people in the know in the medical community. PIP-UK wants to change this situation and make sure people get access to the right information. Their blog has videos on all sorts of things, from how to tie shoelaces to how to prepare your family for a child's surgery. These stories demonstrate that Poland Syndrome should not hold a family back from anything

About Pulse Infoframe Inc.

Pulse Infoframe is a real-world evidence generation, health informatics and insights company that provides a technology and services platform designed to extract, curate, analyze and disseminate evidence-based conclusions that improve the quality of people's lives. Pulse Infoframe provides a full solution for registries, natural history studies and a range of other observational and regulatory grade studies. With provider relationships for patient access, Pulse Infoframe ensures that insights, evidence and publication results are disseminated across the ecosystem, including advocacy organizations, key opinion leaders, researchers and sponsors. Learn more at www.pulseinfoframe.com.

Press Contact:

Nina Liu

18887878573

https://www.pulseinfoframe.com/

SOURCE Pulse Infoframe Inc.
PITTSBURGH, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Pittsburgh based consulting company, CASTUS, announces inaugural cohort of the Fellowship for Minority Business Owners.

"I speak for the entire team when I say, we are thrilled with the level of talent among this year's Fellowship applicants," says CASTUS Founder, Damon Claus.

"I wish to extend a heartfelt "congratulations" to those selected for the Fellowship and a sincere "thank you" to all of those who applied."

This year's cohort includes:

Nisha Blackwell  KNOTZLAND

Chrisarah Johnson  GOOD DAYS BRAND

Selima Dawson  BLAKBIRD JEWELRY

Jazmiere Bates  KIN OF DUNCAN

Taray & Raynise Kelly  SOIL SISTERS PLANT NURSERY

These business owners were selected to participate in the Fellowship based on their leadership, innovative thinking, and contribution to the community. Each of this year's Fellows demonstrates outstanding entrepreneurial thinking and leadership.

The public can support these local and minority owned businesses by voting for the Fellowship Award winner. The CASTUS Fellowship Award is comprised of $5,000 cash funding and a Business Identity workshop with CASTUS. Voting and information about the fellowship can be found at www.castusglobal.com/castus-fellowship.

Contact Us: [email protected]

SOURCE CASTUS

Related Links

https://castusglobal.com


SANTIAGO, Chile, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- VSPT has reported an 11% increase in sales revenue for the second quarter of 2021. International sales volumes rose by 6%, while the volume increases in the domestic Chilean and Argentine markets were 5% and 33% respectively.

A better average price in dollar invoicing also led to an increase of 11% in the international market and an increase of 14% in the domestic Chilean market. Meanwhile, the average dollar price for Argentine domestic sales grew by 11%.

Better prices in the international and domestic Chilean markets can be attributed to a better sales mix. In absolute terms, the wine group's gross margin showed an increase of 7%, from US$ 31 billion to US$ 33 billion1.

As was the case in Q1, these factors enabled VSPT to offset the negative external variables that arose during the first half year, such as the high cost of wine and the exchange rate.

Net profits decreased 29% due to non-operational reasons, such as asset revaluation during 2020.

These are promising results from the group, which ranks among the world's Top 20 wine exporters, and has continued to report positive figures and sustained growth so far this year.

A New Corporate Image Unveiled

The second quarter also saw VSPT reveal a new corporate image, choosing a silhouette of a condor - known as the guardian of Andean culture - to head up the new logo.

The condor is a majestic bird which, in a single flight, can fly across both Chile and Argentina - the territories where the VSPT Wine Group's wines are born. The modern typeface and colour scheme have also been chosen to communicate the company's key messages of sustainability, innovation and passion for winemaking.

VSPT Wine Group Premium Brands Move Forward in the United States

In the United States, VSPT has continued to strengthen its commercial presence through various activities aspiring to increase awareness of the group's main premium brands among the American public.

This includes 1865 from Vina San Pedro, which grows over 240% in volume sales in the second quarter and is excelling with great scores because of its outstanding quality. As well as Sideral, one of the biggest surprises in the US market last year, which is now available with its attractive new label nationwide.

On the other side is Graffigna, the group's latest acquisition from Pernod Ricard in 2019, achieved 84% growth in sales during this second quarter, as well as celebrating being one of the most historical wineries in Argentina with more than 150 years of excellence.

About VSPT Wine Group:

VSPT Wine Group is one of the Top 20 global wine producers (17 million cases per year) and is a leader in wine sales in Chile. Sustainability is at the heart of the world-class organization, which is also among the Top 10 producer in Argentina and is an important player in the world of sparkling wines.

The wine group is comprised of renowned brands with leadership in diverse markets, such as Altair, Cabo de Horno Sideral, 1865, GatoNegro, Gran Reserva Tarapaca and Leyda in Chile, as well as La Celia and Graffigna in Argentina.

[1] Both periods compared with the same Exchange rate (06-30-2021)

SOURCE VSPT Wine Group
"We are thrilled to bring this exquisite collection to the world," said Ron Tan, Executive Chairman & Group CEO of Cityneon Holdings, the brain trust behind the exhibition. "Our partners at World Heritage Exhibitions have perfectly captured our vision to highlight the vast impact of Ramses on the historical development of Egypt. This exhibition will be unlike anything you've ever seen. Visitors will not only walk among priceless relics of the great pharaoh but also experience the sights and sounds of the time through a cutting-edge virtual reality experience. This spectacular exhibition will feature 181 rare Egyptian artifacts; the most impressive collection of artifacts on Ramses II to ever leave Egypt. We are honored to have the opportunity to unveil these rare treasures at such an esteemed institution as the Houston Museum of Natural Science. We are eager for the museum-goers across Texas and the world to immerse themselves in this tremendous time in history."

As visitors walk among real colossal statues, they will explore many of the world's most treasured riches and discover the most significant stories about Ramses and life in Egypt, including Ramses' military victories. The exhibition showcases a dynamic, multimedia re-creation of Ramses' triumph at the Battle of Kadesh, perhaps the largest chariot battle ever fought. On this captivating journey through the exhibition, guests will uncover a stunningly preserved collection of artifacts, including sarcophagi, animal mummies, magnificent jewelry, spectacular royal masks, exquisite amulets, and ornate golden treasures of the tomb, showcasing the superb workmanship of Egyptian artists.

"This exhibition brings a level of production unmatched by any international touring museum exhibition that's on display today," stated World Heritage Exhibitions President, Anthony Tann.

"Cityneon continues to bring world-class experiences to folks across the globe, and we are proud to partner with them once again to bring Ramses the Great and the Gold of the Pharaohs to market. This is an unprecedented exhibition that museum patrons near and far are not going to want to miss."

A once-in-a-lifetime experience, Ramses the Great and the Gold of the Pharaohs is set to the stage of remarkable Egyptian landmarks through never-before-seen drone footage acquired with unprecedented access to many of Egypt's most iconic locations. Guests begin their expedition through a 120-degree curved HD projection screen, providing a dramatic panoramic view of Egypt and unique insight into the life of Ramses the Great, also known as Ramses II. After viewing the entry video, visitors will be immersed in surround-sound audio choreographed with programmed lighting. They will further explore the life of Ramses and the 19th Century surprise discovery of his mummified remains.

"We are privileged to announce this world premiere exhibition for the City of Houston" said Museum President Joel Bartsch. "We are thrilled in our partnership with Cityneon and World Heritage Exhibitions to debut this impressive museum exhibition here at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Our visitors can expect nothing short of a first-class, magnificent journey into the conquests of Ramses the Great and the wonderful antiquities born out of the talented artisans and builders of Egypt's long and prosperous history."

Ramses' tomb was ransacked by robbers and the world believed his mummy and treasures were lost forever. But the legend of the great pharaoh only increased over the centuries. At the exhibition, visitors will explore the dramatic 1881 re-discovery of a mummy cache in a hidden tomb, where Ramses was found among long-lost royal mummies.

"It is vital that Egypt share our historic treasures in exhibitions such as this" remarked Egypt's Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Dr. Mostafa Waziri, who was on-site in Houston for the announcement. "Beyond the benefit of generating funding to protect and restore these artifacts, they additionally act as Egypt's ambassadors to the world. Houston Museum of Natural Science is the perfect setting to introduce this all-new exhibition. Not only is this museum a world-class institution, but Ramses the Great and the Gold of the Pharaohs further augments the beautiful collection of Egyptian artifacts already on display at the institution. Guests who have enjoyed the facility's Hall of Egypt over the years will now have the chance to expand their curiosity with a brand-new exhibition centered on one of Egypt's most notorious rulers in Ramses the Great."

"Ramses II is considered to be the greatest king to ever rule Egypt" championed former Egyptian Minister of Antiquities and notable Egyptian archaeologist Dr. Zahi Hawass. "Many of the structures and artifacts that we've used to trace the history of Egypt were created as a result of Ramses the Great. This exhibition will illuminate the pivotal moments that earned the great pharaoh his place in history while bringing visitors face-to-face with beautiful Egyptian artifacts."

The exhibition will also feature an immersive virtual reality experience depicted in a whirlwind tour of arguably Ramses' most impressive monuments, the temples of Abu Simbel and Nefertari's Tomb. The experience is led by the ghostly incarnation of Ramses' illustrious wife, Nefertari, as she attempts to make it back to the afterlife and her loving husband. Along the way, Nefertari will share how Ramses transformed Egypt as a general, architect, and custodian of the ancient Egyptian religion. In cinematic motion chairs, viewers will fly through temples, sandstorms, and even come face-to-face with Ramses' mummy in this electrifying animated journey.

Ramses the Great and the Gold of the Pharaohs opens November 20th at Houston Museum of Natural Science. Tickets are on sale now. Admission to Ramses the Great and the Gold of the Pharaohs is $20 for members; $35 for adults; $27 for children and seniors (60+). Visit HMNS.org for tickets and information.

About Houston Museum of Natural Science

The Houston Museum of Natural Scienceone of the nation's most heavily attended museumsis a centerpiece of the Houston Museum District. With four floors of permanent exhibit halls, and the Wortham Giant Screen Theatre, Cockrell Butterfly Center, Burke Baker Planetarium and George Observatory and as host to world-class and ever-changing touring exhibitions, the Museum has something to delight every age group. With such diverse and extraordinary offerings, a trip to the Houston Museum of Natural Science, located at 5555 Hermann Park Drive in the heart of the Museum District, is always an adventure.

About Cityneon Holdings

With its global reach and international partnerships, Cityneon has the capability to serve its clients anywhere in the world. Cityneon was listed on the Mainboard of the Singapore Stock Exchange since 2005, and was privatized on February 2019 by West Knighton Limited, a company wholly owned by Cityneon's Executive Chairman and Group CEO, Ron Tan, together with Hong Kong veteran entrepreneur and investor, Johnson Ko Chun Shun. Johnson is a capital markets veteran and has held controlling interests and directorships in many listed companies. In May 2019, Cityneon welcomed CITIC Capital as a new shareholder, who holds approximately 9% shares in Cityneon. CITIC Capital is part of CITIC Group, one of China's largest conglomerates, and has over US$29B of assets under its management across 100 funds and investment products globally. Other institutional shareholders of the Group include EDBI - a Singapore government-linked global investor, and Pavilion Capital - a Singapore-based investment institution which focuses on private equity investments, that made strategic investments to the Group in August and October 2019 respectively. In April 2021, Cityneon welcomed new investors Seatown Holdings International, Qatar's Doha Venture Capital, which will now own approximately 4% of the Group, and other financial institutions and family offices in Singapore and China, joining the already strong stable of shareholders to support the Group's further expansion globally. For more information, please visit www.cityneongroup.com.

About World Heritage Exhibitions

World Heritage Exhibitions (WHE) is a worldwide leader in producing, promoting, and designing blockbuster exhibitions. WHE is renowned for producing the finest quality museum content that captivates, educates, and inspires visitors across the globe. With a combined 50-years of exhibition experience, the executive team is responsible for touring many of the world's most valuable treasures, including objects from King Tutankhamun's tomb, relics from Cleopatra's Royal Palace, artifacts from the Titanic, items from the discovery of Pompeii, and more. Their exhibitions have now been enjoyed by over 30 million people, spanning six continents, and their collective expertise has come together in one of the most influential touring exhibition companies on the planet.

Press Information: Public Information: Melodie Wade (832) 498-4265 or [email protected] (713) 639-4629 or www.hmns.org Sr. VP, Public Relations & Digital Media Press Kit



Craig Hlavaty (281) 221-9401 or [email protected]

Manager, Public Relations & Social Media



SOURCE Houston Museum of Natural Science

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Announces settlement with several convertible note holders and appoints new corporate officers

COCONUT CREEK, Fla., Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - ProBility Media Corp (OTCPK: PBYA), an education company building the first online and hands on combined full-service training and career advancement brand for the skilled trades, settles some of its convertible debt and appoints key new corporate officers within the company.

As part of the recent efforts to restructure its balance sheet, the Company has successfully settled about $500,000 of convertible debt for restricted common stock. The restricted common stock was included in the shares issued to the shareholders of Upstryve in connection with acquisition.. The note holders have stated they are encouraged by the recent strides the Company has made in bringing the company current with OTC Markets and its restructuring.

"We are pleased that we can continue to clean our balance sheet while adding Upstryve to the family of ProBility companies while not affecting a reverse split. We will continue to work towards our goal of a healthy balance sheet and a business model with high growth opportunities, specifically in the online education and tutoring space for vocational trades." stated Noah Davis, President of ProBility.

Company Announces Key Corporate Officer Positions

ProBility has named Dana Jackson as Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Jackson currently holds the position of Vice President of Sales and Marketing at North American Crane Bureau. In addition to sales, Mr. Jackson has handled all logistics and operations for training programs. Prior to NACB, Mr. Jackson had previously worked in sales related to education learning management systems . Mr. Jackson holds key relationships with Fortune 500 companies and training directors across multiple industries which will be invaluable to ProBility's growth.

ProBility has also named Lauren Paino as new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Ms. Paino has held a position at North American Crane Bureau as Controller for the past three years. She has also been instrumental in ProBility's restructuring efforts and work to bring the Company current with OTC Markets. Ms. Paino will take over the role from Noah Davis who will remain as President of the Company.

ProBility has also named Juan Garcia as Chief Learning Officer (CLO) for the company. Mr. Garcia was co-founder and President of Disco Learning Media (Disco) prior to selling the company to ProBility in 2018. Since that time he has remained as President of Disco. He brings his years of experience in working with the academic world including Government agencies, nonprofits and universities. He was behind the development of programs such as Energy 101, Top Core as well as others.

ProBility has named Johanna Viscaino as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) for the company. Ms. Viscaino previously held the same position at Upstryve. She is an experienced digital content producer in the e-learning industry. She has been a key part to the branding and growth behind the brands in the company.

ProBility has named Ori Gross as Chief Information Officer (CIO). Mr. Gross has worked with ProBility since before the original reverse merger in 2016. He has served as head of IT during that time. He brings his years of experience with learning management systems and e-commerce platforms.

About Upstryve Inc

Upstryve is the only tutoring platform dedicated to providing aspiring professionals an affordable all-encompassing learning experience. Upstryve provides 1 on 1 contractor license exam preparation for professionals to confidently pass their state or national exams and obtain their contractor license. It's platform links aspiring trade professionals with expert trade tutors and instructors who have years of experience in the field. Students work with tutors who guide them through typical struggles and help them gain the confidence they need before exam day. It's instructors specialize in exam preparation for all construction and trades, National Trade Association Exams, Contractors, Electricians, Plumbing, HVAC, Engineering, Healthcare, Utilities and more. Upstryve offers existing industry experts to earn from three sources, hourly tutoring at their desired hourly rate, affiliated sales of study materials and the ability to publish study materials, test questions and specialized courses through its publishing platform. For more information, visit www.upstryve.com.

About ProBility Media Corp.

ProBility Media Corp. is an industrial education and training technology company headquartered in Coconut Creek, Florida, offering education online and in person programs including training in a variety of vocational industries. ProBility is executing a disruptive strategy of defragmenting the education and training marketplace by offering high quality training courses and materials to prepare the workforce for excellence. ProBility services customers from the individual to the small business to the enterprise level corporation. For more information, visit www.ProBilityMedia.com .

Forward-Looking Statements

This Press Release may contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements reflect the Company's current beliefs and are based upon information currently available to it. Accordingly, such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or advise in the event of any change, addition or alteration to the information included in this Press Release including such forward-looking statements, except as required by federal securities laws.

SOURCE Probility Media Corp.

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http://www.ProBilityMedia.com


PORTLAND, Ore., Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research recently published a report, titled, "Rainscreen Cladding Market by Material (Composite Material, Metal, Fiber Cement, Ceramic, and Others), Application (Residential, Commercial, and Industrial), and Construction (New Construction and Renovation): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20212030". As per the report, the global rainscreen cladding market was pegged at $113.31 billion in 2020, and is estimated to reach $206.63 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 6.0% from 2021 to 2030.

Key determinants of the market-

Rapid urbanization, growth in the construction sector, and rise in spending on home remodeling and retrofitting activities drive the global rainscreen cladding market. In addition, increase in adoption of IoT-enabled connected devices fuels the market growth even more. On the other hand, unreliability in harsh weather conditions and fluctuation in raw material prices hamper the market growth. Nevertheless, rise in construction of green buildings projected to unlock new opportunities for the market in the coming years.

Download Sample PDF (148 Pages with More Insight): https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/8224

Covid-19 scenario:

The COVID 19 outbreak affected the growth of the global rainscreen cladding industry due to several lockdown measures.

Suspended manufacturing and production and the disrupted supply chain management of rainscreen cladding panels further impacted the market. In addition, declined demand from industrial, residential, and commercial spaces impacted the sales negatively.

Nevertheless, the government bodies all across the region are supporting the industry to recoup by relaxing regulations as well as initiating vaccinations drives.

Composite material segment to dominate the market throughout the forecast period-

Based on material, the composite material segment dominated the market with the largest share in 2020, holding more than two-fifths of the market. This is owing to the benefits associated with composite materials such as long durability, chemical resistance, corrosion resistance, design flexibility, and high performance at elevated temperatures. Conversely, the ceramic segment is expected to exhibit the highest CAGR of 6.9% during the forecast period. The fact that ceramic rainscreen cladding has higher absorption rate and a special coated layer with a glaze, which seals and protect it from rainwater, and avoid moisture control drives the growth of the segment.

Get detailed COVID-19 impact analysis on the Rainscreen Cladding Market:

https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-for-customization/8224

Commercial segment lead the trail throughout the forecast period-

Based on application, the commercial segment held the highest market revenue in 2020, accounting for ore than two-thirds of the market. Increase in commercial construction activities is the major factor propels the growth of the segment. On the other hand, the residential segment is anticipated to cite the highest CAGR of 6.9% during the forecast period. The economic growth and high urbanization in developing countries augment the growth of the segment.

Europe to lead the trail, North America to grow at a significant pace-

Based on region, the global rainscreen cladding market across Europe accounted for the largest share in 2020, holding more than one-third of the market. However, the market across Asia-Pacific region is estimated to portray the highest CAGR of 6.8% from 2021 to 2030. This is due to urbanization and economic development in the emerging countries such as Japan, China, the U.S, and others. Moreover, the market across North America is expected to grow significantly.

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Key Market players-

Rockwool International A/S

Kingspan Group

Sika AG

SFS Group AG

CGL Systems Ltd

Trespa International B.V.

Valcan

Sotech Optima ALL

The Clarison Group Ltd (Alucraft Ltd)

Euro Panels Overseas N.V.

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Avenue is a user-based library of global market report database, provides comprehensive reports pertaining to the world's largest emerging markets. It further offers e-access to all the available industry reports just in a jiffy. By offering core business insights on the varied industries, economies, and end users worldwide, Avenue ensures that the registered members get an easy as well as single gateway to their all-inclusive requirements.

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SOURCE Allied Market Research
AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Vertalo, the digital transfer agent that connects and enables the digital asset ecosystem, is proud to announce the licensing of their platform by My Vertical Equity (MVE), which is focused on providing a platform for commercial real estate syndicators and investors to collaborate and invest. The goal is to make both capital and solid investments more accessible, liquid, and tradable. MVE is utilizing the Vertalo platform to create a marketplace of proven syndicators to be marketed to a broader group of investors. It will also allow current investors of syndicators to explore the option of working with others in the syndication space while still allowing the current relationship to be financially beneficial. The goal is to improve all aspects of the real estate ownership experience, and streamline the investors onboarding, tracking and exit experience for their real assets while moving an industry as old as time into the digital asset securities space. The platform will also simplify the life cycle of real estate including the acquisition, management, and sale of a hard asset.

My Vertical Equity is bringing the Vertalo technology to multiple qualified real estate capital raises with a select few vetted issuers and rethinking real estate syndication from the ground up in the United States and eventually around the world. MVE's purpose is to transform the face of ownership of commercial grade assets. This platform will revolutionize the exchange of real estate assets to become simpler, more inclusive, and engaging to allow for more efficient capital raises for commercial real estate from a more diverse group of investors.

The target for My Vertical Equity is to bring on 50 issuers of real estate assets, 10-15 vetted and experienced syndicators, and 1,000 investors to the platform to raise over $100m in the next two years. The projects will be representative of an environment of inclusivity regardless of social or economic status and will strive to reduce the barriers to entry into both real estate investment and capital raising through deploying technology-based solutions to a wide range of investors. This platform will allow for collaboration on large scale assets by people who were once considered outsiders to the deal.

My Vertical Equity will use Vertalo's customizable capital formation technology and investor onboarding product, Vertalo I/O , to assist issuers in raising capital. This is an opportunity for MVE to improve not only the onboarding process and experience for commercial real estate sponsors, investors, distributors, and team members. But it will allow well-qualified boutique syndicators to join forces with a single platform to position themselves in front of large pools of capital through the collective marketing resources and strategies of MVE. These focused investors will be presented with multiple capital options that may or may not have been presented to them because of the collective efforts of inclusivity brought from the MVE platform.

Currently, there is a weak spot in data management, KYC, and marketing for real estate syndicators attempting to diversify their capital stacks. Conversely there is a huge blind spot for investors looking to diversify investments and retirement strategies My Vertical Equity sees an opportunity to allow real estate professionals to focus on growing their businesses, rather than spend time on tech and marketing. With collective marketing and tech budgets the goal is to allow main street to compete with wall street. In fact the goal of MVE is to allow everyone to play at a higher level and have every advantage previously only afforded to the well-funded, ultra-developers and family offices.

Vertalo and My Vertical Equity also plan to add cryptocurrency intake for investment and distribution to open real estate investment opportunities to investors in the digital currency space looking to diversify from and rotate into real estate & digital securities. Together, they believe that adding crypto payment and distribution capabilities will permit new funds and investors to flow into the commercial real estate space. In addition, it will allow investors to cross asset classes seamlessly and diversify without complicated transactions while understanding the value of decentralized assets and cash flow.

This partnership will add attribution functionality to offer kickback payments to those who bring their investors to the platform to encourage syndicators and real estate investors to bring on their lists of investors, creating more ways for syndicators to profit off of deals that they're not raising capital for. This will gamify the investor sharing experience for syndicators as it changes the industry attitude from not wanting to share investors and information, to incentivizing and encouraging it.

Dave Hendricks, CEO & Co-founder of Vertalo, says, "Vertalo seeks creative partners like Shannon Robnett. He is among a forward-thinking group of pioneers who are always looking to implement digital asset technology to improve their real estate capital formation process. Vertalo VRE was created for teams like My Vertical Equity: to help build a business powered by accessible syndication technology. The Vertalo VRE team looks forward to enabling My Vertical Equity to carry out its vision for their real estate goals."

Shannon Robnett, CEO & Founder of My Vertical Equity, says, "We chose Vertalo because the team, product, values, and vision align with our Mission statement. Many Companies have mission statements.

What sets MVE and Vertalo apart from the rest is we both constantly strive to bring improvement to people's daily lives. Additionally, it is our responsibility to pursue outstanding partnerships, create exceptional opportunities for everyone through innovation and honesty, and bring abundance to every area of the people's lives we impact. We want to create a legacy of lasting impact; to become the greatest vehicle in the world for acquiring sustainable success in every area of our investors, team members' and partners' lives."

Vertalo will be hosting the Digital Asset and Securities Conference on September 21-23, 2021 in Austin, Texas. The event will bring together buyers, issuers, integrators, skeptics, lawyers, and everyone in between to connect and enable a stronger ecosystem and further the understanding of the intersection of Digital Assets and Securities.

For more information on Vertalo Real Estate, visit www.vertalo.com or stay updated with Vertalo's communications:

Telegram  https://t.me/vertalotoken

Twitter  https://twitter.com/vertalo_?lang=en

Medium  https://medium.com/@Vertalo

LinkedIn  https://www.linkedin.com/company/vertalo

For more information on My Vertical Equity, visit or stay updated with MVE's communications:

Website  https://www.myverticalequity.com/

LinkedIn  https://www.linkedin.com/company/shannon-robnett-industries/

Podcast - https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/robnetts-real-estate-run-down-1035150

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/real_estate_run_down/

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9vLZcgd4hnKMiUzSsrDOcw

Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/shannonrobnettindustries

About Vertalo

Launched after their own March 2018 STO, Vertalo is a B2B SaaS company founded to map the gaps between primary and secondary trading of digital securities offerings. As the 'Operating System for Digital Assets', Vertalo is focused on connecting and enabling the digital asset economy, providing an industry-leading cap table and investor onboarding solution that facilitates direct ownership and direct listing of any private asset. In addition to offering direct issuance services to private companies, Vertalo also offers white-label, licensed, and joint venture opportunities to capital advisors, broker-dealers, and investment banks. A subsidiary of SeriesX, Vertalo is headquartered in Austin, TX with offices in New York City, Philadelphia, and Seoul. Learn more about SeriesX and Vertalo at www.vertalo.com .

About My Vertical Equity

For Many years the founders of My Vertical Equity have been effecting change in the business' they have been building. This includes over 85 years of combined business experience. Shannon Robnett, Alvin Hope Johnson, Jonothan Bing, J Massey, Dean Shupe and An Unnamed lady have individually built a strong reputation as industry leaders who have brought education and change to the financial landscape of those around them. this has been done using both commercial and residential real estate investments. Now as a group they are a formidable force of change by investing in multi-family and commercial properties nationwide. My Vertical Equity, has grown out of a necessity to to become an agent of in real estate syndication and fund raising for investors across the nation.

CONTACT: Katie Campisano, [email protected]

SOURCE Vertalo

Related Links

http://www.vertalo.com


NEW DELHI, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- As per the report "Global Respiratory Syncytial Virus Market  Industry Dynamics, Market Size, and Opportunity Forecast to 2027" published by Astute Analytica, the Global Respiratory Syncytial Market is forecast to clock CAGR of 14.9% during the period 2021-2027.

Request for a sample report: https://www.astuteanalytica.com/request-sample/respiratory-syncytial-virus-market

The market is lacking with availability of drugs for the treatment of RSV, very few drugs are approved by the FDA for the disease. Among the available drug type segment, Virazole, an FDA approved drug is expected to grow at the highest CAGR of about 15.9% due to its characteristic of broad spectrum of antiviral activity in vitro, where it inhibits the replication of RSV.

The research study analyzes the impact of some of the key market drivers such as high prevalence of RSV and other related respiratory tract infections in the world and emergence of targeted therapy. As per the research analysis, the annual RSV burden worldwide was 33.1 million in 2015, resulting in 3.2 million hospitalizations and 59,600 fatalities in children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one to two out of every hundred children under the age of six months with RSV may require hospitalization. Some of them may need oxygen, intubation, or mechanical ventilation, but the majority of them will improve with supportive treatment. Antiviral medications are the frequent targeted therapy, and they work by inhibiting one or more processes of virus replication. In 2018, researchers tested recombinant Ab from Palivizumab and Motavizumab with the IgA isotype as a targeted treatment against RSV. These ongoing researches and emerging drug pipeline also contribute to the growth of market. However, high cost required for advanced therapies and inaccessibility of diagnostic facilities seems to obstruct the market growth.

Rising government funding for treatment and proactive government initiatives generates profitable opportunities

The government has shown a willingness to work with the industry to support industrial growth. The federal government of the United States has played a critical role in the early development of numerous sectors, not only via research and development, but also through financial support for nascent businesses and government procurement. In 2019, almost 80 new research projects were funded, representing a 44 percent increase in the number of funded infectious proposals as compared to 2018. Moreover, the government agencies included in the list of pre-clinical vaccine developers along with pharmaceutical companies. Therefore, such funding and support from the government are expected to create a lucrative opportunities for the market growth.

North America Respiratory Syncytial (RSV) Market: Top-tier region in the global market

In 2020, the North America Respiratory Syncytial (RSV) Market is projected to have the largest hold, with a share of around 38 per cent in the global RSV market due to an increased rate of infection in the region. RSV infection is responsible for around 2.1 million annual outpatient visits among children under the age of five in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Increased access to disease treatment is also expected to raise the demand for respiratory syncytial virus treatments in the region.

There is a high penetration of respiratory syncytial virus drugs in the established healthcare facilities in countries, such as Japan and Australia which greatly contributed to the growth of the APAC RSV market in at the fastest CAGR of 17.0% during the forecast period.

Get Full Research Summary on "Global Respiratory Syncytial Virus Market"

https://www.astuteanalytica.com/industry-report/respiratory-syncytial-virus-market

Competitive Landscape

AstraZeneca, AbbVie, Inc., Bausch Health Companies, Inc., Pfizer, Inc., SOBI, GlaxoSmithKline, and others are key participants in the Global Respiratory Syncytial Virus Market. These companies are doing clinical trials on RSV candidate vaccines and treatments to stay competitive in the market, and accounted for number of developing medications in their pipelines. GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson, and Pfizer are current market leaders in RSV vaccines, are all pursuing major Phase II research for their prospects. GlaxoSmithKline plans to start a phase 3 research in older individuals in February 2021 to examine its respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine candidate. The vaccine was well tolerated and showed promising safety and immunogenicity.

Segment Outline

Market segments comprehend in the report include market size analysis based on revenue in different categories. For instance, oral route under dosage form is projected to grow at the highest CAGR of 15.9% in the forecast period while injectable form holds the maximum share of more than 50% in 2020.

Similarly, the immune prophylaxis among all the treatment types dominated the global market with around 65 percent share in 2020 while antiviral medications is projected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 15.9% during the forecast period.

The report provides thorough analysis of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Market  Industry Dynamics, Market Size and Opportunity Forecast to 2027, based on the following segments:

By Drug Type

Synagis



Ribavirin



Virazole



Palivizumab



Riba Tab



Others

By Dosage Form

Injectable



Oral



Inhaler



Others

By Treatment Type

Immune Prophylaxis



Supportive Care



Antiviral Medications

By Distribution Channel

Hospital Pharmacies



Drug Stores



Retail Pharmacies



Clinics

By Geography

North America



United States





Canada





Mexico



Europe



The UK





Germany





France





Italy





Spain





Poland





Russia





Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

China





India





Japan





Australia & New Zealand

&



ASEAN





Rest of Asia Pacific

Middle East & Africa (MEA)

UAE





Saudi Arabia





South Africa





Rest of MEA

South America

Argentina





Brazil





Rest of South America

For more details on report scope, please click here submit sample request @ https://www.astuteanalytica.com/request-sample/respiratory-syncytial-virus-market

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About Astute Analytica

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SOURCE Astute Analytica
BEIJING and HANGZHOU, China, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Roan Holdings Group Co., Ltd. ("Roan" or the "Company") (OTC Pink: RAHGF and RONWF), a provider of diversified solutions in financial, insurance and healthcare related products and management services, today announced the appointment of Mr. Junfeng Wang as Chairman of the Board. Mr. Wang is the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Simultaneously with the appointment, Mr. Zhigang Liu resigned from his position as Chairman of the Board due to personal reasons.

Mr. Wang has over 15-year experience in product research and development, corporate management. He has expertise in the IT and internet industry and in the structuring and design of internet-related products. He was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Company since August 10, 2020, worked as a Technical Director with Beijing Chenglianxin Technology Co., Ltd., Internet in Logistics Platform section from 2016 to July 2020. From 2015 to 2016, he held the same type of technical director position with Juewei Group Beijing Digital Marketing Center in the Food Processing Department. He holds an MBA degree from Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunication.

Mr. Wang commented: "I am excited to chair the Board and look forward to leveraging my expertise to dedicate fully to driving the development of the Company with my team. We will further reform Roan's strategic and management structure and enable the Company to be better prepared to serve our clients, deliver outstanding returns to our investors."

About Roan Holdings Group Co., Ltd.

Founded in 2009, Roan Holdings Group Co., Ltd. (OTC Pink: RAHGF and RONWF) is a financial, insurance and healthcare related solutions company serving individuals and micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises ("MSMEs") in China. Roan provides health management, assets management, and insurance, healthcare and consumer financing services to employees of large institutions. Roan has offices in Hangzhou and Beijing and subsidiaries in Hangzhou, Ningbo, Guangzhou, Shaoxing, Urumqi and Tianjin. For more information, please visit: www.roanholdingsgroup.com

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements relate to, among others, the consummation of the proposed transaction, and can be identified by terminology such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "aim," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "potential," "continue," "is/are likely to" or other similar expressions. Such statements are based upon management's current expectations of the consummation of the proposed transaction, and relate to events that involve known or unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company's control. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under law.

IR Contact:

At the Company:

Katrina Wu

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +86-571-8662 1775

Investor Relations:

Janice Wang

EverGreen Consulting Inc.

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +1 571-464-9470 (from U.S.)

+86 13811768559 (from China)

SOURCE Roan Holdings Group Co., Ltd.
VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- ScalePad is excited to announce a warranty services expansion to six additional countries, delivering the ability to extend warranties on servers and networking equipment in Belgium, Finland, Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden, and South Africa. With several hundred managed service provider (MSP) partners across EMEA, today marks the first time the company has offered ScalePad Warranty Services in the region outside Western Europe.

ScalePad EMEA Expansion

"ScalePad Warranty Service extensions on assets with expiring or expired OEM warranties have been one of our most valuable features for our partners, providing both protection for client assets and a profitable revenue stream for our partners. We are proud to extend this successful service offering to our MSP partners in the Nordics, across all three Benelux nations, and to South Africa," said Dan Wensley, chief executive officer of ScalePad. "This unlocks a great opportunity, both for ScalePad and our partners, by meeting an important client need already being leveraged by thousands of our partners today."

ScalePad partners are now able to offer next-business day, hassle-free ScalePad Warranty Services on servers for clients anywhere in Belgium, Finland, Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden, and South Africa. Nine of the most popular OEM server brands are supported, including Dell, HPE, and IBM, with no reinstatement fees for adding coverage to clients' currently out-of-warranty servers. Warranty protection for selected networking equipment is also available. Help desk support for warrantied equipment is provided by ScalePad Warranty Services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. All repairs use 100% genuine OEM parts.

"ScalePad Warranty Services provides profitable growth for our partners while at the same time reducing risk for their clients," stated Wensley. "It's been huge for partners in North America and other global markets, and we're proud to bring this ScalePad service to six more countries in EMEA."

About ScalePad

ScalePad helps MSPs easily identify and prioritize their asset risks and revenue-generating opportunities. Our insightful reports not only communicate asset status to your customers, but will also drive them into making important IT investments to improve their environment.

ScalePad's innovative software is trusted by more than 8,500 partners across 76 countries and is used by over 60% of the MSP 501.

This article was first published on https://www.scalepad.com/news-events/scalepad-warranty-adds-six-nations-in-emea

ScalePad Media Contact

Dina Genkin

[email protected]

415-985-2895

www.ScalePad.com/news

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ScalePad

ScalePad EMEA Expansion

SOURCE ScalePad
OTCQX: SHWZ

DENVER, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Schwazze, (OTCQX: SHWZ) ("Schwazze" or the "Company"), announces that it will host a second quarter 2021 conference call and webcast on August 16, 2021 at 4:30 p.m. ET.

Q2 2021 Webcast

Investors and stakeholders may participate in the conference call by dialing 416 764 8650 or by dialing North American toll free 888-664-6383 or listen to the webcast from the Company's website at https://ir.schwazze.com. The webcast will be available on the Company's website and on replay until August 30, 2021, and may be accessed by dialing 888-390-0541 / Code 605725#.

Following their prepared remarks, Chief Executive Officer, Justin Dye and Chief Financial Officer, Nancy Huber will answer investor questions. Investors may submit questions in advance or during the conference call itself through the weblink: https://produceredition.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1481988&tp_key=212e8e52ee This weblink has been posted to the Company's website and will be archived on the website. All Company SEC filings can also be accessed on the Company website at https://ir.schwazze.com/sec-filings

About Schwazze

Schwazze (OTCQX: SHWZ) is building the premier vertically integrated cannabis company in Colorado and plans to take its operating system to other states where it can develop a differentiated leadership position. Schwazze is the parent company of a portfolio of leading cannabis businesses and brands spanning seed to sale. The Company is committed to unlocking the full potential of the cannabis plant to improve the human condition. Schwazze is anchored by a high-performance culture that combines customer-centric thinking and data science to test, measure, and drive decisions and outcomes. The Company's leadership team has deep expertise in retailing, wholesaling, and building consumer brands at Fortune 500 companies as well as in the cannabis sector. Schwazze is passionate about making a difference in our communities, promoting diversity and inclusion, and doing our part to incorporate climate-conscious best practices. Medicine Man Technologies, Inc. was Schwazze's former operating trade name. The corporate entity continues to be named Medicine Man Technologies, Inc.

Schwazze derives its name from the pruning technique of a cannabis plant to enhance plant structure and promote healthy growth.

SOURCE Medicine Man Technologies, Inc.
NEW YORK, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The world continues to change every day, bringing new ideas to the table. Ever had that light bulb moment and found a clever solution to a problem? That is what the 40-year-old Israeli, licensed salesperson turned Founder and CEO, Shalom Avramov and his silent partner Eli Shalamov, realized after visiting Israel, the place where he was born and raised. Now settled in the United States, he seized the idea and tweaked the business model to a new level. ZavoMedia Group believes in Shalom's vision and the endless success he will achieve as a groundbreaking businessman who developed a concept for a zero waste and sustainable way of making memories last forever. The luxury crystal and wooden frames have created endless memories for guests. That's where his business, Woodibook , took off and gained a foothold in corporate, and lifestyle events in New York.

Founder and CEO of Woodibook Corporate & Lifestyle Sustainable Frames

It's All About Research and Preparation

After brewing the concept of Woodibook, Shalom proceeded to work on his plans. "Do plenty of research first because it can help you a great deal in the beginning." It's wise to prepare before everything goes into action. His advice goes to all young entrepreneurs who are starting in the business industry. Shalom spent hours of research online when he's not working. He'd go to sleep at 4:00 AM and wake up three hours later to go to work. It was a grueling six-month period of insufficient rest, but he persisted. That's intense dedication and passion for Shalom in paving his way to entrepreneurship.

Shalom admitted that hardships kept showing up along the way, but he confronted these obstacles head-on. "The most challenging part was getting events. We had to start with low prices and be the first one to reach out to clients. Since our business was something new to people, we had to go beyond to convince them."

Versatility comes as a vital tool in dealing with clients. Some may be convinced at first glance, while some remain skeptical. "Consistency is the most important thing. You need to believe in your product. If people see that you are confident with your products and services, they would also want to get involved with your business."

Zero Waste Concept

It is thanks to Shalom's keen observations that Woodibook continues to gain momentum. He noted that people attending corporate events or other occasions leave empty-handed. "People going home without a souvenir makes it easier for them to forget about the event. I wanted to change that by imprinting images onto blocks that people can easily display on their desks or hang on their walls." By capturing the memories permanently, companies have a way of reminding people about the experience.

There's no need to spend extra money on frames since these blocks are already durable and display-worthy. Clients have the option to choose between wood, stone, or crystal, which are sustainable and long-lasting. Shalom's success is a testament to how a simple idea can grow into a lucrative business. "As a result, our products act as keepsakes that people won't throw away, explained Shalom."

Media contact:

Heather Peterson

[email protected]

707-278-6742

SOURCE Woodibook
NEW YORK, Aug. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against RenovaCare, Inc. ("RenovaCare" or the "Company") (OTCMKTS: RCAR) and certain of its officers. The class action, filed in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, and docketed under 21-cv-13930, is on behalf of a class consisting of all persons and entities other than Defendants that purchased or otherwise acquired RenovaCare securities between August 14, 2017 and May 28, 2021, inclusive (the "Class Period"). Plaintiff pursues claims against the Defendants under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act").

If you are a shareholder who purchased or otherwise acquired RenovaCare securities during the Class Period, you have until September 14, 2021 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com. To discuss this action, contact Robert S. Willoughby at [email protected] or 888.476.6529 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

RenovaCare is a development stage company that has not generated any revenue since its inception and has no commercialized products. Its activities primarily consist of research and development, business development, and capital raises. It owns the CellMist System, which consists of a treatment method for cell isolation for the regeneration of human skin cells and other tissues (the CellMist Solution) and a solution sprayer device to deliver cells to the treatment area (the SkinGun).

The complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company's business, operations, and compliance policies. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) at the direction of the Company's controlling shareholder and Chairman, Harmel Rayat ("Rayat"), RenovaCare engaged in a promotional campaign to issue misleading statements to artificially inflate the Company's stock price; (ii) when OTC Markets Group, Inc. ("OTC Markets") inquired, RenovaCare and Rayat issued a materially false and misleading press release claiming that no director, officer, or controlling shareholder had any involvement in the purported third party's promotional materials; (iii) as a result of the foregoing, the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were defective; and (iv) as a result of the foregoing, Defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.

On May 28, 2021, the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") issued a litigation release stating that RenovaCare was being charged with alleged securities fraud. According to the SEC's complaint, between July 2017 and January 2018, Rayat "arranged, and caused RenovaCare to pay for, a promotional campaign designed to increase the company's stock price." Specifically, "Rayat was closely involved in directing the promotion and editing promotional materials, and arranged to funnel payments to the publisher through consultants to conceal RenovaCare's involvement in the campaign." When OTC Markets requested that RenovaCare explain its relationship to the promotion, the complaint alleges that "Rayat and RenovaCare then drafted and issued a press release and a Form 8-K that contained material misrepresentations and omissions denying Rayat's and the company's involvement in the promotion."

On this news, the Company's stock price fell $0.66, or 24.8%, over three consecutive trading sessions to close at $2.00 per share on June 2, 2021.

The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Paris is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 80 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com

CONTACT:

Robert S. Willoughby

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

888-476-6529 ext. 7980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP

Related Links

www.pomerantzlaw.com


Trading Symbol

TSX: SVM

NYSE American: SVM

VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Silvercorp Metals Inc. ("Silvercorp" or the "Company") (TSX: SVM) (NYSE American: SVM) is pleased to report results from its exploration programs at the GC silver-lead-zinc mine, Guangdong Province, China. Extensive drilling and tunneling are ongoing at the GC mine with seven rigs currently drilling.

From October 1, 2019 to June 30, 2021, 72,878 metres ("m") from a total of 704 underground diamond drill holes were completed at the GC mine, including 27,527 m from 268 holes completed in the first six months of 2021. Assay results for all the holes have been received, with 577 holes intercepting mineralization.

The diamond drilling program at the GC mine targeted: (1) blocks of known silver-lead-zinc veins in and above the production area; and (2) exploration drilling at higher elevations in the north and south sides of the resource areas.

Drilling Intersected Thick and High-Grade Veins In and Above the Production Areas

Detailed drilling of blocks of known silver-lead-zinc veins in and above the GC mine production areas intersected high-grade veins. These mineralized occurrences were previously missed due to limited drilling and tunneling, changes in the strikes and dips, and/or pinch-swelling of the pay-zones in the veins.

The high-grade intercepts from this period are associated with parallel silver-lead-zinc veins V2-2, V2-3, V2-4, V2-4E, V2-7, V2E, V2E1, V2E6, V2W, V2W-4, V2W-9, V5-7, V5-9, V7, V7-1, V7-1E, V7-3, V9-4, V9-5, V9W-2N, V9W-5, V10, V10-1, V10-20, NV10, V19, V19-8, V25, V25-1, and V25-4. Other veins include V11, V16, and NV28. There are 24 new vein structures discovered in and above the production areas, including V2E4, V2E-4E, V2E-8, V7-2, V7-5, V7S, V8-2, V8-5, V10-10, V10-11, C10-17, V10-1S, V10W, V18-2, V18-3, V18-4, V19-2, V19-7, and V19-8. The Company is currently working on a technical report on the GC mine to update the resources and reserves as of December 31, 2020. It is expected that mineralization in these structures can be converted quickly into reserves and mined with existing underground workings.

Highlights of high-grade intercepts at the GC mine production area:

Hole 20CK24A02 intersected a 6.13 m interval ( 6.01 m true width) of vein V2E1 grading 258 grams per tonne ("g/t") silver ("Ag"), 7.05% lead ("Pb"), and 7.05% zinc ("Zn") at the -211 m elevation, which includes a 1.10 m interval ( 1.08 m true width) grading 462 g/t Ag, 25.57% Pb, and 5.21% Zn at the -211 m elevation;

intersected a interval ( true width) of vein V2E1 grading 258 grams per tonne ("g/t") silver ("Ag"), 7.05% lead ("Pb"), and 7.05% zinc ("Zn") at the elevation, which includes a interval ( true width) grading 462 g/t Ag, 25.57% Pb, and 5.21% Zn at the elevation; Hole 20CK2609 intersected a 7.60 m interval ( 7.32 m true width) of vein V2E1 grading 284 g/t Ag, 5.80% Pb, and 4.48% Zn at the -229 m elevation, which includes a 1.18 m interval ( 1.14 m true width) grading 788 g/t Ag, 23.33% Pb, and 7.54% Zn at the -229 m elevation;

intersected a interval ( true width) of vein V2E1 grading 284 g/t Ag, 5.80% Pb, and 4.48% Zn at the elevation, which includes a interval ( true width) grading 788 g/t Ag, 23.33% Pb, and 7.54% Zn at the elevation; Hole 20CK3025 intersected a 2.93 m interval ( 2.79 m true width) of vein NV28 grading 417 g/t Ag, 19.22% Pb, and 1.72% Zn at the -11 m elevation, which includes a 1.48 m interval ( 1.34 m true width) grading 815 g/t Ag, 37.47% Pb, and 2.12% Zn at the -11 m elevation;

intersected a interval ( true width) of vein NV28 grading 417 g/t Ag, 19.22% Pb, and 1.72% Zn at the elevation, which includes a interval ( true width) grading 815 g/t Ag, 37.47% Pb, and 2.12% Zn at the elevation; Hole 19CK11308 intersected a 2.11 m interval ( 1.88 m true width) of vein V9W-5 grading 454 g/t Ag, 11.00% Pb, and 2.76% Zn at the 150 m elevation, which includes a 0.84 m interval ( 0.65 m true width) grading 1,066 g/t Ag, 25.31% Pb, and 4.85% Zn at the 150 m elevation;

intersected a interval ( true width) of vein V9W-5 grading 454 g/t Ag, 11.00% Pb, and 2.76% Zn at the elevation, which includes a interval ( true width) grading 1,066 g/t Ag, 25.31% Pb, and 4.85% Zn at the elevation; Hole 19CK10707 intersected a 2.59 m interval ( 2.07 m true width) of vein V10-1 grading 345 g/t Ag, 1.36% Pb, and 14.87% Zn at the 156 m elevation, which includes a 1.59 m interval ( 1.27 m true width) grading 550 g/t Ag, 2.14% Pb, and 23.45% Zn at the 156 m elevation;

intersected a interval ( true width) of vein V10-1 grading 345 g/t Ag, 1.36% Pb, and 14.87% Zn at the elevation, which includes a interval ( true width) grading 550 g/t Ag, 2.14% Pb, and 23.45% Zn at the elevation; Hole 20CK4608 intersected a 1.75 m interval ( 1.21 m true width) of vein V33 grading 308 g/t Ag, 2.08% Pb, and 16.28% Zn at the -4 m elevation; and

intersected a interval ( true width) of vein V33 grading 308 g/t Ag, 2.08% Pb, and 16.28% Zn at the elevation; and Hole 20CK11805 intersected a 0.74 m interval ( 0.74 m true width) of newly discovered vein V18-3 grading 557 g/t Ag, 1.21% Pb, and 14.82% Zn at the -11 m elevation.

Drilling Intersected Newly-Discovered High-Grade Veins at Higher Elevations to the North and South of the Existing Resource Area

Exploratory underground drilling discovered high-grade Ag-Pb-Zn veins V33-1, V33-2, V35, V52-2, V52-3, and V59 in the south and veins NV2, NV3 and NV6 in the north of the existing resource area at the GC mine. These discoveries confirm the potential to expand the resource area outwards and extend the mine life at the GC mine.

Hole 21CK4235 intersected a 2.71 m interval ( 2.19 m true width) of newly discovered vein V52-2 grading 264 g/t Ag, 0.25% Pb, and 17.02% Zn at the -3 m elevation;

intersected a interval ( true width) of newly discovered vein V52-2 grading 264 g/t Ag, 0.25% Pb, and 17.02% Zn at the elevation; Hole 21CK4820 intersected a 2.16 m interval ( 1.30 m true width) of newly discovered vein V35 grading 539 g/t Ag, 8.06% Pb, and 3.23% Zn at the 140 m elevation;

intersected a interval ( true width) of newly discovered vein V35 grading 539 g/t Ag, 8.06% Pb, and 3.23% Zn at the elevation; Hole 20CK46A01 intersected a 0.87 m interval ( 0.46 m true width) of newly discovered vein V33-2 grading 994 g/t Ag, 5.18% Pb, and 5.52% Zn at the 149 m elevation; and

intersected a interval ( true width) of newly discovered vein V33-2 grading 994 g/t Ag, 5.18% Pb, and 5.52% Zn at the elevation; and Hole 21CK42A35 intersected a 0.94 m interval ( 0.72 m true width) of newly discovered vein V52-2, grading 78 g/t Ag, 0.08% Pb, and 25.07% Zn at the -1 m elevation.

Table 1: Selected intercepts from the 2019-2021 exploration programs at the GC mine

Hole ID From

(m) To

(m) Elevation

(m) interval

(m) True Width

(m) Ag

(g/t) Pb

(%) Zn

(%) Vein New

Veins 19CK10706 0.19 1.00 157 0.81 0.65 186 0.62 9.70 V10-1

19CK10707 0.00 2.59 156 2.59 2.07 345 1.36 14.87 V10-1

incl. 1.00 2.59 156 1.59 1.27 550 2.14 23.45 V10-1

19CK10907 0.00 0.62 157 0.62 0.50 310 0.06 12.06 V10-1

19CK11308 54.45 56.56 150 2.11 1.88 454 11.00 2.76 V9W-5

incl. 55.13 55.97 150 0.84 0.65 1,066 25.31 4.85 V9W-5

19CK8802 92.28 92.70 31 0.42 0.34 103 6.59 21.43 V10-11 New 20CK10202 18.96 19.58 93 0.62 0.58 260 4.17 6.18 V19-4

20CK10215 40.05 40.70 78 0.65 0.47 750 20.94 4.35 V15

20CK10920 51.30 52.00 -170 0.70 0.69 40 3.88 9.98 V10-12

20CK11115 39.02 40.16 134 1.14 1.01 242 1.40 9.47 V10-1

20CK11207 41.11 42.60 -53 1.49 0.49 228 1.47 9.56 V10-1

20CK11311 34.97 35.50 153 0.53 0.62 172 0.04 13.52 V10-5

20CK11315 49.99 50.79 44 0.80 0.76 854 0.34 0.43 V25

20CK11315 69.98 77.50 41 7.52 4.20 364 2.17 4.59 V7-1

20CK11406 38.27 38.66 90 0.39 0.39 781 0.47 8.66 V9-9

20CK11503 102.21 103.18 91 0.97 0.97 516 3.22 0.27 V33-1 New 20CK11505 23.39 24.37 98 0.98 0.98 359 1.72 10.72 V9W-2

20CK11603 105.56 110.40 -53 4.84 2.78 115 0.89 11.67 V33

incl. 107.60 108.91 -53 1.31 0.75 233 0.13 28.71 V33

20CK11620 12.14 12.65 43 0.51 0.45 1,587 0.93 1.74 V39

20CK11704 111.21 111.75 24 0.54 0.44 499 3.64 6.34 V18-3 New 20CK11716 112.02 112.52 -158 0.50 0.50 144 5.10 7.31 V5-2

20CK11716 134.84 137.91 -171 3.07 2.41 72 3.22 6.58 V9-4

20CK11805 104.30 105.04 -11 0.74 0.74 557 1.21 14.82 V18-3 New 20CK11808 104.05 104.61 24 0.56 0.38 533 2.98 7.51 V18-4 New 20CK11810 50.52 51.41 3 0.89 0.66 134 3.20 11.59 V33

20CK2407 36.34 37.06 41 0.72 0.49 423 17.20 6.79 V2E1

20CK24A02 53.41 59.54 -211 6.13 6.01 258 7.05 7.05 V2E1

incl. 53.79 54.89 -211 1.10 1.08 462 25.57 5.21 V2E1

20CK24A03 51.03 57.44 -231 6.41 6.14 139 1.99 3.98 V2E1

20CK24A15 44.06 45.39 39 1.33 1.00 177 0.85 9.16 V9-5

20CK24A16 45.55 46.92 25 1.37 1.06 258 0.31 12.80 V9-5

20CK2608 55.31 61.79 -211 6.48 6.05 134 3.81 4.02 V2E1

20CK2609 54.30 61.90 -229 7.60 7.32 284 5.80 4.48 V2E1

incl. 57.73 58.91 -229 1.18 1.14 788 23.33 7.54 V2E1

20CK2624 6.91 13.12 -251 6.21 3.53 157 3.51 4.80 V2-4

20CK2625 28.24 33.13 -267 4.89 2.53 159 2.04 6.35 V2-4

20CK2818 76.71 77.78 -214 1.07 0.91 159 9.34 5.22 V9-5

20CK3025 38.96 41.89 -11 2.93 2.79 417 19.22 1.72 NV28

incl. 38.96 40.44 -11 1.48 1.34 815 37.47 2.12 NV28

20CK3027 39.64 41.02 -32 1.38 1.19 500 19.31 7.88 NV28

20CK30A16 29.39 30.46 -129 1.07 0.59 63 0.51 16.09 V18

20CK34A07 50.96 52.52 -55 1.56 1.02 182 5.12 7.05 V2E

20CK34A11 143.21 147.54 -225 4.33 3.97 148 3.52 6.51 V2E

20CK34A15 70.96 72.17 -211 1.21 1.19 183 4.15 7.00 V2E

20CK3616 94.06 95.40 -23 1.34 1.30 144 6.30 8.56 V2E

20CK3619 70.53 75.45 -234 4.92 4.17 147 1.24 4.45 V2E

20CK3620 0.00 5.01 3 5.01 2.62 339 1.34 2.41 V18-3 New 20CK3819 108.75 113.74 -183 4.99 3.03 180 0.82 3.84 V2E

20CK4012 19.60 22.50 -2 2.90 2.77 222 2.51 2.15 V9W-2N

20CK40A10 16.92 18.45 -42 1.53 0.78 451 4.20 1.18 V32

20CK40A12 86.11 86.65 45 0.54 0.53 402 7.07 2.86 V37

20CK4608 49.62 51.37 -4 1.75 1.21 308 2.08 16.28 V33

20CK46A01 57.56 58.43 149 0.87 0.46 994 5.18 5.52 V33-2 New 20CK46A01 72.76 73.50 146 0.74 0.56 447 2.04 5.28 V33-1 New 20CK4802 135.29 135.76 39 0.47 0.46 115 0.54 18.05 NV6 New 20CK601 41.85 42.45 38 0.60 0.60 1,428 0.70 0.45 V40S

20CK9601 80.80 81.30 -107 0.50 0.48 187 17.60 4.76 V11

21CK10536 34.79 35.98 90 1.19 0.72 188 3.67 7.50 V28

21CK11103 86.88 89.20 145 2.32 1.95 172 2.15 7.89 V16

21CK11131 69.02 74.54 -184 5.52 5.05 94 3.96 3.54 V10

21CK11305 83.99 86.46 -181 2.47 1.92 206 4.88 11.86 V5-9

21CK11616 78.87 82.33 -164 3.46 2.76 134 3.84 2.62 V5-9

21CK1608 20.80 21.36 46 0.56 0.48 779 1.10 0.66 V9-3

21CK16A09 152.52 154.27 108 1.75 1.66 742 1.90 1.63 V7-1

21CK16A16 4.16 5.38 101 1.22 1.20 633 0.97 1.62 V25-1

21CK16A16 10.80 11.43 99 0.63 0.63 634 10.32 11.68 V25

21CK1810 22.46 25.70 40 3.24 2.63 388 1.29 3.71 V7-1

21CK18A09 50.36 51.93 120 1.57 1.21 948 1.51 0.88 V25-1

21CK2207 66.60 73.36 -278 6.76 5.73 130 4.65 3.93 V2W

21CK2207 85.22 88.70 -268 3.48 2.90 100 5.08 4.80 V2W-9

21CK2208 66.60 68.09 -278 1.49 1.26 384 13.05 7.47 V2W

21CK2241 23.82 25.20 -24 1.38 1.21 348 6.59 4.87 V2E

21CK2242 4.44 6.63 -4 2.19 0.49 255 7.82 6.02 V26

21CK2460 32.38 33.04 34 0.66 0.56 160 0.15 13.10 V9-4

21CK2461 39.36 40.03 34 0.67 0.59 463 0.45 15.24 V9-5

21CK24A09 19.74 23.30 -255 3.56 2.78 258 3.07 6.63 V2-4

21CK2638 17.00 24.11 -253 7.11 5.82 139 1.89 5.06 V2-4

21CK2638 133.04 144.31 -274 11.27 11.13 86 2.35 4.58 V2W

21CK2641 91.61 96.86 -14 5.25 5.02 152 0.19 6.51 V2E

21CK26A23 52.67 59.00 -276 6.33 6.16 121 3.68 5.66 V2-2

21CK26A24 19.72 25.63 -270 5.91 5.10 116 2.14 4.09 V2E1

21CK26A42 80.70 82.33 -12 1.63 1.55 152 4.92 10.12 V2E

21CK26A50 31.01 31.38 73 0.37 0.31 356 0.00 28.12 V5-7

21CK26A50 36.93 37.44 68 0.51 0.51 244 0.04 11.81 V5-9

21CK26A53 24.77 26.60 77 1.83 1.65 127 0.02 11.99 V5-7

21CK26A54 44.25 45.09 57 0.84 0.57 225 0.08 13.75 V5-7

21CK2821 25.73 35.87 -272 10.14 9.30 203 2.93 4.81 V2-4E

21CK2821 127.72 130.67 -339 2.95 2.58 202 0.28 9.97 V25-4

21CK2822 23.74 38.47 -275 14.73 12.89 127 2.06 4.03 V2-4E

21CK2823 17.78 22.91 -271 5.13 4.39 176 2.78 3.80 V2-4

21CK2824 26.38 41.65 -266 15.27 13.49 104 2.06 4.28 V2-4E

21CK3212 21.03 21.55 97 0.52 0.51 166 5.63 6.37 V7

21CK32A10 113.17 114.04 -140 0.87 0.76 81 6.30 5.25 V5-9

21CK32A32 138.29 139.47 -145 1.18 0.85 244 0.28 25.52 V5-20

21CK32A42 85.50 86.10 -131 0.60 0.57 114 0.04 17.16 V5-5

21CK3422 106.60 107.21 79 0.61 0.59 210 0.07 18.06 V2-3

21CK34A12 30.42 31.01 34 0.59 0.59 316 1.27 13.00 V7

21CK4235 64.69 67.40 -3 2.71 2.19 264 0.25 17.02 V52-2 New 21CK42A35 47.15 48.09 -1 0.94 0.72 78 0.08 25.07 V52-2 New 21CK4820 47.55 49.71 140 2.16 1.30 539 8.06 3.23 V35 New 21CK5005 55.30 55.70 45 0.40 0.40 1,344 0.54 0.46 V14



Tunneling Programs at the GC Mine

In addition to the drilling program, 16,070 m of exploration drift tunneling were developed at the GC mine during this period. The exploration tunneling, comprised of drifting, cross-cutting and raising, was driven along and across major mineralized vein structures to upgrade the drill-defined mineral resources and test for new parallel and splay structures. The results of the exploration tunneling are summarized in the following table.

Major Target Veins Elevation

(m) Total Tunneling

(m) Channel Samples

Collected Drift

Included

(m) Total Mineralization Exposed by Drifts [1] Length

(m) True Width

(m) Ag

(g/t) Pb

(%) Zn

(%) V1, VH1, V2-1, V2-2, V2E, V2E1, V2E-4E, V2W, V2W-4, V2W-9, V5, V5-9, V5-12, V6E, V6E-3, V6M, V7-1E, V7-2N, V7-5, V9-2, V10, V10-1, V10W, SV10, V13, V14, V16, V17, V17-1, V18, V19, V19-6, V32,V33, V37, V40, V46, V49, V52, V59 (-300)-150 19,786 7,531 16,070 7,482 0.84 148 2.14 5.61

[1] Mineralization is defined by silver equivalent value (AgEq) greater than or equal to 105 g/t at the GC mine. (Formula used for AgEq calculation: AgEq = Ag g/t + 50.46 * Pb% + 43.53 * Zn%)

Highlights of selected mineralized zones exposed in the drift tunnels:

Drift Tunnel V5-9-(-50)-30NEYM exposed mineralization 60 m long and 1.09 m wide (true width) grading 357 g/t Ag, 4.72% Pb, and 10.08% Zn within vein V5-9 at the -50 m elevation;

exposed mineralization long and wide (true width) grading 357 g/t Ag, 4.72% Pb, and 10.08% Zn within vein V5-9 at the elevation; Drift Tunnel V19-(-75)-42WYM exposed mineralization 28 m long and 0.91 m wide (true width) grading 234 g/t Ag, 13.56% Pb, and 6.42% Zn within vein V19 at the -100 m elevation;

exposed mineralization long and wide (true width) grading 234 g/t Ag, 13.56% Pb, and 6.42% Zn within vein V19 at the elevation; Drift Tunnel V19-(-50)-48ANEYM exposed mineralization 65 m long and 1.20 m wide (true width) grading 161 g/t Ag, 2.28% Pb, and 12.18% Zn within vein V19 at the -50 m elevation;

exposed mineralization long and wide (true width) grading 161 g/t Ag, 2.28% Pb, and 12.18% Zn within vein V19 at the elevation; Drift Tunnel V52-150-119NEYM exposed mineralization 50 m long and 0.86 m wide (true width) grading 454 g/t Ag, 3.88% Pb, and 7.39% Zn within vein V52 at the 150 m elevation; and

exposed mineralization long and wide (true width) grading 454 g/t Ag, 3.88% Pb, and 7.39% Zn within vein V52 at the elevation; and Drift Tunnel V10-1-150-38ANEYM exposed mineralization 135 m long and 0.60 m wide (true width) grading 288 g/t Ag, 0.77% Pb, and 12.61% Zn within vein V10-1 at the 150 m elevation.

Table 2: Selected mineralized zones exposed by drift tunneling at the GC mine

Tunnel ID Vein Elevation

(m) Ore Length

(m) True Width

(m) Ag

(g/t) Pb

(%) Zn

(%) V1-(-150)-32ASYM V1 -150 67.0 0.54 53 3.90 3.95 V1-2-(-150)-20WYM V1-2 -150 10.0 0.47 272 7.83 3.50 V2-1-(-250)-26AEYM V2-1 -250 25.0 0.74 117 3.15 3.21 V2-2-(-200)-30EYM V2-2 -200 31.0 0.83 104 0.49 2.85 V2E-(-250)-26ASEYM V2E -250 88.0 1.22 50 0.76 3.69 V2E1-(-250)-24AEYM V2E1 -250 33.0 1.86 81 0.76 2.90 V2E1-(-300)-26AEYM V2E1 -300 11.0 2.24 109 1.50 5.98 V2E-4E-(-50)-44ANEYM V2E-4E -50 48.0 0.46 104 2.36 6.95 V2E-4E-(-100)-46AWYM V2E-4E -100 39.0 0.60 79 1.87 6.68 V2E-4E-(-100)-46AEYM V2E-4E -100 15.0 0.55 40 0.53 6.71 V2W-(-200)-22SWYM V2W -200 91.0 1.78 102 2.84 4.61 V2W-(-200)-22NEYM V2W -200 94.0 2.07 90 2.47 4.11 V2W_YM V2W -200 28.0 1.10 98 2.83 3.55 V2W-(-250)-24NEYM V2W -250 54.0 2.48 137 2.58 3.55 V2W-(-250)-24SWYM V2W -250 28.0 1.75 62 1.84 3.26 V2W-4-(-200)-22AWYM V2W-4 -200 16.0 0.90 247 7.88 5.80 V2W-9-(-200)-22WYM V2W-9 -200 31.0 0.76 114 3.41 4.04 V5-50-30AEYM V5 50 25.0 0.89 274 0.17 10.13 V5-9-(-50)-30NEYM V5-9 -50 60.0 1.09 357 4.72 10.08 V5-9-(-200)-36NYM V5-9 -200 50.0 1.18 107 2.02 3.72 V6E3-0-32EYM V6E3 0 50.0 0.42 142 12.08 10.16 V6M-2-(-150)-18SEYM V6M-3 -150 80.0 0.61 65 3.59 3.19 V7-3-100-30WYM V7-3 100 27.0 0.30 102 0.03 14.94 V9-5-100-28AEYM V9-5 100 50.0 0.37 186 0.35 11.68 V9-5-(-100)-32WYM V9-5 -100 15.0 1.15 83 2.37 3.07 V9-5-(-250)-24EYM V9-5 -250 87.0 0.87 68 2.06 3.12 SV10-(-150)-42NEYM SV10 -150 19.0 1.53 109 2.04 3.91 SV10-(-150)-42SWYM SV10 -150 22.0 1.53 109 2.04 3.91 V10-(-100)-46EYM V10 -100 178.0 0.95 60 2.12 3.44 V10-(-150)-40NEYM V10 -150 40.0 1.28 98 2.92 3.43 V10-(-150)-44NEYM V10 -150 196.0 1.25 71 1.79 4.19 V10-(-150)-40SWYM V10 -150 46.0 1.50 28 0.53 4.69 V10-(-130)-107SWYM V10 -150 10.0 0.71 44 1.42 3.15 V10-(-150)-44SWYM V10 -150 34.0 1.39 39 1.47 2.73 V10-1-135-40SWYM V10-1 150 37.0 0.71 203 0.86 15.03 V10-1-150-38ANEYM V10-1 150 135.0 0.60 288 0.77 12.61 V10-1-(-50)-40SWYM V10-1 -50 20.0 0.78 143 0.37 3.77 V10-1-(-100)-42ASWYM V10-1 -100 43.0 1.15 199 0.74 3.53 V10-1-(-150)-44SWYM V10-1 -150 25.0 0.84 116 0.74 5.16 V10W-(-150)-40WYM V10W -150 15.0 1.54 198 2.05 3.62 V14-50-46SWYM V13 50 131.0 0.71 92 0.79 9.35 V14-(-50)-116SWYM V13 -50 20.0 0.95 148 1.16 13.57 V14-(-100)-50NEYM V14 -100 67.0 0.90 55 2.20 2.08 V16-150-30AEYM V16 150 9.0 0.69 808 1.84 1.99 V16-135-32EYM V16 150 53.0 0.66 456 1.48 4.50 V16-135-32WYM V16 150 131.0 0.39 358 1.43 4.15 V16-150-32EYM V16 150 40.0 0.61 105 0.67 5.49 V16-150-34AEYM V16 150 35.0 0.53 133 1.50 2.51 V16-110-34EYM V16 100 80.0 0.66 136 0.66 6.12 V17-(-100)-34AEYM V16 -100 6.0 0.52 1260 4.27 2.10 V17-0-34WYM V17 0 39.0 0.32 273 0.34 22.88 V17-0-34EYM V17 0 69.0 0.36 517 0.71 12.46 V17-(-50)-34EYM V17 -50 40.0 0.58 126 0.93 3.80 V17-(-100)-30AEYM V17 -100 35.0 0.83 57 1.70 2.70 V17-1-0-34WYM V17-1 0 19.0 1.75 596 1.37 2.91 V17-1-0-34EYM V17-1 0 27.5 0.41 304 0.88 4.67 V17-1-(-45)-34EYM V17-1 -50 33.0 0.56 84 1.03 4.66 V17-1-(-45)-34WYM V17-1 -50 25.0 0.58 70 0.25 3.17 V18-150-28AEYM V18 150 22.0 0.54 273 0.87 1.98 V8-(-50)-30AEYM V18 -50 72.0 1.11 315 2.16 2.90 V18-(-100)-30AEYM V18 -100 46.0 1.37 163 3.16 8.10 V18-(-100)-30AWYM V18 -100 11.0 1.29 92 2.28 6.87 V19-(-50)-48ANEYM V19 -50 65.0 1.20 161 2.28 12.18 V19-(-75)-42WYM V19 -100 28.0 0.91 234 13.56 6.42 V19-(-75)-42EYM V19 -100 31.0 1.04 70 5.89 4.17 V19-(-100)-46EYM V19 -100 99.0 0.77 101 0.66 7.64 V19-(-150)-40WYM V19 -150 14.0 1.64 151 1.34 3.72 V19-(-150)-40EYM V19 -150 70.0 0.91 81 1.42 3.81 V19-(-150)-44EYM V19 -150 15.0 0.72 64 2.04 2.92 V19-6-100-40WYM V19-6 100 22.0 1.21 99 2.20 2.04 V25-(-200)-105NEYM V25 -200 15.0 1.87 77 0.96 3.30 V32-0-50ANEYM V32 0 73.0 0.40 635 4.57 3.54 V32-20-50NEYM V32 0 18.0 0.44 132 3.10 6.18 V32-20-50SWYM V32 0 38.0 0.44 132 3.10 6.18 V32-0-50ASWYM V32 0 10.0 0.59 87 2.25 2.19 V33-0-52SWYM V33 0 60.0 0.92 201 5.77 5.15 V33-0-52YM V33 0 76.0 0.98 163 3.23 4.19 V37-50-44ANEYM V37 50 27.0 0.74 86 6.79 7.70 V40-(-85)-12WYM V40 -100 9.0 0.99 257 5.75 6.34 V52-150-38WYM V52 150 11.5 0.45 307 0.93 20.84 V52-150-119NEYM V52 150 50.0 0.86 454 3.88 7.39 V19-2-150-40ASEYM V59 150 22.0 0.50 226 4.22 3.65 VH1-0-32NEYM VH1 0 16.0 1.06 40 3.50 5.16

Quality Control

Drill cores are NQ size. Drill core samples, limited by apparent mineralization contacts or shear/alteration contacts, were split into halves by saw cutting. The half cores are stored in the Company's core shacks for future reference and checks, and the other half core samples are shipped in securely sealed bags to the on-site laboratory (Laboratory of Guangdong Found).

Channel samples are collected along sample lines perpendicular to the mineralized vein structure in exploration tunnels. Spacing between sampling lines is typically 5 m along strike. Both the mineralized vein and the altered wall rocks are cut by continuous chisel chipping. Sample length ranges from 0.2 m to more than 1 m, depending on the width of the mineralized vein and the mineralization type. Channel samples are shipped in securely sealed bags to the on-site laboratory.

For analysis, the sample is dried and crushed to minus 1 mm and then split to a 200-300 g subsample which is further pulverized to minus 200 mesh. Two subsamples are prepared from the pulverized sample. One is digested with two-acids for analysis of silver, lead, zinc and copper with atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), and the other is retained as pulp reject at the lab for future reference.

A routine quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) procedure is adopted to monitor the analytical quality at each lab. Certified reference materials (CRMs), pulp duplicates and blanks are inserted into each batch of lab samples. QA/QC data at the lab are attached to the assay certificates for each batch of samples.

The Company maintains its own comprehensive QA/QC program to ensure best practices in sample preparation and analysis of the exploration samples. Project geologists regularly insert CRMs, field duplicates and blanks to each batch of 30 core samples to monitor the sample preparation and analysis procedures at the labs. The analytical quality of the labs is further evaluated with external checks by sending approximately 3-5% of the pulp samples to higher level labs to check for lab bias. Data from both the Company's and the labs' QA/QC programs are reviewed on a timely basis by project geologists.

Guoliang Ma, P. Geo., Manager of Exploration and Resource of the Company, is the Qualified Person for Silvercorp under NI 43-101 and has reviewed and given consent to the technical information contained in this news release.

About Silvercorp

Silvercorp is a profitable Canadian mining company producing silver, lead and zinc metals in concentrates from mines in China. The Company's goal is to continuously create healthy returns to shareholders through efficient management, organic growth and the acquisition of profitable projects. Silvercorp balances profitability, social and environmental relationships, employees' wellbeing, and sustainable development. For more information, please visit our website at www.silvercorp.ca.

CAUTIONARY DISCLAIMER - FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain of the statements and information in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian provincial securities laws. Any statements or information that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects", "is expected", "anticipates", "believes", "plans", "projects", "estimates", "assumes", "intends", "strategies", "targets", "goals", "forecasts", "objectives", "budgets", "schedules", "potential" or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements or information. Forward-looking statements or information relate to, among other things: the price of silver and other metals; the accuracy of mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates at the Company's material properties; the sufficiency of the Company's capital to finance the Company's operations; estimates of the Company's revenues and capital expenditures; estimated production from the Company's mines in the Ying Mining District; timing of receipt of permits and regulatory approvals; availability of funds from production to finance the Company's operations; and access to and availability of funding for future construction, use of proceeds from any financing and development of the Company's properties.

Forward-looking statements or information are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements or information, including, without limitation, risks relating to: social and economic impacts of COVID-19; fluctuating commodity prices; calculation of resources, reserves and mineralization and precious and base metal recovery; interpretations and assumptions of mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates; exploration and development programs; feasibility and engineering reports; permits and licenses; title to properties; property interests; joint venture partners; acquisition of commercially mineable mineral rights; financing; recent market events and conditions; economic factors affecting the Company; timing, estimated amount, capital and operating expenditures and economic returns of future production; integration of future acquisitions into the Company's existing operations; competition; operations and political conditions; regulatory environment in China and Canada; environmental risks; foreign exchange rate fluctuations; insurance; risks and hazards of mining operations; key personnel; conflicts of interest; dependence on management; internal control over financial reporting as per the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; and bringing actions and enforcing judgments under U.S. securities laws.

This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company's forward-looking statements or information. Forward-looking statements or information are statements about the future and are inherently uncertain, and actual achievements of the Company or other future events or conditions may differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements or information due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors, including, without limitation, those referred to in the Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended March 31, 2021 under the heading "Risk Factors". Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, described or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

The Company's forward-looking statements and information are based on the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and opinions of management as of the date of this press release, and other than as required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements and information if circumstances or management's assumptions, beliefs, expectations or opinions should change, or changes in any other events affecting such statements or information. For the reasons set forth above, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information.

CAUTIONARY NOTE TO US INVESTORS

The disclosure in this news release and referred to herein was prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 which differs significantly from the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). The terms "proven mineral reserve", "probable mineral reserve" and "mineral reserves" used in this news release are in reference to the mining terms defined in the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Standards (the "CIM Definition Standards"), which definitions have been adopted by NI 43-101. Accordingly, information contained in this news release providing descriptions of our mineral deposits in accordance with NI 43-101 may not be comparable to similar information made public by other U.S. companies subject to the United States federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.

Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of mineral resources will ever be converted into reserves. Pursuant to CIM Definition Standards, "Inferred mineral resources" are that part of a mineral resource for which quantity and grade or quality are estimated on the basis of limited geological evidence and sampling. Such geological evidence is sufficient to imply but not verify geological and grade or quality continuity. An inferred mineral resource has a lower level of confidence than that applying to an indicated mineral resource and must not be converted to a mineral reserve. However, it is reasonably expected that the majority of inferred mineral resources could be upgraded to indicated mineral resources with continued exploration. Under Canadian rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies, except in rare cases. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource is economically or legally mineable. Disclosure of "contained ounces" in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations; however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute "reserves" by SEC standards as in place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures.

Canadian standards, including the CIM Definition Standards and NI 43-101, differ significantly from standards in the SEC Industry Guide 7. Effective February 25, 2019, the SEC adopted new mining disclosure rules under subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "SEC Modernization Rules"), with compliance required for the first fiscal year beginning on or after January 1, 2021. The SEC Modernization Rules replace the historical property disclosure requirements included in SEC Industry Guide 7. As a result of the adoption of the SEC Modernization Rules, the SEC now recognizes estimates of "Measured Mineral Resources", "Indicated Mineral Resources" and "Inferred Mineral Resources". In addition, the SEC has amended its definitions of "Proven Mineral Reserves" and "Probable Mineral Reserves" to be substantially similar to corresponding definitions under the CIM Definition Standards. During the period leading up to the compliance date of the SEC Modernization Rules, information regarding mineral resources or reserves contained or referenced in this news release may not be comparable to similar information made public by companies that report according to U.S. standards. While the SEC Modernization Rules are purported to be "substantially similar" to the CIM Definition Standards, readers are cautioned that there are differences between the SEC Modernization Rules and the CIM Definitions Standards. Accordingly, there is no assurance any mineral reserves or mineral resources that the Company may report as "proven mineral reserves", "probable mineral reserves", "measured mineral resources", "indicated mineral resources" and "inferred mineral resources" under NI 43-101 would be the same had the Company prepared the reserve or resource estimates under the standards adopted under the SEC Modernization Rules.

SOURCE Silvercorp Metals Inc

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For more information about SNU's academic programs and student experience, visit https://www.snu.edu/ .

ABOUT SNU

Founded in 1899, Southern Nazarene University (SNU) seeks to make Christlike disciples through higher education in Christ-centered community. Located on a 44-acre campus just west of Oklahoma City, SNU grew out of several small colleges committed to training people for service to God and to one another. More than 32,000 alumni work and serve throughout the United States and the world. In addition, its College of Professional and Graduate Studies is designed for working adults, offering degree-completion and graduate programs to prepare them to succeed in their individual career paths.

For more information, visit https://www.snu.edu/ .

About Colleges of Distinction

Since 2000, Colleges of Distinction has been committed to honoring schools throughout the U.S. for true excellence in higher education. The member schools within the Colleges of Distinction consortium distinguish themselves through their dedicated focus on the undergraduate experience. Its website provides dynamic college profiles, customized tools and resources for students, parents and high school counselors. For more information, and to learn how to become a College of Distinction, visit CollegesofDistinction.com.

SOURCE Southern Nazarene University (SNU)

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CHICAGO, Aug. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Financial services company Abaca announces its social equity grant for Illinois cannabis business license-holders.

Under Abaca's Social Equity Grant Program, social equity applicants who have received Illinois cannabis business licenses can qualify for a grant of up to $12,000, which effectively eliminates monthly service fees for cannabis banking services for their first two years.

"For far too long, the cannabis industry has struggled with diversity, but many within the industry are working hard to turn the corner," says Abaca's CEO Dan Roda. "State social equity programs, while not perfect, go a long way toward improving minority ownership and participation in the industry. Abaca wants to help these businesses succeed, which is why we are proud to launch our Social Equity Grant Program in Illinois."

"Abaca is happy to be in a position to make a meaningful contribution to the success of social equity licensees," said Dom Marella, financial solutions consultant at Abaca. "The Social Equity Grant Program means businesses can redirect that startup capital toward ensuring the success of their ventures while still gaining access to the financial services they need, right from the start. I look forward to working with this new group of entrepreneurs."

The announcement comes as Abaca opens its Illinois office in downtown Chicago, from which Marella is offering free financial consultation sessions to new licensees.

To learn more, schedule a consultation, or apply for the grant, visit: https://info.goabaca.com/social-equity

About Abaca

Abaca connects cannabis and hemp businesses with bank accounts, lending, electronic payments, and treasury management services through its financial technology-powered cannabis banking platform. Deposit banking services are offered in partnership with chartered banks, Members FDIC. Leveraging advanced regulatory technology, Abaca is able to deliver modern financial services to this high-compliance, rapidly-emerging vertical. Visit GoAbaca.com for more information.

SOURCE Abaca

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The tech forum bridges the gap between policy and tech by connecting the experts typically working independently towards common goals and solutions. With a combination of panel discussions with Q&A sessions, followed by dedicated breakout sessions for networking and smaller group discussions, the forum provides a dynamic environment for connecting and sharing experts' viewpoints on these critical problems. Free registration passes are available for a limited time.

"Too often, the technology experts have been in one forum and the policymakers in another. The IEEE Computer Society is reaching out internationally across government, industry, and civil society to bring all the pieces together," said Andre Oboler, IEEE Computer Society Vice President of Member & Geographic Activities (MGA), IEEE Global Public Policy Committee vice chair, and Online Hate Prevention Institute founding director and CEO. "This event will not solve the problems, but it will provide the latest knowledge, a deeper understanding of the issues, and a chance to catalyze future action on these significant challenges."

Attendees will hear discussions from some of the highest-profile names that cover the intersection of technology and key issues of societal harms. The current speaker lineup includes:

David Callies, Facebook ThreatExchange - Callies is a software engineer at Facebook for 10 years. For the past two years, he has been working with the Cross-Industry Trust & Safety team, which maintains the ThreatExchange platform. Callies has worked on problems related to terrorism and child safety with both NGOs and Internet platforms.

Kathleen M. Carley, Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) Center for Informed Democracy and Social-cybersecurity - Carley, a professor at the School of Computer Science and Director of the CMU Center for Informed Democracy and Social-cybersecurity, does research that combines computer science, social science, and policy in areas such as organizational-design, social media, terrorism, disinformation, health-analytics, and hate-speech. Her pioneering research, 400+ publications, helped define the social-cybersecurity and dynamic-network areas, generated new methods for characterizing social-media influence campaigns, and led to new technologies used worldwide.

George Cybenko, Dartmouth College - Dr. Cybenko has made key research contributions in signal processing, information security, and machine learning. He was the founding editor-in-chief of Computing in Science & Engineering, IEEE Security & Privacy, and IEEE Transactions on Computational Social Systems. A Fellow of the IEEE and of SIAM, he has served on the US Defense Science Board, US Air Force Science Advisory Board, and US Army Cyber Institute Advisory Committee.

Hany Farid, University of California, Berkeley - Farid is an American university professor who specializes in the analysis of digital images. He is dean and head of the UC Berkeley School of Information. In addition to teaching, writing, and conducting research, Farid acts as a consultant for nonprofits, government agencies, and news organizations. He is the author of the book Photo Forensics.

Emily Cashman Kirstein, Thorn - Cashman Kirstein works in Washington, DC, as the senior manager of government affairs at Thorn, a nonprofit organization based in San Francisco that builds technology to defend children from sexual abuse. She worked in various positions for US Senator Jeanne Shaheen from 2010 to 2016, and worked as the trip director for Hillary Clinton's general election campaign in New Hampshire in 2016.

Vinodkumar Prabhakaran, Google Research and Stanford University - Prabhakaran is a computational social scientist working at the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and society, with a special focus on natural language processing. He is currently a Senior Research Scientist at Google Research and holds a research affiliate position at the Stanford SPARQ institute.

Dr. Fernand de Varennes, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues - Dr. Fernand de Varennes has the mandate as United Nations' independent expert to enhance the promotion and protection of the rights of national or ethnic, religious, and linguistic minorities through responding to allegations of violations of their human rights, conducting country missions to assess the treatment of minorities, and preparing reports to clarify these rights such as in relation to hate speech in social and the prevention of ethnic conflicts. He is also Extraordinary Professor at the University of Pretoria, Cheng Yu Tung Visiting Professor at the University of Hong Kong, and Adjunct Professor in Human Rights, National University of Ireland, Galway.

Tara Wadhwa, TikTok US - Wadhwa is the Policy Director for TikTok US, where she leads the development of policies and moderation strategies that aim to create a welcoming, supportive, and safe platform for +100 million US community members. Previously, she focused on developing policies to protect against hateful behavior and harassment for TikTok globally. Before joining TikTok, Tara spent a decade as a researcher and administrator at the NYU Stern Center for Business and Human Rights where she focused on leveraging corporate commitment to enhance human rights protections in a variety of sectors, including technology.

To stay informed of new speakers added to the lineup, browse the Speakers page. Visit the website for all event information including sponsorship opportunities.

Passes are complimentary for a limited time  REGISTER TODAY .

About the IEEE Computer Society

The IEEE Computer Society is the world's home for computer science, engineering, and technology. A global leader in providing access to computer science research, analysis, and information, the IEEE Computer Society offers a comprehensive array of unmatched products, services, and opportunities for individuals at all stages of their professional careers. Known as the premier organization that empowers the people who drive technology, the IEEE Computer Society offers international conferences, peer-reviewed publications, a unique digital library, and training programs. Visit computer.org for more information.

SOURCE IEEE Computer Society

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Spoke transforms safety for bicyclists, motorcyclists and scooter riders with C-V2X connected technology from Qualcomm. Tweet this

Reimagining the form factor, which has been engineered previously for automotive, Spoke's new hardware solution is designed to enable vehicles to identify VRUs using the same C-V2X technology used in vehicles. The Spoke solution is intended to provide direct communication between road users, vehicles and roadside infrastructure without the need for a cellular network, delivering the level of dependable real-time information critical for safety applications. This capability provides critical augmentation to other Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) sensors, such as cameras, radar, and Light Detection and Radar (LIDAR).

"This is game-changing connectivity for both safety and for the mobility experience overall," said Jarrett Wendt, Spoke CEO. "For the first time, Spoke will provide dedicated hardware and software, what we refer to as vulnerable road user-to-everything (VRU2X), to unlock V2X communication to the most vulnerable users. VRU2X unlocks location accuracy through direct digital communication that connects all users anonymously to each other and to the infrastructure."

C-V2X is uniquely designed to offer highly reliable, low-latency direct communication between VRUs, vehicles and roadside infrastructure in the 5.9 GHz ITS spectrum without reliance on cellular networks. C-V2X can provide highly reliable, low-latency broadcast to support advanced safety use cases and enhanced vehicle automation. C-V2X is also globally compatible with 5G networks and cloud-based APIs, enabling numerous capabilities with artificial intelligence/machine learning to enhance safety features.

C-V2X direct communication is an essential technology for safety and mobility applications, helping to reduce crashes and incident-related congestion for more efficient traffic flow.

Spoke is working with a number of stakeholders, including Qualcomm Technologies and vehicle, bicycle, scooter and motorcycle OEMs, for maximum scale, adoption and safety impact. Spoke's portfolio, which will also include modem-based communications, will be launching with their OEM bicycle, motorcycle and scooter partners in 2022.

"Spoke was born from a passion to reduce rider vulnerability, prevent crashes and save lives using an innovative adaption of technology that is available today. There is tremendous opportunity to deliver a safer, richer, more dynamic trip experience," added Wendt. "We are confident that through our work with various stakeholders, including Qualcomm Technologies, we will be able to reach our goal of including the most vulnerable road users in the intelligent transportation ecosystem equation. We expect Qualcomm Technologies' industry-leading C-V2X technologies to elevate Spoke's safety and mobility portfolio, helping us all arrive home safely."

For Spoke images and other assets, visit: https://qualcommtechnologiesinc.box.com/s/qbe94fqd830lffftle4pq32ugdr4m57v

About Spoke

Spoke is elevating road safety to an entirely new level. We are synergizing state-of the art technologies with market-leading partners to deliver transformative, first-of-its-kind CV2X and modem-based solutions that provide a new peace of mind on our daily rides, commutes and adventures. Spoke is dedicated to protecting the most vulnerable on our roadways by connecting them to the traffic participants and mobility ecosystem around them.

Amy Ford / External Affairs

[email protected]

+1 303-514-4913

www.spokesafety.com

SOURCE Spoke

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SALEM, N.H., Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Standex International Corporation (NYSE:SXI) today announced that Flavio Maschera, President of the Engraving segment, is being elevated to Chief Innovation & Technology Officer (CITO), a newly created position in the Company. Mr. Maschera will be succeeded as President of the Engraving segment by James Hooven, currently Vice President of Operations and Supply Chain. Both Mr. Maschera and Mr. Hooven will continue to report to David Dunbar, CEO and President of Standex.

"Over the past several years, we have transformed our portfolio around businesses with attractive growth and margin profiles as well as strong customer value propositions. Today's announcement reflects our focus on accelerating deployment of our deep technical and applications expertise to meet customer needs in emerging growth markets such as renewable energy, electric vehicles, smart grid and functional surfaces" said President and CEO David Dunbar.

"In his fifteen years with Standex, Flavio has been a key architect in strengthening the Engraving segment's position as a global technology leader and significantly expanding the market penetration of our soft trim and tool finishing offerings. More recently, he has conceived and overseen development of prototype modules to support projects in the renewable energy sector for a global energy company. I am confident that his depth of experience in innovation and new technology development will be a tremendous asset company-wide. In addition, Jim is perfectly suited to assume leadership of the Engraving business. He brings extensive operations leadership and manufacturing expertise, which he has successfully demonstrated through our improving productivity, since joining Standex in 2020. I look forward to continuing to work closely with both Flavio and Jim," concluded Dunbar.

In his role as CITO, Mr. Maschera will directly lead a corporate innovation and development team. He will also work with the segment Presidents and their teams to drive the development of new technologies and improve internal innovation processes.

Mr. Maschera joined Standex Engraving segment in 2006 as the Vice President of EMEA and in 2016 was promoted to President of the Engraving business. His experience includes leadership roles in strategy, operations and manufacturing with Brawo S.p.A, AIDA Europe, Baretta and Fiocchi Munizioni. Mr. Maschera holds a Master of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Politecnico di Milano.

Prior to joining Standex, Mr. Hooven was Senior Vice President for Hillenbrand, responsible for deploying the Hillenbrand Operating Model across their global enterprise while leading the integration of Hillenbrand's acquisition of Milacron. Previously, he had operational roles with increasing responsibility at Steel Partners and Danaher Corporation. Mr. Hooven holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in International Business from Johnson & Wales University and an MBA from Rider University.

About Standex

Standex International Corporation is a multi-industry manufacturer in five broad business segments: Electronics, Engraving, Scientific, Engineering Technologies, and Specialty Solutions with operations in the United States, Europe, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Mexico, Brazil, Turkey, South Africa, India and China. For additional information, visit the Company's website at http://standex.com/.

SOURCE Standex International Corporation

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IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Syntr Health Technologies, Inc ., a medical device company specializing in the processing of autologous adipose tissue, today announced a $2.2 million seed funding round, which includes previous investors, angels and surgeons participating in the round. Proceeds will be used to build out sales for its patented, FDA-cleared SyntrFuge System, a single-use disposable medical device that uses a patient's own adipose tissue (also known as fat tissue) at the point of care. The implantation of adipose tissue is known to aid in the natural rejuvenation of soft tissue in plastic and reconstructive surgery. Its minimally invasive approach processes the tissue in minutes resulting in a quick and efficient procedure.

Syntr also announced today that Dane Shackleford has joined its board of directors. Shackleford has held C-level positions with multiple medical device companies, most notably VP of Sales at KCI (an Acelity Company) and VP of Global Sales and Marketing at Spiracur, a Negative Wound Pressure Therapy company, which was acquired by Acelity in 2015. Other recent positions include Chief Commercial Officer for Dallas, Texas-based Stasis. Prior to that, he was CCO at Newport Beach, California-based Evoke Neuroscience; and before that, he was a regional VP at Phillips. Shackleford also sits on the Advisory Board at California Lutheran University.

"This $2.2 million seed round has been and will be critical in ramping up sales of our FDA cleared SyntrFuge System, which is in the process of being sold to multiple VA hospitals and plastic surgery practices around the US,'' said Ahmed Zobi, Syntr Chief Executive Officer. "We are appreciative and thank all of our investors who participated in this round. We are equally pleased to welcome Dane Shackleford to our board, as his broad industry experience and high-level expertise will be invaluable to Syntr's commercialization efforts."

"I am thrilled to join Syntr's Board of Directors and support the company's amazing team of individuals and its promising technology," said Shackleford. "The benefits offered by Syntr's technology are substantial, including the ability for patients to use their own tissue versus the introduction of foreign materials, while also offering convenience, safety and cost savings. Additionally, the use in aesthetic procedures and the potential for future applications of the SyntrFuge System present a greater opportunity for significant market penetration and widespread adoption."

In a separate release today, the company announced FDA Clearance of their SyntrFuge System for harvesting, concentrating, and transferring of autologous adipose tissue, which is cleared for use in several surgical specialties when the transfer of harvested adipose tissue is desired.

Additionally, the company released and listed with FDA its Class I SyntrFPU 360 device, a reusable lab centrifuge that facilitates expedited processing, as an accessory to the SyntrFuge System.

About Syntr Health Technologies, Inc.

Irvine, California-based Syntr Health Technologies, Inc. was founded by three engineers and incorporated in 2018, following the successful grant of an NIH Phase I SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research). The company's mission is to assist physicians with a device that accelerates adipose tissue processing at the point of care. Syntr Health Technologies is focused on becoming the market leader in automated adipose tissue processing, reducing recovery times, and improving quality of life. Syntr is headquartered at University Lab Partners, a premier wet lab incubator in the heart of Orange County.

About University Lab Partners

University Lab Partners is a premier, nonprofit, wet lab and medtech incubator located in UCI Research Park in Irvine, CA. ULP is a professionally managed and equipped wet lab facility along with the benefits of peer-to-peer interactions among a life science-focused entrepreneurial community. ULP is a project of The Beall Family Foundation.

SOURCE University Lab Partners

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IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Syntr Health Technologies, Inc., a medical device company specializing in the processing of autologous adipose tissue, also known as fat tissue, today announced clearance from the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for the company's patented SyntrFuge System for use in surgical specialties when the transfer of harvested adipose (fat) tissue is desired. These specialties include orthopedic, arthroscopic, neurosurgery, gastrointestinal, urological, general, gynecological, thoracic, laparoscopic, and plastic and reconstructive surgeries when aesthetic body contouring is desired.

In a separate release today, the company also announced an oversubscribed $2.2 million seed investment round.

"As a bootstrapped company with limited funding, Syntr Health Technologies achieved a major milestone, gaining FDA clearance for our innovative, effective, and affordable approach for accelerating adipose tissue processing at the point of care," said Ahmed Zobi, Syntr Chief Executive Officer. "We look forward to building out sales of the SyntrFuge System and further expanding our product line to a broad range of markets."

The SyntrFuge System concentrates fat tissue while preserving the cell structure and cell viability, which are critical for the adipose tissue to function naturally in the body. The concentrated fat produced by the SyntrFuge System is ideal for use in aesthetic applications and expanding options for patients who may not want, or who are not candidates for major and more invasive surgeries. The implantation of adipose tissue is known to aid in the natural rejuvenation of soft tissue in plastic and reconstructive surgery.

In conjunction with today's announcement, Syntr released and listed with FDA its Class I SyntrFPU 360 device, a lab centrifuge device that facilitates expedited processing, as an accessory to the SyntrFuge System.

About Syntr Health Technologies, Inc.

Irvine, California-based Syntr Health Technologies, Inc. was founded by three engineers and incorporated in 2018, following the successful grant of an NIH Phase I SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research). The company's mission is to assist physicians with a device that accelerates adipose tissue processing at the point of care. Syntr Health Technologies is focused on becoming the market leader in automated adipose tissue processing, reducing recovery times, and improving quality of life. Syntr is headquartered at University Lab Partners, a premier wet lab incubator in the heart of Orange County.

About University Lab Partners

University Lab Partners is a premier, nonprofit, wet lab incubator located in UCI Research Park in Irvine, CA. ULP is a professionally managed and equipped wet lab facility along with the benefits of peer-to-peer interactions among a life science-focused entrepreneurial community. ULP is a project of The Beall Family Foundation.

SOURCE University Lab Partners

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ARLINGTON, Va., Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Tantus Technologies, Inc. (Tantus) announced a contract award to provide Financial Management Support Services to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO).

OPM's financial systems environment maintains a vital mission as the financial and accounting foundation for managing an estimated $151 billion in Federal Retirement Trust Funds by fiscal year 2025. Under this contract, Tantus leverages functional and technical expertise with Federal accounting, financial, and procurement systems to support Operations and Maintenance, Development, Modernization, and Enhancements, and Security Assessments for OPM's financial systems.

"Tantus is a long-time OPM partner, and we are thrilled to continue supporting their Financial Management needs," said Tantus CEO, Buck Keswani. "Our ability to support such a complex and high visibility program solidifies our position as a trusted provider of financial and procurement systems services."

Since inception, Tantus has focused on delivering solutions to improve financial, accounting, grants, procurement, and claims payment systems across a variety of federal focus areas including Health, Defense, and Transportation.

About Tantus Technologies, Inc.

Tantus provides leading edge solutions to solve the federal government's health, financial, and transportation challenges. The company brings nearly two decades of experience collaborating with government to make "Our World, Better," delivering solutions that span Artificial Intelligence, Agile, Human Centered Design, DevOps, Strategy Realization, Program/Project Management, and Cybersecurity. Recognized by The Washington Post as a "Top Workplace" two years in a row, Tantus realizes its core value of "Do the Right Thing" with a robust community service program focused on improving the lives of children and young women diagnosed with cancer and other life-threatening medical conditions.

SOURCE Tantus Technologies, Inc.

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PALO ALTO, Calif., Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Fable, the pioneering social reading app founded by lauded tech industry leader and creative visionary Padmasree Warrior, launched the second edition of the TED Book Club. Fable uniquely allows members to read together while sharing highlights, comments, links, and pictures to discuss books and is a purposeful way to build fun and safe communities with family, friends and colleagues, with no advertising and no unlawful selling of user data. Sign up to become a Fable member at fable.co and Download the Fable app at https://fable.co/download.

Fable Folios spotlight exceptional book recommendations handpicked by tastemakers, experts, acclaimed authors, world-class athletes, and industry titans. The TED team leads a free book club with regular book recommendations, and joins previous club and Folio curators LeVar Burton, Paulo Coelho, David Sedaris, Jasmine Guillory, comedian Luvvie Jones, psychologist Adam Grant, chef Wolfgang Puck, athletes like Diana Nyad, and more, whose recommendations are available as part of the app's free content. Each book club book comes with a custom Book Club Discussion Guide to help readers enjoy the book with their community.

TED has hand-selected books written by TED speakers as part of their curated Fable Folio and to read along with Fable's members. The next book TED has chosen to read with their Book Club is "Big Magic: How to Live a Creative Life, and Let Go of Your Fear" by Elizabeth Gilbert. This follows their first pick, Manoush Zomorodi's "Bored and Brilliant: How Spacing Out Can Unlock Your Most Productive and Creative Self."

As noted in the TED folio, "Each of these titles is connected to a TED Talk, containing life-changing ideas that will help you grow as a creative and as a person. These books will improve your ability to think deeply and imaginatively, setting you up for a more meaningful and expressive life."

Other books and stories in TED's free Folio include "Big Magic" by Elizabeth Gilbert, "Where the Past Begins" by Amy Tan, "Quiet" by Susan Cain, and "Daring Greatly" by Brene Brown.

"TED and Fable share some core beliefs," said Padmasree Warrior, founder of Fable and one of the tech industry's most respected executives. "Like TED, we believe in the power of ideas to change attitudes and lives. With our social reading platform for book clubs, Fable will help the TED team connect with readers. The stories they share through Fable Folios will push readers' imaginations and improve their cognitive fitness."

Fable's offering will continue to offer robust content allowing anyone to join free digital book clubs and read along with well-read experts and tastemakers. Fable Free Featured Reading Clubs include a Queer YA Book Club , Moms Don't Have Time to Read , Fierce Females , Read with Netflix , Jeff Immelt's Book Club , and the Shadow and Bone Book Club . These open book clubs offer a range of reading experiences, from personal development classics to technology leadership to literary masterpieces. In addition, Fable launched its first premium club in May of 2021, featuring iconic actor and reading advocate LeVar Burton . With ebooks from all the majors and indie publishers available for purchase in its webstore, Fable has millions of books for readers to choose from.

As of this month, the Fable app is now available internationally. Though book purchases are not yet supported, international users can now join and create clubs, access Folio recommendations, make lists of books, and set daily reading goals.

Fable has raised $7.25 million in funding from Redpoint Ventures , M13 , Defy , Breyer Capital , and other leading investors.

About Fable's founder, Padmasree Warrior

Padmasree Warrior is the Founder, President, and CEO of Fable. Previously, Padma was the Chief Executive Officer of NIO U.S., a manufacturer of smart, electric and autonomous vehicles. In this role she scaled the company from start-up to a successful IPO in three years. Prior to NIO, Warrior served as the Chief Technology & Strategy Officer for Cisco. Warrior has been widely recognized for her creative, visionary leadership. Forbes has named her one of "The World's 100 Most Powerful Women" for three years running. The International Alliance for Women gave her the World of Difference Award. Business Insider called her one of the "25 Most Influential Women in Wireless." The Wall Street Journal has called her one of "50 Women to Watch." Fast Company included her among the "100 Most Creative People in Business." The Economic Times listed her as "the 11th Most Influential Global Indian." Warrior serves on the boards of Microsoft and Spotify.

About TED

TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading, often in the form of short talks delivered by leading thinkers and doers. Many of these talks are given at TED conferences, intimate TED Salons and thousands of independently organized TEDx events around the world. Videos of these talks are made available, free, on TED.com and other platforms. Audio versions of TED Talks are published to TED Talks Daily , available on all podcast platforms.

TED's open and free initiatives for spreading ideas include TED.com , where new TED Talk videos are posted daily; TEDx , which licenses thousands of individuals and groups to host local, self-organized TED-style events around the world; the TED Fellows program, which selects innovators from around the globe to amplify the impact of their remarkable projects and activities; The Audacious Project , which surfaces and funds critical ideas that have the potential to impact millions of lives; TED Translators, which crowdsources the subtitling of TED Talks so that big ideas can spread across languages and borders; and the educational initiative TED-Ed . TED also offers [email protected], a program that reimagines TED Talks for workplace learning. TED also has a growing library of original podcasts, including The TED Interview with Chris Anderson, WorkLife with Adam Grant , Pindrop and TEDxSHORTS .

Follow TED on Twitter , Facebook , Instagram and on LinkedIn .

Media contact:

Alex Posey

[email protected]

310-804-9870

SOURCE Fable
The Liambro Carrier is a light-weight, all-in-one car seat carrier and day pack, designed with travel and adventure in mind, and built for parents on the go.

TORONTO, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Liambro Carrier, the world's first multi-functional car seat carrier launched earlier this week on Kickstarter. Created by Wil Brooks, a single parent who understands the unique needs of raising and traveling with a young child. The Liambro Carrier, is a lightweight, practical, all-in-one car seat carrier and day pack that is built for parents on the go, and is unlike anything else on the market.

Liambro Design Group Inc.

Now that life is getting back to normal after the pandemic and we want to start experiencing life and adventure again, safety and sanitation are a key concern for everyone, especially parents. The Liambro Carrier provides you with the opportunity to comfortably bring your own car seat with you from short day trips to long-distance travels.

Versatility

With the Liambro Carrier, you can quickly and effortlessly pack and unpack your child's car seat as you hop in and out of the car, or on and off a plane, while keeping it protected and sanitary from the outside environment. The Liambro Carrier is multi-functional and can easily attach to rolling luggage or be used as a backpack when carrying your child's car seat. Storage will never be an issue with the Liambro Carrier as its many storage compartments allow you to pack diapers, toys, snacks, valuables, and anything else you may need. The Liambro Carrier also conveniently converts to a day-bag/diaper bag allowing you to use it anytime.

"I already love the Liambro Carrier. It has so many pockets and extra space." - Alzbeta (mom who loves to travel with her young family)

Support the Liambro Carrier

Our Kickstarter is now live!

In order to reach our goal of making this unique product available to all parents on-the-go, we need your support. We have a motivated goal of $8000 CAN so we can take the Canadian-designed Liambro Carrier to the next round of production.

The Liambro Carrier | The Functional Car Seat Carrier

For further information email Wil Brooks (Founder) at [email protected]

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Wil (founder) and son with Liambro Carrier at the Airport

SOURCE Liambro Design Group Inc.

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"Both Ellis and Ken are proven leaders who possess broad and deep experience within their areas of expertise," said Ron Rice, chairman of TimkenSteel's board. "Their varied experiences, which are rooted in optimizing organizational performance, complement TimkenSteel's strategic priorities and strengthen the board's shared knowledge in several key areas of emphasis."

Garcia is a proven entrepreneur whose expertise encompasses business and product development, marketing, technology, legal, finance and M&A transactions. In his current role, he assists Q2 Software's board of directors and executive leadership team with long-term planning related to M&A, talent and its product roadmap. Previously, Garcia co-founded and served as president of PrecisionLender, and co-founded and served as CEO of Halo Technologies, Inc. Earlier in his career, he was a member of Ecovation, Inc.'s executive management team as chief financial officer and general counsel. He holds a juris doctor degree from The University of Texas School of Law and a bachelor's degree from Cornell University.

Jones is an influential sustainability leader experienced in developing, deploying and executing strategies to improve and sustain business performance. Prior to serving in his current role, Jones served in various leadership positions at Goodyear, including senior director of global environmental, health, safety and sustainability; manufacturing director for race tire manufacturing; and finance director of its North American Tire division, overseeing manufacturing, purchasing and supply chain. Earlier in his career, he also served as the finance director of office property and casualty insurance at Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. He holds a master's degree in business operational excellence from The Ohio State University and a bachelor's degree in accounting from Hampton University.

ABOUT TIMKENSTEEL CORPORATION

TimkenSteel (NYSE: TMST) manufactures high-performance carbon and alloy steel products in Canton, OH serving demanding applications in automotive, energy and a variety of industrial end markets. The company is a premier U.S. producer of alloy steel bars (up to 16 inches in diameter), seamless mechanical tubing and manufactured components. In the business of making high-quality steel primarily from recycled materials for more than 100 years, TimkenSteel's proven expertise contributes to the performance of our customers' products. The company employs approximately 1,900 people and had sales of $831 million in 2020. For more information, please visit us at www.timkensteel.com.

SOURCE TimkenSteel Corp.

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MILWAUKEE, Wis., Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- TKO Miller is pleased to announce the sale of Bee Access (Bee), a leading manufacturer and distributor of temporary and permanent suspended access equipment, to Safewaze (Safewaze), a fall protection equipment provider. Bee's current owners will be significant shareholders in the combined company.

Based in West Palm Beach, Florida, Bee is a premier provider of swing stages, hoists, rigging equipment, powered platforms, and permanently installed access equipment and accessories. The Company's products are used in a variety of unique access applications, including building construction, maintenance, and inspection, as well as industrial applications. Due to its engineering talent, custom manufacturing capabilities, and innovative product line, including distribution arrangements with world-class brands Altrex, BISOMAC, Alba, and Fixator, Bee has developed strong, long-term relationships with leading equipment rental customers across North and South America.

Originally founded in 1994, Safewaze is a leading manufacturer of fall protection, rescue, and confined space equipment. Safewaze operates out of a state-of-the-art 100,000 square foot facility in Concord, North Carolina, and serves diverse industries including manufacturing, construction, industrial services, utilities, and scaffolding/access.

Combined, Safewaze and Bee will better serve customers by offering an expanded product portfolio, increased distribution points, and deeper technical and sales support. Both companies will continue to operate from their existing facilities in North Carolina and Florida.

"Bee and Safewaze are perfect partners," said John Belmonte, President of Bee Access. "We share positive cultures with a hyper-focus on the customer and offer complementary products in overlapping markets. We are excited for a future focused on growth and the opportunities this will provide to our company, our employees, and our customers."

"Bee Access is one of the most recognized and well-regarded names in the scaffolding/access equipment industry," said Tim Oleszczuk, Managing Director at TKO Miller. "The combination with Safewaze, another respected, growing company, is highly synergistic, with multiple growth opportunities for both businesses. I believe this combination has the potential to impact the broader access and safety equipment markets in big ways, and I am looking forward to watching it play out."

About TKO Miller

TKO Miller, LLC is an independent, advisory-focused, middle-market investment bank. With over 130 years of collective transaction experience, TKO Miller provides merger and acquisition and financial advisory services for privately held and private equity-owned businesses nationwide, with a special focus on family-and-founder-held businesses.

TKO Miller aims to bring value to clients by combining outstanding people with a results-oriented, flexible approach to transactions. Our services include company sales, recapitalizations, asset divestitures, and management buyouts. TKO Miller has a generalist focus but has served clients in a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, business services, consumer products, and industrial products and services. For more information, visit our website www.tkomiller.com .

CONTACT:

Katie Yde (414) 375-2660

SOURCE TKO Miller

Related Links

https://www.tkomiller.com


Building on recent Massachusetts market entry, multi-state cannabis company opens second location in the state; invites Worcester community to the adult-use dispensary's Grand Opening "block party" celebration

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Trulieve Cannabis Corp. (CSE: TRUL) (OTCQX: TCNNF), a leading and top-performing cannabis company in the United States, today announced the opening of its second Massachusetts dispensary, located in Worcester. The Worcester dispensary will open its doors to adult-use customers on Saturday, August 14 and is the company's 97th store. This follows the June opening of Trulieve's first Massachusetts location in Northampton.

Conveniently within a one-minute walk to Polar Park, Trulieve of Worcester will serve adult-use customers at 142-A Southbridge St. Worcester, Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

To celebrate the grand opening, Trulieve invites the Worcester community to a block party on Saturday August, 14, 2021 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm EST. The company has secured a permit to close the street and the festivities will include live music, partner brand tables, and several food trucks. Additionally, Trulieve celebrates the grand opening of another neighborhood dispensary, Major Bloom, an economic empowerment applicant that opens its doors this weekend at 76 Millbury St, Worcester, MA and will be hosting a grand opening celebration starting at 3:00 pm on Saturday.

Trulieve will offer a wide selection of cannabis products, including all of the company's newest brands : Muse, Momenta, Sweet Talk, and Cultivar Collection along with a variety of Trulieve-branded products and partner brands.

"Building on the recent opening of our Northampton dispensary, we are excited to open in Worcester and bring our premium cannabis products to central Massachusetts," said Kim Rivers, CEO of Trulieve. "Massachusetts adult-use cannabis customers are some of the first in the country to experience our new brand portfolio which provides a full assortment of the highest-quality cannabis products on the market today. From first-time consumers to those seeking to begin their own home grow with premium clones from Trulieve, we look forward to serving the Worcester community as we continue to expand in Massachusetts."

About Trulieve

Trulieve is primarily a vertically integrated "seed-to-sale" company in the U.S. and is the first and largest fully licensed medical cannabis company in the State of Florida. Trulieve cultivates and produces all of its products in-house and distributes those products to Trulieve-branded dispensaries throughout the State of Florida, as well as directly to patients via home delivery. Trulieve also holds licenses to operate in California, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and West Virginia. Trulieve is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol TRUL and trades on the OTCQX market under the symbol TCNNF.

To learn more about Trulieve, visit www.Trulieve.com .

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the content of this news release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes forward-looking information and statements, which may include, but are not limited to, information and statements regarding or inferring the future business, operations, financial performance, prospects, and other plans, intentions, expectations, estimates, and beliefs of the Company and statements with regard to the Report and the Company's response thereto. Words such as "expects", "continue", "will", "anticipates" and "intends" or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current projections and expectations about future events and financial trends that management believes might affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs, and on certain assumptions and analysis made by the Company in light of the experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors management believes are appropriate. Forward-looking information and statements involve and are subject to assumptions and known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause actual events, results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from future events, results, performance, and achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking information and statements herein, including, without limitation, the risks discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and in subsequent periodic and current reports filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and in the Company's filings on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Although the Company believes that any forward-looking information and statements herein are reasonable, in light of the use of assumptions and the significant risks and uncertainties inherent in such information and statements, there can be no assurance that any such forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, and accordingly readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such risks and uncertainties and should not place undue reliance upon such forward-looking information and statements. Any forward-looking information and statements herein are made as of the date hereof, and except as required by applicable laws, the Company assumes no obligation and disclaims any intention to update or revise any forward-looking information and statements herein or to update the reasons that actual events or results could or do differ from those projected in any forward looking information and statements herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, or otherwise, except as required by applicable laws.

SOURCE Trulieve Cannabis Corp.

Related Links

https://www.trulieve.com/


HOUSTON, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The University of Houston Law Center's Pre-Law Pipeline program has now completed seven years of its multi-faceted approach to diversifying the legal profession. Because of ongoing concerns related to COVID-19, the Summer 2021 class marked the second online-only instruction in the program's history.

University of Houston Law Center Dean Leonard M. Baynes and Associate Dean for Alumni & Community Relations Sondra Tennessee chat with students between classes.

Since it began in 2015, the pipeline program has established a strong track record of success. Eighty-one scholars have been accepted to law school and have received $5,434,229 in scholarship funds. A total of 69 undergraduate schools have also been represented throughout the lifespan of the program.

The program was started by Dean Leonard M. Baynes, the Law Center's first dean of African-American descent, and Program Director Kristen Guiseppi. Professor Meredith J. Duncan, the first assistant dean of diversity, inclusion and metropolitan programs in the school's history, oversees the program. It welcomes students who are first-generation, low-income, or members of groups underrepresented in the legal profession with a genuine interest in attending law school and pursuing a legal career. Students who participate in the program see their LSAT score increase by an average of 11-13 points.

"I'm very proud of the work that the University of Houston Law Center and its faculty, staff, alumni, and students have done to move the ball forward on diversity, equity and inclusion," Baynes said. "The Law Center is blessed with terrific students from diverse and first-generation backgrounds and faculty who care about their success. Together we plan to make a difference in this space."

"For the past few years, the UHLC Pre-Law Pipeline program has nurtured and developed the talent of aspiring lawyers from underserved and underrepresented populations in an effort to create a new generation of diverse legal professionals representative of our communities," Guiseppi said. "It has been an honor and privilege to provide a space where pre-law students can learn more about the law, develop lifelong connections, and grow as young professionals. We are proud of our scholars' accomplishments and very thankful for the continued support of our partners and sponsors."

The program has expanded over the years to include five tracks that include freshmen and sophomore undergraduate students, upperclassmen undergraduate students, UH students and working professionals.

Numerous organizations and publications have honored the Law Center's Pre-Law Pipeline program including the American Bar Association, the Law School Admission Council and the AccessLex Institute.

"Our pre-law pipeline program helps students who would otherwise not have the understanding or know-how to achieve their dreams of entering the legal profession," Duncan said. "UHLC's pipeline program has been very successful in increasing the number of qualified diverse law school applicants. We are changing lives while at the same time diversifying the legal profession, and doing so is very satisfying."

The program has also played a pivotal role in the Law Center being recognized with Insight Into Diversity Magazine's Higher Education and Excellence in Diversity (HEED) award for five years in a row from 2015-2020. HEED Award recipients are selected through an extensive application, detailing demographics of the faculty and student body, recruitment practices, mentoring and resource programs, community outreach and other efforts designed to increase diversity.

The Pre-Law Pipeline program is one of numerous initiatives at the Law Center that promotes diversity, civil rights and social justice.

In 2016, the UH Law Center established the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. The committee is tasked with building on the Law Center's strengths as a diverse and inclusive environment and educating the UHLC community about diversity and inclusion best practices. The committee is co-chaired by Duncan and Clinical Professor Geoffrey Hoffman, director of the Immigration Clinic. Other Law Center administrators, faculty members and students serve as members on the committee.

"It is important that lawyers reflect and appreciate the wide-ranging diversity of the clients we represent," Duncan said. "In educating future lawyers, the law faculty and the UHLC community must be deliberate in developing lawyers fully equipped to serve the needs of their varied clientele. The work of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee is geared toward cultivating future lawyers best equipped to represent well a multifaceted community."

"It has been my distinct honor to be co-chair of this important committee that recognizes and fosters social justice, diversity, equity and inclusion," Hoffman said. "The dean's initiative shows that this school's energies are focused on changing society for the good. Law schools should not just be about teaching students to represent individual clients, but about how to work for whole communities."

The committee keeps a pulse on the needs of the community through the combined contributions of its faculty, staff, and student committee members. As part of its engagement and educational programming, the committee offers a diversity and inclusion-focused speaker series, a book club, and other resources and support systems to further dialogue on related issues. Some of the events hosted by the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee include:

Additionally, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee has hosted various trainings on allyship to the LGBTQ+ community.

In 2018, the Law Center established its Diversity, Racial Justice and Human Rights Initiative, which serves as a platform encompassing the various institutes, programs, centers, clinics, and courses at the Law Center that relate to race, social justice, immigration, diversity, inclusion, equality, and related issues. This initiative has, as one goal, facilitating the connection of its affiliates with other UH-wide programs; community, local, and statewide organizations; and other nationwide and international outreaches sharing a similar focus.

In August of 2020, faculty and staff unanimously endorsed a plan to rename Calhoun Rd. that traverses the UH campus to Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., in an official petition and request to the city of Houston that was authored by the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. Part of the request stated, "renaming the referenced portion of Calhoun Rd. to 'Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.' would allow the University of Houston community to honor the legacy of Dr. King, who fought to end racial inequality and systematic oppression in our country." The plan is under consideration by the City of Houston.

After Houston native George Floyd's tragic death in Minneapolis in May 2020, the Law Center's faculty and staff unanimously approved a resolution committing to fight racism and to be antiracist, and adopted a statement on the Black Lives Matter movement. In January, Law Center faculty members collaborated on an intersession course that examined societal circumstances that led to Floyd's death.

In October 2020, the UH Law Center led the historic day-long conference: "Black Lawyers Matter, Strategies to Enhance Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion," with the SMU Dedman School of Law serving as a co-convenor. More than 1,000 people attended the virtual event which featured elected officials, judges, law professors and attorneys across a wide spectrum of practice areas. Along with the LSAC, the Law Center will co-convene the second-annual Black Lawyers Matter Conference on Oct. 15, 2021.

Earlier this year, Professor Dave Fagundes and Professor Lonny Hoffman arranged the UHLC Spring Workshop Series: "Race, Social Change, and the Law." The colloquium creates a cooperative scholarly enterprise in which students and visiting faculty from 10 other law schools work collaboratively.

In June, the dean's office and Associate Professor Tony Chase hosted a Diversity Equity and Inclusion Leadership Forum & Conversation that highlighted the impact scholarships have had on students from underrepresented backgrounds, and the need for a diverse legal profession.

Continuing its commitment to racial justice and human rights, on Feb. 25, 2022, the Law Center will co-host a virtual colloquium on Race, Racism and American Media with the Georgetown University Law Center. Applications are now being accepted for participants.

Since joining the Law Center, Baynes has been recognized with numerous accolades centered on equality. In 2019 he accepted the American Bar Association Alexander Award on behalf of the Pre-Law Pipeline program, was the recipient of the Council on Legal Education Opportunity, Inc.'s (CLEO) EDGE Award, the John Mercer Legal Education Leadership Award from the National Black Pre-Law Conference and Law Fair and was named a Diversity Champion by the National Diversity Council. In 2020, Baynes was named to the Lawyers of Color Power List by the Lawyers of Color Foundation. During his deanship, he was named one of the nation's top 100 most influential lawyers of color, and he was awarded the Houston Lawyer Association's Robert L. King Excellence in Education Award.

In 2018, CLEO awarded then-Associate Dean for Student Affairs Sondra Tennessee with a CLEO Edge award, acknowledging a commitment to education, diversity and greater equality throughout the legal community.

In February, the Law Center's Institute for Intellectual Property & Information Law (IPIL) was the recipient of the inaugural 2021 Houston Intellectual Property Law Association's Excellence in Diversity Award. HIPLA created two inaugural awards, one for institutional efforts towards diversity and inclusion, and another to recognize an individual for their efforts in these areas. The institutional award was presented virtually to Associate Dean Greg Vetter, the HIPLA College Professor of Law.

The UHLC provides several courses of instruction on diversity, race, and social justice including Race and the Law, Gender, Power, Law & Leadership, Sexual Orientation & the Law, Immigration Law, Employment Law, and Antidiscrimination, Juvenile Law, and Juvenile Representation.

The Law Center also provides legal representation to diverse and vulnerable communities through numerous clinical programs which include:

Civil Practice Clinic - Representing low-income families in areas of law such as bankruptcy, guardianships, divorce, child custody, probate/ wills and estate administration.

Representing low-income families in areas of law such as bankruptcy, guardianships, divorce, child custody, probate/ wills and estate administration. Consumer Law Clinic - One of the few of its kind in the country, law students learn the law by a mixture of theory and hands-on experience representing low-income clients in justice court, county court, and district court. Cases include claims under the Deceptive Trade Practices Act, as well as credit and debt collection problems, landlord/tenant complaints, and natural disaster issues.

One of the few of its kind in the country, law students learn the law by a mixture of theory and hands-on experience representing low-income clients in justice court, county court, and district court. Cases include claims under the Deceptive Trade Practices Act, as well as credit and debt collection problems, landlord/tenant complaints, and natural disaster issues. Criminal Defense Clinic  Working on misdemeanor cases with a high probability of going to trial, such as assaults, thefts, driving while intoxicated and drug possession.

Working on misdemeanor cases with a high probability of going to trial, such as assaults, thefts, driving while intoxicated and drug possession. Entrepreneurship and Community Development Clinic - Students assist small businesses and non-profit corporations with legal matters encountered daily, including negotiating lease agreements, selecting proper organizational structure, and developing employment policies. The Entrepreneurship and Community Development Clinic has worked in conjunction with the C.T. Bauer College of Business' SURE Program (Stimulating Urban Renewal through Entrepreneurship) to help revitalize the historic Third Ward neighborhood. The program is designed to support efforts in education, arts, health and economic development with the purpose of empowering the community to transform itself.

- Students assist small businesses and non-profit corporations with legal matters encountered daily, including negotiating lease agreements, selecting proper organizational structure, and developing employment policies. The Entrepreneurship and Community Development Clinic has worked in conjunction with the C.T. of Business' SURE Program (Stimulating Urban Renewal through Entrepreneurship) to help revitalize the historic Third Ward neighborhood. The program is designed to support efforts in education, arts, health and economic development with the purpose of empowering the community to transform itself. Immigration Clinic - Specializing in representing adult and juvenile immigrants from all parts of the world; asylum, human trafficking, SIJ/Unaccompanied Minors, victims of crimes and domestic violence victims.

- Specializing in representing adult and juvenile immigrants from all parts of the world; asylum, human trafficking, SIJ/Unaccompanied Minors, victims of crimes and domestic violence victims. Mediation Clinic - Provides trained student mediators to the civil justice courts in Harris County , the BBB, the Harris County Dispute Resolution Center, and the EEOC. Students mediate consumer issues, landlord/tenant disputes, breach of contract cases, and Hague Convention (International Kidnapping) cases.

- Provides trained student mediators to the civil justice courts in , the BBB, the Harris County Dispute Resolution Center, and the EEOC. Students mediate consumer issues, landlord/tenant disputes, breach of contract cases, and Hague Convention (International Kidnapping) cases. Military Justice Clinic  Students are assigned to defense teams in military criminal justice cases pending adverse administrative board hearings and felony-level courts-martial. Student involvement, once assigned to a defense team, will begin with client intake and end upon adjudication of the case at administrative board, trial, or agreed upon alternate disposition with the government.

Other practical opportunities for students include the Juvenile and Children's Advocacy Project (JCAP), the Texas Innocence Network (TIN) and the Street Law Program.

JCAP's mission is to reduce juvenile crime and delinquency and improve the long-term educational success rates and life outcomes for socially and economically disadvantaged juveniles. One of JCAP's components is its Record-Sealing and Expunction program, which is the only program in Texas providing sealing of juvenile delinquency records at no cost. Law students learn to practice in three different court systemsjuvenile, criminal and civiland receive training in three different procedures: juvenile records sealing, expunctions of adult criminal records, and nondisclosure orders for adult criminal records.

The Texas Innocence Network, established in 2000, is the oldest innocence program in Texas. The Texas Innocence Network has two divisions - the Capital Division, which represented death-sentenced inmates at every stage of their state and federal habeas appeals, and the Non-Capital Division which works to exonerate inmates who were wrongfully convicted.

The Street Law Program, established in 2016, allows Law Center students to gain teaching experience, while also working on their lawyering skills. Each Law Center student in the course is assigned to a high school class and responsible for developing and administering tests for a semester. They also are tasked with teaching high school students the skills to participate in a mock trial. The program was started by the Law Center's Center for Children, Law & Policy which focuses on youth of color in the school system.

The Law Center's Career Development Office participates in Diversity & Inclusion Recruiting, and encourages all students to apply to legal recruiting programs focusing on diversity and inclusion.

For more information on UH Law Center's diversity, racial justice and human rights efforts, please visit https://www.law.uh.edu/rjhr/.

UHLC media contacts: Carrie Anna Criado, UH Law Center Assistant Dean of Communications and Marketing, 713-743-2184, [email protected] ; Elena Hawthorne, Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing, 713-743-1125, [email protected] ; and John Brannen, Media Relations Rep, 713-743-3055, [email protected] .

About the University of Houston Law Center

The University of Houston Law Center (UHLC) is a dynamic, top tier law school located in the nation's 4th largest city. UHLC's Health Law, Intellectual Property Law rank in the U.S. News Top 10. It awards Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) and Master of Laws (LL.M.) degrees, through its academic branch, the College of Law. The Law Center is more than just a law school. It is a powerful hub of intellectual activity with more than 11 centers and institutes which fuel its educational mission and national reputation. UHLC is fully accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools.

About the University of Houston

The University of Houston is a Carnegie-designated Tier One public research university recognized with a Phi Beta Kappa chapter for excellence in undergraduate education. UH serves the globally competitive Houston and Gulf Coast Region by providing world-class faculty, experiential learning and strategic industry partnerships. Located in the nation's fourth-largest city and one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse regions in the country, UH is a federally designated Hispanic- and Asian-American-Serving institution with enrollment of more than 47,000 students.

SOURCE University of Houston Law Center

Related Links

http://www.law.uh.edu


DENVER, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Forge Nano and TexPower are collaborating under a recently-awarded SBIR Phase I grant to further enhance TexPower's cobalt-free, nickel-based ultrahigh energy cathode powders with Forge Nano's low-cost materials modification nanotechnology. Results from initial trials show >230 mAh/g, which equates to a 25% increase in energy density and a 10% reduction in battery costs for electric vehicles over existing battery materials.

Forge Nano Reactor Loading

"The precision and versatility of Forge Nano's advanced coating technologies are enhancing TexPower's cobalt-free, ultrahigh energy cathode powders! We look forward to the improved performance and safety benefits atomic layer deposition will bring to our commercial materials. The TexPower-ForgeNano collaboration will help bring TexPower cathodes to the rapidly evolving EV market and beyond."  Dr. Evan Erickson, CEO TexPower.

"We're extremely impressed with TexPower's cathode materials. We have tested over 50 cathode materials from global Fortune 500 companies and startups over the past few years and TexPower's energy density is second to none. We're even more excited that our proprietary atomic layer deposition coatings will enable the required cycle life for these US-made materials to enter commercial adoption in the near future. This collaboration is yet another example of our relentless drive to enhance the best battery materials domestically and globally to enable lower cost electric vehicles, consumer products, and energy storage systems." - Dr. Paul Lichty- CEO Forge Nano.

The SBIR award, entitled 'Taming Ultrahigh Energy Cathodes with Stabilizing Coatings: Harnessing Atomic Layer Deposition to Deploy High-Nickel, Cobalt-Free Cathodes in Electric Vehicles', grants the TexPower/ForgeNano team $206,500 to advance current state-of-the-art battery chemistries. In this project, spearheaded by Dr. Ryan Pekarek, TexPower will enhance the stability of their cobalt-free, ultrahigh energy cathode materials using the coatings deposited by atomic layer deposition (ALD). TexPower is casting a wide net, exploring several ALD coating chemistries in order to learn how TexPower's new class of cathode materials interacts with ALD-deposited coatings. Upon completion of this project, TexPower will identify a product line of ALD-coated cathode materials that they will scale and commercialize. Early results from the collaboration show that ALD improves TexPower's lifetime by 30% in full cells, while also reducing resistance by at least 5X over the lifetime of the cell.

From energy storage materials to pharmaceutical research, Forge Nano's ALD platform makes products better from the atoms up. Forge Nano's suite of ALD technologies can be found in various products from Li-ion batteries, high reliability electronics, vaccines and more.

About Forge Nano:

Based in Denver, CO., Forge Nano is a global leader in surface engineering and precision nano-coating technology, using ALD. Forge Nano's proprietary technology and manufacturing processes make angstrom-thick coatings fast, affordable, and commercially viable for a wide range of materials, applications and industries. Forge Nano's suite of ALD and PALD products and services covers the full spectrum from lab-scale tools to commercial-scale manufacturing systems.

For more information visit www.ForgeNano.com

About TexPower:

TexPower was founded by Drs. Evan Erickson, Wangda Li, and Prof. Arumugam Manthiram from the world-renowned battery research labs at the University of Texas at Austin where they initially developed the cobalt-free, ultrahigh energy cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries. This new class of cathode leapfrogs current low-cobalt alternatives, making more affordable, higher energy, longer life batteries supplied by a secure supply chain. After raising seed money through DOE, DOD, and private funding to build their Houston-based R&D facility, they have recently secured Series A funding for their pilot production capable of more than 100 tons per annum.

For more information visit www.TexPower.us

CONTACT

Michael Talarico

Marketing Director

[email protected]

(720) 259-8579

SOURCE Forge Nano

Related Links

http://www.ForgeNano.com


EBENE, Mauritius, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Azure Power Global Limited (NYSE: AZRE), leading independent renewable power producer in India, announced issuance of a dollar green bond of US$414,000,000, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Azure Power Energy Ltd (the "Bond"). The Bond, maturing in 2026, will be issued at a coupon of 3.575%, i.e., lowest ever coupon in the high-yield segment for any business out of India and lower by 27.5 bps from the lowest offering from any Indian renewable energy company till date.

The order book saw bids in excess of USD 2 billion, with more than 60% of the issuance placed with US and European investors, thereby demonstrating, global recognition of credit and operational strength of the Group. The transaction also underscores Group's continued ability to raise debt capital at a lower cost compared to its peers, leading to significant improvement in the overall return profile of the Group.

The Bond has been certified by Climate Bonds Initiative as a Green Bond and is the third solar Green Bond offered by Azure Power Group after issuances in 2017 and 2019. The Company will primarily use the proceeds to refinance it's existing 5.50% US$500,000,000 Green Bond issued in 2017 and due in 2022, and is expected to reduce debt cost by over 200 basis points in hedged INR terms for its 611 MW operational solar projects portfolio offered under the bond.

The Bond has a tenor of 5 years with amortisation and waterfall structures built in and is a leverage-positive transaction for the Group, demonstrating Group's strong focus on creditor interests along with value accretive approach in business conduct.

Speaking on this momentous occasion, Mr. Ranjit Gupta, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Azure Power said, "This is truly a remarkable transaction for the Indian Renewable Energy sector in the global markets, being the lowest ever coupon in the high-yield segment for business out of India, and a landmark for Azure Power Group in its journey of over 13 years in this space. With this 3rd Green Bond from the Group, primarily to refinance our 1st Green Bond issued in 2017, we have completed one full cycle of our successful engagement with global debt capital market investors. We are grateful for our global and domestic investors' continuous support and faith posed in us as the world class, credit and corporate governance focused renewable power group in India."

Barclays, HSBC, Standard Chartered Bank, Credit Suisse and MUFG were the Joint Global Coordinators and Bookrunners for the transaction along with Jefferies, Roth Capital Partners, Societe Generale and ICICI Bank as the Joint Bookrunners.

This press release is for informational purposes only and shall neither constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which the offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

About Azure Power

Azure Power (NYSE: AZRE) is a leading independent renewable power producer in India. Azure Power developed India's first private utility scale solar project in 2009 and has been at the forefront in the sector as a developer, constructor and operator of utility scale renewable projects since its inception in 2008. With its in-house engineering, procurement and construction expertise and advanced in-house operations and maintenance capability, Azure Power manages the entire development and operation process, providing low-cost renewable power solutions to customers throughout India.

For more information:

Investor Contact

Vikas Bansal

[email protected]

Media Contact

Samitla Subba

[email protected]

+91-11- 4940 9854

SOURCE Azure Power
UScellular Provides STEM Learning Support for 500 Teachers and 50,000 Students Tweet this

In May, UScellular surveyed parents1 regarding their child(ren)'s learning during the pandemic. The results showed:

Half of parents thought remote learning negatively impacted their child's learning

1 in 4 parents felt their child needed tutoring over the summer

Nearly 50% of parents were interested in extra assistance for their child

To address the need for extra summer assistance, 10% of UScellular's donation went towards summer school STEM projects. Students from kindergarten through high school received resources ranging from sensory tables and windmill kits to solar-car-design projects.

Mrs. McBride, a grade school teacher in Oklahoma City, who received $270 for her classroom project said, "As a teacher, I try to make the learning environment as engaging, inviting, and comfortable as possibleMy students will be so excited to use the pop it hands-on math games and paintsyour gift is a forever gift!"

Oklahoma is one of the 14 states where teachers received funding from UScellular's donation. UScellular has a longstanding commitment to supporting its local communities through donations and volunteerism. Since 2009, the company has donated more than $20.8 million along with countless experiences and technology items to nonprofit organizations across the country. For more information about UScellular's corporate social responsibility initiatives, please go to https://www.uscellular.com/get-to-know-us/community-outreach .

About UScellular

UScellular is the fourth-largest full-service wireless carrier in the United States, providing national network coverage and industry-leading innovations designed to elevate the customer experience. The Chicago-based carrier is building a stronger network with the latest 5G technology and offers a wide range of communication services that enhance consumers' lives, increase the competitiveness of local businesses and improve the efficiency of government operations. To learn more about UScellular, visit one of its retail stores or www.uscellular.com. To get the latest news, promos and videos, connect with UScellular on Facebook.com/uscellular, Twitter.com/uscellular and YouTube.com/uscellularcorp.

About DonorsChoose

DonorsChoose is the leading way to give to public schools. Since 2000, 4.8 million people and partners have contributed $1.1 billion to support nearly 2 million teacher requests for classroom resources and experiences. As the most trusted crowdfunding platform for teachers, donors, and district administrators alike, DonorsChoose vets each request, ships the funded resources directly to the classroom, and provides thank yous and reporting to donors and school leaders. Charity Navigator and GuideStar have awarded DonorsChoose, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, their highest ratings for transparency and accountability. For more information, visit www.donorschoose.org.

For more information, contact:

Bridget Ballek, 331-385-2215, [email protected]

1 April 2021 C+R Research: 150 online interviews were conducted among parents and/or guardians of children ages 4-17 who attended any form of remote learning since March 2020.

SOURCE USCC Services, LLC

Related Links

www.uscellular.com


Dr. Jennifer Campbell, President of the City of San Diego Council, spoke about the importance of ASTERRA technologies in supporting resource resilience and the earth's infrastructure. "We must face these challenges together and solve the urgent problem if we want to leave a healthy planet for our children and grandchildren," she said.

Consul General of Israel to the Pacific Southwest, Dr. Hillel Newman, recognized the important friendship and partnership between Israel and the United States. This was of special significance because ASTERRA was founded in Israel as Utilis in 2013. The trophy for the inaugural Innovation Award was presented by Heather Collins, Vice President of the AWWA.

Other guests and speakers included Melissa Melendez, State Senator California District 28, Artemis Hodoyan, from the office of US Senator Alex Padilla, Christopher Mika, Congressional Fellow for the 50th District of California, and Joe LaCava, Council Member for City of San Diego.

ASTERRA products, such as Recover, lower the cost of finding potable water leaks by using a patented algorithm and satellite-based synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data. It uses reflected signals from a satellite to detect the underground presence of potable water. A staggering 9000M gallons of water are saved every year through ASTERRA solutions, with an average of 3.3 leaks found per day at each subscribing utility.

At the event, Elly Perets, CEO of ASTERRA, spoke about the company's new brand. He said, "Utilis creates technology that is powerful. This technology is essential. It is a way to look at the earth and help by seeing it in a way that no one else can." He went on to say, "This technology is used to strengthen infrastructures in the smallest of towns and in the largest of cities. This technology has so great an impact on the terrain of the earth that it needs a new name . . . ASTERRA."

Together, they marked two great milestones, one is the Innovation Award, and the other is the transition from a leak detection company to a data provider for the greater infrastructure industry.

ABOUT ASTERRA

ASTERRA is a division of Utilis that provides data driven solutions for water utilities, government agencies and the greater infrastructure industry. ASTERRA products use synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data from satellites and turns it into large scale decision support tools. The company's proprietary algorithms and highly educated scientists and engineers are the key to their mission, to deliver actionable intelligence to advance Earth's resource resilience. Since 2016, Utilis technology has resulted in saving more than 9000 million gallons of potable water and 22,000 MWH of energy per year, in support of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The Utilis ASTERRA division is headquartered in Israel with offices in the United States and United Kingdom. Their innovative data solutions are used in multiple verticals around the globe. For more information on ASTERRA and to learn more about their technology visit https://asterra.io.

Media Contact

Karen Dubey

Corporate Marketing Director

[email protected]

(858) 798-6709

SOURCE ASTERRA
Dr G. Paul Evans, Chief Executive and President of Velocity Clinical Research, said, "Velocity is carving out a new category of pharma services. The clinical trials site landscape will look very different in the next 12 months and Velocity is well placed to take advantage of this consolidation in the market.

"When US companies try to expand into Europe, they tend to do this remotely, attempting to manage operations from the States. We're breaking the mould by putting boots on the ground."

Dominic Clavell joins Velocity to head up its European operations after a decorated career in some of the top clinical research organisations, site management organisations and pharmaceutical companies in the world, such as Parexel, IQVIA, Synexus and Novartis.

Dominic Clavell, Executive Vice President, Europe, commented, "The experience of COVID has markedly changed attitudes in Europe towards commercial clinical research, which is why this expansion in Europe is so timely. We recognise that Europe poses a different set of challenges to the United States because of public healthcare structures, hence why a physical presence on the continent is paramount."

Velocity is simultaneously strengthening its senior management team in the US as the company prepares for its next stage of growth, following its sale to GHO Capital in April this year.

Erin Williams joins Velocity as Vice President of Regulatory and Site Contracting from Parexel, where she was Global Head of site contracting and was previously in the same role for PPD. Williams commented, "Accelerating study start-up is key to speeding up clinical trials and bringing drugs to market quicker. The integrated nature of the Velocity site model puts us in a unique position to drive that, for example by providing a single site contract no matter how many sites we use."

Newly appointed Senior Director of Patient Recruitment, Charles-Hubert Devaux, was previously at Clinical Trial Media, a digital patient recruitment provider, and prior to that Clariness, said, "I'm looking forward to bringing my experience from previous roles held in France and Germany at a pivotal time for Velocity's European strategy. The past 12 months has demonstrated the power that speeding up patient recruitment to trials has, particularly as the industry did some outstanding work, recruiting hundreds of thousands of people to COVID vaccine trials. But there is still a lot of work to do. We have to get better as an industry at engaging minority populations and I look forward to leading that for Velocity."

Headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, Velocity operates 18 fully owned sites across 12 US states. The company serves biopharmaceutical and contract research organisation (CRO) clients in primarily conducting phase II and phase III clinical trials in support of their global drug development programs. In just three years, Velocity has worked with over 200 biopharmaceutical clients, including all the top 10 pharma sponsors, and its sites have collectively conducted over 5,500 clinical trials.

All of Velocity's sites are fully integrated via a centralized infrastructure and common technology backbone, allowing for superior patient enrollment and consistent, high quality data delivery.

Notes to editors

Dominic Clavell ( LinkedIn )

( ) Erin Williams ( LinkedIn )

( ) Charles-Hubert Devaux ( LinkedIn )

( ) A full list of Velocity's sites can be found on its website.

Velocity has extensive experience in vaccines, general medicine, neurology, dermatology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, and women's health.

About Velocity Clinical Research

Velocity Clinical Research, headquartered in Durham, NC, is a leading integrated site organization for clinical trials, offering dedicated site capabilities to help biopharmaceutical and contract research organization customers find the right patients for their studies. The company has 18 sites across 12 US States.

We place the care of the patient at the heart of everything we do. With over 35 years of experience running sites and more than 5500 studies completed, Velocity has refined its patient recruitment strategies while maintaining a focus on delivering timely and reliable data quality. For more information visit our website at https://velocityclinical.com .

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1332237/1045132_Logo.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1592178/Velocity_Clinical_Research_team.jpg

SOURCE Velocity Clinical Research
The accessories bear Google's "made for" badge, indicating the products have been designed by Wasserstein for use with Nest Cam and Nest Doorbell and have been certified to meet Google's compatibility standards. The line consists of five expertly crafted accessories for Nest Cam and four premium accessories for Nest Doorbell including:

Google Nest Cam (battery):

Anti-Theft Mount  This sun glare and raindrop-deterring mount offers theft, tamper and drop protection for your Google Nest Cam (battery)

 This sun glare and raindrop-deterring mount offers theft, tamper and drop protection for your Google Nest Cam (battery) And coming soon PoE Adapter  Provides reliable, easily-positioned Ethernet power to your Google Nest Cam (battery) Premium Solar Panel with 5.3W output and Standard Solar Panel with 4W output  Up to 5.3W and 4W output solar power options to keep your Nest Cam powered around the clock and charged with just a few hours of sunlight Wasserstein Floodlight  3-in-1 Floodlight that secures your Nest Cam in place, continuously powers it, providing a bright floodlight to illuminate your surroundings in the dark for the ultimate nighttime security



Google Nest Doorbell (battery):

Adjustable Horizontal and Vertical Wedge Mounts  Add versatility to your Nest Doorbell for all-around viewing angles and protection against harsh weather conditions

and Mounts  Add versatility to your Nest Doorbell for all-around viewing angles and protection against harsh weather conditions Wall Plate - Sleek matte design to complement your Nest Doorbell and cover any hole or marks left by your old doorbell

- Sleek matte design to complement your Nest Doorbell and cover any hole or marks left by your old doorbell And coming soon Solar Panel  Made of high-efficiency solar cells, this solar panel can quickly charge your Google Nest Doorbell (battery) with zero downtime



"The launch of the new Nest Cam and Nest Doorbell are poised to change home security, so we're proud to create this compatible accessory line that will provide high-quality support for safety and peace of mind in the home," said Christopher Maiwald, Managing Director and Founder of Wasserstein. "Our collaboration with Made for Google has been almost three years in the making, with products specifically designed to work together seamlessly, providing convenient smart home security solutions."

The Wasserstein Made for Google accessories are now available at wasserstein-home.com, BestBuy.com, HomeDepot.com and more, retailing from $14.99 to $79.99. For more information about Wasserstein and its products, please visit wasserstein-home.com and follow along on Instagram (@wasserstein.home).

About Wasserstein

Since 2015, Wasserstein has been committed to producing thoughtful products for smart homes, stemming from their very first accessories for the Dropcam Pro, later rebranded as Nest Cam. They have since established product designs to complement Google Nest, Ring, Arlo, Blink, Wyze, and many more. Their products are available in more than 900 Best Buy stores across the U.S. and on major e-commerce channels including BestBuy, Home Depot, Amazon, Target and eBay.

SOURCE Wasserstein

Related Links

https://wasserstein-home.com


RAIPUR, India, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Stratview Research announces the launch of a new research report on Water Treatment Chemical Market by Chemical Type (Corrosion Inhibitors, Coagulants, Flocculants, PH Adjusters, Biocides, Scale Inhibitors, and Others), by Salt Type (Aluminum and Iron), by End-User Type (Paper & Pulp, Power Generation, Metals & Mining, Refining, Wastewater, Municipal, and Others), and by Application Type (Wastewater Treatment, Portable Water Treatment, and Industrial Water treatment), by Region Type (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World), Size, Share, Trend, Forecast and Competitive Analysis: 2021-2026.

This strategic assessment report, from Stratview Research, provides a comprehensive analysis that reflects today's water treatment chemical market realities and future market possibilities for the forecast period of 2021 to 2026. After a continuous interest in our water treatment chemical market report from the industry stakeholders, we have tried to further accentuate our research scope to the water treatment chemical market to provide the most crystal-clear picture of the market. The report segments and analyses the market in the most detailed manner to provide a panoramic view of the market. The vital data/information provided in the report can play a crucial role for the market participants as well as investors in the identification of the low-hanging fruits available in the market as well as formulate growth strategies.

Water Treatment Chemical Market: Highlights from the Report

Water treatment is a process that is used to improve the water quality, making it appropriate for various purposes such as drinking and industrial applications. Treating water means removing its contamination or at least reduce its concentration to make it usable. Numerous varieties of chemicals are used for this purpose. Water treatment has a wide range of applications in wastewater, industrial water, and potable water. Its market in North America and Asia pacific is already well established attributed to increased awareness regarding the quality of water. Also, both regions are among the prominent users of industrial chemicals.

The water treatment chemicals market logged a heavy decline of more than -14% in 2020. The market was hit adversely by the pandemic majorly because of a decline in the tourism industry in the wake of complete restrictions on traveling. Furthermore, various industries, such as petrochemical, had cut their production during the lockdown period, aggravating the overall demand. However, the industry stakeholders are expecting healthy market recoveries in the coming years, assisting them to resuscitate the losses incurred during the pandemic. In the long term, the market for water treatment chemicals is expected to grow at a healthy CAGR of 6.0% over the next five years to reach US$ 35 billion by 2026.

Click Here and Run Through the TOC of the Report: https://www.stratviewresearch.com/toc/1820/water-treatment-chemicals-market.html

Based on the chemical type, the water treatment market is segmented as corrosion inhibitors, coagulants, flocculants, PH adjusters, biocides, disinfectants, scale inhibitors, and others. Despite being hit adversely in 2020, corrosion inhibitor is expected to remain the largest and the fastest-growing chemical type in the market during the forecast period. They are mainly used for industrial water treatment.

Based on the end-user, power generation is expected to remain the biggest demand generator for these chemicals during the forecast period. The power generation industry is one of the major sources of industrial wastewater, which contains substantial levels of toxic metal impurities such as lead, mercury, arsenic, and chromium. These impurities can cause harm to the environment, if not treated properly. Thus, this industry needs water treatment chemicals in a significant amount, creating a decent demand for the same.

In terms of regions, Europe and North America are well-established markets for water treatment chemicals. However, Asia Pacific is expected to emerge as the largest as well as the fastest-growing market for water treatment chemicals during the forecast period. This is mainly due to the growing population coupled with the increasing demand for clean and fresh water for human and industrial needs.

Enquire Here for a Free Sample of the Detailed Report: https://www.stratviewresearch.com/Request-Sample/1820/water-treatment-chemicals-market.html#form

The market for water treatment chemicals is gradually consolidating with major companies performing mergers & acquisitions to quickly gain the leading position and to tap the growing opportunities in this briskly expanding market. Some of the major key players in the water treatment chemicals market are listed below:

SUEZ

Nalco-Ecolab company

Solenis

Nouryon

Kemira Oyj

Kurita Water Industries Ltd

The Dow Chemical Company

SNF Group

Veolia Water

Buckman

Development of high-performance chemicals for critical applications, expansion in untapped and growing markets, and execution of mergers & acquisitions are the key strategies adopted by the major players to gain a competitive edge in the market.

Report Features

This report provides market intelligence in the most comprehensive way. The report structure has been kept such that it offers maximum business value. It provides critical insights on the market dynamics and will enable strategic decision making for the existing market players as well as those willing to enter the market. The following are the key features of the report:

Market structure: Overview, industry life cycle analysis, supply chain analysis.

Market environment analysis: Growth drivers and constraints, Porter's five forces analysis, SWOT analysis.

Market trend and forecast analysis.

Market segment trend and forecast.

Competitive landscape and dynamics: Market share, product portfolio, product launches, etc.

Attractive market segments and associated growth opportunities.

Emerging trends.

Strategic growth opportunities for the existing and new players.

Key success factors.

This report studies the global water treatment chemical market and has segmented the market in five ways, keeping in mind the interest of all the stakeholders across the value chain. Following are the five ways in which the market is segmented:

Water Treatment Chemical Market Size, Share & Forecast by Chemical Type

Corrosion Inhibitors (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Coagulants (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Flocculants (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

PH-adjusters (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Biocides (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Scale Inhibitors (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Others (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Water Treatment Chemical Market Size, Share & Forecast by Salt Type

Aluminum (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Iron (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Water Treatment Chemicals Market Size, Share & Forecast by End-User Type

Paper & pulp (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Power Generation (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Metals & Mining (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Refining (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Wastewater (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Municipal (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Others (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Water Treatment Chemicals Market Size, Share & Forecast by Application Type

Wastewater Treatment (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Portable Water Treatment (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Industrial Water Treatment (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Water Treatment Chemicals Market Size, Share & Forecast by Region

North America (Country Analysis: The USA , Canada , and Mexico )

Europe (Country Analysis: Germany , France , The UK, Russia , and Rest of Europe )

Asia-Pacific (Country Analysis: Japan , China , India , and Rest of Asia-Pacific )

Rest of the World (Country Analysis: Brazil , Saudi Arabia , and Others)

Stratview Research has several high value market reports in the chemicals and materials industry. Please refer to the following link to browse through our reports:

https://www.stratviewresearch.com/market-reports/Chemicals-Materials.html

About Stratview Research

Stratview Research is a global market intelligence firm providing wide range of services including syndicated market reports, custom research, and sourcing intelligence across industries, such as Advanced Materials, Aerospace & Defense, Automotive & Mass Transportation, Consumer Goods, Construction & Equipment, Electronics and Semiconductors, Energy & Utility, Healthcare & Life Sciences, and Oil & Gas.

We have a strong team of industry veterans and analysts with an extensive experience in executing custom research projects for mid-sized to Fortune 500 companies, in the areas of Market Assessment, Opportunity Screening, Competitive Intelligence, Due Diligence, Target Screening, Market Entry Strategy, Go to Market Strategy, and Voice of Customer studies.

Stratview Research is a trusted brand globally, providing high quality research and strategic insights that help companies worldwide in effective decision making.

Stratview Research has launched 'Composights', an online portal which offers free thought leadership reports, whitepapers, market report synopsis and much more for Composites and allied industries, worth US$ 20,000 every year.

Click here to sign up (No costs involved): https://www.stratviewresearch.com/composights/sign-in

For enquiries, please contact:

Stratview Research

E-mail: [email protected]

Direct: +1-313-307-4176

SOURCE Stratview Research
AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Waterloo Sparkling Water, known for its authentic fruit-inspired flavors and lively carbonation, is excited to announce its Sippin' Different Festival Ticket Giveaway Series to premier music festivals coast to coast. Fueled by the overwhelming fan response to its giveaway to Chicago's popular Lollapalooza Music Festival, Waterloo is expanding to a series of Festival Ticket Giveaways, starting with two events in the San Francisco Bay Area for which Waterloo is also the Official Sparkling Water:

Second Sky Fest on September 18-19 : One lucky winner will receive two (2) VIP two-day tickets for the event, selected and confirmed by September 10





on : One lucky winner will receive two (2) VIP two-day tickets for the event, selected and confirmed by Dirtybird Campout on October 15-17 : One lucky winner will receive two (2) General Admission three-day tickets and a camping pass, selected and confirmed by October 8

In addition to festival tickets, winners will also receive fun Waterloo swag and 10 free cases of Waterloo.

Official rules and details on how to enter the ticket sweepstakes are available at @waterloosparkling on Instagram.

Future giveaways in the coast-to-coast series will include tickets to two additional star-studded events that feature Waterloo as the Official Sparkling Water  Ohana Fest in Dana Point, CA and Sea.Hear.Now in Asbury Park, NJ  with more in the works. At these festivals, Waterloo will be on site with a mix of complimentary sampling, mocktail bars, live art experiences and more.

"As the Official Sparkling Water of music festivals across the country, we are pleased to announce our Sippin' Different Festival Ticket Giveaway Series," said Waterloo Chief Marketing Officer Kathy Maurella. "We applaud the creativity of musical artists and fans who live life to the fullest and look forward to sharing outdoor music  while savoring favorite Waterloo flavors  with even more fans. See you there!"

Supporting the healthy, active lifestyles of music fans nationwide, all Waterloo varieties are made with Non-GMO Project Verified flavors and purified carbonated water, bringing forward uniquely true-to-fruit taste and aroma with zero calories, zero sugars or artificial sweeteners, and zero sodium.

Waterloo Sparkling Water is available at retailers and through online platforms nationwide. In the San Francisco Bay area, retailers include Safeway, Raley's, Whole Foods, Costco, Target, select CVS and Walgreens, BevMo and online at Amazon, GoPuff and Imperfect Foods. For more information, visit drinkwaterloo.com or follow @waterloosparkling on Instagram and Facebook.

*Local authorities have posted health and safety guidelines regarding COVID-19. Check city requirements and festival-specific entry rules.

ABOUT WATERLOO SPARKLING WATER

Founded in 2017 and independently owned, Waterloo Sparkling Water offers fruit-inspired flavors and aromas with a lively amount of carbonation for a uniquely authentic and refreshing anytime drink. Waterloo has been challenging expectations from the start, embodying the entrepreneurial spirit and independent thinking that Austin is known for. Made with Non-GMO Project Verified flavors and Whole30 Approved, Waterloo is free of calories, sodium, sugar and artificial sweeteners. For the benefit of its fans and the environment, Waterloo has only ever been produced in aluminum cans made with BPA-free liners. Waterloo Sparkling Water is sold at retailers nationwide. For the latest news, join the 'Loo community at drinkwaterloo.com or follow @waterloosparkling on Instagram and Facebook.

SOURCE Waterloo Sparkling Water

Related Links

https://www.drinkwaterloo.com


MINNEAPOLIS, Minn., Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Wealth Enhancement Group, an independent wealth management firm, today announced that it will acquire Investor Solutions, an independent RIA practice based in Miami, FL. Investor Solutions includes six financial advisors that collectively oversee $1.1 billion in total client assets. Upon acquiring the firm, Wealth Enhancement Group's total client assets are expected to exceed $40 billion.*

The transaction is Wealth Enhancement Group's 10th acquisition in 2021. Since June 1, the firm has added 44 advisors and approximately $7.9 billion in assets to its platform via acquisitions.

Investor Solutions will be Wealth Enhancement Group's first location in South Florida and fourth in the Sunshine State, adding to two offices in Jacksonville and one in Tampa. The practice was established in 1993 by CEO Frank Armstrong and today its leadership team includes financial advisors Richard Feldman, Robert J. Gordon, and Brett Fingerhut. The practice offers comprehensive wealth management for individuals and families as well as advisory services for retirement plans, endowments and nonprofit organizations.

Jeff Dekko, Chief Executive Officer of Wealth Enhancement Group, said, "Wealth Enhancement Group has long considered South Florida to be a crucial market for expansion as we strive to build scale and a strong client service presence in key regions of the country. In Frank Armstrong and the Investor Solutions team, we have found a strong partner that possesses the ideal combination of characteristics: A nearly 30-year track record of client success and a deep desire to continue growing and developing their capabilities. These advisors are not content to rest on their laurels, and we look forward to helping them achieve the next stage in their business' growth with the benefit of Wealth Enhancement Group's resources, technology and scale."

Jim Cahn, Wealth Enhancement Group's Chief Investments & Business Development Officer, said, "We are thrilled to add Frank Armstrong and his entire team of advisors and employees to the Wealth Enhancement Group family. They have already demonstrated, through their decades of growth and success, their ability to offer clients a top-notch service experience. Collaborating with us will only help them refine and enhance those capabilities further."

Upon closing of the transaction, Investor Solutions will do business under the Wealth Enhancement Group brand, and Mr. Armstrong will serve as Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor.

Mr. Armstrong said, "We had a wide range of choices as to which wealth management firm to partner with in order to facilitate Investor Solutions' next stage of growth, but Wealth Enhancement Group made our decision an easy one thanks to the technology, expertise and other support that Jeff Dekko, Jim Cahn and the entire organization bring to the table. We look forward to decades of continued growth and development of our ability to serve our clients with financial planning-based services as part of the Wealth Enhancement Group team."

The transaction is expected to close in October 2021. Financial terms were not disclosed.

About Wealth Enhancement Group

Wealth Enhancement Group is a Greater Minneapolis-based independent wealth management firm offering comprehensive and customized financial planning and investment management services. Founded in 1997, Wealth Enhancement Group serves clients nationwide. Wealth Enhancement Group specializes in providing retail clients with the team-based knowledge and resources they need to simplify their financial life. For more information, please visit www.wealthenhancement.com.

Advisory services offered through Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services, LLC (WEAS), a registered investment advisor. Certain, but not all, investment advisor representatives (IARs) of WEAS are also registered representatives of and offer securities through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Wealth Enhancement Group and Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services are separate entities from LPL Financial. Wealth Enhancement Group is a registered trademark of Wealth Enhancement Group, LLC.

*Wealth Enhancement Group and its Registered Investment Advisor, Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services, had $33.9 billion in client brokerage and advisory assets as of 6/30/2021. Investor Solutions had $1.1 billion in client assets as of 5/19/2021. With the closing of previously announced transactions on 7/1/2021 and 8/1/2021 and the acquisition of Investor Solutions, Wealth Enhancement Group will have $40.2 billion in client brokerage, advisory and trust assets as of October 2021.

Media Contacts

Joseph Kuo / Chris Clemens

Haven Tower Group

424 317 4851 or 424 317 4854

[email protected] or [email protected]

SOURCE Wealth Enhancement Group
All members of Western Health Advantage are now eligible to receive Gatekeeper's Rx Locking Cap at no cost when prescribed a Schedule II through V medication. WHA is providing a full pharmacy reimbursement for up to 5 Rx Locking Cap devices per patient per 365-day rolling period. In addition, WHA is providing a dispensing fee to pharmacies for every Rx Locking Cap dispensed.

"The opioid and medication misuse epidemic calls for solutions on many fronts, including the use of abuse-deterrent, tamper-evident packaging," said Dr. Khuram Arif, Chief Medical Officer at Western Health Advantage. "For this reason, we are introducing the availability of the Rx Locking Cap from Gatekeeper for $0 co-pay."

Drug overdose deaths rose 29.4% in the United States in 2020, according to the CDC.

According to the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Abuse , more than 70 percent of individuals who illegally use prescription pain relievers obtained them through friends, family, and the home medicine cabinet.

"With the home medicine cabinet being a primary source for misuse of medications, by offering the Rx Locking Cap we expect to also reduce ED visits, hospitalizations, and treatment admissions among our patient population," said Garry Maisel, President and CEO of Western Health Advantage.

"While the opioid epidemic is a very complex issue, Gatekeeper is excited to collaborate with industry leaders to mitigate the risk of medication misuse in the home," said Kevin Kane, CEO of Gatekeeper.

OptumRx is the pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) facilitating this benefit for California payor, Western Health Advantage. Headquartered in Sacramento, WHA is a non-profit HMO health plan serving 10 Northern California counties. OptumRx is a division of UnitedHealth Group, and is the third-largest PBM, behind Caremark and Express Scripts Inc. To learn more about Gatekeeper's partnership with OptumRx and Western Health Advantage, visit gatekeeperinnovation.com

About Gatekeeper Innovation Inc: Gatekeeper Innovation Inc. is a Sacramento-based company offering tamper-evident and abuse-deterrent technology while supporting medication adherence. Gatekeeper Innovation's mission is to provide options for securing prescription medications to help prevent Diversion and Substance Use Disorder.

SOURCE Gatekeeper Innovation Inc

Related Links

http://www.saferlockrx.com


Why: 2021 marks 50 years following the landmark Supreme Court decision, Reed v. Reed, which invalidated an Idaho law that required the selection of a man over a woman to serve as administrator of an estate when both were equally qualified. The National Women's Law Center notes that this case, where the woman challenging this law was supported by Ruth Bader Ginsburg during her time at the American Civil Liberties Union, marked the first time in history that the Court applied the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to strike down a law that discriminated against women.

Today, gender-based equal pay protections still vary state-to-state and employers are regularly challenged in court for unequal pay practices and sex-based discrimination. Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory U.S. has assembled a state-by-state breakdown of gender-based equal pay protections.

EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK: Employers may not pay any employees less than the rate of wages paid to employees of another sex for equal work within the same establishment on jobs the performance of which requires equal skill, effort, experience, and responsibility under similar working conditions.

Employers may not pay any employees less than the rate of wages paid to employees of another sex for equal work within the same establishment on jobs the performance of which requires equal skill, effort, experience, and responsibility under similar working conditions. EQUAL PAY FOR WORK OF COMPARABLE CHARACTER/WORTH: Employers may not discriminate in wage payment between the sexes at lower wages than those paid to males/opposite sex for work of comparable character/comparable requirements, in the same operation/business, or type of work in the same locality. While different language is used (comparable vs. equal,) this is generally interpreted to be essentially the same standard as the federal Equal Pay Act standard.

Employers may not discriminate in wage payment between the sexes at lower wages than those paid to males/opposite sex for work of comparable character/comparable requirements, in the same operation/business, or type of work in the same locality. While different language is used (comparable vs. equal,) this is generally interpreted to be essentially the same standard as the federal Equal Pay Act standard. EQUAL PAY FOR SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR WORK: Employers may not pay employees at wages less than the rates paid to employees of the opposite sex for substantially similar work, when viewed as a composite of skill, effort, and responsibility, and performed under similar working conditions. This is a lower standard of proof than the federal Equal Pay Act standardit benefits employees by providing better protection.

Employers may not pay employees at wages less than the rates paid to employees of the opposite sex for substantially similar work, when viewed as a composite of skill, effort, and responsibility, and performed under similar working conditions. This is a lower standard of proof than the federal Equal Pay Act standardit benefits employees by providing better protection. NO SPECIFIC EQUAL PAY REQUIREMENTS: No specific Equal Pay requirements, although pay discrimination prohibitions may apply.

Who: Pamela Wolf, J.D., is a senior legal analyst at Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory U.S. who tracks and analyzes labor and employment issues including White House and federal agency developments, federal regulations, court decisions, state and federal legislation, and other trends impacting employee workplace protections. Pamela can discuss the different state and federal legislation in place to regulate equal pay in the workplace and guard against gender-based wage discrimination.

"Employers, especially those operating in multiple U.S. jurisdictions, must keep in mind that the federal 'equal pay for equal worth' standard always applies, but in some jurisdictions, employees have even greater protections against gender-based wage discrimination. Ten states have enacted laws applying an 'equal pay for substantially similar work' standard."

Contact: To arrange an interview with Pamela Wolf or other legal experts from Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory, U.S. on this or any other legal-related topics, please contact [email protected]

About Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory U.S.

Wolters Kluwer (WKL) is a global leader in professional information, software solutions, and services for the healthcare; tax and accounting; governance, risk and compliance; and legal and regulatory sectors. We help our customers make critical decisions every day by providing expert solutions that combine deep domain knowledge with technology and services.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Linda Gharib

Director, Brand & Communications

Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory U.S.

Tel: +1 (646) 887-7962

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory U.S.
Drill permit awarded by SEMARNAT and 3 to 5 year land access agreements in place with the Municipality, Panuco Ejido and private landowners for Panuco .

Drill permit awarded by SEMARNAT and 2 year land access agreements in place with all private land-owners at San Gill encompassing all areas delineated for further exploration and drill targeting.

Drill contract in place with Major Drilling for an initial 10,000 metres of angled diamond drilling.

Environmental studies complete at San Manual and El Cristo. Drill permit applications for both areas submitted.

Dr Wilson, Chief Operating Officer and a Director of Zacatecas comments, "We are delighted to receive our drill permits for Panuco and San Gill. SEMARNAT processed our applications expeditiously and efficiently, despite the inherent challenges of operating during the COVID pandemic. This professionalism and support of exploration activity in the region is appreciated by all stakeholders."

Zacatecas Silver, in anticipation of the now granted drill permits, has already signed a contract for 10,000 metres of diamond drilling with Major Drilling, who have indicated that they are able to mobilize to site by the end of August. Drilling will commence at Panuco and thereafter San Gill.

The Company also expects, given the speed at which the Panuco and San Gill permits were processed, to have drill permits in place for San Manual and El Cristo in approximately 4 weeks.

All four key areas (Panuco, San Gill, San Manual and El Cristo) of the large Zacatecas Silver land package have been subject to significant fieldwork to identify and prioritize drill targets in preparation of permitting.

Panuco

The Panuco Silver Deposit has an historic inferred mineral resource of 19,472,901 ounces Ag Eq. (cut-off 100 g/t Ag Eq.) from 3,954,729 tonnes at 153.2 g/t Ag Eq (136 g/t Ag, 0.14 g/t Au, 0.012% Pb, 0.11% Zn) (the "Historical Estimate"). See "Historical Resource Estimate Information" set forth below. Zacatecas have verified historical drill data by re-sampling and re-assaying approximately 15% of drill intercepts used in the historical resource, re-surveying drill collar locations, and completing metallurgical test-work on Panuco drill core (see news release dated June 15, 2021). A current resource estimate for Zacatecas is currently being prepared.

Silver, gold, and base metal mineralization at the Panuco deposit is hosted in breccia veins, banded, crustiform and colloform quartz-calcite veins, and quartz vein stockwork within zones of strong argillic alteration  as is typical of the intermediate sulphidation veins throughout the Zacatecas region. Mineralization is open in all directions.

San Gill  San Manuel

San Gill Breccia is located in the southern part of the main Zacatecas concessions and is approximately 2 kilometres to the southwest of the Veta Grande vein. It is a zone of intense brecciation and quartz veining with an abundant matrix of iron oxides after sulphides. Veins are multiphase  as evidenced by breccias, quartz vein stockworks, and crustiform and collaform banding. Remnant mineralized zones that have not been fully oxidized to iron oxides include galena, sphalerite, chalcopyrite and argentite  consistent with the styles of mineralization at other similarly oriented mineralized systems in the Zacatecas region.

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed, verified and approved by Dr. Chris Wilson, B.Sc (Hons), PhD, FAusIMM (CP), FSEG. Chief Operating Officer and Director of Zacatecas Silver, a qualified person as defined by NI 43-101.

On behalf of the Company

Bryan Slusarchuk

Chief Executive Officer and Director

Historical Mineral Resource Estimate Information

In 2019 Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. completed an updated historical resource estimate as set forth in the technical report titled "Technical Report  Veta Grande Project, Zacatecas State, Mexico" dated 20th of August 2019. The report was prepared by Van Phu Bui, P. Geo and Michael O'Brien, P. Geo, and filed on www.sedar.com ("2019 Panuco Historical Resource"). The 2019 Panuco Historical Resource reported 3,954,729 tonnes at 153 g/t Ag Eq. (136 g/t Ag, 0.14 g/t Au, 0.012 % Pb, 0.11% Zn) for a total of 19,472,901 ounces Ag Eq. (cut-off 100 g/t Ag Eq.). The 2019 Panuco Historical Resource used "inferred mineral resources", which is a category set forth under CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources & Mineral Reserves adopted on May 10, 2014.

The 2019 Panuco Historical Resource was calculating using 75 drill collars, 866 down hole surveys and 2,607 assayed samples. A surface trench database totalling 183 trenches with 1,813 samples was used. Resource blocks were defined using with dimensions of 20 m along strike and down dip, and 1 m across strike. Grades for gold, silver, lead and zinc were interpolated into blocks using the following estimation algorithms: central  ordinary kriging and NW and Tres Cruces  inverse distance squared. Assumptions used in the 2019 Panuco Historical Resource include the following metal prices: gold price of US $1,350/oz, silver price of US $16/oz, lead price of US $0.90/lb and zinc price of US $1.10/lb. The 2019 Panuco Historical Resource assumed recovering similar to the Veta Grande System being: gold at 52.2%, silver at 62.1%, lead at 87.9% and zinc at 78.6%. The Company considers the 2019 Panuco Historical Resource relevant due to its identification and modelling of the Panuco deposit.

The Company has not done sufficient work to classify the 2019 Panuco Historical Resource as a current mineral resource or mineral reserves, and the Company is not treating the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. Although the historical resource estimate is considered reliable, 8% of the drill core intervals used in the resource calculations was re-sampled and submitted these to ALS for independent assay. Further, additional data verification including resurveying of select diamond drill holes collars; review of graphic drill core logs, comparison of these logs with remaining half-cut core, and a cross-check of select geological logs agonist database entries; and a check of original ALS assay certificates against the assays and drill hole database. Remodelling of the current Panuco resource is ongoing pending receipt of check sample assays.

Forward-Looking Statements

Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. Zacatecas Silver cautions that all forward looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by many material factors, many of which are beyond their respective control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to Zacatecas Silver's limited operating history, its proposed exploration and development activities on is Zacatecas Properties and the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, Zacatecas Silver does not undertake to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE Zacatecas Silver Corp.
A look at Thursday's major share movers on the London Stock Exchange

( ) was the top riser in the FTSE 250, up 6% to 64.92p, after forecasting strong trading in the coming months as people want to have fun outside their homes.

The cinema operator has reopened most of its estate in the US and the UK and said that since the removal of most restrictions on July 21 it has seen a gradual recovery of admissions and demand, supported by strong retail sales.

In the six months to June 30, which included around four months of closures due to lockdown, Cineworld reported a pre-tax loss of US$576.4mln, narrowed from a US$1.64bn loss a year ago, while revenues dropped to US$292.8mln from US$712.4mln.

2.40pm: Shield Therapeutics higher after securing licence agreement in South Korea

( , ) added 5% to 50p in the early afternoon after securing a licence agreement in South Korea for its Accrufer iron deficiency therapy.

Under the deal with Korea Pharma Co Ltd, the pharma group will receive an upfront payment of 0.5mln and is also eligible to receive a further 1.5mln upon the first commercial sale of Accrufer in Korea.

It will also receive up to 4mln in milestone payments upon the achievement of specified cumulative sales targets, as well as royalties of 15% on net sales of Accrufer for the duration of the intellectual property in Korea.

1.10pm: ( ) slips after chief financial officer leaves

( ) Holdings PLC slipped 12% to 0.725p in the early afternoon after its chief financial officer David Templeman resigned from the board with immediate effect.

The mid-market network, cloud and IT managed services provider said it plans to recruit another chief financial officer in due course.

It didnt say why Templeman decided to leave.

12.10pm: John Lewis Of Hungerford surges after making unexpected profit

John Lewis Of Hungerford PLC surged 24% to 1.3p at lunchtime after announcing that recent performance has topped expectation and it will make a small profit before tax for the full year.

The specialist kitchen manufacturer and retailer made a loss in the first half but it will be offset by a profit in the second half, which ended on 30 June.

The group, not to be confused with , added that it has entered the new financial year with an order book substantially higher than in recent years, with forward orders of 4.7mln.

11.15am: ( ) tumbles after 1mln share placing

( ) Limited tumbled 14% to 0.515p after raising 1mln by placing 2mln shares at 0.5p per share.

The energy group will use the fund to part-fund the new licence commitments, as well as provide general working capital, for its operations in Namibia.

Earlier this month it was granted an extension to a licence where it will acquire and process 2,000 square kilometres of 3D seismic data, done through a farmout.

Meanwhile, ( ) was also down 14% to 32p after announcing that it had to let go 60 employees over the past four months.

It was a direct consequence of the Department of Health and Social Care not paying for products they have taken delivery of, chairman Dr Chris Hand said, and legal proceedings are ongoing.

The group also admitted it has not seen significant commercial traction with the AbC-19(TM) COVID-19 test to date.

9am: Stock Spirits on the rise after agreeing on 767mln takeover offer

( ) PLC was an early riser on Thursday, surging 43% to 383.5p after agreeing on a 767mln takeover offer by CVC Advisers.

Shareholders will receive 377p per share in cash, which is a 41% premium to Wednesdays closing price.

We believe that CVC's support for our existing strategy and the investment that it intends to make in order to grow our business means that this offer will benefit all of Stock Spirits' stakeholders, said the vodka producers chairman David Maloney.

Elsewhere, ( ) rose 12.5% to 2.25p after inking a farm-out deal with ( ) for five licences in the Southern North Sea.

Cairn will acquire between 60 and 70% of the licences, and, it will cover 100% of the agreed work programmes for each of the five licences. If the exploration assets advance to drilling, Cairn will cover 70% of the costs of the first well up to a maximum US$25mln.

Deltic will receive US$1mln upfront, representing a contribution towards historic back costs.
Many ethical investors are likely to have been pushed to the point where they think its not enough to avoid oil and coal and buy renewables, I want to do more

Reading about the UNs climate change report and looking at some of photos of newly homeless families from wildfires and flooding in Greece, Turkey, Albania, Germany and California in recent days could be enough to lead many people to think that our planet is beyond hope.

But as much as the report from the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is bleak and depressing, there is also a call to arms, for if urgent and large-scale changes are made then some of the most severe impacts can be avoided and many will be reversible.

When climate change Greta Thunberg said two years ago I dont want you to be hopeful. I want you to panic, maybe now the time has come.

Investors certainly have seemed more hopeful that they can do their bit in the past year and a half, with a surge in interest in sustainability-focused and environmental, social and governance funds.

Inflows into ethical funds surged to a record 10bn in 2020 from 3bn the year before, according to Investment Association data  while this week data from Calastone showed ESG funds accounted for 90% of inflows in the past month.

But even among investors who were already giving over a large part of their savings and investments to ESG there must have been a sizeable number for whom the report came as a depressingly crushing reminder that not enough is being done, and governments are not moving fast enough.

For those people who arent ready to go and join Extinction Rebellion quite yet, is there more they as private investors can do?

In short, yes, plenty.

1. If you were to do just one thing

Probably the single biggest impact any investors could make is switching their pension savings to more green investments.

Whats more, thanks to the proliferation of green funds in recent years, in 2021 it is quite possible to have most or all of your portfolio in sustainable and positive impact funds, with enough variety to provide tilts towards growth and income, as well as portfolio diversification.

Its easy to forget that your workplace pension is invested in the market, mainly because a default fund is selected for you and often people forget to revisit this selection, says Laura Suter, head of personal finance at AJ Bell.

Most pensions will have at least one ethical option and if thats not up to scratch you can always consider transferring your pension somewhere else when you move jobs.

Myron Jobson, personal finance campaigner at Interactive Investor, agrees, adding that while the challenge of climate change may be daunting, how you invest is one of the easier steps you can take to contribute to the fight.

Several fund managers offer a range of sustainable quick start funds for beginner investors.

For example, Rathbone Greenbank offers a range of multi-asset sustainable portfolios ranked by four levels of risk; the BMO Sustainable Universal MAP range offers three for different risk appetites; while others doing similar include Royal London Asset Management.

But for those that are already past this point, there is still more you can do.

2. Rethink how you invest

If step one was to move your savings to more sustainability-focused funds, the UN climate report might have also triggered many people to fundamentally rethink what it is they want across their savings and investments.

For example, is growth still your priority or are other issues more important to you now?

Thanks to the deepening and widening of ESG funds in the past few years, investing in green funds no longer means you are necessarily accepting second best in terms of fund performance or returns.

If anything, the market is still underappreciating the long-term risks and opportunities of climate change, says Ben McEwan, climate active analyst at Sarasin & Partners.

The market is really only starting to price this stuff and it will be forced to price it further. And therefore you will generate, in our view, better returns if you think about these dimensions now.

With a green-tinged fund available across most asset classes, the ardent ethical investor could turn their whole portfolio green, but Suter cautions about ending up with too much of your portfolio overlapping or focused on a handful of themes, such as green energy or wind power.

This may require more research than an investor might normally be used to, but it becomes more important when not only do you want your fund manager to make you money but also that they are trying to do the right thing as you see it.

Your broker or investment platform is likely to provide a long list of ethical funds, some of them break these down into sections to help match ethical investors with solutions that align to their morals.

Part of the challenge here is the subjective concept of what constitutes green  and you may have higher priorities for the different elements, be they E, S or G.

While avoiding traditional sin stocks like oil, tobacco and arms firms has been enough for the ethical investor in the past couple of decades, for many people that is no longer enough.

But, as Jobson warns, research is important and investors should not take all investments labelled green or sustainable.

For investors looking to green their portfolio, there is no substitute for doing the legwork themselves. This means looking under the bonnet of every product purporting green credentials to ensure compatibility.

To make sure theyre not greenwashing and are walking the walk, all ESG-related funds will have factsheets explaining their investment policies, the breakdown of the portfolio between different subsectors.

You can also check a funds voting record  and if theyve not been made public you can ask for them.

Asset managers should be proud of their records, with some becoming increasingly energetic and vocal critics of slovenly sustainability practices, such is Legal & General, which in the latest AGM season voted against 130 companies over their climate change policies.

But an example of why research is necessary is because you may feel that a company with a terrible 10-year record for polluting rivers (like Pennon) should not be in the portfolio of a supposedly environmental fund (like those run by ( , ))  or you might think, as the firm says, that pollution events are one of the factors considered in the assessment of their environmental performance.

3. Vote green

This brings us to another relatively easy step but one that most investors sadly have let slide.

Especially for those who feel driven to do more, voting at AGMs is a must for every company where you invest.

Voting is probably the most powerful tool in an investor's armoury to catalyse change, says McEwen.

One investor on their own may not feel powerful but there are plenty more people out there like you.

Putting your money in the right investment fund also creates a strong collective vote.

There's definitely a benefit in sort of the collectivism of investing with an asset manager that has a voice, adds McEwen. But you have to be wary that that manager is serious about using its voice, not only unilaterally engaging with the company, but also bilaterally engaging with other investor groups, and voting on an annual general meeting on the investor's behalf.

Asset managers that are serious about expediting the transition to net zero have to do all three.

4. Get active

Voting is just the first step towards becoming a more active investor.

As an investor, it is possible to have a powerful impact, says Katarina Hammar, head of active ownership at Nordea Asset Management.

As the urgency of the climate issue is mounting, it is vital for all investors to take action to ensure future generations will not see their prospects for a good life ruined by the actions of today.

One way of doing this is through corporate engagement, which she says is an incredibly powerful tool to bring about a real-world impact. Investors can either do this individually, or work with other asset managers to potentially have more of an influence.

Huw Davies, a finance adviser at the Make My Money Matter campaign, says: We encourage people who care about the impact of their pension to contact their scheme and ask what their pension invests in, and ask for them to commit to robust net zero targets.

If you think your pension fund or investment funds are not doing enough, then let them know too.

And if you want to step it up a level, you might take inspiration from the recent court victory for seven activist groups to challenge ( )s climate strategy.

5. Investing for impact

Over and above avoiding the bad guys and backing the good guys, investors wanting to make a positive difference with their money might consider whats called an impact fund, which aim to have a positive, measurable impact on society and the environment.

As James Penny, UK chief investment officer at TAM Asset Management, notes, funds focusing on impact investing have been blazing a trail into measuring and delivering the real impact on the investors they invest into.

Right down to specific numbers of school books being delivered, trees being planted, green infrastructure installed, even the tonnage of carbon being taken out of the atmosphere. Clients can receive detailed reports about exactly how their investments are making a difference to industries and livelihoods.

The Green revolution continues to deepen and with it investors are given more and more tools to empower them to deliver real change with each pound they invest, Penny says.

One such impact specialist is UK-based WHEB Asset Management, which focused on sustainability via their one and only fund, the WHEB Sustainability Fund.

The team invest based on nine sustainable investment themes, ranging from resource efficiency and sustainable transport to education and wellbeing.

Every investment into the fund makes a positive difference, says Dominic Rowles, investment analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, with 10,000 invested into the fund in 2020 helping generate 2 MWh of renewable energy, avoid 3 tons of carbon dioxide emissions, treat 27,000 litres of waste water for reuse, recycle or recover a ton of waste material, plus other investments in tertiary education and healthcare treatment.

This is the only fund managed by the WHEB team, meaning they're totally dedicated to it and focused on its success. However, the portfolio looks very different to the broader global stock market, so we expect it to perform differently too, adds Rowles.

Other funds take great pains to ensure their portfolio companies walk the walk, including the Rathbone Greenbank Global Sustainability Fund, where a dedicated research team filters out those that are not as green as they might wish to seem, before a meeting with the company to drill down further into their sustainability credentials.

M&G Investments has also launched a range of impact funds in the past year, where the target is for a measurable, positive impact for people and the planet, as well as long-term financial returns. The range includes the M&G Climate Solutions Fund that invests entirely in green technology, clean energy and the circular economy, though its not been going for a year yet.

Investment trusts also offer asset specialisation and income from the ( , ) and its wind-powered peers, to the sun-charged subsector where ( ) Ltd and ( ) Ltd ply their trade; and in the last couple of years trusts have been launched to focus on other technologies, such as ( ), as well as more diverse environment-focused investment trusts such as ( ).

6. Passive aggressive

While many investors see ESG investing as something just for the active portion of their portfolio, this means that could be passively backing companies that are climate-negative.

With the market for ethical trackers and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) having ballooned in recent years, theres many ethical options now available.

More specialised tracker funds can provide purer exposure to specific themes investors may want to get behind, says Suter.

She highlights the iShares Global Clean Energy ETF, while

Clearly the more specialised the theme, the less diversified the portfolio, and the more risk investors must be willing to accept, she adds.

The passive sector also has impact funds, including the iClima Global Decarbonisation Enablers UCITS ETF, which claims to be the worlds first exchange-traded fund (ETF) to focus specifically on companies that enable CO2 avoidance.

It tracks the iClima Global Decarbonisation Enablers Index, which at the latest rebalancing had over 160 companies.

Gabriela Herculano, CEO of iClima Earth, which developed the index, says the best way to reduce CO2e in the atmosphere is to find lower-emission alternatives to products and services, thereby avoiding emission and in order for the world to reach net-zero by 2050 and have a chance of limiting global warming, the ETF provides exposure to companies across subsectors including green energy, green transportation, water and waste improvements, decarbonisation-enabling solutions and sustainable products that will reduce and avoid carbon emissions.

7. Passive activist?

As mentioned above, one effect of investing in the right fund is that you can get other people to do your activism for you.

And in a confluence of the various ESG angles, there is also a theme that might almost be called passive activist impact investing.

Environmental activist fund Engine No.1 has only been going a short while but has already achieved big things, including getting three directors appointed to the board of Exxon Mobil, leading to the largest US oil company to focus more of its future investment on alternative energy sources than fossil fuel exploration.

Engine No1s founders believes ESG engagement on a corporate level benefits a companys bottom line as well as impacting positively on its environment.

The hedge fund also launched an ETF, Engine No 1 Transform 500 ETF (BATS:VOTE) in June, create value by driving positive impact at the largest 500 companies in the US.

Activist investment platform Tulipshare also launched last month, with a mission to unify individuals investing power with other investors shares to make their voices heard from as little as 1.

Founder Antoine Argouges says the platforms goal is to give a voice to the everyday individual, to encourage retail investors to rethink their investment strategies.

Based in the UK, the platforms initial causes are focused on big US names, including fighting for workers rights at Amazon, plastic pollution at Coca-Cola and right-to-repair issues at Apple, but the plan is to broaden the approach over time.

8. Even cash?

All investors have a portion of their portfolio in cash to varying degrees.

There will soon be a new way for UK investors to use that cash for positive environmental impact with the governments proposed launch of green bonds later this year.

With a product launched via the National Savings & Investments brand, savers money will be used to fund green government projects.

Whats for green funds has soared in recent years, as demand from investors has increased. This means that you could feasibly ensure all of your portfolio has a green tilt, rather than just a portion of it.
United Nations, Aug 12 : Conflict in different parts of Afghanistan in the last week has driven tens of thousands of people away from their homes, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Wednesday.

The office said that they are part of the nearly 390,000 people displaced by hostilities this year, with a massive spike since May. Many of the displaced fled to Kabul and other large cities, the Xinhua news agency reported.

Most of the displaced in the capital city are staying with families and friends, with a growing number camping in the open, facing increased vulnerability, it said. More than 5,800 internally displaced persons arriving in Kabul between July 1 and August 5 needed food, household items, water and sanitation support and other assistance.

Ten humanitarian teams on Wednesday assessed the needs of people staying outside in parks and other open spaces and identified an additional 4,522 displaced persons lacking shelter, food, sanitation and drinking water, OCHA said. A temporary health clinic and mobile health teams provided health services.

"Despite a worsening security situation, humanitarian agencies are staying and delivering to people in need, reaching 7.8 million people in the first six months of this year," OCHA said. "Some 156 non-governmental organizations and UN agencies have delivered assistance throughout Afghanistan." While the humanitarians said they intend to stay despite increasing hostilities to deliver relief, it depends on staff safety, bureaucratic hurdles and raising additional funds.

The $1.3 billion Humanitarian Response Fund for Afghanistan is just 38 per cent funded, leaving an almost $800 million shortfall.
New Delhi, Aug 12 : He talks about his relationship with Kolkata -- a place of comfort, a space that can be distressing, a metropolis that can hold a wide range of emotions. A city that engulfs every meaning of the word home.

But that is not the only reason why filmmaker Aditya Vikram Sengupta's third feature 'Once Upon A Time In Calcutta' which is the only Indian film in this year's edition of Venice International Film Festival, competing in the Orizzonti section is named after the city.

"Over the past ten years, Kolkata has witnessed a sea change -- from political to social. Globalisation is the buzz word. The film in fact is a tale of every city in the world. Just that I know Kolkata best and it affects me the most. What I say through the film is a global phenomenon which is happening everywhere," says Sengupta, whose debut film, 'Labour of Love' won the Fedeora award at Venice Days 2014 and second movie, 'Jonaki' premiered at International Film Festival Rotterdam 2018.

The filmmaker, who has been working on his latest since 2015 says the team was ecstatic on learning about its selection at the prestigious film festival. "Venice is a validation for everyone, that you know, you are on the right path. It is nice to know what we have done is being appreciated worldwide." Recalling how he roped in renowned Turkish cinematographer Gokhan Tiryak, Sengupta says that he had written to Tiryak after watching 'Three Monkeys'. They connected over Facebook and were in touch for a long time. "I have a habit of writing to people, and tend to reach out if I like anyone's work. I have been doing that for the last 20 years - without any agenda. While many do not reply, others do. Tiryak was someone who did," says the director whose next movie will be in Hindi.

Though admitting that digital platforms have been a game changer, managing to take films like 'Jonaki' to a large audience, the filmmaker feels they are not really a substitute for theatres. "You simply cannot beat the magic of collective viewing on a huge screen. I am sure an equilibrium will emerge." Missing attending major film festivals in India and abroad that have been cancelled or shifted to a hybrid model owing to the pandemic, the director laments that these are not supposed to be online programmes. "They are meant to be socially interactive and in-person. It's like going on a date. Can imagine going on a virtual one? Silly, no? It's sad but I hope that things will get back on track." Talk to him about the lockdowns, and Sengupta that though he was deeply affected by the crisis they caused, personally, the period was immensely productive for him. "I have been writing and going back to my innate self-rediscovered many things that I had lost over all these years. I feel more resilient now." (Sukant Deepak can be reached at sukant.d@ians.in)
Wellington, Aug 12 : New Zealand designated Fiji and Indonesia as "very high-risk countries" due to the surging coronaviurs cases in the two countries, which limits travel from them to the country, Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said.

As of 11.59 p.m. on August 15, travel to New Zealand from Indonesia and Fiji will be allowed only for New Zealand citizens, their partners and children, and parents of dependent children who are New Zealand citizens (together with any children of those parents who are not New Zealand citizens), Hipkins said in a statement on Wednesday.

Other travellers from very high-risk countries, including New Zealand residents, are required to spend 14 days outside a very high-risk country before flying to New Zealand, he said.

The New Zealand government introduced in April the very high-risk category, aiming to reduce the risk of a large number of infected people flying to New Zealand from high-risk locations.

The very high-risk category list initially included India, Brazil, Pakistan and Papua New Guinea, with Fiji and Indonesia now adding to it, Hipkins said.

Currently there are more than 24,000 active cases of Covid-19 in Fiji, with the outbreak which began in April continuing to escalate, statistics showed.

The Minister said the move is necessary to help stop the spread of Covid-19 and protect the health of New Zealanders, despite the disappointment and disruption of travellers' plans caused by the reclassification.

"These stronger measures for specific countries have been enacted to reduce the risk of possible transmission, which is particularly important as countries deal with the Delta variant of Covid-19," he said.

The New Zealand government is continuously reviewing border settings to ensure Covid-19 is kept out of the country and communities, the Minister said.

Travellers transiting through New Zealand from Fiji to other countries can continue to do so, provided they stay airside on arrival and spend less than 24 hours in-transit in New Zealand, he added.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
New Delhi, Aug 12 : Bollywood celebrity Mira Kapoor says she turned to yoga because she realised that yoga helps her listen to her body and makes her feel connected and in tune with herself.

"My yoga journey picked up after I became a mom. It helped me in ways that made me realise that yoga is more than just weight loss. It helped me strengthen myself, become flexible and more mindful. My go to yoga routine involves hip mobility and flexibility flows that includes asanas like Halasana and Sarvangasana," Kapoor, who is also a partner at SARVA and a yoga enthusiast told IANSlife.

Kapoor is part of the yoga-based wellness brand's 'Achieve', a collaborative platform where various celebrity yoga enthusiasts join hands with the brand to create goal-based workshops aimed at achieving sustainable fitness outcomes in an engaging, encouraging and interactive way.

"Collaborating with SARVA on 'Achieve', sharing the tips and tricks that worked for me with a larger audience is an opportunity I want to make the most of. We have solutions for people like you and me. Real bodies with real problems and real solutions." Asked why she recommends post-partum yoga, Kapoor shares: "Post pregnancy, my back pain (that everyone said would go after my deliveries), never really left me. I tried all sorts of remedies and routines. I realised what I needed was to 'be healthy, feel healthy' from within, this was more than just weight loss for me, and I decided to turn to yoga.

"Yoga cured me of my chronic back pain, sorted my gut issues and even helped with regularising my hormones. Yoga has worked wonders for me, hence I would recommend everyone to include yoga in their daily routine." Does she involve her husband Shahid Kapoor and their two children in it, too? "Well, I try to as much as I can, over the weekends, but we all have different schedules and goals!"

She had recently posted glimpses from a yoga session with her mother and grandmother. Asked about her takeaways from their yoga practices, she says: "I think my first takeaway is that women of all ages must continue to practice yoga. Intensities can vary but the important thing to do is be consistent. That's my biggest takeaway." Sarvesh Shashi, Founder, SARVA, says, "There is a renewed interest in people wanting to live healthy and fit. The opportunity to train with celebrities with their own tried and tested methods of fitness is a particularly unique motivation for those who want that extra push to start back on their fitness journeys or even to motivate themselves to do more for their health. This is where we are aiming to make a positive impact through 'Achieve'. We have collaborated with celebrities who have used the power of yoga to transform and manage their own health and fitness. They will now share their personal yoga journeys. favourite routines, and techniques with the audience. Anything that will get people off their arduous work schedules and dedicate some time for themselves".

(Siddhi Jain can be contacted at siddhi.j@ians.in)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Chennai, Aug 12 : Preparations are in full swing in Tamil Nadu schools which are set to reopen for classes 9-12 from September 1, given the situation of the pandemic during that time.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, M.K. Stalin has already said that the state would reopen for students of classes 9-12 from September 1 onwards if the pandemic situation is under control.

Schools which were shut since the closure due to Covid in 2020 are conducting major renovation work to welcome students in their schools. While several schools need total renovation especially those in the government sector, aided schools need minor work to make the classes fit for the return of students.

M. Pugazhendi, teacher at a private aided school in Erode, Tamil Nadu told IANS, "The reopening of classes for students from IX to XII is a welcome news but the schools have to do some renovation works here and there for the students to be in classes. The online classes had taken a toll on both the students and teachers alike but there was no other option during the Covid-19 pandemic period." Most of the aided school managements have been maintaining their schools ever since lockdowns were lifted partially and this has led to reopening their classes without much fuss.

George Varghese, Principal, St Josephs School, Trichy told IANS, "We had maintained our school properly since lockdown was lifted and hence not much is to be done to reopen for students of classes IX to XII. We welcome the state government decision to reopen schools and online classes were no substitute for classrooms. However, there was not much option and hence we had to conduct online classes." Tamil Nadu minister for school education, Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi said that the government is ready to reopen schools for Class IX to XII students depending on the pandemic situation. In a statement, minister said that preliminary works are being carried out in schools before reopening of classes.

Minister also said that Standard Operating Protocol will be maintained in schools and 50 per cent of the students will reach schools in shifts from September 1 onwards.
Bengaluru, Aug 12 : Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai will face his first litmus test in roughly three weeks from now as the State Election Commission has announced the long-pending local body elections in the state on September 3.

The elections will be held for 58 wards in Belagavi, 55 wards in Kalburgi and 82 wards of Hubballi and Dharwad corporations. The commission announced the polls on Wednesday.

The polls were pending as the matter of delimitation and ward-wise reservation was before the Court. The elections have been pending for more than two-and-a-half years.

On August 16, notification will be issued and the process of filing of nomination will start. The voting date is fixed for September 3.

The votes will be counted on September 6. The last date for submissions of nominations is on August 23.

Karnataka High Court recently questioned the Karnataka government which had objected to the conducting of elections due to Covid. The court had pulled up saying if people could go to temples and other places why can't they go to vote.

However, the elections are going to be the first test for Bommai as Belagavi, Kalburgi and Hubballi-Dharwad corporations are located in the north Karnataka region, considered as the BJP bastion.
Tel Aviv, Aug 12 : The Israeli government announced a national plan to tackle the soaring crime within the Arab society in the country.

The plan aims at fighting crime in Arab towns to "restore safety to the streets of the towns and villages" of the Arab minority, Commissioner of Israel Police Kobi Shabtai said in public remarks alongside Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on Wednesday.

Bennett said that years of negligence of policing and infrastructures led to "out-of-control shooting in the streets and violence" in Arab communities, adding that his new government "is determined to take action and wage an unceasing, constant and persistent fight against crime and violence in the Arab society".

A new police branch dedicated to foiling crime in the Arab communities has been established, Bennett said.

Earlier on Wednesday, the police carried out "Operation Sword Strike" to seize illegal weapons in over 200 sites throughout Israel, he added.

Arab citizens in Israel are Palestinians who did not leave their land during the 1948 war that broke out just in the wake of the announcement of the independence of the state of Israel.

They comprise about 20 per cent of Israel's 9 million population.

Official figures show they suffer a lack of job opportunities and less government spending on education, health, and infrastructure.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, Aug 12 : Reacting to the ongoing tussle between Congress and social media platform Twitter, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who is also the chairman of standing committee on Information Technology, said on Thursday that locking accounts stifles the freedom of expression.

In a series of tweets, Tharoor said, "Automatically locking accounts is an extreme step that stifles the freedom of expression of Indian citizens." He said, "I understand @Twitter's position that it has no choice but block accounts that violate Indian law & Twitter policy. While the law is what it is, policy can be reviewed." He said that the the outrage of the rape, murder and hasty cremation of a 9-yr-old Dalit girl in Delhi has shocked the nation's conscience. It demands expeditious action, not against Rahul Gandhi for a technical violation of law, but against those who were complicit in this human tragedy.

"The perception of double standards makes matters worse. When a BJP national spokesman posted a picture of the Hathras rape victim (violating Section 228A of the Indian Penal Code) @Twitter did not lock his account. SC Commission posted a pic of the victim's family on Aug 2, no action." Tharoor tweeted He said that the Twitter's action taken against a prominent opposition leader raises obvious concerns of selectivity and bias. I urge @Twitter to restore @RahulGandhi's account, review the policy of automatic suspensions & show more sensitivity to public concerns. Focus on what happened to the girl, not a pic!" The Congress party on Thursday claimed that after blocking their former president Rahul Gandhi's social media account, Twitter has now "locked" the party's official handle @INCIndia.

Congress social media head Rohan Gupta said the official Twitter account of the Congress has been locked. "Cong official twitter account locked," Gupta tweeted and told IANS that 5,000 of their party workers and leaders' accounts have also been blocked.

IYC national president Srinivas B.V. tweeted: First Rahul Gandhiji's account, Then Congress workers' account, Then Congress Leaders account, & Now official account of @INCIndia...Twitter is openly batting as a frontal organization of the BJP. Are we still living in India or North Korea?" The micro-blogging platform a day ago also blocked Congress General Secretary Ajay Maken's handle, Maken said that Twitter blocked him for supporting Rahul Gandhi.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Kanpur, Aug 12 : A man killed his 23-year-old wife with a spade in Kanpur Dehat and then walked to the police station to tell the police to pick up his wife's body. His in-laws insist its a dowry death.

Circle Officer, Bhognipur, Prabhat Kumar said the accused husband, Ram Kumar, a street vendor, asked the police to visit his house where his wife Uma's body was lying.

The circle officer said the couple had frequent arguments over the wife's visiting her parents' home regularly. Late Tuesday there was again one such quarrel when she attacked the husband with a brick, and he reciprocated with the spade.

When she fell unconscious, he dragged her to their room and left for the police station. Police later recovered the spade from the room.

Uma's father Chandrapal, who also reached the spot, told investigators that there was a function at his home for which his daughter Uma also came.

Two days back, Ram Kumar had taken Uma from her house. "My daughter has been murdered for dowry," said Chandrapal.

Later, he filed a complaint accusing his son-in-law Ram Kumar, mother-in-law, father-in-law and other relatives of being involved in the murder of his daughter.

"Accused Ram Kumar was sent to jail on Wednesday," the circle officer said.
New Delhi, Aug 12 : The Taliban have toppled the 217th Pamir Army corps situated in the airport of Afghanistan's Kunduz province for the first time in the past two decades.

The fighters in broadcasted video claim to have taken a chopper of Afghan army which seems to be out of work, media reports said.

Video clips from Kunduz province show that tens of Afghan forces also surrendered to the Taliban along with rangers and Humvees.

Meanwhile, the fighters have also taken control of another airport in Sheberghan city of Jawzjan province.

Both the northern provinces along with the rest of provinces in the zone have fallen to the Taliban but the strategic Balkh province.

Balkh province bordering Tajikistan is one of the strategic provinces of Afghanistan from where Marshal Dostum said to be launching operations against the Taliban.

There was a high-level security meeting in the provincial capital of Balkh province chaired by the Afghan President Ashraf Ghani which aimed at bringing the security of northern zone back in to track.

The Taliban are gaining territories as US officials have warned the Kabul to collapse by the militant group in a three-month span.
Chennai, Aug 12 : Continuing confrontation with the ruling DMK, the opposition AIADMK is to launch protests in all districts of Tamil Nadu against the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) sleuths conducting raids on the premises of its mouthpiece, "Namadhu Puratchi Thalaivi Amma".

The searches were conducted on Monday.

The party is making this a big issue over the raids conducted on the newspaper office without proper procedures and wanted to bring to the notice of the public that the DMK was indulging in muzzling the freedom of press.

Party coordinator O. Panneerselvam and co-coordinator K. Palaniswami in a statement said, "The searches should be done in the presence of the proprietor or the person in charge of the paper as per the law. The searches were done illegally in the newspaper office without the editor or the staff. The searches were conducted by breaking the lock and using duplicate keys and this is a punishable offence." The AIADMK has decided to campaign against the Chief Minister who is in charge of the home portfolio and directly responsible for the attack on press office.

R. Vaithalingam, spokesperson of the AIADMK told IANS, "There was a blatant violation of freedom of press, and the DVAC sleuths barged into the newspaper office without intimating the office bearers of the newspaper and not even the editor. This is misuse of power and the Chief Minister who is in charge of the home portfolio is responsible for this. We will not lie low and will conduct campaigns in all districts of Tamil Nadu against this." With the budget session of the assembly commencing on August 13 and scheduled till September 21, AIADMK will have ample ammunition in its hands to fire on the ruling DMK. The party is already in a vociferous mode over the back to back raids on two of its senior leaders and former ministers -- M.R. Vijayabaskar and S.P. Velumani.
New Delhi, Aug 12 : Afghan President Ashraf Ghani replaced the countrys army chief and flew to the besieged northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif, trying to organise its defenses and halt the Talibans rapid offensive, a media report said.

The fired army chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Wali Mohammad Ahmadzai, had only been appointed by Ghani in June.

Since then, much of Afghanistan's regular military surrendered to the Taliban or melted away, allowing the insurgents to seize nine of the country's 34 provincial capitals and most of the countryside.

Special-operations commando units were the only part of Afghanistan's US-funded national security forces, theoretically numbering some 350,000 men, to consistently fight against the Taliban in recent weeks.

The head of the Afghan National Army's special-operations command, Maj. Gen. Haibatullah Alizai, took command as the new overall army chief.

The Taliban pressed ahead with their offensive on Wednesday, pushing into the southern city of Kandahar and the eastern city of Ghazni, and mopping up the pockets of routed government forces in the country's north.

Mazar-e-Sharif, with a population of half a million, is the only remaining part of northern Afghanistan still under government control, and its fall would allow the Taliban to gather their forces for a march on Kabul.

Leading warlords from the so-called Northern Alliance who battled the Taliban before the 2001 US invasion assembled with Ghani in Mazar-e-Sharif on Wednesday, promising to roll back recent Taliban gains, the report said.
Washington, Aug 12 : A US federal judge has ruled that a House panel's subpoena seeking former President Donald Trump's financial records covering eight years was overly intrusive, but that lawmakers could justifiably obtain two years' worth of similar information from his accountants.

On Wednesday, Judge Amit Mehta of the US District Court for the District of Columbia ruled in his 53-page decision that the objectives identified in the House Oversight and Reform Committee's subpoena, first issued in April 2019 and renewed by Chair Carolyn Maloney in March this year after the previous one expired, "present only a limited need for President Trump's financial records", and thus "cannot justify the degree to which the Maloney Subpoena imposes on the separation of powers".

"The more Congress can invade the personal sphere of a former President, the greater the leverage Congress would have on a sitting President," Xinhua news agency quoted the Judge as further saying.

The ruling, meanwhile, upheld the subpoena to the extent that it sought information about Trump's lease with the General Services Administration (GSA) for his D.C. hotel property and whether he violated the Constitution's emoluments clauses.

Mehta, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama to the D.C. court, therefore ordered Trump's accounting firm Mazars USA to hand over its client's personal and corporate tax and financial records covering the period between 2017 and 2018 - those that correspond to the aforementioned justifications.

Unlike the part of the committee's request turned down by Mehta citing "unavoidable" potential threat for a president, issues related to the GAS track of the case, the Judge argued, were "unique" to Trump.

"By freely contracting with GSA for his own private economic gain, and by not divesting upon taking office, President Trump opened himself up to potential scrutiny from the very Committee whose jurisdiction includes the "management of government operations and activities, including Federal procurement," he wrote.

Intervening in the case, the Supreme Court last year said lower courts were too quick to side with House committees seeking Trump's financial records.

The Justices advised lower court judges to more cautiously balance the interests of the executive and legislative branches, standards seemingly followed by Mehta in his Wednesday ruling.

The ruling, which could be appealed by either side, came after the Justice Department opined at the end of July that the House Ways and Means Committee's request for Trump's tax returns is legitimate, directing the Treasury Department to release those records.

Trump's lawyers have since joined the legal fight, aiming to shield the information.

In February, Trump lost his final bid in the Supreme Court to conceal his tax returns and other related documents from a district attorney in Manhattan probing a criminal case against him.

As a result, those records covering the period from 2011 to 2019 have now been in the hands of District Attorney Cyrus Vance.
Chennai, Aug 12 : A 62-year-old person who is the grand father of a seven-year-old girl was arrested by the police after he was accused of sexually assaulting the child.

His son and the girl's 16-year-old brother were also arrested in the case of having assaulted the child on different occasions. The incident occurred at the 62-year-old man's residence at Madippakam near Chennai.

Police said that the grandfather brought his grand children home after his daughter was busy with work and children were having online classes. His son was also staying with him.

The police said that on August 2 at night, grandfather, who was sleeping beside her, sexually assaulted her. Alarmed, the child went to her uncle's room and in the guise of pacifying her, the man too misbehaved with her.

The girl then turned to her 16-year-old brother for help who also sexually assaulted her.

When the girl's mother visited her on Sunday, August 8, she found that the daughter had fallen sick and she took the child to a doctor. The seven-year-old girl narrated the ordeal at the hospital and on medical check-up, it was confirmed that the child was sexually abused.

The mother lodged a complaint with the Madippakam all-woman police station. Police registered a case under Pocso Act. Grandfather and her uncle were sent to jail while her 16-year-old brother was sent to a correctional facility.
Prayagraj : , Aug 12 (IANS) In a shocking incident, a minor girl has been detained for allegedly mixing a chemical weed killer, known as weedicide, in the food cooked for her family.

The food claimed the lives of three of her family members including the father, younger sister and elder brother last week.

The police said that the 15-year-old girl had mixed weedicides into food to 'punish' her brother and mother who used to rebuke and scold her over household chores.

Deputy SP (Soraon) Amita Singh told reporters, "Investigations into the food poisoning incident where three family members died between August 4 and 8 reveal that a minor girl of the house had plotted the killing of family members." The mother of the accused girl had lodged an FIR against her daughter under section 302 of the IPC with Holagarh police, accusing her of killing three family members and also stealing household items when they were admitted to hospital.

According to police reports, the girl had mixed pesticides into food on July 28 and soon after, five of the family members became seriously ill.

The accused girl had not consumed the vegetable laced with weedicide and ate pickle and rice instead.

Four members of the family including the father, mother, elder brother and younger sister were admitted to separate hospitals for treatment.

The police came to know about the incident only after the village pradhan informed them about the suspected death of the father on August 4.

The girl's brother Rachit, 16, and sister Ankita, 6, died on August 8 during the treatment.

Police, meanwhile, became suspicious over the girl's attitude and started probing the case thoroughly.

Police said that the minor girl had taken the extreme step to plot the killing of her family members after being irked over her mother and brother's routine rebuking and thrashing episodes.

After the death of three family members, only two members including the accused minor girl and her mother, Geeta, survived.

During interrogation, the minor girl admitted to having mixed weedicide with food as she wanted to 'punish' her brother and mother for scolding her. Two of the domestic goats also died after they too were served the vegetable laced with weedicide.
San Francisco, Aug 12 : Facebook has banned hundreds of accounts which shared links with Russian disinformation network that claimed Covid-19 vaccines developed by drugmakers Pfizer and AstraZeneca can turn people into chimpanzees.

The network originated in Russia and targeted users primarily in India, Latin America and in the US.

Facebook investigation found that the anti-Covid vaccine campaign is linked to Fazze -- a subsidiary of a UK-registered marketing firm, whose operations were primarily conducted from Russia, the social media giant stated in its "Coordinated Inauthentic Behaviour Report" released on Tuesday.

"We removed 65 Facebook accounts and 243 Instagram accounts for violating our policy against foreign interference, which is coordinated inauthentic behaviour on behalf of a foreign entity. This network operated across over a dozen platforms and forums but failed to build an audience. Our investigation found links between this campaign and Fazze. Fazze is now banned from our platform," said Ben Nimmo, Global IO Threat Intelligence Lead, and the IO Threat Intelligence Team at Facebook, in the report.

The disinformation network first posted memes and comments, in November and December 2020, claiming that the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine would turn people into chimpanzees. It then remained inactive.

After a gap of five months, in May 2021, it surfaced again and questioned the safety of the Pfizer vaccine by posting an allegedly hacked and leaked AstraZeneca document.

"Both phases coincided with periods when a number of governments, including in Latin America, India and the United States, were reportedly discussing the emergency authorizations for these respective vaccines," Nimmo said.

Facebook investigation showed that the campaign created misleading articles and petitions on multiple forums including Reddit, Medium, Change[.]org, and Medapply[.]co[.]uk. It then used fake accounts on social media, including Facebook and Instagram, to seed and amplify this off-platform content, using crude spammy tactics.

But the campaign aimed at engaging influencers with pre-existing audiences on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok to post content and use particular hashtags without disclosing the origin of the posts.

The Instagram activity, on the other hand, was "crude and spammy", and was centered around a handful of hashtags: #AstraZenecakills and #AstraZenecalies, #stopAstraZeneca. Between December 14 and December 21, about 10,000 posts that included the operation's hashtags were made, often with links to the operation's off-platform articles, Facebook said.

The campaign used fake accounts, some of which Facebook says probably originated from account farms in Bangladesh and Pakistan. The sloppy campaign also mixed languages -- such as posting Hindi language memes accompanied by hashtags in Portuguese, it added.

"Our teams continue to focus on finding and removing deceptive campaigns around the world -- whether they are foreign or domestic. We know that influence operations will keep evolving in response to our enforcement, and new deceptive behaviours will emerge," Facebook said in the report.

"We are making progress rooting out this abuse, but as we've said before -- it's an ongoing effort and we're committed to continually improving to stay ahead," it added.
New Delhi, Aug 12 : The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) Chennai has dismissed the C. Sivasankaran application and ordered the liquidation of Siva Industries.

NCLT said that Sivasankaran application under section 12 (A) does not stand. NCLT has also dismissed the SBI application.

Siva Industries and Holdings Limited (Siva Industries) will go into liquidation after the NCLT rejected the application.

This is as per provisions of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code where 90 per cent of the lenders had not given approval.

Lenders of Siva Industries and Holdings Limited (Siva Industries), founded by C. Sivasankaran (the former promoter of Aircel) had filed application under Section 12A of Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code 2016 (IBC) in National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Chennai Bench for withdrawing the insolvency proceedings against Siva Industries.

Siva Industries and Holding owes Lenders approx Rs 5,000 crore.
Washington, Aug 12 : A former US federal health official has blamed the administration of former President Donald Trump's response to the Covid-19 pandemic, saying thousands of lives could have been saved if the government acted differently.

On Wednesday, Rick Bright, former director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) under the Trump administration, claimed he was sacked for opposing the former President's push for a certain treatment for Covid-19, reports Xinhua news agency.

"Hundreds of thousands of lives in the US and around the world would be saved, people would still be alive today if our government had listened to the science, had been honest and truthful with Americans from the beginning, had told Americans the real risk of this virus and put tools and information and clear messaging out to help people save their lives and protect themselves from getting this virus," Bright added.

BARDA is part of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), one of the agencies at the centre of the federal government's response to the coronavirus outbreak.

"If we had initiated testing, a really robust nationwide testing strategy to tell people where the virus was and tell people who were infected, if we had done more to prepare for the vaccine administration rollout when the vaccine became available," said Bright, now president of the Rockefeller Foundation.

Bright, a virologist who led BARDA between 2016 and 2020, gave the remarks during an interview with CNN.

Following his removal in April last year, Bright filed a whistleblower complaint purporting that he was ousted because he pressed for rigorous vetting of hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malaria drug embraced by Trump as a coronavirus treatment, and that the administration had put "politics and cronyism ahead of science".

Bright and the HHS had settled the whistleblower complaint, reaching a financial agreement that compensated him for losses including salary, benefits and pension contributions after his abrupt removal, his lawyer said on Monday.

The incumbent Joe Biden administration also confirmd the settlement, thanking Bright in a statement issued by the HHS "for his dedicated public service and for the contributions he made to addressing the Covid-19 pandemic while he served as BARDA director".

While the HHS under Trump denied any wrongdoing, allegations contained in Bright's whistleblower complaint are now being investigated by the Office of Special Counsel, which protects federal whistleblowers.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Lucknow, Aug 12 : The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh will replicate the success of Balinee Milk Producer Company in Bundelkhand by providing assistance to women.

These women will be made self-reliant by setting up dairies and managing milk production. Women groups are being formed in the eastern UP as well as in other districts.

According to the government spokesman, arrangements have been made in each village for procurement of milk through computerized system.

This will be the first time that women will be going to work in the field of milk production in districts like Rae Bareli, Sultanpur, Amethi, Bareilly, Pilibhit, Kheri, Sitapur and Rampur.

The state government will set up one lakh new self-help groups in five months and these will be assisted through 'Mahila Samarthya Yojana'.

Under the scheme, a transparent system has been made for availability of milk market and collection of milk in different districts of the state.

Women will be paid the price of milk regularly and on time, directly in their personal bank accounts.

The Balinee Milk Producer Company, with more than 24,180 women farmers of 634 villages of 5 districts (Jhansi, Jalaun, Hamirpur, Banda and Chitrakoot) of Bundelkhand, has been engaged in successful model of financial dependence.

The Balinee company collects more than 60,000 litres of milk per day. The company is funded by the National Livelihood Mission and the Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihoods Mission.

It was inaugurated by chief minister Yogi Adityanath in December 2019.
Mexico City, Aug 12 : The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has expressed concerns over the resumption of the US practice of flying non-Mexican asylum seekers and migrants to southern Mexico after expelling them under an American health law regulation implemented last year amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Individuals or families aboard those flights who may have urgent protection needs risk being sent back to the very dangers they have fled in their countries of origin in Central America without any opportunity to have those needs assessed and addressed," Xinhua news agency quoted the UNHCR as saying.

The order, which invokes the public health provision of US Code Title 42, was implemented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) under former President Donald Trump in March 2020 and allows Washington to "immediately" return individual and family migrants seeking asylum at the southern border due to pandemic concerns.

The US government resumed the expedited removal of certain family units on August 2, and said that it will continue to process individuals in accordance with the CDC's updated Title 42 provision.

The UNHCR noted that the expulsion flights come at a time when the flow of asylum seekers and migrants in the region "has increased considerably", and "will further strain the overburdened humanitarian response capacity in southern Mexico and heighten the risk of Covid-19 transmission across national borders".

It reiterated its call for the US to "swiftly lift Title 42 public health-related asylum restrictions that remain in effect and to restore access to asylum for people whose lives depend on it".
Kolkata, Aug 12 : The Calcutta High Court has the second highest vacancy of judges in the country, a statement from Union Ministry of Law and Justice has said. Not only that, there has been no permanent Chief Justice in the Calcutta High Court since April this year.

The Allahabad High Court tops the list with 66 vacancies while the Calcutta High Court has a vacancy of 41 judges.

The statement issued by the Ministry said that there are altogether 453 vacancies across the country. Calcutta High Court has a sanctioned strength of 71 positions but only 31 judges 'are in position'. On the other hand, Allahabad High Court has a sanctioned strength of 160 judges where 94 judges are functional while 66 positions are still to be filled.

Among the vacancies in Calcutta High Court, 25 are for permanent judges and 16 for additional judges.

If we go by percentage, Calcutta High Court has a vacancy of 57.4 per cent while Allahabad High Court has a vacancy of 48.2 per cent. Even the Bombay High Court, which has a sanctioned strength of 94 judges, has a vacancy list of 31 judges, the Delhi High Court of 30 judges, Punjab and Haryana High Court of 39 judges and Patna High Court has a vacancy of 33 judges.

"The situation of Calcutta High Court is the worst. There are no judges and naturally important cases are lying pending for months. There is no permanent chief justice. Calcutta High Court is one of the most important courts in the country and this kind of a situation cannot prevail for long," a senior advocate of the High Court said.

Despite this condition Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju did not make any comment on the recruitment in the High Court. Answering a question in the Rajya Sabha, Rijiju said, "Filling up for vacancies in the high courts is a continuous, integrated and collaborative process between the executive and judiciary. It requires consultation and approval from various constitutional authorities both at the state and central level." The Union Law Minister also said that while attempts to fill up the posts were being made "expeditiously", these vacancies also keep arising due to "retirement, resignation, or elevation of judges and due to increase in the strength of judges".

While one Calcutta High Court judge is set to retire this year, the next retirements are in 2023. In April 2020, five judges of the high court were transferred. Three among them took charge as the chief justices of Bombay, Madras and Meghalaya high courts. The Calcutta High Court now has two additional judges.
Canberra, Aug 12 : The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) plunged into a lockdown on Thursday after recording its first coronavirus case in the community in over a year.

Andrew Barr, chief minister of the ACT, announced that the territory would go into lockdown for seven days from 5 p.m. on Thursday after a man in his 20s tested positive for the virus, reports Xinhua news agency.

ACT Health said the man was infectious in the community with no known source of infection.

It is the first case of Covid-19 detected in the ACT community in more than 12 months.

"This lockdown decision is the result of a positive case in the territory, a case has been infectious in the community," Barr told reporters.

"We do not currently know the source of the infection, but extensive investigation has been under way for many hours.

"This is the most serious public health risk that we are faced in the territory this year, really, since the beginning of the pandemic," he said.

Under the lockdown, residents of Canberra and its surrounding suburbs will only be allowed to leave home for essential reasons including essential work, healthcare, vaccine appointments, grocery shopping and one hour of exercise per day.

General retail will be closed and hospitality businesses will move to take away only.

Masks will be made mandatory in public spaces.

Any ACT residents who visited an exposure site at the same time as the positive case have been ordered to isolate for 14 days.

"This will be the first time that the ACT has entered a lockdown of this nature since the early days of the pandemic," said Barr.

It makes Canberra another major Australian city currently subject to a lockdown with strict restrictions also in place in Sydney and Melbourne.

"We know from what we are seeing around Australia that the Delta variant of the Covid-19 virus is highly infectious, and life threatening," Barr said.

"For the sake of your health, your family's health and for the health of the community - it's critical that Canberrans take every precaution they can over the coming days."

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
New Delhi, Aug 12 : A day after the opposition and the government blamed each other for chaos in the Rajya Sabha, the opposition took their case to House Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu's door on Thursday.

A joint opposition delegation including representatives from the Congress, Shiv Sena, met the Rajya Sabha Chairman and after the meeting Mallikarjun Kharge said, "we have apprised the chairman about the incident that happened yesterday as 40-50 people were brought from outside and women MPs were manhandled." A joint opposition statement issued by 14 leaders says, "It is the Government, which is squarely responsible for the stalemate, has refused to accept the opposition's demand for an informed debate in both the houses. The Government used its brute majority to push through its legislative agenda in violation of established procedures, conventions and spirit of Parliamentary democracy." The government representatives -- Piyush Goyal, Pralhad Joshi and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi had blamed the opposition for the incident which happened on Wednesday.

Goyal on Wednesday demanded that the Chairman should constitute a special committee to enquire into the behaviour of the MPs, as done in the Lok Sabha in the past, and "strict action should be taken... mere suspension will not work".

He alleged that the opposition, right from the first day, had planned that it will not allow the house to function, though the house passed 21 bills.
Miscreants torch two luxury vehicles of BJP MLA in K'taka, the incident takes a communal turn. Image Source: IANS News

Miscreants torch two luxury vehicles of BJP MLA in K'taka, the incident takes a communal turn. Image Source: IANS News

Miscreants torch two luxury vehicles of BJP MLA in K'taka, the incident takes a communal turn. Image Source: IANS News

Miscreants torch two luxury vehicles of BJP MLA in K'taka, the incident takes a communal turn. Image Source: IANS News

Miscreants torch two luxury vehicles of BJP MLA in K'taka, the incident takes a communal turn. Image Source: IANS News

Bengaluru, Aug 12 : Miscreants have burned down two luxury vehicles belonging to 3-time BJP MLA Satish Reddy, parked inside the compound of his residence in Bengaluru, Karnataka in the wee hours on Thursday.

The incident has created tension in the city as the incident is allegedly linked to the unveiling of the Shiva statue at a lake in his constituency.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has stated from Mangaluru that, Satish Reddy is an important party leader. "I am pained by the incident. CCTV footage is being collected and I am hopeful that police would crack the case soon," he underlined.

Home Minister Araga Jnanendra who visited the spot said that three teams have been formed to investigate the matter.

Bengaluru Police Commissioner Kamal Pant visited Satish Reddy's residence at 4 a.m. and monitored the investigation.

Miscreants are suspected to have gained entry from the backdoor. They have set luxury cars on fire after pouring petrol on luxury vehicles. The police say that the place where these cars parked was not covered by CCTV cameras.

Sources in the police department stated that Satish Reddy got 9 activists of a Hindu organisation released after they were taken into custody.

The activists had allegedly unveiled the statue of Shiva against the Karnataka High Court order on Wednesday. It is suspected by the police that the incident might have taken place in this backdrop.

Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is constructing an island with a Shiva statue in the Begur lake. The High Court has issued a stay on the construction in August 2019 after a petition against it was filed.

The affidavit was filed by Leo Saldhana, Coordinator for Environment Support Group (ESG). The matter of unveiling the statue has been brought to the notice of the court and the court has sought action taken report by the Bengaluru Police Commissioner Kamal Pant by August 17.

The whole issue has taken a communal turn and Hindutva forces are alleging that the opposition is coming from Christian missionaries.

The police are treading cautiously with the issue and beefed up security near the residence of Satish Reddy and Shiva statue in Begur lake.
Lucknow, Aug 12 : Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday said that no matter how hard the BJP tries to connect with farmers in Uttar Pradesh, they will not vote for the saffron party.

Farmers, he said, will vote unitedly against the BJP in the next state polls.

Reacting to the BJP's plan to hold Kisan Sammelans in the state to reach out to farmers, Akhilesh said, "When the time has come for the 'Annadata' to become a voter, the BJP remembers farmers. Farmers are not going to fall in the trap of the BJP. In 2022, farmers will vote unitedly against the BJP." The BJP is going to launch a farmer outreach programme, 'Kisan Samvad', from August 16 to 23.

Akhilesh further slammed the BJP for not fulfilling its promise of doubling farmers income and also showing insensitivity towards their demand for repealing farm laws.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Mumbai, Aug 12 : He started the year 2021 with his much-awaited web series - 'The Family Man 2' followed by his one of the most intricate performance as 'Musafir Ali' in the anthology 'Ray (Hungama Hai Kyon Barpa)' and then he played a police officer 'Nikhil Sood' in his latest released film 'Dial 100'.

Multiple National Award-winning actor Manoj Bajpayee, despite proving his versatility with every single work, says he cannot watch his own performance, except for one film. In conversation with IANS, he shares why.

Manoj told IANS: "Honestly speaking I do not enjoy watching my own performance, in fact, I do not watch my film once it is done. I am a self-critical person. So, whenever I watch my performance, I just look at flaws or how this could have been better. I always feel I could have done it better. In a way, in my mind, it becomes torturous for me." He further added, "I would say, we as actors cannot enjoy watching a film like a regular audience. we know how things are shot, what happens when an actor performs, the process of creating a scene...we know it all. So, once you are a professional actor, you cannot really watch a film like a regular audience anymore. Having said that, we as actors, watch a film like a student, very deeply and intrinsically that usually, a regular cine-goers would not watch." Recently Manoj appeared in the film 'Dial 100', a Rensil D'Silva directorial, in which he shared screen-space with another veteran actress Neena Gupta and Sakshi Tanwar - released on ZEE5.

Asked about, if there is any of his own film that he could ever go-back and watch without being a self-critic, and Manoj said, "I would say, 'Satya'. It is the only film of mine that every time I watched even back then, during the trial, screening before its release, it used to take me in...it was such a well-made film really and the only performance that I do not criticise. That film never let me be critical of my own performance or look at any other aspect of the film, I think that performance was quite engrossing, the only time I felt." So, what is the next challenge the actor is looking forward to?

"Right now, I am sitting with Abhishek, Abhishek Chaubey, we are going to shoot soon. So, now I am in the process of creating the character, finding the right sur and bringing life to a character that is so for, is on the paper. Once we start working, we will come up with more details," the 'Bhiku Mhatre' signed off.

(Arundhuti Banerjee can be contacted at arundhuti.b@ians.in)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Phnom Penh, Aug 12 : Three Cambodian garment factory workers were killed and 25 others injured after a truck transporting them crashed in Kampong Speu province, the National Police said on Thursday.

The accident took place on Wednesday evening on National Road 41 in Samrong Tong district when the truck transporting a total of 35 workers collided head-on into a brick-carrying truck, reports Xinhua news agency.

"Three persons were killed and 25 others injured, including 17 in serious conditions," the National Police said on its website.

The injured have been rushed to nearby hospitals and the National Social Security Fund would take responsibility for the workers' medical expenses.

Transporting workers in open trucks to and from factories is common in the Southeast Asian country.

In March, 44 garment workers sustained injuries when their truck flipped onto its side in southeastern Svay Rieng province.

The country's multi-billion--dollar garment industry comprises about 1,000 factories, employing around 750,000 workers, mostly women.
San Francisco, Aug 12 : With the aim to make virtual learning distraction free, video conferencing platform Zoom has announced a new Focus mode that will help students stay attentive during the classes.

The company said that Focus Mode allows educators to see their students' videos and students to see their teachers without seeing other class participants.

"With this feature, teachers can supervise their class, but students won't be distracted by their peers' video feeds or feel self-conscious about turning on their own camera," the company said in a blogpost on Wednesday.

The platform has also released a new Zoom for Chrome progressive web application (PWA). The PWA improves the Zoom experience for Chromebook users, giving them access to even more Zoom features on Chrome OS devices.

To use it, users will need to find the PWA on the Google Play store and install it on Chrome OS.

The company also said that designating a space for schoolwork can help a child get into the right mindset when learning from home.

"Help your student set up a dedicated spot for studying and joining Zoom class sessions. It can be anywhere in your home, but ideally, it should be quiet and distraction-free," the company said.

"Also clear off a shelf or find a box or bin where your child can store school stuff out of sight until the next day, especially if their learning space is in a communal area like a kitchen or living room. This helps reduce clutter and allows your child to 'leave the classroom' at the end of the day, creating some separation between school and home," it added.
New Delhi, Aug 12 : A majority of India's pollution control agencies remain closed entities when it came to sharing information with the public with a mere handful of India's pollution control boards and authorities are adequately putting out environmental and governance information into the public domain, a new rating study by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has found on Thursday.

For calculating the Transparency Index and rating of pollution control boards on public disclosure - as the study is titled - the CSE assessed the data disclosure performance of 29 state pollution control boards (PCBs) and six pollution control committees from across the country. Of these, only 17 boards and committees scored 50 per cent or above. These are from Odisha, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Goa, Karnataka, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan.

"Governance and functioning-related data remains paper-bound: Information on functioning, actions taken by a board against polluting industries, public hearing data on new projects etc are rarely disclosed or remain difficult to access on the websites," CSE said in a release here.

"State PCBs are entrusted with several functions under the provisions of the Water Act, 1974; Air Act, 1981; Water Cess Act, 1977; and various rules and notifications issued under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. One of these functions under Section 17(C) of the Air and Water Acts is to collect and disseminate information related to air and water pollution and also about its prevention, control or abatement. The law asks the boards to share the data in public domain. But this is rarely done in practice," said programme director, Industrial Pollution Unit, CSE, Nivit Kumar Yadav.

Key findings of the report: Only 12 states have shared their latest annual reports on their websites: Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Sikkim, Tripura and West Bengal have shared annual reports of the year 2019-20; Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have shared annual reports of the year 2018-19 (which could be termed as the latest considering the COVID-19 situation in 2020). No initiative has been taken by 11 SPCBs/PCCs of the following states and Union territories in sharing their annual reports -- Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, J&K, Jharkhand, Manipur, Andaman & Nicobar, Chandigarh, Daman & Diu, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Puducherry and Nagaland.

The CSE study also found that the SPCB/PCCs have been protective of industries when it comes to non-compliance: Out of 35 SPCBs/PCCs, only five have shared soft copies of directions and show cause/closure notices issued on their websites - these are from J&K, Rajasthan, Telangana, Uttarakhand and West Bengal.

Only five boards - Delhi, Goa, Haryana, Tripura and Uttarakhand - have shared minutes of their board meetings on their websites: It is mandatory for SPCBs to meet at least once every three months. Board members in these meetings are supposed to discuss issues related to the functioning of the board, action plans, compliance and monitoring, and devising innovative methods to improve enforcement of laws.

Only five SPCBs have shared information on inspection conducted by the boards: The PCBs of Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal have shared this information in their annual reports.

Only nine SPCBs/PCCs have provided detailed information on public hearings, which include the executive summary, draft EIA report of the project, and minutes of the meeting. The states represented are Karnataka, Telangana, Delhi, Gujarat, Kerala, Punjab, Rajasthan, Goa and Mizoram, the study said.

"For this study, CSE collected data from two sources -- websites of SPCBs/PCCs and their annual reports. The study has evaluated the information shared by SPCBs/PCCs during the last four to five years (2016-21) and uses 25 indicators that provide a broader assessment on the type and amount of information shared. A few key indicators used in the study include the availability of information on direction/show cause/closure notices issued by boards, information on public hearings and EIA reports, non-attainment cities and polluted river stretches etc," programme officer, Industrial Pollution Unit, CSE, and author of the study Shreya Verma said.

Limited data on current pollution levels: Data indicating the current pollution levels - air pollutants, waste etc - the basic indicators of environment health, is missing. Most boards display inadequate data, indicating no trends. More so, even details on upcoming projects and grievances of the general public of the locality are hardly displayed.

Only 19 SPCBs/PCCs are displaying their CEMS data: This, even after a statutory obligation to do it, as per a Supreme Court order (February 22, 2017) and an environment ministry directive (GSR 96E January 29, 2018). The states from where these PCBs/PCCs come are Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Jharkhand, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Odisha, Puducherry, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Telangana. Of these 19, just five PCBs/PCCs display historical CEMS data.

Laxity in sharing information on solid waste: Fourteen SPCBs/PCCs do not share any information on municipal waste generation; 11 on plastic waste generation; 10 on hazardous waste; and nine on e-waste.

"We also found a lack of uniformity in displaying data. For instance, all the SPCBs/PCCs surveyed have different formats for their websites, which makes accessing information quite difficult. Similarly, there is no format for annual reports, hence, the information available varies from board to board," Verma said.

Asserting that "improving transparency is a 'must' when it comes to state pollution control boards," Nivit added, "Putting in the public domain the crucial pollution-related information, data and details of actions taken is critical - it can help policy-makers take the discussions to the next level of pollution management, and it can also reassure the people about efficiency of these boards and committees. SPCBs and SPCCs, therefore, must focus urgently to become more transparent by putting out data and improving the quality of their outreach for public engagement."
August 12 : Shilpa Shettys sister Shamita Shetty is currently seen in Bigg Boss OTT. The actress is making headlines for her constant fights with other contestants, particularly for food.

On one of the episodes, the actress revealed that she is suffering from a disease called Colitis and cannot eat normal food. In one of the recent episodes, a fight took place between Shamita and Bhojpuri actress Akshara Singh when the latter complained that she was not getting proper food because of some contestants. Akshara was upset because Shamita had requested all not to eat gluten-free granules which were specially sent for Shamita and Neha Bhasin inside the house as they suffer from medical conditions. In that particular episode, Shamita mentioned that she cannot eat normal food due to her Colitis problem.

In another episode, Shamita had revealed that Nishant Bhatt had once crossed the line with her and so she maintains distance from him. In the particular episode, Shamita was seen discussing the incident with fellow contestant, model Divya Agarwal. Shamita told Divya that she had conveyed it to Nishant that what he did was wrong but did not reveal any details. Shamita was heard telling Divya, I don't want to mention what incident it was, but he once crossed the line with me and I did not like it. I told him sternly what he did was wrong. He did not speak to me after that. I thought I should keep a distance from him because I don't want to be reminded of that. On stage, when I saw him, I just reacted that I knew him.

Bigg Boss OTT is the first season of the popular reality TV series Bigg Boss that has been made for a streaming platform Voot. It premiered on August 8, 2021 with Karan Johar as the host of this digital-only season. The show will stream for six weeks, ahead of its television version Bigg Boss 15.
New Delhi, Aug 12 : As many as 151 police personnel, including 28 women officers, have been awarded the Union Home Minister's 'Medal for Excellence in Investigation' for the year 2021.

According to the ministry, among the personnel receiving these awards, 15 are from the CBI, 11 each from Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra Police, 10 from Uttar Pradesh Police, nine each from Kerala and Rajasthan Police, eight from Tamil Nadu Police, seven from Bihar Police, six each are from Gujarat, Karnataka and Delhi Police and the remaining from the other states and Union Territories (UTs).

The women awardees are from Chhattisgarh, Goa, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, UT of Ladakh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and two from the CBI.

Five officials from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) have also been felicitated with the award while a Delhi Police Inspector late Satish Chander Sharma has been given the award posthumously.

The NIA officials who were awarded the medal include Anurag Kumar, currently holding the position of DIG in the agency and who has worked extensively on ISIS cases. He was the officer who found that the accused persons had formed an organisation 'Junood-ul-Khilafa-Fil-Hind' (a group seeking to establish Caliphate in India and pledging allegiance to ISIS/ISIL).

Similarly, Rakesh Balwal, SP, NIA, who has been instrumental in preparing the 13,800 pages charge sheet in the February 2019 Pulwama terror attack case on the CRPF convoy which led to the death of 40 troopers is also among the five felicitated NIA officers.

Another awardeee, Vijay Kumar Shukla, Additional SP, CBI, has probed the Badaun suicide case in the CBI's Special Crime Unit. He has also been tasked to probe the death of Dhanbad ADJ Uttam Anand recently. He is currently camping in Jharkhand to probe the case.

Another awardee, Sameer D Wankhede is the Zonal Director of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Mumbai and has brought down several drug lords and drug kingpins in the city. In September last year, he started the drug related probe relating to the death of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput.

His team arrested several people related to the drugs trade and also filed a charge sheet against Sushant's girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty and her brother Showik Chakraborty. The two are currently out on bail. The NCB under him also questioned several Bollywood A listers including Deepika Padukone, Sara Ali Khan, Shradhaa Kapoor, Rakul Preet Singh and several others in connection with the case.

Last year, 121 police personnel were felicitated with the medal.

The medal was constituted in 2018, with the objective to promote high professional standards of investigation of crime and to recognize such "Excellence in Investigation" by investigating officers.
Srinagar, Aug 12 : Terrorists opened fire on a BSF convoy on the National Highway in South Kashmir's Kulgam district on Thursday, however no loss was reported, officials said.

The area has been cordoned off and additional forces have reached the spot.

Police said the terrorists involved in firing have been trapped and an operation has been started by the police and security forces.

"Terrorists fired upon BSF convoy at NHW Kulgam. No injury reported. However, terrorists trapped. EOF on. Reinforcement reached. Senior officers of Police, CRPF & Army on the spot," a tweet by Kashmir police quoting IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar said.
Mumbai, Aug 12 : Actors Akshay Kumar and Vaani Kapoor are already in a celebratory mood, going by their latest dance video on the song 'Marjaawaan' from their upcoming film 'Bell Bottom'.

Akshay shared the video on Instagram. The two hold each other gently as they groove on the number, which has been sung by Gurnazar and Asees Kaur.

The actor asked their fans to create their own steps on the tune.

"Some songs stay with you forever. Create your versions of #Marjawaan with your partner. I'll reshare some of the best entries on my story," he wrote as the caption of the video, which currently has 936,000 views on the photo-sharing website.

'Bell Bottom', an espionage thriller is directed by Ranjit M. Tiwari. The film also stars Lara Dutta Bhupathi and Huma Qureshi. Set in the 1980s, the film was largely shot in Glasgow, Scotland, amid the Covid-19 lockdown.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
New Delhi, Aug 12 : Captain Zoya Aggarwal, who in January this year crossed another milestone by commanding an all-women team to pilot Air India's longest non-stop commercial flight from US's San Francisco to India's Bengaluru, says that the main motto of her life is to make an "impact" on the lives of lakhs of youths to dream big.

The United Nations has chosen Aggarwal as its Spokesperson for Generation Equality. On International Youth Day, the UN also featured India and Air India to spread awareness amongst the youth. This is a big moment for India as the UN has featured for the first time a pilot from Air India on its global platform. This is the first time ever that UN women has kicked off world youth day with India.

In an interview to IANS on the International Youth Day, Aggarwal, who has been featured by the UN said, "I was just eight years old when I saw an aeroplane flying while sitting on the terrace of my house. And there and then I decided to fly a plane and to touch the stars." She said that as a kid, she started preparing to fulfil her dreams. Agarwal said that she had to face a lot of resistance as she came from a very humble and conservative family. "But for me it was possible," she said, adding, "I believed in myself and went for my goal and told my parents, eventually to become a pilot." She said that as she was the only child of her parents, her mother was in tears while her father was nervous, and then he asked her to get admission in college thinking that she will forget about her dream to be a pilot. She said that she went to St Stephen's in Delhi and then completed her Science degree and side by side also got herself enrolled for the aviation classes in the remaining days time.

"And I needed a prove that I can achieve my goal and of course I needed the support of my parents, without whom I couldn't have done that. I also had a piggy bank in which I have been saving for last 17 years which I contributed for enrolling into the aviation classes," she said.

"I remember when I had to complete my assignments I used to study even under the street lights when there were power cuts. I then topped in my college and then my parents also felt that I needed to get enrolled for the pilot course to achieve my goals.

"I was fortunate that my parents agreed and then took a loan. And I was the fifth girl to fly in Air India in 2004. At that point of time to get into Air India was very tough. For seven vacancies there were over 3,000 applicants with more experience than me. But despite the things that were against me I was lucky to get in," she said.

"My father also had a heart attack, just three days before my exam of Air India. He was in tears in the ICU before I was going for the exam and he was upset because I was going without him. He was nervous that how tough it was for children to compete at such an early age," she recalled.

She said that her first flight was from Delhi to Dubai. Agarwal in 2013 was the youngest woman to fly the Boeing 777 in the world. "In 2021 I became the first ever woman captain to fly over the north pole with an all women crew, creating world history. That flight created a number of records and also put India on the world map," she said.

Agarwal was among the first few pilots and cabin crews to volunteer for the Vande Bharat Mission to evacuate Indian nationals from all across the world in view of the Covid pandemic. "After the Covid pandemic became serious in the US, I volunteered, it was a call of duty. Our first Vande Bharat flight from the US's San Francisco to India's Mumbai with all Indian consulate staff was on Mother's Day. I was away from my mother but I was fortunate to reunite hundreds of families with their mothers," she said.

"And when our flight landed in Mumbai the passengers cheered for me and even the people at the airport wearing their face shields were applauding for us with tears in their eyes," she recalled. "It was an opportunity to rise to the occasion and that was the inspiration as these memories will go to our graves with us," Agarwal said.

And the message through my entire journey is that if a girl from a humble background can do this, it will inspire lakhs of youths whether men or women to dream big in their lives, she said. She added that she keeps on getting letters and DMs on Instagram where the people say that they had lost hope but after coming to know of my story they want to do something. "There must be a reason why people are following me. There must a reason that God has given me an opportunity to serve mankind. And then I got to the United Nations, which is like my another dream coming true, as I always wanted to work for it as it gives a wide platform to inspire people.

"My goal in life is to make an impact on the lives of the people and the UN is the best place where I can do that meaningfully," she added.

(Anand SIngh can be contacted at anand.s@ians.in)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, Aug 12 : Union Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Bhupender Yadav on Thursday said that nature conservation should be taken up with a scientific approach involving the local community.

"Only technical advances cannot save environment. Without public participation, without traditional wisdom, we cannot carry out conservation," he said, while addressing an event organised by his ministry to mark the World Elephant Day.

"Just as we are the trustee of the jungles, so are the locals in their respective areas. We have to work in tandem for conservation activity, something that Prime Minister Narendra Modi too has envisioned," Yadav asserted.

On the occasion, the minister released a document for concurrent population estimation protocol for elephants and tigers for the next census to take place in 2022. Most elephant areas are coterminous with tiger ranges.

As per the results of the last elephant census in 2017, the number of wild elephants in India was barely 27,312.

Karnataka with 6,049 elephants led the states, followed by Assam (5,719), Kerala (3,054) and Tamil Nadu (2,761). Of the approximate 50,000 elephants in the world, India has almost 60 per cent of them.

There are approximately 3,000 to 4,000 elephants in captivity, which forms 20 per cent of those in captivity globally.

Minister of State at the MoEF&CC, Ashwini Kumar Choubey spoke about the many references found in India's traditional literature, including Puranas, about elephants.

Director General (Forests) and Special Secretary Subhash Chandra reminded the gathering that India's conservation story can be divided into two parts -- 'before' and 'after' the Godavarman judgment of 1996 which imposed a ban on timber felling. He said that the conservation of big animals such as elephants and tigers is possible only with the conservation of the vegetative ecosystem.

Ministry secretary R. P. Gupta, Dhananjay Mohan of Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun and S. P. Yadav from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) also expressed their views at the event.
New Delhi, Aug 12 : The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed a Gujarat High Court order, which granted two-week furlough to rape accused Narayan Sai, son of self-styled godman Asaram Bapu.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Gujarat government, submitted the single-judge order passed on June 24 this year, granting furlough to Sai for two weeks. He added that the division bench had stayed this single bench order till August 13. Mehta contended that the state government has moved the top court challenging the June 24 order.

A bench of justices D.Y. Chandrachud and M.R. Shah issued a notice to Sai on a plea by Gujarat government challenging the high court's single-judge order. The bench also stayed the high court order till further orders.

The bench noted that under the Bombay Furlough and Parole Rules, which is also applicable in Gujarat, a prisoner can be granted furlough once every year after the prisoner completes seven years in jail.

The bench pointed out that "the idea of furlough is that a prisoner gets away from the environment of jail and is able to meet his family members". However, the top court noted that it would have to be examined whether the rules, which allow the annual furlough as per the calendar year or from 12 months after the last one was granted to the prisoner. It queried Mehta what are the grievances with the order.

Citing the rules and judgment of the top court, Mehta contended furlough is not an absolute right and it depends on various factors and added that Sai and his father were arrested for offences under rape charges. Mehta further added that the father-son duo wields considerable influence with money and muscle power, and they had even tried to bribe police officials. Asaram is also undergoing life term for another rape case in Rajasthan. Mehta said three prime witnesses crucial to their cases were killed and last year Sai was granted furlough for two weeks as he wanted to visit his ailing mother, which was not challenged by the state.

The bench said the contention, which is supposed to be looked into, is under the rules, it is said a prisoner can avail furlough once every year after he serves seven years in imprisonment. The bench asked Sai's counsel to file his reply within a week and scheduled the matter for further hearing after two weeks.

On April 26, 2019, Sai was convicted under the Indian Penal Code sections 376 (rape), 377 (unnatural offences), 323 (assault), 506-2 (criminal intimidation) and 120-B (conspiracy) by a Surat court and sentenced to life imprisonment.
London, Aug 12 : Vaccines against Covid-19 that were developed by US drug makers Pfizer and Moderna may not be as effective against the 'Delta' variant compared to as they were against the original strain of the virus, suggests a new study.

Researchers from the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, US, found that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was only 42 per cent effective against infection in July, while the Moderna vaccine was only 76 per cent effective, the Daily Mail reported.

"Comparing rates of infection between matched individuals fully vaccinated with mRNA-1273 (Moderna Covid vaccine) versus BNT162b2 (Pfizer Covid vaccine) across Mayo Clinic Health System sites in multiple states (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Arizona, Florida, and Iowa), mRNA-1273 conferred a two-fold risk reduction against breakthrough infection compared to BNT162b2," the researchers wrote in the study, not yet peer reviewed, and published on pre-printer server medRxiv.org.

For the study, the team gathered data on more than 25,000 Minnesotans from January to July.

From January to June, the vaccines as claimed remained effective around 90 per cent, but began dipping in June and largely dropped in July as the variant took hold in the US.

The change in vaccine effectiveness corresponds with a massive surge in the prevalence of the Delta variant in Minnesota, growing from 0.7 per cent prevalence in May to more than 70 per cent in July, the study showed.

Meanwhile, the 'Alpha' variant, the previous dominant strain in the US, decreased in prevalence from 85 per cent to 13 per cent over the same time period.

The US is currently seeing a spike in infections and death due to the Delta variant. As of Thursday morning, the overall caseload and death toll in the US stood at 36,185,761 and 618,454, respectively, according to Johns Hopkins University. It is projected to increase in the coming weeks.

However, the vaccines are still effective in preventing hospitalisations and severe cases from the virus, with both having a hospitalisation rate of under 25 per cent, the researchers said.

Last month, Pfizer published data which showed that its vaccine's efficacy drops to 86 per cent after six months.

But booster shots, expected to be rolled out soon, can help enhance immunity to the virus and protect against more resistant variants.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, Aug 12 : Condemning the Opposition's 'behaviour' in the just-concluded Monsoon Session of the Parliament, the government on Thursday demanded the Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha to take strictest possible action against the unruly members of Opposition, who should apologise to the nation for their conduct.

Union ministers Piyush Goyal, Dharmendra Pradhan, Pralhad Joshi, Anurag Thakur, Bhupender Yadav, V. Muraleedharan and Arjun Ram Meghwal held a joint press conference at the Shastri Bhavan here on Thursday and condemned the 'unruly' and 'violent' behaviour of the opposition parties led by the Congress.

The ministers in particular criticised the Congress, Trinamool Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for demeaning the parliamentary procedure.

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said, "The Monsoon Session concluded yesterday, but the behaviour of the Opposition has been most unfortunate since day one. At the party meetings held a day before the commencement of the Monsoon Session, the opposition parties had indicated that they would not allow the House to run smoothly and the session would be washed out." Joshi pointed out that the government accepted all their (Opposition's) demands like short duration discussions as asked by the opposition parties.

"The Chairman of the House allowed short duration discussions as demanded by them (Opposition) over price rise, Covid and agriculture. Despite that, the Congress and its friendly parties did not allow the Parliament to function properly," Joshi said.

Referring to the Opposition's demand for discussion on the Pegasus issue, Joshi said, "The Chair allowed suo moto statement and clarification on their demand. In spite of all this, the opposition parties did not allow discussion on important Bills, which were passed amid din." Joshi further said that during 2004-14, discussions were not held on many Bills, which included some important Bills such as the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, which too was passed amid din.

"With all my responsibility, I am telling you that myself and Piyush ji told the Opposition that we are ready to extend the session up to Monday and we are not going to curtail it. We requested them to support the passing of Bills with discussions. But they threatened that if we try to pass the Bills, a more disastrous situation than yesterday will unfold," he said.

"Whenever a Bill is introduced, it is for the welfare of the people and it is the basic duty of the Parliament to pass it. Even after seven-and-a-half years, the Congress is not able to digest the people's mandate and thinks that it has the birth right to remain in power, which (Narendra) Modi has snatched," Joshi said.

The minister also said that they (BJP delegation) have met Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu and demanded strictest possible action against the unruly members of the House, so that no one repeats such actions in the future.

Union minister Piyush Goyal, who's also the Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha, said, "The Opposition's act was shameful and disrespectful to the Parliament and a clear sign that they are trying to divert the attention from the main issues." "We met the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and made an earnest appeal that strongest possible action should be taken against the deplorable misconduct by the Opposition members and for the assault on the Parliament security staff, who were trying to protect the Chair. Security staff do not belong to any side," Goyal said.

Union minister Anurag Thakur said, "The Monsoon Session of the Parliament ended on Wednesday and the whole country witnessed how the opposition parties spread anarchy from 'Sadak se Sansad' (street to parliament). They must apologise to the country for their behaviour."

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
August 12 : Newbie Janhvi Kapoor pens a heartfelt note as her movie 'Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl' clocks one year.

Janhvi took to her social media and expressed her gratitude to director Sharan Sharma and former Indian Air Force combat pilot Gunjan Saxena, who entered the war zone during the 1999 Kargil War. The film is inspired by the life of the pilot.

She wrote, "Nothing I ever say will do enough justice to what this journey has meant to me. I could have never even dreamt of a creative process that felt so pure and enriching, in every way. And I'm so grateful for all the people that helped make it that way, and most of all to Gunjan Mam for letting us be privy to her spirit and her rare sincerity, something that continues to guide me and shape my outlook in everything I try to do

"And Sharry, for recognising and making us all feel the importance of what this story stood for. You made trusting the process feel more fruitful than daunting, and that was more valuable than any reward we as a team could have asked for #GunjanSaxena" Janhvi added.

The biographical drama also starred Pankaj Tripathi, Angad Bedi, Viineet Kumar, Manav Vij, and Ayesha Raza.

On the work front, Janhvi will be seen in 'Dostana 2' which was in the limelight owing to its recasting. She will also be seen in 'Good Luck Jerry' which is a black comedy crime film directed by Sidharth Sengupta.

She has recently started shooting for 'Mili' which is a Hindi remake of the Malayalam film 'Helan'.
Islamabad, Aug 12 : Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has brushed aside the accusations on Pakistan being supportive of a Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, stating that the country does not have magic powers to dictate terms to the Taliban.

Imran Khan said that Pakistan is not gaining anything from the situation in Afghanistan, instead it is worried because the situation there seems to be moving towards a long civil war, which, he said, will have direct impact on Pakistan as well.

"Pakistan will have direct impact of a long civil war in Afghanistan because of the large Pashtun population we have in the country. The country that will be most affected after Afghanistan will be Pakistan. It has happened in the past when our Pashtun people reacted to what was happening in Afghanistan. Because of that, we lost over 60,000 people," he said.

Khan also lashed out at the Joe Biden administration, stating that the US has always seen Pakistan as useful only in the context of the mess it is leaving behind in Afghanistan after 20 years of fighting.

"At the moment, the most important thing for Afghanistan is a ceasefire," Khan said.

Since the time the US and other foreign forces started withdrawing from Afghanistan, the Taliban have been making strong forward movement, claiming at least eight provinces, including the bordering areas.

The west alleges that Pakistan's support for the Taliban has allowed it to whether the war, a blame Khan denied.

The Pakistan premier said that a political settlement in Afghanistan between the Ashraf Ghani-led government and the Taliban looks difficult as the Taliban have refused to have any talks with Ghani.

"The condition is that as long as President Ashraf Ghani is there, the Taliban are not going to talk to the Afghan government," Khan said, quoting his recent meeting with the Taliban delegation in Pakistan.

Analysts said the western belief that Pakistan has achieved its goal by supporting the Taliban to take back control in Afghanistan is an incorrect approach, as in case the Taliban form government in Afghanistan, Pakistan will be among the most sensitively impacted neighbours, as the voices supportive of Taliban will start surfacing from major parts of the Khyber Pukhtunkhwa province, which may pose a serious threat to the country.

If the voices join together and form a force, which is supported by the Taliban, it may be looking towards toppling the current democratic set up of the country.
Hyderabad, Aug 12 : The Telangana government has urged the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) to restrain Andhra Pradesh from diverting water from the foreshore of the Srisailam reservoir, through three unauthorised projects, to KC Canal.

Telangana Irrigation Department's Engineer-in-Chief (General), C. Muralidhar, has written to the KRMB Chairman, requesting him to restrain Andhra Pradesh from diverting water through three unauthorised projects unless proper accounting and allocation is established for them.

He contended that the KC Canal lift irrigation scheme at Muchumarri, the link canal connecting HNSS LIS at Malyala with KC Canal, and the escape channel from Banakacherla cross regulator for freeding the KC Canal ayacut are illegal and cannot be permitted.

Muralidhar argued that Andhra Pradesh can draw only 39 TMC water from Srisailam but by taking up unauthorised lift projects which have no allocation, it is drawing excess water "The operation of three unauthorised projects, in addition to the existing excess utilisation under KC Canal from Tungabhadra stem, has already affected the water availability to several projects on mainstream of river Krishna to in basin projects of Telangana depending on Srisailam such as Nagarjunasagar, Hyderabad water supply etc. As Andhra Pradesh is envisaging to divert water from the bottom of Srisailam reservoir i.e +798 feet it will also adversely affect drinking water supply to Hyderabad city also," reads the letter.

He said that contrary to the spirit of Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-I (KWDT-I), Andhra Pradesh, while drawing excess water from Tungabhadra dam, has made additional arrangements to draw water from Srisailam reservoir. This action of Andhra Pradesh is in complete violation of provisions of KWDT-I, he said.

He pointed that Andhra Pradesh secured protection of 39.90 TMC to KC Canal from the KWDT-I. He pointed out that Telangana is challenging the same before the KWDT-II, requesting to restrain Andhra Pradesh not to use more than 10 TMC for the canal.

Data submitted before the KWDT-II shows an average utilisation of 54 TMC from KC Canal against its earmarked 31.90 TMC while RDS Canal of Telangana could not use even 5 TMC of water against its protected quality of 15.90 TMC due to sheer neglect of Andhra Pradesh.
Islamabad, Aug 12 : As India's ace director Sanjay Leela Bhansali gets ready to reveal the untold stories of Lahore's red light district, Heera Mandi, Pakistani artistes are questioning their own industry, maintaining that such stories should be narrated by Pakistani filmmakers.

Bhansali's web series 'Heeramandi' is being presented and produced by the online streaming giant Netflix.

"'Heeramandi' is an important milestone in my journey as a filmmaker," Bhansali said. "This is an epic, first-of-its-kind series based on the courtesans of Lahore. It is an ambitious, grand and all-encompassing series; I am nervous yet excited about making it. I am looking forward to my partnership with Netflix and bringing 'Heeramandi' to audiences all over the world," he added.

In Pakistan, the SLB movie is being anxiously awaited, even as Pakistani artistes are raising questions over the lack of realisation in the Pakistani film industry that such stories should be narrated by the country's own filmmakers.

"Heera Mandi is here in Lahore and the movie on this is being made by Indians," said the Pakistani actor Yasir Hussain. "And then we will be criticising how Indians show false narratives. God knows when we will talk about such issues, when we will tell our stories," he added.

"We don't make movies on such issues because if we do, a fatwa will be issued and producers will lose their money," said actress Hira Tareen. "Do you really think PEMRA (Pakistan Electronic Regulatory Authority) can tolerate a narration of the 'real' stories of Heera Mandi or any other such subject?" she asked.

Commented TV actress Mansha Pasha: "Inda is making a film on Lahore and the infamous Heera Mandi of the yesteryear because we live in a country where fictional narratives are often censored and everyone keeps arguing about what is or isn't morally acceptable fiction." "Others name most of the opportunity taking up the stories that are native to our country, brand them and sell them to the rest of the world. In the end, what will be left will be our stories told from someone else's mouth", she added.

The Pakistani artistes are raising pertinent questions as the country's conservative religious elements have in the past responded violently against any topic that would be of importance and been highlighted on the big screen.

This has certainly left filmmakers and producers from even thinking about narrating 'real' stories as they would become targets of hotheads rushing in to brand them as infidels.
New Delhi, Aug 12 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday carried out searches at three locations in Ranchi and West Singhbhum districts in connection with Lanjhi forest attack case in Jharkhand.

An NIA spokesperson said that the agency has carried out searches at premises of three CPI (Maoist) leaders in Ranchi and West Singhbhum.

The official said that the case was originally registered at Toklo Police Station in West Singhbhum district on March 3, this year under several sections of the IPC, UAPA, Explosive Substance Act and CLA Act relating to an IED blast at Lanjhi Forest Hill Area resulting in the death of three personnel of Jharkhand Jaguar and grievous injuries to three others including one ASI/RO of CRPF.

NIA took over the probe on March 24.

The official said that during searches incriminating documents including hand written diary have been seized.
Bhubaneswar, Aug 12 : The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Odisha police has arrested a retired under secretary in connection with the E-Medhabruti (scholarship) scam to the tune of Rs 36.10 lakh, police said on Thursday.

The arrested person is Prakash Chandra Rath, who was involved in the scam during his tenure as under secretary, in-charge of scholarship section in the higher education department of Odisha government. He is being forwarded to the court of SDJM, Bhubaneswar, the police said.

He has been arrested from his residence in connection with the case registered in 2017 in the matter of financial mismanagement and irregularities in payment of E-Medhabruti (scholarship) in the year 2014-15 to large number of ineligible students, leading to huge loss to the government exchequer, the EOW said in a statement.

The EOW said that Prakash in a criminal conspiracy with others had sanctioned scholarships to the tune of about Rs 36.10 lakh in favour of as many as 235 numbers of non-bonafide/non-eligible students, violating the existing rules/norms.
Guwahati, Aug 12 : The Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNP & TR) in Assam has become the first national park in the country to be equipped with 10 satellite phones to give its security personnel and forest staff an edge over poachers, officials said on Thursday.

A senior official of KNP & TR, which is home to more than 2,400 Indian rhinos, said that 10 satellite phones were handed over to the forest staff by Assam Chief Secretary Jishnu Barua on Wednesday, which have already been activated.

The satellite phones, procured at an estimated cost of Rs 16 lakh, would be used in the park's six ranges with no wireless facility or poor mobile connectivity.

"The KNP & TR has become the first national park in the country to use satellite phones as this facility is generally used by the law enforcing agencies for serious security or disaster-related situations. Common people are barred from using satellite phones in India," the official said.

He said the Assam State Disaster Management Authority has procured the 10 satellite phones for KNP & TR staff with BSNL as the service provider.

BSNL engineers have trained the forest department staff how to operate the satellite phones in the shadow areas and grooves, where mobile phones do not function.

"With the availability of satellite phones deep inside the national park, the communication bottleneck in supervising the security of the park would be removed," the official said.

The decision to arm the forest staff with sattelite phones was taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on May 27, in which Minister for Environment and Forest, Parimal Suklaibaidya, was also present.

The step was taken to boost anti-poaching measures.

Suklaibaidya said in a statement that the satellite phones would be immensely useful for coordination.

"There shouldn't be any barrier to communication and hence using satellite phones is a necessity in KNP & TR given its sprawling area. The satellite phones will give an edge to the forest staff over poachers and also during emergencies like floods," said the minister.

Set up in 1908, the Kaziranga national park, one of India's seven UNESCO world heritage sites in the natural and environment category since 1985, extends across Assam's Golaghat, Nagaon, Sonitpur, Biswanath and Karbi Anglong districts along the Arunachal Pradesh border.

Besides rhinos, it has tigers, elephants, Asiatic buffalos, swamp deer, wild boars, hog deer, porcupines and other endangered animals and reptiles.

After the government and the forest authorities took a series of steps, including increasing the number of security personnel inside the park, poaching activities have drastically reduced over the past few years.

At least 12 rhino poachers and smugglers of rhino horns have been arrested by the Assam police this year, leading to the recovery of sophisticated arms and ammunition from their possession.
Mumbai, Aug 12 : Divya Agarwal, currently seen in 'Bigg Boss OTT', will be portraying a mysterious character in the upcoming action-drama 'Cartel'. She reveals about being lauded by television czarina Ekta Kapoor.

"Ekta Kapoor ma'am has been a true cheerleader for me. She has believed in me and has always encouraged me to push the envelope. When she shared the first 'Cartel' Instagram story about me, I was overwhelmed and had tears of joy. She was proud of my work," shares Divya.

When asked about being a part of 'Cartel', she adds: "Honestly, this series will be a game-changer for me. I like to be recognised for the characters that I play in my life. I have taken a lot of time and effort along with such a humongous team who worked to bring this masterpiece to the audience. I would say that this will definitely position me as an actor in the industry as the makers of the show brought the best out of me." 'Cartel' is set in present-day Mumbai and the story revolves around five crime lords. The show features Supriya Pathak, Tanuj Virwani, Jitendra Joshi, Rithvik Dhanjani, Pranati Rai Prakash, Divya Agarwal, Girija Oak Godbole and others.

'Cartel' will be streaming from August 20 on ALTBalaji and MX Player Gold.
New Delhi, Aug 12 : Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday kicked off an awareness programme here on HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and blood donation on the occasion of International Youth Day.

Lunching the awareness campaign at a virtual event, Mandaviya made an appeal to the youth to join the government's health-centric programmes for the citizens.

The event was held to mark the 75th anniversary of Independence by the National Aids Control Organisation, celebrating Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

"I appeal to all the youth that on the occasion of 75 years of Independence, let us take a resolution, be determined, and join the government's programs for the health of the citizens of the country. We consider charity as the ultimate religion. Helping others is our tradition and we should follow that," he tweeted.

He said: "Along with diseases like HIV and TB, we need to create awareness for blood donation. We should take the responsibility of saving the lives of people.

"Donating blood is very important; it is the act of saving the life of others. The youth have been doing this work by setting up camps in the form of donations. Youth are involved in the work of donating blood, collecting blood, creating awareness about," the minister added.

International Youth Day is observed on August 12.

The day aims to recognise and bring attention to the problems faced by the youth across the world.

The day is celebrated through various awareness campaigns, community concerts, and events to bring the issues faced by the youth under consideration.

This year's theme is "Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health".

Talking about the relevance of the day, the Minister said: "The youth of the country are inspired by Swami Vivekananda. They will come together to build a new India to realise PM Modi's dream and will definitely be successful".

"The youth of India should join the awareness programme. Only collective efforts can win the pandemic," the minister said.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Chennai, Aug 12 : The AIADMK has constituted a six-member committee to provide legal aid to the party leaders and cadres who are facing cases during the DMK regime. The party which is reeling after facing two back to back raids by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) of the state police on senior leaders and former ministers M.R. Vijayabasker and S.P. Velumani fears that this is only the tip of the iceberg.

Party state coordinator O Panneerselvam and co-coordinator, Edappadi. K. Palaniswami in a statement issued on Thursday said that there was a rise in cases against party functionaries every day. The leaders said that the cases being foisted against party functionaries and leaders were at the instigation of the ruling party to take revenge on the AIADMK.

The statement said, "The committee formed by the party comprising of senior party leaders and legal brains will extend full support to the partymen when political opponents foist false cases with vindictiveness. We urge the partymen to reach out to the committee and get the matter redressed." The party has constituted a committee comprising of senior party leaders and former ministers, D Jayakumar, CVe Shanmugham and N. Thalavai Sundaram. It also comprises party steering committee member P.H. Manoj Pandian, Advocate wing joint secretary R.M. Babu Murugavel and election wing deputy secretary I.S. Inbadurai.

Legal committee member and former minister D. Jayakumar told IANS, "As mentioned by our leaders, the party has constituted a committee to fight cases foisted by the DMK against our leaders and workers and this committee would support our partymen against any case being fabricated against the party leaders and workers." He added that the DMK government of M.K. Stalin was practicing the politics of vindictiveness and vendetta and that the AIADMK would fight this legally and politically.
London, Aug 12 : KoBold Metals, a mineral exploration company backed by Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Bridgewater Associates founder Ray Dalio, has entered into a joint venture with London-based mining firm Bluejay to search for nickel, copper, cobalt and platinum used in electric vehicles on Greenland.

KoBold will spend $15 million through 2024 to help Bluejay locate natural resources as part of its Disko-Nuussuaq project in Central West Greenland.

"The Disko region has seen the rare convergence of events in earth's history that could have resulted in forming a world-class battery metal deposit," said Kurt House, CEO of KoBold.

"We are excited to invest in Greenland's emerging mineral sector and to partner with Bluejay in light of their strong track record in Greenland and the outstanding potential of the Disko project," he added.

Copper, nickel, cobalt and lithium are some of the key metals required for EV battery production. As a result, demand growth for nickel from EVs is expected to increase 14 times between till 2030.

Around 50% of the world's cobalt, another key material for EV manufacturing, is found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

KoBold uses artificial intelligence, machines, and computing to look for the raw materials needed for electric vehicles (EVs).

"We are delighted to have a partner at the pinnacle of technical innovation for new exploration methods, backed by some of the most successful investors in the world," said Bo Stensgaard, CEO of Bluejay.

"Additionally, Bluejay retains the ability to self-fund to maintain a 49% ownership through to production, providing external public investors with the opportunity of investing alongside a private investment entity of this magnitude," he added.
San Francisco, Aug 12 : Tech giant Google's upcoming smartphones -- Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro -- will use the 50MP Samsung GN1 sensor for their main cameras.

The rumour was confirmed by a code in Google's new Camera app, which arrived with the Android 12 Beta 4, GSMArena reported on Thursday.

According to the report, the code mentions 'p21', which refers to the upcoming Pixel 6 series, attached to a 'gn1_wide', which is very straightforward to decipher.

The GN1 sensor, which Samsung unveiled last May, has 1.2Am-sized pixels before binning. Combining them 4-to-1 turns the 50 million 1.2Am pixels to 12.5 million 2.4Am-sized pixels.

The sensor was used in the vivo X60 Pro+ and should not be confused with GN2 sensor in the Mi 11 Ultra, which has slightly larger 1.4Am pre-binned pixels and 2.8Am binned ones, the report said.

Recently, Google announced that it had developed its own custom-built chip to power the next generation of Pixel 6 smartphones that will arrive in the market later this year.

Called Tensor, the AI-enabled System on a Chip (SoC) has been developed specifically for Pixel phones.

"These new phones redefine what it means to be a Pixel. From the new design that combines the same beautiful aesthetic across software and hardware with Android 12, to the new Tensor SoC, everything about using the Pixel is better," Rick Osterloh, Senior Vice President, Devices and Services, said earlier.

Google said that Tensor was built for how people use their phones today and how people will use them in the future.
New Delhi, Aug 12 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday released capitalization support funds to the tune of Rs 1,625 crore to over 4 lakh self help groups (SHGs).

In addition, he also released Rs 25 crore as seed money for 7,500 SHGs members under the Prime Minister Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme of Ministry of Food Processing Industries, and Rs 4.13 crore as funds to 75 Farmer Producer Organizations being promoted under the Mission.

Modi also interacted with women SHG members, community resource persons promoted under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission through video conferencing.

During the event, a compendium of success stories of women self help group members from all across the country, along with a handbook on universalization of farm livelihoods was released by the Prime Minister.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister lauded the self hlep groups of women for their unprecedented services during the Corona period. He recognized their unparalleled contribution in making masks and sanitizers and providing food to the needy and spreading awareness.

He said that to increase the scope of entrepreneurship among women and for greater participation in the resolve of AatmaNirbhar Bharat (Self Reliant India), a major financial support has been given today to more than 4 lakh SHGs on the eve of Raksha Bandhan.

He said that the Self help group and Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana have brought a new revolution in rural India.

He added this movement of women self-help groups has intensified in the last six and seven years.

He recalled the time before this government "when crores of the sisters did not have a bank account, they were miles away from the banking system".

That is why the government started the massive campaign to open Jan Dhan accounts, he said.

He said that today, there are more than 42 crore Jan Dhan accounts of which close to 55 per cent of the accounts are of women. He said the bank accounts were opened to make it easy to take loans from banks.

He said that the amount of help the government has provided for the sisters under the National Livelihood Mission is many times more than the previous government.

An unsecured loan of about Rs 4 lakh crore has also been made available to self-help groups. He said in the last seven years self-help groups have also done a great job of repaying banks. There was a time when bank loans close to 9 per cent became NPA. Now it has come down to 2-3 per cent.

He also announced that now the limit for loans available to self help groups without guarantee has been doubled to Rs 20 lakh.

He said there are endless possibilities for women self help groups in the agriculture and agro-based industry. He said a special fund has been created so that Self-help groups can also create these agro-based facilities by taking help from this fund. All the members can take advantage of these facilities, by fixing reasonable rates and can also rent out to others.
Kabul, Aug 12 : The Afghan government has offered the Taliban a share in power so long as the rising violence in the country comes to a halt, Al Jazeera reported on Thursday, citing a government source.

The proposal was delivered through Qatar, the host of Afghan peace talks, according to the source.

In another development, the head of the High Council for National Reconciliation (HCNR), Abdullah Abdullah, presented to the members of Troika-plus the scheme of Afghan government for winding up the ongoing war in Afghanistan.

Abdullah said the Afghan government is committed to end the ongoing conflicts through negotiations.

The head of HCNR was addressing the representatives of the US, China, Pakistan and Russia in the Troika-plus meeting held in Doha on Wednesday evening.

Abdullah further added that the major powers of the world along with the Afghans want an independent and united Afghanistan which is free of terrorism.

He also accused the Taliban of being indifferent to the peace negotiations which has led to a stalemate in intra-Afghan talks.
New Delhi, Aug 12 : India on Thursday said that the combat helicopter which had fallen into the Taliban hands in Afghanistan doesn't belong to the Indian Air Force.

The Ministry of External Affairs also said that intense fight between the Taliban and the Afghan Army is an internal matter of Afghanistan.

Elaborating on the situation, External Affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said: "Situation on ground is evolving. That helicopter was not of Indian Air Force. All I can say is that it is Afghanistan's internal matter and I would not like to comment on that aspect." On Wednesday, one of the four Mi-24V helicopters that India gifted to the Afghanistan Air Force in 2019 was allegedly captured by the Taliban after they took over the Kunduz airbase.

The Russian-designed Mi-24V attack helicopter is designated as Mi-35 for export.

Further a video also surfaced on social media, in which a Taliban operative was seen moving around the attack helicopter at Kunduz airbase.

However in the video, it was found that many critical parts were of the helicopter are missing.

It is learnt that in October 2019, Indian Ambassador to Afghanistan Vinay Kumar had handed the Mi-24V helicopters to Afghanistan's National Defence Minister Asadullah Khalid at the Kabul Air Force base. Two attack helicopters had already been delivered in May 2019.

These helicopters had replaced four attack helicopters, again previously gifted by India to Afghanistan in 2015 and 2016, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the country.

Also way back in in 2018, Belarus, Afghanistan, and India had inked a trilateral deal to procure four Mi-24Vs in an effort to bridge Kabul's air capability gap.
Bengaluru, Aug 12 : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national general secretary C.T. Ravi courted controversy on Thursday by saying, "let the Congress open hukka bars in the name of former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru." The BJP leader made the statement while defending his earlier statement on renaming the Indira canteens in Karnataka as Annapoorneshwari canteens.

"Are Indira canteens five-star hotels? Congress should stop minting money in the name of Indira Gandhi. That's why I am insisting to change the name of Indira canteens," he elaborated.

"I won't ask a thing if they open hukka bar in the name of former PM Nehru. Let them open it at the Congress office, who will question them," he quipped.

Reacting to the remarks, opposition leader Siddaramiah said that these statements do not give dignity to the position of Ravi.

"He does not know history. He does not know how to respect people," Siddaramiah asserted.

Siddaramiah stated that projects in Karnataka, Delhi and Ahmedabad are named after BJP leaders, including former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former Union Minister Arun Jaitley and present PM Narendra Modi. RSS leaders Veer Savarkar and Deendayal Udpadhay's names have been kept for flyovers in Bengaluru.

"Can we call all these hukka bars," he questioned.

"We don't speak about Vajpayee Ji and Advani Ji, there should be some respect while talking about national leaders," Siddaramiah stated.

KPCC Working President Eshwar Khandre said Ravi is not equal to a dust particle when it comes to the matter of former PM Jawaharlal Nehru.
New Delhi, Aug 12 : Over the past four days, Afghan social media users have put up thousands of posts on Twitter and other platforms using the hashtag #sanctiononpakistan, intending to draw the international community's attention to the accusations of Pakistani support for the Taliban, which Pak officials have denied.

A social media expert said the hashtag "sanctiononpakistan" was the top Twitter trend in Afghanistan for the past four days and the second most popular trend in Pakistan.

Social media users from the European countries and elsewhere also joined the campaign, Tolo News reported.

"People can raise their voices through social media and draw the attention of the international community towards the Afghan people. This indicates that the people are not living in the past decades and they are defending their motherland," said Negina Yari, a human rights activist.

"These hashtags are shared by people, not bots," said Fahim Ahmad Yousuzad, an IT expert, referring to automated social media accounts that can produce the illusion of a groundswell of broad public support for a particular message, as per media reports.

Social media users also expressed hope that the trend will cause international sanctions to be imposed on Pakistan.

"The wounded members of the Taliban are being treated in Pakistan, their leaders live in Pakistan," said Khaled, a resident of Kabul.

"If Pakistan's support for terrorism does not stop, the nation will pose a threat to the entire world," said Naser, another resident of Kabul.

The Afghan government has accused Pakistan of supporting the Taliban in the militant group's war against Afghanistan.
Mumbai, Aug 12 : Actress Shweta Gulati known for her role 'Janvi' in 'Tera Yaar Hoon Main' is currently seen in murder mystery 'Crimes and Confessions'. She is playing a hairstylist in the segment titled 'Shame Shame'.

The actress called her character from the show absolutely different from what she has done in the past. Ask her what makes her character different she says: "If I tell you what is different then I will be giving away the plot of the series and I don't want that. But if I say that it's different, you'll watch it and then you'll know why I'm saying that. I just hope and pray that everyone likes it." Shweta's last acting stint with 'Tera Yaar Hoon Main' didn't go as per plan as she was asked to move out of the daily soap. "Honestly no, there was no resentment," she says on her exit from the show.

Interestingly, Shweta also revealed that the makers of the show wanted her back on the drama due to declining ratings. "In fact, they came back to me with it. Two weeks ago I was in talks with Shashi - Sumeet (producers of the show) again because they wanted me back on the show. But I think I have moved on. I would rather do 'Crime and Confessions' than re-enter the show. I'd rather play Rekha and tap the other side of my personality, my skill, my art." 'Crimes and Confessions' is an anthology series with four stories that are set in different eras. It is streaming on ALTBalaji.
Panaji, Aug 12 : Houses destroyed by heavy rains and floods in July will be rebuilt within two months, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant assured on Thursday.

The houses will be constructed collectively by the Goa government, along with the Rotary International, he said.

"The contractor who will design a Rs 4 lakh house will be finalised. Our efforts are to ensure that the house rebuilding will be completed in two months," Sawant said.

Out of the Rs 4 lakh, R. 2 lakh will be provided as part of government compensation and Rs 2 lakh would be contributed by the Rotary International.

Nearly 5,000 homes were damaged due to the floods, caused by heavy and sustained rainfall in mid-July, out of which 93 homes were completely damaged, Sawant said. The total loss estimated by the flooding has been estimated at Rs 500 crore.

Owners of completely damaged houses will get Rs 2 lakh compensation, while those of houses which have suffered major damage will get Rs 1 lakh. "Rs 50,000 will be given to home-owners whose homes have received minor damage due to floods," Sawant said.

"We have never seen our rivers this swollen. The last time this occurred was in 1982. I do not know if it was the wrath of God or of nature, we do not know," Sawant said, describing the floods.
New Delhi, Aug 12 : The Indian and the Russian joint counter terrorism drill -- Indra, has concluded on Thursday, the Indian Army said.

In light of the threat of global terrorism facing both nations and by countries around the world, the theme of the exercise was contemporary and relevant, a senior Indian Army officer stated.

The aim of the exercise was to acquaint each other with operational planning, procedures, combat drills and conducting joint operations against international terrorist groups.

The 13-day exercise began on August 1 at Prudboy Ranges in Volgograd, a major Russian city situated on the western bank of the Volga river.

The Indian contigent in Russia would leave on Friday after attending the closing ceremony of the exercise on Thursday.

Both the contingents, comprising 250 soldiers from each side displayed great enthusiasm and professionalism while practicing joint drills during the conduct of the exercise, an official said.

During the validation phase, Mechanised Forces and Special forces practiced integrated live firing and specialised joint operations which included clearance of rebel stronghold in an urban setting.

"The troops not only learnt about each others organizations, but also exchanged ideas and best practices being followed in Peace Keeping Operations under aegis of the United Nations," said the Indian Army, adding that the exercise was a "grand success" and has taught valuable lessons to the troops of the participating countries.

The camaraderie developed between the contingents during the course of exercise will certainly assist in enhancing confidence between the armies.

The conduct of such joint military exercises is an important step to strengthen the relations between India and Russia.

The conduct of the exercise also entailed academic discussions between expert groups of both contingents.
New Delhi, Aug 12 : At least six members of Manipur based outlawed outfit Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) have been killed and three injured in a factional battle in Myanmar, officials said on Thursday claiming that the number of slain extremists might be eight.

Security and intelligence officials familiar with the northeast India militant outfits said that six or eight PLA guerrillas were gunned down by their fellow cadres when the slain rebels tried to flee the Myanmar camp "out of frustration" on Tuesday.

"The intention of some of the PLA cadres to desert the hideout with arms led to the infighting in which "six to eight" cadres of the banned outfit were killed and three others injured," the officials said on condition of anonymity.

The incident reportedly occurred near the Nanyang Wakathan camp of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang-Yung Aung faction) in the Sagaing region of Myanmar. The camp is across Pangsau Pass in the Changlang district of southern Arunachal Pradesh.

In the Wakathan camp of NSCN (KYA) cadres of the PLA, the most active Manipuri meitei group, are also accommodated on payment basis.

Family members of three killed PLA members were contacted and confirmed they belonged to Thoubal and Kakching areas in Manipur.

The killed PLA cadres included Self-styled Major Boycha, Leimba, Angamba, Tanthouba, Tomcha and Suresh.

The bodies of all the killed militants have been buried in Myanmar.

According to the security and intelligence officials, the PLA cadres were frustrated with the Myanmarese Army, due to demands for money and coercion to join them in dealing with the civilian resistance group People's Defence Force (PDF) and other groups against the military junta.

The PDF is the armed wing of Myanmar's National Unity Government in exile.

"Cash is not available as they are unable to extort money in India leading to lack of basic necessities in the militant camp, and also there is no connection with their initial ideology staying so far away from Manipur. Uninspiring leadership has made things even worse," they said.

Members of the PLA, one of the oldest and leading banned extremist group of the region and other extremist outfits of the northeast region have been paying the NSCN (K-YA) a hefty sum annually for accommodation at its camps.

Cross border movements of militants, smuggling of drugs and various other contraband, including exotic animals and reptiles, often takes place from Myanmar which shares 1,643 km of unfenced borders with four northeastern states -- Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Nagaland.

Almost everyday, the Assam Rifles, Border Security Force, other government agencies and state police of different northeastern states are confiscating huge quantities of arms, ammunition and a variety of very addictive stimulant drugs mostly smuggled from Myanmar, which is under military domination since February 1.
New Delhi, Aug 12 : The Digital Accounting and Assurance Board (DAAB) of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has proposed eight new Forensic Accounting and Investigation Standards (FAIS), which will be placed for final approval on August 13.

The ICAI had earlier issued 13 FAIS.

The new accounting standards prescribe strict measures to be followed by the forensic auditors while conducting forensic audit.

The new standards will render the existing forensic audits untenable, especially where the lenders have used ambiguous and inconclusive reports to classify borrower loan accounts as fraud.

The FAIS prescribes that the forensic auditor shall issue a precise and unambiguous report.

The report is also required to be backed by reliable evidence and relevant documents collected by the auditor, in line with the requirements of FAIS to support its conclusions.

The FAIS further prescribes that the report shall not express an opinion or pass any judgement on guilt or innocence.

The FAIS categorically mandates that the principles of natural justice needs to be met by conducting a discussion of the observations with the subject party and their views need to be suitably incorporated in the report.

It is to be noted that currently, there are no standards or guidelines prescribed by any regulator or authority to monitor or regulate the functions of forensic audit.

In the absence of such regulations, any and every self-acclaimed forensic audit expert/firm was appointed by the lenders to conduct forensic audit as per their own rules and procedures and present reports based on their own judgements.

In most such cases, the reports used to be inconclusive, ambiguous and devoid of reliable evidence. There was no review or appeal mechanism against any erroneous or wrong forensic audit findings, and the same were not even shared with the concerned party.

These new forensic audit standards are likely to render several existing forensic audit reports untenable -- especially where lenders have used ambiguous and inconclusive reports to classify borrower loan accounts as 'fraud', or where the principles of natural justice have not been met during the process of forensic audit.
New Delhi, Aug 12 : Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Thursday said that it is difficult to ascertain without a probe if there were any oxygen-related deaths during the second Covid wave. He said that he has written to the Union Health Ministry saying that it is difficult to find out the exact number of oxygen-related deaths without an investigation. He was addressing a virtual press conference here.

Sisodia added, "It is wrong to say that no death happened due to oxygen shortage. We have written a letter to the Union Health Minister regarding this. It will be difficult to ascertain the number of deaths due to the oxygen crisis. But to say that oxygen has not caused any death will be a mockery of those who have lost their family members".

Sisodia said the Delhi government had formed a committee to probe the deaths and prepare a report so that the affected families can be given a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each.

"But through the LG (Delhi's Lieutenant Governor), the Centre did not allow that committee to be formed. We are sending the file again to the Delhi LG for approval. We will carry out the probe with full responsibility and even punish those who were guilty," he added in the online media briefing.

Sisodia said that the capital has recorded over 25,000 deaths due to the infection and his government will have to probe how many of these were linked to the oxygen crisis during April and May. "We cannot say that there was no oxygen crisis. The families of patients, hospitals were sending out SOS messages for help at that time," he said.

Earlier, Sisodia had said that the Delhi government has not received any letter from the Centre inquiring if any deaths in the national capital occurred due to oxygen shortage during the second Covid wave.
New Delhi, Aug 12 : The Delhi Government on Thursday reimbursed a total of Rs 83,43,819 towards the treatment of a contractual doctor following post Covid-19 complications after the intervention of the National Human Rights Commission.

The Delhi Government has reimbursed the treatment cost to Dr Amit Gupta, employed with Satyavadi Raja Harishchandra Hospital as a Senior Resident Doctor (Paediatrics) on contractual basis. Being a contractual doctor, he was denied any financial assistance after getting infected with Covid-19, the NHRC said in a statement.

The Commission, on the basis of a complaint in this regard, had issued a notice to the Union Health & Family Welfare Ministry and the Delhi Government asking for extending immediate financial assistance and other support to the ailing doctor. The commission also asked both the Union and Delhi government to frame a policy for all the contractual medical and paramedical staff deployed by the Centre or State governments.

The Delhi government informed that the Director General Health Services (DGHS) has been assigned the task to frame a policy for providing adequate medical care to the doctors and paramedical staff hired on contract basis. This may include medical insurance for them, said the NHRC.

Commenting on the action taken by the Delhi Government to reimburse Dr Gupta, the commission said that the Delhi Chief Secretary shall ensure framing of a policy for all the contractual medical staff and submit an action taken report within six weeks. However, the Union Health Ministry has not submitted any response on the issue. The NHRC has again sent a reminder to the secretary and has sought information about the action taken on the subject within six weeks.

Gupta in his complaint had alleged that the contractual doctors and resident doctors and paramedical staff in AIIMS are getting benefits of the Employees Health Services but the Delhi government hospitals and other Centre-run hospitals are not offering such facilities to the doctors.
New Delhi, Aug 12 : Justice R.F. Nariman, who retired from the Supreme Court on Thursday, said that seven years as a judge has been most "gruelling period" of his life, and it was not a "cakewalk".

He said that he could not say that he enjoyed every minute being a judge, but "certainly enjoyed writing judgments".

In his remarks at the farewell function organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), Justice Nariman stressed that merit must be the predominant factor, which should be considered while making judicial appointments.

"I believe that there is legitimate expectation in the people of India and the litigating public, to get certain quality of justice from this final court. For that, it is very clear that merit must predominate, subject of course to other factors. But merit always comes first," he said.

An ordained Parsi priest and the fourth senior counsel to be elevated from the bar to the Supreme Court bench, Justice Nariman called for more direct appointments from the bar to the bench.

"Seven years as a judge has been most gruelling period of my life, it was not a cakewalk... being on this side is much, much more difficult", he said.

"I can't say that I have enjoyed every minute of being a judge, very hard work. Certainly, enjoyed writing judgments. But, at the end of all, it worked out well." Justice Nariman said he missed his dearest friend, late Arun Jaitley. "Arun again was such a darling of a human being. Such a great man. And he was such a dignified lawyer... I have seen his rise from zero. I have seen him as a Tis Hazari lawyer..as a lawyer he was always exceptionally well prepared and exceptionally dignified," he recalled.

He added that after becoming a judge, when senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi appeared before him, he remarked: "I have beaten you hollow. You have 25 briefs, I have 65." Concurring with the views expressed by senior advocate and SCBA President Vikas Singh who said that "it is time more direct appointees were elevated to this bench", Justice Nariman added: "I would also say, and exhort, those direct appointees who are asked, never to say 'no'. It is their solemn duty, having reaped so much from the profession to give back." "I leave this institution with mixed feelings. Now I won't have files waiting for me when I wake up at 6 in the morning. Although I'll still wake up but follow a routine like normal human being," he added.

Attorney General K.K. Venugopal said: "He (Justice Nariman) was a junior in my chamber and he was a star among all my juniors." He said that Justice Nariman is one of the finest legal minds, and one of the finest judges that the top court has had. "Justice Nariman is a constitutional czar par excellence," he said.

Singh said that Justice Nariman's earnings on a day during his time as a lawyer would be more than the salary he received as a judge over seven years.

Justice Nariman was known as a judge who never minced words, both inside and outside the court. He was central to many path-breaking judgments delivered by the top court - be it the scrapping of IPC's Section 377 which criminalised homosexual acts, decriminalising adultery, the triple talaq ban, Sabarimala woman entry issue, Assam NRC, Section 66A of the IT Act, and the Babri demolition case.

Recently, he forced UP to ban Kanwar yatra, and also came down heavily on the Kerala government for lockdown relaxations ahead of Bakrid.
Shimla, Aug 12 : Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Thursday visited the spot of the devastating landslide in Kinnaur district for an overview of the ongoing rescue operation in which 14 bodies have been retrieved, while at least 16 persons are still missing.

Meanwhile, the wreckage of the state roadways bus that fell into a 500 metre deep gorge following the massive landslide was recovered this morning, rescuers said.

"As per our estimates, nearly 16 people are still missing and the rescue operation is underway," Thakur told the media in Shimla after returning.

He said the state would provide Rs 4 lakh each to the next to the kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured. He said Rs 100,000 each would also be provided to the next of kin of the deceased bus passengers.

Most of the victims belong to Kinnaur district.

A rescue operation involving multiple agencies was underway to retrieve the people feared trapped in the 200 metre stretch covered with rubble.

The landslide buried a truck, the state roadways bus, and other vehicles as it occurred over a stretch of the Shimla-Reckong Peo highway near Nigulsari, some 180 km from the state capital.

"Wreckage of the bus found by ITBP troops of 17, 18 and 43 Battalions at first light (0525 Hrs) at approximately 500 metres below the road and 200 meters above Sutlej river. One more dead body retrieved. Total 11 dead bodies retrieved till now," the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) had said in a morning tweet.

State Disaster Management Director Sudesh Kumar Mokhta told IANS that 15 people trapped in the debris have been rescued.

He said the highway is still closed for the traffic.

Local legislator Jagat Singh Negi visited the spot and inspected the rescue operation involving the ITBP, local authorities, the Army, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).

The Himachal Road Transport Corporation bus was on its way to Haridwar from Rekong Peo via Shimla. Its driver and conductor escaped unhurt as they had stepped out.

The bus driver told the media that when he saw rocks falling on the highway, he stopped the bus just ahead of the disaster spot, and some vehicles came to a halt behind the bus.

He, along with the conductor, then walked ahead to assess the gravity of the situation. "As we moved just 100 metres ahead, we saw the entire mountain come rolling down within seconds and fall on the bus and other vehicles. Some of the vehicles rolled down into the gorge with the impact of the boulders and debris," he said.

Witnesses said the administration had a tough time extricating the victims from the badly-mangled bus.

It took hours for rescuers to climb down the mountain and bring up the bodies. Even the landslips on Thursday hampered the rescue operation, police officials said.

Kinnaur is one of remotest places in the state and scarcity and low frequency of passenger buses in the district leads to overcrowding of the vehicles.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Thakur and assured him of all possible help.

Offering condolences to the bereaved families of the victims and the injured in the tragic landslide, French Ambassador to India, Emmanuel Lenain, tweeted: "We hope that the valiant rescue teams will be able to assist those still missing or trapped." This has been the second major natural disaster in Kinnaur in less than a month. Nine people, most of them tourists, were killed by a landslide as boulders fell and hit the vehicle they were travelling in on July 25.

This monsoon also caused major landslides in the state's Kangra district, claiming 10 lives.

Terrifying videos capturing massive landslides in Sirmaur district are common these days.

Seven people died in the exceptionally high rainfall across the cold desert of Lahaul-Spiti district on July 27-28.

Keylong and Udaipur subdivision of the district faced 12 incidents of flash flood after a cloudburst, in which the Tozing Nallah's impact was devastating.
New Delhi, Aug 12 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday suggested the self help groups (SHGs) to collaborate with online companies to ship their products to cities.

"Self help groups have the option whether to sell produce directly from the farm or by setting up a food processing unit and sell with great packaging," the Prime Minister said.

He made the suggestions during an interaction with the women SHG members and community resource persons promoted under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) through video conferencing.

He suggested that by collaborating with online companies, SHGs can easily ship their products to cities in great packaging.

The Prime Minister also requested the self help groups to take advantage of the online Government e-marketplace.

Talking about how farm laws will help SHGs, the Prime Minister also said "not only our farmers would benefit from the new agricultural reforms but limitless possibilities are also being created for the SHGs".

He said that SHGs can now directly purchase from the farmers and direct home delivery of produce like pulses can also be done.

He also urged the SHGs to raise awareness about single use plastic and work for its alternative.

The Prime Minister said all the sisters are being provided with facilities like house, toilet, electricity, water and gas. The government is working with full sensitivity on the education, health, nutrition, vaccination and other needs of sisters and daughters.

He added that due to this not only the dignity of women has increased but the confidence of daughters and sisters is also increasing.

He urged the self help group to link their efforts of nation building with 'Amrit Mahotsav' also. He said that with the collective power of more than 8 crore sisters and daughters, Amrit Mahotsav would be taken to new heights.
Rampur : , Aug 12 (IANS) After the Supreme Court directed that bail be granted to senior Samajwadi Party MP Mohd Azam Khan and his son Abdullah Azam in a case of alleged cheating and forgery of documents, the Uttar Pradesh police have now filed a supplementary charge-sheet in a related case, charging the duo under the non-bailable section of criminal conspiracy.

Khan and his son will now have to file a fresh bail application in order to get bail in this FIR, which was filed in 2019 in Rampur, pertaining to the alleged forgery of a birth certificate.

Khan's wife, Tanzeen Fatima, was also named in the FIR.

The Allahabad High Court had given conditional bail to all the three accused in the case in October last year, following which Tanzeen Fatima was released from prison.

Rampur's additional SP Sansaar Singh said, "We have filed a supplementary charge-sheet against Azam Khan, his wife and his son in this case and added Section 120B to it as there is clear evidence of criminal conspiracy." Asked about the timing of the supplementary charge-sheet, Singh said "We had been working on the case. We took action after we received an application from the main applicant, Akash Saxena (a BJP leader), in this case." A senior lawyer said that in cases where supplementary charge-sheet is filed with fresh charges -- even when the bail is approved by a court -- the applicant has to apply for bail in the new sections that have been added.

This comes as a fresh setback for the father-son duo, who have been in jail since February 2020, and who were granted bail by the apex court on Tuesday.

The court had observed that since the charge-sheet has been filed in the case, bail be granted to them after the trial court records the statement of the informant within two weeks.

Azam had allegedly helped his son get a second PAN card using forged documents. The incorrect date of birth enabled him to contest the Assembly elections in 2017 from Suar constituency in Rampur. Several cases of forgery have been registered against the Khans, but they have got bail in most of them.
New Delhi, Aug 12 : The Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), which came on the radar of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) after the 2014 bomb blast in West Bengal's Burdwan, had adopted a unique model of making new recruits in India, the agency probe has found.

The NIA claimed that the JMB used to marry its cadres with Indian women to recruit their family members into the terror organisation.

A senior NIA source related to the probe said that the agency has been probing several cases of the Bangladeshi terror outfit, and the JMB came into existence around 2014, but garnered attention after the Burdwan bomb blast.

The blast took place at the first floor of a rented house in the busy Khagragarh locality of Burdwan on October 2, 2014. The IED had accidentally gone off at the time of its fabrication by the members of banned terrorist organisation and the two terrorists had succumbed to their injuries.

The West Bengal Police initially registered a case, and seized 55 improvised explosive devices and some other explosives, along with wristwatch dials and some mobile SIM cards. The NIA took over the probe into the blast case on October 10, 2014 and arrested several people.

The anti-terror probe agency has also filed several charge sheets in connection with the JMB case for for committing terrorist acts and waging war against the governments of India and Bangladesh.

Explaining the modus operandi of the JMB for recruiting youths in the terror organisation, the source said that JMB cadres targeted the youths from poor and marginalised background who could be radicalised easily.

"The other modus operandi was that of marrying the cadres with the Indian girls," he said.

The source said that the JMB cadres use to run madarasas in several parts of West Bengal and from there, they use to identify the girls to marry with their cadres. He said that when the girls were married with their cadres, the other family members of the girls were also recruited into the terror organisation.

Asked about number of girls married to the JMB cadres, the source said that currently they don't have the exact data as a number of cases are also being investigated by the local police.

In February this year, an NIA court in Kolkata sentenced JMB chief Kausar to 29 years imprisonment with a fine of Rs 35,000 in connection with the case.

The NIA probe has till date revealed a conspiracy by JMB to radicalise, recruit and provide training in arms and explosives to its members in India for committing terrorist acts and waging war against the established governments of India and Bangladesh. The NIA during the probe also seized a large number of IEDs, explosives, hand grenades, and training videos.

After extensive investigation, a total of 33 accused were charge sheeted by NIA for commission of various offences in this case. Out of 33 accused, 31 were arrested. Earlier, 30 accused persons were convicted and sentenced, to various terms, by the NIA Special Court, Kolkata.

(Anand Singh can be contacted at anand.s@ians.in)
New Delhi, Aug 12: US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman will meet China's ambassador to Washington Qin Gang on Thursday as part of the exercise to pave the way for a summit between US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Qin Gang took up his assignment in Washington in late July. He has struck an optimistic note amid the ongoing tensions between the two countries by saying that there is a great potential for better bilateral relations. He was earlier a vice foreign minister who has served as an envoy in Europe.

Voice of America says that he replaced China's longest serving ambassador to the US -- Cui Tiankai, who spent eight years in Washington.

The two nations are paving the path to the big meeting between US President Joe Biden and Leader for Life Xi Jinping, which is most likely to take place in late October this year. Both sides have been sharpening the pitch before the all-important meeting.

For Sherman, this would be her second important meeting with Chinese officials in the last fortnight. In late July she was in Beijing to meet Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Both sides acknowledged the tension in the relationship by advocating solutions that stand poles apart.

After the meeting, Sherman tweeted: "In my meeting with PRC Foreign Minister Wang Yi today, I spoke about the United States' commitment to healthy competition, protecting human rights and democratic values, and strengthening the rules-based international order that benefits us all".

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: "It requires serious consideration for the US side to make correct choices as to whether the bilateral ties will head to confrontation or improvement. Your visit to China is a part of mutual contact and dialogue between China and the United States, and the two sides should enhance mutual understanding, erase misunderstanding, avoid misjudgment and better manage differences via constant dialogues".

Relations between Beijing and Washington have declined over trade disputes, tension in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea as well as the coronavirus pandemic. Adding to these have been US sanctions on Chinese officials allegedly involved in human rights violations in Xinjiang, Hong Kong and Tibet.

China's oft-repeated challenge that it is the world leader and not the US has added to the tension.

American allies Japan and Taiwan are facing problems with an increasingly aggressive China. While Japan has been running a high decibel campaign against Chinese belligerence in the region, Taiwan has recently appealed to the US to restrain China from upping tensions in the region.

South Korea, too, has been feeling uncomfortable with North Korea's weapon acquisition from China.

On the other hand, China is unhappy with the US. It has strong suspicions about the four-member Quad, perceived American interference in the South China Sea -- a region which it considers its own backyard.

Beijing has also made its annoyance felt with the US and its allies for holding drills in the region and for pursuing the freedom of navigation in the region.

(The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative
New Delhi, Aug 12: India is closely monitoring the developments in Mozambique as a 1000 strong Rwandan force entered the country in a bid to help Maputo fight terror groups that have been gaining a stronghold in the country. The mineral rich country is not only home to a sizable Indian diaspora but several companies including ONGC Videsh have huge investments in Mozambique.

State owned ONGC Videsh Ltd and Oil India Ltd along with other foreign investors had secured $14.9 billion debt to part-finance their $24.1 billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) project being built on the Afungi peninsula.

The project with one of the largest investments in Africa, is led by the French behemoth Total Energies, is expected to produce 12.88 million tonnes per annum of LNG.

Following the Islamic State (IS)- orchestrated ghastly attacks in the resort town of Palma, Cabo Delgado province very close to the LNG project, Total recalled its entire staff force from the site. Work has been currently stalled at the site.

"French behemoth Total Energies is the operator for Area1 Mozambique LNG Project. The Operator had to temporarily stop the work due to force majeure situation and the project activities shall start as soon as the security situation becomes manageable from safety and security point of view," ONGC Videsh in an emailed response to India Narrative's queries said.

The Mozambique Oil and Gas Chamber had said that the attacks are aimed at disrupting the project which "will fundamentally recast the fortunes of Mozambique from one of the poorest countries in the world to possibly a middle-income country".

Leading energy expert Narendra Taneja told India Narrative that terror activities dampen investors' confidence. "There are temporary financial losses as the work has to be halted," Taneja said. However, he added that there is no threat to the assets or the reserves as such as they are underground, underwater. This particular field is prolific with proven high gas reserves, and is safe.

India's total investment in Mozambique amounts to $8 billion, accounting for 25 per cent of the total Indian capital invested on the African continent, Club of Mozambique pointed out.

According to the BBC, last month Rwanda sent 1,000 soldiers to Mozambique to fight the militants, who launched an insurgency in 2017 that has left more than 3,000 people dead and 820,000 displaced.

"The Mozambican armed force have been struggling to regain control of the province," BBC said.

The Observer Research Foundation in a report said that Islamist armed insurgency has alarmingly increased in Mozambique.

"What began as a local religious sect has now morphed into a violent Islamic insurgency, led by the jihadist group Ahlu Sunnah Wa-Jama'a (ASJW), locally known as 'Al Shabaab'," it said.

Given India's high stakes in the West Indian Ocean that washes the shores of East Africa including Mozambique, the Indian Navy's involvement in securing the region is on New Delhi's radar. In fact, India's warship, Talwar, has just concluded participation in in Cutlass Express 2021 of the East African coastline of the Indian Ocean. The warship exercised in massive multinational manoeuvres steered by the Africa Command of the United States. The participants included 12 East African countries, the UK, European Union Naval Force Somalia (EUNAVFOR), Critical Maritime Routes Indian Ocean (CRIMARIO), EUCAP Somalia, and Interpol, apart from the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

"Due to the strategic location of Mozambique and one of the longest coast line in its southern eastern part, Mozambique provides a good opportunity for India to enhance maritime cooperation since the Mozambican navy does not have the capacity to protect its coast," noted Vivekananda International Foundation.

It added that Mozambique may very soon have the fourth largest reserves of gas in the world behind Russia, Iran and Qatar. Hence, India's engagement and investments in Mozambique's energy sector are also increasing.

(The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative
New Delhi, Aug 12 : The Delhi Police will file a chargesheet in 30 days in the two minors' rape cases, Home Ministry officials said here.

Senior Home Ministry officials on Thursday reviewed the status of the investigations in the two rape cases in Delhi with officials of the Delhi Police. The review was done on the instructions of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the officials said.

"On the instruction of the Union Home Minister Shri@Amit Shah, the Ministry of Home Affairs reviewed with status of investigation of the rape and murder case of a girl child in Nangal area of Delhi and the rape of another girl child in Mayur Vihar with Delhi Police", the spokesperson of the Ministry tweeted.

The officials said the Delhi Police is committed to file a chargesheet within 30 days from the date of the registration of the FIR so that the trial in these cases can start at the earliest. Both the cases will be heard in the fast track special court in Delhi, they added.

A minor girl was allegedly raped, murdered and forcefully cremated in the Nangal area of Delhi Cantonment on August 1, 2021 and an FIR was registered under sections of gang rape, murder, attempt to murder, POCSO, SC/ST Act, sections 304 (Culpable homicide), 342 (Punishment for wrongful confinement), 201 (Causing disappearance of evidence) and 34 (Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code.

In the Mayur Vihar case, a six-year-old girl was allegedly raped by her neighbour in Delhi's Trilokpuri area on Wednesday and a case was registered at the Mayur Vihar police station on the basis of the family's complaint. The accused has been booked under Section 376 AB of the Indian Penal Code, Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and Section 3(2)(v) of the SC/ST Act.

The victim was admitted to a local hospital for treatment for serious injuries. She has now been referred to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences for further treatment.
New Delhi/Islamabad, Aug 12 : Islamic organisations in Pakistan have been pursuing their conservative agenda with traditional fervour, challenging the governments decision on issues that are aimed at introducing moderate values in the society.

The chief of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, Maulana Fazalur Rahman, stated on Wednesday that the Waqf Property Act and the Domestic Violence Bill are against the teachings of Islam, the Constitution of Pakistan and 'eastern' values.

The Islamic identity of the nation should be maintained at any cost, Rahman said. He said this at the end of discussions with a number of Islamic scholars and leaders in Karachi.

The Domestic Violence Bill primarily aims at putting in place a set of stringent norms against those indulging in domestic violence. However, conservative Muslim leaders have been opposing it on the grounds that such laws are against Islam.

Separately, the central joint secretary of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Nazryati), Mehmood Ul Hasan Qasimi, stated on Wednesday that the prophecies of Mujahid Mullah Umar of 21 years ago about the defeat of America was proving to be true today.

Addressing a gathering, he said that the world has seen how the superpower America has accepted defeat in Afghanistan at the hands of the Taliban.

He said that very soon the Mujahedeen will wave the flag of the Islamic Emirate in Afghanistan and the puppet government of Kabul will come to an end, facing similar insult as the Americans faced.

He further mentioned that Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani is devoid of vision and is presently living as a tenant in Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, the chairman of Jamaat-e-lslami Pakistan, Sirajul-Haq said on Thursday that the system of the Quran and Sunnah is the only solution to the problems faced by human beings.

He mentioned that the buildings of socialism and capitalism had collapsed and the world is being driven by international financial institutions.

In this context, he criticised the PTI for having dragged the nation to slavery at the hands of the IMF and World Bank.

The real rulers of the country, he said, are the international financial institutions and the people sitting in Islamabad are only working as facilitators or puppets.

He said the extent of poverty in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is an indication of the lack of interest the leadership has in ensuring welfare of the state and its people.

He also reiterated the fact that there has been serious unemployment year after year with the government taking no cognisance of the impact it has had on families in the region.

Such rhetorics coming from conservative leaders in Pakistan are an indication of the prevailing mindset in core Islamic circles in the country, which would also have an impact on the situation evolving in Afghanistan.

Support for the Taliban has been at the top of the agenda of these leaders and Pakistan has often been using this rhetoric as natural pressure being built from 'internal elements' which makes it difficult for the government to pursue a hands off policy vis-a-vis Afghanistan.
New Delhi, Aug 12 : Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday met World Health Organisation (WHO) Chief Scientist Saumya Swaminathan here to discuss the WHO's approval for Bharat Biotech's Covaxin.

During the meeting, Swaminathan also discussed the various aspects of the current Covid-19 pandemic among other issues.

Covaxin is developed by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech in collaboration with ICMR and National Institute of Virology, Pune.

All documents required for Emergency Use Listing (EUL) have been submitted by Bharat Biotech for Covaxin to the World Health Organization (WHO) as of July 9 and the review process by the global health body has commenced, said the Minister of State for Health Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar last month in Rajya Sabha.

Earlier, the Covaxin got a certificate of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) compliance from the Hungarian authorities. This approval for the vaccine is considered as a step forward in meeting the global standards.

Swaminathan also met Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Jitendra Singh and discussed issues related to the pandemic.

The Minister told her that with the personal intervention and day-to-day personal monitoring by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has undertaken the fastest and the largest vaccination drive against Covid-19.

Emphasising on the importance of mass vaccination through easy availability and accessibility, Swaminathan said even though the vaccine may not be able to provide absolute protection against different variants of virus, it can certainly reduce the risk of death and complications.

Appreciating India's comprehensive and cohesive war against Covid-19, Swaminathan said there will be a need to stand on guard in the months to come as well.

The domestically developed Covaxin is effective against the Delta plus variant of Covid-19, claimed the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in its study last week.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Patna, Aug 12 : The issue of caste-based Census is hotting up in Bihar with BJP leaders slamming the stand of RJD chief Lalu Prasad on the issue.

BJP state unit chief and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Jaiswal said that Lalu Prasad is a victim of low mentality after the latter gave a call to boycott normal Census in the country.

"Lalu Prasad was in power in Bihar for 16 years. Why didn't he go for caste-based Census during his tenure? He was also a Union minister during the tenure of UPA," Jaiswal said, after Lalu Prasad gave a call for boycotting the normal census through Twitter on Wednesday.

Lalu Prasad said that all backwards, extremely backwards, Dalits and minorities of the country might boycott the decennial Census if caste-based headcounts are not permitted in the upcoming 2021 Census.

"The Narendra Modi-led Central government is keeping everything in mind and implementing only those policies which will be beneficial for the country and the society," Jaiswal said.

"The Narendra Modi-led government has a clear agenda of 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas' and hence we will go for a normal Census in the country. Caste-based Census has happened just once in the history of Independent India and everyone knew about its consequences. Hence it was stopped at that time and was never repeated," said BJP leader Subhash Singh, who's also the Cooperative Minister in Bihar.

Pramod Kumar, Sugarcane Minister in the Bihar government, said: "Lalu Prasad boycotted normal Census on twitter. I will appeal to the people to avoid taking him seriously. Lalu Prasad had announced that Jharkhand cannot be separated from Bihar. He had also said that Jharkhand would be separated only over his dead body. Still, it happened during his tenure." Besides Lalu Prasad and other opposition parties in Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has also advocated caste-based Census in the state and the entire country.

The Chief Minister had also written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue.

A JD-U leader had even said that if the Union government refuses caste-based Census, the Nitish Kumar government will conduct the same on its own cost in the state.
Bengaluru, Aug 12 : Karnataka logged 1,857 new Covid cases and 30 deaths in the last 24 hours, while the active cases totalled 22,728, the positivity rate stood at 1.15 per cent and case fatality rate at 1.61 per cent, according to the government health bulletin.

Dakshina Kannada district, bordering Kerala, topped the list with the most number of cases, at 475, followed by Bengaluru with 321. Cases also touched three digits in Udupi (191), Mysuru (116) - which also borders Kerala, and Hassan (123).

The number of recoveries in Bengaluru stood at 413 in the last 24 hours, according to the health bulletin, while five persons died. Micro containment zone numbers rose to 176 with Mahadevapura zone recording the highest number, at 49. Recovery rate stood at 98.04 per cent and active rate at 0.67 per cent. The positivity rate was 0.57 per cent and case fatality rate 1.10 per cent. The number of total active cases went up to 8,193.

The Karnataka government has issued an order prohibiting congregations during Krishna Janmasthami, Muharram, Ganesh Chaturthi, Durga Puja, and other festivals. It has also banned organisation of social, political, recruitment, cultural, and religious programmes during these festivals.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, who was in Mangaluru, said that there has been a spike in the positivity rate in the state. "I am seriously considering this. But, I don't want to burden people by imposing a lockdown. We are trying to prevent it. Collaboration with the private sector is being reactivated in the state for Covid management. Health camps will be held in schools to reach out to the children," he said.

BBMP Commissioner Gaurav Gupta allayed fears of a third wave already hitting children in the city. "The children are safe and no child is in the ICU. Parents must vaccinate themselves first and follow Covid appropriate behavior to keep their children away from Covid infection. There is no need to panic," he said.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Hyderabad, Aug 12 : The US Consul General in Hyderabad, Joel R. Reifman, on Thursday visited the Cherlapally Central Jail here and inspected the various manufacturing activities being carried out by the inmates.

He was impressed by the quality of the products and expressed happiness at the neat and clean environment being maintained inside the prison complex.

He was taken around by Director General (Prison) Rajiv Trivedi, Inspector General Rajesh, Deputy Inspector General Murali and Superintendent Sampath.

The Consul General was the chief guest at the valedictory function of the 52nd batch of the Antrix-ISRO sponsored Unnati programme, which is a three-week long cognitive behavioural development training programme.

Under the programme, the previously trained inmates play the role of mentors and counsellors to the new inmates. Most participants experience a transformation in their self-image and develop positivity and confidence.

The Consul General distributed certificates to the participant inmates.

Speaking on the occasion, Reifman said that an error of judgment or action does not define a person as a whole.

There are always opportunities to correct past mistakes and make amends, Reifman said, as he noted that India and the US share common human development goals being the largest democracies in the world.

He also wished that the participants would find a sense of purpose and will be productive members of the society in the future.

The Consul General was pleasantly surprised to note that two high school students from New Jersey were attending the programme as interns. The interns -- Nidhi and Raghav Ladda -- shared their experiences during the event.
Hyderabad, Aug 12 : The state-owned Singareni Collieries Company Ltd on Thursday issued orders enhancing the retirement age of its employees from 60 years to 61 years.

The orders will come into effect from March 31. All those who retired on or after March 31 have been asked to join the duties before August 31.

A total of 1,082 employees, who retired since March 31, can return to the work. They will be re-appointed.

The move to enhance the retirement age will benefit 43,899 employees and workers of Singareni.

The decision was taken at the 557th board of directors meeting last month. After the retirement age of all state government employees was increased from 58 to 61 years, Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao wanted Singareni to hike the retirement age of its employees.

He had held a review meeting with ministers and top officials last month to discuss the proposal and the problems faced in this regard.

The Chief Minister had asked Singareni Chairman & Managing Director N. Sridhar to discuss the proposal in the board meeting and take a decision.
New Delhi, Aug 12 : The Supreme Court has held that the fundamental right to shelter cannot be construed as a right to government accommodation for retired government employees.

A bench of Justices Hemant Gupta and A.S. Bopanna noted the right to shelter is a fundamental right, that may not be disputed, but such a right of shelter is granted to millions of Indians who do not have shelter.

"A section of society, more so retired government employees, who had earned pension, drawn retirement benefits, cannot be said to be in such condition, where the government should provide government accommodation for an unlimited period," it ruled.

The bench said the right of shelter to the displaced person is satisfied when accommodation had been provided in transit accommodation. "The direction to allow a retired government servant to retain government accommodation for an indefinite period, to say the least, is a distribution of state largesse without any policy of the state. Such right of shelter does not and cannot extend to provide a government accommodation," it held.

It was argued that the right to shelter is a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution. Counsel for the respondent cited Delhi High Court judgment, where the Centre was directed to provide alternative accommodation to 24 petitioners, including a former Director General of Border Security Force, and their families subject to payment of a normal license fee.

The top court observed that judges of any forum shall vacate the official residence within a period of one month from the date of superannuation/retirement. However, after recording sufficient reason(s), the time may be extended by another one month, it added.

The bench further observed that compassion could be shown for accommodating the displaced persons for one or two months. "But to allow them to retain the government accommodation already allotted or to allot an alternative accommodation, that too with a nominal licence fee, defeats the very purpose of the government accommodation which is meant for serving officers," it added.

The bench observed that a section of the migrants cannot be treated as preferential citizens to give them the right to shelter at the cost of millions of other citizens who do not have a roof over their heads. "Such right of shelter does not and cannot extend to provide a government accommodation," it added.

The top court judgment came on an appeal filed by Centre against an order passed by a division bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which allowed a retired employee of the Intelligence Bureau, to retain his government accommodation at a nominal fee till the prevailing circumstances in his native state, J&K, improved, and he was able to return. The top court set aside the high court judgment but allowed the respondent to vacate the government premises on or before October 31.
Hyderabad, Aug 12 : A man in Telangana kept the body of his grandfather in the fridge at their house as he had no money to perform his last rites, police said on Thursday.

The shocking incident came to light at Parkala in Warangal district after neighbours complained to police about foul smell emanating from a house.

Police officers who searched the house found the body of 93-year-old Balaiah, a retired teacher, in the fridge. When they questioned his grandson Nikhil, he revealed that Balaiah died of ill health three days ago.

Nikhil, 23, told police that since he had no money to perform the last rites of his grandfather, he kept the body in the fridge.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Shivaramaiah said they registered a case of death under suspicious circumstances and took up investigation. The body was sent for an autopsy.

The police were verifying the statement given by Nikhil. Balaiah, a retired teacher and a native of Kamareddy district, was living with his grandson in a rented house. They were meeting their expenses from Balaiah's pension.

The police officer said they were trying to find out if Nikhil kept the body in fridge to ensure that the pension did not stop.
Srinagar, Aug 12 : Two security force personnel and two civilians have been injured in an ongoing encounter in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district on Thursday, officials said.

The encounter started on Thursday afternoon after terrorists opened fire on a BSF convoy on the National Highway in Kulgam.

The area was immediately cordoned off and additional forces reached the spot. The terrorists involved in firing were trapped and an operation was started by the police and security forces.

"Two trapped terrorists of LeT still alive. Exchange of fire on. Two Security Forces personnel and two civilians injured from terrorists fire. Taking all precautions for lesser collateral damage as target building is huge one," police tweeted, quoting IGP, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar.
New Delhi, Aug 12 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday said that it has carried out searches at various premises linked to Villayutham, an alleged kingpin of sea cucumber smuggling, in Tamil Nadu's Rameshwaram.

An ED official here said that the agency sleuths carried out searches at the premises of Villayutham on August 9, in a case relating to the serious environmental crime of smuggling sea cucumber, an endangered species, along Sri Lankan maritime border.

He said that the agency had registered a case on the basis of 13 FIRs in wildlife cases filed against Villayutham.

The residential premises of Villayutham, and Hotel Raamajeyam owned by him at Rameshwaram were searched by the ED and led to seizure of large number of sale deeds, cash receipts, cheque books and other incriminating documents.

"Sale deeds papers and other documents seized during the search operation revealed the value of the assets of Villayutham to be around Rs 5 crore," he said.

The official said that known as the 'cleaners of the sea,' sea cucumbers play a vital role in maintaining health of marine ecosystem. Sea cucumbers, also called as Holothurians, are marine endangered species, and an important constituent of the coral ecosystem in the Gulf of Mannar. The product Beche-de-mer derived from processed sea cucumbers is commercially important and considered as a delicacy in China, Japan and Korea. Besides, the sea cucumber is known to have aphrodisiac qualities and the pharmacological properties.

The official said that in 2001, Indian government included all species of sea cucumbers under Schedule-I category of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and totally banned their collection. These animals have also been protected under Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Chennai, Aug 12 : The AIADMK, which is gearing up for the rural local body polls in the nine new districts, has decided to focus on the 'futile' poll promises made by the DMK in the run up to the 2021 Assembly elections in the state.

A two-day meeting of the AIADMK office-bearers in the districts where elections will be held has decided that the candidates to be projected for the rural local body polls must have a clean track record.

Elections will have to be held in Kancheepuram, Chengelpettu, Villupuram, Tenkasi, Vellore, Tirupathur, Ranipet, Kallakurichi and Tirunelveli districts before September 15, as per a Supreme Court directive.

The AIADMK wants to make a comeback after the crushing defeat it faced in the 2021 Assembly elections, for which it intends to carry out an election campaign by plugging all the loopholes.

Both former AIADMK Chief Ministers, O. Panneerselvam and K. Palaniswami, have addressed the local level party functionaries.

In the meeting held on Wednesday and Thursday, the AIADMK leaders called upon the party cadres to highlight the 'failed' poll promises made by the DMK.

The AIADMK had held statewide meetings recently on the 'failure' of the DMK to scrap NEET, which was one of the highlights of the party's poll campaign for the 2021 Assembly elections.

The DMK is yet to fulfil its poll promises of Rs 1,000 to homemakers, waiver of educational and jewellery loans as well as reduction of fuel prices in the state.

The large presence of minority vote banks in the northern districts of Tamil Nadu had led to the failure of the AIADMK to win seats there in the Assembly elections, given the party's political alliance with the BJP.

It could garner only 12 out of the 45 seats in the northern districts even as it had a political alliance with the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) that has a dominant presence in the area.

With the AIADMK continuing its alliance with the BJP in the state, the local party leaders are not enthused on the poll prospects in the minority-dominated districts of Vellore and Ranipet with areas like Jolarpet, Tirupathur, Melvisharam and Ranipet having a large Muslim presence.

The AIADMK's local-level functionaries have highlighted this factor before the senior leaders of the party.

The AIADMK as a policy will be highlighting the failures of the DMK government in the state since it assumed office on May 7.

The party is also waiting for the state budget to be presented by the Finance Minister P.T.R. Palanivel Thiagarajan, which has all the possibilities of subsidies being shifted to the targeted population.

The party leadership has also communicated to the cadres and local functionaries that the white paper presented by the DMK has to be countered at the ground level and that the failures of the previous DMK governments at the local level should be researched properly and presented before the public in the run-up to the rural local body elections, the date for which is yet to be announced.

AIADMK spokesperson R. Vaithalingam told IANS, "We have conducted a few meetings with the party functionaries of the nine new districts where rural local body polls are to take place. The party will highlight the failures of the DMK government to fulfil the promises that it made in the run-up to the 2021 Assembly elections, especially the failure on NEET which it knew fully well that it could not do anything about but still promised that it would scrap the exam once it comes to power. We will highlight this duplicity of the party."
Bengaluru, Aug 12 : Members of the South India Floriculture Association (SIFA), flower and fruit growers, and vendors on Thursday staged a protest, demanding Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai to withdraw his order banning presenting of bouquets, flowers, garlands and other perishable items like fruit baskets at official functions.

Describing such giftes a "wasteful expenditure", Bommai, in a tweet on Tuesday, said that anyone meeting him or attending government events can gift Kannada books instead.

Twitterati were divided on the decision, with people largely taking sides with flower and fruit growers and vendors, while some of them hailed the move.

At the protest at the city's international flower auction market with sector representatives, holding a bouquet, flower necklace, and fruit basket, termed "this unscientific order" a direct assault on flower-growers who are the one of the worst-affected during the Covid pandemic.

SIFA President T.M. Aravind told reporters that it is a tragedy for the families of thousands of farmers engaged in flower cultivation in the state, as the sector is worst-affected with religious places closed, weddings postponed, major events in public sector and private sector deferred, and no major social and religious functions lined up.

Flower Council of India President Srikanth Bollapalli, who was also at the protest, said that the area under floriculture was expanding at a rate of 7 per cent till 2018-19 while the trade in the sector is growing at a steady pace of 10 per cent per annum but has come to almost standstill due to pandemic.
Gurugram, Aug 12 : Four men have been arrested here for posting advertisements on an online platform to sell used four-wheelers and duping buyers using fake sales letters, the police said on Thursday.

A police officer said that a Wagon R car was also recovered from the arrested individuals and they were being questioned.

A complainant, Lobin Kumar of Rewari, started in his complaint filed on June 16 that he was tempted by an advertisement mentioning the sale of a used Innova Crysta car on an online portal. According to the ad, the car was on sale for Rs 3.55 lakh, way lower than its market price.

Thereafter, the complainant, wishing to buy the vehicle, dialled a contact number written on the ad and spoke to one Shivam Pawar on June 10.

He was called to Sector 49, Gurugram where the complainant met another man Rohit Shah with whom Kumar discussed the conversation he had with Shivam.

Shivam then asked the complainant to meet him at his office.

On June 16, the victim met Shivam at his office who took the complainant to the parking lot, showed the car and demanded the payment.

After that, Kumar transferred Rs 3 lakh in cash and Rs 55,000 to an account of Punjab and Sind Bank.

Following the payment, Pawar said that he will come along with the owner of the vehicle to sign the sale letter. However, he did not return and later his phone was also found switched off.

Upon receiving the complaint, a team of Sector 50 police station -- where the case was registered, led by Inspector Rahul Dev, nabbed all the four accused on Wednesday from Sector-46 in Gurugram after a tip-off.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Muhammad Imran (21) of Shahdara in Delhi, Ravi Upadhyay (26) of Chandauli district of Uttar Pradesh, Shivam Pawar (26) of Sonipat district of Haryana and Qazi Muhammad Farid (26) of Siddarthnagar district of Uttar Pradesh.

"The arrested culprits have confessed their involvement in the crime. The accused had fled the spot after duping the complainant in a Wagon R car. They will be taken on a police remand to recover the duped amount. Hunts are on to nab other fraudsters involved in the crime," Subhash Boken, spokesperson of the Gurugram police said.
Amaravati, Aug 12 : Six key Maoist cadres, including four women, surrendered before Andhra Pradesh Police, police said on Thursday.

The Maoist cadres belonging to Andhra-Pradesh Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee (AOBSZC) were produced before media by Director General of Police D. Gautam Sawang.

The rebels, including four from Chhattisgarh, were involved in 127 offences including 17 murders over the past one and a half decades. The two others are from Visakhapatnam.

All the six cadres of the Communist Party of India-Maoist were together carrying a reward of Rs 16 lakh.

Those who laid down the arms include Peddabailu-Korukunda Area Committee Secretary Chikkudu Chinna Rao alias Sudheer (32), Divisional Committee Member and Divisional Commander, Vanthala Vannu alias Mahita (25), and Area Committee Members, Madakam Somidi, (25), and Madakam Manglu alias Deepak (21), also a protection team member.

The two other female cadres -- Poyam Rukini alias Rinky (18) and Sodi Bheeme (18) -- were also working as protection team members.

Chinna Rao was involved in 93 offences including 14 murders and 11 gunfights. He was also involved in seven landmine blasts.

The DGP said the Maoists decided to lay down the arms and join the mainstream due to dwindling support from the tribal population, lack of recruitment from tribals and discrimination of tribal cadres by top leadership.

He claimed that Maoists were losing support of the tribals as the benefits of the government schemes are reaching the tribals even in remote areas through the volunteers. He said this had made it difficult for the extremists to sustain.

"Their cadres have depleted. The Maoist ideology has become redundant and irrelevant," he said.

Sawang said that in the past Maoists used to come to talk to tribals and settle local disputes but now the government is taking steps to solve their problems.

He said the government has also given lands to tribals and addressed their problems, adding 3 lakh acres of land was identified to be given to tribals and almost 20,000 families have got pattas. "In the past, the land issue used to create lot of heart burning but even this problem has been solved," he said.

The DGP said the Maoist cadres had depleted to 54 from 140 two years ago. There used to be two companies with 19 members in each but now the outfit has just one platoon comprising 10 members.

The Andhra-Odisha Border area used to have eight committees in past but now the number has come down to four.

The police chief said in 11 exchange of fire during last one year, 14 Maoists including DCMs lost their lives. Six important cadres were arrested and they included one DCM and one Special Zonal Committee member. A total of 32 cadres surrendered including a Special Zonal committee members and 3 DCMs.

He appealed to Maoist cadres to come forward and taking advantage of the surrender policy offered the state government.
Patna, Aug 12 : Bihar Minister Syed Shahnawaz Hussain on Thursday admitted that differences have arisen between his Bharatiya Janata Party and the Janata Dal-United in the state, but there was no threat to the government.

"There are differences in the Bihar NDA. The leaders of the BJP and the JD-U have differences of opinion on several issues, though both the parties are committed for better future of Bihar. The Nitish Kumar government will complete the tenure of 5 years," he said while interacting with reporters in Muzaffarpur.

"As the number of MLAs of the BJP is higher than the JD-U, we have more responsibility to run the government smoothly than the JD-U," Hussain said.

While Hussain was cautious on criticising the Nitish Kumar-led JDU, PWD Minister Nitin Navin openly said that the policies of Nitish Kumar, especially on the population control law, was not good.

"I believe that population control law should be implemented in Bihar. It will help to bring a strong and healthy society. Population control policy is not one subject. If it is implemented in the country, everyone will come under this law. The awareness can come after the implementation of laws," he said.

Nitish Kumar has a clear stand on population control law, saying that the population can be control only after education and awareness of females in the society.
New Delhi, Aug 12 : Over 2,500 posts are lying vacant in the hospitals run by the Delhi government, including 487 posts for doctors, according to a report submitted in the Delhi Assembly during the recently concluded Monsoon Session.

The status report (till May this year) of government hospitals submitted before the Delhi Legislative Assembly stated that there are 2,583 sanctioned posts for doctors in all the government hospitals functioning under the Delhi government, of which 487 are vacant.

Out of the total vacant posts, 1,200 are for nursing staff and 834 for paramedical staff. Out of the total 8,407 posts sanctioned for nursing staff members, 7,169 have been filled.

Similarly, out of the 4,578 post sanctioned for paramedical staff, 3,744 have filled while the rest are vacant.

As per the Delhi government's official website, there are 37 hospitals which function under the Delhi government, including the Deen Dayal Upadhyay (DDU) Hospital, Delhi State Cancer Institution, Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital (GTB), Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital and the Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital, among others, which cater to a major chunk of patients in the national capital every day.

Apart from the government hospitals, around 25 posts of doctors are vacant in the Mohhalla Clinics run by the Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi.

As per the report, a total of 480 posts are sanctioned for doctors in the Mohhalla Clinics, of which 25 are vacant.

Out of the 469 posts sanctioned for pharmacists, 35 are vacant, while 62 posts for clinic assistants and 20 for multi-task workers are also vacant.

The Delhi government replied in the Assembly that it has initiated the process to train 5,000 youth as community nursing assistants, who will be working under the direction of the doctors and nurses in the government hospitals.

"We are in the process of filling all the posts in the government hospitals run by the Delhi government. In view of a possible third wave of the pandemic, the government has already started training aorund 5,000 youth health assistants. Other posts will also be filled on a priority basis," the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) told IANS.

In June, while making an announcement regarding strengthening of medical infrastructure in the government hospitals in the city, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had said, "In case a third wave emerges, we might also witness a shortage of medical and paramedical staff as we had seen during the second and the first waves."
New Delhi, Aug 13 : With the Centre looking for ways to strengthen the process including the Ayush system in public health to achieve the intended integration of modern medicine and traditional health systems, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya held a meeting with Ayush Minister Sarbanand Sonowal on Thursday in this connection.

Mandaviya said in the meeting that a well-defined mechanism has been put in place to achieve the intended integration of modern and traditional health systems. He added that a monthly joint review mechanism is being implemented to take the process of synergised action forward and to accomplish complete integration of ministries at all functional and conceptual levels.

Underlining the importance of the initiative, Sonowal said that both ministries will work "hand-in-hand" to benefit the masses as envisaged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "In this regard, Health Ministers of all states would also need to be taken on board," he added.

A detailed presentation was made about the common points achieved by these ministries and the issues that need further action. The meeting discussed subjects like the challenges ahead at the level of basic science for integration, medical education, and public health delivery mechanism across the nation, and it was decided to pragmatically develop an approach to work together to get the desired results.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi/Patna, Aug 13 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) said on Thursday that it has arrested one Pranav Kumar Ghosh, a close associate of late Manorama Devi, founder of the Srijan Mahila Vikas Sahyog Samiti Limited (SMVSSL), in connection with a money laundering case.

The ED said in a statement that the financial probe agency arrested Ghosh under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

It said that Ghosh is alleged to be involved in the big scam known as 'Srijan Scam', wherein government funds were diverted to various bank accounts of SMVSSL in Bihar.

The Srijan Scam is estimated to be worth more than Rs 500 crore.

The ED said that Ghosh was a close associate of Devi, and he along with various government officials, bank officials, private persons and other members conspired to divert government funds into the accounts of Srijan, which were used for the benefit of all the conspirators.

It is alleged that SMVSSL opened various bank accounts in Bank of Baroda, Indian Bank and Bhagalpur Co-operative Bank with the help of bank officials.

It further said that in conspiracy with the government officials, the funds lying in the District Land Acquisition Office, Indira Aawas Yojana, District Welfare Scheme etc. were transferred to Srijan's account.

In furtherance of the conspiracy, the funds from Srijan were misused for the purchase of flats and other immovable properties in Ghaziabad, Pune, Patna, Bhagalpur etc., the ED said.

The ED had registered a case of money laundering on the basis of an FIR registered by the CBI.

"During investigation, it was revealed that the accused had acquired movable and immovable properties out of the proceeds of the crime. As a result of initial investigation, two orders were issued attaching assets worth Rs 18.45 crore, including 32 flats, 18 shops, 38 plots/houses, 47 bank accounts, among others," it said.

"During investigation, Ghosh had been non-cooperative and didn't comply with the summons issued by the ED. Therefore, he was arrested on August 6 and sent to 5-day ED custody by a court," the ED added.
Srinagar, Aug 13 : To celebrate the spirit of this year's Independence Day, the army on Thursday organised a painting competition whose theme was 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav', in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district.

The painting competition was held in the border town of Machhal in Kupwara district in which more than 75 children of different age groups participated.

Defence spokesman, Col. Emron Musavi said in a statement: "Independence Day celebrations in Kashmir Valley this year have an electrifying atmosphere with the people, eager to participate and make these a success.

"To promote the feeling, a painting competition was organised by the army today," he said.

"The theme for the competition was aptly selected as Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. More than 75 children of various age groups, from nearby villages of Thalli and Suntwariof Macchal area, participated in the competition," he added It was the first event of its kind for most of the children from these remote villages.

"The enthusiasm, creativity and patriotism of the children added to the charm of the event. The children were gifted stationary kits, to further encourage them, in pursuing their studies and taking painting as a hobby and provide them avenues to develop and express their creativity," the statement said.

"The painting competition was the beginning in a series of events planned to make the 75th Independence Day an event to remember," it added.
New York, Aug 13 : Senior officials of the Quad countries on Thursday explored collaboration to ensure resilient supply chains and in the areas of emerging and critical technologies to move their cooperation to a newer level.

India's External Affairs Ministry, in a statement after the virtual meeting, said: "The Officials discussed issues of common interest and explored possibilities of collaboration in resilient supply chains, emerging and critical technologies, maritime security, cyber security, counter-terrorism, infrastructure and connectivity, higher education, climate change and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief." The overdependence on China has been exposed during the Covid-19 pandemic as the world faced critical shortages due to supply chain problems while China was in a race to gain an edge in critical technologies.

A statement from Tokyo said that Vani Rao, the Joint Secretary for the Americas, and Naveen Srivastava, the Additional Secretary for East Asia, represented India at the meeting.

The other participants in the meeting included Richard Buangan, the acting senior official for the East Asian and Pacific Affairs, and Dean Thompson, the acting Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia, representing the US; Edo Kazuya, Japan's Deputy Director General for Asian and Oceania, and Justin Hayhurst, Australia's Deputy Secretary for the Indo-Pacific, it added.

It also said that the Quad officials discussed holding an in-person summit of the Quad leaders by the end of this year.

Thursday's meeting followed up the virtual Quad summit of Prime Ministers Narendra Modi, Yoshihide Sugo of Japan and Scott Morrison of Australia, and US President Joe Biden held in March.

At the summit, India was given the key role of producing one billion doses of Covid-19 vaccines for distribution in the region under a programme that will be financed by Japan and the US, with Australia providing the distribution logistics.

The statement from India on the meeting of the senior diplomats said that they reviewed the progress of the Quad vaccine programme and discussed "the wide-ranging impact of Covid-19 in the Indo-Pacific region, and the importance of collaborative efforts to contain the pandemic, ensure health security and a quick economic recovery".

The situation in India's neighbour Myanmar, where the military has blocked the democratically elected civilian leaders and jailed them, also figured during the meeting.

A statement on the meeting by the US State Department said the crisis was discussed and that they "reaffirmed the Quad's strong support for ASEAN centrality".

Taking up topics of Washington's priorities, the statement said they discussed ways to advance cooperation in countering disinformation, promoting democracy and human rights.

None of the three statements on the meeting named China, whose threats to the region and beyond are the impetus for the four democracies to increase their level of cooperation.

But the China factor was noted in the US statement which spoke of "supporting countries vulnerable to coercive actions in the Indo-Pacific region".

The statement from Tokyo noted that the situation in the East and South China Seas was discussed.

China has been carrying out belligerent actions directed at Japan, South Korea, the Philippines and Malaysia in that area.

Japan's statement added that the vision for a "free and open" Indo-Pacific was gaining momentum beyond the region in the post-Covid world.

"This vision has spread in the international community, including ASEAN and Europe," it said, adding that the officials "reaffirmed the importance of broadening cooperation with more countries for its further achievement".

(Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed on Twitter at @arulouis)

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, Aug 13 : The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has provided security cover to two political leaders from West Bengal in view of the 'escalating' attacks on politicians in the state, a source in the security set up said here on Thursday.

The MHA has provided 'Z' category security cover to Soumendu Adhikari by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in West Bengal and by the Delhi Police in the national capital.

Soumendu Adhikari is the younger brother of BJP MLA and Leader of Opposition in Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari. He is the former Chairman of the Contai Municipality in East Midnapur district, who had joined the BJP in January this year.

Ananta Maharaj, a leader of the Greater Coochbehar People's Association (GCPA) with clout among the Rajbanshis, is the second leader who has been been given 'Y+' security cover in West Bengal and Assam.

A priest of the Sib Chandi religion of the Koch-Rajbanshi community, Maharaj has good control over the community in West Bengal.

Soon after the declaration of Bengal Assembly poll results in May this year, the Centre had provided 'X' category VIP security cover of CISF to 61 BJP MLAs in West Bengal in view of the alleged violence against the party leaders and workers in the state.

Suvendu Adhikari, who defeated Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Nandigram in the Assembly polls, already enjoys the second highest 'Z' category security cover by the CRPF.
Islamabad, Aug 13 : Three employees were killed and two others injured when an explosion took place inside a defence industrial complex in Rawalpindi district of Pakistan's east Punjab province on Thursday evening, an army statement said.

The accident happened due to a technical fault in one of the plants of Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) in Wah Cantt town of the district, located some 37 km northwest of Islamabad, the Xinhua news agency reported.

The accident site has been cleared and the situation has been controlled by POF technical emergency response team, the military's media wing Inter-Services Public Relations said in the statement.

The explosion shattered window glasses of nearby houses and sent a shockwave in the whole town, creating panic among the people, according to local media and sources.

Talking to Xinhua on condition of anonymity, military sources from the factories said that small explosions normally happen during stacking and transferring of sensitive materials, but the one on Thursday evening was a powerful one.
New York, Aug 13 : Senior officials of the Quad countries on Thursday explored collaboration to ensure resilient supply chains and in the areas of emerging and critical technologies to move their cooperation to a newer level.

India's External Affairs Ministry said in a statement after the virtual meeting, "The Officials discussed issues of common interest and explored possibilities of collaboration in resilient supply chains, emerging and critical technologies, maritime security, cyber security, counter-terrorism, infrastructure and connectivity, higher education, climate change and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief." Japan's Foreign Ministry said that Vani Rao, the joint secretary for the Americas, and Naveen Srivastava, the additional secretary for East Asia, represented India at the meeting.

The overdependence on China has been exposed during the Covid-19 pandemic as the world faced critical shortages due to supply chain problems while China was in a race to gain an edge in critical technologies.

The statement from Tokyo said that the Quad officials discussed holding an in-person summit of the Quad leaders by the end of this year.

Thursday's meeting followed up the virtual Quad summit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Yoshihide Sugo of Japan and Scott Morrison of Australia held in March.

At the summit, India was given the key role of producing one billion doses for Covid-19 vaccines for distribution in the region under a programme that will be financed by Japan and the US, with Australia providing the distribution logistics.

The statement from India on the meeting of the senior diplomats said that they reviewed the progress of the Quad vaccine programme and discussed "the wide-ranging impact of Covid-19 in the Indo-Pacific region, and the importance of collaborative efforts to contain the pandemic, ensure health security and a quick economic recovery." The situation in India's neighbour Myanmar, where the military has blocked the democratically elected civilian leaders and jailed them, figured during the meeting.

A statement on the meeting by the US State Department said that the crisis was discussed and that they "reaffirmed the Quad's strong support for ASEAN centrality." Taking up topics of Washington's priorities, the statement said that they discussed ways to advance cooperation in countering disinformation, promoting democracy and human rights.

None of the three statements on the meeting named China, whose threats to the region and beyond are the impetus for the four democracies to increase their level of cooperation.

But the China factor was noted in the US statement which spoke of "supporting countries vulnerable to coercive actions in the Indo-Pacific region." The statement from Tokyo noted that the situation in the East and South China Seas was discussed.

China has been carrying out belligerent actions directed at Japan, South Korea, the Philippines and Malaysia in that area.

Japan's statement added that the vision for a "free and open" Indo-Pacific was gaining momentum beyond the region in the post-Covid world.

"This vision has spread in the international community, including ASEAN and Europe," said, adding that the officials "reaffirmed the importance of broadening cooperation with more countries for its further achievement." According to Japan, the other participants in the meeting included Richard Buangan, the acting senior official for the East Asian and Pacific and Affairs, and Dean Thompson, the acting assistant secretary for South and Central Asia, representing the US; Edo Kazuya, Japan's deputy director general for Asian and Oceania, and Justin Hayhurst, Australia's deputy secretary for the Indo-Pacific.

(Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed on Twitter at @arulouis)

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
New Delhi, Aug 13 : Delhi government is planning to implement a world-class Health Information Management System by the next year. The health department has completed the vendor selection and bidding process and is working to streamline the project and place before the cabinet.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that the Health Information Management System will be a monumental step towards getting the people of Delhi freedom from their problems. The project will bring about a revolution in the healthcare infrastructure of Delhi. As part of the project, Health Cards will be assigned to each citizen, which will be a repository of medical information. Doctors will be able to see patient's medical history using the card and the patients will be able to take appointments from home.

Kejriwal held a meeting to review the progress of the Health Information Management System along with the Health Helpline and the eHealth Card which are two crucial landmarks the project aims to achieve. Reviewing the project with Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain, Kejriwal instructed the officers to expedite the timelines. He said that the Delhi government is committed to providing the best and most modern healthcare facilities to the people of Delhi. Delhi will be the first state to have such a world-class system after the implementation.

The first phase of the preparation will be completed by the end of this year and can be implemented in the beginning of the next year. Once the project is implemented, people can get an appointment with the doctor they wish to see by accessing an online portal from the comfort of their homes. The eHealth Card will be distributed through a door-to-door campaign which will have the entire medical history of the cardholder and will be able to get treatment at any hospital on the HIMS system.

Delhi government is trying to implement HIMS in all government hospitals in the capital. The private hospitals of the city will also be connected in a phased manner with the system.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
We built Aaltos homeowner marketplace to give sellers a way to enter the market thats actually designed to fit into their lives, on a timeline that suits them.

Aalto, the homeowner marketplace, today announced a $13 million Series A funding round led by Sequoia Capital, with participation from Background Capital, Defy Partners, Maple VC, and Greg Waldorf, the first investor at Trulia. Aaltos online marketplace directly connects homeowners to qualified buyers, bringing a fair, efficient, and enjoyable solution to compete with the legacy real estate industry. Aalto is the fastest-growing home buying and selling marketplace in the San Francisco Bay Area, with a network of more than 30,000 buyers. With five to ten percent of total available inventory listed on Aalto in competitive markets like Dublin, Fremont, Mill Valley, and Milpitas, the company is on its way to bring more homes to market, sooner.

Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest events people will ever experience, but its also a tedious, outdated process, said Nick Narodny, Founder and CEO of Aalto. As the son of two real estate agents, Ive seen this first hand. We built Aaltos homeowner marketplace to give sellers a way to enter the market thats actually designed to fit into their lives, on a timeline that suits them. As a result, more homes are hitting the market and buyers will have more options when searching for their dream home.

The housing market has changed drastically in the past year. The median existing-home sales price in May topped $350,000 for the first time, which is nearly 24% higher than a year ago. While that may lead to a sellers market overall, the strain that results from a traditional listing process keeps many potential sellers from wanting to enter the fray. Aalto aims to double the number of homes on the market in the Bay Area by streamlining the way homeowners can list, without the third-parties or contracts required elsewhere. This dramatically lowers the bar to sell, bringing homes to market an average of four and a half months earlier than traditional real estate processes and increasing housing options for buyers.

The bottom line is that until Aalto, selling your home was a legacy offline experience characterized by frustration, high costs, and a 1900s experience, said Bryan Schreier, Partner at Sequoia Capital. Aalto has re-wired real estate to provide the experience people deserve for their most important asset. According to their customers, Aalto is the bold future of residential real estate.

While current solutions on the market are built around real estate agents, Aalto focuses on the needs of sellers and buyers. For sellers, Aalto gives more control and higher returns, with:



Share Your Home Directly with Pre-Qualified Buyers: Aaltos unique Preview Listing feature lets sellers list with no-risk and no commitment, reducing the time it takes to put a home online from roughly five weeks to five minutes.

Build a Waitlist for Your Home: Provides more flexibility and the ability to learn about a home sale without commitment, testing price, timing, and more. Sellers can build a waitlist of qualified buyers while they consider their sale.

Maximum Discretion with Minimum Disruption: Limits the impact on peoples daily lives with an experience that is more respectful than the traditional selling process, including privacy controls and virtual staging.

~ $44,000 Additional Profit: Removes the middleman and allows sellers to make an average of $44,000 more on their home sale.

Data and Storytelling: Empowers homeowners to tell the story of their home using their unique knowledge of the property and neighborhood, and provides them with full analytics on how their home is performing on the marketplace.

For buyers, Aalto offers a sneak peek into exclusive properties before they list, and:

A Modern, Tech-Forward Experience: Offers an easy and transparent process for showings and closings, with the ability to set up instant alerts, join waitlists, and schedule showings in one easy-to-use platform.

No More Shadow Inventory: Unlocks pocket listings, or homes shared exclusively with an agents network, for every buyer, regardless of who they know.

Selling our home on Aalto helped us maximize value through an efficient process without any open houses or expensive fees, said Tom T., a seller on Aalto. My wife and I loved the flexibility of Aalto, which helped with our complex moving timeline. We also loved how Aalto has no days on market, so we never felt rushed. And lastly, were confident that we got the right number for our home sale in addition to saving fees and time.

Aaltos Series A brings the companys funding to $17.3 million to date. This new capital will be used to drive further product innovation and develop features to help homeowners sell more quickly and easily. It will also lend to the expansion of Aaltos world-class team. Moving forward, the company plans to expand beyond the Bay Area to reach major metropolitan real estate markets across the country.

To learn more, visit: http://www.Aalto.com.

About Aalto

Aalto is the homeowner marketplace that gives people a way to buy and sell homes on their terms. With Aalto, it takes a potential seller less than five minutes to share their home directly with qualified buyers without the fees and contracts required to sell elsewhere. Thousands of buyers and sellers across the San Francisco Bay Area are already using Aalto, with new homes added daily. The company has raised $17.3 million in total funding to date from Sequoia Capital and other investors. To learn more, visit: http://www.Aalto.com.
Kelly Diamond is a valued member of our team, and I cant wait to see the impact her efforts as VP of Operations will have on our dynamic organization. We are confident that with Kellys experience and dedication, she will deliver excellent operational results for our team and our customers.

Berner Food & Beverage LLC (Berner), a leading private label and contract manufacturing supplier of quality food and beverage products, announced Kelly Diamond has been named Vice President of Operations.

Kelly Diamond is a valued member of our team, and I cant wait to see the impact her efforts as Vice President of Operations will have on our dynamic organization, said Kurt Seagrist, Chief Executive Officer, Berner. She is a proven performance-driven operations and continuous improvement leader, and she really focuses on team development. We are confident that with Kellys experience and dedication, she will deliver excellent operational results for the Berner team and our customers.

As Vice President of Operations, Kelly Diamond is responsible for overseeing day-to-day company operations while she works to define and implement operations strategy, to further evolve Berner processes. She manages quarterly and annual budgeting processes with P&L responsibilities, while monitoring performance to proactively identify efficiency issues and propose solutions. Diamond uses her years of experience, knowledge of all phases of operations and cross functional collaboration to deliver sustainable best-in-class results.

Before joining Berner in 2017, Kelly Diamond spent nearly a decade at Dean Foods. She also brings experience from positions at Woodward Inc. and Anderson Packaging Inc. She earned a Bachelors Degree in Technical and Scientific Communication from Michigan Technical University and a Master of Business Administration from Northern Illinois University.

For more information on Berner Food & Beverage, please visit https://bernerfoodandbeverage.com.

About Berner Food & Beverage

Berner Food & Beverage is a leading private label supplier of quality food and beverage products to a majority of the top retail chains across all trade channels. They provide a single source of supply for both Store Brand products and Contract Manufacturing. Their recent 200,000 sq. ft. production and warehouse addition increases capabilities, making Berner Food & Beverage a single-source partner for food and beverages including processed dips, sauces, aerosol cheese, and RTD coffees and teas. Their facilities are USDA approved, SQF2000 Level III, HACCP certified, and meet the demanding standards of virtually every major retailer in North America.
Big Green IT, a nationally-recognized Microsoft Cloud Services Provider, today announced the launch of its Modern IT Support Program. The program serves as part of the companys strategic plan to create an ecosystem of comprehensive Microsoft Cloud support for its business customers.

Our Support Program is a direct response to whats become the industry standard for customer support in IT, said Jeff Rogers, CEO of Big Green IT. We dont believe in redirecting our customers to third-party call centers or putting their calls on-hold when they need support. We want to give them personal, helpful service - especially when their teams are working remotely. Stellar support allows our customers to maximize their technology, processes, and productivity.

Big Green IT launched a successful pilot Support Program in 2020 to serve the companys Microsoft 365 clientele. The Modern Support Program will now encompass support for all Microsoft products. Service areas include:

 Microsoft 365 Support. Customers can choose from a range of Microsoft 365 Support products from Essentials to Premium, which can include 24/7 support, unlimited support tickets, a dedicated Account Manager who specializes in Microsoft, and more.

 Microsoft Azure Support. Big Green IT offers six Azure Support offerings, ranging from Essential to Enterprise which can include 24/7 support, access to Microsoft Premier Support and direct access to Microsoft engineering resources.

 Microsoft Teams Phone Support. Customers can choose from three support products ranging from Essentials Support to Premium Support, which can include 24/7 support, Direct Connect Carrier Support, Telephony device support, a Big Green IT Training Portal and more.

Support Products in each area are tailored to the different levels of support Big Green IT clients require, based on their in-house IT capabilities and needs.

We are the company that supports other companies, added Rogers. Customer satisfaction is our top priority, and we want to give our customers personal service that goes far beyond sales and phone calls.

To learn more about Big Green IT and its Modern Support Program, visit BigGreenIT.com/Support.

ABOUT BIG GREEN IT

Big Green IT is a nationally recognized Microsoft Gold Partner. The company was named by Inc. Magazine in Summer 2021 as one of the Best Places to Work in the nation. Big Green IT believes in using the most cutting-edge cloud technologies to help customers transform their companies IT and, ultimately, solve business problems. As a Microsoft Gold Cloud Partner, Big Green IT specializes in Cloud solutions, procurement and implementation for mid to large-sized businesses Learn more at BigGreenIT.com.
CEO Muriel Clauson and CTO Young Jae Kim

Chicago-based startup AnthillAI, Inc. ("Anthill"), the talent management platform designed for the deskless workforce, announced it has raised $3 million in seed funding. Founded in 2020 by co-founders CEO Muriel Clauson and CTO Young Jae Kim, Anthill makes it possible for companies to connect with, develop, and retain deskless employees in manufacturing, distribution, and retail at scale. The HR SaaS startup has created a comprehensive talent platform based upon skills data and people science for employers paired with a mobile experience for employees. The startup's goal is to better understand and develop the deskless workforce (those who do not work at a desk or computer), who are 80 percent of the global workforce.

Anthills mission, and namesake, was born from the concept that just like ants in an anthill, we are all more than meets the eye, and we each have an important role to play in our organizations. Often the most overlooked workers are frontline or deskless workersbut as we learned especially during this last year, they are the backbone of our global ecosystem. There is an incredible opportunity for companies to better connect with, meet the needs, and develop the skills of these hourly employeesthis is where Anthill comes in, said Clauson and Kim.

The round is led by Rethink Education along with participation from Origin Ventures, BBG Ventures, The Fund, JFF (Jobs for the Future), and more.

White collar employees have clear pathways, sponsorship and training at every step of their careers. Deskless employees deserve the same assessment of skills and connection to resources to reach their full earning potential, says Ebony Brown, Principal at Rethink Education and Anthills newest board member. We are thrilled to lead this round of funding for Anthill in development of the leading platform to support this overlooked population of the workforce.

Future of Work gets a ton of venture investment, but only a tiny percentage has been focused on deskless workers," said Susan Lyne, Managing Partner at BBG Ventures. "We believe Anthill can have a huge impact on these overlooked employees, by helping companies identify, internally hire and retain them. The founders' unique skills and experience make them the perfect team to accomplish thisand BBG Ventures is thrilled to be backing them.

When Anthill launched in early 2020, I don't think even they realized just how much upheaval there would be for deskless workers and labor markets, says Scott Stern, Partner at Origin Ventures. Current events make the need for solutions like Anthill that much more acute. This is true for companies, managers, and the employees themselves, and is the reason why Anthill is resonating with these large corporations.

We are thrilled to announce our seed funding, which will help us grow our team exponentially, continue to develop our platform, and work to serve the 2.7 billion deskless workers worldwide, said Clauson.

Anthills founders met while pursuing PhDs in industrial-organizational psychology. Both have worked extensively in shaping future of work strategies for large corporations and governments worldwide. Repeatedly, companies would come to them with the same challengethey couldnt reach and truly develop their deskless workforce. From there, Anthill was born.

To learn more about Anthill, visit: http://www.anthillai.com or email Anthill at info@anthillai.com.

To schedule a demo, contact: http://www.anthillai.com/contact.

About Anthill:

AnthillAI, Inc. ("Anthill") is the talent management software for the deskless workforce, the 80 percent of the global workforce that does not work at a desk or computer. Anthill has broken the barriers to connecting with and understanding deskless employees in manufacturing, supply chain and retail sectors, which exist in almost every large enterprise. By answering just a few questions through Anthills mobile experience, employees immediately receive more insight into their own skills, opportunities and more. Through Anthills vertical solution focusing upon communicating with and understanding the deskless worker, employers are able to better develop and care for this workforce, increasing their retention, internal mobility and reskilling abilities. This is made possible by Anthills predictive technology based on years of historical data, which is able to predict a wide range of people insights, like skills and turnover drivers, from limited responses and deliver a comprehensive map of the talent in an organization in an ongoing, rewarding way for employees. Anthill was founded in 2020 in Chicago, Illinois by co-founders Muriel Clauson and Young Jae Kim. To learn more, please visit http://www.anthillai.com.
By overcoming the limitations of cell-based fermentation, Debut Biotech produces high-value ingredients rapidly and more sustainably.

Debut Biotech, a next generation biomanufacturing platform harnessing cell-free enzymes, today announced its $22.6M Series A financing, led by Material Impact. Participating investors include Cultivian Sandbox Ventures, Fine Structure Ventures, ACVC Ventures, Humboldt Fund, Cantos Ventures, as well as existing investors including KdT Ventures.

Debut Biotech will use the funds to commercialize ingredients developed from its proprietary cell-free biomanufacturing platform, which has applications across various industries from food and wellness products to cosmetics, colors, therapeutics and other industrial applications. In order to scale the commercialization of its technology and expand into new products, Debut Biotech will expand its footprint to a 26,000 square foot facility in San Diego and triple the size of its team across locations in San Diego and Atlanta. These facility investments will enable Debut Biotechs manufacturing to be done entirely in the United States.

By overcoming the limitations of cell-based fermentation, Debut Biotech produces high-value ingredients rapidly and more sustainably. Low-value and sustainable feedstocks can be used as inputs in place of petrochemicals, while reactions can be generated in a fraction of the time. These breakthroughs result in a more sustainable and cost-effective approach to manufacturing ingredients, including those inaccessible in nature.

Were thrilled to be leading this investment in Debut Biotech, said Corinna Chen, Partner at Material Impact. Biology is the greatest opportunity of our lifetime. At Material Impact, we believe that a majority of high-value ingredients in new products will be biomanufactured in the near future and beyond. Its clear to us that Debut Biotech is the company that is leading the way. By leveraging enzymes in a continuous cell-free system, they have created an entirely new methodology for developing novel and more sustainable products that are ubiquitous in our lives.

Debut Biotechs proprietary biomanufacturing platform utilizes cell-free and other advanced approaches such as continuous biomanufacturing to overcome the limitations of traditional methods, dramatically reducing the need for space, water, and expensive and unsustainable inputs.

Creating sustainable and effective methods for manufacturing is paramount to the future of commercial and industrial products, and in turn the health of people and the planet said Dan Phillips, Managing Director of Cultivian Sandbox Ventures, and board member of Debut Biotech. While traditional manufacturing inches forward incrementally, Debut Biotech has achieved a step change leap in speed and cost of production, delivering the needed advances to realize outsize impact.

In addition to producing rare, high-value and novel compounds, Debut Biotechs technology also improves traditional ingredient manufacturing. The company recently announced a joint venture with fine chemical manufacturer DIC to leverage advanced biomanufacturing approaches to produce natural color ingredients to be used across DICs portfolio of products.

As one of the largest Series A fundraises in the synthetic biology space, this investment is a testament to the hard work of the team at Debut Biotech, said Debut Biotech CEO, Joshua Britton. Weve built a cell-free platform that has the power to unlock the full potential of biomanufacturing at the highest level across all metrics -- including speed, cost and scale. Now that weve proven the myriad applications for this technology, were developing net-new ingredients that will unlock entirely new product categories and markets.

This announcement comes shortly after Debut Biotech secured several strategic partnerships to co-develop products across a range of industries. In addition to the latest venture with DIC, Debut Biotech has partnered with Battelle to sustainably transform plastic waste into lubricants. Theyve also entered into a partnership with DSM to produce a range of high-value chemicals across a wide range of industries and applications.

To learn more about Debut Biotech, and their cell-free approach to biomanufacturing, visit http://www.debutbiotech.com.

About Debut Biotech

Debut Biotech is dedicated to unlocking natural products through sustainable biomanufacturing. Their unique biomanufacturing platform harnesses natural cell-free enzymes to overcome the limitations of cell-based manufacturing and provides access to previously unobtainable products. Debut Biotech truly believes that biomanufacturing will be how materials and ingredients are created in the future and is committed to leading the revolution.

About Material Impact

Material Impact is a venture capital fund that invests in building companies which transform material technologies into products that make an impact on real world problems. Material Impact is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. For more information, please visit http://www.materialimpact.com.
Dr. Linda Crismon Linda is teaching the next generation of educators how to teach online at a time when there are few topics of greater importance.

Unicon, Inc., a leading technology consulting firm, today announced that Dr. Linda Crismon has joined Unicon as its Senior Director of Learning Experience Design. Crismon has over 15 years of experience in higher education learning development, and is also an active academic researcher.

"In addition to being a senior leader in the corporate Learning & Development space, Linda is a faculty member and intimately understands the challenges of teaching and learning in a digital environment, said Unicon CEO, John Blakley. "Further, Linda is teaching the next generation of educators how to teach online at a time when there are few topics of greater importance."

Dr. Crismon has worked to develop a wide range of innovative courses for undergraduate and graduate students across many different learning modalities. With a background in building learning and development departments from the ground up across multiple industries, Linda will be a valuable asset for providing institutions with a superior experience for students on their learner journey.

"Linda fills a critical gap for our organization in the leadership and growth of how we serve clients in the practice of learning experience design. We are thrilled to have Linda on the team and look forward to her contributions." said Unicon COO, Kate Valenti.

About Linda Crismon

As Senior Director of Learning Experience Design, Crismon will join the Executive Leadership Team and further Unicons presence in the education technology market. Crismon will have valuable guidance that will champion Unicons role as a trusted advisor to senior K-12, Higher Education, and Industry leaders challenged with supporting an optimized infrastructure for teaching and learning.

Throughout her career, Crismon has developed next-gen course content to move organizations towards more impactful learning. Crismon has been focused on developing, delivering, and evaluating innovative, customized, learner-focused and interactive programs that drive performance and achieve goals.

Dr. Crismon earned her Doctorate degree in Education from the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom. She has two specializations, one in Educational Leadership and Management and the other in Learning and Teaching.

About Unicon

Unicon is a leading technology consulting firm focused solely on the education ecosystem. We partner with institutions and companies to create learner-centric digital experiences to transform online teaching and learning. We believe in the power of technology to expand access to education, and in the power of education to create a better future for all.

Unicon is a Contributing Member of IMS Global Learning Consortium, a Commercial Affiliate of the Apereo Foundation, a Trust and Identity Solution Provider in the Internet2 Industry Program, an Industry Member of Internet2, an InCommon Participant, an InCommon Catalyst, an Instructure Certified Partner, and a community member of the Ed-Fi Alliance. Unicon is also an AWS Partner Network (APN) Advanced Consulting Partner, has achieved the AWS Education Competency, and is a member of the AWS Public Sector Partner Program. For more information, visit - - unicon.net.
Toyota car shoppers interested in the latest from the brand can reserve their Toyota-brand favorites today at Earnhardt Toyota.

Earnhardt Toyota - a Toyota dealership located in Mesa and serving the Chandler, Gilbert and Queen Creek area - features an impressive inventory of brand-new Toyota cars, trucks and SUVs that will fit a variety of lifestyles. The dealership caters to drivers, helping local car shoppers find their dream car  whether it is on the lot or not. Potential customers who choose Earnhardt Toyota can find their dream car on the lot or reserve future Toyota models that have not yet arrived or are out of stock.

The inventory at Earnhardt Toyota is always changing with more 2021 and 2022 Toyota vehicles arriving each day at the Mesa dealership with many brand favorites in stock that include the Toyota Camry, Toyota Corolla, Toyota RAV4, Toyota Highlander, Toyota 4Runner and Toyota Tacoma. To help drivers find their dream car, the inventory can be filtered by year, make, model, trim level, color, price and more. When particular models and trim levels are out of stock, the Earnhardt Toyota sales team is ready to put in an order for car shoppers with a specific model in mind.

In addition to ordering Toyota cars, trucks and SUVs that are currently out of stock, the dealership team can reserve Toyota models that have not yet been released. In the new model year, many drivers are excited about the arrivals of the brand-new 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross crossover, the redesigned 2022 Toyota Tundra pickup truck, a next-generation 2022 Toyota GR 86 coupe, the updated 2022 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro, a sport-tuned 2022 Toyota 4Runner TRD Sport and more.

Local drivers interested in ordering or reserving specific Toyota models at Earnhardt Toyota can learn more about the process on the dealership website, http://www.earnhardttoyota.com. Those individuals who prefer a more personal interaction with the dealership team can call 480-807-9700.
Elevate Jet, a boutique private aviation service and aircraft management company, today announces that it achieved Wyvern Wingman status after completing Wyverns rigorous safety and risk management audit. The Wingman Certification is Wyverns highest rating and is one of the most reputable and recognized standards in the aviation industry.

Spearheaded by Doug Chouinard, Elevate Jets Director of Operations, Wyvern will reevaluate the certification every 24 months. This process ensures ongoing compliance and verifies that Elevate Jet persists in going above and beyond the safety regulations that originally qualified it for this elite honor.

Elevate Jet is unwaveringly committed to only the best safety practices, which is proven by our Wingman Certification, among other prestigious ratings, said Chouinard. We are extremely proud of our team at every level of operation. Working closely with Wyvern and our Director of Safety, we hope to continue providing that sense of transparency and security that the aviation industry needs.

Elevate Jets newly appointed Director of Safety, Matt Dubois, will also support company growth and help the Elevate Jet team utilize its Wingman Certification to bolster already comprehensive safety procedures. Through the Wyvern Wingman Certification, Elevate Jet receives access to additional tools and platforms to help it uphold its safety standard and make better decisions to protect clients and their valued aircraft. These tools include Wyverns safety data platform and Aviation Compliance Enhancement System (ACES).

In addition to the Wyvern Wingman Certification, Elevate Jet holds the ARGUS Platinum Rating and the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) certificate. Moving forward, Elevate Jet will continue to pursue only the highest safety ratings and honors within aviation as part of its stringent operational control standards that exceed FAA Part 91 and Part 135 regulatory requirements.

For more information about Elevate Jet and its safety standards, please visit https://elevatejet.com/owners/safety-standards/

About Elevate Jet

Headquartered in Seabrook, New Hampshire, Elevate Jet is a boutique aircraft management firm dedicated to meeting the mission profile of each client  today, tomorrow and into the future. Operated by a highly experienced team of aviation professionals, Elevate Jet leverages holistic management strategies that encompass the intrinsic costs of private aircraft ownership. Built on a passion for aviation and providing unsurpassed bespoke service, Elevate Jets mission is to provide management solutions that fully realize aircraft owners functional, budgetary and scheduling imperatives. Elevate Jet is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Elevate Holdings, Inc. Visit elevatejet.com to learn more.


Endeavor Schools CEO Ricardo Campo "I share this honor with my amazing team at Endeavor Schools, who have all worked tirelessly toward our goal of providing children across the country with a high-quality education," Campo said.

Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) has announced that Endeavor Schools CEO Ricardo Campo was named an Entrepreneur Of The Year 2021 Florida Award winner. The Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards program is one of the preeminent competitive awards for entrepreneurs and leaders of high-growth companies.

The award recognizes those who are unstoppable entrepreneurial leaders, excelling in talent management; degree of difficulty; financial performance; societal impact and building a values-based company; and originality, innovation and future plans. Campo was selected by an independent panel of judges, and the award was announced during the program's virtual awards gala on August 5, 2021.

"I share this honor with my amazing team at Endeavor Schools, who have all worked tirelessly toward our goal of providing children across the country with a high-quality education," Campo said. "This award is for our educators and support team, who are selfless in their pursuit to unleash the potential of the students we serve. Our reward is the journey!"

Endeavor Schools, one of the nation's leading education management companies, has had tremendous growth and success since its founding in 2012. With 64 unique, high-quality schools for varying age levels across the country, Endeavor is at the forefront of private education. Today, more than ever, children need a multi-faceted education that gives them critical-thinking skills and emotional intelligence. With Endeavor Schools' talented and passionate educators, the company is focused on giving young learners the tools they need to thrive in today's world.

For 35 years, EY US has honored entrepreneurs whose ambition, courage and ingenuity have driven their companies' success, transformed their industries and made a positive impact on their communities. Campo will go on to become a lifetime member of the esteemed multi-industry community of award winners, with exclusive, ongoing access to the experience, insight and wisdom of fellow alumni and other ecosystem members in over 60 countries  all supported by vast EY resources.

As a Florida award winner, Campo is now eligible for consideration for the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2021 National Awards. Award winners in several national categories, as well as the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner, will be announced on November 13 at the Strategic Growth Forum, one of the nation's most prestigious gatherings of high-growth, market-leading companies.

About Endeavor Schools

Endeavor Schools is a leading education management company with a family of unique, well-established private schools that serve as pillars to their respective communities in a growing number of markets across the US. Each of the company's schools subscribe to proven, research-based curricula that is delivered by seasoned educators and are encouraged to embrace their own uniqueness and tradition. Endeavor Schools supports academic excellence by providing robust tools and resources to help each school thrive.

Founded in 2012, Endeavor Schools is headquartered in Miami, Florida. For more information, visit http://www.endeavorschools.com and follow the company on LinkedIn.


Bumbling Through the Hindu Kush: A Memoir of Fear and Kindness in Afghanistan In a suspenseful new memoir, Chris Woolf recounts the trauma of traversing minefields, the shifting loyalties of the Afghans, and an interview with legendary Mujahidin leader, Ahmed Shah Massoud.

It was 30 years ago that Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, who is currently leading the peace talks with the Taliban in Afghanistan, guided former BBC History Guy Chris Woolf and a colleague through a horrific war zone that theyd wandered into from Kabul.

At that time, another major forcethe Soviet Unionwas withdrawing from the country, paralleling this years events. In a suspenseful new memoir, Woolf recounts the trauma of traversing minefields, the shifting loyalties of the Afghans, and an interview with legendary Mujahidin leader, Ahmed Shah Massoud.

His book, "Bumbling Through the Hindu Kush: A Memoir of Fear and Kindness in Afghanistan" will be published October 4 and is available for preorders on Amazon.com now. Among early reactions:

Dr. Jonathan Schroden, former senior adviser to the US militarys Central Command, and to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, noted, Chris Woolf has written a truly personal tale that is both gripping and historically significant for the war between the Soviet-backed government and Mujahedin in Afghanistan. His mix of personal, cultural, and wartime reflections make this a story well worth the time of Afghanistan aficionados and casual readers alike.

Qais Akbar Omar, author, "A Fort of Nine Towers: An Afghan Family Story" wrote, 'Bumbling Through the Hindu Kush' is at once gripping, informative, suspenseful, and at times it reads like a thriller.

Lieutenant-Colonel M.L. Cavanaugh, U.S. Army and Senior Fellow, Modern War Institute at West Point, said, Combat can feel like the ant on an elephants tail: overwhelmed and along for the ride. Chris Woolfs memoir  is just such an up-and-down tale, with the momentary highs and gut-crushing lows common to combat. When the teenage goat herder fires his AK-47 in the first few pages  youll know how that ant feels, just holding on, exhilarated, terrified, never really knowing what comes next.

Self-published through IngramSpark, "Bumbling Through the Hindu Kush" will be available in paperback, ebook and audiobook formats. The paperback ISBN is 978-1-7375303-5-0.

For more information, please see https://chriswoolfbooks.com/ or follow Woolf on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
Hostile Event Attack Cycle I will undoubtedly incorporate the information contained in this white paper into future safety and security discussions at all levels. Rob Yandow, Retired Police Captain, National Sector Chief InfraGard Emergency Services Sector

In early 2016, The Gate 15 Company (Gate 15) consolidated several existing concepts and developed the Hostile Event Attack Cycle (HEAC) model. This was shared amongst information sharing and analytical communities, and other security professionals, and subsequently informed the basis of Gate 15s hostile events preparedness program (the Hostile Events Preparedness Series [HEPS]). Initially eight phases, this level of understanding about the threat and their planning process provided insight to organizations to potentially counter threat activities and reduce the risk to their organization. However, as more attacks were analyzed, some consolidation to the HEAC has occurred. While the actions within the phases are distinct, there are instances in which actions bleed together and do not necessarily follow a chronological order. Additionally, with the abundance of information available to threat actors online and through social media platforms, threat activities can be expedited and done in conjunction with physical activities.

The purpose of the paper is to provide an understanding of the HEAC, which can help organizations prepare for various threat courses of actions and develop enhanced security measures as necessary to potentially disrupt threat actors planning and to enable the organization to be prepared to respond appropriately.

When looking at hostile events, these include active shooter incidents, workplace violence and workplace attacks, lone actor and low-tech terrorism, complex coordinated terrorist attacks, fire as a weapon, weapons of mass destruction, and other related hostile actions. Hostile events can be characterized by several factors, and employed through a variety of means, weapons, and tactics intended to cause physical injury or death. Whether they realize it or not, threat actors go through a cycle for planning and executing an attack. This process is defined as the Hostile Event Attack Cycle, or HEAC, and it is based on a review of various attacks, as well as other articles based on various types of attack processes.

Whether it is a physical attack designed to inflict mass casualties, or an attack on facilities or infrastructure, the HEAC is consistently followed as threat actors plan, prepare, and execute their attacks. Describing each phase and using examples, recent as well as historical, the white paper will arm organizations with an understanding of each phase as well as indicators that may signify potential actions toward hostile activity, as well as some mitigation strategies that can be used for early identification and potentially disruption.



Phase 1  Initial Target Considerations.

Phase 2  Initial Surveillance / Research.

Phase 3  Target Selection.

Phase 4  Planning and Rehearsals (Surveillance).

Phase 5  Pre-Attack Operations.

Phase 6  Attack.

Phase 7  Escape.

Recent incidents, notable attack anniversaries and events, as well as the increased reopenings around the globe, serve as an opportunity for organizations to review the various types of hostile events that they may encounter moving forward. Recently, Police in England issued an important reminder for all organizations to consider as they move forward from the pandemic warning that terrorists capabilities and intention to commit attacks have not changed during the coronavirus pandemic, as potential targets become more crowded after lockdown, representing increased opportunity. The effects of the pandemic have been seen in many different ways throughout the past year as individuals cope with the stress and impacts of the disease. As we emerge on the other side, impacts and pressures from the past year will likely continue in the immediate, and potentially long term.

To receive a copy of the white paper, please write to heps@gate15.global
"To every American of service who is part of our community of 5 million members, thank you for being with us." - Alan Cole, CEO

GovX Inc, the technology company serving current and former military, first responders, medical, and government employees is celebrating the 10th anniversary of GovX.com, the companys flagship e-commerce site.

GovX.com is marking the occasion with complimentary credits in every customers account, which can be combined with special limited time savings on hundreds of brands across the site.

The foundational goal of GovX.com is to support and honor Americans with uniformed experience. The mission began with a modest catalog of gear and apparel available at exclusive, members-only prices. GovX.com expanded to include discounts from hundreds of leading brands, major league sporting events, concerts and shows, theme park tickets, hotels and travel services, and more savings exclusively for Americans of service.

As the company reaches this milestone anniversary, it celebrates a community of 5 million registered members. GovX members serve or have served in all branches of the US Armed Forces, in police departments, fire departments, and medical and government services across the country.

A core pillar of the business is GovX Gives Back, the companys charitable arm established to donate to military and first responder related nonprofits. At the start of 2021, GovX reached the milestone of donating a total of over half a million dollars to nonprofits like FirefighterAid, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Folds of Honor, National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, Team Rubicon, and many more. GovX recently bolstered their philanthropic efforts by donating 5% of all sales of the brands own GovX Gear line to each months chosen nonprofit.

The companys mission to serve its members has grown beyond GovX.com with the expansion of GovX ID, the technology that powers military and first responder discounts. GovX ID allows GovX members to save on a growing network of brands and services across the web. Currently there are over 2,000 brands offering discounts to GovX members.

To every American of service who is part of our community of 5 million members, thank you for being with us. Thank you for shopping and helping us support your allies, friends, and families, said Alan Cole, President and CEO. Our mission continues into the next decade and we welcome many decades more.

Join the GovX community for free by visiting GovX.com.
Danielle Roman, PharmD, BCOP, Clinical Pharmacy Services Manager at Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute, and HOPA Annual Conference Committee Chair This conference is known for its late-breaking and diverse content delivered by oncology professionals who are experts in the practical management of patients with cancer and hematologic conditions."

The Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA) is holding an open call for subject matter experts to speak during its Annual Conference from March 30-April 2, 2022. Preliminary proposals are due to HOPA by Sunday, August 15, 2021 and can be submitted online.

HOPAs Annual Conference is the foremost event for hematology/oncology pharmacy education and networking. In 2021, attendance for the virtual conference was 1,400 hem/onc professionals. In 2022, the conference will be held at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, Massachusetts.

Dynamic speakers with direct expertise in their proposed hematology/oncology pharmacy related topics are highly encouraged to submit proposals, says Danielle Roman, PharmD, BCOP, Clinical Pharmacy Services Manager at Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute, and HOPA Annual Conference Committee Chair. Professional speaking experience at the national or regional level is preferred but not required.

Annual Conference session types include General Education, BCOP, and Breakout Sessions, as well as Pre-Conference. General and BCOP sessions are usually 60-90 minutes in length and breakouts are 30 minutes. All sessions require one learning objective per every 15 minutes of content, except Pre-Conference Sessions. Pre-Conference sessions are 4 hours in length and provide in-depth coverage of a topic of broad interest.

This conference is known for its late-breaking and diverse content delivered by oncology professionals who are experts in the practical management of patients with cancer and hematologic conditions, explains Dr. Roman. She says HOPAs Annual Conference also covers supportive care management and clinical practice updates on a number of disease states.

Also open is a call for Completed and Encore Research poster abstracts to be considered for HOPAs Annual Conference in spring of 2022. Those also can be submitted to HOPA online.

About HOPA:

The Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA) supports hematology/oncology pharmacy professionals and promotes the role of the pharmacist in collaborative cancer care. Founded in 2004, HOPA provides crucial education, networking, and advancement opportunities frequently sought by pharmacists, pharmacy interns, residents, fellows, students, technicians, researchers, and administrators who specialize in hematology/oncology pharmacy. Its vision is to ensure that all individuals affected by cancer have a hematology/oncology pharmacist as an integral member of their care team.


Karina Roiuk As the firm continues to increase its Northeast presence, my experience as a financial professional helps create a solid local foundation for our organization and delivers value to our many clients in the New York area.

Kellogg & Sovereign, a leading provider of E-Rate consulting services, including E-Rate audit assistance for schools and libraries, announced that Karina Roiuk-Yu joined the firm as Chief Financial Officer. Located in Kellogg & Sovereigns recently created New York office, Karina is part of the firms Leadership Team and will also serve clients.

Jason Ramey, CEO, commented, Were very pleased to have Karina join us during this time of significant expansion for the firm. Her leadership experience supports our ongoing expansion as a firm and ensures that we continue to best meet the needs of our clients. With creating a New York presence and having Karina on site as a senior member of the firm, it demonstrates our commitment to the Northeast region and our growing number of clients in the area.

Karina has over 23 years of experience in public accounting, including at the largest firms. She began her career in Brazil and spent most of the last decade in New York as an International Tax Director/Senior Manager.

Im excited to join Kellogg & Sovereign for the opening of its New York office, said Karina. As the firm continues to increase its Northeast presence, my experience as a financial professional helps create a solid local foundation for our organization and delivers value to our many clients in the area. I look forward to continuing to grow the firm well into the future!

Karina earned her Master of Law (LLM) in American Business Law from New York Law School and a Bachelor of Law (JD) from Pontificia Universidade Catolica de Campinas in Brazil.

About Kellogg & Sovereign

Kellogg & Sovereign is a leading provider of professional program management services for schools and libraries in the E-Rate Program, and health care providers in the FCCs Rural Health Care Program. Its clients range from rural K-12 schools, single site libraries and rural health clinics to large urban school districts, library systems and regional health centers.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jennifer Palmer Farrington | P: 312.420.6433 | E: j.farrington@yourmarketer.com
Law Office of Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP For more information about the class action lawsuit against Cal-State Auto Parts, Inc., call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today.

The San Diego employment law attorneys, at Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP, filed a class action lawsuit against Cal-State Auto Parts, Inc., alleging the company violated the California Labor Code. The lawsuit against Cal-State Auto Parts, Inc. is currently pending in the San Diego County Superior Court, Case No. 37-2021-00031418-CU-OE-CTL. To read a copy of the Complaint, please click here.

According to the lawsuit filed, Cal-State Auto Parts, Inc. allegedly (a) failed to pay minimum wages, (b) failed to pay overtime wages, (c) failed to provide legally required meal and rest periods, (d) failed to provide accurate itemized wage statements, and (e) failed to reimburse employees for required expenses, all in violation of the applicable Labor Code sections listed in Labor Code Sections  226, 226.7, 510, 512, 1194, 1197, 1197.1, 2802, and the applicable Wage Order(s), and thereby gives rise to civil penalties as a result of such alleged conduct.

Cal-State Auto Parts, Inc. allegedly failed to fully relieve or provide Plaintiff and other California Class Members for their legally required thirty (30) minute meals breaks. Employees were also allegedly required, from time to time, to work in excess of four (4) hours without being provided the legally required ten (10) minute rest periods. The California Supreme Court defines off-duty rest periods as time during which an employee is relieved from all work related duties and free from employer control.

For more information about the class action lawsuit against Cal-State Auto Parts, Inc., call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today.

Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP is a labor law firm with law offices located in San Diego County, Riverside County, Los Angeles County, Sacramento County, Santa Clara County, Orange County and San Francisco County. The firm has a statewide practice of representing employees on a contingency basis for violations involving unpaid wages, overtime pay, discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination and other types of illegal workplace conduct.

***THIS IS AN ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT***
Dream Boats, Inc - 28' x 9'4" Mahogany Runabout When I envision the perfect boat, I see a boat that is not only pleasing to the eye but is multifunctional, with social arrangements that allow for easy movement in the seating area... after all boating should be comfortable and fun. - Syd Young

Former StanCraft CEO and boat builder, Syd Young is looking to make waves once again with the launch of his new company Dream Boats, Inc., headquartered in Coeur dAlene, Idaho.

Syds contributions to the boating world through his work and legacy at StanCraft Boat Company is widely known. Some of Syds most notable designs include the 260 Norwester, but many will argue the most important contribution to date is his revolutionary approach to bottom design.

The smooth and level rides these boats offer at all speeds and especially on rough waters is unparalleled, and is a testament to his experience and craftsmanship perfected over the course of 60 years as a master builder.

A New Legacy

Having designed and built over 40 custom boats and also restored 100s of famous wooden boats, Syd is looking to extend his legacy and knowledge into a new generation. His grandson, Thain Snyder is the beneficiary and next in line as a principle of Dream Boats, Inc.

Thain, having worked under his grandfathers tutelage, has demonstrated a passion and dedication to the craft only rivaled by his grandfather and great grandfather, boat building is simply in the blood.

With a new facility, staff and a new name, Dream Boats, inc. is ready to bring back the classics.

Launching with Style

With the new launch of the company Syd set out to create the perfect Dream Boat. He poured over 35 years worth of blueprints and styles to come up with the perfect classic wood boat, the 50s era runabout.

Stylish, fast and smooth riding, Dream Boats is now taking orders for their 25 or 28 mahogany wooden runabout.

These boats will feature a massive 375 Horsepower, GM Big Block engine along with standard and custom options.

Standard Options:



Bow thruster

Trim tabs

Docking lights

Automatic bilge pump

Bilge blower

Courtesy lights

Flag pole

Cover

Trailer

Lighted stern pole

Custom Options:

Bimini tops

Optional colors interior and out

Optional upholstery colors

Swim platform

Ski tow bar

Depth finders

Stereo System

Inboard Heaters

and More

This boat has a look that will surely turn heads, and coupled with the impressive big block engine a sound that will make them smile.

If you are interested in having one of these boats commissioned, Dream boats is currently taking limited orders.

These limited spots are filling fast, dont wait and call (208) 449-7526 to secure your spot today or visit DreamBoatsinc.com for more information.
"We are committed to ending this pandemic and keeping our Mount Sinai family and the communities we serve safe. We look forward to the day when this pandemic is really behind us." Kenneth L. Davis, MD, President and CEO of Mount Sinai Health System

Mount Sinai Health System today announced that all faculty and staff will be required to get the first shot of the vaccine by September 13. Leaders at the largest health system in New York City made the decision amid increases in cases caused by the rapid spread of the Delta variant and as an added measure to protect faculty and staff who have worked tirelessly caring for patients during this pandemic.

Kenneth L. Davis, MD, President and CEO of Mount Sinai Health System, said in an internal message to all staff:

Over the past weeks and months, we have worked hard to encourage every member of our Mount Sinai family to get vaccinated against COVID-19, to protect you, your patients, your coworkers, your families, and your communities. We are grateful for those of you who got the vaccine.

Given the increased incidence and the rapid spread of the Delta variant, we will be making COVID-19 vaccination mandatory for all faculty and staff, with limited exceptions for religious and medical reasons, and excluding employees who work fully remotely and have a current Remote Work Agreement in place. This will apply to employees at all Mount Sinai locations, including hospital, ambulatory, academic, corporate, and other sites.

All employees covered by this mandate will need to get their first shot by Monday, September 13. Those who do not get the shot and do not receive a medical or religious exemption will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination. We will provide more details on the timeline and process shortly.

Mount Sinai Health System has always firmly believed that we are different than other large New York metropolitan region employers. As a hospital, a school, and a health care provider, we have responsibilities not only to each other, but to the communities we serve. And the right thing to do for our communitiesand our Mount Sinai familyis to make sure we are all vaccinated against COVID-19. Vaccines are simply the best protection we have against this virus, and our patients deserve the best.

Please note that we will continue to implement the vaccine-or-testing protocol that we first announced in June. Starting in September, faculty and staff who receive a medical or religious exemption from the vaccine mandate must undergo this weekly testing.

Again, to the large majority of you who are already vaccinatedwhether you were first in line in December or just got your first shot last weekthank you. To those of you who have not been vaccinated, we want you to understand why we are announcing this so early: to respectfully allow you more time to learn, look at the data, and become comfortable with getting vaccinated. Also, we now anticipate the Food and Drug Administration will grant full approval to at least one of the COVID-19 vaccines very soon. There is a lot of information on our employee and community vaccine websites. To make a vaccine appointment at Mount Sinai, please click here, or check the New York State, New York City, New Jersey, or Connecticut websites for options.

We are committed to ending this pandemic and keeping our Mount Sinai family and the communities we serve safe. We look forward to the day when this pandemic is really behind us. And we believe that, together in service, our actions will help to make that possible.

About the Mount Sinai Health System

The Mount Sinai Health System is New York City's largest academic medical system, encompassing eight hospitals, a leading medical school, and a vast network of ambulatory practices throughout the greater New York region. Mount Sinai is a national and international source of unrivaled education, translational research and discovery, and collaborative clinical leadership ensuring that we deliver the highest quality carefrom prevention to treatment of the most serious and complex human diseases. The Health System includes more than 7,200 physicians and features a robust and continually expanding network of multispecialty services, including more than 400 ambulatory practice locations throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester, and Long Island. The Mount Sinai Hospital is ranked No. 14 on U.S. News & World Report's "Honor Roll" of the Top 20 Best Hospitals in the country and the Icahn School of Medicine as one of the Top 20 Best Medical Schools in country. Mount Sinai Health System hospitals are consistently ranked regionally by specialty and our physicians in the top 1% of all physicians nationally by U.S. News & World Report.

For more information, visit https://www.mountsinai.org or find Mount Sinai on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
Nevadas premier tech accelerator, X Co, is partnering with Wefunder, the country's first and largest crowdfunding platform.

Startups that join X Cos R.E.A.L. program - short for Rapid Entrepreneurial Acceleration Launch, will eventually launch on Wefunders platform, which includes a community of 1.03 million investors.

The democratization of new investment opportunities, regulatory frameworks, and access to previously unobtainable opportunities like early stage startup investments is groundbreaking. And as a leading edge startup accelerator, it is right in line with our mission of innovation, says Shaunt M. Sarkissian, Founder and Executive Chairman of X Co. The platform, team, and truly effective regulatory operations at We Funder were by far the best. And this made a partnership a no brainer.

Currently X Cos Alumni company, PersonaFi, an online community for retail investing, has enjoyed success on We Funder, raising $349,000 in only a few weeks.

"Wefunder is extremely stoked to be working with the X Co team in creating a more robust investment process for startups within our communities to raise capital. The expertise and raw talent X Co looks for in their founders made it an extremely easy decision to partner with them, says Adie Akuffo-Afful, Director of Partnerships. We look forward to a long partnership with Shaunt, Cameron, and the rest of the X Co family as we begin this journey."

Wefunder is the nation's leading investment crowdfunding platform, with the mission to revive the American dream. The platform helped hundreds of companies raise over $304M from fans. Wefunder companies have gone on to raise over $5B in venture capital. The company is also a Public Benefit Corporation and B Corp, with the goal of helping 20,000 founders get off the ground by 2029

About X Co: With offices in Reno and Las Vegas, X Co is dedicated to another Next  the next regional technology powerhouse of Nevada 2.0. Led by a team of seasoned entrepreneurial executives, our mission is to accelerate early-stage tech startups in the emerging U.S. technology ecosystem.
On Thursday, July 29 at noon, 61 students will be recognized for completion of the New Horizons Academy at Frederick High School. The program is operated by Frederick County Public Schools in close partnership with the Student Homelessness Initiative Partnership (SHIP) of Frederick County.

2021 was the 5th year of the New Horizons Academy, a five week program that provides an opportunity for youth experiencing housing instability to receive academic and life skills instruction. High school students can receive credit for courses required to graduate and are awarded a $600 stipend for completing the program.

This years program was expanded from previous years to include rising 9th graders. The program also heavily emphasized art as a form of expression by engaging the nonprofit, Story Tapestries. This group brought in qualified arts instructors to explore video, stop motion animation, and other unique mediums with the students.

This was also the first year that peer mentors were engaged. Six students who had previously completed the program returned to this years academy to assist current students and support their educational and emotional goals.

According to the US Department of Education, there are over 1.5 million public school students nationwide who experience homelessness each year. In June 2019, there were 158 unaccompanied homeless youth enrolled in Frederick County Public Schools. SHIP works to improve the lives of Frederick Countys most vulnerable youth who are experiencing homelessness.
Dont miss the opportunity to live at American Properties Heritage at Highland Park in Highland Park, New Jersey. This spectacular community is already 85% sold out, with only 8 quick move-in homes available.

The community currently has the Aurora home design available for purchase. The homes, priced from $461,258 to $467,178, features 1,660 sq. ft. of living space, three bedrooms, three baths and a one-car garage. Perfect for entertaining family and friends, the open concept floorplan includes a spacious kitchen with center island, a balcony off the dining area and ample storage space.

We invite you to take a tour of Heritage at Highland Park to fully experience its exciting neighborhood feel and convenient location, said Paul Csik, Senior Vice President of American Properties Realty, Inc. Private, in- person appointments are available and can easily be booked online.

Ideal for growing families, the community is part of the highly regarded Highland Park School District. Located just one mile to the New Brunswick Train Station and close to Routes 1, 18 and I-95, Heritage at Highland Park is an easy commute to Manhattan. It is also a short drive to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and Rutgers New Brunswick.

Heritage at Highland Park is an intimate community tucked between New Brunswick and Edison, said Csik. A lot of our homebuyers work in New York City and want to take advantage of the easy commute and the wonderful downtown that Highland Park offers.

The Heritage at Highland Park Sales Office is located at 1204 Greenland Square in Highland Park (GPS: 223 Cleveland Avenue  follow signs). The Sales Office is open by appointment only.

For additional information, contact Dana Pennock at 732-354-3543 or via email or dpennock@americanproperties.net. Those interested can also visit http://www.HeritageAtHighlandPark.com.

About American Properties Realty, Inc.

American Properties Realty, Inc., A Licensed Real Estate Broker, continues its proud 45-year tradition of introducing award winning communities that provide excellent quality, convenient locations and affordable pricing for New Jersey homebuyers. The Principals of American Properties Realty, Inc., have been involved in the creation of over 10,000 residences ranging from luxurious estate homes to award-winning master planned communities of apartments, condominiums, townhomes and single-family homes.
"Experience Management is the next level of Service Management and we are delighted to work with XLACollab to bring these new service offerings to market. states Mark Blanke, CEO of OwlPoint.

OwlPoint proudly announces a partnership with XLACollab, the global thought leader in enterprise-level Art and Science of Experience. With this partnership, OwlPoint takes another critical step to assist its clients in leveraging their service management investments to ensure excellent employee experiences. With an ever-tightening job market, companies need to create an experience for employees that is engaging and demonstrates value.

For over a decade, OwlPoint has focused on helping companies improve their operations in the areas of Service Management, Project and Program Management and Governance. This partnership expands its service offerings to help customers create and deliver excellent Experience Management.

"Experience Management is the next level of Service Management and we are delighted to work with XLACollab to bring these new service offerings to market. states Mark Blanke, CEO of OwlPoint.

"OwlPoint, as a certified AXELOS consulting partner, excels in Service Management, Blanke continues. Together with XLACollab, we can help our customers navigate the transition from the service economy to the experience economy."

Alan Nance, founder of XLACollab, puts it this way, The best way for a business to improve its digital employee experience is to focus on Experience Management. Working together to create a valued and valuable employee experience that matters for the business is what we do best; combining what a companys leadership knows well, with what we know differently, to create experiences that are too good to be forgotten.

Combining OwlPoint's ADVICE consulting methodology with the industry authority of Experience Management - XLACollab, means organizations will deliver experiences that make employees and customers happy. This framework will ensure that organizations provide the best experience possible.

About OwlPoint

Founded in 2008, OwlPoint connects the dots between technology and people so that the IT service experience is efficient, pleasant, and aligned to business goals. As a vendor-agnostic consultancy, OwlPoint is not beholden to any technology provider or solution. Grounded by integrity, emboldened by experience, and passionate about helping their clients, OwlPoint provides consulting solutions that ensure effectiveness, scalability, and value for the future.

About XLACollab

XLACollab is an advisory and consultancy that combines art and science to ensure enterprises deliver world-class employee experiences that create a world-class customer experience.

Go farther, faster by building experiences that matter to your business. http://www.xlacollab.com
Bringing Canadas first supply of 100% compostable nonwoven fabrics using sustainably sourced biopolymers for use in PPE production domestically and for export to global manufacturers. By coming together with Roswell DHT to develop cutting-edge, 100% compostable medical PPE such as masks and respirators, we will... reduc(e) our carbon footprint and reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout our product life cycle. - Martin Petrak, CEO, Precision ADM

Precision ADM Inc. (Precision ADM), a global medical device and engineering and manufacturing solutions provider today announced that it has acquired Roswell Downhole Technologies Inc. (Roswell DHT), the first and largest Canadian manufacturer of best-in-class melt-blown fabric for medical filtration applications.

Together, Precision ADM and Roswell DHT will manufacture Canadas first supply of 100% compostable nonwoven fabrics using sustainably sourced biopolymers for use in personal protective equipment (PPE) production domestically and for export to global manufacturers.

As a company, we have responded to COVID-19 by developing and manufacturing the highest quality and most cost-effective medical equipment in our countrys time of need, said Martin Petrak, Chief Executive Officer of Precision ADM. By coming together with Roswell DHT to develop cutting-edge, 100% compostable medical PPE such as masks and respirators, we will better serve Canada and emerge even stronger beyond the pandemic while reducing our carbon footprint and reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout our product life cycle.

Precision ADM has a horizon of projects that are complimented by Roswells nonwoven technologies, specifically the compostable media that we have been developing over the last year, said Kyle Fiolka, President of Roswell DHT. This synergy will further strengthen and support our shared vision for innovation and pave the way in building a fully integrated, secure, domestic, and most importantly green supply chain for PPE.

By October 2021, the two companies will be operating a high-volume, automation-driven, non-woven manufacturing plant in Calgary, Alberta, and scaling up a manufacturing plant in Winnipeg, Manitoba. These plants will produce a full suite of compostable surgical medical masks, gowns, and other necessary medical PPE, air and water filtration products, and personal hygiene products.

The investment will create up to 350 high paid net new direct jobs in the Prairie region and will have the capacity to supply compostable, non-woven fabric for other domestic and international manufacturers, representing a net new economic export impact of approximately USD $2Billion within the next ten years.

For more information, please visit https://www.precisionadm.com and https://www.roswelldht.com/.

About Precision ADM Inc.

Precision ADM is a medical device company and global engineering and manufacturing solutions provider that uses Additive Manufacturing, also known as 3D Printing, to manufacture high value components and devices for the medical, aerospace, defense, energy, and industrial sectors. Precision ADM has its roots in the orthopaedic medical device industry and has created a comprehensive Advanced Digital Manufacturing process that includes Design, Engineering, and Manufacturing. Precision ADM possesses ISO 13485:2016, AS9100 Rev D, and ISO 9001:2015 certifications.

About Roswell Downhole Technologies Inc.

Roswell Downhole Technologies is a manufacturer of specialty downhole cables for well monitoring as well as a manufacturer of meltblown nonwoven media. Roswell DHT develops technology and production machinery to address market needs specifically in the energy and filtration sectors. Roswell DHT is currently operating at a capacity of 58 metric tonnes per month output of meltblown filter media and can rapidly scale by leveraging its position as an OEM nonwoven equipment manufacturer. To date there have been approximately 160 million masks produced in Canada with Roswells filter media.


International Association of Registered Financial Consultants My true wish is for the soon-to-be financial professionals to understand that they can make a true difference in the lives of their clients they serve and the ethical responsibility they are soon to undertake. IARFC US Chapter President, Rick Stanzione

The International Association of Registered Financial Consultants (IARFC) has opened up university registration for their National Financial Plan Competition (NFPC). This Competition involves undergraduate teams from a financial services curriculum who enter a financial plan for judging based on a fictional family case narrative.

This narrative consists of numbers and family detail history that will be interpreted by the students and presented to a panel of judges. IARFC US Chapter President, Rick Stanzione, RFC and Monroe Diefendorf Jr., RFC, combined their many years of practice to develop this case scenario which will be distributed to participating student teams in October. Year after year, we strive to give the students a financial narrative that challenges them to take their classroom learning and apply it to a real world scenario, explains Stanzione. Our hope is that through their research and thought process, they will craft a feasible plan of action for their fictional family. My true wish is for the soon-to-be financial professionals to understand that they can make a true difference in the lives of their clients they serve and the ethical responsibility they are soon to undertake.

The IARFC also is looking for Corporate Sponsors and Individual Donors who play a major role in the success of the Competition. The incorporation of a National Financial Plan Competition is a super cool concept, commented Robert Laraia, RFC, and whose firm, NorthStar Wealth Partners was a 2021 Corporate Sponsor. It has allowed our firm to give back to the financial industry while affording the students a chance to utilize the knowledge they are learning in their financial course curriculum.

For those professors who wish to register their teams, please visit http://www.iarfc.org/events/nfpc for specific Rules and Details. The Participation Agreement must be received by September 24 for their students to compete. The Competition judging will be carried out through multiple phases with 3 teams eventually meeting in a Finals round next April, in Cincinnati, OH.

I encourage professors to present the opportunity to their students and register their teams as soon as possible, noted Vicki Caplinger, IARFC NFPC Coordinator. After two sessions of virtual judging in 2020 and 2021, I look forward to returning to a live format. Its always fun to see the students presenting their findings and defending their recommendations in person, in front of experienced professionals.

Complete information can be found by visiting http://www.iarfc.org/events/nfpc or by emailing plancomp@iarfc.org.
We are thrilled to be an official dealer of Kyocera document solutions, says Chip Crunk, RJ Youngs CEO. This partnership will allow us to provide our customers with additional exceptional solutions to power modern offices.

RJ Young, an industry-leading business technology solutions provider in the Southeast, announces today its dealer partnership with Kyocera, a Japan-based global leading provider of total document solutions.

The partnership will allow RJ Young to provide the latest technologies to clients  specifically those in the education, government, retail business, and church verticals.

We are thrilled to be an official dealer of Kyocera document solutions, says Chip Crunk, RJ Youngs CEO. Kyocera has a fantastic track record of crafting quality products and providing unparalleled support to their dealers. This partnership will allow us to provide our customers with additional exceptional solutions to power modern offices.

We look forward to working closely with RJ Young and creating a long-lasting partnership, says Peter Morisco, Kyoceras vice president of channel sales. Theyre a leader in this industry and always have an eye toward innovation and providing the best to their customers. We share those values.

RJ Young will begin officially carrying Kyocera products in August. The company will carry Kyoceras entire line of printers, A4 and A3 MFPs, as well as the new Inkjet Production Printer, and the TASKalfa Pro 15000c.

If youd like to learn more about the partnership and how it can benefit your organization, reach out to info@rjyoung.com today.

ABOUT RJ YOUNG

RJ Young is an industry leader that provides technology solutions that power businesses. RJ Young helps small to enterprise-level organizations transition into modern workplaces and increase productivity with comprehensive managed IT solutions, office equipment and technology, business process outsourcing, and digital communications. Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, RJ Young has been partnering with businesses since 1955 and has more than 600 team members in more than 30 sales and service locations across nine states. To learn more about how RJ Young can help power your organization with technology solutions, visit RJYoung.com or reach out to info@rjyoung.com.

ABOUT KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS AMERICA, INC.

Kyocera Document Solutions America, Inc. is a group company of Kyocera Document Solutions Inc., a global leading provider of total document solutions based in Osaka, Japan. The companys portfolio includes reliable and eco-friendly MFPs and printers, as well as business applications and consultative services which enable customers to optimize and manage their document workflow, reaching new heights of efficiency. With professional expertise and a customer-first culture, the objective of the company is to help organizations put knowledge to work to drive change.

Kyocera Document Solutions Inc. is a core company of Kyocera Corporation, a leading supplier of semiconductor packages, industrial and automotive components, electronic devices, solar power generating systems, and mobile phones. During the year ended March 31, 2020, Kyocera Corporations consolidated sales revenue totaled $14.7 billion. Kyocera appears on the Derwent Top 100 Global Innovators 2018-19 list by Clarivate Analytics and is ranked #655 on Forbes magazines 2019 Global 2000 list of the worlds largest publicly traded companies.
EnSoftek is proud to announce that Seadrunar, Seattle Drug & Narcotic Center, Inc., has used DrCloudEHR to successfully submitted their Medicaid Behavioral Health Supplement Data (BHSD) in compliant batch files to the Beacon Web Portal, a State of Washington data reporting system. Seadrunar has been using DrCloudEHR since 2015 to meet their electronic health record and revenue cycle management needs.

Meeting the state submission requirements has been like building the plane while flying it, said Angela Grout, Treatment Administrator at Seadrunar. The requirements continued to evolve as the submission deadline approached, and our process had to incorporate those changes to succeed.

DrCloudEHR is currently used in 26 states and understands the challenges behavioral health providers face to deliver compassionate care while remaining compliant with state requirements.

If providers are not able to submit their data, theyre not getting paid, said Ramana Reddy, EnSoftek CEO and President. Close collaboration with our providers allows us to stay in synch with evolving state system requirements and submit this vital data.

Successful submission of the Medicaid BHSD in batch files sets the stage for Seadrunar to move to a fully automated submission process. The Beacon Web Portal requirements for this are still in the works. We have already developed three DrCloudEHR interfaces to meet Washington state requirements, Grout said. We are confident that our partnership with EnSoftek will result in another positive outcome.

About Seadrunar

Seadrunar, Seattle Drug & Narcotic Center, Inc., is a long-term residential drug and alcohol treatment facility offering new hope and a fresh start in life to men and women struggling with addiction. Founded in 1968, Seadrunar was one of the first residential treatment facilities in the Northwest, providing long-term behavior modification substance use disorder treatment services in a therapeutic community to thousands of clients over the last five decades.

Seadrunar provides long-term substance use disorder residential treatment and aftercare in a safe, supportive, and healthy environment that promotes self-sufficiency, emotional growth, personal accountability, and enhanced personal values. Seadrunar emphasizes developing lifestyle skills necessary to sustain long-term success which includes the work training and therapeutic community goals.

About DrCloudEHR and EnSoftek, Inc.

EnSofteks DrCloudEHR is a Stage 3 Meaningful Use-certified, cloud-based electronic health records (EHR) system designed for behavioral health and human services organizations and integrated care settings. DrCloudEHR supports the care continuum within your agency and helps connect it to a broad network of external providers and patient data sources. Because the solution can be accessed anytime, anywhere, DrCloudEHR enables providers to deliver superior care, improve patient outcomes, and increase overall patient satisfaction levels. EnSoftek specializes in providing diversified enterprise IT solutions to both public and private sector enterprises.


Sinai Chicago today announced it has received a $250,000 grant award from Aetna Better Health of Illinois, a managed health care business of Aetna, a CVS Health company (NYSE: CVS), to provide breast, cervical and colorectal cancer outreach, education, and navigation services for up to 4,000 African-American and Latina women living on Chicagos west and southwest sides.

Sinai Urban Health Institute (SUHI), Sinai Chicagos community-based health research entity, offers a breast health outreach, education and navigation program called Helping Her Live. The program employs community health workers to assist African-American and Latina women living in resource-poor communities to get mammograms and referrals to follow-up care and services. The grant from Aetna enables an expansion of the Helping Her Live model, which has been successful in increasing breast cancer awareness and connecting women to free or affordable mammogram services, to include cervical and colorectal cancer education and navigation.

There are huge inequities in the screening, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer in minority women, says Stacy Ignoffo, Director of Community Health Innovations at SUHI. This grant will provide critical resources for the Helping Her Live program to continue addressing those inequities and help reach our goals of making sure every woman can get quality and timely breast care and ensuring no one dies unnecessarily from breast cancer. It will also allow us to add needed education on and navigation for cervical and colorectal cancer screenings

Aetnas collaboration with Sinai Chicago helps to further empower African-American and Latina women to continue being champions for their health, said Kim Foltz, CEO, Aetna Better Health of Illinois. Connecting them to these potentially life-saving services now can help make a profound impact on their current health status and their future well-being.

Since 2007, Helping Her Live has educated over 15,000 women about breast health and the importance of getting annual mammograms and navigated women to over 4,300 mammograms. Using evidence-based intervention, it is one of the first projects in the nation pursuing community outreach and navigation for improved breast health.

Aetna Better Health of Illinois offers quality, affordable health care to individuals through the states HealthChoice Illinois Medicaid program. The health plan serves nearly 400,000 members in 102 counties.

Helping Her Live services are available free of charge. To learn more, call 877-437-5432 or email at HelpingHerLive@sinai.org.

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About Sinai Chicago

Sinai Chicago is a Chicago-based private, not-for-profit organization comprised of seven member organizations: Mount Sinai Hospital, Holy Cross Hospital, Sinai Childrens Hospital, Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital, Sinai Medical Group, Sinai Community Institute and Sinai Urban Health Institute. The system has over 800 physicians on its hospital medical staffs, 654 licensed beds, 100,000+ annual emergency department patient visits and eight physician residency training programs. For more information, visit http://www.sinaichicago.org

About Aetna Medicaid Aetna Medicaid Administrators LLC (Aetna Medicaid), a CVS Health company, has over 30 years of experience managing the care of the most medically vulnerable, using innovative approaches and a local presence in each market to achieve both successful health care results and effective cost outcomes. Aetna Medicaid has particular expertise serving high-need Medicaid members, including those who are dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare. Currently, Aetna Medicaid owns and/or administers Medicaid managed health care plans under the names of Aetna Better Health and other affiliate names. Together, these plans serve approximately 2.8 million people in 15 states, including Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. For more information, see , http://www.aetnabetterhealth.com.

Media Contact:

Dan Regan

Vice President  Communications, PR and Marketing

Sinai Chicago

773.257.5228 (Office)

312.622.0871 (Cell) dan.regan@sinai.org
St. Louis Ovarian Cancer Awareness SLOCA is hosting four key events that serve as an invitation to community members, and women in particular, to attend and learn about common symptoms and the impact of ovarian cancer locally, nationally, and globally.

St. Louis, MOSt. Louis Ovarian Cancer Awareness (SLOCA) aims to double down on education and outreach through events and community engagement this SeptemberNational Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. As the only nonprofit in the St. Louis metro area devoted solely to ovarian cancer awareness and survivor support, SLOCA promotes awareness of early warning signs and standard of care, funds ovarian cancer research, and supports survivors.

SLOCA is hosting four key events that serve as an invitation to community members, and women in particular, to attend and learn about common symptoms and the impact of ovarian cancer locally, nationally, and globally. Most women who are diagnosed have had one or more of four common symptoms: bloating, abdominal or pelvic pain, difficulty eating or feeling full quickly, and urinary symptoms (urgency or frequency). Ovarian cancer symptoms are often overlooked, ignored, or attributed to a less serious diagnosis.

The public can register for the following events in September and October to contribute to SLOCAs mission, and learn more about the organization:



September 10 - Ovarian Cancer Awareness Night at Busch Stadium; the St. Louis Wheel will be lit up in teal (the color of ovarian cancer awareness) from dusk until 10pm

September 21 - Teal Toes for SLOCA at Nail Pro in Des Peres, MO 10am-8pm

September 25-26  Kendra Scott Giveback where a portion of both in-store and online sales will be donated back to SLOCA

October 10 - Families Run for Ovarian Cancer ROC Star 5k at Soldiers Memorial

One woman is diagnosed with ovarian cancer every 23 minutes. Because of this key statistic, SLOCA is asking supporters to donate $23 in the month of September to honor those that have been lost, those that are currently fighting, and those that are survivors of ovarian cancer  in addition to attending events throughout September and beyond. Funds raised go directly to support survivors, fund research, and fund items like the free Cardinals box for survivors during SLOCAs Night at Busch Stadium, an annual Survivors Brunch in November, sister boxes filled with practical and comfort items for newly diagnosed women that are delivered to hospitals/infusion centers, the SLOCA mentorship program, and more.

Our greatest challenge here at SLOCA is overcoming the fact that there is no early detection screening test for ovarian cancer. Symptoms are not widely known and can be vague; 3 out of 4 patients are not diagnosed until the cancer is in an advanced stage, said Susan Robben, Executive Director of SLOCA and an ovarian cancer survivor herself. 22,000 women are diagnosed every year and almost 15,000 pass away as a result. It is our steadfast mission to impact these statistics in a positive way so that women both in the St. Louis community and around the world can identify symptoms sooner and survive and thrive post-diagnosis.

Experts say that if a woman experiences any of the four most common symptoms on a daily or almost daily basis for two weeks or more, they should see a gynecologist  especially if there is a family history of breast or ovarian cancer.

While 374 women are diagnosed annually across Missouri and 200 new cases are recorded in the St. Louis metro area each year, we remain hopeful that through our work, survivors of the past, present, and future will receive the full scope of support they need to lead happy, healthy lives, said Robben. We hope that Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month will inspire the community to get involved, so that we can better serve local women right here in the broader St. Louis area.

Community members who would like to support SLOCAs ongoing efforts can donate at any time or participate in their various events throughout September and October. Visit http://www.sloca.org/ to learn more, donate, and get involved.

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About St. Louis Ovarian Cancer Awareness (SLOCA)

St. Louis Ovarian Cancer Awareness is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that is committed to increasing ovarian cancer survivorship by promoting awareness of early warning signs and standards of care, funding ovarian cancer research, and supporting survivors. SLOCA was founded in 2002 by seven women battling ovarian cancer, alongside their oncology nurses. Over the last 19+ years, SLOCA has educated over 60,000 people in ovarian cancer awareness through local health fairs and community events, invested $540,000 in funding research for ovarian cancer, and connected with 500 local medical students through its Survivors Teaching Students Program. SLOCA also provides ovarian cancer support groups, peer to peer support opportunities, a patient need fund, and additional resources for women and families touched by ovarian cancer. For more information, call 314-966-7562 or visit sloca.org.


Licefreee!, the leading non-toxic head lice treatment in the US market, has launched a Hulu campaign featuring Super Lice Man for the second year in a row. The campaign will bring a funny and lighthearted spin to a typically unpleasant topic, of head lice, just in time for back to school.

Licefreee! partnered with Whitney Cicero from The New Stepford over three years ago to create this surprisingly witty campaign. Super Lice Man, played by Johnno Wilson, is now on his second year on Hulu, and you will catch him training for the upcoming school season. When not on Hulu, you can check out his antics on Instagram and TikTok.

The campaign is set to run from August through October.

About Licefreee!

Licefreee was created in 1999 when an employee of Tec Laboratories, the parent company of Licefreee, could not find a solution to combat their child's head lice infestation. During that time, the options were limited to mainly those that contained chemical pesticides, pyrethrum, and Permethrin. Pyrethrum, an insecticide derived from chrysanthemum plants, and Permethrin, a synthetic insecticide, were (are) used in agriculture to combat pests that threatened the livelihood of crops. Unfortunately, both can be harsh when used to treat head lice but were long considered the standard for lice treatment. Tec Laboratories was determined to come up with a head lice treatment free of Permethrin and pyrethrum. After countless hours of research and testing, the Original Non-toxic head lice treatment, homeopathic Licefreee! Gel was created, hitting retail shelves in 1999. Over the years, weve added more products to our beloved line of safe solutions including Licefreee Spray!, the Licefreee! Kit which includes Licefreee! Gel and Licefreee Everyday! Daily maintenance shampoo, and now, Licefreee! Home.

To learn more about Licefreee!, please visit http://www.licefreee.com.
Sylvan Learning, the supplemental and enrichment education brand with more than 750 points of presence across North America, along with its franchise partners has donated more than $35,000 to charitable organizations across the country as a result of its discounted educational assessment program held in May.

In an effort to help families struggling with a full year of pandemic-induced school disruptions, the brand cut the price of its Sylvan Insight Assessment  which gives parents a clear picture of their childrens educational needs and how Sylvan can address them  to $29 for all students. Normally, this assessment costs up to $199.

For every $29 assessment given, Sylvans local franchisees donated $10 to a charity of their choice, while Sylvan corporate donated a percentage of the assessment to the Boys & Girls Club of America.

In addition to Sylvans $35,000 donation to the Boys & Girls Club of America, Sylvan franchisee Leslie Mitchell donated more than $6,000 to Calgary Food Bank in Canada, April Samp donated nearly $3,000 to Variety Childrens Charity in Iowa, George and Jessica Rollins donated more than $2,000 to Jackson Top Teacher in Michigan, Kim Tiexeira donated $2,000 to the CT3 Foundation Home Run For Hope, Victoria Sherrard donated more than $3,000 to Arizona Friends of Foster Children, and Delia Navarro donated just over $1,500 to Boys & Girls Club Kern City.

"Many of our staff have a place in their heart for children in foster care and children of adoption, said Sherrard, a multi-unit Sylvan Learning franchise owner in Arizona When we were told by corporate that we could select a local charity to be the recipient of our give back donation, the majority of our staff immediately thought of Arizona Friends of Foster Children. We've had students attend our programs in years past who were recipients of their generosity and we've always thought that they were an amazing organization with a purpose that impacts the future of these children. We were humbled and so pleased to be able to give back to their purpose."

Sylvan has been a resource to parents and students for decades, but this year it has seen a need arise in the marketplace unlike anything else. The COVID slide, or the impact of schools closing for months or a year, has the potential to set back an entire generation of children.

With students currently testing at least three months behind  which experts say could take two to three years to catch up  Sylvan and its franchise partners are now playing an integral role in helping individual students as well as schools across the country fill the education void caused by the pandemic. New federal funding for schools struggling to get their students caught up has allowed them to partner with Sylvan. With an individualized teaching method that takes grade level out of the equation, Sylvan is uniquely suited to address the problem.

Independent research shows the Sylvan Method, developed through academic research, teaching experience and technology, builds confidence, boosts skills and delivers better grades and results in up to three times more academic growth compared to students who dont utilize Sylvan. The brands proprietary software, SylvanSync, allows Sylvan teachers to engage and motivate students with adaptive lessons and a personal learning plan for each child.

"Giving back is a major part of Sylvan's culture, said chief franchise operations officer Susan Valverde. We have worked with students in underprivileged communities, along with students struggling across the world. It is a natural fit for us to be able to help children get their education back on track. Offering this discounted assessment has allowed us to serve more families, while also giving back to the Boys and Girls Club, along with local charities that are close to the hearts of our franchisees system-wide."

To learn more about Sylvan franchise opportunities, visit http://www.sylvanfranchise.com.

ABOUT SYLVAN LEARNING

With more than 40 years of experience and more than 750 points of presence throughout North America, Sylvan Learning is the leading provider of personal learning for students in grades K-12. Sylvan is transforming how students learn, inspiring them to succeed in school and in life. Sylvans proven tutoring approach blends amazing teachers with SylvanSync technology on the iPad for an engaging learning experience. Sylvan also leads the way with Sylvan EDGE  STEM and accelerated courses  and Sylvan Prep  college and test prep courses. Sylvan supports families through every stage of the academic journey. For more information, visit http://www.SylvanLearning.com or SylvanLearning.com/blog.
Tabletop and Home Decoration Brand FIFTYEIGHT PRODUCTS Releases New Catalogue and Products in the U.S. After a year of supply chain challenges and delays in international shipping, we are excited to serve our customers in the United States not only with a full restock of all our bestsellers. But were also happy to release our new Winking face bowl... - Marc Eckart

Made in Germany, Loved Around the World! German designer brand FIFTYEIGHT PRODUCTS is proud to introduce a new product drop of quality porcelain items for the U.S. market. These new additions, alongside popular staples from the brand known for cute porcelain bowls with faces, are featured in the Summer 2021 catalogue available now for download.

After a year of supply chain challenges and delays in international shipping, we are excited to serve our customers in the United States not only with a full restock of all our bestsellers. But were also happy to release our new Winking face bowl and more cool new products stateside, said Marc Eckart, CEO and Co-Founder at FIFTYEIGHT PRODUCTS.

Started in 2007, the FIFTYEIGHT PRODUCTS line of designer porcelain goods is now available in more than 60 countries. Manufactured in line with environmental standards, the quality bowls, mugs, cups, and vases have made a splash in the United States since their official launch in 2017 with a dedicated distribution outfit in Miami, Florida. In 2020, the company added home decor products to its line up with the popular CEELINGS lamp canopies.

The latest product releases from FIFTYEIGHT PRODUCTS presented in the Summer 2021 catalogue include:

Cereal Bowl Inspired by Winking Emoji

The new WINKING Bowl is a reminder to take things easy and keep on smiling. Inspired by the famous winking emoji, this new bowl offers a 16 oz capacity in hotel-grade porcelain. It also comes in three colorways: white, grey, and white with saffron on the inside. The winking face has been a fan request for many, many years and were happy to finally bring the new bowl into stores.

New LAUGHING Coffee Cup

Starting everyones day on a happy note, heres the LAUGHING Coffee Cup. Just like the companys other Coffee Cups, this charmer comes with a 6.5 oz capacity and saucer in a pretty gift box. Dishwasher and microwave-safe and 100% Made in Germany from hotel-grade porcelain.

New Tiny Plates

Small but mighty, the new TINY Plates With a Bite brings the offering of porcelain plates full circle. With a 5.9-inch diameter, our incredible tiny porcelain plates feature cool 'bite mark' cutouts at the edges. For extra fun, they come in a set of two! Suitable as a side plate for butter and bread and perfect for serving hors d'oeuvres at the next summer cookout!

See these new releases and more in the new Summer 2021 catalogue, available now for download.

New Home Style Product: CEELINGS Canopy Covers

FIFTYEIGHT PRODUCTS will also be showcasing the new line of CEELINGS canopy covers that bring a new level of style to every apartment. These fun designer pieces add life and emotion to ceiling lamps. Theyre super easy to install and manufactured in Germany according to environmental and social standards.

One of the most boring parts of interior design, namely the drab canopies on top of ceiling lamps, is receiving an update: Available in two designs, CEELINGS are real eye catchers as they bring life and emotions into the home. Look up at the ceiling and prepare to smile! More information at http://www.58products.us

More than $40,000 Donated to COVID-19 Relief

In more positive news, FIFTYEIGHT PRODUCTS is grateful for the enormous customer response to the HOPEFUL Bowl and its donation campaign towards COVID-19 relief. Launched at the height of the pandemic in 2020, the HOPEFUL bowl with a 16 oz. capacity wears a protective face mask as a reminder to keep each other safe by wearing PPE. For every HOPEFUL bowl sold, the company is donating 1.00 EUR ($1.20) to relief initiatives. So far, more than $40,000 (about $6,000 per charity) have been donated to programs in the United States and United Kingdom as well as France, Germany, Spain, and Italy.

The first donation in the United States was delivered in February 2021 to the FOOD BANK FOR NEW YORK CITY. Through its network of more than 1,000 charities and schools across the city, the FOOD BANK was able to provide more than 80 million free meals for New Yorkers in need during the past year. If you would like to donate to the FOOD BANK FOR NEW YORK CITY visit http://www.foodbanknyc.org.

Thanks to everyone who purchased a HOPEFUL bowl so far and thanks to all the retailers for their support. We sincerely hope that the pandemic will soon be behind us and that our bowls with masks will remain as reminders of a time when people came together in unity and kept one another safe from infection, said Marc Eckart.

For more information, visit the official FIFTYEIGHT PRODUCTS website and follow the brand on Instagram and Facebook. Also subscribe to the Official US YouTube Channel featuring animated video clips starring the brands cheeky porcelain characters.

Dealer inquiries can be directed to Edina Poric at FIFTYEIGHT INC. Please use the B2B platform on the official U.S. distribution website to register as retail partners in the United States.

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About FIFTYEIGHT PRODUCTS

Started in 2007, the FIFTYEIGHT PRODUCTS family consists of quality porcelain bowls, plates, cups, coffee mugs, flower vases, storage jars and more. The line-up also includes TALENT coffee cups featuring lifelike portraits of artistic geniuses such as Beethoven and Shakespeare, as well as the design driven CEELINGS lamp canopies. Cherished by fans in more than 60 countries across the world, FIFTYEIGHTs premium products add a spark of fun and emotion to everyday life. All products are 100% Made in Germany according to environmental standards and fair labor practices. Since 2017, the brand has been serving customers in the United States directly through a dedicated distribution company, FIFTYEIGHT INC, with headquarters in Miami, Florida. Find more information at http://www.58products.us.
By giving district leaders better insight into whats working for districts like theirs, we can make the education market work more effectively for underserved students.  Jeff Livingston, co-founder, The Center for Education Market Dynamics

The Center for Education Market Dynamics (http://www.educationmarkets.org) announced its official launch this week at the 2021 ASU+GSV Summit. The launch, which includes plans for a Spring 2022 release of its platform, sets the stage for the Centers efforts to help district leaders make informed decisions about products and services that can improve learning outcomes for underserved students. The Center  co-founded by education industry veterans and funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Hewlett Foundation, the Walton Family Foundation, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation  aims to prepare Black, Latino, English language learners, and students affected by poverty for their academic futures by improving their access to high-quality materials and instruction.

High-quality curriculum has been shown to make a meaningful impact on student achievement  and generates a positive return on investment for districts. But Black, Latino, ELLs and students from lower-income backgrounds are much less likely to encounter rigorous, grade-appropriate curriculum and strong instruction than their peers.

The Center for Education Market Dynamics is built on the idea that better information in the market drives better decisions by all players in the education ecosystem  from district leaders to social entrepreneurs to philanthropies  and ultimately leads to better outcomes for students.

Market-based solutions can make a profound impact on teaching and learning, but the best products and services often dont end up in the hands of the students who need them most, said Jeff Livingston, co-founder of The Center for Education Market Dynamics. By giving district leaders better insight into whats working for districts like theirs, we can make the education market work more effectively for underserved students.

The Center for Education Market Dynamics team is made up of industry veterans, practitioners, policy experts, and technologists with decades of experience in all aspects of the education market. The Center is led by co-founders Jeff Livingston (formerly a McGraw-Hill SVP), Beth Mejia (formerly led marketing and editorial at McGraw-Hill and Pearson), and Jay Bakhru (formerly head of K-12 marketing at ETS). Livingston, Mejia, and Bakhru also serve as partners of EdSolutions, a strategic consulting firm serving the education industry.

The Centers platform will help district leaders make better purchasing decisions by providing them with accurate, contextualized information about whos using which solutions, at what price, using which funds  and whats making an impact. By combining these insights with a community that offers relevant perspectives and expert advice, the Centers platform will help district leaders turn useful information into insights that lead to action.

The Center is co-developing its platform with district leaders representing a combined 10 districts and 1.1M students across seven states, including California, Florida, and Texas. More than 50% of the platforms co-developers are BIPOC.

Francisco Villegas, Director of School Transformation for the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools, said, The Center is a resource that can help us identify what districts similar to mine are using as one of many data points that need to be considered when making decisions about curriculum.

By sending clearer signals about demand among districts, the Centers platform will also offer social entrepreneurs a faster pathway to scale  and a keener understanding of the contexts in which their products are actually used. Philanthropies will also benefit from the Centers insights by being able to target their investments toward areas with the potential for significant impact  and toward players who are up to the challenge.

We have steady demand for what we offer, but without knowledge of who's using what curriculum, we're only scratching the surface. With better insights, we can scale by targeting the districts who need us most, said Laura Smith, Chief Financial Officer, UnboundEd.

At the ASU+GSV Summit, Center for Education Market Dynamics co-founder Jeff Livingston spoke about issues related to the Centers focus as part of several panel discussions, including:

EdTech Market Transparency: Almost There, or a Long Way to Go?

Building a Sustainable Antiracist Learning Environment

Exploring the Necessity of Context: What Works Where, and Why in EdTech?

More information about the Centers markets-based approach to improving outcomes and promoting equity can be found in its first white paper, Pivotal Decisions, available for free download via http://www.educationmarkets.org.

About The Center for Education Market Dynamics

The Center for Education Market Dynamics helps district leaders make informed decisions about products and services that can improve learning outcomes for underserved students. Built on the idea that better information leads to better decisions and, ultimately, better outcomes for learners. The Center  a project of EdSolutions, a strategic consulting firm serving the education market  will release the first version of its platform in Spring 2022.
Bond Verification via Blockchain is the true end game of interest to all stakeholders in the surety bond process globally said Greg Davenport, chair of ICISAs Surety Blockchain Working Group.

The Institutes RiskStream Collaborative, the risk management and insurance industrys largest enterprise-level blockchain consortium announced plans to advance its international efforts on the Surety Bonds Power of Attorney use case and launch a new lab for the Surety industry. The new Bond Signature and Verification lab will launch in the fall of 2021, while a proof-of-concept for the existing Surety Bonds Power of Attorney Verification Lab will advance.

The surety industry is known for multi-party data verifications and exchanges between the principal, obligee and surety. Blockchain technology offers a potential solution to some of the pain points within these multi-party workflows, said Patrick Schmid, vice president of the RiskStream Collaborative. The power of attorney use case was the logical starting point and were excited to advance it forward. We are also excited that it will lead to many more downstream use cases, including Bond Signature and Verification.

Each working group will continue to be facilitated by RiskStream Labs, a blockchain innovation hub designed to accelerate innovation across various sectors. RiskStreams Surety initiative has continued support from international surety associations, including The International Credit Insurance & Surety Association (ICISA), the Surety & Fidelity Association of America (SFAA), the National Association of Surety Bond Producers (NASBP), the Surety Association of Canada (SAC), and the Pan American Surety Association (PASA). In addition to the involvement of various surety associations, RiskStream members (carriers, producers, and reinsurers), non-members and other key industry players have all been involved in the early portions of the Surety Labs.

Although the work to-date positions the Surety Bonds Power of Attorney Verification use case to advance to a proof-of-concept phase, it is simply just the beginning for the surety industry. Enabling the bond signature and verification real-time is an important aspect to the overall solution, greatly reducing the time, cost and risk.

Bond Verification via Blockchain is the true end game of interest to all stakeholders in the surety bond process globally said Greg Davenport, chair of ICISAs Surety Blockchain Working Group. RiskStreams acceleration of the Bond Verification phase also allows us to bring obligees early into the design conversations, as they are the ultimate beneficiaries of the global solution we are undertaking.

The collaboration and participation in the Surety Bonds  Power of Attorney Verification working group appears to show the industry is ready for transformation. We are actively recruiting and onboarding companies for both working groups. To participate or learn more contact RiskStreamCollaborative@theinstitutes.org.

The global surety industry and RiskStream came together to create an innovative approach that will streamline the surety bond process, RiskStream is committed to supporting the surety industry, and bringing together motivated organizations to create applications while leveraging Canopy 3.0. comments Bill Keogh, Non Executive Chair, RiskStream Collaborative. Canopy 3.0 and its new capabilities of blockchain-based tools, technologies and services provides a lot of flexibility for the insurance industry while reducing development complexity.

About The Institutes RiskStream Collaborative

The Institutes RiskStream Collaborative is the risk management and insurance industrys first enterprise-level blockchain consortium that brings together experts and developers to advance insurance-specific use cases via Canopy, a custom blockchain architecture. The RiskStream Collaborative is committed to equipping organizations to work together to inspire product innovation, enable efficiencies, and open new technological frontiers.

About The Institutes | Risk and Insurance Knowledge Group

The Institutes, the leading provider of risk management and insurance knowledge education and solutions, offer professional designations, including the CPCU program. In addition, The Institutes provide introductory, foundational, and leadership courses and programs; online and continuing education courses; custom solutions; events and conferences; online and print news platforms; assessment tools; and research reports.

CPCU is a registered trademark of The Institutes. All rights reserved.
The Road Less Stupid We do not speak to the customers pain and answer the customers qualifying questions in their terms. We speak in our own business vernacular. We do not address their Why Should They Care? Whats in It for Them? How Does Your Product or Service Fit Their Specific Needs Better than Anyone Else?

In a recent presentation to nearly one hundred "Ellermeyer Connect Forum attendees, C. Brian Conners, MBA CDP explained how many business owners and professionals spend immeasurable time and effort trying to grow their business often with limited or dismal success.

Conners talked about just a few of the many reasons for subpar results:



Not enough resources devoted to sales and marketing.

Focusing too much of your selling efforts on promoting your product, services and their features and benefits.

Not communicating what is unique and different about your product or services.

Focusing on what you want to tell your prospects, instead of answering the questions they are asking or want answers to.

Limited branding or no brand touch points and promises.

Doing and spending time on the non-productive activities over and over, and expecting different results.

Interestingly, in a recent book he just read The Road Less Stupid by Keith J. Cunnigham, some great insights were triggered on opportunities to grow your business.

Just a few:

1. Are you asking the right questions about why your business is not growing fast enough?

2. Are you identifying the real problems not the symptoms to what is stagnating your business growth?

3. Are you testing and validating your assumptions?

One of the questions he said he asked himself: Am I listening to the customers pain points, decision criteria, and communicating how I can provide their desired outcomes?

He went on to say that so often in our messaging we talk in the vernacular of products and services we offer:



Features and Benefits

Product and Service Terminology

Price and availability

Conners stated, "As business professionals we do not speak to the customers pain and answer the customers qualifying questions in their terms. We speak in our own business vernacular. We do not address their 'Why Should They Care?' 'Whats in It for Them?' 'How Does Your Product or Service Fit Their Specific Needs Better than Anyone Else?' 'How does your Brand complete the customers decision matrix?'

A good example of how this is being done, is the My Pillow guy. His advertisements hit so many different reasons to buy his product.



A night of better sleep as a better outcome to a sleep-deprived population  an emotional psychological and health appeal

My Pillow owner is part of the Brand  an American success story. Very personable with his choreographed open shirt with the cross as a witness of his recovery from addiction to personal success

My Pillow owner tells his story to why he decided to create the best pillow and what were the criteria  why you should care and why his pillow is unique and different.

The product is made in America for a vast audience that wants to buy American products.

There is a discount to buy now  a coupon code  a call to action.

Whats in it for you in the design  non-allergic materials  health benefits without calling it out.

My Pillow guy touches the product to show its elasticity and construction.

Another bonus offer to increase the value proposition and another call to action.

A personal guarantee

A closing fun homespun anachronistic jingle to associate the brand with quality workmanship  the old-fashioned way.

His messaging is consistent and repeated often.

My Pillow advertisements are like an infomercial but are less than 1 minute. Amazing, it takes less than 1 minute to communicate the reasons why you should buy now so to immediately satisfy a major personal, psychological, and physical health want  a better sleep  an emotional buy!

The success of his infomercial strategy has generated millions of dollars in sales making the founder very wealthy.

In his presentation he asked the question, so what can you do to communicate an emotional, psychological, and physical better outcome, why should your prospects care, what is in it for them, what is unique and different, how can you answer their buying criteria, and why should they take action now?

The obvious answer is to replicate what is already successful.

Since non-verbal communication trumps verbal communication, video is now more than ever uniquely positioned to build an emotional connection to your target audience. The hurdle of trust can be quicker to overcome because the senses are more engaged in answering the emotional non-verbal buying criteria.

Communicating to your target audience through a series of 12-minute videos can address your prospects Why Should They Care? Whats in It for Them? How Does Your Product or Service Fit Their Needs Better than Anyone Else?, Answer Your Customers Decision Matrix for Them, and then What Personal Outcomes They Can Expect.

Conners recently embarked on his own journey to create a more effective online marketing presence working with a marketing and video production company. The marketing company with experience in marketing, video and tv production helped him create nearly two dozen short videos to answer his target prospects most frequently asked decision criteria questions that build trust and my brand. He plans to do more short videos to more specifically answer the Why, What and How frequently asked questions above, but also to expand on what personal outcomes prospects can expect.

Conners goal was to incorporate many of the successful online strategies that catapulted My Pillow sales and other recognizable brands to new heights, including maximizing the effectiveness of my social media and website, and PR for attracting targeted prospects. Even more exciting he is working on a thirty-minute television program for regional broadcasts here in Southern California. His hope is that this could lead to an educational, but fun TV series like the variety of Discovery channels like HGTV, Food Network, Ice Road Truckers, Own, Motor Trend, etc.

Conners shared this with the forum, which included many business owners and professionals who are looking for ways to increase their online marketing and visibility. If you would like to see the results of what he has done so far, go to his website at Myfapro.com or EllermeyerConnect.com and check out the content under the Conners Report & FAQ sections.

Conners most important takeaway was to take action today to start answering your target prospects Why, What and How qualifying questions for them and what are personal, psychological, and physical outcomes they should expect from using your products and services. A short video or videos can go a long way to answer the non-verbal emotional buying criteria, shortening the time it takes for you to start increasing sales and growing your business.

Dwight Cromie

BusinessInsights.us

951-218-6081
Growth is an essential part of our strategic vision, and Raleigh is the natural next step for us in our southern expansion.

Thompson Creek Window Company continues to grow with the announcement of its newest market location in Raleigh, NC. Moving into North Carolina continues a southward expansion for Thompson Creek, which has built an excellent reputation for serving homeowners in the Mid-Atlantic region for more than 40 years.

Thompson Creek Window Company is excited to enter the Raleigh market because it represents an opportunity for a proven window manufacturing company that designs, builds, and installs replacement windows without the typical middle-man markup. The Raleigh location is officially open and is located in Morrisville, NC, which provides access to the greater Raleigh area. This is the third recent expansion market for the Company in addition to Hampton Roads and Richmond in Virginia.

Thompson Creek President and CEO Rick Wuest said, We have been able to grow over the past 40 years because our customers value buying quality products direct from our factory, and we have employees who commit to providing the highest quality service in the industry.

He added, Growth is an essential part of our strategic vision, and Raleigh is the natural next step for us in our southern expansion. It is a growing metropolitan area with an excellent workforce and homes which are ideally suited to our products and services.


Todays Inspired Latina Vol. IX, published by Fig Factor Media, presents 20 new stories of Hispanic female authors who share their personal experiences and obstacles. We celebrate stories. Stories need to be shared. Stories need to be told. Stories are the ones that connect our souls. With these stories, we give other people the permission for them to also dream, to vibe to another frequency and to recognize that their stories also matter.

Fig Factor Medias motivational Todays Inspired Latina book series recently presented 20 new stories of Hispanic female authors sharing their personal experiences and obstacles in Todays Inspired Latina Vol. IX.

A recent Facebook Live launch presenting the authors drew 1,300 views and 2,000 plus engagements in under two hours. Those joining the series are the following authors: Maggie Antillon Mathews, Nuvia Yesenia Banuelos, Rochelle Ceballos, Sandra Diaz, Maria Gomez, Priscilla Guasso, Behati Hart, Yoly Valencia Magana, Wanda Malone, Olga Medina, Monica Morales, Cristina Nunez, Linda Pauwels, Tatiana Quaife, Adriana Rozo-Angulo, Eliuth Sanchez, Marilu Serrano, Lucy Vazquez-Gonzalez, Carolina Viera, and Norma Zambrano.

Created in 2015, the book series has grown to showcase the stories of 218 Latina authors around the world. Reading through the pages, audiences continue to be captivated with the cultural and societal obstacles that many of these successful Latina authors had faced to become who they are while encouraging not only young Latinas to pursue their goals, but anyone who chooses to read them.

Jacqueline S. Ruiz, the publisher of Todays Inspired Latina book series and JJR Marketing founder, continues to inspire thousands of young Latinas who struggle to shine their light and touch others. She is pleased to announce that there is already a waiting list for Volume X.

We celebrate stories. Stories need to be shared. Stories need to be told. Stories are the ones that connect our souls. said Ruiz who is also the founder of Fig Factor Media. With these stories, we give other people the permission for them to also dream, to vibe to another frequency and to recognize that their stories also matter.

To view the book launch, visit this link. Todays Inspired Latina Vol. IX is available to purchase on Amazon.

For more information about Jackie Camacho-Ruiz, visit her website.

About Todays Inspired Latina Book Series:

Todays Inspired Latina is an award-winning book series of inspiration and hope, a poignant collection of personal stories that will activate your passion. These are success stories that need to be told, to motivate our community for generations to come. By overcoming language barriers, self-doubts and other obstacles in their way, these strong Latinas are a great example of how inspiration and perseverance can lead you to happiness and success in business and life. Its a positive, empowering read for anyone sitting on a dream and thinking it cant come true. Todays Inspired Latina shows that it can! For more information about Todays Inspired Latina, please visit: http://www.todayslatina.com.

About Fig Factor Foundation:

Founded in September 2014, the Fig Factor Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to giving vision, direction, and structure to young Latinas. Their mission is to become a powerful catalyst for Latinas ages 15-25 to pursue their dreams by providing educational leadership platforms, mentorship, and powerful experiences through the context of sisterhood. Though they have endured many obstacles such as building a company from the ground, they continue to grow not only in the souls of young Latinas in surrounding communities, but in communities around the world as well. Their goal is to continue to spread the wings of the foundation nationwide and globally in the years to come. Learn more at http://www.thefigfactor.org.

About Fig Factor Media:

Founded in 2017, Fig Factor Media is an international multicultural media company dedicated to celebrating authors through quality books, expert marketing/PR, event production and creative product development. Their books range from Anthologies and Business books to Childrens books. Their goal is to ignite your career as an author and offer proven methods to transform your mission into a movement. Learn more at http://www.figfactormedia.com. ###
VPLS, a cloud-to-edge computing and solutions provider, announces today that CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, has named VPLS to its 2021 Fast Growth 150 list. With this list, CRN recognizes the fastest-growing North American technology integrators, solution providers, and IT consultants for their significant growth and meaningful performance over the previous two years.

Arman Khalili, CEO of VPLS, states, We are proud to once again rank as one of the fastest-growing cloud-to-edge solutions providers nationwide. Our global network and strong portfolio of technology services and experts have allowed the VPLS team to address the needs of businesses large and small. We are grateful at the continued partnership and support from our customers. As VPLS continues to grow, we remain committed to delivering best-in-class service and quality solutions to help businesses stay connected, secured, and online.

The IT channel is a highly competitive, fast-paced environment comprised of solution providers that deliver a complex array of hardware, software, communications, and services. They must think outside the box to differentiate themselves, making sustained growth a notable achievement. To maintain the highest levels of growth, solution providers constantly need to evolve and keep ahead of groundbreaking changes within the marketplace. The 2021 Fast Growth 150 list acknowledges these companies exceptional accomplishments and ongoing dedication to success.

In todays unpredictable world, the pace of change within the IT channel is happening at breakneck speed. CRNs 2021 Fast Growth 150 list highlights industry-leading companies within the IT channel and their ability to outpace an ever-evolving market, said Blaine Raddon, CEO of The Channel Company. The prominent companies on this years list serves as an inspiration, setting an admirable level of excellence for their peers to follow. We are thrilled to honor these industry-leading professionals and wish them continued success for the foreseeable future.

A sampling of the 2021 Fast Growth 150 list will be featured in the August issue of CRN Magazine. You can view the complete list online at http://www.crn.com/fastgrowth150.

About VPLS

VPLS is your trusted global provider for cloud-to-edge computing and technology services. For more information, please visit http://www.vpls.com.

About The Channel Company

The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers, and end users. Backed by more than 30 years of unequalled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative new solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace. http://www.thechannelcompany.com

Follow The Channel Company: Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

 2021 The Channel Company, LLC. CRN is a registered trademark of The Channel Company, LLC. All rights reserved.

The Channel Company Contact:

Jennifer Hogan

The Channel Company

jhogan@thechannelcompany.com
We continue to build our client base in the mid-Atlantic region with a focus on Frederick MD," says Jon-Mikel Bailey, Chief Development & Marketing Officer, but we are actively acquiring business in selected target markets as we emerge from the Covid pandemic and the economy continues to open up."

Wellspring Digital announces the opening of an office in Naples FL to serve the South-East Florida market as the company continues to expand its footprint beyond the mid-Atlantic. This is the second office to be opened by the digital marketing agency in 2021, following closely on the opening of an office in Austin TX.

We continue to build our client base in the mid-Atlantic region with a focus on Frederick MD," says Jon-Mikel Bailey, Chief Development & Marketing Officer, but we are actively acquiring business in selected target markets as we emerge from the Covid pandemic and the economy continues to open up."

Wellspring Digital offers a full-service digital marketing agency with core offerings in SEO, marketing automation, PPC/Social Ads, social media, content marketing, and web design. In addition, the company has been forging strategic partnerships to offer mobile application development, website development, and video, as well as further developing its boutique services utilizing data analytics, sentiment analysis, and machine learning. The firm's client roster is growing and several key accounts have been added in Q2 2021 including the emerging music act, YYNOT, AVG, and St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore.

2021 is an emergent year for us with many of our plans previously put on hold due to the pandemic now being executed upon, says Karl Hindle, CEO, "we may open a further office this year, but as we enter the second half we are more focused on spinning off several internal startup projects, including SailFish, our custom managed business hosting platform and Zulu Foxtrot, an apparel line."

Wellspring Digital has also been forging key partner relationships, particularly in mobile application development, partnering with Spark6, in the Santa Monica, CA and Salt Lake City, UT markets.

"Spark6 has established a great reputation as an app developer and designer," says Elijah Szasz, CEO of Spark6, "and partnering with Wellspring Digital allows us to integrate marketing and post-launch promotion into our products from the earliest stage of development of our mobile applications."

Spark6 has created apps and websites for The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, eBay, and Vouch.

In addition to opening two new offices this year, Wellspring Digital is also actively recruiting for several open positions in all office locations.

If you would like to learn more about Wellspring Digital, please contact Jon-Mikel Bailey at 301.383.8351 or jon@wellspringdigital.com.

About the Company

https://wellspringdigital.com, Tel: 301.383.8351

Wellspring Digital is a full-service digital marketing firm with locations in Frederick, MD, Austin Metro, TX, and Naples, FL. We specialize in digital marketing strategy, marketing automation, SEO, paid search, social media marketing, content marketing, email marketing, and website design & development with SailFish, a managed business hosting platform built in the Cloud.
Sourcewell, a Minnesota based purchasing cooperative, has awarded Westnet, Inc. with a contract in the Public Safety Communications Technology and Hardware category.

Westnet is thankful and grateful to have been awarded this contact by Sourcewell. We are working tirelessly with the strength of the Sourcewell contract to serve others and aid community fire departments nationwide. This contract provides Sourcewell members access to public safety communications technology and hardware, which is helping members save time and money by purchasing from Sourcewells ready-to-use, competitively solicited, contracts. Westnets fire station alerting system assists firefighters in reducing the amount of time it takes to get to the scene of an emergency. It also alerts firefighters in a heart healthy way to reduce the stress of responding to a call.

With over 50,000 members, Sourcewell has helped governments, education, and nonprofit agencies with buying power for over 40 years. They have provided access to hundreds of cooperative contracts, that compete nationally.

About Westnet Technology

Westnet, Inc. was founded over 47 years ago in Orange County, California. Headquartered in Huntington Beach, Westnet, Inc. is currently the world's foremost creators of emergency alerting and dispatch products used in civilian/ military fire stations and police departments throughout the country. Unique products such as the First-In Dorm Remote, First-In Alerting End Points and the First-In Satellight Controller have broken new ground in public safety notification. Westnet products are engineered, designed, and manufactured in-house (USA) and continue to push the envelope of the First Responder industry. Westnet also has offices located in Miami Dade County, Florida and Prince William County, Virginia. Learn more about Westnets entire range of cutting-edge alerting products at http://www.FireStationAlerting.com.
APS Fellow Lila Gleitman didnt set out to become an internationally recognized expert on developmental psycholinguistics and language acquisition. On her first day job-hunting after graduating from college in 1952, the Brooklyn native accepted a job as what was then known as a gal Fridaya low-level female office assistantfor the journal of the American Water Works Association in New York City. A male friend of hers, who began his search the same day with no more credentials than herself, returned home as an assistant editor at a prestigious publishing company. The disparity was not even noticeable to us, she told APS Past President Susan Goldin-Meadow in their 1997 Inside the Psychologists Studio interview. We toasted each other to the wonderful jobs.

Gleitman, who died August 8 at age 91, quickly moved on from that job to a celebrated career in psychological science. My life was a series of accidents, she told Goldin-Meadow. From a chance trip to visit friends, she met Eugene Galanter, at the time an assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn). The two hit it off and later married, which allowed Gleitmanas the wife of a faculty memberto take classes at the university for free. She fell in love with the Greek culture and language, which led to studying with Zellig Harris, who inspired her interest in linguistics and her eventual masters degree and PhD from UPenn. She went on to serve as a professor of psychology there for 30 years, retiring in 2002 as a professor emerita of psychology and linguistics. Her second husband, Henry Gleitman, also a longtime psychology professor at UPenn, died in 2015.

In her long career, Gleitmans empirical work helped to unravel the mysteries of how children learn languagethe endowments they bring as well as the processes involved in acquiring the languages they learn. My work has concerned the mental lexicon and its interface with syntax, language acquisition, and the relation between language and thought, she explained on her UPenn web page. In practical terms, this meant helping to explain how young children identify verb meanings and process sentences, why verbs are learned more slowly than nouns, and how deaf children create communications that reflect the same structure found in spoken language.

Yet despite the high-minded elegance and complexity of her research, Gleitman remained remarkably down-to-earth. In her 2017 conversation with Goldin-Meadow, she speculated that her chief accomplishment in life was being the gal who put the word [the F-word] in the dictionaryan actual outcome of a project decades earlier, when the then-graduate student worked with Harris to write the psychological entries fora revised edition of Websters dictionary. For her part, Goldin-Meadow recalled meeting the older scientist for the first time in 1971. After Goldin-Meadow proudly described her honors thesis in elaborate technical detail, Lila asked me why I did the project, she remembered during their 2017 interview. It was the first but not last time Lila taught me that doing a study elegantly and carefully is important, but knowing why you did it is even more important. You should be able to explain the purpose of a study to anyone, she explained, preferably in terms that your grandmother can understand. This was a fundamental lesson about science that I learned from Lila even before I started paying tuition.

Gleitman was honored with numerous awards in recognition of her research, including fellowships in APS, the Society of Experimental Psychologists, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the National Academy of Sciences. In her speech for the inaugural APS Mentor Award in 2013, which recognized her for significantly fostering the careers of others, she thanked her own mentors, including Harris, and reflected on the great joy of working with hundreds of graduate students and postdocs over the years.

More about Lila Gleitman from APS

Inside the Psychologists Studio interview with Susan Goldin-Meadow

Lila Gleitmans Fred Kavli Keynote Address during the 2017 APS Annual Convention.

Lila Gleitmans acceptance remarks for the 2013 APS Mentor Award
Penguin Random House has announced its partnership with Amanda Gorman, the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history, to launch the Amanda Gorman Award for Poetry, a new creative writing award focused on poetry for public high school students. With a first-place prize of $10,000, the award will recognize a student for an original literary composition in English for poetry. Submissions for the award open on October 1, 2021, and close on February 1, 2022.

The Amanda Gorman Poetry Award is one of five creative writing awards given by Penguin Random House, including fiction/drama; personal essay/memoir; and the Maya Angelou Award for spoken word. The competition will also award an additional first-place prize to the top entrant from the N.Y.C. area in recognition of the Creative Writing Awards previously being centered in New York City. Those who are currently in their senior year of high school who attend public school in the United States, the District of Columbia, all U.S. territories, and are planning to attend collegeeither a two-year or four-year institutionin the fall of 2022 are encouraged to apply.

Gorman is an advocate for the environment, racial equality, and gender justice. Her debut picture book, Change Sings, will be published in September, and her poetry collection, Call Us What We Carry, will release this December.

As Amanda Gormans publisher, we see first-hand the incredible impact her poetry has on readers, Jen Loja, president of Penguin Young Readers, said in a statement. We are thrilled that her work will now be a further inspiration to student poets across America through the Penguin Random House Creative Writing Awards newly established annual Amanda Gorman Award for Poetry scholarship competition.

Gorman stated, Im honored to be partnering with Penguin Random House on their poetry award for high school students. As someone who found my love of writing at a young age, I want to continue to foster that same love in the next generation of great poets.

To apply and to read more about eligibility and rules, click here.

Winners will be announced and posted on the Penguin Random House Creative Writing Awards website in June 2022.
Purdue College of Agriculture and Extension gathered at the Indiana State Fair to discuss the results of the 2021 August USDA crop report. From left are Shaun Casteel, Beth Hall, Jason Henderson, Jim Mintert, Dan Quinn and Nathanial Warenski.

Purdue panelists respond to USDA's August Crop Report and impacts on Indiana's cash crops

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.  Purdue College of Agriculture and Extension and United States Department of Agriculture experts gathered at the Indiana State Fair on Thursday (Aug. 12) to discuss the results of the 2021 USDA crop report and the current status of Indianas major cash crops.

Jason Henderson, director of Purdue Extension and senior associate dean of the Purdue College of Agriculture, moderated the discussion among panelists. Panelists were Nathanial Warenski, state statistician of the USDA, NASS, Indiana field office; Dan Quinn, Purdue assistant professor of agronomy and new extension corn specialist; Shaun Casteel, Purdue associate professor of agronomy and extension soybean and small grains specialist; Beth Hall, Indiana State Climatologist; and Jim Mintert, Purdue professor of agricultural economics and director of the Purdue Center for Commercial Agriculture.

Indiana corn production is forecasted to reach 1.02 billion bushels this year, which would be a 3.7 % increase from 2020 production. The expected yield is up 3.7% from 2020 at 194 bushels per acre. As of Aug. 1, corn condition was rated 76% good to excellent.

Indiana corn looks good to great and we hope to keep this trend to finish strong. A few things that stood out to me include disease, specifically tar spot and corn rust, and past saturated conditions that could potentially impact the yield, Quinn said.

Soybean yield is projected to reach 60 bushels per acre, compared to 58 bushels per acre in 2020. As of Aug. 1, soybean condition was rated 72% good to excellent.

In terms of the soybeans, this season has been anything but normal. Weve had wet and drought conditions, affecting the root systems and causing disease. The next 35 days are critical for yield development, Casteel said.

The panel also discussed the crop market, trade and potential impacts from wildfires.

We have started seeing some of the impacts of the wildfires, including traveling smoke, which is effective at blocking sunlight, Hall said.

Mintert said, Todays report was a bit of surprise when looking at USDA estimates versus trade. This will be a very positive crop year in terms of income and does lead us to expect positive impacts on cash-rent.

Henderson ended the discussion by observing: The main takeaway from this report is that Indiana crop production is doing very well. Other areas of the nation werent so fortunate, which will potentially open up market opportunities for Indiana farmers.

The USDA August Crop Report is available online.

Writers: Abby Leeds, 765-494-7817, mayer36@purdue.edu

Maureen Manier, 317-366-5550, mmanier@purdue.edu

Source: Jason Henderson, 765-494-8489, jhenderson@purdue.edu

Agricultural Communications: 765-494-8415;

Maureen Manier, Department Head, mmanier@purdue.edu

Agriculture News Page
Published:

29 July 2021





Why did you choose to study History at Queen Mary?

I had applied to study Law and had Kings College and Queen Mary as my first and second choices. I unfortunately missed the grades for both my first and second choices and ended up devastated on results day, with a really important choice to make and not much time to make it!

My best friend calmed me down, wiped my tears and took me straight to the computer room and the UCAS website to see what my options were. I first checked the options available to study Law and I wasnt able to find any universities of the calibre that I wished to study at, and I wasnt willing to drop my standards just to get a place. It was then time to decide whether to study a different subject, or to go back for another year and re-sit my A-Levels.

I knew I definitely didnt want to return to sixth form so I thought about which of my A-Level subjects I would most want to spend 3 years studying and History was a no-brainer. I had a lifelong passion for History and felt it would give me all of the transferable skills I would need for a career in Law. I then searched for available courses and was thrilled when I saw places available at Queen Mary! I had a brief look at the structure of the course and loved the look of all of the modules, and the breadth of options available.

I called the Clearing line, had a brief telephone interview and was told I had a place!

How did you feel when you got into Queen Mary via Clearing?

Relieved! Not getting my grades and my place to study Law was absolutely devastating but I felt like I had been able to make the best of a bad situation by getting a place in a great university to study a really interesting course.

If you end up needing to use Clearing, dont panic! Be calm, take your time to think of your options and be sure to only choose a course you will really enjoy! This will help you during any telephone interview you may have, as you will be able to show a passion for the subject.

Why was Clearing such a positive experience for you?

Clearing turned an awful situation on its head and provided me with a way to not be held back by missing my grades. I am so thankful Clearing was available as an option, and that it was such an easy process, given the stressful circumstances!

What aspects of your degree did you find most enjoyable and was there anything that surprised you in your studies?

I loved the sheer variety of options available, which allowed you to really focus on the topics and time periods that you were most passionate about. I think the most enjoyable part of my degree was my Special Subject, which was focused on the Troubles in Northern Ireland. It was an area of history that I personally connected with due to my Irish background, and that I had always wanted to study in depth, and I absolutely loved that entire module. I also really loved the additional support I was given by writing my dissertation as part of my Special Subject.

I was most surprised by learning about historiography (the study of the writing of history and of written histories) as this wasnt really covered that much during my A-Levels. I found this aspect of History really fascinating.

Which period of history do you find most interesting and why?

I have always said I am a bit of a bad History graduate as I am only really interested in very modern History, i.e., from 1800 onwards! I know all History is relevant to the present in some way, but I feel best able to identify with more recent time periods as you can more tangibly see the outcomes and consequences of events that occurred.

Was it always your intention to become a lawyer? Why did you choose to study History as a precursor to Law?

Definitely! I decided in Year 11, very cliche, when we studied To Kill a Mockingbird, that I wanted to be Atticus Finch and I have never looked back! As Ive explained, studying History wasnt my first choice, but it was definitely a great precursor to Law as it provided me with the research skills needed to succeed in Law, and gets you used to reading and analysing reams of material!

How did you get from Queen Mary to where you are now, and can you describe your current role?

It took me a very long time to get to where I am today! After graduating from Queen Mary, my intention was to take a year out to work, then get a training contract, do the GDL and LPC and qualify as a solicitor but this is not really what happened! Getting a training contract is extremely difficult and competitive and I have only just started mine in 2021, almost 8 years after graduating!

I got a job in the University of London the September after I graduated (after a summer spent waitressing very badly!) and ended up spending six years there in order to fund my legal studies and I dont regret a single moment! I started out working in the examinations department and, over my six years, was promoted through the ranks until I reached junior management and was responsible for one of the flagship distance learning programmes offered by the University. This was invaluable experience, and I am now so thankful to have had a career before Law as it has definitely made me a more rounded individual.

In my current role as a Trainee Solicitor, I do not have my own cases, but support other solicitors with their cases. I am training in a firm that specialises in civil liberties and focuses on taking cases against state agencies, including the police, prison and immigration authorities.

What is the most exciting thing about what you do?

The most exciting thing is knowing I am truly making a difference, which is the only reason I ever wanted to become a lawyer. The clients we represent are the most disenfranchised in society and being able to help them achieve vindication when their rights have been abused is truly humbling.

Based on your time and studies at Queen Mary, would you go back and put Queen Mary as your first choice on your UCAS application?

Yes, I definitely would! I had a fantastic time at Queen Mary  I made some amazing friends, really enjoyed my degree and have so many great memories of lunches at Muccis and Drapers! I also discovered my passion for cheerleading at Queen Mary, and was part of QM Angels for my second and third years! This is something I carried on after graduating and I am still cheering now, almost ten years later!

What advice would you give to prospective students who are hoping to get into Queen Mary via Clearing this year?

If you end up needing to use Clearing, dont panic! Be calm, take your time to think of your options and be sure to only choose a course you will really enjoy! This will help you during any telephone interview you may have, as you will be able to show a passion for the subject.

I would also say, as cheesy at this may sound, to trust the process and believe that you ended up in Clearing for a reason. I was absolutely devasted when I didnt end up where I had planned but I wouldnt change one thing about how things went, and I am so happy I chose Queen Mary!

This profile was conducted by Alumni Engagement Coordinator, Nathalie Grey. If you would like to get in touch with Rebecca or engage her in your work, please contact Nathalie at n.grey@qmul.ac.uk.
The Brazilian story, which will be titled Paloma in Poland, is the first telenovela broadcast by TTV.

Currently also on air in Belgium, A Life Worth Living was audience leader in its slot on Brazil and Uruguays free TV (18-49 age group). In Portugal, in addition to being one of the most watched shows on pay-TV, it increased by 30% the audience in its slot, compared with the previous show.

In Globos telenovela, the lead character Paloma (Grazi Massafera) is a determined and dreaming woman who raises her three children all by herself. After being a victim of a laboratory exam mix-up, her life turns upside down, believing that she only has another six months to live. This will lead her to meet Alberto (Antonio Fagundes) a millionaire owner of a publishing house who never valued the family. With the passing of time, they establish a friendship capable of providing a new meaning to their life.

A Life Worth Living was co-written by Roseane Svartman and Paulo Halm. Svartman commented: A Life Worth Living stands out when bringing to viewers a story about the appreciation of life through a narrative that makes the audience identify themselves A telenovela is a vast dialogue with society... We want people to think of their lives, about having faith or not. The idea is to talk with the viewers, never to impose an idea.

Added Halm: It is worth emphasising that A Life Worth Living makes us remember that life deserves to be lived, every minute, that every moment is precious and unique. It is high-spirited telenovela. We talk about death, but as a hymn to life, with a message to live without fear, dread or qualms, with courage.
Washington's worst kept secret is the assumption, correct or not, that President Joe Biden will not seek reelection in 2024. Apparently, the
By John Kass Mayor Lori Lightfoot has so repeatedly botched her response to the murder of Chicago Police officer Ella French, and she's so angry about criticism she's getting from cops, that she's losing it. Chicago's mayor needs a time out. But where? I know where. As a White Sox fan, I know the perfect place.
The Biden administration has requested that Congress approve an $80 million package to finance the newly launched Prosper Africa Build Together initiative. The project will focus on fostering trade and investment between the worlds poorest continent and the United States. Given Africas ambitious free trade aspirations and Chinas ever-growing obsession with the continent, such a move couldnt come at a better time.

The past few years can hardly be seen as the golden age of free trade in the West. Trade wars combined with persistent attempts to make trade wokethrough the integration of environmental or gender causeshave undermined economic exchange globally. However, while European Union governments and the U.S. have imposed sanctions, blocked exports as part of COVID measures, and failed to negotiate new agreements, Africa has been silently making strides toward its own free trading futurewith Chinas help.

Founded in 2018, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is the largest free trade area in the world in terms of participating countries. By removing 90% of tariffs on goods traded among 54 African countries-signees within five to 10 years, the AfCFTA looks likely to become the biggest free trade entity since the 1995 launch of the World Trade Organization. According to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, the agreement will boost intra-African trade by 52% within five years.

As of 2019, intra-African exports accounted for 16.6% of total exports. For comparison, in Europe, the share was 68.1%. If fully implemented, the AfCFTA has the potential to put the continent, long crippled by poverty and corruption, on the path of lasting prosperity.

For international trade, the AfCFTA will mean clearer customs checks and unified market access rules, which could hugely benefit the United States. Africa could become the largest market for the automotive industry. In 2018, Volkswagen and Peugeot Societe Anonyme opened their first car plants in Rwanda and Namibia, respectively. Car imports from Africa could become a great alternative to the European imports.

Although ambitious, the AfCFTA is also riddled with implementation problems. Decades of socialist African governments whose main objective was their own enrichment have resulted in substantial infrastructure problems, among other things, in many countries. The construction and modernization of infrastructure combined with establishing efficient customs check procedures is key to making the AfCFTA succeed.

This is where China has stepped in to fill the gap. Last November, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (pictured) said that his government will provide cash assistance and capacity-building training to its [AfCFTA] secretariat.

Such support for the AfCFTA is not surprising. Over the years, China has made itself indispensable for Africas leaders. Between 2003 and 2019, Chinese foreign direct investment in Africa has increased from $75 million USD in 2003 to $2.7 billion USD in 2019. There is no sign of this trend losing momentum.

Although it can be seen as beneficial to Africas development, active Chinese participation in Africas development is increasingly worrisome. There is no such thing as free Chinese money. By investing in Africa, China is making the continent indebted, and it wont hesitate to ask for something in return. Knowing Chinas appetitestaking the port of Hambantota in Sri Lanka is one exampleit is not hard to predict what will happen. Aside from active political involvement, China will also ask for preferential access to the AfCFTA once it is fully functioning.

Africa presents many opportunities for the United States. Almost all African products can freely enter the U.S. through the African Growth and Opportunity Act, a trade preference program launched in 2000. The U.S. has also formally committed to supporting the AfCFTA, but its impact is negligible compared to that of China.

More active engagement from the U.S. in AfCFTA is crucial financially and ideologically. The foundations laid by the AfCFTA today will determine the continents fate. U.S. assistance in the form of investments and general support will be key in shaping a better and freer tomorrow for Africans, revitalizing trade globally, and counteracting Chinas influence.
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People turned out for the 5th annual Back to School backpack giveaway at the Brattleboro, Vt., Auto Mall on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021. The event was co-sponsored by TPI Staffing and the Brattleboro Reformer. TPI Staffing provided a touch-a-truck experience, with different types of heavy const
Daniel Banyai, the owner of Slate Ridge Vermont, speaks to supporters on April 17 in West Pawlet during a Second Amendment Day Picnic at the unpermitted gun range and firearms training center. The popular national radio show This American Life has people talking after its story on Daniel Banyai, the Pawlet resident who owns Slate Ridge, a firearms training facility.
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Don Keelan is a columnist for the Bennington Banner. The opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of the Brattleboro Reformer.
DANBURY  Manny Maldonado was working his shift at FYE in the Danbury Fair mall Wednesday when he heard a loud bang.

I never heard what a gunshot sounded like before and there were screams, Maldonado, 24, of Danbury, said standing in the mall parking lot a couple hours after he heard the noise. Maldonado said its not unusual for people to make loud noises in the mall, or act out. This was a little more concerning than what the sounds are that we usually hear at the Danbury Fair mall. People were a lot more frantic.

Maldonado and others working and shopping at the mall would later learn the bang they heard was indeed at least one gunshot. Police said an altercation involving at least eight people led to a 16-year-old girl being shot near the Macys at the mall at about 7 p.m. The girl was believed to be an innocent bystander, according to police.

Police described the gunshot wound as non-life threatening and said she was conscious and alert when they arrived. Late Wednesday night, police were still investigating the matter and no arrests had been made, but they were using video to develop a possible suspect in the shooting. Police Chief Patrick Ridenhour said a male, who may have been the intended target, was seen running away with a hammer.

Quickly, word spread of the shooting across social media with many fearing even worse than what happened. The mall was locked down immediately following the shooting and people were seen slowly leaving beginning at about 8:30 p.m. People were still being released at 10 p.m.

We were about to clock out, said Lexi Walsh, who works at American Eagle. We all just heard like a really loud bang and I was really confused and I looked down [the hall] and saw everyone sprinting away from Macys and then kind of just looked at all my co-workers and ran to the back because none of us knew what was happening, like if something fell or if it was fake or anything.

Walsh and her co-worker, Mia Visuano, said they led workers and shoppers toward the back of the store where they accessed the stockroom area. For about an hour, the group of people remained locked in the backroom.

Danbury police, along with several local departments and state forces responded to the mall for the shooting. They could be seen, heavily armed, going into the mall and later were seen leading people out.

Olivia Nazario, who was in the process of having a stuffed bear made at Build-A-Bear, said she and the employees ran to Zales to similarly hide in a back room until they were safely able to leave.

I just remember hearing boom and I seen everyone running, she said.

Sydney Brodie was working at Journeys when the shooting happened. People in the store didnt hear the gunshot, but could tell something was amiss.

We handled it very well, stayed calm, thats the most important thing. Stayed safe, Brodie said, adding that they, too, hid in a nearby storage area.

As the night continued on, more people could be seen leaving the mall while being escorted by police. There, some reunited with family while others gathered to discuss and recount their recollections of the shooting. Online some public officials shared sentiments and offered thoughts and prayers. Newtown Action Alliance, an organization formed in the wake of the Sandy Hook school shootings to push for change regarding gun violence, offered thoughts on the event.

Danbury Mall is just 13 miles from Sandy Hook Elementary School, the organization tweeted. 16-year-olds should be able to go to a mall without getting shot. #GunsDontMakeUsSafer #EndGunViolence.
Colin McFadden, a 26-year-old Burlington firefighter and EMT has died after fire officials say he became ill while battling a fire in New Hartford early Tuesday.

The 6-year member of the Burlington Volunteer Fire Department, had been listed in critical condition at John Dempsey Hospital in Farmington, according to Fire Chief Michael Boucher.

In Hartford, Gov. Ned Lamont ordered flags flown at half-staff around the state in honor of McFadden. Boucher had said McFadden suffered a medical emergency while fighting the fire.

It is with a heavy heart that we mourn the passing of Burlington Firefighter Colin McFadden, who responded early Tuesday morning to a tragic fire out of a courageous sense of duty and compassion to protect the lives of others, Lamont said in a statement.

This is a terrible reminder of the dangers that firefighters put themselves in each time they respond to an emergency, the governor said. My deepest sympathies go out to his family, friends, and fellow firefighters from the Burlington Volunteer Fire Department.

McFadden died Thursday morning, according to the governors office. Flags will remain at half-staff until sunset on the day McFadden is laid to rest, which has not yet been determined.

Tributes to the fallen firefighter began pouring in Thursday afternoon.

Boucher spoke about the young firefighter at a press conference Thursday, joined by a large group of members.

Colin was an amazing kid, he said. He put his heart and soul into everything he did.

From the time he joined, he was there for every call, always ready, and always at the firehouse, Boucher said. After he became a fireman, he also trained and became an EMT.

He was just a great guy, Boucher said. He just wanted to help in the community.

The 26-year-old became ill while he and other firefighters were at Tuesdays fire at the New Hartford House in the center of that town. He was taken to John Dempsey Hospital.

Colin was diagnosed with HDL, which is a form of leukemia, Boucher said. His family thanks everyone for their support, and commends the hospital staff, who gave him every chance to pull through.

The chief asked people to respect the familys request for privacy, and asked all to consider donating blood.

Since we first asked people to donate, the blood drives are filling up fast, Boucher said, adding that a blood drive is scheduled for Saturday at Burlington Town Hall.

The family is overwhelmed by the support, Boucher said. They didnt realize what being in a fire department means. We are their family now.

McFadden was a resident of Bristol.

Burlington firefighters were providing mutual aide for the three-alarm fire in New Hartford when McFadden fell ill and was transported to the hospital, according to Boucher.

Boucher said the firefighter underwent emergency surgery at the hospital, and that doctors had discovered an undiagnosed medical condition during his treatment. McFadden had been listed in critical condition in the hospitals intensive care unit.

Boucher had earlier said people could help by donating blood, as the states supply of blood was seriously low.

McFaddens passing comes just months after the death of New Haven firefighter Ricardo Torres Jr., who died while battling a fire in the city in May.
NORWALK  With the return of the citywide mask mandate on Friday, little will change for some local establishments preparing for the latest set of COVID-19 precautions.

For Crunch Fitness on Connecticut Avenue, members have taken the new mandate announcement in stride, Director of Operations Bianca Lambert said.

Everybody has been pretty positive, Lambert said. Theyre all kind of used to it. Its a routine now, unfortunately. Im sure theres going to be people frustrated, but we try and hit every opposition with a positive light.

Even before the pandemic, the gym staff wiped down machines and cleaned frequently, Lambert said. Social distancing was still required at the center, regardless of vaccination status, she said.

The only difference now will be members have to put masks back on, Lambert said.

Announced Tuesday, the return of the citys mask mandate is an executive order from Norwalks Mayor Harry Rilling and applies to all public places including bars, restaurants, movie theaters, stores and gyms, according to a city statement. The mandate will be enforced by city police and health department workers.

As the Delta Variant spreads, our case numbers and test positivity rate continue to climb to levels we have not seen in months, Rilling said. Last year, we began seeing a resurgence in cases in late September. However, we are starting to see that trend happen now. Transmission is high, and we are following the CDC guidelines.

Last week, Rilling reinstated the mask mandate for all city-owned properties, but left other mask requirements up to individual establishments. The last city-office mask mandate was lifted on June 21.

The three-day window between the mandates announcement and when it goes into effect was to allow businesses time to prepare signage and supplies for the mandate, according to a city statement.

The gym did not have its own mask mandate once the city and statewide mandates were lifted in recent months, but trusted employees and members to wear masks if unvaccinated, Lambert said. For members who refuse to wear a mask or follow the COVID guidelines, Lambert said the center has the option of offering virtual classes or, if necessary, suspending their membership.

We still had quite a few members and staff who were not vaccinated, and they wore masks, Lambert said. Youre always going to have people that give pushback ... but as we explained to our staff and members, we follow all protocols given per the state and local departments. We enforce those to the fullest. We want to keep our doors open.

Restaurants and other establishments do not need to return to all heightened COVID-19 precautions, such as reduced capacity, but Alex Savvidis from Silver Star Diner on Connecticut Avenue is still concerned about the loss of business the mandate may create.

People are going to be cautious and demand a lot more, Savvidis said. I wish the government could do something more and make it easy for restaurants and citizens and everybody. We dont have answers.

Other Norwalk establishments took it upon themselves to create a mask mandate prior to Rillings announcement Tuesday.

Maritime Aquarium reinstated its mask requirement for all staff and patrons on July 31 and the Stew Leonards grocery store brought back its mandate for employees following the revised Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations released on July 27.

At MAD Lab, a studio with rentable space for local artists, those with rental agreements will now be required to wear masks when working.

As the studio is not open to public foot traffic, the artists who work in the space trust each other and, if vaccinated, rarely wore masks in the studio, operating partner Wilson Beltran said.

We mainly work with our artists, thats who we see on a daily basis and we are all vaccinated, Beltran said. We choose to not wear masks. But we have to do what we have to do to protect ourselves and each other.

Beltran believes surrounding municipalities who have yet to reinstate a mask mandate are likely to do so in the coming days.

Brad Kerner, owner of the new marketplace and environmentally friendly store Eco Evolution, said prior to the mandate announcement, staff and customers were not required to wear masks if vaccinated.

As a new retailer who opened up during the pandemic, Im going to start quickly thinking about how to pivot and make sure we can still provide a great customer experience while we are all masked and being safe, Kerner said.

Kerner, who has a masters degree in public health, said as a business owner he is worried about the effect the mandate may have on his shop, but defaults to science.

If theres one thing that people learned during the last year, it is to support local if you want to see if stay through a pandemic, Kerner said. I know I have a good customer base that will keep coming to support me and my mission so that Im here for the long haul.

abigail.brone@hearstmediact.com
WASHINGTON (AP)  A federal judge cleared the way Wednesday for a defamation case by Dominion Voting Systems to proceed against Sidney Powell, Rudy Giuliani and Mike Lindell, allies of former President Donald Trump who had all falsely accused the company of rigging the 2020 presidential election.

U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols ruled that there was no blanket protection on political speech and denied an argument from two of the defendants that the federal court in Washington wasn't the proper venue for the case.

As an initial matter, there is no blanket immunity for statements that are 'political in nature, the judge wrote in the 44-page ruling.

While courts have recognized there are some hyperbolic statements in political discourse, it is simply not the law that provably false statements cannot be actionable if made in the context of an election, Nichols wrote.

The judge also rejected Powell and Lindells arguments that Dominion had failed to meet a legal burden that their statements were made with actual malice.

He outlined several instances where the trio made outlandish and blatantly false claims, including when Powell stated that the company was created in Venezuela to rig elections for the late leader Hugo Chavez and that it can switch votes.

In allowing the lawsuit to go forward, Nichols said Dominion had adequately proved that Powell made statements that could lead to a lawsuit "because a reasonable juror could conclude that they were either statements of fact or statements of opinion that implied or relied upon facts that are provably false. Dominion has sought $1.3 billion in damages from the trio.

The judge used similar language against Lindell, the founder and CEO of MyPillow, saying Dominion proved Lindell had "made his claims knowing that they were false or with reckless disregard for the truth.

Powell and Giuliani, both lawyers who filed election challenges on Trumps behalf, and Lindell, who was one of Trump's most ardent public supporters, made various unproven claims about the voting machine company. Many of those statements came at news conferences, during election rallies and on social media and television.

There was no widespread fraud in the election, which a range of election officials across the country, including Trumps attorney general, William Barr, have confirmed. Republican governors in Arizona and Georgia, key battleground states crucial to Bidens victory, also vouched for the integrity of the elections in their states.

Nearly all the legal challenges from Trump and his allies were dismissed by judges, including two tossed by the Supreme Court, which includes three Trump-nominated justices.

The judges ruling came just a day after the vote-counting machine maker filed defamation lawsuits against right-wing broadcasters Newsmax Media Inc. and One America News Network, as well as Patrick Byrne, a prominent Trump ally and former chief executive of Overstock.com.
NEW HARTFORD  Residents sat for hours watching as a bulldozer razed their beloved New Hartford House, a landmark built in the 1850s destroyed Tuesday by a three-alarm fire.

The fire, which drew mutual aid from departments around New Hartford, left the residents of the houses apartments, as well as six businesses, homeless. Everything was lost in the blaze. But memories of New Hartford House remain.

The cause of Tuesdays fire, during which Burlington firefighter and EMT Colin McFadden, 26, suffered a medical emergency, remains under investigation, officials said. McFadden died Thursday. The six-year member of the Burlington Volunteer Fire Department, had been in critical condition at John Dempsey Hospital in Farmington, according to Fire Chief Michael Boucher.

McFadden became suddenly ill at a fire, officials said in a statement Wednesday.

During his care and treatment, McFaddens medical team discovered a previously undiagnosed medical condition that caused this sudden illness, Boucher said in the statement.

The fire department is asking people who want to help to donate blood to the American Red Cross, which is citing a severe blood shortage in hospitals.

At the town library across the street, staff members and residents sat on the steps, while a group of people sat on the porch of Our Lady of Hope church, just up the street. All watched as the building tumbled down under the bulldozer Wednesday.

Jessica Smith, a lifelong resident, asked one of the cleanup crew from Environmental Solutions whether she could have a piece of the second-floor railing, which was lying in the road, for a keepsake. This building was the heartbeat and soul of our town to all of us, she said, as she held several railing spindles in her hand and watched the demolition. I want to have something to remember it by.

Our little beloved town is coming to say goodbye to the house, Smith said. Its just devastating.

Mike Bendell said he rented an apartment in New Hartford House back in the 1980s. I moved to Simsbury, but I came back today to see this, he said. Its sad.

Heather Riera and her daughter Reiley, 8, watched the scene from the historical society building across the street, where a small crowd gathered. Some took photos with cellphones, while others recorded the action. We live here, and for us, the New Hartford House represents our town, Riera said.

Its sad because people lived there, Reiley said. They had to leave.

When asked what her favorite memory of the New Hartford House was, Daria Hart said, Chatterleys (restaurant). It was such a nice place. ... Its a devastating loss.

Hart had high praise for the firefighters who responded quickly to the fire early Tuesday morning. They did an amazing job, protecting the buildings all around it, she said. They dont get enough credit for what they do.

This is just so sad, she said. Ive lived downtown since 1984, and in town since 1976.

Artist Lucille Delaney tried to find out whether a painting she donated to one of the businesses still might be inside, but quickly realized it was gone.

I did a painting of the Farmington River, and it was on a wall in the restaurant. You could see it through the window, she said. I have such fond memories of this building.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP)  Volunteers scrambled to hand out water, portable fans, popsicles and information about cooling shelters Thursday to homeless people living in isolated encampments on the outskirts of Portland, Oregon, as the Pacific Northwest sweated through a heat wave gripping the normally temperate region.

Authorities trying to provide relief to the vulnerable, including low-income older people and those living outdoors, are mindful of a record-shattering heat wave in late June that killed hundreds in Oregon, Washington and British Columbia when the thermometer went as high as 116 degrees Fahrenheit (47 C).

In Portland, temperatures reached 102 F (39 C) by late afternoon, and more heat was expected Friday. It was hotter than Phoenix, where the high in the desert city was a below-normal 100 F (38 C). In Seattle, highs were in the 90s in a region where many don't have air conditioning. In Bellingham, Washington, on Thursday the high hit 100 F (38 C) for the first time on record.

Scorching weather also hit other parts of the U.S. this week. The National Weather Service said heat advisories and warnings are in effect from the Midwest to the Northeast and mid-Atlantic through at least Friday. And in Michigan, heavy rains brought flooding, leaving nearly 1 million homes and businesses without power at one point Thursday in the hot weather.

In Portland, a nonprofit group that serves the homeless and those with mental illness used three large vans to transport water and other cooling items to homeless encampments along the Columbia River on the eastern outskirts of the city.

The effort was important because people experiencing homelessness are often reluctant to go to cooling centers, said Kim James, director of homeless and housing support for Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare.

Scott Zalitis, who was shirtless in the heat, gorged himself on lime-green popsicles handed out by the group and told volunteers that the temperature at his campsite reached 105 F (41 C) the day before. A huge cooler full of food spoiled when all the ice melted and he couldn't find any more to buy.

Its miserable. I cant handle the heat no matter what. So, I mean, its hard to stand. Even in the shade its too hot," said Zalitis, who became homeless last year when the apartment where he subleased a room burned down in an electrical fire. You want to stay somewhere thats cool, as cool as possible.

The encampment, where rusted-out cars and broken-down RVs mixed with tents and piles of garbage, was in sharp contrast to downtown Portland, where sweaty pedestrians cooled off by running through a large public fountain in a riverfront park.

Luna Abadia, 17, was out training with her cross country team from Lincoln High School in the morning when the group stopped for a few minutes at the fountain. The runners normally train at 4 p.m., but in recent weeks, they have have had to shift it to 8 a.m.  and it's still oppressively hot, she said.

It was very hot, lots of sweat. Thats something weve noticed in the past week or so, Abadia said.

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown has declared a state of emergency and activated an emergency operations center, citing the potential for disruptions to the power grid and transportation. City and county governments have opened cooling centers, extended public library hours and waived bus fare for those headed to cooling centers. A 24-hour statewide help line will direct callers to the nearest cooling shelter and offer safety tips.

The back-to-back heat waves, coupled with a summer that's been exceptionally warm and dry overall, are pummeling a region where summer highs usually drift into the 70s or 80s. Intense heat waves and a historic drought in the American West reflect climate change that is making weather more extreme.

For the heat wave, at this level, it is new territory, said Dan Douthit, spokesman for the Portland Bureau of Emergency Communications. Were known for the potential for earthquakes, we have fires, floods  but it seems like heat waves are becoming a very serious emergency."

Abadia said changes brought on by climate change that she has noticed in her life prompted her to start a youth-run organization to get more young people involved in the issue.

Climate change is everything Ive been thinking about for the past weeks, she said. This heat wave and the wildfires we faced here a year ago  and even now around the world  have really been a new reminder to what were facing and, kind of, the immediate action that needs to be taken."

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DANBURY  There are many unanswered questions as police continue to probe a shooting that left a 15-year-old girl with a gunshot wound to the chest Wednesday night at the Danbury Fair mall.

Police rushed to the mall just after 7 p.m. to find the teen conscious and alert with an apparent non-life-threatening wound, according to Chief Patrick Ridenhour. He said on Thursday that investigators are still working to determine who was the intended target of the shooting. There were no suspects in custody Thursday.

Heres what we know and what we dont know about the shooting and the ongoing police investigation:

What happened?

A group of about eight people and another group, size unknown, were involved in an apparent altercation inside the mall near the Macys. At one point, Ridenhour said, one individual pulled out a gun and fired it.

Ridenhour said a bullet struck the 15-year-old girl, who he said was with the groups involved in the altercation. He said investigators initially believed she was not involved with either group, but that review of surveillance footage clarified the situation.

Police had also said Wednesday the girl was 16 years old.

After the shooting, the mall went into lockdown. Several local police agencies, state police and the Putnam County Sheriffs office out of New York helped clear people from the building.

The girl was taken to Danbury Hospital by medics.

Who is the victim?

A 15-year-old girl was shot once in the upper chest, Ridenhour said. He said its still unclear whether or not she was the intended target of the shooting.

The chief said he did not know if the girl worked at the mall.

While police said the wound did not appear to be life-threatening. Ridenhour said Thursday that the girl was transferred to Connecticut Childrens Medical Center in Hartford late Wednesday. He said she was listed in stable condition Thursday.

Was anyone else hurt?

Ridenhour said there were no other injuries reported  from the shooting or from clearing the building.

He praised the law enforcement response, as well as the response of employees and patrons in the mall at the time.

Hopefully, theyll never have to go through something like this again, he said during a press conference Wednesday night.

Who is the shooter? Where did they go?

While Ridenhour said only one person fired a gun, he said police are looking to identify any individual in either of the two groups to try to identify the person who pulled the trigger. He said he has no estimate yet on the alleged shooters possible age.

The chief said police confirmed the alleged suspects left the area, apparently in a vehicle, soon after the shooting.

Ridenhour said investigators are reviewing surveillance footage and working to clean up the footage to help police identify the alleged shooter and anyone else involved. He said a description of the alleged gunman was not yet available.

He said the weapon was not recovered.

Who was the intended target?

Ridenhour said Wednesday there was a person among the groups involved in the altercation armed with a hammer, who investigators believed may have been the intended target. Its unclear if police on Thursday still think he might have been a potential target of the gunfire.

The chief called it an isolated incident Wednesday, and stressed that point Thursday.

Will the mall be open Thursday?

The mall reopened as usual at 10 a.m. Thursday after immediately being closed when the shooting occured around 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Mall officials have not returned requests for comment on whether there will be any additional security measures expected to be taken Thursday or in the coming days.
Veteran actor Kabir Bedi has worked in several Bollywood films. Apart from Indian cinema, the actor also added several Hollywood projects in his career. Kabir Bedi's one of the hit films, Khoon Bhari Maang, recently clocked 33 years. To celebrate the film's 33rd anniversary, Kabir Bedi went down his memory lane and shared several stills from the 1988 film. He also shared how the director called him from Honolulu to act in the film.

Kabir Bedi celebrates 33 years

Actor Kabir Bedi recently took to his social media handles to celebrate 33 years of Rekha starrer Khoon Bhari Maang. The actor shared a reel on his Instagram handle in which he added some snaps from the film and various BTS photos. In the caption, the Main Hoon Na actor revealed Rakesh Roshan called him from Hawaii, where he was shooting one of his Hollywood projects, to star in the film. He wrote, "Incredible memories of Khoon Bhari Maang come back to me on its 33rd anniversary. Rakesh Roshan called me back from Honolulu, where I was shooting Magnum P.I. with Tom Selleck. It became a blockbuster hit. 

Great memories of Rekha, @rakesh_roshan9 @shatrughansinhaofficial and Sonu Walia." He further wrote, "Im sure you will have memories of this film too!" In the background, the actor added the song Haste Haste Kat Jaye Raaste by Nitin Mukesh and Sadhana Sargam.

The actor's fans showered him with love in the comment section of the post. A fan complimented Kabir Bedi and wrote, "You were stunning then and stunning now " in the comment section. A fan of Khoon Bhari Maang commented, "What a beautiful movie it was !! I have seen it actually 30 times plus.".

Details about Khoon Bhari Maang

The 1989 film Khoon Bhari Maang starred Rekha in the lead role. The film also had Kabir Bedi and Shatrughan Sinha in pivotal roles. The film's plot revolved around Aarti Saxena, a widower who falls in the vicious plan of Sanjay. Sanjay tries to seize Aarti's wealth and drowns her with the help of her best friend, Nandini. Aarti survives and returns months later after surviving plastic surgery. She seeks revenge from her betrayers and reunites with her two children.

IMAGE: KARANN82692848'S TWITTER
Former actor Sana Khan is currently vacationing in the Maldives with her husband, Anas Saiyad. Sana Khan enjoys a massive following of over four million on Instagram. She is keeping her fans updated with continuous posts and stories about her outing. Recently, Sana gave a glimpse of her enormous floating breakfast tray.

Sana Khan enjoys her floating breakfast

Sana Khan recently took to her Insatgram handle to give a glimpse of her breakfast and view in the Maldives. Sana Khan shared a few photos and videos of her breakfast by the ocean. In one of the videos, her giant breakfast tray was seen floating on the water. The actor also shared a glimpse of the breakfast, which had some fruits, omelette, croissants, coffee, and juices. Sana Khan was seen having breakfast while enjoying the scenic view of the ocean. In the caption, she wrote, "Waking up to this beautiful view with floating breakfast is everyones dream. So loved it ." She further thanked her husband and wrote, "Thank you @anas_saiyad20 ."

More glimpses of Sana Khan's vacation in the Maldives

On Wednesday, August 11, Sana Khan shared a funny video of her enjoying herself in a pool. The Jai Ho actor was seen sitting on an inflated duck while her husband was shooting a video. In the video, Anas Saiyad was heard asking Sana if she was enjoying herself. Sana replied, "Yes, I am loving it" and then fell into the pool. In the caption, she wrote, "Timing toh dekho mere fall ki  Allah ki kudrat pe  Its super windy so its very tough to balance ."

The Wajah Tum Ho actor shared another post from her vacation in the Maldives on Wednesday. She was seen posing before the ocean on an island in the Maldives. In the caption, she shared how she was enjoying being on the island. She wrote, "Only if I could explain in words how vibrant this island is ." In another photo, Sana Khan was seen posing in a shade on the island. In the caption, she wrote, "Relaxing by the beach  And ofcourse miya exhausted by the beach  (clicking my pics) @anas_saiyad20 ."

IMAGE: SANA KHAN'S INSTAGRAM
New Delhi, Aug 12 (PTI) India on Thursday joined a regional conclave hosted by Qatar to discuss ways to contain the escalating situation in Afghanistan in the backdrop of the Taliban's continued offensive across the country.

J P Singh, the Joint Secretary in the Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran division in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), represented India at the meeting, officials said.

MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said several important stakeholders in Afghanistan attended the meeting.

The invitation for the meeting to India was extended by Qatari special envoy for conflict resolution Mutlaq bin Majed Al-Qahtani during his visit to the national capital last week, Bagchi said.

Al-Qahtani, the Special Envoy of the Foreign Minister of Qatar for Counter-terrorism and Mediation of Conflict Resolution, visited India ostensibly to discuss the latest developments in Afghanistan.

He met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla and Singh.

"We are committed to the long-term development of Afghanistan. We would like to see a peaceful and democratic Afghanistan," Bagchi said at a media briefing.

Qatar's capital Doha has been the venue for the intra-Afghan peace talks and the Gulf country has emerged as a crucial player in facilitating the Afghan peace process.

The Taliban has been making rapid advances across Afghanistan by resorting to widespread violence since the United States began withdrawing its troops from the country on May 1.

The US has already pulled back the majority of its forces and is looking to complete the drawdown by August 31.

India has been engaged with a number of stakeholders and leading powers on the latest developments in Afghanistan.

India has been supporting a national peace and reconciliation process that is Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled.

It has also been calling upon all sections of the political spectrum in Afghanistan to work together to meet the aspirations of all people in the country, including those from the minority communities, for a prosperous and safe future. PTI MPB AAR AAR

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Kochi, Aug 11 (PTI) The two Maldivian women, who were arrested and detained along with scientist Nambi Narayanan in the 1994 ISRO spy case, were not spies and were falsely implicated in the matter after one of them denied the advances of one of officers of the SIT which was investigating the espionage case, the Kerala High Court was told on Wednesday.

The submission was made before Justice Ashok Menon by the lawyer appearing for the two Maldivian nationals after arguments were over from the side of the three former Kerala police officers and a retired IB officer in the anticipatory bail pleas filed by them after CBI registered a case against them and 14 others for various offences such as criminal conspiracy, kidnapping and fabrication of evidence under the IPC.

CBI too had finished its arguments in which it has claimed that foreign intelligence agencies like ISI, Pakistan, had plotted to derail development of cryogenic technology in India and the accused needed to be interrogated to find out the brain behind the operation.

On Wednesday, the counsel for the accused again refuted the allegations of custodial torture and illegal detention against them as well as Narayanan's claims that the United States of America was behind the entire conspiracy to implicate him in the espionage case.

After their arguments were over, advocate Prasad Gandhi, appearing for the two Maldivian nationals, told the court that no relief should be granted to the accused in the conspiracy case as they had falsely implicated the two women in the spying case back in 1994 and thereby destroyed their lives.

He said that according to the police case diary of the 1994 case, the two women -- Mariyam Rasheeda and Fouziyya Hassan -- could converse only in broken English and their native tongue and therefore, by no stretch of imagination could they be termed as spies.

He said that Mariyam had gone to the immigration office here to get her visa and tickets extended and no spy would do the same.

However, she caught the attention of accused S Vijayan, who was posted there, and he later visited her in the hotel room a few times on the pretext of extending her visa and after she resisted his advances, he falsely implicated her in the spying case, Prasad alleged in court.

After hearing arguments from all sides, the court reserved its order in the anticipatory bail pleas of the four accused -- former police officers Vijayan, Thampi S Durga Dutta and R B Sreekumar and retired IB officer P S Jayaprakash.

All of them have been granted interim protection from arrest.

The Supreme Court had, on April 15, ordered that the report of the committee, appointed by it, on the role of erring police officials in the espionage case relating to Narayanan be given to the CBI and directed it to conduct further investigations into the issue.

The committee was appointed by the apex court to look into the allegations against the police officers in the spying case.

The espionage case pertained to allegations of transfer of certain confidential documents on the space programme of India to foreign countries by two scientists and four others, including the two Maldivians.

The CBI, in its probe at that time, had held that top police officials in Kerala were responsible for Narayanan's arrest which the agency said was illegal.

The case had a political fallout too, with a section in the Congress Party targeting the then Chief Minister K Karunakaran, who is now dead, over the issue that eventually led to his resignation. PTI HMP BN BN

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Smartwatches that run on Wear OS 2 are getting an update that will introduce Google Pay and Messages and other third-party applications. While these applications are already a part of Wear OS 3 that is currently available in the Galaxy Watch 4 series, smartwatches running on Wear OS 2 such as the TicWatch or Fossil models will also receive firmware updates and will support the features. Keep reading to know more about Google Pay and Google Messages on Wear OS 2 smartwatches.

Wear OS 2 will get Google Pay in 16 new countries

Google will bring a refreshed design of the Google Pay application to smartwatches that are running on wear OS 2. When the update will be in place, users will be able to view clear images of their cards on the smartwatch screen, which will help them to select an appropriate card and make contactless payments from their list. Additionally, Google has expanded the support for Google Pay to 16 new countries, including Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Demark, Finland, Hong Kong, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, Slovakia, Sweden, Taiwan, Ukraine and the United Arab Emirates. The mentioned countries will now be able to make payments using smartwatches. While the Indian version of the Google Pay on Wear OS 2 is not available yet, Google has said that it will expand the horizon of its services to more countries in due course of time.

Google Messages on Wear OS 2 improves

Yet another update that existing Wear OS users will receive in the coming days is regarding the Google Messages app, which will enable users to not only receive messages on the smartwatch but reply from the smartwatch as well. In such a scenario, users will have an option of replying through pre-set messages or through an emoji. Additionally, users can also reply from the on-screen keyboard or use speech-to-text for speaking out the replies. Besides all these updates, Google Wear OS three will also receive other features from the Wear OS 3 that was recently launched by Google and Samsung in the Galaxy Watch 4, like sleep cycle, Spotify and Strava. On a related note, the Samsung's Watch 3 series is still running on One UI 2.0. Whether it will get an update to the unified platform created by Samsung and Google is unclear.
New Delhi, Aug 11 (PTI) Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra on Wednesday said technological advancements and their impact on election management is of "critical importance" for all stakeholders involved in the process.

He was speaking at Forum of the Election Management Bodies of SouthAsia (FEMBoSA), which was hosted as a webinar by Bhutan, an Election Commission (EC) spokesperson said in a statement.

The FEMBoSA grouping consists of countries like Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka along with India. India and Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Chandra are the outgoing chair of FEMBoSA and the event saw the handing over this chairmanship to Bhutan.

The ceremonial chairmanship was handed over by the CEC to his Bhutan counterpart Dasho Sonam Topgay, and on his behalf, the Ambassador of Bhutan to India Maj Gen Vetsop Namgyel accepted the FEMBoSA logo at the EC headquarters in Niravachan Sadan here, the spokesperson said.

The CEC addressed the meet on the theme of "Use of Technology in Elections".

Chandra, the spokesperson said, mentioned that keeping pace with the rapid strides of technology, the EC has digitised many processes. "Technology driven processes became all the more important in view of COVID-19 situation by helping minimise person-to-person contact. Technological advancements and its impact on election management is of critical importance for all of us," he said.

The CEC added that technology has been extensively used to make elections more participative, accessible and transparent.

He said the EC of India "looks forward to further strengthening its interaction with FEMBoSA election management bodies (EMBs) in promoting activities of the forum as per its objectives, and empowering fellow EMBs through sharing the skills and capacity building efforts." The CEC said the deliberations held on Wednesday were "very purposeful, productive and participative." Bhutanese CEC Topgay said during the event that he shall work with utmost devotion to carry forward FEMBoSA's objectives and enhancing capabilities of the election management bodies towards conducting free and fair elections, the spokesperson added.

Election commissioners Rajeev Kumar and A C Pandey were also present during the event.

PTI NES SRY

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A national call to arms in Ethiopia was not due to a lack of military capacity, but rather down to a need for a concerted community effort to fight forces in the embattled Tigray region, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed told a briefing Thursday.

The comments from spokesperson Billene Seyoum follow a government statement Tuesday which summoned all capable citizens to war.

The call to join the military is so far not compulsory, but with access to parts of Ethiopia increasingly blocked, it's difficult to know what kind of pressure is being applied.

Seyoum accused the Tigray People's Liberation Front - which the government has designated a terrorist organization - of sending an "influx of civilians" to loot and destroy properties.

"In that regard it requires a concerted effort by all community members, so it is not only the National Defense Forces that can stop this influx that is being perpetrated by the TPLF," she added.

The prime minister's spokesperson also took aim at the Oromo Liberation Front, who recently announced an alliance with the TPLF.

She accused the group of "killing the people of the region for its individual political gains".

The alliance is a further sign of the broadening of the Tigray conflict that began in November after a political fallout between Ahmed and the Tigray leaders who had dominated Ethiopia's government for nearly three decades.

Thousands have been killed in the nine-month war that has been marked by widespread allegations by ethnic Tigrayans of gang-rapes, man-made famine and mass expulsions by Ethiopian and allied forces.

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Opposition lawmakers in Ghana are forcing Nana Akufo Addo, the country's President into a tight spot by promoting an anti-LGBT law, condemned widely by critics in the country for undermining the rights of the community. Gay sex is illegal in the West African nation, however, a new law proposal has been mentioned that not only discriminates against the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) people but also denounces anyone who tries to help them.

Ghana President to take tough decisions on the anti-LGBT bill?

The proposal that includes criminalising LGBT advocacy, supports and justifies conversion therapy, and imposes longer jail sentences, was introduced in parliament of the highly religious African nation, earlier this month. Several international organizations extended their support to the activists by protesting against the "promotion of proper human sexual rights and Ghanaian family values bill" drafted by eight lawmakers.

According to France 24, a group of UN experts had worded their statement, "Adopting the legislation in its current or any partial form would be tantamount to a violation of a number of human rights standards, including the absolute prohibition of torture." "It will not only criminalise LGBTI people, but anyone who supports their human rights shows sympathy to them or is even remotely associated with them."

Once the proposal is passed by the parliament, it will be ultimately Nana Akufo Addo's decision whether to adopt the text or support the community. The President, who won his second term in the office in the month of December 2020, may be unwilling to do so in order to protect the rights of the community. According to a research group, Afrobarometer as per 2014 data, over 90 percent of Ghanaians stated they would approve of the President's decision to criminalise same-sex relationships.

Akufo-Addo has publicly stated that same-sex marriage would not become legal under his watch. However, the debate comes at an inopportune time for Akufo Addo, who plans to attract African-Americans and the Ghanaian diaspora through his programme, The Year of Return. With Ghana being known for its stability and respect for the law, the country has attracted businesses like Twitter, which stated that it would open its first Africa office in the country.

IMAGE: AP
Iran has announced a temporary halt of operations at the consulate general's office in Afghanistan amidst Taliban-induced violence in the country. The Irani consulate general's office is located in Mazar-i-Sharif, the capital of Afghanistan's Balkh province. The decision comes at the heels of violence escalation fuelled by Talibani insurgents in the fourth-largest city of Afghanistan. Mazar-i-Sharif also houses the consulate offices of India, Russia, and Turkmenistan.

The announcement of the closure was made by the Iranian Consulate General on August 12, Thursday after the Taliban claimed control in 10 Afghani provinces across the country. Expressing concern about the current situations, the consulate general said that the ongoing fights "might cause insecurity" in Mazar-i-Sharif where the "diplomatic mission" was based, ANI cited Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA). He also remained pessimistic about resuming office until the situation stabilized in the war-torn country, ANI added.

Afghanistan's attempt to give a robust response to the terror group

In a bid to tackle the cad fundamentalist group on the ground following the foreign troop exit, Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani has appointed a new army chief for the Afghanistan Defence Forces. As per reports, Haibatullah Alizai has replaced Wali Mohammed as the Chief of the Afghan National Army. The appointment comes after the Taliban announced a claim over Ghazni, the 10th province just 100 kilometers south west of Kabul. In the meantime, an US intelligence report, after reviewing the current Afghanistan situation, said on Thursday that the Taliban could capture Kabul in 90 days amidst the spiked violence after the US Army retreat.

As per an EU report, the militant group has conquered approximately 65% of Afghanistan's major cities. Additionally, it has threatened to take over 11 more provincial capitals in the coming days. Earlier in the week, they also captured Faizabad, the capital of the northeastern province of Badakshan.

Afghanistan security forces eliminate 45 Talibani in Helmand

Meanwhile, Afghan security forces have claimed the elimination of 45 Talibani terrorists in a joint operation conducted by the ANDSF in Helmand province, the Afghan Defence Ministry informed. As per the report, another 22 were wounded in joint operations conducted by Afghan Air and Defence Forces in the Nahre Sahaj district in the last 24 hours. Furthermore, 27 terrorists were killed in Balkh and Dihadadi districts on August 11, the Ministry added. In another operation in Herat province, about 21 Talibani insurgents were annihilated in the outskirts.

With inputs from ANI

Image: AP/representative
A Christian couple in Pakistan has blamed and accused the son of a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader of kidnapping, forcibly converting, and getting their underaged daughter married off. According to Dawn, the couple alleged in a video message on Wednesday that a member of their neighbourhood had kidnapped their daughter. They further indicated that the son of a local PTI official was involved in the kidnapping.

Noreen Maseeh, the girl's mother, also claimed that no FIR had been filed by the Ghazi police and advised her not to pursue the matter. The mother further stated the police specified the fact that her daughter had eloped with the suspect and converted to Islam before marrying him in court.

According to ANI, Noreen Maseeh said, "My daughter is a minor child, who can't be married off under the law." She even said that her minor daughter goes to school and is in the ninth standard. She went missing from her room about 12:45 a.m. on August 3 while studying for a test to be held the next morning.

Meanwhile, according to Dawn, Ghazi police authorities claimed that early investigations revealed that the Christian girl had solemnised the court marriage in Swabi after converting to Islam of her own free choice, but she had not obtained any paperwork confirming it.

Earlier instances of Muslims vandalising Hindu temples

In Pakistan, attacks against religious minorities' places of worship have increased in recent years. The international community has frequently chastised the country for failing to protect the interests of its minority.

In a recent incident, a crowd of around a dozen men armed with sticks vandalised a Hindu temple in the town of Bhong in the Rahim Yar Khan district, screaming slogans and desecrating idols in the shrine. They not only destroyed the holy idol but they have also burnt down the main gate of the temple.

Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, a Pakistani legislator and Hindu community leader, provided recordings of the event. The crowd can be seen demolishing the temple's infrastructure in one of the films. After the incident, Pakistan arrested 38 people who attacked the Hindu temple in Rahim Yar Khan.

Previously, last year in December, the temple in the Karak area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province was demolished and set on fire by a crowd of over a hundred individuals led by local Muslim clerics. A video clip showing a violent crowd demolishing the temple's walls and the roof went viral on social media.

(Image Credit: Representative image)
In a major development, Republic has accessed visuals of a terror launchpad that has been spotted inside the Pakistani territory of the international border. The visuals also show a group of four terrorists in the launchpad near the international border. Moreover, the terror launchpads are situated right beside Pakistan Rangers'post. Indian security forces have therefore been put on a high alert amid the looming threat.

Pakistan's terror plot exposed

The terror launchpad inside the Pakistani territory has been spotted even as a ceasefire is in effect for the last six months. However, under the garb of a ceasefire agreement, Pakistan has resorted to rebuilding the terrorist infrastructures along the Line of Control (LoC). In addition, terror activities have picked up more pace which is clearly visible from the footage that Republic Media Network has accessed. In the video, four terrorists can be spotted at the international border near the Indian territory.

In addition, the terror launchpads near Pakistani forces positions also indicate that the terrorist and rangers are coordinating together. Even as infiltration has been going on for years, the visual evidence accessed by Republic comes as a first. Moreover, top officials have also confirmed the presence of heightened activity near the border. Three to four attempts of infiltration have been foiled in the past few months where six terrorists were gunned down by the Indian security forces. This also comes ahead of India's Independence Day.

J&K: Two Terrorists Arrested In Kishtwar; Hideout Busted In Poonch

Ahead of Independence Day, two terrorists were arrested from Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district. According to the reports, the two arrested terrorists were new recruits and were trying to carry out a major terror strike in the Union Territory's Kishtwar region. The terrorists were reportedly targeting vital installations in the region.

The terrorists were arrested by the Jammu and Kashmir Police who were joined by the CRPF and the Indian Army. In addition, the police have also recovered an arms cache containing two pistols, magazines, an Under Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) and some grenades. Reports also state that the arrested terrorists are being interrogated for their links with other terrorists who are active in the Kishtwar region. The police have already announced a bounty of Rs 30 lakh for information leading to them.

In addition, another terror hideout was also busted in the Mendhar area of Poonch district in the UT. Several AK-47 rifles and magazines have been recovered from the said hideout. According to the reports, Chinese pistol magazines, grenades, satellite communication devices, and mobile phones, were also recovered from the hideout.
As Afghanistan continues to be under chaos and violence, the ruling govt in Kabul has offered a 'power-sharing' deal to Taliban in order to put an end to the ongoing fighting. The offer, which was made at Doha where the two sides have been locked in largely fruitless 'peace talks' for months, comes after Taliban took over the Ghazni province from Governor Daoud Laghmani and the national police. The bodyguards of the Governor were reportedly disarmed and escorted to Kabul based on the agreement between the two sides.

As per reports, the Afghanistan government has submitted a proposal to Qatar as a mediator. The proposal by Kabul allows the Taliban to share power in return for a halt in violence in the country, which has escalated to a point where the government is being swiftly and systematically defeated and more and more territories are coming into the Taliban's control.

Afghanistan civil war

Ever since the US announced the withdrawal of its troops from Afghanistan, Taliban-led violence has seen a surge. On August 12, Taliban took over the Ghazni province from Governor Daoud Laghmani and the national police. The militants seized the governor's residence, police headquarters, a prison and several other facilities in the city, wrote Afghanistan government's spokesperson Qari Yousaf Ahmadi on Twitter. The Afghan government forces have suffered significant casualties, and 10 soldiers surrendered, Ahmadi added.

Further, the Taliban has taken control of most areas in the city of Tarinkot, the capital of the Uruzgan province, without any resistance. Currently, the Taliban are trying to capture the local police headquarters. At the same time, the Afghan military liberated overnight a large area two kilometers from the city, reports stated.

On Monday, Taliban controlled five of the country's 34 provincial capitals, and the number has risen to 10 on Thursday. At the same time, they have been waging an assassination campaign targeting senior government officials in the capital, Kabul. The sweep comes despite condemnations by the international community and warnings from the United Nations that a military victory and takeover by the Taliban would not be recognized.

The Taliban have also not heeded appeals to return to the negotiating table and continue long-stalled peace talks with the Afghan government. Taliban is also fighting on for control of the city of Kunduz, the capital of northern Kunduz province. On Sunday, they planted their flag in the city's main square, where it was seen flying atop a traffic police booth, a video accessed by the Associated Press showed.
The COVID-19 numbers in the South-East Asia region peaked in early May and have largely plateaued over since the last month. According to WHO, it has mainly happened as the novel virus cases in India remained stable and there has been a consistent decrease in Coronavirus cases in Indonesia and Myanmar over the past month. The COVID-19 Weekly Epidemiological Update, released by the World Health Organization on August 10, has revealed that the South-East Asia region reported over 799,000 new cases.

COVID-19 numbers in Southeast Asia

The WHO in the released data mentioned that there has been a 5% decrease in COVID-19 cases as compared to the previous week. However, several countries including Sri Lanka and Thailand continue to witness a rise in Coronavirus cases. The WHO added that it is the first time in seven weeks, there has been a decline in the number of new weekly deaths. According to WHO, the trend has been driven by declines in Maldives and Myanmar.

The highest numbers of new cases were reported from India, Indonesia, Thailand. According to WHO, India reported 278, 631 new Coronavirus cases and there has been a 2% decrease. Indonesia registered 225,635 new COVID-19 cases and an 18% decrease has been reported. Thailand reported 141,191 new Coronavirus cases and a 20% increase has been recorded. The highest numbers of new deaths were reported from Indonesia, India and Myanmar. Indonesia reported 11,373 new deaths due to COVID-19, which according to WHO has seen a 9% decrease. The new number of fatalities due to COVID-19 reported in India is 3,511 which is an 8% decrease. Myanmar has registered 2,045 new deaths due to COVID-19, a 22% decrease.

Last week, the WHO South-East Asia region informed that more than half a billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in the region. As of August 6, 618.5 million doses of vaccines have been administered. In the Southeast region,146 million people have received two vaccine doses and are fully vaccinated, according to WHO. A maximum, 489 million doses of vaccine have been administered in India. Indonesia, meanwhile, has administered 71 million doses of vaccine, followed by 18 million doses in Thailand.

IMAGE: AP/Pixabay
A trickle of Mozambican families started to return to their homes and villages after a joint force of Mozambican and Rwandan troops regained control of a strategic port from Islamic extremists.

After retaking Mocimboa da Praia earlier this week, leaders of the joint force of Mozambican military and 1,000 Rwandan army troops said they would be chasing the insurgents and seeking to establish peace and stability in the northern Cabo Delgado province.

The retaking of Mocimboa da Praia is a notable success for the Rwandan force that deployed to Mozambique last month.

Rwanda's troops have rapidly helped Mozambique's armed forces achieve victories against the insurgents, who have created a humanitarian emergency in northern Cabo Delgado province and its surrounding areas.

Before the Rwandan forces arrived, Mozambique's military and police had not succeeded in stemming the insurgents' offensives.

More than 3,000 Mozambicans have been killed and 800,000 people displaced by the four-year insurgency.

Nearly 1 million people need urgent food aid as a result of the conflict, according to the UN World Food Program.

Earlier this year the insurgents, loosely allied to the Islamic State group, forced the French energy firm Total to pull out of its $20 billion liquified natural gas project near Palma, further north on the Indian Ocean coastline.

Mozambican media report that the financing for the Rwandan troops' mission in Mozambique is coming from France.

The joint Mozambican and Rwandan force is visibly in control of Mocimboa da Praia, patrolling public and private buildings, the port, the airport, the hospital, markets and restaurants.

Mocimboa da Praia port is key to transporting supplies to other parts of Cabo Delgado province, including the liquified natural gas project.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
The Sri Lankan president's office announced Wednesday that Sri Lanka has filed 23,270 charges against 25 people in connection with the 269 people killed in Easter Sunday suicide bombings on churches and hotels. Conspire to murder, assisting and abetting, gathering arms and ammunition, and attempted murder are among the allegations brought Tuesday under the country's anti-terror statute. In a statement, the attorney general also asked the chief justice to appoint a special three-member high court bench to hear the cases quickly.

3 churches and 3 hotels were targetted in the 2019 explosions

The six near-simultaneous suicide bomb explosions on April 21, 2019, were blamed on two local Muslim factions that had claimed allegiance to the Islamic State group. Three churches and three hotels were targeted in the explosions. Another suicide bomber, who had entered the fourth hotel but failed to detonate his bomb, eventually committed himself by detonating his explosives in a different area.

The government's failure to act on near-specific foreign intelligence warnings ahead of the attacks was blamed on friction and a communication breakdown between then-President Maithripala Sirisena and then-Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. As a result, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was elected on a platform of national security later in 2019. Rajapaksa was a former army commander and defence official who was instrumental in defeating Tamil Tiger rebels and bringing an end to Sri Lanka's 26-year civil war.

Authorities are attempting to protect the masterminds

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, the head of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Colombo, has frequently claimed that the inquiry into the blasts is being conducted improperly. He claims that the real conspirators are still at large and that authorities are attempting to protect the masterminds.

Last month, Ranjith wrote Rajapaksa a strong letter alleging that some members of the state intelligence agencies knew and met with the assailant who did not originally detonate his device, and requesting that the authorities investigate. Ranjith claimed intelligence agents also allegedly had a suspect released from police custody, citing MPs' statements in Parliament. The president's office said Harigupta Rohanadeera, the director of presidential legal affairs, had given a comprehensive response to Ranjith but did not share the letter.

(Inputs from AP News)

Image- @Shahid11828/Twitter
Sudan foreign minister Mariam al-Mahdi on Wednesday said that the country will hand over former President Omar al-Bashir to the International Criminal Court (ICC) along with a couple of other officials who are wanted over the Darfur conflict in which at least 3,00,000 people were reportedly killed and 2.5 million displaced. As per reports, charges of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity in the Sudanese region are levelled against Bashir, who has been wanted by the ICC for more than a decade. The former President who ruled autocratically over Sudan for three decades is in a correctional centre since December 2019, along with ex-defence minister Abdel Rahim Mohamed Hussein and Ahmed Haroun, a former governor of South Kordofan.

Sudan is committed to extraditing Omar al-Bashir

The minister also said that this decision was taken by the cabinet, however, he did not give any time frame when Bashir would be handed over to the ICC. The consensus to extradite him was reached after ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan visited Sudan and met Mahdi on Tuesday, August 10. However, the cabinet is expected to confirm the decision to extradite him when it meets the sovereign council, the joint military and civilian body that has run the country since Bashir was deposed in 2019.

According to a media report, Khan also met the sovereign council's leader, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, its deputy chair on Wednesday and was assured of every kind of cooperation related to the matter. Meanwhile, Sudan's Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, after meeting Khan, said that he is committed to providing justice to the people of his country.

The Darfur conflict of 2003

The Darfur War started in 2003 following discrimination against non-Arab groups in the country and rebels took up arms against the Omar al-Bashir government. Following this, Bashir gave a free hand to Janjaweed militia to carry out what human rights groups called a "scorched earth policy." They allegedly raped, tortured, looted, and killed people in villages all over Darfur and after four months of mass nationwide protests in 2019, the military overthrew the government, arresting Bashir and his aides. Sudan has been led since August 2019 by a transitional civilian-military administration that has vowed to bring justice to victims of crimes committed during Bashir's reign.

Image Credits: AP
Nigerian Information Minister Lai Mohammed on Wednesday said that the country is planning to soon lift its ban on Twitter, which was imposed a couple of months ago after the microblogging site deleted a "controversial" tweet by President Muhammadu Buhari. Speaking to media persons, Information Minister said that the government is working to resolve some of the differences with the social media platform and an amicable agreement is very much expected. However, the minister refrained from divulging how soon the ban would be lifted in Africa's most populous country.

Ban was imposed over President's deleted tweet

The ban, imposed on June 4 after President's tweet about a secessionist movement was deleted, was widely condemned from within the social media platform itself and also from the US government. Besides, the Nigerian government had also drawn flak from its own people for this decision and then taking to Twitter itself to announce it. Defying the ban, many Nigerians continued to access the microblogging site with the aid of a virtual private network, and the government was directed by a West African court not to prosecute those users. Imposing the ban Mohammed had then said that government officials took such a step because the platform was being used "for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria's corporate existence." He had also criticized Twitter for deleting the President's post saying, "The mission of Twitter in Nigeria is very suspicious as it had ignored inciting tweets against the Nigerian government in the past."

Twitter officials meet the Nigerian govt to resolve the issue

Meanwhile, Twitter spokesperson Sarah Hart said that the company had recently met with the Nigerian government to resolve the issue to lift the ban. "Our aim is to chart a path forward to the restoration of Twitter for everyone in Nigeria and We look forward to ongoing discussions with the Nigerian government and seeing the service restored very soon," Hart further stated. Twitter is an American microblogging and social networking service which was launched in July 2006. The platform provided the users to post and interact with messages known as "tweets." As of now, the microblogging site has over 300 million monthly active users across the world.

(Image Credits: Representative Image/UNSPLASH)
JUNIATA, Neb. (AP)  A state trooper was wounded and a suspect killed in a shootout with patrol troopers Wednesday morning in south-central Nebraska, authorities said.

Brooks Hacker, 35, died after a lengthy standoff with law enforcement. He had recently moved from Omaha to Juniata, a village of about 800 people in Adams County, patrol officials said.

Neighbors around the home were either evacuated or told to stay in place as the suspect fired several shots inside and outside the home over several hours, patrol Col. John Bolduc said.

Let me begin by saying any loss of life is tragic, but in this case I have no doubt that the quick and professional actions of patrol troopers, Adams County deputies and Hastings police officers may very well have saved lives in Juniata, Bolduc said.

Hacker's girlfriend called 911 Tuesday night to report that the couple had a verbal confrontation that turned physical and he had fired at her, Patrol Capt. Jeff Roby said at a news conference.

As law enforcement officers surrounded the home, the woman fled into the backyard and hid before she was able to eventually reach law enforcement officers, Roby said.

The suspect fired dozens of shots inside and outside the home during the standoff, hitting a patrol car and two armored vehicles, Roby said.

One trooper, a 19-year patrol veteran who is on the SWAT team, was hit in the arm. He was treated and released at a hospital.

Hacker continued firing at officers before coming out when tear gas canisters were fired into the home, Roby said.

He was holding a gun when he came out of the house and was shot by a patrol SWAT team member, Roby said. He died at the scene in Juniata, about 97 miles (156 kilometers) west of Lincoln.

Adams County authorities said they had no prior contact with Hacker. Preliminary information indicated Hacker was drunk during the confrontation, Roby said.

The trooper who shot Hacker was placed on leave while the incident is investigated, as is normal procedure.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
A ban on songs impugning national honor or endangering national security comes as party leaders head to an annual conference by the sea.

As the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) heads to the seaside resort of Beidaihe for its summer conference, the administration of general secretary Xi Jinping has ordered the deletion of songs with banned political content from the nation's karaoke parlors.

China's ministry of culture said it would crack down on one of the nation's favorite pastimes from Oct. 1, banning songs containing "illegal content" from bars and karaoke venues.

From that date, venues will be responsible for seeking out and deleting banned songs, and exhorted to leave only songs full of "positive energy" on their databases.

A blacklist of songs will be maintained by the ministry's karaoke music review board, it said.

Songs will be banned and deleted if deemed by the board to "endanger national unity, sovereignty or territorial integrity," "harm national security, honor or interests," or "incite ethnic hatred," according to the document.

Any songs regarded as obscene or promoting violence, gambling, or drug culture will also be deleted, as well as songs deemed "insulting" to others, it said.

Tunes that actually advocate independence for any region or people, or call for the overthrow of the CCP, are fairly non-existent, although there are CCP-approved revolutionary songs that call for the "liberation" of the democratic island of Taiwan, which has never been ruled by the CCP nor formed part of the People's Republic of China.

Instead, censors are more likely to target tunes that are associated with certain ways of thinking considered foreign, religious, or unhealthy, or with specific political and social movements, including songs by veteran rocker Cui Jian, or 'Vast Sky and Endless Sea' by Hong Kong rock band Beyond.

The move comes as analysts said general secretary Xi Jinping will be looking to build support for a third term in office and wipe out any sign of dissent from within CCP ranks at Beidaihe.

According to an outline for the meeting published by state news agency Xinhua, the agenda is mostly taken up with the further transfer of power -- including the power to enforce laws and the "equipment" to do so -- to administrative departments.

Under the plan, local neighborhood committees and residential committees will be entrusted with enforcing laws and regulations.

The government is also planning to "speed up the formulation of standards for the provision of administrative law enforcement equipment at different levels," the outline said.

Meanwhile, party committees and governments at all levels "should thoroughly study and understand Xi Jinpings thoughts on the rule of law," the outline said.

Setting the agenda

The Beidaihe conference will set the scene and the political agenda for the 20th Party Congress, expected in the fall of 2022, analysts told RFA.

"The outline ... limits itself to the administrative side of government, which is a closed administrative system not involved in the formulation of policy," the academic said.

"This so-called plan to govern under the rule of law by 2035 is an important item on the agenda of the 20th Party Congress," the academic said. "But this is just about appearances."

The emphasis on the transfer of further powers to the administrative arm of the Chinese government strongly suggests that Xi Jinping will be staying in post for the next five years, as the measures in the outline are slated for completion in 2025.

"There are no new ideas in any of it, and it's hard to see what effect this will actually have on the rule of law," the academic said.

Chinese scholar Song Yang agreed.

"As always, there is a lot of high-faluting language and flashy vocabulary in here. It's all written in the same old elevated rhetoric," Song said. "But nobody will be able to put such a thing into practice."

"In reality, there will be no room for any kind of dissent from within party ranks," Song said.

"In recent years, there has been a name for that: everyone has to sing from the Central Committee's hymn sheet."



Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
Many unemployed graduates have turned to selling beauty products online to support themselves.

Lao students are shown at a meeting in the capital Vientiane at the end of 2020.

Recent college graduates in Laos are having trouble finding work, as businesses continue to shut down in the face of economic difficulties tied to the COVID-19 pandemic, sources in the country say.

The landlocked country of 7.2 million people depends heavily on tourism from China and other neighboring countries and the earnings of thousands of migrant Lao workers in Thailand  sources of income that have been choked off by border and business closures imposed to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

One former student, a graduate in business and economics at the National University of Laos, said he and 30 classmates from the same department are still unemployed after graduating in June.

Were looking for jobs and are sending resumes to many financial and marketing businesses around the country, but are getting no response, the former student told RFA in an interview, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Most businesses in tourism and other service sectors are closed now because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and if any do need new workers, they look for those who have experience, he said.

The graduate said he had recently thought about looking for work in Thailand, but learned that conditions there are even more difficult now because of the rapid spread of COVID.

Another young Lao man, who graduated last year from an art school in the capital Vientiane, said he has applied at several schools for a teaching job, but the problem is that most schools are still closed.

Ive been jobless since I graduated, and to survive I opened a small convenience store in my neighborhood, but I make only around two or three dollars a day, he said.

I sometimes think about looking for work in Japan or South Korea, but I would have to pay a lot of money to learn the language, to pay an employment agency, and to get proper documentation, and I cant afford all that, he said.

Many college graduates now can earn a living only by selling cosmetics online, said another former student, a recent graduate of a private college in Vientiane.

My friends and I have been jobless and looking for work since the start of the pandemic, and almost all of us are now selling stuff like makeup online, she said.

I and 70 others graduated last year, but only 10 of us got jobs at hospitals and health centers, added a graduate from a nursing school in Champassak province in southern Laos.

The rest are now volunteering at hospitals in the province fighting COVID-19, and as volunteers we get paid only $130 each month, she said.

Most hospitals dont have the financial resources to hire more nurses. Were depressed, but were still hoping well get hired someday in the future.

Businesses go bankrupt

With fewer tourists coming into Laos and businesses continuing to close, unemployment will remain a constant problem in the country, an economics professor at the National University of Laos said.

For example, after two outbreaks of the COVID-19 pandemic, the popular tourist town Vang Vieng has become a ghost town, said the professor, who spoke on condition of anonymity to avoid trouble with authorities in the one-party state.

All the businesses have gone bankrupt there, and no one is hiring, he said.

The professor added that most of his students who graduated this year and last are still jobless.

All they can do is sell beauty products online because the businesses in tourism like hotels, restaurants, and airlines have all been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Its very hard looking for a job right now, he said.

Around 10,000 university students graduate each year in Laos, according to the countrys Ministry of Education and Sports.

High school graduates also unemployed

Lao high school students are also having trouble finding work, some recent graduates said.

I just graduated from high school two months ago, and its hard to find a job right now, said an 18-year-old man in Khammouane province in central Laos.

I saw some postings on social media about job openings in the capital Vientiane where some factories are open, but there are no jobs at all in my province, he said.

Yes, its difficult to get a job now because of COVID-19, agreed a recent high school graduate in Pakse, in the southern Lao province of Champassak, adding, Most restaurants and stores are closed.

There are some jobs at the factories, but they only pay about $130 to $175 a month. Thats not enough under current living conditions, he said.

A high school graduate from central Laos Borikhamxay province looking since last year for factory work in Vientiane said that even these jobs are hard to find, however.

Ive applied for jobs at factories in the capital Vientiane, but so far Ive had no offers, he said.

If this pandemic continues much longer, our jobless youth could be in trouble, and some might become involved in criminal activities, a social worker said.

'Anybody can apply'

Speaking to RFA at the beginning of August, an official at the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare said his department had posted more than 6,000 job openings on social media.

Most of them are jobs at garment and pharmaceutical factories for which anybody can apply, and theyll pay from 1.1 million kip [$110] and up a month, he said.

Thai labor officials meeting virtually with Lao counterparts on July 30 said that around 246,750 Lao workers had returned to Laos from Thailand since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020.

A week later, the Lao Minister for Labor and Social Welfare reported that up to 100,000 people in Laos had lost their jobs during that same time.

On Thursday, the Lao National Taskforce Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control reported one new death from COVID during the last 24 hours, bringing the number of total deaths now to nine and confirmed cases to 9,363.

Reported by RFAs Lao Service. Translated by Max Avary. Written in English by Richard Finney.
Russian authorities have stifled people's right to peaceful protests to such an extent that is has become almost impossible for Russians to protest in any meaningful way, Amnesty International has said in a report.

"Authorities in Russia have eroded the right to freedom of peaceful assembly by using increasingly restrictive laws, and heavy-handed police tactics and criminal prosecutions to silence peaceful dissent," Amnesty said in Russia: No Place for Protest, issued ahead of parliamentary and local elections in Russia next month.

The report documents a clampdown on peaceful protests that Amnesty says began with the 2004 Federal Law on Assemblies and has accelerated in recent years.

"Russian authorities have been curtailing the right to freedom of assembly with incredible persistence and inventiveness for years," Oleg Kozlovsky, the organization's Russia researcher, said.

"As a result, peaceful street protest has come to be seen as a crime by state officials -- and an act of heroism by those Russians who still believe it is their right to exercise it."

"The unlawful restrictions, requirements, and harsh sanctions that Russian protesters face can only be described as Kafkaesque in their absurdity. It has taken the Russian authorities 16 years and 13 instances of parliamentary tinkering with legislation to make the right to freedom of peaceful assembly devoid of any genuine meaning," Kozlovsky added.

The report says that nine out of the 13 major amendments used by legislators to curtail the right to freedom of peaceful assembly in Russia have been introduced since 2014, as part of a crackdown on anti-government protests and human rights guaranteed by international human rights law and Russia's own constitution.

It also details what Kozlovsky calls an excessive use of force by police officers, who have reportedly been documented "using martial-arts techniques against protesters, battering them mercilessly with batons, and, beginning this year, stunning them with electroshock weapons."

The London-based human rights watchdog called on Russian authorities to bring laws and practices in line with the constitution and international human rights obligations.

"The authorities must prohibit measures that change the aims or place of public gatherings, as well as the number of permitted participants, unless such decisions are taken in judicial proceedings."

Amnesty also urged the Russian authorities to respect spontaneous peaceful assemblies, "which should be considered lawful, when submission of a notification within the period prescribed by law is impossible or impractical."

The report calls on the government to make sure that the coming elections will be held in a different atmosphere.

"Next month's parliamentary elections give Russia the opportunity to change its approach to commit to promotion and protection of human rights including the right to freedom of peaceful assembly.

"We want to remind candidates for elections and future legislators that the right to protest peacefully is not something they can give or take away. It is something everyone is entitled to, and the government should respect, protect, and promote this and devote its energy to ensuring, not undermining this right," Kozlovsky said.

With reporting by dpa
ASHGABAT -- The Taliban says representatives of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Russia have held talks with the chief of the group's political office in Qatar amid growing regional concerns over the insurgents' ongoing military offensive across Afghanistan.

A Taliban spokesman told RFE/RL on August 12 that top Taliban figure Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar met with Turkmen Deputy Foreign Minister Vepa Hajiev and the Uzbek presidential envoy to Afghanistan, Ismatulla Irgashev, in Qatar the previous day to discuss the situation in Afghanistan.

Regional issues, including trade between Afghanistan and the former Soviet republics in Central Asia, were also discussed, spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said.

The spokesman for the Taliban's office in the Qatari capital, Doha, tweeted on August 11 that Baradar and Hajiev discussed "bilateral relations, border issues, economic projects, as well as security of Turkmenistan's diplomatic missions in Afghanistan."

In a separate tweet, spokesman Suhail Shaheen said that Baradar also held talks with Russian presidential envoy Zamir Kabulov.

Turkmenistans Foreign Ministry said in a statement on August 12 that its delegation, led by Hajiev, is currently in Doha along with delegations from the United Nations, European Union, the U.K., Russia, Pakistan, China, and Uzbekistan, to discuss the situation in Afghanistan.

The ministry added that its delegation is also holding separate bilateral talks on the sidelines.

Last month, the Taliban said a delegation visited Ashgabat to discuss "bilateral economic and political ties between the two nations, as well as issues of security and borders" with Turkmen officials.

Turkmenistan shares an 800-kilometer border with Afghanistan.

U.S. President Joe Biden has pledged that the withdrawal of U.S. forces will be completed by the beginning of September. With that deadline nearing, the Taliban has unleashed offensives against Afghan government forces and expanded its control over districts and provincial capitals across Afghanistan, as well as border crossings.

Hundreds of Afghans, including soldiers and local police, have reportedly fled into other neighboring Central Asia countries.

The Taliban battlefield successes are stoking concerns that the Western-backed government in Kabul may collapse.
MINSK  Belarusian authorities have detained more pro-democracy figures and activists amid an intensifying crackdown on opponents of authoritarian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka.

Police on August 12 detained a candidate in last years disputed presidential election, Andrey Dzmitryyeu, his colleague in the Tell The Truth civic movement told RFE/RL.

Tatsyana Karatkevich said Dzmitryyeu's whereabouts and the reasons of his detention remain unknown.

A day earlier, police and security forces searched homes and detained more than 20 members of the Skhod (Assembly) opposition initiative, including Belaruss former ambassador to Slovakia, Ihar Lyashchenya, who has openly supported public protests challenging official results of the August 2020 election that handed Lukashenka a sixth term in office.

A group of Belarusian volunteers involved in locating detainees on August 12 listed Lyashchenya among dozens of individuals held in Minsk's notorious Akrestsina detention center.

It remains unclear why the homes were searched and on what charges the activists were being held.

Crisis In Belarus Read our ongoing coverage as Belarusian strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka ramps up pressure on NGOs and independent media as part of a brutal crackdown against protesters and the opposition following an August 2020 election widely considered fraudulent.

Lukashenka in September 2020 stripped the diplomatic status of Lyashchenya and relieved him of his diplomatic rank because of his "misconduct."

Lyashchenya had resigned from the post of the Belarusian envoy to Bratislava on August 18 after he publicly supported the rallies sweeping across Belarus following the August vote that the opposition says was rigged.

Lukashenka, in power since 1994, has unleashed a harsh crackdown on the pro-democracy movement, while the West has hit the Belarusian strongman, his inner circle, and Belarusian firms with several rounds of sanctions, leaving Belaruss strongman internationally isolated.

Several opposition figures were arrested in 2020 ahead of the election on various charges that the opposition and human rights groups call fabricated and politically motivated.

One of them, outspoken Lukashenka critic Mikalay Statkevich, marked his 65th birthday behind bars on August 12.

In total, Statkevich, a former presidential challenger whose candidacy for the last presidential election was rejected in May 2020, has spent eight years behind bars for his political activities.
BELGRADE -- Twitter and Google have confirmed to RFE/RL that they will be removing content denying Bosnia-Herzegovina's Srebrenica genocide from their social platforms.

The confirmation came on August 11 in relation to a request by the Institute for Research of Genocide Canada (IRGC) addressed to technology giants Twitter and Google, asking them to ban the denial of the Srebrenica genocide on their platforms.

Twitter and Google-owned YouTube said they responded to the IRGC that the companies have a clear hate-speech policy.

Following an inquiry by RFE/RL asking for further details in connection to the IRGC request, Twitter and YouTube told RFE/RL's Balkan Service that the companies had "a clearly established policy" that prohibits all hate speech.

Google, the owner of the YouTube video platform, says it will remove all content that violates its rigorous rules on the dissemination of hate speech.

"We have clear and established hate-speech policies that prohibit content that minimizes or denies a well-documented violent event, including the Srebrenica genocide. If the content is found to violate these policies, we will remove it," a YouTube spokesman told RFE/RL.

RFE/RL received a similar a similar message from Twitter.

On July 11, 1995, more than 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys were rounded up and killed by Bosnian Serb forces near the eastern town of Srebrenica -- the worst mass killing in Europe since World War II.

The massacre has been deemed a genocide by various verdicts of both the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Emir Ramic, the director of the IRGC, told RFE/RL that the organization kept records of the content on social networks.

They have confirmed that most posts insulting the victims of the Srebrenica genocide originate in Serbia, but that some also came from Russia, France, and other countries.

The IRGC has not yet received answers to the request it sent to these social networks on July 30, but Ramic said he hopes for a positive response.

Both wartime Bosnian Serb army commander Ratko Mladic and former political leader Radovan Karadzic were sentenced to life in prison by the UN war crimes court in the Netherlands for genocide in Srebrenica.

Serbian officials deny that Serbian forces committed genocide. For the government in Serbia, this is a "terrible crime," as President Aleksandar Vucic put it in a speech at the UN Security Council on June 8.
An ethnic Kazakh from China's northwestern province of Xinjiang has been deported from Slovakia to Ukraine after he attempted to illegally cross the two counties border, a Kazakh activist says.

Activist Botagoz Isa told RFE/RL on August 12 that Chinese citizen Ersin Erkinuly was deported several days ago.

Locked Up In China: The Plight Of Xinjiang's Muslims Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty is partnering with its sister organization, Radio Free Asia, to highlight the plight of Muslims living in China's western province of Xinjiang.

Ukraine granted Erkinuly asylum seeker status last year, but he decided to flee to Slovakia after receiving threats from unknown persons, according to Isa.

She said Erkinuly is to go on trial on August 13 on charges of illegal border crossing.

There was no immediate comment from Slovak or Ukrainian officials.

Ukrainian border guards arrested Erkinuly in October 2020 when he tried to cross into Poland without proper documents.

The man was released from custody in the western city of Lviv in December after an appeals court canceled a lower court's decision to deport him back to China.

Erkinuly has claimed he had lost his Chinese passport and that he would face imprisonment and torture if he is sent back to China.

In recent years, many Uyghurs, Kazakhs, and members of Xinjiang's other mostly Muslim, indigenous ethnic groups have fled the country, fearing detention.

The U.S. State Department has said as many as 2 million members of these ethnic groups have been taken to Chinese detention centers.

China denies that the facilities are internment camps.

Kazakhs are the second-largest Turkic-speaking indigenous community in Xinjiang after Uyghurs. The region is also home to ethnic Kyrgyz, Tajiks, and Hui, also known as Dungans.
Iran has summoned the Russian and British ambassadors after a photograph was posted on the Russian Embassy's Twitter account commemorating a historic meeting of allied leaders in Tehran during World War II.

State media reported on August 12 that Iran's Foreign Ministry had invited Ambassadors Levan Dzhagaryan and Simon Shercliff for discussions over the photo, which recalled the 1943 Tehran Conference, when Iran was occupied by Russia and Britain.

The picture shows the Russian envoy and Britain's ambassador sitting where British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin sat together at the Russian Embassy during the 1943 meeting. U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelts chair in the middle was empty.

Russia and Britain had invaded neutral Iran in 1941 to secure oil fields and Russian supply lines.

Foreign Minister-designate Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said the photo was undiplomatic and an affront to the national pride of the Iranian people.

Irans outgoing foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, called the photo inappropriate."

The Russian Embassy said it had no intention of causing offense.

"We would like to note that it does not have any anti-Iranian context. We were not going to offend the feelings of the friendly Iranian people," it tweeted.

"The only meaning that this photo has is to pay tribute to the joint efforts of the allied states against Nazism during the Second World War. Iran is our friend and neighbor, and we will continue to strengthen relations based on mutual respect" the embassy added.

The British ambassador retweeted the comments.

Based on reporting by AP, dpa, and Reuters
NUR-SULTAN -- A Kazakh court has sentenced an activist to two years of "freedom limitation," a parole-like sentence, for having ties to the banned Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan (DVK) movement amid an ongoing crackdown on supporters of the opposition group and the associated Koshe (Street) party.

The Saryarqa district court in the capital, Nur-Sultan, sentenced 50-year-old Alia Zhaqypova on August 11 after finding her guilty of distributing online videos and other materials produced by the DVK.

Zhaqypova was also banned from taking part in public events and expressing her views on the Internet for three years.

She had pleaded not guilty and her lawyer said the court's decision will be appealed.

The day before, a court in the southern region of Turkistan sent activist Sabit Syzdyqbek to prison for violating the "freedom limitation" sentence he was handed in March for spreading the DVK's ideas on Facebook.

Many activists across the Central Asian country have been handed lengthy prison terms or parole-like "freedom limitation" sentences in recent years for their involvement in the activities of DVK and Koshe, as well as for taking part in rallies organized by the two groups.

DVK is led by Mukhtar Ablyazov, the fugitive former head of Kazakhstans BTA Bank and outspoken critic of the government. Kazakh authorities labeled the DVK as "extremist" and banned it in March 2018.

Human rights groups have said Kazakhstan's law on public gatherings contradicts international standards, as it requires preliminary permission from the authorities to hold rallies and envisions prosecution for organizing and participating in unsanctioned rallies even though the constitution guarantees citizens the right of free assembly.
A Russian court has sentenced two activists linked to the banned Open Russia rights group to lengthy prison sentences for drug charges they say are politically motivated.

The Pskov district court on August 12 sentenced Lia Milushkina to 10 1/2 years in prison and her husband, Artyom Milushkin, to 11 years after finding them guilty of drug trafficking.

Milushkina is the former coordinator of the local branch of the Open Russia rights group linked to exiled Kremlin critic Mikhail Khodorkovsky. Her prison sentence will be deferred until 2024 because the couple has two young children.

The former head of oil company Yukos, Khodorkovsky is one of Russian President Vladimir Putin's wealthiest opponents.

Several Khodorkovsky-linked organizations have been banned or otherwise targeted in recent years under the so-called "foreign agent" laws, including the pro-democracy Open Russia movement.

The couple was arrested in January 2019 and charged with selling a large amount of drugs based on testimony given by anonymous witnesses and a police agent whose drug addiction came up during the trial. The police officer is now serving time for drug possession.

Milushkin was also charged with arson.

During the trial, the defendants said they were arrested before a rally against arbitrary police practices and that officers planted the drugs.

The activists say the charges are politically motivated because they often organized and participated in protests in Pskov, a city 700 kilometers northwest of Moscow

After the verdict was read, video from the courtroom showed Milushkin breaking the benches inside a cage for defendants.

Earlier this month, two online publications and a legal aid group backed by Khodorkovsky announced they were ceasing operations after the sites were blocked by Russian authorities.

In May, Open Russia said it was ceasing operations to protect is members.
ROSTOV-ON-DON, Russia -- A court in Russia has sentenced Russian businessman Andrei Kakovkin to prison on embezzlement charges more than three years after he returned to his homeland from abroad as part of a campaign to repatriate foreign-based Russian businesspeople.

A court in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don on August 12 sentenced Kakovkin to 4 1/2 years in prison after finding him guilty of embezzling $400,000 in 2015.

In 2019, Kakovkin was handed a three-year prison term in a separate embezzlement case before the sentence was replaced by a suspended term.

He has since remained in custody as investigations into other alleged crimes continued.

Kakovkin was the first person who used business ombudsman Boris Titov's campaign to bring back foreign-based Russian businesspeople from abroad, and returned to Russia from London in February 2018.

Twelve other Russian businessmen followed suit.

Titov said at the time that exiled businessmen wanted in Russia for alleged financial and other crimes could return to the country and would not be arrested if they cooperated with investigators.

Titov announced last month he had stopped his campaign due to a failure by the Prosecutor-General's Office to guarantee that the businessmen would not be arrested on their return.
Russian authorities have detained the head of an institute researching hypersonic flight on charges of high treason.

Moscows Lefortovo district court said it would convene to determine Aleksandr Kuranov's terms of custody later on August 12.

Kuranov, the chief of the St. Petersburg-based Hypersonic Systems Research Center, is suspected of passing classified materials to a foreigner about hypersonic technology research, according to media reports,

The 73-year-old scientist oversaw work on the concept for a new hypersonic space vehicle dubbed Ayaks, according to the research centers website.

Russia, whose ties with the West have dramatically deteriorated over the past years, has been developing a number of weapons able to travel faster than the speed of sound, which President Vladimir Putin has touted as unparalleled.

A number of Russian scientists, soldiers, and officials have been charged with treason in recent years after being accused of passing sensitive material to foreign countries.

Critics of the Kremlin say the charges are often unfounded and cannot be scrutinized because they are classified.

Viktor Kudryavtsev, a researcher at a Russian rocket- and spacecraft-design institute, died earlier this year while awaiting trial on treason charges.

Another scientist who worked with Kudryavtsev, Roman Kovalyov, was sentenced to seven years in prison in June 2020 on similar charges.

With reporting by Reuters, Interfax, TASS, and RIA Novosti
YAKUTSK, Russia -- A season of devastating wildfires has put the world on notice and generated predictions of an apocalyptic future without coordinated action. But in Siberia, a Russian region known more for extreme cold than scorching summers, residents are depending on a ragtag army of ill-equipped volunteers to help save them from raging wildfires that dwarf all others on Earth combined. Of course the work is dangerous, but what can you do? one unidentified volunteer fighting fires near the eastern Siberian city of Yakutsk told RFE/RLs Russian Service. This is what we trained for, and its not the first year weve been doing this. Officials say this summer is the driest in the past 150 years. Approximately 1.5 million hectares -- an area comparable in size to Denmark -- have already burned in the Sakha Republic, or Yakutia, a vast territory comprising much of Siberia and stretching across Russias Far East. Numerous villages have been evacuated. Smoke has blanketed the regional capital, Yakutsk, which boasts the coldest winters of any major city in the world, and even reached the North Pole. Wildfires are also raging in many other Russian regions, as far afield as Karelia near the western border with Finland. Videos have surfaced showing residents of Bashkortostan in the central Urals region using tree branches and carpets in a futile effort to stamp out the fires.

But its in Yakutia -- a place where temperatures regularly slip below minus 50 Celsius -- where the situation is most dire and where local residents have been forced to take the initiative amid a muted government response, working round the clock to save settlements in the line of fire. Were volunteers, and, of course, no one gave us time off work, said a volunteer who helps out in the village of Magaras, about 100 kilometers west of Yakutsk, after his regular workday is done. "We can devote our free time to this common work. And instead of just sitting online and writing comments, we can do something real.

The volunteers organize on social media, forming groups on messenger apps such as WhatsApp and Telegram. Theyve also opened a special hub for coordinating their operations in the center of Yakutsk. Early in the morning, they hop in the back of trucks that drive them out of the city into hard-hit patches of land, where they use rudimentary tools in an often futile bid to stamp out the flames. Forest fires are a natural part of the annual cycle in Siberia. But climate change and the soaring temperatures that come with it have wreaked havoc, causing the usually frigid region that is covered by permafrost to warm at least 2.5 times faster than in other parts of the world.

Authorities in Yakutia say an unusual lack of rain this year led to record-breaking fires, with the average June temperature of 20 degrees Celsius obliterating the historic norm of 15 degrees. On August 10, the Emergency Situations Ministry announced an expansion of its firefighting teams and an increase in the number of aircraft dispatched to Yakutia. But authorities have also consciously left dozens of fires to burn, deeming them too difficult to combat or too small a danger to homes and livelihoods in the sparsely populated region. The world was first alerted to the worrying situation in Siberia when massive wildfires broke out in 2019, and the two subsequent two summers have seen no respite. As of August 6, some 400 settlements have been affected in Yakutia, and Russias Emergency Services Ministry has estimated that 1 billion rubles ($13.5 million) in damage has been caused by the fires since June. Entrepreneur Ayil Dulurkha, who founded a volunteer team with a hub in Yakutsk, told Current Time on August 9 that many volunteers are driven by patriotism and a sense that if they dont step up, the damage caused by the wildfires could be far greater. We began getting together and equipping ourselves, raising funds from locals, and once we were more or less ready, and trained by professionals, we went to help our region, Dulurkha said. Current Time is the Russian-language network run by RFE/RL in cooperation with VOA.

When Siberias wildfires first erupted in late June, Russias military sent heavy-lift transport planes to douse them. Military helicopters also dropped water to extinguish the fires and transported teams of firefighters into the area to try and extinguish them. But Dulurkha, like many volunteers, lamented what he says is a woeful lack of adequate help from the authorities and from Moscow. I think that on a federal level, not enough attention is paid to our region. Theres a view that few people live here and the territory is large, so [theyll allocate as little money as possible], he said.

On August 8, authorities reported that close to 200 separate fires were blazing across the region. In the village of Byas-Kuel, the fires destroyed 33 houses and eight maintenance buildings and left more than 150 people without homes. "This is a huge loss," Yakutia Governor Aysen Nikolayev wrote on Facebook. People lost everything they built and accumulated for years -- homes, property, their households. But some residents placed the blame on Nikolayev and his administration. This is just a nightmare. I still cant believe it. Many people have left the village, but some have remained to fight the fire and defend their homes, Tuyaara Borisova, an inhabitant of Byas-Kuel, told RFE/RLs Russian Service. How could this happen? They kept telling us its all under control!

While smaller fires are burning in other parts of Russia, smoke from Yakutias flames has now blanketed neighboring regions including Krasnoyarsk in western Siberia, where residents of the eponymous regional capital have long complained about suffocating smog, which is now combining with smoke from wildfires to make going outside unbearable. Were suffering. A work colleague has asthma. Hes on the verge of a breakdown. Residents with lung problems are complaining, Natalya Popolyak, a teacher at Siberian University in Krasnoyarsk, told RFE/RLs Russian Service. Of course, in Yakutia this horror has lasted longer, since the end of June, but that doesnt make it easier for us. The sense that local officials have done too little to safeguard residents from the effects of the wildfires is widespread, and some have taken to social media to post appeals to the man often seen in Russia as standing above it all, and alone capable of ensuring a robust response to natural catastrophes: President Vladimir Putin.
This category and the quizs name are inspired by the Blue Marble image of the Earth taken by the Apollo 17 crew in 1972. It was the first photo to capture the world in its entirety and forever changed the way we see it. The astronauts described a profound shift in their perspectives as borders and divisions vanished and one fully connected entity came into view.

Similarly, when we take a step back from our own countryeither literally or figurativelywe start to see our home, our work, our challenges and potential solutions with new eyes.

I enjoyed reading about the other categories I could have fallen into as wellfrom Buy Local to Ill Cross That Bridge. Each one celebrates the different places our ideas can come from, recognizing that all perspectives hold immense value on the journey toward health equity.

While not a scientific survey, the questions in the quiz are informed by resources and research that speak to the benefits of looking abroad for inspiration, ideas, and solutions. The quiz makes all of these materials available at the endthey range from articles to podcasts to a spinning globe of radio stations you can tune into. I enjoyed this TED talk by Angela Oguntala, who encourages us to consider visions of the future by looking abroad, with examples from Kenya, Bangladesh, and the Caribbean. I also learned that, according to an MIT study, having close interpersonal relationships with people from different cultures can actually spur creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship.

Creativity is about connecting dots, I read in an MIT Sloan interview with the lead author of the study, Jackson Lu. When someone enters a close relationship with a person from a different culture, they collect more dots to connect to the ones they already have.

How could these connections benefit us in workplace settings? How might they prove useful as we seek solutions to social challenges? I thought back to my ties to India and wondered how my own interpersonal relationships there might continue to fuel outside-the-box thinking, personally and professionally.

A Journey for All

Suddenly, I noticed the sound of mouse clicking had petered out and my colleagues were starting to look up from their laptops. A robust discussion ensued. Some pointed out how the quiz helps people see they have more exposure to global ideas than they realize, others reflected on the resources that stuck out to themdemonstrating that this simple tool could spark provocative conversations about how we learn from the rest of the world and the value those insights hold for advancing health equity.

Since the quiz was launched, weve heard from people whose curiosity has been similarly sparked, like the co-chair of a sorority committee who used the tool to lead a teen youth group discussion about how to be a global citizen and peers who have been inspired to add more international news stories to their daily reading.

Global learning can often be seen as exclusive and distant, but the quiz opens up pathways for it to be inclusive and accessible for all.

What if the key to advancing birth equity could be found within Rwanda or the bold approaches needed to address the climate crisis were taking root in New Zealand? Twelve simple questions might kick-start a learning journey that could surface the solutions youve been looking for.

Take the quiz and explore the intriguing resources to see where in the world your ideas come from.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
FILE - In this May 7, 2020 file photo, a pregnant woman wearing a face mask and gloves holds her belly as she waits in line for groceries at St. Mary's Church in Waltham, Mass. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urged all pregnant women Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021 to get the COVID-19 vaccine as hospitals in hot spots around the U.S. see disturbingly high numbers of unvaccinated mothers-to-be seriously ill with the virus.


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Good morning, Bay Area. Its Thursday, Aug. 12, and California wildfire smoke is moving toward the Bay Area. Heres what you need to know to start your day.

Californias 600,000 teachers and other school staff must be vaccinated or submit to weekly testing, a first-in-the-nation requirement Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday morning in Oakland.

The order will fully take effect Oct. 15, two months into the school year for some school districts. But the governor said he believes many school districts will set a deadline prior to that, which San Francisco and Oakland have already done.

Read more.

 Stanford among first universities requiring weekly COVID testing, even for vaccinated students.

 Children of immigrants at the heart of effort to reach Oakland's unvaccinated communities.

 Is it hard to find a coronavirus test right now in San Francisco? We tried  here's what happened.

 San Francisco's latest COVID surge is affecting males way more than females.

 Heres how S.F. coronavirus curve compares to some of the biggest U.S. cities right now.

Dixie Fire smoke blowing toward Bay Area

Noah Berger/Associated Press

Smoke drifting from wildfires burning in Northern California and southern Oregon will trigger an air quality advisory for the Bay Area on Thursday, though officials stopped short of issuing a Spare the Air alert.

Skies could be smoky and hazy across the region Thursday as winds push the smoke billowing from wildfires south, according to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. Read more here and check our air quality tracker here.

 The Dixie Fire is now more than half a million acres in size.

 Northern California college instructor accused of starting multiple blazes near the Dixie Fire.

More California newsletters: Want stories from across California? For intriguing, informative and fun stories beyond The Chronicle, try the California Sun. Its a daily newsletter that curates must-read stories about the Golden State. Its totally free to sign up: Just plug in your email over here.

Around the Bay

Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle

 Risk factors: As Oakland reels from gun violence, one man sees personal firearms as part of the solution  but hes promoting his message in a part of the city with a complex relationship with guns.

 Nostalgia, back at the source: S.F.'s Cliff House to briefly reopen as pop-up museum showcasing historic items.

 Updated with the latest data: The biggest donors in the California recall campaign.

 Dont feed the animals : San Francisco is looking for the woman who's been feeding raw meat to coyotes on Bernal Hill.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

 Andrew Hall: One of two charges against East Bay police officer lowered after prosecution failed to use his own words against him.

 Historic transformation: Labor secretary on Bay Area visit says infrastructure bill would help region transition from fossil fuels; more details on what it means for the region here.

From the vineyards

Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle

Natural wine has long occupied the fringe of Californias mainstream wine industry. Winemakers observing this minimalist-intervention philosophy have positioned themselves as an alternative to the establishment, eschewing certain technologies and additives that are commonplace in modern winemaking. Its won them a lot of fans  but within this genre of wines is an even more avant-garde segment: zero-zero.

Esther Mobley explains the difference between natural and zero-zero wines and how they can be both delicious  and go very, very wrong. Read more.

More from Chronicle Food & Wine:

 One of the few public wine companies just added a new perk: wine discounts for shareholders.

 Win for vegan butter: Sonoma County-based Miyoko's Creamery scores legal victory in plant-based labeling battle.

 Bay Area's Filipino vegan chefs, once rejected, are finally gaining acceptance for their food.

Bay Briefing is written by Taylor Kate Brown, Anna Buchmann and Kellie Hwang and sent to readers email inboxes on weekday mornings. Sign up for the newsletter here, and contact the writers at taylor.brown@sfchronicle.com, anna.buchmann@sfchronicle.com and kellie.hwang@sfchronicle.com.
Although California voters legalized the possession of marijuana by adults in 2016, the state Supreme Court said Thursday it is still a crime to possess pot in prison, and violators could face additional years behind bars.

Proposition 64, approved by 57% of the voters, allowed adults 21 and older to possess up to an ounce of marijuana for personal use, expanding a 1996 state law that legalized medical use of cannabis. Thursdays ruling addressed one provision of the initiative that said it did not change any existing laws pertaining to smoking or ingesting cannabis or cannabis products in any state prison, leaving those laws in effect.

That provision was not discussed in the ballot arguments or other election materials. Some state appellate courts, citing the overall intent of Prop. 64 to end the criminalization of marijuana, concluded that the ballot measure had legalized pot possession in prison, because possession is not the same as smoking or ingesting.

But the states high court said Thursday that the longstanding ban on marijuana possession by inmates must be interpreted as a law pertaining to consuming cannabis, and can still be enforced unless the Legislature changes it.

Pertaining to means related, Justice Joshua Groban said for a five-member majority. The act of possessing cannabis and the act of using cannabis have an obvious relation insofar as a person has to possess cannabis to smoke or ingest it.

He noted that the consequences can be severe. The 1990 law upheld by the court makes possession of marijuana behind bars a felony punishable by two, three or four years in prison, but those terms can be doubled for inmates with previous convictions for serious felonies. Two of the inmates in the court case had their previous sentences increased by six years.

We are sympathetic to the view that (the law) creates extreme disparity between how our legal system treats the possession of cannabis generally versus the possession of such a substance inside a correctional facility. That is also true of many other substances, including alcohol, Groban said. But he said any revisions are up to the Legislature or the voters.

One of the organizations that sponsored Prop. 64 said lawmakers should quickly amend the statute to overturn the ruling.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

A felony for possession of cannabis in prison is excessive and will result in longer sentences that do not serve the interests of public safety or justice, said Matthew Schweich, deputy director of the Marijuana Policy Project.

Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye and Justices Carol Corrigan, Goodwin Liu and Martin Jenkins joined Grobans opinion. Justice Leondra Kruger, joined by Justice Mariano-Florentino Cuellar, said in a partial dissent that the law should be interpreted somewhat more leniently, in the spirit of Prop. 64, to allow marijuana possession to be prosecuted under a 1949 law with a maximum sentence of three years.

That law, Kruger said, classifies marijuana like most other drugs and alcohol that are illegal in prison, but not as serious as methamphetamine or heroin.

The case is People vs. Raybon, S256978.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko
The Bay Areas population growth outpaced both California and the U.S. over the past decade, with big gains for Asian, Latino and Hispanic groups, according to U.S. Census Bureau data released Thursday on the results of the 2020 decennial census.

From 2010 to 2020, the nine-county region added 614,901 residents amid a tech boom, an 8.6% increase that surpassed Californias growth rate of 6.1% and the U.S. rate of 7.4%, according to a Chronicle analysis. The Greater Bay Area, including Monterey and Santa Cruz counties, grew by 8.3%.

The Bay Area had a record high 7.77 million people last year. California had 39.5 million people. The data represents the number of people living in these areas on April 1, 2020.

The share of the white population fell in all nine Bay Area counties, mirroring national trends, with the largest drop in Contra Costa County from 47.8% to 39.1%.

Nationally, the share of the white population fell from 63.7% in 2010 to 57.8% last year, the lowest on record. Latinos and Hispanics became the largest ethnic group in California for the first time at 39.4% of the population, up from 37.6% in 2010. The share of white people who do not identify as Hispanic dropped from 40.1% to 34.7% in the state. Asians now make up 15.1% of the state, the second-highest share among states behind Hawaii.

Our analysis of the 2020 census results show that the U.S. population is much more multiracial, and more racially and ethnically diverse than what we measured in the past, said Nicholas Jones, director of race and ethnicity outreach for the Census Bureaus population division.

The trends could fuel more calls for diversity among elected officials, and the data will inform a contentious Congressional redistricting process that includes Californias first loss of a House seat, as well as federal funding allocations.

Theres definitely going to be calls for districts that offer better representation, said Eric McGhee, a senior fellow at the Public Policy Institute of California, a nonprofit research institute.

In the Bay Area, Asians grew their share of the population in all nine counties. Santa Clara Countys Asian population jumped to 38.9% from 31.7% in 2010, the biggest gain, followed by Alameda Countys 6.2-percentage-point gain and San Mateo Countys 5.3-percentage-point increase.

The share of Latinos and Hispanics grew in seven of nine Bay Area counties, with a 4.3-percentage-point gain in Solano County as the regions largest.

San Francisco saw the smallest drop of its white population among Bay Area counties at 2.8 percentage points, while the share of people of two races or more grew from 3% to 5%. The city saw other ethnic population shifts under 1 percentage point, making it the county that changed the least demographically in the past decade.

Eight Bay Area counties saw Black residents share of the population decline among those who do not identify as Hispanic, with Alameda County seeing the biggest drop, at 2.7 percentage points. Other counties had losses of 1 percentage point or less, while Sonoma Countys non-Hispanic Black population share was up slightly, at 0.1 percentage points.

Alameda County had the Bay Areas largest population increase, 11.4%, followed by neighboring Contra Costa County at 11.1% and Solano County at 9.7%.

Sonoma County had the lowest population growth at 1% and Napa County at 1.1%. Both areas have been ravaged by wildfires in recent years.

McGhee said the Bay Areas growth was expected, but its unclear how the pandemic will affect the regions future population trends. Even before the last year, residents were struggling to afford housing and moving to cheaper areas or out of the state.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

But the abundance of jobs will continue to draw residents or keep them in the area, he said.

San Francisco has lost some people, but a lot of people it lost have gone across the bay, he said. U.S. Postal Service data showed the majority of Bay Area residents who moved last year stayed within the region and state.

On the state level, a lower birth rate, residents leaving and less international immigration mean that population growth is expected to slow after turning negative last year, according to state data.

Theres no doubt that the state is on a trajectory of slower growth for the foreseeable future, McGhee said.

Two small Northern California counties saw the states biggest population swings: Modoc County had the steepest population decline with a loss of 10.2%, while Trinity County had the states biggest gain at 16.9%.

Dublin was the fastest-growing city with more than 50,000 people in the Bay Area, with its population surging 57.7% to about 72,600 residents in the past decade. The Tri-Valley suburb has added thousands of units of new housing and attracted residents looking for a cheaper cost of living compared to San Francisco.

The search for housing affordability also led to an influx of residents to the Sacramento region, which saw a 9.6% jump in residents, the highest among the states regions, and the San Joaquin Valley, which grew by 8.4%. Southern California grew by 4.6% and the rural parts of Northern California outside of the Bay Area grew by 2.1%.

Roland Li and Nami Sumida are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: roland.li@sfchronicle.com, nami.sumida@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rolandlisf @namisumida
Gov. Gavin Newsom will send California Highway Patrol officers to Oakland to enforce traffic laws on city street, Mayor Libby Schaaf said after Chinatown leaders pleaded for help confronting a wave of violent crimes.

Leaders in Chinatown had called on the governor to declare a state of emergency in the wake of a series of robberies and assaults in Oakland, prompting Schaaf to ask for CHP officers to be sent to the citys major commercial corridors and along International Boulevard.

City officials said Thursday that Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong will meet with the CHP commissioner soon to determine the details  how officers will be deployed and for how long.

Beware there is going to be more enforcement, Schaaf said at a news conference Wednesday with Newsom announcing a state mandate on vaccinations for teachers and school staff.

The reckless driving that kills people, the robberies that involve vehicles like what happened to our beloved U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer  that is going to really get under control with the help from the state and I am so grateful, Schaaf said.

The former senator was robbed and assaulted July 26 in Oakland near Jack London Square. The mugger pushed her, stole her cell phone and jumped into a waiting car, according to Boxers office.

Newsom said additional law enforcement supports will be coming to Oakland.

The governor called Oaklands overall rise in violent crime a crisis that needs to be addressed head on, adding that the states $267 billion budget set aside hundreds of millions of dollars for street outreach programs.

Newsom added that the state also set aside $165 million in grants to address the issue of Asian hate in this state.

That is unprecedented, he said.

On Tuesday, Carl Chan, president of the Oakland Chamber of Commerce, sent a letter to Newsom urging him to send CHP and other state law enforcement authorities to Oakland.

Im not only asking you to patrol in Chinatown. All areas, we need your help, Chan said at a news conference in Chinatown.

The press conference Tuesday was held after a weekend robbery and shooting in Chinatown that left two people injured. Oakland is currently facing a broader uptick in violent crime  78 people have been slain in the city compared with 54 at this time last year.

Council Member Dan Kalb said Thursday that if the CHP provides assistance with violent crimes and serious traffic offenses like speeding and reckless driving, then Im all for it.

Its the big things that we need help with, Kalb said.

Council President Nikki Fortunato Bas said that local, state and federal governments must work together solve violent crimes, get illegal guns off the streets and address the root causes of poverty and violence by creating good jobs and affordable housing, and providing quality health care and education.

Any additional law-enforcement that comes to Oakland must serve our community with the highest standards of respect and collaboration, she said in a statement.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Dan Lindheim, a former Oakland city administrator and currently a professor at UC Berkeleys Goldman School of Public Policy, said it would be best if CHP focused on major traffic enforcement  sideshows, speeding, running red lights.

The challenge though, he said, is that CHP does not have to adhere to the same rules and reforms that OPD has gone through when it comes to reducing certain traffic stops. In 2019, Oakland police said they will no longer pull people over for low-level infractions like a broken windshield or taillight.

The Oakland Police Officers Association said in a statement that it appreciates CHPs help, but still was critical of the city for seeking outside help.

Every Oakland cop welcomes help from the CHP, said Barry Donelan, president of the union. But its a shame that it took Oaklands crime-weary residents pleading to the state for help because the majority of Oaklands City Council abandoned crime victims and embraced a dangerous defund the police ideology.

The Oakland City Council directed more than $17 million away from Schaafs proposed police budget this summer and funneled those funds to the Department of Violence Prevention. The move prompted criticism from police officials who said crime is out control and more resources are needed. The council increased the Police Departments budget, but by a smaller amount than the mayor had proposed.

The Department of Violence Prevention is in the process of launching several programs with its new funds. The programs include doubling the number of violence interrupters working for the department through nonprofit agencies to 20, increasing support for homicide victims families, and adding staff for crime scene response.

The city is also looking into transferring some traffic enforcement out of the Police Department and into the Transportation Department.

Sarah Ravani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani
A storied sushi restaurant in Palo Alto is reeling after its owner was subjected to a racist attack by a customer frustrated with their contactless payment policy.

The altercation, which happened on Aug 1, happened after a customer tried to pay with cash. A server, apologized and told him the restaurant was not accepting cash payments, due to the pandemic.

The customer proceeded to scream at the server and launch a racist attack against the owner, Lumi Gardner.

You are un-American! the customer reportedly told Gardner, who detailed the event in a Facebook post. Where were you even born? Where did you even go to school? ... Go back to your country! You dont belong here! We dont want to see you here.

Sgt. Brian Philip, a spokesperson for the Palo Alto Police Department, said the agency is working with the Santa Clara County District Attorneys office to see if the altercation can be elevated and charged as a hate crime offense.

People act rude, people say disgusting things to people, but sometimes that doesnt actually elevate it to a crime, Philip said. But its still a good message to get out there that we wont tolerate it.

Philip said though they havent made any arrests, they are aware of the suspects identity.

After yelling at the staff and Gardner, the man attempted to leave without paying, even after capitulating to a cash payment, Gardner said, who started recording the incident in case he became violent. The man eventually paid with cash and stormed out to the parking lot, where Gardner followed him to make sure he wouldnt damage any property.

He proceeded to drive over to me, getting uncomfortably close to me, she wrote. He took out his phone and recorded me while he continued to yell and scream at me, about how hes going to sue me, wisely choosing not to express his racist beliefs while on camera.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Gardner said the experience had her in complete shock  she had never experienced anything like this at the restaurant, which has been a family business since 1978.

But the nightmare continued: Later that week, she received a threatening phone call.

The story, which caught the attention of Palo Alto Vice Mayor Pat Burt and Menlo Park City Council member Ray Mueller  who condemned the incident and said they would support the restaurant  has even made its way across the country. Gardner said she and has been getting supportive messages from people from people in New Jersey, Idaho, New Mexico, and Montana.

She has also launched a fundraiser  and donations will be made to the San Francisco Foundations program to end hate crimes against Asian Americans.

Annie Vainshtein is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: avainshtein@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @annievain
San Francisco will become the first major city in the country to require proof of full vaccination against the coronavirus for a variety of indoor activities, including visiting bars, restaurants, gyms and entertainment venues that serve food or beverages.

Many bars and restaurants around San Francisco have already taken it upon themselves to ask patrons to show their vaccination cards before they enter  a process that has largely gone well. Nearly 80% of the citys eligible population has been vaccinated, and officials hope the new rule will push holdouts to finally get the shot.

The mandate will take effect Friday, Aug. 20.

Todays announcement is really about making sure that people feel a little bit safer in our city, Mayor London Breed said Thursday at a news conference outside Vesuvio Cafe, one of the first bars in the city to require patrons to show vaccine cards. We need to do our part. We need to get vaccinated.

Patrons will not be allowed to substitute a recent negative test for proof of vaccination.

New York City plans to require proof of at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine for indoor activities starting Aug. 16. But San Franciscos order takes it a step further by requiring customers to be fully vaccinated.

In San Francisco, patrons will have to show they are vaccinated at bars and restaurants only if they plan to eat and drink inside. So someone coming in to pick up a takeout order or a cup of coffee to go will not be required to show a vaccine card. Retailers, grocery stores will also be exempt from the requirement, as are children younger than 12  who are ineligible to be vaccinated.

While customers will be required to show their vaccine cards by Aug. 20, employees of the establishments will have until Oct. 13 to be vaccinated.

Large indoor events with more than 1,000 people  such as Chase Center, where the Golden State Warriors play  will be included in the vaccine requirement. Vaccine cards will not be required at outdoor venues, such as Oracle Park, but officials strongly urge venues to ask for them.

The health order also extends vaccination requirements to health care providers  such as dentists and pharmacists  who are not included in the states vaccination requirements. They will have to be fully vaccinated by Oct. 13.

San Francisco officials have been mulling a requirement for weeks, as the highly infectious delta variant caused a surge in cases and hospitalizations especially in unvaccinated people. But Breeds office previously said it had some legal and logistical hurdles to work through before making it official.

The city already reimposed an indoor mask mandate this month, in an attempt to curb the spread of the delta variant. Dr. Grant Colfax, director of the citys Department of Public Health, said Thursday that San Francisco has no current plans to lift the indoor mask mandate.

The vaccine requirement is simply common sense, Colfax said. The vaccines continue to work remarkably well.  They are our way out of this pandemic.

George Chen, owner of Cold Drinks Bar  where he has already been asking customers to show their vaccine cards  said he is all for the new policy. He said he anticipates running into some challenges at his other restaurant, China Live in Chinatown, where many tourists like to dine.

Those people may be from places that arent as vaccinated. It will be a little more difficult, he said. But, he added, the mandate will send a message to people outside San Francisco: Dont come here unless youre double vaccinated because you wont be able to eat out. Its one way to keep us safe."

Jill Ritchie, owner of Vegan Picnic, had a one-word reaction to the policy: awesome.

Its a relief because now well all be on the same page, she said. And it gives me hope that my business can survive if everyone can get back to work.

California has been at the forefront of vaccination mandates. This week the state became the nations first to require teachers and school staff to be fully vaccinated, or to submit to weekly testing. The order will fully take effect Oct. 15, which is about two months into the school year for some school districts.

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Los Angeles is considering a similar move, but is still working out the details. Palm Springs and Cathedral City, both in Riverside County, also recently voted to require proof of vaccination for patrons at indoor venues such as restaurants; it was not immediately clear from news reports whether they require one dose or the full dosage of two-shot vaccinations.

While the move was applauded by many in San Francisco, officials in other Bay Area counties  Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, Marin, Solano and Napa  said they dont have plans to issue a similar mandate.

In Pacifica, Helen Nasser-Elddin, co-owner of Pacifica Brewery, worried about the mandate spreading to her city. She said it would cause complete chaos and be a burden on her staff.

We are completely for safety and vaccinations. Our staff is all vaccinated, she said. But dont put mandates on business owners when its an individual responsibility to get vaccinated. Its not fair for small business owners.

San Franciscos mandate comes at a time when many feel on edge and frustrated by the current state of the pandemic, as unvaccinated people drive a dramatic surge in cases. Breed said that the citys goal is not to be heavy-handed, and that city officials will help businesses with any resources and signage they may need to implement the new requirements.

Caleb Zigas, executive director of La Cocina, said the Tenderloin marketplace and food hall was already planning to implement its own vaccine checks Monday  but hes thankful for the clarity and direction of the citywide rule.

He expects there to be challenges, especially because La Cocina is a community-centric space that doesnt want anyone to feel unwelcome. As a result, Zigas said, the La Cocina Marketplace is rushing to add some outdoor seating where unvaccinated people can have food brought out to them.

We understand any frustration with the vaccine mandate, and with the ongoing concerns of COVID-19, but its the reality we live in, he said. We are all living through a really difficult period. And at least for us, the intent is to do everything we can to acknowledge that hurt and create as safe a space as possible.

San Francisco Chronicle staff writers Chase DiFeliciantonio, Elena Kadvany, Janelle Bitker and Jessica Flores contributed to this report.

Trisha Thadani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: tthadani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @TrishaThadani
Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle

The Bay Areas suburbs have seen more population growth than big cities over the past decade, according to the latest census data.

Among all cities in the region with at least 50,000 people, Dublin in Alameda County saw the largest increase in residents by far  it grew by 58% since the last census in 2010, taking it from about 46,000 residents to just under 73,000 in 2020.
The massive Dixie Fire, the second largest in California history, continues to burn and dominate news coverage, but 14 other wildfires are still active in Northern California, drawing the resources of firefighters, forcing evacuations and threatening homes.

The Dixie Fire has scorched 515,756 acres and was was 31% contained as of Thursday evening, Cal Fire officials said. And as of Thursday evening, the blaze had destroyed 1,109 structures, including more than 500 single-residence homes.

According to Cal Fire, 9,831 firefighters were battling 11 major wildfires and many smaller blazes throughout the state. The fires have cumulatively burned 959,611 acres.

The most recent Northern California blaze, which started Wednesday in Yuba County, is the Glen Fire, which consumed 184 acres and was 25% contained as of Thursday evening. Cal Fire officials said the change in the blazes acreage  which was initially recorded as 209 acres on Thursday afternoon  was due to better mapping.

Located northwest of Robbins (Sutter County), the fire started Wednesday afternoon and quickly grew, forcing evacuations in Brownsville and Challenge but many of those evacuation orders were lifted hours later. The fire spread slowly overnight but structures are still threatened, according to Cal Fire officials. Firefighting is taking place in steep, rugged terrain dotted by a large quantity of standing, dead trees, Cal Fire said.

Three major wildfires are burning in rural areas of the Shasta-Trinity and Klamath national forests where hot, dry weather, winds and possible thunderstorms could send the flames tearing through tinder-dry vegetation.

The largest is the Monument Fire, which has ripped through 67,190 acres of Trinity County, according to the U.S. Forest Service, and continues to spread with hot, dry air and windy conditions. Isolated thunderstorms are forecast along with high temperatures.

The fire was just 3% contained Thursday.

Lightning started the Monument Fire July 30 in Del Loma, near Monument Peak, and it continues to tear through timber, brush, chaparral and grass that are as dry as they would normally be in late September, according to fire officials.

Evacuations were ordered in Junction City, Red Hill, Canyon Creek, Coopers Bar, Big Bar, Del Loma, Big Flat, Helena, Cedar Flat and Burnt Ranch, and the Trinity Alps Wilderness Area has been closed.

The threat of thunderstorms has fire crews prepared for extreme, erratic fire conditions that could push the flames in any direction.

Firefighters are ready to act when and if a new start were to occur, the Forest Service said. The concern is that any new start will spread rapidly and burn with extreme intensity.

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The hot, dry, windy weather and potential thunderstorms are also a concern for firefighters on the Antelope Fire in Siskiyou County, which has charred 44,839 acres and is 24% contained. The fires spread has slowed but is still active in mid- to late afternoon.

Evacuation warnings have been issued for the communities of Tennant, Bray, Antelope Sink areas, Red Rock Road, Medicine Lake, Payne Springs and Blanche Lake. Nine homes were destroyed in Tennant, but about 100 were saved, according to Steven La-Sky, a fire spokesman.

Firefighters also rescued a young bear with burns on Monday, the 77th birthday of the U.S. Forest Services fire safety mascot, Smokey Bear. Firefighters captured the bear, which suffered burns on its paws and nose, and sent it to a wildlife rescue center, where it will be rehabilitated then released back into the wild, La-Sky said.

The McFarland Fire, which started near Wildwood in Trinity County Saturday after a lightning strike, has burned 37,779 acres and is 51% contained. On Wednesday night, Highway 36 was reopened without restrictions.

Chronicle Staff Write Lauren Hernandez contributed to this report.

Michael Cabanatuan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ctuan
Police arrested a man this week they suspect sexually assaulted two boys at a Trader Joes in Los Altos.

Deepak Charan, 29, was arrested for inappropriately touching two boys in a sexual manner who were shopping at a Trader Joes store in Los Altos, according to the Los Altos Police Department.

Charan was an employee at the store and is a registered sex offender.

Police said the two victims were not related.

Detectives arrested Chan at his probation officers office in Redwood City. He was booked into the Santa Clara County jail.

A Trader Joes representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Anyone with information was asked to contact Los Altos Detective Aimee Major at 650-947-2655 or amajor@losatlosca.gov.

Jessica Flores is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jessica.flores@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jesssmflores
Anthony Dart clicked the slide of his Glock 17 into place. His target, a cardboard stencil of a human body, dangled from an easel across the room.

All was still in Darts East Oakland studio loft, where a bag of oranges sat on the granite countertop and Donny Hathaway crooned from the stereo. Guns lay on the coffee table, beside a protractor and a jar of beet juice. Glocks, a Smith & Wesson M&P 15 rifle and a Ruger Pistol Caliber Carbine, partially disassembled so he could clean out the barrel.

The 43-year-old firearm instructor set the pistol down. It helps with immediate danger, he said of being armed.

In some senses, Dart, who is Black, serves as an evangelist for the idea that guns can provide freedom and empowerment. Yet hes promoting his message in a diverse part of the city with a complex and anguished relationship with guns.

Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle

Firearm sales soared across California last year, even as the number of gun dealerships continued to decline, according to the state Department of Justice. The chasm between gun enthusiasts and gun control advocates appears to be widening, and its particularly stark in places like Alameda County, where gun crimes  and requests to carry the instruments that cause them  are escalating.

Applications to carry concealed handguns more than doubled in Alameda County last year, from 62 in 2019 to 162 in 2020, according to records obtained by The Chronicle. By June, officials had already received 111 new applications, signaling a new peak could be coming this year.

Most requests arent granted, the data shows. The Alameda County Sheriffs Office approved only 95 of the 335 applications it received from 2019 through the first half of 2021 and denied only nine, leaving nearly 70% of new applications unresolved. A Sheriffs Office public records employee said the vast majority of the pending requests are shunned right away for lacking good cause, which is a basic requirement.

As the number of new applications spiked during the pandemic, the approval rate actually dropped, from 55% in 2019 to 17% in 2020 and 30% so far this year.

Suburbs have the highest number of concealed-carry permits, with 59 active licenses in Livermore and 48 in Castro Valley. In comparison, Oakland has 29 active licenses, though the area still appears to be saturated with firearms.

Oakland police have recovered 727 firearms and recorded 78 homicides through Aug. 10 this year, mostly clustered in the flatlands of East Oakland. Many of the guns seized or found by police, or turned in by residents, have no serial number and cannot be traced, said Capt. Roland Holmgren, commander of the Police Departments Violent Crime Operations Center.

A large body of academic research has linked gun ownership to higher rates of injury and death. Among the findings: In California, male gun owners take their own lives at nine times the rate of men who dont own guns, and women are 35 times more likely to kill themselves if they own a handgun, according to a Stanford University study published last year in the New England Journal of Medicine.

A 2014 review published in the Annals of Internal Medicine concluded that the presence of a gun in the home doubled the risk for homicide and triples the risk for suicide.

Despite the risk factors, guns carry a different weight in East Oakland, where historic disinvestment has exacerbated everything from the foreclosure crisis to the coronavirus pandemic in communities that were once predominantly Black and are now majority Latino.

Lets be honest, in my neighborhood, pretty much everyone has guns, Keisha Henderson said of the flatlands area near 55th Avenue, which is about half a mile from Darts studio.

Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle

Henderson, who serves on the Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council, cited several reasons that her neighbors are more inclined to arm themselves. They range from slower police responses as a smaller force grapples with a spike in killings to the specter of racially motivated attacks. Fears flared up, she said, after the killing of Black jogger Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia, the Jan. 6 raid on the U.S. Capitol and a recent string of viral videos purporting to show hate crimes.

Dart said he has a permit to carry a concealed firearm, but only does so about 5% of the time.

Just when I feel it in my gut, he said.

To Dart, legal gun ownership is as much a civil rights issue as anything else. He said that Black people face more obstacles trying to exercise their Second Amendment rights.

I always hear in the Black community that its hard for Black and brown (people) to get firearms, he said.

Black people arent just excluded from being customers in the firearm industry, Dart contended. California only has one Black-owned gun store, Redstone Firearms in Burbank.

To open a gun store in California, aspiring business owners must obtain a federal license, a sellers permit from the State Board of Equalization, a certificate from the state Department of Justice and placement in the departments Centralized List of Firearms Dealers, apart from business permits required by the city or county.

In Oakland, sellers of guns and ammunition must pay $24 for every $1,000 of merchandise sold, under a measure approved by voters in 1998. Additionally, all dealers must apply for a permit from the citys police chief. Oaklands last gun store closed in 2000.

Dart said he tried for three years to open his own store in the city, but couldnt find a landlord willing to rent him a storefront, let alone the bank capital to start a business.

I tell them I want to open a gun store. Theyre like, Oh no, we dont want this here, he said, referring to what he saw as resistance from all sides.

Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle

A decline in gun dealerships hasnt prevented more guns from flowing into California, legally and illegally.

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The year 2020 set a record for the most handguns sold in a single year in California, the state Justice Department says. The previous year, law enforcement agencies in the state recovered 41,884 firearms suspected of being used in crimes, according to the most recent data from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, or ATF. Sixty percent of those guns originated from outside California.

Oakland and San Francisco ranked seventh and eighth out of the top California cities where crime guns were recovered in 2019, with 891 and 802, respectively.

Regina Jackson, president of the East Oakland Youth Development Center and chair of the citys Police Commission, said she empathizes with people who want to defend their homes and their families. But she doesnt view firearms as the mechanism for a safer community.

I dont think more guns is the answer, she said. I want to model what it is that I want to see for my city. And if I want not to see guns everywhere, then I actually have to believe in different ways of arming ourselves  with information, education, self-defense.

But with homicides approaching a record not seen in Oakland in almost a decade, would that view prevail over Darts prescription that firearms represent part of the solution?

On the floor of Darts studio, feet away from a milk crate of vinyl records, is a statue he purchased while backpacking in Vietnam. It shows a warrior holding a severed head. Dart said it illustrates one of his credos  one that could apply to firearm safety.

Either you fight and take off the other persons head, he said, or youre the one whose head is taken off.

Though he sticks to that philosophy, Dart said he has never used a gun to protect himself, or others, in real life.

He picked up his first firearm  a derringer  as a child in Vicksburg, Miss. Dart grew up shooting for sport, a hobby he kept after moving to Oakland in 1988. Later, he came to see guns as a source of protection in a city beset by violence.

Dart estimates hes trained more than 400 people, including many novices. Hes advertised classes for Black women who want to learn how to assemble, secure and properly shoot a pistol or rifle; others focused on defending against home invasions. He timed one class to precede Juneteenth, the day a firefight at Lake Merritt left one man dead and injured seven others.

On June 21, Dart announced that his company, Akoben Firearms Safety Training, would shut its doors. Too many people were signing up for classes and flaking, he said. In a later interview, he characterized the closure as more of a pivot: He would still offer group lessons to people who paid in advance.

The day his shop closed, on June 30, he posted a video on his Facebook page, in which Black Second Amendment advocate Rhonda Mary described gun control laws as racist control and subjugation.

LISTEN!!!!! Dart wrote in all caps.

Four days later, multiple shootings marred Fourth of July festivities in Oakland. Another person lay dead.

Rachel Swan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: rswan@sfchronicle.com; Twitter: @rachelswan
Kathryn Kulczyk was nervous when she started requiring proof of vaccination at her popular Haight cocktail bar, the Alembic, back in June. People seemed annoyed at the door. Some even threatened to cough on staff.

While a growing number of Bay Area restaurants and bars have been requiring proof of vaccination for indoor dining over the past few weeks, the majority of local business owners have held off because of fear of backlash from customers or logistical challenges. Indeed, harassment has become common for the restaurants and bars that have received national media attention.

But The Chronicle spoke with a slew of businesses that have already started vaccinated-only policies, and for the most part, restaurateurs found a pleasant surprise: Its gone exceedingly well. Customers largely havent pushed back, at least those who are showing up in person.

Even at the Alembic, Kulczyk said the frustrated customers now are obviously out-of-state and international tourists.

Ive noticed more of an acceptance, especially with San Francisco locals, she said.

Its a good sign as more businesses start this policy. All San Francisco restaurant and bar owners will soon need to require proof of vaccination for indoor service, following a Thursday announcement from Mayor London Breed.

Debi Cohn described an an overwhelming positive response at her Mission District tapas bar Asiento, with zero backlash from customers. At buzzy Indonesian restaurant Warung Siska in Redwood City, owner Anne Le Ziblatt said that very few unvaccinated people have tried to enter. And those not allowed in havent caused a scene so far.

Everyone is really happy were doing this, Le Ziblatt said. We feel good about the fact that weve made the right decision.

One of the earliest adopters was San Jose bar Haberdasher, which implemented its vaccine mandate when it reopened indoors on June 16. A smooth process required some planning. Owner Cache Bouren wrote a script for employees so theyre prepared to answer questions about what forms of proof are accepted, why the policy is necessary and, if needed, when to hand over Bourens business card for customers to complain. But conflict at the door has been minimal, and now regulars know to hand over their proof with their ID right away.

The more of us that do it, it just becomes less of a strange thing, he said. People get used to it.

Nick Otto/Special to The Chronicle

Though Napa Michelin-starred restaurant La Toque is popular with tourists, owner Ken Frank said its been easy to weed out the unvaccinated before anyone arrives. Thats because the restaurant is heavily communicating the policy in advance. After making a reservation, diners automatically get an email saying they must be vaccinated. When employees call diners to confirm reservations, they reiterate the policy.

The anti-vaxxers self-identify and demand their refunds, Frank said. Since La Toque is so busy, the restaurant can easily replace those diners with people on the wait list.

I think its easier for us to deal with it than a restaurant with a walk-in policy, he added. Then youd need a guy at the door. Im not a nightclub.

Yet even casual restaurants that rely on walk-in business say that checking vaccination status has been a non-issue.

Oakland Vietnamese spot Tay Ho has been having diners line up outside before entering for the entirety of the pandemic. Thats because the space is small, with only 11 tables, and takeout is popular. When people show up, they either wait on one side of the doors for takeout or wait on the other side to be let in  and now, to also have their proof of vaccination checked.

Thanks to the states digital vaccine record, owner Denise Huynh said it hasnt been a problem dealing with customers who didnt bring their physical vaccine cards.

The policy isnt just an attempt at keeping customers safe  its also a necessary measure if Tay Ho wants to survive, Huynh said. The restaurant is severely short-staffed, with Huynh and her brother taking turns washing dishes. If an employee got infected with COVID-19, Tay Ho would need to shut down and might not recover.

We cant afford to get any one of us sick, she said. Its like missing an arm. Thats it.

That said, Haberdasher is one of the bars that gets harassment, such as some angry emails calling the bar staff commies and segregationists. Bouren finds most of them funny. Bars that announced vaccination policies early and were named in media coverage seem to be facing the most harassment, though its largely online and not coming from locals.

But some of the bars that first announced vaccination policies are regularly encountering upset people online  and occasionally in person.

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Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle

Tim Obert, CEO of Seven Stills Brewery & Distillery, described his San Francisco business as a poster child for the vaccinated-only movement. Seven Stills was on several local television news programs and got mentioned in newspapers nationwide. Obert even gave an interview with Neil Cavuto on Fox News.

The second I got off, the phones were blowing up, he said. It was people calling from Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina  people calling to say, Im going to do whatever I can to take down your business.

The outrage is leading to a constant flood of calls, emails and negative online reviews, as well as a small fraction of people expressing their dissatisfaction in person. Its been painful to receive so much vitriol over trying to make people safer, Obert said.

The spike in negative reviews led Yelp to recently promise to proactively monitor for inappropriate reviews and allow restaurants to advertise their vaccination rules. This week, OpenTable similarly began adding vaccination requirements.

At Seven Stills, business is slow, though its hard to tell if its because of the policy, the delta variant or just a normal summer slowdown before school starts again.

Still, Obert said he doesnt regret it. Hes even looking into what it would take to turn one of his breweries into a vaccination site.

We are getting some positive feedback, but its funny, he said. The people who are vaccinated are still wearing their masks and theyre still sitting outside.

San Francisco Chronicle staff writer Elena Kadvany contributed to this report.

Janelle Bitker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: janelle.bitker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @janellebitker
A popular, inventive Chinatown pastry pop-up is making a comeback after more than a yearlong hiatus.

Melissa Chou, the former pastry chef at Mister Jius, has revived Grand Opening out of a takeout window on the ground floor of the Michelin-starred restaurant on Waverly Place.

This time, though, the pop-up is happening every weekend indefinitely, welcome news for fans of Chous pineapple buns and artful cakes who feared they were gone for good.

Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle

Grand Opening was born several years ago during family meals at Mister Jius. Chou would make Chinese-style baked goods for her co-workers, and eventually graduated to selling them out of the restaurants retail window. She left Mister Jius last spring, planning to visit family in New Zealand and then go all in on the pop-up. The coronavirus threw a wrench in that; she ended up staying there for a year before returning.

Chou takes inspiration from the classic Chinese bakeries surrounding Mister Jius and the Sunset District home where she grew up, overlaid with her fine-dining training. Before Mister Jius, Chou oversaw pastry at Mourad and Quince. Shes fascinated by different techniques, like Chinese lamination usually seen in the flaky scallion pancake, and how they can be used in both savory and sweet applications.

While some of her pastries have been staples since Grand Openings inception, shes always coming up with new additions, like a showstopping black sesame banoffee pie with miso caramel she debuted this week.

Chou belongs to a growing wave of Asian American bakers redefining pastries in the Bay Area at shops from San Franciscos Breadbelly to Oaklands Bake Sum and Sunday Bakeshop.

Below are four exciting items to try at the pop-up. Grand Opening offers preorders for pickup, or head to Mister Jius on Sundays for a selection of pastries baked fresh that morning.

Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle

Bolo bao: These are a staple at Chinese bakeries throughout San Francisco, from the butter-stuffed favorites at Pineapple King Bakery in the Sunset to the more classic versions at Chinatowns beloved Good Mong Kok Bakery.

Chou has always felt bolo bao  also known as a pineapple bun for its crackly topping that looks like the fruits skin  is just a lot of bread. So she pipes hers with custardy, luscious sweet cheese and whatever fruit is in season. Recently, thats been cherries, or apricot and lemon-verbena custard.

Elena Kadvany/The Chronicle

Wife cookie: A flaky Cantonese pastry similar to a hand pie, the wife cookie is usually made from lard-based dough, filled with almond paste, sesame and candied winter melon.

Chous take looks deceivingly simple on the outside. Cut it in half to reveal the dramatic interior: layers of super nutty black sesame frangipane, chewy mochi and tangy plum preserves. Its as much about the contrasting textures  flaky pastry against gooey mochi  as the flavors, Chou said.

Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle

Burnt honey pie: This pie is devoted to an ingredient Chou has been drawn to throughout her career: honey. She drew on it for popular desserts at both Mourad and Mister Jius. (She even memorialized her love for honey with a bee and honeycomb tattoo on her right forearm.)

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Shes never been a big fan of sugar or chess pies, but thought the deep flavor of toasted honey would make for a more compelling custard filling. She uses honey from Marshalls Farm in Napa County and fragrant, utterly intoxicating beeswax from a guy who tends hives in Alameda. For the crust, she makes a pasta frolla, an Italian sweet pastry dough, which is both crumbly and flaky and holds up to the custard. The pie gets topped with sabayon (cream and egg whites that are cooked, chilled and then whipped) and sprinkles of bee pollen.

Its an ingredient Ive loved exploring because its elemental, ancient, one of our earlier encounters with sweeteners and transcends cultural borders, Chou said of honey.

Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle

Sponge cake: Chous layered fruit sponge cake evokes the ones found at classic Chinese bakeries. But she plays with the fillings: Some versions have featured juicy mandarins, lychee and coconut and, more recently, cherry and jasmine mousse.

Its her most labor-intensive creation, assembled component by component from cooking the fruit and baking the cake to making a verbena custard.

Grand Opening. Preorder for pickup Friday-Sunday at Mister Jius, 28 Waverly Place, San Francisco. grandopeningbakery.com/

Elena Kadvany is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: elena.kadvany@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ekadvany
Natural wine has long occupied the fringe of Californias mainstream wine industry. Winemakers observing this minimalist-intervention philosophy have positioned themselves as an alternative to the establishment, eschewing certain technologies and additives that are commonplace in modern winemaking. Its won them a lot of fans  seemingly every new restaurant or bar that opens in the Bay Area these days bills itself as a natural wine specialist.

As this philosophys popularity grows, more natural winemakers are emerging here. Now, a fringe within the fringe is gaining speed in California, too. These new winemakers abide by a more extreme version: zero zero wine, in which they add nothing to the grapes as they ferment. That means no yeast, no nutrients, no acid, no water, no preservatives. Unlike most natural winemakers, who accept some interventions in small degrees, the zero-zero crowd draws a hard line, often explaining their approach with the catchphrase nothing added and nothing taken away.

While a few California winemakers like Tony Coturri have made zero-zero wines for years, even decades, more local vintners have started recently. Since 2017, nearly 20 new zero-zero wine labels have popped up in Northern California, with some of their wines just hitting the shelves for the first time in the past year. They make orange-colored Sauvignon Blanc, fizzy Merlot, inky Carignan. They buy grapes from organic vineyards from Mendocino to Monterey and beyond; some are farming small plots of land themselves. As a rule, theyre low-volume producers, some making just a couple hundred cases a year. After all, making wine in this anti-industrial method is not a scalable enterprise.

Every creative discipline has its avant-garde segment, the makers who endeavor boundary-pushing, intentionally audacious work. In wine, that avant-garde is zero zero.

Patrick Tehan/Special to the Chronicle 2019

To the average wine drinker, the distinctions between zero-zero wine and plain old natural wine and so-called conventional (a.k.a. not natural) wine may not matter, or even be apparent. There are no specific aesthetic giveaways. In theory, any wine can end up tasting any way. In practice, sure, many natural wines share certain traits  a hazy appearance due to lack of filtration, for example  but none is universally shared.

Behind the scenes, however, these various winemaking philosophies inspire fervent debate. Some zero-zero winemakers think non-zero-zero wines are not fully natural, since the wines unadulterated state is being manipulated. Others believe the zero-zero approach is misguided, even irresponsible, since it leaves the wine vulnerable to bacterial flaws.

The growing interest in all of these low-intervention methods mirrors the demand for natural everything: food, skincare products, even water. It dovetails with the market for organic produce and the demand for ingredient transparency. With their penchant for experimentation and cool-kid vibes, natural winemakers have attracted drinkers who might have previously found wine too stuffy.

Natural wine has also challenged conventional wisdom around what wine should taste like. Whereas most California wineries go to great lengths to make sure their wines are free of, for example, the spoilage yeast brettanomyces, which can make a wine smell like horse manure, some natural winemakers welcome it if the yeast ends up finding its way into their barrels. Wines like these have primed a whole new generations palates to be more open to funky flavors.

The zero-zero movement puts those dynamics into overdrive. If natural wine felt experimental and cool, its zero-zero subcategory feels even more so. San Francisco now has two wine shops dealing exclusively in zero-zero wine, Ruby in Potrero Hill and the forthcoming Bar Part Time in the Mission.

Kate Munsch/Special to The Chronicle 2020

But zero-zero wines may also invite more intense criticism. Is there a point where a wine  even a wine intended for a natural wine-loving audience  can get so unpleasantly funky that a winemaker ought to intervene?

For most natural winemakers, that intervention would come in the form of sulfur. This element occurs naturally in wine, as a byproduct of fermentation. On top of what a wine already contains, a winemaker can add more sulfur as a preservative and antioxidant, to protect against a wide range of ills, including bacteria. Essentially, sulfur is the final failsafe against any unfriendly microbes, and the vast majority of winemakers  including natural winemakers  rely on it to ensure that their wine doesnt turn to vinegar.

This is where the zero-zero winemakers get truly radical. Theyre not interested in any failsafe. They believe wines made without sulfur, and without anything else, are more soulful, more interesting, more alive. Theyre willing to accept any bacterial-overgrowth risks in pursuit of that.

Its like a Heath bowl versus a bowl from Ikea, says Graham Shelton of Slow Dance Wines, a zero-zero devotee in Petaluma. Its more delicate. Its more crafted. And yeah, maybe its a little chipped.

Not everyone has a tolerance for chipped wine, but then again, tolerances change over time. When Noel Diaz of Purity Wines in Richmond decided to go zero zero in 2017, after three years of making wines with small sulfur additions, he was initially nervous that his wines might succumb to problems like volatile acidity, which can make a wine smell like a magic marker.

Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle

But he found himself more accepting of his wines imperfections than hed expected. One ended up tasting so sour and kombucha-like that he decided to embrace it, calling the cuvee Pickleback, a reference to the name for a shot of Jameson with pickle brine.

If a wine were to go seriously downhill, some zero-zero winemakers would sooner get rid of it than fix it with sulfur. Id rather not use sulfur and learn from that mistake and do better in the future than keep leaning on the crutch, says Brent Mayeaux of Stagiaire Wines in Santa Cruz. Diaz has distilled some of his failed wines and made amaro.

Others counter that its financially untenable to pour wines down the drain, and that its unfair to customers to sell wines that reek of premature oxidation, brettanomyces or  maybe worst of all  mouse, a defect that produces a taste in the back of the throat said to be reminiscent of a dead mouse, and which tends to appear only in unsulfured wines.

If your choice is between making a wine thats zero zero but doesnt taste good or adding (a small amount of sulfur) to make a balanced wine, I would always choose to make the wine that is clean and tastes good, says Rosalind Reynolds, who aims to make all wines under her Emme label zero zero but is willing to intervene when necessary. Shes drunk zero-zero wines that are transcendent, she says, and shes drunk some that taste like trash.

The best wines Ive ever tasted are zero zero. There is a certain liveliness and purity and vibrancy to the wine that you get without any sulfur, Reynolds says. But by no means do I think its appropriate to practice zero zero as a hard and fast rule.

Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more.

Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle

These are aesthetic questions. There is also a question of safety: Is sulfur responsible for post-wine headaches, for example? The scientific consensus is that consuming sulfur in wine in small amounts is not harmful to most peoples health. If a person can consume sulfur-heavy foods like dried fruit or deli meats without an allergic reaction, theyre probably not allergic to wines with added sulfur.

Nonetheless, some swear they feel much better after drinking zero-zero wine. I dont tell people to drink my wine because its healthy, says Diaz. But if you ask me whether I feel better after drinking natural wine, the answer is yes. Even though the science says I shouldnt feel that way.

The conversation gets thorny quickly. Many zero-zero winemakers would say their aim is to let a wine freely express terroir, unobstructed by a winemakers hand. So is a zero-zero wine that gets overtaken by a bacterial problem just an example of nature taking its course, something that ought to be embraced? Or is it simply another way of obstructing terroir, if the wine ends up expressing merely the taste of the bacteria?

Its easy to get caught up in these worst-case scenarios. The truth is, there are plenty of examples of locally produced zero-zero wine for which these concerns arent even relevant. Many dont taste funky or faulty at all. They just taste good.

Patrick Tehan/Special to the Chronicle 2019

Sure, you can find zero-zero specimens that taste like kombucha and horse manure. You can also find ones that are mildly, agreeably funky, like the Slow Dance Sauvignon Blanc, which has vegetal aromas and a pleasantly sour flavor that reminds me of banana Runts candy.

And then theres a plethora of zero-zero wines being made in California right now that look crystal-clear and taste pristine. Carlos Caruncho, a Nevada City language teacher moonlighting as a winemaker under the Arquils label, makes a classic-tasting Cabernet Sauvignon blend called Maestro. In Sonoma County, Caleb Leisure crafts beautifully clean wines such as his Caesura, a lightly sparkling Viognier that tastes like peaches and apricots. (The list is long; Ill publish a list of some of my favorite current releases next week.)

Everyone seems to be a little bit tired of talking so much about sulfur, which has somehow become a lightning-rod topic and yet is not the most important part of the winemaking process, by a longshot. The debate around it tends to frame sulfur additions as an issue with moral implications  are you robbing a wine of its soul?!  but it has little to do with actual ethical issues facing the wine industry like climate change and fair labor practices.

Ultimately, the average wine drinker, even the average natural wine drinker, is likely not paying attention to the finer points of sulfur additions. For most consumers, its too confusing and it doesnt matter, Mayeaux acknowledges. Its hard enough for people to wrap their heads around natural wine in the first place.

More Information The zero-zero winemakers of Northern California There are many natural winemakers throughout California who produce some zero-zero wines but also some wines with small sulfur additions. Their labels include Emme, Ruth Lewandowski, Black Trumpet, Unturned Stone, Ardure, Deux Punx, Old World Winery, Broc, Donkey & Goat and Florez, among many others. Below is a list of Northern California wineries that identify specifically as zero zero, producing no wines with added sulfur. Absentee Ambyth Arquils Ashanta Caleb Leisure Chateau Fiasco Conspiracy of Equals Cote des Cailloux Coturri Everwild Everything is Okay Gearhead Hardesty Lula Marioni Mountain Misery Purity Slow Dance Stagiaire Subject to Change TyTy Under the Table Wild Jag Zumo See More Collapse

Thats why Reynolds thinks its silly to ascribe a sense of righteousness to any winemaking method, zero zero or natural or otherwise. The thing thats important is not whether you added sulfur, she says. The thing is being honest about what you did and then letting people decide what to drink for themselves.

Esther Mobley is The San Francisco Chronicles wine critic. Email: emobley@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Esther_mobley
San Francisco will become the first major city to require that patrons at indoor establishments where food or drink is served be fully vaccinated. Facebook has delayed its return-to-office date until January. San Franciscos latest COVID surge is affecting males significantly more than females

Resources on COVID-19 and Californias reopening: For detailed maps and new city-by-city Bay Area data, check out The Chronicles Coronavirus Tracker. To get regular updates on our coverage, sign up for our coronavirus newsletter.

Latest updates:

FDA authorizes extra vaccine dose for some immunocompromised individuals: U.S. Food and Drug Administration officials on Thursday changed the emergency use authorizations for the two-dose Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to allow for an extra dose for certain immunocompromised individuals, specifically those who have undergone solid organ transplants or those who have been diagnosed with conditions that are considered to have an equivalent level of immunocompromise, FDA officials said. These individuals are more vulnerable to infections, including the coronavirus, FDA officials said. This new authorization allows for an additional dose to be given at least 28 days following the two-dose regimen of the same vaccine to individuals 18 years of age or older, or for individuals 12 or older for recipients of the Pfizer vaccine, FDA officials said. People who are not immunocompromised do not need another dose at this time, officials said.

Santa Cruz County mulling indoor mask mandate: Dr. Gail Newel, the countys health officer, said during a briefing Thursday that due to a 10-fold jump in cases over the past month, that officials may need to reinstate some virus mitigation measures. If our health care system experiences further strain, local orders may need to be placed for mandatory masking and other restrictions on business or others, Newel said. Were hoping not to do this, but were counting on our community to follow recommendations.

SFUSD and teachers union reach reach tentative agreement on health and safety standards: The San Francisco Unified school district and the teachers union reached a tentative agreement on updated health and safety standards Thursday, just days before schools are set to reopen on Aug. 16. The deal lasts through July 2022, and states that SFUSD will meet all current public health guidelines for schools. Starting Sept. 7, San Francisco school officials will also require teachers and other staff to be vaccinated or face weekly testing for the coronavirus. We have committed to putting into place the highest safety standards and protocols at every campus to welcome our students back for the 2021-22 school year, Superintendent Vincent Matthews said in a release.

When will S.F.s fourth COVID surge end? Theres some indication of relief : With San Franciscos coronavirus case rate among the worst in California, the citys health director said Thursday there may be some relief in sight. Theres some indication that things are starting to level off a little bit but I think its too early to really determine whether thats going to be maintained or not, Grant Colfax said at a press briefing.

Unvaccinated children at high risk for infection as schools reopen, experts say: In a Grand Rounds event with Dr. Bob Wachter, chair of the Department of Medicine at UCSF, two of the nations top infectious disease experts said Thursday the delta variant has presented an unprecedented change in virus reproduction rates. That puts kids who are not eligible for vaccination at high risk for infection as in-person learning resumes. Its so transmissible, said Shane Crotty of the La Jolla Institute for Immunology. Carlos del Rio, associate dean at Emory, added: Im worried that a lot of kids are going to get infected. Im already seeing it.

San Francisco has among the highest coronavirus case rates in the Bay Area. Heres a possible explanation: For a long time, San Francisco prided itself on low coronavirus case rates relative to the rest of the region and state. That has changed  and experts have some theories, which this article explores.

San Franciscos latest COVID surge is affecting males way more than females: COVID-19 has sickened and killed men and boys at higher rates than women and girls in San Francisco. This article looks at possible reasons why.

Facebook delays a return to its U.S. offices until January: Facebook said Thursday it will push its date for returning to the office back to January for workers in the U.S. The company joins a host of other locally-headquartered tech companies, including Uber, Lyft and Roblox, that have delayed their return to the office. Read the story here.

At this point, youre either vaccinated or youre going to catch delta, says infectious disease expert: The delta variant of the coronavirus is so contagious that it is becoming unstoppable, said Shane Crotty, professor at the Center for Infectious Diseases and Vaccine Research at La Jolla Institute for Immunology, during a Grand Rounds discussion of COVID-19 developments hosted by UCSF Thursday. This is possibly an unprecedented change in terms of the amount of the R-naught shift, he said, referencing a term that describes the infectiousness of a virus. He said experts do not fully understand why delta has become so dominant. It really wasnt anticipated, Crotty said, adding that that the real-world impact of the virus is way out ahead of the virology at this point.

California GOP recall candidate Elder says nope to S.F.s vaccine mandate plans: Larry Elder, who leads the field of Republican candidates hoping to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom in Californias upcoming recall election, expressed opposition to San Franciscos announcement that it will become the first major U.S. city to require full COVID-19 vaccination for many indoor activities. The conservative talk show host, who has outpaced most of his rivals in fundraising, shared a Chronicle story detailing San Franciscos plans on Facebook and commented, Nope. When I win I will fight any and all vaccine and mask govt mandates at state and local level.

Less than 3% of U.S. adults eligible for booster shots: Federal officials are poised to OK an additional dose of coronavirus vaccine for people with weakened immune systems, the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is considering allowing another dose for vulnerable people who have already received the two recommended doses of the Pfizer and Moderna shots, including cancer patients, organ transplants recipients and others, according to Dr. Rochelle Walensky. She stressed a small proportion of the population would be eligible for the extra doses  less than 3% of adults

Coachella promoter announces vaccination requirement for all its U.S. venues: AEG Presents, which operates several iconic venues and festivals in the United States, announced Thursday that it will require proof of vaccination for all patrons and staff. Among the companys holdings are the Great American Music Hall and Regency Ballroom in San Francisco, New Yorks Webster Hall and Brooklyn Steel, and the Roxy and El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles. AEG also produces the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Coachella Music & Arts Festival, among others. The venues will not accept negative coronavirus tests as a substitute to proof of vaccination. The requirement goes into effect Oct. 1.

Britain reports most new cases since late July: The countrys health department reported 33,074 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, the highest daily figure since July 23. The numbers are fueled by the delta variant, the Associated Press reports, with many public health experts in the U.S. looking at the countrys trajectory to help forecast when the fourth wave of the pandemic will peak in this country. Officials says Britain needs to achieve a much higher level of vaccination if it hopes to control the disease. About 60% of the U.K. population has been fully vaccinated, compared to about 50% of the U.S. population, according to data from the CDC.

Bay Area restaurateurs say that the feared backlash for requiring vaccination has not materialized: For the most part, many of the restaurateurs who started vaccinated-only policies  before San Francisco announced a mandate for proof of vaccination  have found a pleasant surprise: Its gone exceedingly well. Customers largely havent pushed back, at least those who are showing up in person. Read the story here.

San Francisco to mandate vaccines for indoor activities: San Francisco will become the second major U.S. city, after New York, to require people attending indoor venues like restaurants and bars to be vaccinated. Read the story here.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

203 cases of COVID-19 linked to Lollapalooza music festival: Chicago health officials on Thursday reported 203 cases of COVID-19 connected to Lollapalooza, casting it as a number that was anticipated and not yet linked to any hospitalizations or deaths, the Associated Press reports. The four-day music festival, which started two weeks ago, drew about 385,000 people to a lakefront park. Festival goers had to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative coronavirus test and city officials said about 90% were vaccinated. The number of positive cases included those who tested positive after or during Lollapalooza, which could include people who might have arrived already infected, officials said.

Berkeley to require vaccinations for city employees: The city of Berkeley is moving to require COVID-19 vaccinations for its 1,500-plus employees, according to a news release Wednesday in which Health Officer Dr. Lisa Hernandez encouraged vaccine requirements among employers citywide: Increasing vaccinations in any workplace will strengthen its ability to stay open and keep employees healthy, she said. Mandating vaccination and verifying proof of vaccination in the workplace is a best practice and I recommend it. According to Berkeleyside, City Manager Dee Williams-Ridley told employees in a message Wednesday that discussions with unions are underway on a policy that would require city workers to be fully vaccinated by Oct. 15. Limited exemptions reportedly would be made for certain medical conditions or religious beliefs.

3-month-old with COVID placed on ventilator in Louisiana: A quarter of all children diagnosed with COVID-19 at Childrens Hospital in New Orleans have required treatment in intensive care units, WDSU News reported. Some children as young as seven weeks old are testing positive and a 3-month-old child is on a ventilator.

COVID vaccine boosters likely needed for all down the line, Fauci says: Top White House infectious disease adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci said Thursday morning that while the rollout of coronavirus vaccine boosters for some immunocompromised people is imminent, eventually such boosters are likely for everyone. Fauci told CBS This Morning that federal health agencies are studying the durability of the shots and will issue guidance on boosters when the level of protection gets to a certain level, CNN reported. The Food and Drug Administration could authorize approval of a third shot for some people with weakened immune systems as early as Thursday.

Is it hard to find a COVID-19 test right now in San Francisco? I tried. Heres what happened: Demand for coronavirus tests has skyrocketed in San Francisco amid the delta variant surge, with the seven-day average number of tests collected in the city nearly doubling last month. But many are complaining that tests and appointments are harder to come by, especially since San Francisco closed its mass testing center at the Embarcadero when the state reopened in mid-June. To get a sense of the current situation in San Francisco, a Chronicle reporter tried to find a test on Monday.

San Francisco s latest COVID surge is affecting males way more than females: Since the beginning of the pandemic, COVID-19 has sickened and killed men and boys at higher rates than women and girls in San Francisco. A Chronicle analysis found that the citys most recent delta-driven surge is once again affecting males more than females  and the gap appears to be getting wider. Read the story here.

Here s how S.F.  s coronavirus curve compares to some of the biggest U.S. cities right now: In San Francisco case rates that stayed consistently low compared to the rest of the country are now reaching levels last seen during the winter surge  despite the citys relatively high vaccination rates. So how does San Franciscos coronavirus situation compare now to other major U.S. cities? Read the story here.

California virus cases increasing mainly among the unvaccinated: For the week ending August 7, the average daily coronavirus case rate among unvaccinated Californians climbed to 51 per 100,000 people  compared to 33 per 100,000 the previous week. But among vaccinated people it was far lower, at 8.2 per 100,000, up from 7 the week before. The vast majority of new cases are among the unvaccinated, with with their case rates 600% higher than for those who are vaccinated.

Stanford to require weekly testing for students regardless of vaccination status: Citing the ongoing threat of the highly contagious delta variant of the coronavirus, Stanford University unveiled several safety measures ahead of its return-to-campus beginning Aug. 15. In addition to mandating face masks and vaccines for all, students living on campus or in off-campus housing provided by the school will be required to take an entry coronavirus test and also undergo weekly tests  a highly unusual requirement. Unvaccinated international students will additionally be asked to arrive seven days before in-person activities resume to complete entry testing, vaccination, and a period of restricted activity. Stanford is also recommending vaccination and testing for spouses, partners and children of students. Read the full story here.

California teachers to face vaccination-or-testing requirement: Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that California teachers will be required to get vaccinated or submit to testing. Read the story here.

With delta variant, is outside still the safer place to be?: The highly infectious delta variant has spurred a new look at that tenet that outdoor settings are generally safer for coronavirus transmission than indoors  especially following recent outbreaks tied to large outdoor music festivals in Oregon and Michigan. Bay Area experts say the risk of infection outdoors may be a bit higher than in prior stages of the pandemic  but they offer a few caveats. No surprise, its really all about behavior. Read the full story here.
Since the delta variant first gained a toehold in California just a few months ago, the highly transmissible coronavirus variant has rapidly changed the pandemic picture.

In San Francisco, for example, case rates that had stayed consistently low compared to the rest of the country are reaching levels last seen during the winter surge  despite the citys relatively high vaccination rates.

So how does San Franciscos coronavirus situation compare now to other major U.S. cities?

We looked at the coronavirus data in counties that include some of the biggest U.S. metropolitan areas, using data from the New York Times COVID tracker. The comparison showed that San Franciscos numbers as of Tuesday were on par with most of them, but exceeded a few.

San Francisco

 30 cases per 100,000

 11 hospitalizations per 100,000

 0.03 deaths per 100,000

 70% fully vaccinated

San Franciscos surge is being driven by adults age 25 to 39, accounting for 50% of the citys cases in July. The rise in cases prompted the citys health department to reinstate indoor mask mandates for all, and strongly encourage people to mask up in crowded public spaces too. Even so, San Franciscos high vaccination rates appear to be helping keep people out of the hospital.

Los Angeles

 34 cases per 100,000

 13 hospitalizations per 100,000

 0.14 deaths per 100,000

 55% fully vaccinated

Los Angeles was the first county in California to again recommend indoor masking for everyone at the end of June, and in mid-July reinstated its mask mandate. The county is moving closer to requiring proof of at least one vaccine dose to enter spaces including restaurants, gyms, bars and stores. The surge is showing signs of slowing down there  the positive test rate dropped to 4.4% on Tuesday from 6.6% a week earlier. But with in-person learning resuming in the county next week, officials are concerned that cases will continue to climb.

New York

 16 cases per 100,000

 8 hospitalizations per 100,000

 0.05 deaths per 100,000

 56% fully vaccinated

New York Citys case rate is lower than the other big cities, but the delta variant now accounts for 83% of cases sequenced. Officials say the highly transmissible variant and slowing vaccination rates are responsible for the latest surge. New York City became the first city in the U.S. to require proof of at least one vaccine dose for entry into restaurants, gyms and performance venues. The requirement will start Aug. 16 and enforcement begins Sept. 13.

Phoenix (Maricopa County)

 39 cases per 100,000

 21 hospitalizations per 100,000

 0.23 deaths per 100,000

 43% full vaccinated

The Arizona health department this week reported the highest number of COVID-19 patients in hospitals since the end of February. Arizonas largest hospital network said it might need to impose capacity restrictions, and the number of children admitted to its facilities has doubled over the past month, according to the Arizona Daily Star.

A Phoenix public high school district is requiring students and staff to wear masks indoors, despite a lawsuit from a teacher and a law that bans schools from implementing mask mandates that goes into effect in September.

Miami (Miami-Dade County)

 104 cases per 100,000

 52 hospitalizations per 100,000

 Death rate unknown. (According to the New York Times tracker, Florida stopped providing a county breakdown of deaths on June 4.)

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

 63% fully vaccinated

Miami-Dade Countys coronavirus rate has skyrocketed above the other major cities compared here, and is nearly three times the national average of 36 per 100,000 people. Florida has one of the worst rates of pediatric COVID-19 hospitalizations. Hospitalizations have broken daily records for a week and a half, and many hospitals have been overwhelmed with mostly unvaccinated patients and forced to cancel elective procedures. The state health department requested 300 ventilators from the federal government, though Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday he was unaware of that request.

Houston (Harris County)

 42 cases per 100,000

 32 hospitalizations per 100,000

 0.14 deaths per 100,000

 46% fully vaccinated

In Texas, mostly unvaccinated patients are being hospitalized with COVID faster than at any other point in the pandemic , which is overwhelming understaffed health care facilities, according to the Texas Tribune. One hospital system in Houston is reaching capacity and is preparing overflow tents, and last week a baby with COVID-19 had to be airlifted 150 miles away because there were no beds in any of Houstons major pediatric hospitals.

Gov. Greg Abbott had previously banned local jurisdictions from implementing mask mandates, but on Monday, judges in Dallas and Bexar counties temporarily blocked the executive order.

Chicago (Cook County)

 14 cases per 100,000

 8 hospitalizations per 100,000

 0.09 deaths per 100,000

 52% fully vaccinated

Chicago has the lowest case rate out of the major U.S. metro areas included in this analysis, and hospitalizations remain relatively low compared to other cities. Illinois is now averaging 3,000 coronavirus cases a day, which is eight times the number it was at the beginning of July, and the positive test rate is at a seven-month high of 5.1%, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

The citys health department has a travel advisory under which residents from more than 30 states must show a negative coronavirus test or quarantine for 10 days upon arrival. Officials said about 90% of the estimated 100,000 attendees to the Lollapalooza music festival in Chicago showed proof of vaccination to enter the event in late July.

Kellie Hwang is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer, and Nami Sumida is a Chronicle data visualization developer. Email: kellie.hwang@sfchronicle.com, nami.sumida@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kelliehwang, @namisumida
On Thursday, San Francisco Mayor London Breed announced the city will require full proof of vaccination against the coronavirus for indoor activities that involve eating, drinking or going to the gym  becoming the second major U.S. city after New York to issue a mandate, and the first to require patrons to be fully dosed. The mandate takes effect Aug. 20.

That raises the question: Will other Bay Area counties follow suit? Often the counties have acted in concert on health directives, like mask rules and (early in the pandemic) lockdown orders.

Here is what each Bay Area county said when asked whether it planned to follow San Francisco in its vaccination mandate:

Alameda: Neetu Balram, a spokesperson for the Alameda County Public Health Department, said the county has no current plans to issue a similar policy.

We will monitor how these policies roll out in San Francisco and New York, Balram said. While vaccination continues to be the best protection against severe illness, emerging research shows vaccinated people may also spread the delta variant form of the virus that causes COVID-19. Businesses can choose to implement vaccination verification systems to better protect their workers and patrons, but it shouldnt replace requiring everyone to wear masks in indoor public settings, workplaces, and businesses.

Contra Costa: The county currently has no plans to implement a vaccination mandate. But we are carefully monitoring local transmission data and will notify the public promptly if there is a change, said Brittany Paris, a spokesperson for Contra Costa Countys public health department.

The single most effective protection is a COVID-19 vaccine and Contra Costa Health Services recommends anyone who is 12 or older get vaccinated if they have not already done so, Paris added.

Marin: We fully support San Franciscos decision, and have been actively discussing our policy options in Marin, said Dr. Matt Willis, Marin Countys health officer. We also support any business who takes this step for their own establishment.

Willis said the county is not there yet to issue a similar countywide mandate.

Ninety-five percent of Marin adults are vaccinated with at least one dose, and hospitalization and case rates have been stable for the past week or so, Willis said, adding that the San Francisco approach is a possibility, particularly if case rates and hospitalizations continue to trend upward.

Napa: Dr. Karen Relucio, Napa Countys public health officer, said the county does not plan to issue a similar mandate.

San Mateo: At this time, San Mateo County is not considering a mandate to require proof of vaccination to enter indoor spaces, said Preston Merchant, a spokesperson for San Mateo County Health. Masks remain required in San Mateo County in all indoor businesses and indoor public spaces.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Santa Clara: We always look at actions taken in neighboring jurisdictions and will review what San Francisco has implemented, a spokesperson for the county said.

Solano: The county has not seen information about what San Francisco is (doing) in regards to requiring proof of full vaccination, said Jayleen Richards, public health administrator for Solano County Health & Social Services. At this time, Solano County does not plan to follow something similar. We continue to follow the guidance and orders issued by the California Department of Public Health.

Sonoma: The county has not yet provided information.

Jessica Flores is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jessica.flores@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jesssmflores
Since the beginning of the pandemic, COVID-19 has sickened and killed men and boys at higher rates than women and girls in San Francisco.

The San Francisco government provides public data on cases and deaths by people who identify as male and female in the city. A Chronicle analysis of this data found that the citys most recent delta-driven surge is once again affecting males more than females  and the gap appears to be getting wider.

Since July 1, males have constituted about 57% of new confirmed coronavirus cases in the city. Females account for just under 43%.

That marks an increase in the share of cases borne by males. Up to this point overall, people who identify as male have accounted for 53% of confirmed coronavirus cases, while females make up 46%. People who identify as transgender, other or who did not have a gender specified made up less than 1% of cases.

Thanks largely to vaccinations, this latest surge hasnt been as deadly as previous ones  San Francisco has recorded just nine new deaths since July 1. Still, six of those deaths have been male.

Overall, people who identify as cisgender male have accounted for 60% of San Franciscos COVID-19 deaths since March 2020, while people who identify as female account for 39%. People who identified as other or whose gender identities were unknown accounted for just under 1% of deaths.

The higher risk that males face from COVID-19 is well documented. A meta-analysis published in Nature last December found that male patients with COVID-19 were almost three times more likely to be admitted to intensive treatment than female patients. They were also nearly 40% more likely to die from the disease.

Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, a professor of medicine specializing in infectious diseases at UCSF, said that males, as a population, face a barrage of factors that put them more at risk for negative COVID-19 outcomes. First is biological; males have weaker immune responses in general than females, which means they have fewer vaccine side effects but also cannot fight the virus as effectively. They also have more ACE2 receptors, which SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, use to enter the human body.

Then there are the social and psychological factors, Chin-Hong said.

Men have sort of downplayed the severity of the pandemic a little more, engaged in more high-risk behavior, Chin-Hong said. They didnt wear masks or social-distance or handwash as much; they engaged in more alcohol and tobacco use, which we know is a risk factor for doing poorly in COVID.

He also added that men tend to seek preventative health care later and less often than females.

Finally, males are more likely to work in occupations that place them at higher risk of contracting the disease, he said  jobs including manufacturing, construction, truck driving and agricultural work. A January study out of UCSF found that these labor sectors, nearly all of which tend to have more men, according to Chin-Hong, saw far larger increases in deaths than other sectors.

The disproportionate risks males face have borne out in national data. As of Aug. 7, boys and men accounted for about 55% of the nations 610,000-plus COVID-19 deaths, even though they constitute just under half of the U.S. population.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

And San Franciscos males are suffering from the disease even more disproportionately than the rest of the nation. The imbalance between men and women in death rates is greater here than all but two U.S. states, according to CDC data (San Francisco has a slightly higher percentage of males than the U.S. overall, about 51%, but thats not enough to account for the discrepancy).

If San Francisco were a state, it would tie Utah for having the third-greatest share of deaths attributed to boys and men  falling behind just Nevada and Hawaii in the rankings.

California as a state isnt actually too far behind San Francisco in this regard, though. Males have constituted 59% of all COVID-19 deaths in the state, making it the state with the fourth-highest share of deaths attributed to men in the country.

Chin-Hong said its hard to say why males in California and San Francisco are dying even more disproportionately of COVID-19 than males in other parts of the U.S. Its not because males are less vaccinated: Unlike the rest of California and the U.S., where males are lagging behind females in getting shots, the share of shots going to men and boys in San Francisco is on par with those received by women and girls.

It could be that California has a high share of immigrants, who tend to smoke at higher rates than people born in the U.S. Or it could be that males in California and San Francisco disproportionately work in high-risk occupations.

Whatever the answer, Chin-Hong said, the discrepancy is worth studying further. You could come up with solutions or interventions in these populations, he said.

Susie Neilson is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: susie.neilson@sfchronicle.com
MOORHEAD, Minn. (AP)  Authorities say an 18-year-old Minnesota man was arrested Tuesday in connection with a 2019 homicide in eastern South Dakota.

Clay County, Minnesota, Sheriff Mark Empting says the Moorhead man is being held on a first degree murder charge out of Watertown, South Dakota.
After a monthslong delay caused by COVID-19, the U.S. Census Bureau on Thursday afternoon plans to publish counts of the American population, broken down by race, ethnicity, age and other categories. The release will kick off the state-by-state process of redistricting, which entails redrawing the boundaries of the areas covered by each federal and state political office.

Behind schedule, officials must hustle in order to meet their own deadlines and prepare state maps before primary elections in 2022.

After the once-in-a-decade count wrapped up at the end of 2020, Census staff got to work processing the count. The bureau released top-level population totals for each state in April, four months later than it usually would. Population growth meant five states gained one seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, according to the official results. Texas picked up two seats. California and New York are among the seven states that will lose a seat.

Now, with a second batch of census data poised for release  several months later than the deadline set pre-COVID-19  state lawmakers will need to decide where the lines that define seats everywhere from the U.S. House of Representatives down to their own Statehouses will fall. The ultimate goal is to create voting districts each with roughly equal numbers of people.

The early data was an overview, said Wendy Underhill, director of elections and redistricting at the National Conference of State Legislatures. Now they've got the details worked out for us.

U.S. Census Bureau sampling of the population done each year is considered to be highly accurate, said Sudip Bhattacharjee, a professor at the University of Connecticuts business school and a census senior research fellow. But the U.S. Constitution requires a full counting of every individual living in the country every 10 years. One has been done every decade since 1790.

That is how congressional seats are determined, Bhattacharjee said. It also determines the share of taxes that a state would get from the federal government.

Roughly $1.5 trillion in federal dollars were tied to the 2010 census, according to research from George Washington University. That includes funds for Medicare and Medicaid, both of which are among the U.S. governments biggest line-items, as well as many other state and local programs.

Underhill said traditionally, each states legislature does the redistricting. Elected legislators dont redraw the lines everywhere, however: In California, members of the bipartisan Citizens Redistricting Commission undergo a complex hiring process.

During the last Census, Underhill said two-thirds of states had a draft of their new maps done by August. This time, barely any have even begun because they lacked the data, and delays have left them a compressed time table.

"It does mean that states will be very active from this moment right through the very early parts of 2022," Underhill said. "There are fewer months for them to get their work done."

In Connecticut, the deadline of Sept. 15 is enshrined in the state Constitution. But the committee of legislators appointed to redraw the lines missed the initial due date in both 2000 and 2010.

A secondary deadline of Nov. 30 serves as a backup in Connecticut. And if the designated lawmakers dont complete the job by then, the state Supreme Court can step in and redraw the maps itself, according to the states Office of Legislative Research. In 2010, the court appointed a Columbia University elections expert to redraw the maps based on recommendations from the commission.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Rep. Gregg Haddad, D-Mansfield, is the co-chair of the bipartisan committee that will redraw the lines this year, which so far has met only once. Haddad said with no population data on-hand, there hadn't been a need to meet.

"It really hampered our ability to accomplish much of anything," he said.

Following the Thursday data release, the committee plans to stage at least one public hearing in each of Connecticut's five congressional districts before the first deadline of Sept. 15.

Haddad said the group will try to change people's districts to the least extent possible.

"We do need to start paying some attention to just ensuring that communities can expect some level of status quo," he said. "We're not going to shake things up so much that the map becomes unrecognizable to people in their own communities."

The decennial census information is released in phases so experts can ensure each households data is kept private, Bhattacharjee added. The more granular the data, the greater the risk of exposing peoples private information and the more work the Census Bureau has to do in order to protect it.

Even though not everyone fills out their census questionnaire unprompted  the Census Bureau says about two-thirds of the population self-responded in 2020  persistent follow-up means the error rate for the decennial counts are low, typically somewhere between 1 and 3 percent, Bhattacharjee said.
Last Friday, Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple stood before a scrum of reporters to announce the allegations by Executive Assistant #1 against New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. I had a female victim come forward, which had to be the hardest thing shes ever done in her life, and make an allegation of criminal conduct against the governor, he said.

The woman has since identified herself and Cuomo has resigned, despite attributing his alleged sexual misconduct to misinterpretation.

What is particularly shocking is that Cuomo was a widely held champion of women. But recall how Bill Cosby was Americas Dad for a generation before he was accused by 60-odd women of rape and sexual battery. Despite being convicted, Cosby was released after just three years because of a prosecutors alleged verbal promise, epitomizing the worst nightmare of women who publicly disclose their sexual harassment and assault.

It is no surprise then that victims of sexual harassment and assault are extremely reluctant to speak out: The likelihood of denial, debilitating accusations, shame and retaliation is far greater than that of justice.

Imagine, then, how much courage it takes to publicly accuse a government of sexual enslavement.

Thirty years before Cuomos resignation, a South Korean woman named Kim Hak-sun broke her silence and testified to the press in Seoul about the comfort women system of the Japanese Imperial Army, in which she and hundreds of thousands of women and girls from 13 Asian-Pacific countries were sexually enslaved between 1931 to 1945. Since 2018, South Korea and other countries have sought to commemorate Aug. 14, the day of Kim Hak-suns testimony, as International Memorial Day for comfort women.

Comfort women, a euphemism and ironically also an apt description of the attitudes toward gender held by many powerful men like Cuomo, are no doubt among the most neglected victims of WWII. Japan steadfastly refuses to unambiguously acknowledge its crime while apologists seek to discredit victim testimonies. Consequently, Japan has been accused of trying to whitewash its wartime past.

In denying its past, Japan is committing yet another crime. Victims deserve an acknowledgment of their trauma. Japans refusal to admit to its systematic enslavement of hundreds of thousands of women damns its victims again. It tells them that they do not matter and condemns them to relive their rape, mutilation and torture.

I was the first Asian American female judge in Northern California, serving for three decades. And I loved my job. But I nevertheless decided to retire in 2015 so that I could dedicate myself to building a memorial to comfort women free of professional constraints  before history erased all trace of them.

In 2017, I and former San Francisco Superior Court Judge Julie Tang unveiled the Comfort Women Memorial in San Francisco, a sculpture of an elderly woman gazing up at three young girls standing on a pedestal in a circle, clasping hands.

The woman in the memorial is modeled after Kim Hak-sun. One girl on the pedestal is Chinese, another Korean, and the third Filipina  representing the three largest ethnic groups of comfort women. The three girls in the memorial are neither submissive nor sexualized. The strength of their grips and their steady gazes belie their bloodied lower halves. Kim Hak-sun appears to be reliving her trauma through the circularity of the girls formation. But the girls are looking forward, trying to put their trauma behind them.

This small acknowledgment of the trauma of comfort women in one small corner of the world matters, because it tells survivors of sexual assault that they matter.

Even in resigning, Cuomo refused to accept responsibility for his alleged misconduct and wrote off the pain of his accusers to cultural and generational shifts. Whataboutism, victim-blaming and flat-out denial are clearly not unique to one culture or race. For every story of sexual assault or rape that comes to light, there are many times more that die in the shadows.

The comfort women memorial, intended to memorialize the sexually enslaved victims of the Japanese Imperial Army, is thus a monument to the courage of all victims of sexual assault who come forth with little hope of acknowledgment or justice.

Lillian Sing was the first Asian American female judge in Northern California and is co-chair of the Comfort Women Justice Coalition. Gitika Nalwa, a recent graduate of UC Berkeley, is a research fellow at Stanfords Center for Asian Health and Research Education.
California Democrats panicking over whether Gavin Newsom is the next Gray Davis should heed advice from an unlikely source: their enemies. After all, despite what looks like a prohibitive political head start for the governors party, the backers of what Newsom calls the Republican recall seem to be running circles around them.

Back in July, just after adult film star Mary Carey got out of the race and similarly qualified talk radio star Larry Elder got in, former Davis adviser Garry South dismissed the menagerie of would-be recallers in Politico as a bunch of Lilliputians. Perhaps he forgot that the miniature humanoids of Gullivers Travels imprisoned and nearly executed the full-size protagonist.

Meanwhile, the recalls right-wing proponents were welcoming more candidates as merrier, arguing that each hopefuls modest base added more tiny but collectively formidable Lilliputian ropes to the governors towering frame.

The polls bear that out. Elder, who apparently believes smoking is less dangerous than basic labor protections, is the putative front-runner to replace Newsom with about 20% of the vote. And yet the governor is uncomfortably close to an ouster at the hands of more than twice as many voters.

The recall works for politically disadvantaged Republicans partly because the first, pivotal question on the ballot, whether to recall Newsom, keeps them out of it. Unlike a regular election, the recall allows every voter to imagine his or her own ideal governor against the rough-hewn reality of the offices current occupant.

For the same reason, the periodic outbursts of hand-wringing over whether Democrats should have run their own replacement candidate or should now coalesce behind a write-in option  the only possibility still available now that the filing deadline has passed  are misguided. A viable Democrat would likely serve as the second coming of Cruz Bustamante, the lieutenant governor who came in second to Arnold Schwarzenegger in the first gubernatorial recall. Bustamantes presence helped voters uncomfortable with electing Kindergarten Cop make their peace with de-electing Davis.

Newsom and his allies urge supporters to skip voting for a replacement entirely. Thats absurd from the perspective of individual voters, who shouldnt relinquish their right to cast a ballot for a potential successor even if they oppose recalling the governor. But the Newsom campaigns posture makes sense as a matter of strategy because elevating any other candidate only contributes to the recalls viability.

Despite second-guessing from some of their fellow Democrats, Newsom and company have therefore been right to resist any ostensibly reasonable alternative to the governor. So what are they getting wrong?

The trouble is that even as they have assiduously dismissed the opposition by telling voters not to consider another option, the rest of their message unintentionally magnifies their antagonists and diminishes Newsom.

The campaigns preoccupation with a Republican recall populated by Trump supporters, albeit substantially true, is eerily reminiscent of Hillary Clintons accurate but excessive focus on the danger of Donald Trump himself five years ago  when, like Elder, he was still a mercifully untested political outsider running against an establishment figure. Focusing on the Republicans is even less suited to the recall ballot, which prevents Newsom from running against any particular opponent and forces him to run against himself.

Newsom has been repeatedly challenged and sometimes overwhelmed by crisis, increasing his temptation to dwell on disparaging the comparatively nonexistent record of his opponents. But in this context, its incumbent on the governor to run on his own achievements  Lilliputian, Brobdingnagian or, more likely, somewhere in between.

Josh Gohlke is The Chronicles deputy opinion editor.
WASHINGTON  On Thursday, a high-stakes game of musical chairs began for Californias congressional delegation, as the data that will determine which of them is left without a seat next year was officially released.

The Bay Area and Northern California appear to have gotten a reprieve from what could prompt nasty intraparty fighting, as the states lost congressional seat will almost certainly come from Southern California.

The U.S. Census Bureau on Thursday released highly anticipated and long-delayed data that reveal the nations population at a block-by-block level. The figures in turn show where the population grew or shrunk, and thus where congressional districts may need to be redrawn. The agency had already released information earlier this year revealing that California would lose one of its 53 seats in the House, as the state grew more slowly than the rest of the country over the last 10 years.

But Thursdays data showed that the Greater Bay Area region, which includes Monterey and Santa Cruz, actually grew at a faster rate than the state and the rest of the country, at 8.3%, as did the Greater Sacramento and San Joaquin Valley regions, at 9.6% and 8.4%, respectively.

The census figures will also be used to redraw seat boundaries for the state Senate and Assembly, which, as with congressional districts, often cross county lines. Of greatest interest to Bay Area residents: Faster population growth in Alameda, Contra Costa and Solano counties will likely mean additional representation, while Sonoma and Napa could see their district boundaries redrawn to compensate for relatively slower expansion.

Where growth lagged most statewide was in the Northern California region  a vast 11-county area stretching from the Oregon border to north of Sacramento and from the Pacific to Nevada  at 2.1%, and Southern California, stretching from San Luis Obispo to the Mexican border, at 4.6%. Both were well below Californias overall growth rate of 6.1% and the countrys rate of 7.4%.

The results put Southern California in the crosshairs for a lost seat because congressional districts must represent an equal number of people, roughly 760,000 based on the results of the 2020 census. Though far Northern California grew slowly in percentage terms, it is already so sparsely populated, with just over 700,000 people, that the boundaries of the three congressional districts containing the regions 11 counties wont need to be significantly redrawn.

Southern California, however, is home to nearly 23 million people and over two dozen congressional districts, making it the likeliest place to remove a seat. A Democratic political operative, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because analysis was still being done before an official statement was released, said the early read of the data confirmed Southern California would lose a district.

An analysis of available information before the official data was released by Claremont McKenna Colleges Rose Institute pinpointed Los Angeles County as likely to be the slowest-growing area, specifically.

But determining the specific congressional boundaries will still take months.

A 2008 ballot measure created a nonpartisan redistricting commission made up of 14 citizens: five Democrats, five Republicans and four unaffiliated with a political party. That commission has already been selected and has been holding regular meetings, and will sprint to redraw districts before the February 2022 candidate filing deadline. The California Constitution sets Aug. 15 as the date maps must be drawn by, but the state Supreme Court extended the deadline last year given delays in census data.

Commission Chair Linda Akutagawa said in a Thursday statement that the way the Census Bureau released its data will take weeks to format and analyze. She said the group intends to ask the Supreme Court for a Jan. 14 deadline for final maps.

Redistricting takes into account raw population figures, but also factors in natural communities and the representation of key constituencies, such as racial groups. Currently, 43 of Californias 53 congressional seats are held by Democrats, with only a handful of politically swing districts located mainly in Orange County and the Central Valley. Thursdays data shows California continues to be one of the most diverse states in the nation, with Hispanic and Latino people now the largest chunk of the population, at 39.4%, whites at 34.7% and Asians at 15.1%.

National Atlas of the United States/Department of the Interior via Creative Commons/

While Californias redistricting process could get ugly as lawmakers fight to keep their seats under the new boundaries, it will likely be less politically charged than in states where the process is controlled by partisan state lawmakers. The 2022 midterms are already expected to be an intense contest to control the House, as Democrats currently hold the majority by only a slim margin and the presidents party historically loses seats in the next election.

The Cook Political Report estimated that redistricting alone could shift three to four seats to Republican control.

In addition to California, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania and West Virginia each will lose one seat. Texas will gain two seats and Colorado, Florida, Montana, North Carolina and Oregon each will gain one.

Tal Kopan is The Chronicles Washington correspondent, and Nami Sumida is a Chronicle data visualization developer. Email: tal.kopan@sfchronicle.com, nami.sumida@sfchronicle.com
The expansive infrastructure bill passed by the U.S. Senate on Tuesday would help speed up the Bay Areas transition away from fossil fuels without leaving workers behind, U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh said Wednesday after visiting the region.

Walshs visit to Contra Costa County to stump for President Joe Bidens Build Back Better agenda came a day after the Senate advanced the $1.2 trillion proposal that could bring tens of billions of federal dollars to California to repair its aging roadways and infrastructure. The Senate on Wednesday also passed a budget blueprint for a $3.5 trillion social spending package.

Taken together, the proposals would amount to transformative social-safety and infrastructure changes for the nation, Walsh said Wednesday while visiting RichmondBUILD, a trades jobs training center.

Right now in front of the Senate is a major piece of legislation that literally sets the trajectory of our country in a whole different direction for the next century, Walsh said.

The infrastructure bill passed the Senate, 69-30, with 19 Republicans joining Democrats in support, and will be taken up by the House of Representatives.

Jungho Kim/Special to The Chronicle

The compromise bill amounted to less than half the funding included in President Joe Bidens original proposal.

The bill passed by the Senate Tuesday includes $110 billion for roads and bridges and other major transportation projects, $66 billion for railways, $39 billion for public transit, $55 billion for water infrastructure and $65 billion for broadband internet.

California would receive $25.3 billion for highways and $9.45 billion for public transit over a five-year span, according to White House estimates.

While the the bills compromise deal on infrastructure got support from some Republicans and centrist Democrats who were wary of its cost, it also drew criticism from progressives who said the scaled-back version doesnt go far enough to combat climate change. In the Bay Area, transportation advocates and officials criticized the infrastructure plan for cutting proposed spending for public transit, which they view as critical for combating climate change.

The presidents big-ticket infrastructure plan comes at a time of rapid change for the Bay Area. The pandemic shifted the regions travel habits  public transit ridership remains a fraction of what it was before shelter-in-place, while vehicle travel has returned or surpassed pre-pandemic levels in many parts of the Bay Area, according to Caltrans, the states transportation department.

Jungho Kim/Special to The Chronicle

Contra Costa County, the states second most industrialized county next to Los Angeles, is in the process of trying to shift to renewable energy; two of the countys four oil refineries are planning to transition to renewable fuel facilities, Contra Costa Supervisor John Gioia said.

Though it remains unclear how the funding would be divvied up locally, Gioia said the infrastructure plan would help Contra Costa County address a backlog of infrastructure projects, including bridge projects in the countys eastern corridor. Also included in the compromise bill, Gioia noted, is $750,000 to help the county plan its transition to renewable energy jobs.

The bill recognizes the need for our nation to address climate change and transition to cleaner energy, Gioa said. Thats going to take a large investment of federal dollars, and the infrastructure bill is a start to that.

Asked whether the infrastructure bill was sufficient for the region and nation to combat climate change, U.S. Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, a Democrat from Richmond, said, I dont think its enough, and thats where the reconciliation (bill comes in).

We do both of these, and its a historic transformation for this country, DeSaulnier said.

Ricardo Cano is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: ricardo.cano@sfchronicle.com
The man who oversaw San Franciscos Public Works department following a corruption scandal involving its former boss is leaving the citys government for a top post at BART.

Alaric Degrafinried, who was appointed the citys acting public works director in February 2020, will depart his job with the city of San Francisco on Aug. 20 to become BARTs next assistant general manager of administration. He starts Aug. 23.

Degrafinried worked in San Francisco city government since 2007 and led the citys Public Works during a period of scandal, tumult and drastic change.

He was appointed the departments interim leader shortly after federal authorities arrested and charged former Public Works Director Mohammed Nuru and restaurateur Nick Bovis with fraud in a corruption probe that shocked San Francisco. Degrafinried also oversaw the departments ongoing restructuring into two separate agencies.

Degrafinried will join BART as it navigates a dire financial outlook brought on by the pandemic. The regions largest rail system recently restored services to near-normal levels, but ridership remains a fraction of what it was before the pandemic. The emergence of the highly transmissible delta variant has only added more uncertainty to when BART and other public transit operators will fully recover from crisis.

Both San Francisco and BART officials commended Degrafinried for his work as acting director, lauding his efforts to increase transparency and restore trust in the Public Works department at a time when it had eroded following the corruption scandal.

In a statement Thursday announcing Degrafinrieds departure, Mayor London Breed touted his tremendous job leading Public Works during an incredibly challenging time in our city.

Alaric stepped in to run this department at a time when faith in the department had been shaken, and our workers needed a steady hand to guide them, Breed said.

Breed and City Administrator Carmen Chu will appoint another acting public works director in the next few days, Breed said, with a search under way for a permanent replacement.

Supervisor Matt Haney said Degrafinried was a public servant with a long history of service and experience in ethical contracting, which was lacking in Public Works at the time. Haney described Degrafinried as honest and a straight shooter, adding that the interim director was able to bring reforms and controls to restore some level of trust.

Haney also said he was disappointed that Degrafinried didnt do more to provide toilets for Public Works employees working on the streets, an issue raised by the workers union, but applauded him for not always yielding to requests from other city officials to remove public restrooms during the pandemic, for which Haney has been advocating. The future director, Haney said, should have experience in leadership and managing projects, ideally as an engineer or architect.

Degrafinried said his time as acting public works director has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my career.

We stepped up to the challenges of the COVID crisis, implemented good government reforms and advanced our organizations racial equity initiative, Degrafinried said in a statement. The men and women of this department day in and day out demonstrate resiliency, hard work and innovation serving the people of San Francisco.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

At BART, Degrafinried will take over as the systems assistant general manager of administration responsible for overseeing human resources, procurement and labor relations. Degrafinried emerged as BARTs unanimous top pick for the position during the systems nationwide search, General Manager Bob Powers said.

The assistant general manager post touches every element within BART, Powers said, and one of the immediate challenges Degrafinried will face at BART is leading the systems hiring efforts as it emerges from a pandemic that brought deep financial peril to BART and other public transit operators in the region. About 300 BART employees retired as part of an incentive program meant to help BART cut costs as ridership dropped by more than 90% of pre-COVID levels at the start of the pandemic.

Powers said Degrafinried stood out among the national candidate pool for his background as a seasoned public-sector executive with experience in labor relations and procurement.

I really think hes going to be an executive at BART whos going to be here for a long time and help bring world-class transit to the Bay Area, Powers said.

Chronicle staff writer Mallory Moench contributed to this article.

Ricardo Cano is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: ricardo.cano@sfchronicle.com
- Cal Fire: See incident reports from Cal Fire's website.

- Maps: View maps from the U.S. Forest Service.

- Evacuations: Find the latest information from the Yuba County Sheriff's Department





The Glen Fire in Yuba County grew quickly Wednesday night, leading to a series of mandatory evacuations in the region.

The Yuba County Sheriff's Department called for mandatory evacuations in three zones: YUB-E004/E081/E092/E094/E093. Additionally, Frenchtown Road north of Frenchtown Dobbins Road, as well as Thousand Trails were ordered to evacuate.

Residents can find their zones on an interactive website that enables a search by address and includes a fire map.

The department also said Zone YUB-E005 is under an evacuation warning, while zones YUB-E006/089B/003/091/002 are under an evacuation advisory.

An evacuation center has been created at Yuba Sutter Fairgrands (442 Franklin Ave. in Yuba City). A large animal evacuation center for horses and livestock is set up at the Yuba County Sheriff Posse arena, 5419 Marysville Road in Browns Valley.

People should evacuate to the north by way of La Porte Road toward Bangor, if possible, while avoiding Willow Glen Road, deputies said.

The fire is moving north/northeast, and has burned at least 200 acres, according to Cal Fire. The fire started on Wednesay grew quickly.
San Francisco is set to become the second major city in the United States to require many indoor businesses to screen customers for proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

Mayor London Breed announced Thursday that city restaurants, bars, clubs, gyms, theaters and large indoor events with more than 1,000 people will be required to obtain proof of vaccination from patrons and employees. The order takes effect Aug. 20.

New York was the first large city to announce such a rule last week. San Francisco's mandate will go further, as full proof of vaccination is required to enter indoor spaces, whereas in New York, customers only needed to show proof of one dose.

The order also extends vaccination requirements to certain health care providers that were not included in the state vaccine mandate. This group includes workers at adult day centers, residential care facilities, dental offices, home health aides and pharmacists.

Many San Francisco restaurants and bars are already requiring proof of vaccination for entry, but the new order makes such screening mandatory.

Many San Francisco businesses are already leading the way by requiring proof of vaccination for their customers because they care about the health of their employees, their customers, and this City," Breed said in a statement. "This order builds on their leadership and will help us weather the challenges ahead and keep our businesses open."

The Golden Gate Restaurant Association, which represents restaurants across the city, supported the decision by the city, saying that requiring proof of vaccination at restaurants "will help ensure more people will choose to receive vaccinations, which is critical to stop the spread of COVID-19."

New York plans to enforce its order through fines beginning in September. Breed said members of the city health department will make checks but expects widespread compliance from businesses.

This story is developing and will be updated as more information is made available.
A professor at Sacramento City College drowned at Folsom Lake on Aug. 1, authorities confirmed to SFGATE on Thursday.

Tanya Rodriguez, 49, drowned at Beals Point on Folsom Lake, a spokesperson for the Placer County Sheriff's Office said. The investigation was handled by California State Parks.

Rodriguez's young nephew was present at the time of the drowning, CBS Sacramento reported.

That child was found later kind of wandering in the park by some passerbys, and they guided him up to the entrance station when they couldnt locate his guardians, California State Park Superintendent Richard Preston-LeMay told the news outlet.

Rodriguez previously served as an assistant professor at John Jay College in New York, according to her curriculum vitae. She received her PhD in philosophy from the University of Minnesota in 2007 with a dissertation titled "Empathy at the Intersection."

"It is with great sadness that we share the news that philosophy faculty member Tanya Rodriguez has passed away," a Facebook post shared by Sacramento City College said Monday.

The college said Rodriguez joined the faculty in August 2015 and spent "six years inspiring students with her love of philosophy and wonderful sense of humor."

"She was a bright presence on our campus and we will all feel the loss of such a vibrant soul," the post said.
GENEVA (AP)  Human rights experts working with the United Nations on Thursday called on countries to pause the sale and transfer of spyware and other surveillance technology until they set rules governing its use, to ensure it wont impinge upon human rights.

The experts, speaking out in the wake of new Pegasus spyware revelations, expressed concern that highly sophisticated intrusive tools are being used to monitor, intimidate and silence human rights defenders, journalists and political opponents in some places, the U.N. human rights office said.

U.N. human rights experts today called on all states to impose a global moratorium on the sale and transfer of surveillance technology until they have put in place robust regulations that guarantee its use in compliance with international human rights standards, it said in a statement.

Last month an investigation by a global media consortium showed further evidence that the military-grade Pegasus malware from the Israel-based NSO Group, a hacker-for-hire outfit, has been used to spy on journalists, human rights activists and political dissidents.

The eight experts cited the extraordinary audacity and contempt for human rights shown by such surveillance and called on NSO to say whether it had assessed the human rights impact of the use of such tools and publish any findings of its internal probes into the matter.

The independent experts, who focus on a number of rights issues under mandates from the U.N.-backed Human Rights Council, are in direct communication with NSO and the Israeli government, the statement said.

The experts noted that international human rights law requires countries to ensure protections against illegal surveillance, invasion of privacy and threats to fundamental freedoms like those of expression and assembly.

Pegasus infiltrates phones to vacuum up personal and location data and surreptitiously control the smartphones microphones and cameras. In the case of journalists, that lets hackers spy on reporters communications with sources.

The program is designed to bypass detection and mask its activity.
Despite the prevalence of the delta variant of COVID-19 in England this summer, cases actually decreased in schools  even with no official nationwide mask mandate  according to data from the U.K's statistics office.

The data may provide an essential case study for the U.S., as the delta variant rages in tandem with schools beginning to reopen across the country.

In June, just 0.27% of primary school children and 0.42% of secondary school pupils tested positive for the coronavirus between June 14 and July 6, according to the U.K.'s National Office for Statistics.

Comparatively, .625% of the English population tested positive for COVID-19 in the week ending July 3, the office reported. The difference is especially notable as England is not vaccinating anyone below the age of 15. Seventy-five percent of the English population is fully vaccinated against the coronavirus.

"These findings support the hypothesis that over the school year 'school gate' measures have reduced the risk of infection in school and the rapid asymptomatic testing programme may have enhanced this by keeping a higher proportion of infected pupils out of school in the summer term," the office said.

"School gate" measures include frequent testing, high vaccination rates among staff, "bubbles" and an isolation system, iNews reported.

The data from June can be compared to that of December, in which .94% of primary school students tested positive for COVID-19 and 1.22% of secondary pupils tested positive for COVID .

Things may change in England as Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government recently dropped the "bubble" rule, which placed kids in small groups that would be required to go home if one member tested positive for COVID. The new change takes place in September, though schools are free to reintroduce the "bubble" system as needed in the fall.

Additionally, dozens of schools have reinstated mask policies in hotspot regions, despite there being no official mask mandate from the government.

The U.K. has been particularly hard-hit by the delta variant. Emerging there in April and becoming the dominant strain by May, the delta variant's prevalence has dropped precipitously in the region. In mid-July, the U.K. saw about 43,000 new infections a day, a number which has since halved despite the easing of restrictions.

But the story may not be the same for the U.S., where vaccination rates are lagging behind the U.K. In England, 75% of people over age 18 are fully vaccinated against coronavirus. In the U.S., that number is significantly lower, at about 50%.

The policies around school reopenings in the U.S. also vary by state. In California, for example, all teachers are required to be vaccinated or tested weekly, the state announced Wednesday. A handful of school districts in the state (San Jose, San Francisco, Long Beach, Oakland and Sacramento) already announced vaccine-or-test policies prior to Wednesday. In response to the rise of these policies, state Sen. Scott Wiener tweeted, "A vaccine 'mandate' that allows people to test instead of being vaccinated isnt a vaccine mandate. Testing is *not* an adequate alternative to getting the damn shot."

In March, the U.S. Department of Education announced a series of guidelines to support schools in reopening. As part of the American Rescue Plan, $130 billion in funding will be implemented to "help schools implement these safe reopening measures and address the academic, social, and emotional needs of students," the department said.

"These actions will provide schools, educators, and families with additional support to make sure our students and communities emerge from this challenge stronger," said Education Secretary Miguel Cardona in a statement.

SFGATE politics editor Eric Ting contributed to this report.
A California surf school owner who is accused of killing his two children in Mexico was deeply affected by conspiracy theories, the FBI said in an affidavit Wednesday.

Matthew Taylor Coleman, 40, of Santa Barbara was reported missing by his wife over the weekend when he allegedly took their two children, a 2-year-old son and 10-month-old daughter, in the family's van. According to the affidavit filed by an FBI agent, Coleman's wife was concerned that he didn't say where he was going and wouldn't respond to texts, but she said she didn't believe he would harm the children.

She hadn't had any problems with Coleman, and "they did not have any sort of argument" before he left, according to the court documents.

The Find My iPhone feature tracked Coleman to Rosarito in Baja California, where surveillance footage released by the Baja California Attorney General's Office shows Coleman and the children checking into a hotel. The footage caught the family leaving before sunrise Monday; according to authorities, Coleman returned to the hotel later that day alone.

That morning, the bodies of the children were discovered by a farmworker in the brush near the entrance of the Rancho El Descanso community, said Baja California Attorney General Hiram Sanchez. According to the FBI affidavit, the children were killed with a spear-fishing gun.

Authorities traced Coleman's iPhone to an area of Mexico near the San Ysidro Port of Entry in San Diego. Coleman was detained at the border checkpoint and confessed to killing his children, the FBI says. According to the affidavit, Coleman "explained that he was enlightened by QAnon and Illuminati conspiracy theories and was receiving visions and signs revealing that his wife, A.C., possessed serpent DNA and had passed it on to his children."

Coleman said that "he believed his children were going to grow into monsters so he had to kill them," according to the court document. On Wednesday, he was charged with the foreign murder of U.S. nationals.

QAnon is a wide-ranging conspiracy theory, but its core belief is that a secret military group (which includes Donald Trump and an insider called "Q") is orchestrating an overthrow of the ruling elite. This so-called elite is often referred to by QAnon followers as "satanic" and many believers think their political enemies literally torture and kill children. There is no evidence of these claims.

There are no specific "serpent DNA" references within mainstream QAnon belief, but people who are susceptible to QAnon influencers rarely ascribe to just one set of conspiracy beliefs. Because the conspiracy theory is predicated on the fact that everything you are witnessing is "a movie," and that an alternate reality is happening behind the scenes, believers may begin to question all accepted facts. QAnon message boards are also rife with speculation about other discredited notions like Flat Earth, crisis actors and lizard people.

Although Coleman's Instagram is mostly filled with family photos and surfing videos, in November 2020 he posted an image of "The Creation of Adam." In the long accompanying caption, he wondered if we were possibly living through a new version of "the Dark Ages" and didn't realize it yet.

"What if there is a type of Great American Renaissance following the years of Covid, censorship, and political divisiveness ... that will empower each persons heart to come alive and explode with innovative ideas, new business models, new music sounds and never seen ways to build an amazing community?" Coleman wrote. "What if 2020 is just the 'birth pains' of what is on its way in 2021 and beyond?"

The sentiment echoes what many QAnon followers believe: that a "great awakening" will usher in a new golden age for them and death or imprisonment for their enemies.

As QAnon conspiracy theories have proliferated since its inception in 2017, the ideology has been linked to a number of violent crimes and attempted kidnappings. In 2019, Gambino crime boss Francesco Cali was allegedly killed by a man who believed Cali "was a prominent member of the deep state, and, accordingly, an appropriate target for a citizens arrest." Earlier this year, QAnon adherent Neely Petrie-Blanchard, a Kentucky woman who was attempting to regain custody of her child, allegedly shot and killed a lawyer whose conspiracy-tinged legal theories may have assured her she was going to win her custody battle.

The FBI also warned lawmakers in June that QAnon extremists may continue to turn their online rhetoric into real world violence in order to accelerate the coming of the so-called great awakening.

SFGATE news editor Amy Graff and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
The Gavin Newsom recall election ballot has just two questions: 1. Should Gov. Gavin Newsom be recalled? 2. Which candidate should replace him?

Californians who vote "no" on question one will still have their votes on question two counted, thus giving them the power to help determine who succeeds Newsom should he lose on the first question. The Newsom team, however, does not want voters to use that power.

"Leave it blank," Newsom spokesperson Nathan Click told SFGATE two weeks ago on what Democrats should do on question two. "Voting NO is the only way to block the Republican power grab and prevent the Republican takeover of California."

If all of the "no" on question one voters leave question two blank, they're effectively ceding control of the replacement candidate vote to the state's Republican and anti-Newsom independent voters. Current polls show radio host Larry Elder as the front-runner among those voters.

If Democrats are looking for a back-up plan, there are only nine registered Democrats among the 46 candidates on question two. Of those nine only one  YouTuber Kevin Paffrath  has registered more than 1% support in polls, and even beat all of the Republican candidates in a recent SurveyUSA/San Diego Union Tribune poll.

Prior to his gubernatorial bid, Paffrath ran a YouTube financial advice channel and currently has 1.7 million subscribers on the platform. His campaign website features some policy proposals that are fairly conventional (income tax cuts, legalizing gambling, increasing infrastructure spending), while others are a bit more unique (allowing private businesses to invest in roads and share toll revenues with the state, the creation of "Future Schools" for children over the age of 16 that focus on job training). Many of the proposals currently lack specifics.

Despite his unconventional candidacy, Paffrath said in an interview with SFGATE that he believes he's the only legitimate backup plan, and that California Democrats should ignore team Newsom's advice to leave question two blank. The interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.

SFGATE: Most voters have no idea who you are beyond the "D" next to your name. You advertise yourself as a moderate Democrat, so talk me through your ideology, and perhaps how you see yourself in relation to the established factions in the national or state Democratic Party, where you have pretty clear divides between establishment and progressive Democrats.

Paffrath: I think the easiest way to look at my position and where I stand is by saying that I'm someone who identifies the core issues in California and the things that people on both the left and the right want to see get done. We have massive basic priorities here that are bipartisan. The number one is homelessness, which is something we have to take care of fast. I will do that, and then focus on the causes of homelessness like mental health, housing and education.

I'll try to keep out of the distractions of national political conversations because we have so many basic problems in California. People are dying in the streets. Its embarrassing to see the crime in San Francisco or Venice Beach. Once we solve the problems and we stop losing people who are leaving the state, then we'll focus on the real upgrades.

I'd say I'm a JFK-style moderate trying to bring together Democrats and Republicans to do the basics that California's government currently isn't doing.

SFGATE: You have no political experience, so who would you lean on once you take office? Are there any particular names of those with political experience you plan to reach out to? Anyone currently in government you see as an ally?

Paffrath: I dont want to cut anyone out; my goal is to understand everyone's perspective. I want to meet with everyone: mayors, sheriffs, Cal Fire officials, everyone who sees the problems up close.

Then I'd become a leader who thinks of outside-the-box solutions. Right now we have a governor who is not interested in working with people of different perspectives, and he doesnt work on solutions that dont help him in some way. A quick example of this is SB7, where all it does is streamline the process if it's done through the governor's office. [SB7 extends streamlined California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) administrative and judicial review procedures to large housing projects and grants the governor to certify projects that meet certain requirements for streamlining benefits].

If we lose folks on the far left and the far right, thatll happen, but we will work with the middle to solve common sense problems. Once we have water, once we have schools teaching financial education, once we dont have revolving door of criminals going into jails, coming out and going back, then we'll look at other issues.

We need someone who will work with the middle group and connect the dots on various issues, and the only person who can do that is the governor. I'd also add that I'd be coming in with no baggage, a clean slate, and no enemies.

gabe tiano, Meet Kevin Paffrath for Governor

SFGATE: Let's talk about some of your policy proposals. You propose that in your first 60 days, you will try to end homelessness through emergency powers by placing people in emergency homeless shelters. Talk me through it, where, exactly, would you place people?

Paffrath: During the five-week transition period we will prep and formalize the plan, but the tentative outline is to work with the National Guard and non-profits to create 80 Javits-Center-type facilities, if you think about what they did in New York with COVID.

We will build 80 2,000-bed facilities and centralize support, so there will be meals, bathrooms, mental health services and substance abuse help on site. It's entirely optional, we're not going to round up people and force them in to the shelters, it's completely optional. The only thing is they would no longer be allowed to sleep on the street at night. So if they need a bed, they should go to one of the shelters.

Right now, for homeless people to get support, it requires primary care referral to a mental health specialist, and those appointments are often booked up. It's the governors job to scale these services, and to have such fragmented responses at the city level, that's not solving the problem.

When we talk about economies of scale, folks without economics backgrounds forget how important that is. Cities are paying so much on homelessness with minimal success because the response isn't scaled. This has to be taken care of at the state level. Only they can provide the necessary social safety net.

SFGATE: On housing, your campaign website says that through emergency powers, the number of new houses built per year can increase from 80,000 to 500,000 annually by having the state control ALL building and safety rather than local building departments. What does that mean?

Paffrath: The first thing to consider is this is not about trying to consolidate power with the state government, but instead we're trying to streamline building and safety standards for the entire state. We would obviously leave in place provisions for local control, but we need one statewide code for development, not as many as we have.

We just want to create one permitting system, so every city doesnt have to create its own portal and forms. We want local governments to have have power to add their own regulations, but we want to streamline the system to make easier for them. That way, rather than having developers wait two to six months for approval on projects, we can get them a two-week turnaround time.

SFGATE: Your wildfire plan is similarly vague. It says, Finally invest in proper wildfire prevention with the most technologically advanced wildfire detection, response, and prevention efforts. What are the most technologically advanced detection, response and prevention efforts the state is currently not investing in?

Paffrath: The biggest thing is doing what I say I'm going to do. Newsom was exposed by NPR for overstating wildfire prevention efforts by 690%. An easy example to look to is Portugal, where they had horrible wildfires in 2017 that killed 66 people. They treated it as the emergency it was, conducted controlled burns and havent had problems since. [Portugal has had several large wildfires since 2017, but none as devastating as that year.]

We have to do the prevention work we say were going to do, and have to step up controlled burns. The federal government owns a lot of land so we'd have to partner with them and negotiate on how to manage forest land. There's plenty of detection and prevention technology we can use, I'd defer to Cal Fire on which tech to use.

Meet Kevin Paffrath for Governor

SFGATE: Why do you think you're a better backup plan for California Democrats than a more moderate Republican with political experience? Someone like San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer comes to mind.

Paffrath: Heres the thing, all of the major Republicans we have in the race say they will veto whatever the Democrats in the Legislature are doing, so they're coming in with this adversarial message, but California has never been more Democratic. When Arnold Schwarzenegger was in power, Democrats controlled around 60% of the Legislature, but now they control over 70% of the Legislature. They have the power to make it impossible for a governor to do anything outside of executive action.

If there's a Republican governor in power, there's no way the Legislature will give a win to the GOP because then it'd be more difficult to get a Democrat back in power in 2022. There are two things that are very stupid in this election. One is the idea of putting in a Republican governor who won't be able to do anything because there has never been this much control by Democrats in the Legislature who can overturn any veto. The second thing that is very stupid is the Democratic Party shooting themselves in foot by not having a backup.

They did that because they thought the recall wouldnt happen, but the closer we get, it looks and more likely. What the Democrats should do is endorse a Hail Mary backup option, and it should be us because otherwise theyll get a Republican. Democrats can minimize their risk of a Republican governor if they Hail Mary endorsed us.

SFGATE: Do you think that Hail Mary endorsement is at all likely?

Paffrath: I dont know. Im a big fan of reasonableness. I thought it would have been reasonable for them to have a backup option, but lately theyve been entrenched on, "Vote no on the recall, leave the second part blank."

I think that's really sinister because Democrats are basically saying If we lose, we'll let a Republican go in, well block everything, nothing will happen in California for a whole year and then we'll get someone like Gavin back in power. They'll give up the next year where nothing will happen, and none of California's issues will be meaningfully addressed.
On July 6, former Hawaii state Rep. Kaniela Ing posted to Twitter: Stop coming to Hawaii. They are treating us like second class citizens, literally cutting off our water to feed over-tourism.

The plea  which included screenshots of news reports that tourist arrivals would continue to overwhelm Maui through 2022  went viral. It also linked overtourism to the water shortage in Upcountry Maui, where residents are prohibited from watering lawns, washing cars, irrigation and other nonessential activities that could result in a $500 fine.

Visitors to Maui have now surpassed pre-pandemic numbers, inspiring Ing  as well as hundreds of other area residents  to post on social media in an effort to draw attention to disrespectful visitors treating the island like an amusement park. The posts involve angry rallying cries against endangering wildlife, geotagging sacred land, hiking on private property and overcrowding that is diminishing quality of life. In one instance, a mother was caught in two hours of traffic while trying to rush her son to the hospital after she learned no ambulances were available.

We got resorts in Wailea, Kaanapali that [are] using water to fill their pool, yet were going to ask our local residents to restrict water, said Waikapu Community Association President Travis Polido at a recent Board of Water Supply meeting. Let the record show that its not right.

Resentment towards the tourism industry has been reaching fever pitch  particularly now as COVID-19 numbers are rapidly rising and resources for locals are becoming scarce.

The water restrictions last month have only highlighted deeper disparities, reminding many of how tourism is just the tip of the iceberg. Many local citizens, particularly Native Hawaiians, believe that their needs are taking a backseat to extractive industries.

Jeffrey Pearson, director of the Department of Water Supply, explained at the meeting that systems supplying hotels with water are not physically connected to the one that gets water to Upcountry residents.

But Ing, who is the climate justice campaign director for the grassroots organizing network Peoples Action, said that regardless of whether Upcountry water flows to resort areas or not, generations have gone by and no one has figured out how to fix the infrastructure to get more water to Upcountry residents.

Mauis water diversions were created after colonization to favor big agriculture, particularly the sugar industry in drier regions. Beyond upending Hawaiians sustainable subsistence culture, it led to several years of fighting to have water restored back to streams, loi kalo and fisheries, as the depleted water sources severely impacted their livelihoods and food sovereignty.

Prior to occupation, the chiefs and kings didnt own the water, Ing explained. There were certain controls, but overall, water was stored as a public resource to ensure access.

Ing grew up in Upcountrys Makawao, an area he said was famous for being sunny, but it drizzles often as well. Although there was rain, residents were often told to cut back because of drought conditions. While he says that climate change has also impacted Upcountrys water sources, cutting back didnt make sense to him, and the situation made him curious.

The question [was] always: How much of the water that is being diverted from East Maui Irrigation is actually funneled into our community, rather than being used for commercial use? he said.

East Maui Irrigation is half-owned by Alexander & Baldwin, which began in the 1800s and grew to be one of Hawaiis largest sugarcane processing corporations. It is now one of the islands largest real estate developers. The other half is owned by Mahi Pono, a joint venture between a California farming company and a Canadian pension fund, which acquired 41,000 acres of Alexander & Baldwins former sugar lands in 2018.

The two companies recently made headlines over a landmark court order that limits their water diversions for agricultural, domestic and industrial purposes from 45 million gallons a day to 25 million.

YinYang/Getty Images/iStockphoto

"My read on this is that we need to actually drill more water resources, Upcountry Councilmember Yuki Lei Sugimura told Hawaii Public Radio as a solution.

But where would that water go?

In 2020, residents of Upcountrys Haiku and Paia complained to the Board of Water Supply, which tried to push for a plan for drilling deep wells in the Haiku aquifer and sending millions of gallons of water to central and south Maui for their growing needs. The board attempted to do this without community input.

One issue that is representative of how some Maui residents are deprioritized is county-issued water meter access. Not only does a water meter deliver water to residences, it can make or break the ability to build a home in Upcountrys drier regions. Those who were the most outraged at the wells have in many cases been on a wait list to receive water meter access for more than a decade. Officials have said the backlog is due to the water shortages.

Upcountry resident Tina Boteilho has been on the list for 16 years, which includes more than 1,500 people, many of whom are Native Hawaiians and other lineal descendants.

[There are] a ton of people in my family and my friend network [on the list], and people [I went] to high school with. Their grandparents are on the list. Their parents are on the list. One of them, her grandma died waiting on the list. And I'm like, this is disturbing. You know what I mean? Like, these are Hawaiian Homelands. (Hawaiian Homelands are lands set aside for Native Hawaiians by the federal government after the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom.)

One person she knew got off the water meter list, but the cost to install was exorbitant: $3 million for the infrastructure to route the water for the water meter. That person ended up turning it down. Meanwhile, Boteilho says several developments have gone up and have gotten approved for multiple water meters.

Although Boteilho had initially hoped to build a subdivision on her aunts property, she eventually had to buy a home when she got pregnant and couldnt wait any longer. Fortunately, she could afford to do so.

Others arent so lucky. The median price to buy a home right now in Maui is more than $1 million, deepening the affordable housing crisis on the island. The issue has been exacerbated by out-of-state buyers, along with vacation rentals like Airbnb, and recently led to multiple community rallies in mid-July for better infrastructure and affordable housing opportunities to keep locals in their communities.

I keep explaining to people that we're in crisis mode, said South Maui Councilwoman Kelly Takaya King. She recently tried to introduce a bill that would put a moratorium on building new visitor accommodations, which Mayor Mike Victorino vetoed.

But after the mayor's veto and the water restrictions were announced, a global wave pool company called Surf Lakes signed an executive territory agreement to build wave pools on all four major islands, including Maui, that would require 30 acres of land for 9-acre pools and millions of gallons of water, prompting further outrage from some locals, who are petitioning against it.

It directly competes for land and water, which is counterproductive to us addressing our countys priorities of affordable housing, food security, protecting our natural resources and managing tourism, Keani Rawlins-Fernandez, a Maui County councilmember, told KHON2.

Its an unavoidable fall because everything has been mismanaged for so long, said Hawaiian activist and kalo farmer, Napua'onalani Hu'eu. She lives on the east side of Maui and has been a vocal opponent of East Maui Irrigations operations and water usage on social media. She also works with Hana Highway Regulation, a community organization of civil volunteers trying to mitigate tourism concerns on the internationally renowned scenic highway.

Its really the person managing the water, who is responsible for all of this misbalance.  They have the power to determine what is first priority and second priority, and visitors are first priority. ... If they actually had a means to appropriate what is right or wrong, as far as who gets water first and last, there would be a lot of water for [smaller] farmers and residents.

Hawaii is reliant on imports for around 90% of its food. Hu'eu said that before their water diversions, much of Hawaiis food was grown in east Maui, where the water flowed naturally. Then, when the companies diverted the waters, Mauis food security declined.

Multiple cases have ordered Alexander & Baldwin to restore natural flows to streams in east Maui when the plantation dried up, but there is still more work to be done.

As for potential solutions to Mauis current issues, Ing took to social media again with strategies that involved cutting back flights and directing the billions of federal dollars from the American Rescue Act to rebuild inefficient reservoirs, democratize irrigation, and restore native ecosystems and watersheds.

What the pandemic did was open our eyes to what Hawaii used to be, like when our ancestors were living sustainably before that, Ing told SFGATE. But even in the 1940s and the '50s, when the original boom hit, it was a beautiful place. Yeah, there was tourism. Back then, it made sense for our economy, but over time, similar to real estate, tourism relied on the preservation of the natural beauty of our islands, but also the destruction of it, so it was always inherently unsustainable.
CHICAGO (AP)  Chicago health officials on Thursday reported 203 cases of COVID-19 connected to Lollapalooza, casting it as a number that was anticipated and not yet linked to any hospitalizations or deaths.

Nothing unexpected here, Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said at a news conference. No sign of a superspreader event. But clearly with hundreds of thousands of people attending Lollapalooza we would expect to see some cases.

The four-day music festival, which started two weeks ago, drew about 385,000 people to a lakefront park. Critics questioned holding the event during the pandemic. Footage showed tightly packed crowds at concerts and on public transportation with few masks in sight. Last year's festival was canceled because of COVID-19.

But Mayor Lori Lightfoot and other officials have defended the decision, saying there were safety protocols in place. Festival goers had to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test and city officials said about 90% were vaccinated.

Arwady said the number of positive cases included those who tested positive after or during Lollapalooza, which could include people who might have arrived already infected. For instance, 13 Chicago residents who tested positive reported attended Lollapalooza on or after the day their symptoms began.

She said the city was still investigating cases, but did not expect it to make a major impact on COVID-19 infection rates.

We would have seen a surge if we were going to see a surge at this point, she said.

Among those who tested positive, city officials said 138 were Illinois residents from outside Chicago, 58 were from the city and seven were from out of state. Nearly 80% of those who tested positive were under 30, and about 62% were white, Arwady said.

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Follow Tareen on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sophiatareen.
CONCORD, N.H. (AP)  New Hampshires northernmost county is no longer alone in losing population, according to U.S. Census Bureau figures released Thursday that show populations also shrunk in two other counties over the last decade.

Already the most sparsely populated, Coos County had been the only one of the states 10 counties to lose population between 2000 and 2010. The new figures show that trend accelerating, with a 5% decline from 2010 to 2020.

Small population declines also were seen in the southwest corner of the state, where Cheshire Countys population dropped by about 1% and Sullivan Countys dropped by less than 2%.

Overall, the states population grew by 4.6% to 1,377,529. The biggest growth came in Belknap, Rockingham and Strafford counties, which each grew by 6%. In the previous decade, Strafford, Carroll and Grafton counties were the fastest growing.

The new figures also show that New Hampshire, historically one of the whitest states, is becoming a bit more diverse, shifting from 94% white to 88%. That makes it the fourth whitest state, behind Vermont, Maine and West Virginia.

The percent of the population identifying themselves as Hispanic or Latino increased by more than 60%, the sixth largest percentage change in the nation. But the population remains small at 4.3%.

The figures also show New Hampshire remaining one of the oldest states, ranking fourth behind Washington, D.C., Vermont and Maine for its percentage of residents age 18 and over. The 18+ population increased 9% to 81% of the total.

The release of the redistricting data culled from the 2020 census is coming more than four months later than expected due to delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic. States will use the numbers for redrawing congressional and legislative districts, a process that is just getting underway in New Hampshire.

While control of the Legislature has swung back and forth, the current district designations were approved in 2012, when Republicans were in charge as they are now. That map was vetoed by Democratic Gov. John Lynch, but the Legislature overrode the veto, and the state Supreme Court later found the plan constitutional.

Republican Gov. Chris Sununu vetoed bills in 2020 and 2019 that would have created an independent redistricting commission, saying it was unnecessary because gerrymandering is rare in the state and the current redistricting process was fair. The GOP-led Legislature killed similar bills this year.

Earlier Thursday, a coalition advocating for an independent, fair and transparent redistricting process held a news conference to urge lawmakers to follow its roadmap, which includes holding public meetings in every county and creating an online portal to keep the public informed.

Dave Hennessey, a member of the Fair Maps coalition and a voter in Pelham, complained that last redistricting process lumped his town of Pelham in with Hudson as one district with 11 state representatives in the 400-member House. Hed rather see Pelham get four and Hudson seven.

This is not necessarily a partisan issue. Both our towns, Pelham and Hudson, are heavily Republican towns. However we do have different interests, we do have different needs, and we need separated representation, he said. Were not trying to sway this either way, Republican or Democratic, we just want a fair shake and get the towns like Pelham, that are large enough with 14,000 people, to get its four state reps.

The House has appointed a special committee on redistricting, with Republicans holding eight of the 15 seats. And work will get underway soon in the Senate, Senate President Chuck Morse said Thursday.

Now that the census data has become available, we will begin to establish a fair and transparent process for redistricting, including opportunity for public input, he said.
ALGIERS, Algeria (AP)  Algeria's president says five firefighting planes from European countries are expected by Saturday to help battle wildfires that killed at least 69 people through the mountainous Berber region, amid a heat wave like the ones fueling fires in Southern Europe.

Two French water-dropping airplanes on Thursday joined the effort to tame the fires in the Kabyle region, one day after Algeria appealed to the European Union Civil Protection framework for help.

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said Thursday in a televised address to the nation that two other planes from Spain are expected on Friday and another from Switzerland on Saturday.

In response to criticism over the slow response from the state, he said that Algeria "mobilized all the means of the military, the Civil Protection, forests services, but all these means happened to be insufficient given the multitude of fires.

The victims of the blazes include at least 28 soldiers who were deployed to fight the fires, according to authorities.

Tebboune said a solidarity fund will provide some financial aid to families affected by the fires, which have destroyed homes, olive groves and animals that provide a livelihood for the region.

He said authorities believe that the blazes started from illegal activity, especially in the Kabyle region.

The heat wave is part of it, but we have formal evidence that criminals have set devastating fires and 22 people have been arrested by security forces.

Tebboune declared a three-day mourning period for the fire victims starting Thursday.

Prime Minister Aimene Benabderrahmane, who visited on Thursday Tizi-Ouzou, the regional capital of Kabyle, said for the moment, the most important is to extinguish (the fires) and above all, to take care of the population.

Like southern Europe, North Africa has been sweltering under searing heat. Temperatures hit 50 C (122 F) in Tunisia, a record high for the country. The last previous high was 48.2 C (nearly 119 F) in 1968.

Algerias National Meteorology Office said extremely hot weather was forecast through Thursday in nearly a dozen regions, including around Tizi-Ouzou. In some places, the temperature was expected to hit 47 degrees Celsius (116.6 F.)

Climate scientists say theres little doubt climate change from the burning of coal, oil and natural gas is driving extreme events such as heat waves, droughts and wildfires, which they say are likely to happen more frequently as Earth warms.

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Follow AP's coverage of climate change issues at https://apnews.com/hub/climate-change
Christy Foreman pulled out of the drive-through coronavirus vaccination site in March, a jab of Johnson & Johnson in her arm, and breathed a sigh of relief.

A long year of hunkering down in her Baton Rouge apartment and ordering her groceries on Instacart was finally over. The 61-year-old, like the rest of the country, was ready for the slow return to normal. If cases kept falling, she'd even be able to go back to teaching in person at Louisiana State University in the fall.

Then came a drumbeat of reports showing the Johnson & Johnson shots might not offer the same level of immunity as other vaccines. Worried she might develop a breakthrough infection - or worse, face symptoms like brain fog- Foreman decided she needed an extra shot. She'd have to lie to do it. But other countries were already giving boosters, while U.S. health officials seemed to be waffling on the issue, she said. It was worth the risk.

"We're being left to make our own decisions," Foreman said. "We were told at the beginning not to wear masks and not to buy masks because they wanted to save them for health-care workers. Then they had to backtrack, which caused all sorts of confusion. It's sort of the same thing."

Across the country, vaccinated Americans have sought out extra shots because they fear their current doses aren't enough to ward off a virus once again raging in all 50 states. It's not clear how many have taken matters into their own hands. For Pfizer and Moderna recipients alone, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1.1 million have received additional shots, according to an internal document reported Wednesday by ABC News.

The trend reflects broad public confusion about the protection offered by the vaccines at a critical time in the nation's pandemic response, with the hyper-transmissible delta variant causing infections and hospitalizations to soar.

Frustrated by what they consider murky guidance from health authorities, people have received third or even fourth immunizations from local pharmacies and vaccination sites, where their previous appointments haven't caught the attention of health workers. Some say they've bucked advice from their own doctors, turning instead to Google for information on whether the extra shots are worthwhile.

"The chaos is, in part, due to lack of guidance and trust," Eric Topol, director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute, said in an email. "I hope there will be full transparency and a plan/timeline for the public to address these concerns."

People are seeking out extra vaccines - a phenomenon Topol dubbed "booster-mania" - even as the government is moving to make additional shots available to some vulnerable individuals.

The Food and Drug Administration is expected as soon as Thursday to clear the way for extra doses of vaccines for people with compromised immune systems. An advisory committee to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is planning to meet Friday to consider any FDA action - and is likely to recommend that the immunocompromised talk to their doctors about getting the shots.

Meantime, the FDA over the next several weeks will be scrutinizing data and weighing whether to authorize booster shots for other groups, including older people, health-care workers and residents of nursing homes.

In addition, by the end of this summer, the FDA is expected to fully approve the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. That means that doctors will be able to give additional vaccine shots to anyone they choose, regardless of whether the FDA has specifically authorized it.

Questions about the strength of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine were enough to convince some to seek out one of the mRNA-based shots. The single-shot regimen remains highly effective in slowing transmission and preventing severe illness, but it isn't as robust as the Pfizer or Moderna shots.

Roger Beatty, 68, received the Johnson & Johnson shot in March through his health-care conglomerate and soon had a nagging feeling he might need a booster. He devoured news articles and research to figure out the right course of action. He talked with his doctor, who was "studiously noncommittal" about the risks or benefits of an extra shot, he recalled. Ultimately, a news article that mentioned German Chancellor Angela Merkel's decision to mix-and-match vaccines tipped the scales.

"I was looking for anybody who had any basis for saying 'This is dangerous, don't try this,' " said Beatty, a retired Silicon Valley high tech manager who lives in Boston's suburbs. "I couldn't find anything anywhere."

In June, Beatty went to a local CVS for another jab. He said a clerk asked him if it was his "first or second" - a question he assumed referred to the Pfizer shot. First, he told her. "Five minutes later there was a needle in my arm," he said.

Beatty said he never would have gone in had there been a vaccine shortage or a possibility of sending the doses to others in need. But the shots were more widely available than ever, and the threat of more dangerous variants weighed on him. "At my age," he said, "I'm not going to mess around with this."

For people with compromised immune systems, concerns about the efficacy of the vaccines are even starker.

Terry Deneen, who received a double lung transplant in 2016, got the Moderna shots in the spring after struggling to find an appointment. The 70-year-old from Chicago said he was just starting to enjoy a taste of normalcy - visiting family, going out to dinner with friends from his apartment building - when doctors warned him that the vaccines offered little protective value for many transplant patients. A covid-19 case could be lethal.

Deneen had read about how Israel had begun administering boosters to seniors and figured officials would soon do the same here. So he decided to "beat the rush" and seek another round, he said, even though his doctors equivocated about whether it was a wise decision. Last week he got another Moderna injection at a CVS. Workers there didn't ask about his vaccine history, and he didn't volunteer anything, he said.

Afterward, Deneen reflected on how lucky he was to have received transplant lungs that his body accepted. "It was like somebody had grown a set of lungs just for me," he said. "I'm not going to throw it away by not getting a third shot."

A CVS spokeswoman, Tara Burke, said the pharmacy chain doesn't give additional vaccines to patients who say they're already immunized.

"We're following CDC guidance that the administration of a booster dose at this time is not recommended," Burke said in an email. "So patients who have been fully vaccinated at a CVS Pharmacy, or who inform us that they were fully vaccinated by another provider, will not receive another vaccine."

Janet Handal, 70, who got a kidney transplant a decade ago, said she got her first shot of the Moderna vaccine in January and her second in February. Antibody tests - administered as part of a Johns Hopkins study that is following the effectiveness of vaccines in the immunocompromised - showed she had almost no antibody response.

She decided on her own to get a Johnson & Johnson shot in late April. She went to a drugstore where she was not asked whether she had been vaccinated, she said.

Her antibodies shot up, but doctors told her the level is far below that of an "immunocompetent" person.

She plays it safe. "I don't feel as at risk as I did before, but I mask everywhere I go," she said. "I'll go into a grocery store but I would not go to Macy's and shop for two to three hours."

Some of the people who have gotten a booster dose are clinicians who were in the first group prioritized to receive the vaccines.

One emergency room doctor in Kansas City, Mo., said he decided to get a third shot of Pfizer because of the recent spike in covid-19 cases in southwestern Missouri, where he works, and because of two colleagues who became sick in recent weeks even though they were both fully vaccinated.

The 44-year-old doctor, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he didn't want to put the pharmacist or his hospital in jeopardy, said he received two doses of Pfizer in December.

He's worried that the recent spike in cases is putting his health - and ability to treat patients - in jeopardy.

Late last year, every single hospital in the Kansas City area was "absolutely socked in," he said in an interview. He works at Overland Park Regional Medical Center, in Kansas City.

"It was really a bad situation. Now we're creeping back towards that. We've had multiple days in the last two weeks where the entire regional hospital network has gone on high volume status," meaning no one can divert cases to another hospital and all are forced to stay open and accept patients, he said.

He suspects his level of immunity has declined since he got his shots in December - although research is not clear.

He said parts of Europe and Israel have been giving additional shots and their "quite good data" is showing "a little bit of decrease in immunization efficacy over six months."

Two colleagues, both fully vaccinated and in their 30s and who are otherwise healthy, were sickened, he said. They weren't sick enough to require visits to the hospital, but neither is back at work yet, he said. In the past several weeks, he has also seen four or five fully vaccinated elderly patients with underlying conditions - including a kidney transplant patient who also had COPD - be hospitalized for covid-19 illness.

When he made the decision, he went to a Walgreens in Kansas City. He told the pharmacist this was his first dose.

He has thought about the ethics of his action. "If there was a shortage of vaccines here and people were struggling to them, I would have hesitated and not gotten a third shot," he said. "But particularly here in rural parts of America, outside of Kansas City, in the red states, they have more vaccine than they know what to do with. We're seeing a lot of vaccine expiring."

He agrees that there needs to be fairer global distribution system for vaccines, but that requires a centralized coordinated authority that has "some teeth," something the World Health Organization is lacking, he said.

In the meantime, as an emergency room physician, "I got my hands all over covid secretions. I'm trying to keep myself safe to keep other people safe."

In Baton Rouge, Christy Foreman, too, thought hard about whether her decision to mix-and-match vaccines would deprive someone else in need. Nothing she read convinced her that would be the case, she said. She went to an Albertson's grocery store and got a dose of Pfizer to supplement her Johnson & Johnson injection. Her follow-up appointment is later this month, and she's mulling whether to show up.

Foreman isn't immunocompromised, but she worries about how her body would react to the virus. Her father's struggles with brain fog have alarmed her since he fell ill with covid-19 last summer. She can't risk symptoms like that interfering with her work as an English instructor, she said.

"I make my living using my brain. You can't teach if you have that problem," she said. "I just can't afford that."
CARO, Mich. (AP)  Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said two former state Corrections sites allegedly were being assessed by a white supremacist group called The Base as potential training areas for hate camps.

Three men, including one arrested last year after an Ann Arbor-area family was intimidated, have been charged in connection with a state police and FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force investigation.

The vacant properties  Camp Tuscola Annex and Tuscola Residential ReEntry Program  are in Tuscola Countys Caro, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) northwest of Detroit. Each is owned by the Michigan State Land Bank.

State-issued clothing taken from one of the locations last October, according to Nessel who said Wednesday in a release that hate camps are what The Base calls paramilitary firearms training exercises.

The Anti-Defamation League says The Base is a small, militant neo-Nazi organization that was formed in 2018 and in which members portray themselves as vigilante soldiers defending the European race. The group is preparing for an impending race war, according to the ADL.

Justen Watkins, 25, Thomas Denton, 32, and Tristan Webb, 19, are charged with gang membership, conspiracy to commit teaching use of firearms for a civil disorder, larceny in a building and using a firearm during a felony.

Denton and Webb were arraigned Wednesday in Tuscola County District Court and ordered held on $250,000 cash bonds. Watkins was expected to be arraigned via video from the Washtenaw County Jail.

He and Alfred Gorman were arrested in October and accused of intimidating a family in Dexter, near Ann Arbor. Watkins, of Bad Axe, and Gorman, of Taylor, were charged with gang membership, unlawful posting of a message and using computers to commit a crime.

The charges followed a December 2019 incident in which the Dexter family saw men in dark clothing shining a light and taking photos on the front porch of their home. The photos were uploaded onto The Bases social media platform channel along with a caption that alluded to a person involved with an antifa podcast, according to authorities.

Nessels office said then that the group was targeting that person, but that he had never lived at the home, which is about 52 miles (83 kilometers) west of Detroit.

Antifa is an umbrella description for far-left-leaning militant groups that resist white supremacists at demonstrations and other events.

Watkins had professed to be the appointed leader of The Base, Nessels office said.

The Caro properties were illegally entered prior to the arrests of Watkins and Gorman. They are due for preliminary examinations in the Dexter case on Aug. 24 in Washtenaw County District Court. Gorman currently is out on bond.
PITTSBURGH (AP)  The former branch manager of a western Pennsylvania credit union stole $340,000 and then set the bank safe on fire to throw off investigators, federal prosecutors said Thursday.

A federal grand jury indicted Patty Lynn Mavrakis of Belle Vernon on Wednesday on charges of embezzlement, wire fraud and using a fire to commit a federal felony.
KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  Belarusian authorities have detained over 20 people in the latest wave of arrests, continuing their sweeping crackdown on dissent a year after a disputed presidential election, human rights activists said Thursday.

Belarus was rocked by protests, which were fueled by the Aug. 9, 2020 re-election of authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko to a sixth term in a vote that the opposition and the West rejected as a sham. Lukashenko responded to demonstrations, the largest of which drew up to 200,000 people, with massive repressions that saw more than 35,000 people arrested and thousands beaten by police.

Belarusian authorities have ramped up the clampdown in recent months, arresting scores of independent journalists, activists and all those deemed not loyal. Viasna human rights center said Thursday that more than 20 people have been detained over the past two days in six cities across the country.

Andrey Dmitriyeu, who was among the challengers to Lukashenko in the Aug. 9, 2020 presidential vote, was detained for interrogation following a search in his Minsk apartment on Thursday. Dmitriyeu was released later in the day, and it was unclear if he faced any charges.

And Ihar Lyashchenya, the former Belarusian ambassador to Slovenia, was arrested Thursday on charges of organizing mass disturbances, accusations that carry a prison sentence of up to eight years. When the post-election protests erupted, Lyashchenya publicly criticized the crackdown on demonstrators and was stripped of his rank by Lukashenko.

Those arrested also include lawyers, political and environmental activists who were part of the Skhod (Assembly) civic initiative intended to encourage a national dialogue.

Stsiapan Latypau, an activist who stabbed himself in the neck with a pen in the courtroom in June to protest political repressions, faced a hearing Thursday during which prosecutors asked the court to sentence him to 8 1/2 years on charges of violation of public order, resistance to the police and fraud.

Speaking to the court Latypau, who has been in jail since September, described how police beat him in custody and used a plastic bag to suffocate him.

I was crying, struggling to breathe in the plastic bag and they just laughed, he said. The masked men beat me with their hands, their feet and using truncheons, they beat me simultaneously and then one by one. They beat me with their fists and palms over my ears, and it felt like a hand grenade exploding inside my head.

Protests have withered as authorities have moved relentlessly to stamp out any sign of dissent, and opposition leaders have been either jailed or forced to leave the country.

Amid the continuing crackdown, several dozen of women dressed in white and carrying red flowers to represent the colors of the oppositions red-and-white flag, marched across the Belarusian capital in a silent protest on Thursday.
MIAMI (AP)  A private bidder is willing to offer up to $120 million to purchase the Miami-area oceanfront property where the collapsed Champlain Towers South building once stood.

The offer was revealed Wednesday during a hearing before Circuit Judge Michael Hanzman, who is overseeing the dozens of lawsuits that have been filed since the condominium collapsed June 24, killing 98 people. Officials are still trying to determine what caused the building to collapse.

The judge authorized negotiation of an agreement with the bidder, who was not publicly identified. A real estate broker told the judge he had a letter of interest" from the bidder that offered $110 million for the property, the Miami Herald reported.

Theyre willing to go to $120 million, said Michael Fay, who has been appointed to work on the real estate deal.

Thats the best news Ive heard so far today, the judge said. He then asked Fay to move as quickly as possible to get to a short auction process.

I want to compensate these victims as soon as possible, Hanzman said.

Some families had hoped the government would purchase the property to turn it into a park or a memorial site to honor the victims, rather than a residential or commercial development.

On Wednesday, Manny Kadre, a lawyer who is serving as a liaison between the court and elected leaders, said that appears very highly unlikely, the Herald reported.

He suggested that perhaps officials could step in to help forgive mortgages, create a victims compensation fund or help with creating a memorial on the site or nearby.

The property being monetized by government is a very, very unlikely scenario, Kadre told the newspaper.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) 

South Carolina authorities have dropped criminal charges stemming from a fatal 2019 boat crash against a member of a prominent legal family after he and his mother were found shot dead earlier this year.

The state Attorney General's Office officially dismissed the charges against the late Paul Murdaugh last week in what officials described as a formality, news outlets reported.

Murdaugh was indicted on a charge of boating under the influence causing death in a February 2019 crash that killed 19-year-old Mallory Beach and hurt several others on the boat. The womans body was found about a week after the boat crashed into a Beaufort County bridge.

Before the case could go to trial, Murdaugh, 22, and his mother, Maggie, 52, were fatally shot June 7 outside their home on the familys land in Colleton County near Islandton, authorities said. State agents have released little information on their investigation into the deaths so far.

The charge against Paul Murdaugh was dropped as a formality due to his death, according to Robert Kittle, a spokesperson for the attorney general's office. The investigation into the boat crash is still ongoing, Kittle told news outlets.

The double homicide renewed attention to the boat wreck, prompting stories that questioned whether Paul Murdaugh's family ties to the area's legal system affected the investigation. State officials said after the deaths that they were reviewing whether local law enforcement officials tried to obstruct the inquiry into the boat crash.

Paul Murdaughs grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great grandfather were longtime elected solicitors in the area, though no Murdaugh held the post at the time of the crash.

Police documents released after Paul Murdaughs death showed his father and grandfather both arrived at the emergency room after the crash. Paul Murdaughs father, Alex Murdaugh, tried to talk to the other people in the boat, scrutinizing the board that nurses and doctors use to keep track of which patients were in which rooms, nurses said.

One nurse finally ordered Alex Murdaugh to stay in his sons room or leave the hospital.

Paul Murdaugh refused tests to see if he was boating under the influence, and he and the other the passengers refused to say who was driving the boat. Blood taken at the hospital several hours after the crash showed his blood-alcohol level was about three times the legal limit to infer intoxication, according to the investigative file.
BOSTON (AP)  A former Boston Police Department auto mechanic has pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $260,000 by purchasing parts, tools and other supplies for the department that he then sold on the side to others, federal prosecutors said.

Bahram Gharony, 36, who worked in the department's Fleet Management Division, pleaded guilty Wednesday to wire fraud, according to a statement from the U.S. attorney's office in Boston.
SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP)  Bulgarias political crisis took a new twist on Thursday after an anti-establishment party that narrowly won last month's elections gave back its mandate to form a government, and the country appeared headed for yet another election.

The move by the There is Such a People party of popular TV entertainer Slavi Trifonov came after its potential partners in parliament refused to back the partys nomination for prime minister, voicing skepticism of his ability to introduce efficient reforms.

In a 106-60 vote with one abstention, lawmakers on Thursday rejected the Cabinet line-up proposed by Trifonovs party.

According to Trifonov, the country is heading for a new early vote  that follows two in the last six months  because his party will not participate in talks on a government with any other political party given a mandate by the president.

In the July election Trifonovs party won 65 seats, just two more than the GERB party of former Prime Minister Boyko Borissov. Four other parties also made it into the 240-seat chamber.

Now, President Rumen Radev must hand a mandate to the second-largest political party in parliament to form a government. Borissovs party, however, has no support to build a majority and has already declared that it will return the mandate immediately.

A possible call on a third party, which by law the president is empowered to do, is also likely to fail due to the deep fragmentation in parliament.

Another snap election would remain as the only option, under which the country would continue to be governed by a caretaker cabinet appointed by the president.

Political analysts predict that a new vote could have a similar outcome and deepen the political impasse that has gripped the European Unions poorest member country.

They also expect political instability to hinder Bulgarias ability to effectively tap the EUs coronavirus recovery fund and disrupt its path toward adopting the euro currency in 2024.
WASHINGTON - The first race and ethnicity breakdowns from the 2020 Census, released Thursday, show a more diverse population than ever in the nation's history.

The report marks the first time the absolute number of people who identify as White alone has shrunk since a census started being taken in 1790. The number of people identifying as non-Hispanic White and no other race dropped by 5.1 million people, to 191.7 million, a decrease of 2.6%.

The country also passed two more milestones on its way to becoming a majority-minority society in the coming decades: For the first time, the portion of White people dipped below 60%, slipping from 63.7% in 2010 to 57.8% in 2020. And the under-18 population is now majority people of color, at 52.7%.

The new data shows how the ethnic, racial and voting-age makeup of neighborhoods shifted over the past decade, based on the national house-to-house canvass last year. It is the data most state legislatures and local governments use to redraw political districts for the next 10 years.

It indicates that the country is "much more multiracial and much more racially and ethnically diverse than what we measured in the past," said Nicholas Jones, director and senior adviser of race and ethnic research and outreach at the Census Bureau's population division.

The opioid epidemic and lower-than-anticipated birthrates among millennials after the Great Recession accelerated the White population's decline, said William Frey, a demographer at the Brookings Institution.

"Twenty years ago if you told people this was going to be the case, they wouldn't have believed you," he said of the White decline. "The country is changing dramatically."

In April, 2020 Census state population totals showed the country grew by just 7.4% in the past decade, more slowly than any decade except the 1930s. The states with the most growth were in the West and the South, which have seen an influx of people moving in from other countries and other states.

The largest and most steady gains were among Hispanics, who doubled their population share over the past three decades to 62.1 million people, or 18.7%, in 2020 and who are believed to account for half of the nation's growth since 2010.

Asian people, who made up about 3% of the population in 1990, also doubled their share since then, to 6.1%, while the Black population's share held steady at 12.1%.

Six states and the District of Columbia now have majorities of people of color, including Nevada and Maryland, which passed that milestone in the past decade. Maryland is now 47.2% White, and Nevada is 45.9% White. White population fell in three-quarters of counties, and in 35 states.

The diversification of the nation is projected to continue, with Whites falling below 50% nationally around 2045, Frey said, adding that, at that point, there will be no racial majority in the country. Between 2015 and 2060, the Hispanic and Asian populations are expected to approximately double in size, and the multiracial population could triple due to immigration and births.

The number of people who identify as multiracial has changed considerably since 2010. It was measured at 9 million people in 2010 and was 33.8 million in 2020, a 276% increase.

That could make redistricting more complex, said Kimball Brace, president of Election Data Services, a political consulting firm specializing in the analysis and presentation of census and political data.

"We're seeing so much more of this 'two or more races' . . . and that increase is significant because it will start muddying the waters a bit when we get to the question of drawing districts and the creation of different minority seats, and will it be an African American or a Hispanic seat? Because things are starting to merge together," he said.

Some of the changes may be due not only to actual increased diversity but also to changes in how people self-identify. The bureau's design, data processing and coding procedures have made it easier for respondents to identify as more than one race.

"It looks like most of the increase in the diversity index is because the current census worked hard to identify diversity that was already there, but it will be some time before we know for sure," said Steven Martin, a senior demographer at the Urban Institute.

Rogelio Saenz, a University of Texas at San Antonio demographer and sociologist, said the multiracial population is even younger than the Latino population - he estimated 19 or 20 years old - which means that segment of the population is only expected to grow as more multiracial people reach childbearing years. Interracial marriages also have been increasing across the United States, and in general he said more people are conscious and aware of their heritage, therefore likely to check another "race" box on the census.

"There's a greater degree of appreciation for the multicultural, multiracial roots that people have and I think that'll continue to be the case," he said.

The shifts signal what Frey calls a "cultural generation gap," with older generations that are much Whiter than younger ones. Racial minorities will drive all the growth in the U.S. labor force as White baby boomers retire and will make the difference between growth and decline in rural and suburban areas. The year 2011 was the first time more non-White babies were born than White babies, and for the past two decades, the growth of the nation's child population has been due entirely to Hispanic, Asian and multiracial people.

Their needs will be juxtaposed against - and in some cases seen as competing with - the needs of older generations: for example, public spending on senior services vs. schools or English-language classes or job training.

Arturo Vargas, chief executive of the NALEO Educational Fund, a Latino advocacy group, said the numbers for Hispanics were "lower than expected, but not a surprise because the initial apportionment numbers in April were lower than we expected."

Nevertheless, "it is extraordinary that Latinos accounted for more than 50% of growth for the total U.S. population," he said. "That more than one out of two new Americans is a Latino speaks volumes about the policies and decisions leaders need to make to ensure a strong America of the future. We need investments in Latino children. The children in our classrooms today are our future doctors and lawyers and political leaders."

The new data showed that large counties - those with over 50,000 residents - are growing the most, while smaller counties have shrunk. The U.S. population is increasingly metropolitan, with metro areas growing by 8.7%.

All 10 of the country's most populous cities grew in the past decade, with Phoenix overtaking Philadelphia in the No. 5 slot. The top four are New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago and Houston.

The data release comes amid concerns over the census's accuracy. The 2020 count was beset by problems, including insufficient funding for preparation, Trump administration attempts to add a citizenship question and block undocumented immigrants from being counted for apportionment, and the coronavirus pandemic, which caused major delays for the survey. Some census-takers said they were pushed by their superiors to bend rules to close out their caseloads more quickly, and experts worried that Hispanics in particular might be reluctant to respond to the survey.

But Thursday's data release was largely in line with earlier estimates.

"The data we are releasing today meet our high data quality standards," Ron Jarmin, the bureau's acting director, said Thursday.

Thomas Saenz, president and general counsel of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, said the initial data was on track with earlier estimates for the Hispanic population.

"I'm certain there was an undercount; there always is . . . but in comparison to what might have been, they don't look bad," he said of the numbers.

Further analysis is needed to determine the accuracy, he said, adding, "The Census Bureau still has a lot of work to do to undo the damage presented by the politicization of the census, but looking at the numbers today, it did not have the effect that Donald Trump and others intended."

- - -

The Washington Post's Brittany Renee Mayes and Meghan Hoyer contributed to this report.
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (AP)  Iowa's population grew in pockets around the states largest cities over the past decade while 68 counties in rural areas lost population, according to U.S. Census data released Thursday.

The biggest population gainers were the counties around Des Moines in central Iowa, Cedar Rapids and Davenport in eastern Iowa, and Sioux City in the northwest.

The fastest growing area in the state remained Dallas County, west of Des Moines, which grew 50.7% in the past decade to a population of 99,678 in 2020 from just over 66,000 in 2010.

The data shows four counties  Johnson, Polk, Warren and Story  grew by more than 10% and 26 counties increased by less than 10%. The remaining 68 counties lost population.

Statewide, Iowa's population increased by 4.7% to 3,190,369.

The states Hispanic or Latino population grew to 6.8% from 5% in 2010 and the Black population increased to 4.1% from 2.9%.

The white population in Iowa in 2020 was 82.7% of the population, down from 88.7% in 2010.

The least populous county is Adams County, in southwest Iowa, which has 3,704 people  a decline of 8.1 %, or 325 people, over the decade.

Polk County had the most people with 492,401, a 14.3% increase, or 61,761 people. It is also the most densely populated with 860.5 people per square mile.

Iowa lawmakers will use the new data to redraw the state's political boundaries, a nonpartisan process that begins with the state's Legislative Services Agency. State law requires a first draft of proposed maps within 45 days, followed by public hearings and a report to lawmakers.

After months of unnecessary delays, the Census Bureau has finally provided the data Iowa needs to redistrict the state, said Iowa Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver, an Ankeny Republican. I look forward to following the nationally recognized, nonpartisan process established (in Iowa law) to create congressional and legislative districts for the next decade.

The Iowa Supreme Court is tasked with redistricting if lawmakers fail to meet the 45-day deadline, but the court has said it will allow the Legislature to follow its redistricting process later this year, given the circumstances caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The release of the redistricting data culled from the 2020 census comes more than four months later than expected due to delays caused by the pandemic. The redistricting numbers states use for redrawing congressional and legislative districts show where white, Asian, Black and Hispanic communities grew over the past decade.

It also shows where populations have become older or younger and the number of people living in dorms, prisons and nursing homes. The data covers geographies as small as neighborhoods and as large as states. Another set of data released in April provided state population counts and showed the U.S. had 331 million residents last year, a 7.4% increase from 2010.

___

Associated Press reporter Grant Schulte contributed from Omaha, Nebraska.
MADISON, Wis. (AP)  Wisconsin's redistricting battle shifted into high gear Thursday with the release of detailed census numbers that show a growing diverse population in urban areas, rural population losses and other shifts that will determine congressional boundary lines and what parts of the state gain or lose seats in the Legislature.

Wisconsin's overall population grew by nearly 4%, enough for the state to keep its eight existing congressional districts but not enough for it to gain a ninth seat. The states white population dropped by 3.4%, while the Hispanic population grew by 33.1%, or about 111,000 people. The Black population grew by 4.8%, or about 17,000 people.

Dane County, which includes Madison, grew by 15% over the decade, adding more than 73,000 people, the largest increase of any county, the census data showed. Milwaukee County, the states largest by population at around 939,000, lost just under 1% of its population, or 8,246 people.

The counties home to Green Bay and Appleton also grew about 8% each, while rural areas lost ground as expected.

Republicans drew the maps in 2011 and will once again be in charge by virtue of their legislative majority. New lines will be drawn for the state's eight congressional districts, 99 Assembly seats and 33 Senate districts.

But unlike in 2011, when Republican Gov. Scott Walker signed the GOP-drawn maps into law, the Legislature this time will have to win over Democratic Gov. Tony Evers. If, as expected, Evers vetoes the maps, it would be up to the courts to decide the lines. It's also likely there will be lawsuits filed before the Legislature even completes its work.

Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said Thursday he was confident the Legislature would pass maps that would win Evers' approval. Republican legislative leaders also announced a new website where anyone can submit maps between Sept. 1 and Oct. 15.

Republicans have already asked the Wisconsin Supreme Court to take any lawsuits directly, a request the court rejected. That means any state lawsuits will have to start in circuit court, but they're expected to make their way to the state Supreme Court. Challenges in federal court, particularly over claims that Black people and other racial minorities are denied political power through gerrymandering, are also likely.

Evers created a commission he said was nonpartisan to draw its own maps for the Legislature to consider. That group has been meeting for nearly a year, but the Legislature is not required to consider its maps. However, the maps likely will be submitted as a possible alternative for a court to consider.

If Republicans wanted to do the right thing, they would take up maps created by the governor's commission and pass a bill Evers has advocated for to take the process out of the Legislature's control, said Sachin Chheda, director of the Fair Elections Project.

Democrats and their allies unsuccessfully tried to overturn the Republican-drawn maps a decade ago, arguing they were an illegal gerrymander that secured a GOP majority in the Legislature. Republicans were able to increase their majorities in the Legislature under the maps they drew, even as Democrats won statewide races for governor and U.S. Senate in 2018 and President Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump in the state in 2020.

Republicans are already arguing that because of Wisconsin's relatively small population shift over the past decade, few changes will be needed to the maps this year. Liberals and their allies argue that the existing maps are so gerrymandered to benefit Republicans that they should be tossed and new ones drawn based on what was in place prior to 2011.

Joe Handrick, a former Republican state lawmaker who helped draw the maps a decade ago and now works for a conservative advocacy group, tweeted this week that based on 2019 census population estimates, the amount of shifting in Wisconsin will be much less than it has been in recent decades.

This means most map adjustments can be relatively minor, he said.

The state's increased diversity will need to be addressed in the new maps, said Doug Poland, an attorney who challenged the existing maps in a case that ended up in the U.S. Supreme Court.

Wisconsin's legal challenge died after the U.S. Supreme Court in 2019 ruled in cases from Maryland and North Carolina that claims of partisan gerrymandering are inherently political questions that federal courts cannot address. That means gerrymandering lawsuits will be decided by state courts.

Local political boundary lines at the municipal and county level also must be redrawn. Evers vetoed a Republican bill that would have delayed implementation of local redistricting until 2023 to give officials more time to draw the lines, saying new districts need to be created as soon as possible to reflect population changes over the past decade.

Local officials had argued for the bill, saying it would be difficult if not impossible to complete redistricting by Nov. 23, as is required by law.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)  Areas in and around Nashville saw a population boom over the last decade, while the greater Memphis region saw low or no growth, or lost people, according to detailed national population data from the U.S. Census Bureau released Thursday that lawmakers in Tennessee will use to redraw state and congressional districts currently dominated by Republicans.

The updated information sets the stage for work on new political maps in the state Legislature, where Republicans hold a 73-26 House edge over Democrats and a 27-6 margin in the Senate, both supermajorities. The state grew by 8.9%  exceeding the 7.4% national rate  and increased to 6.9 million residents in 2020 from 6.3 million reported in 2010.

Tennessee won't gain or lose any congressional districts. The House delegation currently includes seven Republicans and two Democrats, whose districts center on Nashville and Memphis.

Tennessee's growth was driven in large part due to Middle Tennessee, where multiple counties making up the Nashville metropolitan statistical area registered the 19th-highest collective rate among its peers nationally at 20.9%. It's reflective of a trend in the data showing that much of the fastest growth occurred in the nations largest cities and their suburbs.

Nashville-Davidson County itself saw a 14.2% population boost, adding about 89,200 people through the decade and checking in at second-most populous in the state, the numbers show. Its suburbs saw a bigger percentage boost, with Williamson County increasing by 35.2%, or 64,500 people, and Rutherford County jumping up 30%, or about 78,900 people. Several other Middle Tennessee counties saw population increases that exceeded 20%.

It remains unclear whether Republican lawmakers will try to carve Nashville into multiple congressional districts in order to try to flip the seat of Democratic Rep. Jim Cooper into the GOP column.

Shelby County, which includes Memphis and remains the most populous county, saw a small population increase of 0.2%, or 2,100 people, while multiple counties in West Tennessee saw population drops. Fayette County, which is east of Shelby, was one exception, with a 9.3% increase.

Some areas of East Tennessee, meanwhile, also outpaced the state's average population increase. Knox County, which includes Knoxville, jumped up by 10.8%, with Loudon County increasing by 13% and Sevier County, a Smoky Mountains tourism destination, up by 9.4%. Hamilton County, which includes Chattanooga, neared the state average with 8.8% growth, and nearby Bradley County grew by 9.8%.

The release of the redistricting data culled from the 2020 census came more than four months later than expected due to delays caused by the pandemic. The redistricting numbers states use for redrawing congressional and legislative districts show where white, Asian, Black and Hispanic communities grew over the past decade.

It also shows which areas have gotten older or younger and the number of people living in dorms, prisons and nursing homes. The data covers geographies as small as neighborhoods and as large as states. An earlier set of data released in April provided state population counts and showed the U.S. had 331 million residents last year.

Tiny Trousdale County ended up with the highest percentage growth in the state at 47.6%  new population of about 11,600  because of a large state prison established since the 2010 census.

A spokesperson for the state Senate's leader, GOP Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, said the public and lawmakers will have the chance to weigh in on the process and submit their own statewide redistricting proposals.

Lawmakers will form a committee on redistricting and their proposals will be taken up in the 2022 legislative session that begins in January. Republican Gov. Bill Lee has veto power over the finalized plan, but hes not expected to put up many objections.

Legislative Democrats urged actions beyond what Republicans are promising, including public meetings around the state that are livestreamed and the release of the first drafts of proposed maps this fall.

In 2010, the congressional redistricting plan stopped short of splitting traditionally Democratic Nashville into several districts.

Lawmakers approved the new congressional and legislative plans in January 2012. The Senate seat plan was later challenged in state court, with plaintiffs arguing it unnecessarily split up too many counties  particularly around Memphis, which has the states largest Black population. However, the plan was eventually upheld.
Vermont remains the second whitest state in the country, but the states minority population is growing, data released Thursday U.S. Census Bureau showed.

The data showed the Hispanic population in Vermont grew by 68.4%, about 6,300 people, between 2010 and 2020, the third largest percentage increase in the country.

The Black population grew by just under 44%, or just under 2,760, the seventh largest percentage change in the country.

While the percentage increases are large, the actual numbers remain low.

The percentage of Vermont's Hispanic population grew from 1.5% of the state's population in 2010 to 2.4% in 2020. The percentage of Vermont's Black population grew from 1% of the state's population to 1.4%.

Despite the increase in minority population, 89.8% of Vermonts population is white, second only to Maine.

The numbers found that Vermont has the second highest percentage in the country of its population over age 18, 81.6%, behind the District of Colombia at 83.4% and just ahead of Maine, 81.5% and New Hampshire at 81.4%.

The percent change in the population over age 18 grew 5.6% over 2010, or just under 28,000 people.

The Vermont figures were part of a nationwide release of data that offers the most detailed portrait yet of how the country has changed since 2010. In some states the figures will be used to redraw congressional districts and they will also shape how $1.5 trillion in annual federal spending is distributed.

The national figures show continued migration to the South and West at the expense of counties in the Midwest and Northeast. The share of the white population fell from 63.7% in 2010 to 57.8% in 2020, the lowest on record, though white people continue to be the most prevalent racial or ethnic group.

The information was originally supposed to be released by the end of March, but that deadline was pushed back because of delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Census data released earlier this year showed that in the last decade Vermonts overall population grew 2.8%, to just over 643,000 people.

The data released Thursday also showed the population change in Vermont's 14 counties.

More than a quarter of Vermont's total population lives in Chittenden County, which includes Burlington, saw its population grow by 7.5% in the last decade, the top percentage increase of Vermont's 14 counties.

Vermont's least populous county, Essex, located where Vermont abuts New Hampshire and Quebec, saw its population decrease by just under 400 people, or 6.1%, the largest percentage decrease in the state.

Caledonia and Rutland counties also lost population. Caledonia County lost just under 1,000 people, a drop of 3.2%. Rutland County last just under 1,100 people, a drop of 1.7%.
ALBANY  Counties around New York are struggling to determine the impact of coronavirus cases among vaccinated people, and say the state is not sharing data that would help them assess the effect of such so-called breakthrough cases.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says data from Aug. 2 suggests hospitalization and death among the vaccinated happens less than 0.1 percent of the time - or about 7,500 people out of more than 166 million who have received the shot. But county leaders in New York say a lack of clear data on how many vaccinated people are being hospitalized and killed here limits how local counties are planning their response to surges in cases caused by the virus' highly contagious delta variant.

County leaders say the absence of data makes it more difficult to explain to the public the need to change the local approach for dealing with the virus and to make the case that reluctant people should get vaccinated.

"We need to back that up with the data that proves the point," said Marc Molinaro, the Dutchess County executive and president of the New York County Executives Association.

Last week, the association urged the state health department to add the number of fully vaccinated patients in hospitals to the data it collects and shares with local health departments. So far, no change has been made.

"This data is important to our understanding of the efficacy of the vaccine and will help to guide local decision-making related to COVID-19 prevention strategies," the letter said. "Moreover, should the data show very few breakthrough cases in hospitals, this information can be used by local leaders and health departments to encourage residents to get vaccinated."

The state health department did not immediately respond to the Times Union's questions about why such data isn't available.

Hospitals report hospitalization rates for vaccinated and unvaccinated patients to the state health department. It is up to the state to report that data to the CDC, according to the federal agency's website.

Most states are providing data on hospitalization rates and deaths among the vaccinated and unvaccinated. Molinaro said his county has tried to tabulate its own numbers and looked at trends from Massachusetts to try to understand the potential local impact.

Without data from the state, Albany County scrambled to compile its own information on the rate of infection among those who were vaccinated. Of the 260 new cases identified among residents between Aug. 2 and Aug. 6, 107, or 41 percent, occurred in people who had received their shots, according to data from County Executive Dan McCoy.

But the county does not have the data to tabulate the rates of hospitalizations and deaths among residents who have been vaccinated. Such a stat could be key in helping the public understand the value of vaccinations in minimizing the impact of coronavirus symptoms.

Molinaro said in his county it appears that 75 percent of new cases are still among the unvaccinated.

Schenectady County Manager Rory Fluman said it would be helpful to get the data from the state but he added it is easier for his county to track the data because only one facility, Ellis Hospital, handles hospitalizations for COVID-19. On Wednesday, four people were hospitalized with the virus: Two were vaccinated and two were unvaccinated.

The unvaccinated patients were both in the intensive care unit while the vaccinated patients were not. It's a trend Fluman says he's seen for some time.

The vaccinated, he said, "are less likely to go to the ICU" if they get the delta variant.

Warren County, which has been publishing detailed data since the start of the pandemic last year, has been keeping track itself of the severity of disease in the vaccinated. On Wednesday, Warren County said only six people out of 41,282 vaccinated residents have been hospitalized. Three of those vaccinated residents, who were elderly, died.

For much of the pandemic, the state health department set the guidelines for how local governments build their response to the pandemic. At the time, county officials from around New York complained the health department was heavy-handed. But in June, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced the end of the state of emergency to deal with the pandemic. With it, came the end of the governor's emergency powers that gave the health department control of pandemic response.

County officials said the state has offered little guidance since. In another example, the state health department said recently it would not be offering pandemic guidance to schools. On Tuesday, state Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa said her agency is in the process of developing a summary guidance document to school administrators based on CDC's guidelines and science from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

"We've gone from New York making every decision to radio silence," Molinaro said.

Last month, the CDC urged vaccinated and unvaccinated people to return to wearing masks indoors, noting the surge in cases believed to be caused by the delta variant. It reversed CDC policy from May that said vaccinated people no longer had to wear masks indoors.

The New York Times on Tuesday released an analysis of hospitalizations rates and deaths in 40 states and Washington D.C. New York was missing from the list. The data shows a fraction of coronavirus deaths involved vaccinated people  a range of 0.2 percent in Georgia to 5.6 percent in Maine. All but two states  Michigan with 223 victims and Illinois with 151  recorded fewer than 100 deaths among the vaccinated.

Molinaro said he has spoken with incoming Gov. Kathy Hochul. She left him with the impression there would be greater cooperation between the health department and county governments, he said.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP)  Improved weather conditions Wednesday allowed crews to access the site where a sightseeing plane crashed last week in southeast Alaska, killing six people.

Clint Johnson, head of the National Transportation Safety Boards Alaska division, said he was hopeful the wreckage could be returned to Ketchikan later Wednesday.
ROME (AP)  Stifling heat kept its grip on much of Southern Europe on Thursday, driving people indoors at midday, spoiling crops, triggering drinking water restrictions, turning public libraries into cooling climate shelters and complicating the already difficult challenge firefighters faced battling wildfires.

In many places, forecasters said worse was expected to come.

In Italy, 15 cities received warnings from the health ministry about high temperatures and humidity with peaks predicted for Friday. The cities included Rome, Florence and Palermo, but also Bolzano, which is usually a refreshing hot-weather escape in the Alps,

The local National Health Service offices in Rome and Bologna telephoned older residents who live alone to see if they needed groceries or medicines delivered so they wouldn't venture out in the searing heat.

The Italian air force, which oversees the national weather service, said the interior parts of the islands of Sardinia and Sicily could expect to see temperatures upwards of 40 degrees Celsius (104 F) by Friday. By early afternoon on Thursday in Rome, the city famous for its ornamental as well as strategically placed sidewalk drinking fountains sizzled in 38 C (100 F) heat.

"I drink a lot of water, more water, more water and more water,'' said Hank Heerat, a tourist from the Netherlands cycling down the broad boulevard flanking the Roman Forum.

At the ancient Colosseum, Civil Protection volunteers distributed hundreds of bottles of water to visitors.

In Serbia, the spell of hot, dry weather prompted four municipalities to declare an emergency after Rzav River levels plummeted, endangering water supplies. Authorities imposed drinking water restrictions affecting some 250,000 people, while the army brought in water tanks for public use.

We have a period of severe drought, we cannot take any more water from the river, Zoran Barac, the head of a local water supply utility, told state broadcaster RTS.

In Spain, the national weather service warned temperatures could hit 44 C (111 F) in some areas in coming days. Parts of the northeastern Catalonia region were forecast to reach 42 C (107.6 F) on Thursday.

Authorities in Barcelona, the Catalan capital, designated 162 museums, libraries, schools and other public places around the city as climate shelters. The sites offered an escape from the heat, cool drinking water and staff trained in dealing with heatstroke.

The surge in temperatures, due to a mass of hot, dry air from Africa, was expected to ease starting on Monday on the Iberian peninsula.

While Southern Europe is known for sunny, hot summers, climate scientists say there's little doubt climate change from the burning of coal, oil and natural gas is driving extreme events such as heat waves, droughts and wildfires, which they say are likely to happen more frequently as Earth warms.

A German tourist in Rome concurred.

Because of climate change, "temperatures are very high. So I think its a better option is to reduce the carbon dioxide from the cars and travel more with the metro," said Philippe Kutaski near the Colosseum in Rome.

As in past years, Croatia's Adriatic Sea resorts were hosting hundreds of thousands of tourists. But those stepping out of the sea sweltered as temperatures reached 39 C (102 F) on the coast on Wednesday.

Crops and farm animals were suffering from days of extremely high temperature, too.

The Italian agriculture lobby Coldiretti said Thursday that 20% of the tomato crop in Italy's south was lost due to torrid heat and humidity. Italy exports nearly 2 billion euros ($2.4 billion) worth of tomatoes and tomato products like canned or bottled sauce throughout the world.

Dairy farmers in southern Italy estimated that the heat wave meant cows were eating less, producing 20% less milk and drinking double the usual amount of water.

While much attention has focused on southern Europe's heat crisis, it was even hotter on the North African shore of the Mediterranean Sea. Temperatures hit 50 C (122 F) in Tunisia, a record high for the country. The last previous high was 48.2 C (nearly 119 F) in 1968.

In Algeria, most of the regions of the north of the country have been placed on alert for heat waves. Fires ravaging mountain forests and villages in Algerias Berber region have killed at least 65 people, including 28 soldiers.

Blazes have devoured forest and brush areas in Greece and in southern Italy for days.

In Italy, temperatures in the mid-40s C (over 110 F) in inland parts of Sardinia, Calabria and Sicily made for ripe fire conditions. But long spells of drought also were blamed. By the start of summer in Italy, vegetation had already withered from lack of rain and essentially became fuel for wildfires, Italian Civil Protection official Luigi D'Angelo told Italian state TV.

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Michele Calamaio in Rome, Barry Hatton in Lisbon, Jovana Gec in Belgrade, Sylvie Corbet in Paris, contributed reporting.

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Follow all AP stories about climate change issues at https://apnews.com/hub/climate.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP)  Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Thursday that he is launching a rapid response unit to expand the use of monoclonal antibodies and relieve pressure at hospitals that continue to report a rise in COVID-19 patients.

This is probably the best thing that we can do to reduce the number of people that require hospitalization," DeSantis said at a news conference in Jacksonville, noting vaccines were still encouraged and effective at preventing hospitalizations and deaths.

The drugs are delivered intravenously or by injection and made by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. It concentrates doses of lab-made antibodies to fight COVID-19 and are geared toward people who are at high risk. DeSantis mentioned good candidates were elderly people and those with chronic kidney disease, diabetes, morbid obesity and sickle cell.

DeSantis has previously said the treatment helped then-President Donald Trump when he was infected last fall.

The Republican governor said he believes this monoclonal antibody treatment is not as well known because it received federal emergency use authorization about the same time as the mRNA vaccines were being approved, and that the focus rightfully was on vaccines at the time. He said he felt it was important to increase its use along with vaccines saying they were the most effective" yet seen for people who are already infected.

I don't think it's an either or, he said. We have people in society that are not vaccinated. We also have people who are vaccinated who are still testing positive. Either way, if you get in that situation, particularly in these high-risk categories, this should be your stop.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said that nationwide orders of monoclonal antibodies are twelve times higher in recent weeks than they were at the beginning of July.

The federal government has shipped more than 15,000 patient courses to 162 sites in Florida since the beginning of July, HHS said. The state went from using between 400 and 600 a week around late June and early July to now reporting using 3,300 last week. And the department said there was plenty of product available to ramp up the effort at new sites.

The state wants to set up a long-term location to administer the antibodies at the Jacksonville Public Library, and other places. DeSantis said he was also forming strike teams to take them to nursing homes, like he did last year when mass testing began. He also said the state's surgeon general will issue an order to make certain sites available to people who meet certain criteria where they won't need a doctor prescription.

Across the state, the number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 continued to rise Thursday from 15,071 to 15,358 patients. More than 3,200 of those patients are in ICUs, taking up about 49% of the intensive care unit beds. Those hospitalized are largely unvaccinated and younger than those seen in hospitals during last summers surge, doctors have said.

Emergency departments in some areas are so overcrowded that doctors are sending patients home with small, portable pulse oximeters and oxygen so they can free up beds for sicker patients.

Dr. Leonardo Alonso, an emergency room physician who rotates between two hospitals in Jacksonville, said Wednesday that it's typically a labor intensive and expensive bureaucratic process to send oxygen home with patients. But he's hopeful that a new protocol will help ease the strain.

A lot of people just need oxygen," Alonso said. The only reason theyre being put in the hospital is because they need oxygen.

He explained that it took one patient hours to get the oxygen to take home.

The patient just sat in the room eight hours," he said. The next one, 10 hours and never got it, and had to be admitted.

On Tuesday, the state reported 24,753 more COVID-19 cases to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Florida's seven-day rolling average of new cases was 21,156 on Tuesday, up from an average of less than 2,000 new cases in early July.

DeSantis opposes mask mandates in schools and has barred businesses and municipalities from requiring proof of vaccination.

Some local jurisdictions are coming up with policies short of a vaccine mandate, such as requiring regular testing for the disease. Winter Park in central Florida approved a policy Wednesday that would give unvaccinated employees the choice starting next month of showing weekly negative test results or taking unpaid leave.

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Associated Press writer Cody Jackson in Jacksonville, Florida, contributed to this report.

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Follow APs coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic.
MADRID (AP)  A new law requiring food delivery companies in Spain to hire delivery riders and drivers as employees rather than freelance contractors took effect Thursday with labor unions urging close monitoring and inspections to enforce it.

Spain's Trade Union Confederation said the so-called Riders Law would put an end to the labor fraud that workers in this sector have suffered for too long.." The confederation, known by its Spanish acronym CCOO, said the labor ministry and inspectors should ensure compliance with the law through monitoring, evaluation and reporting.

The law classifies food delivery riders as employees of the digital platforms they work for, not self-employed. It covers an estimated 30,000 workers.

Legislation approved in May also requires companies such as Spain's Glovo and America's Uber Eats to hand over to worker legal representatives information about how their algorithms and artificial intelligence systems function in assigning jobs and assessing performance.

App-based food delivery businesses say the law threatens a 700-million-euro ($851 million) industry in Spain. U.K.-based Deliveroo has said it plans to exit the Spanish market pending a mandatory consultation with workers. Some workers have also objected, saying the freelance model gave them flexibility.

Riders For Rights, a gig economy union, noted that with temperatures soaring past 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 F) in many parts of Spain on Thursday and a heat wave expected to last for several days, workers had not been offered any form of heat protection or extra pay.

Companies will continue to fail to comply with the legislation," the union tweeted. "As long as it is cheaper for them to pay fines than to hire us, this fraud will persist. They do not understand laws and legislations.

The CCOO said it was working with Just Eats on new contracts for riders. Glovo has said it will hire 2,000 deliver workers as employees to comply with the new law but maintain the rest of its workers as freelancers. Uber Eats has said it plans to subcontract out some of its services.
MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP)  Kansas farmers are expected to harvest a smaller corn crop this season, according to a forecast released Thursday.

The National Agricultural Statistics Service said in its monthly production report that the state is projected to bring in 745 million bushels of corn, down 3% from last year. The smaller corn crop is expected because the estimated 5.4 million acres to be harvested in Kansas is down 6% from last year.

The agency also said released its latest forecasts for other the state's major crops. Sorghum production is expected to come in at 240 million bushels, up 1% from a year ago. The soybean harvest was forecast at 187 million bushels, down 2% from last year.

That compares to the estimated winter wheat harvest of 380 million bushels, up 35% from last year.
BERLIN (AP)  Striking railway workers in Germany kept much of the country's train service suspended Thursday as they continued their nationwide work stoppage for a second day.

Only one-quarter of long-distance trains were running and about 40 % of regional and local commuter trains, German news agency dpa reported. The strike also put many cargo trains out of action.

The railway workers belonging to the GDL union had voted earlier with an overwhelming majority for a strike to underline their demands for a 3.2 % pay raise and a one-time coronavirus bonus payment of 600 euros ($704).

German train operator Deutsche Bahn has rejected the demands. The company has lost billions since the start of the pandemic and from recent floods that destroyed or damaged numerous railroad tracks.

Deutsche Bahn has put in place a replacement schedule and lifted its pandemic distancing measures to allow every seat on the trains still operating to be used during the strike.

With 11 of Germany's 16 states still on summer vacation, travelers ordinarily would be replying heavily on trains to get around. In places where schools have reopened for a new term, the strike also affected students and other commuters.

GDL has said it plans to end the strike Friday at 2 a.m. (0000 GMT).

The union, which has more than 35,000 members, went on nationwide strikes eight times in 2014 and 2015 to push through its demands.

During the recent negotiations, the larger EVG railway workers union agreed to a deal last year which included a 1.5% increase in 2022 and rules out job cuts.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP)  The federal government has withdrawn its approval for an Ohio plan to enact work requirements for new Medicaid recipients, spurring anger among GOP officeholders who backed the measure.

Under the mandate, known as a community engagement requirement, new adult beneficiaries under 50 would need to complete 80 hours per month of either employment, education or job skills training.
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP)  Human rights groups welcomed Indonesia's decision to stop abusive virginity tests on female army recruits seven years after the World Health Organization declared they had no scientific validity.

Army Chief of Staff Gen. Andika Perkasa said the army will no longer subject women to invasive tests in which the inspectors used their fingers to assess whether the hymen was intact.

He said applicants should only be assessed on their ability to take part in physical training and that the military would emphasize whether they have color blindness and the condition of their spines and hearts to ensure they are healthy and will not encounter life-threatening medical issues.

These improvements make us focused, effective and precise, and (ensure) that we have direction, Perkasa told reporters on Tuesday during annual U.S.-Indonesia joint military drills in North Sulawesis Minahasa district.

He said the armys hospital directors and medical officers have been informed of the new procedures since May.

WHO in its 2014 clinical guidelines for health care of sexually abused women said the so-called virginity test lacks any scientific basis.

Human Rights Watch researcher Andreas Harsono called for increased pressure on Indonesia's navy and air force commanders to end the practice as well.

The army command is doing the right thing, Harsono said in a statement received by The Associated Press on Thursday. It is now the responsibility of territorial and battalion commanders to follow orders, and recognize the unscientific, rights-abusing nature of this practice.

Human Rights Watch previously found that applicants who were deemed to have failed the test were not necessarily penalized but all of those subjected to it said it was painful, embarrassing and traumatic.

Human Rights Watch has also documented the use of such tests by security forces in Egypt, India and Afghanistan and criticized calls for virginity tests for Indonesian school girls.

It said the Indonesian military and police imposed the tests for decades and sometimes tested the fiancees of military officers. Indonesian police ended the practice in 2018.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  A federal judge in San Francisco on Wednesday ordered a new mental health evaluation of a Mexican man acquitted of murder in the 2015 fatal shooting of a woman on a city pier, a killing that became a national flashpoint over immigration.

A separate case against Jose Ines Garcia Zarate on federal gun charges has been pending since 2017. U.S. District Court Judge Vince Chhabria raised serious concerns about his mental capacities last year.

Chhabria said in a court order that the Bureau of Prisons informed him in June that it had restored the defendant to competency. But he questioned whether Garcia Zarate was mentally competent after the Mexican immigrant was unwilling to follow his attorney's advice to plead not guilty during a hearing Monday.

Garcia-Zarate had been deported five times and was wanted for a sixth deportation proceeding when on July 1, 2015, he fatally shot 32-year-old Kate Steinle on a crowded San Francisco pier. He said he didnt know a gun was in his hands because it was wrapped in a T-shirt when it fired and he dropped it almost immediately after picking it up.

The shooting turned into a major campaign issue across the country after then-presidential candidate Donald Trump started referring to it to bolster his argument for tougher immigration policies and his opposition to so-called sanctuary cities, which limit local cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

In late 2017, a San Francisco Superior Court jury acquitted Garcia Zarate of various charges including murder. But shortly after his acquittal, federal prosecutors charged him with two counts of illegal gun possession.

Two doctors have diagnosed Garcia Zarate with schizophrenia and found him unfit to stand trial because he cannot follow the court proceedings. They said he believes electronics are broadcasting messages to him and other inmates and that he believes his attorney is accepting bribes from the police.

Chabbria appointed Dr. Paul Elizondo, a San Francisco psychiatrist, to conduct the new evaluation and ordered the United States Marshals Service to ensure he receives all relevant medical records, including those showing whether Garcia Zarate was taking his medication while being transferred to a jail.
LOS ANGELES (AP)  A Los Angeles judge on Thursday again rejected one of 11 sexual assault counts in an indictment of Harvey Weinstein.

Judge Lisa B. Lench first dismissed the count of sexual battery by restraint as too old and outside the statute of limitations two weeks ago, but allowed the district attorney's office to amend the allegation against the 69-year-old former movie mogul and convicted rapist.

On Thursday, she found that neither of two attempts at an amended complaint from prosecutors solved the problem, and rejected the count again.

Weinstein attended the hearing in LA County jail attire. He was brought into the courtroom shackled to a wheelchair, and was uncuffed as the proceedings began.

Lench gave prosecutors a glimmer of hope on the dismissed count, saying that if they reconvene the grand jury and get it to return a new indictment for it, she may accept it. But she offered no specific instructions.

I can't tell you what to do, the judge said.

The rejected count dates to May 2010. Weinstein was first charged with it in January 2020, before the statute of limitations had expired. Prosecutors then got an indictment from a grand jury on an identical count six months later, when the time had lapsed.

The judge agreed with Weinstein attorney Alan Jackson that the grand jury indictment was a new prosecution, and therefore was coming too late.

The people are grasping to try to save something that is unsalvageable, Jackson said in court. They did it, they blew it, they can't fix it.

Prosecutors argued that it was a continuation of the same case.

While the count is a small part of the case, dismissing it removes one of five accusers from Weinsteins forthcoming trial.

Still intact are four counts of rape and six other sexual assault counts. Weinstein pleaded not guilty to all of them last month in his first court appearance in the California case. He was extradited from New York, where he is serving a 23-year sentence for convictions of rape and sexual assault.

Other charges against Weinstein are for even older incidents, but different statutes apply to them.

The defense also revealed at the hearing that they have been given a list of 248 witnesses for the forthcoming trial, for which no date has been set.

Weinstein's attorneys will seek to reject many of them, and more technical fights are likely to come as they attempt to erode the case against him.

Today's a great example of why we need judges with a backbone," Weinstein attorney Mark Werksman said outside court, "and juries with a tough spine to stand up against false accusations."

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Follow AP Entertainment Writer Andrew Dalton on Twitter: twitter.com/andyjamesdalton
Andrew DeMillo/AP

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP)  A federal jury on Thursday acquitted a former Arkansas lawmaker of conspiring to bribe an ex-judge who admitted to lowering a jurys award in a negligence lawsuit in exchange for campaign contributions.

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported that jurors deadlocked on another bribery charge and seven wire fraud charges in the case against former state Sen. Gilbert Baker. Jurors had been deliberating since Friday in the case.
HONOLULU (AP)  Honolulu police on Wednesday shot and killed a man wielding a machete.

Officers were called to a Kalihi parking lot early Wednesday where a man's finger was severed, Interim Chief Rade Vanic said.

Officers found another man carrying a machete and ordered him several times to drop it, but he raised the weapon over his head and rushed toward an officer, Vanic said.

Two officers fired multiple times at the man. He was taken to a hospital where he died. Vanic didn't release the name of the 41-year-old man.

There was police body camera footage of the 30-second interaction between the man and the officers, Vanic said, but it won't be released while an investigation is pending.

The victim with the hand injury was treated at the scene and taken to a hospital in serious condition, Vanic said.

This was the third time this year Honolulu police shot and killed someone.
LONDON (AP)  French authorities say an undocumented migrant was airlifted to hospital from the English Channel after a boat carrying about 40 people trying to reach the U.K. started to sink Thursday morning.

A joint French-Belgian search and rescue effort began after a cargo ship reported that the boat was in difficulty off the coast of Dunkirk, with some people in the water.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  Minnesota grew a little bit older, a little bit less white and a bit more metropolitan, according to census data released Thursday.

The 2020 data release from the U.S. Census Bureau provided the first detailed look at population and demographic shifts within each state. Broader figures released earlier this year show Minnesotas population grew from 5.3 million in the 2010 count to 5.7 million in 2020, an increase of 7.6%, which was just barely enough to let the state keep all eight of its congressional districts.

One of the biggest things at stake in the new census numbers is the states political map, which must be redrawn in time for the 2022 elections to reflect population shifts since the 2010 census.

Here are some highlights from the census data on how Minnesota has changed from 2010 to 2020:

ETHNICITY

The state where George Floyd's death set off a nationwide reckoning on race remains overwhelmingly white, though not by quite as much. The population identifying as white alone slipped from 83.1% in 2010 to 76.3% in 2020. But the population identifying as Black alone increased from 5.1% to 6.9%, those identifying solely as Hispanic or Latino increased from 4.7% to 6.1%, and Asians rose from 4.0% to 5.2%. American Indians held steady at 1%. The population identifying as two or more races but not as Hispanic or Latino increased from 1.9% to 4.1%.

Whites remain the largest racial group in every Minnesota county. The states most diverse county is Mahnomen in the northwest, which lies within the White Earth Reservation. Native Americans make up 41.7% of the county's population, compared with whites at 42.1%. It's Minnesota's only county where whites aren't the majority. Lincoln County in southwestern Minnesota is the least diverse, with a population thats 95.2% white, compared with 2.1% identifying as multiracial but not Hispanic/Latino, and 1.9% Hispanic or Latino.

AGE

Minnesotans age 18 and older make up 76.9% of the states population. The 18-plus population rose 9.2% from 2010 to 2020 while the growth in the under-18 population lagged at 2.6%. Minnesota's oldest county is Cook in the northeastern corner of the state, where people 18 and above make up 84.1% of the population, while the youngest is Mahnomen with 71.3% who are 18 and older.

REDISTRICTING

The data shows a shift in population away from rural counties in southern, western and northern Minnesota toward the Twin Cities metropolitan area, particularly the suburbs. The numbers suggest three rural congressional districts will need to add territory while two urban and three mostly suburban districts will need to shrink, assuming the mapmakers opt for incremental changes. The number also reinforce the likelihood that rural Minnesota will lose legislative seats to the Twin Cities area.

It remains to be seen whether the divided Minnesota Legislature can accomplish the task of redistricting, given the high stakes for Republicans  who barely control the Senate  and Democrats, who only narrowly control the House. History suggests that the task will fall to the courts once again.

But Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman, of Brooklyn Park, expressed optimism for her party and the chances of the Legislature finding a solution on its own.

I think a new, fair map should be favorable to Democrats because the population growth that we've seen is predominately in the suburbs and the city, and those are areas where Democrats are currently very strong, Hortman said in an interview. We've seen a transition in the suburban communities from being very Republican to being very Democratic. And I think that's largely as the Republican Party became the party of Trump, it solidified their loss of the suburbs.

The speaker said the reason she thinks the Legislature can redraw the maps without help from the courts is that she chose Democratic Rep. Mary Murphy, of Hermantown, to chair the House Redistricting Committee. Hortman credited Murphy with brokering a record $1.9 billion public works bonding bill just a few weeks before the contentious 2020 elections and assembling the bipartisan supermajorities needed to pass it in each chamber.

If anyone can do it, chair Mary Murphy can, Hortman said.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP)  Minnesota has reached the milestone of vaccinating 70% of its population age 16 and older with at least one dose against GOVID-19, Gov, Tim Walz announced Thursday.

The governor's office credited a recent rise in vaccination rates amid concerns over the highly contagious delta variant of the coronavirus, and the state's $100 rewards for people who get their first shot before Aug. 15. The number of first doses administered per week is up 129% after bottoming out a month ago. New vaccinations peaked in April in Minnesota.
HELENA, Mont. (AP)  A commission tasked with making recommendations for how Montana should spend some of its federal coronavirus relief funding voted Thursday to recommend Gov. Greg Gianforte authorize up to $15 million in grants to ensure 17 affordable housing projects can be completed despite pandemic-driven cost increases.

The projects had already been approved and received federal grants or low-income housing tax credits but now need additional funding because of a cost increase for labor and key building materials, including lumber, said Cheryl Cohen with the Department of Commerce.

The housing projects would create 995 affordable rental homes around the state for low-income families, senior citizens and people with disabilities, Cohen told the Economic Transformation and Stabilization and Workforce Development Advisory Commission.

Each project would be eligible for up to $2 million in grant funding, she said.

The projects discussed Thursday include 402 housing units in Missoula County in two projects that have each experienced $2.5 million in increased costs due to the pandemic, the Department of Commerce said.

Montana Housing would consider, on a case-by-case basis, whether it could use funding from other existing resources to completely fund the shortfall, Cohen said. The projects are not feasible with additional loans, she said, which is why the department is recommending grants.

The developers will be required to explain the price increases and what theyve done to cut costs, Cohen said.

The Economic Transformation commission has already recommended spending $10 million on rapid job retraining and $15 million on return-to-work bonuses for people who left the unemployment rolls after the program was created and worked for at least 30 days at a new job.

About $200,000 in return-to-work bonuses have been issued to 166 people, said Scott Eychner with the Department of Labor and Industry. There's a backlog of 1,200 applications, many of which need more information.

Over the next month, Eychner said he hopes the agency will have paid out about 2,500 bonuses, about $3 million total. He said demand for the program so far has been lower than expected.

However, with the school year starting  creating a reduced need for child care  there may be more people willing to return to the workforce over the next month or two, he told the commission.

The committee will meet again in September and October to hear proposals for allocating its remaining $140 million for workforce training, business innovation and value-added agriculture programs.

Montana received $453 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds in June and is slated to receive another $453 million in June 2022, said Kurt Alme, the governor's budget director.

About $250 million of this year's funding is allocated to water and sewer projects with another $10 million proposed for regional water projects. Other commissions are making recommendations for specific projects to receive that money.
The second-largest wildfire in California history now also ranks among the state's most destructive.

Since igniting in Northern California nearly a month ago, the Dixie fire has leveled the Gold Rush town of Greenville and grown to more than 500,000 acres, destroying at least 1,045 structures in its fiery wake, according to fire officials.

More than 550 structures consumed by the blaze were homes, with the majority being "single residences," according to the latest incident report.

The blaze  which has scorched Plumas, Lassen, Butte and Tehama counties  is now the 15th most destructive in California history, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

And the threat is far from over, as the fire continues to grow in several directions across rugged terrain. It was 30% contained on Wednesday.

More than 16,000 additional structures are still endangered by the Dixie fire, and firefighters are on high alert in vulnerable communities.

Roughly 32% of the population of Plumas County is under an evacuation order, according to Carly Cabrera, a spokesperson with the county Sheriff's Office.

"We don't want another Greenville," said Edwin Zuniga, a Dixie fire spokesperson with Cal Fire. The town of roughly 1,000 people was reduced to rubble when flames tore through it last Wednesday.

Images of the small town's destruction shocked the nation.

It's estimated that 524 structures were destroyed in Greenville alone  including 472 homes and 52 businesses, Cabrera said, citing figures from the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services.

A week later, personnel were positioned to defend the communities of Westwood and the northern part of the Lake Almanor Peninsula  where the fire is burning just to the north, Zuniga said.

Firefighters are also working to protect Chester, where crews have so far been able to able to stave off flames, according to Zuniga.

The blaze reached the outskirts of Chester, burning outbuildings and other structures, and has caused some damage within the town, he said.

Firefighters patrol populated areas and attempt to squash fire activity wherever it crops up  like when a rogue ember lands on a roof and ignites, Zuniga said.

He said they also put contingency lines around the communities to keep fire at bay.

"We don't want any more structures to be destroyed," he said. "We don't want more people to be displaced by this fire."

Lassen County has sustained far less damage relative to neighboring Plumas, but the fire recently forced the evacuation of about 2,000 people across three small communities near the county line, including Westwood, according to Lt. Dave Woginrich, with the county Sheriff's Office.

Several hundred evacuees  including Plumas County residents  are sheltering at centers set up at Lassen Community College and Lassen High School, he said.

Despite avoiding the worst of the Dixie fire so far, Woginrich said Plumas County officials are exhausted from an onslaught of fires plaguing the region for the past two years.

About a month ago, the Beckwourth Complex fire arrived in the southern part of county, tearing through the town of Doyle.

"The winds down there were just howling" at the time, reaching fierce speeds of 50 to 60 mph, Woginrich said.

After dealing with that fire for about 10 days, "we got about a week off," he said. Then the Dixie fire started creeping into the county.

"People  including in our department  are tired of the fires. We're tired of evacuating people, putting people on evacuation warnings," Woginrich said.

"July and August for the last two years, this year and last year, have just been really taxing," he said.

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SALT LAKE CITY (AP)  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints renewed its prior calls to members to get a COVID-19 vaccine and to wear face masks in public gatherings Thursday.

Church leaders said in a statement that available vaccines have proven to be both safe and effective and urged members to help limit the spread of the virus. The message was the latest in a series of statements from church leaders encouraging vaccination efforts against COVID-19.
SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP)  A Southern California woman was convicted Wednesday of pushing her 7-month-old son to his death from the fourth story of a hospital parking garage.

Sonia Hermosillo, 41, of La Habra, was convicted by a jury of one felony count of first-degree murder and one felony count of assault on a child causing death, the Orange County district attorney's office said in a statement.

The jury will now decide whether Hermosillo was legally sane when she pushed Noe Medina Jr. from the parking structure of the Childrens Hospital of Orange County on Aug. 22, 2011.

According to trial testimony, Hermosillo had struggled with mental health issues after the birth of the boy, who had been undergoing treatments at the hospital for several medical problems, including a congenital issue that twisted his neck.

He was sick, and his mother didnt want him, prosecutor Mena Guirguis told jurors at the trial. She made a cold-hearted decision to kill her child.

After driving to the hospital, Hermosillo took off a helmet that the boy was wearing for one condition and pushed him from the building, prosecutors said.

Hermosillo then walked inside the hospital, validated her parking, and drove away," the DA's statement said.

The boy died two days later.

Arrested hours after her son's fall, Hermosillo told police that she had hate, resentment and anger toward the boy because hes sick, authorities said.

On Wednesday, defense attorney Jacqueline Goodman said the child actually was getting better and that Hermosillo suffered from a psychotic break at the time of his death, the Orange County Register reported.

During the police interview, she repeated I don't love him" dozens of times, the attorney said.

That is not a confession. It is mental illness, Goodman said.

Hermosillo pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. The sanity phase of her trial was scheduled to begin on Aug. 24. If found sane, she could be sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.
AP

SANDSUKY, Ohio (AP)  A NASA research facility in Ohio has been renamed after astronaut Neil Armstrong, who was born in the state and returned shortly after he became the first man to walk on the moon.

Ohios U.S. senators led the efforts to change the name of the NASA Plum Brook Station in Sandusky to the Neil A. Armstrong Test Facility.
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)  The North Carolina House gave initial approval late Wednesday to a two-year budget, after Republicans who wrote the legislation touted its teacher pay hikes, income tax provisions and massive infrastructure spending spree.

The chamber voted 72-41 for the proposal, which spends $25.7 billion in the year that began July 1 and grows by $940 million in the following year. The proposal contains several billion dollars in cash for erecting and repairing government, university and K-12 buildings, expanding broadband to rural areas and fixing aging water and sewer systems.

This budget is just not about financial health, but compassion and caring and respect for each other, senior budget writer Rep. Donny Lambeth of Forsyth County said during the debate, which went on several hours. He called the bill a spending plan that we all can embrace to move North Carolina forward.

Like the Senate's competing budget approved in June, the House budget bill benefits from a large revenue surplus and billions of federal COVID-19 aid dollars sent by Congress. But the two chambers disagree on the size of tax reductions, government worker raises and capital projects and on how to help businesses and nonprofits still recovering from the 2020 coronavirus restrictions.

Following a second affirmative House budget vote on Thursday, the two chambers will shift to negotiating a final budget plan. Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper has said he wants to participate in the talks with hopes of signing a final agreement into law. A traditional two-year budget never got enacted in 2019 after Cooper vetoed the measure and he and GOP lawmakers reached a stalemate.

Cooper, House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate leader Phil Berger have all expressed optimism in working out a deal that everyone can live with. If negotiations falter, it's possible Republicans could attract enough Democrats to override any Cooper veto. Nine House Democrats joined the Republicans in voting yes on Wednesday night.

Minority Leader Robert Reives and other House Democrats who voted no said the budget bill was better in many respects than the Senate plan.

But they said the GOP budget plan cut corporate taxes too much, left out Medicaid expansion and failed to adequately address a judges directive to boost public education funding by hundreds of millions of dollars annual to comply with a constitutional directive. At the same time, the budget bill leaves $3.5 billion unspent.

Even though it has things that we like that the governor has been pushing for and weve gotten, it really falls woefully short of where we need to be," Reives, from Chatham County, said at a news conference before the afternoon debate.

Democrats complained specifically about budget policy provisions on K-12 schools that they say would hamstring and intimidate teachers and administrators. School districts would be required to post teacher instructional materials online and create local panels to investigate and evaluation allegations that materials are unfit for children. And the state would withhold state money for superintendents' salaries if they failed to carry out state laws requiring instruction of cursive writing and multiplication tables.

The budget mistrusts and micromanages our professional educators. We need to treat them as what they are, which is professionals, Rep. Cynthia Ball of Wake County said. Instead of building a robust teacher pipeline, it dis-incentivizes entry into the profession.

But the House measure does give educators a bigger boost in salary and benefits than the Senate.

The House would raise teacher salaries by 5.5% on average over two years, with the biggest increases benefitting veteran teachers. The Senate proposes roughly 3%. Cooper wants roughly 10% raises. Custodians, cafeteria workers and other non-instructional staff would be paid at least $15 per hour by next year in the House plan, and public school workers would get eight weeks of parental leave for the birth of a child.

This is unprecedented (education) spending that we have not seen before, said Rep. Jeffrey Elmore, a Wilkes County Republican.

Rank-and-file state employees would get 2.5% annual pay increases in the House plan, in line with Cooper's budget request. The Senate proposed 1.5% annual raise. Teachers and employees also would be getting bonuses.

The House would allocate $5.8 billion in state funds alone in the next two years on building construction and repairs, compared to $4.3 billion by the Senate, according to Moore's office.

And while both chambers would reduce individual and corporate income tax rates, the Senate proposes deeper cuts, going so far as to eliminate the corporate tax by 2028. Both chambers agree on how to raise standard deductions, which would expand the number of low-income residents who pay no income taxes.

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The story corrects Elmores first name as Jeffrey, not Rick.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP)  Eleven Nebraska lawmakers are prodding Gov. Pete Ricketts to restart the states online COVID-19-tracking dashboard, saying local officials are being left in the dark on important infection statistics.

The group sent a letter to Ricketts this week calling for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services to reinstate the dashboard and that all 93 counties in the state be required to report outbreak and hospital capacity data to the state.
MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP)  Nicaraguas storied La Prensa newspaper said Thursday it will suspend its print edition after the government once again withheld newsprint paper at customs.

La Prensa has long been criticial of President Daniel Ortega, who also recently arrested dozens of opposition figures. La Prensa said it will continue an online edition.

Once again the Ortega-Murillo dictatorship has withheld our paper. Until they release the raw material, we cannot continue with the print edition, the newspaper said in an editorial, referring to Ortega's wife and vice president, Rosario Murillo. The move also affects the sister paper Hoy.

The move marks the third time the government has withheld the newspapers paper or ink. The paper had ceased printing for about 500 days in 2018 and 2019 amid widespread protests against the regime.

La Prensa was founded in 1926; along with Hoy it has been the countrys only newspaper with a print editions since another opposition paper, El Nuevo Diario, closed in 2019.

Nicaragua is scheduled to hold national elections Nov. 7. and Ortega is seeking a fourth consecutive term. He placed an opposition vice presidential candidate under house arrest last week, then released her pending the outcome of an investigation.

Over the past two months, Ortegas government has arrested nearly three dozen opposition figures, including seven potential challengers for the presidency.

On Monday in Managua, the opposition alliance National Coalition, said in a statement that it did not recognize the current the electoral process as a way out of Nicaraguas political crisis and urged Nicaraguans to not recognize it either.

Later Monday, authorities announced the arrest of opposition leader Mauricio Diaz Davila, a candidate for congress and a former ambassador to Costa Rica. He had been called to the Attorney Generals Office on Monday as part of an investigation for alleged acts against the state.

His political party, Citizens for Liberty, said he was arrested with violence. His ability to run for office had been cancelled by the electoral court three days earlier. Party President Kitty Monterrey, whose Nicaraguan citizenship was withdrawn last week, called for his immediate release.

Murillo also announced Monday that the government had recalled its ambassadors from Argentina, Colombia, Mexico and Costa Rica in reciprocity for steps taken by those governments. She declared recent criticism from those governments as interfering and interventionist.

Argentina and Mexico had offered to try to mediate negotiations between the government and opposition, but that offer was rejected by Ortega. Costa Rica and Colombia had strongly condemned Ortegas government for recent actions against the opposition.
MADISON, Wis. (AP)  Three Green Bay police officers who killed a man after he opened fire a tribal casino restaurant this spring will not face any criminal charges.

Investigators have said 62-year-old Bruce Pofahl walked into a restaurant in the Oneida Nation Casino on May 1 and shot Ian Simpson and Jacob Bartel at a wait station with a 9 mm handgun. Pofahl then went outside and shot another restaurant employee, Daniel Mulligan. Green Bay Police Sgt. Brian Jordan and offficers MaKayla Wolfe and Ben Snyder found Pofahl in the casino parking lot seconds later and shot him. Simpson and Bartel died. Mulligan survived.
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)  The North Carolina House on Thursday approved a two-year budget with enough support to thwart a potential veto from Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper.

The budget process is far from over, as the Republican-controlled House and Senate still need to work out many differences between their two plans, particularly about the size of tax cuts and state worker pay raises. They'll also need to negotiate with Cooper.

Democratic lawmakers are also seeking changes to a budget they argue will benefit wealthy people and corporations, stifle the governor's ability to respond to emergencies and hamstring K-12 educators.

During a debate that lasted about 2 and 1/2 hours, senior budget writer Rep. Donny Lambeth, a Forsyth County Republican, called on Democrats to join Republicans in advancing the measure. He argued that their support would give the chamber better bargaining power.

We need to give the speaker as many yes votes as we can to help in our negotiations. Thats the bottom line, Lambeth said. "We can deal with what the next cycle is, but if we dont give him the tools he needs, youre gonna see more senate stuff in here than you would like, than I would like. We need to fight for the House budget. Its not perfect, but its a really good budget.

The budget proposal calls for $25.7 billion in spending in the year that began July 1 and grows by $940 million in the following year. Expanding broadband access to rural North Carolina communities, fixing aging water and sewer systems, erecting and repairing college, K-12 and government buildings are among Republicans' top priorities in the budget.

Nine House Democrats joined Republicans to approve the measure by a 72-41 vote. The 72 votes gives Republicans the amount needed to override a possible veto. In June, four Democratic senators voted in favor of their chamber's budget proposal, giving Republicans in the chamber a veto-proof majority as well.

House Democrats on Thursday were unsuccessful in passing an amendment that sought to strike down provisions of the budget they viewed as problematic because they would create policies that would curb powers afforded to the state's Democratic governor and attorney general.

Rep. Charles Graham, a Robeson County Democrat, asked Republicans to go back to the drawing board. I like bipartisanship. Ive always supported bipartisanship. If we want a budget that demonstrates strong bipartisanship, I would strongly encourage you to reconsider your thinking on this and lets go back to our committees and do some work."

But Republicans said the tweaks Democrats put forward came with such little notice that it was impossible for them to evaluate the request.

I cant seriously consider voting for it because I dont know what Id be voting for or what Id be deleting," said Rep. Harry Warren, R-Rowan.

Only one Republican supported the amendment.

House Speaker Tim Moore said in a statement after the vote that he looks forward to the upcoming negotiations with Cooper and the Senate.

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Follow Anderson on Twitter at https://twitter.com/BryanRAnderson.

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Anderson is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP)  A tidal wave of COVID-19 cases is putting severe stress on Alabama hospitals, medical officials said Thursday, adding the state will likely soon surpass the previous record for hospitalizations.

We need Alabamians to understand we are in a difficult position right now. We are seeing case numbers again as high as we have ever seen, State Health Officer Scott Harris said in a weekly briefing with reporters.

That has put a severe stress on our hospital situation. We have only 5% of our ICU beds available statewide. many facilities, particularly in the southern part of the state do not have available ICU beds at this time.

Medical officials have said a surge in cases is being driven by low vaccination rates and the highly contagious delta variant, and implored people to get vaccinated and wear masks to combat the spread and prevent severe illness.

Dr. Sarah Nafziger, vice president of University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital Clinical Services, said the hospital has had to limit the number of procedures they are doing and decline transfers to the hospital.

We are seeing an absolute tidal wave, Nafziger said. She said the hospital is providing care and emergency services, but she said the trends and projections are alarming.

I hate to even talk about these things happening, but thats what happening. Thats the reality of what's happening. When you think about running out of hospital beds, and running out of health care resources, that is the path that we are on."

There were 2,441 COVID-19 patients in state hospitals on Thursday, according to numbers provided by the Alabama Department of Public Health. If the trajectory continues, Harris said the state will surpass the previous high of 3,087 within a few days.

The overwhelming majority of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 are unvaccinated, Harris said. Numbers provided by state hospitals indicate that 89% of COVID-19 patients in state hospitals have not been fully vaccinated. Harris said 11% of hospitalized virus patients have been fully vaccinated and 3% have been fully vaccinated, according to numbers provided to the state by hospitals.

At UAB, Nafziger said 91% of hospitalized patients are unvaccinated.

Alabama ranks fifth in the country for new cases per capita, behind Florida, Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins University. Alabama is seeing an average of 3,400 new cases per day.

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Follow APs coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic.
MUSKOGEE, Okla. (AP)  A Muskogee man accused of killing six people, including five children, was ordered to face trial on murder charges after a judge heard testimony from the children's mother.

District Judge Bret Smith also reiterated Wednesday his decision to ban journalists and other spectators from listening to evidence in the case, according to the Tulsa World.

Jarron Deajon Pridgeon, 26, is also being charged with intent to kill and possession of firearms during probation stemming from the February shootings, court records show.

Muskogee police said they dont yet know why Pridgeon fatally shot Javarion Lee, 24, or the children, the oldest of whom was 9. The childrens mother, Brittany Anderson, was also wounded in the shootings and was hospitalized in Tulsa.

Police identified the slain children as Jalaiya Pridgeon, 1; Jaidus Pridgeon, 3; Harmony Anderson, 5; Neveah Pridgeon, 6; and Quedynce Anderson, 9.

Defense attorney Gretchen Mosley argued Pridgeon has some real mental health issues" and alleged evidence suggests Lee, was involved in the homicides of the children, possibly prompting Pridgeon to shoot Lee in response while in the midst of a mental health crisis.

District Attorney Orvil Loge remained adamant that Pridgeon was criminally responsible, pointing to testimony from the surviving mother, who said she saw Pridgeon with a gun in his hand while he said, I shouldnt have done that.

Smith still has not issued an order explaining the reasons journalists could not hear testimony but did sign an order releasing portions of police body camera footage to the public. He said the public has a right to see them and wrote that accurate reporting by the media serves the public interest.
Despite the challenges of distance learning during the pandemic, public school systems across the U.S. are setting up virtual academies in growing numbers to accommodate families who feel remote instruction works best for their children.

A majority of the 38 state education departments that responded to an Associated Press survey this summer indicated additional permanent virtual schools and programs will be in place in the coming school year.

Parent demand is driven in some measure by concern about the virus, but also a preference for the flexibility and independence that comes with remote instruction. And school districts are eager to maintain enrollment after seeing students leave for virtual charters, home schooling, private schools and other options -- declines that could lead to less funding.

It is the future, said Dan Domenech, executive director of the American Association of School Administrators. Some of these states might be denying it now, but soon they will have to get in line because they will see other states doing it and they will see the advantages of it.

New Jersey parent Karen Strauss lost a brother-in-law to the pandemic. Her vaccinated teenager will return in person but she wants her 5-year-old son at her Bridgewater home until he can get a shot. Strauss said Logan has excelled online under the guidance of his teachers, who will not be available if she home-schools him.

If learning from home is whats best for them, why not do that? Whats the reason, except that people are afraid of change? she said.

School districts plans for long-term, full-time virtual programs  which had been rising gradually  spiked during the pandemic. Students in virtual academies generally are educated separately from a districts other students.

In Virginia, before the pandemic, most of the locally operated virtual programs offered individual courses only to students in grades 6-12, and few, if any, offered full-time instruction. In the new school year, 110 of the commonwealths 132 school divisions will use Virtual Virginia, a state-operated K-12 program, to provide some or all of their full-time virtual instruction, spokesman Charles Pyle said. So far, 7,636 students have enrolled full time for the fall, compared with just 413 in the 2019-20 school year, he said.

Elsewhere, Tennessee state officials approved 29 new online schools for the 2021-22 academic year, which more than doubles the number created over the last decade, spokesperson Brian Blackley said. Colorado fielded two dozen requests for permanent single district online options along with six requests for permanent multidistrict online schools, according to spokesman Jeremy Meyer, who said numbers are up compared with pre-pandemic years. Minnesota also saw a substantial increase, approving 26 new online providers by July, with 15 applications still pending.

In New Mexico, which like most states is requiring schools to offer in-person learning this year, Rio Rancho Public Schools used federal relief funding to add the fully remote K-5 SpaRRk Academy. A survey found nearly 600 of the 7,500 student families were interested in continuing virtually, including many who liked being more involved with their childrens education, said Janna Chenault, the elementary school improvement officer.

We teetered back and forth at what grade to start, Chenault said, but we did have interest from some kindergarten parents and we wanted to keep them in our district, so itll be K-5.

Although the spread of the delta variant and rising infection rates have cast a shadow over the start of the school year, President Joe Biden and educators across the country are encouraging a return to in-person instruction, largely because of concerns that many were served poorly by distance learning.

Test scores in Texas showed the percentage of students reading at their grade level slid to the lowest levels since 2017, while math scores plummeted to their lowest point since 2013, with remote learners driving the decline. Louisiana tests results also showed that public school students who attended in-person classes during the coronavirus pandemic outperformed those who relied on distance learning.

Pre-pandemic research raised questions about the performance of fully virtual schools. A 2019 report from the National Education Policy Center said data was limited by disparate reporting and accountability requirements but showed that of 320 virtual schools with available performance ratings, only 48.5% rated acceptable.

But Domenech said families seeking out virtual school often have children who are strong students and feel held back in classrooms.

These are the self-starters, students that are already doing very well, probably in terms of the top 10% of their classes, so remote learning is a great opportunity for personalized learning that allows them to move at their own pace, he said.

Before the pandemic, 691 fully virtual public schools enrolled 293,717 students in the 2019-20 school year, according to National Center for Education Statistics data. That compared with 478 schools with an enrollment of just under 200,000 in 2013-14. Projections for the coming school year are not available, NCES said.

States vary in their approaches to remote learning, with some, like Idaho, leaving decisions entirely to local boards. Others require districts to get state approval to operate their own online school outside any that may exist for students statewide.

Massachusetts requires detailed proposals from districts that must address equitable access, curriculum and documented demand. New Arizona online schools are put on probation until theyve proven their academic integrity through student performance.

At least some of the virtual schools that districts set up may never take in students. In North Carolina, 52 districts made plans for fully virtual schools, although some were set up as contingency plans in the event they were needed, state education department spokesperson Mary Lee Gibson said.

In states like New Jersey, Texas and Illinois that have removed widespread remote options, restricting them to students with special circumstances, some parents are pushing back.

Were not trying to stop anybody from going back to school or the world from trying to come back to some sort of normalcy, New Jersey mother Deborah Odore said. She wants her son and daughter, who are too young to be vaccinated, to continue remotely this year for health reasons.

Were not being given an option, said Odore, who is part of a parent group petitioning to change that.

Although many parents had a rocky experience with online learning during the pandemic, they often experienced a version that was implemented with little planning. Parents left with a negative impression of distance learning could slow its overall growth, said Michael Barbour, who researches online learning at Touro University California.

Even if that option was available to them three years, five years from now, that sort of experience has tainted it for them, he said.
WARSAW, Poland (AP)  Poland is looking at a more difficult relationship with two allies, the United States and Israel, after lawmakers approved separate bills  on foreign ownership of media and affecting the property rights of Holocaust survivors' families  which the Polish government had been warned to drop.

The European Union also slammed the media bill on Thursday as undermining media freedom, adding to pre-existing strains between Warsaw and Brussels from the EU's perception of democratic backsliding in member nation Poland.

The bills passed the lower house of the Polish parliament on Wednesday, and still require approval of the president, who supports the right-wing party that has governed the country since 2015.

The two proposals threaten to further isolate Poland, whose geographic position in Central Europe has often left it at the mercy of stronger neighbors. Poland's membership of the EU and NATO and its relationship with the U.S. are considered key guarantees of the country's security.

One of the bills that passed would push Discovery Inc., the U.S. owner of Polands largest private television network, to sell its large and popular Polish network, TVN. It follows the state broadcasting authority's ongoing refusal to renew the license for TVN's all-news station TVN24, which expires in September.

Discovery accused Poland of violating a U.S.-Polish investment treaty, and said it notified the Polish government on Thursday that it was initiating legal action at an international arbitration court over the discriminatory campaign."

We are deeply committed to safeguarding our investment in Poland and its people, defending the publics interest in independent media and the rights of freedom of expression, said Jean-Briac Perrette, the president of Discovery International, adding that we will aggressively defend our rights.

The other bill in an administrative amendment which would result in former owners, including Holocaust survivors and their descendants, from regaining property expropriated by the countrys communist regime.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a statement late Wednesday about what he called the troubling legislation."

These pieces of legislation run counter to the principles and values for which modern, democratic nations stand, Blinken said.

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki responded Thursday by suggesting the U.S. officials do not understand the Polish bills and should analyze them more closely.

On the media bill, Morawiecki said: We do not have any intentions regarding a specific television channel. It is just about tightening the regulations so that there is no situation in which companies from outside the European Union would freely buy media in Poland.

The media bill triggered nationwide protests Tuesday. Among the participants expressing fear that their right to independent information was under attack were older Poles who remember the censorship of the communist era.

By contrast, the law which would affect the former property owners  both Jewish and non-Jewish  got almost no media coverage in Poland. But it sparked a fast and angry response from Israel, with Foreign Minister Yair Lapid saying it damages both the memory of the Holocaust and the rights of its victims.

The EU Commission said it will follow the media issue very closely while the head of the EU's top watchdog for democratic values, Vera Jourova, tweeted that the foreign ownership bill sends a negative signal.

Media pluralism and diversity of opinions are what strong democracies welcome, not fight against," Jourova wrote. We need a #MediaFreedomAct in the whole EU to uphold media freedom and support the rule of law.

European Parliament President David Sassoli also weighed in on the media vote, calling it very worrying and said if it comes into force, it will seriously threaten independent television in the country.

Michael Roth, a German government member in charge of European affairs, said democracy and the rule of law need critical and free media like the air to breathe. Laws should protect a colorful, diverse media landscape and not restrict it  and that everywhere in the EU.

The development looked to many like a crucial move in a step-by-step dismantling of the democratic standards that Poland embraced when it threw off communism in 1989.

Hungary had already set the trail for such an illiberal political direction, and the EU has shown little ability so far to do much to ensure adherence to its values either there or in Poland, both previously models of democratic transformation.

After communism ended more than three decades ago, many foreign investors entered Poland's media market. Poland's ruling party, led by the country's de facto leader, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, has long seen this as a problem and sought to repolonize the media. The party argues that keeping Polish entities in control of the media is a matter of national security and that such regulations are in line with Western European standards.

However, the party's critics see the efforts to nationalize media as a pretext for silencing independent voices. The effort is well on its way. Soon after winning power in 2015, Law and Justice transformed tax-funded public media into a party mouthpiece. Last year the state oil company bought a large German-owned private media group and has since moved to change the editors.

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Raf Casert in Brussels and Kirsten Grieshaber in Berlin contributed.
ST. LOUIS (AP)  An 18-year-old suspect has been arrested in connection with the deaths of a woman, her 8-year-old daughter and a third victim in St. Louis.

The arrest was reported Thursday by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The suspect's name has not been released. His arrest came a day after 27-year-old Terri Bankhead and her daughter, Da'nilya Edwards, were found shot to death in an apartment in the city's Fairground neighborhood.
LAS VEGAS (AP)  A coronavirus pandemic mask mandate in Nevada has drawn a federal lawsuit from attorneys seeking class-action status for claims that the constitutional rights of thousands of parents and children at Las Vegas-area schools are being violated.

Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness have been ripped away from law-abiding citizens and their children, the attorneys declared in the complaint filed Thursday against Gov. Steve Sisolak, state Attorney General Aaron Ford and the Clark County School District.

It seeks an immediate court order to invalidate a directive the governor enacted last week that generally requires K-12 students and school employees in the Las Vegas and Reno areas to wear masks on buses and inside school buildings, regardless of vaccination status.

Plaintiffs Monica Branch-Noto and Tiffany Paulson are identified as the guardians of three students at Henderson schools. The childrens names are not provided in the 27-page complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Las Vegas.

Its preposterous that these kids have to go to school hindered, said attorney Sigal Chattah, a Republican candidate for Fords job who has also sued Sisolak over vaccination plans and coronavirus-related restrictions he imposed on churches.

Were trying to get the kids unmasked, she said.

A spokesman for Ford declined comment. Representatives for the governor and the school district did not immediately respond to email messages.

Masks in schools have become a flashpoint in areas where students are returning to in-person classroom instruction after more than a year of school closures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Schools opened Monday in and around Las Vegas, where more than 300,000 students and about 18,000 teachers make the Clark County district the fifth-largest in the nation.

The lawsuit in Nevada was filed the same day parents and the Oklahoma State Medical Association filed a lawsuit asking a judge there to overturn a state law banning mask requirements in public schools.

In Kentucky, Republican lawmakers including the attorney general are challenging a school mask mandate that Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear issued Tuesday.

The Nevada complaint calls rules enacted in March 2020 to stem the spread of COVID-19 onerous, burdensome and unconstitutional" after 17 months, and claims they are inflicting massive emotional distress on students and parents.

It declares the governor's order infringes on the fundamental right of parents to make child rearing decisions, including arbitrarily forcing children to wear masks in school.

Children have a one in a million risk of dying from COVID-19, the lawsuit says, pointing to an online article by a Johns Hopkins University surgeon and professor who calls the case for vaccinating children not compelling right now.

In northern Nevada, school officials reported Wednesday that about 80 people were exposed to the coronavirus after a parent knowingly sent a child to middle school two days after learning the student tested positive for the coronavirus.

The Washoe County School District said in a statement the parent also tested positive and refused to communicate with the childs school.

An unspecified number of students were sent home to quarantine. But the district said they would be expected to participate in home-learning and keep up with school work.

Unvaccinated students sent home may return to school after five days if they test negative for the virus and are free of symptoms, the district said. Fully vaccinated students could return to school if they are free of symptoms and show vaccination records to a school nurse.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP)  All employees and visitors will be required to wear a mask indoors at state facilities as of Friday, even if they have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, Gov. Daniel McKee's administration announced Thursday.

Rhode Island, like states around the country, is seeing an uptick in COVID-19 cases as a result of the delta variant, James Thorsen, director of the state Department of Administration, wrote in a memo obtained by WPRI-TV and The Providence Journal. The number one thing you can do to protect yourself and your family from the delta variant is to get vaccinated.

The policy will remain in effect until the state experiences a sustained decline in the transmission of COVID-19, the memo said.

People with a health condition that preclude them from wearing a mask can contact the contact the Human Resources Disability Management Unit.

Not everyone was on board with the mask requirement. State Rep. Brian Newberry, R-North Smithfield, called it ridiculous in a tweet.

McKee earlier this week said he was leaving masks in schools up to schools districts, although he recommended them.

General Treasurer Seth Magaziner this week announced that he will require his employees to either provide proof of vaccination or proof of a negative COVID-19 test each week.

All the key metrics used to measure the spread of the virus in the state have been climbing in recent weeks, and the director of the state Department of Health said earlier this week that about 75% of new cases can be blamed on the delta variant.

The department on Thursday reported more than 250 new confirmed cases and a 3.5% positivity rate from the previous day. No new deaths were reported.

The number of people hospital with the disease in the state was up to 89, according to the latest statistics, the most since mid-May.

More than 667,000 people in the state have now been fully vaccinated against the disease.
NEW DELHI (AP)  Falling rocks forced rescuers to suspend their search Thursday for victims of a large landslide that swept across a highway in the mountains of northern India a day earlier, killing at least 14 people.

The rescuers pulled back after loose rocks began falling at the site, said district administrator Abid Hussain Sadiq. With darkness falling, the search for 25 to 30 people believed still missing was unlikely to resume until Friday.

Rescuers recovered 10 bodies on Wednesday and four on Thursday and located a bus crushed by the avalanche, Sadiq said. The exact number of the people who were on the bus was not known.

The bus, a truck and two cars were smashed in the landslide in Himachal Pradesh state's Kinnaur district. Eight bodies were found in a car and two were found in the truck, which rolled down to a riverbank.

Fourteen people were rescued, said Vivek Kumar Pandey, a spokesman for a paramilitary force involved in the search.

More than 100 rescuers, including police and paramilitary personnel, have been deployed to clear the rubble using four earth removers.

Television images of the disaster showed boulders and rocks rolling down the hillside before crashing into vehicles on the highway.

Heavy rain has caused several landslides in Himachal Pradesh state over the past few weeks. The region is 600 kilometers (375 miles) north of New Delhi.

Meanwhile, heavy rains lashed another north Indian state, Uttar Pradesh, with flooding disrupting the lives of more than 500,000 people.

State Relief Commissioner Ranvir Singh said floodwaters submerged more than 1,200 villages, forcing people to move to about 1,000 state-run relief camps.

Eleven of the states 75 districts have been hit by heavy rains, with Prayagraj receiving 102 mm (4 inches) in 36 hours.

"Floodwaters have entered thousands of homes with people also facing problems because of power outages, said Abhilash Narain, a Prayagraj resident.

Disasters caused by landslides and flooding are common in India during the June-September monsoon season.

In August, about 150 people were killed by landslides and flooding triggered by monsoon rains in western Indias Maharashtra state.

Experts say heavy rainfall along Indias western coast is in line with how rainfall patterns have changed in past years due to climate change, as the warming Arabian Sea drives more cyclones and more intense rainfall over short periods of time.

___

Associated Press writers Ashwini Bhatia in Dharmsala, India, and Biswajeet Banerjee in Lucknow, India, contributed to this report.
NEW ROADS, La. (AP)  A Louisiana sheriff is investigating after three children riding on tubes on a waterway were struck and injured by a pontoon boat.

The occupants on the boat all fled the scene after the Aug. 8 crash, Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff Rene Thibodeaux told WBRZ-TV.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP)  A sheriff's deputy who was shot and killed in Kentucky while working an off-duty security job was laid to rest Wednesday.

Brandon Shirley, 26, was a model officer who was one of our brightest rays of hope, Jefferson County Sheriff John Aubrey said of his deputy.
PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP)  When Wahab disappeared from his home in Afghanistan to sign on for jihad, it was in neighboring Pakistan that he got his training.

The 20-year-old was recruited by childhood friends and was taken to a militant outpost in Parachinar, on Pakistans rugged mountainous border with Afghanistan. There, he underwent training, preparing to fight alongside the Afghan Taliban, a relative told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because of fear of reprisals from militants and government security agents.

As the Taliban swiftly capture territory in Afghanistan, many Afghans blame Pakistan for the insurgents success, pointing to their use of Pakistani territory in multiple ways. Pressure is mounting on Islamabad, which initially brought the Taliban to the negotiating table, to get them to stop the onslaught and go back to talks.

While analysts say Pakistans leverage is often overstated, it does permit the Taliban leadership on its territory and its wounded warriors receive treatment in Pakistani hospitals. Their children are in school in Pakistan and some among them own property. Some among Pakistans politicians have rebranded the insurgents as the new, civilized Taliban.

Ismail Khan, a powerful U.S.-allied warlord, who is trying to defend his territory of Herat in western Afghanistan from a Taliban onslaught, told local media recently the war raging in his homeland was the fault of Pakistan.

I can say openly to Afghans that this war, it isnt between Taliban and the Afghan Government. It is Pakistans war against the Afghan nation, he said. The Taliban are their resource and are working as a servant.

Pakistan has tried unsuccessfully to convince Afghans they dont want a Taliban government back in Afghanistan. They say the days of Pakistan seeing Afghanistan as a client state, to provide so-called "strategic depth against its hostile neighbor India, is a thing of the past.

Pakistans Prime Minister Imran Khan has told every public and private forum that Pakistan wants peace in Afghanistan, has no favorites in the battle and is deeply opposed to a military takeover by the Taliban.

The countrys powerful army chief has twice walked out of meetings with the Taliban, frustrated at their intransigence and infuriated by what he sees as the Taliban's determination to return to full power in Afghanistan, according to senior security officials familiar with the meetings. The officials spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they had no authority to discuss the meetings.

Still, Afghans are unconvinced. Even the international community is skeptical. The United Nations last week rebuffed Pakistans request to address a special meeting on Afghanistan to again give its side.

The criticism is fueled by images of slain Taliban fighters being buried in Pakistan at funerals attended by hundreds, waving the groups flags. Last year, Prime Minister Khan called Osama bin Laden a martyr in a speech to Parliament, seen as a nod to militants.

When the Taliban were battling Afghan security forces in an assault on the Afghan border town Spin Boldak, wounded insurgents were treated at Pakistani hospitals in Chaman. The Taliban took the town and still hold it.

A doctor in Chaman told the AP he treated dozens of wounded Taliban. Several were transferred to hospitals in the Pakistani city of Quetta for further treatment, he said. Quetta is also where several in the Taliban leadership reportedly live, as well as in the Arabian Sea port city of Karachi. The doctor spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject.

In thousands of madrassas, or religious schools, around Pakistan, some students are inspired to jihad in Afghanistan, according to analysts as well as Pakistani and international rights groups.

Their recruitment largely goes on unhindered, interrupted occasionally when a local news story reports bodies of fighters returning from Afghanistan. Last month, Pakistani authorities sealed the Darul-Aloom-Ahya-ul Islam madrassa outside Peshawar after the body of the clerics nephew returned home to a heros burial. The madrassa had operated freely for decades, even as the cleric admitted he sent his students to fight in Afghanistan.

One of Wahabs cousins, Salman, went from a madrassa in Pakistan to join the Pakistani Taliban several years ago. Wahab was inspired to join the militants by propaganda videos purporting to show atrocities against Muslims by foreign troops. He ran away from his home in Afghanistans border regions earlier this year, but his family was able to track him down in Pakistan and bring him home before he became a fighter, his relative said.

In mosques and on the streets in Pakistans northwest Khyber Pukhtunkhwa province, militants preach jihad and raise money, the relative said, though they are less aggressive in recruiting because of Pakistani military operations in the area in recent years.

Still, Amir Rana, executive director of the independent Pakistan Institute of Peace Studies, said that unless Pakistani authorities adopt a zero tolerance for jihadis, the country will forever face international criticism and suspicion. Justifying it has to stop, he said.

In response to AP's request for comment, a senior security official acknowledged that sympathies for extremists exist in conservative Pakistan. He said it began with a U.S.-backed program to motivate Afghans to fight the Soviets in the 1980s, which glorified jihad and portrayed the occupying troops as godless communists." He said Pakistan is firm it doesn't want a Taliban-only government in Kabul, saying it would fan extremism.

Two security officials denied that jihadi groups in the border region receive any official help. They said a nearly completed fence being built by Pakistan along the long border with Afghanistan will stop the smuggling of fighters across. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment.

Pakistan has its own concerns, accusing Afghanistan of harboring militants opposed to the Islamabad government. Pakistani security officials say their country's rival India is allowed by Kabul's intelligence agency to stage covert attacks against Pakistan using militants in Afghanistan. In the last six months, they say more than 200 Pakistani military personnel have been killed by insurgents crossing the border,

The border, known as the Durand Line, speaks to the deeply troubled relationship between the two neighbors. To this day, Afghan leaders do not recognize the Durand Line and claim some Pakistani areas dominated by ethnic Pashtuns as Afghan territory, Pashtuns on both sides of the border share tribal links, and Afghan Pashtuns form the backbone of the Taliban.

Analysts say Islamabad has fueled extremist sentiment and worked with militants when it was in its interests. It was during the long fight against the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan that Pakistan's powerful intelligence agency developed deep ties with many of the most radical of Afghans, including the notorious Haqqani group, arguably the strongest faction among the Afghan Taliban.

Islamabad does wield extensive leverage over the Taliban, said Michael Kugelman, deputy director of the Asia Program at the Washington-based Wilson Center. But the Taliban, which is fighting a war it believes its winning, has the luxury of resisting Pakistani entreaties to ease violence and commit to talks.

For the Taliban, the calculus is simple: Why quit when youre ahead?
WASHINGTON (AP)  Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett on Thursday refused to block a plan by Indiana University to require students and employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Barrett's action came in response to an emergency request from eight students, and it marked the first time the high court has weighed in on a vaccine mandate. Some corporations, states and cities have adopted vaccine requirements for workers or even to dine indoors, and others are considering doing so.

The students said in court papers that they have a constitutional right to bodily integrity, autonomy, and of medical treatment choice in the context of a vaccination mandate. They wanted the high court to issue an order barring the university from enforcing the mandate. Seven of the students qualify for a religious exemption.

College officials across the country have struggled with whether to require vaccinations, with some schools mandating them and others questioning whether they have legal authority to do so. Similar lawsuits against student vaccine requirements have been filed in other states.

The court's newest justice rejected the plea without even asking the university for a response or getting her colleagues to weigh in. Justices often act on their own in such situations when the legal question isn't particularly close. Barrett handles emergency matters from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit, which includes Indiana.

A three-judge federal appeals court panel, including two judges appointed by former President Donald Trump, was one of two lower courts to side with Indiana University and allow it to require the vaccinations, even as legal proceedings continue. The plan announced in May requires roughly 90,000 students and 40,000 employees on seven campuses to receive COVID-19 vaccinations for the fall semester.

Students who dont comply will have their registration canceled and workers who dont will lose their jobs. The policy does have religious and medical exemptions, but exempt students must be tested twice a week for the disease. The school recently announced that for now, everyone, regardless of vaccination status, must wear a mask indoors while on campus.
BEIJING (AP)  Officers from the U.S. and Taiwanese coast guards have met to discuss improving cooperation and communication despite efforts by China to isolate the self-governing island democracy.

The virtual meeting held Tuesday came amid moves by the U.S. and others to defy Beijings pressure campaign aimed at compelling Taiwan to accept its view that the island is part of China.

China on Tuesday recalled its ambassador to Lithuania and expelled the Baltic nations top representative to Beijing over its decision to allow Taiwan to open an office in Lithuania under its own name.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping has increased diplomatic, economic and military pressure on Taiwan, whose residents overwhelmingly reject Beijings demand for political unification with the mainland. China has long blocked Taiwan from taking part in the United Nations and other international organizations and has stepped up such pressure since the election of independence-minded Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen in 2016. Tsai was re-elected last year by a strong majority.

While the U.S. maintains only unofficial relations with Taiwan in deference to Beijing, it is the island's key arms supplier and closest political ally.

Washington's de facto embassy in Taipei, the American Institute in Taiwan, said in a statement that at Tuesday's meeting, the sides discussed ways to improve joint maritime responses to search and rescue, disaster relief, and environmental missions, as well as opportunities to improve communication and continue personnel educational exchanges."

They also continued work on the common objectives of preserving maritime resources; reducing illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing; and participating in joint maritime search and rescue and maritime environmental response events," the statement said.

The United States supports Taiwans meaningful participation and contribution to issues of global concern," it said.

The meeting follows the announcement of plans by the U.S. to sell 40 self-propelled howitzers to Taiwan in a deal valued at $750 million that drew strong condemnation from Beijing.

Amid deteriorating ties with China, the former administration of Donald Trump boosted relations with Taiwan, a stance thus far maintained by President Joe Biden.

China had no immediate response to the meeting of the two coast guards, but last week denounced the howitzer sale as having severely interfered in Chinas internal affairs, sent wrong signals to Taiwan independence' separatist forces and endangered the stability across the Taiwan Strait."

The Chinese (People's Liberation Army) will take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard Chinas national sovereignty and territorial integrity and make continuous efforts to advance national reunification process, Defense Ministry spokesperson Wu Qian said in an Aug. 6 statement.

Along with the sharp downturn in relations with Washington, China's increasingly assertive foreign policies have put it at odds with a number of Western democracies, particularly Canada and Australia.

China on Thursday dismissed Canadas protests of harsh sentences recently handed down by Chinese courts to Canadians whose cases are seen as linked to the arrest in Vancouver of a top executive at Chinese tech giant Huawei.

Canada and other countries, including Australia and the Philippines, face trade boycotts and other Chinese pressure in disputes with Beijing over human rights, the coronavirus and control of the South China Sea. The United States has warned that American travelers face a heightened risk of arbitrary detention in China for reasons other than to enforce laws.

Beijing is blocking imports of wheat, wine and other products from Australia after its government called for an investigation into the origin of the coronavirus pandemic.
TOLEDO, Iowa (AP)  An east-central Iowa county sheriff confirmed Thursday that county jail inmates have not been given COVID-19 vaccines, saying only one inmate has asked for it.

Tama County Sheriff Dennis Kucera's responded after television station KCRG first reported Wednesday that the jail is not offering inmates access to the vaccine. Kucera acknowledged that Thursday, but said the only inmate to request the vaccine has been in the jail since May 2020 and has only requested the vaccine in the last two months.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP)  A community college in Tennessee has paid more than $1.8 million to clear outstanding balances for students who attended classes last year during the coronavirus pandemic.

Southwest Tennessee Community College said it will forgive remaining debt for 1,600 eligible students who took classes during the spring, summer and fall semesters in 2020.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)  Tennessee State University officials say enrolled students can receive $100 if they can show they're fully vaccinated.

University officials announced this week that students who get vaccinated through one of the campus vaccination sites will also receive a $100 gift card. In addition, vaccinated students living in on-campus housing will be eligible for an additional $50 gift card.

The gift cards are available until Aug. 27.

Tennessee is among the handful of states that has banned public colleges from requiring COVID-19 vaccinations.

We are currently evaluating possible incentives for employees, and will provide follow-up information soon, President Glenda Glover said in a letter detailing the new incentives for students.

The university will be fully operational for the fall semester and expects its largest freshman class in five years. Students are moving in this week.
ANKARA, Turkey (AP)  Police in Turkey on Thursday detained 76 people in connection with attacks on homes and businesses believed to be owned by Syrians after a Turkish teenager was killed in a fight with a group of refugees from Syria.

A hundreds-strong mob took to the streets of the capital Ankaras Altindag neighborhood late Wednesday, throwing stones at Syrian refugees homes, ransacking some shops and chanting anti-Syrian slogans, local media reports said.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP)  Free tuition, Apple products and coveted tickets to this years Carolina vs. Clemson game are among prizes the University of South Carolina is offering to students, faculty and staff who get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Interim University President Harris Pastides, a trained epidemiologist who once headed the universitys school of public health, announced the fall semester's weekly giveaway Wednesday. Any campus member who gets vaccinated this fall or has already been vaccinated is eligible to win the prizes, which also include travel and supply grants, meal plan cards and free parking passes.

The incentives are part of a vigorous vaccination campaign," Pastides wrote in a letter to campus members. The school is also launching a comprehensive testing plan aimed at determining positivity rates on campus and curbing the spread of the virus.

Earlier this month, Pastides ordered that face masks be worn inside all campus buildings where other people are present, though he said the masks could be removed while eating in the dining hall.

He and other school officials cited new federal and state guidance recommending that even the vaccinated should return to wearing face coverings indoors in parts of the country where the highly contagious delta variant is rapidly spreading.

But university officials quickly rolled back the requirement after state Attorney General Alan Wilson wrote that the universitys mask mandate likely went against a state budget proviso that went into effect July 1. Wilson wrote that the proviso, though "inartfully worded, was intended to prohibit the mandatory wearing of masks.

State lawmakers also banned public colleges and universities in South Carolina from making the vaccine a condition of enrollment.

Young adults between the ages of 20 and 24 are the least vaccinated of all eligible age groups in the state, according to data updated Monday by the Department of Health and Environmental Control. They account for less than 5% of the more than 2.2 million residents who have been inoculated.
WASHINGTON - Former president Donald Trump's last attorney general has told U.S. senators his boss was "persistent" in trying to pressure the Justice Department to discredit the results of the 2020 election.

In closed-door testimony Saturday before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Jeffrey Rosen said he had to "persuade the president not to pursue a different path" at a high-stakes January meeting in which Trump considered ousting Rosen as the nation's most powerful law enforcement officer.

According to a person familiar with the testimony, Rosen's opening statement also characterized as "inexplicable" the actions of his Justice Department colleague, Jeffrey Clark, who was willing to push Trump's false claims of election fraud and whom Trump considered installing as acting attorney general to replace Rosen.

The testimony - portions of which were previously reported by the New York Times - is part of a trough of information that congressional investigators are assembling about Trump's frantic efforts to reverse his defeat by Democrat Joe Biden and use the Justice Department to stay in office.

Trump's actions are also being investigated by the House select committee on the Jan. 6 breach of the U.S. Capitol. The Justice Department's inspector general is separately examining whether any current or former agency officials acted improperly to invalidate election results - an effort that could result in recommended disciplinary actions or, if the office finds potential crimes were committed, referrals to the department for prosecution.

The congressional probes got a boost last month, when the White House and the Justice Department cleared the way for Rosen and other former officials to discuss their election-related conversations with the president, saying the Biden administration would not seek to silence them by invoking executive privilege.

Two weeks ago, Congress obtained and released handwritten notes from Rosen's deputy, Richard Donoghue, who participated in phone calls with Trump and Rosen in which the president urged them to cast doubt on the integrity of the election. Donoghue's notes describe Trump telling him and Rosen to "just say the election was corrupt [and] leave the rest to me" and Republican lawmakers. They also describe Rosen and Donoghue saying claims of election fraud did not appear to have merit.

On Saturday, Rosen appeared before the Senate committee to deliver his account directly. Donoghue testified as well. During a seven-hour interview, Rosen emphasized how he and other senior leaders resisted Trump's entreaties.

"The president was persistent with his inquiries, and I would have strongly preferred that he had chosen a different focus in the last month of his presidency," he said in his opening statement, according to a person familiar with the testimony, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the closed-door session. "But as to the actual issues put to the Justice Department, DOJ consistently acted with integrity and the rule of law held fast."

Rosen said he thought Trump's claims about voting irregularities were "misguided, and I disagreed with things that President Trump suggested the Justice Department do with regard to the election. So we did not do them."

He stressed that when Trump was told he was "misinformed or wrong, or that we would not take various actions to discredit the election's validity, he acquiesced to the department's position."

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., who attended Rosen's interview, said the former Trump appointeewas "very forthcoming" and provided new details to the committee. Hedeclined to discuss the specifics of Rosen's testimony, citing committee rules that prohibit such disclosures. But he said that just days before Jan. 6, when Trump supporters breached the U.S. Capitol as the election was being certified, "another plot was being worked to try to overturn the election using the name and reputation of the Department of Justice."

The person familiar with the testimony said Rosen described his interactions with Clark, who had led the department's environmental and natural resources division and its civil division.

Clark had at some point connected with Trump through a Republican congressman from Pennsylvania. Rosen learned after the fact that Clark, his subordinate, had met with Trump at the White House to discuss pursuing claims of voter fraud. Rosen said he cautioned Clark that such communication was inappropriate, and told him not to do so again, according to the person familiar with Rosen's testimony.

Clark's lawyer did not respond to a message seeking comment. Clark has previously denied that he devised a plan to oust Rosen or that he formed "recommendations for action based on factual inaccuracies gleaned from the Internet."

Liz Harrington, a spokeswoman for Trump, said in a statement Wednesday night: "We don't need selective, partisan leaks from closed door testimony to know that President Donald J. Trump rightfully voiced his belief that America deserved a complete investigation into the 2020 election. He has been doing exactly that publicly since Election Day."

Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, the committee's ranking Republican, defended Trump's right to privately discuss strategy with his advisers, noting that Trump did not end up firing Rosen or Donoghue.

"Eventually the facts will come out, and Trump will have to address them - good or bad depending on the facts at hand," Grassley said in a Senate floor statement this week. "However, the essential question that should be asked is: what was the final decision?"

Among the material being examined by the Senate committee is a draft letter Clark circulated, addressed to Georgia officials, that he wanted Rosen and Donoghue to sign. The letter, dated Dec. 28, falsely claimed that the Justice Department was "investigating various irregularities" in the presidential election and had "identified significant concerns that may have impacted the outcome of the election."

The letter and emailed responses, published by ABC News, recommended that state lawmakers hold a special session to "take additional testimony, receive new evidence, and deliberate on the matter."

Rosen and Donoghue did not sign on to Clark's letter and Donoghue said in an email to Clark that sending it was "not even within the realm of possibility."

After hearing from Rosen on Saturday, Whitehouse praised both him and Donoghue for not succumbing to the pressure from the Trump White House and for refusing to "go off on an unprecedented political errand."

"A completely unjustified letter cooked up outside the department's chain of command could have gone out from the U.S. Department of Justice to battleground states giving them license to overturn the election results in their states," the senator said.

In addition to Rosen and Donoghue, committee investigators on Wednesday interviewed the former U.S. attorney in Atlanta, Byung J. Pak, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss details of a nonpublic interview.

Pak, who also was appointed by Trump, resigned his job abruptly on Jan. 4, at the suggestion of Donoghue, after Trump publicly complained that Pak wasn't investigating alleged voter fraud in Georgia, a state that was crucial to Biden's victory. Multiple reviews in that state showed Trump's claims of irregularities were unfounded.

Pak's lawyer did not return a message seeking comment on his testimony.

Some current and former law enforcement officials credit Donoghue and Rosen with resisting Trump's efforts to overturn the election. But others fault Justice Department leaders for what they characterize as caving to White House pressure to bring about the resignation of Pak as a way to appease Trump.

Those critics say Rosen and Donoghue's actions were part of a broader pattern of department decisions during the Trump administration that were designed to publicly placate the president while not actually pursuing the substance of investigations or issuing the public statements that Trump wanted them to make.

- - -

The Washington Post's Devlin Barrett and Jacqueline Alemany contributed to this report.
By Tran Nguyen

San Jose Spotlight

Local lawmakers and housing advocates are calling on Congress to invest in more housing to help end homelessness and housing insecurity in the Bay Area.

A coalition of more than 20 city officials, nonprofits and philanthropy organizations sent a letter to the region's congressional delegation Tuesday. It urges federal lawmakers to address the ongoing housing shortage by expanding the housing voucher program, investing in affordable housing and strengthening the low-income housing tax credit.

"We're at the heart of the housing crisis here in the Bay Area," SV@Home Executive Director Leslye Corsiglia told San Jose Spotlight. "We can't solve this alone at the local, regional or even state level. We need the federal government to get involved."

San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo, as well as mayors London Breed of San Francisco and Libby Schaaf of Oakland, also co-signed the letter.

The call to action from the coalition came after a regional task force identified affordable housing as a critical priority for Bay Area cities recovering from the pandemic.

The Bay Area has faced "an acute shortage of affordable housing" that has only worsened over the pandemic and disproportionately impacted communities of color, the letter reads.

In San Jose, the city struggles to reach its 2023 housing goal of building 10,000 new affordable units, despite approving a record number of homes last year.

San Jose ranks as one of the most expensive places to live, and renters in the area pay the second-highest rent in the country. The average rent for a two-bedroom home is around $3,051 a month, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition.

According to the coalition, tens of thousands of people across the Bay Area are now homeless, with 137,500 households facing eviction as the state eviction moratorium is set to expire in September.

"A small change in employment or health issue can put people on the streets," Corsiglia said.

The letter urges Congress to pass three bills to ensure housing security for millions of people.

The Ending Homelessness Act of 2021, introduced by Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), would make housing vouchers a federal entitlement, similar to Social Security and food stamps, by making funding for the vouchers a mandate in the federal budget that can't be cut. This means, by 2030, every household that qualifies for housing assistance can receive it.

Right now, four out of five households that qualify for housing assistance receive it, according to the bill. The Santa Clara County Housing Authority also has a long waitlist it hasn't been able to cut down in years, Corsiglia said.

The bill would boost the availability of federal rental aid vouchers over the next eight years, help fund 410,000 new housing units across the nation and lift nine million people out of poverty.

The local coalition is also calling for support of bills that would directly help fund affordable housing projects, including Waters' Housing is Infrastructure Act of 2021 and the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2021 introduced by Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) in April.

"Many years ago, the federal government was very involved in addressing housing needs," Corsiglia said. "Now, there's very little direct federal money that goes into developing affordable housing."

Waters' bill, which argues that housing is infrastructure like roads and bridges, would provide more than $600 billion to build affordable housing across the nation. It will also help fund regional efforts, such as the Bay Area Housing Finance Authority, to help cities and counties meet housing requirements.

Walorski's bill, which has received bipartisan support, would expand the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program, a crucial tool for creating affordable housing, by increasing the amount of credits across the nation by 50 percent. The bill estimates it will help build more than two million new affordable homes across the country in the next 10 years, including 330,000 in California.

"Advancing these priorities will spur desperately needed affordable housing production and ensure all residents have access to a safe, affordable place to call home," the letter reads.

The three bills are expected to be included in an ambitious 3.5 trillion spending package that would expand social safety nets. The U.S. Senate kicked off debate on the package Tuesday.

Liccardo was not immediately available for comment.

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In a leafy, hilly neighborhood of Decatur, GA, a little slice of 1950s Palm Springs awaits.

A midcentury modern gem inspired by the Southern California desert town has surfaced in this unlikely locale. Meticulously restored by the current owners, the home has been filled with a curated array of furniture and artwork. It's on the market for $1.6 millionand offered completely furnished.

The owner, Liz Von Hoene, is a fashion photographer and was always inspired by the Palm Springs photos of Slim Aarons, who snapped the iconic Poolside Gossip image at the Kaufmann Desert House designed by Richard Neutra in 1970.

When she had the chance to buy a home that reminded her of the era, she leapt at the opportunity.

No pool? No problem. She had one installed that's inspired by the legendary Aarons pic, complete with banana yellow period pool furniture.

Her efforts were showcased in Atlanta Magazine in 2018.

Its very Mad Men, says the listing agent, Frank Wynne of Atlanta Fine Homes Sothebys International Realty. He said the decor is sourced from around the country and includes pieces from designers like Herman Miller. All the work finding period pieces has paid off, with interiors that are almost a time capsule. Von Hoene received a preservation award for her efforts.

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Midcentury modern in Decatur, GA (Gary Gomez for Atlanta Fine Homes Sothebys International Realty )

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Entry (Gary Gomez for Atlanta Fine Homes Sothebys International Realty )

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Fireplace (Gary Gomez for Atlanta Fine Homes Sothebys International Realty )

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Living room with walls of glass (Gary Gomez for Atlanta Fine Homes Sothebys International Realty )

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Dining room (Gary Gomez for Atlanta Fine Homes Sothebys International Realty )

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Office (Gary Gomez for Atlanta Fine Homes Sothebys International Realty )

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Den (Gary Gomez for Atlanta Fine Homes Sothebys International Realty )

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Bedroom (Gary Gomez for Atlanta Fine Homes Sothebys International Realty )

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Patio (Gary Gomez for Atlanta Fine Homes Sothebys International Realty )

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Pool inspired by Palm Springs (Gary Gomez for Atlanta Fine Homes Sothebys International Realty )

The property was purchased in 2015 for $535,000, and Von Hoene is only the second person to own it. She embarked on a restoration of the structure, which was built by the architect Thomas E. Garner in 1952 as his personal residence.

She kept prize original details, including the floating Herman Miller credenza.

Other original elements include clerestory windows, 17-foot high ceilings, parquet floors, a teak accent wall, a hammered metallic screen, built-in planter, and art walls.

Within the 3,200-square-foot floor plan, there's a luxe living room with an exposed brick fireplace, walls of windows, with flanking views of Parkwood Park to one side and the stylish pool on the other side.

A raised dining room features an angled ceiling, a chrome-and-Lucite chandelier, and a Herman Miller sideboard original to the home.

The kitchen was completely replaced, but follows the footprintand the spiritof the original. The space serves up sleek quartz counters, white cabinets, Sub-Zero refrigerated drawers, an oversized breakfast bar, a keeping lounge, and a modern butler's niche for pantry and bar.

A bedroom wing offers a double-chambered owner's retreat with beamed cathedral ceiling, clerestory windows, and sliding door out to the pool. The all-new bathroom features heated tile, brass fixtures, and glass tile.

Bedrooms two and three are connected by a sliding interior door, and share an updated bathroom.

A terrace-level fourth bedroom includes a bed, bath, and gym, with an exterior entrance from the covered tandem midcentury carport.

Outside, the quarter-acre grounds include a lanai and bluestone poolside patio, heated pool, and a Palm Springs-inspired landscape by Lynn Saussy.

The owners, who clearly put so much thought into the homes updates, have relocated to Miami. They leave behind one of just a handful of comparable homes in the area from the 1950s, notes the listing agent.

Wynne says of Von Hoene, It is extremely rare. To take it to the next levelto protect it, and preserve itwas her mission.

The project is likely to find a buyer easily. Wynne says there have already been two offers, and that others will be considered as they come in.

Next summer, we're sure a new owner will be sitting poolside in their best Atomic Age garb under that iconic yellow umbrella.

The post Georgia Midcentury Modern With Palm Springs Vibes Is Listed for $1.6M appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com.
San Francisco is always up to something, and this night, she was up to her bare butt in oil, Charlie Walker remembered. Crude oil that is  all over the damn beautiful bay. Two Standard Oil Company tankers collided in the early morning and spilled their guts of dull black, jelly-like crude oil.



Walker was right. Eight hundred thousand gallons of oil spilled into the bay in the early morning of Jan. 18, 1971, when two tankers owned by Standard Oil collided under the Golden Gate Bridge. It would be the largest oil spill in Bay Area history, and an event that changed the Hunters Point truckers life forever.



His story is now being told in an upcoming movie, Im Charlie Walker, from director Patrick Gilles, starring Mike Colter (of Marvels Luke Cage fame) and Safiya Fredericks (Sorry to Bother You).



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Black green and shiny, the oil reflected yesterdays brilliant sunshine as it moved inexorably onto beaches, The San Francisco Chronicle wrote the day after the Arizona Standard and the Oregon Standard crashed and started spilling oil into the bay.

The fight was immediately on to protect the bays fragile ecosystem, and thousands of birds and seals, from the oil. But, colored by the systemic racism of San Francisco politics, the incident would also lead to another battle, this one between a Big Oil goliath, Marin County hippies and a man who was ready to piss a lot of people off in order to change San Francisco (and make some money along the way).

MediaNews Group/East Bay Times v/MediaNews Group via Getty Images

The spill occurred about 1:45 a.m., when the two huge tankers were passing each other in heavy fog under the bridge. The incoming Arizona rammed the outgoing Oregon, causing a gaping hole in its hull, from which the 4 million gallons of oil on board started to spill into the choppy waters.

Both tankers were Standards so there was no blame game. But they didnt have the resources for that kind of spill, so they relied on local truckers, Gilles explains, but there was still essentially a Black truckers union and a white truckers union in San Francisco at the time.

Walker grew up in the South but moved to San Francisco in his teens when, at 14, he faked his birth certificate so he could join the Air Force. After serving three years, he returned to Hunters Point, set up a small trucking company there (with one truck) and befriended future San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown. Walker soon saw that trucking work in San Francisco wasnt a level playing field.

San Francisco Chronicle

Charlie didnt want to join the Black union, as they didnt get any work. He wanted to join the white union, but they wouldnt let him, Gilles says.



Walkers protest against the inequality came in acts of civil disobedience. Hed go to the white unions work sites with his truck to knock down fences and push things over. He said, Arrest me, I want to be in the newspaper. I want to be seen, Gilles says. He didnt care about color, he wanted to be in the union that got work.

After the spill, the unionized white truckers were hired to clean up the citys major tourist draws, Ocean Beach and Baker Beach, but through sheer luck and persistence, Walker landed a small contract to clean up distant Stinson Beach in Marin.

When youve got a racist institution, if just 5% of them are not buying into the racism, theres a gap. And Walker found someone in Richmond who gave him this crappy beach, miles away from the spill, Gilles says. That guy got his ass chewed out, as hed opened the door.

Stinson was a beach no truckers wanted: There was no access for a tractor and trailer, it was more than an hour away, and there wasn't even much oil to clean up.

Then, the ocean currents brought Charlie a gift.

Some strange ocean patterns took hold of the oil, blowing most of it out to the Potato Patch by the Farallon Islands. The currents then changed again, sending the oil northwest, where it hit Stinson Beach hard, and Walker had the contract.

FAMM Films

The contract said Walker was boss, and he hired dozens of white truckers to clean the sands, remove tar from birds and make some money off the back of Standard Oil.

It has been 50 years since the devastating oil spill of 1971 in the San Francisco Bay changed my life forever, Walker, now 88 and still living in Hunters Point, told SFGATE. I had one truck to my name and had to fight a billion dollar oil company who hired me to clean up their mistake, but no one was going to stop me from finishing the job. I made $5 million in 30 days.

Suddenly, the region was watching a massive cleanup operation under the leadership of a Black man who wasnt even allowed to join the union.

They had to get him out of there, immediately, Gilles says. From Standard Oil to the white truckers union to parts of the community in Marin, no one wanted him there.

But Charlie can disarm anyone. Hed sit with people who didnt like his skin color and say Forget about the black, just worry about the green. We dont have to be friends but lets get paid. They were all playing checkers and he was playing chess.

The community up there distrusted Standard, too. The fight pitted hippies against Big Oil against truckers against a racist system. And none of them liked the optics of Walker leading it.

MediaNews Group/East Bay Times v/MediaNews Group via Getty Images

The reason institutionalized racism works so well is because its faceless, Gilles says. Everyone claiming to be the messenger, I was told to fire this guy, or This guy was told to fire that guy. Theres no paper trail, its like the mafia.

Its hard to know exactly who forced Walker out. Soon, the white truckers union took over the operation, but Walker was one step ahead and knew he would soon be removed, so he started paying himself more, which was unethical sure, but when youre in an unethical game  he was in a knife fight and he was using a knife, Gilles says.

Standard Oil later accused Walker of embezzlement and took him to court. At the trial, he was acquitted by a jury of his peers in San Francisco.



Gilles says Walker likely walked away with a lot of cash. This guy from Hunters Point put all three daughters through college, bought a home, bought his wife a new luxury car every few years.

Most headlines about Charlie Walker in the archives do not tell the story of his cleanup at Stinson Beach or him winning out over racism in the industry but of his controversial run-ins with San Francisco city politics and his relationship with his lifelong friend, Willie Brown (who has a cameo in the movie as a taxi driver, while in reality Walker was Browns chauffeur in the 1980s).

FAMM Films

In 1984, a San Francisco Superior Court jury convicted Walker of perjury and tax evasion for shaking down white contractors who were forced to hire 10% Black workers as part of affirmative action laws in the city. Walker was sentenced to 6 years but was paroled in 1987 from Folsom State Prison on good behavior after becoming the wardens chauffeur.



In a surprising (and uncorroborated) twist to the tale, in 1991, after the Gulf War, San Francisco columnist Herb Caen reported that Walker was in Kuwait having landed a $20 million cleanup contract there.



Charlie, I mean Charles contract was handled by Willie Brown, who only seems to be everywhere at once, Caen wrote.



Opinions on Walker vary wildly depending on who you talk to. In Hunters Point, most see him as an advocate who has fought for community members for nearly seven decades.



At the trial in 1982 that sent him to prison, Walker took the stand and said, Throughout the country, Black people in their neighborhoods, they kill each other and shoot each other and the system never do nothing about it. Now they got the thought some [racial slur] out [in Hunters Point] are stealing from other [racial slur], and they want to be our mother and father at the same time.



But the press over the years has been scathing to Walker, maybe in part due to the disdain he had for reporters.



In 1999, the San Francisco Examiner reported on the fact that the FBI were investigating a gala he threw for Brown at the Davies Symphony Hall featuring Al Green. In the story, Walker was described as burley and blunt after he told the reporter, You have a habit of damaging Black people monetarily, because thats the white peoples trip. Otherwise, we have no reason to talk. Walker then allegedly demanded $250,000 to be quoted.



Walker was a laissez-faire capitalist. He never hurt anyone physically, but if he takes your money, thats shame on you, Gilles says.

Im Charlie Walker is produced independently by the Bay Areas FAMM Films. The producers said that studios were initially put off by the controversies around the story, so they found a passionate independent financier in the Bay Area, Bill OKeeffe, to fund it.

Now that we have finished post-production on the film, those same studios are showing interest, says producer Mark Harris. It seems the events of the past few years changed peoples thoughts about telling a story about a Black living legend. Some of the Black community had problems with how in The Green Book and Hidden Figures needed a white savior come to the rescue.

We have no white savior coming to Charlies rescue. He didnt need any saving.

Editor's note: The author of this story had a screenplay optioned by FAMM Films. The screenplay was written before the author's time at SFGATE.
Following the lead of other major music festivals such as Lollapalooza and Bottle Rock, a handful of popular Bay Area concert venues will now require proof of vaccination to attend their shows this fall amid a surge in delta variant cases.

Live entertainment conglomerate AEG Presents announced Thursday morning that proof of vaccination will be required for ticketholders and crews at all of the venues it oversees. In San Francisco, this includes the Warfield, the Regency Ballroom and the Lodge and Social Hall at Regency Center. The updated policy will also affect a number of festivals including Coachella, Stagecoach and Day Trip in Indio, Day Club and Splash House in Palm Springs, and Second Sky in Oakland. Attendees may also present a negative COVID test taken within 72 hours of the event, where permitted, AEG Presents said in a statement.

We have come to the conclusion that, as a market leader, it was up to us to take a real stand on vaccination status, Jay Marciano, COO of AEG and chairman-CEO of AEG Presents, said in a statement. Just a few weeks ago, we were optimistic about where our business, and country, were heading. The delta variant, combined with vaccine hesitancy, is pushing us in the wrong direction again. We realize that some people might look at this as a dramatic step, but its the right one. We also are aware that there might be some initial pushback, but Im confident and hopeful that, at the end of the day, we will be on the right side of history and doing whats best for artists, fans, and live event workers.

The new policy will go into effect no later than Oct. 1, the company said, allowing people who have not been vaccinated yet to do so in time for the event they wish to attend.

Certain states regulations may override our mandate, or a few artists may not want to immediately get on board with the plan, but we know that using our platform to take a strong position on vaccinations can make an impact, said Shawn Trell, COO and General Counsel of AEG Presents. The message we want to send is simple and clear: the only way to be as safe as possible is to require everyone to be vaccinated. And were confident that others who havent been ready to make this full commitment yet will follow our lead.

Coronavirus cases have been linked to other festivals and shows. More than 1,000 coronavirus cases were linked to the Verknipt outdoor festival in the Netherlands over the summer, despite event organizers requiring a test for entry, CNBC reported in July. The same month, a Grateful Dead cover bands shows in Santa Cruz county may have resulted in a similar outbreak. Stevie Nicks, a headliner for BottleRock, announced Tuesday she would be dropping out of the festival and canceling five subsequent performances for the remainder of 2021 due to concerns related to COVID-19 and her age.

Most new infections in the Bay Area are spread among unvaccinated individuals.

The new policy is subject to change depending on updates related to infection rates, transmission data, variant developments, and local and federal regulations, AEG Presents said.
Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP

Google employees who choose to work from home permanently could see their pay cut, Reuters reported Tuesday.

Recently, the Mountain View-based company launched a new internal tool to show workers how their compensation would be adjusted depending on their location. The pay calculator, as seen by Reuters, showed that even those who never moved during the pandemic could experience pay cuts.
It is my firm belief that every small town in America should have a lighthearted regional festival themed around a specific local food. Gilroy has its garlic festival. Monterey County has one devoted to artichokes. Mendocino County has an annual Apple Show (while Sebastopol, just down Highway 101, has an entire festival celebrating apple blossoms). The Seattle suburb where I was born and raised is known for its salmon festival, which is particularly close to my heart.

It is also my belief that the best case scenario for said themed festival (sorry to the Yale Bologna Festival, the West Virginia Roadkill Cook-off and the Texas Testicle Festival) is for your citys crowning achievement to be something as cheery and sweet as the strawberry. And Watsonville, California, is that fortunate place. Strawberries are one of the areas primary crops, and berry giant Driscoll's company headquarters are within city limits. The agricultural hub, one and a half hours south of San Francisco, is the self-declared (but dubious) Strawberry Capital of the World.

Madeline Wells/SFGATE

Last weekend, the beloved Watsonville Strawberry Festival returned for the first time since 2019. Normally a three-day event drawing 30,000 to 40,000 people, this years iteration was scaled down to one day and dropped the carnival component because of COVID-19. But with an abundance of strawberry-themed snacks, art and music, the smaller festival was still a joyful return for the sweetest place on Earth.

As a lifelong strawberry obsessive (I have the strawberry tattoo to prove it), I considered the drive to Watsonville from my Oakland home as a bit of a pilgrimage. For the first time, I didnt feel ridiculous pairing my strawberry earrings with my strawberry-patterned shirt. I had a feeling I wouldnt be the only one dressing up.

Madeline Wells/SFGATE

And I was correct. Immediately upon stepping into the festivals busy grounds, I was upstaged by a young woman in a full-body strawberry mascot costume, complete with a tiara. She smiled winningly and waved her elegantly gloved hands for a photo. I later learned she held the illustrious title of Watsonville Strawberry Princess.

I also glimpsed someone wearing the TikTok-famous sequined strawberry dress  a rare real-life encounter with a viral social media phenomenon. The dress-wearer paired it with a curly bright red wig and a chunky strawberry necklace. At the Strawberry Festival, its go big or big home.

Madeline Wells/SFGATE

What makes these quirkily themed regional festivals such a delight is that theyre an opportunity to get creative with themed food. Where else in the world, I ask you, would you find strawberry tacos on pink tortillas, strawberry pizza, strawberry waffles and strawberry paletas all on a single city block?

Out of this abundance of strawberry-centric options, I decided on a slice of strawberry pizza. Its unexpected red topping nestled among bits of sausage on a bed of garlicky cheese. Biting into it, my senses were initially confused about whether I was eating something sweet or savory. But it was good  surprisingly so. The strawberries broke up the saltiness of the cheese and sausage like the chunks of pineapple on a Hawaiian pizza.

Madeline Wells/SFGATE

For dessert, I went with a less adventurous choice: fresas con crema. The combination of fresh, tart strawberries topped with a mountain of sweetened cream never fails, especially while lying in the sun listening to the boisterous orchestra of Sonora Santanera La Nueva Sangre.

Sweeter still, the proceeds from the food sold at the Strawberry Festival benefited local nonprofit groups like the Pajaro Valley Education Foundation and Families in Transition, while the event recognized the local agricultural workers picking the starring fruit with the Watsonville Campesino Appreciation Caravan.

Madeline Wells/SFGATE

"They're always out there. They're always out there picking the strawberries and this festival is because of them," Ruby Vasquez, part of the appreciation caravan, told KION News.

While the Watsonville Strawberry Festival was more low-key than usual this year  I wouldve loved to go on a strawberry-themed teacup ride or try the 35 different strawberry food items in 2019s festival  the mood was one of outsized joy.

Heres hoping that in 2022, Watsonville can honor its ruby red crown jewel in full, over-the-top form.
NY Marine Warnings and Forecast for Thursday, August 12, 2021

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MARINE WEATHER STATEMENT

Marine Weather Statement

National Weather Service New York NY

725 PM EDT Thu Aug 12 2021

...A GUST FRONT APPROACHING THE WATERS...

The areas affected include...

Eastern Long Island Sound...

Peconic and Gardiners Bays...

At 723 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated a gust front, capable of

producing winds to around 30 knots. This gust front was located along

a line extending from near Westerly to 7 nm north of New London

Harbor to 11 nm northwest of Essex Village, moving southeast at 20

knots.

Locations impacted include...

Gardiners Island, Orient Point, Fishers Island Sound, The Race, New

London Harbor, Essex Village, Fishers Island, Westbrook Center, Mouth

of the Connecticut River and Western Block Island Sound.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Mariners can expect gusty winds to around 30 knots and locally

higher waves.

LAT...LON 4135 7206 4140 7196 4135 7193 4137 7186

4107 7186 4111 7243 4130 7250 4131 7238

4144 7244 4140 7234 4130 7229 4133 7221

4139 7219 4135 7213 4132 7212 4149 7211

4149 7203

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Copyright 2021 AccuWeather
August 12, a remarkable day in history that marks the 102nd birth anniversary of the famous physicist and astronomer who is popularly renowned as the 'father of Indian space program' Vikram Sarabhai. The brainbox to ignite space research in India and also the one to lead the country towards the development of Nuclear Power. Vikram was born into a most prestigious Sarabhai family - industrialists committed to India's independence movement.

Education & Early days

Having a prestigious background, Vikram attended Gujarat College, Ahmadabad, and continued his studies at the University of Cambridge, England, where he took up natural science. However, the 2nd world war brought him back to India. Landing in India, Vikram carried out research on cosmic rays under the guidance of physicist Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.

Past five years, in 1945, Vikram returned to Cambridge to pursue a doctorate and submitted a thesis on 'Cosmic Ray Investigations in Tropical Latitudes.' However, on his return to India in 1947, he established the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), also known as the cradle of space sciences in India. P.R.L. had a humble start at his residence and, over time, developed and was set up at the M.G. Science Institute, Ahmadabad. It began with the assistance obtained from the Karmkshetra Educational Foundation and the Ahmedabad Education Society. With the initial focus set on the Cosmic rays and the properties of the upper atmosphere, Prof. Kalpathi Ramakrishna Ramanathan headed the institute as it first director. Nevertheless, the institute had stretched its research towards theoretical physics and radiophysics and later with the Atomic Energy Commission grants.

Turning Businessman...

Although Vikram's keen interest had drawn him towards scientific research, the business and industrial insights he inherited from his family had urged him to indulge in business development actively. Thus, in 1947, Vikram established the Ahmedabad Textile Industry's Research Association and handled the further business development until 1956. Spending his precious time in business development and scientific research, Vikram realized that the country needed to focus on professional management education; he acted and set up the Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad in 1962.

Furthermore, India's first market research organization, Operations Research Group (ORG), is another addition to his establishments. Alongside these, his other notable establishments include Nehru Foundation for Development in Ahmedabad, Ahmedabad Textile Industry's Research Association (ATIRA.) and the CEPT, Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) in Kalpakkam, Variable Energy Cyclotron Project in Calcutta, Electronics Corporation of India (ECIL) in Hyderabad and Uranium, Corporation of India (UCIL) in Jharkhand.

Birth of ISRO!

Being a spree of establishments, Vikram felt the void towards satellites and recognized the need for the country to have its own satellite. Consequently, he persuaded then PM of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, for a space research center, which resulted in the birth of the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) in 1962. Past few years in 1969, INCOSPAR turned as I.S.R.O. In a measure to meet its purpose, ISRO went on to develop India's first satellite 'Aryabhata' the Soviet Union, launched on April 19, 1975, from a Russian cosmodrome. In the next five years, ISRO launched the RS-1 satellite and on boarded its own SLV-3 elevating India to the sixth position in the orbital launches.

Speaking on the need for India's space research center in 1969, Vikram says, "There are some who question the relevance of space activities in a developing nation. To us, there is no ambiguity of purpose. We do not have the fantasy of competing with the economically advanced nations in the exploration of the Moon or the planets or manned space-flight. But we are convinced that if we are to play a meaningful role nationally, and in the community of nations, we must be second to none in the application of advanced technologies to the real problems of man and society, which we find in our country. And we should note that the application of sophisticated technologies and methods of analysis to our problems is not to be confused with embarking on grandiose schemes, whose primary impact is for show rather than for progress measured in hard economic and social terms."

Vikram served as the first chairperson of ISRO and Head of India's DAE On December 30, 1971, he had to inspect the SLV design before leaving to Bombay from Trivandrum the same night. But, unfortunately, he suffered a cardiac arrest the very night and perished at the age of 52. Later his body has been shifted to Ahmedabad for his last rites.

To grace his 102nd birth anniversary, ISRO launched the GISAT-1 Earth observation satellite (EOS). However, the mission turned futile, sighting a stumble due to a performance glitch in the cryogenic phase of the rocket post its launch.

Vikram's Awards & Accolades

The father of the Indian space program was presented with the country's two highest honors - the Padma Bhushan (1966) and the Padma Vibhushan (1972, posthumously). Vikram has held several honorable positions and the list goes as:
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AGL, the nations top greenhouse gas emitter, says Australia needs a better plan to co-ordinate the closures of coal-fired power stations as the United Nations calls on world leaders to urgently phase out the fossil fuel from their electricity grids.

There needs to be a batting order, an overall plan, as to how the National Electricity Market will transition over time, AGL chief Graeme Hunt said. Its impossible for each company to act unilaterally and not end up with a potentially chaotic outcome.

Coal-fired power stations are amongst Australias largest carbon emitters. Credit:Caria Gottgens

United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres this week said the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report on the dramatic effect of human-induced climate change must sound a death knell for coal and fossil fuels, before they destroy our planet.

OECD countries must phase out existing coal by 2030, with all others following suit by 2040, he said.
One of the most successful kung fu films ever made has now added another stripe to its belt: becoming the first ever movie to be dubbed into Noongar Daa, the Indigenous language of the peoples from the south-west corner of Western Australia.

The release of Fist Of Fury in 1972 launched the career of martial artist Bruce Lee internationally, seeing him become, almost overnight, the biggest non-Anglo star of the time. Set in 1930s Shanghai, the film deals with racial injustice, grief and revenge, with Lees character Chen Zhen delivering an almighty flying kick to the throat of colonialism.

Fist Of Fury quickly earned over 1000 times its budget with Lee becoming an icon for oppressed peoples around the globe. In Australia the film became hugely popular with Aboriginal people, who just five years earlier had been recognised as citizens in the Commonwealth constitution.

The Noongar Daa re-voiced version premiered under the stars and on Country in February, a collaboration between Indigenous production company Boomerang and Spear and the Perth Festival. Noongar dub director Kylie Bracknell said the audience received it enthusiastically.
Earlier this year, the Friends reunion went to air and while there were plenty of exciting takeaways - who knew David Beckham was such a fan? - the most significant moment came when Ross and Rachel (OK fine, Jen and David) admitted they had feelings for one another in the shows early days. Since then, the internet has been trying to manifest the Ross and Rachel fantasy into reality, and this week we thought our hard work may have finally paid off.

Rachel and Ross (aka Jennifer Aniston and David Schwimmer) share a kiss on the set of Friends. Credit:Warner Bros

Whats all this yelling about Ross and Rachel? Are these people friends of yours?

In a way, yes. Come on, you know, Ross and Rachel? As in Jennifer Aniston and David Schwimmer.

Oh right, the we were on a break! guys. Are they OK?
Its a version of what he said last month: Im quite happy to consider the menu when you tell me whats on it and what it costs. Tell me what it costs. Tell me how we do it. Now, theres copious subtext here, which is important to understand. But before we get there, its worth grasping just how absurd this is on its face. Here is the Deputy Prime Minister  the second-most senior politician in the government  asking to be told what the relevant policy is before he can agree to it. All of which apparently overlooks the fact that  as the second-most senior politician in the government  the policy is for him to make. Hes talking about himself as an entirely passive figure, rather than someone in office. Hes demanding to see the menu, but hes apparently forgotten he owns the restaurant.

I dont think Ive ever seen anything like this before. And I cant imagine this happening in any other policy area. Treasurer, will the budget be in deficit this year?. Well, you tell me what our tax policies are and Ill tell you about the budget! But then I guess thats the point: this isnt any other policy area. This is an issue of near-irreconcilable difference within the Coalition. Joyces response is so absurd because it isnt intended as a response at all. Its the first step in a negotiation. When Joyce says tell me how we do it, hes really addressing Scott Morrison, not the press pack. The subtext is clear: the Nationals arent going to help. If Morrison wants a net-zero policy (and hes edging glacially towards it), hes going to have to buy the Nationals support. That probably means something like paying farmers to reduce emissions. And for Nats with long memories, its payback for the time John Howard reduced the rights of farmers to clear their land.

This saved trees, which counted as carbon credits under the Kyoto Protocol. Australia could then use these credits to offset increased emissions in other industries. In short, farmers paid the bill for other industries emissions. Now its their turn to invoice. Loading It might just work for Joyce. This week Morrison told Parliament that his cabinet was currently developing a policy for our post-2030 emissions. Hes promised that whatever commitments arise will have the costs detailed, just as Joyce is demanding. Perhaps that will be some net-zero commitment, perhaps not. But we know for sure that Scott Morrison has to face the world at a meeting in Glasgow this November. If he wants to strike a deal on a net-zero target at all, he would surely want it by then.

There are very good reasons for Morrison to do this. The first is that a target isnt just an empty aspiration. Morrison is partly right to say that policies matter more than targets, but what he doesnt admit is that both are necessary. The targets work because they set the aims of the policy and attract investors. Morrison surely knows this. But the second reason is that the costs of reducing our emissions are coming to us whether we like it or not. This could take several forms, but one of the most significant will likely be other countries hitting us with carbon tariffs. This basically means that countries will start taxing goods at the border based on the carbon emissions involved in producing them. That means taxes on things like coal, iron ore, meat and dairy. Morrison can spruik technology, not taxes as his policy, but if this happens, well be paying a carbon tax. It just means other countries will be getting the money.

Little wonder Australia stamped its feet when the European Union announced a proposal to do exactly this. Protectionism! we shout, promising to take our case to the World Trade Organisation. But these tariffs arent designed to give local producers an advantage. Theyre designed to level the playing field, so that companies in countries who are paying a carbon price can compete with overseas companies who arent. While our government is jostling over the costs of any climate policy, those costs might well be imposed by other nations, and soon. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer And smarter people than me have said that if the scheme targets particular products rather than particular countries, it will probably be legal. We can plead for other countries not to do this. But why would they listen to a country that wont even adopt the same net-zero target they are?
Prime Minister Scott Morrison is facing pressure from Victorian Liberals to ramp up plans for Australias first mRNA vaccine manufacturing hub, as the campaign for the federal government to choose Victoria as the preferred location intensifies.

With federal cabinet expected to decide within days on a potential consortium to make messenger RNA - the same technology behind the successful Pfizer and Moderna vaccines - Victorian Liberals have thrown their weight behind setting up a manufacturing plant in Victoria, with some warning it would be a risk not to do so.

The Morrison government wants Australia to manufacture mRNA vaccines such as Pfizer. Credit:Getty

Victorian cabinet ministers have remained tight-lipped about the decision, while talking up the state, which has twice as many RNA researchers as other jurisdictions and is home to most of Australias pharmaceutical and biotech companies.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said announcements on mRNA production would be made by the government after a detailed analysis, but as a Victorian I am very proud of the strength of our medical and biotech sectors in our state.
Like many Victorians, when lockdown No.6 was announced, Chris Cheers felt weary and frustrated.

The Melbourne pyschologist had just allowed himself to go to a hopeful place and begin planning a holiday. By 8pm the same night, Melburnians were ordered back into their homes.

Melbourne psychologist Chris Cheers says the effects of lockdown are cumulative. Credit:Joe Armao

I went back into shock and then what was interesting to me in the sixth lockdown is I felt more anger and frustration, the university lecturer said.

Our brains are hard-wired with an elaborate threat-detection system. Stress puts our brains and nervous systems into flight-or-fight mode, disrupting attention, memory, breathing and sleep.
Children aged under nine are increasingly testing positive to COVID-19 in NSW, with 44 cases of the contagious Delta variant detected in one day and young children accounting for almost 15 per cent of infections in the past fortnight.

Infectious diseases expert Peter Collignon said while the Delta variant was behaving differently to earlier strains, children were likely to be contracting the virus from their parents as it spread through households rapidly. Many parents under 40 are not yet immunised.

The rise in cases in children comes as teacher unions and the Catholic sector urged the state government to improve access to vaccinations for teachers, saying immunisation was the only way to limit the spread of COVID-19 and protect teachers if schools reopened.

In the past two weeks, children and teenagers have made up more than one-third of cases, with 70 infections among 10 to 19-year-olds in the past 24 hours, and almost 400 in the past week.
Authorities in Walgett warn the NSW towns hospital cannot cope with a COVID-19 outbreak as the states Health Minister sounds the alarm over low vaccination rates of Aboriginal people in the north-west.

Eight local government areas in western NSW were plunged into lockdown on Tuesday after positive cases were detected in Dubbo and Walgett.

There are concerns about the spread of COVID-19 to Indigenous communities with low vaccination rates. Credit:Sasha Woolley

Nearly 30 per cent of people in Walgett are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, identified as a priority group for vaccine access due to the higher burden of illness they suffer compared to the general population.

The local mayor Ian Woodcock said the consequences of an outbreak in a town with such a vulnerable population would be devastating.
Buyers of apartments in two 22-storey Parramatta towers with serious defects fear changes to orders imposed on a developer by the NSW building watchdog will strip away their right to rescind contracts and get their deposits back.

The purchasers of apartments off the plan in the Imperial complex in Parramattas CBD are demanding to know why changes were made to a prohibition order last month.

They are concerned that it will enable the developer to register a strata plan, stopping them from exiting their contracts, and claiming back their deposits, after a sunset clause expires on August 30. Sunset clauses allow buyers to terminate off-the-plan contracts if events such as the registration of a strata plan do not occur by a specified date.

Ben Xue, second from right, and his family outside the Imperial towers. Credit:Nick Moir

Following the discovery of serious defects, NSW Building Commissioner David Chandler issued the developer a prohibition order on June 30, which prevented both the issuing of an occupation certificate and the registration of a strata plan.
Im not the only person struggling through this pandemic. Im also not the only person feeling anxious. But as a devout Maronite Catholic, I cant help but notice that people of faith arent getting the spiritual support they need to get through this. And no, Im not talking about packing churches with large congregations.

It isnt uncommon to hear Australians in the 12 locked-down local government areas across Sydney, and more recently in regional NSW, complaining they are treated like caged animals. Yet it turns out animals are treated better than people of faith.

Ann-Marie Boumerhe , lawyer and director of Maronites on Mission.

Multicultural communities like my Lebanese community are more likely to be religious. While the latest available Census data, from 2016, found 60.4 per cent of Australians professed to a religion, in Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Blacktown, Liverpool and Campbelltown it was greater than 74 per cent.

The lockdowns impact on mental health has been devastating. Lifeline Australia had 3345 calls last Monday  the highest daily volume in its 58-year history.
Two police officers had sex with a 17-year-old schoolgirl, taking photos and videos of the encounter, after one of them saw her at a train station and handed her a post-it note with his phone number and a fake name on it, court documents reveal.

James Delinicolis, 30, and Angelo Dellosa, 31, both senior constables in the Police Transport Command, pleaded guilty on Thursday to one count each of misconduct in public office after they had consensual sex with the girl, who said she was 18, in March 2020.

Other charges against the men were withdrawn, including attempted aggravated sexual assault in company, and multiple charges of intentionally recording an intimate image without consent.

According to a statement of agreed facts, Delinicolis and Dellosa regularly spoke to women while on-duty and tried to pick them up for sex. They used the fake names Jamie, Dimitri and Allan, and used mobile phones they referred to as bat phones to speak to the women while on-duty.

On March 11, 2020, Delinicolis was patrolling a train station in Sydneys south-west with three other officers when he saw a teenage girl standing at a bus stop wearing her school uniform.
The NSW government will cover most of the cost of a wage subsidy for council workers who are stood down during the COVID-19 lockdown after pleas for assistance from the financially stricken local government sector.

Seven weeks after greater Sydney went into lockdown, the government announced that it will provide $1500 a fortnight in support for up to three months to council workers whose jobs are affected by the worsening outbreak.

A wage subsidy for council staff from the state government will help limit job losses. Credit:Rhett Wyman

The reinstatement of wage subsidies comes after councils warned the NSW government that they urgently needed assistance, as the cost of paying staff who have been stood down at a time when their revenue had plunged, was burning deep holes in their budgets.

Some of Sydneys largest councils such as Canterbury-Bankstown, the City of Sydney and Parramatta have stood down hundreds of staff on pay since restrictions began in June.
The High Court has rejected an application from the Murugappan familys lawyers to hear an appeal from the asylum seekers.

The family, who had lived in Queensland town of Biloela, are disappointed with the decision, which they say puts their fate back in the hands of Immigration Minister Alex Hawke.

Advocates for a Tamil asylum seeker family say their fate is now in the hands of Immigration Minister Alex Hawke. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen/Supplied

Nadesalingam and Priya Murugappan fled Sri Lanka separately, coming by boat to Australia in 2012 and 2013 respectively. They met and married in Australia and had two daughters  Kopika, 6, and Tharnicaa, 4  after settling in Biloela. But along the way, courts and tribunals all the way up to the High Court have ruled the parents do not have refugee status.

The Tamil asylum seeker family are now living in Perth after Mr Hawke used his powers to move them off Christmas Island, where they had been since August 2019, into community detention. The parents and older sister were granted bridging visas in June.
Scott Morrison made a fundamental decision over the past week. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Morrison made a fundamental decision over the past week. He chose to reinforce the fact that vaccination is not mandatory. He will not issue rules to give employers stronger legal protections if they want staff immunised. Why not? We are not going to seek to impose a mandatory vaccination program by the government by stealth. What is a stealth decision? Well, it could be anything that triggers conservative voices such as Pauline Hanson, who does not want mandatory vaccination but opposes other ways to curb the spread of COVID-19. She wants lockdowns removed in December. The let it rip brigade may be small but it is ready to come at Morrison from the right. Loading Then there is George Christensen, who spread misinformation in the House of Representatives on Tuesday in a speech that made much of the relatively low fatality rate in Australia without mentioning how much deadlier the virus has been elsewhere. He dismissed the use of masks, putting him at odds with scientific experts. And he said lockdowns did not work, which not only put him at odds with the experts but defied more than a year of real-world experience.

So Morrison is jammed. Medical experts want employers to do everything they can to encourage vaccination, and business groups want that as well, but the Prime Minster has to contend with a conservative bloc within his own ranks. Asked a week ago whether there was a moral case for employers to ask staff to be vaccinated, Morrison talked about the law of the land and the public health orders from the states. He was so careful to avoid taking a firm line that he ended up being lost in the legal argument, putting one side and then the other. Loading But it is not just a legal argument. There is a moral dimension when vaccination not only helps the individual but protects the community. This makes it a question of leadership. Time and again, Morrison urges people to be vaccinated. Will he go harder to back employers who want to vaccinate their staff? Treasurer Josh Frydenberg leans forward on this. In question time on Thursday, he praised Coles and other employers for emailing thousands of workers to encourage them to be vaccinated. Some of the business efforts grew out of a meeting he held on July 7 between company chiefs and the countrys vaccine rollout co-ordinator, Lieutenant General John James Frewen.

The government has a powerful way to get results, starting with mobile phones. It runs the Australian Immunisation Record, an online system that can produce a COVID-19 vaccination certificate for those who download it to their phones. It is a very good system when other countries are still using paper certificates and cards. The data does not leave Australia and the privacy safeguards are strong. Loading This is Australias vaccine passport and it is operating now. The question is how it will be used. Morrison and his ministers are waiting on the states to tell them now. Rather than take the lead, they hope the states will use public health orders to mandate vaccinations  not only in aged care, where workers are meant to have their first jabs by next month, but in other parts of the workforce. Should people have to show their vaccine certificates to go to a restaurant? That will be up to the states. Will the counter staff at a takeaway have to show their certificates so the boss can be sure they will not infect customers? Again, that will be up to the states.
Tensions between Mr Elliott, who is not part of the crisis cabinet, and Health Minister Brad Hazzard have been worsening in recent weeks over public health orders, a senior government source not permitted to speak publicly said. The source said Mr Elliott was excluded from decisions about rules that police were expected to enforce. Ms Berejiklian has asked Mr Fuller, Mr Elliott, Tourism Minister Stuart Ayres and a senior lawyer from the Premiers department to review the current public health orders and report to the crisis cabinet on Friday. Ms Berejiklian said she would employ any changes recommended by Mr Fuller. Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Health Minister Brad Hazzard. Credit:Nick Moir Under the new orders for the additional hotspot areas, only authorised workers are allowed to leave their local government areas for work following the rising case numbers over the past week, with 58 cases in Bayside, eight in Burwood and 16 in Strathfield.

There has also been an uptick in cases in the suburbs of Bexley, Banksia and Rockdale, while residents in the Inner West and Camden areas remain on standby for tighter restrictions if case numbers continue to rise. Ms Berejiklian said, while the new LGAs were geographically smaller areas, the increasing number of cases relative to their population size was a cause for concern. The regional towns of Bogan, Bourke, Brewarrina, Coonamble, Gilgandra, Narromine, Walgett and Warren also entered lockdown at 7pm on Wednesday, while the same tighter restrictions are also in place in Dubbo LGA. The ACT entered its own seven-day lockdown at 5pm Thursday after a positive case was confirmed as infectious in the community, while the lockdown in Newcastle and the Hunter region has been extended by a week.

A leading epidemiologist who advises the federal government says Sydney will likely endure hundreds of cases each day for the next month with the impact of vaccination not felt for at least another four weeks. Theres no sign that the outbreak is in decline or that it will decline soon, says University of Melbourne Professor James McCaw, an infectious disease expert and member of the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee. The outbreak is not growing out of control like it could, and that stands to reason, there are stay-at-home orders. But NSW is in for the long haul and this will be a long road out, just like Victoria experienced in its second wave. The reproduction number or R0 is currently 1.07, which Professor McCaw said has been steady for the past two weeks.

This figure means that every 100 people infected, they are infecting 107 others. While that number stays above one, cases will only continue to increase, he said. It is difficult to get the reproductive rate under one for Delta, he said. The absolute best-case scenario is that that gets down to about 100 a day in the next month, but it will be another month after that, at least, to get the numbers down to single digits.

The rapid uptake of vaccine over the last month may start to really help suppress transmission, but I wouldnt expect to see a material impact for at least another month. Loading He said improved compliance levels could help reduce the reproduction number. However, if there are multiple, unexplained cases that make their way into more than two regional areas, then a statewide lockdown would be needed to suppress the virus, Professor McCaw said. Asked on Thursday whether a statewide lockdown was necessary, Mr Hazzard said: Weve always tried to keep as much as possible, and we will progressively take the advice of our public health team, for the areas that are of concern.
The $39 billion takeover of Afterpay by US payments giant Square has bolstered confidence in the Australian fintech space, but deep tech incubators say changes in policy and perception may be required if other technology areas are to produce similar results.

Sally-Ann Williams, chief executive of Cicada Innovations, said even the most impactful and successful of Australias tech companies are often invisible unless they make headlines with dollar signs and a lot of zeroes attached, as Afterpay did with its US acquisition.

Cicada Innovations Sally-Ann Williams said lack of visibility and friction in public policy held a lot of companies back. Credit:James Alcock

There are massive companies, and companies doing amazing things that are growing all the time, and theres just a lot less visibility  if theyre not listed in the ASX  about how well theyre performing and what their growth trajectory looks like and the impact that theyre having globally, Ms Williams said.

I think the quality of the [Afterpay] buyout is fantastic. Its wonderful. But I think we probably need to dig a little deeper and recognise the success that were already seeing. We have to find a way to shine a spotlight on these growth stage companies to inspire other people to start them, to join them, and for investors to back them.
In Israel, 80,000 expiring Pfizer-BioNTech doses were set to be tossed at the end of July; 73,000 doses from various manufacturers have been disposed of in Poland; and 160,000 Sputnik V doses nearing expiration were returned from Slovakia to Russia, their final status unknown. In the United States, North Carolina alone is estimated to have 800,000 doses soon to expire. Loading According to data compiled by the World Health Organisation, approximately 469,868 doses from various manufacturers had expired in Africa as of August 9. Most of the vaccines arriving have a very short expiration date, said Richard Mihigo, coordinator of immunisation and vaccine development for the WHOs Africa arm. The lack of global data masks the price tag. In the United States alone, estimates of total expired or close-to-expired doses run in the millions. With some vaccines costing as much as $US20 ($27) a shot, the cost could run into many tens of millions of dollars, if not more. The toll for human health may be even graver. The doses we have arent enough, said Lawrence Gostin, global health law professor at Georgetown University. Theyre expiring, theyre spoiling with electrical shortages, theyre not being delivered to the population. Its a whole catastrophe.

Vaccines often degrade at a higher rate than many other drugs that can be stockpiled, such as Tamiflu, which can be stored for years, according to Jesse Goodman, a professor at the Georgetown School of Medicine and former chief scientist of the US Food and Drug Administration. As doses age, they might not engender the same immune response, Goodman said, turning a strong, potentially lifesaving inoculation into a weakened dud. And mRNA vaccines, such as those developed by Pfizer and Moderna, are particularly fragile. Expiration dates are set by the manufacturer and approved by local regulatory authorities. Many coronavirus vaccines were given initial emergency use authorisation when only six months of data was available, resulting in cautiously short expiration dates. In a statement to The Washington Post, the WHO said that unlike opened-vial wastage, where multi-dose vaccine vials were opened but could not be used before expiration, unopened vial wastage, such as expiry, was avoidable. In general, the global health body said, it is recommended to keep all vaccine wastage to below 1 per cent. That may be no easy task. Data compiled by the global vaccine alliance Gavi on non-coronavirus vaccines shows wastage can often hit 10 per cent, and sometimes far higher.

Marco Blanker, a doctor in the Dutch town of Zwolle, said he had to throw away 58 doses in one day in the spring due to no-shows amid negative publicity about the AstraZeneca vaccine. It was devastating for the team, he said. We did all our best in the previous weeks to not have any spillage  we didnt lose a drop. Blanker posted a photograph of the discarded doses on Twitter, sparking a public debate in the Netherlands. Soon other Dutch doctors teamed up to create an app to help redistribute the doses. Demand in the Netherlands eventually dried up. The country is now 55 per cent fully vaccinated and AstraZeneca is only recommended for certain age groups. So Blanker and other doctors such as Mook-Kanamori began looking for other nations that might accept the doses. Cars queue at a COVID-19 testing centre in Windhoek, Namibia. Credit:AP

Namibia, a West African nation struggling for doses, looked like a good destination. There was even a Dutch doctor who said he was willing to fly them there himself, Mook-Kanamori said. But the Dutch government has stuck to the same position: the doses must be disposed of after they expire. The Dutch Ministry of Health did not respond to a request for comment. The Netherlands has pledged to donate other vaccine doses, including 75,000 AstraZeneca doses to Namibia. Even when doses do go to those in need, expiration dates can pose problems. Across Africa, most countries have tailored their rollouts around a three-to-four-month delivery window, Mihigo said. But shipping delays have forced some to contend with shorter periods. Liberia had 15 days to distribute tens of thousands of AstraZeneca shots from the African Union. About 27,000 expired. We just didnt have enough time, said the countrys health minister, Wilhemina Jallah. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa greets patients at a vaccination centre in Tembisa. After vaccinating 220,000 people a week in July, South Africa appears on track to inoculate 35 million of its 60 million people by year end. Credit:AP

Benin discarded 51,000 doses in July after struggling for three months to deliver them, said Landry Kaucley, the countrys director of vaccine logistics. Fears of the shots lingered after European nations paused rollouts to investigate blood clot risks. Other countries have gone a step further. In Malawi, the government burnt almost 20,000 expired AstraZeneca doses in May, in what local officials said was a move to show the public that they would not receive expired doses. Some health authorities, such as the Palestinian Authority, have refused to accept doses they said were too close to expiration. Loading Expiration dates can change. The FDA last month extended the expiry for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in the United States to six months from 4 months. A representative of the Russian Direct Investment Fund said that they expected the expiration of Sputnik V to be increased from six months to one year. Such moves can help claw back doses. Some experts hope to see Covax, the UN-backed vaccine-sharing mechanism, or bilateral deals help move vaccine doses to where they need to be before they expire. But finding a way to share doses is not really the problem, according to doctors like Mook-Kanamori.
The reason is simple, tragic and entirely preventable. Not enough Americans have been willing to get vaccinated, despite having access to an abundance of free and stunningly effective vaccines. A demonstrator holds an American flag during a protest against COVID-19 vaccination mandates in Lansing, Michigan, on Friday, August 6, 2021. Credit:Bloomberg Media outlets across the country are full of stories of Americans fighting for their lives in hospital and expressing regret at not getting vaccinated when they had the chance. I messed up big time, guys, Virginia father Travis Campbell said through an oxygen mask in a video posted to Facebook last week. I didnt get the vaccine ... I made a mistake, I admit it. Compare the US to Canada, which has no vaccine manufacturing capacity and had to beg to gain access to Americas stockpile of unused AstraZeneca vaccines.

Loading At the end of May, just 6 per cent of Canadians had been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 compared to 41 per cent of Americans. Just two months later, Canada had overtaken its neighbour: 63 per cent of Canadians are now fully vaccinated compared to 51 per cent of Americans. Forget so-called vaccine hesitancy; America is now in the grip of outright vaccine refusal. Americans have been offered all manner of incentives to get vaccinated from free beer to doughnuts and even guns.

Yet 30 per cent of the adult population has declined  a far higher level of resistance than comparable countries such as Canada, Britain and, based on trends, Australia. Communities with large numbers of white conservatives and African Americans stand out for their low vaccination rates. Loopy conspiracies that the vaccines contain microchips or make you infertile get a lot of attention when explaining vaccine refusal. But something else was at play in late June when The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age visited Mississippi, the state with the lowest vaccination rate in the nation.

Some hold-outs were ideologically opposed conservatives; others were lazy, apathetic or worried about potential side effects. What they all had in common was that they perceived getting vaccinated as an entirely personal decision about what they put into their bodies. Loading There was no sense that they had a role to play in a shared, nationwide effort to prevent the spread of the virus and prevent people from dying. The dark side of American individualism and liberty is selfishness and a lack of empathy. As a result, vaccinated Americans are feeling increasingly angry at their fellow citizens for refusing to get the jab. The sense of bliss and relief of just a few months ago is quickly giving way to fear and frustration.

New Orleans had to cancel its beloved jazz festival for a second year in a row. Residents in Washington DC and Los Angeles have to wear masks while exercising at the gym, even if theyre fully vaccinated. Especially alarmed are the parents of young children who are about to return to school but are not yet eligible to be vaccinated. The Republican governors of Florida and Texas  two states with the highest COVID rates in the nation  are heightening parents anxiety by trying to block local school districts from requiring students to wear masks while in the classroom. Texas Governor Greg Abbott plays the fiddle as the states coronavirus cases surge. Credit:Greg Abbotts Twitter Appealing to the Republican base by prosecuting a culture war on masks is more important to them than limiting the spread of a deadly virus.

The Biden administration is not blameless either. Its baffling that Biden has not yet appointed someone to run the Food and Drug Administration, the federal agency responsible for approving vaccines and medications. Perhaps a strong leader would have found a way to speed up the tortuously slow process for the vaccines to be granted full approval, rather than their emergency use authorisation. This designation has led some to mistakenly view the vaccines as experimental and risky. And while the administration did a good job at getting jabs into the arms of the willing, it has been far less successful at converting the doubters. The White House could have played a useful role by creating a national app that allows people to demonstrate their vaccination status, but was likely spooked by conservative opposition to any form of vaccine passport.

There has been some recent good news. The average pace of new vaccinations this week topped 500,000 people a day for the first time since June, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. Part of the reason for the uptick may be compulsion. With many Americans refusing to do the right thing of their own accord, US businesses and government agencies are increasingly compelling them to get the jab. Loading On Thursday (AEST), California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that all teachers in his state would have to provide proof of vaccination or submit to regular testing. Amtrak, the national passenger train service, announced the same policy for its employees. Even more importantly, the surge of COVID-19 cases and deaths appears to be convincing some hold-outs to get vaccinated as they realise their decision could literally be a matter of life and death.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced a phased three-speed plan to re-open New Zealand to international travel from the start of 2022 that will allow fully vaccinated travellers from low-risk countries to skip quarantine.

However, 14 days of hotel quarantine will still be required for all unvaccinated travellers and anyone from countries deemed high-risk, while vaccinated travellers from medium-risk nations - those with widespread COVID but high vaccination rates - may be able to quarantine in private homes.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announces plans to reopen borders to the world from early next year. Credit:AP

Ardern said the government planned to follow the advice of its experts and maintain its elimination strategy.

While the pandemic continues to rage overseas, and the virus continues to change and mutate, the best thing we can do is lock in the gains achieved to date while keeping our options open, she said.
~As per Thursday, August 12th~

CAY HILL:--- In light of the rise in active cases of COVID-19 and the prevalence of the highly contagious delta variant, St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) has temporarily halted non-urgent procedures and admissions on all in-patient wards effective Thursday, August 12th, 2021. This is in an effort to alleviate the burden on the hospital which currently has 18 COVID-19 positive patients admitted at SMMC.

It is unfortunate that a year and a half later, we are right back to where we were in April of 2020. The decision to temporarily halt these procedures and admissions was not taken lightly as we recognize the inconvenience this may cause for patients who may have already made arrangements. We do believe that it is absolutely necessary and in the best interest of our patients and staff, said Dr. Felix Holiday, Medical Director and Chairman of the Outbreak Management Team (OMT).

SMMC is exploring all avenues and possibilities as it pertains to increasing care capacity. Patients currently admitted will be assessed by their treating physician and discharged if deemed fit with support in the form of Outpatient consultations with their physician if necessary.

I am once again strongly encouraging unvaccinated persons, especially those with underlying conditions such as diabetes, asthma, overweight and auto-immune diseases, to make the choice to be vaccinated as the majority of our admitted patients are unvaccinated. The vaccine does not prevent you from contracting COVID-19 but it prevents you from becoming severely ill should you contract the virus and minimizes the risk of spreading. The Pfizer vaccine is effective against all known variants of COVID-19. I also encourage persons experiencing flu-like symptoms to make use of CPS free testing center, concluded Dr. Holiday.

Appointments at SMMCs Outpatient Department (Policlinics) will continue as planned. Patients visiting SMMC are asked to ensure that they fill out the COVID-19 screening questions truthfully, that their masks are worn correctly and that social distancing rules and guidelines are adhered to. Only persons with appointments may be allowed to enter the building with the exception of minors and medically indicated companions. Persons who refuse to comply or cooperate may be kindly asked to leave the premises.

SMMC also reminds the public that patient visiting hours remain suspended. Persons with friends or family admitted to SMMC are asked to make use of text messages and phone and video calls where possible to keep in touch with their loved ones. Persons wishing to receive an update on a patient must contact the patients emergency contact (which is typically a spouse or immediate family member) as SMMC does not provide patient information to third parties in an effort to protect and uphold patient confidentiality and their patients right to privacy.

SMMC apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause and thanks the public for their cooperation as they provide quality care close to home while keeping their staff and patients safe.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The team of doctors and nurses from the Aspen Medical International (AMI) that are in St. Maarten since April 8th, 2020 are scheduled to depart St. Maarten by August month-end.

SMN News learnt that a decision was taken earlier this year to have the team leave St. Maarten since the active COVID-19 cases were much lower.

Sources say that the AMI team is burnt out and is ready to leave the island even though millions are being paid by the Dutch Government for the team that is on St. Maarten. The Dutch Government decided to fund the AMI team as part of the relief efforts granted to St. Maarten as they deal with the effects of the coronavirus.

Besides the excessive amount of work with the active COVID-19 cases and hospitalization of patients, it is understood that the team of nurses and doctors are fed up with alleged excessive pressure that is placed on them by nurses and other staff of the St. Maarten Medical Center.

Sources say that at least one nurse was admitted to the COVID-19 pavilion in very serious condition had to be flown out of St. Maarten for further medical care. Besides that, relatives of staff members of the SMMC were also admitted and they criticized the AMI team for the care they have provided.

Currently there are 282 active COVID-19 cases on St. Maarten, 18 of which are hospitalized.

Minister of Public Health Omar Ottley confirmed that he is working on extending the stay of the AMI team but no other details were provided at the time of this publication.
Travel and the pandemic: Analysing the security and risk landscape

Travel and tourism are a colossus of a global industry. From backpackers to private jets, people from all backgrounds can explore the world in a variety of different ways for several different purposes. Many may associate the mention of travel with leisure  holidays, cruises, or other pastimes. However, a significant proportion of the industry is driven by travel for business-related means. According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), business travel expenditure exceeded $1.4 trillion in 2018  accounting for roughly 21.4% of the global travel and hospitality sector. Effect of COVID-19 on travel and tourism For companies, travel is vital. Aviation, in particular, has opened up near-unlimited opportunities for firms to establish a presence in countries worldwide, while the ease in which individuals can move across borders has become key in many client-customer relationships. However, travel and tourism have been hit hard by various lockdowns, containment measures, border closures, and travel restrictions as a result of COVID-19. That said, the return of business travel is critical for many organisations. While video conferencing technologies have transformed industries and helped to facilitate remote working opportunities for some, many sectors still rely heavily on trade shows, conferences, events, in-person meetings, and face-to-face conversations as the bedrock of business relations. According to a September 2020 survey from Globetrender, more than 75% of business travellers said that they would choose face-to-face meetings for sales and pitching over remote working, while over 60% of respondents agreed that the majority of deals and decisions cannot be made virtually. Travel centric concerns As vaccination efforts continue to ramp up, travel and tourism are expected to experience something of a revival It is clear, therefore, that an appetite for business travel remains. And as vaccination efforts continue to ramp up around the world, travel and tourism are expected to experience something of a revival. But companies must proceed with caution. When it comes to business travel, organisations have a duty of care, making them responsible for the protection, security, and wellbeing of their employees. Any possible risks that could jeopardise the health and/or safety of their staff must be scrutinised thoroughly, from extreme events to common disruptive risks. Previously, many travel-centric concerns were focused on three key areas  operational risks, security risks, and political risks. Operational, political, and security risks The former relates to the supply of crucial goods and services such as food and raw materials, hard infrastructure like roads and rail networks, and soft infrastructures such as telecommunications and the internet. These things are vital to the day-to-day functioning of countries, and the businesses operating within them. Security risks are related to more direct physical threats  dangers such as kidnapping, crime, external conflict, and general unrest  while political risks refer to political cohesion, public agitation, judicial risks, and the overall stability of the political structures that the country has in place. For companies with assets, operations, or interests in any territory, adverse changes in any one of these key risk areas can create a domino effect with severe consequences. If a new political regime is established and the regulatory environment is changed, this can have a major impact on how a firm has to conduct business, for example. Equally, if the infrastructure is poor and telecommunications and the internet are unreliable with frequent downtime, productivity can be significantly hampered. COVID-19 risks For security and peace of mind, global risk management can help to protect people and companies alike from both the everyday and extreme risks, allowing employees to travel in safety and with confidence. In todays environment, however, there is a fourth risk that firms need to consider, not only to avoid disruption but equally to prioritise the health and safety of their employees. This is, of course, COVID-19. More complex security considerations For maximum safety and security of employees, a one-size-fits-all approach doesnt work First, lets consider the travel-related implications of the pandemic. Potential restrictions need to be considered  is the entrance into the country permitted at present? And could this change shortly? If the entrance is permitted, what are the medical requirements? Is a negative COVID-19 test needed, or a period of quarantine? And once you get there, are there any curfews that need to be considered? Or locations with different restrictions? Even if the answers to many of these questions pose little by way of potential disruption, this does not paint the full picture. Because of COVID-19, risks are high in parts of the world that have historically been considered the safest for the first time in a generation. With this in mind, companies need to consider the viability of travel on a case-by-case basis. Its one thing saying that it is safe to go to a specific country, but for maximum safety and security of employees, a one-size-fits-all approach doesnt work. Unique circumstances need to be accounted for so that no person is put in a position where their health or safety is placed at unreasonable risk. At the same time, these circumstances must be tied in with more typical security considerations. Balancing risks with concerns Consider Myanmar where there has recently been a military coup, Germany where there has been devastating flash flooding or South Africa where there is significant upheaval and riots. While a country might have low virus cases, that is not to say that there are no other risks. This is where the travel risk environment has changed  organisations now need to balance the evaluation of virus cases with more traditional operational, security, and political risks. Advice on responding quickly and appropriately COVID-19 has shown businesses to have processes and policies in place to be proactive rather than reactive In this sense, the pandemic has added complexity to business travel  yet this is not necessarily a bad thing. Many companies previously treated crisis management as a box-ticking exercise. There was a perception that crisis management was usually a case of preparing for the things that were never going to happen. Yet in the past 18 months, companies found themselves in a situation where they simply werent equipped to appropriately deal with the consequences of the pandemic. In this sense, COVID-19 has been instrumental in instigating long-lasting change within the industry. It has shown that businesses need to have processes and policies in place, so that if there is a major, unexpected incident  be it a global terror attack or pandemic  then they are ahead of the curve, and able to be proactive rather than reactive. Risk management Having a risk management partner can pay dividends. Risk management service providers can help to empower companies with key insights and critical advice, enabling them to react quickly and appropriately to developments in their regions of interest, and keep employees safe and secure. Situations can be assessed in terms of severity, and advice can be provided in terms of the potential implications, or necessary actions to take. Breaking security situations need to be analysed, to ensure any impacted assets or employees are advised on the appropriate course of action. Combine this context with planned processes, and companies become well placed to react both quickly and appropriately to global developments.
The Very Group is the UKs largest integrated digital retailer and financial services provider. It offers 1,900 brands to its four million customers globally. Due to the companys growth, they built a new state-of-the-art fulfilment centre, close to one million square feet in size, in order to centralise operations and drive efficiency.

Purpose-built and automated facility

The Very Group has historically operated from three fulfilment centres, located in the north of England. Due to their business growth, they needed a new, purpose-built and automated facility, in a central, well-connected location, which could accommodate all one-man fulfilment and returns operations on one site, and that provided room for continued expansion.

The space offered by the new site in the East Midlands region meant that The Very Group can process more orders

The space offered by the new site in the East Midlands region meant that The Very Group can process more orders and use new technology to make the business more responsive, reducing the time it takes to get products to customers.

Security for business growth

The sites position in the East Midlands, adjacent to the M1 and East Midlands Airport, with its own rail freight terminal, will enable the business to increase its cut-off time for next day delivery to midnight from 7 pm, and explore the introduction of same day delivery in the future.

A crucial aspect of the new hub was security  with the need to not only secure the site and the stock inside, but implement solutions which would benefit the wider business too.

Genetec Security Center

The Very Group required a platform that could unite operations and provide the business-wide value that the company was seeking. They approached Grantfen, initially on a consultancy basis, to guide the organisation on the route that it should be taking and the technologies that could support its ambition.

Grantfen quickly recognised the scope of The Very Groups ambitions for a platform that was easy-to-use and that could bring together information from hundreds of different sensors and technologies. It put forward a comprehensive solution, built on the Genetec Security Center unified platform.

Video surveillance, access control, ANPR and security integration

Incorporating video surveillance and analytics, access control, automatic number plate recognition and integration with other key business systems, this allowed The Very Group to deploy state-of-the-art technologies from a range of vendors, including HID Global, Axis Communications and Senstar.

Perhaps the most important solution needed was tracking who was coming in and out of the building, with such a large workforce, combined with inbound and outbound deliveries, the facility has hundreds of people inside at any one time. Previously, security manually searched people selected at random.

Enhanced data security

The Very Group has been able to adapt the solution and write its own code

However, thanks to the robust Genetec software development kit and Grantfens specialist development expertise, The Very Group has been able to adapt the solution and write its own code, in order to use the access control system to implement truly random searches.

This has involved getting permission to hold employee data, but again, thanks to the new system brought together by Genetec Security Center, the data is housed safely.

Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR)

Moving from three fulfilment centres into one, consolidated facility meant a change in operations for The Very Group, and security needed to mirror this evolution. Therefore, with the volume of traffic coming in and out of the site increasing, The Very Group implemented automatic number plate recognition (ANPR).

Heavy goods vehicles could be monitored coming in and out of the site, enabling those in the diary to enter and exit the grounds in an efficient manner. Plus, with timestamps now able to show when vehicles entered or exited the grounds, it helped with yard management and traffic flow, with Security Center able to generate reports on how traffic is moving around the yard.

Car park management and CCTV control room monitoring

Employees are able to take advantage of this system as well, with the ANPR technology recognising them and seamlessly letting them into the car park. This enhanced integration has benefitted other areas of the business too. The CCTV control room is now able to monitor people and freight flow, looking at movements, such as trailers, in order to help maximise efficiencies and ensure high health and safety standards.

The opening of Skygate, our new fulfilment centre, means a new era for the group"

Dean Cooper, Head of Security at The Very Group, commented The opening of Skygate, our new fulfilment centre, means a new era for the group. We are a digitally-led business, and the fact that we are now able to enhance operations and yield more value from security functions, is going to help us operationally. Genetec and Grantfen have played a huge part in accelerating our sophistication in this area and I look forward to how we can gain increasing insights from all that the technology has to offer.

Efficient inter-departmental collaboration

While the roll-out has been relatively recent, the positive effects are already being felt across the business. This has led to future plans about what else could be introduced, all underpinned by Genetec Security Center.

Genetec Security Center is helping to improve inter-departmental collaboration, thanks to its reporting functions, alongside benefiting operations and ensuring the security of the facility. We are an ambitious business, and as we grow, we need a system that will continue to evolve with our requirements. Genetec enables this, and alongside its deep integration and leading analytics, we look forward to continuing the partnership over years to come, concluded Dean Cooper.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP)  The conservative activist lawyer that sued China for $20 trillion over the coronavirus pandemic is now seeking $5 million in a defamation lawsuit against Donald Trump ally Roger Stone over comments he made on a social media site popular with far-right extremists.

Larry Klayman filed the lawsuit in Palm Beach County, Florida, on Monday, arguing the political provocateur made a false statement about his status as a lawyer and levied a false accusation that Klayman had molested his children.

Stone posted a comment on Gab that called Klayman a warped former lawyer that the 11th circuit found guilty of molesting his own children. After Klayman demanded it be taken down, Stone posted a clarification that further insulted Klayman by referring to a profanity. Stone also made additional harmful and false claims, the suit said.

While Klayman was suspended from practicing law in Washington, D.C., he remains a lawyer licensed in Florida. Klayman said in the lawsuit that his ex-wife made a false claim against him about sexually inappropriate contact with their children during a messy divorce and custody battle. He says the claim was investigated and he was never charged with a crime.

A call to Stone's cellphone was unanswered and his voicemail was full.

Stone was charged by the Justice Department in special counsel Robert Muellers Russia investigation and convicted at trial of lying to Congress, tampering with a witness and obstructing the House investigation into whether the Trump campaign coordinated with Russia to tip the 2016 election. Trump later commuted Stones sentence and pardoned him.

Klayman, the founder of Judicial Watch and Freedom Watch, is known for his numerous lawsuits, often targeting Democratic politicians. He's also sued his own mother, as well as China, accusing the country of unleashing COVID-19 as a biological weapon.

Klayman's clients have included George Zimmerman in a lawsuit against the family of Trayvon Martin, the Black unarmed teenager Zimmerman killed while volunteering on a neighborhood watch.
JERUSALEM (AP)  Israel's new government is set to grant its first major approval of West Bank settlement construction, but will also include a rare authorization of construction for Palestinian areas as well in the upcoming announcement, according to an Israeli security official.

The mixed messages appear to be aimed at bolstering the Palestinian Authority while also trying to blunt international opposition to Israeli settlement construction on occupied lands.

The official said that Israel next week is expected to formally authorize the construction of some 1,000 homes for Palestinians.

The bulk of those homes will be near Jenin, a city in the northern West Bank, he said. He spoke on condition of anonymity pending formal approval.

The construction is to take place in Area C, the parts of the occupied West Bank placed under full Israeli control under past peace accords. Palestinians in those areas have long said it is virtually impossible to get construction permits from Israeli authorities.

At the same time, Israel plans to authorize construction of 2,000 new settlement homes next week, the official said.

Israel captured the West Bank, along with east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, in the 1967 Mideast war. The Palestinians want to establish an independent state in the three areas.

The international community overwhelmingly considers Israeli settlements illegal and obstacles to peace. Israel has also come under heavy international criticism for stifling Palestinian development in Area C.

Israel's new coalition government includes a number of hardline parties that support the settlements, and Prime Minister Naftali Bennett himself is a former leader of the settlement movement.

But Israel has come under American pressure to improve conditions for the Palestinians and to shore up the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority, which administers semi-autonomous areas in the West Bank.

The announcement came as CIA Director William Burns was in Israel for talks with top officials. There was no immediate U.S. or Palestinian reaction.
NEW YORK (AP)  Purdue Pharma's quest to settle thousands of lawsuits over the toll of OxyContin and its other prescription opioid painkillers entered its final phase Thursday with the grudging support of many of those who have claims against the company.

But the lingering opposition from some state attorneys general took center stage in the first day of a confirmation hearing in U.S. Bankruptcy Court about the companys reorganization plan.

Questions from a lawyer representing Connecticut voiced the concern that states are being forced to accept the deal with both Purdue and members of the wealthy Sackler family who own the company.

The attorney, Irve Goldman, essentially asked John Dubel, a corporate turnaround expert who was installed as a member of Purdues board of directors two years ago, why states should not go to trial.

Is it a reasonable view for a creditor or sovereign state to want their claims resolved through an adversarial process so their view of justice should be served? Goldman asked.

Dubel said he understood that states have that complaint, but added: We have 95-plus percent support from all of our creditors and that the Sacklers planned contribution to the settlement is fair and equitable.

The confirmation hearing, which could stretch out over two weeks, comes nearly two years after Purdue filed for bankruptcy as a way to settle about 3,000 legal claims filed against it by state and local governments, Native American tribes and others.

In addition to cash from the Sacklers, the company is asking a judge to approve the company being remade into an entity that's no longer owned by the family, with its profits dedicated to abating the opioid crisis.

As Dubel noted, most of the groups with claims against Purdue are on board with the settlement plan after years of negotiations.

Those with claims against Purdue were given a vote on the settlement, though U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Robert Drain is not bound by the results. Well over 90% of most groups of creditors said they approved, according to court filings.

On Thursday, an official with the company that counted the votes acknowledged that the support reflects only those who cast ballots. The majority of the more than 600,000 people and entities who were eligible to vote did not.

A group of Democratic state attorneys general were among the last to get on board. Until July, top state government lawyers were divided nearly evenly on whether to accept the deal.

Several of the opponents signed on after Purdue agreed to make many company records public and Sackler family members agreed to accelerate payments and increase payments. They've now agreed to provide a total of $4.5 billion in the form of cash and control of a charitable fund.

In response to questions, Dubel also said that the possibility that the settlement would fall apart is why the company has not shared with the court communications from its lawyers about the legal risks faced by the Sacklers.

We are still not certain that this plan will be confirmed, he testified, and we dont have full certainty that the payments will be made over the next nine years.

An analysis commissioned by a group of state attorneys general before changes in the agreement found the estimated wealth of the Sackler family could rise from $10.7 billion in 2020 to $14.6 billion by 2030 because of investment returns and interest.

David Sackler, a grandson of one of the three brothers who nearly 70 years ago bought the company that became Purdue, made a written declaration in court supporting the settlement and could be called to testify on it in the coming days.

Activist groups held a rally Monday outside the White Plains, New York, courthouse where Drain is based, urging him not to approve the deal.

They are opioid profiteers who have caused mass death and they sit pretty in this court, one of the activists, Megan Kapler, said at the protest. And it's not right.

The Purdue case is the highest-profile part of a vast landscape of litigation over an opioid epidemic that has been linked to more than 500,000 U.S. deaths since 2000, including those from prescription drugs such as OxyContin and generic painkillers, along with illicit drugs including heroin and illegally produced fentanyl.

In recent months, claims against other companies in the drug industry have gone to trial in California, New York and West Virginia, with more on tap in coming months. Some other firms are also settling. Drugmaker Johnson & Johnson and distribution companies AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health and McKesson are seeking state and local government acceptance of a deal worth $26 billion. Purdue's case was separated from the others when the company filed for the bankruptcy protection.

The company says its plan could be worth $10 billion over time. Profits and money already in the company's coffers would be used to abate the opioid crisis, funding treatment programs and education campaigns.

The value of the deal also includes the value of drugs Purdue is developing to reverse overdoses and inhibit addiction.

A portion of the money would also go to individual victims and their families. Payouts are expected to range from about $3,500 to $48,000.

Ed Neiger, a lawyer representing victims, said ahead of the hearing that he would tell Drain that its better to approve the settlement plan than to have years more of court battles with Purdue and the Sacklers.

The plan must be analyzed in light of the alternative, not a comparison to the ideal, Neiger said in an interview. Five hundred thousand people have died as result of the opioid crisis thus far. If we go the all-out litigation route, another 500,000 might die before we see a penny from the Sacklers.

___

Associated Press video journalist Ted Shaffrey in White Plains, New York, contributed to this report.
PORTSMOUTH, R.I. (AP)  A group of activists blocked the entrance to a Raytheon plant in Rhode Island on Thursday morning to protest what they allege is the company's role in the killing of civilians" and other human rights abuses."

Some members of a group called the Fang Collective chained themselves to two vehicles next to the guard shack at the entrance to the Portsmouth plant at about 6 a.m.
STAMFORD  The COVID-19 vaccinations already mandated for city employees may soon be required for school employees as well.

Some Stamford Board of Education members weighed in on the issue Tuesday night, with most agreeing that mandating the vaccine, while giving employees the opt-out option of taking a COVID-19 test weekly, was appropriate.

Members Jackie Heftman and Andy George supported the measure, but members Becky Hamman and Jackie Pioli said they could not support forcing the vaccine on employees.

The discussion took place during a meeting of the boards Policy Committee. For the mandate to become reality, the entire board would need to approve it.

Fritz Chery, another board member, initially agreed with Pioli and Hamman but eventually sided with the majority.

I would not be in support of requiring that teachers get the vaccination, Chery said. Though I actively help everyone in my community get it, I dont think anyone should be forced to get it. I believe it is their own decision.

But Heftman reminded members that employees would would have the option of taking a weekly COVID-19 test instead.

Chery said the weekly test would be a reasonable alternative.

If they have that option to not be forced to take the vaccine and just get tested every week, then I would be okay with that, he said.

Superintendent Tamu Lucero said most of the districts staff is vaccinated, but did not provide a percentage of employees who have gotten the vaccine.

Last week, Mayor David Martin announced that all city employees must be fully vaccinated by the second week of September because of rising COVID-19 numbers statewide and locally. Employees can request an exemption for medical or religious reasons.

The latest data, presented by Martin during a virtual press conference Tuesday, shows that Stamford is averaging 23 new COVID-19 cases a day. In comparison, the rate of new daily cases in mid-June was less than half of one.

On Tuesday, Martin reinstated the citys mask mandate for all indoor events and activities, and some outdoor ones.

He also urged the Board of Education to mandate the vaccine, something he does not have authority over.

Ken Weinstock, attorney for the school board, said a vaccine mandate would be within the boards jurisdiction.

The city and board would be within their right for that decision because an employer does have the right to issue reasonable work rules that are designed to protect employee health and safety, he said.

The Connecticut State Board of Labor Relations, Weinstock said, would determine if the board is required to bargain over the decision with the various labor unions in the district. But he said the labor board has previously ruled that management has the right to address an emergency situation.

One could easily say that this is an emergency situation, Weinstock said.

During the meeting, Heftman argued for requiring vaccines.

I really do think that this delta variant has wreaked such havoc on this country that if we dont try to get everyone vaccinated, who knows what the next variant is going to do, Heftman said.

While most of the discussion focused on local issues, Hamman expanded the discussion to the national response to the COVID-19 virus and the delta variant, repeating unsubstantiated information that immigrants were being allowed into the country without vaccines or tests.

Heftman responded, What does that have to do with anything?

We have a lot of them in Stamford, Hamman said.

Afterwards, conversation pivoted back to local concerns and Chery eventually proposed a semantics change that gained some support on the board.

I would think that we should say, We would want everyone to do the weekly test, and the alternative would be to show proof of being vaccinated, he said.

George liked the suggestion.

Using the word mandate, thats just a red flag for people, he said.

ignacio.laguarda@stamfordadvocate.com
As John Steinbeck once said, this is the summer of our discontent. More COVID-19 craziness, sweltering heat, wildfires blazing across the Western frontier, and inflation blazing on the economic frontier. Id love to go on vacation, but all that anxiety keeps me locked up in my room.

The CDC would be happy, since they told Americans to stay out of 70 countries because of COVID. I guess I can kiss my vacation to Libya goodbye.

However, some people are more daring than the rest of us. I got the shock of my life when I discovered that my Italian daughter and her fiancee were inspired by the movie City Slickers to fly to a dude ranch in Montana and do what our people do best  rope steers, ride the dusty trails, gnaw on chewing tobacco, shoot shotguns and dance with wolves. (Italians do the tarantella with wolves.)

My first reaction was, Why the heck didnt they go to the Holy Land or Tuscany or some place where you could get a cannoli?

My second reaction was, You gotta be kidding me, when my wife told me that in addition to the organic spa products, they received a can of bear spray (non-organic) to keep away the grizzlies and mountain lions. I dont know what they gave them for rattlers.

I wondered what motivated this career girl with a job in Midtown Manhattan to head to the Great Plains and stay at a 37,000-acre working ranch, where Black Angus cows roamed through the pastures and elk wandered around like pigeons in Central Park. Was it the cattle drives, the hoedowns, the whitewater rafting or the axe-throwing? Hey, we have axe-throwing in Connecticut. Theres no need to leave home.

This is a kid whose idea of adventure used to be an afternoon shopping at Nordstrom with lunch at 21, so I wonder what happened when she got in line at the chuck wagon for an evening entree of bison tacos and bear stew.

I realize now that shes on the cutting edge because Beyonce just launched a Western clothes line with denim chaps and everything the stylish cowgirl needs to make a fashion statement at the rodeo or on Rodeo Drive. I cant wait to buy one of her 10-gallon hats to wear on Metro-North.

On the first day, my daughter did clay target shooting with a 20-gauge shotgun and then rode her stallion along the ridge, which was the closest shes ever been to a horse, except for that time on the carousel at Lake Compounce.

She got these genes from her mother, who had her own pony as a little girl and wanted to be like Annie Oakley, who shot playing cards with a Marlin 22-caliber rifle manufactured in New Haven while standing on a galloping steed.

And just like Brad Pitt in A River Runs Through It, my daughter went fly fishing on the legendary Blackfoot River and reeled in a rainbow trout. At that point, I got envious.

I always wanted to live in a state with great trout streams, where people have names such as Dusty, Rusty and Lusty. Im a rugged individualist at heart even though I wear my face mask 24/7 and carry a bottle of hand sanitizer in my shirt pocket.

Dude ranches began 140 years ago when Teddy Roosevelt  a Harvard graduate, Rough Rider, conservationist and our 26th president  popularized the idea of Western adventure. He was a sickly kid who loved natural history and was drawn to the West so much that he bought a ranch in the Dakotas.

The term dude described the cultural elitists of that time, who were rich intellectual snobs  just like the cultural elitists of today. Wealthy Easterners went west to see how the other half lived and got to play cowboys with real guns.

Nowadays, to avoid class distinctions and the derogatory connotation of dude, theyre called guest ranches, which is a good idea because this country is already polarized enough.

As I see it, dude ranches can unite this nation the way Joe Biden promised he would, but probably forgot. Were from a blue state and theyre from a red state, so we could spend some quality time together around the campfire and bury the hatchet. Or better yet, we can throw the hatchet and then jump into the hot tub, put some Connecticut-grown weed in the peace pipe, and enjoy a Montana Black Angus steak ... until the CDC outlaws red meat.

Former Stamford Advocate and Greenwich Time Editor Joe Pisani can be reached at joefpisani@yahoo.com
Dear editor,

I have worked alongside Alexis Gevanter as a volunteer leader with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America for almost three years and I fully endorse her for the Connecticut state Senate! Together, Alexis and I have spent many hours planning events, vigils, presentations, and legislative meetings within Connecticut. As our chapter leader, Alexis organized and managed advocates with compassion and diligence. She has never once shied away from an opportunity to converse with legislators and to clearly, effectively, and passionately educate them on policies that could keep our families and communities safer.

I am a surviving teacher of the Sandy Hook School tragedy in 2012 and Alexis and I have spoken at great length about the impact gun violence has on families and communities. She knows, from working alongside those directly impacted by gun violence, the aftermath and challenges families face. As a mother she, like so many in America, worries about safety. But Alexis has chosen to turn fear into action by stepping up and speaking up, first as an activist and now as a candidate for state senate. Vote for Alexis Gevanter  she will be a strong, empathetic leader in Hartford who will advocate for the well-being of families in the 36th District.

Abbey Clements is a teacher and gun violence prevention activist from Danbury.
Weber, Morgan counties to debate masking in schools

OGDEN  The debate about masking in schools is coming to Weber and Morgan counties. That doesn't necessarily mean any sort of action or mask mandate is in the offing, though. Gage Froerer, a Weber County commissioner and member of the Weber-Morgan Board of Health, said the feedback he's received  more than 100 messages from the public so far  has been largely critical of the notion of pursuing any sort of mask requirement. Whatever the case, the Board of Health, the governing body for the Weber-Morgan Health Department, is to address the thorny issue of mask use in schools at ...
Kevin ODonnell, who served as CAN DO director and president since 1984, retired as president and chief executive officer last year.

A celebration of his career  he started with the organization in 1973  was interrupted by the pandemic. That celebration is set for the coming weeks, including a special section appearing in the Standard-Speaker this month.

According to CAN DO, more than 20,000 jobs were created in Greater Hazleton by the organization during ODonnells tenure.

During the 35 years under his leadership, CAN DO expanded or launched three industrial parks, Valmont, Humboldt and McAdoo; the CAN DO Corporate Center in Drums; and Humboldt Station, a commercial park located just off Interstate 81 at Route 924.

Humboldt Industrial Park has become one of the largest industrial parks in Pennsylvania, stretching five miles long and two and a half miles at its widest point.

Forty-seven years seems like a long time, but it actually went by much too quickly, ODonnell said via teleconference at his final board meeting late last year. Its time for me to step aside, and let the new leaders take over. And its time for me to do the things I could never do before  spend more time with my children and grandchildren, which I am looking forward to very much.
The Romanian Navy will hold on Sunday, August 15, in the military port of Constanta, an anniversary ceremony dedicated to the Romanian Navy Day and, for the second consecutive year, the event can be watched by the public in the media, according to the Navy Staff (SMFN).

The 119th edition of the Romanian Navy Day can be watched live from 09:50hrs, in the media and on the Facebook page of the Romanian Navy.

"The ceremony will begin with the reception of the official person, at 09:55hrs, and the review of the Guard of Honor, which includes soldiers from the Romanian Navy, soldiers from the UK and the United States of America. At 10:00hrs, the flags will be raised on board the military ships, to the tunes of the Romanian National Anthem, simultaneously with 21 cannon salvos, which will be fired by the soldiers of the 345th Tomis Artillery Battalion, and the 9th Marasesti Mechanised Brigade. The event continues with the awarding of the battle flags to the 56th Contraamiral Horia Macelariu Frigate Flotilla and to the Comandor Alexandru Catuneanu Hydrographic Directorate, followed by a speech from the official person," according to SMFN.At the end of the ceremony, around 11:00hrs, the military port will be flown over by a formation of combat aircraft, consisting of Puma Naval helicopters of the Romanian Navy, an IAR Puma helicopter, MIG-21 and F-16 aircraft of the Romanian Air Force, British Typhoon aircraft and an American P-8 multi-mission maritime aircraft."People on the seafront of the Constanta Casino and on the beaches of the north coast, will be able to watch, on Sunday, August 15, 11:00hrs-13.00hrs, a parade of ships from Constanta to Midia. The naval formation will be led by the Marasesti frigate (F-111) and made up of the Viceamiral Constantin Balescu (PM-274) minesweeper, the Contraamiral Horia Macellariu' corvette (Cvt-265), the Locotenent Lupu Dinescu minesweeper (DM-25), the Turkish frigate Yavuz (F-240), a maritime patrol ship of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, a mission ship of the Romanian Agency for the Salvation of Human Life at Sea, and the navy parade will end with sailboats of traditional sailing enthusiasts."The Romanian Navy Day will end with a retreat of the sailors with torches, at 20:30hrs, on the route Casino - Fleet Command - Ovidiu Square, as well as a fireworks show organised by the City Hall of Constanta.
The Hellenic Union of Romania (UER) is running a 30-day humanitarian campaign called "Helping the Greek People" in the wake of devastating wildfires roaring in Greece.

"Greece is once again shaken by the scale of devastating fires that saddens the souls of Greeks and pro-Greeks everywhere. Given the circumstances, UER launched on August 9, 2021,a 30-days humanitarian campaign dubbed 'Helping the Greek People'. UER partners in this endeavor are the Romanian National Television Broadcasting Corporation and the National Red Cross Society of Romania," according to MP Dragos Gabriel Zisopol, the chairman of UER.

Anyone wishing to join in the humanitarian campaign can donate money to the accounts RO47RNCB0072005055780028 (lei) and RO20RNCB0072005055780029 (euro) or 2 euro by text message to 8825, as well as non-perishable food, which will be collected at all offices of the UER and the National Red Cross of Romania subsidiaries.
The Irish Ambassador to Romania, Paul McGarry, on Thursday paid a visit to Iasi to meet the organisers of the Romanian Film Evenings Festival, which reached its 12th edition, alongside film critic Irina Margareta Nistor and the representatives of the "Petre Andrei" University from Iasi, agerpres reports.

The first visit of the Ambassador of Ireland to Iasi is occasioned by the 12th edition of the Romanian Film Evenings Festival, where there will also be screened, for the first time in Romania, the feature film "Adam&Paul," directed by Lenny Abrahamson.

Paul McGarry talked about the film at a press conference, and about the part played by Romanian actor Ion Caramitru, who is also the one this edition of the film festival is dedicated to.Film critic Irina Margareta Nistor also talked about the part played by Ion Caramitru in the same film: "Mr. Caramitru is very fond of this film and the role he plays in it. I was glad that he helped us bring it here. The film was not presented in Romania while he wanted everyone to see it, to see him playing in it, although he doesn't have a large part but still a very surprising one," she said.In his turn, the organizer of the festival, Andrei Giurgia, underscored the importance of cultural transfer."Here, in a Romanian festival, we bring films from other countries (...). The fact that Mr. Caramitru plays a role in this film was very appreciated by the criticism of Ireland," said Andrei Giurgia.The 12th edition of the Romanian Film Evenings Festival, dedicated to actor Ion Caramitru, brings to Iasi, between August 11-15, a series of Romanian collection films, the latest Romanian cinematographic pieces and many actors, directors and Romanian screenwriters who will answer public questions after projections.
A representative delegation of the leaders of the Romanian minority in Ukraine had a round of consultations, on Thursday, in Bucharest, with the Secretary of State for Strategic Affairs, Dan Neculaescu, at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE).

During the consultations, shows MAE, "there was a broad exchange of views on the impact of changes in Ukrainian legislation on the rights of persons belonging to the Romanian minority in Ukraine, as well as on effective and sustainable ways to maintain the level of Romanian ethnic rights, primarily the one regarding education in the mother tongue".

According to the cited source, Secretary of State Dan Neculaescu made a presentation of the actions undertaken by Romania as a result of the adoption of new legislative regulations in Ukraine, including of the stage of negotiations with a view to agreeing on the Romanian-Ukrainian Bilateral Cooperation Protocol in education, of the Romanian side's efforts aimed at relaunching the activity of the Romanian-Ukrainian Joint Intergovernmental Committee on the protection of the rights of people belonging to national minorities, the MAE's steps to initiate negotiations for the conclusion of a Comprehensive Agreement on the protection of the rights of people belonging to national minorities.

At the same time, the Romanian official stressed that the MAE "acted consistently with the Ukrainian side when developments with a negative impact on the rights of Romanian ethnics were reported. Moreover, the Secretary of State also showed that in the bilateral dialogue with the Ukrainian authorities, the Romanian side "constantly reiterated its expectation that Ukraine would offer a comprehensive solution to the problem of the right to education in the mother tongue for ethnic Romanians."

The Secretary of State noted the concern of the Romanian minority's representatives with the draft of a new Ukrainian law aimed at regulating the exercise of their identity rights and reiterated the stance on the need for substantial consultation in the adoption process of the normative act.

He also referred to the fact that the Romanian side obtained in the dialogue with the Ukrainian side the recognition of the identity between the Romanian language and the so-called "Moldovan language", which must be reflected in the Ukrainian legislation and norms, namely the recognition of the non-existence of the so-called "Moldovan language".

Other issues addressed concerned the prospects for the operationalization of the Romanian Cultural Institute in Kiev and its branch in Chernivtsi, as well as the establishment of a consular office in Ismail.

The representatives of the Romanian minority underlined the usefulness and propriety of the direct dialogue with the authorities in Bucharest and voiced their support for Romania's efforts to protect the rights of persons belonging to its related minority in Ukraine.

The delegation includes leaders of the Romanian associative and academic environment from the Chernivtsi, Odessa and Transcarpathian regions, and, on Thursday, has scheduled meetings with representatives of the Presidential Administration, the Department of Relations with Romanians Abroad, the Department of Romanians Everywhere, the Institute Romanian Cultural and the Ministry of Education.
The most newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the last report were registered in Bucharest - 101 and in the counties of Ilfov - 35, Suceava - 24, Cluj - 18 and Bistrita-Nasaud - 12, the Strategic Communication Group informed on Thursday.

In three counties there were were no new cases of COVID-19 registered.

All counties and the Bucharest Municipality remain in the green scenario from the standpoint of infections with the novel coronavirus, the highest incidence per thousand inhabitants being in the County of Ilfov - 0.31.
The photography exhibition "Curtea de Arges - a retrospective," with pictures from the AGERPRES archive will be varnished on Thursday at the Basarabilor Hall at the Curtea de Arges Municipal Museum.

The exhibition includes 30 photographs showing Curtea de Arges, with the oldest ones showing the church built at the order of Neagoe Basarab dating back in 1938. Besides these, there will be exhibited pictures made during the visit of Patriarch Alexei of Russia in 1947 and King Mihai I's visit to Romania in 1992, as well as pictures taken in various areas of the city during the communist era.

The most recent pictures were taken at the funerals of Queen Ana and King Mihai I."We want to show these images, pass them on, for they are images, such as those showing Patriarch Alexei of Russia in 1947 that really surprised me. (...) As he was very well informed he did not only go to the monastery but he also went to the most important monument of Medieval architecture, the Saint Nicolae Royal Church," local counselor Stefan Dumitrache, the former head of the Curtea de Arges Municipal Museum, said.The current head of the same institution, Gabriel Moisescu, appreciated the historical value of the pictures from the AGERPRES archive and launched an invitation to a new collaboration."I am certain that you also have in your archive images showing the Transfagarasan Road. I think it will be interesting to make an exhibition with those too," said Gabriel Moisescu.Visitors will also be able to admire a series of photographs taken from the archive of the Curtea de Arges Municipal Museum, dating back in the inter-war period.The exhibition, made by National News Agency AGERPRES and the Curtea de Arges Municipal Museum will be opened until September 7.
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August 12, 2021: The new hardline government of Iran, imposed by the religious dictatorship despite increased public hostility against such moves, is running into multiple problems. The most serious issue is that foreign nations the new government hoped to intimidate were enraged instead and are pushing, and fighting back. This is popular with most Iranians who agree with the foreigners that the religious dictatorship should be gone.

The new government is concentrating on getting sanctions lifted while areas where Iranian military operations are present are providing more resistance to the Iranian aggression.

Arab states, including Iraq, are seeking help from Israel and the United States to improve air defenses against Iranian ballistic missiles and UAVs used as cruise missiles. The Americans point out that the most successful weapons against the Iranian missiles and UAVs have been developed by Israel, which now has diplomatic relations with the UAE, and other Arab states are considering doing the same because Israel is the most technically advanced country in the region and a primary target for Iranian aggression. Israel has also been the most successful at fighting back against Iran. This is popular in Arab countries, as is the Iranian inability to retaliate against Israel.

In Syria, Russia and Turkey are supposed to be Iranian allies but are less frequently acting the part. Russia sent forces to Syria in 2015 to help preserve its old Cold War era ally the Assads. This was done for the benefit of Russia, not Syria or Iran. Russia was the second foreign power to come to the aid of the Assads, Iran had already been helping keep their old Shia ally, the Assads, in power. Iran had more ambitious goals, as in increasing its threat against Israel. A year after the Russians showed up, the Turks sent in troops, but actually depended on Syrian mercenaries.

The Russians hoped to rebuild the Syria military. That proved impossible and the only alternative was hiring local or foreign mercenaries, which the Iranians, Turks, Americans and Syrians all relied on. By 2015 the pre-2011 Syrian military was gone for good and improving the equipment and air support for the Syrian forces merely made it easier for the Assad troops to play defense, which is all they really wanted to do after several years of civil war. Eventually Russia began hiring some Syrian mercenaries as well, if only to help eliminate the last remnant of ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) in eastern Syria. Russia was content to let the Israelis keep the Iranian forces busy and taking heavy damage trying to destroy Israel.

For centuries Turkey, Iran and Russia were all antagonists, not allies, and their seeming alliance in Syria was all a mirage. All three of these allies are scheming against each other. Russia notes that Turkey is selling weapons to Ukraine, where Russian forces are still at war with Ukraine. Turkey is also trying to repair its damaged relationship with NATO, and that means reneging on weapons purchases from Russia and other forms of anti-Russian behavior. Russia is sticking it to Iran by backing Israel and the efforts of Arab states to replace Iran as the protector of the Assad government.

The Turks play defense, adding layers of protection to their border to prevent any of the Idlib residents from getting into Turkey. Iran doesnt care and is content to let the Turks deal with Idlib while Iranian resources concentrate on Israel.

As long as the Islamic terrorists remain in Idlib, ISIL in the east and Iranians near the Israeli border, the Syria civil war will not be over. The only ones who cannot walk away from this are the Assads, Turkey and Israel. Russia depicts itself as the good guy interested only in peace and prosperity. That leaves Iran as the real interloper and troublemaker. Dealing with Iran has been a headache for Turkey and Russia for centuries while the Arabs have several thousand years of bad experiences with the Iranian threat. In other words, Iran is difficult to deal with, something everyone can agree on.

Iran wants to repeat in Syria what it has been doing in Yemen for several years. In Yemen Iran perfected an effective way to attack Saudi Arabia by arming Shia rebels in Yemen with over a thousand ballistic missiles and UAVs during the last seven years. Most of these were aimed at southwestern Saudi Arabia. Less than one percent of those UAVs and missiles hit anything of consequence in Saudi Arabia. Iran is seeking to carry out a similar campaign against Israel using Iran backed militias in Syria. That has not been working out so far because Israeli intelligence capabilities and airstrikes have been much more effective in Syria than Saudi efforts in Yemen. This despite the fact that Israel and Saudi Arabia have similar aircraft, smart bombs and air defense systems.

Iraqs Shia controlled government faces different threats; internal corruption and Iranian efforts to turn Iraq into a client state or unofficial part of the Iranian Shia Islamic empire. This time you have about 90 percent of Iraqi very much opposed to corruption. There were regular gatherings for large anti-corruption demonstrations that continued. Many of these demonstrations are anti-Iran as well. While corrupt Iraqi officials and pro-Iran Shias are on the defensive, they are still a major factor in Iraq and Iraqis in general dont want this to degenerate into another war. They just want less corruption and a major reduction in Iranian efforts to control Iraq.

Yemen

Iran is running the Shia rebel operations. Iran is their main source of outside support and the Iranian ambassador, one of the few in the rebel-occupied capital, is a former Quds Force general who is in Yemen more as a Quds Force commander than a diplomat. This ambassador doesnt make many requests, but he does issue a lot of orders. The IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) is the separate military force formed in the 1980s to protect the religious dictatorship that has ruled Iran since the 1980s. The Quds Force is a component of the IRGC that starts, supervises and sustains foreign rebellions and terror campaigns to expand Iranian power and keep potential enemies on the defensive. The IRGC is also the main component of the radical faction in the Iranian government. The radicals, who put the expansion of Iranian power above everything else, are at war with the nationalists in the Iranian leadership that want to emphasize improving the economy and living standards for Iranians. The religious rulers of Iran see the nationalists as a threat and have given radicals, including the Quds Force, more power and resources in 2021. Yemen is seen as the cheapest and most successful of Irans overseas wars. Those in Syria, Lebanon and Iraq are all suffering setbacks and embarrassing Iranian defeats. In Yemen Iran is regularly and inexpensively attacking archenemy Saudi Arabia directly. Its not just the Shia rebels of northern Yemen who are the problem, but the Iranian ballistic missile and cruise missile attacks on Saudi Arabia as well as the growing use of naval mines in the Red Sea and land mines wherever the Shia rebels are operating. This is why the Shia rebels refuse to discuss any peace deal that includes the removal of Iranian operations from Yemen. In typical Iranian fashion, the Iranian government denies that it is behind the continuing violence in Yemen. That sort of worked for a while after the current civil war broke out in 2014. After a few years Iran admitted, or, rather, an IRGC general boasted that Iran had been covertly supporting an uprising among the Shia Arab tribes of Yemen for years before 2014. Many Yemenis knew this but were ignored for a long time because Yemen was famous for its many conspiracy theories and scammers. Yemen has long been rated as one the most corrupt nations on the planet and that plays a large part in Iranian success at continuing to smuggle weapons and Iranian personnel into Yemen. If you know who to bribe and can afford it, anything is possible.

The Iranian problem is that Shia Arabs are a minority in Yemen and Saudi Arabia. There are lots of Shia Arab tribes just across the border in southwest Saudi Arabia but those tribes have been well treated by the Saudis and see no point in supporting their violent cousins across the border. The Saudis continue taking care of their Shia subjects by preventing the hundreds of Iranian missiles (mostly ballistic or cruise types) from hitting anything valuable (property or people) in the southwest. Iran continues to deny any involvement in all those attacks, and insists its just resourceful Shia tribesmen building ballistic missiles and explosives laden UAVs used on one-way trips as cruise missiles using their own resources. No one, including Iran or Shia Arab rebels believe that but that remains the official position of the rebels and Iran.

The most powerful weapon Iran and Yemens Shia rebels have is the disunity of the rest of Yemen. The Sunni tribes in the south want autonomy or a separate state, a situation that was the norm for centuries. A united Yemen is a relatively new concept, only achieved in the 1990s. In the north, where the Shia tribes predominate, there are Sunni tribes that oppose the civil war, as well as a growing number of Shia Arabs. There are also disagreements among the Arab oil states, mainly the Saudis and the UAE, on how to deal with the Iranian threat in Yemen.

Unable to do much about Saudi air power, Iran has increased its efforts to disrupt traffic in the Red Sea, where several major Saudi ports handle most of the imports for western Saudi and a network of pipelines and ship loading facilities that soon will be able to handle all of Saudi oil exports. Suez Canal traffic passes through the Red Sea and the second largest Yemeni port is on the Red Sea. All this justifies the increased Iranian efforts to covertly use naval mines in the Red Sea. While these are Iranian mines, its proxy Yemen Shia rebels take credit for placing the mines in the water. Hundreds of these mines have been placed off the Yemen Red Sea coast in the last few years but the damage so far has been minor. No ships have been sunk, despite the fact that a small percentage of the mines were more modern and deadly bottom mines that rest on the ocean floor in shallow water (no more than 60 meters/190 feet deep) and use pressure sensors to detect a target and detonate. The Iranian bottom mines seen off Yemen so far are not the most modern design and suitable only for shallower (20 meters) coastal waters. Perhaps the less-effective mines were used on purpose, to disrupt shipping, but not sink a lot of it because that might create a major international uproar and calls for international military action against Iran.

With all this in mind, Iranian efforts in Yemen are not crazy, risky or expensive. But they are causing more pushback by the many foreign enemies Iran has made. Many of those foes in the West have imposed crippling sanctions on Iran and the increasingly aggressive Iranian efforts to disrupt Red Sea traffic is not having the desired effect.

August 11, 2021: President Raisi nominated a wanted (by Interpol) terrorist, Ahmad Vahidi, to be Interior Minister. Vahidi is wanted in Argentina for involvement in a 1994 attack on a Jewish community center. Vahidi is believed to have helped carry out other terror attacks as well. This brought him recognition and rewards in Iran, as a Quds Force officer and cabinet minister. In 2009 he was appointed Defense Minister and served until 2013. He joined the Quds Force from 1983, reached the rank of general and remained a Quds Force officer while serving as a cabinet minister. Raisi has nominated several other cabinet ministers with an IRGC background, causing Iranians to refer to his ministers as the IRGC Cabinet. The hardliners are definitely in charge.

August 10, 2021: In Syria (port of Latakia) Iranian tanker docked there experienced an onboard explosion that led to a fire and some casualties. The tanker was smuggling oil to Syria. Israel has interfered with these tankers in the past.

In Ethiopia, satellite photos have shown several Iranian Mohajer-6 UAVs at an airbase, along with a truck mounted ground station. The Mohajer-6, which entered service in 2017, seems to be a copy of the original Israeli Heron UAV, which entered service in the 1990s and was one of the Israeli UAVs that led to the larger American Predator. The Heron has undergone several major upgrades since the 1990s but the Mohajer-6 appears to be the same weight as the 1990s Heron but equipped to carry two laser guided missiles. Ethiopia usually buys its UAVs from Israel, but few Israeli UAVs are equipped to carry weapons. Israeli UAVs specialize in reconnaissance and surveillance, passing on target information to ground and air force. That works inside Israel but some UAV customers requested armed models. Ethiopia apparently needed some armed UAVs fast and the Iranians had some Mohajer-6s available. Ethiopia is currently dealing with another rebellion, this time in the north, adjacent to Eritrea.

August 9, 2021: The U.S. announced new sanctions on individuals and companies associated with Iran-backed armed groups in Lebanon, Syria and Iraq. This makes it more difficult for these individuals and companies to do business, especially when it is traced to those militias. Ibrahim Raisi, the new president of Iran, has been appointing officials to senior posts who are already sanctioned by the United States. Raisi was an infamous judge and prosecutors during the 1980s and responsible for the execution of thousands of Iranian accused or suspected of disloyalty towards the then new religious dictatorship that had replaced the monarchy in 1979. Ever since then many Iranians refer to Raisi with uncomplimentary nicknames referring to his early career as a mass murder.

August 8, 2021: In the northwest (West Azerbaijan Province), several days of protests, over the death of a prominent local Kurd, ended with the arrival of riot police. At least 40 protestors were injured and over fifty were arrested. The local population is predominantly Kurd and Turkic. This is where the borders of Iraq, Turkey and Iran meet and Kurdish separatist groups from Iraq and Iran are active.

August 7, 2021: In eastern Syria (Deir Ezzor province), numerous Israeli air strikes against Iranian bases outside Mayadeen city have led Iran to bring in air-defense radars and mobile SAM (Surface-to Air Missile) units to the area. This is an effort to discourage Israel from continuing their airstrikes. The Iranians have also installed a radar for detecting low flying UAVs Syrian and Russian air defense systems have been unable to stop the Israeli attacks and now the Iranians are seeking to show the Syrians and Russians what effective air defense is. The Israeli response has been more airstrikes. Iran is trying to turn this area, just west of the Euphrates River, as major logistics and training center for its Syrian operations against Israel. So far that effort has provided more targets for Israel to attack and those airstrikes are increasing.

August 6, 2021: In northern Israel Hezbollah took credit for firing ten rockets into Israel over the last two days. All were either intercepted by Iron Dome or fell in unoccupied areas. There were no casualties or property damage in Israel. Israel launched retaliatory attacks against Hezbollah targets today and yesterday that did no damage and caused casualties. Hezbollah was apparently encouraged to make the attacks by Iran, where a new hardline president was in power and threatening attacks on all enemies of Iran.

August 5, 2021: The new Iranian president Ibrahim Raisi was officially sworn into office in a ceremony featuring guests from 70 countries plus the Lebanese Hezbollah (in the first row) and right behind them representatives of the EU (European Union) which has been trying to negotiate and end to the economic sanctions that the Americans revived in 2018 after finding evidence that Iran had violated the terms of the 2015 treaty with the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany. Also attending the ceremony were representatives from most Arab states as well as countries that bought Iranian oil or sold Iran goods. With all those foreign representatives in attendance, Iranian diplomats and trade officials sought to organize an international coalition to back the lifting of sanctions on Iran. That proved difficult because during the previous week Iran had been identified as the perpetrator of several attacks on Persian Gulf shipping that Iran denied responsibility for. Israel, Britain and the United States are threatening armed retaliation if Iran does not halt its attacks. Raisi had promised more aggressive policies towards the sanctions and was now learning what the cost of that policy would be.

August 4, 2021: In northern Yemen, Saudi air defenses shot down a rebel UAV armed as a cruise missile, apparently headed for the southwestern Saudi city of Khamis Mushait in Asir province. In the past, when most of these attacks were with Iranian ballistic missiles, the target was often the nearby King Khalid Air Base. The air base has stronger defenses against aircraft, especially low flying cruise missiles and UAVs. So now the target is the nearby city. For the Iranians, any dead Saudi is a win.

August 3, 2021: At least eight Iranian gunmen sought to emulate Somali pirates by boarding the tanker Asphalt Princess off the UAE coast but failed to take control of the ship. The crew locked themselves in a safe room and disabled the engines. The Iranians were unable to gain control of the engines and were adrift. They left the ship early the next morning as warships closed in to free the ship and capture the pirates. The Iranians apparently planned to take the tanker to an Iranian port and demand large fines for non-existent violations. This is another version of the tactics the Somali pirates used from 2007 to 2012. An international anti-piracy patrol off Somalia was soon formed and quickly ended the ship hijackings during the last nine years. The pirates are still operating off Somalia and Yemen but now concentrate on robbing smaller ships rather than trying to hold them for ransom. Owners of the smaller ships usually will not or cannot pay ransom. A smaller international anti-piracy force has been formed for the Iranian threat and commercial ships are warned that the security methods they used off Somalia should be used when they pass near Iran. Thats why the Asphalt Princess crew knew what to do if pirates got aboard.

July 29, 2021: Off the Oman coast an Israeli owned tanker was hit by an airstrike which killed two crew members, one British and other Romanian. Iran has been trying to retaliate for more than ten Israeli attacks on Iranian ships since 2019. In the current attack two or more armed UAVs were aimed at the crew quarters indicating the UAVs were under remote control and deliberately seeking to cause casualties. An examination of the fragments of the two UAVs that hit the tanker revealed that they were Iranian. Israel, Britain and the United States openly demanded that Iran admit its guilt and cease such illegal behavior. Iran denied responsibility but as more and more nations viewed the evidence, Iran found it had few nations that believed their denial of responsibility. The U.S. led calls for Iran to be punished for this blatant attack on Persian Gulf shipping. Iran has long attacked foreign merchant ships operating near their coast, sometimes openly, to persuade foreign countries to comply with Iranian demands. Apparently, the age of compliance is coming to an end and such Iranian attacks will be treated as acts of war and responded to as such. Despite this, Iranian leaders continue to believe their intimidation tactics are still working.

July 26, 2021: The July 26 agreement with the U.S. for American forces to end combat operations in Iraq left many confused about what it actually meant. The agreement does not mean a reduction of the 2,500 American forces still in Iraq. These personnel will remain to provide training and advisory services. It is unclear exactly what this agreement is to accomplish. Hours after the agreement was signed and announced, the Iranian Quds commander made a well-publicized secret visit to Baghdad to confer with Iran-backed militia leaders, who refused to comment on the new agreement right away. These militia leaders take their orders from Iran and the commander of the Quds force. Its been hard times for Quds since January 2020, when an American airstrike killed the most successful Quds force commander, Qassem Soleimani along with the commander of the Iraqi Katab Hezbollah and several other key Iran-backed Iraqi militia leaders. Iran has not been able to find anyone as capable as Soleimani to keep Quds, and the foreign military operations it controls, operating effectively. This was immediately evident when Soleimanis successor found that he was not feared and respected as much as his predecessor and could not make truly secret visits to Iraq by being waved through border crossings. The new Quds commander had to ask for permission before visiting Iraq or cross at one of the unofficial crossing sites where bribes and threats of attacks by local Iran-backed militias made it possible for the Quds force commander to enter whenever he wanted. Despite that clandestine access, the Iraqi government was soon informed by one of a growing number of anti-Iran Iraqis who are now too numerous for the Iranians to monitor and intimidate.

Between 2011 and 2014 Iraqi attitudes towards the United States underwent a painful reality check. By the end of 2014 Iraqi leaders, including many still in office, admitted that the withdrawal of all U.S. troops in 2011 was a mistake they would never again repeat. The pro-Iranian PMF (Popular Mobilization Forces) militia leaders calling for violence against American forces after 2014 grew less effective because of declining popular support for Iran and pro-Iran militias. That slide continues and Iran is still searching for a solution that wont make their position in Iraq even more precarious.

July 25, 2021: In southern Iraq (the Shia shrine city Najaf) two Iran-backed PMF militias reported that their ammo depots had been attacked by missiles fired by unidentified UAVs. The missiles set off numerous secondary explosions caused by stored munitions. Finding enough missile fragments to identify who made the missile has been difficult. American, Israeli and Chinese armed UAVs are all used in the region. China supplies Iraqi forces with UAVs armed with Chinese versions of the American Hellfire missile. Israel doesnt use armed UAVs that much and that far from Israel. The Americans denied responsibility.

July 22, 2021: In eastern Syria (Homs province) Israeli warplanes carried out airstrikes against Iranian military targets again, as it had done yesterday. A Russian source claimed that four of the Israeli air-to-ground missiles, launched from Lebanese air space, did not reach their targets. If true this meant that Russia had, for the first time, used the S-400 air defense system to spot and track Israeli missiles and intercept them. Syria had long been asking for Russia to use its more advanced air defense systems to counter the hundreds of Israeli air strikes. The Russians refused to confirm the media report and Israel ignored it. Both intercepted air strikes destroyed their intended targets and it is unclear what the purpose of the false report that Russia would neither confirm or deny. If true it would have meant Israel finally had their long-sought opportunity to scrutinize the S-400 in action and upgrade their countermeasures. Israel has been using standoff weapons, fired from Lebanese, Israeli or Jordanian airspace, to avoid exposing its manned aircraft to the S-400 if the Russians should finally decide to actually use them. Tracking missiles is a start because Israel has a wide variety of air launched missiles, some better equipped to deal with the S-400 than others. This unusual rumor appeared to be a Russian effort to improve the reputation of their new systems without actually using them against the Israelis.

July 21, 2021: In northern Iraq (Erbil, the capital of the Kurdish north) another Iranian attack employed an Iranian UAV used by an Iran-backed Iraqi militia that dropped one or more bombs and missed the U.S. military compound that was apparently the target. This was the second time pro-Iran Iraqi militias used Iranian UAVs for this kind of attack. The first attack was in April. American bases have ani-rocket defenses but nothing very effective for armed UAVs. That is supposed to be fixed in 2021.

July 19, 2021: Local media report the creation of explicitly Iran-backed Shia militias in western Afghanistan. Iran wants to protect the Shia minority (about 20 percent of Afghans) from the expanding reach of the Taliban. In the late 1990s the Taliban went after Afghan Shia in a big way and the victims have not forgotten. The new militias are composed of combat experienced Afghan Shia who served as Iranian mercenaries and survived combat in Syria. Oddly enough the name of these militias, Hashd Al ShiI, does not use one of the local languages (Pushtun or Dari), but a language the Syrian veterans learned a little of in Syria. Hashd Al ShiI is Arabic for Shia Mobilization.

Over 50,000 Afghan Shia served in Syria and, as they returned to Afghanistan, often took the initiative in protecting fellow Shia from increasing violence by Islamic terror groups, including the Taliban. The former mercs asked Iran for help but until now all Iran was willing to do was back anti-Pakistan Taliban factions that, in return for weapons and other aid from Iran, promised to leave Afghan Shia alone. Moving on to explicitly Iran-backed Shia militias is not considered a big surprise.

In 2019 Iran sent most of the Afghan mercenaries in Syria home because the revived American economic sanctions had greatly reduced the amount of money that could be spent on the war in Syria. Iran began building a new mercenary force by hiring Syrians. The best of the Iranian foreign Shia were the Afghans but there was a limited supply of Afghan Shia willing to serve as Iranian mercs in faraway Syria. To entice the Afghans to volunteer they were paid more than the other foreign Shia in Syria. While the Afghans were the best fighters, a growing number would not renew their contracts and returned to Afghanistan or Iran, where mercenary service also earned an Iran residency permit. While the Syrian Arab mercs are cheaper, they are adequate. The low cost is largely because of the bad shape the Syrian economy is in and the dire poverty many Syrians live with.

July 13, 2021: The American social media company Facebook revealed that it had detected and was trying to shut down an Iranian Cyber War effort to obtain details of American military personnel via Facebook. The situation is different in a less visible war, waged by Iranian hackers, where there have been some recent victories. Iran keeps these victories quiet because continued success depends on the victim not being aware they have been damaged and by whom.

The latest Iran win via Facebook was due to the efforts of a hacker organization known as APT (Advanced Persistent Threat) 35. Internet security firms track these APT groups and use the APT label to identify those groups that have been around for a while, usually with the help of a national sponsor. APT35 is Iranian and often works for the Iranian IRGC. Security firms are constantly looking for new APT campaigns and a recent find was APR35 using Facebook to establish dozens of fake recruiters of military personnel leaving the service and seeking civilian employment. APT35 uses the social engineering approach to entice military personnel looking for a lucrative civilian job to supply useful information on their current jobs or download apps that appear to help them in their job search but actually contain hidden malware (hacker software) that gives the hacker secret access to the users computer and possibly military networks. This APT35 campaign was detected by security firms and Facebook was alerted and began finding and cancelling hundreds of APT35 accounts used to operate this scam. Facebook is still looking and, for the moment, the APT35 campaign is damaged if not destroyed. For APT35 it still counts as a win because much damage has been done and Facebook and the Department of Defense are trying to measure the extent of the damage.
INNIO joins more than 9,500 companies and 3,000 non-business signatories to support UN goals and issues

INNIO joins United Nations Global Compact as part of continued pursuit to achieve climate-neutral future

Joining the United Nations Global Compact demonstrates another step in INNIOs commitment to sustainability across its Jenbacher and Waukesha businesses

JENBACH, Austria--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- INNIO today announced that it has joined the United Nations Global Compact, the worlds largest corporate sustainability initiative. In joining this critical voluntary leadership platform, INNIO continues its path to build on an expanded commitment to its environmental, social and governance (ESG) program. As part of the Global Compact initiative  which is focused on the development, implementation and disclosure of responsible business practices  INNIO proudly aligns itself with thousands of other companies and non-business signatories globally committed to taking responsible business action to create a better world.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210810005096/en/

Carlos Lange, INNIO President and CEO (Photo: Business Wire)

As part of its relentless pursuit to achieve a climate-neutral, greener and more secure energy future, INNIO established its Sustainability Review Board (SRB), tasked with developing INNIOs ESG goals and strategy for its Jenbacher and Waukesha businesses in close alignment with INNIOs growth strategy. In an act to cement its commitment to sustainability, INNIO leadership  in conjunction with its SRB  moved swiftly to become a participant of the Global Compact. INNIO recognized the Global Initiative as being a beacon platform bringing together companies and non-business signatories everywhere to align their operations and strategies with ten principles in the areas of human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption, and to take action in support of UN goals and issues embodied in the Sustainable Development Goals. Launched in 2000, the UN Global Compact is composed of more than 9,500 companies and 3,000 non-business signatories based in over 160 countries, and more than 70 Local Networks.

We are delighted to have taken this step to add our voice to that of thousands of others in helping to impact positive change across the world through business, said Carlos Lange, president and CEO of INNIO. While our expertise lies in the domain of power generation and gas compression, we recognize that our responsibility does not end with the sustainable production and delivery of electricity and gas compression. As a responsible corporate citizen, we are ethically and morally bound to maintain a responsible role as it pertains to human rights, labor, and anti-corruption as well as the environment. As part of the Global Compact, we are now positioned with our corporate neighbors to advance broader societal goals, such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals, through collaboration and innovation. Together, we can push further and faster to effectively address the worlds most pressing challenges.

INNIO, a global provider of energy services, equipment and digital solutions for power generation and gas compression at or near the point of use, is relentlessly dedicated to being a model corporate citizen. As part of this effort, INNIO recently took a bold step in advancing sustainability in the power industry to build the first industrial scale hydrogen-fueled power plant. In close collaboration with HanseWerk Natur, INNIO initiated field testing of a 1-megawatt (MW) pilot power plant with a Jenbacher gas engine that represents the worlds first large-scale gas engine in the 1 MW range, capable of operating with variable hydrogen-natural gas mixtures or up to 100% hydrogen. INNIOs efforts are being recognized as evidenced with its recent accolade of receiving a Silver Medal rating from EcoVadis, placing INNIO Jenbacher in the top 17% of its peers working towards sustainability.

In its capacity as a thought leader, INNIO always seeks new energy sources and better energy solutions to support its customers and their communities, while investing in its Jenbacher and Waukesha product lines and digital solutions to support the energy transition. Its gas enginesmany of which have passed stringent sustainability tests for efficiency and energy savingsoffer industry-leading emission levels and reduced carbon footprints. INNIOs gas engine fleet helps to provide a more sustainable future by developing new, innovative low-carbon technologies, such as its hydrogen-ready Jenbacher gas engine technology. Its Waukesha gas engines help customers achieve low emissions and responsibly produce natural gas now and in the future. INNIOs digital products and solutions play an important role in reduction of emissions and remote smart management of assets for our customers.

In 2021, EcoVadis awarded INNIO Jenbacher a silver medal to honor its engagement for a climate-neutral, greener, and more secure energy future. This places INNIO Jenbacher in the top 17% of its peers working towards sustainability.

About INNIO

INNIO is a leading provider of renewable gas, natural gas, and hydrogen-based solutions and services for power generation and gas compression at or near the point of use. With our Jenbacher and Waukesha gas engines, INNIO helps to provide communities, industry and the public access to sustainable, reliable and economical power ranging from 200 kW to 10 MW. We also provide life-cycle support and digital solutions to the more than 53,000 delivered gas engines globally, through our service network in more than 100 countries. We deliver innovative technology driven by decarbonization, decentralization, and digitalization to help lead the way to a greener future. Headquartered in Jenbach, Austria, the business also has primary operations in Welland, Ontario, Canada, and Waukesha, Wisconsin, U.S. For more information, visit the company's website at www.innio.com. Follow INNIO on Twitter and LinkedIn.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210810005096/en/

Susanne Reichelt

INNIO

+43 664 80833 2382

susanne.reichelt@innio.com

Source: INNIO
SOUTH BEND, Ind., Aug. 10, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aunalytics, a leading data platform company delivering Insights-as-a-Service for enterprise businesses, announced that the companys Chief Marketing Officer Katie Horvath has been appointed by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer to the Michigan Womens Commission. Horvath will serve on the commission for three years, ending July 2024.

The 15-member Michigan Women's Commission is responsible for reviewing the status of women in Michigan, directing attention to critical problems confronting women, and recognizing women's accomplishments and contributions to the state.

Some of the commissions current initiatives include unlocking opportunities for more Michigan women to fully participate in the workforce, addressing the inequalities that prevent Michigan women's financial freedom, bringing more diverse experiences and perspectives to the table, minimizing implicit biases, and gender equity issues.

It is an honor to have been chosen to serve on the Michigan Womens Commission, which plays an instrumental role in helping women thrive in our state, said Horvath. Im passionate about breaking down gender, financial, and workforce barriers that prevent women from achieving their full potential, and I look forward to wholeheartedly contributing my experience and insights as a leader to the Womens Commission.

Horvath joined Aunalytics when Naveego, the data integration platform company that she led as President and CEO was acquired by Aunalytics. At that time, she was recognized as the only woman CEO in Big Data in North America. She has been recognized by the United States Congress with a leadership award for innovative business models in healthcare for her work in rural oncology care with Munson Medical Center. Horvath is a patent attorney, having managed IP litigation for Microsoft. She serves on the Advisory Board for Industrial & Operations Engineering at the University of Michigan School of Engineering and the Michigan Artificial Intelligence Advisory Board through the Center for Automotive Research.

Horvath is a mentor and advisor for 20Fathoms tech incubator in Traverse City, Michigan. For many years she volunteered as an instructor for the National Center for Trial Advocacy and served on the Board of Directors for FLOW. She is a regular speaker at the National Cancer Prevention Caucus and Workshop on Capitol Hill, and as Past Commodore serves as a board member on the Grand Traverse Yacht Club Foundation. She earned her JD at the University of Notre Dame and BSE in IOE at the University of Michigan.

Tweet this: .@Aunalytics Michigan Governor Appoints Aunalytics CMO Katie Horvath to the Michigan Womens Commission #Michigangovernor #GretchenWhitmer #WomensCommission #Dataplatform #Dataanalytics #Dataintegration #Dataaccuracy #AdvancedAnalytics #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #Masterdatamanagement #MDM #DataScientist #MachineLearning #ML #DigitalTransformation #FinancialServices

About AunalyticsAunalytics is a data platform company delivering answers for your business. Aunalytics provides Insights-as-a-Service to answer enterprise and mid-sized companies most important IT and business questions. The Aunalytics cloud-native data platform is built for universal data access, advanced analytics and AI while unifying disparate data silos into a single golden record of accurate, actionable business information. Its DaybreakTM industry intelligent data mart combined with the power of the Aunalytics data platform provides industry-specific data models with built-in queries and AI to ensure access to timely, accurate data and answers to critical business and IT questions. Through its side-by-side digital transformation model, Aunalytics provides on-demand scalable access to technology, data science, and AI experts to seamlessly transform customers businesses. To learn more contact us at +1 855-799-DATA or visit Aunalytics at http://www.aunalytics.com or on Twitter and LinkedIn.

PR Contact: Denise NelsonThe Ventana Group for Aunalytics (925) 858-5198dnelson@theventanagroup.com

Source: Aunalytics
MONTREAL, Aug. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - (NYSE: CAE) (TSX: CAE) CAE today announced the final director election results from its 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

The following 11 nominees were elected as Directors of CAE:

Nominee Votes for For (%) Votes Withheld Withheld (%) Margaret S. (Peg) Billson 216,831,556 94.20% 13,356,278 5.80% Hon. Michael M. Fortier 218,364,247 94.86% 11,823,587 5.14% Marianne Harrison 222,548,900 96.69% 7,629,194 3.31% Alan N. MacGibbon 227,282,010 98.74% 2,904,677 1.26% Mary Lou Maher 229,601,260 99.75% 586,574 0.25% Hon. John P. Manley 223,876,188 97.26% 6,311,646 2.74% Francois Olivier 224,900,474 97.70% 5,287,360 2.30% Marc Parent 229,452,963 99.68% 735,032 0.32% Gen. David G. Perkins, USA (Ret.) 229,114,932 99.53% 1,071,755 0.47% Michael E. Roach 225,643,636 98.03% 4,543,051 1.97% Andrew J. Stevens 223,032,805 96.89% 7,153,882 3.11%

Final results on all matters voted on at the Annual Meeting are filed concurrently with the securities regulators.

About CAECAE is a high technology company, at the leading edge of digital immersion, providing solutions to make the world a safer place. Backed by a record of more than 70 years of industry firsts, we continue to reimagine the customer experience and revolutionize training and operational support solutions in civil aviation, defence and security, and healthcare. We are the partner of choice to customers worldwide who operate in complex, high-stakes and largely regulated environments, where successful outcomes are critical. As a testament to our customers' ongoing needs for our solutions, over 60 percent of CAE's revenue is recurring in nature. We have the broadest global presence in our industry, with more than 11,000 employees, 180 sites and training locations in over 35 countries. www.cae.com

Follow us on Twitter @CAE_Inc Facebook: www.facebook.com/cae.inc LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/cae

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cae-announces-the-final-2021-annual-meeting-board-of-directors-election-results-301353897.html

SOURCE CAE INC.
Army Lt. Gen. Laura Richardson was confirmed by the Senate in a unanimous voice vote on Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021, to become the next commander of U.S. Southern Command, which will make her just the second woman in history to lead a combatant command. (U.S. Army North)

Army Lt. Gen. Laura Richardson was confirmed by the Senate in a unanimous voice vote on Wednesday to become the next commander of U.S. Southern Command, which will make her just the second woman in history to lead a combatant command.

Richardson, who now leads U.S. Army North, will receive a fourth star before taking command of SOUTHCOM, which oversees U.S. military operations across South and Central America and the Caribbean. She will become just the second female four-star general in the Armys history.

Richardson will replace SOUTHCOMs outgoing chief, Navy Adm. Craig Faller, who has led the combatant command headquartered just outside Miami since November 2018. The Defense Department has yet to set a date for the change of command, a SOUTHCOM spokesman said Thursday.

SOUTHCOM leaders have traditionally faced challenges in the region such as drug trafficking, narcoterrorism, providing humanitarian and disaster relief, and overseeing the controversial detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Richardson will also inherit responsibility for operations in a portion of the globe that has been devastated by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. She will also have to work to ensure the United States retains its long-held influence throughout the vast majority of the region, where Russia and China in recent years have increased efforts to work with and influence nations in the Western Hemisphere.

Richardson told senators last week during her confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill that her priorities included expanding training exercises and other security cooperation operations with partner nations in the region and increasing opportunities for partner nations in the region to send their troops to U.S. military training and education programs.

We must hasten to pick up the pieces left by the pandemic and transform our relationships to meet 21st century security challenges. Put simply, winning together with our allies and partners matters, Richardson told senators. "Whether [it is working] against [the coronavirus], transnational criminal organizations, the predatory actions of China, the malign influence of Russia, or natural disasters, there's nothing we cannot overcome or achieve through an integrated response with our interagency allies and partners.

Richardson commissioned into the Army as an aviation officer in 1986 and flew UH-60 Black Hawks, according to her official biography. She commanded a 101st Airborne Division aviation battalion in Iraq and has also served in Afghanistan.

She took command of U.S. Army North at Joint Base San Antonio in July 2019 after serving as the deputy commander of U.S. Army Forces Command at Fort Bragg, N.C.

Richardson could soon be followed by the third female to lead a combatant command. President Joe Biden nominated Air Force Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost to lead U.S. Transportation Command. The Senate has yet to formally consider her nomination.

Air Force Gen. Lori Robinson was the first woman to lead a combatant command. She led U.S Northern Command from 2016 until her retirement in 2018.

Biden nominated Richardson and Van Ovost for those top jobs in April, after they were recommended by top Pentagon leaders during President Donald Trumps administration. The New York Times reported in February that former Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, slow rolled their recommendations of the two women for those jobs until after the November 2020 election, fearing the White House might nix their selections because of their genders.

Esper, who was fired shortly after Trumps election loss, told The Times that he and Milley agreed Richardson and Van Ovost were the best, most qualified choices for the positions. He confirmed their recommendations were delayed until after Biden had been elected.

"They were chosen because they were the best officers for the jobs, and I didn't want their promotions derailed because someone in the Trump White House saw that I recommended them or thought [the Defense Department] was playing politics," Esper told The New York Times in February. "This was not the case. They were the best qualified. We were doing the right thing."
An M270A Multiple Launch Rocket System crew from the Germany-based 1st Battalion, 6th Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Field Artillery Brigade fires practice rounds at a training area in Estonia in September 2020. Maj. Gen. Stephen Maranian has been named head of the new 56th Artillery Command, which will have responsibilities throughout Europe. Joe Bush/U.S. Army (Maj. Joseph Bush)

STUTTGART, Germany  A two-star general will lead a new European theater command in Germany that will oversee efforts to coordinate artillery and other advanced weaponry focused on hitting more distant targets.

U.S. Army Europe and Africa said Thursday that the unit was expected to be activated in October and will be based at Mainz-Kastel, near the Armys four-star headquarters in Wiesbaden.

Maj. Gen. Stephen J. Maranian will head the Armys 56th Artillery Command, a unit that operated in Germany during the Cold War, when it was responsible for operating the nuclear-capable Pershing weapons systems.

Maranian, who now serves as commandant at the Army War College at Carlisle Barracks in Pennsylvania, was reinstated in July after being suspended in February in connection with an accusation of inappropriate touching. Investigators determined that there was no probable cause for the charge.

The new command is the latest step forward for an Army mission in Europe that has expanded in recent years over concerns about a more aggressive Russia.

Maj. Gen. Stephen Maranian, the commandant of the U.S. Army War College, has been named the head of the new 56th Artillery Command, which will have responsibilities throughout Europe. During the Cold War, it was a nuclear-capable artillery unit in Germany. (U.S. Army)

In April, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced during a visit in Berlin that the Pentagon was launching a new theater fires command, which also would incorporate a new multi-domain task force designed to integrate intelligence, cyber, electronic warfare and space capabilities at the tactical level.

The decision was an indication that President Joe Biden was moving away from a plan by his predecessor, Donald Trump, to sharply reduce the number of troops in Germany. The Trump plan for moving 12,000 troops out of Germany has been put on hold by Biden while the Pentagon conducts a global force posture review.

The new artillery command headed by Maranian and the multi-domain task force, which will be led by a one-star general, add about 500 soldiers and 750 family members to U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden.

The addition of a two-star command in Europe follows the reestablishment of the three-star V Corps, which continues to take shape. A forward command post in Poland will help manage Army operations up and down NATOs eastern flank.

Like V Corps, an Army staple in Europe during the Cold War, the 56th Artillery Command also traces its lineage to a time when some 200,000 U.S. soldiers were based in Europe. Today, USAREUR-AF has about 32,000 soldiers based on the Continent.

From the 1960s to around 1991, the 56th Artillery Command had rocket units at numerous bases in Germany and a headquarters in Schwaebisch Gmuend in Baden-Wurttemberg.

John Vandiver

previous coverage Russia and Belarus ready troops for large exercise near NATO's eastern borders
Buy Photo Pharmacists CJ Ludwig, front, and Chris Elizagaray, back, pull doses of the coronavirus vaccine from vials at a Department of Veterans Affairs vaccination clinic in Kalispell, Montana, on Tuesday, March 2, 2021. (Nikki Wentling/Stars and Stripes)

WASHINGTON  The Department of Veterans Affairs will require more employees to be vaccinated against the coronavirus, extending the mandate to nearly everyone who works at VA hospitals or visits them.

The department announced the new mandate Thursday. It was expanded to all Title 5 and Hybrid Title 38 employees, which includes psychologists, pharmacists, social workers, nursing assistants, physical therapists, respiratory therapists, peer specialists, medical support assistants, engineers, housekeepers and other administrative and clinical workers who come into contact with patients and health care staff. The mandate also applies to volunteers and contractors.

Were now including most [Veterans Health Administration] employees and volunteers and contractors in the vaccine mandate because it remains the best way to keep veterans safe, especially as the delta variant spreads across the country, VA Secretary Denis McDonough said. This pandemic is not over, and VA must do everything in our power to protect veterans from [the coronavirus]. With this expanded mandate, we can once again make  and keep  that fundamental promise.

The change goes into effect Friday. Employees will have until Oct. 8 to provide proof of their vaccination to their local VA Occupational Health Office.

McDonough said Thursday on CBS This Morning that the expansion includes 245,000 more employees. Of those, 110,000, or 45%, have not been vaccinated, he said.

The VA was the first federal agency to implement a vaccine mandate when McDonough ordered it on July 26. It applied to about 115,000 employees, including physicians, dentists, podiatrists, optometrists, registered nurses, physician assistants and chiropractors, as well as medical workers who visit VA facilities. Those employees have until Sept. 20 to show their proof of vaccination.

Since the mandate was announced, theres been an uptick in employees being vaccinated, McDonough said on CBS. About 2,500 employees have been vaccinated since July 26, bringing the total number of vaccinated workers to 302,624. The department employs about 426,000 people in total, including more than 380,000 workers in the Veterans Health Administration.

Our experience is that its been complicated but very manageable, McDonough said of implementing the mandate. And its leading to an increase in vaccinations.

Six VA employees have died in the latest surge of the coronavirus delta variant, according to VA data.

The World Health Organization said the delta variant is the most transmissible of the variants identified during the pandemic, and cases are on the rise in the United States. The VA reported 10,101 active cases of the virus Thursday, up about 170% from July 26, when the VA announced its first vaccine mandate.

Deaths among VA patients reached 12,950 Thursday, and 271 of those deaths have occurred in the past 17 days.

Democratic lawmakers voiced their support for the first mandate. Dozens of groups that represent doctors, nurses and other health care workers also supported it and called for mandatory vaccinations of all health care workers in the United States.

McDonough urged all Americans on Thursday to get vaccinated, arguing it was in the best interest of veterans, who are disproportionately affected by the virus.

The most important thing each of us can do to protect our veterans, whether we work at VA or somewhere else, is get yourself vaccinated, he said. That will help our veterans who have complicated health care situations and comorbidities. If you want to protect our veterans, go get vaccinated.
A healthcare worker prepares a vaccine in Boston on June 17, 2021. (Adam Glanzman/Bloomberg)

The Food and Drug Administration is expected as soon as Thursday to authorize extra doses of coronavirus vaccines for patients with weakened immune systems, a move that could mean additional shots will be available for that vulnerable population as soon as this weekend.

The FDA action on the immunocompromised is likely to affect transplant patients who take immune-suppressing drugs to prevent rejection of new organs and others who have diseases, including blood cancers, that damage the immune system. They are more likely to become seriously ill from COVID-19, experts say.

Making such patients eligible for an extra shot, doctors say, is preferable to having worried patients seek out additional inoculations illicitly  which is already happening.

The timing of the expected action was described by people with knowledge of the process who spoke on the condition of anonymity, because they were not authorized to speak publicly. The Washington Post first reported Friday that action on the shots was imminent.

Top infectious-disease expert Anthony Fauci said Thursday on ABC's "Good Morning America" that the decision to administer booster shots would "encompasses a relatively small proportion of the population, around 3 percent or so," and in particular transplant patients and those undergoing therapies for cancer.

As far as the wider population, Fauci told CBS Thursday, "We don't feel at this particular point that apart from the immune-compromised, we don't feel we need to give boosters right now."

Fauci said that decisions were still being made about booster shots for the wider population. "No vaccine is going to last forever," he said on ABC, "we're going to be ready and have a plan."

Fauci added on CBS that it was "preferable that you go with the same brand," when it comes to vaccine boosters but that "there will be guidance when that time occurs."

The next step in the process for immune-deficient patients occurs Friday, when a CDC advisory committee is scheduled to vote on recommending whether people should get the extra doses. The panel is expected to endorse the idea and urge patients to talk to their doctors about it. CDC Director Rochelle Walensky is expected to sign off on the decision Friday afternoon.

The FDA said it is "closely monitoring data as it becomes available from studies administering an additional dose of the authorized COVID-19 vaccines to immunocompromised individuals. The agency, along with the CDC, is evaluating potential options on this issue, and will share information in the near future."

Booster shots have begun in a handful of other countries, including Israel, where people over 60 who have received their second shot at least five months earlier are eligible for a booster, as well as the immunocompromised. France, Germany and the United Kingdom are planning to give booster shots starting in September. The World Health Organization has called for a moratorium on additional doses until at least September  with billions globally yet to receive their first shot.

On Wednesday, Chile began administering booster shots to those inoculated with Sinovac's coronavirus vaccine. Almost 70 percent of its population has been fully vaccinated, predominantly with China's Sinovac shot, but authorities last week said studies have shown that a booster was necessary to shore up immunity. Lines of elderly citizens, eager to participate in the campaign, formed at vaccination centers across the capital, Santiago, Reuters reported.

"They arrived very early, like on an election day, very well dressed, very happy," Rodolfo Carter, mayor of La Florida on the outskirts of the city, told the outlet. "I think it is a great sign of hope."

The expected announcement from the FDA comes as the delta variant fuels a surge in cases across the United States, leaving hospitals in some hard-hit areas scrambling for resources.
Actress Marlee Matlin, from left, director Sian Heder and actress Emilia Jones pose for a photo to promote the film "CODA" on Friday, July 30, 2021, at The London Hotel in West Hollywood, Calif. (Richard Shotwell/AP)

CODA, a tender and stirring coming-of-age tale about the only hearing member in a deaf family, might be the crowd-pleaser of the year, but it was only a few weeks ago that director Sian Heder saw it with an audience.

For months after its lauded premiere at a virtual Sundance Film Festival in January (where the movie fetched a Sundance record $25 million acquisition price and won the top prize ), Heder had heard from people who had watched CODA at home on a link about how the film moved them, how it made them cry, how important it is. But when she screened it in Gloucester, Massachusetts, where the film is set, she could finally hear something else: How big the laughs it gets are.

You dont really know that those work unless youre sitting in a room full of people, says Heder.

CODA, which arrives Friday in theaters and on Apple TV+, is poised to be something thats been hard to find in a year light on crowds: a bona fide, heart-bursting, tell-everyone-about-it crowd-pleaser.

Starring a trio of sensational actors who are deaf -- Marlee Matlin, Troy Kotsur and Daniel Durant  CODA is also unlike most heart-on-its-sleeve movies before it. Its a crowd-pleaser that expands just whos in the crowd, enlarging a movie world that seldom depicts deaf lives dynamically or authentically. A landmark film in on-screen representation, CODA proves  with spirit and, yes, laughs  how much the movies have been missing.

It takes more than one person to understand to make actors who are deaf cast in films. A lot of people just arent in the know. They dont know that we can work just as easily as anyone else, says Matlin with an interpreter. I know  I dont hope  that CODA will change the landscape.

Matlin, the only deaf actor to win an Oscar (for 1986s Children of a Lesser God), knows something about watershed moments for the deaf community and Hollywood. And shes convinced CODA marks something momentous. After years of reading scripts that  if they showed deaf people at all  only characterized them in simple, stereotypical ways, CODA immediately jumped out at her.

I was overly excited, to the point that I called my team and said: Dont let this script get away from us. I have to do it, says Matlin.

In it, newcomer Emilia Jones plays the hearing daughter of a hardscrabble fishing family of two randy, funny, loving, deaf parents (Matlin, Kotsur) and her pugnacious, handsome, deaf brother Leo (Daniel Durant). Her just-developing dreams of singing seem at first like teenage rebellion. If I was blind would you want to paint? her mother asks.

CODA, which stands for child of deaf adult(s), is based on the 2014 French film La Famille Belier, which used hearing actors to play the deaf parts. Heder, though, saw the potential to mine something more genuine from the story and to bring deaf actors to the forefront. She transferred the setting to the fishing town of Gloucester, Massachusetts, and made authenticity the abiding ethos. That meant shipping the cast out on fishing trips, but mostly it meant doing a lot of listening to the deaf community.

Heder worked with a master in American Sign Language while writing the script and spent months learning to sign. Matlin was the first person she cast.

I came into it knowing what I didnt know, says Heder. I was an outsider to this community. If I was going to be the person to tell this story, then I had to make sure that I was surrounding myself with people from this community and empowering their voices.

CODA was first set up at Lionsgate but Heder is relieved it was ultimately made outside the studio system. For her, the thought of casting hearing leads -- a likely chance in a bigger production and once a possibility  was an empathic non-starter.

I was like: This is how Im making the movie. If its not with deaf actors then I dont want to make the movie at all so you guys can sit on that script and that can go nowhere and that can be a year of my life writing a script that will sit on a shelf, Heder says.

In the increased attention on inclusion in the film industry, equity for those with disabilities has sometimes been stuck in the margins  even though one in four people in the U.S. has some type of disability. Thats changed in part recently thanks to films like the Oscar-nominated Netflix documentary Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution  and the A Quiet Place films, starring Millicent Simmonds. But for a longtime, tireless advocate for the deaf community like Matlin, its past time for others to help the cause.

The responsibility to speak on behalf of the deaf community is not mine, really, says Matlin. We all have a responsibility. Yes, my name is very well known. And, yes, Ill accept that. But I cant do the work alone. So maybe my voice is just one of many that can make a change, that can make noise, that can create the recognition that we all need. But again, not alone. I cant do it alone any longer.

CODA is hoping to be a part of that change not just in how it was made, but in how its being released. All screenings in the U.S. and U.K. will be presented in open captions. On Apple TV+, subtitles and subtitles for the deaf will available in more than 36 languages.

Im telling people: Turn the sound off when you watch those promotional materials. Think about what its like to be in the deaf community watching that trailer, says Heder, who will next direct a biopic on disability rights activist (and Crip Camp star) Judith Heumann.

I feel like my life has been enriched through my exposure to this community, Heder adds. I sign with my kids all the time now. Its become our secret family language when I want to tell my daughter something across the room.

Few had a steeper learning curve than Jones, who had to get familiar enough with sign language that she looked like shes done it all her life  all while learning a very foreign culture to the young British actor.

It was the most rewarding thing Ive ever done, Jones says. I had to be a fisher girl and Ive never stepped on a fishing boat. Sian sent us all out on that boat with fisherman for hours. And same with signing. I wasnt allowed to use an interpreter, which Im so grateful for because it made me learn faster. All of our interpreters on set were CODAs so it meant I could talk to them in depth.

Hearing or not, the Rossis of CODA are one of the more believable families lately seen on screen. The connection between the actors seems uncommonly lived-in.

Thats something that as a director is very hard to create  like actual love on screen, says Heder. Those four people bonded in a way that I never could have expected and I think thats what people are feeling.

Only recently, though, while promoting the film, did the cast and Heder get to reunite, having not seen each other in person through the pandemic. Outside a Los Angeles hotel, they stayed up drinking margaritas by the pool.

It felt like the Rossis were back together again, says Matlin. Movies arent really real. But this really felt real to me.
Buy Photo Burg Hayn in Dreieichenheim, Germany, was built in the late 13th century. In pre-coronavirus days, the castle and its grounds were used for medieval markets, concerts and theater, among other things. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

A visit to Dreieichenhain is like stepping back in time.

You walk through an old tower gate and stroll down a cobblestone lane. You amble past stone and half-timbered houses and come to a medieval castle before passing under another tower gate.

You feel as if youve been transported to the Middle Ages.

But then you become aware of the cars. Poof, the illusion is gone.

Thats sort of how I felt during a recent visit to this small German town, about 30 miles east of Wiesbaden. It was first documented in 1256, but the Turmburg, or tower castle, a unique five-story structure, dates to the 11th century.

I parked outside town, and the first thing I saw was the castle, Burg Hayn, and the reflection of the Untertor, or Lower Gate, in a large pond.

The castle was constructed about 100 years after the original tower was built, incorporating the old keep.

Burg Hayn didnt have a particularly happy history, being passed on to various noble dynasties through the years, all of which died out.

It fell to ruins and suffered the fate of many other castles as the residents started using it as a quarry.

Today, its owned by the local historical society, which also runs the small museum inside.

Its still a cool place to walk around. I checked out the ruins of the Palas, the former living quarters, the old gravestones and the wheels of an old mill.

Buy Photo The Turmburg, a single tower fortress built around 1070, was the original structure in what would become Burg Hayn in Dreieichenhain, Germany. The rest of the castle was built in the late 13th century. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes) Buy Photo The ruins of the Palas, the living quarters of Burg Hayn, looking out towards the town of Dreieichenhain, with its half-timbered houses. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes) Buy Photo The Ludwig-Erk-Haus is the oldest of many half-timbered house in Dreieichenhain, Germany. Built in 1460 for the clergy, it was later used as a school. It is named after Ludwig Erk, a collector of German folk songs who lived there in his youth. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes) Buy Photo The white Untertor, an old city gate at left, and Burg Hayn, the towns medieval castle, are reflected in a pond in Dreieichenhain, Germany. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes) Buy Photo Geraniums hang from flower boxes on a half-timbered house in Dreieichenhain, Germany. The town, about 30 miles east of Wiesbaden, is known for its colorful houses and its medieval castle. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes) Buy Photo This little musician tops a fountain in what was the moat surrounding Burg Hayn, Dreieichenhain, Germanys medieval castle. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes) Buy Photo The Trierischer Hof in Dreieichenhain, Germany was originally built before 1400 and housed Burg Hayns men-at-arms. It was extended in the 17th and 18th centuries. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

In pre-coronavirus days, concerts and a popular medieval market were held on the castle grounds.

At the foot of the castle, the small Thursday market was buzzing with shoppers.

I strolled up Fahrgasse, the towns main street. Heres where the stream of traffic hit me. Car after car rolled down the street.

I guess the people here have places to go, and you dont want to hamper commerce, but all the traffic spoiled the atmosphere.

Nonetheless, I continued up the street past shops and busy cafes to the Obertor, the half-timbered upper gate. It was built around 1350.

The medieval defensive wall still surrounds the whole old town, but unfortunately most of it is inaccessible because houses are built into it, or its in peoples yards.

To get away from most of the traffic, I crisscrossed town, walking down narrow lanes, discovering the colorful and varied half-timbered houses.

There are about 100 houses built in that style still standing in Dreieichenhain. The oldest, constructed in 1460, is the Ludwig-Erk-Haus.

Built for the clergy, it was later used as a school and is named after a collector of German folk songs who once lived there.

An imposing half-timbered house is the Saalhof, the former foresters lodge, built in 1616 with a five-sided stairwell tower.

Also worth seeing is the Trierischer Hof. It was originally built before 1400 and housed the castles men-at-arms. It was extended in later centuries.

Hungry after all the walking and car dodging, I was hoping to have lunch at Zur Alten Burg, a popular restaurant at the foot of the castle. But unfortunately, it didnt open until 5 p.m.

So I grabbed something from one of the market stands and sat on a bench in the dried-out moat and enjoyed the view of Burg Hayn.

Buy Photo People sit at a cafe on Fahrgasse in Dreieichenhain, Germany. In the background is the Obertor, one of the two tower gates that bookend the street. The town, about 30 miles east of Wiesbaden, is known for its colorful half-timbered houses and its medieval castle. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes) Buy Photo The old-fashioned sign for the restaurant Zur Alten Burg in Dreieichenhain, Germany. A the foot of the towns castle, it serves German and Hessian specialties. Its a popular place, but doesnt open until 5 p.m. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

Directions: Dreieichenhain is about 30 miles east of Wiesbaden. Take autobahns A66, A3 and A661. From the Kaiserslautern area, it is about 75 miles via autobahns A63, A60, A67 and highway 486.

Times: Anytime, but better in nice weather and the stores are open. The castle grounds are always open. There is a small market on Thursday mornings. The castle museum is open 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays and German holidays.

Costs: There is free parking outside the town walls.

Food: A couple of cafes are inside the city walls, plus the Gasthaus Alte Burg at the foot of the castle and El Castillo, a tapas bar, on the castle grounds. Both open at 5 p.m.

Info: The towns German language-only website is dreieichenhain.de. If you are visiting with small children, there is a nice playground in the dried-out castle moat.
A line in a field divides Mexico, right, from Guatemala, near El Ceibo, in northern Guatemala, Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021. Central American migrants who seek U.S. asylum were deported by air from the U.S. to Mexico, then crossed into Guatemala by land to El Ceibo after being denied a chance to seek asylum under a pandemic-related ban. (Santiago Billy/AP)

EL CEIBO, Guatemala  Shortly after crossing the border in south Texas with her 5-year-old daughter, Karla Leiva of Honduras found herself on a chartered U.S. government flight, learning midair that she was headed to the provincial capital of Villahermosa in southern Mexico. Authorities there put her on a bus to Mexicos southern border and on Thursday she sat on the patio of a migrant shelter in a remote Guatemalan border town.

Her swift expulsion through three countries was part of a highly unusual partnership between the governments of the United States and Mexico that the Biden administration hopes will deter migrants from returning to the U.S. border.

The U.S. government has intermittently flown Mexicans deep into Mexico for years to discourage repeat attempts, but flights that began last week from Brownsville, Texas, to Villahermosa and Tapachula, near the Guatemalan border, appear to be the first time that Central Americans have been flown to Mexico.

The administration is starting flights of Central Americans to southern Mexico 24 times a month, with hopes of ramping up, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. Mexico agreed to support the effort amid strains between the administration and Central American governments and their reluctance to accept more flights from the United States.

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, responding to reporters questions Thursday at a news conference in Brownsville, made the administrations first public acknowledgement that it is expelling Central Americans on flights to southern Mexico. The Mexican government has been publicly silent.

Mayorkas said the flights aimed to deter repeat attempts by migrants who are expelled from the United States under pandemic-related restrictions that prohibit them from seeking asylum. They come as the administration confronts what he called a serious challenge at the border, touting figures released Thursday that show unaccompanied children were stopped a record-high 18,962 times in July and migrants who came in families were stopped 82,966 times, the second-highest on record after May 2019.

U.S. authorities stopped migrants 212,672 times in July, the highest number in more than 20 years, though Mayorkas said 27% of those encounters were with migrants who had been stopped at least once in the previous year.

Pandemic-related expulsions dont carry any legal consequences, encouraging repeat attempts.

While still delivering some migrants on flights directly to their Central American nations, the U.S. government is now supplementing with the flights to southern Mexico.

Leiva, 32, from Yoro in north-central Honduras, had arrived at the shelter in El Ceibo on Wednesday. She said she was not asked by U.S. or Mexican authorities if she feared returning to her country.

At the Mexico-Guatemala border, they were told to walk into Guatemala and look for the shelter. No one registered their entrance into Guatemala. They were not asked for evidence of a negative COVID-19 test required of all foreigners entering Guatemala.

No one told me anything. They never heard my case and why I went to the United States, Leiva said. I couldnt tell them that they were extorting me and that they threatened to kidnap my little daughter and take my adolescent sons to join the gang. Thats why I left the country.

Mayorkas said the U.S. was coordinating with the Mexican government on flights that include Central Americans and ensuring that they comply with international law to provide humanitarian protection when warranted. He didnt elaborate.

If in fact they are turned around and placed in the northern part of Mexico, it is too facile, too easy for them to return and try an illegal entry again, he said. And so in response to that recidivism, to deter and prevent that recidivism from occurring, we are expelling them further into the interior of Mexico, which is far more difficult to try again.

He said the Biden administration has made changes to border policy, including allowing unaccompanied children into the country, but said people without a legal claim to residency would be removed under the law.

Human Rights First condemned the expulsion flights in a statement Thursday.

These expulsions are illegal, inhumane, and blatant violations of U.S. refugee law and the Refugee Convention, said Eleanor Acer, the organizations senior director of refugee protection.

On Wednesday, five United Nations agencies, including the High Commissioner for Refugees, expressed concern over the U.S. policy and repeated their call for the Biden administration to lift the so-called Title 42 restriction on asylum.

Mayorkas said the people being expelled to the interior of Mexico have been expelled under Title 42.

The move comes after President Joe Biden jettisoned many of his predecessors hardline immigration policies, describing them as cruel or unwise, including one that made asylum-seekers wait in Mexican border cities for hearings in U.S. immigration court.

Biden also scrapped agreements with Central American nations for asylum-seekers from third countries to be sent there to have their claims heard, denying any prospect of settling in the United States.

The Biden administration has said it wants to focus on addressing the root causes of migration from Central America. Vice President Kamala Harris has led that effort, visiting Mexico and Guatemala to discuss how the U.S. can help while encouraging people not to come. But those are at best medium-term solutions, while at the U.S. border, the number of encounters between U.S. authorities and migrants keeps rising.

Asylum-seeker from Honduras, Carla Leiva, 32, holds her five-year-old daughter Zoe as they pose for a photo at the "Casa del Migrante" shelter for migrants in El Ceibo, Guatemala, Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021. (Santiago Billy/AP)

Leiva had left Yoro on July 27 with her daughter and three older sons. Twelve days later, she and her daughter crossed the Rio Grande on a raft into Texas with a smuggler and were quickly apprehended. She said her sons were supposed to have followed, but didnt manage to cross.

U.S. authorities took Leiva and Zoe to Brownsville. Two days later they were put on the plane. On Thursday, they both still wore the identifying wrist bands U.S. authorities gave them.

The orange-painted hilltop shelter here has been filling this week as more migrants are dropped at the border daily. Theres little else in this remote border outpost surrounded by jungle.

Leiva was still trying to understand what had happened and what would come next. She said she could not return to Honduras and she fretted over the $3,000 she had paid the smuggler.

No one signed any deportation. I didnt sign, she said. They tricked us. They didnt even give me a paper. The bracelets are the only evidence they were ever briefly in the U.S.

Leivas only choice, she said, was to try making her way north again. Her two sons and older daughter were waiting in northern Mexico.

__

AP writers Ben Fox in Washington and Elliot Spagat in San Diego contributed to this report.
A policeman wearing a face mask stands guard outside a detention center in Dandong, China, on Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021. (Ng Han Guan/AP)

BEIJING  China on Thursday dismissed Canada's protests of harsh sentences handed down by Chinese courts to Canadians whose cases are seen as linked to the arrest in Vancouver of a top executive at Chinese tech giant Huawei.

The Foreign Ministry and the Chinese Embassy in Canada accused Ottawa of making unwarranted, groundless accusations that "grossly interfered in China's judicial sovereignty."

"Such accusations are extremely unreasonable, extremely absurd and extremely arrogant, over which we express our great indignation and strongest condemnation," their statements said.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday called the sentencing of entrepreneur Michael Spavor "absolutely unacceptable and unjust."

Trudeau cited a "lack of transparency in the legal process, and a trial that did not satisfy even the minimum standards required by international law."

"For Mr. Spavor, as well as for Michael Kovrig who has also been arbitrarily detained, our top priority remains securing their immediate release. We will continue working around the clock to bring them home as soon as possible."

Spavor and former diplomat Kovrig were detained soon after Huawei's Meng Wanzhou was arrested Dec. 1, 2018, at the request of the U.S., where she faces charges related to possible violations of trade sanctions on Iran.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry denied Spavor and Kovrig were arbitrarily detained and said their rights were "fully protected." Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying accused Canada of using "megaphone diplomacy," to rally its allies to pressure China.

"The Chinese side urges the Canadian side to clearly grasp the current situation, earnestly respect China's judicial sovereignty, stop applying double standards on legal issues, and stop slandering and attacking China so as to avoid bringing further damage to China-Canada relations," the statement from the Chinese Embassy in Canada said.

Spavor was sentenced Wednesday to 11 years in prison on national security charges by a court in Dandong, near the North Korean border. The government has released few details other than to accuse Spavor of passing along sensitive information to Kovrig. Both have been held in isolation and have had little contact with Canadian diplomats.

Canada and other countries face trade boycotts and other Chinese pressure in disputes with Beijing over human rights, the coronavirus and control of the South China Sea. The United States has warned American travelers face a "heightened risk of arbitrary detention" in China for reasons other than to enforce laws.

China has tried to pressure Trudeau's government by imposing restrictions on imports of canola seed oil and other products from Canada.

Diplomats from the United States, Japan, Britain, Australia, Germany and other European countries plus the European Union showed their support by gathering at the Canadian Embassy in Beijing on Wednesday. They have separately called for Spavor and Kovrig to receive fair trials or to be released.

"The practice of arbitrarily detaining individuals to exercise leverage over foreign governments is completely unacceptable," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement. "People should never be used as bargaining chips."

Three Canadians convicted in separate drug cases were sentenced to death in 2019. In one, Robert Schellenberg had received a 15-year sentence initially that was abruptly increased to death in January 2019 following Meng's arrest. His appeal was rejected Tuesday and the case was sent to China's supreme court for a mandatory review.

Meng, the chief financial officer of Huawei Technologies Ltd. and daughter of the company's founder, was arrested on U.S. charges of lying to the Hong Kong arm of the British bank HSBC about possible dealings with Iran in violation of trade sanctions.

Meng's lawyers argue the case is politically motivated. The judge who will rule on her extradition is likely to rule later this year and the ruling can be appealed further.

China's government believes her arrest is part of U.S. efforts to hamper its technology development. Huawei, a maker of network equipment and smartphones, is China's first global tech brand and is at the center of U.S.-Chinese tension over technology and the security of information systems.
Japans 2016 Drone Act prohibits flying small, unmanned aircraft above or within about 984 feet of the fence line of a designated military installation. (Pixabay)

CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa  The Japanese government has added 15 U.S. and 38 Japanese military sites to a list of places where overflights by consumer-grade drones are banned.

Japans 2016 Drone Act prohibits flying small, unmanned aircraft above or within about 984 feet of the fence line of a designated installation.

The prohibition takes effect Monday at newly listed Japanese Self-Defense Forces bases and on Sept. 5 at the U.S. bases, according to the Defense Ministry statement on Aug. 6.

Selections were made prioritizing the facilities that have particularly high necessity to prevent the danger of terrorist attacks using drones, a ministry spokeswoman told Stars and Stripes by phone on Tuesday. Its customary in Japan for some government officials to speak to the media on condition of anonymity.

The Japanese installations include Camp Nerima in Tokyo, Camp Naha on Okinawa and Iwo Jima Air Base.

U.S. sites on the island of Honshu include Yokohama North Dock in Kanagawa prefecture, Camp Fuji in Shizuoka prefecture and Kure Pier 6 in Hiroshima prefecture.

On Kyushu Island, the U.S. sites are Itazuke Auxiliary Airfield, Sasebo Dry Dock, Sasebo Ammunition Supply Point, the Yokose Petroleum, Oil and Lubricants Depot and Harioshima Ammunition Storage Area.

On Okinawa, the U.S. sites are Henoko Ordnance Ammunition Depot, Kadena Ammunition Storage Area, Tengan Pier, Camp Courtney, Camp Shields, White Beach Naval Facility and Naha Port.

Some members of the Japanese media object to the Drone Act, saying it restricts reporting on military activities and hinders the right of the people to be informed.

Japan moved to address drones after one crashed into former Prime Minister Shinzo Abes home in April 2015. They were first barred from flying over the Imperial Palace, national government office buildings, embassies and nuclear power plants.

The Japanese government took up smaller, personal drones a year later through the Drone Act. Violators face up to a year in prison or a fine up to about $4,500.

Last September, 15 U.S. bases were added to the list, including Yokota Air Base, headquarters of U.S. Forces Japan in western Tokyo, Yokosuka Naval Base, the homeport of the U.S. 7th Fleet, and several Marine bases on Okinawa.

Drone flyovers at U.S. installations occurred 70 times in 2018, U.S. Forces Japan said in 2019. Questions emailed Wednesday regarding recent drone incursions had not been answered by Thursday afternoon.

The drones pose a considerable risk to the safety and security of those living on the base and also those in the surrounding communities, the command said in 2019.

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Cmdr. Chris Gahl watches as the flag is raised aboard the USS Barry while the guided-missile destroyer sails through the Taiwan Strait, Nov. 21, 2020. (Molly Crawford/U.S. Navy)

TOKYO  A panel of security experts, including a former Japanese government official, expressed concern this week about the increasing potential for war between China and the United States, but made clear they believe conflict can be avoided.

During a news conference Wednesday at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Japan, three experts discussed the rising tensions over Taiwan between the U.S., Japan and China, as well as what could be done to avoid outright combat.

Kyoji Yanagisawa, a former assistant chief cabinet secretary for Japan who led the countrys national security and crisis management between 2004 and 2009, expressed serious concerns about stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Personally, I believe that this situation is already reaching close to the danger zone of war, he said. And there is a serious risk that China and the U.S. may go to war or enter into a conflict over Taiwan.

Mounting tensions follow increasing reunification rhetoric from Beijing, which considers Taiwan to be a breakaway province that should be reunited, possibly by force. The island split from the mainland in 1949 and has its own democratic government.

As recently as two weeks ago, Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Zhao Lijian, described Taiwan as an inalienable part of Chinas territory and said the issue itself is part of the political foundation of Chinas diplomatic relations with Japan and the United States.

China's national reunification and rejuvenation are an unstoppable trend. No one should underestimate the strong resolution, determination and capability of the Chinese people to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, he told reporters on July 29. Any attempt to create two Chinas or one China, one Taiwan will be like trying to hold back the tide with a broom and is doomed to fail.

In Tokyo, Yanagisawa said that while tensions between the U.S. and China have been relatively consistent throughout recent history, several factors have changed the status quo. He said a shift in the balance of military power in favor of China, Taiwans increasingly independent economy and a change in the political consensus of not recognizing Taiwanese independence as key factors in the escalation of hostile rhetoric.

Amid the increasing distrust and tensions between the two sides and the fact that they are also stationing military around Taiwan as well, means I believe there is a significant risk of an unexpected conflict arising, he said.

The official U.S. stance, known as the One China policy, acknowledges Chinese sovereignty over Taiwan but considers the island democracys future as unsettled. However, China frequently criticizes the U.S. for actions it believes undermines this policy.

The Taiwan Strait, which separates the island from mainland China, is seen from space during the Gemini X mission in 2010. (NASA)

Earlier this month, the Biden administration approved its first arms sale to Taiwan, a potentially $750 million deal that would include 40 self-propelled howitzers.

The proposed sale interferes in China's internal affairs and undermines China's sovereignty, an unnamed spokesman for Chinas Foreign Ministry said in an Aug. 5 statement on the ministry website. China, the spokesman said, would resolutely take legitimate and necessary counter-measures in light of the development of the situation.

Likewise, the U.S. Navy routinely steams through the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea. As of July 28, it has sent warships through the strait a total of seven times this year.

Adm. John Aquilino, head of Indo-Pacific Command, said in an Aug. 5 press conference that the U.S. is ready for any contingency that may occur, including armed conflict, when it comes to the Indo-Pacific region and Taiwan.

We are here to continue to operate to ensure peace and prosperity through the region, and we have to be in a position to ensure that status quo remains as it applies to Taiwan, he said.

Shigeru Handa, a journalist who frequently covers defense-related issues in the Indo-Pacific, said Japan should avoid leaning too heavily in favor of the U.S., and instead prioritize cooperation with China and other countries in the region to ease tensions.

Referencing Lockheed Martins development of the long-range, hypersonic weapon, a surface-to-surface missile expected to enter service with the U.S. Army in 2023, Handa said its vital that Japan refuse the weapons deployment in the region. Instead, he said Japan should pursue diplomatic channels to persuade China to adhere to international law.

Sayo Saruta, president of the New Diplomacy Initiative, a Tokyo-based think tank, warned against Japan focusing solely on tactical military deterrence policies.

We don't negate the role of military, but deterrence-only policy cannot maintain stability and peace, she said in the conference. We must have strong diplomatic channels and strong ties with China in order to keep peace in the region.

Alex Wilson
Buy Photo Commuters walking near Shinjuku Station wear masks to guard against the coronavirus early this summer in central Tokyo. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes)

TOKYO  The government in Japans capital city is considering a proposal to halve foot traffic to stem a rampant coronavirus spread, which on Thursday generated another 4,989 infections, public broadcaster NHK reported.

The Tokyo coronavirus advisory panel proposed trimming the number of pedestrians on city streets for two weeks, the broadcaster reported. The virus is spreading in uncontrollable fashion at an unprecedented rate, according to a statement from the panel, NHK reported.

The delta variant appears to account for more than half the new infections in Tokyo between July 19 and 25, the most recent information available from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government coronavirus tracking website. The delta variant is more contagious and may cause more severe illness in unvaccinated persons than previous strains, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

If imposed, measures to reduce pedestrian numbers could coincide with preparations for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, set to begin Aug. 24. The report does not address how the measure would be enforced.

After the panel meeting Thursday, Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike urged city residents to remain home this weekend through the Obon holiday, normally a time for family reunions. Cancel travel plans, stay home and reduce contact with other people, she said, according to NHK.

Also Thursday, Okinawa prefecture set a one-day record of 732 newly infected people, according to the prefectural Department of Public Health and Medical Care. Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki, faced with a viral surge there, has urged young people, especially, to stay home and refrain temporarily from socializing.

The fifth wave of the coronavirus in Tokyo is the most severe of the pandemic, thus far. Seven of the past nine days saw new, one-day case numbers greater than 4,000. The citys pandemic record, 5,042, was recorded Aug. 5.

The seven-day moving average of new cases was 3,983 on Wednesday, down slightly due to a dip in new case numbers Monday and Tuesday, according to data from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

The city, along with neighboring Chiba, Saitama and Kanagawa prefectures, remains under a state of emergency that encourages businesses to promote teleworking, limit their hours and curtail alcohol sales.

However, foot traffic in shopping malls and department store food sections, for example, is still a risk that must be drastically reduced, according to the NHK report.

In Japan, 1.07 million people have been infected with the coronavirus and 15,553 have died, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. Nearly 36% of its population, or 45.1 million people, are fully vaccinated.

US cases in Japan

U.S. military bases in Japan on Thursday reported 20 more individuals had contracted the coronavirus.

U.S. Army Japan, headquartered at Camp Zama, 26 miles southwest of central Tokyo, had 12 people test positive between Aug. 4 and Wednesday, according to an Army news release.

Two reported symptoms of COVID-19, the coronavirus respiratory disease, one turned up positive in a pre-travel test and another in a medical screening. Two were in restricted movement as new arrivals to Japan; another six were already quarantined as close contacts of a previously infected person, according to the Army.

The Marine Corps had seven people test positive for COVID-19 at its camps on Okinawa, according to a Facebook post by Marine Corps Installations Pacific.

Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, south of Hiroshima, reported one new case, according to a news release Thursday from the installation.

South Korea update

U.S. Forces Korea on Wednesday evening said eight people there had tested positive.

Service members at Osan Air Base tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, four after falling ill with symptoms of the respiratory disease and three during contact tracing, according to a USFK news release Wednesday.

Another service member at Camp Humphreys turned up positive during surveillance testing, USFK said.

South Korea reported 1,987 new coronavirus cases Thursday, one day after its one-day record of 2,223, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agencys daily update. Gyeonggi province, home to Osan and Humphreys, accounted for 570 new cases. Seoul, the capital, reported 522.

South Korea has fully vaccinated 8.2 million people, or 16% of its population. Another 21.8 million, or 42.5%, have received one dose of a two-shot regimen, the agency reported Thursday.

Stars and Stripes reporters Mari Higa on Okinawa and Yoo Kyong Chang in South Korea contributed to this report
An intercontinental ballistic missile lifts off from a truck-mounted launcher somewhere in Russia. The Russian military said the Avangard hypersonic weapon entered combat duty. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)

MOSCOW  A court in Moscow on Thursday ordered a specialist in hypersonic technologies to be kept in jail pending trial on charges of high treason, in the latest in a series of espionage cases targeting Russian scientists.

The Lefortovo District Court ruled at a hearing behind closed doors that Alexander Kuranov, director-general and chief designer of the St. Petersburg-based Hypersonic Systems Research Institute, should remain in pre-trial detention for two months. The materials of the case were classified, but Russian media reports said Kuranov was accused of handing over sensitive information to representatives of unspecified foreign countries.

The website of Kuranov's institute states that it has worked on the concept of the Ajax hypersonic vehicle, a project first proposed in the late 1980s by Soviet engineer Vladimir Freighstadt. Instead of protecting a vehicle flying at hypersonic speed from the heat it generates, Freighstadt suggested assimilating the heat to augment energy resources.

It's unclear whether Freighstadt's concept has seen any practical development since he first proposed it.

The website of Kuranov's institute also contained a program of an international workshop on thermochemical processes in plasma aerodynamics held in St. Petersburg last month.

Russia has prided itself on being the only country to commission hypersonic missiles  traveling more than five times faster than sound. Their development came as Moscow's relations with the West hit post-Cold War lows after Russia's 2014 annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula.

The new weapons include the Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle, which Russian officials say is capable of flying 27 times faster than sound and making sharp maneuvers on its way to target to dodge the defensive missile shield.

Avangard has been fitted to the existing Soviet-built intercontinental ballistic missiles instead of older type warheads, and the first unit armed with the Avangard entered duty in December 2019.

Another hypersonic weapon, the Kinzhal, which has been commissioned to arm Russian warplanes, has a range of up to about 1,250 miles and flies at 10 times the speed of sound, according to Russian officials.

And later this year, the Russian navy is set to complete the tests of the Tsirkon hypersonic missile intended to equip cruisers, frigates and submarines. Russian President Vladimir Putin said it would be capable of flying at nine times the speed of sound and have a range of 620 miles.

Russian officials have charged that Western spy agencies have redoubled their efforts to obtain information on the country's new technologies. Over the past years, several scientists, including those involved in studies on hypersonic technologies, have been accused of passing classified information to foreign powers.
Supporters of the Taliban carry the Taliban's signature white flags and march in the area of Afghan-Pakistan border, in Chaman, Pakistan, on July 14, 2021. (Tariq Achakzai/AP)

PESHAWAR, Pakistan  When Wahab disappeared from his home in Afghanistan to sign on for jihad, it was in neighboring Pakistan that he got his training.

The 20-year-old was recruited by childhood friends and was taken to a militant outpost in Parachinar, on Pakistan's rugged mountainous border with Afghanistan. There, he underwent training, preparing to fight alongside the Afghan Taliban, a relative told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because of fear of reprisals from militants and government security agents.

As the Taliban swiftly capture territory in Afghanistan, many Afghans blame Pakistan for the insurgents' success, pointing to their use of Pakistani territory in multiple ways. Pressure is mounting on Islamabad, which initially brought the Taliban to the negotiating table, to get them to stop the onslaught and go back to talks.

While analysts say Pakistan's leverage is often overstated, it does permit the Taliban leadership on its territory and its wounded warriors receive treatment in Pakistani hospitals. Their children are in school in Pakistan and some among them own property. Some among Pakistan's politicians have rebranded the insurgents as "the new, civilized Taliban."

Ismail Khan, a powerful U.S.-allied warlord, who is trying to defend his territory of Herat in western Afghanistan from a Taliban onslaught, told local media recently the war raging in his homeland was the fault of Pakistan.

"I can say openly to Afghans that this war, it isn't between Taliban and the Afghan Government. It is Pakistan's war against the Afghan nation," he said. "The Taliban are their resource and are working as a servant."

Pakistan has tried unsuccessfully to convince Afghans they don't want a Taliban government back in Afghanistan. They say the days of Pakistan seeing Afghanistan as a client state, to provide so-called "strategic depth" against its hostile neighbor India, is a thing of the past.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan has told every public and private forum that Pakistan wants peace in Afghanistan, has no favorites in the battle and is deeply opposed to a military takeover by the Taliban.

The country's powerful army chief has twice walked out of meetings with the Taliban, frustrated at their intransigence and infuriated by what he sees as the Taliban's determination to return to full power in Afghanistan, according to senior security officials familiar with the meetings. The officials spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they had no authority to discuss the meetings.

Still, Afghans are unconvinced. Even the international community is skeptical. The United Nations last week rebuffed Pakistan's request to address a special meeting on Afghanistan to again give its side.

The criticism is fueled by images of slain Taliban fighters being buried in Pakistan at funerals attended by hundreds, waving the group's flags. Last year, Prime Minister Khan called Osama bin Laden a martyr in a speech to Parliament, seen as a nod to militants.

When the Taliban were battling Afghan security forces in an assault on the Afghan border town Spin Boldak, wounded insurgents were treated at Pakistani hospitals in Chaman. The Taliban took the town and still hold it.

A doctor in Chaman told the AP he treated dozens of wounded Taliban. Several were transferred to hospitals in the Pakistani city of Quetta for further treatment, he said. Quetta is also where several in the Taliban leadership reportedly live, as well as in the Arabian Sea port city of Karachi. The doctor spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject.

In thousands of madrassas, or religious schools, around Pakistan, some students are inspired to jihad in Afghanistan, according to analysts as well as Pakistani and international rights groups.

Their recruitment largely goes on unhindered, interrupted occasionally when a local news story reports bodies of fighters returning from Afghanistan. Last month, Pakistani authorities sealed the Darul-Aloom-Ahya-ul Islam madrassa outside Peshawar after the body of the cleric's nephew returned home to a hero's burial. The madrassa had operated freely for decades, even as the cleric admitted he sent his students to fight in Afghanistan.

One of Wahab's cousins, Salman, went from a madrassa in Pakistan to join the Pakistani Taliban several years ago. Wahab was inspired to join the militants by propaganda videos purporting to show atrocities against Muslims by foreign troops. He ran away from his home in Afghanistan's border regions earlier this year, but his family was able to track him down in Pakistan and bring him home before he became a fighter, his relative said.

In mosques and on the streets in Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pukhtunkhwa province, militants preach jihad and raise money, the relative said, though they are less aggressive in recruiting because of Pakistani military operations in the area in recent years.

Still, Amir Rana, executive director of the independent Pakistan Institute of Peace Studies, said that unless Pakistani authorities adopt a "zero tolerance" for jihadis, the country will forever face international criticism and suspicion. "Justifying it has to stop," he said.

In response to AP's request for comment, a senior security official acknowledged that sympathies for extremists exist in conservative Pakistan. He said it began with a U.S.-backed program to motivate Afghans to fight the Soviets in the 1980s, which glorified jihad and portrayed the occupying troops as "godless communists." He said Pakistan is firm it doesn't want a Taliban-only government in Kabul, saying it would fan extremism.

Two security officials denied that jihadi groups in the border region receive any official help. They said a nearly completed fence being built by Pakistan along the long border with Afghanistan will stop the smuggling of fighters across. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment.

Pakistan has its own concerns, accusing Afghanistan of harboring militants opposed to the Islamabad government. Pakistani security officials say their country's rival India is allowed by Kabul's intelligence agency to stage covert attacks against Pakistan using militants in Afghanistan. In the last six months, they say more than 200 Pakistani military personnel have been killed by insurgents crossing the border,

The border, known as the Durand Line, speaks to the deeply troubled relationship between the two neighbors. To this day, Afghan leaders do not recognize the Durand Line and claim some Pakistani areas dominated by ethnic Pashtuns as Afghan territory, Pashtuns on both sides of the border share tribal links, and Afghan Pashtuns form the backbone of the Taliban.

Analysts say Islamabad has fueled extremist sentiment and worked with militants when it was in its interests. It was during the long fight against the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan that Pakistan's powerful intelligence agency developed deep ties with many of the most radical of Afghans, including the notorious Haqqani group, arguably the strongest faction among the Afghan Taliban.

"Islamabad does wield extensive leverage over the Taliban," said Michael Kugelman, deputy director of the Asia Program at the Washington-based Wilson Center. "But the Taliban, which is fighting a war it believes it's winning, has the luxury of resisting Pakistani entreaties to ease violence and commit to talks."

"For the Taliban, the calculus is simple: Why quit when you're ahead?"
(Israel Defense Forces/Facebook)

TEL AVIV, Israel  Israel downed an unarmed Hezbollah drone that crossed the border from Lebanon, the army said Thursday.

In a statement, the army said it downed the drone after it crossed the border into Israeli airspace. The incident on Wednesday was the latest uptick in activity along Israel's northern border.

Last week, the Iran-backed militant Hezbollah group claimed credit for firing rockets toward Israel. That was preceded by a rocket attack launched from Lebanese territory, though it remained unclear by whom. Israel responded with artillery and rare airstrikes.

Lebanon is experiencing its worst economic and financial crisis in its modern history, which the World Bank describes as among the worst the world has witnessed since the mid 1800s.

Still, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said the Lebanese government is responsible for attacks launched from Lebanon toward Israel, no matter by whom.

Israel estimates that Hezbollah possesses over 130,000 rockets and missiles capable of striking anywhere in the country. In recent years, Israel also has expressed concerns that the group is trying to import or develop an arsenal of precision-guided missiles.

Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah's leader, said he'd retaliate against any future Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon and added it would be wrong to assume Hezbollah would be constrained by internal divisions in Lebanon or the country's harsh economic crisis.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday said it was important for all sides "to avoid actions that can further heighten tensions and lead to miscalculation."
Rockets are launched from the Gaza Strip towards Israel, in Gaza City, on May 20, 2021. Human Rights Watch said Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021, that the thousands of rockets fired by the Palestinian militant group Hamas during the 11-day war with Israel in May violated the laws of war and amount to war crimes. (Hatem Moussa/AP)

JERUSALEM  A prominent international human rights group on Thursday accused Hamas of committing war crimes during a recent 11-day conflict with Israel by indiscriminately firing thousands of rockets toward Israeli population centers.

In its report, Human Rights Watch also said it had concluded that a misfired rocket launched by Hamas killed seven Palestinians when it fell short in the Gaza Strip. In a separate development, a U.N. agency said it had uncovered militant tunnels near one of its facilities and that Hamas had taken over one of its schools, undermining the agency's neutrality.

The New York-based rights group has repeatedly come under fire by Israel and its supporters over reports accusing Israel of war crimes against the Palestinians as well as apartheid and persecution. But in this report it agreed with most legal experts  and Israel itself  that indiscriminate rocket fire from Palestinian population centers directed at Israeli civilian areas is a violation of international law.

"Palestinian armed groups during the May fighting flagrantly violated the laws-of-war prohibition on indiscriminate attacks by launching thousands of unguided rockets towards Israeli cities," Human Rights Watch acting Middle East and North Africa director Eric Goldstein said.

It based its conclusions on an investigation into Hamas rocket attacks that killed 12 civilians in Israel.

Last month the group issued a report that accused the Israeli military of carrying out attacks during the conflict that "apparently amount to war crimes" after investigating three Israeli airstrikes that it said killed 62 Palestinian civilians. The group said there were no clear military targets in the airstrikes and said Israel had not taken sufficient precautions to avoid civilian casualties.

The war erupted on May 10 after Hamas fired a barrage of rockets toward Jerusalem in support of Palestinian protests against Israel's heavy-handed policing at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and the threatened eviction of dozens of Palestinian families from their homes by Jewish settlers in a nearby neighborhood.

Israel has said it struck over 1,000 targets in the Gaza Strip during the fighting, while Hamas launched more than 4,300 rockets and mortar rounds at Israel, including barrages directed at major population centers around Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

In all, some 254 people were killed in Gaza, including at least 67 children and 39 women, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Hamas has acknowledged the deaths of 80 militants, while Israel has claimed the number is much higher. Twelve civilians, including two children, were killed in Israel, along with one soldier.

"The rockets and mortars that Palestinian armed groups fired lack guidance systems and are prone to misfire, making them extremely inaccurate and thus inherently indiscriminate when directed toward areas with civilians," the report said. "Launching such rockets to attack civilian areas is a war crime."

Israel has claimed that around 20% of the rockets Palestinian militants launched fell inside the Gaza Strip, and said that most of the remaining rockets were intercepted by the military's Iron Dome aerial defense system, or fell in open areas.

Human Rights Watch concluded that a Hamas rocket fired on May 10 killed seven people, including two children, in the Gaza Strip city of Jabaliya. It said the number of Palestinians killed by errant Hamas fire might be higher.

"Munitions apparently directed toward Israel that misfired and fell short killed and injured an undetermined number of Palestinians in Gaza," the report said, adding that Hamas has not "provided information about how many rockets misfired or how many people died as a result in Gaza and there are no precise independent estimates."

The Israeli military has claimed another incident on May 10, in which eight Palestinian civilians died in an explosion in the northern Gaza town of Beit Hanoun, was the result of a misfired Hamas rocket. Human Rights Watch said in its earlier report that the explosion appeared to have been caused by an Israeli missile.

The May conflict was the fourth war between Israel and Hamas since the Islamic militant group seized control of Gaza in 2007, a year after winning the Palestinian parliamentary elections. Founded in the 1980s, the group rejects Israel's existence, is responsible for scores of deadly attacks on Israeli civilians and is considered a terrorist group by the United States, European Union and Israel.

Human Rights Watch, other rights groups and U.N. officials have accused both sides of committing war crimes in all of the conflicts, and HRW said both parties have "a long track record of failing to investigate" alleged violations.

The International Criminal Court is investigating possible war crimes by Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Goldstein has urged the ICC to include Palestinian rocket attacks and Israeli airstrikes during the most recent Gaza war in its ongoing investigation.

"The failure of both Hamas authorities and the Israeli government to provide accountability for alleged war crimes by their forces highlights the essential role of the International Criminal Court," Goldstein said.

Israel does not recognize the court's jurisdiction and says it is capable of investigating any possible wrongdoing by its forces. It says the ICC probe is unfair and politically motivated. Israel blames Hamas for the high civilian casualty count in Gaza, accusing the group of using civilians as human shields by launching attacks and military activity from residential areas.

This week, the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, said it had discovered "underground structures," including tunnels near U.N. facilities in Gaza. It said it condemned the existence of these tunnels "in the strongest possible terms" and sent protest letters to Hamas officials. "The agency has also protested the takeover by the de facto authorities of one of these schools, which undermines the inviolability and neutrality of UNRWA premises," it said.

In Gaza, Hamas issued an angry reaction to the HRW report, calling it "an injustice to our people."

"The only beneficiary of such a report is the Israeli occupation, because it equated the victim with the real criminal, while our Palestinian people are exercising their legitimate right to resist the occupation," it said.

But Goldstein said, "Hamas authorities should stop trying to justify unlawful rocket attacks that indiscriminately kill and injure civilians by pointing to Israel's violations."
The CIA symbol on the floor of CIA Headquarters, July 9, 2004, at CIA headquarters in Langley, Va. (Mark Wilson, Getty Images/TNS)

John Rizzo, a self-described "company man" who worked as a CIA lawyer for more than three decades, laying the legal groundwork for proxy wars, drone strikes and the "enhanced interrogation" program, in which suspected terrorists were tortured in secret prisons overseas, died Aug. 6 at his home in Washington. He was 73.

The cause was not yet known, said his son, James Rizzo.

Rizzo spent nearly his entire career at the CIA, where he offered legal advice on covert operations as well as on more mundane issues of environmental, contract and tax law. He was named the agency's top lawyer two months after the 9/11 terrorist attacks and went on to serve as acting general counsel for more than six years, in two stints.

But he was ultimately denied the official role of general counsel, with his Senate confirmation blocked in 2007 by Democratic opposition over his role in the agency's brutal detention and interrogation program. Under the George W. Bush administration, at least 39 detainees were subjected to sleep deprivation, waterboarding and other methods widely condemned as torture.

Rizzo said he did not object to the program, believing the techniques were necessary to extract intelligence that could help avert another strike against the United States. But he did anticipate future criticism and sought "legal cover," as he put it, by procuring Justice Department memos in 2002, in which the government argued that using the techniques would not violate U.S. law or foreign treaties. The methods were permitted, the memos argued, so long as they stopped short of causing organ failure or death.

He later called himself "the legal architect of the proposed list of techniques."

A five-year Senate investigation into the interrogation program concluded in 2014 that it was more brutal and less effective than the agency had let on, with one CIA interrogator quoted as saying that some prisoners "literally looked like a dog that had been kenneled." Waterboarding left one detainee, known as Abu Zubaida, "completely unresponsive," according to the Senate report, "with bubbles rising through his open, full mouth."

Rizzo, like the CIA directors under whom he worked, argued that the program yielded crucial intelligence before it was discontinued in the mid-2000s. He visited secret CIA "black sites" such as the Salt Pit in Afghanistan, where detainees were interrogated, and came away satisfied that the operation was well run. Top CIA officials said he temporarily shut down the program in response to changes to the law.

"Sure, I thought about the morality of it," he told the Hill in a 2015 interview. "But as I say, the times were such that what I thought would have been equally immoral is if we just unilaterally dismissed the possibility of undertaking a program that could have potentially saved thousands more American lives."

Critics accused him of being, in the description of national security journalist Spencer Ackerman on Twitter, "a torture apologist & a torture enabler." Human Rights Watch said Rizzo and other U.S. officials should be investigated for crimes including conspiracy to torture. But he remained a beloved figure at the CIA, where he was admired for his knowledge of national security law as well as his sartorial elegance  Gucci loafers, orange pocket squares, sparkling cuff links, pinstripe suits.

"In many ways John was sort of martyred to political correctness for doing the hard mission for the agency," former CIA director Porter J. Goss told the Los Angeles Times in 2009. Goss's successor, Michael V. Hayden, called Rizzo "my No. 1" in a phone interview Wednesday, lamenting that he was never confirmed by the Senate.

"There was nobody more dedicated to the protection of CIA and its officers than John Rizzo," George Tenet, who led the CIA when the interrogation program began, said in a statement. "He had a first class legal intellect while at the same time being street smart and tough."

Rizzo joined the agency in 1976, months after watching congressional hearings that shocked many Americans by exposing CIA assassination plots and domestic surveillance operations. He wasn't sure if the agency even had an in-house legal staff, he recalled, "but it occurred to me that if they don't have lawyers, they may need some now."

He later coordinated with House and Senate investigators examining the Iran-Contra affair, and developed rules for CIA operatives who were backing anti-communist rebels in Latin America.

According to the Times, he concluded that the agency could legally pay informants who were members of death squads  provided that they weren't the ones carrying out assassinations. Rizzo devised a "shoot in the air scenario," in which operatives who were tapped to pull the trigger were permitted to participate in the mission, so long as they vowed to miss their target.

"This is a modern version of frontier law," former CIA deputy director John E. McLaughlin said by phone, referring to the legal thicket Rizzo was frequently called upon to navigate. "When it comes to law governing intelligence operations, there is not a large body of precedent you can turn to. ... The CIA lawyer is often calling balls and strikes with a strike zone that is not well defined."

As the CIA's top lawyer after 9/11, Rizzo approved targeted killings through drone strikes, which also killed and wounded numerous civilians. A manila envelope was delivered to him once or twice a month, containing information on suspected terrorists who were slated to be "blown to bits," as he put it, if he signed off on the operation.

"It's basically a hit list," he told Newsweek in 2011, two years after retiring from the CIA. He then pointed a finger at the reporter's forehead and pretended to pull a trigger. "The Predator is the weapon of choice," he remarked, referring to the drone, "but it could also be someone putting a bullet in your head."

Rizzo said he sometimes wondered what his parents would have thought of the killings and his role in them. "The thought never left my mind that I was giving legal approval for killings and I had never done that before," he said in an interview for the book "Top Secret America," by journalists Dana Priest and William Arkin. "I just had to stay focused and detached."

John Anthony Rizzo was born in Worcester, Mass., on Oct. 6, 1947, and grew up outside Boston. His father was a department store executive, and his mother was a homemaker.

He studied political science at Brown University, receiving a bachelor's degree in 1969, and graduated from George Washington University Law School in 1972. In his first job out of law school, he worked at the U.S. Customs Service, only to grow tired of what he described as its "stumbling bureaucracy."

Within three years of joining the CIA, he had become the top lawyer for the Directorate of Operations, the agency's clandestine service. He was the CIA's acting general counsel from 2001 to 2002 and from 2004 to 2009; between those tenures, he served as the deputy to general counsel Scott Muller.

He retired with CIA honors including the Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal, and later was a senior counsel at the Washington law firm Steptoe & Johnson and a visiting fellow at the Hoover Institution, a conservative think tank at Stanford University.

His marriage to Priscilla Walton ended in divorce. In 1993 he married Sharon Knight, who later joined the CIA. She died in April. Survivors include a son from his first marriage, James Rizzo of Washington; a stepdaughter, Stephanie Breed Darga of Boston; two sisters; and two grandchildren.

Rizzo often noted the irony that targeting and killing terrorism suspects, including through drones strikes, appeared to be "less legally risky" than capturing and interrogating them. "I have no doubt that if I had said the word, much if not all of the [interrogation program] would have quietly died before it was born," he wrote in a 2014 memoir, "Company Man." "It would have been a relatively easy thing to do, actually."

But he said he had few regrets. "Mostly my conscience is clear," he told Brown Alumni Magazine. "I'm content."
Veterans Affairs Building in Washington, D.C. (Carlos Bongioanni)

CLARKSBURG, W. Va. (Tribune News Service)  The U.S. Attorney's Office of the Northern District of West Virginia is teaming up with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Office of Inspector General, the FBI and West Virginia University to host a symposium on the VA hospital murders in Clarksburg.

Legal and forensic experts will discuss the methods used to convict a serial killer who preyed on veterans at the veteran's hospital in Clarksburg.

In May 2021, Reta Phyllis Mays, a former nursing assistant at the veteran's hospital in Clarksburg, was sentenced to seven life terms in prison plus 20 years for murdering seven patients with insulin and attempting to murder an eighth veteran. The two-year investigation that preceded Mays' July 2020 guilty pleas was highly complex.

Symposium leaders will examine the clinical, forensic, psychiatry and legal prosecution techniques used to ensure justice for Mays' victims and their families. The prosecution team, investigators, and experts from around the globe will present during the event. The symposium has been approved for CLE and CME credits. Credits for LE in-service are pending.

"The Medicolegal Symposium on the Serial Murder Case of Reta Mays" will be held at the WVU College of Law on Thursday, Oct. 14 from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. The training will also be available virtually via the U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of West Virginia's YouTube channel.

Medical professionals and medical students, attorneys and law students, criminal investigators and criminal justice students are welcome to attend. Registration is free but is required. For more information or to register, go to the U.S. Justice Department website.

Mays was sentenced to life in prison for killing seven elderly veterans with fatal injections of insulin. Two men who died in Mays' scheme were residents of Fairmont, including 89-year-old Robert Kozul Sr. who died on January 30, 2018, of severe hypoglycemia caused by the administration of unnecessary insulin shots by Mays, who was his caretaker at the time.

When she was sentenced, U.S. District Judge Thomas Kleeh called her "the monster that no one sees coming." Mays had a history of mental health issues, but gave no explanation why she killed the men.

Kleeh also told May in court "you knew what you were doing" before sentencing her to seven consecutive life terms. Mays, who is now 47, will likely die in prison.

(c)2021 the Times West Virginian (Fairmont, W. Va.)

Visit the Times West Virginian (Fairmont, W. Va.) at www.timeswv.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Winston Watusi

Music Plus

Its official  John Key has moved to town; no, not that one, the other one...

I mentioned this a couple of weeks back and promised further information; consider this that call-back, albeit brief.

Because this column is about Loserpalooza 2021 - the citys biggest alternative music festival, happening at Totara Street on Saturday, August 21. Before that, though, a couple of gigs this weekend, the first by the aforementioned non-political John Key.

Actually, I dont know if he is non-political. He could well be. But more relevant is the fact that hes a jazz pianist and a very good one, having been part of the Rodger Fox Band, released albums and played at numerous jazz festivals, as well as editing and publishing two volumes of New Zealand jazz compositions.

John is playing this Saturday, August 14, at the Barrel Room, where they have monthly jazz. Accompanying him will be Mike Booth (Auckland Jazz Orchestra) and in-demand local bass player Wayne Melville. Things happen at 7pm, and there is no charge.

That same night, The After are playing at Mount Maunganui dive bar Voodoo Lounge. Theyre riding high on the success of their latest single, Clear To Me, which has charted in various places around the world. This 8:30pm show is part of an Asia/Pacific tour and will see them supported by Dead Empire and My Enemys Friend. Tickets are $10 from: Eventfinda.co.nz.

Loserpalooza

Okay. On to Loserpalooza 2021, of which I must confess to being a big fan. Theres 25 bands over 12 hours, with all proceeds going to Lifeline Aotearoa to aid in their important efforts to prevent and decrease suicide in New Zealand. Whats not to like? Especially since I suspect there will be more imagination, originality and passion on display than at 25 of the citys more staid gigs.

There will be two stages running from midday til midnight, with bands congregating from all over the country. If jazz fans can rightly be proud of Taurangas Jazz Festival, then fans of indie, hardcore and other varieties of strange, exciting, obnoxious and otherwise challenging music can justly celebrate this annual bash.

In a way it is a follow-up to the No Future Festival, which took place in February at the Historic Village and has a fair crossover of bands. The promoter  going under the name Your Enabler Presents or Slob Saget  has organised a series of shows since then at The Hop House. Ill list all the bands at the end of the column, but not being familiar with many, I asked him for recommendations. These were the notes I got...

The bands

Dartz: Sing along, you all know the lyrics! Well you probably dont. But you soon will as those catchy Dartz ditties get stuck in your head. More addictive than their namesake. May cause impotence.

Lizard Prom: Come to the Lizard Prom, with your favourite shoe-gaze grunge band playing all the hits to dance the night out with that special someone. Let those blood-curdling screams carry you away.

DAHTM: Wellington weed witches boiling the cauldron and evoking the spirits of doom punk with menacing guitars and thunderous drums. Beware the banshees before they take your soul.

Cootie Cuties: Stand on a chair for cootie immunity cause these cuties are coming to infect you with pop-punk riffs and songs that are like Sandy from Grease trading up and hanging with some 90s skater punks instead of John Travoltas lame rockabilly crew.

Diehards of Deep Dish: Using only the finest locally-sourced beats, served on a thin base of crispy drum riffs, drizzled with a layer of fresh vocals. Available for a limited time only.

Grown Downz: Bringing the rock, the roll and the brother/sister/husband?/wife?/White Stripes two-piece garage skater punk aesthetic.

And I promised a full list of the bands playing. Here are the rest: Eddie and the Dreamers; Polaroids of Polar Bears; Bloodbags; Arsehuffer; YdoubleR; Dykeslut; Stress Ghetto; Hemordroid; Hoick; Dateless; Verdant Exudate; POP OD; Two Skinner; TOOMS; Stunt Clown; Tactical Chunny; Deadman6; Yer Maws 5g Meatsuit; Flabberbastard; and Badjuju.

There is a timetable on Facebook; entry is $40, with door sales only.

Cootie Cuties
Four police officers have been disciplined for drinking or being drunk at work in the past 10 years.

Out of those four, one was formally charged while the other three were removed from work duties.

One of these was Bay of Plenty police officer who crashed a patrol car through a fence while nearly five times the alcohol limit after buying beers at the start of his shift.

The officer admitted two driving offences in the Whakatane District Court following an incident in Edgecumbe in April, Bay of Plenty District Commander Superintendent Andy McGregor said at the time.

The charges follow a single-vehicle crash involving a police vehicle at the corner of Otakiri Road and Main Street, Edgecumbe, at 8.30pm on April 6.

The officer pleaded guilty to one count of careless driving, and one count of driving with excess breath alcohol.

He was convicted and sentenced to six months disqualification, a $1000 fine and $2013 in reparation.

The on-duty officer was the sole occupant of the police vehicle, and was not injured in the crash.

While the 38-year-old is the only officer to be drunk and actively working in the past 10 years, he isnt the only one to be disciplined through police for being drunk at work.

Information released to Stuff showed three other police officers were disciplined for being drunk at work.

Police say the three incidents involved people turning up to work drunk, and they were removed from work duties.

Welfare has been initiated and then disciplinary processes were followed.

One of the staff members was in Auckland City in 2011, another in Waitemata in 2015 and the final also in Bay of Plenty in 2016.

A police spokeswoman says there was a range of actions that could be applied on the very rare occasions an employee was found drinking or drunk at work.

The path chosen depends on the particular circumstances and context.

Options could range from a health-based approach, to employment warnings, to dismissal  the action taken is entirely dependent on the particular circumstances.

The police drug and alcohol testing policy takes a rehabilitative approach, whereby staff identifying as having a drug or alcohol issue will be referred and supported through specific programmes, she says.

Wellness Support and Chaplaincy services are further avenues of support for staff with drug and alcohol related dependencies.

-Stuff/Kirsty Lawrence.
A Te Puke sawmill has been fined more than $200,000 following a workplace death.

Pukepine Sawmills (1998) Limited appeared in the Tauranga District Court on Tuesday, August 10, when the fine was imposed.

The company was also ordered to pay reparation of $110,000, as well as $95,561.15 in consequential loss.

In a statement released today, WorkSafe New Zealand says the tragic workplace fatality serves as a reminder for businesses that effective standard operating systems in workplaces are key to making sure employees stay healthy and safe at work.

These systems must be documented, implemented, communicated, and monitored to ensure they are effective, says WorkSafe New Zealand.

In March 2019, an employee at Pukepine Sawmills Limited died while assisting the unloading of dried lumber from one of the sawmills kiln.

He was hooking up a tow chain to the trolleys of dry wood with the intention of shifting it out of the kiln to make room for a fresh load of wood to enter.

Another employee, unaware that the victim was unloading the trolleys, used a forklift to push the fresh wood trolleys into the kiln, attempting to eject the dry wood trolleys from the opposite side of the building.

The victim was crushed between the trolleys and the rear of the loader he had reversed up to the kiln.

A WorkSafe investigation found a number of issues in the business procedures.

"Pukepine Sawmills had an inadequate communication system when workers were loading/unloading the kilns, relying on employees to use their mobile phones and hand signals," says Area Investigation Manager Paul West.

"Similarly, while the business was in the process of developing a traffic management system, there was no system in place at the time of the incident to keep vehicles and pedestrians separate.

"There was also no internal monitoring to ensure that employees were aware of the businesses safe operating procedures.

"The business had no documented exclusion zones and no monitoring system in place to signal that the kiln was being loaded or unloaded.

"This is another preventable tragedy that could have easily been avoided with well-documented health and safety practice and effective communication of these practices. Because of an unsafe workplace, a father needlessly lost their life and will never return home to be with his friends and whanau."
Food prices were up 1.3 per cent in July 2021 compared with June 2021, mainly influenced by higher prices for fruit and vegetables, and grocery foods, says Stats NZ.

Fruit and vegetable prices generally rise in winter as lots of summer produce is out of season and becomes more expensive, says consumer prices manager Katrina Dewbery.

The rise in fruit and vegetable prices was mainly influenced by higher prices for tomatoes (up 21 per cent), broccoli (up 39 per cent), and strawberries (up 34 per cent).

The weighted average price of a 350g broccoli head was $4.13 in July, an all-time high and $0.43 more expensive than the previous high in May 2017.

Fruit and vegetable prices rose 5.1 per cent in the July 2021 month, but only up 0.8 per cent after adjusting for seasonality effects.

Fruit and vegetables often go in and out of season with large fluctuations in prices, however we can use the seasonally adjusted index to get a better understanding of what the price movement would be without the normal seasonal effects, says Katrina.

Dairy prices rise for consumers in July

Prices for milk (standard homogenised) rose 3.3 per cent in July to an all-time high weighted average price of $3.78 per 2 litre bottle, following rising global dairy trade prices between December 2020 and March 2021.

We often see a lag before consumer dairy prices in New Zealand are affected by the global prices, says Katrina

Prices for all dairy products that we measure rose in the month, but the main contributors, in order, are:

-fresh milk (standard homogenised and calcium-enriched), up 3.0 per cent

-yoghurt, six pack, up 2.1 per cent

-butter, up 2.7 per cent

-cream, up 3.9 per cent
Engine room fires still prevalent ( ) Lessons are still not being learned when it comes to preventing engine room fires. said Graeme Temple, regional director for Braemar SAs Far East operations.




Boers offering free Covid-19 jabs to seafarers

Crew services specialist Boers has launched seafarer vaccination programmes at German and Belgian ports, as shipping executives warn of onboard Covid-19 outbreaks because mariners are not getting vaccines quick enough.

Seafarers arriving at ports in Antwerp, Ghent and Zeebrugge can get one-shot Covid-19 jabs through Boers' scheme, which is being launched to protect key workers in the shipping industry. The Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine will be available free of charge until further notice to all mariners of any nationality arriving in Belgium for crew changes. There is a fee for the medical services provided by the port authorities. "Getting as many seafarers as possible vaccinated is absolutely vital to supply chains and global markets," said Hans Boers, Co-CEO of Boers, the Netherlands-based shipping crew transport services operator for Northern Europe. "We've seen with the crew change crisis the challenges shipping companies face in hiring seafarers for their vessels, creating a shortage of available mariners which in turn has led to rising prices for goods, food and petrol as demand outstrips supply. "For us, the most important thing is making sure crew members entering Belgian ports have access to free Covid-19 jabs. Protecting seafarers from the virus is paramount - and we have the means to help do that. The more mariners who have the vaccine, the quicker shipping and life in general can return to normal." Boers recently began offering free jabs to mariners at German ports in Hamburg and Bremerhaven. The company also provides vaccinations at ports in the Netherlands, albeit for just Dutch flagged or owned vessels but it plans to extend this service to all seafarers. While Boers is supporting efforts to vaccinate all seafarers, maritime executives such as Esben Poulsson, Chairman of the International Chamber of Shipping, say the new delta strain of Covid-19 has hampered the shipping industry. Poulsson added that crew changes were not happening quickly enough to satisfy increased demand for products, especially from the US and Europe in the lead up to Christmas, putting more pressure on already strained global supply chains. He also criticised government figures for continuing to stick their heads in the sand. Stephen Cotton, general secretary, International Transport Workers' Federation, expressed similar concerns about the crew change crisis. "The situation is going from bad to worse," he said. "We need more than lip service from governments; we need concrete action that allows crew changes to be carried out in a safe manner." Meanwhile, IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim has urged IMO member states to support a fair global distribution of Covid-19 vaccines, to ensure seafarers have access to jabs. "No seafarers should be left behind or forced to forgo their careers because of limited resources in their home country," Lim said. He added that shipping companies needed to provide testing, appropriate PPE and access to medical and sanitation facilities, to protect crew members and prevent the virus spreading. At Belgian ports, seafarers who want the Covid-19 vaccine must apply at least 48 hours before their ship is berthed. Application forms, which should include the vessel information, expected time of arrival and details of the mariner wanting the vaccination, must be sent to info@boers-crewservices.nl. On receiving the application, the port's maritime medical centre will either confirm or refuse the request. Vaccinations on vessels are available for five or more crew members, with groups of four or less having to go to the medical centre. Any Covid-19 jab will be recorded in the seafarer's vaccination booklet. In Germany, Boers offers around 30 shots on Tuesdays and Thursdays and approximately 40 shots on Saturdays to seafarers at Hamburg's port. Details for the number of vaccines available in Bremerhaven and on what days are being finalised. Shipping companies that want vaccines for their seafarers at German ports need to provide Boers with a crew list, vaccination passport, the vessel's contact details and a patient agreement and information sheet signed by the crew member.




Shell becomes a strategic partner in the Signal Maritime MR pool

Shell Tankers (Singapore) Private Limited will contribute 10 medium-range product tankers (MRs) to the Signal Maritime MR pool in a partnership that reflects the increasing role that digital technology is playing in global shipping.

In line with the shipping industrys decarbonisation efforts, Shell and Signal have also agreed to collaborate on carbon emissions reduction initiatives. Shells partnership in the MR pool comes after Shell became an early adopter of the Signal Ocean platform in product tankers. The two partners expect digital technology to help improve commercial results through the MR pool structure and other potential synergies. Plans for further expansion of the pool with select partners are in progress, following the initial launch of the pool with vessels from Astra Shipmanagement and Signal. The pool aims to increase its fleet while sustaining high performance and quality of service with global presence. The MR pool has been a natural expansion step for Signal Maritime, following the successful establishment of the companys Aframax Pool as a top-performing operator. The commercial team leverages its analytical capabilities and expertise along with the powerful Signal Ocean platform to run its tanker pools more efficiently and profitably,while ensuring transparency and flexibility to the pool partners. The two partners have also agreed to investigate further synergies and pooling opportunities in other tanker segments.




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In a nutshell: Epic Games has been embroiled in an antitrust battle with Apple for a year over its tight control of developers making software for the App Store. Some of the very issues Epic is fighting for are at the heart of legislation that was just introduced in the US Congress.

On Wednesday, the US Senate introduced a bill called the Open App Markets Act. The proposed legislation looks to protect competition and harden consumer protections as they apply to the app market. Senator Richard Blumenthal's press release specifically called out Apple's and Google's dominant position in the mobile app sector.

"Two companies, Google and Apple, have gatekeeper control of the two dominant mobile operating systems and their app stores that allow them to exclusively dictate the terms of the app market, inhibiting competition and restricting consumer choice," reads the summary.

Backed by Blumenthal and colleagues Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee and Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, the bipartisan bill includes a provision prohibiting app store owners from forcing developers to use their platform's payment system. This protection is a harsh blow to Apple and Google, which both require developers to use their payment systems within their apps. This issue is also at the core of the Epic v. Apple antitrust lawsuit.

The law would also prevent platform owners from restricting consumers from sideloading software onto their devices. Despite its generic language, this clause is almost certainly aimed at Apple as it is opposed to users downloading software off-platform.

Developers will also have the right to inform users of lower competitive pricing, which Apple forbids in its developer terms of service agreement. For example, according to Apple's ToS, developers are welcome to have an off-platform store. However, they cannot link to or promote that store within the iOS app. This prohibition was another of Epic's main arguments in its battle with Apple.

The Open App Markets Act still has a long road ahead of it. Since it is a Senate bill, it will be debated there and then sent to the House of Representatives for a vote. If the House approves it, it goes back to the Senate for another vote. The President will either sign or veto if the bill makes it through Congress. Meanwhile, lobbyists both for and against the proposal will try to sway lawmakers to their side. So it might still be quite some time before we see it passed, if at all.

Image credit: Lorie Shaull
Recap: When Huawei was sanctioned by the US government, Honor was caught in the crossfire because it was a subsidiary of a Chinese company, prohibiting the use of Google services in its phones. However, that changed when Huawei sold Honor, allowing the latter to feature Google software again. The new Magic 3 is the first phone to be released globally since the company became independent.

Since Honor was spun off Huawei in late 2020, the company has been absent from the global market. During this time, it launched devices such as the View 40 and the Honor 50, but only in China. The latter is confirmed to come with Google services, and it's expected to see a more widespread release later this year.

Now with the Magic 3 series, Honor is launching three new 5G phones with up to 12GB of memory and 512GB of storage. All models feature the same 10-bit 6.7" OLED curved display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a 1344p resolution, and HDR10+ certification. The Magic 3 Pro and Pro Plus will feature a Snapdragon 888 Plus, leaving the standard Magic 3 with the Snapdragon 888.

One of Honor Magic 3 series' unique features is OS Turbo X, which contains "low-latency, anti-aging engines and smart memory engines" for improved responsiveness, even when multiple apps are open in the background. There's also GPU Turbo X to reduce power consumption and improve performance automatically depending on what the user is doing, and Link Turbo X, Honor's technology that allows the use of Wi-Fi and cellular together, reaching download speeds of up to 6.1Gbps.

Each model has its own camera configuration. The Magic 3 features a 50MP main camera, a 13MP ultrawide, and a 64MP monochrome camera, the Pro 3 models feature the same plus an additional 64MP telephoto camera with OIS and a 3.5x optical zoom. Then there's the Pro 3 Plus, featuring a 50MP camera with full pixel octa phase detection autofocus, a 64MP ultrawide, a 64MP monochrome, and the same 64MP telephoto found in the Pro model.

All Honor 3 models are certified with IP68 water and dust resistance for added protection and pack a 4600mAh battery that can be charged using Honor SuperCharge at 66W or SuperCharge wireless at 50W. Moreover, they can also be used as power banks through wireless reverse charging.

The Magic 3's global release date has yet to be disclosed, but prices for the Eurozone have already been shared. The 8GB+256GB Honor Magic 3 will be available for 899 ($1,055). The Magic 3 Pro with the same specs bumps to 1,099 (about $1,290). The Magic 3 Pro Plus is priced at 1,499 (about $1,760) featuring a 12GB+512GB configuration.
A hot potato: After repeatedly trying to fix a set of vulnerabilities also known as "PrintNightmare," Microsoft has yet to provide a permanent solution that doesn't involve stopping and disabling the Print Spooler service in Windows. The company now acknowledged yet another bug that was initially discovered eight months ago, and ransomware groups are starting to take advantage of the chaos.

The Print Spooler security nightmare isn't over for Microsoft -- the company has had to issue one patch after another to fix things, and that includes this month's Patch Tuesday update.

In a new security advisory, the company acknowledged the existence of yet another vulnerability in the Windows Print Spooler service. This one is filed under CVE-2021-36958, and is similar to the previously discovered bugs that are now collectively known as "PrintNightmare," which can be used to abuse certain configuration settings and the ability of users with limited privileges to install printer drivers that can then be run with the maximum privilege level possible in Windows.

As Microsoft explains in the security advisory, an attacker can exploit a flaw in the way the Windows Print Spooler service performs privileged file operations to essentially gain system level access and wreak havoc on a system. The workaround is once again to stop and disable the Print Spooler service entirely.

Great #patchtuesday Microsoft, but did you not forgot something for #printnightmare? 



Still SYSTEM from standard user...



(I may have missed something, but #mimikatzmimispool library still loads... ) pic.twitter.com/OWOlyLWhHI   Benjamin Delpy (@gentilkiwi) August 10, 2021

The new vulnerability was discovered by Benjamin Delpy, who is the creator of exploitation tool Mimikatz, while checking to see if Microsoft's latest patch finally solved PrintNightmare.

Delpy found that even though the company made it so Windows now asks for admin privileges to install printer drivers, one doesn't need those privileges to connect to a printer if the driver is already installed. Furthermore, the Print Spooler vulnerability is still open to attack when someone connects to a remote printer.

It's worth noting that Microsoft gives credit to finding this bug to Victor Mata of FusionX, Accenture Security, who says he reported the issue in December 2020. Even more concerning is that Delpy's previous proof of concept for exploiting PrintNightmare still works after applying the August Patch Tuesday.

Bleeping Computer reports that PrintNightmare is quickly becoming a tool of choice for ransomware gangs, who are now targeting Windows servers to deliver Magniber ransomware to South Korean victims. CrowdStrike says it already prevented some attempts, but warns this may only be the beginning of more wide-reaching campaigns.
A third COVID-19 vaccine shot is set to be allowed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for immunocompromised individuals, according to various sources.

This is after a study that involved transplant patients getting a third dose of a COVID vaccine showed that the additional shot provided additional protection.

The expected changes to COVID-19 vaccine clearances will only apply for immunocompromised individuals and not the general vaccinated population.

3rd Vaccine Shot for the Immunocompromised

A third COVID-19 vaccine shot for immunocompromised individuals will be allowed soon by the FDA, according to various reports.

Clearances for the Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines are expected to be amended to accommodate the change.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are also set to discuss the possibility of administering booster shots for immunocompromised individuals, according to a report by Bloomberg.

Related Article: COVID-19 Vaccine Effectivity: Not That High with 'Immunocompromised' People, Transplant Recipients, Says Study

Study Shows 3rd Shot Benefits for Transplant Patients

Researchers at the University Health Network in Toronto, Canada conducted a study on the effects of a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine on transplant patients. The results of this study have been shared with both the FDA as well as with Canadian regulators.

The study involved the participation of 120 transplant patients. According to Bloomberg, a certain number of transplant patients received a third Moderna vaccine shot two months after receiving their second dose. The rest received a placebo shot instead.

Results of the study show that 55% of those who received a third COVID-19 vaccine shot developed desired antibody levels needed for protection. Only 18% of individuals who received a placebo shot developed the same antibody levels.

The COVID-19 Booster Debate

Health experts, government regulators, and vaccine manufacturers have been debating on whether or not there is a need for a third COVID-19 vaccine shot or booster.

COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers such as Pfizer and Moderna have long argued for the need for a booster, saying that the additional shot can provide more protection against the coronavirus.

Despite their arguments, the CDC and other health experts and regulators, such as Dr. Anthony Fauci, have previously said that booster shots are not essential just yet. One of the arguments placed against a COVID-19 booster shot is the possibility of more serious side effects.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has also slammed countries ordering booster shots for their citizens. The WHO argued that the focus should first be on ensuring that all nations receive equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.

Given the changes set to be made for Pfizer and Moderna vaccine clearances, regulators are about to change their tune on the issue, at least as far as immunocompromised individuals are concerned. It remains to be seen if it will be the case for the vaccinated population as a whole.

Also Read: CDC, Fauci Thinks COVID-19 Boosters Are Not Essential As of The Moment, to Address its Need in Briefing

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Written by Isabella James

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A Netflix parody called "Nestflix" is coming to bring people a chance to "browse" mock-ups or fake movies and television shows from real movies and series to the world. It may sound confusing at first, and somehow impossible, but the start-up company aims to bring these titles which were only made for a plot, to life.

Netflix has focused its ventures on mobile gaming, and it aims to bring more users to the platform, as they believe that there is a torn interest between gaming and media streaming.

It is unknown if Netflix is continuing with its speculated advancements with Sony, especially as it was initially mentioned for its plans in 2022.

Nestflix, a Netflix Parody

"Nestflix" is now gaining a lot of publicity and popularity, especially among users which are massive fans of pop culture and series. At most series or shows, there are mock-ups or "fake" movies or series which were made by show writers or producers.

Web designer, Lynn Fisher, has conceptualized "Nestflix," a platform that would show a "movie within a movie" or a show within a show. The platform has launched earlier today, and it brings a lot for people to look forward to, as they relieve comical shows that were made for their favorite movies or series.

Read Also: Netflix Gaming's Focus is Mobile, To Have a Subscription Service Like Xbox-Will They Expand to Console?

Users can now access Nestlix via its website, and here, they may see the mock-up movies that were only made for the main character's plot. One example would be "The Office US's" "Threat Level Midnight," which was made by the branch manager, Michael Scott, played by Steve Carell.

Fortunately, "Threat Level Midnight" was showcased as a film of its own via the show, as it was premiered by Scott in Season 7, Episode 17 of "The Office."

Movies, Shows Within Real-Life Movies, Series is Coming

Most of the focus of this is to portray that main characters also take time in having leisure times or stream movies, and not only go on with their stories as heroes or as the star of the plot. Despite being fillers for the plot, several of these mock-up "movie within a movie" has made serious laughs for users, and lives on to the show's fandom.

Included in Nestflix's massive library are mock-ups from "Home Alone," "Family Guy," "The Simpsons," "Entourage," "Toy Story," "Community," "Scott Pilgrim vs. The World," and more.

Whats your favorite movie within a movie? Im sure a lot of you love Angels with Filthy Souls from Home Alone. https://t.co/MtDOmZiZbG  Lynn Fisher (@lynnandtonic) August 11, 2021

Several of these mock-ups are also known to be parodies from wild imaginations of the characters in the real movies or series and were given snippets by the producers, writers, directors, or animators.

Would Production Continue?

The website would only show what was made by the studios and their respective sources, giving them proper credits and recognition. The Nestflix parody website only aims to compile the many movies within a movie in the real world's pop culture into a single database, where people can search and re-live them.

Fisher aims to continue the database and providing pop-culture references behind it and would be free for users to access the Nestflix.

Related Article: How to Watch Netflix on Nintendo Switch Even If it is Not Officially Supported by the Console

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Written by Isaiah Richard

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
An AI called "mediKanren" has helped a teenager with a rare neurodevelopmental disease find treatment in a recreational drug known as "ketamine." The patient has had a hard time coping up with the disease, as it impaired him to verbal cues.

The patient, his family, and his doctors have searched for a viable disease for years, and AI solved it for them.

Artificial Intelligence has been used for a lot of things like in common household techs like an assistant built-in speakers like Amazon Alexa and Apple's Siri. However, they span to military-grade tech like Pentagon's venture into predictive AI.

AI: mediKanren Helps Find Treatment for a Rare Neuro Disease

According to StatNews, the AI known as mediKanren has helped a teen known as "Mateo," have treatment for a rare neurodevelopmental disease called the ADNP syndrome. The ADNP stands for Activity-dependent neuroprotector homeobox, and it helps people speak and interact with others in a social situation.

The syndrome is known to be close to intellectual disability and displays signs of autism, but is not quite the brain condition. The rare condition has no known cure as of the moment, so people would have to rely on treatments. However, before using the mediKanren, there are no known treatments for ADNP.

It has found "ketamine," a recreational drug that can be used for treatments provided that it is approved by a physician for medical purposes only, for Mateo's condition.

Read Also: Talview, Leading Provider of HR Solutions, Secures $15M in Series B Funding Round

Can It Be Used for Finding Treatments for Other Diseases?

The mediKanren AI is being developed by Matt Might, and a team from the University of Alabama Birmingham, aiming to bring a feature of technology to assist the medical world. It can potentially help doctors in looking for a cure and would surpass personal research and tests for this.

It would match and look for studies on its own, and determine the best possible treatment for a disease.

Potentially, AI can be used for most treatments known to man, which already have records in the online world. Moreover, it would require access to a database of diseases and research to connect different needs to a solution.

"Kanren" is a Japanese word that means "connection," something which the researchers have intended for the technology.

AI to Help in Most Industries in the World

Artificial Intelligence has become one of the forefronts of most industries in the world, helping them solve, learn, or distinguish things that would take serious time for humans to do alone. The adaptive learning of AI has helped solve a lot of problems, and even predict a lot of things in the future.

Currently, AI is being developed to be controllable and accessible by man, as there are still dangers to relying on the technology, and fully giving it the intelligence or access it has. There are pros and cons to AI, among all the things known to man.

Related Article: New Anti-Breast Cancer AI Acts as an Independent 2nd Reader to Assist Radiologists

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Written by Isaiah Richard

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
(Photo : Image from Unsplash Website) Android 12 Beta 4 is Now Available | Focus on 'Polish, Performance, and Stability'

The Android 12 Beta 4 is now finally available for those that have long been waiting for an update! Google has previously unveiled its upcoming operating system to the public and the long awaited update but now, the "closer to official" beta version is here!

Android 12 OS Beta 4

Google has just unveiled its upcoming Android 12 OS release during the previous Google I/O developer conference that took place back in May 2021. The new Android 12 is actually considered the biggest design change for the total Android phones in years!

According to CNet, the company reportedly stated that it is finally approaching the final phase of development along with the release of the operating system's fourth beta! The company introduces the Android 12 Beta 4! Previous Android 12 leaks have been poking new features and security upgrades and now, the leaked information is slowly actualizing.

Android 12 Beta 4 Changes

The new Android 12 Beta 4 is currently available for those curious souls, the Android beta testers. The version, as of the moment, still contains very minimal changes or features compared to the previous betas. For those that have tried the Beta 3, the changes might not be too noticeable at first glance.

Google, however, notes that it is now focused on "polish, performance, and stability" as the operating system has finally reached platform stability. This basically means that the beta version is acting more and more similar to the way it is expected to run during its official release.

Android 12 New Features

There are a number of features that are new to the Android 12 like app privacy capabilities, the one-handed mode, other redesigned notifications, and the newer face autorotate which has also previously been rumored. Google is still expected to provide an official release date for the official version of the Android 12.

According to Android themselves, with Beta 4, the new Android 12 has "reached Platform Stability" and that means that the Android 12's APIs as well as all the app-facing behaviors are now finalized. When it comes to developers, the focus is now directly on the compatibility and the operating system's quality.

Read Also: Apple iOS 15 New Feature Could Help Users Detect Lost AirPods Pro and AirPods Max Similar to AirTags

New Operating System Changes

It is now time for developers to prepare their compatible app updates for the official release expected to happen later this 2021. Android also invites people to watch out for one last Beta that is expected to come in the weeks ahead as an upcoming release candidate for user's final testing.

The website notes that the Android 12 platform will also include other behavior changes that could directly affect developer's apps. The behavior changes apply to every single app when they are running on the Android 12 OS. This is regardless of the targetSdkVersion. Android encourages developers to test their apps and modify them as needed in order for the apps to properly be supported where applicable.

Related Article: First Look: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 | Specs, Price, Release Date Reveal

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Written by Urian B.

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
(Photo : Image from Unsplash Website) Apple Faces Patent Infringement Lawsuit by Bell Northern Research for Basic Mobile Wireless Technology

Apple gets yet another patent infringement lawsuit by the company Bell Northern Research which is a distant descendant of Bell Labs. The patent infringement lawsuit leverages multiple properties that are related to the basic mobile wireless technology that is being used by the iPhone maker.

BNR's complaints lodged with the US District Court for the Western District of Texas and brought claims all the way from a total of ten different patents to bear directly against Apple's iPad, iPhone, and other different wireless products. BNR even cited the alleged infringement US Patent Nos.

Here are the Patents Involved:

Apple MIMO Technology Patent

The supposed patents-in-suit detail different methods of saving power in different mobile devices, semiconductor packaging, MIMO beamforming, chip packages with heat spreaders, and even the general cellular communications technology. The path to BNR's patent infringement lawsuit is still long and winding. The MIMO technology was also another target of an Apple patent lawsuit according to XR Communications.

According to the story by Apple Insider, BNR is now far removed from Bell System's very own Bell Labs. It is reportedly an entity that developed significant advances when it came to telecommunications and even laid the groundwork for the interconnected world of today.

BNR Roots

BNR also traces its roots all the way back to the Bell Telephone Company of Canada which is reportedly an arm of the Bell System that is responsible for originally making telephones as well as other equipment that are based on Western Electric's designs. The whole manufacturing business was then spun out into Northern Electrics in 1895.

Subsequently, the business cut ties with Western Electric to start creating its very own set of inventions in certain research labs that are based in Canada. BNR was reportedly formed when Northern Electrics as well as Bell Canada later merged both research and development organizations.

Read Also: Google Employees That Opt to Work-From-Home Could Experience 5% Up to 25% Pay Cut

History of Bell

When Bell reportedly broke up in 1982, there were a number of splinter companies that were left standing. Lucent as well as its subsidiary Agere Systems were included among the offshoots. Lucent was even absorbed by Nokia back in 2016 and Agere was even acquired by LSI back in 2007.

LSI was then later acquired by Avago, which in turn was then acquired by Broadcom and even adopted the trade name of Broadcom, Inc. This was amid the tumult and BNR was then folded into Nortel. Apple also faced a $2 million fine for not including a charger in its iPhone 12 series.

The suit notes that former employees of Bell Labs, Northern Electric, and even Nortel had all decided to re-energize BNR back in 2017. This practice even meant turning the organization into a particular patent holdings firm that had existed to leverage the whole intellectual property development at Lucent Technologies, LSI, Agere, Avago and Broadcom.

Related Article: Apple Repair Prices Could Drop if New FTC Ruling Pushes Manufacturers to Restrict Exclusive Repairs

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Written by Urian B.

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
(Photo : Image from Unsplash Website) WhatsApp Users Can Now Transfer Chat History Between iOS and Android with Samsung Galaxy Foldable Phones

WhatsApp users can finally transfer their chat history between both iOS and Android. This migration can be done through the most recent Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3.

WhatsApp iOS to Android Devices

According to the story by The Verge, WhatsApp is now adding the ability for users to bring their own chat history when they decide to switch from their iOS devices to Android devices. This includes everything from photos, voice notes, and of course the basic conversations.

The long-rumored feature was announced during the Samsung Unpacked August 2021 event that just took place. The new feature will initially cover certain transfers from the iOS all the way to the company's very own Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 along with other Samsung phones that are to come in the following weeks.

iCloud and Google Drive Storage

Eventually, the feature will reportedly cover all different transfers between iOS as well as Android phones. As of the moment, however, it is still unclear as to when it will finally be available for all other devices, also reported by Engadget.

The new feature should help fix one of the widely known WhatsApp frustrating elements. It has actually never been officially possible for users to transfer their very own chat history between the different mobile operating systems. For those that would choose to use the WhatsApp cloud backup feature, they will be able to go to the iOS chat histories which are stored directly in iCloud while Android's own chat histories are saved in Google Drive.

Read Also: Android 12 Beta 4 is Now Available | Focus on 'Polish, Performance, and Stability'

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3

This means that it was only possible to transfer users' chats between phones that are running the exact same operating system. The brand new feature transfers chat histories through the use of a physical Lightning to USB-C cable instead of sending them through the internet. As of the moment, users can expect this feature to be available for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3.

Quite unfortunately for users, however, if they have transferred between the iOS and Android in the past and already have two different cloud backups, the new transfer feature won't even merge them directly together in a single chat history. Instead, WhatsApp notes that if users use it to migrate their chat history and then decide to back it up, it will then overwrite any other existing backups.

WhatsApp even noted that the new features will allow users to transfer their chat history from iOS to Samsung's new foldables at first. It will then allow transfers made to Samsung devices that are running Android 10 and up in the upcoming weeks. It had also declined to say when the feature would finally arrive for other non-Samsung Android phones or when it will even allow transfers from Android to iOS.

Related Article: Apple iOS 15 New Feature Could Help Users Detect Lost AirPods Pro and AirPods Max Similar to AirTags

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Written by Urian B.

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Zoom's Focus Mode is part of the new update that the popular video conferencing platform is rolling out, which seeks to lessen the distraction for students in a virtual classroom setting.

It is to note that academic learning remains primarily online as the world continues to face the wrath of the COVID-19 pandemic due to emerging mutations of the virus, like the notorious Delta variant.

As such, Zoom, which rose to fame as people were compelled to stay at the confines of their homes, never ceases to introduce features that improve the overall user experience.

Zoom's Focus Mode

As per 9to5Mac, one of the latest functions that Zoom is introducing is the new Focus Mode, which is meant for educators to keep their students focused on their online classes.

Previously, students, or any online meeting participant in general, face multiple distractions even if Zoom is the only app that they have opened. One of which involves seeing the video feed of other folks inside the video conference.

For instance, some students tend to play around to make their peers laugh while the teacher is lecturing. But, in some cases, unintentional actions still cause a distraction to the other participants.

Focus Mode: Lesser Distraction for Students

The new mode via Zoom answers those problems. It removes the video feed of screen shares of other participants other than the host. While the teacher still sees the webcam of the students.

The Verge noted that the Focus Mode is somehow similar to the function of the Webinar mode. However, the feature meant for students works sans the minimal control and complexity of the latter.

One good example is the feature that still allows the host to turn off the fewer distractions mode when the discussion time arises, wherein students are encouraged to interact or share their thoughts and queries.

On the other hand, the Webinar mode does not allow the same option, and it further requires a premium subscription. While the Focus Mode is available even for users who only own a free account on Zoom.

Zoom's Focus Mode release is timely as most districts in the United States are gearing up to open the new school year, and online classrooms are here to stay due to the unwavering threat of COVID -19.

Read Also: Zoom Hacking is on the Rise: Here's What You Need To Do To Be Secure

Does Focus Mode Work in Corporate Setting

Zoom specifically noted that the new Focus Mode is designed for the classroom setting, meant to be used by teachers and students.

However, the video teleconference platform clarified that the new feature works for accounts, groups, and individual users. Zoom added that Focus Mode could be enabled via the More button while a call is ongoing.

So, that said, even meetings in the corporate setting could freely use the Zoom anti-distraction feature.

Elsewhere, Zoom was forced to pay $85 million after it lied about its "end-to-end encryption."

Related Article: Zoom's Screen Sharing Feature Could Reveal Sensitive Information of its Users - Why You Should Worry About This?

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Written by Teejay Boris

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
(Photo : Bill Ingalls/NASA via Getty Images)

NASA named the Plum Brook Station in Ohio after Neil Armstrong, even after the first person to step on the moon declined the honor previously.

As per OhioNewsTime, the testing facility formerly known as the Plum Brook Station has been re-dedicated while Niel Armstrong celebrates his 91st birthday.

The Glenn Research Center in Cleveland manages the 6,400-acre facility that houses the Space Environments Complex, the largest and most powerful space environment simulation chamber in the whole world.

Not to mention that it is also an In-Space Propulsion Facility, which is the only way to test rocket engines and vehicles even as they are in high-altitude conditions.

It is worth noting that aside from being a NASA space facility, it is also popularly known as a film location.

As such, many have seen the then-Plum Brook Station found between Sandusky and Milan without them knowing. It has been the setting for the series and blockbuster movies of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

NASA's Plum Brook Station in Ohio Named After Neil Armstrong

On Aug. 11, or nine years after Armstrong's demise, the NASA Plum Brook Station has been renamed into Niel A. Armstrong Test Facility.

Together with some members of Congress, NASA officials graced the re-dedication event, honoring the late Neil Armstrong.

The person that made the renaming into law, Sen. Rob Portman, spoke on the dedication event, saying that Armstrong would rather be unexcited about it, but the iconic astronaut will be fine with the decision.

The senator went on to note that Armstrong's humble demeanor about the dedication is another reason to do it.

The now "Armstrong Test Facility" is also the location of the recent NASA Artemis I Orion testing, wherein it faced extremely high and low temperatures, as well as an electromagnet. Both will be the environment that the spacecraft will be facing as it attempts to go to the moon.

The new spacecraft will be bringing astronauts to the moon to follow the milestone that Armstrong, along with the other Apollo gang, did 50 years ago.

Sen. Portman further revealed that Amstrong supported this mission and that it was his dream for the Artemis to launch from the ground.

Read Also: NASA Plans To Study, NOT MINE, A 'Goldmine' Asteroid Worth QUADRILLIONS By 2026

Neil Armstrong Previously Declined

The senator shared that Neil was never a fan of the plan to name the facility after him. Portman recalled that the first man to walk on the moon said: "You know, thanks, but I really don't need that."

However, the NASA test facility is now named after the guy who once declined the honor.

Meanwhile, the rare private photo collection, which includes a picture of Neil Armstrong, was sold at $63,000.

Elsewhere, here's why Neil Armstong and the rest of the Apollo 11 had to undergo a 21-day quarantine after the moon mission.

Related Article: NASA's Spacesuit Production Delayed for Two Years as Agency Ran into Funding Shortfalls

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Teejay Boris

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A Louisiana judge on Thursday rejected a request for a preliminary injunction that would have required the state to resume participation in several federal pandemic unemployment programs.

Judge Timothy Kelley of the 19th Judicial District Court in Baton Rouge said Louisiana's decision to cut off jobless benefits for more than 150,000 residents amid the worst spike in COVID-19 to-date will undoubtedly cause "irreparable harm." But he wasn't convinced the case would be successful upon a full hearing.

"I'm not happy with my decision but I think my decision is the legally correct one," Kelley said.

Ellyn Clevenger, an attorney for the plaintiffs, said they plan to appeal the ruling as soon as possible.

Congress made the extra benefits available through Sept. 6. But Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, agreed to cut them off five weeks early as part of a deal with Republican lawmakers that also included permanently raising Louisianas unemployment benefits by about 11%, or $28 a week, beginning next year.

Louisiana cuts off jobless benefits early for 150,000 residents amid worst COVID surge When Sandra Louis lost her job at the start of the pandemic, her first worry was how she would afford insulin to treat her diabetes. Even with

The federal programs included a $300-a-week boost to the states weekly unemployment payouts, which max out at $247 and rank among the lowest in the country.

Nearly 86,000 self-employed workers and gig workers who don't qualify for state aid lost their benefits early. And another 65,000 residents who have exceeded the states 26-week-long limit on unemployment benefits got the boot.

A group of six unemployed women filed a lawsuit at the end of July arguing that neither Edwards nor the Louisiana Workforce Commission had the authority under state law to reject the federal benefits. The plaintiffs also argued that by zeroing in on the jobless benefits and not other federal programs like rental aid or business support, the state unfairly discriminated against unemployed residents.

Similar lawsuits have been lodged in other states that ended benefits early, and some have succeeded. Judges in Indiana, Maryland and, most recently, Oklahoma, have ordered states to resume paying the benefits.

Ruling from the bench after a five-hour hearing, Kelley acknowledged that denying the preliminary injunction will create a great deal of harm. But he said he didnt think the plaintiffs made a strong enough case that their arguments would succeed at trial.

I think they have shown irreparable harm, Kelley said. The problem is they havent shown a likelihood of success on the merits.

Lawsuit seeks to force Louisiana to keep paying $300 federal unemployment benefits A group of unemployed Louisiana residents filed a lawsuit Friday night challenging Gov. John Bel Edwards decision to stop accepting the feder

Thursdays hearing, held over Zoom, featured testimony from five of the plaintiffs. The audience following along online peaked at around 300 participants.

Felicia Walters, a plaintiff who lives in St. Tammany Parish, spoke about contracting COVID while working as a nurse. She continues to experience cardiac, cognitive and digestive issues as a long-hauler, and her doctor said shes too brittle to reenter the workforce.

Lately, shes taken to skimping on medications to save money.

Its literally a life-or-death situation for me, Walters said. Theres no way for me to make an income when the doctors wont release me to work.

Fellow plaintiff Courtney Rae Cook, a single mother of two from St. Bernard Parish, testified about losing her bartending gig on Bourbon Street when the pandemic struck. Shes applied for over 200 jobs and hasnt had any success. Her lights are about to be cut off, and to make things worse, shes now sick with COVID.

I couldnt take a job right now even if I was offered one, Cook said.

Wendi Lee, another single mother of two, lost work as a substitute teacher in Caddo Parish schools when the state entered a lockdown. Shes applied to more than 100 jobs and only got one interview. She didn't get the job.

She has just 16 cents in savings and doesnt have the money to pay rent, let alone purchase back-to-school supplies for her children.

Im willing to take any kind of job, Lee said. Ive been homeless and I dont want it to happen again ... We'll be on the street. The shelters here are even full."

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Megan Ventress drove for Uber and Lyft in New Orleans before the pandemic shut down tourism. Back then, she could make $1400 over 25 hours. Now she nets between $30 to $40 a day delivering food for Door Dash.

Ventress, a single mother to two daughters age 14 and 8, has about $62 to her name, and is beginning to receive delinquency notices on her electricity bills.

"If we lose our lights, we lose our water. We have well water," said Ventress, who lives in Bush, out in rural St. Tammany Parish. Without the federal benefits, she said she will "definitely end up in a homeless shelter with my girls."

Autumn Young caught COVID three times while working as an emergency room physician. The infections battered her body. Her hair fell out. Her heart, spleen and liver are now enlarged. And shes lost 40 pounds.

The 37-year-old said shes been told by doctors she has anywhere from 12 to 18 months left to live. She recently qualified for a job in tele-health but it will take six weeks to get her license.

Nobody wants to hire anyone even doing the most mediocre, menial job when you have to come in saying, Oh, by the way, Im going to be in the hospital five days at a time every ten days, Young said. I went from being financially secure to not being able to pay my light bill.

Young said the next five weeks of benefits were "the only thing standing between me and the lights going out, figuratively and literally."

Kelley, who was elected to the 19th Judicial District Court in 1997, acknowledged throughout the hearing that his ruling would have far-reaching consequences for thousands of Louisianans.

It does not escape the court that a retroactive application that would provide the funds might not be effective because some people need it now, not in three months, Kelley said. They still need to feed their kids.

"This is a big deal. People are going to suffer because of this and I know it and I empathize with it," Kelley added later.

The lawsuit argues that the decision to rescind the benefits early violates the Louisiana Employment Security Law, which governs how jobless benefits are administered. A section of that law states that officials "shall take take such action  to secure to this state and its citizens all advantages available under the provisions of the Social Security Act that relate to unemployment compensations."

Clevenger said the three federal programs that Louisiana jettisoned were created through the CARES Act but administered through the Social Social Security Act. Therefore, she said, the state is obligated to obtain them.

But Kellen Matthews, an attorney for the Louisiana Workforce Commission, said because the state's unemployment statute doesn't reference the CARES Act, there's no mandate to secure the benefits.

Gary Jones, another attorney for the state, said the courtroom was not the place to "relitigate the policy judgements" of the governor and state Legislature. He said a preliminary injunction preserves the status quo, and at this point, the status quo is a cancelled program.

He said that you'd have to be "heartless not to be sympathetic" towards the women who testified, but said the "law is the law," urging the court against reinstating the benefits.

Representing the plaintiffs, Clevenger said there was no "legitimate government purpose" in ending the federal programs early, saying there's no evidence to suggest the payments encouraged people to stay at home. In order to obtain unemployment benefits in Louisiana, she said, recipients must apply to at least three jobs a week.

"How is it rational to take those benefits away but we're going to continue administering rental assistance payouts?" Clevenger said.

The hearing featured an unusual amount of back-and-forth questioning between judge and attorney.

"This is a serious, serious issue," Kelley said. "It's such an important issue that we need to flesh it out."

Defending the state, Jones said the governor and Legislature ended the payments early to get people back to work. Clevenger called that a nonsensical argument, adding that "opinions are not data."

"The pandemic benefits were supposed to be a temporary solution. However, you dont stop the benefits during the largest spike of COVID in the history of our state," said Wendy Manard, another attorney for the plaintiffs. "There's no rational basis between walking away from federal aid at a time when Louisiana needs it most in exchange for raising the state's unemployment benefits in the future."
A letter urging Gov. John Bel Edwards to rescind his face mask mandate for public school students and supposedly signed by 19 Republican lawmakers has sparked controversy because some legislators said their names were improperly attached to the message.

Rep. Kathy Edmonston, R-Gonzales, who spearheaded the effort, said Thursday a second letter would be going out to the governor, possibly Saturday.

Edwards on Aug. 2 re-imposed his face mask mandate because of rising cases in the delta variant of the coronavirus, including K-12 students.

Edmonston sent a letter dated Aug. 9 with the names of 18 other House Republicans urging the governor to rescind the mask mandate for students.

But at least one lawmaker whose name was on it said said it was attached without permission, and there were questions from others on the list too.

Rep. Julie Emerson, R-Carencro, said she agreed to add her name and offered some suggestions when the letter was being drafted.

"But there was some suggestion about changing the approach and I was kind of under the impression that is what we were doing," Emerson said.

"I was a little surprised that she sent the letter."

Some officials complained privately that Edmonston jumped the gun ahead of another message in the works backed by far more of the 68-member House GOP delegation.

Edwards vehemently defended his mask mandate in an Aug. 11 letter to Senate leaders after they raised questions about the issue.

The governor said 569 children 5-17 tested positive for the virus in early July compared to 5,113 in early August.

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"This is indisputable evidence that the delta variant is running rampant among our children, right at the very time when schools are starting," Edwards said in his letter to Senate President Page Cortez, R-Lafayette and Senate President Pro Tem Beth Mizell, R-Franklinton.

"Without a requirement that our kids return to school wearing face coverings we will have created the perfect environment for delta to strengthen its hold in Louisiana," he said.

Cortez said his and Mizell's letter stemmed from the heavy number of calls and emails from senators about face masks.

"Our request is that you allow the decision for students and masks to be made by local districts under the guidance of the state Superintendent of Education," the Aug. 10 Senate letter says.

"Local district leaders know their communities and can address the concerns of parents. Our effort is to restore control to those who also have the best interest of Louisiana's children at heart."

Edmonston's letter noted that, before Edwards issued his face mask mandate for students and others, state education officials said they would defer to local school systems on whether to require masks.

"After all, parents know what is best for their children," Edmonston wrote.

"Many children have already suffered from social, emotional and mental distress related to masking."

Edmonston is a former member of the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, which is set to take up the issue of face masks on Wednesday.

Jeff Landry says state school board, not governor, has final say on face masks in schools Escalating a political feud, state Attorney General Jeff Landry issued an opinion Friday that said Louisiana's top school board has the final 

Attorney General Jeff Landry issued an opinion last week that said BESE, not the governor, has the final say on whether masks are required.

Edwards said Landry's opinion is wrong.

Check back with The Advocate for more details.
Oxley Park Public School has been closed effective immediately for the on-site attendance of staff and students and to allow time for contact tracing and cleaning, after a member of the school community tested positive for COVID-19, the NSW education department said.

All staff and students have been asked to self-isolate until they receive further advice.

NSW Health has requested anyone who has been unwell or if you develop any symptoms such as a fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, loss of smell/taste, muscle/joint pains, diarrhoea, nausea/vomiting and/or extreme tiredness to be tested at one of the COVID-19 testing clinics, a spokesman said.

Oxley Park is in Penrith, one of the local government areas under tougher lockdown restrictions.
Sinister, if you ask me is the response of Don Bain of Port Macquarie to discovering that today, Friday the 13th, has been designated International Left Handers Day.

George Zivkovic of Northmead would like to propose a question for this years HSC Mathematics exam  you can decide if it should be Standard, Advanced or Extension. If James and his wife Amanda live in a non-affected LGA, can they travel together more than 10 kms through affected LGAs to purchase skis not available nearby, then call into their holiday home en route to ski fields to check on building work being undertaken by tradies from intra-state? Full working out must be shown. Bonus marks for credible loopholes.

I heard someone from the Clean Energy Council claim we have the best Australian sunshine in the world, writes Jack Dikian of Mosman. I couldnt tell if perhaps hed been in the sun too long because it was on the radio.

Like George Manojlovic, Col Burns of Lugarno also thought the long locks (C8) that he hadnt sported since his youth were groovy. My downer wife, however, didnt dig my far out appearance and took the clippers to me. Bums me out, man.

Hairy-headed Boomers can also buzz off if they so wish. After weeks of frustratingly long grey locks, Russ Couch of Woonona dusted off the old electric hair clippers and now sport a neat number 3 cut all over. Its not the most elegant look, and in a week or so the family may talk to me again as the stubble grows, but for the moment I feel so free, so free!
NSW has reported 345 new local COVID-19 cases, as the Bayside, Strathfield and Burwood local government areas in Sydney are moved under stricter restrictions.

From 5pm on Thursday, only authorised workers will be allowed to leave these local government areas for work.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian says people in the Inner West and Camden areas should be on extra alert. Credit:Nick Moir

In relation to Bayside, the suburbs of particular concern are Bexley, Banksia and Rockdale, where additional cases have been identified overnight, so if you live in those suburbs in particular, please come forward and get tested, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said.

Two men in their 90s have died after testing positive to the virus: one had received one dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine and the other had received both doses of the Pfizer vaccine.
A young driver fleeing from the law narrowly avoided hitting a police officer and two cyclists during a pursuit in central Melbourne that rekindled memories of the Bourke Street tragedy, a court has heard.

Bryce ODonnell panicked when police tried to pull his car over on January 28 because he was on bail at the time and banned from driving, his lawyer told Melbourne Magistrates Court. He sped and drove erratically from Swanston Street into the Bourke Street Mall.

Bryce ODonnell has pleaded guilty to reckless conduct and other charges. Credit:Victoria Police

People in the mall ran to safety and documents released by the court said ODonnell hit a road barrier and bollard in his green Mitsubishi Lancer. His driving, partly on tram tracks, also forced a police officer to jump out of the way.

Despite the damage to his car, ODonnell turned out of Bourke Street and continued driving erratically through the CBD, nearly hitting two cyclists and pedestrians when he turned back onto Swanston Street. He then drove to Albert Park, where he abandoned the car near his mothers home and evaded police for a week until he was arrested in Ballarat on February 4.
Health and family violence groups have accused the Andrews government of failing to crack down on alcohol delivery services supplying drink to children and intoxicated people.

Amid surging online alcohol sales during the pandemic, and after a five-year review, the state government has introduced the Liquor Control Reform Bill, which aims to minimise harm from alcohol while reducing red tape for venues serving alcohol.

Online alcohol deliveries have become increasingly popular. Credit:Jessica Shapiro

But health advocacy groups say the Victorian bill puts vulnerable people at risk and falls short of equivalent laws in other jurisdictions, including NSW.

Catrina Giorgi, the chief executive of the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education, said digital age- verification checks needed to happen at the online point of sale, instead of tick box or date of birth entry methods.
Australias workplace watchdog will dump its guidance to employers that they are overwhelmingly unable to require staff to be vaccinated and instead adopt a four tier system backing mandatory vaccinations for key industries.

The Fair Work Ombudsman says border control, quarantine, healthcare and aged care organisations are more likely to be allowed to mandate jabs for their staff. Essential businesses in areas of coronavirus transmission, which would include supermarkets in parts of western Sydney, are also likely to be allowed to require their staff to receive a vaccination.

Former Fair Work Ombudsman Natalie James called on the federal government to deliver clearer advice on mandatory jabs, which it has now done in part. Credit:Ryan Stuart

Whether an individual workplace is allowed to require vaccination from its staff still depends on the legal threshold of reasonableness but the ombudsmans intervention sends a clear signal to businesses about which firms can expect to be able to require jabs as employers beg for clarity.

The fourth tier of the new advice, which was made public shortly after The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age revealed its contents, says people working from home are least likely to face mandatory workplace jabs.
A volunteer group famous for helping bushfire survivors and residents stuck in public housing towers during lockdowns has been blown away by the response to its quest to raise $600,000 to build a new kitchen.

The appeal, by Sikh Volunteers Australia, had by 10pm on Thursday raised over $315,000 via crowdfunding site GiveEasy, after it was launched on Wednesday afternoon.

Manpreet Singh, vice-president of Sikh Volunteers Australia, with some of the volunteers. Credit:Scott McNaughton

The response is overwhelming, said SVA vice-president Manpreet Singh. We are so thankful to everyone.

Mr Singh said money raised will enable it to expand its services to make up to 10,000 meals a day. Up to 3000 meals per day can be made at the charitys current rented kitchen in Lynbrook, in Melbournes south-east.
Islamabad: A bus blast last month that killed 13 people, including nine Chinese workers, was a suicide bombing by Islamist militants backed by the Indian and Afghan intelligence agencies, Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on Friday AEST.

The minister said an investigation showed there was a nexus of Indian RAW and Afghan NDS in the attack, referring to the two countries intelligence agencies.

A bus carrying Chinese and Pakistani construction workers in north-west Pakistan fell into a ravine in an incident deemed a terrorist attack. Credit:AP

The July 14 blast hit a bus carrying workers to a dam construction site in northern Pakistan. Two Pakistani soldiers were also among the dead.

An Indian government official said the charge was baseless and said Pakistan has made similar accusations repeatedly in the past.
Rome: Italys interior minister has called for a reform of draconian citizenship laws after the success of a multicultural roster of athletes at the Olympics.

Children born in Italy to foreign parents are not considered citizens and can only apply after their 18th birthday.

About 800,000 children who speak Italian, go to Italian school and consider themselves Italian have to go through a complicated bureaucratic process to become citizens.

Of the Italian athletes who competed in Tokyo, 46 were foreign-born. Lamont Marcell Jacobs, who won gold in the 100 metres on the track, was born in Texas to an American father and an Italian mother.
The London Telegraph reported that, in the aired interview, Ben Embarek added that it was interesting that the Wuhan Centre for Disease Control (CDC) laboratories had moved in early Dec 2019, to a spot just 500 metres from the market linked to an early cluster of cases. There are other labs in Wuhan that are interesting such as CDC, which also worked with bats, he said. What is more concerning to me is the other lab that is next to the market because they were also handling coronaviruses, without potentially having the same level of expertise or safety or who knows. When we were being shown around I thought it all looked new. I asked how old the lab was and they said we moved on Dec 2. Thats when it all started. We know that when you move a lab it disturbs all the procedures. You have to move the virus collection and the samples. Thats why that period of time and that lab are interesting, The Telegraph reported.

In further comments during the interview that were not included in the documentary but were incorporated in an account by the Danish channel TV2 on its website, Ben Embarek suggested that there could have been human error but that the Chinese political system does not allow authorities to admit that. It probably means theres a human error behind such an event, and theyre not very happy to admit that, Ben Embarek was quoted as saying. The whole system focuses a lot on being infallible, and everything must be perfect, he added. Somebody could also wish to hide something. Who knows? Only two weeks to conduct study: Peter Ben Embarek, of the World Health Organisation team, right, chats with his Chinese counterpart Liang Wannian during a WHO-China Joint Study Press Conference. Credit:AP Asked for comment, Ben Embarek initially said the interview had been mistranslated in English-language media coverage. It is a wrong translation from a Danish article, he wrote, declining to comment further and referring The Washington Post to the WHO. He did not immediately respond to follow-up questions. WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic also said that the comment was mistranslated and that the interview took place months ago.

There are no new elements nor [a] change of the position [that] all hypotheses are on the table and WHO works with member states on the next step, Jasarevic said, referring to comments by senior officials with the global health organisation about the probe. The documentary, titled The Virus Mystery, aired on TV2. Loading Ben Embarek had cooperated with the documentary filmmakers, even going so far as to film his trip to China for them on his phone to provide an inside look at a closed-off trip. He led a team of international scientists on a mission to China in January to work with local officials to investigate the origins of a pandemic that has so far led to more than 200 million confirmed cases and at least 4.3 million deaths worldwide.

From the start, the trip was mired in controversy. Beijing delayed approval for the WHO trip, pushing back the researchers arrival, while some of the international experts on the team were criticised for prior links to Chinese research. Even once it arrived, the WHO team, subject to strict quarantine procedures, had only two weeks in the field to conduct research. After the teams report was released in late March, it grew only more disputed. The team looked at four different scenarios for how the virus first spread to humans, labelling the idea of zoonotic spread from animals to humans as most likely. Other, less likely scenarios included that the virus could have been imported to China on frozen food - a theory pushed repeatedly by Chinese officials but seen as unlikely by many international experts. The lab-leak theory, the subject of intense speculation in the United States, was dubbed the least likely scenario, and the WHO team said it should no longer be investigated. Even sceptics of the theory found the dismissal a surprise.

At a news conference marking the release of the report, WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the scenario still needed closer study. Although the team has concluded that a laboratory leak is the least likely hypothesis, this requires further investigation, potentially with additional missions involving specialist experts, which I am ready to deploy, Tedros said. Ben Embarek and other researchers on the team have hinted at immense pressure during the trip from all sides, with as many as 60 Chinese colleagues working with not only scientists but also public health figures. The politics was always in the room with us on the other side of the table, he told Science Magazine during an interview published in February. Later this month, the US intelligence community is expected to complete a 90-day review of the evidence about the origins of the coronavirus.
2021 Lincoln Nautilus Review By Larry Nutson

2021 Lincoln Nautilus

Quiet Flight

By Larry Nutson

Executive Editor and Bureau Chief

Chicago Bureau

The Auto Channel

The past year, and then some, has certainly been a tough one for automakers with the effects on business from the Covid-19 pandemic and most recently the microprocessor supply shortage. In spite of it all Lincoln sales are up 23 percent overall.

Lincolns Nautilus 5-passenger midsize utility vehicle is also seeing a sales increase with purchases up eleven percent in the first half of 2021. I last drove the Nautilus in 2019 when the updated version hit the streets with its new name as the successor to the Lincoln MKX.

The 2021 Nautilus is freshened and further refined following Lincolns Quiet Flight design philosophy. On the outside theres a new front fascia. In the cabin theres an all-new instrument panel design and a new Sync 4 infotainment system and a 13.2-inch touchscreen. A horizontal piano-key layout is used for gear selection with easily accessible audio and climate controls located just below.

Lincolns Phone As A Key smartphone capability using the Lincoln Way app is also new. You can lock, unlock and start the vehicle without the usual key fob. Opening the rear liftgate, raising or lowering windows, and locating the Nautilus in a parking lot by activating the horn and lights is also possible.

The new Nautilus comes standard with Lincoln Co-Pilot360 and available Lincoln Co-Pilot360 Plus which features a 360-degree camera with a front sensing system, Adaptive Cruise Control with stop-and-go and lane-centering technology, Distance Alert/Distance Indication and Enhanced Active Park Assist and Evasive Steering Assist.

Nautilus is offered in Standard and Reserve trims powered by a 250-hp turbo 2.0-L 4-cylinder mated to an 8-speed automatic. Both trims are available with front-wheel or all-wheel drive. A top-of-the-line Black Label trim is powered by a 335-hp twin-turbo 2.7-L V6 also with an 8-speed automatic and is offered only with all-wheel drive.

EPA fuel economy ratings range from 19 to 22 city mpg and 25 or 26 highway mpg depending on engine and drive set-up.

Pricing starts at $42,500 for the Standard trim. The Reserve is priced at $49,550 and the Black Label at $65,090. Destination charge is an additional $995.

For this 2021 Nautilus drive experience I drove a Black Label trim finished in Flight Blue on the outside with the Chalet Theme leather cabin finish. Fitted options included a Cargo Utility Package ($365), Mini spare wheel/tire ($150), Roof-rack side rails in satin finish ($195), and Ultra Comfort 22-way power front seats ($1,500). The total hit $68,295 with the $995 destination fee.

My wife and I road-tripped the Nautilus from Chicago and the shores of Lake Michigan across lower Michigan to the shores of Lake St. Clair for a family event. Immediately noticeable is the quietness of the cabin making for ease of conversation and music enjoyment. We both really enjoyed and appreciated the 22-way front seats with their power thigh extenders and air cushions with their massage function.

The new Sync 4 infotainment system with its large touchscreen is within close reach and easy to use. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability made for some podcast listening. The 19-speaker Revel Ultima audio system delivered clear and crisp sounds as we changed music genres along our route.

The cabin is plenty roomy. Cargo capacity is 37.2 cu.ft. and increases to 68.8 cu.ft. with the rear seat folded. The rear hatch is hands-free foot-activated. Trailer tow rating is 3,500 lbs.

Overall the Nautilus is relaxing to drive. Its 190-inch length makes it nicely suitable for in-city driving. And with the 360-degree camera parking maneuvers become a breeze without any bumper dings. Ride and handling, steering, and braking are well balanced for comfort and yet with good response. The V6 delivers plenty of performance for every driving situation. On our road trip we easily achieved 26-27 mpg while driving at Michigan interstate speeds.

More information and details on the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus can be found at www.lincoln.com.

To make ownership a bit easier Lincoln provides pickup and delivery for dealer service.

The Lincoln Motor Company ranks first among luxury brands in the most recent J.D. Power Sales Satisfaction Index, which measures satisfaction with the sales experience among new vehicle buyers and rejecters.

Coincidentally, a Gen-Y son-in-law of ours drives a new Nautilus and is pleased with its overall character and driving dynamics. Hes a repeat customer, as it replaced his 3-year-old MKX.

Happy motoring!

 2021 Larry Nutson, the Chicago Car Guy
SEE ALSO: Electric Vehicles, Solution or Diversion? (Originally Published October 2009)

From, Ashley NunesPolicy Director, Competition Policy

Ashley Nunes is the Director of Competition Policy at the R Street Institute and a Research Fellow at Harvard Law School. In this post, he argues that the rush to adopt electric vehicles may end up widening existing inequities in American society.

The race to go green is heating up. A week ago, President Joe Biden signed [1] an executive order calling for half of new auto sales in the US to be electric by 2030. The move  which has the blessing of auto execs and union leaders  is a crucial test of the Presidents climate agenda, one that proved popular with voters last November.

When it comes to the auto industry, the need for climate action is pressing. Fossil fuel powered vehicles are a significant cause of global warming, emitting [2] roughly 24 pounds of carbon dioxide and other global-warming gases for every gallon of gas burned. Electric cars do make a difference. Over its life cycle  from digging up the raw materials to eventually laying the car to rest  an EV will emit [3] fewer greenhouse gases than its gasoline powered counterpart.

This comparison explains car guy Bidens enthusiasm for all things electric. At a Ford assembly plant last May, the President said [4], were going to set a new pace for electric vehicles. Similar sentiments were echoed by his press secretary who declared [5], the future of the [auto] industry is electric. Everyone will tell you that. Maybe, but heres something they wont tell you: going all-in on EVs trades one type of inequity in for another.

Auto ownership isnt cheap. Insurance, maintenance and fuel costs make up a households second-largest expense, after lodging according to a working paper [6] from the International Council on Clean Transportation. This burden is particularly significant for low-income families. Switching to EVs should help in the long run because these vehicles are cheaper [7] to operate, and the federal government has  through generous [8] handouts  sought to further decrease EV ownership costs.

But when it comes to going green, cost isnt the only concern. Ease of use matters, too. While gas guzzlers can be topped up by the estimated 150,000 gas stations across the US, EVs need charging stations. Good luck finding [9] those. And, when you do, be prepared [10] to deal with broken chargers, confusing payment systems and less-than-appealing electricity rates.

Existing EV owners, most of whom [11] are upper-income, dont seem to mind this extra effort. Why should they. Having cash on hand means being able to splurge on, among other things, a personal garage, which is where most [12] EVs are topped off. If youre rich enough, you can just set it and forget it. Even if you cant charge, its likely you also have a second car as backup.

Poor Americans have no such luck, often living in dense urban housing that lacks reliable electricity access, let alone dedicated parking spots.

The proposed solution is a nationwide network of chargers. The US Senate recently clinched [13] bipartisan infrastructure deal that provides $7.5 billion for charging infrastructure along major highways and corridors, the goal being to make charging stations as ubiquitous as gas stations. A related effort [14] aims to promote equitable EV recharging through accelerated public investment. But whats equitable about the rich person charging their car at home while the poor person stands in the rain?

And how long should Americas poor spend at public charging stations? While topping off a gas tank takes a few minutes, fully charging an EV can take hours [15]. Fast chargers are often offered as a fix. But even those take longer than gasoline refills. Thats time Americas poor simply dont have. Low-income parents already endure [16] longer than average commutes, something which hinders their childrens ability to enter better schools, participate in extracurricular activities and achieve maximum lifetime earning potential. Expect this to worsen should this demographic be asked to idle on the side of the freeway in the name of green energy.

Going electric admittedly has perks. EVs are definitively greener, cleaner and better for the environment than gas guzzlers. Using EVs also benefits poor communities who disproportionally suffer climate change related effects. But switching from pumps to plugs  for the poorest Americans at least  perpetuates inequities of its own.

After signing the executive order at the White House, President Biden jumped into a waiting EV and went for a spin. He asked Americans to follow suit, calling EV adoption an act [17] to save the planet. That it may be, but lets not pretend it will leave everyone better off.

Bidens ambitious plan to phase out gas cars
Honda Reacts To President Biden Green Society Dream







SEE ALSO: Electric Vehicles Solution or Diversion?

U.S. President Biden recently took a positive step toward new federal vehicle emissions standards that include the Administrations bold objective to advance Americas electric vehicle future. In so doing, the Biden Administration is aligned with the similarly bold actions taken two years ago by Honda, BMW, Ford, Volkswagen and Volvo, which entered into voluntary agreements with the state of California to establish progressive new vehicle greenhouse gas regulations.

When we entered into that agreement with California, we knew it was a bit of a risk, but for Honda, it was the right thing to do for the environment and also for our customers in all 50 states  not just those living in California and the other states that have adopted its standards. So, the Administrations action in getting back on the pathway to strong federal fuel economy and GHG emissions standards represents an important milestone.

Honda already holds the distinction of being Americas most fuel-efficient, low-emissions full-line automaker, according to the January 2021 U.S. EPA Automotive Trends Report. That means our existing vehicle fleet has the lowest CO2 emissions of any full-line automaker. But the future direction of environmental requirements is not low CO2 emissions, its zero CO2 emissions.

So, in April, our global CEO Toshihiro Mibe outlined our vision to realize carbon neutrality by 2050. What made the biggest news was our vision for the complete electrification of our auto lineup in major markets around the world, including North America. We are committed to an increase in our sales of battery-electric and fuel cell electric vehicles from 40% in 2030, to 80% in 2035, to 100% by 2040.

For Honda, our commitment to carbon neutrality is a comprehensive one that will affect not only our products, but all of our corporate activities. This will require a collective effort across our entire value chain, representing huge investments over a long time horizon. In order to meet our ambitious climate goals, we will need to work closely with state and federal governments to promote policies that stimulate consumer demand for EVs, create electrification infrastructure, and support EV manufacturing jobs here in the United States. The Biden Administration has outlined plans in each of these areas, and we encourage Congressional action to enact broad, complementary, and fair policies that will achieve our goal of significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

Unfortunately, there are currently efforts underway in Congress to enact unfair, discriminatory policies that will favor EVs built by a union workforce that will limit consumer choice. All American auto workers work hard to support their families, pay taxes and support their communities. Our production associates in Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, and Ohio deserve fair treatment from Congress and should not be penalized for their choice of a workplace. By providing fair and equitable treatment for all American auto workers who build EVs and by equally valuing their contributions, we can accelerate our shared environmental goal of achieving widespread EV deployment.

The transition to EVs will require that we prepare our workforce for change and we are investing in that transformation. We have many talented and highly skilled associates (employees) in the U.S. who are designing and will build our EVs in the coming years. Our confidence is driven by the fact that, over the past 40 years of building products in America, we have a history of evolving to meet the changing needs of our customers and society. Weve gone from making small motorcycle engines to the 2-motor hybrid system in our hybrid-electric vehicles, because the strength of Honda all of these years is not the engines we make, but the Honda engineers who develop and make them. This will not change.

Finally, as we consider a zero carbon future, its important to emphasize that we are striving for zero environmental impact not only with our products, but the entire product lifecycle including our corporate activities.

In the U.S., Honda is leading auto industry efforts to decarbonize the nations electrical grid by adopting renewable energy to slash CO2 emissions and power our operations. Our long-term virtual power purchase agreements (VPPA) that went into effect in 2020 are now helping offset the carbon-intensive, grid-supplied electricity being used in our Ohio, Indiana, and Alabama auto plants. More than 60% of the electricity that Honda uses in North America will be covered by over one million megawatt-hours of renewable electricity from wind and solar power generated in Oklahoma and Texas.

We also are partnering with utilities and energy-sector allies to develop vehicle-to-grid (V2G) integration that is essential to our electrified future. Toward that goal, we have launched the SmartCharge beta program that enables EV customers to reduce their environmental footprint, save money while charging their electric vehicles and maximize use of renewable energy.

These are just a few of the areas where Honda is working toward a zero carbon future that will benefit our customers, our industry and the environment. The reality is that it will take continued bold action to fulfill the ambitious plans for our electrified future. This will require a coordinated society approach  individual automakers, our suppliers and technology partners, and federal, state and local governments  to increase consumer demand for electric vehicles, establish the infrastructure to support them and develop the workforce to build them. Only in this way can we stay on a successful track to achieve what is the ultimate goal of this effort, to address global climate change and the critical effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Jennifer Thomas

Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Industry and Government Relations

American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
2 14-Year-Olds Arrested After Man Stabbed to Death in East London

Two 14-year-old boys have been arrested after a 45-year-old man was stabbed to death in east London.

James Markham was attacked after confronting a group of youths in Chingford on Monday evening, the Metropolitan Police has said.

Emergency services were called to the scene in Churchill Terrace at 6:20 p.m. and found Markham, who had been stabbed.

Despite the efforts of the emergency services and members of the public, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Reports have suggested Markham was trying to defend his daughter from a group of youths before his death.

Police at the scene where 45-year-old James Markham was stabbed to death on Monday, in Churchill Terrace, Chingford, east London, on Aug. 12, 2021. (Laura Parnaby/PA)

A post-mortem examination found he died of a stab wound to the lung.

His next of kin are being supported by specialist officers.

Police said a 14-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of murder while another boy, also 14, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder.

Both are in custody at an east London police station.

Detective Inspector John Marriott, of the Mets specialist crime command, said: We believe that James confronted a group of youths causing a disturbance and was stabbed as a result.

The brutality of this response is beyond shocking and our thoughts are with Jamess family, who have been left devastated by their loss.

The arrests of these two individuals is a significant development but we still need the publics help to build a full picture of exactly what happened on Monday evening.

I know that there were a number of people present at the time of the murder. I want them to come forward.

I also believe there will be parents who know that their child was there, or was involved. I am appealing for them to do the sensible thing and get in touch with us.

A dedicated team of officers is working to piece together the tragic circumstances that led to this murder and to bring those responsible to justice.

Former Conservative Party leader and MP for Chingford and Woodford Green, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, visited the scene with the forces borough commander.

He wrote on Twitter afterwards: A dedicated team of officers are working to piece together what happened that led to this man losing his life. The thoughts of all of us are with his family and friends as they come to terms with their loss. I would like to thank officers, paramedics, and members of the public who helped.

Anyone who has any information in relation to the incident should call police on 101 giving the reference 5735/09AUG.

By Isobel Frodsham
A group crosses a road on the way to Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, with the intention of entering the United States, in a file photograph. (Omar Torres/AFP via Getty Images)

40 Percent of Illegal Immigrants Released in Texas City Tested Positive for COVID-19: Officials

Four in 10 illegal immigrants released in a Texas city near the U.S.Mexico border last week tested positive for COVID-19, city officials said.

That was very high, Laredo Mayor Pete Saenz told The Washington Examiner.

Laredo Health Authority Dr. Victor Trevino confirmed the numbers with the newspaper.

Officials in Laredo, located across the Rio Grande from Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, didnt respond to requests for comment by press time. However, they offered a similar positivity percentage in a federal lawsuit filed last month.

Officials said in the complaint that Customs and Border Protection officials have been releasing immigrants in the city, despite a large number of them testing positive for the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, which causes the disease COVID-19.

The surge in illegal immigrants crossing the border amid the COVID-19 pandemic presents a safety concern, Republican lawmakers and others have argued.

Americans are sick and tired of endless mandates while watching COVID-19 cases surge at the border, Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) wrote on Twitter this week.

While the Laredo case numbers are the highest recorded along the border, officials in McAllen, Texas, said last week that of the 7,000 immigrants released by federal officers into McAllen the week before, 1,500 of them have tested positive for COVID-19.

Lately, weve been getting about 1,800 immigrants a day, McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos said in a video arguing against unchecked immigration. Then, coupled with the fact that 15 percent of the immigrants have COVID, has caused substantial problems to our great city of McAllen.

Don McLaughlin, the mayor of Uvalde, Texas, told The Epoch Times this week that immigrants are probably responsible for 15 to 20 percent of COVID-19 cases in the community, citing the most recent survey completed by officials in the border city.

The COVID deal is getting really serious again and really bad. And again, here we are on the southern border. Just come on in. I mean, it just doesnt make sense, he said.

A Border Patrol agent handcuffs illegal aliens together after they jumped off a train and tried to evade apprehension near Uvalde, Texas, on June 21, 2021. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)

A Border Patrol agent who declined to be named in order to avoid repercussions told The Epoch Times that the agency was pushing many immigrants to Laredo, which triggered a lawsuit from the city against the Biden administration.

Laredo officials said in the complaint that Border Patrol planned to bus 250 to 350 immigrants per day into the city.

Not every apprehended person is tested for COVID-19 as part of Defendants processing procedure before they are legally released from immigration custody and into the general public. Therefore, many, if not most, go untested and risk spreading the disease to other[s] in their group and the general public after their release, the filing reads.

Of 139 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Laredo as of July 11, 63 were among immigrants or detainees.

A Customs and Border Protection (CBP) spokesperson didnt answer directly last month when asked about COVID-19-positive immigrants being released in La Joya, Texasanother border city.

On Aug. 12, a CBP spokesperson told The Epoch Times via email that the border is not open and that the agency is operating under Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for the pandemic.

CBP is making every effort to remain within CDC guidelines and mitigate long periods of processing and holding to minimize potential exposure to our workforce, those in custody, and the community. Once processing is complete, these individuals will be expeditiously transferred out of CBP custody, the spokesperson said.

The lawsuit was dismissed on Aug. 9 after the parties reached an agreement.

Saenz told outlets that the agreement includes a provision that the city wont be accepting immigrants who have been dropped off by Border Patrol. Instead, the city is hiring a charter bus company to immediately bus them to other cities, including Austin and Houston.

We entered into an understanding that we would drop the lawsuit, which we did, and then Border Patrol would deliver these migrants, about 200 or so per day, to a city facility that we leased and then we, in turn, as a city, retained a bussing company to transport these migrants farther north here in Texas, Saenz told Border Report.

Charlotte Cuthbertson contributed to this report.
6 Tips for Getting a New Job

There is a major labor shortage happening in the United States right now. There are many reasons why this might be the case, but regardless of the circumstance, this could be an excellent opportunity for many working Americans. Thousands of new job openings mean that this could be the perfect window of opportunity to chase a dream job or change careers.

Tips for Getting a New Job

Getting a new job can be just as daunting for seasoned workers as it is for college graduates. There are a lot of factors to consider when applying for a job that could ultimately lead to success. This article aims to guide you through the process so you can take the next step in your professional career no matter where you are now.

1. Review Your Resume

Your job resume is your first impression when applying for a new position. That being said, its one of the most important resources you have when searching for a job. As a result, most candidates are sifted out based on the contents of their resumes.

Different hiring managers look for different things in a resume. Of course, theyll want to see relevant experience and a work history that shows youre reliable. Try and keep your resume concise no matter what and have the most important information in clear, bold lettering. There are plenty of formatting guides and templates that can aid you in your resume design.

If you. have a complicated or complex resumeconsider hiring a service that can give your resume the polish it deserves.

2. Brush Up Your Interview Skills

Almost every job youll ever apply for will have some sort of interview process. Some smaller companies will hold a single, semi-casual interview, while others have applicants undergo a more extensive screening process. Others still might meet with you over the phone and call that good. So you need to be prepared for anything.

Every interview will be different, so you cant memorize a list of questions and the answers youd like to give. You can prepare for basic questions, however, such as why do you want this job, what do you know about this company, and why do you feel like youre a good fit for this position?

Get a trusted friend to pepper you with questions, hop on YouTube and watch interviews, listen to some podcast interviews, watch a few TedTalks for good speaking with clarity tips, and dont forget to stand in front of the mirror and ask questions.

Dont work yourself up too much. You dont have to be a master negotiator in order to nail a job interview. Most employers just want to ask a few questions and get to know you a little better. Team chemistry and job fit can be a big deal, so coming across as respectful and eager to learn is often better than acting arrogant and overconfident in your abilities.

3. Flood the Mailbox

Dont just apply for a single job and wait to hear back. Who knows how long this can take. Moreover, while youre patiently waiting for a single response, you could be missing out on dozens of other opportunities. Instead, take a shot at a position you dont feel qualified for yet; you might surprise yourself.

Set a goal to send your resume to a variety of different companies. You could aim to send out one new application each day or a set amount of 1020 by the end of the month. Job posting website Indeed recommends you send even more than that, up to 1015 applications a week or 23 per day.

Even if they dont have a job posting listed, send them your resume in an email just to reach out. Then, you might hear back from an organization that is at least willing to guide you in the right direction.

4. Take Advantage of Networking

That segues nicely into this next section. Networking is your best friend when looking for a new job. Having reliable connections can get you to people and places you had no idea existed or couldnt find independently.

For example, you might inquire at a local hospital if they have any job openings available even though none are posted. Even so, you might be able to connect with someone who has a friend running a local clinic that is hiring. Without networking with the hospital, you might have never found this job opportunity.

Another great way to network is through social media. Websites such as LinkedIn provide a great platform for connecting with industry leaders and professionals from around the world, not just in your local community. You can get great advice from here as well as access to certification courses to advance your education and career.

5. Take an Internship

Sometimes you just need to find a way to get your foot in the door. An internship can do just that, giving you training and networking opportunities that would otherwise be unavailable to you. For example, its a lot easier to get an internship at Google than to become employed there without a previous relationship.

Unfortunately, many internships are unpaid or pay a lot less than regular employment. This can be a tough situation for someone looking for a job to pay the bills. However, a part-time internship at a more promising company or in a new field youre interested in might make for a bountiful long-term investment.

6. Steady the Course

Dont let your job search impact your work performance at your current employer if you do, in fact, have on. Many companies will contact former employers to inquire about you as a worker. But, of course, you want them to say only good things about you, so dont cut the slack even if youre planning on making a move.

Also, dont give up. Job searches can get exhausting quickly when applications are sent back, and doors seem always to be closing. Instead, keep working on improving yourself, networking, and seeking out opportunities and eventually, youll find an opening.

Best of luck on your job search now and any time in the future you look for a change of scenery. Keep these tips in mind and bet on yourself. Youll be amazed by what youre able to accomplish.

By Hunter Meine
America in the Grip of an Idea

Commentary

In 1979, historian Clarence B. Carson (19262003) published a book titled, The World in the Grip of an Idea. The idea that Carson explored was collectivism in its various forms, such as fascism, socialism, and communism, to which we can today add environmentalism.

Collectivistic ideas certainly have a strong grip in the United States today, particularly on the political left. In this article, Ill pinpoint the genesis of todays looming and booming socialist movement. It all springs from a single idea that has been gradually transforming the nature of our society and our polity for more than a century.

A Governments Duty

In books published before The World in the Grip of an Idea, Carson identified the germ of todays collectivism as meliorism. Adapted from the Latin adjective melior (better), meliorism is the belief that its the governments duty to improve the economic well-being of citizens. If you wish to read a detailed account of the intellectual and political roots of meliorism, see Carsons two books, The Fateful Turn: From Individualism to Collectivism, 18801960 and The Flight from Reality, the latter of which is available for free from the Foundation for Economic Education (pdf).

Today, the notion of Uncle Sam being tasked with bestowing economic aid upon Americans is taken for granted. However, when that meliorist idea emerged and began to gain popularity late in the 19th century, it presented a radical challenge to our constitutional order. The Founders had established a federal government designed to protect us from anyoneforeign or domesticwho would infringe upon our inalienable rights to life liberty, property, and the pursuit of happiness. This is plain when reading the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.

The problems with the government assuming power to attempt to elevate the economic status of citizens are multifarious, the most obvious of which is that this isnt a power enumerated in the Constitution; hence, its extra-constitutional, if not unconstitutional. If the government is going to give economic assistance to some citizens, then an obvious question arises: From where will the wealth that government disburses come? The government itself doesnt produce wealth; rather, it subsists on various forms of revenue appropriated from citizens. A government that disburses financial largesse is a powerful institutional middle-man that takes money from some citizens to bestow upon others.

The portentous consequence of having a government that redistributes wealth is that our countrys original classless society (slaves excepted, obviously and shamefully) became divided into two classeswhat economists today often refer to as taxpayers and tax consumers. Before the rise of meliorist ideas, although there were significant disparities of wealth in U.S. society, there were no institutional barriers preventing the poor from prospering or keeping new wealth from surpassing old wealth. Such rigid class structures had been left behind in the Old World. But meliorism led to a new way of dividing society into classes whose economic interests are arrayed against each other.

Accepting the premise that government should be allowed to redistribute wealthto take from some and give to othersobliterates the principle of equal treatment before the law. Instead, it institutes a system of privileges resting on no fixed ethical principle, but fluidly shifting as the balance of political power shifts. It undermines justice as the moral philosopher Adam Smith and Americas Founding Fathers understood it, replacing it with an Orwellian counterfeit, now known as social justice.

Progressive or Regressive?

As meliorism took political form in the progressive movement, the great irony is that the central value of progressivisman activist government that redistributes propertyis anything but progressive in the true sense of the word. As President Calvin Coolidge explained: If all men are created equal, that is final. If they are endowed with inalienable rights, that is final. If governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, that is final. No advance, no progress can be made beyond these propositions.

For the U.S. government to alter its function from giving equal protection to property to giving special treatment to some at the expense of others isnt progressive, but regressive. Thats the ruthless, unjust practice of governments that millions of Americans immigrated here to escape.

It should be noted that todays leviathan redistributive state evolved gradually over the decades. Even though meliorist ideology was taking hold among intellectuals, and even though some immigrants brought revolutionary ideologies with them from the Old World, deeply entrenched American values kept revolutionary tendencies largely in check. The American belief in self-reliance ran deep. Indeed, many in the United States scoffed at the notion that a nanny state should look after them.

The tradition of small, limited government also was a formidable obstacle for the meliorists to overcome. Even political leaders, as opportunistic as that species tends to be, had a sense of honor about public finance. Members of both major parties shared the consensus that public debt was unfair to our children and should be avoided as a matter of principle. That consensusthough interrupted by the radical interventions pushed through Congress by Presidents Franklin Roosevelt (FDR) and Lyndon Johnsondidnt give truly begin to deteriorate until the 1970s.

While the expansion of the federal governmenta perennial goal of meliorists and progressiveswas apparent under progressive Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson, it was under FDR that the Bill of Rights suffered a severe, and potentially lethal, mutilation that has progressively (double entendre intentional) weakened it ever since. FDR attempted to redefine rights, asserting that every American has a right to a useful and remunerative job, a decent home, adequate medical care, a good education, and so forth.

As worthy as those aspirations are, they can only be aspirations, not rights. Why? Because if one person has a legal right to have a home, then other people must be compelled to provide that home. That would infringe on those citizens rights to their own liberty and property. Traditionally, the jurisdiction of U.S. law was negative in character, codifying what individuals must not do to each other (attack them, steal from them, break contracts, and so forth). In the progressive/Rooseveltian ideology, the law was to become positive, telling people what they must do (such as pay for shelter for others).

Let me insert here a crucial point made by 19th-century French economist Frederic Bastiat: Socialism  confuses the distinction between government and society. As a result of this, every time we object to a thing being done by government, the socialists conclude that we object to its being done at all.  It is as if the socialists were to accuse us of not wanting persons to eat because we do not want the state to raise grain.

We dont oppose helping our fellow man. Legally, though, under our original constitution, the federal government, properly understood, was never given the authority to compel us to do good works. (See Adam Smiths The Theory of Modern Sentiments, in which the three cardinal social virtues of prudence, justice, and beneficence are spelled out.) Americans accepted the good Samaritan model of charity whereby we voluntarily help others directly or via proxy, but never involuntarily by force. We reject the warped notion that A and B should compel C to do something for D (as William Graham Sumner once put it).

The problem with FDRs redefinition of rights is that such supposed rights negate rights in the founders sense. The pseudo right of Citizen A to have a house necessarily involves abridging the right of other citizens to use their property for their own ends (not only buying goods or making investments, but also paying taxes to a government in payment of benefits received from that government, such as the protection of property or providing public goods, such as roads, postal service, etc., that are available to all equally). The newly discovered right of Citizen A trumps the original rights of other citizens, essentially relegating the rights of some citizens to second-class status.

With rights being constantly tinkered with and redefined, our society stepped onto the slippery slope of legal positivism, which holds that law isnt natural and immutable, but is whatever those holding the reins of power at any given time say it is. Such arbitrariness leads to tyranny as democratic (small d) politicians find that they can win votes by bestowing new rights that benefit people who vote. The slippery slope of legal positivism is greased with the beguiling reasoning that if the government helps some citizens, then why not help more? And if its to be the governments responsibility to subsidize citizens health care, then why shouldnt the government bestow help for other needs, such as child care, transportation, housing, and so forth? The opened Pandoras box of a government thats to take care of all our needs leads inexorably to socialismthe theory that government will take care of all our needs (and the too-often-ignored reality that it will end up impoverishing the masses).

Economic Folly

As mentioned above, the bipartisan consensus that peacetime deficit spending was to be curtailed and that a balanced federal budget was a desirable fiscal goal dissolved in the 1970s. Federal debt exceeded $1 trillion for the first time during the Reagan administration, reached $4 trillion a decade later under Bush 41, slowed under Clinton, and has mushroomed nonstop since the turn of the century, standing at more than $28 trillion today.

The temporary slowdown in the 1990s was due to the confluence of most nonrepeatable eventsthe reduction in military spending when the Cold War with Soviet Russia ended, dramatic welfare reform that greatly shrank welfare rolls, surging tax revenues from the stock market boom, and a short-term bump from the creation of Roth IRAs, as well as the gridlock between Democratic President Bill Clinton and Republican Speaker Newt Gingrich.

In todays political environment, balanced budgets are inconceivable: Republicans are unwilling to go against the tide of an electorate that has grown to expect big government, while to Democrats, deficits and national bankruptcy are irrelevant, even desirable, since they want the government to exercise central economic planning anyhow. Todays Democratic Party fanatically believes in the delusion that government is omnicompetent. Their idealism has become utopian. They seem to believe that since a majority of Americans are prosperous, then not a single American should have to do without any of the nice things that prosperous Americans enjoy, and so, the government should provide all those things. The only conceivable way to achieve this fantasy is for the government to control the entire economy, or socialism. (If a progressive protests, No we dont want to control everything, just ask them where they would stop with their redistributionist agendas. That generally stumps them.)

Todays partisan standoff has congealed into ever-escalating class warfare in the United States. Democrats and their minions in the swamp energetically persecute our wealth producers for the alleged sin of prospering. Any student of history knows that things dont turn out well for a polity that sabotages and cannibalizes its productive sector.

Consider the fall of Rome. Foolish senators kept raising taxes on productive citizens to fund bread and circuses for the unproductive, until so many wealth producers went on strikeeither by ditching work and going on the welfare rolls or by simply moving away and going into hidingthat Romes redistributive state collapsed, broke and broken.

Its desperately urgent that more Americans realize that wealth producers are societys benefactors, not its enemies, and that the lefts increasingly irrational hostility toward them is the path to national suicide. Clever politics may prevail over economic realism in the short run, but economic realism cant be voted out of existence, and it ultimately asserts itself. Our sleek politicians have been sowing the wind, and one day our country will reap the whirlwind.

The story of American history over the past 140 years is that meliorism morphed into progressivism which morphed into socialism. The root of todays socialist fanaticism and bankrupt government finance stems from one flawed belief: the premise that part of the legitimate function of government is to act as an economic provider for its citizens. Never has an idea that sounds so innocuous, if not kindly, been so destructive in its ramifications.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
American Carpenters Gift to Notre Dame Cathedral

Traditional woodworking skills may preserve a French Gothic masterpiece

On April 15, 2019, the world was aghast. People gazed in horror at their screens, and Parisians took to the streets to see for themselves as Notre Dame Cathedral burned out of control. As the fire raged on, French President Emmanuel Macron told AFP, We will rebuild this cathedral.

Smoke and flames rise during a fire at the landmark Notre Dame Cathedral in central Paris on April 15, 2019. (Francois Guillot/AFP/Getty Images)

More than two years later, the world watches in anticipation of the rebuilding and restoration of Frances great Gothic monument. In the years since the fire, there were suggestions that the 19th-century spire, which was completely destroyed, would be rebuilt with a new design using modern materials such as glass and steel. But that idea was scrapped. Instead, the spire will be rebuilt to the exact design as conceived by 19th-century French architect Eugene Viollet-le-Duc.

According to the American-based Friends of Notre Dame de Paris website, the restoration of Notre Dame will be to return the Gothic masterpiece to its complete, coherent, and known state prior to the fire.

Victor Hugos Notre Dame

Interestingly, in the 19th century, Notre Dame Cathedral was in a state of disrepair. When Victor Hugo wrote his masterpiece The Hunchback of Notre Dame, he questioned Notre Dame Cathedrals modern restoration efforts. He too wanted to preserve the Gothic beauty of the sacred monument.

The church of Notre Dame de Paris is still no doubt, a majestic and sublime edifice. But, beautiful as it has been preserved in growing old, it is difficult not to sigh, not to wax indignant, before the numberless degradations and mutilations which time and men have both caused the venerable monument to suffer, without respect for Charlemagne, who laid its first stone, or for Philip Augustus, who laid the last, Hugo wrote in the third book of The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

He was against the movement of the time that advocated leaving behind the classical constructions and opting for more modern elements, Sylvie Robin, head heritage curator in the department of archeology at the Carnavalet Museum in Paris, told Euronews.

Just as Hugo did centuries ago, heritage building experts and enthusiasts today have stepped forward to help Notre Dame Cathedrals restorationthis time from the ashes. It seems that people want Notre Dame to be returned to how they remember it. And traditional carpentersboth in France and Americahave been helping the effort to stay true to Notre Dames medieval heritage.

As Hugo wrote in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The greatest products of architecture are less the works of individuals than of society; rather the offspring of a nations effort, than the inspired flash of a man of genius. 

Before the fire: The Notre Dame Cathedral roof, known as La Foret (the Forest), was constructed with 1,300 oak trees, some 300 to 400 years old. (Notre-Dame de Paris/Maurice de Sully Association)

Carpenters Without Borders

As most of the cathedral roof was destroyed in the 2019 fire, the French organization Carpenters Without Borders, along with members of the British organization The Carpenters Fellowship, took a week in July 2020 to re-create one of the roof trusses that once supported the roof of Notre Dame Cathedral. A truss is a structure formed by a series of triangles.

The carpenters chose to replicate roof truss No. 7, which was once located between the cathedral spire and the belfries.

The replica roof truss was successfully made and raised by hand on the grounds of the park at the historic monument Chateau de Mesnil Geoffroy, in northern France. For each part of the process, the woodworkers used only hand tools and stayed true to the techniques used by their medieval forefathers. For instance, the woodworkers hand-felled the 20 trees needed for the trussusing historic documents that detailed the optimum conditions to cut the trees.

As part of the European Heritage Days celebrations, on Sept. 20 and 21, Carpenters Without Borders erected truss No. 7 in front of Notre Dame Cathedral. One of the carpenters on site, Florian, said in an interview with the forestry organization France Bois Foret, that they wanted to reconstruct the truss to prove that the materials and expertise still existed, and to rebuild the structure using traditional woodworking methods as per the original design. The woodworkers hoped that the architects charged with restoring the cathedral would utilize their efforts.

Since then, Carpenters Without Borders has re-created truss No. 7 multiple times. A recent replica is now on display at the Chateau Crevecur in northwest France.

Re-creating Roof Truss No. 6

Just over a year after Carpenters Without Borders replicated truss No. 7, a group of passionate American woodworkers re-created roof truss No. 6, that once stood over the cathedrals choir. The project was led by the nonprofit educational organization Handshouse Studio with the support of Carpenters Without Borders. The Handshouse Studio woodworking team that made the truss included faculty and students from The Catholic University of Americas Architecture and Planning School and members of the the Timber Framers Guild, National Park Service, Preservation Maryland, and North Bennet Street School.

Handshouse Studios Notre Dame Truss Project re-created one of the oldest roof trusses of Notre Dame de Paris. The group stayed true to the original design, materials, and techniques that the medieval carpenters used to create the original structure. (Handshouse Studio)

French lead architects Remi Fromont and Cedric Trentesaux lent Handshouse Studio the official drawings to reconstruct the truss.

Besides the building team, many hands were involved in creating truss No. 6. Landowners in Lexington, Virginia, donated white oak trees. Rare Suffolk Punch draft horses from the Healing Harvest Forest Foundation hauled the hand-felled trees. Blacksmiths at La Maison Luquet, in Munster, eastern France, created and donated custom-made traditional French tools necessary for the woodworkers to authentically create the truss according to medieval protocols.

Rare Suffolk Punch draft horses hauled the trees that Handshouse Studio used to make the replica of the Notre Dame Cathedral roof truss. (Handshouse Studio)

The truss was built over 10 days at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., using only hand tools and medieval woodworking techniques. First, the bark was removed from the lumber, which was then measured and marked for cutting into beams. Woodworkers then stood on the logs, and aided by gravity, they cut notches into the timber using their axes in a process called joggling. A log was then shaped into a beam via a process called hewing, whereby woodworkers used an ax to flatten and remove the rounded sides of the log.

Woodworkers cut notches into the timber in a process called joggling. (Handshouse Studio)

A woodworker squares timber with an ax in a process called hewing. (Handshouse Studio)

Woodworkers then used two traditional methods to split the timber. In cleaving, they carved a groove where the timber was to be split. Then they used axes and hammers to hit a small wedge of wood that was inserted along the natural woodgrain, until the timber split.

Woodworkers prepare the timber by using traditional woodworking techniques. Here, they split the wood by a process called cleaving: A groove is carved in the timber and then a wooden wedge is hit along the woodgrain with an ax or hammer until the wood splits. (Handshouse Studio)

The other method they used to split the wood was with a pit saw. Traditionally, a woodworking trestle would be set up in a pit, and the person who worked above the log controlled the pit saw while the other woodworker in the pit below guided the saw. No pits were dug for this project, but the log was set on a trestle above ground for the pit saw to be put into action.

Woodworkers use a pit saw to cut timber. (Handshouse Studio)

Raising the Notre Dame Cathedral roof truss replica in front of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 3, 2021. (Patrick G. Ryan/Catholic University of America)

Once the roof truss was assembled, it was raised on Aug. 3 in front of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and then on Aug. 5 at the National Mall, before being installed on Aug. 6 in the National Building Museum, where it is now on display.

A replica of Notre Dames roof truss is now on display in the Great Hall of the National Building Museum in Washington D.C., until Sept. 16. (Courtesy of the National Building Museum)

Carpenters Without Borders and Handshouse Studio both hope that their traditionally made replica trussesand the knowledge and expertise they gained from making themwill be useful to Notre Dames restoration efforts. That is their gift as traditional craftsmen.

We wish to share our Truss #6 reconstruction as a gift to France and the collective effort to rebuild Notre Dame de Paris, said Handshouse Studio in a press release.

The Handshouse Studio replica of Notre Dame Cathedrals truss No. 6 is on display at the National Building Museum through Sept. 16. To find out more, visit NBM.org
Biden Sending Troops to Afghanistan to Help Draw Down US Embassy Staff

American troops will be deployed to aid the evacuation of some U.S. Embassy personnel in Kabul amid significant Taliban military gains across Afghanistan, a senior U.S. Department of State official confirmed on Thursday.

Around 3,000 U.S. troops, including two Marine infantry battalions and one Army infantry battalion, will be deployed to the Kabul airport to secure the civilian population, said Department of Defense spokesman John Kirby in a news conference. Diplomatic work will still continue at the embassy, said State Department spokesman Ned Price during a separate press briefing.

This is a temporary mission with a narrow focus, Kirby said. Were mindful that the security situation continues to deteriorate in Afghanistan. And as I said before, our troops will as always have the right of self-defense. But this is a narrowly focused mission to help safeguard an orderly reduction of civilians.

The United States, Price said, is further reducing our civilian footprint in Kabul in light of the evolving security situation and said the Department of Defense will temporarily deploy additional personnel to Hamid Karzai International Airport.

Price said the U.S. military will also help with the departure of embassy and State Department staff from Afghanistan in the coming weeks, but he emphasized: This is not a full evacuation.

This is not abandonment. This is not an evacuation. This is not the wholesale withdrawal, Price also said. Its a very important distinction between planning and contingency planning, he said, without providing more details. We will continue to have a diplomatic presence on the ground.

However, the move suggests the Biden administration doesnt have confidence in the Afghan governments capacity to push back the Taliban after the terror group took over swaths of the country, including the third-largest city, in recent days. It comes a few months after President Joe Biden ordered a full withdrawal.

The Taliban, which ruled Afghanistan from 1996 until 2001, has no air force or navy and is vastly outnumbered by U.S.-trained Afghan army forces but was able to take provincial capital after provincial capital with alacrity. Anonymous U.S. officials have told media outlets that the Afghan government army has collapsed even faster than previously thought possible.

The U.S. embassy in Kabul, in a fresh warning to American citizens, urged them to leave Afghanistan immediately. Its ability to assist Americans in the country will soon be extremely limited, according to the bulletin, due to reduced staffing and security concerns.

President Joe Biden initially set Sept. 11 as the target date for all American forces to be pulled out of the beleaguered country, coming 20 years after the terrorist attacks that propelled the United States into the war.

We spent over $1 trillion over 20 years. We trained and equipped with modern equipment over 300,000 Afghan forces. And Afghan leaders have to come together. We lost thousands, we lost to death and injury, thousands of American personnel. Theyve got to fight for themselves, fight for their nation, Biden said in recent remarks.
Snow-topped mountains stand behind the Los Angeles downtown skyline after sunrise in Los Angeles on Dec. 29, 2020. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)

Americas White Population Shrank for 1st Time in US History, Census Data Show

The 2020 census results show that the total white population in the United States shrank for the first time in U.S. history, according to data released by the Census Bureau on Aug. 12.

The share of the white population fell to 57.8 percent (191,697,647) in 2020 from 63.7 percent (196,817,552) a decade prior, the data show. In California, Hispanics became the largest racial or ethnic group, growing to 39.4 percent from 37.6 percent over the previous decade, while the white population dipped to 34.7 percent from 40.1 percent.

There were also significant increases among people who identify as multiracial, Hispanic, and Asian, driving much of the population growth throughout the decade. People who identify as multiracial increased by 276 percent, to 33.8 million in 2020 from 9 million in 2010.

The largest gains were among Hispanics, who now make up 18.7 percent of the population, the data show.

Overall, the U.S. population grew by just 7.4 percent during the previous decade, which is the second slowest growth on record, according to the census data. The population grew to 331.4 million in 2020 from roughly 308.7 million in 2010. Only the decade spanning the 1930swhen the Great Depression occurredhad a slower growth rate.

The opioid epidemic and lower birth rates among white millennials accelerated the decline in the white population, the Brookings Institutions William Frey said in a Washington Post interview.

The bureau also noted that as suburbs and cities persistently grew, rural depopulation increased during the decade.

New York remained the largest U.S. city, netting a population gain of 7.7 percent. Among the countrys 10 largest cities, Phoenix saw the greatest percentage-point gain11.2 percentduring the decade.

Overall, the data show that New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, and Phoenix are the five largest cities in the United States.

Buckeye, a suburb of Phoenix, saw its population increase by nearly 80 percent to lead the nation. And The Villages, a retirement community in Florida, is the fastest-growing metro area in the country, the census data show.

Population growth this decade was almost entirely in metro areas, Marc Perry, a senior demographer at the U.S. Census Bureau, said in a statement to media outlets. Texas is a good example of this, where parts of the Houston, San Antonio, Austin, DallasFort Worth, Midland, and Odessa metro areas had population growth, whereas many of the states other counties had population declines.

The data, which offer demographic and racial details of every community down to the block level, arrived months later than originally expected after the census took longer to complete due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The delay forced some states to go to court to postpone their redistricting deadlines.

States use the data to redraw district lines for the U.S. House of Representatives after each decennial census, based on where people now reside.

Reuters contributed to this report.
As Race Equity Advances in Health Care, Signs of a Chilling Effect on Dissent

This article is part two of a two-part series. Read part one here.

The national movement to eradicate what activists call systemic racism and white privilege from medicine and health care has few public critics in the medical profession. A possible reason: Skeptics who have questioned these efforts have been subject to harsh Twitter campaigns, professional demotions and other blowback.

A podcast of the Journal of the American Medical Association caused a furor this year when one of its editors suggested that discussion of systemic racism is an unfortunate distraction that should be taken off the table. In response to a protest petition, the AMA launched an internal investigation into the creation of the podcast (and a since deleted Tweet that promoted it). Eventually, the Journals top two editors, who are both white, resignedthe editor-in-chiefs departure coming after he issued a public apology in which he affirmed the existence of structural racism in the United States and in the health care field.

In Minneapolis, Hennepin Healthcare System removed gynecologist Tara Gustilo, of Filipino descent, from her position as chair of the OB/GYN department after members of her department questioned her ability to lead. The demotion followed her series of Facebook posts criticizing critical race theory, Black Lives Matter and How to Be an Antiracist author Ibram X. Kendi, and her insistence that her department must strictly adhere to race-neutral policies with regard to patient care.

Colleagues and other doctors on Twitter denounced as racist University of Pittsburgh cardiologist and professor Norman Wang, who is ethnically Chinese, after his peer-reviewed paper last year critiqued affirmative action as illegal and discriminatory. The Journal of the American Heart Association, which published the paper, soon retracted it, alleging deliberate misinformation or misrepresentation. Wangs employer demoted him from his role as director of a fellowship program for physicians, barred him from contact with fellows and residents, and temporarily prohibited Wang from contact with med students. Kathryn Berlacher, director of the cardiology fellowship program, reprimanded him in an email: It is clear to us that any educational environment in which you partake is inherently unsafe, increasing our learners risk for undue bias and harm.

In each case, the dissenting doctors broadcast opinions counter to the official positions and policies of their organizations. The American Heart Association and Pitt officials, on Twitter and in public announcements, said Wangs critique of affirmative action was inconsistent with their institutional values of diversity and inclusion.

Such incidents are noteworthy because of their eerily scripted language of moral outrage and public denunciation, coming from the nations highest levels of professional achievement, often on internal issues that would typically be handled with sensitivity and discretion as personnel matters.

Rise up, colleagues! Mayo Clinic cardiologist and diversity director Sharonne Hayes tweeted in August in response to Wangs article. The fact that this is published in our journal should both enrage & activate all of us.

Berlacher announced Wangs demotion in a Tweet. We stand united for diversity, equity and inclusion, she proclaimed. And denounce this individuals racist beliefs and paper.

The American Heart Association chimed in: JAHA is editorially independent but thats no excuse. Well investigate. Well do better.

Those who are concerned by the social justice fervor sweeping through the medical profession say that such examples are evidence of the movements chilling effect on open debate of complex social issues.

Most in academic medicine who are troubled by this are keeping their heads down and keeping their mouths shut, said Thomas Huddle, who retired this year as professor at the medical school at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Theyre deeply afraid of social media mobs and of academic administrative superiors whove taken this stuff on.

In the wake of George Floyds killing last year, the social justice movement has generated tremendous support. Brittani James and Stella Safo, both African American doctors, drew more than 10,000 signatures for their petition to review and restructure JAMA in the aftermath of the February podcast.

They say the underrepresentation of people of color and the erasure of their perspectives on racism is typical of many elite institutions in medicine.

Racism was created with intention and must therefore be undone with intention, the petition states. Structural racism has deeply permeated the field of medicine and must be actively dissolved through proper antiracist education and purposeful equitable policy creation.

James, a Chicago-based physician and assistant professor in the College of Medicine at the University of Illinois, said she has little patience with accusations that social justice fosters cancel culture.

I have to chuckle, James said. As a black woman, I absolutely cannot express my opinion, ever.

I have to consistently think whom Im in the room with. And I will be fired quickly without fanfare, without anyone advocating for me, James said. This idea that theyre uniquely persecuted is totally divorced from reality. My entire life has been a tightrope of being careful what I say, because therell be retribution against me.

Wang has filed a federal lawsuit, alleging retaliation, defamation, discrimination and First Amendment violations, against the University of Pittsburgh and related entities; the American Heart Association; Wiley Periodicals, and Pitt med school leaders and professors. They have denied the allegations, saying this is a professional dispute between academics, not a question for the courts. JAHA accused Wang of inaccuracies, misstatements, and selective misreading of source materials, and cites two examples of alleged misquotes.

Gustilo has filed a discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, in which she describes critical race theory as a race essentialist ideology that presupposes zero sum racial conflict and seeks to remedy that by discriminating against individuals, so as to make group outcomes more equal.

A Hennepin spokeswoman said the organization cant comment during pending legal actions but said by email that the allegations are inaccurate.

Gustilo is receiving support from the Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism, or FAIR, an advocacy organization created to provide resources and support to parents who oppose critical race theory in K-12 schools. The nonprofit group is now planning to establish a medicine chapter to advise and support doctors who are troubled by the injection of CRT into medical training and medical ethics.

Erica Li, a West Coast pediatrician and FAIR volunteer active in the development of the medicine chapter, agrees that racism exists in some situations, but said that racial disparities could have multiple causes. She opposes using affirmative action and other race-based standards to achieve equity, a term that refers to mandating equal outcomes by race.

Li said she is not fearful of retaliation, but asked that her precise location not be disclosed in this article. She said she has taken great lengths to take my photos and contact information off the Internet after a colleague received death threats over an issue not related to critical race theory.

A growing frustration with racial disparities in American society is motivating the push for what activists call structural or systemic changes. On the JAMA podcast, however, the deputy editor, Edward Livingston, expressed skepticism that this was the wisest approach.

Structural racism is an unfortunate term to describe a very real problem, Livingston said, acknowledging that poverty and economic inequality can lead to racial disparities. But we strive to have a society thats more equal, where everybody has the same opportunities.

Personally, I think taking racism out of the conversation would help. Many people like myself are offended by the implication that we are somehow racist, Livingston said, according to published reports. The focus must be on equal opportunity and making sure that that exists.

Safo, an assistant clinical professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, said the podcast struck a raw nerve. I think theres a real discomfort with our countrys reckoning around race. And theres a real desire by individuals in power to feel like, Well, not me, Im not one of them.

When asked about the implications for open debate and free expression, James, the Chicago physician and self-described activist, black feminist and anti-racism scholar, reframed the issue.

They call it cancel culture, but its actually accountability.

This article was written by John Murawski for RealClearInvestigations.

John Murawski
Crowds watch as Skywhalepapa is inflated in front of the Australian Parliament House next to the original Skywhale on February 07, 2021 in Canberra, Australia. (Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images)

Australias Capital Territory Goes Into Snap 7-day Lockdown After 1 COVID Case

3 additional cases reported after lockdown announcement

The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has announced that it will enter a snap seven-day lockdown from 5 p.m., Aug. 12, after a single positive CCP virus case was detected in the territory and traces of the virus were also detected in wastewater.

Three additional casesall close contacts of the first positive casewere reported in the Australian capital city of Canberra after the lockdown announcement.

Authorities are investigating the source of the first positive cases infection. The case involves a man in his 20s, who was reportedly active in the community during the infectious period.

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr described it as the most serious public health risk the jurisdiction, which is home to the nations capital, has faced this year. This is why well be introducing a strict lockdown in response, he told reporters in Canberra on Aug. 12.

Weve said throughout the outbreak that weve witnessed 300kms up the road from Canberra in Sydney, that the lessons learned from that, and from elsewhere around Australia, are that immediate and significant public health responses are needed to get ahead of this Delta strain, he said, referring to the more transmissible variant of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, which causes the disease COVID-19.

This is the best path to pursue, to protect the health of the community and to avoid even more damaging and prolonged lockdowns and more significant economic consequences for our community, he added.

The seven-day lockdown will be the second for the region since March 2020.

During this time Canberrans, are being asked to only leave their homes for essential reasonsessential employment, healthcare (including a COVID-19 vaccination), essential groceries and supplies and up to one hour of outdoor exercise, an ACT government statement read.

General retail will be closed, and hospitality venues will only be able to operate takeaway services. We will be asking any businesses that have to remain open to actively prevent any browsing in their stores.

Barr warned residents against going to Bunnings to browse or hang around the local shops, urging them to instead, get in, get what you need, then leave.The objective of this is to reduce the movement of people who might potentially carry the virus, he said.

Residents are being urged to take precautions, including practising good hand hygiene and using the Check-In CBR app when they leave home.

Mask wearing will also become mandatory when the lockdown starts.

A new testing clinic is being stood up at the Brindabella Business Park, with operating hours and capacity increased at the Weston Creek Walk-In Centra and EPIC drive-through clinic, the statement read.
Federal agents with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) detain a man in this file photo taken in Dallas, Texas, in March 2014. (ICE/Charles Reed/Handout/File Photo via Reuters)

Biden Administration Orders ICE Agents Not to Arrest, Deport Victims of Crime

The Biden administration issued guidance on Aug. 11 instructing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to refrain from arresting and deporting illegal immigrants who were victims of crimes and those who are applying for victim-based immigration benefits.

Described as a victim-centered approach to enforcement, the new policy will see ICE agents cease taking action against illegal immigrants who have applied for visas specifically offered to victims of human trafficking, domestic violence, child neglect, or abuse, according to the guidance (pdf) issued by Acting ICE Director Tae Johnson.

T-visas are designated for victims of human trafficking, and U-visas are meant for victims of violent crimes in the United States.

The memo to ICE agents states that the goal of a victim-centered investigation and prosecution is to focus on minimizing any undue stress, harm, and trauma to the victim.

When victims have access to humanitarian protection, regardless of their immigration status, and can feel safe in coming forward, it strengthens the ability of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, including ICE, to detect, investigate, and prosecute crimes, Johnson wrote.

The approach also seeks to minimize the chilling effect of potential deportation, and therefore encourage illegal immigrants to cooperate with law enforcement.

A victim-centered approach encourages victim cooperation with law enforcement, engenders trust in ICE agents and officers, and bolsters faith in the entire criminal justice and civil immigration systems, Johnson wrote.

ICE agents should also refrain from detaining or deporting illegal immigrants who were victims of crime, even if they have not applied for victim-based immigration benefits, the memo states.

The fact that someone is a victim of crime and, where applicable, may be eligible for victim-based immigration benefits for which they have not yet applied, is a discretionary factor that must be considered in deciding whether to take civil immigration enforcement action against the noncitizen or to exercise discretion, including but not limited to release from detention, the guidance says.

Further, ICE agents and officers also must look for evidence while carrying out their duties that suggests an illegal immigrant is a crime victim.

Johnson added in a statement that the policy update facilitates victim cooperation with law enforcement, enhances ICEs criminal investigative efforts, and promotes trust in ICE agents and law enforcement officers.

It is ICEs commitment to assist victims of crime regardless of their immigration status, he said.

However, ICE is still authorized to take action against victims of crime in exceptional circumstances, including if an individual could physically endanger somebody else or is deemed a threat to national security.

In June, the Biden administration dismantled a Trump-era government office to help victims of crimes committed by illegal immigrants, and replaced it with an inclusive support system for all victims, regardless of immigration status or the immigration status of the perpetrator.

ICE launched the Victims Engagement and Services Line on June 11, noting in a statement that the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) Office that then-President Donald Trump established in 2017 is terminated.

Johnson said at the time that people who contact the new office for help wont be asked about their immigration status.

Republicans have argued that Trumps policies and messaging were effective at discouraging illegal immigration, and that the Biden administrations rollback of some of them has led to a record-high surge in the number of people crossing the southern border illegally.

Besides repealing some Trump-era immigration policies, the Biden administration has also sought to change its use of language. In April, the Biden administration ordered ICE and CBP to stop using terms such as illegal alien and instead use the phrase undocumented noncitizen.

Biden proposed removing the term alien from federal immigration laws in a citizenship bill he sent to Congress on Jan. 20, his first day as president, according to the White House.

Tom Ozimek contributed to this report.
The seal of the United States Department of Justice is seen on the building exterior of the United States Attorney's Office of the Southern District of New York in Manhattan, N.Y., on Aug. 17, 2020. (Andrew Kelly/Reuters)

Biden Nominates Damian Williams to Serve as US Attorney for the Southern District of New York

President Joe Biden announced his pick to serve as U.S. Attorney for Manhattan in a statement released on Tuesday.

Damian Williams, 40, would be the first black man to serve in the high-profile position in the Southern District of New York (SDNY).

He is currently serving as Chief of the Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force at the SDNY, where he has been working since 2012. Part of his role is to supervise over 20 senior prosecutors and represent the district at public events, as well as managing relationships with other enforcement agencies.

Seven other nominees for the top federal law enforcement position in other states and districts were also made public, with two more nominated for New York State positions.

President Biden is announcing eight new nominees to serve as U.S. Attorneys across the country, officials who will be indispensable to upholding the rule of law as the top federal law enforcement officials for their districts, the statement reads.

These individuals were chosen for their devotion to enforcing the law, their professionalism, their experience and credentials in this field, their dedication to pursuing equal justice for all, and their commitment to the independence of the Department of Justice.

The SDNY includes Manhattan, Bronx, Westchester County, as well as other outlying districts.

The White House announcement further noted that the nominated U.S Attorneys will play an important role in tackling the increase in shootings seen during the last year and a half.

The President has launched a comprehensive effort to take on the uptick in gun crime that has been taking place for the last 18 monthsputting more cops on the beat, supporting community prevention programs, and cracking down on illegal gun trafficking, the White House briefed.

If passed by the Senate, Williams would succeed Audrey Strauss, who is currently holding the post.

In late March, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) announced his recommendations for the New York attorney posts, which included Williams.

Damian Williams has tremendous legal acumen, is deeply experienced in the Southern District, has tried significant cases and has a strong commitment to equal justice and civil rights under the law. He is ready to take the helm to steer the Southern District forward into a bright future, Schumer said in a statement.

Another one of Schumers picks, Breon Peace, was also nominated by Biden to be the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District, which includes Staten Island, Queens, Brooklyn, and Long Island. He previously served as Assistant U.S. Attorney in the same district.
Biden Nominates Elizabeth Prelogar to Be US Solicitor General

President Joe Biden has nominated Elizabeth B. Prelogar to be solicitor general, a post that entails representing the federal governments interests at the Supreme Court.

Prelogar has been serving in an acting capacity for the past seven months.

Prelogars stint as acting solicitor general at the Department of Justice (DOJ) began in January when she left private practice as an attorney to join the Biden administration. From 2014 to 2019, she had worked as an assistant to the solicitor general.

During her prior tenure at DOJ, Prelogar, who is fluent in Russian, worked on then-special counsel Robert Muellers Russia investigation and was an assistant special counsel on his team.

Prelogar was previously a partner at Cooley LLP and an associate at Hogan Lovells. She taught a course at Harvard Law School on Supreme Court and appellate advocacy, according to a White House statement on Aug. 11 that announced her nomination.

Bidens failure to nominate someone for the post nearly seven months into his tenure concerned some Supreme Court watchers who worried that the important post might lack a permanent occupant when the high courts new term begins in October, according to Politico.

Its not clear what led to the delay in filling the high-ranking post, but some attorneys noted Prelogars ties to [Attorney General Merrick] Garland and said the White House might have wished to consider other candidates, the media outlet reported. One other person widely discussed for the job was California Supreme Court Justice Leondra Kruger.

Curt Levey, president of the Committee for Justice, said a solicitor general typically has some influence over the nine-member Supreme Court.

The Committee for Justice is a nonprofit organization that in its own words advocates constitutionalist positions on legal and policy issues in Congress and the courts, while educating the public and policy makers about the rule of law and constitutionally limited government.

There is a saying that the solicitor general is effectively the 10th Supreme Court justice because that persons arguments have more weight than anyone else who comes before the court, Levey told The Epoch Times in an interview.

This is something where you cant have a political hack, he said. You have to have somebody whos a very, very smart lawyer.

At the end of the day, its more of a legal position than a political position. For the cases the average person cares about, the White House is going to decide what approach to take, leaving the solicitor general with little discretion, he said.

The solicitor general has authority, like other parts of the executive branch, but at the end of the day, they do have to do what the White House tells them to do, he said. The important decisions are going to come from the White House.

After earning a degree from Harvard Law School, Prelogar clerked for Garland when he was a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. She then completed clerkships with Supreme Court Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Elena Kagan. Kagan herself was solicitor general from March 2009 to August 2010, at which point she became a Supreme Court justice.

Prelogar previously earned a masters degree in creative writing at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. She earned an undergraduate degree in English and Russian from Emory University, and was a Fulbright fellow in St. Petersburg, Russia. Born and raised in Idaho, Prelogar lives in the nations capital with her husband and two sons.

Prelogar is also a former beauty queen. She was Miss Idaho 2004.
Britain Sends Troops to Afghanistan to Help Evacuate Staff and Citizens

LONDONBritain will deploy hundreds of military personnel to Afghanistan to help British nationals and local translators get out of the country, defense secretary Ben Wallace said on Thursday as the security situation there worsens.

The British embassy in Kabul will be moved to a more secure location and will remain manned by only core staff.

The deployment of protection forces and logistical support has been triggered by rising violence as Taliban fighters capture cities across Afghanistan after U.S. and allied troops withdrew.

I have authorized the deployment of additional military personnel to support the diplomatic presence in Kabul, assist British nationals to leave the country, and support the relocation of former Afghan staff who risked their lives serving alongside us, Wallace said in a statement.

It is a long-planned process and it was important with the current situation on the ground in Afghanistan to make the decision to move to that phase, he told a separate briefing.

The British ambassador Laurie Bristow will be among those staying in Kabul. Last week Britain advised all its nationals in Afghanistan to leave.

The first troops are expected to arrive by the end of the week, and the number could eventually rise to 600. They will include medics and specialist planners to help manage the withdrawal.

The several thousand being helped out of the country include Afghan interpreters and other local personnel eligible for relocation to Britain as well as others who hold British passports. They will take commercial flights.

British forces were first deployed to Afghanistan in 2001 following the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States and played a major role in combat operations until 2014. A total of 457 British soldiers were killed in the country.

The speed and violence of the Taliban advance have caused recriminations among many Afghans over U.S. President Joe Bidens decision to withdraw U.S. troops.

Britain also withdrew its troops as part of a coordinated move between NATO and the United States.

By William James
Can You Train Yourself to Innovate?

As the saying goes, Nothing changes if nothing changes. After all, if nothing changes, we stay neutral. And, thats a problem.

Growth becomes stagnant. Its impossible for us to evolve. We dont improve for the better.

In short, this isnt good for me, you, and quite frankly the world. But, can you actually train yourself to innovate? Yes, you can.

Cultivate Your Innovative Traits

Like creativity, theres a belief that innovative people are just born that way, writes Anisa Purbasari Horton for Fast Company. But, thats not exactly true.

Almost everybody [has] innovative traits, Victor Poirier, a professor at the Institute of Advanced Discovery & Innovation at the University of South Florida told Fast Company. Some people use them, some people dont. [I did this research] to make people aware of what traits people do have, wake up dormant traits that they dont even know they have, and prove the utilization of those traits.

As listed in Poiriers research paper, these traits include being able to think abstractly and having a broad and deep understanding of the subject. He also cites curiosity, openness to risk, grit, and dissatisfaction with the status quo.

To become more innovative, Poirier believes that cultivating the traits that already exist in a specific individual can help. In order to teach individuals how to do this, Porier is currently testing and developing different methods.

Have you noticed any of the traits listed in yourself? If so, you can deliberately seek out experiences to put those traits to use, adds Horton. For example, if you think that you possess grit but want to strengthen it, make it a habit to work on a project or goal from start to completion, and be ready to identify alternative paths if your current one isnt working.

Use Both Sides of Your Brain

Research has debunked the myth that being either left-brained or right-brained. Specifically, the belief right-brained people are more creative while left-brained people are more analytical. In reality, using both sides of your brain sparks true creativity comes from using both sides of your brain.

For an imagination to flourish, it needs to be both logical and rational. While, at the same time being unique, thoughtful, and inventive. In fact, Roger Sperry developed his split-brain hypothesis all the way back in the 1960s.

Why does creativity require a whole-brained approach? Because, lateral thinking, aka thinking outside of the box is a requirement. Doing so will help you overcome challenges and uncover new solutions to problems.

How can you build your whole brain? Use your non-dominant hand when doing activities like juggling or origami. Or, use your non-dominant hand when brushing your teeth.

Another idea would literally be doing things differently. One example would be mirror writing, which is where you write letters backward and in reverse order. It was effective enough for Leonardo da Vinci, so it should work for you.

Surround Yourself With Inspiration

Wheter if its going for a walk or plastering photos or inspirational quotes on your wall, proudly display items that turn your innovative light on. And, the provocative, the better.

Also, research from the University of British Columbia has found that the color blue ignites innovation. Through associations with the sky, the ocean and water, most people associate blue with openness, peace and tranquility, explains Juliet Zhu, who conducted the research. The benign cues make people feel safe about being creative and exploratory.

However, to make sure that innovation doesnt stagnate, frequently replace these items. You dont have to do this daily. But, it should be often enough to keep things fresh.

Develop a Thirst for Knowledge

Youll be more innovative if you have a lifelong thirst for knowledge. And, to make sure that youre plenty thirsty, make sure that youre constantly exposing your mind to new ideas and information. You should also question everything and be willing to listen to different perspectives.

Also, cultivate vertical knowledge, which means youre knowledgeable in a particular area. But, also dont neglect deep horizontal knowledge. This is where you have a decent amount of knowledge in a variety of areas.

Get a Buddy

Rarely does innovation occur by itself. Identify an accountability partner with whom you feel comfortable, such as a colleague or friend. But, you also must make yourself accountable to them as well.

When youve picked out a creativity buddy, work somewhere different. Or, try changing up your routines. Brainstorming and bouncing ideas off each isnt just an effective way to develop new ideas, its also fun working with others.

Explain Things Back to Yourself

Lets say that you just finished a book. Explain what you read to either yourself or another person. The reason is that this allows you to expand on it, as well as reshape it in your own voice.

That may sound elementary. But, its an effective way to build on fresh concepts. And, most importantly, solidify and retain knowledge.

Flip Your Assumptions

Take stock of all of the tasks that you do while on autopilot. Yes, even the most mundane and tedious tasks. After youve identified these tasks, consider ways to do them differentlyrefer back to mirror writing.

Its a simple way to shake up your routine, which will prevent you from getting stuck in a rut. Whats more, this is like teaching an old dog a new trick.

Take Risks

If you want to be innovative then you must take risks. Although it can be scary, youll have to take some risks in your everyday life if you want to become more innovative.

Occasionally, it will work out and youll come up easily with a new solution. In many cases, however, things dont quite work out as you thought they would, so youll need to try again.

Dont let the fear of failure become an obstacle, says Richard Branson. You can create your own luck by opening the door to change, progression and success.

According to Branson, the most successful businesses found success because they took risks. But, this concept applies to all aspects of life. Whether if its running your own company, developing a solution to the single-use plastics problem, or trying to stop forgetting your keys when you leave the house.

But, what if things dont work out? As Alfred Pennyworth tells Bruce Wayne in Batman Begins, Why Do We Fall, Sir? So That We Can Learn to Pick Ourselves Up.

Ban Things

Contrary to popular belief, constraints and parameters actually stimulate creativity. Mainly because they force you to think flexibly and creatively.

To get started, ban a couple of things to see what the implications are. Examples would be banning certain words, resources, or default communication tools. Although theres a good chance that youll end up selecting watered-down versions of your initial suggestions, this exercise will get the innovative wheels spinning.

By John Hall
A view of the Panamanian-registered ship "Crimson Polaris" after it ran aground in Hachinohe harbor in Hachinohe, northern Japan on Aug. 12, 2021. (Courtesy of 2nd Regional Coast Guard HeadquartersJapan Coast Guard/Handout via Reuters)

Cargo Ship Runs Aground in Japan and Splits in Two, Leaving Miles-Long Oil Leak

A chartered cargo ship ran aground near Hachinohe Port, northern Japan, then split into two pieces and leaked oil, the Japanese Coast Guard said, noting that there are no reports of injuries among its crew and the oil leak is under investigation.

The 39,910-tonne Panamanian-registered vessel named the Crimson Polaris was swept away by strong winds while it was anchored and grounded in the harbor on Aug. 11, said Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK), a major Japanese shipping company, according to a press release.

Crimson Polaris crew initially managed to free the ship, but due to the windy weather conditions, they were unable to lead and navigate the large vessel, ending up anchoring again about 2.4 miles (4 km) out from the port.

The vessel, which was at the end of a voyage from Thailand, split in two at 4:15 a.m. on Aug. 12, the Coast Guard said in an updated statement, adding that oil has spilled into the ocean.

A view of the Panamanian-registered ship Crimson Polaris after it ran aground in Hachinohe harbor in Hachinohe, northern Japan on Aug. 12, 2021. (Courtesy of 2nd Regional Coast Guard Headquarters  Japan Coast Guard/Handout via Reuters)

A view of the Panamanian-registered ship Crimson Polaris after it ran aground in Hachinohe harbor in Hachinohe, northern Japan on Aug. 12, 2021. (Courtesy of 2nd Regional Coast Guard Headquarters  Japan Coast Guard/Handout via Reuters)

The vessels crew of 21 seafarers have been evacuated safely, officials said, noting that no injuries to the crew were reported.

All crew members have been evacuated from the ship with the cooperation of the Japan Coast Guard, and those seafarers have been confirmed to be safe, the company said.

The ships operator confirmed that a portion of the wood-chip cargo was lost from the damaged part of the hull, adding that the NYK is investigating the amount of cargo lost, as well as the impact it will have on the ocean.

An oil slick of 3.2 miles (5.1 km) long and about 0.6 miles (1 km) wide was visible later that day, with containment measures currently being investigated by patrol boats.

A view of the Panamanian-registered ship Crimson Polaris after it ran aground in Hachinohe harbor in Hachinohe, northern Japan on Aug. 12, 2021. (Courtesy of 2nd Regional Coast Guard Headquarters  Japan Coast Guard/Handout via Reuters)

The vessels two parts have not moved and are being closely monitored by patrol boats, a Coast Guard spokesman said. There had been no apparent major change in its situation by the afternoon of Aug. 12 (local time).

NYK has organized a crisis management center led by NYK president Hitoshi Nagasawa to rapidly address the situation, the company said. Personnel has been sent to the site, and necessary support will be provided to the shipowner and ship-management company.

The cargo ship is owned by Mi-Das Line S.A. and is currently being chartered by NYK.

Reuters contributed to this report.

From NTD News
Cars drive on the road during the morning rush hour in Beijing, China, on July 2, 2019. (Jason Lee/Reuters)

China Auto Sales Tumble for a Third Straight Month in July

BEIJINGChinas vehicle sales slid in July for a third consecutive month, hit hard by flooding in some areas of the country, COVID-19 outbreaks in other areas, and the global shortage of semiconductors.

The Chinese auto market saw sales drop 11.9 percent from the same month a year earlier to 1.86 million vehicles, according to data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM).

For the first seven months of the year, Chinas vehicle sales have jumped 19 percent as the market recovered from pandemic lows. CAAM said that rebound is set to peter out with sales for the rest of 2021 expected to be below relatively high year-ago levels, although the market is still expected to log growth overall on an annual basis.

Chen Shihua, a senior CAAM executive, cautioned that the global chip shortage, which has led to automakers curtailing production, was unlikely to resolve itself soon as the pandemic rages on in many parts of the world.
Canadian businessman Michael Spavor arrives after a trip to North Korea at Beijing Capital International Airport, in Beijing on Jan. 13, 2014. (Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters)

China Draws International Condemnation Over Hefty Sentence Against Canadian Michael Spavor

The United States and the international community issued statements in a growing chorus in protest of Chinas hefty sentencing of Canadian businessman Michael Spavor.

Spavors sentence of 11 years in prison, handed down by a Chinese court on Aug. 11, was immediately condemned by Canada, as well as by representatives from the United States and 24 other countries, who attended a news conference at the Canadian Embassy in Beijing in a show of solidarity.

Jim Nickel (front C), the deputy chief of mission for the Canadian Embassy in China, and diplomatic representatives from more than two dozen other countries pose for a group photo at an event held in connection with the announcement of the sentence for Canadian citizen Michael Spavor at the Canadian Embassy in Beijing, on Aug. 11, 2021. (Mark Schiefelbein/AP Photo)

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau immediately condemned Spavors sentencing, calling the verdict absolutely unacceptable and unjust.

Further statements were released by officials around the world denouncing the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) actions, with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken calling on the CCP to release Spavor and another Canadian, Michael Kovrig, immediately and unconditionally.

We continue to condemn these arbitrary detentions as well as the sentence imposed against Mr. Spavor, Blinken said in an Aug. 11 statement, adding: The practice of arbitrarily detaining individuals to exercise leverage over foreign governments is completely unacceptable. People should never be used as bargaining chips.

Spavor and Kovrig were arrested in China in December 2018 and were later charged with espionage. Their arrests came days after Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou was arrested at Vancouver International Airport on a U.S. extradition warrant.

(Left) Michael Spavor, director of Paektu Cultural Exchange, talks during a Skype interview in Yanji, China, on March 2, 2017. (Right) Michael Kovrig, an adviser with the International Crisis Group, a Brussels-based non-governmental organization, speaks during an interview in Hong Kong on March 28, 2018. (AP Photo)

Meng is accused of being involved in a scheme to use the global banking system to evade U.S. sanctions against Iran. The two mens detentions were widely seen as a tit-for-tat response by the CCP over her arrest.

Other U.S. officials also raised their voices against Spavors verdict, with Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), the ranking Republican member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee calling the sentencing a clear political move and despicable.

No internationally respected government arbitrarily detains foreign nationals, he said, demanding the release of Spavor and Kovrig.

U.S. Rep. Ami Bera (D-Calif.), who chairs the House Foreign Subcommittee on Asia, condemned the CCPs sentencing of Spavor and called on the CCP to cease its use of hostage diplomacy.

Trudeau and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in statements that they had discussed Spavors sentencing and agreed to work together against arbitrary detention. They both also condemned the death sentence given to Canadian citizen Robert Schellenberg that was recently upheld by a Chinese court.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau holds a press conference in Montreal, on July 15, 2021. (Andrej Ivanov/AFP via Getty Images)

A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Canada in a statement accused Canada of ganging up with other Western countries to put pressure on China, efforts it called totally in vain.

Meanwhile, Melita Gabric, European Union ambassador to Canada, said in a statement that the EU urges China to respect its international legal obligations.

Arbitrary detentions violate [human rights] and the independence of the judiciary, she said, adding that the EU has stood shoulder to shoulder with Canada in efforts to secure Spavor and Kovrigs release.

The British high commissioner to Canada expressed solidarity with Canada in a brief statement.

Separately, the German Foreign Office issued a statement in a similar fashion. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas also said that Spavors rights were restricted in breach of international law, and further noted that his trial was held behind closed doors.

Spavor was charged in China with espionage in June 2019. A one-day trial was concluded in March and the Chinese court waited until Aug. 11 to announce its verdict.

The sentence was announced within a day of lawyers for Canadas attorney general arguing in a Canadian court against a request to delay the extradition of Meng to the United States to face criminal charges.

Frances Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs said in a statement it was dismayed to learn about Spavors sentencing and Schellenbergs upheld death sentence and said it strongly denounces the arbitrary nature of these verdicts.

Meanwhile, Annika Ben David, Swedens ambassador-at-large for human rights, democracy, and the rule of law, called to restore the human rights of Spavor and Schellenberg. [Human rights] obligations must be ensured, including the right to a fair trial [and] the right to life, she said in a statement.

Australia and New Zealand both condemned the latest situation concerning Spavor and Schellenberg.

We call for due process and transparency and oppose the death penalty in all circumstances, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said in a statement.

Aotearoa of New Zealand shares Canadas deep concerns and continues to follow this and similar cases closely. We call for international law and norms to be respected, including human rights and the Vienna Conventions, according to a statement from New Zealands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Frank Fang and Melanie Sun contributed to this report.
Residents queueing to test for the COVID-19 in Wuhan in China's central Hubei province on Aug. 3, 2021. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

Snap Lockdown in Chinese Industrial Park Leaves Workers Trapped, Short of Necessities

Workers at a battery factory in China found themselves unable to go home due to a sudden government-imposed lockdown on Aug. 4. Some have been transported from the factory to schools and other sites for quarantine but all the sites lack daily necessities and access to medical care.

Eve Power Co. Ltd. is a manufacturer of batteries for electric vehicles and boats in the high-tech industrial park of Jingmen city in Chinas central Hubei province. The battery company says it has 2,800 employees and is among the top three performers in the industry in China.

Jingmen city officials announced on Aug. 10 the citys first confirmed case of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) virus, also known as novel coronavirus, was a worker at the Eve Power construction site. They imposed a hard lockdown on the whole industrial park starting Aug. 4, ordering everyone at the factory to stay in place and wait to get tested.

Panicked

Two business partners of Eve Power told the Chinese-language edition of The Epoch Times on Aug. 8 their experience of the lockdown and quarantine.

Mr. Wang, using an alias, is a supplier to Eve Power. He told The Epoch Times in an Aug. 8 phone interview that he still felt scared after the first nights experience. If you had been at the scene, you would have felt as panicked as me after what I went through that night. The only thing I can do now is to pray for my safety, he said.

Mr. Wang was on a business visit to the construction site on the morning of Aug. 4 unaware of the positive case. After being on site for a few hours, he was told in the afternoon that he would not be able to leave due to the lockdown and was forced to wait in crowds of people through the night to get tested.

Wang said that there were 300 to 400 people waiting to be tested at the construction site. There were no isolation measures, and the authorities did not allow people to move. All of them had to stay where they were and had nowhere to rest or sleep. All they could do was wait for a test.

Then, buses came to transfer people to quarantine sites. Each bus was packed with 30 to 40 people.

We just waited, Wang said. We did not get any information or notice about which bus we should take. We did not know when it would be our turn to leave and where we were going, he added, expressing anger at the authorities. What they did was grabbing people and packing them into a bus whenever a bus came.

Quarantine Centers Lack Basic Necessities, Medical Care

An indoor installation contractor surnamed Yu (pseudonym) told the Chinese-language Epoch Times that the quarantine sites are poorly equipped and lack basic facilities.

A worker receives a COVID-19 test at the dining hall of a car parts factory in Wuhan, central Chinas Hubei Province on Aug. 4, 2021. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

In a phone interview on Aug. 8, Mr. Yu said he was responsible for a installation project for Eve Power. He had left the factory on Aug. 2 due to personal reasons, but left his nine-person project team who were now quarantined in a Jingmen middle school.

There are no quilts or bedding, no hot water, and no air-conditioning, Yu was told. There is also a shortage of disinfectant supplies and other daily necessities, he added.

Workers locked down at the Eve Power site have had to sleep on the ground. In addition to its 2,800 employees, the company has many contract workers on its construction sites. Yus team is only one of many contractors, he said.

On Aug. 10, Jingmen city authorities reported seven cases of the CCP virusthe highest number for that day of all cities in the province, according to Hubeis provincial health body. This brought the citys number of infections to the second highest in the province.

Authorities have still not said when the lockdown will end.

Gu Xiaohua
Chinese Regime Blames Russia as Source of Recent COVID-19 Surge in China

The Chinese communist regime is shifting the blame of the recent COVID-19 surge in Chinas Nanjing city to Russia. Meanwhile, a leaked internal official document shows that the regime sees Russia as the biggest source of imported infections.

Since July 20, the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, commonly known as the novel coronavirus, has resurged in Nanjing city of Jiangsu Province, spreading to at least 18 provinces and cities in mainland China. Nanjing Lukou Airport has been identified as the source of this round of outbreaks. From July 20 to the present, Jiangsu Province has reported a total of 642 local confirmed cases. Due to the Chinese regimes cover-up of the epidemic, the true number of infected cases is unclear.

On July 30, Ding Jie, deputy director of the Nanjing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, stated at a press conference that the genetic sequence of the early reported cases of the cabin cleaners at the airport was consistent with the sequence of an imported case reported on flight CA910 from Russia on July 10. The cleaners worked on that plane.

Residents queue to receive nucleic acid tests for COVID-19 in Nanjing, in eastern Chinas Jiangsu Province, on July 21, 2021. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

Public information shows that the CA910 flight regularly travels from Moscow, Russia, to Nanjing via Air China. It runs every Saturday and the last flight was on July 17. According to Chinese state media, flight CA910 has been temporarily suspended as many as 10 times due to having infected passengers since last year during the pandemic.

The Epoch Times obtained an internal official document of the Chinese regime that shows it sees Russia as the major source for imported COVID-19 infections.

The document is titled Brief Report (Issue 396) of the Latest Situation of the National Epidemic Situation. The report is marked as internal material.

The content of this briefing summarizes the status of the local epidemic and the imported cases including statistical tables.

Russian police officers patrol on the deserted Red square in front of Saint Basils Cathedral in Moscow as the city and its surrounding regions imposed lockdowns today, that were being followed by other Russian regions in a bid to slow the spread of the COVID-19 infection caused by the novel coronavirus, in Moscow, Russia, on March 30, 2020. (Dimitar Dilkoff /AFP via Getty Images)

According to the Overseas Epidemic Import Statistics Table in the document, the top five countries that are listed as sources of Chinas imported COVID-19 cases are Russia (950), the United States (475), the United Kingdom (424), the Philippines (335), and the UAE (176). The Chinese regime regards Russia as the largest source of Chinas imported cases, which is twice that of the United States.

U.S.-based current affairs commentator Li Linyi believes that based on the Nanjing authorities accusations against Russia and the CCP State Councils internal document, it seems that the unified official rhetoric of the regime is to blame foreign countries for being the source of COVID-19 outbreaks in China. Otherwise, it will appear that the CCP officials are not efficient in fighting the epidemic, and it will be difficult for them to keep their official posts. Li told The Epoch Times: In fact, the local COVID-19 infections in mainland China have never stopped, its just that the CCP has been covering it up. When its out of control and exposed to the public, the authorities then shift the blame to other countries.

Gu Qinger contributed to this report.
Russian helicopters launch rockets during a join military exercises gathering China, Russia and other countries at the Kapustin Yar range in Astrakhan region, Southern Russia, on Sept. 25, 2020. (DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP via Getty Images)

Chinese, Russian Militaries Hold Drills in Northwest China

China and Russia are engaging in joint military exercises in northwestern China in a sign of growing military ties between Moscow and Beijing.

The exercises involving ground troops and combat aircraft will continue through to Aug. 13 in the Ningxia Region.

The region is located in northwestern China, east of Xinjiang. It is where the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has detained more than 1 million Uyghurs, ethnic Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, Uzbeks, Tajiks, and other religious minorities in forced labor camps.

The United States has declared Chinas detention of the Uyghurs an act of genocide, while China said it was a response to terrorist activities in the region.

Beijing has said the joint exercises would be a chance for China and Russian to mitigate concerns in the region about any potential overspill of violence from the increasing conflict occurring in Afghanistan following the pullout of U.S. allied forces.

China shares a 46 mile (76 kilometer) border with Afghanistan.

The news of the exercises comes after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Taliban representatives last month. No agenda for the meeting was released to the public. However, representatives of the Taliban in July described the CCP as a friend. The endearment was reciprocated by the editor-in-chief of Chinas state mouthpiece Global Times.

The exercises mark the first time that China has invited Russia into its territory for military wargames. It is also the first time China will showcase its most advanced weapons and equipment, including the J-20 stealth fighter, which has previously not appeared in any joint military exercises.

Stopping short of a formal alliance, China and Russia have increasingly coordinated their military and foreign policies.

In 2020, China joined in Russias Kavkaz 2020 strategic military exercises in central Russia, which caused India to withdraw from the exercises due to its border dispute with China.

Chinese state-media Huanqiu says the increasing military cooperation between the two countries demonstrates that trust between Beijing and Moscow had reached an unprecedented level.

The Russian Defense Ministry said that the training event was to strengthen the level of military cooperation and friendship between the armed forces of the two countries and the two countries relations.

Russia has also backed the Chinese regime on its disputed territorial claims in the South China Sea, which have brought Beijing into conflict with the United States and its allies.

China has stated it has overlapping territorial claims with U.S. alliesTaiwan, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. The countries have been locked in increasingly tense territorial standoffs due to the CCPs increasingly belligerent actions in the region, like building seven disputed reefs into missile-protected island bases.

Although an international arbitration ruling in 2016 invalidated Beijings claims in the South China Sea, Beijing has refused to leave things as they are in the region.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has responded to Chinas increasingly aggressive claims to the region by warning that any conflict there or in any ocean would have serious global consequences for security and for commerce.

The area has seen dangerous encounters between vessels at sea and provocative actions to advance unlawful maritime claims that seek to intimidate and bully other states lawfully accessing their maritime resources, Blinken said.

The Epoch Times contributed to this report.
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough speaks during the daily press briefing in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on March 4, 2021. (Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

Department of Veterans Affairs Expanding COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced on Aug. 12 that its expanding its COVID-19 vaccine to include most employees and volunteers.

Under the expansion, the bulk of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) workers, including Hybrid Title 38 and Title 5 health care personnel such as pharmacists, engineers, and housekeepers, must be vaccinated. VHA is a component of the VA.

Were now including most VHA employees and volunteers and contractors in the vaccine mandate because it remains the best way to keep Veterans safe, especially as the Delta variant spreads across the country, Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough said in a statement.

This pandemic is not over and VA must do everything in our power to protect Veterans from COVID-19. With this expanded mandate, we can once again makeand keepthat fundamental promise.

COVID-19 is the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus.

The VA last month became the first federal agency to mandate COVID-19 vaccination for some of its workers. The Department of Health and Human Services announced the expanded mandate on Aug. 12, and the Department of Defense signaled this week that it plans to require vaccination soon.

The first tranche of workers that was told to vaccinate were Title 38 employees, including doctors, dentists, and nurses.

They were told they had eight weeks to get fully vaccinated (all required shots) or face termination.

As with the initial mandate, the newly covered workers will have eight weeks to provide proof of vaccination at their local VHA Occupational Health Office.

The first mandate applied to about 115,000 workers, a VA spokesman told The Epoch Times via email. The expansion covers about 245,000 additional employees.

The department so far has proof of vaccination for about 80,000 of the first group and 120,000 of the second group.

The VA employs about 415,000 people, including about 370,000 by the VHA. About 55,000 employees arent covered by the initial or expanded mandate.

The American Federation of Government Employees, the VAs largest employee union, said last week that it would negotiate any changes to working conditions with bargaining units prior to implementation. The union didnt respond to a request for comment on Aug. 12.

Liberty Counsel, a religious freedom group, argued last month that the VA mandate was illegal, noting that the COVID-19 vaccines being administered in the United States have not received full approval.

Under the federal Emergency Use Authorization law, these shots cannot be mandated or administered without the free and full consent of the individual, Mat Staver, the groups founder and chairman, said in a statement.

Liberty Counsel said last week that it was flooded with requests from VA health care workers who dont want the vaccine.

Other agencies have since mandated vaccines or announced plans to, including the Department of Defense.

Under federal law, people can claim religious or medical exemptions to vaccines.

The Department of Justice last month deemed vaccine mandates legal, asserting that the law doesnt prevent public agencies or private businesses from requiring immunizations.
Effectiveness of Some COVID-19 Vaccines Has Dropped Significantly: Study

The effectiveness of the two most widely used COVID-19 vaccines in the United States has dropped significantly in July, a new study found.

The shots from Moderna and Pfizer were highly effective in preventing transmission of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, which causes COVID-19, between January and June, researchers with the Mayo Clinic and the Massachusetts-based data analytics company nference discovered.

But the efficacy of Modernas jab dropped to 76 percent in July, with Pfizers plummeting to 42 percent, the researchers said.

The scientists studied health records from the Mayo Clinic to determine the effectiveness in an observational study that was recently published online (pdf), but hasnt yet been peer-reviewed.

At the same time the drop in effectiveness was seen, the Delta variant of the CCP virus became much more prevalent in Minnesota, researchers noted, comprising more than 70 percent of the states cases.

Meanwhile, the researchers also found that the vaccines remained highly effective against hospitalization.

Our observational study suggests that while both mRNA COVID-19 vaccines strongly protect against infection and severe disease, there are differences in their real-world effectiveness relative to each other and relative to prior months of the pandemic. Larger studies with more diverse populations are warranted to guide critical pending public and global health decisions, such as the optimal timing for booster doses and which vaccines should be administered to individuals who have not yet received one dose, they wrote.

Pfizer told The Epoch Times in an email that the company and its partner, BioNTech, are driven by science to discover the best approaches to protect against COVID-19 and are confident in the protection and safety of the two-dose BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine.

Moderna didnt respond immediately to a request for comment.

Their vaccines are the most widely administered in the United States. Only one otherfrom Johnson & Johnsonis authorized for emergency use in the country.

When drug regulators authorized the shots in December 2020, they said clinical trial data showed Pfizer displayed 95 percent effectiveness in preventing COVID-19, and Moderna showed 94.1 percent effectiveness.

The companies recently reported waning efficacy, with Modernas dropping to 93 percent effectiveness after six months and Pfizers declining to 84 percent efficacy.

But other recent studies suggest the possibility of a much lower efficacy, particularly for Pfizers jab.

A study from Qatar, for instance, found Pfizers effectiveness just 53.5 percent, while researchers in Israel concluded (pdf) it was just 39 percent effective against infection.

The effectiveness was higher in other research, including a paper published in the New England Journal of Medicine that found Pfizers shot was 88 percent effective against the Delta variant.

The recent studies taken together point to an estimate of 50 to 60 percent effectiveness in mRNA vaccines against symptomatic infection, according to Eric Topol, director and founder of the Scripps Research Translational Institute.

There needs to be truth-telling about the reduced protection of mRNA vaccines vs symptomatic Delta infections, he wrote on Twitter. Why is this important? Because we need to protect the protected, the fully vaccinated. Sure we want to get more people vaccinated, but truth engenders trust. And truth helps guide people to be safe, use masks, distance, ventilation and all the other tools we have and know helps.

Dr. Monica Gandhi, professor of medicine at the University of CaliforniaSan Francisco and San Francisco General Hospital, said that so-called breakthrough infections, or infections among the vaccinated, are believed to stem from either the reduced incubation period of the Delta variant, which causes higher viral loads, or waning antibody titers.

Since T-cells protect us against severe disease, and they do not wane over time, protection from severe disease can be maintained even as nasal antibodies (and protection from mild breakthroughs) wane, she told The Epoch Times in an email.

The takeaway from the Mayo Clinic research is that vaccines remain remarkably effective in protecting us against severe disease but the differences seen in mild breakthrough infections with Moderna and Pfizer are likely real and likely reflect a higher antibody response (which protects you against mild infection) with the Moderna vaccine, she added.

The waning effectiveness in vaccines is prompting U.S. officials to consider recommending that certain populations get a booster shot.

The Food and Drug Administration is reportedly set to soon authorize extra COVID-19 vaccine doses, ahead of an Aug. 13 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory panel meeting that will discuss whether the boosters are required.

The panel weighed last month whether to recommend boosters, but ultimately decided at the time against making a recommendation.
Exclusive Interview: Glenn Youngkin on the Virginia Governors Race

The Virginia gubernatorial election has entered into its final months in the lead-up to election day in November. The most recent poll conducted by Co/efficient on behalf of Conservatives for Clean Energy shows former Governor Terry McAuliffe barely ahead of Republican Glenn Youngkin, after taking into consideration the polls margin of error.

Earlier this summer, Youngkin sat down with The Epoch Times for an interview about the most critical issues for his campaign. Youngkin came out of the primary confident in his standing amongst his voters and in speaking to voters about how his solutions solve their pressing needs.

Youngkin said, We came out of the nomination process with a tremendous amount of momentum; the Republican Party really came together. The big issues that are so distinct between what Terry McAuliffe stands for and what I stand for are the kitchen table issues of all Virginians.

Youngkin sees the economic recovery in the Commonwealth as a very crucial issue that affects all Virginians.

The first big issue I see in Virginia is how do we get our economy moving and our job machine turned back on? Youngkin said. Terry believes that it comes from the central government dictating winners and losers and getting rid of right to work in Virginia. He is on the record saying that if a bill came to his desk getting rid of the right-to-work laws, he would sign it.

Youngkins policies are the exact opposite.

We need to peel back on government intervention. Virginia has got a stack of regulations that have piled on Virginia businesses and are crushing them. I plan to preserve the right-to-work laws so that workers in Virginia arent mandated to pay a portion of their paychecks to Terry McAuliffes union boss friends.

Youngkin is also very concerned about the encroachment of critical race theory into Virginia schools.

Virginia schools are in a state of chaos because of the left-liberal, progressive agenda that is being ramrodded across the Commonwealth of Virginia, Youngkin said. We kept our schools closed so unnecessarily and damaged kids across Virginia. We have infused a political agenda of critical race theory into the curriculum, and we are seeing parents stand up across Virginia, and acutely in Loudon County.

Youngkin forecasts that the critical race theory issue will be an ongoing fight that will transform the debate over education in the Commonwealth.

[The issue of critical race theory] is not a Loudon County moment; this is a Commonwealth-wide momentand its not just Republicans. We need to press aggressively forward with school choice. We need more charter schools and a charter school program, and Terry stands in the way of that because he wants his teachers union friends to continue making that decision instead of the parents of the kids to make their own decisions.

A final big topic that Youngkin is putting at the forefront of his campaign is community safety.

Terrys record as Governor speaks for itself, and he doesnt even have a community safety policy on his website, Youngkin said. When he was Governor, the murder rate in Virginia went up 43 percent. Right now, we already have murder rates in Virginia at all-time highs, and that reflects the fact that Terry has no interest in supporting law enforcement. Hes on the record saying that he would sign a bill getting rid of qualified immunity.

I believe in investing in our law enforcement, so we have the best capabilities, which means protecting qualified immunity. We watched three sheriffs shift from Democrats to Republicans because they could no longer stand what the left-wing progressive Democrat Party was shoveling and that they didnt want anymore.

Youngkin believes that his campaign presents Virginians with a choice for the future of the Commonwealth.

As Youngkin put it, These are the major differences between a campaign that is run by Terry McAuliffe, who just wants to recycle bad old policies [and mine]. One of his own competitors, Jennifer Carol Floy, made this point during the Democratic primary that Virginians dont want old politicians and policies, and she was so right.

I am always clear to highlight that the Commonwealth of Virginia had fallen way behind prior to the pandemic. Our job creation numbers trailed the growth that we had seen in our peer states like North and South Carolina, Tennessee, Florida, and Georgia who we compete against to create jobs.

Many of those states created 50 percent more jobs than Virginia, and thats not even looking at the significant rise in our cost of living that is above the national average. Over the years, we have seen more Virginia families move to those states than move into Virginia from the rest of the 49 states.

There is still a lot of time remaining between now and November, a gubernatorial debate, as well as a final push to turn out voters. Youngkin said that his campaign has momentum on its side, and that robust policy solutions will catapult him to the governors mansion in November.

Democratic candidate Terry McAuliffe did not agree to be interviewed despite multiple requests.
Federal Court Prohibits HHS From Forcing Doctors to Perform Transgender Surgeries, Abortions

A federal judge in Texas has ruled that the Biden administration cannot force doctors to perform sex transition surgeries or abortions, or force health insurers to provide coverage for such surgeries.

The Court agrees and concludes that enforcement of the [Biden administrations interpretation] forces Christian Plaintiffs to face civil penalties or to perform gender-transition procedures and abortions contrary to their religious beliefsa quintessential irreparable injury, Reed OConnor, a district judge in the Northern District of Texas, said his order (pdf) on Monday.

The plaintiffs are a religious hospital, an association of over 20,000 healthcare professionals, and nine states.

When the [Religious Freedom Restoration Act] violation is clear and the threat of irreparable harm is present, a permanent injunction exempting Christian Plaintiffs from that religion-burdening conduct is the appropriate relief, OConnor stated.

The order permanently enjoins the defendantsthe Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), its agencies, and HHS Secretary Xavier Becerrafrom forcing doctors to perform transgender surgeries or abortions.

HHS hasnt responded to a request from The Epoch Times for comment.

Todays ruling is a victory for compassion, conscience, and common sense, said Luke Goodrich, vice president and senior counsel at Becket, a public-interest legal institute and counsel for the plaintiffs. No doctor should be forced to perform controversial, medically unsupported procedures that are contrary to their conscience and could be deeply harmful to their patients.

This is not the first time OConnor has blocked the enforcement.

In 2019, OConnor struck down the administrations enforced interpretation of part of the Affordable Care Acts nondiscrimination clause that was introduced by the Obama administration. But he didnt grant plaintiffs permanent injunction at the time. In April, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals sent the case back to the district court for further consideration but did not rule on the lawsuits merits.

In January, another district judge in North Dakota ruled against the enforcement rule and granted the plaintiffs permanent injunctive relief.

An [Religious Freedom Restoration Act] violation is comparable to the deprivation of a First Amendment right, the decision (pdf) reads.

The Biden administration will have 60 days to decide whether to appeal the courts ruling.
A man looks on as flood waters sweep by in Bozkurt town of Kastamonu province of Turkey, on Aug. 12, 2021. (IHA via AP)

Floods That Hit Northern Turkey Leave 17 Dead, 1 Missing

ANKARA, TurkeyTurkish authorities said Thursday the death toll from the severe floods and mudslides that struck the north of the country has risen to 17, and one more person is still reported missing.

The floods battered the Black Sea coastal provinces of Bartin, Kastamonu, Sinop, and Samsun on Wednesday, demolishing homes and bridges, and sweeping away cars. Helicopters scrambled to rescue people stranded on rooftops.

As floodwaters began to recede across the affected regions in Turkeys north, a statement from the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency, or AFAD, said rescuers had recovered six bodies in Kastamonu.

Later Thursday, nine more bodies were found in the worst-hit town of Bozkurt, in Kastamonu, and two bodies was found in Sinop. An 80-year-old woman was reported missing in Bartin province.

Destroyed cars in a street after floods and mudslides in Bozkurt town of Kastamonu province, Turkey, on Aug. 12, 2021. (IHA via AP)

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan issued a message of condolences for the 17 victims and said his ruling party was postponing Saturdays celebrations for the 20th anniversary of its founding due to the disasters we lived through in the past days.

Floodwaters inundated much of Bozkurt. One building collapsed and a second building was damaged in the town, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported. In Bartin province, at least 13 people were injured when a section of a bridge caved in.

A Coast Guard helicopter rescue a man stranded on the rooftop of a building after floods forced people to seek safety on high ground and mudslides killed several people, in Bozkurt town of Kastamonu province, Turkey, on Aug. 12, 2021. (IHA via AP)

The military said its helicopters airlifted 80 people to safety in the region. Overall, more than 1,400 people were evacuated to safe areas, and hundreds were being housed in student dormitories, AFAD said.

Hundreds of villages in the affected areas were left without power and several roads were blocked.

Turkeys Black Sea region is frequently struck by severe rains and flash flooding. At least six people were killed in floods that hit the eastern Black Sea coastal province of Rize last month.
A student receives the first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in Sydney, Australia, on Aug. 9, 2021.(Dean Lewins/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Fully Vaccinated Sydney Man in His 90s Dies From COVID

A Sydney man in his 90s has died from COVID-19 at the Royal North Shore Hospital on Aug. 11 after receiving two doses of the Pfizer vaccine.

He was originally diagnosed with COVID on July 31 and was a resident at Wyoming Aged Care in Summer Hill before being transferred to the hospital.

Another gentleman in his 90s also died on the same day. He received one dose of AstraZeneca.

I express my deepest sympathies to the families of those two gentlemen who passed away, and we recognise that these deaths are extremely painful for those families, and our heartfelt condolences to you, Deputy Chief Health Officer Marianne Gale told reporters on Aug. 12.

We can understand people in their 90s are frail and vulnerable, she added.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian reported that the state saw an additional 345 infections on Aug. 11.

Greater Sydney was originally placed under a five-week lockdown due to an outbreak of the Delta variant of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, commonly known as the novel coronavirus.

This lockdown was extended by another four weeks on July 28, with the government citing low vaccination rates as the reason behind the stay-at-home orders.

Nine local government areas (LGAs) within Sydney are subject to tighter restrictions in an attempt to control localised outbreaks.

Residents cannot leave their council areas unless for essential reasons, including work, shopping, or exercise within 5km of home.

An additional three were added to the mix on Aug. 12, with Premier Berejiklian announcing that the LGAs of Bayside, Strathfield, and Burwood would be included.

Over the past week, eight LGAs in regional NSW have also come under lockdown, including regional centres Northwest NSW, Dubbo, Armidale, Tamworth, Byron Bay, and the Hunter region.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard has resisted calls for a full, state-wide lockdown (an approach adopted by fellow Australian state Victoria).

There is a defining difference between NSW and other states  we have always tried to keep as much of NSW open as possible, he told reporters.

We will progressively look at those areas that have problems, but at this stage, I dont see any reason on the advice Ive had to date why we would move further than (where) the problems are.

Overseas in the United States and Israel, reports have emerged of patients dying or contracting COVID, despite being fully vaccinated.

A July report from the New Jersey Health Department stated that 49 fully vaccinated individuals died from COVID. However, this came from a pool of 4.8 million vaccinated residents.

While in Israel, doctors estimate that 85 to 90 percent of recent COVID hospitalisations were fully vaccinated.
Group of 22 Police Officers Eating at Diner Left Speechless When Good Samaritan Pays Their Bill

A small family diner in Tennessee got a big surprise one day in June, when no fewer than 22 policemen came to dine in their establishment.

But when the officers went to pay their bill, they got a big surprise from a good Samaritan who wished to pay tribute to them, which left them speechless.

As it turns out, the officers had just finished their K-9 training for the day and were in search of a good home-cooked meal.

The restaurant, a place called Twisters Shakes & Sundaes & Diner, in Knoxville, is owned by a couple named Dixie and Don Miller.

Their manager, Lauren, expressed feeling overwhelmed seeing all those uniformed patrons walk in all at once. But that feeling soon subsided.

She said, It was a bit overwhelming at first, but she quickly realized they were all very friendly and patient the entire time of their visit, Dixie later told The Epoch Times.

However, what started out as just a busy day at the diner turned into something much more special when a good Samaritan decided to repay the officers for their service to the communityrepay quite literally.

For when the policemen finished their meals and went to pay, they found someone had already done it on their behalf.

And not just for one officer but for all 22 of them.

The officers spokesperson, Brian Baldwin, told the restaurant, We thought the server was just messing with us!

Dixie said: Then they found out the customer really did pay for ALL of their meals! They were astounded.

The officers were very surprised and extremely appreciative. Each officer made it a point to tip separately, even though there was a tip left on the good Samaritans card.

The owners took a picture of the receipt and posted it on Twisters Facebook page for everyone online to appreciate.

The slip shows a total of $506.53which included a $60 tip.

The good Samaritan award of the week goes to this customer!! the post read. We love our law enforcement customers and thank them every day for putting their lives on the line for us!!

When asked who the good Samaritan was, Dixie told The Epoch Times it was local businessman Ron Keese, who often frequents Twisters.

Dixie recalls the good Samaritans reasoning: I wanted to make sure someone said thank you to those officers that day. They kiss their families goodbye before they go to work and they dont know if or when they might come home.

I did not do it to bring any kind of recognition to myself. God Bless.

Share your stories with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.com, and continue to get your daily dose of inspiration by signing up for the Epoch Inspired newsletter at TheEpochTimes.com/newsletter
In this handout photo taken from video released by Kamchatka regional government, emergency personnel work near the site where a helicopter carrying tourists crashed at Kurile Lake in the Kronotsky nature reserve on the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia on Aug. 12, 2021. (Kamchatka regional government via AP)

Helicopter Carrying 16 People Crashes in Russian Volcanic Lake; 8 Feared Dead

A helicopter carrying 16 people crashed into a volcanic crater lake in Russia on Thursday, leaving eight people missing and feared dead, rescue officials said.

Tourists, along with crew members, aboard the Mi-8 helicopter were on a sight-seeing trip as it went down in Kurile Lake in the mountainous Kamchatka Peninsula, which was formed in a volcano caldera and crater and is located in the Kronotsky nature reserve.

Staff at the nature reserve managed to save half of the passengers as they rushed to the crash site, dispatching speedboats just minutes after the crash. Two survivors required treatment in the intensive care unit and were badly hurt as the ice-cold water of the lake was no more than 4143 Fahrenheit (56 degrees Celsius).

They approached the scene in a boat and saved eight people, Kamchatka Gov. Vladimir Solodov confirmed in a statement, according to AFP.

The survivors had to swim about 29.5 feet (9 meters) up to the surface from the sinking helicopter, a spokesperson for the nature reserve said.

Eight of the passengers are still unaccounted for and officials are fearing the worst as the wreckage of the helicopter sank to a depth of more than 420 feet (130 meters), according to Russias Emergency Ministry.

More than 60 rescuers and divers were dispatched to the crash site but at the time they did not have the necessary equipment to begin the rescue operation.

In this photo released by the Russian Emergency Ministry Press Service, emergency personnel work near the site where a helicopter carrying tourists crashed at Kurile Lake in the Kronotsky nature reserve on the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia on Aug. 12, 2021. (Russian Emergency Ministry Press Service via AP)

The divers of the emergencies ministry cannot work at such depth. So we turned to the defense ministry for help, Solodov said. Robots will be studying the bottom of Kuril Lake at the site of the crash.

Local services noted that the Soviet-era helicopter was operated by the Vityaz-Aero company, a local private carrier, and had 13 passengers and three crew members on board.

The Mi-8 is a two-engine helicopter that was designed in the 1960s and widely manufactured during the Soviet era 37 years ago. It has been used in Russia, ex-Soviet countries, and many other nations.

Kamchatkas peninsula, which is home to numerous volcanoes and is known for its rugged beauty and rich wildlife, is a major tourist destination and helicopters regularly carry tourists there.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

From NTD News
A nurse is handed a dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine before administering it to a college student at a mobile vaccination clinic at the California State University Long Beach campus in California on Aug. 11, 2021. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)

HHS Becomes Latest Federal Agency to Mandate COVID-19 Vaccines for Workers

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on Aug. 12 announced that it will require all of its frontline health care workers to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

HHS is now the third federal agency to require its employees to receive the vaccine, joining the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense.

Staff at the Indian Health Service (IHS) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) who serve in federally-operated health care and clinical research facilities and interact with, or have the potential to come into contact with, patients will be required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement.

The policy will apply to more than 25,000 individuals who operate health and clinical research facilities, or who could come into contact with patients.

Our number one goal is the health and safety of the American public, including our federal workforce, and the vaccines are the best tool we have to protect people from COVID-19, prevent the spread of the Delta variant, and save lives, Becerra said.

The list of staff who must be vaccinated includes employees, contractors, trainees, and volunteers who are in contact with patients at HHS medical or research facilities.

Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra speaks to the press in Washington on May 5, 2021. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

According to the HHS statement, Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy said that members of the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps also immediately need to get vaccinated as part of medical readiness procedures to prepare for any potential deployment need as emergency responders.

The initiative echoes a mandate from the Department of Veterans Affairs, which implemented the policy soon after the Department of Justices (DOJ) Office of Legal Counsel determined in late July that it was legal for private businesses and public agencies to require COVID-19 vaccines.

The DOJs opinion, which noted that some have questioned the legality of such mandates, concluded that federal law concerning the Food and Drug Administrations emergency use authorizations on COVID-19 vaccines dont prohibit public or private entities from imposing vaccine requirements, even when the only vaccines available are those authorized under EUAs.

On Aug. 9, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said he was seeking approval to require all active-duty members of the military to receive the vaccines. President Joe Biden, meanwhile, said that all federal employees must attest to being vaccinated or face regular testing and social distancing requirements.

At the same time, states such as California and New York have also issued mandates for state employees to get COVID-19 shots.

As President Biden has said, we are looking at every way we can to increase vaccinations to keep more people safe, and requiring our HHS health care workforce to get vaccinated will protect our federal workers, as well as the patients and people they serve, Becerra said.
Customers drink beer at The Holland Tringham Wetherspoons pub after it reopened following the outbreak of COVID-19, in London, on July 4, 2020. (Hannah McKay/Reuters)

Hospitality Reopening Boosts UK Economic Rebound

The UK economy rebounded by 4.8 percent in the last quarter, according to official statistics, boosted by people returning to pubs and to medical appointments, as lockdown measures eased.

In June, gross domestic product rose by 1 percent, higher than expected, but remains 2.2 percent lower than before the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus pandemic. The figures were published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on Aug. 12.

Jonathan Athow, deputy national statistician and director general for economic statistics at the ONS, said, The UK economy has continued to rebound strongly, with hospitality benefiting from the first full month of indoor dining, while spending on advertising was boosted by the reopening of many services.

Health services also showed growth, with many more people visiting their GP.

Britains economy was one of the worst hit during pandemic lockdowns among the richer nations, dropping by 10 percent last year.

The United States economy has already recovered to its pre-pandemic level.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said, I know there are still challenges to overcome, but I feel confident in the strength of the UK economy and the resilience of the British people.

But the Liberal Democrats and the Trades Union Congress (TUC) warned against thinking that support could be withdrawn from the economy because of higher GDP.

TUC General Secretary Frances OGrady said: The economy is still fragile, with nearly 2 million people still on furlough. A premature end to furlough will needlessly cost jobs and harm our economic recovery.

Julian Jessop, economics fellow at free market think tank the Institute of Economic Affairs, said the improving health of the UK economy was reassuring after it had appeared to falter in May.

With COVID restrictions eased further since, and the pingdemic permitting, GDP is on course to return to pre-pandemic levels by the autumn, he said in a statement. This would be much sooner than most had expected.

The chancellor should therefore continue to wind down support that is no longer required, including the furlough scheme, and allow stronger growth to repair the public finances without even more tax increases.

The main headwinds are now coming from problems on the supply side, including shortages of parts and raw materials, which are holding back manufacturing and construction. These are global problems (Germany has actually been hit harder than the UK) and should ease over time.

The International Monetary Fund predicts the UK economy will grow by 7 percent in 2021, the same as the United States.

However, the Bank of England is less optimistic, predicting it will instead return to a pre-pandemic rut, with 5.75 percent growth next year, but only 1.25 percent in 2023.

PA and Reuters contributed to this report.
Physicians are often hemmed in by protocols and time constraints. You need one with skill and heart in order to get the care you need. (AZ Images/Shutterstock)

How to Find an Exceptional Doctor

A uniquely capable physician may look like any other, so spotting them takes some skill

From 1969 to 1976, Marcus Welby, M.D. was one of televisions most popular shows. Dr. Marcus Welby was often called the good doctor because he made house calls, oozed wisdom, and had a caring bedside manner.

Since then, television has depicted a host of other smart, compassionate doctors. Theres even a series currently running called The Good Doctor. Most of these TV physicians are amazing. They can save lives while flirting across the surgical table. Some are known for their unique ability to make an accurate zebra diagnosis. That medical term refers to situations where run-of-the-mill diagnoses abound (picture a big herd of common horses), but then a gifted doctor shows up and offers an exotic, but accurate, zebra diagnosis that no one had previously considered. This especially savvy doctor identifies the problem right away, prescribes the best treatment, and saves the patient.

Good doctors like Marcus Welby might seem rare (in fact, like zebras themselves), but the reality is that theyre out there. I know this from many years of medical practice, and also from being a patient myself. So why do so many patients have trouble finding them?

How does one choose? What criteria make for a good doctor? While good may seem somewhat nebulous, there are a few qualities and traits you need to look for when selecting a primary care physician. In Principles of Biomedical Ethics, Tom Beauchamp and James Childress list four ethical standards as non-negotiable for doctors:

Beneficence: acting for the patients good

Non-maleficence: doing no harm

Autonomy: giving each patient a right to voice her own values and make her own choices about medical care

Justice: distributing health care resources equitably and treating patients fairly

Lets unpack and expand that list from a patients perspective.

Is a Prospective Doctor Trustworthy?

Above all, you must have confidence in your physician. You must believe that she will act in your best interests at all times.

Trust is something thats earned, generally over time. Its not abstract, and its deeply personal and visceral. You need to be able to trust that your physician knows when to refer, that she will send you only to doctors she believes in, that your clinician wont simply tell you what you want to hear or give you what you want to receive.

If trust is present, youll have a satisfactory doctor-patient relationship.

Is a Prospective Doctor Competent?

All physicians, upon completion of training, take the Hippocratic Oath, which includes the statement about non-maleficence, the concept of doing no harm. This ancient pledge has many statements that reflect the qualities of a good, if not great, physician. However, an oath doesnt guarantee the actual delivery of those qualities, therefore, we must look further.

Here are some more specific questions that can help you get a sense of a physicians competence.

Is he board certified? Check out the website www.CertificationMatters.org. Due to the changing dynamics and cycles of how certifications are reported, its also wise to check with your states medical board.

Is a prospective doctor in good standing with the medical board? This information is readily available through each states licensing board.

Is a prospective doctor affiliated with a hospital? If he is, discover which hospital. If he isnt, discover where he sends his patients if it becomes necessary for him to do so. Youll want to confirm that if you become ill, the hospital where you would receive care is where you would want to go. The website www.Medicare.gov has a hospital comparison search feature for those living in cities with multiple hospitals.

What do other patients say or write about the doctor? Take the time to look at websites that allow patients to post reviews. However, as you do, realize that a few unhappy patients dont automatically mean that a doctor is bad, as some people will always be negative. Multiple poor reviews, however, probably are a warning sign that you should keep looking for your zebra.

Do trusted friends and neighbors regard this doctor as competent?

Does a Prospective Doctor Respect the Autonomy of Her Patients?

Will she take the time to listen to you? Will she get impatient or annoyed if you ask questions or interrupt you and dismiss your concerns or opinions or objections? Will she explain obscure medical terms, rush through medical exams, or give you time to think through your options? If two days after a doctor visit youre wondering, Why did I let her do that procedure, or pressure me to get on that medicine? then your autonomy has suffered. Chances are you havent yet found your zebra.

One way to keep this from happening is to prepare for doctor visits by writing down key points or issues before your visit. Express to the nurse or medical assistant that you would like to discuss your list of questions before completing the visit. Oftentimes, theyll then communicate this to your physician before he enters the room. You want a physician who will take the time you need and deserve, to make an autonomous, informed decision.

For an older patient whos more conditioned to giving away autonomy and accepting a doctors word as gospel, its wise to have a family member or friend accompany him to his doctors appointment so all his medical questions get asked and answered.

Realize that there will be occasions when you disagree with a decision your doctor has made. For example, you tell your doctor about your sore throat and cough. The last time you had such symptoms, a nurse practitioner at a walk-in clinic treated you with antibiotics. This doctor examines you and discovers your drainage is clear and that you dont have a fever. He states that your symptoms are viral and that you dont need antibiotics. You leave frustrated because you believe the doctor is wrong.

In this case, he was operating by the principle of first, do no harm by not prescribing antibiotics that you dont need and potentially creating resistant bacteria in your body. His medical knowledge trumped your desire to decide your own health care. In a relationship of trust, you accept that your doctor is both trained to make this decision and acting in your best interest. And you could leave comforted by the knowledge that your symptoms will improve without intervention.

In a relationship thats marked by patient autonomy, the doctor would discuss his rationale for any and all medical decisions. And you could also ask for and receive a list of symptoms that would call for antibioticsin case your current illness changes, and so that in the future you can avoid scheduling unnecessary doctor visits.

Quality Time

The average doctor spends his days maintaining accurate clinical information in high-tech, electronic medical record systems, keeping up with ever-changing reimbursement strategies from government entities and private insurance companies, overseeing a medical office that employs multiple staff, and staying abreast of medicines rapidly growing knowledge baseall while seeing enough patients to keep the doors open and giving each one excellent, compassionate medical care. Whew!

As you might imagine, its a constant challenge to do all this and ensure that patients sense that theyre top priority. Even though modern medicine is a tough juggling act, you want a doctor who consistently gives her patients the time they need.

Participatory Decision-Making Style

While this falls somewhat under the category of autonomy mentioned above, the point here is that a good doctor facilitates meaningful health care conversations, invites questions, and presents options so that patients always have their voice respected and are able to make informed decisions.

Empathy

Two aspects of empathy allow for optimal doctor-patient relationships. The first is cognitive empathy, or the ability of a physician to correctly identify a patients emotions and reflect those emotions back when discussing aspects of care. The second is affective empathy, which is the ability of a doctor to truly feel the emotions a patient is feeling.

While cognitive empathy should be a minimum standard of good patient care, and genuine affective empathy should be on display in crucial conversations, both can sometimes be absent in the clinical world. The good news is that over the past several years, empathy training has been added to health care education.

Communication Style

Studies show that brief conversations between doctors and patients about non-medical topics improve a patients perception of the visit. However, speaking from my own experience as a patient, I know that this can sometimes be awkward, as making conversation isnt a natural strength for all doctors. Its easy for some to unconsciously hide behind a white coat and a stethoscope to inadvertently create an invisible barrier.

This is where patients can help (or teach) their physicians. A simple greeting such as, Hi, Dr. Ryan, how are things? Hows your family? How were your holidays? can make for a better relationship. Speaking as a doctor, I can say youd be surprised how infrequently anyone asks their physician such questions or how much we doctors appreciate such exchanges.

Touch

I place high importance on this in my practice. I realize that because I work mostly in a hospital setting, this is appropriate even if Im new to the patient. I offer each patient a handshake and an introduction and greet all others in the room. As you ponder your physician choices, you should expect a greeting and a handshake as the bare minimum of each interaction.

Finding a zebra takes time, and I highly recommend establishing a doctor-patient relationship even if youre young and healthy. Youll then be equipped with preventive health measures for a healthy lifestyle and prepared in the event of an illness.
People thought to be illegal immigrants are brought into Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel on July 1, 2021. (Gareth Fuller/PA)

Illegal Immigrants Attempting to Cross English Channel Rescued as Boat Sinks

A Belgian helicopter and French fishing boats have rescued illegal immigrants attempting to cross the English Channel after their boat began to sink about 15 miles off the coast.

One survivor was airlifted, unconscious, to hospital.

A rescue operation was launched by French authorities on the morning of Aug. 12, after passing vessels reported that a boat with around 40 passengers was in difficulty off the coast of Dunkirk, with some overboard.

The local coastguard reported that a rescue helicopter arrived to find the boat starting to sink. Several people were rescued from the water by helicopter, others by fishing boats.

A lifeboat dispatched from the passing cargo ship which had raised the alarm picked up one unconscious survivor, who was then airlifted to hospital in Calais.

He is believed to have suffered cardio-respiratory arrest and was evacuated aboard a Belgian Air Force helicopter, French authorities said.

According to the latest update from the coastguard, the operation is still ongoing.

Others are thought to have succeeded in reaching the shores of the UK, with reports of a beach landing in Kent.

The previous day, French authorities intercepted at least 108 people trying to cross the Channel.

In the last two years, several people have died attempting to cross, as it soared in popularity as a way for illegal immigrants and traffickers to bypass border controls.

In 2018, just 299 people made the crossing, according to Home Office figures.

Already this year, according to PA data, over 10,700 people have made it across, on what are typically small inflatable boats.

Last year, the total was 8,417.

Those figures indicate that the crossings account for a significant proportion of illegal immigration.

According to the Home Office, last year, when migration dropped due to pandemic restrictions, known illegal entry was around 16,000 people .

There is a lack of precise information on levels of what might be categorized as illegal immigration into the UK, in part because the definition of illegal immigration is hard to pin down and is subject to different interpretations and uses.

A report by the London School of Economics in 2007 (pdf) estimated the number of irregular migrants living in the UK was 533,000a little under one percent of the population.

The English Channel is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world.

Among those who have perished in its waters are Rasoul Iran-Nejad and his wife Shiva Mohammad Panahi, who died along with their three children when their boat capsized on Oct. 27 2020.

Their 15-month-old son Artin was reported missing following the tragedy and it was not until June this year that police confirmed a body found on the Norwegian coast was that of the young boy.

PA contributed to this report.
People watch as India's Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F10), carrying the earth observation satellite EOS-03, lifts off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, India on Aug. 12, 2021. (Stringer/Reuters)

India Fails to Launch Observation Satellite, Breaking 16-Straight Success Streak

An Indian space agency lost an important earth observation satellite after it failed to ignite fully in its final stage, about five minutes after lift-off, the state-run agency announced on Thursday.

The satellite, meant for monitoring natural disasters such as cyclones, cloudbursts, and thunderstorms, was launched on a geosynchronous satellite launch vehicle at 8:13 p.m. EDT on Aug. 11 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in southern India.

It would provide imagery and obtain data for agriculture, forestry, and marine purposes.

Performance of first and second stages was normal. However, Cryogenic Upper Stage ignition did not happen due to technical anomaly, the Indian Space Research Organisation said in a statement. The mission couldnt be accomplished as intended, it added.

The agency did not provide any details of what has happened to the rocket and satellite after the technical fault occurred. The failure ended a streak of 16 straight successful Indian space launches.

Indias Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F10), carrying the earth observation satellite EOS-03, lifts off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, India on Aug. 12, 2021. (Stringer/Reuters)

Pallava Bagla, an outside expert, told The Associated Press that since the rocket failed to ignite in its third and final stage, it likely hasnt attained the velocity which would keep it in orbit and would sometime soon fall back towards Earth.

U.S.-based astronomer Jonathan McDowell said the satellite and the rocket probably fell into the Andaman Sea, west of Thailand.

India has built a reputation as a maker of earth imaging satellites and the ability to launch them into low orbits at a fraction of the cost of Western agencies.

But over the past several years, it has moved into the more lucrative area of launching heavier geostationary satellites used for communications and meteorology.

Reuters contributed to this report.

From NTD News
Indiana Attorney General Investigates the States Last Confucius Institute

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita announced Tuesday that his office has launched an investigation into the last remaining Confucius Institute (CI) in the state, citing concerns that it has been operating as a propaganda arm of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

The investigation targets the CI hosted by Valparaiso University, a private Lutheran institution in Northwest Indiana. According to its website, the CI at Valparaiso was founded in 2008 and aims at teaching Chinese culture and language, and promoting cultural exchange.

Once numbering over 100, there are now less than 50 U.S. colleges and universities that still maintain their CI programs through partnerships with Hanban, an agency within Chinas Ministry of Education. Hanban generally provides startup and annual funding, recruits language teachers from China, and supervises teaching materials and curricula.

Rokitas office said it has found a lack of transparency surrounding Valparaisos CI partnership, alleging that the university didnt accurately report to the federal government when Chinese funds were used for K-12 level programs.

Valparaiso University reported receiving more than $1.1 million from the Chinese government between 2010 and 2019, Rokita said in a press release. These documents filed by Valparaiso University with the U.S. Department of Education do not indicate precisely how this funding was used, but the universitys webpages explaining the partnership make clear that not only did programs target Valparaiso University students but also younger students through sponsorship of programs at area K-12 Indiana schools.

Citing a 2019 bipartisan report (pdf) by the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, Rokita notes that CIs can serve as intermediaries between Hanban and K-12 schools in the United States, advancing Beijings influence on next-generation Americans.

Hoosiers deserve answers and transparency into the impact of these institutes on our schools and students, Rokita said. Our investigation seeks to uncover whether the Chinese government has attempted to exert political influence and manipulate the attitudes and beliefs of Hoosiers through their Confucius Institutes. Our office will use every tool at our disposal to protect Hoosiers and put liberty into action.

In response, Valparaiso issued a statement saying that it has never failed to comply with the federal reporting requirements for foreign funds, nor has it supported any attempt to promote communist ideology.

Valparaiso University is, and always has been, transparent and compliant with the reporting of these funds, it said. Valparaiso University does not and would not support any kind of endeavor that furthers or promotes communist ideology, as doing so would conflict with its Christian mission and purpose and its strong support of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution that protects the freedom of speech and religion.

The programming offered through the Confucius Institute is consistent with our mission and is exclusively focused on music learning and performance and Chinese language as it relates to that focus, it added.
The U.S. Capitol stands before the senate continues debate on a $1 trillion infrastructure bill, in Washington, on July 31, 2021. (Joshua Roberts/Getty Images)

Intent of a Proposed North Carolina Redistricting Bill Under Question

A Democrat-sponsored bill in the North Carolina Senate proposes to take redistricting authority out of nonpartisan control and into the Democrat-run state Board of Elections (BOE), according to Republican state Sen. Phil Berger.

One of the Democrat sponsors of the bill, state Sen. Ben Clark, however, said the bills intent is to provide transparency to the redistricting process.

The April 6 Senate Bill 511 (pdf), sponsored by Clark and Democrat state Sen. Mike Woodward, would sanction the math department at Duke University, or the school of government at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with redistricting influence in consultation with the BOE.

North Carolina is divided into 13 congressional districts, with each district represented by a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

After every decadal release of U.S. Census Bureau population data, states in the country can begin redrawing their political maps in the process called redistricting, and when that redistricting is done to benefit either the Democrats or Republicans, its called gerrymandering.

For North Carolina, the 2020 U.S. Census Data was scheduled to be released on Thursday.

According to initial data from the census, over the last decade, North Carolinas population grew 9.5 percent, which brought the U.S. House delegation up from 13 to 14 representatives.

After that census data is released, redrawing is expected to begin for the 14 congressional districts, 50 state senate districts, and 120 house districts.

District lines are redrawn every 10 years following the census, and the federal government stipulates that each district must have nearly equal populations and must not discriminate based on race or ethnicity.

The redistricting work is performed by a nonpartisan legislature staff using a mathematical formula.

According to a press release from Berger on his Medium blog page, Senator Berger Press Shop, the proposal would allow for the BOE to delegate map-drawing power to the Democratic partys expert witness from a 2019 redistricting lawsuit in the U.S. Supreme Court.

In Rucho v. Common Cause, the U.S. Supreme Court decided federal courts must refrain from reviewing any allegation regarding political gerrymandering that is outside of its jurisdiction.

In that same year, the case then went to the Wake County Superior Court, where it was ruled that the current legislative maps were unconstitutional within the parameters of the North Carolina Constitution, and the maps were redrawn, bringing in a majority vote on the maps from both parties.

Because of this decision, according to Berger, this method is set in stone. They cannot be changed or altered.

County Clustering

A spokesperson for the North Carolina Senate Republicans told The Epoch Times that the method by which redistricting is done is called county grouping, or county clustering, which itself is an anti-gerrymandering provision established by a 2003 North Carolina Supreme Court decision to institute clusters, which are group of counties that, based on population, can comprise legislative districts.

At the end of the day, its the legislature that decides where the lines go within certain confines, and those confines are set in part by North Carolina Supreme Court precedent, said the spokesperson.

County clustering is calculated using a mathematical formula that determines county groupings, or groups of counties that comprise whole districts.

The nonpartisan legislative staff calculates the math, then the report goes to a redistricting committee, with the subset of North Carolina counties providing the framework.

However, the bill, according to Berger, would transfer responsibility for developing county clusters to the BOE, with Jonathan C. Mattingly, a mathematics professor at Duke Universitywhom the North Carolina Democratic Party hired as an expert witness to challenge the Republican-drawn maps in 2019being at the helm of the process.

Sen. Clark Counters the Claim

Clark told The Epoch Times that the intent of the bill is not to take redistricting power away from the nonpartisan central staff and put in the hands of the NC State Board of Elections.

The bill deals specifically with bringing transparency to the county clustering process, Clark said, adding that county clustering is mandated by state supreme court rulings.

Clark said that before drafting the bill, the nonpartisan central staff was consulted to determine if it had the ability to use the publicly provided code written by Duke University for generating sets of constitutionally compliant county cluster maps for use by the general assembly, with the response being that it didnt.

In 2011, the county cluster maps for the House and Senate that were used by the General Assembly were not generated by the nonpartisan central staff or any other state agency, Clark said. They were generated by a consultant of the Republican Party. Those county cluster maps were presented for use in the 2011 redistricting process as though they were the only constitutionally compliant options.

Using a study published by Duke University titled Optimal Legislative County Clustering in North Carolina, Clark said it was revealed that this assertion was false and that other constitutionally compliant maps were indeed available that could have been used.

It turns out that of the four that could have been adopted for use by the Senate, the one that was used was the one that provided the greatest partisan advantage to the Republicans, Clark said. The purpose of the Senate Bill 511 is to put in place a process by which the total set of constitutionally compliant county cluster maps can be generated and submitted to the General Assembly for use.
Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid inaugurates Israel's diplomatic mission, in the presence of Minister Delegate to the Moroccan Foreign Ministry Mohcine Jazouli, in Rabat, Morocco, on Aug. 12, 2021. (Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Handout via Reuters)

Israel, Morocco to Upgrade Relations, Open Embassies, Israeli FM Says

RABATIsrael and Morocco plan to upgrade their restored diplomatic relations and open embassies within two months, Israels foreign minister said during a visit to the North African kingdom on Thursday.

Morocco was one of four Arab countriesalong with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Sudanto move towards normalizing relations with Israel last year under U.S.-engineered accords.

Those agreements also saw Washington recognize Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, in a diplomatic boon for Rabat.

We are going to upgrade from liaison offices to embassies, Yair Lapid told a news conference, saying he had agreed on the move, to be implemented in two months time, with his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita.

Earlier on Thursday, Lapid inaugurated Israels liaison office in Rabat and visited a synagogue in Casablanca.

Lapids visit was the first by an Israeli foreign minister to Morocco since 2003, after the two countries agreed in December to resume diplomatic relations.

Morocco cooled mid-level relations with Israel in 2000 in solidarity with the Palestinians, who launched an uprising that year.

The deals between Israel and the four Arab states angered Palestinians, who have long relied on Arab support in their quest for statehood in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza. Until last year, only two Arab statesEgypt and Jordanhad forged full ties with Israel.

Abdelaziz Aftati, a senior leader of the co-ruling Islamist PJD party in Morocco, condemned the move to open embassies, saying: We will spare no effort to counter the Zionist project.

At the news conference, Lapid repeated his view that the time was not ripe for any major breakthrough in peace efforts with the Palestinians, which collapsed in 2014.

He cited internal Palestinian divisions and the structure of the current Israeli government, an alliance of left-wing, Arab, centrist, and right-wing parties in which consensus on peacemaking would be difficult.

By Ahmed Eljechtimi
Harvey Weinstein, the 69-year-old convicted rapist and disgraced movie mogul, wears a face mask as he listens in court during a pre-trial hearing in Los Angeles on July 29, 2021. (Etienne Laurent/Pool Photo via AP)

Judge Rejects Sex Assault Count Against Harvey Weinstein

LOS ANGELESA Los Angeles judge on Thursday again rejected one of 11 sexual assault counts in an indictment of Harvey Weinstein.

Judge Lisa B. Lench first dismissed the count of sexual battery by restraint as too old and outside the statute of limitations two weeks ago, but allowed the district attorneys office to amend the allegation against the 69-year-old former movie mogul and convicted rapist.

On Thursday, she found that neither of two attempts at an amended complaint from prosecutors solved the problem, and rejected the count again.

Weinstein attended the hearing in LA County jail attire. He was brought into the courtroom shackled to a wheelchair, and was uncuffed as the proceedings began.

Lench gave prosecutors a glimmer of hope on the dismissed count, saying that if they reconvene the grand jury and get it to return a new indictment for it, she may accept it. But she offered no specific instructions.

I cant tell you what to do, the judge said.

The rejected count dates to May 2010. Weinstein was first charged with it in January 2020, before the statute of limitations had expired. Prosecutors then got an indictment from a grand jury on an identical count six months later, when the time had lapsed.

Harvey Weinstein (L), the 69-year-old convicted rapist, and disgraced movie mogul sits with his attorneys Mark Werksman, center, and attorney Alan Jackson, during a pre-trial hearing in Los Angeles on July 29, 2021. (Etienne Laurent/Pool Photo via AP)

The judge agreed with Weinstein attorney Alan Jackson that the grand jury indictment was a new prosecution, and therefore was coming too late.

The people are grasping to try to save something that is unsalvageable, Jackson said in court. They did it, they blew it, they cant fix it.

Prosecutors argued that it was a continuation of the same case.

While the count is a small part of the case, dismissing it removes one of five accusers from Weinsteins forthcoming trial.

Still intact are four counts of rape and six other sexual assault counts. Weinstein pleaded not guilty to all of them last month in his first court appearance in the California case. He was extradited from New York, where he is serving a 23-year sentence for convictions of rape and sexual assault.

Other charges against Weinstein are for even older incidents, but different statutes apply to them.

The defense also revealed at the hearing that they have been given a list of 248 witnesses for the forthcoming trial, for which no date has been set.

Weinsteins attorneys will seek to reject many of them, and more technical fights are likely to come as they attempt to erode the case against him.

Todays a great example of why we need judges with a backbone, Weinstein attorney Mark Werksman said outside court, and juries with a tough spine to stand up against false accusations.

By Andrew Dalton
Lawyer: Capitol Cop Who Shot Ashli Babbitt Ambushed Her on Jan. 6 Without Warning

Kicking off the first hearing of the House Select Committee investigating the U.S. Capitol riot, Chairman Bennie Thompson, a Mississippi Democrat, promised to fully investigate the facts of what happened on Jan. 6, calling it a scene of violence in the citadel of democracy.

But over the next 3 hours, he and other Democrats, along with their handpicked Republican panelists and police witnesses, never mentioned the most lethal act committed that daythe fatal Capitol Police shooting of unarmed protester Ashli Babbitt. It was the only shot fired during the entire riot.

This omission angered Babbitts family and a number of Republicans who maintain that the Select Committee and the Capitol Police are covering up the circumstances surrounding her death. Questions linger over the shooting, especially whether the officer who fired the fatal shot warned Babbitt to stop before he opened fire as she attempted to breach a barricaded door inside the Capitol Building.

The officers lawyer insists his client not only issued such a command, but did so loudly and clearly. However, in an interview with RealClearInvestigations, Babbitt family attorney Terry Roberts said he has gathered evidence indicating the officer, a plainclothes police lieutenant, remained silent. Far from warning Babbitt he would shoot, Roberts said the officer ambushed her from the side where she could not see he had taken up position in a hall doorway and had trained his weapon on her.

Its not debatable, said Roberts. There was no warning.

A Maryland personal-injury lawyer who specializes in police misconduct cases, Roberts has won several million dollars for victims of police brutality. He said he is preparing to file a wrongful-death lawsuit against the Capitol Police and the officer, seeking more than $10 million in damages.

Melody Black, from Minnesota, becomes emotional as she visits a memorial setup near the U.S. Capitol Building for Ashli Babbitt who was killed in the building the day prior, in Washington, on Jan. 7, 2021. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Babbitt, 35, was fatally wounded as she attempted to climb through the broken window above a door leading to the House chamber, where lawmakers were being evacuated. Standing to the side of a pile of furniture blocking the doors and out of Babbitts view, the officer took aim with his Glock service pistol, striking her in the left shoulder. Babbitt fell back from the doorway to the floor. She was transported to Washington Hospital Center, where she died from injuries sustained from the .40-caliber bullet wound.

More than six months after the shooting, the U.S. Capitol Police still refuse to release the name of the officer. But several sources have identified him as Lt. Michael L. Byrd, a 53-year-old veteran of the force who was serving as commander of the House Chamber Section of the Capitol Police on Jan. 6. He has not returned to duty and remains on paid administrative leave. Attempts to reach Byrd were unsuccessful.

Though Byrd appears to have been cleared of criminal wrongdoing, he may still be subject to civil action. If Babbitt was not given an opportunity to obey commands before she was shot, it could figure prominently in the familys planned wrongful-death suit against the officer. Roberts said he has interviewed several witnesses who were standing outside the Speakers Lobby with Babbitt, and that theyll testify they did not hear the officer issue any kind of warning.

He also said video recordings his investigators have analyzed reveal that other police who were in the hallway with the officer did not react as expected before he fired. He said they seemed to be caught unaware as he opened fire. Roberts said he has lined up expert witnesses, including ex-cops and use-of-force experts, who will testify that the officers behind him in the Speakers Lobby would have taken cover or crouched and pulled their own weapons if they heard the lieutenant give repeated warnings he was going to shoot. Instead, Roberts said, they appeared to be casually standing or walking around in the lobby in the seconds leading up to the shooting.

U.S. Capitol police officers point their guns at a door that was vandalized in the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress in Washington, on Jan. 6, 2021. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Those other officers were within earshot. If hes yelling, they certainly arent showing any reaction to it, he said. If he was giving any kind of warning, why didnt they react? Roberts added that no warnings can be heard coming from the officer in any videos taken at the scene.

The officers lawyer, Mark Schamel, insists his client issued verbal commands and warnings to Babbitt. He was screaming, Stay back! Stay back! Dont come in here! Schamel said.

Schamel said witness statements back him up. He explained the lieutenants commands were not picked up on video recordings because the footage was shot on the other side of the doors where dozens of rioters were shouting and banging and drowning out his words. And he said his client could not be seen yelling out the instructions because his mouth was covered by a mask he wore as part of COVID-19 protections.

Its not clear if this critical issue was resolved by the investigation of the shooting by the Justice Department, which concluded in April that there is insufficient evidence to support a criminal prosecution of the officer for willfully violating Babbitts civil rights, though it did not rule out the possibility he acted out of panic or even poor judgment. Justice investigators reportedly did not pursue murder or manslaughter charges.

They cleared him real fast, U.S. Capitol Police Labor Committee Chairman Gus Papathanasiou said. I was surprised.

Im not sure how he was justified shooting her when there was a SWAT team right behind her, added a veteran Capitol officer, referring to three heavily armed USCP officers who had positioned themselves between the doors and the mob. They saw no immediate threat. The officer spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive matter. A Capitol Police spokeswoman would not say if the officers actions were consistent with use-of-force policies, which are not publicly available. In a statement released this summer, however, USCP noted that it is increasing its use-of-force  training.

Demonstrators clash with police officers outside the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, on Jan. 6, 2021. (Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images)

Schamel said his client received his training primarily at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers in Glynco, Ga., where Capitol Police recruits spend about two months before coming back for another two months of agency-specific training. Although the FLETC training emphasizes use-of-force decisions through simulated-shooting exercises, Capitol Police officers are not trained for riot-control situations on the scale of Jan. 6.

We were trained in what to do if gunmen tried to storm the Capitol, but we were not trained in what to do if hundreds of people decided to rush the building, former Capitol Police officer Patrick Skinner said. On Jan. 6, he added, police were unsure whether they were facing an imminent deadly threat or whether they were authorized to use deadly force.

There was only one incident of deadly force by a police officer, Skinner noted. Every instinct of those [other] police officers was to not shoot.

A former federal inspector general told RealClearInvestigations that even the Capitol Police are relatively unprepared to react to the kind of threat posed on Jan. 6 in which a mob tried to beat down doors leading to the House chamber.

This is not meant pejoratively but just as a fact, but the [Capitol Police] is far from being some kind of elite law enforcement body, the inspector general said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Its principal function is to assist tourists, maintain decorum in a tourist environment, and help out members of Congress and their staffs.

Roberts said as part of the discovery process, he plans to seek the shooting officers training records and his discipline file containing any infractions or complaints of misconduct. He noted that in February 2019, Byrd was investigated for leaving his department-issued Glock-22 firearm unattended in a restroom on the House side of the Capitol, even though the potent weapon, which fires .40-caliber rounds, has no manual safety to prevent unintended firing. The abandoned gun was discovered by another officer during a routine security sweep.

A Capitol Police spokeswoman would not say what, if any, disciplinary actions were administered against the officer. Unlike other police forces, it does not have to disclose records on police misconduct.

The Photo Evidence

Also, Roberts said the officer appeared to lack trigger discipline, judging from photos taken by a freelance photographer inside the House chamber before the shooting down the hall in the Speakers Lobby. Hes gunslinging like some cowboy, the lawyer said.

U.S. Capitol Police draw their guns as a group of protesters attempt to enter the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress in Washington, on Jan. 6, 2021. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

In one of the freelancers photos obtained by RCI, the officer can be seen advancing toward the door of the chamber while several other law enforcement officers had taken position behind a barricade. His Glock-22 is slung low at his side pointed in the direction of the other officers, whose backs are to him, and his finger appears to be on the trigger.

The veteran Capitol Police officer who spoke to RCI on the condition of anonymity said his colleague was not following department firearms training, which requires officers to keep their weapons pointed in a safe direction while making sure of whats in front of and beyond a target, and to keep the finger off the trigger until ready to fire.

His trigger finger shouldnt be inside the trigger guard and the gun shouldnt be pointed at other officers. Hes even pointing it in the direction of a member of Congress, the fellow officer said, referring to Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), a former professional mixed-martial-arts fighter who had joined the scrum in front of the chamber doors.

I cant tell you how many officers have contacted me to say that what that guy did doesnt pass muster, Roberts said in an extensive interview. No one has come forward to say this was justified homicide, not even the Justice Department.

The way he did ithiding in a room and then popping out and firingis a problem, Roberts added. If his objective was to stop her, he didnt need to shoot. He could have got out in front of her and used a number of other methods of less-lethal force. He could have tried to cuff her.

Police have confirmed that Babbitt, an Air Force veteran, was unarmed. (If arrested, she would have faced unlawful entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds charges, police sources say.) I would call what he did an ambush, Roberts continued, I dont think hes a good officer. I think hes reckless.

While Roberts argued Babbitt did not pose a threat, the officers lawyer insisted that his client was acting to protect himself and lawmakers from bodily harm.

He was acting within his training, Schamel said. Lethal force is appropriate if the situation puts you or others in fear of imminent bodily harm.

Added Schamel: There should be a training video on how he handled that situation. What he did was unbelievable heroism.

Roberts argued that he could have retreated if he feared for his life, as other officers did that dayand later received medals for heroismbut Schamel countered that he was guarding a critical chokepoint and saved a potential massacre of lawmakers and staff by the mob.

The speaker may have been escorted out of the area, but there were still at least 100 people including lawmakers in the hallway behind my client, Schamel said.

Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) questions Gregory T. Monahan, Acting Chief U.S. Park Police National Park Police, during the House Natural Resources Committee hearing on Unanswered Questions About the U.S. Park Polices June 1 Attack on Peaceful Protesters at Lafayette Square in Washington, on July 28, 2020. (Bill Clark/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

Still, Republican lawmakers want to know why SWAT team members standing behind Babbitt before she was shot were not more alarmed. They were right next to her and saw no threat, certainly no lethal threat, said GOP Rep. Paul Gosar, who sits on the House Oversight Committee.

He and other Republicans are demanding the Select Committee call the SWAT members to testify about what they heard and saw before the shooting.

Why were there no warnings given or escalation of command and force in proper law enforcement technique? Gosar asked.

This article was written by Paul Sperry for RealClearInvestigations.

RealClearInvestigations
Nurse and Army veteran Renee Langone administers a Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to US Air Force (active duty reservist) Doctor Pei-Chun McGregor at the West Roxbury VA Medical Center in Boston, Mass. on Dec. 23, 2020. (Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images)

Liberal Groups Proposal to Mandate Vaccines for Health Care Workers Draws Stiff Opposition

A proposal to threaten the loss of Medicare and Medicaid funding as leverage for mandatory CCP virus vaccines of all health care workers faces rough sledding despite strong support among professional medical associations.

The CCP virusalso known as the novel coronavirushas reportedly killed more than 660,000 Americans since the first case was confirmed in January 2020, and subsequent lockdowns have caused trillions of dollars in lost economic activity and opportunity.

Unvaccinated health care workers put patients at high risk, given that their jobs require close interaction with unvaccinated patients and others who are immunocompromised and at higher risk for complications, according to an Aug. 6 analysis published by the Center for American Progress (CAP), written by Jill Rosenthal, director of the influential liberal nonprofits Center for Health Policy; Senior Economist Emily Gee; and Vice President Maura Calsyn.

To counter the risk, the CAP analysis encourages President Joe Biden to use a big stick.

That big stick is the Medicare and Medicaid Conditions of Participation and Conditions for Coverage, which the CAP analysis describes as untapped levers the federal government can use to support this effort.

In other words, hospitals and other health care providers would risk the loss of Medicare/Medicaid funding and participation for failing to enforce 100 percent employee compliance with the mandate to be vaccinated against the CCP virus.

Making COVID-19 vaccination mandatory for providers participating in Medicare and Medicaid would protect vulnerable patients, set a positive example for other employers, and contribute to the national effort to contain the virus, the CAP analysis said.

The CAP proposal comes amid a proliferation of vaccine mandates in government at all levels and throughout the corporate sector. The Department of Health and Human Services mandated vaccinations for its front-line health care workers on Aug. 12.

But an important measure of the growing resistance to such mandates is seen in the fact that CAP admits that opposition among health care workers is strong.

To date, more than 500,000 health care workers have contracted the coronavirus and 1,673 have died from COVID-19.  Yet, by the end of May, 1 in 4 hospital workers still had not been vaccinated at all, the CAP analysis said.

But a coalition of major professional health care organizations released a July 26 statement backing mandatory vaccinations for medical workers.

The coalition includes the American Medical Association, American Nurses Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, Association of American Medical Colleges, and National Association for Home Care and Hospice.

Employer vaccine mandates are effective and lifesaving, and they are especially appropriate in health care and long-term care settings. No patient should have to worry that they could become infected by one of their care providers, and no provider should put their patient at risk, said Ezekiel Emanuel, vice provost for Global Initiatives at the University of Pennsylvania, in the statement.

Emanuel, brother of former Chicago Mayor and White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, organized the coalition. Hes also known for his 2014 essay on Why I Hope to Die at 75.

Opposition

A CAP spokesman didnt immediately respond to an Epoch Times request for comment on whether the Biden administration has responded to the nonprofits proposal, or if any member of Congress has expressed support for it.

Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) told The Epoch Times on Aug. 12 that in her view, any vaccine mandate will further divide our country instead of uniting us.

Thats why Im supporting the No Vaccine Passports Act, which would keep the federal government from forcing anyone to get a vaccine approved under Emergency Use Authorization, like the COVID vaccines, she said.

Lummis introduced the No Vaccine Passports Act with Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.) on May 28.

The CAP proposal is prompting opposition in the conservative think tank world as well.

The same health care personnel who last year put their lives on the line vaccine-freeand would have been criticized by these leftists had they refused to do soare now going to be banned by these leftists from doing the exact same thing they did last year? That seems  odd, Less Government President Seton Motley told The Epoch Times.

Americans for Limited Government President Richard Manning pointed to the lack of public comment in the regulatory levers the CAP proposal would employ.

To use an expedited regulatory process that denies comment and presentations based upon the science is the ultimate irony. Let the medical professionals decide what is the best for them based upon their own unique health histories, Manning told The Epoch Times.

All of the mandates, including the CAP proposal should the Biden administration adopt it, will likely face court challenges.

American Constitutional Rights Union (ACRU) President Lori Roman told The Epoch Times that her group opposes vaccine mandates because it calls out the crisis tyrants and reminds regular Americans that it is We the People not We the Sheeple. We take a stand for medical choice and privacy.

The court challenges have already begun for Liberty Counsel founder and co-Chairman Mat Staver, who told The Epoch Times that his public interest law firm has been besieged with requests from government workers, private sector employees, and members of the military seeking legal help against vaccine mandates.

Staver said the CAP proposal and other mandates of forced COVID shots would make the Chinese Communist Party [CCP] proud, or any communist proud, and want to follow the template.

He called the mandates a clear violation of individual rights, because it is the most egregious thing to require somebody to inject a substance, whether its the COVID shots or anything, into their body.

Threatening an individuals employment, schooling, service in the military, their ability to fly, or to have insurance coverage, due to multiple state and federal laws and regulations, is unbelievable, he said.

Staver said the unconstitutionality of vaccine mandates wont be changed by an expected decision by the FDA to upgrade the current vaccines from emergency authorization to full approval, and hes confident of ultimately prevailing in court.

At the end of the day, like in the church litigation, we may have some bumps along the way, but we have won, and I think we will ultimately do the same thing in this case.

Staver was referring to Liberty Counsels successful representation of a group of California churches that challenged Gov. Gavin Newsoms COVID-related ban on worship gatherings.

Congressional correspondent Mark Tapscott may be contacted at Mark.Tapscott@epochtimes.nyc. Follow him on Twitter at @mtapscott and on Parler at @Mtapscott.
Los Angeles City Council to Ban Homeless Encampments in 11 Areas

Councilman Joe Buscaino introduced a resolution to ban homeless encampments in 11 areas of his district on Aug. 10. This comes after Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti restored a pre-pandemic restriction of homeless encampments in public areas after the city council approved the ordinance last week; it also gives council members the ability to ban encampments in parts of their districts.

The ordinance is expected to go into effect on Sept. 3. The resolution was seconded by Councilman Paul Koretz.

The Los Angeles City Council and the mayor promised residents that if they accepted solutions to homelessness, then the areas around these sites would be kept clean and free of encampments, Buscaino told The Epoch Times in an email.

This comes as city council members face increasing pressure from residents to clear public streets and sidewalks. Last month, Councilman Paul Krekorian said the ordinance will protect the unhoused and users of public transportation from being put into positions of interaction with automobiles, around loading docks, driveways and so forth. It guarantees access to our fire hydrants, entrances to buildings.

A homeless encampment in Venice Beach, Calif., on June 8, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Buscaino said that it should not have taken this long to fulfill that promise, but at least the Council is finally making progress towards balanced policies to keep our streets and sidewalks passable and safe.

Others, including councilmembers Mike Bonin and Nithya Raman, have recently criticized the city councils approach to homelessness, saying the emphasis should be on providing housing instead of clearing the streets.

Also on Aug. 10, the city council unanimously approved a motion to create 25,000 new housing units in the city by 2025. The motion is part of Councilman Kevin de Leons A Way Home initiative, which seeks to create resources including permanent supportive housing, scattered-site housing, tiny homes, safe parking, and other resources.

De Leon said too many people have lost their lives on the street. A spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner told Crosstown that a total of 1,383 people experiencing homelessness died in Los Angeles County in 2020.

Too many people have died on our streets and in our alleys.  Today were making a significant decision that will begin to erase our citys most indelible mark of shame, de Leon said during the meeting. The time for studying the crisis and hearing from experts, I believe, is over. Now is the time for action and delivering tangible results. Now is the time to get a roof over the heads of our unhoused neighbors and give them an opportunity to regain their lives and restore the pride of a great city.

Vicky Arenas of the nonprofit organization The People Concern and Andrea Johnson of LA Family Housing didnt respond to a request for comment by press deadline.
Medicines Getting Major Injections of Woke Ideology

This article is part one of a two-part series. Read part two here.

The national racial reckoning over reparations and critical race theory is taking over the world of medicine and health care. Prestigious medical journals, top medical schools and elite medical centers are adopting the language of social justice activism and vowing to confront systemic racism, dismantle structural violence and disrupt white supremacy in their institutional cultures.

Some activist physicians describe the present-day health care system with such ominous terms as a medical caste system or medical apartheid, the latter locution taken from the title of a 2007 book about Americas history of medical experimentation on enslaved blacks and freedmen.

Modern American medicine has historical roots in scientific racism and eugenics movements, according to a February article in the New England Journal of Medicine titled How Structural Racism WorksRacist Policies as a Root Cause of U.S. Racial Health Inequities. Black communities became medical training grounds and a source of profit, reinforcing the American medical caste system that we have today.

Rare is the doctor who is willing to publicly question claims of white privilege and implicit bias in the healthcare system, and already several doctors who have publicly pushed back have been demoted and have filed legal actions alleging retaliation. This year the medical profession received an unequivocal message when two editors of the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association resigned under pressure over a podcast that aired opinions expressing skepticism that the United States is plagued by systemic racism.

While racialized politics has infused every corner of American life, the moral stakes in the health care arena go far beyond, say, the perceived slights called microaggressions. The medical literature, lately drawing on critical race theory, depicts the health care industry itself as a historical source of illness inand even killing ofblack and brown bodies. That would make medicine analogous to policing and criminal justice, the other social institutions directly blamed for maiming and murdering black people.

During the last year, more than 200 governmental bodies and private institutions have declared racism a public health care crisis, a step that potentially clears the way for taking more aggressive action to protect public health by hiring more black doctors, academics, administrators and editors as caretakers and gatekeepers.

If for no other reason than atonement  addressing racial equity is a just cause for academic medicine, Clyde Yancy, chief of cardiology and vice dean for diversity and inclusion at Northwestern Universitys Feinberg School of Medicine, wrote last year in the Journal of the American Medical Association, or JAMA, in a piece titled Academic Medicine and Black Lives Matter.

What exists today as the infrastructure for scientific discovery and medicine reflects structural racism that has evolved from a biased, stained, and oppressive history against Black individuals, Yancy wrote. All physicians, and particularly those in academic medicine, can and should address racial equality and engage with Black Lives Matter because atonement matters.

The cover of the book The Dictatorship of Woke Capital by Stephen R. Soukup. (Encounter Books)

The movement is just beginning to reshape the practice of medicine, but a primary assumption is that white doctors and institutions are pervaded with unconscious bias, and that black doctors, who are significantly underrepresented in the profession, would provide better care to black patients. But because black students typically get lower scores and lower grades, increasing the ranks of African American and other minority practitioners would likely require moving away from a reliance on conventional measures of academic qualification, such as undergraduate grades and standardized test scores.

According to this line of reasoning, grades and scores may not be a reliable measure of future potential for underrepresented minority groups because such students must first overcome an array of obstacles and challengesfrom biased teachers to unprepared parentsto catch up to their more privileged white classmates, according to a piece written by a trio of black physicians in the New England Journal of Medicine last year.

Ultimately, physicians skill and quality are defined by the care they provide to patients over the span of a careera value that no three-digit test score can anticipate, the New England Journal piece states.

Efforts to improve health outcomes for black patients are advancing on many fronts. They include a Boston hospital pilot project to offer preferential admissions to non-white patients for heart care; prioritizing non-whites for COVID-19 vaccinations; and the changing of a United States Medical Licensing Examination test from a graded score to pass/fail to help minority students succeed.

The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education is adding a diversity requirement for accrediting U.S. residency and fellowship programs for newly minted doctors; and Northwestern University and its Feinberg School of Medicine are seeking to improve diversity by eliminating a six-decade-old Honors Program in Medical Education.

Medical schools are adding units on critical race theory, intersectionality, implicit bias, identity, oppression, allyship, power and privilege to their curricula. Medical students are learning about medical exploitation and medical experimentation on enslaved blacks, black prisoners and other unwitting subjects. And staple reading assignments in med schools feature such non-medical polemics as Robin DiAngelos White Fragility and Ibram X. Kendis How to Be an Antiracist.

This year alone, six state medical boards have added a requirement for training in antiracism, implicit bias or cultural competency for doctors in some practice areas to be eligible for a medical license, raising the total to 13 jurisdictions that require such training; eight other boards are reviewing such proposals, according to the Federation of State Medical Boards.

In this file photo students raise hands during a Global Studies class of 10th- and 11th-graders at Bedford Academy High School in New York on Dec. 3, 2013. (Bebeto Matthews/AP)

All of this comes at a time when medical schools are experiencing dramatic changes on the gender front as well, where it is becoming customary for medical professionals to announce their gender pronouns as a matter of standard etiquette, and some medical schools are replacing the phrase pregnant women with birthing people in the interest of inclusiveness. Indeed, the issues of race and gender are intersectionally linked in the world of social justice advocacy, and some anti-racist and equity manifestos include a sex and gender platform, such as adding more chest binders and gender-affirming practices, reducing heteronormative bias, and advocating for LGBTQIA2S+ causes.

These efforts, which have been building for years, seem to be moving the needle. Medical school applications from black and Hispanic students surged between 2013 and 2020, according to data from the Association of American Medical Colleges. As a result, black students accounted for 9.5% of all first-year med students in 2020, up from 7% in 2013, while first-year students identifying as Hispanic jumped to 12% from 9.1% over the same period.

Meanwhile, the percentage of white medical students is diminishing. The 2019-20 academic year marked the first time that self-identified whites accounted for less than half of the nations medical students.

The public health profession has long been in the vanguard of seeing medicine as a social science and politics as medicine on a grand scale. Last year, at a time when public gatherings were discouraged or banned to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, more than 1,200 public health officials signed a letter last year encouraging public participation in mass protests in support of Black Lives Matter.

This should not be confused with a permissive stance on all gatherings, particularly protests against stay-home orders, the petition states. Those actions not only oppose public health interventions, but are also rooted in white nationalism and run contrary to respect for Black lives.

Such developments trouble skeptics worried about the repercussions for patient care and for the training of physicians. They say the moral fervor reduces complex policy to simplistic slogans and indiscriminately blames all racial disparities on a nebulous menacewhite supremacy or systemic racismwhile discounting the influence of cultural differences and individual initiative. It then attacks the perceived problem through blunt weapons as such racial preferences, ideological conformity and emotional blackmail.

The fundamental problem with social justice in public health is that there are no limiting principles to it, American Enterprise Institute senior fellow and author Sally Satel wrote in the journal Liberties this year.

Differences of any kindin income, education, school performance, and, of course, healthare manifestations of racism and racism alone, Satel wrote. The practice of equity, the enactment of critical race theory, permits, if not endorses, unequal treatment of the dominant group in order to arrive at equal group outcomes, even if it is to the detriment of ailing individuals.

Satel is among those who doubt equity is attainable, given the complex underlying factors that shape human health. But some medical ethics experts are pushing in the other direction and going so far as to argue that equalizing group outcomes between blacks and whites may necessitate tolerating a greater loss of life.

Whose Hippocratic Oath Is It?

The medical ethics quandary tests the foundational principle of medicine itself, the Hippocratic Oath, by which doctors take a vow to do no harm. In the current cultural moment in which critical race theory is upending long-held assumptions about colorblindness, bioethics experts are reassessing the traditional understanding of harm and healing in ways that would have been unthinkable in the past.

For these reasons, the skeptics see the profession swept up in a moral panic and headed for a massive over-correction, while advocates see the stakes for minority patients in life-and-death terms.

Its a very ideological approach to things: People are going to die, so you have to agree with everything I say. And if you disagree with it, you want people to die apparently, said William Jacobson, clinical professor of law at Cornell Law School and president of the Legal Insurrection Foundation, which runs the conservative websites legalinsurrection.com and criticalrace.org.

And it also is extremely lucrative for consultants and administrators who have a vested interested in perpetuating the problem and these efforts, said Jacobson, who is involved in litigation against SUNY Upstate Medical University for internal communications related to the schools planned equity strategy.

Lurking just under the surface of this debate is the sensitive question no one wants to discuss on the record: the quality of med students and doctors who have lower test scores and worse grades, and presumably would not have been admitted if not for affirmative action. Thats an issue broached by Norman Wang, a University of Pittsburgh cardiologist whose peer-reviewed article questioning the legality of racial preferences was, four months after publication, retracted, leading to Wangs demotion and public denunciation by his employer and by the journal that initially saw fit to run his article.

Long-term academic solutions and excellence should not be sacrificed for short-term demographic optics, Wang wrote in the article. Ultimately, all who aspire to a profession in medicine and cardiology must be assessed as individuals on the basis of their personal merits, not their racial and ethnic identities.

In last years JAMA piece, Yancy acknowledged the racial reckoning will require a period of trial and error.

What works is simply not clear, Yancy wrote. In the haste to achieve racial equity in medicine, many are rushing to embrace the same strategies: implicit bias testing; bias mitigation seminars; cluster hiring of diverse faculty members; eliminating any evidence of race-based medicine from curricula; hiring of chief diversity officers; no longer reporting race in research reports.

A more detailed sampling of several recent anti-racist initiatives shows the radical character of the transformation within the medical profession that is now underway.

The American Medical Association, the nations premier professional group with more than 270,000 member doctors, in May announced a racial justice strategy that would encourage all physicians to develop a critical consciousness and align with anti-oppressive and anti-racist praxis to dismantle what it described as white patriarchy and other systems of oppression. The AMA seeks to promote the invisible-ized collective narratives of black, Latinx, LGBTQ+ and other historically marginalized physicians and patients.

The AMAs 86-page strategic plan endorses critical race theory, intersectionality and equity as core elements of a medical school education. Consistent with those doctrines, the AMAs equity strategy repudiates equal treatment and meritocracy, denouncing them as malignant, white supremacist ideologies that serve to obscure true power and site of responsibility. The AMA condemns the detrimental effects of colonization, racial capitalism, and enduring forms of supremacism that contribute to a persistent cycle of structural violence.

The State University of New Yorks Upstate Medical University, in Syracuse, founded in 1834 and employing more nearly 11,000 people, last year assembled a diversity task force to advance the herculean task of eradicating racial health disparities. The task forces first recommendation: the creation of implementation and Oversight Tiger Teamsechoing a term deployed by NASA in 1970 for the Apollo 13 space missionto oversee and prioritize 65 proposed action items.

Among the 164-page task force reports charges: Health care professionals must explicitly acknowledge that race and racism are at the root of these health disparities. All students and staff are to receive training in bystander intervention for bias, all new faculty hires would be required to sign a written pledge affirming a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and staff with advanced training in anti-racism would be identified by wearable buttons. Medical school applications would add questions about the applicants commitment to social justice, and include a statement that if the student does not have this desire they may not want to consider [SUNY] Upstate.

WhiteCoats4BlackLives, a medical student organization that has grown to some 75 chapters out of the National White Coat Die-In demonstrations in 2014, represents up-and-coming leaders in the medical profession. The organization supports the Palestinian liberation movement, advocates the abolition of police forces, and urges medical schools to research the backgrounds of their founders and leaders for racist and oppressive pasts. WC4BLs 289-page report from 2019 says the med school curriculum must explicitly teach that it is the dominant groups pursuit of power that contributes to illness. Among the groups policy proposals: Medical schools must eliminate racial grading disparities, compensate community advocates and people of color for anti-racist activism, and equip physicians-in-training with tools to dismantle systemic racism, including training in activism and organizing.

Origins of a Movement

What has led up to this point? One place to start is the voluminous research on racial health disparities and the grim picture this body of work depicts. The 1985 Heckler Report, a nine-volume study issued by the Department of Health and Human Services, officially called the Report of the Secretarys Task Force on Black and Minority Health, reported a five-year difference in life expectancy between blacks and whites, and double the infant mortality rate for blacks compared to whitesdisparities that are similar to this day. The federal governments first study of the black-white health gap noted 59,000 black deaths a year caused by the disparities.

A 2003 report commissioned by the U.S. Congress and produced by the Institute of Medicine (since renamed to the National Academy of Medicine) referred to some 600 studies on racial disparities over the previous three decades. The 700-plus-page report, called Unequal Treatment: Confronting Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care, said black patients are less likely to receive appropriate cardiac medication, coronary artery bypass surgery, hemodialysis, kidney transplantation, pediatric care and many surgical procedureseven when accounting for variations in insurance status, income, age and other factors.

Unequal Treatment reported that black Medicare patients were more likely to receive overly aggressive treatment in several procedures: bilateral orchiectomy (i.e., castration) and amputation. Yancy said those two disparities hold true today.

The report found that racial and ethnic minority patients were more likely to refuse treatment, but the refusal rates among African Americans are generally small and that minority patient refusal does not fully explain healthcare disparities.

The 2003 report sounds presciently contemporary in its bleak assessment of the status quo.

These studies illustrate that much of American social and economic life remains ordered by race and ethnicity, with minorities disadvantaged relative to whites, the report said. The report also provided one of the axioms of systemic racism: There is considerable empirical evidence that even well-meaning whites who are not overtly biased and who do not believe that they are prejudiced typically demonstrate unconscious implicit negative racial attitudes and stereotypes.

A 2016 study on disparate pain treatment said that half of white medical students and residents have false and fantastical beliefs that black people have a higher pain tolerance. The study was seeking an explanation for why black patients are less likely to receive opioids for pain treatment or to receive lower doses, a pattern that holds even for children.

A 2019 study, referencing more than 300 papers on racial health disparities, noted that the racial outcomes are impervious to social class: At every level of education and income, African Americans have a lower life expectancy at age 25 than do whites and Hispanics (or Latinos), and blacks with a college degree or more education have a lower life expectancy than do whites and Hispanics who graduated from high school.

For the past quarter-century, public health experts had accepted a general explanation for these disparitiesattributing them to social determinants of healtha term that covers living conditions and socioeconomic factors that ultimately determine ones life expectancy. But these social determinants existed somewhere out in the world, beyond the scope of doctors, and the medical solutions seemed speculative, unknown or ultimately unknowable.

Seizing On an Invisible Force

Over time, public health researchers began attributing the racial disparities with growing insistence to an anterior causean invisible force operating within American society, ranging from unconscious bias to policing patterns and even to the practice of medicine itself. In other words: systemic racism. Framing the disparities as the result of social determinants of health left the medical profession powerlessfor how can a health care provider treat a patient suffering from social conditions? But zeroing in on systemic racism has thrown open the doors to a whole new set of interventions, which translate into the anti-racism movement now sweeping through the medical profession.

Its the thing that causes the adverse impact of social determinants of health on specific communities, said Matthew Wynia, a University of Colorado professor of medicine and director of the Center for Bioethics and Humanities. To just say its because they live in bad neighborhoods, that is not a full explanation. This is all about 400 years of history.

Wynia said there are only a handful of possible explanations for why black people have consistently worse health outcomes: bad genetics, irresponsible behavior, individual racism on the part of whites, or social structures. Wynia said the first two explanationsbad genes and bad choicesare the very definitions of racism, and individual white racists do exist but within the context of a larger problem: Societal factors have got to be the favorite there.

Satel agreed that increasing the ranks of the nations African American doctors and other practitioners would be a welcome development, especially if these doctors, physicians assistants, and nurse practitioners dedicated themselves to serving poor communities that have a shortage of doctors and clinics. She said a higher level of doctor-patient trust would very likely increase compliance with taking medications and following doctors orders.

But a common question that comes up is: What can a doctor or a hospital do to alleviate health conditions caused by substandard housing or a failing school system? How does diagnosing medical conditions with political theories guide a doctor in treating a patient? There is no single answer, but one advocate suggests a redefinition of a physicians scope of practice: Doctors have a moral obligation to become politically active so they can work to dismantle the social structures that harm their patients health.

Were often taught as doctors to be apolitical, be quiet, dont say anything, but that silence is just reinforcing the problems that got us here to begin with, said Stella Safo, assistant clinical professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, in New York City. Safo was one of the doctors who started the petition for JAMA to become more racially aware and restructure its leadership after it approved a podcast in which a JAMA editor questioned the existence of systemic racism (see sidebar).

Another doctor involved in the JAMA petition was Brittani James, a Chicago-based physician and assistant professor in the College of Medicine at the University of Illinois, who has developed a longitudinal anti-racism course that med students will take over four years; the course was piloted in the 2020-21 academic year.

What were trying to get them to understand is that its not going to stop until we get to the root of the problem, which is all of us are agents in the system, said James, who also treats low-income patients in an urban clinic, and describes herself as an activist, radical black feminist, and anti-racism scholar.

We do not name and acknowledge that we are built on a system designed to keep able-bodied white males alive, James said. If youre anybody but a straight able-bodied white male, our system is not optimized for you. Thats reality.

An underlying problem in health care, from the standpoint of critical race theory, is the profit motive that disincentivizes health care providers from caring for the uninsured and the poor.

This really rattles people because people really do not want to critique capitalism, but we have to look at it, James said. The resounding argument is essentially that capitalism requires a pool of dehumanized labor so they can be exploited for profit. I personally think that capitalism is an unsustainable system.

But the critics say that applying critical race theory to medicine too often devolves into an exercise in confirmational bias that seeks only the evidence that confirms the theory of systemic racism, ignores or disallows contradictory evidence, and imposes forced interpretations on complex data.

They start with the conclusion. And there can be no deviation from the conclusion, said Jacobson, the conservative law professor at Cornell. You cannot question the conclusion because the conclusion of systemic racism is the starting point. It stifles dissenting views. It stifles open inquiry.

Other scholars express similar frustrations. Satels article in the Liberties journal, titled Do No Harm: Critical Race Theory and Medicine, cites an anonymous colleague who related participating in a group discussion about stress and suicide among black youth. The tacit rule was that only fear of police aggression and subjection to discrimination were allowable explanations, the anonymous doctor recalled, not the psychological torture of bullying by classmates or the quotidian terror of neighborhood gun violence.

It will likely take years to know whether efforts to achieve equitythat is: equal outcomes by raceand make amends for past wrongs will make a dent in medical treatment and lifespans for people of color.

There is no evidence that any one step necessarily minimizes that gap, said Yancy, past president of the American Heart Association, in an interview with RealClearInvestigations. As well, the disparities evolved over decades and so its difficult to think that a single intervention or set of interventions over just a few short years would begin to narrow those disparities.

It is a process that that were engaged with, a hypothesis that we hope to prove, Yancy said. So were beginning what is a very tough pivot. It will take generations to execute this pivot.

This concludes part one of a two-part series. Read part two here.

The article was written by John Murawski for RealClearInvestigations.

John Murawski
Exterior view of the British embassy in Berlin, in an undated file photo. (Michael Sohn/AP)

MPs Call for Security Review of UK Embassy Contractors

MPs are calling for a security review of UK embassy contractors following the arrest of a British embassy employee on suspicion of spying for Russia.

A 57-year-old British nationalidentified by authorities only as David Swas detained on Tuesday following a joint investigation by British and German authorities.

The German Federal Prosecutors Office said the man is suspected of selling documents obtained during the course of his work to a representative of a Russian intelligence service.

A UK government spokesman said the suspect had been contracted to work for the government, but British officials would not comment on reports that the suspect was working as a security guard at the embassy.

The situation has prompted security concerns from MPs.

Labour MP Chris Bryant, the chairman of the all-party parliamentary Russia group, told The Daily Telegraph the British government must review the security of all contractors at UK embassies as a matter of urgency.

He described the arrest as potentially one of the most serious security breaches at a UK embassy for many years.

The Telegraph reported Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood, chairman of the Commons Defence Select Committee, has also called on the government to review the security of all contractors working at UK embassies, which he described as standard protocol following such an incident, adding the incident is a disturbing throwback to the Cold War days.

The man identified as David Swho was arrested in the city of Potsdam, to the southwest of Berlinis being held under German law on suspicion of engaging in intelligence agent activity.

The Metropolitan Police said officers from the forces Counter Terrorism Commandwhich investigates alleged breaches of the Official Secrets Actare liaising with their German counterparts who have primacy for the investigation.

Following the mans detention, searches were carried out at his home and at his workplace.

The German Foreign Ministry said it is taking the case very seriously.

Foreign Minister Heiko Maas told reporters: Spying on a close ally on German soil is absolutely unacceptable and we are in full solidarity with our British friends.

We will be following the federal prosecutors further investigations very closely. And where thats desired, necessary, and possible, we will also support them.

German prosecutors said the man had been working as a local employee at the embassy.

In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said: The man was arrested in the Berlin area on suspicion of committing offences relating to being engaged in intelligence agent activity (under German law).

Primacy for the investigation remains with German authorities. Officers from the Counter Terrorism Command continue to liaise with German counterparts as the investigation continues.

A UK government spokesman said: An individual who was contracted to work for the government was arrested yesterday by the German authorities.

It would not be appropriate to comment further as there is an ongoing police investigation.

The arrest comes at a time of continuing tensions between the UK and Russia, which have been building for a number of years.

In June, a Royal Navy warship was buzzed by Russian fighter jets when it sailed through disputed waters off Crimea which was annexed by Moscow from Ukraine.

In 2018, Britain expelled 23 Russian intelligence officers following the poisoning attack on former spy Sergei Skripal in Salisbury, which persuaded allies to eject dozens of others.

By Ben Hatton and Gavin Cordon
North Carolina Woman Found Dead in Concrete Had Fired Caretaker

NEWLAND, N.C.A woman whose body was found buried in concrete in the basement of her western North Carolina home had fired her caretaker in June, but neighbors said the former caretaker was still living in the womans home until late July, according to court documents.

Search warrants state Elizabeth Carserino, 53, of Goose Creek, South Carolina, was hired by the family to be Lynn Keenes live-in caretaker earlier this year after the 70-year-old fell and suffered a traumatic brain injury, WSOC-TV reported.

Relatives reported Keene missing in July from her home in Linville Falls, which is located in the mountains about 110 miles northwest of Charlotte, North Carolina. They said they had last spoken to Keene on June 14.

Keenes home was secured and her car was missing when Avery County detectives first checked there. Cherokee police later reported the car was found there. Investigators traced Carserinos cellphone to the area where the car was found, according to court documents.

When detectives searched Keenes home, they found blood evidence on the walls, ceiling, and floor of a bathroom as well as Keenes remains entombed in concrete in the basement.

Court documents state Keene was strangled with a belt and struck in the head. Investigators have not said when Keene died.

On Sunday, Avery County Sheriff Kevin Frye announced Carserino was taken into custody and charged with murder, identity theft, larceny of a motor vehicle, and financial card theft. Carserino was held at Avery County jail on a secured bond of more than $1.6 million, the sheriff said.
New US Energy Security Advisor to Tackle Russias Potential Use of Energy as a Weapon in Europe

News Analysis

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday appointed a senior advisor for energy security whose immediate focus will be mitigation of risks posed by Russias Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to energy security in Europe, according to a statement.

Amos Hochstein, a former diplomat, was nominated a senior advisor for Energy Security at the Department and hes been tasked with implementing measures recently agreed by the United States and Germany to reduce the risk of Russia using energy as a weapon.

Hochstein, who held a number of senior advisor positions in the government and the private sector, was also a special envoy for international energy affairs and an assistant secretary of state for energy resources during President Barack Obamas tenure.

A joint statement issued by the United States and Germany in July sought to mitigate Russian efforts to use energy as a weapon against Ukraine and Central and Eastern Europe, as the Nord Stream 2 pipelinewhich will transport Russian gas to Europe nears completion.

The Biden administration waived in May sanctions on Nord Stream 2 AG (the projects company), its chief executive, and corporate officers because the pipeline was more than 90 percent complete at the time President Joe Biden took office. The move met with opposition from Ukraine and Polandthe traditional transit routes for Russian energy to Europe.

Svitlana Zalishchuk, advisor to the Ukrainian government and to the state-owned Ukrainian oil and gas company Naftogaz, said that the agreement between the U.S. and Germany was pretty weak.

It doesnt have any legal force, its not a treaty, she said about the U.S.-Germany statement. Any new government coming to Germany can just ignore it or can change it.

The statement itself, it doesnt provide a very clear vision of what exactly will be done if, for example, Putin will decide to use Nord Stream 2 as an energy weapon against Ukraine and the European Union, Zalishchuk said at an event at Warsaw Institute, a Poland-based think tank on Aug. 5.

According to Zalishchuk, Nord Stream 2 will be finished by late August. But to finish the pipeline, and to make it operational, are quite two different things, she added.

To become operational, Nord Stream 2 must be certified which means that the pipeline has to comply with all kinds of standards and rules required by the European Union as Germany is a member of the EU, the advisor explained.

According to EU rules, it is prohibited for one group or one company to control both the production of the gas and the transit of the gas, Zalishchuk said. It creates the natural monopoly that can be dangerous for the European Union. It also decreases the competition on the energy market.

How Nord Stream 2 Impacts Security

The Nord Stream 2 pipeline, once completed, will transport natural gas about 750 miles (1,200 kilometers) under the Baltic Sea directly from Russia to Germany without transiting any other country.

The pipeline is owned by Russian state-run company Gazprom and is similar to the Nord Stream pipeline thats already in operation and directly connects Germany with Russian gas.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia decided to use that energy infrastructure and energy projects as instruments to influence former Soviet republics, Zalishchuk said.

The Nord Stream 2 project started in 2015 to bypass gas transit routes through Ukraine after Russia seized Ukraines Crimea peninsula and backed a rebellion in Ukrainian Donbas in 2014, the advisor explained.

Zalishchuk believed that the Ukrainian gas system was kind of a deterrent for further Russian aggression on Ukrainian territory because Russia depends on Ukraine if it wants to supply its gas to consumers in Europe.

Also, the Ukrainian transit pipeline makes European consumers reliant on Ukraine for their gas needs, Zalishchuk said, so transiting gas gave the country a security shield from further Russian aggression into Ukrainian territory.

As soon as Europeans can get their gas through other channels we understand that it makes Ukraine more vulnerable.

This pipeline is not just money, its not just gas but first of all, its a security shield. Its a security argument, Zalishchuk added.

Nord Stream 2 will not only impact Ukraines security but also Europes security, she said.

Europe does not take into account the fact that Russia will use the emergence of NS2 [Nord Stream 2] to increase its military presence in the Baltic Sea, said Mykhailo Gonchar, president of the Centre for Global Studies Strategy XXI, a Ukrainian think-tank. (pdf)

There will be a kind of legal militarization of the Baltic because according to the Kremlins logic, the new two lines of the NS2 and the existing two lines of the NS1[Nord Stream 1] need enhanced protection against hostile actions by third countries, Gonchar said at the U.S.-Ukraine Security Dialogue in March.

The agreement with Russia for an undersea pipeline to be built by the Nord Stream group was signed in 2005 by Germanys former chancellor Gerhard Schroder during his last weeks in office. After leaving the office, Schroder became the chairman of the shareholders committee of the European-Russian company Nord Stream AG.

Lawmakers Oppose Nord Stream 2

Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee together with his counterparts from Baltic countries and some other European states, issued on Aug. 2 a joint statement opposing the July agreement between the United States and Germany for allowing the completion of Nord Stream 2.

We consider Nord Stream 2 a geopolitical project geared towards expanding Russias influence on Europe by dominating the energy market, said Menendez joined by chairmen of foreign affairs committees from Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Czechia, Ireland, Ukraine, and the UK in the statement.

The completion of the pipeline will strengthen the impact of Russian gas in the European energy mix, endanger the national security of EU member states and the United States, and threaten the already precarious security and sovereignty of Ukraine, the lawmakers said.

We expect a clear commitment from Germany to reduce dependency on gas imported from Russia and move towards green energy.

The signatories also urged NATO to strengthen deterrence, especially on the eastern flank from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea. They also called for delivering a road map for Ukraines path towards joining NATO and a plan for the countrys accession to the EU.

They also demanded that any further agreements on Nord Stream 2 should be consulted across the transatlantic community, the statement said.

Reuters contributed to this report.
New Zealand Border Remains Closed Until 2022; Just Like After 9/11

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced on Thursday that the border will remain shut for international travelers for the rest of the year, adding that she hopes for a cautious reopening in a phased manner starting after the New Year.

Were not in a position to fully reopen just yet, Ardern said as she outlined new COVID-19 border measures. When we move we will be careful and deliberate because we want to move with confidence and with as much certainty as is possible.

The prime minister noted that she wants to avoid rushing the situationclaiming that countries where they found themselves in a better situation after sustained periods of CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus cases falling, a rise in cases happened again after they relaxed restrictions and re-opened the border.

Arderns plan is that from the first quarter of next year, the country would begin allowing travelers to arrive on a carefully and managed basis.

Fully vaccinated travelers from low-risk countries would not be required to quarantine, while those who travel from medium-risk countries would need to complete some form of quarantine, she said. People arriving from high-risk countries, or who were unvaccinated, would need to stay 14 days in a quarantine hotel run by the military.

Just like after 9/11, the border will never be the same after COVID, Ardern said, referring to a sentiment by New Zealand epidemiologist David Skegg. The point he [Skegg] was making was that things can change, but that doesnt mean we cant adapt to them in a way that eventually feels normal again.

Starting in October, a new pilot trial will begin that will allow some business travelers to quarantine at home rather than in military-run hotels as a test of the new system the country has planned to introduce for medium-risk countries next year.

A giant sign painted near the main runway of the Wellington International Airport greets travelers returning home in Wellington, New Zealand on April 19, 2021. (Nick PerryAP Photo)

This pilot will enable us to test the logistics of entry into New Zealand under a self-quarantine model, the ability to monitor or enforce compliance, and the management of COVID cases if they arise, Ardern said.

She added that the ultimate goal of the country is to reach quarantine-free travel for all vaccinated travelers.

The nation of 5 million people has reported just 26 deaths since the pandemic began and there have been 2,913 cases of the CCP virus recorded.

On a global level, the island nation in the southwestern Pacific Ocean is amongst the lowest infection and death rates with just 1 in 1,675 citizens to have had a confirmed case of COVID-19, the disease caused by the CCP virus, according to a government statement.

On Wednesday, New Zealand has designated Indonesia and Fiji as high-risk countries after a surge in CCP virus case numbers, while also placing limits on travel from the two nations.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

From NTD News
Number of US Workers Filing Weekly Unemployment Claims Falls

The number of U.S. workers filing for unemployment fell to near a pandemic-era low last week, in a sign of ongoing labor market recovery.

Initial filings for unemployment insurance, a proxy for layoffs, came in at 375,000 for the week ending Aug. 7, a drop of 12,000 from the previous weeks revised level of 387,000, the Labor Department said in a statement (pdf). Initial claims hit a pandemic-era low of 368,000 in the week ending July 10 before ticking back up.

While the drop in jobless claims reflects the dynamics of a rebounding economy, the number remains well above the pre-pandemic weekly average of about 220,000, suggesting that the employment recovery is still far from complete.

Welcome improvement is seen with the new jobless claims numbers, essentially in line with expectations, Bankrate senior economic analyst Mark Hamrick wrote in an emailed statement to The Epoch Times.

Economists polled by Reuters had predicted 375,000 initial filings. At the height of the pandemic-driven lockdowns last spring, initial jobless claims hit a series record of more than 6 million.

Of course, new claims reflect recent job loss, rather than the pace of hiring as such, Hamrick wrote. The newly unemployed who are inclined to work should face generally positive prospects, an employment safety net, so to speak.

Job openings in the United States surged to a record high of more than 10 million in June, while hiring lagged behind that figure by more than 3 million, painting a picture of an economic recovery being held back by business hiring difficulties. About 8.7 million people are officially unemployed.

The Labor Departments Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS), released Aug. 9, showed that the number of job vacancies increased by 590,000 to 10.1 million on the last day of June, led by gains in professional and business services, retail trade, and accommodation and food services.

This is by far the record amount of job openings the economy has ever had. This historically elevated level makes clear that we have a severe worker shortage that threatens what should be a prolonged economic boom, Curtis Dubay, senior economist at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement.

Some Republicans and economists have blamed generous unemployment benefitsin particular, the federal pandemic jobless compensation boostfor sidelining workers by discouraging them from taking jobs. In the face of business hiring woes, some two dozen states have moved to end their participation in the extended federal unemployment programs early.

Clouding the prospects for continued labor market recovery are fears that rising COVID-19 cases, driven by the Delta variant of the virus, could have a cooling effect on the economy.

On the downbeat side of the ledger, restaurant reservations and airline travel appear to be seeing some impacts from the surge in the Delta variant, which could weigh on economic activity here in the second half of the year, Hamrick said. These impacts could be quickly reversed if we see a substantial easing in the case numbers.

Still, there are other indications of solid improvement in the job market, including the recent drop in the unemployment rate to 5.4 percent and steady hiring reflected in payrolls gains over the past two months. The Labor Departments jobs report, released Aug. 6, shows that nonfarm payroll employment rose by 943,000 in July, topping the 850,000 jobs U.S. employers added in Junea sign that the economy enjoyed a solid burst of job growth.

The labor market recovery has a long way to go, however. While economic output has fully bounced back to its pre-pandemic levels, the employment recovery is trailing. After shedding 22.4 million jobs in the first two months of the pandemic, the U.S. economy has recovered about 15.6 million jobs since May 2020.
An AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is prepared at the local vaccination centre as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues in Hagen, Germany, on March 19, 2021. (Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters)

Nurse Gave 8,600 People COVID-19 Vaccines Filled With Saline: German Officials

A nurse in Germany was arrested this week for allegedly giving thousands of people saline shots instead of COVID-19 vaccines.

Today I have the sad duty to inform around 8,600 people  that it cannot be ruled out they may have received a saline solution instead of their vaccination at their vaccination appointment. For peace of mind we would recommend people get an additional vaccination, said the district administrator of Friesland, Sven Ambrosy, in a statement, according to a German-to-English translation.

The nurse, who was not named, allegedly replaced the vaccines between March and April 2021 at the Roffhausen immunization center in the city, Ambrosy added.

Im totally shocked by the incident. The district of Friesland will do everything possible to ensure that the affected people receive their vaccination protection as soon as possible, he said.

And the individual, health officials in the Lower Saxony region said, was able to replace the vials because they were responsible for the preparation of vaccines and the preparation of syringes during her working hours in the vaccination center.

All Germans who got vaccines at the Roffhausen center between March 5 and April 20 need to come forward and receive another dose, officials said in a statement. They noted that the saline solution has no adverse health effects.

In this situation, it is important that all those who may be affected are offered catch-up vaccinations, said Matthias Pulz, president of the Lower Saxony State Health Office, according to a statement on Tuesday. This is the only way to ensure complete vaccination protection. Even if persons have already been correctly vaccinated twice, he added.

Its not clear if the nurse or any other individuals were arrested and charged over the incident.

And as the nurse has not been publicly named and no other details have been provided, the possible motivation isnt clear.

The investigations of the police have shown the person (involved) was motivated to oppose the vaccination  since she remains silent with police, we do not know whether and to what extent she was manipulated during this period, said Claudia Schroder, the deputy head of the Lower Saxony COVID-19 team, according to reports.

In India last month, a similar situation unfolded in Mumbai after about 14 people were arrested by Indian police for allegedly giving fake COVID-19 vaccines that were filled with saline.

About 2,500 people were affected, according to authorities, who said the organizers charged between $12 and $17 for each COVID-19 shot.

We have arrested doctors, Mumbai police official Vishal Thakur told reporters. They were using a hospital which was producing the fake certificates, vials, syringes.
Orange County Firefighters Finish Mowing Elderly Mans Lawn After He Collapses

Orange County firefighters went the extra mile when they finished mowing 92-year-old Bob Hallets lawn in Westminster after he collapsed in the middle of the task.

Video of the good deed, shot by the Hallets neighbor Steel Morris, shows three firefighters from Westminster Fire Station #65 working together mowing and raking the lawn in early August after the man had been transported to the hospital.

According to the caption of the video posted to Instagram, the firefighters told Morris: He shouldnt have to worry about it when he comes home.

We just did an interview with the family, and the daughter said that he had a good chuckle about it and he appreciated it, but he [would] rather do his own lawn because thats what keeps him young, Orange County Fire Authority Captain Paul Holaday told The Epoch Times.

OCFA at the Sept. 11, 2001, memorial service on Sept. 11, 2020. (John Fredricks, The Epoch Times)

Holaday noted that the neighborhood is a tight-knit community, and they were very thankful to the fire crew who stayed to help finish the yard.

He said the fire crew always tries to go above and beyond when they can, and that its nice for the public to see the good deeds from time to time, but they certainly dont do it for the applause or appreciation.

This happens actually quite a bit, maybe not specifically mowing lawns, but our firefighters always try to just go above and beyond and find that next thing to do, he said.

If somebody falls while loading the groceries, they will bring the groceries in the house. If theyre cooking, we make sure the stove is off and the stuff is put away. Feeding the dog, feeding the cats before we take the patient to hospital. These are things that were trained to do and that our crews do routinely.
Parents Ignored by Pro-Transgender Policy Adoption in Loudoun County: School Board Member

LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va.Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) board on Aug. 11 approved a pro-transgender policy requiring staff to address students with their preferred pronouns, and allowing transgender students access to bathrooms and locker rooms according to their self-identified gender.

In addition, the board introduced amendments that require all LCPS staff instead of mental health professionals to complete training on topics relating to LGBTQ+ students, and schools to create more single-user restrooms within the next five years.

Policy 8040 passed seven to two, with board members Jeff Morse and John Beatty opposing. The Aug. 11 meeting was an extended session from a meeting a day before and allowed public viewing.

A woman holds a sign as board member Jeff Morse speaks at the Loudoun County Public Schools board meeting in Virginia on Aug. 11, 2021. (Terri Wu/The Epoch Times)

LCPS board member John Beatty told The Epoch Times: I feel upset about the vote. Many parents voices are being ignored by this decision.

I think in Loudoun County, many parents now are so involved in what their children are learning, which is phenomenal. And thats what you want, added Beatty.

Beatty motioned to refer the amended policy back to the Pupil Services Committee (PSC), allowing more consideration and time to build trust in the community. In response, school board Chair Brenda Sheridan invited Asia R. Jones, assistant superintendent for pupil services at LCPS, to comment on the timeline. Jones said that though the code didnt specify a deadline, the enactment clause of the acts of the assembly stated no later than the beginning of the 20212022 school year. As a result, the board voted out the motion.

Jeff Morse, another board member who voted against the policy, said that the community voice is missing even though the board had involved other committees.

Its a difficult night for our community. Under the guise of inclusivity, we are taking action on a policy thats unnecessary. Its ambiguous. Its divisive. Its anti-family, anti-privacy, anti-teacher, Morse said.

LCPS Superintendent Scott A. Ziegler mentioned that other committees were sometimes given preferential treatment in their roles as advisory committees to the school board, and community organizations had the opportunity to submit comments online or during school board meetings.

In feedback (pdf) released by LCPS, over half of the 87 comments were against the new policy, while 25 were for the policy. Safety and privacy were common concerns in the comments.

The majority of the in-person comments during the June 22 and Aug. 10 school board meetings also opposed the policy. However, Mark J. Smith, chief of staff of LCPS, didnt speak about the public comments. Instead, he said the policy received the most feedback and enjoyed the most extended comment period, and whether to adopt it would be the school boards sole decision.

School board member Harris Mahedavi made an effort to clarify that the policy was Virginia law and not something the school board had allowed to happen. If you have concerns issues regarding this policy, you should speak to your delegates or senators, he added.

Morse disagreed, saying the policy goes well beyond the states model policy.

This isnt just the first step. This is the next step because weve already taken some steps in Policy 1040 to expand the rights of LGBTQ students, but we know that our transgender and gender-expansive students need even more, said school board Chair Brenda L. Sheridan. I fully support Policy 8040 as amended this evening, she added before moving the policy to vote.
In this file photo, a California Highway Patrol officer explains to immigrants the process of getting a driver's license during an information session at the Mexican Consulate, in San Diego, Calif., on April 23, 2014. (Lenny Ignelzi/AP Photo)

Pennsylvania Lawmakers Consider Easing the Path for Illegal Immigrants to Get Drivers Licenses

A Social Security number is required in Pennsylvania to get a drivers license, preventing some 160,000 illegal immigrants of driving age from getting their drivers license.

Pennsylvanias General Assembly is considering changing that in a measure under discussion during a Wednesday hearing of the Pennsylvania House Transportation Committee. It would allow a Tax Identification Number to be used to obtain a license.

Its not just about a drivers license. Its about recognizing the basic humanity of every person living in Pennsylvania, testified Desi Burnette, statewide coordinator for the Movement of Immigrant Leaders in Pennsylvania. She said her group prayed and fasted for 40 days in support of the bill.

With the legislation, she says families wont have to fear being torn apart as a result of a routine traffic stop.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation supports licensing illegal immigrants.

We believe this is something that should move forward and we are ready, willing, and able to make it happen if the General Assembly decides to move it forward, said Kurt Myers, PennDOT Deputy Secretary for Driver and Vehicle Services, who testified during the hearing. We believe very strongly that the more individuals that are tested and receive a drivers license based upon passing those requirements, that it is an important step forward in ensuring the safety of all of our residents and anyone who is traveling on our highways.

Getting a license involves a vision test and demonstrating knowledge of the rules of the road. A license also ensures drivers are insured, Myers said.

Federal law prevents the state from issuing CDL trucking licenses or Real ID licenses to illegal immigrants, Myers said, but a standard license could be issued if state law is changed.

In response to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Pennsylvania passed a legal presence rule in 2002 requiring PennDOT to verify licensees are legally present in the United States.

The proposed law would remove that requirement.

Its a drivers license, but its more than that, Republican state Rep. Doyle Heffley said during the hearing. Youre giving status to someone who didnt follow the laws to get here. That is a concern to a lot of people. Heffley said he was sympathetic to the desire to have a license, but said it is a privilege, not a right to have a license.

We are talking about giving special privileges above and beyond what Pennsylvanians have, Heffley said. When I go and get my drivers license, Ive got to take my birth certificate, Social Security card, two forms of IDand Im a state legislator. We make the residents of this state jump through all kinds of hoops, having proof of insurance, registration  we make it so difficult for our residents, but at the same time we want to give special privileges to people who are here illegally. If they are here legally, they can drive.

In fact, currently, an illegal alien who has a drivers license from another country is allowed to drive in Pennsylvania, Myers said.

Cheryl Cook, deputy secretary of Agriculture also testified, saying the Department of Agriculture supports the licensing change.

It is time to recognize the essentialness of agriculture to Pennsylvanias economy and the equally essential nature of our workforce to making food and agriculture a reality in the state, Cook said. I could give you names of farmers who have quit the industry because they could not get enough labor.

A drivers license would enable illegal workers to commute to work and driver tractors and other farm implements over the road, Cook said.

Its in everybodys interest to know the people who are doing that have earned a drivers license and are safe for everyone to be around, Cook said. She added that it is also about family dignity, allowing for illegal immigrants to drive to the grocery store or family doctor when needed.

Testimony at the hearing was fully in support of the change, with only Heffley speaking in opposition.

Democratic State Rep. Danilo Burgos is the prime sponsor of H.B. 279.

They come and they work in our fields, our meatpacking factories, and our schools. They work in our community, cleaning our houses, cleaning our businesses. And yet we provide no safety net for this community, Burgos said during the hearing. For years, the federal government has undermined work visas. It has reduced the number of legal visa opportunities to these countries  We cannot act as if they are invisible. And to those individuals who have taken their time to send my colleagues and I hate mail around this issue, shame on you for undermining the great state of Pennsylvania.

Republican State Rep. Tim Hennessey, committee chairman, told supporters of the bill that the process of passing a bill often includes many revisions and the bill probably wont look the same as it does now, by the time it comes up for a vote. Hennessey did not respond to a request for an interview with The Epoch Times.
The Detroit skyline seen from Riverside Park in Detroit on Oct. 23, 2019. (JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP via Getty Images)

Protracted Rent Moratoriums Forcing Small Landlords Out of Business

Extended rent moratoriums and the slow distribution of billions in federal rent assistance are driving many small landlords to call it quits.

Nobody wants to become a landlord anymore, said Diane Baird, executive director of the Lake Erie Landlord Association, which represents landlords in northern Ohio, southern Michigan, and western Pennsylvania.

And we have very few new people entering into the business.

Multiple landlords have told me they are selling out, Jon Frickensmith, president of the South Wisconsin Landlord Association, told The Epoch Times. They ask us how to get out of the business and how to get the tenants out of their houses. These are mom-and-pop operators, the kind of landlords that are willing to take tenants with bad credit or a criminal history. This will only add to the housing crisis.

The vast majority of landlords in the United States are individuals, with most owning one or two rental houses.

In Michigan, more than $500 million in federal pandemic emergency assistance funds remain unspent, with thousands of applications for aid mired in state and municipal bureaucracies.

Everyone in the process agrees the application process is flawed. The problems created by the system are intensified for private owners, Greg Stremers, an attorney in Port Huron, Michigan, told The Epoch Times.

Many property owners are selling off their properties, creating an even deeper shortage of rental properties. When I process an eviction, the tenants are having difficulty finding a new place to live, which is driving rents higher.

A rental house in Port Huron, Mich., on Aug. 11, 2021. (Steven Kovac/The Epoch Times)

Stimulus Not Paying for Rentals

Stremers said the system is undeniably deficient, pointing out that, of the $46 billion allocated by Congress in emergency rental assistance, only $3 billion has thus far been distributed to applicants nationwide by state and local agencies.

According to the U.S. Department of Treasury, states and municipalities have until Sept. 30 to disburse the funds or they may be reallocated.

The latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention eviction moratorium is set to expire on Oct. 3.

The National Equity Atlas estimates that landlords across the United States are owed more than $21 billion in overdue rent.

Don James, president of the Florida Landlord Association in Coral Gables, believes the moratorium is detrimental to renters as well as landlords.

We as landlords cannot enforce our rental contracts and, this being a sellers market, [it] is forcing landlords to sell their properties. This is going to cause shrinking of rental facilities, thus hurting renters, he said.

Mike Bodeis, president of the 450-member Port Huron Area Landlord Association and owner of 40 rental houses, told The Epoch Times: Its a myth that 3.6 million Americans may soon be made homeless. Two-thirds of them could be paying their rent, but are not because they choose not to. They didnt choose to pay their rent or utility bills with all the stimulus money they received.

To illustrate, Bodeis said: In one eviction, in which I personally participated, we took six flatscreen TVs out of the house. Its all about priorities.

President of the Flint, Michigan-area Genesse Landlord Association, Ed Constable, said that the rent moratorium has had little effect on some of the members, but has been devasting for others.

Maybe a quarter of residential tenants have signed the eligibility affidavit for the emergency pandemic rent assistance, Constable said.

Some instances can be horrible. One woman was in debt to me for a years back rent. Rather than go through the process, I ended up writing her a check for one months rent. Thats what it took to finally get her out. After that experience, I have zero interest in more residential rentals.

The terms of the emergency rent assistance application are supposed to preserve the right of a landlord to evict a tenant for committing a criminal act on the premises, damaging property, threatening the health and safety of other tenants, or violating building codes and health ordinances, and for breach of contract other than non-payment of rent.

Everything depends on the judge, Constable said. We had one landlord with a beautiful, high-end rental home. His tenants moved in, along with six dogs and a potbelly pig! The case came before a liberal judge. It was delayed forever. Ultimately, the landlord could not get a writ to evict.

In Michigan, emergency rent assistance checks for up to 12 months of back rent, and even three months of future rent, are made out directly to the landlord for the benefit of qualifying tenants, but the tenants must apply for the aid.

While that may sound like a win-win proposition, Stremers said that only a small percentage of tenants apply.

In fact, Stremers said, even the tenants typically dont apply, and if the owner wants them to, we have to encourage them. The vast majority of the tenants rarely show up for the eviction pretrial, and rarely submit the proper CDC paperwork to start the moratorium process.

Included in the paperwork is a requirement for the tenant to provide a government-issued identification card.

Stremers said the reason for the card is that under a prior federal stimulus for renters to purchase homes, there was fraud by the tenantsthe money went to tenants, who did not make the payments.

Baird said that in the Lake Erie region, tenants are not signing up for help.

They dont seem to care about paying their bills. They have no reason to care. There are no consequences. The government is letting them get away with it, she said.

One Wisconsin landlord stated in an email: I dont know why the government thinks landlords can afford to pay bills when not collecting rent, or why we should be responsible for the tenants inability to pay. I think they are taking advantage of the moratorium to not pay on time.

Coordinated Disbursements, Incentives to Work Will Help

Not every landlord in Wisconsin is dissatisfied with the emergency rental assistance distribution process. Describing the situation in Rock and Walworth counties, one landlord called the service provided by the nonprofit agency Community Action, which coordinates the disbursement of the funds in those areas, amazing.

While the majority of our tenants have been very good about staying current, there have been some that have taken advantage of the moratorium and stopped paying.  While there are assistance programs available to help tenants pay, too few apply, and there is no assistance available specifically for the property owners, said Andrew Hay, spokesperson for a property management company in Racine. It would be extremely helpful if landlords were able to apply on the tenants behalf.

When asked what he thought would make things better for landlords and tenants in Michigan, Bodeis said: Quit giving away our childrens and grandchildrens money. Get rid of supplemental unemployment benefits. People get base unemployment of $160 per week and a supplement of up to $300 per week. There are help wanted signs everywhere.

Stremers stated, It is imperative tenants have opportunities to return to work to stop this cycle.

Michigan is one of 24 states that have continued the supplemental unemployment benefit.

With tens of thousands of job openings available, Michigans unemployment rate hovers at about 5 percent, with 600,000 people drawing unemployment benefits. The overwhelming majority of these qualify for the federally funded supplement.

Jannis Falkenstern contributed to this report.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and wife, author Kelley Paul, visit SiriusXM for a Town Hall with Olivier Knox and Julie Mason in New York City, on Oct. 11, 2019. (Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for SiriusXM)

Rand Paul Discloses His Wifes Investment in Company Behind Remdesivir, 16 Months Later

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) on Wednesday disclosed in documents that his wife bought stock in Gilead Sciences, which manufactures antiviral drugs, in February 2020before the threat from the CCP virus was classified as a pandemic by the World Health Organization.

Paul said that he missed the deadline for filing such disclosures by 16 months because he wasnt aware of the investment at the time. Under the anti-insider trading law called the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act, the senator had a 45-day deadline from the time of investment.

His wife, Kelley Paul, an author and former communications consultant, reportedly used her own money to purchase between $1,000 and $15,000 worth of stock in the company that makes the antiviral drug remdesivir that was used to treat former President Donald Trump when he had COVID-19 in October last year.

Kelsey Cooper, the senators communications director, told The Hill in a statement that Paul only noticed that the investment hadnt been disclosed as he was preparing to submit his annual paperwork for last year. He filed the paperwork on Wednesday, she said.

The Republican senators wife ultimately lost money on the investment, Cooper noted.

Last year Dr. Paul completed the reporting form for an investment made by his wife using her own earnings, an investment which she has lost money on. This was done in the appropriate reporting time window, Cooper said in a statement.

In the process of preparing to file his annual financial disclosure for last year, he learned that the form was not transmitted and promptly alerted the filing office and requested their guidance. In accordance with that guidance he filed both reports today.

Remdesivir is an anti-viral, administered intravenously, previously approved by the FDA for use in CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus patients 12 years of age or older.

Gilead Sciences said in June that an analysis showed remdesivir reduced mortality rates in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and increased the likelihood of being discharged by day 28 after a five-day course of the treatment.

The drugmaker said on Monday it analyzed data from 98,654 patients from three retrospective studies of the real-world treatment of hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Remdesivir achieved statistically significant 54 percent and 23 percent reduction in risk of mortality among the analyzed patients in two of the studies, the company said. The data was presented at the World Microbe Forum in June.

Remdesivir has been approved for emergency use in severely-ill patients in the United States, India, and South Korea, and has received full approval in Japan.

The drug brought in $2.8 billion for Gilead in 2020.

Cooper told The Washington Post that the Kentucky Republican didnt attend any briefings on the topic of COVID-19.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Sheriff Again Slams Los Angeles Leaders Homelessness Policy

LOS ANGELESLos Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva again questioned the approach of government officials tackling the regions homelessness crisis today, alleging that building new housing units for the homeless only encourages more transients to move here from other parts of the country.

The sheriff specifically criticized the Los Angeles City Councils decision Aug. 10 to set a goal of creating at least 25,000 homeless housing units in the city by 2025.

They have no concept of what happens when you house 25,000 people with homes that are built at great expense and theyre replaced on the street by another 25,000 or 50,000 from the rest of United States. Then what? Have we improved anything? Of course not, Villanueva said during his weekly social

media forum on Aug. 11.

The city, county and state have committed billions of dollars in recent years to providing housing for the homeless. In 2016, Los Angeles voters passed Proposition HHH, which enabled the city to issue $1.2 billion in bonds for the development of permanent supportive housing units.

Villanueva instead called for building shelter space, safe camping and RV parking space and permanent supportive housing for the mentally ill and gravely disabled.

Thats itnobody else, he said. For every house you build, all youre telling someone else from another state is Hey, come to California, get in line, you too can get your permanent housing.

The regions homelessness agency disputed the sheriffs contentions.

The crisis we see on our streets is directly attributed to the high cost of living, lack of affordable housing and failed safety net systems that are perpetuated by systemic racism, said Heidi Marston, executive director of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority.

While we are housing more people than ever before65,000 over the last three yearswe must build

affordable housing at scale and ramp up mental and physical health support for our unhoused neighbors.

In its 2020 Homeless Count, LAHSA officials said 59 percent of newly homeless individuals cited economic hardship as the main cause for their homelessness, and 80 percent of unsheltered Angelenos had lived in the county for more than five years.

According to LAHSA, the California Housing Partnership recently determined Los Angeles County needs nearly 500,000 affordable homes to meet the need of residents, and further said that renters in the county need to earn 2.5 times L.A.s minimum wage to afford the average monthly rent of $1,988.

City Councilman Kevin de Leon, who introduced the motion for the citys goal of creating 25,000 housing units by 2025, said Villanueva is making an argument for doing nothing.

The people of Los Angeles, regardless of their political identity, are interested in real solutions, he said.

Like it or not, we took the bold step to commit to 2525. Rather than stoking anger and fear among Angelenos, were focused on getting folks off the streets.

Villanuevawho has repeatedly criticized policies for addressing the homelessness crisisbemoaned the fact that proposals from Gov. Gavin Newsom, the county Board of Supervisors, Mayor Eric Garcetti and the City Council all amounted to Lets build more permanent housing.

Affordable housing for the working-class poor? Yes, cause theyre working their tails off to put that roof over their head, put food on the table, yes, he said.

But we have to do something that I dont think anyones even spoke about yet. We have to demand something from the homeless.  We have to demand agency. Which means you have to get out, put down the crack pipe, stop smoking dope 24/7. Take charge of your life. Have a plan, do something about it. And if you need help, reach for it, and well provide that help.  What we cant doif youre an able-bodied, willing adult who does not want to work and just wants to live the nomadic lifestyle and be a drifter  L.A. is not for you, and will never be for you. That is my promise.

Villanueva celebrated the recent clearing of homeless encampments along the Venice boardwalk, but said his office has been inundated with requests from individual cities asking for assistance with homeless problems.

The sheriff also provided a minor update on rising crime rates in the county, reporting that homicides are up 70 percent from last December, when the number was up 36 percent from the year before. Aggravated assaults with firearms and unlawful shootings were up 47 percent from last year, he added.
South Carolina Attorney General Says School Mask Ordinance Violates State Law

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson said in a press release on Tuesday that Columbias school mask mandate violates state law and should be rescinded.

In a letter (pdf) addressed to Columbia Mayor Stephen Benjamin and Columbia City Council, Wilson said, if the mandate isnt rescinded, the city will be subject to appropriate legal actions to enjoin their enforcement.

Wilson gave the mayor and council a deadline of Friday, Aug. 13 to comply.

Benjamin had declared a state of emergency in the state capital on Wednesday, triggered by Prisma Health Childrens Hospital in Columbia reporting that it had reached a strained capacity of children being diagnosed with COVID-19.

The Columbia City Council subsequently ratified the state of emergency during an emergency meeting the next day, mandating masks for all faculty, staff, visitors, and children in public and private schools, and daycares that instruct children from ages 2 to 14.

Benjamin had said in the council meeting that the state constitution and city code gave him and council the authority to mandate masks in schools.

The city ordinance blames the surge of the Delta variant being a threat to unvaccinated children as the impetus for the emergency declaration, with vaccination rates in South Carolina near the lowest in the country.

Legislation Prohibits Mask Mandates

In an Aug. 6 letter to Wilson, South Carolina Senate President Harvey Peeler and South Carolina House Speaker Jay Lucas informed Wilson of the legislatures intent to ban school mask mandates.

The letter can be found here:

According to Wilson, the legislature had passed a budget proviso stating, No school district, or any of its schools, may use any funds appropriated or authorized pursuant to this act to require that its students and/or employees wear a facemask at any of its education facilities.

Wilson added that its acceptable to encourage wearing facemasks, but that it should be optional.

No school district, or any of its schools, may use any funds appropriated or authorized pursuant to this act to require that its students and/or employees wear a facemask at any of its education facilities, Wilson said in the letter. This prohibition extends to the announcement or enforcement of any such policy. While the proviso does not mention municipalities, it is clear from both a plain reading of its language and from the intent expressed by legislative leaders that the general assembly does not believe that school students or employees should be subject to facemasks mandates.

Personal Responsibility, Not Mandates

At a press conference from the state house on Monday, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said personal responsibility and common sensenot mask mandatesare the answer.

Shutting our state down, closing schools, and masking children who have no choice, to protect adults who do have a choice, is the wrong thing to do, and we are not going to do it, McMaster said.

On Tuesday, President Joe Biden said his administration is checking on whether universal mask mandates in public schools can be implemented, though he doesnt believe the administration has the power, thus far.
Support Freedom of the Press, Choose Epoch TV

The United States of America was founded on the idea that every person has a set of inalienable, God-given rights that must be protected at all costs. Among them are the freedom of religion, the right to bear arms, and the freedom of the press. The First Amendment of the American Constitution guarantees freedom of the press, preventing censorship and ensuring that information reaches every corner of the country.

But these rights had to be defended throughout American history from those who strove to take them away.

The Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 was the first major test for this American system. It made criticism of the government illegal, thereby stifling the freedom of speech and the press in America. But the American people would not rest while their rights were taken from them before their very eyes. Protests broke out across the country as the people called on the government to repeal the acts. Noting the public outrage, the government eventually allowed the Alien and Sedition Acts to expire in the early 1800s.

In the following centuries, as the United States continued to grow, so did instances of censorship. Preceding the Civil War, the U.S. Postmaster General refused to deliver abolitionist pamphlets to the South. During both World Wars and the Cold War, the government made it illegal for the media to cast the government in a negative light.

Now, big tech companies are censoring information like never before. Hundreds of millions of Americans use social media to connect with the world around them, and these companies use their large user base to their advantage. Leveraging their control over the flow of information, these companies decide what news reaches the public. In doing so, they can create false narratives and silence anyone so long as it suits their interests.

This is eerily similar to the strategies employed by totalitarian regimes around the world. The Hitler-led Nazis utilized an extensive propaganda campaign to manipulate public opinion in their favor. In communist countries like China, state-run media push false narratives that benefit the government while shutting down opposing viewpoints.

Truthful reporting is not welcome by those regimes since it can shed light on issues they want to cover up. These big tech companies operate by the same philosophy, censoring information that doesnt cooperate with the narratives they have created. Numerous individuals and organizations have already fallen prey to this kind of censorship, including even the president of the United States himself.

The Epoch Times has been censored as well. Our reporters and programs have been blocked, demonetized, and flagged as false information by many of the largest platforms because we cover the stories they dont want the public to know about.

So in response, we are proud to announce that we have created a brand new platform free from big tech censorship. Built with traditional media values in mind, EpochTV brings unfiltered, unbiased news coverage back to the American public.

Join EpochTV today and get access to award-winning documentaries, breaking news analysis, and thought-provoking interviews all in one convenient location.

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A Coast Guard maritime security force practices fast-roping to the Coast Guard cutter Seneca's flight deck eight miles south of Rockaway, New York, on Aug. 28, 2004. (Mike Hvozda/U.S. Coast Guard via Getty Images)

Taiwan, US Coast Guards Meet Despite Chinese Pressure

BEIJINGOfficers from the United States and Taiwanese coast guards have met to discuss improving cooperation and communication despite efforts by China to isolate the self-governing island democracy.

The virtual meeting held Tuesday came amid moves by the United States and others to defy Beijings pressure campaign aimed at compelling Taiwan to accept its view that the island is part of China.

China on Tuesday recalled its ambassador to Lithuania and expelled the Baltic nations top representative to Beijing over its decision to allow Taiwan to open an office in Lithuania under its own name.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping has increased diplomatic, economic, and military pressure on Taiwan, whose residents overwhelmingly reject Beijings demand for political unification with the mainland. China has long blocked Taiwan from taking part in the United Nations and other international organizations and has stepped up such pressure since the election of independence-minded Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen in 2016. Tsai was reelected last year by a strong majority.

While the United States maintains only unofficial relations with Taiwan in deference to Beijing, it is the islands key arms supplier and closest political ally.

Washingtons de facto embassy in Taipei, the American Institute in Taiwan, said in a statement that at Tuesdays meeting, the sides discussed ways to improve joint maritime responses to search and rescue, disaster relief, and environmental missions, as well as opportunities to improve communication and continue personnel educational exchanges.

They also continued work on the common objectives of preserving maritime resources; reducing illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing; and participating in joint maritime search and rescue and maritime environmental response events, the statement said.

The United States supports Taiwans meaningful participation and contribution to issues of global concern, it said.

The meeting follows the announcement of plans by the United States to sell 40 self-propelled howitzers to Taiwan in a deal valued at $750 million that drew strong condemnation from Beijing.

Amid deteriorating ties with China, the former administration of Donald Trump boosted relations with Taiwan, a stance thus far maintained by President Joe Biden.

China had no immediate response to the meeting of the two coast guards, but last week denounced the howitzer sale as having severely interfered in Chinas internal affairs, sent wrong signals to Taiwan independence separatist forces, and endangered the stability across the Taiwan Strait.

The Chinese [Peoples Liberation Army] will take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard Chinas national sovereignty and territorial integrity and make continuous efforts to advance national reunification process, Defense Ministry spokesperson Wu Qian said in an Aug. 6 statement.

Along with the sharp downturn in relations with Washington, Chinas increasingly assertive foreign policies have put it at odds with a number of Western democracies, particularly Canada and Australia.

China on Thursday dismissed Canadas protests of harsh sentences recently handed down by Chinese courts to Canadians whose cases are seen as linked to the arrest in Vancouver of a top executive at Chinese tech giant Huawei.

Canada and other countries, including Australia and the Philippines, face trade boycotts and other Chinese pressure in disputes with Beijing over human rights, the coronavirus, and control of the South China Sea. The United States has warned that American travelers face a heightened risk of arbitrary detention in China for reasons other than to enforce laws.

Beijing is blocking imports of wheat, wine, and other products from Australia after its government called for an investigation into the origin of the coronavirus pandemic.
Afghan militia gather with their weapons to support Afghanistan security forces against the Taliban, in Afghan warlord and former Mujahideen leader Ismail Khan's house in Herat, Afghanistan on July 9, 2021. (Hoshang Hashimi/AFP via Getty Images)

Taliban Capture Strategically Important City, Tenth Overall in a Week

The Taliban terrorist group captured the strategic Afghan city of Ghazni, the capital of a province of the same name, fewer than 100 miles from Kabul.

A spokesperson for the Taliban wrote on Twitter that the city was taken over, including the police headquarters, a prison, and the governors office. The sacking of Ghazni represents the 10th city taken over by the group in about a week amid international fears that the group could take Kabuland the entirety of Afghanistanin only a few weeks.

Ghazni was taken over by the militant group on Thursday after lengthy fighting, said Nasir Ahmad Faqiri, the head of Ghazni provincial council, according to CNN.

The militant group, which seeks to impose a strict form of Sharia law, was deposed in the early 2000s after the United States invaded the Central Asian country. Last month, the Biden administration announced it would pull the remaining U.S. forces from Afghanistan, and recent statements from President Joe Biden and various White House officials suggest Americans wont attempt to aid the Afghan government in its fight against the Taliban.

Ghazni is considered by analysts to be a strategically important area in Afghanistan, as it is located on a key road between Kabul and Kandahar city.

The al Qaeda terrorist networkblamed for the Sept. 11 terrorist attackshas long had a presence in the province, according to the Long War Journal, which has, for decades, chronicled the U.S. wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Just last year, a senior al Qaeda leader, Husam Abd-al-Rauf, was killed in a military raid in Ghazni and was later confirmed by U.S. military officials.

Video reportingly shows #Taliban captured Kunduz airport with #Afghanistan Air Force Mi-35 Hind attack helicopter pic.twitter.com/u7jZJdR800  Joseph Dempsey (@JosephHDempsey) August 11, 2021

Separately, the Taliban in recent days said they had seized airports outside the cities of Kunduz and Sheberghan in the north and Farah in the west, making it even more difficult to supply government forces. They said they had also captured the provincial headquarters in Lashkar Gah, the capital of the southern province of Helmand, a hotbed of militant activity.

Photos and video footage uploaded online also show apparent Taliban members holding U.S.-provided M-16 rifles, Humvees, and Ford trucks. In one instance, Taliban militants were seen standing next to a seized Soviet-era Mi-35 Hind attack helicopter at the Kunduz airport, although its not clear if the helicopter still works or if Taliban forces are able to pilot it.

The Taliban, however, risk isolating the country if they do seize overall control. Attempts to monopolize power through violence, fear, and war will only lead to international isolation, the charge daffaires at the U.S. Embassy, Ross Wilson, said on Twitter.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, meanwhile, said Berlin would not provide financial support to Afghanistan if the Taliban take over and introduce sharia religious law.

Reuters contributed to this report.
A Taliban (C) is seen surrounded by locals at Pul-e-Khumri on Aug. 11, 2021, after Taliban captured Pul-e-Khumri (AFP via Getty Images)

Taliban Seize Second- and Third-Largest Cities in Afghanistan

The Taliban conquered Herat, the third-largest city in Afghanistan, and took the second-largest city of Kandahar just hours later on Thursday, according to the group and local officials.

In Kandahar, the designated terror group seized the governors office and several other buildings, witnesses told The Associated Press and other news outlets. The Kandahar governor and other officials fled the area and took a flight to Kabul, the capital, witnesses told AP.

Kandahar Airfield was previously one of the main bases housing U.S. and NATO forces before it was given to Afghan security forces a few months ago before the full U.S. withdrawal.

Unfortunately, the Taliban managed to get into [Herat] city with the help of their infiltrators, Abdul Razaq Ahmadi, an aide to Ismail Khan, a former warlord who attempted to organize the defense of Herat, told the Wall Street Journal. The police headquarters has been captured by the Taliban as all police forces left it before the arrival of the Taliban militants.

A main Taliban spokesman also wrote in a tweet that Herat was captured by the group, which was designated by the State Department as a terrorist organization in the 1990s, and videos that surfaced online showed the white Taliban flag flying over government offices.

In the western part of the country, the large and strategic province of Herat was conquered, Zabiullah Mujahid, the Taliban spokesperson, wrote on the social media site. Moments ago, the provincial building of the province was completely taken over by the [Taliban], he added, along with the police [building] and other facilities.

Afghan National Army commando forces walk along a road amid ongoing fighting between Taliban and Afghan security forces in the Enjil district of Herat province, on Aug. 1, 2021.

(Hoshang Hashimi/AFP via Getty Images)

Taliban patrol inside the city of Ghazni, southwest of Kabul, Afghanistan, on Aug. 12, 2021. (Gulabuddin Amiri/AP Photo)

Government soldiers, he said, laid down their arms and joined the Taliban, and the surrender of soldiers is still going on.

Earlier on Thursday, the Taliban captured Ghazni, situated on the Kandahar to Kabul road some 93 miles southwest of the capital.

An employee of the governors office in the city said the governor of Ghazni Province handed over the office to a senior Taliban commander.

He gave a flower to the Taliban commander and congratulated him, the employee told the Wall Street Journal.

The Afghan Ministry of Interior confirmed later that the governor, Daud Laghmani, was arrested upon arriving in the capital of Wardak.

The United Nations said more than 1,000 civilians had been killed in the past month. On Wednesday, the Taliban denied targeting or killing civilians and called for an investigation.

Starting in the mid-1990s and ending when the United States invaded in 2001, the Taliban ruled Afghanistan and used a hardline brand of Shariah law. The group has long been accused of human rights violations and harboring or working with other terrorist groups including al-Qaeda and the Haqqani network.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Taliban Take 10th Afghan Provincial Capital, Squeezing Kabul

KABUL, AfghanistanThe Taliban captured a strategic provincial capital near Kabul on Thursday, the 10th the terrorists have taken in a weeklong sweep across Afghanistan just weeks before the end of the American military mission there.

Seizing Ghazni cuts off a crucial highway linking the Afghan capital with the countrys southern provinces, which similarly find themselves under assault as part of an insurgent push some 20 years after the foreign troops arrived to oust the Taliban government.

While Kabul itself isnt directly under threat, the loss of Ghazni tightens the grip of a resurgent Taliban estimated to now hold some two-thirds of the nation, and thousands of people have fled their homes.

The latest U.S. military intelligence assessment suggests Kabul could come under terrorist pressure within 30 days and that, if current trends hold, the Taliban could gain full control of the country within a few months. The Afghan government may eventually be forced to pull back to defend the capital and just a few other cities.

The onslaught represented a stunning collapse of Afghan forces and renews questions about where the over $830 billion spent by the U.S. Defense Department on fighting, training those troops, and reconstruction efforts wentespecially as Taliban terrorists ride on American-made Humvees and pickup trucks with M-16s slung across their shoulders.

It also raised fears that the Taliban would turn back the clock on the country and reimpose a brutal regime. Already there are reports of repressive restrictions on women and revenge killings.

A Taliban flag flies at a square in the city of Ghazni, Afghanistan, on Aug. 12, 2021. (Gulabuddin Amiri/AP Photo)

Afghan security forces and the government have not responded to repeated requests for comment over the days of fighting. President Ashraf Ghani is trying to rally a counteroffensive relying on his countrys special forces, the militias of warlords, and American airpower ahead of the U.S. and NATO pullout at the end of the month.

On Thursday, the terrorists raised their white flags imprinted with an Islamic proclamation of faith over the city of Ghazni, just 130 kilometers (80 miles) southwest of Kabul. Mohammad Arif Rahmani, a lawmaker from Ghazni, said the city had fallen to the terrorists. Ghazni provincial council member Amanullah Kamrani also told the AP that but added that the two bases outside of the city remain held by government forces.

Kamrani alleged that Ghaznis provincial governor and police chief made a deal with the Taliban to flee after their surrender. Taliban video and photos purported to show the governors convoy passing by Taliban terrorists unstopped as part of the deal.

Later Thursday, Afghanistans Interior Ministry said the governor and his deputies had been arrested over that alleged deal. The officials could not be immediately reached for comment.

Terrorists crowded onto one seized Humvee and drove down one main road in Ghazni, with the golden dome of a mosque near the governors office visible behind them, yelling, God is great! The terrorists, cradling their rifles, later gathered at one roundabout for an impromptu speech by a commander. One terrorist carried a rocket-propelled grenade launcher. They smiled as children and the curious gathered around them.

The loss of Ghazniwhich sits along the KabulKandahar Highway that connects the Afghan capital to the southern provincescould complicate resupply and movement for government forces, as well as squeeze the capital from the south.

Already, the Talibans weeklong blitz has seen the terrorists seize nine other provincial capitals around the country. Many are in the countrys northeast corner, pressuring Kabul from that direction as well.

Angry at pan-Arab satellite news network Al-Jazeera for reporting on troops earlier surrendering in Kunduz, Gen. Ajmal Omar Shinwari said the channel would be investigated by authorities. Al-Jazeera, based in Qatar where the Taliban has a diplomatic office, said as it didnt have a correspondent currently in Kunduz, we rely on reputed international news agencies and used that material in its reports on the surrenders.

A damaged clinic is seen after airstrikes against Taliban in Lashkar Gah city of Helmand province southern of Kabul, Afghanistan, on Aug. 8, 2021. (Abdul Khaliq/AP Photo)

Fighting meanwhile raged in Lashkar Gah, one of Afghanistans largest cities in the Taliban heartland of Helmand province, where surrounded government forces hoped to hold onto that provincial capital.

On Wednesday, a suicide car bombing marked the latest wave of violence to target the capitals regional police headquarters. By Thursday, the Taliban had taken the building, with some police officers surrendering to the terrorists and others retreating to the nearby governors office thats still held by government forces, said Nasima Niazi, a lawmaker from Helmand.

Niazi said she believed the Taliban attack killed and wounded security force members, but she had no numbers. Another suicide car bombing targeted the provincial prison, but the government still held it, she said. The Talibans other advances have seen the terrorists free hundreds of its members over the last week, bolstering their ranks while seizing American-supplied weapons and vehicles.

Niazi criticized ongoing airstrikes targeting the area, saying civilians likely had been wounded and killed.

The Taliban used civilian houses to protect themselves, and the government, without paying any attention to civilians, carried out airstrikes, she said.

With the Afghan air power limited and in disarray, the U.S. Air Force is believed to be carrying out strikes to support Afghan forces. Aviation tracking data suggested U.S. Air Force B-52 bombers, F-15 fighter jets, drones, and other aircraft were involved in the fighting overnight across the country, according to Australia-based security firm The Cavell Group.

The U.S. Air Forces Central Command, based in Qatar, did not respond to a request for comment Thursday.

U.S. peace envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad arrives for Afghan peace talks in Doha, Qatar, on Aug. 12, 2021. (Hussein Sayed/AP Photo)

The success of the Taliban offensive also calls into question whether they would ever rejoin long-stalled peace talks in Qatar aimed at moving Afghanistan toward an inclusive interim administration as the West hoped. Instead, the Taliban could come to power by forceor the country could splinter into factional fighting like it did after the Soviet withdrawal in 1989.

Ross Wilson, the charge daffaires at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, criticized the Taliban on Twitter on Thursday.

The Talibans statements in Doha do not resemble their actions in Badakhshan, Ghazni, Helmand & Kandahar, the diplomat wrote, mentioning provinces seeing heavy fighting. Attempts to monopolize power through violence, fear, & war will only lead to international isolation.

In Doha, U.S. envoy Zalmay Khalilzad has met with diplomats from China, Pakistan, and Russia in an effort to build a united front that would ensure the Taliban would again be considered international pariahs if they continue their offensive, State Department spokesman Ned Price said. Khalilzad also plans to meet with Afghan government and Taliban officials as the fighting goes on without a sign of it abating.

In Germany, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas warned the Taliban not to try to take power by force and impose a strict interpretation of Islamic law that severely limits rights. Maas told German public TV ZDF that if the Taliban did so the country would no longer receive a cent of development aid from Germany, which is currently estimated to be around 430 million euros ($504 million) annually.

The multiple battle fronts have stretched the governments special operations forceswhile regular troops have often fled the battlefield.

By Tameem Akhgar, Rahim Faiez, and Jon Gambrell
Texas state Sen. Carol Alvarado, a Democrat, filibusters Senate Bill 1 at the Texas Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 11, 2021. (Eric Gay/AP Photo)

Texas Senate Passes Election Reform Bill After Democrat Ends Filibuster

The Texas Senate approved an election overhaul measure on Aug. 12 after a Democrat senator ended a 15-hour filibuster.

The Republican-controlled body passed Senate Bill 1 (pdf) on an 1811 vote just moments after state Sen. Carol Alvarado, a Democrat, stopped speaking at around 9 a.m.

Alvarado had been standing on the floor since just before 6 p.m. on Aug. 11.

Authored by Republican state Sen. Bryan Hughes, the bill would tighten up voter roll maintenance, expand early voting hours, and force employers to give workers time off to vote, whether on Election Day or on other days.

We talk about easy to vote and hard to cheat, and thats what the bills about, Hughes told colleagues in Austin, Texas.

Alvarado accused Republicans of trying to implement voter suppression.

Senate Bill 1 slowly, but surely, chips away at our democracy. It adds, rather than removes, barriers for Texas seniors, persons with disabilities, African Americans, Asian, and Latino voters from the political process, she said.

Filibuster rules prevented Alvarado from taking food or water or sitting or leaning overnight. She didnt speak continuously, with both Republicans and Democrats taking turns discussing provisions in the legislative proposal.

The bill would be sent to the Texas House of Representatives, but the lower chamber isnt in session because it lacks a quorum.

A sign shows the Texas House Chamber closed at the Texas Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 11, 2021. (Eric Gay/AP Photo)

Democrats in the state House fled to Washington last month.

The Texas Supreme Court ruled on Aug. 10 that Republicans could legally move to compel their colleagues from across the aisle to return to Austin, a ruling cheered by Gov. Greg Abbott. Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan then signed civil arrest warrants that were delivered to the offices of the Democrats by the sergeant-at-arms.

No Democrats have been arrested and Texas authorities havent shown any inclination so far to track down the missing lawmakers. It isnt clear when the stalemate could end.

While Republicans control both legislative chambers in Texas, as well as the governors mansion, two-thirds of lawmakers must be present to constitute a quorum. Republicans only hold 82 seats in the 150-seat lower chamber.

Some Democrats are saying that they wont return to the Capitol voluntarily.

Theres a warrant out for my arrest because Im standing up for your right to vote. I wont back down, Democrat state Rep. Michelle Beckley wrote on Twitter.
The CCP Wants to Be the Most Powerful Force on Earth

How can the US curb China's nuclear ambition?

In this episode of China in Focus, Tiffany Meier delves into Chinas nuclear ambitionwhere it could lead in the future, what it means for the world, and how it differs from the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

Meier interviewed Patty-Jane Geller, policy analyst of nuclear deterrents and missile defense at the Heritage Foundation, and Rick Fisher, senior fellow at the International Assessment and Strategy Center, in this episode titled, CCP Wants to be the Most Powerful Force on Earth: Rick Fisher on Chinas Nuclear Ambition.

Meier started the interview by asking why there seems to be a policy shift among countries that are no longer paying attention to Americas nuclear deterrent strategy.

According to Fisher, some would say China is rapidly building up its nuclear arsenal in order to protect itself and compete with the United States, but that is false. He said China has been building up its nuclear capabilities for decades, jumping from about 300 to 400 warheads to a level approaching 3,500 warheads. He explained that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) wants global nuclear superiority in order to become the greatest political, economic, and military power on Earth.

Geller said China has now expanded its arsenal beyond the minimal deterrence and has become a peer nuclear competitor to the United States.

When asked about de-escalation methods, Geller said brute force and strong defense are both important, but a strong defense is very critical because it enables the process of diplomacy. America wants to have strong forces so that it can solve crises with diplomacy and try to get China to negotiate and find an agreement that can improve stability.

Fisher said the most common approach is to sit down and talk about de-escalation, which is what the Soviet Union did after 15 years of nuclear competition with the United States. Eventually, both sides started a negotiation process that led to successive nuclear reduction agreements, but this came after the Soviet Union realized that building thousands of nuclear weapons wasnt advancing its interests in seeking more security, or allowing it to gain the power it was hoping for.

Before the Soviet Union collapsed, it had a negotiation process with the United States that provided stability and was welcomed around the world, except in Chinabecause the CCP, in Fishers opinion, has never given up its goal of total world domination. According to Fisher, the Chinese dont want to engage in nuclear reduction talks until they are superior, at which point they will not engage in limitation negotiations, but rather will issue orders, telling the other nuclear powers what they can have. This would allow the CCP to retain power over other countries, and to monitor what others say, think, and do. In order to accomplish this, China is now working rapidly to build up its nuclear arsenal.

Geller said it is difficult to get Beijing to negotiate, but she believes its worth the effort. China is reluctant to be part of negotiations, claiming that it doesnt have as many nuclear weapons as Russia and the United States. While nuclear powers engage in talks, China continues to builds up its stockpile. The lack of transparency over its arsenal and intentions will make it difficult to compel Beijing to come to the table.

CCP Wants to be the Most Powerful Force on Earth: Rick Fisher on Chinas Nuclear Ambition | China in Focus

Watch the full episode here.

Fisher said that in order to get the CCPs attention, America has to have the ability to threaten everything that they value. He explained that it doesnt mean Washington will use that power, but it is important to have it, citing that this is what the United States did with the Soviet Union. America will have to keep building up to high numbers until the Chinese realize their only good option is to build down. The issue here is that China will link any nuclear reduction to political goals such as demanding the United States to stop supporting Taiwan, or to destroy certain military alliances that preserve freedom in Japan, Fisher said.

In other words, China will force America to essentially go home, using its nuclear power to accomplish military defeats on the democracies and make them weaker so they succumb to CCP hegemony. You cant talk them out of it, said Fisher. All you can do is build to numbers sufficient which will add up hopefully to demonstrating to the CCP leadership that such a sprint to nuclear superiority is futile.

Meier asked how Russia would respond if the United States were to break the New Start Treaty, which limits each country to around 1,500 warheads. Fisher said that the Russians are already exceeding their limits and producing new weapons. The real question is: when will the United States start doing the same thing? In order for the United States to build up its arsenal sufficiently, it would need to get out of the treaty. But this may not happen because Washington and Moscow extended the treaty for another five years, which Fisher believes contributed to Beijings decision to build up Chinas nuclear silos.

Geller said that experts and lawmakers in the United States are debating on whether or not to replace the countrys aging nuclear weapons that were built during the Cold War. At present, the U.S. arsenal is most likely strong enough to deter a nuclear threat, but the systems need replacement and the intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) are set to start retiring at the end of the decade.

When Meier asked how close China is now to competing with the United States, Fisher said very close. He said China has been very strategic in the way it has developed and hidden their capabilities as well as their intention. We have now reached a period where it is almost too late, adding that the United States has yet to wake up to the full extent of the CCPs ambitions. Fisher believes the Biden administration is not doing a good job in informing the American people, and that America needs to invest in missile defense and civil defense in the event China and Russia decide to strike the United States. Calling this a very dangerous period, Fisher said the world leaders need to pay attention to this threat and to act now.

Currently, the United States has about 44 interceptors that can be launched in the event of a warning of an incoming nuclear missile, intercepting it before detonation, but those are only designed to intercept small or limited threatsthey are not meant to defend against Chinas current nuclear forces. Geller emphasized the need for the United States to develop advanced missile defenses in specific regions, so that if China tries to start a conflict, America would have the defenses to stop it.

According to Fisher, the current number of U.S. missile defenses is designed to cancel a nuclear threat from North Korea, not defend against China or Russia. The United States would need enough offenses to show the CCP that everything they value will be destroyed if they engage in nuclear war. Although it would be very expensive, America needs to invest heavily in missile defenses and to build up nuclear arms in order to rise to the level needed. This process has to continue until China decides to give up its ambition of ruling the world.

Fisher also said that India should build up its nuclear capabilities and that U.S. allies should decide if they need a nuclear deterrent as well, and hopefully Washington would support that decision. China has made Pakistan, North Korea and Iran into nuclear missile states which is a travesty. We havent even sanctioned China for all of its aid to North Koreas nuclear missile capabilities. Its a demonstration of weakness.

Meier asked how the average American can learn more about the nuclear issue. Fisher said the Americans should know that the CCP has already massacred 7 million of their own people. They dont have more regard for the rest of us. If China achieves global hegemony, we already have the answers of what to expect. Death and more death.

Geller said the United States can see China building nuclear capabilities that nobody saw coming. In her opinion, this tells us we dont know what else China is doing and that it has the capacity to make quick changes to its arsenal. She hopes that mainstream media will pay more attention to the issue so that it would push U.S. lawmakers to focus on building up Americas military defenses.

Fisher calls on the American people to take action. Every year the Pentagon publishes a report mandated by Congress on Chinas military capabilities. He said these reports are accessible and Americans should read them to get a sense of the history of this topic and decide if their leaders are effectively defending their country.

Our process depends on citizens making themselves informed, seeking information and making decisions. If you decide not to do that, if you decide not to care, then you are giving the advantage to the Chinese Communist Party, Fisher said.

China in Focus premiers every Friday at 9 p.m.exclusive on EpochTV.

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Top Chicago Cop Outraged Over Release of Alleged Straw Buyer of Gun Used in Killing of Officer

The top police official in Chicago went public with his opposition after a judge ordered the release of a man accused of being the straw buyer of a firearm that was later used in the killing of a police officer.

To say that I am extremely disappointed in U.S Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Gilberts decision to release Jamel Danzy on an unsecured bond today is an understatement. It is an outrage, Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown said in a statement sent to The Epoch Times.

Danzy, 29, bought the gun in question at a federal firearms dealer in Indiana on March 18, according to federal prosecutors. Danzy falsely stated on documents that he was the actual buyer but instead bought the gun at the request of an acquaintance from Chicago who wasnt allowed to legally buy a gun because of a felony conviction.

Shortly after acquiring the gun, Danzy gave it to the man, according to court documents.

The gun was used in the killing of Chicago officer Ella French during a traffic stop, prosecutors say. And the man who Danzy gave the gun to was inside the vehicle that was stopped before someone inside opened fire.

Danzy was charged with conspiracy to violate federal firearm laws, but Gilbert, the judge, allowed his release on Wednesday on a $4,500 unsecured bond.

The firearm prosecutors say Jamel Danzy bought and passed on to a convict who was not legally allowed to obtain or hold a gun. (ATF)

Brown said the move sets a dangerous precedent that straw purchasers like Danzy are not a danger to society, despite the fact that his alleged actions directly led to the murder of a Chicago Police Officer and left another in critical condition.

The role of the justice system, particularly that of federal prosecutors and judges is more important than ever, and by allowing Mr. Danzy to walk free the court has done a disservice to Officer Frenchs memory, to the entire Chicago Police Department, and to the thousands of men and women across the country who work around the clock, day in and day out to stem the violence that is plaguing our communities, he added.

An attorney representing Danzy declined to comment.

The two brothers charged in Frenchs death, including one charged with murder, were ordered held without bail on Tuesday. Cook County judges Arthur Willis and Charles Beach made those decisions.

Danzy told CBS Chicago that he was pleased with being released.

Things happen for the wrong reason. I really dont want to talk more about it. It happened, so Im out, and Im happy that Im out and everythingso Im happy to see my family. Im not a criminal. Im a good person, he said.

Danzy works as a teachers aide in the Merrillville Community School Corporation. He remains employed there despite the criminal charge, the company told the broadcaster.
Smoke rises after fighting between the Taliban and Afghan security personnel in the city of Kandahar province south of Kabul, Afghanistan, on Aug. 12, 2021. (Sidiqullah Khan/AP Photo)

US Embassy in Afghanistan Warns Americans to Leave Immediately

On Thursday, the U.S. Embassy in Kabul urged American citizens to leave Afghanistan immediately, a second security alert issued in less than a week.

The U.S. Embassy urges U.S. citizens to leave Afghanistan immediately using available commercial flight options, the alert reads. Given the security conditions and reduced staffing, the Embassys ability to assist U.S. citizens in Afghanistan is extremely limited even within Kabul.

The alert points out that domestic flights and ground transportation outside Kabul are severely limited and subject to cancellation or closure. The embassy asked citizens to enroll in the Safe Traveler Enrollment Program to receive security updates and contact the embassy in an emergency.

The alert also states U.S. citizens should not plan to rely on U.S. government flights.

On August 7, the embassy issued a similar alert. Last month, the embassy also issued two alerts, but the embassy only asked citizens to exercise caution and consider departing at the time.

The situation in Afghanistan has been deteriorating rapidly recently. On Thursday, the Taliban militant group captured Ghazni, a strategic city fewer than 100 miles from Kabul. Thats the 10th city taken over by the group in about a week, and the world fears that Kabulthe capital of Afghanistanwould fall into the Talibans hands very soon.

President Joe Biden has been questioned for his decision in May to withdraw U.S. forces from Afghanistan rapidly.

I do not regret my decision, Biden told reporters in Washington on Tuesday, saying that the United States lost thousands of personnel during the past 20 years.

Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby said that the United States would maintain support for Afghanistan but would complete the withdraw by the end of August.

Our focus, right now, remains on supporting the Afghan forces in the field where and when it is feasible from the air, as well as completing our drawdown in a safe and orderly way, Kirby said on Wednesday. We are on track to do that by the end of the month.

Kirby stressed that this is an Afghan responsibility to fight the Taliban.

It really is going to come down to their leadership.  They have the advantage in numbers in operational structure, in air forces, and in modern weaponry, he said. Its really about having the will in the leadership to use those advantages to their own benefit.

Former President Donald Trump said Thursday that it would have been a much different and much more successful withdrawal if he were in office.

In a statement, the former president said he personally had discussions with top Taliban leaders and they understand it would have been a conditions-based withdrawal.

Jack Phillips contributed to this report.
In this photo, South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg, joined by a bipartisan group of state attorneys general, speaks to reporters in front of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington on Sept. 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Widow of Man Killed by South Dakota AG Wants Records Private

PIERRE, S.D.The widow of a man struck and killed on a South Dakota highway by the states attorney general is attempting to block the release of her husbands mental health records.

A judge recently ordered several hospitals and clinics to provide records about Joe Boevers psychiatric state. The order from retired Circuit Court Judge John Brown came after a lawyer for Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg alleged in court documents that Boevers Sept. 12 death may have been a suicide.

Brown was to review the records before deciding whether any of the information is relevant to Ravnsborgs upcoming trial.

Jenny Boever argues that she has a substantial right to privacy under the South Dakota Constitution.

The records sought by the Attorney General have a high likelihood of disclosing sensitive details about Jenny, her attorney, Scott Heidepriem of Sioux Falls, wrote in a letter to the judge that was publicly filed Tuesday.

Heidepriems letter asks that the records receive the utmost protection against disclosure, KELO-TV reported.

Ravnsborgs trial on three misdemeanor driving offenses begins in Stanley County on Aug. 26. He is charged with operating a motor vehicle while using a mobile electronic device, illegal lane change, and careless driving. His guilt or innocence will be up to Brown. Neither side requested a jury trial.

Investigators say Ravnsborg was distracted and swerved out of his lane when he was driving on Highway 14 near Highmore when he struck and killed Boever, 55, who was walking along the highway with a flashlight. Ravnsborg told a dispatcher he thought he hit a deer. Boevers body was discovered the following day.
Khin Maung Win/AP

BANGKOK (AP)  The former longtime military ruler of Myanmar, Than Shwe, has been diagnosed with COVID-19 and is expected to remain hospitalized for two weeks, an official said Thursday.

Than Shwe, 88, was admitted along with his wife to the Thaik Chaung military hospital in the capital, Naypyitaw, about three or four days ago after they both tested positive for the coronavirus, a hospital employee said.
WARSAW, Poland (AP)  Poland's parliament passed a law on Wednesday that would prevent former Polish property owners, including Holocaust survivors and their descendants, from regaining property expropriated by the country's communist regime.

Israel condemned the legislation, with Foreign Minister Yair Lapid saying it damages both the memory of the Holocaust and the rights of its victims.

Meanwhile, Gideon Taylor, the chair of the World Jewish Restitution Organization, or WJRO, an advocate for property restitution, said the group was outraged, and and called the bill equally unfair for both Jews and non-Jews."

The adopted amendment to Poland's administrative law would prevent property ownership and other administrative decisions from being declared void after 30 years. It affects Jewish and non-Jewish owners who had properties seized in the communist era.

In the case of the former Jewish owners, at stake in many cases are the homes or business of families who were wiped out in the Holocaust and whose properties were later seized by Poland's communist-era authorities.

When communism fell in 1989, it opened up the possibility for former owners to try to regain lost properties. Some cases have made their way through the courts, but Poland has never passed a comprehensive law that would regulate restituting or compensating seized properties.

Poland says the new legislation is a response to fraud and irregularities that have emerged in the restitution process, leading to evictions or giving real estate to property dealers in a process called wild re-privatization.

Michael Bazyler, an expert in international law and restitution at Chapman University School of Law in California, argues that it is the wrong tool to fight the problem, and that cutting off claims of former owners forever amounts to perpetuating injustice by the communists.

"The way you stop wild re-privatization and corruption is to go against corruption, he told The Associated Press. You dont do it by taking the claims of legitimate heirs.

Taylor, from the WJRO, called on President Andrzej Duda to veto the bill and urged the Polish government to work with it to once and for all settle the issue of private property restitution.

He argued that more than 30 years after the fall of communism, Poland was still benefitting from wrongfully acquired property.

Property restitution is about more than money  for many Holocaust survivors and their families, a home is the last remaining physical connection to the lives they once led, to the countries where they were born, and to the towns where they grew up, before their lives were shattered, Taylor said.

In Israel, Speaker of the Knesset Mickey Levy decided not to re-establish the Israeli-Polish parliamentary friendship group.

The anti-restitution law restricting property claims by victims of the Holocaust is a daylight robbery that desecrates the memory of the Holocaust," he said. Polands decision to pass this immoral law harms the friendship and bilateral relations between Israel and Poland.

The United States had been pressuring Poland in hopes of stopping the legislation.

"We are deeply concerned that Polands parliament passed legislation today severely restricting the process for Holocaust survivors and their families, as well as other Jewish and non-Jewish property owners, to obtain restitution for property wrongfully confiscated during Polands communist era, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement. He urged Duda to not sign the bill into law or to refer it to Polands constitutional tribunal.

___

Ilan Ben Zion in Jerusalem, Israel, and AP Diplomatic Writer Matthew Lee in Washington contributed.
DAKAR, Senegal (AP)  The paramedics get the urgent call at 10:30 p.m.: A 25-year-old woman, eight months pregnant and likely suffering from COVID-19, is now having serious trouble breathing.

Yahya Niane grabs two small oxygen cylinders and heads to the ambulance with his team. Upon arrival, they find the young woman's worried father waving an envelope in front of her mouth, a desperate effort to send more air her way.

Her situation is dire: Niane says Binta Ba needs to undergo a cesarean section right away if they are to save her and the baby. But first they must find a hospital that can take her.

All the hospitals in Dakar are full so to find a place for someone who is having trouble breathing is very difficult, he says.

Its a scenario that has become all too common as Senegal confronts a rapid increase in confirmed coronavirus cases. Instead of motorcycle accidents and heart attacks, the vast majority of ambulance calls in the countrys capital are now COVID-19 cases.

We have had an influx of calls for respiratory distress, said Dr. Abdallah Wade, head of the regulation department at SAMU, Senegals emergency medical service. We had a few in the first wave, a few in the second wave, but since the beginning of the third wave, 90% of the calls are for respiratory distress.

During the first year of the pandemic, Senegal was frequently cited as a success story in Africa: After quickly closing the country's airport and land borders, President Macky Sall mandated mask-wearing and temporarily halted interregional travel.

The delta variant, though, has changed all that. While the country of 16 million people received more 500,000 AstraZeneca vaccines through the U.N.-backed COVAX initiative, the demand has now outstripped the supply leaving many still waiting for their second doses.

Hospital beds, too, are in short supply, leaving COVID-19 patients to languish at home while they wait for a spot or until their condition further deteriorates.

Now there is an overflow of calls and an overflow of patients and very few places available," said Dr. Mouhamed Lamine Dieng, who works at the emergency services control center trying to triage and place patients.

The main challenge for the team is to find a place at the right time to save a person before they die," he said.

Binta Ba, the young expectant mother, ultimately got a spot since her oxygen levels had dropped sharply. Doctors estimated that 50% of her lungs had been affected by the virus by the time she made it there.

Doctors delivered her baby girl by cesarean in time. Four days later though, the mother remains on oxygen support in the intensive care unit while hospital workers tend to the newborn.

There are people who thought that COVID did not exist," said Djiba Ba, the baby's grandfather.

This is because some people denied its existence on social media networks and TV channels, he said. "I swear to you that COVID is real and that people who refuse to be vaccinated should be punished.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP)  Heat and humidity broiled parts of Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and other midwestern states Wednesday while storms accompanied by heavy rain bowled over trees and flooded roads.

Thousands of homes and businesses in western and northern parts of Michigans lower peninsula remained without power following damage to power lines.

Wind gusts reached about 70 mph in some areas, including the Dorr area south of Grand Rapids, toppling trees, limbs and power lines. Winds of between 30 and 50 mph (48.2 and 80.4 kph) were reported across a larger area.

Some downtown streets in northern Michigans Traverse City were flooding while some roads in Antrim County were washed out, according to the Traverse City Record-Eagle.

We have lots of washouts on both sides of Torch Lake we are finding this morning, County Road Commission office manager Dale Farrier told the newspaper Wednesday morning. Were still assessing damage. Now that its daylight we are finding more and more spots.

Jackson, Michigan-based Consumers Energy reported nearly 170,000 of its customers were without power as of 11 a.m., while Great Lakes Energy said it had about 16,000 customers in the dark.

Mother Nature delivered a powerful punch to Michigan, Consumers Energy Vice President for Electric Operations, Guy Packard said in a news release.

The utilitys crews would be working around the clock this week to turn the lights back on for everyone who was affected by this devastating storm but urged customers to be patient, noting that additional storms are possible Wednesday night, he added.

Indiana Michigan Power said more than 27,000 homes and businesses had been without electricity at the peak of the overnight storms. About 17,000 customers lost power after two feet (.60 meters) of water flooded a substation in southwestern Michigan.

Utility poles have been found broken and transformers damaged in the Fort Wayne and South Bend areas of northwestern Indiana, according to the utility.

About a dozen storage units outside a Muncie, Indiana, warehouse were ripped from their foundations by the strong winds, the (Muncie) Star Press reports.

We heard something strange, it made a lot of noise, said Patricia Hellis who owns an antique mall adjacent to the storage facility. Then the lights started flickering and the doors were blown open  I had to lock them shut.

The main thing is nobody got hurt  but a lot of people lost a lot of property in those warehouses, she added.

The National Weather Service in Grand Rapids, Michigan, forecasts that more thunderstorms reaching severe intensity could hit the state Wednesday night into Thursday morning ahead an approaching area of cooler, less humid air.

The National Weather Service has issued heat advisories for the Chicago area, much of Indiana and the Detroit area where heat indices up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.7 Celsius) were expected.
Google maps

Calling all hunters, fishers, and other outdoor enthusiasts: Bass Pro Shops is opening a new location in St. Louis next year.

According to a company press release, the store will be located in southwestern St. Louis County near the intersection of Interstate-44 and Interstate-270 at 3600 Lindbergh Bvld. The building was formerly home to Toys "R" Us and other retailers.
That release could not be found.
Outbreak greatest threat to Sandbox, says TAT Phuket chief

PHUKET: The rate of COVID-19 infections across the island is the greatest threat to the Phuket Sandbox scheme, with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) ready to launch a campaign specifically targeting US arrivals to stabilise the number of arrivals under the project, TAT Phuket Director Nanthasiri Ronnasiri has announced.

tourismCOVID-19Coronaviruseconomics

By The Phuket News

Thursday 12 August 2021, 12:10PM

The TAT will launch a campaign highlighting that Phuket is separated from the dark red high-risk COVID zones zones elsewhere in the country, TAT Phuket Director Nanthasiri Ronnasiri said. Photo: PR Phuket

Speaking at the daily COVID situation meeting led by Governor Narong Woonciew yesterday (Aug 11), Ms Nanthasiri noted that bookings had continued well for the first 10 days of August.

It is a good sign. In only 10 days there are already bookings for more than 140,000 room nights. It is expected that if the COVID-19 outbreak can be controlled well this high season [Oct-Feb], the economy may grow, she said.

Alluding to the killing of Phuket Sandbox tourist Nicole Sauvain-Weisskopf, Ms Nanthasiri noted that many situations occurred during the past week.

However, she added that news of Ms Sauvain-Weisskopfs death echoing around the world so far has had little effect on Sandbox bookings.

She said that following the incident, TAT Phuket contacted TAT branches in 29 countries around the world to assess the impact on tourists concerns, she noted.

Initially, it has had no effect. This is consistent with the number of bookings that are still increasing. July closed with 190,000 room nights booked. As for this month [August], it has been a good start Only 10 days in, total bookings reached 148,000 room nights. And the total number of people who have arrived under the Sandbox project since July 1 has reached a total of 19,166 people, Ms Nanthasiri said.

Ms Nanthasiri highlighted the arrival of Cathay Pacific flight from Hong Kong as good news. The flight brought another 150 long-haul tourists from Hong Kong, America, Canada, Germany and Belgium, she said.

But the concern is probably the number of daily infections in the country. This may affect the confidence of foreign tourists in travel decisions. Yesterday, the United States declared Thailand a Level 4 very high risk area, advising not to avoid travel to Thailand, but it is not yet a travel ban, she said.

The TAT has therefore accelerated public relations in the area of city marketing, separating Phuket from Thailand, Ms Nanathasiri said.

To point out that Phuket is ready to receive tourists under the Phuket Sandbox project, because the number of infected people we have is still under control, she added.

There are measures to take care of the safety of tourists. There is an emergency medical team of public health officers ready to take care of tourists. By trying to communicate these images, we will try to motivate, make visual mark [sic], promote online business and provide updates to build confidence, she continued.

Ms Nanthasairi pointed out that the US so far is the number one source market for tourists arriving under the Phuket Sandbox scheme. The TAT has therefore communicated to TAT offices in the US and Canada to accelerate understanding [of the situation], she said.

The TAT is ready to move forward in marketing to promote Phuket tourism by July and August, with success in September considered as the target, she added.

We are in negotiations with various airlines that have replied that they are still flying to Phuket as planned There is also an additional airline that wants to fly in.

During the month of October, which marks the beginning of the high season, there should be more tourists fleeing the cold coming in. This should have a positive effect on Phuket tourism, the Phuket Sandbox and the overall economy of the country, Ms Nanthasiri concluded.
Protester who blew his hand off with firework has COVID

BANGKOK: The young anti-government protester who blew his own hand off while preparing to throw a firework has COVID-19, according to police.

politicsviolenceCOVID-19

By Bangkok Post

Thursday 12 August 2021, 04:20PM

A 14-year-old anti-government protester, who blew his own hand off while preparing to throw a firework at a demonstration in Din Daeng district on Wednesday, rests in an intensive care unit at Ramathibodi Hospital on Thursday. Photo: Supplied

Pol Col Kissana Phatthanacharoen, deputy spokesman for the Royal Thai Police Office, said late Wednesday night (Aug 11) that the 14-year-old protester tested positive for the virus while receiving treatment for his severely injured hand in an intensive care unit at Ramathibodi Hospital, reports the Bangkok Post.

The deputy spokesman said that the teenager lit the large firework near Din Daeng intersection on Wednesday. It exploded before he could throw it, and the impact blew away part of his left hand.

A police source said the teenager, who was wearing a vocational students workshop shirt, was a student in a non-formal education system.

Col Kissana dismissed as fake news a report that police forced the teenager to hold the lit firework until it exploded.

Anti-government protesters clashed with riot police at Din Daeng intersection and its vicinity on Wednesday evening.

Pol Lt Gen Pakapong Pongpetra, commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, said on Thursday (Aug 12) that 11 riot policemen were injured with fireworks, ping pong bombs, glass marbles and stones. Besides, eight government vehicles and 12 traffic light kiosks were torched on Wednesday.

The damage to government property will cause unnecessary waste of the government budget, he said.

According to the Bangkok police chief, police arrested 17 demonstrators at Victory Monument on Wednesday  15 men and two women. All were charged with illegal assembly causing unrest and resistance to a police order to end their rally.

Pol Maj Yingyot Thepchamnong, spokesman for the Royal Thai Police Office, said several of the arrested protesters also tested positive for COVID-19.

On Thursday morning, police arrested Arthit Sakolwaree, 20, at a dormitory in Phra Pradaeng district, Samut Prakan, and Namchiaw Neamchan, also 20, at an apartment in Chom Thong district, Bangkok, on suspicion of illegal assembly risking disease transmission and setting ablaze a police prisoner transport truck at the Victory Monument last Saturday.

Lt Gen Pakapong quoted Mr Arthit as saying that he only threw a ping pong bomb at the police truck and the explosion did not set it alight. Meanwhile, Mr Namchiaw confessed to setting fire to the truck.

Mr Namchiaw had earlier been prosecuted for physical assault, the Bangkok police chief said.

Both suspects were charged with arson, illegal assembly causing unrest and violation of the executive decree on public administration in emergency situations and the Communicable Diseases Act.

In the suspects rooms, police found improvised explosive devices, flares and the clothes they used last Saturday, Lt Gen Pakapong said.
The importance of mangroves

The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) late last month joined the rest of the world in celebrating the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, which is observed each year to raise awareness of the global importance of preserving mangroves. Here, Dr Theresa Mundita S. Lim, Executive Director of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, explained the importance and benefits of protecting the worlds most productive ecosystems.

Environment

By The Phuket News

Thursday 12 August 2021, 12:47PM

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, an ASEAN Heritage Park in Singapore. Photo: ACB

Mangroves in the ASEAN are rich and diverse, armouring communities against the cruel impacts of climate change and, at the same time, underpinning community livelihoods as well as economies. The region hosts 42% of mangrove forests in the world, with an estimated total area of 42,914 square kilometres as of 2020. At least 47 out of the 70 known mangrove species in the world can be found in the region, according to the database of the ASEAN Clearing House Mechanism.

It is worthy to note how crucial these ecosystems are in supporting the interconnectivity of key biodiversity areas. As they link the land and the sea, mangrove systems receive nutrients and organic matter from terrestrial ecosystems, estuaries, and marine systems. These nutrient-rich ecosystems serve as habitats for land animals and nesting and breeding areas for fish and shellfish, migratory birds, and sea turtles. The benefits arising from mangrove ecosystems extend to nearby ecosystems such as fisheries. By serving as nursery habitats, mangrove areas allow key marine species to thrive before moving to other areas as they mature.

In Thailand, for instance, the Ao Phang Nga - Mu Ko Surin - Mu Ko Similan National Park, a designated ASEAN Heritage Park (AHP), has one of the countrys most extensive and best-preserved mangrove forests that support marine species like the critically endangered black finless porpoise and green sea turtles.

Apart from cleaning and filtering out pollutants from the water before it reaches the ocean, mangroves sturdy root systems form a natural barrier against storm surges and floods.

Similarly, several studies show that the movement and exchange of organic carbon among ecosystems support the networks of coastal ecosystems that release and trap carbon and nutrients from adjacent ecosystems. With their high carbon sequestration and storage capacity, mangrove systems, along with seagrass and coral reefs, are considered tools for climate change mitigation.

These valuable contributions to climate mitigation and adaptation and the peoples welfare are enough reasons for us to do more to protect these ecosystems. At this point, amid the more frequent and intense climate-related disasters coming our way, actions to integrate biodiversity considerations into programmes and policies are even more dire and urgent. Biodiversity and climate change issues are interdependent and should not be tackled separately.

Over the years, we have seen the decline of mangroves, losing over 26% of all mangroves in the ASEAN region alone from 1980 to 2005, largely due to human-driven activities, such as logging and conversion to other uses. The first step to address the loss of mangroves is to assess and appreciate the true value of mangrove systems. Taking into account the opportunity costs of losing nature brings us closer to the best possible solution for our present woes.

At the regional and national levels, there are increasing efforts to protect and restore mangroves and other crucial ecosystems. In Brunei Darussalam, the government is paying close attention to widening the coverage of its mangroves and peat swamp forests in the development of its national biodiversity strategies and plans. To quote the statement of Dr Nor Imtihan Binti Haji Abdul Razak, permanent secretary for planning, land use, and environment of Brunei Darussalams Ministry of Development, and chair of the ASEAN Senior Officials on the Environment during an online event recently led by the ACB: every decision made for development requires consideration for nature and biological resources.

This August, the ACB, together with the ASEAN Secretariat, will formally launch the ASEAN Green Initiative, which aims to plant and grow 10 million native trees in 10 years across the region. The initiative, which is in line with the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, encourages the use of local species and the active participation of the community and local experts to ensure that ecosystems are effectively restored to their healthy and stable state.

Indeed, the role of communities to protect mangroves is important. The ACB continues to support civil society organisations through the Small Grants Programme, in cooperation with the German Development Bank (KfW) in enabling communities to restore and protect ecosystems and improving livelihood opportunities. One of the programmes sites is a designated AHP, Meinmahla Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary, an extensive mangrove forested island. The project is ongoing despite some setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

I am likewise pleased that biodiversity and nature-based solutions are high on the agenda of the ASEAN Member States based on earlier pronouncements made, including more recently at the online event co-convened by the ACB and the United Kingdom COP26 Presidency.

On this occasion, let us take this opportunity to motivate each other to work closely together and step up efforts for the protection of natures marvels, for we are part of nature.

 Dr Theresa Mundita S. Lim

Executive Director, ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity
Today

Windy. Some showers early then partly cloudy for the afternoon. High 64F. Winds NW at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 70%.

Tonight

Clear to partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 43F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph, becoming SSE and decreasing to less than 5 mph.

Tomorrow

Sunshine and clouds mixed. High 81F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph.
Sakina, who is 11 or 12, was forced from her Afghanistan home last month by the Taliban. She told The Associated Press that she walked with her family for 10 days after the Taliban seized her village in northern Afghanistan and burned down her school.
WARSAW, Poland (AP)  Polands parliament voted Wednesday in favor of a bill that would force Discovery Inc., the U.S. owner of Polands largest private television network, to sell its Polish holdings and is widely viewed as an attack on media independence in Poland.

The draft legislation would prevent non-European owners from having controlling stakes in Polish media companies. In practice, it only affects TVN, which includes TVN24, an all-news station that is critical of the nationalist right-wing government and has exposed wrongdoing by Polish authorities.

Lawmakers voted 228-216 to pass the legislation, with 10 abstentions.

The bill must still go to the Senate, where the opposition has a slim majority. The upper house can suggest changes and delay the bill's passage, but the lower house can ultimately pass it as it wishes. It would then go to President Andrzej Duda, an ally of the right-wing government.

Discovery said it was extremely concerned and appealed to the Senate and Duda to oppose the project. Polands future as a democratic country in the international arena and its credibility in the eyes of investors depend on this, it said.

The vote in parliament followed two days of political upheaval that saw the prime minister on Tuesday fire a deputy prime minister who opposed the media bill.

The ruling party appeared earlier Wednesday not to have the votes, but found them after all.

There was also tension on the street after the vote, with protesters gathering in front of parliament. Some clashed with police and were detained.

The media bill is viewed as a crucial test for the survival of independent news outlets in the former communist nation, coming six years into the rule of a populist government that has chipped away at media and judicial independence.

The ruling party has long sought to nationalize media in foreign hands, arguing it is necessary for national security. Ejecting TVNs American owner from Poland's media market would be a huge victory for the government, coming after the state oil company last year bought a large private media group.

Its political opponents, however, believe that TVNs independence is tantamount to saving media freedom and see the survival of Polands democracy as being on the line.

TVNs all-news station TVN24 is a key source of news for many Poles but it is also a thorn in the governments side. It is often critical and exposes wrongdoing by officials. The governments supporters consider it biased and unfairly critical.

Government critics have long feared that Poland was following a path set by Hungary, where Prime Minister Viktor Orban has gained near-total control over the media as private outlets have either folded or come under the control of the leader's allies.

TVN represents the largest ever U.S. investment in Poland. The company was bought for $2 billion by another U.S. company, Scripps Networks Interactive, which was later acquired by Discovery.

The draft bill was adding to strain between Poland and the United States.

On Wednesday, the parliament also passed another bill opposed by the U.S. and Israel  a law that would prevent former Polish property owners, among them Holocaust survivors and their heirs, from regaining property expropriated by the countrys communist regime.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement Wednesday that the United States was deeply troubled by the legislation targeting TVM.

Poland has worked for decades to foster a vibrant and free media, Blinken said. This draft legislation would significantly weaken the media environment the Polish people have worked so long to build.

___

AP Diplomatic Writer Matthew Lee contributed to this report.
ATHENS, Greece (AP)  Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Thursday described the devastating wildfires that burned across the country for more than a week as the greatest ecological catastrophe Greece had seen in decades.

The fires broke out as the country roasted during the most intense and protracted heat wave experienced since 1987. Hundreds of wildfires erupted across the country, stretching Greeces firefighting capabilities to the limit and leading the government to appeal for help from abroad. Hundreds of firefighters, along with planes, helicopters and vehicles, arrived from 24 European and Middle Eastern countries to assist.

We managed to save lives, but we lost forests and property, Mitsotakis said, describing the wildfires as the greatest ecological catastrophe of the last few decades.

Speaking during a news conference in Athens, his first since the fires broke out, Mitsotakis said authorities had faced around 100 active blazes each day. By Thursday, the situation was much improved, with most large wildfires on the wane.

But the prime minister warned the danger of more blazes was still present.

We are in the middle of August and its clear we will have difficult days ahead of us until the main season during which fires break out is over, he said.

The climate crisis  Id like to use this term, and not climate change  the climate crisis is here, and it shows us everything needs to change he said, adding he was ready to make the bold changes needed.

This is a common crisis for all of us, he said.

Several Mediterranean countries have suffered intense heat and quickly spreading wildfires in recent weeks, including Turkey, where at least eight people have died, and Italy. In Algeria, wildfires in the mountains have killed at least 69 people.

Worsening drought and heat  both linked to climate change  have also fueled wildfires this summer in the Western United States and in Russias northern Siberia region. Scientists say there is little doubt that climate change from the burning of coal, oil and natural gas is driving more extreme events.

Greece's largest fire broke out on the countrys second-largest island of Evia on Aug. 3 and was still smoldering on Thursday, after having destroyed most of the islands north.

More than 50,900 hectares were damaged in northern Evia, according to mapping from the European Unions Copernicus Emergency Management Service. Entire mountains of mainly pine forest have been reduced to wastelands of blackened stumps, while olive and fig tree plantations and vineyards were also destroyed.

More than 850 firefighters, including hundreds from the Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Poland and Moldova, were continuing efforts to prevent flare-ups in the area, assisted by nine helicopters and eight aircraft, including two massive Ilyushin 11-76 water-dropping planes sent by Russia.

Two major fires were also still burning in the southern Greek region of the Peloponnese, while the fire department said Thursday evening that 106 blazes had broken out across Greece in the previous 24 hours.

The government prioritized protecting lives in its fire response, issuing dozens of evacuation orders for villages in the path of the flames. In that respect, the policy appears to have worked. One volunteer firefighter died while working in an area north of Athens hit by a major fire, after being hit by a falling electricity pole. Four volunteer firefighters have been hospitalized with burns, including two in critical condition in intensive care.

Greek authorities had been anxious to avoid a repetition of the summer of 2018, when a fast-moving wildfire engulfed a seaside settlement near Athens, killing more than 100 people, including some who drowned trying to escape by sea.

But the current tactic of evacuation orders has come under criticism by many residents and local officials in areas affected by this years fires, who have argued the orders were premature. They point to those who ignored the evacuation messages, staying behind to fight the flames and managing to save their homes.

We managed to protect thousands of people. But we lost forests and property, Mitsotakis said during his press conference. And we are here to talk about everything ... (including) where nature found us unprepared.

The government has also come under criticism for not deploying enough firefighting planes and helicopters, and not sending them soon enough, particularly to Evia. Authorities have countered that the aircraft were flying wherever possible, but that the entire firefighting fleet cannot be airborne at the same time, as some need to land for essential servicing.

Asked about the cause of the fires, and whether an organized campaign of arson was suspected, Mitsotakis said it was certain that some of the fires in the last few days were the result of arson. Several people have been arrested over the past few days on suspicion of attempting to start fires, including some who are accused of doing so deliberately.

However, he added it was unclear whether this was a result of an organized plan, and noted that the hot, dry conditions had aided the spread of wildfires.

___

Follow all AP stories on climate change issues at https://apnews.com/hub/climate
BERLIN (AP)  Germany's governing parties made an unusual show of solidarity with their main challengers Thursday by denouncing an advertising campaign targeting the environmentalist Greens.

The ads that appeared on posters in dozens of German cities less than two months before the country's national election feature a wilted version of the Green party's sunflower symbol, phrases such as climate socialism and eco terrorism, and the hashtag #GruenerMist, which means Green Garbage.
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP)  Indonesia's Foreign Ministry apologized Thursday for the manhandling of a Nigerian diplomat and announced it had launched a formal investigation of the incident.

Nigeria earlier this week recalled its ambassador to Indonesia and summoned Indonesia's ambassador in Abuja for talks after a leaked video of Saturday's incident went viral on social media and prompted outrage.

The video shows three Indonesian immigration officials pinning the diplomat, whose name has not been released, into the back seat of a moving vehicle. One immigration official holds the diplomat's arm and another pushes on his head as the man screams I can't breathe and my neck, my neck.

Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Teuku Faizasyah told reporters that there had been multiple meetings with Nigerian officials since the incident, including discussions with the ambassador in Jakarta on Wednesday.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs regrets the incident on August 7th, Faizasyah said. This is an isolated incident, and is in no way related to the commitment of the Indonesian government in carrying out its obligations as host country or in accordance with the Vienna convention on diplomatic relations.

He said that the incident had been investigated by the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, which oversees immigration authorities, but did not give any details of the results and did not take any questions.

Nigeria on Tuesday issued a statement expressing outrage over the incident, saying the government condemns in the strongest terms what is, in effect, an egregious act of international delinquency."

The Nigerian Foreign Ministry said it had summoned the Indonesian ambassador to protest strongly, and had recalled its ambassador to Indonesia for consultations, including a review of bilateral relations.

It was not clear whether Ambassador Usman Ogah ever left Indonesia, however, as the Indonesian Foreign Ministry said he was present in person for the talks in Jakarta on Wednesday.

According to Indonesian authorities, the diplomat was picked up by immigration officers after they received a tip about a group of foreign nationals whose residence permits had expired.

The diplomat was uncooperative and refused to turn over his documents when confronted in the lobby of an apartment building, so was taken into custody, according to Ibnu Chuldun, the head of the Jakarta branch of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, which handles immigration issues.

In the car, the man was held down after he attacked immigration officials, Chuldun alleged in a statement following the incident.

Only after being questioned at the local immigration office did the man say he was a diplomat and produce his identity documents, he said.

Chuldun said the incident was settled amicably the same day after the Nigerian ambassador personally came to the immigration office to intervene.

Both parties acknowledged that there had been a misunderstanding and agreed to make peace, Chuldun said.

The diplomatic moves from Nigeria that followed, however, suggest that the matter was not entirely resolved.

___ Rising reported from Bangkok.
WOOD RIVER  KayLee Melton from Wood River has become a Gold Award Girl Scout, a designation she earned by creating a music program for special education students at her school, according to the Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois.

Melton has always had a passion for helping others, especially those with special needs. As a sophomore, she met with the Special Education director at her school and volunteered with her classes. After that, she was certain these were the students she wanted to work with for her Gold Award project.
RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP)  A Palestinian man succumbed Wednesday to a gunshot wound suffered during clashes with Israeli forces last week in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian health officials said.

Dia al-Din Sabarini, 25, was shot in the stomach Aug. 3 during a raid by Israeli security forces in the northern West Bank city of Jenin, the official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported, citing the health ministry.

Sabarini was hospitalized in critical condition and died of his wounds Wednesday. Five other Palestinians were shot by Israeli troops during the incident.

In a statement, the Israeli army said troops operating in Jenin came under attack from gunfire, explosives, firebombs and rocks before soldiers returned fire at the attackers. The military reported that no soldiers were injured, but that their armored vehicles were damaged by gunfire.

Last month, Israeli troops opened fire on a car in the southern West Bank town of Beit Ummar, killing a 12-year-old as he and his family were driving. The killing sparked two days of protests in which another Palestinian was killed in clashes with Israeli soldiers.

Two other Palestinians were shot and killed in recent weeks near the West Bank town of Beita, which has seen repeated clashes between Israeli troops and Palestinian protesters over the establishment of a nearby settlement outpost.

Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Mideast war and has established dozens of settlements where nearly 500,000 settlers reside. The Palestinians want the West Bank as part of their future state and view the settlements as a major obstacle to resolving the conflict.
SPRINGFIELD  A record 2.35 billion bushels corn crop is expected this fall in Illinois, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The figure does not reflect wind-damaged corn reported this week in northern and northcentral Illinois.

According to its Illinois Crop Production Report released Thursday, 11.2 million acres of corn were planted in Illinois this spring, down 1 percent from last year. The harvested area is forecast at 11 million acres, also down 1 percent.

The projected bushels per acre yield for the 2021 crop is forecast at a record 214 bushels per acre, up 22 bushels from last year.

A record soybean harvest also is foreseen, projected at 682 million bushels, or 13 percent more than last year.

Planted area is estimated at 10.70 million acres, up 4 percent from last year. Harvested area, forecast at 10.65 million acres, is up 4 percent from 2020.

Based on Aug. 1 conditions, the Illinois soybean yield is forecast at a record 64 bushels per acre, up 5 bushels from 2020.

The USDA also reported the winter wheat harvest this year totaled 650,000 acres, up 25 percent from the previous year. The winter wheat yield is forecast at 80 bushels per acre, up 12 bushels from 2020.

Production is forecast at 52 million bushels, up 47 percent from last year.
The U.S. Census Bureau will soon release data from the 2020 Census that will help some lawmakers make redistricting decisions and draw new maps for states based on population. But the Census Bureau says that this data will do more than just redistricting, as it has the potential to impact where roads and hospitals are built, where funding is sent and even how areas prepare for a potential future pandemic.

The new data shows population counts and demographic characteristics down to the block level. These statistics will tell us many things, including county and city population density and age. The data will be released in two sets, first, the Aug. 16 legacy format, which will take some skill navigating, before being released in more user-friendly highlights in September.

The Census Bureau was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic in supplying this new data, which "plays an important role in our democracy," per Dr. Ron Jarmin, acting director of the Census Bureau.

"We've understood the urgency to provide this critical data," Jarmin said. "We've produced the reliable data both we and the public expect. We believe this new data meets our high standards and it's too early to speculate on potential over counts or under counts of any group. Overall, the 2020 Census results are in line with population benchmarks."

The 2020 Census data also makes use of a new tool to ensure confidentiality of responses, called differential privacy. It makes data vaguer, adding noise or "fuzziness" to protect the data at the most granular level. This has the potential to throw off data when looking at very small groups, but the Census Bureau does not expect it to interfere with decisions made at the larger scale.

"Confidentiality of responses was a priority for people and we took that seriously and made sure people could trust that the information they provided us was kept confidential," Jarmin said. "We are confident at the level of aggregation needed for drawing boundaries when you sum the data up, you get very good resolution. For very small groups, there could be some fuzziness, but thats needed to keep confidentiality."

The new data shows that the total population as of April 1, 2020 in the United States was 331,449,281 people. The data also shows that Illinois has started to shrink in population, losing people along with Alabama and West Virginia.

However, the St. Louis metropolitan region remains in the highest population density group, as people continue to move into metropolitan areas and away from smaller population areas. In fact, 86.3% of the population in America now lives in metropolitan areas.

Almost all counties in Illinois lost population from 2010 to 2020, including both Madison and Morgan counties, as well as numerous surrounding counties. The Census Bureau found that only two types of counties grew in population from 2010 to 2020, counties with 50,000 people to 99,999 people (which grew 4.1% overall in the decade) and counties with 100,000 people or more (which grew 9.1%).

Chicago was the slowest growing of the 10 most populous cities in America, but returned to growth from 2010 to 2020 after losing population from 2000 to 2010.

Overall, the U.S. population growth slowed, as only the 1930s had slower growth. Most counties in the country saw population decline as more populous counties grew, almost entirely in metro areas.

Illinois was one of the most diverse states in the country, with a 60.3% diversity score, meaning that a random sampling of two people in the state had a 60.3% likelihood of being from two different race groups.

Across the country, the group of people identifying as white in combination with another race grew while the percentage of people identifying as white alone dropped. The population of people identifying as "some other race in combination with another race" grew the most, 733% from 2010.

A new snapshot of the racial and ethnic composition emerged. White population remains the largest racial group. White in combination grew while white alone fell in terms of percentage. Black in combination also grew faster than Black alone. "Some other race" grew the most but in combination 733% since 2010.

"These results are not surprising and are in line with earlier data," said Nicholas Jones, chief of the Census Bureau's Racial Statistics branch. "This census allowed us to more accurately portray how people self-identify in response to two separate questions. It allows us to measure more accurate racial and ethnic diversity."

The Census Bureau will continue to release new results over the coming years. More information can be found here.
ATHENS, Greece (AP)  All 18 people who were on board a British-flagged yacht that sank off the Greek island of Milos have been rescued , Greece's coast guard said Thursday.

The passengers and crew members of the 30-meter yacht, all Greeks, were picked up from the sea by a passenger boat, a nearby cargo ship and a launch, and were transported to the main port on Milos.


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Today

Cloudy skies. Slight chance of a rain shower. High near 80F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph..

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Cyber security firm Avast has been sold to American rival Norton in a 6.2billion deal.

The London-listed company, which is based in Prague, revealed it was in merger talks last month.

A deal has now been done with Norton, which intends to pay with cash and shares. The merger will create a cyber security giant with annual revenues of 2.5billion and more than 500m customers.

Tech merger: Avast has been sold to American rival Norton in a 6.2bn deal which will create a cyber security giant with annual revenues of 2.5bn and more than 500m customers

Vincent Pilette, chief executive of Norton, said his company was strong in identity theft protection whereas Avast was strong in privacy. He added: 'We both have the vision of a common platform.'

Avast shares rose 3.1 per cent, or 17.6p, to 586p. Founded in the Czech Republic, its 'freemium' software, offers basic services for free, and sophisticated ones for a price.

It had 435m active users at the end of 2020, of whom 16.5m were paying. Norton, previously known as Symantec, has a larger premium business which sells software to combat viruses, spyware, malware and other attacks.

After the merger, likely to complete in 12 months, Avast shareholders are expected to hold 14 to 26 per cent of the company.

This will depend on whether they choose to be paid in cash or shares.

The companies plan to slash shared costs, notably by cutting staff from 5,000 to 4,000, and will also aim to wring out 202million of other savings. There will be two HQs  in Prague and, Arizona.

Analysts at Jefferies said the deal 'looks strategically sensible but investors are unlikely to feel the offer is particularly generous'.

Shareholders who choose to be paid mainly in cash will see their Avast shares valued at about 608.4p.

Those who choose mostly Norton stock will see their Avast shares valued at about 551p.
Phoenix is on the acquisitions hunt again after its successful 3.2billion takeover of Standard Life.

The company is a specialist in buying up the books of life insurance business that were closed to new customers, and then squeezing out cost savings.

But after buying Standard Life in February from Abrdn (formerly Standard Life Aberdeen), Phoenix could now develop open books as well.

Acquisitions hunt: Phoenix Group is a specialist in buying up the books of life insurance business that were closed to new customers, and then squeezing out cost savings

Chief executive Andy Briggs said it will consider larger or smaller businesses  and has 1.4billion available for deals.

Phoenix has decided to keep the Standard Life International brand, which has operations in Germany and Ireland, and could use this to expand in Europe.

First-half profits rose 46 per cent to 527million, below the 539million analysts expected.

But it said it was on track to hit the upper end of its target to generate 1.5billion to 1.6billion in cash in 2021, after generating 872million in the first half.

It plans an interim dividend of 24.1p per share. The shares fell 2.2 per cent, or 15.4p, to 684.6p.
An American aerospace company has launched an audacious attempt to gatecrash the 6.3billion takeover of British group Meggitt.

Transdigm has proposed buying the FTSE 250 defence contractor for 900p per share.

This values Meggitt at a whopping 7billion and far outweighs an 800p bid from another American company,  Parker Hannifin  that Meggitt's board agreed to last week.

Target acquired: US aerospace firm Transdigm has proposed buying Meggitt for 900p per share which values the FTSE 250 defence contractor at a whopping 7bn

Meggitt's shares rose 16.1 per cent, or 115p, to 830p last night, indicating that shareholders believe Transdigm could successfully hijack the deal.

Transdigm has not yet put in a formal offer, so Meggitt's board are still backing Parker. But even if it wins the company's support, Transdigm could still face an uphill battle to convince ministers a sale would not put Britain's national security at risk.

Parker's approach triggered outcry among MPs and military figures, such as former head of the Royal Navy Admiral Lord West, who said there was a 'real risk' it could compromise security. Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng was already monitoring Meggitt's talks with Parker.

The issue has been compounded by a takeover frenzy that has seen private equity firms and foreign companies swoop on British companies.

This includes another FTSE 250 firm, Ultra Electronics, whose sale has also raised alarm.

Coventry-based Meggitt traces its origins back to the 1850s and now has a 9,000 staff, including more than 2,000 in the UK, and makes parts for planes and military aircraft.

This includes making 'black boxes' for the RAF's Typhoon jets and the wheel and brake systems for American F-35s.

Transdigm, which is worth 25billion, was founded in 1993 and has risen to become a member of New York's S&P 500 index.

It has been a serial dealmaker, buying up around 60 businesses in its first 25 years, and is split into around 46 companies.

These make everything from parachutes to pumps and valves. In January it bought the aerospace and connectivity arm of former FTSE 250 group Cobham for 696million.

Both Parker and Transdigm are based in Cleveland, Ohio, where the Wright Brothers worked on the world's first aeroplanes.

Parker's offer was 70.5 per cent higher than Meggitt's share price before the deal was announced  a huge premium by City standards.

But Transdigm's is a jaw-dropping 92 per cent higher.

Parker has undertaken to keep Meggitt's HQ in the UK and invest in research and development.

The offers, which were also an attempt to assuage ministers' doubts, have been heavily criticised as most are only valid for one year.

Meggitt yesterday said: 'The board will continue to consider carefully not only the financial terms of any offer but also Transdigm's plans for the company and the potential impact across all its stakeholders.'

These include Meggitt's staff, pension schemes and the Ministry of Defence.

Transdigm faces being treated warily as it has also pitched itself as having a 'private equity-like capital structure and culture'.

It aims to provide big returns and says it can create value, which, for private equity firms, often means it will buy a business but then break it up and sell many or all of the parts to the highest bidder.
Insurance giant Prudential is poised to complete the separation of its US business next month.

Jackson will be spun off following a shareholder vote this month, with investors getting one share in the company for every 40 Pru shares they hold.

The business is then expected to list on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker JXN.

Prudential is to spin-off its US arm Jackson following a shareholder vote this month, with investors getting one share in the company for every 40 Pru shares they hold

This will leave the Pru focused on Asia and Africa, with headquarters in London. Yesterday, it said it planned to fortify its balance sheet  and its war chest for expansion by raising up to 2.2billion.

Chief executive Mike Wells said offerings in London and Hong Kong would aim to increase the number of Asian shareholders.

He added: We are continuing to move toward the proposed demerger of Jackson, subject to shareholder approval.

The demerger will complete our strategic transformation to focus exclusively on our higher-growth businesses in Asia and Africa.

To enhance financial flexibility and de-lever the balance sheet, we continue to consider raising new equity.

'We believe there are clear benefits from increasing our Asian shareholder base and the liquidity of our shares in Hong Kong.

The Pru posted a paper loss of 3.3billion for the six months to June 30, compared to a 385million profit a year ago.

This was down to complex accounting rules, which say Jackson must be valued differently because it is being spun off, with its fair value cut by 5.4billion to 2.2billion.

Nicholas Hyett, an equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said that shareholders had been left no poorer by the accounting change and that the Pru was otherwise thriving.

It provides life and health insurance, as well as savings products, to 17m people in Asia and Africa, and is listed on the London, New York, Hong Kong and Singapore exchanges.

When excluding the Jackson revaluation, it reported a 772million half-year profit, up from 449million the previous year.

That was after new business jumped 29 per cent to 848million.

The Pru's chief exec Mike Wells (pictured), said offerings in London and Hong Kong would aim to increase the number of Asian shareholders

Hyett said: Clearly, Prus business model is pedalling along nicely, and we think that bodes well for the long term.

The immediate future is less certain, with lockdowns returning across many Asian economies in the face of spiking Delta variant cases, disrupting what is still a very analogue distribution system in many markets  reliant on banks and insurance brokers that cant open.

Abid Hussain, analyst at Shore Capital, added: Overall, the equity story and pivot to Asia remains attractive.

Asian insurance remains underpenetrated with growing populations of middle-class requiring products across the health and protection, savings and wealth spectrum.

The Pru was founded in London, 173 years ago and listed in the London in 1978. Recently, it has undergone a radical overhaul.

Its former UK and European operations  now known as M&G  were successfully spun off and listed in 2019, with the Jackson separation revealed this year.

Its head office staff are in Hong Kong, but Wells said the company had no intention of closing its London base.

He said: Weve got a tremendously talented staff in London, and they face off with key stakeholders there . Were not looking to get everybody in one building.

Yesterday, the stock rose 2.6 per cent, or 38p, to 1489.5p.
Online fashion star Boohoo has announced plans to create 5,000 jobs over the next five years, as it battles back from criticism over poor working conditions at suppliers.

The fast-growing retailer, which recently bought the Debenhams brand, said jobs will come from a 500million growth programme, as it expands its warehouse and builds new IT systems.

Jobs are expected to be created at both its head office in Manchester and warehouse in Burnley.

Boohoo's boss has also said that it will try to improve the environmental impact of fast fashion by making at least 20 per cent of its clothes sustainable by autumn and 40 per cent by next spring.

Boohoo co-founders Mahmud Kamani (left) and Carol Kane (centre) with boss John Lyttle (right). The online fashion retailer will create new jobs over five years

The announcement came as Boohoo published a report on its positive economic impact on the UK.

It claimed that Boohoo added 559.4million to the economy in the past year, meaning the business now accounts for 4.4 per cent of the total UK clothing and footwear retail sector.

The fashion retailer also claimed it supported 8,050 full-time roles and that for every job created by Boohoo and its brands, a further 1.7 were added to the wider economy.

The storm over suppliers and concerns over fast fashion's environmental impact have weighed heavily on Boohoo shares at a time when screening for Environmental, Social and Governance attributes are all the rage in the investment world.

Boohoo shares rose 4.1 per cent, or 10.9p, to 276.8p towards London market close, but remain well below their peak of just over 400p last summer.

Boohoo has been trying to shed its negative image following revelations that some of its suppliers in Leicester had been operating in sweatshop conditions.

Last summer, two of its factories in the UK were accused of poor working conditions and of paying as little as 3.50 to 4 an hour to workers producing its clothes.

The group has cut ties with hundreds of its suppliers since then, and pledged to link multimillion-pound bonuses for its directors with improvements in its supply chain.

But some shareholder groups and investors remain dissatisfied, with over 20 per cent of votes opposing the company's remuneration report at its annual general meeting in June.

Some 12 per cent of votes were also cast against the re-election of co-founder and executive director Carol Kane.

Paris Hilton, Jasmine Tookes, Romee Strijd, Elsa Hosk and Josephine Skriver at a Boohoo party

Over the past year, Boohoo has snapped up a series of failed high street names, including Coast, Karen Millen, Dorothy Perkins and Debenhams.

In 2021, they bought two new warehouses, one in Wellingborough and one in Daventry, both of which give the group an additional 1.845million square feet of space and support over 2,000 jobs, it added.

In logistics alone, the group employs 7,000 people at four distribution centres in the UK and ships between 190,000 and 230,000 parcels a day, which are handled by 13 main courier companies and supported an estimated 1,660 jobs in the last financial year, it said.

In the report, it also claimed that it moved over 1,400 agency colleagues from its warehouse teams onto permanent boohoo contracts in the last financial year.

Boohoo has released a positive impact report after coming under fire for claimed poor working practices at its suppliers (Pictured: Emma Claire attends the boohoo Black Friday gifting suite last year)

Sustainability has also become a key talking point in the sector, with shoppers opting to keep items of clothing for longer and move away from so-called 'throwaway fashion'.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Lives Wake Up To Money podcast, chief executive John Lyttle said sustainability will take several years to achieve.

He said: 'Were trying make the journey as sustainable as possible 20 per cent of all our ranges will be sustainable this autumn 40 per cent next spring/summer.'

He added: 'Theyre not going to be fixed in six and 12 months Its the same 2030 timeframe as combustible engines.'

Sustainability concerns: CEO John Lyttle said sustainability will take several years to achieve

However, there is no mention of this in its latest report 'Agenda for Change' published today.

However, Noelle Hatley, senior lecturer in fashion business at Manchester's Fashion Institute, told the BBC that brands were able to use the term 'sustainable' because there was 'no industry-wide agreement on its meaning'.

'40% is a reasonable target, but it all hinges on what they mean by sustainable and how much information they will actually share with the customers,' she said.
Aviva has bowed to activist pressure and agreed to hand back 'at least' 4billion to investors by next summer.

In a concession to Swedish investment firm Cevian, the British insurance group said it would launch an immediate share buy-back programme worth 750million.

It has announced a half-year dividend worth 7.4p per share or about 289million and is expected to outline further proposals.

Share buy-back: In a concession to Swedish investment firm Cevian, British insurance group Aviva said it would launch an immediate share buy-back programme worth 750m

Aviva's move follows demands from Cevian  its second-biggest investor  for larger returns to shareholders.

The hedge fund is run by Christer Gardell, who is known as 'the Butcher' for his ruthless and aggressive style.

Cevian has called for investor returns worth 5billion, cost cuts worth 500million by 2023 and a doubling of the annual dividend to 45p, all with the aim of lifting the insurer's share price above 800p.

Under Amanda Blanc, who took over as chief executive last summer, Aviva is expected to hit many of these targets.

She has vowed to focus more on its core markets of the UK, Ireland and Canada, flogging a string of the firm's other international divisions for 7.5billion.

Aviva boss Amanda Blanc (pictured) has vowed to focus more on its core markets of the UK, Ireland and Canada, flogging a string of the firm's other international divisions for 7.5bn

Aviva is also on track to wring out savings of 300million by next year, it confirmed yesterday.

However, Blanc's offer to return 4billion to investors yesterday falls short of the 5billion that Cevian has demanded.

Niko Pakalen, a partner at Cevian, said it was a 'good start' but 'would not be enough' on its own. 'We expect the company to return 5billion by the end of next year,' he said.

However, Blanc wants to use some of Aviva's cash to pay down debts by 1.7billion.

She said: 'We remain completely focused on transforming performance, capitalising on the breadth of Aviva, making insurance simple and easy for our customers, and creating value for our shareholders.'

She added that discussions would now be held with Cevian and other shareholders, saying the insurer's bosses were 'really pleased' with the plans set out.

'Hopefully everybody sees that in the same way,' she added, saying relations with Cevian bosses were 'constructive'.

Cevian revealed it had built a 5 per cent stake in Aviva earlier this year. Gardell, the hedge fund's managing partner, claimed the company has been 'poorly managed' for years, attacking high costs and 'bad decisions' made by bosses.

Aviva's announcement came as the firm reported 725million in adjusted half-year profits, up from 621million in 2020. The total worth of insurance premiums sold also rose, from 4.1billion to 4.4billion.
The national lockdowns over the past year have given people plenty of time to reflect on their jobs, lifestyles and passions.

This has led many to embrace their entrepreneurial spirit and work on a hobby or idea that has always been on the back burner due to career commitments.

Olympic sailing champion Hannah Mills MBE, gold medal winner in Tokyo, found herself in the same situation after the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games were called off at the start of the pandemic last year. With training on hold, she had the time to develop her sustainable not-for-profit brand the Big Plastic Pledge.

Here's how she did it - and how you could bring your passions to life in the form of a side hustle or full-time career.

Point of sail

Hannahs sustainable side hustle was launched in 2019 after the athlete, who won a silver medal at the Olympic Games London 2012 and a gold medal at the Olympic Games in Rio during 2016, was shocked by sailing through beaches, marinas and harbours that were littered with plastic.

She had always wanted to do something beyond sailing that gave her a feel-good factor, and tackling sustainability issues provided that opportunity.

'Growing up, I was obsessed with the Olympics and only thought about standing on the podium with a medal,' she says.

'I felt early on with my career that while I loved sailing, I wasnt necessarily delivering on other personal values of giving back and making a difference to more than just my sport.'

The two-time world champion decided to use her sporting background, networks and profile to raise awareness, change behaviour and influence others on environmental issues through an initiative called the Big Plastic Pledge.

To turbocharge her efforts, she used GoDaddy. Through their Websites & Marketing product, she was able to take the website to the next level, reaching her target audience at scale with new online toolkits and even incorporating new ecommerce capabilities, enabling her to sell sustainably sourced products direct to customers.

Plus, GoDaddy is helping to take the Pledge to the next level by developing, redesigning and hosting new toolkits for Hannahs network of Olympic ambassadors and to share tips with UK micro-businesses for ways to become more sustainable in their operations.

Riding the waves

She admits that the initial launch of the campaign, which aimed to eliminate single-use plastics from sport, felt rushed - but says the postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games gave her time to focus on the future aims of the campaign initiative.

'With the onset of the pandemic, I wasnt able to train, freeing up much of my time,' Hannah explains.

'I felt I was running to keep up with everything that was going on beforehand but the being out of my strict training regime gave me time to think about what we were doing and to focus on bringing athletes on board rather than doing lots of events.'

She also used the time in lockdown to upskill and took an eight-week sustainability course at a university which she said gave her a new perspective and clearer goals.

She explains: 'Learning again was really good and I came back to the Big Plastic Pledge with more clarity.'

This helped develop the pledge, which encourages athletes and people playing or involved in sport to commit to three out of nine sustainable changes.

These include refusing to use plastic straws and encouraging clubs and events to use alternatives to plastic.

More than 3,000 people have signed the pledge so far and Hannah is working with other athletes to promote it, and she's pushing the pledge as part of her role as a European Climate Pact Ambassador for the International Olympic Committee too.

Making dreams a reality with GoDaddy

Gaining traction through any type of business or campaign in a pandemic was always going to be a challenge due to restrictions on seeing people face-to-face. But Hannah says her website has played a key part in communicating the message clearly.

'We wanted the Big Plastic Pledge to be accessible globally and that is why we needed a website with the products and tools on-hand for us to deliver our message effectively.'

Via GoDaddy, Hannah has been able to spread her sustainability message on an international scale without needing any marketing expertise.

Their Website + Marketing package, for example, has ready-made templates for social media posts and marketing communications. All you need to do is fill in the details then GoDaddy does the hard work for you, giving your fledgling idea the support it needs to get off the ground.

For Hannah, this isnt just a temporary side hustle. She says she's in it for the long haul and still plans to make waves with her campaign once she retires from sailing.

'My passion and my drive is all around sustainability and sport,' she says.

'I want to maximise the network I have got through sailing and the Olympics to make a difference.

'These toolkits, built and launched in partnership with GoDaddy, make it manageable and achievable for businesses to cut down on plastics on an individual level, and have the potential to be incredibly powerful if used in numbers.'

Visit GoDaddy today to discover how they can help bring your business idea to life.
Forge Project, a brand-new Hudson Valley-based initiative that supports Indigenous communities and leaders working in the arts, food sovereignty, language revitalization and more, announced its first major initiative today.

Its first fellowship gives four Indigenous people the time and space to work on their projects, in addition to $25,000.

This is important because it raises the awareness of those in the Indigenous community who are doing the work in climate justice, or social justice, or cultural awareness, said Wisconsin-based Heather Bruegl, Director of Education at Forge Project, who is a part of the Oneida nation of Wisconsin and Stockbridge-Munsee. We understand that in order to do this work, it takes a lot of time, commitment and sacrifice.

The Hudson Valley is the ancestorial home of the Stockbridge-Munsee community, which is now located in Wisconsin through forced removal, explained Bruegl.

The fellowship, which will run annually, is based in Columbia County at a house designed by Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei  the only house he designed in the United States. A couple who collected his art hired him to design the home about 15 years ago.

In conjunction with the Swiss architectural firm HHF, the artist and architect created the main house in 2006, and the Y-shaped guesthouse a few years later. It sits on 37.5 acres and is comprised of four interconnected, cube-like buildings of corrugated galvanized iron. The home features walls of glass, along with massive gallery space to showcase an art collection.

Becky Gochman, founder of the Forge Project, purchased the minimalist home, located in Ancram. The main residence will remain as an art gallery space that holds work from Indigenous artists while the guesthouse will house the fellows when they visit.

She purchased this home with the intent of giving back in some way, shape or form, said Bruegl. Thats how the Forge Project and the fellowship came about.

The $25,000 fellowship, funded by Gochman, would play a small part in allowing Indigenous leaders some financial comfort to do social justice work.

We understand bills still have to be paid and daycare might be an issue, said Bruegl. The hope is that the funding removes financial and parental constraints so that its fellows can focus on their work.

The fellows will rotate throughout the year at the house.

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This is going to be a great project, said Bruegl. Im really hoping we can make a difference in the Indigenous community [by] raising the voices of Indigenous people who are doing really great work in the community.

The inaugural fellows include: architect and studio:indigenous founder Chris T. Cornelius (Oneida); artist and filmmaker Sky Hopinka (Ho-Chunk Nation/Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians); ecologist and researcher Jasmine Neosh (Menominee); and language preservation activist and Mohican language teacher Brock Schreiber (Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohicans).

Future fellowship cohorts will be a bit larger and chosen by a committee the Forge Project has put together. The next cohort will be chosen early next year.

The Forge Project encompasses three other main elements aside from the fellowship program, which include a farming and ecological education program in partnership with Sky High Farms, a lending art collection of work by Indigenous and Hudson Valley artists, and a program of direct financial support for community organizations doing work on social justice, food sovereignty and more.

Forge is led by Bruegl along with Executive Director Candice Hopkins (Carcross/Tagish First Nation) and Facilitator Zach Feuer, former director of sculpture park Art Omi, as well.
Last week, cannabis and medical marijuana company Cresco Labs announced its plans to build a major marijuana facility in the Town of Wawarsing in Ulster County. The cannabis cultivation and distribution plant, which is estimated to create 300 to 400 jobs, would be one of the biggest economic opportunities the Ellenville area has had in decades, Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan said at last weeks announcement.

But do residents want it? Does the town need it?

I remember when I was a little boy how Ellenville was in the 1950s and 1960s, said resident Robert Pollack, who has lived there since he was 4 years old. It was a very prosperous town  by the time I graduated college and was working in New York City, I saw little by little buildings disappear and businesses leave.

Long-time residents know what the Town of Wawarsing, and the village of Ellenville within it, can offer. Once a hotspot for travelers and manufacturing, the area has seen harder times in recent decades. The Nevele Grande Hotel in Wawarsing  among the Borscht Belt network of resorts that catered to primarily Jewish vacationers in the 1950s and 1960s, and once welcomed President Lyndon B. Johnson as a guest  closed in 2009, as have several manufacturing facilities like Channel Master, a maker of TV antennas and accessories, and Hydro Aluminum.

The Schrade knife company, which once operated a factory on the site being proposed for the new marijuana facility, folded in 2004 after more than 100 years in business.

Today, in the Town of Wawarsing, which has a population of 12,580, the median household income of $48,743 is lower than the county-wide median income of $64,304. And almost 18 percent of residents live in poverty, an amount that is 25 percent higher than the rate in New York, all according to U.S. census data.

Aside from the newest proposal, Ellenville welcomed three manufacturing businesses in 2020, including North American Apparel, EZ Fast Printing and Matrix New York, Inc., and City Marketing of New York, Inc. Combined, they have brought 60 jobs to the area.

Any kind of industry is a plus, said Pollack, who is in support of the marijuana facility, especially for the estimated hundreds of jobs it could bring to the area.

Weve had manufacturing here, said Pollack. This is the 21st-century business and manufacturing and a way to make money, create jobs and bring more prosperity back to the community. It will bring growth to the town, and I think other things will follow.

He also isnt worried about odors that are commonly associated with cannabis farms and facilities.

Michael Colella, who is running for the Town of Wawarsing council, said that hed rather see a different company move there.

We could use our available commercial property to bring in an industry that would be better for our community and society as a whole, Colella said via email, suggesting that the town should seek to attract a company in a different industry, like battery technology, electric cars or aerospace.

Finn Mauritzen, new to the area, said he does not support the proposed marijuana facility, because marijuana is a drug that was criminalized for years. Hes also not convinced that the plant would necessarily raise the quality of life for the people it employs.

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Every time you invite investors to come into your town, they may create a lot of jobs, but theyre not going to pay people any more than they have to to make them come back every day, said Mauritzen.

Tim Weidemann, Director of Economic Development at Ulster County, said the economic impact of the new facility will largely depend on its size, which is not yet finalized but is expected to be at least 360,000 square feet. The development would also require a minimum $50 million investment by Cresco, which operates 18 production facilities in 10 states.

Assistant Deputy County Executive Dan Torres said the agreement with Cresco would ideally include a stipulation to hire from the local labor force as the proposal moves forward.

The redevelopment would include the construction of a new building dedicated to growing marijuana and cultivation, in addition to space for processing, packaging, and distribution. There would also be space for administrative offices.

Right now, that site is a vacant, old industrial site, said Weidemann. Its not contributing much at all to the local economy through taxes.

Pending local and state approvals, construction of the cannabis facility could begin in early 2022.
ALBANY  Let's begin with a reminder that Andrew Cuomo's downfall was about much more than sexual harassment.

Yes, last week's damning report from the office of Attorney General Letitia James lit a fire under impeachment and made it impossible for the governor to continue. But it was the other report from James, the one about nursing homes, that really launched the long descent leading to Cuomo's resignation.

That report, released in January, found that the Cuomo administration had undercounted by thousands the number of nursing home residents who died from COVID-19. It also was critical of an infamous state order that required nursing homes to accept COVID-19 patients, asserting that the mandate "may have put residents at increased risk of harm."

The findings were a black eye for Cuomo, certainly, making clear that his administration had engaged in a cover-up intended to make the controversial order look less deadly. But it was also stain on Howard Zucker, the state's health commissioner.

Zucker, after all, had allowed state health data to be tainted by Cuomo's political influence  and during a pandemic, no less. When New Yorkers needed him most, he stood by while the Health Department became an arm of the governor's public-relations operation.

It gets worse. We later learned that Cuomo aides in 2020 had been allowed to rewrite a Health Department report on nursing homes, scrubbing an accurate death count from its pages.

According to the New York Times, the changes fueled bitter exchanges between Cuomo staffers and health experts alarmed at the politicization of official data. The conflict helped to explain an exodus of top health officials that included resignations by the deputy commissioner for public health and the director of the bureau of communicable disease.

Why would Zucker allow Cuomo's team to exert such influence? Why did he allow his department to become complicit in the governor's corruption? Why didn't the commissioner resign or stand up for his employees?

Why didn't he show more, you know, courage?

Sure, the governor's a noted bully who tends to get his way. But Zucker is a doctor, the state's chief physician. He has higher obligations than political expediency.

But let's move on to another Cuomo scandal in which Zucker and the Health Department played a key role. It's the one involving special COVID-19 testing for the governor's friends and family, with state health officials often dispatched to conduct the tests.

Here's just one example: Dr. Eleanor Adams, an epidemiologist and special advisor to Zucker, was sent to Chris Cuomo's home in the Hamptons to test the gubernatorial brother at a time when other New Yorkers struggled to obtain coronavirus tests. When her time wasn't being wasted on such errands, Adams was tasked with coordinating testing issues for nursing homes and other high-risk settings, according to the Washington Post.

In other words, a health official who could have been working to protect one of New York's most vulnerable populations was instead catering to the privileged brother of you-know-who. That's just ... well, it's hard to find the words to describe how awful that is. There may be no better example of Cuomo's self-serving hubris.

The VIP testing, probably illegal under the state's Public Officers Law, is corruption for which Cuomo was to blame and Zucker was again complicit. Together, the men shredded the integrity and reputation of the Health Department, which is no small thing. It is, after all, a department that New Yorkers need to trust, pandemic or not.

And that's why Zucker should follow Cuomo out the door. If the commissioner won't resign, incoming governor Kathy Hochul should fire him without a shred of regret.

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Zucker's departure would be a step toward rebuilding the credibility of a Health Department undermined by Cuomo's abuses. It would be a sign Hochul's administration understands that the department should be independent of political influence and meddling. It would be, most importantly, the right thing to do.

Zucker, like his soon-to-be-former boss, does not deserve to keep his job.

I asked whether Zucker expects to stay and received the following emailed statement: "We have a job to do and at my direction the state Health Department remains focused on our mission to protect the health and safety of all New Yorkers, as we continue to manage the public health response to the ongoing and unprecedented global pandemic during this transition."

Hochul gave a press conference Wednesday, her first since Cuomo announced his coming resignation, and distanced herself from the governor's bad behavior. The lieutenant governor even said any Cuomo employee cited for unethical behavior in James' report wouldn't have a job in her administration.

Hochul presumably meant the report on sexual harassment. But she shouldn't forget the other James report, the one that exposed the undercount of nursing home deaths. It, too, explains how Cuomo earned this disgrace.

cchurchill@timesunion.com  518-454-5442  @chris_churchill
ANGOLA, La. (AP)  Fire early Tuesday destroyed a woodshop work area and damaged a dormitory at the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola.

The fire started about 1 a.m. in the workshop next to Camp D Eagle 4 dorm, the state Department of Public Safety and Corrections said in a news release.

The prison's Volunteer Fire Department and West Feliciana Fire Department battled the blaze for 40 minutes before extinguishing it. The department said inmate fire safety training and staff response are being credited for the safe evacuation of all 94 prisoners in the dorm and 194 inmates from nearby dorms.

Because the prison is so far out in the country, if it were not for them this fire could have been much worse, Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc said. "Id like to also thank the inmates for participating in monthly fire drills, this proves why it is so important to be prepared.

There were no injuries to inmates or staff.

The camp's seven other dorms and two cellblocks were not impacted by the fire.

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The displaced inmates have been relocated to the chapel at Camp D.

The Louisiana State Fire Marshals Office is investigating to determine the cause of the blaze.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  Minnesota state government employees will be required to prove they've been vaccinated against COVID-19 or agree to undergo weekly testing before they can return to the office, Gov. Tim Walz announced Wednesday.

State agency employees who work in person will be required to show proof of vaccination and attest to their immunization status by Sept. 8, the announcement said. Employees who haven't been vaccinated by then will be required to test negative for the coronavirus at least once a week to work on site.

Vaccination is the best way to keep employees and the people we serve safe and ensure the delta variant does not derail our economic recovery, Walz, a Democrat, said in the statement.

Walz administration officials met before the announcement with leaders of the states public employee unions to discuss how the new requirements will be implemented. The two biggest unions representing state government workers said they still have questions, and one union leader said they weren't briefed until Wednesday morning. About 57% of the states 35,700 executive branch employees are currently required to be in the office.

The Democratic governor noted that many other Minnesota employers, health systems, the University of Minnesota and other colleges have announced similar requirements for their workers and students. The new requirement also applies to faculty and staff at schools in the separate Minnesota State college and university system, which has 15,000 employees.

According to the governor's office, at least seven other states have adopted similar rules, as has the military and other parts of the federal government.

Walz imposed the vaccination and testing requirements as the state experiences a steady increase in COVID-19 cases, driven almost entirely by the highly contagious delta variant. The overwhelming majority of new cases are among unvaccinated Minnesotans.

Breakthrough cases represent just a tiny fraction of the states immunized population, according to figures released Tuesday by the Minnesota Department of Health. Less than 0.2% of fully vaccinated Minnesotans have tested positive for the virus and even smaller proportions have been hospitalized or died because of the disease  figures that back up health officials who stress that vaccines save lives and prevent serious illnesses.

The pace of vaccinations has picked up as new cases and concern about the delta variant have grown. Minnesota providers more than doubled the number of first doses administered last week compared with their lowest point in July. More than 3 million Minnesota residents have completed the vaccine series, or over 66% of the population 16 and older, department figures show.

The governor's announcement included a reminder that unvaccinated Minnesotans who get their first shot between July 30 and Aug. 15 can go to a state website to claim a $100 gift card as a reward.

Megan Dayton, president of the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees, which represents about 15,000 white-collar workers, said the unions would have liked to have been more involved with developing the new rules.

"I'm not hearing a lot of opposition, but there are a ton of questions about this policy and things that werent thought through and maybe should have been before this was released, Dayton said in an interview.

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The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 5, which represents more than 18,000 state workers, said it would keep working to address their concerns while promoting the safety and efficacy of vaccines to its members.

In light of the resurgence of the COVID-19 virus, we will continue to work with all employers to ensure that workers voices, ideas, and concerns are truly heard in the decision-making process with regard to vaccine and testing mandates, their impacts, and questions/concerns regarding the implementation of the mandate," Julie Bleyhl, the union's executive director, said in a statement.

Republicans in the Legislature reacted coolly to the vaccine mandate. The requirements do not apply to the Legislature. The Republican-controlled Senate continues to let staff and members work remotely and to choose whether to wear masks or get vaccinated. The Democratic-controlled House imposed a mask mandate on Tuesday.

Vaccines are widely available for those who want them and are incredibly effective at preventing the spread and impact of COVID, Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, of East Gull Lake, said in a statement. "A vaccination mandate is divisive and unproductive.

___

This story has been updated to correct the percentage of Minnesotans 16 and up who have been vaccinated to over 66% instead of nearly 70%.
The frequency of anti-Asian incidents  from taunts to outright assaults  reported in the United States so far this year seems poised to surpass last year despite months of political and social activism, according to a new report released Thursday.

Stop AAPI Hate, a national coalition that became the authority on gathering data on racially motivated attacks related to the pandemic, received 9,081 incident reports between March 19, 2020, and this June. Of those, 4,548 occurred last year, and 4,533 this year. Since the coronavirus was first reported in China, people of Asian and Pacific Islander descent have been treated as scapegoats solely based on their race.

Lawmakers, activists and community groups have pushed back against the wave of attacks. There have been countless social media campaigns, bystander training sessions and public rallies. In May, President Joe Biden signed the bipartisan COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, expediting Justice Department reviews of anti-Asian hate crimes and making available federal grants. Those supporters should not feel discouraged because the data hasnt shifted much, Stop AAPI Hate leaders said.

When you encourage hate, its not like a genie in a bottle where you can pull it out and push it back in whenever you want," said Manjusha Kulkarni, co-founder of Stop AAPI Hate and executive director of the Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council. Theres too much perpetuating these belief systems to make them go away.

Several factors contributed to the data, from an increase in incidents to a greater desire to report, according to Kulkarni. As the economy opened up more in the past few months, it meant more public interactions and opportunities to attack, she said. Also, a bump in reporting typically occurs after a high-profile incident like the March 16 Atlanta-area spa shootings that left six Asian women dead.

There, too, is where we saw some that were incidents that had taken place weeks or months before, but they just were either not aware of our reporting center or didn't take the time to report, Kulkarni said.

The reports aggregated by Stop AAPI Hate are from the victims themselves or someone reporting on their behalf, like an adult child. Overall, the report found verbal harassment and shunning  interactions that dont qualify legally as hate crimes  make up the two largest shares of total incidents. Physical assaults made up the third. But their percentage of the incidents this year increased from last year  16.6% compared to 10.8%.

More than 63% of the incidents were submitted by women. Roughly 31% took place on public streets, and 30% at businesses.

Many Asian Americans and others blame former President Donald Trump for ratcheting up the danger by talking about the virus in racially charged terms. While Biden has demonstrated allyship, there is concern that a U.S. investigation into the origins of COVID-19 could lead to more hostility and treatment of Asian Americans as enemy foreigners.

We understand that other nation-states are competitors to the United States, and a number of them do have authoritarian regimes, Kulkarni said. "But the ways in which we talk about the people and the ways in which blame is assigned somehow looks different for communities of color than it does for, say, the Russian government or the German government."

Many of the headline-making attacks over the past year and a half have been against elderly Asian people on both coasts. In most of those cases, a senior was beaten, kicked, shoved or even stabbed out of nowhere. Several such incidents have been caught on video.

A U.S. Census survey released earlier this month found Asian American households were twice as likely as white households to admit they didn't have enough food throughout the pandemic because they were afraid to go out  not due to affordability or transportation issues. In contrast, other racial groups' households said they were experiencing food insecurity because of the pandemic. Asian American respondents didn't say specifically if it was fear of racial attacks that kept them at home.

Anni Chung, president and CEO of San Francisco-based Self-Help for the Elderly, says the seniors they help were hit by a "second virus that is a hate virus. The nonprofit provides food and programs to more than 40,000 older adults in the Bay Area, most of them Asian. The organization went from transporting a pre-pandemic load of 400 meals daily to over 5,000 per day. Last year, they gave out 963,000 meals overall compared with 436,000 typically.

Sometimes when we talk to seniors, they say this hatred drove them to be stuck in their house even worse than the pandemic," Chung said.

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For them, the fear is more than a headline but something in their own backyard.

One of our clients was on the bus. Right before the man got off the bus, he just punched her, Chung said. She said no one  not the bus driver and a number of Chinese on the bus  went to her care.

Giving into that fear means seniors have missed important things like doctor's appointments or exercise routines at the park. So, in June, with some funding from the city, Self-Help for the Elderly expanded a volunteer escort service to accompany seniors on errands or outings around Chinatown and other neighborhoods. It had more than 200 requests that month.

The onslaught of verbal and physical assaults has drawn more skepticism than sympathy from some. Peter Yu, a Republican U.S. Senate candidate in Colorado who is also Chinese American, came under fire last month for characterizing anti-Asian hate crimes as exaggerated.

I would welcome him to look at the data and see there has been a significant increase, Kulkarni said. This may be a situation when people refuse to see racism or misogyny. I think theyre just really refusing to see reality and how unfortunately, in the U.S, we have allowed those forces to prevent people from living their lives.

___

Tang reported from Phoenix and is a member of The Associated Press Race and Ethnicity team. Follow her on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ttangAP
ALBANY  A decision on whether the city of Albany will declare the Cafe Hollywood a public nuisance and shut it down wont be made for at least two weeks.

City Board of Zoning Appeals officials postponed a decision on shuttering what City Hall contends is a problem-plagued venue until bar owners and city officials have the opportunity to offer in-person rebuttals.

Each side outlined their case at a hybrid in-person/virtual hearing Wednesday night.

Mayor Kathy Sheehan issued an emergency declaration that temporarily closed the bar following a fatal shooting on July 23.

City officials, police and four neighborhood association leaders say its just the latest in a long string of violent altercations associated with the venue at 275 Lark St., incidents that ripple out into the surrounding residential neighborhoods and threaten their safety.

Cafe Hollywood owner Collin Christopher Rost vehemently denied his business was a magnet for violence, contending the long-running bar has invested heavily in security measures and that city officials have deliberately misrepresented alleged altercations.

Its unfortunate there are many crimes going on around us, Rost said. I dont think you can put it on Cafe Hollywood or any business.

But authorities argue otherwise, stating city police have responded to 120 service calls in 18 months at the location  and 45 in the past six months.

If we dont do something, its still going to continue, said Brad Glass, the citys director of planning and development, who presented the citys case on Wednesday. Its critical to prevent further violence and bloodshed in the area.

Glass was backed by Councilman Richard Conti, who represents the 6th Ward, which includes Lark Street and the surrounding neighborhoods.

Two violent episodes underpin the citys emergency declaration:

A man who was slashed with a machete on June 5 during a fight, and the slaying of Lamon Lanier, 34, who was shot in the head on July 23 around Willett Street and Hudson Avenue and later died. Albany police presented evidence at the hearing that they said squarely connected those and other episodes of violence to Cafe Hollywood.

We can actively place participants involved in this in this bar and in the area out front involving tumultuous activities in the area, and we believe its a direct result of the homicide of the individual on (July) 23, said Lt. Clifford Young.

Police also cycled through additional violent altercations they claim were connected to the nightlife hotspot, including suspects being apprehended with loaded handguns.

But Rost and his staff contend theyre not responsible for violence that happens outside of their venue, and have long pleaded with police to provide special details only to be rebuffed by authorities, purportedly citing a lack of manpower.

Rosts attorney, Trevor W. Hannington, called for police to do a survey of other venues in the neighborhood to provide an apples-to-apples comparison of police calls.

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He said he filed Freedom of Information Law requests for those materials that had gone unfulfilled as of Wednesday. And he said while unfortunate, Laniers death shouldnt be pinned on the venue.

A homicide that happens a block and a half away, I respectfully submit is not a nuisance from this bar, Hannington said.

Erica Gardner, the bars general manager, conceded the confrontation that ended with a man being slashed by a machete originated at Cafe Hollywood. But the attack occurred 56 minutes after the dispute ended, she said.

The venue has 18 security cameras and often closes early as a form of risk management, Gardner said, while their team of 10 to 15 security guards amounts to one for every eight to 10 patrons.

Gardner also questioned chatter surrounding the bars clientele, and wondered what the broader implications were.

What exactly does the clientele that we bring on mean? Gardner asked.

The city Board of Zoning Appeals will reconvene in two weeks. If Cafe Hollywood were to formally be declared a public nuisance, it would be required to close for at least two years.

Gost has owned the venue for 20 years, and worked there for 28.

The business has survived without one of these hearings for the entire time, he said.
COLONIE  Police have charged a third man with second-degree murder in connection with the May shooting of a Schenectady man in the parking lot of a Motel 6 on Curry Road.

Kenneth W. Spencer was arrested Wednesday in Greensboro, N.C., by U.S. marshals. Colonie police say Spencer, who was living in Schenectady when Xiaa Price was killed on May 11, fled to North Carolina after the slaying.

Spencer, 45, is being held in North Carolina as a fugitive from justice, pending extradition back to Albany County.

Last month, police charged 22-year-old Desirique Johnson of Schenectady with second-degree murder for his alleged role in the killing. Days after the slaying, police charged 23-year-old Paul A L Streeks, also of Schenectady, with second-degree murder and felony criminal possession of a weapon.

Price crashed his car in the motel parking lot after being shot. His brother was with him but was uninjured, relatives said.

Police have largely remained tight-lipped about a possible motive for the killing. But on Thursday, Police Lt. Daniel Belles acknowledged that robbery is one theory detectives are exploring as a possible motive.

Prices aunt, Sherain Rivera, has told the Times Union that at least three masked man were trying to rob her nephew before he was shot.

Belles said though the investigation is not over, police believe they have arrested all the suspects involved in Prices slaying.

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Price, who his aunt said was raised along with two siblings in a religious family and loved her soul food cooking, was buried on what would have been his 22nd birthday.

He died from a single gunshot near the motel, near the Rotterdam town line. Town police officers tried to revive him. He was alive at the scene but later died of the injuries.

It was not immediately clear if Spencer had a lawyer.
In his opinion piece, "State loses representation," Aug. 1, Joel K. Lefkowitz, an associate professor of political science at the State University of New York at New Paltz, rightly argues that the U.S. House of Representatives should be enlarged and names a questionable target of 611 members.

The average size of a House district, about 710,800 persons in the 2010 apportionment, is too large for adequate representation. This is easy to see: if one-half of the district each called their representative once a year for a 20-minute chat during business hours, the representative would need 57 staff workers just to receive the calls. How many more would be needed to process the messages? Enlarging the House addresses this problem.
SARATOGA SPRINGS  The Saratoga Race Course meet hit halftime Wednesday. With 20 days of racing remaining, the name atop the trainer standings at the Spa meet is a surprise. Mike Maker, who has had a dominant barn at Kentucky throughout his career, is holding onto first place here with 17 wins from 59 starters.

With plenty of races yet to come, the smart money would be on Chad Brown or Todd Pletcher to be on top when Labor Day comes. For now, though, the man they all have to catch is the 52-year-old Maker. Last summer, Maker had his best Saratoga meet as he won 20 races, good for a third-place tie with Christophe Clement.

Win the Spa meet? Why not?

"It's a nice thought," he said while sitting in his office at his backstretch barn at the Spa recently. "Chad, Todd and Christophe are tough and we know racing can turn around in a hurry. You've got to have a lot of racing luck."

Maker had some of that on Wednesday when he won the fourth race with 13-1 Strong Odor. The 4-year-old filly got her nose over the wire to win by the slimmest of margins.

With the win, Maker kept his advantage over the trainer favorites, Brown and Pletcher. He is two wins in front of Brown and five ahead of Pletcher.

During his career, Maker has won 42 training titles at the five tracks in Kentucky: Churchill Downs, Keeneland, Ellis Park, Kentucky Downs and Turfway Park. He has never won one at Saratoga.

"It's very tough to win at Saratoga," said Maker, who has 44 horses on the grounds. "It's very tough to win anywhere, but especially here."

Mandaloun out

There won't be any more races for Mandaloun this year. The horse that was elevated to victory in the Haskell at Monmouth last month because of the disqualification of Hot Rod Charlie, is being sent to owner Juddmonte Farms in Lexington, Ky., after being diagnosed with a sore right hind foot. According to trainer Brad Cox, he will leave Saratoga for Kentucky either Thursday or Friday.

"He has been very good to us, and when they've been very good to you and they ask for time, you give them time," Cox said outside his barn at the Oklahoma Training Track on Wednesday morning. "He will get it, he deserves it. I feel like when he comes back, he will be as good as new."

Mandaloun shipped to Saratoga on July 18, the day after the Haskell. Cox and Garrett O'Rourke, the racing manager for Juddmonte, were deciding what would be Mandaloun's next start: perhaps the Travers here on Aug. 28 or the Pennsylvania Derby on Sept 25 at Parx. Mandaloun did not have a timed workout at Saratoga while here.

He has five wins in eight career starts. Mandaloun finished second in the Kentucky Derby but could be elevated to first if current winner Medina Spirit is disqualified after a positive post race test of betamethasone, a substance not permitted to be in a horse's system on race day.

Cox said the next target for Mandaloun will be the $20 million Saudi Cup in February.

Evan Shipman

It didn't take long for trainer Michelle Giangiulio to make a splash at Saratoga.

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She saddled Sea Foam (5-1) to victory in Wednesday's $100,000 Evan Shipman for New York-breds aged 3 and up.

Sea Foam, ridden by Joel Rosario, won the 1 1/8-mile race by five lengths. It was Giangiulio's first win in just her sixth career start. Giangiulio took out her license at the end of last year after working for, among others, Chad Brown, Tom Morley, Joe Sharp and Kelly Breen.

"My mind is blown right now," she said. "It's just epic. I have five horses. I've had one win, three seconds and two thirds, so they've been running really, really good."

Giangiulio is originally from New Jersey.

The 6-year-old Sea Foam was making his first start for Giangiulio after winning here on July 30 for trainer Christophe Clement. This was his ninth win in 21 career starts on dirt.

The final time was 1:50.91. He paid $12.00, $4.60 and $2.90. Three Jokers and jockey Jose Ortiz finished second in the five-horse field. Mr. Buff, the 3-2 favorite, was never a factor, finishing last.

Poster signing

Equine artist Greg Montgomery, formerly of the Times Union, and the connections of last year's Travers winner Tiz the Law will sign copies of Montgomery's 2021 Travers poster on Tuesday, Aug. 24, at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame from 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Posters will be available for $50.

Joining Montgomery will be Tiz the Law's trainer Barclay Tagg, jockey Manny Franco and Jack Knowlton, the operating manager of Sackatoga Stable, which owned the colt.
SARATOGA SPRINGS  It was hot on Wednesday. It will be hotter on Thursday.

If you're planning on spending a day at Saratoga Race Course on Thursday, remember that the heat is on. And it will stay on all day.

"It's going to be uncomfortable," Dan Thompson, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Albany said Wednesday. "There is no other way to say it."

A 10-race card is scheduled to begin at 1:05 p.m. and officials will keep an eye on the rising temperatures, and, more importantly, the heat index.

According to heat management protocols established by Dr. Scott Palmer, the Equine Medical Director for the New York State Gaming Commission, if a heat index  a calculation that takes into consideration temperature, humidity and wind speed  reaches 105 "your racetrack veterinarian should contact the stewards or judges and track management to advise them of the presence of dangerous weather conditions."

Then there would be a discussion on whether or not to continue to race.

Thompson said on Wednesday that the National Weather Service forecasts the heat index will be 103 at post time and could get as high as 107 during the afternoon. An excessive heat warning is in effect from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday.

During Wednesday's 10-race card, the highest heat index was 103. The heat index is available at the on-track weather station and is updated on a regular basis.

The last time races were canceled at Saratoga because of oppressive heat was Saturday, July 20, 2019. The New York Racing Association made the announcement to call off that card two days prior.

Thursday's forecast, while hot, should not be as brutal as that day when the heat index was close to 110.

On Wednesday morning, trainers were also making sure to keep their horses hydrated. Fans were in front of every stall and trainers were taking extra caution.

Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse is used to hot weather as he has a training center in Ocala, Fla. Saffie Joseph Jr. spends most of the year at Gulfstream Park in Florida.

"This is cool weather for us," he said with a laugh Wednesday morning.

A sure sign that a horse is doing well in the heat is if he or she is sweating.

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"The important thing is that they sweat properly," Joseph said. "If a horse is sweating, that is its cooling system. If the horse is not a good sweater, the heat is going to bug them. Once a horse sweats good, the heat is fine for them."

After races on Wednesday, horses were hosed off outside of the winner's circle before being walked back to their barns. There were no incidents.

Horses do their training in the mornings. Even though it was warm, it was not uncomfortable.

"I tend not to train them as hard or not as much," Casse said about the heat. "Most of (his) horses here, they would never have to train. They could just walk a week and run. They are ready."

Brad Cox, who has the Travers favorite, Essential Quality, in his barn, also monitors the weather. If it is supposed to be hot, he might send some horses out earlier. If he sees a horse that does not do well in hot weather, he will keep them in the barn. The horses he has in Saratoga are not new to heat exposure.

They spend a lot of the year in Kentucky where the temperatures often rise.

"It gets hotter in Kentucky," he said. "I think I'm like a horse. I prefer cooler weather."
ALBANY  Disclosure filings submitted last year  stating that Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul was lobbied at least twice by a Buffalo firm representing Delaware North Companies  contained incorrect information, the firm maintained on Thursday.

Delaware North Companies is the major Buffalo-based food, hospitality and gaming company where Hochuls husband, William Hochul, has been a high-ranking official since 2016.

Kathy Hochul, scheduled to assume the governorship Aug. 24, is already facing questions about whether her position running the state, and her husbands job, present a conflict-of-interest.

Her office did not respond to questions about the disclosures and possible contacts with the Buffalo lobbying firm on Thursday.

The lobbying disclosure filings were submitted to state ethics regulators by the lobbying firm ODonnell and Associates, which represents Delaware North. The firm reported that in the filing period covering September and October, and again in November and December, ODonnell and Associates directly lobbied Hochul, and possibly her staff. In both instances, the lobbying benefiting Delaware North concerned an unspecified state bill related to gaming issues and economic development issues, the disclosures state.

In a statement on Thursday, ODonnell and Associates said that, After a review of our records, it appears that the lieutenant governor and the Monroe County executive were inadvertently included in a compliance report filled out by a staffer no longer with our firm.

Per Delaware Norths clear direction, never at any point have we lobbied the lieutenant governor or a member of her staff about any issues regarding Delaware North, the company said. We are currently correcting those reports and will update them by the end of the day. Our firm takes ethical standards of lobbying very seriously and we have never wavered from that in our 20 years in business.

The September-October filing had previously been amended twice  in December  but through its first three iterations, had continued to say that Hochul had been lobbied. A third amendment made on Thursday by the firm removed Hochul's name.

The filings also stated that ODonnell and Associates had lobbied Executive Chamber/staff of office of governor and Lt. governor for Delaware North between September and December.

A spokeswoman for ODonnell and Associates said the firm hadn't lobbied Hochul's staff, but that the state's filing system requires those that have lobbied the Executive Chamber  but not the lieutenant governors office  to select a category saying theyd lobbied Executive Chamber/staff of office of governor and Lt. governor.

Hochul is assuming the governorship following Gov. Andrew M. Cuomos announcement on Tuesday that he is resigning. Reporting by the Daily Beast and Buffalo News has scrutinized the possible future conflict of interest with Delaware North. On Thursday, Hochul said she plans to run for governor in 2022.

A spokesperson for Hochul had told the Buffalo News earlier this week that, "There was a recusal process already in place for her as lieutenant governor. It is being evaluated now in her new role as governor. It will be completed before she takes office."

John Kaehny, executive director of the government-reform group Reinvent Albany, said it would be a conflict of interest for Hochul to have been lobbied by representatives of the company employing her husband.

At the same time, Kaehny noted that Hochul did not have significant power as lieutenant governor. The bigger issue will be when she is governor, Kaehny said, noting that Delaware North has spent $700,000 lobbying the state just since 2019.

In an interview with the Buffalo News on Wednesday, Hochul stated that keeping the Buffalo Bills in New York, and preventing the teams moving to another city, was a high priority for her.

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Itll be a collaborative approach to getting to the result which is smart for the taxpayers, but also ensures the longevity of the Buffalo Bills. That is a high priority of mine: the Buffalo Bills in Buffalo, Hochul told the newspaper.

A new stadium is also an issue for Delaware North, which according to its website, has operated concessions, premium dining and retail services at the Bills Highmark Stadium since 1992.

The Bills ownership is seeking a new stadium  100 percent funded by taxpayers  next to the Bills' longtime home in Orchard Park.

In other cities that have built taxpayer-funded stadiums, the facilities have often included expanded, higher-end concessions such as premium dining, which can generate significant revenue for the team and its vendors.

William Hochul is served as U.S. attorney for the Western District of New York from 2010 to 2016.

In 2016, Hochul became senior vice president and general counsel to Delaware North Companies, whose businesses also include the Finger Lakes Gaming and Race Track outside Rochester. The state Gaming Commission, which oversees and licenses the gaming industry, is part of the executive branch.

According to Kathy Hochuls most recent financial disclosure form, Delaware North paid William Hochul between $450,000 and $550,000 in salary in 2020. According to a website maintained by Comptroller Thomas DiNapolis office, Delaware North has $50 million in long-term contracts with three state agencies, and is also regulated by the state Liquor Authority.

On Wednesday, Delaware North said in a statement to the Buffalo News that William Hochul would stay at the company, but that with Hochul assuming the governorship, the company is implementing additional restrictions on Mr. Hochul's interaction with the company's business activities in New York state in order to avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest that could be claimed to exist by virtue of the governor's private interests deriving from Mr. Hochul's employment by Delaware North."

Besides its own lobbyists, Delaware North this year retained three outside firms: Bolton-St. Johns, whose Albany office was founded by Giorgio DeRosa, the father of top Cuomo aide Melissa DeRosa; Dickinson and Avella, which has ties to both parties in the state Senate; and ODonnell Associates, which is led by Jack ODonnell. ODonnell is a longtime player in Buffalo's Democratic politics, a community that also includes Hochul.
New Mexico defends title as most Latino state in nation

New Mexico has retained its title as the nation's most heavily Latino state, with 47.7% of respondents to the 2020 census identifying ancestry linked to Latin America and other Spanish-speaking areas
[August 12, 2021] AvMed Partners With Rx Savings Solutions To Provide Members Access To Affordable Prescription Drugs

OVERLAND PARK, Kan., Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- AvMed, one of Florida's oldest and largest not-for-profit health plans, has partnered with Rx Savings Solutions, a marketleading prescription transparency tool, to help its more than 200,000 members save money on prescription drugs. Headquartered in Miami with regional offices in Fort Lauderdale and Gainesville, AvMed supports members with their Employer Group, Medicare and Individual and Family plan coverage and is the first plan in the state of Florida to launch the innovative pharmacy solution. Members can now easily find the lowest-price personalized options for their prescription drug needs via AvMed's member portal. When there is an opportunity to save, Rx Savings Solutions automatically notifies the member proactively via direct mail, text or email. "AvMed's mission is to help our members live healthier. Through this partnership with Rx Savings Solutions, we were able to quickly implement this offering for our Members so they now have clear, actionable choices when they purchase prescription drugs," said Ana Eberhard, Vice President of Member Experience fr AvMed. "The seamless user experience and proven savings results empowers them to be better pharmacy consumers. When our members are able to save on medications, everyone benefits."



Serving 9 million members, Rx Savings Solutions empowers consumers with the information they need to make informed decisions on their prescription spend. Through the Rx Savings Solutions portal, health plan members can find the best price on existing prescriptions as well as learn of alternatives through a patented suggestion platform with more than 30,000 suggestions. With differentiating features such as Contact Prescriber, members can submit a new prescription request to their provider with one click. "Nationwide, employers and their employees are overburdened by prescription drug costs that continue to skyrocket," said Michael Rea, a clinical pharmacist who founded and currently leads Rx Savings Solutions. "We are delighted to be able to help AvMed and their members mitigate this issue. No one cares more about their pharmacy cost than the member - and putting trusted, unbiased information in their hands is the key to solving the problem."

About AvMed

AvMed transforms lives to create a WELLfluent world. By uniting around this sole purpose over our 50+ year history, we've aimed to inspire our Floridian health plan Members to focus on celebrating the riches that matter most health and happiness. Learn more at AvMed.org. About Rx Savings Solutions

Rx Savings Solutions offers an innovative, patented engagement software system empowering employers and employees to be educated consumers of healthcare. In addition to large, Fortune 500 Employers, Rx Savings Solutions also services health plan clients. Founded and operated by a team of pharmacists and software engineers, Rx Savings Solutions supports a collaborative, cost-saving solution for purchasing prescription drugs. For more information, visit rxsavingssolutions.com or follow them on LinkedIn and Twitter. Contact:

Cecile Fradkin

S&C Public Relations Inc.

646-941-9139

media@rxsavingsllc.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/avmed-partners-with-rx-savings-solutions-to-provide-members-access-to-affordable-prescription-drugs-301354065.html SOURCE Rx Savings Solutions

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[August 12, 2021] Dvision Network to host "Live Debate" on cryptocurrency legislation organized by Korean National Assembly

SEOUL, South Korea, Aug. 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The blockchain-based metaverse Dvision Network is set to become part of history in what promises to be an action-packed event. The NFT metaverse will be hosting the Live d ebate on the Cryptocurrency Legislation and Improvement Measures organized by the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea.

Live Debate to be broadcasted within Dvision Metaverse The live debate will be conducted within the Dvision Metaverse on August 12, 2021, from 14:00 KST to 17:00 KST. The event is a landmark event initiated by the Korean Parliament in collaboration with the legislators from leading political parties such as the Democratic and Peoples Power parties. The issue of legislation of cryptocurrencies has emerged as a hot topic globally. Many in the financial sphere see improving existing KYC and AML compliance practices and tax filings as the way forward towards ensuring proper crypto regulations. South Korea is regarded as an industry frontrunner in this aspect, and the debate will be addressing these core issues within the cryptocurrencyindustry. In addition, the debate is expected to attract experts, including the Korean National Assembly government officials, who will express their opinions on controversial issues within the cryptocurrency sphere.



The first speaker, Jeong Sangho, the CEO of Delio, a leading crypto finance company will be addressing the adoption of the custody and wallet business services from the legal perspective. The second speaker is a well-known lawyer Jo Wonhee (Chief Attorney at DLight Law Firm), who will be discussing existing deficiencies in the Special Financial Information Law, that has been passed by the South Korean government in early March 2021 in order to initiate an early crypto regulation. The speaker is expected to emphasize the weak points in that key legislation and will address the improvements required to be made in the Special Financial Information Law.

Jeong Jiyeol, the Chairman of the Korean Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists Association, will be the last presenter, that will be providing insights to a methodology for the compliance with the Travel Rule, mandated by the FATF, that requires cryptocurrency operators, including exchanges and companies, to register the customer data and report it to the governmental bodies. This is expected to be one of the key presentations in the surge of the ongoing violations of AML and KYC practices, that disrupt the further improvement of the regulatory and legislative aspect of the emerging technology. The Live Debate will be attended by several other high profile personalities, including Lee Jeongyeop, who is a Chief Judge at the Seoul Bankruptcy Court; Park Joo Young, a director of the Financial Innovation Division at the FSS; Lee Sangmu, a Security Authentication Team Leader at KISA, and lastly Jeong Jiyeol, who is a deputy professor at Law Department of Dankook University. The experts are going to engage in a lively debate in order to share their insights regarding several crucial topics in the cryptocurrency area, including but not limited to the taxation, legislation and regulatory efforts undertaken by the South Korean government. Overall, the event is expected to be a major contribution to the advancement of legislative and regulatory efforts from the South Korean government towards the fast-growing crypto industry, whereas Dvision is making its contribution in this process, by conducting this event in its unique metaverse. Dvision Network at the forefront of crypto adoption The Debate is a major event for Dvision and shows the commitment of the blockchain metaverse towards crypto adoption in South Korea. Dvision has already created a 3D rendition of the event hall, and users will be able to connect live to the event from the Dvision Website and also Youtube . Dvision Network is regarded as one of the top NFT metaverse platforms in the blockchain industry. The blockchain metaverse establishes a cutting-edge metaverse ecosystem by utilizing its own VR technology that helps to lower the entry barriers for all types of users across the globe. Media Contact - Name: Boburjon Muydinov

Email: Official@dvision.network

Company: Dvision Network



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[August 12, 2021] Eco Innovation Group Signs Term Sheet to Open Canadian Construction Company

VAN NUYS, Calif., Aug. 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Eco Innovation Group, Inc. (OTC: ECOX) ("ECOX" or the "Company"), an innovative company aggregating investments in new technologies that promote environmental and social well-being and the advancement of green energy solutions, today announces the signing of a term sheet for the formation of a Canadian construction enterprise and the acquisition of the equipment of an existing Canadian construction company in an all-stock transaction.

On August 5, 2021, the Company signed a non-binding term sheet with Spruce Construction, Inc., an Alberta corporation, and its shareholder, to acquire the assets of Spruce Construction, consisting of vehicles and equipment used in the construction industry. The Company and the shareholder of Spruce Construction have agreed to form a new Canada corporation to be named Spruce Engineering and Construction, Inc. to deploy those assets in Canada. Under the term sheet, ECOX will own 85% of Spruce Engineering and Construction, the Spruce Construction shareholder will own 10%, and Patrick Laurie, CEO of the Companys Canadian green technology development subsidiary, will own 5%. The acquisition of construction assets in Canada is a concrete step towards generating revenue from the installation of our sustainable energy technology in Canadian homes and businesses, said Julia Otey-Raudes, President and CEO of Eco Innovation Group. ECOXs Canadian construction firm will partner with our previously-announced Canadian technology development arm, ECOIGCANADA, INC., to deliver our PoolCooledTM Climate Control technology to the Canadian market. The Company also announced that Patrick Laurie, interim CEO of ECOIGCANADA, INC., will serve on the board of directors of Spruce Engineering and Construction along with Julia Otey-Raudes and Spruce Constructions shareholder, Timothy Boetzkes. Under the term sheet, ECOX will pay Mr. Boetzkes one million shares of the Companys restricted common stock for substantially all of the assets of Spruce Construction, with an intended closing date of August 15, 2021. The new entity will assume approximaely CAN$60,000.00 in debt from the predecessor.



About Eco Innovation Group

Eco Innovation Group was founded by Inventors and Business Professionals to help nurture and catalyze the most innovative and impactful products and services, and to deliver those innovations to the world, improving the quality of life in our communities and the world around us, while delivering value to our shareholders. At ECOX, we are dedicated to developing and commercializing successful products. But we will never lose sight of the fact that we exist, first and foremost, to help people and improve life on the planet we all share. We take our Social Responsibility Contract seriously in all our endeavors. It is not only what we do. It is who we are. For more information, visit www.ecoig.com.

View the Companys new video Here.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements also may be included in other publicly available documents issued by the Company and in oral statements made by our officers and representatives from time to time. These forward-looking statements are intended to provide management's current expectations or plans for our future operating and financial performance, based on assumptions currently believed to be valid. They can be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "goal," "seek," "believe," "project," "estimate," "expect," "strategy," "future," "likely," "may," "should," "would," "could," "will" and other words of similar meaning in connection with a discussion of future operating or financial performance. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements relating to future sales, earnings, cash flows, results of operations, uses of cash and other measures of financial performance. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, among others such as, but not limited to economic conditions, changes in the laws or regulations, demand for products and services of the company, the effects of competition and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or represented in the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking information provided in this release should be considered with these factors in mind. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this report. Corporate Contact:

Eco Innovation Group, Inc.

Julia.Otey@ecoig.com

www.ecoig.com



Public Relations:

EDM Media, LLC

https://edm.media



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[August 12, 2021] Energy And Water Development (OTC: EAWD) to Supply up to 2.6 Million Gallons of Water Per Day to the Town of Grunheide (Mark), Germany

MIAMI, FL, Aug. 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire -- Energy And Water Development (OTC: EAWD): As the global water crisis intensifies, communities around the world are desperately searching for alternatives to groundwater for their residential and industrial water needs. The fast-developing city of Grunheide (Mark), just outside of Berlin, Germany, found the answer in the air around them.

Grunheide (Mark), an idyllic lakeside village just 20 miles east of Berlins city center, is seeing rapid commercial, residential, and industrial development. Tesla will soon complete construction of its European Gigafactory in the area. ECE, a real estate development firm, wants to invest 100 million euros in Grunheide (Mark) to build a Greenwork park, including offices, industry, warehouses, and a university. To help protect the communitys water resources and provide the water required to support this growth, city leaders started negotiations with Energy And Water Development Corporation (EAWD) to build three large energy-supplied Atmospheric Water Generators (eAWG). These systems will supply up to 2.6 millin gallons of water per day to the town.



eAWGs use solar panels to power ultra-efficient refrigeration technology that turns moisture in the air into water. This technology provides an unlimited source of clean, potable water thats completely independent of groundwater. Because these eAWGs are solar powered, they dont contribute to climate change which is exacerbating the water crisis. Grunheide (Mark) mayor, Arne Christiani, said, Working with EAWD, we are showing the world the future of water infrastructure. This will provide millions of liters of fresh, clean water for our citizens every day while protecting the lakes and rivers that make this area so special.

EAWD plans to have the eAWGs online and supplying water to Grunheide (Mark) in the first half of 2022. According to EAWD COO, Irma Velazquez, MSc, This project demonstrates how eAWGs can be an important part of the solution to water scarcity. Im confident our technology will become more prevalent as climate change continues to put pressure on water resources around the world. About Energy And Water Development Energy And Water Development is an engineering solutions company officially established as well in Germany. The Company is focused on delivering innovative and sustainable solutions of water and energy. EAWD builds its systems out of proven technologies, using their technical know-how to customize solutions to their clients needs. The Company offers design, construction, maintenance and specialty consulting services to private companies, government entities and non-government organizations (NGOs). For more information contact: Harvey Briggs Chief Communications Officer Force Family Office hbriggs@forcefamilyoffice.com

Irma Velazquez, MSc Chief Operations Officer velazquezi@energy-water.com



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[August 12, 2021]

Finance Cloud Market to Garner $90.11 Bn, Globally, by 2030 at 12.4% CAGR: Allied Market Research

PORTLAND, Ore., Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research recently published a report, titled, "Finance Cloud Market by Component (Solution [Financial Forecasting, Financial Reporting & Analysis, Security, Governance, Risk & Compliance, and Others] and Service), Enterprise Size (Large Enterprises and Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs)), Deployment Model (Public Cloud, Private Cloud, and Hybrid Cloud), and Application (Revenue Management, Business Intelligence, Asset Management, Customer Relationship Management, Enterprise Resource Planning, and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20212030". As per the report, the global finance cloud industry was pegged at $23.67 billion in 2020, and is expected to reach $90.11 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 12.4% from 2021 to 2030.

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Drivers, Restraints, and Opportunities

Increase in need for operational efficiency & transparency in business processes and rise in demand for cloud among financial companies drive the growth of the global finance cloud market. However, concerns regarding data security & protection and high investment & maintenance costs hinder the market. On the contrary, rise in demand for cloud solutions among small & medium-sized enterprises is expected to open new opportunities for the market players in the future.

Covid-19 Scenario:

The Covid-19 pandemic encouraged banks and financial institutions to adopt cloud in their responses to several challenges including rise in demand for resources, access to accurate data, and need for essential information.

Moreover, the adoption of cloud services and solutions increased during the pandemic to keep internal operations running smoothly for post-pandemic scenarios.

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The Service Segment to Showcase the highest CAGR Through 2030

By component, the service segment is expected to register the highest CAGR of 16.1% during the forecast period, as cloud services process and improve effectiveness to meet customer demands. However, the solution segment held the largest share in 2020, accounting for around four-fifths of the global finance cloud market, owing to implementation of cloud solutions with excellent technology capabilities.

The Public Segment held theLargest Share







By deployment model, the public segment dominated the market in terms of revenue, accounting for nearly half of the global finance cloud market, due to need to reduce infrastructure investment and expenses. However, the hybrid segment is expected to manifest the highest CAGR of 15.8% during the forecast period, as it combines private cloud with public cloud and enables communication between each distinct service.

North America held the Largest Share

By region, the market across North America held lion's share in 2020, accounting for nearly three-fifths of the global finance cloud market, due to increase in adoption of cloud services from banks with rise in pressure from customers, competitors, and shareholders. However, the market across Asia-Pacific is expected to portray the highest CAGR of 17.5% during the forecast period, owing to surge in adoption and investment to boost business efficiency, minimize data security risks, and lower infrastructure & maintenance costs.

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Major Market Players

Amazon Web Services, Inc.

ARYAKA NETWORKS, INC.

Acumatica, Inc.

Cisco Systems, Inc.

Microsoft

International Business Machines Corporation

Oracle

Unit4

SAP SE

Sage Group plc

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Avenue is a user-based library of global market report database, provides comprehensive reports pertaining to the world's largest emerging markets. It further offers e-access to all the available industry reports just in a jiffy. By offering core business insights on the varied industries, economies, and end users worldwide, Avenue ensures that the registered members get an easy as well as single gateway to their all-inclusive requirements.

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Similar Reports:

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Microfinance Market  Global Opportunities and Forecasts, 2021-2030

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About Us:

Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions". AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.

We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

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SOURCE Allied Market Research
[August 12, 2021] Genes Tech Group Announces 2021 Interim Results

HONG KONG, Aug. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- 2021 Interim Results Highlights The total revenue reached approximately NTD808.68 million

Total comprehensive income for the period attributable to owners of the Company amounted to approximately NTD46.58 million

Revenue from the trading of SME and parts increased by approximately 3.31% to approximately NTD 250.36 million

Revenue from Singapore , Korea and Japan business surged by approximately 283.08% to NTD142.35 million as compared to the same period last year

, Korea and business surged by approximately 283.08% to NTD142.35 million as compared to the same period last year Basic earnings per share were NTD4.67 cents

The gearing ratio decreased around 20 percentage points to approximately 63.78% Genes Tech Group Holdings Co. Ltd ("Genes Tech Group" of "The Group", Stock Code: 8257.HK) announces its interim results for the six months ended 30 June, 2021 ("During the period"). During the period, the total revenue of the Group is approximately NTD808.68 million. Total comprehensive income for the period attributable to owners of the Company amounted to approximately NTD46.58 million. Basic earnings per share were NTD4.67 cents. The gearing ratio decreased around 20 percentage points to approximately 63.78% During the period, revenue from the turnkey solutions amounted to approximately NTD558.31, accounting for approximately 69.04% of the Group's total revenue. Turnkey solutions were still the major revenue source for the Group. The revenue from trading of SME and parts amounted to approximately NTD250.36 million, accounting for approximately 30.96% of the Group's total revenue. During the period under review, revenue from the domestic business in Taiwan accounted for approximately 49.89% of the Group's total revenue. The Group seized market opportunities and actively explored and consoidated the good and close cooperative relationship with existing international customers, which in turn contributed to the increase of revenue from the Group's business in Singapore, Korea and Japan by approximately 283.08% as compared to the corresponding period of last year, accounting for approximately 17.60% of the Group's total revenue.



Benefiting from the constant increase in the demand side driven by the stay-at-home economy, wafers used in smartphones, computers, TVs, vehicles and other applications will be in shortage. The use of 5G, high performance computing (HPC), Internet of Things ("IoT"), artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR) and new applications in the automotive and industrial markets are expected to boom, the global semiconductor market is entering a high-speed growth period. On the other hand, affected by the spread of the raging COVID-19 and some other complicated situations, multinational companies have furthered their proper configuration of production bases and sales markets in order to avoid the risk of excessive concentration. It has also been estimated that players in the semiconductor industry in Taiwan plan to invest more than NTD3 trillion in the semiconductor field by 2025. The Directors believe that this will bring new business opportunities for the business of the Group in the next years. The Group will closely monitor the changes in market environment and respond prudently and quickly to market changes for development opportunities, aiming at assiduously exploring new business opportunities. Mr. Yang Ming-Hsiang, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer concluded: "The significant rebound appeared in the global economy in 2021 driving the increase in demand for semiconductor products in downstream fields such as communication, information, consumer electronics, industry and automotive electronics. Under the limited growth on supply, the expanding growth on demand and tremendous inventory replenishment, it is expected that the tension on global semiconductor demand and supply in general will continue throughout 2021, while the shortage of some products will continue until 2022 or even 2023. Looking forward to the post-epidemic era, how enterprises realise operational resilience and innovation transformation will be the key to success of the semiconductor industry in the future. The Group will increase its efforts in talent exploration, strengthen its innovation and R & D capabilities, and improve the core competitiveness of the Group to further expand market share and create long-term value for shareholders."

About Genes Tech Group Holdings Co. Ltd (Stock Code: 8257.HK)

Genes Tech Group Holdings Co. Ltd is turnkey solution provider and exporter of used SME and parts in Taiwan. Since the commencement of its business in 2009, the Group mainly engaged in providing turnkey solution of used SME and parts to its customers and modifying and/or upgrading the semiconductor equipment of its production systems according to customers needs. In addition, the Group is also engaged in the trading of SEM and parts. The SME and parts supplied by the Group included furnaces, clean tracks and other related items, which were used at the front-end of the semiconductor manufacturing process, wafer fabrication such as deposition, photoresist coating and development, and these were extensively applied in mobile phones, game consoles, DVD players, automotive sensors and other digital electronic products. SOURCE Genes Tech Group Holdings Co. Ltd

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[August 12, 2021] Government of Canada announces $1.44-billion investment in Telesat supporting the future of connectivity for rural and remote communities

Investment in Telesat Lightspeed will help give all Canadians access to high-speed Internet and maintain Canada's leadership in the new space economy OTTAWA, ON, Aug. 12, 2021 /CNW/ - As Canada prepares to emerge from the pandemic, the Government of Canada is making the investments required for a robust economic recovery. Strategic investments in connectivity not only act as a catalyst for job creation and economic growth but also facilitate the government's commitment to providing all Canadians with access to high-speed Internet. Today, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, together with the Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced that the Government of Canada has entered into an agreement-in-principle with Telesat to invest $1.44 billion into Telesat's advanced low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation, Telesat Lightspeed. The implementation of this agreement-in-principle would provide financing to Telesat through a $790-million repayable loan and a $650-million preferred share equity investment for which the government would receive a dividend. As part of this investment, the government would also receive warrants that can be converted into common shares in Telesat so that Canadians can share in the financial upside from Telesat Lightspeed. Telesat Lightspeed will position Telesat, and Canada, as global leaders in the highly competitive market for satellite services and the fast-growing new space economy. Telesat Lightspeed will enable broadband Internet and LTE and 5G connectivity in Canada starting in 2024, ultimately connecting approximately 40,000 households in rural and remote regions. It will also allow for significantly better service offerings in many regions of the country where current speeds struggle to meet the demands of an increasingly digital world, and it will improve the company's service for business clients in industries like air transport and shipping. This technology will help the government reach its goal of connecting all Canadian households to high-speed Internet by 2030, including many Indigenous communities throughout the north and near north that lack the connectivity required for socia, economic and cultural prosperity.



This investment comes with many benefits to Canadians. Telesat has committed to: investing $3 .6 billion in capital expenditures in Canada

.6 billion in capital expenditures in spending over $1 .6 billion in Canadian operating expenses over the next 15 years

.6 billion in Canadian operating expenses over the next 15 years maintaining up to 700 jobs

supporting post-secondary students through 100 co-op jobs and $800,000 in scholarships, with a focus on women in STEM programs High-speed Internet is an essential means for people, businesses and institutions to access information, offer services and create opportunities. By investing in Telesat Lightspeed, the government is taking an important step towards its goal of connecting all Canadians to high-speed Internet, regardless of where they live.

Quotes "Today's announcement is about building a strong future for Canada. It strengthens our position as a global leader in the technologies of tomorrow and helps ensure that all Canadian communities have access to the critical infrastructure that is high-speed Internet."

 The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance "Now is the time to bolster Canada's position as a global leader in the new space economy. Through its partnership with Telesat, our government is creating more high-skilled jobs, enabling innovation and helping to unlock economic and social opportunities in Canada's most rural and remote communities. Every Canadian should have access to affordable high-speed Internet. Today, we took a big step towards making that happen."

 The Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry "The Government of Canada's investment in Telesat Lightspeed underscores the project's transformational ability to bridge the digital divide, position Canada at the forefront of the burgeoning New Space Economy, and deliver sustained and high quality job creation and economic growth in Canada. We applaud the Government's recognition of the importance and promise of Telesat Lightspeed. With the funding announced today and other financing sources already in place, including the previously announced investment by the Government of Quebec, Telesat now has arrangements for approximately $4 billion in funding for the program. We expect to secure in the near term the remaining financial commitments required to fully finance Telesat Lightspeed."

 Daniel S. Goldberg, President and CEO, Telesat Quick facts Canada's Connectivity Strategy aims to provide all Canadians with access to Internet speeds of at least 50 megabits per second (Mbps) download/10 Mbps upload.

Connectivity Strategy aims to provide all Canadians with access to Internet speeds of at least 50 megabits per second (Mbps) download/10 Mbps upload. Telesat is a privately held Canadian-controlled corporation and one of the world's largest and most innovative satellite operators. It has employees in five provinces and in Nunavut .

. Satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) operate 35 times closer to the Earth than traditional telecommunications satellites. This means they take less time to send and receive information, leading to better and faster broadband service, even in rural, remote and northern areas.

LEO satellite technology is expected to be the only economical way to provide advanced high-speed broadband and LTE and 5G connectivity in the hardest-to-reach rural and remote communities in the next several years.

Telesat expects to be able to provide capacity to Canada's far north in 2024.

far north in 2024. Completion of the government's investment is dependent on Telesat satisfying a number of conditions, including successfully concluding the financing and other arrangements now under discussion with other parties that are required for fully finance and complete Telesat Lightspeed. Associated links Get connected to high-speed Internet SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

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[August 12, 2021] iCapital Network Announces Relationship with Bridgewater Associates

iCapital Network1, the leading global financial technology platform driving access and efficiency in alternative investing for the asset and wealth management industries, today announced the expansion of its relationship with Bridgewater Associates ("Bridgewater"), a global leader in institutional portfolio management. Under this agreement, iCapital will provide a customized technology platform to give registered investment advisors ("RIAs") and family offices seamless access to Bridgewater's strategies for their ultra-high-net-worth clients in the U.S. "Creating opportunities for wealth advisors and their qualified clients to access institutional-quality investments has always been our core mission at iCapital," said Lawrence Calcano, Chairman and CEO of iCapital Network. "We are excited to partner with such a prominent team as Bridgewater to bring access to these strategies to the wealth management community." iCapital's technology and service offering digitalizes the subscription, administration, operational and reporting processes of alternative investments to overcome many of the long-standing challenges of accessing the asset class. iCapital also provides a full suite of research, due diligence and educational materials to advisors and investors. "In this evolving economic environment, there is growing investor demand - and need - for strategies that are designed to provide diversification and are uncorrelated to traditional portfolios," said Josh Levine, Head of Marketing and Sales. "Expanding our relationship with iCapital will enable advisors, family offices and their ultra-high-net-worth clients to now access alternative strategies designed to help support their financial goals." About Bridgewater Associates LP Bridgewater Associates is a global leader in institutional portfolio management and the world's largest hedge fund. Focused on understanding how the world's markets and economies wok by having the deepest possible understanding of the global economy and financial markets, the firm translates that understanding into expertly constructed portfolios and meaningful relationships with institutional clients. Having built a track record of success for more than 45 years, Bridgewater's excellence is grounded in its distinct culture, which brings together great people and enables them to operate in a culture of radical truth and radical transparency. In recognition of the firm's commitment to excellence, its clients, and the magnitude of its impact on the investment industry, Bridgewater has received more than 70 industry awards in the past 10 years including recognitions for innovation, performance, quality of research, client satisfaction, and being a top place to work. Fortune named it the fifth most important private company in the US.



Based in Westport, Connecticut, Bridgewater manages approximately $150 billion in assets for the world's largest and most sophisticated institutional investors, including public and corporate pension funds, university endowments, charitable foundations, supranational agencies, foreign governments, and central banks. For more information, please visit www.bridgewater.com. About iCapital Network

Founded in 2013 in NYC, iCapital Network is the leading global financial technology company powering the world's alternative investment marketplace. It has transformed the way the wealth management, banking, and asset management industries facilitate access to private markets investments for their high-net-worth clients by providing intuitive, end-to-end technology and service solutions. Wealth management firms use iCapital's solutions to provide clients with quality funds at lower minimums and simplified digital workflows. Asset managers and banks leverage iCapital's technology to streamline and scale their private investments operational infrastructure. Additionally, the iCapital 'flagship' platform offers financial advisors and their high-net-worth clients access to a curated menu of private equity, private credit, hedge funds, and other alternative investments to help meet their investing needs for return and diversification. iCapital's research and diligence team offers robust analysis alongside the firm's extensive suite of advisor education, compliance, portfolio management, and portfolio analytics tools and services. iCapital was recognized on the Forbes FinTech 50 list in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, the Forbes America's Best Startup Employers in 2021, and MMI/Barron's Industry Awards as Solutions Provider of the Year in 2020. As of June 30, 2021, iCapital Network has approximately 450 employees and services $80 billion in global client assets across more than 750 funds. Headquartered in NYC, it also has offices in Zurich, London, Lisbon, and Hong Kong. For additional information, please visit iCapital Network's website at www.icapitalnetwork.com | LinkedIn (News - Alert) : https://www.linkedin.com/company/icapital-network-inc | Twitter (News - Alert) : @icapitalnetwork See disclosures here. 1Institutional Capital Network, Inc. and its affiliates (together, "iCapital Network" or "iCapital") View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210812005244/en/

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[August 12, 2021] Maxar Adds Two New Customers to Its Rapid Access Program for On-Demand Satellite Imagery Tasking

Maxar Technologies (NYSE:MAXR) (TSX:MAXR), a trusted partner and innovator in Earth Intelligence and Space Infrastructure, today announced two new customers signed multi-million-dollar contracts to subscribe to its Rapid Access Program (RAP), including the first customer for RAP in Latin America. RAP provides customers with a secure web interface to virtually task Maxar's high-resolution satellites through on-demand access windows. Maxar delivers high-resolution imagery within hours of collection due to streamlined processing and dissemination. By using cloud-based ground stations, RAP decreases the cost of actionable intelligence for our customers with accelerated speed and control. RAP customers also have high priority tasking on Maxar satellites, critical for urgent mission requirements. When Maxar's next-generation WorldView Legion satellites are on orbit and operational, RAP customers will be among the first to be able to task them to collect 30 cm class imagery. "Maxar's Rapid Access Program provides customers with assured access to task our satellites without the need for a physical ground station," said Tony Frazier, Maxar's Executive Vice President of Global Field Operations. "This lower barrier to entry for tasking provides opportunities for Maxar to serve our RAP customers with the high-quality imagery that they have come to depend on while offering them greater autonomy in tasking the most agile satellites on orbit. Maxar is grateful to be a strategic partner in these customers' missions, enabling them to make critical decisions and save lives, resources and time." National Institute of Aeronautics and Space of Indonesia (LAPAN) is Maxar's second RAP customer in the Asia-Pacific region. LAPAN will task Maxar's high-resolution satellite imagery to accelerate mapping missions in Indonesia, including land certification, industrial priority zones and special economic zones. Additionally, LAPAN will receive Maxar's 15 cm high-definition (HD) imagery, which is created by applying Maxar's proprietary HD technology to the company's native 30 cm class imagery, resulting in superior visual clarity and utility. "LAPAN is excited to start tasking the Maxar constellation for our mapping missions," said Dedi Irawadi, Acting Director of Remote Sensing Technology and Data Center at LAPAN. "Having assured access via RAP to collect imagery of the areas we're focused on and receiving 15 cm HD imagery will enable our analysts to create actionable intelligence on faster timelines." The Colombian Air Force is the second new RAP customer and the first international defense organization in Latin America to partner with Maxar in the program. The customer will use RAP for mission planning and monitoring areas of interest. The contract also includes access to Maxar's SecureWatch subscription service for on-demand access to more than 125 petabytes of Maxar's high-resolution satellite data and analytics. The customer will integrate SecureWatch into their analysts' workflows to enable surveillance and monitoring of national territory and the environment. By tasking new, high-resolution satellite imagery through the RAP and viewing it in context via SecureWatch, Colombia will benefit from space-based information as a strategic tool for national sovereignty.



To learn more about RAP, visit Maxar's website. About Maxar

Maxar is a trusted partner and innovator in Earth Intelligence and Space Infrastructure. We deliver disruptive value to government and commercial customers to help them monitor, understand and navigate our changing planet; deliver global broadband communications; and explore and advance the use of space. Our unique approach combines decades of deep mission understanding and a proven commercial and defense foundation to deploy solutions and deliver insights with unrivaled speed, scale and cost effectiveness. Maxar's 4,400 team members in over 20 global locations are inspired to harness the potential of space to help our customers create a better world. Maxar trades on the New York Stock Exchange and Toronto Stock Exchange as MAXR. For more information, visit www.maxar.com. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements and other information included in this release constitute "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") under applicable securities laws. Statements including words such as "may", "will", "could", "should", "would", "plan", "potential", "intend", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate" or "expect" and other words, terms and phrases of similar meaning are often intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Forward-looking statements involve estimates, expectations, projections, goals, forecasts, assumptions, risks and uncertainties, as well as other statements referring to or including forward-looking information included in this presentation. Forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or expectations expressed in this presentation. As a result, although management of the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. The risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to, the risk factors and other disclosures about the Company and its business included in the Company's continuous disclosure materials filed from time to time with U.S. securities and Canadian regulatory authorities, which are available online under the Company's EDGAR profile at www.sec.gov, under the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com or on the Company's website at www.maxar.com. The forward-looking statements contained in this release are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. All such forward-looking statements are based upon data available as of the date of this presentation or other specified date and speak only as of such date. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements in this presentation as a result of new information or future events, except as may be required under applicable securities legislation. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210812005107/en/

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[August 12, 2021] OIO continues to deliver growth in the Blockchain business

1H FY21 revenue increased 142% year-on-year to S$1.6 million , backed by a 276% jump in blockchain business revenue.

, backed by a 276% jump in blockchain business revenue. The acquisition of Moonstake, Asia's second-largest staking network, added S$1.2 million to 1H FY21 (recurring and non-recurring) revenue from 1 June 2021 .

second-largest staking network, added to 1H FY21 (recurring and non-recurring) revenue from . Moonstake sees positive longer-term prospects with its environmentally-friendly Proof-of-Stake technology. SINGAPORE, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- OIO Holdings Limited ("OIO"), a blockchain solutions provider listed on the SGX, announced today the financial results for the first half ending 30 June 2021 (1H FY21) of its financial year 2021. OIO recorded a revenue of S$1.6 million, represents an increase of 142% year-on-year (y-o-y). Underpinning this substantial revenue increase is a 276% jump from the blockchain business segment. The gross profit margins also increased from 59.4% to 75.3% y-o-y. Despite achieving a gross profit of S$1.2 million during the period under review, OIO recorded a net loss of S$0.6m. This was mainly attributed to items from the new blockchain business segment  namely promotional expenses incurred, non-cash impairment due to the weaker crypto market in June and higher staff related costs.







Financial Highlights 1HFY2021 (S$) 1HFY2020 (S$) Change (%) Revenue 1,641,113 677,825 142.1 Gross Profit 1,235,201 402,846 206.6 Gross Profit Margin 75.3% 59.4% 15.9 ppts* Other Income 93,419 229,584 (59.3) Net Loss (638,682) (378,674) (68.7)

*ppts denotes percentage points

Reflecting on the changes in the firm's balance sheet as per the 1H FY21 announcement: In the past 6-months, OIO's cash balances had also increased to S$5.2 million vs S$0.3 million

vs In the past 6-months, OIO's shareholder equity has also increased to +S$5.7 million vs - S$3.8 million The above reflects positively on OIO's ability to adapt to the various on-going challenges in growing a new business segment. In our earnest efforts to continuously provide value to our stakeholders while serving practical solution for our clients in the new digital economy, OIO remains steadfast in implementing our strategic growth plans. Demand for the recently acquired Moonstake products and other blockchain related business segment have been robust during the period under review. Despite, inter alia, the time and costs required to build any new business segment, the Board and Management is confident that the demand for digitalisation and blockchain-based finance will continue to remain encouraging as we exit or learn to live with Covid-19. Blockchain Business Highlights and Updates The blockchain business comprises of agency, consulting services and staking services. For 1H FY21, this business segment generated a total revenue of S$1.3 million. The acquisition of Moonstake, Asia's second-largest staking network, was completed on 31 May 2021. From 1 June 2021, it added S$1.2 million (recurring and non-recurring) to OIO's 1H FY21 revenue. Moonstake is in the business of providing staking-related wallet services for digital assets to retail customers, as well as, research and software development services related to blockchain-based finance including staking to enterprise customers. Briefly, staking is a technical feature of blockchain technologies which utilises Proof of Stake ("PoS")[1] as a validation mechanism by rewarding token holders who had staked their tokens for the validation process. A staking pool aggregates digital assets from multiple token holders to increase the token holders' likelihood of receiving the blockchain validation rewards under the PoS system. Our staked asset pool value as of the end of July 2021 was in excess of US$ 800 million. The drop in the value of staked assets since May was due to the general price declines in the cryptocurrency market in June. Looking Ahead with Moonstake OIO recognises Moonstake's growth as an important pillar in OIO's growth plans. By being a blockchain-based finance platform, OIO is poised to capture a growing staked asset pool associated with the rising usage of digital assets in Asia. Moonstake was founded in 2020 with the goal of becoming Asia's largest staking pool. It offers its technology and infrastructure to both B2C and B2B customers. Looking forward, Moonstake intends to leverage on its internal capabilities by adding more digital assets in its product line-up, expanding geographically in Southeast Asia, and connecting additional investment opportunities on top of staking to add more advantages cum value-added features for Moonstake's users. This will potentially increase Moonstake's appeal to new users and provide additional impetus to our fee-based income growth rate. Further, it will help in their vision to become Asia's largest staking platform. Globally, the value of coins currently staked under PoS exceeds US$100 billion[2]. PoS is gaining popularity in the blockchain segment based on its advantage over the Proof of Work mechanism, which is used by Bitcoin. PoS is a more environmentally friendly option with a substantially lower electricity consumption. With more digital assets adopting PoS, the market size of the staking industry is expected to grow significantly in the coming years.[3] On the future prospects of OIO, Taku Edatsune, Head of Finance and Administration of OIO Holdings Limited, added, "The contribution from Moonstake in June alone was positive. Whilst we are certainly very happy to see the immediate contributions from our acquisition of Moonstake - with blockchain and fintech applications becoming increasingly prevalent in our daily lives, we are also happy that our blockchain expertise is helping our Asian business partners future-proof their enterprises while improving their operational security cum efficiencies at a lower cost. In addition, with Singapore being a major global financial centre, OIO is also well positioned to contribute to the growth of blockchain-based finance in the region. We could work with and assist traditional investors who are interested in investments in various digital asset classes. Such initiatives include developments in the NFT[4] space. This certainly puts OIO in a very unique position." [1] Proof of Stake produces and validates new blocks in blockchains through the process of staking, allowing new blocks to be produced without relying on specialised mining hardware. While mining requires a significant investment in hardware, under staking, holders participate in generating a block by delegating the cryptocurrencies they already hold. [2] https://www.stakingrewards.com [3] https://www.forbes.com/sites/emilymason/2021/07/01/jpmorgan-says-ethereum-upgrades-could-jumpstart-40-billion-staking-industry/?sh=4ae694161512 [4] Non-Fungible Tokens About OIO Holdings Limited

OIO Holdings Limited is a Singapore-based holding company whose core business units are blockchain technology services and mechanical and engineering ("M&E") services. The group's blockchain arm aims to expand blockchain technology and accelerate its integration by offering B2B consulting and software development services to various industries. Following the acquisition of Moonstake Pte Ltd in May 2021, OIO Holdings extends its business beyond the corporate level by providing digital wallets and staking solutions. Apart from the blockchain-related businesses, the Group has developed an extensive expertise as a M&E engineering service and solution provider, and has built up a strong network with well-established customers in Singapore. For more information, please visit the website at: https://ir.oio.sg

This press release has been reviewed by the Company's sponsor, PrimePartners Corporate Finance Pte. Ltd. (the "Sponsor"). It has not been examined or approved by the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (the "Exchange") and the Exchange assumes no responsibility for the contents of this document, including the correctness of any of the statements or opinions made or reports contained in this document. SOURCE OIO Holdings

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[August 12, 2021] Planting Trees in Greater Sudbury as Part of Two Billion Trees

GREATER SUDBURY, ON, Aug. 12, 2021 /CNW/ - There is no path to net-zero emissions that does not involve Canada's forests. Planting trees is a natural climate solution that removes and stores carbon from the atmosphere while providing other benefits such as better air and water quality, particularly in urban settings, supporting biodiversity and decreasing the risk of wildland fire in rural communities. It also provides spaces for recreational opportunities that improve our quality of life and connection to nature. Today, Marc G. Serre, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources, on behalf of the Honourable Seamus O'Regan Jr., Minister of Natural Resources, announced $50,000 to the City of Greater Sudbury in support of the Government of Canada's plan to plant two billion trees over 10 years. The City of Greater Sudbury will plant 50,000 trees to advance ongoing replanting efforts across the region. The funding announced today will help the community double replanting efforts this year. The Two Billion Trees program continues the Government of Canada's existing efforts to advance tree planting as an important part of the solution to climate change. Canada's plan to plant two billion trees is projected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 12 megatonnes annually by 2050. It will create up to 4,300 green jobs. With the help of dedicated organizations across the country, we are growing healthy, vibrant and sustainably managed forests, leaving behind a green legacy for future generations. Natural Resources Canada is implementing this plan with support from Environment and Climate Change Canada and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Planting two billion trees represents a 40 percent annual increase in the number of trees planted in Canada and will see trees planted in both urban and rural areas across the country. In 10 years, the new trees will cover more than 1.1 million hectares, an area twice the size of Prince Edward Island. Quotes "Tree planting is good for the envronment and our community. These trees will result in increased biodiversity, more resilient communities and more green jobs, benefiting the people of Greater Sudbury now, and in the future."



Marc G. Serre

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources "Planting two billion trees is more than a plan for climate action. It's a plan for creating thousands of good, green jobs. We're rolling out tree-planting projects right across the country. Planting trees gets us to net zero."

The Honourable Seamus O'Regan Jr.

Minister of Natural Resources "Greater Sudbury is known for our world-renowned regreening efforts and is proud to join the Government of Canada's mission of planting two billion trees over the next 10 years. Alongside municipalities across Canada, it is our duty to help lead climate solutions that support biodiversity and the well-being of residents. With the help of the federal government, our city is committed to planting 50,000 seedlings in an effort to grow a net-zero future." Brian Bigger

Mayor, City of Greater Sudbury Quick facts The Government of Canada has committed up to $3.2 billion over 10 years, starting in 202122, to deliver on this commitment.

has committed up to over 10 years, starting in 202122, to deliver on this commitment. This is part of a broader Government of Canada approach to embrace the power of nature, recently announced as part of Canada's strengthened climate plan, A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy .

approach to embrace the power of nature, recently announced as part of strengthened climate plan, . The government has established an advisory committee of experts on nature-based climate solutions to advise on program delivery to maximize emission reductions and deliver on key biodiversity and human well-being co-benefits to improve the quality of life for Canadians. Associated Links

2 Billion Trees Commitment

A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy Backgrounder

Nature-based solutions for climate change mitigation and adaption Follow us on Twitter: @NRCan (http://twitter.com/nrcan) NRCan's news releases and backgrounders are available at www.news.gc.ca. SOURCE Natural Resources Canada

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[August 12, 2021] Plexos Group Welcomes Srinivas Krishnaswamy as Chief Operating Officer

Plexos Group, L.L.C. (Plexos), a Baton Rouge-based program delivery, business consulting and information technology company, announced today that Srinivas (Srini) Krishnaswamy has joined the firm as Chief Operating Officer. Krishnaswamy brings more than 30 years of U.S. and international large-scale civil, infrastructure and building project management experience to the company. He is responsible for designing and implementing Plexos' company-wide strategic growth plan and expanding key client relationships in established and developing markets. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210812005152/en/ Plexos Group COO Srini Krishnaswamy (Photo: Business Wire) "Adding Srini to our executive team is a major win for Plexos Group and our clients," said Plexos President and CEO David Odom. "His track record for managing multibillion-dollar projects while running efficient operations enhances our ability to accelerate our growth and pursue new business opportunities in established and developing markets." Krishnaswamy comes to Plexos after more than two decades at AECOM, most recently as Executive Vice President, Americas, where he expanded the company's disaster recovery services across the U.S and territories including in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Florida, North Carolina, California, Texas and Louisiana. He is also known for driving efficiencies in high-impact infrastructure projects benefitting the rail and healthcae industries at the state and local levels.



"We have known Srini for a long time and have admired his work while partnering on major disaster recovery and infrastructure programs" commented Kirk Fisher, Plexos' Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President. "We look forward to leveraging Srini's experience to expand our scope within the national and global economy, from software as a service ( SaaS (News - Alert) ) to healthcare claims." Krishnaswamy has developed particular expertise in delivering integrated service solutions and designing financial management and reporting metrics that help clients measure and analyze program objectives while achieving performance targets. Earlier in his career, he managed large programs, projects and client relationships across South America, Europe, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and India, aligning robust systems with stringent quality, safety and ethics policies.

"I am excited to join a team that's so strongly committed to providing innovative solutions that solve difficult business and program challenges," Krishnaswamy said. "I've experienced first-hand Plexos' ability to ramp up quickly to provide the kind of scalable, agile solutions the public and private sectors need to build resilience within our communities and our economy." Krishnaswamy played a key role in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's $70 billion New Schools Program. He is also credited with developing the first two strategic execution plans for the $25 billion Los Angeles Unified School District New Construction and Modernization Program from 2000-2004, for which he created an innovative, integrated financial system. His many other career project highlights include construction and expansion projects for the L.A. Community College District, Disneyland Resort, L.A. County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, UCLA and Kaiser Permanente. "Srini is an excellent complement to our dynamic and highly experienced team," said Paul Rainwater, Plexos' Chief Strategy Officer and Senior Vice President. "He's hitting the ground running with an aggressive development plan that maximizes the company's unique strengths and capabilities in markets across the U.S., its territories and beyond." About Plexos: Founded in 2012, Plexos Group provides innovative program delivery, business consulting and IT solutions to public and private sector clients across the United States, its territories and internationally. With over 500 staff members strategically located across the United States and the Caribbean, our experts have more than 200 years of combined disaster recovery, claims management and information technology subject matter expertise, including the management and implementation of $32.5B in disaster recovery funds. PlexoSoft, our proprietary, cloud-based end-to-end IT software platform, enables clients from all industries and sectors, including multidistrict litigation, class action, disaster recovery, healthcare and insurance, securely manage program data, analyze key project analytics and satisfy stringent reporting requirements. To learn more about Plexos' service offerings, visit: www.plexosgroup.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210812005152/en/

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[August 12, 2021] ProMIS Neurosciences Announces Second Quarter 2021 Results

TORONTO and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Aug. 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ProMIS Neurosciences, Inc. (TSX: PMN) (OTCQB: ARFXF) (ProMIS or the Company), a biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of antibody therapeutics targeting toxic oligomers implicated in the development of neurodegenerative diseases, today announced its operational and financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021.

ProMIS Neurosciences is applying its patented technology platform to build a portfolio of antibody therapies, therapeutic vaccines, and diagnostics in neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimers disease (AD) and other dementias, Parkinsons Disease (PD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). These diseases share a common biologic cause  misfolded versions of proteins, that otherwise perform a normal function, kill neurons and produce disease. ProMIS technology platform is an example of the advances in drug discovery enabled by computational power, in silico discovery, and/or artificial intelligence. This platform provides an advantage in either selectively targeting the toxic misfolded proteins with therapeutics or detecting them with diagnostics. This capability has given ProMIS a growing portfolio of potential best in class monoclonal antibodies (or corresponding therapeutic vaccines), including our lead program PMN310, targeting toxic oligomers of amyloid in AD. Corporate Highlights On May 21, 2021, we re-initiated the path to Investigational New Drug application for PMN310 in AD with the start of producer cell line development. This key first step in the manufacturing of antibody therapeutics is being carried out by Selexis, SA, using Selexis proprietary SUREtechnology Platform.





On June 3, 2021, the Company announced that it had filed a preliminary Prospectus with the securities regulators in each of the provinces and territories of Canada, except Quebec. The Prospectus will allow the Company to make offerings of common shares, warrants, units, debt securities, subscription receipts, convertible securities or any combination thereof for up to an aggregate total of US$50 million during the 25-month period that the Prospectus is effective.





On July 8, 2021, the Company announced that it had filed, and obtained a receipt for the Prospectus with the securities regulators in each of the provinces and territories of Canada, except Quebec.





On July 2, 2021, the Company announced the voting results of the Companys annual meeting of shareholders held on June 30, 2021, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. All resolutions described in the Management Proxy Circular and placed before the meeting were approved by the shareholders.

People On May 12, 2021, Dr. Rudolph Tanzi, Ph.D., was appointed as the Chair of the Companys Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Tanzi is the Joseph P. and Rose F. Kennedy Professor of Neurology at Harvard University and Vice-Chair of Neurology, Director of the Genetics and Aging Research Unit, and Co-Director of the Henry and Allison McCance Center for Brain Health at Massachusetts General Hospital.





On May 13, 2021, we appointed Neil K. Warma, to the Companys Board of Directors. Neil Warma has been a healthcare entrepreneur for over 25 years having managed and advised numerous biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.





On May 25, 2021, the Company appointed Owen Dempsey to lead the commercialization program for its COVID-19 serology assay.





On May 27, 2021, Dr. David Wishart, Distinguished University Professor in the Departments of Biological Sciences and Computing Science at the University of Alberta, was appointed as Chief Physics Officer at ProMIS.

Financial Results Results of Operations  Three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 Net Loss for the three months ended June 30, 2021 were $297,346 compared to $1,650,218 for the three months ended June 30, 2020. Included in the net loss amount for the three months ended June 30, 2021, was non-cash expenses/(income) of ($1,049,745) representing the change in the fair value of the embedded derivative of ($1,245,388), share-based compensation of $180,392, amortization of property and equipment and an intangible asset of $12,252 compared to $76,310 for the three months ended June 30, 2020, consisting of share-based compensation of $74,642 and amortization of an intangible asset of $1,668. Operating loss for the three months ended June 30, 2021 was $1,378,603, as compared to $1,650,218 in the three months ended June 30, 2020. The decrease in the operating loss for the three months ended June 30, 2021, reflects decreased contracted salaries and associated costs of $350,622 due to reduction in compensation to management and attrition of contract staff, decreased investor relations of $203,971 due to scale down of investor relations activities and consultants and foreign exchange gains of $233,874 due to the foreign exchange on US denominated assets and liabilities offset by increased costs associated with external contract research organizations for internal programs of $172,518 as the company restarts the internal programs, share-based compensation of $105,749 due to the grant f share options, increased patent expense of $40,162 due to increased maintenance fees, increased legal expense of $45,752, increased consulting expense of $137,522, increase in amortization of property and equipment and intangible asset of $13,584 and decreased revenue of $1,565.



Research and development expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2021 were $1,065,197, as compared to $898,887 in the three months ended June 30, 2020. The increase in research and development expense for the three months ended June 30, 2021, compared to the same period ended June 30, 2020, is primarily attributed to increased costs associated with external contract research organizations for internal programs of $172,518 as the company restarts the internal programs, increased share-based compensation of $28,579 due to the grant of share options, increased patent expense of $40,162 due to increased maintenance fees ,increased outside consultants of $137,706 and increase in amortization of property and equipment and intangible asset of $13,584 offset by decreased contracted research salaries and associated costs of $226,238 due to reduction in compensation to management and attrition of contract staff. General and administrative expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2021 were $313,406, as compared to $752,896 in the three months ended June 30, 2020. The decrease for the three months ended June 30, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020, is primarily attributable to a reduction in contracted corporate salaries and associated costs of $124,383 due to reduction in compensation to management and attrition of contracted staff, decreased investor relations of $203,971 due to scale down of investor relations activities and consultants and foreign exchange gains of $233,874 due to the foreign exchange on US denominated assets and liabilities offset by share-based compensation of $77,171 due to the grant of share options, and increased legal expense of $45,752.

Results of Operations  Six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 Net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2021 were $7,896,763 compared to $3,412,137 for the six months ended June 30, 2020. Included in the net loss amount for the six months ended June 30, 2021, was non-cash expense $5,909,542, representing the change in the fair value of the embedded derivative of $5,766,915, share-based compensation of $112,123, amortization of property and equipment and an intangible asset of $30,504 for the six months ended June 30, 2021, compared to $290,048 for the six months ended June 30, 2020, consisting of share-based compensation of $286,712 and amortization of an intangible asset of $3,336. Operating loss for the six months ended June 30, 2021 was $1,960,934, as compared to $3,412,137 in the six months ended June 30, 2020. The decrease in the operating loss for the six months ended June 30, 2021, reflects decreased contract salaries and associated costs of $924,565 due to reduction in compensation to management and attrition of contracted staff, decreased investor relations of $380,959 due to scale down of investor relation activities and consultants, decreased share-based compensation of $174,589 due to forfeiture of unvested/vested share options due to termination of consulting arrangement and foreign exchange gains of $293,012 due to the foreign exchange on US denominated offset by increased costs associated with external contract research organizations for internal programs of $88,673 as the company restarts the internal programs, increased patent expense of $3,617 due to increased maintenance fees, increased legal expense of $99,572, increased consulting expense of $101,315, increase in amortization of property and equipment and intangible asset of $27,168 and decreased revenue of $1,578. Research and development expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2021 were $1,259,120, as compared to $1,872,473 in the six months ended June 30, 2020. The decrease in research and development expense for the six months ended June 30, 2021, compared to the same period ended June 30, 2020, reflects the conservation of cash resources and decreased contract salaries and associated costs of $673,785 due to reduction in compensation to management and attrition of contracted staff and decreased share-based compensation of $145,459 due to forfeiture of unvested/vested share options due to termination of consulting arrangement offset by increased costs associated with external contract research organizations for internal programs of $88,673 as the company restarts the internal programs, increased patent expense of $3,617 due to increased maintenance fees, increased consulting expense of $86,435 and increase in amortization of property and equipment and intangible asset of $27,168. General and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2021 were $701,814, as compared to $1,541,242 in the six months ended June 30, 2020. The decrease for the six months ended June 30, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020, is primarily attributable to a reduction in contract salaries and associated costs of $250,780 due to reduction in compensation to management and attrition of contracted staff, decreased investor relations of $380,959 due to scale down of investor relation activities and consultants, decreased share-based compensation of $29,129 due to forfeiture of unvested/vested share options due to termination of consulting arrangement and foreign exchange gains of $293,012 due to the foreign exchange on US denominated offset by increased legal expense of $99,572 and increased consulting expense of $14,880. Outlook Going forward ProMIS will focus on accelerating or re-initiating programs in our core business area, best in class therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases. In addition, we will continue to expand the application of our unique discovery platform, with which we can rationally design antibodies or vaccines to be selective for only mis-folded, pathogenic proteins involved in disease. In Alzheimers we will restart IND enabling work for PMN310, our antibody highly selective for toxic oligomers of amyloid. That selectivity may prove to give PMN310 significant competitive advantages in safety and efficacy over products from Biogen, Lilly, and Eisai that appear to provide benefit slowing the progression of Alzheimers disease. In addition, starting with the same proprietary technology that creates selective antibodies (passive immunotherapy), we are moving forward our program to create therapeutic vaccines (active immunotherapy) targeting toxic oligomers of amyloid. Therapeutic vaccines may be a preferred therapy for Alzheimers prevention; the ultimate goal in Alzheimers treatment is to detect disease in the ~20 year window before symptoms arise and treat to prevent symptoms of cognitive decline. In ALS we will advance our program targeting toxic TDP-43 with further in vitro and in vivo validation, and we will build on the significant scientific advances we have made targeting RACK1 (Receptor for A Activated C Kinase 1). We will also further advance our alpha-synuclein program with further in vivo and in vitro validation, targeting diseases like Parkinsons disease and Multiple System Atrophy. About ProMIS Neurosciences, Inc. ProMIS Neurosciences, Inc. is a development stage biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing antibody therapeutics selectively targeting toxic oligomers implicated in the development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases, in particular Alzheimers disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinsons disease (PD). The Companys proprietary target discovery engine is based on the use of two complementary techniques. The Company applies its thermodynamic, computational discovery platform -ProMIS and Collective Coordinates - to predict novel targets known as Disease Specific Epitopes on the molecular surface of misfolded proteins. Using this unique approach, the Company is developing novel antibody therapeutics for AD, ALS and PD. ProMIS is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, with offices in Cambridge, Massachusetts. ProMIS is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol PMN, and on the OTCQB Venture Market under the symbol ARFXF. Visit us at www.promisneurosciences.com, follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn For Investor Relations please contact:

Alpine Equity Advisors

Nicholas Rigopulos, President

nick@alpineequityadv.com

Tel. 617 901-0785 The TSX has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This information release contains certain forward-looking information. Such information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by statements herein, and therefore these statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. All forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to it as well as other factors. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Due to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties identified by the Company in its public securities filings, actual events may differ materially from current expectations. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.





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[August 12, 2021] Roupa Nova Lead Guitarist, Kiko Pereira, Launches Brazil's First Responsibly Minted NFT

BRAZIL, Aug. 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (via Blockchain wire)  UREEQA (https://www.ureeqa.com/), a blockchain platform for protecting, managing and monetizing creative work, today announced it will provide a Package of Proof for Roupa Novas lead guitarist Kiko Pereiras exclusive NFT. The sale is being executed by Abrakazum in partnership with UREEQA, the exclusive worldwide provider of Responsibly Minted NFTs. UREEQAs Package of Proof mints the work as a Validated NFT, certifying the ownership, authorship and originality of Pereiras creative work. As a Validated NFT, Pereiras work will be displayed in the UREEQA Premium Protected Collection, where anyone can see the validation steps taken to certify the NFT. Additionally, a one-way hash of the Package of Proof will be permanently written to the Ethereum blockchain. The detailed Package of Proof ensures buyers that the NFT was only minted after the source creative work was thoroughly validated.



Pereira will tokenize an exclusive autographed guitar from his collection, used in the recording of the Roupa Nova em Londres DVD at the iconic Abbey Road Studios -- the DVD won the Latin Grammy Award for Best Portuguese Language Contemporary Pop Album -- plus a certificate of authenticity signed by the guitarist, as well as a stunning piece of crypto art in a unique and exclusive NFT.



I immediately connected with the project brought to me by Abrakazum, as I have always been a musician interested in technology,'' said Kiko Pereira. NFTs allow a new kind of interaction between artists and their fan base, and Im excited to work with UREEQA, a team that values both creativity and ownership.









UREEQA is helping create security and transparency for both Creators and those purchasing creative works, said Harsch Khandelwal, CEO of UREEQA. Were working to solve the long standing issue of copyright protection and verification, and are thrilled to host Kiko Pereiras NFT auction to help him accomplish this for his work.





The NFT will launch on August 12. To enter the auction site, click here. To learn more about UREEQA, please visit ureeqa.com. ABOUT UREEQA

UREEQA (https://www.ureeqa.com/) is a blockchain-based platform dedicated to building a robust Package of Proof for minting validated NFTs that represent creative rights. Creators can securely upload and store their content on UREEQA and submit their content to the UREEQA Premium Protected Collection for added protection. An NFT will be minted for each creation that is validated on UREEQA and it will serve as the creators immutable claim to their work. Each NFT will be tied to a creators Package of Proof stored on the blockchain, which will document authenticity and ownership. ABOUT ABRAKAZUM ENTRETENIMENTO

Created by the music producers Raphael Los, Kelpo Gils and Juno Moraes in 2015, ABRAKAZUM ENTRETENIMENTO operates in different business verticals as an agency, a production company, a record label and a publisher. Specialized in the music industry, Abrakazum is focused on creation, artistic supervision, musical marketing, and career management. The company is a solution hub for quality artistic content production and product development with emphasis in new technologies. Abrakazum is UREEQAs Premium Partner in Brazil.



Renato Varella

Abrakazum Entretenimento | Business Development

+1 (281) 966-8203

renato@abrakazum.com.br

www.abrakazum.com.br





Kelpo Gils

Abrakazum Entretenimento | CEO & Founder

estudiomrka@gmail.com

www.abrakazum.com.br

Transform Group, ureeqa@transformgroup.com

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[August 12, 2021] ScalePad Expands Warranty Services to 6 New Countries in EMEA

VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- ScalePad is excited to announce a warranty services expansion to six additional countries, delivering the ability to extend warranties on servers and networking equipment in Belgium, Finland, Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden, and South Africa. With several hundred managed service provider (MSP) partners across EMEA, today marks the first time the company has offered ScalePad Warranty Services in the region outside Western Europe. "ScalePad Warranty Service extensions on assets with expiring or expired OEM warranties have been one of our most valuable features for our partners, providing both protection for client assets and a profitable revenue stream for our partners. We are proud to extend this successful service offering to our MSP partners in the Nordics, across all three Benelux nations, and to South Africa," said Dan Wensley, chief executive officer of ScalePad. "This unlocks a great opportunity, both for ScalePad and our partners, by meeting an important client need already being leveraged by thousands of our partners today." ScalePad partners are now able to offer next-business day, hassle-free ScalePad Warranty Services on servers for clients anywhere in Belgium, Finland, Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden, and South Africa. Nine of the most popular OEM sever brands are supported, including Dell, HPE, and IBM, with no reinstatement fees for adding coverage to clients' currently out-of-warranty servers. Warranty protection for selected networking equipment is also available. Help desk support for warrantied equipment is provided by ScalePad Warranty Services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. All repairs use 100% genuine OEM parts.



"ScalePad Warranty Services provides profitable growth for our partners while at the same time reducing risk for their clients," stated Wensley. "It's been huge for partners in North America and other global markets, and we're proud to bring this ScalePad service to six more countries in EMEA." About ScalePad

ScalePad helps MSPs easily identify and prioritize their asset risks and revenue-generating opportunities. Our insightful reports not only communicate asset status to your customers, but will also drive them into making important IT investments to improve their environment. ScalePad's innovative software is trusted by more than 8,500 partners across 76 countries and is used by over 60% of the MSP 501. This article was first published on https://www.scalepad.com/news-events/scalepad-warranty-adds-six-nations-in-emea ScalePad Media Contact

Dina Genkin

media@scalepad.com

415-985-2895

www.ScalePad.com/news Related Images scalepad.jpg

ScalePad

ScalePad EMEA Expansion View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/scalepad-expands-warranty-services-to-6-new-countries-in-emea-301353681.html SOURCE ScalePad

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[August 12, 2021] Sunshine Biopharma's Coronavirus Treatment Anticipated to be Effective Against Delta and the Other Variants of Concern

MONTREAL, Aug. 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sunshine Biopharma Inc. (OTC Pink: SBFM), a pharmaceutical company focused on the research, development and commercialization of oncology and antiviral drugs today announced that it mapped the mutations found in Delta and the other variants of concern (VOC) identified to date and determined that the majority of the mutations are in the Spike protein and only a few fall within the genomic sequences that encode nsp3, a multi-domain protein that includes the PLpro enzyme. Serendipitously, no mutations mapped within the domain comprising the PLpro catalytic core. These finding indicate that our PLpro inhibitors currently under development at the University of Georgia would likely be effective against all of the VOC.

The VOC currently recognized by the World Health Organization and the CDC in the United States include the Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta variants. All of the mutations of these variants were found to occur outside of the PLpro catalytic domain where our inhibitors function. Mutations falling outside of the catalytic domain of an enzyme are generally considered to be inconsequential to the activity of that enzyme. Based on the crystal structure of PLpro, the contact points of our inhibitors within the catalytic domain of PLpro remain unchanged. We are delighted by these findings and look forward to completing our mice studies at the University of Georgia soon, said Dr. Steve N. Slilaty, CEO of Sunshine Biopharma. About Sunshine Biopharma Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that has claimed the lives of over 4.3 million people worldwide since it first appeared in December 2019. There are currently no drugs that can effectively arrest replication of the virus in people who have contracted the illness. Sunshine Biopharma has completed the synthesis of four potential inhibitors of PLpro and subsequently identified a lead compound, SBFM-PL4. On February 1, 2021, Sunshine Biopharma entered into an exclusive license agreement with the University of Georgia fr two Anti-Coronavirus compounds which the University of Georgia had previously developed and patented. The Company is currently advancing the development of these two compounds in parallel with its own SBFM-PL4 by conducting a transgenic mice study in collaboration with the University of Georgia, College of Pharmacy. The mice being used in the study have been genetically engineered to express the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) transmembrane protein in their lungs making them susceptible to lethal infection by SARS-CoV-2. The SARS-CoV-2 virus uses the hACE2 receptor to gain entry into human cells to replicate. The goal of the study is to determine if these protease inhibitors will protect the hACE2-transgenic mice from disease progression and death following infection with SARS-CoV-2. Should these mice studies prove successful, Sunshine Biopharma plans to submit the results to the FDA for authorization to conduct testing on actual COVID-19 patient volunteers in a Phase I clinical trial setting.



In addition, to working on the development of a treatment for COVID-19, Sunshine Biopharma is engaged in the development Adva-27a, a unique anticancer compound. Tests conducted to date have demonstrated the effectiveness of Adva-27a at destroying Multidrug Resistant Cancer Cells, including Pancreatic Cancer cells, Small-Cell Lung Cancer cells, Breast Cancer cells, and Uterine Sarcoma cells. Clinical trials for Pancreatic Cancer indication are planned to be conducted at McGill Universitys Jewish General Hospital in Montreal, Canada. Sunshine Biopharma is owner of all patents and intellectual property pertaining to Adva-27a.

Safe Harbor Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward looking statements which are based on current expectations, forecasts, and assumptions that involve risks as well as uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those anticipated or expected, including statements related to the amount and timing of expected revenues statements related to our financial performance, expected income, distributions, and future growth for upcoming quarterly and annual periods. These risks and uncertainties are further defined in filings and reports by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Actual results and the timing of certain events could differ materially from those projected in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements due to a number of factors detailed from time to time in our filings with the SEC. Among other matters, the Company may not be able to sustain growth or achieve profitability based upon many factors including but not limited to general stock market conditions. Reference is hereby made to cautionary statements set forth in the Company's most recent SEC filings. We have incurred and will continue to incur significant expenses in our expansion of our existing as well as new service lines noting there is no assurance that we will generate enough revenues to offset those costs in both the near and long term. Additional service offerings may expose us to additional legal and regulatory costs and unknown exposure(s) based upon the various geopolitical locations we will be providing services in, the impact of which cannot be predicted at this time. For Additional Information Contact:

Camille Sebaaly, CFO

Sunshine Biopharma Inc.

Direct Line: 514-814-0464

camille.sebaaly@sunshinebiopharma.com

www.sunshinebiopharma.com



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[August 12, 2021] Upgrades to Shediac's wastewater and water systems will help protect local ecosystems

SHEDIAC, NB, Aug. 12, 2021 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Dominic Leblanc, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, the Honourable Gary Crossman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation; and His Worship Roger Caissie, Mayor of Shediac, announced funding to renew and upgrade the town's wastewater and water systems. Minister LeBlanc made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities. Working together, the Town of Shediac and the Greater Shediac Sewerage Commission will upgrade the sanitary, water and storm systems on Main Street, Grand Pre Street, Inglis Street and Dupuis Street. These upgrades will reduce the likelihood of overflow events at the lift stations, and will increase the capacity to treat and manage wastewater and stormwater., In addition, a new ultraviolet disinfection process will considerably improve the cleanliness of the town's wastewater before its disposal in the Shediac Bay. The Shediac Bay is one of Southeastern New Brunswick's most extraordinary natural attractions. Tourists from all over Canada come to our region for its beautiful beaches. By investing in the quality and the health of the waters in the Shediac Bay, we invest in the vibrancy of our tourism sector while protecting our environment. The Government of Canada is investing more than $2.9 million in this project through the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada program. The Government of New Brunswick is providing more than $2.4 million, while the Town of Shediac is contributing more than $1.9 million. Quotes "This investment is key to ensuring the protection of Shediac Bay's beautiful beaches. By upgrading the town's wastewater infrastructure, we are investing in the health of our local ecosystems and our local economy."



The Honourable Dominic Leblanc, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs "Investing in improved wastewater and drinking water facilities is an important part of delivering on our government's priority to build vibrant and sustainable communities. We are pleased to partner with the federal and municipal governments to ensure preserve public health, protect the environment and equip Shediac with the infrastructure they need for population growth and economic recovery."

The Honourable Gary Crossman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation "This major investment in infrastructure renewal at the town's main entrance supports growth in Shediac. The work will allow for continued development in Shediac's west end and help bring environmental benefits." His Worship Roger Caissie, Mayor of Shediac Quick facts Through the Investing in Canada Plan, the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities.

is investing more than over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and rural and northern communities. $26.9 billion of the Investing in Canada Plan funding is supporting green infrastructure projects ensuring access to safe water, clean air, and greener communities.

of the Investing in Plan funding is supporting green infrastructure projects ensuring access to safe water, clean air, and greener communities. The Government of Canada has invested more than $584 million in more than 330 infrastructure projects across New Brunswick under the Investing in Canada Plan. Associated links Investing in Canada: Canada's Long-Term Infrastructure Plan:

http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/icp-publication-pic-eng.html Investing in Canada Plan Project Map:

http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map Federal infrastructure investments in New Brunswick:

https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/prog-proj-nb-eng.html Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn Web: Infrastructure Canada SOURCE Infrastructure Canada

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[August 11, 2021] Converge Technology Solutions Reports Second Quarter 2021 Financial Results

Company announces another record quarter as it positions itself for expansion into new markets. TORONTO and GATINEAU, QC, Aug. 11, 2021 /CNW/ - Converge Technology Solutions Corp. ("Converge" or "the Company") (TSX: CTS) (FSE: 0ZB) (OTCQX: CTSDF) is pleased to provide its financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021. All figures are in CAD dollars unless otherwise stated. Q221 Highlights Second quarter revenue increased 52% over last year to $345.3 million

Gross profit increased 43% over last year to $78.2 million

Adjusted EBITDA increased 86% to $21.7 million from $11.7 million last year

from last year Not included in our Q2 numbers are $54.6 million of revenue and $3.9 million of Adjusted EBITDA which are part of the Vicom Infinity and Infinity System acquisitions announced on June 30th but not yet closed

of revenue and of Adjusted EBITDA which are part of the Vicom Infinity and Infinity System acquisitions announced on but not yet closed Net income was $1.0 million compared to a loss of $4.4 million last year

compared to a loss of last year Closed $172.5 million equity financing at $7.50 per common share in June 2021

equity financing at per common share in Added Doris Albiez to the European Advisory Board and appointed Darlene Kelly and Thomas Volk to the Converge Board at the Converge Annual General Meeting

to the European Advisory Board and appointed and to the Converge Board at the Converge Annual General Meeting Completed the acquisitions of Dasher Technologies, Inc., a leading Silicon Valley-based IT solution provider; Exactly IT, a next generation managed IT service provider; and signed definitive agreements to acquire both Vicom Infinity, Inc. and Infinity Systems Software

Achieved Five Key 2021 IBM Awards including: the Beacon Award; Top North America Sell Business Partner of the Year; Top North America IBM and Red Hat Synergy Partner of the Year; IBM Data and AI Business Unit Excellence Award for Cloud Pak for Data; and, IBM Business Unit Excellence Award for Protect: Digital Trust

Added 121 Net New Logos throughout the Quarter

Achieved Titanium Partner Status with Intel Corporation; Diamond Status with Palo Alto Networks; Elite Partner Status with Pure Storage; and ranked within top fifty on CRN's 2021 Solution Provider 500 List Subsequent to Quarter Completed acquisition of REDNET AG, an IT service provider headquartered in Mainz, Germany marking our first European Acquisition

marking our first European Acquisition Ranked fourteenth on CRN's 2021 Fast Growth 150 List; Announced as Ingram Micro's Blue Series Partner of the Year and CORE Partner of the Year for North America ; and recipient of the 2021 North American Microsoft Surface Reseller of the Year "Converge is extremely proud to announce another record quarter of performance", said Shaun Maine, CEO of Converge. "The team continues to execute in all aspects of our business as we focus on providing best in class solutions to our increasing roster of valued customers. In addition to our exceptional North American growth, we are extremely excited to have closed our platform acquisition in Europe and we look forward to replicating our North American success overseas. To further expand our investor base around our European expansion, the Company will be exploring a secondary listing in the London Stock Exchange. Our scale and reach as well as the depth of expertise within our key practice areas make Converge one of the premier IT solutions providers in the market and we look forward to continuing to deliver for our valued customers, shareholders, employees and stakeholders. Additionally, Converge has created a new cybersecurity-focused SaaS entity, Portage CyberTech Inc, which combines its Becker Carrol and Vivvo business units. Portage will focus on growing its unique offerings and expanding its footprint in the months ahead and may raise capital directly to finance organic and M&A growth for its SaaS solutions. These are exciting times for Converge and we remain steadfast in our objective to meet and exceed the expectations of our customers and shareholders." Conference Call Details: Date: Thursday, August 12th, 2021

Time: 9:00 AM Eastern Time Participant Dial-in Numbers:

Local  Toronto (+1) 647 794 4605

Toll Free  North America (+1) 888 204 4368

Germany  0800 589 4609

United Kingdom  0800 358 6377

Conference ID: 7839132 Recording Playback Numbers:

Toronto (+1) 647 436 0148

Toll Free  North America (+1) 888 203 1112

Passcode: 7839132

Expiry Date: August 19th, 2021 A live audio webcast and archive of the conference call will be available by visiting the Company's website at https://convergetp.com/investor-relations/. Please connect at least 15 minutes prior to the conference call to ensure time for any software download that may be needed to hear the webcast. About Converge

Converge Technology Solutions Corp. is a software-enabled IT & Cloud Solutions provider focused on delivering industry-leading solutions and services. Converge's regional sales and services organizations deliver advanced analytics, cloud, and cybersecurity offerings to clients across various industries. The Company supports these solutions with managed services, digital infrastructure, and talent expertise offerings across all major IT vendors in the marketplace. This multi-faceted approach enables Converge to address the unique business and technology requirements for all clients in the public and private sectors. For more information, visit convergetp.com. Summary of Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

(expressed in thousands of dollars)









June 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 Assets



Current assets





Cash $ 124,923 $ 64,767

Trade and other receivables 351,663 364,308

Inventories 62,096 37,868

Prepaid expenses and other assets 9,757 10,376



548,439 477,319 Long-term assets





Property, equipment, and right-of-use assets, net 27,108 23,558

Intangible assets, net 147,903 108,926

Goodwill 186,995 110,068

Other non-current assets 1,969 749



$ 912,414 $ 720,620







Liabilities and shareholders' equity



Current liabilities





Trade and other payables $ 377,127 $ 398,003

Borrowings 50,513 133,281

Other financial liabilities 26,437 22,125

Deferred revenue and other liabilities 34,656 17,376

Income taxes payable 2,453 764



491,186 571,549 Long-term liabilities





Other financial liabilities 41,535 28,858

Borrowings 723 5,882

Deferred tax liability 24,618 12,584



$ 558,062 $ 618,873







Shareholders' equity





Common shares 383,696 135,354

Exchange rights 3,808 4,853

Foreign exchange translation reserve 1,435 817

Deficit (34,587) (39,277)



354,352 101,747



$ 912,414 $ 720,620

Summary of Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss)

(expressed in thousands of dollars)



Three months ended June 30,

Six months ended June 30,



2021

2020

2021

2020

















Revenues















Product $ 281,287 $ 175,307 $ 533,794 $ 365,691 Service

64,020

52,535

121,715

103,676 Total revenue

345,307

227,842

655,509

469,367 Cost of sales

267,063

172,993

509,469

359,683 Gross profit

78,244

54,849

146,040

109,684

















Selling, general and administrative expenses

57,630

44,174

107,273

89,576 Income before the following

20,614

10,675

38,767

20,108 Depreciation and amortization

7,898

5,623

14,386

11,024 Finance expense, net

1,727

5,316

4,147

10,815 Special charges

5,354

4,307

8,405

6,049 Other expense (income)

1,913

999

3,006

(620) Income (loss) before income taxes

3,722

(5,570)

8,823

(7,160)

















Income tax expense (recovery)

2,697

(1,169)

4,133

(1,342)

















Net income (loss) $ 1,025 $ (4,401) $ 4,690 $ (5,818) Other comprehensive income (loss)















Exchange loss on translation of foreign operations

(820)

(951)

(618)

748 Comprehensive income (loss) $ 1,845 $ (3,450) $ 5,308 $ (6,566)

















Adjusted EBITDA $ 21,720 $ 11,654 $ 40,488 $ 22,500 Adjusted EBITDA (Non-IFRS Financial Measurement) Adjusted EBITDA represents net loss or income adjusted to exclude amortization, depreciation, interest expense and finance costs, foreign exchange gains and losses, income tax expense, and special charges. Special charges consist primarily of restructuring related expenses for employee terminations, lease terminations, and restructuring of acquired companies, as well as certain legal fees or provisions related to acquired companies. From time to time, it may also include adjustments in the fair value of contingent consideration, and other such non-recurring costs related to restructuring, financing, and acquisitions. The Company uses Adjusted EBITDA to provide investors with a supplemental measure of its operating performance and thus highlight trends in its core business that may not otherwise be apparent when relying solely on IFRS financial measures. The Company believes that securities analysts, investors and other interested parties frequently use non-IFRS measures in the evaluation of issuers. Management also uses non-IFRS measures in order to facilitate operating performance comparisons from period to period, prepare annual operating budgets and assess the ability to meet capital expenditure and working capital requirements. Adjusted EBITDA is not a recognized, defined or standardized measure under IFRS. The Company's definition of Adjusted EBITDA will likely differ from that used by other companies and therefore comparability may be limited. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered a substitute for or in isolation from measures prepared in accordance with IFRS. Investors are encouraged to review the Company's financial statements and disclosures in their entirety and are cautioned not to put undue reliance on non-IFRS measures and view them in conjunction with the most comparable IFRS financial measures. The Company has reconciled Adjusted EBITDA to the most comparable IFRS financial measure as follows:

For the three months ended June 30, For the six months ended June 30,

2021 2020 2021 2020 Net income (loss) before taxes $ 3,722 $ (5,570) $ 8,823 $ (7,160) Finance expense 1,727 5,316 4,148 10,815 Depreciation and amortization 7,898 5,623 14,386 11,024 Depreciation included in cost of sales 1,065 1,346 1,760 2,780 Foreign exchange loss (gain) 1,954 632 2,966 (1,008) Special charges 5,354 4,307 8,405 6,049 Adjusted EBITDA $ 21,720 $ 11,654 $ 40,488 $ 22,500 Forward-Looking Information This press release contains certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation regarding Converge and its business. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected" "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts". "estimates", "believes" or intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could, "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, Converge assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. For a detailed description of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company and its business and affairs, readers should refer to the Company's filings statement available on SEDAR under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com including its most recent Annual Information Form, its Management Discussion and Analysis and its Annual and Quarterly Financial Statements. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/converge-technology-solutions-reports-second-quarter-2021-financial-results-301353613.html SOURCE Converge Technology Solutions Corp.

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[August 11, 2021] Amwell Announces Results for Second Quarter 2021

Amwell, (NYSE: AMWL) (the "Company") a national telehealth leader, today announced financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2021. "In Q2, we were pleased to show significant progress in shifting the mix of our revenues more towards enabling technology versus visits. We expect this shift to continue in 2022 and beyond, and after our Converge roll-out to drive better margins and profitability. We are therefore confirming our Subscription, Carepoints and related technology revenue outlook, given the strong performance in the first half. Regarding visits, on July 18th, the American Academy of Pediatrics reversed their previous guidance and is now recommending that all children, staff, and teachers in grades K-12 wear masks, regardless of vaccination status. Similarly on July 27th, the Centers for Disease Control reversed their previous guidance and are now recommending that all individuals, including those who are vaccinated, wear masks indoors in any location with high or substantial COVID transmission, which currently includes 2/3 of the US population. With mask mandates quickly returning and also acknowledging other trends we are observing within visit mix and volumes, we need to account for these other dynamics and a likely weaker cold and flu season due to these variant related protective measures. Consequently, we are adjusting down our visit forecast for the remainder of the year to account for these factors," said Dr. Ido Schoenberg, Chairman and CEO. Dr. Schoenberg continued, "Converge, coupled with our recent acquisitions, set Amwell apart. Together we uniquely provide a single, integrated, scalable and dependable platform that combines physical, virtual, and automated care delivery enablement. We believe that use of our platform will continue to materially increase over the next few years as healthcare workflows go through significant transformation and focus more on efficiency, impact, and reach. We were pleased by the feedback of our clients as we began to deploy Amwell Now on Converge. Many more will follow this year. We look forward to providing you with more insight as we continue to support our vast ecosystem of partners and clients in their journey to transform and improve healthcare." Second quarter 2021 Financial Highlights: All comparisons, unless otherwise noted, are to the three months ended March 31, 2021. Total Revenue was $60.2 million, compared to $57.6 million Subscription revenue was $26.8 million, compared to $24.6 million Visit revenue was $27.5 million, compared to $27.8 million

Gross margin was 43.7%, compared to 38.0%

Net loss was $38.1 million, compared to $39.8 million

Adjusted EBITDA was ($23.7) million, compared to ($26.4) million, as a result of expanded gross margins and operational efficiencies

Total active providers were ~71,000, compared to ~81,000 last quarter as COVID-focused providers roll off the platform

Total visits were ~1.3 million, compared to ~1.6 million due to the typical decline of urgent care visits entering the summer period Amwell Medical Group ("AMG") visits increased to 25% of total visits versus 20% last quarter

Financial Outlook For 2021, the Company is adjusting their previous visits outlook to account for changes related to COVID-Delta variant and now expects: Revenue between $252 and $262 million from the previous range of $260 to $270 million Confirmed technology subscription revenues and services & care points revenues as these businesses are operating at or above original forecast levels Guidance adjusted solely for changes in visits outlook due to factors related to COVID-Delta variant, mainly flu season estimates

Narrowed and adjusted AMG visit volume to between 1.4 and 1.5 million from previous range of 1.5 to 1.7 million

Adjusted EBITDA between ($154) and ($146) million from the previous range of ($157) and ($147) million Acknowledges gross margin and operational efficiencies of $12 million netted against $10 million EBITDA burden from two acquisitions

Quarterly Conference Call Details The company will host a conference call to review the results today, Wednesday, August 11, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. E.T. to discuss its financial results. The call can be accessed via a line audio webcast at https://investors.amwell.com or by dialing 1-833-921-1654 for U.S. participants, or 1-236-389-2657 for international participants, referencing conference ID #5296844. A replay of the call will be available via webcast for on-demand listening shortly after the completion of the call, at the same web link, and will remain available for approximately 90 days. About Amwell Amwell is a leading telehealth platform in the United States and globally, connecting and enabling providers, insurers, patients, and innovators to deliver greater access to more affordable, higher quality care. Amwell believes that digital care delivery will transform healthcare. The Company offers a single, comprehensive platform to support all telehealth needs from urgent to acute and post-acute care, as well as chronic care management and healthy living. With over a decade of experience, Amwell powers telehealth solutions for over 2,000 hospitals and 55 health plan partners with over 36,000 employers, covering over 80 million lives. For more information, please visit https://business.amwell.com/. American Well, Amwell, Converge and Carepoint are registered trademarks or trademarks of American Well Corporation in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks used herein are the property of their respective owners. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements about us and our industry that involve substantial risks and uncertainties and are based on our beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to us. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, including statements regarding our future results of operations, financial condition, business strategy and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "will," or "would," or the negative of these words or other similar terms or expressions. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements represent our beliefs and assumptions only as of the date of this release. These statements, and related risks, uncertainties, factors and assumptions, include, but are not limited to: weak growth and increased volatility in the telehealth market; inability to adapt to rapid technological changes; increased competition from existing and potential new participants in the healthcare industry; changes in healthcare laws, regulations or trends and our ability to operate in the heavily regulated healthcare industry; our ability to comply with federal and state privacy regulations; the significant liability that could result from a cybersecurity breach; and other factors described under 'Risk Factors' in our most recent form 10-K filed with the SEC. These risks are not exhaustive. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future. Further information on factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results anticipated by our forward-looking statements is included in the reports we have filed or will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These filings, when available, are available on the investor relations section of our website at investors.amwell.com and on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.



CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) (unaudited) June 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 975,187 $ 941,616 Investments - 99,963 Restricted cash 795 1,095 Accounts receivable ($650 and $12,053, from related parties and net of allowances of $1,039 and $1,556, respectively) 35,544 45,296 Inventories 8,929 9,128 Deferred contract acquisition costs 2,450 2,134 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 13,491 14,055 Total current assets 1,036,396 1,113,287 Property and equipment, net 2,985 3,836 Goodwill 193,877 193,877 Intangible assets, net 51,672 55,528 Operating lease right-of-use asset 3,486 6,609 Deferred contract acquisition costs, net of current portion 898 1,327 Other assets 1,246 1,430 Investment in minority owned joint venture 1,759 752 Total assets $ 1,292,319 $ 1,376,646 Liabilities, Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders' Deficit Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 5,173 $ 5,797 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 24,864 42,135 Operating lease liability, current 3,471 6,357 Deferred revenue ($2,238 and $14,421 from related parties, respectively) 57,836 66,693 Total current liabilities 91,344 120,982 Other long-term liabilities 26 64 Operating lease liability, net of current portion 776 1,296 Deferred revenue, net of current portion ($29 and $486 from related parties, respectively) 7,530 8,107 Total liabilities 99,676 130,449 Commitments and contingencies (Note 11) Stockholders' deficit: Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding as of June 30, 2021 and as of December 31, 2020 - - Common stock, $0.01 par value; 1,000,000,000 Class A shares authorized, 209,875,389 and 201,488,097 shares issued, and 209,875,389 and 200,751,168 shares outstanding, respectively; 100,000,000 Class B shares authorized, 26,687,959 and 30,427,128 shares issued, and 26,687,959 and 29,297,382 shares outstanding, respectively; 200,000,000 Class C shares authorized 5,555,555 issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 2,422 2,357 Treasury stock, no shares and 1,866,675 shares as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively - (37,568 ) Additional paid-in capital 1,877,497 1,841,405 Accumulated other comprehensive income 140 297 Accumulated deficit (708,587 ) (582,359 ) Total American Well Corporation stockholders' equity 1,171,472 1,224,132 Non-controlling interest 21,171 22,065 Total stockholders' equity 1,192,643 1,246,197 Total liabilities, preferred stock and stockholders' equity $ 1,292,319 $ 1,376,646 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) (unaudited) Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Revenue ($1,462, $15,912, $3,089 and $29,160 from related parties, respectively) $ 60,217 $ 68,568 $ 117,816 $ 122,282 Costs and operating expenses: Costs of revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization of intangible assets 33,889 43,826 69,594 76,853 Research and development 22,378 17,637 45,418 32,573 Sales and marketing 14,789 12,346 28,521 26,220 General and administrative 24,212 80,082 45,566 95,424 Depreciation and amortization expense 2,484 2,509 4,990 4,795 Total costs and operating expenses 97,752 156,400 194,089 235,865 Loss from operations (37,535 ) (87,832 ) (76,273 ) (113,583 ) Interest income and other income (expense), net 224 308 285 1,155 Loss before expense from income taxes and loss from equity method investment (37,311 ) (87,524 ) (75,988 ) (112,428 ) Expense from income taxes (103 ) (252 ) (412 ) (252 ) Loss from equity method investment (722 ) (444 ) (1,541 ) (764 ) Net loss (38,136 ) (88,220 ) (77,941 ) (113,444 ) Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest (277 ) (1,562 ) (894 ) (2,405 ) Net loss attributable to American Well Corporation $ (37,859 ) $ (86,658 ) $ (77,047 ) $ (111,039 ) Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted $ (0.15 ) $ (1.99 ) $ (0.31 ) $ (2.66 ) Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted 249,366,652 43,484,313 246,471,733 41,793,108 Net loss $ (38,136 ) $ (88,220 ) $ (77,941 ) $ (113,444 ) Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: Unrealized gain on available-for-sale investments (119 ) (323 ) (85 ) (280 ) Foreign currency translation (20 ) 349 (72 ) 178 Comprehensive loss (38,275 ) (88,194 ) (78,098 ) (113,546 ) Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interest (277 ) (1,562 ) (894 ) (2,405 ) Comprehensive loss attributable to American Well Corporation $ (37,998 ) $ (86,632 ) $ (77,204 ) $ (111,141 ) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) (unaudited) Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 2020 Cash flows from operating activities: Net loss $ (77,941 ) $ (113,444 ) Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: Depreciation and amortization expense 4,990 4,795 Provisions for doubtful accounts (57 ) 640 Amortization of deferred contract acquisition costs 731 730 Amortization of deferred contract fulfillment costs 351 339 Stock-based compensation expense 19,368 72,096 Loss on equity method investment 1,541 764 Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisition: Accounts receivable 9,809 (8,708 ) Inventories 199 (2,107 ) Deferred contract acquisition costs (618 ) (1,506 ) Prepaid expenses and other current assets 284 (3,004 ) Other assets 184 229 Accounts payable (624 ) (2,494 ) Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (16,063 ) (687 ) Other long-term liabilities (38 ) (195 ) Deferred revenue (9,506 ) (5,270 ) Net cash used in operating activities (67,390 ) (57,822 ) Cash flows from investing activities: Purchases of property and equipment (283 ) (2,304 ) Investment in less than majority owned joint venture (2,548 ) (2,940 ) Purchases of investments - (29,777 ) Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments 100,000 39,355 Net cash provided by investing activities 97,169 4,334 Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from issuance of Series C convertible preferred stock, net of issuance costs - 146,764 Proceeds from exercise of common stock options 16,733 2,232 Payments for the purchase of treasury stock (11,628 ) (163 ) Payment of deferred offering costs (1,613 ) (371 ) Net cash provided by financing activities 3,492 148,462 Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash 33,271 94,974 Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period 942,711 138,816 Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period $ 975,982 $ 233,790 Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period: Cash and cash equivalents 975,187 232,695 Restricted cash 795 1,095 Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period $ 975,982 $ 233,790 Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: Cash paid for income taxes $ 955 $ 138 Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities: Additions to property and equipment included in accrued expenses and accounts payable $ - $ 572 Common stock issuance costs $ - $ 440 Preferred stock issuance costs $ - $ 750 Receivable related to exercise of common stock options $ 71 $ 100 Non-GAAP Financial Measures: To supplement our financial information presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, of US GAAP, we use adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-U.S GAAP financial measure to clarify and enhance an understanding of past performance. We believe that the presentation of adjusted EBITDA enhances an investor's understanding of our financial performance. We further believe that adjusted EBITDA is a useful financial metrics to assess our operating performance from period-to-period by excluding certain items that we believe are not representative of our core business. We use certain financial measures for business planning purposes and in measuring our performance relative to that of our competitors. We utilize adjusted EBITDA as the primary measure of our performance. We calculate adjusted EBITDA as net loss adjusted to exclude (i) interest income and other income, net, (ii) tax benefit and expense, (iii) depreciation and amortization, (iv) stock-based compensation expense, (v) public offering expenses, (vi) acquisition-related income and expenses, (vii) litigation expenses related to the defense of our patents in the patent infringement claim filed by Teladoc and (viii) other items affecting our results that we do not view as representative of our ongoing operations, including direct and incremental expenses associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. We believe adjusted EBITDA is a commonly used by investors to evaluate our performance and that of our competitors. However, our use of the term adjusted EBITDA may vary from that of others in our industry. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net loss before taxes, net loss, loss per share or any other performance measures derived in accordance with U.S. GAAP as measures of performance. Adjusted EBITDA has important limitations as an analytical tool and you should not consider it in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under U.S. GAAP. Some of the limitations of adjusted EBITDA include (i) adjusted EBITDA does not properly reflect capital commitments to be paid in the future, and (ii) although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the underlying assets may need to be replaced and adjusted EBITDA does not reflect these capital expenditures. Our IPO and acquisition-related expenses, including legal, accounting and other professional expenses, reflect cash expenditures and we expect such expenditures for acquisitions to recur from time to time. Our adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies because they may not calculate adjusted EBITDA in the same manner as we calculate the measure, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure. In evaluating adjusted EBITDA, you should be aware that in the future we will incur expenses similar to the adjustments in this presentation. Our presentation of adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by these expenses or any unusual or non-recurring items. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to loss before benefit from income taxes, net loss, earnings per share, or any other performance measures derived in accordance with U.S. GAAP. When evaluating our performance, you should consider adjusted EBITDA alongside other financial performance measures, including our net loss and other GAAP results. Other than with respect to GAAP Revenue, the Company only provides guidance on a non-GAAP basis. The Company does not provide a reconciliation of forward-looking Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) to GAAP net income (loss), due to the inherent difficulty in forecasting and quantifying certain amounts that are necessary for such reconciliation because other deductions (such as COVID expenses and acquisition related expenses) used to calculate projected net income (loss) vary dramatically based on actual events, the Company is not able to forecast on a GAAP basis with reasonable certainty all deductions needed in order to provide a GAAP calculation of projected net income (loss) at this time. The amount of these deductions may be material and, therefore, could result in projected GAAP net income (loss) being materially less than projected Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP). The following table presents a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA from the most comparable GAAP measure, net loss, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020: Three Months Ended

June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, (in thousands) 2021 2020 2021 2020 Net loss $ (38,136 ) $ (88,220 ) $ (77,941 ) $ (113,444 ) Add: Depreciation and amortization 2,484 2,509 4,990 4,795 Interest income and other income (expense), net (224 ) (308 ) (285 ) (1,155 ) Expense from income taxes 103 252 412 252 Stock-based compensation 10,726 67,638 19,368 72,096 Public offering expenses - 526 1,223 677 Acquisition-related expense (income) 587 (65 ) 587 (48 ) COVID-19-related expenses(1) - 4,329 - 5,742 Litigation expense 808 - 1,547 - Adjusted EBITDA $ (23,652 ) $ (13,339 ) $ (50,099 ) $ (31,085 ) COVID-19-related expenses include non-recurring provider bonus payments, emergency hosting licensing fees and non-medical provider temporary labor costs related to on-boarding non-AMG providers incurred in response to the initial outbreak of the COVID-19 virus as Amwell attempted to scale quickly to meet unusually high patient and non-AMG provider demand. Public offering expenses include non-recurring expenses incurred in relation to our initial public offering for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and our secondary offering for the six months ended June 30, 2021. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210811005805/en/

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[August 11, 2021] Awz Ventures to Invest Hundreds of Millions in Multi-Use Tech via New Awz X-Seed Hub Launched in Partnership with MAFAT

TEL AVIV, Israel, Aug. 12, 2021 /CNW/ -- On July 20, Awz Ventures, a Canadian-based multi-stage venture capital firm headed by Mr. Yaron Ashkenazi alongside Canada's 22nd Prime Minister, The Right Honourable Stephen J. Harper as Advisory Committee President, opened the doors to its state-of-the-art Awz X-Seed investment and accelerator hub in Tel Aviv. Awz X-Seed, launched in partnership with MAFATthe Israeli Ministry of Defense's Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D)and other Israeli security agencies, will invest in "pre-seed" and "inception" stage companies developing innovative security technologies with significant commercial applications in the civilian sector. Awz X-Seed I closed last week, raising more than US $75Moversubscribed from its target of $50Mand has already identified 10 potential investment opportunities in cloud security, quantum, aerospace, deep tech, robotics, artificial intelligence, and cyber security. Every 18 months, Awz Ventures will raise subsequent $75M Awz X-Seed funds to invest in its next cohort of 15 companies, which will take up residence in the hub for enrichment and growth. Each portfolio company will receive a non-dilutive business package including office space in the Awz X-Seed hub and advanced marketing, business development, and technology mentorship services provided by the hub's in-house professional team. Portfolio companies will further benefit from Awz Ventures' business development offices in Canada, the US, and UAE that will support the companies in expanding their global client base This strategy will also allow Awz X-Seed to support its portfolio companies in accelerating their commercialization and technology development to reach series A at a higher valuation.



Awz X-Seed will initially invest an average of $3M  $5M in each portfolio company. Additionally, the best performing companies will be considered for follow-on investment rounds by Awz Ventures' growth-stage funds, alongside third-party investors. Managing Partner and Founder of Awz Ventures Mr. Yaron Ashkenazi explained, "Awz Ventures' unique strategic partnership with MAFAT and Israel's other security agencies will allow our hub to have the most advanced deal flow that stems from the real recognized needs within the security industry that also have multiple applications within the commercial sector." Ashkenazi added, "We will address these needs and gaps in the marketplace both by investing in existing companies and by creating companies together from scratch."

Awz X-Seed will be led by Yaron Ashkenazi, as Managing Partner, and Daniel Mak, a seasoned Canadian high-tech investor and Awz Ventures General Partner, alongside two Israel-based General Partners: Roni Alsheich, former Deputy Director of the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet), and Sharon Gal, former Head of Technology Innovation at the Israel Prime Minister's Office. In addition, the hub will be advised by Awz Ventures' prestigious partners and advisory committee members that include Canada's 22nd Prime Minister, The Rt. Hon. Stephen J. Harper, former Mossad Chief of Intelligence Mr. Haim Tomer, former Commander of Israel's elite Unit 8200 Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Ehud Schneorson, and numerous global industry leaders as well as finance and investment experts. As in its previous funds, Awz Ventures will leverage its advisors' expertise and networks to identify target clients and investment entities to support the portfolio companies' growth. The Rt. Hon. Stephen J. Harper added, "I am proud to be an advisor in residence at the Awz X-Seed hub, a ground-breaking and differentiated initiative. Together, Awz and MAFAT will uniquely evaluate and develop early-stage technologies, creating a model that is unmatched anywhere." Awz Ventures was founded in Canada in 2016 by Mr. Yaron Ashkenazi, a former officer in Israel's Shin Bet, and Chairman Mr. Edward Sonshine, Founder and Chairman of one of Canada's largest real estate investment trusts, RioCan REIT. Sonshine explains that "Awz Ventures provides the gateway to the North American market for its Israeli portfolio companies. To date, Awz Ventures has over US $250M in assets under management across four funds focused on inception to early-growth-stage Israeli start-ups in the AI, intelligence, physical security, deep tech, and cybersecurity sectors." MAFAT is the Israel Ministry of Defense DDR&D, responsible for supporting the entire Israel defense infrastructure in scientific and technological projects and finds solutions to Israel's most pressing security challenges. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1592991/Yaron_Ashkenazi.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/awz-ventures-to-invest-hundreds-of-millions-in-multi-use-tech-via-new-awz-x-seed-hub-launched-in-partnership-with-mafat-301353574.html SOURCE Awz Ventures Inc.

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[August 11, 2021] Great Dental Websites & Leyton: Companies Come Together to Help Dentists Innovate

DENVER, Aug. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Dental technologies and techniques change rapidly these days, allowing dentists to provide faster and more efficient treatments to patients all the time. Many dentists may be unaware that there's a pushincluding a government incentiveto make advances in the dental field happen even faster. To meet this need, Great Dental Websites and Leyton have teamed up to spread the word. Great Dental Websites is a digital marketing agency with locations in Denver, Colo. and Sydney, Au, whose primary focus is on marketing for dental practices. Leyton is an international consulting firm with offices across the globe providing expertise in Federal and State tax credits. The two companies want dentists to be aware that if they're striving to stay on the leading edge of technology, they may qualify for a research and development (R&D) tax credit. "We knew the R&D tax credit was going to be of substantial benefit to our clients and were surprised by how few dentists knew about this tax credit," said Jeff Gladnick, founder and CEO of Great Dental Websites. "We immediately started seeking out a partner who would be able to help our clients capture this substantial tax benefit and deliver maximum value to dental practices." After evaluating many companies, Gladnick concluded that only Leyton had the experience and expertise necessary to give the GDW team full confidence that their clients would be in the best hands. Founded in 1997, Leyton has helped companies in various industries grow and develop by discovering relevant federal and state tax credits for their organizations. Leyton's expert team of dental and tax professionals identify the key areas of R&D within a business and provide the necessary tax documentationand substantiating report to file.



"We decided to work together because the dental industry is continuouslyimproving their techniques to treat patients. The R&D Tax is the most underutilized strategy within the field of dentistry," said Maggie Crowley, head of strategic development for Leyton. According to Crowley, the company hopes to help the nearly one thousand dental practices they work with receive a substantial tax benefit, in addition to assisting Leyton's existing dental clients to achieve even more with their websites and marketing efforts.

"Our combined efforts will help dental practices across the United States take advantage of this government incentive and continue to innovate." Dentists who want more information on the R&D tax credit can contact Great Dental Websites or Leyton for more information or see if they may qualify. Contact Leyton on their website at www.leyton.com or the Great Dental Websites team at www.greatdentalwebsites.com . About Great Dental Websites GDW was established in 2007 with the goal of helping dentist's create effective websites, grow their online presence, and ensure that new patients can easily find them online. Today, we actively work with over 900 practices worldwide through our offices in Denver, CO, and Sydney, Australia. Our core values of honesty, transparency, commitment, and clear communication help our team of seasoned marketing professionals work together to help dentists achieve their marketing goals. Our one-of-a-kind website marketing platform was built specifically for the dental industry. The platform gives dental practices an advantage online by increasing the quality of their website; and our specialized marketing services help reduce the long term costs of website maintenance. Learn more about our dental marketing services: http://www.greatdentalwebsites.com Press Contact:

Analiese Kovisto

720-753-3002

https://www.greatdentalwebsites.com/ View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/great-dental-websites--leyton-companies-come-together-to-help-dentists-innovate-301353915.html SOURCE Great Dental Websites

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[August 12, 2021] Cobwebs Technologies Announces New VP of Sales, Charlie Stone

NEW YORK, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Cobwebs Technologies is proud to announce the appointment of its new VP of Sales NA, Mr. Charlie Stone. As the VP of Sales, Charlie will lead Cobwebs NA sales team to drive and expand Cobwebs business in North America. "We are excited to have Charlie join Cobwebs to lead our NA sale team and support our business growth in NA," says Udi Levy, CEO of Cobwebs. "Charlie Stone has extensive experience in the OSINT domain both in the government and commercial markets, which will strengthen our market position and drive revenue growth." Charlie Stone has held leadership roles at Level3, Blackbox, Tellabs, and Authentic8. As Director of Government Sales for Authentic8, Charlie was responsible to develop and execute their strategy to rapidly expand their OSINT SaaS footprint. Prior to joining the civilan workforce, Charlie served in the United States Army for 11 years, including a combat tour as a tank platoon leader in Iraq during Operation Desert Storm. Charlie holds a BS in engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point and an MS in leadership from Long Island University at C.W. Post.



About Cobwebs: Cobwebs Technologies is a worldwide leader in web intelligence. Our innovative solutions are tailored to the operational needs of national security agencies and the private sector, identifying threats with just one click.

Visit us at www.cobwebs.com

info@cobwebs.com Related Images charlie-stone.jpeg

Charlie Stone View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cobwebs-technologies-announces-new-vp-of-sales-charlie-stone-301353255.html SOURCE Cobwebs Technologies

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[August 12, 2021] Alkaline Fuel Cell Power Corp. Provides Technology and Target Market Overview

Technology derived from the European Space Agency



Fuel cell energy source that generates zero CO 2 emissions with pure water as the only by-product

emissions with pure water as the only by-product Ideally suited for residential and small- to medium-sized power markets

Attractive production costs for boiler replacement across Europe with absence of noble metals VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alkaline Fuel Cell Power Corp. (NEO: PWWR) (Frankfurt: 77R, WKN: A3CTYF) ("AFCP" or the "Company"), a company engaged in the development and production of alkaline fuel cell heat and power systems for residential, industrial and commercial markets, today provides an overview on our technology and our target markets. Our hydrogen powered alkaline fuel cell technology is being positioned to offer all of Europe an energy source that generates zero CO 2 emissions with pure water as the only by-product, commented Jef Spaepen, AFCPs CEO. With technology originally derived from the European Space Agency, AFCP has been able to develop a fuel cell which is smaller in size and is scalable as a result of fewer operating inputs and the absence of noble metals, which include high-value, high-cost platinum-group metals. As a result, AFCPs technology will benefit from cost-effective supply chains and production representing a highly competitive product for boiler replacement across Europe. We are exceptionally well positioned for residential and small- to medium-sized power markets in Europe and around the world. As governments tighten CO 2 emission regulations, we are preparing to respond with a fuel cell for the masses that is ideal for boiler replacement. With the EU having put forward a 2030 Climate Target Plan that includes a proposal to cut GHG emissions by at least 55% by 2030, and a goal of becoming climate neutral by 2050, AFCPs technology solution offers numerous economic and environmental advantages which can support consumers making the transition from traditional gas boilers to a cleaner alternative, thereby aiding countries in achieving their net-zero emissions goals. The AFCP system offers fuel cell power generation potential with low implementation costs not seen by industry to date and does not require combustion, which leads to zero emissions with pure water as the only by-product. The solution represents a clean electrical power conversion/generation system akin to a small power station that provides electricity and an equivalent amount of heat for various purposes. With a virtually silent process and no vibration, and a compact size equivalent to conventional modern natural gas boilers, the AFCP solution is ideal for residential use as a boiler replacement. Our target markets include those where there is a requirement for small-scale power and heat such as individual households, apartment buildings, office spaces and small commercial spaces with a power requirement of less than 50kW, and access to a hydrogen feed line. The AFCP fuel cells compact size, virtually silent operation and zero emissions output make it ideally suited for the domestic environment, offering a clean alternative to conventional modern natural gas boilers. In the UK alone, heating represents an estimated 40% of that countrys energy consumption with approximately 14% of GHGs being emitted from homes; a similar emissionlevel to that from cars in the UK1.



About Alkaline Fuel Cell Power Corp. The Company is focused on the development, production and commercialization of micro-combined heat and power (micro-CHP) systems based on alkaline fuel cell technology. A fuel cell is a clean electrical power conversion/generation system, akin to small power stations that provide electricity and an equivalent amount of heat for various purposes. Based on hydrogen powered alkaline fuel cell technology, our technology offers an energy source that generates zero CO 2 emissions with pure water as the only by-product, making it ideally suited for residential and small- to medium-sized power markets. We believe Fuel Cell Power is well positioned to become a positive contributor to the global demand for clean energy, particularly in Europe where demand outpaces supply, and current technology remains inadequate to meet market needs. Further information is available on our website at https://www.fuelcellpower.com/ and we encourage investors and other interested stakeholders to follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Our common shares are listed for trading on the NEO Exchange (NEO) under the symbol PWWR and on the Frankfurt Exchange under symbol 77R and WKN A3CTYF.

For further information, please contact: Gerard Sauer

Chairman of the Advisory Board

+3214574648

info@fuelcellpower.com Cindy Gray

Investor Relations

+1 (403) 705-5076

info@5qir.com Eugene Beukman

Director

+1 (604) 687-2038

info@fuelcellpower.com Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements relate to future events or future performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements or information. In certain cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as plans, expects or does not expect, is expected, estimates, forecasts, intends, anticipates, believes or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, might, occur or achieve. Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the Companys technology, intellectual property, business plan, objectives and strategy. Forward-looking statements and information are provided for the purpose of providing information about the current expectations and plans of management of the Company relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such statements and information may not be appropriate for other purposes, such as making investment decisions. Since forward-looking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and no undertaking is given to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. The forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. NEITHER THE NEO EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE NEO EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. 1 Source: https://www.wired.co.uk/article/central-heating-gas-boiler-climate-change



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[August 12, 2021]

Global Blockchain Colloquium 2021 organized by MIT Centre for Future Skills Excellence

PUNE, India, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- India is inching closer to regulating cryptocurrencies within its borders. And soon the phased implementation strategy for central bank digital currency (CBDC) will be rolled out. MIT Centre for Future Skills Excellence, a flagship initiative of MIT Art, Design and Technology University, Pune, concluded its 3-day Global Blockchain Colloquium on August 9, 2021. This is the largest blockchain colloquium ever held in an online mode addressed by 22+ international blockchain experts, and industry leaders to discuss the latest hot spots, use cases, tips, trends, insights and technological frontiers of blockchain technology.

The Valedictory keynote sessions were graced by Mr. Anthony Day - Blockchain Leader, Global Business Services, IBM Ireland, Mr. Andrea Frosinini- Senior Enterprise Analyst & Trade Finance Evangelist, Italy, Mr. Prasanna Lohar- Head Digital Innovation & Architecture, DCB Bank, Dr. Mohit Dubey -CEO, AIC-MITADT Incubator Forum, Prof. Dr. Atul Patil - Director, MIT School of Holistic Development and Prof. Suraj Bhoyar - Project Director, MIT Centre for Future Skills Excellence, MIT ADT University, Pune, India.

MIT Centre for Future Skills Excellence had organised the Global Blockchain Colloquium in association with India Blockchain Forum, Global Blockchain Business Council, & AIC-MITADT Incubator Forum from August 7 to 9, 2021. The Global Blockchain Colloquium was co-hosted by Blockchain ThinkLab of University at Buffalo, DCB Bank, Association for Emerging Technologies, IDEALABS Future Tech Ventures, EarthID, Stezy.io, SettleMint, Snapper FutureTech, Future Money WALLET and Aurigraph.io. The Global Blockchain Colloquium was an exemplary 3-day conclave on the most quintessential concepts related to Blockchain, Crypto, Tokens and Cybersecurity. Over a period of three days, the colloquium captivated the participants from over 21+ countries around the world. The colloquium is among the first of many efforts to transform India into a global blockchain powerhouse. The international event, one of its own kind, witnessed around 500+ blockchain enthusiasts including UG & PG Students, research scholars, faculty members, startup owners, and industry professionals.

The Global Blockchain Colloquium was aimed at bringing thought-provoking conversations on blockchain for enterprises, next generation financial services, developing blockchain applications, decentralized applications, and decentralized finance (DeFi), digital identity, sustainability & blockchain technologies for Central Bank Digital Currency, blockchain for trade finance, and blockchain platforms.

"MIT Art, Design & Technology University, Pune, India has always been a flag-bearer of engineering and technology in the country and has been at the forefront of offering innovative & industry relevant programmes including disruptive technologies," said Prof. Dr. Mangesh Karad, Executive President & Vice Chancellor. "Continuing this tradition, we have also been deeply involved in blockchain, AI & ML, Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, Robotic Process Automation development & have been fostering a powerful support ecoystem across India", he said.







Global Blockchain Leader & Digital Strategist, Mr. Anthony Day congratulated & appreciated the endeavours by the MIT Centre for Future Skills Excellence for organising this one of its own kind Global Blockchain Colloquium during the valedictory address. He shared his insights on use cases for accelerating post-pandemic transformation in supply chain, identity & sustainability. He also expressed his best wishes to MIT-ADT University that had taken up the mammoth task of promoting future skills for today's and future generation.

Mr. Andrea Frosinini from Hyperledger TF-SIG deliberately answered how blockchain can be applied in an effective and cost-efficient way within trade finance. He said, "Blockchain technology holds the potential to change business processes by redefining value chain interactions, reducing operational complexity, and reducing transaction costs."

Mr. Prasanna Lohar, Head Digital Innovation &Architecture, DCB Bank pointed out that the journey of emerging technologies is going really at a very fast pace in India. He reiterated, "Along with educational giants like MIT-ADT University, we are looking forward to taking the first step, i.e. creating a superior curriculum for a better ecosystem for emerging technologies and specifically in blockchain technology. He complimented the team MIT Centre for Future Skills Excellence (MIT-FuSE) for bringing the Global Blockchain Colloquium 2021 with more synergy & relevant keynote sessions for the common benefit of global workplaces, as well as challenges in emerging technology for generation Z.

Dr. Mohit Dubey, CEO-AIC MITADT Incubator Forum stated, "Thanks to Fintech, technologies speak for finances, and innovations are only the beginning. Fintech is disrupting nearly every area of startups & businesses. A future where AI-boosted investment and advising platforms, blockchain-technology-enabled cryptocurrencies, are prevalent in every area of commerce and finance might be a way off." He pointed out that the time was right for sessions like these to create awareness in these emerging technologies and congratulated MIT-FuSE on its 3-day exclusive deliberations. This would shape up the future generation and economy.

Blockchain is not new to India. It is being highlighted more with the introduction of e-RUPI & CBDC. India has a lot to gain from embracing blockchain technology and exploring it further. The first pre-requisite is creation of new career opportunities. Considerable job growth has been seen for positions like Blockchain Developers & Blockchain Architects in government agencies and other sectors such as retail, eCommerce, supply chain management, healthcare, education, agriculture, banking, etc. Blockchain developers can earn more than 50% than the other jobs in the IT market today. It means that there are innumerable high-paying jobs from all over the world now available to Indian developers in blockchain technology.

Prof. Suraj Bhoyar, Project Director summarised the gist of the sessions which were conducted over the period of three days. He specified that MIT Centre for Future Skills Excellence is connecting and aligning with leading industries with the sole purpose of providing students and working professionals from all walks of the life, access to quality education and industry-relevant curriculum to ensure that they succeed in their careers. As the first step towards this, MIT Centre for Future Skills Excellence will be commencing with its Post Graduate Programme in Blockchain Technology soon. He said, "We are so humbled and overwhelmed by the huge response to this GBC 2021. And we had a great time interacting with the participants from countries like USA, England, Singapore, Switzerland, Nigeria, Morocco, Cyprus, Brazil, Italy, Ireland, Belgium, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa, Germany, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Israel, etc."

The colloquium highlighted the latest& upcoming trends in the blockchain industry, provided an opportunity to meet industry leaders, helped to network with like-minded people & observed collaboration opportunities. The participants had a great fortune to listen to the distinguished keynote speakers across the globe on topics like viz. Blockchain Technology -Implementation & Governance, Blockchain Platforms, Digital Identity with KYC-Use Cases, Sustainability with Blockchain, Blockchain & Decentralized Applications, Crypto Metrics, Indexes & Stacks, Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), Blockchain Platforms as a Service, Global View of blockchain use-cases, Blockchain Reality vs Hype, Blockchain and Security, Decentralized Finance (DeFi),How Blockchain and Trade Finance delivering Global Solutions, Enterprise Blockchain for use cases in Supply Chain, Identity and Sustainability.

About MIT-ADT University



MAEER's Trust which is known to set the strong precedence for the privatization of Engineering education in Maharashtra had taken a first mover's advantage by establishing the Maharashtra Institute of Technology (MIT-Pune), in 1983, which continues to remain the flagship institute of the group.



MIT Art, Design and Technology University, Pune has been established under the MIT Art, Design and Technology University Act, 2015 (Maharashtra Act No. XXXIX of 2015). The University commenced its operations successfully from 27th June 2016. The University is a self-financed institution and empowered to award the degrees under section 22 of the University Grants Commission act, 1956. The University has a unique blend of Art, Design, and Technology as the core of its academics.



Recently, MIT Art, Design and Technology University, Pune has accomplished the following accolades:



Ranked 26th for ARIIA 2020 by the Ministry of Education, Govt. of India. Received 5 Star rating for exemplary performance by the Ministry of Education's Innovation Council, Govt. of India. Conferred with Best University Campus Award by ASSOCHAM, New Delhi Granted with Atal Incubation Centre under ATAL Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, Govt. of India

MIT Art, Design and Technology University has been taking a holistic approach towards imparting education wherein the students are being motivated to build a complete winning personality which is "physically fit, intellectually sharp, mentally alert and spiritually elevated". The students are being encouraged to participate in yoga, meditation, physical training, spiritual elevation, communication skills, and other personality development programmes. Currently, we have 7500+ students studying in various schools of higher education under the University viz. Engineering and Technology, Food Technology, Bioengineering, Arts, Design, Marine Engineering, Journalism and Broadcasting, Film and Television, Music (Hindustani Classical Vocal and Instrumental), Teacher Education, and Vedic Sciences

Find out more about the colloquium on https://mitfutureskills.org/blog/events/global-blockchain-colloquium/

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[August 12, 2021] Fibocom FG621 Module Series Extending Leadership in LTE-A Market with Deutsche Telecom LTE Network Certification

SHENZHEN, China, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Fibocom (Stock Code: 300638), a global leading provider of IoT (Internet of Things) wireless solutions and wireless communication modules, announces that its LTE Advanced module FG621 has been successfully certified by Deutsche Telecom. The module is now qualified to operate on Deutsche Telecom's LTE network, providing reliable, secure and high-performance connectivity under DT's network. Supporting more than 10 LTE frequency bands, with B1, B3, B7 as its commonly-used bands, Fibocom's FG621 module enable wireless connectivity in various IoT scenarios. Designed with a LGA form factor, the Fibocom FG621 module is a LTE-A wireless communication module series ideally suitable for IoT applications such as CPE, STB and gateway. In addition, Fibocom's FG621 supports LTE network as well as WCDMA fallback, delivering up to 300 Mbps download speeds and 50 Mbps upload speeds respectively. The Fibocom FG621 module series has a rich set of interfaces, including SIM, USB2.0, UART, SPI, ADC, GPIO, SDIO and PCM, to meet various applicaton demands of the IoT industry. It is available in two regional versions, with FG621-EA designed for EMEA and Asia Pacific whereas FG621-LA for South America market. It is worth mentioning that Fibocom's FG621 module series has received global major certificates including CE, FCC, GCF, HF, RCM, Reach and RoHS.



"We are proud to announce that the Fibocom FG621 module has been certified by Deutsche Telecom and other regulatory bodies. Receiving these certifications ahead ensures our customer to keep development cost under control, accelerating digital transformation with better efficiency and reliability. Fibocom is committed to offer reliable, secure, high-performance and pre-certified solutions to the world," said Jason Zhu, Director of IoT Product Line, Fibocom. For more information, please visit:

https://www.fibocom.com/en/NewsCentre/list.html

https://www.fibocom.com/en/ActivityCenter/list.html

https://www.fibocom.com/en/iotapps/index.html

To contact the Fibocom Sales Desk, visit Contact Sales About Fibocom Fibocom is a leading global provider of wireless communication modules and solutions in the sector of IoT (Internet of Things), as well as the first stock-listed (Stock Code:300638) wireless module provider in China. We provide end-to-end IoT wireless communication solutions for telecom operators, IoT equipment manufacturers, and IoT system integrators. With over two decades' engagement in M2M and IoT communication technology and extensive expertise, we are capable of independently developing high-performance wireless communication modules including 5G, LTE/LTE-A, NB-IoT/LTE-M, Android Smart, Automotive, WCDMA/HSPA(+), GSM/GPRS, Wi-Fi, GNSS, etc. SOURCE Fibocom

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[August 12, 2021] boohoo group To Create 5,000 New Jobs

Online Retailer Celebrates 15th Anniversary By Announcing 500m Investment Plan To Meet Growing Demand MANCHESTER, England, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Online retailer boohoo group plc has outlined plans to create 5,000 new jobs off the back of an investment programme worth over 500 million across the UK over the next five years. The investments will help the company continue the incredible growth it has experienced since launching 15 years ago, expanding from a single brand in 2006 to a group of 13 world class brands today. The boohoo group, which is rooted in the north of England with a Manchester HQ, has a growing global appeal, with c.50% of its sales now coming from international markets such as the USA and Australia. In order to meet this increased demand, boohoo has set out its plans to secure additional warehouse space and invest in 'smart IT solutions' which will help its processes to become more efficient. The announcement on jobs and investment is set out in boohoo's 'Economic Impact Report', published today, which details the current and historic gross value added ("GVA"[1] ) that boohoo contributes and has contributed to the UK's economy. The report identifies the scale of the group's contributions, including: In the financial year 2020/21, the group's operations added 559.4m in GVA to the UK, supporting an estimated 8,050 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) jobs

in GVA to the UK, supporting an estimated Full Time Equivalent (FTE) jobs The GVA figure (559.4m) equates to around 4.4% of the total UK clothing and footwear retail sector

of the total UK clothing and footwear retail sector Since 2009, the group's operations have added almost 2bn in GVA to the UK's economy

in GVA to the UK's economy For every job directly created by the Group, a further 1.7 jobs are created in the wider economy The Economic Impact Report also outlines the importance of the group's activities in supporting British job creation. In logistics, for example, the group employs 7,000 people at four distribution centres in the UK and ships between 190,000 and 230,000 parcels a day. These parcels are handled by 13 main courier companies and supported an estimated 1,660 jobs in the financial year 2020/21. The report also highlights the regional impacts of the group's operations, with 94% of the jobs and economic benefit created by boohoo group taking place outside of London. Burnley is home to the group's international distribution centre and Manchester is where the company's head office is located. Across the north west, the group contributed 309 million in GVA to the regional economy and  as of January 2021  employed 3,208 people in the region. Finally, the report also covers how boohoo group is working to ensure secure and stable employment for people. In the last financial year, the group moved over 1,400 agency colleagues from its warehouse teams onto permanent boohoo contracts, where they are able to share in the full benefits package which includes; generous pension scheme, competitive pay rates (that don't differentiate between age groups) and more including a free annual share allocation. Speaking about the report, boohoo group CEO John Lyttle said: "The growth this business has experienced over the last 15 years has been phenomenal. It has not been without its challenges, but it is right to celebrate the significant contributions the company makes to the towns and communities where we operate. The investments we have planne will help us to continue our growth, increasing our customer base both at home and abroad, adding even more value as we do so.



"All of this has only been possible because of the amazing people who form our boohoo family. I am so proud of the way they rise to every challenge and I look forward to growing together as we cement our position as leaders in global fashion e-commerce." Notes to Editors:

Download a copy of the report here - https://bit.ly/3xGXDWC What is GVA?

Gross Value Added is a widely used term for measuring the economic contribution of businesses. It includes the direct contribution, indirect contribution and inferred contribution of the money businesses and their employees spend. It is calculated as the difference between the value of output and the value of intermediate consumption. TAX

As a British business, we know that the taxes we pay support the critical national infrastructure that we rely on to operate. That's why we keep our tax arrangements simple and avoid complicated tax structures. Since 2013, we have paid over 36m in corporation tax alone. In 2020/21, this payment was worth 10.465m to HMRC. We have paid over 39m in national insurance since 2009, with 8.8m in 2020/21. We are proud that our growth gives back to the country we are a part of and we are committed to making a positive contribution to the UK. HOW WE KNOW THIS

This report is based on an analysis carried out by Development Economics Ltd at the request of boohoo group plc. The report highlights and quantifies where possible the direct and wider economic contribution made by the boohoo group to the UK economy over the company's 2021 financial year (March 2020  February 2021). In this report, the primary measures of economic impact attributable to boohoo group plc are: the contributions to the production of national (UK) economic output  as measured in terms of Gross Value Added (GVA) [1] ; and

; and the contribution to job creation throughout the UK economy. The quantified estimates of economic impact provided in this report consider the contribution of boohoo group plc at three levels: Direct effects

Indirect effects

Induced effects. Each of these components is summarised in brief below: The first of these levels is the direct contribution of boohoo group plc through the provision of employee jobs and the value added via its distribution network and at its headquarters and other office facilities. The second level is the jobs and value added created throughout the portion of the company's supply chain that is located in the UK economy. These effects occur via purchases made by boohoo group plc from other UK businesses and UK-located establishments that enable the group to operate and provide services to its customers. These jobs supported in the supply chain are usually termed indirect impacts. However, procurement expenditure on goods and services originating from outside the UK is treated as a leakage from the UK economy, and deducted from the consideration of overall direct, indirect, and induced effects at a UK level. The third level of quantified analysis are the jobs and value added created in the wider UK economy as a result of boohoo group's workforce  both those directly employed, and those jobs located in the supply chain that are dependent on the relationship with boohoo group plc  spending their wages and other earnings. The additional jobs created through the workings of these multiplier effects are termed induced impacts. Taken together, the sum of these three effects  direct, indirect, and induced  combine to generate the overall quantifiable impact of boohoo group plc on the UK economy. [1] Gross Value Added is an internationally recognised and used measure of the value of goods and services produced by a business. It is calculated as the difference between the value of output and the value of intermediate consumption. SUPPORTING LINKS

Press release - https://bit.ly/3iCHltN

Images - https://bit.ly/3CHenAG Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1593143/John_Lyttle_boohoo_group.jpg

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[August 12, 2021] Huobi Launches P2P Trading Competition with 20,000 HUSD Prize Pool

GIBRALTAR, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Huobi P2P platform, a secure trading platform for digital assets under the Huobi Group, has announced the launch of a new P2P (peer-to-peer) trading competition with a prize pool of 20,000 HUSD. From August 6th to 18th, new users and advertisers on the Huobi P2P platform can participate in one of the two events for a chance to win rewards. The announcement comes amid growing concerns regarding the safety of crypto trading and specifically P2P trading, which refers to the buying and selling of cryptocurrencies directly between users. To help protect its users against fraud and other criminal activities, Huobi has an advanced risk control system to secure transactions. This system not only keeps users' data safe but reduces customer friction as it speeds up payment and transactions for trusted users. Huobi's focus on the safety of its users and their assets has attracted thousands of users from around the world to its P2P trading platform, many of whom have participated in campaigns and competitions. "In a constantly evolving landscape like digital assets, it's important that we maintain trust and open communication with our community of users and advertisers. Through campaigns like the P2P trading competitin, we can engage with them in new ways, as well as reward them for their commitment to Huobi," said Ciara Sun, Vice President of Global Business at Huobi.



How the Competition Works Promotion A: New User Exclusive Prize Pool of 10,000 HUSD

During the promotion period, all users who complete their first purchase of crypto worth $100 or more on the Huobi P2P platform will equally share the 10,000 HUSD prize pool. Promotion B: Advertiser Prize Pool of 10,000 HUSD A prize pool of 10,000 HUSD will be rewarded to eligible advertisers based on the number of users they trade with during the event period. Advertisers cannot trade with the same users to increase their rankings. Prizes will be distributed as follows: Advertisers who place 1st-10th in the rankings will equally share the 3,000 HUSD prize.

Advertisers who place 11th-30th in the rankings will equally share the 2,000 HUSD prize.

The remaining eligible advertisers will equally share the 5,000 HUSD prize. Additionally, the top 30 advertisers will also receive a free upgrade to "V-Advertisers" (Verified Advertisers) for 30 days. New Payment Methods Huobi P2P will also add 26 new payment methods this week for the buying and selling of cryptocurrencies with available fiat currency. With the addition of these new methods, there will be a total of 97 supported on the Huobi P2P platform. "The addition of these new payment methods will enable users to trade and receive cryptocurrencies more easily," added Ciara. For the full P2P trading competition guidelines and the terms and conditions, visit https://www.huobi.com/support/en-us/detail/84882476527338. *Citizens and residents from the U.S., Mainland China and other restricted jurisdictions are not permitted to participate in the event / use the services mentioned above. Huobi may restrict additional jurisdictions from time to time without prior notice. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/huobi-launches-p2p-trading-competition-with-20-000-husd-prize-pool-301354038.html SOURCE Huobi

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[August 12, 2021] Exyte Continues Strong Performance During 6M/2021

STUTTGART, Germany, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Exyte continued its strong performance throughout the first half of 2021. Sales reached 2,250 million with adjusted EBIT increasing to 122 million. The region EMEA remained the strongest region and Advanced Technology Facilities the largest business segment. In the first half of the year, sales increased in all regions and all global business units, growing by 34.2% to 2,250 million (6M/2020: 1,677 million). At 1,232 million (6M/2020: 1,014 million), the region EMEA was the strongest due to ongoing major projects in Ireland, Germany, and Israel. With sales for semiconductor projects in Singapore and China increasing, the region APAC also gained momentum, growing to 659 million (6M/2020: 382 million) in sales. Due to the Advanced Technology Facilities (ATF) business segment, sales in AMER rose to 245 million (6M/2020: 190 million). Overall, order intake increased by 32.8% to 3,175 million (6M/2020: 2,391 million). Free cash flow was at 245 million. Adjusted EBIT amounted to 122 million, a YOY increase of 54.9% (6M/2020: 79 million), and the adjusted EBIT margin increased from 4.7% to 5.4%, reflectng an excellent performance in all global business units as well as in the business area Technology & Services (T&S).



Semiconductor market remains main driver The business segment ATF remains the strongest segment, with sales increasing by 564 million year-over-year to 1,971 million on account of large ongoing projects for semiconductor clients in EMEA and APAC. Order intake for the Biopharma & Life Sciences (BLS) business segment almost tripled due to additional major projects, reaching 337 million (6M/2020: 130 million), while sales more than doubled to 170 million (6M/2020: 80 million). Due to a significant project awarded in Israel, the order intake of the Data Center (DTC) business segment reached 158 million (6M/2020: 3 million).

Growth path continues "We are continuing to outperform our plans for 2021," says Dr. Wolfgang Buchele, CEO of Exyte. "Some projects are delivering better than expected and clients are expanding capacities at a faster rate than anticipated. All in all, the market situation for Exyte is promising and together with our growing workforce of dedicated individuals, I am convinced that we have a steep incline of growth ahead of us." Follow this link to view the financial statement for 6M/2021. About Exyte Exyte is a global leader in the design, engineering and delivery of facilities for high-tech industries. With a history of more than 100 years, the company has developed a unique expertise in controlled and regulated environments. Exyte has a truly global footprint, serving the most technically demanding clients in markets such as semiconductors, batteries, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and data centers. The company offers a full range of services from consulting to the managing of turnkey solutions  delivered to the highest quality and safety standards. Solving the most complex challenges, Exyte forges trusted, long-lasting relationships with its clients. In 2020, Exyte generated sales of EUR 4.1 billion with around 4,900 highly experienced and motivated employees. The company is ideally positioned to further strengthen its market leadership with its broad industry insight and its exceptional talents. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1487100/Exyte_Logo.jpg Contact:

Adriana Williams

Vice President Corporate Communications & Investor Relations

+49 711 8804 1489

adriana.williams@exyte.net

www.exyte.net

SOURCE Exyte

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[August 12, 2021] "MICE Winnovation": TCEB Supports 18 Online Events to Further Strengthen MICE Technology Innovation

BANGKOK, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- With an aim to move ahead with technology-based development, TCEB has agreed to support 18 online events under its "MICE Winnovation" project to be organised this year. This is adding to the previous success of business-matching between MICE operators and tech entrepreneurs in developing and adopting event-specific innovations resulted in 150 parings. Mr. Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, President, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization) or TCEB stated that despite the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the MICE industry, TCEB has remained committed to "MICE Winnovation" since its launch in March. He said: "'MICE Winnovation' is aimed at meeting the demands of MICE entrepreneurs in using innovation and technology to drive their business, upgrading MICE event organisation and amplifying the capabilities of Thailand's MICE industry among target audiences worldwide. Significantly, 'MICE Winnovation' has also expanded business opportunities for tech entrepreneurs in Thailand offering tech-based solutions for the MICE industry from operational efficiency to monitoring hygiene and safety standards". TCEB's "MICE Winnovation" project has been fruitful in matching MICE entrepreneurs with developers who are capable of producing tech solutions for their events. From March to July, 152 pairs have been established. Also 35 have applied for support from TCEB for their projects and 18 have been approved so far after completing the review process. The 18 qualified events comprise 15 using virtual/hybrid technology and three using crowd management technology to improve hygiene and safety standards. Two events have successfully been held. The 55th Lions Club International MD 310 Thailand Convention, held from May 7-9, 2021, attracted 2,318 online delegates. Bangkok Projection Mapping Competition 2021 (BPMC 2021), an interactive media competition that was held from June 12-20, 2021, attracted around 20,000 viewers. All other approved evets will take place by December 2021.



Mr. Parote Denskoon, CEO & Co-Founder, ZipEvent Co.,Ltd., said: "The success of any innovative technology can only be recognised when there are genuine users. 'MICE Winnovation' allowed us to be matched with the MICE entrepreneur Yimsamer Studio. It resulted in our collaboration in organising BPMC 2021 via an online platform. It was a good opportunity that was created by TCEB for both of us. As an innovation developer, I would say the event was a good occasion to pilot our self-developed technology in a real situation. Yimsamer Studio, as the event organiser, had complete access and was able to test-run some new technologies that allowed it to welcome viewers on a wider scale. No longer limited to offline access, it successfully reached out to viewers worldwide with no restriction." Mr. Thanapong Panichob, Co-Founder - CEO, Yimsamer Studio Co.,Ltd., said: "Event organisers now depend on the integration of technologies such as multimedia design, interactive design and immersive experience to communicate and deliver memorable visitor experiences. Organising BPMC 2021 with ZipEvent was another space for designers and artists, local and international alike, to showcase their capabilities, which in turn leads to career advancement, as well as contribute to new market trends and the improvement of other industries in the future."

The "MICE Winnovation" project also entails the development of a "MICE Innovation Catalog", a directory platform of MICE and tech entrepreneurs which users can also browse for prospective partners. The catalog displays various categories of MICE innovation for improving every segment of event organisation from pre- to post-event. The list of innovations is selected by TCEB with input from its public sector partners and MICE-related associations and is updated every month. The goal is to make available a diversity of products and services for MICE entrepreneurs. Currently, there are more than 70 MICE innovations from 50 companies listed. Access TCEB's "MICE Innovation Catalog" at https://innocatalog.tceb.or.th In addition, TCEB is collaborating with National Innovation Agency (NIA), one of its public sector partners from the "MICE Winnovation" project, to share the business profiles of innovation service providers. This year, NIA has added a new category - "Travel Tech" - for innovation service providers in its Innovation Catalog. Six companies from TCEB's "MICE Winnovation" project now also appear in NIA's Innovation Catalog. They are Adasoft Co., Ltd., Daywork (Thailand) Co., Ltd., CT Asia Robotics Co., Ltd., Loops Reserve Your Ride Co., Ltd., Queue Q (Thailand) Co., Ltd. and ZipEvent Co.,Ltd. NIA has also announced that it will award a 1.5-million-baht support funding to Potioneer, a tech participant from TCEB's "MICE Winnovation" project, to develop new technology solutions. TCEB's "MICE Winnovation" project is a collaboration between the public and private sectors to develop new technology solutions that will serve Thailand's MICE industry well beyond the COVID-19 period. Mr. Chiruit said: "The project is making good progress in encouraging Thai MICE entrepreneurs to build up their capabilities, strengthen their business resilience, and keep innovating to deliver an excellent attendee experience". Related photo : https://we.tl/t-wjLQT4OWsW Thailand: Redefine Your Business Events Experience the Extraordinary with Our Extra Care About TCEB A LEADING AGENCY AT THE FOREFRONT OF THAILAND'S MICE INDUSTRY Established in 2004, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization) or TCEB - the government agency under the supervision of the Prime Minister - has been assigned a role to promote, support and develop business events industry - corporate meetings, incentive trips, conventions, exhibitions, mega events and world festivals. Serving as a strategic partner, TCEB helps deliver creative ideas and solutions to bring success and fulfill the requirements of business events. The overarching goal is to drive Thailand to become a global MICE and mega events destination that can drive the country's strategic industries and national economy. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mice-winnovation-tceb-supports-18-online-events-to-further-strengthen-mice-technology-innovation-301354178.html SOURCE Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB)

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[August 12, 2021] Advisor Group Welcomes Ohio-based Financial Advisor Neal Watson

PHOENIX, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Advisor Group, the nation's largest network of independent wealth management firms, today announced the successful recruitment to its network of Neal Watson, an independent financial advisor based in Marietta, Ohio, who oversees $110 million in total client assets. Mr. Watson is joining Advisor Group through Arbor Point Advisors, a registered investment adviser (RIA) and subsidiary of Advisor Group network member firm Securities America. He has affiliated as an investment advisory representative (IAR). Mr. Watson is joining Parkersburg, W.Va.-based advisory practice Commonwealth Financial Services, an Arbor Point branch office, doing business under the Commonwealth brand. Mr. Watson was previously affiliated with Securities America from 1996 until 2004. Jim Nagengast, CEO and President of Securities America, said, "We welcome Neal Watson, an advisor with a stellar track record of client service and business growth. In addition to creating powerful growth opportunities for his book of business, Neal's decision to join us as an investment advisory representative serves as validation that Advisor Group, Securities America and Arbor Point continue to lead the industry in supporting the full range of business models across the independent advisory profession and the unique needs of each. As we always have, we stand ready to support financial advisors in their efforts to reach their full potential." Advisor Group also includes FSC Securities Corporation, Royal Alliance Associates, Inc., SagePoint Financial, Inc., Triad Advisors, LLC and Woodbury Financial Services Inc. The announcement extends Advisor Group's strong momentum thus far in 2021. Through the end of July, the firm brought $8.2 billion in assets under administration to its platform, versus $6.9 billion for the same period in 2020 (a year-over-year increase of approximately 19%). It also brought in $3.2 billion in assets under management, versus $2.1 billion in the prior year period (a YOY increase of 52%). Prior to joining Advisor Group, Arbor Point and Commonwealth Financial Services, Mr. Watson operated an independent RIA firm called Fleming Watson Financial Advisors, which was co-founded by his father in 1986. Mr. Watson joined the practice in 1996 and in 2016 transitioned it into a pure RIA, serving only fee-based accounts. Mr. Watson said, "In Advisor Group, Arbor Point, and CommonwealthFinancial Services, I have gained a set of strategic partners whose goals align flawlessly around my success as a financial advisor. Together, they offer a powerful combination of infrastructure, technology, support services and expertise that I can leverage to take my client-service capabilities to the next level. I'm excited for what the future will bring as I take the next step in my career."



Greg Cornick, Advisor Group's President, Advice & Wealth Management, said, "I offer my congratulations to Arbor Point Advisors and Commonwealth Financial Services for bringing aboard a successful financial advisor of Neal Watson's caliber. The landscape of the independent wealth management industry is always evolving, and as a network of firms that spans the country, we are continually making strategic investments to help the thousands of financial advisors we support operate their businesses  whichever model they choose  as efficiently as possible while further accelerating their growth. We're in their corner, now and in the future." About Securities America

Securities America is part of Advisor Group, the nation's largest networks of independent wealth management firms. Headquartered in Omaha and founded in 1984, Securities America supports approximately 3,200 independent financial professionals with innovative technology and wealth management platforms, practice management and business growth tools and a personalized service culture. The firm's flexible, multi-custodial approach supports a range of business models including Super OSJs, independent RIAs, RIA-only advisors, hybrid advisors and financial institutions. For more information visit https://www.securitiesamerica.com/.

Securities offered through Securities America, Inc., member FINRA / SIPC. Advisory Services offered through Securities America Advisors, Inc. and Arbor Point Advisors, LLC. About Advisor Group

Advisor Group, Inc. is the nation's largest network of independent wealth management firms, serving approximately 10,100 financial professionals and overseeing over $475 billion in client assets. The firm is mission-driven to support the strategic role that advisors can play in the lives of their clients. Cultivating a spirit of entrepreneurship and independence, Advisor Group champions the enduring value of financial professionals and is committed to being in their corner every step of the way. For more information visit https://www.advisorgroup.com. Securities and investment advisory services are offered through the firms: FSC Securities Corporation, Royal Alliance Associates, Inc., SagePoint Financial, Inc., Triad Advisors, LLC, and Woodbury Financial Services, Inc., broker-dealers, registered investment advisers, and members of FINRA and SIPC. Securities are offered through Securities America, Inc., a broker-dealer and member of FINRA and SIPC. Advisory services are offered through Arbor Point Advisors, LLC, Ladenburg Thalmann Asset Management, Inc., Securities America Advisors, Inc., and Triad Hybrid Solutions, LLC, registered investment advisers. Advisory programs offered by FSC Securities Corporation, Royal Alliance Associates, Inc., SagePoint Financial, Inc., and Woodbury Financial Services, Inc., are sponsored by VISION2020 Wealth Management Corp., an affiliated registered investment adviser. Advisor Group, Inc. is an affiliate of these firms. 20 E. Thomas Rd., Ste. 2000, Phoenix, AZ, 85012. 866.481.0379. Media Inquiries

Joseph Kuo / Chris Clemens

Haven Tower Group

424 317 4851 or 424 317 4854

jkuo@haventower.com or cclemens@haventower.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/advisor-group-welcomes-ohio-based-financial-advisor-neal-watson-301353744.html SOURCE Advisor Group

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[August 12, 2021] Cloud and Mobile Solution Aforza Advances Digital Transformation of Consumer Goods Companies With $22 Million Series A

LONDON, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Aforza , the leading cloud and mobile solution specifically built for the consumer goods industry that empowers businesses of all sizes to sell more and grow faster, today announced a $22 million Series A funding round led by DN Capital, with further participation from Bonfire Ventures, Daher Capital, and Next47. Aforza plans on leveraging the funding to double its employee headcount over the next six months and establish new US headquarters in the Northeast to continue to democratize sales efforts within the consumer goods market and maximize results for businesses and consumers. With the global market for consumer packaged goods (CPG) applications expected to reach upwards of $15 billion by 2024 , consumer goods companies around the globe are demanding tools that will help support their digital transformation. Unfortunately, companies using outdated platforms lost at least 5% of sales due to the lack of in-store availability and 70% of money invested into trade promotion programs was unprofitable. In the face of constantly changing regulations and fluctuations , consumer goods companies need to be able to scale and respond quickly, and Aforza's agile AI predictions are helping customers worldwide drive sales and retain customers. "Aforza is on a mission to help consumer packaged goods companies get ahead of competition with our cloud and mobile solutions designed specifically for their industry - so they don't have to cobble together outdated, generic legacy tools," said Aforza CEO & Co-Founder Dominic Dinardo . "CPG companies around the world are facing challenges like never before, and with Aforza, they can accelerate their growth regardless of what may come next." Aforza's suite of cloud-based and mobile applications provides real-time insights to help CPG companies digitally transform their route to market. It connects commercial planning and field sales teams together to solve the problems of unprofitable promotions, declining market share and lack of revenue growth. With Aforza, business users can quickly launch targeted promotional campaigns in hours versus days without the need for any technical support. Industry cloud-native, Aforzais built on Salesforce and Google Cloud and uses leading technology in CRM, cloud software and AI to deliver a solution that is secure, agile, scalable and able to seamlessly integrate with the tools its customers are already using.



"Building on top of two world-leading cloud platforms, Salesforce and Google Cloud, Aforza is transforming the consumer goods industry in the same way Veeva and Vlocity transformed the Pharma, Telco and Energy sectors." said Thomas Rubens, Partner at DN Capital . "Aforza is the only cloud platform that seamlessly connects trade planning to field execution in real-time with the most intuitive user experience. This improves the return on trade promotions to a level competing legacy solutions just cannot match. We are extremely excited to partner up with the Aforza team and lead their $22 million Series A round." Aforza is easy to install and use immediately without significant training or technical experience - even an eight-year-old can use it. The solution also operates offline and on-device without internet access, giving sales users the flexibility to do business on their own terms in any location.

"Addressing a need ignored by traditional cloud solutions, Aforza's modern cloud and AI technology is digitizing the consumer goods industry like never before," said Bonfire Ventures Partner Brett Queener . "Aforza is that secret weapon behind the smartest companies in an industry that supports an estimated 20 million American employees -- more than 10% of U.S. jobs -- and uniquely empowers them to adapt to changes in real-time and build emotional connections with their end customers." Distell , a globally-recognized producer of alcoholic beverages with a presence on several continents, needed to transform their commercial organization and create a step change in scale that was not possible through organic growth. True to the company's customer-centric values, Distell is implementing Aforza to digitize the sales team with new tools for effective retail execution, trade promotions management, and marketing campaigns. With these capabilities in place, Distell's sales team will have in-the-moment insights about where to best focus to maximize revenue growth. "Success of this transformation is measured by revenue growth across our priority segments. This can only be achieved through a real-time platform that connects marketing, planning and sales together across all channels with new levels of execution, control and visibility" said Craig Price, head of sales centre of excellence at Distell. "It is the ability to execute the perfect visit, every time, with Aforza that will take our business to the next level." Another Aforza customer, international distribution company Photos Photiades Distributors (PPD), who distribute for leading brands including Carlsberg and Diageo, seeked to transform their execution standards by introducing real-time sales planning, execution and order capture. With Aforza, PPD can better serve their business users, partner community, and customers by helping them understand consumer behaviour and optimizing their approach to revenue growth. "The legacy way of working was no longer sustainable with an over-reliance on spreadsheets, manual reporting and ongoing sales training" said Constantinos Andreou, group business systems manager at Photos Photiades Distributors. "Partnering with Aforza gave us the capabilities to transform our sales execution processes with the confidence that they will keep on innovating to address the evolving needs of the industry." Aforza serves customers in five continents and in a variety of CPG sectors, including: food and beverage, alcohol, beers and spirits, consumer healthcare, household products, tobacco, pet care, and consumer electronics. Aforza offers a tiered subscription model for customers to pick and choose services that work best for their business needs. Aforza was developed by former Salesforce execs and industry cloud veterans with extensive experience in the CRM and consumer packaged goods markets. One-third of the world's spending on consumer goods is in North America. Aforza plans to establish a United States headquarters in the Northeast to aggressively capture the North America market while building out its US-based team. Research and development will also be an area of focus for the company as it looks to advance its solution into e-commerce, payments and digital asset management. To learn more, please visit www.aforza.com . About Aforza

Aforza helps consumer goods companies sell more and grow faster through a suite of cloud & mobile apps built for the industry. Aforza connects trade planning and field sales teams together to solve the problems of unprofitable promotions, declining market share and lack of revenue growth. The Aforza product works out of the box and can be implemented in weeks. The mobile applications work offline and deliver powerful on-device intelligence across Apple iOS and Android devices. Aforza is built on the Salesforce and Google Cloud Platforms which means they can scale fast and deliver continuous innovation with 3 releases a year. Customer success is Aforza's top priority and they are proud to be trusted by CPG companies around the world; including leading breweries, food & beverage manufacturers, consumer healthcare companies and major distributors. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cloud-and-mobile-solution-aforza-advances-digital-transformation-of-consumer-goods-companies-with-22-million-series-a-301353870.html SOURCE Aforza Inc.

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[August 12, 2021] Largest Equity Funding Round for a European FBA Aggregator Announced as SellerX Raises 100 ($118) Million Led by L Catterton's Growth Fund

BERLIN, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- SellerX, Europe's leading aggregator of third-party e-commerce businesses, announced today it has raised 100 ($118) million in primary equity funding, the largest such sum announced in a funding round by a Europe-based Amazon FBA aggregator. The investment marks an exciting new strategic partnership for the company being led by the Growth Fund of L Catterton, the world's largest consumer-focused private equity firm. Additional participants include Belgian investment company Sofina, as well as existing investors Cherry Ventures, Felix Capital, and 83North. In its short 12 months of operation, SellerX is delivering on its mission to acquire and scale third-party Amazon FBA and other e-commerce businesses and grow them into category-winning brands. The company has already raised almost a quarter of a billion EUR in debt and equity, and has gone from zero to 250+ employees centered around hubs in Berlin, London, and Miami. It currently incorporates 30+ evergreen brands across diversified verticals. With its aggressive approach to hiring top talent, SellerX is able to apply strong operational expertise to manage and scale its portfolio of brands. It invests in deep market research, as well as innovative technology platforms to enable successful product launches, growth via new channels, and expansion into new markets. "Money raised in financing rounds in this space is typically heavily debt based," said SellerX co-founder Philipp Triebel. "What's so exciting about this round is that all of the 100 million is equity. It puts us in an incredibly strong position to raise further debt and to keep building our portfolio by acquiring the best Amazon sellers in Europe, the US, and China." The calibre of the new investors is another decisive win for SellerX, s co-founder Malte Horeyseck explained: "L Catterton has unmatched expertise in the consumer goods sphere. This will be invaluable to us as we continue to grow. Together, we have an opportunity to cement our place in the future of consumer products."



Christopher North, managing partner of L Catterton's Growth Fund, added: "We see tremendous opportunity in the SellerX model. Philipp and Malte have impressed us with their vision, ambition, and aptitude for finding and investing in lasting franchises. The leadership position they have achieved only one year after launching SellerX is truly remarkable. We believe that SellerX is well-positioned not only to continue its category leadership, but also to establish an innovative new model for the future of consumer goods globally." L Catterton has significant experience investing globally in fast growing, disruptive digital brands. Current and former investments include Better Mortgage, Vroom, Peloton, ClassPass, Tonal, Hydrow, Cazoo, Freetrade, Savage X Fenty, Hungryroot, Tula, Eco, and Public Goods.

About L Catterton

With approximately $30 billion of equity capital across its fund strategies and 17 offices around the world, L Catterton is the largest global consumer-focused private equity firm. L Catterton's team of nearly 200 investment and operating professionals partners with management teams around the world to implement strategic plans to foster growth, leveraging deep category insight, operational excellence, and a broad partnership network. Since 1989, the firm has made over 250 investments in leading consumer brands. For more information about L Catterton, please visit lcatterton.com. About Sofina

Sofina is a family owned and run investment company listed on Euronext Brussels, managing its own assets of circa 10 billion. Sofina aspires to be the preferred partner of entrepreneurs and families who lead growing companies by backing them with patient capital and supportive advice. Common vision and strong alignment of interests with its partners are paramount in the deployment of its strategy. For more information, visit www.sofinagroup.com. About SellerX

SellerX was founded in September 2020 by Harvard Business School graduates Malte Horeyseck and Philipp Triebel with the backing of top investors. It quickly became a leading acquirer of third-party brands on the Amazon marketplace in Europe bringing 30+ brands under its umbrella in under a year. The company's goal is to be the Buyer of Choice for top Amazon FBA and other e-commerce sellers and to establish itself as a global leader in direct-to-consumer products. Contacts L Catterton

Andi Rose / Kate Thompson

Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher

+1 212-355-4449 Sofina

Wauthier de Bassompierre

dbw@sofinagroup.com SellerX

Tess McGowan

+49 30 3977 0997

press@sellerX.com

www.sellerX.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/largest-equity-funding-round-for-a-european-fba-aggregator-announced-as-sellerx-raises-100-118-million-led-by-l-cattertons-growth-fund-301354225.html SOURCE SellerX

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[August 12, 2021] Anexinet Continues Their Strategic Expansion Plans By Acquiring Light Networks

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Anexinet Corporation , a leading provider of digital business solutions, and a Mill Point Capital LLC portfolio company, today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Light Networks . The acquisition will allow Anexinet to leverage its Artificial Intelligence (AI), process automation, and strong digital solutions alongside Light Networks Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS), Contact Center as a Service (CCaaS), and network/telecom solutions to elevate digital interactions for their customers, employees, and partners.

The acquisition of Light Networks, following our acquisition of SereneIT in Atlanta, demonstrates Anexinets rapid growth trajectory and commitment to best-of-breed, innovative solutions for our clients, said Brian Glahn, CEO, Anexinet. The companys engineering-led approach will expand Anexinets portfolio with unique voice, video, and collaboration capabilities, while also significantly adding depth to our networking abilities with Cisco engineering expertise. Cisco is very excited about Anexinets acquisition of our Atlanta-based Premier Partner, Light Networks. We believe this growth strategy with Light Networks will generate substantial synergies as a Cisco market influencer adding fast-track value creation for our joint customers, said John Moses, VP Sales, Cisco. Light Networks specific customer experience and workplace modernization solutions are complementary to Anexinets core solutions. Founded in 2006 by Robby Paul and Bill Gregor, privately-held Light Networks is currently headquartered in Atlanta, GA, and will expand Anexinets footprint in the U.S. Southeast.



Anexinets methodology and client-first culture is perfectly aligned with our culture, making them an ideal partner, said Robby Paul, co-Founder, Light Networks. We are excited to combine our contact center and collaboration expertise with Anexinets digital transformation and automation/AI capabilities. We believe the combined practices will continue to improve how our clients can effectively engage with their customers, to ultimately drive growth and optimize costs. Light Networks builds contact centers; Anexinet provides broader digital transformation solutions, said Michael Perdue, Anexinet Chairman of the Board and Mill Point Capital Executive Partner. This makes an ideal union, strengthened by the fact that both companies have teams of client-focused technology leaders with a history of surpassing client expectations and loyalty.

Follow Anexinet on Twitter , LinkedIn , Facebook , or via the Anexinet Insights Blog . About Light Networks

Light Networks enables clients to seamlessly communicate with their customers. Pulling from a wide range of cloud and premises-based platforms, providers, and technologies, the companys team of skilled consultants and engineers match the ideal telecommunications solution to each business. In addition, the company designs and manages complex telecommunications networks including omnichannel communications, cloud-based voice, and contact center applications. About Mill Point Capital

Mill Point Capital LLC is a private equity firm targeting control investments in middle market businesses, with a focus on industrial and business services companies in North America. Mill Points experienced team of investors and Executive Partners seek to enhance the value of portfolio companies by executing transformative strategic initiatives and operational improvements. Mill Point is based in New York, NY. For more information, please visit www.millpoint.com . About Anexinet

From intelligent, full-stack engagement strategies and solutions to modern, secure infrastructure products and services, Anexinet focuses on technology-enabled business transformation that drives value. For over two decades, Anexinet has helped companies worldwide solve their most complex challengesfrom engaging front-end interactions to dependable back-end solutions. Anexinets record of client success springs from a culture rooted in thought leadership and delivery excellence. For more information, please visit www.anexinet.com or follow Anexinet on Twitter or LinkedIn. For more information, contact:

Betsey Rogers

BridgeView Marketing

603-821-0809

betsey@bridgeviewmarketing.com



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[August 12, 2021] WillCo Tech's CyberSTAR Provides Measurable Cybersecurity Readiness for the Department of Defense and Defense Industrial Base

AKRON, Ohio, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Akron, Ohio-based WillCo Tech offers government agencies and contractors a measurable cyber readiness platform in the wake of recent cyberattacks on government and private critical infrastructure businesses. Targeted cyberattacks on the U.S. government and critical infrastructure are on the rise. The recent attacks on SolarWinds, Colonial Pipeline, JBS, and the water treatment system of Oldsmar, Florida, represent an alarming rise in cyber-terrorism. These attacks come at a time when the government is suffering from a severe shortage in its cyber workforce. According to the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, "Currently, more than one in three public-sector cyber jobs sits open. Filling these roles has been a persistent and intractable prblem over the past decade"



The Commission provided 54 recommendations to Congress, 26 of which have been incorporated into the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). It represents the most significant legislative policy change for cybersecurity in U.S. history. In a 2020 white paper, the Commission outlined guidance and recommendations, including organizing, recruiting, developing, retaining, and stimulating the growth of its cyber workforce.

WillCo Tech's CyberSTAR platform directly addresses the organizing, recruiting, and development recommendations, offering agencies and contractors a measurable readiness solution to cyber threats. CyberSTAR: Builds organizational accountability against existing standards (DoDD 8570, DoDD 8140, NICE/NIST)

Closes the skill gap within the existing standard

Highlights upskilling opportunities to support cyber employee development

Reduces manual training and compliance tracking by 90% or more through automation Because of recent cyberattacks, members of Congress are now expressing support for increased budgeting for cybersecurity within the DoD. According to WillCo Tech President Marling Engle, "Increased budgets help, but undirected funds won't solve enough of the cybersecurity problems the nation is facing. We need baseline reporting and more trained personnel. Both require a deeper understanding of each organization's skill set, training pipelines, and readiness posture. Then we can really get targeted results: funds are utilized to execute on the policies, standards, and decisions that have been made. CyberSTAR provides out-of-the-box policy reporting and measurable readiness at scale." Cyber combat command training and readiness requires a skilled and agile cyber workforce. Cyberattacks will continue without an effective policy measured against a written standard and the ability to manage that workforce. About WillCo Tech Founded in 2005, WillCo Tech works to enhance national security and force readiness for military and commercial enterprises with a suite of software capabilities surrounding the human element of cybersecurity. WillCo Tech's proprietary CyberSTAR platform continues to serve as the largest cybersecurity compliance and readiness platform utilized by the federal government and the Department of Defense (DoD), actively supporting over three million registered DoD users. For more information about this topic, please contact Mike Fischer at (816) 842-6262 or email at mfischer@willcotech.com. Related Images image1.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/willco-techs-cyberstar-provides-measurable-cybersecurity-readiness-for-the-department-of-defense-and-defense-industrial-base-301353881.html SOURCE WillCo Tech

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[August 12, 2021] Rentschler Biopharma breaks ground at new U.S. production site in greater Boston

New facility, adjacent to existing Milford, MA site, to significantly expand cGMP manufacturing capacity, accelerating clinical and commercial supply of essential biopharmaceuticals





Site will employ highly flexible, automated production lines plus state-of-the-art services and digitalization technologies





Multi-product facility to focus on commercial production of complex molecules for U.S.-based clients LAUPHEIM, Germany and MILFORD, Mass., Aug. 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rentschler Biopharma, a leading global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) for biopharmaceuticals, announced that the company has broken ground at its new production site, adjacent to its existing site in Milford, MA in the greater Boston area. The new Rentschler Biopharma Manufacturing Center US (RBMC US) will add 22,000 square feet of manufacturing cleanroom space and house four new 2,000 L single-use bioreactors. In keeping with Rentschler Biopharmas commitment to reducing the complexity of biopharmaceutical manufacturing for its clients, the site is designed to be easily adaptable to meet clients changing needs. The RBMC US is expected to become operational in late 2023. The design features upstream ballroom processing sized for production flexibility. The downstream processing suites are equipped with buffer storage and preparation space. The building design can accommodate future adaptations for scale and capacity. Growing with the manufacturing footprint, the site will include expanded quality control (QC), development, and warehousing capabilities. Importantly, this new state-of-the-art facility will be highly automated and leverage industry 4.0 solutions. It will provide innovative digital and analytical services, such as advanced analytics yield optimization, augmented/virtual reality-enabled operations and no-touch batch releases. Dr. Frank Mathias, CEO of Rentschler Biopharma SE, said: With Rentschler Biopharmas contribution to the production of mRNA vaccines to beat the COVID-19 virus, we have seen firsthand how important it is to have highly adaptable capacity and to have the experience and expertise needed to produce new therapeutic modalities, fast. The U.S. expansion we have kicked off at the groundbreaking is part of our ongoing plan to strategically grow our business as we support our clients in developing and manufacturing even highly complex molecules. We must always be ready to meet the ongoing and ever-changing challenges of reliably bringing new treatments to patients. Dr. Martin Kessler, CEO of Rentschler Biopharma Inc., the wholly owned U.S. subsidiary, added: We are excited to significantly expand our U.S. facility to effectively service our clients growing needs. This is a very timely step, as the biopharma CDMO market i expected to grow by double digits over the next years, and RBMC US will play a pivotal role in our plans to continually outperform the overall market development. This new site will double our commercial cGMP manufacturing capacity. By bringing in state-of-the-art technology and industry 4.0 solutions, RBMC US will strongly enhance our value proposition in commercial manufacturing.



The new site will significantly expand the companys U.S. offering in terms of capacity and diversity of projects. The current Milford site has gone from a single-product commercial facility to producing multiple products in up to 500 L bioreactor set up. The company also has been adding to its talented team in Milford, both in terms of numbers and expertise. The new facility will add much-needed space for manufacturing, as well as enabling U.S. operations to centralize support services that are essential for seamless production. Karen Savage, Vice President and Milford Site Head, noted: I am so proud of our team and the incredible work they have done, both in terms of continuing production for our existing projects throughout the pandemic, as well as laying the groundwork for making our new site a reality. It is truly gratifying to know that our work at Rentschler Biopharma is such a critical part of offering the best solutions to our client partners and their patients.

About Rentschler Biopharma SE

Rentschler Biopharma is a leading contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) focused exclusively on client projects. The company offers process development and manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals as well as related consulting activities, including project management and regulatory support. Rentschler Biopharma's high quality is proven by its long-standing experience and excellence as a solution partner for its clients. A high-level quality management system, a well-established operational excellence philosophy and advanced technologies ensure product quality and productivity at each development and manufacturing step. In order to offer best-in-class formulation development along the biopharmaceutical value chain, the company has entered into a strategic alliance with Leukocare AG. Rentschler Biopharma is a family-owned company with about 1,000 employees, headquartered in Laupheim, Germany, with a second site in Milford, MA, USA. In Stevenage, UK, Rentschler Biopharma has launched a company dedicated to cell and gene therapies, Rentschler ATMP Ltd. For further information, please visit www.rentschler-biopharma.com . Follow Rentschler Biopharma on LinkedIn and Facebook . Contact: Rentschler Biopharma SE Dr. Cora Kaiser Senior Director Corporate Communication Phone: +49-7392-701-874 communications@rentschler-biopharma.com Media inquiries: MC Services AG U.S. Eva Bauer Laurie Doyle Phone: +49-89-210228-0 Phone: +1-339-832-0752 rentschler@mc-services.eu For high-resolution pictures, please contact communications@rentschler-biopharma.com .



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[August 12, 2021] Blockchain For Energy Commences Smart Contracts Research & Development Program

Blockchain For Energy, the nation's first energy industry blockchain consortium, has launched a Smart Contracts focused research and development (R&D) program. Facilitating member interaction around blockchain testing applications, this R&D program allows for functional experimentation and consensus building on industry solutions. Members, including Chevron (News - Alert) , ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil, Hess, Pioneer Natural Resources, Repsol and Worley, will soon have the flexibility to conduct Smart Contract testing in a safe environment before considering implementation. Blockchain For Energy Provides Innovative Solutions for its Members This innovative program was created to help members test and pilot Smart Contracts, gain hands-on learnings, and strategize on implementation of blockchain technology for their companies. It allows for faster, easier testing of Smart Contracts and their interoperability across different platforms. "The R&D program allows for hands-on learning in an industry-ready 'sandbox' that builds comfort and competency with blockchain concepts within our member organizations," said Rebecca Hofmann, President of Blockchain For Energy. "It allows members to further test blockchain's viability for value within their organizations all while reducing risk." By using Smart Contracts, members will be able to maximize efficiencies, reduce costs, improve timelines, and drive industry transformation through collaboration with peer companies. How the Program is Transforming the Industry With an imperative to learn, lead and leverage, Blockchain For Energy is committed to identifying and fostering transformative digital solutions within the energy sector. "A neutral entity, such as ours, aids blockchain technology adoption and fosters a stronger bond between technology providers and industry users," said Hofmann. "The result is a hugely beneficial relationship for all, which creates increasingly advanced solutions. How the Program Works The program will independently certify industry-grade Smart Contracts for deployment. It will also create a library of Smart Contract templates, helping ease the adoption and scaling of blockchain solutions. The initial focus is on commodity transport, but it will quickly expand to other solutions and other blockchain developers within the program. Collaborative Smart Contracts with Data Gumbo Blockchain For Energy launched the initial phases of the Smart Contracts R&D program in collaboration with Data Gumbo, provider of GumboNet - the massively interconnected industrial smart contract network secured and powered by blockchain. "Blockchain For Energys new R&D program is an important step toward the adoption of Smart Contracts by the energy industry. It seeks to confirm how members can improve business relations and their bottom line in a low-risk environment," said Andrew Bruce, Founder and CEO, Data Gumbo.



The program will offer a variety of Smart Contract templates, demo data, and the ability to test GumboNet in a safe, neutral environment. "Based on previous successful use cases in the industry, Data Gumbo's Smart Contracts are applicable across commodities, and we are excited for members to test and prove out all they can do with GumboNet," said Bruce.

In the near term, Blockchain For Energy will look to include sandbox learnings and use cases from a wider group of vendors to ensure the right technology mix is achieved and maintained across their range of solutions. This helps Blockchain For Energy's member companies experience blockchain-powered streamlined solutions and their impact on conventional ways of working. About Blockchain For Energy Utilizing the benefits of blockchain technology, the Blockchain For Energy consortium (formerly known as the Offshore Operators Committee Oil & Gas Blockchain Consortium) provides its members with the best-in-class industry learnings and solutions. As a nonprofit organization, they drive digital transformation by providing members with a secure, neutral venue to accelerate the digitalization journey. They seek to resolve, reinvent, and transform the industry through collaborative synergies. For more information, visit www.blockchainforenergy.net or follow the organization on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. About Data Gumbo Data Gumbo is a Houston-headquartered technology company that provides GumboNet - a massively interconnected industrial smart contract network secured and powered by blockchain. With integrated real-time capabilities that automate and execute smart contracts, GumboNet reduces contract leakage, frees up working capital, enables real-time cash and financial management and delivers provenance with unprecedented speed, accuracy, visibility and transparency. Data Gumbo also provides GumboNet ESG, the automated and accurate sustainability measurement solution that ties a company's operational data to environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards reporting for industrial supply chains. To date, Data Gumbo has received equity funding with Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures, the venture subsidiary of Saudi Aramco; Equinor Ventures, the venture subsidiary of Equinor, Norway's leading energy operator; and with L37, a hybrid venture capital and private equity company. With offices in Stavanger, Norway, and London, UK, the growing company was recognized as the Disruptive Innovator in the Forbes Energy Awards 2020 and named to CB Insights Blockchain 50, among other awards last year. For more information, visit www.datagumbo.com or follow the company on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210812005054/en/

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[August 12, 2021] BOSS Revolution Money Transfer Accelerates Network Expansion through Partnership with TerraPay

Launches TerraPay powered transfers to Senegal and Benin Newark, NJ, Aug. 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BOSS Revolution Money Transfer, the international remittance service of IDT Corporation (NYSE: IDT), today announced a partnership with TerraPay , a global payments infrastructure company, to provide BOSS Revolution customers with new money transfer destinations across Africa, Asia, LATAM and Europe. BOSS Revolution has begun offering seamless and secure payments to mobile wallets in Senegal and Benin through TerraPay to begin the expansion. Our customers in the US can now send money to friends and family in Senegal, Benin and 36 other countries including over 309,000 points of payment, said Alfredo OHagan, IDTs SVP for Consumer Payments. We are delighted to partner with TerraPay as we open new corridors and emphasize real-time payment options leveraging their extensive platform. The BOSS Revolution Money Transfer service is readily available through the convenient BOSS Revolution Money app and its nationwide network of BOSS Revolution Money Transfer retailers. First time users of the app (free at App Store and Google Play ) pay no fees on any transfer up to $300. BOSS Revolution Money Transfer is also available online or at any BOSS Revolution Money retailer .



As a B2B company, TerraPay connects multiple and diverse payment instruments and payment modes, with a single API integration - 4 Bn+ bank accounts, 500 Mn+ mobile wallets, and a large and diversified merchant ecosystem spanning across 79 receive countries and 153 send countries. With international remittances at the core, the company is embarking on creating unified payment rails for businesses and merchants across the globe. TerraPays endeavor is to strengthen and offer value-added services on its digital global payments highway, deepening engagement and adding more participants to a cohesive financial ecosystem. Commenting on the relationship, Ani Sane, Co-founder and Chief Business Officer, TerraPay, said, Our exciting partnership with BOSS Revolution will empower customers in the US to connect with family and friends worldwide, starting with mobile wallets in Senegal and Benin, while growing both companies footprints. This collaboration is another example of the impact our digital interoperable payment network provides across regions. We are driving greater access to financial services globally for all our partners and customers.

About IDT Corporation: IDT Corporation (NYSE: IDT) is a global provider of fintech, cloud communications and traditional communications services. We make it easier for families to connect, support and share across international borders. We also enable businesses to transact and communicate with their customers with enhanced intelligence and insight. Our BOSS Revolution branded money transfer and international calling services make sending money and speaking with friends and family around the world convenient and reliable. National Retail Solutions  (NRS) point-of-sale retail network enables independent retailers to operate and process transactions more effectively while providing advertisers and consumer marketers with unprecedented reach into underserved consumer markets. net2phone s unified communications as a service solution provides businesses with intelligently integrated cloud communications and collaboration solutions across channels and devices. Our IDT Carrier Services and IDT Express wholesale offerings enable communications companies to provision and manage international voice and SMS services. About TerraPay: TerraPay is a licensed digital payments infrastructure and solutions provider, paving the global payments highway. The companys robust foundation and innovative platform technology serve as the digital interoperability engine enabling customers and businesses globally to send and receive payments on a secure, transparent, efficient, and real-time basis. The agile network supports diverse payment instruments and types of payments while adhering to complex regulations and compliance standards in different markets. For more information, please visit terrapay.com Contact :

Bill Ulrey

IDT Investor Relations

Phone: (973) 438-3838

E-mail: invest@idt.net



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Ciena Announces Reporting Date and Web Broadcast for Fiscal Third Quarter 2021 Results

Ciena Corporation (NYSE: CIEN) expects to announce its fiscal third quarter financial results on Thursday, September 2, 2021 before the open of the financial markets. The press release will be available on Ciena's website at www.ciena.com.

In conjunction with the announcement, Ciena will post an additional set of supporting materials to the Quarterly Results page of the Investor Relations section of its website. Ciena's management will then host a live audio web broadcast beginning at 8:30 a.m. Eastern accessible via www.ciena.com.







Rebroadcast Information

For those listeners unable to participate in the live web broadcast, an archived version of the conference call will be available shortly following the conclusion of the live call in the Events & Presentations section of the Investor Relations section of Ciena's website.

About Ciena

Ciena (NYSE: CIEN) is a networking systems, services and software company. We provide solutions that help our customers create the Adaptive Network in response to the constantly changing demands of their users. By delivering best-in-class networking technology through high-touch consultative relationships, we build the world's most agile networks with automation, openness and scale. For updates on Ciena, follow us on Twitter (News - Alert) @Ciena, LinkedIn, the Ciena Insights blog, or visit www.ciena.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210812005043/en/
[August 12, 2021] Marketplacer Announces Expansion to US Senior Leadership Team

Marketplacer, a global technology platform that enables brands, retailers, suppliers, communities and innovators to easily build and grow successful online marketplaces at scale, announced today the expansion of their senior US Leadership team with the addition of Mike Herder as VP of Sales and Marketing and Lindsay Moore as VP of Partnerships and Customer Success. Additionally Brooke Camov, a founding team member from Australia, moves from the role of Chief Corporate and Strategy Officer to Vice President, Strategy and Operations. Marketplacer is at the forefront supporting brands, communities and individuals to build retail marketplaces around communities and passions. E-commerce sales jumped a staggering 33.6% in 2020 according to eMarketer (News - Alert) , thanks in large part to the pandemic. According to data from PYMNTS, Amazon took in 51.2% of those sales. But, in 2021, that trend will shift as retail recovers from the pandemic and new leaders emerge thanks to the ease and affordability of third party marketplace platforms. "The e-commerce landscape is changing dramatically in this post-pandemic era and our stellar team additions including Brooke, Mike, and Lindsay are poised to help reshape the retail market," said Jim Stirewalt, US President of Marketplacer. "We are proud to be a foundational part of this trend that is opening up options for consumers and making it easier than ever for people to shop their passions and communities." Moving into the Vice President of Strategy and Operations role, Brooke Camov will oversee the strategic direction for Marketplacer's first international expansion. As a founding memberof the company's executive team, Camov played a pivotal role in Marketplacer's incredible success in Australia. A gifted communicator, experienced capital raiser and strategist with more than ten year's experience building startups, Camov will help drive market expansion in the US.



As Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Mike Herder is responsible for introducing the massive benefits of Marketplacer technology to the Americas. Mike has held a number of senior roles in retail software sales and go-to-market strategies at industry-leading companies, including at IBM and SAP (News - Alert) . He has overseen sales teams across multiple continents, which has given him a unique perspective into the global software space and the associated impact of technology on industry. As Vice President of Partnerships and Customer Success, Lindsay Moore will drive partner and customer growth across the Americas. Lindsay has spent her career growing ecommerce companies with emerging technology. Previously Moore was Senior Vice President of Alliances & Strategy at Zmags. Starting her career at SeeWhy (News - Alert) , she established and ran their Partnerships & Customer Success teams, playing an integral role in their acquisition by SAP. She is active on the Zmags Advisory Board and the Salesforce Partner Advisory Board.

About Marketplacer Marketplacer is a global technology Software as a Service ( SaaS (News - Alert) ) platform equipped with all the tools and functionality needed to build a successful and scalable online marketplace, at speed. To date, Marketplacer has helped over 95 businesses build and deploy their very own successful marketplace strategies and connected over 25,000 businesses worldwide. The Marketplacer platform exists to make growth simple, from implementing marketplace strategies such as shipment from drop-ship sellers, adding new categories or third-party range extension, through to consolidating markets and rolling out modern revenue models such as recurring memberships that allow businesses to grow faster and beyond the constraints of capital inventory. Born and bred from the award-winning BikeExchange, the biggest online marketplace for anything and everything bike, founders Jason Wyatt and Sam Salter saw the opportunity to license the online software platform and apply it to new marketplaces. Marketplacer is responsible for the creation of online e-commerce solutions and business transformations of companies around the world. Visit www.marketplacer.com for more information. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210812005088/en/

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[August 12, 2021] Fujifilm Introduces its AI-powered Product for Chest X-ray in Japan, in Collaboration with Lunit

SEOUL, South Korea, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Fujifilm Corporation, a global medical imaging device provider, today announced its AI-powered product for analyzing chest X-ray 'CXR-AID' will be commercially available across Japan. CXR-AID is designed to better detect major abnormal findings such as chest nodule, consolidation, and pneumothorax from chest X-ray images. Findings detected by the AI software are shown in color as a heatmap display, with each score included. Through this solution, doctors and medical professionals are able to reduce missed cases and effectively diagnose chest diseases from chest X-ray. The PMDA approved AI-powered software is developed with the core AI technology of Lunit, the company's solid partner since 2018. The software is provided with Fujifilm's PACS system( SYNAPSE ) and to be distributed across hospitals and medical institutions of Japan for more efficient diagnosis. A leading medical AI company, Lunit provides deep-learning based AI technology called ' Lunit INSIGHT CXR ' that analyzes chest X-rays. <Lunit and Fujifilm Collaboration> With Lunit AI connected to Fujiilm's PACS system and X-ray devices, the AI products are distributed across its global customers and networks. The company has also invested in Lunit as a strategic investor.



"As a software company, collaborating with global medical device companies like Fujifilm is one of the key strategies for us to achieve successful market expansion," said Brandon Suh, CEO of Lunit. "Fujifilm is one of our very first global partners, where we started our journey together in RSNA 2018. Thanks to this long trusted partnership, we were able to expand worldwide for the past 2.5 years to support medical professionals. Now we are very delighted to be introduced in hospitals and medical institutions of Japan." "We try to listen to our customers' voice and Lunit's AI software is gaining very positive feedback from the actual users across the world," said Naoya Yamakawa, Senior Manager, IT solutions division of Medical Systems Business Division, Fujifilm Corporation. "For example, one of our customers Salud Digna, known as the largest medical institution of Mexico, uses our AI-embedded PACS to analyze more than 800,000 X-ray images per year. From the initial installation stage, the radiologists showed satisfaction for its accurate detection, and retention rate is growing higher."

Based on this market needs, the two companies are expanding their scope of collaboration. Lunit AI is also applied in Fujifilm's mobile X-ray device ( FDR nano ) and portable X-ray devices ( FDR Xair ), General X-ray device ( FDR Smart X ), and is in use in clinical settings to detect COVID-19 symptoms and tuberculosis in regions where there are a limited number of doctors. The products are installed worldwide including the UK, Thailand, Vietnam, Turkey, Middle East and Africa. Recently, Lunit's AI solution for breast cancer detection, Lunit INSIGHT MMG, has been implemented in NURA , Fujifilm's AI-based healthcare center in India. "We strongly believe that sooner or later AI will become the new standard of care, and AI will be used everywhere as a must-use product," added Suh. "Not only will it be used as a tool to make the workflow more efficient, but it will ensure better diagnosis and healthier life for patients. We are glad to make this happen with Fujifilm, and will accelerate our expansion with its global network." SOURCE Lunit

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[August 12, 2021] pumpspotting Raises $1.15M to Elevate the Breastfeeding Benefits Offered by Companies and Expand B2B Presence

KITTERY, Maine, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- pumpspotting, the leading community-driven breastfeeding support platform, today announced a $1.15M seed round led by MooDoos Investments, with participation from Maine Venture Fund, Maine Angels, Launchpad Venture Group, Opus Ventures, Crystal McKellar and strategic investor Punchbowl, Inc. Since its founding in 2015, pumpspotting has focused on engaging and supporting feeding parents. This investment will fuel the company's growth in the B2B channel, helping employers, retailers and brands of all sizes provide critical support to feeding parents, transforming breastfeeding-tolerant climates into breastfeeding-supportive climates. "Feeding parents need support now more than ever," said pumpspotting Founder and CEO Amy VanHaren. "We know that breastfeeding has a myriad of benefits for babies and parents alike, and that businesses benefit when they support breastfeeding as well: reduced absenteeism, improved customer loyalty, and more than 600% ROI on their lactation programs. pumpspotting is making it easy for employers, retailers and brands to support feeding parents no matter where they are." Recent companies signing on to the platform include the State of Maine, Tilson Technology and Warner Norcross + Judd. Companies have a major pain point to address for feeding parents and, with this new funding, pumpspotting is poised to help those companies empower women by enabling the achievement of feeding goals. Half of women in a recent survey said they felt the need to choose between breastfeeding and work, with the average woman spending 35 hours a week breastfeeding. One in five breastfeeding workers report having felt pressure from their companies to stop. ( Aeroflow )

) Companies that provide lactation benefits have better retention rates and a 50% reduction in absenteeism, with 83% of parents feeling more positive about the company ( U.S. Department of Health & Human Services )

) Companies see an enormous savings in medical claims for mom and baby, while also enjoying a 50% reduction in absenteeism when they help working mothers achieve breastfeeding goals. ( U.S. Department of Health & Human Services )



"We see a tremendous opportunity to better serve families through community-driven tech with pumpspotting," said Caitlin Wege, managing partner of MooDoos. "pumpspotting is leading the way towards enhanced family benefits that are going to be an essential part of corporate culture and retention strategies for both employees and shoppers, especially mothers. The benefits of supporting feeding parents are undeniable and we are pleased to be a part of the next generation of solutions."

Since its founding in 2015, pumpspotting has supported a virtual community of more than 40,000 baby-feeding parents, providing them with access to feeding experts, timely, evidence-based content, personalized encouragement, safe and comfortable places to nurse and pump worldwide and, perhaps most importantly, a community of fellow parents to connect with 24x7. About pumpspotting

pumpspotting empowers women by enabling nursing, pumping, and breastfeeding parents to achieve their feeding goals. The company's software and services, deployed by employers, retailers, universities and other partners, elevate basic accommodations to best-in-class experiences that build brand-exclusive communities, extend the experience beyond physical space, and create opportunities while positioning companies as heroes. Moms love pumpspotting because it's encouraging community reduces isolation and anxiety while connecting them with peers, experts and places to feed. For more information, visit pumpspotting.com CONTACT:

Kristen Elworthy

978.590.0442

316312@email4pr.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pumpspotting-raises-1-15m-to-elevate-the-breastfeeding-benefits-offered-by-companies-and-expand-b2b-presence-301353266.html SOURCE pumpspotting

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[August 12, 2021] Harris Williams Advises Collision Works on its Sale to The Boyd Group Inc.

Harris Williams, a global investment bank specializing in M&A advisory services, announces it advised Collision Works of Oklahoma, LLC (Collision Works), a full service collision repair company, on its sale to The Boyd Group Inc. (Boyd Group), a Canadian-based company that operates under the trade name Gerber Collision & Glass in the U.S. The transaction was led by Joe Conner, Elliott Yousefian, Michael Meyer and Sam Funkhouser of the Harris Williams Transportation & Logistics (T&L) Group. "Collision Works has grown into one of the most prominent collision repair businesses in the Midwest and is recognized for its quality of work, attention to detail and best-in-class customer service," said Joe Conner, a managing director at Harris Williams. "This transaction isthe latest in the firm's long legacy of successful deals in the collision industry, extending our track record in the automotive aftermarket. In working with Collision Works, our team was able to leverage the deep collision expertise we've built through our experience with Caliber, ABRA, Kadel's, Joe Hudson's, and most recently, Kaizen Collision Center," said Elliott Yousefian, a vice president at Harris Williams. "We look forward to continuing our high level of activity in one of the most attractive sectors in the aftermarket."



Collision Works was founded by Jacob Nossaman in 1996. The company started as a side business for friends and family and has grown into a full-service collision repair company. Today, Collision Works is a leader in the collision repair industry and uses the latest technology to provide high quality repairs, paint and body work, and detailing. The company has grown throughout the Midwest, spans three states and has 35 locations. Harris Williams, an investment bank specializing in M&A advisory services, advocates for sellers and buyers of companies worldwide through critical milestones and provides thoughtful advice during the lives of their businesses. By collaborating as one firm across Industry Groups and geographies, the firm helps its clients achieve outcomes that support their objectives and strategically create value. Harris Williams is committed to execution excellence and to building enduring, valued relationships that are based on mutual trust. Harris Williams is a subsidiary of the PNC (News - Alert) Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC).

The Harris Williams Transportation & Logistics Group serves companies in a broad range of attractive niches, including third-party logistics (3PL), automotive and heavy-duty vehicle, transportation equipment, and truck, rail, marine and air transportation. For more information on the firm's T&L Group and other recent transactions, visit the T&L Group's section of the Harris Williams website. Harris Williams LLC is a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA and SIPC. Harris Williams & Co. Ltd is a private limited company incorporated under English law with its registered office at 8th Floor, 20 Farringdon Street, London EC4A 4AB, UK, registered with the Registrar of Companies for England and Wales (registration number 07078852). Harris Williams & Co. Ltd is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Harris Williams & Co. Corporate Finance Advisors GmbH is registered in the commercial register of the local court of Frankfurt am Main, Germany, under HRB 107540. The registered address is Bockenheimer Landstrasse 33-35, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany (email address: hwgermany@harriswilliams.com). Geschaftsfuhrer/Directors: Jeffery H. Perkins, Paul Poggi. (VAT No. DE321666994). Harris Williams is a trade name under which Harris Williams LLC, Harris Williams & Co. Ltd and Harris Williams & Co. Corporate Finance Advisors GmbH conduct business. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210812005545/en/

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[August 12, 2021] Lykan Bioscience and Vineti Announce Partnership to Advance Cell-based Therapies from Clinical to Commercialization

HOPKINTON, Mass. and SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lykan Bioscience, a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) focused on cell-based therapies, and Vineti, the worlds only enterprise software platform supporting supply chain orchestration for clinical and commercial cell therapies, today announced a partnership to unite Lykans purpose-built cell therapy manufacturing capabilities and Vinetis industry-leading supply chain and data management system. The partnership empowers biopharma customers with optimized manufacturing efficiency and a complete solution to bring cell-based, life-saving therapies to patients in need.

Advanced therapies, such as cell therapies, require advanced infrastructure. Legacy systems managing the production of cell therapies are often manual and outdated, slowing the scale, speed, and patient safety during development. The cell therapy industry requires a new level of visibility, detail, and access across each product and facility within the supply chain. Lykan and Vinetis global, non-exclusive partnership between two leading innovators in the Cell Therapy space will ensure Chain of Identity (COI) and Chain of Custody (COC) visibility as therapies go through each step in the manufacturing supply chain, bringing patient safety back to the forefront. At Lykan, our mission is to be an innovative manufacturer of cell therapy products. We strive to help our biopharma partners achieve a rapid transition from clinical to commercial manufacturing and maximize patient access to cell therapies. The complex nature of cell therapy process development and manufacturing means our partners need innovative technologies, a reliable platform and strong manufacturing expertise to deliver safe and effective therapies, said Lykan President and CEO Patrick Lucy. Our strategic partnership with Vineti aims to enable our partners success with faster and simpler operations using a more robust and traceable control system. Lykan Bioscience has established a world-class, purpose-built, multi-product cell therapy manufacturing facility just outside of Boston, Massachusetts. Advanced and integrated software systems, such as Vinetis Personalized Therapy Management (PTM) platform, a proven purpose-built, enterprise-grade digital solution for advanced therapy data and supply chains, will enable Lykan to conduct real-time monitoring of the manufacturing process and product,complete with electronic batch records that will support real-time testing and release of product from each of Lykans eight clinical and commercial cGMP manufacturing suites.



Cell therapies are at a point where they require a truly world-class, purpose-built, multi-product cell therapy manufacturing facility, with the best digital tools, allowing for true connectivity across the ecosystem, said Vineti CEO and Co-founder Amy DuRoss. We are thrilled to partner with Lykan Bioscience to ensure COI and COC visibility as therapies go through each step in the supply chain, to efficiently deliver these therapies to the patients that need them faster." This partnership follows Lykans recent announcement on the hiring of the companys new CTO and Vinetis release of its PTM Essentials solution for clinical-phase advanced therapies. More information on the Lykan-Vineti solution is available through both companys business development teams.





About Lykan Bioscience Lykan Bioscience is a contract development and manufacturing services organization (CDMO) focused on cell-based therapies. With decades of biopharmaceutical industry experience, Lykan offers a full range of development and manufacturing services. The state-of-the-art, purpose-built facility offering eight independent manufacturing suites is uniquely designed to fully integrate cGMP principles and advanced software solutions to enable real-time testing and release of product. Located in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, 25 miles southwest of downtown Boston and in the proximity of three international airports, Lykan Bioscience is ideally situated to deliver life-saving cell therapy treatments to patients on behalf of their partners. Visit www.lykanbio.com About Vineti Vineti offers the first commercial, configurable cloud-based platform to expand patient access to life-saving cell and gene therapies. Vineti was co-founded by GE and the Mayo Clinic to solve the key challenges that patients, medical providers, biopharmaceutical companies, and regulators face in the delivery and commercialization of individualized therapies. Now a fully independent company, Vineti offers a digital platform of record to integrate logistics, supply chain management, manufacturing, and clinical data for personalized therapies. The Vineti Personalized Therapy Management (PTM) platform aligns and orchestrates the advanced therapy process and improves product performance overall, supporting the full continuum of patient-specific therapies, including personalized cancer vaccines and autologous and allogeneic cell and gene therapies. Vineti is currently serving patients, healthcare providers, and researchers in hundreds of leading medical centers and manufacturing centers world-wide on behalf of a growing number of biopharmaceutical partners. In 2019, the World Economic Forum honored Vineti as a World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer. Vineti is headquartered in San Francisco, California, with teams based in the Washington, D.C. area and Yerevan, Armenia. For more information, please visit http://vineti.com. Media Contacts



Lykan Bioscience

Director of Marketing

Carrie Zhang

carrie.zhang@lykanbio.com Vineti

1AB Media for Vineti

Dan Budwick

dan@1abmedia.com



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[August 12, 2021] Slingshot Aerospace Announces World's First Collision Avoidance Collaboration & Communications Platform for Space; OneWeb, Spire Global Inc. & Orbit Fab to Pilot Technology

Slingshot Aerospace, Inc., a company building world-class space simulation and analytics solutions, today announced the launch of Slingshot Beacon, the industry's first collision avoidance collaboration and communications platform for space, which will be piloted by OneWeb, Spire Global Inc., Orbit Fab and others. The players participating in this pilot program account for 53% of satellite constellations in low earth orbit (LEO). Slingshot Beacon will be used as a centralized communication and coordination platform to resolve on-orbit conjunctions, notify others about planned maneuvers, and more. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210812005019/en/ (Photo: Business Wire) Slingshot Beacon connects operators across different organizations on a single platform, which has never been done before. It provides customers with existing positional data and packages it in a digestible way with all the necessary information to resolve a conjunction. The tool will improve transparency, safety, and sustainability in space for all owner-operators, helping to ensure high risk conjunctions are appropriately mitigated. ??"OneWeb is committed to responsible operational practices and new tools like Slingshot Beacon can help enhance space safety by creating additional avenues for communication," John Guiney, Vice President, Fleet Management Systems, OneWeb. "We look forward to working together to continue advancing ways we can all collaborate and work together to keep space safe." As an industry, there are 115,000 satellites planned to enter space by 2030, which means more potential collision avoidance decisions will need to be made. Slingshot Beacon is designed to be an end-to-end communications and collaboration platform to help mitigate those potential risks, and facilitate safer satellite operations as the domain becomes more congested. Presenting critical data in a more digestible way will enable owner-operators to make better decisions faster, giving governments and the public more confidence in safe space operations as the number of objects in space grows. ??"Slingshot Beacon enables collaboration among all space operations stakeholders providing even more information to users, when and how they want it, powering everything from near real-time situational awareness to on-demand cross-company secure communication and file sharing," said Melanie Stricklan, Co-founder & CEO, Slingshot Aerospace. "Slingshot Aerospace is reimagining the future of space safety and sustainability with high-value, gobal collaboration. We're extremely grateful to our customers and the space community for their continued belief in our team and products."



Slingshot Beacon was inspired by the guard channel, a special radio frequency that is monitored 24/7 for mayday alerts or other calls for help. The technology is orbit agnostic, and can help organizations monitor their assets, like space vehicles and satellites, in and through all orbits, LEO to the moon. In addition, Slingshot Beacon enables users to protect their assets in space by providing an actively curated directory of operator contact information; reports on environmental anomalies; community alerts for planned maneuvers; and conjunction data messages (CDMs) and ephemeris sharing (or accurate object position sharing). "As a member of the space community, Spire recognizes the role we have in contributing to a safe space environment while protecting our assets and ensuring mission success for our customers and partners," said Keith Johnson, VP & GM for Government Solutions, Spire Global Inc. "By providing space data to and participating in Slingshot Beacon, we will continue our commitment to a safe space environment and be part of an innovative technology - the first of its kind - that will allow us to communicate with other companies and agencies to increase collaboration and global space awareness."

The tool pulls in public data as well as customer's private data, providing users with a secure and robust plug-and-play catalog of validated data. It will bring in automated risk monitoring and an objective, unbiased, curated ensemble of space data and robust analytics, providing unmatched space domain awareness. To deliver data and relevant analytics on customer demand, Slingshot Aerospace has partnered with Numerica Corporation, a market leader in air, missile and space defense technology. Numerica's ability to deliver precision tracking data and analytics is based on its state-of-the-art global telescope network and data processing suite, relied upon for LEO-to-GEO daytime and nighttime space surveillance operations. Orbit Fab, the Gas Stations in Space company, is creating a bustling in-space economy through on-orbit refueling. "We are designing the future of sustainability and mission flexibility for spacecraft, making docking and transferring fuel so reliable it gets boring," said James Bultitude, Chief Engineer, Orbit Fab. "Public awareness is vital to ensuring that the difference between a safe, consensual rendezvous and a collision event is known and understood. Slingshot Beacon will streamline this communication, essential for successful maneuvers in the growing satellite servicing segment." Slingshot Aerospace acquired Stellatus Solutions LLC, a company that was building a platform that would help operators manage and protect their satellites by streamlining communication and traffic coordination between operators. Through the transaction, Slingshot Aerospace acquired research and intellectual property, which accelerated the launch of Slingshot Beacon. The company also hired Stellatus Solutions LLC co-founders Holly Highfill and Kishen Raghunath who will serve as Slingshot Aerospace's Director, Customer Engagement and Strategy, and Director, Finance and Strategy, respectively. Stellatus was born out of the Department of Defense's (DoD) Hacking for Defense Program where Audrey Schaffer, Former Director, Space Strategy and Plans, Office of the Secretary of Defense, challenged a team to figure out how to create a communications channel for operators to increase space situational awareness with a specific emphasis on alerting the community of security concerns in space. After the program ended, the team continued the project and formed Stellatus, which was acquired a few months later by Slingshot Aerospace in June 2021. Slingshot Beacon is a modern, interactive web portal and mobile application that will allow commercial agencies to interact company to company. Slingshot Aerospace has begun beta testing Slingshot Beacon's communication functionalities with named users effective immediately, with plans to introduce a robust set of features on a rolling basis starting in Q3 2021: Internal and external collaboration File sharing, voice conference bridge Live and historic data processing Powerful workflows with automation tools for risk screening Notifications and alerts (maneuvers, conjunctions and other alerts) Third party plugin/ integration marketplace support for operations management tools Upload/download customer ephemeris/telemetry data capture Easy onboarding End-to-end security Built-in compliance Leverages Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud services In less than 4 years, Slingshot Aerospace has already seen rapid growth by earning millions of dollars in revenue from early customer contracts, and is leveraging government dollars to build its IP. To learn more about Slingshot Beacon, please visit slingshotaerospace.com/slingshot-beacon. About Slingshot Aerospace Slingshot Aerospace, Inc. is creating world-class space simulation and analytics solutions. The company brings the space domain into the digital environment and fuses data from different sources to provide a full, dynamic orbital picture. In doing so, Slingshot Aerospace customers can make decisions at the speed of relevance and achieve clarity in complex environments. Launched in 2017 and based in Austin, TX, and Los Angeles, CA (News - Alert) , Slingshot Aerospace seeks to help government and commercial customers accelerate space sustainability to create a safer, more connected world. Visit slingshotaerospace.com and follow Slingshot Aerospace on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. The Slingshot Aerospace media kit, including photos, can be found HERE. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210812005019/en/

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[August 12, 2021] Utilis rebrands to ASTERRA and is presented with Innovation Award at VIP Celebration

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- At a celebration on August 5, 2021, Utilis unveiled its new brand, ASTERRA, and hosted honored guests at a reception where they were presented with the inaugural Innovation Award from the American Water Works Association (AWWA). The San Diego Chamber of Commerce joined ASTERRA leaders from both the United States and Israel and former Mayor and Chamber President Jerry Sanders for a ribbon cutting. "Utilis creates technology that is powerful. This technology is essential," said Elly Perets , CEO. Dr. Jennifer Campbell, President of the City of San Diego Council, spoke about the importance of ASTERRA technologies in supporting resource resilience and the earth's infrastructure. "We must face these challenges together and solve the urgent problem if we want to leave a healthy planet for our children and grandchildren," she said. Consul General of Israel to the Pacific Southwest, Dr. Hillel Newman, recognized the important friendship and partnership between Israel and the United States. This was of special significance because ASTERRA was founded in Israel as Utilis in 2013. The trophy for the inaugural Innovation Award was presented by Heather Collins, Vice President of the AWWA. Other guests and speakers included Melissa Melendez, State Senator California District 28, Artemis Hodoyan, from the office of US Senator Alex Padilla, Christopher Mika, Congressional Fellow for the 50th District of California, and Joe LaCava, Council Member for City of San Diego. ASTERRA products, such as Recover, lower the cost f finding potable water leaks by using a patented algorithm and satellite-based synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data. It uses reflected signals from a satellite to detect the underground presence of potable water. A staggering 9000M gallons of water are saved every year through ASTERRA solutions, with an average of 3.3 leaks found per day at each subscribing utility.



At the event, Elly Perets, CEO of ASTERRA, spoke about the company's new brand. He said, "Utilis creates technology that is powerful. This technology is essential. It is a way to look at the earth and help by seeing it in a way that no one else can." He went on to say, "This technology is used to strengthen infrastructures in the smallest of towns and in the largest of cities. This technology has so great an impact on the terrain of the earth that it needs a new name . . . ASTERRA." Together, they marked two great milestones, one is the Innovation Award, and the other is the transition from a leak detection company to a data provider for the greater infrastructure industry.

ABOUT ASTERRA ASTERRA is a division of Utilis that provides data driven solutions for water utilities, government agencies and the greater infrastructure industry. ASTERRA products use synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data from satellites and turns it into large scale decision support tools. The company's proprietary algorithms and highly educated scientists and engineers are the key to their mission, to deliver actionable intelligence to advance Earth's resource resilience. Since 2016, Utilis technology has resulted in saving more than 9000 million gallons of potable water and 22,000 MWH of energy per year, in support of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The Utilis ASTERRA division is headquartered in Israel with offices in the United States and United Kingdom. Their innovative data solutions are used in multiple verticals around the globe. For more information on ASTERRA and to learn more about their technology visit https://asterra.io. Media Contact

Karen Dubey

Corporate Marketing Director

marketing@utiliscorp.com

(858) 798-6709 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/utilis-rebrands-to-asterra-and-is-presented-with-innovation-award-at-vip-celebration-301354359.html SOURCE ASTERRA

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[August 12, 2021] Blackline Safety Secures Second-Largest European Order in Company History

Blackline Safety Corp. (TSX: BLN), a global leader of gas detection and connected safety solutions, today announced the close of a 1. 3M (News - Alert) (CDN$2.2M) contract with a water authority in the United Kingdom. The order was secured via Blackline's distributor Securitas, a long term affiliate of the customer. The deployment will include Blackline Safety's G7 connected wearables with environmental gas detection, alongside a multi-year contract providing compliance and safety services. "This is a large-scale deployment of G7 across the entire business replacing the customer's previous solution, and represents our second largest order in Europe to date-a key growth market for us," said Cody Slater, CEO and Chair for Blackline Safety. G7 is the industry's first direct-to-cloud, comprehensive safety monitoring system with unparalleled cellular and satellite connectivity. Whether it's lone worker monitoring or gas detection, Blackline Safety's 4G-connected wearables and area monitoring system offer best-in-class protection to workers and facilities. "At Blackline Safety, we understand that water and wastewater utilities face unique challenges when working to keep teir teams safe - from gas exposures to injuries and health events," added Slater.



"Our G7 wearable has proven to be one of the most reliable connected safety systems available and is a top choice for employers who have an uncompromising approach to safety, culture and employee morale." About Blackline Safety

Blackline Safety is a global connected safety leader that helps to ensure every worker gets their job done and returns home safely each day. Blackline provides wearable safety technology, personal and area gas monitoring, cloud-connected software and data analytics to meet demanding safety challenges and increase productivity of organizations with coverage in more than 100 countries. Blackline Safety wearables provide a lifeline to tens of thousands of people, having reported over 155 billion data-points and initiated over five million emergency responses. Armed with cellular and satellite connectivity, we ensure that help is never too far away. For more information, visit www.BlacklineSafety.com and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210812005176/en/

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[August 12, 2021] Data Warehouse Costs Soar, ROI Still Not Realized

Enterprises are pouring money into data management software - to the tune of $73 billion in 2020 - but are seeing very little return on their data investments. According to a new study out today from Dremio, the SQL Lakehouse company, and produced by Wakefield Research, only 22% of the data leaders surveyed have fully realized ROI in the past two years, with most data leaders (56%) having no consistent way of measuring it. In addition to the survey findings, the report also introduces the Data Value Scorecard, a measure of companies' efforts to unlock the value or ROI of data. Through a series of metrics that assesses their data policies, the Scorecard provides a quick, aggregated view of how efficiently companies and their employees use and manage data. "Data leaders are frequently concerned about the out-of-control costs of data warehouses, particularly as their workloads grow - a big surprise to them since the data warehouse cost of entry can be low to start. Moreover, the lack of predictability around future costs leads to very poor financial governance for data leaders and CFOs alike," said Billy Bosworth, CEO, Dremio. "While companies understand they have an expensive sunk cost for data warehouses, they are keen on ways to drive newer analytics architectures directly from open data lakes for better financial governance and highly performant queries against vast amounts of data." The report found that in order to run analytics, enterpries are making multiple copies of their data - 12 copies on average. A staggering 60% report that their company has over 10 copies of their data floating around.



To add insult to injury, 82% say that their end users have used inconsistent versions of the same dataset at the same time due to their extract transform and load (ETL) processes, undermining the data integrity & trust, and slowing down the decision-making process. Notably: Among all data leaders who use a data warehouse, 94% report concerns over it.

79% are concerned about scaling their architecture; only 20% report having no concerns about the cost of scaling.

84% of data leaders say it is normal for data analysts at their company to work with a partial data set - this means many data analysts may be working with insufficient data.

Just 16% expect fresh data in minutes or hours; 51% expect it in terms of weeks

More than 3 in 4 data leaders (76%) say they are locked into certain vendors due to their closed systems. This means just a quarter of companies have true freedom to explore new and innovative data tools and analytics. Data Value Scorecard

Respondents answered questions pertaining to their data processes and architectures, including common pain points for inefficient set-ups, underestimating timelines, using inconsistent or partial versions of datasets and being locked into certain vendors. Respondents were scored on a pass-fail basis. Despite spending years investing in ways to collect data, few have figured out how to efficiently and effectively use data for business purposes. On average, companies with data leaders score 26% - meaning they passed 2.6 metrics. 28% passed, answering that it is "very easy" for end users to access data and develop insights

20% passed, saying data project timelines "rarely or never" underestimate ETL times

20% passed, reporting their company has "little to no" restrictions on data access for governance About the Dremio Data Value Scorecard The Dremio Data Value Scorecard is a survey scorecard developed by Dremio and executed by Wakefield Research. Wakefield Research conducted a quantitative research study in June 2021 among 500 Data & Analytics Leaders at enterprises in the U.S., UK, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Australia, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Enterprises were polled regarding their data value - that is, how efficiently they are able to use data within their organization - and their ability to use data for business decisions. More information on the Data Value Scorecard is available upon request. About Dremio Dremio is the SQL Lakehouse company, enabling companies to leverage open data architectures. Dremio's SQL Lakehouse Platform simplifies data engineering and eliminates the need to copy and move data to proprietary data warehouses or create cubes, aggregation tables and BI extracts, providing flexibility and control for data architects and data engineers, and self-service for data consumers. Founded in 2015, Dremio is headquartered in Santa Clara, CA. Investors include Cisco (News - Alert) Investments, Insight Partners, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Norwest Venture Partners, Redpoint Ventures, and Sapphire Ventures. For more information, visit www.dremio.com. Connect with Dremio on GitHub, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210812005242/en/

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[August 12, 2021] As the New School Year Approaches, Texas Virtual Academy at Hallsville is Prepared to Encourage Student Success

Texas Virtual Academy at Hallsville (TVAH), a full-time, tuition-free online public school program of Hallsville Independent School District, is ready to start the new school year and give students in grades 3-12 an individualized approach to education. TVAH students and teachers open their laptops to start the 2021-2022 school year next week, on August 16. Many families are approaching this school year with cautious optimism. During the pandemic, parents realized that attending online school is a safe, alternative option that encourages academic excellence and growth in all students. According to a recent survey by Stride, Inc., 91 percent of parents agree that it's important for their children to have multiple school options, including full-time online or a hybrid model that blends online and in-person learning. And almost two-thirds of parents would consider full-time online public school after their 2020 pandemic-driven virtual education experience. Staffed by Texas licensed teachers, TVAH offers an engaging approach to learning, delivering rich, rigorous curriculum that motivates students to succeed. Despite wide-spread evidence of a "COVID slide" of learning loss for students in the U.S. during the pandemic, Stride K12-powered scools like TVAH reported lower learning loss rates than those reported in national studies. And in some cases, students enrolled in Stride K12-powered schools experienced learning gains.



Students who attend TVAH also have the opportunity to prepare for their futures. High school students can participate in the Career Prep Program and enroll in classes that will help them discover and explore a number of fields. Students can also earn certifications and college credits while still in high school, giving them a head start in their state and potentially saving them thousands of dollars in college tuition costs. "At TVAH, we believe in the unique potential of each student," said Catherine Groven, the Head of School for TVAH. "After the challenges of last year, we are excited for the chance to give our students every opportunity to succeed."

Students choose online learning for a variety of reasons including advanced learning and the flexibility to support extracurricular pursuits while maintaining a focus on academics. TVAH's online platform gives students the opportunity to pursue their academic goals in a supportive environment and at an appropriate pace for their learning style. TVAH is still accepting enrollments for the 2021-2022 school year. To learn more about TVAH and how to enroll, visit tvah.k12.com or download the Stride K12 mobile app for iOS and Android (News - Alert) devices - where families can enroll, prepare for the first day of school, and monitor students' academic progress throughout the school year. About Texas Virtual Academy at Hallsville Texas Virtual Academy at Hallsville (TVAH) is a program of the Hallsville Independent School District that serves students statewide in grades 3-12. TVAH is tuition-free for Texas residents and is made possible through a contractual relationship between Hallsville Independent School District and K12, a Stride company (NYSE: LRN). Stride offers learners of all ages a more effective way to learn and build their skills for the future. For more information about TVAH, visit tvah.k12.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210812005014/en/

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[August 12, 2021] HONOR Announces Global Launch of the HONOR Magic3 Series, an Iconic Flagship Delivering A Beyond Epic User Experience

SHENZHEN, China, Aug. 12, 2021 /CNW/ -- Global technology brand HONOR today launched the all new HONOR Magic3 Series, an iconic flagship smartphone boasting premium technology and a cutting-edge design. The first flagship launched by HONOR since its independence, the HONOR Magic3 Series comprises of the HONOR Magic3, HONOR Magic3 Pro and HONOR Magic3 Pro+, all packed with exceptional features and functionality to deliver a beautiful design, a cinematic videography and unprecedented photography experience and unparalleled performance. During the event, HONOR also announced its plans for continued expansion and commitment to providing exceptional customer service and top-quality products following its independence in November last year. The new HONOR's workforce includes almost 10,000 employees who will cover the entire spectrum of end-to-end operations. HONOR has invested heavily in R&D, with four R&D centers and over 100 labs worldwide, filing over 5500 new patent applications to date, and quickly re-establishing strategic partnerships with some of the world's top suppliers. In just three months, HONOR's market share increased 3% to 14.6% in the Chinese market, further fueling the brands ambition for global success. "HONOR has always showcased our most innovative ideas through the HONOR Magic Series, and the HONOR Magic3 Series continues this legacy," said George Zhao, CEO of HONOR Device Co, Ltd. "Representing HONOR's vision for the future of mobile technology, we are proud of the industry partnerships we've forged which have helped in the development of this ground-breaking new smartphone as well as the continued efforts from our R&D team to reintroduce HONOR to the global market, in a never-before-seen display of exceptional technology." Premium Design for an Immersive Viewing Experience and Superior Resistance Delivering a superb user experience and premium design, the HONOR Magic3 Series features an 89 Super Curved Display and ultra-thin bezels for a truly immersive viewing experience. The 10-bit screen displays 1.07 billion colors and supports HDR10+ certification, allowing users to enjoy more vivid colors and detailed visuals. Representing a breakthrough in the craftmanship of smartphone design the HONOR Magic3 Pro+ delivers an exquisite design, with a Super Curved Nano Crystal Shield and a Nano Ceramic body, creating a premium and comfortable grip and a greater level of hardness and toughness. The HONOR Magic3 Series is certified with an IP68[1] water and dust resistance, ensuring it is protected from dust and can withstand being submerged up to 1.5m and for 30 minutes. The HONOR Magic3 Series comes equipped with a remarkable camera design called 'The Eye of Muse', symbolizing the perfect blend of art and technology and featuring a concave surface, which enables an abundant light source to the lens to optimize performance and provide superior photography capabilities for users to enjoy. Paying tribute to the classic structure of a camera shutter, the HONOR Magic3 Pro+ features a unique hexagonal design, giving users a sense of balance and harmony. Revolutionary Photography Experience with Advanced HONOR Image Engine and Multi-Camera Computational Photography Taking HONOR's photography credentials to a whole new level, the HONOR Magic3 Series comes packed with HONOR self-developed HONOR Image Engine, an advanced imaging system empowered by AI, enabling high-quality and stunning images every time. The HONOR Magic Series is equipped with a best-in-class multi-camera computational photography while the HONOR Magic3 Pro+ comes packed with a quad camera setup, featuring a 64MP Monochrome Camera, a 50MP Wide Camera, a 64MP 126o Ultra Wide Camera[2] and a 64MP Periscope Telephoto Camera[3], allowing users to produce stunning photos no matter what they are shooting. Delivering vivid colors and true to life imagery, the 50MP wide camera has an ultra-large 1/1.28-inch color sensor[4] alongside Full Pixel Octa Phase Detection (PD) AutoFocus[5], allowing moving objects to be captured with quick and precise focus in exceptional detail. The 64MP Periscope Telephoto Camera has a 3.5x optical zoom[6] and up to 100x digital zoom, enabling users to capture high quality images from afar. Supported by an optical image stabilizer (OIS)[7], users can produce clear images, even without a tripod. The 64MP 126 ultra-wide-angle lens paired with a 7P optical zoom lens[8] offers HONOR's highest-resolution wide camera, allowing a wider field of view with minimized perspective distortion and perfectly showcasing entire buildings and landmarks in stunning clarity. For macro shots, users can capture incredible details as close as 2.5cm. Smartphone that delivers a Cinematic Videography Experience

The HONOR Magic3 Series is the first ever IMAX ENHANCED smartphone. It also comes with AI film effects[9] to enable professional movie-grade color solutions. The HONOR Magic3 Series enables Magic-Log and cinematic Level 3D LUT (Look Up Table) video capabilities. Commonly used to shoot professional movies, the log format allows users to enhance their videos with cinematic color tones and stunning visuals in HDR clarity. The cinematic 3D LUTs help users create color hues fit for the cinema. Giving users more freedom to control and adjust colors without compromising image accuracy, HONOR has partnered with renowned Hollywood colorist, Bryan Mamahan, to co-create eight exclusive LUTs inspired by classic movies. Harnessing the power of AI, the HONOR Magic3 Series recommends the LUT based on the shooting scenario[10], ensuring content creators can take their movie making skills to the next level. The Magic3 Series can capture 4K HDR content and has three omni-directional microphones for clear audio capture, further ensuring enhanced picture and sound quality for cinema ready content. Powerful Chipset and Upgraded Hardware for Enhanced Performance

Delivering breakthrough industry-leading efficiency and performance and improved AI computing power, the HONOR Magic3 Series comes equipped with the new Snapdragon 888 Plus 5G Mobile Platform[11]. HONOR is among the first equipment manufacturers (OEM) to launch a Snapdragon 888 Plus powered smartphone. Compared to the Snapdragon 888, the new chipset sees upgrades in terms of CPU and AI computing. The chipset improves AI computing resulting in up to 32 TOPS and boosting AI performance by 20%. Complementing the chipset, the HONOR Magic3 Series features OS Turbo X, which was transferred to the Snapdragon 8 series chipset for the first time. It contains Low-latency engine, Anti-aging Engine, Smart Memory Engine that improve fluency, anti-aging, and allow more apps to remain alive in the background. Designed to energize gaming performance, the HONOR Magic3 Series comes with the GPU Turbo X graphics acceleration technology, applying optimizations that reduce power consumption, and improve performance. Together with Superconductive Hexagonal Graphene technology, temperatures are reduced, leading to an overall more stable and comfortable gaming experience. Thanks to LINK Turbo X, a self-developed state-of-the-art technology, the HONOR Magic3 Series successfully makes use of Wi-Fi and cellular networks together to deliver a peak download speed of 6.1Gbps[12], the fastest download speed available on a smartphone today. The performance of HONOR Magic3 Series is also well recognized by HONOR's industry partners. "HONOR is a truly innovative company with deep roots in technology," says Cristiano Amon, President & CEO, Qualcomm Incorporated. "This technical foundation has helped to create a collaborative and trusting environment between our companies. And allowed you to fully harness the power of the Snapdragon 888 Plus to unleash the best Android experience on the new HONOR Magic3 Series." Ultra-Long Battery Life and Superior Fast Charge Capabilities

Powered by a 4600mAh battery[13], HONOR Magic3 Series frees you from frequently charging your device. HONOR Magic3 Series supports HONOR SuperCharge at 66W or SuperCharge Wireless at 50W[14]. The Magic3 Pro and Magic3 Pro+ can also be used as a power bank to charge up other devices with Wireless Reverse Charge[15]. Next Level Privacy and Security Features with Smart AI

Privacy is one of HONOR's top priorities. Testament to this, the HONOR Magic3 Series is equipped with enhanced security capabilities, including a 3D ToF front Camera[16] for 3D Face ID Unlock, ensuring a high-level of security when using facial recognition to access your smartphone. Creating a smarter and seamless user experience, various daily settings have also been optimized on the HONOR Magic3 Series to achieve an all-scenario intelligent life. The intelligent upgrades include UX experience, Smart Travel, Security and Privacy and Mobile Working, bringing about a seamless AI experience so users can efficiently manage their work and daily life. Color, Pricing and Availability Inspired by Magic Hour, the prime time of day for shooting for photography enthusiasts and film directors, the HONOR Magic3, starting from 899 euros, comes in Golden Hour and Blue Hour[17], which are made from synthetic leather, in addition to Black and White. The HONOR Magic3 Pro, starting from 1,099 euros, comes in Golden Hour, Black and White, while the HONOR Magic3 Pro+, starting from 1,499 euros, comes in Ceramic Black and Ceramic White, delivering a premium and classic look and feel. HONOR Magic3 Series will first be available in mainland China. Availability for other global markets will be announced at a later date, stay tuned for more information. For more information, please visit HONOR online store at www.hihonor.com. About HONOR Established in 2013, HONOR is a leading global provider of smart devices. We are committed to becoming a global iconic tech brand and enabling a smart life across all scenarios and all channels, for all people. With a strategic focus on innovation, quality and service, HONOR is dedicated to developing technology that empowers people around the globe to go beyond through its R&D capabilities and forward-looking technology, as well as creating a new intelligent world for everyone with its portfolio of innovative products. For more information, please visit HONOR online at www.hihonor.com or email newsroom@hihonor.com [18] http://community.hihonor.com/

https://www.facebook.com/honorglobal/

https://twitter.com/Honorglobal

https://www.instagram.com/honorglobal/

http://www.youtube.com/c/HonorOfficial Snapdragon is a trademark or registered trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated.

Snapdragon is a product of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries.







[1] This feature is available on the Pro and Pro+ versions. [2] Only for the Pro+ version. Standard and Pro versions feature a 13MP Ultra Wide Camera. [3] Only for the Pro+ and Pro version. [4] Only for the Pro+ version. Standard and Pro versions feature a 1/1.56-inch color sensor. [5] Only for the Pro+ version. [6] Only for the Pro+ and Pro version. [7] Only available on the Pro and Pro+ version. [8] Only available on the Pro+ version. [9] Requires OTA upgrade [10] Requires OTA upgrade [11] Snapdragon 888 Plus 5G Mobile Platform is only for the Pro and Pro+ version. Magic3 standard version features Snapdragon 888 [12] Test data is under Sub-6G frequency from HONOR lab. [13] 4,600mAh refers to the typical value of the battery. [14] Only available on the Pro+ and Pro versions. [15] Only available on the Pro+ and Pro versions. [16] Only available on the Pro+ and Pro versions. [17] Golden Hour color is available on the standard and Pro versions while Blue Hour color is only available on the standard version. [18] The data is provided by HONOR Lab. The actual performance may vary based on the device settings and usage environment.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/honor-announces-global-launch-of-the-honor-magic3-series-an-iconic-flagship-delivering-a-beyond-epic-user-experience-301354374.html SOURCE HONOR

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[August 12, 2021] Kandao Technology Raised Millions of Dollars to Provide Excellent Imaging Products

SHENZHEN, China, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Kandao recently announced that it has raised millions of dollars in a new round of financing led by CDF-Capital and SHENZHEN Guarantee. Kandao Technology is in the leading position of AI digital imaging technology. Focused on creating excellent imaging products to let users get close to metaverse, Kandao Technology innovates constantly in VR ultra-HD video and video conferencing areas and has become a representative company in these fields. In VR panoramic ultra-HD video field, Kandao launched Obsidian series for professional-level panoramic video shooting, 5G+8K VR live streaming system, and consumer-level panoramic cameras, QooCam series. Kandao has won many authoritative awards including CES Best of Innovations Award, iF Design Awards, and Reddot Awards. Kandao Obsidian Pro, the 12K 3D cinematic VR camera released in April can shoot 12K X 12K 3D panoramic video, with a top-level specification to achieve the best performance in VR shooting.



For providing an immersive video conferencing experience, Kandao Meeting and Kandao Meeting Pro were released. They combine 360 video, AI intelligent algorithm and built-in operation system, which makes both remote meeting and hybrid meeting user-friendly, smart, and efficient.

The independent R&D ability and continuous progress on product development attract investors' attention. Before this round of financing, Kandao has successively received investment from ALPHA Group, SKY LIGHT and Foxconn. Chen Dan, CEO of Kandao Tech, said, "Kandao Tech is firmly optimistic about the market space of imaging technology and products in the VR/AR under the 5G era. The future will be the era of metaverse, online and offline services will be further integrated, the virtual world and the real world will be more closely connected, and imaging must be one of the most important parts. In the future, no matter watching a video or having a remote meeting, the form of imaging definitely won't just be the planar imaging. We hope that by our focus and effort on image acquisition and image processing, we can participate in and lead the new imaging innovation." After this financing, Kandao Tech will increase the input in technology research and development, strengthen the leading advantages of technology and products, and improve branding and marketing strategy. Kandao Tech is committed to creating a comprehensive VR Ultra-HD video and video conferencing ecosystem, building a global brand, and promoting industry development. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kandao-technology-raised-millions-of-dollars-to-provide-excellent-imaging-products-301354378.html SOURCE Kandao Technology Co., Ltd.

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[August 12, 2021] ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE BRIGHTER WITH BRIGHTSPACE

Kitchener, Waterloo, Aug. 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global learning technology leader D2L announced today that Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS), a leading school system based in Annapolis, Maryland, recently celebrated their Brightspace implementation and prepared educators for the school year with the Brighter with Brightspace Conference. AACPS is one of the 40 largest school systems in the United States. It has 128 schools and approximately 85,000 students in prekindergarten through 12th Grade. After rigorous testing by AACPS teachers throughout the winter of 2021 and districtwide professional development in the Spring semester of 2021, AACPS switched from another LMS to Brightspace to enhance, support, and grow virtual learning experiences for its students, staff, and families.



With implementation beginning this fall, AACPS recently hosted a virtual conference called Brighter with Brightspace for all of their staff. Attendees had the chance to review and enhance skills during sessions such as Getting Started with Brightspace Spring Professional Development modules, helping to gain even more traction with the Brightspace learning environment. The event was kicked off with a fireside chat with D2Ls President and CEO, John Baker and Skip Lee, Director of Curriculum at AACPS.



We are thrilled to be able to offer Brightspace this year to our staff and students to create the best learning experiences possible, said Skip Lee, Director of Curriculum at AACPS. This years confeence allowed us to kick-off a new school year, setting our educators up to make successful and meaningful home-school connections.



AACPS was looking for a learning management system which was a resilient, flexible online learning solution and we couldnt be happier they found that in Brightspace, says April Oman, Senior Vice President, Customer Engagement at D2L. Were proud to partner with school systems like AACPS who are using online learning to create exceptional and innovative experiences for their students and staff. For more information on Brighter with Brightspace, visit this link.

ABOUT D2L BRIGHTSPACE D2L Brightspace is a cloud-based learning platform built for people who care deeply about student success.



It makes it easy to support exceptional student experiences in the classroom or fully online, to build meaningful connections with parents, and gives teachers tools theyre going to love. D2L Brightspace is worry-free with 99.99% reliability. Its highly accessible and looks beautiful on any mobile device, making it easier for teachers to reach every learner and for every learner to reach their full potential. D2L Brightspace has been built for every grade level and supports non-readers. D2L Brightspace has won multiple industry awards, including the best K-12 learning platform for the last two years in a row. To learn more, visit D2L for K-12.

ABOUT D2L D2L is transforming the way the world learns  helping learners of all ages achieve more than they dreamed possible. Working closely with clients all over the world, D2L is supporting millions of people learning online and in person. Our more than 950 global employees are dedicated to making the best learning products to leave the world better than where they found it. Learn more about D2L for K-12, higher education and businesses at www.D2L.com. D2L MEDIA CONTACT Christine DAngela

Director, External Strategic Communications, D2L Corporation

pr@D2L.com Twitter: @D2L  2021 D2L Corporation. The D2L family of companies includes D2L Corporation, D2L Ltd, D2L Australia Pty Ltd, D2L Europe Ltd, D2L Asia Pte Ltd, and D2L Brasil Solucoes de Tecnologia para Educacao Ltda. All D2L marks are trademarks of D2L Corporation. Please visit D2L.com/trademarks for a list of D2L marks.



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[August 12, 2021] Keystone Expands in Iowa, Signing on Pioneer Partner Shomo-Madsen Insurance

Keystone Insurers Group (Keystone) continued its expansion in the Midwest by signing on new Pioneer Partner Shomo-Madsen of Marshalltown, Iowa. The announcement was made today by Iowa State Vice President Matt Fink and Shomo-Madsen agency principal Bobby Shomo. "Keystone is thrilled to partner with Shomo-Madsen in the state of Iowa. The agency is highly respected among their independent agency peers in the state, and I'm excited to see how we can help them grow organically through our service divisions and partnered carriers," noted Iowa State Vice President Matt Fink. "Shomo-Madsen Insurance is excited to join the Keystone team, and we look forward to networking with Keystone agents," stated President Bobby Shomo. "We can't wait to take advantage of the many sevices available in order to better serve our customers, train our employees, and position our agency for growth in the coming years."



About Shomo-Madsen Insurance- Shomo-Madsen was formed in 2010 by Bobby Shomo and Steve Madsen. They are one of six Independent Agencies in the state of Iowa and 254 nationally to be named a Best Practices Agency over the past 5 years including 2020. They are well-known for their work with the Iowa Big I, with Steve serving as the current President. In addition, Bobby has served as a highly respected CIC Instructor. Aside from their Marshalltown main location, they offer regional offices in Jewell, Colfax, Prairie City, newton, Monroe, and Mingo.

About Keystone Insurers Group (Keystone): Keystone started in 1983 when four independent insurance agencies teamed up to pool their experience and expertise. This small group believed that agencies could be stronger and more successful if they linked arms - a passion and spirit that continues. Growing to almost 300 independent agency partners in 17 states, Keystone provides its agents with a community of like-minded agencies, industry expertise and access to specialized products for their clients. Keystone is ranked number four on Insurance Journal's 2020 list of Top 20 Property/Casualty Agency Partnerships. For more information, go to www.keystoneinsgrp.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210812005585/en/

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[August 12, 2021] Planting Trees in Saint-Roch-de-l'Achigan as Part of Two Billion Trees

SAINT-ROCH-DE-L'ACHIGAN, QC, Aug. 12, 2021 /CNW/ - There is no path to net-zero emissions that does not involve Canada's forests. Planting trees is a natural climate solution that removes and stores carbon from the atmosphere while providing other benefits such as better air and water quality, particularly in urban settings, supporting biodiversity and decreasing the risk of wildland fire in rural communities. It also provides spaces for recreational opportunities that improve our quality of life and connection to nature. Today, Marc G. Serre, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources, on behalf of the Honourable Seamus O'Regan Jr., Minister of Natural Resources, announced $3,353,700 to Groupe Ramo Inc. in support of the Government of Canada's plan to plant two billion trees over 10 years. This project will see 1,600,000 trees planted at Groupe Ramo's facility in the Saint-Roch-de-l'Achigan region. This funding will facilitate the expansion of Ramo's operations and will support tree planting on marginal lands such as abandoned mines, gravel pits, and landfill sites. The Two Billion Trees program continues the Government of Canada's existing efforts to advance tree planting as an important part of the solution to climate change. Canada's plan to plant two billion trees is projected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 12 megatonnes annually by 2050. It will create up to 4,300 green jobs. With the help of dedicated organizations across the country, we are growing healthy, vibrant and sustainably managed forests, leaving behind a green legacy for future generations. Natural Resources Canada is implementing this plan with support from Environment and Climate Change Canada and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Planting two billion trees representsa 40 percent annual increase in the number of trees planted in Canada and will see trees planted in both urban and rural areas across the country. In 10 years, the new trees will cover more than 1.1 million hectares, an area twice the size of Prince Edward Island.



Quotes "Tree planting is good for the environment and local communities. These trees will result in increased biodiversity, more resilient communities and more green jobs, benefiting the people of Lanaudiere now and into the future. I am beyond excited to contribute to planting one tree at a time toward the Government of Canada's ultimate goal of two billion by 2030."

Marc G. Serre

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources "Planting two billion trees is more than a plan for climate action. It's a plan for creating thousands of good, green jobs. We're rolling out tree-planting projects right across the country. Planting trees gets us to net zero." The Honourable Seamus O'Regan Jr.

Minister of Natural Resources "Thanks to Ramo's project supported by Two Billion Trees, willow plantations are becoming a go-to solution for reclaiming mine sites, landfills and the recovery of marginal lands. Willow offer tremendous benefits, capturing six to eight times more carbon than any traditional species." Francis Allard

President and co-founder, Ramo Quick facts The Government of Canada has committed up to $3.2 billion over 10 years, starting in 202122, to deliver on this commitment.

has committed up to over 10 years, starting in 202122, to deliver on this commitment. This is part of a broader Government of Canada approach to embrace the power of nature, recently announced as part of Canada's strengthened climate plan, A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy .

approach to embrace the power of nature, recently announced as part of strengthened climate plan, The government has established an advisory committee of experts on nature-based climate solutions to advise on program delivery to maximize emission reductions and deliver on key biodiversity and human well-being co-benefits to improve the quality of life for Canadians. Associated Links

2 Billion Trees Commitment

A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy Backgrounder

Nature-based solutions for climate change mitigation and adaption SOURCE Natural Resources Canada

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Socure is Named to the 2021 Forbes Cloud 100 List of the Best Private Cloud Companies in the World

Socure, the leading provider of digital identity verification and fraud solutions, today announced it has been named to the Forbes 2021 Cloud 100, the definitive list of the top 100 private cloud companies in the world published by Forbes in partnership with Bessemer Venture Partners and Salesforce Ventures.

This announcement comes on the heels of the company's release of its record financial results - achieving 126% annual recurring revenue growth and booking growth of 285% in the second quarter of 2021 as compared to the same quarter of 2020. The company also recently surpassed 500 enterprise customers as it experienced massive inbound interest from companies in financial services, fintech, crypto, telco, healthcare, online gaming operators, and state and federal governments looking to reduce fraud and gain the ability to fully automate more customer approvals, while reducing false positives and consumer friction.

Socure also achieved a net retention rate of 177% driven by near-zero attrition and its enterprise customers increasingly deploying multiple Socure products across various divisions making Socure their complete KYC, document authentication, AML, and fraud prevention platform.

"This is another incredible moment in our history as we are once again recognized by Forbes for our leadership in digital identity and fraud," said Johnny Ayers, founder and CEO of Socure. "To be included among the top technology innovators and many of our customers is truly a tremendous honor. I am extremely grateful to our team and the partners that we get to collaborate and innovate with everyday as we work to solve an enormously important societal problem."

The Cloud 100 reviews submissions from hundreds of cloud startups and private companies each year. The Cloud 100 evaluation process involved ranking companies across four factors: market leadership (35%), estimated valuation (30%), operating metrics (20%), and people and culture (15%). For market leadership, the Cloud 100 enlists the help of a judging panel of 34 public cloud company CEOs who assist in evaluating and ranking their private company peers.

"The companies of the Cloud 100 list represent the best and brightest emerging companies in the cloud sector," said Alex Konrad, senior editor at Forbes. "Every year, it gets more difficult to make this list - meaning even more elite company for those who do. Congratulations to each of the 2021 Cloud 100 honorees and to our 20 Rising Stars up-and-comers poised to join their ranks."

Earlier this year, Socure was featured in two categories in the Forbes Fintech 50 List 2021 including "Newcomers" and "The Future of Payments" and was also recognized for the second year in a row by Forbes as one of America's Best Startup Employers for 2021.







The Forbes 2021 Cloud 100 and 20 Rising Stars lists are published online at www.forbes.com/cloud100.

About Socure

Socure is the leading platform for digital identity verification and trust. Its predictive analytics platform applies artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques with trusted online/offline data intelligence from email, phone, address, IP, device, velocity, and the broader internet to verify identities in real time. The company has more than 500 customers across the financial services, gaming, healthcare, telecom, and e-commerce industries, including four of the top five banks, seven of the top 10 card issuers, three of the top MSBs, the top payroll provider, the top credit bureau, top crypto exchanges, top Buy Now, Pay Later providers, the largest online gaming operators, and over 100 of the largest fintechs. Marquee customers include Chime, Varo Money, Public, Stash, and DraftKings. Investors include Accel, Commerce Ventures, Scale Venture Partners, Flint Capital, Capital One (News - Alert) Ventures, Citi Ventures, Wells Fargo Strategic Capital, Synchrony, Sorenson, Two Sigma Ventures, and others.

Socure has received numerous industry awards and accolades, including being named to Forbes' Fintech 50 List 2021, Forbes' America's Best Startup Employers 2021, being awarded Best New Technology Introduced Over the Last 12 Months-Data and Data Services at the 2020 American Financial Technology Awards (AFTAs), being ranked number 70 in Deloitte's Technology Fast 500, being listed as a Gartner Cool Vendor, being recognized by Forbes as one of the Top 25 Machine Learning Startups to Watch, being named to CB Insights: The Fintech 250, and being awarded Finovate's Award for Best Use of AI/ML, to name a few.

Bessemer Venture Partners

Bessemer Venture Partners is the world's most experienced early-stage venture capital firm. With a portfolio of more than 200 companies, Bessemer helps visionary entrepreneurs lay strong foundations to create companies that matter, and supports them through every stage of their growth. The firm has 130 IPOs, including Pinterest, Shopify, Twilio (News - Alert) , Yelp, LinkedIn, Skype, LifeLock, PagerDuty, DocuSign, Wix, MindBody, and Fiverr. Bessemer's team of investors and partners are positioned all over the world in Silicon Valley, San Francisco, New York, Boston, Tel Aviv, Bangalore, and Beijing. Follow @BessemerVP and learn more at bvp.com.

About Forbes

The defining voice of entrepreneurial capitalism, Forbes champions success by celebrating those who have made it, and those who aspire to make it. Forbes convenes and curates the most influential leaders and entrepreneurs who are driving change, transforming business and making a significant impact on the world. The Forbes brand today reaches more than 140 million people worldwide through its trusted journalism, signature LIVE events, custom marketing programs and 40 licensed local editions in 70 countries. Forbes Media's brand extensions include real estate, education and financial services license agreements. For more information, visit the Forbes News Hub or Forbes Connect.

Salesforce Ventures

Salesforce Ventures is the global investment arm of Salesforce and is focused on partnering with the most ambitious enterprise technology companies at every stage in their journey. Since 2009, Salesforce Ventures has invested over $3 billion in over 400 leading companies including Auth0, Databricks, DocuSign, Guild Education, Hopin, monday.com, nCino, Snowflake, Snyk, Stripe, Tanium, Twilio, and Zoom. Salesforce Ventures provides portfolio companies with unparalleled access to Salesforce, one of the fastest-growing enterprise software companies in the world, including strategic advisory, customer introductions, and the strongest cloud ecosystem. Salesforce Ventures has invested in more than 25 countries with offices all over the world including in San Francisco, Irvine, New York, London, Tokyo, and Sydney. Follow @SalesforceVC and learn more at salesforce.com/ventures.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210812005588/en/
[August 12, 2021] Qarbon Aerospace Selects Deltek to Support its Digital Transformation

HERNDON, Va., Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Deltek, the leading global provider of software and solutions for project-based businesses, announced today that Qarbon Aerospace has selected Deltek as its ERP partner to support its digital transformation initiatives. Qarbon Aerospace will replace its current ERP solution with Deltek Costpoint, along with TIP Technologies TIPQA / TIPSFE solution suite. The move will help define Qarbon Aerospace's continued success in the commercial and military aerospace market segments. Qarbon Aerospace is a U.S.-based company with a global footprint of nearly two million square feet of state-of-the-art facilities located in Texas, Georgia, and Thailand. With more than 100 years of experience, Qarbon Aerospace is a premier manufacturer of cutting-edge composite components and assemblies at all levels of complexity, with products installed on the industry's most advanced commercial and military aircraft. After a competitive selection process, Qarbon Aerospace chose Deltek over leading competitors for its functionality, scalability and reporting capabilities. Deltek gives Qarbon Aerospace additional business intelligence insights and provides a rich set of functionalities across the entire project lifestyle. Deltek's strength in cybersecurity compliance including NIST, FedRAMP and CMMC, along with its strong manufacturing capabilities were key drivers in the decision-making process. "Our team is thrilled to have been chosen to support Qarbon Aerospace's digital transformation efforts," said Mike Corkery, Deltek's President & CEO. "Deltek has decades of experience working in government contracting and aerospace industries and will deliver the tools Qarbon needs to continue scaling and growing its business. We are excited to work with Qarbon Aerospace as they transform their business to deliver for their customers more effectively than ever."



Qarbon Aerospace will completely replace the existing infrastructure to include Deltek Costpoint, Deltek GovCon Cloud Moderate (GCCM), Deltek Project & Portfolio Management (PPM), Shop Floor Time, TIPQA, TIPSFE, and Temperature Controlled Materials functionality. This renovation is a significant undertaking and will cover one of several program initiatives for Qarbon Aerospace. "During our selection phase, Deltek and TIP Technologies clearly demonstrated the flexibility we needed to help further streamline our unique business," said Pete Wick, Chief Executive Officer of Qarbon Aerospace. "The strength of this partnership propels our continued success through the relentless pursuit of quality, reinforcing our mission towards our customers."

As part of the collaboration between Qarbon Aerospace and Deltek, TIP Technologies  a Deltek Marketplace partner  will play a key role as part of the technical infrastructure overhaul. Its TIPQA Quality Management Solution and TIPSFE Shop Floor Execution Solution will seamlessly integrate with Deltek's Costpoint ERP to help Qarbon Aerospace manage quality and compliance, while driving down manufacturing delivery times in a paperless environment. "Qarbon Aerospace will see measurable improvements using Deltek and our TIPQA Temperature Controlled Materials Module to monitor its composites in real-time," said Ron Dolan, President of TIP Technologies. "This functionality, a key part of our integrated TIPQA Quality Management Solution, is unmatched in the QMS market and will provide Qarbon Aerospace a competitive edge with the quality of its products." About Deltek Better software means better projects. Deltek is the leading global provider of enterprise software and information solutions for project-based businesses. More than 30,000 organizations and millions of users in over 80 countries around the world rely on Deltek for superior levels of project intelligence, management, and collaboration. Our industry-focused expertise powers project success by helping firms achieve performance that maximizes productivity and revenue. www.deltek.com About Qarbon Aerospace Qarbon Aerospace is a premier manufacturer of cutting-edge composite components and assemblies at all levels of complexity, with products installed on the industry's most advanced commercial and military aircraft. For more information: www.qarbonaerospace.com About TIP Technologies Founded in 1989, TIP Technologies was one of the first to provide integrated quality assurance software using a commercial, off-the-shelf strategy. Now a recognized leader in the industry, TIP Technologies continues to develop highly respected software that is used by some of the world's largest corporations. For more information: www.tiptech.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/qarbon-aerospace-selects-deltek-to-support-its-digital-transformation-301354396.html SOURCE Deltek

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[August 12, 2021] Stacey Abrams Announces Community Phone Number to Inform, Mobilize, and Protect Voters via Text Message

Stacey Abrams and Fair Fight Action are joining Community, the innovative text messaging platform that powers direct relationships and one-on-one conversations at scale. Abrams' Community phone number is 404-737-1022. Abrams and Fair Fight Action will use the 10-digit Community number to directly engage Community Members who text, on a variety of topics, and will continue to mobilize and advocate for progressive issues and the freedom to vote. "Community will enable Fair Fight Action in a variety of powerful ways to engage voters and volunteers through registration, poll worker recruitment, efforts to combat anti-voter bills and campaigns to provide voters with information they need to make their voices heard. This platform will be essential in Fair Fight Action's efforts to protect our freedom and enable Americans to participate in our democracy. Community is the perfect place to have these direct conversations with people who want to make their voices heard," said Stacey Abrams. Stacey Abrams will also be using Community to bolster two key Fair Fight Action initiatives, Hot Call Summer and Civics for the Culture. Hot Call Summer With the recent Supreme Court decision further weakening the protections of the Voting Rights Act, the urgent need for federal action to protect the freedom to vote is greater than ever. That's why Fair Fight Action is going to keep turning up the heat on Congress all #HotCallSummer long. The purpose of Hot Call Summer is to call on Senators to ake immediate action to establish minimum national voting standards to protect and expand our freedom to vote. Community will be used to reach voters in key states to encourage them to call their Senators to take action, providing Community Members with relevant information based on where they are located.



Civics for the Culture Fair Fight Action is working with leading voices across the country to amplify the importance of voting. Civics for the Culture is Fair Fight's targeted campaign to educate and engage young Black and Brown people in the political process before, during and after Election Day. Civics for the Culture reached millions of young people across the country in 2020, including close to 300 million ((impressions?)) across social media, providing information on deadlines, numbers to call to help with issues at polling places. Fair Fight Action will work with other high impact Community Leaders to spread the word.

"We are thrilled to be a trusted communication channel for Stacey Abrams and Fair Fight Action, who aim to provide direct information to those who choose to receive it," said Matthew Peltier, CEO and co-founder of Community. "Being a channel for messages that create measurable impact is why we launched Community, and we are thrilled to have Stacey Abrams join our growing list of Leaders driving change." Stacey Abrams is one of the first national political leaders to connect with supporters via Community. She joins a growing list of Community Leaders comprised of influential people, brands and businesses that include Kerry Washington, Ashton Kutcher, Megan Thee Stallion, When We All Vote, PEOPLE Magazine, Williams Sonoma, The Shade Room, Slutty Vegan, and more. For more information on Stacey Abrams or Fair Fight, please text 404-737-1022. About Community Community powers direct relationships and one-on-one conversations between Leaders and their Members through text messaging at scale. Launched in 2019 and headquartered in Santa Monica, Calif., Community is breaking new ground in trusted marketing and communications channels by connecting Leaders--global pop culture stars, local community organizers, small business owners and brands--to their Members to drive conversations that convert into actions, sales, revenue and more. Join us at www.community.com TEXT US for your own number: (323) 310-2202 About Fair Fight Action Founded by Stacey Abrams, Fair Fight Action was created to promote fair elections around the country, encourage voter participation in elections, educate voters about elections and their voting rights, bring awareness to the public on election reform, and advocate for election reform at all levels. Fair Fight Action is urging Congress to pass the For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210812005524/en/

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[August 12, 2021] HashiCorp Appoints Sigal Zarmi to Board of Directors

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HashiCorp, a leader in multi-cloud infrastructure automation software, today announced it has appointed Sigal Zarmi to its Board of Directors.

Zarmi has more than 30 years of experience in senior technical roles, most recently serving as Managing Director, International Chief Information Officer at Morgan Stanley, where she was responsible for leading the organization's cloud adoption strategy. In this role, Zarmi was in a unique position to understand the value that HashiCorps suite of cloud infrastructure automation tools offer Morgan Stanley and other enterprises for running their cloud infrastructure. Sigal understands first-hand the large-scale environments and complex needs of the biggest enterprises, as they work to modernize their infrastructure and transition to a cloud operating model, said Dave McJannet, CEO of HashiCorp. She also brings a tremendously valuable perspective on HashiCorps opportunity to be a strategic partner for these organizations. During her career, Zarmi was responsible for architecting and leading IT modernization efforts, including digital transformation and cloud adoption, which offered her a unique perspective on what is required to successfully adopt a cloud operating model in todays enterprise. Zarmi currently serves as a senior advisor to Morgan Stanley, and until July 2021 served as its international CIO and global head of transformation, where she was responsible for architecting and leading its cloud strategy. Prior to that Zarmi wa vice chairman, global, and U.S. CIO of PwC, where she drove technology strategy and execution alignment across 157 countries. Before that, she was the CIO of GE Capital Americas, where she spent 18 years in various executive technology and operations leadership positions. She began her career as a developer at Motorola.



Through my prior roles as CIO, I have a deep understanding of the types of tools and solutions that are required for organizations to successfully transition to cloud, and to unlock immediate and on-going benefits, to achieve digital transformation initiatives, said Zarmi. Through this understanding I recognize the role HashiCorp already plays as a strategic partner to organizations working through these complex transitions, and I also recognize the enormous opportunity HashiCorp has. I am thrilled to join the board and to help them fulfill it. Zarmi was appointed as an independent board member, following the appointment of Susan St. Ledger in late 2019 and Todd Ford in May 2020.

HashiCorp has more than 1,400 enterprise customers, including 300 of the Global 2000. HashiCorp counts 3M, Adobe, AstraZeneca, Barclays, Citadel, Credit Karma, Comcast, Equifax, GM, H&R Block, Hulu, JPMC, Loblaw, Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America, Pandora, Petco, Progressive, Roblox, Samsung, Shopify, and Starbucks among its customers. About HashiCorp

HashiCorp is a leader in multi-cloud infrastructure automation software. The HashiCorp software suite enables organizations to adopt consistent workflows and a standardized approach to automating the critical process involved in delivering applications in the cloud: infrastructure provisioning, security, networking, and application deployment. HashiCorps open source tools Vagrant, Packer, Terraform, Vault, Consul, Nomad, Boundary, and Waypoint were downloaded approximately 100 million times during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2021. Enterprise and managed service versions of these products enhance the open source tools with features that promote collaboration, operations, governance, and multi-datacenter functionality. The company is headquartered in San Francisco, though 90 percent of HashiCorp employees work remotely, strategically distributed around the globe. HashiCorp is backed by Bessemer Venture Partners, Franklin Templeton, Geodesic Capital, GGV Capital, IVP, Mayfield, Redpoint Ventures, T. Rowe Price funds and accounts, and True Ventures. For more information, visit hashicorp.com or follow HashiCorp on Twitter @HashiCorp.

All product and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Media & Analyst Contact

Kate Lehman

media@hashicorp.com



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[August 12, 2021] U.S. Department of Defense Awards Citadel Defense $6M Contract for Integrated Counter Drone System

Citadel Defense has been awarded a sole source contract for $6M from a Classified U.S. Department of Defense customer to build and deploy an AI-powered counter drone solution. The system will be deployed at sensitive government locations and effectively operated by non-specialist military personnel and first responders. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210812005027/en/ Citadel Defense has been awarded a contract from the U.S. Department of Defense to develop and deploy an integrated counter drone solution that can be used to autonomously detect, identify, track, and defeat hostile drones. (Graphic: Business Wire) The solution is designed to autonomously detect, classify, track, and defeat unwanted unmanned aerial systems (UASs) using state-of-the-art artificial intelligence, machine learning, and sensor fusion.



News - Alert) , CEO of Citadel Defense. Citadel specializes in the design, development and deployment of AI-powered counter-UAS solutions. The fusion of combat-proven radar, optics, and electronic warfare sensors into an intuitive user display gives military, government, and commercial customers a purpose-built solution that safely clears the airspace of hostile drones operating individually or in swarms.

"We focused our efforts on addressing operational gaps shared by military and government leaders to deliver an integrated solution that is easy to use and delivered with industry leading sustainment and support," said Josh Harman, Director of Growth and Partnerships for Citadel Defense. Citadel's integrated solution is designed for force protection in contested environments, the protection of critical infrastructure, urban surveillance, and security at high-profile events. "With the incredible support and expertise of our partners, the first set of integrated systems will deploy at multiple locations over the next three months," explained Christopher Williams. To learn more about Citadel's integrated offering, contact info@dronecitadel.com. ABOUT CITADEL DEFENSE: Citadel Defense is a high growth technology company that builds game-changing security solutions for military, government, and commercial customers. Citadel technology helps customers make better, smarter, faster decisions that save lives. The company's flagship counter drone (CUAS) solution combines the latest in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and adaptive countermeasures in order to autonomously protect servicemen and servicewomen on the front lines from weaponized unmanned systems. Citadel's Titan technology is trusted by dozens of customers including, U.S. Special Forces, Army, Navy, Air Force, Department of Homeland Security, Border Patrol, and Coast Guard. Visit www.dronecitadel.com to learn more. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210812005027/en/

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[August 12, 2021] Speakers Announced for "Mitigating Societal Harms in a Social Media World" Interactive Tech Forum

LOS ALAMITOS, Calif., Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- New speakers have been announced for Mitigating Societal Harms in a Social Media World , an IEEE Computer Society Tech Forum taking place virtually 21-22 September 2021. Panel discussions and interactive sessions will address contributors to societal harm that can be amplified by social media  Hate Speech, Terrorism/Radicalization/Exploitation, Misinformation, and Disinformation  and explore cutting-edge solutions built on promising technologies. The tech forum bridges the gap between policy and tech by connecting the experts typically working independently towards common goals and solutions. With a combination of panel discussions with Q&A sessions, followed by dedicated breakout sessions for networking and smaller group discussions, the forum provides a dynamic environment for connecting and sharing experts' viewpoints on these critical problems. Free registration passes are available for a limited time. "Too often, the technology experts have been in one forum and the policymakers in another. The IEEE Computer Society is reaching out internationally across government, industry, and civil society to bring all the pieces together," said Andre Oboler, IEEE Computer Society Vice President of Member & Geographic Activities (MGA), IEEE Global Public Policy Committee vice chair, and Online Hate Prevention Institute founding director and CEO. "This event will not solve the problems, but it will provide the latest knowledge, a deeper understanding of the issues, and a chance to catalyze future action on these significant challenges." Attendees will hear discussions from some of the highest-profile names that cover the intersection of technology and key issues of societal harms. The current speaker lineup includes: David Callies, Facebook ThreatExchange - Callies is a software engineer at Facebook for 10 years. For the past two years, he has been working with the Cross-Industry Trust & Safety team, which maintains the ThreatExchange platform. Callies has worked on roblems related to terrorism and child safety with both NGOs and Internet platforms.



Kathleen M. Carley, Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) Center for Informed Democracy and Social-cybersecurity - Carley, a professor at the School of Computer Science and Director of the CMU Center for Informed Democracy and Social-cybersecurity, does research that combines computer science, social science, and policy in areas such as organizational-design, social media, terrorism, disinformation, health-analytics, and hate-speech. Her pioneering research, 400+ publications, helped define the social-cybersecurity and dynamic-network areas, generated new methods for characterizing social-media influence campaigns, and led to new technologies used worldwide. George Cybenko, Dartmouth College - Dr. Cybenko has made key research contributions in signal processing, information security, and machine learning. He was the founding editor-in-chief of Computing in Science & Engineering, IEEE Security & Privacy, and IEEE Transactions on Computational Social Systems. A Fellow of the IEEE and of SIAM, he has served on the US Defense Science Board, US Air Force Science Advisory Board, and US Army Cyber Institute Advisory Committee.

Hany Farid, University of California, Berkeley - Farid is an American university professor who specializes in the analysis of digital images. He is dean and head of the UC Berkeley School of Information. In addition to teaching, writing, and conducting research, Farid acts as a consultant for nonprofits, government agencies, and news organizations. He is the author of the book Photo Forensics. Emily Cashman Kirstein, Thorn - Cashman Kirstein works in Washington, DC, as the senior manager of government affairs at Thorn, a nonprofit organization based in San Francisco that builds technology to defend children from sexual abuse. She worked in various positions for US Senator Jeanne Shaheen from 2010 to 2016, and worked as the trip director for Hillary Clinton's general election campaign in New Hampshire in 2016. Vinodkumar Prabhakaran, Google Research and Stanford University - Prabhakaran is a computational social scientist working at the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and society, with a special focus on natural language processing. He is currently a Senior Research Scientist at Google Research and holds a research affiliate position at the Stanford SPARQ institute. Dr. Fernand de Varennes, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues - Dr. Fernand de Varennes has the mandate as United Nations' independent expert to enhance the promotion and protection of the rights of national or ethnic, religious, and linguistic minorities through responding to allegations of violations of their human rights, conducting country missions to assess the treatment of minorities, and preparing reports to clarify these rights such as in relation to hate speech in social and the prevention of ethnic conflicts. He is also Extraordinary Professor at the University of Pretoria, Cheng Yu Tung Visiting Professor at the University of Hong Kong, and Adjunct Professor in Human Rights, National University of Ireland, Galway. Tara Wadhwa, TikTok US - Wadhwa is the Policy Director for TikTok US, where she leads the development of policies and moderation strategies that aim to create a welcoming, supportive, and safe platform for +100 million US community members. Previously, she focused on developing policies to protect against hateful behavior and harassment for TikTok globally. Before joining TikTok, Tara spent a decade as a researcher and administrator at the NYU Stern Center for Business and Human Rights where she focused on leveraging corporate commitment to enhance human rights protections in a variety of sectors, including technology. To stay informed of new speakers added to the lineup, browse the Speakers page. Visit the website for all event information including sponsorship opportunities. Passes are complimentary for a limited time  REGISTER TODAY . About the IEEE Computer Society

The IEEE Computer Society is the world's home for computer science, engineering, and technology. A global leader in providing access to computer science research, analysis, and information, the IEEE Computer Society offers a comprehensive array of unmatched products, services, and opportunities for individuals at all stages of their professional careers. Known as the premier organization that empowers the people who drive technology, the IEEE Computer Society offers international conferences, peer-reviewed publications, a unique digital library, and training programs. Visit computer.org for more information. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/speakers-announced-for-mitigating-societal-harms-in-a-social-media-world-interactive-tech-forum-301353965.html SOURCE IEEE Computer Society

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[August 12, 2021] VersaBank to Present at Investor Summit August (Virtual) Conference Wednesday, August 18 at 2:00 P.M. ET - CEO David Taylor to Also Participate In Conference Digital Currency Panel Tuesday, August 17 At 4:15 P.M. ET

LONDON, ON, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - VersaBank ("VersaBank" or the "Bank") (TSX: VB), a leader in digital banking and cyber security solutions, today announced that David Taylor, President and Chief Executive Officer, will present (virtually) at the Investor Summit August Conference on Wednesday, August 18, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. ET. A webcast of the presentation will be available in the investor relations section of VersaBank's website at www.versabank.com on the "Quarterly Info, Events and Presentations" page. A replay of the presentation will be available on the same page of the web site following the event. During the Conference, Mr. Taylor will also participate in a panel entitled, Who is Leveraged to a Growing Crypto Ecosystem? on Tuesday, August 17, 2021 at 4:15 p.m. ET, during which he will discuss VersaBank's announced intention to launch a revolutionary, highly-encrypted digital deposit offering, VCAD, with each VCAD unit representing a one-dollar deposit with the Bank. Facilitated by state-of-the-art blockchain technology, VCAD is easily transferable, enabling it to be used as a digital currency, with the highest level of stability and security amongst digital currencies available today, with each VCAD represented by a deposit with an investment-grade issuer. A webcast of the panel discussion will also be available in the investor relations section of VersaBank's website at www.versabank.com on the "Quarterly Info, Events and Presentations" page and a replay of the panel discussion will be available on the same page of the web site following the event. VersaBank will also be participating in virtual one-on-one meetings at the Conference. Institutional investors interested in scheduling a one-on-one meeting should contct Sasha Murray at sasha@investorsummit.com or Lawrence Chamberlain at lawrence.chamberlain@loderockadvisors.com.



In addition to VCAD, in his general presentation, Mr. Taylor will discuss VersaBank's highly efficient, low-risk digital banking operations, which have generated a compounded annual growth rate in net income of 23% over the past six years based on the Bank's development and application of its proprietary software to address unmet needs in the banking industry. VersaBank's digital banking operations are poised for continued outsized growth as its existing lending channels experience a significant increase in loan origination activity and the Bank prepares for the launch of its third lending channel based on its proven software, which will enable it to enter the $200 billion Canadian home financing market. Mr. Taylor will also discuss the significant growth opportunity for VersaBank's wholly-owned, Washington, DC-based subsidiary, DRT Cyber Inc. ("DRT Cyber"). DRT Cyber's VersaVault is the world's first digital bank vault for securing cryptocurrency, blockchain-based assets and highly sensitive digital documents. Recently, DRT Cyber acquired North American IT security assurances services leader, Digital Boundary Group, as it builds a comprehensive suite of innovative cyber security solutions that address high-demand, underserved segments of this rapidly growing market.

DRT Cyber's Chief Operating Officer, Gurpreet Sahota, previously spent 16 years at BlackBerry, where he helped build and implement its industry-leading cyber security architecture. DRT Cyber is chaired by the Honorable Tom Ridge, the first US Secretary of Homeland Security. ABOUT VERSABANK VersaBank is a Canadian Schedule I chartered bank with a difference. VersaBank became the world's first fully digital financial institution when it adopted its highly efficient business-to-business model using its proprietary state-of-the-art financial technology to profitably address underserved segments of the Canadian banking market in the pursuit of superior net interest margins while mitigating risk. VersaBank obtains all of its deposits and provides the majority of its loans and leases electronically, with innovative deposit and lending solutions for financial intermediaries that allow them to excel in their core businesses. In addition, leveraging its internally developed IT security software and capabilities, VersaBank established wholly owned, Washington, DC-based subsidiary, DRT Cyber Inc. to pursue significant large-market opportunities in cyber security and develop innovative solutions to address the rapidly growing volume of cyber threats challenging financial institutions, multi-national corporations and government entities on a daily basis. VersaBank's Common Shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol VB and its Series 1 Preferred Shares trade under the symbol VB.PR.A. Visit our website at: www.versabank.com

Follow VersaBank on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/versabank-to-present-at-investor-summit-august-virtual-conference-wednesday-august-18-at-200-pm-et--ceo-david-taylor-to-also-participate-in-conference-digital-currency-panel-tuesday-august-17-at-415-pm-et-301354429.html SOURCE VersaBank

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[August 12, 2021] Today's Dental Network adds leading Pediatric Practice to it's Partnership Network

TAMPA, Fla., Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today's Dental Network, LLC ("TDN"), a premier multi-specialty dental practice network and support organization to dental providers in the Southwest Florida region, has officially formed a partnership with Si McAninch, DDS, PA, a leading pediatric dentistry practice in Sarasota, Florida. The addition of Dr. McAninch' s practice, TDN's first partner network expansion since forming in July 2021, brings pediatric dentistry to its portfolio of specialty services and further enhances TDN's ability to deliver an "infant-to-senior" continuum-of-care service offering through a single patient experience. "In evaluating the next phase of our journey particularly during this pandemic, TDN's patient centric, provider led, people first approach along with their multi-specialty focus truly stood out," commented Dr. McAninch. "After spending significant time with Dr. Krause and his team, TDN became the clear partner of choice for my staff, our patients and me personally going forward." Dr. McAninch has spent the past 25 years providing exceptional dental care to the youth Sarasota and surrounding areas," said Dr. Kevin Krause, TDN CEO. "We are delighted to welcome Dr. McAninch and his team to our partner network and look forward to helping grow and advance the strog legacy he's established over the past two plus decades of service.



"Expanding the clinical depth and geographical access points of the TDN network by partnering with best-in-class provider led practices such as Dr. McAninch as well as the other members of the TDN family continues to be a core element of our network growth strategy and very active component of our operating DNA," added Mark Agustin, TDN COO/CFO. "We remain focused on providing our current and future network partners with a full suite of tools, technology, administrative resources, functional support and investment capital required to enhance and expand their respective practices and the value of TDN network as a whole. ABOUT TODAY'S DENTAL NETWORK

Today's Dental Network is a premier multi-specialty concierge dental practice network and support organization focused on providing complete turnkey practice management outsourcing solutions to a captive network of best-in-class, entrepreneurial, dentist specialists & surgeons across the Southwest Florida region. The company offers a full suite of solutions and services through its centralized business office including IT systems, infrastructure & security, finance and accounting, sales & marketing solutions, human resources, risk management, legal and compliance administration, as well as acquisition and de novo practice expansion support. Today's Dental Network offers a truly integrated community network model with the depth and breadth of services and local geographic coverage to provide a true "infant-to-senior" continuum-of-care service offering through a single patient experience.

HealthEdge Investment Partners, LLC

5550 W. Executive Drive, Suite 230

Tampa, Florida 33609

(813) 490-7100

www.healthedgepartners.com

Mark Agustin View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/todays-dental-network-adds-leading-pediatric-practice-to-its-partnership-network-301354446.html SOURCE Today's Dental Network

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[August 12, 2021] Data Center World's Expo Hall to Display the Hottest Products and Services in the Data Center Industry Next Week in Orlando

Data Center World, the leading global conference for data center, facilities and IT infrastructure, will feature the hottest technology and solutions for the data center industry. Over 120 exhibitors will showcase the latest innovations in the Expo Hall, providing attendees with a unique opportunity to learn about new solutions impacting the industry in a hands-on environment. For a complete list of sponsors and exhibitors, visit here. Data Center World is AFCOM's annual global gathering and will take place August 16-19, 2021 at the Orange (News - Alert) County Convention Center, in Orlando, Florida. Register to attend here. "Hundreds of innovative technologies and services will be on display in the Data Center World Expo Hall to help data center, facilities and IT infrastructure professionals find the best solutions to do their jobs more efficiently and effectively," said Tara Gibb, Senior Director, Data Center World. "Event attendees will be able to walk the Expo Hall and compare the solutions in real-time to determine which is the right solution or service for their company." Data Center World 2021 Exhibitor News Robert Bosch LLC

ScaleFlux (Booth# 220) announces availability of 16TB QLC drives with integrated hardware compression/decompression engines. These computational storage drives eable users to store up to 64TB of data on the 16TB drive while achieving performance and endurance on par with much more expensive TLC-based SSDs.



here to register to attend Data Center World 2021. Media interested in attending Data Center World, email Meryl Franzman at meryl.franzman@informa.com.

For additional information on exhibition or sponsorship opportunities, contact Michael Leahy at Michael.Leahy@informa.com. Data Center World is taking steps to ensure attendee, exhibitor and partner safety. Data Center World will adopt parent company Informa's (News - Alert) AllSecure Plan at the event. AllSecure is Informa's approach to ensuring the highest standards of safety, hygiene, cleanliness and operational effectiveness for all exhibitors, attendees, speakers and press. Learn more about Data Center World's health and safety plan here. Stay connected with Data Center World on Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Facebook. About Data Center World Data Center World is the global conference for data center, facilities, and IT professionals. It offers premier education, abundant networking, and the broadest access to best-in-class vendors. Designed to help data center and IT infrastructure professionals with challenging issues, Data Center World presents top quality knowledge without bias towards a specific vendor product or service. Data Center World will be held August 16-19, 2021 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. Data Center World is brought to you by Informa Tech. About AFCOM AFCOM advances data center and IT infrastructure professionals by delivering comprehensive and vendor-neutral education and peer-to-peer networking to its members around the world. Through forward-looking research, AFCOM supports thousands of IT, operations, facilities, builders/designers and vendors working in the data center and IT infrastructure industry. In serving the data center industry for more than 40 years, AFCOM has earned recognition as the market leader in educating, connecting and guiding the data center community. About Informa Tech Informa Tech is a market leading provider of integrated research, media, training and events to the global Technology community. We're an international business of more than 600 colleagues, operating in more than 20 markets. Our aim is to inspire the Technology community to design, build and run a better digital world through research, media, training and event brands that inform, educate and connect. Over 7,000 professionals subscribe to our research, with 225,000 delegates attending our events and over 18,000 students participating in our training programs each year, and nearly 4 million people visiting our digital communities each month. Learn more about Informa Tech. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210812005593/en/

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[August 12, 2021] Berkshire Residential Investments Announced Berkshire Multifamily Debt Fund III Closed in Q3 2021

Berkshire Residential Investments announced the final close of Berkshire Multifamily Debt Fund III with equity commitments totaling $1.85 billion. The Fund will primarily consist of Freddie Mac's Multifamily Capital Markets Execution B-piece debt investments that are collateralized by high-quality multifamily mortgages throughout the United States. The Fund will also invest opportunistically in other debt assets secured by multifamily properties such as preferred equity, mezzanine debt, B-notes, and discounted notes. "The success of Berkshire's debt fund series reflects continued investor interest and their confidence in our Debt Investments team," noted Jon Pfeil, Managing Director, Head of Debt Investments at Berkshire. "Berkshire has decades of U.S. housing investment experience, and we will continue to develop oth equity and debt products in the sector that meet evolving market trends."



About Berkshire Residential Investments Berkshire Residential Investments is a vertically integrated residential real estate investment and property management company with over 50 years of experience. Berkshire's team of industry leaders has gained a reputation for being able to identify opportunities and effectively manage through various economic environments, establishing a long-term track record of solid performance based on thoughtful, leading edge investment strategies, and hands-on development and operational experience. Berkshire, a registered investment advisor, is headquartered in Boston and has offices in Atlanta, Dallas and San Francisco. As of March 31, 2021, Berkshire had approximately $12.1 billion in real estate assets under management. For more information on Berkshire, please visit www.berkshireresi.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210812005651/en/

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[August 12, 2021] Mary Beth Gallagher Joins Domini as New Director of Engagement

Domini is pleased to announce that Mary Beth Gallagher has joined the firm as Director of Engagement. Ms. Gallagher, an attorney and former Executive Director of a non-profit organization representing institutional investors, has been defending social justice and human rights issues for most of her professional career. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210812005578/en/ Mary Beth Gallagher joins Domini as new Director of Engagement (Photo: Business Wire) Ms. Gallagher will be responsible for spearheading Domini's engagement efforts. She will continue to build on Domini's strategic plans for engaging corporations in areas such as worker's rights in the supply chain, climate change mitigation, health and racial justice, as well as develop new initiatives and campaign.



"We warmly welcome Mary Beth. Her diverse professional background in law, humanitarian rights, and finance make her ideal for this position. Her latest executive role representing large asset owners alongside her deep experience in social justice issues will help fortify our longstanding legacy engagement work." -Carole Laible, CEO

In her last role as Executive Director, Ms. Gallagher represented institutional investors in stewardship and shareholder advocacy with corporations to encourage more disclosure and responsible business practices to advance systemic change. She graduated from American University, Washington College of Law in 2008 and is a Member of the New York Bar, admitted November 2009. "I am pleased to be joining the Domini team to lead its dynamic engagement program and carry forward its commitment to advancing universal human dignity and ecological sustainability. I look forward to leveraging the firm's position to address the critical issues of our time and serve as a leader in the investment community." -Mary Beth Gallagher, Director of Engagement About us: Domini Impact Investments LLC is a women-led SEC (News - Alert) registered investment adviser specializing exclusively in impact investing. We serve individual and institutional investors who wish to create positive social and environmental outcomes while seeking competitive financial returns. We apply social, environmental, and governance standards to all our investments, believing they help identify opportunities to provide strong financial rewards while also helping to create a more just and sustainable economic system. Before investing, consider the Funds' investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. Contact us for a prospectus containing this and other information. Read it carefully. DSIL Investment Services LLC (DSILD) distributor, Member FINRA. 8/21 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210812005578/en/

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[August 12, 2021] Youreka Labs, Creator of Digital Assistant Apps for Frontline Workers, Raises $8.5 Million Series A

BALTIMORE, Aug. 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mobile service innovator Youreka Labs Inc. today announced that it has raised an $8.5M Series A round co-led by Boulder Ventures and Grotech Ventures with participation from Salesforce Ventures. This investment comes in the wake of 300% growth in 2020. Youreka's platform allows organizations to build smart mobile assistant apps that help frontline workers perform their jobs better and faster. Proceeds from the financing will be used to scale the business, expand Youreka's offerings and execute its roadmap with Salesforce. In conjunction with the financing, Karen Mehal, VP Product Management for Salesforce Field Service, will be joining Youreka's Board of Directors as an observer.

Due to frontline worker skills shortages, businesses miss massive opportunities to grow, profit, and better serve their customers. A recent Korn Ferry study illustrates that the biggest issue isn't that robots are displacing all the jobs - it's that there aren't enough qualified people to take them. The study finds that by 2030, there will be a global human talent shortage of more than 85 million people. If left unchecked, in 2030, that talent shortage could result in about $8.5 trillion in unrealized annual revenues. A particularly pointed need is felt in the healthcare, manufacturing, financial services, energy, utilities, and public sector verticals, where the demand for skilled field workers is far outpacing supply. Youreka's mission is to help close this skills gap by upskilling frontline workers. By making it easy to complete complex procedures in the field with less training and experience, Youreka improves customer service and opens access to new career opportunities. For example, using Youreka, a nurse can conduct a more comprehensive health assessment, an oil well supervisor can better ensure the safety of a rig, or a field technician can more rapidly diagnoe and repair a generator. By helping workers be more effective, Youreka also helps their employers open new growth opportunities and better delivery on their organizational goals.



Youreka simplifies the development and delivery of smart mobile service applications with a no-code authoring studio and one-click deployment across all major device platforms, including Apple, Android and Windows. In addition, Youreka provides analysis and feedback to improve field procedures and technician effectiveness continuously. Built directly on the Salesforce Customer 360 platform, Youreka provides seamless integration for Salesforce users and is collaborating with Salesforce on the next-generation mobile experience for frontline workers. Youreka, CEO and former GM of IBM Cloud Platform Bill Karpovich, said, "The new investment and collaboration with Salesforce will help us to further our innovation and expand our reach. While new technologies such as AI and automation are often viewed as putting people out of work and depersonalizing customer service, Youreka helps individuals do their very best work and helps organizations deliver exceptional experiences. This is an important technology with broad application. We are excited to enter the next chapter of market leadership, growth and impact."

"Service is all about delivering an amazing experience for the customer," said VP Product Management for Salesforce Field Service, Karen Mehal. "Youreka helps Salesforce customers deliver on this vision by elevating the experience of frontline workers without leaving Salesforce Customer 360." About Youreka Labs

Youreka Labs is closing the skills gap with its proprietary, no-code mobile technology platform that makes it easy to build smart mobile service applications that assist frontline workers across various industries, including health and life sciences, energy, utilities, etc manufacturing, financial services and government. Built on the leading cloud platform, Salesforce, Youreka enables organizations to elevate the capabilities of their mobile workers and in turn improve customer service and accelerate growth. Headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, Youreka is privately funded with investments from Boulder Ventures, Grotech Ventures, and Salesforce Ventures. For more information visit www.youreka.io. About Salesforce Ventures

Salesforce is the global leader in Customer Relationship Management (CRM), bringing companies closer to their customers in the digital age. Salesforce Ventures, the global investment arm of Salesforce, invests in the next generation of enterprise technology that extends the power of the Salesforce Platform. Salesforce Ventures is building the world's largest ecosystem of enterprise cloud companies and extending that technology to customers. Portfolio companies receive funding, strategic advisory, and operating support, and can easily join Pledge 1% to make giving back part of their business model. Salesforce Ventures has invested in more than 400 companies, including DocuSign, GoCardless, Guild Education, nCino, Twilio, Zoom, and others across 22 countries since 2009. For more information, please visit www.salesforce.com/ventures.

Media Contact:

Tony Keller

tkeller@outvox.com



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[August 12, 2021] Chamberlain University and the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) Announce Expansion of Effort to Address a Critical Shortage of Operating Room Nurses

Chamberlain University, which has the largest nursing school in the U.S. and the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN), creators of evidence-based guidelines and education resources for perioperative practice, announced today that three healthcare systems will be the first to join a workforce preparedness initiative addressing critical shortages of operating room nurses: Loyola Medicine, based in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois; Ochsner Health, located in the New Orleans area and serving the Gulf South; and Emory Healthcare in the Atlanta metropolitan region. Starting in early 2022, Chamberlain and AORN will launch a 16-week online training module in perioperative nursing with content developed by AORN and available through Chamberlain that leads to a specialty badge. The initiative, designed to be aligned with perioperative industry-specific competencies defined by AORN, is a non-credit bearing program offered at no additional cost to students enrolled in Chamberlain's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. The three healthcare systems are joining with Chamberlain to provide students with on-site opportunities to gain insight in a supervised perioperative setting. "We welcome these three esteemed healthcare systems as they join AORN and Chamberlain University in this national effort that represents Chamberlain's 'Practice Ready. Specialty Focused' approach to addressing critical wrkforce needs in the perioperative setting," said Karen Cox (News - Alert) , PhD, RN, FACHE, FAAN, and president of Chamberlain.



This is the first educational initiative of its kind being offered in partnership with AORN, which developed the training module, and the intent is to scale the specialty badge program through Chamberlain's national reach. Chamberlain, which is part of the Chicago-based workforce solutions provider Adtalem Global Education (NYSE: ATGE), will begin offering the specialty badge program to students at campuses in Chicago, Tinley Park, Ill., Addison, Ill., New Orleans and Atlanta, with the intent to expand nationally across all 23 of its campuses. "We believe strongly that the expansion of this initiative through the participation of these three healthcare systems will create a model for addressing a nationwide need for more nurses entering the field who are committed to perioperative nursing," said AORN's CEO/executive director, Linda Groah, MSN, RN, CNOR, NEA-BC, FAAN.

For additional information: www.chamberlain.edu/AORN-Partnership About Adtalem: adtalem.com About Chamberlain University: chamberlain.edu About AORN. www.aorn.org View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210812005670/en/

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[August 12, 2021] Western Union Business Solutions to be Renamed Convera at Acquisition Closing

Patrick Gauthier, who most recently served as Head of Amazon Pay, was today announced as the future CEO of new standalone business-to-business (B2B) cross-border payments and foreign exchange solutions provider Convera. Upon closing of the recently announced acquisition of Western Union (News - Alert) Business Solutions (WUBS) by Goldfinch Partners, LLC and The Baupost Group, LLC for $910 million, the business will be renamed Convera. Gauthier and a team of executives filling new roles in the independent company will join WUBS's exceptional executive team, providing seamless consistency and continuity of leadership for customers, counterparties, and employees. Closing of the acquisition is subject to requisite works council and trade union consultations, regulatory approvals, and other customary closing conditions. With 1,800 employees in over 30 offices globally, the existing WUBS business is one of the world's largest non-bank providers of cross-border business payment and foreign exchange solutions processing over $110 billion in total payments volume in 2020. With an existing customer base of more than 30,000 small and medium-sized businesses, educational institutions, financial institutions, law firms, and NGOs spanning over 40 countries and territories and 140 currencies, the business possesses a truly global footprint and serves some of the fastest-growing segments of the B2B cross-border payments markets. Following the close and operating as Convera, Gauthier and his team will build on WUBS' customer-driven culture and accelerate key investments in technology, product innovation and people to drive growth. Gauthier is an experienced fintech leader having formerly served as the Head of Amazon Pay. Prior to Amazon, Gauthier held senior leadership roles at, among others, PayPal (News - Alert) and Visa. Gauthier holds several patents related to payments systems and is a recognized thought leader on the future of globa commerce and payments.



In addition to the existing leadership team at WUBS, including Andrew Summerill who is expected to serve as Chief Financial Officer following the close, Gauthier will be joined by the following executives taking up new roles in the independent company, including: ? Dharmesh Syal, Chief Technology Officer: Dharmesh will be responsible for leading global product and engineering teams to modernize and grow Convera's technology platform.

? Jody Visser, Chief Transformation Officer: Jody will be responsible for supporting the business to become the world's leading B2B payments company ? Drew Weinstein, Chief Commercial Officer: Drew will be responsible for leading Convera's global go-to-market activities and growth strategy. "Following the closing, Convera's global scale and existing customer base set it apart from competitors in the space and given the breadth of our regulatory footprint and bank network, I believe we're well positioned to accelerate growth," said Patrick Gauthier, CEO of Convera. "I am honored to work with the stellar WUBS management team as we build Convera into a market-leading fintech company." Goldfinch Partners' Sean Collins and Bill McNichols and The Baupost Group's Ryan Duffy will join Convera's board of directors after the transaction closes. Notes to Editor: The transaction is expected to close in two stages. In the first closing, expected to be completed in early 2022, the WUBS business, excluding the business that is operated through Western Union International Bank in the European Union and United Kingdom, will transfer to Convera. In the second closing, expected to complete by mid-to-late 2022, the remaining business operated through Western Union International Bank in the European Union and United Kingdom will transfer. Patrick Gauthier bio: Patrick Gauthier is the Chief Executive Officer of Convera. Patrick is a long-time fintech specialist with senior leadership roles at Amazon, PayPal, Visa along with early- and mid-stage payments and eCommerce startups, where he has developed high performance teams and built high growth businesses. Patrick is a recognized thought leader on the future of commerce and payments, with recurring appearances on CNBC, and industry conferences. He has held positions on the board of directors of multiple venture backed startups in mobile, security, ecommerce and identity domains. Patrick lives in Seattle, Washington and holds a master's degree in Computer Science from Telecom SudParis in France. About Goldfinch Partners: Goldfinch Partners is a private equity firm focused on investing in businesses at the forefront of digital transformation. Launched in 2018, Goldfinch employees have decades of experience investing and serving in senior operating roles at leading global companies. Founders Sean Collins (formerly of BCG) and Bill McNichols (formerly of Starbucks and Vulcan Capital) have worked and invested together since 2015, and between them, have led over $15 billion in aggregate transactions. About The Baupost Group, LLC: The Baupost Group is a Boston-based investment manager with a long-term, collaborative approach. Since 1982, the firm has been thoughtfully stewarding and compounding capital on behalf of families, foundations, and endowments, as well as employees who collectively are the firm's largest client. Today Baupost manages roughly $31 billion. With a broad and flexible charter, and depth of experience across all asset classes and market environments, Baupost is strongly positioned to evaluate and pursue highly complex opportunities, to structure transactions flexibly to meet the requirements of sellers, and to leverage the duration of its capital to be long-term partners with management teams. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210812005707/en/

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[August 12, 2021] Onbe Chairman Juli Spottiswood Wins EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2021 Southwest Award

Onbe, a fast-growing corporate disbursements platform, today announced that Chairman Juli Spottiswood was named an Entrepreneur Of The Year 2021 Southwest Award winner. The Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards program is one of the preeminent competitive awards for entrepreneurs and leaders of high-growth companies. The award recognizes those who are unstoppable entrepreneurial leaders, excelling in areas including talent management, financial performance, societal impact and innovation. Spottiswood was selected by an independent panel of judges, and the award was announced during the program's virtual awards gala on August 4, 2021. Texas-based entrepreneur Spottiswood has innovated in the payments industry for more than two decades. In 1999, she co-founded Parago, a consumer promotions and incentives company, which she sold to Blackhawk Network in 2014. Spottiswood led the payments-focused holding company Syncapay in its 2018 acquisition of disbursements leader Swift (News - Alert) Prepaid Solutions, which became daVinci Payments. She is currently Chairman of Onbe, a corporate disbursements fintech, where she guided the creation of the company through Syncapay's 2020 merger of daVinci Payments and North Lane Technologies. Spottiswood also serves on the board of directors at Billtrust and was on the board of Cardtronics until its sale to NR Corporation earlier this year.



"I am both excited and proud to be recognized by EY," said Juli Spottiswood, Chairman of Onbe. "This honor reflects how the team at Onbe brought their passion and drive, took a vision of how two companies with 25 years of experience could become stronger as one unified organization and ran with it. Clients from telecom, automotive, healthcare and other growing industries find success with Onbe's innovative disbursements products, and the opportunities keep expanding." Positioned to capture the global opportunity in corporate disbursements for workforces and consumers, Onbe meets growing demand for digital payments with a suite of industry-tailored solutions that transform payouts into branded, engaging experiences. The company processes billions of dollars in corporate disbursements annually. Following its brand launch earlier this year, Onbe continues to build momentum, recently appointing payments veteran Bala Janakiraman as CEO and winning over 20 enterprise clients.

"The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year program has a strong track record of identifying the business leaders who have not only achieved great things but are actively shaping the future of their industries," said Bala Janakiraman, CEO of Onbe. "This could not be truer of Juli, as she has long been a driver of innovation in the payments industry-especially at the intersection of marketing, data and disbursements. I and everyone at Onbe warmly congratulate her on this well-deserved honor." About Onbe Onbe, with offices in Chicago, Philadelphia and London, creates engaging corporate disbursement experiences on behalf of modern brands for consumers, workforces and marketplaces, delivering value beyond currency. Backed by top-tier investors and with over 25 years of industry experience, Onbe's team of experts and purpose-built payment issuing platform seamlessly connect brands to their constituents around the world. www.onbe.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210812005715/en/

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[August 12, 2021] AmTrust Expands Claims Presence in Greater Salt Lake City Area

AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. ("AmTrust" or the "Company"), a global specialty property and casualty insurer, announced today the addition of its new greater Salt Lake City office, set to open in South Jordan, UT in November 2021. "We are excited to announce our expansion into this market, which will allow the company to accommodate anticipated growth over the next several years. With the multitude of companies in the insurance and technology industries that call the greater area of Salt Lake City home, it is the ideal location for our West Coast efforts," said Andrew Morgan, EVP, Chief Claims Officer, AmTrust Financial. "This new office will allow us to provide more support, create greater efficiencies in claims, and better serve the agents, small businesses and third-party administrators that we work with." AmTrust expects to add up to 180 new high-paying Utah jobs in the next five years. This new office expansion supports AmTrust's core line of business and will help provide enhanced customer service.



"We're thrilled to welcome AmTrust to the City of South Jordan as the company establishes a new U.S. claims center focused on workers' compensation, specialty risk and extended warranties," said South Jordan Mayor Dawn Ramsey. "The new office is a reflection of AmTrust's commitment to the local community and economy. We look forward to working together to maintain South Jordan's presence as a great place to live and do business." About AmTrust Financial Services, Inc.

AmTrust Financial Services, Inc., a multinational insurance holding company headquartered in New York, offers specialty property and casualty insurance products, including workers' compensation, business owner's policy (BOP), general liability and extended service and warranty coverage. For more information about AmTrust, visit www.amtrustfinancial.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210812005741/en/

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[August 12, 2021] Global Printed Circuit Board Market Report 2021

DUBLIN, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Market - Analysis by Type (Single, Double, Multi-Layered, HDI), Application, Substrate, By Region, By Country (2021 Edition): Market Insights and Forecast with Impact of COVID-19 (2021-2026)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Global Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Market was valued at USD 64218.71 Million in the year 2020 The reasons attributing to the growth of the market are rapid digitalization, increasing use of emerging consumer service industries in developing countries and rising demand for electronic devices such as TV, Radio, Smartphones, Communication with high efficiency are the key growth drivers for the market. Today, business drivers and political or social drivers, in combination with technological advancements, have greatly accelerated the expanded use of PCBs beyond their traditional industries and traditional roles. The PCB Market is further expected to flourish with increasing government support for technical enhancement in microcontroller and semiconductor across the globe. The growing acceptance of PCB Market with Application (Computer/Peripherals, Communications, Consumer Electronics, Others) has substantially led to the increasing use of PCBs. Also, the growing demand for many end user industries can support PCB market in helping consumers to attain more technological satisfaction with greater efficiency. The APAC regional market is expected to become the largest PCB market in the forecast period. The major players operating in the APAC PCB market include Samsung Electro-Mechanics, Nan Ya PCB, Ibiden and many other companies. These players offer a diverse portfolio of PCB to meet the demand of consumers in the region.These companies are providing affordable, efficient, and with no delay PCBs for many consumers in rural and urban area. These players have also acquired and collaborated with other players in the region for portfolio expansion and geographic penetration.



The companies analysed in the report: ZDT Group

TTM Technologies, Inc.

Sumitomo Electric Industries

CMK Corporation

Meiko Electronics Co., Ltd.

Shinko Electric Ind

Jabil Inc

Kinsus

Nan Ya PCB

Samsung Electro-Mechanics Key Topics Covered:





1. Report Scope and Methodology

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Scope of the Report

1.3 Research Methodology

1.4 Executive Summary



2. Strategic Recommendations



3. PCB Market: Product Overview



4. Global PCB Market: An Analysis

4.1 Market Size, By Value, Year 2016-2020

4.2 Market Size, By Value, Year 2021-2026

4.3 Impact of COVID-19 on PCB Market

4.4 Global Economic & Industrial Outlook



5. Global PCB Market: Segment Analysis

5.1 Global PCB Market: By Application

5.2 Competitive Scenario of Global PCB Market: By Application (2020 & 2026)

5.3 By Computer/ Peripherals- Market Size and Forecast (2016-2026)

5.4 By Communications- Market Size and Forecast (2016-2026)

5.5 By Consumer Electronics- Market Size and Forecast (2016-2026)

5.6 By Others- Market Size and Forecast (2016-2026)3.3.4 Global FRP Contact Lens Market Value Forecast



6. Global PCB Market: Analysis By Type

6.1 Competitive Scenario of Global PCB Market: By Type (2020 & 2026)

6.2 By Single sided - Market Size and Forecast (2016-2026)

6.3 By Double side - Market Size and Forecast (2016-2026)

6.4 By Multi layered- Market Size and Forecast (2016-2026)

6.5 By High density interconnect (HDI) - Market Size and Forecast (2016-2026)



7. Global PCB Market: Analysis By Substrate

7.1 Competitive Scenario of Global PCB Market: By Type (2020 & 2026)

7.2 By Rigid - Market Size and Forecast (2016-2026)

7.3 By Flexible- Market Size and Forecast (2016-2026)

7.4 By Rigid-flex - Market Size and Forecast (2016-2026)



8. Global PCB Market: Regional Analysis

8.1 Competitive Scenario of Global PCB Market: By Region (2020 & 2026)



9. Americas PCB Market: An Analysis



10. Europe PCB Market: An Analysis



11. APAC PCB Market: An Analysis



12. Global PCB Market Dynamics

12.1 Global PCB Market Drivers

12.2 Global PCB Market Restraints

12.3 Global PCB Market Trends



13. Market Attractiveness and Strategic Analysis



14. Competitive Landscape

14.1 Major Technological Innovations and Mergers & Acquisitions

14.2 Market Share of global leading companies

14.3 SWOT Analysis- Global PCB Market

14.4 Porter Five Force Analysis- Global PCB Market



15. Company Profiles

15.1 ZDT group

15.2 TTM Technologies, Inc.

15.3 Sumitomo Electric Industries

15.4 CMK corporation

15.5 Meiko Electronics Co., Ltd.

15.6 Shinko Electric Ind

15.7 Jabil

15.8 Kinsus

15.9 Nan Ya PCB

15.10 Samsung Electro-Mechanics For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/vd1yrg Media Contact: Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-printed-circuit-board-market-report-2021-301354488.html SOURCE Research and Markets

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[August 12, 2021] Helping farmers to reduce GHGs and improve resiliency to climate change

SHERBROOKE, QC, Aug. 12, 2021 /CNW/ - Today, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, launched a call for proposals for the On-Farm Climate Action Fund, a new fund under Agricultural Climate Solutions. Starting this year and until 2024, the $200-million Fund will provide direct support to farmers to adopt beneficial management practices that store carbon and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in three target areas: cover cropping, nitrogen management, and rotational grazing practices. These three on-farm actions not only reduce GHG emissions but also offer farmers a cost-effective solution to improve soil health and achieve other environmental benefits. This year has demonstrated the extraordinary challenges farmers face on the front lines of climate change. Extreme weather events, like this year's drought, and other environmental impacts like challenges related to water availability and quality, soil health and biodiversity are projected to become more severe and costly for the sector in the coming decades. Farmers are already innovating and adopting more sustainable practices and technologies to improve their climate resiliency. The Fund will follow an outcome-based approach in order to maximize new GHG emissions reductions. Activities supported through the Fund are expected to reduce GHG emissions by up to 2 million tonnes by 2024, and by 1 million tonnes per year ongoing, compared to current projections, and bring a total of 792,000 hectares of land under improved management practices. Starting today, the On-Farm Climate Action Fund is seeking proposals from potential delivery partners to redistribute the funds to farmers undertaking eligible activities. Potential delivery partners for the On-Farm Climate Action Fund could include producer groups and associations, commodity organizations, Indigenous groups, non-governmental organizations, and provincial or territorial Crown corporations, among others. Delivery partners will need to propose a delivery plan that would best achieve the targeted outcomes. Direct support to farmers will fall under these target areas Cover cropping: for example, payment-per-acre to cover adoption or related costs such as seeds and equipment. Cover crops are plants, like clover and alfalfa, that are planted to cover the soil rather than for the purpose of being harvested.

Nitrogen management: for example, agronomic services to develop farm-specific nutrient management plans, equipment modifications for fertilizer application in fields, and soil sampling and analysis.

Rotational grazing: for example, agronomic services to develop grazing management plans, interior cross fencing, water system infrastructure, legume and forage seeds. Rotational grazing is the practice of containing and moving livestock through pasture to allow forage plants to recover, deepen their root systems and improve soil health. To request the call for proposals form, please email aafc.acs-sac.aac@agr.gc.ca. The application process will run until September 26, 2021. The Government of Canada is committed to working with Canadian producers as they help Canada meet its national emissions reduction targets, protect the environment, and build the strength and competitiveness of our agricultural businesses and economy. Quotes "This year has shown us how much Canadian farmers are now seeing and experiencing the effects of a changing climate on a daily basis. With today`s announcement, our Government is helping farmers to be more resilient to changes in climate and to contribute to reducing the greenhouse gases that cause climate change." - The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. "The fight against climate change isn't only about reducing emissions, but adapting to changes that are already set in motion and caused by extreme weather events such as wildfires, flood, and droughts. Given the importance of the agriculture and agri-food sector, it is clear that more ambitious actions are needed to help build climate resilience. Through sustainable on-farm practices, the Government of Canada is investing in our farmers to support safer communities, a healthier environment, and a stronger economy as we continue to build resilience from coast to coast to coast." - The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change. "The impact of the current, devastating drought conditions many Canadian farmers and ranchers are enduring each and every day is another example of our farmers battling on the front-lines of climate change. Canadian farmers are deeply invested in not only mitigating climate change impacts but, at the same time, pushing to unleash our sector's potential as a natural climate solutions provider. The Climate Acton Fund will support farmers in their sustainability efforts and assist in adopting on-farm practices that have the potential to enhance our sector's capabilities as a net carbon sink for Canada."



- Mary Robinson, President of the Canadian Federation Of Agriculture. "This season has been devastating for many farmers across Canada, with severe heat, drought and fires; impacts that we know will only become more severe and more frequent because of climate change. The On-Farm Climate Action Fund empowers us to do something concrete on our farms to adapt to extreme weather and jump-start emission reductions. This new program is a first step in helping farmers meet the immense challenge of climate change."

- Karen Ross, Director, Farmers for Climate Solutions.



"Today's announcement, like the investments being made by several countries in this area, is a step in the right direction. Climate change will have major consequences for the agricultural sector. Producers are already taking proactive steps, but they need additional support in the face of the challenges they are experiencing and will continue to face. As such, the measures announced by the government will be welcomed." - Marcel Groleau, General President, Union des producteurs agricoles. Quick Facts The On-Farm Climate Action Fund is one of many important new initiatives being undertaken to promote improving long term climate resiliency in the agriculture sector, and is part of Canada's Strengthened Climate Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40-45 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030, and towards net-zero emissions by 2050. Canada's agriculture currently accounts for 10 percent of Canada's GHG emissions and has the potential to play a key role in reducing national GHG emissions and improving climate resiliency.

Strengthened Climate Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40-45 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030, and towards net-zero emissions by 2050. agriculture currently accounts for 10 percent of GHG emissions and has the potential to play a key role in reducing national GHG emissions and improving climate resiliency. The Fund will support expanding, sustaining and validating adoption of the identified beneficial management practices to enable GHG emissions reductions and/or carbon sequestration that would not have occurred otherwise.

Funding for this new $200 million On-Farm Climate Action Fund was first announced in Budget 2021.

On-Farm Climate Action Fund was first announced in Budget 2021. The Fund is part of the Government's Agricultural Climate Solutions (ACS) initiative, which is under the umbrella of the $4 billion Natural Climate Solutions Fund, which includes Environment and Climate Change Canada's ten-year $631 million Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund (NSCSF) and Natural Resources Canada's $3.2 billion Two Billion Trees program. The NSCSF support projects that restore, enhance and conserve wetlands, peatlands, grasslands, and forests to capture and store carbon. These ecosystems are also critically important habitats for Canada's wildlife including migratory birds and species at risk.

Natural Climate Solutions Fund, which includes Environment and Climate Change Canada's ten-year Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund (NSCSF) and Natural Resources Canada's Two Billion Trees program. The NSCSF support projects that restore, enhance and conserve wetlands, peatlands, grasslands, and forests to capture and store carbon. These ecosystems are also critically important habitats for wildlife including migratory birds and species at risk. In the past year, the Government of Canada has announced $550-million over 10 years to help Canada's agriculture and agri-food sector meet our emission targets and capture new opportunities in the green economy, including:

$200 million for the Agricultural Climate Solutions  On Farm Climate Action Fund;

for the Agricultural Climate Solutions  On Farm Climate Action Fund;

$185 million for the Agricultural Climate Solutions  Living Lab program that is establishing a Canada -wide network of regional collaborations led by farmers and including scientists and other stakeholders to co-develop and implement farming practices to tackle climate change; and

for the Agricultural Climate Solutions  Living Lab program that is establishing a -wide network of regional collaborations led by farmers and including scientists and other stakeholders to co-develop and implement farming practices to tackle climate change; and

$165.7 million for the Agricultural Clean Technology Program to support research, development and adoption of clean technologies.

for the Agricultural Clean Technology Program to support research, development and adoption of clean technologies. Canada's Changing Climate Report, released by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) in 2019, indicates that warming in Canada is approximately double the global average. Additional Links Agricultural Climate Solutions - Living Lab Program

Natural Climate Solutions Fund

Environment and Climate Change Canada funding programs Backgrounder Agricultural Climate Solutions  On-Farm Climate Action Fund The $200 million On-Farm Climate Action Fund (2021-2024) is one of the many important new initiatives being undertaken to promote environmental sustainability and economic resiliency in the agriculture sector.



Climate change is expected to compound many of the environmental challenges and risks associated with agricultural production, affecting including water quantity and quality, soil health, and biodiversity. Canada's Changing Climate Report indicates that warming in Canada is approximately double the global average and even higher in Canada's northern regions.



Taking immediate action against climate change is key to exceeding Canada's 2030 emission reductions target, and setting the foundation for a net-zero emissions economy by 2050. The benefits of these actions to Canada's economy and environment are clear, and producers are key partners in implementing climate solutions.



The On-Farm Climate Action Fund will support producers in adopting beneficial management practices (BMPs) that reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs) and store carbon, specifically nitrogen management, cover cropping, and rotational grazing practices. These practices also provide other environmental benefits such as improved biodiversity and soil health.



Many producers have already begun implementing these and other BMPs. The Fund will address barriers to wider adoption, including up-front implementation costs, lack of risk protection, minimal or delayed returns on investment and limited availability of information and agronomic services.



The Fund will be distributed through delivery partners. Recipient organizations will propose ways in which that funding can be delivered, based on their experience with participating producers.



Activities eligible for funding include: Nitrogen management: agronomic services to develop farm-specific nutrient management plans, equipment modifications for fertilizer application in fields, and soil sampling and analysis.



Cover cropping: payment-per-acre to cover adoption or related costs such as seeds and equipment.



Rotational gazing: agronomic services to develop grazing management plans, interior cross fencing, water system infrastructure, legume and forage seeds.

Other activities to support BMP adoption, like outreach, education, and training, will also be considered.



The Fund is part of the Government of Canada's Agricultural Climate Solutions initiative under the Natural Climate Solutions Fund (NCSF). The NCSF is implemented by Natural Resources Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.



To request the call for proposals form, please email aafc.acs-sac.aac@agr.gc.ca. The application process will run until September 26, 2021. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn

Web: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada SOURCE Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

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[August 12, 2021] Gen Re Study Finds LexisNexis Risk Solutions New Combined Model "Risk Classifier With Medical Data" Delivers Stronger Mortality Stratification

Gen Re has announced the results of a study of a mortality model created by LexisNexis (News - Alert) Risk Solutions, for use in the underwriting of Individual Life insurance. The goal of the study was to evaluate and compare the current LexisNexis Risk Classifier model with the new LexisNexis Risk Classifier with Medical Data tool. The analysis involved a de-personalized dataset of applicants for Auto, Homeowners or Life insurance on whom medical scoring data exist. Applicants without sufficient medical data were excluded from the sample. The dataset contained over 2 million lives and almost 50,000 deaths. The Gen Re Research & Development team compared mortality results and found that the new model outperformed the previous one throughout the risk spectrum for all age groups and both genders. Ammon Dixon, VP, Strategic Initiatives, Gen Re Life & Health North America, said, "Our clients need actionable responses to underwriting challenges. The LexisNexis Risk Classifier with Medical Data will be a useful tool for insurance companies to consider for their Individual Life underwriting workflow to improve business results. We look forward to talking with or clients about how best to use this information to achieve their goals."



It is important to note that this study is not an independent validation because the dataset was provided by LexisNexis Risk Solutions and is a sample from the data used to build the LexisNexis Risk Classifier with Medical Data scoring model. The sample Gen Re obtained is a 50% random sample and is representative of that data. Gen Re's whitepaper provides insight into the results of the study. To learn more about the details of our study, read our white paper and contact Gen Re: https://knowledge.genre.com/evaluating-new-mortality-score-from-lexisnexis-for-life-underwriting

About Gen Re

Gen Re, a Berkshire Hathaway Company, is one of the leading Life/Health and Property/Casualty reinsurers in the world. Our North American Life/Health reinsurance company, General Re Life Corporation, has superior financial strength ratings among Life and Health reinsurers. Gen Re delivers customized reinsurance programs and risk management solutions for the Life, Medicare Supplement, Critical Illness, and Individual Disability Income markets. Through our research, we also offer valuable information and insights. www.genre.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210812005783/en/

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[August 12, 2021] Merchants & Marine Bank CEO Clayton Legear Appointed to State Board of Banking Review

Clayton Legear, President and CEO of Merchants & Marine Bank, has been appointed to the Mississippi State Board of Banking Review by Governor Tate Reeves. The Board is responsible for ruling on applications for new bank charters, conversion charters and protested branches, as well as managing rules and regulations that ensure state-chartered banks have rights and privileges equal to those of national banks. Legear will fill one of two seats on the five-member Board that are reserved for active officers or directors of state-chartered banks. Each of the appointments to the State Board of Banking Review are made by the Governor and confirmed by the state Senate. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210812005785/en/ Clayton Legear, resident & Chief Executive Officer of Merchants & Marine Bank (Photo: Business Wire)



"I am humbled and honored to be entrusted with the important responsibility of supporting Mississippi's state-chartered banks, as well as the state's Department of Banking and Consumer Finance," said Legear. "Ensuring that our state-chartered banks remain well-positioned to compete in a rapidly changing environment and operate in ways that benefit their communities, the state, and our region as a whole is of critical importance to our shared long-term economic success."

A rising star in the financial services industry, Mr. Legear joined Merchants & Marine Bank in 2011, taking the reins of the bank in 2019 from longtime CEO Royce Cumbest. His tenure at the bank demonstrates a balanced approach to risk and growth in leading an expanding community bank. Under Legear's leadership, MMB serves customers across all state markets, from big cities to small towns and rural areas. Legear is actively involved in many civic, charitable, and professional organizations throughout the Gulf Coast region. "What an honor for our bank and for Clayton," said Royce Cumbest, Chairman of Merchants & Marine Bank's Board of Directors. "I'm extremely proud of his leadership in ensuring the continued strength and stability of our own organization, and I look forward to his leadership on a broader basis in serving the state of Mississippi." Legear's appointment, which will be confirmed by the Mississippi State Senate during their next session, will be for a five-year term ending in 2026. About Merchants & Marine Bank Merchants & Marine Bank is a community bank that provides dedicated financial service, guidance, and support to individuals and businesses throughout the Mississippi & Alabama Gulf Coast region. Headquartered in Pascagoula, Mississippi, the bank currently operates 14 branch offices and one loan and deposit production office, in addition to its new Canvas Mortgage subsidiary. Merchants & Marine Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of Merchants & Marine Bancorp, Inc. (OTC QX: MNMB). View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210812005785/en/

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[August 12, 2021] Gateless Adds Rick Lang as Chief Operating Officer to Help Transform AI Mortgage Experience

CHICAGO, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Gateless, a visionary mortgage technology company that provides the industry with innovative solutions for the entire loan process, today announces it has brought on its first Chief Operating Officer to drive the development and adoption of its state-of-the-art AI Mortgage product offering. The new role will also lead the company's new integration and business transformation consulting services. "Gateless is focused on using AI technology to automate the underwriting of a loan to create a seamless, intuitive, real-time experience for the customer," said Chairman Victor Ciardelli. "Adding Rick to the executive team does exactly that. His considerable leadership skills and technical expertise will ensure that we achieve our goal." Mortgage companies nationwide are looking for innovative business process management solutions. Gateless now offers consulting services to support its customers as they embrace digitization and increase cost savings and efficiency through implementing data-driven processes. "I'm thrilled to join Gateless as we redefine how AI Mortgage is delivered," said Lang, who has more than 25 years of exerience and a proven track record of helping organizations realize their strategic visions. "Our scale, scope and combined experience allow us to solve problems others can't."



Lang has successfully driven large-scale business transformation efforts and identified expense- reduction opportunities that have yielded millions of dollars in increased revenue and superior customer experiences for his clients. While much of Lang's recent career has focused on enabling business technology transformation and helping mortgage lenders implement and drive change, he has also held myriad executive management roles spanning sales, customer service, operations and project management.

Prior to joining Gateless, Lang spent more than six years leading the integration of Freddie Mac's origination-based technology solutions. He has also worked for industry giants such as Aegon, Prudential, JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America. Gateless was launched in March by Ciardelli, whose transformative impact on the industry includes introducing the world's first digital mortgage in 2015. Ciardelli and his team of mortgage and technology experts founded Gateless to bring the industry next-generation loan processes by eliminating underwriting limitations. Gateless' award-winning suite of AI Mortgage technology, which includes AI Underwriter, has been used to close more than 500,000 loans and can accelerate the loan process by up to 10 days, from application to full approval. To learn more, please request a demo. About Gateless, Inc. Gateless, an innovative mortgage technology company, combines veteran industry expertise with Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create real, proven solutions that span the entire mortgage process. Founded by Guaranteed Rate President and CEO Victor Ciardelli, the company was formed when Guaranteed Rate acquired AI Foundry, a business unit of Kodak Alaris. The solutions provided by Gateless incorporate the latest in AI with patent-pending machine learning and machine-vision technology that help automate the mortgage process, increase productivity and lower costs. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gateless-adds-rick-lang-as-chief-operating-officer-to-help-transform-ai-mortgage-experience-301354649.html SOURCE Gateless

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[August 12, 2021] Canada and the Yukon invest in more reliable and efficient energy generation in Dawson City

DAWSON CITY, YT, Aug. 12, 2021 /CNW/ - Across the country, Canadians are feeling the impacts of COVID-19 on their families, livelihoods, and their way of life. Together, the governments of Canada and Yukon are working to ensure community infrastructure is safe and reliable for families, businesses and communities, while looking ahead to see what more can be done in these unprecedented times. Today, the Honourable Larry Bagnell, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages (Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency) and Member of Parliament for the Yukon; the Honourable Daniel Vandal, Federal Minister of Northern Affairs; the Honourable Richard Mostyn, Yukon Minister for Community Services; Jackie Olson, President of the Klondike Development Organization (KDO); and His Worship Wayne Potoroka, Mayor of Dawson City, announced joint funding for the construction of a solar power project in Dawson City. The Government of Canada is investing $486,000 in this project through the Arctic Energy Fund, and $105,000 through the Northern REACHE Program, while the Government of Yukon is investing $71,500. The Klondike Development Organization is contributing $101,949 to this project and the City of Dawson $11,500. Through this project, the Klondike Development Organization will construct a solar power project on the City's former landfill. The project aims to offset the community's carbon footprint through the production of renewable energy. Once completed, this project is expected to generate 280MWh of energy each year in Dawson City and 91.6 tonnes of annual greenhouse gas emissions offsets, thereby reducing dependency on Dawson City's back-up diesel generation plant. Quotes "Access to reliable sources of energy is essential for northern communities to thrive. This new solar power project will provide a reliable and efficient source of energy for Dawson City and help tackle climate change. Canada's Infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates good jobs across Canada, and builds cleaner, more inclusive communities." The Honourable Larry Bagnell, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages (Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency) and Member of Parliament for the Yukon "The Government of Canada is proud to have supported the Klondike Development Organization in the planning phase of the Dome Road Solar Plant. The project will bring environmental, social and economic benefits to the people of Dawson City. Our shared goal is to have healthier, more sustainable and resilient communities in the North. This type of support empowers communities and their vision for a green future."



The Honourable Daniel Vandal, P.C., M.P., Federal Minister of Northern Affairs "It's great to see renewable energy projects in all of our communities. These projects help the Yukon meet the goals set out in Our Clean Future while reducing the local reliance on fossil fuels, in turn making Dawson City more self-sufficient. I want to thank the Government of Canada, the Klondike Development Organization and the City of Dawson for making this project possible."

The Honourable John Streicker, Yukon Minister responsible for the Yukon Development Corporation "I am pleased that the City of Dawson and the Klondike Development Corporation are joining forces with this forward-looking project that will help reduce the use of fossil-fuel energy and create a greener community. The Investing in Canada Infrastructure Plan is helping First Nations governments, municipalities and communities address long-term infrastructure needs and the Government of Yukon is pleased to work in partnership with them to help improve the quality of life for Yukoners." The Honourable Richard Mostyn, Yukon Minister for Community Services "The opportunity to take an otherwise unusable brownfield site and generate renewable electricity from our famous 'midnight sun' was irresistible. KDO is excited to be building this solar power project to support Dawson's sustainability." Jackie Olson, President of the Klondike Development Organization "The Klondike Development Organization, of which the town is a charter member, has steadily improved the lives of Klondikers and sought new, innovative ways to transform our community. This latest project is a significant step forward for our town as it increases local capacity for electrical-power supply and lessens our community's carbon footprint. The City of Dawson is pleased to support this project with an economical municipal land lease and eager to see what opportunities arise from this development." His Worship Wayne Potoroka, Mayor of Dawson City Quick facts Through the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities.

infrastructure plan, the Government of is investing more than over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and rural and northern communities. $2 billion of this funding is supporting infrastructure projects that meet the unique needs of rural and northern communities like facilities to support food security, local access roads and enhanced broadband connectivity. In addition, $400 million is being delivered through the Arctic Energy Fund to advance energy security in the territories.

is being delivered through the Arctic Energy Fund to advance energy security in the territories. $4 billion in funding under the Plan is supporting infrastructure projects in Indigenous communities.

in funding under the Plan is supporting infrastructure projects in Indigenous communities. The Government of Canada has invested $957 million in 314 projects across the Yukon under the Investing in Canada Plan. Associated links Investing in Canada Plan Project Map:

http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map Federal infrastructure investments in Yukon:

https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/prog-proj-yt-eng.html Investing in Canada: Canada's Long-Term Infrastructure Plan:

http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/icp-publication-pic-eng.html Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram Web: Infrastructure Canada SOURCE Infrastructure Canada

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[August 12, 2021] Adtalem Global Education Appoints Mayur Gupta to its Board of Directors

Adtalem Global Education (NYSE: ATGE), a leading workforce solutions provider, today announced the appointment of Mayur Gupta as an independent member of Adtalem's board of directors, effective immediately. Gupta, named by Forbes as one of the world's 'Most Influential Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs)' in 2020, brings to Adtalem more than 20 years of digital marketing insight and leadership from the rapidly evolving digital content subscription and technology industries to Adtalem's board. Gupta currently serves as the chief marketing and strategy officer at Gannett Co., a subscription-led and digitally focused media and marketing solutions company. "As we continue to scale our offerings and enhance our student experiences in an increasingly digital and technology-first world, Mayur's expertise across the digital marketing space, in combination with his background in technology, will help drive our next phase of growth and impact," said Lisa Wardell, chairman and CEO of Adtalem Global Education. "Mayur offers a wealth of knowledge in leveraging data-driven strategies to drive business growth and increase shareholder value. We are thrilled to bring him into the Adtalem fold and further solidify the collective breadth, experience and insight our board brings to the management team as we focus on serving our students and employers in the rapidly growing healthcare education industry." The Adtalem board comprises 10 directos, nine of whom are independent, five of whom are persons of color and four of whom are women. Adtalem's board succession process includes regular evaluation of its board composition and regular board refreshment, and with Gupta's appointment, four of its nine independent directors will have joined the Adtalem board in the past 18 months. Adtalem's ongoing process to maintain a board with the optimal mix of skills, expertise and experience is critical to the delivery of long-term value for shareholders and the achievement of superior academic outcomes for our students.



"The board and management team's concerted focus on repositioning Adtalem's portfolio for growth has resulted in the creation of a strong foundation, and the company has a compelling trajectory ahead," Gupta commented. "I am honored to join the board and look forward to working with my fellow directors and the leadership team to advance the company's workforce solutions strategy and continue driving value for all Adtalem shareholders." At Gannett, Gupta oversees the marketing strategy and subscription-based transformation for several portfolios which include USA TODAY, local media organizations in 46 states in the U.S., and Newsquest, a wholly owned subsidiary with over 120 local media brands operating in the United Kingdom. Before assuming his current role in Sept. 2020, Gupta served on Gannett's board of directors since October 2019. Prior to this tenure at Gannett, Gupta served in several executive marketing leadership roles, including the chief marketing officer at Freshly, a growing food-tech company; vice president of growth and marketing at Spotify (News - Alert) , an on-demand streaming music giant; executive vice president, chief marketing officer at Healthgrades, a healthcare scheduling platform; and as chief marketing technologist at Kimberly-Clark, a multinational consumer products company.

Gupta received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Delhi University and a Master of Computer Science degree from the Institute of Management Technology in India. About Adtalem Global Education Adtalem Global Education (NYSE: ATGE), a leading workforce solutions provider, partners with organizations in the healthcare and financial services industries to solve critical workforce talent needs by expanding access to education, certifications and upskilling programs at scale. With a dedicated focus on driving strong outcomes that increase workforce preparedness, Adtalem empowers a diverse learner population to achieve their goals and make inspiring contributions to the global community. Adtalem is the parent organization of ACAMS, American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, Becker Professional Education, Chamberlain University, EduPristine, OnCourse Learning, Ross University School of Medicine, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and Walden University. Adtalem has more than 10,000 employees, a network of more than 275,000 alumni and serves over 82,000 members across 200 countries and territories. Adtalem was named one of America's Most Responsible Companies 2021 by Newsweek and one of America's Best Employers for Diversity 2021 by Forbes. Follow Adtalem on Twitter (@adtalemglobal), LinkedIn (News - Alert) or visit adtalem.com for more information. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210812005755/en/

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[August 12, 2021] Box, Inc. Files Investor Presentation Highlighting Strategy to Drive Value for All Stockholders

Box (News - Alert) , Inc. (NYSE: BOX), today announced that it has filed an investor presentation with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with its 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders ("Annual Meeting"). The presentation is available at VoteBlueforBox.com or on the investor relations section of the company's website. The Box Board of Directors issued the following statement: The Box Board and management team have taken meaningful actions over the last 18 months to accelerate the company's growth strategy, improve its operational and financial results and enhance its governance. Box's reconstituted, world-class Board - seven members of which have joined in the last three years, and two of which are Starboard-approved - is overseeing the execution of the right strategy, placing Box in the strongest financial position in its history. This has led to total stockholder returns that have outperformed Box's SaaS (News - Alert) peer set1 in the past year. This momentum is further evidenced by Box's strong preliminary fiscal second quarter 2022 financial results and raised fiscal year 2022 guidance, announced today. Today's presentation to investors underscores that the Box of today is not the Box of 2019. Starboard's critiques are largely outdated and focused on the company's performance from before the March 2020 settlement that the Board has already acknowledged and is addressing head-on. We have been executing a comprehensive strategy to reaccelerate growth and improve operating margin, and these changes are producing results. Our record demonstrates that when Starboard has sought appropriate change, the Board and the management team embraced those ideas. However, the Board believes that what Starboard is now demanding is not in the best interests of stockholders and the fact that Starboard is waging a proxy contest reflects its displeasure that the directors it approved just last year are exercising independent judgment rather than capitulating to its value-destructive demands. The Box Board and management are committed to acting in the best interests of all stockholders. 1 SaaS Peer Set includes 8x8, FireEye (News - Alert) , Guidewire, HubSpot, New Relic, Nutanix, Qualys, Momentive, Solar Winds, Zendesk, and Zuora Highlights of the presentation include: Box is successfully evolving the business to drive operational results, accelerate growth and enhance margins Has built a stronger foundation across products, customers and go-to-market (GTM), and made investments in the platform to enable a multi-product, solution selling effort Re-acceleration of growth in recent quarters and continued improvements in profitability validate that the strategy and execution are working Exceeded revenue growth + FCF margin targets in FY 2021; raised guidance for FY 2022 revenue by $14 million since FQ4 2021; FY 2022 Non-GAAP operating margin expected to be approximately 19.5%, an increase over previous guidance of 18% to 18.5%

Box implemented significant Board and governance changes Added seven new independent directors since 2018; separated Chair and CEO roles Formed Operating Committee (includes two Starboard-approved directors) and Strategy Committee (includes all three Starboard settlement directors) Adopted majority vote standard for uncontested elections of directors; and eliminated certain supermajority voting requirements, subject to stockholder approval Continues to evolve compensation program incorporating stockholder feedback, including reducing equity burn rate

Board is maximizing stockholder value through KKR-led investment Unanimously approved KKR-led investment is validation of Box's strategy and potential to create future value for all stockholders well above $27 per share Subsequent self-tender provided the opportunity for stockholders to sell at a materially higher price than the low twenties per share that Starboard indicated would be acceptable for a sale of the company

Box has a strong, independent and highly qualified Board to oversee its strategy Diverse skillsets and proven track records of helping public companies drive disciplined growth, profitability and stockholder value Global go-to-market strategy and business operations experience though all business cycles Significant SaaS and enterprise software industry expertise as both operators and board members Proven ability and willingness to pursue a sale of a company when it maximizes value for stockholders

Box's nominees are vastly superior to Starboard's slate Box nominees include a former public company CFO and 2019 Director of the Year of the NACD (National Association of Corporate Directors), a sitting public company CEO who has successfully scaled and led multiple multi-billion dollar SaaS and enterprise software businesses, and Box's Co-founder & CEO who is a pioneer of cloud content management Box nominees collectively bring nearly seven decades of SaaS and enterprise software experience, either as operators or board members, and have led multiple company sale transactions totaling tens of billions of dollars, maximizing stockholder value None of Starboard's nominees have any SaaS or enterprise software experience as an executive or director Starboard's independent nominees have a dearth of public company experience

Starboard is close-minded to alternative paths to create value Starboard has been myopic in its persistent demands over the past eight months - sell the company or fire the CEO Starboard abruptly withdrew its support for the company's path after a single quarter where Box provided revenue guidance that was 1.1% below consensus estimates but beat on all other guided metrics - and it continues to be close-minded





BLUE proxy card "FOR ALL" of Box's three highly qualified directors standing for election - Dana Evan, Peter Leav and Aaron Levie - at the Annual Meeting, which will be held on September 9, 2021. Box stockholders who need assistance in voting their shares may call Box's proxy solicitor, Innisfree M&A Incorporated, at (877) 750-8233 (toll-free from the U.S. and Canada), or +1 (412) 232-3651 (from other countries).

Advisors Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC is serving as financial advisor to Box. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C. and Sidley Austin LLP are serving as legal advisors to Box. About Box Box (NYSE:BOX) is the leading Content Cloud that enables organizations to accelerate business processes, power workplace collaboration, and protect their most valuable information, all while working with a best-of-breed enterprise IT stack. Founded in 2005, Box simplifies work for leading organizations globally, including AstraZeneca, JLL, and Morgan Stanley. Box is headquartered in Redwood City, CA (News - Alert) , with offices in the United States, Europe, and Asia. To learn more about Box, visit http://www.box.com. To learn more about how Box powers nonprofits to fulfill their missions, visit Box.org. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, including statements regarding Box's expectations regarding the size of its market opportunity, sales productivity, its leadership position in the cloud content management market, the demand for its products, the impact of its acquisitions on future Box product offerings, its ability to grow and scale its business and drive operating efficiencies, its ability to achieve revenue targets and billings expectations, its ability to achieve profitability on a quarterly or ongoing basis, its free cash flow, its ability to grow unrecognized revenue and remaining performance obligations, the timing of recent and planned product introductions, enhancements and integrations, the short- and long-term success, market adoption and retention, capabilities, and benefits of such product introductions and enhancements, the success of strategic partnerships, its revenue, billings, gross margin, GAAP and non-GAAP net income (loss) per share, non-GAAP operating margins for future periods, the related components of GAAP and non-GAAP net income (loss) per share, net retention rate, weighted-average outstanding share count expectations for Box's fiscal second quarter and full fiscal year 2022, equity burn rate, the KKR-led investment and achievement of its potential benefits; any potential repurchase of shares of Box common stock, whether, when, in what amount and by what method any such repurchase would be consummated, and the per share price of any such repurchase. There are a significant number of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from statements made in this press release, including: (1) adverse changes in general economic or market conditions, including those caused by the COVID 19 pandemic; (2) delays or reductions in information technology spending; (3) factors related to Box's highly competitive market, including but not limited to pricing pressures, industry consolidation, entry of new competitors and new applications and marketing initiatives by Box's current or future competitors; (4) the development of the cloud content management market; (5) the risk that Box's customers do not renew their subscriptions, expand their use of Box's services, or adopt new products offered by Box on a timely basis, or at all; (6) Box's ability to provide timely and successful enhancements and integrations, new features, integrations and modifications to its platform and services; (7) actual or perceived security vulnerabilities in Box's services or any breaches of Box's security controls; (8) Box's ability to realize the expected benefits of its third party partnerships; (9) the potential impact of shareholder activism on Box's business and operations; and (10) Box's ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses and achieve the expected benefits from those acquisitions. Further information on these and other factors that could affect the forward-looking statements we make in this press release can be found in the documents that we file with or furnish to the US Securities and Exchange Commission, including Box's most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10 Q filed for the fiscal quarter ended April 30, 2021. These statements are based on estimates and information available to us at the time of this press release and are no guarantees of future performance. We assume no obligation and do not intend to update these forward-looking statements or to conform these statements to actual results or to changes in our expectations. Important Additional Information and Where to Find It Box has filed a definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A (the "Proxy Statement"), an accompanying BLUE proxy card and other relevant documents with the SEC (News - Alert) in connection with such solicitation of proxies from Box stockholders for Box's 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. BOX STOCKHOLDERS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO READ BOX'S DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO), ACCOMPANYING BLUE PROXY CARD AND ALL OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors and stockholders may obtain a copy of the Proxy Statement, an accompanying BLUE proxy card, any amendments or supplements to the Proxy Statement and other documents that Box files with the SEC at no charge at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Copies will also be available at no charge in the "SEC Filings" subsection of the "Financial Information" section of Box's Investor Relations website at www.boxinvestorrelations.com or by contacting Box's Investor Relations department at ir@box.com, as soon as reasonably practicable after such materials are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210812005878/en/

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[August 12, 2021] Starlight Hybrid Global Real Assets Trust Reports Q2 2021 Results

Starlight Investments Capital LP ("Starlight Capital"), on behalf of Starlight Hybrid Global Real Assets Trust (the "Trust"), announced today the Trust's financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021. Q2 2021 HIGHLIGHTS Portfolio Investments As at June 30, 2021 ("Q2 2021"), the Trust had an investment of $27,013,233 (December 31, 2020 - $25,209,036) in Starlight Global Real Assets LP (the "Public Portfolio") and $16,532,273 in three investments in the private portfolio (December 31, 2020 - $16,893,611 in three investments). The Public Portfolio had 66 investments (December 31, 2020 - 57 investments) with a market value of $26,617,617 (December 31, 2020 - $23,907,534) in publicly traded global real estate and infrastructure securities. The Public Portfolio's investment portfolio remains liquid and the Trust does not anticipate any issues in being able to meet the liquidity needs of the Public Portfolio LP or the Trust. Distributions On January 14, 2021, Starlight Capital announced the 2021 monthly distributions to unitholders of record for the Trust of $0.0433 per unit (2020 - $0.0433 per unit) for a total distribution of $0.52 per unit per annum (2020 - $0.52 per unit per annum). As at June 30, 2021, the Trust declared six distributions of $0.0433 per series A and series C unit for a total distribution of $0.2598 per unit. In addition, the distributions declared included a component funded by the Trust's distribution reinvestment plan. YTD Redesignation of Units On January 14, 2021 the Trust announced that given the current number of outstanding series A units and series C units, redesignation requests of series A units into series C units are not currently being accepted by the Trust. Series C units were redesignated as series A units, at the option of the holder, in accordance with the amended and restated declaration of trust at net asset value ("NAV"). On March 31, 2021, 2,954 series C units with a NAV of $30,657 were redesignated as series A units. Series C unitholders received 3,091 series A units with a NAV per unit of $9.92 in exchange for 2,954 series C units with a NAV per unit of $10.38. On June 30, 2021, 6,394 series C units were redesignated as series A units with a NAV of $69,640. Series C unitholders received 6,694 series A units with a NAV per unit of $10.40 in exchange for 6,394 series C units with a NAV per unit of $10.89. Annual Redemption of Units On June 29, 2021, 196,334 series A units and 177,742 series C units were redeemed in accordance with the declaration of trust at NAV. Series A and series C unitholders received redemption proceeds of $2,050,669 and $1,943,875 respectively for total proceeds of $3,994,545 at a NAV per unit of $10.4448 and $10.9365, respectively. Update on the Impact of COVID-19 On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of coronavirus (SARS- CoV-2) ("COVID-19") was a global pandemic. Governments around the world enacted a series of public health measures to combat the spread of the virus, negatively impacting business operations globally. As at June 30, 2021, many of these measures remain in place. Since the latter part of February 2020, financial markets have experienced significant volatility in response to COVID-19 resulting in increased risks related to the portfolio issuers and fluctuations in NAV and NAV for each series of unit of the Trust. COVID-19 has also resulted in increased infrastructure risk and real estate risk for the Trust. Further, public health crises, including the ongoing health crisis related to COVID-19, or relating to any other virus, flu, epidemic, pandemic or any other similar disease or illness could increase the Trust's risks related to the portfolio issuers, fluctuations in NAV and NAV of each series of unit of the Trust, infrastructure risk and real estate risk. In Q2 2021, global market and sector specific market recoveries resulted in increases in the Public Portfolio investment valuations and the Trust's NAV. As a result of COVID-19 global equity markets and the Public Portfolio have experienced elevated volatility as equity investors have sought liquidity and safety in the face of uncertainty. A resurgence of equity market volatility and investor uncertainty may impact the Trust's NAV and may create difficulty in raising capital in equity markets, which could in turn adversely impact the Trust's strategy. Liquidity of the Public Portfolio has remained high and has not been materially impacted by COVID-19. While the events surrounding COVID-19 have resulted in unprecedented market volatility, the investment manager believes that the Trust's investment portfolio is well positioned to navigate through this challenging time. The Trust has not experienced any material distribution or dividend cuts from investments in the Public Portfolio or the private portfolio. In fact, for the twelve-month period ending June 30, 2021 the Trust has experienced 44 distribution and dividend increases with an average increase of 8.4%. As the Public Portfolio remains liquid, and although not expected, any distribution cuts made by portfolio investments resulting from COVID-19 or otherwise are not expected to have an impact on the Trust's ability to pay its monthly distributions given the liquid nature of the Public Portfolio and the Trust's ability to adjust its portfolio accordingly. The private portfolio has not experienced a significant impact from COVID-19 and no material changes to valuations have been required as a result of COVID-19. The Public Portfolio is currently positioned in sectors and geographies believed to be the most resilient during and after COVID-19 and to realize significant upside potential upon an economic recovery. The investment manager continues to review the investment portfolio on a daily basis and remains committed to owning high-quality businesses with long term growth potential. Starlight Capital has implemented appropriate cautionary measures to ensure it is conducting business in a safe and effective manner (including, without limitation, limiting visits to their corporate office to essential personnel and ensuring proper protocols around sanitation and social distancing), and continues to diligently work with its service providers to remain operational through the pandemic. There can be no assurance that any actions taken will prevent the impact of COVID-19 on the Trust or Starlight Capital's employees or service providers. In response to the global pandemic, governments and central banks have reacted with significant monetary and fiscal stimulus programs designed to stabilize economic conditions. Governments have also declared emergencies requiring various restrictions such as stay at home orders, mandatory closures of certain types of businesses and reduced limits on social gatherings impacting businesses and economies. At this time the duration and magnitude of COVID-19 including the impact of new variant strains is still unknown, as is the efficacy of the government and central bank interventions. While vaccine programs continue to be implemented and the distribution of vaccines is progressing globally, vaccine roll-outs remain fluid as public health authorities continue to make adjustments to their plans due to continued outbreaks and the timing and volume of shipments from vaccine suppliers. As of August 3, 2021, the U.S. has administered over 192 million doses, with over 27 million people fully vaccinated and over 49% of adults in the U.S. receiving at least one vaccine shot. Comparatively in Canada over 27 million doses have been administered with over 60% of the population receiving at least one dose and approximately 12% of the population having received two doses. Many countries/regions had begun to ease restrictions, but the emergence of COVID-19 variants that are more transmissible and carry increased health risks have caused a surge in cases and an increase in hospitalizations. Some countries have been forced to reintroduce emergency measures to counter the resurgence of COVID-19 cases. Although emergency measures are expected to ease as more people receive vaccinations, the uncertainty created by variants and closures of certain businesses could impact the Trust for a prolonged period. It is impossible to forecast the duration and full scope of the economic impact of COVID-19 and other consequential changes it will have on the Trust's business and portfolio values, both in the short term and in the long term. The full impact will depend on future developments that are highly uncertain and cannot be accurately predicted, including new information which may emerge concerning the severity of and the actions required to contain COVID-19 or remedy its impact, among others. The investment portfolio could experience further volatility and market value declines, which could materially adversely impact the performance of the Trust, its NAV and its ability to raise capital. While the situation continues to evolve, the Trust is confident the tactical measures implemented to date will allow it to provide long-term value creation to unitholders. FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS







As at

June 30, 2021 As at

December 31, 2020 Current assets $43,719,374 $41,885,611 Current liabilities 4,401,319 307,282 Net assets attributable to holders of redeemable units per series Series A 8,718,083 10,249,932 Series C 30,599,972 31,328,397 $39,318,055 $41,578,329

ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE The Trust's financial performance and results of operations for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 are summarized below: Three months ended

June 30, 2021 Three months ended

June 30, 2020 Investment gain (loss) $2,906,868 $3,859,138 Expenses (333,330) (149,979) Net Investment income (loss) 2,573,538 3,709,159 Increase/(decrease) in net assets attributable to holders of redeemable units $2,573,538 $3,709,159 Trust Reorganization On July 28, 2021, unitholders of the Trust approved a reorganization of the Trust into a private investment trust (the "Reorganization"), as further described in the management information circular of the Trust dated June 22, 2021, mailed to all unitholders of record on June 18, 2021. As part of the Reorganization the series A units were delisted from the NEO Exchange on August 12, 2021 and all series A units are expected to be redesignated as series C units on August 20, 2021. The investment strategy and investment restrictions have also been amended to increase the Trust's private investment limit and beginning in 2022 the Trust will pay quarterly distributions, rather than monthly distributions. The Reorganization also includes amendments to the management fees payable to the manager and the redemption features with the monthly and annual redemption feature being replaced with a quarterly redemption feature. More detailed information can be found in the management information circular dated June 22, 2021 on www.sedar.com and www.starlightcapital.com. Forward-looking statements Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including statements regarding the outlook for the Trust's business and results of operations and the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on the Trust's business and operations. Forward-looking statements ("FLS") are provided for the purpose of assisting the reader in understanding the Trust's financial performance, financial position and cash flows as at and for the periods ended on certain dates and to present information about management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes. FLS involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may be general or specific and which give risk to the possibility that expectations, forecasts, predictions, projections or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, assumptions may not be correct and objectives, strategic goals and priorities may not be achieved. FLS are statements that are predictive in nature, depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, or that include words such as "may," "will," "should," "could," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "believe," or "estimate," or other similar expressions. Statements that look forward in time or include anything other than historical information are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results, actions or events could differ materially from those set forth in the FLS. FLS are not guarantees of future performance and are by their nature based on numerous assumptions. Information contained in FLS is based upon certain material assumptions applied in drawing a conclusion or making a forecast or projection, including management's perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other considerations believed to be appropriate in the circumstances. Although the FLS contained herein are based upon what Starlight Capital believe to be reasonable assumptions including with respect to COVID-19, Starlight Capital cannot be sure that actual results will be consistent with these FLS. The reader is cautioned to consider the FLS carefully and not to place undue reliance on FLS. The forward-looking statements relate only to events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this press release. Unless required by applicable law, it is not undertaken, and specifically disclaimed that there is any intention or obligation to update or revise FLS, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. About Starlight Hybrid Global Real Assets Trust The Trust's investment objective is to provide unitholders with stable monthly cash distributions and long-term capital appreciation through exposure to institutional quality real assets in the global real estate and global infrastructure sectors. The Trust's unaudited condensed interim financial statements, the notes thereto, and Management's Discussion and Analysis for the three and six month period ended June 30, 2021, can be found on Starlight Capital's website at www.starlightcapital.com or www.sedar.com. About Starlight Capital and Starlight Investments Starlight Capital is an independent asset management firm offering mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, offering memorandum funds and structured products. Our goal is to deliver superior risk adjusted returns to investors through a disciplined investment approach, Focused Business Investing. Starlight Capital is a wholly owned subsidiary of Starlight Investments. Starlight Investments is a privately held, full service, real estate investment and asset management company. The firm manages over $20.0 billion of assets on behalf of institutional joint ventures as well as publicly listed REITs, closed-end funds and investment funds and is driven by an experienced team of over 300 professionals. Please visit us at www.starlightcapital.com and connect with us on LinkedIn. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210812005885/en/

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[August 12, 2021] Polish Freight Railcar Operator Eurowagon Goes Digital With Nexxiot

Eurowagon, the operator of Poland's largest pool of independent rental freight railcars, has selected Swiss IoT pioneer Nexxiot to digitize the company's cargo fleet. Through the full deployment of Nexxiot's industry leading, proprietary hardware sensors and cloud-based software solutions, Eurowagon will achieve for its cargo fleet and customers an unparalleled standard of safety and transparency. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210812005901/en/ Founded in 2018, fast-growing Eurowagon has quickly become the leading private operator of freight railcars in Poland by maintaining an agile approach that enables rapid expansion as well as the integration of the latest technology advances in the industry. This digitization partnership with Nexxiot will ensure next level accountability to its clientele, which include some of Europe's leading shippers. "Transparency and security improvements through digitization are trending topics around the world but are often met with institutional impediments. Eurowagon's youthful agility enables our company to adopt the latest technological innovations to stay competitive," explained Marek Golebiewski, Eurowagon's Technical Director. "We are free from legacy issues because we are able to take a 'greenfield' approach and ensure digital readiness from day one. This partnership will enable us to respond to the needs of our customers in real time, remaining at the forefront of industry trends. By 2026, we will increase our fleet to 4,500 wagons, becoming the largest professional rolling stock company for the rental of rail feight wagons in Central and Eastern Europe. To achieve this, we continue to integrate the latest technologies and ideas into the company now to offer our clients the best possible service."



Nexxiot's gateway devices, called Globehoppers, will be used to equip Eurowagon's non-powered freight wagons and deliver data in real time. This data allows decisionmakers to gain full visibility and transparency into their daily operations. This cutting-edge technology ensures that rail processes are as secure and efficient as possible. Regarding fleet safety, Eurowagon expects digitization to add significant value. Mr. Golebiewski continued, saying "Nexxiot's solutions help us supervise the planning of periodic repairs and prevent potentially dangerous situations through continuous fleet monitoring. In the rare cases where unplanned incidents occur, real-time notifications via the Nexxiot intelligent cloud are a great advantage as we are able to quickly pinpoint exactly where and when the event occurred, which wagons were affected and how severely due to in-depth shock analytics. The data insights will also help us speed up the regulatory processes required to investigate any potential event. We are pleased with Nexxiot's openness to derive significant experience and adapt the product to our individual needs."

Nexxiot CEO Stefan Kalmund sees a special correlation between transparency and security, remarking, "Security has a lot to do with trust. Nowadays, digital solutions that create transparency in operations allow companies to provide their clients with all the relevant insights and proof of 'duty of care.' Together with the team at Eurowagon, we are able to explore the specific needs of the Polish market and collaborate in finding the perfect customized solution for the company. In the process of working together, we found that Nexxiot and Eurowagon are a natural fit, because progressive thinking around data-driven innovation is a priority in both companies." About Eurowagon: Eurowagon is a new alternative for customers on the European rail car leasing market. The company was established in 2018 and is a portfolio company of CEE Equity Partners Ltd. Eurowagon presently owns and manages roughly 1,500 freight railcars, and expects to expand to approximately 4,500 wagons by 2026. Eurowagon enterprises include rental of railcars to freight and industrial clients, railcar management and maintenance. The headquarters of the company is in Poland and, since 2020, Eurowagon has also maintained operations in Switzerland, France and Austria. https://www.euro-wagon.com/en/ About Nexxiot: Nexxiot AG is a driver of the digital logistics of tomorrow. An industry leader in the digitalization of cargo transportation, Nexxiot empowers global shipping companies and suppliers to harness the power of their data through proprietary, cutting-edge technology and integrated data solutions to track, find and protect cargo from more than 160 countries around the world and across 450 network roaming partners to ensure accountability, security and efficiency. Headquartered in Zurich, Nexxiot operates throughout Europe and the U.S., employing people from 21 countries. The company's secure, industry leading Cloud comprises data from over 2,5 billion travelled miles. Committed to sustainability through corporate and social responsibility, Nexxiot's goal is to enable a five percent reduction in global carbon dioxide emissions by increasing cargo transport efficiency and eliminating waste caused by empty runs and inefficient routes. https://nexxiot.com/ View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210812005901/en/

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Under the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (FRF) established by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), eligible local governments in Tennessee are to receive over $2.27 billion in federal funding to aid in responding to the pandemic, supporting economic recovery, and strengthening financial stability.



Counties and large (more than 50,000 people) metropolitan cities will receive funding directly from U.S. Treasury, while non-entitlement units of local government (NEUs) will receive funding through a transfer from the state.

A list of NEUs that are eligible to receive disbursements through the state of Tennessee is available here.



NEUs in Tennessee will begin receiving distributions once they submit a request for payment and required documentation via the state's online portal available to NEUs the week of August 16, 2021.

Further information on the Local Fiscal Recovery Funds and requirements for NEUs to receive their disbursements is included in the FAQs below.

1. Which local governments are considered NEUs eligible to receive their FRF allocation through a transfer from the state?

A list of NEUs that are eligible to receive disbursements through the state is available here.

2. Are there restrictions on eligible uses of Local Fiscal Recovery Funds received by NEUs?



Yes, Local Fiscal Recovery Funds must be spent on eligible expenditures , which include:

 Supporting public health expenditures

 Addressing negative economic impacts caused by the public health emergency

 Providing equity-based services for disproportionately impacted populations

 Replacing lost public sector revenue

 Providing premium pay for essential workers

 Investing in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure

Eligible expenditures are defined by U.S. Treasury regulations and statutes and not further restricted by the state of Tennessee. Further details on eligible expenditures may be found in the Interim Final Rule and FAQs provided on the U.S. Treasury website: https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/coronavirus/assistance-for-state-local-and-tribal-governments/state-and-local-fiscal-recovery-funds.



3. Will the NEU be required to report on its use of FRF?

Yes, NEUs are considered prime recipients of U.S. Treasury and will be responsible for reporting on their compliance with use of FRF directly to U.S. Treasury. As such, NEUs, not the State of Tennessee, will be financially liable for any NEU expenditures that are deemed ineligible.

NEUs will be required to provide annual reporting to U.S. Treasury on all FRF funding projects including expenditures, project status, project demographic distribution, subawards, civil rights compliance and other required programmatic data and information. NEUs will also need to provide copies of the signed award terms and conditions agreement and the Assurances of Compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as well as budget documentation with the reporting submission.

4. How will NEU allocations be determined?

The State of Tennessee has been allocated $438,055,590 to distribute to NEUs. Per U.S. Treasury guidance, allocations to NEUs are to be based on the proportion of the population in the NEU as a share of the total population of all NEUs in the state. The population count to be used to determine NEU allocations was provided by U.S. Treasury and based on the most recent data available from the Census Bureau. NEU allocations were determined by U.S. Treasury. The State of Tennessee does not have the authority to change a NEUs initial allocation.

Additionally, U.S. Treasury guidance provides that each NEUs total award is capped at 75 percent of its total annual budget in effect as of January 27, 2020.



5. How is Total Annual Budget defined under FRF?

U.S. Treasury defines Total Annual Budget as an NEUs total annual budget, including both operating and capital expenditure budgets, in effect as of January 27, 2020. In cases in which an NEU does not adopt a formal budget, the total annual budget will equal the top-line expenditure total.

NEUs will not be required to provide budget documents supporting the total annual budget to request payment from the state; however, they will be required to submit supporting budget documents to U.S. Treasury as a part of the initial mandatory reporting.

6. How will NEUs receive their allocation?

Eligible NEUs that submit the required documentation will receive their allocations in two equal disbursements. The first disbursement will be made after a request for payment is submitted with all required documentation into the states online ARPA program management portal which will open to NEUs the week of August 16, 2021.

The second disbursement will be made approximately one year after the initial disbursement once the state has received its second tranche of funding from U.S. Treasury.

7. How does an NEU log into the states online ARPA program management portal to submit a request for payment?

The state will create accounts in the portal for a primary user from each local government based upon its records. Once the account has been created, the primary user will receive an email from NoReply-OutSystems@hornellp.com providing instructions on how to log into to their account.

The ARPA program management portal may be accessed through this link:

https://horne2.outsystemsenterprise.com/PM_Tennessee/Login.

8. How do I update the users in the ARPA program management portal?

Changes to the primary user or requests for an additional user may be submitted to TNARPA.support@hornellp.com.

9. Which account will NEUs receive payment/Where will NEU allocations be disbursed?



When submitting a request for payment, the NEU will be able to select one of the four options listed below for receiving payments. If none of the options provide are selected, a representative from the state will reach out regarding other payment alternatives.

Receive payment through the method of payment and account (if automatic deposit) used for the distribution of your monthly shared state tax payments

Receive payment through automatic deposit to an already existing LGIP account

Establish a new Tennessee Local Government Investment Pool (LGIP) account and receive payments through automatic deposit to that account

Receive payment through paper check

10. How do NEUs establish a new Tennessee Local Government Investment Pool (LGIP) account?

To create a new LGIP account, please visit Treasury.tn.gov/LGIP or call (615) 532-1163.

11. What information will my local government be required to provide as a part of the request for payment?

NEUs will be required to provide the following information in their request for payment.

Taxpayer identification number

DUNS number

Address

Authorized representative name, title, and email

Contact person name, title, and email

Financial institution selection information included in FAQ #7 above

Total NEU budget as defined in FAQ #4 above

Award Terms and Conditions Agreement as provided by U.S. Treasury signed by an authorized representative of the NEU. A blank copy may be found at this link: https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/NEU_Award_Terms_and_Conditions.pdf

Assurances of Compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as provided by U.S. Treasury signed by an authorized representative of the NEU. A blank copy may be found at this link: https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/Title_VI_Assurances.pdf

While it is not required to submit a request for payment, NEUs will also be required to be registered at SAM.gov prior to the submission of the first mandatory reporting to U.S. Treasury.



12. Who is considered an Authorized Representative?



The Authorized Representative provided on the application should be an individual authorized by a sitting government official to act on behalf of the NEU with respect to its FRF allocation.

13. Who should be provided as the Contact Person?

The contact person should be an individual within the local government who will be knowledgeable of the NEUs use of its FRF allocation with whom U.S. Treasury and the state can communicate regarding updates to guidance, reporting requirements and other information regarding the FRF.

14. What if an NEU does not have a DUNS number?



As noted above, a DUNS number is required prior to requesting payment from the state. If the NEU does not have a DUNS number, it should visit https://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/ to complete the registration process.

15. What if an NEU is not registered at SAM.gov?

As noted above, the NEU does not have to be registered at SAM.gov to request payment from the state, but it will be required to be registered prior to submitting the initial mandatory reporting to U.S. Treasury. The NEU can visit https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration to complete the registration process.

16. What if an NEU does not wish to receive funds from the FRF?

NEUs who do not wish to receive their FRF allocations may elect to transfer their allocation back to the state by submitting a Decline of Funds Notice to TNARPA.support@hornellp.com. If a NEU transfers its allocation back to the state, the NEUs allocation will be added to the states overall State Fiscal Recovery Fund allocation and the NEU will no longer be legally obligated under the award with respect to accounting for the uses of the funds and the reporting on such uses.

The allocations of NEUs who are non-responsive and do not submit a Request for Payment or Decline of Funds Notice will be reallocated to the residual NEUs.

17. Will the state provide additional guidance or support surrounding compliance with FRF guidelines after NEUs receive their allocation?



Yes, the state is developing a local government technical assistance program which will be available both to counties and metropolitan cities that received funding directly from U.S. Treasury and to NEUs who received funding through the state. Participation in this assistance program is not mandatory; rather, it is an optional resource that local governments may use to gain insight on the eligibility of proposed expenditures. This objective of this program is to ensure all local governments have access to resources, unified communications from state officials and a consistent protocol for planning and implementing the ARPA funds.

This program will include an intensive 8-week training program for local government officials and eligibility reviews of annual spend plans for local governments. The eligibility review of spend plans will provide guidance and feedback to local governments on planned uses of their FRF allocations but will not result in the transfer of liability for any ineligible expenditures to the state. Additionally, ongoing communications with local governments will take place to provide updates and guidance to local governments and updated resources will be available on the states Fiscal Recovery Fund website. Further details on the program will be provided at later date.

18. How will the Local Government Technical Assistance Program be administered?



The Tennessee Local Government Technical Assistance Program will be administered by the Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration in collaboration with its consultant HORNE LLP. Participants in this program will receive emails from HORNE LLPs authorized support email address: TNARPA.support@hornellp.com.

19. Where can I obtain additional information on the FRF?

Additional information may be found on the U.S. Treasury website for State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds.

 U.S. Treasury website - https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/coronavirus/assistance-for-state-local-and-tribal-governments/state-and-local-fiscal-recovery-funds

 Interim final rule - https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2021-05-17/pdf/2021-10283.pdf

 FAQs - https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/SLFRPFAQ.pdf

 Reporting requirements - https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/coronavirus/assistance-for-state-local-and-tribal-governments/state-and-local-fiscal-recovery-funds/recipient-compliance-and-reporting-responsibilities

 NEU information - https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/coronavirus/assistance-for-state-local-and-tribal-governments/state-and-local-fiscal-recovery-fund/non-entitlement-units

Page last updated: 08/12/2021


ANDERSON COUNTY, SR 61 Bridge over Norfolk Southern Railway and Market Street in Clinton: SR 61 East is reduced to one lane through this bridge repair project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, changing conditions, lane shifts, and use extreme caution through this area.

ANDERSON COUNTY, US 25/SR 9 Bridge over Clinch River between SR 61 and Carden Farm Drive: SR 9 northbound is reduced to one lane approaching the bridge as crews continue work in this area. Motorists should be alert for workers present, changing conditions, lane shifts, and use extreme caution through this bridge construction project.

BLOUNT COUNTY, US 129 North and South between SR 35 Hall Road and Tyson Boulevard: Beginning Wednesday, August 11, 2021, US 129 North will be reduced to one lane between Hall Road and Hunt Road as crews perform widening and roadway realignment through this project. This closure will remain in place around the clock for an estimated four to six weeks. Motorists should expect potential delays during peak travel times. Motorists should be alert for workers present and brief stoppages of traffic through this roadway construction project. For project information, go to https://www.tn.gov/tdot/projects/projects-region-1/sr-115-alcoa-highway-hall-road-to-tyson-blvd.html

BLOUNT COUNTY, SR 335 Hunt Road between Ambrose Street and Ramsay Street: Motorists should be alert for possible lane closures at various times as crews install utilities through this construction project. Motorists should be alert for workers present directing traffic and use extreme caution through this area.

BLOUNT COUNTY, SR 33 between Foothills Mall Drive and Henry Street: Motorists should be alert for possible nightly lane closures between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning through this intersection improvement construction project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, changed conditions, and use extreme caution through this area.

BLOUNT COUNTY, US 411/ SR 35 between High Street and Sevier County Line: Motorists should be alert for possible lane closures between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning through this resurfacing project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, possible delays, and use extreme caution through this area.

CAMPBELL COUNTY, I-75 North and South between Mile Markers 135 and 142: Motorists should be alert for possible temporary lane closures between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning through this project. Motorists should be alert for slowed or stopped traffic, expect potential delays, and use extreme caution through this area.

CAMPBELL COUNTY, SR 63 between Myers Lane and Frontier Road/Woodson Lane: Motorists should be alert for possible temporary lane closures between the hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and/or 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning through this construction project. Motorists should be alert for slowed or stopped traffic, expect potential delays and use extreme caution through this area.

CARTER COUNTY, US 19E/SR 37 Bridge over the Doe River and Riverview Road: Motorists should be alert for possible lane closures through this bridge repair project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, slowed traffic, and use extreme caution in this area.

CARTER COUNTY, SR 67 between SR 359 and SR 91: Motorists should be alert for possible lane closures during daylight hours through this resurfacing project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, possible delays, and use extreme caution through this area.

CARTER COUNTY, SR 359 between I-26 and Milligan Highway: Motorists should be alert for possible lane closures during daylight hours through this resurfacing project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, possible delays, and use extreme caution through this area.

CLAIBORNE COUNTY, SR 63 between Old Town Creek and US 25E/SR 32: Motorists should be alert for possible lane closures through this construction project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, expect delays and use extreme caution through this area.

COCKE/GREENE COUNTY, SR 35 between Cloud Way and Bright Hope Road: Motorists should be alert for possible lane closures during daylight hours through this resurfacing project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, possible delays, and use extreme caution through this area.

GREENE COUNTY, US 11E/SR 34 both directions between Blue Springs Parkway and Forest Road in Mosheim: Motorists should be alert for lane closures and lane shifts through this area for bridge repair operations. These lane closures will remain in place 24/7 until repairs are complete. Motorists should be alert for workers present, changing conditions, and use extreme caution in this area. This bridge repair project is estimated to be complete on or before October 31, 2021.

HAMBLEN COUNTY, SR 34 between Jefferson County Line and Walters Drive: Motorists should be alert for possible lane closures between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning through this resurfacing project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, expect possible delays, and use caution through this area.

KNOX COUNTY, I-640 East and West between Mile Markers 0 and 3.6: Motorists should be alert for possible temporary lane closures nightly between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning through this milling and resurfacing project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, slowed traffic, expect potential delays, and use extreme caution through this area.

KNOX COUNTY, I-640 Ramps at Exit 8: Motorists should be alert for possible temporary lane closures nightly between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning through this construction project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, slowed traffic, expect potential delays, and use extreme caution through this area.

KNOX COUNTY, Various Interstates through Knoxville: Motorists should be alert for possible mobile lane closures nightly between the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning as crews perform roadway maintenance activities. Motorists should be alert for workers present, slow or stopped traffic, and use extreme caution in this area.

KNOX COUNTY, US 129/SR 115 Alcoa Highway between Topside Road and Maloney Road: Motorists should be alert for possible temporary lane closures and lane shifts as crews perform work through this project. Motorists should be alert for new traffic patterns. Motorists should be alert for workers present, reduce speed and use extreme caution through this area. For project information, go to https://www.tn.gov/tdot/projects/projects-region-1/sr-115-alcoa-highway-little-river-to-maloney.html

KNOX COUNTY, US 129/SR 115 Alcoa Highway between Maloney Road and Woodson Drive: Motorists should be alert for possible temporary lane closures and lane shifts as crews perform work through this project. Motorists should be alert for new traffic patterns. Motorists should be alert for workers present, reduce speed, and use extreme caution through this area. For project information, go to https://www.tn.gov/tdot/projects/projects-region-1/sr-115-alcoa-highway-maloney-to-woodson.html

KNOX COUNTY, US 441 Broadway Viaduct between Jackson Avenue and Fifth Avenue: US 441 Broadway Viaduct over Norfolk Southern Railroad in downtown Knoxville is closed for bridge replacement. The Broadway Viaduct will be closed to all traffic for the duration of the project. During the closure, Broadway will be closed from the intersection of Oak Avenue, Worlds Fair Park, and Jackson Avenue to just north of the Depot Avenue intersection. Depot Avenue will also be closed. These closures will ensure the safety of workers and motorists as crews demolish the old bridge and reconstruct the new bridge. Primary and Local Detour Routes around the bridge closure will be in place. For detour routes and project information, go to https://www.tn.gov/tdot/projects/projects-region-1/broadway-viaduct.html

KNOX COUNTY, US 441/SR 71 Chapman Highway between Highland View Drive and Burnett Lane: Motorists should be alert for possible lane closures daily between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. through this construction project. Motorists should be alert for workers and equipment present, expect potential delays, and use extreme caution through this area. For project information, go to https://www.tn.gov/tdot/projects/projects-region-1/chapman-highway-evans-to-burnett.html

KNOX COUNTY, US 11W/ SR 1 Rutledge Pike at Roberts Road: Motorists should be alert for possible temporary lane closures between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. as crews perform turn lane extensions in this area. Motorists should be alert for slowed traffic, expect potential delays and use extreme caution through this area.

KNOX COUNTY, SR 62 Western Avenue between Copper Kettle and Texas Avenue: Motorists should be alert for possible nightly lane closures between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning through this resurfacing project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, reduced speeds, expect possible delays, and use caution through this area.

KNOX COUNTY, SR 62 Oak Ridge Highway at Schaad Road: Motorists should be alert for possible lane closures through this area at various times as crews perform roadway resurfacing and signal work at this intersection. Motorists should be alert for workers present, reduced speeds, expect possible delays, and use caution through this area.

KNOX COUNTY, SR 162 Pellissippi Parkway between Hardin Valley Road and Lovell Road: On Tuesday, August 10, 2021 through Thursday, August 12, 2021, motorists should be alert for possible temporary lane closures between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. as crews perform roadway work. Motorists should be alert for workers present, reduced speeds, expect possible delays, and use caution through this area.

KNOX COUNTY, SR 332 Concord Road between Turkey Creek Road and Northshore: Motorists should be alert for possible lane closures daily between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and new traffic patterns through this construction project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, expect potential delays, and use extreme caution through this area. For project information, go to https://www.tn.gov/tdot/projects/projects-region-1/sr-332-proposed-widening.html

KNOX COUNTY, SR 332 Northshore Drive between Lyons View Pike and Papermill Road: Motorists should be alert for possible temporary lane closures nightly between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning as crews perform work on concrete curb ramps through this area. Motorists should be alert for workers present, reduced speeds, expect possible delays, and use caution through this area.

LOUDON COUNTY, I-75 North and South between Mile Markers 79 and 84: Motorists should be alert for possible temporary lane closures between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning through this resurfacing project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, slow traffic, expect delays, and use extreme caution through this area.

LOUDON COUNTY, US 321/SR 73 between I-40 and Simpson Road: Motorists should be alert for possible nightly lane closures between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning through this resurfacing project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, slow or stopped traffic, and use extreme caution in this area.

LOUDON COUNTY, US 411/SR 33 between Blount County Line and Monroe County Line: Motorists should be alert for possible lane closures daily between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. through this resurfacing project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, slow or stopped traffic, and use extreme caution in this area.

ROANE COUNTY, I-40 West between Mile Markers 340 and 344: Motorists should be alert for possible lane closures at various times through this slope stabilization project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, reduced speeds, lane shifts, and use extreme caution through this area.

SEVIER COUNTY, SR 71 between US 411 and Macon Lane: Motorists should be alert for possible lane closures daily between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. through this construction project. Motorists should be alert for workers and equipment present, expect potential delays, and use extreme caution through this area.

SULLIVAN COUNTY, I-26 East and West between Mile Markers 5.3 and 9.9: Motorists should be alert for possible temporary lane closures through this resurfacing project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, slow or stopped traffic, expect potential delays, and use extreme caution in this area.

SULLIVAN COUNTY, SR 34 Intersection at Industrial Park Rd: Motorists should be alert for lane reductions through this intersection improvement project. Motorists should be alert for workers and equipment present, changed traffic patterns, expect potential delays, and use extreme caution through this area.

SULLIVAN COUNTY, SR 36 at SR 126: Motorists should be alert for possible nightly lane closures between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning through this intersection improvement project. Motorists should be alert for workers and equipment present, expect potential delays, and use extreme caution through this area.

SULLIVAN COUNTY, SR 93 from near I-26 (Log Mile 6.2) to near US 11W/ SR 1 (Log Mile 11.3) : Motorists should be alert for possible lane closures through this resurfacing and bridge repair project. Motorists should be alert for workers and equipment present, expect potential delays, and use extreme caution through this area.

SULLIVAN COUNTY, SR 126 Memorial Boulevard at SR 36: Motorists should be alert for lane reductions through this intersection improvement project. Motorists should be alert for workers and equipment present, changed traffic patterns, expect potential delays, and use extreme caution through this area.

UNICOI COUNTY, I-26 East and West near Mile Markers 33 and 34: Beginning Monday, August 9, 2021, I-26 will be reduced to one lane in each direction around the clock as crews perform bridge deck repairs. Motorists should be alert for workers present, slow traffic, and use extreme caution through this area. This project is estimated to be complete on or before August 31, 2021.

UNICOI COUNTY, SR 81 between Log Miles 0 and 1.8: Motorists should be alert for possible lane closures daily between the hours of 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. through this resurfacing and safety project. Motorists should be alert for workers and equipment present, expect potential delays, and use extreme caution through this area.

UNICOI COUNTY, SR 107 between 6th Street and SR 173: Motorists should be alert for possible lane closures daily between the hours of 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. through this resurfacing and safety project. Motorists should be alert for workers and equipment present, expect potential delays, and use extreme caution through this area.

WASHINGTON/ CARTER COUNTY, SR 91 between Broadway Street and SR 67: Motorists should be alert for possible lane closures during daylight hours through this resurfacing project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, possible delays, and use extreme caution through this area.

WASHINGTON COUNTY, SR 93 between Davis Road and Fire Hall Road: Motorists should be alert for possible temporary lane closures through this construction project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, reduced speeds, and use caution through this area.

For information on statewide interstate construction motorists can access the Tennessee Department of Transportation SmartWay website at https://smartway.tn.gov/traffic

TDOT is now on Twitter. For up to the minute traffic information in Knoxville and the Tri-Cities follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/knoxville511. For statewide travel information follow www.twitter.com/TN511
Rags To Riches

New Year's Eve is only a week away and Chad's build is still not finished. High pressure and last-minute decisions and are too much for one team member.
We stayed in Lucerne for 3 nights at Mr Pickwick Hotel. Its nothing fancy but clean, new and the view of Chapel Bridge and the water from our room was beautiful. They also have a restaurant/bar that had great food. We arrived around 8:30pm checked in and headed out to explore. It seemed like everything closed really early in Lucerne so be aware if you are a late eater and check the times that the restaurants stop serving food. I think most restaurants stopped serving around 9 when we were there. It might be different now that things are opening up more.

Day 2&3-Lucerne

On our first full day in Lucerne we decided to just walk around and explore. I took hundreds of pictures. Everything was so pretty and clean. We took the funicular railway Gutsch Bahn that runs directly from Baselstrasse in Lucerne up to the Hotel Chateau Gutsch(the White Castle looking hotel that you see on the hill from Chapel Bridge). The kiosk for the tickets(around 2 euros), was on the Main Street a few stores down. The view from the top was unbelievable. There was a free art sculpture exhibit at the top that you could walk around. The beautiful hotel served lunch and dinner if you were hungry. We didnt eat there but the view from their restaurant was spectacular. We decided to hike a little behind the hotel it was a beautiful forest setting and completely different than the city below. We then took the funicular back down and walked to the Clock tower for more amazing views and just explored that area by foot.

Most stores and restaurants seemed to be open everywhere but seemed to have shorter hours. There were plenty of people walking around everywhere but nothing seemed overly crowded at that time. No reservations were needed anywhere that we went. But again that is when everything was just reopening to other countries so it might be completely different now.

2nd full day in Lucerne-

We did the suggested round trip boat tour from Lucerne to Vitznau, then took the cogwheel railway up to Rigi Kulm, then back down to Rigi Kaltbad and ate lunch at Hotel Alpina which was really good. We then hiked around a little and saw cows and beautiful flowers before taking the cable car back down to Weggis to catch the boat back. I didnt keep an eye on the time and just when we got off of the cable car I saw people walking quickly down to the boat dock(maybe 10min away) and realized the boat was on its way in, so we didnt get a chance to walk around Weggis. When we got up to Rigi Kulm it was cold and cloudy but I decided to walk to the top of the hill anyways. Hubby went to the cafe for coffee while I did the short steep hike. It was cold and windy up there but within minutes the clouds moved and the views opened up. It was absolutely breathtaking and definitely worth being freezing cold and not feeling my fingers. Hahahaha

I really recommend doing the boat trip above. Even if you dont hike(we dont) the boat ride, cogwheel railway and cable car rides with the amazing views make it really worth the trip in my opinion.

On our last afternoon/evening in Lucerne we took the little tourist train around the town to see if there was anything we missed. I think we should have done the train ride on our first day instead of our last because it pretty much covered everything we had already seen. It then started to rain so we decided to stop and eat dinner and head back to the hotel to pack up for the next mornings train ride to Lauterbrunnen.

If you made it this far, I will add the 6 nights in Lauterbrunnen trip report tomorrow : )
The Ministry of Works and Transport, the Ministry of Rural Development and the Ministry of Planning are rejecting claims by some local government representatives that they have fallen down on the job resulting in flooding.
The system of online services for seafarers is still on pause due to the seizure of servers of the State Register of Seafarers' Documents, although a separate verification protocol has been launched to avoid collapse in the employment process.

This was announced during an Ukrinform press conference by Vice-President of the Maritime Chamber of Ukraine Viacheslav Kislovsky.

"The situation in the seafarers 'or crewing market is, in fact, extremely critical because it is dangerous for employment due to the suspension of seafarers' certification and the problems caused by the closure of the register and the certification situation," he said.

Kislovsky said that the new leadership of the infrastructure ministry, taking into account the corruption issue in seafarers certification, has taken courage to make a change.

"The new leadership of the Ministry of Infrastructure was able to launch at short notice a system of seafarers verification to address the existing collapse as soon as possible," he added.

Yaroslav Ilyasevich, Director General of the Directorate of Maritime and River Transport of the Ministry of Infrastructure, said that the system of online services for seafarers would soon resume its operations.

"In order for the system to function in some way and not affect the processes so that seafarers are able to work, the Ministry of Infrastructure, together with the Maritime Administration, has restored the verification option," he said.

According to Ilyasevich, since verification was launched some two weeks ago, about 2,000 seafarers documents have been checked.

As reported, on July 15, as part of a criminal investigation, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) seized the servers of the State Register of Seafarers' Documents and the seafarer's electronic office, thus blocking their operation.

The raid was part of the inquiry, conducted jointly with the infrastructure ministry, to expose a massive corruption scheme in breach of the legitimate process of issuing seafarers permits. Those complicit in the scheme are believed to have been receiving a total annual illegal profit of nearly $150 million.

The fraud exposed combined operations of a network of intermediaries who, for a fee, "assisted" seafarers in passing regular qualification verification with unauthorized interference in the work of the government-run register.

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On Tuesday, August 11, the occupiers eight times opened fire on the Ukraine Armed Forces defense positions.

Thats according to the press center of the Joint Forces Operation HQ, Ukrinform reports.

"Over the past 24 hours, on August 11, in the Joint Forces Operation zone, Russias armed groups violated the ceasefire eight times," the statement says.

Near Novomykhailivka and Novoselivka Druha, Russian invaders fired at Ukrainian positions using 122mm artillery, as well as shelled the said settlements.

As a result of the shelling of Novomykhailivka, the farm premises and the power line were damaged, which led to a blackout in Taramchuk, Slavne, Solodke, and Novomykhailivka. Also, the settlement of Novomykhailivka was left without water supply.

In Novoselivka Druha, a local resident, born in 1935, was killed in the shelling, while civilian households were damaged.

Near Luhanske, Russian occupiers employed heavy anti-tank automatic grenade launchers and large-caliber machine guns.

In the direction of Myronivske, the enemy used heavy anti-tank grenade launchers and MANPADs, as well as large-caliber machine guns.

In the area of the village of Pisky, the enemy fired at Ukrainian positions their heavy anti-tank grenade launchers, MANPADs, large-caliber machine guns, and small arms.

An Orlan-10 unmanned aerial vehicle was spotted crossing over the demarcation line along the border of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

As a result of enemy shelling, a Ukrainian serviceman suffered shrapnel injuries. The soldier is in satisfactory condition, undergoing treatment in a medical facility.

Ukrainian defenders returned fire to the shelling of Russian occupation forces.

The Ukrainian side in the Joint Ceasefire Control and Coordination Center has informed the OSCE SMM about all violations, applying the established coordination mechanism.

As of 7:00 on August 12, no new ceasefire violations were reported.

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Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Major General Valeriy Zaluzhny met with Major General (Retired) Michael Repass, Strategic Adviser on Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine of the NATO Representation to Ukraine.

This was reported by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook.

The parties discussed plans for military cooperation between the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the NATO Special Operations Headquarters in terms of expanding and deepening the operational (combat, special) capabilities required for full interoperability by NATO standards with Allied Special Operations Forces in the context of the overall reform of the security and defense sector of Ukraine.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine expressed gratitude for the comprehensive assistance provided by the NATO Representation to Ukraine and the NATO Information and Documentation Center in Ukraine to the Armed Forces of Ukraine in reforming and developing within the framework of the NATO Trust Funds in support of Ukraine.

As Ukrinform reported, on August 11, President Volodymyr Zelensky signed Decree No. 348/2021 "On the Communication Strategy for Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic Integration until 2025" in order to implement Ukraine's strategic course for gaining full membership in NATO and ensuring its support by Ukrainian citizens.

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In January-July 2021, the exports of Ukrainian agro-industrial products to the EU increased by 10% compared to the same period last year, up to $3.7 billion.

"For seven months of 2021, the exports of Ukrainian agro-industrial products to the EU increased by 10% compared to the same period last year, up to $3.7 billion," the Ukrainian Agribusiness Club (UCAB) informs.

As of August 1, Ukraine fully used the quotas for duty-free exports of agri-food products to the EU in seven groups of goods: honey, cereals and flour, processed starch, processed tomatoes, grape and apple juice, poultry (volume for 3 quarters), and eggs (volume for 3 quarters).

Compared to the same period last year, the quota in two groups of goods was not used: sugar and corn. The sugar quota was not used due to the shortage in the Ukrainian market, while the corn quota  due to significant demand from China and the redirection of volumes through this sales channel.

By the end of the year, quotas on processed cereals (currently 99% used), starch (78%), and corn (74%) could be closed.

According to the Monitoring EU Agri-Food Trade report, Ukraine became the fourth largest supplier of agricultural products to the European Union in 2020, trailing only the United Kingdom, Brazil, and the United States.

As reported, according to the UCAB data, Ukrainian agricultural exports to the European Union in 2020 decreased by 10.8% compared to 2019.

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The Ukrainian low-cost carrier SkyUp Airlines will again open a flight program from Kyiv to the island of Zanzibar (Tanzania) from October 23, 2021, the airlines press service reports.

In particular, Kyiv-Zanzibar-Kyiv flights will be operated twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and from the beginning of 2022 the number of flights will increase to four per week.

Tickets are already available on skyup.aero.

To visit Zanzibar, Ukrainians need a visa. It can be issued upon arrival in the country at the airport. The visa is valid for 90 days.

Travelers are now required to present a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before crossing the border. In addition, tourists must complete the online form no later than 24 hours before crossing the border.

As Ukrinform reported, SkyUp will start operating flights from Kyiv to France, Spain, and Italy in August.

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Ukrainian firefighting teams as part of an effort to assist in putting out large-scale wildfires in Greece last night operated near the town of Ellinika in North Evia.

Thats according to the press office of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, Ukrinform reports.

"On August 11, a combined 100-strong SES detachment carried out work on the territory of North Evia, near the town of Ellinika. The wildfire was contained not to allow its spread along the front at a distance of 2,500 m.

The SES notes that further work is underway.

Read also: PM Shmyhal expresses support for Greek people in connection with massive wildfires

As Ukrinform reported earlier, Greece has been engulfed in forest fires since late July due to a major heatwave. At least 56,000 hectares have already been affected across the country. Two people died in the fire, while thousands of residents and tourists were evacuated.

President Volodymyr Zelensky instructed the Cabinet of Ministers to send 100 firefighters to help fight forest fires in the country.

On Friday, August 6, a combined detachment of Ukrainian rescuers arrived in Greece.

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It is Russians who organized the latest influx of illegal migrants to Lithuania to destabilize the European Union in order to influence the blocs decisions.

Thats according to an opinion voiced by former Deputy Minister of Information Policy of Ukraine (2017-2019) Dmytro Zolotukhin, who spoke at an international round table Attack of migrants. New forms of hybrid aggression," hosted by Ukrinform on Tuesday.

The expert pointed out that migrants are being trafficked to the EU borders rather unnaturally.

"In order for people from the Middle East to get to the European countries, it was necessary to set up logistical corridors, provide transportation means, ensure paperwork support and backup by law enforcement, security, or defense agencies. Considering that its impossible to get from Iraq to the Belarus-Lithuania border without crossing Russian territory, this appears to be a controlled effort, a deliberate act aimed to create a lever over decision-makers in Brussels," said Zolotukhin.

In his opinion, the Russian factor is being neglected in the West, while a new round of sanctions against the Lukashenko regime will lead to nothing.

"Brussels, Berlin, Paris, and Washington stubbornly refuse to state the fact that the main beneficiaries of the Belarusian issue, which results in this hybrid confrontation, are the Kremlin and Vladimir Putin. And it makes no sense to put pressure on Alexander Lukashenko and impose additional sanctions if the main beneficiary remains with his cards on him as a player who is exerting pressure on the European Union and the United States, the expert stressed.

He believes that the crisis will further deepen if the West ignores Russia's role in the so-called migrant crisis in Lithuania.

"Ignoring the problem by leading EU members will have even greater implications for both Lithuania and official Brussels, as the center of the European Union, as well as Germany and France, which are leaders in implementing decisions," Zolotukhin said.

During the round table, it was noted that in recent weeks, Lithuania has been a target of a hybrid attack by Russian and Belarusian special services. Every night, hundreds of illegal migrants purposefully sent from Belarus try to cross the Lithuanian border. Minsk is increasing the number of flights from Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, and other countries, allowing for the mass arrival of potential migrants. The Lithuanian government has declared emergency and accused Belarusian authorities of hybrid aggression against Europe.

At the same time, a psy-op to destabilize the socio-political situation is being run in Lithuania. Kremlin-linked political forces and media accuse the government of failing to contain the crisis and call for concessions to the Lukashenko regime.

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Minister for Veterans Affairs Yulia Laputina has discussed the issue of supporting Ukrainian veterans with Robert J. Faucher, Acting Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Conflict Resolution and Stabilization Operations.

Thats according to the Ministry of Veterans Affairs referring to Faunchers Twitter account, Ukrinform reports.

In a tweet, Faucher expressed hope for cooperation with the Ministry of Veterans Affairs to support veterans of the Russian-Ukrainian war.

During the meeting, the parties discussed efforts to reintegrate combat veterans into Ukraine's society.

Read also: Ministry for Veterans Affairs grateful to Danish Embassy for strengthening cooperation in rehabilitation

Looking forward to continued collaboration with our Ukrainian partners to provide these heroes the support they deserve, Faucher wrote.

It is noted that Laputin is currently on a working visit to the United States.

As Ukrinform reported, on August 11, Laputina said 6,100 veterans had been employed in Ukraine last year, while more than 900 had started their own businesses.

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The launch of the Crimea Platform Office will signal that Ukraine takes a serious and systematic approach to the de-occupation of Crimea at the international and national levels.

As Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba said in a comment to Ukrinform, the Crimea Platform Office will be, in essence, the national headquarters of this diplomatic initiative in Ukraine and will coordinate the whole range of issues related to the Platforms activities. According to Kuleba, coordination is crucial as these issues are the competence of a number of Ukrainian government agencies.

Ukraines chief diplomat reminded that the President of Ukraine would present the Crimea Platform Office to foreign guests who will take part in the summit on August 23.

This will be an important signal that Ukraine takes a serious and systematic approach to the de-occupation of Crimea at the international and national levels. And I think that's very correct and honest. In this way, we send a signal to our partners: when Ukraine calls for joint action, it does not just ask for support, we ourselves work daily to solve the problems of the Russian occupation of Crimea and finally restore international law and Ukraines control over the peninsula, Kuleba said.

Read also: Number of Crimea Platform summit participants rises to 38

The Crimea Platform is a new consultative and coordination format initiated by Ukraine to step up the efficiency of international response to the occupation of Crimea, respond to growing security challenges, increase international pressure on Russia, prevent further human rights violations, protect victims of the occupation regime, and achieve the main goal: to de-occupy Crimea and restore Ukraines sovereignty over the peninsula.

The Platform is to operate at several levels: heads of state and government, foreign ministers, inter-parliamentary cooperation, expert network.

The activity of the Crimea Platform will be officially launched at the inaugural summit in Kyiv on August 23, 2021.

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Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Ihor Zhovkva had a phone conversation with Foreign Policy Adviser to the President of the Republic of Finland Petri Hakkarainen.

According to the Presidents Office, the parties focused on the realization of Ukraine's European aspirations. Zhovkva informed his interlocutor about the practical steps taken by the state to achieve this strategic goal.

An exchange of views took place on the importance of fixing Ukraine's European perspective, as well as on the possible ways Finland can assist in achieving such an ambitious goal.

Hakkarainen reaffirmed Finland's continued support for Ukraine's European integration aspirations.

Zhovkva informed the interlocutor about the preparations for the inaugural summit of the Crimea Platform, which will take place in Kyiv on August 23 this year, and about its content.

They also discussed measures of high-level bilateral political dialogue for the near future.

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Hundreds of Ukrainian volunteers are ready to help Lithuania defend its territorial integrity amid the hybrid war waged against it by the special services of Russia and Belarus.

This opinion was expressed by Director of the International Center for Combating Russian Propaganda Yuri Kochevenko at an international round table on the topic: Attack of migrants. New forms of hybrid aggression held at Ukrinform news agency on August 11.

I am sure that hundreds of Ukrainian volunteers are ready to go to Lithuania and help it protect its borders and territorial integrity if necessary. If such a need arises, and the Government of Lithuania will declare this need, Kochevenko said.

Lithuania is a faithful ally and advocate of Ukraine in the international arena, so our country should also help it in difficult times, he noted.

Lithuania has provided unprecedented support to Ukraine over the past years. And few countries can come up close to this level of support. Lithuanian citizens have fought for Ukraine, Lithuanian officers have trained our service members, provided financial and technical assistance, treated and rehabilitated the wounded. And it is difficult to find a greater advocate for international support for Ukraine in the EU and NATO. I am convinced that when the Republic of Lithuania itself has faced such a crisis, we should prove to be the most friendly and allied country, the expert stressed.

The roundtable participants noted that Lithuania had been the target of a hybrid attack by Russian and Belarusian special services in recent weeks. Hundreds of migrants, deliberately sent from Belarus, try to cross the Lithuanian border every night. The Government declared a state of emergency and accused the Belarusian authorities of hybrid aggression against Europe.

At the same time, an information operation is being carried out in the territory of Lithuania in order to destabilize the socio-political situation. Kremlin-linked political forces and media outlets accuse the Government of losing control over the situation and urge to make concessions to the Lukashenko regime.

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A rally against criminal activity of Russias Wagner private military company across Africa took place outside the Embassy of the Republic of Sudan in Ukraine.

The action, entitled PMC Wagner. Kremlins dirty hands was held by the "Agency for the Development of Democracy and Information Freedoms" nonprofit, as reported by its head, Yuriy Fedorenko.

Dozens of protesters spoke up against the Kremlin's increased presence in Africa, where one of the main means of influence is the so-called Wagner's PMC, established by the Kremlin.

Attempts to influence African self-identification through any opportunity, including military, are aimed at reducing the influence of Western democracies on the African continent, thus, creating perfect grounds for increasing dependence on the Russian government through economic contracts or political obligations of Kremlin-supported dictatorial regimes," Fedorenko said.

According to the protesters, Sudan is of great geostrategic importance for Russia on the African continent in terms of energy, exploration, and uranium mining. This attitude is also reinforced by Sudan's statements about U.S. aggressive actions, to fight which the Sudanese authorities need military assistance from Russia.

"We have high hopes that the international democratic community will force the Sudanese government not to enter into any agreements with the Kremlin, turning Sudan into a center of Putin's aggressive interests and a sponsor of international tensions," said Fedorenko, head of the NGO.

According to protesters, by providing military aid to the Sudanese government, Moscow intends to increase its influence not only on the country but also on Africa as a whole.

The participants of the rally aimed to draw public attention to the use of illegal methods by the Russian Federation to achieve their geopolitical goals in the international arena.

The NGO reminded that Russian PMCs are directly involved in hostilities, escorting civilian ships, conducting security audits of oil and gas offshore drills, engaging in sabotage operations, logistics, and aerial reconnaissance, as well as providing physical protection services for certain sites in the interests of Russian oligarchs, most of whom are the PMCs actual or nominal owners.

It should be recalled that Wagner PMC, a Russian mercenary military organization founded in 2013, took part in hostilities in a number of conflicts, including in Donbas on Russia's side, in Syria on the side of Russia-friendly Assad regime, as well as in Sudan.

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Ukraine has sent humanitarian aid to Lithuania for security purposes, which will help strengthen the protection of its borders from illegal migrants, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine has reported.

"More than 38 tonnes of humanitarian cargo left Ukraine for Lithuania today, August 12. This is the first stage of assistance out of three, which Ukraine sends in accordance with a decree of President Volodymyr Zelensky and an order of the Cabinet of Ministers," the report reads.

The assistance will help strengthen the protection of Lithuania's borders from illegal migrants.

"The cargo is accompanied by a group of employees of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, who must hand it over to the representatives of the State Border Guard Service at the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania," the report reads.

In late May, Alexander Lukashenko stated that Minsk would no longer detain illegal immigrants trying to enter the European Union through Belarus. In early July, Vilnius declared a nationwide state of emergency in the country. Lithuania was the first country to accuse Minsk of "hybrid aggression."

According to the Lithuanian Interior Ministry, more than 4,000 migrants have illegally crossed the border with Belarus since the beginning of 2021. This is several times more than in 2020. The migrants include many citizens of Iraq, Iran, and Syria. Flights from Iraq to Minsk were suspended in early August.

Lithuanian border guards were then given the authority not to allow illegal migrants across the border in unauthorized places, including by using force.

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The Ministry of Health has recommended that the interval between the first and second dose of Sinovac Biotechs CoronaVac jab be reduced to a minimum.

Thats according to the ministrys press service, Ukrinform reports.

Due to the rapid spread of the Delta coronavirus strain, the gradual increase in morbidity in Ukraine, and the need to protect as many Ukrainians as possible, the Ministry of Health recommends reducing the interval between the first and second dose of CoronaVac vaccine by Sinovac Biotech to the minimum period specified in the official instructions, that is, 14 days, the statement says.

Read also: Ukraine extends quarantine restrictions until October 1

It is noted that in order to make such a decision, the ministrys experts analyzed the recommendations issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) and recent studies of the efficacy of the CoronaVac vaccine at different intervals between doses.

According to various research works summarized by the WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts, after two-dose vaccination with an interval of 14 days, the efficacy of CoronaVac against the development of symptomatic disease ranged from 51% to 84%, while that against hospitalization reached 100%.

The latest phase 3 study carried out in Turkey with a 14-day interval for CoronaVac, published in July 2021, found a seroconversion (antibody generation) rate of 89.7%.

Therefore, the Ministry of Health recommends that physicians invite patients for a second dose of CoronaVac 14 days after the first one was administered. In addition, patients may also ask to have their second dose at this interval.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, 1,247 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed in Ukraine over the past day, August 11.

Throughout the entire pandemic in Ukraine, 2,262,601 cases were confirmed, including 2,194,791 recoveries and 53,173 deaths.

Over the past 24 hours, 162,049 persons were vaccinated for COVID-19 in Ukraine.

Since the launch of the inoculation campaign, 4,427,898 persons have been vaccinated for coronavirus, of whom 4,427,896 have received a single dose and 2,580,552 have been fully immunized.

A total of 7,008,448 vaccinations were performed.

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The Prosecutor Generals Office of Ukraine submits yet another communication on war crimes against cultural heritage sites in the temporarily occupied Crimea to the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court.

As Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova posted on Facebook, the Prosecutor Generals Office of Ukraine together with experts on international humanitarian and international criminal law from NGO "Regional Center for Human Rights", "EuroMaidan-Crimea", and the Ukrainian Association of International Law collected a huge body of evidence of large-scale appropriation and destruction of cultural heritage sites not justified by military necessity and carried out illegally and aimlessly.

According to Venediktova, the cultural values stored at the museums of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, as well as cultural heritage sites located in this territory, are the property of Ukraine, the national wealth, an integral part of national cultural heritage and are protected by national legislation and international law.

Destruction of the unique cultural heritage of mankind is as irreversible a crime as depriving a person of life because one way to end a nation's existence is to destroy its culture and history.

This is sensitive matter but very important for the self-identity of our state. We provide evidence of the expropriation and destruction of these values so that the International Criminal Court can include them in its investigation, which we hope may begin soon. The document provides evidence of large-scale destruction and appropriation of cultural heritage sites: Ancient City of Tauric Chersonese and its Chora; historical surroundings of Crimean Khans capital in Bakhchysarai  Khan Palace, Chufut-Kale; Crimean astrophysical observatory; Tower of Constantine and Dock Tower in Feodosia; Church of St John the Baptist in Kerch. The communication also contains numerous cases of illegal archeological excavations and modifications of cultural values in the temporarily occupied territory of the Crimean Peninsula, in particular the localities of Kermen-Burun and Syvah-Kermen. The communication describes in detail other forms of crimes committed by the official authorities of the Russian Federation and the occupation authorities of the Crimean Peninsula. Among them: illicit trafficking of cultural property, criminal negligence in the process of so-called restoration of cultural sites, illegal archaeological excavations, in particular, excavations of burial sites and mounds, their destruction and looting, as well as the transfer of cultural property from the temporarily occupied territory, the Prosecutor General informed.

According to her, dozens of cultural heritage sites of Ukraine and mankind were also destroyed as a result of the construction of the so-called Tavrida highway  the Kerch-Sevastopol highway and highway-over crossings in Sevastopol, which along with the construction of the Crimea Bridge contribute to further militarization of the peninsula as set forth in the UN General Assembly resolution Problem of the militarization of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Ukraine, as well as parts of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.

Such actions are a serious violation of international humanitarian law and are qualified as a separate type of war crime under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, Venediktova stressed.

In addition, she noted, law enforcement agencies of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol are currently investigating 23 criminal proceedings over more than 100 cases of intentional destruction or damage of historical or cultural monuments, illegal search, archeological works, transfer of cultural values from the temporarily occupied territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.

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| By Mary Therese Phelan

As a first-year student at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry (UMSOD), Brianna Thewsuvat was eager for Aug. 11, 2021, to arrive  the date of new student orientation at the school on the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) campus. In-person orientation.

University of Maryland, Baltimore President Bruce E. Jarrell welcomes new dental students to campus.

To finally have some in-person interaction and not be seeing people on a computer screen  honestly, I feel really, really happy, said Thewsuvat, donning graphite scrubs, the uniform of incoming dental students. I do much better with the learning styles of in-person learning, and especially as a commuter student, I look forward to making new friends. I was so glad when I learned we wouldnt be going virtual.

Thewsuvat, who lives in Owings Mills, was one of 130 masked students occupying every other seat of the schools auditorium to keep with physical distancing protocols. Throughout the day, students met each other, faculty, and staff, and learned about the roles of the offices of academic and student affairs and other information as they embarked on their four-year program. (See photo gallery below.)

Weve had quite a year, havent we? said Judy Porter, DDS, MA, EdD, associate dean for admissions and recruitment, as she began the orientation session. COVID has affected us all, in a lot of different ways. The isolation has affected us. But you know what were going to do? Were going to get through this together. Were going to remember self-care. Were going to make friends. Watch for people who need help. Build community. I think this is the great challenge of our generation right now  to build community because we are so tied to technology. Help us build the best UMB.

Students were welcomed by UMB President Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS, who said he was delighted to be greeting students in person. Its a pleasure to be here, he said.

Jarrell encouraged students to put their college days behind them and focus on what it means to be a student at one of UMBs six professional schools.

Youre about to shed your college mantle. Whatever you did in college, thats fine. But what you do here is very different, he told the Class of 2025. You are no longer a college student, you are now a professional student, about to become a professional. And when you become a professional, that means things are very different. You will be a source of knowledge. People will look up to you. I know thats hard to believe today. But that will happen. Theyll say, What do you think? Your opinion will be important.

While facing challenges due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, UMB also rose to the occasion by performing critical services, Jarrell said, from receiving some of the first samples of COVID-19 for research, to operating a statewide lab for processing test results.

If any of you who went to a Maryland university and got tested for COVID, it is highly likely your test came here and we did the results, he said. We did over a million tests here.

UMB also operated a vaccination clinic where more than 40,000 people were vaccinated, assisted in the development of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, and conducted numerous trials, including one in which Jarrell still participates.

I would urge you all to know that its important also that you participate, not just as an investigator, but as a participant in some of these trials. To me, that was really important, he said.

In addition to welcoming students to UMB, Jarrell welcomed them to Baltimore and emphasized the important role the University plays in its partnerships with West Baltimore neighborhoods on the other side of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

Those people have suffered. Theyre our neighbors, were their partners, he said, urging students to get involved in activities at UMBs new Community Engagement Center at 16 S. Poppleton St. Were there to help the community in whatever ways they need. Dental care is one of them, but you offer more than dental care.

UMBs core values of knowledge, leadership, excellence, and civility, among others, are important to each students success, continued Jarrell, who will welcome students from all of UMBs professional schools during a series of events next month.

I look forward to your graduation in four years. I certainly look forward to how youre going to make me proud. So, congratulations on being here. And have a good year this year. Maybe its going to be different than last year, he said, glancing over to Porter, who raised her hands, fingers crossed.

Student Sydney Goertzen echoed her classmate Thewsuvats eagerness to begin her higher education journey in a non-virtual setting.

It is so good to see everyone, she said. Im glad were in person.

This feels really exciting. Im ready to go. And I am excited to get to know a new city, added a classmate from Florida who goes by T.K.

Other speakers helping to get new students adjusted to their surroundings and class schedules included Patricia E. Meehan, DDS, associate dean of academic affairs, and Karen Faraone, DDS, MA, associate dean of student affairs.

It is just a pleasure to have all of you guys here in person, Meehan said. Well look forward to when you get your headshots done, so we can look at the composites and actually see your beautiful smiles.
Cluster panels on dynamics of religious change from antiquity to the present day

Religion and emotion: Hate, grief and shame will be the focus of the Religion  Emotion  Literature panel chaired by the literary scholar Martina Wagner-Egelhaaf on 30 August. Literature reflects the relationship between religion and emotions; rhetorical devices arouse emotions. We look at the mutability of emotions and ask whether the monotheistic religions share the same religious feelings, she explains. Papers by the Catholic theologian Johannes Schnocks, the Arabist Jens Fischer, the literary scholar Hanna Pulpanek, the literary scholar Christian Sieg, and others.



Religion and sustainability: Religious actors of different faiths are increasingly involved in local movements and political bodies campaigning for sustainability, says political scientist Doris Fuchs, with climate sceptics among US evangelicals being a counter-example to the greening of religions. We will discuss how religious actors and values promote or hinder sustainability. Fuchs will chair the panel Religion, Faith, Spirituality, and Sustainability on 1 September. Papers by the political scientist Hannah Klinkenborg, religious scholar Gary Slater, and others.



Roundtable on political Islam: Political Islam distances itself in the public debate from the use of violence, but at the same time, like Salafism, it strives for an undemocratic social order. Where do the roots of these currents lie, and how are they spread strategically in Europe, which feels increasingly threatened? These are questions that the Islamic theologian Mouhanad Khorchide will discuss with former Bundestag member Volker Beck (Greens) and other politicians, as well as with Lorenzo Vidino (George Washington University Center for Internal Security and Counter-Extremism), at the roundtable Political Islam in Europe on 2 September.



Politicization of Islam: Islam sees itself as a political religion, similar to the social ethics of Christianity. But where is the boundary between political involvement in the name of Islam, and a political Islam that rejects violence but pursues an undemocratic agenda? asks the Islamic scholar Dina El Omari, who will chair the panel Politicization of Religion versus Political Engagement in Islam on 31 August. Papers by Dina El Omari, Mouhanad Khorchide, and others.



Catholic Church under National Socialism: Did Eugenio Pacelli, also known as Pope Pius XII (1939-1958), remain silent on the Holocaust, or did he help those persecuted? Opinions in both public and academic debate are divided. Archival sources that were kept under lock and key until 2020 now allow us to provide scientific proof where previously only speculation was possible, explains church historian Hubert Wolf. He and his team will be responsible for the panel From Eugenio Pacelli to Pius XII  Research Results and New Perspectives on a Controversial Pope on 2 September. Papers by the theologians Matthias Daufratshofer and Michael Pfister, the historian Sascha Hinkel, and others.



Christians under Islamic rule: In 711, the Islamic conquest ended Visigothic rule in Spain. There are indications that many Spanish Christians did not initially perceive the religion of the conquerors as essentially different from their own, says medieval historian Wolfram Drews. Moreover, they themselves contributed to transcultural entanglement, for example by translating for Muslim authorities and assuming high offices in the administration. The panel Shifting Identities of Christians under Islamic Rule: Religious Affiliation and Cultural Entanglement of Mozarabs in Medieval Spain on 2 September will look at how far cultural identification is linked to religious affiliation and political loyalty. Papers by Wolfram Drews, and others.



Religious authority in regions of conflict: Religious conflicts have long been studied in history and anthropology. However, research has so far focused little on how religious authority and affiliation are established and contested in zones that are socially and politically unstable, explains anthropologist Dorothea Schulz. We will discuss how Muslim, Christian and other religious actors influence these processes in Mali and Ghana, for example. Organized with anthropologist Souleymane Diallo, her panel Mediations of Religious Authority and Belonging in Zones of Conflict: Case Studies from West Africa on 1 September will explore this question. Papers by Dorothea Schulz, and others.



Religion in antiquity: Local religious practices are usually considered more of a deviation from a universal belief system. Conversely, we assume that local practices have a formative influence on general religious practice and belief, and shed light on the interplay between local, regional and global spheres of religious behaviour, explain historian Hans Beck and Egyptologist Angelika Lohwasser, whose panel The Local Horizon of Religion in Antiquity on 1 September will investigate practices of worshipping deities in regions such as ancient Egypt and Greece, as well as in late antique monotheism. Papers by historians Johannes Hahn, Patrick Sanger and Marian Helm, archaeologist Sophia Nomicos, and others. (apo/vvm)



Other Cluster of Excellence panels:



30 August:

Apocalyptic Images and Human Agency

(Panel chair: Jewish scholar and Protestant theologian Lutz Doering; papers by theologian Florian Neitmann, and others)



The Transmission of Religion and Non-Religion Across Generations in Hungary and Germany

(Panel chair: sociologist Christel Gartner; papers by sociologist of religion Olaf Muller, and others)

Sociological Aspects of Muslim Presence in Germany

(Panel chair: sociologist Errol Babacan; papers by religious scholars Arne Laen and Manuel Pachurka, and others)

31 August:

Text and Ritual in the Hebrew Bible and the Ancient Near East

(Panel chair: theologians Reinhard Achenbach and Christophe Nihan; papers by theologians Rudiger Schmitt and Reinhard Achenbach, and others)



1 September:

Religion in Contemporary Society

(Panel chair: psychologist of religion Sarah Demmrich and sociologist Alexander Yendell; papers by political scientist Carolin Hillenbrand, psychologist of religion Sarah Demmrich, sociologist Detlef Pollack, sociologist of religion Olaf Muller, and others)



Interrelations between South Asian Religions and the West

(Panel chair: Ulf Plessentin, Centre for Religious Studies (CERES) at the University of Bochum, cooperation partner of the Cluster of Excellence; papers by Indologist and art historian Patrick Kruger, and others)

2 September:

Author meets Critic: Book discussion Militarization of Saints in Premodern and Modern Period

[Die Militarisierung der Heiligen in Vormoderne und Moderne] ed. by Liliya Berezhnaya

(Panel chair: theologian Alfons Bruning (University Amsterdam); participants include historian Andre Krischer)



Further EuARe panels with Cluster of Excellence participation:



30 August  1 September:

Modern Philosophy of Religion: Topics  Methods  Concepts

(Panel chair: theologians Hans-Peter Grohans and Brandon Watson, University of Heidelberg)

31 August:

A Panel responding to Francis Tisos Rainbow Body and Resurrection

(Panel chair: religious scholar and theologian Perry Schmidt-Leukel; hosted by the European Network of Buddhist Christian Studies (ENBCS))



1 September:

Making and unmaking religious experience and community in times of COVID-19

(Panel chair: anthropologist Dorothea Schulz)

2 September:

Lynn de Silvas Visionary Approach to Buddhist-Christian Dialogue

(Panel chair: religious scholar and theologian Perry Schmidt-Leukel; hosted by the European Network of Buddhist Christian Studies (ENBCS))



Papers given by Cluster of Excellence members in panels of other organizers:



30 August:

Hans-Peter Grohans: The significance and use of a European research infrastructure for religious studies and the theologies (Panel: Religious Studies today: the role of RESILIENCE, Chair: Nikolaos Asproulis, Volos Academy for Theological Studies, Griechenland)

31 August:

Perry Schmidt-Leukel: Shantidevas Praise of Suffering (Panel: New Aspects on Suffering in Buddhism and Christianity, Chair: Rev. Achim Riggert, Interreligiose Arbeitsstelle Schwerte)

Mouhanad Khorchide: Discussant Islam in modern Europe and attempts of creating an European Islam

1 September:

Olaf Blaschke: Feminization and masculinization: Building hierarchies of modernities and religions through gender (Panel: Multiple modernities: Mens and womens Catholicism in 19th- and 20th-century Europe, Section 3, Chair: Marta Margotti, Universita di Torino)

Olaf Blaschke: From Anti-Judaism to Modern Antisemitism: German Catholic Mentalities Between 1870 and 1945 (Panel: The Church and The Holocaust: Then and Now, Chair: Carolyn Sanzenbacher, University of Southampton)

2 September:

Perry Schmidt-Leukel: Christian Theology as Comparative Theology: A Buddhist-Christian Perspective (Panel: Christian Theology as Comparative Theology, Chair: Veli Matti Karkkainen, University of Helsinki)
China's Anhui Zhifei Longcom Biopharmaceutical, the manufacturer of the recombinant subunit protein vaccine, and Uzbekistan's Jurabek Laboratories have signed a cooperation agreement to manufacture COVID-19 vaccine, the Chinese Embassy in Tashkent said on Thursday

TASHKENT (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 12th August, 2021) China's Anhui Zhifei Longcom Biopharmaceutical, the manufacturer of the recombinant subunit protein vaccine, and Uzbekistan's Jurabek Laboratories have signed a cooperation agreement to manufacture COVID-19 vaccine, the Chinese Embassy in Tashkent said on Thursday.

In July, the Uzbek Ministry of Innovative Development said that the Chinese company intended to launch the production of its own vaccine in Uzbekistan in August, with initial output of up to 10 million doses per month.

"There was an online signing ceremony of an agreement between China's biopharmaceutical company Anhui Zhifei Longcom Biopharmaceutical Co.

, Ltd and Uzbekistan's Jurabek Laboratories JV on cooperation in the sphere of manufacturing the recombinant vaccine against COVID-19," the embassy wrote on Telegram.

The parties also inked an agreement on the supply of recombinant vaccine, the statement added.

The vaccine by Anhui Zhifei Longcom is the most popular in Uzbekistan. Since spring, Tashkent has obtained about 10.5 million Chinese vaccine doses out of the total volume of 14.58 million received doses.
The Chinese mainland on Wednesday reported 61 new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases, including 38 in Jiangsu Province, 10 in Hubei, seven in Hunan, and three each in Henan and Yunnan, the National Health Commission said in its daily report on Thursday

BEIJING (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Aug, 2021 ) :The Chinese mainland on Wednesday reported 61 new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases, including 38 in Jiangsu Province, 10 in Hubei, seven in Hunan, and three each in Henan and Yunnan, the National Health Commission said in its daily report on Thursday.

Also reported were 20 new imported cases, including five each in Shanghai, Guangdong and Yunnan, three in Guangxi, and one each in Fujian and Sichuan.

Two suspected cases arriving from outside the mainland were newly reported in Shanghai on Wednesday.

No deaths related to COVID-19 were newly reported, the commission added.

By the end of Wednesday, a total of 7,757 imported cases had been reported on the mainland. Among them, 7,039 had been discharged from hospitals following recovery, and 718 remained hospitalized. No deaths had been reported among the imported cases.

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases on the mainland reached 94,161 by Wednesday, including 1,836 patients still receiving treatment, 60 of whom were in severe condition.

A total of 87,689 patients had been discharged from hospitals following recovery on the mainland, and 4,636 had died as a result of the virus.

There were three suspected COVID-19 cases on the mainland on Wednesday.

A total of 38 asymptomatic cases were newly reported. There were a total of 511 asymptomatic cases, of which 395 were imported, under medical observation on Wednesday.

By the end of Wednesday, 12,020 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 212 deaths, had been reported in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), while 63 cases had been reported in the Macao SAR, and 15,814 cases, including 816 deaths, had been reported in Taiwan.

A total of 11,731 COVID-19 patients in the Hong Kong SAR had been discharged from hospitals following recovery, while 57 had been discharged in the Macao SAR, and 13,111 had been discharged in Taiwan.
Niamey, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Aug, 2021 ) :Fifteen poeple have been killed in an attack in western Niger just weeks after 33 people were killed by suspected militants in the same area, the government said late Wednesday.

The Interior Ministry said in a statement the latest attack was carried out on Monday by "unidentified armed individuals" who targeted "people working in a field" in the Banibangou region, close the the Mali border.
Jakarta, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Aug, 2021 ) :Indonesia apologized Thursday for the manhandling of a Nigerian diplomat by immigration officers and said it was investigating what the West African nation has blasted as an "egregious act of international delinquency".

Earlier this week, Nigeria recalled its ambassador in the Indonesian capital Jakarta and summoned the Southeast Asian nation's top envoy in Abuja after a leaked video of the Saturday incident went viral.

The clip shows a trio of Indonesian immigration officers restraining the diplomat in the back seat of a car with one pushing on the man's head as he screams "I can't breathe" and "my neck, my neck".

"The Foreign Affairs Ministry regrets the incident," spokesman Teuku Faizasyah said Thursday.

"It was an isolated incident and was not at all related to the Indonesian government's commitment to carry out its obligations as a host country under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

" The case was being investigated by the Justice Ministry, the spokesman added.

The diplomat had been detained on a street in the capital. Officers were investigating reports of foreigners overstaying their residency permits and he had refused to show identity documents, according to the head of Jakarta's immigration agency Ibnu Chuldun.

He then became belligerent and assaulted one of the officers, Chuldun said, adding that the "misunderstanding" had been resolved "peacefully".

But Nigeria slammed the officers' actions.

"The Nigerian government condemns in the strongest terms what is in effect an egregious act of international delinquency by Indonesian state actors... with absolutely no justification and against international law," it said in a statement Tuesday.

"The Nigerian government demands appropriate sanctions against the relevant officials and has recalled its ambassador in Indonesia for consultations."
(@FahadShabbir)

National Assembly was informed on Thursday that four private sector universities have established their campuses abroad

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Aug, 2021 ) :National Assembly was informed on Thursday that four private sector universities have established their campuses abroad.

Replying to a question during question hour, Parliamentary Secretary for Federal Education and Professional Training Wajiha Akram said that in Higher Education Sector no public sector university has been established in the foreign countries. However, four private sector universities have established their offshore campuses in the following countriesAgha KhanUniversity,Karachioffshore campus atLondon,UK, Greenwich University Karachi offshore campus atMauritiusand Sarhad University (SUIT)Peshawarat Ras Al-Khaimah UAE. She said that more universities were planning to open their campuses abroad.

She said that after 18thamendment to the Constitution, the subject of education has been devolved to provinces and this ministry has no mandate to open institutions abroad.

Replying to another question raised by MNA Nafeesa Inayatullah Khan Khattak, she said that Federal Directorate of Education under the ambit of ministry of federal education and professional training has initiated to execute the following two projects with a vision to integrate technology in public sector education including pilot project for blended e-learning in 200 classrooms of federal capital and pilot project of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Teaching Grade (VI-VIII) in 30 schools of FDE.
Punjab Minister for Industries and Commerce Mian Aslam Iqbal on Thursday said that the first state-of-the-art Skill Technology Park in Punjab would be established at Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA) Secretariat

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Aug, 2021 ) :Punjab Minister for Industries and Commerce Mian Aslam Iqbal on Thursday said that the first state-of-the-art Skill Technology Park in Punjab would be established at Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA) Secretariat.

He said this while presiding over a meeting here at the Civil Secretariat to review the promotion of quality technical education in the province, establishment of Skill Technology Park and performance of institutions of TEVTA.

TEVTA Chairman Ali Salman Siddique gave a briefing on the establishment of Skill Technology Park and programs for promotion of technical education.

The provincial minister said that Prime Minister Imran Khan would lay the foundation stone of the Skill Technology Park project, adding that it would be a milestone in the promotion of technical education and technology.

He said that this technology park would become a hub of information technology and tech companies. Similarly, the government had also formulated the Chief Minister's Digital Skills Program 2021-23.

Under this program, world class training would be provided to 100,000 youth in the next two years, he asserted.

The provincial minister directed to start evening classes in the TEVTA institutions, adding that for the convenience of students, the fee for evening classes would be halved.

He directed that an institutional policy should be formulated to encourage the position-holder students.

Chairman TEVTA Ali Salman Siddique said that Skill Technology Park would be completed in the next three years at a cost of Rs 4 billion.

Secretary Industries Dr Wasif Khurshid, Additional Secretary, Economic Adviser and concerned officers attended the meeting.
MULTAN, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Aug, 2021 ) :Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Jalil Imran Ghalzai said that special squad has been deployed in the city to prevent one wheeling during Independence Day celebrations.

In a statement issued here on Thursday, the chief traffic officer said that traffic police officials would be deployed at parks, markets, intersections and other important public places to prevent traffic related issues.

He said that the officials would also launch action against illegal parking on roadside and lifters have also been made available for the illegally parked vehicles.

The CTO Jalil Imran Ghalzai urged masses to cooperate with the city traffic police for controlling one wheeling and asked parents to keep vigil on their kids in order to protect them from mishaps caused by the one wheeling.

He asked citizens to inform traffic police through helpline 1915 in case of one wheeling or other traffic related issues in the city.
A British-flagged yacht sank near the Greek island of Milos on Thursday, with all 17 passengers rescued, the Evening Standard newspaper reported, citing the Greek coast guard

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 12th August, 2021) A British-flagged yacht sank near the Greek island of Milos on Thursday, with all 17 passengers rescued, the Evening Standard newspaper reported, citing the Greek coast guard.

The Greek ERT broadcaster earlier said that there were 18 people aboard.

Three coast guard patrol boats, two helicopters, a private boat and two nearby vessels were involved in the rescue operation.

The Russian embassy said that, according to preliminary data, there were no Russians aboard.
The 5+5 Joint Military Commission on Libya has proved itself to be an effective format of negotiations and now should come to an agreement on the withdrawal of foreign troops from the country, the Libyan National Army's (LNA) Brig. Gen. Khaled al-Mahjoub told Sputnik

BENGHAZI (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 12th August, 2021) The 5+5 Joint Military Commission on Libya has proved itself to be an effective format of negotiations and now should come to an agreement on the withdrawal of foreign troops from the country, the Libyan National Army's (LNA) Brig. Gen. Khaled al-Mahjoub told Sputnik.

"A lot of work has been done. A ceasefire was announced and a highway along the coast was unlocked. Now the second stage has begun, which is to pull out foreign forces and mercenaries. This is very important for stability and the upcoming elections," the head of the LNA's Moral Guidance Department said.

The upcoming round of negotiations will be difficult but crucial, according to al-Mahjoub, since the withdrawal of foreign troops was one of the preconditions for the merger of the country's military units.

When asked about the likelihood of a new armed conflict if the sides fail to agree on the troop pullout, the official noted that none of the sides wants the situation to escalate.

"But if it comes to the sovereignty of Libya, its stability and security, then it is in the competence of the armed forces to ensure and preserve it," al-Mahjoub added.

For several years, the LNA has been engaged in an armed conflict with the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord, with both sides having accused each other of receiving aid in arms and manpower from abroad.

Following United Nations-facilitated talks held in October in Geneva, Libya's warring parties signed a nationwide ceasefire agreement. On February 5, the UN-led Libyan Political Dialogue Forum in Geneva voted for a new temporary executive that will be in charge until a national general election set for December 24.
President of Madagascar Andry Rajoelina has dismissed the government, tasking Prime Minister Christian Ntsay with forming a new cabinet, Express de Madagascar newspaper reported on Thursday

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 12th August, 2021) President of Madagascar Andry Rajoelina has dismissed the government, tasking Prime Minister Christian Ntsay with forming a new cabinet, Express de Madagascar newspaper reported on Thursday.

On Monday, the president said during his address to the nation that he was working with the prime minister on a cabinet reshuffle. He added that those who do not cope with their duties will be replaced.

The previous government was accused of insufficient efforts to resolve social problems, such as a spike in food prices and rising unemployment, media said. The new cabinet is due to be formed by the end of this week.

In July, the Madagascar authorities announced that they had succeeded in preventing an assassination attempt on the president and other high-ranking officials. Over 20 people are under investigation in connection with the case.
The medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) warned Thursday that it might have to close its operations in Madagascar within three weeks as its staff are being denied visas

Geneva, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Aug, 2021 ) :The medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) warned Thursday that it might have to close its operations in Madagascar within three weeks as its staff are being denied visas.

MSF said that since March, it had provided critical medical care to 6,000 malnourished children across 20 localities during the severe food and nutrition crisis in southern Madagascar.

Five straight years of low rainfall have wiped out harvests and cut off access to food for many in the region, and the situation is expected to worsen as the lean season draws nearer.

MSF said that during the Covid-19 pandemic, its international staff had been granted non-renewable three-month visas -- but since July, due to the threat of the Delta variant, Madagascar was no longer granting MSF such access for aid workers.

Without human resources, MSF will not be able to maintain its activities, it said.

"travel restrictions related to the Covid-19 pandemic should not prevent relief organisations like MSF from responding to other equally high priority crises," said MSF emergency manager Berengere Guais.

"Ten of our international staff will be leaving the country in two days as their visas will expire.

The other 12 staff will have to leave in three weeks." Guais said all international MSF staff working in Madagascar had to be vaccinated against Covid-19.

The Geneva-based Doctors Without Borders is a worldwide movement of nearly 65,000 people which provides medical assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, or exclusion from healthcare.

MSF said its teams have distributed 300 tonnes of food in Madagascar, with another 750 tonnes expected to be distributed by October.

There is also ongoing water distribution to 30,000 people, with new wells and boreholes planned.

"If MSF is not granted new entry visas all projects will have to close and MSF will be forced to terminate the contracts of more than 150 Malagasy staff currently working to implement its emergency operations," it said.

Most of southern Madagascar's population relies on agriculture, livestock and fishing. Food production has been dramatically low since 2019.

Aid agencies have struggled to attract public attention to the crisis, and aid funds are lacking.
Regional authorities in Sicily recorded temperatures of 48.8 degrees Celsius (119.8 Fahrenheit) Wednesday as an anticyclone dubbed "Lucifer" swept in, which if confirmed would be a new Italian and European record

Rome, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Aug, 2021 ) :Regional authorities in Sicily recorded temperatures of 48.8 degrees Celsius (119.8 Fahrenheit) Wednesday as an anticyclone dubbed "Lucifer" swept in, which if confirmed would be a new Italian and European record.

The blistering temperature was recorded near Syracuse, beating Italy's all-time record of 48.5 degrees, set in Sicily in 1999, and the 1977 record of 48 degrees at Eleusis in Greece.

A spokesman for Italy's national meteorological service said the result still had to be validated, while the World Meteorological Organization, which lists the Greece record as Europe's highest, did not respond to requests for comment.

Elsewhere in southern Italy, the anticyclone was forecast to send the mercury rising to 39-42 degrees before sweeping northwards, with weekend temperatures of up to 40 degrees in the central regions of Tuscany and Lazio, which includes Rome.

As the capital warmed up on Wednesday, tourists sought out shade and water.

"I kinda like it, it's the goal of summer to be hot and sweat and just enjoy it!" said Nora Vert, a 20-year-old from France.

The heat has raised fears for the fires that have blighted Sicily and the region of Calabria all summer, many caused by arson but fuelled by warm winds and dry soil and plants.

Firefighters said earlier Wednesday they had recorded 300 interventions in the past 12 hours, while a 77-year-old man died from burns received while trying to shelter his herd in the countryside near Reggio Calabria.

Elsewhere in Calabria, fires threatened the Aspromonte mountain range, designated as a UNESCO area of international geological significance.

The deputy head of environmental NGO WWF Italy, Dante Caserta, called for more resources, such as air support, to quell the flames "or it will be too late, and we will lose forever a priceless heritage".

The Madonie mountain range, near the Sicilian capital Palermo, has also for several days been besieged by flames that have destroyed crops, animals, homes and industrial buildings.

Sicily's governor, Nello Musumeci, called for a state of emergency to be declared for the mountains, while Agriculture Minister Stefano Patuanelli visited Wednesday to meet local mayors around Palermo.

"The fires are an emergency that need immediate responses, first and foremost with the relief that must be given to those who have lost everything," Patuanelli said.

Blazes have also devastated Sardinia, with 13 fires recorded during the day on Tuesday. Over 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres) burned last month in the west of the island during the worst fires seen in decades.

Southern Europe has experienced intense heatwaves and wildfires this summer as experts warn climate change increases the intensity and frequency of such extreme weather events.
Nigeria will lift its ban on Twitter soon after negotiations for an agreement to end its differences with the social media giant, the government said on Wednesday

Abuja, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Aug, 2021 ) :Nigeria will lift its ban on Twitter soon after negotiations for an agreement to end its differences with the social media giant, the government said on Wednesday.

The June ban came days after Twitter deleted a remark from President Muhammadu Buhari, and provoked international outcry over freedom of expression.

"The ban on Twitter will soon be lifted as we are getting close reaching full agreement," Information Minister Lai Mohammed told reporters in Abuja.

"We have agreed on some areas, hopefully in the next few days or weeks we will conclude." Twitter's spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for details on any negotiations.

The social media giant had said it was deeply concerned about the block, and called free and open internet access a basic right.

The US, EU and Canada were among the foreign governments who joined rights groups in condemning the ban as damaging to freedom of expression in Africa's most populous country.

The block shocked Nigeria's hyper-connected youth in a country where 40 million people have a Twitter account or around 20 percent of the population, according to NOI polls, a local research organisation.

Twitter played a key role in political discourse in Nigeria, with the hashtags Bring Back OurGirls after Boko Haram kidnapped nearly 300 schoolgirls in 2014, and EndS ARS during anti-police brutality protests last year.

Nigeria had said the ban would end when Twitter submits to local licensing, registration and conditions for working in the country.

The ban decision came just two days after the platform deleted a tweet from Buhari's own account for violating its rules.

He had referenced Nigeria's civil war five decades ago when one million people died, in the context of a warning to those responsible for recent unrest in the country's southeast.

str/pma/pvh
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Turkish rescuers evacuated a regional hospital on Wednesday and plucked stranded villagers off rooftops as flash floods and mudslides swept across the Black Sea coast

Ankara, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Aug, 2021 ) :Turkish rescuers evacuated a regional hospital on Wednesday and plucked stranded villagers off rooftops as flash floods and mudslides swept across the Black Sea coast.

Officials said one person died of a heart attack in the mayhem and an elderly women was swept away by the rushing water and remained unaccounted for.

The health ministry said eight people were also rushed to hospital when a bridge collapsed.

"From a meteorological point of view, we are perhaps facing a disaster that we had not seen in 50 or 100 years," Agriculture and Forestry Minister Bekir Pakdemirli said of the flooding and heavy rains.

The downpours along Turkey's northern coast came as firefighters had just about got under control wildfires in the south that have killed eight people since late July.

Turkey has been grappling with drought and a rapid succession of natural disasters that world scientists believe are becoming more frequent and violent because of climate change.

Health Minister Fahrettin Koca tweeted that a hospital holding 45 patients -- four of them in intensive care -- had been evacuated in the northern Sinop region because of flooding.

The local authority tweeted images of rescuers pulling dinghies carrying patients away from the hospital along flooded streets.

Images aired by the DHA news agency showed water covering the hospital's ground floor.

Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said water levels had reached three to four metres (10 to 13 feet) in some regions along the Black Sea coast.

Images on television and social media showed water level rising to the level of street signs in some towns.

One showed about a dozens cars and a van being swept along a road that had turned into a rushing river in the northern city of Kastamonu.

The evacuations came less than a month after six people died in floods caused by heavy rains in the northeast Rize province.

Officials said that all but three of the nearly 300 fires that had been ravaging Turkey's Mediterranean and Aegean coasts since July 28 have been brought under control.
(@FahadShabbir)

UNITED NATIONS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 12th August, 2021) The United Nations camp in the northern Kidal region of Mali was attacked and several peacekeepers and civilians were injured, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters on Thursday.

"Our colleagues of the UN mission there tell us that their camp in Aguelok in the Kidal region was attacked yesterday with multiple rounds of both direct and indirect fire landing near the UN premises," Dujarric said during a press briefing. "UN peacekeepers repelled the attack in which three UN military personnel and two civilians were injured."

The incident, which is the fifth attack on this camp this year, came just a few days after on August 8 gunmen attacked villages and killed at least 51 people in northern Mali.
Pope Francis calls on authors to make sure their books are not printed using slave labor (yupachingping - stock.adobe.com)

Pope Francis responds to an open letter from Italian writer Maurizio Maggiani, and urges all authors to ensure their books are not printed using exploitative or slave labour.

By Devin Watkins

Maurizio Maggiani, an Italian author who writes romance novels, recently discovered that his books are printed by exploiting people in slave-like conditions in Pakistan.

The Ligurian writer then wrote an open letter to Pope Francispublished on the online news site Il Secolo XIXasking: Is it worth producing beauty thanks to the work of slaves?

The Pope took up the invitation and wrote a letter of his own, which was published on Friday on the same website.

No idle question

In the letter dated 9 August, Pope Francis took up the authors open question, and praised him for courageously confronting a problem which many would have kept quiet about.

I was struck by your words, wrote the Pope. Yours is no idle question, because what is at stake is human dignity, a dignity which is today too often and easily trampled upon through slave labor and the silent complicity of many people.

He recalled how the early days of last years Covid-19 lockdowns revealed that much food was being produced by relying on day-laborers who lacked basic rights.

Exploitation and sin

Pope Francis said Maggianis question has revealed an even more striking point. Even literaturebread of souls and expression of the human spiritis wounded by the voracity of exploitation which takes place in the shadows, wiping out faces and names.

The Pope said he thinks that publishing beautiful and edifying texts while creating injustices is an inherently unjust act.

And for a Christian, he added, every form of exploitation is a sin.

Yet, he said, renouncing beauty would be a form of retreat that is also unjust, an omission of the good.

Duty to report

The Pope went on to urge Maggiani, along with all in the field of literature, to take action against the practice of using slave labor to print books.

However, the penor the computer keyboardoffers us another possibility: that of reporting and writing uncomfortable things that can shake us out of indifference, to stimulate consciences.

Pope Francis added that he loves Dostoevskij both for his religious sense and for his habit of writing about humiliated, pained, and poor lives.

According to the Italian authors letter, Maggiani also writes about the stories of those who are silent, the last, and the humiliated.

The Pope praised this inclination and Maggianis act of putting the inconvenient voice of conscience in black-on-white.

Renunciation of exploitation

Pope Francis also called on everyone to renouncenot cultural works and literaturebut attitudes and advantages which we discover that promote perverse machinations of exploitation, which damage the dignity of our brothers and sisters.

And he thanked the Italian author for bringing this important problem to his attention and for his helpful reporting.

Thanks to all who undertake good renunciations and make objections of conscience to promote human dignity.
Prime Minister Hun Sen has canceled a tourism port development concession in Siem Reap province purportedly over a $1 million tax issue, a tax bill contested by the concessionaire who also works for the government.

The prime minister issued the directive in July and put the Chong Kneas port in Siem Reap and along the Tonle Sap lake back in state possession over a disputed tax bill. The concession is held by Sou Jing Port Investment and is owned by Var Chhou Da. He is also a deputy general director at the General Department of Immigration.

All the property and infrastructures at the investment site in Chong Kneas commune, Siem Reap city are deemed as state-owned property, the government directive reads.

A commission has been set up, according to the document, and led by the Finance Ministry to deal with the companys debt and outstanding payments.

Ly Samrith, deputy governor and spokesperson of Siem Reap province, confirmed the governments decision but did not comment on why the concession had been canceled.

It is related to tax issues like debt tax, he said, directing queries to government spokesperson Phay Siphan.

Phay Siphan too declined to comment and referred questions to Ek Tha, a spokesperson at the office of the Council of Ministers, who declined to comment and referred the question back to Phay Siphan.

Va Chhou Da said he had protested the tax calculations used by an audit authority, which had ascertained that he had $1 million in outstanding debt tax payments.

I protested. I havent taken any income for port service. So, it means that I havent done any business yet. I am still constructing [the project], he said.

Whether it is $1 million or $2 million, I will pay if it is [legally] correct, he added.

He had asked the Economy and Finance Ministry to give his company approval to start charging for port services, but the ministry never gave him the relevant documents, Va Chhou Da said.

If the tax calculation is right, I dare to pay. Who wants to lose the project? I have tried to develop the place, he said.

Pech Pisey, executive director of Transparency International Cambodia, pushed for a fair and transparent investigation into the case.

It requires an independent and transparent investigation to ensure that there is no power abuse in shutting down the companys [concession], he said.

If not dealt with fairly and as per the law, Pech Pisey said such a case can affect Cambodias investment environment and credibility.

Sours Narin, a provincial monitor at local rights group Adhoc, said several villagers in 2007 had complained about the companys development affecting their farming land, adding that the company had developed a large portion of the site.

He has spent a lot of money, not little. So, I think the company will not agree [with the decision], he said.
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Britain recently sanctioned the son of Equatorial Guinea's president for misappropriating millions of dollars which London said was spent on luxury mansions, private jets and a $275,000 glove worn by Michael Jackson.
* Long queues point to high voter turnout

* Challenger pitching economic fix to voters

* Vote looks too close to call, say analysts

* Zambia was Africa's first pandemic-era default

By Chris Mfula

LUSAKA (Reuters) - Zambians were voting for a new leader on Thursday, with long queues pointing to a high turnout in an election showdown between President Edgar Lungu and main opposition rival Hakainde Hichilema that looks too tight to call.

The two rivals, who voted at different stations hours apart, were both confident of winning the vote and the close contest raised the possibility of a run-off.

The electoral agency says it expects to declare a winner within 72 hours after polls close.

Zambia, Africa's second biggest copper producer, became the continent's first country during the coronavirus pandemic to default on its sovereign debt in November. Its economy is flagging.

Voters patiently waited in the sun to cast their ballots.

At a polling station in an affluent suburb of the capital Lusaka, crowds cheered "we want change" as Hichilema arrived to vote. The opposition leader blew back kisses to the crowd.

"Everybody must be allowed to vote. I am concerned about the speed," said Hichilema after he voted.

Earlier, Lungu was among the first voters at a station in Chawama township in the capital. Wearing a black leather jacket, a white face mask and accompanied by his wife, he waved to a cheering crowd as he left in his motorcade.

"We are winning, otherwise I wouldn't have been in the race if we were not winning," Lungu told reporters.

Some voters walked to polling stations with chairs, a Reuters journalist said, while others shared pictures of long queues on Twitter.

In the Kabwata suburb of Lusaka, first time voter Ben Mulenga, 19, braved the early morning cold and arrived two and a half hours before voting started because he anticipated long queues.

"The things that are happening in our country, including the bad state of the economy and the high levels of unemployment, need to be addressed," said Mulenga, a student at the University of Zambia.

YOUNG VOTERS

Some 54% of registered voters are 34 or younger, statistics from the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) show.

That could help Hichilema, who is facing Lungu for the third time and has placed the economy front and center of his campaign, political analysts said.

Zambia's economy will be among the continent's slowest growing economies this year, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates.

"As you can see we are suffering. Financially we are in crisis, definitely I want to make a change," said Cassidy Yumbe, a 41-year-old driver and father of four as he waited to vote.

Zambia owes in excess of $12 billion to external creditors and spends 30%-40% of its revenues on interest payments on its debt, credit rating firm S&P Global estimates.

In office since 2015, 64-year-old Lungu narrowly defeated Hichilema, the CEO of an accountancy firm before entering politics, in a disputed election the following year.

J.P. Morgan said the outcome of the election could meaningfully shape Zambia's medium-term economic outlook as the new president would need to deliver a credible economic reform package acceptable to the IMF and voters.

The president has touted the new road, airport and energy projects he has overseen as laying the groundwork for economic development and growth.

But so far his debt-financed infrastructure splurge has failed to pay economic dividends, and unemployment remains high. (Writing by MacDonald Dzirutwe; Editing by Joe Bavier, Raju Gopalakrishnan, Elaine Hardcastle and Angus MacSwan)
An internet monitoring organization, Netblocks, claims that the internet is being restricted in Zambia during a highly-contested presidential election in the country, pitting incumbent president Edgar Lunga and his fiercest rival, Hakainde Hachilema.

In a tweet early Thursday when Zambians went to the polls, Netblocks said, Confirmed: WhatsApp messaging app restricted in Zambia on election day; real-time network data show loss of service on multiple internet providers as polls get under way, corroborating widespread user reports; incident ongoing #ZambiaDecides2020.

A few hours later, Netblocks said,  Real-time network data confirm that social media and messaging platforms including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Messenger are now restricted in #Zambia on election day in addition to the earlier WhatsApp restriction.

In its Twitter handle, Netblocks says it tracks the disruption and shutdown of internet services and social media operations.

A team from the Media Institute of Southern Africa, which is observing the elections, confirmed that internet was down and access to social media platforms was being restricted.

Officials of the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority were unavailable for comment.

Vusumuzi Sifile Sibanda, executive director of a regional non-governmental organization, Panos Institute Southern Africa, said indications are that internet and access to social media platforms is being restricted in Zambia at a time locals are voting for a new president.

He said people are experiencing problems in accessing WhatsApp and Facebook and the internet is very slow or inaccessible.

He noted that there was no formal announcement by the government concerning the restrictions.

For now people cannot access social media platforms using normal internet. So we are using VPNs  Its a violation of the citizens right to seek, share and receive information through platforms or media of their choice. Todays throttling of the internet mostly affected social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp, which are now the primary source of information for the majority of citizens. We do not know yet why the internet was shut down, but whatever the reasons, this will have far reaching negative implications on citizens.

According to the Lusaka Times, Zambias information secretary, Amos Malupenga, warned that the country wont hesitate to shutdown the internet if it was being abused by some people when voting starts until the end of the whole electoral process relating to this years presidential election.

Freedom House says many nations normally restrict access to social media platforms and block the internet during elections, much to the chagrin of locals.
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User reports estimate the perceived ground shaking intensity according to the MMI (Modified Mercalli Intensity) scale

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Islamabad, Chittagong, Chittagong (219.1 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : I was reading book in floor and my mom was was watching YouTube. Then me and my mom feel little but shaking at the same time. I felt shake horizontally.And I am sure it's earthquake, because in our area no construction working is held.

26 km of Coxs Bazar, Chittagong (93.8 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : Huge vibration

Coxsbazar Bangladesh (120 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 20-30 s

near Islamabad, Chittagong, Chittagong (229.2 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s : Chittagong

Teknaf, chittagong, Bangladesh (49.4 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s : Felt a thrust

Chittagong, Bangladesh (218.5 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : I felt my bed shaking for about 3-5 seconds.. It was a weak one..

CDA, Rd 1/1, Chittagong, Bangladesh. (219.1 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : I felt little bit shake about 3 sec. I felt weird in my chest for sometime.

Trknaf (50.8 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : It was earthquake

Chittagong (210.9 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 5-10 s

Chattogram (222.9 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) : 2 light shakes

Cox's Bazar (119.5 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : Felt the fan and bed going right and left.. swinging..

25 km of Coxs Bazar, Chittagong (94.5 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III)

25 km of Coxs Bazar, Chittagong (94.5 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III)

Cox's bazar (117.5 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s

Maungdaw / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / very short

Maungdaw, Rakhine (44.8 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s : Woke up as my bed was shaking

Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. (1.9 km SW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III)

chittagong (220.1 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : very mild shaking, so mild that nobody in my house except me could feel it

kanpur / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / complex motion difficult to describe : Abhi 10 baje nhi hai aur tum 10:18 ka update kar diye... waah tum to bahot heavy driver ho...

Chittagong / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Coxs Bazar / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s : It's so string that almost everyone in this area felt that

chattagram / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Chittagong / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single vertical bump / very short

Chittagong / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s

Cox's Bazar / Very weak shaking (MMI II)

Chattogram, Oxygen / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Rathedaung (3.3 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 1-2 s : I was afraid when it shakes.
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Mati, Davao Oriental, Davao (72.1 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 30-60 s : Very big shaking accur here at Mati City Philippines. | 11 users found this interesting.

tagum city, davao del norte / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single vertical bump / several minutes : earth quake, took 3-5 mins before it stopped | 10 users found this interesting.

Bunawan, Agusan del Sur, Caraga (202.8 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating : Our house is shaking. light tremble of soil and road. | 9 users found this interesting.

DAVAO CITY / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 15-20 s : i felt disappointed because there's no warning received for us to be prepared, but despite that instead of critiquing i prayed. | 8 users found this interesting. sorry na press ko ang remote "quibs" / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 15-20 s

Panabo City / Light shaking (MMI IV) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 30-60 s : Very intense and was awoken from sleep. All around shaking and felt a great sense of dizzy and discomfort after. | 8 users found this interesting.

Mlang north cotabato / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s : I was scared at first i thought it was just my imagination but i keep feeling it like 3 - 6 seconds and i go out and it was still shaking its really scary my heart was beating fast i could hear it. | 8 users found this interesting. Flee to highest mountain / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s

Mati City (75.4 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / complex rolling (tilting in multiple directions) / 1-2 minutes It was very strong. It woke me up from my sleep | 8 users found this interesting. (reported through (reported through our app / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / complex rolling (tilting in multiple directions) / 1-2 minutes

Isulan,Sultan Kudarat / Light shaking (MMI IV) / complex motion difficult to describe / 30-60 s : I felt a light shaking..but In The Almighty Name of JESUS CHRIST The Son Of GOD,let's not panic..because there's GOD that always protects us no matter what happens | 6 users found this interesting.

Davao de Oro / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging : My mother and I felt so scared because that's the first time we experience that strong shaking of an earthquake in our entire life. We jump out of our house with our important things to make sure for what happens. | 5 users found this interesting.

Davao City / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s : Scary | 6 users found this interesting. linog is real / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s

catalunan grande davao city / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 5-10 s : long earthquake | 5 users found this interesting.

Barra, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao (321.3 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single lateral shake / 10-15 s : Dizzy | 4 users found this interesting. 8/12/2021 1:48 AM Awaken From Sleep Dizziness The 20 Seconds Of Tremors Shaking Our 2 Story Cement Building in Camamsn-An. Cagayan de Oro City #EarthquakePH / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single lateral shake / 10-15 s

Mati City / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 5-10 s : Woke me up and heard the glass windows loud frictions. The strongest and the longest so far. Thank God, were all safe. | 3 users found this interesting.

Toril, Davao City / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s : Most of us woke up from our slumber and heard the glass windows trembling. We felt afraid after it took a long time to stop. We were about to wake the children up when the shaking slowed down. Thank God, everyone was safe in our family and extended families, and everything was fine. | 3 users found this interesting.

Nazareth, Cagayan de oro / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging : Felt dizzy. So thankful by the cell alert that should not ignore. Almost did not feel it because everybody in my room mates are slept. I shouted so that everyday be safe. Quite scarry bec it last 2 mins estimated time | 3 users found this interesting.

Butuan City (279.4 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s : It was odd. It was the first time I felt an earthquake like that. It was like you are surfing on something liquid | 2 users found this interesting.

Davao City (137.5 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s : As our office is located at the 4th and 5th floors, is felt very strong a we can feel the building is moving sideways. | 2 users found this interesting.

Bunawan, Agusan del Sur (205.8 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 10-15 s : MMI IV. Groundshaking might be prolonged and amplified in my location due to ground condition (i.e. along swampy Agusan Marsh basin margins). | 2 users found this interesting.

Davao City (139.4 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 1-2 minutes : It was strong enough and for a sustained enough time for us to feel the need to leave the house for safety. | 2 users found this interesting.

Carmen Surigao Del Sur Caraga Region Philippines (313.1 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / simple rolling (tilting sideways along one direction) / 15-20 s First of all ut shake very weak when suddenly it bacame strong... The shaking is very heavy and I can see my mirror shaking very bad,,, I thought it was a normal one that can be measured up to 4 and that could hit nearby town but it was different,, it is very stronf | 2 users found this interesting. (reported through (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / simple rolling (tilting sideways along one direction) / 15-20 s

Limao, Davao, Davao (136 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s : Creaking sounds of cabinets or wherever. Started light shaking, gradually increased. The bed was literally shaking that woke me up. Saw the hanging plants outside swaying. | 2 users found this interesting.

Davao City (141.8 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 1-2 minutes : I felt it around 1:47am, fully stopped at 1:48-49 I guess.. The motion is up & down but towards the end, it kinds of change to sideways movement | 2 users found this interesting.

Kidapawan (187.7 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 20-30 s : Windows were noticeably shaking, chandeliers visibly swaying, frames were rattled, pencils and pen feel from the desk. | 2 users found this interesting.

Tagum City, Philippines (138.1 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s : Felt like the bed was shaking side to side. Door and windows were creaking and the sliding chain lock was clanking. | 2 users found this interesting.

Blue lotus hotel davao city (137.3 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 minutes : Terrifying! My bed is moving/shaking. | 3 users found this interesting.

CITY OF TAGUM (144.7 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s : It was so far the strongest i have felt in my life. Woke up everyone in the house. | 3 users found this interesting.

Home, Davao City (79.4 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s : I woke up because of it. | 3 users found this interesting.

Tagum city (76 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 minutes : Dont go nearby beaches | 3 users found this interesting.

General Santos City, Philippines (181.2 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / 1-2 minutes : I felt dizzy | 3 users found this interesting.

Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single vertical bump / 2-5 s : I felt it when I am sleeping. After that, I was shocked and woke up when I felt the tremor happening in my house. | 2 users found this interesting.

ruby garcia living in bangkal, davao city philippi / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 2-5 s : not shaking up and down but not feeling dizzy like other earthquake. that it was starting slow then intensified. | 2 users found this interesting.

panabo city / Very strong shaking (MMI VII) / 1-2 minutes : Immediately stormed out of the house when we felt the quake. It's very intense that we were awakened. | 2 users found this interesting.

Butuan, Agusan del Norte, Caraga (300 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s : Dizzying motion while on computer; chandelier at the ceiling swung in rotary motion,structures squeaked | One user found this interesting.

Daliao FishPort Davao Del Sur (144.9 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s : All the people woke. Dogs barking everywhere. Extended swaying and shaking. Woke from a dream state. Objects in house swinging, trees, phone lines swinging. | One user found this interesting.

Tagum City (144.5 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s : I was about to sleep till it shook. So based from the data the time estimated the tremor occurred at the epicenter was around 1:46 AM. In Tagum it occurred during 1:47 in the morning perhaps due to wave feed delay from the source. | One user found this interesting.

toril, davao city, philippines (144.9 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) : Shaking chandeliers, animals disturbed and creaking sound of wooden house posts. Lasted for about 3min shaking. | One user found this interesting.

Davao City / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 minutes : Due to its long duration, it was scarier than usual. | 3 users found this interesting.

Maniki kapalong davao del norte / Light shaking (MMI IV) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / very short : That was scary | 3 users found this interesting.

Polomolok South Cotabato (76 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s : I felt dizzy | 2 users found this interesting.

Davao City (138.5 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 20-30 s : Scared | 2 users found this interesting.

Davao City (144.5 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / several minutes : Scared. | 2 users found this interesting.

Davao City (141.4 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / several minutes Nervous because ut took so long. | 2 users found this interesting. (reported through (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / several minutes

Butuan City (305 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 5-10 s : Dizzy | 2 users found this interesting.

Tacloban City (554.9 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s : Weak shaking but i felt dizzy. | 2 users found this interesting.

Malita, Davao Occidental, Davao (121.3 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) : malakas cya matagal nawala | 2 users found this interesting.

Palo, Leyte (551.3 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s : One bit strong shake, then seconds of gentle swinging sideways | 2 users found this interesting.

Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur (211.9 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 1-2 s : Afraid | 2 users found this interesting.

Mahayag, Davao del Sur, Davao (139.4 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s The earthquake Alarm went off, then 5 to 10 seconds the house started to shake. | 2 users found this interesting. (reported through (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s

Cagayan de orro (318.6 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single lateral shake / 1-2 minutes : I felt dizzy | 2 users found this interesting.

Trento, Agusan del Sur Philippines / Light shaking (MMI IV) / simple rolling (tilting sideways along one direction) / 1-2 minutes : Me and my 3 kids were at the secomd floor sleeping and we were awakened by the shaking so we hurriedly went downstairs. Chandeliers were swaying, rocking chair was moving, dogs felt it too coz they kept barking and running around. | One user found this interesting.

Brgy Vicente Hizon, Davao City / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 minutes : I was on bed, i have experienced several earthquakes but i dont usually run out..This earthquake was longer almost made me jump out of bed but i forced myself to stay on bed since i cannot leave my disabled husband.. | One user found this interesting.

Tagum city / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / several minutes : we felt afraid of that moment and a little bit panic because it may bring danger buy thank God we are safe | One user found this interesting.

Rey Elizalde, Davao City / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 minutes : The shaking was relatively light but its jolt was enough to wake me up from my sleep. Being a light sleeper, I think I felt its initial shaking along with the simultaneous barking and howling of dogs. It must have lasted more than a minute definitely. | One user found this interesting.

Cebu City / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : I was sitting still, on the 19th floor, felt the building sway back and forth 3 or 4 times, stomach felt slight nausea/dizzy during the swaying. Wife next to me didn't feel anything. Jumped on google at 1:50 AM Local time. | One user found this interesting.

Pasig City (1087.9 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : Afraid cause after you send me warning that they had earthquake, that s the time that i felt that shaking.

Bunawan (143.5 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt : I slept in 1:00am didn't felt it because i didn't wake up , my mom said our dog dachshund was barking almost like she's telling us to GET DOWNSTAIRS this macaroni sucks

Trento, Agusan del Sur, Philippines (181.2 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s : It woke me up in the middle of the night. Perhaps 1 or 2 am. My wife became agitated and was calling my name. We sleep in separate beds but in the same room. The shaking started slow then gradually increased intensity but not to the extend to cause panic. Then fade away.

Samal City (120.6 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s : I was laying on the sofa and all of a sudden I felt movement. I then looked up and saw the ceiling fan moving from side to side horizontally.

Davao City (157.2 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 1-2 minutes : The shaking initially started as a vertical shaking with strong jolts, which lasted for about 5 seconds, then became a horizontal shaking. The horizontal shaking was about 2 minutes long, if not longer. It seemed as if the ground was shaking left and right, but also kind of circular. It gradually slowed down until it disappeared.

Hinundayan, Southern Leyte (437.2 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s : Started with two spaced movements, followed by a period of horizontal movements like being in a boat on the sea.

Davao City / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 minutes : Shaking the ground, gates ranking, hanging plants swaying | 2 users found this interesting.

Davao Coty / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s : Our rocking chair is swinging. | 2 users found this interesting.

Mati Citym / Light shaking (MMI IV) : Me and my Girlfriend were on video call and the quake shook her awake from her sleep. | 2 users found this interesting.

Magpet, North Cotabato / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s : Light shake, enough to wake you up, if you have fast reflexes. | 2 users found this interesting.

Panabo / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s : Light but aftershocks for est 10 seconds | 2 users found this interesting.

Matina Aplaya Davao city / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / several minutes : It seems your feeling push back n fort.. hanging objects swinging... water jar shaking . | 2 users found this interesting.

Davao city / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s : Feel shaking | 2 users found this interesting.

Mati City / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 minutes : Shaking and vibration | 2 users found this interesting.

Cagayan de oro city / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / 30-60 s : I can see the electric wires swwinging | 2 users found this interesting.

Davao city / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s : It was quite a bit stronger but not really compared to the 2019 earthquake... | 2 users found this interesting.

Davao city / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s : Was shake quite well building earthquake alarm Went of | 2 users found this interesting.

General Santos City / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / complex motion difficult to describe / 10-15 s : Cant describe | 2 users found this interesting.

Mati City / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / single lateral shake / 20-30 s : Very alarming and still can't go back to sleep. | 2 users found this interesting.

DAVAO CITY / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 minutes : Just your usual earthquake. | 2 users found this interesting.

General santos city / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / single lateral shake / 5-10 s : Ths s by far the strongest and the longest ive felt so far since the last earth quake | 2 users found this interesting.

San Isidro, Lupon, Davao Oriental / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / 1-2 minutes : Dizzy | 2 users found this interesting.

General santos city / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s : I felt sick because i went for drinking. But everything else is okay its just disturb my sleep. | 2 users found this interesting.

catalunan grande davao city / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 15-20 s : hammer and lateral movement | 2 users found this interesting.

Davao City / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / several minutes : Moderately strong even being so far from the epicenter. | 2 users found this interesting.

Sitio Lipadas, Daliao-Toril, Davao City / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / complex rolling (tilting in multiple directions) / 30-60 s : Just another day aboard ship.... | 2 users found this interesting.

Davao City / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s : Really strong earthquake. Im guessing 6-7 magnitude | 2 users found this interesting.

Mati city / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 1-2 minutes : Bad | 2 users found this interesting.

siargao island / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 minutes : Felt like being slowly rock in a seesaw. | 2 users found this interesting.

Dumaguete (480.4 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) : I woke up & usually stay asleep at 1:45am | One user found this interesting.

Davao City (136.8 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s : A little frightened and dizzy | One user found this interesting.

Blue lotus hotel davao city (137.3 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 minutes : Terrifying! My bed is moving/shaking. | One user found this interesting.

Nabunturan (144.5 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt : i don't felt it | One user found this interesting.

Butuan, Agusan del Norte, Caraga (298.6 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging : Was the longest shake in Butuan | One user found this interesting.

ANGEL CHUA MATINA CROSSING DAVAO CITY PHILIPPINES (158.5 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s : The hung basket swayed bk & forth 1 1/2 feet fast | One user found this interesting.

General Santos City (175.8 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Severe shaking (MMI VIII) / complex rolling (tilting in multiple directions) / 1-2 minutes : Horrible, long-lasting shaking, strong and violent rattle and swaying | One user found this interesting.

Guadalupe, Cebu City (526.9 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s Could feel it swinging sideways in my bed at 10th floor! | One user found this interesting. (reported through (reported through our app / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s

Butuan (298.3 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s : Slow side ways of shaking | One user found this interesting.

Davao (137.3 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s Nalipong | One user found this interesting. (reported through (reported through our app / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s

Davao City (143.8 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s Quake woke me up. The water of Our water was swaying strongly. | One user found this interesting. (reported through (reported through our app / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s

Dawis, Digos City (150.7 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / complex motion difficult to describe : Im at a 2nd story house and I felt an earthquake? Hahaha | One user found this interesting.

Tagum City (148.6 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging : Made me woke up and felt dizzy. | One user found this interesting.

Malita, Davao Occidental, Davao (121.3 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 30-60 s : matagal cya nawala para aq nasa duyan | One user found this interesting.

Pob.Governor Generoso Davao Oriental (72.2 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s : Light shaking | One user found this interesting.

Butuan, Agusan del Norte, Caraga (298.6 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s : Was the longest shake in Butuan | One user found this interesting.

Davao City (136.7 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s its past 1am here in davao city, the quake waked me. | One user found this interesting. (reported through (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s

San Luis, Agusan del Sur (242.6 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s : strong earthquake | One user found this interesting.

Lupon (88.9 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 minutes : That earthquake is very strong. | One user found this interesting.

Glan Sarangani (270.5 km SW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / single vertical bump / 20-30 s I woke up then I heard A loud noise | One user found this interesting. (reported through (reported through our app / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / single vertical bump / 20-30 s

Malita (122.3 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / complex motion difficult to describe / several minutes : Hadlok kaau gyud | One user found this interesting.

Esperanza, Agusan del Sur (268.9 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s : Intense, nervous | One user found this interesting.

Pantukan (111 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very strong shaking (MMI VII) : I feel dizziness | One user found this interesting.

butuan city, northeast mindanao, philippines (300.7 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s : Dizzym fekt sine griund movement | One user found this interesting.

Davao City (145.6 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 20-30 s : Very long earthquake duration.. | One user found this interesting.

Butuan City (301.4 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s : Nervous | One user found this interesting.

near Ranau, Sabah (1122 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt not felt | One user found this interesting. (reported through (reported through our app / not felt

Matina Crossing, Davao City / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 30-60 s : I woke up from my sleep because i felt like being moved so i wwnt out of my bedroom. At about that time, my daughter also got out of her bedroom. I can still feel the earth shake. At the kitchen the cups were hanging and swaying to and fro by the cupboard. Some members of the household didn't feel the earthquake; one woke but couldn't figure what made her wake up while the other one just slept like a log all throughout the tremor experience. .

Digos City / Light shaking (MMI IV) : It's shaking lightly and we were sleeping that time yet the sudden shaking happen which results to awakening of our souls.

Digos city / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s : Quake felt like a light shake first then followed by a soft sway of a water wave for about one minute. Intensity maybe 3-4.

Araibo, Pantukan Davao De Oro / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s : It's feels so strange, It was the first time I feel so nervous and it makes me woke up because of the shaking.

Tagum City / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / several minutes : quake woke us up and we felt very dizzy. | One user found this interesting.

Cagayan De Oro / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 15-20 s : A slightly noticeable shaking occured | One user found this interesting.

butuan city / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 5-10 s : feel dizzy | One user found this interesting.

Metro manila,Quezon City (1101.5 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Violent shaking (MMI IX) Si, me hizo un mareado | One user found this interesting. (reported through (reported through our app / Violent shaking (MMI IX)

Davao City / Very strong shaking (MMI VII) : It was shockingly strong,We woke up and couldn't go back to sleep right away. | One user found this interesting.

Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 30-60 s : Light to moderate shaking. | One user found this interesting.

Davao / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s : Vibrating and strong horizontal shaking. | One user found this interesting.

Davao City / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s : Scared | One user found this interesting.

Digos city / Weak shaking (MMI III) / both vertical and horizontal swinging : I felt nervous | One user found this interesting.

glan sarangani province / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s : headache after shaking | One user found this interesting.

Davao city / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 minutes : Jolted and awAkened from deep sleep and seemed too long! | One user found this interesting.

Davao city / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 minutes : Swinging back and forth like you are trying to put a baby to sleep. | One user found this interesting.

Blue Lotus Hotel / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / complex motion difficult to describe / 1-2 minutes : Scary | One user found this interesting.

Davao City / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 1-2 minutes : I panic . | One user found this interesting.

Plaridel Misamis Occidental Looc Proper / Light shaking (MMI IV) / both vertical and horizontal swinging : Scared | One user found this interesting.

General santos City / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 2-5 s : i was Shocked And i stand Quickly because Its swinging. | One user found this interesting.

Inside my house / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 5-10 s : It was a strong earthquake | One user found this interesting.

Tagum city / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 minutes : I feel panicked | One user found this interesting.

Gsc / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 10-15 s : Scary | One user found this interesting.

Bislig city, surigao del sur / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 1-2 s : Scared | One user found this interesting.

General santos city / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 30-60 s : 3 | One user found this interesting.

Agusan del Norte / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 minutes : Long shaking, scary and dizzy | One user found this interesting.

Tagum City / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 10-15 s : Its so scared it feels like so strong and gosh nakakatakot | One user found this interesting.

Davao City / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s : The | One user found this interesting.

Bislig / Light shaking (MMI IV) : Kusugay | One user found this interesting.

Davao city Cabantian / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 minutes : Im in sleeping,I heard the door open and close | One user found this interesting.

Cagayan de Oro city / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : Feel some vibrating the floor and a little shaking the wall. | One user found this interesting.

Tagum City / Light shaking (MMI IV) : Lakas ng lindol parang matutumba ako sa lakas ng pag galaw | One user found this interesting.

Davao city / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s : i feel dizzy | One user found this interesting.

Pinnacle hotel davao / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 minutes : Scared | One user found this interesting.

Guadalupe, Cebu City / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s : Could feel the entire building move smoothly sideways back and forth(10th Floor) | One user found this interesting.

Davao City Philippines / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / vertical swinging (up and down) / several minutes : That was strong because it woke me up. | One user found this interesting.

Davao city / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 30-60 s : Woke me up, shower enclosure is moving . Post wires are shaking, | One user found this interesting.

Davao City / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s : It shaked for more than a minute. | One user found this interesting.

Davao city / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 minutes : Strong | One user found this interesting.

Davao City, Philippines / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / single lateral shake / 5-10 s : Very nervous | One user found this interesting.

Tubajon, Dinagat Islands / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / several minutes : Shaking | One user found this interesting.

Inside house of matanao davao del sur / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : Sideways shaking.. | One user found this interesting.

Davao City / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 minutes : it wakes us all up.. | One user found this interesting.

Jasaan, Misamis Oriental / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : I was on a top bunk when I awoke. | One user found this interesting.

General Santos City / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 15-20 s : felt dizzy | One user found this interesting.

Mati City Davao Oriental / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 30-60 s : Moderate shaking | One user found this interesting.

Kabuntalan, Maguinadanao / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 minutes : nahilo ako grabe | One user found this interesting.

Pinac Pinacan san rafael (1132.1 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt

Antipolo (1140.7 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt

Carmen (146.7 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s : Bed was shaking, windows were rattling.

Hermosa Bataan (1151.7 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 2-5 s

Paracale (961.5 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt

quezon city (1085.9 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt : n/a

Manila, Capital District, National Capital Region (1097.6 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt

pasig city (1088 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Bulacan (1166.4 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt

San Fernando, Pampanga, Central Luzon (1154.6 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt

Butuan, Agusan del Norte, Caraga (298.6 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging : Was the longest shake in Butuan

Gingoog (312.7 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s

Mati (62.9 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V)

Kidapawan (186.8 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 minutes

Davao City (137.7 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s

Davao City (139.6 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 1-2 minutes (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 1-2 minutes

Tagum city (145.6 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s

Olongapo City (1163.9 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / very short (reported through our app / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / very short

near General Santos City, South Cotabato, Soccsksargen (182 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 30-60 s (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 30-60 s

General Santos City (177.1 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 1-2 minutes

Davao City (137.4 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 1-2 minutes

Bangkok (2970.2 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt

Butuan City (288.1 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s

indangan davao city (142.5 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / several minutes : ppsad

Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City (315.2 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 30-60 s

Malaybalay City (227.7 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 15-20 s

Teresa, Rizal, Calabarzon (1082.3 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt

Dumaguete (489.5 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 30-60 s

Davao City (145.8 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s

Davao City (135.9 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 minutes

Home (2823.7 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt

General Santos City, South Cotabato, Soccsksargen (173.3 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) : Felt nausea

Magugpo Poblacion, Davao, Davao (147 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 15-20 s

Davao City (136 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

San Isidro Brgy., General Santos City (174.8 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 20-30 s

Panabo City (144.4 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 20-30 s (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 20-30 s

Mati, Davao Oriental, Davao (70.5 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V)

San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, Central Luzon (1112 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt

near Bulatukan, Cotabato, Soccsksargen (165.3 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 minutes

Katangawan, Province of South Cotabato, Soccsksargen (169.6 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / vertical swinging (up and down)

Prk.2 Brgy. Napnapan, Pantukan, Davao De Oro (0.5 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s : Afraid

Imus, Cavite, Calabarzon (1084.4 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 20-30 s (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 20-30 s

Malinaw, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao (302.8 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s

Sewon Yogyakarta (2413.9 km SW of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt

General Santos City, South Cotabato (185.1 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s

General Santos City (179.6 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 1-2 minutes

Manila (999.1 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt

M'LANG, Cotabato (207.7 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 5-10 s

Davao del Norte (142.9 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s

Catarman, Northern Mindanao (362.7 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV)

Binangonan (1078.9 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt

Koronadal City, South Cotabato, Soccsksargen (206.5 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 30-60 s (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 30-60 s

Panabo (143.9 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV)

Mati, Davao Oriental, Davao (74.4 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) (reported through our app / Strong shaking (MMI VI)

Digos City, Davao del Sur (152.2 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s

Southern Leyte (452.6 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (DADIANGAS) (174.8 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 30-60 s

General Santos City, South Cotabato, Soccsksargen (176.4 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 30-60 s

Inawayan, Province of Davao del Sur, Davao (147.6 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V)

Santo tomas, davao del norte (153.1 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV)

Digos, Davao del Sur, Davao (150.6 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s

Mati, Davao Oriental, Davao (72.1 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Sinawilan, Davao del Sur, Davao (167.1 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 20-30 s (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 20-30 s

At home (372 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt

Davao cuty (144.2 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 10-15 s

Davao City (137.6 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 30-60 s (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 30-60 s

Davao City (137.7 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 15-20 s

Davao city (138.6 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / several minutes

Davao city (148.7 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV)

Philippine Sea (18.6 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single lateral shake : Scary

tacloban city (532.9 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Surigao (373.3 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Midsayap, Province of Cotabato, Soccsksargen (252.4 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 5-10 s

Lake Sebu (239.9 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 10-15 s

Davao city (137.7 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging

Inawayan, Province of Davao del Sur, Davao (145.1 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 10-15 s (reported through our app / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 10-15 s

Tagum City, Davao del Norte, Philippines (146 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s

Davao City (137.5 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 30-60 s

Monkayo Davao De Oro (164 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 30-60 s : it's a light earthquake

General Santos City (175.8 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 20-30 s

davao city (155.6 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 minutes

Magugpo Poblacion, Davao, Davao (144.8 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 1-2 minutes

Davao City (137.9 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s

Cagayan de oro city (317.5 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 30-60 s : Scared

Tagum city (146 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s

Caraga, Davao Oriental, Davao (93.5 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / complex rolling (tilting in multiple directions)

Tarragona Davao Oriental (68.2 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Mandaue (524.8 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s : 16th floor

Davao City (156.2 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s

Baracatan, Province of Davao del Sur, Davao (152.8 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 30-60 s

near Ranau, Sabah (1122 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt not felt (reported through (reported through our app / not felt

Limao, Davao, Davao (136.7 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 10-15 s

Magugpo Poblacion, Davao, Davao (143.1 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s

Buhangin Davao City (138.8 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / several minutes

Mahayag, Davao del Sur, Davao (142.9 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s

Tacloban City, Leyte, Eastern Visayas (559 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s (reported through our app / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Davao City (100.7 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 20-30 s

General santos city (165.4 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / several minutes

Limao, Davao, Davao (135.4 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 20-30 s

Davao city (136.9 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / complex motion difficult to describe / 1-2 minutes

DAVAO CITY (165.5 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V)

Mawab Davao de oro (139.1 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / several minutes

Tupi South Cotabato (199.5 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 1-2 minutes

Southern Leyte (452.6 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / 5-10 s

MALAYBALAY CITY (252.2 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / complex motion difficult to describe / 15-20 s

Davao City (139.4 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 minutes

Tigatto, Davao City (143.1 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV)

San Fernando, Bukidnon (203.6 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 15-20 s

Mahayag, Davao del Sur, Davao (141.4 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 15-20 s

General Santos (172.9 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / several minutes

Mati, Davao Oriental, Davao (70.1 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 20-30 s

Loreto, Agusan del Sur, Caraga (206.5 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s

DAVAO City (137.8 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s

General Santos City, South Cotabato, Soccsksargen (180.8 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 minutes

Davao philippines (144.6 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV)

DAVAO CITY (DAVAO DEL SUR) (136.6 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / single lateral shake / 10-15 s

Davao City (141.2 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V)

General Santos City (177.8 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / single lateral shake / 20-30 s

Mati City (72 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 1-2 minutes

General Santos City,Bula (173.5 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 5-10 s

Davao City (141.3 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Polomolok (77.7 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / 20-30 s

San miguel surigao del sur (274.6 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Davao city (138.5 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV)

Bagontapay, Province of Cotabato, Soccsksargen (204.7 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating

Mangagoy, Bislig (191.4 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 30-60 s

Koronadal City, South Cotabato, Soccsksargen (205.8 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s

Davao City (147.3 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s

General Santos City, South Cotabato, Soccsksargen (173.6 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / 15-20 s

Mati, Davao Oriental, Davao (67.5 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V)

Inawayan, Province of Davao del Sur, Davao (146.2 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 minutes

Baracatan, Province of Davao del Sur, Davao (150.6 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s

Davao City (139.4 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 20-30 s

General santos (176.1 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI)

Tagum (141.1 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s

Patin-ay, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur (242.2 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III)

Gingoog (312.7 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s

tacloban city (562.4 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s

panabo city (143.9 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s

Gingoog City Mis. ORIENTAL (320.5 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 2-5 s

Gensan (167.5 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / 20-30 s (reported through our app / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / 20-30 s

Bed was shaking (313.2 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s

Mahayag, Davao del Sur, Davao (140.4 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s

Mati, Davao Oriental, Davao (74 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V)

San Antonio, Davao, Davao (125.1 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 2-5 s

Tacloban City (557.1 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 minutes

Tagum City (144.8 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / complex rolling (tilting in multiple directions) / 1-2 minutes

Mati (74.7 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 30-60 s

Palo, Leyte, Eastern Visayas (553.4 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single lateral shake / 5-10 s

tagum city (147 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s

Mati, Davao Oriental, Davao (76 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 5-10 s

Davao City (139 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s

Polomolok (184.6 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 minutes

General Santos City, South Cotabato, Soccsksargen (183.7 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 30-60 s

Tagakpan, Davao del Sur, Davao (150.8 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / several minutes

Toril, Davao City (145.8 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / several minutes (reported through our app / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / several minutes

Davao City (139 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s

Gabuyan (170.8 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV)

Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao (317.5 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / very short

Sto. Tomas Davao del Norte (633.4 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s

Davao City (137 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / single lateral shake / 20-30 s

Limao, Davao, Davao (136.6 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 15-20 s

Tagum (145.7 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 minutes

Magugpo Poblacion, Davao, Davao (145.7 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / simple rolling (tilting sideways along one direction) / 10-15 s

Banga, South Cotabato (215.7 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s

Cagwait, Surigao del Sur (257.8 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 15-20 s

arezzo place davao (135.7 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 10-15 s (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 10-15 s

davao city (138.9 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s

Bayugan City (267.8 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s : I was in deep sleep and I woke because of the earthquake.. Babies are crying from neighbours.

Surigao City, Caraga (389.9 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III)

Davao city (137.4 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 1-2 minutes

Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur (148 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s Light shaking (reported through (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s

Davao City (145.4 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 minutes

San Isidro Davao Oriental (75.6 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 20-30 s

Davao City (140.8 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / single lateral shake / 20-30 s (reported through our app / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / single lateral shake / 20-30 s

near Davao City (145.4 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV)

Santo Tomas (163.4 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s

General Santos City, South Cotabato, Soccsksargen (174.4 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s (reported through our app / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s

Panabo (145.7 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s

Davao City (139.4 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 1-2 minutes

DAVAO CITY (140.8 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 20-30 s

Davao (143.3 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / vibration and rolling / 1-2 minutes Shaking (reported through (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / vibration and rolling / 1-2 minutes

Inawayan, Province of Davao del Sur, Davao (145.8 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) (reported through our app / Strong shaking (MMI VI)

Magugpo Poblacion, Davao, Davao (147 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 15-20 s

Ecoland, Davao City (138.2 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s

Bislig City, Surigao del Sur, Caraga (195.2 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s

general santos city (179.3 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 1-2 minutes

Batobato San Isidro Davao Oriental (78.2 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s (reported through our app / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Davao City (139.4 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) (reported through our app / Strong shaking (MMI VI)

Davao City, Philippines (155.7 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 30-60 s

Digos City (152.5 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V)

Koronadal City, South Cotabato, Soccsksargen (204.6 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V)

Tagum City (148.8 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s

Cagayan de oro city (316.1 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 10-15 s

General Santos City (177.1 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 1-2 minutes

Nabunturan, Davao De Oro Philippines (147 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II)

General Santos City (179.1 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / simple rolling (tilting sideways along one direction) / 15-20 s

Medical Mission Group Hospital and Health Services (144.7 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 1-2 minutes

Digos City (153.2 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s (reported through our app / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s

Davao City (138.4 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 20-30 s (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 20-30 s

Davao City (136.6 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Butuan, Agusan del Norte, Caraga (302.3 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 20-30 s

Davao City (139.4 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s

Magugpo Poblacion, Davao, Davao (147.1 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging

Davao city (137.3 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 minutes (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 minutes

davao city (137.6 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 30-60 s

Maramag, Bukidnon, Northern Mindanao (235.4 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s

General Santos City, South Cotabato, Soccsksargen (176.3 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V)

Davao City (137.6 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V)

Valencia, Bukidnon, Northern Mindanao (237.7 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Cortes, Burgos (311.7 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV)

White banana (372.5 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 5-10 s

Mahinog, Camiguin, Northern Mindanao (363.6 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s

Cotabato City, PH.14.B8, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (284.4 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / complex motion difficult to describe / 20-30 s

Davao City (145.6 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III)

Butuan, Agusan del Norte, Caraga (301.7 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 20-30 s

Iligan city (333.2 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 5-10 s

Surallah (210.7 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III)

Mati, Davao Oriental, Davao (75.5 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V)

General Santos city / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Las pjnas / not felt : I did not feel anything

Davao City / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s

Laguna / not felt : I Didn't feel

PASIG CITY / not felt

Davao city / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 minutes

Taguig / not felt

Tarlac / not felt

Bataan / Weak shaking (MMI III) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 5-10 s

San Juan City, Metro Manils / not felt

quezon city, NCR LUZON / not felt : none.

San jose del monte bulacan / not felt

Malolos City / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 10-15 s

Manila / not felt

Malolos bulacan / not felt : No

Pateros metro manila / not felt

Cupang, muntinlupa city / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging

MANILA, PHILIPPINES / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : I felt it.

CABUYAO banay banay lakeside nest subdivision / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 10-15 s : Kala ko nagihilo lng ako yun pala na lindol nha buti nag alert dn ang cp q

City of San Fernando / not felt

CALOOCAN CITY / not felt

Binan laguna / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single lateral shake / very short

CITY OF LAS PINAS / not felt

Plaridel / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 5-10 s

Dasmaronas City, Cavite / Weak shaking (MMI III)

Taguig / not felt : I dont feel the quake

Valenzuela, metro manila / not felt

Luzon. Metro manila / not felt

Malabon City / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single lateral shake / 1-2 minutes

Marikina / not felt

Cavite / not felt

muntinlupa city / not felt : NOthing for now

San Pedro, Laguna / not felt

Davao city / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s

San francisco agusan del sur / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging

Malagos, Baguio District, Davso City / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s

General Santos City / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 1-2 minutes

Davao City / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 15-20 s

Mati City / Weak shaking (MMI III) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 2-5 s : Moderate

Davao / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 20-30 s

Mati / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 10-15 s

Davao City Bago Gallera / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 10-15 s

Davao city / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / 1-2 minutes

Libertad, butuan city / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 20-30 s

Malinawon Homes Briz Tagum City / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 minutes

panabo city dvo del norte / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s

General Santos City / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / several minutes

Davao city / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s

Tagum / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 minutes

Tagum City / Very strong shaking (MMI VII) / 1-2 minutes

Lubogan, Davao City / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 30-60 s

Davao City / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s : The

ILIGAN CITY / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 20-30 s

Cagwait, Surigao del Sur / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s

Davao City / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s

Tacunan, Davao city / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 30-60 s

Davao City / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s

Davao City / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 20-30 s

Cagayan De Oro City / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Davao / not felt

Davao City / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 minutes

Home, Bangkal Davao City / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 minutes : Dizzy afterwards

General Santos City / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 minutes

Kalibo / not felt : Not felt in aklan

Toril, Davao City / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 20-30 s

Davao del sur / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 30-60 s

General Santos City / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s : I felt dizzy

Alabel, Sarangani Province / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s

Davao City / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / several minutes

Surigao del Sur / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s

Bislig City / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s

Panabo City / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 minutes

Davao City / Moderate shaking (MMI V)

DAVAO CITY / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 minutes : I felt dizzy while its happening.

Ilang, Davao City / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s

Gensan / Light shaking (MMI IV)

Davao City / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 minutes

matiao, pantukan / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s

Davao city / Light shaking (MMI IV) / simple rolling (tilting sideways along one direction) / 5-10 s : It felt quite strong, it woke me up

In the house / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s : Afraid my leg is shaking also

San isidro / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 20-30 s : Quite rigorous for 10-15 seconds. I lay enjoying to ride?

davao city / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 10-15 s

Isulan / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s : Very light shaking but i felt it

Davao cityj / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 30-60 s

Tagum City / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 10-15 s

ISLAND GRADEN CITY OF SAMAL / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s

Nabunturan, Davao De Oro / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 minutes

Davao city / not felt

Kidapawan city / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s

Davao City / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s

Mlang north cotabato / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 5-10 s

Butuan Citu / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 minutes

President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 15-20 s

Panabo / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / several minutes

Tandag city surigao del sur / Moderate shaking (MMI V)

CITY OF DIGOS (Capital) / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 15-20 s

Monkayo / Moderate shaking (MMI V)

general Santos City / Moderate shaking (MMI V)

Davao city / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s

Davao City / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 1-2 minutes

Davao City / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 1-2 minutes

Davao City / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 minutes

Davao City / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s

Davao City / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s

Cagayan de oro / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s

Bukidnon / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 10-15 s

Pantukan Philippines / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s

General Santos City / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 30-60 s

Davao City Panacan / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s

london / not felt

Davao City / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s

Poblacion Trento, Agusan del Sur / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / several minutes

Toril davao city / Moderate shaking (MMI V)

Davao City / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s

Davao City / Light shaking (MMI IV) / complex motion difficult to describe / 1-2 minutes

Davao City, Davao Del Sur / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s

MAA DAVAO CITY, DAVAO DEL SUR / not felt

Cabadbaran City / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s

Tagum City / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 minutes

Cambanogoy, Asuncion / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single vertical bump / 10-15 s

Cebu City / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / 10-15 s

Pantukan / Strong shaking (MMI VI)

Davao city / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 minutes

Lanang / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 1-2 minutes
11 Aug 17:49 UTC: First to report: VolcanoDiscovery after 3 minutes.

11 Aug 17:52: Now using data updates from GFZ

... [show all] ... 11 Aug 17:54: Epicenter location corrected by 8.7 km (5.4 mi) towards NE.

11 Aug 17:58: Magnitude recalculated from 6.5 to 6.9.

11 Aug 18:00: Magnitude recalculated from 6.9 to 7.0. Epicenter location corrected by 11 km (6.9 mi) towards N.

11 Aug 18:52: Hypocenter depth recalculated from 10.0 to 63.0 km (from 6.2 to 39 mi). Epicenter location corrected by 20 km (12 mi) towards SW.

11 Aug 19:48: Magnitude recalculated from 7.0 to 7.1.

11 Aug 19:50: Epicenter location corrected by 1.1 km (0.7 mi) towards E.

Update Wed, 11 Aug 2021, 20:43

The strong earthquake triggered initially a tsunami alert of possible waves up to 0.2-1 m for some coasts of the Philippines, but fortunately, only very minor waves of up to 5 cm (0.2 ft) occurred and the alert was lifted.

Update Wed, 11 Aug 2021, 17:57

report it

    (    ),      !Alsoalthough you were in the area, please! Your contribution is valuable also to earthquake science and earthquake hazard analysis and mitigation efforts.        ,  ,      .  !
A big increase in COVID-19 cases leads one school to require masks for all students and staff.

Masks will be mandatory at Albertville City Schools starting Thursday, only four days after classes began with optional masking.

As of Wednesday, 17 students and five faculty members in the Albertville City Schools system have tested positive for COVID-19. Although they started the year mask optional, these numbers, along with recommendations from local health officials, led to the mask policy change.

"We want to keep our students in school. We want to make sure that our students get back to normal. We didn't make this decision without carefully considering all factors," says Dr. Boyd English, superintendent for Albertville City Schools.

Dr. English says traditional learning is their main goal for the school year, so if masks are needed to make that happen, so be it.

"We feel like our students need to be in traditional classroom settings for the entire year and we're dedicated and committed to making that happen," explains Dr. English.

This change in protocol comes as local health leaders are encouraging everyone to mask up.

"Because of the high transmissibility of the virus, we have to mask. And I am sorry to tell us that, but we have to mask," says CEO of Crestwood Medical Center Dr. Pam Hudson.

Their mask recommendations include guidelines for children, as many of them can only rely on masks since they are ineligible for the vaccine.

"If you feel strongly that kids belong in school, and I feel that, I think it's important that we, that many, many children have that opportunity. Supporting mask wearing is a vehicle to keep them in school," says CEO of Huntsville Hospital, Jeff Samz.

However, Dr. English is hopeful masks will only be a temporary necessity.

"Three weeks from now we're very hopeful that we'll be able to remove the mask requirement and get back to normal in that aspect as well," says Dr. English.

Even though the school system had to backtrack on their mask requirements the same week they started, Dr. English thinks they made the right decision to start with masks optional as it gave them some real data on how masks are impacting their students.

Dr. English plans on revisiting mask guidelines the first week of September.
A man accused of forcing his way into a home and kidnapping an 11-month-old child is the focus of a manhunt by the Albertville Police Department and DeKalb County Sheriffs Office.

Armando Garcia Morales, of Albertville, took the child from a home in the 1,100 block of Horton Road about 4:36 a.m. Wednesday, Albertville police said.

Police said Morales later told them where to find the baby, who was located unharmed.

They said he physically assaulted the victim before taking the child, and that he and the victim have a child together but not the child hes accused of kidnapping.

Later Wednesday, police the victim was going to a relative's home in DeKalb County for safety and while en route was located by Morales and he allegedly used his vehicle to ram the victim's vehicle.

The victim was able to make it safely to her destination.

Morales was last seen in the Kilpatrick area in a blue 2007 Toyota Camry. A possible license plate is 50JA858.
Athens-Limestone Hospital is changing its visitation guidelines due to the increase in coronavirus cases.

The hospital is requiring that all visitors be 16 and older with a valid ID, and free of symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath and loss of taste or smell.

They cannot have been diagnosed with coronavirus or come in contact with someone with it within the last seven days.

Visitors also must wear masks while inside the hospital, observe social distancing and sanitize.

General inpatients are limited to one designated visitor per stay.

For patients with coronavirus, only one visitor is allowed per stay and they can only stay for 2 hours per day.

See the full details:
As of Wednesday, Helen Keller Hospital officials confirm there are 33 people hospitalized with Covid and 23 of them are getting ICU-level care.

Out of these 33 people only one of person is vaccinated and that person is not needing ICU level care.

"The younger people we are seeing are extremely sick and we're talking as young as their 20s," said Helen Keller Hospital President Kyle Buchanan.

"Typically when we have an acutely ill child we work with our sister hospital primarily in Huntsville to get that child the care they need. Many people look at our numbers and say 'oh they don't have any children at Helen Keller Hospital' and that's because those kids are sent to Huntsville, Nashville, or Birmingham and yes we have sent children to Huntsville and Birmingham for Covid in the last two weeks."

With vaccination numbers low, and disputes over masks Buchanan said as a state and community we aren't doing much to stop the virus.

"We're not seeing a push on any of the elements that we need right now. We need to have tremendous efforts to vaccinate our community as quickly as possible.

"We need to have tremendous efforts for those who can't be vaccinated to mask and social distance. We just, quite frankly, aren't doing any of that right now and it's showing up in our numbers in the ER and the hospital," said Buchanan.

Buchanan said the delta variant surge is bringing new challenges with it too.

"Because there is so much transmission across the Southeast we are having challenges getting patients who need services that aren't related to covid to any of our referring facilities because many of them are full. So we are working through challenges of trying to make sure they are getting the care they need and not being able to send them to Vanderbilt, UAB, or Huntsville creates new challenges that we handle on a case by case basis," said Buchanan.

Helen Keller Hospital does offer the Pfizer vaccine to people who want it.

They give vaccines out at their Wellness Center located in a separate building next to the hospital. They are also doing pop up clinics throughout the Shoals. You can click here to go to their facebook page for vaccine dates, locations, and times.
New legislation was discussed by Columbia County officials at the August 2 meeting

DAYTONWashington states legislation on police reform went into effect on Sunday, July 25, and has left many police officials across the state without needed clarification. Concerns over changes to police response based on House Bill 1054 and House Bill 1310, sponsored by State Representative Jesse Johnson, were discussed at an August 2 Columbia County Commissioners meeting.

The State Legislature passed the police accountability measures in response to national, state, and local calls to reform policing after the deaths of unarmed Black Americans, including George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and, more locally, Manuel Ellis killed in Tacoma in March 2020. According to an article by NPR, lawmakers worked closely with advocates and families who have lost loved ones to police violence.

The new legislation addresses many aspects of policing, including banning the use of chokeholds and neck restraints by officers, limiting the use of physical force, changes in training and background checks for new officers, governance around peace officers, and requiring officers to intervene if a fellow officer uses excessive force and requiring officers to report misconduct.

At the Columbia County Commissioners meeting, Emergency Management Director Ashley Strickland asked for clarification for dispatch, stating he was worried that a misunderstanding of the new laws could potentially place the Columbia County Sheriffs Office in a bind. He asked how operators are to respond to calls if Columbia County deputies cannot respond due to a lack of appropriate resources, based on the new legislation.

The County Prosecutor Dale Slack said it should be handled on a call-by-call basis.

There was a meeting this last Thursday morning of all 37 elected prosecutors in the state, and no two of us can agree on what the laws say, Slack said. At this point, we are not even 100% sure that the Terry stop, which is kind of the cornerstone of law enforcement, exists anymore because you cant use force or restrain somebody. If you stop someone or pull them over, and they say, I dont want to talk to you, you cant stop them without probable cause.

A Terry stop allows officers to detain a person briefly, based on reasonable suspicion of their involvement in criminal activity.

Slack went on to say that reasonable suspicion used to be reason enough for police to keep someone stopped long enough for questioning. He said now police could not stop someone from leaving the scene unless they have probable cause. Using a domestic violence scenario as an example, Slack said that probable cause is not determined until the victim tells police that a specific person harmed them.

We have risen to the level where we cannot make someone talk, at least until we have probable cause, said Slack.

Slack also said there are changes to how police handle mental health crises. Departments are waiting for clarification from the Attorney General on how to proceed with these situations legally.

Law enforcement is really going to change, unfortunately, said Slack. The public needs to know about it and be ready to be told, Im sorry, we cannot enforce the laws the way we used to because of the new legislature.

An example of how different jurisdictions are interpreting the new laws comes from James Schrimpsher, a vice president of the Washington Fraternal Order of Police. He is also the police chief in the south King County town of Algona. He has directed Algona officers responding to domestic violence calls to tell everyone on the scene to stay put because police are investigating a crime. If a suspect then flees, the officers could arrest that person for obstruction, which would be a crime in progress that allows the use of physical force under the new law, said Schrimpsher.

Other law enforcement departments have issued statements that they will not be responding to a variety of calls based on their reading of the new laws. This includes the Walla Walla Sheriffs Office (WWSO), which listed the following changes in response to the new legislation in a letter to The Times, published in the July 29, 2021, edition:

Welfare checks - generally, local law enforcement will not respond; however, a supervisor may give approval if it is determined there is no other alternative, e.g., A person lives in Kansas and hasnt heard from a relative in over a week and there is no one else local who can check.

Involuntary Treatment Act - A DCR must have completed an evaluation and signed the DMHP form prior to law enforcement response. Officers will still verify the ITA requirements (a danger to themselves, a danger to others, gravely disabled) prior to taking action.

Mental health calls - Generally law enforcement will not respond. Community members should call Comprehensive Mental Healths Crisis Response Team (CRT) at 509-524-2999 for assistance with a mental health issue. If a supervisor determines a crime has occurred an officer will respond.

Civil calls - Generally law enforcement will no longer respond. If an actual crime has occurred, a supervisor will determine if law enforcement response is required. Law enforcement will continue to serve no contact orders, orders for protection, etc.

Suspicious person calls: Dispatch will broadcast for information. Law enforcement will drive by if available to be a visible deterrence but will not make contact unless a crime is observed.

On August 2, the Attorney General of Washington office sent a memorandum to members of the state legislature addressing many of law enforcements concerns about Bill 1310, including those listed in the WWSO letter.

The memo states that the Washington courts and law recognize something called the community caretaking doctrine and cited a 2019 Washington Supreme Court opinion from State of Washington vs Michael Clifford Boisselle, that called police officers jacks of all trades who frequently engage in community caretaking functions that are unrelated to the detection and investigation of crime.

Bill 1310 does not prohibit peace officers from responding to community caretaking calls, including mental health calls, the memo concluded.

The memo also says that, except for certain provisions, a peace officer may use physical force against a person when necessary to protect against criminal conduct, to effect an arrest, prevent escape or protect against imminent threat of bodily injury to the officer, another person, or the person who the force is being used.

A disclaimer noted that it did not constitute a formal legal opinion from the AGO, but instead represents the authors carefully considered legal opinion.

The entire memo can be read at https://housedemocrats.wa.gov/tmp/2021/08/Attorney-Client-Privilege-Bill-1310-002.pdf

Some law enforcement officials have embraced some of the changes and said they share the lawmakers goals. But uncertainty about how to comply, combined with a greater possibility of being decertified or held personally liable in court, puts officers in a tough position, they say.

The policing reforms may have the positive impact of reducing the number of violent interactions between law enforcement and the public, Steve Strachan, executive director of the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, said in a statement. However, we owe it to the public we serve to be candid and share that we are deeply concerned that some policing reforms may have unintended outcomes that result in increased levels of confusion, frustration, victimization, and increased crime within our communities.

For example, the restriction on military-grade weaponry inadvertently bans some less-lethal impact weapons, including the shotguns police use to fire beanbag rounds. Washington State Representative Jesse Johnson said the context makes clear the intent was to embrace, not ban, less-lethal weapons. He expected the state attorney general to clarify that until the Legislature can fix the wording next year.

While the intent of the legislation is to address excessive force and add more accountability, it has been criticized for being poorly written leaving frustration and confusion for police and prosecutors as they wait for formal legal opinions and guidance from the state. This will take time and coordination between local governments and the state to resolve inconsistencies and unintended consequences from the legislation.
Fires break out in Sicily and Calabria during intense heatwave.

Three people have died as a result of wildfires in southern Italy, burning thousands of hectares of land, as the Calabria region calls on the government to declare a state of emergency.

On Wednesday a 30-year-old farmer died in the Catania area of north-east Sicily after he was crushed by his tractor in an attempt to put out on a fire on farmland.

The tractor was carrying a cargo of water whose weight caused the vehicle to overturn on a corner, killing the man instantly, reports news agency ANSA.

Two elderly men also lost their lives in separate incidents in Calabria, the toe of Italy's boot, yesterday.

A 76-year-old man died in Grotteria after his house became surrounded by flames, while a 79-year-old man was found dead in Cardeto due to burns caused by wildfires.

A few days ago two other people died in a fire in Calabria - a 53-year-old woman and her 34-year-old nephew - as they attempted to save their olive grove in San Lorenzo, on the slopes of Aspromonte.

The fires have destroyed multiple properties in the affected regions, devastating land and leading to the evacuations of many homes.

Italy's agriculture minister Stefano Patuanelli, on a visit to Sicily yesterday, pledged economic relief "to those who have lost everything."

The cause of the fires is being blamed on a mix of poor maintenance of wooded areas and the criminal actions of arsonists.

The situation is aggravated by the extreme heat, with the Syracuse area of Sicily registering a record 48.8 degrees on Wednesday, which is reported as the highest temperature ever recorded in Europe.

News of the wildfires comes mid-way through what forecasters had warned would be the 'hottest week of the summer' as Italy faces the 'Lucifer' anticyclone, a wave of hot air sweeping the country.

Heat warning in Italian cities

The health ministry has issued its highest Level 3 'bollino rosso' heat warning 10 cities on Thursday 12 August: Bari, Bologna, Campobasso, Rieti, Rome, Frosinone, Latina, Palermo, Perugia and Trieste.

On Friday 13 August, the peak of the heatwave, the Level 3 warning will affect 15 cities: Bari, Bologna, Bolzano, Brescia, Cagliari, Campobasso, Florence, Frosinone, Latina, Palermo, Perugia, Rieti, Rome, Trieste and Viterbo.

People are advised to avoid exposure to the sun and outdoor activity in the middle of the day, to eat lightly and drink plenty of water.

Photo ANSA
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QBE Groups interim chief executive Richard Pryce says the business is benefiting from a global rise in insurance premiums, a trend that helped drive a sharp rebound in profits and put a rocket under the companys share price.

QBE shares surged more than 8 per cent on Thursday, after the insurer smashed market expectations with a $US441 million ($599 million) half-year profit, up from a loss last year, and an upbeat outlook statement.

Investors welcomed the insurers strong half-year profit result as well as its upbeat outlook. Credit:Bloomberg

Shareholders will pocket a 11c dividend, up from 4c last year, as the market welcomed signs the companys long-running efforts to improve performance were bearing fruit.

Mr Pryce, delivering his final result as interim boss before handing over to incoming CEO Andrew Horton next month, said the worldwide trend of rising insurance premium rates had helped drive QBEs rebound.
A group of self-described satanists enlisted the Devil himself as a political tool and held a Black Mass in their fight against the might of Queenslands Education Department, which reached the Supreme Court on Thursday.

The Noosa Temple of Satan is pushing for satanists to be allowed to teach religious instruction classes to school students.

Noosa Temple of Satan (NTS) founder Robin Bristow, aka Brother Samael Demo-Gorgon.

The Noosa Temple of Satan, located on the Sunshine Coast, was formed in December 2019, in defiance of the Australian governments proposal for a religious discrimination bill.

One of the satanists aims was to force the federal government to scrap the idea of a religious discrimination bill, and replace it with a human rights act.
This weeks dog-bites-man headline surely has to be: residents push back on states social housing blitz. Ah, the more things change. But who knows, just as few of us could have predicted our current dystopian reality, maybe one day Ill open The Age to behold, Mayors in Camberwell and Malvern welcome sprawling new public housing in tree-lined streets despite the king-hit to surrounding property values  which, for a headline, is admittedly hideously bulky.

Bulk being an oft-cited problem in this perennial struggle between housing equity and local democracy in Melbournes established suburbs. A routine objection to proposed new developments is that theyre too bulky, and likely to cause traffic chaos.

A bigger story would be if upmarket eastern suburbs welcomed public housing in their areas. Credit:Joe Armao

Or ghetto alert! too near to existing public housing, in the case of a proposal to use student accommodation for social housing in fast-gentrifying Seddon. Maribyrnong councillors initially blocked the proposal and then relented after the not-for-profit housing provider, Unison, agreed to employ on-site security three days a week.

But as I said, freak things do happen a pandemic, for instance, which, like the global financial crisis of more than a decade ago, calls for urgent stimulus measures. Hence, the Andrews Governments $5.3 billion Even Bigger Build, or whatever the justified superlative for an unprecedented plan to build 12,000 social and affordable homes, revivify the construction sector and shrink Victorias ever-inflating public housing waiting list. To achieve this goal, the government introduced a fast-track approvals process that limits the scope for local councils to stymie the developments.
Voters will have no more than 12 days to cast their ballot ahead of the next election as part of a suite of new measures to modernise electoral processes, improve services and grow confidence in the democratic system.

The federal government introduced its planned overhaul, which includes making it easier for overseas voters to comply with witnessing requirements and increasing the number of scrutineers for computerised Senate counting, to Parliament on Thursday.

Several parliamentary inquiries in the past decade have recommended pre-poll voting be restricted to no more than two weeks before an election. Credit:Cole Bennetts

Measures would also be introduced to guard against rare instances of multiple voting while penalties would be strengthened for interfering with a persons political liberty, including through violence, abuse, property damage, harassment or stalking relating to an election.

A Coalition-dominated inquiry into the 2019 federal election made 27 recommendations last year on voting rules, electronic voting, campaign finance, the size of Parliament and four-year terms. Labor members on the committee tabled a dissenting report.
NEW YORK (AP)  Anita Hill educated a nation about workplace sexual harassment back in 1991 with calm, deliberate testimony against Clarence Thomas. And today, 30 years later, she speaks in the same measured tones, eschewing dramatic declarations  especially of victory  and sounding more like the soft-spoken academic she is than an activist.

But Hill was certain enough, after Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced his resignation this week, to make this pronouncement: Weve made progress. The conversation has changed. And #MeToo did that.

Hill was joined by a number of leading figures connected with #MeToo in her feeling that the movement, launched in 2017 with revelations about Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein, had reached a significant milestone this week, regardless of fits and starts along the way.

When youve got millions of people talking about their experiences  and understanding they are not alone, I think that sent a message to the American public that we needed to stop being in denial about these problems, Hill said in an interview after the governor said Tuesday he was resigning in two weeks, amid a slew of harassment allegations.

Because there were just too many voices and too many experiences for us to say collectively that this doesnt happen. So I think that was the role that #MeToo had to play, in order for us to get where we are today.

To attorney Debra Katz, whos represented women accusing powerful men of sexual misconduct for four decades  including Christine Blasey Ford, accuser of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, and Charlotte Bennett, one of the earliest Cuomo accusers  the resignation marks a really important moment of reckoning for a movement that has shifted in and out of the spotlight in the last year or two. Just last month, many worried that the sight of comedian Bill Cosby freed from prison  after the reversal of his conviction on a technicality  would have a chilling effect on the movement.

Katz said the Cuomo result would simply never have happened before #MeToo. She noted specifically the domino effect of one accuser coming out  Lindsey Boylan, first  and then others like Bennett emerging, inspired by the courage of fellow accusers and enraged by attempts to discredit them.

What you had was women supporting one another, because in this post #MeToo moment, and maybe because of the (young) age of these complainants  they were just not going to give him a pass, Katz said.

Most crucial, said Katz and others, was what they called the exhaustive and thorough investigation into Cuomos behavior conducted by New York Attorney General Letitia Jame s  a huge contrast, they said, to that conducted into Kavanaughs behavior by the FBI.

Hill said that the breadth and transparency of the New York investigation, which detailed the harassment accusations of 11 women, was something weve never seen before.

"It was a model, I think, for how we can move forward and address these issues, whether in government or in corporations or in the legal system, she said. Like Katz, she decried the Kavanaugh investigation; Kavanaugh was eventually confirmed despite Fords accusations, as was Thomas, in 1991, despite Hills testimony.

Cuomo and his lawyers have attacked the attorney generals report, saying it glossed over gaps in the evidence, left out facts in his favor and accepted unsupported allegations against him as true without proof. While hes acknowledged that some of the incidents with women did occur, hes said he didnt realize he was making anyone uncomfortable, and denied the most serious allegation he faced  that he groped an aides breast  as fabricated.

Tarana Burke, the activist who gave the #MeToo movement its name, noted that many had been disturbed by the fact that Cuomo, who presented himself as a strong ally of the #MeToo movement, is accused of engaging in harassing behavior at the very same time. But she stressed that it's important thing to focus not on the accused but on the accusers, and their increasing bravery in coming forward  an encouraging sign for the future.

The fact that he would do this lets me know that power is just insidious, she said of Cuomo. I dont know how much headway were making in that area. But were making headway in the other area where women are coming forward. And I think thats a big victory.

I think its a big thing to look at these young people, she added of the youth of Cuomos accusers (Bennett, for example, is 25.) This is a movement that has to stay young and fresh. When people think of #MeToo, I want them to think of 22-year-old college students  (people) thinking bigger and brighter and braver and bolder than I am."

Burke has long said its dangerous to view each case as a win or a loss, because satisfaction with one can easily turn to disappointment with the next, as when Cosby was freed. But she said shed be lying if she didnt feel intense satisfaction when she heard, from her mother on the phone, that the governor was stepping down.

I actually cursed, which I try not to do in front of my mom, but I was excited, she said. And my excitement was about, can you imagine how amazing that must feel to these 11 women who, conversely, their lives could have been completely destroyed? These women could have been  silenced, blackballed and worse. So I feel really good for them, that they have some sense of relief and accountability.

Like Burke, Hill has always said no one case should serve as a referendum on the movement.

One point, though, seems likely to her: Five years ago, the results in the Cuomo case would not have been the same. I dont know that the public would have pushed back so strongly, she said. "I dont know if people in the party would have called for a resignation.

Still, work remains, especially in the area of accountability, said Hill, who along with her teaching at Brandeis University chairs the Hollywood Commission, which works toward eliminating sexual harassment in the entertainment industry.

Hill noted that a recent commission survey found a strong belief in the industry that sexual harassers will not be held accountable.

This is (just) one example, she said of the Cuomo case. There are probably people who will still not believe that a person who is in power will be called to reckon for violations in the workplace. And the question we have to ask ourselves is: Is this an aberration, or is this something that can be the beginning of a trend, if we do it right?"
The Indiana State Department of Health is reporting another high day of new positive COVID-19 cases.

ISDH said Thursday that 3,186 new positive cases of the virus had been identified throughout the Hoosier State. That brought the total number of individuals known to have tested positive in the state to date to 794,077.

With six new COVID-19 deaths also reported statewide Thursday, the state health department said that 13,686 COVID-19 deaths have been identified in the state to date.



Updated COVID-19 Data for Indiana Released by ISDH Thursday

Locally, no new COVID-19 deaths were reported Thursday by ISDH - though the state health department did report new positive cases of the virus in Vanderburgh County and surrounding counties.

Local COVID-19 Increases Reported Thursday:

Vanderburgh County: 148 new cases

Warrick County: 74 new cases

Knox County: 48 new cases

Gibson County: 26 new cases

Dubois County: 23 new cases

Posey County: 12 new cases

Spencer County: 11 new cases

Pike County: 8 new cases

Daviess County: 7 new cases

Perry County: 6 new cases

More information on COVID-19 in Indiana can be found on the ISDH website.
Exencephaly is a rare birth defect that causes the brain to develop outside the skull, exposing the tissue to amniotic fluid in the womb. The condition has been universally fatal, until now. Neurosurgeons developed a procedure that allowed a newborn identified with the condition during his mom's pregnancy to survive after birth and continue to thrive.
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CALGARY - Alberta has recorded 501 new cases of COVID-19  the largest single-day increase since late May.

Albertans receive vaccines at a mass COVID-19 vaccination clinic in Calgary, Alta., Thursday, April 22, 2021.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

CALGARY - Alberta has recorded 501 new cases of COVID-19  the largest single-day increase since late May.

The new infections reported Wednesday increase Alberta's active case count to 3,769.

Almost 44 per cent of active cases are in the Calgary zone, followed by about 22 per cent in the Edmonton zone.

Alberta currently has the highest active case count in all of Canada.

Hospitalizations rose by five to 138 and intensive care unit admissions by two for a total of 31.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta's chief medical officer of health, said on social media the majority of Albertans facing severe outcomes are either unvaccinated or partially protected against COVID-19.

About 85.9 per cent of non-ICU patients are unvaccinated or have partial vaccine protection. The same goes for 93.5 per cent of people in intensive care.

Most testing, tracing and isolation measures have ended in the province, with quarantine requirements lifting for positive cases next Monday.

Ahead of additional provincial guidance, some schools in Alberta have chosen to reinstate COVID-19 safety measures for returning students and staff.

On Wednesday, the Calgary Board of Education announced mandatory masking will remain in place, in addition to enhanced cleaning and screening measures beginning next Tuesday for modified calendar schools.

Christopher Usih, chief superintendent of schools, said in a statement they will review any additional guidance from Alberta Education before September.

"We all play a role in ensuring that our return to school is as safe as possible," said Usih.

"As the school year begins, we will be monitoring the situation closely and following the direction of health authorities to ensure that we are doing everything possible to minimize the spread of COVID-19 in our schools and workplaces."

The district said it will no longer alert close contacts of positive cases in the classroom as it used to, based on guidance from Hinshaw.

Edmonton Catholic Schools previously announced it would reinstate masking for its year-round students who began classes Wednesday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 11, 2021.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  Worried that the highly contagious delta variant of the coronavirus could derail San Franciscos economic rebound, Mayor London Breed announced Thursday that the city will require proof of full vaccination at indoor restaurants, bars, gyms and entertainment venues to help keep businesses open.

FILE - In this Nov. 24, 2020, file photo, people wear masks while working out in social distancing spaces in an indoor class at a Hit Fit SF gym amid the coronavirus outbreak in San Francisco. San Francisco will require proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 for a number of indoor activities such as visiting restaurants, bars and gyms. A city supervisor confirmed the new mandate shortly before Mayor London Breed was scheduled to hold a news conference Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu,File)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  Worried that the highly contagious delta variant of the coronavirus could derail San Franciscos economic rebound, Mayor London Breed announced Thursday that the city will require proof of full vaccination at indoor restaurants, bars, gyms and entertainment venues to help keep businesses open.

This is to protect kids, is to protect those who cant get vaccinated, is to make sure that we dont go backwards, is to make sure that I never have to get up in front of you and say, Im sorry, I know we just reopened and now the city is closed again because we are seeing too many people die,'  Breed said.

The mandate will be more stringent than the one announced by New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio last week. San Francisco will require proof of full COVID-19 vaccination for all customers and staff, while New York mandated proof of at least one dose for indoor activities.

It will take effect Aug. 20, but businesses will have two more months to verify employees' vaccination status to preserve jobs while giving time for compliance." The mandate does not apply to people ineligible for vaccines, including children under 12.

The Chase Center, home to the Golden State Warriors basketball team, reacted to the news by asking ticket holders to a Sept. 15 rock concert to show proof of vaccination. AEG Presents, the giant concert and live event promoter, also announced Thursday it will require proof of vaccination for COVID-19 to attend its shows and festivals starting Oct. 1.

In addition to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention paper cards that people get when they are vaccinated, California has established an online record with a bar code that vaccinated people can use to prove their status. Breed said a photo of the CDC card will suffice, and that it will be up to businesses to enforce the requirement. Proof of vaccination issued by foreign governments is also acceptable.

The goal is to raise the vaccination rate in a city where 78% of the eligible population already is fully vaccinated, she said. San Francisco was among the first to ban large gatherings and close schools at the beginning of the pandemic and has been at the forefront of other COVID-19 restrictions, including requiring all city employees to be vaccinated without the option of testing regularly.

Los Angeles is considering a similar vaccine requirement, with people needing at least one dose before going to indoor restaurants, bars, gyms, movie theaters and other venues. Leaders there voted Wednesday to direct city attorneys to work out the details.

Also Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom said all employees at public and private schools in California will have to show proof of vaccination or face weekly testing.

Breed announced the mandate Thursday at the historic Vesuvio Cafe in North Beach, a favorite haunt of the beat poets. The cafe is among many San Francisco businesses that have already been requiring proof of vaccination indoors.

Most people were really happy that we had started the policy. It took patience on everyones part. So, the people who were impatient or didnt like the policy would just leave," Vesuvio co-owner Janet Clyde said.

Having the weight of the government behind you, the science, the health department" makes it easier to enforce, she said.

Bar owners, already struggling to find enough staff, want to protect their employees and stay open, said Ben Bleiman, president of the San Francisco Bar Owner Alliance.

He said he was forced to close his bar one night after the bartender got infected at another job.

A group representing nearly 100 fitness studios said the mandate would help avoid the capacity limits or another potential shutdown that hurt their businesses last year.

We support the citys vaccine requirement for indoor fitness as it provides our clients with one more level of assurance that they can experience the mental and physical benefits of fitness in a safe, healthy environment, said Dave Karraker, a board member of the San Francisco Independent Fitness Studio Coalition.

Thursday's order also extends the vaccination requirement for certain health care providers, including employees at adult day care centers, residential care facilities, dental offices, home health aides and pharmacists, who are not included in the state health order on vaccinations.
VICTORIA - A surge in COVID-19 cases spurred by the Delta variant is prompting British Columbia health officials to enact mandatory vaccine requirements for all staff and volunteers at long-term care and assisted living sites.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry talks about B.C.'s plan to restart the province during a press conference at Legislature in Victoria, B.C., on May 25, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

VICTORIA - A surge in COVID-19 cases spurred by the Delta variant is prompting British Columbia health officials to enact mandatory vaccine requirements for all staff and volunteers at long-term care and assisted living sites.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said Thursday that people living in such settings are at particular risk and transmission from unvaccinated people has led to outbreaks.

"I recognize that this is a change from the direction we announced earlier in the spring and June, where we thought it would be sufficient to have additional measures such as testing in place," Henry said. "We have now seen with the transmission of the new variants that we need extra protection in this highly risky situation."

Staff, volunteers and personal service providers are expected to be vaccinated by Oct. 12, and those who haven't had their shots in the meantime must wear masks and additional protective gear and be tested regularly, Henry said.

Immunization data will be collected by the Public Health Office and will be used by officials to determine where vaccination efforts should be focused.

When asked if other B.C. businesses should be able to hire or fire staff based on their vaccination status, Henry said she supported businesses making decisions that allow staff to remain safe.

Health Minister Adrian Dix said the new requirements are a necessary step to protect residents and staff at seniors' care centres.

"The fact of an outbreak, I can tell you as minister of health but also as a family member, is incredibly disruptive and painful to residents of long-term care, families and everyone else," he said.

Dix said the government cannot predict if legal action would be taken against them for mandating vaccines in such a setting, but added that the government believes it is on a strong legal footing.

The Canadian Medical Association and the Canadian Nurses Association previously called for mandatory vaccinations for health-care workers.

There is significant evidence that vaccines are safe and effective and as health professionals who are leading the vaccination campaigns, it is the right call and an appropriate step, Dr. Ann Collins, the president of the association, said in a statement last week.

Quebec's health minister said during a news conference this week the province was looking at making COVID-19 vaccinations for health-care workers mandatory in the province.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also said this month he's asked the clerk of the Privy Council to look at making vaccinations mandatory in some federally regulated workplaces.

Both Ontario and Alberta have said they wouldn't make vaccinations mandatory for anything.

The B.C. General Employees Union, which represents more than 23,000 members in the health-care sector, including 4,800 in long-term care and assisted living, said the provincial government also needs to reintroduce single-site restrictions, which forbids employees from working at more than one care home.

"With the rapid spread of the Delta variant in B.C. and elsewhere, it's critical that our province takes the steps necessary to prevent the spread of the virus and protect our vulnerable neighbours and front-line workers," union treasurer Paul Finch said in a statement.

More than 80 per cent of eligible residents in the province have received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and about 72 per cent of people have been fully vaccinated.

The announcement comes as British Columbia's COVID-19 infection rate peaks to levels not seen since mid-May.

British Columbia reported 513 new cases of COVID-19 cases Thursday, with more than half occurring in the Interior Health authority.

There has also been one death, bringing the total number of fatalities to 1,779.

There are currently eight COVID-19 outbreaks in long-term care facilities in the province, including four in the Interior health authority, where the provincial health officer has tightened restrictions in the last two weeks.

The surge in cases in the central Okanagan has been attributed to the highly contagious Delta variant.

 By Nick Wells in Vancouver

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 12, 2021.
WASHINGTON (AP)  When the pace of vaccinations in the U.S. first began to slow, President Joe Biden backed incentives like million-dollar cash lotteries if that's what it took to get shots in arms. But as new coronavirus infections soar, he's testing a tougher approach.

President Joe Biden removes his face mask as he arrives to speak about prescription drug prices and his "Build Back Better" agenda from the East Room of the White House, Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

WASHINGTON (AP)  When the pace of vaccinations in the U.S. first began to slow, President Joe Biden backed incentives like million-dollar cash lotteries if that's what it took to get shots in arms. But as new coronavirus infections soar, he's testing a tougher approach.

In just the past two weeks, Biden has forced millions of federal workers to attest to their vaccination status or face onerous new requirements. He's met with business leaders at the White House to press them to do the same.

Meanwhile, the administration has taken steps toward mandating shots for people traveling into the U.S. from overseas. And the White House is weighing options to be more assertive at the state and local level, including potential support for school districts imposing rules to prevent spread of the virus over the objection of Republican leaders.

To the mayors, school superintendents, educators, local leaders, who are standing up to the governors politicizing mask protection for our kids: thank you, Biden said Thursday. "Thank God that we have heroes like you, and I stand with you all, and America should as well.

But even as Biden becomes more aggressive, he has refrained from using all his powers to pressure Americans to get vaccinated. He's held off, for instance, on proposals to require vaccinations for all air travelers or, for that matter, the federal workforce. The result is a precarious balancing act as Biden works to make life more uncomfortable for the unvaccinated without spurring a backlash in a deeply polarized country that would only undermine his public health goals.

Vaccine mandates are the right lever at the right time," said Ben Wakana, the deputy director of strategic communications and engagement for the White House COVID-19 response, noting the public's increasing confidence in the vaccines and adding that it marks a new phase in the government's campaign to encourage Americans to get shots.

Many Republicans, particularly those eyeing the party's 2024 presidential nomination, disagree and warn of federal overreaching into decisions that should be left to individuals. Biden and Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, an epicenter of the latest virus wave, have spent weeks feuding over the proper role of government during a public health crisis.

There is notable support for vaccine mandates. According to a recent poll from the Kaiser Family Foundation, 51% of Americans say the federal government should recommend that employers require their workers to get vaccinated, while 45% say it should not.

For now, Biden has required most federal workers to attest to their vaccination status under potential criminal penalties, with those who have not received a dose required to maintain social distancing, test weekly for the virus and face other potential restrictions on their work.

Health workers at the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Health and Human Services will be required to get vaccinated, and the Pentagon has announced that it intends to mandate vaccines for the military by next month.

The sharper federal approach comes as nearly 90 million eligible Americans still have not been vaccinated and as Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nations top infectious disease expert, says shots are the only path for the nation to contain the delta variant.

White House officials say Biden wanted to initially operate with restraint to ensure that Americans were ready for the strong-arming from the federal government. The federal moves have been carefully calibrated to encourage a wave of businesses and governments to follow suit.

Biden administration officials briefed prominent Washington trade groups, including the Chamber of Commerce and the Business Roundtable, ahead of the federal announcement in hopes their members would follow suit. White House officials have fielded dozens of calls from business executive in recent weeks about how to implement their own vaccination mandates, officials said, sharing best practices and tips for how to protect their workforces.

Through vaccination requirements, employers have the power to help end the pandemic," White House COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients said Thursday, naming companies, universities and local governments that have implemented them.

The new restrictions appear to be having the desired effect. The rules  combined with fresh concerns about the surging delta variant  have nearly doubled the average rate that Americans are getting newly vaccinated from last month to about 450,000 per day.

Zients said the White House still has no plans to develop the infrastructure for so-called vaccine passports, despite some criticism from businesses that the patchwork of local and state verification systems leaves them without a clear way to enforce mandates. The Biden administration had promised to share frameworks for verification systems, but ultimately left them all to the private sector and local governments, in part because of political sensitivities.

Still, while more severe measures  such as mandating vaccines for interstate travel or changing how the federal government reimburses treatment for those who are unvaccinated and become ill with COVID-19  have been discussed, the administration worried that they would be too polarizing for the moment.

That's not to say they won't be implemented in the future, as public opinion continues to shift toward requiring vaccinations as a means to restore normalcy.

Lawrence Gostin, a professor of health law at Georgetown University, said Biden would likely need to continue to turn up the pressure on the unvaccinated. Hes really going to have to use all the leverage the federal government has, and indeed use pressure points, Gostin said. And I think there are a few that he can do but he hasnt done yet.

The country is completely fatigued with lockdowns, business closures and masking, added Gostin, and vaccines are literally our only tool. Weve tried masking, distancing, occupancy limits, even entire lockdowns now for coming along nearly two years. And the virus just keeps raging back. And the vaccines are the only thing we have now to defeat the virus. We need to use that tool and we need to use it vigorously. And I think there will be large public support for that.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  Prison inmates cant legally possess marijuana under Californias law allowing recreational pot, the state Supreme Court ruled Thursday in overturning a lower court that found prisoners could have the drug as long as they didnt consume it.

FILE - In this Feb. 26, 2013, file photo, inmates walk through the exercise yard at California State Prison Sacramento, near Folsom, Calif. California's high court on Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021, ruled that prison inmates cannot legally possess up to an ounce of marijuana behind bars under the state's 2016 law allowing recreational pot. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  Prison inmates cant legally possess marijuana under Californias law allowing recreational pot, the state Supreme Court ruled Thursday in overturning a lower court that found prisoners could have the drug as long as they didnt consume it.

The justices said the 2019 appellate court ruling allowing prisoners to have up to 1 ounce (28.5 grams) of marijuana went against common sense. The high court sided with the state attorney general in finding the state's marijuana law approved by voters did not apply to Californians in prison.

It seems implausible" that the voters intended to essentially decriminalize marijuana in prisons, Associate Justice Joshua Groban wrote for the majority.

We agree with the Attorney General that if the drafters had intended to so dramatically change the laws regarding cannabis in prison, we would expect them to have been more explicit about their goals, he wrote.

FILE - In this Aug. 17, 2011, file photo, concertina wire and a guard tower are seen at Pelican Bay State Prison near Crescent City, Calif. California's high court on Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021, ruled that prison inmates cannot legally possess up to an ounce of marijuana behind bars under the state's 2016 law allowing recreational pot. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)

California in 1996 became the first state to legalize medical marijuana, which also is illegal in its prisons. Twenty years later, voters approved Proposition 64 establishing the world's largest legal recreational pot marketplace. People 21 or older can legally possess up to an ounce of marijuana.

Cannabis is now legal in some form in more than 30 states. But Paul Armentano, deputy director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, said he was unaware of any state that allows either recreational or medicinal cannabis in prison.

The case before the California Supreme Court arose from the conviction of five men who were found with marijuana in their cells. The Sacramento-based 3rd District Court of Appeal overturned the convictions, ruling that while state law made it illegal to smoke or eat pot in prison, it didnt specifically criminalize possession.

Other California appeals courts had ruled that possessing cannabis in prison still was illegal.

In the 5-2 Supreme Court decision, Groban wrote: While perhaps not illogical to distinguish between the possession and use of cannabis, it is nonetheless difficult to understand why the electorate would want to preclude laws criminalizing cannabis possession in prison, but permit laws criminalizing cannabis consumption in prison.

Associate Justice Leondra Kruger, writing in partial dissent, agreed that the ballot measure did not legalize cannabis possession in Californias prisons and jails. But she said it left open the question of whether prosecutors could continue to file charges the same way they previously could, by choosing between what she called two overlapping felony statutes, one with tougher penalties than the other.

Voters could have intended to provide a limited measure of leniency for inmates caught with cannabis, she reasoned, even while not decriminalizing possession behind bars. She also said the court shouldn't have addressed the legality question at all, based on the way the appeal was framed.

She was joined by one other justice, Mariano-Florentino Cuellar.

The lower court said corrections officials still could ban possession as a rules violation, just as they do for alcohol or tobacco, but not seek new felony charges that could add years to prisoners sentences.

We are sympathetic to the view that (existing law) creates extreme disparity between how our legal system treats the possession of cannabis generally versus the possession of such a substance inside a correctional facility. That is also true of many other substances, including alcohol, Groban wrote.

Some may well view an eight-year prison sentence for the possession of less than one gram of cannabis (one gram is the approximate weight of a single paper clip or a quarter teaspoon of sugar) as unduly harsh, he wrote. The wisdom of those policy judgments, however, are not relevant to our interpretation of the statutory language.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  California will become the first state in the nation to require all teachers and school staff to get vaccinated or undergo weekly COVID-19 testing, as schools return from summer break amid growing concerns about the highly contagious delta variant, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday.

FILE - In this July 26, 2021, file photo, California Gov. Gavin Newsom appears at a news conference in Oakland, Calif. The Orange County Board of Education in Southern California announced plans to sue Newsom over a state mandate requiring K-12 students to wear masks in classrooms. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  California will become the first state in the nation to require all teachers and school staff to get vaccinated or undergo weekly COVID-19 testing, as schools return from summer break amid growing concerns about the highly contagious delta variant, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday.

The new policy applies to both public and private schools and will affect more than 800,000 employees, including about 320,000 public school teachers and a host of support staff such as cafeteria workers and cleaners, the state Department of Public Health said. It will also apply to school volunteers.

Newsom announced the new policy at a San Francisco Bay Area school that reopened earlier this week to in-person classes. Many California schools are back in session, with others starting in the coming weeks.

FILE - In this Wednesday, July 21, 2021, file photo, a parent adjusts her son's visor on the first day of school at Enrique S. Camarena Elementary School in Chula Vista, Calif. California will become the first state in the nation to require all teachers and school staff to get vaccinated or undergo weekly COVID-19 testing. The statewide vaccine mandate for K-12 educators comes as schools return from summer break amid growing concerns of the highly contagious delta variant. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the new policy Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy, File)

We think this is the right thing to do, and we think this is a sustainable way to keeping our schools open and to address the number one anxiety that parents like myself have for young children, said Newsom, who is a father of four. That is knowing that the schools are doing everything in their power to keep our kids safe.

Several large school districts in the state have issued similar requirements in recent days, including San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose and Long Beach Unified.

California, like the rest of the country, has seen a troubling surge in COVID-19 infections because of the delta variant, which represents the vast majority of new cases. It has affected children more than previous strains of the virus, prompting a growing number of teachers unions to ease earlier opposition to vaccine mandates.

Californias two largest teachers unions, both powerful political allies to the governor, said Wednesday they fully supported Newsoms policy.

FILE - In this March 2, 2021, file photo, Vanessa Guerra, at right, a special education teacher at Grant Elementary School in Hollywood, receives a shot of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine from nurse Kelly Mendoza at a site for employees of the Los Angeles school district in the parking lot of SOFI Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. California will become the first state in the nation to require all teachers and school staff to get vaccinated or undergo weekly COVID-19 testing. The statewide vaccine mandate for K-12 educators comes as schools return from summer break amid growing concerns of the highly contagious delta variant. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the new policy Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021 as he visited a San Francisco Bay Area school that has already reopened after summer break. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)

The California Teachers Association and the California Federation of Teachers both cited state and national polling that indicates nearly 90% of educators have been vaccinated but said the rising spread of the delta variant, particularly among children, makes the new policy necessary. Children under 12 are not yet eligible to be vaccinated.

Educators want to be in classrooms with their students, and the best way to make sure that happens is for everyone who is medically eligible to be vaccinated, with robust testing and multi-tiered safety measures, CTA President E. Toby Boyd said in a statement.

While Hawaii Gov. David Ige announced last week that all Department of Education staffers would be required to disclose their vaccination status or face weekly testing, Californias order is far more sweeping, applying to all staff who work in both public and private schools in the country's most populous state.

Over the past few weeks, Newsom has mandated that all health care workers must be fully vaccinated and required that all state employees get vaccinated or choose weekly testing. The weekly testing schedule is based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during a news conference at Carl B. Munck Elementary School, Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021, in Oakland, Calif. Gov. Newsom announced that California will require its 320,000 teachers and school employees to be vaccinated against the novel coronavirus or submit to weekly COVID-19 testing. The statewide vaccine mandate for K-12 educators comes as schools return from summer break amid growing concerns of the highly contagious delta variant. (Santiago Mejia/San Francisco Chronicle via AP, Pool)

For schools, Newsom had already issued a mask mandate that applies to teachers and students. But until Wednesday, he had left the decision of whether to require vaccines up to local districts.

Vaccine mandates are perilous for the Democratic governor, who faces a recall election next month fueled in part by anger over his handling of the pandemic.

California was the first state to order a pandemic lockdown in March 2020, which shuttered businesses and schools statewide. While many private schools maintained in-person classes, most public schools kept students in distance learning for up to a year. Newsom faced intense political pressure to reopen schools from Republican opponents and supporters who urged him to override powerful labor unions. Many public schools finally reopened last spring, lagging much of the country.

Newsom pushed for a full return to in-person learning this fall. But his mask mandate for schools has angered some parents and been criticized by Republican candidates vying to replace him.

Several of the GOP candidates criticized the new plan Wednesday. Former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, who has encouraged everyone to get vaccinated, said state officials should not be pushing uniform statewide orders on every school district across the state but should leave it to local districts.

Details of how the new policy will be enforced were not announced. Labor unions say those logistics still need to be worked out.

Matthew Hardy, a spokesman for the California Federation of Teachers, said the union supports the plan that allows an option for testing.

We do not think people should lose their jobs over this, he said.

Schools are required to be in full compliance with the new policy by Oct. 15, giving schools time to verify vaccination status and have in place weekly testing for unvaccinated staff, said Amelia Matier, a spokeswoman in the governors office.

Newsom did not rule out expanding the requirement to students after a vaccine is approved for children under 12 years old.

Well consider all options in the future, he said, in response to a question. We believe this is a meaningful first step.

Ronayne reported from Sacramento, California.
BEIJING (AP)  China on Thursday dismissed Canada's protests of harsh sentences handed down by Chinese courts to Canadians whose cases are seen as linked to the arrest in Vancouver of a top executive at Chinese tech giant Huawei.

Diplomats take notes as Dominic Barton, Canada's Ambassador to China, reads a statement via video link after the announcement of a prison sentence for Canadian citizen Michael Spavor at the Canadian Embassy in Beijing, Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021. A Chinese court has sentenced Canadian Michael Spavor to 11 years on spying charges in case linked to Huawei. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

BEIJING (AP)  China on Thursday dismissed Canada's protests of harsh sentences handed down by Chinese courts to Canadians whose cases are seen as linked to the arrest in Vancouver of a top executive at Chinese tech giant Huawei.

The Foreign Ministry and the Chinese Embassy in Canada accused Ottawa of making unwarranted, groundless accusations that grossly interfered in China's judicial sovereignty.

Such accusations are extremely unreasonable, extremely absurd and extremely arrogant, over which we express our great indignation and strongest condemnation," their statements said.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday called the sentencing of entrepreneur Michael Spavor absolutely unacceptable and unjust."

Trudeau cited a lack of transparency in the legal process, and a trial that did not satisfy even the minimum standards required by international law."

Diplomats listen as Jim Nickel, the deputy chief of mission for the Canadian Embassy in China, reads a translation of the announcement of a prison sentence for Canadian citizen Michael Spavor at the Canadian Embassy in Beijing, Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021. A Chinese court has sentenced Spavor to 11 years on spying charges in case linked to Huawei. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

For Mr. Spavor, as well as for Michael Kovrig who has also been arbitrarily detained, our top priority remains securing their immediate release. We will continue working around the clock to bring them home as soon as possible."

Spavor and former diplomat Kovrig were detained soon after Huaweis Meng Wanzhou was arrested Dec. 1, 2018, at the request of the U.S., where she faces charges related to possible violations of trade sanctions on Iran.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry denied Spavor and Kovrig were arbitrarily detained and said their rights were fully protected. Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying accused Canada of using megaphone diplomacy, to rally its allies to pressure China.

The Chinese side urges the Canadian side to clearly grasp the current situation, earnestly respect Chinas judicial sovereignty, stop applying double standards on legal issues, and stop slandering and attacking China so as to avoid bringing further damage to China-Canada relations," the statement from the Chinese Embassy in Canada said.

Spavor was sentenced Wednesday to 11 years in prison on national security charges by a court in Dandong, near the North Korean border. The government has released few details other than to accuse Spavor of passing along sensitive information to Kovrig. Both have been held in isolation and have had little contact with Canadian diplomats.

Canada and other countries face trade boycotts and other Chinese pressure in disputes with Beijing over human rights, the coronavirus and control of the South China Sea. The United States has warned American travelers face a heightened risk of arbitrary detention in China for reasons other than to enforce laws.

China has tried to pressure Trudeaus government by imposing restrictions on imports of canola seed oil and other products from Canada.

Diplomats from the United States, Japan, Britain, Australia, Germany and other European countries plus the European Union showed their support by gathering at the Canadian Embassy in Beijing on Wednesday. They have separately called for Spavor and Kovrig to receive fair trials or to be released.

The practice of arbitrarily detaining individuals to exercise leverage over foreign governments is completely unacceptable, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement. People should never be used as bargaining chips.

Three Canadians convicted in separate drug cases were sentenced to death in 2019. In one, Robert Schellenberg had received a 15-year sentence initially that was abruptly increased to death in January 2019 following Mengs arrest. His appeal was rejected Tuesday and the case was sent to Chinas supreme court for a mandatory review.

Meng, the chief financial officer of Huawei Technologies Ltd. and daughter of the companys founder, was arrested on U.S. charges of lying to the Hong Kong arm of the British bank HSBC about possible dealings with Iran in violation of trade sanctions.

Mengs lawyers argue the case is politically motivated. The judge who will rule on her extradition is likely to rule later this year and the ruling can be appealed further.

Chinas government believes her arrest is part of U.S. efforts to hamper its technology development. Huawei, a maker of network equipment and smartphones, is Chinas first global tech brand and is at the center of U.S.-Chinese tension over technology and the security of information systems.
LOS ANGELES (AP)  Real estate heir Robert Durst testified Wednesday that he has changed his mind many times about whether he actually saw his wife step onto a commuter train for Manhattan on the night she disappeared in 1982, and said he lied to police when he told them he later spoke to her on the phone.

New York real estate scion Robert Durst, 78, answers questions from defense attorney Dick DeGuerin, left, while testifying in his murder trial at the Inglewood Courthouse on Monday, Aug. 9, 2021, in Inglewood, Calf. Durst is charged with the 2000 murder of Susan Berman inside her Benedict Canyon home. He testified Monday that he did not kill his best friend Berman. (Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times via AP, Pool)

LOS ANGELES (AP)  Real estate heir Robert Durst testified Wednesday that he has changed his mind many times about whether he actually saw his wife step onto a commuter train for Manhattan on the night she disappeared in 1982, and said he lied to police when he told them he later spoke to her on the phone.

Everyone has asked me that question and I have changed my mind maybe a dozen times, Durst said under questioning from his attorney Dick DeGuerin at his Los Angeles murder trial. Did I actually see Kathie walk through the doors and onto the train? The answer is no. But there is no place else to go.

Durst, on trial for the 2000 killing of his best friend Susan Berman, has never been charged in the disappearance of Kathie Durst, who was later declared legally dead. But prosecutors have been allowed to present evidence that Durst killed his wife and then killed Berman when she was about to tell authorities what she knew.

He testified that he never saw or heard from his wife again after watching her step onto the train platform in the New York hamlet of Katonah near their home on Jan. 31, 1982. But days later he told a detective investigating her disappearance that he had called her and spoken to her at their apartment in Manhattan, where she had gone because she had medical school in the Bronx the following morning.

In this still image taken from the Law & Crime Network court video, real estate heir Robert Durst, right, describes what ailments he has to defense attorney Dick Deguerin during his murder trial on Monday, Aug. 9, 2021, in Los Angeles County Superior Court in Inglewood, Calif. (Law & Crime Network via AP, Pool)

That was a lie, said Durst. I wanted to convince him that Kathie had gotten back.

Durst, 78, spoke slowly in a strained, raspy voice, sitting in a wheelchair instead of the witness chair, and reading his lawyers questions on a tablet giving live transcriptions because he struggles with hearing.

He said he was not worried after not hearing from her for several days. He said she often worked very long shifts in her internship and slept in the dorm rooms of friends.

Durst testified that even when he heard answering machine messages from her school saying she hadnt been showing up, he assumed it was because of her out-of-control cocaine use, which had been taxing their relationship.

I was imagining that she was out someplace having fun, Durst said. It hadnt occurred to me that anything had happened to her. It was more like, what had Kathie done to Kathie?

Defense attorney David Chesnoff listens while defendant Robert Durst testifies in his murder trial at the Inglewood Courthouse on Monday, Aug. 9, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. Durst is charged with the 2000 murder of Susan Berman inside her Benedict Canyon home. The New York real estate scion testified Monday that he did not kill his best friend Berman. (Gary Coronado /Los Angeles Times via AP, Pool)

Durst said Kathie fabricated and exaggerated stories about his abusing her, including a pair of incidents that were dramatized in the film All Good Things starring Ryan Gosling and Kirsten Dunst and shown to jurors earlier in the trial.

In one of them, Kathie climbed out the window of their apartment, onto a terrace, and into the apartment of a neighbor, who she told Durst was beating her.

Durst said he hadn't even been interacting with his wife, and had thought she was in the study the whole time.

He testified that someone had convinced Kathie that if she could show I was physically abusing her, she would get a bigger part of the settlement if we got divorced.

He also disputed an account from the film that was given in the testimony of Kathie's brother Jim McCormack, who recalled Durst pulling her out of a gathering with her family by the hair.

I did grab Kathies hat, put it on Kathies head, grab Kathies coat and push her towards the door, Durst said.

DeGuerin, Durst's attorney, made the rare and risky move of calling a defendant in a murder trial to the stand on Monday.

His first questions to Durst were: Did you kill Susan Berman? and Do you know who did? with Durst answering no to both. DeGuerin then guided Durst on a step-by-step telling of his biography that is likely to continue for several more days.

Durst was arrested on a warrant in Bermans killing in New Orleans in 2015 on the eve of the airing of the final episode of the HBO documentary series The Jinx" on his life and the deaths he's been connected to. He told many of the same stories in the series that he repeated from the stand.

___

Follow Dalton on Twitter at https://twitter.com/andyjamesdalton
BERLIN (AP)  Striking railway workers in Germany kept much of the country's train service suspended Thursday as they continued their nationwide work stoppage for a second day.

A person stands on the empty station platform at the main station in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021. A nationwide, two-day train strike has brought big parts of the German railway and commuter system to a standstill. Words on the information board read: 'No Railwayservice On Platform 4'. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)

BERLIN (AP)  Striking railway workers in Germany kept much of the country's train service suspended Thursday as they continued their nationwide work stoppage for a second day.

Only one-quarter of long-distance trains were running and about 40 % of regional and local commuter trains, German news agency dpa reported. The strike also put many cargo trains out of action.

The railway workers belonging to the GDL union had voted earlier with an overwhelming majority for a strike to underline their demands for a 3.2 % pay raise and a one-time coronavirus bonus payment of 600 euros ($704).

German train operator Deutsche Bahn has rejected the demands. The company has lost billions since the start of the pandemic and from recent floods that destroyed or damaged numerous railroad tracks.

Deutsche Bahn has put in place a replacement schedule and lifted its pandemic distancing measures to allow every seat on the trains still operating to be used during the strike.

With 11 of Germany's 16 states still on summer vacation, travelers ordinarily would be replying heavily on trains to get around. In places where schools have reopened for a new term, the strike also affected students and other commuters.

GDL has said it plans to end the strike Friday at 2 a.m. (0000 GMT).

The union, which has more than 35,000 members, went on nationwide strikes eight times in 2014 and 2015 to push through its demands.

During the recent negotiations, the larger EVG railway workers union agreed to a deal last year which included a 1.5% increase in 2022 and rules out job cuts.
MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP)  Nicaraguas storied La Prensa newspaper said Thursday it will suspend its print edition after the government once again withheld newsprint paper at customs.

MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP)  Nicaraguas storied La Prensa newspaper said Thursday it will suspend its print edition after the government once again withheld newsprint paper at customs.

La Prensa has long been criticial of President Daniel Ortega, who also recently arrested dozens of opposition figures. La Prensa said it will continue an online edition.

Once again the Ortega-Murillo dictatorship has withheld our paper. Until they release the raw material, we cannot continue with the print edition, the newspaper said in an editorial, referring to Ortega's wife and vice president, Rosario Murillo. The move also affects the sister paper Hoy.

The move marks the third time the government has withheld the newspapers paper or ink. The paper had ceased printing for about 500 days in 2018 and 2019 amid widespread protests against the regime.

La Prensa was founded in 1926; along with Hoy it has been the countrys only newspaper with a print editions since another opposition paper, El Nuevo Diario, closed in 2019.

Nicaragua is scheduled to hold national elections Nov. 7. and Ortega is seeking a fourth consecutive term. He placed an opposition vice presidential candidate under house arrest last week, then released her pending the outcome of an investigation.

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Over the past two months, Ortegas government has arrested nearly three dozen opposition figures, including seven potential challengers for the presidency.

On Monday in Managua, the opposition alliance National Coalition, said in a statement that it did not recognize the current the electoral process as a way out of Nicaraguas political crisis and urged Nicaraguans to not recognize it either.

Later Monday, authorities announced the arrest of opposition leader Mauricio Diaz Davila, a candidate for congress and a former ambassador to Costa Rica. He had been called to the Attorney Generals Office on Monday as part of an investigation for alleged acts against the state.

His political party, Citizens for Liberty, said he was arrested with violence. His ability to run for office had been cancelled by the electoral court three days earlier. Party President Kitty Monterrey, whose Nicaraguan citizenship was withdrawn last week, called for his immediate release.

Murillo also announced Monday that the government had recalled its ambassadors from Argentina, Colombia, Mexico and Costa Rica in reciprocity for steps taken by those governments. She declared recent criticism from those governments as interfering and interventionist.

Argentina and Mexico had offered to try to mediate negotiations between the government and opposition, but that offer was rejected by Ortega. Costa Rica and Colombia had strongly condemned Ortegas government for recent actions against the opposition.
OTTAWA - The federal government has signed a deal to invest $1.44 billion in Telesat's advanced low Earth orbit satellite constellation, Telesat Lightspeed.

Telesat president and CEO Daniel Goldberg comments during the announcement of a Quebec government tentative agreement with Telesat LEO Inc. and MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. to invest in Telesat Lightspeed in Montreal on Thursday, February 18, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

OTTAWA - The federal government has signed a deal to invest $1.44 billion in Telesat's advanced low Earth orbit satellite constellation, Telesat Lightspeed.

The government says the technology will help provide high-speed internet access in rural and remote parts of the country.

The investment includes a $790-million repayable loan and a $650-million preferred share equity investment.

The government will also receive warrants that can be converted into Telesat common shares.

The government says Telesat has committed to invest $3.6 billion in capital expenditures in Canada as well as maintain up to 700 jobs.

The company will also support post-secondary students through 100 co-op jobs and $800,000 in scholarships, with a focus on women in STEM programs.

"With the funding announced today and other financing sources already in place, including the previously announced investment by the government of Quebec, Telesat now has arrangements for approximately $4 billion in funding for the program," Telesat CEO Daniel Goldberg said in a statement.

"We expect to secure in the near term the remaining financial commitments required to fully finance Telesat Lightspeed."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 12, 2021.
NEW YORK (AP)  Purdue Pharma's quest to settle thousands of lawsuits over the toll of OxyContin and its other prescription opioid painkillers entered its final phase Thursday with the grudging support of many of those who have claims against the company.

Jayde Newton helps to set up cardboard gravestones with the names of victims of opioid abuse outside the courthouse where the Purdue Pharma bankruptcy is taking place in White Plains, N.Y., Monday, Aug. 9, 2021. Purdue Pharma's quest to settle thousands of lawsuits over the toll of OxyContin is entering its final phase with the grudging acceptance of most of those with claims against the company. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

NEW YORK (AP)  Purdue Pharma's quest to settle thousands of lawsuits over the toll of OxyContin and its other prescription opioid painkillers entered its final phase Thursday with the grudging support of many of those who have claims against the company.

But the lingering opposition from some state attorneys general took center stage in the first day of a confirmation hearing in U.S. Bankruptcy Court about the companys reorganization plan.

Questions from a lawyer representing Connecticut voiced the concern that states are being forced to accept the deal with both Purdue and members of the wealthy Sackler family who own the company.

The attorney, Irve Goldman, essentially asked John Dubel, a corporate turnaround expert who was installed as a member of Purdues board of directors two years ago, why states should not go to trial.

Is it a reasonable view for a creditor or sovereign state to want their claims resolved through an adversarial process so their view of justice should be served? Goldman asked.

Fake money with messages about Purdue Pharma are thrown on the ground during a protest outside the courthouse where the bankruptcy of the company is taking place in White Plains, N.Y., Monday, Aug. 9, 2021. Purdue Pharma's quest to settle thousands of lawsuits over the toll of OxyContin is entering its final phase with the grudging acceptance of most of those with claims against the company. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Dubel said he understood that states have that complaint, but added: We have 95-plus percent support from all of our creditors and that the Sacklers planned contribution to the settlement is fair and equitable.

The confirmation hearing, which could stretch out over two weeks, comes nearly two years after Purdue filed for bankruptcy as a way to settle about 3,000 legal claims filed against it by state and local governments, Native American tribes and others.

In addition to cash from the Sacklers, the company is asking a judge to approve the company being remade into an entity that's no longer owned by the family, with its profits dedicated to abating the opioid crisis.

As Dubel noted, most of the groups with claims against Purdue are on board with the settlement plan after years of negotiations.

Those with claims against Purdue were given a vote on the settlement, though U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Robert Drain is not bound by the results. Well over 90% of most groups of creditors said they approved, according to court filings.

On Thursday, an official with the company that counted the votes acknowledged that the support reflects only those who cast ballots. The majority of the more than 600,000 people and entities who were eligible to vote did not.

A man looks at cardboard gravestones with the names of victims of opioid abuse outside the courthouse where the Purdue Pharma bankruptcy is taking place in White Plains, N.Y., Monday, Aug. 9, 2021. Purdue Pharma's quest to settle thousands of lawsuits over the toll of OxyContin is entering its final phase with the grudging acceptance of most of those with claims against the company. A confirmation hearing is to open in U.S. Bankruptcy Court on Thursday for a deal that removes control of the company from members of the wealthy Sackler family and requires them to contribute $4.5 billion to opioid abatement While most states and others with claims have signed on, there's still deep anger that Sackler family members would receive protection from lawsuits under the deal. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

A group of Democratic state attorneys general were among the last to get on board. Until July, top state government lawyers were divided nearly evenly on whether to accept the deal.

Several of the opponents signed on after Purdue agreed to make many company records public and Sackler family members agreed to accelerate payments and increase payments. They've now agreed to provide a total of $4.5 billion in the form of cash and control of a charitable fund.

In response to questions, Dubel also said that the possibility that the settlement would fall apart is why the company has not shared with the court communications from its lawyers about the legal risks faced by the Sacklers.

We are still not certain that this plan will be confirmed, he testified, and we dont have full certainty that the payments will be made over the next nine years.

An analysis commissioned by a group of state attorneys general before changes in the agreement found the estimated wealth of the Sackler family could rise from $10.7 billion in 2020 to $14.6 billion by 2030 because of investment returns and interest.

David Sackler, a grandson of one of the three brothers who nearly 70 years ago bought the company that became Purdue, made a written declaration in court supporting the settlement and could be called to testify on it in the coming days.

Activist groups held a rally Monday outside the White Plains, New York, courthouse where Drain is based, urging him not to approve the deal.

They are opioid profiteers who have caused mass death and they sit pretty in this court, one of the activists, Megan Kapler, said at the protest. And it's not right.

The Purdue case is the highest-profile part of a vast landscape of litigation over an opioid epidemic that has been linked to more than 500,000 U.S. deaths since 2000, including those from prescription drugs such as OxyContin and generic painkillers, along with illicit drugs including heroin and illegally produced fentanyl.

In recent months, claims against other companies in the drug industry have gone to trial in California, New York and West Virginia, with more on tap in coming months. Some other firms are also settling. Drugmaker Johnson & Johnson and distribution companies AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health and McKesson are seeking state and local government acceptance of a deal worth $26 billion. Purdue's case was separated from the others when the company filed for the bankruptcy protection.

The company says its plan could be worth $10 billion over time. Profits and money already in the company's coffers would be used to abate the opioid crisis, funding treatment programs and education campaigns.

The value of the deal also includes the value of drugs Purdue is developing to reverse overdoses and inhibit addiction.

A portion of the money would also go to individual victims and their families. Payouts are expected to range from about $3,500 to $48,000.

Ed Neiger, a lawyer representing victims, said ahead of the hearing that he would tell Drain that its better to approve the settlement plan than to have years more of court battles with Purdue and the Sacklers.

The plan must be analyzed in light of the alternative, not a comparison to the ideal, Neiger said in an interview. Five hundred thousand people have died as result of the opioid crisis thus far. If we go the all-out litigation route, another 500,000 might die before we see a penny from the Sacklers.

Associated Press video journalist Ted Shaffrey in White Plains, New York, contributed to this report.
SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  A day ahead of his release on parole, Samsung scion Lee Jae-yong appeared in a South Korean court Thursday for another trial over alleged financial crimes  a reminder of his looming legal risks even as he leaves prison.

FILE - In this April 30, 2019, file photo, an employee walks past a logo of the Samsung Electronics Co. at its office in Seoul, South Korea. A day ahead of his release on parole, billionaire Samsung scion Lee Jae-yong appeared in court Thursday for an ongoing trial over charges of financial crimes, a reminder of his looming legal risks even as he leaves prison.(AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon, File)

SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  A day ahead of his release on parole, Samsung scion Lee Jae-yong appeared in a South Korean court Thursday for another trial over alleged financial crimes  a reminder of his looming legal risks even as he leaves prison.

The Justice Ministry earlier this week decided to free Lee and some 800 other prisoners on Friday, ahead of a holiday on Sunday celebrating Koreas independence from Japanese colonial rule at the end of World War II.

Lee had a year left on a 30-month sentence for embezzling millions of dollars from corporate funds to bribe South Koreas previous president, Park Geun-hye, to ensure government support for a 2015 merger between two Samsung affiliates that tightened his control over the corporate empire.

The case was part of a corruption scandal that eventually ousted Park, who was jailed in 2017 and wont be released until 2039 if she fully serves her sentence.

Lee faced a separate indictment on stock price manipulation, auditing violations and other charges related to the 2015 merger. Lees lawyers say he is a victim of the abuse of presidential power and insist the 2015 deal was part of normal business activity.

He appeared in the Seoul Central District Court on Thursday with other former Samsung executives charged in the case. Lee replied yes when a judge asked to confirm whether he was being released from prison on Friday, according to pool reports.

Lee, 53, is the third-generation leader of the Samsung business group that was founded by his grandfather. He runs the conglomerate in his capacity as vice chairman of Samsung Electronics, one of the world's biggest makers of computer memory chips and smartphones.

The technology giant showed no obvious sign of trouble while Lee stayed in prison, relaying his business decisions through visiting company executives. It has reported robust profit during the coronavirus pandemic, seeing larger demands for its consumer electronics products and chips used in computing devices and servers as the virus forced millions to stay at home.

Lee's release will extend a long history of leniency for South Korean corporate bosses convicted of corruption and financial crimes.

President Moon Jae-in, after winning the presidential by-election in 2017, pledged to create a world without privileges, to curb the excesses of family-run conglomerates and to end the corrupt ties between the chaebol and the government.

Amid criticism from civic groups and progressive politicians, Moons office has distanced itself from Lees release, saying paroles are up to the Justice Ministry.

Business leaders and key members of Moons government had endorsed Lees early release, citing Samsungs crucial presence in the national economy. They claimed that Lees absence from the boardroom could hamper Samsungs speed and aggressiveness in investments and weaken its competitiveness in the global semiconductor market.

Recent polls have indicated South Koreas public  years removed from the angry protests that filled the streets with millions of demonstrators in 2016 and 2017  largely favors Lees release, showing Samsungs deep influence in the country.
The COVID-19 surge that is sending hospitalizations to all-time highs in parts of the South is also clobbering states like Hawaii and Oregon that were once seen as pandemic success stories.

Campus supervisor Yolanda Fierros directs Valentin Quintero III to his kindergarten class on the first day of instruction at Roosevelt Elementary School in Anaheim, Calif., on Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021. (Jeff Gritchen/The Orange County Register via AP)

The COVID-19 surge that is sending hospitalizations to all-time highs in parts of the South is also clobbering states like Hawaii and Oregon that were once seen as pandemic success stories.

After months in which they kept cases and hospitalizations at manageable levels, they are watching progress slip away as record numbers of patients overwhelm bone-tired health care workers.

Oregon  like Florida, Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana in recent days  has more people in the hospital with COVID-19 than at any other point in the pandemic. Hawaii is about to reach that mark, too.

This, despite both states having vaccination levels higher than the national average as of last week. Arkansas and Louisiana were significantly below average, while Florida was about even. Mississippi, meanwhile, ranks at the very bottom for vaccination rates.

Its heartbreaking. People are exhausted. You can see it in their eyes," said Dr. Jason Kuhl, chief medical officer at Oregon's Providence Medford Medical Center, where patients are left on gurneys in hallways, their monitoring machines beeping away. Others needing treatment for cancer or heart disease are being turned away.

In other developments, the Food and Drug Administration is expected to authorize a third COVID-19 shot for certain people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients and organ transplant recipients, to give them an extra dose of protection.

A registered nurse, right, closes the door as staff treat patients in the COVID ward at Ochsner Medical Center in Jefferson, La., on Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021. Louisiana's top health officer says the peak of the state's latest coronavirus surge may be weeks away. Dr. Joseph Kanter said that could be a catastrophic scenario for hospitals already overrun with COVID-19 patients. (Chris Granger /The Advocate via AP)

The U.S. is seeing the virus storming back, driven by a combination of the highly contagious delta variant and lagging vaccination rates, especially in the South and other rural and conservative parts of the country.

New cases nationwide are averaging about 123,000 per day, a level last seen in early February, and deaths are running at over 500 a day, turning the clock back to May.

For the most part during the pandemic, Hawaii enjoyed one of the lowest infection and death rates in the nation. In recent days, though, it reported record highs of more than 600 new virus cases daily.

On its worst day in 2020, Hawaii had 291 patients hospitalized with the coronavirus. Officials expect to hit 300 by the end of this week.

Despite the promising demand for COVID-19 shots early on, it took three weeks  much longer than expected  to get from 50% to 60% of the vaccine-eligible population fully vaccinated. Vaccinations have since plateaued. Nationally, the rate is about 59%.

The biggest hospital on Hawaiis Big Island is feeling the pressure. Out of 128 acute beds, 116 were taken Wednesday at Hilo Medical Center, and the hospitals 11 intensive care unit beds are almost always full these days, spokeswoman Elena Cabatu said.

If someone out there has a heart attack or a sepsis or gets into a bad accident that requires intensive care, we will have to hold that person in the emergency department, Cabatu said.

FILE - In this May 21, 2021 file photo, a sign reminds customers to wear their masks at a bakery in Lake Oswego, Ore. Oregon Gov. Kate Brown on Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021 announced a statewide indoor mask requirement due to the spike in COVID-19 hospitalizations and cases, warning that the state's health care system could be overwhelmed. (AP Photo/Gillian Flaccus, File)

Im surprised we landed here, she lamented. The hope during the mass vax clinics was just so high.

Hilton Raethel, president and CEO of the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, disputed any notion that the rebound in tourism in Hawaii is largely to blame.

The tourists have been a source for infection, but theyve never been the predominant source of infection, Raethel said. Theres a lot more concern about people from Hawaii, residents who go to the South, go to Vegas, to other places, and they come back and spread it.

In Oregon, a record number of COVID-19 hospitalizations  670  was reported for a third straight day Thursday. ICU beds across the state remain about 90% full with COVID-19 patients occupying 177 of them, the Oregon Health Authority said. The previous peak of 622 hospitalizations came during a November surge.

"Our doctors and nurses are exhausted and rightfully frustrated because this crisis is avoidable. It is like watching a train wreck coming and knowing that theres an opportunity to switch tracks, yet we feel helpless while we watch unnecessary loss of life, said David Zonies, associate chief medical officer at Portlands Oregon Health & Science University.

Public health officials in the southern part of the state said they fear the situation will only get worse as the delta variant spreads through a region where fewer than half the residents have been fully vaccinated.

Im fearful that the darkest days of this pandemic may still be ahead of us, said Chris Pizzi, CEO of Providence Medical Center in Medford.

In a renewed effort to stop the spread, Gov. Kate Brown announced this week that nearly everyone will have to wear masks again in indoor public spaces, regardless of their vaccination status.

Throughout the pandemic, health officials have described Oregon as a success story, largely because of its tight restrictions, which were lifted at the end of June.

California, which is below the national vaccination rate, is also seeing alarming spikes in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Los Angeles County, the nation's largest county, faced 1,573 hospitalizations as of Wednesday  the highest since the end of February. The city of Los Angeles is working out a possible vaccine requirement to enter indoor spaces.

Meanwhile, White House coronavirus coordinator Jeff Zients said more people are getting vaccinated in states with the highest infection rates, including Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi.

Were getting more shots in the arms in the places that need them in the most. Thats what its going to take to end this pandemic," he said.

Mississippi broke its single-day records of COVID-19 hospitalizations, intensive-care use and new coronavirus cases. The state Health Department said 1,490 people were hospitalized Wednesday and 388 were in the ICU because of COVID-19. It also confirmed 4,412 new cases. The state health officer, Dr. Thomas Dobbs, said a majority of the cases are in the unvaccinated.

In Florida, where Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has steadfastly blocked mandatory mask-wearing, some emergency rooms are so overcrowded that doctors are sending patients home with oxygen and small, portable oxygen-monitoring devices to free up beds for sicker patients.

Associated Press writers Sara Cline, Adriana Gomez Licon, Eileen Putman, Terry Tang and Emily Wagster contributed to this report.
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP)  The Taliban captured two major Afghan cities, the country's second- and third-largest after Kabul, and a strategic provincial capital on Thursday, further squeezing the embattled government just weeks before the end of the American military mission in Afghanistan.

Taliban fighters patrol inside the city of Farah, capital of Farah province southwest of Kabul, Afghanistan, Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Mohammad Asif Khan)

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP)  The Taliban captured two major Afghan cities, the country's second- and third-largest after Kabul, and a strategic provincial capital on Thursday, further squeezing the embattled government just weeks before the end of the American military mission in Afghanistan.

The seizure of Kandahar and Herat marks the biggest prizes yet for the Taliban, who have taken 12 of Afghanistan's 34 provincial capitals as part of a weeklong blitz.

The capture of the city of Ghazni, meanwhile, cuts off a crucial highway linking the Afghan capital, Kabul, with the country's southern provinces, all part of an insurgent push some 20 years after U.S. and NATO troops invaded and ousted the Taliban government.

Taliban fighters patrol inside the city of Ghazni, southwest of Kabul, Afghanistan, Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021. The Taliban captured the provincial capital near Kabul on Thursday, the 10th the insurgents have taken over a weeklong blitz across Afghanistan as the U.S. and NATO prepare to withdraw entirely from the country after decades of war. (AP Photo/Gulabuddin Amiri)

While Kabul itself isn't directly under threat yet, the losses and the battles elsewhere further tighten the grip of a resurgent Taliban, who are estimated to now hold over two-thirds of the country and continue to press their offensive.

With security rapidly deteriorating, the United States planned to send in 3,000 troops to help evacuate some personnel from the U.S. Embassy in Kabul. Separately, Britain said about 600 troops would be deployed on a short-term basis to support British nationals leaving the country, and Canada is sending special forces to help evacuate its embassy.

Thousands of Afghans have fled their homes amid fears the Taliban will again impose a brutal, repressive government, all but eliminating women's rights and conducting public amputations, stonings and executions. Peace talks in Qatar remain stalled, though diplomats met throughout the day.

The latest U.S. military intelligence assessment suggests Kabul could come under insurgent pressure within 30 days and that, if current trends hold, the Taliban could gain full control of the country within a few months. The Afghan government may eventually be forced to pull back to defend the capital and just a few other cities in the coming days if the Taliban keep up their momentum.

U.S. peace envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad arrives for Afghan peace talks in Doha, Qatar, Thursday, Aug.12, 2021. (AP Photo/Hussein Sayed)

The onslaught represents a stunning collapse of Afghan forces and renews questions about where the over $830 billion spent by the U.S. Defense Department on fighting, training those troops, and reconstruction efforts went  especially as Taliban fighters ride on American-made Humvees and pickup trucks with M-16s slung across their shoulders.

Afghan security forces and the government have not responded to repeated questions from journalists over the days of fighting, instead issuing video communiques that downplay the Taliban advance.

In Herat, Taliban fighters rushed past the Great Mosque in the historic city  which dates to 500 BC and was once a spoil of Alexander the Great  and seized government buildings. Witnesses described hearing sporadic gunfire at one government building while the rest of the city fell silent under the insurgents control.

Herat had been under militant attack for two weeks, with one wave blunted by the arrival of warlord Ismail Khan and his forces. But on Thursday afternoon, Taliban fighters broke through the city's defensive lines and later said they were in control.

Map shows areas controlled by Taliban.

Afghan lawmaker Semin Barekzai also acknowledged the city's fall, saying that some officials there had escaped. Witnesses described seeing Taliban fighters once-detained at Herat's prison now freely moving on the streets.

It wasn't immediately clear what happened to Khan, who earlier had been described as under attack with his forces at a government building.

In Kandahar, the Taliban seized the governor's office and other buildings, witnesses said. The governor and other officials fled the onslaught, catching a flight to Kabul, the witnesses added. They declined to be named publicly as the defeat has yet to be acknowledged by the government.

The Taliban had earlier attacked a prison in Kandahar and freed inmates inside, officials said.

Map shows areas controlled by Taliban.

Earlier Thursday, the militants raised their white flags imprinted with an Islamic proclamation of faith over the city of Ghazni, just 130 kilometers (80 miles) southwest of Kabul.

Ghazni provincial council member Amanullah Kamrani alleged that the provincial governor and police chief made a deal with the Taliban to flee after surrendering. Taliban video and photos purported to show the governors convoy freely passing by insurgents as part of the deal.

Afghan Interior Ministry spokesman Mirwais Stanekzai later said the governor and his deputies had been arrested over that alleged deal. The officials could not be immediately reached for comment.

Stanekzai also acknowledged in a video message that parts of Ghazni had fallen, though he insisted government security forces do exist in the city.

The loss of Ghazni  which sits along the Kabul-Kandahar Highway  could complicate resupply and movement for government forces, as well as squeeze the capital from the south.

Already, the Talibans weeklong blitz has seen the militants seize nine other provincial capitals around the country. Many are in the countrys northeast corner, pressuring Kabul from that direction as well.

In southern Afghanistan, the Talibans heartland, heavy fighting continued in Lashkar Gah, where surrounded government forces hoped to hold onto the capital of Helmand province.

Nasima Niazi, a lawmaker from Helmand, criticized ongoing airstrikes targeting the area, saying civilians likely had been wounded and killed.

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The Taliban used civilian houses to protect themselves, and the government, without paying any attention to civilians, carried out airstrikes, she said.

With the Afghan air power limited and in disarray, aviation tracking data suggested U.S. Air Force B-52 bombers, F-15 fighter jets, drones and other aircraft were involved in the fighting across the country, according to Australia-based security firm The Cavell Group.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Nicole Ferrara, a Central Command spokeswoman, acknowledged that American forces have conducted several airstrikes in defense of our Afghan partners in recent days. However, she declined to offer any details on the attacks or to discuss the Afghan complaints of civilian casualties.

Late Thursday night, an Afghan official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss developments, said the Taliban have also taken much of western Badghis province  but not the provincial army corps and the intelligence department. A Taliban tweet claimed the insurgents captured the seat of the provincial governor, the police headquarters and all other government offices.

Even as diplomats met in Doha, Qatar on Thursday, the success of the Taliban offensive called into question whether they would ever rejoin long-stalled peace talks aimed at moving Afghanistan toward an administration that includes members of the current Afghan government and the Taliban. Instead, the group could come to power by force  or the country could splinter into factional fighting like it did after the Soviet withdrawal in 1989.

Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Faiez from Istanbul. Associated Press writers Hamed Sarfarazi in Herat, Afghanistan, and Kirsten Grieshaber in Berlin contributed to this report.
CANBERRA, Australia  Australias capital Canberra will remain locked down until there are no more COVID-19 infections in the city, a government leader said on Friday.

A man reads a newspaper on the steps of Flinders Street Station in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021. Australia's second-largest city has extended its lockdown in a bid to eliminate COVID-19 while authorities in Sydney flagged restrictions easing for vaccinated residents despite the delta variant continuing to spread. (AAP Image/Daniel Pockett)

CANBERRA, Australia  Australias capital Canberra will remain locked down until there are no more COVID-19 infections in the city, a government leader said on Friday.

The Australian Capital Territory, which comprises Canberra and two villages, locked down for a week after a man tested positive on Thursday.

The tally of infections rose to six on Friday, with more than 1,800 people identified as close contacts of the original case since he became infectious, officials said.

Australian Capital Territory Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the lockdown would last until all new cases had been in isolation throughout their entire infectious period.

We would want to see no additional community transmission, we want to go back to zero, Barr said.

The recent infections are the first cases of community transmission in the city of 460,000 since July 10 last year.

FILE - In this July 26, 2021, file photo, California Gov. Gavin Newsom appears at a news conference in Oakland, Calif. The Orange County Board of Education in Southern California announced plans to sue Newsom over a state mandate requiring K-12 students to wear masks in classrooms. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)

MORE ON THE PANDEMIC:

 San Francisco mandates proof of vaccination when indoors

 WHO expert had concerns about lab near 1st COVID cases

 Dr. Fauci: Booster shot recommended for weakened immune systems; expect more children to get the virus

 US Health & Human Services orders shots for it workers in patient care

 Find more AP coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine

HERES WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:

A public sports facility area is taped off for the social distancing measures and precaution against the coronavirus in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

SYDNEY - The government of Australias most populous state on Friday reported a daily record 390 new locally-acquired COVID-19 infections and warned that the high infection rate would continue for days.

Two people had died overnight, bringing the death toll in New South Wales from an outbreak of the delta variant first detected in Sydney in mid June to 38.

The previous highest infection tally was 356 reported on Tuesday.

New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian said at least 60 of the new cases had been infectious in the community before they were isolated.

I anticipate, given the large number of cases weve had in the last few days, that unfortunately this trend will continue for at least the next few days, Berejiklian said.

Im not going to shy away from the fact that increasing case numbers is a horrible situation and not one we want to be in. But please be reassured that our absolute commitment is to reduce those case numbers whilst were increasing the vaccination rate, she added.

Sydney has been in lockdown since June 26 and the government had hoped that the spread would be halted by Aug. 28.

Top infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci responds to accusations by Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., as he testifies before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, July 20, 2021. Cases of COVID-19 have tripled over the past three weeks, and hospitalizations and deaths are rising among unvaccinated people. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, Pool)

LAS VEGAS -- A coronavirus pandemic mask mandate in Nevada has drawn a federal lawsuit from attorneys seeking class-action status for claims that the constitutional rights of thousands of parents and children at Las Vegas-area schools are being violated.

The complaint filed Thursday against Gov. Steve Sisolak, state Attorney General Aaron Ford and the Clark County School District invokes rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

It seeks an immediate court order to invalidate a directive the governor enacted last week requiring K-12 students and school employees in the Las Vegas and Reno areas to wear masks on buses and inside school buildings, regardless of vaccination status.

ATLANTA  Fights over masks in schools continue to tear at Georgia communities even as hospital leaders again warned of shrinking bed space amid rising COVID-19 cases.

More than 100 protesters gathered Thursday at the Cobb County school board headquarters in Marietta. Most of them were trying to push Georgias second largest school district, with 110,000 students to mandate masks.

The district, which has a sharp division on its school board, has stuck to its mask-optional policy, like the majority of other Georgia school districts, even as infections led the district to send the fifth grade home at one of its elementary schools earlier this week.

Djenaba Pershay, who lives in Mableton, said her daughter, now in fifth grade, had attended remotely all last year. When she chose in the spring to send her back to school in person this year, Pershay said the 107,000-student Cobb County district was still requiring masks. It dropped that requirement shortly afterward.

FILE - In this June 10, 2021, file photo Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra testifies before the Senate Finance Committee on President Joe Biden's budget request, at the Capitol in Washington. The federal Health and Human Services Department is requiring employees who provide care or services for patients to get their COVID-19 shots, officials announced Thursday, Aug. 12. The order from Becerra will affect more than 25,000 clinicians, researchers, contractors, trainees and volunteers with the National Institutes of Health, the Indian Health Service, and the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

Im here not just fighting for her, Pershay said. Im fighting for all the kids.

But there were counter-protesters Thursday holding signs saying My body, my choice. In Monroe County, between Atlanta and Macon, school board members voted 6-0 on Wednesday to roll back a mask mandate that had been in place for only 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the Fulton County district, which currently mandates masks for all its students, announced it would open a school for up to 500 students who wouldnt have to wear masks, a concession to parents and students angered over the masking order.

JACKSON, Miss.  Mississippi has broken its single-day records of COVID-19 hospitalizations, intensive-care use and new coronavirus cases.

The state Health Department said Thursday that 1,490 people were hospitalized Wednesday and 388 were in intensive care because of COVID-19. It also said 4,412 new cases were confirmed.

The states previous record for hospitalization was 1,444 on Jan. 4 and for intensive care was 360 on Jan. 12  before COVID-19 vaccinations were widely available.

The new cases reported Thursday are a 26% increase over the 3,488 cases the department reported in the state Tuesday. The numbers reported Wednesday also exceeded 3,000.

FILE - In this July 1, 2021, file photo, a Tokyo Metropolitan government employee takes the Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine shot at a vaccination center in the government building in Tokyo. The Tokyo Olympics are over, but it's still vacation season in Japan, and many are ignoring government pleas to avoid travel and stay away from bars and restaurants even as the coronavirus spikes at record levels. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, File)

The state health officer, Dr. Thomas Dobbs, said based on trends, the new virus cases reported Thursday are likely to cause about 93 more deaths, more than 300 new admissions to already-strained hospitals.

Let us be very clear that the vast majority of cases and hospitalizations and deaths are unvaccinated, Dobbs said.

COVID-19 cases in Mississippi have risen sharply in recent weeks because of the highly contagious delta variant of the virus.

SEATTLE -- Local health officers throughout Washington state have issued a joint statement recommending all residents wear facial coverings in indoor public settings where the vaccination status of other people is unknown.

The health officers from all local health jurisdictions in Washington on Thursday urged everyone to wear masks, regardless of vaccination status.

Thurston County health officials went a step further Thursday, joining Snohomish County in requiring residents ages 5 and up to wear masks in indoor public settings.

Officials say masking will help reduce the risk of COIVD-19 to the public, will help stem the rise in cases and hospitalizations, and decrease the spread of the delta variant.

Toni Gwynn, 13, who shows her mom two tickets to the Sept. St. Louis Cardinals game she received after getting the first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination on Tuesday, Aug. 10, 201, at North Central Community Health Center in Pine Lawn, Mo. "I wanted to come get it before school started because I don't want to get COVID," said the eighth grader. The St. Louis Cardinals donated 800 game tickets to the St. Louis County Department of Public Health as part of the department's COVID-19 community outreach and vaccine incentive program. (Laurie Skrivan/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)

LOUISVILLE, Ky.  Kentuckys governor says any local education officials choosing to defy masking requirements in schools will be held accountable if their students or staff get infected as the fast-spreading delta variant drives up COVID-19 cases.

Gov. Andy Beshear issued an emergency regulation requiring anyone inside a public K-12 school to wear a mask. The state school board backed up his mandate.

Beshears executive action came after some Kentucky school districts left it up to parents to decide whether their children should mask up. Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron has called the order an unlawful exercise of power and challenged it in the states Supreme Court.

Statewide, daily COVID-19 cases surged from about 200 a month ago to nearly 3,000 on Wednesday.

SAN FRANCISCO  San Francisco will require proof of full vaccination against coronavirus for indoor activities, including restaurants, bars and gyms.

Mayor London Breed made the announcement Thursday, saying it is needed to protect the health of workers, customers and the city overall. The move is more stringent than the requirement announced by New York Citys mayor last week. San Francisco will require proof of full vaccination for all customers and staff, while New York is requiring proof of at least one shot for indoor activities.

It will take effect next Friday, but businesses will have two months to verify employees vaccination status to preserve jobs while giving time for compliance. It doesnt apply to people ineligible for vaccines, including kids under 12.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, testifies before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing, Tuesday, July 20, 2021, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (Stefani Reynolds/The New York Times via AP, Pool)

PHOENIX  Arizona reported 2,970 new coronavirus cases Thursday, the most reported in a single day in the past six months.

Along with reporting over 2,000 additional cases for the ninth day this month, the state reported six more virus deaths as the pandemic totals increased to 955,767 cases and 18,412 confirmed deaths.

The last time Arizona reported more cases on a single day was 4,381 on Feb. 9.

According to Johns Hopkins University data, the rolling average of daily new cases rose in the past two weeks from 1,42 cases on July 27 to 2,450 cases on Tuesday.

There were 1,527 virus patients occupying hospital beds as of Wednesday, a level last seen in February.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.  Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says hes launching a rapid response unit to expand the use of monoclonal antibodies and relieve pressure at hospitals with COVID-19 patients.

This is probably the best thing that we can do to reduce the number of people that require hospitalization, DeSantis said at a news conference in Jacksonville, noting vaccines were still encouraged and effective at preventing hospitalizations and deaths.

Campus supervisor Yolanda Fierros directs Valentin Quintero III to his kindergarten class on the first day of instruction at Roosevelt Elementary School in Anaheim, Calif., on Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021. (Jeff Gritchen/The Orange County Register via AP)

The drugs are delivered intravenously or by injection and made by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. It concentrates doses of lab-made antibodies to fight COVID-19 and are geared toward people who are at high risk.

DeSantis mentioned good candidates were elderly people and those with chronic kidney disease, diabetes, morbid obesity and sickle cell.

The Republican governor says he believes the monoclonal antibody treatment isnt as well known because it received federal emergency use authorization about the same time as the mRNA vaccines were approved.

JACKSON, Miss.  Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves says hes extending the state-of-emergency order that gives public health officials and other government leaders some flexibility in responding to the coronavirus.

The Republican governor says he would extend the order for 30 days. It was set to expire Sunday.

There will be no lockdowns and there will be no statewide mandates, Reeves wrote on Twitter.

He said extending the order will allow the state to continue coordinating the transfer of patients to hospitals where treatment is available. He also says it will keep options open for Mississippi National Guard members to be called back into service, if needed, for pandemic duties. Guard members spent months running COVID-19 vaccination drive-thru sites until Reeves ended that in mid-July.

On her way into Foust Elementary School, third grade student Mia Boyt, 8, gets a fist bump from Lt. David Spalding with the Owensboro Fire Department as Owensboro Public Schools vice chairman Michael Johnson waves at right as community leaders and school staff welcomed students on the first day of classes, Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021, in Owensboro, Ky. (Greg Eans/The Messenger-Inquirer via AP)

On Thursday, the state reported 4,412 cases, its largest single-day total, an increase from the 3,488 cases it reported Tuesday.

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina  Argentina says it has begun to produce and distribute the Russian-developed Sputnik V vaccine.

Chief Cabinet Minister Santiago Cafeiro says more than 1 million doses of the vaccine will be produced by the local Laboratorios Richmond, calling it a reason for pride.

Argentina was the first country to authorize Sputnik V in December 2020 and the first to enter full production, although Mexico produced a pilot lot of the vaccine last month.

More than 6 million Argentines, most over 60, have received at least the first dose of Sputnik V. The government recently said those who had received a first shot of Sputnik V could use a different vaccine, from AstraZeneca or Moderna, as the second dose.

The large majority of the shots initially produced in Argentina will be of the first dose.

The government says 26.4 million of Argentinas nearly 45 million people have received a first dose of a vaccine, although only 10 million have received both.

Pro-mask wearing demonstrators stage a protest at the Cobb County School Board Headquarters Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021, in Marietta, Ga. Many school districts nationwide have seen parents protesting for and against masks. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

WASHINGTON  The Biden administration is applauding the efforts of private employers, state governments and universities to require vaccination against COVID-19.

However, the federal government will not facilitate a registry of vaccinated people, which some experts say would greatly help verify individuals claims to have gotten their shots.

There will be no federal database, White House coronavirus response coordinator Jeff Zients said at Thursdays briefing. As with all other vaccines, the information will be held at the state and local level, he added.

Earlier in the briefing, Zients praised employers, colleges, hospital systems, and government entities requiring vaccine mandates.

Clearly vaccination requirements are gaining momentum across the country, Zients said. Employers have the power to help end the pandemic.

NEW YORK  Federal officials are poised to OK an additional dose of coronavirus vaccine for people with weakened immune systems, according to the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday.

Dr. Rochelle Walensky says the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is considering allowing another dose for cancer patients, organ transplants recipients and other conditions.

A CDC expert advisory committee is scheduled to discuss the matter Friday, following FDAs decision, according to Walensky.

Growing evidence suggests a benefit of an additional dose of vaccine for vulnerable people who have already received the two recommended doses of the Pfizer and Moderna shots. The FDA is working with the two companies to allow third shots for those patients who are most vulnerable to COVID-19, she says.

She stressed a small proportion of people would be eligible for the extra doses -- less than 3% of adults.

CHICAGO  Chicago health officials say theyve found 203 cases of coronavirus connected to Lollapalooza, but arent yet reporting any hospitalizations or deaths.

The four-day music festival, which started two weeks ago, drew about 385,000 people to the citys lakefront. Critics questioned holding an event with packed crowds during the pandemic.

But city officials have defended the decision, saying there were enough safety protocols in place. Festival goers had to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test.

Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady says the number of cases wasnt a surprise or considered a superspreader.

Among those who tested positive, city officials say 138 were Illinois residents from outside Chicago, 58 were from the city and seven were from out of state. Nearly 80% of those who tested positive were under 30, and about 62% were white, Arwady says.

LONDON  Britain reported 33,074 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, the highest daily rate since July 23.

The numbers are fueled by the delta variant, which is dominant throughout the U.K. Health experts say Britain needs to achieve a much higher level of vaccination if it hopes to control the disease. About 60% of the U.K. population has been fully vaccinated.

Cases have risen to an average of around 25,000 a day, more than 10 times higher than early May. The seven-day average for coronavirus-related hospital admissions is about eight times higher than in May and deaths are 15 times higher.

British scientists are warning the public not to be complacent, saying high levels of coronavirus infection in the community may lead to another spike in cases this fall.
LONDON (AP)  When a World Health Organization-led team traveled to China earlier this year to investigate the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, a top official said he was worried about safety standards at a laboratory close to the seafood market where the first human cases were detected, according to a documentary released Thursday by Danish television channel TV2.

FILE - In this file photo dated Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, Peter Ben Embarek of a World Health Organization team speaks to journalists as he arrives at the airport to leave, at the end of their WHO mission to investigate the origins of the coronavirus pandemic in Wuhan in central China's Hubei province. When WHO traveled to China earlier this year to investigate the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, Peter Ben Embarek said he was worried about biosafety standards at a laboratory close to the market where the first human cases were detected, according to a documentary released Thursday Aug. 12, 2021, by TV2, a Danish television channel. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, FILE)

LONDON (AP)  When a World Health Organization-led team traveled to China earlier this year to investigate the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, a top official said he was worried about safety standards at a laboratory close to the seafood market where the first human cases were detected, according to a documentary released Thursday by Danish television channel TV2.

The Wuhan branch of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention was handling coronaviruses without potentially having the same level of expertise or safety or who knows, Peter Ben Embarek said during a conference call in January, according to footage shown by TV2. Ben Embarek is a WHO expert on disease transmission from animals to humans and one of the teams leaders

But months later, when WHO released its dense report on its mission to Wuhan, the U.N. health agency concluded that a leak of the virus from the lab was extremely unlikely to have caused COVID-19. The WHO report even lent credence to a fringe theory promoted by the Chinese government that the virus may have been spread via frozen seafood packaging.

In recent weeks, however, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has acknowledged it was  premature  to rule out a possible lab leak as the source of COVID-19, saying last month that he was asking China to be more transparent about the early days of the pandemic.

I was a lab technician myself. Im an immunologist and I have worked in the lab and lab accidents happen, Tedros said. Its common.

In the Danish TV2 documentary, the WHOs Ben Embarek is pictured arriving in China, inspecting the stalls at the Huanan seafood market in Wuhan and examining what he hypothesizes might have been living quarters for people who handled live animals there  raising the possibility that the virus may have jumped from animals to people at the market.

It would mean that the contact between the human beings and whatever may have been in the market i.e. virus and maybe live animals would have been more intense, Ben Embarek said. It goes without saying that the close contact would be doubled many times between humans and animals if you are among them around the clock.

Scientists have previously thought that because many of the earliest known human cases at Wuhan's Huanan market appeared to have no prior connection to each other, the market might have simply been the place where cases were amplified, not where the virus first breached the species barrier.

The Danish documentary also featured Ben Embarek expressing his worries in January about the Wuhan branch of the Chinese CDC, concerns that have never been publicly disclosed by WHO. While numerous experts have questioned whether there might have been a lab accident at the Wuhan Institute of Virology  where scientists were studying coronaviruses  there has been less interest in another nearby facility.

What is more concerning to me is the other lab, Ben Embarek said. The one that is next to the market, he explained, referring to the Wuhan branch of the Chinese CDC, located just 500 meters (547 yards) away from the Huanan market.

In a June interview, Ben Embarek told TV2 that the possibility of a lab staffer being infected with the coronavirus while collecting bat samples was likely.

Although the idea that the pandemic somehow started in a laboratory was largely dismissed last year, it has gained traction recently, with U.S. President Joe Biden ordering a review of U.S. intelligence and i ncreasing numbers of scientists calling for an independent investigation to be conducted by authorities beyond the WHO.

Jamie Metzl, who has been leading an effort calling for an independent investigation of how COVID-19 started, called Ben Embareks comments a game-changer, describing his earlier declaration that a lab leak was unlikely shameful.

Its even more significant that the international expert team who stated with such confidence in the February Wuhan press event that a lab origin was unlikely themselves believed this was not the case and were simply trying to assuage their Chinese government-affiliated hosts, said Metzl, who sits on a WHO advisory board on human genome editing.

All of the scientists on the WHO-led team were approved by China and the teams agenda and final report were also vetted by the Chinese government. Ben Embarek told TV2 the purpose of the WHO team's visit was collaboration and discussion with China.

In a statement on Thursday, the WHO said the search for the pandemic's origins should not be an exercise in attributing blame, finger-pointing or political point-scoring. The agency said its first analysis of the coronavirus origins found there was insufficient scientific evidence to rule any of the hypotheses out.

____

David Keyton in Stockholm and Jamey Keaten in Geneva contributed to this report.
LAME DEER, Mont. (AP)  Wildfires tearing through Montana and elsewhere in the U.S. West are devouring vast rangeland areas that cattle ranchers depend upon, setting the stage for a potential shortage of pasture as the hot, dry summer grinds on.

A plume of smoke rises from the Richard Spring wildfire on Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021, north of Lame Deer, Mont. The fire spread quickly Wednesday as strong winds pushed the flames across rough, forested terrain. (AP photo/Matthew Brown)

LAME DEER, Mont. (AP)  Wildfires tearing through Montana and elsewhere in the U.S. West are devouring vast rangeland areas that cattle ranchers depend upon, setting the stage for a potential shortage of pasture as the hot, dry summer grinds on.

On the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, firefighters and local authorities scrambled to save hundreds of homes in the path of a fire that started Sunday and exploded across more than 260 square miles (673 square kilometers) in just a few days, triggering evacuation orders for thousands of people.

Some ranchers stayed behind to help fight it. Yet as flames charred mile after mile of rangeland and forest, they could do little to protect cattle pastures that are crucial to economic survival for families on the remote reservation.

As the fire raged across rugged hills and narrow ravines, tribal member Darlene Small helped her grandson move about 100 head of cattle to a new pasture, only to relocate them twice more as the flames from the Richard Spring fire bore down, she said Thursday. An extreme drought that's blanketing the West has made matters worse by stunting vegetation untouched by fire.

Theyve got to have pasture where theres water. If theres no water, theres no good pasture, Small said. Particularly hard hit were some ranchers already depending on surplus grass after a fire burned them off their normal pasture last year, she said.

Meanwhile, California's Dixie Fire  which started July 13 and is the largest wildfire burning in the nation  threatened a dozen small communities in the northern Sierra Nevada even though its southern end was mostly corralled by fire lines.

The fire has burned 790 square miles (2,000 square kilometers), destroyed about 550 homes and nearly obliterated the town of Greenville last week. It was 30% contained.

The Montana blaze was primed over the last several days by swirling winds and hot temperatures. It has spread in multiple directions, torching trees and sending off embers that propelled the flames across the dry landscape.

A tree goes up in flames as a wildfire burns on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, Wednesday, Aug 11, 2021, near Lame Deer, Mont. The Richard Spring fire was threatening hundreds of homes as it burned across the reservation. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown)

The fire crept within about a mile (3.2 kilometers) of the eastern edge of the evacuated town of Lame Deer Wednesday night, Northern Cheyenne Tribe spokesperson Angel Becker said. It passed over a highway where officials had hoped to stop it, putting the southern portion of the reservation at increased risk, officials said.

As it closed in on the east side of town and a second fire ignited to the west, tribal officials late Wednesday urged residents who did not heed an earlier evacuation order to flee. Buses moved people to a school about 15 miles (24 kilometers) away and to a shelter set up on the nearby Crow Indian Reservation.

Lame Deer, a town of about 2,000 people, is home to the tribal headquarters and several subdivisions.

We had some people who refused, but the majority of our elders and women and children definitely left with that last push, Becker said.

With 40-foot (12-meter) flames visible from parts of Lame Deer, firefighters worked into early Thursday morning to keep the fire from destroying houses. None were reported lost, but officials continued assessing the damage. More than a dozen sheds and other outbuildings were lost, they said.

As smoke choked the air, rancher Jimmy Peppers sat on his horse east of town, watching an orange glow intensify over the site of his house as the night wore on.

I didnt think it would cross the highway, so I didnt even move my farm equipment, said Peppers, who spent the afternoon herding his cattle onto a neighbors pasture closer to town.

Also ordered to leave were about 600 people in and around Ashland, a small town just outside the reservation. It remained under an evacuation order, but officials said the danger appeared to have eased for now.

Around the perimeter of Lame Deer, crews were building fire breaks and conducting intentional burns  or burnouts"  in hopes of lessening the amount of fuel available on the ground, fire spokesperson Jeni Garcin said. Officials were cognizant of the need to protect pastureland, she said.

We fully recognize the value of grass around here, Garcin said. There's enough lost in this fire that we will be very strategic about how we do any of these burnouts.

Extreme drought conditions have left trees, grass and brush bone-dry throughout many Western states, making them ripe for ignition.

At the same time, California and some other states face flows of monsoonal moisture that were too high to bring real rain but could create thunderstorms that bring the risk of dry lightning and erratic winds.

In Northern California, a number of wildfires and the threat of more prompted three national forests to close down the Trinity Alps Wilderness Area, a 780-square mile (2,000-square kilometer) area of granite peaks, lakes and trails, into November.

Climate change has made the region warmer and drier in the past 30 years and will continue to make the weather more extreme and wildfires more destructive, according to scientists. The more than 100 large wildfires in the American West come as parts of Europe are also burning.

New research indicates wildfire smoke may be part of a vicious cycle making clouds rain less, which makes it hotter and plants drier and easier to catch fire.

Scientists flew a research plane into smoky skies six times in the U.S. West in 2018 and found five times the water droplets, but they were half the size, according to a study in Wednesdays Geophysical Research Letters. The smaller droplets arent big enough to fall as rain, said study lead author Cynthia Twohy, a cloud physicist at NorthWest Research Associates.

This is not the main cause for the lack of rain, but it could be a factor, Twohy said. The clouds are being affected. We saw that pretty clearly.

The study has worrisome implications that drought and fire can cause more drought and fire.

The main cause of the drought  a huge factor in worsening wildfires  is natural weather changes with some possible climate change, said Park Williams a hydrology and fire scientist at the University of California, Los Angeles, who wasnt part of the research.

Weber reported from Los Angeles.
OTTAWA - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to trigger an election on Sunday by asking Gov. Gen. Mary Simon to dissolve Parliament even though Canadas top doctor says the country is now in the grips of a fourth wave of COVID-19.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau looks on during a childcare funding announcement in Montreal, Thursday, August 5, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

OTTAWA - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to trigger an election on Sunday by asking Gov. Gen. Mary Simon to dissolve Parliament even though Canadas top doctor says the country is now in the grips of a fourth wave of COVID-19.

A senior Liberal Party of Canada source, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss matters not public, confirmed Thursday the prime ministers plan to visit Simon, with the election expected to take place on Sept. 20.

The confirmation followed months of speculation that Trudeau would send Canadians to the polls two years after the last election, in which he was only able to secure a minority government.

The real question had been when, rather than if, the prime minister would pull the trigger given the unpredictable nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, which chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam warned Thursday is again on the upswing.

"The latest national surveillance data indicate that a fourth wave is underway in Canada and that cases are plotting along a strong resurgence trajectory," Tam said during a federal COVID-19 update.

"Nationally, there are now over 13,000 active cases  more than double from two weeks ago."

The new wave is being driven by the much more infectious Delta variant, though she added the vast majority of new cases are among unvaccinated segments of the population.

Polls suggest it's far from certain the Liberals can regain a majority but Trudeau is gambling that general satisfaction with his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic  and the unprecedented billions doled out in emergency aid  will propel them to a majority.

The Liberals, who need 170 seats for a majority, currently have 155 seats in the 338-seat House of Commons. The Conservatives have 119 while the Bloc Quebecois have 32, the NDP 24 and the Greens have two. There are also five Independents and one seat is vacant.

Opposition parties have blasted the idea of an early election and accused the Liberals of sending Canadians to the polls during the pandemic for the sole purpose of trying to win a majority, a move they describe as unnecessary and reckless.

Fighting the pandemic and delivering for people should be a prime ministers No. 1 priority, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said in a statement. Instead, Mr. Trudeau has made his priority this selfish summer election and a try for a power grab.

Singh wrote Simon shortly after her installation as governor general last month urging her to reject any request from Trudeau to dissolve Parliament and force an election during the pandemic.

Asked if an election should happen now given the fourth wave, Tam said: Its not my role to advise on whether an election should occur or not. The role of the public health agencies is to provide guidance should an election take place, and how to do that safely.

Tam nonetheless said in response to a question about the health risk posed by federal leaders and their entourages criss-crossing the country in their desperate bid to meet voters that she expects anyone who is campaigning to follow public-health rules.

Anyone who's sort of campaigning must observe those best practices, she said. Follow local public health guidance. There's different rules being applied in different areas of the country. And you can't exceed the capacity, for example, of some of those gatherings.

Deputy chief public health officer Dr. Howard Njoo at the same time emphasized that only about one per cent of cases being reported to the Public Health Agency of Canada are among vaccinated Canadians.

Public Procurement Minister Anita Anand, appearing alongside Tam and Njoo, declined to comment on any pending election call.

Charles Bird, managing principal at Earnscliffe Strategy Group in Toronto and a former provincial Liberal campaign director in Ontario, said the pandemic will likely have a considerable impact on the campaign at both the national and riding level.

"This will likely impact the leaders tours, debates, and even the activities of individual candidates," he said. "The election call in August, and the timing of the campaign probably lends itself to an outdoor activities and gatherings. But we'll probably still feel a lot more of a campaign happening online than previously been the case."

Liberal strategists have privately acknowledged that voters could punish the party for perceived opportunism, particularly if the pandemic worsens or the campaign triggers a super-spreader event.

But they're banking on voters rewarding the government for the fact that Canada now leads the world in vaccinations, which should prevent the fourth wave from being as deadly as the first three.

Chief electoral officer Stephane Perrault has said Elections Canada will be able to conduct a safe, fair election despite the challenges of the ongoing pandemic.

However, he has warned that an anticipated increase in mail-in ballots, which won't be counted until the day after election day, will mean the final results won't be known immediately.

A global pandemic wasn't on anyone's radar when Canadians last chose a national government in 2019. Liberals argue that Canadians deserve a chance to rate the government's handling of the crisis thus far and to decide whether they agree with its ambitious and costly plan to rebuild a greener, fairer, more inclusive and more equitable economy once the pandemic finally recedes.

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Furthermore, Trudeau and other Liberals maintain that the minority Parliament had become toxic and dysfunctional, that they need a strong majority mandate in order to implement the recovery plan.

Opposition parties dismiss that argument. Because they hold the whip hand in a minority Parliament, they contend they have been able to force the Liberals to accept improvements to emergency aid programs, which were then speedily and unanimously adopted.

And they point out that the government has survived all confidence votes, including on last spring's budget.

Barring defeat on a confidence vote, Canada's fixed-date election law means Canadians should not be sent to the polls until October 2023, four years after the last election. However, the law specifically retains the power of the governor general to dissolve Parliament at any time  a power typically exercised only on the advice of the prime minister.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 12, 2021.

 With files from Joan Bryden.
OPPOSITION to COVID-19 vaccinations may be high among some Low German-speaking Mennonites in Manitoba, but Kennert Giesbrecht is trying to change that.

OPPOSITION to COVID-19 vaccinations may be high among some Low German-speaking Mennonites in Manitoba, but Kennert Giesbrecht is trying to change that.

Giesbrecht, 56, is editor of Die Mennonitische Post, a German-language newspaper that serves conservative Mennonites in Canada, the U.S., Mexico and countries in South and Central America.

Known as Kanadier (Canadian) Mennonites, these people are descendants of those who left Canada for Mexico and Paraguay in the 1920s when the governments of Manitoba and Saskatchewan went back on their promise to let them run their own schools.

They retain Canadian citizenship, allowing them to move between Canada and other countries such as Mexico, Paraguay, Bolivia and Belize.

In Canada, they can be mostly found in southern Manitoba and parts of Alberta and southwestern Ontario. Giesbrecht estimates there are as many as 100,000 in the country.

"There is so much false information out there," he said of why so many Low German speaking Mennonites are against getting vaccinated.

Most of the misinformation they get comes from social media, Giesbrecht said, noting the Post "tries to be a reliable source of information" about the pandemic for its 12,000 subscribers.

"Lots of people dont consider my information accurate," Giesbrecht, who was born in Paraguay and has been editor of the Post for 20 years, said. "They see my newspaper as fake news."

As for why these Kanadier Mennonites resist being vaccinated, he cites a historically mistrust in governments.

When they hear the government telling people to get vaccinated, "they feel threatened," Giesbrecht said, adding they see it as the first step in more government-imposed sanctions.

The fact that Canada has been more restrictive than other countries such as the U.S. on gatherings for church services also plays into their fears, Giesbrecht said.

"Its splitting families apart, with the unvaccinated breaking off contact with fully vaccinated people," Giesbrecht said. "When some people get the vaccine, they dont tell anyone."

The pandemic is also hitting some Mennonite Low German-speaking colonies in Paraguay, Belize, Mexico and Bolivia hard, he said.

Giesbrecht said he has heard of one colony where eight adults in one extended family died. In another family, the husband, two sons and an uncle all died in one week.

The tragedy has touched Giesbrecht with two uncles and three cousins in Paraguay having died of the virus.

"My sense is the colonies are being hit hard," he said. "They agree it is a serious illness, but theyre not willing to get vaccinated, stop gathering or practise social distancing."

Clergy in the colonies could make a difference, but many feel pressure not to promote vaccines, Giesbrecht said.

"I heard of one colony that voted out its minister because he was pro-vaccination," he said, adding some are fearful of losing members to other anti-vax churches.

The pandemic is also taking a devastating toll on clergy, who are expected to visit those sick with the virus. "Lots of ministers in some colonies have passed away," Giesbrecht said.

Giesbrecht said he knows the virus is taking a toll based on the rise in the number of obituaries in the paper.

"We usually have 500 to 600 a year, but we had over 1,000 last year," he said, noting most dont mention COVID-19 but say the cause of death was a lung infection.

The newspaper is on pace for a similar number of obituaries this year, he added.

Despite opposition and some cancelled subscriptions, Giesbrecht doesnt plan to stop promoting vaccinations.

"I tell them to check their sources of information; dont always believe what is being shared on social media," he said. "My mission is to share accurate information."

faith@freepress.mb.ca
Like an aging house with good bones that has fallen into disrepair, Manitoba's Progressive Conservative Party is going to need a total gutting if it expects to contend in the October 2023 provincial election.

Like an aging house with good bones that has fallen into disrepair, Manitoba's Progressive Conservative Party is going to need a total gutting if it expects to contend in the October 2023 provincial election.

Premier Brian Pallister surprised political watchers Tuesday by announcing he would step down sometime in the near future. The PC party is currently deliberating on how and when to pick a new leader.

However, while nobody knows exactly when all that will happen, we do know the Tory party is weighed down by five years of bad decisions and nearly constant conflict.

Where does a new premier start rebuilding the party brand? Most Tories will tell you to start with Bill 64, the Education Modernization Act.

Bill 64 eliminates democratically elected school divisions, bringing all 36 English-language boards under a single provincial education authority. The new authority was to be created this fall, and come into effect by July 1, 2022.

Premier Brian Pallister surprised political watchers Tuesday by announcing he would step down sometime in the near future.

Critics outside the PC party have characterized Bill 64 as a mean-spirited exercise in cost-cutting that will have no positive impact on the quality of education. Tory MLAs, even those in solidly Tory rural ridings, are quietly acknowledging Bill 64 is a millstone that will drag them down in the next election.

Many Manitobans see their school divisions as a guard against a province-wide, cookie-cutter approach to education that ignores local sensibilities. Quite a few Tory MLAs are talking openly in caucus about how Bill 64 could be the straw that breaks their chances at re-election, even in some seats considered to be safe in previous elections.

For those reasons, it is hard to imagine the next premier will not find an excuse to put Bill 64 on ice. But even that grand gesture, on its own, will not be enough to save the Tories from themselves come 2023.

The next premier must also find a way to fix a badly executed hospital reorganization initiative and move aggressively to reduce priority surgery wait times.

Whatever common sense existed in 2016 when Pallister unveiled his ambitious plan to reorganize and rationalize Winnipeg hospitals  which led to three of six city emergency rooms being closed it was undermined through a combination of mismanagement and austerity.

Quite a few Tory MLAs are talking openly in caucus about how Bill 64 could be the straw that breaks their chances at reelection, even in some seats considered to be safe in previous elections.

Pallister promised the reorganization would improve health care, but his decision to essentially freeze health-care funding and cut support to the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority at the same time doomed his own initiative to failure.

To make matters worse, Pallister steamrolled ahead with the reorganization without enlisting support from health professionals. Nurses, in particular, used what limited control they still had over their working lives to resist transfers necessary to make the hospital plan work. Chaos ensued.

It was also maddening that as Pallister cut taxes, he allowed surgical wait times for hips, knees and cataracts to grow exponentially by freezing funding.

Now, with thousands of surgeries delayed because of the pandemic, the next premier will have to find the resources to eat into those gargantuan wait lists, while devising a strategy to stabilize the shattered hospital system largely by rebuilding trust with nurses.

And that brings us to fiscal policy. The next premier may have to consider pausing or cancelling Pallister's tax cuts, particularly the second 25 per cent reduction in education property taxes slated for next year and a lingering pledge to cut the PST by another point.

The next premier may have to consider pausing or cancelling Pallister's tax cuts, particularly the second 25 per cent reduction in education property taxes slated for next year and a lingering pledge to cut the PST by another point.

Pallister's original grand fiscal plan involved balancing the budget quicker than originally promised, then reducing taxes as a way of shrinking government's overall footprint. The pandemic blew a huge hole in that strategy but remarkably, it did not dampen Pallister's appetite for tax cuts.

In the budget where he forecast the biggest single-year deficit in Manitoba history, he also unleashed a multi-year-plan to eliminate the education portion of property taxes, starting with a 25 per cent cut in each of the next two years. In essence, he was borrowing money to cut taxes.

Demonstrating his now-legendary lack of self-awareness, Pallister seemed genuinely shocked that Manitobans didn't write folk songs about his decision to cut taxes in the midst of a crippling economic crisis. Manitobans quickly deducted the hubris in this decision. The next Tory premier must find a way to walk back additional tax cuts until finances improve.

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There are lots of other things a new premier could do to improve the Tories' chances in 2023: stop appealing the unconstitutional wage-freeze bill struck down by the Court of Queen's Bench; negotiate new and favourable settlements with public sector bargaining groups that have gone without a contract for several years; meet in person with people outside government to find out what they really think; stop abusing statistics to defend your government's woeful record.

It is hardly impossible for the Tories to win a third election. NDP Leader Wab Kinew has taken his party to first place in opinion polls, but only because of the surging dislike that Manitobans have for Pallister. With Pallister gone, Kinew will have to retain that support without a foil.

With two years before the next election, the new premier has an opportunity to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. But only if they have the courage to assume the only role that voters will care about: the anti-Pallister.

dan.lett@freepress.mb.ca
After almost 10 years as the MLA for Fort Whyte, and more than five years as our provinces premier, I believe now is the time for a new leader and premier to take our province forward.

I have informed my caucus colleagues that I will not be seeking re-election as a member of the Manitoba Legislative Assembly.

I have informed my caucus colleagues that I will not be seeking re-election as a member of the Manitoba Legislative Assembly.

After almost 10 years as the MLA for Fort Whyte, and more than five years as our provinces premier, I believe now is the time for a new leader and premier to take our province forward.

The honour of my life has been serving as your premier.

Manitobans have gifted me with the great privilege of leading our province with the two largest back-to-back majority governments Manitoba has seen in over a century.

Our team entered office facing enormous challenges from the very beginning. We charted bold new directions to fix the finances repair our services, and rebuild the economy of Manitoba.

We introduced the first balanced budget in 11 years, while creating the largest ongoing per person investment in health care, education, and family services of any province.

We did this while lowering the tax burden on every working person and family, more than any other province, to keep making life affordable for Manitobans.

Most important of all, we did what we said what we would do. We are a clean government with integrity. I am most proud of that.

Together, Manitobans faced an extraordinary challenge like no other this past year and a half of this pandemic. Our government had to make difficult, unprecedented decisions each and every day; decisions to keep people safe, protect our hospitals and the health teams who work in them, and support businesses, communities and individuals.

But now, through our collective efforts, Manitoba is poised to recover stronger than ever. Our vaccination rates lead the country. Our job growth leads the country. Today, Manitoba is incredibly well-positioned to springboard into a stronger economic future with even greater social progress.

That is why I believe this is the right time for me personally to turn the page and allow a new leader and premier to go that next step and lead Manitoba into a new chapter of progress.

I have been honoured and proud to serve with a dedicated team in government.

I am incredibly optimistic about our future as a province.

I want to thank the people of Portage la Prairie who gave me my start in politics almost 30 years ago, and the people of south-central Manitoba who chose me three times as their Member of Parliament.

I want to thank the fine people of Fort Whyte who elected me three times as their MLA.

I got into politics to fight for the survival of my community when it was facing severe economic challenges.

This has been the guiding principle of all my time in public life: to fight against the things that make life worse for people, and fight for the things that make life better for people.

For me, it has never been about doing the easy things. It was always about doing the right things.

That is how I endeavoured to serve as Manitobas 22nd premier.

I have served in public life almost continuously since 1992. It was a difficult decision we made then to enter public life when we had just been blessed with our first child. And it is a difficult decision we are making to leave public life, especially where there is always so much more to do.

But both were the right decisions. Then and now.

But now, it is time to move on and spend that extra precious time I missed over many years, with my family.

I want to thank Esther, Quinn and Shawn for their love and support each day, over all these years.

To every Manitoban, I wish you the very best in all you aspire to be. Your hopes and dreams will always be close to me.

I love Manitoba. I love Canada. We live in a country and province of endless opportunities.

That is why I say to you: the only thing better than today in Manitoba, is tomorrow in Manitoba. Thank you.

Close
Laura Baker has wanted a pit bull for 20 years, but hasnt bought one because of the citys ban.

Laura Baker has wanted a pit bull for 20 years, but hasnt bought one because of the citys ban.

"I just feel like the whole breed has been so misrepresented, misunderstood and given a raw deal in terms of being able to find loving homes," the St. James resident said.

If proposed changes to a city bylaw pass, Baker will legally be able to own a pit bull, while it could become illegal to feed wildlife and to leave pets in vehicles at certain temperatures.

The city is looking for feedback on suggestions to its Responsible Pet Ownership bylaw. Winnipeg Public Service reviewed the rules this summer and came back with a number of ideas, including a removal of breed-specific bans.

Winnipegs pit bull ban has been around since 1990. The breed is known for its aggressive nature.

However, Winnipeg and Ontario are the only major Canadian jurisdictions to have breed-specific legislation, according to a city report.

TIM SMITH / BRANDON SUN FILES If proposed changes to a city bylaw pass, Winnipeggers will legally be able to own a pit bull.

Baker said she knows several people in Winnipeg who own pit bulls despite the law  their vets classify the animals as mixed breeds to avoid difficulty.

Carla Martinelli-Irvine, the founder and executive director of Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter, would applaud the bans removal.

Her charity has turned many pit bulls away because theyre illegal to own.

"I really believe that the majority of the cases (of aggression are) because the animal has had terrible ownership," she said.

Public Service suggested creating an "at risk" category for irresponsible pet owners  a step before the "dangerous dog" designation the city currently has.

"By adding that at risk category, that... allows us to take a person and say, Hey, maybe you need to get a harness for this dog; maybe you need to put a muzzle on your dog," said Leland Gordon, the general manager of the citys animal services.

"By adding that at risk category, that... allows us to take a person and say, Hey, maybe you need to get a harness for this dog; maybe you need to put a muzzle on your dog."  Leland Gordon, the general manager of the citys animal services

Another proposed change would prohibit people from leaving their dogs and cats in vehicles when its hotter than 22 C or colder than -10 C outside. Idling cars with working air conditioning would be exempt.

"I think 22 (C) can still get very hot," Martinelli-Irvine said. "I think 20 degrees could still be high."

The change would also make it illegal for cyclists to ride with dogs tethered to their bikes when its 22 C or warmer.

Tethering a dog outdoors or keeping it in outdoor housing around the clock could also become illegal, as per a suggestion in the Public Service report.

"Im very, very happy about that," Martinelli-Irvine said. "People are appalled when they see an elephant chained up 24-7. We should be appalled when a dog is chained up 24-7."

TRIBUNE MEDIA FILES Another proposed change to the bylaw would prohibit people from leaving their dogs and cats in vehicles when its hotter than 22 C or colder than -10 C outside.

The exotic pet industry may also be affected by the bylaw changes. The city is looking to move from a list of banned exotic pets to a list of allowed pets, citing animals quality of life, public safety, disease risk and the global exotic animal trade as reasons for the list.

Casey Trizpit, the owner of Winnipeg Reptiles, said he might sell his business if thats the case.

"It makes no sense," Trizpit said. "Reptiles here, in Winnipeg, arent an issue. You dont have animal services full of reptiles."

The suggested list includes three types of snake, 11 kinds of lizard and gecko, and various rodents, birds and fish. Frogs and turtles are not included.

"Half of the lizards that they have on that list as allowed, you dont even see them in the pet trade," Trizpit said.

The shop owner breeds ball pythons, various geckos and tortoises  which hes been working with for almost a decade  and would have to sell them all.

JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS FILES Casey Trizpit, with a banana piebald ball python, said he might sell his business if the city switches to a list of allowable exotic pets.

Trizpit said if he doesnt breed an animal, he buys from other local breeders, not people selling wild catches.

"We are not an issue, so why the constant attack on this community?" he said.

City employees worked with the Winnipeg Humane Society and other stakeholders to develop the allowed-animals list; its open to changes, Gordon said. People who currently own pets not on the list would be able to keep them

Winnipeg is also looking to curb its cat and dog population. It may require spaying and neutering of those animals over six months old.

Winnipeggers could still be breeders, but theyd need a breeding permit.

"Essentially, breeding in Manitoba is unregulated," Gordon said. "The basic idea is... youre just going to have to be a responsible pet owner. Were going to have to check out the living conditions of where the animals are, just very basic things."

Essentially, breeding in Manitoba is unregulated. The basic idea is... youre just going to have to be a responsible pet owner. Were going to have to check out the living conditions of where the animals are, just very basic things.  Leland Gordon

The report suggests a limit of one litter per year, with no more than four litters over an animals lifetime.

The proposed bylaw changes dont solely focus on pets: if passed, it may be illegal to feed wildlife, with the exception of bird feeders.

Last year, officials found 1,359 wild animals dead on city streets, according to the citys count.

"If we want to minimize conflicts with wildlife... the last thing we should be doing is feeding wildlife," Gordon said.

The Responsible Pet Ownership bylaw went into effect in 2013. This fall, city employees will refine their bylaw recommendations. Council will review them in January; the bylaw is set to be amended then.

The full list of suggestions is on engage.winnipeg.ca. People can give their feedback by emailing RPObylaw@winnipeg.ca or calling 311.

gabrielle.piche@freepress.mb.ca

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More than 40 days after protesters toppled statues of two British monarchs at the Manitoba legislature, it remains unclear whether anyone will be punished or if the symbols will be replaced.

More than 40 days after protesters toppled statues of two British monarchs at the Manitoba legislature, it remains unclear whether anyone will be punished or if the symbols will be replaced.

Police are still investigating the incidents which led to the monuments of Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth being toppled on Canada Day. Protesters had rallied to honour the bodies of children found in unmarked graves at residential schools in Canada, and a handful took aim at the royal figures.

The Queen Victoria statue was covered in red paint and toppled. It had stood for over a century. The Queen Elizabeth monument hit the ground at Government House, the official residence of the lieutenant-governor.

"We have nothing further to report at this point," Ally Siatecki, media relations assistant for the Winnipeg Police Service, said Wednesday.

The statues are off site and being assessed for damage, a provincial spokesperson said Wednesday.

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"No decisions have been made at this time, as the process will take some time and will have to be worked on with stakeholders," the spokesperson said in a written statement.

The president of the Manitoba Historical Society told the Free Press in July it might be best to move Queen Victorias statue to a less prominent spot on the legislature grounds.

Gordon Goldsborough said moving it back to its original place would be "overly provocative, now that we know there are strongly held feelings about it."

The province did not provide a timeline of when a decision would be made about the statues.

 with files from Dylan Robertson

gabrielle.piche@freepress.mb.ca
EARLIER this week, two members of the University of Manitoba Faculty Association executive quit their positions after experiencing what they felt were personal attacks during two meetings. They also felt they had endured a campaign of abuse during their time as leaders, because of fractious discussions.

Opinion

EARLIER this week, two members of the University of Manitoba Faculty Association executive quit their positions after experiencing what they felt were personal attacks during two meetings. They also felt they had endured a campaign of abuse during their time as leaders, because of fractious discussions.

What the two members of the UMFA executive experienced is not really that surprising. Toxic union behaviour has been an issue in other workplaces as well, particularly when the stakes are high. But its always worrisome when people who are supposed to be the "warriors" of social justice cant find better ways to work with each other than combative and personalized rhetoric that sometimes leads to harassment and bullying  particularly when the union members are disabled (as was the case of the executives who stepped down) or women.

Julie Guard, a labour studies professor at the U of M, told the Free Press last March that creating an atmosphere of inclusion can be difficult when youre circling the wagons to survive. Guard said in an interview, "When an organization is under threat of extinction, its often hard for some leaders to see diversity issues as a top priority."

Basia Sokal, the former president of the Winnipeg Labour Council, disagrees with that assertion. She says the labour movement doesnt want to give up its power to women or the disabled because it threatens their hierarchy.

Well, maybe its time for the dinosaurs to step down.

Liberal leader Dougald Lamont has been calling for an independent judicial inquiry into the sad state of the Manitoba labour movement because of serious allegations of bullying and sexual harassment. While provincial politics appear to be in a state of flux now that Premier Brian Pallister has announced that he wont be running again as leader, lets hope this is one issue that doesnt get ignored  because, frankly, I think Lamont is onto something.

I have been receiving messages from women within the labour movement for the last several months detailing the type of gaslighting theyve experienced since filing complaints about their toxic workplace. Of course, I am not surprised; I am just dismayed at how callously theyve been treated by the one organization theyve been told to believe in.

In a letter sent to both the Progressive Conservatives and the NDP in May, Lamont said there have been multiple incidents, including some that are criminal in nature, suggesting that "internal investigations appear to be ineffective" and that there is a "pattern of retribution and intimidation against complainants."

Lamont has since followed up with the PCs, again pushing for an inquest to be held to look at "circumstances surrounding complaints of sexual harassment and sexual assault being ignored in Manitobas labour unions, especially involving the Canadian Union of Public Employees."

Lamont also asked for the government to hold the inquiry to "make recommendations to restore and enhance public confidence in the justice system for women and other complainants seeking justice when it comes to sexual harassment and violence in the workplace."

One needs only to look at the treatment Sokal received during her tenure as president of the labour council, finally resigning in 2019. Sokal says the situation within the labour movement hasnt improved in the two years since she stepped down, despite assurances from top union officials.

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"When there is a complaint of sexual harassment made, someone steps down," Sokal told me. "Take for example, (New York Governor Andrew) Cuomo  he stepped down after the allegations came to light. In Manitoba, that doesnt happen. Its just more of the same people."

Sokal continues: "Then we get token women in certain positions of leadership to overshadow or hide any wrongdoing and avoid addressing the root cause of the actual issue. Its basically a distraction; woman files complaint, labour puts women into roles to divert the conversation away from labour being sexist/misogynistic/etc."

Lamont and the Liberals are right to call for an investigation. It probably wont happen while the Conservatives are figuring out who their new leader will be, and it definitely wont happen if the NDP becomes government  that party is just too closely affiliated with labour to want to upset that apple cart. Its power depends on unions, despite its public stance as pro-women and pro-equity.

Meanwhile, women or those who are just a bit too "different" are being sidelined.

Shannon Sampert is a Winnipeg-based political scientist and the former politics and perspectives editor of the Winnipeg Free Press.

shannon@mediadiva.ca
A new mutation of the Delta variant has made its way to Manitoba.

A new mutation of the Delta variant has made its way to Manitoba.

Three cases of AY.3  known as Delta Plus  have been confirmed in provincial data released Wednesday. The cases are all in the Interlake-Eastern health region, and the first of the three infected Manitobans tested positive July 17, a provincial spokesperson said Wednesday.

Two of the three individuals have recovered and one case is still considered active. The results were confirmed as Delta Plus via genomic sequencing, the province stated.

No other details were released about how the novel coronavirus variant was contracted or spread in Manitoba.

Delta Plus, which shares many of the same spike-protein mutations as the Delta variant, was listed as a variant of concern in Canada on July 20. It appeared in India in June, after the Delta variant spread rapidly and caused widespread harm.

AY.3 is one sub-lineage of Delta Plus, but it's not yet known whether it is more contagious or more dangerous than the Delta variant.

Delta is not yet dominant in Manitoba, but it is driving a fourth wave in many Canadian jurisdictions. About 161 previously unreported cases of Delta were revealed in provincial data updated Wednesday. There have now been more than 800 cases of Delta in Manitoba since late April.

The provincial government has repeatedly promised to release its projections on the future transmission of the Delta variant, but has said it needs to be verified before being shared with the public.

This week, the deputy chief provincial public health officer didn't directly answer when asked how Manitoba public health officials factored in Delta transmission when they crafted the new, relaxed public health orders that came into effect last week. A provincial spokesperson later told the Free Press the public health rules were eased based on Manitoba's current risk, and modelling data was only one of many things considered.

Winnipeg epidemiologist Souradet Shaw, an assistant professor at the University of Manitoba, said data transparency is essential for public health communication. "These are difficult decisions and I think that being transparent and clear on why decisions are made, I think, is probably the best model to base your communications on."

Mathematical models that forecast potential future spread of the virus can be most helpful, Shaw said  if they consider what we know about how the virus has spread in the past, how it's spreading in other jurisdictions, and show reliable epidemiological data about the current situation.

"This is where tools like mathematical models can be really useful. We certainly cannot predict the future with 100 per cent accuracy, but because mathematical models can look 'forward' to future scenarios, they can at least take out a little bit of the uncertainty. As the saying goes, forearmed is forewarned," Shaw said.

 with files from Michael Pereira

katie.may@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @thatkatiemay
A Manitoba Conservative MP who recently refused to reveal his COVID-19 vaccination status said in April he's "not completely sold" on the jab.

A Manitoba Conservative MP who recently refused to reveal his COVID-19 vaccination status said in April he's "not completely sold" on the jab.

Provencher MP Ted Falk made the comments on an episode of Conservative Roundup, a right-wing podcast, in which he spoke about media "fear mongering" over the novel coronavirus and discussed his views on its vaccines.

In April, Conservative MP Ted Falk of the Provencher (Manitoba) riding said he's "not completely sold" on the jab. (Fred Chartrand / Canadian Press files)

This week, the Free Press reported Falk is the only Manitoba MP who will not reveal his immunization status. Falk's April comments were first reported Wednesday by left-wing media outlet PressProgress.

"The personal medical information of Canadians is private. As such, MP Falk will not be commenting on any matters related to his personal health," his office wrote Aug. 6.

In the April 28 podcast episode, Falk was asked about the Conservative Party of Canada's election priorities will be, including the economy and vaccine rollout, as examples.

"There's a lot of people that have put a lot of hope in vaccines and the confidence of people, at the moment anyway from a COVID perspective, seems to be if they can just get the vaccine, they feel then they'll be protected and they'll be safe," Falk said, adding the vaccines are "all labeled as experimental."

In September 2020, the federal health minister authorized the importation of COVID-19 vaccines under an interim order. All vaccines approved for use in Canada have gone through three phases of clinical trials, which is standard procedure for any vaccination approval.

"I'm not an anti-vaxxer, but I'm not completely sold on this vaccination," Falk said in April.

As of Aug. 4, 81.7 per cent of eligible Manitobans have had at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, but the uptake has been much lower in some of the public health districts in Falks riding.

In Hanover, which borders Steinbach, just 44.8 per cent of people age 12 and up have had one shot. The vaccination rate stands at around 60 per cent in Steinbach and further east in the La Broquerie and Ste. Anne area.

Falk also accused media of fear mongering.

"They have this gory image of a virus with these tentacles and they make it seem really scary, and 24-7 they keep pounding that message out to Canadians: be scared of that little red ball with all the spikes, it's going to kill you  when in fact if you look at the data, the chances of surviving even if you get the virus, if you're under the age of 70 is 99.7 per cent," Falk said.

The latest data show the official, overall COVID-19 death in Canada was 26,683 in more than 1.5 million infections, which equates to about a 98.3 per cent rate of survival  a percentage regularly reported by media.

Falk's office did not respond to a request for comment.
Wits.For Good. solutions inspire hope

Editorial: From solutions to the structural, political, and socioeconomic challenges in South Africa, to those moonshot moments that advance society for good.

Its been more than a year since the Covid-19 pandemic irrevocably changed the way we live, work, and play but challenges persist in South Africa. Yet the current situation also presents opportunities, and now is the time to galvanise our collective strengths towards addressing multiple challenges. That is why this issue of Curios.ty is themed #Solutions.

Our first feature story (pg. 8) interrogates both infrastructural frustrations around energy, water, roads and buildings and  importantly  presents research-based suggestions of how to overcome these. Our second feature, on how our economic reality adversely affects vulnerable South Africans, is a sobering indictment of the complicated interplay of politics, economics and people (pg. 30). Solutions proposed by Wits researchers are backed by translational research that drives life-affirming and empowering policies.

Wits scholars suggest we consider the kind of society we want to create and envisage new knowledge architectures from the Global South (pg. 6). As a key player in higher education in Africa (and, increasingly, globally), we would be remiss not to continue interrogating our role and relevance. How can higher education remain relevant for good?

In the classrooms, Wits educators are advancing mathematics education (pg. 25), while mathematics postgraduate students are number-crunching creatively to boost a tourism sector decimated by travel restrictions.

Wits is inexorably part of the history and fabric of Johannesburg and as we approach our centenary in 2022, our urban architects suggest how the Citys spatial geography can be reconceived for inclusivity and development (pg. 12).

Yet cities and classrooms globally are now mostly remote and online, and Wits scholars explore if online platforms can help therapists and tutors transform care and teaching beyond the pandemic (pg. 20). In the Digital Arts sandpit online, academics get serious about gaming, with game design that creates empathy by exploring themes such as sexual identity and privilege (pg. 18), even as were cognisant that insidious forces exist online that threaten democracy and demand vigilance (pgs. 42, 44).

Empathy and understanding are critical to advancing society for good. This means care and concern for the environment while making tough decisions (pg. 46), and considering people with disabilities and how they are required to negotiate their intimate and lived realities (pg. 34). In the boardroom, Wits academics explore the abstraction but no-brainer that love should drive strategy and the bottom line (pg. 22).

With South Africa reduced again in June 2021 to a level 4 lockdown to limit transmission of Covid-19, revisiting our values provides pause for thought. The stories in this issue make courageous efforts to address both unprecedented and persistent problems  a wealth tax to end poverty (pg. 14), philanthropy to advance Africa (pg. 50), and the complexities of a National Health Insurance (pg. 40).

But Im encouraged by astounding evidence of moonshot moments  Witsies are advancing science itself and photographing black holes in outer space (pg. 26), devising biomedical engineering devices to enable understanding of those who stutter (pg. 36), reimagining the way vaccines and lifesaving drugs could be delivered in future (pg. 48), and thinking deeply about how our brains solve problems (pg.28).

These solutions are grounded in the values that characterise Wits University  on the edge of research excellence and exceptional academic standards, and a commitment to societal good in Africa and beyond.
Teaching and learning beyond the pandemic

Wits Vice-Chancellor and Principal speaks at an international plenary session on the impact of the pandemic on public higher education.

The Covid-19 pandemic has affected institutions of higher learning across the globe. Despite the disruption, it provided an opportunity for many institutions of higher learning to adapt rapidly to hybrid learning. It was the catalyst to revolutionise teaching and learning with calls for investment in digital technologies to enable and enhance online learning.

For many public universities worldwide that needed to adjust to online learning, Covid-19 necessitated rethinking teaching and learning, and the need to reimagine social and academic activities after the pandemic.

At a plenary session held on 29 July 2021, which was part of the 2021 International Association of University Presidents (IAUP) Conference, higher education leaders addressed the question of what universities should look like in a post-pandemic world.

The plenary discussion, titled, Innovation and Inclusion: Key Priorities for Higher Education in a Post Pandemic World, included Professors Zeblon Vilakazi, Wits Vice-Chancellor and Principal; Mildred Garcia, President, American Association of States Colleges and Universities; Melchor Sanchez-Mendiola, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM); Vahan Agopyan, President, Universidad de Sao Paulo; Zeblon Vilakazi,; and Jiang Hongxin, Chairman, University Council, Hunan Normal University.

Professor Thandwa Mthembu, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Durban University of Technology moderated the session. Panellists suggested that public universities should move towards hybrid learning and integrate various teaching modes post the pandemic and think strategically about teaching and learning activities.

Although universities transitioned to online learning to ensure completion of their academic calendars, the switch was not as easy for some students for whom the pandemic aggravated socio-economic inequities.

Speaking at the plenary, Wits Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Vilakazi gave a South African perspective of the impacts of the pandemic on public universities, highlighting the challenges at Wits.

He noted that most of these challenges were rooted in the historical inequalities of South Africa. The effects of apartheid are still visible today and these manifests in how we respond to the pandemic, said Vilakazi. He added that at Wits, they had to consider these inequalities and socioeconomic status of their diverse students.

When Covid-19 hit last year, some students were able to pivot quickly to online learning because they had access to WiFi and are part of the connected global north citizens. We had students from townships and informal settlements, for whom data was a challenge, he said.

Given these inequalities, Vilakazi said the university management had to dispatch laptops and data to ensure students who did not have sufficient resources could also learn online and return students who did not have an environment conducive to online learning at home back to their residences (with one student per room).

Vilakazi stressed that post Covid-19, it will be essential for universities to increase access and create a culture of sustainability.

While students have adjusted to the new norm and online learning, we need to try to keep some of the traditional modalities that have been at the heart of the academic project, he said.

Covid -19 has given us the opportunity to harness the digital transformation that will put us at the cutting-edge of excellence in teaching and learning, and sustainability. However, we need to think hard as policy makers and as administrators of institutions on how we can overcome the digital divide within societies and across the world.

In a quest to enhance online learning, Wits introduced a new powerful online learning management system this year, ulwazi to meet the demands of online learning and teaching activities and to accommodate multiple users simultaneously. Ulwazi accelerated the Universitys blended learning, which forms part of the 2020-2024 Teaching and Learning Plan.
Reinventing higher education

We need to rethink higher education by asking what kind of society we want to create.

When the University of the Cape of Good Hope (now UNISA) was established as an examining body in 1873, it was modelled in the image of the University of London, and shaped by the views and desires of the Philosophical Society of South Africa.

The Societys objective was to promote original research and record its results, especially as concerned with the Natural History, Physical Condition, Geography, Statistics, Industrial Resources, Languages and Traditions of South Africa.

New knowledge architectures

Fast- forward 148 years to a country altered by immense political and social feats. No longer are lecturers and students, with their drapery and austerity, advertisements for a Rembrandt painting. Education is theoretically open to all, profound questions have been asked about the colonial-era content and format of the academy, technology has infiltrated every aspect of life, reshaping the relationship between institutions and communities, and the Covid-19 pandemic has destroyed and renewed social, political and economic pacts.

How can higher education remain relevant and impactful in an era that requires deliberate and urgent efforts to address the unprecedented upheaval caused by humankind? Professor Ruksana Osman, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic, explains that the pandemic has allowed the academy to pause, reflect and propose new knowledge architectures.

The pandemic underscored the important role of universities in conducting research, developing vaccines and potential treatments, influencing policy decisions, documenting the disease, adapting pedagogies for remote teaching and learning, and producing personal protective equipment  It brought to light the capabilities of the academy to create quality knowledge while saving lives, she says.

Solutions from the Global South

The Consortium for Advanced Research Training (CARTA), an initiative led by the Wits School of Public Health and the African Population Health and Research Centre, aims to build a vibrant African academy to lead and implement multidisciplinary research that improves public and population health.

Our goal is to ensure that we have an interdisciplinary, Afro-centric research community responding to regional health challenges, says Professor Jude Igumbor, Public Health Specialist and the Focal Person for CARTA at Wits.

Igumbor notes that while African countries bear a disproportionate burden of infectious and noncommunicable diseases, less than one percent of the worlds research is produced in Africa, while investment in the capacity to do health research in African universities has been inadequate.

CARTA, which runs a doctoral training programme, comprises eight African universities, four African research centres and northern partners. These cross-disciplinary and continent-wide initiatives are building research capacity. Igumbor adds that contextually-focused research conducted by CARTA fellows provides evidence-based information to guide policies and decisions aimed at addressing current disease burdens and future epidemics in Africa.

Osman says that tackling local and global challenges requires a multiplicity of voices, methods, and framings. It must forge inclusive communities of scholars across the world. She adds that environmental and financial stability are key too, upheld by agile and visionary leadership.

A (re)-imagined community in a thriving city

Professor Zeblon Vilakazi, Vice-Chancellor of Wits University, believes that resilient and robust universities are those that drive multidisciplinary collaborations, nurture budding communities of research practice across Africa, and reconstitute their images to speak to their immediate environment.

Wits University in particular has the opportunity to inform and reform the cityscape. The University is not far removed from the grime and precarity of Joburgs city centre and can capitalize on the many dynamic opportunities in the space  this is unique in this country. UCT is located in the wealthier suburbs, for example. We cant be passive occupants of the inner-city. In other parts of the world, such as New York and London, the university campuses seamlessly flow into the city. Columbia University in New York is interesting because it is located in Harlem, an area that was historically precarious and crime-ridden, says Vilakazi.

Wits Universitys Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct in Braamfontein is an example of the relationship the University has with its local context. Not only is the Precincts work responding to changing work and social realities, but it promotes entrepreneurship and relevant applied research. Importantly, unemployed youth are incubated and equipped with digital skills.

The University is intimately involved, through the Reimagining Braamfontein programme led by award-winning social entrepreneur Taffy Adler, with changing the south-western part of Braamfontein where the university and the urban merge. We have between 40 000 and 50 000 young people living in the area. We must therefore make the most of this opportunity, partner with organisations and government entities that develop residential communities for students and staff, promote commercial activity, and nurture invention and innovation in the area, he says.

Understanding student realities

Universities were traditionally set up for those gentlemen who could afford the cost of higher education. It was seen as a privilege. But in a country plagued by historical exclusion, and inequality and poverty, university is seen by many young people as an essential path to escaping social and economic distress.

The traditional university funding model  that of students being able to pay  is misaligned with our real-life context. In fact, we have many more non-traditional students enrolling. These are women, older people, mothers, poor students and poor rural students, says Jerome September, the Dean of Student Affairs at Wits University.

The government-funded National Students' Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has stepped in to help poor students, but September says that universities in South Africa must focus on ensuring that students in the so-called missing middle category are not excluded  these are students not poor enough to qualify for NSFAS aid but not wealthy enough to afford university fees.

We need to make funding available for these academically-deserving students and we need to find innovative ways to do this, whether it is with a low-interest government loan scheme, or through other means, says September, adding that higher education should be seen as a public and social good.

When there is an educated population, there is a higher economic growth rate and a more peaceful society. In order to reinvent and fix higher education we need to ask ourselves what kind of society we want  if we want to have a democratic, safe, educated society, then we need to prioritise higher education.
BREWERTON, N.Y. (AP) - Authorities say three people were injured in a boat collision in the Oneida River in central New York.

Onondaga County Sheriffs Office spokesperson Sgt. Jon Seeber says one boat was speeding down the river when it struck the other boat head on at about 8:30 p.m. Wednesday.

He says a passenger in the boat that was hit was knocked unconscious. The driver and a passenger from the boat that hit the other vessel were ejected into the water.

All three were taken to a hospital with injuries that authorities said were not life-threatening.
Last Monday, my daughter woke up with a high fever, a racing pulse, and low oxygen saturation levels, as measured on our home pulse oximeter. We called her doctor and she told us to go to the ER.

Thankfully, she's fine now. Her fever responded to medication, her O2 was normal by the time she got into her hospital bed, and her pulse fell as she stopped panicking. It took longer for me to calm down.

But both my kids, my wife -- all fully vaccinated and having cheerfully put aside our masks -- recently got breakthrough Covid. It was a harsh reminder of what the rising numbers of Covid cases in the US reflect: that when it comes to contagiousness, this Delta variant raises a whole new series of risks.

As I was waiting for the doctor at the ER, despondent and afraid, I finally admitted to myself the painful truth so many parents are confronting: The school year that's now upon us would be the third school year in a row driven by the ebb and flow of the coronavirus.

Thinking about this as Covid School Year Three raises the stakes for what comes next. In any given high school, like the one where my son will be a freshman in a few weeks, only the seniors will have experienced an uninterrupted year. Second graders will never have seen a normal year all the way through. In my daughter's middle school, spanning 6th, 7th and 8th grades, not a single student has had a "normal" year of middle school. Unsurprisingly, studies are identifying higher levels of social and emotional difficulties in kids from pre-school to high school.

So while it's with relief that I've greeted the news that more and more states, including mine, are implementing some level of precaution, like returning to masking as the new school year starts, I need something more. Families have been holding out hope for so long that the fall of 2021 would be a fresh start. As we face the grim reality that shows otherwise, parents and kids need clarity. We need state leaders and school districts to support year-long plans that follow data we (parents, teachers and elected officials) can all track.

Like most parents, I have my own preferences when it comes to remote vs distance schooling, masking and vaccine mandates, and I recognize that many of us disagree. But I hope we can come together around a principle of clarity that lasts all year.

One of the hardest things about parenting, at all times, is planning. Planning for meals, shopping, childcare, doctors' visits, camps and so much more is part of the invisible labor of caregiving (and labor that research shows falls most heavily on mothers).

During the pandemic, the sheer impossibility of knowing what would happen next has taken all of us who do that work to the breaking point. Just as with our kids, parents grew more and more stressed throughout the pandemic, though a recent study found those levels were beginning to subside over the summer, but that was before the Delta surge. Now everything is getting difficult again, a problem exacerbated often enough by lack of clarity from leaders who perhaps didn't want to break the bad news.

When schools first shut down in March 2020, it seemed clear that schools were done for the year, but my state's governor waited a month to announce it. In the 2020-2021 year, we had two weeks of remote, then about six weeks of partial in-person attendance, then about two months of remote, then my son had four days a week (under special education rules) and my daughter none, then my daughter had four days and my son five days starting in late March, and then came summer. We tried to take it easy, reveled in seeing friends again, but now, here comes the Delta variant.

I'm glad that more schools are taking it seriously. The data is troubling. Kids under 12 are all unvaccinated, and unlike adults, can't choose otherwise. Kids are getting infected more and more frequently in this current wave, which is resulting in more hospitalizations. Children's hospitals around the country are filling up, many on the cusp of being overwhelmed.

In the face of these dire numbers, parents are demanding action and many of our leaders are beginning to respond. Even in Florida and Texas, where Republican governors have banned mask mandates, locals are stepping up. School districts in both states are defying the governors, prioritizing the health of their students even at the risk of sanctions from above. But for once in this pandemic it would be great if we could simultaneously address the crisis at hand and plan for the next few months. Our kids need stability. We parents also need help.

Start cautiously. Only roll back precautions when vaccination rates rise and infections fall to a predetermined level. Don't make the shifting of modalities (online vs remote, full time vs partial, mandatory masking vs option) a decision in each instance, but set the standards and let districts or counties hit the levels or not. Before, we've been reactive each step along the way, always making choices about the crisis that's just hit (or honestly hit weeks ago -- it's not like the current Delta wave wasn't in progress all July).

This isn't the argument I wanted to be making right now. I had hoped we'd be able to focus on healing from the trauma of last year, rather than continuing to fight this virus. Instead, it's Year Three, and honestly, I feel worse than I did a year ago, and not just because I'm recovering from the virus. Last year, we all knew things were going to be a struggle. This year, the future just seems even more unknowable. That's why it's time for a plan rather than denying the truth; we're in this together, but the pandemic is far from over.

The-CNN-Wire

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TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI)-The Tippecanoe County Health Department is pleading with all schools in the area to require masks while students are indoors. This comes as The CDC, The Indiana Department of Health, and The American Academy of Pediatrics have advised that schools have universal masking. They are calling the County Commissioners to make a mandate requiring schools to do so.

In a statement on the Health Departments Official Facebook page, it says the Department has pursued a mandate requiring universal masking in K-12 schools in Tippecanoe County.

However, due to recent changes to Indiana state law, such a mandate requires the approval of the Board of County Commissioners in order to take effect. The county commissioners feel it isn't their place to make a mandate for schools. They think it should be up school board to create those masks mandates. Tippecanoe County Commissioner Tom Murtaugh says the conversation should remain around encouraging people to get vaccinated.

"We need the discussion to be around the need to vaccinate because that's the only way we truly are going to avoid a mask mandate," said Murtaugh. "I really hope it doesn't come down to where the commissioners have to make that decision for another elected board."

However, the health department says, these mandates are important for the health of the community.

"We don't want a situation like what's been seen in other parts of the state and other parts of the country where schools have gone back without requiring masks and within one of two weeks they have had such a large number of students sick and quarantined that they have had to close the schools only then to come back requiring masks," said Dr. Jeremy Adler the Tippecanoe County Health Officer.

He says some pediatric hospitals across the country are reaching capacity because children under 12 aren't able to get vaccinated. The county commissioners say they will not be implementing any sort of mask mandate at this time. However, they say this conversation is ongoing and the situation could change as the data does.
LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI)  Former employees, public officials and other sources have criticized Fairfield Township Trustee Taletha Coles for what they call her bizarre and irrational ideas.

Perhaps the most disturbing, those sources tell News 18, were her plans to press the unclaimed cremated remains of township residents into diamonds.

News 18 has reported on Coles' plans to build a fire station, purchase a helicopter and host bonfires at the Greenbush Cemetery. But this idea involves the township's responsibility to pay for the crematation of people who can't afford it themselves.

Former township employee Kelli Stump says these people are often homeless with few resources or family members, and their cremated remains are often unclaimed and stored at Fisher Funeral Chapel.

Stump says Coles asked her to arrange a meeting with the funeral home about pressing the remains into diamonds.

"It was the most disturbing thing," she says.

Another former employee, Trisha Fogleman, says Coles asked a family to return the ashes of a woman whose cremation was paid for by the township.

"We were going to pay for a lady to be cremated in April," she says. "One of the lady's sons picked up the ashes from Fisher Funeral Home and I had to call Jonathan Fisher and demand them back and say, 'You get those from them or we're not paying for it.'"

Fisher, manager of Fisher Funeral Home, says he ultimately paid for that cremation. He confirmed Coles inquired about pressing cremains into diamonds.

He says the meeting was posed to him as an opportunity to talk about Greenbush Cemetery when the question came out of nowhere. He adds he didn't think she was serious because the process is very expensive.

But Stump and Fogleman say Coles wasn't kidding.

"I've been screaming at the top of my lungs, 'She's serious,'" Stump says. "I know it sounds absolutely crazy, and I know I sound crazy for even relaying it. She has serious intent on turning these poor people literally into diamonds."

Fisher says the funeral home no longer stores cremains for the township and stores very few unclaimed cremains at all. Coles' former employees allege the remains are now stored in a safe in the trustee's office.

News 18 out to Cole to ask about these allegations but she hasn't responded.

Township Under Audit

As News 18 previously reported, former township employees and township board members have pointed out some of Coles' questionable purchases, including $5,000 for exercise equipment out of the rainy day fund and a brand new Ford F-250 pickup purchased in 2019.

Coles also failed to file the township board's approved 2021 budget with the state.

A spokesperson for the Indiana State Board of Accounts on Thursday confirmed Coles and the township are currently under audit.
Students learn the yangko dance during an international youth camp in Yan'an, Shaanxi Province, in July. [For China Daily/Zhou Wenting]

Teenagers took a step into history when they visited Yan'an, the cradle of the Chinese revolution, in Shaanxi Province. As members of 16th Shanghai International Youth Interactive Friendship Camp, they were touring Chinese cities and they said that learning about Yan'an had been fundamental to helping them understand the country's development today.

During their visit to the city on July 16-17, the 39 teenagers from China and 15 other countries went to places, such as Liangjiahe Village where President Xi Jinping used to work as a farmer from 1969 to 1975.

They also went to Yangjialing Village, a former site of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and where Party leaders at that time, including Chairman Mao Zedong, resided from 1938-47.

The youth camp was organized by the Shanghai People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the Shanghai Youth Federation and the Shaanxi Provincial People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.

All the participants this year were from local or international schools in Shanghai rather than overseas because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The teenagers, from countries including Australia, Japan, the United States, Russia, South Korea, India, Spain and Sweden, also learned about the traditional yangko dance and folk songs, as well as how to make dumplings.

For most, this was their first time in the city of special significance in the Chinese revolution and the CPC's history.

Under the cool shade in Yangjialing Village , they hear about Norman Bethune, a Canadian surgeon who devoted his life to helping Chinese people fight against Japanese aggression in the 1930s. [For China Daily/Zhou Wenting]

"Liangjiehe Village is absolutely beautiful and the history of how it developed also reflects people's rising living standards in Yan'an and the country as a whole," says 16-year-old Isabel Katharine Braithwaite from Sweden.

Elizaveta Koposova from Russia says that the visit to Yan'an allowed her to learn more about China's past and think about how China has gone about achieving its development.

"We live in Shanghai, a modern city, and the tour in Yan'an helped us learn about the country from another perspective," says the 17-year-old.

After seeing this part of Chinese history, she learned that Chinese people used to live a hard life and they were eager to get out of it. "Their life and living environment was changed enormously because of their diligence," she says.

In the 1960s and '70s, 15 youths from Beijing, including Xi, came to Liangjiahe and experienced difficult and unforgettable times. Back then, the terrain was rough and undulating, there was no water in what is now a river, no trees on the mountain slopes and the fields were untilled.

However, the village today has access to natural gas, the internet, tap water and new infrastructure. The elderly have pensions, the children get a good education and citizens have comprehensive medical insurance, making life nearly on par with city life.

Making dumplings gives them a taste of local culture. [For China Daily/Zhou Wenting]

"It was interesting to see in the village the simple bed that Xi shared with several other youths and some other items he used during his stay here working as a farmer," says Kirara Endo, a 14-year-old Japanese girl.

The teenagers also got to try their hand at building sediment storage dams in the village. They learned Xi had worked as the Party secretary of the village in 1974 and that the first thing he did was to guide the villagers to build such dams for the purpose of gathering soil in land degradation areas.

"When we cooperated to experience the labor work in the village, we could feel how much effort the residents here had made to turn this place from an impoverished countryside region to a prosperous land. I'm proud of the country's total triumph in poverty alleviation," says Jia Mingxuan, a 14-year-old girl from Shanghai.

During the trip, the teenagers also learned about the foreigners who helped Yan'an and supported the Chinese in areas like healthcare, culture and education.

These foreigners include Edgar Snow from the US, the first Western journalist to give a full account of the history of the CPC following the Long March, and Erwin Engst, a US agro-pastoral specialist who assisted with agricultural developments and later participated in China's socialist economic construction.

It's not all song and dance as the students build sediment storage dams in Liangjiahe Village in Yan'an. [For China Daily/Zhou Wenting]

At Yangjialing Village, the teenagers listened to the narration of Norman Bethune, a member of the Communist Party of Canada and a well-known thoracic surgeon. Bethune died in China in November 1939 after he was infected during surgery on a patient.

"Bethune's story shows his dedication to medical work and his humanitarian spirit is really amazing. I also want to be a doctor who helps people with knowledge and practice in science and medicine," says Braithwaite.

"I didn't realize before the Yan'an visit that foreigners from different backgrounds were in China and the support from the international community also helped make China what it is today," says the Swede, who moved to Shanghai with her parents and two siblings because of her father's career.

Liu Suping, director of the Europe and Asia division of the Shaanxi Provincial People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, says: "We sincerely hope that more youths can follow the example of those international friends and deepen the friendship between China and the international community in the new era."

It's not all song and dance as the students build sediment storage dams in Liangjiahe Village in Yan'an. [For China Daily/Zhou Wenting]

The camp participants say they enjoyed the time together and were delighted to have the opportunity to communicate with peers from different countries in a time when the world is still stricken by the pandemic.

Jaden Ng from Singapore says that he felt a strong sense of teamwork when the participants worked together to build the dams-some were responsible for shoveling and transporting the soil, while others paving and tamping.

Braithwaite notes that it was exciting to interact with teenagers from different parts of the world because the culture at the school she attends in Shanghai is predominantly British.

During the camp, Mingxuan from Shanghai also shared some knowledge about traditional Chinese medicine, which she is interested in.

"I hope we can become messengers of friendships," says Mingxuan, whose roommate during the camp was a girl from Spain.

She says they were sure that they would keep in touch after the camp.

Cao Haijiong, director of the Europe and Asia division of the Shanghai People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, says that the past 15 editions of the event had built up friendship between the participants from home and abroad. Many former campers still keep in close contact with each other.

"When the COVID-19 virus struck China early last year, we received videos from former international campers who wished our country well," says Cao.

"Also, we sent face masks to some foreign countries through our sister organizations overseas when they were in need of them."

(Source: China Daily)
An enclave is a country that is completely surrounded by the territory of one other country. There are only three countries in the entire world that fit the definition of an enclave. Two of them, Vatican City and San Marino, are located in Europe, while the third, Lesotho, is located in Africa.

Lesotho is the largest enclave, while Vatican City is the smallest. Both Vatican City and San Marino are surrounded by territory belonging to Italy. Lesotho is surrounded by land belonging to South Africa.

Lesotho

Map showing the location of Lesotho in South Africa.

Lesotho, officially known as the Kingdom of Lesotho, is a country in the African subregion of Southern Africa. It is surrounded entirely by territory belonging to South Africa, and is the largest of the worlds three enclave countries. Lesotho is the nation-state of the Basotho people. The Basotho nation was formed under King Moshoeshoe just prior to contact with Europeans, which first occurred in 1833.

In the mid-19th century, territorial incursions onto Basotho territory by Dutch colonists persuaded King Moshoeshoe to form an alliance with the British Cape Colony. In 1868, the territory of the Basotho nation, became the British protectorate of Basutoland. Although Basutoland was annexed to the Cape colony, it retained its autonomy as a High Commission Territory. In 1959, Basutoland became a British colony. Seven years later, it became a fully-independent country, and its name was changed from Basutoland to Lesotho, which literally translates as land of the Sotho.

Map of Lesotho, an enclaved country.

Unlike most countries in Africa, Lesotho maintains a largely homogenous population in terms of ethnicity. About 99.7% of people in the country identify themselves as Basotho, though there are several subgroups of Basotho, including the Batloung (Tlou), Bakuena (Kuena), Baphuthi (Phuti), Bataung (Tau), Batsoeneng (Tsoene), Matebele, and Bafokeng. Sesotho is the main language spoken in the country, though English also has official status. About 90% of Lesothos people are Christian. The remaining 10% are followers of Islam, Hinduism, Bahaism, and indigenous religions. Lesotho has a total population of more than 2.1 million.

Lesotho is a poor, largely agrarian country. The countrys GDP per capita is just $1,088, and only 25% of the countrys people live in urban areas. Lesotho does, however, have a literacy rate of 85%, which is one of the highest rates on the African continent. The country is governed as a democratic constitutional monarchy, with the king as the head of state, and a prime minister as the head of the government. Lesotho has a bicameral legislature, with an upper house composed of hereditary chiefs and appointees of the king, and a lower house elected by the people.

San Marino

Map showing the location of San Marino in Italy.

San Marino is an enclave country surrounded entirely by the territory of Italy. It is located in Italys northeast, close to the Adriatic Sea. San Marino is the worlds oldest republic. According to tradition, it was founded in 301 CE by Marinus, a Christian stonemason seeking refuge from religious persecution on Mt. Titano. San Marino was never part of any larger state, and has always been governed separately. It was a neutral country during World War II, and took in about 100,000 Italian refugees during the war. In 1992, the country became a member of the United Nations.

San Marino is tiny. It has a land area of just 61 sq. km, making it the 5th smallest country on Earth. The people of San Marino, who are called San Marinese, number only 33,860, making the country the 5th least populous country in the world. Being completely surrounded by Italy, it is no surprise that Italian is the official language of San Marino. San Marinos main economic activity is tourism. Before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the country welcomed about 3 million tourists per year.

Map of San Marino, an enclaved country.

San Marino has a parliamentary form of government with a unique system for determining its heads of state. Indeed, San Marino is one of only two countries that have two heads of state (Andorra is the other), known as the captains-regents, who are elected by the countrys legislature for terms of just six months. The legislature of San Marino, called the Great and General Council, is composed of 60 members, who are elected by the people to five-year terms. The Great and General Council also elects the 10-member Congress of State, which serves as governments executive branch.

Vatican City

Map showing the location of Vatican City in Italy.

Vatican City, also called the Vatican, is the smallest of the three enclave countries. In fact, it is the smallest country in the world. Its land area is just 49 hectares. It is also the least populous country in the world, with a population of only 800 to 900 people, most of them priests and nuns from abroad. Like San Marino, the Vatican is entirely surrounded by territory belonging to Italy. Actually, Vatican City is surrounded by one Italian city, Rome, which is the capital of Italy.

The Vatican is best known as the seat of the Roman Catholic Church, which has an estimated 1.285 billion followers spread throughout the world, making it the largest Christian denomination on Earth. The Pope, who is the head of the Catholic Church, lives in the Vatican. Vatican City began its history as the seat of the Catholic Church in the 4th century CE, when a basilica was built over the grave of St. Peter, henceforth known as St. Peters Basilica.

Map of the Vatican City, an enclaved country.

For a short time, the Catholic Church abandoned the Vatican in 1309, moving its seat of power and the papacy to Avignon, France. In 1377, however, the Catholic Church returned to the Vatican and worked to restore its buildings, which had fallen into disrepair while the Church was headquartered in Avignon. Work on the famous Sistine Chapel began in the 1470s. Subsequently, the famous artist, Michelangelo, was charged with painting the Chapels ceiling in 1508.

Prior to 1870, Popes residing in the Vatican ruled over territory known as the Papal States. But in 1870, the government of Italy claimed the territory of the Papal States, other than the Vatican, for itself. This was the beginning of a dispute that would last nearly 60 years, until the government of Italy and the Vatican concluded an agreement known as the Lateran Treaty in 1929, by which the Vatican was recognized as a sovereign entity.
LG Chem's first export of bio-balanced SAP was shipped from the Yeosu plant, to be delivered to Baby Life, a client of LG Chem located in Jordan, and be used for making diapers.

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA: LG Chem announced that it mass-produced the worlds first bio-balanced super absorbent polymer (SAP) that received ISCC Plus international certification and shipped its first exports.



Bio-balanced SAP refers to SAP attributed to renewable raw materials such as waste and residue oils and fats it is a product that received ISCC Plus certification from ISCC, which is one of the most reputable certification authorities in the world for renewable products.

Furthermore, it is the first case that applied the eco-friendly integrated brand LETZero that LG Chem recently launched.

This product, which was shipped from the Yeosu plant, will be delivered to Baby Life, a client of LG Chem located in Jordan, and be used for making diapers etc.

The first export of the Bio-balanced SAP was made possible as the interests between LG Chem, which is focusing on carbon-neutral and resource circulation activities as part of its sustainability strategy, and the client, which intends to expand application of eco-friendly materials in hygienic products such as diapers, fit each other.

The production of the Bio-balanced SAP takes place in the context of the strategic partnership (MOU) LG Chem entered into last year with Neste, the worlds leading producer of renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel, and a forerunner as a provider of renewable and circular solutions for the petrochemical industry.

This partnership provides the foundation for LG Chem to receive a stable supply of renewable hydrocarbons needed for manufacturing renewable polymer and chemical products, and since July, it began full-fledged production of Bio-balanced SAP.

LG Chem is spurring to launch a total of 9 Bio-balanced products that received ISCC Plus certification including SAP such as PO (Polyolefin), ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), and PVC (polyvinyl chloride) within the year, and to pioneer the related markets. The number of ISCC Plus certified products will be expanded to more than 30 within this year.

Upon performing a Life Cycle Assessment(LCA), it was determined that LG Chems Bio-balanced SAP leads to a significant decrease of 111% in greenhouse gas emissions compared to existing fossil-fuel based products and the assessment has been verified by the Korean Society for Life Cycle Assessment (KSLCA).

LCA includes the production process of raw materials, and so in the case of bio materials, greenhouse gas emissions are calculated by also considering carbon dioxide (CO2) absorption by plant.

This makes it possible to achieve climate-positive LCA results and thereby allows for a reduction of more than 100 percent.

LG Chems strategy is to objectively digitize the carbon mitigation effect per product to enhance customer reliability on bio-balanced products, while actively leading the eco-friendly certified product market.

This is very meaningful in that it is the starting point for a full-fledged shift in the product portfolio toward eco-friendly materials in the petrochemicals business, said Kug Lae Noh, executive vice president and president of petrochemicals company from LG Chem.

 Worldofchemicals News
As the Delta variant spreads and as COVID-19 case counts climb throughout Alaska, more health care providers in the state are requiring that their workers get vaccinated.

Full vaccination also will be required of students living in on-campus housing at the University of Alaska Southeast and at the university campus in Anchorage.

The PeaceHealth hospital system, which operates the Ketchikan Medical Center, announced Aug. 3 that all caregivers will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 starting Aug. 31, unless they provide proof of a medical exemption.

"The policy will apply to all ca...
Wrexham man raises over 1,500 in close shave fundraiser for Wales Air Ambulance

A Wrexham man has raised 1,515 by shaving off his beard and long hair for the Wales Air Ambulance.

Christopher Parry, 47, from Cefn-Y-Bedd started to grow his hair and beard since before the original lockdown in March 2020.

Reflecting on why he decided to grow his hair and beard and then do the close shave fundraiser, the Airbus employee, said: I started growing it just prior to the lockdown starting in March 2020, it started as a bit of fun as the hairdressers were closed and then i carried on growing it until it was shaved.

The Air Ambulance is a good cause and I often see if flying around when I am in the Porthmadog area, the work it does is vital and a worthy cause.

Some of Chris friends were eager to get their hands on the clippers, they carried out his close shave to remove the mass of hair and return him to normality.

Chris, who owns a caravan on the north Wales coast, is now adjusting to life without his long hair and beard, he added: It feels strange as I got used to the beard and long hair, although it feels better in the warm weather to not have the long hair and beard.

Im glad it has gone.

In December 2020, the charity achieved its aim of operating a 24/7 service.

Wales now has access to the services Emergency Department-standard critical care around the clock and to keep the helicopters in the air, the Charity needs to raise 8 million every year.

Debra Sima, Community fundraiser for the Wales Air ambulance, said: A huge thank you to Chris who underwent a close shave for charity. It must have been a big decision for Chris to shave his long hair and also his beard after growing it for so long.

He has raised a fantastic 1,515 for our lifesaving charity during its 20th anniversary year. On behalf of everybody at Wales Air Ambulance, and everybody across Wales who will benefit from this fundraising, I would like to say thank you to Chris and to all those who supported his close shave fundraiser.

Theres still time to donate to Chris fundraiser via his Just Giving page Christophers Close Shave.

There are several ways that the public can continue to support the Wales Air Ambulance. These include online donations, signing up to the Charitys Lifesaving Lottery or by coming up with their own innovative ways to fundraise at home. Further information can be found via www.walesairambulance.com.

Alternatively, a 5 text-message donation can be made by texting the word HELI to 70711.
The UKs High Court has allowed the United States to appeal on two additional grounds the refusal of Julian Assanges extradition by a lower court.

Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks still held in Belmarsh maximum security prison, is threatened with extradition on charges under the Espionage Act with a potential life sentence for revealing state war crimes, torture, surveillance, corruption and coup plots.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange [Credit: AP Photo/Matt Dunham]

On January 4, District Judge Vanessa Baraitser blocked extradition, ruling that it would be oppressive by virtue of his mental health and put him at substantial risk of suicide.

Lawyers for the US government sought to appeal the decision on the five grounds:

That Baraitser made errors of law in her application of the test under section 91 of the 2003 Extradition Act, which bars extradition if the persons mental or physical condition would render it unjust or oppressive. That she ought to have notified the US ahead of time, to give the government the opportunity to provide assurances to the court that Assanges health would be looked after. That the judge should not have accepted or at least given less weight to the evidence of the defences principal psychiatric expert, Professor Kopelman. That Baraitser erred in her overall assessment of the evidence on suicide risk. That the US has since provided the UK with a package of assurances about the conditions in which Assange would be held.

The US was initially granted leave to appeal on grounds one, two and five, but denied three and four. At a preliminary hearing yesterday in front of Lord Justice Holroyde and Mrs Justice Farbey, that decision was overturned and grounds three and four were granted as well.

Their decision confirms that the January 4 ruling against extradition was only a tactical pause in an ongoing pseudo-legal manhunt, which is again proceeding apace.

Baraitsers original decision accepted every one of the prosecutions anti-democratic, factually unsustainable arguments except on the single point of Assanges mental health, leaving his fate hanging by a thread. Now the US is being given the opportunity to bulldoze this last remaining obstacle.

As Assanges legal team argue in their Notice of Objection, none of the points made in the appeal by the US stand up to scrutiny.

On ground one, the US lawyers identified no errors of law in the approach taken by the District Judge who applied the relevant Turner test in a manner consistent with the recent case of Lauri Love.

On ground two, the court was under no obligation to prompt the US to provide assurances.

On ground five, the new US assurances are nothing of the sortthey are conditional and have been given and broken in previous cases. Moreover, they have been introduced at such a late stage that they cannot be properly tested and contradict the long-held and vitally important principle that parties to an extradition hearing should deploy all their evidence and raise all relevant issues at a single extradition hearing.

Grounds three and four, Edward Fitzgerald QC maintained yesterday, representing Assange, are simply unarguable.

Claire Dobbin, representing the US, claimed that since defence expert medical witness Professor Kopelman had failed to record in a preliminary report that Assange was in a relationship with Stella Moris and had conceived two children with herof direct relevance to the question of his mental healthhe was guilty of misleading the court and his evidence ought to have been ruled inadmissible or given far less weight.

But Baraitser did not fail to carry out, in the words of the prosecutions appeal, an exacting analysis as to why Professor Kopelman acted as he did. In fact, Fitzgerald explained, she was fully aware of the criticism and had asked herself the right question as to whether or not, in the context of his broader conduct, this called into question his impartiality.

In her January 4 ruling, Baraitser stated that she did not accept that Professor Kopelman failed in his duty to the court when he did not disclose Ms. Morriss relationship with Mr. Assange. She described Kopelmans omission as an understandable human response to Mrs Moriss predicament, which had not led to her being misled.

One does not need to accept that Baraitser came to this decision out of concern for legal principle to point out the bankruptcy of the USs arguments. As Fitzgerald stated at yesterdays hearing, It is unarguable that there is a principle that any lapse, however understandable renders the whole of an experts evidence inadmissible You have to take it in context and look at the overarching duty of impartiality.

In her arguments yesterday, Dobbin characteristically asked of Kopelmans human response, what does that even mean? Fitzgerald later powerfully set out the extraordinary oppressive circumstances in which Kopelman made his decision: There had been a surveillance organisation which was taking DNA from the [Assanges] babys nappy, which was saying special attention should be placed on Stella Morris, which was examining measures to either kidnap or poison him [Assange].

Fitzgerald was referring to UC Global, the company which provided security for the Ecuadorian embassy while Assange was confined there and has since been accused by two of its former employees of having been employed by the CIA.

His comment broke through the veil which separates the courtroom proceedings, in which Assanges case is assumed to be a fairly argued matter of law, and the reality in which the US is waging a dirty campaign for the WikiLeaks founders head. While Kopelman is dragged over the coals for trying to protect Assanges family from Americas professional thieves and assassins, the US can proceed with a case based in large part on the admitted lies of a convicted fraudster and FBI asset!

On ground four, Fitzgerald cited at length Baraitsers clear, comprehensive and, we would say, unassailable reasoning in coming to her conclusion on Assanges substantial risk of suicide. The US lawyers argument, he concluded, amounted to the barefaced demand that the appellate court re-evaluate the whole thing and reach a different conclusion from the person who heard all the evidence.

After an hours adjournment, the high court judges accepted the US lawyers arguments, acknowledging that in general this court rightly takes a cautious approach when considering findings of fact made by the judge below, but claimed that Kopelmans actions made this case unusual. The final appeal hearing was scheduled for October 27-28.

Moris spoke to journalists outside the court. What has not been discussed today is why I feared for my safety and the safety of our children and Julians life. The constant threats and intimidation that we have endured for years, which has been terrorising us and has been terrorising Julian for over ten years.

Threats against me, threats against our children, death threats against Julians eldest son Daniel. Threats on Julians life, threats of a 175-year prison sentence. And the actual ongoing imprisonment of a journalist for doing his job. These are sustained threats to his life for the past ten years. These are not just items of law. This is our lives. We have the right to exist. We have the right to live, and we have a right for this nightmare to come to an end once and for all.

Yesterdays decision is a warning. The official Dont Extradite Assange (DEA) campaign and its carefully targeted and promoted supporters such as former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn have encouraged appeals to the good sense of the Biden administration or the British judiciary. At a meeting in London in February 2020, Tariq Ali told the crowd, Hopefully as the case moves upwards to superior courts, we will find some judges who are prepared just to be decent.

This is criminal complacency. Assanges fate must not be left in the hands of the warmongering Biden or the venal British legal system. His freedom depends on the political mobilisation of the international working class, now entering into struggle all over the world, in defence of democratic rights.
After Unite betrayed the three-month struggle by 300 Jacobs Douwe Egberts (JDE) workers against fire and rehire at the Banbury plant of the food and drinks transnational and pushed through a filthy concessions agreement on August 4, the Socialist Party (SP) and Socialist Workers Party (SWP) maintained a deafening silence. One only finally broken by the SWP on August 10.

The struggle at JDE was the most recent and significant struggle in a series of strikes this year against fire-and-rehire contracts, including at British Gas and Go North West, and against mass redundancies at BT. The SP and SWP hailed this as proof of a turn by the trade unions towards class struggle in defence of their members. Each one ended with the unions, including Unite, agreeing to and then imposing a sell-out deal that gave the employers almost everything they wanted.

Strikers on the JDE picket line on June 10 (credit: WSWS Media)

This left the SP and SWP to provide their apologias for the trade union bureaucracy, centred on the claims that fire-and-rehire threats had been removed and some of the worst attacks had at least been ameliorated.

Yet at JDE, this balancing act between polite complaint and a continued hailing of the unions has proved impossible to maintain. The deal which Unite once again celebrates as a win slashes annual pay by up to 9,000, lengthens the working week and introduces a gruelling 12-hour shift pattern, including nights for around 35 additional workers for the first time. This sell-out sparked angry opposition among Banbury workers. The Twitter page of the #Banbury300 became the platform for JDE workers to call for a no vote, exposing the lie peddled by Unite that fire and rehire had been withdrawn prior to the ballot, and denouncing the union for conspiring with the company.

The vote to accept the agreement by 81 percent was driven through by a combination of the company maintaining the threat of mass sackings and Unite insisting that nothing else was possible, warning that continued action could lead to the plants closure. Even the local Banbury Guardian felt obliged to include in its August 3 report on the sell-out the comments of a JDE worker: It is a sad day for the workforce at JDE. Unite the Union have betrayed the trust of the workforce. If the union think this is a victory against fire and rehire then that is unbelievable. From day one it has been on the table and not removed until today when the vote went JDEs way. If it hadnt that would still be on table.

In contrast, the SP has chosen diplomatic silence in the run-up to and aftermath of the sell-out, while the SWPs very limited coverage was directed towards corralling JDE workers opposition behind Unite.

The SPs last article on JDE appeared two months ago, with The Socialist claiming, Unite the Union has stood firm against the companys fire and rehire tactics, achieving an 86% turnout in favour of a further four strike days in June.

The article also claimed that workers at Banbury had, through Unite, established contact with their co-workers in other parts of Europe including France, Germany and the Netherlands. This too was a lie. Unite ensured that all communication was mediated through its counterparts in the European Works Council, a company-union body, with the International Union Federation (IUF) only sending messages calling on JDE to engage in constructive negotiations.

The IUF has now praised Unite for securing a positive outcome.

The SWPs initial coverage was no less uncritical of Unite. The May 10 edition of Socialist Worker , for example, claimed that Unite union national officer Joe Clarke reflected the determined mood of workers at the Jacobs Douwe Egberts (JDE) coffee plant in Banbury. Clarke was instrumental in negotiating the rotten sell-out at Banbury.

While the SP remained silent after Unite suspended the dispute on June 25 and damaging leaks about the concessions agreement began to emerge, the SWP felt obliged to indicate opposition. On July 13, commenting on leaks of the agreement and acknowledging sweeping attacks on workers, Socialist Worker urged them to place their trust in efforts to secure a change of heart from Unite. Even now, if Unite told bosses that the deal is off and gets strikes back on then workers could win. Workers should pressure the officials to scrap the deal and use some of the unions much-vaunted 40 million war chest to support an all-out indefinite strike.

As one worker commented on the Banbury300 group, And what if they dont?

The SWP of course had no illusions that Unite would reverse course. Its only other comment on the dispute was written by Pat Carmody, which was brief and pro-forma even by the SWPs standards. Its 104 words, published as part of an industrial round-up on July 27, noted that voting on Unites deal had begun, admitting that the new deal keeps the pay cuts and shift changes in exchange for paltry compensation. It also includes 23 redundancies, and again urged workers to vote no and demand a re-ballot for an all-out indefinite strike.

The SWP was firefighting on behalf of the union bureaucracy, even as JDE workers were beginning to draw the conclusion that they were in fact waging a war on two fronts, against JDE and Unite. As the Banbury300 Twitter page stated on July 19, The workers at Jacobs Douwe Egberts are being forced to accept a deal they dont want! Their call for a No vote was accompanied by memes depicting the union being paid off by the company and conspiring against them.

Unite and the company intervened to try and have the Twitter page suspended.

Seven days after the sell-out, the SWP has finally gone into print to acknowledge the scale of the betrayal carried out by Unite.

Unite leadership has failed the JDE strikers, writes Pat Carmody. Noting, Those that dont sign up to new terms and conditions by 13 September will have to seek alternative employment, he asks, But what employer needs that weapon when union officials advocate their members signing up to worse pay, terms and conditions? Lets call the JDE deal what it isa defeat.

What conclusions must be drawn from such a defeat? As far as the SWP is concerned, only that Unite should have acted differently! The trade union movement in Britain and internationally should have organised, resistance... Thats what Unites leadership should have been doing.

But Unite did not organise resistance. And it will not be made to do so by rank-and-file pressure, as is suggested by Carmody. He has the gall to write that Militant protests outside the plant took bosses and union officials aback, before repeating the claim that Unite national officer, Joe Clarke reflected that mood when he told pickets, Were aiming for a knockout in round three, but if we have to go the full 12 rounds then were ready.

The only thing Clarke reflected was the cynicism of the union bureaucracy as they posed as defenders of the Banbury 300, while preparing to stab them in the back.

The re-entering of the working class into major struggles such as at JDE upends the pseudo left, who are no longer able conceal their unswerving loyalty to the union bureaucracy behind ritualistic and insincere calls to step up the action. What defines the SP and SWP as tendencies is not their left phraseology, but the fact that they do not have an independent existence outside of the union bureaucracy in which they are embedded.

This is clearly revealed in their gushing support for Sharon Graham in the elections for Unite General Secretary. To the extent they offer any alternative to the workers trapped in Unite, it is that Graham, an executive member of the union and leader of its leverage department, is the Workers Candidate who will lead them to a new promised land.

Graham is the architect of similar betrayals of the fight against fire and rehire at British Airways and Go North West and would have done the same at Banbury had it not fallen under the organisational remit of her rival for the general secretary post, Steve Turner.

A May 18 Socialist Worker article on the Go North West sell-out ended with the declaration, Strikes are the best way to win against fire and rehire. But the outcome should not be negotiated cuts. However, even the belated criticism of that betrayal was preceded by the statement, Sharon Graham, a candidate in the Unite general secretary elections, said, Congratulations to all our members at Go North West. I was very privileged to stand beside you with leverage and help push Go North West back. Thank you for your endorsement for me to be Unites next general secretary.

Support for Graham and Unite is incompatible with any form of class struggle against the employers. Graham and the entire Unite bureaucracy stand for a strategy of leverage, by which they mean negotiating company and industry-wide deals similar to those agreed at JDE based on the bureaucracy acting as an industrial police force, suppressing opposition and imposing wage and pension cuts, speed ups and job losses.

The first critical step in waging any fight against the employers is breaking the grip of the company-labour syndicates which masquerade under the name of trade unions. This is the basis on which the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) advances the fight for rank-and-file committees.

A major factor in the political crisis JDE created for the SP and SWP was the intervention by the SEP. Our consistent exposure, from the very beginning, of the sordid manoeuvres of Unite found a growing audience among JDE workers, because it accurately reflected their own bitter experiences with the trade unions. The SEPs political analysis of Unite and of the pseudo-left groups relations with the bureaucracy played a significant part in the SPs decision to take its distance from the dispute and the SWPs efforts to feign a critical stance regarding the sell-out deal.

Along with its sister parties across the world, the SEP has called for an International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC) based on the recognition that opposition to the murderous policy of the ruling elites over the pandemic and the wave of corporate restructuring requires an international strategy. The IWA-RFC will work to develop the framework for new forms of independent, democratic and militant rank-and-file organizations of workers in factories, schools and workplaces on an international scale. The working class is ready to fight. But it is shackled by reactionary bureaucratic organizations that suppress every expression of resistance.

This is the perspective the SEP fought for at JDE, advancing a socialist perspective and strategy to unify the struggle of workers at Banbury with their co-workers in the companys 20,000 workforce across sites in nearly 40 other countries. These are the lessons which need to be drawn from the sell-out at JDE. We encourage workers to contact the SEP to discuss how their fight can be taken forward.
In a significant encroachment on civil liberties, Apple announced on August 5 that it plans to begin scanning the photos on all of its personal computing devices and iCloud storage content for the presence of known images of sexually explicit activities involving a child.

In a statement published on its website entitled Expanded Protections for Children, Apple said that it wants to help protect children from predators who use communication tools to recruit and exploit them and limit the spread of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM).

Source: appleprivacyletter.com

The statement said that Apple had created child safety features in three areas, developed in collaboration with child safety experts and that these features would be coming later this year in the new releases of its operating systems iOS 15, iPadOS 15, watchOS 8, and macOS Monterey.

The three areas where the expanded features will be implemented are in its text messaging app, such that children and their parents will be warned when receiving or sending sexually explicit photos, in on-device scanning of images to detect known CSAM images stored in iCloud Photos and in expanded guidance in Siri (Apples virtual assistant) and Search to help children and parents stay safe online and get help with unsafe situations.

Apples statement says, This program is ambitious, and protecting children is an important responsibility. These efforts will evolve and expand over time. The company also says that the program will be implemented only in the US.

The implementation of the on-device image scanning will be integrated with a reporting system that sends data to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and Apple says that NCMEC acts as a comprehensive reporting center for CSAM and works in collaboration with law enforcement agencies across the United States.

Notably, the company says that it will scan the personal photo libraries of iPhone and iPad users with user privacy in mind. It claims that on-device matching of images to a database of known CSAM image hashes provided by NCMEC and other child safety organizations. The other organizations are not named.

In a strained effort to explain how user privacy will be protected with the new invasive system, the company statement goes into the technical details. It says that Apple transforms the database into an unreadable set of hashes that is securely stored on users devices. An image hash is a kind of digital fingerprint of a specific photo such that copies of it are easily identifiable.

The explanation says that the matching to the database of image hashes is performed on the device before the images are synchronized with iCloud and is powered by a cryptographic technology called private set intersection, which determines if there is a match without revealing the result. The device creates a cryptographic safety voucher that encodes the match result along with additional encrypted data about the image. This voucher is uploaded to iCloud Photos along with the image.

Furthermore, Apple says that another technology called threshold secret sharing ensures that the content of the safety vouchers cannot be interpreted by Apple unless the iCloud Photos account crosses a threshold of known CSAM content. While Apple does not specify what the threshold is, it says it is set to provide an extremely high level of accuracy and ensures less than a one in one trillion chance per year of incorrectly flagging a given account.

According to the statement, once the threshold has been breached, Apple then manually reviews each report to confirm there is a match, disables the users account, and sends a report to NCMEC. If a user feels their account has been mistakenly flagged, they can file an appeal to have their account reinstated.

Apples announcement was immediately denounced by technology, cybersecurity and privacy advocates. Matthew D. Green, a cryptography professor at Johns Hopkins University, told the New York Times that Apples new features set a dangerous precedent by creating surveillance technology that law enforcement or governments could exploit. Green went on, Theyve been selling privacy to the world and making people trust their devices. But now theyre basically capitulating to the worst possible demands of every government. I dont see how theyre going to say no from here on out.

Greg Nojeim, co-director of the Security & Surveillance Project at the Center for Democracy & Technology, told CNN, Apple is replacing its industry-standard end-to-end encrypted messaging system with an infrastructure for surveillance and censorship, which will be vulnerable to abuse and scope-creep not only in the US, but around the world. Apple should abandon these changes and restore its users faith in the security and integrity of their data on Apple devices and services.

In a lengthy statement, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) said, All it would take to widen the narrow backdoor that Apple is building is an expansion of the machine learning parameters to look for additional types of content, or a tweak of the configuration flags to scan, not just childrens, but anyones accounts. Thats not a slippery slope; thats a fully built system just waiting for external pressure to make the slightest change.

Whistleblower and former intelligence analyst Edward Snowden tweeted, No matter how well-intentioned, @Apple is rolling out mass surveillance to the entire world with this. Make no mistake: if they can scan for kiddie porn today, they can scan for anything tomorrow. They turned a trillion dollars of devices into iNarcswithout asking.

In response to the deluge of opposition and denunciations, Apple issued on Friday a Frequently Asked Questions document that only served to further expose the bundle of contradictions that the tech monopoly is embroiling within. To the question, Does this mean Apple is going to scan all the photos stored on my iPhone? the company responded, No. By design, this feature only applies to photos that the user chooses to upload to iCloud Photos. ... The system does not work for users who have iCloud Photos disabled. This feature does not work on your private iPhone photo library on the device.

Apparently, Apple is telling customers concerned about privacy invasion that they should not use one of the key features of its platform: the ability to take photos on one device and store them in the cloud such that they can be viewed and accessed by all other devices. In other words, with their CSAM initiative, Apple is destroying its own technology.

Meanwhile, in an internal memo leaked to the news media, Apple defended its plans saying that the widespread opposition was the result of misunderstandings. While claiming that there have been many positive responses, the memo included a note from the NCMEC that said, We know that the days coming will be filled with the screeching voices of the minority.

Beyond the technical and user aspects, the political content of Apples invasion of privacy initiative dovetails entirely with a right-wing bipartisan bill introduced by the Senate Judiciary Committee in March 2020 aimed purportedly at stopping online child exploitation.

Jointly introduced by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (Republican of South Carolina), US Senators Richard Blumenthal (Democrat of Connecticut), Josh Hawley (Republican of Missouri) and Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein (Democrat of California), the Eliminating Abusive and Rampant Neglect of Interactive Technologies Act (EARN IT Act) demanded that online service providers monitor and censor all content on their systems for CSAM in order to qualify for the Section 230 provisions of the Communications Decency Act of 1996.

The going over of Apple to the undemocratic policies of the entire American political and law enforcement establishment is predictable. The massive corporate monopoly and number one entity on Wall Streetwith a staggering $2.4 trillion market valuationis incapable of maintaining even a fig leaf of adherence to democratic rights and defending the Fourth Amendment guarantee against unreasonable searches and seizures.
The US Senate voted early Wednesday morning to adopt a budget resolution that purports to allow up to $3.5 trillion in social spending, backed by the Biden administration and the Democratic leadership in Congress.

Despite the Republican howls about massive spending and even socialism, the blueprint is highly unlikely to be enacted in anything like the form outlined by Senator Bernie Sanders, the chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, who took the lead role in the debate on the resolution.

Sanders mocked the Republicans, saying they were finding it hard to believe that the president, the Democratic caucus, are prepared to go forward in addressing the long-neglected needs of working families and not just the 1 percent.

He continued with more left phrases, claiming, This legislation will not only provide enormous support to the kids of this country, to the parents of this country, to the elderly people of this country, but then reached the real purpose of the resolution: It will also, I hope, restore the belief that in America we can have a government that works for all, not just the few.

In other words, the purpose of the budget resolution is to spread illusions among working people in the viability of the corporate-controlled political system. It seeks to put a left face on an administration that just concluded a deal with Senate Republicans on an infrastructure bill that is tailored to their demandsand backed by Republican leader Mitch McConnell. And Sanders is given a leading role in order to sustain the pretense of what even the New York Times called, in its headline, Budget Political Theater.

The budget resolution passed on a 5049 vote, with all Democrats supporting it and every Republican in attendance voting no. Vice President Kamala Harris chaired the session but her tie-breaking vote was not needed because one Republican was absent because his wife is severely ill.

The Senate action sets in motion an extremely convoluted procedure. The resolution must be passed by the House of Representatives, but it does not then go to the White House and it does not become law. It is essentially a procedural motion that sets the terms for subsequent congressional action in which the Senate waives the 60-vote requirement in effect for most legislation, and only a simple majority is required.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer announced Wednesday that the House would be recalled from its summer recess to meet August 23, presumably to approve the same resolution, setting the stage for further action in September. Democratic leaders have suggested that all committee action on the components of the actual spending bill should be completed by September 15.

This budget procedure, known as reconciliation, would allow the passage of the actual spending legislation without any Republican support in the Senate, provided all 50 Democrats vote as a bloc. But that is highly unlikely, as two of the most right-wing Senate Democrats, Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, have already announced their opposition to the $3.5 trillion top number for total spending.

Only hours after he voted for the budget resolution, Manchin made it clear that this was support only for starting the process, not for the outcome, and that he had serious concerns about the grave consequences facing West Virginians and every American family if Congress decides to spend another $3.5 trillion.

He added, Given the current state of the economic recovery, it is simply irresponsible to continue spending at levels more suited to respond to a Great Depression or Great Recessionnot an economy that is on the verge of overheating. A drive through the devastated former coal mining regions of his state would suggest that West Virginia is undergoing an economic collapse of comparable dimensions, but Manchin is doing the bidding of Wall Street and the energy conglomerates.

Kyrsten Sinema said last month, while I will support beginning this process, I do not support a bill that costs $3.5 trillion. She also cited the need for working with my colleagues (i.e., Senate Republicans) and the Biden administration going forward.

In the hours preceding the final vote, both Manchin and Sinema and several other Senate Democrats indicated their willingness to break ranks and torpedo an eventual spending bill by voting for Republican-backed amendments to the resolution.

These amendments, under a special procedure that allows rapid-fire introduction and consideration and requires only 50 votes for passage, do not have any legal force, since the resolution is not a law. But they serve as political litmus tests for the two parties and for individual senators in their reelection campaigns.

Manchin supplied that 50th vote for two of these amendments, one supporting funding for health care providers that refuse to participate in abortions, the other banning any spending that supports the teaching of critical race theory in the schools.

Sinema sided with Republicans in voting down an amendment proposed by another Democratic senator that called for protecting family farms, ranches, and small businesses while ensuring the wealthy pay their fair share. The objection was to the fair share language.

A similar Democratic amendment, which backed raising taxes on the wealthiest 0.1 percent of Americans, was defeated when Sinema and the two Democrats from New Hampshire, Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, voted against it.

Another Republican amendment, although defeated, underscores the right-wing character of the entire debate. Mitt Romney of Utah, one of the wealthiest members of the Senate, proposes to ban any tax increases at all, excluding both corporations and the wealthy from paying for social improvements. This was defeated on a 5049 party-line vote.

Some of the right-wing amendments passed by overwhelming votes after they were embraced by the Democratic leadership. The Senate voted by 8811 to bar transporting immigrants in federal custody away from the border area unless they test negative for COVID-19.

By a 963 vote, the senators voted in support of an amendment by Josh Hawley of Missouriwho by rights should be arrested for his role in the January 6 attack on the Capitolendorsing the hiring of an additional 100,000 police.

Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., thanked Sen.Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., on Tuesday, Aug. 10, for a political gift. (AP Photo/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades, File)

Most revealing of all was the response of the Democrats to an amendment by Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama to withhold federal funds for any local governments that defund the police. Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey called the amendment a gift that would allow the Democrats to put to bed this scurrilous accusation that somebody in this great esteemed body would want to defund the police. He said he wanted to walk over there and hug my colleague. The amendment then passed by a vote of 990.
A record number of wildfires have burned across Siberia since May, encompassing 16 million hectares of land and marking it as the second-worst fire season since the turn of the century. The wildfires in Russia are larger than all the other large wildfires currently burning in Greece, Turkey, Italy, Canada and the United States, combined.

On Sunday, the Russian government was forced to evacuate two villages as over 155 active forest fires continued to burn in northeastern Siberias Sakha-Yakutia region.

In addition to the two evacuated villages, 12 other villages were under threat from the fires as an estimated 4,000 firefighters and other workers struggled to contain the ongoing blazes. In many places, local residents have to help fight the flames because of a severe lack of firefighters. The regional capital of Yakutsk was forced to shut down its airport due to the heavy smoke.

Firefighters work at the scene of forest fire near Kyuyorelyakh village at Gorny Ulus area, west of Yakutsk, in Russia Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021. (AP Photo/Ivan Nikiforov)

Large industrial cities in the Urals, including Yekaterinburg and Chelyabinsk, are covered in thick and toxic smog. In the city of Sarov, in the Nizhny-Novgorod Oblast, a state of emergency was declared this weekend as flames were approaching a national nuclear weapons research center.

It was not until Tuesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin announced some additional federal help and additional firefighters.

Volunteers are attempting to take up the slack where government efforts have failed, but receive little support.

Speaking with the Associated Press (AP), Alexandra Kozulina, an employee of a nongovernmental agency attempting to fight the fires, blamed government inaction for allowing the fires to spin out of control. I also believe our government should be doing this. I dont understand why it isnt happeningwhether there isnt enough money because budgets were cut, or some other reason, but we are doing what is in our power, she said.

While forest fires are common during the summer months in Siberia, the severity and size of Russian wildfires has increased in recent years due to increasing temperatures and the disappearance of permafrost beneath the soil, which experts have attributed to global warming. Siberia is particularly affected by Arctic temperatures, which are rising more than three times as fast as the rest of the world.

Highlighting the unprecedented nature of this years wildfires, NASA reported on Saturday that smoke from the fires had reached the north pole, 3,000 kilometres away, a first in recorded history. According to Greenpeace, since the beginning of the year, more than 62,300 square miles were scorched, almost twice the size of Austria. In last years wildfires in Russia, an area the size of Great Britain was scorched.

According to the European Unions Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAM), the fires themselves will contribute to further warming as they have already released the equivalent of 505 megatonnes of carbon dioxide since June, already surpassing last years record total of 450 megatonnes for the entire fire season. There are also fears the fires could further melt Siberias permafrost and burn peat moss, releasing even more carbon that has long been stored in the ground.

Alexei Yaroshenko, a forestry expert with Greenpeace Russia, told the Washington Post, These forests have a very significant role in regulating the environment. Most of the forests in unprotected areas are in the far north. They grow very slowly, they are very sensitive, and if they burn down, the impact on the environment is huge.

The wildfires in Russia are yet another testament to capitalisms failure to address the climate crisis, which is itself the product of the capitalist system. While rising global temperatures have exacerbated Siberias wildfires, the disastrous response by the Russian government to the annually recurring wildfires has been a major contributing factor. The Kremlin allows forest fires to burn uncontrolled if it deems the cost to fight them more expensive than the damage they cause, or if the fires take place in uninhabited areas.

As of this writing, 69 fires are currently being allowed to burn in Russia. They have already scorched 8,000 square miles, and are nearly 10 times bigger than the Dixie wildfire raging in California.

In 2007, the Russian government significantly altered the countrys forest code, disbanding the federal network responsible for spotting forest fires, cutting the number of forest rangers, and turning many aspects of forest management over to regional authorities.

With little federal oversight and huge areas of forest now in the hands of regional authorities, illegal foresting of trees is flourishing. It is widely believed that intentional arson of forests, designed to create new areas for timber, is behind some of the wildfires.

Environmental activists in the country have attributed much of the illegal foresting to the huge demand from nearby China, which has fuelled corruption of government authorities paid to look the other way while timber is illegally harvested for export.

China is the worlds largest importer of lumber. In 2017, China imported nearly 200 million cubic meters of wood from Russia, much of it from Siberia.

Following a public outcry, some of the changes implemented in 2007 were later reversed and the federal agency in charge of monitoring fires was re-established. However, it remains chronically underfunded and understaffed.

According to Konstantin Kobyakov, director of the World Wildlife Fund Russia, in the last 10 years the number of forestry workers has declined from 160,000 to just 22,000 while at the same time the number and severity of fires has increased.

Across the country, this summer only 5,000 firefighters were deployed to fight the countrys widespread fires, which are occurring outside of Siberia as well.

The deliberate underfunding and mismanagement of the countrys forestry workers and firefighters are a direct result of the restoration of capitalism and the destruction of the Soviet Union by the Stalinist bureaucracy three decades ago. While the oligarchy that emerged out of this process has perversely enriched itself, it has overseen a destruction of living standards and social infrastructure unprecedented outside of wartime.

In 2019, Russia, which has a population of 140 million, had approximately 8,500 deaths due to fire. The United States, which also has a decrepit infrastructure and a population of 320 million, recorded 3,704 deaths due to fire despite reporting more than double the number of fires.

In 2018, Russia, which, by territory, is the largest country in the world, had just 5,000 fire stations. By contrast, Poland, a much smaller country with a population of 40 million, had 15,000 fire stations.
On Monday night hundreds of residents were suddenly forced out of their eight-story building when Miami, Florida, building officials found the structure was unsafe. The 137-unit condominium at 5050 NW Seventh Street was placed under an evacuation order from Miami building director Asael Ace Marrero, according to NBC 6 South Florida news.

We obviously dont feel that its safe, he told the station, explaining that its structural integrity had been further degraded by a contractor who had proceeded with repairs without submitting plans to obtain a permit.

Rescue personnel work in the rubble at the Champlain Towers South Condo, Friday, June 25, 2021, in Surfside [Credit: AP Photo/Gerald Herbert]

The building had been placed on an unsafe structures list in May, the month before the sudden collapse of the Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Florida, and received notice of violations on July 7, which included failure to obtain a 40-year recertification, the city reported in a review of an inspection timeline for the property. The Surfside building was undergoing the same 40-year recertification process when it fell, killing 98 residents.

There has been speculation that the location of Champlain Towers South was a key factor in its demise because it was located near the beach, where the garage and key structural members were subject to tidal flooding. By contrast, the Miami condo building is well inland, which raises troubling questions about more pervasive weaknesses in such structures.

The Flagami neighborhood, just south of Blue Lagoon and Miami International Airport, condo spokeswoman Stephanie Severino said, is about six miles west of Biscayne Bay and much farther inland than the high-rise in Surfside. Already prior to the evacuation order, the building was scheduled for a city hearing on unsafe structures scheduled to occur August 20.

The question remains: How many others among the plethora of high-rise towers erected during the south Florida building boom that began in the late 1970s contain similar structural weaknesses?

Residents were told Monday that they had until early Tuesday morning to clear out, according to CNN affiliate WFOR. They had to use anything they could find at the last minute, including plastic bins, suitcases and garbage bags to gather what they could before exiting. Mya Castanedo described the situation as very chaotic and told the station that residents were not getting a final answer about whats going on.

We have a lot of elderly owners here that have no place to go, resident Dmidry Asanov said. Some have Covid. Some cant walk. City officials were rushing around looking for temporary housing on Tuesday for those who were left homeless.

As a result of the inspection, the detached elevated garage to the east was to be closed off due to structural concerns. The damaged columns within the first floor of the main structure required emergency shoring and a subsequent shoring plan had to be immediately submitted. Plans for repairs would be required prior to any further work, Severino said in a statement.

The city received a letter last Thursday from an engineer employed by the association in an effort to forestall the action, saying residents could remain in the building during the emergency repairs, Severino explained. But it was too little, too late. No shoring plan, or plans for the repairs were submitted to the City.

A city inspector examined the structural work being done last Friday and issued an immediate stop-work order. On Monday, the Building Department leadership met with the condo association and the contracted Engineer to review the work undertaken without a permit. The result of the assessment found the columns to be structurally insufficient, Severino added.

Almost two months following the collapse of Champlain Towers South and in spite of the best efforts by both local and state officials to assuage their concerns, a crisis of confidence is gripping ever-widening layers of those who inhabit the many high-rise towers in the immediate vicinity and beyond.

Republican Governor Ron DeSantis and Democratic Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, attempting to bring closure to the tragic events of June 24, have issued statements of empathy for the families of those who died as well as for the tower residents who survived. But their seemingly endless banalities have failed to yield the desired result.

Basic questions remain unanswered: Why did it happen? Who is responsible? Whose homes will be next to come crashing down in the middle of the night?

Miami-Dade County officials announced last week a series of sunshine meetings to discuss possible policy and legislative changes related to the collapse. The first of these events, slated to include local, state and federal officials, is slated for August 30.

CNN reported Tuesday that Levine Cava said, As we now move ahead with the task of seeking answers and developing policy remedies, its just as critical for us to once again coordinate our efforts to ensure a comprehensive, whole-of-government response.

But actions speak louder than words. The mayor has been hiding behind claims by the Miami Dade Police Department that they must protect evidence for a homicide investigation to prevent the eminent forensic structural engineer Allyn Kilsheimer, hired by the town of Surfside, from conducting scientific inspections and testing on the fully cleared site, as well as on concrete members that have been moved and stored off site.

Kilsheimer insists that a complete investigation to reveal all the contributing factors in this horrific building failure must be conducted in a timely manner and at the highest scientific level as an obvious first step to prevent a tragic recurrence of the events of June 24. Asked by the World Socialist Web Site if he felt confident that he could recreate and reveal the complex causes of the building failure, he responded, Yes. We have been able to do that in almost all of the more than 100 forensic investigations his firm has conducted into major structural failures in an internationally acclaimed career spanning more than five decades.

In an absurd turn of events, the Miami-Dade Police Department issued a request for a local forensic engineer under the countys Equal Distribution Program more than five weeks after the condo collapsed while Kilsheimers team has been on hand waiting to begin testing since the day after it fell. He told the WSWS that he had never before encountered such adamant obstruction in conducting his many forensic investigations.

In a related development last month, some 300 people were evacuated from the Crestview Towers Condominium in North Miami Beach after building officials determined it too was unsafe. A fire was put out in the 156-unit building this past Monday by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue who said an electrical short may have caused the blaze.

After Surfside, the building was condemned and evacuated and was thus left vacant. Hence, there were no reported injuries. City Manager Arthur Sorey III reported that the recertification report for that almost 50-year-old building was delinquent; and upon investigation, city building officials discovered that it was both structurally and electrically unsafe.
On 22 July, a team of reporters from the World Socialist Web Site travelled to the worst-hit flood disaster area in Germany. They surveyed the devastation and spoke with those affected about their dramatic experiences. In this video, local residents and aid workers report on the events and express their anger at the complete failure of disaster control and government aid.

The scale of death and damage to homes, roads, bridges and other infrastructure resulting from the violent storms and heavy downpours is the responsibility of the federal and state governments and their capitalist policies, which, as in the pandemic, prioritize profits before lives.

English and French subtitles are available in the YouTube video options.
Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) and the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers (MFT) are negotiating a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) entitled Recruit and Retain Educators Who Reflect Our Students, which would promote hiring and firing teachers in the district based on race. Online negotiations will continue on August 12, and, if agreed upon, this new policy would go into effect for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 hiring cycles.

The measures aim, in line with the Democratic Partys program of identity politics, is to undermine legislation passed during the Civil Rights movement which outlawed racial discrimination, render seniority rights moot and stoke divisions among educators, parents and students. While the exact wording of the MOA is being debated, both the union and the district aim to exempt teachers of color from layoffs or excesses (a forced location change, prior to layoff) and prioritize these identities for recall when positions open.

A teacher in her classroom (Flickr/Phil Roeder)

This divisive and reactionary proposal takes place under conditions of the explosion of COVID-19 nationally and the Democratic Partys demand for a full reopening of schools. It is a life-and-death necessity for educators, parents and students alike that schools and all nonessential businesses be closed and the pandemic be eradicated. Instead of uniting and mobilizing educators across all ethnicities to demand that schools remain closed to in-person instruction and ensuring high-quality online education for all, the MFT is united with the district in the promotion of racialism.

Further, the mass budget cuts to public services anticipated during the pandemic have only been temporarily forestalled with very limited funds provided by the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Layoffs and cuts are on the agenda, and the MPS is positioning itself to stage a bitter race-based battle to undermine a unified struggle by all educators.

During negotiations, both the district and the union claimed to be fighting white supremacy, covering up the bipartisan, decades-long defunding of public education and the political establishments refusal to adequately fund building repairs, provide good salaries and benefits to educators and staff, and secure wrap-around services, counseling and social supports for students.

The measure, as proposed by the union, directly repudiates Article VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Act was a linchpin of the end of Jim Crow and de jure segregation for which many workers, black and white, fought and gave their lives. It states that it is illegal to discriminate against a person on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces civil rights laws prohibiting workplace reductions-in-force based on discriminatory reasons.

To sidestep the law, the district and union are consciously excising certain words they know could trigger legal injunctions, while making the desired outcome obvious. For example, the unions original proposal was titled Educators of Color Retention but has now been changed to Recruit and Retain Educators That Reflect Our Students. When a union bargaining member asked why the title had been changed, claiming the new title was whitewashed, a district official admitted, That was done for legal reasons. The EEOC doesnt allow it [the MOA as it was originally written] to be based on race. So thats really the reason; to still be inclusive but to do it with language in which we can legally defend.

The MOA uses inclusive language and non-discriminatory categories in its criteria for layoff exemptions, encompassing a large group of educators of all races, in order to avoid risk of legal ramification. Further, the district was careful to use the language may exempt rather than shall exempt in their counter-proposal to exclusively prioritize protecting teachers of color, within a broad-based group of exempt teachers, when reductions-in-force arise.

The language states that teachers in the following sites or programs may be exempt: the 15 Racially Isolated Schools (RIS) in the district with the greatest concentrations of poverty, Montessori schools, immersion programs, Native and Heritage language literacy programs, and the Grow Your Own Program. The most recent draft also grants special status to alumni of Historically Black Colleges or Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges and Universities, and/or Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) programs and explicitly states that the criteria be used to support retaining a more diverse educator workforce, namely, teachers of color.

Further, the district would share a list with the union on a quarterly basis containing the public data of all teachers who meet one or more of the teachers of color criteria listed in the agreement. In this way, the union and district will partner in the destruction of teachers jobs and the parceling out of positions.

Seniority rights, also known as tenure, were the result of hard fought struggles by workers, initially granted to teachers in New Jersey in 1909 as a protection from nepotism, favoritism and any politically motivated hiring and firing of teachers.

Knowing that this broadside against tenure will enrage educators, the MFT and district are whipping up a cloud of racial distraction, trading epithets of white supremacy back and forth across the table.

In its latest counter-proposal, the union called for an initial limit on the scope of exemption to the teachers of color who work at the 15 racially-isolated schools in the district. MFT bargaining team member Brionna Harder suggested zeroing in on historically unstable school staffs  rather than create so many exceptions that in effect renders seniority irrelevant to begin with.

The district rejected the unions suggestion, calling it a highly problematic proposal, stating that it perhaps unintentionally reifies white supremacy and demanding that the entire list of criteria be made available. By the end of the June 24 negotiations, both parties agreed to think of creative ways to further expand their racial criteria.

Eric Moore, senior officer for MPS accountability, research and equity, summed up the general outlook by both parties at the June 24 negotiations session, demonizing white teachers as the opposition. I dont want us to play within the rules of white supremacy, Id like us in our positions to own our power and do the right thing and have the courage to say this is really hard work but our value is to protect our teachers of color on behalf of the experiences of all the students of Minneapolis.  It is going to upset predominantly white teachers, veteran white teachers, so thats the work. (Emphasis in original)

This racial narrative represents a terrible danger to teachers, students and the entire working class. It must be opposed through the fight for independent rank-and-file committees defending social equality, the full funding of public education and the eradication of the pandemic. The broad-based efforts by the federal and state governments, school districts and unions for racial equity and racial quotas are a transparent divide and conquer policy engineered by Wall Street. One cannot defend the rights of black teachers without defending those of white teachers.

It is fear of the power of the working class and the pivotal role ascribed to teachers in the return-to-work campaign that make such race-based policies so prevalent. While schools have been starved of resources, there is a proliferation of race-based programs. The Biden administration has proposed over $2 billion in its 2022 fiscal year budget request to recruit and retain educators of color, which includes over $90 million in Grow Your Own (GYO) educator programs. GYO programs are one of many race-oriented programs designed to pit teachers against each other for jobs. There exist GYO programs in nearly every state, with at least 30 states implementing a statewide GYO policy.

The Minnesota state legislature recently passed the Increase Teachers of Color Act (ITCA), alongside the state education bill granting $10 million for its Grow Your Own program and another $4.5 million for mentoring and retention incentive grants based on race. New policies were also implemented which would give certain school districts cash bonuses of up to $5,000 every time a teacher of color was hired.

The Alabama Department of Education has promoted $5,000 grants for math and science teachers in the state to give up their tenure rights for newly hired teachers of color. In Washington, the Seattle Educators Association reached a deal with the Seattle Public Schools in 2019 to allocate $260,000 to racial equity teams, which would be responsible for hiring and firing teachers based on their race and whether they contribute to established racial quotas of educators for each race.

The Democratic Party and the pseudo-left, fearing an upsurge of working class unity from below, have continuously sought to stoke racial divisions and explain eruptions of mass social anger in purely racial terms.

The response of the Democratic Party to the brutal murder of George Floyd at the hands of Minnesota police Officer Derek Chauvin, which sparked mass multiracial protests of workers and youth against police brutality and social inequality across the globe, has been to intensify its promotion of racialist politics, which has only served to embolden the far right. The aim of Minnesotas Democratic Governor Tim Walz and the entire state legislature is to obscure the fundamental class contradictions that lie behind the immense social crisis which they oversee.

Every effort must be made to oppose the race-based agreement between the MPS and MFT. There is nothing remotely progressive about a policy which grants hiring and firing protections to teachers based solely on the color of their skin. Only a socialist program united under the banner of liberation for the international working class can succeed against these reactionary policies meant to isolate and confuse students, teachers and workers from realizing their place as a revolutionary class.

Teachers, parents, students and workers must unite to demand full funding for public education and an end to social inequality, as part of a broad-based struggle to close schools and nonessential workplaces and fully fund remote learning until the pandemic is contained.
Some 220 of the slightly more than 300 permanent workers at the Motherson Automotive Technologies and Engineering (MATE) plant in Sriperumbudur, in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu, launched an indefinite strike last week. They are demanding improved working conditions, including quality meals and proper tea and toilet breaks.

The workers walked off the job August 3, after rejecting the bogus verbal assurances MATE management gave in talks held at the Assistant Commissioner of Labour (ACL) office in Irungattukottai the day before.

Strlking Motherson workers hold food plates to symbolize their plight. (WSWS)

The strikers are demanding edible, worm-free food, including for night shift workers, who have been given tea and biscuits instead of meals. They are also calling for the withdrawal of disciplinary action against workers who have been victimized for demanding better quality food, 30 minute breaks for nightshift workers after four hours on the job, and tea breaks.

In response to Indias COVID-19 catastrophe, workers are also fighting for paid leave for COVID-19-infected workers, with the full cost of treatment to be borne by the company; the dropping of disciplinary measures against workers who could not come to work without factory buses and public transport during pandemic lockdowns; and hygienic toilet facilities. They are also demanding pick-up bus facilities for workers traveling from distant places like Arakkonam, Walaja, Chengalpattu and Seiyaru.

The courageous stand taken by the MATE workers is part of a global upsurge of the class struggle that has seen autoworkers, miners and other industrial workers, teachers and transportation workers launch strikes and protests against wage cuts, poor working conditions and the threat of infection by COVID-19. In May, walkouts and protests by autoworkers in Sriperumbudur, and other towns in Tamil Nadus industrial belt, against the lack of protection from the deadly virus, forced transnational automakers like Hyundai, Ford and Renault-Nissan to temporarily close their plants. Autoworkers in the United States and Europe, led by workers at Volvo Trucks New River Valley plant in Virginia, have also waged struggles against wage cutting, increases to working hours, and attacks on their benefits.

MATE is the polymer division of Motherson Sumi Systems Ltd (MSSL), which was established in 1986 as a joint venture between Samvardhana Motherson Group (SMG) and Japan-based Sumitomo Wiring Systems. It operates in 42 countries outside India and employs over 135,000 workers. In 2018, it had a turnover of $US11.7 billion. According to Livemint, Motherson reported a consolidated net profit of 7.14 billion rupees ($96 million) for the quarter ending March, 31, 2021, a 290 percent increase from a year ago.

The Maoist Left Trade Union Centre (LTUC), which operates at the plant, felt obliged to endorse the permanent workers strike to maintain a degree of credibility among the rank-and-file. In 2019, the LTUC betrayed a militant, more than four-month-long strike, ordering workers to return to their jobs without winning a single one of their demands. As part of its capitulation to management, the LTUC refused to insist on the reinstatement of 51 workers who were suspended and later fired following a rigged inquiry.

Motherson workers' protest at the Assistant Labour Commisioner's office on the first day of the strike, Aug. 4. (WSWS)

Today, the striking Motherson workers face a war on two fronts. On the one hand, they confront MATE management, which is determined to maintain its brutal work regimen at the plant. In this, MATE has the full backing of Tamil Nadus new Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) state government, which won election with the support of the mainline Stalinist parties and has pledged to ensure the states auto sector remains competitive for international investors.

On the other front, the Motherson workers find themselves pitted against the leadership of the LTUC. Whilst the Maoist-led LTUC claims to be more militant than the unions led by the Stalinist CPM and CPI, it shares their vehement opposition to broadening the struggle and, like them, seeks to divert workers into futile appeals for government and Labour Department support.

The LTUC leaders have refused to mobilize the entire workforce in the plant to bring production to a grinding halt. This would have required mounting a challenge to the precarious contract-labour system that MATE, like numerous other Indian employers, has used to drive a wedge among the workers the better to exploit them all.

Instead, the union has limited the strike to permanent workers, thereby enabling MATE to continue operating the plant using some 1,200 contract and trainee workers, and it has prevailed on the strikers to limit their demands on the false claim this will make the company more amenable.

The unions sabotage of the Motherson workers struggle, which has included pressure for a speedy return to work, is placing the strike in grave danger. Seeing no prospect for victory, several dozen workers have reportedly given up and returned to work.

On August 8, the LTUC organized a solidarity forum in Sriperumbudur to give the impression to the striking workers that the union is trying to organize solidarity action in their support. This is a lie. The LTUC has made no appeal for joint action to the tens of thousands of workers in Sriperumbudur, let alone to the tens of millions across India who confront similarly harsh working conditions. Those who participated in last Sundays forum were largely officials from various local Stalinist- and Maoist-led unions. Some workers also participated, but the LTUC and their Stalinist allies did nothing to mobilize mass worker support for the event.

The Maoist LTUC leadership has directed the militant striking Motherson workers to make fruitless appeals to government officials, including the Assistant Commissioner of Labour (ACL) and Kanchipuram district collector. It is calling on Tamil Nadus DMK government and its labour department to intervene in the strike against the MATE management. Yet the DMK government is continuing the same anti-worker right-wing policies of its AIADMK predecessor, including insisting that nonessential production must continue at full tilt during the pandemic.

As part of its orientation towards the DMK government, the LTUC has shifted the protest site of the striking workers to outside the ACL office. During the previous strike in 2019, striking workers set up a makeshift tent opposite the company premises. The key consideration in the unions decision to shift the protest site is to prevent the striking workers from engaging with and seeking to mobilize non-striking workers entering the plant, allowing MATE production to continue unhindered.

The LTUC is refusing to call for the reinstatement of 51 permanent workers and 28 trainees who were terminated. The union has also failed to call for a significant pay raise for permanent and contract workers from the poverty-level wages they currently receive.

Unlike in 2019, the LTUC has made a show of calling for permanent jobs for all trainees and contract workers, and equal pay for equal work. However, this is empty rhetoric. The union is doing nothing to mobilize all categories of workers to fight for these pivotal demands.

During the 2019 strike, the LTUC vehemently opposed the World Socialist Web Sites criticism of its refusal to mobilize the entire workforce at the plant to halt production and strengthen the strike. Union officials claimed that such action would risk contract workers jobs. The WSWS explained at the time, In fact, the union is not just isolating the striking permanent workers but accepts the contract employment system now used to employ many workers in Tamil Nadu and across India.

Maoist LTUC officials have been extremely hostile to the WSWS reporters who visited Sriperumbudur to cover the current strike. They prevented our reporters from interviewing the strikers and taking pictures of the protest.

A union official told the WSWS that they would wind up the strike if management agrees to provide decent food to the workers, claiming that this is their chief demand. Several workers then interjected, telling the WSWS that there are many more issues that they are fighting for.

One dismissed worker told the WSWS: The union, without drawing lessons from the previous strike, now is going to lead us to another disaster. I asked one of the union officials how many more workers from this strike would be victimized by the company? We are already 51 workers who got suspended and then dismissed.

Workers working inside the factory have complained to union leader S. Kumarasamy about the increasingly unbearable situation they are facing, the worker continued. Sensing the growing anger of workers, the union leader asked the workers, Can we go on strike? Workers readily said yes.

It is also significant that main [LTUC] leaders like S. Kumarasamy and Bharathi did not appear here on the first day of the strike.

The LTUC is a split-off from the All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU), which is the union federation of the Maoist Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation or CPIML Liberation. The split from the AICCTU and formation of the LTUC constituted a further shift to the right by the Maoist-Stalinist organizations.

The LTUC aligned itself with the chauvinist Velka Thamil (Rise up Tamil) campaigns led by various Tamil nationalist organizations. The Maoist union leaders, in a calculated effort to split the Motherson auto parts workers from their fellow workers across India, directed the strikers to participate in Tamil nationalist agitations during late 2019.

The reactionary policies of the AICCTU and LTUC flow from the nationalist and pro-capitalist program of the CPIML Liberation. The CPIML Liberation is an extended Left Front ally of the two main Stalinist parliamentary partiesthe Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) and the Communist Party of India (CPI)that joined an electoral coalition in Tamil Nadu led by the big business DMK for the 2019 Indian parliamentary elections.

Today, as in 2019, all three Stalinist partiesthe CPM, CPI and CPIM Liberationare publicly committed to supporting, in the name of defeating the far-right Bharatiya Janata Party national government, an alternative right-wing regime led by the Congress Party, till recently the Indian bourgeoisies preferred party of government. The AICCTU, its splinter group, the LTUC, and the CPIML Liberation, which orbits the CPM-led Left Front, all accept the subordination of workers basic interests to auto industry profits, and consequently will not wage any campaign to rally support for the Motherson workers struggle and make it a spearhead of a working class counteroffensive.

The central lesson of the MATE workers strike and its betrayal by the unions is that the struggle for permanent jobs, decent wages, improved working conditions and basic democratic rights requires the mobilization of autoworkers across Tamil Nadu and throughout India in independent industrial and political struggle. Indian autoworkers must orient their struggles to their class brothers and sisters internationally, including autoworkers in the United States and Europe, who are fighting the same transnational corporations.

Strikers must initiate a political and organizational break from all the Stalinist-Maoist-controlled, pro-capitalist unions. To take their struggle forward, Motherson workers should establish a rank-and-file strike committee to broaden their struggle and arm it with a socialist programme.
Hasmine Kilip and Ronwaldo Martin in Ordinary People

There are an estimated 3 million homeless people in Manila, the capital of the Philippines. A commentator adds that the city also has approximately 250,000 homeless children; however, that number could be as high as 1 million. Children leave home and end up on the streets because of the excessive beating from their parents, poverty or sexual exploitation.

Ordinary People (Pamilya ordinaryo), from the Philippines and directed by Eduardo W. Roy Jr., is not new. It came out a number of years ago, in 2016. But it is now available for streaming on Netflix and it is worth watching. It is not perfect, but it is far more insightful than most films these days. It is oriented in the right direction.

Jane (Hasmine Kilip) and Aries (Ronwaldo Martin) live on the streets of Manila. She is 16 and he is 17. They are married and have a newborn, a boy, whose name, Arjan, combines their two first names.

Their life is not exactly idyllic. They steal what they can. They take handouts. They bathe from faucets when they can. They live among the garbage, sleep on cardboard. Abused themselves, at times they abuse each other. There is a certain degree of solidarity among the homeless, but not all that much. Its a dog-eat-dog condition.

The sale of a stolen phone provides Jane and Aries with a little cash, enough for a photograph of the infant. A transsexual, Ertha (Raymond Lee), tries to get close to Jane, jokingly offering 10,000 pesos for the baby at one point. But is it a joke? While Jane and Ertha are shopping for diapers, the latter takes the baby for an instant so that Jane can take some items in her arms. We dont have enough cash, Ertha says, let me go to the nearby ATM. Thats the last Jane sees of Arjan.

She searches all day and all night. The transsexual stole my baby. Aries yells at herhow could you be so stupid? You were scammed. He hits Jane, adding to her misery. They and their friends look everywhere. They file a complaint with the supermarket, even though the security guard assures them the store is not responsible.

Aries worries that the cops might arrest him on sight, so Jane goes into the police station by herself. A middle-aged policeman humiliates the teenage mother. Show me how you breastfeed your baby, When did you lose your virginity? She retains her dignity, explaining about the newborn, Whenever he cries, I sing to him. The cops will obviously do less than nothing. Jane meets a friend there, in the lockup. He expects to be there for years. He is 16, an adult, and its a murder charge. The kid tells her, have fun and do foolish things when youre young.

The young couple barely evade being taken under the wing of what seems to be some awful Christian outfit, with a shelter like a prison. They run like hell from this help. A local radio station takes an interestfor a few minutes. Treated like a lower species in an on-air interview, perhaps some sort of interesting animal, without the normal feelings of a human mother, Jane tells the radio show hosts, Of course, I have an attachment to my baby. Jane and Aries are pushed out of the radio booth when a celebrity arrives.

Someone claiming to be Erthas mom insists she can help the pairall she needs is 10,000 pesos for fare and food. Is it another scam? Probably, but Jane and Aries struggle to raise the sum anyway. Aries prostitutes himself. Jane visits her mother, who says she has no cash whatsoever. As to where the stolen baby might have ended up, the older woman suggests, Only rich people get to buy other people. Finally, each of them in too much misery, Jane and her mother angrily curse one another. After her daughter has gone, Janes mother mutters under her breath, Fuck this life.

Aries carries out a robbery outside an ATM. He gets caught momentarily, but somehow escapes. The couple do not have nearly the 10,000, but give what they have to the woman claiming to be Erthas mother. Theyll probably never see her again either.

A journalist, entirely sincere, wants to do their life story. A televised drama eventually comes out of it. Amusingly, in the television movie, the pair of actors are dirtier and more disheveled than the originals. Jane and Aries give the only photos they have of their baby to the journalists, who carelessly lose them.

They receive a text informing them Arjan has been sold to someone in a wealthy neighborhood. They make their way out there by bus. En route, Aries wonders out loud if perhaps the infant would go on to have a better life with affluent parents. Jane replies that even if he wore golden diapers at his new home, the baby would still be hers.

Security guards prevent their entrance to a gated community. Not to be deterred, Aries climbs over a fence, snatches the infant in the house, who is obviously not their child and returns to Jane. Its the wrong one, she cries out. Miraculously, Aries is able to return the newborn without being arrested. The pair head back to the center of Manila on a crowded bus 

Ordinary People (2016)

In a 2016 interview, director Eduardo W. Roy Jr. explained that Ordinary People, his third feature, was based on an actual event. A homeless couple in Manila had their baby stolen and the case was well publicized. They never found their child. There are a lot of people like them, street children, he told an interviewer.

In a directors statement, Roy (born 1980 in Manila) noted it was often said that the teenage years can be the most challenging period of ones life. Try being a teenage parentsleeping on the sidewalk, living off unsuspecting victims belongings, playing hopscotch with speeding vehicles. As if those arent enough, the streets have plenty of dark corners with unknown dangers waiting to come at you the second you let your guard down.

I wanted to show, the filmmaker continued, how both ordinary and extra-ordinary the children who live on the streets are. How theyll act and react to a given situation the same way you and I will, and, how things that may happen to a person living in a palace can easily happen to them. How we, as humans, can be very similar and yet be very different to each other.

Not everything is successful in Ordinary People. Some of the scenes are repetitive, with too much of Jane and Aries wandering aimlessly about the streets. She is a little whiny at times, not as tough and stoical as someone like this would probably have to be. But Kilip has several quite moving moments as well.

Certain of the characters situated around the central pair are the most effectively drawn, come into the socially sharpest focus: the horrible policeman, the opportunist media types and the various do-gooders. Someone once correctly said that those who merely try to keep the poor alive, or amuse them, do more harm than good and that the proper aim is to try and reconstruct society so that poverty will be impossible.
The Pike River Recovery Agency (PRRA) in New Zealand is continuing work on sealing the underground Pike River coal mine, where 29 workers lost their lives in a series of explosions in November 2010.

Newshub incorrectly reported on August 7 that a permanent seal wont go on until the police investigation is over. The first of two seals has already been completed 170 metres inside the mine and preparations are underway for a second seal to be installed at 30 metres.

Placards from the families' protest in early July against the sealing of Pike River mine. (Credit: "Pike 29 Fight for Justice" Facebook page)

The Labour Party-led government of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is aborting the manned underground investigation of the mine, having only explored the drift the 2.3km entry tunnel to the mine. It refuses to explore the mine workings, thus blocking the forensic examination of crucial evidence including an underground fan that may have sparked the first explosion.

For more than a decade, successive Labour and National Party governments, along with the judicial system, have worked to prevent anyone from the Pike River Coal company being prosecuted, despite multiple breaches of workplace safety legislation. The mine was a death trap that could have had an explosive level of methane gas on dozens of occasions leading up to the disaster. Yet the company, the governments Department of Labour and the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union (EPMU), did not shut down the operation to protect the workers lives.

Speaking to Newshubs Nation program on August 7, Minister for Pike River Re-entry Andrew Little sought to justify the shutdown of the investigation with a series of brazen lies.

Examples of Labour Party promises in November 2016 and the 2017 election campaign. (Source: Labour Party Facebook page)

He declared that prior to the 2017 election the Labour Party only promised to recover the drift, and this was the mandate given to the PRRA by Cabinet, which included Labour and leading members of its coalition partners NZ First and the Green Party. That is very clear in the [Cabinet] papers, Little said.

Little accused NZ First leader Winston Peters, who was deputy Prime Minister from 2017 to 2020, of trying to rewrite the Cabinet minutes by claiming that the government had led families to believe they would consider going further into the mine. Peters, whose party is no longer in parliament, recently said the government was engaged in a cover-up of the mine disaster.

In fact, Little and the Labour Party repeatedly promised, in 2014, 2016 and 2017, to do everything possible to recover bodies and evidence from the mine, and to make all decisions relating to the re-entry in partnership with the families of the 29 victims.

The November 2017 Cabinet paper established that the PRRA left open the possibility of exploring the mine workings. It said: At a point when the process of recovering the drift is well advanced, the responsible Minister will report to Cabinet on whether any further work, to assess the feasibility of reentering the mine workings, should be undertaken.

In March 2020, however, when only a quarter of the drift had been explored, the Cabinet ruled out any additional funding. Little told Newshub that the government had decided the investigation into one of New Zealands worst industrial disasters was becoming too expensive, even though there was no feasibility study conducted about the cost of entering the mine workings.

Interviewer Simon Shepherd asked: If money wasnt an object, would you keep going? Little replied: The critical factor was safety. He said experts, whom he didnt identify, had said that getting through a roof-fall and into the mine workings was all-but impossible without spending hundreds of millions of dollars.

Bernie Monk, whose son Michael died in the mine, told the World Socialist Web Site that the Ministers statements were absolute rubbish. He said the government had used the Pike River families to get into power, and now theyre just casting us aside. If hes not using money, then hes trying to use health and safety. Weve proved him wrong. Its not a health and safety issue, weve gone 2.3km down the drift, we havent had any trouble with health and safety up to now Hes continuously lying to the public on this. Its unforgivable.

In 2017, he said, we had a Labour Party who said were going to do everything possible to go into the mine, were going to get your men out, were going to get accountability for you Now theyre saying no, we didnt say that.

Monk pointed out that internationally respected mining experts had produced a Concept Plan on behalf of the families showing that the mine workings could be safely re-entered for less than $8 million. The experts included several who had previously advised the government, including former chief inspector of mines Tony Forster, UK-based mining engineer David Creedy and mines rescue expert Brian Robinson.

Little himself praised the work of these experts when they advocated for drift re-entry in 2016. In the Newshub interview, however, he dismissed their report, which, he falsely claimed, that no expert had put their name to. In fact, Creedy, Robinson and Forster have all spoken out publicly in support of their findings.

Little rejected the Concept Plan in May, not because of safety concerns, as he now claims, but due to the significant costs involved, which the PRRA estimated would be over $20 millionnot hundreds of millions. This was not backed by any feasibility study.

Little claimed that a police investigation would continue for the next few months, but the process of sealing the mine is underway. Police are drilling bore holes into the mine and will lower cameras to get good evidence to consider whether or not they can take a prosecution, he said.

As Monk pointed out, lawyers for the families have been saying, for more than a decade, that bore holes should be drilled into the mine to gather information, but this work is only now being done. Even if the cameras lowered into the mine do find significant evidence, the sealing of the mine will prevent it from being thoroughly examined.

The majority of the 29 families are seeking a judicial review of the governments decision to close down the mine, against the wishes of the families and before the investigation is completed. They have gained significant public support, including an online petition with more than 6,500 signatures.

Even if a court eventually finds in favour of the families, the government will not be obliged to re-enter the mine workings. Carol Rose, whose son Stuart died in the mine, explained to the WSWS: They will then have to evaluate the Concept Plan, and they will then have to engage with the families and consult with them over the decision to not go in. We are expecting that they would come to the same decision. All we can really hope to gain from the judicial review is that we will name and shame them.

The government would not be able to proceed with sealing the mine and locking away the evidence without the assistance of the trade union bureaucracy. Neale Jones, a former official for the EPMU, told Newshub he had sympathy for the families but insisted that Little had fulfilled the promise he made. Little was the EPMU leader at the time of the disaster and his immediate response was to defend Pike River Coals safety record.

The union, now called E tu, is continuing its role as an adjunct of the business elite by endorsing the governments actions. Where have they been? asked Monk. They dont mind leaving 11 of their members underground?

Monk said the message being sent to businesses was: Come and invest in New Zealand: You can kill people in the workplace and get away with it and walk away, its not going to cost you a razoo.

He praised 30,000 New Zealand nurses and healthcare workers for standing up to Andrew Little, who is also the Health Minister, by carrying out a nationwide strike and rejecting a sellout pay agreement presented by the union.

The government claims there is not enough money to adequately fund public hospitalsjust as it says there is no money to properly investigate 29 workplace deaths at Pike River. The same government, like others around the world, has given tens of billions of dollars to businesses, to protect them from the economic crisis triggered by the pandemic.

The working class is coming into ever-more direct struggle against the governments austerity measures, which are being enforced by the unions. A major issue for healthcare workers is the lack of workplace safety due to understaffing, which could lead to disaster if an outbreak of COVID-19 occurs. The WSWS calls on these workers, and the working class more generally, to support the Pike River families fight for the full truth about what caused the 2010 disaster, and for those responsible to be brought to account for their criminal practices.
Amid the rapidly escalating COVID crisis, Australian governments at the state and federal level, Labor and Liberal-National Coalition alike, are pursuing the same homicidal, profit-driven program that has resulted in mass illness and death around the world.

The ruling elite and its political representatives, including the trade unions, are allowing the Delta variant, among the most virulent and deadly in the world, to spread, threatening the health and lives of millions of people.

Long lines of cars at inner-west Sydney COVID-19 testing station [Photo: WSWS Media]

Like their counterparts internationally, Australian governments insists that measures necessary to halt the spread, including workplace closures and stringent lockdowns cannot be countenanced, because of the impact they would have on big-business profit. The mantras are the same: it is necessary for ordinary people to learn to live with the virus, and everything must be done to reopen the economy.

This is a program that will not only result in the indefinite continuation of the present outbreak, but in tens of thousands of deaths and hundreds of thousands or even millions of infections, in the months and years to come.

The Socialist Equality Party calls on workers, along with students, young people, and concerned layers of the middle class, to resist this policy, which can only be described as social murder.

Rank-and-file committees, completely independent of the unions, must be established, to halt production in those areas where the virus is spreading out of control and to enforce safety measures everywhere else, including in essential industries. This must be linked to a fight for the social interests of the working class, including full compensation for those thrown out of work, to be paid for by the profits of the corporate elite, and a massive expansion of the crisis-ridden and chronically-underfunded public health system.

The situation in Sydney is only the starkest expression of what is being prepared everywhere. In less than two months, an outbreak that began with two infections on June 16 is now resulting in more than 350 cases per day. The tragic toll of 37 fatalities is set to grow, with the number of COVID patients in hospital approaching 400, of which 62 are in intensive care.

With almost 6,000 active cases, the virus is circulating in every part of the city. Roughly two-fifths of infections since the outbreak began are classified as under investigation, meaning that the authorities do not know the source of transmission. Over the past week, however, cases under investigation comprise more than half of new infections. Contact-tracing in New South Wales (NSW), previously touted as the gold standard by state Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Prime Minister Scott Morrison and the corporate media is breaking down.

The NSW government, with the full support of the state Labor opposition, and the entire political establishment, is pursuing a brutal class policy. Its intransigent and ongoing refusal to implement necessary lockdown measures has allowed the virus to spread, especially in the working-class areas of western and south-western Sydney. The governments response has been to blame the victims of its own policies, accusing workers and youth of being responsible for the growth in cases, on the basis of wholly unsubstantiated assertions of widespread violations of restrictions.

In addition to scapegoating, these claims have been used to justify a massive police deployment to the working-class suburbs, and the roll-out of hundreds of military personnel. Paramedics have described nightmarish scenarios of entire families stricken by the disease and patients being on the cusp of death before leaving their home. But no additional health resources are being provided, only law-and-order repression. Charities are reporting a massive increase in demand, including for food relief, with those thrown out of work forced to survive on paltry federal government assistance, capped at $750 per week.

The rejection of containment measures around Sydney has allowed the virus to spread throughout the state, with cases emerging in regional towns and cities across NSW. Already, dangerous outbreaks have emerged in the states of Queensland and Victoria, but a further expansion is all but inevitable.

Under these conditions, the entire focus of governments is on their reopening agenda. As it has been throughout the pandemic, the NSW government is at the forefront of this drive. Its representatives, including Berejiklian, are stating that nothing can be done to halt transmission, because of Deltas virulence.

This assertion, which defies science and the calls of epidemiologists for strict lockdown measures, is being used to insist that the population accept illness and death as the new normal. The NSW government has indicated that it will consider lifting the inadequate restrictions already in place, from the end of the month, based on a target of administering six million vaccine doses, regardless of the percentage of the population fully-vaccinated.

The target would mean that not even 50 percent of the adult population is fully-vaccinated. But even if half were, modelling from the Doherty Institute estimates that a national reopening at this level of inoculation would result in over 10,000 deaths within six months as a result of community transmission. Assuming only minor social-distancing restrictions and partial effectiveness of tracing, testing, isolating and quarantine measures, there would be about 1.2 million infections and over 48,000 hospital admissions, with more than 11,000 patients in ICUs.

This is not just the policy of the NSW government, but of the entire ruling elite and all of its political instruments. The silence of Labor leader Anthony Albanese since the NSW outbreak has been deafening, while the state Labor opposition has marched in lockstep with Berejiklian.

It must be stated that this has been the program of all of the governments and the Australian corporations from the outset of the pandemic. The national cabinet, composed of the state and territory leaders, most of them from the Labor Party and the federal Coalition, rejected a strategy of eradicating the coronavirus at the beginning of the COVID crisis, because it would be too costly, thereby creating the conditions for successive outbreaks.

The lockdowns of March 2020 were implemented only because of the demands of workers, teachers and health experts. Further restrictions, however, will no longer be tolerated. Speaking on behalf of the Australian capitalist class, the Murdoch media cites the necessity to overcome the populations obsession with zero infections as the path to end all future lockdowns.

This is what the national cabinet is seeking to do, having adopted a roadmap for reopening, based on vaccination rates, and a rejection of lockdown measures altogether. At the 70 percent inoculation level, Phase B would start, making lockdowns unlikely. The Doherty modelling, upon which the plan is based, predicts 3,563 people would die, more than 600,000 people would suffer infections, over 22,000 would be hospitalised and more than 5,000 would be in ICUs.

More and more, the call is for COVID to be treated like the flu. Aside from the far greater risk of hospitalisation and death, COVID has potentially-lifelong, catastrophic consequences for those who survive. Last month, a major study led by Imperial College London, found that people hospitalised with COVID suffered a substantial cognitive decline, averaging a reduction of around seven IQ points for those who were ventilated and four for those who were not. The former figure is worse than for those who have suffered a stroke or lead poisoning. Even those who were not hospitalised showed small but statistically significant performance deficits.

Children and young adults, who make up the majority of cases in the latest outbreak, are not exempt from these disastrous effects, nor from long-COVID and other debilitating illnesses associated with infection.

Under these conditions, there is growing opposition, among students and teachers, to the planned resumption of face-to-face teaching in Sydney, first with year 12 students then more broadly, as well as to dangerous school re-openings in other states such as Queensland.

There is also a mounting recognition that the virus is being spread through workplaces, and that the refusal of governments to close them or to implement safety measures is motivated by the defence of profit. Massive anger exists, not only to the Berejiklian government, but to the entire political establishment.

However, this sentiment must find organised expression, independent of the trade unions which function as the industrial police for governments and companies. Throughout the pandemic, they have supported the transfer of hundreds of billions of dollars in public funds to big business, while presiding over mass sackings and cuts to workers conditions.

Amid the current resurgence, unions have backed employers demands for exemptions from safety measures for a host of industries, including construction. When cases emerge at a workplace, the unions cover them up and do everything possible to ensure continued production.

This underscores the necessity for independent rank-and-file committees in all workplaces, from the factories, to the schools, hospitals, retail and more broadly, including in working-class neighbourhoods and communities. They will be a forum for workers to discuss the issues they confront, formulate their demands, take concrete action and link up with other sections of the working class.

The Socialist Equality Party proposes the following demands:

* Close all non-essential workplaces in areas where the Delta variant is spreading, including in Sydney! Workers lives must not be sacrificed to profit!

* Workers in essential production must be provided with full PPE and provisions made for safe distancing. If an infection occurs, production must immediately be halted, and cannot resume until all those potentially-exposed to the virus have been tested, and the workers themselves, through their rank-and-file committee, deem it safe to return.

* No school re-openings wherever the virus is circulating! The lies that children and young people do not contract or become ill have been tragically refuted in thousands of deaths, including more than 100 in Indonesia every week. Schools have been centres of clusters time and again throughout the pandemic. Their reopening is aimed solely at facilitating business activity by forcing parents back to their places of employment.

* Full compensation for all workers who have lost their jobs during the pandemic! The poverty-level federal assistance currently being provided is aimed at further pauperising workers and the poor, and compelling people to work in unsafe conditions. Workers must be provided with their full pay, and the unemployed, including students, with a living wage to survive. This should be paid from the profits of the largest corporations, which have seen a record windfall throughout the pandemic, including through more than $400 billion given to them by state, territory and federal governments.

* Hundreds of billions of dollars for the hospitals and healthcare! The pandemic has exposed an already crisis-ridden and underfunded system. Governments, which have slashed the sector for decades, have criminally refused to provide additional resources amid an unprecedented global pandemic, threatening the hospitals with being overwhelmed.

The realisation of these demands requires a political fight, that cannot be conducted at one workplace alone. A network of rank-and-file committees, across workplaces, industries and more broadly, must be developed to share information, develop the widest discussion, and to discuss concrete action to enforce demands, including industrial action.

This is part of a political struggle against the entire establishment, including the unions, and the capitalist profit-system itself. The pandemic has laid bare the fundamental conflict between the interests of working people the world over and a society dominated by the predatory interests of a tiny corporate oligarchy. The two principles, of social need and private profit, cannot be reconciled.

The Socialist Equality Party (SEP) and its sister parties in the world Trotskyist movement advance a socialist perspective, aimed at reorganising society on a global scale. The measures required to eradicate the pandemic can only be carried out on the basis of the closest international collaboration of scientific experts, workers and the vast mass of the population, freed from the dictates of the corporate elite. This is also the only means of ensuring high-quality, free healthcare, education and the right to a permanent job with decent pay and secure conditions for all.

This requires the construction of a revolutionary leadership of the working class, in Australia and internationally, aimed at abolishing capitalism and establishing workers governments to prepare the grounds for world socialism. We urge all workers, students and young people to contact the SEP and apply to join it today.
Sri Lankan President Gotabhaya Rajapakse has rejected increasingly strident calls by medical experts for lockdowns, to deal with rapidly rising COVID-19 deaths and infections, and an impending breakdown of the health system.

On July 5, Rajapakse removed many coronavirus travel restrictions, and on July 28, directed all state employees working from home to return to their workplaces. The governments removal of virtually all remaining limited restrictions has added fuel to the pandemic, which is now accelerating, with the highly-infectious Delta variant.

Elderly Sri Lankans queue up to receive their second dose of Covishield, Serum Institute of India's version of the AstraZeneca vaccine during a public vaccination drive against the coronavirus in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Monday, June 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Addressing the media last Friday, following a high-level meeting to review the health emergency, Army chief General Shavendra Silva declared: The president is not in favour of [a] countrywide lockdown. Silva is the head of the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19.

Rajapakse, who attended the meeting, reportedly only offered advice on how to solve hospital congestion. The meeting decided to reduce the number of people allowed to attend weddings and funerals, and postponed state functions.

Rajapakse has flatly rejected urgent appeals by medical experts for lockdowns and stricter safety, amid a rapidly increasing daily death toll, with 656 deaths reported in the past six days. Yesterday, the total number of deaths hit 5,464, up from 3,268 on July 5, and the total number of infections rose to 342,079, an increase by 83,380 during the same period.

These figures, however, are not an accurate reflection of the real situation, because the government has deliberately limited testing and tracing. While medical experts are demanding at least 40,000 daily PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests per day, health officers in the past month have only been able to conduct less than half that number.

Immunologist Dr. Chandima Jeewandara revealed last week that 19.3 percent of those testing positive for COVID-19 in the Colombo district, during the first week of July, were infected with the Delta variant. In the last week of July, the figure increased to 75 percent. In a Twitter message on August 4, he warned that 56 of 94 random samples, analysed from across the island, were infected with the deadly variant.

Last week, Sri Lanka Medical Association President Professor Padma Gunaratne insisted on the urgency of imposing travel restrictions. She is one of many medical experts that have consistently called for lockdowns.

Two weeks ago, we said that a surge had begun with the Delta variant. Now, after two weeks, we are warning about what could happen in two weeks, she said. The variant was spreading fast in the heavily-populated Colombo and Gampaha districts, she added, and warned that unless travel restrictions were imposed the situation would escalate out of control.

Sri Lankan hospitals are being overwhelmed. Last weekend, the National Hospital of Sri Lanka in Colombo was treating around 500 patients, up from about 200 the previous week. Additional wards have been allocated to deal with the increase, limiting hospital treatment for other patients.

The bodies of COVID victims placed on stretchers (Facebook)

Colombo South Hospital in Kalubowila is at capacity, with grim images of infected patients sitting in plastic chairs, surrounded by their belongings, on the lawns of the facility and others lying on ward corridor floors.

Colombo South Hospital director Dr. Sagari Kiriwandeniya told Derana TV on Saturday that the facility had stopped routine surgeries, in order to deal with the flood of COVID-19 patients. Asked what would happen if more wards were allocated for coronavirus cases, she bluntly stated: Then not only COVID-19 patients, but others, will die.

About 45,000 children under 18 years have been infected, and 14 have died in Sri Lanka since the outbreak of COVID-19 early last year, Dr. Deepal Perera, from the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for children, told the Daily Mirror. The facility, which is being overwhelmed, has been forced to send many of the children to other hospitals.

COVID patients in the crowded corridor of Ragama Hospital (Facebook)

Hospital mortuaries have reached capacity and are storing bodies in outside freezers. The Colombo North Ragama Hospital management told the Director General of Health Services last week that the facility faced an unbearable situation, warning that dead bodies in outside freezers would decay, creating other health problems.

External freezers storing bodies at the Kalutara and Panadura hospitals are also full. Panaduras mayor told the media that the city had increased its cremations from two to six per day, but did not have the capacity to cremate corpses from Kalutara hospital. Concerns are also being raised that some crematoriums, which are working round the clock, could break down.

Upul Rohana, head of the public health inspectors union, told the media that one of the unions members telephoned to complain that he had spent a whole night near a crematorium. This meant that many health inspectors were not available for contact tracing, because they had to supervise bodies until they were cremated.

Government ministers and parliamentarians, in a desperate attempt to show that the situation was under control, are visiting hospitals, arranging cremations in some areas and asking hospital administrations to allocate more wards for COVID-19 patients. Health authorities have also begun making arrangements for so-called home-based COVID-19 treatment. The result, however, will be more infections and deaths.

Addressing a press conference, Deputy Director General of Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath denied that the situation in hospitals was dire. He was asked by one journalist to comment candidly on the situation Sri Lankans would face in the coming days. He refused to provide any detailed information and, according to a report in the Island, responded that he might not be allowed to speak to the media again if he spoke candidly about the trajectory of the pandemic in the coming days.

President Rajapakse, in fact, had previously warned health ministry officials and medical experts not to panic people about the pandemic, but directly inform him of any problems.

Parliamentary opposition parties, which from the outset have supported the Rajapakse governments response to the pandemic, including its reopening of the economy, are now making hypocritical appeals to Colombo to impose a lockdown.

Parliamentarian Tissa Attanayake, from Samagi Jana Balawegaya, the main opposition party, has called on the government to take proactive measures to lock down and save lives.

Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Politburo member Nalinda Jayatissa has called for a two-week lockdown to reduce hospital caseloads to a manageable level. Tamil National Alliance MP S.P. Rasamanickam declared, If the health experts recommend a lockdown, the government should abide and comply.

These parties are seeking to exploit and derail the growing mass outrage against the Rajapakse regimes criminal indifference towards the health and safety of millions of Sri Lankans.

Last year, following the outbreak of coronavirus infection on the island, these parties participated in an all-party conference, called by the Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse, and extended their full support. The JVP-controlled trade unions and other unions attended meetings with employers, called by the labour minister to decide on wage and job cuts and extensions of working hours in the name of saving the big companies.

An editorial in last weekends Sunday Times reflected the nervous concerns of sections of the ruling elite to the worsening coronavirus catastrophe: Some hotels are having functions with bands playing and air-conditioning blasting, while other hotels (used by private hospitals as intermediate care centres) are filled with COVID patients carrying saline bottles. It is almost like the sinking of the Titanic, while the band played on: A tale of two cities.

The editorial blamed the Rajapakse administration for creating a false sense of security and for insisting that the mass vaccination program will settle the spike of positive. It concluded by declaring that the government must act, and act decisively, to ensure the galloping new variant does not reach a tipping point, a point of no return, by its shortsightedness.

These concerns are not animated by social health considerations, but fears that the policies of the Rajapakse governmentfor which the entire ruling class is responsiblewill produce a social explosion.

Rajapakses insistence that vaccination is the only solution to keep the economy open is his response to the devastating economic impact of the pandemic, with a collapse of exports, tourist industry earnings and remittances, and $US4 billion in annual foreign debt repayments over the next four years.

The Rajapakse regime, like every government around the world, is sacrificing the lives of workers and the poor to boost big-business profits and maintain its commitments to international finance capital.
Striking Warrior Met coal miners rally in Brookwood, Alabama, August 4. (Source: Twitter/UMWA)

On August 4, the United Mine Workers (UMWA) organized a rally in the small town of Brookwood, Alabama for the Warrior Met Coal strike, which entered its fifth month on August 1.

Over 1,000 miners walked out of the mines on April 1 after rejecting the unions first tentative agreement with the company. As the strike has dragged on, miners have been subject to violence, including multiple instances of vehicular assault, and exhaustion as they struggle to maintain the picket lines while also supporting their families. The mainstream media has largely ignored the strike.

Over the course of the strike, the UMWA has focused its public appeals on claims that the company is not bargaining in good faith. At the beginning of the strike, Larry Spencer, UMWA District 20 International Vice-President and AFL-CIO Alabama South District president-at-large, stated that the company had sent human resources officials to bargain individually with workers.

While the company is determined to crush the resistance of workers, the UMWAs use of this phrase is designed to reframe the strike away from workers key demands relating to wages, benefits and working hours. The strike was Not about the pay, one UMWA claimed early on in the strike.

This was a clear indication that the UMWA, which had not called a strike since 2007, is concerned only that the company work with them to implement concessions.

One miners wife reported that, without overtime, her family lived paycheck to paycheck. They resented the companys punitive attendance policy. A striking miner told the WSWS in May that six-day weeks are the norm, with each worker expected to sign up for a lottery to work a seventh day each month. Despite this, Warrior Met allowed only four absences or tardies before terminating workers. In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, this policy becomes particularly cruel.

In July, a Warrior Met official was recorded telling a group of scabs, The biggest change were going to make going forward is [that] your opportunity for bonuses is going to change from $1000 a month to $1500 a month.

The official was careful to explain that the bonus was still tied to their performance. Since the beginning of the strike, Warrior Met has maintained that the miners could recoup the $6 per hour they lost in 2016 by making production bonuses. These bonuses, which are also tied to the price of coal, hearken back to the payment schemes coal operators used to cheat miners over 100 years ago; miners have told the WSWS in past interviews that the only way to make these bonuses is to work 12 or more hours daily.

Striking miners bitterly denounced the companys strategy, which it has used to woo strike-weary pickets back to work. In addition to the bonus, the company gave scabs a $1 an hour raise and agreed to pay them for their lunch time. An insult upon myriad injuries, the paid lunches rankled pickets and their wives; prior to the strike, miners were forced to eat as they worked, while Warrior Met withheld 30 minutes worth of pay from each shifts pay. For many of the miners, this amounted to the loss of a full hours pay every day with no commensurate break.

Brookwoods Community Facebook pages are filled with nervous projections about the duration of the strike. More and more miners have theorized that the company intends to outlast them until next April, when labor law would allow them to end their contract with the UMWA and become a non-union mine. The miners currently on strike would lose their jobs in an economy where coal mining jobs are scarce, dangerous, and fickle.

Last weeks rally was a desperate bid by the UMWA, not only to posture for the press, but to hold onto the pickets good graces amid these mounting pressures. Look around, guys, Larry Spencer told the crowd. This is what the unions about.

Despite his grandstanding at the protest, Spencer demonstrated what the union bureaucracy is really about last May when he and other top union officials, including District 20 Representative James Blankenship, carried out a racist assault against young activists from the Dixieland of the Proletariat podcast, after mistaking them for campaigners from the World Socialist Web Site .

In the attack, which was caught on video, Spencer belligerently asks the Dixieland of the Proletariat representatives if theyre with the World Socialist Party, barely allowing them to answer before turning over their table and threatening to fold up their cars. Blankenship is later heard telling one of the podcasters, Ill beat your motherfu**ing brains out, boy!

The rally also featured the last public address by AFL-CIO president and former head of the UMWA Richard Trumka, who died the following day. In a pre-recorded video speech Trumka declared, I stand with my brothers and sisters at Warrior Met  Ill stand with you for as long it takes for you to win a fair contract.

He promised, in addition that the twelve and a half million brothers and sisters in the labor movement, would stand with the strike.

His promise to mobilize the membership of the AFL-CIO was belied by the fact that neither he nor the AFL-CIO have lifted a finger in defense of the strike, even as the company has resorted to violence and intimidation. In fact, Trumkas career as a union bureaucrat was bound up with the transformation of the unions into a labor police force integrated financially with management.

Elevated to the presidency of the UMWA as a reform candidate in 1982, Trumka played the leading role in destroying what had been the most militant union in the United States. Abandoning the basic principle that an injury to one is an injury to all, he introduced the disastrous selective strike policy which isolated workers at different mines from each other, allowing the companies to defeat them individually. Trumka isolated and betrayed major strikes at AT Massey in 1985 and Pittston in 1989, and stood aside as the companies brutally attacked strikers, including the murder of John McCoy in 1990.

While UMWA membership has fallen from 120,000 when Trumka took office to 16,000 today, when the union is controlled by Trumkas hand-picked successor Cecil Roberts, it still controls nearly $200 million in assets, which it uses to pay out six-figure salaries to its small army of privileged bureaucrats.

Trumka was able to parlay his experience in the UMWA into a long and successful career in the AFL-CIO. Since becoming president in 2009, Trumka oversaw the decline of strike activity to its lowest levels on record, in a period which saw surging levels of poverty and social inequality.

It is this record which accounts for the plaudits which Trumka has earned posthumously. President Biden called him a close friend, while the Senator from Wall Street Charles Schumer, choking back tears on the floor of the Senate, declared, we need him so. Robert Lighthizer, Trumps US trade representative, called him a true giant of the labor movement.

This is the layer with whom Spencer, Sanson and Roberts are in solidaritynot miners. Echoing Trumkas rotten legacy, a UMWA official told the WSWS in May, We dont want to shut down the entire economy.

Significantly, Trumka finished his address to the Warrior Met protest by calling for support for Bidens PRO Act, which is aimed at expanding the control of the union apparatus over the working class in order to suppress the class struggle.

Last weeks rally was a further demonstration that the way forward for Warrior Met miners is to establish their own independent initiative from the UMWA bureaucracy by forming a rank-and-file strike committees to raise their own demands, and build up the support of the international working class. The example for miners was established by Volvo Trucks workers in Virginia, where a rank-and-file committee was able to powerfully challenge the United Auto Workers betrayal of their five-week strike, piercing the union-imposed blackout of the strike by appealing directly to workers across the world for support.
School districts across the Southern United States have reopened against the backdrop of a widening coronavirus pandemic that has infected tens of thousands, filling hospitals to capacity and leaving them in desperate need of emergency personnel and equipment. This includes pediatric hospitals, which in many areas have more patients than at any other time during the pandemic.

Within days of reopening, school districts across the region reported thousands of COVID-19 infections and many reverted to short-term virtual instruction. Nevertheless, the ruling class, spearheaded by the Biden administration and Republican-controlled state governments, remains steadfast that in-person schooling must resume, sacrificing childrens lives for corporate profit as their parents go back to work.

Middle school student Elise Robinson receives her first coronavirus vaccination on Wednesday, May 12, 2021 in Decatur, Georgia. (AP Photo/Ron Harris)

Educators and parents are irate and desperate as they watch children subjected to dangerous conditions. On social media, teachers have circulated petitions in an attempt to pressure politicians and superintendents to enforce mitigation strategies at the least or shut down in-person learning altogether.

In the comments section of these petitions, many parents plead desperately for virtual learning options, which have been almost totally scrapped across the country.

One signer wrote on a Texas petition, Governor Abbott is putting future Texans in danger. He claims to be pro life and care about children. I guess that only applies to unborn children. Many kids that are here now will die because of his direct actions. He should be held accountable for any deaths that occur under his failures.

Another commented, What will happen in public schools in Texas during the next Covid outbreak after Governor Abbott says there will be no virtual classrooms? And will he and others be held accountable for the carnage?

It must be stressed that the policies of the Democratic Party led by President Biden are responsible for emboldening the right-wing attacks on science and public health measures being carried out in Republican states.

Bidens economic adviser Brian Deese admitted that the real priority in reopening schools is the labor shortage due to a lack of child care and school. It was under Bidens administration that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention called for vaccinated people to throw off their masks, despite having definitive proof that vaccinated people contract and spread the virus.

Within days of reopening, districts in the region reported hundreds of cases, outbreaks and school closures. In New Orleans, where masks are required, 116 active cases were reported on Monday, and 638 students and staff were quarantined, even before all campuses have opened. Despite school being in session, the Louisiana Department of Health has yet to resume its weekly K-12 COVID-19 case tracker.

In Mississippi, with many districts not reporting, 841 students and 347 staff have tested positive since August 1. For the week ending August 6, 4,435 students were quarantined.

In Georgia, districts across metro Atlanta reported hundreds of cases only days after school started. Gwinnett County Schools reported 166 cases in just two days. Dr. Cherie Drenzek, an epidemiologist with the Georgia Department of Public Health, told 11Alive that there has been a 100 percent increase in cases of children ages 5-17 over the past two weeks.

As the petitions by educators and parents indicate, there is widespread hostility to reopening schools. In Duval County, Florida (Jacksonville) 96 teachers were absent on the first day of school, up from the 80 that were absent on the first day in the last school year.

Throughout the South, hospitals are overwhelmed. Mississippi, Georgia, Florida and Louisiana accounted for more than 40 percent of all hospitalizations nationwide on August 5, according to the Associated Press. In New Orleans, a heart attack victim was bounced from six hospitals before finding an emergency room that could take him, reported National Public Radio.

Mississippi State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs warned on Twitter on Monday that the state expects 500 new hospitalizations in the coming days but that there will be no room for these patients: we have ZERO ICU beds at Level 1-3 hospitals, and we have > 200 patients waiting in ERs for a room. Similarly, Florida surpassed 15,000 hospitalizations on Tuesday, the highest number to date during the pandemic.

Supplies are low in Florida, which requested 300 ventilators from the federal government this week after the state stockpiles were exhausted, according to a Department of Health and Human Services document obtained by ABC. Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, who claimed to be unaware of the request, has banned mask mandates in schools and threatened to withhold funds from school districts which defy him. Florida currently has the highest number of children hospitalized from COVID of any state.

In Texas, while pursuing a similar policy of banning school mask mandates, Republican Governor Greg Abbott pleaded for out-of-state personnel assistance as hospitals are overwhelmed. He also requested that the Texas Hospital Association postpone elective medical procedures. School districts across the state are defying his mask ban, and he faces multiple lawsuits to overturn the ban.

Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson was forced to backtrack after signing a bill into law banning state and local mask mandates. Now that it is enacted, he must wait on the bill to be amended or for the courts to rule the ban unconstitutional. On Tuesday, only eight ICU beds were available across the state.

The Southern US has some of the lowest vaccination rates in the country. According to Our World in Data, less than 40 percent of the population in the states of Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Arkansas and Georgia are fully vaccinated. Florida and Texas have slightly higher rates with 49 percent and 46 percent fully vaccinated, respectively. In Louisiana, only 13 percent of eligible children (12- to 17-year-olds) are vaccinated. Just 25 percent of eligible 12- to 15-year-olds nationwide have been fully vaccinated, according to CDC data.

Pediatric hospitals are also at a breaking point. Dr. Mark Kline, physician-in-chief of Childrens Hospital New Orleans, which serves patients from across the Gulf Coast, told Good Morning America that the hospital is awaiting federal medical personnel to assist with a staffing shortage: We were thin already, having lost a number of staff over the course of 2020.  Louisiana and the region as a whole have a real dearth of professionals.

Speaking to WDSU, Dr. Kline said that half of the 18 children currently admitted in his hospital are under two years of age. The test positivity rate for Louisiana children is 25 percent. He noted that he was very concerned that schools are opening now and feared the mitigation measures we have used in the past, including masking, social distancing and hand-washing, arent going to be as effective for this virus.

Nationwide, 93,824 child COVID-19 cases were reported for the week ending August 5, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, and children represented 15 percent of all new cases.

Exposing the lie that reopening schools during a pandemic is in the best interests of childrens mental and social well-being, data continues to pour in about the long-lasting effects of even mild or asymptomatic COVID-19 infections. Speaking on the effects on children of Long COVID, including on school performance, Dr. Avindra Nath, chief of infections of the nervous system at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, told the New York Times, I mean, theyre in their formative years. Once you start falling behind, its very hard because the kids lose their own self-confidence too. Its a downward spiral.

Additionally, recent data published in The Lancet indicates that brain damage due to COVID-19 infections can be comparable to stroke for hospitalized patients or lead poisoning for those who have respiratory difficulty but do not require hospitalization.

In the coming weeks, as districts continue to reopen in the South and across the US, educators will once again be thrust into struggleagainst the Biden administration that insists schools must be open, against Republican politicians who outlaw mitigation strategies in schools and against the fraudulent organizations that claim to represent educators.

American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten and National Education Association President Becky Pringle have insisted that schools reopen fully in-person. Last year, as teachers across the country died in the hundreds, if not thousands, neither organization lifted a finger to mobilize their millions of members in a nationwide strike to prevent school reopenings and needless death. The hundreds of wildcat walkouts and protests across the US were systematically isolated, while local chapters worked diligently to pressure and demoralize teachers who sought assistance. No confidence or hope can be placed in these organizations.

Educators must learn the lessons of the last school year in order to prepare for this one. Above all, they must recognize that to win requires building new organizations, independent of the trade unions and the capitalist political parties. As the Socialist Equality Party wrote in its statement Dont send children into unsafe schools! teachers and parents should form rank-and-file committees to stop the drive to reopen the schools and save the health and lives of the children and school workers.

On May 1, the International Committee of the Fourth International launched the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC) to organize workers in a common offensive to exert their collective strength, change the course of the pandemic and put an end to the needless suffering and death. The call for the closure of schools and nonessential workplaces until the pandemic is contained must be popularized in every school, factory, workplace and neighborhood across the US and globally. Preparations must be made in every country for nationwide general strike action to coalesce in a globally coordinated strike movement.

Educators, parents and all workers who agree with the demand to shut down in-person learning until the pandemic is eradicated should sign up today to build a rank-and-file committee in your area. There is no time to lose!
The Texas Supreme Court on Tuesday overruled a state district judges temporary restraining order blocking the arrest of dozens of Texas House Democrats who fled the state to Washington D.C. last month in an attempt to stop passage of a restrictive voting bill authored by state Republicans.

The Texas Democrats left the state in order to prevent the House from obtaining a quorum and proceeding to approve the anti-democratic voting measure, one of a series of restrictive bills being introduced or already passed by Republican-controlled state governments across the US. The wave of voting bills is the Republican response to Donald Trumps election loss and the failure of his January 6 coup attempt.

Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., joins members of the Texas House Democratic Caucus as he speaks to reporters about their fight against restrictive voting laws, at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Some of the bills moving through state legislatures would give state lawmakers greater leeway in challenging official vote tallies and even ignoring the popular vote and choosing their own slate of presidential electors. The proliferation of these state bills is bound up with the overwhelming support by Republican officials for the would-be dictator Trump and his ongoing lie about massive ballot fraud and a stolen election.

The Texas Democrats decided to remain outside of Texas until the special legislative session called by Governor Greg Abbott to pass the voting bill had expired. However, Abbott simply declared a new session, which began last Saturday, and promptly announced he would move to issue the arrest warrants to prevent the Democrats from once again blocking a quorum.

Travis County State District Judge Brad Urrutia signed an order Sunday barring Abbott and House Speaker Dade Phelan from issuing any warrant or other instrument and detaining, confining, or otherwise restricting a Texas House Democrats movement without his or her consent.

Following the state Supreme Courts ruling overturning the restraining order, Texas House Republicans voted to direct the sergeant-at-arms to compel attendance under warrant of arrest if necessary. The 8012 vote came just hours after the Texas Supreme Court ruling and was mostly along party lines, with only one House Republican voting against the motion.

Phelan issued civil arrest warrants for 52 House Democrats still absent from the legislature, intending to force the legislators to the state Capitol to regain the quorum needed to begin passing the voting legislation. Phelan and Abbott, represented by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, asked the Texas Supreme Court to overturn Urrutias order on Monday, claiming that compelling the attendance of its members is a prerogative given to the House by the Texas Constitution.

The warrants cover all but 15 Democrats in the Texas House. Only 11 Democratic representatives were present Tuesday, even though four had returned to the state a day earlier. Texas Democrats remaining in D.C. denounced those who returned home and called for a renewed push to continue to deny a quorum.

The Texas bill would ban 24-hour voting and ballot drop boxes, make it more difficult to vote by mail and empower partisan poll watchers to harass and intimidate both voters and election officials. The state Senates version of the bill requires election officials in large counties to set up livestream video surveillance and install tracking software on voting machines to monitor all input and activity.

The most concerning provision would grant poll watchers broad new protections and provide them with greater legal recourse against election officials. This includes being entitled to sit or stand near enough to see and hear the activity of voting, effectively making it illegal to obstruct poll watchers in any way. Voting rights activists have repeatedly warned such a bill would not only make voting more challenging, but would lead to voter intimidation.

On Tuesday, a coalition of 21 advocacy groupsincluding Planned Parenthood Texas Votes, the states Sierra Club chapter, the Texas Organizing Project, Progress Texas, the Communications Workers of America and several Latino advocacy groupsreleased a statement urging the Texas Democrats to hold the line.

To every pro-democracy Texas lawmaker: the only way to preserve our right to vote and the best way to fight is to stay off the House floor, the coalitions statement said.

The Democrats who fled Texas had hoped to influence their federal counterparts to pass a national voting rights bill before Congress went into recess. With the Democrats controlling both houses of Congress and the White House, the Texas lawmakers believed they could pressure the party leadership to take a stand on voting rights. However, they received little practical support from either the Biden White House or the congressional Democratic leadership.

Both Biden and the Democratic leaders in the House and Senate signaled that they would not jeopardize winning Republican support to pass a corporate-backed bipartisan infrastructure bill by mounting a serious fight to pass voting rights legislation.

After all 50 Senate Republicans filibustered a pared-down version of the For the People voting rights bill in June, Texas Democrats pleaded with Biden and Senate Democrats to eliminate or amend the filibuster rule. However, both Biden and two of the most right-wing Democrats, Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, openly stated their opposition to doing so.

After meeting with some of the Texas Democrats in Washington D.C., Manchin told reporters to forget the filibuster and proposed focusing on a bill that would partially restore the federal governments enforcement powers in the 1965 Voting Rights Act, which had been struck down by the US Supreme Court in 2013.

The next day, Manchin traveled to Texas to rub elbows with the states financial elite at a campaign fundraiser.

In the end, the Democrats left for summer recess without enacting any voting rights legislation. In a bit of political theater, intended to cover for the Democrats abject capitulation and cowardice, in the early morning hours of Wednesday, during the final pre-recess session of the Senate, Majority Leader Charles Schumer requested unanimous consent to consider the For the People bill.

Only one objection is needed to block unanimous consent and Texas Senator Ted Cruz, one of Trumps closest allies and co-conspirators in the failed January 6 insurgency, jumped at the opportunity. This bill would constitute a federal government takeover of elections It would strike down virtually every reasonable voter integrity law in the country, Cruz said.

Cruz also objected to two subsequent proposals that would address gerrymandering and campaign finance.

On this ignominious and cynical basis, Biden and the Democrats effectively conceded to the Republican assault on the right to vote, something that only a month before Biden had called the most significant test of our democracy since the Civil War.

Biden refused even to meet with the Texas Democrats who had traveled to Washington D.C. The White Houses only direct involvement was a meeting led by Vice President Kamala Harris, at which Harris pushed a pathetic plan for the Democratic National Committee to invest $25 million in voter registration and education, in lieu of a serious fight to defend the right to vote.

For their part, none of the Texas Democrats openly challenged the refusal of Biden and the Democratic leadership to oppose the Republican offensive.
If you're planning to travel to the Maldives here's what you'll need to know and expect if you want to visit during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The basics

The Maldives reopened borders to all travelers from all countries on July 15, 2020. The primary exception to this is the tightly packed capital city of Male, which is off-limits to visitors as it has been the source of the majority of the country's coronavirus cases.

What's on offer

This is the couples' destination to end all others -- luxury hotels set on private islands, with rooms cantilevered over the water, just in case a walk to the beach is too much effort.

Who can go

At present, the Maldives is open to visitors from all destinations, as long as they have proof of a negative Covid test taken no more than four days prior to their arrival.

Fully vaccinated travelers from the UK are currently subject to a four-day quarantine, while non-vaccinated UK travelers must quarantine for 14 days.

A temporary ban on travelers from South Asia was lifted on July 15.

The Maldives was one of the rare travel successes of 2020, and it looks like that trend is continuing for 2021, despite some setbacks.

The destination has launched a loyalty program that rewards regular visitors with points based on the frequency and duration of their trips. Those who rack up lots of points will be bumped up to various elite status levels that offer advantages including hotel discounts.

What are the restrictions?

All arrivals must present a certificate of a negative PCR test carried out within the 72 hours prior to departure, clearly showing the name and address of the laboratory, as well as the date of the sample taken.

The result need to be attached to the Traveler Health Declaration form which must be submitted online within the 24 hours prior to arrival. Visitors are asked to download the national contact tracing app, TraceEkee, and use it during their journey.

These restrictions were temporarily dropped for fully vaccinated travelers earlier in the year, but have since been reintroduced.

All travelers arriving from the UK, including transiting passengers, must undergo a quarantine of either four days for those who are vaccinated, or 14 days for non vaccinated travelers.

Tourists are allowed to split stays between hotels. However, if you spend more than 48 hours in the Greater Male area, you must take another PCR test before moving elsewhere.

Visitors who are not fully vaccinated are permitted to stay in guest accommodation in local islands provided that 60% of the population, including 90% of over-65s and 95% of tourism staff, are fully vaccinated.

What's the Covid situation?

The Maldives has reported a total of nearly 78,000 coronavirus cases and 222 deaths as of August 5.

While the figures remain relatively low for the most part, Covid-19 cases jumped from around 100 to over 1,500 in the space of a month, prompting a short-term ban on visitors from South Asia on May 13.

Although a record 2,194 cases were reported on May 20, the numbers have since decreased significantly, with 137 cases recorded on August 4.

The country began its roll-out of the India-made AstraZeneca Covishield vaccine on February 1. Hospitality workers were included in the first round of citizens to get vaccinated. Nearly 470,00 people in the Maldives had received their first dose of the vaccine as of May 28.

Dr. Abdulla Mausoom, the Maldivian Minister of Tourism, has confirmed that the Maldives is developing a "Visit, Vaccinate and Vacation" scheme named "3V" that would allow visitors to receive a Covid-19 vaccine on arrival.

The program won't go ahead until the country's entire population, estimated at just under 550,000, has been fully vaccinated.

As of August 5, over 600,000 people in the Maldives had been administered with two doses of a Covid-19 vaccination.

What can visitors expect?

The Maldives are selling themselves as a destination offering a "normal" vacation, thanks to the isolation of most hotels and the fact that the vast majority of visitors stay in-resort rather than venture out.

This means that while locals are subject to restrictions, those going to and from the airport are exempt. Split stays between different hotels are allowed, if the hotels meet government requirements. Requests for split stays must be made to the Ministry of Tourism at least 48 hours before travel.

Expect also for your resort to have some rules -- especially a temperature check on arrival, and masks to be worn indoors. As most items in shops must be shipped to the Maldives, some things can get pricey -- you should bring things like masks and hand sanitizer with you to avoid spending while on the island chain.

Useful links:

imuga.immigration.gov.mv

Tourist board Covid-19 updates

Ministry of Health latest figures

Our recent coverage

Learn how wealthy Indians have been shut out of the Maldives due to the temporary ban on South Asian travelers, and why the destination is hoping to lure travelers with vaccines on arrival.

Wondering what it's like to visit right now? Read this piece, which details the pandemic vacation experience.

If you're planning your trip, check out our list of the best dining experiences. And meet the Maldives' "barefoot pilots." And if a travel bubble is what you want, you're in luck -- the Waldorf Astoria Maldives has just revealed its latest property, a Maldivian private island called Ithaafushi, available for a cool $80,000 a night.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WTVA) - Baptist Memorial Health Care will require all its employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine by Nov. 1.

Baptist made the announcement on Thursday.

After much consideration and discussion, our leadership team believes this is the best decision for our employees, patients and community, President and CEO Jason Little said. With the growing threat of COVID-19 variants and our duty to provide a safe environment for vulnerable patients, a COVID-19 vaccine requirement for our employees is the responsible and right thing to do.

Approximately 60% of Baptists 19,000-plus employees in Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee are vaccinated.

According to a company news release, the overwhelming majority of Baptists hospitalized COVID-19 patients are unvaccinated.

The hospital system will have a plan in place for employees who cannot get the vaccine for health and other reasons.

Baptist operates hospitals in Oxford, Columbus, New Albany and Booneville.
TUPELO, Miss. (WTVA) - President Joe Biden signed into law a bill that renames a Tupelo post office the Colonel Carlyle 'Smitty' Harris Post Office.

U.S. Rep. Trent Kelly, R-Miss., made the exciting announcement on Thursday.



Col. Carlyle 'Smitty' Harris served during the Vietnam War. | Source: Office of U.S. Rep. Trent Kelly, R-Miss. Col. Carlyle 'Smitty' Harris served during the Vietnam War. | Source: Office of U.S. Rep. Trent Kelly, R-Miss.

The post office is on West Main Street.

On April 4, 1965, Harris F-105 fighter-bomber was shot down over North Vietnam.

He was held captive at the infamous "Hanoi Hilton" for eight years.

During this captivity, he used tap code to communicate with his fellow prisoners.

The letters he wrote to his wife were delivered to the Tupelo post office.

Harris published "Tap Code" in 2019 which recounts his survival.
JACKSON, Miss. (WTVA) - Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves says hes extending the State of Emergency for 30 more days.

The order was initially set to expire on Sunday.

allow our system of care to continue to transfer patients to hospitals where treatment is available, ensure expanded access to telemedicine, and will keep options open for use of the great men and women of the MS National Guard. (2/4)  Tate Reeves (@tatereeves) August 12, 2021

"There will be no lockdowns and there will be no statewide mandates," he reaffirmed Thursday.

Mississippi reported its largest single-day total of new COVID-19 cases on Thursday.

Read More - Mississippi breaks its single-day total of new COVID cases

Read More - 'We are not panicking,' Mississippi governor addresses COVID crisis
IHOP alcohol menu

IHOP

Buckle up. Alcoholic beverages could be coming to an IHOP near you.

On Thursday, the company revealed its new "Bubbles, Wine & Brews" menu for participating locations. The program is being piloted at three locations in San Diego, California and New Mexico.

IHOP expects to expand the option to other markets like New York, Rhode Island, Maryland and Ohio in the next few months. All franchisees will have access to the new menu soon.

President Jay Johns said introducing alcoholic beverages options is "a terrific innovation and evolution" for the company.

"We see this launch as part of our continued prioritization of the p.m. day part, with hopes of attracting new guests during different times of the day," he said in a release.

RELATED: Brew the Dew: Alcoholic Mountain Dew Is Coming in 2022

In addition to local beer and wine options, brand names like Bud Light, Blue Moon and Corona are featured on the menu. Mimosas and wines from BarefootBubbly Brut, Bubbly Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon also make the list.

IHOP restaurant

Don and Melinda Crawford/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty

"While we are offering morning drinks, like mimosas and sparkling wine, we are also offering afternoon and evening-focused beverages to accompany IHOP favorites for meals beyond breakfast," Johns said.

Individual locations must acquire a liquor license in order to introduce the alcoholic menu. Acquiring the proper permissions can cost anywhere from $300 to $14,000 depending on location, according to Forbes. Some regions limit the number of licenses handed out.

Johns knows obtaining the required license may be difficult for some franchises, but notes other locations are eager to serve booze with their meals. He said the company "will continually offer franchisees the tools needed to successfully launch in their markets."

RELATED: A $28 Samuel Adams Beer at LaGuardia Airport Sparks Restaurant Audit: 'LOL at All of This'

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IHOP's alcoholic menu is a concoction of experiences and feedback from franchisees that have offered one-time drink programs over the years.

The new concept comes as the company struggles to recover from COVID-19, which has led sales to plummet since March 2020. Alcohol sales yield margins of about 75% for beer and 60% to 70% for wine, according to Forbes.

mimosas

Getty

Applebees, a fellow Dine Brands chain, typically generates around 15% of its sales from alcohol. And with more people drinking now than before the pandemic (60% more, according to Johns Hopkins and the University of Maryland), alcoholic drinks are in increased demand.

RELATED: SONIC Debuts Banana Pudding Shake Flavor for a Limited Time This Summer

A survey of loyal customers in July showed 66% of IHOP's recent guests and 58% of guests ages 21 to 34 want to have an alcoholic beverage with their meal at the chain. Additionally, almost 50% of drinkers ages 21 to 70 reported being more likely to eat at the restaurant if alcoholic beverages were available.

"Through research, we've learned that consumers are excited for these new menu options," Johns said of the numbers, noting the company's "steadfast commitment" to meeting their guests' needs.

"As we explore ways to enhance the dining experience for our guests, we felt adding alcoholic beverage options to our menu is a right next step to propel that forward," he continued.
In a bid to further expand its international network of young talent to South Asia, Locarno Pro, the industry section of the Locarno Film Festival, has launched an unprecedented partnership between the South Asia  Locarno Industry Academy and NFDC Film Bazaar.

Aimed at young professionals active in sales, cinema management, traditional or online distribution, and in the programming of festivals, cineclubs and film libraries, the Locarno Industry Academy is a workshop program under the aegis of Locarno Pro.

More from Variety

NFDC Film Bazaar, launched in 2007, is described by Locarno Pro as South Asias largest global film market organized by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), which is aimed at fostering new South Asian content and talent as well as generating sales of world cinema in the South Asian region.

This year, in addition to the Southern Africa-Locarno Industry Academy, which runs between September and October, the new South Asian initiative will be held during the 15th NFDC Film Bazaar, which takes place online over Nov. 20-25.

Eligible countries from which aspiring participants can submit their applications are: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Selected participants will follow a program of masterclasses and meetings with prominent industry professionals who will provide them with the tools and the knowhow to navigate the challenges of the film industry and grow their network of contacts.

Said Markus Duffner, head of Locarno Pro: The South Asia-Locarno Industry Academy will allow us to introduce a full program for young professionals in this region. Participants will be able to connect with Industry Academy alumni in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, the U.S. and Europe, joining an international network of future industry players.

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Leena Khobragade, director of NFDC Film Bazaar, concurred: NFDC Film Bazaar has connected South Asian talent to the very best of international practices, opportunities and collaborators. We look forward to the exciting exchange of ideas between South Asian talent and the wide network of international professionals through the Locarno Industry Academys program.

A Call for entries for this program will be announced in early September on the Film Bazaar website www.filmbazaarindia.com. More information and updates will be posted on NFDC and Film Bazaars social media handles.

Launched in 2014 by the Locarno Film Festival, the Industry Academy has expanded greatly under project manager Marion Klotz, offering workshops in partnership with major film festivals and institutions.

Thus far it has collaborated in Mexico with Morelia IFF, in Brazil with BrLab, in Chile with Australab, in Panama with International Film Festival Panama, in Greece with Thessaloniki IFF, in the U.S with Film at Lincoln Center in New York, and in Lebanon in Beirut with MC Distribution and BCP. The Locarno Industry Academy currently boasts more than 300 alumni from all over the world.

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2021 Lollapalooza Music Festival - Day 4 - Credit: Amy Harris/Invision/AP Images

Two days after spending a long weekend at Lollapalooza, where she enjoyed performances by Tyler the Creator, Miley Cyrus, and Freddie Gibbs, Grace began feeling a little off. At first I just felt lethargic, says the 22-year-old Perdue graduate, who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine back in February. (Like other fans interviewed for this story, she asked to have her name changed for privacy.) And then I developed a cough and started sneezing randomly. Once my smell and taste went, I knew what was happening.

A test confirmed that Grace had a breakthrough case of Covid, making her one of the small number of people who become infected despite being fully vaccinated. Symptomatic breakthrough cases remain rare, and the vast majority of vaccinated people are still protected from severe cases leading to hospitalization or death; they can, however, go on to infect others, including unvaccinated adults or children. This poses a major challenge for the live-music industry, which is currently attempting to start back up safely after more than a year of Covid shutdowns.

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Lollapalooza, which drew an estimated 385,000 people total to Chicagos Grant Park from July 29th through August 1st, can be seen as a test case for the industry. Every fan who entered the festival grounds was required to show either proof of vaccination or a negative test from the past 72 hours, and organizers have said that about 90 percent of attendees were vaccinated. The festival was held outdoors, which mitigates Covid risks, but it also saw closely packed crowds of the kind that have been linked to Covid outbreaks in Michigan, Oregon, and the Netherlands. There was no mask mandate, and photos and reports from the festival suggest that few attendees wore them.

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On August 12th, Dr. Allison Arwady, Chicagos Public Health Commissioner, announced that a total of 203 cases of Covid tied to Lollapalooza have been identified  a rate of about 4 known cases per 10,000 vaccinated attendees, and 16 known cases per 10,000 unvaccinated attendees  and reported no known Covid hospitalizations or deaths connected to the festival.

It is unclear how many of the festivals attendees have since been tested for Covid, which would help put the official numbers in further context. Anecdotally, however, dozens of people have reported on online forums that they tested positive for Covid after attending Lollapalooza, and Rolling Stone spoke with multiple fans who shared their stories.

There have been no unexpected findings at this point and NO evidence at this point of super-spreader event or substantial impact to Chicagos COVID-19 epidemiology, Dr. Arwady said in a public statement. A representative for Lollapalooza pointed to Dr. Arwadys statements when asked for comment on this story.

Medical experts warn of the risks of holding a music festival at all during a Covid spike. I honestly cant think of a worse outdoor environment when it comes to spreading Covid than something like Lollapalooza, says Dr. Mercedes Carnethon, Vice Chair of the Department of Preventive Medicine at Northwestern University. Its a large number of mostly-maskless people packed into a fairly compact space over four days. Theyre singing, drinking, and talking loudly to each over the music. All of that propels respiratory droplets and spreads the disease.

Many attendees have reported seeing scalpers outside the park brazenly selling fake vaccine cards. I paid $60 to a scalper to walk me in with a wristband, says David, a fan who tested positive for Covid days after the festival ended. When we got near, he was like, Hey, man, if you dont have one  And he pulled out of his pocket about 10 falsified vaccination cards. He was offering that as an additional service to get inside.

David had a real vaccine card, but he says that barely mattered to the security guards he encountered at the entrances. They didnt look at my card at all, he says. I could have showed them a Pokemon card.

Another attendee who later came down with Covid  a 24-year-old healthcare consultant from Chicago who declined to give his name  says he had a similar experience at the festival gates. They didnt really scrutinize or care what they were looking at, says this fan. I could have written anything on the card. And I know that some people were using their friends cards. (A representative for Lollapalooza referred again to Dr. Arwadys statements regarding vaccine card enforcement.)

Lollapalooza was one of many recent events accepting negative test results in place of a vaccine card, but Dr. Carnethon says that this measure is inadequate in the age of the highly transmissible Delta variant. One thing that seems to distinguish Delta from earlier variants is that the viral loads are higher, and theyre higher earlier on in the course of illness, she says. Someone might test negative before leaving home and then contract the illness at any point during their journey to the festival. And by the time they show up, whether or not they had notable symptoms, they could be generating pretty high levels of virus that could infect other people who are singing and drinking next to them.

Most breakthrough infections of Covid produce relatively mild symptoms that abate within a few days. Samantha, a 34-year-old New Yorker who tested positive for Covid days after returning home from Lollapalooza, was still not feeling 100 percent ten days after returning home. I still dont have any smell or taste, she says. This has been the week from hell.

Dr. Carnethon says she would not have attended Lollapalooza under any circumstances this year. Its prolonging the pandemic to bring people together from around the country at events of this scale and scope, she says. That said, I dont fault the organizers. At the time the plans were made, the situation looked very different. By the time the festival came around, it was too late to cancel.

From her quarantined apartment in Brooklyn, Samantha looks at the situation a little differently. It should have been cancelled in light of Delta, she says. Obviously I didnt have to go, but all my friends wanted to go. I felt that peer pressure not to cancel. In hindsight, that was irresponsible of me. And this has definitely been a wake-up call for me. Im going to have my guard up more now. People need to realize that getting vaccinated doesnt make you invincible. It just doesnt.

Launch Gallery: Lollapalooza 2021: See Photos From the Chicago Fest

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Residents on the Italian island of Sicily are facing scorching temperatures that could have broken a 40-year-old record in Europe.

Local authorities recorded a high of 119.85 degrees Wednesday afternoon as the country experiences a heat wave and an anticyclone, a high wind system that circulates clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere.

Referred to as "Lucifer," the anticyclone began in Africa and moved toward Europe, adding to a heat wave that has led to wildfires in the Mediterranean and North Africa.

The temperature in Sicily from Wednesday needs to be verified by the World Meteorological Organization. The highest temperature ever recorded in Europe is 118.4 degrees, set on Oct. 7, 1977, in Athens, Greece.

Related video: UN report gives 'code red for humanity' on climate change

"At the moment there are no reasons to invalidate it, but if possible we will make an ex-post evaluation on the accuracy of the measure," the Sicilian Agrometeorological Information Service told CNN.

Irreversible changes, warmer temperature: 5 alarming findings from the UN climate change report

Greek wildfires: Multinational force fights to tame flareups

Heat waves in 2019 led three European countries  Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands  to break their respective high-temperature records. Paris also broke its highest temperature at 108 degrees that same summer.

The possible record-breaking temperature in Sicily comes on the heels of a report from the U.N. International Panel on Climate Change published on Monday that said humans have caused climate change that will lead to the average global temperature increasing and more extreme weather events.

"The report paints a very sobering picture of the unforgiving, unimaginable world we have in store if our addiction to burning fossil fuels and destroying forests continues. One of the most striking takeaways is that we may reach 1.5C of warming a decade earlier than the IPCC had previously found," Helen Mountford of the World Resources Institute said.

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Contributing: Doyle Rice

Follow reporter Asha Gilbert @Coastalasha. Email: agilbert@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Europe heat wave: Sicily temperature hits 119 degrees
A COVID-19 vaccine mandate for employment is becoming more popular. But how do employees feel about it? (Photo: FG Trade via Getty Images)

Getting a COVID-19 vaccine is increasingly becoming a common requirement to return to work in person. In recent weeks, major employers like Disney and Walmart, as well as government agencies including the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Pentagon, have issued mandates. California this week became the first state to require all teachers and school staff to be vaccinated or face regular testing.

But how do employees feel about these regulations? A new survey by the software company Qualtrics offers insights into how COVID-19 vaccine mandates  or the lack thereof  may inspire people to quit their jobs.

Whos Considering Quitting?

Not having a vaccine mandate is a major turn-off for a significant number of people. During the first week of August, Qualtrics polled a nationally representative sample of over 1,000 Americans in full- and part-time jobs in industries including tech, government, media, retail, education, finance and health care. The results are set to be published next week.

The majority of U.S. workers  60%  supported a vaccine mandate for in-person work.

This aligns with other recent polling that has found vaccine mandates to be a popular requirement for employment, especially for industries in which people are likely to regularly interact with others. A July-August Economist/YouGov poll found that more than 60% of Americans support mandatory vaccinations for front-line workers, including prison guards, police officers, teachers, medical providers, the military and members of Congress.

Some employees are willing to stake their jobs on a vaccine mandate. Thirty-seven percent of professionals surveyed by Qualtrics said they would consider quitting if their employer doesnt mandate vaccines for in-person work.

But there is also a large number of people who said they would be willing to quit if there was a vaccine mandate at their job. The Qualtrics poll found that 44% of employees surveyed said they would consider quitting if their employer required vaccinations, up from 39% in a March survey that asked the same question.

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There is definitely this tug-of-war happening internally at the person-level, but also within companies, about whether its right for a company to have a vaccine mandate, said Ben Granger, an organizational psychologist and employee experience expert at Qualtrics.

He said he wasnt sure why the number of the people willing to quit if their job mandated a COVID-19 vaccine increased over the summer, but that his educated guess is that breakthrough infections and the rise of the delta variant may have created mistrust in the efficacy of a vaccine mandate.

It could also be that unvaccinated Americans simply have a negative reaction to being told they have to get a COVID-19 vaccine. A July poll that found that most Americans who have not already gotten a vaccine do not want one.

Backlash to the idea of vaccine mandates is to be expected, said Lawrence Gostin, a global health law professor at Georgetown University. But he does not expect this group of would-be quitters to follow through and actually resign in high numbers.

When push comes to shove and its no longer a hypothetical and they see the vast majority of their co-workers willing to roll up their sleeves, most will do the same, he said. It will be the rare exception that someone will quit.

The delta variant of the coronavirus may have influenced some employees' views on vaccine mandates in the workplace, one expert said. (Photo: simon2579 via Getty Images)

Who Wants A Vaccine Mandate?

Employees in the technology sector felt strongest about mandating a vaccine for in-person work. Two-thirds of tech workers said they supported a vaccine mandate at work, while only 58% of government workers and 59% of retail workers said the same.

Respondents who were younger, Black, Democrats and male were more likely than those in other groups to say they would consider quitting if there wasnt a vaccine mandate at their job. Forty-three percent of men said they would consider leaving for this reason, compared to 32% of women in the survey.

Over half of Black professionals said they would consider quitting without a vaccine mandate, but only 33% percent of their white peers said the same. The survey was limited, and did not have statistically enough Asian and Latinx respondents to have their answers shared.

When asked about this finding, Jelani Kerr, a health equity researcher and associate professor at the University of Louisville, said there would need to be deeper research to have more conclusive answers. However, Kerr noted that more recently, we are seeing more studies of larger shares of Black people who are taking the vaccine. That signals heightened interest, heightened awareness, and that may help explain what is going on with that.

Younger professionals felt the strongest about having a vaccine mandate. While 48% of respondents ages 25 and under would consider leaving their jobs if they were asked to return to work without a COVID-19 vaccine mandate, only 39% of workers ages 26 to 40, 36% of workers 41 to 55, and 31% of baby boomers 56 years and older said they would consider doing the same.

Younger generations are more likely than older generations to deal with the gig economy and unstable labor markets, and that may explain why they are more willing to leave a job that does not align with their values.

Perhaps, with the precarity, comes a group of individuals who may be much more flexible in their thinking about leaving employment situations that they may feel dont serve them well, Kerr said.

When told that Black young male professionals were the demographic most likely to consider quitting without a workplace mandate, Gostin said it challenged vaccine hesitancy myths.

What it is telling me is that they are making a wise choice. People of color, and African Americans in particular, have had a disproportionately high burden of COVID, and they are opting for safety, he said. Its an enormously encouraging sign for our vaccination program and it sweeps away the prejudgment that African Americans are more resistant to the vaccine.

Overall, Granger said the survey speaks to the importance of companies keeping employees up to date about vaccine mandate decisions. He said companies shouldnt just wait until they have a decision to communicate their plans. Instead, he recommends that employers tell employees what factors they are relying on to make a decision.

Part of that should be what their employees think about it, how their employees feel about their physical safety and their personal safety, he said.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.

Related...
Australian Olympic Committee says it's "cruel" that some of its vaccinated athletes have to quarantine for 28 days on their return

Australia's athletes celebrate during the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on August 8 JEWEL SAMAD/AFP via Getty Images

The Australian Olympic Committee is fighting to reduce the quarantine duration of 16 athletes.

16 out of the country's 472 Olympians have to quarantine for 14 days in Sydney and another 14 days when they reach their home state of South Australia.

The committee said the 28-day quarantine poses "a significant risk" to the physical and mental wellbeing of the athletes.

Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Australian Olympic Committee said it is "cruel and uncaring" for 16 South Australian athletes to have to quarantine for four weeks after their return from the Tokyo 2020 Games.

The 16 are part of the total 472-strong Australian team sent to this year's Games.

"While other countries are celebrating the return of their athletes, we are subjecting ours to the most cruel and uncaring treatment. They are being punished for proudly representing their country with distinction at the Olympic Games," said the committee's CEO, Matt Carroll, in the statement.

The 16 Olympians, who are all fully vaccinated, have to go through a longer quarantine because they're flying through Sydney on their way home to the state of South Australia. New South Wales, where Sydney is located, is currently fighting a COVID-19 outbreak driven by the delta variant, with 343 new cases reported on Tuesday.

The South Australian government requires that the athletes quarantine for another 14 days when they reach South Australia after finishing their standard 14-day quarantine in Sydney.

The rest of the 56 Olympians from South Australia returned home via other Australian cities, and therefore aren't subject to a quarantine repeat, said the Olympic Committee's Wednesday statement.

David Hughes, chief medical officer of the Australian Institute of Sports, added in the statement that having to quarantine for 28 days poses "a significant risk to the physical and mental wellbeing of the individuals concerned."

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"To have individuals quarantined for such a lengthy period of time is, in my opinion, unreasonable and cannot be scientifically justified," he said. When asked by Insider to elaborate on Hughes' statement, a committee spokesperson said Hughes had "referred to multiple studies regarding the mental health of Olympic athletes post-competition" and that the committee also consulted a psychologist on the subject.

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A spokesperson for South Australia's health department told Insider that the Olympic Committee was made aware of the extended quarantine on July 30.

"Anyone traveling from New South Wales must undertake 14 days quarantine upon entry into South Australia," the spokesperson said.

The committee said that it tried to avoid sending athletes through Sydney, but the task proved "logistically impossible" because of cap restrictions.

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It applied for an exemption to the quarantine rule for its athletes on August 5, but South Australia's chief public health officer declined four days later, citing the risk to the state's community if the extended quarantine is not upheld, according to a letter provided by the health department to Insider.

As of Thursday, two of the 16 athletes have left Sydney quarantine for South Australia, with the rest returning to South Australia over the next 10 days, the Australian Olympic Committee told Insider.

Read the original article on Insider
Remember back in the dark ages of 2020 when the sky was black and the president was orange? There was a drug called Remdesivir, which Trump took after being diagnosed with COVID-19. The then-president was so enamored by the drug that he boasted about it and even bought up all of the stock for Americans. The drug was controversial, but it was approved and appeared to show signs of helping those with the coronavirus recover faster.



On Wednesday, America learned that Rand Paul, the Kentucky senator with the softest white-man Jheri curl, disclosed that his wife purchased up to $15,000 worth of shares in Gilead in February 2020. Who is Gilead you ask? Oh, just the biotech company that makes Remdesivir.



Read more

From the New York Post:



Pauls mandatory filing with the Senate shows that his wife purchased between $1,000 and $15,000 worth of Gilead stock on Feb. 26, 2020. Gileads antiviral drug remdesivir became the first COVID-19 specific treatment to win an emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration less than three months after the purchase in May 2020. Pauls disclosure raised eyebrows among government ethics experts, especially because it came a whopping 16 months later than legally required.

Pauls lack of transparency violates the STOCK Act, which was created in 2012 just for this exact issue in which Congress members have access to information that could change the prices of stock, and as such, they are required to disclose trades within 45 days.

The senator ought to have an explanation for the trade and, more importantly, why it took him almost a year and a half to discover it from his wife, James Cox, a law professor at Duke University, told the Washington Post.



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What makes all of this even more sinister is that Paul has been one of the leading voices against folks getting vaccinated. (YouTube just suspended his account.) And Im sure Paul didnt mean it this way but the more folks that get COVID-19 the more folks may need and use Remdesivir.

But, of course, there is an easy explanation to all of this: Paul forgot.



Last year Dr. Paul completed the reporting form for an investment made by his wife using her own earnings, an investment which she has lost money on. This was done in the appropriate reporting time window, Kelsey Cooper, a spokeswoman for Paul, explained in a statement to CNN.



In the process of preparing to file his annual financial disclosure for last year, he learned that the form was not transmitted and promptly alerted the filing office and requested their guidance. In accordance with that guidance he filed both reports today.



Because God has a sense of humor, Pauls wife lost money on the investment. On the day of Pauls wifes purchase, Gilead stock opened the day at $71.32 per share. On Wednesday, it ended the day at $69.84, the New York Post reports.


The Pentagon will send troops to Afghanistan's international airport to facilitate a partial evacuation of the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, the State Department announced Thursday.

Why it matters: The Taliban has captured 12 provincial capitals in the last week, stunning Biden administration officials who did not believe the country's security would collapse so quickly during the U.S. withdrawal.

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A new U.S. intelligence assessment suggests that Kabul could fall to the Taliban within 30 to 90 days  a stark revision from a previous assessment that the capital could possibly fall six to 12 months after the U.S. military's full withdrawal.

The U.S. Embassy issued its second security alert in five days urging American citizens in Afghanistan to leave the country "immediately."

State of play: State Department spokesman Ned Price said the U.S. would be "further reducing our civilian footprint in Kabul" due to the deteriorating security situation, but that the embassy would remain open.

He declined to say how many staffers would remain, but said, "we expect to draw down to a core diplomatic presence in Afghanistan in the coming weeks."

Price said staff who could perform their duties from afar or who weren't needed for the embassy's "core functions" would be relocated.

Price attempted to downplay the significance of the announcement. This is not abandonment. This is not an evacuation. This is not the wholesale withdrawal," he said, insisting that it "shouldnt be read as any sort of message to the Taliban."

What's next: The troops being sent to the airport will also help evacuate Afghans who worked with the U.S. military and have applied for special immigrant visas.

The Biden administration is trying to accelerate their withdrawal as the Taliban swiftly takes territory and begins to menace Kabul.

Kirby said the reduction in staff at the embassy would be completed by the end of this month.

Details: Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said 3 infantry battalions  about 3,000 personnel  that were already in the region would arrive at the airport in the next 48 hours.

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Additional troops will be sent to Qatar to process SIV applicants, while a final infantry brigade will be sent from the U.S. to Kuwait to be prepared to provide additional security at the airport as needed.

What to watch: Pressed on whether the embassy would remain in its current location, Price said that it would for now but wouldn't say whether that could change in the near future. There have been reports that the embassy could be moved to a more secure location, like the airport.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.

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NBC

Rachel Maddow has been MSNBCs most high-profile on-air personality for more than a decade, long embodying the networks liberal ethos and raking in an obsessive following for her nightly primetime broadcast.

But when MSNBC viewers tune in next year, she may not be there.

According to six people familiar with the situation, Maddow, 48, is seriously considering leaving the network when her contract ends early next year as negotiations drag on and the temptation to take her brand elsewhere or start her own lucrative media company has grown.

Insiders who spoke with The Daily Beast said while the star host has occasionally entertained other offers in the past, she has in recent months increasingly expressed openness to exiting when her deal ends, citing a desire to spend more time with her family and the toll of hosting a nightly program since 2008.

Maddow seems unlikely to jump to a rival television news network. Instead, she has been intrigued by opportunities in the streaming and podcasting space, which would allow her more freedom, time for her personal life, and for other projects, people familiar with her thinking said.

The high-profile TV host has gotten aggressive in exploring her next career moves: In recent months, she left her longtime agents at Napoli Management Group, linking up with powerful talent agency Endeavor and its CEO Ari Emanuel and president Mark Shapiro, who are representing her in contract negotiations with NBCUniversal.

Rachel Maddow Exposes the Shittiest Vice President Ever

Nothing has been decided. We are deep into it with NBCUniversal and Rachel has an excellent relationship with them, Shapiro told The Daily Beast. We dont comment on employee matters, MSNBC spokesperson Lorie Acio wrote by email.

Former MSNBC president Phil Griffin, who left the network earlier this year and has a close relationship with both Maddow and Emanuel, has been consulted about the situation as negotiations have grown heated and has offered advice, according to two people with direct knowledge of the matter.

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Maddow has occasionally dropped hints about professional burnout. During her Monday evening broadcast, she informed viewers that a two-week break she took earlier this month was the longest vacation shes taken in her entire life. And during a 2019 interview with The New York Times, Maddow said she realized that between writing a book and hosting her show, she barely has any time to herself.

Im realizing now10, 11 years into thisthat its fine to work long days, she told the Times. But its not good for you to work incessant long days, five days a week, 50 weeks a year for 10 years.

Maddows decision may represent the first major test for new network president Rashida Jones, who replaced Griffin earlier this year and took the reins at a somewhat precarious moment for the left-leaning cable network.

Sources told The Daily Beast that MSNBC is taking major steps to keep Maddow on board. People briefed on the matter say NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell and NBCUniversal News Group chair Cesar Conde also remain focused on retaining her, and are gearing up to offer her a major contract extension in order to do so. One idea higher-ups have floated includes a reduced schedule to accommodate Maddows desire to lighten her hosting load.

In the 12 years shes occupied the 9 p.m. slot, Maddows success has reoriented the networks programming around her show and on-air tenor. For years, the 8 p.m. slot hosted by Maddows bombastic mentor Keith Olbermann was seen as the coveted airspace on the network. But following his acrimonious departure, Maddow emerged as the face of the networkthe wonky, chipper, and loquacious Obama-era antithesis of Olbermanns fire and brimstone screeds. And thanks to her dogged coverage of the Trump era, Maddow has forged a unique connection with the MSNBC audience, spawning a class of viewer dubbed the MSNBC Mom (earlier this month, fill-in host Ari Melber aired a viral TikTok in which one such viewer expressed frustration with how Maddow hadnt been on the air for weeks).

MSNBC has been hard hit by the ratings plunge that has befallen the cable networks in the months following Trumps exit from the White House. But Maddow is coming off some of the best years of her career in terms of viewership. Her ratings skyrocketed following Trumps 2016 electoral victory, and havent let up much since. She remains the highest-rated host at the network, forming a major ballast for MSNBC's primetime lineup that consistently beats all shows at CNN and occasionally outpaces top primetime hosts at Fox News.

It has not been lost on network higher-ups that MSNBC does not have an immediate or obvious successor if Maddow chooses to leave.

While insiders said even the discussion of replacements was premature, many doubted MSNBC would replace her with 10 p.m. anchor Lawrence ODonnell, whom network executives almost sent packing several years ago amid tense contract negotiations that spilled out into public view. And 8 p.m. host Chris Hayes, who was described for years as a Maddow protege, has also never managed to rack up major viewership numbers in the hour leading into her show.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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The opposition Socialist Party has made contact with the Norwegian embassy with a view to renegotiating the basis on which Norway Fund monies are disbursed in Hungary should the party form the next government in 2022.

Socialist MEP Istvan Ujhelyi said the Socialists want to ensure that Hungary does not lose 77 billion forints (EUR 220m) in Norwegian funding.



He told an online press briefing on Tuesday that the Fidesz government had failed to work out the details of the disbursement with Norway, so the country may lose its support for the 2014-2021 period.



Ujhelyi accused the government of deliberately sabotaging the negotiations because the funds spending criteria did not fit with Orbans system.



He said unspent funding for the period was in jeopardy, and the next seven-year round of support starting next year was also uncertain. For this he blamed the Fidesz government.



Well renegotiate; the new government will ensure this funding comes to Hungary, he said.
New Delhi: While the team of 'Shershaah' awaits the release of the film, which is streaming from tomorrow, early reviews for the biopic have applauded the remarkable performances of the cast.

Flooding social media with praises, industry friends and critics showered their love on Sidharth and Kiara. Receiving a special compliment from her upcoming co-star Vicky Kaushal, Kiara's emotional performance has found its way into the audience's hearts.

Kaushal took to Instagram Stories and shared how much he loved the movie. He wrote, "Loved the Film. The valour and sacrifice of Capt. Batra had me in tears. Salute to all the bravehearts. Kudos to the entire team of #Shershaah #VishnuVardhan @karanjohar @sidhmalhotra you have had a long journey with the FIlm and it's all so worth it. You are absolutely smashing brother."

Appreciating Kiara, he added, "@kiaraaliaadvani tum toh yaar rula kar hi manogi. So so good. Must watch... kyunki, YEH DIL MAANGE MORE!!!" Replying to the same, Kiara said, "Big Hug Vicky".

Recently, Kiara had revealed that her last scene in the film got the entire crew and unit teary eyed owing to the emotional quotient of the funeral sequence.

Juggling a busy schedule packed with back to back commitments, Kiara just returned from Delhi post 'Shershaah' promotions on Tuesday and immediately landed on the sets of her upcoming film 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2'.

She will also star in Shashank Khaitan's next with 'Jug Jugg Jeeyo', and Shankar's next co-starring opposite Ram Charan.

Beginning Wednesday with a brand event alongside Aamir Khan, the actor has currently left for the shoot of Shashank Khaitan's next.
New Delhi: Adidas AG is all set to sell Reebok to Authentic Brands Group Inc. in a deal that could be at about 2.1 billion euros ($2.5 billion). The deal will help US-based Authentic Brands to include another well-known brand into its portfolio of consumer companies.

According to a report by Bloomberg, the deal, which will be closed by the first quarter of 2022, marks an important milestone in the growth of Authentic Brands Group, the companys Chief Executive Officer Jamie Salter said in a statement.

We are committed to preserving Reeboks integrity, innovation and values -- including its presence in bricks and mortar," he was quoted as saying. A majority part of the deal will be closed in cash while the remaining is expected to be received by Adidas as deferred and contingent consideration. The cash will mostly be used to pay the companys shareholders.

Adidas had recently put Reebook on sale after failing to revive the brand for the past 10 years. On the other side, Authentic Brands, in the past few years, has acquired several consumer brands such as Barneys New York and Brooks Brothers. In total, the firm has acquired over 30 brands and is now gearing up for its initial public offering in the US stock exchange. Also Read: Instagram apologises for deleting film poster depicting lactating nipple

Adidas reportedly said that the sale of the Reebok brand wont the financial outlook for the ongoing fiscal or long-term targets of the sporting consumer products brand. Also Read: Public Provident Fund: Invest Rs 34 every day in PPF to get Rs 18 lakh, heres how

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New Delhi: The national capital's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) has been adjudged as the 'Best Airport in India and Central Asia' for the third consecutive year in 2021 Skytrax World Airport Awards.

The 'Skytrax World Airport' awards are considered to be the most significant accolade for the airport industry, voted by customers in the largest, annual global airport customer satisfaction survey.

It is regarded as the quality benchmark for the world airport industry, assessing customer service and facilities across over 550 airports.

The survey and awards are independent of any airport control or inputs.

Besides, IGI Airport, which is operated by Delhi International Airport (DIAL), a GMR led consortium, was also bestowed with the 'COVID-19 Airport Excellence Award'.

Furthermore, the airport improved its overall ranking, moving from number 50 in 2020 to number 45 in the '2021 World's Top 50 Airport' league.

DIAL CEO Videh Kumar Jaipuriar said: "Our agile and effective response to the pandemic and crisis preparedness has led us to be recognised by Skytrax."

"Adopting the 'new-normal', DIAL remains committed to boosting its efforts in providing the best airport experience to all its passengers."

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Noida, August 11, 2021: Uneecops Business Solutions, an SAP Platinum Partner, has announced its acquisition of SAP Business One division of Infinx Services. This acquisition further elevates Uneecops position as an SAP Business One consulting and implementation partner, offering clients unparalleled capabilities for SAP implementation.

Speaking on the acquisition, Ketan Jain, Executive Director of Uneecops, said, This acquisition is an important milestone for us. We are excited to kickstart a new chapter with the SAP division of Infinx. Their extensive expertise and knowledge in SAP Business One will further deepen our networks and capabilities in SAP Business One. We are delighted to add a highly talented team with industry-specific experience and welcome them to the Uneecops family.

SAP division at Infinx Services, added, "This will be a valuable addition to the Uneecops and we are thrilled to be partnering with Uneecops. This alliance will be a step change for both of us. Both companies share similar values and visions in successfully transforming businesses through intelligent technology.

Uneecops capabilities currently boast of 250+ certified SAP consultants, 500+ SAP implementations across 18 industry verticals and 12+ customised add-ons. It has been awarded with SAP awards for 9 consecutive years, SAP Business One APJ Partner of the year for three consecutive years 2018, 2019 and 2020. SAP Pinnacle Award Runner Up for- ERP Partner of the Year 2020 and Subcontinent Impact Partner of the year 2019.

Eiliant Advisors acted as an exclusive advisor to Uneecops on this transaction.

About Uneecops Group

Uneecops is a CMMI Level 5 company with leading capabilities in transforming and simplifying the complex business landscape of fast-growing SMEs, mid-market businesses and large conglomerates. The Group is guided by its purpose of addressing the mission-critical needs of businesses with ERP, Analytics and Cloud Technologies. We embrace the value of innovation, excellence and precision in all what we do and earn our customers loyalty by delivering greater outcomes. Learn more about us at www.uneecops.com

About SAP division of Infinx Services

The company has the right blend of strategy, consulting, and rich experience in western region of India. The SAP division of Infinx Services has also bagged the coveted award as a Top Achiever of the year 2015 & 2017 making it a trusted partner of choice for SAP Business One implementation. For more information, visit https://www.infinx.com/international

About Eiliant Advisors

Eiliant Advisors is a boutique investment bank advising mid-market companies and start-ups in Merger & Acquisitions (Domestic and Cross border) and Growth Capital Raising. Eiliant focuses on Technology, Consumer and Financial Services sectors, having built significant domain knowledge and transaction experience in domestic and international markets, over the last 3 years. For more information, visit www.eiliant.com
New Delhi: Keeping in mind the declining COVID-19 cases, the Rajasthan government on Thursday (August 12) allowed reopening of schools for Classes 9-12 with 50 per cent capacity from September 1.

Issuing a notification, the Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot-led government made it mandatory for teaching as well as non-teaching staff to be vaccinated with at least one anti-COVID jab, 14 days prior to resuming physical classes.

Government of Rajasthan allows re-opening of schools from class 9-12 with 50% capacity, from 1st September 2021; teaching & non-teaching staff need to mandatorily have taken at least one dose of #COVID19 vaccine 14 days prior to this. pic.twitter.com/V9f90BzB25  ANI (@ANI) August 12, 2021

The official statement added that online classes will continue and promoted. The online classes will continue for standards 1-8 until further instructions, it added. Before resuming physical classes, permission of parents to send children to schools will be mandatory, the order added.

The schools authorities will have to ensure students and staff wear masks and adhere to COVID-19 appropriate behaviour. The canteens inside the school premises will continue to remain closed, the order said.

The decision to reopen schools comes on the day when 17 people tested positive for the coronavirus in the state, pushing the caseload count to 9,53,887, according to an official report. No fatality was reported on Thursday, thus the death toll stood at 8,954 in Rajasthan, PTI cited the report.

Many states have reopened or decided to reopen schools with a dip in coronavirus cases. Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu have permitted schools to reopen in the coming days, while physical classes in Bihar, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Gujarat and Haryana have already resumed. However, Himachal Pradesh government has shut schools, except for residential ones, till August 22. The government had reopened schools for Classes 10, 11 and 12 earlier. The Maharashtra government is also likely to defer the reopening of schools due to threat of third coronavirus wave.

(With agency inputs)
New Delhi: The Delhi Police issued a traffic advisory on Wednesday to ensure safe and smooth vehicular movement across the national capital ahead of the Independence Day function and the full-dress rehearsal ceremony on August 13.

According to the advisory, the traffic around Red Fort -- from where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation on Independence Day -- will remain closed for general traffic from 4 am to 10 am, and will open to only authorised vehicles.

Traffic restrictions for the full-dress rehearsal on August 13 and for the Independence Day function will remain the same, the police said.

Eight roads, Netaji Subhash Marg, Lothian Road, SP Mukherjee Marg, Chandni Chowk Road, Nishad Raj Marg, Esplanade Road and its Link Road to Netaji Subhash Marg, Ring Road from Rajghat to ISBT, and Outer Ring Road from ISBT to IP flyover, will be closed for general public from 4 am to 10 am on both the days, according to the advisory.

Vehicles without parking labels for the two days have been advised to avoid C-Hexagon India Gate, Copernicus Marg, Mandi House, Sikandra Road, Tilak Marg, Mathura Road, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Subhash Marg, Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, and the Ring Road between Nizamuddin Bridge and the ISBT bridge, and Outer Ring Road from IP Flyover bypass to ISBT through Salimgarh.

For north-south destinations, commuters will need to take alternative routes from: Aurobindo Marg-Safdarjung Road, Connaught Place-Minto Road, and Nizamuddin bridge to cross Yamuna-Pushta Road-GT Road.

For the east-west corridor, commuters have been advised to follow alternative routes from DND-NH24-Vikas Marg, Vikas Marg-DDU Marg, and Boulevard Road-Baraf Khana.

Geeta Colony bridge will be closed towards Shantivan, and vehicles will be barred from taking lower Ring Road from ISBT Kashmere Gate towards Shantivan, and from IP flyover towards Rajghat, the advisory said.

Goods vehicles will not be permitted between Nizamuddin bridge and Wazirabad bridge from 12 midnight of August 12 to 11 am on August 13. Similar restrictions will be applicable for Independence Day from 12 midnight of August 14 to 11 am on August 15.

According to the traffic police, inter-state buses will not be allowed between Maharana Pratap ISBT and Sarai Kale Khan ISBT from 12 midnight to 11 am on August 13, ditto for August 15.

City buses, including the ones operated by DTC, will not ply on Ring Road from 12 midnight to 11 am on August 13, between ISBT and NH-24/NH T-point on Ring Road, and will need to take alternative routes available on the Independence Day, the advisory said.

Routes of buses terminating at Red Fort, Jama Masjid, and Delhi main railway station will be curtailed or diverted, it said, adding that normal bus service will be restored after 10 am.

Alternative routes will remain open to railway stations, bus terminals, and hospitals near the venue of Independence Day function, the police said.

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New Delhi: West Bengal government on Thursday (August 12) issued order reducing night curfew during lockdown to six hours, from 11 pm to 5 am. Earlier, night curfew was for eight hours, from 9 pm to 5 am. In addition, the West Bengal government also extended lockdown in the state till August 30 with certain relaxations.

The restrictions, first imposed on May 16 amid the second wave of the pandemic and extended at regular intervals, were about to expire on August 15. "The COVID situation in Bengal is quite good but the danger of the third wave is still lurking. This is one of the reasons we have not allowed local trains," Banerjee said, addressing a press conference. "So, we have decided to extend the ongoing COVID restrictions for 15 more days till August 30," she added.

The Chief Minister announced that the night hours during which stringent restrictions are imposed will be reduced. "We have decided a few relaxations -- such as full lockdown during the night will now be from 11 pm to 5 am, instead of 9 pm to 5 am," she said.

CM Mamata said the state was not getting the required doses of vaccines. "If we get vaccines, we can at least ensure one dose of vaccine for the rural population and then we can allow local trains," she said.

To decongest the prisons, Banerjee announced that her government will release 73 life convicts. "On August 2, we had announced to prematurely release 63 life convicts on humanitarian grounds. Today, we have decided to release 73 more life convicts," she said.

At least six people died of COVID-19 in West Bengal on Wednesday (August 11), taking the toll to 18,258, while 700 fresh cases pushed the tally to 15,35,699, a bulletin issued by the health department said. The city and its neighbouring South 24 Parganas, Howrah, Hooghly districts reported no coronavirus deaths while North 24 Parganas accounted for one fatality. The state currently has 10,163 active cases.

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New Delhi: Amid a big political storm over Rahul Gandhis murder of democracy remark over the alleged ruckus in Rajya Sabha, the CCTV footage on Thursday showed the Opposition MPs jostling with marshals in the Upper House.

It is to be noted that the Congress-led Opposition had alleged an attack by Rajya Sabha security personnel on Wednesday. The Opposition members had earlier created a ruckus in Rajya Sabha during the passage of the insurance amendment bill that seeks to privatise general insurance companies.

In view of the ruckus, marshals were called to Rajya Sabha that ultimately led to the premature conclusion of the Parliaments Monsoon Session. In the CCTV visuals from the Upper House, Opposition MPs can be seen jostling with marshals in Parliament.

In the video footage, marshals can be seen forming a human shield to block Opposition MPs from going towards the Chairman`s podium.

#WATCH CCTV footage shows Opposition MPs jostling with marshals in Parliament yesterday pic.twitter.com/y7ufJOQGvT  ANI (@ANI) August 12, 2021

Earlier on Thursday, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said a delegation of Opposition leaders met Vice President and submitted a memorandum condemning the incident in the Upper House.

They also briefed him about the incidents that took place in the House. The Opposition also condemned the incident in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday and said, "What happened in Rajya Sabha yesterday was shocking, unprecedented, sad and an insult to the very dignity of the House and humiliation of the members of the august House."

The statement issued by 10 Opposition parties said that without any provocation from the Opposition, "outsiders who were not part of Parliament security" were brought in to "manhandle" the Opposition leaders and members, including women Parliamentarians who were only protesting against the Government`s conduct, "highhandedness and muzzling of the voice."

"The Opposition strongly condemns the authoritarian attitude and undemocratic actions of the Government. We remain committed to continue our struggle against the assault on Parliamentary democracy and agitate the issues of national importance and people`s concern," it added.

However, the Centre lashed out at the Opposition parties for protesting on road in the national capital and alleged that anarchy has always been the Opposition`s agenda. Taking a jibe at the protest march conducted by the Opposition leaders today from the Parliament to the Vijay Chowk, Union Minister Anurag Thakur said that the opposition must apologise to the nation instead of shedding crocodile tears.

"People wait for their issues to be raised in Parliament. Anarchy remained the Opposition`s agenda. They did not care about people and taxpayers` money. What happened was condemnable. Instead of shedding crocodile tears, they must apologise to the nation," Thakur said while addressing a press conference here.

People wait for their issues to be raised in Parliament. Whereas anarchy remained the Opposition's agenda. They didn't care about people, taxpayers' money. What happened was condemnable. Instead of shedding crocodile tears, they must apologise to nation: Union Min Anurag Thakur pic.twitter.com/XC8tVAsFky  ANI (@ANI) August 12, 2021

Slamming the Opposition MPs, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said, "The day before yesterday, some MPs climbed on top of the tables (in Parliament). They were feeling proud of themselves. They thought they have done something great. They tweeted after shooting its video. Video shooting is not allowed."

Joshi said that the government has demanded the Rajya Sabha Chairman to take strict action against the Opposition MPs creating a ruckus during the passage of the insurance amendment bill.

"Rahul Gandhi said that it was the murder of democracy. The nation can see what they did in Parliament. If they have a sense of responsibility, they should apologise to the country. We also demand from Chairman that there should be strict action and this should not be repeated," he added.

Opposition parties held a protest in New Delhi over the incident on Thursday. The Opposition MPs were seen carrying the placards saying `black farm laws`. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that for the first time in the history of our country, members of the Rajya Sabha were manhandled and physically beaten. He also termed this as the murder of democracy.

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New Delhi: The Government of India (GoI) on Thursday said the situation in Afghanistan is of concern and that it continues to hope for a comprehensive ceasefire to end violence in that country.

While addressing a routine press briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India is in touch with all the stakeholders in Afghanistan and closely monitoring the ground situation in the war-ravaged country.

Bagchi said India attended a regional conference on Afghanistan in Doha on Thursday at the invitation of Qatar. "The situation in Afghanistan is of concern. It is a rapidly evolving situation. We continue to hope that there will be a comprehensive ceasefire in Afghanistan," he said.

We're closely monitoring developments, we're concerned about deteriorating security situation. Our Mission in Kabul issued advisory for Indian nationals earlier this week, advising them to return to India via commercial flights: MEA Spox on minority community from Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/HDUqZKoDVl  ANI (@ANI) August 12, 2021

He added that "our Consulate in Mazar-i-Sharif has withdrawn all India-based personnel earlier this week, this is a temporary measure. Our Consulate there continues to be operational with locally recruited staff.''

The MEA Spokesperson informed that the government had issued an advisory for Indian nationals to leave Afghanistan through commercial means, there is no formal evacuation mechanism there.

Asked about Pakistan's continued support to the Taliban, Bagchi said the international community is well aware of that country's role. India has also been calling upon all sections of the political spectrum in Afghanistan to work together to meet the aspirations of all people in the country, including those from the minority communities, for a prosperous and safe future.

The Taliban has been making rapid advances across Afghanistan by resorting to widespread violence since the United States began withdrawing its troops from the country on May 1. The US has already pulled back the majority of its forces and is looking to complete the drawdown by August 31.

India has been engaged with a number of stakeholders and leading powers on the latest developments in Afghanistan. It has been supporting a national peace and reconciliation process that is Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled.

Amid all this, the Taliban fighters captured a provincial capital near Kabul on Thursday, the 10th the insurgents have taken over a weeklong blitz across Afghanistan as the US and NATO prepare to withdraw entirely from the country after decades of war.

The Taliban fighters raised their white flags imprinted with a famous Islamic proclamation over the city of Ghazni, just 130 kilometers (80 miles) southwest of Kabul.

Sporadic fighting continued at an intelligence base and an army installation outside the city, two local officials said. The Taliban published videos and images online showing them in Ghazni, the capital of Ghazni province. Afghan security forces and the government have not responded to repeated requests for comment over the days of fighting.

However, President Ashraf Ghani is trying to rally a counteroffensive relying on his country's special forces, the militias of warlords and American airpower ahead of the US and NATO withdrawal at the end of the month.

While the capital of Kabul itself has not been directly threatened in the advance, the stunning speed of the offensive raises questions of how long the Afghan government can maintain control of the slivers of the country it has left.

The government may eventually be forced to pull back to defend the capital and just a few other cities as thousands displaced by the fighting fled to Kabul and now live in open fields and parks.

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New Delhi: Amid threat of a possible third COVID-19 wave, the Maharashtra government has deferred the reopening of schools that were earlier scheduled to resume from August 17, IANS reported. The decision was taken at a meeting of the COVID-19 task force held late on Wednesday, under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Sitaram Kunte.

It was attended by Task Force members, education and health department officials as well as a few district collectors. The members decided not to restart all schools from August 17. However, the schools in rural areas, where there is no threat from coronavirus will continue to function. The schools have been closed in the state since March last year during the outbreak of COVID-19.

Expressing concern, Minority Affairs Minister Nawab Malik claimed in states like Punjab where schools were allowed to reopen, the COVID-19 cases saw a sharp increase among juvenile patients. Furthermore, the officials said as there is no vaccination available for the children yet, a decision on reopening the schools should not be taken immediately, the news agency reported.

The Task Force and Education Department officials are scheduled to meet and discuss the matter with Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray who would take a final call on the issue.

On August 10, the Maharashtra government had issued a notification allowing schools to reopen in both rural and urban areas from August 17. As per the order, schools for classes 5 to 8 will reopen in rural areas, while in urban areas, classes 8 to 12 will restart.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra on Wednesday reported 5,560 new coronavirus cases and 163 fatalities, a health department official said. The caseload in the state stands at 63,69,002, while the death toll reached 1,34,364, the official added.

(With agency inputs)

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Mumbai: Maharashtra Health Department on Wednesday informed that cases of Delta Plus variant of COVID-19 has reached 65 in the state.The Institute of Genomics Integrative Biology laboratory detected 20 more patients with the Delta Plus variant, bringing the total number in the state to 65 so far.

The 20 newly identified patients include seven in Mumbai; three in Pune, two each in Nanded, Gondia, Raigad, Palghar; one each in Chandrapur and Akola, according to a statement from the Maharashtra health department.

This genetic sequencing test shows that delta variants are found in more than 80 per cent of the samples in the state. The survey has so far identified 65 Delta Plus variants in the state. Of the 65 Delta Plus patients found in the state so far, 32 are men and 33 are women.

The highest number of 33 Delta Plus patients are in the age group of 19 to 45 years, followed by 17 patients in the age group of 46 to 60 years. There are 7 children under 18 years of age and 8 patients above 60 years of age.

Genomic sequencing of coronaviruses is being carried out on a regular basis as an integral part of corona prevention and control measures.

Out of the 65 patients reported so far, except for one death in the Ratnagiri district, the incidence of the disease in Delta Plus patients is mild to moderate.

Genetic sequencing is a very important component of laboratory surveys. This genetic sequencing is done in two ways including Sentinel Survey.

Under Sentinel Survey, five laboratories and five hospitals in the state have been selected as Sentinel Centers. Each Sentinel Center sends 15 laboratory samples every fortnight to the National Institute of Virology and the National Institute of Cell Science, Pune for genetic sequencing.

The Government of Maharashtra has entered into an agreement with the Institute of Genomics and Integrated Biology, a laboratory under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, to expedite the genetic sequencing survey.

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New Delhi: At least 13 people were killed and several others are feared trapped under debris following a landslide in Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh. The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) on Thursday (August 12, 2021) said, The number of dead bodies recovered from the landslide site of Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh rises to 13 after the retrieval of another body.

A state disaster management official, Sudesh Kumar Mokhta said that the search and rescue operation for the Kinnaur landslide victims trapped in a Himachal Road Transport Corporation bus and a Bolero was resumed early on Thursday.

The number of dead bodies recovered from the landslide site of Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh rises to 13 after the retrieval of another body: ITBP  ANI (@ANI) August 12, 2021

The rescue operation at the landslide site is being carried out jointly by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the members of local police and home guards, Mokhta added. The rescue operations were suspended late at night on Wednesday and resumed back on at 6 am on Thursday.

The officials also said that an HRTC bus, which had been on its way from Reckong Peo to Haridwar via Shimla, was hit by the boulders after Wednesday landslide around noon near Chaura village on national highway number five in Nigulsari area of Nichar tehsil.

During Wednesdays rescue operations, eight of the dead were found trapped in a Tata Sumo taxi. Additionally, another body of a truck driver whose vehicles rolled down towards a riverside due to shooting stones was recovered on Wednesday. A fully damaged Alto car was recovered on Wednesday but no one was found inside the car.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur and assured all possible support to handle the situation. PM assured all possible support in the ongoing rescue operations, a tweet from PMO read.

The Prime Minister also announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh each from PMNRF to the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to a landslide in Himachal Pradesh. Rs. 50,000 would be given to the injured.

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New Delhi: A 21-year-old man was stabbed to death allegedly by two brothers after a scuffle broke out between them over using an open gym at a park in outer Delhi's Sultanpuri area, police said on Thursday (August 12). Gullu alias Sahil (18) has been arrested and efforts are on to nab his brother, police said, adding the deceased, Sanjay, was unemployed, they said.

On Wednesday, the police were informed by SGM hospital that a person named Sanjay was declared brought dead at the facility. A stab injury was found on the right thigh of the victim, according to police. Based on the statement of an eye witness, a case of murder was registered at Sultanpuri police station, they said.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Outer) Parvinder Singh said, "On Tuesday, Sanjay and few others from his locality were exercising at the open gym inside the park. The two brothers Gullu and Akash, who reside in the nearby area, also arrived. There was a quarrel between them and Sanjay."

The brothers alleged that Sanjay had assaulted a person, Golu, known to them over using exercising tools at the open gym, the officer said.

During the scuffle, Gullu and Akash caught hold of Sanjay and took him to a corner of the park. Gullu held him tightly and Akash stabbed him with a knife. Although Sanjay managed to run away from the spot, he fell down after going some distance," he said.

Some people rushed Sanjay to Namokar Nursing Home from where he was referred to the SGM Hospital for treatment. Sanjay, however, was declared brought dead by the duty doctor at the facility, the officer said.
Wayanad: In an unusual incident Kerala's Fire Department officials and locals rescued a woman who accidentally fell into a 50-feet deep well on Tuesday (August 10).

In a video shared on Twitter by ANI, fire department personnel and local residents can be seen pulling out a lady with the help of a net who reportedly fell into a 50-feet deep well in Keralas Wayanad.

ANI shared the video on Twitter with a caption that read: "Kerala: Fire Department officials and locals rescued a woman after she fell into a 50-feet deep well in Wayanad." Watch:

#WATCH | Kerala: Fire Department officials and locals rescued a woman after she fell into a 50-feet deep well in Wayanad (10.08) pic.twitter.com/5tG6Jq0vx3  ANI (@ANI) August 10, 2021

The fire department arrived at the spot after the locals got to know about the incident. Local people joined hands with the fire department to conduct the rescue operation.

The video went viral in a couple of hours and gained nearly 9k views and hundreds of comments appreciating the work of the fire department and locals.

ALSO WATCH: Groom goes down on one knee during varmala ceremony- Watch adorable video

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New Delhi: A minor boy was killed and four others were injured in a grenade attack on the house of a BJP leader in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district on Thursday (August 12) night, officials said. The grenade was thrown by suspected terrorists on the house in Khandli area and it exploded on the rooftop, they said.

At least five people were injured in the attack and were immediately rushed to a hospital for medical treatment. However, one of the injured, a minor boy, succumbed to his injuries, said sources. Meanwhile, top police officials have rushed to the spot.

Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Jammu Zone, Mukesh Singh confirmed the incident.

The security forces have sealed the area and a search operation has been launched.

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New Delhi: On Thursday (August 12), Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a particularly sharp attack on PM Narendra Modi. He claimed that the PM will be "thrown" out of power by a "storm" created by the voices of poor, Dalits, farmers and workers in the country. Gandhi said that Indians understood the current situation prevailing in the country and the Congress and its frontal organisations have a job to remind them that they need not fear any force but challenge it.

"A voice of poor, Dalits, farmers and workers will be heard in the country. It will gather momentum gradually and turn into a storm that will throw Narendra Modi out of Prime Minister's residence," Gandhi said addressing partymen at the 'Halla Bol' protest at Jantar Mantar. The SC/ST department of the Congress organised the protest against alleged atrocities on Dalits. "Our job is to remind people of India what Baba Saheb and Mahatma Gandhi said. They said - do not be afraid of anyone. These cowards and hollow people will run away, the day country starts fighting them. It's job of Congress, SC/ST department, Youth Congress and NSUI to remind people of India that they can challenge any force without fearing it," Gandhi said.

He claimed that the Constitution is under attack from all sides in the country. "We are not allowed to speak in Parliament if we raise the issues of farmers, Dalits, backward classes and women," he alleged. "For the first time in the history of the country, parliamentarians were beaten and shoved in the Rajya Sabha," he alleged further.

The Congress leader attacked the prime minister, alleging he committed "atrocities" on farmers and destroyed the small and medium businesses in the country by demonetisation and GST. "During the coronavirus pandemic, we demanded that people should be directly provided money and small and medium businesses needed to be helped. But, Narendra Modi gave money to his 4-5 industrialist friends and others got nothing," he alleged. The protest was also attended by many senior Congress leaders including P Chidambaram, KC Venugopal, Nitin Raut, Sushmita Dev and Delhi unit president Anil Kumar.

(With PTI inputs)

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New Delhi: Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday met WHO Chief Scientist Dr Soumya Swaminathan and held discussions over the global health body's approval for Bharat Biotech's COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin.

Held a meeting with Dr Soumya Swaminathan, Chief Scientist of @WHO. We had a productive discussion on WHO's approval of @BharatBiotech's COVAXIN. @DoctorSoumya also appreciated India's efforts for the containment of #COVID19, Mandaviya tweeted.

Held a meeting with Dr Soumya Swaminathan, Chief Scientist of @WHO We had a productive discussion on WHOs approval of @BharatBiotechs COVAXIN.@DoctorSoumya also appreciated Indias efforts for the containment of #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/5gnAOQkeT3  Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) August 12, 2021

All documents required for Emergency Use Listing (EUL) have been submitted by Bharat Biotech for COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin to the World Health Organization (WHO) as of July 9 and the review process by the global health body has commenced, the Rajya Sabha was told last month.

Responding to question on whether it has come to the notice of the government that Covaxin used in India as Covid vaccine is not recognised by many countries, Minister of State for Health Bharati Pravin Pawar in a written reply said, The Government of India is aware that Covaxin at present is not part of WHO Emergency Use Listing (EUL).

Elaborating on efforts that have been made by the government to resolve this issue, Pawar said, "All documents required for Emergency Use Listing (EUL) have been submitted by Bharat Biotech International Ltd. to WHO as of 9th July 2021. The review process by WHO has commenced. WHO usually takes up to six weeks to decide on Emergency Use Listing (EUL) submissions."

Developed by Bharat Biotech in partnership with National Institute of Virology and the Indian Council of Medical Research, Covaxin was approved for emergency use on January 3. Trial results later showed the vaccine has an efficacy of 78 per cent.

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New Delhi: Two days ahead of Independence Day, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will be virtually launching multiple major events. According to a statement issued by the ministry, these events will commemorate the 75th anniversary of India's Independence Day.

One of the events would be of Border Roads Organisation (BRO) whose 75 teams would be leaving on Friday (August 13) for 75 remote places in the border areas of the country where they would unfurl the national flag on August 15, the Defence Ministry's statement noted. "The Indian Coast Guard will be unfurling the national flag at 100 islands pan-India on August 15 as a part of 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav'. The proceedings will start on Friday," it said.

India is celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Independence Day as 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav'. Singh on Friday will also flag off 75 teams of the Indian Army that will scale 75 mountain passes to mark this momentous occasion, it said. "The passes include Saserla Pass in Ladakh region, Stakpochan Pass in Kargil region, Satopanth, Harshil, Uttarakhand, Phim Karnla, Sikkim and Point 4493, Tawang region of Arunachal Pradesh," it added.

Singh will launch an event of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) wherein its cadets will carry out cleaning and maintenance of 825 statues of freedom fighters and bravehearts that have been adopted by 825 NCC battalions, the ministry said. To commemorate India's victory in the 1971 Indo-Pak war, a book 'Deeds of Gallantry' will be launched by the Raksha Mantri, it noted.

"The book details 20 selected battles and highlights the gallantry of Indian soldiers," it added.

Also read: 75th Independence Day: Seven landmark events the country witnessed in the last one year

Singh will launch a 'Jan Sampark Abhiyan' wherein a representative each of the respective Zila Sainik Board along with a representative of Indian Ex-Servicemen League -- a recognised ex-servicemen (ESM) association -- will interact simultaneously with the ESM fraternity in 75 districts across the country. The objective of the Abhiyan is to address the issues of the veterans in a time-bound manner, the ministry mentioned. Underlining the importance of conservation of water, Singh will flag off activities for rejuvenation of 75 water bodies across 62 cantonments by inaugurating the work on the Patel Park Lake in Ambala Cantt, the ministry said.

Singh will also launch a portfolio of export-ready defence products such as fast interceptor boat made by the Goa Shipyard Limited, it added.

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New Delhi: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday (August 12, 2021) said that Indore, which is the country's cleanest city, has now been declared as the first 'water plus' city of India under the Swachh Survekshan 2021.

While making the announcement, Chouhan said that the state's commercial capital, has set an example for other cities. Heartiest congratulations to the citizens of Indore as it becomes the first SBM (Swachh Bharat Mission) Water+ certified city under #SwachhSurvekshan2021. Indore has been an example for the whole nation for its determination and dedication towards cleanliness. May it continue to bring glory to the state, Chouhan said in a tweet.

Heartiest congratulations to the citizens of Indore as it becomes the first SBM Water+ certified city under #SwachhSurvekshan2021. Indore has been an example for the whole nation for its determination and dedication towards cleanliness. May it continue bring glory to the state!  Shivraj Singh Chouhan (@ChouhanShivraj) August 11, 2021

Swachh Survekshan, which was launch as a part of Swachh Bharat Mission, is an annual survey of cleanliness, hygiene and sanitation in cities and towns in India.

While detailing on the efforts, Indore district collector Manish Singh said, According to the guidelines of Water Plus Protocol of Swachh Survekshan, 1,746 public and 5,624 domestic sewer outfalls in 25 small and big nullahs were tapped by the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) which also freed the city's Kanh and Saraswati rivers from sewer lines.

Additionally, Indore civic commissioner Pratibha Pal revealed that over seven sewerage treatment plants were constructed in the city and about 110 million litres per day (MLD) treated water from them is being used.

According to the guidelines of Water Plus Protocol, 147 special types of urinals were constructed in the city. Besides, the work of cleaning ponds, wells and all water bodies has also been done, she added.

(With PTI inputs)

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New Delhi: In 1999, in its resolution 54/120, the UN General Assembly proposed that August 12 should be declared as the International Youth Day. The Assembly suggested that public information activities should be organized to support the Day as a way to promote better awareness of the World Programme of Action for Youth.

Every year UN organizes a virtual commemoration of the Day. The goal of the programme is to encourage youth around the world to organize activities to raise awareness about the situation of youth in their country.

It also enables youth to engage in formal political mechanisms so that they can help in reducing democratic deficits. The day has symbolic importance that can further contribute to restoring trust in public institutions, especially among youth.

The day focuses on making a better world for the upcoming generations with the help of the most vibrant population of youth who possess the enormous energy to construct something incredible even in the most challenging times like now when the world is badly hit by a pandemic and is shattered by adverse effects of climate change.

Every year the UN commemorates International Youth Day on August 12 with a theme that raises awareness about the concerned issue.

This year the theme of International Youth Day 2021 is, Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health, which aims to show that success in global causes can not be achieved without the meaningful participation of young people.

ALSO READ: ISRO's GISAT mission 'failed', glimpses of launch of EOS-03 from Sriharikota - In Pics

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Shimla: Death toll continues to mount at Kinnaur where a tragic landslide on August 11 led to death and devastation. 14 people are now confirmed dead, with rescue operation resuming early on Thursday (August 12). Four more bodies were recovered and 16 people are still missing, Himachal Pradesh CM Jai Ram Thakur told the state Assembly after returning from the landslide site near Chaura village on the National Highway 5 in the Nigulsari of Nichar tehsil.

So far, 13 people have been rescued. They were admitted to a Bhawanagar community health centre (CHC) for treatment on Wednesday. The rescue work being carried out jointly by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), ITBP, police and home guards, resumed at 6 am on Thursday, state Disaster Management Director Sudesh Kumar Mokhta said. The state authorities had suspended the rescue operation around 10 pm on Wednesday.

WATCH: Himachal Pradesh: Where did the rescue reach in Kinnaur?

A Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus, which along with other vehicles, was buried under the debris, has been found badly damaged. A Bolero car feared buried under the rubble could not be traced, Mokhta said, adding that it might be possible that it rolled down with the debris. The HRTC bus was on its way from Reckong Peo to Haridwar via Shimla when it was hit by boulders after the landslide around Wednesday noon. CM Thakur said the HRTC bus driver had stopped there, seeing falling stones. Several vehicles had stopped behind it. As boulders started falling at the site where the vehicles were stationed, the driver, conductor and two other passengers who alighted from the bus saved themselves by taking shelter under a rock. They were later rescued.

They could not see what happened to other vehicles as it became very dark around the area, the CM said. The bus was crushed under the rubble and its pieces were found scattered here and there, he added. The rescue work had to be halted for some time due to shooting stones, the CM said, adding that it was very difficult to complete it manually. The CM said five of the 13 rescued were at the Bhawanagar CHC when he visited there to enquire about their health. One injured has been referred to Hamirpur and another to the IGMC in Shimla, he added.

Shooting stones are still hampering the rescue operation, he added.

The CM said Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his message extended every possible help and they are trying to complete the rescue operation as soon as possible. President Ram Nath Kovind, Union minister Anurag Thakur and BJP chief Jagat Prakash Nadda have also expressed grief over the deaths, he added. Meanwhile, in a video clip on social media, a rescuer working at the site near the mangled remains of the bus is heard saying that the vehicle was found by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) 17th Battalion. Another rescuer says gloves should be brought for continuing the rescue operation. Kinnaur Deputy Commissioner Abid Hussain Sadiq said four more bodies were recovered from the spot after the rescue operation resumed on Thursday. Fourteen bodies have been recovered so far, he told PTI.

A touching Facebook post in Hindi by Shimla resident Lokendra Singh Vedic shows him saying that his father's body has been found but "rescuers are yet to find his head". CM Thakur met the kin of the dead and family members of those missing, assuring all possible help from the government. The CM said the state government will provide Rs 4 lakh each to the next of kin of the dead and Rs 50,000 to those seriously injured. Rs 1 lakh will be given to the kin of the dead bus passengers by the Transport Department, he said, adding that free treatment will be provided to the injured.

The CM said the state government will also conduct a geological survey of the area.

Earlier, a two-minute silence was observed in the state Assembly to pay homage to those who died in the landslide. Urban Development Minister Suresh Bhardwaj told the Assembly that CM Thakur, along with Industries and Transport Minister Bikram Singh, has gone to the spot to take stock of the rescue work. Bhardwaj said the landslide occurred at a place where people usually stop for sightseeing and take photographs.

The state government had requisitioned four helicopters for rescue work on Wednesday but they could not reach the site due to bad weather, he added. Senior Congress leader Asha Kumari said Leader of the Opposition Mukesh Agnihotri, Rampur MLA Nand Lal and Shimla Rural MLA Vikramaditya Singh have also gone to the spot. Expressing grief, CPM MLA Rakesh Singha said the factors that cause such landslides should also be examined.

The dead have been identified as Rohit Kumar (25), a resident of Kaiya village at Rampur in Shimla; Vijay Kumar (32) of Jhol village in Sujanpur of Hamirpur ; two-year-old Vanshuka of Sapni in Sangla of Kinnaur; Meera Devi, Nitisha, Prem Kumari , Gyan Dassi, Devi Chand (53), Kumari Radhika (22), Bhupender (29), all from Kinnaur; Kamlesh Kumar (34) of Rechuta village in Solan and Lakshman Thapa (19), who hails from Nepal and currently living in Theog, Shimla. One dead person is yet to be identified, Disaster Management Director Mokhta added.

(With PTI inputs)

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New Delhi: "I feel like I am losing one of the lions that guarded the judicial institution, Chief Justice NV Ramana said on Thursday while paying glowing tributes to Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman on his superannuation after over seven years at the Supreme Court bench.

Justice Nariman, who became the apex court judge on July 7, 2014, disposed of over 13,500 cases and delivered historic verdicts including the declaration of privacy as a fundamental right, setting aside of an IT Act provision empowering arrests, decriminalising consensual gay sex and permitting women of all ages to enter Kerala's Sabarimala temple.

I think I can conclude this reference with just one line: with brother Nariman's retirement, I feel like I am losing one of the lions that guarded the judicial institution; one of the strong pillars of the contemporary Judicial System. He is a man of principles and is committed to what is right, the CJI said who also shared the bench with outgoing justice Nariman and Surya Kant for the ceremonial hearing at noon.

Personally, I am a little overwhelmed and I am finding it difficult to express my thoughts in words, the CJI said. Justice Ramana was effusive in his praise and broke the convention by permitted all the lawyers, besides Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and SCBA President Vikas Singh, who wanted to say few words in the honour of his retiring colleague.

I think there is no need to elaborate the impact brother Justice Nariman has had as a Judge of this Court. As a judge of the Supreme Court, he has disposed of nearly 13,565 cases. All I can state is that with judgments like Shreya Singhal (by which section 66A of the IT Act empowering police to arrest for social media posts was set aside), his opinions in Puttaswamy and Shayara Bano, he has left an indelible mark on the jurisprudence of the country.

His judgments reflect his erudition, clarity of thought and scholarly approach. This institution will surely miss his knowledge and intellect, the CJI said. Retirement of luminaries such as Justice Nariman, who are repositories of legal acumen, makes one wonder if a person's age is the appropriate yardstick to decide the tenure and time of retirement, he said.

"We have seen just now the overwhelming response from the cross-section of the bar. I do not want to detain you for long, as I reserve my comments for the Supreme Court Bar Association function in the evening, Justice Ramana said.

The CJI referred to the excellent academic background of Justice Nariman and said he was made a senior advocate at the age of 37 years in 1993 by the then Chief Justice M N Venkatachaliah by amending the rule which fixes 45 years as the minimum age for granting such a designation to a lawyer.

The CJI said that Justice Nariman had an extremely successful practice for over 35 years as a lawyer and was only the fifth lawyer to be directly elevated to the bench of the apex court.

At the outset, in the absence of Attorney General K K Venugopal, the Solicitor General delivered his farewell speech in the virtual function and recalled the fact that Justice Nariman was the first lawyer briefed by him in the apex court.

Today is a very special day. Not only for us but for me as well, as Justice Nariman was the first-ever counsel I briefed in the Supreme Court, Mehta said, adding that the retiring judge has exceptional brilliance and integrity on varied subjects such as religions and constitutions".

I wish your Lordship a happy, healthy and fulfilling life ahead and in the third innings of his life, the law officer said. Thank you, Solicitor, Justice Nariman replied.

Senior advocate and Supreme Court Bar Association President Vikas Singh also wished him a happy post-retirement life and said, To be here as a President of the Bar when Justice Nariman is there is a privilege. We should be grateful to Justice Lodha (former CJI who had recommended Justice Nariman for judgeship) who recommended the name of Justice Nariman.

The 7-year tenure for a person like Justice Nariman is not enough, he said, adding that his tenure has brought glory to the institution. Former SCBA president and senior lawyer Dushyant Dave also spoke at the occasion and thanked the CJI for granting him the opportunity to speak for bidding farewell to one of the most popular judges of the Supreme Court.

He was an absolute symbol of a very very fair and compassionate judge who was kind to all lawyers and very encouraging to the young members, Dave said. The CJI then specifically asked the lawyers, who were logged into the video-conferencing facilities, to speak if they wished so.

Lawyers like Ranjit Kumar, P S Narasimha, R Basant, Siddharth Dave, K V Vishwanathan, Aishwarya Bhati, Ardhendumauli Prasad, Shivaji Jadhav and Joseph Aristotle also spoke at the occasion. Justice Nariman, born on August 13, 1956, graduated from Shri Ram College of Commerce and completed his LL.B. From the University of Delhi where he obtained a first-class degree and stood second in his entire batch.

Subsequently, he went to Harvard Law School to complete his LL.M. Degree and after completing his post-graduation in law, he practised Maritime Law in New York for one year. He then joined the Bar as an advocate in 1979 and became a senior lawyer in 1993 and Solicitor General of India on July 27, 2011, before being elevated as the judge of the apex court on July 7, 2014.

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New Delhi: The alleged manhandling of women MPs in the Parliament continue to remain a point of contention between the ruling party and the Opposition. on Thursday (August 12), leaders of 11 opposition parties accused the government of deliberately derailing Parliament. They alleged that opposition MPs, including women members were manhandled by outsiders, who were not part of Parliament security.

"Our one MP got injured during yesterday's incident in the Upper House. They were manhandled. Ask Piyush Goyal that what's the point of deploying so many marshals in the House," Congress MP Chhaya Verma was quoted by ANI as saying.

Addressing the issue where the new Congress Whip in Rajya Sabha was seen jostling with a female marshal, Verma said, "Who is responsible for this incident? Running Parliament proceedings is government's responsibility. We're just putting people's voices in Parliament. This will happen if their voices will not be heard."

Earlier, NCP Chief Sharad Pawar has expressed dismay over the way women MPs were manhandled at the Upper House. "In my entire parliamentary career, I never saw the way the women MPs were attacked today in the Upper House. More than 40 men and women were brought into the House from outside. It is very sad and painful, its an attack on democracy," Pawar had said.

Chaya Verma had also said, "I was pushed by male marshals and subsequently I fell on Phulo Devi Netam who fell on the floor in the House while I was trying to make way."

Congress Chief Whip Jairam Ramesh said, "Insurance Amendment Bill to privatise GIC was passed in RS with a large force of security personnel present. The Govt refused to send it to a Select Committee, a demand by all Opposition parties including those close to BJP. What happened this evening was worse than atrocious."

(With Agency inputs)

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New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and opposition leaders from 15 parties marched towards Vijay Chowk from Parliament in New Delhi on Thursday (August 12, 2021) over the demand to repeal the three farm laws and against chaos in Monsoon Session.

Top leaders of several opposition parties met in the chamber of Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and then walked in protest from Parliament House to Vijay Chowk. The opposition staged protest against numerous issues including the Pegasus report and alleged manhandling of their MPs in Rajya Sabha

Today, we had to come out here to speak to you (media) as we (Opposition) are not allowed to speak in the Parliament. This is murder of democracy, said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

The Parliament session is over. As far as 60 percent of the country is concerned there has been no Parliament session. The voice of 60 percent of the country has been crushed, humiliated and yesterday in the Rajya Sabha physically beaten, Gandhi added.

Delhi | Opposition leaders march towards Vijay Chowk from Parliament demanding repeal of Centre's three farm laws pic.twitter.com/y9E3U5PxES  ANI (@ANI) August 12, 2021

Recalling the incident at the parliament, Gandhi said, This is the first time that MPs have been attacked in Parliament. Outsiders were brought in who thrashed the MPs. Even then, they talk about the Chairmans tears. The Chairman's job is to make the House run.

Congress MP, Shashi Tharoor alleged that the Centre is passing laws without discussions. "Centre doesn't want to run the Parliament proceedings properly. Govt is passing laws without discussions. There should be a discussion on COVID-19 vaccination, current economic situation, unemployment, farm laws but govt is running away," said Shashi Tharoor.

Meanwhile other opposition leaders, including Shiv Senas Sanjay Raut, also joined the protests. While speaking to the media during the protest march Raut said, The opposition didn't get a chance to present their views in Parliament. Yesterday's incident against women MPs was against democracy. It felt like we were standing at the Pakistan border.

People from outside were brought into Parliament who wore marshal clothes and attacked women MPs. This is murder of democracy every day, Raut added.

Congress MP Chhaya Verma, who is the Congress Whip said, "I was pushed by male marshals and subsequently I fell on Phulo Devi Netam who fell on the floor in the House while I was trying to make way."

NCP chief Sharad Pawar had said, "In my entire parliamentary career, I never saw the way the women MPs were attacked today in the Upper House. More than 40 men and women were brought into the House from outside. It is very sad and painful, its an attack on democracy."

Congress Chief Whip Jairam Ramesh said, "Insurance Amendment Bill to privatise GIC was passed in RS with a large force of security personnel present. The Govt refused to send it to a Select Committee, a demand by all Opposition parties including those close to the BJP. What happened this evening was worse than atrocious."

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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday participated in the Atmanirbhar Narishakti Se Samvad and interacted with women Self Help Group (SHG) members promoted under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) through video conferencing.

PM Modi also released financial support to women Self Help Groups during his interaction with them. Speaking to a member of the SHG in Madhya Pradesh, Champa Singh, PM Modi said `Nari Shakti` (women power) can bring any change if they are determined and appreciated for their efforts.

"When a woman is empowered, not just a family is empowered but also the society and the country too develop," the Prime Minister said. The PM also suggested Champa Singh to start an online campaign for organic farming.

PM Narendra Modi releases financial support to women Self Help Groups (SHGs) "Our govt provided more support to women SHGs compare to previous govts. We opened bank accounts for women & provided loans without guarantee to SHGs," says PM pic.twitter.com/dbnjBu2Ygv  ANI (@ANI) August 12, 2021

A compilation of success stories of women SHG members from all across the country, along with a handbook on universalisation of farm livelihoods was also released by the Prime Minister during the event. Prime Minister also releases capitalisation support funds to the tune of Rs 1,625 crore to over 4 lakh SHGs.

In addition, the PM released Rs 25 crore as seed money for 7,500 SHG members under the PMFME (PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises) scheme of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries and Rs 4.13 crore as funds to 75 FPOs (Farmer Producer Organizations) being promoted under the Mission.

According to PMO, DAY-NRLM aims at mobilizing rural poor households into Self Help Groups (SHGs) in a phased manner and provide them long-term support to diversify their livelihoods, improve their incomes and quality of life.

Most of Mission`s interventions are being implemented and scaled up by the SHG women themselves who are trained as community resource persons (CRPs) - Krishi Sakhis, Pashu Sakhis, Bank Sakhis, Bima Sakhis and Banking Correspondent Sakhis.

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New Delhi: The government of India released a report on the regional patterns of aging across the Indian States and assessed the overall aging situation in the country. The report presents a deeper insight into how well India is doing to support the well-being of its aging population.

The index created by the Institute for Competitiveness sheds light on an issue often not mentioned- problems faced by the elderly.

'India is often portrayed as a young society, with a consequent demographic dividend. But, as with every country that goes through a fast process of demographic transition, India also has greying cum aging problem," said Chairman, EAC-PM, Dr. Bibek Debroy in a statement.

In the study, Rajasthan topped in the quality of life of elderly people among other states while Chandigarh and Mizoram secured the first place to provide the quality of life to older people among the other UTs and northeastern states respectively.

The index for Quality of Life for the Elderly is based on the four crucial pillars: Financial Well-being, Social Well-being, Health System and Income Security.

Other than the four crucial pillars basic framework of the index also includes Economic Empowerment, Educational Attainment & Employment, Social Status, Physical Security, Basic Health, Psychological well-being, Social Security and Enabling Environment of the elderly.

These pillar-wise analyses help States assess the state of the elderly population and identify existing gaps that obstruct their growth.

Important takeaways from the report:

The highest national average for the Health System pillar is 66.97 at the all-India level, followed by 62.34 in Social Well-being.

As per the index, states have performed particularly worse in the Income Security pillar as over half of the States have a score below the national average, i.e., 33.03 in Income Security, which is the lowest across all pillars.

The Financial Well-being score was 44.7, which is lowered by the bad performance of 21 States across the Education Attainment & Employment pillar, which showcases scope for improvement

According to the index, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh are top-scoring regions in Aged and the Relatively Aged States, respectively.

The Aged States refer to States with an elderly population of more than 5 million, whereas the Relatively Aged States refer to States with an elderly population of less than 5 million.

ALSO READ: International Youth Day: Why this day is celebrated!

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New Delhi: A rare blood clot syndrome associated with the COVID-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca poses a high risk of death, a new study has found.

UK researchers have found that although the syndrome - vaccine-induced immune thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (VITT) - occurs in just one out of 50,000 cases, those who do get it have a very low chance of survival.

The study which was conducted on the basis of 220 confirmed and probable cases in UK hospitals between March 22 and June 6, showed that 23 per cent of the patients who developed the clot did not survive.

The risk of fatality increases dramatically to 73 per cent in patients with a very low platelet count. The syndrome has been found to be deadly even for the young and healthy.

Its important to stress that this kind of reaction to the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine is very rare, Dr Sue Pavord, consultant hematologist at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, was quoted as saying by The Guardian.

Dr Pavord, who is also the lead author of the analysis published in the New England Journal of Medicine, said that for those who do develop blood clots, the results can be devastating.

It often affects young, otherwise healthy vaccine recipients and has high mortality. It is particularly dangerous when the patient has a low platelet count and bleeding in the brain, she said.

In the 220 cases studied, ages ranged from 18 to 79 years and about 85 per cent of patients were under the age of 60.

However, Pavord added that this does not mean the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine should not be given to the under-60s as the benefits far outweigh the risk which is very rare.

Also read: AstraZeneca, Pfizer vaccine antibody levels may decline after 2-3 months: Lancet study

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New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday (August 9) conducted a search operation at various premises of Villayutham, alleged kingpin of sea cucumber smuggling in Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu. The case involves serious environmental crime i.e. smuggling sea cucumber, an endangered species along Sri Lankan border.

Known as the cleaners of the sea, sea cucumbers play a vital role in maintaining health of the marine ecosystem. Sea cucumbers, also called as Holothurians, are marine endangered species. They are an important constituent of the coral ecosystem in the Gulf of Mannar. The product Beche-de-mer derived from processed sea cucumbers is commercially important and considered as a delicacy in China, Japan and Korea. Besides, sea cucumbers are known to have aphrodisiac qualities and pharmacological properties.

In 2001, the Government of India included all species of sea cucumbers under Schedule-I category of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and totally banned their collection. These animals have also been protected under Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

ED initiated investigation on the basis of 13 FIRs/Wild life cases filed against Villayutham. The residential premises of Villayutham, Hotel Raamajeyam owned by him at Rameshwaram were searched on August 9 by the ED. The operations resulted in seizure of a large number of sale deeds, cash receipts, cheque books and other incriminating documents. Sale deeds, papers and other documents seized during the search operation revealed the value of the assets of Villayutham to be around Rs. 5 Crore.

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New Delhi: Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Thursday (August 12) said that Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi will meet leaders and Chief Ministers of Congress-ruled states on August 20. While speaking to the media, the Shiv Sena leader said, "The Opposition is united. On August 20, Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi will speak to CMs of Congress-ruled states. Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray will also take part in this meeting."

Speaking about security marshals being called in yesterday during the passage of the insurance amendment bill in the Rajya Sabha, Raut said, "Do you want to scare us? Today we will be meeting in Mallikarjun Kharge's chamber and decide what to do."

Earlier today, Raut in a tweet said, "Is this our parliamentary Democracy? Marshall law in Temple of Democracy."

On Wednesday, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi had alleged that opposition members 'manhandled marshals' in the Rajya Sabha and said their behaviour during the session was a 'black spot in the history of Indian democracy'.

The Union Minister also appealed to the Chairman to release the CCTV footage in the public domain.Both the Houses - Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha were adjourned sine die on Wednesday, two days before the scheduled conclusion.

During the monsoon session, the opposition continuously protested and forced adjournments for their other demands including a probe into allegations of surveillance through Pegasus spyware and the repeal of new farm laws.

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New Delhi: After terrorists attacked a Border Security Force (BSF) convoy in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district on Thursday (August 12), an encounter broke out between terrorists and security personnel, PTI cited officials as saying.

"Terrorists opened fire at a BSF convoy on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway at Malpora in the Qazigund area of Kulgam district, the news agency quoted an official as saying. According to the officials, the attack took place when the convoy was headed for Srinagar from Jammu.

There have been no reports of any injuries in the attack and the attackers were trapped, police spokesperson said. Further, the spokesperson informed reinforcements have reached the spot and senior officers of the police, CRPF and the Army are also present there.

"Terrorists fired upon BSF convey at NHW Kulgam. No injury reported. However, terrorists trapped," IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar was quoted as saying by the Kashmir zone police.

On Monday, BSF busted a terrorist hideout and seized a huge cache of arms and ammunition in a joint operation with other security agencies ahead of 75th Independence Day. On 09 August 21, on specific input, a joint operation of BSF was launched with Rashtriya Rifles and Special operations Group in Poonch in the forest area at Vill-Sangad, (Teh-Mankot) PS-Mendhar, Poonch, Deputy Inspector General of BSF, S P S Sandhu had said. During the search operation, two AK-47 rifles, a Chinese pistol, four grenades and two mobile phones were also recovered.

(With PTI inputs)
New Delhi: The House That Zee Built, an insightful book written by Prof (Dr) Surbhi Dahiya, was released by eminent media educators of the world in a Roundtable organized by World Journalism Education Council (WJEC), Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) and UNESCO jointly here on August 10, 2021.

The book packages a well-researched and deeply analyzed journey of the media mogul Dr Subhash Chandra and confers enlightening facts about the dynamic management models of the ZEE. It tells the story of India's pioneering media enterprise, as well as the people and strategies that went into its creation.

The saga starts in 1890 in an undivided Punjab and looks at the extremely humble beginnings of the Goenka family. From the familys successful agri-business to an ambitious Subhash Chandra creating Indias first satellite television channel, this book is about the metamorphosis of a family business into a global conglomerate known as Zee.

The inherently risky business idea became such a national phenomenon that it spawned numerous similar television channels and even made global giants like Sony and News Corporation view India as a major television market.

The book eyes the journey, rise and management practices of a major media house in India. The author has attempted to cover both the journalistic and the managerial aspects of this media hub, and attempted to analyse the birth, primary products, product development and diversification alongwith the organisational structure, hierarchical charts, changing ownership of the papers and respective groups, editorial policies, HR policies, technological upgradation, market expansion, geographical spread and regional penetration, competitive strategy, edge over rivals and many more aspects.

With this and more, the book in its concluding chapters, outlines the companys leadership structure, business overview, brand strategies, and business model, while simultaneously offering an analysis into how these propositions can be duly aligned and re-aligned.

Devoid of tilted commentary, the book sheds equal light upon the institutions upheavals and future challenges. The narrative culminates with transformative scopes as well as the companys outlook going forward. Simply put, this holistic compendium offers multiple perspectives on how this media organization has grown from strength to strength towards the goals that had been envisioned for them. The real anecdotes, exclusive inputs by the core team of Zee and the detailed analysis of the media world make this an essential read.

Prof Dahiya, who is the Course Director of English Journalism said that, It is as much a telling of the legacy of Indias pioneering media enterprise as it is about the people and the strategies behind it. Offering an incisive look into the creation and sustenance of a brand that transcends boundaries, this is also a chronicle aimed at capturing the very essence of the phenomenon called Zee and the entrepreneurial foresight of Subhash Chandra and his sons Punit and Amit Goenka. It offers crisp and memorable insights into the inner workings of the media giant. The work was immensely commended by some of the most significant faces in the field of media education across 10 countries.

Dr. Dahiya takes the readers on a journey into the examination of the first three decades of Zee Media using a very objective and structural report, said Prof Alan B Albarran, Professor Emeritus, University of North Texas, USA. Prof Albarran also contributed to the book with an elegantly- written foreword. Prof Graham Murdock, Professor Emeritus, Loughborough University, UK, also praised the book, saying, it is an immensely well-researched, deeply detailed book that can be a perfect source of information about the happenings in the Indian media industry.

The book launch was also joined by other distinguished speakers and leading media educators from organizations and institutions from 10 countries. The panel included Prof B. K Kuthiala, Council of Higher Education, Govt of Haryana & Chandigarh; Dr Anurag Batra, founder, Exchange4Media and Business World; Prof (Dr) Daya Thussu, International Communication, Department of Journalism, School of Communication, Hongkong Baptist University, Hong Kong; Prof. Sanjay Dwivedi, DG, IIMC; Dr Deb Aikat, Vice President of AEJMC and Associate professor, University of North California, USA.; Prof Ramon Guillermo R. Tuazon, Information consultant UNESCO Myanmar and Secretary General, AMIC, Phillipines; Dr Rasha El Ibiary Associate Professor, Future university Egypt, Prof (Dr) Devesh Kishore, former professor in IGNOU and IIMC, Dr Sadia Jamil, Post-Doctoral fellow, Khalifa University, UAE; Richard Pamatatau, AUT, Auckland, New Zealand; Kapish G Mehra, Managing Director, Rupa Publications.

The session was moderated by Vishnupriya Pandey.
A couple of rooms in a house in Uttar Pradeshs Kanpur were kept closed for 36 years as they hid the proofs of the anti-Sikh riots of 1984 that erupted in the city in the aftermath of Indira Gandhis assassination. The rooms, in the house inhibited by a family, were opened on Tuesday by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up by the Yogi Adityanath government to re-look into the matter, reports the Indian Express.

The rooms in the house that previously belonged to a businessman named Tej Pratap Singh were almost untouched as the new owners didnt go into them. Tej Pratap and his son were killed by a mob in 1984. Later, the remaining members of Tej Prataps family left the city and moved to Delhi.

This is the first-ever probe into the anti-Sikh riots at any place in Uttar Pradesh. Kanpur had seen 127 deaths during the riots.

The forensic team confirmed that human remains have been found in the rooms where Tej Pratap and his son were killed and burnt.

The SIT has launched an investigation and talked to various victims and witnesses in states like Haryana, Punjab and Madhya Pradesh. They want to find the people from Kanpur who filed affidavits before the Ranganath Mishra Commission set up by the Rajiv Gandhi government in 1986.

The SIT was tasked by the state government to re-examine 1,251 cases filed after the riots. Out of which the SIT shortlisted 40 for further probe.

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NEW DELHI: Students of schools of Delhi will now be able to access the highest international standards of education that even the kids of the richest families of the country dream of. The Delhi Board of School Education signed an Agreement of Collaboration with International Baccalaureate (IB) to adopt global best practices in the field of curriculum, pedagogy and assessment, on Wednesday. The collaboration with IB will be through direct intervention in 30 schools of Delhi Government during the session 2021-22 which are affiliated to Delhi Board of School Education (DBSE).

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in his Digital press conference said, "Recently, we had formed the Delhi Board of School Education, every state has their own board, the centre has the central board. People used to undermine our vision for education in Delhi and thought we have started a state board just for the sake of it, but it is not so. Delhi Board of School Education has signed an Agreement of Collaboration with International Baccalaureate(IB), one of the highest regarded school boards across the globe."

*Pedagogy of the highest standards will be inculcated in the curriculum of DBSE schools in collaboration with IB: CM Arvind Kejriwal*

"The biggest schools of the world and the country where the richest of rich kids go to study dream of getting an affiliation of the IB, as their pedagogy is of the highest international standards. Across the world IB has collaborated with about 5,500 schools in 159 countries. They have collaborated with the governments of America, Canada, Spain, Japan and South Korea among other developed countries. I am very excited and delighted to see this MoU be signed between the Delhi Governments Delhi Board of School Education and the International Baccalaureate. All the students coming to DBSE schools will get education of international standard. We have two kinds of education systems in our country, one for the rich - private schools, and the other for the poor - government schools. If anyone has money, means and resources with them, they send their children to the private schools. If they are poor and underprivileged, they send their children to the government schools. The quality of education in government schools used to be pretty bad, till yesteryears it used to be pretty bad in Delhi as well," he added.

*Delhi Government has heavily invested financially and in terms of commitment to improve the education system: CM Arvind Kejriwal*

CM Kejriwal further said, "In the last 6 years, the Delhi Government has invested very heavily both in terms of commitment and financial resources. In the last 6 years, we have invested very heavily in education and I am very happy that education in government schools has undergone a complete transformation. Not only has the infrastructure of the government schools improved considerably, but also we sent our teachers, principals and headmasters to various foreign universities and management institutions for training and, as a consequence, for the last few years the results of these government schools have also improved drastically and the children are doing very well. We were standing at a juncture where we had to improve what is being taught, how it is being taught and we had to prepare our children up to international standards. When it succeeds it will be a great model for the rest of our country and it will show a way for the rest of our country that we can provide the best quality of education to the most underprivileged of the people."

*Guidance of IB with whom even the best of the students of the country long to be guided by, affiliated to and associated with, will be available to the underprivileged students of Delhi: CM Arvind Kejriwal*

"Students of Delhi will now be able to get education of the highest standards in their schools. It is a massive opportunity. The kind of education which kids of the richest of the families dream of will be made accessible to the underprivileged students of Delhi. I am very happy that the knowledge and experience of the International Baccalaureate  a body such with whom even the best of the students of the country long to be guided by, affiliated to and associated with, will be available to the underprivileged students of Delhi; and perhaps it will be a unique experience for the IB also till now perhaps wherever the IB went all across the world, it always used to get the best of the students and the best of the schools. But now, through this agreement, the IB is becoming a knowledge partner with a government board. Now the Delhi Government and the IB will together get a chance to groom up underprivileged students to international standards. It is a dream come true for us," the CM said.

*Starting with 30 schools, but the number will be scaled up; private schools too can get affiliated to DBSE: CM Arvind Kejriwal*

"DBSEs collaboration with the IB will translate into experts from foreign coming here to train the schools under the DBSE and improve their quality to international standards. We are starting out with 30 government schools, whose teachers will be trained by international experts and models for assessment of students will be developed by them. Under their guidance and assistance the schools will be inspected, verified, and certified and they will tell what the school lacks and how it can be improved. Gradually, more schools will be added to the program, even private schools can get affiliated to the Delhi Board of School Education," he added.

*Big ray of hope coming from Delhis education system in the 75th year of Independence: CM Arvind Kejriwal*

"I am very delighted that in the 75th year of independence, a big ray of hope and optimism has arisen in Delhi that students of Delhi will be able to access international standards of education. Our students will be able to compete on international levels. The Delhi Government firmly believes that education is something that can truly transform the entire society and the entire country; quality education can in just one generation eradicate poverty. The more we invest in our children the more we invest in our future," the Chief Minister further said.

*Preparing global leaders, not just students who want degrees: Dy CM Manish Sisodia*

During the signing of the agreement, Deputy Chief Minister and Education Minister Manish Sisodia said, "The Delhi Government is signing a knowledge partnership agreement with the IB. The Chief Minister always emphasises on the fact that we dont just want to see students pass and take their degrees, we want them to develop as countrys and the worlds best professionals who are responsible citizens who can give their everything for their family, country and society. The quality of these professionals should be top-notch and it is essential for us to prepare global leaders."

The agreement signing ceremony was presided over by Arvind Kejriwal, Chief Minister in presence of Manish Sisodia, Deputy Chief Minister, Vijay Dev, Chief Secretary and senior officials of Delhi Government. IB was represented by Ms Stefanie Leong, Head of Development and Recognition, Asia-Pacific, International Baccalaureate online from Singapore and Mahesh Balakrishnan, IB-Manager Development and Recognition, India and Nepal.

As the President of the Delhi Board of School Education, Deputy CM Manish Sisodia authorised the Director of Education and DBSE Chairman Udit Prakash to sign the Agreement of Collaboration with International Baccalaureate (IB). On behalf of IB, Mahesh Balakrishnan, IB-Manager Development and Recognition, India and Nepal signed the agreement while Ms. Ms. Stefanie Leong, Head of Development and Recognition, Asia-Pacific, IB joined online from Singapore.

Ms Stefanie Leong, Head of Development and Recognition, Asia-Pacific, International Baccalaureate, said, "This partnership entails that IB development workshops provide opportunities to engage in rich learning experiences for the school leaders and educators and serve as a tool to help schools meet professional requirements of the highest quality. IB education is designed to develop knowledgeable and caring young people who are dedicated to creating a better and more peaceful world."

The collaboration with IB will be through direct intervention in 30 schools of Delhi Government during the session 2021-22 which are affiliated to Delhi Board of School Education (DBSE). This will be scaled up subsequently.

*About the collaboration:*

The collaboration with IB will be through direct intervention in 30 schools of Delhi Government during the session 2021-22 which are affiliated to Delhi Board of School Education (DBSE)

Out of these 30 schools, 10 Sarvodaya schools (Classes Nursery-8) and 20 Schools of Specialized Excellence, SoSE (Classes 9-12). The nature of formal IB programs look as following:

a. In the 10 Sarvodaya Schools, Primary Years Program (PYP) will run for classes Nursery  5 & Middle Years Program (MYP) will run for classes 6-8

b. In the 20 SoSEs, Middle Years Program (MYP) will run for classes 9-10 and Diploma Program (DP) and Careers Program (CP) will run for classes 11-12 from next year

The Head of Schools (HoS) and teachers in these schools will receive globally reputed training from IB experts.

More than 400 teachers in Sarvodaya schools and 250 teachers in SOSEs will be part of the professional development workshops by IB which will help in their capacity building and up-skilling.

About 15,000 students studying in these schools will benefit from the collaboration with IB.

The collaboration with IB entails following benefits to the DBSE schools:

a. Approaches to teaching and learning across its programmes through IBs globally acclaimed educational programmes;

b. Assessments: Through access to the Programme Resource Center of IB, teachers will gain assessments best practices across IB programmes;

c. Teacher Training: Through IB professional development workshops required for schools implementing the IB programmes, educators are to undertake the workshops to help in their own professional goals and development;

d. School Programme readiness achieved through consultancy visit, the verication visit, the evaluation visit and participation in IB Seminars and Conferences, and Programme network meetings to share knowledge and gain positive experiences;

e. Adoption of global best practices through IB programme implementation at schools, with impartial approach to school visits and curriculum reviews so to stay current.

Through the collaboration with IB, DBSE expects to extend the benefit of this partnership to all the schools under its ambit in the coming years.

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New Delhi: Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, one of the world's richest man, who could afford to live anywhere and in any sort of lavish home he wanted, has moved into a 37-square-meter tiny flat-pack house. The 37-square-meter prefab house in Boca Chica, Texas, where his SpaceX headquarters are located, is priced at $50,000.

Also read: Take a tour of Elon Musk's tiny flat-pack house, the pictures are jaw-dropping!

As per reports in the media, Musk delivered on a vow to exit California, selling all physical possessions, including six Californian mansions.

"My primary home is literally a $50k house in Boca Chica/Starbase that I rent from SpaceX. It's kinda awesome though," Musk said earlier in a tweet. "Only house I own is the events house in the Bay Area. If I sold it, the house would see less use, unless bought by a big family, which might happen someday," he continued.

Elon Musk lives very modestly by billionaire standards. Only 1 residential house (plus 1 for events).@ElonMusk uses less resources than most multi-millionaires despite working way harder. Plus $ sitting in stocks, makes each $ outside worth more exactly proportionally.  Matt Wallace (@MattWallace888) June 9, 2021

The Casita is an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) made by housing startup company Boxabl that is only about 37 square meters. The foldable prefabricated homes are towed into the site and assembled in just one day, popping out a fully-equipped interior.

As per the Boxabil website, the tiny house comes with some real cool amenities a Full-Size Kitchen (that hosts a Large Fridge, Double Sink With a View, Oven, Dishwasher, Microwave and Shaker Cabinetry), Bathroom (with Deep shower/tub, Vessel sink, Large counter, Backlit Mirror and Sliding Glass Barn Door), 375 sq ft Living room (with Huge Doors & Windows, Wide Plank Composite Flooring, Built-In Ironing Center, Washer/Dryer, Heating & Air) and promises Ultra-Low Utility Bills.

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New Delhi: The State Bank of India (SBI) is looking to hire for posts of Specialist Cadre Officers (Engineer Civil/ Electrical) on regular basis. Interested candidates can apply at portals https://bank.sbi/web/careers or https://www.sbi.co.in/web/careers.

The application forms will be available from August 13 and can be filled till September 2.

The SBI is recruiting for 46 vacancies, out of which 36 are for Assistant Manager- Engineer (Civil), while the remaining 10 are for Assistant Manager- Engineer (Electrical).

Eligibility criteria:

Assistant Manager- Engineer (Civil): Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering with 60% or above marks.

Assistant Manager- Engineer (Electrical): Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering with 60% or above marks.

The ideal candidates should be between 21 to 30 years of age as of April 1, 2021.

Application fee:

Candidates from General/OBC/EWS category have to pay an application fee of Rs 750. SC/ST/PWD category aspirants are exempted from paying the fee.

SBI Recruitment 2021: Selection process-

The candidates will be selected on the basis of an online written test and interview. The tentative date for the online written test is September 25, which will be uploaded on Banks website and also advised to the candidates through SMS and e-mails. The Call letters will be available online from September 13 onwards (tentatively). The call letter for interview to the shortlisted candidates will be sent by e-mail only or will be uploaded on Banks website.

For exam pattern and other details, candidates are advised to read the official notification of SBI here.

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New Delhi: In the latest update on the pornography case against businessman Raj Kundra, the director of his company Abhijit Bhomble has been arrested by Mumbai Crime Branch Property Cell as per an ANI report.

It appears an actress had filed a case against four individuals from Shilpa Shetty's husband Raj Kundra's company. Along with Abhijit Bhomble, actress Gehana Vashisth, Prince Kashyap and Ajay Srimant are also named as accused in this controversial pornography case.

The ANI tweet read, "Abhijit Bhomble, director in businessman Raj Kundra's company arrested by Mumbai Crime Branch Property Cell. An actress had filed case against 4 people from Kundra's company. Besides Bhomble, Gehana Vashisth, Ajay Srimant & Prince Kashyap are accused in this."

Check out the tweet below:

Pornography matter: Abhijit Bhomble, director in businessman Raj Kundra's company arrested by Mumbai Crime Branch Property Cell. An actress had filed case against 4 people from Kundra's company. Besides Bhomble, Gehana Vashisth, Ajay Srimant & Prince Kashyap are accused in this.  ANI (@ANI) August 12, 2021

For the unversed, the Bombay High Court on Saturday (August 7, 2021) dismissed the bail plea of businessman Raj Kundra and associate Ryan Thorpe in the pornography case. Kundra had filed a writ petition in the court calling his arrest 'illegal'. The court reserved its verdict upon hearing both the concerned parties.

Responding to the writ petition filed by Kundra, the public prosecutor stated that he is a British citizen and destroying the evidence in the case against him and there is a possibility of him doing the same in future.

The investigating agencies have recovered 51 adult movies from the Storage Area Network (SAN) and 68 adult films from his laptops. Therefore, Raj Kundra's arrest is not only valid but also very important in this case, argued the prosecutor.

The crime branch is investigating the case that was registered at the Malwani police station in suburban Mumbai in February 2021.

(With agency inputs)
New Delhi: Bollywood actor Salman Khan surprised fans on Wednesday by sharing a picture with Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu, who secured the silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics 2020 in the 49 kg category.

The 'Sultan' actor shared the photo on his Instagram handle, in which he gave Mirabai a hug and in the caption congratulated her on her win at the recently held Olympics.Congratulating the Olympian, Salman wrote, "Happy for u silver medalist @mirabai_chanu .. lovely meeting with u ... best wishes always!".

In the photo, Salman wore a black T-shirt and ivory stole around his neck. Mirabai wore a pink shirt and smiled at the camera.

The 55-year-old star also shared the same photo on his Twitter handle, which was reposted by Mirabai, along with which she wrote, "Thank you so much @BeingSalmanKhan sir. I am a big fan of you and it was like a dream come true for me."

Earlier in an interview, Mirabai had confessed that she was a fan of Salman Khan.

Mirabai won the silver medal win in the women's weightlifting 49 kg category. Earlier, actor Anushka Sharma had also expressed her admiration for Mirabai, sharing a picture of earrings that she wore to the match.

Anil Kapoor wrote in a tweet, "Congratulations @mirabai_chanu !! This is incredible!! #TeamIndia #Cheer4India."

Abhishek Bachchan also tweeted, "Congratulations @mirabai_chanu on bringing India a silver medal in weightlifting and giving us a strong start!"

Salman will be next seen in 'Kick 2' alongside Jacqueline Fernandez. He also has 'Tiger 3' with Katrina Kaif and a special appearance in Shah Rukh Khan-starrer 'Pathan'. He will also be seen in 'Antim' which co-stars his brother-in-law Aayush Sharma.
New Delhi: Kriti Sanon is having a golden run in the Hindi film industry with several films lined up. The actress feels no pressure and instead is motivated and would not want it any other way.

Kriti's latest release is 'Mimi'. She has her diaries full as her line-up includes 'Hum Do Humare Do', 'Bachchan Pandey', 'Bhediya' and 'Adipurush'.

With so much riding on Kriti, does it get pressuring?

Pat came the reply: "No, there is no pressure."

"I feel excited, motivated and thrilled because this is what I wanted to do. This is where I wanted to be and when I have reached where I have these kinds of opportunities in front of me," added the actress, who appeared in Forbes India's Celebrity 100 list of 2019.

The 31-year-old is happy with the kind of work coming her way.

"I am doing films which are not similar in any genre or flavour at all. I am getting to play so many different kinds of characters, getting to work with such amazing directors and stories that I would want to be a part of. I don't think there is anything more that you can ask as an actor and in a stage where you are getting your due and appreciation you crave for as an actor," she said.

Kirti added: "All the love and validation is the only thing we get in return. Once that starts pouring you feel more satisfied, and motivated. I am thrilled and enjoying this beautiful phase and I am looking forward to each and every film I have done."
New Delhi: Before visiting your bank branch in the coming week, you must note down the list of important days during which banks will remain closed. Banks are going to be closed for 5 days in the next week. However, it must be noted that the bank holidays vary in various states as well not observed by all the banking companies. Banking holidays also depend on the festivals being observed in specific states or notification of specific occasions in those states.

Here is an elaborate list of bank holidays falling in the coming weeks. Check out the list.

Independence Day/Sunday: August 15

Parse New Year (Shahenshahi): August 16

Muharram (Ashoora) : August 19

Muharram/First Onam: August 20

Thiruvonam: August 21

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has mentioned some days when the banking operations will remain closed in the month of August 2021, although online banking activities will continue to work. Banks will remain closed for total 15 days in the month of August-- 8 as per the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) holiday calendar list and the remaining days are that of weekends. However banking activities in different states may vary from each other.

Reserve Bank of India places its Holidays under three brackets --Holiday under Negotiable Instruments Act; Holiday under Negotiable Instruments Act and Real Time Gross Settlement Holiday; and Banks Closing of Accounts.

Holidays of the mentioned days will be observed in various regions according to the state declared holidays, however for the gazetted holidays, banks will be closed all over the country.

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An asteroid the size of the Empire State Building might hit the earth. However, located over 100 million miles from Earth, the asteroid, named Bennu, will hit the earth, if at all, in the next century or two. So while whoever's reading this article now will be all dead by that time - as will their kids - the slight chance that it might hit earth is causing some concerns among scientists. Discovered first in 1999, asteroid Bennu has been classified as a potentially hazardous object. Asteroids are small, rocky objects that orbit the Sun. Although asteroids orbit the Sun like planets, they are much smaller than planets.

According to New York Times, at a news conference on Wednesday (August 11), NASA scientists said there was a 1-in-1,750 chance that Bennu, which is a bit wider than the Empire State Building is tall, could collide with Earth between now and 2300. That is actually slightly higher than an earlier estimate of 1 in 2,700 over a shorter period, between now and 2200, reported NYT.

The acorn-shaped body formed in the early days of our solar system, could hold clues to the origins of life on Earth, scientists say. A NASA spacecraft, named OSIRIS-REx, has spent two years near Bennu.The spacecraft used its robotic arm to collect a sample from the surface of the asteroid that will help researchers determine the future trajectory of Bennu. Bennu is about 1,650 feet (500 meters) wide. The rocks and dust collected by OSIRIS-REx are reportedly scheduled to return to Earth on September 24, 2023.

Also read: Asteroid the size of stadium hurtling towards Earth, likely to zoom past on THIS date: NASA

While chances are slim of the asteroid hitting the earth, what will happen if Bennu actually slam into Earth? Well, no it would not mean the end of life as we know it, but its likely to create a crater roughly 10 to 20 times the size of the asteroid, said Lindley Johnson, NASA's planetary defence officer. However, the area of devastation would be much bigger: as much as 100 times the size of the crater.

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New Delhi: Twitter is rolling out its Chirp font to the Twitter app and feed in a bid to revamp the websites and app of the microblogging platform. The company has named the newly launched font Chirp. The new changes that are coming into effect of the social media site are a part of a broader branding strategy that was first unveiled in January.

In a series of tweets, Twitter confirmed the changes. In the first tweet, the microblogging platform asked, what did our font change? Replying to the tweet, the company confirmed that the font has been changed indeed. With the tweets, the social media giant was aiming to create the hype around the change of the font.

wait did our font change?  Twitter (@Twitter) August 11, 2021

"Today, we released a few changes to the way Twitter looks on the web and on your phone. While it might feel weird at first, these updates make us more accessible, unique and focused on you and what you are talking about," the company wrote on the platform on Wednesday.

"In January, we revealed our new font, Chirp -- and it`s ready for you to use today," it added. Moreover, Twitter has now made a new change to its website in which all the Western-language text is now aligning to the left side. The change is expected to make scrolling feed easier for readers of Western-language text. Font of non-Western languages will remain unchanged. Also Read: Bank holidays August 2021: Banks to remain closed for 5 days from next week

In the past few months, Twitter has been making several changes to its microblogging platform. The Jack Dorsey-led platform has recently decided to shut down its Instagram Stories-like `Fleets` feature. Fleets was disappearing tweets that sat in a row at the top of users` Twitter handles on smartphones, which expired after 24 hours, according to a report by IANS. Also Read: SpiceJet passengers can now book cabs during flights, check fare, booking process and other details
New Delhi: With the aim to make virtual learning distraction free, video conferencing platform Zoom has announced a new Focus mode that will help students stay attentive during the classes.

The company said that Focus Mode allows educators to see their students` videos and students to see their teachers without seeing other class participants.

"With this feature, teachers can supervise their class, but students won`t be distracted by their peers` video feeds or feel self-conscious about turning on their own camera," the company said in a blogpost on Wednesday.

The platform has also released a new Zoom for Chrome progressive web application (PWA). The PWA improves the Zoom experience for Chromebook users, giving them access to even more Zoom features on Chrome OS devices.

To use it, users will need to find the PWA on the Google Play store and install it on Chrome OS.

The company also said that designating a space for schoolwork can help a child get into the right mindset when learning from home.

"Help your student set up a dedicated spot for studying and joining Zoom class sessions. It can be anywhere in your home, but ideally, it should be quiet and distraction-free," the company said. Also Read: Ola Electric scooter to launch on Aug 15: Check when and where to watch live event

"Also clear off a shelf or find a box or bin where your child can store school stuff out of sight until the next day, especially if their learning space is in a communal area like a kitchen or living room. This helps reduce clutter and allows your child to `leave the classroom` at the end of the day, creating some separation between school and home," it added. Also Read: Tata Motors to gift Tata Altroz to Indian athletes who missed bronze at Tokyo Olympics
Kanpur: In a shocking incident, a man killed his 23-year-old wife with a spade in Kanpur Dehat and then walked to the police station to tell the police to pick up his wife`s body. His in-laws insist it's dowry death.

Circle Officer, Bhognipur, Prabhat Kumar said the accused husband, Ram Kumar, a street vendor, asked the police to visit his house where his wife Uma`s body was lying.

The circle officer said the couple had frequent arguments over the wife`s visiting her parents` home regularly. Late Tuesday there was again one such quarrel when she attacked the husband with a brick, and he reciprocated with the spade.

When she fell unconscious, he dragged her to their room and left for the police station. Kanpur Police later recovered the spade from the room. Uma`s father Chandrapal, who also reached the spot, told investigators that there was a function at his home for which his daughter Uma also came.

Two days back, Ram Kumar had taken Uma from her house. "My daughter has been murdered for dowry," said Chandrapal. Later, he filed a complaint accusing his son-in-law Ram Kumar, mother-in-law, father-in-law and other relatives of being involved in the murder of his daughter.

"Accused Ram Kumar was sent to jail on Wednesday," the circle officer said.

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New Delhi: The Afghanistan government has offered a power-sharing deal to the Taliban in exchange for putting an end to violence in the country, media reports said on Thursday (August 12).

ARY News reported that the Ashraf Ghani-led government offered a "share of power" to the Taliban to stop attacks on civilians and prevent further escalation of violence in the war-torn country.

The development came soon after Taliban spokesperson Qari Yousaf Ahmadi said the group had captured Ghazni city, the capital of the eponymous province in Afghanistan`s southeast.

The Taliban have captured 10 provincial capitals so far and continue to advance to other regions rapidly.

The Afghanistan government, during the extended Troika meeting in Qatar`s Doha has raised grave concerns over the Taliban`s brutal attacks on cities, which have led to war crimes and blatant human rights violations and humanitarian catastrophe in the country, Afghan foreign ministry said.

The extended Doha Troika meeting, comprising the US, Russia, China, and Pakistan, was aimed at resuming meaningful intra-Afghan peace negotiations even as US-led foreign troops finalised their withdrawal from the region.

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Beijing: China on Tuesday recalled its ambassador to Lithuania and expelled the Baltic nation's top representative to Beijing over the country's decision to allow self-governing Taiwan to open an office in Lithuania under its own name.

Beijing claims Taiwan as its territory without the right to diplomatic recognition, although the island maintains informal ties with all major nations through trade offices that act as de facto embassies, including in the United States and Japan. Chinese pressure has reduced Taiwan's formal diplomatic allies to just 15.

Taiwan, meanwhile, protested Tuesday to the administration of the Venice Film Festival after its entries were credited as coming from 'Chinese Taipei', under what it said was pressure from China. The term is often used in other countries in order not to offend Beijing.

Taiwan and Lithuania agreed last month that the office in the capital Vilnius set to open this fall will bear the name Taiwan rather than Chinese Taipei.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry statement called on Lithuania to immediately rectify its wrong decision, take concrete measures to undo the damage, and not to move further down the wrong path."

The statement referred to 'potential consequences' for Lithuania if it allowed the office to open, but gave no details.

"We also warn the Taiwan authorities that Taiwan independence' is a dead end and any attempt at separatist activities in the international arena is doomed to fail," the statement said.

The Lithuanian Foreign Ministry expressed regret over China's actions, and stressed that while respecting the 'one China' principle, it stands ready to develop mutually beneficial ties with Taiwan, just as many other countries in the world do.

Taiwanese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Joanne Ou saluted what she called Lithuania's 'firm will to defend the concept of national dignity and freedom'. "The two sides will continue to strengthen exchanges in various fields on the basis of universal values such as democracy, freedom and human rights," Ou said.

In Washington, U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price condemned what he called China's "coercion" and said all countries should be free to determine how to handle relations with Taiwan without Beijing's interference.

"We do stand in solidarity with our NATO ally Lithuania and we condemn the PRC's recent retaliatory actions, including the recall of Beijing's ambassador to Vilnius and demanding Lithuania recall its ambassador to Beijing," Price told reporters. "Each country should be able to determine the contours of its own One-China' policy without outside coercion."

Separately, organizers of the Venice Film Festival were urged to to designate the island's submissions as coming from Taiwan, said Kendra Chen, deputy director of the Foreign Ministry's Department of European Affairs. They appear as Chinese Taipei on the festival's website.

Taiwan's diplomats will maintain contact with organizers and use multiple channels to continue to fight to ensure our submissions do not come under attack and that our sovereignty is not compromised, Chen told reporters at a news conference.

Along with intensifying diplomatic pressure, China has stepped up threats to bring Taiwan under its control by dispatching fighter jets and warships around the island.

In February, under pressure from China, Guyana canceled permission for Taiwan to open a trade and investment office in the South American country.

The last time Taiwan established a representative office in Europe was in 2003 in Bratislava, Slovakia. Taiwan currently operates 110 representative offices in 72 countries, according to the Foreign Ministry
New Delhi: As the resurgent Taliban advances across Afghanistan it is speculated that the capital Kabul could possibly be isolated in in 30 days captured in 90, a US defence official cited US intelligence as saying in a report by Reuters.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity said this as per a new assessment of how long Kabul could stand the Taliban`s rapid gains as US-led foreign forces leave the country. "But this is not a foregone conclusion," the official said though he claimed that the Afghan security forces could reverse the momentum if they put up more resistance.

US State Department spokesman Ned Price said the attacks were against the spirit of a 2020 agreement. The Taliban had committed to talks on a peace accord that would lead to a "permanent and comprehensive ceasefire. All indications at least suggest the Taliban are instead pursuing a battlefield victory," Price said on Wednesday.

All gateways to Kabul, which lies in a valley surrounded by mountains, have been choked with civilians entering the city and fleeing violence elsewhere, a Western security source told Reuters.

"The fear is of suicide bombers entering the diplomatic quarters to scare, attack and ensure everyone leaves at the earliest opportunity," he said.

Now, the foreign nations are ensuring that their diplomatic staff leave Kabul quickly, the international airlines are also being asked to evacuate staff.

The militants now control 65% of the country. On Wednesday, Faizabad, in the northeastern province of Badakhshan became the eighth provincial capital to be seized by the Taliban.

Meanwhile, as Taliban advances across the country it has raised fears of a return to power of the hardline militants worrying the new generation of Afghans that the progress made in areas such as women`s rights and media freedom will be squandered.

(With inputs from agencies)
Islamabad: Pakistan`s liberal Pashtuns are raising their voices against the government`s attempts to fuel unrest in neighbouring Afghanistan by assisting the Taliban. The Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), an anti-war group, has held massive rallies in several parts of the province in the past few weeks.

The PTM has condemned the Taliban and expressed its support for the Afghan government, Thailand`s Haiger media reported. The PTM has also gained ground in the country`s northwest areas in recent years.

And it had been raising its voices against the government-sponsored terror in the country and nearby. Pashtuns in the country`s northwestern region believe that Pakistan is responsible for Afghanistan`s deteriorating condition day by day as Islamabad has been behind the terror group for a long time and now it provides all kinds of assistance to the Taliban.

Most of these ethnic Pashtuns are wary of a never-ending war in their region and blame both the Taliban and Islamabad for the devastation in their areas, Haiger said. Progressive Pashtuns in the country`s northwestern areas are not inclined toward the terror group as they believe that violence can never bring peace.

They recently held a convention in Charsadda, a town in Pakistan`s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, to discuss the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan, Haiger said.

Pashtuns have denounced the Taliban`s assaults on Afghan forces and also condemned the US` Doha deal with the Taliban, saying it practically legitimised the militant group.They are also afraid that a terror group`s control in the nearby region may impact Pakistan`s northwestern region too.

The party has gained ground in the country`s northwest areas in recent years. And it had been raising its voices against the government-sponsored terror in the country and nearby. There have been multiple attempts of targeting Pashtun activists by the government as they speak against Islamabad.

Last week, Awami National Party`s (ANP) leader Malik Ubedullah`s handcuffed body was found from Balochistan`s Pishin district. The body was recovered from the district`s Muhajir camp Saranan.

Enforced disappearances of political activists, students and other intellectuals are now common in Balochistan as Pakistani security forces have launched a campaign to silence the dissidents.

Earlier this month, Pashtun leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai had called on the Imran Khan-led Pakistan government to denounce its support to the war in Afghanistan stating that peace in this country is important for regional stability.

Achakzai, leader of Pakistan`s Awami National Party leader recently said that the world should respect Afghanistan`s independence.

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Washington: Afghan government forces are collapsing even faster than US military leaders thought possible just a few months ago when President Joe Biden ordered a full withdrawal. But there's little appetite at the White House, the Pentagon or among the American public for trying to stop the rout and it probably is too late to do so.

Biden has made clear he has no intention of reversing the decision he made last spring, even as the outcome seems to point toward a Taliban takeover. With most US Troops now gone and the Taliban accelerating their battlefield gains, American military leaders are not pressing him to change his mind. They know that the only significant option would be for the president to restart the war he already decided to end.

The Taliban, who ruled the country from 1996 until US forces invaded after the 9/11 attacks, captured three more provincial capitals Wednesday, giving them effective control of about two-thirds of the country. The insurgents have no air force and are outnumbered by US-trained Afghan defense forces, but they have captured territory with stunning speed.

John Kirby, the chief Pentagon spokesman, said the Afghans still have time to save themselves from final defeat.

"No potential outcome has to be inevitable, including the fall of Kabul," Kirby told reporters. "It doesn't have to be that way. It really depends on what kind of political and military leadership the Afghans can muster to turn this around." Biden made a similar point a day earlier, telling reporters that US troops had done all they could over the past 20 years to assist the Afghans.

"They've got to fight for themselves, fight for their nation," he said.

The United States continues to support the Afghan military with limited airstrikes, but those have not made a strategic difference thus far and are scheduled to end when the US Formally ends its role in the war on August 31. Biden could continue airstrikes beyond that date, but given his firm stance on ending the war, that seems unlikely.

"My suspicion, my strong suspicion, is that the 31st of August timeline's going to hold," said Carter Malkasian, who advised US military leaders in Afghanistan and Washington.

Senior US military officials had cautioned Biden that a full US withdrawal could lead to a Taliban takeover, but the president decided in April that continuing the war was a waste. He said Tuesday that his decision holds, even amid talk that the Taliban could soon be within reach of Kabul, threatening the security of US and other foreign diplomats.

The most recent American military assessment, taking into account the Taliban's latest gains, says Kabul could be under insurgent pressure by September and that the country could fall entirely to Taliban control within a couple of months, according to a defense official who discussed the internal analysis Wednesday on condition of anonymity.

Officials said that there has been no decision or order for an evacuation of American diplomatic personnel from Afghanistan. But one official said it is now time for serious conversations about whether the US military should begin to move assets into the region to be ready in case the State Department calls for a sudden evacuation.

Kirby declined to discuss any evacuation planning, but one congressional official said a recent National Security Council meeting had discussed preliminary planning for a potential evacuation of the US Embassy but came to no conclusions.

Any such plan would involve identifying US troops, aircraft and other assets that may have to operate from within Afghanistan or nearby areas. The US already has warships in the region, including the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier and the USS Iwo Jima amphibious ready group with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard.

Military officials watching the deteriorating situation said that so far the Taliban hasn't taken steps to threaten Kabul. But it isn't clear if the Taliban will wait until it has gained control of the bulk of the country before attempting to seize the capital.

Military commanders have long warned that it would be a significant challenge for the Afghan military to hold off the Taliban through the end of the year. In early May, shortly after Biden announced his withdrawal decision, Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said he foresaw "some really dramatic, bad possible outcomes" in a worst-case scenario. He held out hope that the government would unify and hold off the Taliban, and said the outcome could clarify by the end of the summer.

The security of the US diplomatic corps has been talked about for months, even before the Taliban's battlefield blitz. The military has long had various planning options for evacuating personnel from Afghanistan. Those options would largely be determined by the White House and the State Department.

A key component of the options would be whether the US Military would have unfettered access to the Kabul international airport, allowing personnel to be flown systematically out of the capital. In a grimmer environment, American forces might have to fight their way in and out if the Taliban have infiltrated the city.

The US, also, would have to determine who would be evacuated: just American embassy personnel and the US military, or also other embassies, American citizens, and Afghans who worked with the US In that last category are former interpreters and those who face retaliation from the Taliban. The US has already started pulling out hundreds of those Afghans who assisted troops during the war.

Senior defense leaders have been talking and meeting daily, laying out their grim assessments of the security situation in Afghanistan. Officials pointed to the fall of Baghlan Province as a worrisome bellwether, because it provides the Taliban with a base and route to Kabul from the north.